All Reasons For It

I have a friend who is thinking about getting a dog, but she is hesitant because she has NEVER had a dog before. Her family can afford it financially, and she has the time to take care of a dog, so I have been encouraging her to get one.

Here are a few reasons WHY (if you can afford it) you should get a dog:

1. Owning a dog can lower your blood pressure.
2. Kids who grow up with dogs are less likely to develop asthma.
3. Dogs can provide protection (well, not the Toy Breeds).
4. Dog owners who walk their dogs regularly (like they SHOULD) benefit from the exercise.
5. Dogs are the BEST listeners.
6. There are so many different breeds, it's not hard to find one that fits your lifestyle.
7. Dogs love unconditionally and are very loyal - Take good care of them, and they will take good care of you!

"Look Mommy, a SNOW DOG!"

As the owner of a Siberian Husky, I cannot tell you how many times I have heard some little kid yell that statement. And then, they rush over to pet my "Snow Dog" because he "looks just like the one on the movie!" But guess what? He is NOT the one on the movie...or ones, rather as they use more than one look-a-like for the animals in the movies these days. Nope, he is just a regular Husky. And, albeit he has a trainer for an owner, he is STILL CAPABLE OF BITING!

I am sure I'm not the only person who has problems with this. Anyone who owns a Husky, Malamute, Dalmatian, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd, Border Collie, Saint Bernard, Rough Collie, or any other breed that has been on the Big Screen in the last decade or two has this problem. So I'd like to break this blog down into to parts.




Part 1 - To the people who see these breeds of dogs in the movies:
Do NOT run up to ANY dog assuming that you can pet it. Teach your children to NOT run up to ANY dog assuming they can pet it. As I have said before, and will say only thousands of times over, ALL DOGS ARE CAPABLE OF BITING! You wouldn't like it if a complete stranger ran up to you and wanted to touch you! Dogs don't like it either. Regardless of what famous dog they look like, stay a safe distance away until you have gotten the owner's permission to approach!



Part 2 - To the owners of the "famous" dogs (rather, their look-a-likes):
Just because people every where recognize your dog does not mean that you have to let them approach your dog. One problem I have come across with my clients who own Huskies is that too many people are becoming familiar with the dog and then the dog runs off to "visit" other families that it has become familiar with. I have NEVER had a problem with Xander running off, even when I accidentally left the gate to my backyard open one day. Contrary to popular belief, Siberian Huskies are loyal to their owners, or their PACK, when they recognize the pack boundaries. I am asked on a daily basis by children and adults alike if they can pet my dogs. I allow them on RARE occasions to pet Banon, my Corgi, as she is the better "balanced" dog as far as training goes. People protest that they want to pet the Husky, because "he looks just like a Snow Dog". TOO BAD. He is MY DOG, and he is in CONSTANT training. I'm not running a petting zoo! As Pack Leaders we are the ones who PROTECT our pack...and in return they are loyal only to OUR PACK, the way it should be! Now some of you might have a hard time being rude to strangers. So when someone asks if they may pet your dog, if you are not working on the dog's socialization that day, it's okay to say "No, I'm sorry, he/she is in training" and continue walking. (I do try to make it a point of politely thanking the people who ask nicely though, as opposed to the people who just rush up to us)

A New Dog Is NOT Just An Exciting New TOY!

When considering getting a new puppy or dog there are many factors that should be taken into the equation. What is your current family situation? Will that family situation change dramatically in the next 12 to 24 months (i.e. get married, new baby, moving, divorce, etc.)? What type of home do you have? Do you rent or do you own your home? Adopting a dog should not be done on a whim. You wouldn't adopt a child (nor can you) on a whim. Many people do not realize that a dog is a 24 hour 7 day a week, life long (as long as the dog's life) commitment. And sadly, because many people do not take these factors into consideration, we have a surplus of good dogs without good homes. Here are just a few things you should know BEFORE (but if you are reading this after, that's okay...it's good to know either way) you bring home a furry friend.

1. What breed would be best suited in your living environment?


2. Will your dog live mostly indoors or outdoors?


3. What things around your house could a dog get into that would make it sick?


4. Who will care for your dog if you are suddenly unable to do so?


5. Will the dog get along with other pets you already have?


6. What time of day will you set aside to exercise and socialize your dog?*


7. Do you or anyone in your family have allergies or asthma?


8. Do you have enough income to budget in for a dog?**


9. Do you want a dog for show, breeding, or just companionship?


10. What other breed(s) of dog do you currently own and will it be an even match up?***

* This is an important question that MOST dog owners never even think about. ALL dogs require some form of exercise and socialization! (Unless you are planning to turn your dog into Cujo - in which case I would advise against EVER getting a dog) Dogs should be walked every day to keep them physically and mentally healthy. Socialization is a must too so that your dog can get along well with other people and other animals. (Extra Tip: Exercise them BEFORE you Socialize them, it makes the process easier!)

**What?! Budget for a dog?! YES! Some one once said that a FREE puppy is the most expensive thing you will ever own...I'd like to give that person a Noble Prize! Dogs can be a very expensive addition to the family! Many people fail to realize this when they just see someone giving puppies away in the Wal-Mart parking lot and decide to take one home! There are many more things a dog/puppy will need during the course of its life than just food, water, a collar (and ID Tag) and a bed. Dogs need vaccinations - ANNUALLY. Puppies need them every couple of MONTHS for the first 8 months. They need dental care, and grooming. They need flea, tick and heart worm prevention. This "maintenance" is certainly not free...it can be very expensive. But to ignore any of these facets is just plain negligence. And, in case you are not aware, negligence is considered a form of animal cruelty and is punishable BY LAW! Also, if you are not going to INTENTIONALLY breed your dog, you should get it spayed/neutered (guess what, those are not free either) because we already have too many unwanted dogs out there!

***We have all see that cute picture of a Great Dane looking down at a little Chihuahua. Aaawww! But in reality, that Dane could step on the Chihuahua and kill it easily. I don't think any breeds "can't" get along, but if you have a St. Bernard and you bring home a Papillon, be smart enough to realize that accidents happen, and the bigger breeds can easily hurt or kill the smaller breeds, without doing so on purpose.

So, as great, and fun, and exciting as it is to get a new dog/puppy, please do not do so lightly. It's a responsibility, not a TOY!

No Duh!

When I was a kid my siblings, friends, and I would always run around saying "No Duh!" when someone else said or did something stupid.

Only a few weeks ago I was getting ready to walk my dogs - as I do every morning - and I saw a small tan mutt running around. I knew she must belong to someone because she had a collar, but no identification tag! One of my neighbors also saw the dog and we coaxed her to us with some dog treats. My neighbor took the dog to her house to call Animal Control while I went on my walk. Just as I turned the corner of our street a little boy stopped me and asked if I had seen a small tan mutt running around. This kid was only half dressed, and by no means old enough to be out running around on his own looking for a dog so I told him to show me where he lived and I would help him get his dog. He took me to his house and I told him to go get his mom and tell her I needed to talk to her. She came out and I repressed the urge to yell at her about her lack of parenting and dog ownership skills. I politely asked if her dog was missing. She said yes, and I told her that there was a good chance that the dog was still at my neighbor's house if Animal Control hadn't come for it yet. Then this lady yelled at me for calling Animal Control! She said "The dog has only been gone for 10 minutes!" I saw no point in holding back since she was being rude so I asked her how I was supposed to have known that her dog was only out running around for 10 minutes? Am I psychic?! She has a collar on the dog, so why not an ID tag?! Then we could have called her instead of Animal Control. This lady apparently thought she was clever and replied with "We are going to get her micro chipped next week when we get her spayed!"....hmmm, so your dog is out running around and she doesn't have an ID tag OR a microchip....That's Smart! So no one would have had any way of knowing she belonged to this lady! At that point I let her have it - the full lecture on responsible pet ownership. I pointed out that BOTH of my dogs have ID tags as well as being micro chipped. I told her that if she drove the 8 miles to the nearest Petsmart she could make her dog an ID tag for under $5.00! She didn't seem to think it was a high priority though. A few days after this conversation I was getting in my car to go run errands and this lady pulled up in a black car to ask if I had seen a small tan mutt! She didn't even remember that I was the one who chewed her out a few days ago! She said that her son (the really young one) was out walking the dog and that the dog got away from him...SHOCKER! I told her I hadn't seen the dog, but I'd keep an eye out. Thinking to myself as I drove away that there was a good chance the dog still had no ID tag. And....if the first two times were not enough....about a week and a half after that I was woken up one morning by the frantic barking of my dogs and I heard a young, familiar, voice calling for "Sammy" (the tan mutt). I went outside to see what was going on and there was Sammy, running around with no leash on, and NO ID TAG! The little boy was chasing her, and the scene was making my dogs act crazy. I calmly called Sammy and she came right to me. The little boy came over and thanked me then grabbed her collar and dragged her home. I don't know who I feel more sorry for, the boy who has to keep hunting down his escapee dog, or the dog, who clearly isn't PROPERLY cared for hence she keeps running off!




Moral of the story: If you own a dog, buy it a collar AND an ID tag! Micro chipping is great, and in some places required, but if I find a dog out running around and he/she has an ID tag, I can call his/her owners and get the dog home that much sooner. They don't cost much, and most Wal-Marts have machines now that you can make them at. There is NO reason for not doing this. Even if your dog does not wear a collar all the time (Banon does not wear a collar while at home) have an ID tag on their collar in the event that you take them some where and they are, for any reason, separated from you. If Animal Control picks them up first, it can cost up to $100 to get them back. Most decent people will call the owner's phone number and return a lost pet for free. It's common sense and you can easily avoid a "No Duh!" moment. Within 24 hours of dog ownership, get an ID tag...save yourself the trouble in the long run.




+






=

Are You Covered?

Many people are unaware of the fact that certain breeds of dogs are not covered by their homeowners/renters insurance policy. That means, if you own a breed that is NOT covered by your insurance and your dog(s) bite or attack a person or another animal YOU can be held liable for any expenses that are incurred including, but not limited to, hospital bills, psychiatric bills, and veterinary bills. Ignorance will not be considered blissful with this issue, it would be wise to check with your insurance and ask which breeds they cover. If you own a dog, cat, or any pet that can bite, scratch, or in any other way cause serious injuries and you DO NOT have homeowners/renters insurance....well, you are just playing with fire my friend. Make no mistake ALL dogs, even the best trained ones, are CAPABLE of biting!

The following is a list of breeds commonly NOT covered by most insurances. Even if your dog is a mixed breed, any of these breeds in the mix can be grounds for disqualification. To know for sure if your dog is covered or not, call your insurance agent.

• Akita


• Alaskan Malamute

• Chow Chow

• Doberman Pinscher

• German Shepherd

• Pit Bull

• Presa Canario

• Rottweiler

• Siberian Husky

• Staffordshire Bull Terrier

• Wolf Hybrids

STATE FARM INSURANCE - Covers ALL breeds. They will not, however cover a dog that has a history of biting.