Showing posts with label Border Collie. Show all posts

Here's a great article that I thought I would pass on...hope you find it interesting! –Kim

Add Olive Oil to Your Canine Companion's Food Bowl

Olive oil, that staple of every kitchen, happens to make an excellent, healthful addition to every dog's food bowl. I know I'm usually touting the benefits of coconut oil, which is another mainstay in my pantry, but let's not forget the oil that comes from olives, too, which has its own fantastic advantages. In fact, why not mix things up? Rotate the oils with which you sweeten your dog's food bowl! I like to switch among olive, coconut and (for the Omega 3 factor so key to senior dog vitality) fish oil by Nordic Naturals. Here are eight reasons to heart olive oil. Bone appetit!

1. It tastes doggone good
Few things perk up a boring bowl of dry kibble than a loving spoonful of what dog-loving celebrity chef Rachael Ray affectionately calls EVOO (extra-virgin olive oil) – especially if your kibble might be, ahem, the tiniest bit stale. Add a dash of cinnamon and turmeric, and you've spiced your dog's meal in grand style!

2. It helps the eater lose weight
Whether the portly pepperpot is canine or human, if there are some unwanted pounds that need shedding, olive oil will help grease the weight-loss engine. The monounsaturated fats in olive oil actually encourage pound-melting by breaking down the fat inside fat cells, to get rid of belly fat and reduce insulin sensitivity.

3. It promotes optimal health
Rich in monounsaturated fats, olive oil prevents and lessens the effects of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. It contains oleic acid, in addition to some compounds (squalene and terpenoids) that are believed to be effective in preventing cancer, which kills a staggering 50% of dogs over age 10.

4. It defends the immune system
With high levels of antioxidants – including polyphenols, vitamin E, chlorophyll and carotenoids – olive oil is very effective at arming the body's immune system so it can efficiently fight off disease. That's especially important as we (humans, as well as canines) transition from one season to another.

5. It extends canine longevity
Dogs don't live nearly as long as we want them to, but nothing looks sadder than a young dog going gray before his time. Olive oil prevents free radical cell oxidation (see above), which can lead to premature aging, so it works to help keep your dog looking as vibrantly youthful as he did in his salad days.

6. It's a brain food
Olive oil helps prevent the cognitive decline associated with aging in all species, so be sure to serve it to senior dogs at least once daily, to keep their minds beautiful and cloud-free. This is especially important if your dog is a super-smartie, such as a Border Collie, Poodle or Mensa mutt.

7. It provides an energy boost

Circulation improves and breathing comes more easily with a daily dose of olive oil – it helps increase blood flow and, in humans, lessens the effects of asthma. So, by extension, it can be a godsend for brachycephalic breeds such as the Bulldog, who sometimes struggle to breathe.

8. It's also a beauty treatment
There's more to olive oil than mere substance – it's a style statement, too! Long used to beautify human hair and skin, olive oil can do the same for canines. Condition your dog's coat from the inside out with a daily serving, which helps to impart moisture and gleam to even the driest, dullest fur.
 

• Why is There So Much Cancer?
• Do You Know the 10 Early Warning Signs of Canine Cancer?

Here are two great videos that I thought I would pass on...hope you find 'em interesting! –Kim

Little Corgi Herds 100 Cattle

Bevy may be the runt of the litter, but don't tell her that. This little Corgi can herd a hundred cattle with the best of them. And to boot, she's also a sweet pet.

The Australian Cattle Dog (ACD) or Australian Shepherd is a breed of herding dog originally developed in Australia for droving cattle over long distances across rough terrain.

Border collies work hard and play hard. They also herd sheep, cows – even a 2,000 lb. bull. Originally bred in Scotland, these dogs make great pets.

Here's a great story that I thought I would pass on...hope you find it interesting! –Kim

Paige, the Helpful Border Collie

Meet an amazing pup that gathers laundry, helps with the dishes and puts away groceries. Paige, a Border Collie from Fairfax, Va., likes to help clean up around the office.

Who wouldn't want a dog that does the laundry, picks up toys, puts away groceries, tosses out trash and looks for ways to help around the house?

Gee, I can hardly get my kids to do that stuff!

Lauren Girard's four-year-old border collie, Paige, fits the bill. In fact, The Washington Post tagged Paige the winner for "Best Pet Tricks" (at two-years-old).

Border collies are smart – this is not news. But not every border collie has the kind of talent (or the star quality) that Paige has. Paige's owner, Lauren Girard of Washington D.C., works with the two-year-old border collie every day for 20 to 30 minutes, using positive reinforcement, to keep the dog's skills sharp.

"First, I started with basic obedience classes, then went into more serious classes," Girard tells Paw Nation. "Now we're doing competitive obedience and agility, which is more serious, so the tricks are just something I do on the side. She's so smart that she generally picks them up in just one session. You know the laundry trick? I showed her, she figured it out, and then I filmed it."

• Best Pet Tricks
  
• Amazing Dog Tricks by Paige the Border Collie!
• Paige Blows Bubbles!

Here's a great series that I thought I would pass on...hope you find it interesting! –Kim

Basic Breed Information – Part 5

Beagle

Although Beagle obedience training is a hard and challenging task, it is not an impossible one. Usually Beagles are considered to be very obedient dogs. However, training them requires hard skills as they follow the directions only when they pick up scent. There are some important aspects to be followed that make Beagle obedience training successful and easier task.

First and foremost, the Beagle obedience training must begin from basic lessons. It is very important and necessary for the dog to learn basic commands like "sit," "stay," "come," etc. These basic lessons are common for training any type of dog. It is important to learn the commands for communicating with the dog in a better way. The training sessions should be enjoyable for both the dog and the trainer. The training period can ideally be short and brief. Ten minutes time is sufficient for maintaining and motivating the dog. When the dog does not pay any more attention or when the dog does not respond to any given command, the training should be immediately stopped. After a few seconds of a temporary halt, the training can be resumed after the dog starts enjoying the commands.

The Beagle obedience training should be started with home rules, good behavior and schedules since, being a puppy, it has to be prevented from catching bad habits. Beagles are difficult to recall after they have started picking up scents. Hence it is necessary to start the training at an early age. The training activities should be chosen in such a way that they are more appropriate and perfectly suited to Beagles. Being scent hounds, in olden days they were trained for tracking rabbit and hare. So, you can train them to discover buried elements, retrieving exercises or running. The training sessions are very enjoyable when they are done outdoors. It is better to use positive reinforcements.

Your dog finds positive reinforces very rewarding. It can be a special treat, toy, interaction with the owner or other dogs. While doing positive reinforcement, remember that the reward should not be shown to the dog before passing out commands. Beagle obedience training includes showing reward for the dog before giving commands becomes an act of bribery. This will enforce the dog and corrupt it to obey only when reward is presented. It is better to hide the intended reward from the sight of the dog and show it only when a command is completed by the dog.

Avoid physical punishment as much as possible. Hitting the dog may not make it a well-trained and obedient dog. Physically hurting may even confuse the dog and scare him away from the trainer. Instead helping, it will cause more harm. When the dog has performed some unacceptable deed, the punishment should be limited by neglecting the dog temporarily for a while. If you do not like his actions, then ignore him for some hours and soon he will realize the mistake and will start to answer your commands.

This article was brought to you by Sean Green, at Online Dog Training (©2008 Dog Obedience Training).

For more in-depth Beagle training info, check out: Beagle Training Secrets or Secrets to Dog Training.

Bichon Frise

This curly lap dog is a cute and small dog. Bichons are extremely intelligent, and you will really feel proud to own one. After the French revolution, these dogs ended up on the lanes as their regal masters were dethroned. Then, these dogs were caught and were used in the circus to do tricks. Nowadays, farmers in Norway are using these dogs for rounding up sheep. Bichon Frise obedience training is important, as only when you train the dog can you enjoy his companionship.

Bichons are small dogs, but are sturdy and hence do not require much exercise. You can train them as a watchdog, but they are not aggressive. Though it has a curly coat, it will not shed and therefore one of the best dogs for allergy sufferers. Bichon Frise obedience training comprises training your dog with the housebreaking difficulties. Also, remember that they don't like to be left alone. If you are occupied with your work all day, this dog is not suitable for you. They express their unhappiness through non-stop barking and destructive work.

Bichon Frise obedience training includes extensive socialization, and you also need to introduce them to unfamiliar surroundings and sounds. Otherwise, they become suspicious or shy away from people. Also, Bichons are not suitable for smaller children as the steep sound and loud noises they make will irritate them, and they can even bite the children.

While providing Bichon Frise obedience training, you need to concentrate on the stubbornness of these dogs. They are manipulative, and hence, you must show them that you stand for what you say. Also, Bichon Frise obedience training contains grooming that is a very important part to play. You have to brush and clip the curly coat frequently, or else they are prone to skin diseases. The Bichon Frise show dogs you watch on TV and magazines were groomed for hours by experienced show groomers.

You have to first train your Bichon with the words "sit" and "stay" as soon as you bring them home. Bichons are very fast, and if you leave the door open, they will just run away. Also, if you have a swimming pool, then you need to watch your puppy as he may step into the water by mistake. It is also a good idea to teach your Bichon to swim, as this will remove the dirt and chemicals from his skin, and also, so he will be safe if he falls into the water accidentally.

Bichons often quickly respond to the new sounds and sights. So, you should be equally quick to control them. You should never leave your Bichon unattended in your yard. If you have close neighbors, then you have to take extra caution in nurturing your Bichon. Some Bichons bark loudly and can bite anyone when disturbed. Another problem with the Bichons is the tendency to develop skin allergies. They are allergic to chemicals, fleas, grass, pollen etc. So, you have to keep them clean and hygienic in order to maintain their curly coat.

This article was brought to you by Sean Green, at Online Dog Training (©2008 Dog Obedience Training).

For more in-depth Bichon training info, check out: Bichon Frise Training Secrets or Secrets to Dog Training.

Border Collie

The Border Collie is one of the best trainable dogs out of all the breeds. They usually perform in obedience, fly ball, Frisbee and agility trials. If you obtain this dog, mere physical exercise will not keep the dog active. They should be given some task to keep their mind as well as body energetic.

The Border Collie is an extremely energetic dog. He needs open space to exercise and being a working sheep herding dog, he always performs tasks happily. He will get too bored and perhaps destructive when you make him sit in a place. Border Collie obedience training is very easy to carry out as the dog is extremely agile and intelligent.

The dog will be able to squat, spring and corner adeptly for the function of driving the disobedient cattle or sheep into line. The Border's coat should be thick enough so that he can survive in cold days, but excessive growth has to be cut. Border collie obedience training includes grooming the dog with care. The water resistant coat of the dog needs to be brushed every other day. He should not be bathed often, as the strips of the coat will lose its protective oils. Brushing will maintain the coat clean and healthy, and also, you should strengthen the emotional bonding with your pet to keep her healthy.

Border Collie obedience training is not much difficult when compared to training other dogs since he does well in rally obedience, sheep herding trials and agility. Also, because of his medium size and higher intelligence level, he can be trained as rescue and search dogs. Normally, these dogs display stable temperament and they don't shy away from the people. Those who are into Border Collie obedience training will find that the dog is a faithful and loyal friend. He responds eagerly to the commands given by his owner and willingly performs the tasks.

During Border Collie obedience training, you need to praise him a lot. Because, lots of praise makes him happy and he will perform excellently. You have to train him to mingle with people right from his young age. Then, there will be no problem in socializing, and he will live fine with other dogs and children. When you bring this dog home, you have to pay him lot of attention and should keep him busy with lot of exercise and tasks. A Border Collie lives for serving his owner and hence he may not like to lie idle in a corner of the house. Also, you should know that he can be destructive when he gets bored.

If you live in a small house, then you should not get a Border Collie. He needs a lot of space to run and play. Border Collie obedience training can be done efficiently only when you have lots of open space and time to train the dog. He always needs your constant attention, and will become neurotic if ignored. Border Collie are normally pretty healthy, but may suffer from eye disease, epilepsy, allergies to fleas' and deafness.

This article was brought to you by Sean Green, at Online Dog Training (©2008 Dog Obedience Training).

For more in-depth Border Collie training info, check out: Border Collie Training Secrets or Secrets to Dog Training.

Boston Terrier

Most new owners struggle with Boston Terrier training, and seem to surrender to the common myth that it takes up to six months to train this breed. I will dispel this myth, and tell you about the reasons behind why most Boston Terrier owners mistakenly believe this to be true. And, I will share with you the right way to training Boston Terrier.

When you understand the underlying secrets to Boston Terrier behavior, you will be pleasantly surprised at how you can transform your "little terror" into the perfectly well behaved mutt that will make you make you the envy of every other dog owner on your block.

First, let me start by stating something that will never work for training your dog. Any form of aggression. If you think you can beat or scold your dog into submission and good behavior, then not only is it cruel, but a completely ineffective approach to training that will fail to get any results, ever.

The key to knowing the right way to get your dog to behave is to realize that he is a pack animal. From the early days of puppy hood, it is in their instinct to quickly figure out the structure of authority surrounding them. And this is where most owners drop the ball, so to speak.

Being your typical loving owner, it is very common to spoil your new puppy with affection and attention with no boundaries. You can let him play on the couch, bed, jump up on anyone and anything. And because it's just a harmless little puppy, you allow that behavior without any restrictions.

By treating him just like a friend, and not as a pet, you fail to set up and establish boundaries, and worse yet, you fail to do the one thing that makes all the difference regarding Boston Terrier training. That is: to clearly and quickly stamp your authority as the leader of the pack. Failing to assert yourself in the early stages will always make it difficult to train your dog later on. Here are two important elements for successful Boston Terrier training that, when followed, will pay off in spades.

First, do not attempt to teach multiple commands at the same time. Think of it as building blocks. Start with small steps and once mastered, move on to the more demanding commands. If your little one creates a big fuss when you are just trying to clips his nails, or put on a leash, he is unlikely to respond to your training for sit, stay or come.

Second, do not go overboard and try lengthy training sessions and expect to see results. What is better...doing thirty minutes of training twice a week, or seven minutes every day? The latter will transform their behavior quickly, while the other may not work at all, and you'll be left wondering why your efforts are not paying off.

For more in-depth Boston Terrier training info, check out: Boston Terrier Training Secrets or Secrets to Dog Training.

Learn the secrets to raising and training Boston Terriers the right way.

Gin the Border Collie

This is one of the most amazing dog videos I've ever seen!

First, 16-year old Kate and her 6-year old Border Collie, Gin, perform an impressive Canine Freestyle routine to a James Bond theme...like nothing you've ever seen before!

Then, Kate and Gin perform at the final competition with another dance number that they put together in a single day for the show!

Britain's Got Talent is a British television show on ITV (also on TV3 in Ireland). Presented by Ant & Dec, the talent show premiered on 9 June 2007, and was broadcast daily with a live final on 17 June 2007. It is a search for Britain's next best amateur talent act, featuring singers, dancers, comedians, variety acts and other talents of all ages. Anyone who believed they have talent was encouraged to audition. The winner of the show received £100,000 and performed at the Royal Variety Performance in front of the Queen and members of the Royal Family at the Empire Theatre in Liverpool.