Before getting a dog the first question to ask and answer is what sort of dog should we get a purebred or a mutt?

The answer to this question is a matter of debate. Get any two dog lovers together and they will probably have different feelings on this controversial question.

Why is this question so controversial? One dog is surely much the same as another? Or is there a hidden benefit to buying a purebred dog?

Of course one dog is much like any other at least on the outside! But every potential dog owners needs are different. The real trick is in identifying your needs the needs of your family and selecting a dog that meets those needs. A dog that is suitable for your family.

This is where the debate starts. Dog breeders will tell you that you will never be sure of what youve got with a mixed breed. On the other hand Dog Rescue will say look at the dog itself not the breed!

Whos right?

To a certain extent they both are.

You need to try to assess the suitability of any dog you adopt, regardless of whether its an abandoned rescue dog of mixed breed or an expensive purebred puppy with registration papers and a pedigree as long as your arm.

Purebred dogs will tend to have strong characteristics peculiar to their breed, such as size and stamina, general demeanor and exercise needs. But they will also have their own individual personality on top of this.

On the other hand you can never be totally sure about a mixed breeds background. Theres always a question mark about how a puppy is going to turn out you can never be quite sure about its size, energy requirements or manner.

That can be one advantage of adopting a rescue dog. Often they will be older mature dogs rather than puppies. This allows you to make a better assessment of the dog its size, energy and nature. Good-natured dogs are not restricted to pure-breeds.

One other advantage of adopting an older rescue dog is that all the hard work of house training and basic obedience training has often already been done, saving you the effort needed to do this yourself. You will also get the chance to visit the dog a few times, with members of your family, to assess its suitability.

The staff at the dog shelter will also have had a chance to assess the dogs character and even perhaps have worked with the dog to smooth out any rough edges to help find it a suitable home.Having a rough idea of what the dogs parentage might have been will help you look for traits associated with those breeds and see if they are present.

If you are really lucky you may find a mixed breed dog that embodies all the best parts of the dog you are looking for from different parents. The result could well be a unique mix that perfectly meets the needs of you and your family. But take the time to really get to know the dog before committing to adopting it as a return trip to the animal shelter is the last thing the dog will need.

In the end the choice is down to you but you absolutely need to make sure the dog you choose meets the needs of you and you family. You need to consider such things as how much room you have in your life, both physically and mentally, for the dog. You need to consider feeding and exercise needs and whether you would be better off with an older dog or a puppy.

Making the right choice will open the door to a lifelong friendship with a loyal, loving partner. Making the wrong choice will lead to misery for all concerned.

Chris Davis, the author, is a freelance writer publishing and presenting information on a wide variety of subjects. For more informative articles and information on dogs, dog health, dog care and dog training from Chris visit his website http://dog-help-desk.com. This article is free to reprint provided the author credits and link are left in place. Do not use this article for unsolicited email.

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Why use a crate:

When used properly and not abused, crates are the fastest and most humane method of housebreaking dogs. Dogs are den animals that will instinctively seek out a small, cozy place to rest for shelter and security. Crates act on a dog’s instinct to keep its den clean and unsoiled. Keeping your dog in a crate teaches him to hold it until he can go in an appropriate place, which helps your puppy develop his bladder control. For older dogs, crates act as a bedroom where they can relax and escape the hustle and bustle of kids, other pets, and everyday family life. Also, it’s never too late to crate train! A crate can help break bad habits that improperly trained dogs may have developed over the years.

Plastic or metal?

Plastic kennels are good for travel, and are generally the only method of containment permitted by airlines. Metal wire dog crates are ideal for home use, however. They are generally roomier and more open. They’re also sturdier, so they will stand up to your pet’s movement/ activity and be able to last as your dog’s permanent bedroom.

What size?

A crate should only be big enough for your dog to stand up, turn around, and lay down. If the crate is too big, your puppy will have enough room to soil one side and sleep in the other, which defeats the purpose of the crate. Buy a crate large enough to accommodate your dog’s full-grown size and get a divider panel. This way, you can keep the one crate and have it grow along with your dog.

Accessories:

Always be sure to include appropriate toys and treats in the crate. This will keep your dog occupied and prevent your teething puppy from chewing on the crate’s metal bars. It is also important to purchase crate bedding. A crate cover is great for lowering the number of outside distractions your dog sees, which can reduce barking and stress in the crate. A crate pad will be more comfortable than the crate’s plastic pan. Finally, a bumper like the one included in Pet Dreams Cratewear will help protect your puppy from injuries caused by chewing or leaning against the crate’s metal bars.

For more information:

In addition to Cratewear, Pet Dreams provides a wealth of Crate Training Tips, articles, and FAQs to help you crate train your dog. Weve also recently launched Forums where you can discuss all aspects of training with others and get advice from the experts!

Visit http://www.petdreams.com for Dog crates, Cratewear bedding and Sleep-ezz dog beds.

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Dog shedding is part of dog ownership. While you can’t exactly cure dog shedding, there are some steps you can take to minimize excessive dog shedding.

How to Control Shedding

Grooming is the key to controlling dog hair shedding. You know the hair is going to fall out. It is better to brush your dog’s coat daily and remove the hair yourself than to have dog hair all over the floor, furniture and your clothes.

Some dogs shed seasonally, such as in the spring when they are shedding their winter coats, and may require twice daily brushings during those periods. In general, dogs with smooth coats will need brushing approximately once or twice a week, while dogs with silky coats will need brushing three to four times a week. Long haired dogs require daily brushing to keep their coats looking their best.

Feeding your dog a high quality food with Omega 3 fatty acids will help keep him healthy and keep his coat shiny. Also, vacuum frequently to keep your house dog hair free. Some dogs don’t mind being vacuumed themselves!

If you allow your dog on the furniture, designate one chair or area he is allowed and put a furniture cover on it. Then you can simply toss the cover in the washer rather than having to clean dog hair off all your furniture. Same for the car. Dog hair is extremely hard to get out of car upholstery and carpet. It just seems to stick. Car seat covers help a lot, and you can use a mat on top of the regular car mat to keep dog hair off the car floor.

Helpful Tools and Products to Control Shedding

To help control shedding, I give my dog vitamin- and fatty acid-rich supplements. This helps reduce shedding, gives her a shiny coat and prevents her from getting itchy, dry skin. There are several great supplements available from pet shops and online pet stores.

Brushes – you may need more than one kind. Options include mat breakers, shedding blades and slicker brushes, depending on your dogs breed. Grooming gloves can help you remove hair as you pet your dog.

Valerie Goettsch is web master of My Favorite Dog, a website featuring dozens of articles and information on where to find the best of everything for your dog, from flea meds to beds, training and designer dog clothes.

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The cage was small, but the people were nice and Tiger felt safe. He was fed, petted and regularly groomed. Still, it wasnt home. Tiger had been home, and still had vague memories of the woman who had cared for him and the other cats who lived with her.

Then he had been taken to this place, and had been here so long he had almost forgotten home, and the woman.

There was uneasiness here, though, and Tiger felt it. Something was about to happen. Something bad.

Then two humans came in. He was put in a cage with them. He jumped up in the womans lap. He was put in a dark place that bumped and jostled him. He heard strange, scary noises. He howled, and a male voice answered with noises he couldnt understand.

Then there was light. And TERROR!

A small hand reached for him and tried to grab him. There were people he didnt know; they all approached him. There was another cat that arched and spat.

Then, horror of horrors

There was a dog!

Tiger fled. He fled down a long corridor and bolted through the first open door he found. He hid in the darkest place he could findamong soft and hard things he didnt recognized. He heard voices. He heard the dog bark, and he shuddered. He heard the childs high pitched voice, and a womans voicewhich were easier to bear.

He hunkered down and remained as invisible and silent as he could.

Adoption in Haste

The staff of animal shelters greet people looking for new pets with both joy and misgiving. People walk between the cages, looking over each cat, and the staff hope they will select a cat that has been there for a long time.

But they know what the people are looking for; they are looking for kittens, not adult cats.

If there are no kittens, the customers will sometimes reluctantly choose an adult cat as a consolation prize, pay the adoption fees and cart him or her off

Only to return the cat two or three days later.

Im sorry, but this cat just didnt work out. We couldnt fit it into the family.

Or

This cat is just too wild. We need something tamer, something that will fit in.

What happened? The staff member asks.

The cat bolted and hid. It took us three days to find it, and when we finally did, we had to chase it all over the house before we caught it. We need something tamer; something that will fit in better.

So go the sad tales of the returnees but wait, it can be worse for cats adopted in other ways.

The landlord wont let me keep her, could you please take her in?

People who adopt strays off the street, or a friends cat, many times dont realize the full extent of the things they need to do for their new cat:

Prepare their house to receive their cat
Take care of their cats medical needs
Make sure their other cats have protection from disease
Take care of their cats physical needs
Properly introduce their cat to their live-in companions, children and other pets

And perhaps most importantly:

Prepare themselves for a good relationship with their new cat

People who have never owned cats before dont really realize what a cat is: A highly intelligent, independent animal which needs love and affection daily but is not a dog.

Cats will bond with people, just as dogs do, but they dont always bond with the person who has adopted them. They will choose whom they like, much to the consternation of the person who picked them up hoping to have acquired a new friend.

This is one very good reason why the first 24 hours is so important. It is in during that period that your cat will decide whom she wants to bond with.

Unless you know what you are doing, it might not be with you.

Time

A cat needs time spent with her. One of the big mistakes busy people make is to fail to realize that they have busy schedules that dont allow them to spend enough time with their newly adopted cat.

This could ultimately result in your cat running off. If you have no time to spend with your cat, she will not choose your house as her den. She will go out searching for another one, and you could be soon reporting a lost cat.

Or, to your consternation, you will find that the cat you thought would be a loving companion has bonded with another member of your householdsomebody who did have the time to spend.

Money

A lot of people dont count the cost of pet ownership. In their exuberance to adopt a cat, they forget that they dont have the budget to keep her. Belatedly, they discover they dont have the cash on hand to buy their new felines basic necessities or give her the medical attention she is most certainly going to need.

Many people shun pet medical insurance, not realizing that the same things that happen to people happen to cats, and can cost large sums of money to cure. This can result in losing their beloved pet because the price to save her is just too high.

Medical Needs

Some people who adopt strays or cats owned by friends dont realize the full extent of the medical attention their new cat needs:

A complete physical examination
A complete vaccination regimen
Spaying or neutering

In particular, that cute kitten you brought home from a friends litter will need a long series of vaccinations (along with boosters) that will extend over a period of a couple of years. You cant do it all in one day.

To fail in this will almost assuredly mean tragedy down the line. I know. I failed to give one of my kittens its vaccinations. I made it an outdoor cat, and it died of feline leukemia. The story definitely had a very sad ending

Your cats physical needs

When your cat climbs out of the carrier box for the first time, will you be equipped with the essentials?

Or, will you discover that you need these things laterand bring them in one at a time, after your cat has defecated in the corner, started scratching the furniture, or begun some other unauthorized behavior you are not prepared for? (And, be advised, a cat is a very obsessed animalonce she starts doing something, it is very hard to change it).

Making sure you have what you need to receive your new cat is vitaland you must have the basics on hand before you bring her home.

First introductions

So, when your cat first climbs out of her carrier, is she going to be set upon by every member of your household all at once? And when she does, will she flee in terror, trying to find the safest and darkest corner she can find?

Or will you introduce her gradually to try to reduce the trauma as much as possible so she can adapt to and feel at home in her new situation?

Your technique for doing that can be a deciding factor in whether or not your cat adapts to your home immediately, by the next day or the next month, or flees the house altogether.

The days to follow

Do you know how to take care of your new cat in the days to come, assuming you handled your first introductions well? Do you know about allergies, special foods, bathing, grooming, hair balls, removing urine, training and teaching without frightening and alienating her, and a multitude of other situations cat owners wrestle with on a daily basis? Do you know the hazards involved in letting her become an outdoor cat?

Be prepared

As youve often heard, preparation is the key to success, and nowhere does that apply more appropriately than to cat ownership. If you are prepared, your adoption will probably go very smoothly.

I say probably because every cat is different. Even with the best preparation by a knowledgeable owner, a cat may still want to hide for awhile. And if you discover thats the case

You need to know what to do.

The Key

So, thats why I wrote my book, Your New Cats First 24 Hours, www.yourcatsecrets.com, to give you everything you need to know and have, not only to get ready for your new cat and introduce her to your household, but to understand and care for her in the days to follow.

Ive got to say it again: preparationand knowledge is the key. When you decide to adopt, I hope you wont do it in haste.

I hope you will do it knowledgeably and with understanding.

John Young is a writer and a cat lover, having owned one cat or another since he was four, and that was over 57 years ago. He is the author of the E-book: Your New Cat’s First 24 Hours, which is filled with information to help you introduce your new cat to your household and care for it from then on. John’s book is available on-line at: http://www.yourcatsecrets.com. He also has a free newsletter: Your Cat’s 9 Secrets which you can subscribe to from his Web site.

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Unfortunately, arthritis in dogs is about as common as it is in people. It may range from mild to moderate or severe. If your dog is overweight, the extra pressure on joints can exacerbate the problem. And, as with humans, there may be joint cartilage damage.

Fortunately there are some dog arthritis medications, both over-the-counter and prescriptions, as well as nutritional supplements, that can help make your dog feel better. There are also some physical aids that can assist your arthritic pet in getting around.

Common Signs of Arthritis in Dogs

You dog may experience one or more of the following symptoms:

• Difficulty in getting up
• Limping, especially after exercise
• Walking slower than normal or a change in gait
• Difficulty in jumping or climbing stairs, or a hard time squatting to do his business.

Treating Dog Arthritis: Arthritis Medication and Aspirin for Dogs

It is always best to see your vet to get a proper diagnosis. He or she may prescribe one or more anti-inflammatory medications or pain relievers. You can also get special non-prescription canine aspirin for dogs with arthritis to help relieve their joint pain. Canine aspirin can help reduce inflammation and relieve pain.

Glucosamine and Other Arthritis Supplements for Dogs

Some people have found success in reducing their dog’s discomfort and improving their mobility by giving them supplements of glucosamine, chondroitin and MSM. Fatty acid supplements can also be helpful in reducing inflammation by helping to lubricate the joints and improve joint health.

Help Your Dog Lose Weight

Arthritis in dogs, as with people, can be exasperated by extra weight. If your dog is overweight, help him lose excess pounds by reducing calorie intake and giving him low impact exercise such as leash walks and swimming.

Physical Aids for Your Arthritic Dog

• An elevated dog feeder can help your dog so he doesn’t have to bend over to eat or drink.
• A pet ramp can help your dog get into the car or on the bed
• A dog harness versus a collar is gentler on the neck and back
• An orthopedic bed provides even support and reduces pressure on joints.

With a little extra care, your arthritic dog can still live an active life.

Valerie Goettsch is web master of My Favorite Dog, a website featuring dozens of articles and information on where to find the best of everything for your dog, from flea meds to beds, training and designer clothes.

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Everybody loves a baby animal and Westie puppies are adorable, but new dog purchasers often do not realize the commitment they are making when they bring a puppy home. For those want the companionship of Westies dogs, but do not have the knowledge or patience to endure the training process, rescuing an older Westie dog may be the right alternative.

When considering an older West highland terrier dog, the first thing that many people think is that they would be getting a dog with problems, either genetic problems common to Westies, or behavioral problems from improper training. The truth is, many Westie dogs go to shelters for reasons that have nothing to do with the dogs’ inherent qualities. Every year, dog owners die, move to retirement homes, change jobs, get divorced, have new babies, or, unfortunately, simply tire of the responsibility of caring for a dog.

The advantages of older dogs are many. They have already finished teething, and no longer feel the urge to chew holes in your shoes, rugs, and furniture. Westie dogs that are older have grown used to sleeping through the night while their people sleep, as opposed to westie puppies, who wake up and whine. Older pets will have already been housetrained and also should know the meaning of the word ‘no,’ making their continued training that much easier.

When you encounter a Westie puppy, you only have the breed standards to give you an idea of what kind of dog it will grow into. Although Westhighland dogs have a typical personality type, there are variations from dog to dog. The full-grown Westie is a know quantity. The Westie dog you meet is what you will get, and you can quickly determine if it will fit into your home.

It may seem like rescuing an older Westie provides you with an ‘instant dog,’ but that is not the case. At first they might become confused, upon arriving at a new home, and need to be reminded of their basic training. However, even allowing a few weeks of extra special care is easier and less stressful than the rigors of training a puppy.

(Disclaimer: Any information contained in this site relating to various medical, health and fitness conditions of Westies or other animals and their treatments is for informational purposes only and is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own veterinarian. You should not use the information contained herein for diagnosing the health of any animal. You should always consult and check with your own vet or veterinarian.)

I do hope that you have found the article of use to you.

Good health and happiness

Jeff Cuckson
webmaster@madaboutwesties.com

*****************************************
Want To Know How To Have The Healthiest
Happiest and Most Well Behaved Westie Puppies
You’ve Ever Dreamed Of! Then Click Here NOW!
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I have a person who is masquerading as a dog at my house. His name is Tuxcitto. The reason I say this is that no normal dog can take random information and figure out the things that Tuxcitto does everyday. I have a perfect example in the following story of Tuxcitto and our resident squirrel population. You never know whos doing the dog training around our house.

Before Tuxcitto came along last fall, we had one dog named Spoofy. Shes an older dog and has been with us since she was a puppy. Spoofy loves to chase squirrels. Back in her younger days she almost caught one or two. But these days the squirrels have their way with her and get just close enough to tease her, and then easily run up the nearest tree.

But that was soon to change when Tuxcitto arrived. I learned in the first few weeks that Tuxcitto was an experienced escape artist. Until we came to an agreement, he would often take off and run through the neighborhood heather and yon until he got thirsty, hungry, or I came and caught him. During this period he was usually confined to a long tether tied to our front tree if we werent outside with him.

Since we now agree that he wont run around the neighborhood he gets to go out with Spoofy and our two cats, Blackie and Baby with out being tethered. During the time that he was tethered, he often watched a little game play out with Spoofy and our local squirrels. He was always interested but never really participated since he knew the 30 feet of tether limited him. Or at least thats what I believe now in hindsight.

Our resident squirrels dont necessarily come by everyday. They come pretty often since they love to rob our birdfeeders and tease Spoofy. But there are plenty of dogs and birdfeeders to visit in our neighborhood so they feel obligated to give all some attention. So the first few times that Tuxcitto was free to roam there were no squirrels in the area.

Now Tuxcitto is a Border Collie who has tremendous speed and agility, since the breed is a natural at herding animals. I have seen Tuxcitto clear a 5 foot fence with room to spare. These are popular dogs for freebie competitions. So he has a lot of natural talent. But beyond that, this dog is smarter than a lot of people I know and enjoys demonstrating this on any occasion.

So one morning I go to let the dogs and cats for their midmorning break. My neighbor happened to be out working in the yard so all four animals had to trot on over to see what he was doing. I waved and followed the crowd. As I was talking to my neighbor, the animals lost interest and wandered back into our yard.

I am so grateful that I had a witness for what followed. As my neighbor and I talked I noticed the squirrels working their way over to my yard through the trees. As soon as they got close they started chattering at Spoofy. Spoofys ears perked up, she jumped up and was ready for the game to begin. But little did the squirrels know that the rules were about to be drastically changed.

The squirrels talked to each other and scampered down a nearby tree. Not all the way to the ground, just to the bottom of the trunk. As they were eyeing Spoofy, and looking to another tree about 40 feet away they ignored Tuxcitto laying just to the right of Spoofy. Im sure they never considered him a threat since he had never joined in the game before.

I think they were highly confident that they could reach the next tree before that old fat Spoofy could even get within 15 feet. And that was probably true, no doubt about it since I had seen this played out many times. So the squirrels got ready to jump, and Spoofy was ready to lunge after them. And Tuxcitto was just watching as usual.

The squirrels leaped down and started to scamper across the 40 feet of grass separating the trees. Spoofy lunged after them coming up on their rear. But what caught my eye was an explosion of Tuxcitto leaping off the ground, not chasing after the squirrels as Spoofy was but going directly for the tree to cut them off.

And he got there in about 3 or 4 seconds, far ahead of the squirrels. In fact the squirrels about went into a train wreck trying to stop their forward momentum towards the tree. In about 5 seconds this had turned from familiar game to their biggest nightmare. A dog was blocking each tree and there was nowhere to go.

And Tuxcitto stood in front of them like a coiled spring waiting to see which way they were going to go. And good old Spoofy, finally seeing that there was a real opportunity here to finally catch these little devils, was running full speed towards them from the rear.

The squirrels decided that they didnt want anything to do with Tuxcitto and turned to run back to the original tree. As soon as they moved Tuxcitto burst into action and actually caught up with them as they all got to the tree. Spoofy was a little late since she had to do a full stop and then turn around to head in the opposite direction.

I dont think Tuxcitto was even trying to catch the squirrels, he just wanted to beat them to the tree. Im not sure who got there first, it was a tight finish. My neighbor turned to me and said its a good thing Tuxcitto was just playing or there would have been two less squirrels in the neighborhood. Both dogs sat there for a while looking up at the squirrels but lost interest in a few minutes.

The amazing thing about this little adventure was the fact that Tuxcitto had watched Spoofy and the squirrels perform this little game several times. Tuxcitto had learned from Spoofy that just chasing the squirrels was not the best strategy. Between watching Spoofy and his natural herding instincts, Tuxcitto had figured out the best way to beat those squirrels. And he knew exactly what both Spoofy and the squirrels were going to do and so when he got the opportunity, he was ready.

Thats a good way to train a young dog, put them with an older dog that knows what to do and let them learn from the more experienced animal. Of course in this case Tuxcitto learned what not to do, but the same principal applies. Tuxcitto has learned a lot from watching Spoofy since he joined the family. And he also learned from the squirrels, since they repeatedly did the same thing. So dog training around this household is up for grabs.

The epilog to this story is that the squirrels never get out of the trees now. They still come over and chatter at the dogs but they know better than to try and make a break for the nearby tree on the ground. But they still have a few birdfeeders to rob so our yard still gets frequent visits.

John Dow owns http://www.freedogtrainingarticles.com, a website that provides free information on dog training. John gets to test his dog training skills daily with his new dog Tuxcitto. You can learn more here: http://www.freedogtrainingarticles.com.

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Theres a horse show across the state in a few weeks, and youre planning on being there with your horses. However, its been awhile since you last pulled a horse trailer, and youre a little concerned about your trailering skills. After all, you want to arrive at your destination safely, with the horses as calm and relaxed as possible.

Guiding a loaded horse trailer down a country road or highway requires practical experience and know-how. Theres very little room for error. What do you do to ensure a safe, uneventful journey?

How to Ensure Safe Trailering

If youre out of practice, or if youve never towed a trailer before, obtaining adequate personal experience prior to the actual event is of the utmost importance. Just as if you were learning to drive for the first time, you should begin by practicing basic driving skills before getting out in traffic with the trailer.

The more experienced you become, the more prepared you will be for anything that may potentially happen. With more confidence and a higher level of awareness and preparedness, you should be better able to handle any unexpected situation that comes along.

Find a level field or a parking lot in which to practice. Mark your course with several highway cones, then, set out to work on the following driving skills:

Turning with your trailer.

Backing your trailer.

Parking your trailer on a grade.

Stopping the trailer rig suddenly.

Ready for the Highway

After youve practiced all the basic driving skills while pulling your horse trailer and you feel confident in your ability to handle the rig safely, youre ready to test your skills out on the road.

Try towing your trailer for short distances, at first. Make sure that you feel comfortable with turning corners in traffic, with backing your trailer, with parking on a grade, and with being able to stop your trailer quickly (should the need arise). Once you are confident in your towing abilities, youre ready to travel any distance with your horses.

Just remember to always be alert when out on the roads. Drive defensively and be prepared for any possible situation.

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I have a dog, his name is Tuxcitto. Tuxcitto is a Border Collie who is always on the look out for an opportunity to use his herding skills. It doesnt matter if the intended group of animals need or want herding, if they wander into the herding zone they get herded.

Tuxcitto is a pretty smart dog and is very easy to train for the most part. But if you are trying to train a dog against their natural instincts, it is an uphill battle. Tuxcitto and I have an agreement that if he wont run around harassing other people and animals, he gets a treat. This system works about 95% of the time. But there is one big exception, so if you show up with several animals that look like they need a little direction, treats quickly lose their power.

This type of event occurs twice a day in our neighborhood. We live about 100 yards from a bay. Which means we have a lot of aquatic birds that frequent our area. Add to that fact that several people feed these birds and it guarantees they will continue to show up. Two particular types of birds that show up every day are ducks and geese. The ducks are year around but the geese just come in the winter.

The ducks in our neighborhood are pretty brazen. If they are crossing the street, they dont care if a car or other vehicle (we have a lot of golf carts running around too) is coming, they just saunter across the road taking their sweet time. Theres a steady group of about 15 ducks but on any given day there can be more or less. And these fellows may take 5 or more minutes to walk the 15 feet to cross the road since they often go in a single line.

This group of ducks is really looking for some direction, its plain to see from Tuxcittos perspective. One of the major duck crossings is about 100 yards away from our house. There is a fishing dock and boat launch that the ducks like to frequent. They actually land right in front of the boat launch and swim until they can walk right out of the water as easy as can be.

This has probably being going on ever since the first person showed up to feed the ducks. And many in the neighborhood come down and either leave some food or actually stay and dole it out to the ducks on a regular basis. These ducks can barely fly they are so well feed. They also have quite an attitude and if they feel tired will just site down and go to sleep. And if you would like to use the boat launch, or maybe drive down the frontage road, well thats your tough luck.

In Tuxcittos first few weeks here he would often get out of the yard or off his tether and go wander the neighborhood. We have since overcome this little problem and he generally stays in our yard or may go over and visit the neighbor dogs. But on occasion, when the ducks are especially noisy when they arrive, Tuxcitto cant resist and wants to go herd the ducks.

Now as I mentioned earlier, these ducks are pretty independent. To say they dont want any crazy dog trying to make them go or do something they dont want to is putty it mildly. But they have little choice when Tuxcitto arrives. The only problem is Tuxcitto has no idea where to take them. So he just groups them together and then moves them up and down the area.

To many this is better than just feeding the ducks, but others who have not seen this activity before think that Tuxcitto may eat one. Theres a whole lot of barking and honking going on and some of the ducks take flight, which adds to the circus. The ducks are not going to be denied their free meal and Tuxcitto rarely moves them toward the food.

I usually hear the ruckus, or someone calls, or Tuxcitto brings the herd of ducks home. Yep, some days we have a heard of ducks sitting right in our front yard. Tuxcitto seems to be pacified when he brings them home and as long as they stay in the yard he just sits and watches. And some days the ducks buy into this little circus.

So what kind of magic dog training do you perform to overcome inbred behavior? Im not sure there is any way to stop these natural tendencies in this case. Border Collies were bred to do this type of activity. Tuxcitto is going to herd, thats just part of his make up.

I have been working on trying to give him the opportunity to exercise this skill in the proper setting. I have a friend close by that has a goat farm. I take him down there often, and that is a real challenge since goats have quite a rude disposition. If Tuxcitto wasnt as fast and agile, he would have been butted right in the head more than once. But an hour spent with the goats gives Tuxcitto quite a workout.

Hes pretty good for about a week after. That seems to help but I havent found any permanent solution and Im not sure I ever will. Its well to consider your dogs breed and natural characteristics when ever training your dog. Try to work within the known limitations and not go against natural instincts. Dog training is both an art and a science sometimes.

Many dogs can adapt to new training, when Tuxcitto is within ten feet of me he wont disobey a direct order. But if Im not there to say no, hes going herding come what may. So around duck feeding time I try to remember to bring him in or distract him. But in all fairness, I do have to agree those darn ducks do need some training.

John Dow owns http://www.freedogtrainingarticles.com, a website that provides free information on dog training. John gets to test his dog training skills daily with his new dog Tuxcitto. You can learn more here: http://www.freedogtrainingarticles.com

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Giving your male dog the right name is very important. You will want to choose his name well because you and your dog are going to be companions for a long time. The name you select for your dog reflects on you, your dog, and your relationship.

Some key considerations when selecting a unique male dog name are:

* Choose a name that is easy to say and call out, preferably one or two syllables.

* How does your dog behave? What is his personality? You wouldn’t name a dog ‘Chaos’ if he was sweet, gentle, and calm.

* What are his breed, coat color, and size? For instance, you wouldn’t name a Chihuahua Fluffy (unless you are into irony).

* What is his purpose? Is he going to be a guard dog, a hunting dog, or a traditional household pet?

* What is his breed’s origin? For example, if you have a German Shepherd, consider German male dog names like Fritz. If you have an Irish Setter, maybe an Irish dog name like Conan or Conner would suit him.

* Encourage the whole family to take part in naming your dog.

* Give your dog a name that relates to or says something about your own interests. For instance, if you like to hike and camp, perhaps Scout would be a good name for your dog.

* Pick out several favorite names, then try them on your new dog for a few days to see what you like and what he seems to respond to.

* Avoid names that could be confused with standard commands like come, stay, etc.

* Finally, do you love the name? After all, you will be saying it daily (mostly with pleasure, sometimes with exasperation) for the next 10-plus years.

Valerie Goettsch is web master of My Favorite Dog, a website featuring dozens of articles and information on where to find the best of everything for your dog, from flea meds to beds, training and designer clothes.

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