Aurora CO Pit Bull Ban Repealed

 It's about time. 

"After Aurora Question 3A passed in November, repealing the city’s pit bull ban, the city council finished the final touches around the ban on Monday. The breed ban was instated in 2005... "

I wrote about this ban when it came about. It was inhumane and ineffective. Untold dogs paid the ultimate price as a result of this ban.

Good riddance to this law.

Those who put this ban in place will never pay the penalty that they deserve. 

How Often Should You Feed Your Dog?

Feeding frequency is an interesting topic. There are various opinions based upon the goals adopted by the experts. Free feeding means keeping the food bowl full all day and refilling it regularly. Schedule feeding means feeding once or several times a day, typically on a consistent schedule. 

 

One study I found indicated that it was best to feed dogs once per day. This study from the Dog Aging Project says their data suggests “Controlling for sex, age, breed, and other potential confounders, we found that dogs fed once daily rather than more frequently had lower mean scores on a cognitive dysfunction scale, and lower odds of having gastrointestinal, dental, orthopedic, kidney/urinary, and liver/pancreas disorders.”

 

However, according to Purina, “Unlike free feeding, schedule feeding enables you to feed your dog the proper serving size at every meal, to help support a healthy weight. It also allows you to monitor your dog’s appetite, so you can quickly spot a change due to illness or other issues.”

 

So, on the theory that caloric restriction reduces a variety of diseases, you should feed once per day. However, for some dogs that would overeat if given ad libitum access to food all day, they would become overweight, and free fed dogs are probably not being supervised as well by their owner for their health as schedule fed dogs. Free feeding doesn’t necessarily mean that you let a dog just keep eating and eating. It can also mean that you put out a measured portion of total calories once per day and then the dog will eat at its own rate. So, once per day could mean free feeding or it could mean a dog that eats all it needs in one meal. Not all dogs will eat readily. 

 

I’ve also seen puppies and adult dogs that got low blood sugar from eating once per day, and they needed more than one meal a day to be comfortable.

 

I’ve also seen plenty of obese dogs that were schedule fed. The owners weren’t watching how much their dogs were eating. 

 

I’ve also seen dogs that were underfed, regardless of the program. Many times, I have had students say they were restricting calories based upon their veterinarian’s recommendations or because of the instructions printed on the back of the dog food bag or can. In addition, some dogs aren’t well, and you must be there with them to ensure they eat. If you’ve ever had to hand feed a sick dog, you know what I am referring to.

 

There are many factors that go into feeding other than just health or convenience. Feeding is more than just about health. Feeding schedules can also affect behavior. There are many examples, but here are three. Sometimes it is best to let dogs free feed when there are multiple dogs in the home. Everyone gets fed and there are no fights. On the other hand, some dogs will guard the food bowls, not let the others eat, and fights will break out. So, in those cases it is best to do supervised and scheduled feeding, with food bowls spaced at a distance, and removing the bowls once the dogs are finished. I have also seen dogs that won’t eat unless the owner is present. I call them social eaters. So, regardless of the schedule, they are only going to eat when you are in the room.

 

I do not believe there is a “one size fits all” solution to dog feeding. You should consider overall health effects, portion control, and behavior. Your veterinarian will have an opinion. The food manufacturer will have an opinion. Your breeder will have an opinion. Your dog trainer will have an opinion. And your dog will have a say, as well. All this input needs to be processed in order to come up with the best compromise for your dog.

Massive Increase Of Abandoned Dogs In The Streets?

We're learning the number of dogs rescued off the streets last week is alarming — just as the Animal Foundation took in more than 400 animals last week.

I’m hearing rumors that there are major stray dog populations in all major cities across the US. The economy has been very bad and this is the result. It doesn’t help that animal control operations nationwide are operating so inefficiently. 

Dogs And Life Is Hard

I'm starting to read the book, Road Less Traveled, by M. Scott Peck. 

First sentence: "Life is hard."

Good point. 

Another sentence on the first page: "Life is a series of problems. Do we want to moan about them or solve them?"

Owning a dog can be hard, especially if a.) you are a novice dog owner; b.) you don't know what you are doing; c.) you got more dog than you know how to handle; d.) you don't have the resources for your dog... and/or... 

And lastly, e.) if you haven't made a decision that you are going to solve all of the above. Making that decision, when you really mean it and you do it, makes life not so hard with your dog. For almost everyone, it makes owning a dog quite easy. 

If I get any other pearls of wisdom from the book, I might write more here. 

Dogs And Owners Unable To Take Them For Walks

I meet a number of dog owners every year that are unable to take their dogs for a walk, with dogs that need more exercise in order to be calm in the home.

In these cases, I highly recommend my students consider getting a Mobility Scooter, and we can then teach their dog to walk beside them. My opinion is that you get one this is as stable as possible that is less likely to tip over, possibly one with 4 wheels instead of 3. This link gives you an example of what I'm referring to. *

This is a win for everyone. No need for this type of student or dog to be a shut in.

*This is an Amazon affiliate link. I do receive a small amount for purchases. 

Thompson Peak Park Dog Park

Voters approved the dog park at Thompson Peak Parkway and Hayden Road (in Scottsdale, AZ)  as part of the 2019 bond package.

I just heard about this new project. Very interesting. I plan on driving by and looking. Whenever a new dog park goes in, new challenges come up for the users and nearby residents. I want to see the overall layout. 

The X In Dog Behavior And Learning Theories

It isn’t unusual for a particular theory to use a hypothetical X to account for factors that the researcher doesn’t wish to isolate and examine or haven’t yet figured out. There is nothing wrong with this approach. We use it in mathematics for a reason. We can solve an equation by assigning an imaginary value to X, plug that into an equation, and then solve for X when the rest of the equation is determined. 

Dogs And Hunting Traps

I am in no way anti-hunting. (Meat eating is natural; when a vegan thinks they are not killing animals, consider the thousands of animals lives that are sacrificed to farm the food they eat. No way is being a vegan "carbon neutral".) I think hunting has a beneficial effect for species as well as for humans. Wildlife needs to be managed to sustain healthy densities of appropriate populations. There are numerous ways humans hunt land-based animals, from using guns, bow and arrow, falconry, dogs, and traps.

 

For those living in cities, they don’t encounter wildlife. They know next to nothing about wild animals, ranching or farming. Their idea of hunting is to go to a restaurant and order a pineapple and Canadian bacon pizza. That results in goofy ideas about proper wildlife management. It also results in them falling for fantastical tales about how they should treat their dogs like wolves treat other wolves. (Don’t get me started…) 

 

Trappers tend to manage their traps; however, it is possible for unintended animals to be snared. Loose dogs can get entangled and require rescue. That’s why it is a good idea, especially in rural areas, to not let your dogs run free. Someone, or some animal, is always potentially out there hunting and your dog can get caught in a bad situation.

 

I tend to agree with the locals when it comes to what is best for wildlife in their communities. They must live there, often they are piggybacking off centuries of knowledge, and they aren’t trying to wipe out the wildlife. It is their way of life and before city folk get involved, they should instead understand what and why of their lifestyle, needs, and dangers they face in these rural communities. 

[From the article: "Most animals can survive being caught for a short period without suffering debilitating injuries, he said. So a trapper can free a dog or another relatively small animal that was unintentionally caught, and the critter should be fine in most cases, he said. “Those animals, just being caught overnight, can be released with minimal injuries,” he said."]

 

You can’t learn all you need to know about wildlife by watching cartoons as kids and then shopping for food at your local grocery store as adults. 

Is Dog Behavior Lawful?

Does dog behavior operate according to recognized rules or laws? I would say this. While dog behavior can be described and often predicted in a laboratory, you will find it impossible to predict and control all the behavior of your dog in the real world. How can that be? 

Why Is It Complicated To Build A Well-Trained Dog?

The dog training world needs to get away from a.) gimmicks; b.) the typical, “do 10 repetitions of this, use this tool, and then provide this consequence at this frequency.”; and c.) doing something more than ringing the bell and causing the dog to salivate. Much more is possible. A question needs to be asked: what is the relationship between the behavior and the physiological makeup of a dog? In other words, it is time to revisit the age-old mind/ body problem.

Are you making dogs fit your dog training, or is the training being implemented to fit the dog? And what is the next level for getting better results? 

A Good Dog Trainer?

So the latest marketing gimmick online for dog trainers. I've seen this a number of times now. Put your dog on a Sit at a long distance, say 400 yards, and then call the dog to Come. This is supposed to be the ultimate challenge to prove ability.

LOL. 

Animal Control Officer Assaulted

She also reportedly threatened the officer with a gun and illegally entered the animal shelter to retrieve her dog, which they had impounded.

Animal shelters need to have security systems, programs, training and security trained personnel. I have yet to see a well-designed setup for any shelter. How often do we see shelters built in the worst parts of town? And have you ever asked the adopters, volunteers, and employees if they feel safe there? These are questions no one seems to want to ask or answer. 

 

If you run a shelter, plan accordingly.

Dogs and Thanksgiving Preparations

Are you making Thanksgiving preparations to ensure the safety of your dog from your guests, and your guests from your dog?

Today's Tip: Set some rules, in advance, how everyone is to to interact with your dog. What is allowed and what isn't? 

Some people think it is OK to threaten, tease or harm pets. Some of those people might be visiting you tomorrow. You had better lay down the law on that. My students are doing that. You can do it, too. 

‘Big Bang Theory’ Kaley Cuoco Gets Rid Of Her Elderly Dog?

‘Big Bang Theory’ star Kaley Cuoco blasted for ‘abandoning’ elderly dog to accommodate boyfriend’s pooch

Do I need to tell you what I think of this? 

 

 

Dogs And Black Friday Sales

There are always deals to be had at the end of each year. Retailers are looking to finish out their year with a profit (which is why it is called Black Friday… meaning they are in the black… rather than a Red Friday, meaning they lost money). 

So, here are some ideas 

 

I think that every dog does better with a companion. When dogs get about 3 or 4 years old, they start slowing down because they are adults and often, we aren’t doing activities that keep them going. They get bored and they act old. Bring in a happy, social, compatible, opposite sex dog… and the old dog will act young again and will start playing again. 

 

I’m a big believer in having 2 dogs. It is good for them, and it isn’t that much more to care for two dogs than one. But how do you do it?

 

First, get your current dog trained. Don’t put two untrained dogs together since that makes your job more than twice the work. Once the basics are in place, and with diligent work from 8 weeks of age to 6 months of age, your dog might be ready for a companion. I don’t recommend getting two puppies at the same time, however. They will often bond to each other, the house training can be very difficult with some breeds, and they just won’t listen to you that well for the rest of their lives. 

 

Second, when you get the new dog, ensure a good introduction. With young puppies, you do it gradually so the dogs like one another. Don’t let the puppy bully the adult and don’t let the adult bully the puppy. Also, from 8 weeks to 16 weeks of age, in an ideal setup, you would keep the puppy separate from the other dog for several hours a day. During that time either the puppy is with you, or the older dog is with you. You want the puppy to become an individual instead of just a pack member, and you want that puppy to bond with you instead of primarily with your older dog. Rotate back and forth throughout the day. It isn’t fun to be playing Musical Chairs like this for a couple of months, but it will pay off in the long run. You still must meet the needs of the young puppy, such as play time, potty breaks, socialization in and outside the home, but you limit the total amount of time the dogs are together up to 4 months of age. After that, all should be good. 

 

If the new dog is older, then introduce them on a walk outside the home and let them warm up to one another before you bring the new dog inside. There is more to it than this, but don’t just put a new dog in the home without a happy introduction. First impressions are often lasting. 

 

Third, when choosing the second dog, I recommend only getting the most bulletproof dog you can find. It should be healthy, playful, similar in activity level to your current dog, very friendly with everyone and every animal, not fearful or anxious, and of the opposite sex. You don’t want a dog that adds to any insecurities your older dog already has. You want the second dog to be signaling safety in all ways, not afraid of much of anything. 

 

Fourth… NOW is a good time to find a second dog. Rescue organizations are full of these bulletproof dogs. You can know, right off the bat, if the new dog is right since the rescue should know a lot about the dog already IF IT HAS BEEN FOSTERED IN A HOME. If you are getting a purebred dog, then you should consult my article at my web page on Buying A Dog/ Choosing A Breeder. You must do some detailed background work and not just believe what some breeder says to you in an ad or over the phone. Some breeders are good and honest, some aren’t. Don’t believe what you want to see. Trust, but verify.

 

Lastly… now is a good time to shop for dog supplies. Retailers are offering great deals now. If you run a rescue, now is the time to buy some of this stuff in bulk. If you are a pet owner, now is the time to take advantage of these deals while they last. Here is an interesting article on what retailers are planning for the end of 2024… 

 

Black Friday is almost here but some sales aren’t all they are cracked up to be: Here’s what not to buy

 

Plan accordingly… 

 

Canada Apologizes For Killing Inuit Dogs In The 1950's

The RCMP launched an internal investigation into the slaughter of sled dogs in 2006 and cleared themselves of any wrongdoing, stating that the killings were done in the interest of public safety. But Aatami and other Inuit leaders say the dogs were shot to keep the largely nomadic Inuit in settled communities, and compared the killings to other major impacts of colonization including the relocation of families in other parts of Canada and being forced to send children to residential schools.

There is something fishy about this story. Both accounts can’t be true at the same time. But Canada is a screwed up country, where authorities can do outrageous things and not be held accountable. They don’t have a Bill of Rights. Leaders can do pretty much what they want to do and get away with it. Look at what is happening with free speech, freedom of religion, self defense, due process and such... they don't have any of that. There isn't a free press, so forget about investigating the truth of the claims. Look at what happened with the farmer’s strike… maybe 70 years from now, when all the victims are dead, Canada will apologize for that, too. On the other hand, Canada apologizes for lots of things that don't make sense. 

 

Why would Canada feel the need to apologize if the RCMP investigated ITSELF and determined there was no wrongdoing? 

 

You can’t handle the truth… 

Officer shoots, kills pet dog mistaken for coyote?

An animal control officer shot and killed a pet dog in a Massachusetts town after mistaking it for a coyote in an incident that has the animal’s owner fuming, but that local police are describing as a sad mix-up.

What a mess. 

 

Plan accordingly… 

NBA Urges Players To Get Guard Dogs?

The NBA on Friday circulated a memo urging players to upgrade their home security and consider getting guard dogs following a rash of burglaries targeting professional athletes.

Ok… let’s pick this apart.

 

First, there are apparently South American gangs using sophisticated tech to overcome the electronic surveillance and alarm systems of targeted homes. So, you can’t do that to a dog. Turn off the alarm, and the dogs will still alert if they detect the scents, sounds or presence of intruders. Good stuff.

 

Second, if the dogs are left unsupervised, the gangs will kill the dogs and still do their dirty work. Thus, the dogs need to have human guards to accompany them. But not every player can afford this kind of security.

 

We know what needs to happen. Get these criminals and put them in prison. Good luck with that in California. Have a nice life. There might be more hope in other places, except Denver. Good luck there, too. Hope you have good insurance and that your families aren't home when invaded.

Dogs and Forever Chemicals (PFAS)

Higher usage of personal care products among pregnant or nursing women leads to higher levels of toxic PFAS “forever chemicals” in their blood and breast milk, new research shows, presenting a serious health threat to developing children.

If this is true for humans, it is true for dogs. Everything we bring into our homes like this is probably ending up in our dogs. I also highly doubt that PFAS levels are being tested on pet toys, bedding, foods, food and toy packaging, leashes, collars, and such. All vets have noticed that we are seeing the same upwards trends in certain autoimmune diseases in pets as we have been seeing in humans.

Plan accordingly... 

Is A Goldendoodle A Purebred Dog?

A “purebred dog” is whatever we decide it to be. Generally, when a registry, such as the AKC or FCI recognizes it as a breed, then it is called a purebred dog breed. 

But there are very few dog breeds that haven’t been created because of mixing two or more different breeds… Bullmastiff… Doberman… German Shepherd… Chesapeake Bay Retriever… and so on. All are created breeds by mixing two or more other breeds. And many breeds we consider purebred today were recreated, such as the Mastiff after WWI and WWII, which were almost extinct. Same with the Dogue de Bordeaux and the Bouvier. 

 

In the end, get the dog you want and do the background on the breeding (if you can) to determine what traits your dog probably will display. 

 

There is nothing wrong with breeding a Goldendoodle. Just make sure if you do that you find good homes for all the puppies.