To recommend a good dog breed to someone, you need to know two things:
1. You must have an in-depth and personal experience with many different breeds. And more specifically, you must have multiple experiences with each breed. When you’ve been training dogs professionally for about 10 years, you’ve seen pretty much everything cross your path, at least three or four times. And for the more popular breeds, you’ve had literally hundreds of experiences that can put you in a very good position to analyze the pro’s and con’s of each breed.
2. You need to understand both the wants and needs of the family who is looking to adopt a new dog. A couple who have very dominant personalities and no children will generally be able to handle a dog with more horsepower than would a quiet, submissive couple with a few small children.
That being said, here are the top five breeds I recommend to people I don’t know very well:
1. Golden Retriever: These dogs have a soft, pliable and easily trainable temperament. They are very pain-resistant and very forgiving to the owner who accidentally steps on a toe or clumsily trips on the dog. Purchased from a good breeder, these dogs are a joy to own.
2. Poodle (any variety): These dogs score extremely high on both the trainability scale and on the intelligence scale. I’m always amazed at how quickly these dogs can pick up an new behavior. It’s almost like communicating to a human in dog clothing. If it wasn’t for the sissy factor, I’d probably own one myself. Professional dog trainers see very few dog owners who walk through the door with troubling behavior problems. If everyone owned a Poodle, we’d all be out of business.
3. Australian Shepherd: Not to be confused with the Australian Cattle Dog (also an excellent breed but not for the amateur or weak owner) the Australian Shepherd – if obtained from a quality breeder – is fantastic. I don’t think that there is anything you can’t train this breed to do.
4. Boston Terrier: These dogs are clean and quiet. They make a fantastic house dog and are very easy to get along with. A perfect companion for the elder dog owner, or just somebody who wants a very peaceful dog ownership experience with a breed that is not very demanding.
5. Shetland Sheepdog: Small, easily trainable and possessing a soft temperament, they are intelligent and – with the right training techniques – will learn new behaviors very quickly.
That’s all for now, folks!
Adam
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Sep 03, 2010 | | Dogs
A poster from our discussion forum asked:
“I have two dogs- – a Pit Bull and a Boston Terrier. I have read that you should not use the dog’s name and [the word]“No” together so that the dog does not associate negative feelings with his name. So how do I tell one dog “No,” without both feeling like they are both in trouble?
Situation: The Pit Bull is happily playing with her chew toy. The Boston Terrier is chewing on my sofa. How do I let the sofa chewer know that he is in the wrong (the Boston knows better. I have corrected him using the prong collar in the past and by just saying, “No,” will get him to stop) without making the Pit Bull think that she is in trouble.
Adam replies:
Eye contact.
You don’t need to worry about the other dog’s “feelings.” Just make eye contact with the dog you are going to correct.
If the dog is chewing on your couch you should NOT BE GIVING VERBAL CORRECTIONS. You should be giving leash corrections.
Chewing on the couch is a major infraction. We don’t give $2 tickets for chewing on the couch. We give $200 tickets. Otherwise, your correction will have no meaning. (Keep the tab and training collar on the dog.)
You shouldn’t be giving exclusively verbal corrections for this behavior. Period. Two, maybe three leash corrections for this behavior and your dog should never do it again. If he continues doing it, then you know that your corrections aren’t firm enough. Also, you may want to try taking one link out of the pinch collar. It should be a snug fit.
I don’t advise pet owners to ever use the dog’s name in conjunction with the word “No.”
That’s all for now, folks!
Adam
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Aug 29, 2010 | | Dogs
The Boston Terrier: A Very Self Sufficient Dog and a Great Family Pet
The Boston Terrier has been nicknamed the American Gentleman because of its wonderful, gentle disposition and its tuxedo like coat. One of the few breeds that is truly “made in the USA”.
Boston Terriers are rated by the American Kennel club as one of the most intelligent breeds of dogs; making housetraining simple. Over time, they have evolved into a gentle breed that is content to sit on your lap and be petted.
Originally bred down in size from pit-fighting dogs the Boston Terrier was much larger than it is today, weighing up to 44 pounds.
It seems difficult to believe that these little dogs were once tough pit fighters. The Boston Terrier resembles the Staffordshire Bull Terrier with its strong fighting instinct. The Boston Terriers of today are a far cry from the proud fighting dog of the past.
The Boston Terrier resulted from a cross between the English Bulldog and a white English Terrier. Around 1870 an imported dog known as “Judge” was sold to Robert.C.Hooper. The dog became known as “Hooper’s Judge” and was a prize stud dog who was mated with many females. He was a heavy dog weighing in at 30 pounds. He was bred down in size. He is believed to be the ancestor of many of todays Boston Terriers.
These offspring were bred with some French Bulldogs and these matings provides the foundation for today’s Boston Terriers.
In 1889 the American Bull Terrier Club was started. In it’s infancy it only had 30 members and called the dogs Bull Terriers. In 1981 the Boston Terriers club was formed to showcase these dogs. The American Kennel Club only admitted them into their stud books because of the constant persistance of the breed fanciers.
In the early years, the color and markings were not as important as they are today. By the 1900’s the breeds markings and colors were an essential part of the breed feature. According to the breed standard, the characteristic markings should be marked white in proportion with a black, brindle, seal or combination of those three. ‘Seal’ is a word used to describe specifically a color found on Boston Terriers – a black color with red highlights. The white should cover the chest, muzzle and a band around the neck, halfway up the forelegs. In show dogs, symmetrical markings are preferred. A new breed of colors (red) Boston Terriers is not seal.
In comparison to other breeds this is a relatively new breed. Most of the progress in the breed has been made in the 20th Century.
In 1979 the Boston Terrier became recognized by state legislature as the state dog of Massachusetts.
The Boston Terrier of Today is not considered a fighting type dog but can hold its own. The Boston Terrier makes for a wonderful companion for everyone.
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Jul 14, 2010 | | Dogs
The Boston terrier is a well-muscled and compact breed. This is not really surprising since the Boston terrier was first bred by people who wanted to use them in dog fights. Now some people may read all sorts of implications from such a violent past. Some people might think that the Boston terrier dog would make a bad pet because of its aggressive nature. However, you should know that as a pet, the Boston terrier can actually be pretty mild mannered.
The temperament of the Boston terrier can be described as enthusiastic as it often loves to play. Most people comment that the Boston terrier actually has a great sense of humor. Another characteristic that people find delightful with this breed is the fact that they are intelligent and are very much easily trained. This fact is also enhanced by the dog’s natural curiosity and love for learning.
Of course, people who own pets know the importance of training. Having a well-behaved pet increases the enjoyment for you both. Having a well-behaved pet means that you can have more fun with that pet.
One thing that owners have noticed with a Boston terrier is the fact that it can be very sensitive to the tone of a person’s voice. This may be described as a sort of emotion detector. Because of this sensitivity to the tone, a Boston terrier will be able to respond to how you are feeling when you are talking. This means, however, that you need to take care when training your dog. You need to make sure that anger and frustration do not find their way into your voice.
They also make excellent watchdogs as they do not bark indiscriminately. This means that you won’t wake up in the middle of the night because your Boston terrier saw a butterfly. There are some cases, though, when a Boston terrier will not bark at all.
Regarding the living conditions, Boston terriers can do well enough without a yard as long as they get regular exercise. This means that they are suitable for apartment living. However, you should also know that they are very sensitive to the extremes of weather. This means that you should keep it in a place that’s neither too hot nor too cold.
Unlike other terrier breeds, the Boston terrier is an average shedder. This means that you should be wary of keeping it indoors as it can shed fur over your floor. We all know how much of a fiasco that can be.
Bostons have a variety of common health problems. They easily get overheated when they are pushed too hard. As said before, they can also be sensitive to extreme weather and any weather that’s too hot or too cold can leave them with breathing difficulties. Skin tumors and heart tumors are very common with this breed. So you need to bring the dog to a vet regularly.
Another disorder you should watch out for is a skull defect. If a Boston terrier is badly bred, it often develops a bone defect that prevents the brain from growing. This, naturally, will lead to a retarded dog.
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Jun 30, 2010 | | Dogs
Every week there is one date I faithfully keep: ablutions time with my dogs. I dont know why we started calling it that probably when I was completely and totally addicted to Regency Romance novels. According to Websters Dictionary, ablutions is a washing of the body, especially as a religious ceremony.
We dont actually do a full-body dog wash every week Im told that less frequent bathing is better for a dogs skin and fur and its not really a ritual. We do trim nails, brush fur and teeth, clean ears, and wash faces. Because of the breeds we have; Brussels Griffons, Boston Terriers and French Bulldogs, skin folds, beards and mustaches, and wrinkles get special attention.
Its down to a routine in our house; it doesnt take much more than about 15 minutes per dog, once you catch them. One person holds the dog. The other ablutes.And the benefits are vast. The dogs seem happier, they smell good, and we have the chance to check each one for anything that doesnt seem quite right.
Contrary to popular belief clean, healthy dogs really shouldnt smell. Dog breath may be an indicator that the dogs teeth need cleaning. There are many products available to care for dogs teeth, but a start can be made with just a damp washcloth or gauze. Special toothpastes made just for dogs are readily available. Human toothpaste isnt a good idea it can be too harsh and dogs tend to dislike both the foaming action and the taste of products made for people.
Your nose is an invaluable tool in assessing your dogs health. Any odor from a dogs ears may be a sign of infection. But we know that cleaning ears can be a challenge. We use a solution available from the veterinarian. Its inexpensive and helps wash away any dirt or wax. Getting it into the dogs ears is where the problem arises in our house. Even after four years of this weekly routine, our Boston Terrier struggles mightily to see what were doing. No matter how hard we try, we cant seem to convince her that no one can see inside her own ears!
Keeping a dogs nails trimmed is another part of the routine that can be challenging. Many people are wary of cutting the nails too close and hurting the dog by nicking the blood vessel. Some people avoid the problem by using a hand-held sanding device but a light touch is essential. Power tools are exactly that powerful. Its better to do too little than risk hurting the dog. Most groomers and veterinarians will trim nails for a nominal fee. If youre hesitant about trimming your dogs nails yourself, its well worth the monthly visit to have a professional do the job. Even if you dont trim nails yourself, take a look at your dogs feet. See if their pads have any calluses or cracks or any abnormalities.
Lastly, a good brushing, in addition to taking care of any tangles, or mats in the fur, will make your dog look and feel terrific. Youll distribute the natural oils that keep fur healthy and remove any dead fur that may have accumulated. By paying attention during brushing we discovered a growth on our Brussels Griffon we would not have discovered. A visit to the vet and a couple of stitches later, what might have been a major health issue later was disposed of with very little fuss. As with humans, early detection is the key for dogs.
Our weekly ablutions may not be as much fun as playing ball in the yard, but it is time well-spent with our beloved pets. Getting them used to the routine may take some patience but theyre well worth the effort.
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Jun 27, 2010 | | Dogs
People think that finding Boston terrier dogs for sale would be a very easy task. However, people need to know that there’s more to finding Boston terrier dogs for sale than looking in the phone book or in the classified ads. For one thing, the breeder often reflects the quality of the pet.
Today, many of the Boston terrier dogs for sale are bred by “puppy farms” which exist solely to breed and sell pet dogs. These “puppy farms” are profit-oriented and are therefore natural breeding grounds for animal cruelty. It is often the case that the puppies born in these farms are taken away from their mothers as soon as they are big enough to sell. They are often malnourished as a result of the cost-cutting methods of these farms.
When you are trying to find Boston terrier dogs for sale, you need to look for a breeder who genuinely cares for the animals. This will assure you that the animal is well taken care of and will survive more than a few weeks in your care.
Another reason to look for this type of Boston terrier dogs for sale is genetics. When you buy from a puppy farm, all the owner cares about is the profits. As long as a puppy looks good enough to be sold, it is sold. A great dog breeder, however, knows that breeding goes far beyond determining the appearance of a dog. When you are looking for Boston terrier dogs for sale, you need to look for a breeder who knows that breeding also determines the temperament of a dog.
When you go looking for Boston terrier dogs for sale, you need to find a pet that would suit your temperament. While a low-class breeder would tell you to buy a dog because the puppy looks cute, a great dog breeder would tell you to buy a specific dog because it fits your personality.
When looking for Boston terrier dogs for sale, you need to find a seller who does not ask you how much you are willing to pay but asks you what your qualifications are. When you are looking for Boston terrier dogs for sale, you need to find a breeder who will not push the dog towards you but will truly take the time to know if you are fit to own a dog.
When you are looking for Boston terrier dogs for sale, you need to look for a seller who would be willing to take back the dog if you somehow neglect it. Do not go for sellers who will exchange the puppy for cash and then walk away. A great breeder will leave you with a way to contact him or her in case you change your mind.
Another way to find the best kinds of Boston terrier dogs for sale is to look for the proper documentation. Often, true breeders will be able to provide pedigrees that can trace back the lineage of a puppy. Through this, you know that you are buying the best.
Looking for Boston terrier dogs for sale may seem like a daunting task at first, but with the right attitude and information, you should be able to get the best puppy for you. By following the tips in this article, you can make hunting for Boston terrier dogs for sale the best thing you have ever done.
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Mar 19, 2010 | | Dogs
I am the owner of two miniature dachshunds who share my house and home. Many dog owners would rephrase that and instead call me the human who shares the house with the dogs. Dogs are indeed wonderful creatures.
Recent experiences have made me reflect upon and notice things about dogs and their presence in my life. I grew up with dogs so was taught at a young age to appreciate and treat animals with loving care. I recall clearly watching our pet Boston Terrier comfort my little brother who sat on the floor crying about something.
My friend came over to walk the dogs today and as she stood on the doorstep Peanut, my 12 pound dachshund stood up to lick her face. I belong to a PLR site for dog articles and there have been several written on this topic – all as if this was a bad thing. This got me thinking..
Both dogs lick my face when Im in bed and I call this kisses. Peanut will go so far as to stand on my chest with all four paws so he can give my full face a wash including my eyes. This usually only happens every couple weeks yet I endure because hes my dog. Bark goes after my husband more because the only time he gets to lick his face is in bed whereas Ill sit with them during the day.
My dogs also jump up on me when I walk in the door and will do this with others they know. Again, the articles say this is bad and that you should train your dog to quietly accept a short pat on the head as a way of greeting. When my two dogs have been apart for as little as ten minutes they greet each other very enthusiastically. Why shouldnt they greet me and my friends in the same fashion.
Ive decided that regardless of what the articles may say, Im all for having my dachshunds jump up and lick my face. First of all, theyre just being dogs and second of all they are my friends and they dont know any other way of saying hello. I figure if they can make me smile and laugh it cant be all bad!
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Mar 11, 2010 | | Dogs
Dogs Beg The Question: Is There Training Available For Our Human Friends?
The focus of many pet owners seems to be directed towards their animals, which makes a great deal of sense in most cases. However, when trying to correct unwanted behavior in your dog you might want to point that finger inward sometimes and have a little glimpse in the mirror. It is easy to become annoyed with your pet when you feel as though you have tried everything and nothing seems to work.
Maybe your Boston Terrier continues to chew on your shoes or other objects while you are not at home. Perhaps the Maltese in your life still has accidents in the house rather than letting you know she needs to go outside. On the other hand, possibly you have a Yorkshire Terrier that snips at strangers, even guests in your home when they try to pet him. All of these and many other undesirable behaviors that dogs may posses can leave a pet owner feeling frustrated and at their wits end with their furry little friend.
Have you ever considered though when faced with one of these situations that the dog is trying to communicate something to you? Is it possible that Sparky just feels neglected during those long days alone at home while you are at work? Sometimes we can have a big impact on our dogs if we look at our own behavior and consider what the pooch may be trying to tell us through their difficult behavior. Obviously dogs can not talk or speak with us as a human can when they need to communicate their feelings. That is not to say that canines are not vocal because as many of us know they can express quite a lot at times through their barking, growling or whining. However, to really pinpoint what the issue is for your pet you may find that you are the one that actually holds the answers.
Dogs have a very keen awareness for their surroundings and the people in their environment. As most dog owners come to realize, the bond between your dog and you can be extremely strong. There are people who report that during a challenging illness or devastating time in their life that their dog responded as though they knew what was going on and they helped their owner through the rough time. Sometimes by just sitting near their owner or laying at their feet, other times dogs may whine and pace back and forth, especially when other people are around because they are trying to indicate that their owner needs help.
Experts have even confirmed that dogs do have an ability to detect several human emotions and many of them will respond in unique ways. For example; when there is a lot of anger or arguing occurring within a household your dog may respond by acting up in a number of ways, which is not a problem with the dog but rather your pet is responding to the hostility and unpleasantness it senses in the house. Everyone goes through difficult periods in their life and it is obviously impossible to avoid exposing your dog to any anger or hostile situations throughout their life. The important thing to remember is that your situation and how you handle it is not your dogs choice or within their area of responsibility.
Dogs deserve and hopefully get, the majority of times anyway, a good, loving and stable home. They respond well to a structured environment, complete with rules and routines. If you typically get up each morning and walk your dog before you go to work and then you suddenly stop doing it all together, your dog will respond in some way, possibly a negative one. It is not the dogs fault that you changed your behavior and they have no other way of communicating other than to chew up stuff or have an accident in the house as their way of saying, hey what is going on. In some cases dogs can even become depressed, this happens most frequently in situations where the dog was once loved and well cared for and then suddenly became ignored and forgotten about. It is really sad to see a dog that is in this form of doggy-depression because again, they did not ask to come to live with you, you chose them.
There are obviously other concerns you must deal with when you are going through a difficult time, like loosing your job or going through a divorce, and you should always take care of the important aspects related to these situations. It is understandable that a dog can suddenly become a lower priority in your life however, if you are unhappy with their behavior because they are acting out in response to their environment; take that into consideration before disciplining your pet or giving up on them all together.
Dogs may secretly harbor the desire to have all humans attend some sort of training school before they decide to become a pet owner, however, since that is not very likely to happen, remember to think about your own behavior when examining your dogs. That precious pooch can sometimes be just what you need to get through a difficult time and maintaining their routine for their benefit can in many ways benefit you also.
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Mar 08, 2010 | | Dogs
Dogs are believed to be descendants of wild wolves. They were the first wild animal to be tamed. Ancient man probably brought home cub wolves to raise as pets. The pet wolves were also useful in driving away bears and other wild animals. One of the oldest known breed of dogs is the Salukis, which were bred by Egyptians thousands of years ago as hunting dogs. Greyhounds and Dalmatians are also among the oldest breeds documented.
Over the centuries, people have found many ways for dogs to be useful. Dogs helped to pull loads, herd cattle and sheep, and guard their master and the masters property. The Ancient Greeks developed tiny lap dogs, which were meant to be held in a ladys lap to help keep her stomach warm. Bulldogs with huge jaws and short noses were developed so they could hang onto the throat of a bull and still be able to breathe. In more recent years, dogs have been trained as seeing eye dogs for the blind. Dogs have also been recruited to work with law enforcement to detect drugs and explosives.
Today many dogs, such as the Poodle or Chihuahua, no longer resemble the wolf. Other dogs, such as the Siberian Husky and the German Shepherd still show a strong resemblance to the wolf. There are many different breeds in existence today, from the short haired Beagle and Boston Terrier to the long haired Cockers and Scotties. The Beagle may be better suited to live in the city, while Setters or Collies may be more comfortable in the country. The tallest dogs are Great Danes and the Irish Wolfhound. They would probably be more comfortable in a place where they had a lot of room to run and play.
In the United States, one out of three families owns one or more dogs. Most dogs live anywhere from eight to fifteen years. When dogs are one year old, they are as physically mature as a 15 year old human. Dogs can see some color but not as vividly as humans, thus they are considered color blind. Yet, dogs can see much better in dim light than us. Dogs have us beat in the category of smell, also. Their sense of smell is up to one million times greater than humans!
Regardless of which kind of dog you choose- big, little, smooth haired, shaggy, fast, slow, playful or dignified, dogs make wonderful companions. Enjoy their companionship and remember they need plenty of love, attention, and petting to be happy!
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Mar 08, 2010 | | Dogs