Pesky Pests

Once the pups were old enough they moved to the living room to their big indoor pen and we also had a big outside pen on the porch. The set up was nice as I had the pens set up on either side of each other with a door between to let them in and out.

The biggest struggle I had with the outdoor pen was with those pesky yellow jackets. They were everywhere, so I had to watch the pups with an eagle eye to make sure no one got stung. I tried several different things to get rid of them. I cut a whole in the top of a few 2 liter bottles and filled them with apple juice and cut apples with added liquid sugar. I thought for sure this would attract them and they would crawl inside and be trapped. I think I only had about 5 total between the three bottles that fell for that. So I sat on the porch with a fly swatter warding off these pests.

Then one day I noticed that there were a dozen or more yellow jackets trapped in a partial bottle of flavored tea someone had left sitting on the porch. This did not totally get rid of them but it sure did make it more manageable. I could not find the nest, so I continued to spray around the porch when the pups were inside, but I hate using chemicals so I had to be very careful to make sure the spray did not go up on the porch and it was dry before letting pups outside. I managed to keep pups from getting stung but I was not so lucky.

Around November I received an email from a gentleman regarding one of my blog posts I wrote about Maia getting in some trouble with yellow jackets, you can read about it here. He asked if I could take a look at an article about yellow jackets and link to it. I have read through this very carefully written and thorough article written by Candace Osmond. I sure wish I had this information back in August but I have it for the future. If you have a problem with these Pesky Pests, take a look at this article, it just might help you out!

Photo from article backyardboss.net/how-to-deal-with-yellow-jackets/

What is a Breed Club…and Why Should I Join??

First let’s talk about what a breed club is. They are non-profit organizations responsible for maintaining the breed standard of their specific breed. Breed Standards give a description of the origin of the breed and describe what the qualities of a breed should have to perform the job they were originated for, like a blueprint. These clubs exist to promote their breed and protect it.

There can be national, local and regional breed clubs. It is the national club that is responsible for the breed standard. Many breeds are recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) and you can find breed standards on their website.

Breed clubs are a good resource for finding breeders. Many of these clubs also fund health research and sponsor rescues for their breed.

Belonging to a breed club brings people together that have the love of their breed in common. I have formed many friendships through my breed club that I might have otherwise never had. It also gives you the opportunity to be mentored by long time breeders. But most important, these clubs help ensure the welfare of future generations of their specific breed.

There are many things that can benefit you by joining your breed club. For example, this is from my national breed club, the American Chesapeake Club (ACC) and the benefits their members have…

• Receive our bi-monthly Bulletin that is filled with upcoming events, health information, training tips, heartwarming personal stories, and photos of the dogs.
• Access to an inexpensive and extensive Video Library
• Join a members only Chat List
• Get Updates on Legislative Issues, Health Issues & more
• Advertise puppies for sale or a stud dog
• Join the Breeders Referral List
• Vote on the standard for the breed
• Purchase breed specific items like book, training manual, note cards, pins, etc.
• Eligibility for recognition awards for your dog(s)

Your membership also helps support breed specific health research and rescue. Most importantly, it helps ensure that the future generations of these dogs and the people who love them have an organization that is there looking out for their well being!

 

If you have Chesapeake’s and would like to find out more about the ACC, you can contact a Regional Director for your area here.

For other breeds a simple Google search should give you results of breed and national clubs. You could also contact your breeder for information.

Remember breed clubs play a very important role in the preservation of specific breeds.

Tina and the Brown Dogs 

Chesapeake Bay Retriever Article Review

I love to read!! I am always reading articles on well what else…dogs. Actually I do read all kinds of things that I find of interest just happens that a good share of that is on dogs.

I recently came across this really good article on Chesapeake’s in the NRA American Hunter by Kyle Wintersteen, you can read it here.

What I liked about this article is it was written in conjunction with a very well known and longtime Chessie breeder who has a great wealth of information and knowledge on the breed, Dyane Baldwin of Pond Hollow Chesapeakes.

Mrs. Baldwin discusses the Chesapeake origins as well as the Chesapeake of today.

In the article some myths about the Chesapeake are addressed…

>First the origination. Some people think the Chesapeake was developed by the market hunters, not true.

>Temperament. Aggressive, stubborn, not true.

>Chessie’s owe their aquatic abilities to crossbreeding with the river otter, I chuckled at this one and I think you will too.

I don’t want to give to much away and I hope you will take the time to read the article, it is not a long read. My hope is it will give you some insight into this beloved breed I have owned for over 23 years.

Tina and the Brown Dogs