poodle falling into pool funny so cute

Sorry, Pet Lovers, But It's Time To Stop Sharing The Bed

MINNEAPOLIS -- Sorry, pet lovers: Sharing a bed with a furry friend is officially bad for your sleep.

Among pet owners who slept with their four-legged companions, 30 percent reported waking up because of their pets at least once a night, according to new research. Of those pet owners who shared a bed with Fido or Fluffy more than four nights a week, 63 percent had poor sleep quality. And 5 percent said they always or almost always had trouble falling back to sleep after being disturbed by a pet.

The research, presented in a poster at SLEEP 2014, the 28th annual meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies, is the first of its kind, Dr. Sowjanya Duthuluru M.D., told The Huffington Post. When it comes to co-sleeping, previous studies have focused on sharing a bed with a romantic partner or with a young child, she said. Anecdotally, pets have long been known to disrupt sleep, whether it was due to their barks and meows, animated dreams of chasing cars or allergic reactions they might trigger.

Duthuluru and colleagues asked 300 patients to answer 17 questions about their pets (or lack thereof) and their quality of sleep. Of the 300, 148 were pet owners. More than half, 54 percent, of the pet owners shared their beds or bedrooms with a furry friend. The investigators found no significant difference between ages or genders of the pet owners, or between owning a dog or a cat.

However, it wasn't all bad news. Some pet owners reported feeling comforted by the presence of their pets, Duthuluru told The Huffington Post. The poster called for further research into the effects of co-sleeping with pets on sleep quality.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/06/05/pets-sleep-sharing-bed_n_5439851.html

Poodles

Breed: Poodle
Temperament: intelligent but can be neurotic
Lifespan: up to 15 years
Maintenance: high
Recommended for: families, singles, elderly

Although some may still regard the Poodle as the epitome of canine extravagance and a symbol of the well heeled, this breed has in fact crept into the hearts and minds of many owners who would argue that this could not no be any further from the truth.

History

The history of this breed suggests that the Poodle is perhaps more that just a fashion accessory. Its origins are believed to lie in Germany, where woolly coated, poodle-types were commonly used as water retrievers; working dogs used by hunters to retrieve shot birds. These original dogs somewhat resembled the Standard Poodle, the largest of the three types available today.

The neighbouring French eventually adopted these working dogs, where the love affair with the social elite began. Over time, the process of miniaturisation took place and the Standard Poodle was crossed with various smaller breeds and further refined to produce the two other sizes which we now see today, the Miniature Poodle and Toy Poodle.

Appearance

The toy and miniature types are by far the most popular of the three types today. Toys stand under 28cm (11"), similar in height to a Maltese; whilst the Miniature may be about 10cm (4") taller, like a Fox Terrier. The Standard Poodle is a medium to large-sized dog, standing well over its smaller cousins.

It is the Poodle's coat that sets it apart from many other breeds. Thick, curly and dense, it has a woolly appearance rather than furry and doesn't shed. If left un-clipped, which is not recommended, this woolly coat would normally conceal the dog's fine-boned form. Slender built with sharp, well defined features, the poodle's frame used to be shown off with those elaborate clipping styles which once associated the breed with the well-to-do. These clips are now really only commonly seen in the show ring. Most owners simply prefer to have their poodle uniformly clipped all over, producing the appearance much the same as a young lamb.

Poodles are available in solid colours ranging through white, cream, silver, brown and black.

Temperament and training

Despite their playful and, some believe, dimwitted demeanour, poodles are in fact regarded as one of the most intelligent of dog breeds. These animals love human companionship and will often form close bonds with one member of the family, usually the provider. This can produce a loyal and easily trained companion, equally ideal for those living alone or with a family. However, an intelligent dog is an easily spoilt dog, and a spoilt poodle can be a force to be reckoned with. Known to become neurotic if over-pampered, spoilt poodles can be intensely demanding, nervous and unpredictable around strangers or other family members seen to be below it in its own social order. Breeders often say though, that a neurotic owner most likely owns a neurotic poodle. The breed should simply not be over-pampered and must be treated with an evenhanded approach, maintaining a reasonable level of discipline and common sense.

Of the three varieties, this is perhaps more so with the Toy, which due to its small stature, is prone to developing a nervous and unpredictable manner if handled roughly or antagonised, a problem most often seen when in a family with small or boisterous children. Breeders generally agree that the Standard is the most stable of the three, though requires the most exercise. The Miniature is most common among families. Obedience training, at least to a level so that the dog understands essential basic commands, is recommended.

Health and lifespan

The Poodle is a fairly healthy breed but may still suffer from some various conditions which are common with many breeds of similar size. The process of miniaturization can lead to problems of overcrowding of the teeth in the toy variety, whilst the Toy is also susceptible to degeneration of the ball of the hip joint and Miniatures may suffer from slipping kneecaps. These two conditions can be corrected surgically and the likelihood of their incidence can be determined by a veterinarian. Eye disorders, such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) are known to occur amongst the breed, but can, and should, be tested-for by breeders before selling pups.

The deep chest of the Standard Poodle may predispose it to bloat - a gastrointestinal condition associated with overfeeding or feeding at inappropriate times. New owners should consult with breeders to discuss dietary requirements. Hip Dysplasia, a chronic condition affecting the hip joints, is also evident in the Standard variety. However, all of these above conditions can be tested for by breeders. A responsible breeder would not use affected animals, so be satisfied you are purchasing from a reputable breeder.

Any long-eared breed with a large covering of hair is also prone to a build-up of wax and grime in the ear canal, which may result in infections if not cleaned regularly. Healthy, well-maintained poodles will live a long life, around 15 years.

Maintenance and cost

If you're after a low maintenance dog which requires little grooming, don't choose a poodle. The coat doesn't shed and grows continually, much the same as a sheep, and requires clipping every five to six weeks, without fail. If allowed to grow long, the coat will matt, eventually pulling on the skin and hurting the dog. Those elaborate and sometimes bizarre clips are not essential, and a simple 'lamb clip' is all that is required. Owners can learn to clip their dogs, however a professional clipper is recommended for the first year, until the dog becomes accustomed to the practice. Ears should be regularly cleaned and plucked and the coat brushed to remove any foreign matter. Once weekly bathing is recommended.

One of the more expensive breeds, the cost will start from around $800 and size doesn't necessarily dictate price, some Toys can fetch up to $1100. Clipping will cost around $30 to $100, depending on the size of the animal and the establishment. This regular cost should be considered before purchasing the dog. Enquire amongst local grooming establishments and other local poodles owners to see what these extras will cost in your area.

Ideal owner

The two smaller varieties are popular indoor dogs with the added benefit of having a non-shedding coat, an advantage for some, though not all, allergy suffers. The coat doesn't really have a particularly strong doggy odour either. The Poodle's habit of bonding closely with their owner really does suit them to single owners and the elderly, as long as the owner is prepared and able to maintain the dog's coat. And remember this can be a long lived breed, which requires regular, daily exercise, so consider what your lifestyle may entail in 10 to 15 years time. Will a poodle still be practical then?

Desexed males are perhaps best suited to families with children. Females are most prone to a single attachment to one member of the family, allowing possible undesirable behaviour towards other family members, especially kids. A desexed male will not necessarily attach himself solely to one member of the family, however the one golden rule to remember is that over-pampering will still spoil any dog. So treat your poodle right and you'll have an adoring, intelligent and stable companion for many years to come.

National contacts

To find up-to-date contacts for breeders, contact the following organisations.

Dogs NSW
http://www.dogsnsw.org.au/breeders-directory 
Email: info@dogsnsw.org.au
Phone: 1300 728 022 (NSW only) or (02) 9834 3022
Fax: (02) 9834 3872

Dogs Victoria
http://www.vca.org.au 
Email: office@dogsvictoria.org.au
Phone: (03) 9788 2500
Fax: (03) 9788 2599

Dogs ACT
http://www.actca.asn.au 
Email: info@dogsact.org.au
Phone: (02) 6241 4404 - Fax: (02) 6241 1129.

Dogs West
http://www.cawa.asn.au 
Email: k9@dogswest.com
Phone: (08) 9455 1188
Fax: (08) 9455 1190

Dogs SA
http://dogssa.com.au 
Phone: (08) 8349 4797

Canine Control Council of Queensland
http://www.cccq.org.au 
Email: dogsqld@powerup.com.au
Phone: (07) 3252 2661
Fax: (07) 3252 3864

Tasmanian Canine Association
http://www.tasdogs.com 
Email: tca@iprimus.com.au
Phone: (03) 6272 9443
Fax: (03) 6273 0844

Dogs NT
http://www.territorydogworld.com 
Email: naca3@bigpond.com
Phone: (08) 8984 3570
Fax: (08) 8984 3409

Copyright CTC Productions 2003

http://www.burkesbackyard.com.au/factsheets/Dogs/Poodles/74

Weird things dogs do and why

Source: https://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/

Rolling in smelly stuff

What is that smell? While the stinky stuff your pooch is rolling in smells revolting to us, he or she thinks it smells wonderful. This weird behaviour goes back to when canines were hunters and needed to mask their scent to catch prey.

Drinking from the toilet

Does your pooch have the embarrassing habit of drinking from the loo? To us this is the height of disgustingness but to your dog, the toilet bowl is a never-ending source of cool, aerated water. The porcelain vessel is also appealing to dogs because it doesn’t affect the taste of water in the way that metal or plastic drinking bowls do. However, this is one habit that should definitely be discouraged as there is a chance that they could be ingesting harmful bacteria or cleaning chemical residue.

Chasing cats

There are plenty of dogs that get on just fine with felines, but there are still some canines that can’t resist chasing cats. This is because some breeds love hunting and for city dogs, cats are the closest thing to prey. But most cats will easily outrun a dog.

Pumping leg when being scratched

You start scratching your pooch’s favourite spot –be it on his belly, side or back –and his legs start pumping wildly. Why? This is an automatic reflex to keep pests off and your dog has no control over his actions. You might also see this behaviour when your dog has insect bites.

Eating grass

Grass is not a staple of a dogs diet but occasionally you will see your pooch munching on your lawn. There are a couple of theories behind this behaviour. Dogs might have an instinct that grass aids digestion, due to chlorophyll and fibre in the plant. It may also be a behaviour developed to deal with illness when there were no vets or medications for dogs. When pups had a upset stomach, they knew that eating grass would make them sick and therefore make nausea go away.

Giving visitors a ‘special’ greeting

This has to be a dog owner’s worst nightmare: your pooch can’t resist getting up close to your new friend’s leg. Male dogs are full of hormones during their adolescent period, which give them a crazy sex drive. To deal with this embarrassing behaviour you

Licking people

You might think that licking is a dog’s way of showing love but it actually has an instinctive purpose. Puppies learn licking from their mothers as a way to clean themselves and they instinctively lick her face to tell her that it is feeding time. Licking others also shows submission to the alpha being, which could be you, while licking themselves can indicate an injury.

Brain Exercise For Your Dog. Peace + Quiet For You!

10 Fun Ways to Exercise Your Dog

Source: http://www.animalplanet.com

You've traveled this route many times. Your footsteps are on automatic pilot and your dog is tired of smelling the same patches of grass. You continue your daily walks sticking as closely to the same path like a beagle honing in on a scent because your dog needs exercise for his health and as an outlet for pent up energy. Walking is what you are supposed to do with a dog, right? Well, yes, but there's a movement afoot that challenges the traditional ideas of what dogs and humans can do together for fun and physical conditioning. So if you and your canine companion are getting a little bored with the same activities day after day, here are some suggestions to shake up your routine.

Follow the Dog

Try this twist for your daily walks. Instead of walking your dog, have your dog walk you. Wherever she goes, you go. Think of your dog as a four-legged, furry, walking GPS that isn't letting you know where the final destination will be. You'll be amazed where the nose will take the two of you.

Running

Running with your dog is like multitasking -- you and your four-legged athlete get to enjoy the great outdoors while increasing stamina and strengthen muscles. Dr. Lucy Spelman, renowned veterinarian, educator and author on domestic and wildlife animals, agrees that running with your dog is a great activity with one caveat: "Remember it's your dog's outing. You should be willing to stop when the dog wants to stop -- to sniff and greet other dogs and people -- even if that slows you down."

Flyball

Another high-energy activity is Flyball. In this competitive sport, dogs are part of teams and the rules of the game are similar to a human relay race. Dogs race down a course, which includes 4 hurdles. At the end of the first leg sits a box with tennis balls. The dog must stomp on this box to release a ball and then return to the starting line carrying the ball while jumping the hurdles. Once he or she crosses the starting line, the next dog takes off. The goal is to be the fastest team without penalties. Some penalties include dropping the ball or a dog taking off down the course before his or her teammate crosses the starting line.

Agility

If your dog has a lot of energy or pounds to burn off, find an agility group or class. This high-energy, running, jumping competitive sport is not only great exercise, but develops confidence and new skills.

Tracking

Not all dogs are tracking breeds, but just about any dog can participate in the sport of tracking, a competitive event for dogs and handlers. A scent trail is laid out hours before competition. Once the trail has "aged" dogs, with the encouragement of their owners, begin the work of finding an object at the end of the trail.

Fetch

A simple game of fetch can be all that is needed for your dog's daily exercise fix. Fetch is easy to squeeze into busy schedules, as there is no need to travel far to fit in a game. A close-by park or backyard works great and on rainy days, fetch can be an indoor sport, played from the comfort of your couch.

Group Exercise

The best forms of exercise for any animal are the activities they would naturally do. For dogs, playing with other dogs fits that definition. Dr. Spelman notes, "If you watch a group of dogs in this setting, they create their own games and expend their extra energy they way they choose."

Teach a New Skill

Don't forget to exercise your dog's brain. After puppyhood and the basic obedience commands have been taught, cognitive challenges tend to drop off. Find some silly, fun behavior to teach your dog, like high fiving or bowing on command or go for more advanced behaviors such as emergency down or command by hand signals.

Nose work

Similar to tracking, nose work takes advantage of a dog's innate scent capability. Training begins with simple tasks of finding a treats in a hidden box. As your dog gets better at locating objects the tasks get more challenging. Not only is nose work an excellent exercise as your dog bounds from place to place looking for the prize, but nose work also develops your dog's focus and confidence as well. 

Free Style

If you're a fan of Dancing With the Stars, you may want to try dancing with your dog. Based on obedience training, but with more elaborate footwork, movements are choreographed to music as you and your dog go through an original "dance" routine. Free Style also offers opportunities to strut your stuff in competition.

Taking your daily walk and following the same path isn't such a bad idea as dogs like routine and continuity, but throwing in some new ways to work off pounds and energy and just enjoy each other will open up new opportunities to expand skills, become more confident and just have fun – for you and your dog.

German shepherd foster mom raises cougar cubs in Russian Zoo

Source:  http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/

Staff at the zoo in Samara, Russia, were excited about the birth of three cougar cubs on July 15 -- but they were afraid to leave the cubs with their parents for fear that they could react aggressively and harm the infants.

The cubs were given instead to Cholli, a German shepherd dog with five young puppies of her own and a maternal instinct that just wouldn't quit. Since then, Cholli and her foster "kids" have gotten along swimmingly, and she's fed them and cared for them as if they were her own puppies.

We're always impressed by animals who overlook the differences between species to make sure that youngsters are okay -- whether it's a duck caring for kittens, a dog raising an orphaned monkey or a house cat nursing a litter of bobcats. Oh, animals, we'll never grow tired of marveling at you!