Archive for the ‘Dogs’ Category

Here in Georgia, it gets way too hot to take our dogs on long walks for exercise, or even to throw the ball outside for more than a few minutes. We have a shih tzu, Gizmo, and dogs with short snouts over-heat even more easily than dogs with longer snouts. We are extra careful to avoid heatstroke in our pups, and in the pups that we pet sit. I’ve listed a  few fun activities to get your dog’s blood moving that you can do in the comfort of the air conditioning below.

Here are a few fun things to try with your dogs when the weather prevents you from taking your fur kids to the park or out for a walk:

• Laser Pointer- some dogs chase it, some don’t. A lot of cats do, too! Make sure you don’t put it near your pet’s eyes.
• Obedience Training-it can be fun! Make sure you use positive reinforcement, like Victoria Stilwell and Patricia McConnell. Only train in intervals of 15 minutes or less a few times per day, or it will stop being fun.
• Fetch- down a long hallway
• Hide And Seek- One person holds the dog, another person (treats in hand) runs and hides and calls the dog. When the dog finds you, reward them with a treat!
• Hide your pet’s favorite toy or treat and guide them to help them find them, but don’t give it away! It’s good exercise, both physically and mentally for your dog!
• Toys that dispense treats are a good mental exercise for your dog
• Rope Toys- for a good old fashioned game of Tug-O-War (not recommended for aggressive dogs)
• Got a basement? How about some soccer or fetch down there?
• For good time killers, try Nylabones or Kongs

Just remember to keep it light, fun and positive!

The great pleasure of a dog is that you may make a fool of yourself with him and not only will he not scold you, but he will make a fool of himself too.  ~Samuel Butler, Notebooks, 1912

I found this list and think it will be very useful for people who have just adopted a new puppy. The only thing that I see that I would change would be the Mealtime section. It says to feed your new puppy whatever they were eating at the breeder’s. If you adopt your puppy or find a stray, obviously you’ll need to pick out a good food. I suggest a raw diet or a grain free, high grade dog food.

If you have anything to add, please do! You can add whatever you want to the Comments section.

The Essential Puppy Supplies List
By Caroline Coile |

Half the fun of getting a new puppy is going on a “puppy welcome wagon” shopping spree. So get out the checkbook, and check out our checklist!

Bedtime:

- Crate: Choose between wire, which fold flat and have better ventilation; plastic, which are cozy and are approved for airline shipping; and cloth, which are lightweight but can be shredded by dogs that want to get out.
- Bed: It doesn’t have to be fancy, just soft.

Mealtime:

- Food: Start with what they’re eating at the breeder’s. You can gradually switch them later.
- Bowls: Stainless bowls are best because they are easy to clean and durable.

House time:

- Baby gates: Baby gates allow your dog more freedom while still blocking off restricted areas.
- Exercise pen: An exercise pen (X-pen) is a 4-foot by 4-foot pen that you can set up as an optional indoor playpen. You can also take the X-pen on trips so you have a portable yard.
- Anti-chew spray: These sprays taste so bitter most puppies won’t chew anything they’re on.
- Cleaning supplies: For rug accidents, use an enzymatic carpet cleaner, which destroys the odor causing molecules.
- Potty Training pads: Scented pads that entice a puppy to urinate on them rather than your rug. Optional.
- Indoor potty system: An option for apartment dogs.

Yard time:

- Fence: The fence should keep your dog in and other dogs out.
- Kennel: A covered kennel run is another option, but only if it’s next to the house and has shelter from the elements.
- Pooper scooper: Two-part scoops are easier to use than hinged versions. Scoops with a rake on one side are better for grass, and the flat-edge pusher varieties are better for cement surfaces.

Walk time:

- Collar: For now, get a nylon buckle collar with room for adjustment. The collar should be loose enough for you to get a couple of fingers between it and your puppy’s neck, but not so loose that it could slide off his head when walking on leash. Don’t leave any collar on a puppy unattended because pups have a talent for getting their lower jaw stuck in it.
- Leash: Start with a sturdy lightweight leash, four to six feet long, of leather or nylon — never chain links!
- Retractable leash: Only for use away from roads, other people and dogs.
- Harness: If your puppy has a habit to slipping out of a collar, consider a harness as an option.
- Poop bags: Cheap sandwich bags or stylish doggy poop disposal bags both work.
- Identification: Get both tags and a microchip.
- Coat or Sweater: Little puppies don’t have much fur or fat, and may need some extra warmth in cold weather. Optional.

Grooming time:

- Brush: A soft-bristle brush is ideal for getting your puppy used to grooming.
- Rinseless Shampoo: A quick fix for dirty puppies! Optional.
- Toothbrush: For now, you just need a soft baby toothbrush and some doggy toothpaste.
- Toenail clippers: The guillotine and scissors-type cutters are equally good.

Fun time:

- Plush toys: Soft-mouthed puppies love soft fuzzy toys. Make sure no parts can come off, and that your puppy can’t gut it and swallow any noisemakers or bean stuffing.
- Throw toys: Balls and other toys, such as tug toys, that encourage playing with people are especially good for social development.
- Interactive toys: Toys that challenge your puppy to dislodge food treats can occupy them while you’re away.

Love time:

- You: A person who will stop what they’re doing and pay attention to the new puppy!

When you feel lousy, puppy therapy is indicated. -Sara Paretsky

I was “Stumbling” the other day and came across this really cool fact sheet about dogs on Random History. I found a lot of these to be familiar and others not so much. I hope you enjoy them!

99 Fun Facts about Dogs

All dogs can be traced back 40 million years ago to a weasel-like animal called the Miacis which dwelled in trees and dens. The Miacis later evolved into the Tomarctus, a direct forbearer of the genus Canis, which includes the wolf and jackal as well as the dog.g Ancient Egyptians revered their dogs. When a pet dog would die, the owners shaved off their eyebrows, smeared mud in their hair, and mourned aloud for days.b Small quantities of grapes and raisins can cause renal failure in dogs. Chocolate, macadamia nuts, cooked onions, or anything with caffeine can also be harmful.c Apple and pear seeds contain arsenic, which may be deadly to dogs.c Rock star Ozzy Osborne saved his wife Sharon’s Pomeranian from a coyote by tackling and wresting the coyote until it released the dog.d Dogs have sweat glands in between their paws.e In 2003, Dr. Roger Mugford invented the “wagometer” a device that claims to interpret a dog’s exact mood by measuring the wag of its tail.d Dogs have three eyelids. The third lid, called a nictitating membrane or “haw,” keeps the eye lubricated and protected.i A dog’s shoulder blades are unattached to the rest of the skeleton to allow greater flexibility for running.e Puppies are sometimes rejected by their mother if they are born by cesarean and cleaned up before being given back to her.c The phrase “raining cats and dogs” originated in seventeenth-century England. During heavy rainstorms, many homeless animals would drown and float down the streets, giving the appearance that it had actually rained cats and dogs.d During the Middle Ages, Great Danes and Mastiffs were sometimes suited with armor and spiked collars to enter a battle or to defend supply caravans.h Pekingese and Japanese Chins were so important in the ancient Far East that they had their own servants and were carried around trade routes as gifts for kings and emperors. Pekingese were even worshipped in the temples of China for centuries.b The shape of a dog’s face suggests how long it will live. Dogs with sharp, pointed faces that look more like wolves typically live longer. Dogs with very flat faces, such as bulldogs, often have shorter lives.d After the fall of Rome, human survival often became more important than breeding and training dogs. Legends of werewolves emerged during this time as abandoned dogs traveling in packs commonly roamed streets and terrified villagers.d During the Middle Ages, mixed breeds of peasants’ dogs were required to wear blocks around their necks to keep them from breeding with noble hunting dogs. Purebred dogs were very expensive and hunting became the province of the rich.d The most dogs ever owned by one person were 5,000 Mastiffs owned by Kubla Khan.d The American Kennel Club, the most influential dog club in the United States, was founded in 1884.e The most popular male dog names are Max and Jake. The most popular female dog names are Maggie and Molly.d Scholars have argued over the metaphysical interpretation of Dorothy’s pooch, Toto, in the Wizard of Oz. One theory postulates that Toto represents Anubis, the dog-headed Egyptian god of death, because Toto consistently keeps Dorothy from safely returning home.d Weird dog laws include allowing police offers in Palding, Ohio, to bite a dog to quiet it. In Ventura County, California, cats and dogs are not allowed to have sex without a permit.d The first dog chapel was established in 2001. It was built in St. Johnsbury, Vermont, by Stephan Huneck, a children’s book author whose five dogs helped him recuperate from a serious illness.c Those born under the sign of the dog in Chinese astrology are considered to be loyal and discreet, though slightly temperamental.h In Iran, it is against the law to own a dog as a pet. However, if an owner can prove the dog is a guard or hunting dog, this restriction doesn’t apply. Muslim reticence concerning dogs is perhaps due to the fact that rabies has always been endemic in the Middle East.d The Mayans and Aztecs symbolized every tenth day with the dog, and those born under this sign were believed to have outstanding leadership skills.d The ancient Mbaya Indians of the Gran Chaco in South America believed that humans originally lived underground until dogs dug them up.b Plato once said that “a dog has the soul of a philosopher.”d French poodles did not originate in France but in Germany (“poodle” comes from the German pudel or pudelhund, meaning “splashing dog”). Some scholars speculate the poodle’s puffs of hair evolved when hunters shaved the poodle for more efficient swimming, while leaving the pom-poms around the major joints to keep them warm.b The name of the dog on the Cracker Jacks box is Bingo. The Taco Bell Chihuahua is a rescued dog named Gidget.d The first dogs were self-domesticated wolves which, at least 12,000 years ago, became attracted to the first sites of permanent human habitation.f Dachshunds were bred to fight badgers in their dens.d Laiki, a Russian stray, was the first living mammal to orbit the Earth, in the Soviet Sputnik spacecraft in 1957. Though she died in space, her daughter Pushnika had four puppies with President John F. Kennedy’s terrier, Charlie.d Dalmatians are completely white at birth.d The term “dog days of summer” was coined by the ancient Greeks and Romans to describe the hottest days of summer that coincided with the rising of the Dog Star, Sirius.b Alexander the Great is said to have founded and named a city Peritas, in memory of his dog.b In ancient Greece, kennels of dogs were kept at the sanctuary of Asclepius at Epidaurus. Dogs were frequently sacrificed there because they were plentiful, inexpensive, and easy to control. During the July 25 celebration of the kunophontis (“the massacre of dogs”) dog sacrifices were performed to appease the ancestors of Apollo’s son, Linos, who was devoured by dogs.g Dog trainers in ancient China were held in high esteem. A great deal of dog domestication also took place in China, especially dwarfing and miniaturization.d The ancient religion Zoroastrianism includes in its religious text titled the Zend Avesta a section devoted to the care and breeding of dogs.b The earliest European images of dogs are found in cave paintings dating back 12,000 years ago in Spain.g The dog was frequently depicted in Greek art, including Cerberus, the three-headed hound guarding the entrance to the underworld, and the hunting dogs which accompanied the virgin goddess of the chase, Diana.b During the Renaissance, detailed portraits of the dog as a symbol of fidelity and loyalty appeared in mythological, allegorical, and religious art throughout Europe, including works by Leonardo da Vinci, Diego Velázquez, Jan van Eyck, and Albrecht Durer.b A puppy is born blind, deaf, and toothless.c The Basenji is the world’s only barkless dog.e A dog most likely interprets a smiling person as baring their teeth, which is an act of aggression.f The origin of amputating a dog’s tail may go back to the Roman writer Lucius Columella’s (A.D. 4-70) assertion that tail docking prevented rabies.d One of Shakespeare’s most mischievous characters is Crab, the dog belonging to Launce in the Two Gentlemen of Verona. The word “watchdog” is first found in The Tempest.d President Franklin Roosevelt created a minor international incident when he claimed he sent a destroyer to the Aleutian Islands just to pick up his Scottish Terrier, Fala, who had been left behind.d Within hours of the September 11, 2001, attack the World Trade Center, specially trained dogs were on the scene, including German Shepherds, Labs, and even a few little Dachshunds.d It costs approximately $10,000 to train a federally certified search and rescue dog.d The smallest dog on record was a matchbox-size Yorkshire Terrier. It was 2.5″ tall at the shoulder, 3.5″ from nose tip to tail, and weighed only 4 ounces.d Hollywood’s first and arguably best canine superstar was Rin Tin Tin, a five-day-old German Shepherd found wounded in battle in WWI France and adopted by an American soldier, Lee Duncan. He would sign his own contracts with his paw print.d At the end of WWI, the German government trained the first guide dogs for war-blinded soldiers.d A dog can locate the source of a sound in 1/600 of a second and can hear sounds four times farther away than a human can.c Touch is the first sense the dog develops. The entire body, including the paws, is covered with touch-sensitive nerve endings.e Eighteen muscles or more can move a dog’s ear.e The names of 77 ancient Egyptian dogs have been recorded. The names refer to color and character, such as Blackie, Ebony, Good Herdsman, Reliable, and Brave One.d In Egypt, a person bitten by a rabid dog was encouraged to eat the roasted liver of a dog infected with rabies to avoid contracting the disease. The tooth of a dog infected with rabies would also be put in a band tied to the arm of the person bitten. The menstrual blood of a female dog was used for hair removal, while dog genitals were used for preventing the whitening of hair.h In early Christian tradition, Saint Christopher, the patron saint of travelers, is sometimes depicted with a dog’s head.g The oldest known dog bones were found in Asia and date as far back as 10,000 B.C. The first identifiable dog breed appeared about 9000 B.C. and was probably a type of Greyhound dog used for hunting.g There are an estimated 400 million dogs in the world.d The U.S. has the highest dog population in the world. France has the second highest.d Dog nose prints are as unique as human finger prints and can be used to identify them.c Bloodhound dogs have a keen sense of smell and have been used since the Middle Ages to track criminals.e It is much easier for dogs to learn spoken commands if they are given in conjunction with hand signals or gestures.a Dogs in a pack are more likely to chase and hunt than a single dog on its own. Two dogs are enough to form a pack.a Dogs can see in color, though they most likely see colors similar to a color-blind human. They can see better when the light is low.c Petting dogs is proven to lower blood pressure of dog owners.a Dogs have lived with humans for over 14,000 years. Cats have lived with people for only 7,000 years.h Zorba, an English mastiff, is the biggest dog ever recorded. He weighed 343 pounds and measured 8′ 3″ from his nose to his tail.d The average dog can run about 19 mph. Greyhounds are the fastest dogs on Earth and can run at speeds of 45 mph.c One female dog and her female children could produce 4,372 puppies in seven years.c The most popular dog breed in Canada, U.S., and Great Britain is the Labrador retriever.d Greyhounds appear to be the most ancient dog breed. “Greyhound” comes from a mistake in translating the early German name Greishund, which means “old (or ancient) dog,” not from the color gray.g The oldest dog on record was an Australian cattle dog named Bluey who lived 29 years and 5 months. In human years, that is more than 160 years old.d Most experts believe humans domesticated dogs before donkeys, horses, sheep, goats, cattle, cats, or chickens.h A person standing still 300 yards away is almost invisible to a dog. But a dog can easily identify its owner standing a mile away if the owner is waving his arms.i Dogs with big, square heads and large ears (like the Saint Bernard) are the best at hearing subsonic sounds.c Dogs can smell about 1,000 times better than humans. While humans have 5 million smell-detecting cells, dogs have more than 220 million. The part of the brain that interprets smell is also four times larger in dogs than in humans.a Some dogs can smell dead bodies under water, where termites are hiding, and natural gas buried under 40 feet of dirt. They can even detect cancer that is too small to be detected by a doctor and can find lung cancer by sniffing a person’s breath.c Dogs have a wet nose to collect more of the tiny droplets of smelling chemicals in the air.i Dogs like sweets a lot more than cats do. While cats have around only 473 taste buds, dogs have about 1,700 taste buds. Humans have approximately 9,000.a Different smells in the a dog’s urine can tell other dogs whether the dog leaving the message is female or male, old or young, sick or healthy, happy or angry.a Male dogs will raise their legs while urinating to aim higher on a tree or lamppost because they want to leave a message that they are tall and intimidating. Some wild dogs in Africa try to run up tree trunks while they are urinating to appear to be very large.a In Croatia, scientists discovered that lampposts were falling down because a chemical in the urine of male dogs was rotting the metal.a Dogs are about as smart as a two- or three-year-old child. This means they can understand about 150-200 words, including signals and hand movements with the same meaning as words.a Countess Karlotta Libenstein of Germany left approximately $106 million to her Alsatin, Gunther III, when she died in 1992.d A lost Dachshund was found swallowed whole in the stomach of a giant catfish in Berlin on July 2003.d In Australia, a man who was arrested for drug possession argued his civil rights were violated when the drug-sniffing dog nuzzled his crotch. While the judge dismissed the charges, they were later reinstated when a prosecutor pointed out that in the animal kingdom, crotch nuzzling was a friendly gesture.d The Beagle came into prominence in the 1300s and 1400s during the days of King Henry VII of England. Elizabeth I was fond of Pocket Beagles, which were only 9″ high.d The best dog to reportedly attract a date is the Golden Retriever. The worst is the Pit Bull.d The Akita is one of the most challenging dogs to own. Some insurance companies have even characterized it as the #1 “bad dog” and may even raise an Akita owner’s homeowner insurance costs.d The Beagle and Collie are the nosiest dogs, while the Akbash Dog and the Basenji are the quietest.d One survey reports that 33 percent of dog owners admit they talk to their dogs on the phone or leave messages on answering machines while they are away.d Thirty percent of all Dalmatians are deaf in one or both ears. Because bulldogs have extremely short muzzles, many spend their lives fighting suffocation. Because Chihuahuas have such small skulls, the flow of spinal flow can be restricted, causing hydrocephalus, a swelling of the brain.d The grief suffered after a pet dog dies can be the same as that experienced after the death of a person.a There are almost 5 million dog bites per year; children are the main victims. Dog bites cause losses of over $1 billion a year.d A person should never kick a dog facing him or her. Some dogs can bite 10 times before a human can respond.d The most intelligent dogs are reportedly the Border Collie and the Poodle, while the least intelligent dogs are the Afghan Hound and the Basenji.d One kind of Pekingese is referred to as a “sleeve” because it was bred to fit into a Chinese empress’ sleeves, which was how it was often carried around.d Posted February 15, 2009 References a Bailey, Gwen. 2002. What Is My Dog Thinking? San Diego, CA: Thunder Bay Press. b Brewer, Douglas, Terence Clark, and Adrian Philips. 2001. Dogs in Antiquity: Anubis to Cerebrus The Origins of the Domestic Dog. Warminster, UK: Aris & Phillips. c Budiansky, Stephen. 2000. The Truth About Dogs: An Inquiry into the Ancestory, Social Conventions, Mental Habits, and Moral Fiber of Canis familiaris.New York, NY: Penguin Putnum, Inc. d Choron, Harry and Sandra Choron. 2005. Planet Dog: A Doglopedia. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Co. e Coren, Stanley. 2004. How Dogs Think: Understanding the Canine Mind. New York, NY: Free Press. f Fogle, Bruce D.V. M. 1995. The Encyclopedia of the Dog. New York, NY: DK Publishing, Inc. g Merlen, R. H. A. 1971. De Canibus: Dog and Hound in Antiquity. London, UK: J. A. Allen & Co. Ltd. h Riddle, Maxwell. 1987. Dogs throughout History. Fairfax, VA: Denlinger’s Publisher, Ltd. i Stefoff, Rebecca. 2003. Dogs. New York, NY: Benchmark Books.

“No man can be condemned for owning a dog. As long as he has a dog, he has a friend; and the poorer he gets, the better friend he has.”    – Will Rogers

I “Stumbled Upon” this blog post on Wag Reflex and thought it was a nice reminder that our dogs are not human and do not deliberately misbehave:

Ten Things Every Dog Owner Should Know

by Bark Busters on September 23, 2008

1. A dog is a dog.
Some people assume their dogs communicate the same way that humans do and, therefore, they try to communicate with dogs the way they would with another person. This is the greatest misconception of many dog owners. Although domesticated for thousands of years, dogs in the wild have always lived in packs. Today, dogs live by the same rules and exhibit many of the same behavioral patterns as their wild ancestors. Therefore, as dog owners, you need to realize dogs have different needs; to effectively train your dog, you must first understand its instinctual pack behavior.

2. All dogs think in terms of the pack.
In the wild, dogs have always lived in packs. They instinctively know that living with others, under the leadership of a dominant member of the pack, enhances their chances for survival. Therefore, pack animals not only want to live with others, but they also are content having leaders who are strong, consistent and fair. As a dog owner, one of your responsibilities is to learn and model these characteristics so that you will be accepted as the pack leader. Thus, your dog will learn to respect and obey you.

3. Dogs don’t understand English.
To believe your dog fully understands human-based communications is as unreasonable as thinking you know everything your dog is trying to say when it barks. A dog’s communication is limited primarily to barking, growling and other guttural sounds, and they also rely heavily on body language. By understanding how dogs communicate, you will avoid the mistake of telling your dog one thing while your body language and voice sound tells it something completely different.

4. Dogs are not spiteful.
Dog owners often say, “My dog chewed the furniture because I left him home alone.” There are a number of reasons why dogs misbehave, but spite is not one of them. Although many people want to believe that dogs think like humans, dogs do not. They have only two sections to their brain and, therefore, have limited ability to reason. Thus, they cannot disobey out of spite. Knowing the real reasons why dogs misbehave requires understanding how they think and learn. Dogs react in a way that makes sense in their environment. When a dog disobeys, it is usually for one of three reasons: 1) it does not understand what you want, 2) it does not consider you its leader, or 3) it is suffering from some kind of stress or fear. By understanding the true nature of dogs, you will be better prepared to diagnose problems or behaviors of your dog.

5. What makes some dogs aggressive?
One of our favorite sayings is, “You can take the dog out of the wild, but you cannot take the wild out of the dog.” This means simply that the dog’s natural instincts are never far below the surface. Sometimes this behavior manifests itself as aggression because a dog will do only what its natural instincts tell it to do unless trained otherwise. The most common cause of aggression is fear of the unknown, that is, whatever the dog cannot understand or does not recognize as normal. A dog’s response to fear is instinctual. When a dog becomes frightened, it will do one of two things: fight or take flight. One breed of dog is not necessarily more aggressive than any other. The diminutive Chihuahua can be just as aggressive as the larger German shepherd. The only real difference is the amount of fear we perceive based on a dog’s size and its ability to cause harm. As dog owners, one of our responsibilities is to condition our dog daily to reinforce dominance (leadership) over the dog. Leadership increases our ability to control and teach our dogs what is and is not acceptable.

6. Body language is the dog’s primary mode of communication.
Dogs rely heavily on body language to communicate, and a person’s body language can easily be misinterpreted. If a dog jumps on you and you respond by pushing it down with both hands, the dog may think you want to play, in much the same way it would play with other dogs. When people greet a dog, they often do not consider whether or not the dog actually wants to meet the person.

7. You can teach an old dog new tricks.
Although we cannot teach dogs to reason, we can teach them to “think.” Dogs are continuous learners and have good memories. The three things that primarily influence a dog’s behavior are association, instinct and experience. Dogs recall information with associative stimuli, such as similar situations. People cannot explain to a dog—as they would to a child—not to eat food off the floor. The only way for a dog to learn that lesson is for the owner to correct it immediately using voice sounds and body language as soon as the dogs tries to eat the food. By conditioning your dog and effectively showing it what you consider good and bad behavior, you can help any dog change its behavior.

8. Bad behaviors may be natural, but they do not have to be normal.
Most people consider digging, chewing and jumping as unacceptable dog behavior. To dogs, however, these are natural actions. Dogs will do what their instinct tells them unless otherwise trained. To teach a dog what behaviors are and are not acceptable, a dog owner must leverage a dog’s association and experience to directly impact how it behaves. A dog owner needs to associate a dog’s bad behavior with a bad experience, such as a harsh voice tone, and good behavior with a good experience, such as high-pitched praise. In this way, a dog will learn what is acceptable behavior.

9. What is the right way to discipline a dog?
Since dogs cannot reason like humans, they are not deliberately naughty, despite what many people might think. Instead, their behavior is always determined by either instinct or experience. A dog will do only what comes naturally or what it has learned through association; therefore, it is not productive (or even logical) for humans to get angry with a dog. Moreover, physical force is both inappropriate and counterproductive. This includes using your hands for correcting. Since dogs do not have hands, they find that form of discipline to be provocative and threatening. For this reason, dog owners should use their hands as little as possible when training, and when you do, dogs must always associate your hands with gentleness and pleasure. Because dogs learn from association, they will comprehend your message only if it is delivered in a timely manner. A correction must be issued at the precise moment the dog is either contemplating or actually doing something wrong. Sometimes it may be difficult to catch your dog in the act, but you can create situations that will cause a dog to misbehave and then correct it on the spot.

10. Do dogs sense the world differently than humans?
Dogs experience the world nose first. Smell is the most dramatic sensory difference between humans and dogs. Dogs have about 25 times more olfactory (smell) receptors than humans do and can sense odors at concentrations nearly 100 million times lower than humans can. A dog’s sense of smell is also closely linked to taste. A dog is so scent sensitive, it is usually the smell not the taste that will cause a dog to reject food before it even enters its mouth. In contrast, humans have 5 times more tastes as dogs and tend to taste something before deciding if they like it. Also, a dog’s eye lacks certain components found in a human eye. As such, dogs see the world in shades of black, white and gray and have better night vision. Visual acuity also varies by breed. Due to the positioning of their eyes, short-nosed dogs can see things in the distance with more depth perception than longer-nosed breeds. Hearing is also acutely developed in dogs. The distance from which it can hear things is 4 times farther than a human. Dogs’ hearing is also selective: they can sleep beside a blaring TV but wake up as soon as they hear something not related to the TV sound. Dogs process only what they want to hear.

–Connie DuBois, Bark Busters

———————
Connie DuBois is a dog behavioral therapist and trainer for Bark Busters Home Dog Training and a regular contributor to Wag Reflex.

“In dog training, jerk is a noun, not a verb.” ~Dr. Dennis Fetko

I received this from a client of mine. She and I have both worked in boarding kennels, so this is especially funny for us, but I think anyone will appreciate the humor.  The article is from a magazine called Boarderline and was written by Jim Krack. The article was first published in 1982, but because of popularity, they published it again in 1989. Here it is:

A Day In The Life of a Boarding Kennel Operator

A friend of mine was in the kennel the other day, and as we chatted he said, ” I really envy you. I wish I could play with dogs and cats all day.” When I replied that I didn’t really have time to play with the boarding animals, he asked, “Well, what do you do all day?”

I decided to sit down and write out a list of all the things that occurred during a typical day, just to give him a better idea of what a kennel operator does with his or her time. The next time he came in, I gave him this list.

5:30AM- Got out of bed and took a quick shower so I could get into the kennel and start preparing morning medications and special diets.

6:00AM- Let dogs out and checked every run for any signs of problems.

6:30AM- Got grooming cards ready for scheduled appointments.

6:45AM- Opened office. Mrs. Wilson was waiting and complained that we don’t open early enough. She was not very happy.

7:00AM- Started cleaning inside kennel (kennel helper called in sick). Spent the next hour running between the kennel, the office and the phone.

7:45AM- Groomer didn’t show up for her first appointment. Called her landlady and was told that my groomer left town last night with her boyfriend and wouldn’t be back. Called my substitute groomer and persuaded her to cancel her motorcycle rally and come to work. She was not very happy.

8:00AM- Started grooming until substitute groomer got to kennel. Got bitten by a Scottie, not very deep. No sense in going to the doctor, and anyway, it’s my left hand. Groomer arrived at 8:30. Still not very happy.

8:30AM- Back into kennel to finish cleaning up.

9:00AM- Started feeding and giving morning medications.

9:15AM- Noticed that Mr. Fredrick’s dachshund, Ziggy, wasn’t eating very well. Took him into isolation room to keep an eye on him and called the veterinarian for an appointment.

9:45AM- Finished feeding and started cleaning up. Still running between office, phone and kennel.

10:45AM- Joe, the kennel helper, showed up with symptoms that he claimed are the flu. It looked like a hangover to me. While he finished the inside, I started the outside runs.

11:30AM- Joe finally finished the inside and took over outside for me. I took Ziggy to the vet’s office and waited in the reception room for an hour. Diagnosis indicates that Mr. Fredrick let Ziggy get into the trash before he brought him to the kennel. He passed a nylon stocking while the vet was examining him. The vet was not very happy about it.

12:45PM- Started cleaning cat room. Spent about 20 minutes trying to figure out who was sneezing. Finally discovered that it was Joe, eating his lunch outside the cat room window.

2:00PM- Finished the cat room in time to take the St. Bernard in run #2 to the airport. Discovered that the airline people gave me the wrong flight info over the phone. The flight they quoted only runs on Saturdays. Made arrangements for another flight. Called owner and gave him revised flight plans. He was not happy about it.

3:30PM- Arrived back at kennel to find that a water pipe in the grooming room had broken and flooded the room. Turned off water and repaired pipe. Delayed groomer for about 30 minutes. Groomer was not very happy about it.

4:00PM- Checked out grooming dogs after groomer left. Mrs. Phillips found out that a different groomer did her dog today and says that her poodle is “ruined.” Not very happy about it.

5:00PM- Started evening medications and feedings. Discovered that Joe didn’t order enough food and had to dash to the food store and pick up 300 lbs. I wasn’t very happy about it.

5:30PM- Locked dogs in and got ready to close up. Mr. Edwards called and asked if I could stay open for him. He was “just 20 minutes away.” Checked on animals one more time and stood around waiting for him.

6:30PM- Mr. Edwards still not here. Locked up office and went upstairs for dinner.

7:00PM- Started obedience class on front lawn. Listened to lady from class for 30 minutes after class telling about the cute things that her dog did that week (sounds like the same things that the man’s dog from my Thursday class did. I wonder if they both have the same dog?).

9:00PM- Started bookwork at the kitchen table. After paying the bills discovered that all the Christmas business will just pay my quarterly taxes.

10:30PM- Got a call from Mr. Fredrick about Ziggy. He has been thinking over the fact that he had to pay the vet’s bill and has decided that it isn’t fair. “After all, Ziggy did get sick at the kennel. Are you sure that one of the kennel workers didn’t give him a nylon stocking to play with?” I explained that he will have to pay the bill, but he wasn’t very happy about it.

11:00PM- Got a call from Mr. Edwards. In all the excitement over getting back home from his European vacation, he forgot to come for his dog, but he wants to come now. I explained that the kennel is closed and he complained about paying for another day. Not very happy about it.

11:45PM- Finished bookwork and turned in for the night (except for the short trip to kennel at 2:00AM to see why all the dogs were barking-everything is fine).

5:30AM- Here we go again!

After reading my account of a typical day, my friend decided that he doesn’t really want to open a boarding kennel. I can’t understand it. If he thought this was bad, he should see me at Christmas!

“The daily grind of hard work gets a person polished.”
~Unknown

As a professional pet sitter and dog walker, I run across quite a lot of dogs who pull as hard as they can when we go for walks. I don’t enjoy walks when being pulled (even when it’s a small dog), and I honestly think the dogs get a lot more out of a controlled walk than just going dog wild (haha). A walk should be enjoyable for all parties involved, and it’s possible with the right tools and understanding of the dog or dogs that are being walked.

What will work for one dog doesn’t  necessarily work for another. You should never put any sort of tightening collar on dogs like shih tzus, as you can cause a lot of permanent and painful damage to their trachea. In fact, any tightening collars (martingales, chain choke collars, pinch collars, etc), need to stay off of the mid-throat area, and stay under the chin and close to the ears. This gives the walker more control over the head of the dog, and keeps the excited dog from choking himself on the collar and causing throat damage.

There are so many choices of harnesses, collars and other tools that you can choose from, the list goes on and on. Listed below are some of the tools that I have used or have seen being used. If you have any experiences, good or bad, with any of these or have something to add, please leave a comment.

Cesar Millan’s (The Dog Whisperer) Illusion Collar- This collar just arrived at our home yesterday and we tried it out on Josie, our golden retriever/shepherd mix who is “in training.” She does pretty well on walks for a lot of the time, but when we first set out to walk, she likes to pull. If she sees another dog, or sometimes a kid, she jumps around and goes nuts! This collar seems to be working very well. I’m in total control while walking her (along my other two dogs on their leashes), she walks right beside me, and there is no worry that the collar is hurting her neck. Below is a picture of her wearing the collar.

The Illusion collar isn’t for everyone. Here is the warning on Cesar’s website:

WARNING: If your dog’s neck measures less than 13 inches at the base, or your dog weighs less than 18 lbs, you should NOT use the collar. The Illusion collar is not intended for puppies under one year of age. Dogs with any breathing problems, such as “pushed-in faces” that restrict breathing; dogs with trachea or throat problems, such as Pomeranians; and dogs with elongated, overly slender necks, such as Greyhounds, should NOT use the collar. Consult your local professional for further advice.

The Gentle Leader- When we fostered a very rambunctious wire haired terrier mix named Dixon, we knew immediately that he had issues on the leash. He was out of control, jumping every where, biting at the leash and our legs, trying to get anything that moved….we needed some help! We tried a regular harness and a slip lead, but neither really helped. The only way we got him even halfway under control was the Gentle Leader. This is a collar that goes around the actual head of the dog and loops around their mouths, and the leash attaches under the chin on a loop. Sounds uncomfortable, and it does take some dogs longer than others to get used to it, but it helped us teach Dixon what we wanted him to do. I don’t have a picture of Dixon on his Gentle Leader, but I found a random picture to share.

Here is what the Gentle Leader website says about the head collar:

Millions of dog owners today enjoy the benefits of stress-free walks thanks to the Gentle Leader Headcollar. Designed so that owners can communicate with their pet in a way they instinctively understand, the Gentle Leader painlessly and effectively removes the dog’s natural tendency to pull by placing gentle pressure on calming points and eliminating uncomfortable pressure on the throat. In addition to reducing a dog’s desire to pull away, the Gentle Leader is also a very effective tool in combating lunging, jumping, excessive barking and helping to calm an aggressive and/or anxious animal.

Easy Walk Harness- I don’t have much experience with these harnesses, but I’ve seen them work with other people walking their dogs. When the dog tries to pull, this harness makes them feel like they’re turning back around, so they stop pulling to stop themselves from turning. Here’s what the Easy Walk Harness says about their harnesses:

Traditional harnesses can actually encourage dogs to pull harder because of the “opposition reflex.”  That’s the reflex that makes sled dogs do what they do. The Easy Walk Harness’ unique front-chest leash attachment stops pulling by tightening slightly across your dog’s chest and shoulder blades. The gentle pressure steers your dog to the side and redirecting his attention back towards you. The Easy Walk Harness never causes coughing, gagging, or choking because the chest strap rests low across the breastbone, not on the delicate tracheal area.

These are just three of the many tools to choose from. I don’t choose to talk about pinch or prong collars or choke chain collars, but they are an option out there for the right dog, if and only if they are used in the correct way. Never yank or pull your dog by the neck, or really at all. There are always positive things that you can do to train your dog. Remember that food is the way to a lot of dogs’ hearts. Feed them a little less at meals if you use treats for training (so they don’t get overweight), and while training give them a delicious treat that they only get at training times. Cooked chicken or little bits of hot dog always work well for me.

Your dog wants to please you, his master, but we need to try to understand that the dog is a DOG trying to live in the human world. With patience and understanding, the sky is the limit for your dog. It’s in you to help your dog understand what you want. You just have to find your groove.

Always be a little kinder than necessary.  ~James M. Barrie

I found this little guy wondering around a neighborhood off of Sugarloaf Parkway on April 21, 2010. He’s very sweet, very much a lap dog and great with our other 3 dogs and our 4 cats. I’m sure someone is looking for him. He’s not neutered and was very dirty, but he’s nice and clean now. If I don’t find his people, I’ll be looking to find him a great furever home, after we have him vaccinated and neutered. I took him to Lawrenceville Suwanee Animal Hospital to be scanned for a micro-chip and he doesn’t have one.  I’m giving it a week before I have him neutered, but after that, chop chop! Ouch, poor guy. We’re calling him Chi Chi for now, just because for some reason it fits. He looks a lot like a Westie, but also has Maltese or possibly Chihuahua features- he only weighs about 4 pounds. Below are some pictures:

“To be followed home by a stray dog is a sign of impending wealth.”-Chinese Proverb-

 

UPDATE:

A couple of days after I found him, “Chi Chi’s” mom saw our fliers that we had put up and gave me a call. After giving me a nice description on his collar and mannerisms, I gave her my address so that she could pick him up. She was very grateful to have found him; her friends were taking care of him and he escaped the friend’s back yard when the yard people left the gate open. His name is actually “Prancer” and it truly fits him well. He was happy to see his mama and little human brother and they were happy to have him home! Yay, happy ending!

If you’re like me, you get email after email of dogs and other pets in need of rescue…some are in high kill county shelters and only have hours to live. My Facebook wall fills up with pets in need every day. It’s great to hear a happy ending, but yesterday I was blessed to hear TWO happy endings for three different dogs. No picture available of the second dog.

The first story, I got from Facebook and was passed from this person to that and I ended up with it and shared it on my wall. The second story was emailed to me. I will paste the original story of the dogs, and then an update. I hope you enjoy them!

Pedro and Otto, abandoned best friends in Athens GA: A story of devotion:

These two amazing dogs are available for adoption or rescue at Athens-Clarke County Animal Control in Athens, GA. Call 706-613-3540 between 10 am and 4 pm (open every day except Wednesday). Detailed contact info and links to read more, and to download adoption/rescue apps, are at the bottom of this Note.

Pedro #30127 and his best friend Otto #31028 were found at a truck stop in Clarke County, northeast Georgia, abandoned. Poor Otto was penned inside a rusty cage. Though running loose and free to go find food and shelter, Pedro would not leave his best friend. He stuck by Otto’s side and made sure he was safe until Animal Control officers picked them up. See their individual details following comments. Though abandoned, they will be given the mandatory 5-day hold period.
***“Safe” time will be up at closing time on Friday, 4/16***—Please put in your adoption or rescue app now, before they become URGENT. Also please note that these guys are not rescue-only—they are adoptable, good-natured, social dogs. Sadly they are the two types most adopters pass by in a shelter: a “Pit Bull” and a senior, large-breed “Black Dog.” They need our help.
•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•
On Sunday April 11, I got to spend a bit of time petting, treating, and watching interactions between Otto and Pedro, who are sharing a run since they came in together.

Pedro, #30127Otto, #30128These two have the most amazing bond. After observing them together, it appears that Pedro the Lab believes he is Otto the Pibble’s “mom.” Pedro would’ve already been an older guy when his humans brought Otto home as a puppy. It looks like Pedro “raised” Otto. Otto may be the only friend Pedro has ever had, and Pedro is fully dedicated to his buddy. Otto is a great, mellow, affectionate boy who still has some pup in his behavior because Pedro has mothered him so much. Otto is a naturally outgoing guy, and Pedro is naturally submissive, gentle and amiable. There is absolutely no friction between the two, but it looks like Pedro has always protected and deferred to Otto—including making sure Otto had the lion’s share of their food. Otto is in good body weight, but Pedro is very thin. When I fed the two treats, Otto was more eager to take them. Pedro would take a treat, but then would literally drop it in front of Otto, though it’s evident that he’s very hungry himself. I managed to get the two at opposite ends of their run, so I could encourage Pedro to eat some treats himself. Pedro seems afraid to eat in case Otto doesn’t have enough. There is NO food-aggression between the two. It’s just like a parent sacrificing for the sake of a child.

When visitors came by walking other dogs, both these boys were friendly and interested in meeting both dogs and humans. Otto was again more forthcoming, but Pedro would step in and insert his nose next to Otto’s at the fence, just in case he needed to “protect” him. No aggression or even defensiveness, just, “Otto, I’m here if you need me”—the behavior of a gentle parent with a pup.

I’ve never seen a relationship like this between two intact male dogs. Otto has really benefited from Pedro’s care, and has learned good social skills and a degree of mellowness you don’t always see in Pits. Pedro has been so self-effacing and sacrificing that his own health and well-being have suffered. Otto, being a dog, can’t realize that Pedro’s given everything he has to protect and nurture him. Otto doesn’t bully his submissive guardian at all, just accepts that this is the way their relationship is. Though Otto’s now perfectly capable of looking after himself, Pedro can’t realize this, and still views Otto as his baby.

When I first wrote this Note, I speculated that it might be a good thing to get these two dogs adopted or rescued separately, thinking their codependent relationship might be impeding each from reaching his full potential. This morning, a volunteer who takes many of the terrific photos of our AC’s dogs wrote that even the brief time apart needed for her to take each dog’s picture caused Pedro great anxiety. Mia’s comment is below. Separation anxiety is terribly hard on a senior dog. Pedro doesn’t have too many years left to enjoy his life, and doesn’t deserve to lose his canine “security blanket.” So my plea is that an extraordinary family, individual, or rescue group step up and make sure these friends stay together. That said, Pedro needs to get enough food, care and love to be healthy. Otto needs a little bit of time one-on-one with humans so he can play and learn basic obedience skills—the intelligent, athletic bully dogs need such structure to thrive. An empathetic family could manage gradually separating them for feeding time, and teach them slowly to spend a little time apart each day, just so each could be an individual for a while.
Both are real loves, and deserve better than life has given them thus far. If you have a big heart and an understanding of the bond and sacrifice these two boys share, won’t you please be their angel and give them a safe and loving home?

This from Mia, who took Pedro and Otto’s photos: “When I separated them for their photo shoots Pedro was whimpering and crying as soon as Otto left his run. I felt so bad for him … When I took him out, he missed is brother again, but I agree that they need to spend some time apart so Pedro will eat more! The pound [Athens-Clarke AC] is full right now, so I don’t see this happening any time soon. Hopefully once all the [adopted dogs] leave to go to the vet and to their new homes, there will be more runs available.
•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•

Pedro is very thin and could use some good groceries, a fish oil supplement, and a cozy bed…close to his buddy Otto, of course.PEDRO #30127 (please refer to this number when calling about Pedro)
* Age: 10 years
* Breed: Lab/hound mix
* Gender: Male
* Weight: 51 pounds
* Impound Date: 04/9/10 [mandatory hold is up 4/16]
* Ledger #: 30127

Shelter bio: “Pedro is a dog of incredible devotion. Though he could have gone off in search of food and shelter when his people dumped the two dogs, he never left Otto’s side. He made sure to keep his caged best friend company during the scary times. Pedro is underweight and needs to pack on the pounds again. His coat is sparse and dry, indicating lack of proper nutrition. Don’t let his gray muzzle and spectacles keep you from recognizing just how awesome this dog is! He is so sweet and has the most adoring eyes. Though he’s quiet, he still has energy and stamina to take walks and keep you good company. Pedro shouldn’t spend his last days stuck in the pound full of scary noises. Please consider noble Pedro as your new best friend soon.”

Otto is in good body weight but has chunks of hair missing, as if he’s been trough some sort of hard times. His sunny nature hasn’t suffered, though.OTTO, #30128 (please refer to this number when calling about Otto)
* Age: 3 Years
* Breed: Pitbull Terrier
* Gender: Male
* Weight: 51 pounds
* Impound Date: 04/9/10 [mandatory hold is up 4/16]
* Ledger #: 30128

Shelter bio: “Otto has an amazing disposition…he is really calm once outside of his run and just loves hugs and kisses. He was a very gentle and sweet dog…I scared him a little with my big scary camera, but he always came back for more treats. Otto has little pocks of fur missing all over his body…it’s not big patches of fur missing, but just little spots. Just like any dog, Otto needs a proper diet and regular vetting to make sure you have a happy healthy pup. He would make a great therapy dog or loving friend for any home. Come meet Otto soon!”

UPDATE:

Otto and Pedro have been rescued by a Michigan pet rescue group and are going into foster care together!

Found lab mix – Gates Mill Subdivision at Sugarloaf and Hwy 20

This is a very sweet older dog that we found in my subdivision last week (Gates Mill Subdivision at Sugarloaf and Hwy 20 in Gwinnett).  He did not have any collar or tags, but he is very well trained and immaculately groomed, so we know he must have a home somewhere nearby.  We have posted over 200 flyers in my subdivision and our neighboring subdivision, with no luck.

Can you please take 1-2 minutes and forward and cross post this email to any/all of your friends and family who live in Gwinnett County and may be able to help us locate his owner?

If we take him to Gwinnett Animal control, they will euthanize him within 24 hrs, because he is a slightly older dog (estimated to be about 10-11 yrs old).  This breaks my heart, because he has so much love to give and many more yrs left.  He is in excellent health.

He is a mixed breed, but looks like he has a lot of golden lab in him.  He is great with children and other animals (he played with my 2 yr old grand daughter for 3 days!)  He is very sweet and gentle and has a great personality.  He understands and obeys all basic commands.  He really is a very sweet and a well behaved dog.  He is about 3 ft tall and mostly golden brown color, with white on his face and paws.

If we cannot find the owner, do you know of anyone who may adopt or foster him?

Thanks so much for taking a minute or 2 to forward this info to help this guy!!

Update:

This dog’s owner was found yesterday. They had been looking for him since April 5th!

Don’t you just love a happy ending? Do you have any happy rescue stories that you can share?

The wild, cruel animal is not
behind the bars of a cage.
He is in front of it.
-Axel Munthe

In the swampy woods behind Julie’s house, there lies a hurt dog. As her neighbor, Jo Ann and she get closer to the dog, who appears close to death, the dog jumps up and takes off. They think they see a wound on the dog’s back leg and Jo Ann had heard a gun shot a few hours before.

This was five weeks ago. Julie and Jo Ann have been putting food and water out for this poor, extremely frightened and probably injured dog every morning and every evening. They cannot get within a few hundred yards of the dog before he tears off into the woods again. This is as close as they can get:

Tom Wargo, founder of Daffy’s Pet Soup Kitchen and The Backyard Sanctuary was notified of this poor dog and he felt that immediate action should be taken. Tom traps feral cats all the time, but not so many dogs. He has a coyote sized trap and took it to Julie’s, put the food in and waited.

About 4 hours later, the dog wandered into the woods where he usually gets his food and walked right into the trap. Unfortunately, the trap didn’t hold up to the terribly frightened dog’s struggling and kicking, so he busted out of the trap and left.

We are hoping someone will have a large trap that we can use, and a rescue who will know what to do with this terrified pup, or just for some tips or advice. Thank you for any help that you can give.

Contact: Tom Wargo, 404-345-6821 or Valerie Pegg, 770-363-0827

Not to hurt our humble brethren (the animals) is our first duty to them, but to stop there is not enough. We have a higher mission–to be of service to them whenever they require it… If you have men who will exclude any of God’s creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have men who will deal likewise with their fellow men.
– Saint Francis of Assisi

If your dogs are like our 3, they go crazy over a new toy. But what is the right toy for your dog? The following article fragment was written by Dr. Jon of the Pet Place Dog Crazy Newsletter. Through email, I get a daily newsletter that has a wealth of knowledge and information. I highly recommend subscribing to their newsletter!

Here are some tips to help you find the right kind of toy for your dog based on his unique play style:

Fetchers – For dogs that really love to fetch, the Tuffy Ultimate Ring is a great toy. It has a great shape. Your dog can carry the stuffed ring shaped toy in his mouth or over his snout. It’s the perfect weight for a good toss and it’s made to be durable as well as fun. It has squeakers inside. It floats, so you can use it as a water toy. It’s soft enough for your dog to pick up and carry in his mouth without hurting his gums, but it’s tough enough to hold up to his teeth. It’s made of a very durable fabric that’s reinforced with multiple rows of cross-stitching.

Cuddle toys – If a soft plush toy makes your dog happy, get him a durable good quality toy like the GoDog™ Dragon. This toy is soft and cuddly, but it’s made with Chew Guard Technology™, so it’s made to be tough. It has reinforced seams and extra layers of double stitched material inside to give it added strength. This is a toy you dog can get up close and personal with, and he can enjoy it for a long time to come.

Chewers & Problem Solvers – If your dog falls into one or both of these categories, I have 2 amazing toys that are sure to please. One is the TUX . This toy is made of a durable rubbery material called Zogoflex. It has an unusual shape that makes it easy for the dog to chew on it or pick it up and carry it in his mouth. The other toy is the Everlasting FUN Ball . This ball is made from a very strong rubber that’s safe for your dog, and it’s one of the toughest chew toys I’ve ever seen. Both of these toys are great for chewing. And to turn up the fun quotient even more, you can fill these toys with treats. Both toys have hollow cavities. The treats can be tucked inside, and your dog has to figure out how to get them out as he plays. I always recommend these 2 toys for dogs that love to chew.

Tuggers – For dogs that love a good game of tug, I LOVE the Pentapulls Squirrel . The material is very strong. The squirrel’s body is lightly stuffed, but the legs are unstuffed, which makes them better for tugging. They are attached to the body in an “x” shape with multiple rows of reinforced stitching.  There is a squeaker in each leg and one in the tail. I’ve seen dogs that never tire of playing with this toy. And when it gets dirty – just toss it in the washer.

Crunchers - Some dogs love crunching popping noises. That’s why they enjoy chewing on empty water bottles. They love to hear the popping crackling sound of the plastic as it bends and cracks. These dogs can have a ball with an empty water bottle, and it can hold their interest for hours. For these dogs, Bottle Crunchers are the perfect toy. It’s a brightly colored fabric sleeve that fits snuggly over an empty water bottle to protect your dog’s mouth from the broken plastic as he chews. When the water bottle wears out, take it out of the Bottle Cruncher and put another empty water bottle inside. When the covers get dirty, just throw them in the washer.

Squeakers – Some dogs go crazy over toys that squeak. Several of the toys I mentioned here have squeakers including the Tuffy Ultimate Ring, the GoDog™ Dragon and the Pentapulls Squirrel . All of these toys are made to please a dog like this. They are also well-made so they will hold up to your dog’s active play.

Fun really is in the eye of the beholder – in this case, the dog. So get to know your dog, find out what type of play makes him really happy and get him the kind of toys that are designed to please his particular style of play. You can try any of these excellent toys, or check them out at: www.petproductadvisor.com/Dogtoys

But remember, one thing holds true for ALL dogs. You must always supervise their play to keep them safe. No toy is indestructible, and ingestion of toys is a serious problems that often sends dogs to the emergency clinic. So please keep your dog safe. When you give your dog a new toy, watch him to make sure that he will play with it safely.

Until next time,

Dr. Jon

P.S. These toys passed our safety tests with flying colors, and our dogs just love them. So if you’re looking for a safe, well-made toy, give one of these toys a try. You can’t beat the quality. Go to: www.petproductadvisor.com/dogtoys

The reason a dog has so many friends is that he wags his tail instead of his tongue. –Anonymous