Jerky Treats Are Killing Dogs

http://www.dogster.com/lifestyle/dog-health-food-treats-jerky-killing-dogs-ask-a-vet

Adopting an Older Dog

Most people looking for a dog think that they automatically want a puppy. In many ways, puppies are irresistible. A puppy is, of course, a wonderful thing. You can experience the joy of the puppy character and watch them grow into adulthood. But, depending on the breed, a puppy can be a handful. They need to be housebroken and trained, they tend to go through a chewing phase, and they have endless energy and lots of needs that must be met.

If you're looking for a new dog, you may want to consider adopting an older or adult dog. Mature pets can offer many advantages.

Won't you be adopting someone else's problems?
Older dogs lose their homes for many different reasons....most of them having nothing to do with problems the dog has, but rather with those of the person surrendering the dog. Many folks think dogs who end up at shelters or in rescue are all genetically and behaviorally inferior. But, it is not uncommon for very expensive, well-bred dogs to outlive their usefulness or novelty with folks who bought them on impulse and no longer want to take responsibility for them.

Other reasons older dogs become homeless: death of a guardian, not enough time for the dog, change in work schedule, new baby, need to move to a place where dogs are not allowed, kids going off to college, allergies, change in "lifestyle".  These are just some of the reasons people have surrendered their pets to PAWS.

 

 What advantages do older dogs have over puppies or young dogs? Older dogs who are offered for adoption by shelters or rescue agencies generally have had some training, both in obedience and house manners. Older dogs have learned what "no" means and how to leave the furniture, carpets, shoes, and other "chewables" alone. (If they hadn't learned that, they wouldn't have gotten to be "older" dogs.) They have been "socialized" and learned what it takes to be part of a "pack" and to get along with humans and, in most cases, other dogs, and in some other cases, cats, as well. Older dogs, especially those who have once known it, appreciate love and attention and quickly learn what's expected of them to gain and keep that love and attention. Older dogs know how to let you finish the newspaper, sitting calmly next to you, while your workday stress flows away and your blood pressure lowers. They are also instant companions, ready for hiking, riding in the car, walking on leash, fetching, etc.Finally, older dogs are a "known commodity." They are easy to assess for behavior and temperament, and you also don't have to guess how big they'll grow.

 

Ia there any good reason to adopt an older dog instead of a puppy, who has his whole life ahead of him?  By adopting an older dog, we can make a statement about compassion and the value of all life at all ages, as well as register a protest against the indiscriminate and inhumane breeding of dogs, whether it is for profit or to "teach the children about birth." And, of course, just as a puppy has his whole life ahead of him, so does an older dog have the rest of his life in front of him. You can give that older dog the best years of his life while at the same time bringing a wonderful addition into your family.

 

Do older dogs have any "special needs"?
With a health assessment of the dog, you will know whether any age-related conditions are present and you can take appropriate measures to address them. Otherwise, older dogs need all the things younger dogs do -- good nutrition, exercise (although less intensive, usually, than for a younger dog), and regular visits to the vet.

Isn't it true that you can't train an older dog the way you can train a puppy?
Dogs can be trained at any age. The old adage, "You can't teach an old dog new tricks," just isn't true.

 

 

You just lost your old dog. What if you  lose another soon after you adopt him?
Grief is a very personal matter. Some people feel that giving a home to an older dog in need is a tribute to their former dog and actually eases their pain. Also, knowing that adoption has saved a dog from euthanasia and will allow her quality time for whatever period she has left, often enables people to focus on the positives and to deal better with loss.

Consider also that there are never any guarantees about length of life with any dog. Quality of time together can matter a great deal more than quantity.

When NOT to Socialize your Pup/Dog

Socialization is vital for proper mental and social development in dogs.  But it needs to be offered properly.  Mistakes in socialization, even if intentions are good, can backfire.  It may even produce an overly shy or an aggressive dog.  Sometimes what people intend as helpful socialization creates more problems than it prevents.

Good socialization introduces a puppy or dog to something new (person, place, sound, object) and may even challenge the dog a little.  Good socialization provides a POSITIVE experience for the dog.   It is important that the socialization or challenge is positive IN THE DOG"S MIND not yours.  Watch your dog's body language to see his cues of stress or relaxation.  If your dog barks, growls, or snaps, he is definately over the threshold.  His experience is surely NOT pleasant and since he gave his body language signals that he was uneasy, he was pushed over his threshold and now does what dog's do when the stress is too much to handle. 

I was Petsmart yesterday and there was a labX pup coming towards me in the aisle. As I approached, I noticed the pup's ears drawn back, tail down almost between his legs, eyes dilated, and taking a few small steps backwards. The lady looked down at her pup, tightened up the leash, and pulled him forward. I was just about to turn around to walk the other way when the lady said "You can pet my pup. We are here to socialize him". I stopped and looked at the pup and he was totally stressed out. The lady bent down and started to pet the pup while saying "It's OK" and all I could see was the pup had no way out of this situation and he was on the edge of his threshold.

So would this pup have gone over the threshold if I went to pet him?  Would he have barked, growled or snapped?  There is always a pretty good chance in such situations and I was already invading his comfort zone.  I was not trying to avoid getting a bite on the hand.  I was avoiding putting him in a no win situation because all he wanted to do was hide from me and he could not. AND the lady was petting him & saying OK while he was this stressed.  In her mind she was reassuring him to be OK with me but in the pup's mind he was getting reinforced (petting/cooing) for being in the state he was in....tense and frightened.  So now it is OK for pup (in the pup's mind) do the same behavior when another person approaches?

When I turned and walked away, tears started to swell in my eyes. I'm imagining myself in his paws. What options are there in this kind of fearful situation?   For all animals, including humans, it is flight or fight?   No flight...now fight?  What does the future hold for this pup?  

So please everyone, whether it is your own dog or a foster....watch and learn.  Your dog communicates with his body.  Learn his signals!  Watch him and if he is uncomfortable.....don't force it.  Work in small doses.  Your dog will make much faster progress with a series of baby steps than with any overwhelming preliminary experiences.  And SUCCESSFUL training sessions equals a happy, relaxed and sociable K9.

Shar @ Pawsitive Dog  www.pawsitivedog.info   pawsh@baldwin-telecom.net

So God Made a Dog

 Enjoy.                       

So God Made a Dog

Top 5 Reasons to Foster a PAWS Pet

 

1. Test the Waters. Fostering is an opportunity to “sample” different kinds of pets, and what it’s like to have one if you’re not yet ready to commit forever.
2. Entertainment. You’ll never be bored! There is always something to do with your foster from cuddling to playing fetch.
3. Be Proud. Getting a homeless pet ready for adoption by giving your love, time, and friendship is such a rewarding feeling.
4. Community. Make new friends by fostering! It’s a great way to meet new people who care about animals.
5. Life Saved. Opening your heart and home is an important part of saving a life. Fostering a pet is one of the most direct ways you can help an animal.
p.s. Tax-Deductible. Fostering-related expenses may be tax-deductible! Ask your tax professional for advice.

INSTANT ID for your pet

Yes, every pet can get lost even those indoor ones.  Cats can bolt out a door.  On a walk your dog on the leash can back out of his collar.  A dog behind an underground containment system can leave the yard if his battery is dead in his collar.  Dogs that like to dig will get under chain link.  So you say, "I have identification on his collar because I have a Rabies tag or city/county license tag hanging on it".  BUT what if Rover or Kitty get lost after business office hours?  Same with your microchip....it has to be scanned to read your information.  Again, after business hours?  Your pet will be lost for hours before you will be able to be contacted.  How far will your pet roam AND how dangerous is it for him/her all those hours or even days!   You have to get your pet a rabies vaccination so yes, wear the tag.  You have to have a city or county license.....yes, wear the tag.  Microchips are a necessity because tags do break off, get scratched to the point of being unreadable, and occasionally collars will break or get scratched/tugged off.  Every minute your pet is lost is every minute closer to being not found or unfortunately being hit by a car.  Don't take the chance of having ID that is only going to get your pet back home just during business hours.  Don't you want to find your pet now?!  You can now order tags or ID collars for instant findability.  And better yet, PAWS will get part of your purchase $ as a donation.  It is easy to order by clicking http://www.pawswi.com/paws_of_western_wi_010.htm
Your pet cannot have too much ID! 

Hello to PAWS Talk

Hi everyone.  Today is the start of our new blog, PAWS Talk.  Because there is so much to say, this spot will be where you find news, articles, updates, and stories of interest.  It will be more convenient for us to write those longer posts and keep more organized.  We still have our Facebook page for quick news and adoptions.

 Please do not be shy to write a comment, as your input is important to us.  Also, become a follower by getting email notifications when there is a new post.  Just fill out the box to the right. 

Thank you,
Shar Patnoe
President