Fur Baby Inc

Labradoodles Creator Regrets...

I didn't know that NOT ALL Labradoodle are non-allergenic (based on this article - link below).  I simply didn't think of this: Labrador cross poodle could result in more lab or more poodle genes.  We don't have control of it.    

It's a very intereing read (only takes about 2 minutes).  The person who originally created "Labradoodles" spoke up: http://www.globalanimal.org/2010/12/02/man-who-created-labradoodles-regrets-the-cross-breed/25768/

When I shared the article on facebook, a friend who's involved in rescue said:

"Another big issue is what those unethical breeders do with the pups who inherit the lab coat. Most people looking to acquire a labradoodle are doing so because they need (or want) a hypoallergenic dog. Therefore, the pups born with the lab coat will not fetch the pretty penny the breeder was hoping for. I've heard of many puppy mills and backyard breeders who have drowned, beaten, and otherwise disposed of the unwanted allergenic puppies. So sad!"

I think most of us never thought about it.  Please share it.

 

Happy Rally Obedience Trials

Harry & Stella got so many good runs at the Alberta Kennel Club Summer Classic show.

They had some great runs (see the ribbons). Harry even got a perfect score once - that is the BIG 100 - we were so happy!

Harry now has RA and Stella now has RN titles.

Harry & Stella

Harry & Stella, resting in the shade, at the Evelyn Kenny Kennel & Obedience Club Show:

It was Stella's first time at the rally-o ring and she got a high score of 98!

Stella Turns Two

Our little Stella turned 2 this year!  

We made crustless quiche (as cake) and mashed sweet potatoes (as icing) and Stella shared it with Harry.  Then, we had some fruit & veggie pup-pie for dessert!

 

Pets and Hot Weather

On the Road - Car:

Everyone knows that we should not leave pets or children alone in a parked car. But with summer blazing, this year, like every year, there were a few tragic stories in the news.  So maybe everyone doesn't know?

The people involved always stated that they never thought it would happen and why had no one educated them about the danger? Well, what most people don't realize is how fast the heat can build up.  A few years ago, the National Weather Service conducted an experiment with a closed car on a sunny, 93F/34c day. They shut the car off and monitored the heat build up. The temperature inside the car rose to a deadly 119 degrees in only 10 minutes!   Even on an 85 degree day, the temperature inside a vehicle with the windows slightly open can reach 102 degrees Fahrenheit within 10 minutes.  Overheating can result in irreversible organ damage or even death!

Leaving the windows "cracked" makes very little difference. If you absolutely must take a pet with you on the road, do not leave them in the car, even for a "a couple minutes."  Because on a hot day, that's all it takes to be that next tragic story in the news.

At Home - Windows:

Did you know that during hot weather more pets fall out of windows? It makes sense with more windows being left open.  But pets don't often fall out of open windows. It seems the problem is loose fitting window screens. Check the screens in your windows to make sure they are solid and secure. Your pet may wrongly assume that it's sturdy enough to lean against. For more hot weather pet tips and warning signs that your pet might be suffering from overheating, check this list from the ASPCA website.

Other Tips for Hot Summer Days:

• Provide shade. Ensure that your pet has protection from the heat and sun – a dog house does not provide relief from heat. Bring your pet inside during the hottest part for the day.

• Provide fresh water. Animals do not sweat like humans. They need fresh, clean water to keep their temperatures low. Refill with cool water often during the heat of the day if the animal must be kept outside.

• Limit exercise during the hottest hours of the day. Exercise your pet in the early morning or in the evening. When possible, walk your dog on the grass. Asphalt gets very hot and can burn your pet’s paws.

Happy New Year - and Another Canine Photo Secret for You!

Harry and Stella wish you a very happy 2010! We’d like to give you a Christmas present by explaining how we got them to pose with the piano.

When you first bring out a prop, it can make your dogs a little nervous. You want to encourage them to be curious and get comfortable with this new object. Clicker training is marvelous for this!

We put the toy piano on the floor in the middle of the living room so they’d have to learn to live with it. At first, we clicked and treated every time they even so much as looked at it. Gradually they were approaching and sniffing it. Again we clicked and treated for this. Eventually the piano was no big deal.

We left the piano there for a week. Every so often, we’d play a game with Harry and Stella. We’d call them over and put a treat on top of it. When they bravely approached and took it, we clicked. We gradually increased the complexity of this game until they were putting their paws on it. This was harder than you might think because it is very slippery plastic and they were nervous about sliding off. (BTW, it’s battery operated, so without the batteries we didn’t have to worry about getting them used to the sound it made when they pressed the keys!)

After a week of clicker training, the piano had become a fun exercise. Time for the photo shoot! Harry and Stella were given treats and praise for posing and the picture turned out beautifully!

Stella the Snow Bunny

Stella is 8-months-old today!  This is the first Canadian winter for our California girl and we're really happy she likes snow.

We have to be careful, because with her snowy-white Maltese coat, she'd be well camouflaged if she decided to play hide-and-seek in the yard!

Mutt Does Math

I found this story of a mutt does math difficult to believe at first, but then thought, why not?  It could be possible. I wonder how much time it could have taken for the farmer to train the dog. 

As an owner of two pet dogs and going by my personal experience, I feel a dog’s brain is much more intelligent than what we perceive. It all depends upon how we understand the dog’s talent and how we nurture it. Such dogs, I feel, could be trained to handle petty cash and manage simple accounting tasks. I am sure; dogs would be equally capable as human beings. Such dogs can be hired as an assistant for shopping purposes for disabled humans, especially paraplegic and quadriplegic ones.

I strongly feel that pet training exercise imparted to dogs needs a serious rethink. Certain modifications need to be done in the procedure so that the dog’s specific talent could be brought out. The training method has to be essentially different for different breeds of dogs. After completion of training, these dogs could be allotted to different sections and departments based on their interest.

As for the ‘mathematician’ dog Wawa, my best wishes for it. Let’s hope the dog scales new heights in arithmetic and stands as a shining example for other dogs to emulate!  

Scientists Trace Origin of Dogs

We all knew that pet canines evolved from wolves. The news is that scientists traced origin of dogs back to only a handful of wolves 15,000 years ago! 

It is an interesting finding. The research was nicely done on the entire topic. What I did not understand was how such different varieties of dogs could evolve directly from just three female wolves! 

This makes it difficult to know how numerous dog breeds came into existence within such a short span. In comparison, it took millions of years for humans to evolve from monkeys. Besides, it is difficult to comprehend as to how these pet dogs could have been transported from one continent to another when proper modes of transporation weren’t available in that period. It could be possible that there could be three instances wherein three dogs from three different land mass could have evolved from wolves of different breeds. However, further research has to be carried out before arriving at any conclusions.

Secondly, I would like to question as to when and how did dogs start to socialize, and what made them befriend humans? Was there any compulsion or necessity that made humans socialize with dogs and vice versa?

I still wonder and feel the following points need to be researched upon:

• The first dog variety that evolved directly from wolves
• Why did the first direct dog descendant from the wolf felt the need to evolve?
• How did the dog alter its behavior from that of the wolf?
• How can three wolf eves give rise to a vast breed of different dogs?

Though scientists have derived some conclusion in relation to dogs and their origin, I think they should further analyze dog behavior in terms of breed and place of domestication.

Pet DNA Test

I just found out on Tuesday night that pet DNA test is not expensive at all!  It's about $50 or so and it is available to pet owners, breeders and veterinarians.  Pet DNA test is simple, safe and secure.

Many mixed-breed dog owner are curious about the lineage of their dogs.  Veterinarians and shelters are frequently asked, “Which breed is my dog?” Though all can make calculated and educated guesses, only pet DNA testing helps ascertain the dog’s true lineage.

Many new dog owners get confused between DNA testing and pet cloning. Pet cloning is a different thing altogether and you can gather information about it from Google search engine.

If you have a pet whose ancestry is unknown, pet DNA test is fun and informative.  With DNA testing, you can gather vital details of your pet's breeds and that result could explain some of the pet behaviors - it's helpful when you do the dog training!  Once you know the breeds, you can also find out the information on the common health issues or concerns of the breeds.

Currently, there are only two ways to conduct a pet DNA sample testing – blood sample and cheek swab - as seen on TV shows like CSI.  :-) The cheek swab method is easier of the two and offers quick results. The findings from the Animal DNA Services Veterinary Diagnostics Center confirms that the most preferred method to collect DNA from skin cells is buccal (cheek) swab.

Let me know if you have tried it and what you think about it.