Wednesday, March 12, 2008
A Little Bit About The Italian Greyhound
The Italian Greyhound is known in its native land as Picooli Levrieri Italiani. It is an ancient breed that looks like a miniature version of the Greyhound with all the talents of the bigger Greyhound.
The ancestors of the Italian Greyhound probably came from Egypt, Turkey and Greece, where they later found favor with medieval European royalty. The Italian Greyhound became popular in southern Europe, especially in Italy, during the sixteenth century and eventually won the hearts of queens and princesses throughout Europe. This tin, personable miniaturization of the Greyhound probably was bred purposely as a ladys companion but later gained a reputation for having sufficient speed, endurance, and determination for coursing small game.
The Italian Greyhound loves to run in pursuit of small game or just for the fun of it. Exercise requirements can be met by long walks, backyard games and play.
Current function of the Italian Greyhound is mainly just as a classic companion pet, although the Italian Greyhound has sporting qualities. He is equally at home in the comfort of apartment living and a soft bed as he is seen speeding across a yard or field in pursuit of imaginary or real game.
The Italian Greyhound has virtually no fat insulation on its body which does make him a little more sensitive cold. His tiny size and scant, slick coat does not help in this area, but also adds to this dogs sensitivity to the cold. He probably is best kept in warmer climates.
The Italian Greyhound is affectionate, cheerful and intelligent. Avoid rowdy dogs and children when housing the Italian Greyhound. Older children should be taught not to try and carry around the Italian Greyhound. He is definitely not a pocket puppy breed, or one that enjoys being carried around. He is not known as a watchdog, although the bark of this breed sounds like a much larger dog. The Italian Greyhound is often timid around strangers. When properly introduced to visitors the Italian Greyhound warms up quickly.
The Italian Greyhound has an elegant beauty that pleases the eyes of those who meet this charming little dog. He stands about 13 inches tall and weighs about 8 pounds. He is quite similar to the Greyhound only smaller. The Italian Greyhound has a single coat that is fine and lies flat. It is seen in almost every color pattern and hue much like the Greyhound.
Grooming
As you might guess grooming requirements of the Italian Greyhound are quite minimal. The coat is easily taken care of by regular, daily attention with velvet pad or a piece of silk. Equipment needed is a hound glove, velvet glove or pad. Bathe this breed in a good-quality protein shampoo. Use a purifying shampoo and mask on occasions or a condition to enhance the gleam of the coat.
Connie Limon. Visit us online at http://www.abouttoydogs.com and sign up for our newsletters. About Toy Dogs is a guide to the selection and care of toy dog breeds. We feature articles, dog training resources, dog books, dog toys and supplies, and a toy dog breeder directory. Purchase a full page ad with up to 3 pictures, 12 picture video and advertising in our newsletters for one full year at the rate of $25 per year.
The ancestors of the Italian Greyhound probably came from Egypt, Turkey and Greece, where they later found favor with medieval European royalty. The Italian Greyhound became popular in southern Europe, especially in Italy, during the sixteenth century and eventually won the hearts of queens and princesses throughout Europe. This tin, personable miniaturization of the Greyhound probably was bred purposely as a ladys companion but later gained a reputation for having sufficient speed, endurance, and determination for coursing small game.
The Italian Greyhound loves to run in pursuit of small game or just for the fun of it. Exercise requirements can be met by long walks, backyard games and play.
Current function of the Italian Greyhound is mainly just as a classic companion pet, although the Italian Greyhound has sporting qualities. He is equally at home in the comfort of apartment living and a soft bed as he is seen speeding across a yard or field in pursuit of imaginary or real game.
The Italian Greyhound has virtually no fat insulation on its body which does make him a little more sensitive cold. His tiny size and scant, slick coat does not help in this area, but also adds to this dogs sensitivity to the cold. He probably is best kept in warmer climates.
The Italian Greyhound is affectionate, cheerful and intelligent. Avoid rowdy dogs and children when housing the Italian Greyhound. Older children should be taught not to try and carry around the Italian Greyhound. He is definitely not a pocket puppy breed, or one that enjoys being carried around. He is not known as a watchdog, although the bark of this breed sounds like a much larger dog. The Italian Greyhound is often timid around strangers. When properly introduced to visitors the Italian Greyhound warms up quickly.
The Italian Greyhound has an elegant beauty that pleases the eyes of those who meet this charming little dog. He stands about 13 inches tall and weighs about 8 pounds. He is quite similar to the Greyhound only smaller. The Italian Greyhound has a single coat that is fine and lies flat. It is seen in almost every color pattern and hue much like the Greyhound.
Grooming
As you might guess grooming requirements of the Italian Greyhound are quite minimal. The coat is easily taken care of by regular, daily attention with velvet pad or a piece of silk. Equipment needed is a hound glove, velvet glove or pad. Bathe this breed in a good-quality protein shampoo. Use a purifying shampoo and mask on occasions or a condition to enhance the gleam of the coat.
Connie Limon. Visit us online at http://www.abouttoydogs.com and sign up for our newsletters. About Toy Dogs is a guide to the selection and care of toy dog breeds. We feature articles, dog training resources, dog books, dog toys and supplies, and a toy dog breeder directory. Purchase a full page ad with up to 3 pictures, 12 picture video and advertising in our newsletters for one full year at the rate of $25 per year.
Why are Women Sports Important?
Historically, women are often depicted as damsels in distress. They are in need of a knight in shinning armour to captivate them, to save them from dreadful boredom and to take care of them. Today, a little of that is still in us. However, we can empower ourselves to break the stereotype. One way is through competitive and non-competitive sports.
Sports can be classified in two ways, team sports and individual sports. Team sports such as, basketball, volleyball and soccer are in need of people to play. These are the typical numbers; five on a basketball team, two or six on a volleyball team and a soccer team needs eleven players. Team sports instills many positive character traits in individuals. These traits can be good sportsmanship, getting along with others, dependency on others to do their part or play their position, trust building and group dynamics just to name a few. Individual sports is just you. You have to be the one to go the distance. A few good individual sports are; jogging, bicycling, swimming, golf, dance and weight training. They instill self-motivation, self-sacrifice, self-determination to stay active and to continue.
Being active in any sport is good. The benefits are many.
Ill list a few: better oxygen volume, toned muscles, maintenance or a better ideal weight, induce sleep, release of feel good hormones, prevention of disease, better focus and vision. So what ever you decide make play apart of your day.
Karen Sargent is the creator and designer of a web site for women's sport apparel. She's a physical educator and health teacher in a public school system in Illinois. http://www.womensportapparel.com
Sports can be classified in two ways, team sports and individual sports. Team sports such as, basketball, volleyball and soccer are in need of people to play. These are the typical numbers; five on a basketball team, two or six on a volleyball team and a soccer team needs eleven players. Team sports instills many positive character traits in individuals. These traits can be good sportsmanship, getting along with others, dependency on others to do their part or play their position, trust building and group dynamics just to name a few. Individual sports is just you. You have to be the one to go the distance. A few good individual sports are; jogging, bicycling, swimming, golf, dance and weight training. They instill self-motivation, self-sacrifice, self-determination to stay active and to continue.
Being active in any sport is good. The benefits are many.
Ill list a few: better oxygen volume, toned muscles, maintenance or a better ideal weight, induce sleep, release of feel good hormones, prevention of disease, better focus and vision. So what ever you decide make play apart of your day.
Karen Sargent is the creator and designer of a web site for women's sport apparel. She's a physical educator and health teacher in a public school system in Illinois. http://www.womensportapparel.com
Training With Treats: Do It Right!
Hey even Im willing to learn new things if theres a broiled lobster in it for me.
When Im hungry that is.
If Im not hungry, or if Im so distracted that a lobster wont tempt me, then Ill blow you off to continue doing what I want, not what you want.
Thats pretty much how your dog sees the issue when you train with food. If hes hungry at the moment, and if theres nothing more compelling going on, food can be a great way to reinforce behaviors you teach your dog. On the other hand, if Fido isnt food motivated, or if hes got something better to do, he wont be interested.
Nonetheless, training with food has its benefits when used as a motivator and a reward. For those dogs who just arent normally interested in treats, you can substitute play with a toy if that motivates them.
The first thing you have to know about using food in training is how NOT to use it. The primary rule is not to use it to stop an unwanted behavior. Instead, use it to create a new behavior you want to teach.
With those rules in mind, you wont teach your dog to stop growling at other dogs by using food. But you may be able to teach him to sit more quickly if theres something tasty in it for him.
Before I tell how you to deliver food treats when training, let me tell you WHY you should not use food to try and stop an unwanted behavior. The answer is because you can accidentally reinforce the very behavior youre trying to stop.
For example, lets say Fido growls at other dogs on his walks. If you tell him to stop growling, and distract him with a treat, what has he really learned?
Heres what YOURE thinkinghe stopped growling so I rewarded him for that with a cookie. He wont growl again.
Heres what FIDO is thinkingthis is cool, I growl, then mom pops me a cookie. Lets see if this workslets growl more!
Think of food as a directional reward. How, when and where you deliver it all determine whether the treat teaches your dog what you intended, or something else altogether. For example, you tell Fido to sit, and you hold a treat six inches over his head, while pushing down on his butt.
Sound about right? Wrong! By holding that treat six inches over his head, youre really teaching Fido to sit then immediately break that position in favor of jumping up to get the cookie.
Instead, start Fido standing on a closely held leash. Show him you have a cookie, by holding it at nose levelonly an inch from his sniffer-- while hes standing up. Direct his attention, and nose, slightly higher by raising the cookie only enough so that he must tend toward a sit to view it. While hes focusing upward only a couple of inches over his nose, use your other hand to push his butt down, while your cookie hand keeps the treat only a couple of inches from his nose as it moves.
As soon as he is sitting, deliver the treat to him just slightly above nose level, and slightly toward his rear. This means that to collect the treat, Fido must actually lean back into the sit more to reach it.
Mission accomplished! Food hasnt been just randomly delivered to your dog, leaving him wondering why he got it. Instead, the food has clearly communicated how he can get this treat even faster next time, by sitting when you ask.
Anyone getting hungry?
Marc Goldberg is a dog trainer specializing in the rehabilitation of difficult dogs and improving relationships. He is Vice President of the International Association of Canine Professionals (IACP) and Editor of SafeHands Journal. The author also educates professional dog trainers in his techniques. Visit him on the web at http://www.chicagodogtrainer.com or http://www.dogtraininginchicago.com.
When Im hungry that is.
If Im not hungry, or if Im so distracted that a lobster wont tempt me, then Ill blow you off to continue doing what I want, not what you want.
Thats pretty much how your dog sees the issue when you train with food. If hes hungry at the moment, and if theres nothing more compelling going on, food can be a great way to reinforce behaviors you teach your dog. On the other hand, if Fido isnt food motivated, or if hes got something better to do, he wont be interested.
Nonetheless, training with food has its benefits when used as a motivator and a reward. For those dogs who just arent normally interested in treats, you can substitute play with a toy if that motivates them.
The first thing you have to know about using food in training is how NOT to use it. The primary rule is not to use it to stop an unwanted behavior. Instead, use it to create a new behavior you want to teach.
With those rules in mind, you wont teach your dog to stop growling at other dogs by using food. But you may be able to teach him to sit more quickly if theres something tasty in it for him.
Before I tell how you to deliver food treats when training, let me tell you WHY you should not use food to try and stop an unwanted behavior. The answer is because you can accidentally reinforce the very behavior youre trying to stop.
For example, lets say Fido growls at other dogs on his walks. If you tell him to stop growling, and distract him with a treat, what has he really learned?
Heres what YOURE thinkinghe stopped growling so I rewarded him for that with a cookie. He wont growl again.
Heres what FIDO is thinkingthis is cool, I growl, then mom pops me a cookie. Lets see if this workslets growl more!
Think of food as a directional reward. How, when and where you deliver it all determine whether the treat teaches your dog what you intended, or something else altogether. For example, you tell Fido to sit, and you hold a treat six inches over his head, while pushing down on his butt.
Sound about right? Wrong! By holding that treat six inches over his head, youre really teaching Fido to sit then immediately break that position in favor of jumping up to get the cookie.
Instead, start Fido standing on a closely held leash. Show him you have a cookie, by holding it at nose levelonly an inch from his sniffer-- while hes standing up. Direct his attention, and nose, slightly higher by raising the cookie only enough so that he must tend toward a sit to view it. While hes focusing upward only a couple of inches over his nose, use your other hand to push his butt down, while your cookie hand keeps the treat only a couple of inches from his nose as it moves.
As soon as he is sitting, deliver the treat to him just slightly above nose level, and slightly toward his rear. This means that to collect the treat, Fido must actually lean back into the sit more to reach it.
Mission accomplished! Food hasnt been just randomly delivered to your dog, leaving him wondering why he got it. Instead, the food has clearly communicated how he can get this treat even faster next time, by sitting when you ask.
Anyone getting hungry?
Marc Goldberg is a dog trainer specializing in the rehabilitation of difficult dogs and improving relationships. He is Vice President of the International Association of Canine Professionals (IACP) and Editor of SafeHands Journal. The author also educates professional dog trainers in his techniques. Visit him on the web at http://www.chicagodogtrainer.com or http://www.dogtraininginchicago.com.
