Breed Specific Legislation Leads to Passionate Debates about Pit Bulls

Recently I was involved in a discussion gone wrong on LinkedIn where someone shared an article about Breed Specific Legislation (BSL).  The group member who shared the link is passionate about protecting the American Pit Bull Terrier Breed.  Another group member shared her thoughts on the breed.  Is the breed’s aggression nature or nurture?

This sparked a heated debate that went back and forth for weeks and was reduced to libelous accusations and attacks.  The discussion was deleted, which is a shame, because the fight against Breed Specific Legislation is an admirable cause.  The current focus on the American Pit Bull Terrier Breed is frightening to me for three reasons.

1.  The breed is being judged as aggressive when I believe that judgment should be based on a case by case evaluation.  The idea of putting down good, well behaved, and loved dogs is heart breaking.  I do understand that my “case by case” suggestion threatens to bog down the court system with dog bite cases, but is the answer really to euthanize a dog based on an accusation?

2.  I question the court’s ability to determine if a dog belongs to the APBT breed.  Personally, I confuse these dogs with other breeds all the time.  Check out This Online Test to see if you can identify the APBT.  If the courts make a mistake, then more dog owners risk losing a beloved family member due to ignorance.

3.  How long before this expands to your dog’s breed?  I will burn down a court house before I let them take my babies and I know that there are many dog owners who feel the same.  But feeling that way will not protect us from losing a battle to save our dogs’ lives if they’re placed on the list.

The law makers have stepped in to legislate 0ur ownership of “inherently aggressive breeds” and I question their ability to manage this legislation in a way that protects people and dogs.  Instead of penalizing good dog owners, we should be advocating education, dog training, and tolerance.  Dog owners found to be neglecting, abusing, or fighting their dogs should be subject to more than fines.  If insurance companies are going to require additional policies from families who provide these dogs with a home, then a discount should also be offered to responsible families.

The passionate LinkedIn discussion and the news of laws being created around the country have inspired this dog lover to speak out.  I’m starting by learning more about Breed Specific Legislation and contacting my City and State politicians.  I don’t have an answer, but I think together, the dog lover community can develop an answer.  What do you have to offer?

I recently watched the first episode of the new television program Dogs in the City and I loved it.  I’m a sucker for dogs and I got a kick out of this soft show depicting “dog trainer” Justin Silver going from home to home to office helping dog families deal with training dilemmas.

I didn’t see much training.  Justin lay on the floor to watch a dog owner try and manage her aggressive dog as visitors walked into her office.  He accompanied a father and daughter with their dog to the vet to discuss proper diet.  And he helped a girlfriend bond with her husband’s dog.

As a lover of reality television, I take these shows with a grain of salt.  They’re “for entertainment purposes only.”  But I can see why some people would turn to these shows for guidance, thinking that the attractive dog trainer must know what they’re talking about or else they wouldn’t be on television.

Recently, a professional dog trainer shared with me that these shows are offensive to professional dog trainers and my first thought was – no they’re not – then I reminded myself that I’m not a professional dog trainer.  I did a little research and found that there are mixed feelings about these programs.

Let’s start with the positives of TV dog trainers.

It’s not just me!  Have you experienced this moment?  The moment when you realize that you’re not on an island with your problem.  Rachel Sentes, a publicist with a back ground in dog training and agility training, brought up the solid point that these a show like Dogs in the City or Dog Whisperer “unites dog owners and gives them a feeling that they aren’t the only ones who have issues with their dogs.”

One of the reasons I go to the dog park is to compare notes and pick up tips.  But it’s important for us to know which tips to follow.  I’ve mentioned on a previous post that I don’t believe in rolling our dogs* – when a fellow dog owner suggested that I do this to Rodrigo to improve his behavior, I disregarded the advice, because (1) the dog owner didn’t know how to roll a dog and was constantly hurting his dog in the process and (2) Rodrigo’s behavior was resolved with patience and consistency.

* When I mentioned to rolling your dog above, I’m referring to the practice of forcing your dog onto the ground, rolling him onto his side, pinning his neck down and forcing him to submit.  I’m aware that there are professional dog trainers who use an “alpha roll” and it’s not as I describe here.  My description is based on what I see dog owners doing, which I believe is dangerous for both the dog and the owner.

These TV dog trainer programs also show that dog training is important.  When we adopted our dogs, my boyfriend wasn’t convinced that we would need a trainer and after a few weeks of watching these shows (before the dogs came home) he was sold on the process.

“The popular TV trainers do bring some positive to the dog community in that it does encourage families to seek help and support with their companion dogs.” ~ Jennifer Shryock, Founder of Family Paws Parent Education.

Why the backlash against TV dog trainers?

Not all viewers see these shows as “for entertainment purposes only.”  And not all behavioral issues can be resolved in the span of a television show.  So what’s left on the cutting room floor?

“Some of the methods I’ve seen used [on shows about dog training] are wonderful – they are simple, easy to replicate, and do not risk harming the dog. On the flip-side, some of the methods I’ve seen I would consider to be aversive to the dogs, and possibly difficult for the dog parents to replicate. Using punishment training methods can result in behaviors getting worse – because improper timing can actually reward the behavior – or they can create additional problems such as fear and aggression”. ~ Joan Hunt, Inquisitive Canine

Lori Cooper, Owner of Call-Away Canine Control shared an interesting point.  ”You cannot get proper information about this subject in an hour show, especially with severe behavior issues.”

That being said…

Amy Robinson, DroolSchool.com Dog Training, believes that “dog owners can benefit from the broad concepts presented by TV trainers, like the need for human leadership in the canine/human relationship. The bond is greater once the owner embraces his or her role as instructor and guide. Dogs thrive on a sense of accomplishment, and owners feel good once they can enjoy time with their dog. Another benefit is the trainer showing people that they can get out in the world and open social doors accompanied by their well-behaved dog.”

The important point that many of the dog trainers I spoke with want to get across is that dealing with behavioral issues takes time, patience and consistency.  Although these programs can be entertaining, it’s important for dog owners to seek out a professional dog trainer who can give them the foundation they’ll need to raise happy, healthy dogs.  Speak with your veterinarian, your rescue group or dog breeder, or speak with other people in the pet industry to get recommendations for quality dog trainers.

So share! What do you think about Dogs in the City and the other TV dog trainer programs?  Do you have a favorite?

Kimberly Gauthier, a perpetually happy person, lives with her amazing guy, their spoiled dogs and cats, and loves dog rescue, photography, reading, and laughing.  She’s the author of Keep the Tail Wagging where she shares tips on raising happy, healthy dogs and promotes dog rescue and reputable breeding.  You can also find her at Girl Power Hour as The Fur Mom

Kimberly Gauthier Photography – Rodrigo when we were teaching him fetch.

His past week someone shared a link to an article from the site of celebrity dog trainer Cesar Milan.  The article was about walking several dogs and now that we have three, I excitedly clicked over to read the tips.  Others commented on the link, sharing their dislike of Cesar and once again I heard about the video of him kicking the dog.  The person who originally posted the article shared that she regretted posting the link, because she knows that people have a negative reaction to Cesar Milan.

My experience with Dog Trainer Cesar Milan

Do I know him?  Nope.  Have I met him?  Nope.  My experience is based on a book that someone recommended and a few episodes of his television show that I’ve seen.  I haven’t seen anything that shocks me.  I took from his book what I felt comfortable applying to the training of our dogs.  I haven’t put much energy beyond this into Cesar Milan.

The drama surrounding Cesar Milan is fascinating.  I’ve heard of the video of him kicking a dog, but I haven’t seen it.  I’ve heard that people on his show have to relinquish rights to seek damages should any harm come to their dog, but I haven’t seen a contract.  I spent an hour searching online about Cesar Milan and found people who love his work and his methods and people who do not.

What I learned from Dog Trainer Cesar Milan

Given the fact that I haven’t put that much time into learning about Cesar Milan, you won’t be surprised that the only things that I’ve learned from Cesar Milan is that I need to be confident around my dogs and work to be the leader of the pack.

I’m not going to get into the debate of whether dogs act like packs in our family except to say that we do have a pecking order in our home.  My boyfriend – Me – Rodrigo – Sydney – Blue.  It’s been interesting watching Blue learn his place as the dogs gently train him on what’s appropriate and what isn’t appropriate.

Our dogs look to us for leadership and care and when I’ve been unsure and insecure, Rodrigo stepped up and it was awful; requiring a dog trainer to get us back on track, which we did inside of days.  Confidence is what keeps our house of 3 dogs, 2 cats, and 2 humans running smoothly.

Positive / Rewards Based Training

When we were researching adopting a dog, we read about several different schools of thought on dog training and settled on positive rewards based training.  We wanted our dogs to love us, to respect us, and not to fear us.  We thought this path was the best way for us to reach this goal.  It wasn’t as easy as I thought.  I envisioned handing out treats every time they did something.  Learning to use the clicker at the optimal time, always making sure to have treats on hand, and treating every experience as a training experience is both draining for the dogs and the humans, but it was worth every moment.

A woman recommended that we roll our dogs and stare at them in the eyes while we gripped their neck to gain control.  She did this with her dog, who always ran away from her.  Her ex-husband never rolled the dog (same dog), he was just confident, and the dog could walk with him off leash and he’d never leave his side.  This was interesting and showed me that we made the right choice with our training.

Cesar Milan or Victoria Stilwell

I’ve stopped watching the dog training shows, but I’m still curious to learn which camp people fall into.  Although there are many dog trainers out there, I use Cesar Milan and Victoria Stilwell, because they have television shows.  At first I was a fan of Cesar Milan until I started listening to the critics.  Then I was a fan of Victoria Stilwell until many of her methods didn’t work with our dogs.

Today, I’m a fan of a couple of dog trainers who I know.  I’ve learned that being a dog trainer is more than just knowing how to get dogs to behave.  Our trainers took the time to get to know us, to get to know the dogs, and to ask questions about our life.  They then tailored a training regime that worked for us.

Choosing a Dog Trainer

If you’re looking for a dog trainer, I would recommend that you talk to your veterinarian and friends to find out who they used.  We met Sydney and Rodrigo’s trainer based on many recommendations.  Blue gets to attend puppy school and we met his trainer when we adopted Sydney and Rodrigo.

Our requirements for a trainer were that they utilized a positive based system.  Sydney and Rodrigo required a private trainer, because puppy class was too distracting for litter mates who just wanted to play all the time.  Shannon Finch had them (and us) trained on many things in under 2 hours.  She’s amazing.

Blue gets the special treat of being socialized in puppy class. The trainer we’ll be working with is a Petco employee who loves dogs.  If we didn’t know her outside of Petco, we probably wouldn’t consider going their for puppy class, but she’s an amazing individual and we can’t wait to work with her.

Decide what training method works for you (ask questions / do some research)

Ask for recommendations from your veterinarian and your friends

Be prepared to work, because you will have homework assignments and just because the class ends, doesn’t mean dog training ends

Do you know a great dog trainer who deserves a shout out?  Share their name and website in the comments below!

Kimberly Gauthier, a perpetually happy person, lives with her amazing guy, their spoiled dogs and cats, and loves dog rescue, photography, reading, and laughing. She’s the author of Keep the Tail Wagging, where she shares tips on raising happy, healthy dogs and promotes dog rescue and reputable breeding. You can also find her at Girl Power Hour as The Fur Mom.

I used to think that what was most important was that every puppy and dog find their forever home.  Today, I think that was a bit niave, because I didn’t realize how passionate people felt about breeders and dog rescue.  Over the past month, I’ve read people share harsh judgements about the other side.  I’ve been called retarded and stupid for trying to understand why someone would choose a breeder.

About the breeders…

So far, I’ve learned that some people feel that breeders are selfish, they’re only in it for the money, they are the reason we have puppy mills and backyard breeders, their dogs end up in shelters, they perpetuate the problem that has created the need for dog rescue.

About dog rescue…

I haven’t heard anything negative about rescue volunteers; all of the negativity is directed to the dogs.  So far, I’ve learned that dogs who are rescued have loads of behavioral, developmental and health issues that are beyond most families, making them not worth the trouble of doing a good thing.

The great divide…

Although I do understand the great divide between buying from a reputable breeder or adopting a dog through a rescue group, I didn’t understand the name calling, the judgment, and the bashing – until now.

I had lunch with a new friend and dog rescue volunteer and she explained that although she knows that there are good breeders out there, in her rescue work, she comes into contact with the bad breeders regularly.  Rescue workers find themselves cleaning up after the damage the bad breeders are doing to our dogs.  Now I can see how all breeders are seen as perpetuating the problem by people who mostly see the dark side of dog breeding.  That may be an unfair and harsh judgment, but it is what it is.

What we need to do…

That’s where education is important.  I stupidly spent some time on Craigslist in the Pets section and was stunned by the number of people posting about bad breeders.  There were several posts warning people to stay away from _____, because their puppies are sick or injured.  Did anyone call the police?  Animal cruelty is a felony in Washington.

I think that people need to see dogs as family members.  As I type this, I’m surrounded by three Australian Cattle Dog mix pups (all sleeping) and I can’t help but smile, because they bring so much joy to our family.  I couldn’t imagine turning one of them into the shelter.  Sometimes they don’t listen, sometimes they run over to the neighbors to play with a dog, sometimes they destroy a slipper, but all the time they’re loving, loyal, fantastic dogs.

If you want to buy a puppy…

Don’t go on Craigslist.  I would be hesitant to direct anyone to the internet.  You just don’t know who you’re dealing with.  Instead, I encourage people to start by getting a recommendation from a local and trusted veterinarian.  There are also several purebred rescue groups who are connected with breeders; they can direct you to reputable breeders.

When you visit a breeder, ask about the details of their contract.  I hope that all good breeders have a clause about rehoming a dog.  I’ve met several who will file a lawsuit should one of their puppies be taken to a shelter.  Spend some time, several hours if possible, with the puppy so that you can see every mood.  I wonder how many people buy a “mellow” puppy only to be discouraged when their puppy wakes up and starts bouncing off the walls.

Keep in mind that buying a puppy doesn’t preclude you from behavioral or health problems.  Dog trainers are important and understanding the inherited health issues of a breed will prepare you to be able to help your dog.

If you want to rescue a puppy (or dog)…

Do your homework.  Again, get a recommendation from friends and local veterinarians for a reputable rescue group.  I’ve learned that there are many rescue groups that are one person operations and/or very inexperienced.  There are many more great rescue groups who will give you a detailed application to complete, require a home inspection, and may not release a dog to you until it’s spayed/neutered and current on vaccinations.

Each of our dogs were puppies when adopted, but I’ve learned that this doesn’t preclude us from behavioral problems.  If you adopt a puppy/dog from a puppy mill or other abusive environment, you will have a long, patient road ahead of you, but I believe that if we all stick with it, then we’ll have amazing dogs.

Getting your new rescue on a solid training schedule will help too.  Puppies are so adorable and the jumping, biting, and rough play is fun and cute when a big dog weighs 15 pounds.  This behavior is unacceptable when they weigh 70 pounds.  I’ll admit that we (and by ‘we,’ I mean ‘I’) allowed our litter mate puppies to run the house for a while.  I coddled them all the time.  I don’t think we would have made it through adolescence without the help of our trainer.

Whichever path you choose (please choose rescue – smile) understand that you’re making a commitment.  I’ve heard that bringing a dog home is like bringing home a child.  The big difference (besides the obvious number of legs) is that I doubt many people out there would give up their child easily, but people will give up their dog quickly.  Imagine taking a 3 year old child to the shelter and driving away, imagine the child’s confusion.  Dogs feel too.  So if you’re not sure if you’re up to the responsibility of a dog, then don’t buy or adopt until you are ready.   When that day comes, then definitely do your homework and prepare to have fun!

Kimberly Gauthier, a perpetually happy person, lives with her amazing guy, their spoiled dogs and cats, and loves dog rescue, photography, reading, and laughing. She’s the author of Keep the Tail Wagging, where she shares tips on raising happy, healthy dogs and promotes dog rescue and reputable breeding. You can also find her at Girl Power Hour as The Fur Mom.

When I started writing Keep the Tail Wagging I wanted to approach dog rescue from a positive point of view.  I laugh now, but I was sincere then.  I was tired of the negative stories.  I was tired of the sad pictures.  I was tired of the horrifying stories.  I wanted to share the happy endings.  And then we were introduced to a puppy that we named Riley and less than two weeks later she was gone.  And then I was introduced to a puppy named Edgar Frog who was born in a puppy mill and terrified of humans at 5 months old.

Now I’m looking at dog rescue in an entirely new light.  I’m not longer resentful of the ASPCA commercials; now I appreciate them, because an ASPCA veterinarian took the time to talk to me about canine parvovirus.  But I’m not ready to put on a cape and boots and bust up a puppy mill.  So what can I do?

There are many roles in dog rescue…

Foster a dog - Our family tried fostering and I got attached to the first dog and we kept the second dog (Riley).  My conclusion was that we couldn’t foster a dog, because we’d end up with 10 dogs.  Now I think I’m mistaken.  We now have three dogs and two cats.  We can’t take on any more permanent pets without sacrificing the care and love of our current fur kids, which probably makes a great home for a temporary foster.  Although I’ve heard of families hosting a foster for 6 months or more, many rescue groups try and keep the foster period short (hopefully about a week, two at the most).  And if the foster family does it’s part in promoting the dogs, then the foster period will be brief.

With our first foster, Morgan, I took pictures and video.  10 families showed up at the adoption event (a week later) to meet him.  He’s in an amazing home.

Sponsor a dog - For those of you who still aren’t convinced that you can foster a dog.  Try fostering a dog.  I’ve reached out to my favorite, local dog rescue group to sponsor a dog with a $10, $20, $50 contribution.  The dollar amount really doesn’t matter, because every dollar works.  If every person  who has liked the Keep the Tail Wagging Facebook page contributed $1, I could forward over $4,500 to a rescue group.  Imagine what that would do for their cause!  When you contribute, imagine 100 other people matching those funds.

Even better! Some companies will match employee contributions, so check with your manager or Human Resources department to see if your contribution qualifies.

Rescue groups also need food,  blankets, food dishes, beds, kennels/carriers, leashes/collars, and other supplies.  Check their site for a list or contact them directly to find out what they need.  It’s amazing what you can pick up around the house or at Goodwill that will be more than enough for the rescue group.

Kimberly Gauthier, a perpetually happy person, lives with her amazing guy, their spoiled dogs and cats, and loves dog rescue, photography, reading, and laughing. She’s the author of Keep the Tail Wagging, where she shares tips on raising happy, healthy dogs and promotes dog rescue and reputable breeding. You can also find her at Girl Power Hour as The Fur Mom.

The reason I started writing Keep the Tail Wagging was to promote dog rescue and responsible breeding.  I’m learning that there are many people who are very black and white on these issues.  Either you’re for breeders (all of them, good and bad) or you’re against them.  In their attempt to promote dog rescue, some people become abusive, not realizing that their words redirect the focus from an important cause to their behavior.

The Definition of a Reputable Breeder

My definition of a responsible breeder is someone who breeds for the love a breed and dogs.  A person who respects their own dogs, treats them as family members and not as a savings account.  They put the value of their dogs’ happiness and health over the money.  They interview prospective families, making sure that they understand the breed, that they’re a good fit for a puppy, and that they understand the responsibilities of dog ownership.  A reputable breeder has a relationship with a vet to care for their dogs, the puppies, and any emergencies that arise.  If I saw an ad on Craigslist for a breeder, I wouldn’t believe that they’re reputable; they may be legit, but based on everything I’ve seen on Craigslist, it’s difficult for me to believe that a reputable breeder would use the site.

I’ve always believed in dog rescue…

I’ve always believed in dog rescue.  I was rescuing dogs as a kid, lecturing adults on how to properly take care of their pets before I really understood what I was saying.  Today, we have two rescue, litter mates.  Sydney is sleeping on my feet and Rodrigo is curled into a ball on his chair.  We’re working with a local rescue group to add a fourth (our Riley will always be our third) rescue dog to our family.  I’m proud of the life that we can give a dog who might otherwise face abuse and/or euthanasia.

I didn’t understand buying from a breeder…

I didn’t really understand buying from a breeder, but I try not to judge people until I get all the facts.  I started asking dog owners I met at the park about their choice to buy from a breeder.  Some were looking for a particular breed, some wanted a show quality dog, and some happened to know someone who knew someone and purchased a puppy.  Each person I spoke with did a lot of research, asked a lot of questions, and met their reputable breeder through friends, their vet, or at dog shows.

Not all breeders run puppy mills…

In my search to understand, I also spoke with several local breeders and was stunned by (1) their love of their dogs and the breed and (2) their stringent criteria to purchase one of their puppies.  These breeders didn’t know each other, but they maintained the same practices of meeting with families multiple times and/or insisting that people spend hours with a puppy.  The point was for everyone to get to know each other and for the new owners to understand what they were getting used to.

These breeders have solid relationships with veterinarians and their puppies get the best care.  The breeders make new owners sign a contract that covers veterinarian care, training requirements, and makes the owners financially liable should they turn their dog into a shelter.  They won’t sell a puppy to someone who wants a guard dog, who doesn’t understand the breed, or who is buying a puppy as a gift.

And they only breed their dogs once a year or every other year.  They’re not trying to get rich off of their puppies.  None of the breeders I’ve met are bad people.  And meeting them gave me such comfort that the term “reputable breeder” is valid.

In a world of so many dogs in need…

Despite these fantastic breeders that I met, I still can’t help but wonder why we’re breeding dogs in a world where so many dogs need a home.  Instead of attacking reputable breeders, I think it’s important to educate potential dog owners on how to spot someone from a puppy mill.  A puppy mill in Washington State was recently taken down.  They were breeding mini Australian Shepherds.  We’re on the list to adopt one of the dogs.  I met a few of the dogs yesterday and was stunned by how frightened they were; what did these people do to these puppies to make them so afraid?

I wanted to bring one of the dogs home, but was terrified by what a long drive and the introduction to our rambunctious duo would do to the dog, so I left without him and it broke my heart.  Another family took him home and he’s getting the love and patience he deserves.  Rescuing a puppy from a puppy mill is going to take a team effort and we’re now working with the group to find a good fit for our home and a dog that my family can work together with to make happy.

Although I try not to judge people for going to a breeder, I will always encourage people to opt for dog rescue.  It may take longer to find the perfect dog for your family, but it’ll be worth it.  If you still choose to go to a breeder, become as educated as possible by the process and if you meet someone who is shady – walk way and call the police and report what you see.  I would rather offend a breeder than walk away after seeing a frightened or injured dog.

If your going to deal with a breeder please make sure they practice Responsible Breeding

Kimberly Gauthier, a perpetually happy person, lives with her amazing guy, their spoiled dogs and cats, and loves dog rescue, photography, reading, and laughing. She’s the author of Keep the Tail Wagging, where she shares tips on raising happy, healthy dogs and promotes dog rescue and reputable breeding. You can also find her at Girl Power Hour as The Fur Mom.

Last week we lost our puppy.  We decided to rescue a third dog (my birthday gift) and she was amazing.  She was with us for less than a week when she got sick.  She passed on a week later.  I’m still crying myself to sleep.  It’s awful.  Riley died from parvo and we’ve since learned many things about the disease, dog rescue, and shelters that made me understand another reason why some people are choosing a reputable breeder instead of dog rescue.

A Few Common Reasons to Choose a Reputable Breeder

Many people I know who purchased a puppy from a reputable breeder did so, because they wanted a pure bred, they wanted a particular temperament, or they wanted a show quality dog.

I know that there are many more, but these are the ones I’ve always heard consistently.

More Reasons to Choose a Reputable Breeder

After Riley passed away, we realized that we knew nothing of her history.  Where did she come from?  All we do know is that she came from a shelter in Eastern Washington.  She had an owner, because she knew to go to the door when she had to go potty.  She was very well mannered and really smart.

When someone buys a puppy from a reputable breeder, they get their puppy’s history.  They even get their puppy’s parent’s history.  They know about any genetic issues they may have to face, they have someone to call to ask questions, and hopefully they’ve taken the time to research the breed.

Rescue dogs may come with a laundry list of behavioral and health issues that people are simply not prepared to deal with and I can understand the fear of taking on a troubled dog.

Ultimately We Want a Dog to Go to a Good Home

I would prefer that everyone rescue their dog, because there are so many who need a good home.  But if a dog from a breeder finds a wonderful forever home, then that’s one less dog that will end up at a shelter.  I’m starting to understand a little more of the appeal of the going to a reputable breeder, but I believe that I’ll always go the route of dog rescue for our family.

Where did you find your dogs?  A Reputable Breeder or rescue group?

Kimberly Gauthier, a perpetually happy person, lives with her amazing guy, their spoiled dogs and cats, and loves dog rescue, photography, reading, and laughing. She’s the author of Keep the Tail Wagging, where she shares tips on raising happy, healthy dogs and promotes dog rescue and reputable breeding. You can also find her at Girl Power Hour as The Fur Mom.

My Rodrigo with is friends Koda and Bro at the Strawberry Fields Dog Park
3 Things to Help Dog Owners Let Dogs be Dogs

We love to take our dogs to the dog park and we tend to just let our dogs off their leash to go play with their friends and meet new friends. But I see many people bringing toys like Frisbees and Chuckit Ball Launchers to the park to make the experience more fun for their dogs.

What I love are the games the dogs play.  It’s so much fun watching them chase each other, roll around,  and then start chasing again.  I think the dog park is a fantastic place where we can let dogs be dogs.  Let them growl and mouth each other, let them pretend to hunt, and let them get some much needed exercise.

I’ve noticed that people who are new to a dog park or have a new puppy, they’re nervous and protective of their fur baby.  This I completely understand.  Here are three things to help dog owners relax and let dogs be dogs.

Know your dog

It’s important to watch and understand your dog’s body language and what s/he is telling you.  Sydney is shy around new dogs and she shows this by tucking her tail between her legs and sitting on my foot or between my legs facing away from dogs.  I don’t push her to play, because I know it’ll take her some time to become comfortable if there are new dogs.

When we’re around familiar dogs, the hair on Sydney’s back stands straight up.  This isn’t fear or aggression, this is her excitement at seeing her friends.

Rodrigo lays on the ground when he sees a friend who is also a shepherd mix.  It’s hilarious to watch them lay down, facing each other, 50 feet apart.  This is part of their game.

Get to know your dogs signals so that you can relax when they’re playing a game and quickly step in if you feel that your dog is afraid or about to become aggressive.

Know the dogs at the park

I’ve made many friends at the Strawberry Fields dog park.  We even have a Facebook group where we check in to see who’s going to be at the park.  This has been fantastic for Sydney’s confidence and great for training our head strong Rodrigo.  Having a group has also helped us socialize our new puppy, Riley.

Another benefit to knowing the dogs at the park is to pick out the aggressive ones.  If the neighborhood bully is at the park today, we walk the trails around the park instead.  If we’re already at the park when the bully arrives, we can either choose to leave or simply go to another portion of the park.

The neighborhood bully doesn’t hang at our park for long; no one wants to risk their dog’s safety and having the park empty out when you arrive is a great deterrent for owners of aggressive dogs.

Understand dog behavior

Dogs growl, dogs bark, and dogs mouth.  This isn’t always a sign of aggression and I feel awful when I see a new dog owner leave a park, because the dogs are too rough.  It’s important to let dogs be dogs, but I understand the fear.  No one wants their dog to be mauled at the park.  This is where understanding your dogs signals and being familiar with other dogs is so important.

I also recommend watching programs about dogs on Animal Planet and reading books about dog behavior.  Become familiar with what is normal dog behavior (humping, growling, barking).  Try visiting the park without your dog and ask questions.  It sounds weird and slightly starkerish, but other dog owners will appreciate that you’re trying to learn and will be willing to help.

If you’re still not ready for the dog park or comfortable at the dog park, then plan play dates at homes so that you can let your dog be a dog.  Our dogs are my babies and I talk to them like their kids (no commands and I always say please and thank you).  As adorable as my babies are, they have fur and four legs and I know they need some dog time.  I’m an over protected Fur Mom, but I now understand that it’s important to let dogs be dogs.

Kimberly Gauthier, a perpetually happy person, lives with her amazing guy, their spoiled dogs and cats, and loves dog rescue, photography, reading, and laughing. She’s the author of three blogs, sharing tips and tricks about photography, blogging, and raising happy, healthy dogs. You can also find her at Girl Power Hour as The Fur Mom.

I’m going to warn you that when you foster a rescue, you risk your heart every single time.  Right now our second foster, Jovi (soon to be renamed Willow), is outside playing with our dogs and we’re less than 5 hours away from the 24 hour mark, which is when I fall in love.  Who am I kidding, I’m all ready in love, but I won’t admit it for a few more hours.

It broke my heart when my first foster was adopted.  The feeling of finding Morgan his forever home was amazing; like not other.  But it hurt like hell too to see him go.  My boyfriend told me that we can rescue 1 more dog or we can rescue hundreds.  The idea of going through that a hundred more times wasn’t appealing, but when I received the email from Morgan’s (later renamed Buddy) new family, I knew that I could do this one hundred more times.

Today is 2.  Ninety-eight more times to go.

If you’re interested in being a foster family for a rescue or if you would like to sponsor a dog, contact your local rescue group.  When you foster a dog, the costs can be written off on your taxes (confirm this with a CPA just in case tax laws change) and the rescue group will try and provide you with all the supplies you’ll need.

So if you’re not ready to adopt a dog, then please consider fostering a rescue.  The feeling is amazing and we need you.

Kimberly Gauthier | I’m building a community of dog lovers who want to connect with people like themselves, who believe dogs are family members who deserve the best we can offer; together we’ll promote dog rescue and responsible breeding, making the lives of our dogs a better. I’m the author of three blogs, sharing tips and tricks about photography, blogging, and raising happy, healthy dogs. You can also find me at Girl Power Hour as The Fur Mom.

How can I keep my dogs teeth clean

Photo credit: wedhatted from morguefile.com

When we made the decision to adopt dogs, we did a lot of research and one of the many questions we had was “how can I keep my dog’s teeth clean?”  We were told to feed them kibble (we special order a healthy brand), brush their teeth, and give them special dental treats.

With all the news of tainted dog treats and pet food recalls, I’m not comfortable buying treats from the big pet stores.  So what now?

I’m in the process of interviewing breeders around the country for a new Keep the Tail Wagging series.  I’m learning a lot more than I anticipated and it’s been fantastic.  This week, a breeder shared that she gives her dogs (she has 7 of them!) raw bones and it keeps their teeth white and healthy.  She’s never had to pay for her dogs to have their teeth cleaned.  We haven’t had to pay either; but a couple years ago, I paid $200 for a teeth cleaning for our kitty, Cosmo.  The cost for our dogs is more.

We don’t live near a butcher and they don’t carry raw bones at the grocery store.  I’ve decided to start shopping at smaller, local pet stores and that’s were I found raw bones and, guess what!, they’re actually affordable.  I purchased two packages and gave each of our dogs a bone this afternoon and they loved them.

Here are our Raw Bone Rules for the house…

1. We won’t leave our dogs alone with their bones; Sydney steals Rodrigo’s bone when he goes for water (and vice versa).
2. Rodrigo can only gnaw on a bone for a short time, because he has a sensitive tummy and has to get used to them
3. We have plenty of water on hand for the dogs.
4. We need to make sure that the dogs don’t bite too hard on the bones, because since they’re raw, they can damage their teeth.
5. And we make the dogs eat their bones on blankets if they’re inside – they’re not too messy, you don’t want them touching your carpet.

Kimberly Gauthier | I’m building a community of dog lovers who want to connect with people like themselves, who believe dogs are family members who deserve the best we can offer; together we’ll promote dog rescue and responsible breeding, making the lives of our dogs a better. I’m the author of three blogs, sharing tips and tricks about photography, blogging, and raising happy, healthy dogs. You can also find me at Girl Power Hour as The Fur Mom.