Reddit Presents! Dogs-in-cars-like-people....

Let's pay homage to the early '70s and call this one: "Three Dog Jeep."

"Hit it man! He sees us!..."

Courtesy reddit.com

redditors never disappoint

 

For a second there, I thought those were arabic women cheering him on....

And the dogs-in-cars-like-people-continues:

Mckenzie's Unique Ball Fetch Style

She can fetch many different ways, but she can tell when I'm going to do the "ball poppin'" style, and she waits for the "pop!" before taking off:

As a Golden Retriever, Mckenzie lives to fetch!

The Worst Things You Can Say to Someone Who Just Lost a Pet

Grieving the loss of a pet is different for every single person, but it's always difficult. The support of friends and family who sympathize and care can make the grieving process easier, but a thoughtless word from someone who doesn't understand why a pet owner is just so sad can be extra hurtful.

Not sure what to say to a friend who is grieving the loss of a pet? Try this: Show up with a favorite snack, say you're sorry for the loss, share a happy memory about the beloved pet and offer to listen. In the end, you don't really need to say much of anything — but there are a few things you never want to say to someone who's just lost a pet.


Read more here

Dog stands guard for week in Washington state protecting second dog trapped in cistern

In this Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2015, photo provided by Amy Carey, of Vashon Island Pet Protectors, a setter mix named Tillie, left, watches over Phoebe, a basset hound who was trapped after falling into the cistern nearly a week earlier before being rescued by searchers on Vashon Island, Wash. A Washington state animal shelter says Tillie stood guard for a nearly a week to watch over Phoebe, only leaving her side to alert people of her trapped friend. The two were found unharmed Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2015, after they were reported missing by their owners last week. (Amy Carey/Vashon Island Pet Protectors via AP)

Read more here.

Brushing

No, not bats, but dogs.  (But if you want to brush a bat maybe this guide will help):

Regular brushing keeps your dog's coat healthy, clean and good looking.  Plus, it is a good bonding mechanism.  Brushing her lets her know you are taking care of her.  Tips:

1. Brush all: make sure to brush all over, not just her back.  Get behind the ears, the belly, legs, etc.

2. Time: I incorporate McKenzie's brushings into her going-out-to-potty time.  After removing booties, the brush is nearby and she knows the drill (she even gets excited).  Making it part of her routine helps her and me, and if I am rushing (late for work), then I'll do her back in the morning, and her belly when I get from work.  So, split the work.

3. Care: be gentle, but pay attention to her reactions: e.g., the hair behind her ears turns -- over time -- into thick hairballs that I have to eventually cut with scissors (so afraid to nick her skin), that is, unless I brush there regularly.  So I brush those spots gently, but have learned to watch her face to see if it is too much.  Other parts of the body also require careful brushing.

4.  Legs: don't forget the legs.  McKenzie has very fine, but long hair going all the way down past her 'heel' and for a long time I simply over-looked it.

5. Belly Time: I get her to lay on her back for a good belly brushing.  This, too, is a sensitive area, so go easy.

6. Matted Hair: according to how bad the mats are, you might have to use scissors.  McKenzie only needs a regular hit on the matting to eventually work it out over days, but this only happens if I get slack on regular brushing (which I have not in a long time).

Morning yard patrol complete Sir.  Please take off muh booties and brush me Sir.  Ty Sir!

"Mom licked me! Now I lick you!" Why Does My Dog... Always Lick Me?

It’s not much of a conundrum, really. The bottom line is that most of the time, dogs will lick their people as a sign of affection. “You are the sun and the moon,” their silky tongue would have you know. “And guess what? You taste good, too!”

But much as barking can be, licking is also a multi-faceted tool that seems to play many roles in canine behavior and, consequently, tends towards many different interpretations.

Read more here.

How Smart Is Your Dog? Now You Can Compare

All that energy people put into posting YouTube videos of their clever — or dumb — dogs can be harnessed for the good of scientific research.  A team at Duke University found that dog owners could competently test their pets at home for studies on canine intelligence.

Read more here

I Forgot How To Dog #2

"Does this look natural?"

Why is that dog looking at me?

More than one experiment has made some things pretty clear.  Dogs look at humans much more than wolves do.  Wolves tend to put their nose to the Tupperware and keep at it.  This evidence has led to the unsurprising conclusion that dogs are more socially connected to humans and wolves more self-reliant.

Read more here.

Nonprofit takes pups from death row, trains them as veteran service dogs

EVANS, Georgia (WKRN) –  Dozens of veterans now have service dogs thanks to a Georgia organization. On Saturday, 36 veterans gathered at the Columbia County Library in Evans, GA to see their rescued dogs graduate from different levels of service training.

Read more here

Getting a Dog

You've had a life change.  You're being talked into it.  You think you'll look good with that dog.  Or it's just too darn cute.

There are many reasons for getting a dog, but all of them need to come with an understanding that there are positive things about getting a dog, but there's also responsibility.

Pros, cons, ups, downs, chewed-up favorite shoes, poop on the good carpet, and then time for walks, play, going outside ... for some these all mean a dog isn't for them, so before plunging in and spending money for all the shots starting out, consider the following:

• This will be a commitment on your part for years to come.
• It will require time and attention.
• You will have to consider your dog if/when you want to stay overnight else where.
• You will need to utilize close friends or family at some point.
• There will be money needed for shots, checkups, boarding, etc.
• You will be the one in trouble if your dog does something wrong to some one else.
• Per year, the expense of having a dog can go into the $1000s.
• Is your home even appropriate for a dog?
• If you rent, your lease may not allow for a dog.
• If you have children, will they get along?
• Do you spend a lot of time away from home?  Having a dog means being home and less social life.
• Some people are allergic to dogs.
• Be prepared to spend time and money on: training, play-time, the veterinarian and medication and vitamins.

If all of the above is not an issue, then perhaps you are primed and ready for one of the best friends you'll ever have.

McKenzie is definitely my best friend, and I look forward to seeing her each day as I'm driving home, as she is too.

Good luck finding and starting out a wonderful life with your best friend!

Neither snow nor rain nor mud will stop ball time....

I Forgot How To Dog #1

"Don't worry, he won't jump out...."

Aaaaand he jumped out....

Listen, if you put a dog not used to an open vehicle in the back of an open vehicle, there's a good chance he will jump out. The same goes for if you roll down a window too far in a car.

And this is exactly what happened a few weekends ago as I went with my son-in-law in his open jeep, with "Archy" his pet English Bulldog nicely placed in the backseat.  Luckily, Archy appeared to be ok, showing no lasting signs of any real harm.  As we just finished a tight turn on a suburb road, traveling maybe 10/15 mph, Archy jumped!  He landed on his thick, muscular back, and slid many feet.  My son-in-law stopped, ran to him, checked him out and then brought him back to the vehicle where I insisted on holding him.  I had earlier offered that service but was confidently told not to worry..

Should I?

No, too far down too fast..

"Oh come on just do it!" says Archy little devil on his right shoulder..

Sorry, no pics of the actual jump or aftermath, but I do offer Van Halen's, "Jump!"

And I always enjoy google auto-complete:

The Hyperkinetic Dog

Mckenzie lives to play.  The AKC sent me a nice write-up on the breed, and told me something I knew long ago: a Gold Retriever lives to play, and that means to retrieve!  Everyday! Outloud! Always!

It is part of our daily regimen, and on rainy days or when the weather doesn't permit it, I am as sad as Mckenzie.  Creating fun activities inside is doable, but nothing replaces the long ball tosses and wide-open back yard that she enjoys to play in.

I've incorporated it into my day, and we head out back to play with ball, ball-thrower, beer and guitar.  As she winds down between tosses, taking time to "check her facebook page" (I like to call it -- i.e., smelling everything in the yard!), I can take a swig of my fav beer, play some jams, and enjoy God's nature.

I am fully confident that her behavior is best described as "Hyperactive," per the information coming next:

Dr. Karen Becker has written an excellent piece on Hyperkinetic vs. Hyperactivity in dogs at huffingtonpost.com.

She states:
Veterinarians generally agree that most symptoms of hyperactivity as described by the dogs' owners, upon closer inspection, are the result of breed characteristics, conditioned behavior, lack of appropriate physical and mental stimulation, or a combination

In clinical cases of hyperkinesis, the dogs are usually 3 years old or older (well past the age of boundless puppy energy) and haven't learned to settle down.


There's a big and important difference between canine behavior that is abnormal and behavior that is actually normal given the dog's circumstances, but undesirable.

Your veterinarian or animal behavior specialist will need a detailed description of your dog's unwanted behaviors, how often she performs them, and to what degree or intensity.

He'll also need to know about how much physical and mental activity your pet gets on a daily basis, including exercise, social interaction, playtime and exploration. You'll also be asked how you and other family members respond to your dog's undesirable behaviors.

All these factors will have bearing on a dog's behavior, including whether the pet is alone much of the time, isn't getting adequate exercise, isn't obedience trained, has been conditioned through owners' responses to use physical activity to get attention, or is punished for bad behavior rather than rewarded for good behavior.


Mckenzie will clobber me most days when I get home from work.  Her desire and need to go play ball is just over-powering.  My wife literally has to wait until she is done 'tackling' me, before we can have our huggy-time.

Although Mckenzie's behavior _can_ be annoying (and we fully accept it), we take it to be normal, but otherwise, Dr. Becker's article could help you if your dog is truly Hyperkinetic.

Mckenzie, saying, "come throw this ball again!"

Whistle: The Dog Activity Monitor

The folks at whistle.com have come up with a dog activity monitor, the size of a quarter, that fits on their collar.

Introducing Whistle

It will measure your dog's walking, playing and resting collecting information on daily behavior in order to tailor long-term health.  They have an app for smartphones as well so that you can check the info, send it to friends and your vet.

From their site:

• Walk: Whether a trip around the block or a weekend hike, Whistle measures your dog's walks throughout the day.

• Play: See when your dog is chasing a ball, jumping for a frisbee, or playing with friends.

• Rest: Short nap, deep sleep or just laying at the beach, you'll know how much rest your dog is getting.

• Other activity: View all types of activity – whether a quick swim or abnormal behavior in the night, you'll be informed.

• Time Together: Whistle lets you know who's spending time with your dog while you're away, be it family or friends.

With Whistle, you can set daily goals, view activity in graphs reports, see events such as walking and play time and resting.  You can record time with your dog, compare your dog to other of her age in weight, etc.  You can track trends and set goals.  With your mobile phone, you can check-in on your dog.  You can notate any changes in behavior, and share photos of your dog.

Whistle is:

• Waterproof
• Shockproof and ruggedized
• Weighs 16g
• Has adjustable strap
• Fits dogs 7 pounds and over
• Built-in rechargable battery that lasts up to 10 days
• Comes with USB charger
• Uses Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
• Has software for iOS 5.1+ with Android coming soon

You can pre-order now for $99.95, saving $19.95.

Mckenzie, checking out ducks
(Honestly, she is trying to decide whether to go after them and get in trouble or not)

Housebreaking

I thought I would take a few moments and discuss basics of housebreaking your dog.  Nothing is more important to a dog owner than for their dog to go at the right place and in the right time.  We're talking about using the bathroom.  Here are some quick tips I've learned over the years regarding teaching a dog to "do it" outside, and how to keep a nice, clean, inside:

• Puppy pads (aka potty or pee pads): puppy pads are great, but be aware they may be tempted to go in that familiar puppy-pad spot -- indoors -- where they used to use the bathroom.

• Frequently outside: you can also opt to simply take your pet outside often: after eating, every hour, first thing in the morning, etc.  A reward for going outside will encourage.

• Use positive reinforcement and treats over negative reinforcement.

• Do not "rub their nose" in it.  This tens to only confuse your dog.

• Keep a consistent schedule for taking your dog outside, and don't stray from it.

• If your dog does go inside, immediately take them outside to finish.

• Never punish, especially after the fact.  It is too late any how once they are done, and especially if they have walked away and time has passed.

• Consistency is key.  Waiting for too long between bathroom times will increase the chance of an accident.  The onus is on you, not your pup, to make sure they get outside.  If possible, have a friend or family member to fill-in in case you cannot be there when the time comes for them to go outside and do their business.

• Patience is key, in both waiting for them to adapt and learn how to go outside, and then giving them that time to 'check their facebook page' so-to-speak.  Dogs need to visit the outside and smell around, and go when they are ready.

• Never raise your voice if they go inside, never punish, always encourage.  Dogs want us to be happy with them.  We just need to give them time to see what it takes to do so.

Molly using the potty outside like a good girl!

Molly

Molly is our foster dog.  She came to us short term, then long term, then longer term.  We started dog-sitting her for a family member and, well, it has just continued.

She is a wonderful little Chorkie, and whereas Mckenzie is gentle, patient, energetic, kind and eager to please, Molly is savy, lazy and doesn't take crap off nobody.  She would fight a bear, although it would eat her in one easy bite.

This is Molly: Ms. Attitude

Mckenzie

We got her from the dog pound.  She was underfed, had kennel cough and worms.  With love, nurturing and and time, she put on weight and is a part of our family.  Daily activities include sleeping, ball time and lots of petting (she loves petting as much as playing).

Looking like a tired or sad puppy

Another puppy pic

Mckenzie is a Golden Retriever, and incredibly friendly, easy-going and eager to play.  I highly recommend this breed.

Recently after she got "the works" at a professional groomers
including "deep de-furring."

Molly & Mckenzie

Hello, and welcome to a site dedicated to pets and their well being.

I believe pets make us complete, and better our existence.  Pets teach us how to love, forgive and forget.  They accept us when no one else will, and they never hold a grudge.

This site hopes to promote the care and nurture of all pets.  People need them :)

Five Indoor Activites For You And Your Dog

With the changes in time and seasons, there just isn't enough daylight by the time I get home from work -- after a 30+ minute commute one way -- to do ball with McKenzie.  She, of course, doesn't understand this, and still goes to the door for ball time.  Instead, we have to find ways to get her that daily exercise:

1. Use the basement/garage: it isn't the same as the long tosses across the some 1 acre back yard I have, but I gentle roll or toss in either my basement or garage, still causes her to use bursts of speed to retrieve the ball.  Enough of this, and she does get a little winded.  She's going for fun, I'm going for fun + getting her that needed exercise.

2. Indoor Parks: check your city/town.  Many have indoor dog parks perfect for what I just described above.  It is usually just a small fee.

3. Go to town: find a Petco or other pet-friendly place, and take your best pal with you.  It will spark their senses into action and be fun for all.

4. Tug-of-war: Most dogs love this.  Just get a rope/towel/whathaveyou and make them fight for control!

5. Give them a bath!  This will be work, and you both might not be as excited about it as the other four choices above, but it is something that needs done anyhow, and it'll get you time together.

McKenzie finding Indoor Fun