giovedì 20 febbraio 2014
Best dogs prize
Giulietta is the winner of the 49th International Dog Show held in Milan last week. The beautiful Labrador Retriever was voted the “Best in Show,” followed by Oscardelarenta, a Saluki, and Firework, a black poodle (all three dogs pictured on the podium above). The International Dog Show in Milan is the main Italian exhibition of this kind in Italy and one of the most important in Europe; this year’s edition featured 4,500 dogs representing more than 300 different breeds. - See more at: http://www.italymagazine.com/news/best-italian-and-european-dogs-voted-milan#sthash.OQFhgurd.dpuf
sabato 8 febbraio 2014
I love this question because it is such a classic example of what can happen when pack dynamics change due to the loss of a pack member. Your Pomeranian had more than likely been the pack leader in your home. Your dogs probably got along well, and things seemed calm and under control. But the balance in your home was dependent on your Pomeranian, not on you—the humans in the home.
Every dog has an ingrained pack mentality. Dogs understand that each member has an important position within the pack. They also understand that their very survival is dependent on the pack working together as a whole, cohesive unit.
The loss of your Pomeranian left a leadership void in your pack. Remember, your pack consists of all of the entities in your home—your dogs, your cats, and you. Since you and your husband are not perceived as the leaders, there is no longer anyone in charge of your pack. The unstable, dominant behavior your Lab/Chow mix is exhibiting is his way of compensating for this lack of leadership. Imagine how fearful and insecure you would feel if you were suddenly thrust into a position you knew you were not equipped to handle!
The best thing you can do to help your Lab/Chow mix is to remove the burden he feels and establish yourselves as his pack leader. The fastest way to do this is to begin to add structure and rules to his life. The activities you now practice with him all nurture excited/dominant behavior—running the beach off leash, unlimited access to the backyard. It’s clear by the shift in his behavior that he needs a more structured lifestyle, especially right now after the loss of an important pack member.
Here is my strategy for turning your dog around:
1. Begin daily, structured, on-leash pack walks with your dog. Keep your energy calm and very assertive. If you encounter other dogs during your walk and he becomes reactive, give him a firm leash correction and move on.
2. Consider giving him access to the backyard only when he’s supervised. Every time he’s allowed to practice destructive behavior in your home or yard, the behavior will become more ingrained. When I’m training a dog that is untrustworthy in my home, I rely on a crate when I can’t watch him.
3. Don’t nurture his sudden insecurity by allowing him to demand affection from you. Hold off giving him affection until after his walk and he has “earned” it.
4. Don’t feel sorry for him! The only way your dog will learn to move on is if you let him! Keep in mind that his out-of-control behavior is coming from a lack of structure, not grief. He’s begging you to take charge, not feel pity!
5. Read up on leadership! Cesar has several outstanding books that teach humans how to lead their pack. My favorite is “Be the Pack Leader.” His website, www.CesarsWay.com is full of fantastic information and articles that address the subject of leadership.
2. Consider giving him access to the backyard only when he’s supervised. Every time he’s allowed to practice destructive behavior in your home or yard, the behavior will become more ingrained. When I’m training a dog that is untrustworthy in my home, I rely on a crate when I can’t watch him.
3. Don’t nurture his sudden insecurity by allowing him to demand affection from you. Hold off giving him affection until after his walk and he has “earned” it.
4. Don’t feel sorry for him! The only way your dog will learn to move on is if you let him! Keep in mind that his out-of-control behavior is coming from a lack of structure, not grief. He’s begging you to take charge, not feel pity!
5. Read up on leadership! Cesar has several outstanding books that teach humans how to lead their pack. My favorite is “Be the Pack Leader.” His website, www.CesarsWay.com is full of fantastic information and articles that address the subject of leadership.
Read more: http://www.cesarsway.com/dogbehavior/fearandanxiety/resolving-behavior-issues#ixzz2skF9bSEr
Question from Melissa Stillman:
My husband and I lost our five-year-old Pomeranian suddenly in October and our four-year-old rescue black Lab/Chow mix has been acting out and suffering separation anxiety and has bitten one of my cats and a friend's dog (both requiring vet visits) He seems more affectionate with us but also less secure. We let him run off leash on the beach every morning so he will be tired while we are at work and he has a dog door to get to the backyard but he has destroyed our belongings and eaten a man-sized hole out of the couch. Also he seems more aggressive with other dogs when we walk him on a leash and he'll instigate fights with other males. I'd appreciate any advice to deal with our problem child—we love him dearly. Thank you in advance.
Name[edit]
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the first mention of the beagle by name in English literature dates from ca. 1475 in the Esquire of Low Degree. The origin of the word "beagle" is uncertain, although it has been suggested that the word derives from the French begueule (meaning "open throat" from bayer "open wide" and gueule "mouth")[25] or from an Old English, French, or the Gaelic word beag, meaning "little." Other possibilities include the French beugler (meaning "to bellow") and the German begele (meaning "to scold").
It is not known why the black and tan Kerry Beagle, present in Ireland since Celtic times, has the beagle description, since at 22 to 24 inches (56 to 61 cm) it is significantly taller than the modern day Beagle, and in earlier times was even larger. Some writers suggest that the Beagle's scenting ability may have come from cross-breeding earlier strains with the Kerry Beagle. Originally used for hunting stags, it is today used for hare and drag hunting.
martedì 4 febbraio 2014
tackling dangerous dogs and antisocial behaviour
Almost a quarter of UK households own a dog, and while most owners make sure their pet behaves responsibly, antisocial behaviour involving dogs can cause huge problems. So how can councils make sure pets have a positive impact on the community?
Many think that raising awareness is the key. Animal charities work with local authorities, police and housing associations to provide education programmes, particularly for young people, that encourage both responsible ownership of family pets, and an awareness of how to avoid being hurt.
Under the antisocial behaviour, crime and policing bill 2013-14, councils' powers to tackle dog-specific offences would be removed and replaced with generic antisocial behaviour prevention mechanisms. This will allow local authorities to protect victims but some fear it will be difficult to identify irresponsible dog owners before people are hurt.
Labour party conference - Brighton: Monday 23 September
20 Aug 2013
The Guardian is running fringe events at all three party conferences in partnership with animal charities Dogs Trust and Blue Cross. Both have worked on education projects with local authorities including Manchester city council and Staffordshire Moorland council, where council staff became trained Blue Cross animal education volunteers. Blue Cross's RespectaBull project also helps address dangerous dog concerns by helping owners understand how to care for bull breeds.
The Dogs Trust also runs projects that use dogs to help disadvantaged members of the community and to help rehabilitate young offenders. Are there examples where local authorities have used dogs in this way – or could there be?
In advance of the party conference events, we are running a livechat on the Guardian Local Leaders Network to examine key aspects of this debate.
We want to know:
• What are the main issues local authorities face in relation to antisocial behaviour involving dogs?
• What support or powers do they feel they need to tackle this effectively?
• How can councils, police forces and housing associations work with animal welfare charities and other third sector bodies to educate residents on responsible pet ownership?
• What examples are there of councils using dogs to benefit the community, similar to Taking the Lead's work with young offenders?
• Is the proposed legislation around dogs and anti-social behaviour fit for purpose?
Join us from 12pm on Friday 13 September to discuss local government strategies for dealing with anti-social behaviour involving dogs. Let us know what you think now in the comment thread and make sure you join us on the day.
Expert panel
Richard Green is chief vet at Hammersmith Blue Cross hospital
Steve Goody is director of external affairs at Blue Cross
Elvira Meucci-Lyons is head of campaigns and community at Dogs Trust
Jalen Scarlett is a youth peer mentor on Dogs Trust's Taking the Lead programme
Alison Seabrooke is chief executive of the Community Development Foundation, a social enterprise which funds community-run projects to tackle local issues, including irresponsible dog ownership
Imogen Walker is Lambeth's cabinet member for Environment and Sustainability, chair of their Dogs Commission and a vice-president of the RSPCA
Dr Simon Harding is a senior lecturer in criminology at Middlesex University. He is a leading academic expert on dangerous dogs – the findings of his research are published in the book Unleashed: The Phenomena of Status Dogs and Weapon Dogs
This live discussion is designed and managed by Guardian Professional to a brief agreed with our partners Dogs Trust and Blue Cross. Join the local leaders network for comment, analysis, best practice and the latest career opportunities
Many think that raising awareness is the key. Animal charities work with local authorities, police and housing associations to provide education programmes, particularly for young people, that encourage both responsible ownership of family pets, and an awareness of how to avoid being hurt.
Under the antisocial behaviour, crime and policing bill 2013-14, councils' powers to tackle dog-specific offences would be removed and replaced with generic antisocial behaviour prevention mechanisms. This will allow local authorities to protect victims but some fear it will be difficult to identify irresponsible dog owners before people are hurt.
Labour party conference - Brighton: Monday 23 September
20 Aug 2013
The Guardian is running fringe events at all three party conferences in partnership with animal charities Dogs Trust and Blue Cross. Both have worked on education projects with local authorities including Manchester city council and Staffordshire Moorland council, where council staff became trained Blue Cross animal education volunteers. Blue Cross's RespectaBull project also helps address dangerous dog concerns by helping owners understand how to care for bull breeds.
The Dogs Trust also runs projects that use dogs to help disadvantaged members of the community and to help rehabilitate young offenders. Are there examples where local authorities have used dogs in this way – or could there be?
In advance of the party conference events, we are running a livechat on the Guardian Local Leaders Network to examine key aspects of this debate.
We want to know:
• What are the main issues local authorities face in relation to antisocial behaviour involving dogs?
• What support or powers do they feel they need to tackle this effectively?
• How can councils, police forces and housing associations work with animal welfare charities and other third sector bodies to educate residents on responsible pet ownership?
• What examples are there of councils using dogs to benefit the community, similar to Taking the Lead's work with young offenders?
• Is the proposed legislation around dogs and anti-social behaviour fit for purpose?
Join us from 12pm on Friday 13 September to discuss local government strategies for dealing with anti-social behaviour involving dogs. Let us know what you think now in the comment thread and make sure you join us on the day.
Expert panel
Richard Green is chief vet at Hammersmith Blue Cross hospital
Steve Goody is director of external affairs at Blue Cross
Elvira Meucci-Lyons is head of campaigns and community at Dogs Trust
Jalen Scarlett is a youth peer mentor on Dogs Trust's Taking the Lead programme
Alison Seabrooke is chief executive of the Community Development Foundation, a social enterprise which funds community-run projects to tackle local issues, including irresponsible dog ownership
Imogen Walker is Lambeth's cabinet member for Environment and Sustainability, chair of their Dogs Commission and a vice-president of the RSPCA
Dr Simon Harding is a senior lecturer in criminology at Middlesex University. He is a leading academic expert on dangerous dogs – the findings of his research are published in the book Unleashed: The Phenomena of Status Dogs and Weapon Dogs
This live discussion is designed and managed by Guardian Professional to a brief agreed with our partners Dogs Trust and Blue Cross. Join the local leaders network for comment, analysis, best practice and the latest career opportunities
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