Understanding Dog Food Labels

Manufacturer's Name and Address - This information tells consumers the name of the party responsible for the quality and safety of the product and their location.  If this statement says "manufactured for" or "distributed by"; this simply means the product was made or distributed by an outside entity; the manufacturer is still the responsible party.  A toll-free contact number is often included for customers with questions or complaints.

(provided by Brandykegs Saint Bernards)
Click here to view our other blog; Barrels and Bibs.

Understanding Dog Food Labels

Product Name (cont.) - The flavor rule does not require a percentage amount; but it must contain at least enough of the flavor so that it can be detected.  Animals that are trained to detect certain flavors are used to monitor the flavor rule in products.

Digests are also found in pet foods; they are materials that are treated with heat, enzymes, or acids which then create a concentrated flavor.  Sometimes broths or stocks are added to pet food.  Whey is used to create a milk flavor.  Most pet foods do not contain artificial flavors; exceptions are bacon or smoke which is most often added to pet treats.

(provided by Brandykegs Saint Bernards)
Click here to view our other blog; Barrels and Bibs.

Sweepstakes Ribbon Guide For Dog Shows

The light green ribbon is awarded for third place in the non-regular classes.

(provided by Brandykegs Saint Bernards)
Click here to view our other blog; Barrels and Bibs.

Dog Show Ribbon Guide

The red, white, and blue ribbon is awarded to Best In Show.  This ribbon is highly sought after by all exhibitors; confirming what each individual exhibitor already feels; that their dog is the Best in the show.



 

(provided by Brandykegs Saint Bernards)
Click here to view our other blog; Barrels and Bibs.

Dog Show Ribbon Guide

The purple and white ribbon is awarded to the Reserve Winners Dog and Reserve Winners Bitch. 



 

(provided by Brandykegs Saint Bernards)
Click here to view our other blog; Barrels and Bibs.

Dog Show Ribbon Guide

The red ribbon is awarded to the second place winner in the regular classes as well as the second place winner in the group competition.



 

(provided by Brandykegs Saint Bernards)

Click here to view our other blog; Barrels and Bibs.

Diaster Plan Tips

Practice your diaster plan.  Be sure to practice your disaster plan once a year.  You can also check the expiration dates on your supplies during your annual practice.  Update your personal information; new phone numbers, email addresses, new contacts.  Your dog's license and vaccination information should be updated annually as well.  Familiarize your dog with the crate or carrier; especially if you do not regularly use one.  Practice some first aid on your dog; like applying a bandage. 

Brandykegs Saint Bernards hopes these diaster plan tips were useful for you; it is good idea to be prepared.
Click here to view our other blog; Barrels and Bibs.

Diaster Plan Tips

Put together an emergency kit.  Backpacks or duffle bags are great choices for a kit.  Here are some things to include in your kit.

1. Two week supply of food for your dog/dogs.  Include some treats for them as well.
2. Water a minimum of a gallon per day.  Keep in mind larger dogs will require more water than small dogs. 
3. If your dog is on medication; be sure to include that.
4. Food/water bowls for your dog.
5. Pick-up bags.
6. A play toy can be a great distraction.

You may find in a diaster that you will be on your own for several days.  Depending on the extent of the disaster; help may not arrive for several days. 

(more tomorrow from Brandykegs Saint Bernards)
Click here to view our other blog; Barrels and Bibs.

Canine Courteous

Are you and your dog being canine courteous?  Maybe you have not given that much thought; so often I think we forget that some people just don't like dogs or cats.  Unless you are living in a remote area you encounter people daily.  Here are a few tips to be canine courteous:

1. Train your dog not to be a nuisance barker.
2. Clean up after your dog.
3. In public areas keep your dog on a leash.
4. Socialize your dog so that they exhibit good behavior around around other dogs and people.
5. Groom your dog regularly.
6. Don't let your dog run loose in the neighborhood, they can be destructive with property.

(provided by Brandykegs Saint Bernards)
Click here to view our other blog; Barrels and Bibs.

Fearful Dogs

People with motorcycles, or loud cars or trucks; give those of us out their walking our dogs a break.  It is pretty sad that you get your jollies by startling someone on the sidewalk with your loud vehicle.

Keep an open line of communication with your neighbors whether they like dogs or not.  Let them know that they can talk to you if your dog is being a nuisance.  Open communication will go a long way toward keeping verbal or physical abuse out of the picture. 

(provided by Brandykegs Saint Bernards)
Click here to view our other blog; Barrels and Bibs.

Fearful Dogs

Whenever you are training your dog, be sure it is a calm environment for both of you.  If either of you become bored with the training, stop and pick it up later that day or the next.  Target training is a good foundation tool that can be used to teach your dog obedience, rally, or agility training.  It is also a good foundation tool for training service animals.

(provided by Brandykegs Saint Bernards)
Click here to view our other blog; Barrels and Bibs

Fearful Dogs

Before you actually start to help your dog with fear issues; determine that there are no underlying health issues.  Pain and illness can be manifested by fear.  Rescued or older dogs will be much more challenging with fear issues because the fear can be much more established.  If you see fear in your young puppy it should be considered a priority to help them overcome it and quickly.

To help your young puppy with fear; use distraction.  Bring out a favorite toy, move to another room(they will probably follow you); remember don’t coddle them when they are afraid.  Move on to a new activity to draw their interest and get them focused on something else.

(provided by Brandykegs Saint Bernards)
Click here to view our other blog; Barrels and Bibs.

Charles Burton Barber

Charles Burton Barber was an English painter; many of his paintings were of children and their pets.  He was born in Great Yarmouth Norfolk in 1845.  Charles Burton Barber's last commission was from Queen Victoria (depicting the Queen and her grandchildren in her pony carriage).  He died shortly after completing that painting in London in 1894.

Off to school (1883)

(provided by Brandykegs Saint Bernards)
Click here to view our other blog.

Dominance

In conclusion; I don’t really think the use of  the word dominance in describing some aspects of a dog is over used.  It’s use is definitely misunderstood; especially when you forget that words have more than one definition.  Plus we all tend to make the mistake of using human traits when we refer to our beloved furry friends.  I think we too often think of bad behaviors as dominance; in reality it is a lack of training our dogs.  Dominance meaning strong genetic traits is still appropriate to use when describing those characteristics in a dog.

(provided by Brandykegs Saint Bernards)
Click here to view our other blog, Barrels and Bibs.

Dominance

Some dog trainers are now taking issue with the use of the word dominance when describing a dog.  One definition of the word dominance is; control or power over others.  However, another definition for dominance is exhibiting a genetic trait.  I think the problem most dog trainers have with the word is using the term as a human trait and applying that human trait to a dog.  I would agree that we as pet owners often use human characteristics when describing our dogs.  We love our dogs and they are part of our families.

 

(provided by Brandykegs Saint Bernards)
Click here to view our other blog, Barrels and Bibs.

Vaccinations For Dogs

The coronavirus is a non-core vaccine.  The side effects for coronavirus vaccine are considered low.  The effectiveness of this vaccine is considered low.  The effective immunity length of this vaccine is described as short.  Dogs with high exposure to kennels, boarding facilities, dog parks, animal shelters, and dog shows are at greater risk for coronavirus.  Coronavirus is a gastrointestinal infection that causes vomiting and diarrhea.  Most veterinarians do not recommend vaccinating for this.

(more tomorrow from Brandykegs Saint Bernards)
Click here to view our other blog; Barrels and Bibs.

Vaccinations For Dogs

Giardia is a non-core vaccine.  A few years ago veterinarians were recommending dogs be vaccinated; now the oppposite is true.  Veterinarians state it does not prevent your dog from contracting giardia, nor is it beneficial in the number of cysts that are shed when your dog urinates.  Many kennels, animal shelters, boarding facilities, dog parks, and dog shows have a high frequency rate of giardia; because of the sheer number of dogs in those environments.  Standing stagnant water is supposedly a huge breeding ground for giardia. I was told by my vet that once a dog is infected with giardia; it will always be present in their system to some degree.

(more later from Brandykegs Saint Bernards)
Click here to view our other blog; Barrels and Bibs.

Vaccinations For Dogs

Let's look a little closer at the core vaccine for Rabies.  Side effects for this vaccine are considered low to moderate.  The first vaccine for rabies is given at 3 to 4 months of age; the immunity length for this initial vaccine is one year.  The second vaccine for rabies has an immunity length of three years. The effectiveness of the rabies vaccine is considered high.  Rabies is a fatal viral disease that attacks the nervous system and is contagious to humans.

(more tomorrow from Brandykegs Saint Bernards)
Click here to view our other blog; Barrels and Bibs.

4 To 6 Month Puppy Competition - Judging

The judging for the 4 to 6 month puppy competition is more relaxed.  The goal is to encourage everyone participating to have a good time; so choose a judge who enjoys playful puppies.  This competition is completely separate from the regular classes.  It is one combined class and is not separated by sex.  This competition is offered to breeds and varieties of dogs that are at least 4 months old and under 6 months old.  Puppies of the same breed or variety are entered in the same class.  In each class the only placements are for BOB (Best of Breed) and BOS (Best of Opposite Sex to Best of Breed). The BOB winners compete in the Group Competition. There can be a total of nine groups:

1. Working
2. Terrier
3. Sporting
4. Herding
5. Hound
6. Non-Sporting
7. Toy
8. Miscellaneous Class
9. Foundation Stock Service (FSS)

The winners from these groups compete for Best 4-6 Month Puppy In Show. 

(provided by Brandykegs Saint Bernards)
Click here to view our other blog, Barrels and Bibs.

Dog Days Of Summer

I Wish This Container Was A Bit Bigger

New use for a two gallon bucket. The dog does appear to be eyeing the bigger container.

Aww, my paws were killing me

I am just soaking my paws, I will get out in a minute.

(provided by Brandykegs Saint Bernards)
Click here to view our other blog.