Pibbles love Veggies!
The last Saturday in October is National Pit Bull Awareness Day!
We love our Pitties and Pibbles, broad terms for any of the "bully" breeds out there, including the ubiquitous Arkansas "Mixed Breed" pups that probably all have some percentage of Pit in them. We see them every day at the shelter, on Facebook, and unfortunately, out in the wild and on our streets. But, we know that the Pits are much more than they've been made out to be. These pups are some of the friendliest and most treasured pets we can find.
Some fun facts from Met Life:
1. In the first half of the 20th century, pit bulls were known as “Nanny Dogs”. Families preferred leaving their children home alone with their pit bull to watch over them. The pit bull’s loyal and determined personalities made them five-star nannies!
2. In a test done on the strength of three popular dog breeds’ bites, pit bulls came in last behind German Shepherds and Rottweilers. While they are undeniably strong dogs, they are no stronger than many other breeds.
3. The common belief that pit bulls have locked jaws is false. They are, however, muscular dogs with strong jaws and should be given the appropriate treats for their power chewing tendencies.
4. Pit bulls love humans. Yes, you heard that right. In a series of temperament tests that involve putting dogs in unexpected situations with strangers, pit bulls had an average passing rate of 82% compared to an average of 77% in the general dog population.
5. While pit bulls get along well with humans, they may have less of a tolerance for other animals. Some may love to play with other dogs, but others require socialization and training. Be sure to monitor them around other dogs and start training your pit bull early.
6. Pit bulls are high-energy, playful dogs. Pit bulls require a fair amount of exercise and love to stay active. Those looking to get a Pit Bull should have an active lifestyle and keep plenty of durable chews on hand for when you’re not there to keep
Week 4 of Back to School Month at Needy Paws!
Teaching the "come" command requires a few things, like not holding a phone at the same time 😂.
1. You have already created a positive reinforcement cue (we use "YES!" closely/immediately followed with a treat), and a "try again" cue (we use "uh uh").
2. Your pup knows "sit."
3. Your pup knows or is learning "wait" (which is/can be different than "stay").
Steps to introduce the "come" command:
1. Practice or warm up with "sit" to get the brains engaged (yours and your pup's) 🧠
2. Practice "wait" 🫷
3. Show the treat in your hand to your pup and sweep your hand to your hip, palm facing forward, treat held by your thumb, and say, "Come."
4. Wait for your pup to connect the action and move forward toward the treat (try to stay still and not bring the treat hand forward, make the dog come to you).
5. Once your pup's nose touches your treat hand, give them a YES! and the treat.
Practice, Practice, Practice!
Eventually, you'll be able to extend "wait" a little longer, and you'll be able to step further and further away to get them used to "coming when called" at longer distances.
📖The first week back to school flew by, and now we're diving into week two of our Needy Paws training tips and tricks! This week, we’re focusing on teaching your dog (or cat!) how to recognize and respond to the word "Yes!"
Here’s how to teach your furry friend "Yes!":
🐾Catch your furry friends attention with a tasty treat.
🐾Have them perform a simple command using small words, such as sit, stay, or come.
🐾Once they follow your command, reward them simultaneously with a treat and a "Yes!"
🐾Repeat until they begin to associate positive actions with positive rewards.
Remember, patience is essential during training. Learning takes repetition and each pet learns at their own pace. Keep practicing and stay tuned for the next training lesson!
#adoptdontshop #dogs #cats #dogtraining #EmptyTheShelters #backtoschool
📚 School is officially back in session... and it’s not just for the kids! It’s the perfect time for our furry friends to hit the books, too! 📖🐾
Needy Paws is kicking off a series of training tips and tutorials to help you teach your pets new tricks. This week, we're starting with the basics: the "Sit" command!
Here's how to teach your dog (or cat!) to sit:
🐾Hold a treat in your hand and let your pet smell it to grab their attention.
🐾Position the treat 3 inches above their head and move your hand backward toward their tail while saying "Sit."
🐾As their head tilts up, their bottom should naturally lower into a sitting position.
🐾Once they sit, give them the treat and say, "Yes, sit!"
🐾Repeat until they’ve got it down.
Remember, patience is key—every pet learns at their own pace! 🐶🐱 Stay tuned each week for more training tips!
For more detailed instructions click here: https://be.chewy.com/basic-dog-training-commands-sit/#2
#NeedyPawsTraining #PetSchool #SitCommand #HappyPets
#ClearTheShelters is in full swing! The campaign takes place Saturday, August 10 - Tuesday, September 10, 2024. Needy Paws Animal Shelter has the opportunity to win surprise grants to help local pets in our care through the Clear the Shelters fund!
Animal welfare organizations across the country are eligible to receive matching funds throughout the event. Hill’s Pet Nutrition and The Animal Rescue Site by GreaterGood are matching donations, and we need your support! Starting Tuesday, August 13 at 1 p.m. ET, Hill's Pet Nutrition will be matching donations dollar for dollar up to $10,000. That's right, the first $10,000 donated to organizations participating in the Clear The Shelters Fund will be matched dollar for dollar!
Your donation will go towards helping animals like Nala (video below). Nala was brought in as a stray that wandered up to someone’s porch. She was emaciated and severely dehydrated. At first, it was believed Nala suffered from heat exhaustion because she couldn’t stand. She had no interest in food or water and had significant hair loss.
At her vet appointment we discovered she was not heat exhausted and likely just needed food, some fluids and lots of love. She’s been treated for suspected ringworm and is no longer dehydrated. She’s now able to stand/walk almost perfectly and will be looking for a home soon! ❤️🐾
Donate now to help us save more animals like Nala here:
https://donate.clearthesheltersfund.org/page/NeedyPawsAnimalShelter
Find out what “purebred” dogs we have at Needy Paws! 🐾❤️🧬
We may not know their DNA cocktail but we do know a few things for certain:
1️⃣ They give the best snuggles.
2️⃣ They’re the best doggos.
3️⃣ They need loving homes!
⭐️Kain has been adopted & Jocasta is in a foster to adopt home but the rest of these guys need someone to love!
If you’re interested in adopting here’s the link to our website: https://www.needypawsanimalshelter.org/pet-adoptions
🖤 Meet Vhagar, the incredible black and white kitten who's rewriting his story every day! 🌟 Despite a rough start, Vhagar's zest for life knows no bounds. He loves nothing more than tearing it up on his cat wheel, showing us all what determination truly looks like. 🐾
When Vhagar first came to us, he was a fighter. Blind and frail, he defied the odds with every heartbeat. Now, he's not just surviving; he's thriving! Though his vision isn't perfect, his spirit is unbreakable. 💪 Every spin on that wheel is a testament to his resilience and courage.
Follow Vhagar's journey as he inspires us all to embrace life's challenges head-on. Let his story remind you that every hurdle is a chance to grow stronger. Share your own stories of triumph below! 🌈 #ResilientVhagar #CatsOfInstagram #InspirationInProgress
Mystique is a 1-year old mixed breed who loves to be the boss AND cuddle on the couch. She is crate trained, potty trained, knows "sit," and is learning "speak," when SHE is ready for it 😂👀 She has a unique, rumbly, "bear growl" that comes out when she's really excited to see her favorite people.
Mystique has been in a foster home for over a year and knows her manners well. She is great with other dogs, cats, and people, but will need a few days to adjust to her new environment. She would do best as an indoor dog where she can frolic during the day (inside and out) and then rest inside at night in her own crate or bed.
Peachy Paws Dog Pageant
Mr/Ms 🍑 Peachy Bum!
The Big Finale...
Peachy Paws Dog Pageant
Mr/Ms 🍑 Peachy Bum!
Peachy Paws Dog Pageant
Owner Lookalike... kinda!
