Akbash Dog Breed Characteristics

The Akbash is a white, semi-shaggy herding dog developed in Turkey. They are super-smart and super-friendly. Although many other breeds of herding dogs such as the German Shepherd make good watch dogs, this can't be said of the Akbash. They are just too friendly to people. They do, however, bark to alert their masters that a stranger is about, so keep in mind that this can be a vocal breed.

If you've never heard of the Akbash, don't feel bad. This is a very rare breed and not very well known outside of Turkey. According to Akbash websites, the name is pronounced Ah-k-bah-sh and that the name is a derivative of a Turkish word meaning "white head". Other names for the Akbash over the years have been the Akbas and the Coban Kopengi.

General Appearance

An Akbash would be a nightmare to anyone living with all-black furniture or all-black drapes. They are entirely white dogs, although sometimes the white looks more like cream or ivory. Often, their ears will be a darker color than the rest of the body. Their noses are black or pink. They were bred to be white in order to make them blend in with the flocks that they guarded. Its thought that they breed may have first come into existence 3000 years ago.

An Akbash is big, solid dog, weighting up to 130 pounds (although just a mere 100 pounds is more the average). At the shoulder, they can be as tall as 32 inches, but average about 28 inches tall. They have a large, Mastiff-type head and floppy ears, similar to a Labrador's. They have a long, gently curving tail.

Their coats can vary in length and thickness, depending on the individual dog. Mostly, they are slightly shaggy, but aficionados not that they do not have the "doggy odor" characteristic of other breeds. Also, for such a big dog, they move smoothly and lightly. Bitches often look noticeable feminine in comparison to a fully mature, fully intact male.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Akbash dogs are highly intelligent, affectionate and easily bored. They need regular exercise and interaction with their people. If you don't mind being rounded up like a sheep every now and then, he could make a loyal and goofy companion. These dogs need a lot of room and so are not recommended for apartment life.

Akbash dogs can work with a variety of livestock and not just sheep or goats. They have also worked with geese, ducks, cattle, exotic birds, deer, llamas, alpacas and children.


Unfortunately, Akbash dogs do not generally get along with other dogs, although they are trainable to accept other dogs. Also, being such large dogs, an Akbash is prone to health disorders common to all very large breeds, such as bloat and hip dysplasia, although there are breeders who will not breed a dog with hip dysplasia, which can only serve to help the entire breed.

Image from Wikimedia Commons

Acute Pancreatitis in Dogs: Symptoms and Treatments

The pancreas is a small organ shaped like a thin boomerang next to the stomach and small intestine. According to Nancy Kay, DVM, the pancreas releases enzymes necessary to help digest food. Pancreatitis, however, is when the pancreas becomes inflamed and produces too much enzymes. Just why a dog's pancreas should do this is unknown, but diet and genetics are thought to play big parts. Some drugs such as sulpha drugs can sometimes inflame the pancreas as a side effect.

There are two basic types of canine pancreatitis - chronic and acute. As its name suggests, pancreatitis symptoms are a constant problem for the dog. But in acute pancreatitis, the symptoms come on swiftly and are severe. Canine pancreatitis is potentially fatal. The big danger for a dog with pancreatitis is dehydration. If a dog's skin is gently pulled and let go, it should immediately fall into place. If not, the dog is dehydrated and needs intravenous fluids immediately.

Major Symptoms

·         Vomiting: According to The Veterinarian's Guide to Your Dog's Symptoms (Michael S. Garvey, DVM; et al; 1999), the main symptom of pancreatitis in dogs is vomiting more than four times in a 24 hour period. Eventually, they will just regurgitate bile.

·         Anorexia: Because of the nausea and vomiting, the dog will lose almost all of its appetite. The dog may also drool and constantly lick its lips when nauseated.

·         Body Position: The dog will find it difficult to get comfortable and seem restless but will not want to play. The ears, head and tail will be lowered and the dog will seem to be cowering or frightened.

·         Other Symptoms: According to Mar Vista Animal Medical Center, other symptoms of acute canine pancreatitis are diarrhea, fever and abdominal pain. The dog will not want you to touch its belly.

Treatment

Treatment for acute pancreatitis must be done at a veterinarian's. There are no reliable home remedies. Treatment is three pronged to keep the dog hydrated but to reduce pain and get the pancreas back to normal.

Food is withheld from the dog from one to three days, depending on how the dog is doing. In order to keep from getting dehydrated, the dog is hooked to an IV drip line in the foreleg. When the dog is allowed to eat, it's low-calorie prescription dog food such as Science Diet I/D.

Dogs may be given fentanyl patches, injections or an IV of painkilling medication to make relaxation and sleep possible. The dog is sometimes put on a round of antibiotics, which often continues for days after the dog feels better and can go home. The dog's blood will also be checked to be sure the pancreas is functioning normally.

In severe cases of acute pancreatitis, the dog may need a plasma transfusion. This is one of the reason why many veterinary practices keep large dogs like Labradors to act as blood or plasma donors.

Once a dog has recovered from an attack of pancreatitis that dog will be susceptible to another attack for the rest of his or her life. Keeping the dog on a sensible diet without any access to human junk food or the garbage can help prevent future attacks.

Image of Shih Tzu in vet's office by MarkBuckawicki for Wikimedia Commons

Cairn Terrier: Breed History and Characteristics

Also called the “Toto dog,” the Cairn terrier has a long history and promising future.

Remember Toto from The Wizard of Oz (1939)?  The part of Toto was played by Terry, a Cairn terrier.  These terriers are large dogs in a small package.  They are full of personality and energy, which needs to be channeled in appropriate directions.  Originally bred to hunt rats, squirrels and other “vermin”, Cairn terriers do not start fights but will finish them, according to ASPCA Complete Guide to Dogs (Chronicle Books; 1999).

Today, Cairn terriers still work on farms and warehouses to kill pests.  They also make excellent watchdogs – far better than a Labrador retriever.  They also are competitive in dog sports like obedience tests, earthdog trials, tracking and agility.  They also work with government agencies to sniff out the buried nests of endangered sea turtles, as described in EcoDogs (Bearpoint Publishing: 2011.)

Brief History

A small, scruffy type of terrier terrorized small rodents in Scotland from the 1500s.  The terrier originated in the Isle of Skye and for a while was called Scotch terriers and then Skye terriers.  The name was not finalized until the early 1900s.  Cairns are large stone piles found not only in Scotland but in Ireland and England.  Sometimes cairns could have tunnels which were home to numerous wild creatures like mice, rats, foxes and badgers.

The Cairn became admired for its hunting skills and its charm.  When the UK shifted from an agrarian to industrial form of life, the compact and useful Cairn went with workers migrating from the countryside to the cities.  The Cairn was probably used in the “sport” of ratting, where rats would be released into a barrel.  The dog that killed the most rats in a set time period was declared the winner.  The Cairn was imported to America by 1907 and by 1913 became an officially recognized breed of the American Kennel Club.  An attempt to make the Cairn terrier the state dog of Kansas faltered in 2012.

General Appearance

The breed standard for the Cairn terrier was established in America in 1938.  Many dogs fall short of the breed standard but still make excellent companions and working dogs.  This is a sturdy little dog that usually is longer than it is tall.  Males are generally larger and heavier than females.  Males average 10 inches at the withers and weigh around 14 pounds while females are usually 9.5 inches and tip the scales at 13 pounds.

The Cairn terrier has naturally pointed ears and a long tail that curves slightly over the back.  The legs are straight and should not bow or be knock-kneed.  The paw pads are thicker than the average dog’s in order to climb about stone or rough terrain in all weathers.  The fur is double-coated with a harsh outer layer and a soft undercoat.  The legs should be coated with this harsh hair.  This fur needs to be trimmed or clipped at least three times a year tokeep from becoming a tangled mess.  Cairn terriers can be any color except white but white patches or pink noses are frowned upon in the show ring.  Cairn terriers are often allergic to flea saliva.

Additional Resources

• Palika, Liz. The Howell Book of Dogs.  Howell Book House; 2007.
• Dogster.com. “The Riveting Real Story of Toto.” June 26, 2011.  
• American Kennel Club. Cairn Terrier Page.  

 Drawing by Pearson Scott Foresman for Wikimedia Commons

Getting Your Dog to Stop Barking

Debarking is not a good option 

Dogs naturally make a lot of noises – whining, moaning, sighing, farting and growling.  But out of all the noises they make, barking is the noise that can land you and your dog in the metaphorical doghouse.  If you cannot get your dog to stop barking incessantly, you will face fines, court dates and the possibility of your dog being taken away from you.

Why Do Dogs Bark?

Dogs bark because of three reasons –

• communication
• stress
• sheer boredom

When you are retraining your dog to stop barking so much, make your sizable task easier by making sure your dog is waiting a proper diet, getting regular exercise (including AT LEAST one half hour vigorous walk a day) and have your dog neutered.  Neutering your dog not only reduces your dog's chance of getting cancer of the reproductive organs, but makes the dog much better able to concentrate on training sessions.

When They Bark

Try to immediately distract your barking dog's attention by clapping your hands, throwing a ball or stomping on the floor (the floor, not your dog).  Whatever you do, DON'T shout.  It is very hard not to shout because you want to let any human hearing your barking dog get yelled at.  But human yelling equals human barking to a dog.  Your dog will keep on barking when you yell at him or her to stop barking so the dog barks more and the cycle continues.

One thing that may work for your dog certainly worked for mine.  My mongrel Pony suddenly began the habit of barking when she wanted her dinner when she turned three years old.  This had to be stopped.  When she began barking, I put her in the basement by herself.  She wasn't let out until she stopped barking.

When I'm not home, I leave plenty of chew toys to keep her mouth occupied.  I also leave something with my scent on it (my bathrobe) to give her comfort.

Reinforce Quiet Behavior

When your dog is quiet, reward with praise, treats or (if your dog is on a diet)  play with a favorite toy.  Do this whenever your dog is quiet, until your dog starts cottoning on to the idea.  Each dog learns at his or her own pace – just like you do.

You need patience in order to retrain a continually barking dog, especially if they are one of the breeds that have been bred to bark, such as Jack Russells or Parson Rusell Terriers.  If you are not having success, then you should ask your vet for advice and to help find a trainer.  You may need a professional trainer for help.

What About Debarking?

The absolute last resort can be to get your dog a devocalization (debarking) operation.  (This operation is illegal in many European countries). Any operation is expensive and potentially lethal, so this should be done only if the dog is under threat of death because of the barking. 

Debarking will not make a dog silent.  The dog will still bark and make noises, only softer than usual.  Many view debarking as cruel.  It is necessary, expensive surgery if you are patient and persistent with retraining.

Additional References

• · Palika, Liz. The KISS Guide to Raising Your Puppy. DK Publishing; 2002.
• · Sweeney, Michael S., et al. Dog Tips From Dog Town: A Relationship Manual for You and Your Dog. National Geographic: 2010.
• · Dennison, Pamela. The Complete Idiot's Guide to Positive Dog Training. Alpha Books; 2006. 

Image from Wikimedia Commons, A cat hissing at a barking dog over a bowl of milk in a barn. Etching by J. R. Scott after A. Cooper.

Differences Between Excitement Urination and Submissive Urination in Dogs

Dogs pee for lots of reasons, including when they are very excited or when they are being submissive. Here’s how to tell the difference.

You love your dogs – but not their urine. Dogs and puppies urinate in the house for several reasons, including showing submission and being overexcited. Both behaviors have a lot in common. Both excitement urination and submissive urination happen mostly to younger dogs and puppies. Both problems often go away on their own once the dog and the dog’s bladder muscles mature. But there are some differences between these two types of inappropriate urination.

Causes

Excitement urination is caused by the dog or puppy being so overjoyed by an event that he loses bladder control. The amount of urine lost is often a series of small drops. Events that trigger excitement urination include greeting human or canine friends; being shown a new treat or the appearance of a favorite toy.

Puppies and dogs that become nervous or scared urinate to show how helpless they are. This behavior is seen in the dog’s relative, the wolf.  Releasing a few drops of urine shows that the dog is helpless like a little puppy in the presence of the pack leader or higher-ranking family member. 

Body Posture

When a dog or puppy pees when excited, the dog appears happy. The ears are perked, the mouth is open and the tail is wagging. The dog may vocalize to get attention or relieve some of her excitement. The dog is up on her feet and may be bouncing about.

In contrast, submissive urination is done in a different body posture. The dog or puppy is often on her back to show her belly to whoever is intimidating her.  The mouth is closed and the ears may be pressed to the head. The dog or puppy may quiver or tremble. The tail may or may not wag. Submissive urination sometimes occurs when the dog is standing with a hunched back and a lowered head. 

Treating the Problem

Because the causes are different, the treatment of these two types of inappropriate urination is also different. Excitement urination is an involuntary action, so pet parents need to work around it. If a puppy or young dog is known to pee when excited, make especially stimulating moments like getting a new toy done on the outside or in a room lined with puppy pads. If the dog does not outgrow this behavior by age two, see a veterinarian. There could be a medical issue.

The best way for dog owners to handle submissive urination is to ignore it. Just clean up the puddle and go on. Bring the dog’s confidence up by not bending over the dog. Greet the dog by sitting down and letting the dog come to you. Do not stare directly at the dog’s face, but off to the side. Use a soft voice. When the dog approaches, pet the dog’s chest or under the chin to avoid reaching over the dog and frightening him.

Image of submissive dog by Elf for Wikimedia Commons

Why Positive Training Works Best For Behavior Problems in Dogs

A look at why positive dog training is best for correcting problem dog behaviors like chewing or excessive barking.

The big problem with bad dog behavior isn't with the behavior of the dogs -- it's the behavior of their people. People tend to cling to unrealistic expectations about how a dog learns and acts. People tend to think dogs are people in furry costumes. That's not the case. Dogs are dogs and thank goodness for that. The more you learn about dog behavior, the more you'll wish people behaved like dogs.

Power Of Positive Training

All dogs will eventually do something you don't like. You can train them to do something else other than the bad behavior. But you have to do it in a way that make it fun and rewarding for the dog, so they will want to do what you want them to. You want to use positive training methods. This means that you reward the dog when they do something right. You don't hit them for doing something wrong.

For example, say you have a dog that's chewing your house. In order to use positive training to cure a chewing dog, you need to three things:

·         Make sure everything valuable is out of the dog's reach

·         Keep plenty of chew toys available

·         Catch the dog as he has a bad item to chew in his mouth.

When you find the dog chewing on something like a shoe, you have him drop it, and then praise him verbally for dropping it and giving him a chew toy. You don't just walk over to the dog, yank the shoe from his mouth and whack him. That only teaches him to be terrified of you.
And terrified dogs eventually become biting dogs.

Should You Hire A Trainer?

It's really not necessary to hire a dog trainer or so-called dog whisperer if you use common sense and really try to get to know your dog. The only exceptions to this rule are with aggressive behaviors such as biting people or being too rough with cats.  These need professional help. And, if you really feel at your wits' end, then hiring a trainer that uses positive reinforcement can help you at least get another's perspective.

For example, say you have a dog that barks far too often. Believe it or not, teach him to bark. Keep a favored toy or his filled food dish right out of reach and give it to him immediately when he barks. That way, you can then teach him a command to be quiet. You do this by rewarding him when he's quiet. Also, don't yell at him to stop barking. He may think you are barking right along, too, and that's fun for a dog
.
Keep in mind that each dog, like each person, takes his or her own time to learn something new. You need to be persistent and patient in order to help train your dog. Making sure your dog is spayed or neutered will help your dog relax and look to you to take on the stress of being the boss.

Additional References

• · Palika, Liz. The KISS Guide to Raising Your Puppy. DK Publishing; 2002.
• · Sweeney, Michael S., et al. Dog Tips From Dog Town: A Relationship Manual for You and Your Dog. National Geographic: 2010.
• · Dennison, Pamela. The Complete Idiot's Guide to Positive Dog Training. Alpha Books; 2006. 

Image of clicker training a dog by Elf for Wikimedia Commons

I Had To Use Google Ads -- Sorry

I guess it's hard to miss the Google ads on this blog now. I need the money (or pennies in this case.) I'm still going to put up on posts about religion but I'll also be putting up posts that are mostly dog-centric.

Topics coming up include:

• Dog breeds
• Dog health
• Dog training
• My dogs
• Dog book reviews 
• Dog movie reviews

Thank you for your patience and understanding as I place a dog named Mammon here over any God.