When learning something new, it helps to first experience the new material under the same conditions. This is called "consistency". Think of your experience on the first day of school. You don't know what to expect from your new teacher and this new environment. Over time, consistent routines helped you learn when to sit at your desk and pay attention, how to raise your … [Read more...]
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
Dog owners know that keeping their canine friends protected from pests such as ticks is very important in preventing serious diseases. While Lyme disease is the most well known, there are other tick-borne diseases owners should watch for. One of the deadliest in the Americas is Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF). This is a bacterial disease spread through the bite of an … [Read more...]
Emergency Preparedness and 4-H Animal Projects
September is National Preparedness Month - a great time to build awareness of the need for emergency planning. New Jersey 4-H now offers a disaster preparedness program for youth, which teaches young people how to plan to shelter in place or evacuate with their families during an emergency. This program is in line with FEMA guidelines for youth emergency preparedness and can … [Read more...]
Can you read your dog’s mind?
Is he asking to play? Or is he scared? How do you know what a dog is trying to say? Dogs tell us how they are feeling through their body language and vocalization. Some cues are easy for us to understand while others can be confusing. Is she barking because she's excited or because she's upset? Is he standing still because he's relaxed or because he's afraid? 4-H dog … [Read more...]
Dog Themed Tourist Destinations
Summer vacation can take us to new places where we can discover towns, cities, and states that we haven't seen before. Summer can also be a perfect time to do some discovering with our favorite four legged friend or to see things that relate to our interest in dogs. Here are some ideas. Planning a trip to New York City? Be sure to check out the American Kennel Club's (AKC) … [Read more...]
Sportsmanship…Always a Priority!
Sportsmanship is defined as “conduct becoming to an individual involving fair and honest competition, courteous relations, and graceful acceptance of results.” Focusing on what you can learn makes you a better competitor and helps you improve your animal projects. Your behavior in the show ring reflects your behavior in life. Sportsmanship is a reflection of your character and … [Read more...]
Webinars as Tools for Animal Science Education
In recent months, the University of Kentucky Department of Animal and Food Sciences has been offering biweekly, 20-minute webinars on very specific topics in animal care and animal science. These livecasts are an effective educational tool because they are interactive. The hosts issue a call for questions at the end of each session and give answers in real time and incorporate … [Read more...]
Dogs in Cars: What do the laws say?
Part of the fun in having a dog is being able to go places together. Most dogs love any excuse for a car ride, even if it is just down the street to the local shops. In their mind, it's an adventure with their best friend (you!). But, what happens when your destination does not allow dogs? How many of us have left Fido in the car for just a quick minute? It's a common … [Read more...]
A Nose for Scent Work
Scent work: What is it? And who can participate? Answer: Anyone can participate with their dog! The American Kennel Club introduced this new canine sport in 2017 based on the job working detection dogs do to locate and communicate the location of the 'hide' back to their handler without disturbing the environment. This is a game dogs love to play as they are born with … [Read more...]
With an Animal Science Degree, You Don’t HAVE to be a Vet
If you know you want to spend your life working with animals and are focused on studying Animal Science after high school, it is also important to know that veterinary school is only one of several career options after college. When applying to schools, be sure that the Animal Science program you attend will see you graduate with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree. This is … [Read more...]