The boys are split in their appreciation of the snow.
"My toes are cold already."
"Oh, but you have a ball. Well, I guess I'm not THAT cold."Thank goodness there are always "inside games" to play ... Like destroying boxes.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
I JINXED IT!
Yesterday I posted that I was so impressed that we didn't have any snow yet a week into November. Well, apparently I jinxed it. It's snowing now, it's been snowing almost all afternoon. People are already driving like idiots, slamming on their brakes randomly in the middle of Circle Drive. I passed a big accident already on Circle Drive bridge on the way home from Rally-O practice. I don't know what it is, but a skiff of snow makes even the best of drivers turn into horrible drivers. No one remains a "good driver" in the winter, they either turn into reckless maniacs or over-careful brake-riders. Bother are just as dangerous.
The boys are split in their appreciation of the snow.
"My toes are cold already."
"Oh, but you have a ball. Well, I guess I'm not THAT cold."
The boys are split in their appreciation of the snow.
"My toes are cold already.""Oh, but you have a ball. Well, I guess I'm not THAT cold."
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Is this really November?
The weather is really odd, no snow yet and it's already a week into November. Usually, we have snow staying on the ground by Halloween. At the rate we are going, I'm picturing snow in June! The temperature is sure keeping on track, though. It's cold now, cold enough to see your breath and need at least a couple of layers of clothes. I'm boycotting my winter jacket until we have snow on the ground, but still need to layer up with a bunny hug and a fleece jacket before heading out.
I took the boys over to the park today for a bit of a run. We have a Rally-O trial in Regina next weekend, so I don't want to push Gio too much at this point. Would hate for his leg to start acting up this close to a trial. But a few laps around the park shouldn't hurt, and it's always nice for him to get his barks out and tear around a bit. And Romeo, well he is always up for a game of fetch!
I took the boys over to the park today for a bit of a run. We have a Rally-O trial in Regina next weekend, so I don't want to push Gio too much at this point. Would hate for his leg to start acting up this close to a trial. But a few laps around the park shouldn't hurt, and it's always nice for him to get his barks out and tear around a bit. And Romeo, well he is always up for a game of fetch!
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Supplements for Raw Feeding?
A very common question that I hear from new raw feeders is "What sort of supplements do I need to give?"
The answer to that depends very much on what you are feeding in the first place. A well balanced raw diet does not need additional supplements. So if you are putting in the time and effort to balancing the diet correctly, then you don't need to worry about anything extra. Nutritional excesses can be just as dangerous as nutritional deficiencies. So the "more is better" saying certainly does not apply to nutrition.
Here are a couple of websites that detail the symptoms of nutritional deficiencies and excesses:
Nutritional Deficiencies and Excesses (based on pigs, but very similar in dogs)
Nutritional Deficiencies - Symptoms and Diseases (based on cats, but also very similar to dogs)
My feelings on the subject are that the minerals and nutrients that a dog needs should be primarily obtained from the actual food that the dog is eating. Know what you are feeding and know what nutrients are available in those items. Increase specific food items in accordance with what you feel the diet is lacking. Some great websites for getting a feel of nutrients in various raw foods include NutritionData.com and Nutrient Composition of Whole Vertebrate Prey.
The most common supplements given by Prey Model Raw feeders include: joint supplements, omega-3, and vitamin E. These should only be given if you feel there is a special need for your dog to have them and if you are aware that the diet you are providing is lacking in these nutrients.
Joint supplements typically include glucosamine and chondroitin. Before resorting to a bottled supplement, attempt to provide it naturally. Glucosamine is found naturally in raw joint tissue. So if you are able to feed edible bone "joints", then you are already providing natural glucosamine. Chicken feet are great, as are other joint items such as chicken or turkey legs, backs, necks, etc.
Intensive livestock practices find the farm animals that we eat being fed grain-based diets. As such, the meat that is produced is naturally low in omega-3. There is plenty of omega-6 in raw meat, but the balance of omega-3 to -6 is thrown out of whack. As a result, it may be necessary to supplement a raw diet with omega-3. Again, attempt to provide it naturally first. This can be done by feeding oily fish or grass-fed red meat. If you are unable to provide grass fed meat or fish in adequate amounts, then a supplement will suffice. The absorption and utilization of omegas depends on the availability of vitamin E. It is possible to get omega supplements that have vitamin E included, if you can find something like that then it will be much more convenient.
Please note, kibble does NOT count as a supplement. Too often I have heard people say that they want to feed half raw and half kibble so that the "kibble makes up for any imbalances in the raw portion". This just does not make sense in any form. Commercial kibbles are nutritionally balanced assuming that they are fed as the entire diet of the dog. So if your dog needs one cup of kibble per day, that one cup of kibble will have all the nutrients that the dog needs that day. If you decide to feed half raw and half a cup of kibble per day, that half a cup of kibble only includes half of the dog's required nutrients for that day. Kibble will not make up for deficiencies in an unbalanced raw diet.
The moral of this story is:
- Be familiar with the diet that you are feeding
- Do the number crunching to ensure that you are providing all the nutrients that your dog needs
- Supplement only when you know that there is a specific deficiency in the diet you are providing
- Attempt to provide all nutrients naturally before resorting to artificial supplements
The answer to that depends very much on what you are feeding in the first place. A well balanced raw diet does not need additional supplements. So if you are putting in the time and effort to balancing the diet correctly, then you don't need to worry about anything extra. Nutritional excesses can be just as dangerous as nutritional deficiencies. So the "more is better" saying certainly does not apply to nutrition.
Here are a couple of websites that detail the symptoms of nutritional deficiencies and excesses:
Nutritional Deficiencies and Excesses (based on pigs, but very similar in dogs)
Nutritional Deficiencies - Symptoms and Diseases (based on cats, but also very similar to dogs)
My feelings on the subject are that the minerals and nutrients that a dog needs should be primarily obtained from the actual food that the dog is eating. Know what you are feeding and know what nutrients are available in those items. Increase specific food items in accordance with what you feel the diet is lacking. Some great websites for getting a feel of nutrients in various raw foods include NutritionData.com and Nutrient Composition of Whole Vertebrate Prey.
The most common supplements given by Prey Model Raw feeders include: joint supplements, omega-3, and vitamin E. These should only be given if you feel there is a special need for your dog to have them and if you are aware that the diet you are providing is lacking in these nutrients.
Joint supplements typically include glucosamine and chondroitin. Before resorting to a bottled supplement, attempt to provide it naturally. Glucosamine is found naturally in raw joint tissue. So if you are able to feed edible bone "joints", then you are already providing natural glucosamine. Chicken feet are great, as are other joint items such as chicken or turkey legs, backs, necks, etc.
Intensive livestock practices find the farm animals that we eat being fed grain-based diets. As such, the meat that is produced is naturally low in omega-3. There is plenty of omega-6 in raw meat, but the balance of omega-3 to -6 is thrown out of whack. As a result, it may be necessary to supplement a raw diet with omega-3. Again, attempt to provide it naturally first. This can be done by feeding oily fish or grass-fed red meat. If you are unable to provide grass fed meat or fish in adequate amounts, then a supplement will suffice. The absorption and utilization of omegas depends on the availability of vitamin E. It is possible to get omega supplements that have vitamin E included, if you can find something like that then it will be much more convenient.
Please note, kibble does NOT count as a supplement. Too often I have heard people say that they want to feed half raw and half kibble so that the "kibble makes up for any imbalances in the raw portion". This just does not make sense in any form. Commercial kibbles are nutritionally balanced assuming that they are fed as the entire diet of the dog. So if your dog needs one cup of kibble per day, that one cup of kibble will have all the nutrients that the dog needs that day. If you decide to feed half raw and half a cup of kibble per day, that half a cup of kibble only includes half of the dog's required nutrients for that day. Kibble will not make up for deficiencies in an unbalanced raw diet.
The moral of this story is:
- Be familiar with the diet that you are feeding
- Do the number crunching to ensure that you are providing all the nutrients that your dog needs
- Supplement only when you know that there is a specific deficiency in the diet you are providing
- Attempt to provide all nutrients naturally before resorting to artificial supplements
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Distraction Training
Tonight was our regular Wednesday night Rally-O practice time. It's usually a small group of dogs and we just set up a course or two and practice, help each other out, etc. Tonight was just like any other Wednesday night, myself with the boys and one other lady with her Miniature Poodle. One thing was different tonight ... there was a bunny!
The facility that we practice at is a doggy daycare during the day, and then used for classes and group dog events in the evenings and on weekends. The business has two bunnies that just live there in their little hutch. By the sounds of it, they are trying to rehome one or both of the bunnies, so there was a couple there this evening checking them out. They had their dog with them, a Lab mix by the looks of it, to see if dog and bunny would get along, or if bunny would prove to be too tempting of a snack for the dog.
At one point, I had Romeo put away in a kennel and was working Gio off-leash. The couple that was checking out the bunny decided to put it on the floor to see if a moving bunny would kick in the prey drive of their dog. The dog did really well, was super excited about the bunny, but was just being playful. I was walking a heel pattern with Gio when the bunny made a dash for it. I stopped walking and Gio sat at my side just as the bunny dashed in no more than 8 inches in front of him. He didn't move a muscle, barely even registered that there was a bunny there!
Now THAT is distraction training!
The facility that we practice at is a doggy daycare during the day, and then used for classes and group dog events in the evenings and on weekends. The business has two bunnies that just live there in their little hutch. By the sounds of it, they are trying to rehome one or both of the bunnies, so there was a couple there this evening checking them out. They had their dog with them, a Lab mix by the looks of it, to see if dog and bunny would get along, or if bunny would prove to be too tempting of a snack for the dog.
At one point, I had Romeo put away in a kennel and was working Gio off-leash. The couple that was checking out the bunny decided to put it on the floor to see if a moving bunny would kick in the prey drive of their dog. The dog did really well, was super excited about the bunny, but was just being playful. I was walking a heel pattern with Gio when the bunny made a dash for it. I stopped walking and Gio sat at my side just as the bunny dashed in no more than 8 inches in front of him. He didn't move a muscle, barely even registered that there was a bunny there!
Now THAT is distraction training!
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Ode to a Benny
One of my most faithful blog followers let it be known quite clearly this afternoon that she is NOT impressed that I missed my entry yesterday.
SORRY!
I got to reading a book and got a little swept away, completely forgot about the blog. Well ... no ... that is a lie. I did remember briefly that I should write an entry, but the book won.
In order to make it up to her, I am dedicating this entry to her pooch ... Bentley.
Bentley (aka Benny) is a Border Collie x Jack Russel Terrier cross, or in "designer dog" terms, a BoJack. Benny competes in NAFA flyball and absolutely LOVES it! He gets a little "enthusiastic" about the game, but that's a BoJack for ya.
I've gathered up all the pictures I can find of Benny, to show off his handsome good looks.
Benny stalking the box at a flyball practice.
Benny jumping.
More jumping Benny.
Benny REALLY wants to play flyball!
SORRY!
I got to reading a book and got a little swept away, completely forgot about the blog. Well ... no ... that is a lie. I did remember briefly that I should write an entry, but the book won.
In order to make it up to her, I am dedicating this entry to her pooch ... Bentley.
Bentley (aka Benny) is a Border Collie x Jack Russel Terrier cross, or in "designer dog" terms, a BoJack. Benny competes in NAFA flyball and absolutely LOVES it! He gets a little "enthusiastic" about the game, but that's a BoJack for ya.
I've gathered up all the pictures I can find of Benny, to show off his handsome good looks.
Benny stalking the box at a flyball practice. 
Benny jumping. 
More jumping Benny.Benny REALLY wants to play flyball!
And here are a couple of pictures that I stole from Benny's Dogster page and Benny's River Runner bio.
Coy Benny.
"Gimme the ball" Benny.
Benny and his buddy, Sonny, snuffling the beach.
Prize-winning Benny.
Snuggly Benny.
Benny gots a ball.
Coy Benny."Gimme the ball" Benny.Benny and his buddy, Sonny, snuffling the beach. Prize-winning Benny.Snuggly Benny. Benny gots a ball.Sunday, November 2, 2008
VOTE FOR US! & More Camera Testing
First off ... VOTE FOR US!
A while back, the Sheltie Hair blog was selected as Dog Site of the Day from DogMark.net. Now, the voting has been opened for Dog Site of the Month. All the selected sites from October are available to be voted on. You can vote once per day with one e-mail address. I'd really appreciate it if you voted for me, #17 on the list!
Now, for the handsome puppers!
I wanted a new camera because most of the pictures I take are of the dogs. And most of the fun picture opportunities are through the various classes and clubs that we attend. We get so many dogs together for play dates or even just socializing at classes, that I would love to have some pics of the boys with their buddies. But my old CyberShot just didn't want to take a decent picture indoors. The large buildings that we use for classes and gatherings were little CyberShot's worst nightmare!
The "Big Test" for my new Canon was this afternoon at Hub City class. We had an hour for working club dogs before the public classes started up, so I got a couple of "working" pictures and a couple of "social" pictures. All things considering (ie. big empty room with dim lighting full of quickly moving puppers), it performed pretty well!
Sasha heeling so nicely.
More pretty Sasha. She's so attentive!
Little Zephyr.
Handsome Harley.
Tetley was being so goofy, trying to cuddle up with Harley.
More Sasha with her airplane ears.
Mr. Droopy Lip Gio.
A while back, the Sheltie Hair blog was selected as Dog Site of the Day from DogMark.net. Now, the voting has been opened for Dog Site of the Month. All the selected sites from October are available to be voted on. You can vote once per day with one e-mail address. I'd really appreciate it if you voted for me, #17 on the list!
Now, for the handsome puppers!
I wanted a new camera because most of the pictures I take are of the dogs. And most of the fun picture opportunities are through the various classes and clubs that we attend. We get so many dogs together for play dates or even just socializing at classes, that I would love to have some pics of the boys with their buddies. But my old CyberShot just didn't want to take a decent picture indoors. The large buildings that we use for classes and gatherings were little CyberShot's worst nightmare!
The "Big Test" for my new Canon was this afternoon at Hub City class. We had an hour for working club dogs before the public classes started up, so I got a couple of "working" pictures and a couple of "social" pictures. All things considering (ie. big empty room with dim lighting full of quickly moving puppers), it performed pretty well!
Sasha heeling so nicely. 
More pretty Sasha. She's so attentive!
Little Zephyr.
Handsome Harley.
Tetley was being so goofy, trying to cuddle up with Harley.
More Sasha with her airplane ears. 
Mr. Droopy Lip Gio.Saturday, November 1, 2008
I have a new baby!
Okay, so it's not as cute the new baby at ManyMuddyPaws, but I'm quite smitten with it!
Everyone meet ...
My new Canon PowerShot!
She doesn't have a name yet, but we'll think of one soon.
I've been playing around with her all afternoon, testing everything out. Lots of fun! Much nicer pictures than I was getting with my old Sony CyberShot. And I think I'm going to have some fun with this Macro situation!
Here are a couple of fun shots that I was able to catch earlier today.
Everyone meet ...
My new Canon PowerShot!
She doesn't have a name yet, but we'll think of one soon.I've been playing around with her all afternoon, testing everything out. Lots of fun! Much nicer pictures than I was getting with my old Sony CyberShot. And I think I'm going to have some fun with this Macro situation!
Here are a couple of fun shots that I was able to catch earlier today.
"We are not amused. Too boring."
"Now THIS is how you test out a camera!"
"KICK IT! kickitkickitkickitkickit"
"I haz a happy!"
"KICK IT! kickitkickitkickitkickit"
"I haz a happy!"
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