Unique “Message” Collars Can Make Dog Walking Safer

By Linda Cole

I have yet to find a dog who doesnt enjoy going on walks. However, the problem is that not all dogs are leash trained, nor are they all friendly. Sometimes, a meeting between two dogs doesnt go as well as both owners expected. I recently heard about a new idea in collars, leashes and harnesses, with messages that can help make dog walking safer for dogs, their owners and other people.

A company in the United Kingdom has come up with a simple way to send a clear signal to people approaching with their dog or someone just walking that tells them if a dog is friendly, isnt interested in making a new friend, or needs space to stay calm. Dexil’s Friendly Dog Collars were designed to let strangers know what a dogs temperament is like before they are near him. The purpose of the collars is to hopefully cut down on dog-on-dog encounters and dogs biting people who simply want to pet them. Its a system based on a traffic light.

You can get a collar, lead or harness with a simple message embroidered in black on them. A green collar with the word “Friendly” means that the dog is good with adults, kids and other dogs. Orange with “No Dogs” means hes happy to meet people, but hes not good with other dogs. Red with “Caution” means to stay away, and do not approach this dog. He needs his space and doesnt want you to pet him.

Other messages are available, including two for special needs pets. A gold color signifies a “Nervous” dog that may be unpredictable if approached. White is for a “Blind Dog” that may be limited in his sight or completely blind. White is also used for “Deaf Dog,” which means hes hard of hearing or completely deaf. Blue says “Training,” for dogs being trained by their owner, so please do not disturb. Yellow is a good one for shelters and rescue groups; it says “Adopt Me.”

A message on a collar, leash or harness is a good idea, but proper socialization and training shouldnt take a back seat. Dogs that receive basic training are less likely to end up in a shelter because of behavior problems, and its much easier to control your dog and keep him safe when he follows your commands. Socializing your pet to different kinds of environments, sights, sounds, other dogs and people helps keep him happy, calm,and well balanced. Positive training with your dogs favorite CANIDAE treat is one of the best ways to strengthen the bond between you.

Walking a dog, at times, can be a bit of a gamble. If your dog is not as dog friendly as you would like, or hes skittish around strangers, meeting another dog can cause you to whirl around and walk away as fast as you can. Sometimes its a child that suddenly comes running over because she wants to pet the doggy, and you freeze because your dog isnt fond of kids. A message on a collar, however, wont stop a kid who hasnt learned how to read, and the best way to protect your child from unnecessary dog bites is to teach them how to approach an unfamiliar dog.

My first dog, Jack, was a people and dog friendly fellow. He loved playing with kids and wouldnt hurt a fly...unless he was at the vet. Sitting in the waiting room, hed hide under a chair or in a corner. Anyone who approached him was met with an apprehensive stare. Jack was a handsome American Eskimo who always drew attention while we waited, but people didnt always listen when I asked them to stay away, and I was the one who got grumpy stares if Jack growled. The point is, even a friendly dog can be nervous or scared in certain situations, and is apt to lash out in the only way they know how.

A message on a collar that alerts people to stay away can help prevent dog-on-dog aggression, as well as dog bites if you have to break up a fight. The brightly colored collars are also a safe way for older kids, and people who arent good at reading a dogs body language, to quickly see if the canine they are approaching is friendly or not. After all, the goal when walking your dog is to make sure humans and dogs are kept safe while you enjoy a stroll with your best friend.

Photos courtesy of Friendly Dog Collars

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How a Unique Shelter is Helping Dogs

By Linda Cole

Most animal shelters are run by kind and responsible people who love the pets they care for in their facilities. Their main goal is finding the perfect owner for the pets. Without these caring individuals, dogs and cats would have no place to live while they wait for their forever home. However, some shelters are thinking outside the box to give pets a better environment to wait in.

Adopt-A-Dog animal shelter in Armonk, NY is manned by an army of dedicated and committed volunteers who help insure each pet living at the shelter receives all the love and attention they need. The animal shelter, sanctuary and rescue began in 1981, and sits on two acres of land. This shelter is unique in how its run, and proudly touts a 95 percent success rate in adoptions with practices that include educating potential pet owners about responsible pet ownership, how to properly care for pets, and making a lifetime commitment to adopted pets.

The shelter is run more like a sanctuary. Volunteers walk the dogs, take them for car rides, take them swimming, and play ball and other games with them in the exercise yard. During office hours, cats and dogs are allowed to wander in the office area where they get to spend time with the staff, sack out on a bed or watch TV. The office is in a house and has two people who live there, so someone is always available to tend to the needs of the pets. In order to give all of the dogs in the shelter access to the home, they are rotated on a daily basis.

The adoption process is taken slowly at the shelter. Their goal is to make sure a pet is a good match for someones lifestyle. Multiple home visits are made when there are children or other pets in a home. The first step for any shelter is to find someone to adopt a pet; making sure the pet remains in the home and isnt returned to the shelter can be a harder task to accomplish. This is where Adopt-A-Dog stands out from other shelters by using a program they incorporated to educate potential adopters, and taking time to make sure a pet fits into a potential owners lifestyle.

Visitors interested in seeing dogs meet them in the exercise area or home instead of viewing pets behind closed doors in the kennel area. In most shelters, as soon as someone enters, a chorus of barking dogs creates excitement and stress for both canines and humans. Being able to meet a dog in a more relaxed atmosphere keeps them calmer, and their true personality is more likely to shine. This reduces stress levels of everyone involved.

Adopt-A-Dog is also a rescue. According to its president, Allyson Halm, finding puppies in the Northeast part of the country can be difficult, and some people are looking specifically for puppies to adopt. To help reduce the number of pups in high kill shelters in the southern part of the country, volunteers drive to these shelters and transport puppies to Adopt-A-Dog where they have a better chance of finding a home. They also have taken in Beagles rescued from a lab that shut down in their area.

With millions of dogs and cats living in shelters, sometimes it takes thinking outside the box to increase their chances of finding a home. Volunteers are the backbone of animal shelters, doing what they can to help care for homeless pets. Without them, most shelters would have a much harder time tending to the needs of the pets in their care.

What Adopt-A-Dog has been able to accomplish is a good model for any shelter to follow. Unfortunately, its not always that easy to find enough funding to pay for expenses, let alone buy extra land that can be used for dogs to romp around in. Having the ability to let pets mingle with people working at the shelter, or going for walks, car rides and to the beach helps keep pets better socialized. Living in a home-like atmosphere is less stressful for them, too.

Even if you arent looking for a pet, visiting your local shelter to give pets much needed attention only takes a little bit of time, and most shelters appreciate an extra hand now and then. If you dont have time to volunteer at a shelter, I dont know any shelter that would turn down a donation. Making pet blankets, toys or beds is also a good way to help out. What a shelter pet needs more than anything else is the feeling that someone cares.

Photos by jeffreyw

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Dalmatian Dogs Very Unique Very Distinct

Dalmatian dogs are often called the black and white spotted dogs as they are found with distinctive black and white spots all over their body.
These spots are also the unique identification symbols for this breed as no other purebreed dog has the distinctive Dalmatian spots. Dalmatians as believed by majority of people have basically originated from Dalmatia, a province in Croatia. Dalmations are said to be one of the oldest purebreds in the world. The average life expectancy of this breed is 10-12 years.

History
The history of the Dalmatian is an uncertain and highly debated topic. Most of the people believe that the breed has originated in Dalmatia, a province in Croatia; however there are certain people who believe that Dalmatian may have some links with Egypt as Dalmatian has been seen in Egyptian cave paintings, running alongside chariots. A chapel in Florence has a fresco of 14th century which also had a pictorial representation of a dog identical to Dalmatian. Whatever its origins, one thing is for sure that the Dalmatian is an ancient breed which has come through the years virtually unchanged. Dalmatians were also used as a dog of war, a hunter, a retriever, a bird dog, and a carriage dog. They were also used as a watch dogs and firehouse mascot.

Appearance
Adult Dalmatians are muscular and agile. They are fit for all kinds of lifestyle. They are of about 19 to 24 in height and 45 to 70 lbs. in weight, when they are fully grown. They have short fine furry coat which they shed all the year around. It is not woolly or silky rather sleek, glossy and healthy in appearance. They have a well proportionate body and arched neck line. Their chest is deep, voluminous and of moderate width, having good coil of rib without being tub shaped. They have strong and sturdy bone structure. However, the most distinct feature in their appearance is their black and white spot which make them most popular.

Personality
Dalmatians are well behaved and polite. But are very protective and can be great watch dogs. They love to jog for miles. Loving, devoted and sociable, a Dalmatian is full of stamina, friendly and affectionate. Dalmatian dogs become good playmates for children and get along well with other dogs or household pets. They need consistent training and respond well to positive reinforcement. They love to be praised when they have proved themselves worthy of it. 

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Dog Breeding

You may feel awkward or uneasy when breeding your dog and I know it is a serious decision one dog owner has to make. But here are some good tips that will make the process easier for you and your dog.

You should choose the right partner for your dog – this is one of the most significant things to do. Bear in mind that the puppies carry with them the genes of their parents, so you should choose a partner that is healthy, attractive, and other positive qualities you like your dog to possess.

The female dog should be very healthy so that giving birth and pregnancy is very easy. Before the breeding process, she should be well fed with supplements and the right amount of nutrition to have all the energy and boosts her body for the pregnancy.

Knowing important records about the male and female dog can give a success to the breeding process, but you should focus more on the female’s records. You should know medical issues and background of the female, time of the year where she is in heat, and any important changes in her behavior.

You should also establish a firm foundation to your veterinarian. Having a good relationship with your vet is very essential since he/she is there all throughout the breeding process. You might want to ensure that the vet is doing his/her best for the process to become successful.

We cannot avoid the fact that dogs also possess reproductive problems. Usually, female dogs have more reproductive problems than the male dogs. But problems for the males are more difficult to solve. Low sperm count, anatomical defects, and reproductive organ infection are very common problems. Male dogs may also less or no interest whenever they have Brucellosis, arthritis of the spine, and hypothyroidism.

For the female, the right timing is needed in order to have a successful breeding. That right timing is when the female dog is in heat. But, that heat period is usually hard to tell with the proper hormone tests. Fortunately, veterinarians have all the ways to know when the best time to breed is. Heat period for females occur every 6 months and it starts when they reach 1 year. It is also advisable that the female dog is fully grown, as to avoid any complications during the pregnancy.

Once a female dog is in heat, it will show signs like changes in temperament, the way she acts, etc. There are many different signs but they blood discharge is the most common. You will also know that the female is willing to breed once she is in heat. Blood discharges are usually from dark red to a tan color. You will then have to let the male and female spend time together, like a couple of days and let them do their process.

Be sure to watch and study the changes in your female for once the heat period is over, you’ll have to wait for the next 6 months. The vet will then be able to tell if your dog is pregnant 22 days after the breeding time.

Breeding occurs naturally without help from humans, but if you want to accelerate the process, a little help won’t hurt the dogs. Hope these tips will bring you joy and success in dog breeding.

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