 The magazine of the Melbourne PC User Group Dog-related Information On the Internet Monika Merkes monika@melbpc.org.au |
|
Australians own 3.9 million dogs, 2.7 million cats, 7.7 million birds and 11.9 million fish. We have the highest level of pet ownership in the world with nearly 42% of households having a dog (RSPCA Newsletter Summer 2000). Accordingly, over 4,500 members of Melbourne PC User Group can be assumed to live in a household with a dog. A vast range of dog related information is available on the Internet: information on obedience training, veterinary advice, dog food and other products for dogs, different breeds and dog clubs, websites displaying photos of people's canine friends, and many other entertaining and quirky sites. There are e-zines such as Canine Times with dog news about health, obedience, humour, and pet products http://www.cfnaonline.com/caninetimes/ . |
|
Newsgroups and email lists connect people with a shared dog-related interest (a list of dog-related email lists is available at http://www.k9web.com/dog-faqs/lists/email-list.html#hol ). Portals such as http://dogs.searchwho.com/ , http://www.dogs.about.com/pets/dogs/mbody.htm or http://www.i-love-dogs.com/ are a good way to start your search. For information on specific dog-related topics try one of the URLs listed below.
The Internet can provide useful information on many aspects of dog ownership. For some dog owners, online information and dog-related newsgroups have replaced veterinary advice. While I don't recommend this, it must be acknowledged that a visit to the vet is often barely affordable for people on low incomes.
How reliable and accurate is veterinary advice on the Internet? To assess the information, the same criteria apply as for human health information. The following questions may help:
- What is the purpose of this Web site and who is its audience?
- Who has sponsored or paid for this Web site? Do I trust this source?
- Is the author or producer of the information and his/her credentials listed? Can the author/producer be contacted directly?
- Are appropriate references provided?
- How current is the information? (see also the article on Health Information on the Internet, PC Update October 2000).
The products on offer for dogs and their owners range from the useful to the
ridiculous: dog sportswear ("Ruff Wear for dogs on the go"
http://ruffwear.com/ ), "decadent dog apparel and accessories for the dog with impeccable taste and busy
social calendar"
http://www.luckydogco.com/site/catalog/catalog.htm , dog diapers http://www.dog-diaper.com/intro.htm , and videos with instructions
on how to dance with dogs http://www.caninefreestyle.com/
are just a few examples.
While I found many useful and entertaining websites, I am still looking for competent advice on how to reduce
territorial barking. No real-life dog obedience instructor or online advice has so far been able to suggest a
humane solution for this irritating behaviour of my two canine friends. I object to de-barking and electronic
collars. While doing the research for this article, I have discovered "Doggy Do Right" http://www.doggydoright.com, an anxiety and barking behaviour control
device that promises a "high frequency sound program, that allows dogs and cats, bunnies and birdies, to
learn how to cope with anxiety producing stimuli". It sounds too good to be true.
| Dog-related URLs: Dog Obedience Dr P's Dog Training http://www.uwsp.edu/psych/dog/dog.htm Dog Obedience of Australia Webring http://www.fan.net.au/~nparker/clubring.htm Sample chapters from Andrew D. Luper's training manual "Never never hit your dog" http://www.cyberdog.com/sample.htm Articles on dog obedience by Suzanne Clothier http://www.flyingdogpress.com/articles.html Veterinary Advice American Veterinary Medical Association http://www.avma.org/ Alt Vet Med. Complementary and Alternative Veterinary Medicine http://www.altvetmed.com/ Selecting A Dog Getting a dog http://www.petnet.com.au/selectapet/dogselectapet.html Dogs Downunder (information on different dog breeds, dingos, dog shows, includes a discussion group) http://www.coyotecom.com/dogcamp.html Dog-Play (things to do with your dog) http://www.dog-play.com/ Assistance With Dogs Guide Dog Association http://www.guidedogs.asn.au/index.asp Australian Support Dogs http://www.asdog.org.au/assistance_dogs.htm Canine Companions for Independence (for people with developmental or physical disabilities to enhance their independence or quality of life) http://www.caninecompanions.org/our_services.html Bereavement Bereavement http://www.microserve.net/~dave/bereave.html Pet Loss Page (includes links to pet sympathy cards) http://www.lightning-strike.com/ Dog Clothing and Other Products Je T'Aime Originals (dog clothing) http://www.pageweb.com/jetaime7/ Wraprascal - Warm stylish clothing for dogs http://www.wraprascal.com/ Debby's Dog Coat Collection http://www.debbys.com.au/ Jet Set Pets (pet neckwear) http://hometown.aol.com/jetsetpets/index.html Haute Dog (dog sweaters) http://www.hautedog.com/index.htm Doggybaskets (an online store based in NSW) http://www.doggybaskets.com/index.html The Barkin' Bakery (dog pastries) http://www.thebarkinbakery.com/ Australian Web Sites RSPCA Victoria http://www.ezycolour.com.au/RSPCA/VIC/welcome.html Lost Dogs Home (includes National Pet Register where you can register your pet online) http://www.lostdogs.org.au/ Dogs Downunder (information on different dog breeds, dingos, dog shows, includes a discussion group) http://www.wwwins.net.au/dog/downunder.html Australian Dogs Page (breeds, dog shows, dog clubs etc.) http://www.pcug.org.au/~sbaker/dogs.htm Australian Dog Ring (120+ general websites and pages related to dogs in Australia and elsewhere) http://nav.webring.yahoo.com/hub?ring=aussiedog&list Other War dogs. "America's forgotten heroes" http://www.war-dogs.com/ "Do You Look Like Your Dog" Competition http://www.doyoulooklikeyourdog.com/dog_info.html The Dog Genome Project http://mendel.berkeley.edu/dog.html Shadow, the robot dog http://www.mgae.com/products/meandmyshadow.asp Inspector Rex (information about the popular TV series, including many photos) http://www.purmerend.org/commissarisrex/ |
Reprinted from the March 2001 issue of PC Update, the magazine of Melbourne PC User Group, Australia
