Ruckus Rules
In this issue...
Daily Dog Scoop!
Vet Spotlight!
OUR SUPPORTERS!
FIDO new logo 

 

Evengers 2
Evanger's Dog and Cat Food
dermagic
Amazing Pet skin care!
 

cbrr 2 logo
If you are looking for a bulldog to adopt, check here first!
 
 
four legged
The official Photographer of Ruckus and his family!
 
Darwins
Fences for Fido
Ben Wood
Mutt Gear
Vir-Chew-Ly Indestructible™ Dog Leash

 

 
Pets are talking
Daily dog scoop small

Green Tea
Green Tea Cat Litter
Kool Collar
KOOL COLLAR
chewber2
BARK LESS!
 
Oregon Dog Fence
 
 
Changeit
Sandy Cove
One of Ruckus' Favorite vacation spots! 
 
Ruckus'  Tips and Tid-Bits
Bulldog Tested, Labrador Approved!
March 2011
Ruck and Tuck
Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Ah, spring is right around the corner!  That excites us so much.  It means that pretty soon we can go out and play and not get muddy and cold.

With going outside there are lots of things to watch out for.  Since we generally start planting this time of year, make sure the things you are planting and using for fertilizer are pet friendly.  There are many organic, safe choices available.
  
Another thing that we love it going for car rides.  Check out what Ruckus has to say about making this easier for you and your pet.

Have you found an amazing toy that your pet can't live without?  We would love to hear about it.
  
Thanks for spending this time with us, it is you that makes us do what we do!

NOW 
On to some amazing people, places and things! 
Mickie 

 RUCKUS RULZ! TM

Bulldog Tested, Labrador Approved!
  otto step

Hi, it is me Ruckus and this month we are talking about a way to make it easier for your pet to get in and out of the car.  Sometimes our pets have joint issues or maybe they are just getting older, or maybe they are just not 'jumpers'.  Regardless of the reason this might be just the answer to that burning issue.

My sister Libby the Labradork who is about 12, as well as myself and my brother Rocco have issues with this getting into the car thing. Although my sister is just fine at this point, her hips are beginning to bother her when it comes to jumping so Mom has taken a step to save her from having to strain when jumping into the car, which saves moms back! And we bulldogs are just not jumping material, but we can easily take a couple steps.  So now we are the proud owners of an Otto Step.

If you haven't seen or heard of this amazing invention, check it out! It's a platform that goes into the hitch of our SUV, making the leap from ground to deck much easier. It's so lightweight that mom can pick it up with one hand, which is good since the other hand usually has a dog or 4 hanging off of it! The step can support up to 200 pounds, so when Libby, Rocco and

I play the race into the car game it doesn't break!

Deb at Otto Step says to think of Otto Step as preventative medicine for your companion, because

it helps prevent injuries caused by jumping down from high SUVs.

Check it out at ottostep.com. Tell Deb that Ruckus sent you, and she'll take very good care of you too!

 

Smell you soon,
Love Ruckus

 Don't forget that if you have a favorite person, place or thing that your pet can't live without you can email me at [email protected] and maybe I can check it out. Even as picky as a Bulldog is, you never know, it could be my favorite! 

Ruckus Run Logo 

It's almost that time

 

The Ruckus Run is right around the corner.  Mark your calendars for July 23rd.  It is sure to be an amzing day, and the gang at Fences for Fido could sure use your support.

This year we are adding in a show and shine compitition for both motorcycles and cars, so get out the polish and show us what you've got!

Stay tuned for more infomation in the coming months! If you have questions before hand we are always just an email away!

Rescue

 

Safe Haven 

 

 

SafeHaven Humane Society is a non-profit, privately funded, limited admission shelter, that does not use euthanasia for population control. They receive no funding from the city, county, state or federal government to operate. Donations from you keep their doors open to the over 1,300 animals they take in and adopt out each year.

 

 

How You Can Help:
 
Here are just some of the ways that you can help SafeHaven:

Shelter Wishlist:
 
Purchase an item for the shelter from our wish list.

Fostercare:
Open your heart to an animal in need. We need help with kittens and puppies that are too young for adoption, pregnant or nursing cats and dogs, ill or injured animals that need a quiet and loving place to convalesce. Click here for more information.

 

 Check out more about this amazing organization here 

woof report 

 News dogs can dig!

All about Paw Preference in Dogs!

Dog Paw

Are dogs left-pawed or right-pawed, or do they show any paw preference at all? And does it mean anything if they show a preference for using one paw over another?

Interestingly enough, dogs and many other animals are are right- or left-pawed, and many are also ambidextrous. While numerous studies have been conducted looking for gender and breed differences in terms of 'pawedness' in dogs, most studies show varying results with perhaps more that show male dogs have a left paw preference. On a related note, a 2009 study from the School of Psychology, Queen's University Belfast found that female cats showed a greater preference for using their right paws while males were more inclined to use their left paws


How do you determine your dog's paw preference?

If you are right handed, you may perceive your dog to be left-handed since he or she mirrors your actions - for instance, when you ask for a paw to shake. Below are a number of ways paw preference is commonly determined. Use one or more of these methods to test your pup and repeat the tests to look for patterns.

  • Place a treat under the couch and just within reach of your dog to see which paw she uses to reach for it
  • Watch which paw your dog uses to hold a bone with while chewing on it
  • Place a piece of adhesive tape on your dog's snout (just for a minute!) to look at which paw she uses to remove it
  • Watch which paw your dog uses first in stepping forward
  • And the method used in many research studies, place a treat-filled Kong directly in front of your dog to see which paw he uses to hold the Kong to get the food out. A dog may use either paw or both paws.

Does paw preference affect behavior?

Research studies being conducted now and in the past, have connected paw preference with certain behaviors and temperaments. For instance, a 2006 University of New England study from Dr. Nick Branson found the way dogs use their paws may be a sign of how they react to noise. More specifically, findings revealed ambidextrous dogs, those without a paw preference, are likely to be more reactive to noise such as thunderstorms and fireworks.

According to Branson, "It seems possible that dogs that do not favour one side or the other may be prone to experience intense emotional responses to a broad range of stimuli. Animals with lateralised functions may be able to transfer attention from disturbing stimulus more successfully."

Branson adds this research may help save time and money in training working dogs for sniffing and bomb detection work since fear of noise is a common reason why dogs are rejected from such programs. Trainers will be able to select the most suitable dogs for specific jobs using paw preference as an indicator.

According to Dr. Paul McGreevy, an animal behavior expert at University of Sydney's Faculty of Veterinary Science and another expert on the topic, the use of such predictors can also save time and money when it comes to training guide dogs. With only about half of guide dogs passing training programs successfully, resources can be allocated to dogs with the highest probability for success.

For more on this interesting topic, explore the links below. And don't forget to put your dog through the simple tests to determine his or her paw preference!


For more info on this go to the article here.

 VET SPOTLIGHT
 Preventive Health Care for your Pet!

Dental Disease in DogsDog Dental

I was unaware that dogs have dental problems. Is it common?

Dental disease is one of the most common medical conditions seen by veterinarians. Over 68% of all dogs over the age of three are estimated to have some form of periodontal or dental disease.

"Few pets show obvious signs of dental disease."

Few pets show obvious signs of dental disease. It is up to the pet's family and veterinarian to uncover this hidden and often painful condition.

 

Are dental problems the same in pets and people?

No. In man, the most common problem is tooth decay, which, due to the loss of calcium from the enamel, results in painful, infected caries (also called cavities). In the dog, tooth decay represents less than 10% of all dental problems. The most common dental problems seen in dogs are caused by periodontal disease.

 

What is periodontal disease?

Periodontal disease is a term used to describe inflammation or infection of the tissues surrounding the tooth. Accumulation of tartar and calculus on the teeth causes gum recession around the base of the tooth. Infection soon follows and the gums recede further, exposing sensitive unprotected tooth root surfaces and the bony tooth sockets Left untreated, the infection spreads deep into the tooth socket, destroying the bone. Ultimately, the tooth loosens and falls out.

 

Is periodontal disease very common?

It is estimated that more than two-thirds of dogs over three years of age suffer from some degree of periodontitis, making it by far the most common disease affecting our pet dogs.

 

 

There is much more to this article, please click here to read it.

 

Have a cat?  Click here to read about Feline Dental Disease and ways to prevent it.

   

 Article provided by Dr. Yvonne Wikander
Frontier Veterinary Hospital