November is Adopt-a-Senior-Pet Month!

>November Is Adopt-a-Senior-Pet Month

Critter Crossings Corp. and Petfinder.com are celebrating November as Adopt-a-Senior-Pet Month.

“Think of a pet that is already trained and doesn’t chew or scratch everything in sight–a pet who will love you unconditionally,” said Kim Saunders, Petfinder.com’s Director of Public Relations. “That’s what you get when you adopt a senior pet.”

Some people worry that a senior pet comes with problems, but according to Hazel Blumberg-McKee of Tallahassee, FL, there are no disadvantages. “In most cases they’ve had a home and they want one again.” She adopted eight-and-a-half-year old Sadie, and has never regretted it. “An older animal is easier to deal with. And Sadie is still playful. She plays fetch and gallops all over the place.”

At animal shelters and rescue groups everywhere, there are loving, healthy senior pets like Sadie, looking for that one special home to cherish them for the rest of their life, and they don’t ask for much: just a warm place to sleep, good meals and plenty of love.

During Adopt-a-Senior-Pet Month, take the opportunity to get acquainted with the older pets available at Critter Crossings, Non Profit Dog Rescue

Visit the shelter online at www.petfinder.com.

Our Rescue Retirement Program is designed to place our older dogs into homes where the adopter is home more often than not; therefore Critter Crossings WAIVES the $95 donation for our dogs aged 8 and up when the adopter is a Senior Citizen, aged 55+

Critter Crossings is located in Fallbrook, California, but where ever you are, there is sure to be a shelter nearby with plenty of older dogs waiting for a loving home.

Please note than many shelters also have puppies and young or adolescent dogs available at points throughout the year. If you’re really set on raising your dog through puppyhood, please consider being put on your local shelter’s waiting list. They often have waiting lists for puppies in general, but will probably be able to list specific breeds you’re looking for if you’re not interested in a mixed breed pup.
Adopting a dog instad of buying one may seem a little risky to some folks, but it’s really a great way to go – if you adopt an adult, you get the added benefit of getting exactly what you see, and if you adopt a puppy, you’ll still be able to mold it into exactly what you want it to be. While it’s true that many shelter pups (and adults that have been in the shelter for a period of time) will have issues, mainly housetraining related, that will have to be worked out, there are litterally millions of dogs that are surrendered to shelters every year. The main reason? The owners are moving and can’t take their pet with them. Forget the fact that it’s not a very good reason, and certainly not an acceptable one – their loss can be your gain!
Shelter dogs are often incredible grateful, loyal, and loving companions, just happy to have a home where they are truely loved and appreciated again.

For those of you in southern New Hampshire, Puppy Pawsitive offers a shelter dog discount – if you’ve adopted a shelter dog, we’ll give you your choice of a gift, or up to 25% off the regular price of training or behavioral modification if you sign up within 30 days of adoption, regardless of the shelter you adopted it at. Many shelters also offer discounts when you take your dog to a trainer, as well – check with your local shelter to see what their rules and restrictions are!

Puppy Behavior, Part 2

Continuing where we left off, Folks….

Another inportant part of choosing a puppy, should you choose to go through a breeder, is seeing one or both of the parents, preferably at least the mother. Puppies will often mirror the behavior of their mother, be it a calm demeanor or a fear of humans. This is a normal part of puppy’s first socialization period, before they go to their new homes. Any negative behaviors pup may have picked up from mom can be changed easily, especially under 4 months of age, through positive socialization to people, places, and things on a regular basis, but being able to meet the mother will give an idea of what you’re getting yourself into.

Puppies are weaned between 6 and 7 weeks of age, and though it has been suggested that pups should stay with their littermates for around 12 weeks to learn social skills, pups bond best with their new families when they’re taken home around 7-8 weeks.  The thought behind keeping the litter intact until 3 months of age stems from the idea that in order to learn bite inhibition (acceptable mouth pressure), proper doggy etiquette, how far to take a play-fight, and proper body language, pups must stay with pups. This, however, is untrue, as all of those things are easily taught to pups through play, both with humans and with other dogs.

Puppies are mouthy by nature, as it’s their main form of communication with – as well as defense against – other dogs. Dogs use their mouths to play, to make threat displays, and to carry their favorite bone out to the yard. Puppies, however, have no idea that their mouth carries needle-sharp teeth capable of tearing thrhough skin like tissue paper! Humans are often quick to correct a puppy too harshly, often advised by uninformed and archaic trainers to push a finger under the puppy’s tongue, or shove a finger down pup’s throat in order to make him gag, so that he comes to associate flesh-in-mouth a with negative experiences. The problem with this “style” of training is that 1) it doesn’t teach bite inhibition – the puppy doesn’t understand that his mouth is powerful and easily causes pain to whoever is on the recieving end; 2) pups are often fueled more by harsh corrections, and will usually get more enticed by what he views as rough play. This is doubly true if you have a tough breed or a breed bred for high pain tolerance, such as a Rottweiler, Boxer, or American Staffordshire Terrier. And, more important than either of the previous reasons, is reason number 3) When you hurt puppy, you become the bad guy and puppy learns that you are dangerous. In short, you not only damage any chance you had at bonding with your new pup, but you become a monster in his eyes. This may sound exaggerated, but truely, when we look at the amount of harsh techniques that “trainers” often advise, it’s no wonder that so many of us have dogs that are ill behaved, untrained, or just plain out of control – they are not behaving badly, they are behaving defensively.

Let’s look at another common problem, not only with puppies, but with many dogs of all ages: Jumping!

Let’s get one thing straight: Jumping is not a “dominance display”. Jumping is not your dog trying to “put you in your place” or “take over.” Jumping is an attempt at reaching your mouth for greeting, nothing more, nothing less. In the dog world, the mouth is the one of the focal points for greeting and showing subordination, especially to a well-known dog. When a dog jumps on you, especially after a long period of separation (which is all too common in our 9-5 world), they want attention. They are trying to say “hi” to their much missed human pack. This doesn’t excuse it, since dogs learn easily when taught correctly, and can be taught a mutually exclusive behavior, for example, dogs should be taught to sit when visitors arrive. A dog can not sit and jump at the same time!

Pulling on the leash is another common problem, not just with puppies, but with all dogs. First, let me say that you should never, ever, under any circumstances jerk or yank on a puppy’s collar! Puppies 4 months and under should wear only a flat, nylon or cotton collar, no prong collars, self correcting collars, chain collars, etc – puppy won’t have fully developed neck muscles, and any collar other than a flat nylon or cotton collar can damage the developing muscles or worse, pup’s windpipe. This is true of all breeds, from Chihuahuas to American Pit Bull Terriers to St. Bernards. (On a side note, if your pup isn’t trained to walk on a loose leash, do avoid “training collars” and stick to the easiest, most effective method available: when pup starts pulling, stop walking! They learn quickly that pulling means they don’t get to go anywhere.)

How about barking? Puppies often bark just for the sake of hearing their own voices, or out of boredom, and they learn very quickly that bakring (and vocalizing in general) gets our attention! The more you respond to puppy’s barking, the more puppy will bark to get what he wants. Simply put, if you are sure that puppy isn’t in distress (or telling you he needs to eliminate), ignore barking and whining at all costs. You’ll be greatful for it!

The long and short of it is this: If you don’t want to deal with these things, consider skipping the puppy stage all together and adopting an adult dog from your local shelter!

What’s more dangerous than a vicious pit bull?

 Maybe I’m biast, but I believe that pit bulls, Rottweilers, Dobermans, and the like get way more of a bad reputation than they deserve thanks mostly to the media’s coverage of irresponsible owners and breeders, which represent a very small percentage of the folks, like myself, who own and love these breeds. (Okay, I am biast. But just a little!)

 The wonders of the internet lead me to this video (which I did not create, and had no part in creating, but love just the same.) If you think those of us that love pits and their powerful counterparts are crazy, or if you’ve just got a fear of pit bulls and the like in general, watch the video.

Pit Bull News: A Myspace Repost!

Pitbull news!
Great Pit Bull Article
From: Adopt a Homeless Pet Today!
Date: 02/10/2007MSNBC.com

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A Dog Who Was Pure Muscle and All Heart
Pit bulls get a bad name, but Esmerelda’s only ‘killer instinct’ was to overwhelm us with affection.

By Ben Rehder
Newsweek

Sept. 17, 2007 issue – Some people love poodles. Others go crazy for cocker spaniels. When it comes to my canine breed of choice, I tend to prefer a rarer dog: the pit bull. For 14 years I owned a friendly, loyal pit bull named Esmerelda.

Ezzy—as I called her—was a gift from a girlfriend. I was 21 at the time and I’d made a few remarks, driven by testosterone, about wanting to own a pit bull someday. The truth is, I probably wouldn’t have followed through on getting the dog on my own. Now I hate to think what I would’ve missed.

I didn’t know what to expect when Ezzy arrived. Would this dog—this sweet, frisky pup—rip my throat open while I was sleeping? Would she terrorize toddlers or attack my mailman? It’s bred into them, right? The killer instinct?

Well, no. Not this one, anyway. What she did do was annoy my visitors with her overaffectionate personality. She was stealthy about it, though. “Oh, pay no attention to me,” she seemed to want to say. “Just continue with your conversation, and forget the fact that I’m creeping onto your lap. Just scratch my ears and everything will be OK.”

Ezzy was an eager, willing companion, whatever the activity. She recognized words like “walk,” “ride” and “squirrel,” and reacted to them with a barking frenzy. Even the jangling of car keys could set her off.

She had some remarkable talents. Ezzy could shred an aluminum can without cutting her lips. She had the dexterity to go up and down the tight spiral staircase to my bedroom, and a knack for intimidating door-to-door salespeople (because they couldn’t see her tail wagging happily).

As Ezzy grew older, she turned into quite an impressive specimen: 70 pounds of barrel-chested muscle, with a head like a chunk of granite. Was her massive jaw intimidating? Absolutely. Could she have wreaked havoc if she’d been so inclined? Without question. But she didn’t have it in her.

Her lack of killer instinct became obvious when a stray cat began hanging around the house. “This cannot end well,” I said to myself. I believed it was only a matter of time before the fur would fly, and there would be one cat fewer in the world.

One day, the cat became so bold he wandered in through an open door, and Ezzy was on him in a flash. The cat hunkered down and prepared for the worst. Ezzy began to wrestle playfully with him, in the same way I roughhoused with her. The cat was indignant about the situation, but he came away in one slobbery, confused piece.

In July of her third year, Ezzy began to exhibit an intense fear of loud noises that would haunt her for the rest of her days—and I got my first real glimpse of her awesome strength. It was fireworks season. When I pulled into the driveway, I didn’t hear Ezzy’s usual yips from the backyard. I went to investigate, and discovered a dog-size hole in the wooden fence. She’d turned the pickets into kindling.

The next time, she was left inside during a thunderstorm. When I came home, an interior door was ripped in two. There were bite marks on the doorknob. It looked like a crime scene. I found the culprit shuddering in a closet. It was like the joke about the 800-pound gorilla—but with a twist. Where does a terrified pit bull go? Anywhere she wants.

Ezzy lived longer than most large dogs, but just before her 14th birthday she suffered a stroke. Steroids helped her recover, but six months later she began to develop breathing problems, and it was obvious she didn’t have much time to live.

When the final day came, my wife and I took Ezzy to our vet. At 80, Dr. Tim McLeod spoke with a gentle, pronounced Texas twang. He helped us get through it—the most difficult thing I’d ever done—with dignity and a sense of calm.

I buried Ezzy beneath the hardpan soil of my backyard, muscling my way past rocks that would’ve stopped me cold had I been digging for any other purpose. Ezzy had always had a bit of a stubborn streak, and I decided it was fitting I show a bit of her spirit myself.

The next morning the clinic called. Dr. McLeod had passed away in his sleep, just hours after helping Ezzy find her final peace. His funeral was packed with hundreds of mourners. But for me, it was really two services: one for a caring, compassionate Southern gentleman, and one for a pit bull that can never be replaced.

Rehder lives in Dripping Springs, Texas.

URL: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20643577/site/newsweek/

VICKS DOGS HAVE CHANCE OF ADOPTION
From: Stop Animal Cruelty
Date: 02/10/2007

Justice For Mercy-Unite 2gether Against Abuse
Date: Oct 2, 2007 7:47 AM

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/10/01/vick.dogs/index.html

CNN) — All but one of the dogs seized in the Michael Vick dog fighting case will be placed with families or put in a “sanctuary,” where they will interact with people to overcome their fear and lack of socialization, according to court order filed Monday.

One of the 49 seized dogs “has a history biting humans” and will be euthanized, according to a motion filed in Virginia in U.S. District Court.

U.S. Attorney Chuck Rosenberg said the dog — identified as number 2621 — “exhibited intense aggression to humans to the point where the evaluation could not safely be completed.”

The recommendation came more than a month after the court ordered the dogs evaluated by U.S. Department of Agriculture contractors.

Last month a team of animal behavior experts selected by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals analyzed the dogs, and then recommended whether they were best suited with families, trained as police dogs, placed in a sanctuary or euthanized.

Federal authorities anticipate recommending a guardian be appointed to oversee the placement of the other dogs.

Vick pleaded guilty in August to federal conspiracy charges related to dog fighting on his property in Surry County, Virginia. He is to be sentenced on the federal charges on December 10.

Last month, a federal judge tightened restrictions on Vick after he tested positive for marijuana use. The suspended Atlanta Falcons player must submit to any method of drug testing required by the pretrial services officer or the supervising officer.

He must participate in substance abuse therapy and mental health counseling if the pretrial services officer or supervising officer orders that.

Vick was also ordered to stay home between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. He is to be electronically monitored during that time.

Vick also faces state charges related to dog fighting. He will be arraigned on state charges on October 3 in a Virginia court

For Pit Bull Lovers and Enthusiasts
From: Turtle Moon Rescue, Inc.
Date: 02/10/2007

Turtle Moon Pit Bull Rescue’s monthly 12:10 Newsletter is a newsletter for responsible Pit Bull owners and enthusiasts.

Our newsletters contain information on training, all-natural treat recipes, Bully Trivia, and much more!

Click Here to see our past newsletters or sign up for them!

Please take a look at what wonderful information our newsletter has to offer you!

TMR does NOT under any circumstance give your information to any other party!!

Tennessee goes to the pits! *Pitbull Awareness*
From: Bless~the~Bullys
Date: Oct 3, 2007 7:05 PM

Just wanted to share a nice article in the October issue of Nashville Paw Magazine about pit bull awareness day.

(Cut and paste link to your browser):
http://www.blessthebullys.com/id103.html

I’m in the process of updating the website with new events, and we are now over 100 events planned in the U. S. and Canada for October 20!

Thanks to everyone for getting involved and being the voice of responsible pit bull owners everywhere!

Jodi

Labrador Retrievers

Labs remain the most popular breed in the United States, and not without good reason: Labs are loving, affectionate, highly loyal, extremely intelligent, are good natured, and maintain a solid friendly temperament as long as they are well socialized to a variety of things as pups. All of these things make them a wonderful addition to any family, though their intelligence and activity levels tend to get them into quite a bit of trouble if they’re not given a job, a challenge, or both!

Labs tend to get destructive if left unchallenged, and will find ways to entertain themselves if not provided with something proper. Labs were bred to do a variety of things, from hunting, tracking, and retrieving, to being watchdogs and service dogs, and their ability to think and solve problems should be used to their humans’ advantage!

Labs tend to work hard and play harder, and by giving them a purpose, you enable them to hone their skills and become more comfortable and confident in themselves, and burn off a lot of their energy in the process (before they get a chance to use it for more troublesome adventures!) Though only a moderately active breed when indoors, Labs tend to become overweight quickly and easily and should get a minimum of 30-45 minutes of vigorous exercise a day to prevent weight gain, energy build up, and boredom. If this need isn’t met, Labs tend to become escape artists, wanderers, obsessive chewers and/or diggers.

Being a work- and people-oriented breed, something as simple as a doggy backpack can make them feel as though they have a purpose, even if that purpose is only to carry your house keys while out for a walk. When the dog is old enough (at least 6 months of age) weighing the backpack down with bottles of water or a few canned goods will not only give the dog a feeling of purpose and accomplishment, but will also use up a good portion of their energy, leaving very little left to get them into trouble should they be bored and unsupervised.

Labs are extremely people oriented, and should be taught early that leash pulling and jumping to greet people is unacceptable. A Lab puppy usually reaches adult weight between 6 and 8 months, and can become quite a handful if untrained. Consistency with training is essential – all members of the family (and anyone else the dog will come into contact with) should treat the dog the same and hold the same expectations of him – if Mom doesn’t allow him on the couch, but Dad does, Puppy will become confused, sneaky, or a combination of both.

Labs are eager to learn, and require only the gentlest of corrections – harsh reprimands or punishments will only damage the relationship between dog and owner(s) and be counterproductive – firm but gentle guidance will result in a strong, trusting bond.

Using a positive, reward based training method is the only way to go with Labs, as they are people-pleasing and highly food motivated. When using food to train, be sure to account for the extra intake at meal time, as Labs tend to become obese – the Lab puppy diet should consist of a high-quality dog food containing between 18% and 24% protein to help avoid joint problems, either in the form of hip or elbow dysplasia, or problems that arise from a large breed puppy growing too fast. Diet and exercise should also be closely monitored, and modified on the day of a training session to ensure that the dog isn’t taking in extra calories and nutrients.

As well as a propensity for obesity, Labs are also prone to eye disorders, including retinal atrophy and cataracts, and so all Labs should have an eye exam each year. Labs also are prone to ear mites, and yeast and bacterial ear infections, though the latter two can usually be chalked up to poor diet, especially if skin allergies are also present.