HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: jkjncs@ritvax.isc.rit.edu
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
Subject: thyroid problems (long)
Date: 28 Jul 92 16:26:38 GMT
Reply-To: jkjncs@ritvax.isc.rit.edu
Organization: Rochester Institute of Technology

I have some questions on thyroid levels in dogs.
Background:
My 22 month old lab Murphy has always been a mellow boy - *nothing* gets him
excited (except food :+). After having numerous trainers (I show him in 
obedience) suggest he may be hypothyroid, I decided to have him tested. His 
weight is normal (I keep him trim for jumping), his coat is fine, but he does 
tend to get ear and eye infections fairly frequently (but he does swim in the 
summer a lot). 

Test Results:
We had a blood test performed in April for T3, T4 (total & free) and
thyroxine(?) levels; the results were *gray* - he was just at or below all
the ranges specified (e.g., if the normal range is 25-54, Murphy registered
25). 
He was then given a TSH Stimulation Study, where blood is drawn to determine
his normal levels, he is given Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), and blood
is drawn 4-6 hours later to see if the levels of T3, T4 have increased. In
normal dogs, the levels triple; in Murphy, they increased by about 50% :+( -
another gray result. 
We waited two months and repeated the TSH stimulation study (and also tested
for adrenal malfunction - he was fine); same results - gray.

Murphy was put on a low dose of thyroid hormone (Soloxine, 0.8 mg/day) a
month ago and just had blood taken to determine his levels (results not
back from Michigan yet). Does he seem more dynamic? - hard for me to say
since he maybe does, but then, I know he's on the thyroid medicine - &
I just finished treating him for yet another ear infection.

I am lost as to what to do - lots of folks would be thrilled to have such
a laid back dog, but I wanted more of a high energy companion - and not
knowing if he's sick or not is driving me crazy. Has anyone had any
similar experiences with their dog they can share or know anything
about thyroid problems in dogs (or have anyone I can contact).
Also, why is it that people can be low thyroid, where their body
produces some, but not enough, thyroid hormone, yet my vet was
looking for an "all or nothing" response - for example, with the
TSH Stimulation study, either the levels would increase 2-3x or they
wouldn't increase at all (are people's endocrine systems analog and
dog's are binary?!).

Thanx for any and all info. - please e-mail since I don't always
keep up on reading news.

*********************************************************
* jane jackson and murphy b. lab, Am./Can. CD, CGC, TDI *
* jkjncs@ritvax.isc.rit.edu                             *
*                                                       *
* standard disclaimer applies...                        *
*********************************************************
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
From: sally@nevada.edu (SALLY PHARES)
Subject: Great Pyrenees
Originator: sally@helios.nevada.edu
Organization: University of Nevada System Computing Services
Distribution: usa
Date: Fri, 24 Jul 1992 20:44:42 GMT

I've been reading this group for a few weeks and have decided to post 
my questions.  I'd prefer you reply via email but if you feel the
answers are of general interest, just reply over the net.

I've only owned two dogs in my life, the first being a Norwegian Elkhound
that I grew up with--Lady--she lived 14 years.  My second friend was
Rebel--a half Border Collie/half German Shepherd.  I lost him last 
summer at age 17.

I'm beginning to feel ready to have a new buddy and I'm considering
a collie or a great pyrenees.  I've been around collies a lot so I'm
familiar with habits, dispositions, needs, etc.  My knowledge of
these areas is very limited on the Pyrs.  If you own one or know a
lot about them, I'd like to hear from you.

Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
From: rob@xyzoom.info.com (Rob Lingelbach)
Subject: Re: Cool Dog Tricks Needed
Reply-To: rob@xyzoom.info.com (Rob Lingelbach)
Organization: Altruistic Intentions, Hollywood CA
Distribution: usa
Date: Tue, 28 Jul 1992 06:01:45 GMT

In article <1992Jul27.172654.8870@cs.cornell.edu> honig@cs.cornell.edu (Sue Utter Honig) writes:

>
>BTW, my husband never can remember how to pronounce bichon frise.
>They're now those little "bitchin' frizzy" dogs to us (no offense to
>owners of this wonderful breed :-).

The parenthetical statement exonerates you.  It is pronounced "bee
shown free zay" where the n and the r get as much French as you can
stand putting into them.  It means, roughly, curly-haired lap dog.  I
have three of them, two are rescues, and they are indeed very
wonderful dogs.

Regards

-- 
Rob Lingelbach KB6CUN | 2660 Hollyridge Dr LA CA 90068 213 464 6266 (voice) 
rob@xyzoom.info.com   | "I care not much for a man's religion whose dog or 
robl@netcom.com       |  cat are not the better for it."  --Abraham Lincoln
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
From: mtapio@ntc01.tele.nokia.fi
Subject: GREAT DANE FEMALE PUPPY FOR SALE
Organization: Nokia Telecommunications.
Date: Thu, 30 Jul 1992 12:33:33 GMT

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                    * blue great dane
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		    FINLAND
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                    E-MAIL: MTAPIO 
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
From: slc7346@venus.tamu.edu (COSTA, SANDI L)
Subject: Re: Cool Dog Tricks needed
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41    
Organization: Texas A&M University, Academic Computing Services
Date: Thu, 23 Jul 1992 19:05:00 GMT

In article <1992Jul23.142357.7014@mnemosyne.cs.du.edu>, cldavies@nyx.cs.du.edu (cindy davies) writes...
>In article <21020149@hpfcso.FC.HP.COM> crane@hpfcso.FC.HP.COM (Randy Crane) writes:
>>Hogan graduates from the almighty Puppy Kindergarten in a couple of weeks and
>>he needs to learn a neat trick to show the class.  I would like to train him to
>>do something other than the roll-over or play dead tricks.  Does anyone have
>>any cool tricks their dogs do?
>>
>Smokey will go get a small hula hoop and give it to me to hold so he can jump
>thru it.
>Cindy

My queensland heeler dog plays dead in a very unique way.  I send him out
to the pasture and point in which direction I want him to go, as he is running
I yell bang and he falls over.  I count to 5 outloud and at 5 he gets up and
runs again.  I do this to him all the time until either of us tire.  I taught
this to him so the kids could play cowboys and indians.  I have mini horses
and I live in the woods so I use the dog, by whistle, to help heard the horses
in.  He also works cattle for my neighbors who don't like to roam the woods
on foot.

Sandi


> 
>--
>Life among academics has taught me that a well-expressed opinion is
>usually better than a badly expressed fact, so far as professional
>advancement goes.  --Gabaldon, Outlander.
>cldavies@silver.sdsmt.edu        cldavies@nyx.cs.du.edu
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
From: schalene@sequent.com (Schalene Dagutis)
Subject: Re: The Puppy from Hell
Organization: Sequent Computer Systems Inc.
Date: Thu, 30 Jul 92 15:18:10 GMT

Ok, I knew I wasn't long on patience, but *this* has gone
too far.
(Description about what the "puppy from hell" has learned deleted for
space....)

I just finished reading a book entitled "People, Pooches, and
Problems" (I think) by Job Michael Evans.  It sounds like it was
written for you!  He wrote most of "How to be Your Dog's Best Friend"
when he was a Monk at New Skete and works in New York City as a canine
training consultant.  I think it would help you alot if you picked up a 
copy.  His RRRR program seems made to order.

schalene
From: mjohnson@stake.DaytonOH.NCR.COM (Marget Johnson)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
Subject: Re: Adding oil to food...Best practices?
Date: 23 Jul 92 20:51:59 GMT
Reply-To: mjohnson@stake.DaytonOH.NCR.COM (Marget Johnson)
Organization: Stakeholder Relations, NCR Corp in Dayton,OH

In article <92204.122148DLP@psuvm.psu.edu> DLP@psuvm.psu.edu (David L.
Passmore) writes:
>Should vegetable or other oil be used to supplement a dog's food? If so,
>what specific sort of oil? How much per unit of body weight?

I have routinely supplemented with sunflower oil for the last 8 years of
raising/showing Newfoundlands. Last year I switched to canola oil, after
reading an article in one of the vet journals that stated priliminary tests
showed canola superior to other vegetable oils in producing better skin/coats.
And canola is cheaper than sunflower oil, at least at the moment! I add 1
tablespoon per meal (I feed twice a day) for each adult dog, regardless of
weight. Puppies do not get any oil supplements until after 6 months of age.
From 6 months to 12 months, a puppy gets one tablespoon of oil once a day. I'm
also experimenting with fish oil and primrose oil as a skin/coat supplement.
Will report later on effectiveness.
***********************************
Marget Johnson

-- 

From: loftis@hpcc01.corp.hp.com (Kirk Loftis)
Date: Wed, 22 Jul 1992 15:52:39 GMT
Subject: Re: Info on Italian greyhounds?
Organization: the HP Corporate notes server
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs


	Hello Jennifer,

	Congradulations and it is a noble thing that you are thinking
about helping out a stray dog.  Have you checked out if the dog has an
owner?  Usually there are many groups that are out there to help get the
dogs back to their owners.

| My husband and I are thinking of "saving a stray" Italian greyhound,
| but we'd like to know more about the breed before doing so.  What 
| are the general personality characteristics of this breed?  Are they
| much like the racing greyhounds?  What about health problems with the
| breed? Are there any Italian greyhound owners out there? 

	The Italian Greyhounds (IG) are and are not like racing
greyounds.  The IG needs to be kept indoors since it is susceptable to
getting chilled.  The IG is much more fragile than the Whippet and
Greyhound.  They do not require much exercise.  But, please remember
that the breed is suppose to be slender, a fat IG is not a pretty sight.
The IG is suppose to be a quiet dog (not much of a barker), but I have
seen some that bark.  (There is legend that a prince was under a bridge
with the IG.  There were people looking for the prince and the dog did
not make a sound at the horses and people going over the bridge).  

	The IG will get along easily with other dogs, in fact I would
suggest that you do have more than one dog if you have an IG.

	You will have fun with the IG, they are a loving breed.  You
will probably be amazed at how freindly they are.

Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs,misc.consumers.house
From: N51LS801@ncsuvm.cc.ncsu.edu
Subject: Burglars and dogs: results of a survey
Organization: North Carolina State University
Date: Mon, 27 Jul 1992 18:19:35 GMT

In Jack MacLean, _Secrets of a Superthief_ (NY:Berkley Books, 1983)
ISBN 0-425-05645-7, MacLean reports the results of a survey of over
300 inmates who'd been convicted of burglary and other residential
crimes.  Three of the questions were about dogs and home security.
 
Would dogs scare you away? (p 105)
  65% said that dogs of good size and unfriendly persuasion would
      scare them away; 35% said no dog would scare them away.
  Based on reassessment of responses, MacLean believes that 90% of
  the 35% would indeed be scared away.
 
What kinds of dogs scare you away the most? (pp 106-7)
  35%  Dobermans
  30%  "pit bull dogs"
  25%  all dogs
  10%  German Shepherd Dogs
 
What would scare you away from a residence more than anything? (pp 113-4)
  59%  people in the house
  32%  almost any dog
   9%  replies from night-time only burglars, who'd be deterred by spot
       or floodlights lighting up a yard
 
MacLean also remarks that creative signs help. ("Beware of Dog" is too
"old hat" to do much good.)  For example:
 
BEWARE: RABID DOGS INSIDE
 
DANGER: Extremely Vicious Barkless German Dobermans
 
ATTACK DOGS TRAINED AND SOLD HERE.
 
David Austin, NCSU
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
From: casey@well.sf.ca.us (Kathleen Creighton)
Subject: Re: Akitas
Organization: Whole Earth 'Lectronic Link
Date: Tue, 28 Jul 1992 15:15:22 GMT


Annie *also* "selectively hears" things.  Since a friend of mine has been
walking her (through my disability and recovery) and he hasn't been as
strict with her, I find that when I walk her I get a *lot* of fancy Akita
attitude when she doesn't want to "sit".  It's *quite* a production!  As
soon as I'm the only one who's walking her again, I'm going to pay her
private trainer for a session re-orienting her as to what's what :-).
-- 
Kathleen Creighton                     {pacbell,hplabs,apple,ucbvax}!well!casey
San Francisco                          casey@well.sf.ca.us
       Just another annoyingly devoted Akita owner
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
From: jkjncs@ritvax.isc.rit.edu
Subject: Re: canine good citizen test
Reply-To: jkjncs@ritvax.isc.rit.edu
Organization: Rochester Institute of Technology
Date: Tue, 21 Jul 1992 19:57:04 GMT

In article <1992Jul19.165248.15891@news.unomaha.edu>, massey@odin.unomaha.edu 
(Dana Massey) writes:
>
>On August 15 I will take my dog (2 yr old Weimaraner male) to a
>Canine Good Citizen Test.  Any suggestions for practicing or training
>before the date.  I would love to see him get his CGC award.  So far
>he has:  Breed CH (w/3 majors 3, 4, 5 and a 2, and 1)
>         Companion Dog (3 quals in 4 starts)
>         Junior Hunter (4 quals in 4 starts)
>         Retrieving title 
>         Shooting Dog title
>         Versatile title
>         (Plus he is just about ready to certify for tracking test)
>         so he has had LOTS of training and is well behaved and loves
>           people.
>           
>CH Weimshadow's Smooth Criminal CD, JH, NSD, NRD, V   aka Guapo
>
>Anyway, does all this other training help?????

Your dog sounds GREAT - and yes, his training will help. Just a few tips
from when we took the test (and saw others try & fail):
- the part of the test most dogs failed was where you meet another person
  walking their dog and you're supposed to greet them; the dogs are 
  practically not supposed to acknowledge each other - the testers were
  failing people whose dogs sniffed the other dog on the nose!
- you are allowed to talk to your dog to keep his attention and tell him 
  to sit or down when you stop (parts of the test have you walking thru
  'crowds') - use your voice to keep your dog from sniffing the tester
  or their dog, I say! (you can do AKC obedience heeling but I just had 
  Murphy in an informal 'let's go' so that it simulated a more natural 
  street condition)
- keep in mind on the 5 minute 'tie out', it's just an Open level stay,
  except your dog can get up and move around (so long as he isn't pacing
  and/or whining, barking,...); if your dog is working on CDX it shouldn't
  be a problem, but it was tough for some dogs - esp. those with lower
  confidence or who haven't done a lot of formal Stay exercises

Good Luck!

*********************************************************
* jane jackson and murphy b. lab, Am./Can. CD, CGC, TDI *
* jkjncs@ritvax.isc.rit.edu                             *
*                                                       *
* standard disclaimer applies...                        *
*********************************************************

Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
From: richard@bach.udel.edu (Richard Gordon)
Subject: Re: Rhodesian Ridgebacks
Organization: University of Delaware
Date: Fri, 24 Jul 1992 20:38:49 GMT

Ridgebacks are cool.  I'll send you my file on them.  There are
about 20 RR owners on the net right now....breeders, owners,
exhibitors, OBEDIENCE exhibitors, etc....
-- 
Richard Gordon                             richard@brahms.udel.edu
CNS User Services, Smith Hall          or  gordon@udel.edu
University of Delaware                 or  acs02244@udelvm.bitnet
Newark, DE 19716 USA (302-831-1717) 
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
From: sla54@cas.org ()
Subject: Re: Adding oil to food...Best practices?
Organization: Chemical Abstracts Service, Columbus, Ohio
Date: Wed, 22 Jul 1992 20:44:28 GMT

In article <92204.122148DLP@psuvm.psu.edu> David L. Passmore <DLP@psuvm.psu.edu> writes:
>Should vegetable or other oil be used to supplement a dog's food? If so,
>what specific sort of oil? How much per unit of body weight?
>|:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::|
>| . __  /|  ' |                                               |
>| . \ o.O''  '|       The original Dharma Bum (c)             |
>| . =(___)= ' |                                               |
>| .    U    ' |  ---David L. Passmore, dlp@psuvm.psu.edu      |
>|:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::|

For the average dog receiving a high-quality diet, vegetable oil is usually not
needed. In fact, feeding excessive amounts of added oil could produce unwanted
effects such as unbalancing your dog's diet (e.g., too little protein or
increasing the dog's requirement for vitamin E), causing obesity, or causing
diarrhea. However, if your dog's coat is dry and/or you observe "flakes", and
you have ruled out other causes such as worms, vegetable oil can be just the
addition to bring back the shine in your dog's coat.

Some people avoid soybean oil because of the possibility of allergies to
soybean. But other than soybean oil, any good quality vegetable oil should be
OK.  I've used safflower oil based on a recommendation from the breeder of one
of my dogs. The recommended amounts range from a couple drops for a
Yorkie-sized dog to a couple tablespoons for a Newf-sized dog. You might want to
start with a smaller dose and gradually increase the amount to minimize the
possibility that your dog might get diarrhea temporarily.

According to my vet, some breeds of dogs have higher requirements for oil (fat)
than others. Golden retrievers, for example, seem to need more fat in their
diets in order to maintain a healthy coat.

As an alternative to adding oil to your dogs diet, you might want to switch to
a food with a higher fat content. The fat content should always be listed on
the bag or can of food. Another alternative is to feed a supplement such as
Linatone which in addition to containing fatty acids also includes a few
vitamins as well.

			    Sandra Augustine
			    Norwood Kennels
Xref: sparky rec.pets.dogs:9164 misc.consumers.house:10051
From: shimeall@taurus.cs.nps.navy.mil (timothy shimeall)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs,misc.consumers.house
Subject: Re: Burglars and dogs: results of a survey
Date: 30 Jul 92 21:44:52 GMT
Reply-To: shimeall@cs.nps.navy.mil (timothy shimeall)
Distribution: usa
Organization: Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey CA

OK, next question: If you don't want a rattlesnake around the house,
is there a good source for tape-recorded rattlesnake noise?

I would imagine that a motion sensor with a rattlesnake tape attached
would be almost as effective as the snake, without the liability
risks (unless the burgler breaks a leg getting out of the house...).
				Tim
-- 
Tim Shimeall ((408) 646-2509)
The proper response to detecting a bug isn't to fix the bug - it's to make 
sure you'll never have to worry about that bug again.  --- Richard Hamming
From: kris@encore.WPI.EDU (Kristina Wood)
Subject: Akitas
Organization: Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Date: Sat, 25 Jul 1992 17:41:13 GMT

Hi!

I'm new to the group.  I own an eight-month old male Akita and am interested
in conversing with anyone else who is interested in the Akita.  I bought my
puppy when he was 8 weeks old and quite delighted with him.  I've done a lot
of reading about the breed and am working with a retired trainer to learn
how to train my dog and avoid future problems.

I bought the dog primarily to protect my family and house.  (The house has
been broken into a couple times in the past two years.)  The Akita looked like
the best choice for several reasons--the breed's size is large enough to pose
a significant deterrent to most would-be bunglers, its reputation for being a
marvelously patient babysitter was important because there are a lot of kids
around the house, and the breed is known for a high degree of intelligence and
protectiveness.  Even though my dog, Ronin, is still a puppy, he's showing
a great deal of promise is all these areas.  He endures kids patting and 
tripping over him, barks only when there is reason to bark (i.e. unfamiliar
noise or unfamiliar persons in the house or yard), and started to rush a
person who made a mock attack on a family member.  He's over 80 pounds now,
and looks like he has another 50-60 to go.  Of course, we've had our share 
of chewed shoe, chewed furniture, and dog-in-the-trash problems, but they
could have been avoided had we been wiser about owning a dog.

Well, I guess I've said enough.  Anyone want to talk Akita?

Kristina Wood
kris@wpi.wpi.edu



Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
From: X005CB@tamvm1.tamu.edu (Chris Barnes)
Subject: Re: canine good citizen test
Organization: Texas A&M University
Date: Wed, 22 Jul 1992 13:43:04 GMT

In article <1992Jul21.195704.23598@ultb.isc.rit.edu>
     jkjncs@ritvax.isc.rit.edu writes:
 
>- the part of the test most dogs failed was where you meet another person
>  walking their dog and you're supposed to greet them; the dogs are
>  practically not supposed to acknowledge each other - the testers were
>  failing people whose dogs sniffed the other dog on the nose!
 
 
Sigh.  It's pretty obvious that these judges completely missed the spiri
of what they were judging here, which, IMHO, was that the dog should
1)  show NO aggression towards the other dog
2)  still remain attentive and obediant towards the hander
 
Showing a mild curiosity is not only acceptable, it's desirable as it
shows that the dog has been properly socialized.
 
I suppose that this sort of thing was bound to happen, as CGC events are
still fairly new.  I just hope the contestant sent a letter to the AKC
stating what happened (with the judges names).  Not that the AKC would
(or should) take any action against the judges, but to clarify their
rules.
 
      ----------------------------------------------
Chris Barnes            |
x005cb@tamvm1.tamu.edu  |  Only 40 more days until the start of
(409) 846-3273 (home)   |           hunting season (in Texas)
(409) 845-8454 (work)   |
From: ben@monmouth.edu (Bennett Broder)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
Subject: Bichon Frise "matting" help needed
Date: 27 Jul 92 13:18:31 GMT
Organization: Monmouth College, W. Long Branch, N.J.  07764

I am having a big problem with my Bichon, Casper, and hope that someone
out there can help.  Partly because of a (now solved) flea problem, and
partly just out of lazyness, I haven't been brushing my dog very frequently
lately.  When I brought him to the groomer on Saturday, she said that his
coat was one big mat, and she wanted to shave him down.  I told her that
I wanted to try to remove the mat, and brought the dog home.  I spent
much of the weekend trying to remove the mats, using a slicker brush,
an untangling comb and some baby powder.  I am meeting with very limited
success.

My questions:  Should I cave in and just have the dog shaved?  Would there
be any permanant damage to his coat?  Assuming that I try to remove the
mats, does anyone have any pointers to make it easier on me and *especially*
the dog?

I've learned my lesson the hard way.  I am *never* going to let this happen
again.

-- 

Bennett Broder               Monmouth College
                             Computer Services
ben@monmouth.edu             W. Long Branch, NJ 07764
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs,misc.consumers.house