Archive for March 2009

A Tan and Black German Shepherd

Weight: 66 - 88 lbs (male); 49 - 71 lbs (female)

Height: 24- 26 in (male); 22 - 24 in (female)

Coat: Double-coat in either medium (most common) or long lengths

Color: Tan/Black and Red/Black are most common. Also come in: All-Black, Sable, All-White, Liver, and Blue. Liver and Blue considered serious faults, and All-White grounds for instant disqualification in some standards.

Appearance

German Shepherds are a large-breed dog with a domed forehead, a long square-cut muzzle and a black nose. Their jaws are strong and possess a scissor-like bite that serves them well as police dogs or for working their way through dog treats like bully sticks. Their medium-sized brown eyes are lively, intelligent, and self-assured. The ears are large and stand erect with the openings facing to the front. Their tail is bushy for the entire length.

The outer coat of the German Shepherd is shed all year long. The medium coat is the dominant and generally accepted version, with the long coat being recessive, rare, and considered a fault by the American Kennel Club.

Temperament

A highly active dog, German Shepherds are typically described as self-assured in breed standards. Possessing a willingness to learn, Shepherds are often trained as work dogs. Shepherds have a loyal nature and bond with people they know. That being said, they can become over-protective of their family and territory and will require correct socialization to curb this.

Shepherds do have a reputation for aggression, and have been banned in some areas because of this. In the US, German Shepherds are responsible for more random bitings than any other breed, but experts are quick to point out this number is partially due to the higher proportion of German Shepherds in the country than other breeds.

Shepherds are highly obedient, leading to their extensive use as work dogs in law enforcement and military use, but with their strong wills, they do require a firm hand when being trained.

Health

The most common ailments for German Shepherds are hip and elbow dysplasia, which can lead to arthritis later in life. Also, due to the large and open design of their ears, they are also prone to ear infections. Like all large dogs, they are also prone to bloat, a stomach condition. The average lifespan of a German Shepherd is 7 - 10 years, which is normal for dogs of their size.

Famous German Shepherds

Strongheart - Early canine film star

Rin Tin Tin - Canine film star

Sam the Dog - portrayed by Abbey and Kona in the 2007 film I Am Legend

Savvy Tips For Selecting The Right Dog Trainer

Take a trip to your local animal shelter. You'll find dozens (even hundreds) of pooches who need a home. The tragedy is that many of them were exiled from their past homes because their owners grew frustrated with their behavior. So, they're brought to the shelter and abandoned.

By enrolling your dog into professional obedience classes, you can curb his/her unacceptable behaviors or even prevent them from developing. Below, I'll give you 3 tips for finding a trainer who can work with your pooch and turn him/her into a faithful, loving, and obedient companion.

Tip #1: Choose Positive Reinforcement

Even today, as canine experts continue to gain a better understanding about the most effective strategies for training dogs, some trainers still use negative reinforcement. In effect, they punish poor behavior. A hard tug on the leash or collar, shouting, and physically mishandling your pooch can cause pain and fear.

Take your canine companion to an expert who uses positive reinforcement. Your pooch's acceptable behaviors should be rewarded while objectionable behavior should be ignored. Not only is such training more humane, but it's also more effective.

Tip #2: Ask For Referrals

Similar to finding a dentist or mechanic, asking other people for referrals is a great way to find a suitable trainer. If possible, visit a few training facilities and interview the owners. Ask about their experience, where they were trained, and the strategies they use in the obedience classes.

Keep in mind that the industry isn't regulated by any authoritative association. If a canine expert claims to be part of a professional group, that alone doesn't necessarily mean he (or she) is qualified or competent. Ideally, you should ask other owners who have enrolled their dogs into obedience training classes. If they had a positive experience, you - and your pooch - will likely have one, too.

Tip #3: Enroll In Group Classes

Obedience training is normally conducted in one of two ways: within a group setting or alone. In group classes, your canine companion will not only learn to modify his/her behaviors, but they will do so while interacting with other dogs and their owners. The experience socializes him/her; they will grow accustomed to being approached and handled by other people. Your pooch will also learn to get along with their peers.

If you enroll your pooch into training that doesn't provide this type of interaction, they will miss a valuable learning opportunity.

Don't let your dog's age deter you from enrolling them into obedience classes. The earlier, the better, of course (after a puppy has reached 8 weeks). But, even if they are older, they can still benefit from the training. Ask other owners for referrals, choose a trainer who uses positive reinforcement techniques, and consider group education. You'll discover the experience carries long-lasting advantages for you and your dog.

Please make sure to check out our ever growing selection of all natural dog treats and chews like bully sticks !

101 Dog Care Tips - Tip 11 - Owning a New Puppy - Vaccines

Owning a new puppy can very exciting, but also overwhelming.  You always want to start off on the right foot and here are few tips for vaccinating your pooches.   This is coming from owners that were very excited about their first pooch, but ended up being very sad after a vaccination reaction almost ended very badly.

1.  Your puppy may not need every vaccination out there.  Remember, the veterinary pharmaceutical companies are in the business to make money, so the more vaccinations sold, the more money made!  Discuss with your veterinarian whether all vaccinations need to be given.  Depending on your pooches lifestyle and where you live, you may not need them all.

3.  Smaller breeds, such as Chihuahuas, Pugs, Toy Poodles, Shih Tzu and Lhasa Apsos, are more likely to have reactions to vaccines. It is very important to minimize the number of vaccines given to small breeds.  It is also recommend to space out the vaccinations.  They should not all be given all at the same time.  It is also recommend to use a quarter to a half dose of the vaccine per visit rather than the entire dose.

4.  Homeopathic remedies, such as thuja and lymphomyosot which minimize toxicity, may be given to reduce the chance of a vaccine reaction.

5.  Certain supplements, such as antioxidants, may improve your puppy’s immune response to a vaccine, offering stronger protection against infectious diseases.

6. Once your dog is 2 years or older, consider a blood test (vaccine antibody titer test).  This will give you an idea of how long the vaccine is protecting you dog for.  This way you can reduce the time between vaccination (the vaccine companies may recommend yearly vaccinations, but the vaccine might be protecting your dog for longer). Current research shows that most pets only require a few vaccines throughout their entire lives because of the excellent immunity vaccines produce.

Please check out our all growing selection of dog chews and treats like bully sticks and if you have recommendations for future dog care tips please pass them along!

Mailman's Best Friend Contest Entry 1

Here is one of the Entries we received for the Mail Man's Best Friend Contest.

"Every mail carrier seems to have their own dog story, and this one is mine. I had been working a rural route outside of Charleston, South Carolina for a few months when one day I had a little puppy burst out from some bushes and yip at me. I reached down to pet the dog and he took a nip at my finger. Didn’t break the skin, but it wasn't fun. The doggie would pop out every couple of days as I did my route and yip at me, sometimes playful, sometimes not.

It became a regular thing, and by the time winter rolled around, the dog came out, no longer yipping. I reached down, scooped up what turned out to be a she with no dog tags, and got myself a new pet. She still yips at me, just now she does it after work, instead of during it."

Submitted by Sandy L,  S.C

See the Full Mail Man's Best Friend Contest Details

Happence and Tuppence two Best Bully Sticks Customers Speak Out

We really enjoyed this email and wanted to share with all of you!

Hello, our Mommy and Daddy, Veronica and Wade,  have been getting Best Bully for us for about 2 years now.  Me, Tuppence and Ha'pence my sweetie, just want you to know just how much we love getting mail from you. So please keep those e-mails and deals coming to remind them that we are running low, Gasp! their e-mail is ............

AAHHHH My Most Favoritist Thing! (next to my daddy)

The Best Bully Sticks box has arrived

Nothing could tear me away from my beloved Best Bully Bully Stick!
What's this… The doorbell. Oh could it be? It MUST be. Oh please, please, please, let it be!

We knew what it was all along!

Oh Well, it is still my job to investigate or my names' not Tuppence (they'd start calling me… Are You Feeling ok?)
Yes! Yes! Yes! It smells like it, (Wow I guess the postal carrier does have some other uses besides entertainment)
Me and my pal Ha'pence can only wait so long, so she's giving them the pleading eye business, that usually works.

Enjoying a Bully Stick

Me, I'm making sure that this here package has the right kind inside.

More Bully Stick Nirvana

Oh Yeah Living the Dream, Living the Dream. Our Mommy and Daddy are the best.

Could there be more coming?

Oh, and we think you folks at Best Bully aren't too shabby either. Thanks and keep up the great work.