Dog Training: No Substitute For Time

It takes years to understand dogs. Years. You call yourself a "master dog trainer" when you've only been doing this for a year? Sorry. Don't buy it.

Look up the word, "ontogenesis". It means an organisms development from conception to the last day of life. Along the way, the organism encounters various stimuli, both internal and external, which shape that development. Different stimuli have different effects at different stages of development. It takes time to not only study these effects but also to witness many of them with many dogs. Some of what you need to learn can come from books, but even more comes from witnessing this process, seeing what goes right and what goes wrong. Some of it can be medical, such as when a puppy has an adverse reaction to vaccines and what might result in terms of future behavior. Some of it can be experiences at crucial times that can enhance what the puppy will become as an adult. Some of it is witnessing what happens when the wrong experiences happen, or when experiences happen at the wrong time, and how that affects the resulting adult. And then there are the wide range of traumas that can happen along the way.

Then, do you know what questions you should be asking? What clues you should be looking for if you don't know the entire history? Or what recommendations should be made along the way, especially if things are going wrong?

I think humility goes a long way in the dog training world. It is OK to be a beginner. It is OK that you aren't a world expert yet. My main recommendation is to not get ahead of your knowledge and address topics and problems that you aren't ready to handle. Dog training is a career, not just a job. 

Sometimes Dog Training Feels Just Right

So, I was just listening to Joe Bonamassa Official - "Just Got Paid" - Tour de Force: Royal Albert Hall on YouTube. The song just feels right… hard to describe, but you know it when you hear something like that.

Sometimes a dog that I’m working with also just feels right. There are dogs that are just like that. It all goes right. They rock. They roll. Sometimes it is that you are working with a very talented dog. Sometimes it is a dog that you have built with a lot of careful and progressive training that has come together perfectly.

 

There are special moments when training dogs, and these encounters are a joy. 

 

I was working with a little fluffy dog today. We have only done a few lessons so far, but he is very promising, and I left the lesson feeling very good. Love that attitude, that smile. He is one of those dogs that is going to have to be built, but all of the pieces seem to be there. There is another dog I'm working with that is also very promising, a Spanish Water Dog. I like him a lot. I'm looking to put the pedal to the metal with him soon and see what is under the hood. I don't think I'll be disappointed. 

Old Dogs Including Mike Tyson

The Tyson fight shows that old boxers like him should not get back in the ring. 

It also reminded me of considerations for working old dogs. Old dogs, especially after 10 years of age, are fragile. I have turned down training requests for older dogs. They break, even doing simple stuff. 

Animal Control Budget Cuts Will Harm Dogs. Can Chicago Get Any Worse?

Lopez said the City Council budget committee received a letter three weeks ago from the acting director of Animal Care and Control, stating that public animal intake was being cut from seven hours per day to four. This is despite an annual increase of 1,800 strays and surrenders at department headquarters.

Chicago is a corrupt, mismanaged, garbage city. There is no excuse. None at all. Everyone knows it. I could go on and on about what is wrong, but I’m sure you probably already know a lot of it. It isn't for a lack of money.

 

And the animals suffer. I was born in Illinois, so I know a bit about the town’s history. 

 

My suggestion if you have a dog: Move somewhere else.

Dogs, Mike Tyson and Jake Paul

What does your dog think about the prize fight tonight?

Dogs don't care about the fight, silly.

I am for Team Tyson, however. Hope he doesn't get hurt. 

Is Your Dog Safe Behind Your Fence?

“They either dug under the fence or broken the fence and got into my yard and attacked her in her yard,” said Longcor, who was not home at the time of the attack.

 

Is your dog safe in your yard from attack by neighborhood dogs? Go look at your fencing and see if it can withstand a similar incident. 

Wales, Leave The Dogs Out Of It

Have you heard about the group in Wales proposing banning dogs (Welsh government to ban dogs from the countryside to make it less 'racist')?

"The reason why dog-free areas would help tackle racism is not explained in the report, which will be used by the government to 'support policy teams' that are 'developing and implementing' Wales' anti-racist plans."

Hey folks, leave the dogs out of this debate. I don't even know what this argument is about, but it isn't about dogs. Dogs have been the scapegoats of political movements again and again. It never solves the underlying problems, but it does hurt the dogs. 

UPDATE: There are 5 breeds of dog that originated in Wales... 1.) Welsh Corgi; 2.) Welsh Terrier; 3.) Welsh Sheepdog; 4.) Welsh Springer Spaniel: and 5.) Sealyham Terrier. 

Dogs And Photoperiodism

Do dogs have significant seasonal changes in behavior, especially in mood state, like people? I was asked this question recently, so I figured it was a good topic for a blog post. 

 

Photoperiodism is an animal's response to changes in the length of day and night. For example, there are known 24-hour hormonal cycles. The seasonal change in light exposure affects the somewhat timed expressions of melatonin and cortisol, so when the sun goes up or down these cycles are modified. In addition, the nervous system and bodily organs also have a coordinated circadian rhythm system that is affected by seasonal changes in light exposure. Disruptions to these systems can affect not only behavior but health and mortality. Female dogs go into heat based partly upon seasonal changes in light exposure, and when the females go into heat, they can display changes in mood state. Dogs and humans are affected by these changes in seasonal light exposure rhythms, both physical and behavioral, but the changes in dogs aren't going to be the same as they are for humans or other species. And every species needs to be seen as having unique responses to changes in seasons. There have been some studies on rodents showing increased aggression with varying light exposures in the laboratory. But we can't then assume that would happen in nature or in the same manner for the same biological reasons with other species. 

 

Sometimes there are defects in these systems. I have run across a handful of dogs that appeared to have a sort of "sundowner syndrome", also suspected by their veterinarians. One dog would dramatically change his behavior at night, not only was he more aggressive but there were other changes like symptoms of anxiety and restlessness. Could it be that there was another explanation for those changes? Sure. Maybe bad things had happened to him when the sun went down, and he became more suspicious. But, as I recall, there were other symptoms that looked medical. Those physical symptoms might have been a stress side effect. Unfortunately, most veterinarians do not have access to the experimental data, or the time or expertise to test dogs like this to give a definitive diagnosis.

 

I have heard it suggested that the reason there could be more reported dog bite and fight cases in the summer is because of these seasonal changes. Regarding seasonality of dog bite/ fight cases, we should also consider the influence of changes in human management of their dogs during the summer. Such changes could be that some dogs are more often placed in public competitive situations with other dogs in warm weather, whereas in the winter the dogs are more likely at home and less likely to encounter strange dogs. 

 

Intact female dogs will behave differently when in heat. They can be more irritable, restless, lethargic, and have changes in appetite. I've also seen female dogs act in ways that we would call "needy" with their human families and more "motherly" with their toys. Males that are near females in heat are also going to behave differently.

 

Photoperiodism effects on dog behavior haven't been thoroughly studied, but there are enough generalities to make some suggestions. Yes, if you look closely, you might see seasonal changes in your dogs, especially if they are intact or near intact dogs. They will also be affected by how we change how we manage them seasonally, and our mood states during those seasons. If you are stressed during seasonal holidays, for example, you can anticipate your dog might be influenced by your changes in attitude, schedule, resource provision, social interactions and management. On the other hand, most of this will run on automatic and there will be only a few things you might want to do differently if you are witnessing any noticeable changes in your dog. Thus, if your female is in heat, keep her away from intact male dogs; other female dogs in heat may make her cranky and trigger a fight; she isn't going to want male dogs messing with her if she isn't ready to breed; give her some fun time and play with her; and allow her to complete the cycle without hassling her. If your male dog is around females in heat, you'll need to more intensely supervise him since male dogs will do Olympian feats to get to those females; be more cautious of the potential for your dog to escape your home; and prevent fights between nearby intact male dogs. In summertime, you might want to be more selective where you take your dog, assuming that other dogs might not be as well managed, trained or socialized as your dog. 

 

I generally don't find these changes to be all that difficult to manage. I've had female dogs in heat in the home. It's not that big of a deal, except for the clean up being a bit if a nuisance. I've had friends who bred dogs, and for them, it was more of an effort since they had to take sometimes extraordinary steps to keep the males away from the females in heat, and to prevent or break up fights. This is all part of owning a dog. I'm not convinced that dogs suffer from seasonal affective disorder. My current opinion is that what owners are seeing is a reflection of themselves and how they are feeling and how that interpretation influences their dogs.

 

Seasonal changes are going to happen, and it is best to anticipate what might happen.

UPDATE: My opinion on this topic was quoted in this article: Can Dogs Get Seasonal Depression? Yes: Here’s How to Care for Them: “I’m not convinced that dogs suffer from seasonal affective disorder.” Sam Basso of Sam The Dog Trainer starts, “I am convinced, however, that dogs can mirror the feelings of their owners. So, assuming your dog is in good medical condition, and you observe your dog feeling low, master the concept of changing your dog’s mood state. In other words, what can you do to make your dog happy? It first starts with you.” 

 

Dog Training Discovery

When I work with a student, my goal is to not just have them follow an habitual pattern of exercises. Instead, I prefer to set up just right challenges to allow them to discover how best to know and interact with their dogs. I find it is better to let this happen so that they own what they discover rather than just putting them through routines. It is also better for their dogs. The best dog training is about a relationship between the dog and owner, not a forced set of exercises.  

When my students can work their dog in a public location, and a crowd forms around to watch and later come up and complement them, they have discovered the right relationship with their dog.

New Puppy Housetraining

The MOST important lesson you can teach a new puppy is to be clean in the home. This is also the lesson that many people mess up and do damage to their puppies.

If you think that punishment is the way to go, then you are going to have problems. That's not the way to do it.

Why Is Dog Behavior So Hard To Understand?

I was speaking with a new student yesterday who was trying to understand why so many trainers use different approaches. In her case, she has an under-socialized young adult dog that is fearful of new people and new situations...

Happy Veterans Day

All gave some, some gave all.

That includes the K9s… 

No Puppy Socialization

I work with way too many dogs that were not socialized as puppies. Life is hard for these dogs, afraid of life and difficult to turn around. Some of these dogs need as much as 2 years of solid work in order to have a somewhat normal life. 

I think lack of socialization is the primary reason why so many dogs remain unadaptable in rescue shelters. I recommend a primary public relations push to educate the public about the need for, and methods to, socialize all young puppies under 12 weeks of age.

Service, Therapy, Emotional Support Dogs

Not every dog can be a service, therapy or emotional support dog. Influential factors include the age of the dog; quality of early socialization; aversive/ traumatic experiences; breeding; breed; quality of training; and individual differences.

I have seen a number of people who purchased a dog with the intent of making their dog into a service, therapy, or emotional support dog. Many times, they got bad advice and the wrong dog, and they are not openminded to hear that it wasn't going to work out. 

I spoke to a woman with a disability a few months ago that had done this exact thing. She didn't want to hear that she had picked the wrong breed, wrong breeder, wrong training plan, that she needed to socialize the puppy before it was 16 weeks of age, that the dog was going to be too powerful for her to handle, and such. She had done her own research online and by talking to the breeder and believed what she wanted to hear. 

Many people with disabilities are on a limited income. The amount of money that is necessary to invest in getting a dog to do the work can be significant. And then, if it doesn't work out, and often it won't, they will be with a dog that can't do the job, the disability won't be addressed as planned, and they will be out of luck because they will be out of funds. 

Dog Fitness

I am a big believer in keeping your dog in shape their entire life. This starts with a daily walk. And then adding in play, adventures, hikes, swimming, treadmills, and dog training. Like us, the better shape your dog is in, the easier it will be for them. 

Plan accordingly... 

Kirk Herbstreit Announces Death His Dog, Ben

Kirk Herbstreit announces death of beloved dog Ben in heartbreaking post

I get it. This kind of thing always hurts. A lot. 

Dogs and Elections Are Over

I checked to see the posting frequency of people on Facebook, and it pretty much went silent the past month or so. Probably glued to their TVs and cell phones worrying about politics. I'm sure that the election sucked up a lot of people's bandwidth and with that over, people will start getting back to normal. Even yesterday, more people were on the roads, more people in restaurants. I'm guessing people wanted a release. 

I'm thinking this might be a good opportunity to put out appeals for volunteers for upcoming holiday adoption events. People are going to be having social media withdrawals. Maybe we can get them interested in rescue work.

Your Dog And Setting Boundaries With People

It is important to define and choose the appropriate physical and emotional boundaries you will enforce when people interact with your dog. Some things are going to be OK, some things are not going to be OK. A couple of examples...

It is not OK for someone to hurt your dog: a physical boundary.

It is also not OK for someone to terrorize your dog: an emotional boundary.

When working with students, I help them to figure out and choose appropriate boundaries for their dogs, especially if kids are involved. 

It is better to define your boundaries in advance instead of reacting as a surprise with fear, anger, or passive acceptance of things that shouldn't be done to your dog. 

People who don't respect or know boundaries are going to be magnetically drawn to situations and people who don't choose, set and enforce reasonable boundaries. You can't afford to smoke these people out by letting them transgress first, and then react afterwards. It is then too late, and the harm is already done. 

For children, they have to be taught boundaries with the dog. They don't know boundaries instinctively, without instruction and experience. Boundaries must be modeled by the parents or dog owners, enumerated at an age appropriate manner, described, practiced and enforced. This concept is also going to be true of some adults. Many adults have little to no experience with dogs, and they need your help to know what to do and what not to do. If they don't know the boundaries you have chosen, you must assume they will cross those lines.

Therefore, what physical boundaries are you going to set? Who can touch your dog or enter your territory? When, where, how, and why? And what emotional boundaries are you going to set? What range of emotions are acceptable for people to evoke from your dog, and what ranges are unacceptable? And of those emotions and in what circumstances are these emotional states acceptable to be triggered and to what intensity?

Your Traumas And Your Dog

The traumas you have experienced can influence how you raise your dog. For example, if you were raised in a harsh environment, you might decide to not train your dog to have good manners. But then your dog becomes out of control or even dangerous. 

Dogs can't train themselves. If you find that you have an aversion to setting boundaries for your dog, avoiding training and necessary rule enforcement, then your dog's misbehavior isn't going to get any better through neglect. For many dogs, you can't postpone the training forever. In some cases, your dog might even become dangerous to you or someone else. 

Be honest with yourself if you are going through this and seek a good therapist. There is no shame in getting help. Then have your therapist coordinate with your dog trainer to develop a healthy and workable program that is good for you and good for your dog.

Who To Vote For Today?

 Who would P’Nut the Squirrel want you to vote for? 

Dog Rescue-aholics

I have met a number of Dog Rescue-aholics... 

Like a lot of good things, people can take rescue work too far, often as an escape from other things that have hurt them. I've seen people do it to avoid their terrible marriages, or run from other past traumas. I've seen it break up marriages; cause kids to be neglected; cause people to start hoarding dogs; and some going broke from running up the credit cards until bankruptcy and then having to dump the dogs in their care on others. Substance abuse can also be a part of this. All balance of life goes out the door when dog rescue becomes an addiction. There is a lot to get addicted to: You can get addicted to the pain. You can get addicted to the rescuing. You can get addicted to the attention. You can get addicted to the dog rescue culture and its social rules.

I think there might be a role for an AA for pet rescue to get some people off their rat running wheels. I think this phenomenon is a lot more common than many might realize. If you fear you are going down this route, it is time to become honest about it and get help. You can't keep hiding what is happening to you because at some point it is all going to come crashing down. It doesn't have to be that way. Don't let shame keep you from getting help. Tell the truth to someone. If you need a therapist, then do that. There are ways to do rescue in a way that doesn't cause you to drown. 

Another Inflation Disaster: Surge In Dog Veterinarian Prices

Maine and Georgia experienced a 20% surge in vet care pricing within a year, with this trend now spreading to other states like California.

Inflation is slamming all pets across the country. Blame the federal government mismanagement of the economy. This is a major reason why shelters are overflowing with pets… many people are being priced out of owning them… 

Dogs And Social Unrest

I have no idea how the next few days will play out politically. What I do have is an idea about your pets... stay away from protests and trouble. I see no good outcome for a dog in the event of a riot or intense protest. 

If the turmoil is coming to your neighborhood, then consider how to keep your dog safe... lock doors, gates, have extra supplies, and such. When people are in a frenzy you and your dog are not safe. Stay or go? I have no idea for you since every situation is different.

We were always taught to stay away from trouble. I still practice that in my life. I don't go looking for trouble, and I recommend that you don't go looking for trouble. But sometimes trouble can come your way even if you don't want any part of it. Encourage your friends to also avoid trouble and troublemaking. Trouble doesn't solve anything. 

Blessed are the peacemakers. Plan accordingly.

Loose Dogs On Holidays

Borough officials said three pit bulls, two adults and a puppy, got loose from a row house on Ormond at about 5:40 p.m., just before the borough’s Halloween celebrations were about to start.

If you note, I warned about watching your pets over Halloween. Lots of dogs escape during holidays because people aren’t monitoring them at the door. It can also be tricky to get your dog back inside once your dog has escaped. Many people get angry at their dogs and the dogs play keep away… actually the novel situation and the owner’s hostility makes the dog afraid to come or go back into the home. 

 

This is why training matters. If you have established a good relationship with your dog, you monitor your dog at escape points, you have trained your dog in front of your home, and you can keep your emotions in check during emergencies, then you have a good chance of preventing these types of accidents… regardless of the breed. 

 

Next big holidays are Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas and New Years.

 

Are. You. Ready? 

It Was NOT Necessary For NY To Kill Peanut The Pet Squirrel

According to Longo, at least six officers from the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) came to his door, seizing Peanut and another of his unconventional pets, Fred the raccoon. 

This is political dishonest nonsense. Or as some would say, BS. There was no need to do this. SIX OFFICERS? To get a squirrel? This was to make a political point about the power of a government agency and to allow them to strut around as if they were doing something important. There was no rabies risk AT ALL. And alternative licensing or housing could have been arranged.

 

Other options were available. Now everyone hates the DEC and it’s officers. 

Interesting Study: Shelter Staff Wellbeing Survey

The demands of animal  shelter  work  can  take  a  toll  on  staff   well-being. The  years  following  the  coronavirus  pandemic  have  been  especially  demanding  as  shelters  struggle to navigate a series of  unprecedented challenges, including pandemic-related restrictions, the shortage of  veterinary professionals, adoptions not keeping pace with increasing animal admissions (especially of  dogs), the expiration of  eviction moratoriums, and rising inflation. These factors create a context that is potentially deleterious to the well-being of shelter staff. 

 

Shelter work is traumatic. The better the shelter is run, the better the outcomes for the dogs, staff and volunteers. And the better outcome for the public.

Dogs And Addiction

People who are addicted to anything are putting themselves in a position to neglect their dogs.

There is professional help for all addictions. Plan accordingly... 

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.