Dogs In and Out of Service

Dogs that are trained to provide a service for someone are amazing.   Their training takes many years and some learn hundreds of commands in order to assist their human.

I have to admit that my dogs would need to wear the vest that reads “out of service.”  Actually, they all serve a purpose, even if it may change from day to day.  One of my dogs definitely provides a much-needed service.  If asked what service he provides, I can say proudly that he is a comedian.  He provides daily humor.

Another dog is in service to assist others in patience and understanding.  She is afraid of everyone other than me and needs constant reassurance that no one will hurt her (ever again.)  Some of the dogs I see walking down the street with their human, are obviously in service by promoting exercise and strong arm muscles.

In or out of service, our dogs are always contributing something to the family – even if we have to take a moment to think what that is.  What service does your dog provide?

What’s Next Michael Vick?

I just received the update from the Humane Socieity about the release of Michael Vick from prison.  The HSUS (and other organizations) persisted behind the scene to expose his pit bull fighting ring and to subsequently have him prosecuted and suspended by the NFL.

The only positive side to Michael Vick is that his actions (and getting caught) brought light to the fact that dog fighting is happeneing and needs to stop and those involved prosecuted.  Michael Vick says he’s a changed man and blames the abuse on his lack of respect for animals based on how he was raised as a child.

Michael Vick now has the opportunity, and I believe, obligation to give back to the community and society by assisting in the prevention of the advancement of Pit Bull fighting.

Here’s the HSUS update:  What’s Next For Michael Vick?

Puppies Behind Bars

I was fortunate to be able to view the Oprah show with Glenn Close speaking about the Puppies Behind Bars program.  It is wonderful!  Lab and Golden pups are being trained by inmates to be of service to the disabled.  Glenn talked specifically about the dogs being trained to support the veterans as they return from raq.  In one particular case, the dog serves as a lifeline or touchstone for a Sargeant returning with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

If you were or weren’t able to see it, here’s the link to their site with information and an opportunity to contribute.

To our men, women, and dogs in service – this one’s for you!

Puppies Behind Bars

When A Dog Eats Chocolate

It’s not news that dark chocolate can be toxic to your dog.  What to do?  If they have ingested the chocolate within an hour or two, you can induce vomiting by giving them hydrogen peroxide.  It varies by the size of the dog; however, it doesn’t take much.  For small dogs, give them a Tablespoon and follow with another Tablespoon until you get the desired result.

Recently, a Great Dane ate a lot of dark chocolate.  It could have been hours since she ate it, so they chose to wait and monitor her behavior.  This Dane inherently exhibits some of the behaviors you should watch for when a dog consumes too much chocolate – she’s already restless, exciteable, and at times pants excessively.  The point. . .it is to be taken seriously, but don’t panic and attribute their normal behavior to being a reaction to chocolate.

Since it was too late to induce vomiting, the Dane didn’t go to the vet and was monitored at home.  Fortunately, she was able to “pass” the chocolate and process the caffeine and theobromine (stimulants) that were absorbed into her system.

I don’t doubt there have been a lot of sick dogs due to chocolate prior to our knowing it’s potential harm; however, I have heard so many dog owners say quietly that they used to give their dogs oreo cookies as treats.  Some were even given chocolate kisses!  My guess is they weren’t given enough to do harm and we weren’t nervously looking for symptoms.

Information is knowledge and may save you a trip to the vet.  My best advice is to eat the dark chocolate and give the dog a dry, nearly tasteless dog biscuit.  No wonder they too love chocolate!

Go to this article for more detailed information on Why Dogs Can’t Eat Chocolate

Happy Mother’s Day (from your dog!)

I don’t know about you, but there has been a lot of whispering and discreet glances as my dogs prepare for our version of “Mother’s Day.”  I know they are planning something for me.  I just hope it doesn’t include my pretending to eat and like kibble!

My “kids” are the four-legged version.  Whether you have the two-legged or four-legged version, may you have a wonderful day honoring yourself as a Mom.

I have some advice in honor of this day. . .much like Mom’s do with their kids, we dog-moms can get caught in the what-if’s.   What if I’m not feeding them the right food?  What if I’m not spending enough time with them?   What if I could do more?  What if. . .

I don’t think our dogs have thoughts remotely related to our constant questioning.  My advice – stop!  Enjoy them without always being concerned about what you aren’t doing.  It’s not healthy for them or you.  Dogs are adaptable to the life we provide, and we need to let that be.

I believe we have added our pets to the list of things to worry about.  It’s what Mom’s (and Dad’s) do – worry  we aren’t doing enough for those we love.   Love them in the best way you can, and if you must worry about the unknown, worry about all of the dogs left in shelters without a home.

Honor yourself as a “Mom” by relaxing today.  If you must eat a little kibble served bed-side by your loving, grateful canine family, smile and know  you are giving them something wonderful. . .your best.

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!

Do Dogs Need to Have a Schedule?

I have written previously about the importance of a schedule when housebreaking a dog.  Most of us have some flex-time in our day, and most dogs do to.   In nature, dogs would eat when they wanted and poop when they wanted.  They didn’t look at the location of the sun and react shocked because once again, they had forgotten to eat breakfast.   There was most likely a time to hunt, a time to eat, and a time to sleep.

We bring them into our homes and expect them to immediately understand how to live in our world.  Since a schedule is important for us, we need to give our dogs time to understand what that means to them.  Consistency, patience, and praise are invaluable to this process!

My dogs have learned a routine, and I didn’t realize that in order to keep it all straight, they had been keeping a schedule of their own.   This is what it said.   As read by the leader, Zoe . . .

“Mac, you go outside with Violet and Sammy.  Don’t forget why you are out there and get back in here so the rest of us can go.  I’ll go out with Melody and Moby.  Everyone meet back here in thirty minutes for breakfast.  Remember, if you don’t eat it now, you’ll be looking at it again tonight.  After breakfast, Mac and I will go outside for a few hours.”

“If you little guys (sorry Violet) need to go, go now, because you’ll be inside for the day.  Dinner will be served about 5:00 so everyone, be on time – as a side note, don’t jump on Gayle when she gets in from training.  Everyone back outside after dinner and back in for the night.  Try to sleep in past 5:00, but if you can’t hold it Mac, wake me up and I’ll get Gayle’s attention.”

Dogs have become great students of structure. Aren’t they amazing?  Now, if they could only help me with my schedule!

Is Your Dog Quirky?

The dictionary describes a quirk as:

1. A peculiarity of behavior; an idiosyncrasy: “Every man had his own quirks and twists” (Harriet Beecher Stowe).
2. An unpredictable or unaccountable act or event; a vagary.
3. A sudden sharp turn or twist.

Does this sound like your dog?  When a dog’s behavior is unpredictable and with no apparent trigger, it can be described as quirky.  If your dog is so sweet and yet randomly is aggressive with either humans or other dogs, it is a tough behavior to correct.

I don’t like telling clients their dog may never be trustworthy.  However, it is true and I’d rather tell the truth than lead them along an unpredictable path.  Their dog can improve and may make great strides in shifting a less desirable behavior only to find that six months later, the dog reverts back to his old ways.

You haven’t done anything wrong.  Chances are, if this is a rescue dog, it has experienced something in it’s past that is contributing to a random response.  You may never be able to figure it out.  What you can do, is be responsible and don’t pretend the behavior doesn’t exist.  Keep them on a leash, consider the proper use of a muzzle, keep them out of the dog park, etc.  Whatever their quirk is, there’s a way to work with them.

Personally, I haven’t known a human without a quirk or two.  Why should dogs be any different?

Dogs are Smart – Just Not That Smart!

Feeding time in a multi-dog family can be an event not suited for someone who is weak when it comes to multi-tasking.  Who eats where and who eats what?

Once you establish a routine, it’s not so difficult; however, the dogs have learned to pay close attention to what goes in each bowl.  Even if they are in another room and unable to see the food being placed in the bowls, they will look around as dinner is served and keep a close eye and nose on what everyone else is getting.

I have learned that the dogs are smart, but not that smart!  I mix soft food in a couple of bowls to entice the dogs who need to eat more.  The other dogs hear that something more is being added, and are keeping a close eye on those food bowls.

So, I started  adding water to the dog food for those who don’t get the soft food.  It might as well be fairy dust!   Mix around, make it sound like something amazing is going in the bowl and that each dog is getting something special.

Makes me wonder what tricks my Mom had for getting me to eat when I was a picky kid!

Home Is Where the Human Is

The saying usually goes, “home is where the heart is.”  When it comes to our dogs, home is where their human is.

If you are having to relocate and you are moving to a smaller place with less yard and are worried about your dog –  don’t.  They won’t care as long as you are there.  We may only think it’s good for the dog when we’re moving to a large home or some place with a big yard. Moving can be stressful regardless.  Whether you are living in a studio or in a mansion, your dog will know they are home, because you are there.

It’s easy to attach human emotions to our dogs and be overly concerned about what they are feeling. They may have boundaries that are reduced as you down-size.  They will quickly adjust as they go through their list of must-have’s for happiness. . .human (complete with guidance, structure, and love), food, water.

Their needs are met in the life they live with a homeless person and/or with the life they share on an estate.

Most of the time, their needs are simply met – it’s their humans that add the drama.  For those of you who believe home is where the dog is, remember it goes both ways.

*ps – as I write surrounded by unpacked boxes and a lot to do today, the dogs are each on their beds without a care.  They haven’t once mentioned missing their previous home where they had 2.5 acres on which to roam.  Constant teachers. . .aren’t they?

How To Tell If Your Dog Has Been Stolen

If your dog is missing and you are wondering if someone took him or if he ran away, wait for this call:

“Uh, hello?  You need to come and get your dog, it bit my daughter!”

The rest of it went something like this. . .the people went to the home where the dog was “found.” Since it was such a long distance from the country club where they lived, they asked if the people had been in that area.  They replied, “no, my cousin works there.”

True story.