A Brief History of Seeing Eye Dogs

No one knows when the concept of using assistance animals for the blind first came into being. It is suggested that dogs have been used in such a capacity in various cultures for a very long time. It is known, however, that there was no formal guide dog program in existence until after the First World War.

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Why German Shepherds?

Many people have probably wondered why guide dogs and Seeing Eye dogs are so often German Shepherds. The reason is actually twofold. First of all the German Shepherd has a strong sense of loyalty to its owner, giving it a natural tendency to be protective. Having a very protective dog as a companion is an obvious asset for someone who may otherwise be easily attacked by less then scrupulous individuals. The other reason is far simpler; the first guide dogs for the blind and visually impaired were trained in Germany to provided assistance for those blinded in the war.

After the end of World War I the nation of Germany was devastated by financial depression. Many private businesses failed and the Potsdam, Germany school that trained the guide dogs for the blind was one of them.

The Beginning

An American woman named Dorothy Eustis had heard about the program and decided it was a very worthwhile endeavor. Because she owned a company that was training German Shepherds as working dogs, she decided she might try to train guide dogs for the blind. She did not start this right away, however. In fact she was still considering the possibilities when she penned a story for The Saturday Evening Post about the potential for guide dogs for the blind.

A Nashville man named Morris Frank had heard the story and decided to write to Ms. Eustis and ask her to train a dog for him. She did and Mr. Frank became known as the first blind person to use a guide dog.

As part of an arrangement he’d made with Ms. Eustis, Mr. Frank started training guide dogs in the United States. The foundation that Mr. Frank started was dubbed “The Seeing Eye” and the so-called Seeing Eye dog was effectively born.

Today guide dogs are trained to assist people with many different disabilities. There are Hearing Ear dogs to assist the deaf and other dogs that assist the physically disabled. All of the people who have benefited from the use of a guide dog, however, owe their thanks to Mr. Morris Frank of Nashville, Tennessee.

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Fascinating and Novel Pets: The Turtle

Do you remember reading children’s books with turtles as the main pet? Children adore turtles as pets. They are very interesting creatures and there are many species. When you decide to have a turtle for a pet, you will need to know the exact species for the proper care.  Let us look at some turtle species you can own. There are two types of turtles, the terrestrial and the aquatic. This means the first type of turtle spends more time on the land, while the aquatic turtle needs to have a great deal of water.

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Box and mud turtles are the terrestrial turtles. They require land to hibernate during the winter and sun on during the day. Most terrestrial turtles need 12 hours of sunlight, which can be provided by a UV lamp. Turtles are very susceptible to temperature changes often living in 80 degrees during the day and 70 degrees during the night. Terrestrial turtles also need water not only to drink, but also to swim around in.

Aquatic turtles are sliders and painted turtles. Sliders typically live in swampy areas or near lakes with a lot of mud. They tend to basic in the sun during the day as well as swim to cool off. The painted turtle like the slider is mostly aquatic so they spend more time in the water than out sunning themselves. The painted turtle is the most complicate turtle to take care of because they require special care.

Once you have decided on the type of turtle you wish to have you will then know what size tank you need. Most turtles require a 40 gallon tank or larger to have room for land and water. You will want to have plants in the tank, but make sure they are not poisonous to your turtle because they will eat them. You pet shop should be able to tell you the right type of plants to have. Wood chips and bark are not a good idea, not only do they harbor bacteria and molds, but the turtle can eat them. A turtle does not have a large digestive track and therefore wood chips often cause blockages. Certain turtles can even have small rocks to burrow under along with the dirt.

Some proper food for turtles is often lettuce, goldfish, special feed sticks, berries and insects depending on the species of turtle you own. Water is very important to your turtle.  You never want to give them tap water to drink. It is also best to give them natural spring water or non- chlorinated water for swimming in. Chlorine and other chemicals of tap water can cause bacteria in their digestive systems.

Turtles can make great pets if you know a little about their habitat needs. Turtles are wondrous creatures that you can find in most warm climates walking along the roads or basking in the sun, so what better way than to give you child a great pet than to own a turtle. Keep in mind that turtles are sensitive and you will not want to handle them a lot.  They do need to hibernate to live a longer life requiring you to keep the turtle somewhere little children cannot disturb them during the fall period. Turtles are both fascinating and novel pets for children.

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Reptilian Pets: The Snake Every Boys Dream Pet

Most girls and moms have an adverse reaction to having a snake or any other dangerous animal as a pet, however with proper care and the correct selection even those with aversions can become quite fascinated by the snake as a pet. The key is to do a lot of research when buying a snake. Most pet shops will sell the harmless snakes and teach you how to feed them. If you always wanted a snake as a pet when you were a boy, you might choose something a little more exotic. Tips to finding the right snake for you or your child can come in handy when you are faced with the task.

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First you will want to research snakes in general. You have your garden-variety snake that is very common and not dangerous. Then there are pythons, kings, and boa constrictor snakes. Keep in mind if this is for a child you probably want a harmless snake that will not grow to large. The larger snakes mentioned above take more care and larger aquariums and are not suited for smaller children.

The species of snake you chose will have a special diet. Most species have different diets. You may have seen a pet snake in the pet store eating mice while other snakes do not. It is important to choose a snake you can provide proper food for at all times. You also do not want to keep a wild snake, as they tend to carry diseases and stress with the change in environment. It is best to shop at a trustworthy pet shop or snake breeder.

Most king snakes and gopher snakes tend to eat mice and need to have plenty of water to drink. You may have a little pond in your aquarium with a tree branches, rocks, and dirt for your snake. Like food most snakes require a special environment. You will want to research that snake before choosing the environmental accessories. Snakes are often tropical in nature so they require heat as well as moderate temperatures in the evening.  You have heard of the desert being cold at night. Snakes are proliferating in the desert areas and rainforests. Being able to provide the proper environment will ensure a long life for you new pet.

Touching on food again you also need to have a feeding schedule. Some snakes do not have to eat every day. In fact, gopher snakes will not eat every day. If you are getting a pet snake for you child you will want to make sure they understand the feeding schedule. Most young adults can handle having a pet snake while little children will need you to take care of the snake.

Handling the snake is also important. The more a snake is used to human contact the more contact the more domicile they tend to be. This means those that are dangerous can be held given proper training and handling. I recommend staying away from these snakes when you first have a pet snake. It is important to take small steps when you have a pet snake to get used to their special needs.

Snakes can make great pets if you take proper care of them. Many young boys and even girls are fascinated with snakes. They have pretty colors and just the lure of a little danger can add to the interest. Make sure you are prepared for the requirements needed from you to have a pet snake before giving in to a child’s demand.

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Nutrition for Puppies
When you bring the new puppy home, the first thing you will want to do is feed him.  What kind of food do you use?  What are his nutritional requirements?  Will he like what you give him?  Make sure your vet is involved in his diet planning.
 Make sure the dog’s food is healthy and tasty.  Try to find something for the stage of life he is in.  For example, if he is a puppy, buy him puppy food.  Decide on what you are going to feed him before you bring him home.  This prevents last minute decisions that might not be healthy for your pet.
 Dry food is quite popular.  It is easy to store and usually tastes great.  It is also good for helping keep the teeth clean.
 Soft and moist food are great for your dog to eat because he will eat most of the food and get the added nutrition.
 Canned food have the highest water content.  These also contain less nutrition, so you may need to feed your dog more than usual to equal out the nutrition they may need.
 Look at the levels of vitamins and crude materials on the label.  Is there enough fat, protein, calories and other nutrients?  Is the food tasty and is the price too expensive?  These are things to consider when buying puppy food. 
 If your dog becomes finicky and will only eat certain things, this is sometimes due to  change in diet.  Allow the dog time to adjust.  If he still won’t eat, try a new food.  If he still doesn’t cooperate, you may need to take him to the vet for a checkup to make sure nothing is wrong.
 Some people feed their dogs from the table.  This is like in between meal snacking and kills th dog’s appetite for when it is time for him to eat his food.  Avoid feeding the dog off the table

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Newborn Puppy Care
Taking care of the newborn puppy if you are midwifing the Mom can be quite exciting.  Watching a new life come into the world is a miracle in itself.  Observe the birth in awe, but be ready to help Mom if she is having trouble.
 You will need several items when whelping (birth) starts.  Have these ready beforehand so you don’t have to leave Mom during the birth.  You will need plenty of towels, a heating lamp, scissors, betadine, alcohol, dental floss, paper and pencil, and lots of patience until the big event happens.
 When the first pup is born, let it start to nurse immediately.  This helps to stimulate contractions for the next pup.  Place the new pup under a heat lamp for warmth.  After each new pup is born, you can place all the puppies back until the next contractions start.
 If a pup is lifeless after birth, rub him down with a coarse towel to help him take that first breath.  Some people also try placing the pup in water, alternating between hot and cold to get them to breathe.  You can also try CPR by placing the pup on his back and blowing into his mouth.  Then apply pressure to the chest.  DO NOT GIVE UP!  Some people have revived pups for up to thirty minutes after birth.
 Encourage the new pups to start nursing right away.  They need the colostrum that is in the mother’s milk.  This nourishing fluid contains antibodies and special vitamins that help protect the newborn pup from sickness.  Make sure all the puppies are able to latch on and get the colostrum.  Some of the bigger puppies will push off the smaller ones.
 After each pup is born, look for any problems that may be present.  Obvious ones like a cleft palate or a shortened limb are easy to spot.  Sometimes there are internal problems like organs that are not fully developed.  Call the vet immediately if you spot a problem.

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Naming Your Puppy
What an honor that has been bestowed upon you!  You get to name this new little puppy you have just brought home.  You are under much pressure to come up with a name that is not too cute, not too frilly, and something that will fit the animal’s personality.  Oh the pressure of a name.
 You could go with a classic like Fido or Fifi.  These names never go out of style unless you have kids who want a hip name. 
 You can also use you favorite movie star or country singer, mythical figures, presidents, and family members.  The sky is the limit. 
 Some suggestions for choosing a name: 
 * You will be calling him for the next fifteen year by this name.  So pick something you really like.
 * Usually one to three syllables is good for a name.  It can get cumbersome to call out a long name every time.  There are dogs though that have three names just like a child.  Keep it simple and not too complex.
 * Always use the puppy’s name when you speak to him or praise him.  When he hears it next, he will come running because he knows that it’s his special word.
Don’t name the puppy something that will embarrass you or others when you have to call him in public.
 Take time to play with the puppy and get to know him before choosing a moniker for the pup.  You may name her and find out later that it doesn’t fit.  Give it a few days to a week and see what you think then.  Ask for advice from family and friends.  Have a Name The Puppy party and give a prize to the person whose name you chose.  There are all kinds of names out there.  Just find one that fits your dog and makes you happy.

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Housetraining Your Puppy
Housetraining takes patience and the ability to follow a schedule.  Most puppies respond to a schedule because it gets them used to doing the same thing at the same time every day and they learn the behavior you want easier. 
 You must first determine your puppy’s limit in holding his urine.  Keep a diary for several days until you spot a pattern between eating and eliminating.  This minus 15-30 minutes will give you the puppy’s comfort zone.  This is how long he can hold his urine after he has gone potty.
 The puppy will usually have to go after they eat, drink, play or sleep.  Most dogs need to be taken out upwards of three to five times a day providing they haven’t drank an excessive amount of water.  The best thing to do if you take him walking is not to bring him back until he does potty.  Be ready to stay outside until he does.  This could take some time.  If you bring him back in before he is ready, he most likely will have an accident before you can get him back outside again.
 The most important thing is to lavish him with praise each and every time he does the right behavior.  This reinforces it because he receives attention and a treat.  If you wait and praise him later, it won’t be effective.  To keep him from finding spots, close doors to rooms with carpeting or rugs, because they prefer certain area to eliminate on.
 If the puppy does have an accident, use a pet odor neutralizer to prevent any odor.  They sometimes will sniff around until they find the exact same spot they went the last time.  Don’t use ammonia based cleaners as they break down into urea, which is a part of urine.

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First Aid for Puppies
Start by organizing a First Aid Kit for the puppy.  Include such items as a thermometer, ice packs, gloves, towels, meat flavored baby foods, tweezers, scissors, peroxide, and alcohol wipes.  A small toolbox works nicely for keeping all the items together in one place.  Under the cover, write your name, address, phone number, and the vet’s name and number in case you lose the box.
 For bleeding, apply direct pressure until bleeding stops.  Hold for at least ten minutes and bandage wound.
 For burns including chemical, electrical, or heat, you will see swelling, redness of skin, and blistering.  Run the wound under plenty of cool water.  Ice the injured part for twenty minutes.  Make sure to wrap the ice pack in a towel first.  Call vet immediately.
 Diarrhea can cause some serious issues for your pup.  Take food away for twelve to twenty-four hours, but leave some water available.  Some animals that look constipated are actually sore from diarrhea.  If the puppy doesn’t improve, call the vet.
 Heatstroke can be quite scary.  You will see rapid or difficulty breathing, vomiting, high body temperature and weakness.  Run cool water over the animal.  Wrap the pup in a cool wet towel and stop all ministrations when temp is 103 degrees.  Call vet immediately.
 If you think the dog has fractured a limb, call the vet immediately.  Look for bleeding wounds and signs of shock.  DO NOT try to set fracture yourself, you could do more damage without being aware of it.  Transport animal to vet and support limb gently as you can.
 If your pup sustains bite wounds from another animal, you must avoid getting bitten.  Even non-biting dogs will bite when in pain.  Clean the wound with saline and wrap with gauze to keep clean.  If bleeding profusely, apply pressure.  Don’t ever use a tourniquet.  Do wear gloves because you don’t know the extent of the contamination.

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Getting the Puppy His Own ID
Fifteen to twenty million dogs were lost in the last year due to no identification on the dog.  Even simple collar tags can help your pet to be returned.  Without any form of ID in place, if your dog goes missing, there is no way to track him even if someone finds him.  Take a moment and make it easy on your best friend if he gets lost.  Make sure he can find his way back to you.
 There are several ways to insure the animal will be returned.  The first is an ID tag and Rabies Certificate which should be worn on a collar.  The tag should have your address, phone number, and the puppy’s name.  The Rabies Certificate tag has a serial number that can be traced by a vet.  You can also place a tag with any illnesses the animal may have such as Diabetes.
 A new device is gaining popularity.  It is a microchip they place under the dog’s skin.  A computer scanner can read the bar code on it and find where the animal belongs.  The owner’s name and address is entered into a national database.  The only downside is the chip may move to other places in the body making it hard to find.
 Tattoos are another option.  They are placed inside the ear.  It will cause a minor discomfort to the animal for a couple of days.  In the long run, it’s better to have some pain than to lose you best friend because he got away from you.  They will tattoo a serial number and register it with the national database.
 Licenses for dogs have gone up in the last few years.  They used to be ten dollars and are now up to twenty to thirty dollars depending on whether the animal is spayed or neutered.  Licenses insure the dog’s rabies shot is up to date.  Rabies is fatal 99% of thetime for both dogs and humans.
 

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Fearfulness in Puppies
Puppies tend to pick up on the emotions of people around them.  They can be excitable or very calm depending on how you act to certain situations.  The tone in your voice and the way you posture yourself will tell the dog if there is something to fear or not.  If you want the pup to remain calm, then you must act this way yourself.  He is learning emotions and will mimic what you do.
 Puppies can be afraid of other dogs, especially larger ones.  Let your dog come into contact with other dogs.  When you are walking him, you may run into other dogs.  At the vet’s office, he will run into other canines and maybe a few felines.  Try to find some friendly dogs at first.  This will help the pup build confidence.
 Puppies fear people at times too.  They may see them as a threat if they have had other bad experiences with people.  Try giving the person a treat to toss to the dog or let the dog walk up to the person.  Never drag a dog over to a person he doesn’t want to meet.  Allow the dog to set the tone.  Give him a treat or praise when he meets someone new and doesn’t growl.  If the pup becomes aggressive, you may need to have a dog trainer work with him.
 The most common fear is the fear of veterinarians.  You certainly can’t blame the pup for that.  There are so many things going on at the vet’s that the dog doesn’t get to see anywhere else.  There is sensory overload, other animals ranging from dogs, cats, birds, and reptiles, many unfamiliar people, and the dreaded shot.  Bring a toy or blanket with you.  Bring some of his favorite treats so when he does a correct behavior, you can reward him.

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