What to do about Dog Fights?

Difference Between a Dog Fight and a Dog Scuffle

The first thing to determine is what constitutes a fight.  Dogs may scuffle and argue while establishing hierarchy, teaching a younger dog the rules of behavior, curbing over enthusiastic play or just testing the boundaries of an established relationship (such as a young dog testing the authority of the top dog as it ages).

Scuffles may be loud but they are usually short in duration and don’t cause any injuries.  However, the one thing that can make a scuffle turn south is an interfering human.  Sometimes the best thing we can do is to let our dogs settle the small stuff themselves. Learn to stand back and watch for some moments before interfering.

Fights are a different story altogether. Fights can be bloody and cause injury to both animals involved. Fights are just bad news.

What Sets Off Aggressive Behavior in Dogs?

  • Anxiety:  Dogs who were not properly socialized as puppies and do not understand the social cues of other dogs will respond with anxiety and/or aggression.  They also appear unstable to other dogs who may respond aggressively.
  • What to Do About Dog FightsResources:  Food, toys, favorite dog beds, the couch and you can all be important resources in the eyes of your dog.  If the top dog claims the lion’s share of the toys and you redistribute them “fairly” a fight may ensue.
  • Excitement:  Try not to generate too much craziness when you play with your dogs.  Over the top adrenaline can cause a fight in even the most stable of dog families.
  • New Dog:   Adding a new dog to the household upsets the hierarchy. There may be just minor scuffles or a major fight as the social order is rearranged.
  • A housemate coming back home after illness, dog shows or travel:  Different smells and just the excitement of a homecoming can cause enough instability to start a fight.  It is usually a good idea to arrange a cautious reintroduction to the pack at home.
  • Top dog is ill or dies:  The sudden death or loss of health of an established leader of the pack can throw everything into a flux.  Younger or lower ranking dogs may see their opportunity to move up and start conflicts.
  • Pain:  Pain induced aggression can occur when the affected animal strikes out in fear and anxiety,
  • Leash Aggression:  Some dogs react aggressively on lead either because they fear  they will not be able to retreat if needed, they think their owner will back them up or their owner is telegraphing their own anxiety down the lead and unstablizing the dog. Another reason electric dog fences make sense.
  • Mother love:  Females will always protect their young.  Motherly protectiveness may cause them to attack housemates they have previously co-existed with amiably.
  • Territory:  a normally peaceable dog may become aggressive if a stranger enters his yard.

How to Prevent Aggressive Dog Behavior that Leads to Fights

Aggression is best prevented by good management and early intervention on the part of What to Do About Dog Fightsthe owner.  Learn to recognize the signs of aggressive behavior and body language.

  • Direct and unwavering stare at the other dog.
  • Hackles up
  • Stiff and rigid body posture and movement.
  • Lowering of the head.
  • Growling, raised lips that show the teeth or a tight closed mouth.
  • Standing over or raising up of the body next to the other dog.

How to Prevent Dog Fights

  • Spay and Neuter.  This is the most important advice we can give.
  • What to Do About Dog FightsSocialize your puppy!!!  Puppy classes need to start as early as possible, As soon as your puppy has had two in the series of vaccines and has been wormed get them in a controlled environment with other dogs.
  • If you get a second dog make it the opposite sex of your current pet.  Same sex households have more fights.
  • Feed and give treats separately
  • Avoid too many dogs in too small of an area.  Make sure everyone has a place to get away from each other.
  • Allow your dogs to establish a pecking order without interfering.  A few growls and scuffles should establish who is boss and what acceptable behavior is. Helpful humans cause a lot of fights.
  • Establish a routine and stick to it.  Order begets order.
  • If you aren’t sure everyone gets along and you can’t be there to monitor, use crates when you’re gone.
  • The more dogs you have, the greater the chance of fights.
  • Know your breeds.  Any dog can fight but if you have a dominant terrier you better adjust your management to fit a feisty personality.

What to Do If a Dog Fight is Already HappeningWhat to Do About Dog Fights

  • DO NOT scream and yell.  That just adds to the adrenaline.
  • DO NOT put your hands anywhere in the middle of a dog fight.  You will get bit.
  • First try distraction.  Command OFF or LEAVE IT or whatever command you have to stop activity.
  • Try an air horn or a shaker can as distraction
  • Use a tennis racket, small board or other object to get in between the dogs.
  • If that doesn’t work move up to a water hose or commercial citronella spray. Once they are separated get them in different areas of the house until everyone calms down. If you feel it is safe, allow them to calm down in the same room but make certain you act as leader and no new fighting erupts.
  • Spend time trying to figure out what set off the fight and how you can change your management to prevent future problems.
  • If you aren’t sure what to do…consult your veterinarian for their advice and recommendations for an appropriate trainer.

The Smartest Cats in the World

Cats are some of the most intelligent animals out there. Birds are smart too but cats are resourceful.  They evolved from cats that survived almost solely on their speed and cunning.  Although the domesticated cat may be much different from the big cats that they evolved from cats are no dummies.

Cats also know how to defend themselves against any potential challenges and problems that may arise. The smartest cat breeds tend to have even more impressive capabilities when compared to other breeds. You can find a smart cat in just about any breed.  But below are some of the most recognized as the smartest cats.

Abyssinian

Smartest CatsThe Abyssinian cats have perfect communication skills, and at the same time, they are known to offer and receive a lot of attention. They also have a great memory. As a result, they know where items are located. You will even see Abyssinians open doors very often, there are ample YouTube clips to prove it. It’s easy to see why a lot of people call them the smartest cats out there.

Siamese

Yes, Siamese cats are also extremely intelligent. They can easily recall the location of food or where treats are kept. Siamese are known to remember human voices for a very long time as well. Siamese cats are also easy to train if you want a cat that can do simple tricks.

Scottish Fold

The Scottish Fold breed has a rather unique and distinct personality. It’s very confident, but at the same time, it can also recall the location of various items and so on. Moreover, it has amazing non-verbal skills, and it likes to travel with you. This can will also perceive a lot of gestures, so you can easily communicate with it even if you can’t say anything.

Persians

Persian cats look great but their primary strength is their fast perception and reaction time. Persian cats are very cautious.  They are some of the first animals that can feel danger like an oncoming earthquake. It goes to show the carefulness, agility, and unique intelligence that Persians have.

Cornish Rex

Even if this is a fun and loving breed, this is also a cat breed that’s ready to adapt to any challenge and situation. On top of that, it’s known for the fact that it has some expert communication skills. This is a graceful cat and one that will always avoid destroying your fragile items.

Turkish AngoraSmartest Cats

The Turkish Angora is a very popular cat breed. They are known being very physically fast. But they are also clever, to the point where it can easily adapt to almost any situation. They can open drawers and cabinet doors and even figure out simple puzzles. That’s how smart this cat breed is.

Yes, there are many smart cats out there, but these breeds tend to impress a lot when it comes to their abilities to communicate and remember things. If you want a smart cat, then you want to opt for any of the breeds listed above, as they are nothing short of outstanding, that’s for sure! Plus, most of these breeds are very loving, and they will always stay near you and even comfort you when necessary!

How to Show Dominance Over Your Dog

When you get a new dog, or bring a second dog into the home, it is important to establish that you are in charge. You need to be the leader of your dog pack, not your dog. In order to establish dominance, you have to know how to Show Dominance Over Your Dog, even if it makes you uncomfortable.

A confused dog that doesn’t know his place in the world might exhibit signs of aggression. Yet, other dogs develop separation anxiety and act out through destructive behaviors. If the dog doesn’t know his place in the household pack, he will be confused and intimidated. On the other hand, if a dog understands his place, he will probably be happier.

The important thing is to establish yourself as the pack leader even if you have a low maintenance dog. The below is even more important if you have a high maintenance dog.

How to Show Dominance Over Your Dog – Take Charge

How to Show Dominance Over Your DogYou may feel a little silly or even mean, but it is important to let the dog know that you are in charge.

  • Be the Owner. Put your hands firmly on the dog and hug him. Pat him until your hands are warm.
  • Praise him warmly then move away
  • Reprimand disobedience fairly and forgive quickly. When you place your hands on your dog, don’t do it out of anger, but with authority. Do not hit the dog to show dominance. You can shake the collar, pull back on the leash, or maneuver them into a sitting position. When you have made the dog do something you want, you are acting as the alpha. Follow up with a hug.
  • Your dog should obey on the first command. If you are constantly repeating yourself with your dog, you are not the alpha. Dogs have amazing hearing, much better than a human’s. Don’t let him give you the slip.
  • Give commands you know you can follow through with. You have to be responsible about completing commands. If your dog takes off across the park to chase a squirrel, don’t yell to call him back. This is a situation where you cannot reprimand disobedience. Just be patient, because once he accepts you as the alpha, he will stop to look for you. When he sees you aren’t following, he will return to you. This is how he knows leaders must be obeyed.
  • Be benevolent. In human terms, a top dog is tough but loving and fair. Dogs only want to know who is in charge and who loves them.
  • Be a model top dog. A top dog has dignity, confidence, intelligence and authority. This will help your dog to be calm himself.
  • If you have more than one dog in your home, you have to decide the rankings within the dog pack. Also, you have to feed the top dog first, and he gets top choice of the bones. The others have to wait for their turn. This is another way for you to gain dominance.

How to Show Dominance Over Your Dog – Dog Training

You can also enroll your dog in a dog training program. Make sure to find trainers that takes potentially aggressive ones, even your pup has delusions of grandeur. Once the dust settles, your dog with understand that, although you are the boss, you are not such a bad guy. Dog trainers will work closely with you and your animal to ensure obedience is achieved.

How to Show Dominance Over Your Dog – Signs of Submission

A submissive dog may do one of the following.

  • flatten their ears back on their head
  • repeatedly sticking out their tongue when you approach
  • rolling over onto their back
  • avoiding eye contact and licking his lips
  • playful position with front paws on the ground, rear end up

How to Show Dominance Over Your Dog – Dominant Behavior

If your dog still acts like he’s the boss, ignore him until his attitude changes. Otherwise, he will continue dominating humans:

  • body blocking or rubbing shoulders
  • standing still and at attention
  • growling and looking you in the eye
  • moving between people or dogs

If your dog is trying to dominate, emphasize your authority and get it specially trained in order to restore your power

Everything you Need to Know About the Catahoula Bulldog

When you cross breed a Louisiana Catahoula Leopard dog with an American Bulldog, what you get is the Catahoula Bulldog. In Indian, Catahoula means ‘clear water’. The dog was bred near the Catahoula Lake, a place full of clear water. The name of this dog breed isn’t just significant for the place of its origin. These dogs are unbelievably clear-headed creatures endowed with remarkable demeanors.

Catahoula bulldogIf you are looking for a very expressive dog, the Catahoula bulldog is all you need. This dog can communicate with its ears in ways that no other dog breed can. Depending on the individual dog, they may have button, rose-type, or cropped ears. The short glossy coats of the Catahoula bulldog makes it very gorgeous indeed. Their coats remain short for as long as they live in in warm areas. However, in colder areas, the Catahoula bulldog develops an undercoat. Although they have tight skins, this dog breed has a variety of colors. They either have their coats in pure white, dark, or any color in between. They have gold, brown, bright green or clear blue eyes. The Catahoula Bulldog has an average weight of 75 to 100 pounds.

History of the Catahoula bulldog

People who have interacted with this dog breed for the last 100 years have loved it! There Catahoula bulldogwas a time when ranchers and hog hunters kept Catahoula leopard dogs. All this was because of the native dog’s remarkable intelligence and work ethic. For many years, these dogs hunted hogs just as much as they helped herd cattle. The hog hunters found it a problem having these dogs carry the catch home. It was their lack of strength and puny sizes that was mainly to blame. The hunters had to bring along a catch dog on every hunting mission. Also, this small dog wasn’t just aggressive enough to hunt down bears, which were considered hostile prey.

Compared to the Catahoula leopard dog, the American bulldog was stronger, bulkier, and more aggressive. It had everything that the Catahoula lacked. Not that the Catahoula wasn’t almost perfect; it only needed a little improvement. For a while, the ranchers and hog hunters toyed with the idea of breeding the Catahoula with the bulldog. They wanted to know if this experiment could result in a flawless work and family dog. The Catahoula bulldog is the result of that experiment.

What kind of temperament does the Catahoula bulldog have?

Catahoula bulldogThere are many great things that the Catahoula bulldog is known for. Among them is that it is an avid protector of its family, incredibly loyal, calm unless provoked, and just strong. Talk of a dog that combines the strength of the American bulldog and the Catahoula leopard dog. Just how strong can it get? This dog retains a different set or incredible traits from each of its parent breeds. From the American bulldog, they get a cool demeanor, a wide skull, and strong jaws. From its Catahoula heritage, this dog gets fierce strength, endurance, intelligence, an incomparable ability to herd and hunt. Clearly the Catahoula bulldog has the skills and passion to carry out all the tasks you give it. This is even as is serves as man’s best friend.

To crown its unmatched abilities, the Catahoula bulldog is not easy to give in to distraction. Its friendly nature makes it a great addition to the family. It gets along with children, other pets, and almost anything else that loves them back. If you find a good trainer, this dog has the ability to become a great friend of yours. However, don’t expect the Catahoula bulldog to be total angel! If you don’t train them, you will end up with a handful of problems.

Can the Catahoula bulldog keep its nose dry?

This is from the lineage of the American bulldog anyway! The Catahoula bulldog can Catahoula bulldogtherefore be susceptible to a number of sensitivity issues. This includes a dry, rough, damaged, or flaking nose. Just like for all sensitive canines, the trick is to use all-natural and organic dog products on this breed. With this, you can prevent the sprouting of future nasal irritations. So check if your Catahoula bulldog has a rough, dry or crusty nose. If it does, ensure you get for him the best organic dog products. Natural dog products are full of healing ingredients that will make the nose of your dog look better. When all is over, your dog will definitely feel better. Whatever you do, ensure your Catahoula bulldog has a well-moist and healthy nose. If anything, a rough or damaged dog nose can be a source of serious pain. This can make your dog to turn out being irritable and temperamental.

There you have it! If you are looking for a great hunting, herding, and friendly dog, the Catahoula bulldog is all you need. Only ensure you are giving it the best care it deserves.

Top 10 Lowest Maintenance Dogs

There is no reason why you should have a family dog that takes too much work to maintain. Getting yourself a dog breed that does not need lots of pampering or multiple vet visits can be a great relief. Below is an overview of 10 low maintenance dogs you should consider.

What’s the Best Dog Breed for New Owners?

It really depends on what you expect from a dog. How much do you plan to exercise your dog? How patient are you with training? How much grooming are you willing to do (or pay someone else to do)?

I am always partial to retired racing Greyhounds. They tend to be pretty chill and are really cool dogs. But they are large, and the experience of owning a Greyhound will be different from, say, a Golden Retriever.

Goldens do tend to be a good choice if you’re willing to exercise the dog (and occasionally comb their feathering so they don’t get mats). They’re usually immensely trainable, and a good Golden is a sweet-natured and forgiving dog. Make sure you get a dog from a responsible breeder or a good rescue, not from a pet shop or similar. A first time owner also likely does not want a hunting dog from field trial lines, as the intensity level tends to be too high for comfort.

Adopting an adult dog can be easier for new owners, if the dog you adopt has basic training and is generally well-adjusted. This is true in many breeds and mixes. There is no reason you can’t find a perfect dog in a shelter, too, without first identifying a breed but instead looking at what traits are important to you.

There is no single answer. If there’s a breed you’re interested in, try to meet as many dogs of the breed as you can and talk to their owners. And remember that individuals can vary as much within a breed as between breeds, so consider the individual dog as well. But we recommend low maintenance dogs for new owners.  And here are the 10 chillest dog breeds out there.

10 of the Lowest Maintenance Dogs

Australian Cattle Doglow maintenance dogs Australian Cattle Dog

The Australian Cattle Dog is a herding dog that adorns a nice short coat that only needs occasional brushing and baths. The only additional thing you have to do is occasionally trim their nails and check their ears and teeth. Expect very minimal vet visits with these healthy low maintenance dogs.

Labrador Retriever

The Labrador retriever doesn’t just have a great personality, they are easy to care for both in terms of grooming and visits to the vet. These are low maintenance dogs as you only need to take good care of their ears to avoid infection.

Chihuahua (short hair)

This short haired version of the Chihuahua hardly require any grooming. When it comes to low maintenance dogs, this particular one has pricked ears so you don’t have to check through like you do in the Labrador retriever. Even the long-haired version is so small that you hardly take time grooming it.

Can you train chihuahuas not to bark at everyone who comes to the door?

It should be possible, though Chihuahuas tend to be fairly independent and so can be a little harder to train than a dog that is more eager to please.

You’d likely have to use treats the dog likes (chicken, bits of hot dog, whatever–teeny tiny pieces, especially for so small a dog), and reward the dog for not barking–or stopping barking–when someone comes to the door. I’d also have the person who came to the door give the dog a treat so it associates people coming over with good things.

You may not be able to keep the dog from barking at all, but you should be able to train the dog–nearly any dog–to only alert for a few seconds and then be quiet. It may take a while, but dogs are smart.

Ibizan hound

The Ibizan hound is a rare dog that’s very easy to care for. It requires very little grooming and does not need to pay the vet a visit often.

Dachshund (smooth coat)low maintenance dogs Dachshund

The Dachshund is among the breed of low maintenance dogs that requires minimal grooming. When young, they require very few or no visits to the vet. However, as they get older, you may need to take them to the vet often for their inherited back issues. That’s just about all you need to do to care for them.

Russel Terrier (smooth coat)

Whether you are talking about the Jack or Parson, here is a breed of low maintenance dogs that are also fun to own. They have easy-to-groom and smooth coats. For the rough coated versions, you may have to take a lot of time stripping them. Apart from that, they require very little, which could be limited to a little brushing, minimal bathing, and routine vet care.

Toy Fox Terrier

The Toy Fox Terrier is another terrier that requires hardly any kind of maintenance. It is as low maintenance as a cat. In fact, with this dog, you don’t have to clean out a litter box, thus making it much easier to care for.

Miniature Pinscher

The miniature Pinscher has a coat that’s easy to care for as it requires very minimal bathing and is generally healthy. So, you can say goodbye to those vet visits. Since it is a small breed, they don’t require much feeding. Ease the burden on your wallet with this breed of low maintenance dogs.

Beaglelow maintenance dogs Beagle

For a high energy dog, the beagle is pretty low maintenance. I personally know 3 people who have adopted beagles. Only watch out for infections on the droopy ears and have peace of mind.

Dalmatian

The Dalmatian has many qualities that make it easy to love. Here is a larger breed that is fairly easy to maintain because of its short coat. The only disadvantage is that this breed has low maintenance dogs Dalmatiansome medical issues so only buy yours from a credible source. Dalmatians have thicker nails that need to be maintained. Make sure you use the best dog nail clippers, cheap clippers can crack their thick claws and cause them pain.

When it comes to low maintenance dogs, you’re spoiled for choice!

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