Don't Dump Your Dog

When you choose to get a dog, you must choose to become a responsible dog owner. Unfortunately, not all dog owners act responsibly, abandoning their dogs when they become inconvenient. The most irresponsible of dog owners will leave them to fend for themselves in a vacant home or chained in a yard. This is tragic and unacceptable.

Sometimes life gets rough and we have to make serious choices. In some cases, that means giving up a beloved pet. However, there are many ways to avoid this. Here are some examples.

I'm moving and my new place does not allow dogs.
Don’t move there. Anyone who has tried to rent an apartment with a dog knows it is not easy. Be diligent and chances are, in time you will find the right place. Try to negotiate the conditions with potential landlords, and be willing to spend extra money. If you absolutely must move right away and cannot find a place that allows your dog, talk to friends and family - someone you know might be willing to take care of your dog for an extended period of time while you search for other arrangements. The same applies if your move is temporary and dogs are truly not allowed.

My dog has health or behavioral issues that are out of control.
Health problems will happen from time to time in people and pets. If your dog has a chronic illness, it is your duty to help manage it. If current therapy is not working, ask for a referral to a specialist or get a second opinion. Tell your vets that you are at the end of your rope and you need help.

With regards to behavior problems: have you heard the expression “there are no bad dogs, only misinformed owners?” This is generally true. Our dogs act the way we train them to act, so a behavior problem is YOUR responsibility. Hire a trainer or visit a behaviorist. If you cannot afford this, learn about dog training on your own. Talk to anyone who will listen – you may find someone else who has experienced the same problem.

I am having a baby and don't have time for a dog now.
Dogs and kids can actually be a great combination if handled correctly. It is essential that your dog is properly trained and exposed to babies and children before your baby is born. Then, be certain to introduce the baby to the dog appropriately. Plus, you must raise your children to respect dogs! Make sure you include your dog in as many family events, outings and gatherings as possible. If your dog knows his place in the pack - and that includes knowing the children are higher-ranking - you can have a safer, more peaceful family unit. Growing up with dogs is one of the best gifts you can give a child, if done right.

I simply cannot afford my dog anymore.
Learn the cost of dog ownership. Make a budget that includes your dog’s necessary expenses to determine if this is truly the case. You may find than you can afford your dog after all. To lower long-term expenses, keep your dog healthy. A nutritious diet, regular exercise and preventive veterinary care all play a major role in keeping future costs down. Here are some money-saving tips:

•Visit low-cost clinics for routine vaccinations. Contact your local Humane Society or animal shelter, or ask your local pet supply store for information.

•Resist the urge to buy extras such as a new collar, dog bed, or bag of treats. Make your own dog bed or ask a friend for help. Learn to make dog supplies instead of buying them. You can also offer your dog carrots or apples as snacks, or make homemade treats.

•DO NOT stop giving heartworm and flea prevention! Instead, shop around for discounts (but make sure the products are legitimate – ask your vet before you buy).

•DO NOT feed generic/economy dog food to save money. Low-quality diets can cause poor health in the long run. If you cannot budget for premium dog food or a holistic/natural diet, consider a homemade diet.

I have an illness or other physical limitation and can no longer care for my dog.
This is probably the most understandable reason to give up your dog, but there may be other options. Turn to your family and friends for help. Your dog will most likely be a comfort to you during your illness, so it will be beneficial to keep him around. Some cities and towns have outreach programs where volunteers come and care for the pets of sick owners. Contact local animal rescue groups for suggestions.

If you are the caregiver of a dog owner who must enter a nursing home or similar facility, consider keeping the dog yourself or placing the dog with friends or family.

I have exhausted all of my options and I really cannot keep my dog.
It will not be easy, but sometimes the only option is to give up your dog. Be sure that you have truly explored all avenues. Millions of dogs are euthanized each year because of overcrowding in shelters, so try not to contribute to that number. Abandonment is NEVER acceptable. You are responsible for finding the best home possible for your dog.

•Write up a brief fact sheet about your dog covering details like age, breed, size, color, health, temperament and personality. Be honest about your dog – especially regarding behavior.

•Tell all of your friends, family members, neighbors, co-workers and acquaintances that you are looking for a new home for your dog. Explain your situation and the fact that you want to find a great home for your dog. Make sure you check out potential new owners well so your dog does not end up needing a home again.

•If you cannot place your dog in a forever home yourself, contact animal rescue groups and “no-kill” animal shelters in your area. If your dog is purebred or mixed with a specific, obvious breed, try a breed-specific rescue group.

•Tell your veterinarian and staff about your situation, they may be able to help. However, do not drop your dog off for services and fail to come back and pick him up. Never leave your dog on the doorstep of a veterinary office. These are seriously irresponsible acts and are unfair to your dog!

•Please, please do not euthanize your dog if you cannot find him a home.


Important note: Pets in abusive or neglectful situations should always be removed and placed in good homes. If you see a dog being treated inhumanely, please take action. Contact your local authorities immediately.


This article was written by Jenna Stregowski, RVT and posted on the dog section of About.com. Jenna is a Registered Veterinary Technician who has worked in veterinary medicine since 1997. She has lived with dogs since 1995, but has had a love for dogs since childhood.Click on the link to view Jenna's bio: http://dogs.about.com/bio/Jenna-Stregowski-RVT-43548.htm

DON'T Leave Your Dog In A Parked Car

There are times when I am simply amazed at the stupidity of people. The summer months are one of those times. Some people think nothing of leaving their dog in a parked car while they "go inside for just a few minutes." An hour or more later they come out to find their dog dead in the car. I know I'll see a dog left in a parked car again this summer, as I have in previous summers and I also know that when I confront the owner they'll look at me like I'm from outer space. If you even think of leaving your dog in a parked car on a hot day, I challenge you to try the experiment highlighted below.

It takes only minutes for a pet left in a vehicle on a warm day to succumb to heatstroke and suffocation. Most people don't realize or stop to think how hot it can get in a parked car on a balmy day. On a 78 degree day, temperatures in a car parked in the shade can exceed 90 degrees -- and hit a scorching 160 degrees if parked in the sun!

Even when the outside air temperature is in the 60s, temperatures inside some vehicles can reach the danger zone on bright, sunny days. So many experts recommend not to leave pets in parked cars even for short periods.

Rolling down a window or parking in the shade doesn't guarantee protection, since temperatures can still climb into the danger zone. And if the window is rolled down sufficiently, the pet can escape. Also, if a passer-by claims he or she was bitten through the car window, the pet owner will be liable.

What about leaving the dog in the car with the air-conditioning running? Many people do this, but tragedy can strike -- and it has. For example, a police dog in Texas died after the air-conditioning in the patrol car shut down and began blowing hot air. The air system's compressor kicked off because the engine got too hot. Many cars, including modern models with computerized functions, are prone to the same problem. In North Carolina a couple lost two of their beloved dogs, and nearly lost their third dog, as result of a similar failure. They had left bowls of water and ice in the car, and the air-conditioning on, during their shopping trip of less than 30 minutes.

Try this experiment on a hot summer day. Drive your car to the mall. Park in the sun. Roll up the windows, turn off the air conditioner and see if you can sit there for ten minutes without sweating, finding it difficult to breathe or panicking. Use an interior thermometer and watch the temperature climb steadily. Now, think of your dog:

Animals are not able to sweat like humans do. Dogs cool themselves by panting and by sweating through their paws. If they have only overheated air to breathe, animals can collapse, suffer brain damage and possibly die of heatstroke. Just 15 minutes can be enough for an animal's body temperature to climb from a normal 102.5 to deadly levels that will damage the nervous and cardiovascular systems, often leaving the animal comatose, dehydrated and at risk of permanent impairment or death.


Precautions:

* Leave your dog at home on warm days.

* On trips with your pet, bring plenty of fresh drinking water and bowl.

* Don't let dogs ride loose in pick-up truck beds. The hot metal can burn a dog's paws, the sun and flying debris can hurt the dog, the dog can accidentally be thrown out of the truck if the brakes are suddenly applied, and the dog can jump out if scared or if he/she sees something interesting to chase. Instead, use a crate to create a safer space for the dog if you can't fit the dog inside the truck cab.

* Take the dog into the shade, an air conditioned area, or to the vet if you see signs of heat exhaustion, which include restlessness, excessive thirst, heavy panting, lethargy, dark tongue, rapid pulse, fever, vomiting, glazed eyes, dizziness, or lack of coordination. To lower body temperature gradually, give the animal water to drink, place a cold towel or ice pack on the head, neck and chest, and/or immerse the dog in cool (not cold) water. Call your veterinarian.


If you see a pet in a vehicle on a hot day, take immediate action:

* Note the car make, model, color and tag number, then go to the nearest stores and ask the managers to page the owner.

* Call the police, which usually can respond much faster than can animal control departments. The police have the capability to enter the vehicle and rescue the pet.


* For those who believe this can't or won't happen, here are a few stories of others who probably thought the same thing:


http://voices.washingtonpost.com/crime-scene/the-district/a-tourist-from-michigan-was.html

http://www.kxan.com/dpp/news/crime/dog-left-in-car-and-dies-man-charged

http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2010/aug/03/dog-dies-after-it-was-left-car-more-two-hours-poli/

http://www.cbs3springfield.com/news/local/Man-leaves-dogs-in-hot-car--99787874.html


It is against the law in most jurisdictions to leave a pet unattended in a standing or parked motor vehicle in a manner that endangers the health or safety of the animal.


You can go to MyDogIsCool to print flyers if you would like to use them to educate others to the danger of leaving your pet in a park car during hot days.

Top 5 Myths about Pit Bulls

Myth No. 1: All pit bulls and other so-called “bully breeds” are aggressive.

Fact: Many people wrongly believe that pit bulls are aggressive toward people. Pit bulls were originally developed for fighting with other dogs—not people. In fact, there’s some evidence that pit bulls are actually less aggressive toward people than many other breeds. In tests conducted by the American Temperament Test Society, pit bulls had a passing rate of 82% or better -- compared to only 77% of the general dog population. Problems for the pit bull arose when these dogs gained the attention of people looking for a “macho” dog to meet their demands. Like any other breed of dog, pit bulls are shaped by their environment and, if not provided proper socialization and training, can be encouraged to show aggressiveness toward people. Pit bulls that exhibit aggressive behavior toward humans are not typical of the breed type.

Beyond a dog’s breed, factors that affect a dog’s tendency toward aggression include reproductive status, sex, early experience and socialization/training. According to the Centers for Disease Control, these concerns are well-founded, given that:

- More than 70 percent of all dog bite cases involve unneutered male dogs.
- An unneutered male dog is 2.6 times more likely to bite than is a neutered dog.
- A chained or tethered dog is 2.8 times more likely to bite than a dog not chained or tethered.
- 97 percent of dogs involved in fatal attacks on people in 2006 (the most recent year statistics are available) were not spayed/neutered.

Myth No. 2: The term “bully breeds” indicates these dogs are inherently mean.

Fact: There are several breeds of dogs often referred to as bully breeds, including pit bulls, bulldogs, mastiffs, Staffordshire bull terriers, American Staffordshire terriers, Boxers and Bull terriers. The term does not refer to their behavior. It means they have bulldog origins and are descendants of the original English baiting dogs that were bred to grip and hold bulls, bears and other large animals. Modern dog-fighting can be traced to 1835, when bull-baiting was banned in England. After the ban, the owners of bulldogs turned to staging fights between their dogs, and the large, heavy bulldogs were bred with small, quick terriers to produce the dogs that became the fountainhead of today's prominent fighting breeds.

Myth No. 3: Pit bulls will attack without warning.

Fact: No dog, including a pit bull, is likely to transform from a docile, gentle companion to a ferocious beast without warning. There are always warning signs that the dog is aroused, upset or afraid in a particular situation. Perhaps the dog has had little exposure to children and is wary whenever he sees a child. Perhaps the dog spends his days tethered in the backyard, barking at people walking past the property. The dog’s pent-up frustration could result in an aggressive reaction, should a stranger wander into the yard and approach the dog. The issue is not that pit bulls attack without warning; it’s that often people don’t recognize or pay attention to the early warning signs. Check out the ASPCA’s Virtual Pet Behaviorist for useful information in understanding canine body language.

Myth No. 4: It’s not safe to adopt a pit bull from a shelter because its past is unknown.

Fact: Although it’s always helpful to know the health and behavior history of a dog and its parents, there are wonderful dogs waiting to be adopted from shelters. And, often times, a shelter dog’s past is a mystery. Responsible shelters or rescue groups assess the dogs in their care so that they can avoid adopting out dogs with aggressive tendencies. And it’s the adopter’s responsibility to ask questions. Talk with the staff to learn if the dog has exhibited any undesirable behaviors. Adult dogs are open books -- from the start, you’ll know things like their full-grown size, personality, likes and dislikes, and grooming needs. Having a dog since puppyhood does not guarantee that it will have all of the qualities you desire when it grows up. The ASPCA encourages potential adopters of a pit bull or any dog to bring the whole family, including their current dogs, to meet the new dog.

Myth No. 5: Banning pit bulls will help reduce dog bites and fatal attacks.

Fact: There is no evidence that breed-specific laws -- which are costly and difficult to enforce -- make communities safer for people or companion animals. Breed-specific legislation carries a host of negative and wholly unintended consequences. For example, irresponsible owners forgo licensing, micro-chipping and proper vet care -- all of which have implications for public safety and the health. Instead, friendly, properly supervised and well-socialized "bully dogs" and their owners are punished. Such laws also impart a false sense of security, because limited animal control resources are channeled into enforcing the ban rather than focusing on enforcement of non-breed-specific laws that have the best chance of making our communities safer, such as dog licensing, leash laws, animal fighting laws, and anti-tethering laws. Recognizing that the problem of dangerous dogs requires serious attention, the ASPCA seeks effective enforcement of breed-neutral laws that hold dog owners accountable for the actions of their animals. Click here for more information on pit bulls and their behavior.

Dog Water Safety Tips

Going to the beach, river, lake or just staying at home by the pool is a great way to spend time in the summer, but fun can quickly turn to disaster when you mix dogs with water. Most dogs love retrieving balls from the water, swimming and running in and out of the waves. You do need to be vigilant to keep your dogs safe around water.

Here are 5 dog water safety tips:

1. Buy your dog a life jacket - not all dogs are natural swimmers and older and young puppies can tire quickly, the weight of a water logged thick and/or long coat can easily drag your dog under water, your dog can be knocked over by breaking waves, if your dog jumps into the river he may not be able to get again if the bank is too slippery.
Like people, dogs can quickly get into trouble and if you are not there to help, may easily drown. By using a doggy life jacket when your dog's around water you are buying him extra time should he get into trouble and need rescuing - it just makes sense.

2. Watch what your dog drinks - water in lakes, stagnant ponds and slow moving rivers can contain algae and parasites which, if ingested by your dog, can cause vomiting, diarrhea and in some instances death.
Swimming pool water contains chlorine and other chemicals which can make your dog sick if he drinks the water.
Always keep plenty of fresh water with you, and teach your dog to drink out of a water bottle so you don't need to carry a bowl with you all the time!

3. Think dog - whether you are at the beach or at home, look out for potential hazards in advance and supervise your dog at all times. For example:
- don't let your dog swim in places where there are strong undercurrents;
- look out for sharp rocks and shells just under the water surface that he might cut his paws on;
- check for steep muddy riverbanks that might prevent him from getting out of the water, particularly if he's tired;
- if the water is cold your dog could be at risk from hypothermia; and
- swimming pools and spa pools should be covered or fenced off at all times.

4. Rinse and dry after swimming - after you dog has finished swimming and playing in the water rinse his coat thoroughly to remove salt, chemicals and debris form his coat. Make sure his ears are dry too to reduce the risk of dog ear infections - damp ears are a breeding ground for bacteria and yeast spores.

5. Heat can kill - in summer remember that the heat from the sun is more intense around water. Watch your dog for signs of sunburn and heat stroke, and keep him off hot sand as this can blister his paws.

Dog water safety is pretty much common sense, and whilst dogs generally have a good sense of self preservation, we often push them beyond their comfort zone as we encourage them to play longer and swim further forgetting that they can't tell us when they've had enough!

If you are going to be spending time by the water consider purchasing a life jacket for your dog, it's easy to be distracted by family and friends and not see your dog get into trouble in the water - a life jacket could just buy him the time he needs before you save him.