Adopting a Research Dog

Could your next dog be a research dog? Dogs that are used for research and lab testing can be adopted into loving homes thanks to legislation that has passed in certain states in recent years, including Illinois. When you visit a shelter or meet with a rescue group, you can ask about research dogs that are up for adoption. Find out more about these pups.

Fate of Research Dogs

Research dogs are typically used for lab testing and research purposes throughout their lives. When they are no longer needed, the common practice has been to euthanize them. Legislators in several states have introduced laws that allow these dogs to be put up for adoption instead. Under these laws, research labs work with rescue groups and non-profit animal organizations to find homes for dogs that are no longer being used for research.

Research Dog Legislation

A total of ten states have passed legislation in the past few years that make it possible for research dogs to be adopted rather than euthanized. These states include Illinois, Connecticut, Delaware, California, Maryland, Minnesota, New York, Nevada, Rhode Island and Washington. Michigan legislators are also working on getting laws passed that will allow this to happen. In addition, a bill recently introduced would allow dogs and cats in federal research facilities to be adopted. These laws have helped many research dogs find homes where they enjoy a much better quality of life.

Benefits of Research Dog Adoption

Why should you consider looking into adopting a research dog? These dogs spend their time in the labs being tested. In some cases, dogs have chemicals poured on them or have devices placed inside them. When they’re not being tested on, they spend their time in cages. Research dogs miss out on the joys of being in a loving home and being able to run around outside and play. Bringing one of these dogs into your home can give them this experience after months or years spent in cages and research labs.

How to Adopt a Research Dog

If you’re interested in adopting a research dog, you can check with rescue groups and non-profit animal organizations in the area. Most dogs used in research are beagles, although hounds and other dogs are sometimes used. The group or organization you adopt from can provide you with advice on how to make sure that your research dog adjusts to life in your home. Proper training, regular grooming, and opportunities to socialize with other dogs are essential parts of keeping your new pet happy and healthy.

If you’re planning on adopting a dog or if you have a dog already, DoGone Fun offers training, grooming, doggy daycare and other services. Whether you’re looking for help with training a dog or grooming, or you need dog walking or boarding services, we’re here to help. Contact us for additional information on our services.

This article was previously published at: https://www.dogonefunchicago.com/owning-a-dog/adopting-a-research-dog/

Dog DNA Tests: For Real?

If you’ve ever wondered what your mixed breed dog’s genetic background is, DNA tests could provide you with that answer. These dog DNA tests can let you know which breeds your dog is made up of, so you can satisfy your curiosity or gain some insight into your dog’s health and behavior. Learn more about these DNA tests for dogs to help you determine if you might want to consider getting one done.

Reasons to Get a Dog DNA Test

There are a few different reasons that you might look into doing a dog DNA test. If you have a mixed breed, you might want to know which breeds your dog is and the percentages of these breeds. This information can provide you with information on diseases your dog might be at risk for based on genetic risk factors for certain breeds. If your dog has any increased disease risks, you can talk to your vet about how to lower them. For example, certain breeds have a higher risk of hip dysplasia as they get older. Knowing about this risk means you can take steps to protect your dog’s joints.

DNA information might also help you understand your dog’s behavior better. Different dog breeds have different temperaments or behaviors that might show up in your dog, depending on his genetic background. This information can help if you’re experiencing any behavioral problems or training problems. For example, your dog’s digging problem might make more sense if the test shows that he’s part terrier.

How Dog DNA Tests Work

Dog DNA tests examine markers rather than reading a whole genome. These markers can provide information on your dog’s risk of disease or your dog’s physical characteristics, such as hair length. Breed tests involve comparing your dog’s genes with genetic information from other dogs stored in a company’s database. Some DNA tests provide limited information, such as a dog’s genetic age, which is useful for people who rescue dogs. Other tests provide a wide range of genetic information, including breeds, disease risks and physical characteristics.

When you get a dog DNA test, you’ll gather a DNA sample to send in for analysis. Some tests usually just have you swab the inside of your dog’s cheek, while others ask for a blood sample, which your vet should handle.

What to Look for in a Dog DNA Test

Dog DNA tests vary in terms of how much information they provide, how much they cost and what kind of sample they need. Depending on what you’re looking for, you can either get one that offers more limited information or one that gives you as much information as possible. Keep in mind that more detailed tests typically cost more. Dog DNA tests are generally considered accurate for physical characteristics and disease risks. Breed information can be a bit less accurate, depending on the test you get. Some dog DNA tests that are available include Wisdom Panel 3.0 Breed Identification, Embark Breed and Ancestry Identification, Trait and Health Detection and DNA My Dog Breed Identification.

No matter what type of dog you have, DoGone Fun offers everything from full day and ½ doggy daycare to dog grooming. Contact us to learn more about our all of our dog services in Chicago.

This article was previously published at: https://www.dogonefunchicago.com/owning-a-dog/dog-dna-tests-for-real/

Training with a Dog Clicker

When it comes to training your dog, using a clicker can make this process easier. Clicker training offers an effective and convenient way to teach your dog to follow commands. Find out more about clicker training, including how to do it and why it works so well.

How Clicker Training Works

Dogs learn to associate the sound of the clicker with getting a reward when they do a certain behavior. When you pair this with a verbal command, dogs figure out what they need to do when they hear the command. Clicker training focuses on using a positive way to reinforce desired behavior, which makes dogs eager to learn.

Benefits of Clicker Training

Clicker training provides some important benefits compared to other dog training methods. These advantages include the following:

·         It’s more consistent: The clicker always makes the same sound when you use it. When you use vocal commands, your voice might change in terms of pitch, tone or volume, and your dog might not respond the same each time. Being consistent is an important part of helping your dog learn commands.

·         It’s easier overall: With clicker training, you start by clicking and rewarding your dog right away when she does a certain behavior instead of waiting for her to figure out what to do for a verbal command or hand signal. The clicking sound and reward motivate her to perform that behavior, making it easier to add in a verbal command or hand signal later on.

·         It’s humane: Clicker training doesn’t rely on any negative training methods, such as punishing dogs for not doing the right behavior or for doing the wrong behavior. Instead, this form of training depends on staying positive and motivating dogs through rewards.

Choosing a Clicker

When you need to choose a clicker for training, there are a few factors to keep in mind. You’ll want to look for a clicker that’s easy for you to carry around, so you can click and reward your dog on the spot when she does a certain behavior. The clicker you choose should also be easy to use, since you’ll need to be able to click immediately. Your clicker should also be loud enough for your dog to hear, but it shouldn’t be loud enough to scare her if she’s sensitive to noise. A few high-quality clickers to look into include EcoCity Upgrade Version Dog Training Clicker, StarMark Clicker Dog Training System and PetSafe Click-R-Trainer.

How to Train with a Clicker

There are different approaches used in clicker training, including shaping, luring, capturing, modeling and molding. You might need to experiment with different approaches to see what works best for you. In general, you start by building an association with the clicker sound and a reward. You do this by using the clicker right after your dog does a certain behavior, then giving her a reward immediately.

Once your dog learns that the sound of the clicker means a reward is coming, she’ll start doing the desired behavior. You can add in a vocal command or hand signal later on. With clicker training, your dog will learn to do the desired behavior after hearing the command or seeing the signal. Over time, you can do away with treat rewards and use praise instead.

If you’re having trouble training your dog or need a little help, DoGone Fun offers professional dog training services. Our training services include group classes and individual training sessions. Contact us to learn more about our dog training services in Chicago.

This article was previously published at: https://www.dogonefunchicago.com/dog-training/training-with-a-dog-clicker/