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Friday, August 26, 2016

The Purpose of the Wrinkles on a Bloodhound

The Purpose of the Wrinkles on a Bloodhound


pictured my bloodhound Wrinkledpups Daisy Mayham (RIP) copyright Amber Higgins


Many people are amazed to see a bloodhound's wrinkled skin in person. This breed of dog is definitely a conversation starter while on a walk with its human companions as every bloodhound or wrinkled dog owner knows-everyone who sees your hound and doesn't know will ask, " Is that a bloodhound?" and "Look at all those wrinkles !" 

Did you know there is actually a purpose behind all that loose skin on these dogs? Let's explore why bloodhounds have really loose flexible skin, loads of wrinkles and long long ears, especially as pups.

Mother nature and intentional breeding methods have created dogs in every size and style of coat imaginable. Especially with the popularity of designer dogs or the mixing of purebred dogs. The bloodhound is one of the oldest breeds of purebred dogs bred exclusively to find people not hunt animals. The loose skin and long ears are on these dogs are for a reason and do serve a purpose which helps this breed excel in its work and be a specialists in what they do. 

This dog breed is Not named a Bloodhound because the dogs track blood trails. They smell much more than only blood !


No, the dogs are named bloodhound because the blood lines were recorded and kept by monks for hundreds of years-so the dogs were first known as "blooded-hounds". They are the first recorded pedigreed dog breed thanks to the monks! Look up the Chien de Saint-Hubert and St Hubert hound for more about the history of this wrinkly pup.

The loose skin and wrinkles falling all over the pups face sometimes is not fun for the dog. Imagine looking down a flight of steps and as you bend your head down, all your hair falls in your face, covering your eyes! This happens with loose dog skin too!

Many bloodhounds are very reserved, wary and can appear shy to people who don't know them. The dogs are known to be reactive sometimes, meaning they may react in strange surroundings by bolting away from what has suddenly drawn its attention. 

The dogs will often spook at loud noises and flashes of objects or movement. Not all Bloodhounds do this but many do and it's actually nothing to do with being shy or scared it’s more about not being able to see when the skin is slipping around on the head, also the dog is being smart and savvy trying to get away from what they cannot see.  

I learned this first hand from Incredible Sue, who would not let anybody touch her unless she had found them in work or lived with them and I for at least six months. She would follow and find anybody and proved to be incredible in many ways.

"Rea Valley's Incredible Sue" My first Bloodhound 1996-2006
Born in Indiana, raised and worked in Arkansas, retired in Oregon

Bloodhounds will look afraid to us when most of them are not, the dogs are only getting the bearings on their surroundings and using their senses to figure out what the noise was or flash of movement was from under a ton of wrinkles and loose skin that gets in the way.

Good trailing Bloodhounds can be very wary and shy of new things because they are always ready to work a scent so they pay attention to nothing but the nose.

When the bloodhound nose is down the eyes are covered by wrinkles and folds of skin that capture and trap scent around the dog's face and nose as the dog moves. The long ears have a purpose to flap side to side as the dog is moving, fanning the air up from the ground into the wrinkled face.

The Bloodhound's amazing scenting abilities rely on the nose and not eyesight so having wrinkles fall over their eyes is natural for them but this does lead to a sometimes clumsy dog and puppies who will accidentally walk into a wall. Going up and down steps can be troublesome for young dogs when the skin on their forehead fall over the face and eyes get covered as they look down steps and from high places.

Read more about How a dog uses its nose >>>>click here to go to the page 

Go to Family Disaster Dogs to learn how any dog can rescue owners and family

Get my Bloodhound books 



 Wrinkledpups Daisy Mayham
2001-2013

Sambo 1999



Monday, August 15, 2016

Prepare-Snake Free Camp or House

Proven Snake Prevention

by Amber Higgins 

If your situation is snake free....(mine is these days) check out the updates located at the bottom of this post...workshops coming and other good news !

Summer time evacuation and bug-out locations, dog training and camping outdoors could put your family in danger of running into a snake or waking up in the morning to a snake in the tent. 

I used this remedy while living off-the-grid in the Ozark mountains where poisonous snakes are very common. I've had rattlesnakes in kitchen walls, dog kennels, the house ceiling and outhouse plus we had copperheads crawling across the living room floor towards my child ! 

Keep in mind, the ingredients can be harmful to humans, pets and other animals. 

I found that my livestock,dogs and chickens never noticed or were inclined to eat this remedy at all but to be on the safe side use common sense when applying this remedy outdoors and place it hidden or out of sight where snakes like to lurk and sleep but others living beings can't reach it. 

Good spots are under the building and decks, behind the firewood stack, outside of and out of reach around fences and livestock pens, most of all around or in the outhouse hole ! The children knew to leave this remedy alone or we would have snakes.

If I did not do this simple trick each spring we had snakes everywhere ! It worked every time.


Rattlesnakes often run in pairs



One of the most frightening things can be finding a snake in the bug-out camp, home or yard.

Snakes are Dangerous if surprised !!

This simple snake remedy can help to make your home or camp and yard safe and free from snakes.

Depending on how large of home and yard you have...

Buy enough boxes of Old Fashion Moth Balls ( not cedar scented) to surround the area and an extra box or two for snake hiding places.



How to use the Snake Remedy.

Buy Old Fashion Moth Balls.

Do Not get the Cedar scented ones.

Using a handful of Moth Balls toss them so they fall about 6 inches to a foot apart.. this takes a little practice.

Walk and toss them as an invisible fence around your yard and living area.

Toss extra Moth Balls under the house and buildings, behind and into firewood piles

Under equipment that is outdoors and in your area.

Around old cars or other hiding places on your property.

Any place you can think of where there may be a snake, toss a few moth balls.

Don't forget to put moth balls out before you do the yard work in the spring.

Wash your hands when finished.

The Moth Balls last for months depending on how much rain the area gets.

If you find a snake or it rains for many days then its a good idea to replace them.

You can also place the moth balls in cans,bottles or bags and set the container around your camp or bug-out shelter.

The odor and fumes close to the moth balls deters the snakes and other animals too so it does not kill them but because the snake uses its tongue to collect scent and navigate along the ground where the fumes are, the snake senses the moth balls long before it is close enough to be harmed. They turn and go another way which is what we want them to do, go elsewhere. This is why I always throw the moth balls all around the perimeter of  the area to make an invisible fence which keeps the whole area safe.

This has worked for rattlesnakes, copperheads and black snakes. 

Be Safe !

Amber

Coming Soon "My Puppy Can Find Me " children's picture book ! 

My soon to be released book teaches your children and your dogs how to work with you so nobody is ever separated, lost or missing plus what to do if the child is lost. 



Get the Family Disaster Dog Book or Ebook by clicking here --only $8.99 or $9.99 

The book fits perfect in a Bug-out bag and in the Family Disaster Dog Saddlebags so you can read it or use it when you need it the most ! 

That cute little guy is named Dumpster, he came with his owner John to the Family Disaster Dog book signing at the library. He enjoyed trying on and showing off his new bug-out bag ! we still had adjusting to do when this pic was taken.

I was thinking of offering The Family Disaster Dog Go-Bags here on the site and hand packing them with you,your dog and your families survival needs but I think it would be easier for both of us if I give you the opportunity to shop for yourself and choose what you will need in your area or situation along with the items recommended in a  my Bug-Out Bag or 72 Hour Survival Kit list for you and your dog.

Shop for your preparedness needs at the new Family Disaster Dogs home site and amazon store by clicking here   

Thank You for supporting and sharing these sites for me so I can continue to provide search and rescue knowledge and lessons to help you keep yourself and family safe  !

A Family Disaster Dog Bug-Out Bag
Last but not least...

Join me to talk dogs at Lovejoys Teahouse in Florence Oregon on August 27th 2016 for a book signing, meet and greet cup of tea ! Hope to see you there between 1 pm and 3 pm.

Coming Soon... Family Disaster Dog Workshops..sign up for the newsletter at familydisasterdogs.net

Thursday, August 4, 2016

Your Invited -Let's talk dogs !



Tate Publishing and Enterprises
The Lord gave the Word; great was the company of those that published it.”
-Psalm 68:11

Family Disaster Dogs Book Signing Event


You are invited to attend a book signing for author
 Amber Higgins:
click here to read books





August 27 2016 at 1pm-3pm
Lovejoy's Tea Room 
195 Nopal St, Florence, OR 97439

Please join Amber Higgins for this special event.
Be sure to invite a friend! 
Family Disaster Dogs makes a great gift!

We hope to see you there!


Copies available in Florence at Lovejoys Tea Room, Reining Cats & Dogs, Twin Lakes Store. 



Coming Soon "My Puppy Can Find Me " children's picture book ! 

Amber Higgins soon to be released book teaches your children and your dogs how to work with you so nobody is ever separated, lost or missing plus what to do if the child is lost. 

The book fits perfect in a Bug-out bag and in the Family Disaster Dog Bug-Out Bag so you can read it or use it when you need it the most ! 

I was thinking of offering The Family Disaster Dog Go-Bags here on the site and hand packing them with you,your dog and your families survival needs but I think it would be easier for both of us if I give you the opportunity to shop for yourself and choose what you will need in your area or situation along with the items recommended in a  my Bug-Out Bag or 72 Hour Survival Kit list for you and your dog.


Thank You for supporting and sharing these sites so I can continue to provide search and rescue knowledge and lessons to help you keep yourself and family safe  !  

Amber

Family Disaster Dog Bug-Out Bag

Saturday, March 5, 2016

What is Family Disaster Dogs?

Welcome



The Family Disaster Dog book shows you how to train your family dog to rescue you in disasters and emergencies; like floods,earthquakes and tornadoes; how to find a lost family member or friend with your dog and many other skills, along with how to Shelter-in-Place, pack a bug out bag and evacuate.

This is where you will find  

Free Dog Training Lessons Based on

The Family Disaster Dog Book by Amber Higgins
(This book was first published under Tate Publishing 2015-2016 who went out of business and left us all hanging. The book was published again summer 2017 on Amazon from the author ) as a ebook.
Email the author for a signed original hard copy


2018 the children book 
(2021 update no longer available from Waldorf Publishing)
"My Puppy Can Save Me"
with UK cartoonist  "Scotty"  illustrations !

Ask me for a copy!

In the UK and other countries look on Amazon for
 "Family Disaster Dogs" by Amber Higgins
to get your preview and copies! 

Check out the many articles at the links of this page menu and links on the right side of web page.

Note:
Phone users who are viewing this site from a phone may not be able to see the side bar and other parts of this page, due to formatting on phones.

So...This page is best viewed in a web view format which is at the bottom of the page on phones and all devices. You have to Click the web view button on your phone for more articles and lessons. 


Keep Scrolling for more
Wrinkledpups Daisy Mayham

Check out the many pages above in the menu to learn more

Feel free to email me a comment or ask a dog question

and share these sites so others may learn ! 


 


  Based on 40 years of Professional Dog experience 

All Areas of the Pet Industry Consulting
 All Breeds Show & Pet Grooming, Training, Boarding
Pet Salon Business Owner (retired)
Wrinkledpups Bloodhound kennel and Redi K9Services
Breeder (retired)
1997-2006 German Shepherd Tracking Dogs, SAR K9
and AKC Mantrailing Bloodhounds
1980-90's weight pulling and show T.A's APBT 

Why should we prepare for Emergencies and Disasters ?



By preparing for the worst
You learn what to do 

With practice your actions become habits
And turn the worst into steps you walk to survive

Fear is replaced with the knowledge of knowing what to do
Confidence is restored

Especially when you have a partner, you can count on…
Like your dog


Read on Amazon worldwide
or get a hard copy via contact page
ask for the The Family Disaster Dog Book
.

The Family Disaster Dog book shows you how to train your family dog to rescue you in disasters and emergencies; like floods, earthquakes and tornadoes; how to find a lost family member or friend with your dog and many other skills, along with how to Shelter-in-Place, pack a bug out bag and evacuate.

Family Disaster Dogs Go-Bags are dog backpacks full of human and pet survival items to bug-out with when emergencies, disasters or evacuation hit home.

Thanks for passing this info on and stay safe everyone!

If you would like a signed copy.. email me

Feel free to ask a dog training question !

Look for these books of mine:

1. Family Disaster Dogs by Amber Higgins
2. How-to Evacuate with Pets-Dog Bug-out Bag by Amber Higgins
3. A Squirrel Planted an Acorn by Amber Higgins
4. Mantrailing Book coming out in 2021


Start at the book below for a free preview and remember to rate or review !


Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Human Scent and Fear from a Dog's Point of View

The Scent of Fear or Panic

Human Scent and Fear from a Dog's Point of View

by Amber Higgins


An excellent working Bloodhound getting credit for his work in Florida, from my Incredible Sue and Homer Bloodlines

Search Dog Handlers have long known that each emotion in a person produces different scents or pheromones (detectable chemical substances) that our dogs are able to detect and follow. Prison Dogs are known to be able to detect a criminal who fears getting caught in a crowd of people who are not afraid and Area Search dogs are able to find lost subjects by smelling panic in the air because a person who is lost soon becomes disorientated, confused and panics, if they are trained for these panic pheromones.

Qualified K9 Trainers can purchase different synthetic scent or pheromones from chemical laboratories that manufacture scents and chemicals for perfume, medical drugs and research companies. Access to these chemicals is not allowed to the public because of the danger of some of the available chemicals.

2011 study published in Science magazine showed that tears act as a chemo signal or a chemical substance detectable by others. Not only did men who sniffed tears (which were brought on by negative emotions) find photographs of women’s faces less attractive, the men also reported that they were less sexually aroused, and the scientific data backed it up.

Not only are dogs able to detect different emotions and scents but also people can unconsciously detect whether someone is stressed or scared by smelling a chemical pheromone released in their sweat, according to researchers who have investigated the underarm secretions of petrified skydivers.

This is very interesting and explains why some dogs react to people who are afraid of them and also helps the dog handler to read the dog better through understanding how emotions affect scent.


Click here to read the article in The Guardian 


Pictured below is Bloodhound Search Dog Lilly and her owner/handler Tammy; about 2002
Lilly came to Family Disaster Dogs author's Arkansas kennel as a older dog
from Pam Andrew's well known Florida SAR BH Kennel, after a few years
Lilly went to live with Tammy so Lilly could teach Tammy mantrailing, our dogs do teach us.
Tammy also took home one of the author's Wrinkledpups Bloodhounds, Burt.
The three of them went on to be very successful team...
The newspaper article above is about how Burt and Lilly were Tammy's first Bloodhounds and on their first search after months of training the dogs trailed a missing elderly couple from a parked car in a wooded area to a vacant cabin in the woods. Nothing or nobody was found until the second try or restart when the dogs worked the trail right back to the cabin and refused to leave the cabin. Lilly laid on the old sofa then on the floor next to it, restless and pawing like to make herself a bed, circling to lay down then Burt would stare at a wall and lay there refusing to leave. Tammy called me for advice and I realized the dogs knew more then the eyes could see and advised her to look under the cabin floor and in the walls for evidence to the whereabouts of the missing couple.

The dogs were right, like they always are. The police upon opening up the floor and walls found the bodies of the couple who had been missing for months. It was an incredible and horrible discovery and closed a very well known case. Thanks to the dogs and Tammy dedication.

Never under estimate a dog's nose, especially a Bloodhound.

Below is great article I thought you might find interesting about a how a dog’s nose should be cared for and why the nose is so effective in tracking down odors.

On the Whole Dog Journal Page, Dr. Randy Kidd, DVM, PhD explains “The dog’s nose may be his most powerful organ and it is certainly one of the most dynamic of all animal systems, with activities that range from basic smell detection, to sensing fear, to memory, to emotions, to mate-and pack-selection, on to a genetic history carried from one generation to the next.

Fortunately, disease does not often way lay its functional capability, and fortunately again, most of the diseases of the nose are easily treated naturally.

You can read more of the article by clicking this Link 

Some of my dogs who are related to those in the pictures above; 3 Pictured below were certified SAR
A few of my Wrinkledpups Dogs from 1997-2013


Rea Valley's Incredible Sue 1996-2007
Foundation Dam of Wrinkledpups
Certified Expert Level Mantrailer
active duty 1998-2005
Wrinkledpups Daisy Mayham 2000-2013
She helped write the book
More reading

Teach your dog to find you in the
Family Disaster Dogs book

Tracking Dog: Theory & Methods K9 Scent Training: A Manual for Training Your Identification, 

Tracking and Detection Dog (K9 Professional Training Series)



Author Amber Higgins

Author Amber Higgins
Click Pic to Visit my author page

Welcome UK and Worldwide Visitors

Welcome UK and worldwide visitors and friends to Family Disaster Dogs online! Although I'm an American author and dog professional the worldwide web has given me the opportunity to connect with some wonderful folks who have contributed pictures for my books. The "Start Mantrailing" book features RRI K9 North Scotland trained Search and Rescue Dog "Amber" on the cover and her teammates training in the book, plus American dogs using my training methods. A portion of sales of the Start Mantrailing book or copies were donated to RRI North Scotland. The children's picture book "My Puppy Can Find Me" has my daughter and bloodhound as illustrations by UK cartoonist Scotty King. You can find the books on Amazon UK or use the contact page to order from me. When you click the links will take you to your own county pages of this site.

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