All posts by kphev

To see your outdoor pet dog photos published on that Mutt, send an email to Lindsay@thatmutt.com with outdoor pet dog photos as the subject.

Thanks to everyone who has submitted photos! above is Stewie the 6-year-old Jack Russell terrier during a NADAC trial in May. He has competed in agility considering that he was 18 months old. Make sure to check out his pet dog agility blog.

Here are the other a lot of recent outdoor pet dog photo submissions:

Eli the guideline mix and Squirt the lab

Eli (1) and Squirt (6 months) live in Fargo.

Stormy the black lab mix

Stormy (1) is a lab mix for adoption in Fargo. She is a high-energy girl, smart and likes to play!

Denver the doberman mix

Denver (8 months) lives in Memphis and likes to check out the pet dog park!

Gus the bloodhound

Gus lives in Los Angeles where his owner composes a sports blog.

AddThis Sharing ButtonsShare to FacebookFacebookFacebookShare to TwitterTwitterTwitterShare to PinterestPinterestPinterestShare to MoreAddThisMore13

New York City councilman Peter Vallone Jr. is trying to pass a expense that would make the huge Apple the largest jurisdiction in the country to possess an animal abuser registry.

Vallone explains:

“It’s modeled after the sex offender registry . . . . If you’re on the registry, you would not be able to embrace or get a pet in the city.  This listing would be supplied digitally to all animal stores, shelters as well as legislation enforcement agencies.”

Any person convicted of animal abuse–in any type of form–would end up on the registry for five years.  If that person were convicted of an animal abuse infraction a second time, his or her time on the registry would boost by ten years.  This registry, like the sex offender registry, would depend heavily on self-reporting–individuals who step to the city as well as satisfy the registry requirements are needed to report themselves or danger a fine as well as possible jail time.  Currently, three other jurisdictions in the specify already have such registries. 

Me?  I believe this is an absolutely exceptional idea.  While I understand not everybody would register him or herself, or pay interest to that whole “NO having PETS” part, it’s a step in the ideal direction.  Unless it’s Michael Vick walking with the door, animal shelters as well as pet shops have no method of understanding if the adopter has a concerning past when it pertains to pet ownership.  The animal abuser registry may not be able to totally treatment this problem, however it can definitely assist alleviate it.

Honestly, I didn’t understand registries such as these even existed (hence the title of this post).  I picture some people may phone call for anyone convicted of animal abuse (whether it be lack of supplying proper sustenance or intentional, physical injury) to never be able to own a pet again.  Of any type of kind. EVER.  I can’t reject my own personal proclivity toward hopping on that bandwagon, however I stop myself mid-leap.  What if you were young as well as stupid, however now you’ve grown up as well as wised up?  What if you were addicted as well as under the influence, however now you’re clean?  What if you had been brought up in a culture of hate, however had seen the light?  There’s a part of me that just won’t let go of the concept of rehabilitation–not for everybody (I’m sorry, however I absolutely cannot forgive the Vick situation, EVER), however for some.  After all, where would lots of dogs be without that exact same idea? Without somebody ready to provide them a second chance?

Of program I’d be much happier if nobody ever needed such a second chance, however my best world is far from reality.

So, will you be composing a letter to your lawmakers about the requirement for a lot more animal abuser registries?

AddThis Sharing ButtonsShare to FacebookFacebookFacebookShare to TwitterTwitterTwitterShare to PinterestPinterestPinterestShare to MoreAddThisMore

Today is love Your Pet Day! Our family pets give us unconditional love, so this special day is a great opportunity for us to return the favor by showing them how much we appreciate their devoted companionship. No matter what type of pet you have, try to take some time and give your beloved pet some extra attention and love. Luckily, there are lots of basic things you can do to pamper your pet, like taking your pet dog on a longer walk than usual, giving your cat some extra treats, or just spending some quality snuggle-time together.

How are you planning to show your pet some extra love today? Head over to our Facebook page to check out how other pet lovers are going to celebrate, and find out how you can enter for a chance to win a pet care package to pamper your own cat or dog. We’ll notify the 4 random winners on our Facebook page on Friday, February 26th.

Holidays

Puppy vaccinations – when is it ok to walk a puppy?

I believe it’s ok to walk your puppy before he’s had his vaccinations. use common sense and keep the walks to your own yard and neighborhood. avoid areas with a lot of dog traffic such as dog parks and dog beaches.

Exercising a puppy, socializing a puppy and potty training a puppy are all very important. but some new puppy owners hold back on walks in order to keep the puppy “safe” until he’s had all his puppy vaccinations. (Usually around 4 months old.)

I get a lot of comments and emails along the lines of, “I have to use puppy pads because I can’t take my puppy outside for another two months.”

Or, “How can I exercise my puppy? He’s barking all day, but my vet said to keep him inside your home for three more weeks.”

OK … yikes.

I’m not sure if vets are truly telling people to keep their puppies inside your home at all times or if people are misunderstanding the advice. Yes, it’s good to be a bit cautious. but you do not have to totally isolate your puppy, either.

There are real risks of illness such as parvo and distemper, and that is why some vets recommend keeping your puppy indoors.

But there are also risks to not socializing and exercising a puppy. many young and healthy dogs are surrendered to shelters every year due to a lack of exercise, socialization and training.

So … you have to weigh the pros and cons for your own area and comfort level. Parvo is a more serious risk in some areas and a very low risk in other areas.

Your dog’s vet will be able to give you the best advice for your area. You could also call another vet for a 2nd opinion and check with local animal shelters.

*If you just got a new puppy, download my free puppy training guide. Click Here

Puppies and vaccinations – When can puppies go outside?

We all have to make the best decision for our own puppy. So just because I am comfortable walking a puppy in my own neighborhood, that doesn’t mean it’s the right decision for you.

A reader of my blog left a comment on this article that got me thinking about this topic. He wrote:

“… Parvo and lepto and other illnesses are serious, but there are definitely ways to balance risks in a way that lets puppies experience more of the world …”

Well said. later on in this article, I list tips on how you can safely socialize and exercise your puppy before he’s had his vaccinations.

Each dog owner must find a sensible balance. The right balance will be different for each of us, depending on where we live, the age of the puppy and our general views on vaccinations.

When can I walk my puppy after vaccinations?

When I got my 8-week-old weimaraner puppy, he’d had his first found of parvo/distemper vaccinations from his breeder. That meant I still had to schedule additional boosters through our vet over the next few weeks.

During that time, I walked my puppy on the sidewalks in our neighborhood. I did not take him to heavily dog-busy places such as the dog park, the dog beach or Petco.

Taking him outside for potty training and walks was worth the tiny risk of my puppy getting sick. I would never consider keeping him inside your home 100%.

But I lived in a middle-class neighborhood in San Diego county where nearly everyone vaccinated their dogs and spayed or neutered their dogs.

Of course, there was still a chance my puppy could’ve gotten sick, but I was willing to take that risk and walk him regularly. (Read on for two more examples from other puppy owners.)

Puppy vaccinations, when to walk?

Since I took my puppy outside, he had an easy time with potty training. My puppy was better behaved because he had enough exercise. He also had a chance to start socializing around different people, noises, sights and sounds in the neighborhood.

Socialization is so important for a powerful breed like a weim.

To be honest, I don’t know how I would’ve managed my high-energy puppy had I not been able to walk him. He was hyper enough even with walks.

Yes, there are risks that your puppy could contact illness such as parvo if you take him for walks. However, these risks are lower in some areas and pretty much non-existent in others.

Also see my post: how far can I walk my puppy?

Tips on how to socialize your puppy before he’s had all vaccinations

I’ve made my opinion on this topic pretty clear, but I want to share some ideas from other puppy owners. I have two examples for you below.

In the comments section, there are also some good examplesfor your consideration. The consensus is most people do walk their puppies or start taking them to safe areas like friends’ houses with vaccinated dogs for socialization.

However, there are also examples in the comments of puppies getting sick from parvo.

And by all means, of course you can take your puppy out into your own yard!

Another great resource is behaviorist Dr. Patricia McConnell’s book, “The Puppy Primer.”

Here are two examples from other puppy owners. These will help you decide if you should walk your puppy before he’s had his vaccinations:

1. invite your friends over for puppy play dates.

Blogger Kimberly Gauthier recently raised two puppies – littermates Scout and Zoey, pictured below at 6 months old. I wanted to hear how she found the right balance. (Beautiful dogs, right?)

“I was really worried about canine parvo virus with our puppies, so dog parks, which have a host of risks, were out of the question,” Gauthier said.

One thing she did to help socialize her puppies was to invite friends over.

“No one can pass up an opportunity to spend time with puppies,” she said. “Everyone stayed for at least an hour just basking in puppy breath.”

She also signed the pups up for a training and socialization class once they’d had the required vaccinations. And, she took them to a “puppy play hour” on Sundays.

“This helped prepare them for pack walks,” Gauthier said. “We go on those with a friend with a puppy a few times a month and once a week with another friend who has two dogs.”

*If you just got a new puppy, download my free puppy training guide. Click Here

2. visit places where there are not a lot of dogs.

Colby Morita is a volunteer puppy raiser for groups such as guide Dogs of America and Canine support Teams. He writes about his experience on his blog here, and you may remember my interview with him on how to be a guide dog puppy raiser.

When Morita raises a guide dog puppy, he said he brings the puppy home at 7-8 weeks of age and attends guide dog puppy kindergarten right away.

It’s important to socialize the puppies while also being cautious of contagious illness like parvo, he said. avoid places frequented by unknown dogs, such as dog parks and pet stores, until the puppies have had their final series of vaccinations around 16 weeks.

He said he gets emails every day about this subject.

“My main thought is there is definitely increased risk of your puppy dying from contagious disease if you take him out of the house,” he said. “But there is far greater risk of your puppy ultimately getting euthanized because of behavior problems.”

He suggested some ways to socialize pups such as:

attending puppy classes
visiting friends’ homes
taking car rides
exposing the pups to different sounds and surfaces

“The list could go on and on,” he said. “When we first got Linus – not a guide dog pup – we grabbed a bag full of treats, a mat, and brought him outside the post office and asked people to give him a treat.”

Here are more tips for walking a puppy before he’s had his shots

I also thought of these ideas:

Take your puppy for walks around the neighborhood. avoid walking in busy places like dog beaches until she’s fully vaccinated.
Set up play dates with vaccinated, adult dogs that are tolerant of puppies. invite them over, or take your puppy there.
Safely secure your puppy in the car, and take her for rides to get her used to the car. I use the dog seatbelt from Mighty Paw.
Ask pet-obsessed friends if you can bring your puppy over for a half-hour or so.
Get your puppy used to different things at home such as nail trims, having a bath & the sound of the vacuum. Also, the sound of your kid’s band instrument, seeing family members dressed in big hats and coats, etc.
Use lots of treats to make new experiences positive for your puppy. My favorite are the wellness Well Bites training treats

For more on puppy socialization:

Puppy socialization tips
Common socialization mistakes

Puppy vaccination schedule

Puppies in the united states are typically vaccinated against:

parvovirus
distemper
rabies

Every region is a bit different and not all vaccines are the same, so talk with your own vet and your puppies breeder or rescue for the best plan for your own puppy.

I live in Montana, and our vet vaccinates all puppies against the three illness I mentioned above. These are the most serious illness and can cause severe illness or death.

Parvo and distemper vaccinations for puppies

Our vet gives parvo and distemper vaccines together in a combo starting when a puppy is 6 weeks old and again every 3 weeks until the puppy is 16 weeks old. The dog will get a booster one year later and then a vaccine every 3 years.

The breeder or shelter will typically give your puppy that initial round of vaccines around 6 weeks. Ask them for a record of this and bring it to your puppy’s first vet appointment.

Rabies vaccination for puppies

Our vet gives puppies the rabies vaccine at 14-16 weeks. then the dog will get a booster one year later. After that, it’s every 3 years.

Optional vaccines for puppies

Bordetella (kennel cough) is an optional vaccine and there are several other optional vaccines such as Lyme disease, Leptospirosis and a rattlesnake vaccine.

Depending on where you live and what you make with your puppy, you may want to consider these vaccines. Bordetella is typically required if you want to board your puppy or take your puppy to dog daycare, for example.

So how about the rest of you?

Have you recently raised a puppy? how did you find the right balance of when to walk your puppy?

Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!

*If you just got a new puppy, download my free puppy training guide. Click Here

My favorite products for Puppies

Wellness Well Bites TreatsIf you have them on hand when you’re out and about, you can always reward your puppy for good behavior. These treats are small and most puppies love them!
Long training leashThis allows you to exercise your puppy in safe environments, even if you don’t have a fenced yard. Your puppy can run, play, sniff and stretch but you don’t have to worry about going to a dog park or other busy area.
Kong Flier Fetch ToyThe Kong Flier Frisbee is a durable toy that’s soft on the puppy’s mouth. It’s great for playing fetch in the yard and getting in some much-needed activity!
Fresh Raw dog FoodI started feeding my puppy raw food from Darwin’s. Get 75% off your first 10 pounds here. No code required.

Other resources:

Exercise ideas for puppies
Am I doing everything wrong with my puppy?
Should you get pet insurance for your puppy?
When can I go running with my puppy?
How to potty train a puppy
Stop puppy’s biting and nipping

Get all of our puppy training tips HERE.

Lindsay Stordahl is the founder of That Mutt. She writes about dog training, dog exercise and feeding a healthy raw diet.

AddThis Sharing ButtonsShare to FacebookFacebookFacebookShare to TwitterTwitterTwitterShare to PinterestPinterestPinterestShare to MoreAddThisMore142

Last weekend was the Silver Bay Kennel Club of San Diego pet dog show and I got to go–oh, not as a show pet dog in the ring competing for points, and majors, and specials, and I still don’t know the relevance of all the different colors of ribbons.  I went as a house pet for people to meet up-close and personal and get to know a little something about Pomeranians.  It is a special time for me and mommy because it is just the two of us, and we go in the PomMobile.

Dog shows are open to the public and if you didn’t know it, the different Breed Clubs will often sponsor a “Meet the Breed” booth at the show where club members will bring their personal family pets so that show visitors can come by and see the dogs with their owners.  visitors are encouraged to ask questions about the dogs and learn about the different breeds.

Meet the Breed is my a lot of favorite thing to do, and it is where I also get to talk about Rescue and encourage the visitors thinking about getting a Pommie to consider contacting one of the lots of breed certain rescue organizations or start their search on Petfinder.com.  There normally are also handouts available so you can even take some information home.  here I am in the Pomeranian Club’s booth last Saturday with some of the informational handouts we had for people:

It is a great place to learn a lot more about whether or not you really want a Pomeranian, or a German Shepherd, or a Poodle.  You can ask questions about temperament, housetraining, compatibility, or a lot of other things like what kind of grooming needs or health problems your favorite breeds may have.  The children like to pet me and feel how soft the top of my head is, and mommy gives them little bits of treats to feed me (I love that part).  I need to have been petted by a zillion different people that day, and got my picture taken by a bazillion more.   mommy loves it when one of the professional photographers with a cool whiz-bang cam will take my picture too, like this one:

Another fun part of going to the big pet dog shows is all the vendors that come with all their terrific wares like a big bazaar.  There are so lots of things to see, and taste, and we see new products all the time.  mommy normally gets me something to chew on or a new outfit when we go.  I ride in my pink Pommie Pram and bark at everything that moves and even if it doesn’t move, I will still bark at it.  then at the end of the day it is time to go back to the PomMobile and go Nighty-Nite and gear up for the next day.

Bella

Betta Macrostoma

Betta macrostoma (macrostoma betta), likewise referred to as the spotfin betta as well as likewise the Brunei attractiveness, is extremely different than a number of other famous betta forms.

They unfortunately find themselves in the IUCN Red listing of Threatened Species, where it’s listed as Vulnerable, largely since of their habitat being constantly removed.

All these bettas can be tricky to find in captivity however are still some fun fish to discover out about. If you’re preserving one as a puppy please do your research study to assist make sure that it’s a long, healthful life.

Contents Table for Betta Macrostoma Care

Quick reality Table

Summary

Betta Macrostoma Look

Betta Macrostoma Lifespan

Habitat together with storage tank size Prerequisites

Betta Macrostoma Care

Feeding

Breeding

Cost

Selecting the perfect Betta Macrostoma

Quick reality Table about Betta Macrostoma

Size: three as well as a half to four as well as a half inches

Lifespan: three to a Decade

Benefits of maintenance: Pro

Native to: Allergic rivers or ponds in Borneo

Minimum storage tank Size: 20 g to get some set, 40 to get a group

Water form: sterile freshwater utilizing a steady pH as well as temperature

Illness: 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit

Compatibility: Not compatible with other storage tank mates

Diet: Frozen or freeze-dried Spicy meals or industrial pellets

Betta Macrostoma Summary

Among the most costly as well as most stunning betta develops easily available, the betta macrostoma is rather different in the appearance as well as character than a great deal of the prominent betta types, for example betta splendens.

Betta macrostoma are less eloquent in appearance compared to other captive-bred betta types. Additionally, they do not develop bubble nests however are rather mouthbrooders, therefore their faces are wider than some other bettas’.

Betta macrostoma are likewise somewhat more calm than their betta cousins. Although guy can ended up being territorial, so these fish are finest kept in pairs (or groups at bigger aquariums).

But they should be kept just by utilizing their own types since they may become excessively territorial together with other tankmates.

Because of habitat loss, uncontrolled betta macrostoma are jeopardized, so many pet macrostoma are increased in captivity.

Since the types is indeed rare, as well as since those fish might be a bit temperamental in regards to water chemistry affects, it is generally suggested that only advanced aquarists preserve this species.

Betta Macrostoma Look

When thinking about which type of betta to select, you may wonder,”What can betta macrostoma seem like?” Or” just exactly how big are betta macrostoma?” The spotfin betta is rather big, reaching between a half as well as four as well as a half inches in length.

They have short, rounded hooks, wide mouths, as well as reddish, brown, white, black, as well as dark coloring. guy are more vibrant than females.

They’ve such a gorgeous look. They do not get the title Brunei beauty for nothing!

Betta Macrostoma Lifespan

As with other betta forms, betta macrostoma normally reside for including five as well as three decades. however some individuals have noted that these fish might online much more, averaging between 2 as well as 10 decades.

Habitat together with storage tank size Prerequisites

Betta macrostoma do finest when kept in tanks that are larger. even a 20 gallon storage tank is acceptable for a set , while classes should be put in an aquarium of at least 40 g.

All these fish are remarkable jumpers, therefore a tight lid without any type of openings is vital.

All these bettas will succeed at a planted storage tank with great deals of hiding areas. A bare butt is often a great option, particularly for breeding pairs. Aquarium leaf litter may add a natural appearance as well as can likewise help in keeping steady, healthful water requirements.

Betta macrostoma are not picky in regards to water problems. They can withstand a big array of pH levels, even though a pH over 6.0 is suggested. The water temperature must be between 70 as well as 80 degrees Fahrenheit, utilizing a cooler temperatures being preferable.

Betta Macrostoma Care

The absolute most considerable point to think about with these specific fish is they don’t respond well to water chemistry impacts or temperature fluctuations.

Any type of fluctuation can lead to health and wellness issues, therefore it is vital to preserve the water clean while likewise ensuring the temperatures as well as chemistry stay secure.

Partial water changes, at which just about 10 to 25% of their water has been affected, conducted about every 2 weeks, likewise can assist keep the water fresh without altering the chemistry.

Sponge filters may likewise promote the advancement of advantageous bacteria without creating an extreme amount of water present.

Bear in mind that, before integrating some betta macrostoma for your tank, then the shrub must be totally cycled so there aren’t any type of dangerous nitrites, nitrates, or even ammonia existing.

Feeding of Betta Macrostoma

Betta macrostoma are omnivorous. They are sometimes fed different foods, like mobile betta pellets, suspended or freeze-dried bloodworms, or brine shrimp, to get all the nutrients as well as vitamins that they want.

As with other betta species, even macrostoma should be fed a couple of times per day, plus they should only be provided just as much food as they can take in in a couple of minutes.

Betta Macrostoma Breeding

When retained in pairs, then these fish can breed obviously. during spawning, the male has a tendency to wrap round the feminine a number of times. since the female lays the eggs, the male will match them. This spawning behaviour can last for between two as well as five hours.

Following the spawning is finished, the female as well as male will gather the eggs in the ground of the shrub. The feminine will pass on the eggs into the man, as well as the guy will preserve them into his mouth up until they hatch.

Incubation usually occurs between 30 as well as 35 days, though some sources quote a great deal shorter incubation period of between 12 as well as 17 days.

While the guy is mouthbrooding, the fish shouldn’t be bothered at all. The female should be left at the tank, together with the guy shouldn’t be fed. Disturbing or ingesting the guy can cause him to take in the eggs.

After fourteen days, the female might be taken off. When the fry hatch, the guy may likewise be eliminated.

Normally, between 10 as well as 20 betta macrostoma fry will orbit , as well as just about 15% will be men.

Cost of Betta Macrostoma

Since they’re so uncommon, finding a macrostoma betta offered might be challenging. When they’re provided, these fish usually expense approximately $50. They are not as expensive as unsexed juveniles.

Breeding pairs may likewise be bought, however they usually expense around $200.
Deciding on the perfect Betta Macrostoma

When buying betta macrostoma, it is perfect to buy from a respectable breeder that has captive-bred fish. The breeder should be able to notify you exactly exactly how old the fish truly are as well as which type of water demands they’ve been increased .

Choose fish which seem healthy, without a discolorations or ripped fins. Additionally, fish should be energetic as well as have strong appetites. Lethargy or lack of wish might be indications of sickness.

In general, betta macrostoma may be a gorgeous, enjoyable pet, nevertheless since the strain is so infrequent, they are finest maintained by guy as well as women that have a great quantity of betta together with fishkeeping encounter.

Additionally, those who preserve these fish have been invited to breed them so as to motivate the species, likewise if kept in pairs, they will breed easily. since of this, be well prepared to boost as well as house some other fry.

Betta macrostoma likewise phone call for a huge quantity of area in contrast to other betta species, as well as likewise their water chemistry as well as humidity has to be kept rather steady.

Have you retained betta macrostoma, or have you got a concern relating to this specific species? let us understand by commenting below.

How do you take care of a betta Macrostoma?

Betta macrostoma do finest when reserved in superior aquariums. A 20 gallon aquarium is appropriate for a pair, while groups should be housed in an aquarium of at least 40 gallons. These fish are brilliant jumpers, so a stretched lid without any spaces is necessary. These bettas will do well in a planted storage tank with bounty of hiding spaces.

Can Betta Macrostoma be kept together?

They can be set aside in a group, however do biggest in pairs for breeding. Both males as well as women will joust as well as quarrel up until a hierarchy is acknowledged as well as they are paired off.

Are Betta Macrostoma aggressive?

Males can be fierce as well as protective towards each other to wrestle over supremacy. If you stay numerous males together these bit fights as well as flaring sessions are extensive however in a storage tank that is full-size adequate this is not a trouble.

How do you breed a Macrostoma Betta?

Their breeding process consists of 6 primary steps: males courtship display. women courtship display. Spawning Embraces. Egg Transfer. Oral incubation of eggs. release of fry.What is wild betta?

Wild betta fish are a tedious greyish-green with short fins, nothing like the fabulously colored, long finned beauties of today. with choosy breeding, a wide range of colors as well as fin types have been developed, including veil, delta, halfmoon, crowntail, double tail as well as many more.

Are wild bettas aggressive?

It leans to be further territorial when in groups, although distinguished aggression has been experimental among pairs as well. You will have to tender profusion of hiding locations in the outline of floating plants, flower pots, as well as low light plants, like Java moss, to enable these betta fish to get away aggressive storage tank mates.

What is betta Milt?

The male betta fish will discharge what is called milt into the water to fertilize the group of eggs, called the fry. In the next day or two, the male will uphold the nest, catching the infants when they have utilized up the oxygen in the effervesce nest as well as begin to sink.

Is fighting betta fish illegal?

People in Southeast Asia have caught as well as bred Siamese fighting fish for centuries to contend in staged battles, which people location wagers on, alike to cock fights. Such organized fish fights are unlawful in the United States.

I don’t run without a leash in my hands, a pet dog at my side. lots of runners do not own dogs. other runners have dogs and they don’t bring them along on runs. Either their dogs are “too small” (although I’m sure they could still keep up) or their dogs are too crazy and pull too much (hmmm, wouldn’t that be a reason to run more?). Others say it’s too hot or too cold for a dog.

I chose a pet dog based on its running potential. I wanted a pet dog at least 40 pounds or so, an athletic dog, a young dog, a pet dog with long legs. I couldn’t have found a better running buddy. My mutt Ace’s only problem is his sleek, black coat and lean body. He can overheat in the summer and has very little insulation in the winter.

Ace and I went on a 10-mile run yesterday morning, early enough so the mutt and I would not get too hot. It got up to 80 degrees! but today it’s back in the 30s …

Running 10 miles is a lot more mentally challenging than physically challenging. When I’m at mile 9 with stiff knees, a bum ankle, the wind against me and a worn out dog, my mental strength is what figures out whether I run or walk the last mile.

I’ve done enough long runs to know that I can’t make it through unless I’m mentally having a good day. That’s why I plan my long runs very carefully. I pick sunny days, very carefully pre-planning routes with new paths and some grassy areas where the mutt can be off leash. I also tell myself I can go as slow as I want, as long as I complete the run. That seems to do the trick.

How do you motivate yourself for longer runs and walks?

April miles: 80.85

Mustangs are synonymous with the American Wild West. however did you understand that there are lots of types of Mustang horses?

Six types of Mustang horses are discovered in America: the Pryor Mountains Mustang, Kiger Mustang as well as Cerbat Mustang. The Spanish Mustang, Chincoteague pony as well as Colonial Spanish Mustang. Each equine has its own special characteristics.

Mustangs are the descendants of Spanish horses were brought to America in the 1500s. Although the original Mustangs were Colonial Spanish Horses, over numerous years other types as well as breeds of horses have been added. different breeding populations resulted, as well as each equine was unique.

Mustang Horses, though they are often called wild horses, are really feral horses since they are descendants from when domesticated horses.

Types of Mustang Horses

There are lots of organizations that handle horses that roam complimentary in America, including the Burea of Land Management, forest Service, national Parks as well as Tribal Lands, in addition to State-Owned.

These are just a few of the Mustang horses that are distinctive for their place, color, as well as heritage.

Pryor mountain Mustang

Montana’s Pryor mountain Mustangs are discovered in the Pryor Mountains. They are thought about to be the most pure mustangs. They are carefully associated to the original Spanish horses brought to America.

Although not much info is offered about the history of Pryor mountain Mustangs, it is believed they have been in the area considering that the 1700s. You can discover them in lots of colors, including bay, black as well as grulla.

Pryor mountain Mustangs are between 13 as well as 14 hands tall. Their strong as well as muscular develop is characterized by a long tail as well as mane, in addition to a Roman nose.

These horses are intelligent as well as have fantastic stamina. Some even have a walking gait. The horses of the Pryor mountain variety are managed by the BLM.

Kiger Mustang

The Kiger Mustang may be familiar to you from the traditional film Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron. __S.23__

Kiger Mustangs are understood for their distinctive dun color with dorsal strips, however they can likewise be other colors. Kigers are between 13 as well as 16 inches tall, evaluate 700 to 800 pounds, as well as determine 13.2-16 inches in height.

Kigers have a traditional Barb head with a compact, muscular body as well as well-groomed neck.

Kigers are athletic as well as strong horses with friendly personalities. They are exceptional riding horses in both English as well as western disciplines. The Kiger Mustang herds are currently managed by the BLM.

Cerbat Mustang

The Cerbat Mustang is a Spanish-ancestry equine that can be discovered in Arizona. Although they are extremely rare, lots of people like their gorgeous appearance. lots of state they look like Andalusian horses.

Cerbat horses can evaluate anywhere from 750 to 800 pounds as well as are between 14-16 inches tall. They are normally bay in color however can likewise be strawberry or blue roans, gray as well as sorrel, as well as dun.

Cerbat Mustangs are strong as well as refined, as well as have amazing stamina as well as endurance. The Cerbat Mustang herd is managed by the BLM.

Spanish Mustang

Spanish Mustangs are the direct descendants of the very first Spanish horses to be discovered in America. Although they may be confused with the BLM’s feral horses, the Mustangs are unique in appearance as well as ancestry.

The Spanish Mustang is part of the larger Colonial Spanish equine group, which is rare. Although Spanish Mustangs were when a famous breed, their numbers began to decline in the 20th century.

People started to notice the requirement to conserve their horses as well as began to draw them from wild herds, native American herds, as well as ranch stock.

Spanish Mustangs are between 13.2-15 inches tall as well as evaluate between 650-1100 pounds. Their smooth, muscular bodies are characterized by a well-defined neck, well-defined backs, straight or convex heads as well as a large variety of colors.

They are versatile horses since of their athleticism as well as willingness for service. English as well as western riding disciplines.

Colonial Spanish Mustang

Experts believe Colonial Spanish Mustang is a mix of Spanish Barb, Arabian, as well as Andalusian breeds. They have five lumbar vertebrae, instead of the six that are normal for domestic horses.

Two Colonial Spanish Mustang herds currently exist in America: the Corolla Wild Horses (Banker) as well as the Shackelford ponies (Banker). These native North American horses check out North Carolina’s outer Banks beaches.

The Colonial Spanish Mustangs are around 12-13 inches tall as well as have athletic build. These ponies are hard as well as some can even walk naturally. Horses are managed by the national Park service as well as the state of North Carolina.

ChincoteaguePony

Legend has it that the Chincoteague ponies are descendants from Spanish horses who fled a shipwreck off Virginia’s coast. These ponies are a sign of the Assateague Islands as well as Chincoteague Islands where they have effectively adapted to their special environment.

These ponies are little however strong as well as evaluate in at around 850 pounds. They can be discovered in nearly every color as well as pattern of coat.

We have already mentioned in our Wild Chincoteague Ponies Guide. Their bellies can frequently appear bloated as they drink twice the water of other horses. since of the high salt material in their vegetation, this is normal.

The popular team penning is a swimming event where ponies swim from Assateague Island towards Chincoteague Island every year. Each year, the foals are auctioned before the mares or stallions return house to Assateague.

Horses on the Virginia side are managed by the Chincoteague Volunteer fire Company, while horses on Maryland’s side are managed by the national Parks Service.

Mustang equine Profile

The mustang is versatile, intelligent, hardy as well as intelligent. The true American breed is a fantastic partner for riding.

Overview of Breeds

WEIGHT: 800 Pounds

HEIGHT : 14-15 hands

BODY type : Stocky as well as hardy

BEST FOR: Ranch work as well as path riding

LIFE EXPECTANCY : maximum 40 years

Mustang equine history as well as Origins

Today, wild mustangs can be discovered in the west United States. These mustangs are descendants of Spanish horses brought to America by European settlers. Some horses were freed or escaped, while others were traded for or captured by native Americans.

The escapee horses ended up being herds as well as then lived in the wild. Slowly, they were pushed West by the encroaching advancement of this country.

Wild mustangs grew in number, however as the country ended up being a lot more settled as well as ranchers looked for land to graze their cattle, the issue of an ever-increasing population was created.

There were as much as two million mustangs living in America in the 1900s. It is estimated that there are currently 30,000 mustangs.

The Wild Free-Roaming equine as well as Burro Act protected mustangs from being harassed as well as poisoned. However, it likewise allowed for the population to increase.

To handle the population, the Bureau of Land administration began to round up as well as embrace mustangs.

Mustang equine Size

Mustangs are smaller horses as well as can generally be discovered at between 14 as well as 15 hands in height as well as 800 pounds.

Uses as well as Breeding

Mustangs are wild-bred as well as deal with overpopulation. Therefore, captive breeding programs are not in use. These horses can be utilized for path riding, ranch work as well as dressage.

Markings as well as Colors

There are lots of coat choices for Mustangs. a lot of are bay as well as chestnut however there are likewise black, grey as well as pinto coat colors.

Unique characteristics of Mustang equine Breed

Because of its wild heritage, the mustang is widely known for being strong as well as agile. since they are able to navigate terrains that other breeds may have problem with, these qualities make mustangs fantastic as path horses or working horses.

Diet as well as Nutrition

Mustangs are resilient. They can make it through in the wild on lawn as well as brush. They are simple to keep in captivity since of this.

Owners may have to limit a mustang’s gain access to as well as utilize of rich pasture since overgrazing can lead to obesity as well as other problems like founder.

Common Health- as well as habits Problems

Mustangs are hard as well as have strong hooves. They are normally rather healthy.

The horse’s training as well as background can influence the horses behavior. If a mustang has been adopted as well as has not had any type of handling, it will likely be reactive as well as scared.

With appropriate training, mustangs can ended up being calm as well as well-mannered if they are provided the chance to depend on humans.

Grooming

There are no grooming requirements for Mustangs. routine grooming as well as currying will benefit their coat health. They have strong hooves however routine hoof care is crucial for their health.

Pros

Hardy as well as surefooted

Intelligent

There are lots of horses for adoption

Cons

Taller riders may not be able to trip smaller horses.

Horses that are not appropriately handled will requirement considerable training

Champion as well as star Mustang Horses

Many mustangs are well-known:

After being adopted, Cobra showed fantastic skill in dressage. In 2015, he won the Freestyle Western Dressage level 1 world championship as well as was named USEF Horses of the Year in Western Dressage.

Elisa Wallace adopted Hwin. They competed together in the 2015 Mustang Magic Makeover, as well as Breyer produced a design equine named after Hwin.

Is the Mustang ideal for you?

Because mustangs can be ridden by smaller riders, they are frequently much better fit to smaller riders. They are versatile as well as can be utilized for lots of different activities as well as disciplines.

Mustang temperaments variety from being hot as well as reactive to cooperative as well as calm. It’s crucial to make sure that you select the ideal equine for your needs as well as experience.

How to embrace a Mustang or get One

To make sure that horses are able to make it through on the land, the Bureau of Land administration (BLM), adopts mustangs each year. begin by reading the BLM adoption requirements if you are thinking about adopting a mustang.

To be allowed to adopt, you will requirement to satisfy specific requirements relating to the type of fencing, facility, or equine trailer that is available.

Remember that these horses are not handled. They will need training in everything, from halter breaking to riding.

Private sellers frequently have mustangs offered for sale. These horses may be already trained to ride. Mustangs are a less costly breed, as well as they can be discovered all across the country.

It’s a great concept for equine owners to conduct a pre-purchase assessment to figure out if there are any type of health and wellness problems that may impact equine performance.

cleaning our dog’s teeth. we all know it’s important. but for some of us, it’s something that seems hard to do regularly.

One of my new Year’s resolutions was to do a better job of taking care of Baxter’s teeth. Now, it’s time for me to report on how I’m doing.

The answer?

Not great.

Argh.

I have brushes and paste and chews and rinses. I have a relatively cooperative dog. I had a few nights in a row where I brushed his teeth best after dinner. but then I stopped.

I’ve chose that what I need is a habit.

I’ve heard it takes something like three weeks to establish a new habit.

I also know that goal setting isn’t enough on its own. I need a plan. So here is my plan to establish our new dental cleaning practice over the next three weeks.

How to make brushing your dog’s teeth a habit

Timing

I liked brushing teeth after dinner. We weren’t pressed for time, Baxter was pretty relaxed, my husband was home so we could label team if we needed to. but then Baxter started going to bed before we finished eating. He ate his dinner, did a lap around the kitchen to make sure we hadn’t dropped anything and walked down the hall to the bedroom.

Getting him up or getting down on the floor to brush his teeth while he’s laying in bed are not ideal scenarios.

New plan: brush teeth in the morning.

Equipment

Mr. B has much more brushes, flavours of toothpaste, sprays and rinses than I do. The regular toothbrush is easiest to maneuver around his mouth instead of the finger brush, and he seems alright with the taste of the canine toothpaste.

However, he has some tartar buildup on his teeth that’s too hard for the brush.

New plan: add a tartar-softening rinse to his drinking water and find a scraper to try to remove the tartar.

Extra help

The comments on my last post and my own experience with Baxter confirm the most significant help for clean teeth is raw bones. We don’t feed raw (yet), so once a week we try to give Baxter a soup bone to chomp on.

The issues are we’re not consistent with every week, and I choose he have the bones outside where he can lie down and chew for an hour or more. When he’s inside—like in the winter—he brings the bones to his bed. Yuck.

New plan: I’m not sure what I’m going to do here. Honestly, I may wait until the weather warms up to officially add bones to our routine. spring is less than a month away now.

What else ought to I consider in my tooth cleaning plan?

How do you take care of your dog’s teeth?

See our article: I can’t afford a dental for my dog

Julia Preston is a regular writer for That Mutt. visit her blog home on 129 Acres where she writes about her adventures of country living and diy renovating.

Do any of you have dogs that try to mark in the house?

How did you stop or stop the behavior?

I just about died when my parents told me my pet dog Ace had peed on their indoor plant. It’s funny to think about it now, but at the time it wasn’t funny!

Since then I’ve been extra cautious when bringing my pet dog into other people’s homes. He stays on the leash or near me so I can supervise.

Indoor marking is a fairly common problem with dogs, and it’s one of those discouraging behaviors that might cause someone to surrender his or her dog.

So, I’m hoping we could all share a few ideas to help each other out.

Sometimes new pet dog owners are unaware that marking can be a problem, especially on the first day home when everything is new to the dog. The new owners may be shocked when the “potty trained” rescue pet dog pees all over the cat’s scratching post (yep, seen that happen a few times).

As with all training topics, I’d love to hear your thoughts. here are some of mine:

Tips to stop a pet dog from marking in the house

1. lots of supervision.

When I bring a new pet dog into my home, I keep the pet dog on a 6-foot leash and near me in any way times. I do this even if I’ve been told the pet dog is housebroken.

A pet dog that is potty trained could still attempt to mark in a new indoor area. marking is not the same thing as having an “accident.” I’ve also learned from experience that just because a pet dog is potty trained in one home does not necessarily indicate he knows what to do in another home.

If I can’t supervise, then the pet dog stays in a kennel or at least in a smaller part of the house such as a shower room or laundry room.

After some severe supervision and prevention for a day or two (sometimes much longer), I would give the pet dog a lot more freedom.

2. block the behavior.

I do everything I can to stop or stop the pet dog from marking. Ideally, I will redirect his attention by calling his name or asking him to sit well before he has a chance to mark, but if it’s a close call I will break out my a lot more severe tone and say “Hey!” or “No!”

This of course must be followed by praise for an proper behavior such as sitting.

Keep an extra eye on your pet dog around cat scratching posts, the ends of the couch and spots where other dogs have had accidents in the past.

3. use a pet dog stomach band (male wrap).

A stomach band fits around a male dog’s belly, covering his man parts so if he does mark it will go onto the stomach band instead of onto your furniture. It’s kind of like a diaper, only it’s created to catch small amounts of urine. The ones I’ve used were washable and reusable.

A stomach band does not train the pet dog to stop marking, but it’s a valuable tool to have while he’s learning. kid was this a life saver when I had certain foster dogs!

Female dogs can also mark in the house, by the way. If it’s a real problem with your lady dog, you could try using a doggy diaper for the time being. just take it off her when you take her outside to go potty.

4. keep checking out new areas.

Once the pet dog seems to have stopped marking in your home, it’s a good idea to keep bringing him to new areas so he can learn proper behavior in other situations.

You’ll need to supervise him very closely, of course. Be ready to right him or redirect his attention. carrying treats and asking the pet dog to sit or “watch” is a good way to keep his attention on you rather than sniffing and potentially marking your friend’s couch.

Pet stores are good places to practice this, considering that there are lots of tempting pet dog smells. You could also try checking out a tolerant friend’s house.

5. keep on satisfying good behavior.

When your pet dog relieves himself or marks outside, tell him he’s a good dog. often we forget to reward the basic behavior, but it’s really important.

There are certain outdoor objects I don’t want my pet dog to pee on such as park benches, so I make sure to re-direct his attention around them and reward him for peeing on the bushes or trees. He is nearly 8 years old and the training never ends.

Finally, what do you people think about spaying and neutering?

I know the majority of readers are in support of spaying and neutering a lot of pet dogs. but does it actually help stop unwanted behaviors such as marking?

In my limited experience with unaltered dogs (male and female), I have observed that these dogs were a lot more likely to mark in my house.

This does not verify anything. It’s just my limited observation – I’m talking about four or five unaltered dogs total compared to about 50 altered dogs. I also know a few owners who have unaltered dogs, and they say they have absolutely no issues with their dogs marking in the house.

I’m sure it mostly depends on the amount of training the owner is ready to put into the dog, regardless of whether or not the pet dog has been “fixed.”

What are your thoughts?

I hope you’ll jump in and share your experience.

*Can I just add that my pet dog did not lift his leg once for the first two years I had him? Not once. He was a squatter. He started lifting his leg when he was about 3 or 4.

Related post:

How to stop my pet dog from peeing next to the pee pad