PAW JOGGERS
Paw News

Wishing you a tail waggin' New Year!

In This Issue:

ˇ         Mashable's Top 10 iPhone Aps For Dog Lovers 

ˇ         Top 10 Smartest Dog Breeds 

ˇ         January Events

ˇ         Paw Wisdom                                                           

Top 10 New Year's Resolutions For Pet Owners

1. Exercise, exercise, exercise!
Resolve to schedule at least 30 minutes of exercise or playtime for your pet every day.  Not only is it good for your pet, but good for you too!  Need help with Fido's fitness? Call Paw Joggers!

2. I will license my dog.
Don't forget to license your dog(s) by January 31st. It's the law! Owners of unlicensed pets are subject to fines and court citations. More importantly a lost or stray pet has a better chance of being returned to it's owner if licensed.

Hamilton County: http://www.hamiltoncountyauditor.org/dogs.asp
Warren County: http://www.co.warren.oh.us/auditor/licensing/dog/index.htm
Butler County: http://www.butlercountyauditor.org/

Clermont County: http://www.clermontauditor.org/DogLicense.aspx

3. I will spay or neuter my pet!

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Top 10 Resolutions by Dogs

10. Owner on floor, dog in bed.

  9. Stop begging and actually get a seat at the dinner table.

  8. Give up the dream of ever catching my tail.

  7. Bark like a big dog but still get cuddled on lap like a little
     dog.

  6. Get back at cat for litter box incident.

  5. Find every bone I ever buried.

  4. No more haircuts! 

  3. Become alpha dog in my house. Well, at least stop letting
      the cat push me around.

  2. Invent goggles that allow me to see the electric fence.

  1. Finally pass that darn AKC Canine Good Citizen test!

     by The American Kennel Club
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Did you have an iPhone or receive one as a gift this year?  Below is a recent article from Mashable on their favorite apps for dog lovers. 

Mashable's Top 10 iPhone Apps For Dog Lovers

Man's best friend is well catered for on the App Store with a pack of aps angled at the dog owner, ranging from functional to fun. But there's such a broad choice you could go barking mad trying to narrow them down. 

That's where we step in with the following ten that are top dog as far as canine-themed apps go.

1. Off Leash

As dog owners will know, the most fun your furry friend can have, aside from sniffing other dog's butts, is to be let off the leash to run riot in a dog park, in which case the former may well happen. In order to help you locate such places - regardless of your zip code - pet food maker Eukanuba's "Off Leash" app locates the five nearest to your location and provides driving directions to get there. Walkies!
Cost: Free

2. Cesar Says

Those that subscribe to Cesar "exercise, discipline, affection" Millan's school of dog training can carry Cesar around in their pocket - and we're not referencing his diminutive stature. The "Cesar Says" Dog Whisperer app offers sound bites from the famous pack leader, while a tap or shake of the phone will generate Millan's trademark "tsst!" warning noise.
Cost: Free

3. Dog Park by Dogster.com

Think Facebook for Fido. This app from the social networking site for dog owners - Dogster - helps users to meet other local dog owners and set up doggie play dates. The app also takes care of the social side between humans with free messaging
and the less useful ability to send "virtual gifts" and such.
Cost: Free

4. Dog First Aid

Should you have a canine crisis, this app will help you with what to do until you can get some proper veterinary help. Offering fast and clear advice for the most common dog emergencies, we hope you never, ever have to use this, but if you do, the $1.99 cost will be more than worth it.
Cost: $1.99

5. PetMinder

Make no bones about it ? managing the needs of a dog requires organization. If you're not naturally gifted with the o-skill, then try PetMinder which schedules reminders for events related to your pet, such as vaccinations, grooming, training sessions, play dates and more, with e-mail reminders available to give you the timely nudge you might need.
Cost: Free

6. Dog-A-Log

If you'd like to know the difference between a bearded and border collie ("collie" comes from the Scottish word for a sheep-herding dog rather than suggesting one particular breed) then this reference app, that draws from Wikipedia info, will offer you just that, right in your hot little paw.
Cost: $0.99

7. Pet Services Finder

Perhaps more of use to those with a first dog, or new to an area, the Pet Services Finder will help you find all things mutt, such as dog walkers, sitters, groomers, vets and even pet-friendly hotels with the ability to search via zip codes and see reviews of the services from other users.
Cost: Free

8. DogiDuty

DogiDuty offers a specially tailored approach sending time-stamped e-mail reports after each walk, or dog sitting session, to let owners know if the little woof did a pee or poo, was fed, and other notes of interest. It looks like it could be an invaluable app for those in the dog-walking/sitting business, and a good aide to busy professional dog owners trying to keep track of Fido's "movements."
Cost: $0.99

9. Dog Tricks--Best of 101 Dog Tricks

Dog training is one of those activities best done little and often, so having an app right on your phone with a dog log of training activity means if you have a spare 10 minutes you can fire it up, see the photo and video walk-throughs and give your pooch the chance to practice, whether it be simple tricks such as sitting, or circus-level dog skills like the hoop jump.
Cost: $2.99

10. Fail Dogs

If you own a dog, chances are you have a sense of humor. We've saved the last slot for the very funny iPhone app from the Fail Dogs blog, promising chortles galore as you browse the galleries of dogs that fail so very badly at being just that. Whether you're looking for spaniels getting pawed by cats, or Frisbees getting the better of fox terriers, this app has it all ? and more. Enjoy!
Cost: $0.99

by Amy-Mae Elliott 
http://mashable.com/2009/12/27/10-iphone-apps-dog-lovers/

In addition to Mashable's picks, Paw Joggers recommends the following apps to our pet lovers!

1. Kibble Katch

Sponsored by Halo Pets, it's a game app that helps feed hungry dogs every time you play!  This is one game you won't have to label "time-waster"! 
Cost: $2.99

Don't want the app?  You can go directly to the website and play Bow Wow trivia and help provide food for hungry dogs at animal shelters.  http://www.freekibble.com/

Cats too! http://www.freekibblekat.com/

2. iDoggy

Similar to Mashable's pick, "Dog-A-Log", iDoggy is a dog encyclopedia with over 150 breeds. The information for each breed is categorized by temperament, history, health and appearance.  There is also a feature that allows you to filter all breeds by size, energy levels and shedding.

Con: it is missing a few common breeds such as Chihuahua and Dalmatian that we hope their support team will soon update.
Cost: $0.99

3. Pet First Aid

Hands down, the best pet first aid app available! 24/7 first aid care with detailed, step-by-step instructions and video! You can also record each pet's information including: breed, gender, weight, vaccinations, medications, conditions, identification, even a photo. Recent updates to this app now allow you to enter medication start and end dates, journal entries and weight tracking and graphing.

This is Paw Joggers' pick over Mashable's "Dog First Aid" and yes, we use it to record our furry client's information! For $2.00 more, it is well worth it. 
Cost: $3.99

4. RunKeeper

Paw Joggers must give praise to our most used and most loved app! For our customers that receive their pet's running and walking activity reports, you know what we mean. Although, this is a "human" fitness app, we have chosen to use it as both human and canine!

This app will track activities from running to mountain biking to downhill skiing.  It has a "other" category for activities not listed--like dog running/walking. It will track time, distance, pace, calories burned and has a GPS locator for tracking your route. All this is linked to the RunKeeper web site which stores all of your activities. If you choose to, you can auto share with your friends on Facebook, Twitter or email.

There are two RunKeeper apps available, free and pro. The pro is definitely worth the $9.99 cost as it has additional features such as audible cues which is a great fitness motivator! The Pro is much less expensive than Nike+, Garmin or Polar gadgets and certainly gives them a run for their money (no pun)! 
Cost: Free or $9.99 for the Pro version

5. Just Light Flashlight

This app is and does exactly as titled--just light! Ok, maybe not "pet related", but it sure comes in handy when fumbling with keys or picking up poo in the dark!
Cost: Free

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Top 10 Smartest Dog Breeds

These Dogs are Super Smart and Super Intelligent

Dogs are known as man's best friend. However, man's best friend isn't always the brightest one in the bunch. Just like people, some dogs are more intelligent than others despite the amount of formal training they receive. But who are the brightest dogs in the bunch? Find out below with the list of top 10 smartest dog breeds and see if your dog makes the cut!

#10: Australian Cattle Dog

Australian Cattle dogs are known for their intelligence when it comes to herding cattle. They have to be smart to be trained to do work around the farm. They are often trained to bite the cattle (gently of course) to get them moving and keep them moving in a certain direction. They love to work hard and feel useful as they have been used as cattle herders since the 19th century.

#9: Rottweiler

Rottweilers have often received a bad reputation for being vicious dogs but that's only if the owners train them to behave so. But the fact is they can be loving, caring pets when trained appropriately.

On the other hand, because of their large size and intelligence they are trained as police dogs and can take people down with their strong jaws. They can definitely be trained to protect a family as well. In the past they've been used to carry wood and other heavy items to the marketplace.

#8: Papillon

The Papillon is not just an adorably cute dog. It's also extremely intelligent as well. Beauty and brains! In the past the Papillon has been referred to as a symbol of elegance. During the Renaissance they were one of the favorite breeds of the royal courts. Growing to just over 11 pounds the Papillon is a great house dog. Smart, easy to train and with exceptional hearing these little dogs make great guard dogs.

#7: Labrador Retriever

The Labrador Retriever is not only one of the smartest dog breeds, but it is also one of the most popular dog breeds. The breed comes from Newfoundland and they were trained to hunt waterfowl. Since then Labrador Retrievers have been trained for many jobs because of their intelligence and kind nature. As police dogs they work as bomb sniffers or drug sniffers. They have been trained as rescue dogs as well as guide dogs for the disabled and blind. Labrador Retrievers are loving, hard-working dogs that can be trained to do almost any job.

#6: Shetland Sheepdog

The Shetland Sheepdog, also known as Shelties, may not be the most popular breed of dogs but there is no doubting it's intelligence. Some Shetland Sheepdog owners claim that they are too smart for their own good. Shelties originated in Scotland as sheep herders. They can also be used to keep animals out of the yard and garden. Shelties are very energetic dogs meaning they need a lot of exercise. With a stellar sense of hearing they also make good guard dogs and will let the owner know when anyone approaches. With their two-layered, multicolored coat they are also very beautiful dogs.

#5: Doberman Pinscher

Doberman Pinschers have also gotten a bad reputation for being very scary, mean dogs. In reality these dogs are loving and very loyal, but can be tough when they need to be. They've been trained as guard dogs, police dogs and the like. Since they can be gentle as well, they have been used to visit sick patients in hospitals. Because they do have the ability to be ferocious dogs bet that they will protect the family if needed.

#4: Golden Retriever

Perfect family dogs, Golden Retrievers are very popular pets. They are man's best friend and man's best companion especially when it comes to hunting. They love to retrieve game and waterfowl. They also make exceptional police dogs, rescue dogs and guide dogs. Golden Retrievers are very patient animals making them easy to train and great with children.

#3: German Shepherd

Don't let his looks be deceiving as the German Shepherd can be one of the most loving and loyal dogs around. And because of their extreme intelligence and strength they are being trained as police dogs, rescue dogs and even military dogs. German Shepherds are very obedient and loyal which means they train well and are very protective animals.

#2: Poodle

Don't let the poofy white coat be misleading. The Poodle is an extremely intelligent animal. Usually seen as show dogs, Poodles are bred as hunting dogs, guard dogs and rescue dogs. They are very loving, loyal dogs with big hears under all that curly hair. It doesn't matter whether it's a large poodle or a toy poodle, they are equally smart and equally caring.

#1: Border Collie

The Border Collie is definitely the smartest of the bunch. This dog loves to work. With such high energy, the Border Collie likes to stay busy at all times which make them perfect for doing jobs around the yard! They have been bred as herding dogs and sporting dogs due to their extreme intelligence and athletic capabilities. They are very obedient and can pick up tasks and tricks quickly and easily. Their favorite sporting events include disc games and fly ball. Border Collies make great pets so long as they are kept active.

That wraps up the top 10 smartest dog breeds. Some of the breeds on the list may have been more surprising than others. But no matter the intelligence, dogs are happy-go-lucky animals that make great additions to any loving family.

by Ame Cunningham, contributing writer for Suite101.com

Paw Joggers knows ALL dogs are smart! __________________________________________________

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