Sunday, July 24, 2011
Hot, Hot, Hot
Today is 96 but it feels like 102. Seamus and Stella do not like the heat, and they spent most of the day indoors.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Seamus' update
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Under the Weather...
I took Seamus and Stella for a walk yesterday, and during our walk Seamus decided to poop. To my surprise, I noticed that he had some mucus and blood in his stool. I immediately called the Vet and I was able to get an appointment for him right away.
The Vet checked his stool sample and did not find any parasites. I told the Vet that Seamus is been grabbing Stella's food from her bowl. The Vet thinks that Stella's food might have caused him some stomach problems.
The Vet also noticed that Seamus was a little dehydrated and gave him some fluids. He prescribed an antibiotic and put him on a chicken and rice diet for few days to see if he gets better.
Today, Seamus is been active and eating the homemade chicken/rice food. Hopefully, he has only an upset stomach caused by Stella's food. I will keep him on this diet for a few days and monitor him for any symptoms.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Trivia
The answer to the trivia question is: the Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier Club of America was formed in 1962 on St. Patrick's Day.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Wheaten Terrier Trivia
When was the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Club of America (SCWTCA) formed? Indicate the year and date.
Leave your answer in the comment section of this posting. I will announce the correct answer on Friday.
Leave your answer in the comment section of this posting. I will announce the correct answer on Friday.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Wheaten Terrier lovers
I just want to thank all the Wheaten Terrier lovers who have visited my blog. So far, I had visitors from USA, Finland, Norway and India. I hope you enjoyed Seamus' photos and all the posting.
I also welcome your comments. If you have a Wheaten Terrier, I would like to hear from you too, so leave your comments below my postings.
I also welcome your comments. If you have a Wheaten Terrier, I would like to hear from you too, so leave your comments below my postings.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Clicker Training
The use of a clicker is a great way to train a dog and to teach a specific behavior.
I heard about the clicker training method during Seamus' dog training class.
At the beginning, I was kind of skeptical, but I decided to give it a try. In the first few lessons I just introduced the "click" sound to the dog. I just clicked and immediately gave Seamus a small food treat. By doing this, he associated the sound of the clicker with a yummy reward. After doing this for few days, I then followed with the introduction of a specific command, followed by a "click" and the food treat.
I was very surprised on how fast Seamus was responding to this method. In few weeks, Seamus learned the basic commands.
Seamus is so well trained now, to the point that I just stand by him and when he hears the sound of the clicker, he immediately sits and when he hears the next "click" he does the "down" command. I don't even have to say the command!
What is best of this method is that I don't have to say the specific command over and over again in order for him to obey.
I heard about the clicker training method during Seamus' dog training class.
At the beginning, I was kind of skeptical, but I decided to give it a try. In the first few lessons I just introduced the "click" sound to the dog. I just clicked and immediately gave Seamus a small food treat. By doing this, he associated the sound of the clicker with a yummy reward. After doing this for few days, I then followed with the introduction of a specific command, followed by a "click" and the food treat.
I was very surprised on how fast Seamus was responding to this method. In few weeks, Seamus learned the basic commands.
Seamus is so well trained now, to the point that I just stand by him and when he hears the sound of the clicker, he immediately sits and when he hears the next "click" he does the "down" command. I don't even have to say the command!
What is best of this method is that I don't have to say the specific command over and over again in order for him to obey.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
The Hippies
A few years ago, my son entered Seamus in the dog costume contest at the local fair. My son and Seamus were dressed as hippies.
Friday, March 25, 2011
B.F.F.
Stella has been living with us for the past three months, and Seamus is been adapting very well to her new friend. Stella follows Seamus everywhere he goes and they play together very well.
Stella is a little dog but acts like a big dog. She has a bed, food bowl and toys appropriate to her size, but she prefers Seamus' large food bowl and bed. She tries to be the boss, but Seamus patiently shows her that he is the boss!!!
Stella is a little dog but acts like a big dog. She has a bed, food bowl and toys appropriate to her size, but she prefers Seamus' large food bowl and bed. She tries to be the boss, but Seamus patiently shows her that he is the boss!!!
Monday, March 21, 2011
Friday, March 18, 2011
Metamorphosis
Wheaten Terriers puppies look completely different from the adult ones. The coat of the puppies is a brownish color with some black and white, eventually transforming to a wheat color in the adult dog.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Friday, March 11, 2011
Peticure
The toenails of the Wheaten terriers are very hard and they grow fast, so often trimming is necessary.
Seamus does not like this at all! As soon as he sees me with the nail trimmer, he runs away as fast as he can. Two people have to hold him while I try to trim the toenails!
Recently, I decided to buy the PediPaw to try it on Seamus' toenails. First, Seamus was scared of the noise, but now I am able to trim his toenails without him having an anxiety attack and going wild!!
Seamus does not like this at all! As soon as he sees me with the nail trimmer, he runs away as fast as he can. Two people have to hold him while I try to trim the toenails!
Recently, I decided to buy the PediPaw to try it on Seamus' toenails. First, Seamus was scared of the noise, but now I am able to trim his toenails without him having an anxiety attack and going wild!!
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
My Furry Leprechaun...
The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is a medium size terrier that has its roots in the Irish and Kerry Blue Terriers.
The first Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers came to America (Boston, MA) in 1946.
The Wheaten Terrier was the dog of the Irish farmers.
The first Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers came to America (Boston, MA) in 1946.
The Wheaten Terrier was the dog of the Irish farmers.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Homemade Oatmeal Shampoo for dogs
If you want to use a shampoo that is free of chemicals to prevent skin irritation, you should try this homemade oatmeal shampoo.
Ingredients:
1 cup of instant plain oatmeal
1 quart of warm water
1 cup baking soda
Procedure:
Put the oatmeal in a blender and grind into a fine powder.
Transfer oatmeal powder into a large container. Add the baking soda and water.
Shake vigorously until well blended.
Ingredients:
1 cup of instant plain oatmeal
1 quart of warm water
1 cup baking soda
Procedure:
Put the oatmeal in a blender and grind into a fine powder.
Transfer oatmeal powder into a large container. Add the baking soda and water.
Shake vigorously until well blended.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Oatmeal Shampoo
Seamus, like most wheaten terriers, needs a bath once a month because his beautiful coat is a magnet for twigs, dirt and leaves. Because of this, he needs a good pH-balanced dog shampoo to prevent him from getting dry skin.
I always use oatmeal shampoo. The oatmeal is a mild ingredient that maintains the pet's skin and coat healthy, and it also helps to relieve the dog's itch.
I always use oatmeal shampoo. The oatmeal is a mild ingredient that maintains the pet's skin and coat healthy, and it also helps to relieve the dog's itch.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Ear Infections
Wheaten terriers are often prone to ear infections (otitis externa). It is very important to keep their ears clean and free from hair and waxy buildup. The hair growing inside the ears has to be pluck out and the ears have to be clean with a otic solution at least once a week to prevent waxy build up that can promote an environment for organisms to grow in the ear.
A few years ago, Seamus was getting ear infections on his left ear. I kept taking him to the veterinarian for this problem. The veterinarian was giving him cortisone shots, oral antibiotics and ear drops. The veterinarian even sent a sample for culture to identify the organism causing this infections, but this did not resolve the issue. After many visitis to the doctor and expensive bills, I decided to get a second opinion. I made an appointment with another veterinarian. After evaluating Seamus' ear condition, this doctor decided to give Seamus another type of antibiotic. Seamus took the new antibiotic for two weeks and his ear infection was resolved. Althoug this antibiotic was very expensive ($8 a pill), it was the right medication for his condition. It has been almost two years and Seamus' ears are free of infection!
A few years ago, Seamus was getting ear infections on his left ear. I kept taking him to the veterinarian for this problem. The veterinarian was giving him cortisone shots, oral antibiotics and ear drops. The veterinarian even sent a sample for culture to identify the organism causing this infections, but this did not resolve the issue. After many visitis to the doctor and expensive bills, I decided to get a second opinion. I made an appointment with another veterinarian. After evaluating Seamus' ear condition, this doctor decided to give Seamus another type of antibiotic. Seamus took the new antibiotic for two weeks and his ear infection was resolved. Althoug this antibiotic was very expensive ($8 a pill), it was the right medication for his condition. It has been almost two years and Seamus' ears are free of infection!
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Bonding
It has been only two months since we adopted Stella. She is a Chihuahua mix and came from a rescue shelter in Kentucky.
Seamus has adapted very well to having another dog in the house. They enjoy playing with each other and they even share their toys.
Seamus has adapted very well to having another dog in the house. They enjoy playing with each other and they even share their toys.
A great dog training tool ...
The Gentle Leader headcollar is a great training tool! This headcollar consist of a nose loop and a neck strap. The nose loop wraps the dog's muzzle gently but firmly, signaling the dog that you are his leader. The neck straps puts pressure on the back of the neck, making the dog to lean back against the pressure and consequently preventing pulling.
I used this collar with Seamus and noticed an amazing effect while walking him and during dog training sessions. He felt more calm and he did not pull while walking.
The manufacturer recommends to wear this collar as early as 8-10 weeks of age. This collar is great to prevent jumping, pulling and even barking!
It is important to properly fit the collar to prevent resistant and other problems.
Seamus wearing his training collar.
I used this collar with Seamus and noticed an amazing effect while walking him and during dog training sessions. He felt more calm and he did not pull while walking.
The manufacturer recommends to wear this collar as early as 8-10 weeks of age. This collar is great to prevent jumping, pulling and even barking!
It is important to properly fit the collar to prevent resistant and other problems.
Wheaten Terriers are great dogs because:
1. they're friendly and outgoing
2. they make a great companion dog and are good with children
3. they're hypoallergenic
4. they don't shed
5. they are good watchdogs, barking at ringing doorbells
2. they make a great companion dog and are good with children
3. they're hypoallergenic
4. they don't shed
5. they are good watchdogs, barking at ringing doorbells
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
My friend Stella
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)