Reduced Pricing On Our Crate Quilts

Brandykegs has nine different crate quilt designs/colors for you to choose from.  These are handmade so there is only one in stock for each design/color.  Price reduced to $35.00 with free USPS shipping. These quilts will fit in 42 inch wide crates; by folding them they will fit in smaller crates as well.  Visit our store to order your crate quilt.

Crate Quilts

Crate Quilt For Dogs



These crate quilts will fit in your 42inch wide crates; by folding them in half or more they will fit in smaller crates as well.  Price reduced from $50.00 down to $35.00; free USPS shipping.  Visit our store to purchase, several fabric designs/colors to choose from.

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

Once aggression is established in a dog it will always be there.  Many people end up in training classes with their aggressive dog.  You will receive most of the training in that class not your dog.  The knowledgeable trainer will teach you how to manage your aggressive dog with various situations that routinely arise.  If a trainer tells you that they can get rid of the aggression in your dog, they are not being honest with you; find another trainer.  You need to learn how to manage the aggressive behavior because you are never going to be able to get rid of it.  Some people find they are not up to this challenge and thus are forced in to getting rid of their dog.  An aggressive dog is often very loving and loyal to their family; the challenge you are faced with is keeping others safe from them.  If your dog demonstrates aggression towards you or your family; they should be put down.

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

SBCA National Pre-Show Trophies

Brandykegs Saint Bernards also donated the following trophies for Winners Dog, Winners Bitch, Reserve Winners Dog, Reserve Winners Bitch, and Best Puppy; for the SBCA National Pre-Show today hosted by the Saint Bernard Club of Southern California. 

Brandy Keg Trophies

Trophies For SBCA National Pre-Show

The Saint Bernard Club of Southern California is hosting a Pre-Show at the Saint Bernard Club of America's National Specialty today in Midway, Utah.  Brandykegs Saint Bernards provided some trophies for today's Pre-Show. 

Best of Breed Trophy
 

Best of Opposite Sex Trophy

 

Best of Winners Trophy

Dominance

Do not approach training from the viewpoint of dominating your dog.  Training should be about helping your dog exhibit good behaviors.  Training should not involve punishment; you don’t want your dog to become fearful.  Fear and anxiety are always behind ongoing aggression issues; pain can cause aggression as well.

Visiting An Injured Friend
 

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

Dominance

Dogs that jump on people, pull on leads, excessive barking, destroy your property are not showing dominance or alpha traits; they are exhibiting bad behaviors.  That is why it is so important to train your dog.  Training your dog is something that should occur for their whole life.  If you think that by enrolling in a puppy training class is all you have to do in order to train them; think again.  It is a great starting point, but training must be continuous.  Even the best trained dog will at some point challenge your authority and that is why you must make training part of your dog’s daily routine. 

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

Dominance

Veterinarians still use alpha when describing dogs; I view the term as a synonym for dominant.  If you have multiple dogs in your household; multiple alpha dogs is a real problem.  Households with smaller breed dogs have the ability to handle this problem easier than a household with large breed dogs.  It is much easier to separate small breed dogs from a physical encounter than to separate large breed dogs.  Dogs living in kennel environments can be kept separate when there is an issue with multiple alpha dogs.  Your family home is not the environment to have multiple alpha dogs; keeping multiple alpha dogs separate in your home is not practical, convenient, nor safe.  I advise once you discover that you have multiple alpha dogs in your home; then you need to change the situation quickly.  You should only have one alpha dog in your home.  Return pure-bred dogs to the breeder, check with rescue organizations for re-homing, find someone looking for a pet.  I advise against the wait and see attitude; things do not get better in these situations they only escalate.  I have personal experience with this situation and I will never go through it again!

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

Dominance

I personally feel that some dogs are more dominant than others.  I think the dominance factor is part of the genetic makeup in dogs.  Dominance can be viewed as a positive or negative trait.  Dominance when viewed in a breeding environment can be viewed as a positive trait.  Only the better specimen is being allowed to breed; Mother Nature’s form of quality control.  Dominance when paired with physical aggression is a negative trait especially when this is demonstrated by your pets. 

I think we too often compare wolf packs with our domesticated pets.  Yes, they do share a common ancestry; but they are two totally different groups at this time.  The domesticated pet does not have to find food, water and shelter for itself; we provide this for them.

(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.

Space Shuttle Endeavour

Space Shuttle Endeavour Arrives

This photo was taken as the Endeavour passed over the Queen Mary in Long Beach, California.

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

Vaccinations For Dogs

You might have noticed on your last vaccination receipt letters designating the type of vaccine that was given to your dog.  Here is a partial list of what those letters stand for:

• D - Distemper
• H - Hepatitis (for Adenovirus Type 1)
• A2 - Adenovirus (for Adenovirus Type 2)
• P - Parainfluenza (sometimes the letter designation is PI)
• PV - Parvovirus (sometimes this is only designated with the letter P)
• L - Leptospirosis
• C - Coronavirus

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

Vaccinations For Dogs

Now that you have had a chance to see the core and non-core vaccinations available for dogs; it is easy to see the difference.  Core vaccinations are necessary for maintaining a healthy dog.  Non-core vaccinations are needed if your dog has potential exposure to those diseases or if the disease is more prevalent in your geographical area.  To sum up; core vaccines should be given to your dog, non-core vaccinations are your choice(seek your veterinarian's advice on which of the non-core vaccines should be used for your particular situation.)  If your dog is not at risk for contracting the non-core diseases, then it really isn't necessary to use them and more people are making that choice today.  Responsible pet owners do not want to over-vaccinate their furry companions. 

Vaccinating our dogs is something that will continue to evolve.  The general rule from the past was once your puppy had received their regimen of puppy vaccinations that an annual booster was necessary.  Some individuals feel that every 3 years would be more appropriate than annually.  There are even those that feel once the puppy regimen is completed then they are protected for life.  Many feel it is not necessary to vaccinate our elderly dogs; the line of thought being their systems have plenty of antibodies for protecting them against these diseases.  Some people are opting to have a titer test done annually.  A titer test is a blood test to determine the level of immune defenses in your dog; if the level is sufficient then the thought is a vaccination is not needed.  I would advise that you do research on your own regarding vaccinations and then discuss your concerns with your veterinarian. 

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

Vaccinations For Dogs

The dog rattlesnake vaccine is a non-core vaccine.  Side effects to this vaccine are considered low.  Effectiveness of this vaccine is considered high.  Puppies as young as 4 months can be given this vaccine.  Within 30 days of the initial vaccination a booster should be given.  Thereafter your dog should be vaccinated once a year approximately 30 days before the exposure season begins for rattlesnakes in your area. 

(more tomorrow from 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 Dog

Canine influenza H3N8 is a non-core vaccine.  This is a relatively new vaccine for dogs. The influenza virus causes flu-like symptoms in dogs and is very contagious.  This influenza virus was originally just a problem for equines.  Symptoms can range from very mild to development of pneumonia.  Animal shelters, kennels, dog parks, boarding facilities, and even dog shows have higher incident rates for canine influenza H3N8 because of the number of dogs in these environments.

(more later 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

Lyme disease is a non-core vaccine for dogs.  The side effects from this vaccine is moderate. The immunity length for the lyme vaccine is one year.  Lyme is a bacterial disease spread by ticks.  This bacteria can cause arthritis and other problems such as kidney disease.  This vaccine should be considered if your dog is exposed to wooded areas. 

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

Vaccinations For Dogs

Leptospirosis is a non-core vaccine.  Side effects from this vaccine are considered to be high.  Up to 30% of dogs given this vaccine do not respond to it; making the effectiveness of the vaccine to be considered variable.  This is a bacterial disease that affects several systems including the kidneys and liver; it can be fatal.  There are many different strains of leptospirosis; so no vaccine exists which could protect your dogs from all the different strains.  Rodents are carriers of the leptospirosis bacteria.  If your dogs is exposed to a rodent environment where the rodents urinate and defacate; your dog is at risk.  Cattle, swine, horses, raccoons, skunks and oppossums are also carriers of the leptospirosis bacteria.  If there is standing water where these animals habitate that is also usually infected with the bacteria as well. 

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

Vaccinations For Dogs

Bordetella is a non-core vaccine.  Side effects from the bordetella vaccine are considered to be low.  This vaccine can be administered by an injectable shot or by an intranasal injection.  The immunity length for this vaccine is considered short.  This vaccination is often recommended every six months to dogs that have exposure to a lot of dogs from different environments; such as boarding facilities, animal shelters, dog parks, kennels, and dog shows.  Bordetella is an infection that can cause or contribute to kennel cough.

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

Vaccinations For Dogs

Parainfluenza vaccine was part of the core group for many years, but now is considered non-core.  Side effects for this vaccine are considered low.  This vaccine is recommended for use in kennels, animal shelters, dog parks, boarding facilities, and show dogs; dogs that are exposed to a lot of dogs from different environments.  Parainfluenza is a viral disease that affects the respiratory systems.  It may be involved in the development of kennel cough in dogs. 

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

Vaccinations For Dogs

Parvovirus vaccine is a core vaccine; the side effects with this vaccine is low.  The parvovirus is given initially at 6 weeks of age; followed by boosters at 9 and 12 weeks.  The immunity length for this vaccine at this point is one year.  The effectiveness of the parvovirus vaccine is high.  Parvovirus is a viral disease that causes severe vomiting and diarrhea which can be fatal.  Puppies who contract this disease do not always die, however they will always have a compromised inmmune system (in other words they will not be healthy dogs). 

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

Vaccinations For Dogs

Hepatitus / Adenovirus vaccine is also part of the core vaccine group.  The side effects for hepatitus / adenovirus vaccine are considered low.  The first hepatitus / adenovirus vaccine is given at 6 to 8 weeks of age. Booster shots are given to puppies up to approximately four months old.  The immunity length for the vaccine at that point is for one year. The effectiveness of the hepatitus / adenovirus vaccine is considered high.  The hepatitus / adenoivirus disease is a viral disease that causes upper respiratory tract infections. 

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

Vaccinations For Dogs

Canine distemper is a core vaccine.  Side effects for this vaccine are considered low.  The canine distemper vaccine is initially given at 5 to 6 weeks of age. The effectiveness of the canine distemper vaccine is considered high.   Canine distemper is a contagious and viral disease with no known cure.  In unvaccinated dogs canine distemper attacks the dog's tonsils and lymp nodes; there the disease replicates itself for about a week.  Canine distemper then attacks the respiratory, urogenitol, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems.

(more tomorrow 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.

Vaccinations For Dogs

A vaccination or immunization stimulates an immune response in your pet; which will provide them protection from a disease or group of diseases. A vaccine can be given individually for a particular disease or as a group shot for diseases.  The rabies vaccine is always given as a separate shot.  Dog vaccinations consist of two groups; core and non-core. The core vaccines are for the following:

1. Rabies
2. Distemper
3. Hepatitis / Adenovirus
4. Parvovirus

The non-core vaccines are for the following:

1. Bordetella
2. Parainfluenza (this was part of the core group for many years)
3. Leptospirosis
4. Lyme Disease
5. Giardia
6. Coronavirus
7. Canine Influenza H3N8
8. Dog Rattlesnake Vaccine

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

Vaccinations For Dogs

Pet owners are now faced with difficult choices when it comes to vaccinating their pets.  Some people are opting to stop vaccinating entirely, others are using a modified schedule, and some have stayed with guidelines which have been in place for a very long time.  I would use caution as far as not vaccinating at all; the core vaccinations exist because certain diseases are highly contagious and they can kill your pet.  Look at what is occuring with children and adults nowadays who have not been vaccinated; there are many more cases of whopping cough, measles and mumps.  I hope there will not be a resurgence of polio as well. 

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

Grooming

The best way to stay on top of grooming is to spend a little bit of time doing it every day.  It becomes a habit for you and your dog will love the extra one on one time.  Indoor pets shed far more than those that spend most of their time outdoors.  Regular brushing really does help keep the loose fur from being absolutely everywhere. Since my Saint Bernards are indoor dogs they are bathed often; a smelly dog makes for a smelly house.  To avoid ear issues; keep your dog's ears clean.  It is also a good idea to brush their teeth regularly.  Keep your dog's nails trimmed, split or broken nails can be painful for them and even cause them to limp. 

(provided by 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.

Some Labor Day Thoughts

Our household has been hit, job outsourced to India.

This could be you!

It is no holiday if you are looking for a job!

Is this just around the corner?

Your job can be outsourced, be prepared.


 

4 To 6 Months Beginner Puppy Competition

On July 3rd, 2012 AKC officially began sanctioning the 4 to 6 months beginner puppy competition.  This competition encourages new entries, including FSS (Foundation Stock Service) dogs, and socializing dogs during a crucial time of their development. 

AKC will help your Club with promotional support by:

• Attracting and recruiting potential exhibitors for your show
• AKC will email invitations to registered dogs within a 150 miles radius of your show
• Follow-up emails will be sent by AKC as a reminder for your show
• Puppies entered in these competition can earn points toward a Certificate of Merit

A Dog Is For Life

Always keep the following in mind when you are thinking about adding a dog to your family circle.

1. You will be responsible for feeding them.
2. You will be responsible to see that they are trained.
3. You will be responsible to give them daily exercise, like a walk.
4. You will be responsible to share your life with them, like playing with them.
5. You will be responsible to keep them groomed.
6. You will be responsible to pick up after them; whether it is in your own backyard, sidewalk, or park.
7. You will be responsible for their healthcare; annual vaccinations, routine check-ups, dental work.

A dog is for life, not just the brief wonderful period of time known as puppyhood.  Everyone loves a puppy.  All the years of a dog's life can bring you so much happiness.  Their loyalty can help you ride through the pitfalls life delivers to all of us.  Share your life with a dog; just remember you are responsible for them for life!

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