Memoirs: What my dog means to me – Part 1

I have owned many dogs over my lifetime. I have had mutts, Schnauzers, a Doberman, a Cocker, two Black Labs and a German Shepherd to name a few. All were wonderful dogs in their own right.

I now own three Yorkshire Terriers, 2 males and a female. The female weighs all of 3.5 pounds. My husband also has a Black Lab, but by far Abby, the female Yorkie rules the roost.

Abby is the smartest, most loving dog I have ever known, let alone had the pleasure of calling my own. She may not be able to drag my body from a burning building. But her gentle loving spirit saves my life every day.

Abby loves to be groomed. After a bath or a brushing, she prances to show everyone how beautiful she is.

She knows when I am down, she seems to understand every word spoken to her and she speaks to me. She tells me when she’s hungry, when she wants to play, when it is bedtime, when it is time to get up, when the potty pad is ready to be changed and when she wants to go outside.

Abby doesn’t only talk to me, she talks to the other animals as well. If I order one of the larger dogs off the furniture, she sees to it that they obey the command. It doesn’t matter to her that she might be out-weighed by 60 pounds. She is fearless.

She loves to meet new people. When she sees a friendly face, if it is possible, she walks right up to them and sits at their feet until they greet her. As soon as she has introduced herself and greeted the newcomer, she is done and ready to come back to me.

Abby has been by my side since she was 12 weeks old. She will not have it any other way. I have left her twice with my husband while I had to go out of town for family emergencies. On both occasions, we worried because, though she loves him very much, she would not leave the door, waiting for my return. She did not want to eat or play or even snuggle.

On one occasion when she came into season, I took her to my daughter who has a Fox Terrier that was in season at the same time. We could not take the stud because my daughter had no desire to have a litter of Foxy-Yorkies. Abby is always happy to visit my daughter and my grandchildren, until I left her, that is. By the next morning my daughter called saying, Abby would not come away from the door. She was concerned because she had refused to eat, refused the attention of the children and even refused to relieve herself. All she would do was stare at the door.

I know exactly how Abby feels. When I have to leave her behind, even to go to the grocer, I wish I could wait for her at the door. She is my best friend, my baby and my beautiful, loving companion.

Dog Training Tips: Protecting your Dogs While Traveling by Car

Dogs need to learn the proper behavior for traveling in a car. After all, not only do you want your dog to enjoy his ride, but also, you want to make sure that he is safe. Additionally, you want your dog to learn the proper behavior for riding in a car so that he will not become a distraction and a danger to the other passengers in the car.

The most successful way to teach this is to be consistent from the very beginning. Always use the same method for restraining your dog so that he learns that will be his place while traveling by car. If your dog understands what you expect of him while traveling in the car, he will be happy to oblige.

The simplest way to restrain your pet is to use a harness that has been designed for use in the car. It allows the dog owner to clip his pet to one of the seatbelts in the back seat. If you plan to have the dog in your car on a regular basis, you might want to consider getting a special window guard. The guards are designed to allow your dog, or other pets, to have access to fresh air without any risk for injury. The window guards prevent your pet from falling or jumping out of the window.

If your dog is small, a collapsible cage that fits easily into most cars is an excellent choice. The cage needs to be placed on a flat surface to provide your pet with a smooth and safe ride.

If, on the other hand, your dog is large, you can consider getting a divider that will separate the car into an area for human passengers and one for animals. If the car does not have a hatchback or open access trunk such as those found in station wagons, you can always separate the front seat from the back seat. When placing the divider in the car, make sure that it is secure and will not become loose with a little activity or jostling.

No matter how you decide to secure your dog for traveling by car, it’s important to do so. A dog that is permitted free access to the car can easily become a distraction or a hindrance to the driver. Additionally, shop around and look at the different models and styles that you have to select from among to get the option that best suits your needs.

Brittany – Dog Breeds – Tips Every Owner Should Know

We begin this article with the basic facts about the breed, then follow up with an in-depth look at their personality.

Group: Sporting

Weight: 30-40 lbs

Height: 17.5-20.5 inches

Overview

It is believed that the Brittany is a result of a crossing between the Orange and White Setter and an unknown French dog. The Brittany is an energetic dog that has its origin in Brittany, a province in France. Brittanys are very flexible hunting dogs, and one of the most admired pointing breeds used for bird hunting. In a number of countries people refer to this breed as the Brittany Spaniel, but in the United States they are referred to as just the Brittany.

Temperament

The Brittany is a very dependable, dedicated, content and intense dog. This breed is very fond of playing, and they love to exercise as they have plenty of energy. Brittanys are extremely intelligent and obedient dogs that are very easy to train. This breed is suitable for new dog owners as well as experienced dog owners. These dogs love the attention of humans, and it is very important to not desert these dogs. If they are bored, they may become destructive. The Brittany is a very responsive dog that is keen on pleasing its owner and family. These dogs are also very autonomous, spirited and full of live. They adore being involved with the family when there is fun and action.

Care

The Brittany has a beautiful soft and feathered coat. Some effort is needed to keep the coat in a good condition. The coat of the Brittany should be brushed about two times during the week as this will prevent mats from forming and remove dead hairs. This breed is also medium shedding dog that can shed more on a seasonal basis. When it is shedding season, more grooming is required.

Training

Brittanys are peaceful and steady dog that gets on well with children. They also get along well with other animals, but it is very important that you socialise the Brittany from a very early age onwards. They tend to be wary of strangers, and can also be fairly nervous at times. Seeing that the Brittany is very caring toward their families, they make excellent watchdogs. The Brittany will raise an alarm when necessary, but will not bark excessively. Some of the Brittanys can be fairly withdrawn, and to stop this from happening, early socialisation is required.

Health problems

This breed struggles with glaucoma which is an increased pressure within the eye. This can be both a genetic problem and a less important problem when an additional eye condition causes the increase of fluid. The Brittany also has problems with spinal paralysis and hip dysplasia in some of the dogs.