Kids and Dogs

"Would you ask your third grader to drive to the store and pick up a few groceries for you? Or perhaps get dinner ready for the family by six o'clock? Why not? After all, your child has ridden in the car and accompanied you to the supermarket many times and knows all about buying groceries. He/She certainly has watched you prepare and serve hundreds of meals on a defined time schedule. But of course, your child does not possess the maturity, focus, or judgment required to drive a car, shop responsibly, or pull a timely meal together."*

Training a dog or puppy to be a well adjusted, balanced member of your pack requires lots of mature thought, planning, focus, and judgment - attributes most commonly found in adults. Although kids benefit from the companionship of a well-trained dog, the job of producing such a dog belongs to grown-ups.
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A well-trained and properly supervised dog brings joy to adult and young family members alike. Even toy breeds should not be handled by young children. Just because they are "toy sized" does not make them TOYS.




*Quoted from The Siberian Husky by Lorie Long
**Thanks to Kevin for this pic of his darling girl and their dog!

Rub-A-Dub-Dog

I was an apprentice to a dog groomer for a short time a few years ago. One thing I noticed during that time was that people either had their dogs groomed too often, or not often enough. Very few dog owners had the balance down for how often a dog NEEDS to be groomed.

First off, grooming does not always entail getting their fur trimmed, or shaved. That depends more on the breed and how long or short the owners prefer their dog's fur to be "styled". A good example of this is the Yorkshire Terrier, many owners prefer to keep the fur short, but there are some who appreciate that this is a long haired breed and maintain the long glossy coat. Both are cute! It is strictly owner's preference.

However, all dog breeds should have regular bathing. Dogs don't need to be bathed as often as humans, thank goodness! The best rule of thumb is twice a month in the summer, and once a month in the winter. This helps with shedding, as well as maintaining good health. You should brush your dog at least once a week, for short haired breeds, and twice a week for long haired breeds. When you bathe/groom your dog too often it depletes their coats of natural oils that they need for healthy skin and fur. If neglected and not done often enough they are at risk of a variety of parasites and skin disease. Also, don't forget to trim their nails regularly! Over grown nails hurt your dog and can even prevent them from walking normal.

You don't have to spend a fortune to bath/groom your dog. Most dog shampoos are pretty cost effective at your local Target or Wal-Mart. Make sure you use DOG SHAMPOO, not human! Dog shampoo is specially formulated for dogs skin and coats. For dogs that are mostly or all white you can buy a special shampoo (that is actually blue in color) that really brings out the brightness of their fur.

Don't forget to make sure you thoroughly dry your dog's coat before letting them go outside in cold weather!

If your dog has a skin condition or parasites, see your vet immediately. Failing to do so only prolongs your dog's suffering, the problem becomes worse and more expensive to treat, and it is also a form of CRIMINAL NEGLIGENCE!

Regular grooming is just as important as food, water, and exercise for your healthy, HAPPY dog!

The BEST Breed?

A reader of my blog recently asked which breed of dog she and her family should get. They have children under 5 and wanted to know which breed would be best suited for such an age group. I have two children - both under the age of 5 - and while I own a Welsh Corgi and a Siberian Husky, I would not recommend those breeds in most cases of where young children are involved in the equation. My dogs are great! Don't get me wrong, but I'm also a trainer, and my children have minimal interaction with my dogs.

For a family with young children, I would highly recommend a Labrador or a Retriever. Those are the most tolerant and patient breeds I've come across yet. Though many breeds can do just fine with children, these two stand out to me as the BEST.

Keep in mind though, that the Labs and Retrievers do not fully MENTALLY mature until they are about 5 years old. I would not recommend getting a puppy of either of these breeds unless you have lots of time, and patience yourself. But the animal shelters are always full, and most of them have a variety of Labs or Retrievers to adopt.

Most people think it is easier to adopt a puppy than an adult dog, but it's really not. Regardless of it's past any dog (at any age) can be taught new things and adapt quickly to a new family.

The best chance of success lies with the owner who regularly walks their dog(s). Daily exercise helps drain energy that could become destructive energy if not properly channeled, and helps establish a bond between the Pack Leader (which SHOULD be the OWNER) and the rest of the pack.