Everything Outdoors – Hunting, Fishing and Hiking

Archive for the ‘Hunting Dogs’ Category

A lot of Shih Tzu likes to go on adventures, which makes travel attractive for them. This is their natural Hunting instincts making them want to meet new people and explore new places. However, it may pose as a problem since taking a Shih Tzu along during your travels may be inconvenient. Quite a few people are frightened of dogs and the mess that dogs make while you’re traveling can be very troublesome. It should also be noted that many lodgings and transportation services don’t cater to pets such as dogs and cats.

Having your Shih Tzu watched over by a professional pet handler may be needed to take care of your Shih Tzu during the trip. You also have the option of having your pet stay with a managed kennel. When checking around for a place for your Shih Tzu to live while you’re away, make sure it is comfortable and clean. The dogs staying there should also look content and well-taken care of. A few of these dog kennels allow for you to provide your Shih Tzu’s own sleeping blanket, toy and his favorite foods for while you’re away. Make sure, though, that your Shih Tzu has had its immunization since it is a regular requirement for your dog’s stay in such places.

Though, if you really insist on your Shih Tzu’s company when traveling, here are a few tips:

- A clean bill of health from your veterinarian. Your vet should also be able to provide you a certificate for this.

- Buy a sturdy dog carrier. This is a must since you’d rather not lose your Shih Tzu en route to your destination. A few airlines have dog carriers available for sale though they can be quite expensive. Also, remember that some airlines prefer having your pet in the compartment for luggage. If you really can’t part with your beloved, get a reservation from an airline that allows pets to remain with you during the flight.

- Your Shih Tzu needs good ventilation to keep him cool. Try to get air-conditioned cars when traveling cross-country. This is also true if you are traveling in trains.

- Don’t let your Shih Tzu hang his head out the window while the car is moving. It may be tempting to let your pet play around, but the risks of falling out or getting hit are still there.

- Leaving your Shih Tzu inside the car or under the sun is risky. Heat stroke is a serious danger to your pet and can even be fatal.

- Never leave your Shih Tzu unattended, especially when he is in his carrier. He may get stolen or kidnapped. This also goes for when he’s wandering around. Sometimes, Shih Tzu can be too adventurous and may end up in trouble, or worse, getting you in trouble.

- Fast pulse, rapid panting, red eyes and gums, excessive slobbering, feverish temperature or vomiting, means that your Shih Tzu needs to see a vet quickly. Have cool towels placed on your Shih Tzu and get to the closest pet clinic as soon as possible.

- Some countries have specific rules about pet travel. Try to familiarize yourself with them and try to follow them to avoid legal troubles later.

- A certificate for rabies vaccination and a notarized local language certificate from the closest embassy or consulate are sometimes required, so get one just in case. Better safe than sorry.

- In preparing for a long trip on the road, ready identification for your Shih Tzu. A collar with the Shih Tzu’s name, your name and a handy contact number can save you from a lot of trouble.

- First-aid kits for your Shih Tzu can be easily fixed up. Remember that some emergencies are special to dogs. A flea or tick powder is a good addition to this.

- Have a ready supply of your Shih Tzu’s favorite doggy treats during the trip. Make sure to bring more than enough to last the entire trip to be safe.

- Pack the essentials: clean water, dishes, favorite dog toys, leash, brush, plastic bags and towels, anything than can help your Shih Tzu stay happy during the trip.

- Your Shih Tzu should be given the chance to answer the call of nature every two to three hours so it won’t make any embarrassing messes.

Hopefully, these tips will help you have a better time with traveling with your Shih Tzu.

This article is FREE to publish with resource box.

Connie Limon
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/travelling-with-your-shih-tzu-137577.html

Throughout history most of a veterinarian’s clientele was farm livestock (large animals). Dogs, cats and other household pets made up such a small amount of their daily business there was very little reason to study up on it. Even the beloved European veterinarian, James Herriott, counted on the Yorkshire farmers for a majority of his country clinics business. In 1884 that began to change when the University of Pennsylvania’s veterinary school opened the United States very first clinic specializing in the veterinary needs of dogs. In 2001 the United States of America had over 28,000 veterinarians who specialize in small animals.

It is fitting that Pennsylvania opened the very first vet clinic that specialized in the veterinary needs of dogs, the state has had a long running bond with the canine population, starting with the states founders, William Penn’s, Great Dane. A portrait of this Great Dane standing beside his master can be seen hanging in the governor’s reception room of the governor’s mansion in Harrisburg Pennsylvania.      Pennsylvania considers the Great Dane the state dog. Owners of Great Dane’s appreciate the breed’s faithfulness, intelligence, beauty, courage, and tolerance. Great Danes stand approximately 30-34 inches tall and weigh anywhere from 120-200 pounds, people who have Great Danes believe that the larger the dog the better. Because of their large size Great Danes are not an exceptionally long lived dog; their bodies simply aren’t designed to last very long. Many Great Danes suffer from heart problems, bloat, twisted intestines, and tail injuries. Some Great Danes have been diagnosed with hip dysplasia. Great Dane owners are not advised to take their Great Danes jogging until the puppy is at least one year old. Dogs featured in ancient Greek art work bear a strong resemblance to today’s Great Dane. German hunters were especially impressed with the dog’s ability at Hunting bears and wild boars and bred the best great Danes to the best Greyhounds which helped create a leaner more agile breed.

Dog owners in the state of Pennsylvania are more then eligible to purchase pet health insurance for their dogs from the American Kennel Club. The American Kennel club estimates that the average pet owner who purchases an essential pet health care insurance plan (the essential health insurance plan is the name of the AKC’s lowest health insurance policy) through them will only pay approximately sixty-eight cents per day. Pet owners who purchase pet health insurance through the American Kennel Club have four different types of health insurance plans to choose from. The American Kennel Club Insurance company is happy to include cats into its health care insurance program. The American Kennel club is so confident that pet owners will love the benefits of purchasing pet health care insurance through them that they proudly offer owners the opportunity to test drive their insurance policy free for sixty days. Pet owners who insure their pets with pet health care insurance offered by the American Kennel Club are allowed to decide if they would like to receive a monthly statement in the mail or if they would rather pay for the an entire years worth of insurance in one lump sum and then not have to worry about it for twelve months.

Joan Shine
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/health-insurance-for-pets-in-pennsylvania-703882.html

Dogs come in many shapes and sizes. They are one of the varied species on the planet. All these different kinds of dog originated from the wolf. It is almost impossible to believe it but the Pekinese is more closely related to the wolf than is the German Shepherd.

This great variety of dogs results from selective breeding over millenia. For centuries human beings have been chosing those characteristics in dogs that they found desirable for some reason. Dogs have been selected for their small size so that they fit down badger hole or make lap dogs. They have been selected for their large size so that they can act as guard dogs and shepherd dogs. They have been selected for thick coats in cold climates or to be almost hairless.

The dog is one of the oldest of domesticated animals and over the many centuries that they have lived and worked with humans they have played many roles. Consequently, there are innumerable breeds of dog. They have been bred to meet the requirements of different occupations and to meet the aesthetic standards of different societies.

Often toy breeds have been developed from working dogs. The Affenpinscher is an example of this. It is a toy version of the pinscher and schnauzer family. It makes a good family pet because of its affectionate nature. This is a highly intelligent dog that is highly trainable. The coat is wiry and ususally dark in color.

The Anatolian Shepherd is less well known than the familar German Shepherd. But its strong build and courageous nature makes it an ideal security or Hunting dog.

The Basenji or African Hunting Dog is a silent dog. It has been bred to have no bark so that it does not disturb game. It is not a particularly affectionate animal but will become accustomed to people if handled from an early age.

A very different kind of dog is the Bouvier des Flandres. This dog was bred as a herd dog in France. It looks somewhat like a terrier. But it has a placed nature. The coat is rough and usually dark in color. They are often used in police work or as a guide dog for the visually impaired. They are intelligent and respond well to training.

The Ovtcharka from Central Asia is a large dog that has been used for herding. It has a fearless nature and is very brave. They ususally have their ears and tails docked when they are puppies.

From Poland comes the Owczarek Nizinny which is a medium sized dog. Its coat is long and often covers its eyes. They make excellent pets but hate to be left alone for long as they are very social.

Abhishek Agarwal
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/dog-breeds-6-rare-precious-breed-on-hold-753305.html

Everybody has heard of the basset hound or the beagle. This type
of dogs has proved to have many qualities or has been advertised
a lot. The influence plays also an important role:if one of my
friends. to whom I compete has just bought a pitbull, I should
definitely bring about a Tossain. How about the Polish Owczarek
Nizinny? i know nothing about it so this shouldn’t be my choice.
There are many breeds of dogs left on this planet which prove to
have more qualities, yet, are unpopular. This article will
present you some of these breeds.

The affenpinscher

This is the smallest dog in the breed which also presented us
the schnauzers. The affenpinscher is thought to be the most
suitable for a family pet as it is very intelligent, easy to
train of a good demeanor. They have a dark fur and have always
shown affection to human beings.

The anatolian Shepherd

This dog breed is of a medium size and has proved to be very
courageous. This breed is very powerful and loyal and it is used
in U.S.A especially for military and hunting purposes.

The basenji

The dogs from this breed are medium sized muscular dogs and are
also named the Africa Barkless Dogs. What is funny is that they
ever bark because they don’t want to do so as researches have
shown they are not mute.They are extremely known in Africa for
their Hunting skills.They are not suitable as family pets but
their aversion to humans can be diminished if they are handled
properly from an early age.

The Bouvier des Flandres

This small and steady dog breed is somewhat similar to the
terrier one . Their fur is generally in dark shades and they
have proved to be very calm. At the beginning they were bred as
herders in France but nowadays they are used for police and
military purposes, as well as guidance for blind persons.

The central Asian Ovtcharka

The Central Asian Ovtcharka includes only large and muscular
dogs. They appear to be very loyal and fearless dogs with strong
protective instincts which makes them being used as watchdogs.
As any other large dog they have their ears and tail cut from an
early age.

The Polish Owczarek Nizinny

This dog is of a medium size muscular dog with a long fur which
covers its eyes. It can be used as a family pet, being very
loyal, yet they shouldn’t be left alone because they are
notorious for the ‘disasters’

they cause in this situation.

All in all what we do know is that many dog breeds are not so
famous but they prove to have some qualities which cannot be
surpassed. They may be great hunters or family pets; the idea is
that we should pay much attention to them as they are really
fantastic.

For great information about dog breeders, dog breeds, dog books,
dogs for sale, stud dogs, dog names, dog rescue, dogs wanted and
missing dogs just visit us at http://www.Doggies.ca

Andrew Mills
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/6-different-dog-breeds-you-dont-know-3387.html

If you don’t already own a dog, it is important to choose the right breed for your family. Deciding on getting a pet, much less what type of pet, is a very tough decision. Once you and your family decide on getting a dog, it is important that you find the right dog that fits your family’s lifestyle. For those that have young children, you need to find a dog that is suitable and one you can trust. To help with your search, listed is information on five types of dogs that are the most suitable for having around young children.

1. Retrievers

This category consists of both Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers. Both dogs are loyal and devoted family members and can be easily trained. These dogs love the outdoors and will play very well with your young kids. Kids usually tend to have more patience with the dogs than adults, which will help the bond between the dog and the child and help to train the dog to behave properly. Retrievers make great companions for kids of all ages.

2. Poodles

Poodles come in a variation of sizes, which gives you the choice of what size of poodle would best suit your family. This breed can work with the best of them – hunting, swimming and retrieving! They are also extremely intelligent and do well in all dog sports. Their affectionate and patient nature makes them a great choice for families. Another plus with this breed is the lack of shedding.

3. Pug

Pugs are a smaller breed, yet have the personality of a big loyal dog. These stocky little wrinkled dogs have been described by breed experts using the Latin term “multum in parvo” (”much in little”). This breed is incredibly sociable, preferring the company of humans over other dogs or pets (though they usually do get along with them). They seem to have a special bond with children and love to play.

4. Irish Setter

This is a larger breed of dog, yet they are calm and love to be within a family. They are loyal and enjoy watching over young kids. These dogs are eager to please, so they are easily trained to follow commands and day-to-day behavior. Originally, these dogs were bred for Hunting, but they also make a great family pet.

5. Bichon Frise

The bichon frise is a smaller breed that looks like a big cuddly white fluff ball. They have happy-go-lucky spirits and are faithful and obedient. This breed stands out from other small dog breeds because of their lovable personality. The bichon does however require regular grooming, but because of its small stature does not have the hip problems like larger dog breeds.

All of the above listed breeds are proven to be great family pets, especially those with small children. These breeds range from large to small in size, yet all of them have the best qualities that you can find in a dog. I’m sure that any of these would be great additions to a family with children.

Mary Hickman
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/5-top-dog-breeds-for-young-children-680818.html

There are few things that are more annoying than a barking dog; especially one that barks incessantly, sometimes for no apparent reason. Stopping problem barking can be a real challenge but with the right approach it is possible to quiet your barking dog and in the process, your relationship with your dog will be made stronger. Many people seem to believe that the only good dog is a quiet dog. They think that barking is only excusable if there is an intruder breaking in the window or maybe if your house is burning. But the truth is that barking is part of being a dog. It is one of a his primary ways of communicating. A healthy, well adjusted dog will sometimes bark. It is our duty to figure out what they are saying and to set the limits on their “communication”.

So what might your dog be trying to tell you? There are many possible reasons for barking. Some breeds of dogs were bred to bark. Guard dogs like Rottweilers or German Shepherds, for instance. Hunting dogs like Beagles and Bloodhounds were bred to “bay” when they are following a trail. Smaller breeds, like Chihuahuas, seem to bark and put on a big show to make up for their diminutive stature.

Aside from the breed specific characteristics, there are some other reasons that any dog may bark a lot. Sometimes they are anxious or afraid because they sense that something is wrong. Or they may see someone or something near their “territory”. If your dog is barking for any of these reasons, it isn’t really realistic for you to try to stop him completely: he is, after all, a dog, and it’s the nature of dogs to bark at certain times and in certain situations. It may also be that he is just bored, lonely or needing attention.

But, of course, sometimes barking is excessive and unwarranted. Many dogs use their barking as a way of manipulating their owners! For example, suppose you are lying on the couch trying to read a book. Your dog awakes up from his nap and decides its play time. He picks up his favorite ball, walks over, and drops it in your face. You try to ignore him and keep reading. After a few seconds he nudges your hand with his wet nose and barks once, loudly. When you continue reading he barks again, now louder and, when you still don’t respond like he wants he barks repeatedly and won’t stop. Finally, you give up trying to relax, put down your book and take him outside to play ball. Now it is important that you spend quality time playing with your dog and giving him attention, but it should be on your terms. Your dog has just used barking to get you to do what he wanted. So you have reinforced the bad behavior. Dog ownership involves mutual respect between you and your pet, but it is not about equality. It is about you being the boss and the dog following your leadership. Dogs, in fact, are the happiest (and best behaved) when they know that you are in charge. For a dog to be calm and well adjusted they need to respect you. In the above scenario the dog was not respecting you. He wasn’t asking you to play; she was manipulating you into doing what he wanted. You taught him that if he barks long enough he get his way. So, how do you stop this manipulation? Simply ignore him. Easier said than done, I know? I don’t simply mean passively ignoring him, where you pay no attention and just go on with what you are doing. You must clearly communicate to him with your demeanor and body language that his behavior is unacceptable. When he starts barking, literally turn your back on him. Get up, turn away from him and avert your eyes. Don’t look at your dog or even speak to him. Initially this will confuse him because this barking dog routine always worked for him in the past. He may even start barking louder! The important thing here is consistency. Don’t give in after 15 minutes and give him what he wants. That will only teach him that he needs to be really persistent. “O.K.”, he’ll think, “it takes 15 minutes of continual barking to get my way. That’s alright, I’m a dog. I’ve got nothing better to do”. But if you stand your ground he will in time figure out that barking is not the way to get what he wants.

But how about in other situations where it isn’t simply a matter of the dog bullying you to get his way? If you want to communicate to them that they are to stop barking and be quiet, the most effective thing you can do is to use your hands. No, I’m not saying hit your dog! But I’m suggesting a perfectly humane and pain-free method of demonstrating to them that what you require right now is peace and quiet. When your dog is barking, first give him a few seconds to get it out of his system (it’s kinder, and a lot more effective, to give him a brief opportunity to express himself before asking him to be quiet). After a few seconds if he doesn’t calm down on his own, reach over and gently but firmly clasp his muzzle in your hand. He will try to pull away or shake you off, so grab his collar with your other hand to give you more control. This method works for two reasons: First, it effectively stops the barking and secondly, it establishes your authority. You are showing him through direct physical action that you’re a kind, but firm leader who won’t put up with his unwanted behavior. Continue holding his muzzle and collar until he has stopped trying to break free: only when he calms down and stops wriggling does it mean that he has accepted your authority. When he’s still, hold on for one or two more seconds and then let go and praise him for being quiet,

There are also several important things that you can to do to reduce your dog’s need to bark in the first place. The number-one reason for unnecessary barking (barking that is repetitive and is directed at nothing) is nervous, energy. That is usually because they just aren’t getting enough exercise. Most dogs function best with about one and a half hours of exercise every day. Admittedly, that can be a major time commitment for you. Of course it varies from dog to dog, depending on things like breed, age, and health. You may think that your dog is getting as plenty of exercise, or at least as much as you can afford to give them, but if his barking is accompanied by an agitated demeanor (acting aggressively, restlessness, destructive behavior) then he almost certainly needs more. The solution to this problem is simple if not always convenient: you have to exercise your dog more. Try getting up a half-hour earlier in the morning. It can make a huge difference. If that just isn’t possible, consider hiring someone to walk him in the mornings and/or evenings. If that also is impossible, then you may have to resign yourself to having a frustrated, agitated and noisy dog. The second most common cause of excessive barking is loneliness. Dogs are social animals and need a lot of attention, interaction, and communication if they are to be calm and happy. If your dog is spending a good part of his day barking at what seems to be nothing, he is probably bored and lonely and the best remedy is a healthy dose of attention and affection.

If you would like more information on unwanted behaviors being exhibited by your dog you’ll probably be interested in taking a look at “Secrets to Dog Training”. It’s a complete, A-Z manual for responsible dog owners, and deals with recognizing, preventing, and dealing with just about every problem dog behavior. 
Click here to learn more about Secrets to Dog Training, the internet’s best selling dog training program. Or go here to sign up for a free 6 Day on-line Mini-course.

Brett McGill
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/how-to-deal-with-a-barking-dog-683709.html

In this article, “How To Avoid A Dog Ear Infection Or Other Canine Ear Problems”, we investigate the some causes of ear infections and other related ear problems as well as providing some pratical advice on how to keep your dog’s ear in good working order.

Regular examination of your dogs ears should be another integral part of your grooming routine. Your examination should not only be checking for dirt, excessive wax, offensive odors, but also for tears and swellings. There are three main parts to a dogs ears: the outer flap (the pinna), the ear canal, and the middle or inner ear.

The pinna can either be pendulous (floppy) or erect. It can be covered in long hair in breeds such as spaniels and setters or with short hair in breeds such as shepherds and terriers. The ear canal is L-shaped. It starts of at a vertical angle and then makes a horizontal turn. Because of this shape we can only make a cursory examination. A veterinarian can make a complete examination using a device called an otoscope. Using the otoscope the veterinarian can also check the inner ear.

A dog which shakes its head, scratches or rubs it head against the floor or furniture is indicative of a dog with a possible ear problem. Offensive odors could also be indicative of an ear infection. These as well as tears and swellings on the outer ear should be checked and treated by a veterinarian.

Cleaning of the ear canal can be accomplished by using various solutions. There are cleansing solutions, ear-wax loosening and removal solutions and ear drying solutions available through your veterinarian and pet stores. Before putting anything in your dogs ears, consult with your veterinarian.

If the ear flap is dirty, it can be cleaned with a soft moist cloth or gauze wrapped around a finger tip. Q-tips can be used inside the small outer crevices. Gentleness is essential so as not to cause trauma to the outer ear or cause wax or dirt to be forced down the ear canal. Dogs with excessive hair such as spaniels should have the hair on the underside of the flap removed by trimming it, thus causing adequate ventilation and drainage. A build-up of dirty waxy hair can seal off the ear canal creating an environment suitable for bacterial growth such as yeast infections, or a breeding ground for parasites such as ear mites.

Another good time to check your dogs ears is when you come home from exercising in open fields or in the forest (Hunting or tracking). Check for bugs such as ticks and for tears. A good brushing and bathing can remove dirt, bugs and allergens, which can also affect the ears.

Because of the shape of the dogs ears damage to the ear drum is rare but caution should be exercised when cleaning the ears. Again, never put anything in your dogs ears unless advised by your veterinarian and use extreme gentleness when cleaning the ears. Consult your veterinarian immediately if you have any concerns. An ounce of prevention is always worth a pound of cure.

Terrie Simpson
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/dog-health-care-article-how-to-avoid-a-dog-ear-infection-or-other-canine-ear-problems-748790.html

The dog may be man’s best friend, albeit a subordinate one, but to his credit our underdog (yes…pun intended) of a friend does have one significant advantage over us…and that is that dogs have a single universal language understood by dogs the world over. That is to say that a dog which travels from America to Africa would have no problem understanding what the dog from Africa is saying; something that certainly cannot be said for homo sapiens (human beings) and their plethora of languages and dialects! This extremely useful ability is a trait inherited by dogs from their wild ancestors, the wolf.

Even to this day, dogs and wolves are able to communicate exceptionally well if the occasion ever presented itself. Actually in some parts of the world livestock guardian dogs still have the odd encounter with wolves and in many such encounters rarely does it end in physical conflict for the reasons are outlined below.

For a wild animal such as the wolf, the ability to communicate properly with other members of its species is an invaluable and essential trait because it is through this means that unnecessary conflict is avoided. From the wolf’s perspective conflict is a counter-productive activity because it could very well result in serious injury to one of the individuals involved in the conflict. And injury in the wild is something best avoided because it could seriously undermine an animal’s ability to perform certain activities necessary for survival such as Hunting. And unlike us humans, in the wolf kingdom conflict is never associated with something as esoteric as saving face illustrating yet another reason why conflict is counterproductive.

Luckily the wolf has conferred that very same trait of conflict avoidance and conflict resolution down to the domestic dog, the only problem being that somewhere down the line, due to a number of factors, many of today’s dogs are no longer able to properly interpret many of the signals required to resolve or avoid conflict. Listed among those factors are improper socialization with other dogs, and socio-cultural confusion that may arise due to isolated interaction with only people.

Consider the following account; although not specically related to the topic of dogs, it does emphasize the importance of proper socialization no matter the species concerned!

For thousand of years rhinos and elephants have co-existed in harmony side by side on the plains of Africa. Both these large creatures are herbivores so neither predates on the other. Both animals possess enormous mass and enormous strength but overall the elephant considerably out matches the rhino in every aspect including intelligence. Recently researchers in the field have observed a very disturbing phenomenon. In increasingly more and more frequent occurrences, young adult bull elephants were attacking, killing and raping rhinos. Such bizarre and often fatal attacks were unheard of in the past.

Further investigation into this disturbing trend revealed that those young bulls perpetrating the attacks were doing so because they actually knew no better (something akin to a maladjusted and destructive teenager acting out; one who had no proper family social structure during the formative years).The reason why those elephants were behaving in the manner that they were was because they had never been properly socialized or taught correct elephant behavior. That unusually violent younger generation of elephants became that way because most of the older elephants that would have schooled them how to behave were no longer around to do so. Most of them had fallen prey to the harsh and cruel ivory trade!

Your Dog May Be Acting Out Because He Is Frustrated And Anxious!

But enough of elephants and back to our topic of dogs! Like the young bull elephants mentioned above many dogs today find themselves in a somewhat similar situation; unable to cope appropriately with the daily demands of everyday modern life. Such dogs tend to be aggressive both to people as well as to other dogs. Unlike the elephants however the maladjustment of such dogs cannot be blamed solely on improper parental socialization, or lack thereof as the case may be, and it is more likely that the cause of such errant misbehavior is due to a stressful and frustrating relationship with the owner of the dog.

When you talk to your dog although you are communicating with him/her you evidently aren’t talking “dog speak or dog lingo”. When your dog “talks” to you (barking, whining, growling etc) he is communicating with you to the best of his abilities but in his own language of dog speak. A livestock guarding dog communicates with its wards (for example a flock of sheep) in a similar fashion, and although the two species do not speak the same “dialect” they can still communicate with one another. If the livestock guardian dog could not communicate with its flock then it would be unable to control and protect them.

Lost In Translation

Miscommunication between owner and dog is probably the single biggest reason that the sweetest of dogs becomes a nuisance overnight! I mean imagine how you would feel every time you tried to communicate with your so-called best friend (dog’s owner) and all you got in return for your efforts was a disapproving glare, harsh words and a scolding! Think of how a child would respond to such parenting…not good right? There’s a very good chance that somewhere down the line that child is going to start acting out. So it isn’t too far of a stretch to see how your frustrated misunderstood dog could also start acting out; in many cases such acting out will manifest as an overly aggressive dog.

The real tragedy of this situation is that many dog owners are unaware that far too often they are completely misinterpreting their dog’s responses to any given request. You see other than the obvious forms of vocalizations that dogs commonly exhibit, such as barking, whining, growling, yelping etc., dogs actually possess a myriad of signals that make up a good potion of their everyday vocabulary. Unfortunately your average dog owner is completely clueless of this unvocalized “dogspeak” so that when he or she tells their dog to do something and the dog in turn responds in doggie lingo with an unvocalized response which happens not to be the desired response the owner was looking for, and so the owner responds in a harsh scolding voice BAD DOG!

More about the dog

Kayye Nynne
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/misunderstanding-your-dog-could-be-making-him-aggressive-723049.html

Dog breeds in general have similar characteristics. Some dog breeds are more likely to kill than others and some breeds are more protective of their masters and physical surrounding than others. There has been a 20 year study to determine which dog breeds are more likely to actually kill human beings. This United States study was done for the years 1979 through 1998.

This study tracks 238 human deaths from dog attacks during a 20 year period. 24% of these attacks involved unrestrained dogs off their owners property. 58% of the deaths involved unrestrained dogs on their owners property. 17% involved restrained dogs on their owners property and less than 1% involved a restrained dog off the owners property.
Some of the conclusions of the study are not suprising. Yes, certain breeds are more likely to kill than others. Yes, deaths from dog attack are quite rare. Also it is sometimes difficult to determine the actual breed of a dog. Communities who try to ban specific dog breeds for public safety will find it difficult to define the parameters of what constitutes that breed.
Several factors interact with the dog to enhance the possibility of a human being attacked by a dog besides the breed of the dog. These factors include heredity, sex, early experience, socialization, training, health, reprodcutive status, quality of ownership and victum behavior. Additionally, this study did not look at intervening variable such as was the dog protecting his owner from serious harm or death or was the dog actually protecting himself from serious harm or death.
Male dogs are 6.2 times more likely to bite then female dogs. Sexually intact dogs,both male and female, are 2.6 more times likely to bite than neutered dogs and chained dogs are 2.8 times more likely to bite then unchained dogs.
One suprising conclusion of several studies is the fact that many varieties of dogs have been involved in a fatal human attack for one reason or another. Topping the list of deaths by dog in a twenty year period is the Pit Bull and Pit Bull mix at 66 human deaths. The Rottweiler and Rottweiler mix was responsibe for 39 human deaths. The German Shepherd dog and mix were responsible for 17 human deaths. The Husky type dog was responsible for 15 human deaths as was the Malamute responsible for 12 human deaths. The Chow Chow was responsible for 8 deaths while the Doberman was responsible for 9 human deaths. The Saint Bernard was responsible for 7 human deaths and the Great Dane was also responsible for 7 deaths. The Akita killed 4 people, the Bulldog 2, the Mastiff 2, the Boxer 2 and believe it or not the Labrador Retriever was responsible for 1 death while Lab mixes were responsible for 4 deaths. The following dogs were responsible for killing one human each during these twenty years: The Bullmastiff, Cheasapeake Bay Retriever, West Highland Terrier, Japanese Hunting Dog, Newfoundland, Coonhound, Sheepdog, Rhodesian Ridgeback and cocker Spaniel.
The conclusion that I make from this study is that almost any dog of size can be dangerous, particularly to children. Dogs must be properly trained, supervised, and care must be taken when choosing a breed with the propensity to be aggressive. Most important, keep young children away from male, sexually intact, chained dogs.

Mitch Endick
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/which-dog-breeds-are-more-likely-to-kill-people-64947.html

When you think of Beagles, you probably picture a pack of these little guys baying at the top of their lungs as they race after a fox or rabbit. While it is true that these dogs are popular Hunting dogs and have been used to hunt for several centuries, they also make wonderful family pets. The Beagle has a keen sense of smell and a strong hunting instinct. This member of the American Kennel Club’s hound group actually comes in two sizes, under thirteen inches and thirteen to fifteen inches.

Except for the difference in size, both Beagle varieties are identical. The beagle has dark eyes, droopy ears, and a long tail.

Its coat is short and most commonly comes in a combination of tan, black and white colors. You can also find orange, black, or tan dogs with white markings.

The Beagle can adapt to apartment life, but may prove to be annoying to neighbors if he constantly warns you of strange noises.

These dogs are tireless hunters and need a way to burn off some of that energy, so you will need to take your Beagle for long walks or go for a romp in the park. Think twice before letting him off the leash, however, since a Beagle who is hot on the trail of a rabbit will forget all of his obedience training while he tracks down his prey.

The Beagle loves children and other dogs, but will probably take every available opportunity to harass the family cat. These dogs are very playful and affectionate, but they do tend to sulk if they don’t get their own way.

In fact, these dogs are so sensitive that something as simple as someone laughing at one of them when he has gotten into some mishap can cause the Beagle to brood for days.

You may need to warn your children to avoid upsetting your dog’s delicate sensibilities.

Although Beagles occasionally get too caught up in the chase to obey commands, they still should learn at least basic obedience.

It will require patience and hard work to teach your dog, and you may want to consider getting some professional help by enrolling your little guy in puppy obedience classes.

Beagles love to eat and they aren’t picky. If you put your dog on a diet, he will happily eat garbage.

In fact, even if he isn’t on a diet, he may still hit the trashcans for an after dinner snack.

Your Beagle should be groomed once a week to alleviate shedding.

Beagles usually get enough exercise to wear down their toenails on their own, but you may want to check your dog’s nails to see if they need to be trimmed at least once a month.

Beagles are generally a healthy breed. However, some of these dogs can develop heart disease or epilepsy. Of course, with their propensity to overeat, Beagles can also develop weight related diseases.

If you want a dog who is a happy, well mannered little companion, then a Beagle may be the right dog for you.

Colin Philips
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/is-a-beagle-the-right-dog-for-you-114533.html