dogs

Dogs can tell how toys work without training

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What this means is that dogs can group objects by how they are used, not by how they look. The importance of this discovery shows that dogs understand words and in a more flexible manner than previously thought.

A team of animal behavior researchers worked with dog owners and had them play with their dogs with objects in two categories, pull and fetch. The owners used these words with specific toys that did not look similar.

“Next, the dogs were tested to see if they had learned to connect the functional labels to the correct group of toys before playing with more novel toys in the two distinct categories. However, this time, their owners didn’t use the “pull” and “fetch” labels for the dogs.

The team found that the dogs were able to extend the functional labels they’d learned previously to the new toys based on their experience playing with them. In the final test, the dogs showed that they could successfully apply the verbal labels to the toys by either pulling or fetching accordingly, even when their owners hadn’t named them.”

This impacts the way we train our dogs and the importance of the words that we use, especially associating the words with actions. If dogs are capable of understanding words to this level, it is reasonable to assume that other animals and birds can do the same thing.

Journal Reference:

  1. Claudia Fugazza, Andrea Sommese, Ádám Miklósi. Dogs extend verbal labels for functional classification of objects. Current Biology, 2025; DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2025.08.013

Cite This Page:

Cell Press. “Dogs can tell how toys work without any training.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 23 September 2025. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250923021212.htm>.

Susan Bulanda’s two new books

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Please take a minute to check out my two new books. I think you will like them. Autographed copies will be available by January from my website. If you can’t wait, they are on Amazon.

Sue

Where Are You Nicholas?

When the Nazis Took Everything, One Memory Kept Her Alive.

Yvonne Redgis lived a life shaped by grace, discipline, and quiet strength. A gifted dancer in Paris, she built her world through movement and devotion. When war overtook France, she entered the Resistance with conviction and purpose. The cost was immense. Captured, tattooed, and sent to Auschwitz, she endured what no human should endure. However, she was able to convince a German soldier to take care of Nicholas. Would she survive? Would she be reunited with Nicholas?

Through it all, one name anchored her: Nicholas, the small French Bulldog she’d left behind. His memory became her lifeline through the darkest hours—proof that somewhere beyond the wire, love still existed and a future waited worth fighting for.

Where Are You, Nicholas? is the true story of a woman’s wartime ordeal, her hard-won freedom, and the unbreakable bond between a dancer and her dog. Built from Yvonne’s own journals, personal accounts, and historical records, this is a story of resistance, survival, and the devotion that makes us human even when the world has lost its humanity.

For readers who believe some bonds can never be broken—no matter the distance, no matter the darkness.

Ideal for readers of Holocaust biography, women’s history, and accounts of perseverance, this work honors the memory of Yvonne Redgis and the resilience that defined her journey.

https://amzn.to/3Mowq88

Dogs of Devotion

True Stories of Loyalty, Courage, and the Unbreakable Bond Between Humans and Their Dogs

Dogs lift spirits, comfort hearts, guide the lost, and step forward in moments when courage is demanded. In Dogs of Devotion, renowned canine expert Susan Bulanda gathers a remarkable collection of real stories that celebrate the deep connection people share with their dogs. These tales illuminate the intelligence, intuition, humor, and steadfast companionship that define the human–dog relationship.

Written with clarity, insight, and heartfelt warmth, this book embraces the joy of companionship and the life-changing power of animals who walk beside us. Each story offers its own triumph, surprise, or emotional resonance. Readers feel the snow under their feet, the forest winds shifting, the quiet padding of paws at night, and the pure devotion of dogs who give everything without hesitation.

Families, trainers, young readers, seasoned dog handlers, and anyone who has ever loved a dog will find inspiration in these true accounts. The stories highlight working dogs, heroic dogs, mischievous dogs, and faithful companions whose presence shaped lives for the better.

Here are the stories included in Dogs of Devotion:

  • Life and Death — A devoted dog brings quiet courage and unwavering presence to the edge of tragedy.
  • Nicholas — A spirited dog transforms a child’s world with loyalty, spark, and unexpected wisdom.
  • Nine Inches — A tiny dog proves that heart, grit, and spirit create immense impact.
  • Petey — A clever dog turns an ordinary day into an unforgettable act of devotion.
  • Stubby — A brave working dog rises to every challenge with fearless enthusiasm.
  • The Boy — A dog’s steady companionship shapes a boy’s strength and confidence.
  • The Dog Was a Hero — A loyal dog steps forward with bold determination at the moment he is needed most.
  • The First Christmas — A dog senses the season’s wonder and brings warmth and joy to a family’s holiday.
  • The Mystery of Winter — A dog uncovers the quiet secrets of a winter landscape with instinct and intelligence.
  • The River — A dog’s alert senses and quick action protect a life at the river’s edge.
  • The Search — A trained dog tracks through rugged terrain with purpose and heart.
  • Tippy — A small dog with sharp instincts brings light, comfort, and keen awareness to every moment.
  • Queenie — A noble dog meets danger with remarkable poise and steadfast loyalty.
  • The Sled Dogs — A determined team of dogs pushes through cold, distance, and difficulty with powerful unity.
  • Old Drum — A faithful dog inspires a historic courtroom tribute that honors the bond between humans and dogs.
  • U.S. Mail Dog — A dependable dog delivers through storms, distance, and duty with unwavering commitment.
  • My Pal — A gifted trick dog helps a young girl discover confidence, resilience, and joy.
  • Lost — A heroic dog guides a ranger to two stranded hikers and leads everyone toward safety.

These stories honor every wagging tail, every warm muzzle, every joyful greeting at the door. They remind us that dogs contribute courage in difficult hours, comfort in seasons of uncertainty, and companionship in every moment that matters.

Dogs of Devotion offers readers a rewarding experience filled with emotion, admiration, and gratitude for the remarkable animals who open their hearts to us so freely. This collection is a testament to the beautiful connection between people and their dogs, written by one of the world’s most respected canine behavior experts.

https://amzn.to/483sL8l

Food risks for dogs – Keep your dog safe during the holidays

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As the Holidays approach, it is a good idea to review the dangers certain foods and spices are for dogs.

There are things that dogs should never eat and are especially at risk during the holidays. The list of what is dangerous to dogs continues to grow. Here are the top offenders that could seriously harm or even kill your dog.

1. First and foremost are bones. Many people think that dogs eat bones but this is not true. In the wild, foxes, wolves and other members of the canine family will crack bones to eat the marrow but they rarely eat the bones. Bones are not digestible in a dog’s short intestinal tract and can puncture them internally. Fish and poultry bones are the most dangerous. However, I feel that no bone is good for a dog, especially the ones that are available in pet supply stores that have meat left on them. Those bones also can be contaminated with salmonella.

http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm208365.htm

2. Raw or undercooked turkey which can have salmonella. Turkey in general can be too rich for many dogs and cause them to get sick.

3. Turkey skin is mostly fat and dogs can develop pancreatitis from too much fat, which by the way includes gravy. All meat fat should be on the no-no list for dogs.

4. During the holidays many people tend to bake more than usual. While this may be a special treat for us, cake batter and any cookie or cake dough is not good for dogs. Bread dough is especially dangerous because the dough can rise inside the dog’s stomach causing a lot of pain and even bloat. Not to mention the risk of salmonella from the raw eggs.

5. When I was a child we had a dog that loved beer. He would take the empty beer bottles between his paws and lick the last drops out. As funny as it was, no form of alcohol is good for dogs. If your dog drinks too much he can develop a fever, rapid heartbeat, have seizures and liver damage. Just as in humans, alcohol poisoning can kill a dog.

6. Macadamia nuts surprisingly are also bad for dogs. They can suffer from macadamia nut toxicosis which can cause them to become lethargic, vomit or be unable to stand up.

7. Mushrooms can be lethal for dogs as well. With all of the variety of mushrooms that are OK for humans to eat, it is best to keep all of them away from dogs. A dog can suffer from vomiting, seizures, coma and death from mushrooms.

8. Onions and garlic contain sulfides which can cause a dog to become anemic.

9. Sage contains a number of oils and resins that can upset a dog’s stomach and harm the dog’s nervous system. Many recipes include sage so it is a good idea to always check a recipe to see if it has sage in it.

10. Nutmeg is another spice that is harmful for dogs. This is a common ingredient in some pies and vegetable dishes such as sweet potatoes.  Nutmeg has some hallucinogenic properties that can cause seizures, tremors and problems with the central nervous system.  Again, check recipes to make sure that they do not contain nutmeg.

11. Chocolate is well known as having lethal affects on dogs. The darker the chocolate, the more dangerous it is. Baker’s chocolate used in recipes is very toxic.

12. While not considered a food, it is important to mention that rawhide, pigs ears, antlers and cow hooves are also potentially lethal for dogs. Not only can they be toxic, but they can block the dog’s intestines requiring surgery or even causing death.

         http://thebark.com/content/dangers-rawhide-dog-chew-toys

13. Artificial sweeteners such as those found in sugar free products, especially Xylito

http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/health/2007-03-18-xylitol-sweetener_N.htm

The best overall advice for the holidays or any other time of the year is caution. By being aware of what can harm your dog and preventing access to these items will keep your dog alive and happy. It is very important to understand that the smaller the dog, the less of the items above it will take to make your dog sick. But that does not mean that if you have a large dog it is ok to give them a little bit of the forbidden foods. There is always a chance for an allergic reaction to foods that are not suitable for dogs.

Pet Toys

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Note: This article is my opinion, based on my experiences with many dogs, cats and birds.

Pet owners spend a considerable amount of money on toys for their pets. Toys are important for pets; they give pets something to do and, in some cases, build the bond between the pet and owner. While I will refer mostly to dogs, this article applies to all pets.

It is important to realize that there is no regulatory body for pet toys. What that means is that manufacturers can use whatever material they choose to make pet toys. Unfortunately, many of the products that are available are not safe, either because of a chewing or a toxic substance risk.

When picking a toy for your pet, you should consider the type of animal it is and what it likes to do. Dogs like to fetch, toss and chew and shred toys. This satisfies their natural hunting instinct. Cats like to chase, pounce, carry and sometimes tear up toys.

Birds generally like to tear apart, peck and toss toys. Although many birds play with toys in various ways. I had a budgie who liked to “herd” plastic balls into a tight group.

When considering a toy for a pet, keep in mind that if there is a risk associated with the toy, the risk increases if the pet is small. This is because it takes less material to block their intestines and less toxins to make them sick or kill them. This is why a pet owner should carefully evaluate what toy they give their pet.

I feel that toys for dogs pose the most risks because dogs tend to chew and eat pieces of their toys more than other pets. Know how your dog likes to play with a toy before you pick one out for him. Some dogs will totally destroy a stuffed toy or a plastic one. Other dogs like to carry a toy around and will not destroy it. Many dogs are obsessed with getting the squeaker out of a toy that has one. My terrier is a squeaker killer. He will work on a toy almost endlessly until he gets the squeaker out. Then for the most part, he loses interest in the toy.

Puppies almost always chew a toy until it is destroyed and they are more likely to eat the pieces of the toy. For this reason, plastic toys are a higher risk for puppies. Regardless if your dog is a puppy or an adult, plastic toys in general are the highest risk.

Because dogs like to chew and destroy toys, they are less likely to play with the chew-proof variety of toy. Some of the hard nylon toys are coated with a scent and when the coating wears off, the dog loses interest in the toy. Stuffed toys pose a problem because the stuffing, which can be ingested and not digested. The stuffing in most dog and cat toys are fiber fill which is a form of plastic and can block intestines.

If a dog owner is going to give their dog one of the many products on the market designed to clean the dog’s teeth while they chew the toy, be sure to check the ingredients. Most dental chews for dogs are only 96% digestible. What is the other 4%? Some of these products have plastic in them to make them last longer.

Those chew products that are designed to be eaten, should break down in five to ten minutes when placed in water, if not, it is a high risk for your dog. These types of products can block a dog’s intestines. Because of a dog’s short digestive tract, these products do not have enough time to break down if they can break down at all.

This is also true of any rawhide product. I personally do not approve of any animal product such as cow hooves, pig’s ears and rawhide. These products are often treated with formaldehyde as a preservative and cured in arsenic. Many people think that rawhide comes from a butcher, but in reality, rawhide comes from a tannery. Also, keep in mind that any wild domestic canine does not eat bones, skin or hooves.

This is evident when you see a dead deer along the roadside. After everything, animal, bird and insect are finished feeding on the carcass, the things left are hide, hooves and bones. The main risks for letting a dog eat rawhide are contamination, choking hazard, and intestinal blockage. A number of pet related organization discourage giving dogs rawhide.

(https://m.facebook.com/PlanetPawsMedia/photos/a.114414471966777/883417478399802/?type=3&p=30)

Rope toys are acceptable if your dog does not chew them and swallow the threads. The safest rope toy is one made of cotton instead of nylon. Cotton has a better chance of breaking down if it is ingested whereas the nylon will not.

It is never a good idea to give a dog old shoes or slippers because of the chemicals used to make them. It is especially difficult for a puppy to understand that old shoes and slippers are OK to play with, but new shoes and slippers are not. If you insist on giving your dog rawhide remember that rawhide comes from a tannery and dogs have a very sophisticated sense of smell. Therefore, a dog of any age can smell the similarity between rawhide and other leather products, which include furniture, gloves, jackets and briefcases.

Bones are not a good choice for dogs either. Again, it is not natural for dogs to eat bones. Many of the “natural” bones have bacteria on them that can harm both dogs and people who handle them. Some of the stuffed bones that are treated can be safer for a dog who likes bones. The danger associated with bones are splinters from the bone and bacteria.

The bottom line is to know your dog. If a toy becomes small enough to swallow it should be taken away from the dog. By knowing your dog’s play habits you will be able to decide what toy is safe for them to play with. The best toy is one that allows you to interact with your dog, playing fetch games, chase games or whatever your dog likes. If you understand your dog’s breed, it will guide you to selecting the right toy for your dog. All dogs and cats can benefit from puzzle toys and treat dispensing toys. The main thing is to keep your pet safe and happy.

Susan Bulanda’s books

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With the holidays approaching I thought I would post about the books that I have written. They make wonderful gifts to friends and family as well as yourself. If you order from my website you will get an autographed copy. PLEASE NOTE that if you live outside the United States you need to contact me for the cost of postage, the postage on my website is only for the US. The cost of mailing the books outside of the US often costs more than the book so if you can get it through Amazon or a local book store you will save a substantial amount of money. Also note that all of my books are traditionally published by established publishers.

The Business of Dog Training: How to Succeed as a Successful Dog Trainer – will guide you through every aspect of running dog training business from what kind of trainer you want to be to how to deal with clients. This is a must have book for those people who want to become dog trainers as well as those who already have a business.     2024 First Place Dog Writers Association of America – Maxwell Award

Miitary Dogs of WWII – covers all the countries involved in WWII. It names famous dogs as well as mascots. It covers the dogs that served as SAR dogs in England, helping to find buried people in bombed buildings. It explains training methods as well as the missions that the dogs went on and how they saved lives. There are about 100 photos included in the book.      2023 First Place Dog Writers Association of America- Maxwell Award

K9 Obedience Training: Teaching Pets and Working Dogs to be Reliable and Free-Thinking.  This explains how to teach a dog the basic obedience that is the foundation for all other training. The methods used in this book allow the dog the freedom to think for themselves rather than perform robotically where creativity is discouraged. Free-Thinking is necessary for all working dogs. Obedient disobedience is also covered. The book explains what not to do and why. Some fun tricks are included.

K9 Search and Rescue Troubleshooting: Practical Solutions to Common Search-Dog Training Problems – explains the typical SAR dog training problems and offers solutions for the SAR dog handler. The solutions apply to all disciplines in canine search and rescue. It explains how the puppy stages of development can have lasting effects on the behavior and training of a dog. Often people adopt an older dog to train and do not understand why the dog behaves the way it does, this book gives insight to those issues. Although K9 Search and Rescue Troubleshooting: Practical Solutions to Common Search-Dog Training Problems is written for the SAR dog handler, the information contained in it applies to many training issues that are not related to SAR.      2020, Certificate of Excellence, Dog Writers Association of America.      2018, First Place, National League of American Pen Woman.

Soldiers in Fur and Feathers: The Animals That Served in WWI – Allied Forces: A unique, collection of accounts about many different animals that served in WWI. There are many rare photos. What is especially interesting about this book is that it includes many of the mascots that the soldiers kept. Some went into the trenches with the men. For example, there is an account about how a cat saved the life of a soldier, how a pair of geese slated to be Christmas dinner wound up being kept as mascots, and one soldier had a huge Golden Eagle as a pet. WWI was a transitional war from animal power to mechanization, therefore many species of animals served, such as oxen, horses, mules, camels, pigeons, and dogs in many capacities. 2012: Second Place Winner, National League of American Pen Women, Finalist for the Alliance of Purebred Dog Writers Arthur Award,      Certificate of Excellence for the Cat Writers Association of America.

Faithful Friends: Holocaust Survivors Stories of the Pets Who Gave Them Comfort, Suffered Alongside Them and Waited for Their Return: The only book written about the animals of the Holocaust victims, recording a part of history that has been overlooked. Some of the stories are sad and some joyous, but all are a part of history. Learn about Nicholas the French Bulldog owned by a woman who was part of the French resistance, and how he came to tour with the German army. Also, the dogs who somehow survived the war and were reunited with their owners and many other stories about dogs and cats.      2012: Dog Writers Association of America, Maxwell Award,     Certificate of Excellence Cat Writers Association, 2012; National League of American Pen Woman 2nd place  

God’s Creatures: A Biblical View of Animals explains the role that animals play in the Bible and how God uses them. It explores the nature of animals and miracles that involve them. It answers questions such as, do animals go to heaven, do they know and obey God, can they be evil?

Boston Terriers, a book all about this wonderful breed of dog. Learn about their care, training and personality. The book has fun sidebars that give personal accounts of Boston terriers.        2002 – First Place Maxwell Award for the Dog Writers Association of America (only available on Amazon)

Ready: The Training of the Search and Rescue Dog: Adopted worldwide as the training book for SAR dogs. This book has been in print since 1994 and is in its second edition. It gives the SAR dog handler a training plan for all disciplines of canine search and rescue.       First place for the National League of American Pen Woman, 1996. Also nominated best book of the year, 1994 Dog Writers Association.

Scenting on the Wind: Scent Work for Hunting Dogs: helps the hunting enthusiast understand how weather, wind and terrain features affect scent. It is a great aid for people who compete in field trials or who do any kind of scent work with dogs. Only available from the author’s website http://www.sbulanda.com

Real Estate Today, Seller Beware! – explains how to save thousands of dollars when selling your house. Available on Amazon

Hypertension in Dogs

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Most people are familiar with hypertension in people also known as “high blood pressure” but how many of us know that about 10% of dogs have it too? The problem is that our dogs cannot tell us if they are not feeling well. Therefore it is our responsibility to look for symptoms that could be a result of high blood pressure.

There are two types of high blood pressure in dogs, primary and secondary. Humans are more likely to have primary high blood pressure, which is when there is no underlying cause. Secondary high blood pressure is when it is a result of a disease. Secondary high blood pressure is the most common one that affects dogs.

Unfortunately the signs for high blood pressure can also be signs of other medical problems in your dog. For example, high blood pressure can affect the eyes, central nervous system, heart and kidneys.

Typically there are no early signs of high blood pressure in dogs, sometimes the signs that we see are considered part of normal aging and could be overlooked.

Like humans, being obese is a cause of high blood pressure in dogs, and this is one thing that we can control. Regular exercise and keeping your dog’s weight at a normal level can help prevent high blood pressure.

Because the symptoms can be related to other medical issues, if you notice any change in your dog’s behavior, regardless of what age your dog is, a trip to the veterinarian is in order. In older dogs, do not assume that behavior changes are due to old age.

Some of the changes to look for are excessive drinking. Sometimes a dog owner will not know if their dog is drinking more water so another clue is if the dog has to urinate more often and/or larger amounts.

Changes in the dogs movement, how he walks, if he seems dizzy, or falls is another sign. The dog’s mental state, such as does he seem forgetful? Stand in a corner or seem to get lost?

Has the dog’s appetite changed? Is he less active? Does your dog pant excessively? Does he cough or seem short of breath? These are all symptoms that warrant an immediate visit to your veterinarian.

Sometimes changes happen gradually, therefore if your dog is a senior you should have your dog checked twice a year and ideally given a geriatric profile blood test. Keep in mind that being a senior depends on the breed of dog. Some breeds can live to be 18 and some do not live past ten. Therefore check with your veterinarian to determine at what age your dog needs a twice a year check up. The good news is that high blood pressure in dogs is treatable with medications.

http://www.akcchf.org/canine-health/your-dogs-health/caring-for-your-dog/hypertension-in-dogs.html

Do you really want a dog?

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There are many reasons why people decide to get a dog (or any other pet). It is important to think it through before making a decision. Although this article focuses on dogs, it applies to any type of pet.

Consider the following:

  1. Do I have the time to care for a dog? Training, housebreaking, exercise, grooming and daily interaction.
  • Can I afford the cost of the dog throughout its lifetime? Costs include purchasing or adopting the dog, food, veterinary bills, grooming, spay/neuter, boarding, possibly fencing and space for the dog.
  • Do I have time for the extra housework a dog will cause? Some breeds shed a great deal, muddy paws, accidents.
  • Is it OK to have a dog where I live and will live in the future? Does my job require frequent moves, if I rent, am I allowed to have a dog, do I travel a lot, what about vacations?
  • Are any family members willing to help care for the dog? Are there family members who would be hindered by a dog running around the house?
  • Am I willing to make the commitment to care for the dog for its lifetime? Nothing is worse than abandoning a family pet, isolating the dog or neglecting its needs. Dogs are social animals and suffer mentally the same as a person would if they are neglected.
  • Be sure you understand the type or breed of dog that you want. Not all dogs will fit into your lifestyle or home. Know what training requirements, grooming, exercise, and medical issues that are involved with that type of dog.

If you decide to add a dog to your home, it is important to be educated about where to get the dog.

  1. Animal shelters or rescue groups

These are often the first place a person will look for a dog. Keep in mind that neither of these agencies may know the history of the dog(s) that they have for adoption. A dog that is housed in a shelter or rescue group will not behave the same as when it is adopted. It takes about six months for a dog to adjust to a new home. The first six months is the “honeymoon” period and the dog’s behavior may change after six months. Also keep in mind that some people do not tell the truth about why they have given the dog up for adoption. They believe that someone else will be able to fix the dog’s behavior issues. That being said, it is possible to get an excellent pet from these agencies.

  • Friends, neighbors, newspaper ads, pet shops or the internet

These are the riskiest places to get a dog. A good, quality breeder will not allow their puppies to be sold through these venues. Most breeders have waiting lists for puppies. The above-mentioned sources are often backyard breeders or commercial breeders who have little or no knowledge about breeding quality dogs. Pet shops and newspaper/internet ads often get their dogs from puppy mills where the dogs are bred at every heat, forced to live in horrible conditions, receive no socialization or handling by people, are not tested for genetic diseases, are malnourished, are not true to the breed and are often not purebred.

That means the dog may not behave or look like it is supposed to. The latest trend are designer dogs which are cross-bred dogs. These do not adhere to any standard and there is no proof other than a DNA test to ensure that they are the mix advertised.

Some of these sources will provide AKC or other types of “papers” with the dog but papers are often forged or misrepresent the dog they are issued with. No registry organization guarantees that the dog is a quality dog or even that it is pure. Often pet shops purchase their puppies from a broker who is a middleman. The price is inflated and the poor-quality puppy may cost more than a well-bred dog from a reputable breeder. The other disadvantage of getting a dog from these sources is that the seller is in the business of making a profit, therefore they will sell a puppy to anyone without discussing the characteristics of the breed or try to match the buyer with the right type of dog.

What about papers?

         Many people think that if the dog is registered that the papers ensure that the dog is top quality. The reality is that few dogs bred by quality breeders are show quality. Some breeders only produce working lines but even then, there is no guarantee that the dog will perform as expected. Some people can falsely report the number of puppies in a litter and then give an unrelated puppy registration papers. Unfortunately, there are registries that specialize in registering puppy mill dogs and dogs that did not have papers to begin with.

These registries help breeders that cannot meet the national registry requirements or have been banned from registering dogs because they are puppy mills. Papers on a dog are only as good as the information reported to the registering body, the registering body does not check the breeder or dogs.

Puppy Mills

         Some people do not understand that puppy mills exist throughout the world. All puppy mills operate under the same basic conditions.

  1. Dogs are bred indiscriminately without regard to health, breed characteristics, temperament, and physical type for the breed. Often the puppies are not pure. Many of these dogs are inbred for many generations causing severe health issues.
  • After a lifetime be being bred every six months in horrible conditions, such as overcrowding, poor shelter, living in their own waste, lack of good food, water and veterinary care, these dogs are killed when they cannot produce puppies.
  • Many of the puppies are shipped through a broker and suffer the stress of a long trip, often in the back of a hot or freezing truck/van, and suffer physical and mental health issues as a result. They are taken from their mother too young.

Getting a purebred puppy

         Be sure to research the breed or type of dog that you want. Understand the physical aspects of the breed, (for example some breeds drool a lot), the health issues, exercise requirements, training requirements, and grooming needs.

         Once you have narrowed down the type of dog you want, find a good quality reputable breeder. Nationally recognized registries are a good place to start. Some breeds such as the Australian Shepherd and Border Collie have their own internationally recognized registries. Each country has its nationally recognized registry such as the American Kennel Club, United Kennel Club, Canadian Kennel Club, and so on. Some states have a Federation of Dog Clubs which is another excellent source of information. (If anyone wants a free brochure that I have written about how to select the right dog and breeder please feel free to contact me for a copy).

         It would be to your advantage to hire a certified canine behavior consultant (iaabc.org) to help you evaluate a potential litter/puppy. It is true that puppies go through developmental stages, but a good behavior consultant can often pick out potential problems if any exist.

         Be wary if a breeder has multiple litters at the same time or the dogs live in a kennel and do not receive much attention. These breeders may keep their dogs in better conditions than a puppy mill, but the dogs are still neglected in a number of ways. Also avoid situations where the dogs are bred by people who put out a handmade sign advertising puppies for sale. There are cultural/religious groups who run puppy mills as a source of income.

Getting an adult dog

         Some people do not have the patience or desire to go through the first year of raising and training a puppy. The advantage of getting an older dog is that what you see is what you get for the most part. Many adult dogs are in need of a good home because of their owner’s situation, not because the dog has a major problem. Often breeders retire dogs after their show career and when they are too old to breed any longer. A good breeder may retire a bitch after two or three litters. That means that the dog is still young. A potential show dog that did not make it may also be available for adoption.

In many cases if a dog’s owner cannot keep their dog, they will return the dog to the breeder to be placed. And again, a shelter or rescue group may also have wonderful dogs for adoption. It is a great kindness to adopt a senior dog who may have been given up because the owner had to retire to a facility where they could not have the dog. This will ease the pain of separation for both the owner and the dog if the dog finds a loving home.

Contracts

         It is not unusual for a breeder or an organization to require that you sign a contract to purchase or adopt a dog. Make sure that you read the contract carefully and better yet, take it to a lawyer for review. Some commercial breeders will give you a bitch at no cost if you promise to let them breed the dog a number of times. Often the dog’s owner must pay for all of the expenses and then they cannot have a puppy from the breeding to sell to recoup the cost of birthing and raising the litter. What happens is that after the dog’s owner has met the required number of litters, they will breed the bitch themselves to make some money. At no time is the bitch evaluated to be worthy of breeding or are the puppies judged to be a good quality. It is simply a way to mass produce puppies and claim that they are “home raised.”

         Another clause in a contract may say that the breeder will withhold registration papers until the dog is either neutered or spayed. This is to ensure that non-show quality puppies are not bred. This is actually a good thing to promote the breeding of quality dogs only.

         Be careful when reading a contract and look for empty guarantees. They will look something like this: “We guarantee that this puppy (fill in the blank).” There is no statement as to what the breeder will do if the puppy does not turn out as it was guaranteed. While it sounds nice on paper, it is an empty guarantee. Or the guarantee will require that you return the dog to the breeder for another puppy. The breeder knows that most people will be too attached to their dog to give them up, therefore they get out of their guarantee. If the dog develops a severe problem, would you want another puppy from that breeder? I would hope not. The bottom line is that no breeder can honestly guarantee anything about a puppy since genetics is not that exact and the breeder has no control about how the owner has treated or taken care of the puppy/dog. The breeder can guarantee that at the time you receive the puppy it is healthy. Make sure to take the puppy to a veterinarian within days after bringing the puppy home.

         Almost all shelters and rescue groups will require an adoptive owner to sign a contract that guarantees that the puppy/dog will be neutered or spayed and often, if you cannot keep the dog, that it will be returned to the agency that adopted it to you. This is a good thing.

Training the dog

         Regardless of how old your dog or puppy is when you bring him home, you should take it for training. If you have adopted an older dog, the training may not be necessary for the dog, but it will help you and your dog bond and learn to understand each other. Everyone handles a dog differently so your dog needs to learn about you as much as you need to learn about the dog. Puppies of course, need training. The best time to start a puppy is about two weeks after you bring him home. You can start teaching a puppy basic rules until he is old enough to go to a puppy kindergarten class. Do not wait until your puppy is six months old to start training. Even if you do not formally train your dog right away, your puppy/dog will be learning anyway and often he will make up the rules to suit his own needs and desires.  With careful thought and consideration, getting a dog can be one of the most enjoyable things in your life. It would be wise to review this article each time you want to add a pet to your household. Feel free to ask me any questions

Do it yourself anti-cancer diet for pets

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While this article is old, it does have important information for pet owners to consider. According to the article adding the Budwig diet to your pets daily diet can go a long way to prevent cancer in dogs and cats.

Some of the breeds that are more susceptible to cancer are:

Bengals (cats)
Boxers
Great Danes
Labradors and many of the Retriever breeds
Persians (cats)
Rottweilers
Saint Bernards
Scottish Terriers
Siamese (cats)

According to the article the following are some of the contributors to cancer:

Over-vaccination
Overuse of topical chemicals and flea and tick medications
Lawn treatment
Fluoridated water
Obesity
Certain pet food ingredients

Some of these pet food ingredients include:

Ethoxyquin
By-products
Dyes
Molds/fungi
Simple carbohydrates like corn, wheat, and soy

The diet was discovered by Dr. Johanna Budwig a German Biochemist. Dr. Budwig found that two ingredients helped prevent cancer.

Budwig Recipe:

2 tablespoons flaxseed oil, fresh, refrigerated

1/4 cup cottage cheese, organic

Mix together so that the cottage cheese is no longer oily. If it is still oily, add more cottage cheese.

Feed this mixture to your pet two or three times a day every day on an empty stomach. Wait one hour to feed a regular meal.

Every day. Feed 1-2 teaspoons for cats, up to ½ cup twice a day for large breed dogs.

Make fresh at each meal. Flax seeds can be used but should be ground fresh then mixed into cottage cheese.

A DIY anti-cancer recipe for your pet – Truth about Pet Food

A DIY anti-cancer recipe for your pet

Forensic odorology in dogs

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The science of odorology is different from regular scent work because it can be used to identify someone who was at the scene of a crime. How it works is that scent is collected at a crime scene and stored in a glass jar.

The dog is given the scent from the jar and must identify the person who is in a lineup that matches the scent from the jar. Although it sounds easy, it takes 24 months of training for the dog to be qualified to help solve crime cases. In training the dogs must learn to identify two scents from the same person. This is done through a series of complex tasks where they must identify the target scent from five different human odors. The human odors may be traces of scent collected from an object that someone touched or from the person directly.

Although the dogs can successfully work on criminal cases after training, they continue to be trained for the rest of their career. When working a criminal case, two dogs are used to confirm each other’s results.

Sophie Marchal, Olivier Bregeras, Didier Puaux, Rémi Gervais, Barbara Ferry. Rigorous Training of Dogs Leads to High Accuracy in Human Scent Matching-To-Sample Performance. PLOS ONE, 2016; 11 (2): e0146963 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0146963

Cite This Page:

CNRS. (2016, February 12). Forensic odorology scientifically validated. ScienceDaily. Retrieved February 16, 2016 from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/02/160212102429.htm

Early spay or neuter in dogs

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There is an on-going debate over spaying or neutering dogs before they reach maturity. In the United States, most veterinarians, shelters and rescue groups encourage dog owners to spay or neuter their dogs before or by six months of age, before a first heat for females. The AKC Health Foundation has been researching the pro’s and con’s of early spay/neuter in Golden Retrievers.

They have compared dogs that were spay/neutered before one year of age and after one year of age. What they have found so far is that the timing of spay/neutering had a significant effect on the health of the dogs. They found that early neutering of male dogs more than doubled the risk of Hip Dysplasia but did not have the same affect on female dogs.

Early spay/neuter increased the risk of cruciat ligament tear (CCL) and lymphosarcoma (LSA) in both sexes. Late spaying in females increased the risk of hemangiosarcoma (HAS) and mast cell tumor (MCT). Intact female dogs had no mast cell tumors.

As a result of this study, the AKC CHF is extending its research to include German Shepherd Dogs, Labrador Retrievers, Dachshunds, Rottweiler’s, Chihuahua’s, Standard and Miniature Poodles. 

The question remains, what should a dog owner do? No one wants to increase the risk of health issues in their pet.

First and foremost is talk to your veterinarian and ask them if he/she is aware of the most recent studies concerning the effects of early spay/neuter. After researching the facts, the dog owner must evaluate their ability to handle a dog that is not spayed or neutered. How the dog will behave depends in part on how well it is trained and its breed as well as its individual personality.

Some considerations are:

Should I wait until my dog reaches sexual maturity and then have the dog spayed/neutered?

If I have a female dog can I keep the dog safe from being bred until it reaches or passes sexual maturity?

Can I deal with the discharge that comes with the “heat” cycle?

Do I have a prevention plan with my veterinarian to take care of an unwanted, accidental breeding with my female dog?

Do I have a plan to deal with an unwanted litter of puppies?

Can I keep my dog, male or female under control to prevent them from wandering/escaping during a heat cycle?  Females will wander to spread their scent to try to lure a male and a male will run away to find a female when he picks up her scent.

Can I control my male dog to keep him from marking?

If my male dog has a tendency to be aggressive, can I handle the aggression (toward humans and other animals) that sometimes manifests itself in un-neutered male dogs?

These are just a few of the important decisions a dog owner should consider when deciding if they should have their dog spayed or neutered before sexual maturity or at all.

Sue’s Note: For many years people who own working dogs, such as Border Collies that are used for herding have said that if a dog is spayed/neutered before maturity that they do not work as well. Some people feel that the dog does not fully mature mentally if they are spayed before a first heat for females.

New Study Updates Spay-Neuter Timeline Guidance for Popular Dog Breeds