The 22nd Annual Wienerschnitzel Wiener Dog National Races were held on Saturday, July 22 and contained an unlikely contestant: a Dachshund who was dumped at a shelter in Riverside, California on New Year’s Eve in 2014 for being paralyzed.

Luckily, the Los Angeles Dachshund Rescue gave Lady Bug another chance. After 4 months in a foster home, Lady Bug was brought to the California Animal Rehabilitation (CARE), where she started a months-long rehabilitation that involved physical therapy, acupuncture, and an underwater treadmill.

Training hard 🐞https://t.co/di16BDmMh0 @ocregister http://pic.twitter.com/eNSfTlPQ3p

— Lady Bug (@JudetheBeagle) July 19, 2017

The CARE veterinarian leading her rehab, Dr. Deanna O’Neil, DVM, fell in love with Lady Bug and adopted her. Dr. O’Neil told PEOPLE Magazine:

“It took about two months of intensive rehab for her to be able to stand on her own and take a couple of steps unassisted. It was about six months to walk like a ‘regular’ dog without assistance when she wasn’t dragging.”

Here’s an interview with Dr. O’Neil with footage of Lady Bug running the race. Share it if you love it!

While Lady Bug didn’t win the race, she managed to complete the course in 45 seconds all by herself. Dr. O’Neil said:

“It was wonderful and so much fun getting out and talking about animal rehabilitation which I am passionate about. The main thing is to never give up. Never give up on these animals because their hearts are in it. All they want to do is make their owners happy, so if you’re heart is in it also, you can make it happen. That is why these rescues are so special. As long as they have encouragement they can do it. “

(H/T: PEOPLE)

via Whisker Therapy

We love every part of our dogs, including their tails. There’s so many different varieties (curly, nubby, fluffy), they wag when our pups see us, and they’re an important part of the pooches we love most!

Every pup parent knows that their dog uses this appendage to express their emotions, but did you also know that it can clue you into your dog’s health, or that it’s tied to their emotional well-being?

These wagging wonders are more than just a decoration (but you knew that!). Don’t ever underestimate how complex and miraculous your dog really is… from his head to his tail! Below, check out 4 things you should know about your dog’s tail.

 1. Tails are a tool for communicating

When we think of a dog wagging its tail, we always think about our own happy dogs that are pleased to see us or excited about a treat or activity. Dogs use their tails to communicate with each other and us, but it’s important to know that not all tail wags are friendly.

Depending on the speed of the wag and the elevation of the tail, a dog might be trying to demonstrate that he perceives you as a threat or intends to act aggressively. A high slow wag can be misinterpreted as a friendly wag, so if it is a dog you don’t know, do not assume that because he is wagging his tail he is happy to see you. It is always smart to proceed with caution when approaching an unfamiliar dog.

2. They vary in lengths

Many dogs have long tails, some have short ones, and others are born with no tail at all, a trait that’s considered normal for certain breeds. Examples include English Bulldogs, Boston Terriers, Brittany Spaniels, and French Bulldogs, to name a few.

Although we think that nubby tails are cute, there can be issues associated with the genetic differences to the tail. A disorder loosely referred to as “screw tail” is when the vertebrae of the tail are malformed enough to twist the tail so close to the body that chronic recurrent infections and irritations occur between the tail and body. These patients may require surgical intervention to remove the tail completely.

3. They can clue you in to health issues

Sometimes the tail can be literally flagging you down to notice an issue with your dog’s health. Certain disorders can show themselves through the tail. Flea allergy dermatitis can cause skin irritation on and around the tail and rump. Skin infections from other causes can also affect the tail. Some hormonal disturbances such as hypothyroidism (decreased levels of thyroid hormone in the dog’s blood) can manifest as hair loss at the tip of the tail.

If your dog’s tail hair is thinning or falling out and leaving bald patches, be sure to ask your vet. There are treatment plans to manage many of the problems that could cause such signs.

4. They’re an integral part of your dog’s wellbeing

Dogs that were born with no tail never know what it’s like to have one, but we know that the tail can serve a purpose in physical balance and psychological well-being ¹. There is even a suggestion that having a tail surgically docked can increase the chance of urinary incontinence ². Probably the best advice about tails is this: if your dog has one, he should keep it unless its removal is medically necessary. Your veterinarian can help you determine what should be done about medical issues involving your dog’s tail, so be sure that you mention any concerns to him or her.

Do you love to learn about dogs? Find me on Facebook where we posted fun animal stuff everyday! Click here.

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1. Leaver, SDA, Reimchen TE. Behavioural responses of Canis Familiaris to different tail lengths of a remotely-controlled life-size dog replica. Behaviour 2008;145:377-390.
2. Thrusfield P, Holt M. Association in bitches between breed, size, neutering and docking, and acquired urinary incontinence due to incompetence of the urethral sphincter mechanism. Vet Rec 1993;133:177-180.

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The Beaver County Sheriff’s Office in Utah was called at 10:45 a.m. Friday on a report of two girls who had been struck by lightning.  The girls were camping with relatives for a family reunion. They had been driving on an ATV when they decided to get off and look around. When the girls headed back toward the ATV, they were struck by lightning. A dog who had been with them ran back to camp to get help. According to a press release:

“The dog returned to the camp and alerted the family. The family followed the dog back to the site where the girls were found on the ground unconscious.”

Both girls were flown to Beaver Valley Hospital via helicopter, then on to Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City via Life Flight.

The younger girl, who is 8 years old, was still in critical condition as of Saturday, but “has made steady improvements and is responding to the medical interventions from the staff at Primary Children’s Hospital,” according to a press release from the Beaver County Sheriff’s Office. The older girl, who is 16, was upgraded from serious to stable condition and is continuing to heal.

A press release from the Beaver County Sheriff’s Office included the following statement from the family:

“As a collective family we would like to express our gratitude to the total stranger who stopped to render aid to our two daughters who were victims of the lightning strike in the Tusher Mountains. We would also like to express our deepest appreciation to our family in Beaver County who supported us during this event with selfless acts of kindness.

We as a family are very thankful to all of the good Samaritans and first responders who came so quickly to render aid to our daughters. Their heroic efforts and rapid response were very appreciated. We especially want to thank the pilots and flight crews from the Department of Public Safety and Life Flight. Thank you for your selfless care. We hope to personally thank each of you in the future. 

We are very thankful for the support, words of kindness, and kind gestures in our daughter’s behalf. As a family we would like to take some time to focus on the healing of these two girls and we would ask for some time to focus on their immediate needs.

We would like to clarify that the girls were from Payson, Utah and Springville, Utah. We were in Beaver County attending a family reunion with members of our extended family in that area. 

Thanks for everyone’s thoughts and prayers. 

The Osborns.”

(H/T: Fox13 Now)

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20 years ago, dogs that were “leash reactive” or looked “dog aggressive” were few and far between.

But, nowadays, so many dogs and their owners suffer from this horrifying behavior, it is more common than not.

What is “Leash Reactivity”?

Reactive, as defined by Merriam-Webster online, is being readily responsive to a stimulus and occurring as a result of stress or emotional upset.

Proactive is the opposite of reactive.

Proactive, as defined by Merriam-Webster, is creating a controlling situation by causing something to happen rather than responding to it after it has happened.

Proactive dogs are often confident and nothing bothers them because they feel in control of situations.

Reactive dogs are often nervous or fearful and feel as if they have no control.

Many of these dogs adopt a “the best offense is a good defense” approach and deal with stressful or unknown situations by becoming aggressive and defensive-looking through their negative behaviors.

Humans are Creating Leash Reactivity

The problem is that, in most situations, the human component is creating leash reactivity and defensive behaviors.

Even a confident, proactive dog, can be turned into a stressed, reactive dog when on leash!

How?

Through use of corrections and negative training techniques.

You see, 20 years ago prong collars and shock collars were rarely available and even more rarely used.

Now, it seems everyone thinks they are proficient with these torture devices. I think because trainers who use and recommend them are lazy and tout them to be a cure all, when really they create many more problems than they fix.

And, most people don’t know how to use them effectively and precisely and instead, overuse them.

Heck, I saw a 14 week old puppy come into the vet clinic I work at, just the other day, with a prong collar around his neck.

No puppy needs a prong collar, and no geriatric dog should need a prong collar either (another one of my pet peeves).

By misusing these devices we are creating stress, and pain, and fear, and therefore, creating behavioral monsters.

Let’s Break It Down

I searched a few videos on “how to use a prong collar” and the videos are so outdated and horrifying, yet I know many people are thinking these are the ways to learn!

This person is actually recording and looking for opportunities for the dog to make a mistake so she can use this prong collar with “precision”.  She waits for him to see another dog so that she can let up, give the dog more space, and pop that collar.[/caption]

By giving him more space she can add more of a “POP” or more pain to the correction, and she will describe to you, just how to do that with efficiency.

Here we are taught how to get the best correction by letting the dog get to the end of the leash and then pulling back in the opposite direction.  Again, getting the best “bang” for your pop.

This trainer actually says that if the dog screams or shark rolls (in pain) he just calmly waits them out…. Wow, I am glad he doesn’t work with kids!

Why This Doesn’t Work

I mean, sure it seems to work in all the videos and these people make it look so easy!

But it will backfire!

Why?

Because you are adding conflict, stress, fear and pain every time the dog sees another dog.

You’re Out on a Walk

• You see another dog and owner walking toward you.
• You feel some stress, so you reach down and reel your dog into you closer with the leash tight, adding a correction or choking off some of his air.
• Because your behavior has changed and your dog feels and smells your stress, he looks around and notices the other dog and owner.
• He then begins to fight back on the end of the leash, because he is uncomfortable.
• You continue correcting or trying to pull your dog in toward you (chances are the other dog owner is doing the exact same thing).
• One or both dogs may bark, hackle or try to lunge.
• Another leash correction is given, and you try to drag your dog away.
• Usually you will stressfully shout a command or a verbal correction.
• Some people hit the dog on top of the head with the leash, or kick the dog in absolute frustration.
• And all of this continues until the dog and owner is past.

The whole set of circumstances is unpleasant!

And, chances are, early on in your dog’s training, he didn’t even understand why you got stressed and panicked.

But, time after time, he realizes this happens each time you see another dog.

Clearly, YOU are terrified of other dogs and those dogs must present a risk to you and to him.

Why else would you act this way each time you see a dog?

His reaction is to create distance between the perceived threat and the trigger until it is below his threshold and he can deal with it.

You See, the Leash is a Tether to Your Emotions

The leash is a tether to your emotions.

He feels your anxiety the moment you make the leash tight and pull him back.

He notices when you are stressed or uncomfortable.

And, if it always happens when a certain stimulus is present (a dog), he determines and understand that other dogs are bad.

So he becomes even more defensive.

Even if he didn’t bark, and hackle, and snarl, and lunge in the beginning of training and walks, you have taught him that this behavior will likely scare your nemesis away!

You are, literally, creating the problem, even if it is not your intention!

This is why so many people say “my dog is aggressive on leash, but he is fine playing with dogs off leash”. It is because your behaviors have inadvertently taught him to be aggressive and defensive when he is on leash!

At Best

Even if you are not actively correcting him with a prong collar, choke chain, or shock collar, just tightening the leash conveys an irritating message.

Pulling on your dog’s leash is like nagging him.

Imagine that you and I go on a walk every evening after dinner.

Whenever I see a dog, I poke you in the ribs until it is out of sight.

Irritating right? I mean, after about the second dog you would be yelling at me to stop.

But let’s assume I don’t speak the same language and you love your walks with me and don’t want to just leave me and my rotten behavior at home.

After a few nights and a few dogs, you would be on heightened alert for dogs.

You would want to see them before I see them, so that you could turn around without me seeing them.

Because, after all, you don’t like getting poked in the ribs.

So you would avoid dogs, because dogs = pokes.

This is how your dog feels when you tighten the leash and choke him.

It may not be “painful”, but it is irritating and he tries to fight back by keeping dogs away.

Because if he “scares” the dog away more quickly, he will be poked, or choked and irritated for less duration.

You Really Have to be Careful What You are Communicating!

I, for one, prefer to teach my dogs fantastic leash manners, coping skills, and an alternative behavior, like focus, that I can reward.

Instead of, like the trainer above, just waiting for my dog to make a mistake so that I can swoop in with a painful correction.

I mean, I wouldn’t treat my child that way, why would anyone want to train their dog that way?

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Aside from being total love-bugs, Pitties have another great thing going for them: they are a fairly healthy breed compared to other larger dogs. However, this does not mean they are free from any issues. Prospective Pit adopters and those who already own one or two should be aware of the common problems that they can have. Knowing about them can lead to early detection, which can benefit both dog and owner. The following are 3 of the top health concerns for Pit Bulls.

#1 – Hip Dysplasia

Like many larger breeds, Pitties are prone to hip dysplasia, a genetic defect that can lead to costly surgeries and a lot of pain for your dog. Arthritis is a common side effect of dogs afflicted with dysplasia. If you are purchasing a puppy from a breeder, make sure they do OFA (Orthopedic Foundation For Animals) testing on all breeding animals. If not, have radiography done on your Pittie so you and your vet know if he has it, the severity, and what you should do to help your Pit Bull live a long, comfortable life.

#2 – Heart Disease

Pit Bulls are also prone to heart disease. Like hip dysplasia, this is genetic and parents can be tested for heart disease through OFA prior to breeding. Again, if you are buying a puppy from a breeder, make sure they are responsible and performing these tests. It will save you vet bills as well as heartache as your dog grows up. If you are not, have your dog’s heart checked out regularly by your vet to make sure everything is fine.

#3 – Allergies

Pitties seems to be particularly prone to allergies – both environmental and food-related. These are usually genetic, so it doesn’t hurt to ask the breeder if dogs in her lines have any allergies. However, some dogs just seem to develop allergies, even as they age. Depending on the severity and number of allergies, this can add quite a cost to your dog expenses, especially if your Pittie needs to be on a special diet or medication for their entire life.

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Have you been swiping left and right for love? Have you ever met up with a potential date who seemed to have everything – cute, witty, kind – and then discovered the ultimate deal breaker: they don’t like dogs? You just wasted all that time you could’ve spent watching Netflix, putting pants and makeup on instead… and for what? To wine and dine someone who wouldn’t know puppy love if it jumped up and licked their crazy face?

It sounds unbelievable, but there are people out there who genuinely don’t care for dogs – and they date just like the rest of us! But now you don’t have to worry about accidentally swiping right on someone who can’t appreciate puppy kisses and wagging tails!

Hotdiggiddy is an online dating site where you can find someone who will love you AND your dog! The site is for the exclusive use of those who know that life is better with dogs, and want to share it with someone who feels the same. If you know your soul mate is out there and loves dogs the way you love do, give Hotdiggiddy a try.

If you’re not in the market for a new mate, you can always use Hotdiggiddy’s app to score a playdate for your pal. The app will show you the way to the nearest dog park, and help you find users nearby who have pups who are down to play! You can also find groups of people and dogs who meet up regularly just to spend time in the company of like-minded folks.

Hotdiggiddy is brand new, so member count is still low. Join (for free!), and get the word out to increase your chances at companionship. Maybe fate will help your soul mate find their way to the sign up page.

Whether you want love, friendship, or a playmate for your pet – Hotdiggiddy has only one rule for signing up: you must love dogs!

h/t: InfoNews.ca

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It happens to pet parents everywhere; your dog is playing outside, you see a flash of black and white, your dog runs toward it as you desperately call his name, and then “pshhh!”… he gets sprayed by a skunk!

So, now what do you do? You may be unsure about the old “tomato juice bath” trick, and you may even be concerned about whether you should call the vet. Below, here are the steps to take after your pooch gets skunked.

1. Keep your dog outside or in a contained area

Keep your pup in the yard (and contained) or in the garage if possible. You don’t want that pungent smell to waft in through the house, plus keeping him in one spot will help you evaluate the situation and prepare him for a bath. Remember, your dog may still be in a frenzy from the incident, and could start zooming through your home, or worse, get spooked and run away.

Petful adds to keep your canine away from furniture and change into clothes that you don’t mind destroying with the stink.

2. Determine if your dog got sprayed in the eyes, scratched, or bitten

If your pup gets sprayed, one of the first things you should do is evaluate whether the liquid got in his eyes. The substance, which contains sulfurous chemicals called thiols according to the American Kennel Club (AKC), can severely irritate the eyes.

Although your dog will be blinking and rubbing them, The Spruce suggests flushing them out with copious amounts of cool water or saline solution (the kind that can be used directly on the eye, not the contact lens cleaner). The more your dog rubs and scratches his face, the higher chance that he could injure himself. If the irritation doesn’t subside, a trip to the vet is most certainly in order.

Your other priority should be to check for open wounds from scratches or bite marks. If there was an altercation and the skunk broke your dog’s skin, you should definitely call the vet. (More on that below.)

3. Soak up the spray ASAP

Grab a pair of rubber gloves. Use paper towels to absorb as much of the chemical off your dog’s fur as you can, and do this as soon as possible. Patting is better than wiping, which can spread the smell around to areas that haven’t been sprayed.

4. Mix up a homemade cleaning solution.

In addition to making a huge mess, the “tomato juice” treatment may make your dog stink less like a skunk… but more like tomato! Instead, Petful suggests mixing up the following solution in an open container (it could explode if put in a closed container):

• 1 quart 3 percent hydrogen peroxide (new, unopened bottle)
• ¼ cup baking soda
• 1–2 teaspoons liquid soap (Dawn is effective because it cuts grease)

Don’t forget to keep your gloves on! And if you’re dog’s collar got hit with the spray, leave that on too. Any extra solution should be disposed of and NOT saved.

You can also prepare ahead of time and purchase de-skunking products to keep on hand, in case your pooch decides to let his curiosity get the best of him!

5. Apply the mixture to fur, but avoid his face and eyes.

Lather your pup with the homemade “de-skunking” bath and let it sit for at least 5 minutes to soak up the smell. Rinse, then wash with his regular shampoo.

If he’s still got some spray on his face, use eye-safe saline solution (not the kind used only to clean contacts!) and cool water. Petful says that milk may also be an effective cleaning liquid for the face.

When to be concerned:

If it appears that your pup has been bitten or scratched by the skunk, he should definitely take a trip to the vet as soon as possible. Skunks can carry rabies, so watch for these signs, according to PetMD:

• Pica
• Fever
• Seizures
• Paralysis
• Hydrophobia
• Jaw is dropped
• Inability to swallow
• Change in tone of bark
• Muscular lack of coordination
• Unusual shyness or aggression
• Excessive excitability
• Constant irritability/changes in attitude and behavior
• Paralysis in the mandible and larynx
• Excessive salivation (hypersalivation), or frothy saliva

Petful also mentions that smaller dogs may have symptoms resulting from skunk spray exposure, depending on how much they inhale. And as mentioned above, any residual eye irritation or injury following the encounter should be checked out by a professional.

The bottom line: if your dog isn’t acting like himself after his bath or has any open wounds, call your vet immediately to be on the safe side. Hopefully you’ll never have to use these tips with your pup – but they’re good to know, just in case!

Has your dog ever been sprayed by a skunk, and do you have any advice on how to deal with it? Share with us in the comments below!

(H/T: Petful )

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With nowhere to go to escape the heat and filth, 111 animals were being kept in a home in Keller, TX. They were suffering from dehydration, malnutrition, and various other medical conditions, but thanks to the Humane Society of North Texas, they’re all on their way to better lives.

Humane Society officials were first alerted of the situation at a residential property in northern Texas when a neighbor reported a foul odor coming from the home. Identifying the smell as pet feces and urine, animal control officials first approached the homeowner. When they were denied entrance to the property, they moved forward to obtain a search warrant.

With search warrant in hand, Humane Society staff and officers from Keller Animal Control entered the property to find a serious case of animal hoarding. The home was littered with feces and garbage, and the animals were left to live in the squalor. After searching the home, 27 dogs of varying ages and breeds were taken outside to finally breath fresh air. In the garage, rescuers found cats crammed into metal cages. The garage had no air conditioning, and there was no water available.

Back out on the street, authorities discovered a mini-van with 14 distressed animals locked inside. The engine was off, the windows were closed,  and the temperature was well into the 90s. That discovery brought the grand total of rescued animals to 111. They’ve been transported to Humane Society of North Texas where veterinary staff is already hard at work providing necessary care.

As the medical concerns are addressed and Humane Society of North Texas is awarded full legal custody, all 27 dogs and 84 cats will be available for adoption. But before they can go on to find their forever families, these victims of extreme animal hoarding need help from fosters and donors.

Humane Society of North Texas specifically needs clay non-clumping cat litter, canned cat food, blankets, and stainless steel food bowls to help care for their newest residents. If you’d like to donate to their cause or find out how you can bring one of the animals into your family, visit their website.

Despite all the trauma they’ve gone through, these resilient dogs and cats will finally get the chance to become beloved family pets.

Featured Image Source: Facebook/Humane Society of East Texas

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An extremely contagious strain of dog flu that effects nearly all the dogs exposed to it is spreading throughout central Texas. Unfortunately, vaccinations are no guarantee that dogs won’t contract the illness.

The good news is, the H3N2 virus isn’t typically fatal, as long it’s treated. The bad news is, the best way to prevent it will put a damper on your dog’s social time.

“Virtually 100 percent of dogs who are exposed to the virus will contract the virus,” said Dr. Lubitz in a story by KXAN. “Eighty percent of those dogs will show illness.”

According to the story, symptoms include:

• coughing
• nasal discharge
• decreased appetite
• decreased energy
• fever, in the more extreme cases

Of course, the best way to keep the flu away from your pooch is to keep him away from other dogs. Concerned pet parents should steer clear of areas where there are lots of pups around, including kennels, boarding and grooming facilities, dog day cares, and dog parks.

Watch a news story on the H3N2 virus below:

Thankfully, with the right treatment, pups who contract the flu should be back on their paws in no time. But no pet parent ever wants to see their companion feeling under the weather!

Even if you’re not in Texas, it’s important to know about the contagious nature of dog flu strains in order to keep your companion as healthy as possible. With some awareness and simple preventative measures, we can stop the spread of H3N2 before it crosses state lines.

(h/t: KXAN)

 

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Earlier this week we brought you the heroic and heartbreaking tale of Marine Corps veteran, Corporal Jeff DeYoung and his beloved service dog and partner in war, K9 Cena. The former combat engineer vowed to give his faithful friend a hero’s fairwell after Cena was diagnosed with bone cancer earlier this month. On Wednesday, DeYoung fulfilled his promise as hundreds of mourners turned out to honor the bomb-sniffing dog at a museum ship in Muskegon, Michigan.

Together DeYoung and Cena protected their fellow Marines from IEDs in Afghanistan during 2009. Cena went on to serve two more tours before retiring from the military in 2014 and being adopted by DeYoung.

Like so many of our brave veterans, DeYoung suffers from PTSD. Cena became his service dog and constant companion for the next three years.

On the eve of Cena’s final day, the normally stoic Marine posted this heartfelt message to Facebook:

Cena was honored with a military hand salute before being humanely put to rest by his veterinarian. He was carried off in a flag-draped casket just like the fellow war heroes he once served with.

 

Featured Image via Facebook/Military Working Dogs

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The Colorado General Assembly has passed a bill into law that could save the lives of hundreds of people and animals!

The Immunity For Emergency Rescue From Locked Vehicle law protects Good Samaritans in the state of Colorado who see animals and people of all ages who appear to be left in danger. This means that people who save lives that might otherwise be lost in hot cars don’t have to worry about facing criminal charges for mischief, trespassing or tampering.

But don’t go around breaking windows willy-nilly, Coloradoans. The law will only protect you from facing legal repercussions if you follow the procedure outlined in the bill. The Colorado General Assembly website lays out easy-to-read instructions for those who would like to educate themselves on the new law.

This law is very important in saving lives. Every year an average of 37 children die in hot cars. There are no numbers for dogs, but the news is packed with stories of pets who lose their lives because of an owner’s carelessness or cruelty. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem that the problem is going anywhere, but this will allow anyone to be a hero. Those trapped in cars don’t have to wait for law enforcement to arrive and can get help before it’s too late.

Laws like this and California’s Right to Rescue will hopefully encourage passerby to act, because when lives are needlessly lost, no bystander is innocent.

The Immunity For Emergency Rescue Law is scheduled to go into effect as early as August 9th 2017. Read the bill here.

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The subway system in Mexico City is one of the biggest in the world. It boasts 12 lines, 195 stations, and more than 1.6 billion passengers a year. It’s also home to quite a few lost and stray dogs. More than 250 lost dogs have been found in the tunnels since 2013. They used to be sent to other animal shelters, but now they have their own space to either be found by their owners or become prepared to live with new families.

The Canine Transfer Center launched 6 months ago and was officially inaugurated last week. The Transfer Center is funded mostly by private donations and is staffed by a veterinarian and some other specialists. They’ve already rescued about 20 dogs from the subway tracks. The center aims to reunite lost dogs with their owners when possible and already have at least one success story. Sira the Beagle spent 10 days on the tracks before being rescued and reunited with her family.

Dogs found wandering Mexico City’s metro are given a new chance at a happy home, thanks to recently inaugurated Canine Transfer Center http://pic.twitter.com/XozUootQa4

— AFP news agency (@AFP) July 26, 2017

 
The center has already found homes for several dogs and plans to launch an advertising campaign to help reunite lost dogs with their owners. Luis Ortiz, the center’s veterinarian, has two theories about how dogs become lost in the subway system. One is that “the dog follows its owner out of the house without the owner realizing it, and ends up in the subway,” where it “smells thousands of different smells, hears noises, voices and steps,” and panics. The other is that stray dogs are drawn to the warmth and shelter of the stations but end up on the tracks, risking serious injury or worse.

(H/T: North Coast Courier)

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Need a Friday mood pick me up? Then this is the Favorite Friday video pick for you! What could be cuter than Golden Retriever puppies playing with a bowl full of ice? Puppies who get ice stuck to them! Happy Friday everyone!Filed under: Favorite Video Friday, Fun Stuff, Pet Videos Tagged: cute videos, Golden Retrievers, […]


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My dogs are spoiled!

I will admit it and I am not ashamed of it.

My dogs have dozens upon dozens of toys in their toy box.

I have numerous crates throughout my house because they like sleeping in crates.

I have more leashes than you can shake a stick at (I admit to a tiny addiction here).

And the training toys my dogs enjoy overflow containers in my house and in my van.

As a matter of fact, my friends LOVE when I come for training because they know I have just about anything they or their dogs could need!

My dogs also have memory foam dog beds.

And, my dog “Fury” is allowed to sleep on my bed. When my family watches her, she is allowed in their bed, even though they don’t allow their own dogs upstairs.

I reward good behavior ALL THE TIME! I use dog biscuits, cheese, elk antlers, pigs ears, rawhides and other yummy treats.

But, I Don’t Coddle Them!

What is the difference?

I mean, some reading the above description would assume that I coddle my dogs.

Heck, I even call them my kids or my “furry” kids (which I know drives some dog trainers crazy ha ha ha).

Spoiling and Coddling are NOT Synonymous

You see, in my opinion spoiling and coddling are not synonymous.

Spoil means to treat with excessive kindness, consideration or generosity.

Coddle means to treat in an indulgent or overprotective way.

Okay, okay…I will acquiesce that some of you think they are synonymous, or the same.

The Difference

But, to me, the difference is that I have expectations of my dogs.

My dogs have to meet a certain level of puppy obedience training in order to have access to the things that I mentioned above.

And, I expect my dogs to be confident and deal with the things they don’t like in their environment.

In essence, I am a parental figure with strict rules and regulations, and if you adhere to my rules and regulations, you have access to all that is mine and all that you deserve.

If, however, you do not adhere to my rules and regulations, you don’t have access to those things that you want.

This is very much like a regular child/parent relationship.

You may give your kids a lot of “things” like phones, or an X-Box, but when they make mistakes, a good parent takes those things away.

What Does It Mean To Coddle Your Dog?

Coddling, in my opinion, means that you are more permissive.

Permissive means to allow excessive freedom of behavior. To be indulgent and lax.

I find that people who coddle either their dogs or their children have very few rules. And, even when rules are broken, there is no punishment or follow through for said broken rules.

The dog or child gets everything for nothing.

It is bad enough to treat your child this way!

And, I believe this kind of treatment is why we live in a world where children expect the world to be given to them with no work or effort.

This is also why so many children are so poorly behaved in public.

They are used to throwing a fit and getting their way.

Why Does This Create Stress for Your Dog?

I mean, I like someone else to cook for me and do my laundry on occasion, but I don’t want to not be allowed to take care of myself!

Imagine if you weren’t allowed to drive your car anymore because I offered to take you wherever you want to go. Not fun, right?

As trite as it sounds, dogs want an authority figure.

No, dogs actually NEED a good parent or authority figure.

Your 5 year old may not decide to take your car keys and go for a joy ride, or to hit a salesman in the back of the head with a wrench because he might be a threat.

But, your dog will begin to assume the parental, or dominant, role if you aren’t “man enough” to do it yourself.

This is why “alpha theory” has been so blown out of proportion.

No, your dog doesn’t need an “alpha”; he is not planning to take over the world if you feed him first or if he scoots out the door before you.

But, dogs like and need structure.

And, if you don’t provide it, they will reluctantly take the role.

Yes, I am sure some of them want a shot at the top rule-maker.

But, most dogs don’t want the stress.

Being an Adult

Being an adult is stressful.

You have bills, jobs, family, and life just gets overwhelming.

I remember being a kid and being so excited about having the opportunity to be an adult and not have to listen to anyone.

Now that I am an adult, I would give anything to go back.

Being an adult and having all these responsibilities is stressful, at best.

I Think Dogs Feel the Same

They may feel like they want to be in charge of who comes in the house and what people can or can’t do in the home.

Your dog doesn’t want to be an adult!

But, the truth is that these responsibilities are stressful.

Dogs with no rules, dog obedience, or regulations often feel as if they have to resort to aggression.

And, for the most part and for the large percentage of dogs, being pushed to aggression creates some panic.

Have You Ever Had a Panic Attack?

I have, unfortunately.

You literally feel like your heart will beat out of your chest.

In some cases, it feels like you are dying.

Nothing you do makes it better.

And, even if you know you are being unrealistic, you can’t get your mind and body to cooperate.

This is why so many dogs bite and then release and run away.

He doesn’t want to have to bite, but his panic makes him feel like it is the only way to control the situation.

You Are Reinforcing His Panic

And, the worst thing that you can do when a dog is having a panic attack or is fearful, is to pick him up, pet him, or coo to him.

In a sense you are reinforcing his fear.

And, reinforcing his fear is the last thing that you want to do!

You want a confident dog!

But saying things like “It’s okay, it’s okay” when he is scared makes his unrealistic fears worse.

He is not a child that you can have a rational discussion with, so he sees your words and behavior as approval of his behavior.

They have studies with dogs like this and just saying those words without any trigger can make the dog panic.

Because, after all, you are adding a cue to his fear. Why is it so hard to believe that you wouldn’t have control over his emotions and feelings in a negative way, just like you can in a positive way?

Break Your Habits

Give your dog rules!

It doesn’t have to be “BOOT CAMP”, but he should have some basic rules and regulations and commands that are a daily occurrence.

Don’t allow him to be in charge or your home and who comes and goes.

Don’t allow him to be spoiled without good behavior! When he is good and he listens to your obedience commands, you can spoil him all you want.

Don’t coo to him or reward him when he is scared!

Ignore his unrealistic fears; calmly and quietly show him that his fears are not realistic.

I have gotten into the habit of laughing and talking to my dog normally when he shows a fear.

I want him to see that I am calm and confident and acting normally.

Instead of “it’s okay”, I laugh and say “You’re silly!  Let’s go check that out”, and let him figure out his world in his own time.

I won’t always be there when he is scared. I want to give him the confidence and the tools he needs to deal with life!

via Whisker Therapy

If you dreamed of being the next Dr. Dolittle as a kid, an Amazon-backed report says your dream will soon be a reality. William Higham, futurologist and co-author of the Amazon-supported report, has publicly announced his belief that a real, working pet translation device will be ready for consumers within the next 10 years.

He backs up his claim with work being done by Con Slobodchikoff, a biology professor at Northern Arizona University. The scientist has spent the last 30 years studying prairie dogs and says the North American rodents have a language that is completely decipherable by humans.

According to Slobodchikoff, prairie dogs have different words for predators and colors. They talk to each other to describe possible threats and Slobodchikoff’s findings show they have “a sophisticated communication system that has all the aspects of language.”

Pet owners may not be interested in what a prairie dog has to say, but Higham and other researchers believe the same concept can be applied to cats and dogs.  He predicts that the continually growing trend of pet owners treating their dogs and cats like family will drive the technology into fruition. He said,

“Innovative products that succeed are based around genuine and major consumer needs. The amount of money now spent on pets—they are becoming fur babies to so many people—means there is huge consumer demand for this. Somebody is going to put this together.”

Convinced he’s onto something big, Slobodchikoff is looking for funding to further his research. He used AI software to analyze prairie dog sounds, and he plans to continue his work by also taking advantage of the huge advancements being made in automatic speech recognition and translation.

Current technology uses algorithms to interpret language on huge datasets. This method has seen great success for translating between spoken languages, but turning woofs into words is Slobodchikoff’s ultimate goal.

Besides opening communication between dogs and their human best friends, researchers hope the technology will have a more useful purpose. People who are around dogs often can usually figure out what different kinds of barks and sounds mean, but people without pets and young children don’t always know how to interpret a dog’s behavior.

Countless accidents and dog attacks happen simply because the human end of the conversation doesn’t realize when a dog was saying “back off.” A translation device would give those people a warning if a dog starts showing signs of aggression or anxiety.

The futuristic device could give you that look into your dog’s mind that you’ve always wanted, but Slobodchikoff admits cat owners might be disappointed.

“With cats I’m not sure what they’d have to say. A lot of time it might just be ‘you idiot, just feed me and leave me alone.'”

Regardless of what your pet has to say, mark your calendar for ten years from now so you can finally find out what they really think about you.

via Whisker Therapy

A day in the life of a pet sitter is never easy. It may seem like it’s all snuggles and games of fetch, but this note shows the bad, the silly, and the smelly that comes with the job.

Reddit user carlwinslow187 started a hilarious conversation thread about what happened when the family pup spent the night with a dog sitter. The dog’s owners went out for the evening, and as responsible pet parents, they asked someone to come over to make sure their dogs were safe, fed, and taken care of.

The night with the dog sitter seems to have gone well, except for one little incident with a pup named Ella. When it came time for dinner, little Ella didn’t want to eat her food. The dedicated pet sitter didn’t want the pup to spend the night hungry, but even after multiple tries, Ella refused to eat.

Her hunger strike could have been a message to her owners about leaving her with a sitter, but according to the dog sitter’s note, the situation had more to do with the condition of the picky eater’s digestive system. The note said,

“Ella only ate half her food. I tried giving it to her several times, but after my final attempt she farted on me and ran away, so I guess she wasn’t hungry.”

After a night out, we came home to find this note from the dog sitter. from funny

Those two sentences accurately describe the sometimes daily struggle of dog owners and pet sitters everywhere. Ella’s stinky surprise was nothing serious, and Redditors can’t help but laugh at the pet sitter’s nonchalant way of relaying what happened. Sneak attack dog farts are part of having a dog, and even though they stink, we love them all the same.

Featured Image Source: Reddit/carlwinslow187

via Whisker Therapy

There’s no end to the variety of traits seen in dog breeds. There are small, hairless dogs that fit in your pocket, and there are big, strong dogs with fluffy coats that make you sweat when they snuggle up. At only a glance you can tell the difference between a Yorkshire Terrier and Golden Retriever, or a Corgi and a Mastiff, but they all go by the name “dog.”

Cats on the other hand tend to have the same general look– whether it’s a Ragdoll or a Shorthair, most cats share a cookie-cutter shape and general size. Some breeds like Sphinx are easily identified, but still have the same pointed ears, long tails and body shape that other cats have.

We don’t often question our pets – we’re just glad they’re here and they love us, but LiveScience.com recently asked the question that most of us were too busy watching cat videos to ask: Why do dog breeds look so different, but cat breeds don’t?

The short answer: humans.

The relationship between man and dog goes back nearly 20,000 years. As time went on, people realized that dogs could perform all kinds of jobs, and began breeding for traits that made them better at the tasks people needed done. Think of your Golden Retrievers, who love water and were bred to retrieve waterfowl, or your Jack Russell Terriers with their endless stamina – perfect for fox hunting.

The traits that make some dogs better at their jobs are genetic mutations that occur naturally, and were then selected for breeding. Example: red hair in humans is a rare trait compared to others, but should someone decide they only wanted children with red hair, they should only choose a mate with red hair – though red hair occurs naturally, it can be bred. This is what humans chose for dogs.

After several thousand years of breeding, we now have over 300 different breeds of dog recognized by the World Canine Organization. But selective breeding was never perfect, especially 20,000 years ago. We have great working dogs, and wonderful lap dogs, but we also see breeds that are more prone to things like hip dysplasia or bloat than their mixed breed cousins.

And cats?

Our relationship with domesticated cats began only 10,000 years ago – that’s only half as long as our history with domesticated dogs. Recent research suggests that cats were left to breed as they pleased until about the Middle Ages. Before then they had already spread all over the world from Egypt, catching rides through trade routes across the sea with their human companions.

Cats were natural hunters for years, and cats today aren’t much different. The job we gave cats was given because they were already perfect for it – catching pests. Selective breeding couldn’t improve upon the perfect hunting machine cats already were, so we pretty much left them alone. In some sense, they’re a matter of “if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it.”

No matter the case, one thing is for sure: we’re glad that dogs and cats have become some of our best companions!

H/T: LiveScience.com

via Whisker Therapy

via Whisker Therapy

I wrote an article not too long ago about dog fears and all the ways we as humans can make our dogs’ fears worse, without meaning to!

I think, as humans, we see fears in animals and it almost cripples us and shuts us down.

We do all that we can to then avoid that situation, or any situation that even resembles what brought on our dog’s fears.

It is difficult to see them shake, cower, try to run away, bark ferociously or aggress.

But avoidance can make future fears worse and doesn’t allow your dog to create coping mechanisms to deal with fearful situations.

And, I think we can all admit that life is full of fearful situations for animals and for humans. The difference is that we teach our children coping skills and do our best to eradicate their unrealistic fears.

Flooding a dog by exposing them to their fears and forcing them to cope can be even worse. I’ll touch on that more, later in this article.

Helping My Own Puppy Face His Fear

I remember a few years ago, I was traveling with my 9 month old puppy, who has never been the bravest soul.

I stopped at a fairly deserted, vintage gas station to fill up and they had an old antique gas pump over by the field where I was headed to allow him to relieve himself.

It was huge, and built like a 6’8″ linebacker that looked like it was ready to pounce as it lumbered over us.

My other dog hadn’t even noticed it, but my puppy was pretty sure it was a human, and the devil, lying in wait to eviscerate him.

He went nuts, barking and darting backward, hackles raised and spitting.

I had to laugh, because I knew it was a “thing” and nothing to be afraid of at all.

I refused to leave without him coming to the same conclusion, so we slowly made our way toward it. Eventually, working at his pace and allowing him to threaten to kill it, I was able to sit on the ground right next to it and tap on its outer tinging metal.

I never once said “It’s okay, it’s okay”, or praised him for his behavior. I just laughed at him and continued along in my lighthearted way. The last thing I wanted was to praise him or add stress to his already stressful situation.

He crept up and sniffed it and play bowed at me, because he was so relieved that it was not some kind of human in armor waiting to murder us.

It took probably 7 minutes of my time to get him from terrified to confident.

Then he almost glided back to the car afterward, barely lifting his head as we passed the object again. As if to say “I’m not afraid of YOU.”

The worst thing I could have done would have been to coddle him or to have ushered him into the car and found another spot for him to pee.

He needed to feel like he “conquered” his fears.

And, I wanted him to do it alone, so he didn’t really feel reliant on me. After all, he may be afraid of something some day when I am not there!  He needs his own coping skills as often as he can learn them.

What To Do To Help A Dog Overcome His Fear

I wanted to find a video of a dog that was terrified but was able to overcome his fear in a positive way on his own time.

I found a video of a dog in a shelter, where the shelter staff was basically unable to touch the dog; until a confident, kind, and patient volunteer came in to work with him.

Nothing is more stressful than living in a shelter and having to overcome your fears in that environment.

So if you think your dog is too scared to overcome his fears, or you don’t want to stress him/her out or make it worse, watch the above video for proof that it just takes some kindness and patience!

Don’t pressure the dog, don’t force the dog; wait for the dog to engage YOU!

Put the dog at ease, go slowly, don’t force yourself or the fear upon the dog.

As his interest is peaked and he is rewarded, his fears begin to subside on their own. Dogs are not great multi-taskers, so if you can introduce an incompatible behavior (coming in for the treat), you decrease the fearful hiding in the corner.

Once he creates his own coping mechanisms and learns trust he can feel free to engage in his environment and learns to relax and enjoy life.

Check him out now!!!! With some time and effort, and proper training, this dog was able to overcome his fears and undoubtedly was adopted.

What Not To Do

Now…check out this video of forcing socialization on a scared dog; this is the opposite of the above video.

This video kills me! I HATE IT! Instead of allowing the dog to work at her on pace, this dog is “flooded” as the person forces herself on the dog and waits for the dog to “get over it”. The screaming hurts my soul.

The dog wants to bite the lady and be left alone. Thankfully, clearly, this dog has a kind soul, so she doesn’t bite. Or she is too terrified to follow through with the bite.

I wish the dog in this video had the opportunity of being worked with by the man in the first video.

She needed to be worked with slowly, over many days, feeding and quietly sitting in the kennel while never being touched.

And, even though it shows that the dog is better and more rehabilitated in the end, I can guarantee that the dog in the first video has less fear and lasting effects from the techniques used.

Just watch to see the difference and why you should avoid “flooding”.

I think it clearly shows how “flooding” can actually make dog aggression and behaviors worse.

via Whisker Therapy