Dog Training: Animal Experts Debunk the Alpha-Dog Myth

By JENINNE LEE-ST. JOHN Jeninne Lee-st. John – Fri Jul 30, 7:20 am ET
Dogs are descended from wolves. Wolves live in hierarchical packs in which the aggressive alpha male rules over everyone else. Therefore, humans need to dominate their pet dogs to get them to behave.

This logic has dominated the canine-rearing conversation for more than five years, thanks mostly to National Geographic's award-winning show, Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan. (See photos of a real-life hotel for dogs.)

But many experts say Millan's philosophy is based on now-debunked animal studies and that some of his techniques - most famously the alpha roll, in which he pins a dog on its back and holds it by the throat - are downright cruel. Rival trainer Victoria Stilwell has launched a competitive assault on Dog Whisperer by starring on Animal Planet's It's Me or the Dog and by spreading her system of positive-reinforcement training virtually and with troops on the ground: this June she launched a podcast (available on positively.com and iTunes) and franchised her methods to a first batch of 20 dog trainers in the U.S., the U.K., Italy and Greece. She uses positivity as a counterpoint to dominance theory and reserves her aggression for the poorly behaving humans.

For complete article: http://news.yahoo.com/s/time/20100730/hl_time/08599200725000

Rare Cross between and zebra and a donkey

Four-day-old Zedonk, rare cross
A four-day-old Zedonk, a rare cross between a zebra and a donkey, stands next to her mother at the Chestatee Wildlife Preserve in Lumpkin County, Ga. Monday July 26, 2010. The director of the preserve says it is the first time in 40 years that a zedonk has been born there.

Salem, Oregon Dog Parks

Salem, Oregon has Dog Parks with maps and descriptions provided. Search by zip code or add in dog parks to find the best dog friendly location for your travels.

http://www.dogparkusa.com/parks/OR/Salem

Oregon Dog Parks

Arcadia Beach State Recreation Site
Bullards Beach State Park
Carl G. Washburne Memorial State Park
D River State Recreation Site
Ecola State Park
Fogarty Creek State Recreation Area
Harris Beach State Park
Heceta Head Lighthouse State Scenic Viewpoint
Hug Point State Recreation Site
McVay Rock State Recreation Site
Minto Brown Island Park Off Leash Dog Area
Nehalem Bay State Park
Orchard Heights Park Off Leash Dog Area
Oregon State Parks and BeachesOswald West State Park
Pistol River State Scenic Viewpoint
Roads End State Recreation Site
Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor
Keizer Dog Park

Horse sayings

There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man. ~Winston Churchill


Horse sense is the thing a horse has which keeps it from betting on people. ~W.C. Fields


Riding: The art of keeping a horse between you and the ground. ~Author Unknown


It is not enough for a man to know how to ride; he must know how to fall. ~Mexican Proverb


The wagon rests in winter, the sleigh in summer, the horse never. ~Yiddish Proverb


Many people have sighed for the 'good old days' and regretted the 'passing of the horse,' but today, when only those who like horses own them, it is a far better time for horses. ~C.W. Anderson


No hour of life is wasted that is spent in the saddle. ~Winston Churchill


People on horses look better than they are. People in cars look worse than they are. ~Marya Mannes


Horses and children, I often think, have a lot of the good sense there is in the world. ~Josephine Demott Robinson


It's always been and always will be the same in the world: The horse does the work and the coachman is tipped. ~Author Unknown


Heaven is high and earth wide. If you ride three feet higher above the ground than other men, you will know what that means. ~Rudolf C. Binding


He knows when you're happy
He knows when you're comfortable
He knows when you're confident
And he always knows when you have carrots.
~Author Unknown


The wind of heaven is that which blows between a horse's ears. ~Arabian Proverb


Ah, steeds, steeds, what steeds! Has the whirlwind a home in your manes? Is there a sensitive ear, alert as a flame, in your every fiber? Hearing the familiar song from above, all in one accord you strain your bronze chests and, hooves barely touching the ground, turn into straight lines cleaving the air, and all inspired by God it rushes on! ~Nikolai V. Gogol, Dead Souls, 1842, translated from Russian (above is combination of translations by Bernard Guildert Guerney, Richard Peaver, and Larisa Voloklonsky)


To ride a horse is to ride the sky. ~Author Unknown


There is no secret so close as that between a rider and his horse. ~Robert Smith Surtees, "Chapter XXX: Bolting the Badger," Mr. Sponge's Sporting Tour, 1853


A horse loves freedom, and the weariest old work horse will roll on the ground or break into a lumbering gallop when he is turned loose into the open. ~Gerald Raferty


I bless the hoss from hoof to head -
From head to hoof, and tale to mane! -
I bless the hoss, as I have said,
From head to hoof, and back again!
~James Whitcomb Riley


Horses are uncomfortable in the middle and dangerous at both ends. ~Attributed to both Christopher Stone and Ian Fleming


It's a lot like nuts and bolts - if the rider's nuts, the horse bolts! ~Nicholas Evans


A lovely horse is always an experience.... It is an emotional experience of the kind that is spoiled by words. ~Beryl Markham


I can always tell which is the front end of a horse, but beyond that, my art is not above the ordinary. ~Mark Twain


The horses paw and prance and neigh,
Fillies and colts like kittens play,
And dance and toss their rippled manes
Shining and soft as silken skeins;...
~Oliver Wendell Holmes


...I heard a neigh. Oh, such a brisk and melodious neigh as that was! My very heart leaped with delight at the sound. ~Nathaniel Hawthorne, "The Chimæra," A Wonder-Book for Girls and Boys, 1852 (about Pegasus)


A thousand horse and none to ride! -
With flowing tail, and flying mane,
Wide nostrils never stretched by pain,
Mouths bloodless to the bit or rein,
And feet that iron never shod,
And flanks unscarred by spur or rod,
A thousand horse, the wild, the free,
Like waves that follow o'er the sea,
Came thickly thundering on,...
~Lord Byron, XVII, Mazeppa, 1818


A horse is the projection of peoples' dreams about themselves - strong, powerful, beautiful - and it has the capability of giving us escape from our mundane existence. ~Pam Brown


The essential joy of being with horses is that it brings us in contact with the rare elements of grace, beauty, spirit, and fire. ~Sharon Ralls Lemon


All I pay my psychiatrist is the cost of feed and hay, and he'll listen to me any day. ~Author Unknown

The importance of a pet adoption fee (not buying)

Why pay a pet adoption fee?
It may be tempting to look for a free pet in your local classifieds rather than pay a pet adoption donation. But the reality is, no pet is free: You'll be responsible for her vet care, food and supplies for the rest of her life (see more information on the annual costs of pet ownership). Pet adoption fees vary by organization, but often cover the basic veterinary care you would have to pay for with your "free" pet.

Where does my adoption fee go?
Ask the rescue group, but fees usually include:

•Spaying/neutering $150-300
•Distemper vaccination $20-30 x2
•Rabies vaccination $15-25
•Heartworm test $15-35
•Flea/tick treatment $50-200
•Microchip $50
Another note on "free" pets
Unfortunately, individuals who do not have a pet's best interests in mind often scour classifieds for "free to a good home" ads. Therefore it's recommended that anyone seeking to rehome a pet request an adoption fee

Preparing Your Pets for Emergencies Makes Sense.

If you are like millions of animal owners nationwide, your pet is an important member of your household. The likelihood that you and your animals will survive an emergency such as a fire or flood, tornado or terrorist attack depends largely on emergency planning done today.

Some of the things you can do to prepare for the unexpected, such as assembling an animal emergency supply kit and developing a pet care buddy system, are the same for any emergency. Whether you decide to stay put in an emergency or evacuate to a safer location, you will need to make plans in advance for your pets. Keep in mind that what's best for you is typically what's best for your animals.

If you must evacuate, take your pets with you if possible. However, if you are going to a public shelter, it is important to understand that animals may not be allowed inside. Plan in advance for shelter alternatives that will work for both you and your pets.

Make a back-up emergency plan in case you can't care for your animals yourself. Develop a buddy system with neighbors, friends and relatives to make sure that someone is available to care for or evacuate your pets if you are unable to do so. Be prepared to improvise and use what you have on hand to make it on your own for at least three days, maybe longer.

Preparing for Your Pets Makes Sense. Get Ready Now.
To view the Community Pet Preparedness Toolkit http://www.ready.gov/america/toolkit_pets/index.html

Gin, the dancing dog

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=-0jNC_w1tSw&feature=player_embedded

Socializing Your Puppy

Teach proper etiquette by socializing your new puppy.
Katie Matola

When socializing your puppy, remember to ask politely before letting your puppy approach another dog or person. Not all dogs or people enjoy such interaction. In addition, ask before you take your puppy into any building besides your own house.

Many people will also approach you to touch your puppy. Encourage this behavior, but if people touch your puppy without asking, take the opportunity to cheerfully remind them that, for safety's sake, they should ask before touching a strange dog.

Many lasting friendships happen because of interactions with other dog owners. Puppy socialization can also mean great socialization for you!

Purple Pages 4 Pets Directory - we want to help you!

Pet lovers,

Don't miss out! This is the best advertising you will ever do!

Purple Pages 4 Pets is a FREE directory of pet services in Marion and Polk Counties and surrounding areas. We want this directory to be all inclusive and that can only be done if all pet related businesses join us. These directories are very popular in other states and here are some of the reasons why:

• First - Advertising is expensive, yet NECESSARY! These days businesses cannot rely on word of mouth, drive-by traffic or even the Internet to get and increase their customer base.

• Most advertising such as radio, TV, newspaper is, not only expensive, short lived, but also a hit or miss with your target market. You never know who will be listening or reading on the day you spend your hundreds of dollars. Even the regular yellow pages goes out to everyone and sometimes the catagories are difficult to determine.

• Purple Pages goes out FREE to more than 10,000 PET OWNERS. It will be handed out by the Humane Society to those who adopt and become PET OWNERS, Realtors who sell a home to a PET OWNER, apartment complexes to give to their PET OWNERS, senior centers to their PET OWNERS. This is a perfectly targeted market. It will also be in free stands around the area and mailed out to anyone who requests one.

• The cost for a six month ad depending on size is $150 or $250. This is a one time fee that ends up being less than $25 or $50 per month. Where in the world can you advertise to 10,000 PET OWNERS for that low cost?

• Pet owners spend more than $50 BILLION dollars a year on their pets. You need to reach this market. We don't want you to be the only one of your business type NOT in the directory. Your competition would love that!

Contact us at purplepages4pets@gmail.com and we will send a representative to talk to you. If you are a pet lover and know of some pet related business that should be in the directory, give us their name and address and we will visit them.

The directory will be divided by areas such as South, North, West, Keizer, etc. so you can put your ad exactly where you want it to be.

Oh - and by the way - when you have a sale or special event, we will put it on the blog for no charge. We are currently in the process of completing our website and advertisers in the directory will also be listed there.

Hurry - time is getting short for the October issue!

Purina Dog Breed Selector

If you are looking for a dog and don't know what kind would be best for you, check out the link below and take the Purina Dog Breed Selector.

Purina®
Dog Breed Selector
Get help choosing the right dog for your lifestyle. Use our dog breed selector and get instant recommendations on the best dog breed for you.
Need more information?
We have detailed descriptions for all of our breeds in the Purina Breed Library.

http://www.purina.com/dog/breed-selector/default.aspx

the Puppy Uniform Protection and Safety (PUPS)

In May, the Puppy Uniform Protection and Safety (PUPS) Act was introduced to bring all commerical dog breeders under federal oversight. Right now, only breeders who sell dogs to brokers or pet stores are required to be licensed and inspected by the USDA - it's time to close this loophole!

Tell Congress to support the PUPS Act »

If passed, the PUPS Act would require any breeder who sells or offers to sell more than 50 dogs annually directly to the public - including over the internet - to also be licensed and inspected. Monitor all commercial dog breeders »

The bill would also require all dog breeders licensed under the federal Animal Welfare Act to exercise every dog, every day, including allowing the dogs to reach a running stride without the use of treadmills or similar devices.

Sign this petition to help pass the PUPS Act! »

Thank you,
Andrew
Care2 and ThePetitionSite Team

Emergency Notification service for pets

In his blog Alerts & Notifications, Rick Wimberly has a short post about a company called Pets Guardian:

There’s a new emergency notification service for pets. Well, it’s not for notifying pets, but for notifications regarding pets when an emergency occurs…

Here’s how it works. If, say, emergency medical technicians respond to a call and residents are taken away, the EMTs will have a number to call to activate the notification system. It will then call friends or family pre-designated by the pet owners, instructing them to come get the pets. Signs would be posted around the house, providing the number and instruction to responders.

Or, if a subscriber wants, it can receive a daily check-in from Pets Guardian to confirm that the pet is OK.

talking kittys

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3U0udLH974&feature=related

Bigger Isn’t

The Joys of Small Pet
Ownership
by Jenna Wall, development &
communications assistant



Three months ago, rodents weren’t much more than a blip on my radar. I knew that some people kept them as pets, but I had never really considered adopting one of my own. Thanks to a chance meeting with a big rat called Tanuki, however, I now officially consider myself a “rat person.”

Rodents make wonderful companions for the right adopters, and can bring joy, laughter, and a bond that many people may not realize is possible. When most people think about the animals at Willamette Humane Society (WHS), they probably think
of dogs and cats. But here at WHS, we care for many rodents, too— including rats, mice, gerbils, and hamsters. Last year, 90 small rodents were adopted from WHS, and 66 have already been adopted this year.

I like to say that my rat, Tanuki, chose me as his person. He came to the shelter with 14 of his siblings and was being bullied by some of his brothers. He was missing a patch of hair on one side and was showing obvious signs of distress. As I cradled him, he crawled up to my shoulder and curled himself into the hood of
my sweatshirt, where he slept for the rest of the day. I was immediately smitten and decided to adopt him, thus beginning my love affair with pet rats.


Rodent Myths Debunked

Since adopting Tanuki, I learned that rats (like dogs) can respond to their names, to come when called, and can even learn to do tricks! Contrary to what many believe, rats and other rodents are also extremely clean and quiet animals. Most rodents will bathe themselves about six times per day, although they may benefit from an occasional dunk in the tub to stay smelling fresh. Most rats enjoy being handled and
petted by their human companions and generally like the company of other rats. At
Willamette Humane, we often recommend adopting rats and other rodents in same-sex
pairs.

Caring for Rodents

Like rats, mice, gerbils, and hamsters also make lovely small pets. They generally
live between two and four years. Rodents’ teeth grow constantly, and they MUST be
provided with adequate chew items (such as wooden chew blocks or hard dog biscuits)
to keep their teeth worn down. Wire cages offer better ventilation than glass tanks
and are much harder to chew through than plastic caging. Wood shavings (such as Joys of Small Pet Ownership/ 3 cedar and pine) should never be used as bedding, as their oils are toxic to small pets; instead consider hay, shredded paper, or bedding such as Care Fresh.

Most rodents also require attention, affection, and play time outside their cages to stay happy. Socialization is the key to having a friendly, happy, well-balanced pet rodent.

Next time you’re visiting the shelter or thinking of adopting a new friend, consider a rodent! They are relatively easy to care for, inexpensive, and with a little time and attention, can be wonderful companions with personalities much larger than their
pint-sized bodies might indicate. I’m proud to call myself a “rat person”
and am thankful every day for the love and laughter these little friends bring to my life.

Willamette Humane Society Art sale

Art Sale
Time: 10:30 am - 6 pm

Duration: 7/16/2010 - 7/17/2010

Location: WHS Thrift Store
548 Hight St. NE
-and-

Helping Paws Thrift Store
3298 Lancaster Dr. NE

Contact: (503) 362-6892

Description
Featuring paintings, prints, pottery and other art items.

Summer care for horses

http://www.youngrider.com/horse-care/summer-survival-13037.aspx

Horse Care - Summer Survival
Here are some things you can do to make sure your horse is comfortable in hot weather.

Before you head to the pool this summer, give a thought to your horse as she stands in the sun. She needs some extra care to keep her happy and healthy in the summer months.

Here are some things you can do to make sure your horse is comfortable in hot weather.

1. You still have to deworm your horse in the summer. Talk to your vet about which dewormer is appropriate in your area during the summer months. Cut down on worms and flies by picking up piles of manure in your horse’s field and placing them on a muckheap.

2. Don’t roach (clip off) your horse’s mane in the summer. She needs her mane to swish away flies. The same goes for her tail. Don’t cut it any shorter than her hocks. She needs it for fly protection.

3. If your horse sweats a lot in the field, bring her into the barn a few times a week and give her a quick shower with the hose to wash off the dirt and sweat on her body. Dried sweat attracts flies and you don’t want them “bugging” your horse.


4. Horses with white markings on their faces can get sunburn—especially around their noses and muzzles. The white markings peel and get sore. Prevent sunburn before it happens by using human sun lotion with a high UV protection rating. Protect white markings around the eyes by putting a dark fly mask on your horse.

5. Check your horse’s water trough every day to make sure she’s drinking water. When it’s hot, she needs to drink lots of water to stay healthy.


If you don’t think she’s drinking enough water, put electrolytes (minerals that encourage a horse to drink) in her feed and make sure the water trough is full. You can buy electrolytes at a feed store. They usually come in powder form and mix easily into feed. Remember to read the instructions on the tub.

6. If your horse is barefoot, her hooves may split during the dry summer months. If her feet look bad, schedule your farrier more frequently so she can trim the hoof and rasp smooth any cracks.

7. Always keep a salt block in the field so your horse can lick it when she wants. Salt encourages a horse to drink more water and should be available in her field all year round.

8. Does your favorite horse have enough shade in her field? If she doesn’t have any trees to stand under, you should have a run-in shed where she can go to escape the sun.


9. Many people bring their horses inside during the day in the summer to protect them from flies. Before you trap your horse in a stall all day, put a flysheet on her and see how she copes with the flies. She’d much rather be outside wandering around, nibbling on grass, than stuck in a stall for eight hours.

10. If your horse’s eyes get really gunky during the summer, wipe them clean every day with a damp sponge and put a fly mask on your horse during the day. Take the mask off every night so it never has the chance to rub her. Some masks have ear covers, too. If your horse manages to escape her mask (as many do!) on a regular basis, use roll-on fly repellent around her eyes.

Heat Advisory

Record breaking heat is on the way.

PLEASE remember that your pets (all pets) are sensitive to temperature just like we are.

Do NOT leave your animals in the car.

DO make sure they have enough water and a cool place to lie down.

WATCH for signs that they are overheated - excessive panting, fainting, thirst, lethargy, lack of appetite.

Your pets rely on you for their very existence - please don't let them down.

Hot Weather Affects your pets too!

As much of the nation (particularly the northeast) is experiencing extremely high temperatures, I thought would post the American Red Cross’ safety checklist for dealing with aheat wave. The tips include:

*Listen to a NOAA Weather Radio for critical updates from the National Weather Service (NWS).

*Never leave children or pets alone in enclosed vehicles.

*Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids even if you do not feel thirsty. Avoid drinks with caffeine or alcohol.

*Eat small meals and eat more often.

*Avoid extreme temperature changes.

*Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing. Avoid dark colors because they absorb the sun’s rays.

*Slow down, stay indoors and avoid strenuous exercise during the hottest part of the day.

*Postpone outdoor games and activities.

*Use a buddy system when working in excessive heat.

*Take frequent breaks if you must work outdoors.

*Check on family, friends and neighbors who do not have air conditioning, who spend much of their time alone or who are more likely to be affected by the heat.

*Check on your animals frequently to ensure that they are not suffering from the heat.

Sweet Horse story

By: Duaa Anwar, Cairo, Egypt.
Some people say that horses kept on full livery never form strong ties with their owners. As an owner of a horse on full livery, I am writing this story in defense of all of us busy people who strive to provide the best accommodation for their horses.

I have always viewed and treated my horse as an individual. Always considered his point of view, always allowed him to express his feelings. After all, my horse is my friend, and on occasions, my psychiatrist.

On one particularly gloomy day, I felt I have lost all purpose for existence. The despair somehow left me longing to see my horse, who in time of crisis, is the last candle of hope. Unconsciously, I found myself driving to the stables.

Arriving in the early hours of the afternoon proved to be a good time for some privacy. The stables were deserted, except for the horses of course. Grooms were napping and the office was closed. No riders where there at that hour. I headed directly to my horse's stall, where I expected him to be hiding in the corner, ears drooping, half asleep.

I stood at the door and he came to me eagerly. The sheer joy in his eyes when he saw me had instantly put the world back into focus. Leaning against the stable door, I stroked and patted him. He was calm and content - perhaps too calm - because he rested his head on my arm. The entire weight of his head rested on my upper arm which was atop the stable door. Although his head was solid and painfully heavy, it lifted the weight off my heart. His muzzle was over my shoulder, snugly against my back.

I talked to him of my troubles. His ear never turned away from me... always listening. The words made no sense to him, but he was listening to my voice. He was still and quiet, as if to reassure me that he is indeed listening. The weight of his head was cutting off the circulation to my forearm, but I held him for as long as I could. When I shifted my arm slightly, he lifted his head for a moment, before bringing it down again over my shoulder.

Agony seeped out of my body as easily as rain washes the leaves of a tree. Grief was history. He did not retreat until I decided I had to leave. He was there for me, quietly listening, and, in a way, holding me. It takes a lot of heart from a person to listen to someone else's trouble, so you can imagine how deep the soul of horses are. Such gentle creatures horses can be.