March 2nd, 2010
If you’ve been running and walking with friends or family, you know the pleasure of their companionship. You also know the problems.
Family and friends can show up late, argue about which route to take, or cancel completely. A dog never will.
On days when the weather is not ideal, on days when you don’t feel like going, and every other day, your canine companion will be there, leash in mouth, urging you to get started.
click on the dog to go to Hatszel Kennels
Dogs love to run. The only time they will complain is when you don’t run at all. Runner Kevin Helliker says that’s the type of push that personal trainers charge money for.
Your dog also provides a measure of protection on your route and companionship.
In his book and on his DVD called, The Loneliness of the Distance Runner, Michael Redgrave writes that during a long run blissful solitude begins to feel lonely and isolated.
If your dog hasn’t run much before, start him on shorter runs. In hot weather, watch for signs of exhaustion. Carry water for you and your dog. Avoid hot blacktop. Make sure the dog has no food for at least an hour before the run.
Dog psychologists say most doggie behavior problems disappear when the dog has an opportunity to get outdoors and run regularly. Dogs need exercise. So do you.
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March 1st, 2010
Cure doggie's dandruff and bad breath
Did you ever pet your dog and discover a waxy film on your hands? Some breeds, such as cocker spaniels, tend to develop a greasy skin. Even worse, that can lead to bacteria growth, which causes an odor.
Something else can happen as well; your dog can have what looks like dandruff. The cures for common cases of these conditions is a shampoo. Try Selsun Blue, the dandruff fighter people use, and it will make a big difference. Wash the dog once a month or more.
How about doggie breath? A dog’s breath will never be sweet, but cleaning his teeth once or twice a month will help. The University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine suggests putting gauze or panty hose around your finger. Add toothpaste and rub the sides of the dog’s teeth.
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February 27th, 2010
Tips for quieting a barking dog
The Humane Society of Denver says a barking dog can cause neighborhood disputes and violations of animal control ordinances. If your dog’s barking has created neighborhood tension, it’s a good idea to discuss the problem with your neighbors and tell them you are taking steps to eliminate it.
Determine when and for how long your dog barks, and what’s causing him to bark. Is he left alone for long periods of time? Is his environment barren, without playmates or toys? Is he a young dog with few outlets for his energy? Is he a herding or sporting dog who needs a “job” to be happy?
Recommendations:
* Walk your dog daily.
* Teach him to fetch a ball or Frisbee.
* Teach commands for five to 10 minutes a day.
* Take an obedience class with your dog.
* Provide interesting toys to keep him busy when you’re not there. Rotating the toys makes them interesting.
* Don’t take away toys as punishment. The dog won’t know why the toy is gone. Instead catch the dog in the act of doing something wrong and stop him with a firm “no.”
* When you have to leave for extended periods, take him to a “doggie day care” or have someone walk with him.
* Teach him a “quiet” command. When he barks at someone, allow two or three barks, then say “quiet.” Interrupt his barking by shaking a can filled with pennies or squirting water at his mouth with a spray bottle. This startles him into being quiet so you can reward him. While he’s quiet, say “good quiet” and pop a tasty treat into his mouth.
* If he barks when you’re home, call him to you and have him obey a command such as “sit.” Praise him and give him a treat.
Posted in Training | 2 Comments »
February 26th, 2010
Let Fido do the work
Skijoring: A fun sport for you and your dog
Here’s a new way to enjoy snowy weather and have fun with your dog at the same time.
In skijoring, your dog pulls you across the snow. Any dog over 40 pounds can probably do it, but the bigger your dog is, the more fun you both will have. If you have two dogs, so much the better. Hitch them both up and get a great ride.
Here’s how it works. You outfit your dog in a special harness so it can lead you through the snow. You can do it without special training. But instructors from sled-dog clubs and skijoring clubs can teach you and your dog techniques and commands, like “Gee” for going right and “Onby” for keep on moving. Just make sure Fido doesn’t have a bad back.
Although skijoring has been popular in Europe and Alaska for a long time, it’s rapidly spreading to other parts of the world. As more tour companies feature skijoring, dog enthusiasts recognize it as an activity they can participate in with minimal equipment.
At www.boundrywaters.com you can order a Skijoring Kit for $59 (item No. E00207). It contains a waist belt, lines for one or two dogs, a neck line, and a panic snap. The unit has a built-in shock absorber. To order the X-Back harness for your dog, select item E60100 for $35.
The system allows you and your dog to exercise while you enjoy a fast-paced ride or a calm glide through snowy trails. Tow bars are also available. They make the experience similar to water skiing.
Another equipment supplier is skijornow.com.
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February 25th, 2010
Fast dog training
Here’s an easy way to house train your dog in one weekend if you have a fenced yard.
When training a dog, be sure to give your dog a way to get out of the house. The best solution is to install a dog door and fence but if this isn’t possible establish frequent and predictable walks for your dog. Don’t punish your dog for messing in the house when it has no way to get outside.
To train your puppy (older than 16 weeks) in one weekend: Put the dog out in the fenced yard every hour for eight hours. Praise him when he does his business. No food for two hours before bed and one walk before bed. Put the puppy in a crate for the night. The next day, carry the puppy quickly out before you do anything else, then out every hour for four hours, gradually increasing to two hours.
Watch for signs that the dog needs to go out. A restless puppy should be taken out immediately. If the dog comes to you or to the door, take it out.
With puppies, always take the puppy out a half hour after it eats or drinks.
If you have a dog door, even young dogs will easily learn to let themselves in and out in one or two days.
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November 4th, 2009
I have been holding, treats, there play bumpers, food and water up with my hand extended and do not give until they sit. I change it up some times I say sit and other times I am just quiet with hand up and don’t do anything until they sit. Then I perform the activity. This is helpful in letting them learn that if they do a certain behavior then they get a positive result. I am also starting to teach the whistle sit command. I am doing this especially with their bumpers that I am throwing. It is really fun to whistle and get both pups to sit side by side. I am hoping this translates into steadiness. I also will be trying to get one to come to me while other sits this, I am sure will be very difficult but will be a huge win if I can get that done by 6 months of age.
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November 4th, 2009
We have 5 new Vizlas added to our kennels so far this morning. 3 Females and 2 Males. We are hoping we are only half way through. Will have to leave for my class in about an hour. So this will not be updated again until 6:00.
Posted in Breeding | 4 Comments »
October 21st, 2009
Moka is the female I kept from the Cleo and Seal breeding and Heath is a Pup we picked up last weekend in PA. They are fun to watch beat up on each other. Moka has learned how to sit and Heath is still just getting used to his surroundings. He is a very mellow fellow.
This is Moka on her sit!
[caption id="attachment_101" align="alignnone" width="640" caption="Moka retrieving a \"Quail\""]
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Heath on Retrieve
[caption id="attachment_105" align="alignnone" width="1024" caption="Heath"]
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September 3rd, 2009
I took new pictures for the website as they are 5 weeks old. Several doubled their weight in the last week. It is time for the smaller ones to catch up now that they can eat anytime they like. They are so much more animated and one got out of the kennel (taking after her mom!) Everyone of them is doing great, I introduced them to a live pigeon, they all were interested and checked it out. The Orange girl which will be the one I am keeping was the first to grab it 
. Pups also had a chance to pick up a duck wing Orange Black, Turquoise, Red Chocolate, Green chocolate and Yellow chocolate showed the most interest in the wings. All are coming to the when I whistle to them. Made the appointment for their shots for Wednesday at 4:15.
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September 1st, 2009
With Cleo’s pups training has slowed but we are looking to pick things up with Sophie here again. I would like to take her to a couple more tests before we put things down for the summer. Cleo is also getting the itch to get to work so maybe before the snow flies i can get two Senior Hunters .
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