Madison or Maddy

Dog’s birthday:

11-8-07

How did you obtain your dog?

Siberian Husky breeder in College Station

How old was your dog when you got him/her?

8 weeks old

How would you describe him/ her in 5 words?

Funny, happy, playful, curious, energetic

What’s your dog’s favorite food?

Anything but fruit! She loves Cheetos, carrots, peanut butter, crackers and cat food when she can sneak a bite!

What’s the cutest thing your dog does?

When I’m eating a snack and haven’t given her any, she will sit next to me and touch my leg gently like, “Mom, I’m here!”

What’s the smartest thing your dog does?

Ruth taught her to turn right and left. Now when you get a treat she starts turning in circles.

Anything else you’d like to share about your dog?

Her nickname is Mischka from “Mischka the talking Husky” video on YouTube

Pet Rabbits

Rabbits

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.

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.

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

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?

Any kind of dog 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.

She want to be petted all of the time.

He always has a ball with him.

Fetch (take it & drop)

Teaching fetch is easy. The first thing your dog needs to know for a successful game of fetch is “drop”. Fetch is a super fun game to play with your dog that is also a great way to tire him out. As your dog runs back and forth he’ll burn off energy and will be a better behaved pup. A tired dog tends not to get into too much trouble.

The first part of this exercise is “take it”, this is a wonderful trick that will prevent your dog from exhibiting poor manners and yanking toys, food and various objects out of your hand. 

Begin with a large toy that you can hold onto securely while your dog holds onto the other end. A rope toy, frisbee or toys that squeak are fine, don’t use a tennis ball because it is too hard to hold onto it once it is inside your dog’s mouth mouth.

Say, “take it” and offer it to your dog while keeping a good hold on it. The second your dog’s mouth goes around it mark it with a click (if she is clicker trained) or a “yes”. She should know by now that the marker means a treat will follow. She will instantly drop the toy so you can feed her the treat. Some dogs need to see the treat or smell the treat after you click to be sure they will get something yummy for relinquishing the object. When she does open her mouth, feed her the treat and praise. Repeat this several times in a row until you are pretty sure that every time you offer the toy she will gladly take it.

Now say, “take it” and when she does tell her good girl and start playing with the toy by shaking it gently or moving it up and down so she will tug on it. After a few seconds hold your hands still and say, “drop”. Some dogs will automatically drop when they realize the toy is now static and therefore no fun, while others might need a little treat incentive to want to drop it. When she opens her mouth to release the toy click, feed her the treat and then offer the toy again. She will soon be relinquishing the toy on the “drop” cue.

If you find that she is not dropping the toy consistently, try with tastier treats or a pretty boring toy.

At this point you can turn it into a game where sometimes after she drops the toy you click and treat and sometimes she just gets the toy back and you play some more. Like this, you can begin to play with your dog in a nice orderly fashion where you are not concerned about the dog jumping up or grabbing.  

Now you are ready to play fetch. When she drops the toy, instead of offering it again immediately, play with it yourself and toss it saying “fetch”. As she runs to it tell her how proud you are and what a great dog she is. Let her run around with the toy for a bit and then cue her to drop it. If you find that she is having too much fun to listen, you can start playing with a second toy. When she sees how much fun you are having she’ll want that toy instead of the one in her mouth. Once she is paying attention to the new toy, she will drop the other one, giving you a chance to pick that one up and continue the game. It is important that you make the toy fun, you can squeak it, throw it up in the air, dance around with it, or whatever you can come up with.

Make sure that you end the game before your dog gets too tired and doesn’t want to bring the toy back. You can ask for it one last time and give her a cookie for the last drop or you can reward her with a lot of praise and petting while you put the toy away. 

Once your dog is happy to fetch for you, you can use different toys, balls, sticks, etc. And best of all, if you go a bit further with training you can ask her to fetch the paper, shoes, keys and all sorts of other useful fetching.

How to choose a breeder.

Dog breeders are not all the same, there are mass breeders (puppy mills) and smaller breeders that can be experts in the breed or just back yard breeders that want to make a buck. Finding a great dog breeder can be the best thing you ever do for your family. The right breeder will provide information and a certain level of guarantee of what dog you’ll get when that puppy is all grown up. That being said, you need to do your homework… before you even look for a breeder make sure you read up on the breed you are interested in. Only get a dog when you are ready and get a dog that fits your family’s time and activity levels. Some people make the mistake of getting a dog because they like the look of a certain breed without realizing the dog might be all wrong for them. Choosing the right breed for you is as important as choosing the right breeder. No matter what breed of dog you like, there are always exceptions to the rule in size, temperament and personalities, but by choosing a breeder correctly you’ll be more likely to predict how that pup will turn out. Here are some things to look out for in a dog breeder.

The breeder has as many or more questions for you than you do for him or her. A reputable breeder is concerned for the breed standards, the life the dog will lead, your intentions to breed, the time and space you have available, etc.

Check references, most of the legitimate breeders out there will be happy to tell you about other pups they bred that have gone on to do great things. Most of them keep in close touch with past clients, they know how the puppies turned out, what they are good at, health issues, etc. All you need to do is ask and once you ask, call the past clients. See if the claims match, did last year's puppy actually go on to compete in novice obedience? Is the agility champion actually a champion? Did the puppy from two years ago save the kid from falling in the pool?

They should check your references... The breeder should also check up on you. You should be asked to provide references yourself. Friends, family or coworkers who have seen you interact with animals. Check with your references to see if they were contacted. A good breeder will be very thorough and won't sell a puppy to just anyone.

The breeder does something with the adult dogs other than breeding them. Conformation, dog sports, therapy, etc. Look for a puppy with accomplished parents not necessarily an impressive bloodline. It can be very easy to purchase the grandson of a champion to make a bloodline look good.

The breeder only breeds one breed of dog. It takes a very long time to become an expert in a breed, so most reputable breeders only have that kind of expertise in one dog breed. Some might have a couple of dogs that are a different breed and eventually start breeding a second breed. Puppy mills usually breed tons of different breeds at the same time and since they know you know, they have started splitting websites making it a bit harder to spot them, but with a little research, looking at phone numbers and names listed you can make sure the breeder you choose is a legitimate and responsible breeder.

The breeder should only be mating adult dogs (at least two years old before breeding) and the females should have no more than one litter per year. The breeder should only have one litter at a time. This means you might have to wait to get your dog.

The breeder should be telling you more about the parents, than the puppies. Their  temperament, accomplishments, background and even shortcomings. Once she's covered all about the parents, aunts and uncles, and grandparents even, then they might give you some details about the puppies available. They should have specifics about the puppies interacting, who plays with whom, who's a bit shy, how they react to new things, etc.

Visit the breeder's home if you can. This should be the home where the puppies and mother live, not a kennel. Make sure you visit before you purchase. Look at the place where the pups are kept.

Good breeders can provide health test results. Not just say the dogs have been tested, but the actual results. It is very important that you read up on the breed you are interested in so you can ask to see appropriate health tests. The results of the Great Dane's parents hips x-rays, the heart health condition of that Cavalier's parents, etc.

If at any point your gut tells you there is something amiss, back out! It is better to keep looking, than taking a dog home that you are unsure of. Never buy a dog on a whim, think about the decision carefully. Visit the parents, see the litter of puppies interact, ask questions and then leave. Give yourself time to think, talk it over with all family members and only when you are ready go back and choose a puppy. In some cases you might have to wait, either because all the puppies have been sold or you are just not feeling a connection with any of the puppies available. This is not a bad thing. It gives you time to think and reassurance of the breeder's capabilities. Only take a puppy if you are absolutely sure, also remember there are many mixed breed puppies who need a home and many breed specific rescues who can help you find the breed you like.