American Saddlebred

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Today's Topic is for the Horse Lovers Out There.

This is great tidbits of information.

American Saddlebred


The American Saddlebred is a breed of horse developed in the state of Kentucky. Today they are featured in many showring competitions, and they are also used for racing, parades, and hunting. These horses have a disposition which make them good for virtually any task in which they are needed. They are well known for their stamina and the ability to learn quickly.

The Saddlebread is very alert and keen. It is flashy and steps high, and they are referred to as the "peacocks of the horse show world." The preferred Saddlebred is one that has excellent proportions and is beautiful. They have large eyes which are sharp and ears which have an excellent shape. The Saddlebred is known for having a head which is well proportioned to its body.  These horses are also known for their prominent withers and muscular shoulders.

Saddlebreds are also known for being five gaited, and this is a trait which was passed down from their ancestors. This breed was first developed in the 18th century by Americans who bred the Thoroughbred with the Narragansett Pacer. The Pacer was a well known breed at the time, though many people have not heard of it today. Many people who lived on plantations enjoyed using these horses because they were comfortable and also had an excellent gait. It would go on to become a very stylish horse. These horses are very popular in the state of Kentucky.

Saddlbreds work well with harnesses and have enough strength to perform work on a farm. They are also fast enough to be used in certain types of races. By the middle of the 18th century, the genes from the Morgan horse breeds were added to give the Saddlebred more power and speed. It was this combined with the Thoroughbred that allowed the American Saddlebred to be developed. These horses begin to become very popular after 1940. A stallion named Denmark was born in 1939, and about 60% of all American Saddlebreds today are descendants of this horse.

Saddlbreds are some of the most popular breeds of horses in the world, and have been owned by presidents, generals, and other prominent people. They have also been featured in many movies. These horses are well known for competing in show horse tournaments. American Saddlebreds are one of the most well known and popular breeds in the US. The looks and personality have made them sought after by many horse enthusiasts.
 

 Well that's It.Until Next Time,Take Care...

 

Allergies Can Be A Real Pet Peeve.

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Today's Topic:

Allergies Can Be A Real Pet Peeve


As many owners will confirm, pets are more than animals living in their house. They are part of the family. For allergy sufferers, this bond often means that it will take more than a stuffy nose and sneezing to separate them from their favorite Fido or feline.

An estimated 10 percent of the population is allergic to pets. But because more than 70 percent of U.S. households have a dog or cat, these pet allergy sufferers may frequently come in contact with animals, and sometimes even have pets living in their own homes.

"I work with lots of families who have allergies and chose to live with a pet anyway," said Dr. Jeff Werber, a practicing Los Angeles veterinarian and Emmy Award-winning pet health reporter. "Most people view their pets as beloved members of the family, and parting with them because of allergies is not an option."

Understanding Pet Allergies

Although most people think it is hair or feathers that cause allergic reactions, it is actually the saliva and proteins in animals' dander that trigger symptoms, such as sneezing, itchy nose, and nasal congestion. Surveys have found that sufferers consider nasal congestion to be the most bothersome allergy symptom. Bathing and brushing your pets regularly will help remove allergens from their bodies.

"Soap is not necessary and can dry out your pet's skin," said Dr. Werber. "Bathing with water alone is fine."

A common myth about dog allergies is some breeds cause less severe allergic reactions than other breeds. All dogs have dander, which means they all can cause an allergic reaction.

Household Tips

• Try keeping your pet in rooms that don't have carpeting or upholstered furniture, such as the kitchen.

• Train your four-legged friend to stay off of the bed and to rest in a separate room from where you sleep. Pets' dander and saliva can trigger symptoms all night.

• Minimize the time a pet spends outdoors on days with high pollen counts. Pets also can bring outdoor allergens like pollen from grass and weeds into the home.

• Visit www.nasal-allergies.com to check the allergy forecast for your area before going out to throw a Frisbee or take a long walk.

• Vacuum floors and upholstered furniture frequently to remove pet dander. Surfaces like hardwood or tile floors are preferred over carpeting for allergy sufferers as dander can easily be removed from them.

• Have a nonallergic person clean your pet's cage, preferably outdoors.

Symptom Control

Rather than enduring symptoms, visit your doctor to discuss your allergies. Your physician can help properly diagnose your condition and prescribe medicine to help treat, or even prevent, your symptoms.

"If a patient is complaining of itchy eyes and throat, I'd suggest a nonsedating antihistamine. For the treatment of nasal allergy symptoms, including congestion, a prescription nasal-inhaled steroid is often recommended," said Dr. Matthew Clarke, Associate Director of the Occupational Health Center at North Shore University Hospital at Forest Hills in Forest Hills, New York. Nasal-inhaled steroids, which are available for adults and children, include NASONEX® (mometasone furoate monohydrate) Nasal Spray, 50 mcg (calculated on the anhydrous basis).

"I see patients who think they only need to use their medication when they are experiencing symptoms," said Dr. Clarke. "By following some simple steps at home and using medication daily, year-round, allergy sufferers and their pets can live comfortably together."

NASONEX® is the only once-daily prescription nasal-inhaled steroid approved to help prevent most seasonal nasal allergy symptoms, including nasal congestion, in adults and children 12 years of age and older when NASONEX is started 2 to 4 weeks prior to allergy season, and the only nasal-inhaled steroid approved to treat nasal allergy symptoms, including nasal congestion, in patients as young as 2 years of age. Take regularly, as effectiveness depends upon regular use. Maximum treatment effect is generally reached after 1 to 2 weeks. NASONEX also is the only nasal-inhaled steroid approved for the treatment of nasal polyps in adults 18 years of age and older. Side effects were generally mild and included headache, viral infection, sore throat, nosebleeds, and coughing. Please see accompanying full prescribing information.

Hope This Helps You Out!

 

                      (Dad):Hey Baby Boy,Do you have anything for our Readers Today?

(Nitro):Yes Dad I do.Hey Everybody,Hope Ya'll Like This.This will be Funny!Here Goes!!!

 

(Nitro):I Told You It Would Be Funny!

 

Until Next Time,Take Care Everybody!!!

 

Advice To Using Positive Reinforcement And Rewards To Train Your Dog.

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Today's Topic:
Advice To Using Positive Reinforcement And Rewards To Train Your Dog...

Training dogs using positive reinforcement and reward training has long been recognized as both highly effective for the owner and a positive experience for the dog.  Positive reinforcement training is so important that it is the only method used to train dangerous animals like lions and tigers for work in circuses and in the movie and television industry.

 
                                       
Proponents of positive reinforcement swear by the effectiveness of their techniques, and it is true that the vast majority of dogs respond well to these training methods.

 

One reason that positive reinforcement training is so effective is that is uses rewards to teach the dog what is expected of it.  When the dog performs the desired behavior, he is provided with a reward, most often in the form of a food treat, but it could be a scratch behind the ears, a rub under the chin or a pat on the head as well.  The important thing is that the dog is rewarded consistently for doing the right thing.



Reward training has become increasingly popular in recent years, but chances are some sort of reward training between humans and dogs has been going on for hundreds if not thousands of years.



When understanding what makes reward training so effective, some knowledge of the history of humans and dogs is very helpful.  The earliest dogs were probably wolf pups that were tamed and used by early humans for protection from predators, as alarm systems and later for guarding and herding livestock.



It is possible that the wolf pups that made the best companions were the most easily trained, or it is possible that these early dogs were orphaned or abandoned wolf pups.  Whatever their origin, there is little doubt today that the vast variety of dogs we see today have their origin in the humble wolf.

 

Wolf packs, like packs of wild dogs, operate on a strict pack hierarchy. Since wolf and dog packs hunt as a group, this type of hierarchy, and the cooperation it brings, is essential to the survival of the species.  Every dog in the pack knows his or her place in the pack, and except in the event of death or injury, the hierarchy, once established, rarely changes.

 
                                                                
Every dog, therefore, is hard wired by nature to look to the pack leader for guidance.  The basis of all good dog training, including reward based training, is for the handler to set him or herself up as the pack leader.  The pack leader is more than just the dominant dog, or the one who tells all the subordinates what to do.  More importantly, the pack leader provides leadership and protection, and his or her leadership is vital to the success and survival of the pack.



It is important for the dog to see itself as part of a pack, to recognize the human as the leader of that pack, and to respect his or her authority.  Some dogs are much easier to dominate than others.  If you watch a group of puppies playing for a little while, you will quickly recognize the dominant and submissive personalities.



A dog with a more submissive personality will generally be easier to train using positive reinforcement, since he or she will not want to challenge the handler for leadership.  Even dominant dogs, however, respond very well to positive reinforcement.  There are, in fact, few dogs that do not respond well to positive reinforcement, also known as reward training.

 

Positive reinforcement is also the best way to retrain a dog that has behavior problems, especially one that has been abused in the past. Getting the respect and trust of an abused dog can be very difficult, and positive reinforcement is better than any other training method at creating this important bond.


                                              
No matter what type of dog you are working with, chances are it can be helped with positive reinforcement training methods. Based training methods on respect and trust, rather than on intimidation and fear, is the best way to get the most from any dog.

Well That's It For Now!

Until Next Time,Take Care!!!

Oh My Baby Boy is Off Today,he'll Be Back Next Week...

 

Advice On Adopting A Pitbull.

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Today's Topic:

Advice On Adopting A Pitbull

I ran across this article i had in my files.It is a very interesting article.I think you should really read it,especially if you are thinking of getting a pitbull..

Dear Adam:

I purchased your book about 5 months ago, and I was hoping that might would "entitle" me to some advice. First, let me say that I'm very satisfied with my purchase. Not only does it give advice on specific techniques, but, more importantly, it explains the foundation of all training--timing, motivation, consistency--allowing the dog owner to better understand the training process. Also, it does a very good job of explaining that dogs are pack animals--and will test the alpha's leadership at various times (in my case, all the time)--and how that factors into training. Finally, I like your common sense approach, e.g., "stay" is a double command, if the dog's not supposed to break a sit or down without the release command, why do we need to tell it to stay.

My question is not about dog training, however, but about breeds of dogs. Specifically, APBTs [American Pit Bull Terriers] and AmStaffs [American Staffordshire Terriers]. The AKC does not recognize the APBT as a breed, however, many dog fanciers recognize the two as separate breeds even though they share a common origin and look very similar. Or, if not separate breeds, two "strains" of the same breed, the AmStaff being bred for "show" and the APBT being bred for "performance" - meaning the gameness of the original dogs has largely been bred out of AmStaffs, but still remains in APBTs. I'd like to hear your take on this subject since you own and have owned APBTs or mixes thereof.

The reason I ask is that I'm considering getting an AmStaff or a Staff Bull Terrier. My wife and I currently own a Dalmatian, however, so I'm a bit concerned about the two getting along, especially when I'm not around. Should I stay away from these breeds? I've had one breeder tell me they should be fine if the Staff is introduced as a puppy, while another told me never to leave them together alone. What would be your recommendation (I realize all dogs are individuals and may possess different traits than others of the same breed)?

Thanks,
Ryan Fehlig

Dear Ryan:

Thanks for the kind words. You've asked an excellent question!

I love the bull breeds, personally. And while everything you've stated is pretty much "right on the money," ... I would suggest that if you decide to adopt one of these breeds you make sure that:

1. The dog you're adopting is the opposite sex of the dog you already own.

2. If the new dog is a male, then neuter him before he hits sexual maturity. (Before 1 year of age.)

3. If the other dog is a male, then definitely neuter him. (Although this will not be a "cure-all" it may help somewhat.)

It's true... many of the dogs in this breed seem to have a genetic basis for dog aggression. I don't think that they come out of the womb being dog aggressive, but rather that they have temperament characteristics that tend to make them more dog aggressive. (i.e., dominance and a strong defensive nature).

As for the difference between the APBT and the AmStaff, the difference is largely one of registration. (AKC vs. UKC). And yes, the AKC version has been bred with more of an emphasis on conformation (like all AKC breeds).

If I were to adopt another bull breed, it would likely be the Staffordshire Bull Terrier (the smallest of the "pit bull" breeds). I like the idea of having a big dog in a small package. But to be honest, I'm really tired of the media stigma that this breed has received. And in real life terms, this means having a dog that you can never really take off leash at a park - not because the dog is dangerous or untrained - but rather because people are so darn afraid of what the media has led them to believe about this breed, that they snatch up their children and run screaming from the park.

On the upside, this stigma can work in your favor, too. Most criminals know that a "pit bull" is the type of dog that you don't want living in the house that you're about to rob.

On a personal note, there was a character who let his Rottweiler run off leash at the park I used to train at. This dog had a bad attitude and was a very dominant-aggressive dog. The owner was under the impression that his dog was trained. He'd give multiple commands, such as, 'Ranger come, come, come, come,'... but all Ranger would do is engage my clients' dogs and try to initiate a dog fight.

Well, after I adopted Forbes (an APBT-mix that looks like one big muscle and is about as wide as a Mack truck) and started keeping him in a down-stay while I worked with my clients' dogs... Ranger's owner suddenly started keeping their dog on a much shorter leash. If he didn't attach his dog to a leash as soon as he saw me enter the park, then he'd definitely run to grab his dog THE VERY INSTANT that he saw that Ranger wasn't going to immediately turn and come when called.

I guess that's what you call motivation, eh?

Yes... it's probably a macho thing. But IF there is a stigma, then you might as well use it to your advantage to encourage reckless dog owners with untrained dogs to keep their mutts on-leash.

That's all for now, folks!
Adam

Well,That's it for Now.Take Care.

Until Next Time...

A Dog Is For Life Not Just For Christmas...

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We Hope everyone is having a good weekend!
 Today we will talk about being serious about your lovable furry kids.

I ran across this article I had in my files and thought this would be some handy tips and information.So let's get started!

Today's Topic:

A Dog Is For Life Not Just For Christmas


My family run an animal sanctuary in Birmingham, England. Even though we love what we do, we feel that some people need to realise that a pet should be a long term commitment. They should not be seen as just a bit of fun which they can then get rid of when they get bored.

Many people arrive at the animal sanctuary with their pets, which are mainly dogs, with many excuses as to why they are no longer able to look after or care for them. I am sure many of their reasons are valid but am also aware that many others are just an excuse to offload them.

The excuses they give are varied:

I have recently divorced from my husband and can no longer afford to keep this dog as a pet

The dog has started to bite my children

The dog is too difficult to handle and is destroying my furniture

We have recently moved into a flat. One of their rules is that no animals can live in these flats

The dog barks to much and it is upsetting the neighbours

Our other animals do not like the dog

The dog is affecting my health

I am too ill to look after my dog

It is not our role to question these reasons but what we then need to do is to find another suitable home for the dogs. This is easier said than done as we need to ensure that the new owners will be able to care for them, for hopefully the duration of their life.

We also keep many of the dogs as our own pets, especially the ones which nobody else seems to want. One such dog is called Cassie. She is full of life and has been ill treated it seems when she was a puppy. Half of her left ear is missing and she is seemingly quite afraid of men.

Cassie is need of a huge amount of care and attention. She can be too lively at times which is possibly why three people who attempted to re-home her, have bought her back. She is not aggressive in any way but does tend to jump up at people.

What we did with Cassie and what we will continue to do, is to give her lots of love but also a little bit of training of what is good and what is not acceptable. It takes a long time, but she is now able to understand that the jumping is not wanted and that she needs to chill out at times.

Cassie is turning into a wonderful dog to have around the house and now feels for the first time as part of a family.

With a little more patience most other dogs can turn out this way. This is why we want more people to take more responsibility and to give their animals more of a chance to settle into their homes, and to get used to a new set of rules.

Having animals as pets can be very rewarding, nearly as rewarding as having a child. A dog however will rarely answer you back.

If you are having problems with your animals you can always phone up animal sanctuaries for advice and to hear about possible solutions. The people who work there are animal lovers and will help you as much as they can.

If you are unable to continue looking after the pet, the sanctuary should be able to take them off you.

 Well that's it for today,Until Next Time

Take Care...

(Dad):Nitro tell everyone Bye for Now!

(Nitro):Ok,Dad-Bye Everybody!!!

 

10 Most Important Tips To Training Your Puppies.

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It's Blogging Time.Welcome everyone.Time for more tips

and info to help our furry loved ones.

Today's Topic:

10 Most Important Tips To Training Your Puppies


All of us dream of parenting the perfect dog, a pup that is a CGC or canine good citizen and is well behaved and dependable at all times. Well dreams do come true if the training is done with care and dedication. Remember pups learn from day one and need to be taught what is right, what is wrong, and proper socialization.

Pups are like children, they need constant supervision and training. Training a pup need not be an ordeal all you need to keep in mind are a few simple rules:

•    Until your pup learns you need to keep an eye on him at all times. When you cannot then you must crate him. Create a schedule for the pup this will help the pup settle down quickly. The schedule must include things like hourly bath rooming visits, eating times, rest periods, walks, play time, training, and so on. A pup that has a busy day has no time to be bored and get into mischief.

•    Teach the pup to respect you. Dogs live in packs and instinctively follow a leader. If you establish your leadership in no uncertain terms then training will become easy as the pup will obey you at all times and not challenge your authority.

•    Use only positive training methods. Never shout at, hit, or punish a dog. It is not just cruel but can lead to behavioral problems. Use of electric shocks, prong collars, sprays, and so on could hurt the animal.

•    Teach the pup “nothing in life is free.” This is a system that is widely acknowledged as a useful training tool. If you practice this, the pup will learn that to get something like love, a walk, or treat, he must behave well.

•    Teach the meaning of “No,” from day one. Do not encourage behaviors like jumping, mouthing, tug-o-war, barking, or running out of open gates and doors. Praise good behavior and ignore or walk away when there is bad behavior. The pup will learn that if he misbehaves he will loose his companion/playmate.

•    To correct a behavior you must catch the pup in the act and startle him by rattling a can of pebbles. Once you have done this make him correct his behavior and immediately offer him a treat and praise. Pups do not recall what happened earlier so scolding him after an event is of no use.

•    Always call/use his name positively. Never say “Bad TOM,” or “No Tom,” this will cause confusion and the pup will think that if you call his name then it is something bad. The pup must associate his name with happy events like hugs, petting, walks, treats, and such. If this happens he will come willingly when you call out his name.

•    Create a training schedule that is short and sweet say 10 minutes thrice a day. Long repetitive lessons can be boring and the pup will loose interest in learning. Make learning fun and use trick training to teach commands like sit, down, come and so on.

•    Bond with the pup and both of you will enjoy your lessons. The pup must look forward to spending time with you and not avoid you by running away or hiding. Be sure to socialize the pup early. Socialization is one of the most important lessons. The pup must learn to be around other animals, people, sounds, vehicles, and other activities. So, slowly introduce the pup when he is little to everyday activities and sounds. Take him to the mall/ park, introduce him to children and other pets, and make him unafraid of the vacuum and garden hose.

•    Learn all about crate training, leash walking, house breaking, as well as food training. These are kindergarten lessons that every pup must master. Know about all the idiosyncrasies as well as peculiarities of the breed this will give you valuable insights on how to successfully train the pup.

As a pet-parent you have many choices. You could choose to train the dog yourself or register at a professional training school. Training a dog has many stages: kindergarten, obedience training, doggy sports, showing and conformation, as well as other aspects like therapy dogs, hearing dogs, and so on. What level you choose to train depends on you as well as the learning abilities of your dog. As you know, different dogs like humans have varied talents. Choose well and both you and your pup will have fun times together.

(Dad)-Hey Nitro Baby Boy.Do you have something for us today.Glad you are back from vacation!

(Nitro):Hey Dad,hey everybody.Glad to be back.I have a good video and you all will love this.It is so funny!Here we go...

(Nitro):I told you it was funny!!!

Well that's it for Now.Until Next Time,Take Care Everybody!

Adopting A Dog.

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Today's Topic:

Adopting A Dog

Explains how to go about adopting a new dog and what to do when you get your new dog home.


If you have been thinking of getting a new dog, have you considered all the options available to you? The obvious choice people make, when considering a new dog is to go to a specialized dog breeder. A good dog breeder will be able to sell you a puppy that has been checked for genetic problems, diseases etc and will very often provide you with a high quality pedigree dog that should be free from problems that plague a lot of dogs.

This is ideal for a lot of people but of course will come at a price. There is an alternative - adopting a puppy or adult dog.

There are lots of dogs that are without homes at animal shelters or humane societies. These animals are often a victim of circumstance. Either an owner has died, or an elderly person cannot cope any more. Sadly through no fault of their own, they have ended up homeless. Adopting a dog, may be a great way to offer a loving home to one of these dogs.

A lot of people are concerned that they may end up with an unhealthy dog, or a dog that may be aggressive by getting one from a shelter. Most animal shelters will check a dog for good health and good temperament, so if there are any problems you will be told about them. Also, a lot of shelters offer in-house training to increase the chances of a dog finding a new home. Which is great for everybody!

The best way to go about adopting a dog is to pay a visit to your nearest animal shelter. Explain to the staff there, what kind of dog would suit you and your family. Bear in mind that if you have very small children, getting a large dog may not be a good idea. Similarly if you have an apartment, maybe think about getting a small dog that doesn't require vast amounts of exercise. A bit of forethought before you arrive will make finding the perfect dog for you that much easier.


When you bring your new dog home, try and imagine things from her perspective. Your new dog has probably been through a lot in the past so bringing her to yet another new home may well be overwhelming. The best thing to do is keep her on a leash at first, and gradually introduce her to your home letting her sniff each room until she has got a feel for her new surroundings. Also take her to relieve her bladder outside if she has been on a long car journey with you.
Once she has settled down, allow her to walk freely off the leash inside your home (not outside off the leash yet). This will give her a chance to find 'her' spot. By this I mean her favorite place. We all have a favorite spot where we like to go, dogs are no different. If you have bought a new dog bed or blanket for your new arrival, this may be the place to put it. She will naturally go to that spot so having a comfy new bed there will help her settle in.

Your new dog may be very quiet for the first few days but don't worry, this is part of the settling in process. After a short while your dog will be a fully settled in new member of the family.

Adopting from an animal shelter is a great way to get a new companion and a great way to make a new and happy future for your dog.
 

Well That's It for Now.Take Care...

Until Next Time.