Author’s flights of fancy chronicle canine’s life 

BINGHAMTON — Meet Georgie, five pounds of concentrated cuteness. He’s about to be unleashed on the world as a cartoon in a children’s book bearing his name and his almost-serious claim to fame: Georgie the Flying dog.
Source: www.pressconnects.com

Hearth To Hearth 
Lions And Tigers And Schnoodles? Oh My! Who let the dogs out? Into the world of designer canines, that is. Is a mutt by any other name the same?
Source: www.capecodchronicle.com

A story of Hope and thanks 

This is a story of Hope and thanks. As Collier County residents rang in the New Year 2006, a one-year-old puppy in Immokalee fought for her life. Tied to a tree by a phone cord around her neck, she slowly starved nearly to death after having gone without food or water for approximately 60 days. Find Out More…

It has come to the attention of the Lamar Daily News that a classified ad which recently appeared in the newspaper may be fraudulent. Find Out More…

HOUSTON — Do you need to buy a car, a chair or even a puppy Many consumers who do look to the classifieds. But look out: readers are finding more and more scams in the sales pages. Find Out More…

A Yorkshire Terrier puppy reported missing earlier this month from Blue Lake was found in Arcata Monday. A news release from the Blue Lake Police Department states the puppy was reported missing at about 5:55 p.m. Nov. 6. Find Out More…

To All Yorkshire Terrier Owners: Are You Guilty Of Anthropomorphism?

For years Hollywood has portrayed motion-picture canines as animals whose motivations are based on human perceptions and values. Lassie saves a rabbit from death, for example, or Benji solves a crime, or Rin Tin Tin protects the fort from outlaws. These animal films are very entertaining, and the canine actors are extremely well trained, but they tend to give the viewer a distorted, unrealistic picture of a Yorkshire Terrier’s ability to think and reason.

This misrepresentation of canine behavior is the do wnfall of many yorkie owners and their unfortunate pets. A person who has never taken a dog training course or read a good training manual containing information on canine behavior very often expects from his or her dog things that canines are unable to do. Such a person may teach even those behaviors that the dog is capable of carrying out in a confusing and haphazard manner. Many poor dogs are then unjustly labeled, spiteful, stupid, stubborn, and sometimes just plain bad. The proper label is ignorant, and it belongs to the owner, not the dog. Whenever you try to evaluate canine behaviors through a human point of view, you will misinterpret them.

All but the very worst anthropomorphic yorkie owners can be helped if they make a valid effort to understand their dogs. It is not a crime to be anthropomorphic, but it should be a crime if you own a dog and make no effort to understand him. Some aspects of anthropomorphism are harmless to the dog - and can even be enjoyable. For example, giving your dog a special dinner on his birthday or filling a Christmas stocking with dog toys and treats is not detrimental; What dog owners should learn about anthropomorphism should directly concern the dog’s training, especially when it comes to good timing and fair corrections. For example, owners often correct their dog based on a “guilty look” on the dog’s face, assuming he “knows” he was wrong. The dog doesn’t know, any more than he knows it is his birthday or Christmas.

Here is another good example of anthropomorphism. Many dog owners - especially owners of younger dogs - experience a chewing problem at some point. Many calls come in on a regular basis from frustrated owners who say that their dogs chew furniture, rugs, shoes, and the like when left alone in the house. They say that they have tried everything. “He knows he has done wrong,” they say. When asked what they have done to correct the dog, they say, “I holler at him and show him what he chewed. I tell him he is bad, and I smack him with the newspaper.”

This procedure is usually repeated many times while the Yorkshire Terrier continues to destroy the house. Eventually the time arrives when the owner comes home and the dog runs and hides. Some dogs may even stand and shiver with a terribly “guilty look” on their face. Then, periodically, the owner will come home and not find a mess. The owner will be happy and will praise and pet the dog. The dog will respond to the happy sound and good-feeling rubs with a wagging tail and a happy appearance.

This cheerful behavior, unfortunately, reinforces in the owner’s mind that the dog knows that avoiding chewing is “right” and that chewing up the house is “wrong.” “He’s just a bad dog,” the owner thinks or “He’s really spiteful. He wants to get even with me for leaving him home.” These statements are all based strictly on human emotions and a human perspective. Owners such as these are being anthropocentric. They view everything in terms of human experience and human values.

Tips You Need To Know When Searching For An Honest Yorkshire Terrier Breeder

Once you have located several Yorkshire Terrier breeders who produce the breed you desire, we recommend that you visit all of them before deciding on a puppy. Compare their facilities, and beware of the hard sell. Do not be pressured into buying a puppy because the breeder says there are three other prospective buyers on their way over. Also, do not buy a puppy simply because the breeder isn’t planning to produce another litter any time soon.

Pay attention to first impressions. Which of the breeders is open, informative, and friendly? Which are closed-mouthed and cautious? A good breeder will be honest and will want to place the puppy in the best home possible. Breeders should also want to know about you. Are you responsible enough to own a dog? Do you have a house with a fenced yard, or do you live in a studio apartment? Do you own other pets? A good breeder will want to ensure the welfare of his or her dog, for the animal’s sake and for the future success of the breed.

Observe the general appearance of the facility. Is it clean and well maintained? Do the animals appear to be healthy? Is the breeder’s home neat and orderly or messy and chaotic? You wouldn’t buy groceries in a filthy store infested with vermin, so why tolerate these conditions when shopping for a dog?

Check the area where the Yorkshire Terrier puppies are housed. It should be clean, warm, and comfortable. Water, bedding, and perhaps a few chew toys should be available. If this area is littered with excrement, the puppies may have become used to these conditions and may not understand that the sleeping area is not also a place to eliminate. Housebreaking these puppies could be difficult.

The friendliest dogs are usually those that have been handled by humans from the time they were only a few days old. Successful breeders understand this and will have regular handling sessions with the puppies every day. Many bring the puppies into their home each day to acclimate them to this environment. Avoid those breeders who keep their puppies isolated from people.

No breeder should allow a puppy to leave the litter before it is seven weeks of age. Proper socialization within the litter is ensured during this important period. puppies that leave too soon often become dog-aggressive and antisocial. Breeders who are willing to let their puppies go too early are not doing their job properly. Avoid them.

Proper record-keeping is an essential part of the breeding process. Breeders should have the pedigrees of all of their available dogs and should provide you with the accurate date of birth as well as all vaccination records. The breeder must also give you a blue AKC registration application for your puppy. You will fill this out and mail it to the American Kennel Club; the AKC will then send you your Yorkshire Terrier puppy’s registration certificate. A sales contract should be provided as well. Read this document carefully; some contracts specify co-ownership between you and the breeder, and some require you to alter the pet within a certain period.

Kennel owner plans to rebuild 

Accidental fire killed about 30 dogs at Slate Belt facility known for its winners. A veteran Slate Belt dog breeder and handler has vowed she’ll start over after a fire Thursday night devastated her kennel, killing about 30 dogs. Find Out More…

BINGHAMTON — Meet Georgie, five pounds of concentrated cuteness. He’s about to be unleashed on the world as a cartoon in a children’s book bearing his name and his almost-serious claim to fame: Georgie the Flying dog. Find Out More…

A fussy, yorkshire terrier named Koby had a fit when Sandy Best’s docile, furry friend entered her office. The dog’s itsy, bitsy yelp only aggravated Ozzy, the alpaca with mop-head hair that covered its eyes. So Ozzy bucked like a bull, and Koby backed up. Quickly. Find Out More…

Lions And Tigers And Schnoodles Oh My! Who let the dogs out Into the world of designer canines, that is. Is a mutt by any other name the same Find Out More…

Tips For The Yorkshire Terrier Owner Who Is Loosing Their Eyesight (Part 2)

If you have no one who can take you and your Yorkshire Terrier to the veterinarian, find out if there is someone in your vicinity who provides taxi service for your veterinary trips. A pet-sitter or pet care professional also may have such a service. Check the Yellow Pages of your phone directory under Pets or Pet-sitters. Inquire at local pet stores if none are listed in the telephone directory.

Some veterinarians make house calls, so, if transportation is a problem for you, find a veterinarian who will come to your home.

If you must give your yorkie medication, ask for it in pill form so that you don’t have to measure dosages in a dropper. Place one hand over your dog’s head and open his mouth with your thumb and forefinger. Pop the pill in his mouth with your other hand.

If the medicine comes in a capsule and must be divided, open the capsule and pour the white powder onto a dark tile or board, for contrast, that you’ve placed on your kitchen counter. Divide the powder into parts with a razor blade. Sprinkle the portion over your dog’s food and mix it in.

To tell if your dog is sick, pay attention to his activity level and touch his nose. A dry nose along with diminished activity may indicate that your dog isn’t feeling well.

If blindness or vision problems prevent you from functioning, investigate obtaining a guide dog. A guide dog may be your link to the world and help you live a full and normal life.

To clean up your dog’s wastes, keep him on leash. If your Yorkshire Terrier stops, run your hand down his back. If his back is curved and he is hunched over, you know that he is moving his bowels. Stand still and, based on where your dog is standing, follow along his back toward the tail to determine where the deposit is. Insert your hand in a plastic bag, pick up the wastes, and pull them inside the bag. Tie the bag and throw it in the trash.

To keep your dog from causing you to trip, teach him to go to a special place when he is not with you. Show your dog the place and give a command. Keep the command consistent and repeat the process until your dog knows to go to his special place when you say the command. Praise your dog each time he follows directions. Put one or two of your dog’s special chew toys in the place to make the spot more appealing.

Tips For The Yorkshire Terrier Owner Who Is Loosing Their Eyesight (Part 1)

Losing one’s sight either permanently or temporarily or even having it decreased due to cataracts or other causes can cause you to rethink how to manage everyday care of your Yorkshire Terrier.

A yorkie, especially if he is a guide dog for the blind, will be your constant companion, but providing care for him may take some extra effort. Following are some tips for people with vision problems from people who have vision problems themselves. Some of the tips will help you if you’ve completely lost your vision, but others require that you have a minimum amount of vision and can discern shapes or contrasts.

To help know where your Yorkshire Terrier is, put bells on his collar so that you can hear him when he walks around your home. If you have more than one dog, use different-sounding bells.

To help you locate your dog, put his rabies tag and metal license next to each other on his collar so they jingle when he walks.

Those of you that have vision problems know that your other senses learn to pick up the slack under such circumstances, so telling your dogs apart if you have more than one may be as simple as touching them and feeling their coats or sizes. If your dogs are the same size or their hair has a similar or identical feel, the process may be more difficult. To help differentiate the two dogs, put different types of collars on them. Use different combinations, such as a collar with a metal buckle and one with a plastic buckle or one collar made from elastic and the other one made from plastic to help you tell them apart.

If you have a neighbor, relative, or friend who takes you grocery shopping or does it for you, peel the label from the food your dog likes and give it to the shopper so that he or she buys the correct variety or brand.

Feeding your dogs a variety of flavors helps maintain their interest in their food. Put a rubber band around the cans of one flavor and not the other to be able to tell by feeling the presence of rubber bands which one you are feeding him. If you need more than two options, put two or three rubber bands on the different flavors.

To measure quantities of food for your Yorkshire Terrier, keep the appropriate-sized measuring cup in the bag of food so you always will feed the correct amount.

Place a tray with half-inch sides, such as a cookie sheet or pizza tray, along a wall where you are less likely to accidentally step on it. When you feed your dog, place his food and water on the tray. Anything that spills from his bowl will fall onto the tray. To clean it, simply lift the entire tray and dump the fallen bits into the garbage disposal or trash can.

Timing: One Of The Most Important Aspects Of Yorkshire Terrier Training

Timing is probably the most important factor in how fast your Yorkshire Terrier learns something. What we mean by timing is this: Let’s say that your dog put his nose on the hot oven door. A few moments later he walked into the family room, looked at the TV, and then felt the burning sensation on his nose. He would associate the burning sensation with the TV. Because of the lapse in time, he would never in a million years associate the experience of his burned nose with the oven door.

Timing is vital when teaching your yorkie puppy the rules around your house, such as not to chew the rug. For example, say you walk into the living room five minutes after the puppy has finished chewing the rug. You find him sleeping in the corner and drag him over to the rug. You point to the rug and scold him. Your correction is too late. Your pup will never figure out that the disagreeable experience he is having now has anything to do with what he did five minutes before.

Correcting a dog more than a few seconds after he does a behavior is too late. He will no longer associate your correction with his previous deed. Of course, if you come into the room even many hours later ranting like a maniac, your dog is going to cower and act apprehensive. Do not misinterpret apprehension for “guilt”. To help your dog learn rapidly and efficiently, it is up to you to develop good timing.

So what is good timing? Good timing is correcting or praising your dog as he is thinking about doing a behavior. That’s the best way to get a dog to associate your correction or praise with the behavior you are trying to influence. You do not have to be a dog mind-reader to know what your dog is thinking. Canines are open, honest creatures. Everything they are about to do is written all over their faces.

The ability to anticipate a Yorkshire Terrier’s next move is called “reading the dog.” It’s not as hard as it may sound. The more time you spend with your dog, the better you will become at “reading” him. Imagine this scenario: You are expecting company and put out a plate of cheese and crackers on the coffee table. Your dog looks at the cheese and takes a few steps toward the table. Now is the time to tell him “Naaaa!” Chances are good that he was thinking about taking the cheese. Well-timed corrections will teach your pet to avoid stealing food.

The next best time to correct your dog is just as he is doing the unwanted behavior. Using our example, this means a tough “Naaaa!” just as the dog’s mouth is reaching for the cheese. The worst time to correct is ten seconds after the dog has done the unwanted behavior. Yelling at the Yorkshire Terrier when you discover an empty cheese plate will not effectively teach him to avoid stealing the cheese in the first place.