“Dog Breed of the Week: Saint Bernard” plus 2 more |
- Dog Breed of the Week: Saint Bernard
- Should Dogs Wear Halloween Costumes?
- Dog Product Review: Premier Easy Walk Harness
| Dog Breed of the Week: Saint Bernard Posted: 27 Oct 2010 03:37 PM PDT For many, the Saint Bernard conjures images of huge rescue dogs in the Swiss Alps carrying barrels of an alcoholic beverage on their collars. While it is true that they were skilled search and rescue dogs, the barrels are actually folklore. This is good news for the many thousand travelers assisted by Saint Bernards throughout the 17th-20th century, as alcohol would have actually caused more harm than good. The "barrel myth" likely snowballed into legend after it was portrayed in a painting by Edwin Landseer entitled Alpine Mastiffs Reanimating a Distressed Traveler. In fact, much of the Saint Bernard's history is cloaked in legend and the truth is debated by many. The indisputable fact is that Saint Bernards are massive dogs with even bigger hearts. Though they still have the ability to be excellent working dogs, Saints are typically seen as gentle, lovable family companions. The breed was also made famous when it was portrayed as a lovable goofball in the film Beethoven and its many sequels. One thing to know about these dogs is that they slobber, so those who are squeamish about dog drool might want to steer clear of Saints. However, most lovers of the breed don't mind carrying around a drool rag. It's a small price to pay for such a great dog breed! Are you devoted to the giant and lovable Saint Bernard? Tell us all about your dog! Photo © Julie Lesser About the Photo: This is my boy Dreyfus...aka...Doofie! He's a seven year old Saint Bernard...and the love of my life. This picture was taken June 18th 2009 while on our evening walk in the park in Westlake Village, CA. - Julie This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php |
| Should Dogs Wear Halloween Costumes? Posted: 27 Oct 2010 03:32 PM PDT Halloween can be a fun time of year for adults and kids - but what about dogs? Many of our canine friends don't mind wearing clothes and actually revel in the attention they get when they are wearing costumes. On the other hand, some dogs despise being dressed up and can even become frightened by all the hoopla. Personally, I think the key is to think about your dog's point of view. Covering him up with some kind of costume might make him threatened, vulnerable and afraid. For some dogs, costume can make him as uncomfortable as you would feel if you were force to run around naked (well, most people at least). You know your dog better than anyone. If you try and dress him up, pay attention to his response. Some dogs will tolerate simple costumes but not elaborate ones. My own dog seems to enjoy being dressed up as long as there is nothing on her feet or face, and I respect that. Learn how to recognize your dog's emotional state based on his body language. When in doubt, go with a simple Halloween bandanna instead. Are you thinking of dressing up your dog this year? If you have assessed you dog's reaction and he seems to be giving you the green light, then go for it! To make it even more silly and fun, consider a matching costume for yourself or your children. If you are looking for ideas, perhaps you will be inspired by the Halloween costume photo gallery. Above all, stay safe. Make sure you don't let your dog get into the human treats - candy and chocolate can really make your dog sick. Do you already have a great costume for your dog? Submit a photo with a story about your dog and his costume. I will definitely try to post it in my gallery. Happy Halloween! Photo © Beverly Cernicky About the Photo: Winston, 11 years old, dressed as a sheriff. Read more about Winston. This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php |
| Dog Product Review: Premier Easy Walk Harness Posted: 27 Oct 2010 09:45 AM PDT Leash pulling is one of the most common frustrations I hear expressed by owners about their dogs. Let's face it, without training, most dogs are naturally going to pull on the leash. Even with training, there are plenty of dogs that continue to pull. One possible solution is the Gentle Leader Head Collar. However, this is not comfortable for all dogs, and some might even be able to wiggle out of it. Fortunately, there is another option. The Premier Easy Walk Harness is specially designed to prevent leash pulling while fitting comfortably on most dogs. But does it work? Read the review by dog trainer Amy Bender and consider trying out the Easy Walk Harness for yourself. Have you already tried this product? Tell us what you think by writing your own review. Photo courtesy of Premier This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php |
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