Preparing Your Pets For A National Emergency

Do you have a plan for your pet in case of a national emergency, such as flooding, earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, fire, or terrorism? The US Government (FEMA - Federal Emergency Management Agency) has created some excellent resources for these situations. There is even financial assistance for non-profit animal rescue groups to fund their efforts. Take a look:

Preparing Makes Sense for Pet Owners (Media Presentation)

Locate And Recover A Missing Pet

Disaster Planning and Preparation Information For Pet Owners

Caring For Animals

Government Grants: Eligible Cost Reimbursement Related to Pet Evacuations and Sheltering

All rescue organizations, and volunteers, should have plans IN ADVANCE for such emergencies. The same is true for individuals, veterinarians, groomers, dog trainers, animal control, and such. Simple things, such as having your paperwork ready to go, and on file where necessary, would be a big help. Having digital photos and other information stored online, and networking with other professionals in advance. And knowing the government programs inside and out.

You need to know this stuff, whether for your dog, cat, horse, llama, goat, cow, bull, chicken, pet bird... you name it.

My Mistakes With Old School Dog Training

I have made mistakes with dogs over the years. I regret some of the old training methods I was taught and used. And I'm here to explain it... how I made mistakes with old school dog training methods...

Aggression In Dogs

I get tired of reading articles from supposed experts on aggression in dogs. So much of it is foolish. So much of it is ignorant.

For example:

1.) Prey Aggression: There is no such thing. A predator killing prey isn't aggression. A dog killing a squirrel is not aggressive. Typically when a dog kills a cat, horse, deer, or rat it isn't aggression.

2.) Dominance Aggression: There is no such thing. Dominance only has to do with status. It can influence aggression, but it isn't a type of aggression.

3.) Punishment Aggression: No such thing.

4.) Fear Aggression: No such thing. Fear is a separate concept from aggression.

5.) Sexual Aggression: No such thing. Sexual desire isn't the same as aggression.

6.) Protective Aggression: No such thing. You are describing the situation like a novice.

7.) Red Zone Aggression: No such thing. This is a made up fake term for a TV show.

8.) Leash Aggression: This is not a type of aggression. It is a symptom, not a type.

9.) Play Aggression: No such thing.

Anyone that uses these terms hasn't studied aggression, and really doesn't know a thing about it. They think they do, and they can oftentimes sound like they know what they are talking about. But, when questioned, put on the spot to define the terms it all falls apart.

I'm not going to tell you what aggression is, because I want you to go and dig deeper and find out the answer yourself. If you really don't know what it is, then you won't know how to prevent it, trigger it, or work with it safely. And you aren't qualified to charge people money to deal with their dog's aggressive behaviors.

Miley Cyrus Goes To The Dogs

I have to tell you, I really don't like Miley Cyrus. She's another in a long list of young female celebrities that have trashed up the culture. If I had a kid, I wouldn't let them buy her stuff, listen to her music, go to her concerts, or dress like her. She is a bad influence. Hannah Montana has morphed into another pole dancing, drug using, piece of Hollywood garbage. Instead of using her talents for good, she's wasting them, and I bet one day, her 15 minutes of fame will be up, and we'll see her bedraggled, wrinkly, toothless face and saggy 30 year old body on the front of The Enquirer. At least Charlie Sheen will have a hookup partner... that is, if he is still alive.

And why is it that these tramps are always posing with dogs? Paris Hilton did it with her Chihuahuas, and set off a craze... now the shelters are full of unwanted Chihuahuas... Many are put to death every week because of overcrowding. When a celebrity gets linked with a particular breed of dog, then there is always the potential that stupid people will get that dog for themselves or their stupid kids. The dogs are purchased for the wrong reasons, no lifetime commitment is there, and when the next fad comes along, the dog is abandoned. Of course, she already has 3 dogs. Let's see how that plays out over time, too.

Today our favorite Tramp Of The Week, Miley Cyrus has posted on Twitter a picture of her and her boyfriend's cute Boxer puppy, which she purchased for her boyfriend (what, he can't afford his own dog?). Now, we have also heard that she is an abuser of marijuana. Say what you will, but substance abuse and dog ownership don't mix. I know someone that is very familiar with Hollywood, and that person has told me it is very common to see lines of coke and every imaginable pill laid out on tables for guests. This is the world that these celebrities live in. I don't know if Miley's doing the hard stuff, but she is still a bad influence, and there's no way I'd have her around my dog.

BC Dog Beaten By Burglars Expected To Recover

I think burglars and robbers are increasingly becoming prepared to kill dogs when they enter property. I'm seeing more and more stories of this type in the news. It started, I think, when police started making it more and more of a standard practice to shoot all the dogs as they came into illegal drug dealing operations. Now, the tables have been turned, and the criminals are now killing the dogs.

The role of the guard dog is obsolete. Yes, sometimes the dog will drive off an intruder, but the dog is at a serious disadvantage. Even a hundred years ago, when pit fighting was legal, baboons were shown to be able to kill a dog in a pit fight. They were smarter and more resourceful than the dogs and won most of the time. There IS a way for dogs to fight back if left alone, but I won't post that advice here... hire a professional K9 protection dog expert to give you suggestions... I don't want to tip off the bad guys.

If you look at how the professionals now use protection dogs, it is always with the dog working with an armed handler, such as a police, military, or prison situation.

In this case, burglars in BC entered the home, and nearly killed the owner's American Staffordshire Terrier. The good news in this story is that the dog is expected to recover, and the burglars appear to have been bitten by the dog.

"Despite being shot and beaten, Rumble was still able to force the burglar to flee before filling up the bag"

Canada West Veterinary Specialists did the surgery for free because the owner couldn't afford it. If you live in their town... THAT IS THE VET I'D HIRE. They are good people.

Search For Worst Behaved Dog

Camp Bow Wow, a doggie daycare franchise, is doing a nationwide search for the worst behaved dog. Contestants are urged to post videos of their misbehaving pooches on Facebook.

"The Grand Prize winner will receive a year of services at either a Camp Bow Wow or Home Buddies of his/her choice and training from a Bow Wow Behavior Buddies certified trainer to fix the dog's naughty behavior."

Please Help Tazz - Abused Boxer

This is what animal abuse looks like. Apparently this is the result of a neighbor dispute. This is why people who abuse animals should get harsh, long prison sentences. Please go to My Young & Old Fur Babies Rescue for more information.

Chaining Dogs

Massachusetts is considering a bill that would put limits on how long a dog could be kept on a tether or chain. This is done because tying out dogs is typically associated with cases of animal neglect, and dog attacks. I know of a dog that is chained out every day, all day long. And there is nothing that can be done. Animal control has been called, and some friends of mine have been told that what the owners are doing isn't illegal. But, I do think it is inhumane. Dogs can die or be severely injured or attacked when they are chained out. Dogs also feel trapped on a chain, so they are more likely to attack strangers that approach.

On the other hand, sometimes for the safety of a dog, you need to tether them. If you are camping with your dog, it is wise to tether your dog to a tree to prevent them from getting into the camp fire, running off, or bothering other nearby campsites. Or, if you are on a road trip, and have stopped your car at a rest stop to eat a sandwich, it is a good idea to tether the dog to a pole or tree so the dog can stretch, stand up, and be awake for a while. Just don't ever attach the tether to the bumper of the car... yes, that was funny in National Lampoon's Vacation movie... but it really happens and dogs do get dragged to death from time to time. Another legitimate use is in any other circumstance where the dog might risk injury, or might harm some other person or animal if not temporarily restrained.

This proposed law:

1.) Bans the use of heavy chains. Pit fighters put heavy chains on their dogs to aggravate them. It makes them miserable, and they want them miserable so they will be more willing to fight. It is cruel.

2.) Eight hour limit. Dogs cannot be tied out for more than 8 hours.

3.) Dogs can't be tethered from 11 pm to 7 am. I'm sure the hope is that the dogs will come inside, or at least be able to move about. And probably to limit night time barking. Dogs that feel trapped would tend to bark more.

4.) Penalties. Range from $100 to $300, plus the dog can be taken away after a third violation.

In an ideal world, people wouldn't tie out dogs like this as a way to leave them in the yard. It really is unhealthy, and it messes with the dog's mind. I think it is cruel. But, we also have to realize that this dog chaining law is about Boston politics, and so sometimes a watered down law is all you are going to get. On the other hand, this won't stop pit fighters from chaining out their dogs and ruining them. They are criminals. If they don't care about killing dogs, why would they care about this kind of law? They'll just chain the dog out anyway, in a part of town where even the police don't feel safe, and where the police have better things to do than to issue a ticket for this kind of thing.

Man Loses Manhood While Trying To Elude Police

A man is suing the Gretna police because the police dog pretty much bit off his manhood. Whenever a K9 is used in an arrest, there is always the possibility that there will be an excessive force lawsuit filed.

This guy is claiming he was innocent and that the police deliberately sent the dog on him to hurt him. But...

"While he admits he initially tried to hide in the apartment from the officers, he surrendered upon hearing a cop threatened to release the dog inside."

Worse yet, it appears as if he tried to fight off the dog. That will just intensify the dog's attack. If you are being bitten by a police dog, the best thing you can do is try to remain as immobile and quiet as possible. You will suffer fewer injuries.

I had a law class when I was in college. One of the main things I remember was what they said about dealing with the police: be polite, surrender, follow the officer's instructions, and ask to talk to your attorney. What we were also told was that the place to fight a cop wasn't in the street, where they have the power to use force to stop you (that's why it is called "arrest"), they can keep escalating the amount of force as necessary to stop you, and they also have the right to stop you. Once in court, if you have been treated wrongfully, then you have the leverage.

Apparently, the "Jefferson Parish district attorney's office, meanwhile, has charged him with simple battery, resisting arrest, aggravated burglary and obstruction of justice." He is countersuing, alleging his civil rights were violated. He also claims the police falsified reports to cover up their actions, and violated his "constitutional rights to due process and to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures.... (he) seeks a jury trial and $31 million for medical and other expenses and for punitive damages."

Whether this guy is innocent or not, or whether the cops did the right thing or not, I have no idea. But, if you act stupid around K9 dogs, you are going to be injured. These dogs are not to be fooled with. If he isn't innocent, and if the cops did follow the law, then I think he got what he deserved. And we shouldn't be picking up the tab for his medical treatment. If he is innocent, and this was done on purpose by the cops, then they should have the book thrown at them, including possible prison time. If I purposely injured someone with my dog , without just cause, I'd be going to prison. So, it has to go both ways. There are good people and bad people, good cops and bad cops. Let's see what the judge or jury has to say when this is all over.

Loose Dog On Highway Causes Major Accident

I am sickened when I see a dead dog on the highway. I just hate it.

Dogs get loose for all the known reasons: panic escapes; open doors and gates; untrained dog runs away; and so forth.

I have been on the highway and seen dogs dodging traffic. One such instance still haunts me. I won't describe the image. The problem is that there is often no safe way to stop without killing the dogs, other drivers and yourself. In this case, I had to keep driving.

In New Mexico, a loose dog caused a crash that resulted in not only the dog dying, but the destruction of a semi truck and the car of one of the rescuers. The highway was shut down for four hours.

Something that isn't mentioned is that you could be held civilly and criminally liable if your dog gets loose and you are found to have been negligent. You can be hauled into court, fined, given a huge financial penalty, and even go to prison if someone was killed.

K9 Cops: You Can Run But You Can't Hide

The City of Bellevue arrests criminals using their police K9's. The guys tried to hide by covering themselves with leaves and crawling under a log.

That isn't going to fool a police dog. You are going to be found, bitten very hard, have to go to the hospital with injuries, then put in jail, and then probably go to prison.

Every city should have police K9 units. Dogs can still do things that humans and technology can't.

What Kind Of Loser Are You Dating?

I'm surprised how often people are stuck with losers as boyfriends, girlfriends, husbands or wives. It's happened to me more than once. I'm pretty sure it has happened to you, as well.

Sometimes these losers will hurt you by hurting your dog. Here is a case where a man has been charged with aggravated cruelty to animals, a felony, for throwing his girlfriend's Scottie dog off the porch onto a concrete alley. The dog broke a leg and hip.

I have no idea who said what to whom. Regardless, no relationship argument justifies abusing a dog, getting charged with a felony, and possibly going to prison.

Just walk away. Leave. Shut your danged mouth and go. If you need to fight, get an attorney. Then break up with that loser. And if you are a loser, then it is time to grow up, huh? Be a man about it. Put your big girl panties on.

Dogs are hurt like this all the time, just as children are. We've all heard of the stories where the argument gets so out of control, some loser takes the infant, holds a knife, and threatens to kill the kid and then commit suicide. Not really a great idea, right? Cops shoot to kill in these circumstances.

If you have a dog, you have a higher responsibility to protect your pet from your insignificant other. Drop them like a bad habit. Stop arguing, and stop provoking them to anger! Find someone better. Love your dog.

By the way, if the court finds this guy guilty, I think this kind of crime deserves some time in prison.

Dog Beach Now Legal Near Trump's National Golf Course

Trump's National Golf Course is near a salt water beach at Rancho Palos Verdes. The beach has been an unofficial off leash area for dogs and owners for years, but now it has been made officially legal. 

It is insane that we have so many miles of salt water beaches that are off limits to dogs. I mean seriously... is that necessary?  

1.) Plenty Of Space: We have THOUSANDS of miles of salt water coastline. 

2.) Poop Laws Are A Farce: The oceans are teeming with wild animals that poop and eat in all that water, so cleanliness of the waters is not a real issue. Pooper scooper laws can easily be enforced. Responsible pickup happens when bag stations are set up all along any park... people will use them if they are available. 

3.) Dogs Need Social Opportunities: Many of these beaches are next to heavily populated urban cities where dogs have few chances to exercise, play and socialize. Beaches provide a quality of life for all the residents because dogs that get that exercise, socialization, and play are not going to be so much of a nuisance back home. 

4.) Appropriate Use: There is nothing to break at a salt water beach, no lawn that needs fertilizing, no mowing, nothing. So, dog friendly beaches are easy to maintain. And nature has its own way of cleaning up any remaining residue. Dog owners would also be willing to have a use fee tacked onto dog food sales to pay for animal control services (dog licenses are not a good way of raising funds, excluding some and penalizing others).

5.) Park Safety: And safety can easily be provided by sectioning off part of the coastline for dogs and people, and parts that are for people only. Let people choose where they prefer to go. Dogs and their owners then tend to patrol parks after dark, reducing crime. Put up lights, encourage nighttime dog walking. Cockroaches, just like criminals, hate the light...

6.) Reduction Of Nuisance Animals: Dogs and their owners tend to shoo away nuisance scavengers, such as pigeons, geese, crows, and such, so the beaches are actually cleaner and nicer.

Most of the dog bans on salt water beaches are the result of noisy and nosy dog haters, timid politicians, overly bored busybodies at zoning boards, animal control departments that actually make it harder to own a dog responsibly, and a lack of effort by dog owners to petition the government for the right to use parks that they pay for with their tax dollars.

Walking And Hiking Dogs Can Be Dangerous

I like to hike. I especially like to hike with a dog, especially in wilderness areas and in parks. So, I've seen a number of things to watch for.

People and their dogs fall off cliffs more often than you realize. It happens all over the world, and is in the news pretty regularly. Dogs get loose and fall. Dogs chase animals and drag people over the cliffs. People go off trail on cliffs with their dogs, and so they both fall.

If you are going to hike with a dog, you MUST observe some basic safety precautions. First and foremost, you should have a well trained dog that is obedient around distractions, is confident climbing and descending loose rocks and dirt, and is leashed around all falling hazards. For the people, especially kids, a leash should never be tied to your body or wrapped around your wrist. A kid could be pulled off a ledge by a strong dog and and die. There is also a proper way to hold onto a leash, and any trainer will tell you how. I'm not going to explain it here because I want you to hire a trainer. If you don't know, then you shouldn't be hiking with your dogs, even in areas that seem safe.

Water areas are also unsafe. Your dog needs to be obedient, in water and off leash. Dogs drown, and so do their owners trying to rescue drowning dogs. Dogs will also rush onto frozen lakes and rivers, fall in through cracked ice, and drown. There are numerous stories of people dying in frozen lakes and rivers trying to rescue their dogs.

Some recent examples:

Here is a man that was injured and a dog that died falling off a 35 foot cliff in Corona Del Mar, CA

Here is a greyhound that went off a 100 foot cliff chasing a hare in Britain

Here is a man crawling on ice to save his dog from drowning in an icy river

Here is a man and his German Shepherd Dog that fell off a cliff in Los Angeles while playing fetch with his dog (Who plays fetch with a dog near a cliff? Don't get me started... grrrr)

And here is a Cocker Spaniel that went off a cliff chasing a bird

I can keep posting these. There are tons and tons of these articles, and they bear out my advice. It is a wonderful thing to go places with your dog. But it isn't so wonderful if you or the dog die.

Dognappers - Throw Them In Jail

A couple of 15 year old teenagers have been charged with kidnapping a Yorkie puppy, and then holding the dog for ransom. But now, they are refusing to say where the dog is... which makes me think the dog is dead.

Stuff like this deserves jail, even if you are 15 years old. This is a premeditated type of crime, not some kind of a mistake. As far as I'm concerned, this was meant to harm, and it was evil... and since they are minors, the parents should also be charged and forced to pay for any losses.

Tornadoes Have Left Many Dogs Dead Or Homeless

Many great dogs and dog owners are in need of help right now. Please coordinate with local rescue groups in your area to send aid, and to help find homes for these dogs. This is an under-reported story, so please be proactive and help out with money, contacts, fostering dogs, and so forth.

Would You Clone Your Dog?

If you want to clone your dog, expect to pay $100,000.

Would you do it? I wouldn't.

First, there are plenty of living dogs that are scheduled to die every week in shelters. Lots of perfectly good dogs, great dogs.

Second, the dog you clone won't be the same dog that died. It might share the same genetics (and even that isn't true, because cloning introduces genetic defects into the clone).

Third, if your dog was a purebred, you can always go to a reputable breeder and get an identical dog, maybe even better than the dog you have. Cloning is a type of breeding. Breeding should be left up to good breeders, not laboratories.

Fourth... ARE YOU NUTS?!!! It is insane to pay $100,000 for a dog that isn't even going to duplicate the dog you now have.

Leave The Dog Alone, This Bite Was Justified

A criminal was running away from a police officer. Both of them jumped a fence into someone's yard, and the officer and suspect were attacked by the homeowner's pit bull. The police and animal control are now looking for the dog, possibly to kill the dog and charge the homeowners with a crime.

Isn't that insane? I've written on this before. If I'm reading this right... this dog and the owners did NOTHING WRONG. This dog deserves a medal for protecting his home. This kind of bite is JUSTIFIED BECAUSE IT WAS PROVOKED.

Now, no one can find the dog. Someone with some sense has hidden the dog from the authorities. It is pretty bad that people are put into these ethical dilemmas, having to defend an innocent dog from an unjust set of rules and laws. This stuff makes people not respect the law, law enforcement officers or animal control.

If you want people to cooperate with the police to clean up the crime in their neighborhoods, then those charged with doing the government's work need clean hands, too. 

Taking Responsibility When A Dog Bites Us

Sometimes we get bitten by our own dogs because of something we chose to do. Here is an athlete, world parallel bars champion Danell Leyva, a sports star, who was bitten on the face when he broke up a fight between 3 American Bulldogs. While some said he should put the dogs to death, he said, no. He took responsibility for getting in there, and for the consequences.

Many people these days are looking to blame others, including dogs, for the bad things that happen. Maybe some time, the honest and honorable thing to do is to accept the injuries you caused and leave the dogs alone.

Personal responsibility is becoming extinct in America. It is a shame.

Would You Freeze Dry Your Pet?

Someone has invented the idea of freeze drying pets. It is a type of taxidermy, just like you preserve a deer or moose after you kill it. But... I just couldn't do it. I couldn't look at a lifelike freeze dried dog of mine that was now dead, in a pose that looked like it was alive. Not only would it cause me to grieve the loss of the dog... and it is hard enough to go through the death of a beloved pet... but, it just seems... well, wrong. Macabre.

Would I freeze dry a pet? No way.

I won't even visit a grave after someone is buried. My grandfather told us that after he died, to not mourn for him at the grave... he said he wouldn't be there (meaning, he was a Christian, and knew where he'd be, and his spirit wouldn't be in the ground).