Did You Know

Did you know?...

The Chihuahua is the only breed of dog to be born with an incomplete skull. They have a "molera", a soft spot in the skull which fills in with age.

Smells are important to a dog. About 33% of a dog's brain is devoted to processing olfactory information, while in humans it is more like 5%.

The Chow Chow and the Chinese Shar Pei both have characteristic blue/black tongues. However, black spots on a mixed breed's tongue does not always mean it is part Chow, many breeds have been known to have spotted tongues.

An estimated 1 million dogs in the United States have been named as the primary beneficiary in their owner's will.

The Boxer holds the record for the longest tongue!

The Basenji is the only dog that cannot bark. Although they can make a wide variety of other dog noises including a yodelling sound.

Canine distemper is a viral disease of dogs that is highly contagious and can be fatal. One of the ways a dog can catch distemper is by sniffing fecal matter of an infected wild animal such as skunk, raccoon, etc., that has the disease, or drinking from water used by these animals. It is very important to keep your pet's vaccinations up to date!

It is estimated that 99% of puppies sold by pet stores come from puppy mills. A puppy mill is a large commercial breeding facility where profit has priority over the wellbeing of the dogs. Puppy mill puppies have numerous health and behavioral issues including nervousness and fear due to lack of socialization. Puppy mills are cruel and inhumane in so many ways - don't buy puppies from pet stores!
Click here or here to learn more.

The top five most popular dogs in the U.S., according to Market Research, are:
1. Labrador Retriever
2. Golden Retriever
3. German Shepherd
4. Beagle
5. Dachshund

The Irish Wolfhound is the largest dog, and the Chihuahua is the smallest dog.

According to the Humane Society of America, 70,000 puppies and kittens are born each day in America, compared to 10,000 human babies. That's a 7 to 1 ratio. Please spay and neuter your pets! Working together we can bring the staggering number of homeless and euthanized animals down.

Puppies are born blind, deaf and toothless.

Learning Center

Find helpful information about some of the most common topics in training, health and other dog-related issues. Local experts and professionals in various fields will be contributing to our Learning Center as it grows. If you have a suggestion for an article, or a question, submit it to us! Since we are still in the infant stages, we have only a few topics but hope to build a library of topics very soon. Keep watching!

* We strive for consistency in information as much as possible, but please check with your own vet or professional trainer for information specific for your dog. Please read our Disclaimers regarding your use of this information. All articles are copyrighted and may not be reprinted or used without written permission.

Articles

Hiring a Pet Detective
House Training Your Puppy
How to Stop Your Dog from Pulling on the Leash
How to Teach Your Dog to Go Into the Crate Willingly
Lost Pet Prevention
Nutrition Tips for a Dog with Cancer
Pet Food 101: Becoming a Label Reader
Protecting Your Pet From Household Hazards
Rainbow Bridge
The Benefits of Walking Your Dog
The Perfect Dog
What is Your Dog Learning Today?
Why Use Doggie Day Care or Overnight Boarding?

Tips of the Month

November 2009 - Being a Responsible Dog Owner
December 2009 - Holiday Safety Tips For Your Pets
January 2010 - The Importance of Microchipping Your Pet
February 2010 - Is Chocolate Really Bad For Dogs?
March 2010 - How to Keep Your Dog From Being Bored
April 2010 - Dog Sports and Activities
May 2010 - 10 Ways to Prevent a Dog Bite
June 2010 - What to Do if Your Dog Gets Skunked
July 2010 - Summer Heat and Your Dog
August 2010 - Dealing with Lawn Burnout Spots from Dog Urine

Dog Breed Reference

Learn all about your dog... history of the breed, what they were bred for, temperament, lifespan, health issues, etc. Get to know your dog and his own unique needs a little better! Submit a breed request to us!

Boxer
Chihuahua
Doberman Pinscher
Jack Russell Terrier
Labrador Retriever

Quick Tips

Leash Pulling
Teach Your Dog to "Wait"
Umbilical Cord Exercise

Teaching your dog the command, "Wait", can be beneficial in so many ways. Have her wait until you say she can eat her food (great for frenzied eaters), wait before going out a door or getting in a car, taking a treat, etc. It establishes your leadership, calms the dog, gets her attention and gives you a lot of control! Takes a bit of training work initially, although you can turn it into a game while she's learning. Once she understands what it means, you can use it for tons of stuff!

Try this at home with a puppy or new dog. Tie a long leash to your waist with your dog hooked to the other end. Just go about your business doing what you would normally do, and he will have to stay right with you. This strengthens your bond, establishes you as the leader and helps tremendously with potty training a puppy because you can keep an eye on him. Do this exercise for an hour or so each day and you'll be amazed at the results!

Let your dog control the walk! Yes, that's right! (Well, sort of) When he pulls, you slow down. The harder he pulls, the slower you go, you can stop if he's real persistent. When he relaxes the leash you go faster. It's like giving him the gas pedal. He will learn that pulling makes you go slower, walking on loose leash makes you go faster forward. You want him to turn around and look at you and relax, then you go. No need to say anything or snap the leash, remain calm. If you are consistent he should catch on quickly but be patient and keep it up!

Articles and Tips were written by Cincinnati Dog Pages
unless otherwise noted.