The Scary Truth About “Free to a Good Home” Dog Classifieds

Every responsible dog owner or pet parent knows that getting a dog is a life-long commitment. From the moment you open your heart and home to a loyal dog, you’re in it for the long haul, through sickness and health, ups and downs, good and bad, through snuggles on the couch to picking up the pieces of yet another pair of shredded shoes.

 

Responsible dog owners make decisions with their dog in mind. We don’t move to a new home without making sure the furkids are welcomed in the new community, we don’t spend frivolously without making sure the dog is cared for first, and, when times get tough, we’ll skip a meal so that the dog still gets his.

Unfortunately, not all dog owners are responsible. Close to 4 million dogs enter rescue shelters each year in Canada alone, with about 60% of these facing euthanasia. Shelters and animal rescues are busting at the seams as a direct result of irresponsible pet ownership.

Still, even responsible dog owners can sometimes find themselves searching for a good home for their beloved pet. Unexpected circumstances, illness, injury, death, economic collapse. Things happen.

Because our rescues and shelters are packed full, responsible pet owners have an increasingly tough time finding a good home for their pets and are turning to direct-to-consumer classified ads, like Kijiji, Facebook or the local newspaper, thinking that they’re doing the right thing for their dog. Sometimes, a good samaritan finds a stray dog and, rather than call animal control and risk the dog being euthanized, will put up a classified ad to find a new home.

We visited Kijiji’s pet classified section and contacted several dog owners offering “free to a good home” dogs on the site with questions about their dogs, their reason for re-homing them, and their decision to use a classified ad for their precious dogs. Most advertisers ignored us, but a few responded. Here’s what we found:

A military family was deploying overseas and couldn’t take their bull-mix; a single mother was having another child and could no longer afford to care for her Catahoula-mix; another was re-homing his deceased father’s beloved Beagle. Though most of us would find ways to keep our dogs in each of these cases, none of them are particularly terrible reasons to re-home an animal.

All 3 were genuinely concerned for the well-being of their dogs and felt they were doing the right thing. All 3 listed their pets as “free to a good home” because they didn’t want to profit from a “sale” of their pet, but ultimately only wanted to find a loving home for the pets they cared for. All 3 respondents above claimed to have contacted shelters and/or rescue groups before using Kijiji but were denied any help due to overcrowding and felt they had no other options.

All 3 pulled or modified their ads when we explained what really happens to “free to a good home” pets.

So, what really happens to “free to a good home” dogs?

– Last year, Jeffrey Nally Jr. was charged with 29 counts of animal cruelty because of the massive number of dead animal found on his property. Nally had obtained at least 29 animals through “free to a good home” Kijiji, facebook and Craigs list ads, just like the ones we responded to.

– Patricia Hervey, is responsible for the deaths of hundreds of animals at County home. Hervey prowled Craigslist for “free” animals, claimed to run an animal shelter, took money from dog owners to use to re-home them, then shot and killed them, dumping their bodies in a lake behind her home.

– Dogfighting circles use free Craigslist dogs as “bait dogs” for training their own dogs to fight without risking injury, or they take in free dogs and train those to be fighters as well.

– Other groups, called “Bunchers” scour classifieds for free dogs, then sell them to laboratories for animal research and experimentation.

– And, sometimes, a free ad for re-homing a purebred, unaltered dog will result in the former family dog being picked up by a puppy mill breeder to spend the rest of her life as a caged, malnourished, unloved breeding machine.

The people looking specifically for “free to a good home” dogs will go to great lengths to appear legitimately interested in providing a perfect, loving home for the dog. They present themselves as well-to-do, responsible dog lovers. They often bring children along to meet the dog and owner to avoid suspicion. They will make up elaborate stories about previous pets, a perfect home and yard, and promise to provide a loving forever home to the helpless animal.

If, for some reason (and it better be a good one), you must re-home your pet, there are some steps you can take to ensure he goes to a good home.

• Don’t advertise “Free pet”
• Spay/neuter the animal to avoid attracting backyard breeders or puppy mill operators
• Ask each prospective owner for his/her veterinarian’s name as a reference and check it.
• Ask for identification in the form of a photo I.D. Write down the information, or scan/photocopy it if possible
• Ask for a phone number and explain that you’d like to check on how the animal’s doing. An honest person will gladly share the information with you.
• Have the person sign an “adoption” contract concerning your pet stating that they will not go to research. Having this in writing gives you legal recourse.
• Ask to visit the place where your pet will live before your release the pet to the new owner.

If a dog owner truly cares about the life and well-being of the dog being re-homed, taking the steps above to ensure he goes to a good home are worth the time and effort.

What should you do if you find a “free to a good home” dog classified ad?

Whenever possible, contact the dog’s owner and warn them of the dangers of giving away their dog for free. As we discovered, not everyone will listen. So, if the ad is on the internet, contact the site owner to request that they disallow the posting of ads for free animals on their site.

Bookmark this page and send the link to anyone trying to give away a free dog.

These dogs are depending on us.

Why Should I Feed My Dog Twice a Day?

The opinions of both experts and dog owners rarely concur when it comes to how often you should feed your dog. Many dog lovers insist once a day will suffice, others that twice a day is the most sensible option and some that the dog should be left to decide for itself depending on its particular needs. However, feeding your dog twice a day does potentially hold benefits that these other methods lack.

How frequently you feed your dog is strongly dependent on the dog’s size and age. Puppies should have more feeding times per day than an adult dog as they are still developing and therefore require a steady supply of nutrients and fiber to keep their bodies developing swiftly and healthily. Adult dogs do not have the same requirements as they are already well developed. Feeding requirements may also differ depending on your dog’s breed. Dobermans,boxers, mastiffs,great danes, for instance, have deep chests and are more likely to require smaller, regular intakes of food than other breeds.

Feeding your dog twice a day can help to keep your dog’s temperament in a calm and subdued state. Just as humans can get agitated and restless if they haven’t eaten for some time, the same is often true of dogs. Keeping your dog on a twice-daily feeding pattern may also benefit its health in the long term as regular feeding will provide insulin to your dog, helping its blood sugar levels stay balanced and its mind and body healthy.

If you feed your dog twice a day, you should try to feed it once in the morning and again in the evening. This will ensure it has a consistent level of fuel to sustain it throughout the day. Dogs thrive on routine and this will help promote regular digestion and in turn help you keep aware of when your dog will need to take a visit outside. You can also try feeding your dog to synchronize with family meal times, which can help the dog bond with your family.

Because the needs of each dog can differ substantially, you may opt to apply a “free-feeding” method rather than feeding your dog twice daily. Free-feeding involves leaving ample food in the dog’s bowl and allowing it to take its fill when desired, ensuring the bowl is topped up when necessary. Free-feeding can help ensure your dog is never lacking in energy and sustenance, but can also be dangerous if the dog cannot find a healthy level of intake and instead indulges in over-eating.

If you choose to feed your dog twice daily, you should also ensure you keep it supplied with clean, healthy water. Drinking plenty of water will help with the dog’s digestion and ensure it stays sufficiently hydrated to deal with the day’s exertions. Avoid feeding your dog any scraps in between its two set meal times, as this will interrupt the regularity of a dog’s eating pattern and leave it foraging for food when it should already have enough fuel to function.

How to Clean and Care for a Dog’s Incision

Has your dog just been neutered or spayed? Did your dog undergo another type of surgery? Proper care for a dog after surgery is vital to promote healing and prevent infection. Surgery after care for a dog must include cleaning the incision, but many owners are unsure of how to properly clean and care for the dog’s stitches and incision. Keep reading for tips on how to clean and care for a dog’s incision after surgery!

Instructions

1. • SOFTEN THE DRIED FLUID AROUND THE DOG’S INCISION: Saturate a washcloth with some very warm water. Hold it over the dog’s surgical incision for about 5-10 minutes. This will soften the dried fluid, making it easy to remove. This is usually only necessary for the first day or two after the surgery or injury. If you are seeing significant discharge from the dog’s incision or wound after the first 36-48 hours, there is a very good chance the dog has developed an infection in the surgical incision or wound – cause for a visit to the veterinarian.

   • REMOVE THE DRIED FLUID THAT’S FORMED AROUND THE DOG’S INCISION/WOUND AND STITCHES: Dampen a Q-tip with hot water and gently clean the dried fluids that have formed near the incision. The dried blood and dried fluids around the dog’s surgical incision should come right off; if not, reapply the warm washcloth for a few more minutes and then reattempt to clean the area around the incision.

     APPLY BETA-DINE ONTO THE INCISION OR WOUND: Clean the dog’s incision using a generous amount of beta-dine. The beta-dine can be applied to the incision by simply pouring a little bit onto the incision or wound. Dog owners can also apply a generous amount of beta-dine to a sterile gauze pad and dab the antiseptic onto the dog’s wound. Dabbing (rather than rubbing or wiping) is best when stitches are present. Beta-dine should be applied to the dog’s wound or incision, and to the area within a one-inch perimeter of the site to prevent infection.

     • ALLOW THE BETA-DINE TO AIR DRY: Allow the beta-dine to air dry. Do not blow on the incision or wound to dry the beta-dine; this will only transfer bacteria to the site.

     • REPEAT THIS WOUND OR INCISION CLEANING PROCESS FOR THE DOG 2-3 TIMES A DAY: Frequent cleanings are necessary to keep the dog’s surgical incision or sutured wound clean and free of infection. Monitor the dog’s incision or wound closely. The dog’s stitches should not appear taught; the edges of the wound or incision should not pull apart; the dog’s wound or incision should not increase in terms of swelling, redness or discharge after the first 24 hours. If you see any of these signs, it suggests that the dog’s incision or wound is infected.

     Tips & Warnings

     •  Always keep an e-collar on your dog until the healing process is complete. E-collars are also known as “lampshades” or “cones.” Pain can trigger licking; itchy skin later in the healing process can cause the dog to bite at the stitches, resulting in premature removal of the stitches.
     • Muzzle your dog during the first couple days when cleaning the dog’s surgical incision or wound with stitches. The wound will be tender and painful during the first couple of days and this can cause even a very loving, friendly dog to nip or bite.
     • NEVER USE HYDROGEN PEROXIDE TO CLEAN AN INCISION OR WOUND! Hydrogen peroxide will damage the tissue; this will extend the healing period for the dog’s incision or sutured wound. Hydrogen peroxide may be used full-strength for the first 24 hours of cleaning; after that, it must be used at 50% strength (mixed with water.) Hydrogen peroxide should not be used unless absolutely necessary; it is much less effective than betadine, an orange-red fluid that’s used to disinfect a patient’s surgical site prior to surgery.

     Read more: http://www.ehow.com/how_4728639_clean-care-dogs-incision.html#ixzz2baHoPQzf

How to Choose the Right Breed of Dog

Choosing a dog breed can be difficult! The easy solution? Read this how-to!

Consider whether you should really get a dog. Dogs are a huge commitment – for ten to sixteen years of your life, you’ll be caring for this animal. If you’re underage, ask your parents if they’ll be okay with paying for vet and food bills – you can’t afford it yourself! If you’re older, remember that the costs of caring for a dog can climb very quickly with little encouragement.

Evaluate your lifestyle. Are you busy, and always on-the-go? A energetic breed like a Irish Setter or German Shepherd would fit. Or do you like to sofa surf? Perhaps a English Bulldog or English Mastiff would like to join you. Are you looking for a guard dog? A Pit Bull isn’t going to fit the bill, as when treated well they’re very friendly with people. Do you have multiple dogs? Maybe that Chow Chow wouldn’t fit in that well. Research breeds and their needs on dogbreedinfo.com.

Pick a dog whose needs you can keep up with. Sure, that Standard Poodle’s gorgeous, but his coat will cost up to a few hundred to groom professionally. And, even if you do like to laze, an English Mastiff won’t fit the bill if you can’t afford all the food. German Shepherds might look good, but they need at least two hours of exercise a day. Did you know that white Boxers tend to go blind, and could you care for a blind dog?

Research dogs and their care thoroughly. You can find information from websites (akc.org, dogbreedinfo.com), books (‘The Art of Raising a Puppy’ and ‘How to Be Your Dog’s Best Friend’ by the Monks of New Skete), TV shows (Dogs 101, The Dog Whisperer), and experienced dog owners.

Think about what size dog your family can handle. If you have small children, you probably shouldn’t pick a breed such as a Great Dane or Irish Wolfhound. For small children, a medium-sized dog would be best. If you have older, mature children, you may be able to work with a small dog. If you don’t have children, then focus on your needs – and your significant other’s if you have a boyfriend/girlfriend or husband/wife.

Decide the desired approximate size and activity level of your ideal dog. If your family is active, getting out of the house and going on family outings every weekend, then you should look at dogs that have a high activity level, like Australian Shepherds or Border Collies. What if you have a laid-back lifestyle, and you like to relax at home and watch TV? In that case, then you should consider a more mellow breed of dog, like a Bulldog or Basset Hound. Another breed that requires very little activity is the Chihuahua, but do be careful as they do not do well with small children.

Decide what type of temperament to look for in a dog. If you have children, you definitely need to look at only the breeds that are good with kids, meaning they don’t tend to snap, bite, nip, etc. If you have other pets, you may want to look at breeds that are good with other animals as well. You probably wouldn’t want a one-person-dog either if you have pets or children, since they only stick to one person, and don’t take well to other animals and/or children – usually. Thoroughly look through the breeds and evaluate their temperaments to make sure you choose the best possible one. Now, every dog is different, so the temperaments that are described for each breed are in general, that doesn’t mean every single dog of that breed acts in that way.

Remember never, under any circumstances, to rush into a decision. You don’t want to learn that English Bulldogs are one of the most unhealthy breeds of all after you’ve bought that cute puppy at the pet store. Talk with a responsible breeder who can help you and provide you with a puppy, or visit a shelter a few times and see if the right dog for you comes along. Don’t be afraid to ask questions!

Enjoy your dog! I wish you and your Labrador Retriever, Irish Setter, English Bulldog, Old English Mastiff, Beagle, American Pit Bull Terrier, Bichon Frise, Miniature Schnauzer, Australian Cattle Dog, Keeshond, Greyhound, or other dog breed the best of luck!

KEEP YOUR CHILDREN SAFE

My heart is heavy as I write this.  It seems that everywhere I turn lately there is a new story about a dog mauling or killing a child; most of which lately have been infants and toddlers.

• The latest was a Jack Russell Terrier who jumped up and mauled the new infant as he slept in his bassinet.
• A one year old toddler was killed after he crawled onto his family dog Rhodesian mix (which apparently he had done previously).
• And a Lab/Golden mix that dismembered and disemboweled a baby left in a baby swing.
• And if that is not horrifying enough, in 2008 a 6 week old Lab puppy killed a baby left unattended in a baby swing.  6 week old puppy!

No one wins in these instances.  Dogs are euthanized.  Children have died or have been scarred for life and the parents are left to mourn in the aftermath.

Most of these instances have been family dog related attacks.

I hate writing these types of articles, but I feel obligated to help new parents, grandparents and dog owners alike know how to keep everyone as safe as possible when it comes to dogs.

These are my 5 most important tips when it comes to kids and dogs.

#5 Don’t Place Blame

It is easy for us dog owners or parents to sit back and place blame when we read a story like this, but blame keeps us from putting ourselves in the shoes of the parents or dog owners; and that is exactly what we need to do to keep this from happening again.

Dog owners and animal advocates will blame the parents or the children; this is easier for them than blaming the dog.  It had to be the parents fault or the child’s fault!  But who hasn’t lost track of their baby for a moment?

Parents will blame the animal.  It must have been aggressive or shown aggressive signs previously.

And everyone will be quite certain they would have been able to see the warning signs before the tragedy occurred.

Blame really does no one any good.

#4  Understand Dogs & Learn to “Read” Dogs

Dogs don’t always like children.  Some do, but some inherently don’t!

Children run like prey, they scream like prey and sometimes they are mistaken for prey.

Dogs are carnivores and they have instincts that would allow and encourage them to chase and kill their meals if need be.  Just because they are domesticated and they are our pets, does not mean that they do not still have these instincts.  Make no mistake instincts are genetic and not a problem of behavior, so even the most docile dog can be overrun by instinct.

Unfortunately when the dog bites the child and the child gutturally screams, it excites and incites the dog to more aggression.

Keep your dogs on leash when children are around!

If your dog stares at children or anything when it runs or rolls (bike, skateboard) past, you have reason to be concerned.   If it chases and nips, you also have reason to be concerned.  Even if you haven’t seen these behaviors you have cause to watch your dog.

I am assuming that a child in a baby swing activated the dog’s prey drive and the child became impossible for the dog to ignore.  Even a 6 week old puppy has prey drive.

Parents don’t want to think that their baby in a baby swing resembles a bunny to their 6 year old or 6 week old beloved family dog, but unfortunately he can.

Even dogs that can control their prey drives, still don’t understand that young children and toddlers are small humans.  Frequently dogs treat these small children like they are other dogs.  This places them (the children) lower on the totem pole or hierarchy.  So when a toddler climbs up on the dog’s back and the dog gives subtle warning signs (like stiffening and staring; that other dogs would recognize but as people we find more difficult to see).  The dog feels like it is left to “correct” or bite the child; often in the head or face (where dogs bite other dogs).

Countless dogs have difficulty sharing.  They may go from being the only “child” in the house to now sharing their owners’ time and affection, or feel like they rarely seeing their owner at all anymore.

And new parents rarely take time to ensure that the family dog doesn’t get jealous.  So the jealousy can build and build and when given the opportunity the dog can take this pent out aggression out on the child.

#3 Teach Your Children

Although babies cannot be educated about dog behavior (they must be watched and monitored), toddlers, young children and children can.

It is crucial that children are taught never to lie on top of a dog.

Never to hug a dog (dogs don’t hug each other in the wild; this is a very dominant behavior).

Never to run up to or away from a dog; frequently children are bitten when (after they have petted the dog) they turn to run away.  Running makes children look like prey and you never want you child to be misconstrued as a prey animal by a dog.

If a dog runs at your child, teach him/her to “be a tree” being completely silent and putting their hands and arms flush against their body and wait for the dog to lose interest.

Never allow children to stick their hands, or face in a dog’s face and never to put their hand over the top of a dog’s head.  Getting in a dog’s face is very dominant behavior.  If another dog did this to your dog he would be met with a growl and a snap.  And quick moving hands can be threatening to a dog.

Instead teach your children to put out their hand to be sniffed and then to pet dogs on their chest.

Teach your children never to pet a dog without you there.  Children cannot read intricate dog body language and so they frequently incur bites by dogs who think they have given many warnings.

Never scream around a dog.  Screaming can scare a dog and incite aggression in a fraction of a second!

Children should be taught to be quiet and well-mannered around dogs, even their own.

Never take your child to a dog park.  Dogs that run in packs are even more terrifying than those alone and dogs at dog parks can perceive running, screaming children as prey.

Never enter the property of someone else even if the child has met the dog.  Countless children are bitten when they wander into the backyard of a neighbor dog looking for their ball or something else.

Children should never go onto a neighbor’s property without adult supervision.

ALWAYS keep an eye on your child.  If you see a dog staring at your child, calmly and quietly leave the area.

Staring and stiffening are often the first signs of stalking and attack!
The “Wrong Dog” Could Maul a Child! Children Should be Taught Never Hug or Lay on Top of Dogs!

#2 Monitor Dog and Child Interaction

Always, always, always monitor the interaction of your children and dogs, even your own pet dog.

You may think your dog would never bite your child, but in the right circumstances all dogs will bite.

Children often think that we adults don’t know what we are talking about, so when they are alone they might be rougher with your dog or they might not be paying attention.  If a child trips and falls on a dog even a nonaggressive and child friendly dog; the dog is likely to bite.

Be very careful when other children come to play.  When children wrestle and fight playfully with one another a dog can misconstrue that as the friend attacking his pack member and a serious bite could ensue.

I teach my dogs to stay with me.  If I can’t see them I go and get them.  I don’t want there to even be a second that a child might do something painful or that the dog thinks is rude or bad manners and get bitten.

If I can’t watch my dogs, they go in crates.

And, if I can’t trust the children (that they might let my dogs out of their crates), they (the children) come with me.

#1 Never leave a Child Alone

Many of the aforementioned stories resulted because the children were left alone and yet the dog still had access to the child.

Keeping an eye on your children and monitoring them with dogs is important, but some parents don’t realize that a dog should never even have access to the child.

In the case of the bassinet attack, I am guessing that the parents would never have expected the dog to jump up and into the bassinet to attack the baby.

There was also a similar case where the dog took the baby out of the crib when the parents stepped outside.

Never leave your baby alone where the dog could access him or her.

Attacks and incidents can happen in the fraction of a second.

Shut the baby’s room door and make sure it is secure and, if needs be, put your dog in a crate.

Leaving your baby alone in a baby swing is just asking for trouble.  In both cases one parent was home and asleep in another part of the house.

Make sure your biggest asset (your child) is safe!

These stories are terrifying and I hate talking about it too, but as parents and dog owners we need to take responsibility for those in our care.

Don’t automatically place blame.

As horrifying as it is put yourselves in the shoes of those involved and come up with a plan so that we can learn from these tragedies and ensure that they never happen again!

Education, understanding and control are what keep our children and our dogs safe!  Please share this article with those you love.

KEEP YOUR CHILDREN SAFE

My heart is heavy as I write this.  It seems that everywhere I turn lately there is a new story about a dog mauling or killing a child; most of which lately have been infants and toddlers.

• The latest was a Jack Russell Terrier who jumped up and mauled the new infant as he slept in his bassinet.
• A one year old toddler was killed after he crawled onto his family dog Rhodesian mix (which apparently he had done previously).
• And a Lab/Golden mix that dismembered and disemboweled a baby left in a baby swing.
• And if that is not horrifying enough, in 2008 a 6 week old Lab puppy killed a baby left unattended in a baby swing.  6 week old puppy!

No one wins in these instances.  Dogs are euthanized.  Children have died or have been scarred for life and the parents are left to mourn in the aftermath.

Most of these instances have been family dog related attacks.

I hate writing these types of articles, but I feel obligated to help new parents, grandparents and dog owners alike know how to keep everyone as safe as possible when it comes to dogs.

These are my 5 most important tips when it comes to kids and dogs.

#5 Don’t Place Blame

It is easy for us dog owners or parents to sit back and place blame when we read a story like this, but blame keeps us from putting ourselves in the shoes of the parents or dog owners; and that is exactly what we need to do to keep this from happening again.

Dog owners and animal advocates will blame the parents or the children; this is easier for them than blaming the dog.  It had to be the parents fault or the child’s fault!  But who hasn’t lost track of their baby for a moment?

Parents will blame the animal.  It must have been aggressive or shown aggressive signs previously.

And everyone will be quite certain they would have been able to see the warning signs before the tragedy occurred.

Blame really does no one any good.

#4  Understand Dogs & Learn to “Read” Dogs

Dogs don’t always like children.  Some do, but some inherently don’t!

Children run like prey, they scream like prey and sometimes they are mistaken for prey.

Dogs are carnivores and they have instincts that would allow and encourage them to chase and kill their meals if need be.  Just because they are domesticated and they are our pets, does not mean that they do not still have these instincts.  Make no mistake instincts are genetic and not a problem of behavior, so even the most docile dog can be overrun by instinct.

Unfortunately when the dog bites the child and the child gutturally screams, it excites and incites the dog to more aggression.

Keep your dogs on leash when children are around!

If your dog stares at children or anything when it runs or rolls (bike, skateboard) past, you have reason to be concerned.   If it chases and nips, you also have reason to be concerned.  Even if you haven’t seen these behaviors you have cause to watch your dog.

I am assuming that a child in a baby swing activated the dog’s prey drive and the child became impossible for the dog to ignore.  Even a 6 week old puppy has prey drive.

Parents don’t want to think that their baby in a baby swing resembles a bunny to their 6 year old or 6 week old beloved family dog, but unfortunately he can.

Even dogs that can control their prey drives, still don’t understand that young children and toddlers are small humans.  Frequently dogs treat these small children like they are other dogs.  This places them (the children) lower on the totem pole or hierarchy.  So when a toddler climbs up on the dog’s back and the dog gives subtle warning signs (like stiffening and staring; that other dogs would recognize but as people we find more difficult to see).  The dog feels like it is left to “correct” or bite the child; often in the head or face (where dogs bite other dogs).

Countless dogs have difficulty sharing.  They may go from being the only “child” in the house to now sharing their owners’ time and affection, or feel like they rarely seeing their owner at all anymore.

And new parents rarely take time to ensure that the family dog doesn’t get jealous.  So the jealousy can build and build and when given the opportunity the dog can take this pent out aggression out on the child.

#3 Teach Your Children

Although babies cannot be educated about dog behavior (they must be watched and monitored), toddlers, young children and children can.

It is crucial that children are taught never to lie on top of a dog.

Never to hug a dog (dogs don’t hug each other in the wild; this is a very dominant behavior).

Never to run up to or away from a dog; frequently children are bitten when (after they have petted the dog) they turn to run away.  Running makes children look like prey and you never want you child to be misconstrued as a prey animal by a dog.

If a dog runs at your child, teach him/her to “be a tree” being completely silent and putting their hands and arms flush against their body and wait for the dog to lose interest.

Never allow children to stick their hands, or face in a dog’s face and never to put their hand over the top of a dog’s head.  Getting in a dog’s face is very dominant behavior.  If another dog did this to your dog he would be met with a growl and a snap.  And quick moving hands can be threatening to a dog.

Instead teach your children to put out their hand to be sniffed and then to pet dogs on their chest.

Teach your children never to pet a dog without you there.  Children cannot read intricate dog body language and so they frequently incur bites by dogs who think they have given many warnings.

Never scream around a dog.  Screaming can scare a dog and incite aggression in a fraction of a second!

Children should be taught to be quiet and well-mannered around dogs, even their own.

Never take your child to a dog park.  Dogs that run in packs are even more terrifying than those alone and dogs at dog parks can perceive running, screaming children as prey.

Never enter the property of someone else even if the child has met the dog.  Countless children are bitten when they wander into the backyard of a neighbor dog looking for their ball or something else.

Children should never go onto a neighbor’s property without adult supervision.

ALWAYS keep an eye on your child.  If you see a dog staring at your child, calmly and quietly leave the area.

Staring and stiffening are often the first signs of stalking and attack!
The “Wrong Dog” Could Maul a Child! Children Should be Taught Never Hug or Lay on Top of Dogs!

#2 Monitor Dog and Child Interaction

Always, always, always monitor the interaction of your children and dogs, even your own pet dog.

You may think your dog would never bite your child, but in the right circumstances all dogs will bite.

Children often think that we adults don’t know what we are talking about, so when they are alone they might be rougher with your dog or they might not be paying attention.  If a child trips and falls on a dog even a nonaggressive and child friendly dog; the dog is likely to bite.

Be very careful when other children come to play.  When children wrestle and fight playfully with one another a dog can misconstrue that as the friend attacking his pack member and a serious bite could ensue.

I teach my dogs to stay with me.  If I can’t see them I go and get them.  I don’t want there to even be a second that a child might do something painful or that the dog thinks is rude or bad manners and get bitten.

If I can’t watch my dogs, they go in crates.

And, if I can’t trust the children (that they might let my dogs out of their crates), they (the children) come with me.

#1 Never leave a Child Alone

Many of the aforementioned stories resulted because the children were left alone and yet the dog still had access to the child.

Keeping an eye on your children and monitoring them with dogs is important, but some parents don’t realize that a dog should never even have access to the child.

In the case of the bassinet attack, I am guessing that the parents would never have expected the dog to jump up and into the bassinet to attack the baby.

There was also a similar case where the dog took the baby out of the crib when the parents stepped outside.

Never leave your baby alone where the dog could access him or her.

Attacks and incidents can happen in the fraction of a second.

Shut the baby’s room door and make sure it is secure and, if needs be, put your dog in a crate.

Leaving your baby alone in a baby swing is just asking for trouble.  In both cases one parent was home and asleep in another part of the house.

Make sure your biggest asset (your child) is safe!

These stories are terrifying and I hate talking about it too, but as parents and dog owners we need to take responsibility for those in our care.

Don’t automatically place blame.

As horrifying as it is put yourselves in the shoes of those involved and come up with a plan so that we can learn from these tragedies and ensure that they never happen again!

Education, understanding and control are what keep our children and our dogs safe!  Please share this article with those you love.

PUPPY PROOFING YOUR HOME

Well its that time of year again, SPRING! Many of you are thinking about getting a new puppy or you may have already picked one up, here are a few thing I think you need to know about keeping your new addition safe. Consider this your spring cleaning! Here is a website that I found very helpful for all the new puppy and dog owners.

Puppies are especially vulnerable because of their natural curiosity, lack of training and experience, small size, and still-developing bodies. Before you bring a puppy — or a dog, for that matter — home, look around your house and grounds with an eye for potential dangers: plants, pills, and poisons are the most typical. Make sure they’re put away securely — well out of your dog’s reach — and always put back where they were. A good place to start dog-proofing is with houseplants and yard plants. Many common plants are poisonousto dogs. To protect your pooch, you can remove poisonous plants from the premises, move them out of reach (in a hanging basket, for instance), put them behind a dog-proof barrier, or supervise the dog closely when he’s around them. Here are some more dog-safety tips.

 

Poisonous Plants

We’ve already talked about how much dogs enjoy eating plants and grass. If you have a green thumb, you probably have lots of ornamental plants in and around the house. Since you grow them for show and never try to eat them, you might never have thought about whether they were poisonous. The leaves and stems of some plants contain substances that can be irritating and even toxic to the pet who chews on them. Common houseplants that can be harmful if swallowed include: dieffenbachia (or dumb cane), philodendron,caladium, and elephant’s ear. Many yard plants such as flowers, shrubs, and trees are also dangerous to dogs.

The bulbs of flowers such as amaryllis, daffodils, jonquils, narcissus, hyacinth, and iris are poisonous, as are azaleas, holly berries, hydrangea, ligustrum, privet hedges, oleander, English ivy, jasmine, and wisteria. Of course, mushrooms and toadstools growing in the yard may be deadly. If your dog is the curious type, be extra careful about the kind of plants you keep around.

 

Other Dangers

Next, search the house for pills or poisons that might be accessible to a puppy. Household staples such asaspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol and similar products), ibuprofen (Advil and similar products), cold or cough medications, diet pills, even chocolate and macadamia nuts can make your dog very sick or even kill him. Some household poisons are more obvious — snail bait, ant and rodent poisons, insecticides, and herbicides. Others — most notably cleansers and solvents — may not seem to pose a hazard but are attractive to dogs and extremely dangerous. There’s still an annual death toll among dogs from antifreeze poisoning. The sweet odor and taste make puddles of spilled or discarded antifreeze a deadly temptation for animals.

The chocoholics among us would never think of the rich, dark stuff of our magnificent obsession to be anything but food of the gods. But the fact is, chocolate contains two compounds toxic to dogs: theobromine and caffeine. Baker’s chocolate is among the purest — it hasn’t been sweetened with sugar or mixed with other ingredients — and therefore the most dangerous. Just three ounces of baker’s chocolate can kill a 20-pound dog. Although milk chocolate is less toxic by virtue of added ingredients, it’s actually more dangerous because the milk and sugar make it more palatable.

The bitter taste of baker’s chocolate — or even semi-sweet chocolate — may discourage a dog from eating a fatal dose. You’ve heard the saying, “Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’ll get.” Well, when a pooch bites into a box of chocolates, you know just exactly what he’ll get: sick as a dog. Signs of chocolate poisoning include rapid heartbeat, muscle tremors, vomiting, and seizures. Without treatment, the dog can lapse into a coma and die. So keep anything chocolate out of paw’s reach, especially at popular chocolate gift-giving times like Valentine’s Day, Easter, Halloween, Hanukkah, or Christmas.

Who would think those yummy Macadamia nuts would be poisonous to some dogs, but they can be. Although somewhat rare, it can happen. As with chocolate, the degree of toxicity varies with the amount of nuts ingested. Common symptoms include weakness, depression, vomiting, staggering, tremors, and fever. Most symptoms occur less than 12 hours after ingestion. Call your vet immediately if you see your dog eating macadamia nuts or if you suspect he has eaten them.

While most dog owners can understand why any living creature, dog or human, would be attracted to chocolate, many make the tragic mistake of assuming their dogs won’t be attracted to potentially dangerous substances that don’t seem to be edible. Because dogs don’t have hands, they use their mouths to investigate new things. The safest course of action is to put anything that isn’t dog food or a dog toy safely out of reach. Poisons — including household cleaners, bleach, and the like — are best kept on high shelves or in cabinets secured with child safety locks.

Post your veterinarian’s number by the phone, and keep a good pet first-aid book on hand — one that includes a comprehensive list of common poisons and what to do if your dog swallows them. If you know what the dog ate, take the container with you to the veterinarian. If your puppy is vomiting but you don’t know what he ate, take a sample of the vomit to help the veterinarian make a diagnosis.

 

Return of my buddy Rory

Rory

This is my buddy Rory back for some more training, Rory was with us a few months ago for not being so friendly with other dogs, I am proud to say that is no longer an issue as she is now here with seven other dogs and is doing great! Rory is back to just brush up on a few things that we will call ” manners”,  she will be with us for four days where she will learn lots of new things and we will remind her of a few old things as well. Rory has two awesome owners that take owning a dog very serious in that they take ownership on all of her behaviors both good and bad, as far as I am concerned they are the kind of people who take charge, and when see a potential problem arise seek training right away before it gets worse, I wish all dog owners were this responsible.