Lost Dog Is Found

Here is an amazing story of a 4 year old Shetland Sheepdog that survived a car crash in Nevada, then ran away, only to be found 53 days after surviving in the wild. The dog apparently lived on roadkill and scattered sources of ranch water. There were a number of sightings of her dog during that time. And the dog was found 5 miles from the accident site.

The normal body weight of a Sheltie is between 10 to 30 pounds. This dog started out at 44 pounds and weighed 20 pounds when found. I'm guessing here, but I bet he started out a bit plump, which might have just saved his life.

When he was positively located, he kept running away from the rescuers. This is normal for a lost dog. Someone finally cornered and grabbed him.

Witnesses said they saw him eating a dead coyote (roadkill) and the veterinarian pulled a bird bone out of his throat.

After a trauma like this, it is a good idea to hire a dog behaviorist. Just because he is home doesn't mean he is 100% well again.

I'm happy for him, and I'm happy for his owner... she never gave up on him. I do wonder if the dog would have survived if he had been buckled into a seat... the story doesn't reveal those details, but it would be useful to know.

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).

Are You Afraid Of Taking Your Aggressive Dog To The Vet?

Dogs need medical treatment... even aggressive dogs. What do you do when you know there is a risk your dog will bite or attack the veterinarian?

Basic Therapy Dog Training

Are you interested in training your dog to be a therapy dog? Do you want to be able to visit hospitals, the elderly, nursing and retirement homes, and childcare environments with your dog?

Before you head down this route, there are some things you need to know first...

Dog That Killed Baby Put Down

Recently, a Husky killed a baby. Some animal advocates were saying that the dog should be allowed to live, arguing it was a tragic mistake, since there was no way of knowing if the dog meant to harm the baby or not. Others said the dog should be put down, saying that any time a dog killed a human, then the dog is vicious.

Like all animal lovers, I'm always torn when it comes to euthanasia. No rational person wants to go out and kill dogs. On the other hand, dogs that will attack and kill humans without provocation cannot be tolerated.

So, why did this dog kill this baby? No one will ever know. But, I do have a few theories:

1.) Incomplete Imprinting And Bonding: When we adopt dogs into human society, they imprint on humans as being part of their species. That is why they normally can live peacefully with us. We even do this with young colts, so that they are more easily handled and trained. That imprinting and bonding blocks certain types of aggression and predation instincts. On the other hand, no animal will ever imprint and bond to a human as closely as it would to an animal of its own species. Those differences can play a part in how that animal behaves. This is why all dog trainers emphasize that the best time to take a dog from it's mamma is at approximately 8 weeks of age, to maximize the best aspects of animal - human imprinting and bonding. We don't know the history of this dog, so we have no idea what happened during this critical period of the dog's puppyhood. However, if the dog wasn't properly socialized, then the dog would have less inhibition to attack a vulnerable human.

2.) Sometimes stressed animals kill their young, and even eat them. In the animal kingdom, there are numerous examples of adult parents killing, and even eating, their young during periods of stress. Many mammal species will do this. If this dog was experiencing enough of a stress, then this could have been a trigger for this behavior. Stresses can include medical problems, strife in the home, separation anxiety, or a thousand other things that can set a dog off. Another reason this happens is because the young are considered rivals, and that could be the case with a dog that is spoiled or too closely bonded with one of the adults. It could get jealous. Again, we just don't know enough about this dog or its home life to draw any conclusions. These folks may have done everything right.

3.) Some dogs have a screw loose. Some dogs become vicious over time because they aren't right in the head. Any dog trainer or veterinarian will tell you of dogs they have met that displayed idiopathic aggression. If this was the case here, then there was no outside trigger for the behavior. Something in this dog's brain snapped, and it attacked the nearest living thing. If this was the case, the dog could have just as easily attacked one of the adults at that moment. This could have been the first instance of the aggression, too.

4.) It could have been an accident. Dogs can get upset when they perceive a child is in trouble. I have run across a number of biting incidents where a dog grabbed a child because it "thought" the child was in danger. I know of 3 boys that were wrestling hard, and had pinned the youngest one under a pile. Their German Shepherd Dog ran over, grabbed the calf of the youngest one, and tried to drag him out from under the other boys. It was an accident. I also think this can happen with kids left in those seat devices that rock back and forth on the ground. I've met a dog that got very upset because it looked like the child was trapped or otherwise acting upset, so the dog tried to grab the infant. Once again, if the child was hurt, it could be an accident.

And there could be other reasons. In the end, we expect our dogs to be good with children. Even though I tell people that you should never leave a child under 10 years old unsupervised with a dog, we still demand a better safety margin from our dogs just in case our back is turned. I also recommend getting a good dog, and then properly socializing, supervising, containing, giving comfort, and giving good training to prevent tragedies.

Since there is no way we can risk now that this dog wouldn't kill again, then the prudent thing to do is to put the dog down. We know something triggered this behavior, but we don't know what it is, and there is no ethical way of testing this dog with another baby to determine the cause. It would also be unethical to breed any dog that had this behavioral propensity just in case it had a genetic root.

Safe practices and good breeding are the only defenses we have. Yet, even if we do everything right, the world isn't Disneyland perfect, and sometimes things will happen that defy explanation.

What Do You Do When Spanking The Dog Doesn't Work?

Is it ever OK to spank a dog for peeing, pooping, barking, fighting, digging, chasing, running away, or any other behavior? And what do you do if spanking the dog doesn't work?

Will Taping A Dog's Mouth Shut Stop His Barking?

Dogs bark because of how they feel. Barking can be very annoying to some people, so they will try a quick fix, and tape or wire a dog’s mouth shut to stop the barking. Here’s what is going to happen...

What Is A Good Dog To Keep Outside In Arizona?

No dog should be left outside in Arizona. The climate is too harsh for a dog to live outside year round. Monsoons are dangerous. The heat in July and August are brutal. Leaving a dog outside in Arizona year round is asking for a criminal animal neglect charge by the police. Don't do it.

That Dog Invades My Personal Space

What do you do with a dog that invades your personal space? How do you deal with the dog owner? How do you deal with dog haters? And is it a relationship deal breaker?

High Strung Dogs

Some dogs are high strung, being nervous and easily excited. These types of dogs require special work in order to make them into good pets.

Pure Breeding Is Destroying Our Dogs

We know a lot more about genetics and inheritance than we used to 150 years ago. But, people still breed dogs as if none of that science ever happened. The current registry system for pure breeding needs to change, or we will see all our favorite breeds wrecked.

It is stupid to keep breeding the same dogs, and their relatives, to the same dogs and relatives. Such practices increase neonatal genetic mortality; reduce fertility in the adult dogs; cements genetic flaws throughout a breed; reduces immunity; perpetuates birth defects; causes unnecessary suffering; causes desirable traits to sometimes be lost; increases injurious and lethal mutations; increases the costs of dog ownership; and ultimately is transferred into heartache as people's pets suffer behavioral and medical problems.

I have no idea how to fix this problem. You'd think the AKC (American Kennel Club) would take steps to preserve its reason to exist, by promoting modern genetics to improve the lot of all purebred dogs. The primary value of pure breeding is to create a predictable dog that people want, and would spend extra to purchase, and make extra efforts to preserve and care for. But, they don't. 

Why don't the breed clubs get together and hire geneticists to devise healthy breeding programs? Every breed could benefit from this. Bad traits could be eliminated. Good temperament and health could be infused. And the resulting dogs would be better dogs. 

One reason we have so many unwanted dogs is because they don't live up to the ideal descriptions we read about. Dogs that should be healthy... are not. Dogs that are supposed to be good with kids, highly trainable, willing to please, and able to do useful tasks... are not. And there is less and less difference between the capabilities of pure bred dogs and mixed bred dogs. Human nature is such that if something is considered highly valuable, they will take greater efforts to protect that thing, whether it is a prized home, collector car, winning race horse... or dog. In my world, dog training, I find that people tend to spend more on training with pure bred dogs than mixed bred dogs. That, I believe, proves my point. Mixed bred dogs fill the shelters, seen as dogs that can be thrown away. It may not be morally right, or objectively true, but it is what people do.

I have believed for a long time that part of the solution to reducing the number of abandoned dogs is to increase the value and utility of the dogs that are bred. You don't toss away something valuable. And people desire things that are valuable, too, and don't leave them to go to waste. No race horse owner lets a million dollar horse wander the streets, get picked up by animal control to be put in a filthy shelter, to then be put down on Monday morning at 5 am.

Somehow there needs to be a change. Dog owners need to be educated to take a stand, and breeders and their organizations need to be proactive to protect the desirable traits of domestication. We give animal rights organizations and dog haters more reason to put restrictions on the ownership of dogs by allowing this mess to continue. Their arguments that too many dogs suffer are valid. Their arguments that yippy, biting, vicious, annoying dogs are making people's lives miserable are valid, too. It is too hard to find a great dog these days. It really doesn't need to be this way. 

No law will solve this problem. Not licensing laws, breeding laws, bans on pit bulls, dog bite laws, or any other thing. We need to be breeding better dogs so people will see the difference, spend more, care more, and there is once again prestige for owning a certain type of dog. All of that is being lost, and our dogs are suffering.

Domestication can be lost through random breeding, letting dogs breed unrestricted in the streets. Domestication can also be lost by the current system of pure breeding, which is slowly eliminating all the desirable traits of the dog.

Something's got to change... 

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it."

How Does A Person And Dog Relationship Change Over Time?

Your relationship with your dog is going to change over the years. There's the excitement of having a new puppy, but then the growing realization that the puppy is getting out of control the longer you postpone professional training. Then there is that lull in the action in late puppyhood, around 6 to 8 months of age, where things seem to be coming together, and many people then relax their supervision... 

Only to find that adolescence comes on, and then the problems multiply. This is the time when chewing becomes real destruction, disobedience and defiance really get annoying, and that cute cuddly ball of fluff starts turning into a young adult. Later in adolescence, dogs can start getting in fights with other dogs. It is at this latter stage of adolescence where most dogs are abandoned to shelters. People give up on them. On the other hand, those folks that started their puppies our right, at 4 months of age, with ongoing socialization, diligent supervision, proper containment when unsupervised, scheduled play times, and obedience training... find that their older adolescent dogs are really starting to come together and looking and behaving great. 


Then, a dog migrates into adulthood. The untrained adult is no fun to live with, has behavioral problems, emotional issues, and baggage from being either neglected, punished, or mismanaged. The trained adult, however, becomes a true joy, the dog you always wanted. And the love and affection grow deeper as the years go on. 


Then the dog gets older, and starts needing more attention. The dog isn't as sturdy as before. Maybe some medical conditions have developed. So, you have to start looking out for them, starting at about 7 years of age. The dog is still awesome because it was trained, and you are thinking that one day, you'll probably get another dog just like that one, or you're thinking that maybe now is the time to start thinking about bringing a puppy into the home. If you get a puppy, you find that it either brings out the best in the older dog, or brings out some things you didn't realize your older dog could display: jealousy, aggression, possessiveness, even pottying in the home. So, right from the start, the smart dog owner brings in a dog trainer to get the older dog and young puppy on the same team; starts the puppy into early lessons so it doesn't bond too closely to the older dog; and gets the puppy trained as fast as possible to make the ownership a lot easier. You tend to forget how much work a puppy was. 


Then the older dog gets very old. You start feeling sorry for the older dog, and realize that the end is coming. You spend more personal time with the older dog. Some, on the other hand, don't like the older dog. They don't want to face the aging process, so they start to neglect the older dog's needs... which is actually abuse, and a betrayal of the dog. Then the older dog passes away, sometimes because you have to do it at the veterinarian's office, and sometimes because of old age. This is a hard time, and it will be sad. And you'll have all those emotions, and old memories of good times will flood back. You'll put up a few favorite pictures around the home, and quietly keep many of those intimate moments in your heart. And the puppy is now becoming an adult, and it all starts over again. 

That's how it changes. And it is all about love.

Food Possessive Dog

Why do some dogs snap at people while they are eating? It is natural for dogs to want to guard their food from potential competitors, especially if they are hungry, are highly food motivated, or both. It is not an abnormal behavior. When dogs play with a toy, you'll see them play Keep Away... they'll do it with a ball, stick, your slipper, or a bone. When a leopard kills an antelope, he will drag it up into a tree to keep it away from other predators. All of that is normal.

If you look around the internet, you will find a lot of advice out there about correcting this kind of thing. The worst advice is someone telling you that you aren't dominating your dog enough, so to lay on the assertiveness and punishment. All that is going to do is make the dog even more aggressive. Don't believe me? Try it. It is a great way to end up in the emergency room with a broken hand or deep laceration.

A good dog trainer and behaviorist can show you how to get a dog to release an object, or to manage a dog's possessiveness, without conflict and without increasing the danger of an attack.

You now have a choice. Make your dog even more aggressive, or solve the problem. It's up to you.

Please Stop With The Alpha Dog Stuff

PLEASE STOP handing out "alpha" dog advice to people. You don't know what you are talking about. You are not an experienced dog trainer or behaviorist. And if you are a charging money for this kind of thing, you should be ashamed of yourself for not learning more about dog behavior. All of you are causing a lot of harm to people and their dogs.

How Do You Find A Lost Dog?

What are the steps to find a lost dog? Who should you contact? What if you think your dog is stolen? How do you get back a runaway dog? How do you approach a loose dog?

When I Correct My Dog He Attacks Me

How do you punish a dog for misbehavior? And what do you do if a dog tries to attack you if you punish him or her? How do you correct a dog that attacks you?

Cesar Millan’s Calm Submissive / Assertive Baloney

So, do you want to know my opinion of Cesar Millan’s methodology? Here it is:

One of the major problems experienced behaviorists have with Cesar Millan is his invention and misuse of dog terminology. His approach is based upon two assumptions. First, that you, as pack leader of your dog, should project “calm-assertive energy”, compassionate but in control. Second, that your dog should project “calm-submissive energy”, relaxed posture, ears back, and “nearly instinctual” response to commands.

I think Cesar Millan’s Calm Submissive / Assertive theory is baloney.

No Place To Train A Dog

OREGON - House Bill 4170 would allow people to train dogs on land zoned exclusively for farm use...

Longtime dog advocate Patti Strand said some counties were cracking down on commercial trainers, saying that land-use laws were unclear on the topic of commercial dog facilities.

"I think that dog training has gone on historically forever and it's only been prohibited in recent times," she said.

It is absurd to not provide zoning to allow dog training in all communities. We need a law to permit this? Seriously? It should be a no brainer.

Are You Looking For A Second Opinion About Your Dog?

Sometimes you need new ideas on dog training. You've been working with a trainer, and doing all you know to do, and you still can't solve whatever is going on. Sometimes it is worth getting a second opinion from a good dog behaviorist.

My Dogs Fight: Which One Should I Keep?

When you have two dogs that fight, which one do you give away?

That's a very hard decision. What is the thought process? Is this the only answer with dogs that fight?

My Dog Doesn't Like Anybody

What do you do about the dog that doesn't like anybody? This is the dog that doesn't like strangers, your friends, other animals, it's family... and not even you. 

Something is seriously wrong, and the dog needs help.You are in over your head. So, what should you do?

How To Select A Family Dog

How do you select a family dog? What if you have kids? What about protective dogs? What about hunting breeds? If you can't decide, what breed do you recommend?

Death, Grief And Loss Of Your Dog

If you have a dog that is dying, has died, or has been lost (such as run away, been stolen, or taken by someone else), the feelings of grief and depression can be overwhelming. You can feel alone, and even contemplate suicide. What can you do?

The death, grief and loss of your dog is a serious life event.

Why Do People Own Dogs?

Why do people own dogs? What value is there in owning a dog? And what about countries that ban dogs?

These Laws Wouldn't Have Prevented Child Being Mauled By Husky

Many dog laws are stupid. They have no relationship to whether a person is a responsible dog owner, nor do they prevent dog attacks. Recently, a 3 year old was mauled by the family's Husky. So now, what is going to happen?

"McKeesport police Capt. Tim Hanna said Brandy Furlong, 21, will be cited for four counts of failing to properly license her dogs, four counts of not vaccinating her dogs against rabies and one count of harboring a dangerous dog -- the husky that police suspect bit her 3-day-old son"

1. If the dog had a license, would the child not be injured today?
2. If the dog had a current rabies vaccine, would the child not have been attacked?
3. And if the dog had no prior history of aggression, how would the mom be able to predict that this dog would maul her child?

This is the kind of immoral, stupid, reactionary things that animal control and politicians do to cover their fleshy behinds so the finger isn't pointed at them. It is what they do when they don't have a better plan for dealing with tragedies. The fact is, there is NO law that can prevent all tragedies, including this kind. Yes, kids shouldn't be left unsupervised with any dog. Yes, laws should be obeyed. But, none of that would have prevented this or any future such tragedies. Now, the situation is made even worse by government idiots.

House Training And Dog Abuse

One of the leading triggers for dog abuse is potty training accidents. I have met a number of dogs, including small puppies, that were severely beaten by their owners because the dog urinated or defecated in the home.

When you get a dog, get training. Get it early. For house training, get the training even before you get the dog. 

Beating a dog is a criminal offense. You have no excuse for that kind of childish behavior.

I Shouldn't Have To Take Care Of Your Dog

What are the legal, moral and social obligations you have for taking care of someone else's dog? What if the dog is in your care, custody or control? What if the person is breaking the law? When should you involve rescue? And when should you make it your problem... or your dog? When is it wrong to say: I shouldn't have to take care of your dog... 

Antisocial Personality Disorder And Cruelty To Animals

Why would a person viciously abuse a dog? What is that all about? And what should you do about it?

There are some people that take pleasure in abusing animals. And they do it callously, without remorse, and will do it again even if they have been sent to prison for it in the past.

There is a growing body of evidence that shows incidents of severe animal cruelty are committed by psychopaths. Antisocial Personality Disorder is linked with animal cruelty.

Children And Strange Dogs

How many articles do we read each year about children being bitten by strange dogs? It happens regularly, in every country throughout the globe. Why do we see so many dog bites, but not hear about raccoons, birds, wolves, squirrels, and so forth? I think part of the reason is because wild animals try to stay away from those that they don't know, especially humans. Wild animals are free, not on leashes, not in back yards, not hanging around to be petted or teased. The same can't be said about dogs. Dogs are forced to be in situations where they might encounter people they don't know, and that includes children. 

Now, think about how you feel when someone you don't know comes over and touches you? I know how I feel about it: uncomfortable. If you live long enough, you experience a lot of weird stuff dealing with strangers... such as the time I was shopping for a magazine, and a man walked up to me and rubbed himself on me as he walked on by. I was furious. I felt like punching him out. Instead, I got away from the situation. Or, the times I have been in public, and a small child has come up to me, wrapped their arms around my leg, and given me a hug. I'm not talking about kids I knew, which would have been fine. I love kids. But, kids I didn't know. It is not at all a comfortable thing, not knowing what a parent is going to say or do as their kid is grappling with your leg. It makes me very uncomfortable. My point is,  that humans don't like being touched by people they haven't greeted and given permission to touch them. Animals are the same way, including dogs. Worse, dogs often have no way of getting away from these situations. They get cornered by someone they don't know, they are offended and often fearful of what is happening, so they bite the kid. 

Kids are also not as wary of strangers as adults. So, kids will go up and greet weirdos on the street if you let them, especially small children will do this. Parents have to keep an eagle eye out for small children in public places. Similarly, kids have little aversion to going up and grabbing, touching, hugging, kissing, chasing and sometimes hitting strange dogs. This isn't the kind of behavior adults would do, but kids will do it. So, obviously, we need to teach kids to "mind their manners" and not approach strangers and strange dogs. But also, we need to supervise them because they are going to do things that no amount of training is going to fix... they are just too young to "get it", or to have the same aversion to touching other people or animals. 

All this boils down to parental responsibility. Kids are kids. We don't let them drink, drive, enter the military, or get married... for obvious reasons. They are not self controlled and they lack the wisdom that comes from experience and maturity. So, we have to do the job for them.

I know there are articles out there on teaching kids how to be safe with dogs. But, kids can't read dog behavior very well. They aren't programmed to do it. Even adults get bitten by dogs because they don't know how to read dog behavior. I think a certain amount of training works with kids, but the bulk of the problem resides in whether the kid was properly supervised BY AN ADULT. In addition, pet owners need to be wiser regarding their dogs. They need to recognize that dogs often don't want to be touched by someone they don't know. There is a greeting process that all animals engage in, including humans. Dogs do it their way. We need to be there to monitor interactions, to know our dog's propensities, and to prevent or end the interactions if they aren't going well. I also think that you shouldn't ever let some strange kid pet your dog without their parent being present to give consent and to supervise the kid in the process. Yes, dogs need socialization with kids, especially when they are puppies, but even that won't prevent all of these dog biting incidents.

Parents: you need to take part of the blame when your kid is bitten. Where were you and why did you let it happen? And if you can't be there, then you shouldn't let your kid be in places where they can go over and interact with a dog they don't know.

Dog owners: the same applies to you... you are part of the blame. Why did you let a stranger pet your dog, do you know your dog, were you supervising at the time, and why didn't you get your dog out of that situation? And if you can't be there, then your dog shouldn't be able to make contact with a child.

What Kind Of Sick Jerk Disposes Of A Dog In A Dumpster?

"Someone recently dropped the Norwich terrier into a Dumpster behind the Lord’s Diner on South Hillside"

This kind of thing is profoundly cruel, and if they find the person that did it, deserves a year in prison. It is important to crack down on animal abuse. Don't tell me that people don't know what they are doing when this kind of thing happens. They do. And if they did it if they were intoxicated... well, what do we do with drunk drivers when they hurt others? We lock them up. There needs to be strong penalties for this kind of thing to deter others, and also to remove these types of people from the rest of us.

Just think: this was a 4 to 5 month old puppy.

Dogs And Cults

"In the living room, investigators say they found two dog skulls and a dog skeleton that had been gold-leafed"

Ok, this is sick, as far as I'm concerned.

It appears this was part of a cult ritual: "Officials say they found books on witchcraft and the occult, as well as marijuana, a gun, and various knives and machetes"

I think anyone who is involved in the ritual, cult killing of animals like this not only needs a very long time in prison, but lifetime psychological monitoring. 

I used to live in Seattle. There are lots of cults there. They are into strange things, and they are sometimes dangerous.

Cheap Dog Training

Are you looking for some cheap dog training? What is the least expensive way to get a dog trained? How can you save money when training a dog with behavioral problems, or if the dog needs obedience lessons?

Looking For A Protection / K9 Trainer?

My recommendation is to contact Armin Winkler. His web page is http://www.k9trainingexperts.com 

I trained with him for 2 years. He is absolutely excellent. If you are looking for a protection, military, police, KNPV, Schutzhund, or Ring Sport dog, he's the one to contact. He knows all the protection breeds: Airedale, Beauceron, Belgian Malinois, Belgian Shepherds, Bouvier, Boxer, Bullmastiff, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Dalmatian, Doberman, Dutch Shepherd, Giant and Standard Schnauzer, German Shepherd Dog, German Wirehaired Pointer, Great Dane, Hovawart, Rottweiler or other similar breeds.  

He is an expert in behavior, obedience, tracking, and protection. If you are looking for that kind of training, he is the one to contact. He is known for being a no nonsense type of expert, and if you want an honest opinion, he will give it. His email is Armin@RivannaK9.com 

And here is some more specific information on what he can do for you regarding K9 Protection dogs.

LOGAN'S RUN: More Dog Licensing BS

So, California is banning people from playing Frisbee on the beach, and charging a $1,000 fine if you do. Dogs are also being banned, and warnings are going out because of "leash law" violations. Of course, the side effect is to have officers out there giving out citations and also (surprise!) doing checks to see if the dogs out there are licensed... so they can get MORE REVENUE FOR THE GOVERNMENT. There are multiple reasons why laws are passed. But, many times the hidden reason is to raise more tax dollars for politicians to waste on their political friends.

California is a financial mess. I would pack up my family and my dog and move. Your dog is going to be more and more of a target for money for the state. 

California is going the route of Logan's Run

Electric Fencing Has Limitations

Here is a dog that escaped from his "electric fence" (probably a hidden buried wire surround the property with an electric collar on the dog that senses when the dog is near the boundary) and the dog got stuck in frozen mud. I warn people that such fencing is not completely reliable. I have seen many dogs escape using such a system. Such "hidden fence" systems have their role, but they can't prevent all escapes and they can't prevent animals or people coming into your yard and attacking your dog. 

Using Dogs To Find Dead Bodies

Cadaver dogs are a less well known service dog. They are used to find dead bodies, often buried underground, hidden in debris (such as after the 9/11 collapse of the World Trade Center) or submerged in water. 

More Than 500 Dogs Seized From North Carolina Puppy Mills

Here is another raid on a puppy mill in North Carolina. So, new legislation is being proposed. This will NOT solve the puppy mill problem. The breeding will go, and has been going, south of the border to Mexico. The problem is that buyers need to be educated about how to properly buy a purebred dog... from a hobby breeder, committed and involved in the breed, active with breed clubs and someone with years of experience and lots of credible accomplishments and references. Pet store dogs are often puppy mill dogs. And they cost as much or more, and will be less healthy and trainable, than higher quality dogs from hobby breeders. New laws will just make this problem worse. Do you think dogs bred in Mexico will have a better life than dogs bred in North Carolina? I bet the conditions will be even worse and even more dogs will die horrible deaths on the way to pet stores.