Posts from — January 2007

Using Food Daily to Promote Good Obedience

Can you guess why feeding time is so important? Simply put, feeding time means your dog is HUNGRY and will therefore do almost anything to get fed. Since you, his loving owner, have the power to either feed or starve your pet, your dog looks to you as its only supplier of food. This means you play a vital role in your dog’s life. Now, learn how to use this to your advantage.

Your Advantage

Since you possess this role, it is time to use it to your benefit. No longer look at feeding time without the element of training involved. This means that whenever your dog is to be fed, he is also expected to do something for the food. Never feed your dog without some sort of request from him. In this case, we want our dogs to do something pleasant such as not jumping or barking, but rather sitting down patiently and waiting for us. This is especially important when dealing with energetic dog breeds.

TIP: Consistent Feeding

Feeding times should be scheduled at the same time daily for sake of consistency. Nothing is worse than a confused dog wondering when it will get his next meal. Feeding time can be in the morning before work, and in the evening after work. The same person should feed the dog as much as possible to reinforce that person as the Leader — the one your dog obeys and listens to above all others. This is especially important for growing puppies, as they must know who is the leader from an early age.

Feeding Time

When it is time to feed your dog, use a command word like “Food?” each time to remind him what to expect. As you begin to fill the bowl and bring out the food, notice the dog’s behaviour. Is he jumping on you? Barking? Give him a stern NO and wait. If your dog persists, ignore him until he stops. Your dog will quickly realize that barking and jumping only prolong feeding time.

Before you lay his bowl down, tell him to sit. Do not feed him until he is sitting and quiet.

Be Persistent!

Don’t be discouraged if your dog isn’t an angel immediately. As long as you continue to encorce good habits, he will eventually learn. Soon your dog should be waiting patiently every time is it to be fed because he will understand that the quickest way to get fed is to obey!

It Doesn’t Stop At Feeding Time

Use other opportunities other than feeding time to encourage good habits. Before you bring him for a walk (You remembered to give him the keyword “Walk?”, didn’t you?) make sure he is also sitting patiently for you — otherwise don’t leave. Dogs are intelligent pets and they learn from experience. If sitting and waiting patiently mean a bowl of food, then your dog will be more than happy to comply. Just don’t forget to give him praise from time to time to further encourage dog bonding and good behaviour.

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Most dog owners take the routine of bathing and grooming their dogs very lightly – so much so that they don’t feel the need to consult their veterinarians about the correct bathing and grooming schedule. In my experience, Indian dog owners tend to bathe their dogs too often, but groom them too little! In fact these are amongst the more common reasons why dogs begin itching, leading to serious skin infection

Bathing:

We may enjoy our daily bath, but dogs do not sweat all over their body surface. So your dog’s skin does not get dirty easily, since it is protected by his cost. Any dirt is superficial and can be taken care of by regular grooming and, if required, sponging. The dog’s skin is more delicate than ours, which is why nature has given our cogs a coat, whether smooth, long, short, wirey, dense or silky. This coat protects our pets from the adverse effects of the environment like sunlight and certain allergens. This is why it is not a good idea to cut or shave your dog’s entire coat in any weather. If nature has given your dog a coat, then it must have a purpose.

Dogs, like us, secrete oil from their skin. This oil keeps the skin healthy and the coat shiny and lustrous. Unlike us, however, this oil is not replenished daily. It takes few days for the dog’s skin to begin secreting these oils after every bath. For this reason, it is best not to bathe your dog more frequently than about once a month. Frequent bathing is a major cause of dry, itchy skin amongst dogs in India. This can lead to skin infection.

The next important aspect is the choice of shampoo. There is a vast choice of dog shampoos available in Indian market today. So why do dog owners still insist on using human products on their dogs? The pH balance requirement of a dog shampoo is different from that of human Shampoos because dog skin is more sensitive than human skin, so bathing with a human shampoo is an absolute no-no! The wrong choice of shampoo can lead to an allergic skin reaction, intense itching and bald patches. Sometimes these effects are seen a few days after bathing. Out of the wide variety of dog shampoos available, not all shampoos are good.

Unfortunately some products sold as dog shampoos in India are not properly pH balanced. As a general rule, a branched shampoo marketed by a reputed company is a good bet. It is best to ask your veterinarian or an experienced dog owner about the best quality shampoos for your dog. A good quality dog shampoo is likely to be a bit expensive, but it is well worth the expense considering that you only need to use it only once a month and you don’t run the risk of causing a major skin problem for your dog (which could cost you a lot more to treat!).

It is not recommended that pups below the age of four months be bathed. They can, however, he sponged and brushed with a soft puppy brush. If, for any reason, you feel you really must bathe your pup, please make sure that you dry him thoroughly with an absorbent towel. Such young puppies still have their soft puppy cost, which retains the water and doesn’t dry easily.

Grooming:

No matter how long or short, silky, curly or wirey, thin or thick your dog’s coat is, he will need to be groomed everyday. I find it odd that many owners think it necessary to feed their dogs what they cat and bathe them daily because we humans do so, but even though we brush our hair everyday (often more than once a day), somehow we don’t consider it necessary to do the same for our dogs. Yes, a dog’s dietary and bathing requirements are very different from ours, but as far as grooming is concerned, it is best to make it a daily habit from the very start.

Everyday, our dogs shed a few strands of hair, just like we do. This loose hair trapped close to the skin will eventually cause itching leading to redness and skin infection. Daily grooming not only removes dead hair, but also removes dead skin cells and stimulates blood circulation to the skin’s surface and hair roots, thus improving the health of the skin and cost. If your dog emits a hint of an odour, you can use a good dog grooming, daily or as needed, to keep your dog smelling good.

Grooming also includes regular nail clipping and ear cleaning, which can be done at home or at your veterinarian’s clinic or a grooming parlour. Ear wax is a common cause of itchy ears and otitis.

As a tip for puppy owners: Always handle your pup’s feet, ears and tails several times a day from the time your pup comes home. This will make it easier for you to handle him during bathing and grooming throughout his life. Bathing and grooming should be introduced to the pup’s routine as early as possible and should be made enjoyable. The more pleasant the experience is for your pet, the easier this routine will be for you.

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Fish tank is an ideal domestic decorative item that goes perfectly well with every sort of décor. Ideally, you will have it a prominent corner of your living room or if you are speaking of office, you would like to keep it in the lobby. Chinese Feng Shui advocates fish tanks in every home for prosperity.

How Do You Choose a Fish Tank? Here Are A Few Tips for You

Your selection of fish tank must simplify the care for your tank in addition to increasing the décor.

1. Choosing by shapes: Common shapes available are rectangular and hexagon. Bubbles shaped rounded tanks are getting popular now a day. However, rectangular shape is by far the most popular one because of its larger surface area which allows for greater exchange of gases with atmosphere. It is easier to locate them at any corner. But a bubble or a hexagonal shaped tank would look better along walls.

2. Consider the Location: If it is a single fish vanity for your bathroom, go for a smaller rounded fish tank. But for placing along a wall, nothing fits better than a rectangular shaped aquarium. Hexagonal shapes go better with corners. However there is more to think of at this time. A fish tank can weigh over 220 pounds for a 20 gallon tank (filled weight.) You can’t forget this if you are planning to place your aquarium on a shelf or an existing table.

3. Size: Don’t go beyond 20 to 30 gallon size if you are a beginner. While bigger ones are challenging to maintain, smaller tanks crowd the tanks and the quality of water suffers making fishes unhealthy. By the rule of thumb, you would have a fish or 2 per gallon of tank size.

Aquarium Plants

Fish tank plants not just increase the beauty but keeps water healthy by reducing carbon dioxide. Plants provide fishes pace to hide and spawn. Look around for guidelines for simple plants. Some are typically easy to plant and need less care. But typically all would need abundant light to flourish. But maintain water at 5.5 to 8 pH and at around 300C.

1. Anubias Anugustifolia: Long narrow leaves that grow upto 15CM, these plants are ideal for herbivorous fishes.

2. Amazon Sword: Although harder to cultivate these plants sway beautifully in the current. They need a little higher pH and grow upto 50Cm.

3. Wisteria

4. Moneywort

5. Java Moss

Regular filtering, aeration and changing the water are basic needs to keep fish tank water disease free. Also over crowding the fish tank is not a good idea.

NamSing Then is a regular article contributor on many topics. Be sure to visit his websites

A crucial and beneficial task to undertake with your dog is to train it properly. Training allows you to connect with your dog through communication. This connection is vital in directing your dog to follow your commands, as well as establishing a good lifelong relationship. Training is not the panacea for all behavior issues, but it’s a good foundational start.

Dogs are definitely social beings, but behave like wild animals when not provided the proper training. This means your dog will bite you, fight with other dogs, dig in the yard, bark too much, damage your property and dirty your home. These canine behavioral issues are actually normal dog activities, but the timing and the subject of focus is all wrong. To illustrate this, a dog must do its business outside, but does not wait and goes on the rug instead. Perhaps the dog does not just bark at a suspicious prowler, but barks the entire night instead. Or, the dog prefers to gnaw on your shoes instead of the toys you’ve provided. The critical message you must impart to your dog is that these behaviors need to be redirected to the proper time and place.

Training establishes the “pecking order” too. Your dog shows respect to you just through simple compliance for commands like “sit” and “come.” However, you and your dog should derive rewards and fun times from training. Proper training makes living together a pleasurable and rewarding experience. The well-trained canine actually can be given more freedom and is a much more confident pet as compared to a dog with no boundaries on behavior.

Your home is the venue where you should do the training. Don’t pick an area with a lot of distractions for your dog; it should be an area your dog is used to. Once you are confident that your dog has mastered a few compliance commands, you can then move on to different locations. Remember that you want people who visit to see your dog comply with all your commands. What’s the point if your dog sits on command in the backyard, but does not do so when visitors are at your home? The big test of dog training success is to see your dog respond to commands in public places.

Dog obedience training lessons should be short on time, but long on results. Scheduling long and meticulous dog training sessions will only become tedious and unproductive in the end. The best way to schedule dog training is to integrate it within day-to-day activities. Your dog training sessions should be structured so that both you and your pet derive benefit from it. Integrate dog training sessions during activities your dog loves, and your dog will associate those favorite activities with the training. From your dog’s perspective, it should see that everything is training and training is everything.

You will find that the most profound theme in that dog training should be rewarding to your dog for the appropriate responses. The speed at which the dog learns is directly associated with the frequency of rewards. This means that practice will involve rewarding good behaviors in quick succession. Never take your dog’s good behavior lightly and make sure that praise is given quickly. If a dog barks too much, it always gets attention, but we fail to notice our dog acting properly at times. It is human nature to focus on the bad behaviors and ignore the good. But with dogs, a system of proper actions and quick rewards are vital for the prevention of future problems.

Dogs get exasperated too when all they hear is, “No, get down, bad dog!” The constant nagging also has a tendency to make a dog apathetic to your commands. If there is a consistent system of rewards for appropriate behavior, then when your dog behaves badly and gets scolded, it has a greater impact. Remember to not just scold your dog, but show what you desire from it and immediately reward the behavior when done right. For example, you can show your dog its own toys right after scolding it for chewing on some household item. You can get excited about the dog’s toys and give a reward when the dogs play with them.

The tone of your voice, if used properly, is all that is needed for correcting bad behavior. Stick to reprimands that are concise, short and quick, and avoid nagging. Do not scold your dog if you have not caught the wrong behavior right away, as it will have little meaning after some time has passed. Late reprimands do little good and can even worsen the wrong behavior in your dog. Inappropriate reprimanding can make your dog aggressive, timid, afraid of the raised hand, apt to chew and bark excessively.

Jason Ryan is a longtime dog lover and pet owner. He has a great deal of experience raising dogs, and has written numerous articles on training-a-dog.com how to train dogs. Visit the website training-a-dog.com training-a-dog.com to read about the most effective training-a-dog.com dog training guides.

I used to be strictly a dog person. We always had dogs or puppies running around our house when I was a kid. We never had any cats or kittens. So as an adult out on my own, I just naturally preferred having a dog. I knew dogs.

Dogs are fun because they treat you as if you are the most important thing or person in the universe. They worship you. They instinctively know when you are hurting and will come and whimper at you and want to sit in your lap to comfort you, or lay beside you on the bed as you weep or moan.

Cats, in my opinion, anyway, are haughtier. The looks they give seem to communicate that they truly believe that you were put upon this earth to take care of them, in their time and in the manor they choose. Cats, I think, were put upon the earth to humble us and to make us realize that we are not always the smartest creatures.

Having had a female Shi-Tzu probably prepared me for having a cat around the house. Pebbles was also haughty and proud. Although she could certainly cuddle and whimper like any other dog, it would be under her terms. Even while going about her business in the yard, she stuck her nose in the air and looked at the Heavens, as if doing so would separate her from that messy business going on behind her.

Almost two years ago, my new husband and I inherited a cat from his father, who was moving from a huge house into a smaller apartment. Piewacket was certainly a haughty cat. But I have come to believe that much of her behavior was a result of the treatment to which she was accustomed.

Hubby’s dad would allow said cat to sit in his lap, but he never touched her or petted her. His girlfriend did get cozier with the cat, though. So, when Pie arrived at our house she expected to be loved by the females of the household and ignored or tolerated by the males. She was most likely surprised to discover that my son and husband could love her as well.

In her other household, she lived with retire senior citizens. In our house, she was in the midst of baby boomers, 20-somethings and sometimes a ten-year-old and her friends. What a different world that was for her, especially when they were all animal lovers.

Having spent some time getting used to all of us, she loosened up and suddenly was actually playing. She discovered that her scratching post was more fun than just for working out. And when she discovered how much fun it was to play with yarn, she spent the entire night (or so it seemed to us) tracking it underneath tables and around chair legs. What a mess we had to clean up. But what fun she had re-doing her yarn art.

When Piewacket started exhibiting such behaviors, we considered that getting a kitten would be a wise addition to our family. The kitten we got came from a no-kill shelter that I just loved. Where the animals were housed looked more like rooms than cages and the cats (or dogs in the dog rooms) socialized, played together, shared food bowls, and even learned to use kitty (or doggie) doors to go outside. Our choice – Opera – was a five-month-old kitten.

Opera arrived on the scene just before Christmas and claimed the Christmas tree as her own. Thankfully, I had placed only unbreakable ornaments at swatting range. She also began teaching Pie how to really play.

Pie, on the other hand (or paw), helped us parent Opera by hissing at her when she did something really rowdy or foolish – like when she jumped on the table, dumped our mail on the floor and started playing hockey with it.

Having two cats in the house now means that when hubby and I are watching TV at night, each one is blessed with having a purring fur ball on our laps.

It means that when the older cat wakes in the middle of the night and wants company as she checks out the food and water bowls, she no longer meows and howls for human company. Instead, she nudges the kitten and asks her to be her nighttime companion. Opera is game, since she would eat 24/7 if sleeping and playing didn’t get in the way.

We are thinking about getting a bigger house and property, though. Being looked down upon by the cats has made hubby and me really want some of those people-worshipping dogs around too. We need a bit of balance. We need to feel that we are in charge. We are, aren’t we?

Ahhhh, pets. Gotta love ‘em.

This article has been submitted in affiliation with PetLovers.Com/ PetLovers.Com which is a site for PetLovers.Com/ Pets.

In every cat lover’s life, there usually is one cat that stands out for being a real handful. We love all our cats just the same, but how do you tame the kitty with a larger-than-life-personality who is Dennis the Menace in feline form? Having a five-year old pile of highly active white fluff named Beau, I know all too well what it’s like to live with a lively cat. He is the most dear, sweet and loving cat, but when he’s bad, he’s like a flaming cat-rocket blasting off into space! I’ve learned to co-exist well with my beautiful wild cat. He is my pride and joy, but I watch him constantly to make sure he’s not getting into trouble. Sort of like my friend’s two-year old toddler, that gets into everything. Beau loves to explore and can get himself into trouble quickly if not attended to. Here’s some ideas on how to make your home more wildcat-friendly.

Keep anything dangerous out of reach

The kitchen is full of danger for a cat who knows no boundaries and wants to get up on the counter. Food cooking on the stove, knives and cleaning products are just a few hazards to keep out of kitty’s way. I bought a new oven, and Beau walked over to it (it wasn’t on) and with a flick of the paw, opened its door and walked inside! I got out my trusty squirt bottle of water and sprayed him. He hasn’t been near the oven since, but to make sure, I always look to see where he’s at if I’m baking or cooking anything. And all my knives are in holders, instead of being left out even momentarily. It only takes a second for a cat to get into something, so it pays to be preventative, no matter what room of the house you’re in.

Is kitty bored? Find him something to do

Cats are best trained by suggestion. A professional animal trainer once said this, and it’s true. If your cat is focused on something he shouldn’t be, walk across the room and show him a toy or give him catnip. Just distract his mind to think about something else. If that doesn’t work, a squirt bottle filled with water always does the trick for me. Show him that you don’t want him doing whatever he’s doing but always do it with love. Water is harmless. And, it’s been very effective at keeping Beau off of my stereo speakers, drip coffeemaker, shelves, and flower arrangements (he eats flowers if given the chance, whether they’re real or not.) Never spank or yell at your cat, because these things really don’t accomplish more than scaring him.

Give your cat lots of love

When Beau is getting over-feisty, I hold and brush him. He wiggles like crazy at first, but then he realizes that he’s being brushed and mellows out. Next thing I know, he’s a purring, amorphous blob of happiness in my lap. Skritch, brush, pet, and play with your cat to show him attention and love. He will appreciate it and afterwards, he may be worn out enough to go rest someplace. I play with Beau right before bedtime, to tire him out, so that he’ll sleep through the night. Before doing this, he used to take lights out as the time to sing at the top of his lungs and rocket around the apartment in hyper-speed mode. Now, he curls up at my feet and goes to sleep when I do. Thank goodness.

If kitty picks on another cat, give him a time-out

When he’s feeling really feisty, Beau will walk over to my 15-year old Blackie and whack him upside the head for no good reason. If I see this, I separate the two of them immediately. Don’t let Mr.Engergy beat up on your other cats. When he’s overly charged up and getting too destructive, put him in a closed off room where there’s nothing to damage, or a cat carrier for ten minutes. When I’ve done this, Beau goes into “rest” mode and goes to sleep. Then, I open the door, and he’s cool as a cucumber as he walks out, as if nothing ever happened.

Get kitty his own cat tree (kitty condo)

Cat trees are a great place for your active cat to keep himself occupied. They can be bought fairly inexpensively on Ebay or directly from manufacturers who have websites online. Buying a cat tree at a pet store is another option, but from my experience, they are more costly that way. Get a tall one, then sprinkle it with catnip and show kitty his new furniture. It’s amazing how fast cats catch on to using it. I sent my parents’ cat a kitty condo, too, and he helped my dad assemble it. Plus, the cardboard box it came in was an added bonus (cats love cardboard boxes – the smaller, the better.) A cat tree satisfies your cat’s need to scratch, gives him something to climb on, and a nice, high place to sleep if he wants.

Just like people, cats come in many personalities and activity levels. Love your cat no matter how much of a rascal he can be. Beau is my constant companion, and one of the most loving pets I’ve ever had the pleasure to own. I don’t regret getting him for one minute, and have learned patience and resourcefulness as a result. His behavior has slowly mellowed in the two years I’ve known him, and he’s learned quite a bit from me, too. It just takes time, love…and maybe a few headache meds for me here and there. But, he’s worth every bit of it in the end.

Carolyn McFann is a scientific and nature illustrator, who owns Two Purring Cats Design Studio, which can be seen at: cafepress.com/twopurringcats cafepress.com/twopurringcats . Educated at the Rochester Institute of Technology in New York, Carolyn is a seasoned, well-traveled artist, writer and photographer. Besides handling numerous assignments in the US, she has lived and worked in Cancun, Mexico. Clients include nature parks, museums, scientists, corporations and private owners. She has been the subject of tv interviews, articles for newspapers and other popular media venues.

All puppies and dogs need some form of training. What’s so good about Reward Training and why would we choose to Reward Train our dog or puppy?

Reward Training uses the principles of Operant Conditioning, specifically Positive Reinforcement. Positive Reinforcement is where we give a reward to increase or maintain behavior.

Any voluntary behavior which has been increased or maintained has, at some point, been reinforced. Without reinforcement, that voluntary behavior will eventually stop happening. That’s fine if it’s a behavior you don’t want, but if it’s a behavior you do want then Reward Training is important to reinforce any good behavior you want to see more of.

Reward Training is also fun for both dog and owner, resulting in a deeply bonded relationship based on trust and respect. If you want a dog who behaves out of fear, then Reward Training won’t work very well for you. There is a difference between respect and fear.

Reward Training puts you in charge of the good things in life, and gives you opportunities to hand them out frequently. Dogs learn that they can’t just take what they want, they need to work as a team with you. Owners learn pretty much the same thing, but from a position of leadership.

The most common form of Reward Training these days is known as Clicker Training. Clicker Training is a training method that uses a sound to ‘mark’ good behavior, then a reward is given. The sound says to the dog “Yes! What you did right then is what I want you to repeat! Here is your reward.” If you are interested in Reward Training, then finding a clicker training class is probably the easiest way to learn. There are also many good books on Clicker Training and Reward Training for dogs and puppies.

For more information on Reward Training and Clicker Training, visit the positivepetzine.com Positive Petzine website.

Aidan Bindoff is Editor of positivepetzine.com Positive Petzine and has written dozens of articles on dog training, animal behavior, learning theory and Reward Training in a plain English style aimed at those new to dog training.

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Our number 1 concern is your pets safety and health!

Climate control systems can be ordered with your custom dog house or you may order just the heating / cooling unit by itself to attach to the shelter of any beloved pet you may have. Most of these units are designed to take care of an area up to 6′ x 6′ x 6′, or a MASTIFF size dog house.

These compact, powerful environmental control system that attaches to your dog’s / pet’s house to provide year round comfort and safety. They are a thermostatically controlled heater and air conditioner all in one. The unit can be attached to your existing pet shelter to provide warmth in winter and air conditioning in summer. You can relax knowing that your pet will stay safe and comfortable in any weather, any time, every day of the year.

It utilizes the same technology that controls your home environment and is built to exacting standards to last while operating with amazing efficiency. In fact, it uses the same electrical power requirements as four standard light bulbs. Cooling cost about $0.90 a day, if you operate the unit around the clock, heating costs a little more. This is when used in the well built, insulated doghouse or pet shelter.
These units have been specifically designed for all weather conditions and you will find the unit to be amazingly quiet. To adjust the temperature there are three set positions: Hot-Off-Cold on the first thermostat knob. The second knob allows you to select the ideal temperature for your pet.

Placing the unit is easy, for there is a flexible air duct provided that allows you to place the unit within 8″ to 18″ of your dog’s / pet’s house. The back of the dog house is ideal, as this position has proven most ergonomic for the dog to maneuver in and out of his house

These systems provide additional functionality as a de-humidifier. As the system cycles the air, water is extracted and discharged out of the back of the unit via the drain. There are washable filters to REDUCE ALLERGENS and dandruff. This means healthier pets and peace of mind for all pet owners. Little routine maintenance is required. We recommend cleaning the air-filter once a month. Should you damage the filter, two replacement filters are provided. Periodically ensure that the power cord is secured to the unit and the outlet.

Unit Dimensions:
13.5″W x 18.5″L. x 14.5″H
Weight:
42/ 50lbs lbs
Features:
Thermostatically controlled heating / cooling
Built-in return air system
Adjustable temperature range (°F) 63°-90°
Removable / washable air filter
One year warranty on materials and workmanship

Dawgone Dogs

1523 Turkey Creek Rd.

Waverly, Tenn. 37185

(731) 584-2266

mailto:dawgonedogs@yahoo.com dawgonedogs@yahoo.com

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Cindy and Marie have a woman owned business that markets only AMERICAN MADE products of high quality for and / or about dogs.

Our Goal

To continue to provide our many satisfied customers with the best quality AMERICAN MADE products we can find.

Our commitment to community

To provide high quality products, to help you care for and enjoy your pets.

Charity

We will set aside a percentage of our profits to fund spaying and neutering programs for the benefit of senior and disabled persons, that they may better afford the enjoyment and other benefits of having a loving pet.

The Basset Hound makes a great pet for an apartment as long as she can get plenty of walks. She needs the exercise and likes to follow scent trails. A better situation for her is access to a properly fenced in yard with plenty of room, or better yet a farm. She is great with children and people and will also get along with dogs and other pets. She is a shedder and she drools so be prepared to brush her and have a drool rag ready. She makes a wonderful, loving pet. She can be hard to housebreak and can be a bit stubborn about training.

*Approximate Adult Size. The approximate adult size (two years old or older) of the male and female is approximately 13 to 15 inches to the withers (highest point of the shoulder) and about 45 to 65 pounds.

*Special Health Considerations. The Basset Hound must be carefully fed to avoid weight gain as this can be very hard on her back and heart. She is generally a healthy dog but here are some possible health considerations. All dog breeds have certain inherited health problems associated with that specific breed and here are some concerns.

Von Willebrands disease (a problem with blood clotting)

Paneosteitis (A problem of lameness in some Basset Hounds, not unlike growing pains, they she should outgrow).

Allergies, especially to grass.

Ear problems if the ears are not kept clean.

*Grooming. The Basset Hound has a coat which is short, hard and smooth with all weather density. She should be brushed at least weekly. She is a heavy shedder and brushing will help keep your house free of shed hair. Brushing will also help her maintain a clean and healthy coat and also help you keep a closer eye on her health and strengthen your emotional bond with her. Additionally, her outer ears hang low so they will get into her food and water bowl and will need to be cleaned. Additionally, the insides of her ears need to be cleaned with cotton balls and a solution recommended by your veterinarian, regularly to help avoid ear infections.

Her teeth should be brushed at least twice a week with toothpaste and toothbrush designed for dogs. Brushing removes the accumulation of plaque and tartar which can cause cavities (rarely) and periodontal disease. Dog periodontal disease can lead to pain, loss of teeth, bad breath and other serious disease.

Her toenails may need to be examined for growth and clipped regularly. The toenails of the rear feet grow slower than the toenails of the front feet. Generally a guillotine type trimmer is the best for this chore and competent instructions to accomplish this can be found on the net.

*Life Span. The Basset Hound can live between 10 to 12 years with proper nutrition, medical care and excellent living conditions.

*History. The word basset is French for meaning rather low, referring to the Basset Hound and her short legs. The breed originating in France, descending from the St. Huberts Hound, which is similar to the Bloodhound. They were developed to be low in stature so they could trail game through thickets. They were designed to flush out the rabbits and other game, but not to kill them. The American Kennel Club first recognized them in 1885 as a breed.

Some Registries:

UKC United Kennel Club
NKC National Kennel Club
CKC Continental Kennel Club
APRI Americas Pet Registry Inc.
AKC American Kennel Club
FCI Federation Cynologique Internationale
NZKC New Zealand Kennel Club
KCGB Kennel Club of Great Britain
ANKC Australian National Kennel Club
ACR American Canine Registry

Mitch Endick is a short article writer for the popular pet site: petpages.com petpages.com He provides informative advice on all pets including dogs, puppies, cats, fish, reptiles, birds, ferrets, rabbits, mice and even pet bugs. Petpages.com also has an extensive pet classified ads section.

“If your dog is fat,” the old saying goes, “you aren’t getting enough exercise.” But walking the dog need not be just about a little exercise. Here are 10 cool things you can see around Reno, Nevada while you hike with your dog.

COLORFUL FISH.
Walking the dog down the Stream Profile Chamber Trail at Taylor Creek Visitors Center leads to a cut-away view of the creek and its underwater denizens. In fall, spawning Kokanee salmon, tinted a brilliant red, swim past the trail. Another place to view colorful fish up close is on the Truckee River Bike Path in Tahoe City. Peer into the water off the side of Fanny Bridge and look at rainbow trout in the headwaters of the Truckee.

FAMOUS ROADS.
In the mid-1800s the Reno area was merely a stopover on the way to somewhere else. Many roads were used by wagon trains, the Pony Express and others to reach California including Hawley’s Grade, the detour through Dog Valley and mountain passes such as Roller Pass, Donner Pass and Carson Pass. Today, many of these historic routes are public trails hosting canine hikers. Keep an eye out for faint rust marks on rocks that are souvenirs of the wagon wheels of the western migration.

GEOLOGY.
The geologic origins of the region reveal themselves in many spots along local trails. At Cascade Creek Falls ridges on both sides of Cascade Lake are visible where rock debris has been pushed by retreating glaciers. This depression, like other similar pits scraped from the rock, filled with snow melt and rainwater to form Tahoe area lakes.

GRAVESTONES.
Cemeteries are good destinations for an off-beat canine hike. In Virginia City, the nation’s largest federally maintained historic district, are separate cemeteries reminiscent of the boomtown’s rigidly structured society. Wander among the headstones that are markers from a time when Virginia City was Nevada’s biggest town.

HISTORIC BUILDINGS.
Area parks are home to some of Reno/Lake Tahoe’s most historic buildings. Relocated to Bartley Ranch is the one-room Huffaker School that predates even Reno itself. In Idlewild Park stands the California Building, built in 1927 and now the home of the Reno Art Center. From that same era, near the Loch Levens Lake trailhead, is the Rainbow Lodge, constructed from hand-hewn logs. Even older, dating back a century, are rustic farm buildings seen from the trails of Wilson Commons Park.

INTERESTING BOULDERS.
The Reno/Lake Tahoe region is rife with souvenirs from its glaciated past. Many of these boulders were used by Washo Indians to grind food – look for smoothed depressions in the granite rocks as an indication it may have been a grinding boulder. One good place to see these stones, and learn their story, is at the Lam Watah Washo Heritage Site. Pyramid Lake was named for a triangular-shaped
rock that can be seen from trails along its southern shore. And canine hikers on Peavine Mountain can visit the boulders that University of Nevada student arranged into a symbolic “N” in 1913 and they continue to maintain annually.

MAGNIFICENT ESTATES.
Your dog can walk up close and marvel at three estates at the Tallac Historic Site – the Pope Estate, the Heller Estate and the Baldwin Estate. Wooded footpaths connect the mansion sites. You can see, but not visit with your dog, Vikingsholm in Lake Tahoe at Eagle Falls and Bower’s Mansion at Davis Creek State Park.

OLD FORT RUINS.
Fort Churchill State Park contains the ruins of the 1861 frontier fort built to secure overland migration routes. Fort Churchill lasted only a decade and has been in a state of arrested decay ever since. The remains of the adobe buildings can be seen from trails in the state park.

TV AND MOVIE LOCATIONS.
Your dog can walk in the footsteps of famous Hollywood actors at sites in the Reno/Lake Tahoe region used to film television shows and movies. The Lower Prey Meadows on Tahoe’s eastern shore was a prime location for establishing shots of the great NBC western, “Bonanza.” Hoss, Little Joe, Adam and Ben Cartwright could often be seen riding through this lush meadow in the shadow of towering mountains. Any canine hike to Dayton State Park will bring you in the vicinity of filming locations for The Misfits, Clark Gable and Marilyn Monroe’s last movie.

WATERFALLS.
The Reno/Lake Tahoe region is certainly not lacking in picturesque waterfalls you can visit with your dog. Some, like Heath Falls, ask for considerable trail time but others like Cascade Creek Falls and Eagle Falls, the only waterfall emptying directly into Lake Tahoe, can be enjoyed with very little purchase.

I am the author of over 20 books, including 8 on hiking with your dog, including the widely praised The Canine Hiker’s Bible. As publisher of Cruden Bay Books, we produce the innovative A Bark In The Park series of canine hiking books found at hikewithyourdog.com hikewithyourdog.com During the warm months I lead canine hikes as tour leader for hikewithyourdog.com tours, leading packs of dogs and humans on day and overnight trips. My lead dog is Katie, a German Shepherd-Border Collie mix, who has hiked in all of the Lower 48 states and is on a quest to swim in all the great waters of North America – web.mac.com/crudbay/iWeb/Katies Blog/Katies Quest.html web.mac.com/crudbay/iWeb/Katies Blog/Katies Quest.html I am currently building a hikewithyourdog.com tours trailer to use on our expeditions and its progress can be viewed at web.mac.com/crudbay/iWeb/Teardrop Trailer/Building A Tour Trailer.html web.mac.com/crudbay/iWeb/Teardrop Trailer/Building A Tour Trailer.html