BEN column 

Good morning! What is this, March Since when is October known for high winds and fallen trees and power outages We never heard anybody say, “Watch out, your Halloween costume might blow away!'’ Go…

Sponsored by Pedigree, The Bay Colony dog Show is one of the nation’s largest American Kennel Club all-breed dog shows. With agilty and over 80 holiday shopping and public service booths and weekend demonstrations, the show offers information and entertainment for dog lovers of all ages. (PRWeb Oct 17, 2006) Trackback URI: http://www.prweb.com/zingpr.php/TG92ZS1IYWxmLVBpZ2ctRmFsdS1JbnNlLVplcm8= Go…

Golden Retriever Swimming Tips

The sooner in your Golden Retriever’s life that you expose him to water, the greater are the chances that he will learn to enjoy it. Find a gentle pond or stream away from road traffic. Take your dog off the leash and let him explore. Take a seat on the bank and discreetly watch your pup. Read a book or watch a bird. Appear to ignore him. Do not attempt to encourage or coax him into the water. Coaxing just makes an unsure puppy or dog suspicious. Spend half an hour allowing your dog to poke around and explore. Repeat this procedure as often as you can.

When your Golden Retriever starts to splash around on his own, praise him. Let your dog repeat this experience a dozen different times. When you have accomplished this, take out your dog’s tennis ball or another object that will float and that he enjoys retrieving. Throw it a few inches
into the water. Encourage him to get it, but do not force him. Use only your voice to motivate him.

If your dog is too nervous to get the object, you get it. After you have retrieved the ball, have your dog do a couple of land retrieves. This will build the dog’s enthusiasm and confidence. If he does retrieve the object from the water, praise him ecstatically. Using common sense, increase the distance of the retrieves. Take your time. This increased distance should develop slowly over a period of a few weeks.

When your Retriever first goes out over his head, be sure to praise him enthusiastically when he begins to swim. Two or three successful retrieves are plenty at first. Do not overdo it. Also, do not be concerned if his front feet splash out of the water at first. Most dogs do this.

If your dog’s feet-splashing technique of swimming seems to persist for a long time, try this: Get a small, somewhat heavy log that your dog can hold in his mouth. Use the log as his object to retrieve in the water. The weight of the log will cause the dog to swim with his front legs under the water. Chances are good that he will figure out he can move quicker and expend less energy swimming this way.

If your dog does not like to retrieve, the best method to teach swimming is for you to go into the water with him. Do not physically take the dog into the water with you. Wade in until you are about waist deep. With your voice and an object of attraction, invite your Golden Retriever into the water. If he is not secure enough to follow you, do not force the issue. Chances are good that after a dozen or so experiences, he will follow you in. When he does, praise him lavishly!

PET EXERCISE IDEAS

Wilmington Morning Star - Plan a puppy play date. dogs are natural pack animals, Dr. Speck noted, and they love to get together and frolic. “It I’ve got to have tennis balls to exercise my golden retriever,” said Speck. Cats can be amused by wadded-up paper rolled along the

Sidekick Dylan sidelined for Fox 31 “Good Day” pix
Denver Post - He had bone cancer there - so from now on the aging golden retriever is a tripod puppy. “He just finished surgery, and it went really, really well,” Marshall said Tuesday afternoon. “He should be walking pretty soon. And back on the

Puppy love Before you give a shelter dog your heart, make sure he ll
TheState.com - But for them, happiness was not a cuddly puppy. We did not want a puppy, with the night-time crying, frequent vet Perhaps a loyal golden retriever or friendly basset hound would be perfect for your young household, as long as you are home a lot

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES - Bethel Journal 

Hallow Woof — Volunteers needed for Hallow Woof parade from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 29 at Anderson Towne Center. Call 474-8381.
Source: news.communitypress.com

5 Golden Retriever Travel Tips When Flying The Friendly Skies

The key to successful air travel is planning. Find out precisely what requirements your specific airline adheres to for Golden Retrievers, and then follow those guidelines precisely. The following must be done ahead of time:

1. Find out what part of the plane your dog will be traveling in, and the type of pet carrier the airline requires you to use.

2. Make reservations for both you and your Golden Retriever.

3. Ask about health certificates and proof of vaccinations required by the airline; it is better to initiate the inquiry than to discover right before boarding that you lack the necessary papers.

4. Inform your veterinarian that your dog will be flying and ask if a tranquilizer is recommended. Many airlines will allow small dogs enclosed in carriers to travel with passengers. If this is not possible, your dog will travel in the hold used to carry baggage. The dog will be safe there, but may be cold, so be sure to inquire about the temperature of the hold on your flight, and dress your dog accordingly. For summer travel, try to arrange for a nonstop night flight to avoid the risk of heatstroke incurred during a long rest in a bag- gage holding area.

5. Withhold food six hours before the flight, but feel free to give your Golden Retriever water.

Callers a mixed breed on school dog issues

Pharos-Tribune - Others like Sara Vernon think a golden retriever on campus is a fetching idea. I think she should be allowed, Sara says. Judy They have guidelines and training and it could be worked into pet therapy at the school for people who might need it. Pet
Source: www.pharostribune.com

This mother’s true devotion
Charlotte Observer - MOUNT HOLLY - They’re waiting on the $10,000 work dog. It’s a puppy now, a golden retriever, they think. But they won’t know for sure until next year when the training is done. After the dog makes the grade it gets an assignment: looking after Travis
Source: www.charlotte.com