Doggy Norway Inc

02/28/2014

Intelligent and easy to train, the Australian Cattle Dog learns new commands quicker than any other breed:

The Australian Cattle Dog is not your everyday dog. They were bred to herd cattle, and they are immensely strong, energetic, and smart. They have a very strong personality and in order to be happy, will need an owner who is just as strong and stubborn as they are. Once this match is made, the Australian Cattle Dog excels at obedience, both in the ring and in real life. They are obedient, but bold. They want to please you, but they also think for themselves. They respond quickly to their master's signals and commands. Australian Cattle Dogs need to be exercised both physically and mentally. They do best in working environments, and if they don't live on a farm, they will need something else to do. They love to be put to tasks that require them to think. A bored ACD will be very destructive and will destroy your house. They excel at agility, flyball, herding, and Frisbee competitions. They also make excellent jogging, hiking, biking, and rollerblading companions. They also enjoy a good game of fetch.

Australian Cattle Dogs bond closely with their owners, once the owners have earned it, and become remarkably loyal companions. For this reason, they do not like to be left alone for hours at a time. They are protective of their family and property. Some are particularly suspicious of strangers, so early socialization is important -- you do not want your dog biting the Avon lady. They can do well with other dogs and cats if they are socialized properly. Australian Cattle Dogs love children, but it is a delicate situation. ACDs were bred to herd, and use their mouths to do so. They will nip at the heels of children. Early training with an experienced trainer is necessary to curtail this behavior, but even then, there are no guarantees. A "nip" from an ACD is not a serious injury, but it causes serious pain to a child, and is not acceptable. Also, if another child is roughhousing with your child, and your dog sees this as abuse, he will protect "his" child, which can be a serious liability. They may also nip you in moments of excitement. And while this is not dangerous in itself, your dog will have to be taught that he cannot use his mouth on people.

He will try to herd anything: you, animals, your neighbors, and cars. They will chase cars. They are fearless animals, and thanks to their high pain tolerance, have been called "the rugby players of the dog world." They are also said to have a great sense of humor. The temperaments of Australian Cattle Dogs can vary as much as the temperaments of people, but all ACDs have incredible energy levels, all have free spirits, and all of them will make you the center of their universe. His attachment to you will be intense. He will follow you everywhere you go and want to be part of everything you do.

02/25/2014

Do you want your dog to learn a few tricks? Here are 6 dog tricks that are easy to teach:

Trick One: Shake

This classic is the easiest to teach because most dogs give their paw naturally. Put a treat in your closed fist and hold it right against your dog's nose. When he lifts his paw, say "shake," grab his paw and praise. Give the treat. If your dog doesn't offer his paw, you can also say "shake," pick up his paw and then reward.

Trick Two: High Five

Once your dog has done shake, high five is a piece of cake. Just raise your hand a little higher when your dog starts to offer his paw. Say "high five" and give the reward.

Trick Three: Roll Over

When your dog is lying down, he naturally rotates to one side. When he is on that side, take a treat and move it slowly in a circular motion toward the direction on which he has already shifted his weight. If he is starting to do it but hasn't made it all the way, gently roll his body over. Give the command and give a big reward.

Trick Four: Get It

If you have a dog that loves to fetch, put his ball or favorite toy on the floor and say "get it." Get excited so he runs to it (point if you have to) and brings it to you. Reward with a game of tug or fetch when he brings it.

Once he is good at that, start naming the toys. Change the command to "get your ball." Then, add a second toy and say "get your bear" (or whatever the toy is); If he brings you the ball, ignore him while pointing to the toy.

Once he's good at that, start adding household objects you would like him to bring to you. "Get my checkbook" or something similar is very useful. Once he can get it off the floor, put it on a chair or desk that he can reach and have him get it from there.

Trick Five: Leave It

Start with a handful of treats. Offer him a couple, saying "take it" before each one. Then close your fist and say "leave it." Your dog will probably paw, nip or bark. Ignore it. Leave your fist by his nose. Repeat the command every 20 seconds or so. When he stops the bad behavior and looks at you, say, "good" and give him a treat.

Once he is doing this well, hold the treat in your open palm and say "leave it." Be ready to close your fist quickly. Start practicing with tougher things like people food. When Thanksgiving comes, impress your family by holding out a turkey leg and saying "leave it." Just be prepared to reward!

Trick Six: Take a Bow

Once your dog is finished performing, let him take a bow. With your dog standing, hold a treat at his nose and slowly lower it to the ground. Move the treat slightly toward his body so he has to bow down to get it. Say "take a bow" and reward. If he drops to lie down, keep your foot underneath his back legs so he can't go all the way down. Now everyone can applaud his performance!

(from https://puppydogweb.com/articles/easydogtricks.htm)

02/19/2014

This alert, smart and observant dog is also a fiercely loyal guard dog. The Anatolian Shepherd Dog was developed, and has been bred for hundreds of years, to guard livestock. This is a working breed that is instinctively protective and territorial. He is possessive toward his family, property, and livestock. He is loyal, protective and loving toward his family, but is not overly demonstrative with his affection. He is suspicious of strangers and doesn't like it when they approach him boldly. In general, the Anatolian Shepherd does not like to be patted on the head by someone he doesn't know. He might try to control the movements of your guests by physically blocking their path in your house. If annoyed with something, the Anatolian may snap his teeth, bark, growl, or draw his lips back. He is generally quiet and calm, and will only sound the alarm if he senses a threat, but this often happens at night.

The Anatolian is an independent thinker, but he is trainable. Still, he will not go out of his way to please you. But obedience training is important, as without it, he can have aggression issues. And because of his size and strength, he would be impossible to handle without some obedience skills. The Anatolian naturally wants to be the pack leader and needs an owner who assumes this role, even when the Anatolian is being stubborn and trying to take position of pack leader for himself. Even though this dog is fairly calm and may even appear lazy, he still needs exercise. If bored, he can become destructive and may destroy things in your house.

The Anatolian enjoys children, but sees them as his charge, not his masters. Interactions should be supervised due to the dog's size and strength, as well as his temperament. The Anatolian can do well with other dogs if raised with them, but he will probably want to be the alpha dog in every situation and will show dog aggression. Most do not appear to enjoy the company of other dogs. In short, the Anatolian is an alert, smart, observant, serious, responsive, courageous, fiercely loyal guard dog. He has been bred to be a guard dog, and that is what he is. (from www.justdogbreeds.com)

02/13/2014

Does your dog love to play in the snow?

You can send us your cute snow dog photos, and we'll pin them to our new board on Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/doggynorway/dogs-and-snow-photos/pins/ - email [email protected] to send photos!

Here's a collection of dogs playing in the snow - so much fun!

02/11/2014

Looking for an energetic dog who is great with kids? Check out the American Water Spaniel:

The State Dog of Wisconsin, the American Water Spaniel, was bred to be a companion as well as a retriever. This is an athletic, active, and energetic dog who loves his daily exercise. They need to be kept busy in order to work off some of their energy. Though they are great all-around hunting dogs, they also enjoy runs in the park, swimming, playing in the backyard, obedience training, and agility work.

He needs to exercise his brain as well, as he bores easily, and if gets bored, he can be destructive. He is a very vocal dog and can be quite the little barker, but training can help with this. He is intelligent, eager to please, and responds well to obedience training. He is a happy, friendly, tenacious, outgoing dog who loves to be the center of attention. (from www.justdogbreeds.com)

02/07/2014

The American Staffordshire Terrier is a people-oriented dog who thrives when he is part of a family. They are intelligent, graceful, loyal, feisty, courageous, and very, very strong. Amstaffs are an active breed, always ready for fun, and they love to play outdoors. They are high energy and need regular exercise. They can be rowdy and overly exuberant, especially when they are young. They do best when they have a job to do. A bored Amstaff will destroy your house. They do well in obedience, agility, tracking, and conformation. Obedience training is very important with this breed.

They really need an interactive owner who will spend time with them, training them and playing with them and just being their best friend. But they also need an owner who is able to establish leadership, as Amstaffs definitely have a mind of their own. Amstaffs are protective and they look imposing so they can make an effective deterrent, but they are really too friendly to be guard dogs. Some Amstaffs are dog aggressive and none will back down if challenged.

Amstaffs love their children and are patient, gentle, and tolerant. Of course, very young children should always be supervised around any dog. This is an animal who will strive to please you and take great pride in making you laugh. He will demand a lot of your attention and will be an excellent companion, for you and your family.

02/05/2014

Say "I Love You" to your dog! Here are a few suggestions on "How to Love Your Dog" by Doggone Safe, a Dog Bite Prevention organization:

Touch Your Dog

Invite your dog to come to you for attention. If your dog turns away or moves away, respect his wishes and leave him alone. Many dogs like to be near you, but not necessarily to be touched.
Scratch your dog on the side of the neck or on his chest.
Avoid hugs and kisses. People enjoy this, but most dogs don’t like hugs and kisses. They might tolerate it, but few actually enjoy it.
Invite your dog to sit with you while your read or watch TV. Let him lean on you or put his head on your lap on his terms.
Some dogs enjoy a scratch behind the ears. Most dogs don’t enjoy hands coming down on the top of their heads.
Pet your dog and then stop. If he tries to get you to continue then you will know he likes it.

Play With Your Dog

Play games like fetch and hide and seek that do not involve chasing or rough play.
Take your dog for lots of walks.

Understand Your Dog

Learn to read dog body language so that you can understand what your dog is trying to tell you.
A happy dog pants and wags his tail loosely. He may wag all over.
An anxious dog might show a half moon of white in his eye or he may lick his lips or yawn. He may turn his head away or walk away. He wants to be left alone.
A dog that suddenly goes stiff and still is very dangerous and might be ready to bite.
A dog with his mouth closed and ears forward and/or with his tail held high is busy thinking about something and does not want to be bothered.

Reward Your Dog

Look for things your dog does right and give him a treat or praise, petting or play. Never hit or yell at your dog.
Give your dog a stuffed KongTM or Chewber or other long lasting chew treat to enjoy while he lies on a mat or in a crate.

01/28/2014

It's cold & snowing outside today! Here are some tips on how to prepare for it and how to keep your dogs safe from frostbite: (from mypeted.com)

Common sense is the best defense against frostbite. The basic rule is this: If it’s too cold for you to stay outdoors, then it’s too cold for your pet as well. Listen to the weather channel, be mindful of the forecasts, and be prepared for approaching winter storms.

Designate an outdoor “walking spot” for your dog by shoveling the snow in a small area of the yard. Keep this area free of snow by placing a tarp on the ground before the snow starts. Then, you simply turn the tarp back to let your dog go to the bathroom, shovel the f***s, and return the tarp to its’ original position. During freezing temperatures, take your dog on short walks in this prepared area.

Keep your dog warm when he goes outside. You will put on your coat, hat and gloves, so dress your pet for the cold, too. Waterproof dog booties along with a warm sweater are great additions to your dog’s wardrobe. Acclimate the dog to his new attire by putting the new clothes on him for short periods of time before you actually need to use them. When they’re used to them, dogs don’t mind wearing boots and sweaters and they actually appreciate them.

Here’s another simple tip that will make your dog happy. Before you take your dog outside for a walk, place a dry towel in the dryer. When you return indoors, wrap your dog in the warm towel to help restore his normal body temperature.

To read more about managing frostbite, please see the article below:

http://mypeted.com/2014/01/08/winter-storm-warning-prepared-frostbite-dogs/

As temperatures drop to record lows, pet owners need to be aware of the dangers of frostbite. Read on to find out how to avoid and manage frostbite in dogs.

01/23/2014

This Valentine's Day, say "I Love You" to your dog with homemade treats!! Visit our Pinterest board, which has a collection of recipes for your dog: http://www.pinterest.com/doggynorway/homemade-dog-food-recipes/. Enjoy!

Healthy, delicious recipes for your dog(s)!

01/15/2014

Muddy pawprints? We have a solution: http://t.co/fjFfeaWR1R

SoggyDoggy doormats soak up water and dirt like a sponge, keeping your floors clean! Soft and durable, they are a nice addition to your home. Available at www.doggynorway.com.

01/13/2014

Do Dogs Have Emotions?

Cesar Millan, star of hit TV show Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan, explores this topic in his article, "http://www.cesarsway.com/news/cesarspeaks/Do-Dogs-Have-Emotions".

Dogs feel joy, sadness, and love for family members. Their emotions are pure and honest, straight from the heart. If you fulfill your dog's needs, your dog's connection to you will continue to strengthen and grow. Provide your dog with exercise, discipline and affection, and appreciate all of the love that your dog will offer.

Have a wonderful week with your dog!

Greetings, There's no doubt in my mind that dogs have emotions. They feel joy after a job well done. They feel sad when a pack member passes away. And they feel love for their family members – their

01/10/2014

Include your small dog in your fitness routines! This stroller navigates over rough terrain with ease, whether jogging or strolling, thanks to the front locking wheel. The NV Pet Stroller offers style and function with No-Zip technology.

Enjoy 10% off the NV Stroller using webcode 10STROLLER2014 now through Valentine's Day!

http://www.doggynorway.com/nv-pet-stroller-rose/

Doggy Norway gives you quality products which will help you having an active life with your dog