Thursday, February 19th, 2009
If you’ve had puppies, you have likely thought, while house training puppy, whether jokingly or not, “I should buy stock in paper towels”. With all the piddle spots and piles of poop.. big or little.. at some point you feel like, enough already.
I’m having a week of it. We have two italian greyhound which are notoriously difficult to house train. I did my research before deciding on this breed, so I was well aware ahead of time what we were in for. And get it we have. At 1.5 years old and 10 mos old neither can claim to be fully house trained dogs.
Both of them will go out doors to potty. Our male Enzo will, oddly enough, even go out in the rain or freezing snowy weather. But he will also still do some business in the house. Our girl, Ella, will also go out in the snow but not the bitterly freezing weather and certainly not in the rain. Cleaning up after them has usually been a daily thing. Sometimes so much as having to strip the beds (can we say UGH!?). Sometimes buying stock in urine eliminators like Nature’s Miracle (our favorite to use) has slipped through out lips too. But so far nothing surpasses our use of paper towels as of late.
It’s gotten much worse lately. Why, you ask? For some reason, we thought adding two more dogs, er pups, at one time, to our family was a good idea.
One is 3.5 months and the other is 2.5 months. They love to go outside… not caring if is cold, rainy, muddy. The weather just doesn’t matter a bit to them. Their being Australian Shepherds (well, in this case, one is a toy, one is a mini) certainly aids in their love of the outdoors. Regardless of their time spent in the wonderful outdoors, it is not uncommon to let them in and turn around 5 minutes later and find a piddle spot.
This morning, I snatched up both of the babies (it’s my love word for the puppies) and herded everyone else (besides the four I’m talking about, we have a whippet and an aussie who are older and very house trained) out the door for potty time, depositing the little ones on the top step. They spent quite a bit of time playing, checking out the frozen ground, grass, and even, yes, doing some potty business, etc… came in and I found myself still cleaning up a couple of piddle spots. Ack!
Thank goodness our house is completely hard flooring. Old wood floor, linoleum, and the basement is still cement. Makes for easy cleaning – even more so if they would keep it on the floor all the time.
If we aren’t using paper towels to clean up the mess, we use wet wipes (those are expensive too, but get poop cleaned up really well), and I hate using clothe towels.. regardless of what we use, we use a lot of it. I’ll be happy when nicer weather is here and I can make myself commit to house training more seriously than just shooing them all out the back door.
It’s not like the little dogs won’t go outdoors to do potty business.. they just don’t confine it to outdoors. They will too, at their own initiative, use the potty pads I have laid out.. again, they don’t confine to that area.
When I trained the whippets many years ago, I was totally committed. I would get up in the middle of the night, bundle up and walk them on a leash around the yard. After 3 pregnancies (one a late loss), two of which producing a couple of energetic, mom-needy boys who home school.. plus my dealing with crohn’s disease.. I just don’t have that commitment like I did. But, I will get them trained. In the mean time.. I’ve decided I won’t be buying Sparkle brand paper towels any more. I might as well use a piece of writing paper for all the soaking up they do. So, what’s the best brand and what are the prices of their stock.
»crosslinked«
Posted in Dog Breeds, Humor, My Dogs, Training & Tricks | No Comments »
Thursday, August 28th, 2008
“Step Aside For The Sight Hound Breed Of Dog!”
by: John E Adams
SightHounds: The History of the Sight Hound
Historically, sight hounds have often been called gaze hounds. In history, they have been working dogs and people were not so much worried about their appearance.
Once the 19th century approached, people began to breed them for appearance making them look like they do now; long, lean canines that almost look royal in appearance. They have even been known to be the favorite pet of many an Egyptian Pharaoh or world king or emperor.
Sight hounds are a breed of dog deeply rooted in history
Not only have they been used for a long time but many dogs could probably trace their roots back to the very first dogs that were domesticated for human use. That is quite a family tree.
Many people have heard of the notorious scent hound dog breed type. They are notorious for their great smellers, and for good reason; they have the ability to smell through thick grass, over a river, and for a very long time at that. A sight hound is the vision-worthy equivalent of a scent hound. While scent hounds are a type of hound with great noses, sight hounds are notorious for their impeccable sight.
SightHound Appearance
While scent hounds are notoriously short and stocky, sight hounds are just the opposite: long, elegant necks and legs, thin bodies, and strong muscles. They have high stamina levels for chasing and hunting and they must be exercised a lot, so they tend to be rather tight and muscular in appearance.
Sight Hounds in Your Community
While sight hounds are great hunting dogs, they make excellent family dogs as well as do other herding dog breeds. They are great for families with kids who can provide them with a great deal of exercise and attention. If you have ever seen a Whippet, a Borzoi, or a Saluki, [or Italian Greyhound] you have laid eyes on a sight hound without even knowing it!
Note how deep a Sighthounds chests is and how long their necks are; these features and traits allow them to see far and over things that other dogs may not be able to. This is what they are famous for, after all!
While sight hounds make awesome family dogs, they are great for sport as well. Outside of regular hunting sport, they are good in dog shows and races as well due to their speed and agility. If you see dog shows on Animal Planet or the Discovery channel or you have ever been able to attend one, chances are that a great majority of the dogs who were the strongest competitors were sighthounds!
These days they can be great guard dogs, family dogs, and even herding dogs as well and are infamous for having good temperaments as well. Whether you are a man or woman of sport, a pet lover, or just looking for a great breed of dog for your family it is hard to argue that sight hound dog breed types are excellent choices for any person.
Sighthound. Lovely, dependable, friendly and protective—what more could you ask for in a dog?
About The Author
Copyright John Adams. Dog Breeds Explained The Sighthound breed of dog is trustworthy and loyal. But only for the right owner. Get the facts before you get the dog! http://www.dog-breeds-explained.com
Posted in Dog Breeds, History, Hound Group, Owning a Dog | No Comments »
Monday, August 11th, 2008
Last year, in late September, we went into a pet store (I know.. I know.. really, I do..) and they happened to have 2 italian greyhounds (male and female).
I was proudly “owned” by an 8 year old whippet (Bean) and a 4 year old, recently adopted, australian shepherd (Sky).. but I’d recently been thinking the italian greyhound would be a nice dog.. small, small enough to snuggle on my lap, small enough to pick up and carry as well as being loving and attentive.. While both our older dogs love to be loved on, neither are much in the way of long-term couch (or bed) snuggling. At the same time, I was dealing with a life-long disease (crohn’s) and as a result dealing, with depression.. having a dog to snuggle with was therapy for me.
Back to the pet store visit… this little boy IG (I happened to be interested specifically in the boy, as I’d read how much more cuddly they were then female – though, now I’m not sure I agree with that assumption) stretched his skinny little blue and white body across one of our boys laps and my heart swelled.
Over the course of a week, my husband and I discussed whether adding another dog to our family, along with the source of the dog (pet store) was a good idea. In the end, the little blue won out and we went back to get him.
He’s a lovely “biggy” iggy – named Enzo, now over a year old and weighing around 16 pounds.. he’s shy around people, loving, playful, and such a little comedian. I cannot imagine life without my little guy. He’s brought so much energy to our doggy family, and while many IG’s tend to follow their person around – sometimes to the point of no privacy – my guy is a little more independent.. but he’s a good snuggler all the same.
This July, we found a breeder who had a lovely little fawn and white female IG… and, it was love at first site. When I picked our little girl up, she looked at me, as if to say “finally, there you are”… she immediately bonded to me – I am Mom. She loves everyone in our house (from the 4 & 7 year old boys, to the teen girls, the other dogs and dad too).. but I.am.Mom. My husband says how, with all the dogs we’ve ever owned, and while I’ve always been “mom” to them all, he’s never seen one bond to me as quickly and so completely, as our little Ella Roo did..
And.. if I thought Enzo was just the right dog breed for me.. I quickly found in Ella, the rest of the package.. I love how she follows me around, she’ll sit and watch me as I get ready for work, she bounds into the bed to dive under the covers for some warm snuggling.. she sassy and playful, a little love and won’t put up with anything from the other dogs, or the kids.
Ahhhh… life is sweet..
Posted in Choosing a Dog, My Dogs, Owning a Dog, Toy Group | No Comments »
Tuesday, August 21st, 2007
by Connie Limon
The Italian Greyhound is a charming little dog of grace and beauty. They are usually jolly little guys. This is a breed that was kept in England as far back as the 17th century. They enjoyed the royal favor of many while in Prussia. The famous Frederick the Great simply adored his Greyhound pets and even left instructions in his will that his body should be buried among his pets in the Greyhound cemetery in the Park of Sans Souci.
The Italian Greyhound comes in colors of all shades of fawn, mouse, white and red. Of interesting note is that the old-time dogs were found in a variety of shades because at Hampton Court, in a painting of the Queen of James I., there are several greyhounds in the colors of fawn, blue, blue and white. So that even as far back as those days the Italian Greyhounds were of a variety of colors.
As with most of the toy breeds we find that they started out much larger in size, the original Italian Greyhound weighed somewhere around 14 pounds.
In appearance the Italian Greyhound of today should resemble the original version just in miniature size. Sometimes it is difficult to produce smaller versions without impairing their health. However, when discussing the point of elegance of the Italian Greyhound, there is virtually none who matches this beautiful creature, who’s every movement, indicates “grace personified,” and his peculiar prancing action is a distinct characteristic belonging only to the Italian Greyhound.
The Italian Greyhound should have the tulip or prick ears; these are considered “bad” faults, which should be very carefully avoided. He should not be compactly built as shown in his terrier crosses, which were sometimes used to reduce his size. The terrier crosses have also been known to create the bulging eye and the apple head, both of which are very undesirable.
There is further evidence of the terrier crosses to reduce size found in some puppies when first born. They will usually be a black and tan, while in purebred animals they are whole-colored or fawn-and-white.
The Italian Greyhound is gentle and affectionate and not quite a delicate as his fragile form suggests. In cold weather, you need to keep your Italian Greyhound in the house. He should sleep inan area free of drafts and when taken outside in cold weather dress your Italian Greyhound with a warm sweater or coat.
To keep your Italian Greyhound in good physical shape he requires a good deal of exercise. Take care not to over feed your Italian Greyhound. The Italian Greyhound must never be allowed to become “fat,” in order to retain their beautiful lines and graceful form.
Don’t expect your Italian Greyhound to serve as a domestic alarm or protector, although he is capable of being a very sharp watch-dog and hear the slightest of sound. He is more dedicated to the comforts of the tea table, the fireside carpet, and the luxurious indulgences of the sofa and a warm lap of his mistress or master.
The general appearance of an Italian Greyhound is that of ideal elegance and grace of shape, symmetry and action. He has a flat skull, long and narrow, muzzle very fine, nose dark in color, ears rose-shaped placed well back, soft and delicate and should touch or nearly so behind the head. His eyes are fairly large, bright and full of expression. His neck is long and gracefully arched. His thighs are muscular, feet are long with arched toes and well slit up. The Italian Greyhound has a tail that is rather long, fine with low carriage. His hair is thin and glossy like satin. One of the most prized colors of the Italian Greyhound is the golden fawn color, but he comes in all shades of fawn, red, mouse, blue, cream and white, blacks, and brindles. His weight today is around 8 pounds average and he prances about with a high and free step.
—
Connie Limon Visit us at http://www.abouttoydogs.com and sign up for our FREE newsletters. About Toy Dogs is a toy dog breeder and article directory. Purchase ad space for your toy dog business at $25 per year.
Posted in Dog Breeds, Toy Group | No Comments »
Wednesday, August 8th, 2007
by Rebecca Prescott
Miniature dog breeds are very popular because their small size means they are better suited to apartments or houses with small backyards. Additionally, they are easier to control than very large dogs, and are generally cheaper to keep. They need less food and medication, though vet consultations are a standard price. Even with longer haired miniature dogs, it is easier to keep them brushed and groomed compared to their larger cousins.
Just because a dog is small, however, does not mean that they all share the same temperament or activity levels. Some of these dogs come from a background where they were used for hunting, like the miniature dachshund, and others, like the Tibetan spaniel, bark a lot. The latter would thus not be ideal for apartment living, unless you have very accommodating neighbors, or a sound proof apartment.
Small breeds that need a lot of exercise include the dachshund, the Italian greyhound, and the Australian Terrier. Breeds like the maltese, pugs, and chihuahuas will all do well exercising in a small backyard. If you do have a dog in an apartment, it is suggested that he be taken for a walk once or twice a day outside. This basically goes for all miniature dog breeds.
As far as which miniature dog breed to buy, there are many to choose from. As an owner you need to decide which will best suit your needs. Look into things such as temperament, size, and any features that will make your buying decision easier, such as coat length and care, and barking tendencies.
Here are four miniature dog breeds that you may want to check out before you make a purchasing decision.
1. The miniature bull terrier is a very playful dog that loves its’ family. It does like strangers as well though, so is not a good choice for a guard dog. They like plenty of activity, and love toys, although they have pretty strong jaws and teeth so they tend to destroy them quite quickly. Miniature bull terriers tend to want to please their masters more than their larger brothers.
2. Another dog to consider is the Lhasa apso. Lhasa’s have a distinctively beautiful long coat, and although they are lap dog size, they don’t have the need to be cuddled all the time like some other lap dogs. Like cats, they are independent and will come for attention when they want it, though they are very affectionate by nature. Lhasa’s are very loyal dogs, with a capacity for stubbornness which means they are better suited to those more experienced with handling dogs.
3. The miniature poodle is always popular. It is one of the most well behaved miniature dog breeds, and one that every dog lover should look into. Miniature poodles can grow up to 20 pounds, and stand about 15 inches in height. This breed is very intelligent and great with small children.
4. The miniature schnauzer weighs in at around 15 pounds. This miniature dog breed is affectionate, and is always up for a bit of fun. In addition, they are great for both country and city environments.
Miniature dog breeds have had quite a surge in popularity the last few years, no doubt influenced by the celebrity trend to carry them around in large handbags everywhere. Like all dogs, these too need their exercise, so a diamante studded collar and leash would no doubt be preferred than the gilded cage of a Louis vitton.
—
About the Author:
Bichon frise dogs and miniature pinscher puppies are two more miniature dog breeds worth considering. Learn more here.
Posted in Choosing a Dog, Dog Breeds, Toy Group | No Comments »
Loading ...