Tonight Is Halloween, Is Your Dog Ready?

So, the day is here. I recommend doing a once over of your preparations to ensure your dog is safe. And I would assume people will set off fireworks tonight, as well. 

Plan accordingly... 

Staying Out Of Trouble With Dogs And Strangers

So, here is a thought for the day... There are some dog owners and dog haters who are hotheads.

Think about what is important in your life and what isn't. Don't provoke fights. Walk away from trouble when you can. And plan accordingly.

Young Girl Tries To Kiss Dog, Gets Mauled

Young girl left with horrific injuries after being mauled by family dog when she tried to kiss it

There are a number of safety rules I teach parents. One is: don’t let kids kiss your dog, especially on the lips or nose. Two: don’t let kids mess with sleeping dogs. Three: don’t let kids sit on or hover over and hug dogs, especially when the dog is laying down. 

 

Many dogs might be just fine and kids can do most anything with them. But many dogs are not fine with anything a kid wants to do to them, and then bad things can happen. 

 

If you have kids, research some of the safety rules regarding living with kids and dogs. You don’t need to explain to the kids why, just teach them the rules and enforce them. 

Remember the old saying, "Let sleeping dogs lie"? 

Plan accordingly... 

The “Science” Of Dog Training

I’m currently reading an article from the Journal Of Experimental Analysis Of Behavior regarding stimulus control experiments, especially those of Guttman and Kalish (1956). This study was about the visual discrimination training of pigeons to better understand the concept of stimulus generalization...

My latest article... 

 

It's Dog Training Monday

There isn't really a Dog Training Monday. But my point is: today is a good day to train your dog. 

Too many dogs are in trouble because their owners haven't trained their dogs. That's not fair to their dogs and it isn't any fun for their owners. Today is a good day to train your dog. Think about it. 

Are Goldendoodles "Neurotic Psychopaths"?

A veterinarian has strongly warned against one dog breed due to its soaring popularity, branding them "neurotic psychopaths."

This is one of the dumbest professional opinions I’ve seen in a while. I have trained many doodles, including goldendoodles, and they are NOT neurotic psychopaths. They are pet dogs. Raise them right and everything will be fine. 

 

What this person is most likely seeing are dogs that weren’t properly socialized when puppies, and not properly trained as they grew up. That’s it. Is this vet recommending early puppy socialization, especially before 12 weeks of age? And many immune issues are medical problems, what recommendations does this vet have to prevent them?

 

This person should shut their pie hole and stick to veterinary medicine, not dog behavior. 

Dogs And Carjacking

Several times a year I will read a news story about a carjacking in which the criminal takes the car with the dog inside. Sometimes the dog is found as a stray; sometimes the dog is returned by the police; sometimes the dog is never seen again or is found dead; and rarely, the dog is returned by the criminal. 

Do you think about these things when driving with your dog? Do you maintain a watchful eye, especially in parts of town where these types of crimes are more likely to occur? Could you get your dog out of the car quickly? Could you track your stolen car with a GPS device? Could you track your dog with a GPS dog collar? Is your dog microchipped? Could your dog defend you? Could you defend your dog? Have you practiced a carjacking drill to prepare for this type of event? 

Plan accordingly 

Dogs And Halloween

It's Halloween Weekend And Week... and are you prepared? There are a lot of risks to you and your pet during these coming days, starting tonight... toxic food, scary people, open doors that allow a dog to escape, bad people who will harm stray dogs, open gates, intoxicated guests that can do any number of things to your dog, children acting "scary" around dogs, fireworks, and so much more. 

Plan accordingly... 

Animal Shelters Should Obtain Periodic Building Inspections

Bernalillo County Animal Care Services have to find another place for dozens of dogs after black mold was found at the Animal Care Services and Resource Center.

Having walked through many shelters and rescues over the years, I’ve seen and heard of some appalling conditions: rats, rat urine and feces, rust, parasites, contaminated ventilations systems, unsanitary food safety, poor designs that pair food and veterinary functions near euthanasia rooms, clogged drains, and general filth. It should be standard procedure, and possibly mandated by law, that all shelters have periodic inspections for animal and public health reasons. Walk around your local shelter some time, especially if you can get behind the desk facades, and give it all the white glove treatment. Ask yourself if you’d keep your home in the same condition. I beg you wouldn’t and don’t. 

44 Dogs Die In Fire At Rescue Shelter

44 dogs killed in fire at Upstate NY rescue shelter: ‘We are heartbroken’

This is a tragedy. It is not known the cause. Here’s an idea… if you run a shelter, ask the local fire department to do a periodic inspection of your facility. My understanding is this is something that many fire departments will do. It that isn't an option, hire a private building inspection company and fix everything on their inspection recommendations checklist. 

Dangerous To Fly Dogs Anywhere?

Contillo, according to the complaint, informed the flight attendant that he was reluctant to move as it would cause his dogs to become "very anxious," potentially leading to "extremely dangerous" respiratory and cardiac issues. Despite his pleas, the complaint alleges that staff disregarded his concerns and relocated both father and son to seats that provided even less breathing space for the dogs. The bereaved owner recounts in the lawsuit that Ash, the dog who passed away, began to breathe rapidly and heavily, showing clear signs of anxiety. This distress occurred just before take-off when Contillo was instructed to close the dog's carrier. During the flight, Contillo noticed that Ash had ceased moving but was required to wait until the plane reached a certain altitude before he could check on his pet

My Opinion: Commercial plane crews and companies don’t care about your dog like you do. They are not sufficiently qualified, and you risk the life of your dogs whenever you fly them, whether in cargo, economy, or first class. Commercial planes are not designed to accommodate pets. Plan accordingly.

Kerry Kennedy's Dog Killed By Another Dog On A Walk

'Out of nowhere, a neighborhood dog charged, attacked and killed Bellini,' wrote Kerry. 'It was terrifying and violent and beyond words.

I warn all my students to have their heads on a swivel and have a plan to defend themselves and their dogs on a walk. How would you defend against a human? How would you defend against a dog or other animal? Are you so distracted when walking, whether on your phone or in your head, that you can’t see what is going on before it happens?

 

Do mistakes happen? Yes. Will anyone come to your rescue in case of something bad? Most likely not. There was no way for this little fluffy dog to defend itself. Plan accordingly… 

Is Dog Kibble An Unhealthy Ultra-processed Food?

How ultra-processed dog food could be making your pet sick: When her beloved Monty fell ill, GEORGIA TOFFOLO discovered a shocking cause... and now is calling on the 'kibble cartel' to come clean

I don’t know enough about this topic, but it is on my radar. When I look at the ingredients in pet treats and foods, I often find suspicious ingredients. Here’s what I mean by that.

 

I wanted a pastry the other day. I just did. I normally don’t eat stuff like that, but occasionally I will get one. I was looking at the pastries near the bakery section of a high-end grocery store. I looked at the ingredients list. It was about 4 miles long. I decided I didn’t need to eat all that unknown stuff. If I were to make the exact same pastry at home, it would have had less than 10 ingredients. I see the same phenomenon with dog treats and foods. I would not feed that to a dog, and when I buy treats, I try my best to read the ingredients list and eliminate any brands that are making some weird chemical concoction to feed dogs.

 

I don’t trust mass production of human or dog foods. Feedback?

Don’t Pet Stranger’s Dogs

A 21-year-old man is on trial for murder after allegedly shooting and killing a man in an argument that began when the victim’s wife pet the man’s dog.

I feel no need to pet stranger’s dogs. I also don’t feel the need for my dog to meet stranger’s dogs. I leave them alone. It isn’t worth it to me. I interact with people I know or in situations where socialization is welcome, expected and invited. There are exceptions when I interact with the person, and they invite the interaction. And even then, I have my antenna up to back off if something is wrong.

 

For some dogs, a bad interaction results in a social defeat. That blows the dog’s confidence and creates a new bad memory that will affect future responses. It’s not good for your dog to be bullied by a human or other dog. Each encounter should be good for everyone involved and every dog they have with them. It is also foolish to get in arguments with strangers, even if you are in the right. Just walk away instead of letting things get out of control. The only fight worth having, in almost all cases, is one where it is justified in the eyes of God and man, otherwise… leave the situation. 

 

While this article describes an extreme case, a stranger is a stranger. I leave people alone in public. Not everyone wants interaction, and a small percentage of people are unstable, and some are dangerous, regardless of how they appear. Same with their dogs. 

 

Just like I wouldn’t just invite anyone I don’t know into my home, and I wouldn’t allow a stranger to just come up to me and touch me, I also reciprocate the same to strangers and their dogs 

Dog Breed Bans Don't Work

Despite the prohibition of the Pit bull terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila Braziliero, and the XL Bully, dog bites have increased by 154 per cent in the past 20 years.

Breed bans have never worked anywhere. But the entitled and demanding can intimidate and gain the favor of publicity seeking politicians to do just about anything, including banning dogs. Dog breed bans don’t work any better than gun bans. Same type of accusers, same logic. Ohhh… did I just say that?!

Dog Fights And Redirected Aggression

Two women rushed to hospital from same home less than 24 hours apart after 'Cane Corso hounds turned on them during dog fights' - one with an XL Bully

It is always dangerous to be near dogs that are fighting regardless of the breed. In the frenzy of a fight, especially if you intervene, the fight can turn on you even with your own dogs. I should say, my first recommended step for dealing with a dog fight is to get the kids away from the fight. 

How To Find Ticks On Your Dog

Top 9 Hiding Spots For Ticks On Dogs

This is a good article. Also, if you find ticks on your dog, you might also find ticks on yourself or your kids. 

French Bulldog AKC Breed Standard

When researching what breed is best for you, and later figuring out what your dog is like, I always recommend reading the breed standard for your dog. A breed standard is a description of the ideal dog of that breed. It is a starting point for making adoption, purchase, training, and breeding decisions. 

I especially read the parts that refer to 1.) ideal temperament; and 2.) disqualifications. What tendencies does this breed have so I can use them for the benefit of the dog? What are the health and temperament tendencies to avoid? Sometimes variations are normal for the any breed, and those variations might disqualify the dog for breeding, but aren't indications that something is wrong with your dog. For example, sometimes a short haired purebred dog (Belgian Malinois) might deliver a puppy with long hair (Belgian Tervuren). Everyone knows that can happen, and it is not a problem. If your dog has a variation, a good breeder will be able to explain what that indicates. On the other hand, sometimes a puppy would be born with a birth defect that might be reflected in the type of coat or eye color. Genetic indications are very interesting and any deviations of the standard should be researched.

Here is the link for the French Bulldog, one of the most popular breeds in the US. The words in this description were carefully selected. I often use a dictionary for each significant word to help me clearly understand what is being said. 

If I am working with a mixed bred dog, I also look at the breed standards for the other breeds. Some of each breed will come out in the resulting dog. Sometimes when you can't explain what is going on with a dog, it becomes clearer if you understand what might have been bred into the dog and understand how those traits might interact.

So, You Have A Watchdog…

Let’s say you could clone yourself and your dog, would you hire yourself and your dog to be your bodyguard to protect you and your family with your current skill level and the skill level of your dog? 

Or would everything hit the fan? Would it be a mess because you haven’t even considered how you and your dog would respond to an emergency? And have you included your family in that planning? 

 

I’m not an expert at being a police officer or professional bodyguard, but common sense says you can game out some things that would be useful. If you can’t even control your dog when a friendly guest enters your home, how do you think things would go if a bad guy entered your home, or opened your car door at a stoplight, or was chasing you down on your jog? Most likely outcome? A total mess.

Dog Licks Chemo Drug Off Owner And Gets Violently Ill

He puts a form of chemotherapy called fluorouracil on his head for treatment. When Sugar jumped in the bed one morning, he caught Tony off guard. "I screamed at him to stop and he jumped down," says Tony. "That began our journey with his exposure." Sugar had licked the drug off Tony's head and, within hours, was shaking and vomiting.

 

I tell everyone to exercise extra caution when handling drugs of any sort around dogs. I put mine in a separate room, high up, in a room with a door. Those items never leave that room, and that door is kept shut.

 

I found a pill on a student’s floor the other day as I was leaving. Some kind of capsule. This kind of poisoning can happen very easily. People are lax and dogs get hurt. 

 

Set up some kind of protocol for your home and have the poison control number handy in case of any such emergency. 

Bobcat Attacks Chihuahua Dog

Shannon Lucas' husband, Kurt Lucas, heard it all from inside the house and he ran outside, using a long broomstick he normally uses to kill scorpions to try and move the bobcat away.

 

Most of the time, you can haze wildlife and make it run away. Contact your local fish and game department to discuss how to help keep predators away from your property, and what to do if confronted with a situation like this.

Per the article: "I see people using those air horns - so loud noises, spraying them with water, that usually can do the trick of they're not going to want to come around," Alexandra Flickinger with AZGFD said. 

 

 

Seattle Couple Chases Coyote That Grabbed Their Dog

Seattle couple chases after coyote that took off with their beloved dog… They jumped in their car and chased after the coyote.

Here’s another good reason to keep a small dog on leash, even in urban areas. Coyotes are ubiquitous, not just in rural areas. This couple is lucky that they got their dog back alive.

Former Boxer Paul Spadafora Bitten By His Dog

Former boxing champion Paul Spadafora hospitalized after dog attack in Las Vegas… When he was, like, playing around, she bit him… Spadafora severed an artery in his left arm…

Sometimes a dog bite is unintentional. You are goofing around with your dog, you either scare them or your escalation of the play went too far, and you get hurt. I am not a big fan of wrestling games with dogs. I recommend instead a good fun game of hide and seek, fetch or tug, especially if children are involved.

Not All Dogs Are Ready For Plane Flights

"We often see these situations with plastic dog carriers," he explained. "When a dog becomes stressed and tries to escape, some dogs will exert so much effort to get out that they start chewing and digging wherever possible. Just because a dog is accustomed to a carrier does not guarantee that it will be fine in an airplane.

I have worked with numerous dog owners who needed to fly their dogs to some other location. We plan and train a lot to help prepare the dog. After all these years, my students haven’t had any bad experiences. But you can’t ever completely prepare a dog for a plane flight because the real experience will never match the training 100%. 

There are a lot of things that can be done, however, in advance. Plan accordingly… 

Family Dog Helps Rescue Child

Family dog aids in rescue of 11-year-old owner after Helene mudslide in western North Carolina

Family rescues dog, dog rescues family... 

The dog stayed near the collapsed home and alerted rescuers that the child was trapped under the debris. How many stories like this have we seen over the years? Many. A dog is more than a pet, more than just a furry rug that we feed.  

Dogs And Rent Control?

Last fall, Milei eliminated what The Wall Street Journal termed one of the world's "strictest" rent-control laws. Per its report: "The Argentine capital is undergoing a rental-market boom. Landlords are rushing to put their properties back on the market, with Buenos Aires rental supplies increasing by over 170 percent. While rents are still up in nominal terms, many renters are getting better deals than ever, with a 40 percent decline in the real price of rental properties when adjusted for inflation."

 We have a known problem with the lack of sufficient affordable housing in the US. The last thing we need is rent control. Instead we need people to make available, or build, more housing. People are relinquishing their pets because they either can’t find affordable housing, or they are not finding enough landlords that will allow pets. We need to open up the regulatory blockades that are in the way. If you are an animal welfare advocate, then you should oppose rent control.

Troubled Homes, Abused Dogs

My belief is that the root cause of abused dogs goes back to people being raised in troubled homes. If you grew up in such an environment, then figure that stuff out. Don't pass that onto your family and pets. 

Violent Crime Is Significantly Up. Should You Adopt A Watchdog?

Violent crime isn't down 2.1%, according to the FBI, it's up 4.5%

That is a LOT. That is a big increase in only a year.

Dogs can be more than companions, they can alert you to bad people and be a deterrent to criminals. There are a lot of dogs in rescue that would be great pets and increase your safety. Many people are going to shelters just to find a friend... maybe some people should also consider that some of these more watchful dogs might be a better fit in the long run. What you want is a dog that isn't so fearful that they won't fit into your home or life, but are suspicious when appropriate and will let you know (usually by barking) that something just isn't right.

Man Charged With Felony Regarding Abandoned Helene Hurricane Dog

Owner of 'Trooper,' dog abandoned amid Hurricane Milton, now faces felony animal cruelty… Lopez backed DeSantis, saying those who commit certain crimes during a state of emergency would be punished to the "fullest extent of the law." She hoped animal cruelty will soon be added to the list of applicable crimes because of the dog's heartbreaking case and the social outcry it caused.

Read the article. I don’t understand the man’s explanation.

 

You can’t abandon a dog like this these days and expect it will go well for you. People abandon dogs in the AZ deserts… we need more enforcement on those cases. 

Rover: Dog Allegedly Drowns

'What do you mean you're sorry?': Man wants answers after pet died while in care of sitter hired on Rover

A lot needs to be arranged, discussed and planned when hiring a pet sitter. I am wondering if more formal training should be offered by these online services to prevent accidents. I don’t know the factual specifics of this case, but something went seriously wrong. Read the article.

Dog Walker Trampled By Cows

A young woman trampled to death by cows took a photograph of the herd and sent it to her mother before she was found critically injured, an inquest heard.

If you take your dog for a walk in an area with cattle, you are in danger if they are not behind a fence. They see your dog as a threat, as a predator, and will act accordingly to protect themselves. Many people don’t know that. In AZ, there are cattle on BLM range land, and it is dangerous to hike with your dog in those areas. 

Plan accordingly… 

The State Of The Economy And Dog Adoptions

Those who have experienced job or home loss and can no longer financially support their dogs face a lack of alternatives when it comes to surrendering their pets, leading them to frequently release them to roam freely. When dog owners who employ cruel training methods or engage in illicit breeding cannot find purchasers for their puppies, they often choose to abandon them.

If you are deeply involved in animal welfare, then you should make yourself deeply aware of the economics of pet ownership and animal welfare. National and local economic trends play a significant role in adoptions and pet retention. 

Regarding the meat of the linked article, I don't think you can use selective euthanasia to solve municipal shelter overcrowding issues. Instead, they should be privatized. Microeconomics add up to macroeconomics. All inefficiencies along the supply chain need to be eliminated. 

Letting Dogs Be Dogs... Not Kids

Americans have been shelling out more money for their furry friends over the past decade. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported pet expenditures increased by 77.9% from 2013 to 2021.

Dogs are sometimes referred as the new kids. While I think it is great to own a dog, I think there is something wrong with society when it promotes the idea that a dog is the same as having a child. Dogs are dogs, great pets, every good family should consider having one. But they aren’t kids. Shouldn’t be treated as kids. Shouldn’t be placed in a role in the family as a child. It’s OK for a dog to be a dog. If you want a child, there are options for many... including adoption. Let's not confuse the two, regardless of how much we love our dogs.

Dog Attacks Child, Could You Stop It?

Witnesses reportedly tried to stop the dogs with clubs but were unsuccessful. The neighbor then used his gun to shoot the dog twice, killing it.

The dogs attacked and killed the owner’s child. The stimulus for the fight wasn’t determined in the article. Often these cases are a result of getting into the middle of a dog fight, food guarding, pain stimulus, or some kind of teasing. But there can be other causes. You need to know your dogs before letting your dogs play alone with your child.

Setting that aside, note that sometimes you need to take extreme measures to stop a dog attack. I have spoken to people who were attacked by dogs, and they are traumatized that they were helpless to stop the attack. Sometimes, you can’t. You need the help of others and sometimes the only solution is to end the life of the dog. 

Plan accordingly… 

Pheasant Hunting In South Dakota

“What’s going to surprise people about hunting in South Dakota is just the number of birds that you are going to see, the amount of wildlife you are going to see, the amount of wildlife you’re going to see out in the field. It’s a great way to exercise. If you have dogs, you get to watch the dogs’ work. If not, you can boot-hunt and still have a great time. However, you like to pheasant hunt, however, you like to hit the field, you can do it here in South Dakota. I think that’s what makes hunting here so special.”

 

I’m fascinated by hunting dogs. I have considered getting a pointer and learning how to bird hunt. I’m also a fan of the Dakotas. Amazing part of the country. 

Aurora CO To Vote On Repealing Pit Bull Ban

Taylor has also argued that breed banning has not been shown to work, and will only cause more issues in the long run.

It is about time this ban is repealed. It is nonsense to ban dog breeds. Normal people can raise and manage any dog breed. Bad people will do bad regardless of the laws. 

Wolf Attacks On Children

During the summer, two children were attacked near the city of Utrecht by a wolf displaying 'disturbing' behaviour. One of the children was bitten, and another was knocked over by the wolf.

I’ve been warning about this for years. In Yellowstone, the rule is to keep 100 yards minimum distance from wolves. As wolves are desensitized to being near human habitations, there will be deadly confrontations, and it won't just be over them eating pets and livestock. Just like with bears, they need to be managed and the public needs to better understand how to coexist. A fed bear is a dead bear. And I think the same is coming with the introduction of wolves to the West. I think we will hear that a fed wolf is a dead wolf. Wildlife officers will be sent out to dispatch dangerous wolves, and residents are going to have to take self defensive precautions. We are going to find out that they are not just benign creatures. They are formidable predators, like wolves and bears, and deserve the respect of that status.

 

This entire wolf thing has not been well thought out and the public isn’t aware or prepared for what is coming. More conflicts are coming. 

Would Your Dog Vote For Trump Or Harris?

 Dogs don't vote, silly 

My Dog Doesn't ____ ...

Don't be upset at your dog for the work you didn't do with your dog. 

Dog Stolen From Backyard

The Wilmette resident told police she let Leon outside in the backyard of her home for a bathroom break, then left to attend a parents' night at her daughter's school.

 

What can I say? You can’t leave dogs like this alone in the yard. They are theft magnets. This is especially true as we approach the holidays. Your dog is at extra risk from now until New Years.

 

I’m guessing the dog was left outside because the dog isn’t house trained. That isn’t unusual. 

"Packs Of Coyotes Roam Arcadia AZ Neighborhood"

Neighbors said packs of coyotes have taken over their Arcadia neighborhood near Indian School Road and 56th Street. It started just a few months ago and while they've seen coyotes before, they claim it's never been this many.

 

This is a valid concern in AZ. People live in homes directly adjacent to the desert. Coyotes (and other predators such as bobcats) are incredibly athletic and able to scale fences and walls to get at pets. 

 

There are a few things you can do and can’t do with regards to wild animals. Fish and game departments in every state will give you ideas. Generally, you can harass wildlife on your property, but many species are protected, and you often can’t legally use lethal methods. Ask about ways to run them off.

 

It is important to walk around your premises and see what kinds of vulnerabilities you have. How high are your walls and fences? Are they in good condition? Are you leaving out things that would be attractive to a predator, such as dog toys (chewables such as bully sticks, etc.)? Are you cleaning up feces? Are you leaving water and food bowls outside? Are you leaving edibles in open containers? Doggie doors are a risk; I'm not a fan of them. Coyotes and other predators have been known to enter homes and do their dastardly deeds. 

 

Lastly, it is important to supervise your pets, especially if you have a large yard with places to hide. The smaller the dog, the more vulnerable. But even big dogs have been attacked. Two or more coyotes are more than a match for most pets, regardless of breed. There are some breeds that were developed to dispatch predators, but most people won’t have dogs that were specifically bred and proven to do this. Just because you have a Great Pyrenees doesn’t mean your dog has the genetics to do the job.

 

I’m surprised the number of people I speak to that blow off my warnings about predators. It is better to be prepared than in grief because you could have done something and didn’t.

More: LA Shelters Are In Crisis

The issues driving the shelter crisis are diverse—from insufficient spay and neuter services to a lack of pet-inclusive housing and affordability issues. 

"Lack of housing and affordability issues," huh.

In other words, the economy is crushing LA shelters. Inflation is the symptom of government mismanagement of the economy, and our pets are suffering and worse as a result. 

“Dogs in L.A. shelters being euthanized at historic rate”

Want to know why shelters are full across the country and why euthanasia rates are so high? 

It’s this terrible economy. I see article after article about the cost of living and people having to relinquish their pets. The government can’t keep spending and printing money without a corresponding increase in productivity and goods. Real incomes are falling, everything has gotten more expensive, and rescues are going under, and the shelters are full. It doesn’t matter if you do more spay/ neuter if the public can’t afford to reimburse the cost of owning these pets. This isn't a problem with backyard breeding, either. Most people are living paycheck to paycheck, they are loading up their credit cards to pay for essential needs, and employment isn't what it used to be. The nation is in crisis.

I remember what happened during the Great Recession. The carnage in the shelters was horrible, and we are seeing the same thing now. We are heading towards a recession, and we are living in a bubble economy that is artificially being held aloft by unsustainable government mismanagement, both monetary and fiscal.

If you love pets, then you’ll pay more attention to economics, real economics like what is taught in college. Government is crowding out private enterprise in a thousand different ways. Don’t tell me you are an animal welfare advocate and you ignore the forces that are causing this dog holocaust.

“It's the economy, stupid.”

Pepper Spray And Dog Attacks

They (the police) tried to ward off the three dogs by using pepper spray, but when the attack did not abate, they shot the dogs dead.

 This is an important detail… whether you are fending off dogs or a grizzly bear, pepper spray doesn’t always work. Prepare accordingly… 

Pokadot: French Bulldog X Dalmatian; You Can, But Should You?

Hemming, a 41-year-old from Edinburgh, Scotland, said the creation from his “Pokadot” factory is the future of his new breed: Pokadot Frenchie. 

 Just because you can create a new dog breed or variety, should you? I have trained a lot of French Bulldogs. I’ve trained a lot of Dalmatians. I don’t see how these two breeds mesh. The temperaments are a clash, and my guess is that this dog will not only have health problems, but it will also have temperament problems. 

 

AKC Breed Standards:

 

French Bulldog: “Temperament: Well behaved, adaptable, and comfortable companions with an affectionate nature and even disposition; generally active, alert, and playful, but not unduly boisterous.”

 

Dalmatian: “Temperament: Temperament is stable and outgoing, yet dignified. Shyness is a major fault.”

 

What is the benefit of this cross? FB’s were bred to be companion dogs. Dals were bred to do a variety of tasks, but never specialized in any specific field: guard dog; ratter; hunter; and to fight dogs that would attack carriage horses, such as horses pulling a fire truck. They are supposed to be aloof with strangers, but I find Dals tend towards being shy, and that must be carefully weeded out in every litter used for breeding. What is the resulting cross going to be like? I don't think people will want a FB that has the traits of a Dal. And can you trust the creator of this breed to have done a good job?

 

Regarding the resulting color… Breed standards are there to weed out problems. Color and coat type can be linked to temperament and health, good or bad. We don’t know what this cross will do either. 

 

Breed creation should be good for the dog and good for the owner. I’m not convinced that this cross will accomplish either. Time will tell. I would not be the first person to own this cross; I would not want to be burned, and I wouldn’t want to encourage something that might be harmful to a dog.

10 Pit Bull Type Dogs Kill NY Man

“We’re still trying to determine why the victim was in the rear of the residence, we’re still trying to figure out why the owner of the dogs kept so many dogs at that location,” Hawkins said.

 

I notice few issues here that I would like more information about. 

 

First, is understanding what set up this tragedy of 10 dogs ganging up on someone off their home property. My belief: never let your dogs get to someone without your knowledge. Even friendly dogs can turn into something else in a group that large. That means inspecting and validating your fencing, gates, yard, and supervision rules. These dogs somehow got into the neighbor’s yard. It is not clear to me how. No one is going to likely survive an attack by 10 dogs, regardless of the trigger and circumstances.

 

Second, the dogs were housed at an alleged “drug house”. I go a lot of places and see a lot of things because I do private lessons in people’s homes. I sometimes also hear stuff from people. I remember several years ago doing an outdoor lesson at night. We were working on teaching this dog to not pull on a leash. About a block or so away from my student’s home, I smelled something chemical and terrible. She said that down a cul-de-sac, there was a drug house, and what I was smelling was them brewing illegal drugs. I was in another neighborhood, in another situation, where people were afraid to come to the door. Down the end of the street was a neighborhood park. Some kid had been killed there, and there was a known drug house on the far side. Cars and people were coming and going at all times of the day, almost like a gas station and people were waiting their turn at the park benches. Bad stuff can happen in those locations, and you can be harmed in any number of ways, including this kind of situation. No way was I going to do a dog lesson in that park. Not always can or will law enforcement help, so you either need to stay away or move away. I’ve stopped training dogs in some parks when I see shady people doing shady things. Sometimes my gut feeling is validated by some bad story in the news later.

 

Third, the article says that 9 adult and 15 puppies were removed by authorities. That is way too many dogs for an alleged “drug house.” In my experience, dogs like this are bred for money and protection. Plus, adult dogs are going to be more protective of the area if they have puppies. Good breeders can have that many dogs and not have any problems. My guess is that this will not turn out to be a “good breeder.”

 

I always recommend paying attention to things that seem out of the normal. A lot of things here would probably been clues of danger to me if I had sensed or been aware of them. Who knows what the victim did or didn’t know, however. That doesn’t automatically make him responsible for what happened. The police are trying to sort out more details, so the article is insufficient to really know what happened and why. I look at stories like this to extract life lessons that I can pass on to my students. Let’s see what develops. 

Dog Fates After Owner Arrest?

The dog’s whereabouts were also unknown after it ran off during the suspect’s detainment.

One type of unnamed victim of an arrest is the dog that is left behind. In this story, the dog ran away after the suspect was taken into custody. A similar type of problem is the dog left behind after a medical emergency. 911 shows up, the person is taken away in an ambulance, and the dog is left behind. 

For the dog, these situations are going to be very traumatic. The dog has witnessed something bad and that is going to most likely traumatize that dog.

I had a student that had a a medical emergency like this. When he finally came home, the dog was now very suspicious of strangers in the home. Prior to that event, the dog was a happy go lucky pit bull. 

I don’t have any practical tips for first responders regarding the dogs. Maybe there should be rescue groups which are contacted to check up on the dog? Or in this case, to see if the dog returns and can be captured and fostered. 

Dogs And Troubled Relationships

More than a few times, I've consulted with a dog owner that is getting demands that they get rid of their dog. And many times, the problem is that the owner is in a troubled relationship with someone they live with. 

 

I spoke with someone several years ago with this exact problem. His dogs were fighting because he was fighting (arguing) with his live-in girlfriend and her daughters. They would do things around his dogs that would stimulate two of the dogs into fights. It was a troubled home. They vented a lot of this by blaming his dogs. It wasn’t the dogs; it was his troubled relationships. They wanted him to put the down or get rid of them. He told me he had considered ending his life over it. Yeah, it was that bad. I told him it wasn’t his job to make other people happy, and especially not doing it by harming himself or his dogs. I told him that I’d dump the girlfriend and keep the dogs. He did, and the problems went away and so did the dog fights. 

 

My advice: stay away from troubled people. You can’t fix them. They are going to be bad for you and for your dogs. There are a lot of unhinged people in this world, but that isn’t everyone. Find the good ones and dump the neurotic ones. 

** Sometimes the problem is the owner, and sometimes the problem is the dogs, but that isn't what this article is about. More about this other stuff later.

Hurricane Update: Dog Tied To Tree Rescued

This poor dog was tied to a tree... 

Protecting Animals During A Hurricane Disaster

As Milton approaches Florida, animals at zoos and aquariums are being protected, including this giraffe that was moved to a barn at ZooTampa that is rated to withstand hurricane-force winds.

If you have animals, and especially if you have a lot of them, you need a pre-planned disaster plan. I would bet most animal shelters lack any such planning. 

DOG PPL Canine Social Club: Members-only Canine Club

Members-only canine club coming to NYC touts DJs, cocktails and could cost $1,400 a year — right next to a free dog park

 OK. That might be good. Maybe not. This kind of environment might end up being too stressful for the dogs. We ask a lot of dogs these days, this might be stress on steroids for many dogs. 

 

If I ever visit one, I’ll give you my verdict. For now, I’m agnostic on the concept… 

Drew Barrymore and Dave Bautista Volunteer With ASPCA

The celebrity rescue dog parents have teamed up with the ASPCA to help rescue pups find homes through social media

 I wish more celebrities would do efforts like this. It is difficult, however, to get past the celebrity gatekeepers to ask them if they would like to help out with this or that charity or charity event. Usually you get back… nothing. Silence. 

 

I’d have more respect for them for these kinds of efforts rather than popping up near elections and hearing them speak out pre-prepared scripts advocating for this or that candidate or issue. 

Follow Up: Dog Attacks 1 Year Old Child

So here is the follow up to the story about the dogs that attacked the 1-year-old child, Jiryiah Johnson. 

As a warning: everyone is innocent until proven guilty; these articles are allegedly telling the whole truth clearly about the situation, or a re-reading of the articles might reveal more details, so that’s all we must go on so far; you will need to dig, do your own homework, and verify what you find if you want even more details and perspective. If you want facts, then talk to the parties involved. The child is now dead. It is not your job to pile on and somehow make the situation worse.

Here’s my preliminary perspective from the linked articles and the previous articles I've read:

1. The dogs were aggressive in some way. A previous article stated that the dogs had been somehow deemed, prior to this incident, as being dangerous by the authorities

2. The owner of the dogs, the 36-year-old babysitter, knew or suspected the dogs had behavioral problems, or there was some other reason to want the dogs kept separate from the 1-year-old child

3. The child’s mother either knew the dogs had behavioral problems or didn’t know. The linked articles seem to conflict. The first article seems to indicate there was some kind of understanding, and the second article seems to indicate the opposite. 

4. There was some kind of attempt to keep the dogs the dogs away, maybe locked, from the child

5. The 36-year-old babysitter was called into work, and the child was left in the care of her 13-year-old daughter

6. The dogs were being kept in a bedroom

7. Somehow the dogs got out of the bedroom, and there might be indications the dogs had either gotten out of that bedroom before or during the incident

8. Once the dogs got out of the bedroom, they attacked the child and 13-year-old. 

9. The 13-year-old fought with the dogs for several minutes, and was chased around the home by the dogs as she tried to escape with the child in her arms

10. The 36-year-old babysitter “faces felony charges of causing serious bodily injury to a child by omission.” There might be additional charges related to the injury(ies) to the 13-year-old daughter. These are grave charges.

LINKED ARTICLES

1. Mother of baby boy mauled to death by dogs opens up about attack

2. BCSO Sheriff says 1-year-old killed by dogs left alone with 13-year-old

MY THOUGHTS:

1. My sisters babysat kids at 13 years of age with no problem. I don’t think it is unreasonable for a 13-year-old to babysit a 1-year-old child.

2. There should be a clear understanding between a parent and a babysitter regarding the care of the child, and what to do if something unexpected crops up

3. Parents should interview anyone who is about to babysit their kids, including meeting anyone who would be in the home other than the babysitter who might do any of the babysitting. This could have instead resulted in a dog on dog tragedy, if these dogs had issues with other dogs and this was a dog housesitting situation instead of a child babysitting situation. I believe a lot of the ideas I have on this would seem to apply to that type of situation, as well.

4. Just like I do with a home where someone is going to house sit a dog, parents should do a walk through with the babysitter, indoors and out, to see the condition of the premises.

5. Babysitters should do an introduction of their pets with the owner and owner’s kids. If that can’t be successfully accomplished, I think that should disqualify that babysitter and the parents need to find someone else. 

5. If the parents can’t find an acceptable babysitter, then don’t go to work or leave the kids there. 

6. Know your dogs. Or test them in some way, if possible, but realize that sometimes tests fail to predict the future. If you own dogs with behavioral problems, especially if there are known aggression problems, then board the dogs off premises or don’t do any babysitting at your home. If the owner has dogs that have behavioral problems, especially if there are known aggression problems, then don’t agree to babysit the kids at their home, either. These dogs were put away in a bedroom for some reason.

7. From what I’m perceiving, I’m guessing that if these dogs had gotten out, and the 36-year-old babysitter had never left the premises, the dogs still might have attacked the child, and the adult babysitter would have been just as injured as the 13-year-old daughter. 

8. Some dogs can break through or open normal bedroom doors. Typical suburban home doors aren’t designed to hold back a group of powerful and determined dogs, even if they start out in good condition. So, you need a proper kennel for some dogs. Some dogs can even break out of a normal kennel.

9. You are in for a major fight whenever you are dealing with a dog that wants to attack. Even your own dogs can turn on you if you are in the middle of it all. Dogs are extremely powerful when in a fight mode, and it takes a lot of force to stop them if you can’t get away. Also, in a fight like this, you aren’t going to be thinking very clearly. It isn’t fair to Monday Morning Quarterback this story and claim you know what you would have done. Your plan might have not worked either. 

10. My belief is that the only thing that would have worked here would have been to not leave the child at this location under these circumstances. I don’t see indications that anyone had bad intentions. 

11. The dogs should be put down. I would not attempt to rehome them. Some people would advocate the dogs going to a sanctuary. I wouldn’t do that. 

12. This is now a criminal case, and nothing is going to stop the wheels of justice from rolling now. 

More information is probably going to come out, and my thoughts and recommendations will probably change as a result. This isn't a fact finding article, but my walkthrough of what I'm seeing in these stories. This is a tragedy, and the purpose of reporting this is a way of informing others about how I look at something like this and how I process preventative measures someone might take in similar circumstances. Others might process this information differently and come to different views and recommendations. But, even if any of my suggestions, or any one else's suggestions, had been taken prior to this tragedy, it might still have occurred in a similar way. No way to know, we can't turn back the clock.

Dog With Cancer Bites Owner

Korinne Mortensen of Salt Lake City, Utah, was relaxing with her dog Niko in November 2022 when suddenly he lunged at her and mauled her face.

Many years ago, I had a student with a black Lab puppy. One day, she called the dog to come back into the house from the back yard, but the dog just laid there in the grass. Thinking her dog was being stubborn, she reached for his collar to get him going. He attacked her and tore up her arm.

Her neighbor was a "German Shepherd trainer", whatever that means. He told her if one of his dogs had done that, he would have beaten the hell out of that dog. 

She contacted me. After evaluating the dog and situation, I told her something was wrong, and I recommended she take the dog to the vet for an exam. Sure enough, the dog had cancer. 

Not all aggression is a behavioral problem.

One Year Old Child Attacked By Dog

"Unfortunately, we were made aware, while we were here on scene, that this is not the first time something like this has happened. My understanding is that...there has been a dog attack episode at this residence here before. My understanding is that the owner was cited at that time, and...the dogs have actually been deemed dangerous animals," Salazar said.

 

We don’t have the full story in this article. I can’t re-create the scenario, so this is a developing story. But, here are my initial reactions.

 

First, a 1-year-old isn’t going to do too well if attacked by a dog. Horrible. The indications to me from reading other articles makes me think that the situation is grave.

 

I wonder why the dogs targeted the infant. More information is needed to draw any educated guesses. I don’t recommend people piling on here and making the situation worse. The situation is already about as bad as it can get. I don’t know what advice I would have given to these folks before, during, or after this incident. This post is about what you can do if you own a dog. 

 

Second, there is reportedly some kind of history here with the owner of the dogs allegedly being cited for having “dangerous” dogs and being aware of some kind of previous attack. Oh, boy. The law isn’t going to be very forgiving if this is a second incident, and especially with a child involved and if any negligence is discovered. 

 

The article says the dogs were some kind of pit bull mixes. I don’t think that is as relevant as to how the dogs were being managed. 

 

Sometimes the best option when you have dogs that are deemed to be dangerous, is to at least rehome the dogs. Sometimes the best option is euthanasia before something worse happens. 

 

But be aware: Just like parents are starting to be charged with crimes if their kid gets their gun and they know the kid is troubled, the law seems to be going that way with respect to dogs and kids. Hopefully that trend decreases the risk of these types of tragedies and increases the demand for properly bred dogs, more education about socialization by veterinarians, and people accepting that their dogs need more training and supervision. In my opinion, most people don't train their dogs sufficiently, regardless of breed or situation. The demands of life with a dog are greater today than ever before. We are making a lot of demands on dogs these days, and more attention needs to be paid to everything, from birth to old age. More laws aren't the primary solution here. 

 

My rule is always: People safety first, dog safety second. I don’t care how much you love your dog; the priority needs to be for the people first. I don’t know the thinking of this owner. I can’t read minds. I’m just saying that it is important for dog owners to have that sorted out in their heads before ever even getting a dog.

 

AZ Needs Better Emergency Animal Welfare Response Laws And Follow Through

“We've had many instances where we've called the police and the Arizona Humane,” Hoffman said. “They'll come out and they'll assess the situation, and they leave. And the animal stays in the horrific situation.”

 

AZ needs to empower and fund better emergency and abuse response for animals in distress and abuse situations. This has been a known problem for a long time. This requires new laws, more funding, and a reorganization of those who should be empowered to do the investigations, rescue, seizures of distressed animals, transport, communications, medical care, and public relations. 

 

I recommend contacting State Senator John Kavanagh, (R) District, office. He has been a consistent animal welfare champion, and has “previously gotten animal protection laws passed, and he plans to bring more to the next legislative session.” Legislators need public support to see proposed legislation become law. Write or call his office and offer your support.

Black Friday Puppies And Dogs

Every year, after Thanksgiving, we have the Black Friday sales. Consumers have wads of cash, and they are ready to spend. A lot of these purchases are in anticipation of Christmas. There will be a LOT of great pets to choose from... (MORE)

Wolf hybrids Seized: Animal Cruelty Investigation

Ten wolf hybrid canines seized during an animal cruelty investigation in Aguanga this summer were bound for an exotic pet shelter in Arizona on Friday, Oct. 4 for permanent placement, sparing them from euthanasia.

 

I don’t see the allure of owning a wolf hybrid. Domesticated pets are selectively bred to live peaceably in human environments. Wild animals can’t take the stresses and have amplified survival needs that don’t mesh as well as domesticated pets.

 

I also wouldn’t demand a wolf hybrid to be euthanized by law. If the animal is well managed, then I don’t see the harm. I agree with one of the statements in the article: “The big problem is that they are too ‘wolfy’ to be a pet and they’re not ‘wolfy’ enough to be in a commercial facility, such as a zoo.”

 

There are animals that are dangerous, very dangerous, to have as pets. Such as chimpanzees. Nope, don’t want one of those. 

 

I hope the fates of these wolf hybrids is good. It is difficult enough to rescue and rehome pet dogs, it is even harder for wolf hybrids.

More People Own Dogs Than Ever Before

"The dog today is not the dog of 10 years ago," Bobby Boivin, the co-owner of Boo's Dog Bar in Sarasota, Florida, said. "The dog today is literally a child in the family. It is a family member. And well, when people go out to dinner, they want to bring the whole family with them."

The demand on pets is higher today than ever before. Since I meet directly with families on a regular basis, I can confirm that people love their dogs like family. They also have increased needs and expectations of their dogs. I’ve had to develop numerous solutions for a wide variety of issues that weren’t as much of a consideration 20 years ago.

More people plan on taking their dogs on vacations, hikes, road trips. More people are contemplating and doing therapy dog volunteering. The only difference I’ve seen lately is that people are having fewer guests since the lockdowns. People seem to have fewer friends now, so their dogs are taking a larger role in their social circles. The big downside is the dysfunctional municipal animal control system nationwide. It is still operating from the same model they have used for 50 or more years, and they are warehousing and traumatizing more pets than ever before. For people who are looking for a family member, they find these places to be repugnant, insincere, inefficient, obsolete, smelly, loud, oftentimes rude, and disgusting. Is there any government program that runs efficiently? Government should not be in the animal rescue business. More on that later... 

With all of that, people are still in the dark as to good ways to manage and train their dogs. A lot of old wives’ tales exist, people still react emotionally to dogs, and people often focus more on how they feel rather than how their dogs are doing. It is hard to cut through all the chatter on the internet to find out what is really going on with a dog and to get good coaching to solve problems effectively and humanely. 

Dog Derangement

According to the Google AI, “derangement’ is defined as: A state of being unable to think clearly or act in a controlled way, especially due to mental illness.

Some people can become quite ugly. I think we have all known people who have gone over to the Dark Side, into irrational anger and actions, over something or some issue. I generally believe this is either their temperament, or the fallout of some other stress that redirects towards another target.

If you have owned a dog long enough, you will encounter instances of, what I refer to as, Dog Derangement. 

An example. In the UK, they have banned several dog breeds. The latest is the XL Bully. Instead of focusing on responsible dog ownership, they banned this new breed. Do you think that this will reduce dog bite instances in the UK? It won’t. Dog bans have never worked. People will just switch to another breed or create a new one. The emotional overreaction and illogical response only harm innocent animals, it doesn't fix the problem.

Or you might see it while innocently taking your dog for a walk. What a pleasure it is for some random stranger to run up to you, pointing their bony finger in your face, because you dared to walk your friendly puppy in public. I’ve experienced that. 

Or the goofy relative with a chip on their shoulder who thinks they need to teach your dog a lesson. Or the neighbor who decides to make your dog’s life miserable. 

Dog ownership is quite the adventure. It should be fun, but it does have risks. Avoid those afflicted with Dog Derangement, and train accordingly.

Neighborhood Teams Using Dogs To Save Hurricane Helene Victims

Harville organized hundreds of volunteers who used drones, thermal cameras, binoculars and hunting dogs to scour the muddy banks, fending off copperhead snakes, trudging through knee-high muck and fighting through tangled branches.

Dogs are relevant and needed for search and rescue. However, this kind of work isn’t without risks. This linked article says a man and his dog drowned trying to save a victim of Hurricane Helene. Tragic. Just horrible. 

 

I think every community should have citizen-based rescue groups that are available in case of a disaster. Helene has proven the folly of waiting for government to come and help. 

 

What I get out of these things: You are your own first responder. And your neighbors should organize to help. They do it for moral reasons. Don't wait for government services and don't assume they will treat you well... in this instance, the response is deplorable.

 

Form a block watch program for your neighborhood. And include exercises and resources to deploy in case of a disaster.

A Dog Training Mess

Occasionally, a carefully planned dog training lesson… will turn out to be a mess. That is because every dog has a vote in terms of how things are going to go. Thus, in the middle portion of one of my lessons this morning, what I was trying to do went sideways.

Have you experienced this before? I have. Many times. I enjoy a puzzle like this, and I enjoy seeing a dog make progress. I never stick to one approach if that approach isn't working for a dog.

Ex-NY Gov. David Paterson Attacked When Walking Dog

 Ex-NY Gov. David Paterson, stepson attacked by gang of young suspects while walking dog on UES

Do you have a plan in case someone tries to attack you while walking your dog? What would you do in such a case since you can't assume anyone will come to your aid? 

Just because you have a dog with you on a walk or jog doesn't mean someone won't try to go after you. If this person doesn't care about your dog, and if your dog is incapable of helping you in a fight, then what is your plan? And what if, like the Ex-Gov, you are disabled? 

Better to think ahead than regretting afterwards that you didn't even consider the risks. Furthermore, is it time to move away from where you live? Or to take a different route? Many places in the US have become dangerous because of... well, you know the reasons. You can't fight the world, sometimes it is better to move away.

Man Saves Girl But Is Attacked By Dog

Man hospitalized after stopping dog attack at a Willard school bus stop

There is no safe and painless way to stop all dog attacks. This man is a hero, but heroes sometimes pay a heavy price for their courage. If you saw a dog attack, are you always prepared to jump in and save someone's life? 

Dog Saves Owner's Life

A dog saved her owner – who hurt his leg at home in rural Washington state, fell and couldn’t get up for hours – by walking to a road, sitting in the middle of it until a local sheriff’s deputy stopped, and leading the officer to him, according to authorities.

Some might ask, "why have a dog?" Well, here's a good reason. We have seen many accounts like these in the news. 

Helene: Friendly Tennessee Pit Bull Trapped In Tree

 Tennessee dog trapped in tree rescued 3 days after Helene floods

Well, here is a bright spot. This dog was rescued by firefighters, trapped 20 feet above the ground in a tree. The dog was microchipped (always a good idea) and will be reunited with her owners. 

Look at that dog... what a sweet face!!

Police Seize And Kill Innocent Dog In UK

'However, unfortunately, due to an administration error the dog was subsequently euthanized before the court hearing.'

What is with the lack of civil rights in some areas and countries? Why are some authorities so full of themselves that they are willing to steamroll over citizens? This case is an abomination. Are they sorry only because they got caught?

Whatever happened to GREAT Britain? To me, it looks like a nation of men without chests, a nation that has lost their core values. What happened here violated the respect of the right to due process of the law. Apologies won’t bring this dog back to life. Authorities in many nations will take it out on dogs to stomp on human rights to appease the squeaky wheels. I think they bully the public into silence. Where is their Gandhi? Where is their Churchill?

I don't believe claims that this won't happen again. 

Dogs Don't Like Being Hugged

 "... dogs are stressed when humans hug them"

I mentioned this to a student, she got offended, and then proclaimed that her dog must not love her. Oh boy...

Here's the deal, dogs don't hug one another. To dogs, I believe hugging signals they are possibly being captured by a predator. To them, it isn't natural. To humans, it is natural. But we are different species and interpret touch differently.

So... your dog loves you and you love your dog. That doesn't mean your dog interprets hugging as something pleasant. This might also explain why some dogs don't like seeing people in their family being hugged. I don't think it is always jealousy or attention seeking. I think some dogs interpret it as threatening. Something to think about. 

Sydney Sweeney and Her Dog Tank

"She sleeps like a human: in bed, with her body underneath the blankets, and then her head on the pillow. I spoon her on my right side."

I think it is great that celebrities have pets. I think it gives them a sense of reality in a world of unreality. Sydney Sweeney adopted a rescue dog and it appears this dog is having the time of its life, and Sydney Sweeney is enjoying it all. This is a pretty cool article and worth the read. If you like dogs, then I probably am going to like you... and I'm now a fan!

Dogs And Hurricane Helene

Helene is the deadliest hurricane since Katrina. But with the economy in the dumps because of widespread government mismanagement and inflation there will be no demand for the rescued pets. 

I wonder if there are any large-scale organized rescue efforts for pets in the affected areas. If you look, what’s going on with the total and complete screwup regarding humans, it’s got to be even worse for animals

Forget about transport to other shelters around the country… who is going to take in these dogs, examine them, vaccinate and treat them, feed them, temporarily house them, and find them homes, when most large municipal shelters are already mismanaged as pet warehouses and packed full?

Now you’re going to have a bunch of stray dogs and cats that have no owners, no one to rescue them and nobody to feed them. We can borrow and spend trillions of dollars on wasted programs, but then when it really is needed, they don't have and can’t get the resources to the people, and there will be no help for pets. Furthermore, I don’t think Congress goes back to work until after the first of the year, so I don’t even know how they do appropriations for this kind of an emergency when they ran the bank account dry. 

We’re going to be hearing about requests for help from rescues around the country for these people and these animals, but with shelters and rescues packed to the gills, I don’t think any help is coming.

Be Careful With Your Dog At Parks

About 20 years ago I lived in the Seattle area. I was doing a house training lesson for a couple that owned a French Bulldog. FB's are great little dogs. Well... as we proceeded, I noticed that this dog just wouldn't stop moving around. Zoom here, zoom there, again and again. I asked if that was normal for their dog. They said they had never seen that kind of thing out of her. I stopped the lesson and told them to immediately take their dog to the vet for an exam. 

They called me afterwards. Their dog was admitted with an elevated fever and the vet believed the dog had ingested some meth. 

How could that have happened? Just before I saw them, the owner had taken their dog for a walk along the Seattle waterfront near the train tracks. This area was a known place for druggies to hang out. The guess was the dog found something with meth on it and ingested it. 

Their dog was awake and agitated for nearly 24 hours before it settled down. 

This experience, plus some other observations during outdoor lessons, makes me tell all students to be very careful with their dogs at public parks, especially around park benches. There have been numerous times I've spotted needles on the ground around the seating areas, and burn marks on the tables and benches. I've seen people ingest drugs at park benches and go completely Twilight Zone as they wander off talking and arguing with invisible enemies. I've also seen other undesirable items left on the ground, including tossed food or choking hazards that would not be safe for dogs to ingest. So, while it is great to take your dog for an outing at parks, you need to see things from their perspective and watch out for these types of hazards. Especially at parks where you know people might be using those places to get high. 

Dog Owner Loses Eye Because Of Retractable Leash

Abreu gripped the leash tightly and pulled back, trying to keep Blu under control, when the leash broke and struck her in her right eye, leaving her bloody and blind.

I’ve said this for years, I hate retractable leashes. I think they are dangerous for the dogs and the humans. When I see them in lessons, I tell the owner to throw them away. I personally know people and dogs that have been harmed. 

Don't Do Stupid Things With Your Dog

John Farnam's rules to keep you out of trouble:  

Don’t go to stupid places. 

Don’t associate with stupid people.  

Don’t do stupid things. 

Have a “normal” appearance. 

Be in bed by 10:00 PM (your own bed).  

Don’t fail the attitude test.

 

Do you do stupid things with your dog? I think the above rules are also good for people with dogs. I’d add a few myself…

 

Your dog doesn’t need to meet all other dogs or people in public

 

Don’t neglect socializing your dog prior to 12 weeks of age

 

Don’t let your dog be attacked by predators, human or otherwise

 

Don’t let your dog roam the neighborhood

 

Don’t let anyone mess with or threaten your dog

 

Don’t use off leash parks, but if you do, get out of there at the first sign of trouble

 

Don’t neglect to train your dog and get training yourself

 

Don’t let people do scary things to your dog

 

Don’t get a dog if you are not committed to follow through on that commitment

 

Don’t make your dog have a bad day

 

Don’t neglect your dog’s health