BEING A DOG’S PACK LEADER

I’ve seen, heard and read a lot written about being the pack leader of your dog.

Most of popular dog training literature is wrong on leadership.

Memorial Day

Fort MacArthur: The facility is where the first military dogs were trained nearly 70 years ago. "This is a fitting tribute," Acosta said. "These dogs deserve it. They contributed to people who wanted to serve their country." Ayana estimated that 100,000 men and women owe their lives to the dogs, which were used as sentries, bomb sniffers, booby-trap finders and scouts. "If a scout dog didn't catch a trip wire, the dog and the handler both blew up. They saved GIs that were left in battle. Those dogs found them."

For those who died,
For those who fight,
And for our country:
NEVER Forget 9/11

SHE Was Surprised?

A Texas mother of twins got the shock of her life when doctors revealed that her 11-month-old boys do not have the same father.

What about the shock of the father? She knew what the heck she was doing.

This happens with street dogs all the time. Oh, I'm talking about the canine type...

Is the Dog-o-Matic an owner's best friend?

I think this is animal cruelty. This is an automated dog washing machine. If you look at the dog in the photo, it is clearly afraid. I think this device should be outlawed.

Good Decision

A 4-year-old girl was transported to a local hospital after she was bitten by a dog Sunday night in south Phoenix. According to the dog's owners, the girl was in her own backyard when she stuck her arm through the fence and the dog, a rottweiler-pit bull mix, bit her. The dog's owners told ABC15 News that they have children and they've never had problems in the past. They also said that they've had problems with their neighbor's children taunting the dog in the past. Police said they do not plan to issue citations to the dog's owners.

Amazing. Many times, the owners are still charged with a crime and the dog is put down. At some point, people, regardless of their ages, have to be responsible for what they do. And parents have to be responsible for what their kids do, and live with the consequences. I am not happy that a kid got bitten, however. This wouldn't happen in an ideal world, but we don't live in an ideal world.

Foods Dogs Shouldn't Eat

Carol McConnell, vice president and chief veterinary medical officer for Veterinary Pet Insurance Co., recommends that pets stay away from the following edible items that are toxic to them: chocolate, grapes and raisins, walnuts, onions, mushrooms and macadamia nuts. For a complete list, go to the American Animal Hospital Association Web site, www.healthypet.com, and search for "prevent poisoning."

Every dog owner should know these things... and I also recommend every dog owner should have a dog first aid book to treat their dogs in cases of emergency poisoning.