wood turtles

The wood turtles eats both animal and plant food items, including berries, herbs, algae, moss, fungi, grass, insects, mollusks, earthworms, dead fish, tadpoles, newborn mice and other turtles‘ eggs. It will forage on the ground, in the water, in herbaceous vegetation, and on logs.

Habitat

Prefer lowland hardwood forests and open wet meadows associated with moderate to fast current streams and rivers with sand or gravel substrates. May forage in upland deciduous mesic forest and open meadows in summer. Use south facing sandy river banks or flat sandy soil openings adjacent to rivers for nesting sites, including gravel banks, roadsides, fields, and meadows. Hatchling and juveniles prefer alder thickets associated with shorelines and are considered critical habitat for this segment of the population.



Activity

The wood turtles is primarily diurnal, although Farrell and Graham (1991) have observed that mating and nesting can extend into the night. wood turtles regulate their body temperatures by basking in the sun or cooling off in puddles and mud. Depending on local climate, wood turtles begin hibernating in October or November and emerge in April or May.

Breeding and Propagation

Male and female wood turtles often engage in a courtship ritual that involves swinging their heads at each other. When the female is receptive, the male mounts her, usually in shallow water. They are most likely to mate in spring and fall, although they can mate at any time they are not hibernating. After mating, usually in the early summer, the female turtles build a nest in a sunny, sandy bank near water. She can only produce one clutch, usually consisting of between 5 and 13 eggs, per year. Most eggs fall prey to raccoons, shrews, skunks, and other animals. Eggs hatch after between 47 and 69 days of incubation. It is reported that unlike most turtles, the sex of the hatchling is not dependent on the temperature of incubation. It is estimated that fewer than 30% of the wood turtles eggs laid hatch each year.

Ecology

The wood turtles is one of the most terrestrial turtles in the United States, and is usually found inhabiting forested areas associated with rivers or streams. The species prefers streams with harder substrates, moderate currents and clear water. The wood turtles is omnivorous and may be observed eating insects, worms, and even strawberries and blackberries! Interestingly, researchers in central Pennsylvania and Michigan have also observed wood turtles “stomping” for worms! The activity involves an individual stomping with one front foot several times and then switching and stomping with the other front foot. Researchers speculate that the vibrations created by the turtles “stomping” the ground may mimic the vibrations produced by raindrops…and as most people know, worms surface during rainfall events. Once a worm surfaces, the wood turtles quickly eats it.

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Could A Homemade Diet Be Best for Your Dog?

A good formula for a homemade diet is one half cereal, rice, or kibbles, and one half meat, including its natural fat, with green or yellow vegetables added from time to time. Since they can be made to measure for each individual dog, these combinations would be ideal if they weren't to much bother. Aside from taking more time and trouble than the other methods, a homemade diet requires a sound knowledge of canine nutrition.

Table scraps are definitely insufficient for modern pets who we want to thrive, not merely survive. They are often the direct cause of obesity and various allied skin disorders too. Dogs with unusually big appetites or with a tendency to obesity will keep their figures if you cut down on the starch and increase the vegetables, to the proportion of one meat, one fourth kibbles, and one fourth vegetables. Older dogs may need reduced protein to spare their kidneys the task of nitrogen elimination.

Build your dogs meals around the foods that are highly recommended for dogs:
Beef: (ground or chopped for puppies in chunks for adult dogs, raw or cooked. Dogs prefer their meat a little tough, and they need the fat found in cheaper cuts).
Lamb and mutton
Chicken
Horse Meat
Beef Hearts and Kidneys
Beef Liver (no more than once a week, as too much or too often causes loose stools.
Eggs, hard-boiled or scrambled (The yolk may be given raw, but not the white, which in its raw state destroys biotin, a useful vitamin in the dogs intestine).
Rice, whole wheat, barley, oats, buckwheat
While wheat biscuits or toast
Carrots (cooked or raw, grated and mixed with his meal, or whole for chewing)
String Beans, spinach (chopped or mashed)
Cottage Cheese (excellent for weaning puppies)
Unfermented natural cheese, such as Swiss and Edam Apples and Pears

On the other hand, certain foods should be considered taboo:
White commercial bread
Cabbage (which causes flatulence and is difficult to digest)
Potatoes (hard to digest and not very nourishing)
Starchy Vegetables, such as dried beans
Spicy dishes and sauces
Uncooked egg white
Processed cheese
Pork (unless it is lean, well cooked, and served infrequently)
Raw fish
Delicatessen meats
Unboned chicken, rabbit and fish
Cake and candy
Alcoholic beverages
Chocolate of any kind

Which ever method you choose for feeding your dog, it is best to stick to it. Once he has become accustomed to a certain diet, he will be upset by any sudden change. The upset is apt to take the form of constipation if you change from prepared products to fresh ones, and diarrhea in the opposite case. If a change is needed, make it gradual by mixing the old with the new until his body adapts to the change.

How To Train Your Dog Not To Chew

Chewing is something that comes naturally to every dog. Every dog feels the instinctual need to sharpen its teeth and hone his biting skills. Chewing on the right things, like specially designed chew toys for instance, can even help the dog clean his teeth and remove plaque.



Even though chewing is natural and healthy, that does not mean that the dog should be given carte blanche and allowed to chew everything in sight. It is vital for every dog to learn the difference between the things it is OK to chew on, like toys and ropes, and the things that are off limits, such as carpets, shoes and other items.

When working with a new puppy, it is advisable to keep the puppy in a small, puppy proofed room for at least a few weeks. This is important not only to prevent chewing but to properly house train the puppy as well.

Older dogs should also be confined to a small area at first. Doing this allows the dog to slowly acquaint him or herself to the smells and sights of the new household.

When you set up this small, confined area, be sure to provide the puppy or dog with a few good quality chew toys to keep him entertained while you are not able to supervise him. Of course the dog should also be provided with a warm place to sleep and plenty of fresh clean water.

As the dog is slowly moved to larger and larger portions of the home, there may be more opportunities to chew inappropriate items. As the dog is given freer access to the home, it is important to keep any items that the dog or puppy should not chew, things like throw rugs, shoes, etc. up off of the floor. If you forget to move something and come home to find that the dog has chewed it, resist the urge to punish or yell at the dog. Instead, distract the dog with one of its favorite toys and remove the inappropriate item from its mouth.


The dog should then be provided with one of its favorite toys. Praise the dog extensively when it picks up and begins to chew its toy. This will help to teach the dog that it gets rewarded when it chews certain items, but not when it chews other items.

Teaching the dog what is appropriate to chew is very important, not only for the safety of your expensive furniture and rugs, but for the safety of the dog as well. Many dogs have chewed through dangerous items like extension cords and the like. This of course can injure the dog severely or even spark a fire.

Most dogs learn what to chew and what not to chew fairly quickly, but others are obviously going to be faster learners than others. Some dogs chew because they are bored, so providing the dog with lots of toys and solo activities is very important.

It is also a good idea to schedule several play times every day, with one taking place right before you leave every day. If the dog is thoroughly tired after his or her play session, chances are he or she will sleep the day away.

Other dogs chew to exhibit separation anxiety. Many dogs become very nervous when their owners leave, and some dogs become concerned each time that the owner may never come back. This stress can cause the dog to exhibit all manners of destructive behavior, including chewing soiling the house. If separation anxiety is the root of the problem, the reasons for it must be addressed, and the dog assured that you will return.


This is best done by scheduling several trips in and out of the home every day, and staggering the times of those trips in and out. At first the trips can be only a few minutes, with the length slowly being extended as the dog’s separation anxiety issues improve.

Dog Prostate Tumors - Dog Health

Prostate tumor or growth is responsible for more cases of prostate gland problems in dogs. Continue reading this article to find out more about this condition.

The symptoms of Dog Prostate cancer includes the following:

1. The dog may have fever and a lack of appetite
2. The urine will have a pink tinge to it and it may have blood in it as well
3. The dog will usually pass urine in short intermittent spurts.
4. The dog will have stiff back legs and may take shorter strides
5. The dog may walk with an arched back.

The most common cause of prostate problems in dogs is a prostatic tumor and other conditions having similar symptoms are highly unlikely.

The prostate gland is found inside the urethra it is an almost spherical gland and is relatively small. It produces fluids to carry and feed sperm during the dogs mating process.

A prostatic tumor will result in inflammation of the prostate gland and as it continues to grow it will push against the wall of the urethra thus making it very painful for the dog to urinate.

If you suspect that your dog has prostate cancer you should consult your vet as soon as possible because it will continue to inflict pain onto your dog and will have to be removed in order to make sure that the dog returns to normal health.

In order to confirm whether the dog has prostate cancer or not the vet will take X-rays, conduct ultrasound scans and may even pass a camera into the affected area of the dog.

Once confirmed, the tumor will have to be removed as soon as possible through surgery but before the vet goes ahead and performs it they may want to confirm whether or not the cancerous tumor had spread to other parts of the body. This will be done by same methods as were used to check for the tumor in the first place. These include x-rays, ultrasound scans and passing a camera through the affected areas.

Complications arise depending on how long the tumor has been growing for. It may be impossible to remove the tumor safely if it has grown excessively and is near organs or vital body parts.

Most vets will still try to remove the tumor first and then use chemotherapy and radiation to remove the remaining cancerous cells. A histopathologist will decide the type of therapy depending on the samples given to them.

Thinking About Where Should Your Dog Sleep?

Just like humans, dogs, too, have particular whims for sleeping nooks. Every dog owner must address this peculiarity as it will yield effects on his relationship with his pet.

Dogs have varying preferences for sleeping areas and some can be very discriminate with their choices. But in a place like your home, they may sleep just anywhere they wish to. Although there is no established rule on where dogs should sleep, it is good if you'll have some ideas.

Depending on the availability of the area and its convenience to your dog, these are where you can let your pooch take its slumber:

Who says baskets are just for your groceries? These shopping and marketing buddies can also be sleeping areas for dogs. If your pooch doesn't have active jaws and fangs, baskets will be great sleeping areas. A soft pillow placed inside will be a good way to make your dog feel comfortable. However, if your dog has active jaws and fangs, using a plastic laundry basket is advisable.

You can also place your pets on nesting beds since they will cradle your dog when it lies on them. Some types of this bed allow tiny pups to crawl and quickly doze off inside.

You may as well lend your pet a blanket. Canines can enjoy sleeping on this fabric since it is not just soft but also warm. Just make sure to regularly wash them so they won't give off a dismaying smell.

Dogs also require a tidy and dry area to sleep on. Hence, wet, damp surfaces aren't sleep-conducive. Hence, it is advised to let your pooch doze off on raised platforms to keep it out of harm's way.

Bean bags are also nice options for a sleeping area. Since they support movements, bean bags are good for pets who love to roam and move a lot.

Dog crates are ideal for pooches who want to feel secured. Crates give that feeling of privacy loved by dogs.

Of course, where else can your dog feel more secured, relaxed, and loved than on its master's own bed? Dogs have special liking for their masters scent aside from being close to them since such make them feel loved, cared for, and protected. From time to time, it is good to have your prized canine pet spend a night dozing off beside you on your comfy bed, treating it just like a fine companion. But, never let you dog get used to the experience. Aside from the fact that having your dog stay on your bedroom on a daily basis is not really advisable, this can also result in your trusted pooch becoming overly dependent on you.

Click And Treat Training For Dogs

The first major improvement in dog training since choke chains and spiked collars, click and treat has quickly establishing itself in becoming a big hit in the world of dog training. Currently, there are over 10,000 trainers who are using this training method everyday.

One advantage to using this form of training at home is it’s easy to learn for both the dog and his trainer!

Originally used to train marine mammals, click and treat breaks down the process into two separate steps, information and motivation. The click is the information, the treat is the motivation. While other trainers still work on these two steps, they try to teach them all at once, which can confuse the animal and slow down results.

Most trainers will verbally praise a dog for good behavior, while at the same time motivating the dog to repeat his actions. This can be a good method, however it takes longer for the dog to understand which behaviors and actions caused the praise from the trainer.

With the click and treat method, the processes are easily taught. In normal training, a person would say “good boy” when a welcomed action occurs and proceed with giving a treat. The clicker becomes a substitute for verbal praise and can actually catch the “good boy” behavior quicker than saying it, letting the dog know exactly which behavior he is being rewarded for.

Another way to look at click and treat training is viewing it as a secondary reinforcement, while food, water, physical affection and play (things the dog wants) become primary reinforcement. When you take a dog for a walk, the leash works as a secondary reinforcement. It is obvious to the dog that the leash is not taking him for a walk; the owner is, however, it triggers a reaction in the dog, telling him that the leash will let him know where he will go and where he will not. And if he reacts to the leash with good behavior, his reward will be a nice leisurely walk.

Click and treat works the same way. When a dog hears the clicker, he will know that he performed a good behavior and as long as he keeps hearing a click, there is a treat coming his way. So, the clicker works as a secondary reinforcement, teaching him boundaries and appropriate behavior.

A couple advantages of the click and treat method include;

1) Faster response than verbal praise. The clicker can identify the exact behavior at the time it happens.

2) It takes the place of treats. While motivating the dog to hear clicks, it will also teach him to work without the expectations of having treats given to him each time he does something good.

3) If the trainer is working at a distance from the dog, the clicker will still work, without having to be right next him.

Are you ready to try clicker training?

The first thing you’ll need to do is go to your favorite pet supply store and invest in a clicker. The clicker is nothing fancy and should just cost you under five dollars. While you’re there grab some pocket treats, little bits of dried liver work well.

A good method to use when getting started with click and treat is to stand in front of the animal. Click the clicker and give a treat. Continue doing this for 20-30 minutes, or until the dog becomes startled by the sound of the click. This will familiarize him to the clicking sound, while teaching him that every time he hears it, he has done something good. After he gets the hang of it, begin by adding commands, such as “sit” and “stay.”

Click and treat has proven to be a simple, yet consistent training method with quick results. So for the trainers out there who are looking for a new and innovative way to motivate and praise their animals, get out there, buy a clicker and…..click!

A Big Dogs Role on the Homestead

Who's a good boy? Who's a gooooood booooy? Yes, you are, yes you is! Here you go a big rawhide bone just for you and a big sloppy dog kiss for me. If you think I baby my dog too much you wouldn't be wrong; Bear earns every bit of praise he gets, from his laying around just looking big, to his very protective and very insistant way he has with strangers.

Imagine a 100+ pound dog glaring at you from a window, what better deterant to have when an intruder comes to call? Talking with other homesteaders about security systems and other fortifications, ment to keep theatening persons out, we always come to the conclusion that none of these things has proven to keep a truly persistant criminal out; four legs, a tail, two pointy ears, big teeth and a very intense gaze from a 100lb. animal is enough to deter even the most determined individual.

Criminals like bullies, in most cases, want an easy target they don't want any opposition. If they encounter opposition they generally move on to find easier pickings elsewhere; though all situations differ I would still count on the primordial fear that fangs and claws instill in humans.

Not to portray mans best friend as only a savage security guard, large dogs have had many roles in helping humans to emerge at the top of the food chain. A few of the "jobs" that canines excel at that would require a dozen or more people are: herding, rescue work, and of course, security. Hard work to be sure, but, to be compensated by being fed, housed and pampered? Who came out better on this deal? Who's to say that the human/canine symbiotic relationship didn't come about from a very primative ability to reason - by canines - that it's better to include humans in their pack, as these hairless, clawless beings seem to be pretty good at getting food. However it happened humans have benefited from the partnership.

Back on the homestead these big dogs have also doubled as draft animals, the size of the Newfoundland or St. Bernard has placed visions of "dog back riding" in many a childs mind - not to mention a few adults. Hauling a sled in winter loaded down with firewood or hauling their human out of a big mess they've gotten themselves into are jobs performed, without question, by a loyal friend. It goes without saying you treat your friends how you would like to be treated.

Bear has been gone for a few years now and that feeling of lose - and not wanting to feel it again - have faded, also a certain 3 1/2 year old wants a puppy. So, it's going to be a big puppy for sure.