Pet Goddess

If you own a Doberman Pinscher, many times you may have heard of people saying that a Doberman has a dangerous temperament and is not a dog to have, especially if you have children in the house. The Doberman is targeted as being an aggressive dog; however, this is not true at all. The Doberman was used as a guard dog when people owned a lot of land and protected its  owner, and the owner’s family from harm, or an intruder, as well as from wolves, bears, and mountain lions.

The Doberman was bred with an instinct for being the leader of the pack and, therefore, when you invite a Doberman into your family, many times you will need to let the Doberman know who is the alpha male of the house, or your Doberman will try to overrule all who are in the house.

Moreover, proper training for your Doberman will need to be considered.  Many times the reason that people say a Doberman is highly aggressive is that people do not take the time needed to train them properly. Therefore, if you do not pay close attention to your Doberman, then many times he or she will act on instinct and pretty much do as he or she sees fit.

On the other hand, proper training will unsure that you’re Dobie will appear large, as well as fearless in the eyes of danger, and will be willing to give its own life for it master, the only way this is possible is by building a strong bound between you and your Dobie. The relationship that you build with your Doberman pinscher must be one of trust, and respect for each other. Your Dobie must know that you love and respect him or her to have a strong relationship, by training and spending time with your Doberman Pinscher will ensure your Dobie that he or she is all that matters, and will not feel ignored or neglected.

However, the Doberman pinscher’s temperament can be, contained by proper training, you can train your Dobie to attack on command. In addition, just by telling your dog to guard the yard while you are away is all that you will need to do. However, if someone enters the yard that you’re Dobie does not know, or feels threatened by. Then your Doberman pinscher will unleash a full amount of aggression towards the intruder. On the other hand, if a friend of yours comes over you will personally have to introduce all of your friends to your Doberman pinscher, because he or she will not know the difference between a friend and foe. However, if a situation occurs where your Dobie tries to attack a friend of yours then more training will need to be established.

The Doberman pinscher is not a dog for everyone many times people get a Dobie and just leave it in the yard thinking that it will do its own job as a guard dog, not true. If the dog feels neglected, or ignored then proper training will be almost impossible.

Posted January 30, 2010 Comments(0)

The answer to the question is yes, a Doberman Pinscher is a good dog to have. In fact, the Doberman is an excellent dog to have for an individual or a family with children, the reason being the breed’s inept sense of loyalty.

The Doberman has gained a very bad reputation over the last 150 years because of the fact that many have used this breed as a guard dog and the dog has been used it wars. However, what you do not hear is how the dogs react to these situations.

The Dobermans have given their lives to protect the men that they were stationed with during these wars. The Dobermans were called mercy dogs; they went into fields searching for wounded soldiers. The Dobermans went where men could not or would not go. Once they found these soldiers, they would not leave their sides until help came or they led help to the fallen men.

Therefore, the Doberman will also give its life to protect you and your family from any upending dangers. The Doberman is a gentle dog breed by nature. The Doberman has been made aggressive by the hand of man, and only when it needs to be, or is commanded to be, aggressive will the Doberman become aggressive unless the Doberman feels that its family is in danger. The Doberman then has the ability to think and act on its own in order to protect the ones it loves.

The Doberman is a playful happy creature with a good temperament. This dog breed is large and may be a little clumsy when around smaller children, but there is no need to be alarmed that the Doberman will ever harm a small child.

The Doberman is easily trained to be gentle with small children, and the Doberman can be a nanny in some cases, preventing smaller children from going somewhere that the Doberman thinks the child may be injured or in danger. The Doberman will do this by blocking the child’s path with its body or even holding the child’s clothing in its mouth to prevent the child from getting away. Some family members may think this is a sign of aggression toward the child when in fact it is the total opposite.

Many owners have in fact reported having seen their own Dobermans doing this very act of preventing a small child from entering into a room or a kitchen where their pet sensed danger for the child.

So yes, the Doberman is an excellent pet for any family to have in their home. The Doberman is probably the best kind of pet you can have. Once you have a Doberman for a pet, you will not want any other kind of dog from that moment.

Posted January 28, 2010 Comments(0)

The boxer, as well as some other dog breeds, started being used for the purpose of law enforcement around the year 1859 in Germany, and some other countries as well. The boxers were used to patrol at night with a law officer. At this time, the boxer also became popular for use in the army and as a customs dog.

Some of the most popular dog breeds used by law enforcement in the nineteenth century were German Shepherds, Boxers, Doberman Pinschers, and the Airedale dog breeds.

In today’s world, the boxer is used in the same areas and in several other areas of law enforcement. The boxer is still used in the military, police and the customs department. However, the boxer is also used in the areas of tracking, as well as a cadaver dog; the boxer can be trained to sniff out the scent of a decomposing body.

The boxer is used in the law enforcement area because of its size, and the fact that the boxer is highly intelligent and is easy to train. The boxer can be trained to do many tasks of law enforcement work. The boxer can easily run down a suspect or a person fleeing from a police officer. Once the boxer catches the suspect, the boxer will hold or detain the person until the officer arrives. The boxer has long been used in the area of police work to protect civilians, as well as to assist and protect the police officer.

Since the beginning of the twentieth century, the police and law enforcement officials recognized the major importance of the boxer as well as some other dog breeds as vital to law enforcement. Therefore, now the dog breeds are called K9’s and the dogs are made sworn police officers. These K9 breeds are the German Shepherds Rottweilers, Boxers, and Doberman Pinschers, American Pitt Bulls, as well as the Bloodhounds for tracking of humans or missing humans.

It is a considered a felony for a human to injure, hit, or kill a K9 police officer. Moreover, there will be a much harsher punishment for anyone who does injure, hit or kill a police dog or K9 officer while the K9 is serving on duty.

All of the law enforcement agencies that have K9 officers now provide the k9’s with a formal police K9 badge, and a police ID tag. The K9 officers are provided with a specially-made bulletproof vest to protect the K9 from being shot while on duty. If however, the K9 is killed while serving the public or another officer, the K9 is given a formal burial as a human officer receives if killed in the line of duty.

It should also be, noted that the boxer is used in similar types of law enforcement and security, such as the example of a security guard dog. This is because the boxer is a natural protector of homes, buildings as well as humans.

Posted January 26, 2010 Comments(0)

To look at a boxer, you would not think of this type of dog as being a kind and extremely gentile creature. However, you know what is said about judging a book by its cover.

In fact, the boxer dog breed is one of the best choices for a therapy dog. The reason why the boxer makes such a good choice is the fact the boxer is so gentile and easy- going by its nature. The boxer looks like the toughest guy on the street; however, he is really just a big lump of love.

The boxer is also one of the easiest dog breeds in the world to train; therefore, the boxer can hold up to the extensive training a therapy dog must go through before earning the status of a true therapy dog. Many hours and days are spent in training to become a therapy dog. The boxer easily holds up to this type of training and keeps moving on to the next task.

Boxers and several types of other dog breeds are used for therapy dog in situations such as hospitals, nursing or retirement homes. Therapy dogs also go to visit in children’s hospitals and cancer hospitals, as well as hospitals for burn victims. The boxer does not see what is on the outside. The boxer only cares that he can help the patients in these types of settings to be happy and smiling, if only for a short time.

The boxer is a compassionate and a loving creature, two of the main reasons that the boxer is sought after as a therapy dog. There is not usually a cruel or mean bone within the boxer’s body.  This is pure fact and has been proven by countless self- sacrificing acts of love on the boxer’s part where the boxer has given his all, or put his own life on the line for human and other creatures as well.

Therapy dogs are special as they bring joy to people of all kinds, both young and old. The therapy boxer receives rewards as well–joy, lots of hugs and petting. The boxer’s senses seem to be heightened when it comes to the ill or injured human in pain. Most all dogs have a sense of loyalty instilled into their existence. However, the senses seem to be even greater in the boxer dog breed.

It is also a proven fact that dogs can sense things in humans far before the human knows what will happen, such as in the case of a human who suffers from seizures. Many people who suffer from seizures and other debilitating diseases have a therapy or assistance dog that will stay with and keep the human stimulated by licking the human’s face and hands until the human regains consciousness.

All of these characteristics make the boxer one of the best possible choices and candidates for the perfect therapy dog.

Posted January 24, 2010 Comments(0)

A boxer dog had many uses in 1895; these dogs were used to pursue bear, wild boar and deer. The boxer’s task was to hold the prey in the area until the hunters arrived to kill the animals. With the athletic build that the boxer dog acquired, it made hunting quicker for hunters to put food on the table to feed their families.

A boxer’s job also consisted of guarding police officers on duty; they would be willing to take a bullet just to save their partner’s life. They also assisted fire fighters to rescue people from burning buildings. With their strong muscular bodies, the boxer dog could in fact carry a small child to safety, while at the same time be willing to lose its own life in the process. Boxer dogs have also assisted the Coast Guard with rescuing people who went adrift in the ocean.

Many farmers used boxers for herding cattle and sheep; the boxer is still being, used for this same reason today. Boxer dogs will keep wolves and other wild animals off your farm that you may not be able to see or hear. These massive dogs will fight off anything that is after your livestock, or anything that is not supposed to be on your farm at all.

However, somewhere along the way, boxers became companion animals, but still had jobs. The boxer is capable of showing love and affection, as well as protecting its family. Boxer dogs love children and need to interact with people whenever possible.

Boxers are a great companion for anyone who likes being in the great outdoors. Boxer loves to hunt by nature. A boxer will assist you in tracking down large game, and holding it there until you arrive to kill it. In addition, the boxer will protect you from any wild animals while you are out camping with your family. Your boxer will go fishing with you and even ride in your boat with you.

It has even been said that a boxer dog will stay with a lost child that is crying for its mother until someone arrives, as well as protect the child if it has to. Boxers are intelligent dogs and can tell the difference between children and adults. It has been known that all boxer dogs love to interact with children of all ages. The boxer will never harm a child for any reason. The boxer dog will in fact give its life for the child if it must.

There is a story that a boxer dog jumped over his fence to save a baby from being run over by a car, sensing that the child was in danger. The boxer saw the car coming toward the baby. The boxer picked the baby up by his cloth diaper, carried the baby to the side of the road to safety, and waited until the baby’s older brother came for the baby.

Posted January 22, 2010 Comments(0)

When you bring your new boxer puppy home, you should start house training it as soon as possible. Many new dog owners will start out by using old newspapers for their dog to potty on; it will more than likely soak up the urine. However, many dog owners will put the dog on a tile floor instead of on the carpet; this will keep the urine from soaking throw the newspaper and into the carpet. In addition, this method will let the dog know that he or she can always come back to this area to potty in, and not get into trouble for relieving itself somewhere else in the house.

However, if your dog is going to be outside most of the time, then training him or her to potty in the house could fail over time, especially when the paper is removed. The dog will remember that it is okay to go potty where the paper was placed. Moreover, when your dog is outside, give it a large area just for itself; this could be a place where he will sleep, eat, relieve himself, etc. Many dog owners have a certain set schedule where they wake up in the morning and let their dog outside to go potty. This will keep him or her from using the carpet to relieve itself.

Crate training is another kind of method you as a dog owner could use for potty training. However, it is, not recommended to leave the dog in the crate for a long period as the dog will not go potty in the same area he is resting in. Moreover, this method will teach your boxer that he or she must hold the urge to go potty.

Moreover, some dog owners will testify that their dog will in fact use a litter box in the house. When using the litter box as a place for your dog to go potty, remember to leave the litter box in the area where you first put it. If you constantly move the litter box around the house, then your dog may not make it to the litter box, and go potty on your carpet instead. Moreover, when litter box training, remember that dogs do not cover up their feces as cats do. Therefore, the litter box needs to be cleaned out frequently.

However, if all of these methods fail to work, and the dog by accident relieves itself on your carpet, do not scold your dog or rub his or her nose in it. You will be doing more damage than good, as this will only confuse the dog. Simply take the dog to the appropriate area and show the dog where to go potty. After a while, you will get better results from your dog if this method of litter training is done properly.

Posted January 20, 2010 Comments(0)

Before you ever decide on acquiring an active dog, such as a boxer, for you and your family, it is best if you have a big yard for your dog to run around in as boxers are very active dogs and need plenty of space for exercise. In addition, it would not be advisable for you to own a boxer if you lived in an apartment building as a boxer is a big dog, weighing from 55 to 75 pounds or more.

On the other hand, if you are a very active family that lives in a house or on a farm, that would be the perfect place for a dog of this size as there is plenty of room for you and your family to play with and chase after your boxer dog. In addition, there would be a lot of exciting things for your dog to entertain himself with, such as chasing ducks.

If you were looking for a dog that will protect you and your family, then a boxer would be the right choice for you and your family. Boxer dogs are highly protective of their master, as well as the family and the yard that your boxer lives in. In addition, boxers are very intimidating, because of their size, and you will never have to worry about a stranger coming around your house, or your family for that matter.

However, you will need to introduce your boxer to all of your friends and family members who may suddenly show up unexpectedly. If your boxer dog does not know who they are, then he may attack them. In addition, it would be best to introduce your dog to friends and family at a young age; in this way, your dog will know who is allowed on your property and who is not. Therefore, proper training will need to be established.

If however, you are, still wanting a boxer dog for you and your family, keep in mind that a boxer is going to grow to be a big dog; therefore he will eat a large amount of food. In addition, vaccinations and vet visits could cost you a lot of money because of the size of the dog.

If you plan to leave for vacation, you will need someone to take care of your dog. However, many dog owners leave their pets with their vet for boarding, which can cost a lot of money. Many dog owners choose a neighbor that has socialized with the dog, or a parent, to take care of their dog while they are away. If you decide to leave someone else responsible for your pet, make sure you trust this person with the responsibility.

Posted January 18, 2010 Comments(0)

We will discuss the basics of this health issue…..continued from part 4 (* previously covered: * Pneumonia * diarrhea * Constipation )

Fur problems

As they have very dense fur, chinchillas prone to fleas, mites and other parasites. They are also vulnerable to different types of fungi. Your pets fur may start to look limp or it may start to stick-up in patches. Also, in some cases, you might see that his whiskers are starting to become brittle and break off. Although he may still be running around happily at first, in a few days the discomfort will cause him to slow down and become lethargic. As soon as you notice this happening, take him in for a doctors visit. The Veterinarian will most likely prescribe a fungicidal powder to add to your pet’s dust bath.

- Fur Fungus
.

- Three fungi found in “fur” disease:
* Microsporam canis….. A type of ringworm
* Microsporam gypseum……A type of ring worm
* Trychophyton mentagrophytes……A fungal disease of the hair, skin and nails found in animals and humans

- Signs of Ringworm

Chinchillas are very susceptible to ringworm. It is an extremely contagious fungus and can also infect you and your other pets. If you see any of the signs or are in any way concerned that your pet may have it, you will want to move him to an isolated spot, handle him wearing gloves and wash your hands immediately after any contact.

The most common signs that your pet is infected with this fungus will be a loss of fur around the nose, eyes, genitals and/or patches of balding areas. The bare-patches may also appear red and flaky and you may even see small lesions or scabs. These “spots” will be sore and itchy, causing him to scratch incessently and further spread the fungus.

- Causes.

Ringworm is often caused by a wet and dirty cage, damp or humid conditions or another infected pet or human, and if your chinchilla is overly stressed or sick, they can become more susceptible to it. Remember, ringworm is highly contagious; it is passed on by airborne spores or direct contact with an infected animal or human.

As you and your chinchilla begin spending more and more time together, he will start to look to you for help and comfort when he is not feeling well. To be the best a “Pet Parent” you can, you will always want to be there for him, so be sure to check him daily for any signs of illness or disease. If you find that you ever have ANY reason for concern, take him to your Veterinarian as soon as possible.

Posted January 16, 2010 Comments(0)

We will discuss the basics of each of these health issues…..continued from part 3 (* previously covered: * Eye problems * Ear, Nose and Mouth problems)

- Pneumonia
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Fur problems

Pneumonia

A runny nose is often the first sign that your chunchilla may be in serious health trouble. As noted before, this could be just a cold and can be treated at home, by you. But do not make the mistake of seeing the runny nose and, leaving it at that, treating stricky for a cold; pick him up and examine him closely. If your chinchilla is showing difficulty while breathing and/or it’s become raspy in sound AS WELL as having a runny nose, he may be developing pneumonia. You need to get your pet to the Veterinarian as soon as possible as pneumonia can become fatal in a matter of hours; at the very least, puts a lot of stress on their bodies.

Diarrhea

Diarrhoea is rather common, it is often a sign that your chinchilla, notably kits, have over-eaten. It can also be caused by eating food that had gone bad so be sure to throughly check the cage for any old left overs. Also, be sure to buy his food from a reputable place; even with newly boughten food, be sure to look through it carefully though, as many grains and seed-type foods are stored in warehouses for long periods of time. Loose stools can also be caused by a sudden change in diet, too many greens or stress and, it is often another symptom seen with pneumonia. If you are not able to bring it under control within a couple of days, you will want to make a trip to see your Verterinarian.

Constipation

Constipation is usually caused by dehydration, a sudden change in diet, or stress. If your chinchilla becomes constipated you will notice that he is producing less droppings. He may also appear lathargic and/or bloated to you. To help prevent this, be sure that he has plenty of fresh water every day. Also, make sure that he is getting enough exercise; take him out to play every day for at least an hour at a time. Look into his diet as well, be sure that he is getting plenty of fibre and not too many treats. Sometimes a change in diet, done gradually, will clear-up the problem. If the condition continues to worsen dispite your efforts, consult your Veterinarian.

(continued in part 5…Fur Problems)

Posted January 14, 2010 Comments(0)

The average Life Span of a chinchilla ranges from 8 – 10 years and they have been known to live for as long as 18 years. While it is of course important to keep your pet warm, it is also important to know that they can easily suffer and die from heat stroke; the best range of environmental temperature for them is between 60 and 75 degress farenheight and their body temperature should fall between 97 and 100 degress farenheit.

It is important to know your chinchillas life expectancy, his needed external temperatures and his optimum body temperature but watching these things and adhearing to what he needs to live a long and healthy life are not garantees that he will not become ill at some point in his life. You could be doing everything possible to keep him healthy, from proper feeding, to providing a healthy living environment, to regular visits with his doctor, but he may still become sick or injured.

Below is a listing of the illnesses most common for a chinchilla:
- Eye problems
- Ear, Nose and Mouth problems
- Pneumonia
- Diarrhoea
- Constipation
- Fur problems

We will discuss the basics of each of these health issues…..

Eye Problems

Healthy eyes are clear and glistening. If you notice any discharge, or the eyelids are inflamed and sore looking, it is a good indication that they are irritated and/or infected. This can be treated with medication you will obtain from your Veterinarian. If your chinchilla is rubbing or scratching at his eyes, you obviously won’t be able to stop him and will need to get to the doctor as soon as possible before irreversable damage is done.

Ear and Nose problems

- Ears
If your chinchilla is scratching at, or there is any discharge from his ears or if he shows difficulty with balance and direction, you should take your chinchilla to his doctor. When you get him home, do not let him take a dust bath until the Veterinarian gives you the “all clear”.

- Runny Nose
Discharge from the nose may mean that your chinchilla has a cold. Keep him warm and make sure that you provide a lot of fresh water. You can put pieces of carrot in a dish of water, he will get the extra needed water by eating the pieces.You can also place a cool-mist humidifier or vaporizer next to the cage, placing a towel over the back and sides of his little “home”. This should help clear the problem. If the conditions worsen, take your chinchilla to the vet.

Mouth problems

Your chinchillas is a rodents, and being such means that his teeth will grow continuously throughout his life. Therefore, it is very important to ensure that he always has something to chew and wear his teeth down on on. If the teeth become overgrown, it can make it very difficult for your pet to eat; he will lose weight and become weak and, therefore, more susceptible to illness.
Other signs that the teeth have become too long will be drooling, pawing at the mouth or swelling around the area. It may become necessary to take your chinchilla to the Veterinarian to have his teeth trimmed. Normally, this can be avoided by supplying the proper types and amounts of chewing materials.

- Malocclusion
Unfortunately, many chinchillas suffer from a dental problem known as malocclusion. With this condition, the upper and lower teeth elongate and the roots grow into the eye and brain. This is very painful for your pet and if it’s become severe enough, can lead to having to mercifully have him put to sleep.

- continued in the next post (1/14/10)

Posted January 12, 2010 Comments(0)