Olympics

http://home.datacomm.ch/marco.fernando/fla/bozzetto/olympics.swf

This made my day!

Rottweiler Jokes

Is That Your Rottweiler?

A man walks into a bar one day and asks, "Does anyone here own
that rottweiler outside?"

"Yeah, I do!" a biker says, standing up. "What about it?"

"Well, I think my chihuahua just killed him..."

"What are you talkin' about?!" the biker says, disbelievingly.
"How could your little runt kill my rottweiler?"

"Well, it seems he got stuck in your dog's throat!


ROTTWEILER PROPERTY LAWS




If I like it, IT'S MINE
If it's in my mouth, IT'S MINE
If I can take it from you, IT'S MINE
If I had it a little while ago, IT'S MINE
If it is mine it must never appear to be yours in any way
If I'm chewing something all the pieces ARE MINE
If it looks just like mine, IT'S MINE
If I saw it first, IT'S MINE
If you are playing with some thing and you put it down, it automatically becomes MINE
If it is broken, IT'S YOURS

Get rid of YOUR dog's pee odour!

Dogs usually pee in the same spot because they can smell their pee (even when you cant see it anymore) and so they'll just reinforce it.

A good homemade recipe to get rid of it is white vinegar and water.

But you can also get good enzymatic sprays which will break down the odour particles instead of masking the smell like:
Nature’s Miracle, Simple Solution, Capture Pet Stain and Odor Neutralizer or Complete Pet Stain and Odor Remover by 8in1.

Evolution

Stay

Teaching "stay" involves training your dog to remain in the position you left him in until you return to the dog and formally "release" them or cue them to do another behavior. If you leave them in a sit they should remain sitting, in a stand remain standing or in a down remain in the down position.

There are three aspects to the behavior - Duration, Distance and Distractions. Duration refers to how long the dog will remain in the "stay". Distance refers to how far away from the dog you can go-out of sight etc. Distractions refer to what else can be going on in the environment and will the dog remain in the stay.

Initially I will build duration, then I add distance and finally add distractions. When I add a different criteria like distance I will make another aspect of the stay easier, for example when I begin to increase distance I will make the duration shorter, bouncing around with the three criteria always trying to keep the dog successful. The best trainers on "stay" have a dog that never breaks the stay as they are training in a very slow and methodical manner- if the dog is repeatedly breaking the stay one is going "too fast".

Teaching Sit/Stay:

Get your dog sitting, have a handful of food rewards. Stand right in front of your dog, give your dog a piece of food. *Bringing the food in from above eye level, rather than below, will help to keep the dog in a sitting position. As you remove your hand with the food cue "stay" wait one second, before the dog moves/breaks the stay praise and give him another piece of food. Again as you withdraw your hand with the food re-cue "stay". Repeat, repeat, repeat very gradually increasing the time between rewards. Only when your dog will stay for several seconds between rewards will you move to add distance.

Teaching Down/Stay:

If you are teaching a down/stay bring the food in low ...sort of bowl or underhand pitch it this will keep them in a down position ...when they are learning, bringing the treat in from above will often get them rising up into a sit to meet the treat.

Adding distance.

Gradually begin to add distance - you might have to begin with a little lean away from the dog, then a half step, then a whole step your goal always to get back to the dog and reward them in the stay before they break. Distance is added in small increments. Also remember to bring the food in from above the dog's head in a sit/stay, if you bring it in below or at eye level the dog will want to get up to eat it (at least initially when they are learning). Finally add distractions.

Adding Distractions

Can your dog hold the stay if you turn your back, walk around the dog, around other dogs, if someone knocks at the door, etc. Gradually add distractions.

IF the dog breaks the stay, more often than not they will walk towards you. Remain neutral and calmly return the dog to the position you left him in. Do not reward. Try to re-establish the criteria he was meeting before he broke the stay before you reward him. Otherwise things are getting easier after a mistake. If your dog is repeatedly breaking the stay - trainer error! Slow down and re-evaluate your training design.

Courtesy of and Copyright by Janet A. Smith. This article may not be reproduced or distributed without written permission from the author, Janet A. Smith, Good Dog! Training, Okemos, Michigan.

Puppy Housetraining

House training your dog is simple if you follow a few basic rules. Remember that puppies younger than 10 to 12 weeks have little control. Accidents will always happen when teaching puppies to be clean in the house. Be kind and patient, and reward handsomely all outdoor elimination. Always remember that dogs do what works for them. Make outdoor pottying work really well for your puppy.

1) The puppy must have NO time unsupervised in your home. NONE. If you are not directly watching the puppy, it should be in the crate, or outside in a safe area. You MUST watch the puppy at ALL times when loose in the house. Use baby gates, crates, or tie the leash to your belt.

2) The puppy should sleep inside the crate by your bedside. This way you can hear if the puppy should happen to need to go out during the night.

3) You must go WITH the puppy outside for ALL trips for elimination. You must have treats with you. When the puppy is urinating, say "GO PEE PEE" in a nice praise tone of voice the entire time. When she is finished, pop the treat into her mouth at once, and praise praise praise. This should be something she gets at no other time, like tiny pieces of string cheese or boiled chicken. Same for defecation. Say "GO POOP" while she is going, and food reward and praise afterwards. You must observe and reward ALL outdoor potty time.
4) Keep a schedule. Feed at the same time, and walk outside at the same times. Your pup needs at least 4 trips outdoors each day, and 5 is probably better. Pup needs to go out at wake up time, lunch time, 4-5 PM, after dinner or any other meals, and before bed. Younger puppies may need to go out much more often.

5) Use a key word each time you go out. I say "Let's go out!!" in a happy tone of voice each time I'm opening the door to go out with the dog.

6) If you catch the puppy IN THE ACT of eliminating in your house, CLAP YOUR HANDS, say AH AH, OUTSIDE!! And immediately rush her outside. If she finishes there, do your usual food reward and praise.

The keys to getting your dog reliably housetrained are:

SUPERVISION: NO loose time in the house if you are not watching

REWARDS: ALL outdoor elimination MUST be observed and rewarded. If you only do this ONE thing, your puppy will get housetrained.

PATIENCE: Anger and punishment have no place in dog training. Elimination is a natural and pleasurable experience for your dog. You can teach her to not soil your house, but punishment will NOT help. It will only teach the dog to hide when she needs to eliminate.

If you have applied these techniques carefully for 4 weeks and you are still finding spots or piles after the fact, it's time for stronger measures. Roll up a newspaper and fasten both ends with a rubber band. Keep it handy. The very next time you find a spot of a pile that the dog has left behind, whip out that newspaper, and hit YOURSELF over the head firmly several times as you repeat "I FORGOT TO WATCH MY PUPPY".

Works every time.

:D

This article copyright 2004/2007, RedyreRottweilers. Free for unlimited distribution as long as copyright info remains intact.

The Recall Game

Having a dog who will reliably come when called is one of the best things in life. This means FREEDOM for your dog. Here is how to teach your dog to RUN to you each time you call it.

1) NEVER call your dog unless you are CERTAIN you can enforce the command. Each time you call your dog and he does not immediately come to you to receive a food reward, you take a step backwards in his learning to come when you call. It is important not to make mistakes when teaching the recall. DO NOT CALL YOUR DOG if there is ANY chance you cannot enforce the command. EVER.

2) NEVER call your dog to you for anything unpleasant. If you need to interrupt a play session, or you are going to trim nails, or if you are about to do anything to your dog that he does not enjoy, GO GET THE DOG. Do not call him to you.

3) FOOD REWARD every single recall. EVERY SINGLE ONE. This means keeping treats in your pockets at all times.

4) Smiles are required equipment when calling your dog. NEVER EVER call your dog in anything but a praise tone of voice. Correction will NEVER help a recall. Your dog must WANT to come when you call.

To play the game you need at least 2 people, and several is great. Each person is given a handful of very small soft treats. I prefer tiny pieces of hotdogs or string cheese. Pieces should be VERY small, even for a larger dog or puppy. I slice a hotdog in half and cut the pieces the size of a nickle. Once people have their treats, they should take a seat around the room with as much room between them as the room will allow.

One person takes the puppy or dog and points him towards the person who is going to begin the game. This person may do anything to get the puppy to come towards him except say the word COME. Clap hands, smile, laugh, show the treat, call PUPPPY PUPPPPY PUPPPPY, or the dog's name. When it is CLEAR that the pup is committed to going to the person, and ONLY THEN, say the pup's name, and come. For example, Bailey, COME! It does not matter if the puppy is almost to you, as long as the pup hears his name and the word COME while he is going TOWARDS the person calling.

Hold the hand with the food right up next to your body so that the puppy has to come all the way up to you and touch you to get the treat. Do not feed the treat until you are holding the puppy's collar. This prevents the "snatch and run" game. Praise and pet the puppy cheerfully while he is getting his treat. Once the pup has had his little tiny treat, it's time to point him towards another person who does the same thing.

It is extremely important that the participants understand they are NOT to say the word COME unless the puppy is already doing just that.

Play as long as the pup is interested. Main rules, Do not say COME unless the puppy IS coming, hold the treat up CLOSE to your body, and you must be holding the collar to feed the treat.

This simple game does more to build a reliable recall than any other training you can do. Your pup will quickly learn that his name and the word come means TREAT. Each time you call the pup and reward him for coming quickly to you, you build a more ingrained and reliable response. If you are consistent and train this game at least 2 to 3 times per week, you will have a dog who will ALWAYS come when you call it. Most owners list this as a top priority for their dogs. Here is a fun and simple way to attain this goal.

Practice often! Your pup will love this game, and so will your friends.


COPYRIGHT 2005/2006 Rebekah L. Pless, Redyre Rotties* all rights reserved

Laura in dots

Found a website of a woman who draws pictures of your dog using dots.
Check this out
http://www.donnasdots.zoomshare.com/

Found some that look like Laura:

Other rotts

Ever seen a red rott?



They usually come from heavy inbreeding and very unethical breeders.

Or a long haired rott?



Okay..this isnt exactly the prettiest rott but...
Although this is a disqualification in shows, it is a recessive gene and sometimes comes up even from the qualified breeders.

How they do it in the US and A!

How Rottweilers Got Their Markings

A long time ago, when men were alone and afraid on this
new earth, the Great Being looked over all the dogs that had been
created. He wanted that one special one, the one who would forever be
the perfect companion for mankind.

There were fast dogs, long and sleek, there were massive dogs,
slow but sure, dogs with keen noses, dogs with keen hearing and dogs
who could hunt down lions. Dogs who could retrieve and dogs who could
herd sheep. All of these were good dogs, but not what the creator had
in mind.

Finally there was one dog. He looked rather plain. Medium to large
sized, and all black, with a head like a bear and no tail. The dog was
to be tested, to see if he was the one to be at mans side forever. And
so the plain, black "bear like" dog was sent to mans fire. At first
the men feared him. But the dog looked down....

" I am sent to be at your side, to be part of all the man does".

"You are black and strong like a bear! What if you eat our children?"
they spoke.

"I would not do that, "said the dog,"for I love man."

For three days and two nights the dog went with man while he
hunted, and helped track down game, he protected their flocks, and
chased away the wild animals who sought to harm them. He pulled their
loads and supplies, and guarded their valuables. On the third night, a
small girl came to him. She was frightened by dreams she had. So the
plain black dog laid with her, and his head rested gently upon her. As
she dreamed of scary creatures, the dog entered her dreams and fought
them off. If she dreamed she was lost in the darkest quicksand, the
dog would run to pull her out. All night long the dog nevered from the
little girls side. All night long he battled the demons in her sleep.
When she awoke she hugged tightly her new friend, and kissed him once
on each cheek, and above each eye. Her hands stroked his feet where he
had waded in the quicksand, her arms hugged tightly his chest, and
stroked his powerful muzzle and throat. Giggling and playing with her
new friend and protector she even patted his behind. The child and dog became
inseparable, and the dog felt only undying love for the child.

The Great Being whispered in the dogs ear, then. "You have passed
your test, for many dogs can hunt and guard and herd, but you were not
only willing to give your life, you went into the world of man and
entered his darkest dreams and fears. You did not run, but stayed by
his side. You have earned the love of even the youngest child, as it
should be". When the Great Beings voice faded like a gentle breeze,
the plain black tailless dog shivered with happiness, and all the
places the little girl had touched and hugged him became a wonderful
mahogany color. And the Rottweiler was sent to be at the side of man,
where is his place. But always in his noble heart is a special place
of love, for the little ones, The children.


Anon.

The Serum Run

In January of 1925, a diphtheria epidemic broke out in the isolated town of Nome, Alaska. There was a minimal amount of serum available so Dr. Curtis Welsh, Nome physician radioed for help.

Many people see Kassen and Balto as the heros because they were the ones who did the last part of the relay and delivered it to Nome. However, I think that Leonhard Seppala and his team of dogs, with Togo as their leader, are the true heros of this run. They had run a total of 216 miles – the longest distance travelled in all the teams – in the terrible conditions when sometimes they couldn’t see through the mist and all L.Seppala could do was to trust Togo’s insticts. Also, Seppala bred Balto and lent him to Kassen because Balto’s body did not have a good racing shape – at that time, racing was a sport that made money.

The Story of Togo

Togo was bred by Seppala and since a pup, he would always nip of the legs of Seppala’s sleddogs. He would keep chasing after them when they went out with Seppala and annoy them. Seppala thought he couldnt be taught and so sold him to a woman who was looking for a pet. However, Togo had managed to escape and go back to find Seppala’s team. Seppala decided to take him back although he did not really know what to do with him. One day, when the dogs were going out, Seppala ordered that Togo be tied up and ordered that he must not escape, but somehow, Togo broke the rope, jumped the fence and found the team. Seppala could not leave him there so he decided to put Togo in the back of his team. Togo then turned himself into a different dog – serious about his work. This was when Seppala realised that all Togo wanted was to be part of the team. During the day, Togo was taken a step futher towards the front line and soon he was placed next to the leader! Togo had logged seventy-five miles on his first day in harness, which was unheard of for an inexperienced young sled dog, especially a puppy. Seppala called him an "infant prodigy". And later added that "I had found a natural-born leader, something I had tried for years to breed".

Why I think Kassen was not a hero:

Seppala and all the other mushers involved in the serum run despised what Kassen did – taking all the glory, because they themselves had a part in the Serum Run and just because he reached the finish line doesnt mean that he is a hero. After all, it is said that Kassen was supposed to stop by a camp to let another musher take on the serum but he said that the musher was asleep and so he kept going. However, the musher said he kept waiting all day and as it was quite a good day, he did not find any tracks made by Kassen and his dogs.

After getting the fame from the Serum Run, Kassen sold his dogs, along with Balto, to a man who would make them into living displays for people to pet and look. at They were mistreated and abused for a few months in the dark room. I think that all Kassen wanted was the gold and the fame – he didn’t really care about his dogs.

Balto

Balto has become a very famous legend – people have made cartoon animations of him and when people talk about the serum run, they all remember Balto. I cannot blame Balto and say that I don’t think that he is a true hero because in every way, he has put all his effort into the Serum Run, but he just had the misfortune to land with a terrible owner.

This is Balto’s preserved and stuffed body on display.

What happened to Togo?

After the Serum Run, Togo was worn out and in a ripe old age of 12. He could no longer race and so was taken to retirement by a close friend of Seppala’s ,Elizabeth Ricker. She took care of him and when he was 16, he was put to sleep to ease his passing. Seppala also frequently visited his dogs after they had left him.

The First Documented Rottweilers