Simon Cowell is known for his stern demeanor and brutally honest critiques. What many do not realize is that the music mogul is a devoted dog lover and a longtime supporter of Humane Society International.

The group announced this week that Cowell agreed to match public donations up to £25,000 ($32,575) to shut down a dog meat farm in South Korea.

His contribution will enable the organization to save more than 200 dogs from certain death.

While the dog meat industry is declining in South Korea, HSI reports “thousands of dog factory farms still exist, breeding around 2.5 million dogs a year for human consumption.”

However, the organization has already been successful in shutting down 12 such farms, saving more than 1,400 animals from short, cruel lives and brutal deaths.

Many dog meat farm owners are anxious to get out of the dying industry. HSI helps them make more humane use of their land by growing crops like mushrooms or chilis. They hope the Korean government will adopt their successful phase-out plan and help them put an end to the industry for good.

As for the 200+ dogs and puppies set to be rescued, a team will be deployed as early as next week to begin shutting down the farm. Most of the dogs will travel to an HSI shelter in Canada, but a small number will also go to the UK, the Netherlands and the United States. All will eventually be put up for adoption.

Claire Bass, HSI UK’s executive director, said: “These poor dogs have had the worst lives so far, so we’re desperate to get them out of those dreadful cages and show them love, soft beds and loving arms for the first time in their lives.”

Cowell publicly pledged his support for Humane Society International’s #EndDogMeat campaign last year. He is also a celebrity supporter of Cruelty Free International and their mission to stop the use of dogs in laboratory testing.

 

H/T to Humane Society International

Featured Image via Facebook/Simon Cowell Online

The post Simon Cowell Helps Rescue 200+ Dogs From South Korean Meat Farm appeared first on iHeartDogs.com.

via Whisker Therapy

 

#60 – Tervis® Insulated Tumblers for Dogs Lovers – Choose from Many Designs!

#59 – Statement Apparel – Choose from Over 30 Designs

#58 – Wine Charms, Perfect for Holiday Dinner Parties!

#57 – Cozy Nightshirts – Available in 30 Designs

#56 – Hats & Beanies for Dog Lovers – Choose from Over 50 Styles

#55 – Doggy Dice: The Ultimate Bonding Game for You & Your Pup!

#54 – These Life-Saving Bracelets, Each One Sold Helps Transport Shelter Pets out of Kill Shelters!

#53 Cozy Embroidered Microfleece Jackets, Available for Women or Men

#52 – Beer Steins for Dog Lovers – Choose from 80+ Designs

#51 – This Kevlar Protection Vest – Great Protection from Coyotes or Aggressive Dogs

#50 – This Oddball Toy That Tough Chewing Dogs Love

The AgriChew has a fascinating story, it was accidentally discovered as a popular toy from a piece of farming equipment. Its unique shape makes it easy for dogs to handle, and its tough surface makes an excellent and durable chew toy.

#49 – The Perfect “Toy” for an Anxious Pup

If your pup spends part of the day away from you, odds are they crave your smell. In fact, its been found that your smell has a calming effect on your dog. This toy, known as the Comfort Cuddler, allows you to leave a small article of clothing or your pillow case with your dog.

#48 – This ‘Wing Ring’, Which Provides Life-Saving Transports to Shelter Pets

For every purchase of this stylish wing ring, you’ll fund 4 miles of air or ground transport for shelter pets. These transports move them from kill shelters to safety.

#47 – This Stylish Varsity Long Sleeve Shirt with the Popular Phrase “Every Dog Matters”

#46 – The Ultimate Shirt for Wine Lovers & Animal Rescue Supporters!

#45 – Relief for Itchy Dogs

Do you know someone who’s dog suffers from itchy dry skin or allergies? Often dogs with allergic skin disease are deficient in Omega-3 fatty acids. These popular krill based soft chews might offer a big relief.

#44 – These Dog Proof, Silicone Wine Glasses (available in 8 styles)

#43 – These Luxurious Odor Removing Couch Throws

#42 – These Adorable Aromatherapy Pet Bandanas That Come in Many Styles

#41 – The World’s Most Comfortable, Memory Foam, Faux Fur Dog Bed

#40 – This Rubber Bone That Brushes Your Dog’s Teeth

#39 – Coffee for a Cause: Every Cup Provides a Meal for a Shelter Pup!

#38 – The Always by My Heart Ring, Reminding You of Your Pup

#37 – These Weirdly Addictive Chews That Are Perfect for Senior Dogs

#36 – Hide & Hunt Raccoon Toys

#35 – Hide & Hunt Skunk Toys

#34 – A Delicious (and healthy) Bone Broth Food Additive for Senior Dogs

#33 – This *Free* Sticker That Lets First Responders Know There’s a Pet in Your Home

#32 – Every Dog’s Favorite High-Protein Treat… Bully Sticks

#31 – Matching ‘Best Friends’ Necklace & Dog Tag

#30 – Tervis® Insulated Wine Glasses

 

#29 – Heartbeat Paw Necklace

#28 – Fuzzy Paw Gloves

#27 – Rainbow Bridge Lava Memorial Bracelet – Feeds 7 Shelter Dogs in Memory of Your Pup

#26 –

#25 – ‘The Dog Lives’ Mug – Always a Crowd Pleaser

#24 – Dog Odor Removing Pouches for Your Home or Car

#23 – The ‘In Dog Beers’ Insulated Beer Holder – Sure to Make Everyone Smile!

#22 – ‘Drinking Alone’ Beer Can Sleeve

#21 – These Irresistible Yak Cheese Chews Dogs Go Crazy For

#20 – Shredder’s Surprise Ghost Duck – A Toy within a Toy!

#19 – Ugly Christmas Sweaters & Shirts for 60+ Dog Breeds

#18 – Memorial Bracelet Gift Pack – Perfect for Someone Who Recently Lost a Pet

#17 – Mineral Rich Antler Chews – Great for Cleaning Teeth!

#16 – Cozy, Portable Fleece Blankets with Embroidery

#15 – A Personalized Memorial Christmas Ornament – Know someone who lost a pup this year? This makes a heartfelt gift.

#14 – Breed Specific USA Flag Shirts – Available for 60+ Breeds

#13 – Teach Your Dog to Brush Their Own Teeth with This Rubber Brushing Stick!

#12 – Breed Specific Ornaments – Choose from 60+ Breeds!

#11 – Paracord Flag Bracelet That Helps Fund Service Dogs for Veterans with PTSD

#10 – Our Popular New Varsity Slouchy Hoodie Collection

#9 – Second Chance Movement Paracord Bracelet – Each One Sold Funds 4 Miles of Life-Saving Shelter Transports!

#8 – Desert Camo Paracord Bronze Flag Bracelet: Helps Pair Veterans with a Service Dog or Shelter Dog

#7 – Puppy Love Sketch Collection – One of our most popular designs of the year!

#6 – Matching Dog Collar & Bracelet That Supports Veterans with PTSD – Each purchase helps fund a service dog for a wounded vet!

#5 – Our Most Popular Treats Ever – Grain Free Dental Sticks!

#4 – Dog Carrier Slings with Aromatherapy – Great for seniors or anxious pups!

#3 – Adorable Dog Socks! Pick 5 Pairs for $25

#2 – Reusable Grocery Bags – Save Shelters Dogs & the Planet!

#1 – This Life Saving Sterling Silver Bracelet – Every Purchase Funds 10 Miles of Transport, Moving Shelter Pets from Kill Shelters to Safety!

The post The 60 Best Holiday Gift Ideas for Dogs & Dog Lovers [Early-Bird Release] appeared first on iHeartDogs.com.

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With Halloween right around the corner, it’s about time to make a big decision for your pet – what costume is he going to wear this year? The choices are endless and pet supply stores are stocked to the gills with cute hot dog, shark, and bumblebee costumes. And while your dog may look so adorable as a wookie or pumpkin, there’s only one outfit out there that’s going to keep him safe while you’re out trick-or-treating.

You probably don’t think about coyotes when you think about Halloween – especially if you live in a big city – but they’re everywhere, and they want you to forget about them. Coyotes do their best to stay invisible until they attack, and when they do, they can run off with your dog in the blink of an eye. You may have covered your bases keeping your dog safe from Halloween chocolate, or pranksters, but don’t forget the real threat – coyotes.

Predator Vest™ is the only costume out there that’s going to keep your dog safe from coyotes. It deters them from attacking by protecting your dog with spikes and bite-proof Kevlar around his neck and torso – the places a coyote would latch on to run off with him. You may feel that your dog is safe because you have him on a leash, or are with a noisy crowd, but coyote attacks have happened even in similar situations.

Coyotes are stealthy and quick. As animals that tend to hunt at night, Halloween gives them an advantage. Pups are out with owners who are distracted with friends or kids. You may feel confident that you could protect your dog from a coyote, but by the time you see the coyote, it may be too late. Coyotes attack your dog in his most vulnerable areas with a crushing bite, and carry off prey to eat undisturbed. Even though they’re a threat, they’re still cousins to our dogs, and we prefer not to harm them. The best defense is keeping him from attacking in the first place.

Predator Vest™ keeps coyotes away by making it difficult to find a place to even grab your dog. Should any coyote choose to target your pet, you’ll have an advantage because he’s protected. Predator Vest™ is tough enough to withstand a bite from a determined coyote, but flexible enough to keep your dog comfortable and built to allow him to do his business while wearing it. It also has a place to attach a leash to keep him close. It’s a harness, protection, and Halloween costume rolled into one! And when you make your purchase from the iHeartDogs store, you’ll be feeding 25 shelter dogs with your pet’s halloween costume!

So what is your dog going to be for Halloween this year? We suggest he be protected from predators!

Coyotes may be a threat to our pets, but they’re living creatures and should not be attacked. Report any coyotes you see, even those that may seem friendly, to your local animal control. For more information, see 5 Ways To Reduce Risk Of Coyote Attack.

The post The Only Halloween Costume That Could Save Your Pet’s Life appeared first on iHeartDogs.com.

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Dog’s Day Out is an online series created by Rocky Kanaka. Rocky plans a whole day full of fun and excitement for one lucky shelter dog, who gets to experience the love a human can give. That special dog is also shown off to potential adopters who might be willing to give him a home. The goal is to get the often overlooked dogs out of the shelter and into someone’s arms.

This time, Rocky chose to spend the day with Garbanzo, a sweet pup who is losing his eyesight at a young age. Being mostly blind led to awkward interactions with potential adopters at the shelter, and he has yet to find a home. But Rocky looked at this little pup and saw so much more than his disability. Rocky spent time reading about blind dogs, and with the help a behaviorist and trainer, was able to build trust with Garbanzo so that he could relax and enjoy his day.

Watch Rocky give Garbanzo an awesome day out here:

Unfortunately, it has been some time since this episode was shared to Rocky’s channel, and Garbanzo still has yet to find a home. Could that home be with you or a friend? You can apply to adopt Garbanzo from Adopt & Shop in Culver City, California by filling out the form online. Share his story with friends, Facebook groups, and whoever else might be interested – his family is out there waiting to meet him!

For more Dog’s Day Out, see Rocky Kanaka’s channel on YouTube – he posts new videos every week! Subscribe so you don’t miss any of the other dogs Rocky spends time with, like Maple – the butterfly kissing booth dog!

 

Featured Photo: screenshot, Rocky Kanaka/Youtube

The post Blind Shelter Dog Plays In The Ocean For The First Time On His Day Out appeared first on iHeartDogs.com.

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One dog can make a thousand happy memories. Dogs fill a few years with kisses, cuddles, happy greetings and wagging tails. People who have seen pets cross the rainbow bridge will often tell us that saying goodbye was worth the time they got to spend with their dog. Nothing will ever replace it.

iHeartDogs recently came across a story shared by a Georgia firefighter, Aaron Salkill, about his late dog, Ember. Ember spent her few years here bringing joy to everyone she met, and Aaron was got to share her life with her. Ember passed recently, and Aaron took the time to share their story with LoveWhatMatters.com. He is kindly allowing iHeartDogs to share it with you.

Aaron’s story originally appeared on LoveWhatMatters.com, titled “‘I knew she was ready to go. She had done her job, and done it well.’ Firefighter says tearful farewell to his ‘best friend’ Dalmatian therapy dog“

“In December of 2013 I made a decision that, unbeknownst to me, would alter the course of my life. I had been casually looking to adopt a dog for a few months. One day a very close friend of mine asked me if I would be interested in a Dalmatian puppy. I nearly jumped out of my shoes with excitement. I had been working as a firefighter for a little more than a year, but the idea of actually finding a Dalmatian puppy had seemed farfetched to say the least. I knew I had to meet her, so I raced to my car and went to the vet’s office where she had been abandoned by her previous owners. No one was able to tell me why, but for some unfathomable reason they had left this perfect beautiful 3 month old Dalmatian puppy. It was love at first sight. I named her Ember.

“The next year was interesting to say the least. Ember was WILD, and I was a clueless dog owner. I had no idea how to train a dog, and it was evident in her behavior. She was super sweet and loving and playful, but she had more energy than a preschooler on Redbull. The only way I knew to keep her from going crazy was to wear her out as often as possible. This meant countless walks, hikes, fetches, tug of wars, and afternoons at the dog park. All of this time spent out in public led me to make another wonderful decision. Each time we would go out I would constantly hear squeals of joy, ‘The fire dog!,’ ‘Pongo!,’ ‘It’s Marshal,’ ‘Look mommy its Sparky.’ There were even times that the playground in front of the dog park would be empty, and a line of children would form to come get a glimpse (and maybe even a pet) of this beautiful little Dalmatian.

“One afternoon when such a line formed, I had an epiphany. If Ember’s presence could bring about such a powerful response in healthy children, how much more of an impact would she have on children in a hospital? I knew I had to find out. The next day Ember and I started on our quest to become a certified therapy dog team. We spent countless hours practicing and training. I spent more than a year perfecting our craft and getting Ember in as many different situations as I could. When I finally felt we were ready, we took the certification test for the Alliance of Therapy Dogs. Ember easily passed with flying colors. I was beyond proud of what we had accomplished together, but I also knew that our real goal still lay ahead of us.

“On Halloween night 2016, we made our very first official therapy visit. We were invited down to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta with a few other therapy dog teams to spend the evening with children that wouldn’t have the opportunity to go trick or treating. We settled in downstairs in the lobby and were told that the families had been informed to bring their children downstairs for the surprise. We were joined by several nurses that had dressed up to give out trinkets to the children. What really caught my eye about this was that one of them was dressed up as Cruella Deville, from 101 Dalmatians. I could not help but to laugh at the coincidence. Soon after, the children began to come in from the elevators. It was magical to see how much their faces lit up when they first laid eyes on the dogs.

“However, that night there was one moment that was truly special. I watched a young girl of 7 or 8 get wheeled out of the elevator in a little red wagon. She was very thin, and obviously very ill. Her lack of hair told a story that no child should be a part of. Yet, in the next moment, all of that was forgotten. She saw Ember and let out the most joyous exclamation, “A DALMATIAN!” She climbed out of her wagon and came running to Ember and embraced her. She sat with us for several minutes before she finally left to go join the number of others that were telling Cruella to leave poor Ember alone. After she had gone, her mother came up to me gently sobbing and began to thank me for bringing a smile back onto her daughter’s face. She went on the explain to me this was the first time her daughter had so much as walked in weeks. The chemo had drained her of all desire to move until the excitement of seeing a real Dalmatian had given her the energy to run. That single thank you was one of the most rewarding moments in my whole life.

“Over the next two years, Ember and I made many more visits to hospitals including CHOA Egleston, CHOA Scottish Rite, and Northside Hospital Cherokee. Ember’s regular day to day job was to be the fire safety dog at the Cobb County Safety Village. There we taught children about how to safely interact with dogs. She was always the highlight of any field trip to the Safety Village. Cobb County’s Camp Puzzle was one of my favorite yearly visits. Camp Puzzle is a day camp that is put on each year for children on the autism spectrum. The first year Ember and I attended; we were walking along when a young boy approached us. He simply said ‘Hello,’ and asked if Ember knew any tricks. After displaying a few of Ember’s many tricks, the boy asked me if he could make Ember sit and wave hello. I handed him a treat, and Ember became putty in his hands. She performed the simple commands the boy made, and was graciously rewarded with a treat and a giggle of delight. He then walked off for more fun just as nonchalantly as he had approached. Yet again, I was approached by an emotional mother. She asked me where she could get a service dog for her son, and explained that he was almost totally non-verbal. After I explained to her that Ember’s certification was different than a medical service dog, the gravity of what had just occurred began to sink in. Ember had worked her magic in a way that only she could and I hadn’t even realized it.

“As many lives as Ember has touched, no one has been more impacted than me. She has been with me through good times and the bad. When I had no one else, I could always rest easy knowing my sweet girl would be waiting excitedly for me with all the snuggles I could handle. Ember even helped give me a family of my own. On our very first visit to Northside Hospital, Ember caught the eyes of every single person in the building. Those eyes included the eyes of some of the nurses that set me up on a blind date with their beautiful friend. That blind date would turn out to be with the woman that has become my wife. This speckled little furball has been everything to me.

“For 5 years now, Ember has brought me peace, comfort, and joy. Recently however, it has become my role to provide her the same comfort she has always given to me. And now it is my duty to continue to spread her joy and carry on her legacy.

“In late summer of 2018, Ember became very sick. We knew her teeth were becoming a problem, and we concluded they must be the issue. We took her into the vet and, they believed her teeth had become infected. It was decided that some of them needed to be removed. The pre-op blood work revealed that her teeth were not the real issue. For some reason the vet could not fully explain, her kidneys had begun to fail. They immediately started her on IV fluids and antibiotics to see if it was an acute issue or something more chronic. A few days later, we received our answer. Her blood work was even worse, and to stabilize her she would need to be hospitalized. In the end, we were told there was nothing that could be done long term, and that daily fluid would keep her comfortable in the time she had remaining.

“Knowing that our time was short, we attempted to fill Ember’s last days with as much fun and love as we could. She went everywhere with me, and I refused to let her leave my side. We spent a few last days visiting kids at work, having multiple photo shoots with local fire departments, hiking to her favorite creek for a fun day in the water, and most of all, cuddling on the couch.

“Until the very end, Ember was still lighting up faces. The very last time Ember walked into the vet’s office, I heard an all too familiar sound. There was a young girl there that could not take her eyes off of Ember. In my rather emotional state, I did not think to stop and let the girl pet Ember. Ember knew better. Even though she was a very sick pup, she still paused next to the girl long enough for a pat on the head. The girl smiled from ear to ear, and my heart warmed as I fought back my tears.

“In her final moments, I held my little girl one last time and looked at her big brown eyes to tell her how much I loved her. At the very end, when she was looking back at me, I knew she was ready to go. She was beyond tired, but was still happy with her little wagging tail. I believe she was sent to me with a higher purpose, and I think she knew she had done her job and done it well.

“Ember’s memory will live on in my heart, and in the hearts of the many others who loved her.”

H/T: LoveWhatMatters.com
Featured Photo: Cobb County Fire & Emergency Services/Facebook

The post Georgia Firefighter Remembers Late Dog Who Changed His Life, “She Was Everything To Me” appeared first on iHeartDogs.com.

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When you have to leave home and your dog, or if your dog is lost for an extended period of time, you may be worried that he isn’t going to remember you when you’re together again. After missing your dog like crazy and counting the days until you can see him, it’d be a huge downer if he didn’t even recognize you.

Gizmodo recently asked several experts in animal behavior and cognition: Do Dogs Forget Their People? Each expert took different factors into account to answer the question, but they all seem to agree that while a dog can remember people from their pasts, they can forget them as well.

The canine mind is still something of a mystery, but so far, research seems to suggest that it’s not too different from the minds of humans. Dogs can create and retain memories, but just like humans, they’re able to forget them, too. Dogs can also develop cognitive diseases, like Canine Alzheimer’s that can cause them to forget. But cognitive disease aside – will they forget us after too much time has passed?

The best evidence we may have that dogs have long-lasting memories of their favorite people may be anecdotal evidence.

We love a good, heartfelt reunion video. When a long-lost dog is finally found, or a veteran comes home after years to his best friend, there’s no mistaking the love and emotion that pours out of both human and dog – that’s what makes those stories so remarkable! It isn’t your standard happy-dog-greeting, it’s the passage of time and the happy memories made with this person that makes seeing them again something worth wagging a tail about!

This is one of the best – you can see the immediate recognition from the pup:

Nicholas Dodman, founder of the Animal Behavior Clinic, tells Gizmodo:

“But you look at all the videos on YouTube of soldiers who’ve been away in various theaters of war for long periods of time—they return and the pet goes absolutely ballistic. Or think of the famous story of Greyfriars Bobby in Edinburgh, Scotland—this was a dog whose owner died and was interred in a church graveyard, and apparently the dog spent the next nine or ten years just sitting on the grave, waiting for his master to come back. And there was a Japanese dog who always met his owner off the train at a certain time, and who still went down to meet the train for years after the owner died of a heart attack, hoping he would get off.

These stories sort of confirm that dogs have incredibly long memories for people they’re fond of. And with people they’re fond of, they remember everything about them—every nuance, from appearance to smell. All their sense are acutely tuned to that person.”

So far as scientific evidence goes, iHeartDogs has discussed the probability of dogs having the same memories we do – semantic, episodic, and associative memory. A simplified explanation:

Semantic Memory – the kind of memory that you use when you remember the Pythagorean Theorem even if you haven’t used it once since the ninth grade. Your dog has it too – it’s how he remembers his cues for “sit” and “roll over”.

Episodic Memory – this is how we remember past events, like the day you first brought your dog home. There’s no hard evidence that your dog has this kind of memory, but a recent study showed that dogs do have the ability to retain complex memories, though, perhaps not episodic. (This is the kind they would need to remember us.)

Associative Memory – this is the kind of memory we rely on to socialize our dogs. A few positive experiences with say, someone with a beard, will keep your dog associating beards with positive feelings. Dogs make positive or negative associations he will carry with him every day.

Some experts argue that we can’t be certain that our dogs will remember us because we can’t prove that they have the ability to make episodic memories like we do. They’re even less certain that our dogs will remember us any better than “I’ve seen this face before.” or “I know that smell from somewhere.”

Ruth Colhill, professor at Brown University specializing in animal learning and behavior, says that dogs’ strong sense of smell likely aids in their memory retrieval. If you have ever been sent back in time by the smell of a particular shampoo or fragrance someone you loved used, you might agree:

“But might a dog forget her absentee pack member after a longer separation? It seems unlikely for a number of reasons. Odor memories appear to be extremely robust and long-lasting. The French writer Marcel Proust famously describes the evocative power of the scent of a Madeleine biscuit soaked in tea to transport him back in time to his aunt’s kitchen. With a nose and brain built to process olfactory stimuli, a dog is not likely to forget what scents mean, especially when they belong to members of their family and have strong emotional connections. Additionally, contextual cues are known to aid memory retrieval, which would facilitate the dog’s ability to recognize the odor walking through the front door. “

In short: your dog may not recognize you at first glance, but those scent-memories are strong.

So the answer to the question, “Do dogs forget the people they love?” Undecided among experts. But when you see stories like this one, (or this one and this one) or when you come home from time away and your pup goes nuts trying to get into your arms – who needs scientific evidence?

H/T: Gizmodo

The post Can Dogs Forget The People They Love? appeared first on iHeartDogs.com.

via Whisker Therapy

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Patches is a nine-year-old dachshund who recently underwent surgery to remove a huge tumor on her head. The tumor had grown to about the size of an orange – big for a dog her size. It was aggressive, and was beginning to make it’s way into Patches’ eye socket.

Patches’ family was referred to veterinary surgical oncologist Michelle Oblak at the Ontario Veterinary College who, thanks to modern technology, was able to help.

The surgery required the removal of both the tumor and part of Patches’ skull. In the past, the missing part of the skull would have been covered with a titanium mesh, but thanks to 3D printing technology, doctors were able to create a titanium cap fitted especially for Patches. Scans taken of Patches’ skull – tumor and all – were 3D printed into a mold, and a cap was made to fit.

Because there was little room for error, the mold was sent off to a medical-grade 3D printing company. Had any of the measurements been off by even 2 millimeters, the cap would not have fit.

Not only does this method allow doctors to make a better replacement for the missing skull, it also allowed Dr. Oblak to prepare by seeing exactly what she would be facing during surgery. She explains in the video below:

“The first time I’m doing this surgery is not on that patient, it’s actually on this model.”

Patches endured a few hours surgery, but after only 30 minutes, she was up and walking around – totally cancer free!
Her family has given her a new nickname – “Titanium Top.” The procedure left one of her ears permanently crooked, but they’re thankful that her surgery was a success.

H/T: Time.com
Featured Photo: Titanium Top Patches Dymeck/Facebook

The post How 3D Printing Saved This Senior Dachshund appeared first on iHeartDogs.com.

via Whisker Therapy

I have spent a large part of my dog training career trying to squelch, or stop, dogs’ prey drive.

Prey drive is the desire to give chase to things (other dogs, rabbits, scooters, cars, etc.), and the majority of dogs have at least some.

Often, it becomes a problem for owners whose dogs become aggressive, or reactive, when they are around these things.

In the past, we have waited until the behavior was out of control and then tried to correct or stop it.

The Number One Way to Control Your Dog’s Prey Drive

It wasn’t until I got involved in protection sports like Schutzhund/IPO and PSA that I realized that I had been doing it wrong all of those years!

Instead of avoiding our dog’s prey drive, we were encouraged to BUILD IT!

And, while that sounds counterintuitive, it actually works because it puts YOU in control of that drive (and your dog’s impulsive behavior).

We have created a game to help you teach your dog to control the impulsive behavior of chasing animals (and other objects).

It’s called “The Let It Go Game”.

 

To download the next phase of this game, please click HERE.

There are Some Things You Can’t Avoid

Some things, and some instincts, simply can’t be avoided.

Herding dogs have a desire to herd.

Scent hounds have a desire to sniff.

Sight hounds have a desire to chase.

Large dogs that were, unfortunately, bred to fight often have an intense prey drive.

Ignoring these instincts is not going to make them go away!

Trying to correct these instincts is also not going to work for all dogs.

Certainly, there are dogs with very little prey drive, but there are also dogs with a lot of prey drive.

Some of the BEST Obedience I Have Ever Seen Comes from Dogs with EXTREME Prey Drive

Some of the best obedience I have ever seen comes from dogs with extreme prey drive! The owner, or handler (many of these dogs are police and military dogs), controls the dog’s prey drive by building it and harnessing it into a toy.

Have you ever seen a police dog that has complete focus on his handler?

There used to be a ridiculous notion that drug and bomb detection dogs were addicted to the drug they were searching for, and that is why their drive was so intense when they were looking for their toy.

I understand, to some degree, why people thought that, because the dog’s focus is so very intense, and it can be hard to understand that intensity.

The dog’s prey drive is first built through play and teasing.

Yes, I said it… teasing!

Teasing is critical to building prey drive.

Sometimes the anticipation of reward is better than the reward itself. I wrote an article several years ago about that.

Let’s face it, things that require a little work and effort are often valued more than things that come to us easily.

We tend to take for granted the easy things in our life.

If you eat three meals a day and have snacks around your house all of the time, food isn’t a great motivator and is not as valued.

Sure, you need food to survive but if you are lucky, you have access to it when you are hungry.

If you don’t have access to food whenever you need or want it, it becomes more important and more of a motivator.

If you have 40 tennis balls around the house, you probably aren’t going to be excited to go outside and play with a tennis ball.

The toy, or the food, must be attained, and this builds excitement for the dog.

Giving the dog things for free all of the time robs him of the excitement of working; it also ruins your training.

If you control all of the good things, then you have the dog’s attention.

Remember that police dog we talked about earlier?

His handler has such great focus from him because he has been taught to love work (yes, any dog can be taught to love work), and his handler controls his toys and food.

If you build your dog’s prey drive you can teach him to control it.

Avoiding problems doesn’t work!

Learning to proactively control the problem (by helping your dog control his impulses), and use it to your advantage, is great dog training!

via Whisker Therapy

When a Cocker Spaniel named Kimchi was found abandoned and afraid on a lonely street in the Philippines, he was already mostly blind. It was 2012, and no one knew what the ailing dog’s life had been like before rescuers took him in. What they did know, however, was that Kimchi deserved better. Compassion and Responsibility for Animals (CARA) was determined to change his life. All they needed was the perfect family to take him home.

With his sweet personality and cute, fuzzy face, Kimchi received attention from several possible adopters. More than one person put in an application for his adoption, but one family stood out. A husband, wife, and their Golden Retriever mix named Ginger fell in love with Kimchi almost the minute they first met. For Ginger, the instant connection was even more special. Due to poor socialization when she was a puppy, Ginger typically isn’t comfortable around other dogs. She bares her teeth and growls, and her owners were starting to think they would never find a dog Ginger liked. But then they met Kimchi.

Before Ginger and her humans were introduced to Kimchi, they almost adopted a different dog. The humans in the family were ready to take the dog home, but Ginger wasn’t on board. She was aggressive toward the newcomer, and her owners knew it wasn’t the right fit. When they were leaving, they saw a small fuzzball of a dog walk near them. They decided to take a chance and introduce that dog to Ginger.

To everyone’s surprise, Ginger was calm and interested. The family went on a walk with the rescue dog, and Ginger even licked the dog’s head. For a reason unknown to everyone but Ginger and Kimchi, the two dogs acted like they belonged together. From that moment on, Ginger and Kimchi have been what their family calls “soul siblings.”

As the bond between Ginger and Kimchi grew, they started depending on each other more and more. Both are senior dogs, but by 2015, Kimchi was completely blind. Navigating the world was difficult, but his best friend Ginger knew exactly what he needed. Without any formal training, Ginger started serving as Kimchi’s seeing eye dog.

At home, Kimchi knows where everything is and walks around fine on his own. But in public, Ginger leads the way. Connected by a leash, Ginger gently guides Kimchi through crowds, up and down stairs, and across streets. According to their human family members on Facebook, the dogs enjoy spending time together. Kimchi genuinely relies on Ginger to be his eyes, and Ginger takes her responsibility seriously.

When they’re not exploring their city together, Ginger and Kimchi serve as “ambassaDOGS” helping show their community what CARA is all about. They even visit schools and hospitals to inspire others to be kind, compassionate, and resilient. The two best friends are together for life, and they wouldn’t have it any other way.

Check them out on Facebook to learn more about their special relationship.

Featured image via Facebook/GingerandKimchi

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via Whisker Therapy