A group of Bay Area pit bull advocates is helping in the evaluation of dozens of pit bulls seized in connection with the federal dog-fighting case against Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick, officials said Wednesday. Donna Reynolds, director of Bay Area Dog Lovers Responsible About Pit Bulls, or Bad Rap, said three certified animal behaviorists from her group will be part of the eight-person team that will look at the dogs beginning next week. In his plea agreement filed in federal court, Vick agreed to pay restitution for the costs of treating the 53 dogs, including long-term care or euthanasia. Bad Rap is a nonprofit group of pit bull owners, rescuers and supporters that seeks to educate the public about what it calls a “misunderstood breed” that is often unfairly stigmatized after reports of maulings. Once the animal behaviorists are finished with their evaluation of the dogs, the ASPCA will make its recommendations as to the dogs’ future in a report to the U. read more

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A blind man is being evicted from his Christchurch City Council flat for keeping a dog which he said turned his life around. Travis Hardy was yesterday issued with an eviction notice by the Tenancy Tribunal after failed attempts at mediation. I wasn’t leaving my house, and then I get this dog who’s young, and he’s tearing around, chewing my house up and I didn’t know what else to do so I started walking him and I got my confidence back. Community support manager Catherine McDonald said Hardy had been told he would have to get the dog registered as a guide dog if it was to stay. The council had tried to go into mediation with Hardy about the dog earlier this month, but he did not turn up. The eviction notice was suspended until September 10, pending the permanent removal of the dog. read more

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Adam G. Katz

Building the bond with your dog is really quite easy. If you recognize that you have a relationship with your dog, then building the bond comes down to nothing more than increasing the strength of that relationship.
And as with any relationship, building a bond requires:

1.) Spending quality time together.
2.) Getting out in the world and experiencing life together.
3.) Establishing and promoting a level of mutual respect.
4.) Developing a way of communicating so that both individuals understand the other’s needs. (Hmmm… maybe I should be writing self-help books for humans???)

Let’s take a look at each of these key points to see how they can have a positive affect on your daily dog training:
1.) Spending quality time together.
Spending quality time together does not mean sharing a beer with Fido while the two of you lay in front of the television. Well, okay… maybe it does.
But more importantly, it means committing to a series of rituals and behaviors that you and your dog can look forward to.
For example, I often throw Forbes (the Pit Bull) in the back of the truck when I wake up in the morning and we go for a drive down to the local McDonald’s Drive-thru. For most of the drive, Forbes is either still wiping the sleep out of his eyes, or he’s doing the guard dog routine if someone walks up to the back of the truck.
But the highlight of this morning ritual begins when we get home. It’s Forbes’ job to hop out of the back of the truck and take the empty McDonald’s brown paper bag in his mouth, walk down the drive way, around the gate, into the back yard, and then over to the trash can… where he drops the bag.
Sure, it’s a stupid pet trick. But see how disappointed the dog is when *I* insist on carrying the bag to the trash can!
From the dog’s point of view, it’s the 30 or 40 little things throughout the day (that he can help me with) that make his life worth living. And for the dog, this is spending quality. It all boils down to being an active participant in each other’s lives.

2.) Getting out in the world and experiencing life together:
It had been years since Bud and Janice’s kids had grown and left the house for college and later, corporate jobs. Bud had wanted a dog for several months and Janice finally gave in.
They decided to adopt a beautiful 5 year-old Golden Retriever and proceeded to train “Mac,” using many of the techniques I describe in my book, “Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer!” (To learn more about this book, go to http://hop.clickbank.net/?1greatdog/agkatz).
Janice got scared when Bud came back from his first walk around the neighborhood with “Mac” and ran into the house yelling, “Janice! Janice! You won’t believe what happened!!!”
“Oh my gawd,” though Janice, thinking that perhaps “Mac” had bitten a child, or run away.
“What happened?” Janice questioned her husband.
“You won’t believe it, Janice,” said Bud, “I took ‘Mac’ for a walk… AND PEOPLE ACTUALLY CAME UP AND TALKED TO ME!!!”
Imagine that! Here’s a guy who had lived in the same neighborhood for eight years and didn’t know any of his neighbors until he got a dog and started taking it for walks. Dogs are a wonderful excuse to get you out of the house and interacting with the world around you.
It’s also one of the many reasons that handicapped people like owning service dogs… because it makes it easier for other people to come up and start a conversation.
And do you think that “Mac” minded all of the attention? Absolutely not.
As a matter of fact, I think that my dog Forbes is happiest when we’re out in the world, meeting new people and experiencing new things together. Two best friends, out on the town.
You should see the look on Forbes’ face when two or three beautiful women walk up and start rubbing his belly.
Even better… you should see the look on my face!

3.) Establishing and promoting a level of mutual respect.
Just like with any relationship, there must be mutual trust and respect.
Trust comes with time, and proving to your dog that you will keep him safe and happy.
Respect, just like with human relationships, comes from establishing boundaries and treating any breach of those boundaries with firmness and fairness. Without enforceable boundaries, there is no respect. And when there is no respect, your relationship with your dog will be out of balance. And trust me, when your relationship with your dog is out of balance… nobody’s having fun.

4.) Developing a way of communicating so that both individuals understand the other’s needs.
Developing a way of communicating gets back to laying a proper foundation with your dog training. And this relates specifically to making your praise and your corrections motivational.
Once your dog understands clearly when he’s doing something RIGHT… and when he’s doing something WRONG… a magical thing starts to happen. You find that you are actually COMMUNICATING!!!
And being able to communicate with your dog is what allows you to go anywhere and do anything with your dog and know that he’ll listen to you.

There are four primary ways that dogs communicate with us, and with each other:
1.) Body language.
2.) Vocal tonation and voice inflection.
3.) Touch.
4.) Scent.
All of my dog training techniques try to incorporate as many of these elements as possible. In sum, you can think of dog training as a word that can be easily substituted for the word, “communication.”
Do you want to be able to take your dog anywhere, and KNOW that he’ll listen to you… even if tempted by another dog, a cat, or even a piece of food??? Then check out: “Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer: An Insider’s Guide To The Most Jealously Guarded Dog Training Secrets In History!” By Adam G. Katz, Owner of South Bay K-9 Academy. For more information, go to:
http://tinyurl.com/4efaq

About the Author

Author, “Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer!” which you can read more about at:
http://tinyurl.com/4efaq

THE parents of a two-week-old girl mauled to death by their siberian husky have consented to have the family dog put down. The father entered the room to find the dog with its paws on the cot, Detective Sergeant Martin Baraiolo said. Detective Sergeant Jason Beesley said the parents thought the dog was in the backyard at the time of the tragedy. RSPCA spokeswoman Marianne Ellis said the death highlighted the importance of dog training and supervising pets and children. Under West Australian law, the decision to euthanase a pet is left to the owner but police could have applied to have the dog put down. From here you can use the Social Web links to save Family dog mauls newborn to death to a social bookmarking site. read more

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A TWO-week-old Perth girl was mauled to death by a family dog a week after coming home from hospital. Police said the baby had been sleeping in a cot next to the parents’ bedroom while they were in the lounge. Police said the dog had been a family pet for at least five years. Police said the parents told them the dog was supposed to be outside and they mistakenly believed the dog was outside at the time of the attack. read more

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Ron Swerdfiger

Separation Anxiety In Dogs
By Ron Swerdfiger

www.web-rover.com

What is Separation Anxiety?

When you leave the house, it is nice to know that your dog goes to his favorite spot and sleeps peacefully until you return. However dogs suffering from separation anxiety are not so lucky. Separation anxiety can appear in dogs that have not been properly socialized, dogs that have been moved from one home to another and dogs that are naturally nervous.

Your dog is a social, pack animal who relies on the others (you) for individual protection and security. Dogs that lack confidence, due to socialization issues, understanding of expected behavior, or possible maltreatment in the past (adopted dogs), are more likely to exhibit behaviors related to separation anxiety

Essentially, when you leave to go to work, or even just to the corner store for five minutes, you dog becomes upset, stressed and confused. Dogs with separation anxiety can do everything from whining and barking, to ripping apart your couch and eating your duck feathered pillow.

How do I know if my dog has Separation Anxiety?

There is much debate over the cause of separation anxiety. some believe it is a lack of confidence that causes the dog to rely to much on their humans. In this case, you have to teach your dog to accept the fact that you are leaving, and it’s going to be ok.

If you have a dog with separation anxiety, you will know. Dogs will usually exhibit a combination of the following:

- The behavior often occurs when the dog is left alone.
- The dog makes a Abig deal@ when his owner leaves, or comes home.
- Well left alone the dog will exhibit behavior which is not common to his normal behavior.
- The dog may not eat if the owner is not in the room
- The dog will follow his owner around constantly

What ever the cause is, here are some techniques for solving the problem.

What can be done?

Make your Departure and Arrival Routine

Make your dog realize that your departures and arrivals are nothing to get excited over. Usually the dog feels the greatest amount of anxiety shortly after you leave. Therefore you need to practice with your dog the “routine” of coming and going.

Lots of Exercise!

Exercise is believed to relieve stress in both humans and dogs alike. A long walk, run, or play session prior to leaving can go a long way in helping to reduce the stress and anxiety of your dog.

Give Your Dog Something to Do While You Are gone.

If your dog has something entertaining to do while you are away, he will be less likely to become stressed and anxious. A stuffed Kong filled with a tasty treat is an excellent example.

Confine Your Dog While You Are Away

Some dogs are more comfortable being confined to their own Aden.@ A crate is an ideal space for your dog. A dog who is properly crate trained is less susceptible to get in to trouble while you are gone. If a crate is not an option, confine him to one room or limit access to the whole house.

Introduce Another Dog

If your dog has another companion to keep him company while you=re gone, it may help alleviate the boredom and tension caused while you are away. Of course this is only “one” option. There are many other factors to take into consideration before adding another dog to your home.

Set Aside Time For Four Dog

Make time during your day to give undivided attention to your dog. This time can be spent playing, teaching, or even just taking a nap together. If possible, try to make this one-on-one time prior to departures.

Leave the Radio or TV On

Leave a radio on in a separate room. The dog will hear the voice and will feel less alone. Some people even leave voice recordings of themselves in hopes to calm the dog.

Depending on the severity of anxiety, you may need to contact a behavior specialist through your vet.

Ths website only provides BASIC information about Seperation Anxiety. your veterinarian is always your best source of health information. Consult your veterinarian for more information about Seperation Anxiety and its prevention.

About the Author

For more great articles on dog health check out http://www.web-rover.com/forum/kb.php?mode=cat&cat=7

Nice folks working there, a fun atmosphere, a not-too-ambitious menu with some imaginative selections — the kind of place you want in your neighborhood, especially when you’re too tired to cook. Again, the aioli dipping sauce — this time flavored with cilantro — showed what the kitchen is capable of if more attention were paid to detail. A salad of red and yellow beets with Belgian endive and other greens, pecans and goat cheese would work very well with grilled chicken on top, but it would cost you $13. The fun atmosphere — polished hardwood floors, yellow walls hung with the bright works of local artists — also involves a lot of noise, which is not so fun. The wine list is remarkably short for a place that has dishes like “lemongrass encrusted tuna served rare with wilted arugula and beet tops, parmesan cheese and a puttanesca sauce. read more

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Kirsten Hawkins

Dog owners love to think of their dogs as children. “That’s my baby,” they’ll say when referring to their dogs. They’ll refer to themselves as “Mommy” or “Daddy” when talking to their dogs as well. And, of course, they buy their dogs toys to play with. Choosing the right dog toys can be tricky. People like to get cute, squeaky toys for their dogs or give them stuffed animals to chew on and carry around (the stuffed toy becomes the dog’s “baby” quite often - “Get your baby, checkers! Checkers, where’s your baby?”) because they think it’s “adorable.” Dog toys don’t need to be “cute.” They need to be practical, fun for the dog, durable, and safe.

Avoid Non-Toy “Toys”

For as lovable, loyal, friendly, and playful as they are, dogs are not the brightest creatures. They are naturally attracted to things that can cause them the most harm. It’s important to start early with your dog, providing save toys to chew and play with while teaching the animal to avoid household items it may wish to use as toys. Dogs love to chew on pantyhose, for example, but these could easily be partially ingested, choking the dog. Some dogs will chew on power cords, risking a harmful (or fatal) electric shock. Teach your dog early on what things are for chewing and playing and what things are off limits.

The Best, Safest Dog Toys

The size of a toy is an important consideration. Kongs, balls, and other typical toys must be small enough that the dog can chew them and carry them, but not so small that they can become lodged in the dog’s mouth or throat.

Durability is a factor, especially for a dog that loves to chew. A toy that will break apart easily can become a hazard as the small, sharp parts can be swallowed, caught in the throat, or cut the mouth and gums. Again, a hard rubber Kong (easily one of the best dog toys ever conceived) is an excellent choice.

Softer toys, like the popular “squeak” toys made of thin plastic and full of air are good for dogs that are a bit gentler. They’re unlikely to chew through such items and are usually attracted by the squeaking sound.

Tennis balls are great for some dogs, but poor choices for others. This is a question of size ratios. If the dog is too small to fit a tennis ball all the way in its mouth, then it can be an excellent toy that the dog will love but costs very little. If the ball can fit all the way in the dog’s maw, however, it becomes a choking hazard.

About the Author: Kirsten Hawkins is a dog lover and animal expert from Nashville, TN. Visit http://www.doghealth411.com/ for more information on dog health, the care of dogs, and dog travel.

Source: www.isnare.com

It alleges that Michael Vick, one of the highest paid football stars in America, and three friends ran a dog-fighting venture, Bad Newz Kennels, from 2001. The indictment alleges that in 2003 Vick’s friend Purnell Peace, “after consulting with Vick about the losing female pit bull’s condition, executed the losing dog by wetting the dog down with water and electrocuting the animal”. Vick, 27, faces the prospect of swapping his lucrative lifestyle - he has a $130m contract with the Atlanta Falcons plus sponsorship deals with Nike and other sportswear companies - for mopping prison floors for 12 cents an hour. But his father, Michael Boddie, in an interview published yesterday in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, claimed Vick had staged dog fights in the garage of the family’s home in Newport News in 2001. A study by Chicago police department of 332 people arrested on crimes linked to dog-fighting and other animal abuses between 2001 and 2004 found those involved were predominantly male (91%) and “a strikingly large percentage are members of criminal street gangs” (59%). read more

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A family believed to have brought the animal to Colorado could face charges that carry fines and jail time, said Larry Rogstad, a district officer for the state Division of Wildlife. The 3-month-old, 15-pound buck was spotted Wednesday morning, running and playing with a neighborhood dog named Skeeter along on the Poudre River trail, a path that runs through Greeley and the nearby town of Windsor. The animal, dubbed “Poudre” by passers-by, was taken to a wildlife refuge where handlers will try to get it ready to return to its natural habitat. Rogstad said members of the family believed to have brought the animal from Wyoming could face charges including illegal possession of live wildlife. It wasn’t immediately clear why Rogstad believed the animal was brought from Wyoming, about 40 miles north of Greeley. Antelope are found in both states, but the nearest indigenous antelope are about 20 miles from the city. read more

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