One thing that many people appreciate about dog ownership is the fact that having a dog really does make you get out more and exercise, as dogs of all shapes and sizes need walks, an there is no getting around this! Picking a breed of dog that is a good match for your own fitness levels and desire to exercise is of course important, to make sure that you are a good match. For instance, if you own or wish to buy a dog of a very active breed such as a Siberian husky, you must be prepared to spend plenty of time out walking!
For fit people with fit dogs-or those who wish to get fitter and are prepared to commit to doing so-jogging or even running with your dog is a great way of keeping you both in shape. It can also help to keep you motivated when you’re not really feeling that keen, because your dog won’t want to take a day off! If this sounds like your situation, or you are keen to start jogging with your dog-or buy or adopt a dog that will make for a good jogging partner-this article will share some of the many benefits that come from jogging with your dog. Read on to learn more. Dogs are great motivatorsFirst of all, if you want to commit to jogging regularly and getting fit, your dog is just about the best coach and motivator you will ever meet. If you get up one morning and feel completely drained and as if you would rather spend the day on the sofa, your dog will have none of it! Dogs are great motivators when it comes to exercise, and once you begin jogging regularly, your dog will come to expect it, and they will not be willing to let you get away with shirking one of your regular sessions, helping to keep you on the right track! Jogging is great cardio exerciseCardiovascular exercise is very important for both dogs and people, and jogging is one of the best forms of cardio there is. Jogging will help to improve your heart health, circulation and endurance, and it will do the same for your dog as well. Whether you want to jog in order to be able to get away with eating those delicious but fattening desserts, or simply to improve your health, jogging regularly at a comfortable pace for both of you will reap plenty of health rewards for both of you too. You can regulate each other’s paceWhen you jog with a partner (canine or human) you can both support and encourage each other, as well as regulating each other’s performance. As your fitness grows together, you will both be able to manage more-and if you are thinking of skipping the last ten minutes of your jog and returning home early, your dog will likely have other ideas! Additionally, jogging with your dog will also help in terms of keeping you on track and not overexerting yourself-you might want to go for the burn for the last mile, but if your dog is flagging, you will have to moderate your pace to allow your dog to keep up! Jogging helps to keep you and your dog fit for lifeGetting and staying fit while both you and your dog are in good health is a great way to ensure that you both stay fit and healthy in the future, and fit people (and dogs) are much less prone to suffering from illnesses and injury. As your dog gets older, you will have to account for this in terms of their exercise-but entering maturity and old age at the peak of fitness will allow your dog to stay fit, and healthy, for longer. A fit dog is rarely a fat dogIf your dog can jog with you for half an hour or an hour without finding this too much, it is highly unlikely that your dog will be carrying around a lot of excess weight, and jogging can help to keep both you and your dog trim and at a healthy weight. This again comes with health benefits of its own, and will help to stave off or avoid a wide range of weight-related problems such as joint pain and even diabetes. Your dog can provide reassurance in out-of-the-way areasWhether running alone or in company, it is of course wise to be speculative about where you go, with an eye to your safety. This is still true when you are jogging with your dog, but having your dog beside you can provide an additional layer of reassurance if you like to jog very early in the morning when there is no one else around, or if you like to jog in remote areas. The dog’s most powerful sense is their sense of smell, and they have millions of scent receptors in their noses, leaving us humans lagging behind by some distance! Certain breeds of dogs too have much more highly tuned senses of smell than others-with the breed that has the very best scenting ability of all being the Bloodhound. However, whether you own a breed of dog that is widely prized for their scenting ability such as the German shepherd, or a small lapdog or a mixed breed, your dog’s sense of smell is very acute, and you might well be surprised at what they can do with it!
Dogs do of course use their sense of smell all the time-sniffing when out on walks, as greeting, and any time the treat jar is opened-and it can be both fascinating and fun to find out exactly what your dog can do when it comes to scenting, and teach them a few ways to hone their abilities. In this article, we will share some different games and methods that you can use to help to hone your dog’s sense of smell, or rather, give them the chance to really show off what they can do! Read on to learn more. The basicsEverything in the world has a scent-some are of course stronger than others, and items will also take on the scents of the things around them too. Your dog can discern between millions of different individual scents, even in adverse situations, and honing your dog’s sense of smell is less about improving their sense of smell, but more getting them to use it in a certain way, and in a way that you can interpret and direct. When you get started, it is a good idea to use a high value treat for your dog to use as their target, both to keep them interested, and because such treats are very fragrant to dogs, and so, easy to pick out from background smells. Additionally, it is a good idea to use a dry treat rather than say, moist chunks or oily treats such as pig’s ears, as dry treats do not transfer their smell to their surroundings as strongly, making things a little easier for your dog. Simple scenting gamesWhen you get started, the aim is more to show your dog what you want them to do, rather than improve their scenting ability. Choose a command that you will use in future to tell your dog that you want them to sniff something out, and then simply hide a treat in one clenched fist and nothing in the other, hold them both out to your dog, give the command, and wait for them to pick the correct hand. Moving on from this, hide a treat somewhere within the room that your dog can get to but not see, and begin by repeating the treat in the hand game above. Then, immediately give your dog the seeking command, and encourage them to sniff around the room until they find the second hidden treat. When your dog is competent at this, you can carry on without beginning with the treat in the hand first. Expanding your dog’s abilityThe next step when your dog can reliably hunt out a treat when commanded to do so is to teach your dog to scent out different things and to follow a scent cue until they find it. For instance, pick a favourite toy that your dog spends a lot of time with, and handle it and play with it until your hands have picked up the scent of it, and your dog has seen and smelt you doing so. Then, hide the toy out of sight, let your dog sniff your hands, and command them to seek it out. This forms the basis of teaching your dog to sniff out things from scent memory, which is the same way in which professional sniffer dogs and search and rescue dogs work! Next, offer them a worn item of clothing to smell, and encourage them to seek out the person it belongs to. Your dog should also be praised and rewarded when they are working along the right lines, such as heading for that person’s favourite chair or bed! It is wise to get the basics down within the home, when there are only familiar scents around, and not too much going on that will divert your dog’s attention. When your dog is familiar with the cue command that you give to them, you can begin to work outside, over greater distances, and using items that your dog may not have come across before. The more stimulus there is around in terms of other scents and greater distances, the more challenging it will be for your dog-but all dogs are capable of doing this, if you just put in the time and work! The American Eskimo dog is a large, fluffy and usually white coated breed of the spitz dog type, which can be easily mistaken for a small Samoyed at a glance, particularly as the American Eskimo dog is not that common in the UK. They are a fascinating breed with a long and colourful history both in America and Europe, and almost didn’t make it into the 20th century due to the quickly declining numbers of dogs of the breed left after World War 2.
If you have fallen for the undeniable charms of the American Eskimo dog breed and want to find out a bit more about them, or are considering buying or adopting a dog of the breed, this article will provide a short primer into some of the breed’s highlights, and some information on their interesting history. Read on to learn more. The American Eskimo dog is a versatile working dogThe American Eskimo dog is a versatile working breed that originally worked as a livestock herding and guarding dog, and they could also be used to assist with hunting and pest control too! This comes as a surprise to many dog lovers, as the name and appearance of the breed does of course imply that they are a sledding breed, like the Siberian husky. However, while they share some of the spitz dog traits and appearance with breeds like the husky and Alaskan malamute, they do not have a common history or similar working roles! That said, the American Eskimo dog is quick to learn and keen to please, which means that they can often be seen taking part in various different canine sports. There are three size variants of the breedThere are a few dog breeds that have more than one recognised size variant within the breed standard, which are either classed as types of the same breed heading, or different breeds in their own right. The American Eskimo dog is available in toy, miniature and standard, all recognised under the main breed umbrella of the American Eskimo name. However, even the large variant of the breed is not huge-a standard American Eskimo dog can weigh up to just 35lb, with the miniature weighing up to 17lb and the tiny toy variant coming up to just 10lb at the top end of the range! They are not actually American!One of the first things that surprises many people about the breed is that not only are they not actually sled dogs in any way, but also, they are definitely not American! While they are hugely popular as pets in the USA and America likely has the largest population of dogs of the breed worldwide, the American Eskimo dog actually originates from Germany. Up until World War 1, the breed was known as the German spitz dog. However, anti-German sentiment in the aftermath of the First World War led to the breed going through something of a rebranding, in order to ensure that they did not go through a large population decline while most of Europe rejected all things German. World War 2 also had an effect on the breed albeit to a lesser extent, as dog numbers in Europe as a whole fell rather dramatically during and immediately after the war, due to a scarcity of resources. However, while the breed declined somewhat in Germany and surrounding areas, they were already well established in the USA by this point, where these petite, visually stunning and intelligent dogs became widely renowned as performing circus dogs! American Eskimo dogs and circus workAnimal circuses and sideshows were hugely popular in the USA during the early and middle parts of the 20th century, and this time is sometimes referred to as “the golden age of circus,” with even most small out-of-the-way towns seeing at least two or three circuses and sideshows pass through every year. The American Eskimo dog was the favoured performing dog of circus performers, because they are small, lively and energetic, quick to learn and keen to please. One notable American spitz dog called Stout’s Pal Pierre was in fact an adept tightrope walker, and a real draw for the crowds! They are not always white coatedThe pure white fluffy coat and distinctive spitz appearance of the American Eskimo dog is one of its most obvious traits, and this coat is very thick and fluffy and delightful to stroke! However, while white is by far the most common and popular coat colour for dogs of the breed, they can also be found in a variant of the white colour called biscuit, which is a pale beige off-white shade. However, even in biscuit coloured dogs, their undercoat and the base of their fur is white, with the pale beige shade only being present on the tips of their hairs. Hairless dogs (such as the hairless variant of the Chinese crested) are obviously far less common than regular furry dogs, but they are still very popular in both the UK and further afield. This unusual trait is caused by a gene mutation which is why sometimes a litter may be born containing both bald and hairless pups, or pups that are not entirely hairless and have some small or fine patches of fur.
If you own a hairless dog or are considering buying one, it is important that you understand the implications that this lack of a fur coat can have on the dog, and that they require different care and management in terms of taking care of their skin than a dog that has fur. In this article we will look at some of the things you need to consider when it comes to caring for the skin of a hairless dog, in order to keep them safe, comfortable and happy. Read on to learn more. Bathing First of all, a hairless dog needs to be bathed at least once a fortnight and potentially once a week, which is something that all potential buyers should bear in mind! This is because they do not benefit from the protection that fur provides to the skin, and fur fulfils a lot of different roles as well as simply keeping the dog warm. A hairless dog’s skin is apt to become dry and dirty very quickly if they are not bathed regularly, and so bathing is required to keep the skin clean and healthy. Hairless dog breeds can and sometimes do suffer from problems such as blackheads and white heads on the body, and even potentially breakouts of acne, which can all be reduce or eliminated simply by good care of the skin, which includes regular bathing. It is important to use a very mild, nourishing shampoo that will not strip or dry the skin, and that is not fragranced or coloured. An oatmeal shampoo, natural baby shampoo or something else very gentle is best. Checking the skin over When your bathe your dog, it is important to check their skin over (including the harder to reach areas such as under the belly and between the legs) for signs of spots, lumps and bumps, or even sores that can be caused by not taking care of your dog’s skin properly. Trying to pop spots or otherwise remove them is something that needs to be handled with care, as it can lead to scarring or irritation if the spot is not ready, or not handled correctly. If in doubt, leave alone or ask your vet or groomer for advice! Gently exfoliating when bathing your dog can of course help to keep their skin clear and spot-free. Moisturising A dog without hair will not be able to maintain as much moisture where it counts as a dog with fur, and so you might need to actually use an emollient product to keep your dog’s skin moist and supple. A product designed for people with sensitive skin, or advised by your vet is the best choice. It is also important to pick a product that is non-comodogenic and water based rather than oil based, to reduce the chances of spots and irritations! Sun careA dog with no fur is much more sensitive to problems such as sunburn, and so it is vitally important that you protect your dog’s skin from the elements, such as using sun screen or putting them in a t shirt. Keep them out of direct sun, and remember that your dog can even get sunburn if inside if they are lying right in front of a window. Sunburn is unpleasant for everyone, and especially for a dog, and of course, the risk of melanomas and other types of skin cancers are increased if your dog gets sunburnt or is regularly out in the sun without protection. In the cold In cold weather too your dog will need protection from the elements in the form of coats and jumpers, and it is also important to bear in mind that cold weather and central heating can dry the skin out, which is uncomfortable and can cause other problems too. Dog charities, rehoming shelters and even the pound that many local councils will use to house found and unowned dogs all have several roles to fulfil when it comes to helping dogs as a whole. As well as safeguarding the welfare of the dogs in their care, promoting responsible ownership and raising funds, they are also highly committed to getting lost dogs back to their owners, and finding suitable and appropriate homes for dogs that have been surrendered. However, when a dog arrives at a shelter they are not simply offered up for adoption immediately and prospective owners encouraged to come along, adopt and take their chances. Shelters put a lot of time and effort (and sometimes money) into assessing the temperament, needs and traits of every dog in their care, in order to find them the perfect match. A vital element of this means checking how the dog reacts in everyday situations, how they get on with other dogs and people, and if they have any problems-and knowing more about these things help shelters to decide upon the most appropriate course of action for each dog. Some shelter dogs may need time and work before they are suitable for rehoming, or they may require a specific type of owner-such as one that does not have other pets, or one that is very knowledgeable about dogs, and the specific requirements that adopted dogs may have. Ergo, before a shelter will offer a dog up for adoption, they will already have spent some time running though their set assessments and spending lots of time interacting with the dog to work out its needs and if there are any problems. In this article, we will look at the basics of what this entails, and how shelters assess the temperament and core traits of the dogs in their care before they can be rehomed. Reactions to people First of all, dogs that have come into the shelter for the first time are assessed pretty much from the minute they come through the door, in terms of how they react and interact with people. Many dogs are shy, nervous or scared at this time, while others might be excited and happy to meet new people. Signs of fear, potential aggression or indications that the dog essentially doesn’t really know what is going on all provide important information for the staff further down the line. Handling and one to one interaction When the dog has settled in a little, the staff will look again at how the dog reacts and deals with people in a one to one setting, such as having someone in their kennel, if they actively approach for a pat and to say hello, and generally if they have a good foundation to be able to begin to form bonds with their regular handlers and later, new family. Acceptance of strangers As well as assessing how the dog gets on with someone who is caring for them regularly, the shelter will also need to find out how the dog reacts to new people; both in general terms, and to find out if the dog shows signs of fear or aggression with people that they do not know. This provides important information that the shelter can work with to make the dog more suitable for rehoming. Behaviour around children It is vital for dogs rehomed to families to be safe around children, and some dogs may only be suited to homes with older children, or in some cases, with adults only. Even if the decision is made that a dog should not live with children, they will still likely come across children from time to time and so it is vital that the shelter can be confident that the dog will not become aggressive or potentially dangerous. Behaviour around other dogs Behaviour and interaction with other dogs is a vital part of canine life, and the shelter will need to find out if the dog has been well socialised and is safe and happy around other dogs, or if this needs some work. A dog that has not been well socialised or that does not get on well with other dogs in general will need work before they can be rehomed, which may be done via the shelter, or may mean that the dog can only be rehomed to an experienced owner who is prepared to work on this. Responses when startled or surprised Even a loving, friendly and generally confident dog may react very differently if they are startled or surprised, and this may in some cases manifest as aggression. Situations such as fireworks or other loud noises and flashing lights are a common trigger for many dogs, and how they deal with this is important to know. Level of training How well trained the dog is and if they know the basics of things like walking on the lead, going outside to toilet and other essentials are all things the shelter will need to know, either to improve upon or to ensure that the right owner who can deal with these things is found. Territorial behaviours Finally, some dogs tend be be more territorial than others, and this may mean that they will be apt to guarding at home, which can be a problem for both their owners and other passers by! Some dogs will guard resources such as food and toys, and this may be a problem if the dog is not places with the right type of owner. |
AuthorLots of people contribute to this blog and more writers are always welcome! ArchivesCategories |