Many people keep rabbits as pets and it is no surprise since these furry fellows are great companions. It is important however to know that they are not small dogs or cats, and definitely not a practice pet for children. These beautiful animals have a life expectancy of about 10 years and can live into their teens when taken care of properly. They have distinctive personalities and can be funny and quite expressive.
Rabbits and young children tend not to mix well. Pet rabbits do much better in homes with older children and adults, they can also get along quite well with other family pets like dogs and cats when introduced properly. When meeting a new rabbit, make sure that you start by petting them on the head and back, don’t offer your hand for a sniff as you would with a dog because odds are the bunny will think your hand is something to chew on.
Most rabbits kept as pets can easily learn to respond to their name, they can also learn some simple cues and how to use a litter box. Rabbits love to get under, over around and through barriers, to the point that some owners are almost proud of their rabbit’s abilities. At first bunnies tend to explore the less exposed parts of a room, like under the sofa and close to the walls, some thumping is not unusual when they explore and as they feel comfortable in the space they will venture further out.
Rabbits kept in the busier parts of a home tend to adapt to family life much sooner than those kept in a separate room. It is important to bunny proof your home as they will chew on practically anything. It is a good idea for your rabbit to have his own space as well, a large crate or puppy pen, works well for times when you are not watching them. Their space should be at least 3ft long and have a smooth bottom to prevent injuries.
It is recommended to exercise your rabbit for several hours every day. Since rabbits are most active in the early mornings and evenings, they adapt quite well to working, busy families. They can play and hop around while you are home in the morning and evening, then rest in their space while you are at work or school.
Keeping your rabbit busy will keep him happy. Pet rabbit toys, rabbit chew toys, mazes and interactive treat toys are all great options to keep a bunny entertained. Many rabbit owners choose to build their own cardboard mazes which they can alter and add to throughout their bunnies lives. It is important to get those chew toys since rabbit’s teeth grow continuously throughout their lives. A great idea is to bunny proof an area of the living room where your bunny can romp around safely and have tons of fun with toys and mazes while you can’t watch him.
There are more than four dozen recognized breeds of domestic rabbits and plenty of mixed breeds. They vary in size between 2 and 20 lbs full grown. Their fur colors include black, white, tan, red, harlequin, sable and several others. That fur can then be a different texture like: normal, rex, satin or wool. Rabbits come in 5 distinct body types, fully arched, semi arched, compact, commercial or cylindrical. And their ears can be either upright or lopped (dropping by the sides of the head or sticking out like a helicopter).
A rabbit’s diet should be mostly unlimited fresh grass or hay. You should add dark leafy greens daily, about one cup of greens per two lbs. of rabbit. Those greens should be rotated so your bunny is eating different greens from meal to meal. You can occasionally feed other veggies in very small amounts as well as high fiber rabbit pellets. Fresh water should be available at all times for your rabbit.
A pet rabbit should be gently brushed regularly to help remove excess hair. They will also need nail trims regularly. It is important to note that not all small animal veterinarians have experience with rabbits so it is a great idea to find a rabbit expert for your bunny’s needs.
Spaying and neutering rabbits is a must since the males tend to spray and the females can get territorial when intact. Having more than one rabbit in a household can be tricky and it is only recommended for very experienced rabbit owners.
If you are interested in reading more about pet rabbits, please visit www.rabbit.org or www.raising-rabbits.com you will find all sorts of useful information. You can also find tips, information on behavior, health diet and housing in the “House Rabbit Handbook” by Marinell Harriman.
Wednesday, August 10, 2016
The Jack Russell Terrier
Jack Russell Terriers are some of the most intelligent dogs you will ever meet. These feisty little guys were bred as hunters. Reverend Jack Russell of Devon, England created the breed in 1870. He was looking for an agile, fearless dog for hunting that was small enough to follow foxes when they “go to ground” or burrow.
Jack Russell Terriers are usually about 11 inches tall and weigh between 10 and 17 pounds. With proper care their life expectancy is about 15 years. This dog was initially bred to be almost completely white as a way to distinguish them from the game they were hunting. Today, most Jack Russells are still predominantly white with tan, or black markings on the head, muzzle and back. They come in two distinct coats, smooth and ruff or wire. The smooth coated Jack Russells will shed a bit more than the wire haired, but occasional brushing and bathing is all they really need. They have very expressive little faces with almond shaped eyes and v-shaped drop ears. Their bodies are sturdy and muscular, since they were bred to fit in small holes their shoulders shouldn’t be too broad.
This dog is hyper, with boundless energy and a fearless personality. After all, they were used to run amongst horses. They are charming and affectionate but also fiercely independent. Jack Russell Terriers do best with active families of adults and older children. These, like most terriers, are very rambunctious and can be quite overwhelming for inexperienced dog owners and younger children. They are very agile and can jump more than 5 times their height.
These dogs are highly trainable but have a mind of their own. Don’t be fooled by the Jack Russells seen on TV and the movies, those dogs have received vigorous training by dedicated professionals. Due to their superior intelligence, training needs to start early and be consistent and challenging for the dog. Jack Russells have been known to outsmart the average dog owner and can turn highly destructive and disruptive when bored.
Due to their high prey drive and burrowing abilities, expect barking and digging from this amazing hunter. Jack Russell Terriers will require a daily routine of at least one hour of running or other vigorous exercise to stay happy and healthy.
With proper exercise, a Jack Russell can adapt to almost any environment. They have a double coat that helps them stay cool in warmer climates and warm in the cooler, wet climates. Jack Russell Terriers are happiest when they have a large fenced in yard to run freely. They have a high prey drive and are naturally curious and independent which means that most Jack Russells will not be contained by an electronic fence. This breed needs to be walked on a secure leash. Since these terriers were bred to chase game, expect charging behind squirrels, cats, birds and any other small creature.
Jack Russells need engaging homes or they will find their own entertainment. Usually not in the most amusing manner for their pet parents.
So if you are an experienced dog owner with plenty of time for training and exercise, with a sense of humor and adventure, then this smart, feisty and quirky little fellow might be just the dog for you.
Thursday, August 4, 2016
House training tips
1. Stay ahead of the dog’s needs. Its better to take them out a little more often than necessary. But don’t over do it because then they won’t understand why you are out there.
2. About 20 minutes after eating, drinking, waking up or playing hard they should go outside.
3. Keep your dog in a small enclosure and as they are able to keep that area clean give them a little more space. Begin with a crate or small laundry room or bathroom, then the bathroom open to the hallway with gates that block off the rest of the house and so on. We suggest that you give dogs a little more space once they can keep the designated area clean for a week.
4. Make sure you clean with enzyme based cleaners following directions closely. These will break down the particles in the pee and poop so the spot no longer smells of it to the dog. If it smells like a spot where they have gone potty before they are likely to repeat the behavior, so these products avoid that.
5. If your dog has an accident while you are not around, just clean up and continue with the regular schedule. If you catch the pup in the act, rush them outside, if you get a single drop outside reward enthusiastically when they are done. Then move back inside and clean up the area. There is no need to reprimand the dog at any time, this actually causes more problems than it fixes. We want your dog to be comfortable going potty in front of you so house training can be successful.
6. Take your pup outside on a leash or out to a pen, this will reduce distractions. So potty first. Then go for a walk or play in the yard.
7. It is important to keep an eye on both water and food intake. Free feeding is not a good idea while your dog is being house trained. If they are on a schedule you will be able to predict when they need to go outside.
8. Exercise is also a factor when potty training. If you have had a long walk with your pup the first thing they do when you get back is gulp down a bowl of water right? This means that in about 20 minutes all that water will need to come out, so plan ahead considering this. Always leave your dog on an empty bladder, not a full one.
Good luck and if you need any help, give our trainer a call for a consultation.
(817)456 6920
Monday, August 1, 2016
Nipples, Storm, Red
Dog’s birthday:
Aug 2013
June 2007
Aug 2013
How did you obtain your dog?
Nipples is a rescue, she is Red’s sister
Rescue
Red is also a rescue, he is Nipple’s brother.
How old was your dog when you got him/her?
10 weeks old
1 year old
10 weeks old
How would you describe him/ her in 5 words?
Loving, happy, playful, irritates her brother
Patient, loving, loyal and fits her name.
Loving, happy, playful, loves to play ball.
What’s your dog’s favorite food?
Anykind ofdog treat
What’s the cutest thing your dog does?
On Saturday and Sunday, if the sun is up she puts a paw on my shoulder to let me know its time to go running.
She follow me everywhere and lies as close to me as possible.
He loves to give kisses, especially at 3:00 am
What’s the smartest thing your dog does?
She can bump left or bump right on command.
She knows what kind of day I’ve had.
He knows his left from his right.
Anything else you’d like to share about your dog?
She was named Nipples because she was a breast cancer puppy Christmas card.
