coastdogs.org

Bluetick Coonhounds are Great Dogs!

joan — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 23:11:07 +0000

I have gotten interested in the Bluetick Coonhound lately. Not only are they very handsome dogs, but they make wonderful companion animals. My neighbor has two of them, and they really are great hunters. Her female is so protective of my friend’s toddler, too. I think it is so great when little ones have no fear of dogs.

I have never had a hound dog, but they seem to be such good natured dogs in general. If I ever have a big piece of land, then I would think about adding one to our family.

There are so many breeds I admire. I wish I could have one of each!

Introducing a Dog and Cat

joan — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 15:41:56 +0000

It is much better to introduce a kitten to a good-natured dog by far than to try and bring a new puppy home to an adult cat who already rules the roost. A puppy is rambunctious and loud. At the very least, your cat will be upset, and the puppy will most likely experience a painful scratch or bite when he tries to befriend the feline. My advice? don’t do it!

Let your cat live his or her life out stress free. Or if you feel you must have a puppy, perhaps consider finding another home for your cat first. It may not be fair to either of them to enforce their co-habitation. Of course, there are exceptions to every rule. Sometimes you just have to check it out for yourself, but be prepared for a lot of upset on both sides, and be sure to have a plan B.

Puppy Mill Legislation

joan — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 13:38:17 +0000

I just read that some states are working to pass legislation which will make it possible for them to regulate commercial breeders locally, which is where I think most laws should be! In this way, state-run services will issue licenses and perform inspections. They would also follow up on complaints and give out fines.

With an operation as profitable and widespread as puppy mills, I think this trend could be a real blessing. And having an agency where abuses could be reported will certainly be helpful in enforcing laws. It is hard to believe that anyone would want to raise puppies in inhumane circumstances, but apparently, these heartless people do exist. It is good to have a way to control their behavior with laws designed to protect helpless dogs.

Pit Bull Thoughts

joan — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 17:42:56 +0000

So many people have developed a fear of this breed. Are they really as dangerous as all the bad press would like you to believe? From a bit of research I did a while back, I discovered that pit bull and rottweiler bites are indeed the most dangerous. However, they are not necessarily the most frequent biters.

Any dog, if mistreated, may turn vicious. There is even an instance of a four pound Pomeranian killing an infant. So obviously there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to which dogs may turn vicious.

I know plenty of people with loving pit bulls who are horrified by all the bad press and bad news about their favorite breed. Their dogs are part of the family, and they would never part with them. Dogs are individual, and it is apparent that there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to which breed will bite. Of course, the best protection against this is having a dog that was raised in a loving manner.

Finding a Dog Sitter

joan — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 14:09:19 +0000

Where to find a good dog sitter? More often than not, vacationers or business travelers are opting to have someone look in on their pets while they stay in the familiar home environment. I think the best dog sitter would be a family member or friend who already knows your dog. But I realize this isn’t always possible. What to do?

Well, if you really don’t want to board your pet at a kennel, then do some research online. I think there are reliable pet sitters in most cities. There is even an organization called Pet Sitters International that has, as one of its purposes, helping pet owners find dependable pet sitters.

When you are enjoying your vacation, it’s nice to know that your dog is being treated well and will remain happy and well fed until your return!

Your Dog and Eye Contact

joan — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 18:13:59 +0000

Direct eye contact with a dog can have an important meaning. A dominant dog might view it as a threat. A subordinate dog might be frightened by it. Dogs, obviously, view eye contact in a completely different manner than people. Since they are pack animals, body language, including where the eyes are focused is very important.

How can you apply this information to your own 4-legged companion?

Mostly, it’s a matter of sensitivity. Dogs and people both have a way of adapting to each other, and the relationship will most likely settle into a comfortable one.

If you are trying to tech your dog something, you need to encourage your dog to make eye contact. There are ways to accomplish this, but they are beyond the scope of a this little blog post!

Teach your Dog with Treats

joan — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 14:06:38 +0000

Dogs love their treats. So nothing works better than a little biscuit to reward your pup for accomplishing the task at hand. Of course, in the beginning they don’t necessarily know what the words in the command they are being rewarded for means. But eventually, with a little food incentive, they will get it down! And really, pleasing you is the best reward of all.

But keep this in mind. If you always treat your pooch after he accomplishes the command, then he will be confused if no treat if forthcoming. So the best way to handle this is to sometimes give him a treat, and sometimes just praise him. Keep him guessing, and your results will be well worth it.

Why Dogs Lick your Face

joan — Thu, 20 May 2010 14:58:35 +0000

I just ran across an interesting little tidbit. According to this source (a book called PetSpeak by the editors of Pets, Part of the Family ) the licking behavior is related to instinctual puppy behavior. Since mother dogs (I assume they are talking about wild dogs, such as wolves) carry food for the puppies in their stomach, the puppies naturally lick her mouth in order to encourage her to disgorge the food.

And yes, there is affection involved in this as well. It’s good to know your dog is not trying to get you to upchuck your dinner! She is just giving you a family kiss.

It is interesting how instinctual behavior gets translated to fit a different situation. And I love the fact that our dogs have not lost that part of their wild canine heritage. I would bet there are other things your companion does that are also gifts from her wild ancestors.

Dog Symptoms to Watch For in your Pet

joan — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 18:05:43 +0000

Unusual dog symptoms are something every pet owner needs to familiarize him or herself with. The better you know your dog, the more easily you will spot things about him or her that are out of the ordinary. Some dogs are quieter than other; some dogs normally more rambunctious. If an active dog with a big appetite suddenly slows down and picks at his food, you would suspect something is wrong.

What are some of the most common symptoms of illness you should watch for?

A painful or swollen abdomen
Bleeding from any orifice, or blood in the stool
Loss of appetite
Vomiting

Obviously, the list goes on and on. The important thing is to be an observant companion to your dog, and whenever he seems out of sorts, get in touch with your veterinarian.

Seeing Eye Dog Give New Hope

joan — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 20:09:55 +0000

A seeing eye dog can help a blind person recover his or her sense of dignity. No longer dependent on other people to get around, a bond develops between human and canine that is a very special one indeed. The organization that does the most for our blind is called The Seeing Eye, and they even breed dogs to be raised and trained to do this work.

I’m always so amazed to see a cuddly little yellow lab puppy learning at a young age how to become a future guide dog. I always want to give the pup a cuddle, but I restrain myself, realizing that this young dog is under training for a very special job in his or her future.

I imagine these dogs are some of the happiest and most productive of all canines. After all, they have a very important job to do! A seeing eye dog can look forward to a lifetime of service and love.