Pampered Dog Blog

The Chesapeake Bay Retriever or “Chessie”, as it is affectionately known, is a genuine American breed with an interesting history.

The most widely accepted theory about the breeds origin is that it descends from two Newfoundland pups, rescued from a shipwreck in 1807. These puppies were crossed with local dogs, including Otterhounds, Flat-Coated Retrievers, and Curly-Coated Retrievers, and over time, this breeding resulted in the Chesapeake Bay Retriever.

These imposing dogs stand up to 24 inches at the shoulder and can weigh as much as 80 pounds. They are perfectly equipped for their primary job of retrieving game birds from the water, and are among the strongest of canine swimmers. The double coat is oily and dense, offering exceptional protection from the elements. Coat color is an attractive reddish brown.

As retrievers go, the Chesapeake is quite a serious dog. It lacks the playful nature of a Golden Retriever or Labrador for example. However, they are loyal and protective towards family, and generally wary of strangers.

These are confident, independent dogs who are not as keen to please their owners as, say, a Labrador would be. They are therefore not a good choice for someone who has limited experience with dogs. A Chesapeake will do better with a handler that is assertive, but even-handed.

They can do well as a family pet for an active family, but are better suited to older children, and will also have to be socialised with other pets.

Like most purebred dogs, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever is not immune to inherited health problems. They suffer from hip dysplasia, cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy, and the haemophilia known as, Von Willebrand’s Disease.

They may also suffer from bloat, a dangerous condition that often results in death if not treated immediately. Feed your dog several small meals, instead of a single large meal, to reduce the risk. Median lifespan for the breed is 12 years.

Grooming is very easy. The coat has a unique oily texture and requires only a weekly brush to keep it in good condition. Despite the distinctive doggy odor the dog gives off it should not be bathed too often, as this strips protective oils from the coat.

These dogs can be quite a challenge to train. They are strong willed and independent by nature, and if you haven’t established dominance they are likely to ignore your commands. Strong leadership and positive, reward based training are a must if you want to succeed with training this breed.

If your thinking of adopting a Chesapeake Bay Retriever you’ll have to be prepared for lots of activity. These are high energy dogs, requiring a great deal of exercise. A long daily walk is an absolute must, while your Chessie will appreciate any opportunity for a good swim.

Good dog names can be hard to find. The best advice is to try one of the online dog names, sites. My personal favorite is Puppy Names HQ, a site that has tons of excellent dog names to pick from, including thousands of cute dog names.

As a new dog owner, you may be overwhelmed with the amount of work it takes to make sure your dog is both healthy and well behaved. This article will go into detail regarding tips specific to your situation, a new dog owner, and ways that you can successfully train your dog.

Use appropriate rewards and punishments when training your dog. For example, many dogs respond favorably when rewarded with a favorite treat for good behavior. At the same time, be aware that excessive punishment can backfire. Instead, use a consistent tone of voice or command word to indicate to your dog when a behavior is unacceptable.

Remember that you must respect your dog’s boundaries. The fact is that you cannot change a dog from being a dog. Your dog does not speak English, and you cannot rationalize his behavior with him. Some dogs will have issues so severe that you can only minimize the impact of the issue on their lives. Consult with a trainer about your dog’s specific limitations, and what you can reasonably expect.

If you have a dog that is not learning, despite training, sometimes bringing in another dog that is already trained, can work wonders. The trained dog can lead by example and will receive all the praise from the people around. Meanwhile, the untrained dog will be watching what the trained dog is doing and learn from this.

A great dog training tip is to always use your dog’s name in a positive manner. By doing this, you will ensure a higher success rate of good behavior because your dog will associate its name with good behavior. Therefore, you should never use your dog’s name in a negative manner.

A great tip for training your dog properly is to never reward your dog’s bad behavior. If your dog is rewarded, it will think it has done something good, which will cause the dog to continuously repeat the bad behavior. Therefore, if your dog misbehaves, never give it a treat, a belly rub, or some other type of reward.

When you are training your dog, focus on what your dog does right during the training sessions, not what they do wrong. This will make training more enjoyable for both you and your dog. Enjoyable training sessions will ensure that your dog remembers what you taught and is ready to come back for more at the next session.

One tip to keep in mind when training your dog, is to always reward good behavior, and discipline bad behavior. This is important because your dog needs this stiff structure. Otherwise, it may get confused. Your dog can not comprehend many human emotions and needs a strictly on/off type of response from you.

Paper train your dog. If your dog is left home for long periods of time, he will need a place to go to the bathroom. With this housebreaking method, accidents do not occur in other areas of the house, and the dog learns the proper place to do his business.

The way you train your dog depends on your own goals and your pet’s temperament, of course. Certain methods and strategies can be effectively applied with any training program. If you choose the methods presented in this article that suit your needs and your canine companion’s attitude, you will be able to get your dog jumping through hoops – maybe literally – in no time.

If you’re looking for a name for your dog, the best advice is to visit a puppy names, website. The one that I recommend is Puppy Names HQ, which has a huge database of excellent dog names including 1000s of female dog names.

Standing 25 inches tall and weighing up to 75 pounds, the American Foxhound is an athletic, medium-sized hunting dog. It is closely related to the English Foxhound, although with a sleeker, and somewhat taller profile.

These are very athletic dogs, with long legs, that cover the ground quickly. The head is long and slightly domed, with widely set eyes. The ears hang down and are set close to the head. The coat is short and harsh and comes in four variants, red, tri-color, black and tan, and blue.

The American Foxhound descends directly from its English cousin. They first came to America in 1650, and have been a popular hunting companion ever since. It is believed that the ‘legginess’ comes from cross breeding with French hounds. These dogs are renowned for their speed, their excellent scenting ability, and their unique bark when hunting.

The American Foxhound is still primarily a working dog, rather than a companion dog. They are not a good choice as a pet for most dog owners due to their high energy levels, although they can be a good companion for the right person.

The ideal owner for this dog would be someone with a love for the great outdoors. The dog will enjoy hiking and jogging, but will prefer to have a job to do. Someone with a job where they can involve the dog would be a good fit. If you cannot meet this dog’s exercise requirements, you should definitely look elsewhere.

Having said that, for the right owner, an American Foxhound will make an excellent pet. Like most hunting breeds they are very sociable and gets on particularly well with kids. They are accepting of other dogs, but less so of non-canine pets, so you’ll have to keep an eye on them. They also tend to be wary of strangers.

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This breed is all but free of genetic health problems, although they are prone to putting on weight, so you’ll have to control food quantities and ensure steer away from junk food and table scraps.

Grooming is easy as the American Foxhound coat is short, and requires only a weekly brush down to keep it in good condition. The breed does however shed heavily, and brushing more regularly may help to control this.

It should be pretty obvious that this dog will not do well in an apartment. If you have a house with a large garden, or better still if you live in the country, this may be the dog for you. But you will still need to be prepared to give the dog vigorous exercise every day.

The Cairn Terrier is an intelligent, loyal and brave little dog that has bags of character. The most famous of the breed was Terry, who appeared as Toto in The Wizard of Oz.

The Cairn is a native of Scotland and has been around since the 1500’s. They were originally bred for fox hunting and rodent control. The name “Cairn” refers to narrow gaps between rocks, and the breed was particularly adept at squeezing through these gaps to kill rats. These days Cairns are more commonly seen as companion dogs.

These sturdy little terriers are typically 10-13 inches tall and can weigh up to 18 pounds. They are short-legged, with strong hindquarters. The face is fox-like and the ears are erect and pointed. The coat is rough and shaggy, and may be cream, wheaten, red, sandy, gray, or brindle in color.

These alert, clever and mischievous dogs have bags of character. They are confident, affectionate and friendly and ideally suited to the role of companion dog. They do well with children, although are not best suited to young kids. You’ll also have to supervise them around non-canine pets, particularly rodents, as they still possess a strong prey drive.

Cairns are incredibly smart little dogs who are easy to train and are particularly adept at learning and performing tricks. The can be quite sensitive though, so training needs to be positive and reward based. The females tend to be more independent and slightly more of a challenge to train than the males.

Quick, agile and intelligent, the Cairn is a star performer in many canine sports, including agility and flyball. They also perform exceptionally well in advanced obedience trials.

These are robust, healthy dogs, but they do suffer from a number of congenital diseases. Cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy, hypothyroidism, and entropion are all known to occur, while the breed is also known to be particularly sensitive to flea bites. Median lifespan for Cairn terrier is between 12 and 15 years.

Grooming is a fairly easy job. The Cairn sheds very little, and only needs to be brushed a few times a week to keep the coat in good order. Brushing should be done gently as they have quite sensitive skin. The dog can be bathed if need be, but don’t do this too often – one a month is more than enough.

Because of their small size, Cairns can live most anywhere and do well in an apartment. They are however, highly active dogs requiring daily exercise. This should include a walk plus games, as Cairns love to play and are particularly fond of chasing a ball.

Good names for a Cairn Terrier can be hard to find. The best advice is to search one of the online puppy names, sites, and my personal favorite is Puppy Names HQ. This site has thousands of excellent dog names, including a mega-database of cool dog names to pick from.

The Akbash is a breed of Turkish origin that is widely used as a sheep guardian in that country. Said to possess the speed of a sighthound and the strength of a mastiff, this formidable dog stands up to 34 inches tall at the shoulder, and can weigh as much as 140 pounds.

The Akbash coat is smooth, short to medium in length and is always white, although there may be light biscuit coloration on the ears. The coat has a distinctive mane around the neck, to protect the dog from predators.

The Akbash breed is believed to be at least 3000 years old and may be much older than even that. In fact, archeological evidence suggests that similar dogs were used as sheep guardians by the ancient peoples of Turkey as long ago as 8000 BC.

Like the Kuvasz, the Kommondor and other giant livestock guardians from around the world, the Akbash is quite capable of carrying out its duties without human supervision. The are strongly protective with the natural intelligence and independence needed for this job.

The breed is accredited by the United Kennel Club (UKC), although, not currently by the AKC.

These are brave, loyal and intelligent dogs who bond closely with their family but are somewhat suspicious towards strangers. This of course makes them excellent guard dogs. They can also be excellent companion dogs if properly trained and socialized. They are naturally sweet-tempered and particularly good with children.

You will need a fair bit of patience to train an Akbash. Naturally assertive, they will not obey a command, just because you say so. They can be very strong willed and it will take assertive, positive training to get your message across. This is not the ideal dog for the first time owner.

Good names for an Akbash can be hard to find. If you’re struggling, try an online resource like Puppy Names HQ. This site has 1000s of dog names, including a mega-list of female dog names, to pick from.

The Akbash coat is quite easy to maintain, although they do shed quite a bit, so regular brushing will be required. The coat has no “doggy odor”, so bathing is neither required, nor recommended.

This is a very healthy dog breed that suffers from few of the typical health problems found in purebred dogs. Like many large breeds however, they are affected by hip dyslasia. Median lifespan is 10 years to 11 years, which is typical for a dog of this size.

The Akbash is, first and foremost, a working dog, that is best suited to country living. They will adapt to a house with a large garden, but apartment living is definitely out. The dog will need a long daily walk on the leash, but would really prefer a job to do.

Dogs are considered to be man’s best friend and having a dog as a pet is proven to help owners be happy and live longer. In addition to companionship, dogs can prove helpful, but only if they are trained appropriately. Whether you want to train a dog simply for obedience or for a specific function, read on for some tips.

Stay away from high end training devices like shock collars. They often don’t function as well as advertised and are far more expensive than conventional training methods. Plus, using devices like shock collars can stifle your dog and discourage even good behavior. In general, using such techniques produces negative effects.

When training a dog it is very useful for the dog’s owner to do some research into training. By learning how to train a dog the proper way one will make their job much easier. It can be done the most effective way and be the easiest for both the owner and dog to adjust too.

When training a new puppy to come, a long rope is a great aid. Call the puppy while gently pulling it toward you and praising it for coming. When it reaches you, praise it even more and offer a favorite treat. Soon the puppy will associate its name and coming to you with praise and treats, then you won’t need the rope anymore.

When you take your puppy out to go to the bathroom, you must be patient with him. He has a short attention span and may get distracted by sounds and smells, or want to play. This is normal puppy behavior and should not be reprimanded, especially while he is still learning.

Don’t let your dog ‘own’ the furniture. To a bossy dog, the furniture is his fortress, giving him much more status than sitting on the floor. If your dog becomes possessive about the furniture, deny him access until he is ready to move for any human being, including a child or stranger. Stand with an erect posture and use a firm voice. Don’t use food to entice your dog off the furniture if he has already growled, as he will think he has been rewarded. Wait until he gets off the furniture on his own, and don’t allow him back up.

Set goals for training your dog. Decide what time of day you will work with your dog and how long you will work. Decide exactly what you want to work on, and be consistent. Work on the same things, in the same way, at the same time every day until mastered. Once you have accomplished one goal, build on it by adding something new. Don’t skip around or be inconsistent. This is confusing for your dog.

One tip to keep in mind when training your dog, is to be sure to never discipline your dog for bad behavior when he is ill. This will only confuse your dog and might cause him to not respond to discipline in the future. Examples of this would be, if your dog vomits or defecates in a manner that is not typical to his normal behavior.

It’s easy to let your dog run free when you bring him home for those first few weeks, only to want to later correct behaviors when they aren’t adorable anymore. Avoid communication breakdown by starting your training schedule immediately with your new dog, so he has the right idea from the start.

Following the tips in this article will ensure you have a well-trained dog. There are many options for training, including using professionals or doing it yourself. Whatever path you choose, you need to know that your dog can understand your commands and be in control in any situation you are in.

To find out more about dog training, dog breeds a-z, dog health and other interesting dog advice drop in at Dogs and Dog Training.com

There are a number of ways in which a dog vocalizes including howling, barking, growling and, of course, whining. Whining is perhaps the most subtle of these, but a sure attention getter, because humans normally interpret it as a cry of distress. I mean, who can resist such a pitiful sound?

It hasn’t taken dogs long to figure this out. In fact, some dogs have learned that whining can get them just about anything they want.

The Reason Your Dog May Be Whining

A dog will whine if it is scared, anxious, or in pain. Some dogs have even learned how to mimic being anxious or afraid to get attention. However, dogs do not mimic being hurt, so if your dog whines in pain, take it seriously.

The other causes of whining are fairly easy to treat. All it takes is a few, easy to implement, steps.How to Put a Stop to the Whining

Let’s talk about anxiety whining first. A dog that develops this behavior often does so by picking up on clues that you’re about to leave him alone, for example putting on your cap before going for a jog.

This then becomes the trigger that sets off your dog’s whining. In order to address this you’ll need to break the connection between your actions, and the dog’s reaction. There are a number of ways to do this.

For starters you could vary your routine. Or go through your normal routine a few times randomly, even when you have no intention of leaving. Or do your normal pre-leaving routine go outside for 30 seconds, then come back in.

All of these methods have the effect of breaking the dog’s connection between the routines he notices and the thing he fears (you leaving). It’s a simple methodology, but it works.

Dogs also whine when they are afraid, and this is particularly true of dogs left alone in an empty house. The obvious answer is to reduce his space.

Restricting your dog to just one or two rooms and giving him some crate training is an effective way of dealing with this form of whining.

It may take a bit of work to get the dog used to the crate but he’ll soon get enjoy being in his own “den”. This has the effect of calming the dog because he no longer feels compelled to patrol and protect the whole property. This works very well for dogs who suffer separation anxiety.

Addressing “Attention” Whining

Dogs can be quite manipulative and are quick to pick up on the outcomes of certain actions. For example, if you teach your dog to sit in order to receive a biscuit you’ll find that he starts to sit whenever he wants one – whether it’s on offer or not!Similarly, if your dog works out that you come running every time he whines, prepare yourself for plenty of running.

If you pay attention, you’ll soon pick up on the subtle ways in which your dog tries to manipulate you. You’ll have to learn how to ignore the attention seeking whining or your dog will wrap you around his little paw.

If you want to find out more about dog training tips, dog care, information on dogs and other interesting dog information check out www.dogsanddogtraining.com

The Chihuahua, or Chi as it’s sometimes affectionately called, is the world’s smallest dog breed. However this doesn’t extend to their attitude! These bold little dogs are energetic, feisty and confident, with an attitude much bigger than their physical stature.

But they are also charming, affectionate and intelligent dogs who make excellent pets and tend to bond strongly with one individual.

The exact origin of the Chihuahua is a matter for some speculation. A common theory is that they descended from a small Mexican dog named the Techichi and were refined and bred down to their current size by the Aztecs, and the Toltecs. Another hypothesis is that the Chihuahua originated in Malta, and was brought to Mexico by the Spanish. It was crossed with the Techichi to produce the breed we know today.

Any way you look at it, the Chihuahua is a tiny dog. These little guys are slim and fine boned, with large ears and eyes and a short muzzle. Adults can weigh as little as 2 pounds to 6 pounds and stand just 6 to 9 inches at the shoulder.

The coat comes in a number of colors including, sand, fawn, red, black, or black and tan. There are two coat types, smooth or long.

As distinctive as the Chihuahuas looks and size, is its temperament. They are generally cheerful, hyperactive dogs, but it has been noted that, more than most breeds, the Chihuahua’s temperament is inherited. Some lines are very affectionate, whereas others are naturally argumentative and aggressive.

Whatever the dog’s temperament though, a Chihuahua will not tolerate being manhandled. They are therefore not recommended as pets for young kids.

Although Chihuahuas are generally healthy dogs, they are not immune to congenital illnesses. Among the diseases found in the breed are, epilepsy, seizures, hydrocephalus, glaucoma, and low blood sugar. You should also be aware that puppies are born with a soft spot on the skull, called the molera. This closes as the dog matures, but puppies must be handled very carefully. Average lifespan for the breed is 15 years.

This is a relatively easy dog to maintain, although the long-haired variety requires slightly more work. A weekly brush down will be all that is required for a short-haired Chihuahua, while the long hair must be brushed daily. The dog can also be bathed one a month as required. Always use a mild dog shampoo, and remember to keep the dog warm.

The Chihuahua’s small size makes it ideally suited to apartment living. However, you will still have to take your dog for a walk every day. Chihuahuas prefer warm weather and you’ll have to take care to keep them warm in colder climes, especially when outdoors.

Good names for a Chihuahua can be hard to find. The best advice is to search one of the online dog names, sites, and my personal favorite is Puppy Names HQ. This site has thousands of excellent dog names, including a mega-database of cool dog names to pick from.

Nicknamed “the American Gentleman,” the Boston Terrier is an adorable little dog that is friendly, intelligent, and playful. They are just about the perfect pet, affectionate, balanced, with an easy to maintain coat and moderate exercise requirements.Boston’s are considered one of the few true American dog breeds, but in fact their origins are in the English Bulldog, Bull Terrier, and later, the French Bulldog. All Boston’s trace their linage back to a single sire, Judge, owned by Edward Hooper.

Something else that may surprise you about the breed, is that they were originally bred for dog fighting – hard to believe given their famously placid nature. The Boston Terrier is a small, compact dog, ranging from about 10 to 25 pounds in weight, and 15 to 17 inches in height. They have small, erect ears, a shortened muzzle and large, slightly protruding eyes.

They are usually black and white in color, but may also be brindle or seal. The distinctive white markings are required in the breed standard. Bostons are not true terriers and are classified in the AKC’s non-sporting group, having been recognized as a breed in 1893.

Within the breed there are variances of temperament, some are extremely eager to please, while others may be stubborn and willful. Having said that, Boston’s tend to form strong bonds with their owners and have an uncanny knack of interpreting their moods. They are very sensitive to tone of voice and don’t appreciate harsh words or treatment.Despite their stature, they are not afraid to stand their ground, and will protect their family against any threat.

Grooming a Boston is easy. These dogs shed very little and the coat only needs to be brushed once or twice a week. In addition to brushing you will need to keep the eyes clean, by wiping them daily with a damp cloth.

Although they are not the most active of dogs, you will have to get your Boston Terrier out for a walk every day. Dogs that are insufficiently exercised and lacking in mental stimulation often develop behavioral problems, and in this breed it is likely to manifest as chewing and problem barking.

These dog are well suited to apartment life, as long as they are exercised every day. Exercise should be fairly low intensity, especially in hot weather as the dog can develop breathing problems.

Bostons have an above average lifespan, with many living 15 or longer. They do, however, have a number of health issues including, brachycephalic syndrome, skin and heart tumors, and cataracts.

Finding dog names, for your Boston Terrier is an easy task, when you know where to look. My recommendation is puppy names hq.com, a site with an extensive database of dog names including 1000s of boy dog names to choose from.

Most closely associated with England’s King Charles II, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, is a playful and affectionate toy dog. The King is said to have been so fond of this breed that his dogs were to be found roaming the halls of every royal residence.

An the breed’s popularity with the aristocracy didn’t end there. Look at 16th to 18th century portraits of the well-to-do, and you’re likely to see a Cavalier featured.

Standing just 18 inches at the shoulder and weighing up to 18 pounds, the Cavalier is an attractive dog. The coat is long and silky, and may be Blenheim, ruby, tri-color, or black and tan in color.

Adding to the effect is the feathering on legs, ears and tail, long hanging ears and large, liquid eyes giving the dog a look of innocence and vulnerability.Historically, the tail has been docked. But as this is now illegal in many countries, it is no longer required.

The King Charles Spaniel has a shorter muzzle than the Cavalier, as it was cross bred with the Pug back when this particular characteristic was in demand.

Despite its Spaniel credentials, the Cavalier King Charles has always been a companion dog, a role they fill to perfection. They are extremely affectionate and happy little dogs that just thrive on attention, and are eager to please.

These dogs have the ideal personality to be family pets. They love everyone , and are exceptionally good with children. They are healthy dogs, but not immune to the congenital problems typically found in purebred dogs. Serious diseases that occur in the breed include mitral valve disease and syringomyelia. Typical lifespan for a Cavalier is between 9 and 14 years.

They are also prone to luxating patella, cataracts, and retinal disorders. To guard against your dog developing these diseases it is advisable to only buy a dog from a reputable, registered breeder.

It should come a no surprise that the Cavalier is a high maintenance dog. That luxuriant coat requires a lot of brushing and trimming to keep it looking its best.

Special attention also needs to be paid to the ears and eyes. Both these areas are susceptible to infections and must be kept clean and, in the case of the ears, dry.

This is the ideal dog for apartment living, small of size and well behaved indoors. The Cavalier needs and craves human interaction and is most definitely not suited to living outdoors.

Despite their stature they will need a walk every day. They also love playing games and will happily chase a ball or play a game of tag, whether it is in the garden or the living room.

If you’re looking for a name for your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, the best advice is to visit a puppy names, website. The one that I recommend is Puppy Names HQ, which has a huge database of excellent dog names including 1000s of boy dog names.