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...]
Ask The Expert – Joanne Powell (part 2)
(Editor’s note: This is part two of a two-part series) Every day is a new adventure for Joanne Powell. As the Research Farm Supervisor for the large animal unit at Rutgers University, Joanne gets to do the things she loves, including being outside with animals! In addition to that, Joanne is a 4-H leader in Somerset County, a role she has had for nearly 30 years. In … [Read more...]
Ask The Expert – Joanne Powell, Research Farm Supervisor (part 1)
(Editor’s note: This is part one of a two-part series) For Joanne Powell, no two days are the same. Joanne is the Research Farm Supervisor for the large animal unit at Rutgers University. Having grown up on a farm herself, she appreciates not only the rewards of a hard day’s work, but also being able to spend time outdoors with animals. We recently reached out to … [Read more...]
Opportunities for Urban and Suburban Livestock Experiences
Many of our urban and suburban youth have limited interaction with livestock. 4-H livestock projects, although not typical to urban or suburban areas, are possible and are becoming quite popular. In addition to learning about animal science, there is a great opportunity to teach young people about entrepreneurship. Does this mean 4-Hers bring cows to the into city? … [Read more...]
Poisonous vs. Venomous – What’s the difference?
One of the most common questions asked to herp aficionados is, “Is that snake poisonous?” This is also one of the more frustrating questions, and the terminology “poisonous snake” is used all the time. With a few exceptions, the answer is emphatically NO. BUT – there are a number of venomous snakes! So, what’s the difference? VENOMOUS: It injects toxins … [Read more...]
Llama and Alpaca Care – Soup to Nuts
Llama and Alpaca Care – Soup to Nuts Are you looking for a soup to nuts llama and alpaca care book? Well look no further! The recent book, Llama and Alpaca Care, 1st Edition, by Dr.’s Chris Cebra, David Anderson, Amed Tibary, Robert Van Saun, and LaRue Johnson might be the right resource for you. This 808 page book is designed for camelid caretakers, veterinary students … [Read more...]
Does Your Training Technique Match Your Dog’s Learning Style?
Consider this situation: It's your first training session at your 4-H dog club meeting and you are excited to start teaching your dog basic obedience like "sit". Your club leader demonstrates how to place your dog into the "sit" position. Everyone else easily puts their dog into a "sit" by replicating your leader's instructions. You, on the other hand, have ended up in a … [Read more...]