Frankie Says Relax

Does this dog seem aggressive to you?  I know it's hard to believe, but this lovable, intelligent mutt is a bit edgy around strangers and kids.  Now, it's not his fault; however, that doesn't mean I wouldn't be having a difficult moral decision to make if he ever attacked a person.  In order to keep Frankie's minor aggression problems under control, I keep him away from situations that would scare or provoke him.

It is important to understand that even if you believe that your dog is angelic in nature, it doesn't mean he will act the same way around you that he will in all circumstances.  There is no perfectly well-behaved dog.  Here are a few things to know when introducing your dog to a newcomer:

• Always keep him on a leash -- Frankie uses a prong collar.  Though this contraption looks scary and inhumane, it is actually a very effective tool (when fitted the correct way) that is much safer and more comfortable than a choke chain.
• Never pet your dog when he is growling or seems unsure -- It is a common misconception that this will calm him down.  In fact, you are confirming to him that his behavior is completely acceptable.
• Allow him to sniff the person's hand -- If your dog can recognize the scent from you having had contact with the person (a handshake maybe), then is he more apt to feel calmer since his owner has no qualms with the stranger. 
• Meet on neutral ground -- When you are outside in the yard rather than in your house, your dog feels less obligated to protect you or your territory.
• If none of this works, walk away -- Sometimes your dog just won't get the hang of a new person right away.  In this case, it's best to not stress him out and try another time. 

I hope this helps a little.  I know it can be frustrating when you don't own a dog that knows no stranger, but it can be reassuring too.  These types of dogs offer great protection, and it's always possible to help them warm up to strangers.  It's all about how you raise them.


I'd say these people did it right:

Your dog could be eating pure crap--maybe literal crap.

How fats iz I?

Unlike people,  dogs and cats tend to eat the same meal day after day.  And, they're fine with that.  Their stomachs have evolved in such a way that a deviation from this standard diet is likely to cause problems in their lifetime.  I know we feed our animals table scraps from time to time, but try to make this a rare occasion.  They may seem excited at the time, but you'll be paying for it or cleaning up after it later.  Because our dogs and cats are eating the same meal every day, I think it's extremely important to examine what is in the kibble we are feeding them.

Carrots are okay, though.

First, there are a few foods that you should never give to your dog.  Seriously, it can kill them.   


Now, I will just give you the basics on what ingredients NOT to feed your pets.  With even this small bit of knowledge, I guarantee you will be more likely to look at the back of the bag just to peek at what kind of garbage you might have been feeding your dog without even knowing.

Science Diet is a food that I wouldn't be caught dead feeding my pets, so it makes a great example.  Here are the first four ingredients (note that all ingredients in all food are ordered by the amount used in them):

1.  Corn Meal  -  Just like people, animals cannot properly digest corn.  This acts as a "filler" which wouldn't be so reprehensible if it wasn't the FIRST FREAKING INGREDIENT.  Fillers have no nutritional value whatsoever and make your dog or cat go to the bathroom about double the amount they normally would since they simply run straight through their system (because of that whole "unable to digest" factor).
    
2. Chicken By-product Meal (a Source Of Natural Chondroitin Sulfate And Glucosamine) - By-product is a nice way of saying "the parts of animals that wouldn't be considered meat by any smart consumer" -- Yeah... Heads, feathers, entrails, lungs and the like.  Yum.
    
3. Animal Fat (preserved With Mixed Tocopherols And Citric Acid) - This would be great for disease prevention if it weren't so obviously processed from the above ingredient - refined fats of any kind negate their health value.
    
4. Soybean Mill Run - This is also known as "floor sweepings" in the pet industry -- it makes the food palpable (form into the kibbles we see), but God knows what's in it,

The additional ingredients aren't so bad, but why add ingredients that are "a source" (note: not a good source) of glucosamine and chondroitin  when you could just actually add glucosamine and chondroitin.  I mean, that may be a better choice..

If you want a good food, look for ingredients (the wording is important) like these:

• Chicken/lamb/duck/turkey/beef meal (no by-product)
• Flax oil (not just flaxseed)
• Rice/oats/barley/potatoes (not corn, gluten or soy) 

I feed Frankie and Ollie Nutro dog food because it has straight-up meat, no fillers and a lot of oils for their skin and coat.

I know this information can be a bit tedious, but with this small bit of education, you are a little more equipped (or at least conscious) of what you are pouring into that bowl every day.  If you follow this advice, your pets will seem happier, healthier and will be able to love you for a much longer time.

How Much is that Doggy in the Window?

This is Frankie and Ollie:                                               

Frankie is a bit camera-shy, though I don't know of what he's ashamed!  He's a four-to-five-year old mixed breed border collie that came from a farm in Bolivar.  He was the runt of the litter who's mom wouldn't feed, so my bleeding-heart of a boyfriend couldn't resist.  I will discuss later that this isn't a solid choice, but it worked out for us.  He's my step-dog, but I love him like he's my own. 

Ollie is in every way the opposite counterpart of Frank.  We named her Olive, but no one ever calls their pets by their real names.  She's obnoxious and flighty, but I'm still hoping that I can love the hate right out of her.  She is a little over a year old and is some mix of a bob-tailed cat and a long-haired domestic cat.  She has a twitching half-tail and we think her dad may have been a rabbit (note:  different species cannot actually mate with each other).

I feel the need to introduce my own pets because they facilitate the best advice I can come up with for the day.  I'm always running into problems that I would otherwise be ignorant of had I not spent four years in a pet care industry.  I have a lot to talk about, but for now, I will start with the basics. 

 

You Want WHAT?

My best advice to someone that has had the domestic urge to have children is this:  Have you owned a dog before?  If they haven't, I would be led to believe that they have no earthly idea how to care for a child.  It is much easier to own and care for a dog than a human being, so I encourage everyone to attempt this route first.

 

Picking Out Your Friend
I cannot stress enough how important it is to take your time when deciding on a pet.  A lot of people base their decision off of how cute a dog is when it's a puppy.  A few things are wrong with this scenario:

1. The dog could require the opposite living environment that you currently have.
2. He/she could have a personality that cramps your style.
3. The dog could be really ugly as an adult. 
4. I'm serious.  Like, hideous:
   
   
   
   
   

   

   He could win a contest, though.

   
   

"I Should Have Known It Wouldn't Work: He was a Type A; I was a Type B!"
Honestly, the best thing to do is take a "personality test" that will tell you what kind of dog would be a great match.  I recommend Animal Planet's Dog Breed Selector because it has the option to choose "no preference".  It said that I would be well-matched with a corgi which is a dog I actually had in mind for future lovability.  There are some instances where people end up with the dog of their dreams with little to no research, but I assure you that these are flukes.  If you don't take the time, you won't get the most out of this unique, wonderful relationship.

He Sheds HOW Much!?
After you have about three or four dog breeds in mind, you should research a little online or at the library about the specific breed.  Terrificpets.com gives excellent detailed information in ABC order about every breed imaginable.  This can be a little overwhelming which is why the previous suggestion comes in handy.

This is Not a Drill:  It's Puppy Time
After you have conquered these two phases, it's time to find the specific dog you want.  Here's my first hint:  Don't just buy the purebred version of the dog you have picked!!  Most likely, the dog you want will just happen to cost hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars to own.  Visit your local shelters, like The Humane Society, and see if they have a dog that matches some of your criteria.  Who knows, you may find a dog that's mixed with all three breeds that you want!  


But, I want a purebred!
If you insist on purchasing a dog from a breeder, make sure it's a BREEDER.  I don't care if you have to require a full background check on the person and a two-visit walk-through of their property.  Puppy mills are rampant in Missouri, and if you purchase a dog from them, you are putting money into that market and running the risk of adopting a sick or inbred dog that will lead a miserable, costly existence.

And, Your Point is..
You will enjoy your dog for many, many years, so what's the big deal about waiting a few months to makes sure you pick out the perfect fit?  I know all about that instant when the idea of getting a dog becomes a reality.  People get over-excited and jump the gun.  I've worked at places before where people came in looking for treats for their neighbor's dog's birthday and left with a brand new golden retriever puppy to take to their one-bedroom apartment.  I hope you take this advice, take your time and actually enjoy being a dog owner.

What Are You Doing Here!?

Hello and welcome!

Do you have pets at home?  Do you like them?  Do you?  If you so, I have a feeling you will find this blog to be an incredibly helpful tool to keep them happy, thriving and just plain alive.  From the standpoint of a dedicated pet owner with several years of professional experience in pet care,  I hope you find this blog both informative and interesting.  Also, I will mostly be dealing with the care of dogs and cats.  I know little to nothing about reptiles and fish, but I can help out a little with rodents.  I also hope to interject some fun stuff to keep you from taking me too seriously.

Enjoy!

--Emily Kate