Dec 31

6 Steps To Grooming Your Labrador Retriever

The Labrador Retriever has small and smooth shedding coat that is water resistant and is fairly easy to care for. This breed wants to be bathed every three or four months. The coat should be brushed frequently to help keep it clean and gleaming. The ears should be cleaned weekly and the nails should be checked monthly to see if they require clipping.

The equipment required for grooming the Labrador Retriever is the shedding blade, stiff bristle brush, steel comb, nail clipper, ear powder, scissors, and Lanolin coat conditioner.

1. Brush the coat carefully with a stiff bristle brush and then comb through to eliminate any dead hair. A shedding blade may also be used in removing huge amounts of shedding hair.
2. Clean the ears by dusting the inside with medicated ear powder.
3. Trim the nails with a heavy-duty, pliers-type nail clipper, to avoid the nails from splitting. Make sure to only eliminate the tips of the nails to avoid cutting the quick.
4. Bathe and cage dry.
5. Scissor the whiskers on the muzzle as well as any long hair over the eyes and on the face.
6. Apply a lanolin coat conditioner by first putting a tiny amount on your hands and then rubbing it onto the coat.

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Dec 30

Sexual Mounting

Some puppies start sexual mounting behavior at the tender age of 6 or 7 weeks, although it generally begins at about 12 weeks of age. It is self-rewarding behavior, in that it “feels good” to the pup. The problem seldom persists if the object of its attentions is made inaccessible. Unluckily, many owners believe that the behavior will vanish if they just allow it run its course. They may let the pup to mount until it reaches sexual climax. This, of course, makes the owner a minor sexual partner for the pet and can later increase into harsh problems involving overprotection and biting.

Correction Mounting should be discouraged by diminishing the target (leg, arm, clothing) in as startling a behavior as possible, as the pup starts the mounting rather than when it is under way. Sexual experimentation seems to be a usual part of maturation in mammals. Thus, in cases involving owners who permit the pup to endure in mounting, all family members should be brought into discussion to clarify the possible side effects of the problem.

In severe cases, the owner have to start a leadership position with the pup or dog, rather away from their home ground at first. This can be accomplished through normal obedience programs in some cases. Nevertheless, a nonphysical approach to teaching is typically faster, even if the dog is trained simply to sit and stay on command. Along with this routine, the aggressive ‘Romeo’ have to be diverted effectively before the obvious mounting starts, with some strong overriding stimulus that takes its mind off the sex act. A food distraction is a poor replacement in most cases. Better is an invitation to play ball or otherwise employ in some exhausting physical activity that is enjoyed by the pet.

All unearned petting and praise have to be stopped in cases of continual mounting, even with very young offenders. If the pup pesters for concentration, the owner should provide it one of the simple commands until it obeys, then softly and briefly pet the animal and go on about some other business. After a few days to weeks of this kind of correction, the puppy typically stops mounting and becomes oriented to the more usual play activity as a displacement mechanism. This kind of problem pup may continue in mounting inanimate objects, such as the owner’s clothing, pillows or bedclothes, in the absence of its living sex object. Nevertheless, this actions typically fades away after a few weeks. One helpful corrective aid is to eliminate things that motivate the behavior when the owner have to be absent.

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Dec 29

House Training Your Dalmatian

When house training your Dalmatian puppy, you will require to take him out often and at regular intervals: first thing in the morning straight from the crate, right after meals, after the puppy has been napping, or when you detect that the puppy is looking for a spot. Select more or less the similar place to take the puppy each time in order to begin a pattern. If he does not go right away, do not return him to the house since he will perhaps relieve himself the moment he is inside. Stay out with him until he has finished; then be generous with your praise for his excellent behavior. If you catch the puppy having an upset indoors, grab him securely and rush him outside, sharply saying “No!” as you pick him up. If you do not see the accident happen, there is little point in doing anything excluding cleaning it up, since once it has happened and been forgotten, the puppy will most likely not even understand why you are scolding him.

If you live in a big city or are away many hours at a time, having a dog that is trained to go on paper has some incredibly good reward. In order to do this, continue the similar way as taking the puppy outdoors, except this time you put the puppy on the newspaper at the appropriate time. The paper should always be kept in the identical area. An easy way to paper train a puppy if you have a playpen is to line the region with newspapers; then slowly remove a part of it until you are down to just one or two. The puppy acquires the custom of using the paper; and as the arranged area grows smaller, the dog will typically continue to use whatever paper is still available. It is lovely, if the dog is alone for a long period of time to be capable to feel that if he wants it the paper is there and will be used.

The puppy should shape the habit of spending a specific amount of time in his crate, even when you are home. Sometimes the puppy will do this “voluntarily, but if not, he wants to learn to do so, which is done by leading him over by his collar, softly pushing him inside, and saying firmly, “Down” or “Stay.” Whatever look you use to provide a command, stick to the very same one each time for each work. Repetition is very essential in training as well as relationship with what the dog is expected to do. When you signify “Sit” always say precisely that. “Stay” should mean simply that the dog should remain where he receives the command. “Down” means something else again.

Do not puzzle the dog by shuffling the commands, since this will produce training problems for you. As soon as he had his shots, take your puppy with you whenever and wherever you can. Nothing builds a self-confident, secure dog like socialization, and it is very essential that you plan and have the time and power to do this.

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Dec 28

Irish Water Spaniel
History and origin: This is an old breed, developed in Ireland from a number of spaniel breeds to the end of the 19th century. The Irish Water Spaniel, although able of flushing birds like other spaniels, was really bred to surpass as a water retriever.
Description: The Irish Water Spaniel is the biggest of the spaniels, standing between 21 and 24 inches at the shoulder and weighing 45 to 65 pounds. He has a muscular physique and a solid, curly, water-resistant hair with minimal shedding. Each day brushing and weekly combing is necessary, as well as periodic clipping. This swift breed is recognized for his topknot of curls and his rat-like tail. The coat is liver-colored.
About the breed: The Irish Water Spaniel is an outstanding water dog and retriever. He is gorgeous, faithful, brave, and smart. He is also a very energetic and talented dog. The Irish Water Spaniel is curious and expressive, dynamic, somewhat stubborn, and independent. He is very loving and affectionate toward his owner, although he is suspicious of strangers and can be hostile toward other dogs. Irish Water Spaniels be likely to be very excellent watch dogs. Socialization and obedience training require to start at an initial age. This breed loves to work and wants to be given some duties to do, whether it is field work, tracking, obedience, or quickness. He does not show the possessive aggressive troubles seen in some other spaniels. Irish Water Spaniels can be vulnerable to hip dysplasia and hypothyroidism.

Feeding: Suggested feeding for the Irish Water Spaniel is 1-1

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Dec 26

Helping The Mother Dog Give Birth

From time to time you may have to help the mother while she is giving birth. Puppies are typically delivered head first in a diving position while some are born tail and rear legs first. If the mother is having a hard time with the delivery, you can assist her by softly pulling out the exposed puppy as she restrains. Nevertheless, if only the legs are out, call the vet right away for advice. If the mother does not lick the newborn puppy, you will require to take away the membrane from his face and clear the liquid from his nose and mouth. Wipe the newborn puppy vigorously with a towel in order to stimulate his first breath. Do not handle the newborn puppy more than what is needed.

Helping a weak puppy after delivery

Once the puppy has been cleaned, check to make sure that he is breathing correctly. If he looks normal but appears weak or lifeless, softly but firmly massage him with a towel, mainly around the head and the chest. A puppy that stays in the birth canal for a long period of time results in a lack of oxygen to the brain.

If he is still not breathing after you are complete rubbing him with a towel, hang him by his hind legs for a few seconds to let the fluids to drain from the air passages. Softly shake him while keeping a secure grip on his hind legs. This should stimulate him to begin breathing. Once the puppy is breathing, keep him warm and relaxed by wrapping him in a towel until the mother has finished giving birth. When the whelping has finished, show the weak puppy to his mother and make sure that he finds a productive nipple. Watch him for a few days to make sure that he is not bullied by stronger puppies in the litter.

The mother usually chews through the umbilical cord. If she does not, you can tie off the cord using a fiber about 2 inches from the puppy’s belly and then cut it on the opposite side of the knot, away from the puppy. Be very cautious when doing this and do not pull on the umbilical cord.

Sometimes the mother may refuse the puppy if it is taken away. In this case, bring the puppy to her and let her to lick him and then put him where he can suckle.

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