Edie MacKenzie On Dogs

Archive for the ‘Dog Information’ Category

With its adorable, droopy expression, long ears and waddling walk, the Basset is an easy dog to spot. These loveable dogs have a long history and are believed to descend from the Ardennes St. Hubert hounds. They were brought to Britain by the Norman invaders in 1066, and it was in Britain that they were bred with other hounds to increase their size.

The name, Basset ,derives from “bas”, which means low in French.

The Basset is one of the sweetest of all dogs. They are extremely loving with a real enjoyment of human company. They get on well with everyone, are even tempered and affectionate towards children and have no problem with other dogs, or even cats for that matter.

With their happy nature and comedic character it is easy to forget that they are also exceptional hunting and tracking dogs. These days though, it is more common to see a Basset as a family pet than in the field.

Grooming a Basset Hound is a relatively simple task. The coat is short and requires only a brush down a couple of times a week to keep it looking its best.

The ears also need special attention, because they are prone to fungal and bacterial infections. A wipe down with a damp cloth and drying them after is usually all that is needed to keep them clean.

You may also need to clip the dog’s nails every once in a while. This is a task many dog owners shy away from, but it needs to be done, so if you’re not up to it ask your vet or local dog groomer.

Bassets are famously difficult to train. Like most of the hound group they’ve been bred to think for themselves, so they don’t just follow orders blindly. You will need to be consistent in your efforts, but always keep it positive as Bassets are very sensitive and harsh treatment will damage the bond you’ve built up with your dog.

You’ll need a lot of patience to train a Basset as they are easily distracted, especially if they pick up an interesting scent to follow. But persistence wins the day, so stick with it and you’ll see results. Bassets love to eat, so using really tasty treats will definitely help your training efforts.

Unfortunately, their love of food can translate to a number of obesity related diseases. A common concern with overweight Basset Hounds is vertebral problems, as the extra weight puts strain on the spine. Other health concerns include foreleg lameness, entropion, gastric torsion, and cysts on the paws. They may also be prone to osteochondrosis.

Bassets can be somewhat lethargic, but you must ensure that they get daily exercise to keep them in shape.If you’re looking for an affectionate, sweet-natured dog that is just a joy to be around, look no further than the Basset.

Picking a name for your Basset can be a challenge. The best advice is to visit some of the many dog names, sites online. My recommendation is puppy-names-hq.com, which has a huge database, including thousands of female dog names.

Properly training your dog can be a task should you aren’t sure which steps to consider. Many people find it hard to do by themselves. With the tips provided below you will be on your way to training your dog on your own and with no costly expense of hiring another person.

Want to know more about puppy obedience training, then read the advices below.

If your dog does not respond well to you during training you should not get mad at him or her. You’re the teacher and he or she’s the student, therefore if they are not responding very well to you it may be because you aren’t this type of good teacher.

One tip to keep in mind when training your dog is that it is essential to ensure that your pet has all of his needs fulfilled. Your pet will not respond well to praise or punishment and will not be able to concentrate on learning skills, if he is not being well taken care of. Be sure to feed him well, shelter him comfortably and spend time playing with him.

Have flexibility when training your dog. Be willing to vary or change a routine if it isn’t working. You may need to try different locations or times during the day. You may need to adjust the amount of your training schedule if it’s too long a session, or way too short.

One of the very first commands you need to teach a new puppy may be the “leave it” command, which tells these phones drop a product and step back from it. This straightforward command will get these phones stop chewing on things for the home or furniture, and may have them from dirty or potentially dangerous items outside the home.

To teach your pet how to take a seat on cue, first find the best, soft, smelly treat that your dog will discover irresistible, like a bit of cheese or a slice of hotdog. Keep your treat small, concerning the size of the nail on your pinky. Then, take the treat inside your fist, and hold it over your canine’s head, low enough that his nose pops up to achieve the treat, but not excessive he tries to jump for it. Smoothly move the treat backwards, and as his nose pops up, his butt lowers. Provide the dog the treat as soon as his butt hits the ground, and say your cue word simultaneously.

Whenever your dog is trained properly, your connection with dog ownership is really much more enjoyable. This short article hopefully took you against dog novice, to dog expert. Consistently apply these hints, and you’ll see a difference inside your dog’s behavior.

Do you want to know more about dog training, then read more about how to house train a dog.

Dogs need exercise, and the activity they love more than any other is walking. However, many dog owners shirk the responsibility. Perhaps they simply don’t have time, or maybe they don’t realize how important it is to walk their dogs.

Others give it a go, but give up after being hauled around the neighborhood one time too often by an unruly dog. If any of the aforementioned scenarios describes you, pay attention, because I’d like to share a piece of information that every dog owner should know.

“Dogs must be walked!”

Any dog trainer will tell you that daily exercise is a must for all dogs. For some, 30 minutes to an hour may be enough, for others 2 hours will just be getting started. But the point is they all need exercise, and walking should be the core component of that.

But dog walking involves more than a just leashing your dog and setting off. Some simple guidelines will make it a lot easier for you, and more enjoyable for the dog.

Here are some best practices you can follow;

* Don’t walk your dog during the hottest time of the day as they overheat quite easily. If you need to walk when it’s hot be sure to have some water along for the dog to drink.

* Don’t allow your dog to walk in front of you or he may get the idea that he is the pack leader and this will encourage him to pull. Always walk with the dog by your side.

* Don’t pull back on the lead because this will just encourage your dog to pull back. Try to always keep a relaxed grip, and if your dog does pull, stop and wait for him to calm down before continuing.

* Maintain control of the walk. Don’t allow you dog to dictate direction and particularly when to stop. Sniffing around and marking should only happen when you allow it.

* Where possible, avoid other dogs. You have no idea of another dog’s temperament and matters can quickly get out of hand. If your dog is small, pick him up if a big dog approaches aggressively, if you have a big dog just walk in a different direction and avoid a confrontation.

You also don’t know the health status of dogs you come across. An infected dog can pass on a serious disease to your dog.

* The right leash or collar. Pick a leash / collar combination that is strong enough to keep the dog in check, but still comfortable for him to wear. Also ensure that your dog wears his id tags. You never know when he might slip his leash.

If your dog does escape, the id tag will hopefully result in him being returned safely. For an extra level of security you may also want to have your dog micro-chipped.

* Finally, have fun! Walking your dog can be a really fun activity if you approach it in the right way. It’s one of the best ways of bonding with your dog, it’s an excellent work out for both of you, and your dog will be calmer and more obedient. All of that for just an hour of your time a day.

To find out more about dog training tips, dog breeds a-z, dog health and other useful dog info visit www.dogsanddogtraining.com

The Black and Tan Coonhound, is an impressive distinctive looking dog that excels as a hunting companion.

These medium-sized dogs stand up to 27 inches at the withers and can weigh as much as 75 pounds. They have a black and tan coat and the appearance of a typical hound dog, with long, hanging ears, loose fitting skin and long legs.

The original Black and Tans were created by crossing Talbot Hounds, Foxhounds, and Bloodhounds. The idea was to create a dog for treeing racoons, but the Black and Tan proved such an able tracker that it was soon being used to hunt larger game, including deer, mountain lions, and even bear.

These are loyal, affectionate and good-natured dogs who form close bonds with humans. The are also intelligent and fast learners which makes them excellent pets for an appropriate owner.

They do however need a great deal of exercise and will therefore do best with an active family. Without proper exercise Black and Tans can become destructive and are prone to howling when left alone.

Consistent pack leadership is a must with this breed, as are training and socialization. Dogs that have not been socialized may be aggressive towards other dogs. The hunting instinct is still strong, and these dogs will follow any scent they encounter.

While they are generally good with people they are not really suited to small children as they may be too boisterous for them.With the right amount of exercise though, plus a good training program, this is a wonderful pet and loving companion.

The Black and Tan is generally a robust, healthy breed and suffers from few inherited diseases. There is a risk of hip dysplasia and, as with many long eared breeds, they may suffer ear infections. Eye problems also occur occasionally.

Black and Tans love to eat and are therefore prone to obesity. Strict portion and treat control is therefore advised.

Grooming is quite easy as the short coat only needs to be brushed once a week. You should also take care to inspect and clean the ears and eyes regularly.

It should be obvious that this is not a dog for apartment living. The Black and Tan needs lots of space to move around in as well as vigorous daily exercise. These dogs are tough enough to live outdoors, but are softies at heart and will much prefer to be inside, and close to those they love.

Good dog names can be hard to find. The best advice is to try one of the online dog names, sites. My personal favorite is Puppy Names HQ, a site that has tons of excellent dog names to pick from, including thousands of cute dog names.