New Tricks For Older Dogs

Teaching Older Dogs New Tricks .....

Dear Readers, before looking at the pictures below, kindly note that our beloved dog Peanut (Dachshund Cross Breed) is not injured, harmed, forced, scared or abuse in anyway when these pictures were taken.

Ever since young, Peanut has the natural ability to climb cushion sofas, chairs, tables, and lately, we found out that she is now able to climb "fences" that we build for Casey and Peanut's 'play' area.

There are certain tricks which needs teaching / training and as well there are certain pet skills and talents .... like climbing that needs no teaching at all as shown above .....


When teaching your dog tricks you should use positive reinforcement when they perform the right behavior such as teaching them how to turn the light off/on, shake hands, or roll over. Tricks are not only fun but also they can improve agility in your dog such as teaching them to jump through a hoop, balancing a biscuit and catching it. Dogs love to learn tricks. They keep your dog alert and energetic and give you and your dog a chance to have fun as well as get some things done around the house. You can train your dog to bring you the remote control, find your keys, or bring you the dirty clothes. If your hands are full you can train them to open the door (this can be any door or drawer) for you on command (you do not want your dog to go wandering around outside alone). If you are thirsty, you can combine a trick of opening a door and bringing an item to train your dog to go to the refrigerator and bring you a soda!


Before you teach tricks to your dog, it is important that they have the basics down such as, sit, stay, heel. Once your dog has mastered these you can delight and entertain friends by having your dog take a bow, or sit up pretty. Remember when you are training your dog always to use positive reinforcement and lots of praise and hugs. Do not forget the special treats that they love the most! When teaching your dog new tricks do so in short intervals. You do not want to your dog to become bored and uninterested. A little bit throughout the day is good. They will learn the trick and to your delight will perform it without being asked (for the treat and loves of course).

If your dog loves to carry things in their mouth, you can very easily train them to carry a basket. When you are expecting company over you can put something special in a basket and give your dog a command to carry the basket to your friends! Make sure the basket is weight appropriate. Young children love to move around, as do dogs, so put on some music, and teach your dog how to dance and crawl. Their will be giggles and laughter throughout your house. You can amaze your friends and family by having your dog touch anything you want with their nose as well. Dancing is a great trick to teach dogs that love to jump on everything and everyone!

Teaching your dog basic commands is important because a well-behaved dog is a safe and happy dog. When you teach them new tricks you use primarily the same methods you do when teaching them basic commands. Make the command words simple one or two words at the most and make it fun with lots of praise and special treats. Make sure the treats are small you do not want to over feed your dog. A treat does not need to be an entire dog cookie. Break it into very small pieces and reward him with these smaller treats.

So, readers ... happy dog tricks teaching .... cheers

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57% Of Pets Face Firework Fear On New Year’s Eve, Especially Chinese New Year Celebrations

.....Poor Casey and Peanut!!!!

• Everytime, when there's loud fireworks and firecrackers .... they will be scared ..... very scared !!!

• They would either hide under the chair, tables or cabinet...... sometimes, they would even hide in their security basket.......

• Usually, during the eve of New Years, Chinese New Years and other celbration where there is loud fireworks, they would be so stressed that they will loose at least 3 to 4 pounds .....

• Poor things ......

Anyways, we did a bit of reading on how we can help our pets cope with the fear ..... and would like to share with our dear readers .....

"Sue Stafford, acting chief officer of the RSPCA, said:

“Fifty-seven per cent of pets are scared of fireworks this means that for more than half of pets, New Year’s Eve will be a nightmare. This is a bad start to 2008 for animals.

“Fireworks can cause a great deal of pain and anxiety to pets because their hearing is far more sensitive than ours. The noise could result in them bolting and becoming lost, hiding, shaking, or becoming destructive.”

What the public can do to help:

• Never let fireworks off near any animals.

• Ensure all pets are kept indoors when fireworks are likely to be set off.

• Bring all small animals indoors (in their normal housing) into a quiet, dark room.

• Close curtains and leave a TV or music on to mask the noise of fireworks.

• Seek advice from your vet before the firework season begins.

• Here are some more practical advices from forums contributors .....

• "is it really normal for dogs to be afraid of fireworks? my pomeranian gets into trouble whenever she hears fireworks, it really makes her shiver and so nervous while my beagle shows only a minimal reaction towards it, but does not show any nervousness or fear. can someone suggest what i can do for my baby pomeranian? "

• "Just be there for her. You can buy desenitizing CDs with the sounds on. You start off by playing it low and gradually increase the volume. When the fireworks go off you will have to act as normally as possible around her. Don´t draw her attention to them at all. Don´t tell her it´s okay...Don´t coo soothingly to her you will just endorse the fear. Be matter of fact, but let her cuddle up to you if that´s what makes her feel safe. "

• "Dogs hearing is very sensitive and being a toy breed she is much more susceptible to anxiety and fear. Your beagle was bred to be a hunter and may have a calmer personality when it comes to loud noises. If you know fireworks are going to be on you can give her some Bach Rescue Remedy ( a natural anti anxiety, safe for dogs) before they occur. Also, DONT BABY HER while she is upset. Act normally and go about your business...if you coddle her when she is frightened or upset it will simply reinforce it to her that there is something to be upset about! You can try to desensitize her by using a tape recording of the noises she is afraid of, turned down very low volume at first and very gradually increasing, this can take weeks or months! The idea being that eventually she will become accustomed to the noise and will no longer be as startled. Again, be sure to ignore her while the noises are happening. It may sound mean to not baby her, but she is a dog, not a human and the psychology is different.good luck "

• "You should not reassure a nervous dog. It only reinforces to her that she should be scared, she feels your worry and does not know it is worry for her and not the noises. Act normally and ignore her, I know it sounds mean but it is not. Dogs are not little children that you can explain why she shouldn´t be afraid to. The calmer you are and the more you just go about your business the sooner she will calm down. She may never learn to like the fireworks but she may eventually learn that they won´t hurt her. You can play some music or distract her with a toy if you like, but no coddling. "

• "It´s ok to let her go where she feels safe, if that is under the bed that is ok, don´t force her to stay with you if she feels safer in a "den" like the closet or under the bed. This is an instinctive behaviour to find safe shelter, like from a storm in the wild. Once she feels comfortable again she will come back to your bed. If you force her she will not enjoy being with you. Let her choose her own path that way. Good luck. "

• "It´s very hard 128 not to baby a small dog. My Phoebe is an absolute delight. I want to wrap her up in cotton wool and protect from the world..I want to protect her from snide comments. I want to protect her from dogs that growl at her. That´s what I want to do, but in reality I let her be a dog. I have one dog who is not keen on fireworks and she will put herself in the narrow gap between the wall and the settee for comfort. We let her stay there. I know you love your dog but please take seriously on board what hooplady has written. Allow your dog to find it´s own safe haven when it´s scared. You force, and who knows, you could get bitten. Yes, if scared enough, your baby will bite you and I would think that would be more heartbreaking than not wanting to share your bed at the moment. "

• ... hope that helps and hope that reassures all pet owners"

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Trip To The Veterinary (Casey and Peanut's Scheduled Pet Check Up)

It's time for Casey and Peanut's routine Health Check - Up.

We are trying a new Vet at Rock Road Kuching. It's Peanut's first time visiting this particular Vet Doctor, while Casey is a regular at Vetinary Clinics. Peanut is now 1.5 years old while Casey is 2.5 years old.

At first, Casey and Peanut had no idea that there were going to the Vet Clinic. They though it was a regular Car Ride, which they enjoy very much ....

Whenever, we go for car rides, Casey would always look out the window, while Peanut would normally Sleep or take a short nap ......

The Usualy set up .... Casey would always look out the window, while Peanut would just lay low

Casey just loves looking out the window, during car rides ....

Peanut had no ideas that we were bringing her to the Vet ..... she enters happily and took the lead confidently ......

Casey had sense that soething were not right .... she refuses to enter and so daddy had to carry her in .......

When we carry Peanut up the exmination table .... she started to feel frighten and was calculating her options ....... hmmmm its rather high ... even for a Spiderman Dog like Peanut

Seeing that, there's no where else to go .... she decided to give in and calmed down as we stayed by her side to comfort her ....

Finally .... the examination was over and both Casey and Peanut had their Heartworm, Parasite Control / Deworming Injections .... and fleas / tick checks too ....

.... our babies ... can't wait to go home after the jabs .... :)

Dear Readers ... do share with us your Pet's Vet experiences .....

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Peanut (Dachshund) The Spiderman Dog

Dear Readers, before looking at the pictures below, kindly note that our beloved dog Peanut (Dachshund Cross Breed) is not injured, harmed, forced, scared or abuse in anyway when these pictures were taken.

Ever since young, Peanut has the natural ability to climb cushion sofas, chairs, tables, and lately, we found out that she is now able to climb "fences" that we build for Casey and Peanut's 'play' area.

She enjoys climbing, and she was well supervised when these pictures were taken. ....... so enjoy the pictures of Peanut, our Spider man Dog (Dachshund)

Starting her ascend ....

Using the wall, as support as well .....

Almost there, now using her chin to pull herself up .....








Yes ..... almost there, now I can see you mommy .... says Peanut






Taking a short breather ......





Yes ......I can see clearly now, the view across the fence ...








...... Freedom, so near, yet so far (high)

I think, I will stop right there .....

That's enough for today, Peanut enjoying the view from the Top

See, her happy face .... she really does enjoy climbing and once she reaches the top, you could just feel and sense the satisfaction from her facial reaction ....

OK, its time to descend .... slowly, following the same steps, and oh ya ... the wall for support as well :)

he he ..... slowly, I'm almost touching ground, Houston, the Dachshund is coming home :)




Hope you like the pictures and kindly note that, Peanut is not hurt in anyway, nor forced to climb...... she does that all the time :)

p/s Dear Readers, does your dog do that as well???

Kindly comment

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The Dachshunds , Sausage Dog, "Dackel" in Decline ?

The Dachshunds or Sausage Dog; also known as "Dackel" (in Germany) in Decline?

The Dachshund dog breed is one of Germany's oldest Breed. The "short legged" , "long bodied" dog breed is know as "dackel" in Germany.

It is reported that the Dachund breed is now on as decline as dog owners opting for other breeds like Golden Retreiver, Labrador, etc ......

However, Dachshund fans insisted that the little "sausage dogs" will always win over their heart as theu make excellent pets. ...... yeahh ... PEANUT !! :)

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10 Reasons Why You Should Have a Dachshund

Here are 10 Reasons Why You Should Have a Dachshund

(taken from Hacienda Malaysia Premier Dachshund Champion Breeder)

1. He is an ideal companion as a pet. He will follow you, love you, and amuse you all day every day (You are graciously allowed to share your bed & board with him. You will trip on him, and watch him laugh at your clumsiness.)

2. He is a born sportsman. He will turn his nose to anything above ground, while below ground, he will, given his chance, hold his own with the best. Dachshunds were originally bred to dig badgers out of holes. (He will chase all pet cats, birds, & dogs from his exclusive territory (which is as far as the eye can see). He will also roto-till your fresh-laid lawn and new flower beds.)

3. He is a born gentleman. His aloof dignity is above canine skylark and petty yelping. (What they don't want to see and don't want to hear does not exist.)

4. He is courageous to a remarkable degree and will stand up for his rights against any foe. (From behind a fence there is none braver.)

5. He is odorless, always clean and easily housebroken. (You'd be odorless too from the daily baths needed made necessary because of finding "neat" things to roll in. House - broken is more like it. **Know a good handyman?** )

6. He comes in several sizes, colors and coats to suit your special taste. The tiny miniatures also come in all three coats and colors; smooth, longhaired and wirehaired, and from a beautiful shiny black and tan to a rich Irish Setter red. There is no other breed which offers such a selection. (They are like peanuts, you can't stop with just one, and there is always a new variety or color or size to drool over.)

7. He has a well founded reputation for being rugged and strong.Equally at home in either cold or warm climates. (If it is cold, they are in your bed or in their sweater. If hot, they grab the seat in front of the air conditioner and drink out of your ice tea glass.)

8. He asks only that he be with you whether you live in a mansion or the most humble abode. He is at your side day and night and he will warn you if any strangers are lurking about. (He is willing to share all you have, if you eat dog food, he'll eat dog food. If you have steak, he gets steak ! You couldn't get rid of him if you wanted, and anybody stranger than you SHOULD get barked at.)

9. He is most affectionate, and delights in riding in your car or sleeping close to you (if you will let him) at night, but he is content with his own bed and a simple cover that he can pull over his head, with just a shiny black nose to show his presence. Just to be near you and show his love for you is all he asks. (He is not stupid enough to let a good sucker out of his sight. People are such pushovers for the old "I love you, I love you" routine.)

10. He is a wonderful companion for your children, and will take a lot of rough play and enter into the spirit of fun, for he is a born comedian. You can trust a Dachshund for they have never been known to betray a confidence.

(They love kids, the younger the better, children can be blamed for so much that the "sweet li'l puppy wuppy" couldn't possibly have done (they don't realize how tall a fully stretched Dachshund can reach).

A Dachshund will never write a tell-all unauthorized biography, but don't leave your pot roast within reach.)

ONCE YOU HAVE OWNED ONE YOU'LL NEVER BE WITHOUT ONE!!!ONCE YOU HAVE BEEN OWNED BY ONE, THERE IS NO HOPE FOR YOU!!!!

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Peanut's Four Other Siblings

These are all pictures of Peanut's Four other siblings. There are all about 1 week plus in age. There are about 80% Dachshund mix and about 10% Shih Tzu mix and the remaing other mixture.

Aren,t they cute ... :) There are altogether 2 males and 3 females. The males are all black while the rest of the females are brownish. There's even an albino in the pack .... can you guess which one? ..... clue, she's bronw, looks white and has blue eyes :)

Oh ya, the last picture is Colbert. He's the father of the pack :)

Hope you liked the photos.

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Our Baby Peanut (Dachshund) at 5 Weeks Old

• December 12, 2005, Monday around 8pm. This was the first day we took Baby Peanut (Brown Dachshund mix) home.

• She was about 5 weeks old, very sweet, innocent, and timid. As she was still very young (5weeks old), she demanded a lot of attention from us. She would cry and has to be held & cuddle to sleep every night .... or else, she would cry and cry and cry ...... Peanut was such a cry baby when she was young !!!

• That was a good lesson to learn from, as we got peanut too young (at 5 weeks old) Please read Peanut's 1st Picture. A good and recommended age to adopt puppies would be around 8 weeks old, when the puppy is fully weaned, stronger and easier to train.

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Spider Man Dog Afraid of Heights

... One "morning", upon returning home, we found the house being very quite......
usually, when we get home, these two "Lovable Rascals" would be at the door to greet us....
however that evening, it was rather quiet ......... guess what we found out ......

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Peanut's Tail Tip Was Chopped Off

Notice the tip of Peanut's tail? .... :) That's right, it was tied with a rubber band. Why....?
This is a traditional method of chopping of the tip of a dog's tail with ease and least pain.

You see, Peanut was born with a white tip on her tail. The white tip is about 1 inch long. According to the Chinese believe, this sign may bring bad luck. So, one day, when Peanut was about 4 months old, her "Great Grand Ma" decides to perform the "infamous surgery"....

So... Great Grand Ma decides to perfrom the "surgery" ..... The tip where it is supposed to be removed will be tied with a rubber band for a few days. This action will cut-off the blood circulation, numb the cells, and eventually will also weaken the tip of the tail bone.

After a week or so, when the tip of the tail is soft enough and ready, it will be "chopped" of with a sharp knife. If perform correctly, this method is fast, effective, economical and rather painless to the dog.

Also, in the past, where moden medicines are hard to find, people may use carbon deposits under a cooking pan as anticeptic to cover the wound .... smart huh :)

Guess what.... 3 days after the tip of Peanut's tail was chopped off.... Great Grand Ma won a lottery ticket..... :) so the white tip bad luck is gone huh..... :) ..... hehe, ......poor Peanut .... ouch!

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Peanut Sleeping in Her Security Basket

Look at how small Peanut was when she was about 6 weeks old... Notice the round tommy and the size of the basket?

Peanut is now 1.5 years old, and much longer in size than the basket,....... but she still curls up and snuggles up in her Security Basket whenever she's alone or cold....

Much like we humans, with our "nice smelling" security pillow and blanket" :)

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Dachshund Temperament (Taken from Wikipedia)

Temperament (Taken From Wikipedia)
Dachshunds are playful, fun dogs, known for their propensity to chase small animals, birds and tennis balls with great determination and ferocity. Many dachshunds are strong-headed or stubborn, making them a challenge to train. Dachshunds are known for their devotion and loyalty to their owners. If left alone many doxies will whine until they have companionship.
According to the American Kennel Club’s breed standards, "the dachshund is clever, lively and courageous to the point of rashness, persevering in above and below ground work, with all the senses well-developed. Any display of shyness is a serious fault."[2] Their temperament and body language give the impression that they do not know or care about their relatively small and comical stature. Indulged dachshunds may become snappy[3]. Fanciers of the breed often say that "Dachshunds are big dogs in small packages.
The dachshund's temperment may vary greatly from dog to dog. Although the dachshund is generally a energetic dog, some are laid back. Due to this dog's behavior, it is not the dog for everyone. A bored Dachshund will become destructive. If raised improperly, dachshunds can become aggressive or fearful. They require a caring owner that understands their need to have entertainment and exercise.
The dachshund is known for its deep and soulful eyes and complex and telling facial expressions, the eyes having an allure that is commonly mentioned in writings about the breed. Because of the breed's characteristic barrel-like chest, the dachshund's lungs are unusually large, making for a sonorous and richly timbred bark that belies the dog's true size.

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Peanut's 1st Picture

Just before the adoption. Peanut's earliest picture at roughly 4 weeks old.

We got her at 5 weeks cause another dog lover wanted to take all two pups that was up for adoption just a few days after this pic was taken.

Note: Its advisable to adopt pups at 8 weeks old when they are fully weaned, stronger and easier to train. Younger pups need higher attention levels. Good tip from 101 Essential Tips - Puppy Care.

Puppy Care (101 Essential Tips)

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Peanut Hates Labam Ba

Peanut the music critic. La Bamba on loud haler is plain irritating!

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Peanut .... Up close.... Spoilt by dad

See how securely Peanut is held in daddy's hand.

(Aww.... so sweet.........!)

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