Training Should Start Early

Training your puppy should begin at a very young age and continue for the rest of their life. Commands you give them should be kept to one word. For example: sit, stay, come, down, over, and wait. Treats as well as praise should be given once they successfully complete a command for you. It is a good idea to try and sit aside time each day for a little training.

Register Your Mixed Breed With AKC

Registered mixed breeds dogs can participate in obedience, rally, and agility trials. The Mixed Breed/All-American Dogs are part of AKC Canine Partners. For more information about getting your mixed breed dog involved contact AKC Canine Partners Program at (919)816-3749 or email at akccaninepartners@akc.org.

September Is Responsible Dog Ownership Days

This September will mark the 8th year for Responsible Dog Ownership Days started by AKC. AKC will have its own event in Raleigh, NC on Saturday, September 25, 2010.

Dog clubs and organizations are encouraged to participate in hosting a Responsible Dog Ownership Day sometime during the month of September.

Here are some things you can do:
1. Hold a microchip clinic.
2. Have a rescue booth for various breeds.
3. Obedience/Agility/Rally/Performance demonstrations.
4. Therapy/SAR Dog or Police K9 Unit demonstrations.
5. AKC Canine Good Citizen Test.

Summertime Heat and Your Big Dog

Always provide your big dog with plenty of fresh water, and shade during the heat of summertime.

During the summer months always try to walk your dog early or late in the day when it is cooler. Keep in mind they don’t wear shoes like we do, so the hot pavement can burn their pads, just like it burns ours when we are barefoot.

It is a good idea to keep frozen packs in your freezer. If your dog becomes over-heated you need to act quickly in trying to lower their body temperature. Remember to cover the frozen packs with a cloth, so they do not stick to your dog. Always seeks help from your vet with heat stroke, it is life threatening to all of us.

Brushing Your Big Dog's Teeth

There are many uses for baking soda; it is great for cleaning your dog’s teeth. Take a small amount of baking soda and add enough water to make a paste. Apply the paste to your dog’s teeth. Most pet stores have toothbrushes for dogs and some of them work quite well. However you can simply apply the baking soda paste with a soft cloth.

Dry Flaking Skin On Your Big Dog

Does your big dog have a problem with dry flaking skin? Try adding fish oil capsules to their dog food. If there is still a problem, try a dog food that has a salmon base. I have had luck with both of these tips, but I have also added oatmeal into their diet. My male Saint Bernard had extremely dry flaking skin. I was advised by a veteran breeder to add the fish oil capsules to his diet, so I did. It helped a little. Then I decided to switch to a salmon base dog food, that seemed to help even more. He still occasionally had flaky skin, so I thought I would add oatmeal to his diet. I am very pleased with his coat now, it is no longer dry and flaky. Plus he loves the salmon dog food and the oatmeal added to it.

Happy 4th of July!

Brandykegs would like to wish everyone a Happy Fourth of July. Go to a firework's display with your family or friends this evening. Keep in mind that fireworks can frighten your pets, keep them safely indoors tonight.

Raisins and Grapes Are A Toxin To Dogs

Raisins and grapes cause acute renal failure in dogs. Poison control says as few as seven raisins or grapes could be toxic. Get your dog to the vet quickly with vomiting, diarrhea and shaking. For a list of other common toxins to dogs go to BRANDYKEGS' vaccination page and scroll down to the list of ten common household toxins.

Two New Reports Available from AKC for Breeders

Breeders who would like the history of the overall number of Champions and titled dogs they have bred or co-bred, can get a Champions Bred Report from AKC.

Dog owners looking for a history of the overall number of Champions and AKC-titled dogs an owner has finished, can now get a Champions Finished Report from AKC.

To order either report, contact the Electronic Reporting Department at reports@akc.org.

New AKC Grand Champion Title

The American Kennel Club has a new Grand Champion title for your Champion to earn at AKC Conformation events. For your Champion to earn a Grand Championship they need to receive 25 Grand Championship points, they must win 3 majors (3 or more points earned at a single show) and won under 3 different judges, at least 1 or more of these (25) points won under a 4th judge, and must defeat at least 1 other AKC Champion of Record at 3 shows.