Down South Westies Monthly WestieGram

What's New This September?

September 1, 2006

 

 

Click to Enlarge!

Click to Enlarge!

In This Issue:

     1.  Chloe and Gigi's Pups Go To New Homes!

       2.  The Canine Behavior Series!

       3.  Paris and Parker Update!

       4.  Sam's Yams!

       5.  FYI!  Rabies Challenge Study?

       6.  Grooming Table a Great Purchase?

       7.  Free Web Page Pedigree Generator

        8.  Gift ideas from Stéphanie!

1.  Chloe and Gigi's Pups Go To New Homes!

These 3 pretty girls and boy just left for their new homes. 

See Chloe's pups (click here)

See Gigi's pup (click here)

2.  The Canine Behavior Series!

By Kathy Diamond Davis
Author and Trainer (Used by Permission)

Ever had a dog with bad manners...unwanted barking, jumping up on people, pulling on the leash, mouthing and nipping, not coming when called?   Most of us have had to deal with at least a few of these common canine behavior problems.  It's never too late to train a dog, or to work on his or her behavior problems.  Bad habits can be broken, good habits can be taught, and most importantly, with a little effort and love, you can make sure your dog stays a happy member of your family forever!   More...

The Canine Behavior Series has articles ranging from Fear of Thunderstorms to Helping Your Dog Enjoy Veterinary Visits.

Did you know...your dog feels "rewarded" for fearful behavior if you pet, cuddle, and praise when the dog is behaving fearfully, like during a thunderstorm?  Rewarding a behavior increases the likelihood of that behavior occurring more often, even when the individual is not conscious of being rewarded for it. Give rewards when the dog is behaving confidently, calmly, or happily.

3.  Paris and Parker Update!

Paris and Parker continue to grow and mature as they become acclimated to our clan.  Paris' ears were standing at 8 weeks of age, but Parker's ears did not stand until 10 weeks.  After two weeks, they both flopped.  We think the cartilage was injured from continuous rough play between the pups as well as the big dogs.  We have separated him from Paris and the the big dogs momentarily, except for several daily visits.  We have taped his ears and everything seems fine so far.  We have a picture below in case you ever have a problem with a pup.  I would suggest you buy a roll of tape from your vet.  That way, you will have the right kind of tape and the cost is usually around $3.  Parker's ears have already been taped for a week and the tape is still doing its job.  In another week, we will remove the tape to see how his ears look.  Hopefully, that will be the end of "droopy ears".

4.  Sam's Yams!

We received an email the other night from someone who wanted to pass along an item he had found for his Westie.  I thought you might be interested as well.  If you give your Westie raw-hides (we consider this a no-no) you might want to look at this product.  Click on the picture below!  In the search box, search for Sam's Yams!

 

Sam's Yams Sweet Potato Chews

If you have a food dehydrator, you might want to try making your own "Westie Sweet Potato Chews"!  Slice the sweet potato and then place the slices in the food dehydrator for the suggested number of hours.  Sounds like a winner to me!

 5.  FYI!  Rabies Challenge Study!

Press Release

World-renown vaccine research scientist and practicing veterinarian, Dr. W. Jean Dodds of California, and pet vaccine disclosure advocate, Kris L. Christine of Maine, have established The Rabies Challenge Fund to raise money to fund a 7 year rabies vaccine challenge study in the United States.  Rabies vaccination is the one immunization required by law across the country for domestic dogs and cats.  Researchers believe this vaccine causes the most and worst adverse reactions in animals.  The Rabies Challenge Fund has been founded to improve the safety of rabies vaccines and to determine, by challenge, if they confer immunity for 5, 6, or 7 years.  More...

Donations can be sent to THE RABIES CHALLENGE FUND, c/o Hemopet, 11330 Markon Drive, Garden Grove, CA  92841.

6.  Grooming Table a Great Purchase!

For several years we used a large table for grooming.  We could only work from one side of the table and our dogs wanted to walk all over the table.  The grooming arm I had made could not be placed in the right position, so we just groomed without it.  With our plans to show Paris and Parker, I bought a grooming table this weekend past at the Cherokee Cluster Dog Show in Atlanta.  It is amazing the difference it makes.  The dogs stand still because there is not a large area to explore.  I wish I had purchased one years ago.  I am listing below two tables in case you are interested.  One has adjustable legs and the other is a fixed height.  I bought the adjustable, which costs more, but I set it at the maximum height and will probably never change it.  I would probably have bought the fixed height, but they did not have one available.

7.  Free Web Page Pedigree Generator!

   Click on the SitStay.com banner to create your own pedigree for your Westie.  Just fill in the blanks and print it out.

8.  Gift ideas from Stéphanie!

  Stéphanie lives in France and makes animal magnets.  Check out her eBay site.