Adopting Siblings – They May Be Related But Can Be As Different As Night and Day

Adopting a puppy can be a wonderful and enriching experience; one that’s filled with delight, hysterics and education for the new dog owner. Adopt two and you are of course doubling the fun and education. Surely you thought when you decided to bring home two puppies, that this was in an effort for each to keep the other company while you are at work all day. After all, they were raised together and are from the same litter. When your friends and family asked why you brought home two from the shelter when your intention was to adopt only one your, response is almost standard, “I saw them huddled together, how could I separate them? They’re brothers! They need each other.”

Like a new mother or father who has just brought home his or her bundle of joy from the hospital, you send out an adoption notice to your friends and family. You waste no photo opportunity and any chance you get, you post them on Facebook to the delight of your 700 friends. “If my sister wants to post photos of her son, I can do the same with my ‘sons’ Yin and Yang.” You reason. And why not? Your mother has already accepted that she is a grandmother twice over and her new grandbabies just happen to bark instead of say goo goo.

In the first few months, you will likely be so taken by the experience and your mutual love affair that you won’t notice how different they are. All you can tell is that they’re both sweet, give you unconditional love and run to greet you when you come home from work. That whimper from Yin and whine from Yang as you walk through the door is all the evidence you need that you made the right decision.

Aging, Ailments and Temperament – Each Dog is Unique
As puppies, Yin and Yang are simply balls of loving fur – living to serve you and ensure your happiness. Over time you will start to notice just how different each of your canines is. Although your pups seem as though they are two halves of the same coin – indeed that’s why you named them Yin and Yang, by the time they hit about 18 months to two years, individual and very distinct characteristics will start to form. From their respective personalities to how each reacts to strangers to how each is affected by changes in the seasons, it won’t be long before you see that you have two completely different dogs living with you.

While Yin took to his crate and proves that dogs are den animals, Yang prefers to sleep sprawled out on the floor. Sometimes he makes it to the bed you got him and other times he sleeps in the tub or the shower. On the few occasions he has to be in his crate, Yang is clearly uncomfortable. Yin is also more than happy to hang out indoors. In fact, on those days when you are working from home, Yin is sure to be lying next to your desk, still as air. What is that noise you hear? Is Yang running around your front yard barking his head off at the neighbor’s cat or some other potential threat to your security?

When friends come to visit, does Yang sit patiently by the door and almost stare people down while Yin can’t wait to greet them and lick them in the face? Only upon your instruction, will Yang cautiously ‘say hello’? He’s by no means aggressive with anyone, you’ve made sure to train them both, well, in fact. You are perhaps more inclined to call Yang cautious and Yin as sweet and loving to your friends as both dogs are with you.

As the leaves change from green to brilliant shades of red and yellow, do you notice that Yang is at his happiest? In fact, as snow begins to fall, do you find that he wants to sleep outside buried in a blanket of snow? What’s that noise you hear now? Is that Yin whining until he manages to find the Vermont stove to lie in front of?

Although you feed them the same, two things are seemingly unavoidable. Despite how much you exercise them, one may have a tendency toward weight gain and need to hike just a little longer than the other. And while this is a pain for you as you hadn’t expected to get up an extra 45 minutes early each morning to make sure Yin gets all the exercise he needs to keep his pudge down, it is well worth it. And while Yin tends toward a slightly larger midsection, Yang for some reason is at the Vet more frequently. He’s already had three steroid injections because of that occasional limp of his. Your Vet assures you that neither appears to be predisposed to hip dysplasia and so while Yang may seem slimmer, you only play fetch with them twice a week instead of every night, the way you used to as it seems to be harder on his joints.

Assuming you did your best to train them the same, were careful to respect their established pack order and maintain your position as peak leader, some things are inevitable. In other words, it all boils down to this: Although you adopted two of the same breed, indeed siblings and moreover, twins, they are as different as night and day. In spite of their large stature, Yin was destined to be a lap dog while Yang was born to be your protector. They may each receive the same nutrition, as with humans, some are healthy as an ox while others are ‘sickly’ and catch every cold that goes around.

About the only thing that you can do differently that nature plays no part in is this: from the moment you get your dogs home, handle them. Grooming is not just to ensure cleanliness, minimize matting hair and so forth, but it also strengthens the bond between your dog(s) and you. Brush them at least daily; learn how to properly wipe their paws and when doing so, check for foreign objects between their toes and in their pads. Bathe them once a month (never more frequently), and preferably in a sulfate-free shampoo. Clean their ears with cotton balls and/or the same 6” cotton swabs your Vet uses. Just like people, some dogs are more prone to earwax than others. Check their teeth and gums at least weekly. Poke around in there and rub your fingers along their gums.

Why are you doing this? We all hope for our dogs to be the pinnacle of good health. We hope that the only time they have to see a Vet is for their annual shots, to be spayed/neutered and when it’s their time to go over the rainbow bridge. The reality is, this isn’t the case. You will be required at times to administer everything from monthly flea medicine to heartworm medicine to the occasional parasite medicine. It is important to know how to do this and to do so with authority.

Apart from that, love your kids. They are grateful to be in your life at least as grateful as you feel for owning them.

Your Cat Is Not A Book – But You Can Learn to Read Him

While we don’t spend lots of time on cats, I did want to talk a little about them today. Cats are not humans but neither are they just brainless animals, despite what some people seem to believe. They have thoughts (however instintual and primitive they may be) and feelings, they can mourn for a favorite cat or person when that loved one goes away. They show happiness when being petted, anger at being provoked, it’s all just a matter of reading their signals to know what they’re after. They, like humans, come in a wide array of shapes, sizes and personalities. What upsets one may not faze another. What sends one into paroxysms of delight may only garner an indifferent glare from another cat. But how can you tell what your cat is thinking? Short of someone inventing a collar like Dug the Dog wore in the movie “Up”, where his thoughts were turned into words that humans could understand, you have to know what his body language is saying. The nuances of emotion are fairly easy to understand once you have a grasp. Let’s start from the head and work our way back, shall we?

Eyes
A common expression says that the eyes are windows to the soul. Not sure if this is true in a cat’s case, but they can be a very good indication of the cat’s frame of mind/physical condition.
• An intense, direct gaze could be a sign of hostility or merely that Pablo wants something. When locking your gaze with him, blink slowly. When Pablo blinks, flutters or otherwise closes his eyes when looking at you or being petted by you, he is showing you that he’s happy with your presence and what you’re doing.
• Cats can see a whole lot better than we can. When Pablo’s pupils are huge in a dark room, it’s so he can make the most of the limited light. When they’re wide open in a brightly lit room, this is likely a sign of ‘fight or flight’ or that the cat is in pain or distress. If the former, leave him alone for a bit until he calms down.

Ears
As with Pablo’s sense of sight, his hearing and other senses are vastly superior to our own. He’ll move his ears to catch sounds depending on their location, but his ears are also a great way to gauge his mindset.
• When they’re erect and forward, the cat’s alert, his attention focused in front of him
• When he presses his ears back flush to his skull, he’s angry and probably on the offensive. It’s therefore advisable not to mess with him when he gets like this.
• His ears are sensitive, so when you pet him, don’t play with his ears exessively, or he’ll likely get overstimulated very quickly. This leads to the…

Tail
Lash, thump, twitch – Pablo’s tail seems to have a mind of its own, apparently moving of its own volition. But we assure you that he’s in control the whole time. Understanding what such movements mean can be the difference between a happy, content kitty, and one who is not all that happy with you.
• When he sees you, or some other well-loved human, or he’s alert but otherwise in a good mood, his tail will be erect, perhaps waving a bit at the tip.
• When he holds it low to the ground, the tip twitching, it means he’s stalking – either you or that laser pointer in your hand. Perhaps you have a mouse in the house that you weren’t aware of, but Pablo is.
• When he holds his tail vertically, but curved to one side or another, he’s feeling friendly, playful.

Additionally, there are other behaviors that Pablo might display to show you his feelings. Headbutting is a sign of trust and affection, as is rubbing his face against you. In doing so, his whiskers are marking you as ‘his’. (Given an option, wouldn’t you rather have him do that, than urinate on you as he does on objects he wishes to mark?) As tactile creatures, cats will groom one another as a bonding exercise. We are not cats, but Pablo may see you as a large hairless kitty, potentially a parental unit. This may compel him to lick you. This is yet another sign of his complete trust and faith in you.

Heated Dog Bed for Christmas

Are you having difficulty deciding on a present for your dog? Although the question might imply that you are about to indulge your dog and create a spoiled brat, this is not the intent of this article. Deeply rooted in practicality, an interesting gift that you can get your dog this Christmas that will be both beneficial and also very appreciated is a heated dog bed. Heated dog beds are fairly common, especially in northern climates where it is cold much of the year or with dogs who have thin coats, thin blood, arthritis or are older and have a difficult time staying warm. Heated dog beds are a great way to make your dog more comfortable and happier overall.

Heated dog beds work much the same way as an electric blanket does for you. The bed has either a battery or can be plugged into the wall to heat up the fabric evenly and entices any dog seeking warmth to lie down. The heating element is deep in the bed so there’s no chance of your dog coming into contact with it and burning him or herself. If your dog is prone to chewing, you will want to look for one whose cords are chew proof so that your dog won’t wreck the bed by chewing on it. You’ll also want to ensure that the one you purchase has a washable cover so that you can keep the bed clean as well and sanitized. There are even fancier versions of heated dog beds, which not only heat, but vibrate as well, so that your dog gets a warming massage. If all of this is too rich for your blood, you can make your own heated dog bed by inserting a microwavable pad or a low voltage heating element into a dog bed that is safe to use and saves you some you money at the same time.

Keep in mind that the majority of heated dog beds are intended for indoor use only, so if your dog spends a lot of time outside, you’ll have to do some additional searching. There are heated dog beds that are safe for outdoor use, but you should check before you buy one so that you can ensure that the bed will survive a long harsh winter and will last for years to come.

Although you may be comfortable lowering the heater to 77° to keep your utility bills low, this may not be warm enough for some dogs, in particular older ones or smaller breeds. As mentioned earlier, as dogs age, like humans, their joints stiffen, muscles take a little longer to loosen up and their blood is thinner, taking longer to warm up. Smaller dogs will never have quite the same insulation as their larger canine friends. So, while it might seem like an indulgence, offering your dog the warmth he or she needs to sleep comfortably and get going in the morning is merely kindness for your companion.

If you are looking for a good, long lasting gift that your dog will love, will use all winter long and last for years, a heated bed will be a welcome gift. These beds are safe to use, easy to take care of and will really make your dog feel better, sleep better, and make even the most stubborn dog stay in its own bed! There are plenty of beds to choose from, so you can get one that is the right size, a brand you are comfortable with and has all the features you want from being chew proof to massaging your pet! Help your best friend stay comfortable all winter; put a heated dog bed under the Christmas tree this year and enjoy having a happy, pain free pet again.

Some Basic Things to Know Before You Bring a Dog into Your Home

Regardless where you choose to get your dog, whether it be a breeder, animal shelter or from someone who rescues and fosters animals, there are some things you want to be concerned with to ensure your dog is as healthy as she or he can be before she or he even steps one paw in your home.

Are their shots current?

- At minimum they should have rabies and distemper

- Puppies purchased from a breeder or rescued at a young age, prior to 16 weeks will not have had a rabies shot.

- They should have DPPH (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, and Parvovirus)

Have they been spayed or neutered?

- Unless you intend to breed your dog, he or she should be altered. There is much debate about the age for this. Some literature suggests this should occur by six months and others suggest that a female (yes commonly referred to as a bitch) should be spayed after her first heat to avoid uterine cancer. You will want to read literature from advocating both perspectives and make the determination that is best for you.

- Again, if your dog is less than six months old, chances are, neither a male nor a female will have been spayed. There is an exception to this. Most shelters will not release an animal for adoption until he or she has been altered. Their jobs are difficult enough trying to keep the animal homeless population down; they aren’t about to add to the problem.

Ensure they don’t have worms and parasites

- Whether they’re from the shelter, a rescuer or a breeder, all dogs eat myriad of things, including feces (one’s own, other dog’s and cat’s) that give them parasites

- Don’t assume because your dog is from “a top breeder” he or she is immune to worms and parasites

Breeders, unlike shelters, are not mandated by the same city and state regulatory agencies and some are not very clean or ethical. Some breeders admit to inbreeding father/daughter, mother/son, brother/sister and see nothing wrong with it. In their view, it’s all to ensure the “champion blood line” is preserved. If this is the case, you would hate to learn that because of inbreeding your pet suffers from:

Hip dysplasia

- Very common in German Shepherds (GSDs), Huskies, Akitas and other large breeds

Neurological problems and has seizures

- Very common in English Springer Spaniels

Retinal problems and/or deafness

- Can occur any breed

Difficulty breathing easily and is prone to allergies and asthma

- Pugs sadly present with this often.

Overheats easily

- Pekingese are well-known to suffer from this

It’s important to do your homework, wherever, regardless where you feel it’s best to find your beloved animal companion. These are just a few of the examples to look for with respect to breed and known problems that can occur in any dog. If you don’t do your homework, you run the risk of getting an animal prone to problems and being unsure what to do. This is by no means a suggestion to find another breed, especially if your heart is set on a particular one. It’s merely a guide to share so you can go in with eyes wide open.

Nursing a Dog Back to Health

When we get sick or hurt, who doesn’t want someone we love to take care of us? Whether it is to give us medicine, hold our hand, fluff up our pillows, read to us or make us soup, we like knowing that someone is there who will watch over us and see us through our hard time. The same goes for pets. Yes, as much as we hate to admit it, sometimes our pets need us for the unspeakable things that tear at our hearts when they happen. It can be so painful, but we promise that his pain is worse. All you can do is sit and hope, after making sure your best friend has the very best medical care that you can find. Beyond that, it is in the vet’s hands. From malnourishment to auto accidents, there are many things that don’t bear thinking about but must be kept in mind if you want to help your furry friend when he needs you most.

Starvation is arguably the worst way for a pet or former pet to lose his life. It is a slow, lingering and painful process. But you can help. If you encounter a stray who is malnourished, after you determine whether or not he is sick, you can start her off on small doses of easy food several times a day. You don’t want him to gorge himself, which he will try to do if you overfeed him. This only complicates things. Let him get plenty of rest too, as he will probably want to sleep a lot in order to regain his energy – since most of it went to keeping him alive all this time.

If he is sick with a viral or parasitic ailment, make sure he gets prompt treatment – no amount of TLC and good quality food will make a difference if he’s got parasites crawling around inside him. After a time, when you can tell his health, mood and overall manner are improved, you can start getting him exercise so he can build back up the muscle and mass he lost while wandering the streets. Once he is feeling better, you will be rewarded when your new sweet friend gets a glossy coat and looks at you with those happy, shiny eyes.

For surgery, whether routine or unexpected, once your sweet boy is home from the vet, you should keep him calm. This ensures he won’t aggravate his hurts and open the wounds the vet worked so diligently to seal. If you have more than one dog, especially one who likes to play, try separating them for a little while. Your pooch in need of pampering may feel fine and want to roughhouse, but be in no shape to do so. If there are stitches, you would also do well to stick an Elizabethan collar on him. It may make him look like a cosmonaut and he will gaze upon you most pitifully but stand firm! Without it, he is likely to scratch or chew his stitches, which can lead to complications neither of you needs. This goes for any type of invasive procedure and of course the more stressful it is, the more you will want to do for your friend to help him recover. Pay extra special attention to your vet’s instructions in regards to care and medicine if s/he gave you any.

For more traumatic injuries, such as when your pet is hit by a car, loses a limb or otherwise finds his mobility impaired, you might not feel like you can go on. It hurts so much and you can’t stand to see your pet suffering the way he is. But you have to be strong for him because he can’t. Many animals that have suffered either naturally occurring, breed-based ailments that limit their mobility (anything from joint pain to paralysis) or lost a leg due to an accident have gone on to have fruitful, happy lives. So it means your poor boy who lost the use of his hind legs now has to haul himself around in a doggy wheelchair. Before this happened to your best buddy, this may have been a sign of humiliation and a magnet for pity when seeing it in another dog. That would be a mistake! They heal eventually and old wounds are, if not forgotten, adapted to. Thankfully there are many reputable suppliers and manufacturers who will gladly provide you with what your fine boy needs, for a decent price. Whatever you have, whatever breed you fancy - from a Corgi to a Collie, from a Dachshund to a Dane, there is no dog too great or too small.

Whatever happens to your furry friend, you can guarantee that he will thank you and love you all the more for your conscientious, loving and tender care even if at the time he turns spiteful or withdraws. What you have done shows that you are his pack leader and he looks up to you like no other. You have done him a solid and he won’t soon forget it.

The Welsh Corgi: A Little Spitfire

Considering one of these sweet, intelligent, energetic little fellas to add to the family? Well, you’ve chosen a gem to consider! Even Queen Elizabeth II owns a handful of these fun little moppets, and this breed has been favored by the British royalty for the better part of a century. Throughout their history, corgis have proven their worth time and time again, being bred for herding and corralling, proving irreplaceable for Welsh farmers, and useful additions to the farm. These mighty mites can very easily handle herding cattle, sheep, bulls, horses, and even geese. (Moms might use them to herd children away from the TV.) They accomplish their tasks by nipping at the heels of the animals and using a semicircle pattern to press them forward. If a herded animal shows aggression and turns on the dog, the fearless little spitfire bites it on the nose to turn it back. Their low slung bodies allow them to avoid being kicked.

Their line started in Wales around the 10th century, though there are conflicts around their base origins. The AKC believes their beginning to have been in the 12th century when Flemish weavers brought the direct ancestors of the Pembroke Corgi over on boats. Another suggestion was a breeding between Cardigan Cordis and the Swedish Vallhund, brought my Norse invaders to Wales. Sadly, clear historical records regarding these dogs are not clear on the matter.

There are two main corgis breeds: the Cardigan and the Pembroke. They were both developed in Wales for a similar purpose and only a few miles apart in their respective counties. Interbreeding was popular until the 1930s when a show judge declared them to be too dissimilar to be considered the same breed. After that, the Pembroke became the more popular and remains so to this day.

Appearance
There is a difference between the two corgi breeds, just as the judge declared, but they are very similar in appearance to the untrained eye; the biggest difference between the two seems to be the tail. The Pembroke lacks a tail, or has a bob tail, while the Cardigan sports a long one. Other differences include:
• The Pembroke has straighter legs
• The Cardigan has a longer body
• The Pembroke’s head tends to be more of a wedge-shape
• The Cardigan has larger, farther set ears
• The Pembroke is not as heavy as the Cardigan

So generally speaking, they both stand about 10-13 inches at the shoulder and weigh between 28-30 pounds for males and 24-28 pounds for females. Both breeds are low-slung and muscular, with large, rounded ears and faces resembling a fox. Corgis have double coats, with a fine, soft undercoat, and shorter, coarser top coat. The shed year-round and need a good brushing at least once a week. They’ll have extensive fur dumps twice a year, too, so be ready for puff balls.

Color range is red, black, tricolor, sable, fawn, or tan. Some white may be splashed in there, as well. Fluffy or long-haired corgis exist and are very cute little dogs, making fine, trainable pets, but they cannot be shown in competition as they are recognized as cosmetically flawed.

Possible Health Issues
Obesity in these dogs is deadly, as their spines can’t take the added weight. This can cause painful arthritis in the backbone. Pembrokes are at risk for hip dysplasia, where the hip joint or socket is deformed, a clotting disorder called Von Willebrand’s disease, eye disorders, and Canine degenerative myelopathy, which is a progressive disease of the spinal chord that ends in paralysis. A test can be performed on dogs over 10 years old to see if this condition exists. Cardigans are susceptible to glaucoma and back disorders, plus Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), which is the deterioration of the retinas and eventually leads to blindness. A test can be performed to see if your dog has this disorder.

Temperament
Both dog breeds are very active and energetic, needing good long walks daily. However, the Corgi needs more than the Pembroke. They are both highly intelligent, obedient, loyal, neither shy nor aggressive, protective, sturdy, and good with well-behaved children. While not shy, they are wary of strangers, and tend to bark a lot, which make them good watchdogs. If barking is not desired, they need to be communicated this. They get along well with other animals as long as they are socialized young. These little guys may also try to herd their family, which should not be allowed. As with all dogs, pack order must be established if the canine is to be happy, so make sure any dog you own, especially the corgis, know their place in the pack is below any human, else you will have dominance issues.

Corgis are, bottom line, fun little dogs. Smart and loyal, cute and full of energy, they will love you all their lives, which is 11-14 years. Keep them trim, give plenty of exercise, and you’ll have a companion like no other. Just ask the Queen Mum!

Raising Dogs and Cats Together

Dogs and cats are very different animals. Anyone who has ever been around them can testify to that. The typical things that most people associate with either a dog or a cat are generally what make a person choose to have one or the other. Dogs are loving and attention seeking. When you come home from work, Sadie comes barreling toward you! If you just walk into the house from mowing the lawn, Sadie makes a beeline for you like you have been gone for a year! Relaxing in the evening, watching TV, your beloved dog or puppy will often be sitting right beside you, trying to ease her way into your lap without you noticing. The fact that she’s 65 pounds makes little difference to her. She runs after every ball you throw, splashes and plays in the water hose while you are washing your car, and looks curiously at passing birds, bugs, and squirrels…perhaps wondering if they want to play.

Cats, on the other hand, are not quite as concerned with getting attention from you every hour of every day. Leo is much more independent and often only allows you to give him attention when HE is ready for it. Cats are often much more low maintenance than dogs and want their space just like you sometimes do. Trying to get Leo to run after a little ball is a pretty useless way of spending your time. However, when he decides he is ready to play, look out! Tying your shoes can become a huge game to him, and he will continue to play, even as you are walking out the door on your way to work. And all those birds, bugs, and squirrels that Sadie is calmly watching or running after may need to run for their lives when Leo comes around.

Most people are either dog people or cat people, so they don’t generally deal with the other type. But for those few out there who have both, the experience can be a great and entertaining one. Raising a puppy and a kitten together into adulthood can have a very interesting affect on them both. Sadie could begin washing her face with her paws, just like Leo. Leo could decide that baths are pretty cool, just as Sadie does. Sadie may start covering it up after she goes potty, because that’s what Leo does. Leo just might run down the hall and jump in your arms when you come home after a long day, because that’s what Sadie does, or would if she weren’t a 65-pound hunk of love! And whereas Leo might start climbing into your lap for a nap in the evening, you may find Sadie walking into another room for hers.

Seeing the way that each animal picks up on what the other is doing can be an eye opening experience. It can also bring out the deep down personality of your dog and cat. Sadie may realize that she really does need time to herself and does not need to be with you constantly just to confirm your love for her. She may develop confidence that she might not have otherwise realized was there. Leo might start showing that he really does care what you think and do. He may learn that having fun is just as important as keeping his dignity intact.

If you have ever raised these two unique animals together, you have experienced this for yourself. It is hilarious to see your dog acting with as if she were once a princess in a former life and your cat begging you for attention. You can get the best of both animals out of both Sadie and Leo as your wonderful pets, and they will be able to enjoy life a little bit more by learning how the other half lives. Whether you are a dog lover or cat lover, you will definitely be able to enjoy seeing them imitate each other and bring out the quirks in each other’s personalities that may never have been revealed if they were not raised together.

Having a Cat Today Can Do Nothing to Prepare You for Getting a Dog Tomorrow

“Dogs live to serve, cats have servants.” Although the author of this statement is unknown, anybody who has lived with cats for many years and then decided to get a dog, this statement will make a lot of sense.

Cat Ownership – Owning the Home You Live in, Your Possessions and of Course You

Cats have this way of hiring servants to do everything for them, referring back to the earlier quote. You call Sir Bruno to come and be pet and he saunters away. However, as he does so, just as he is no longer within petting range, he turns to you and makes sure that you are still paying attention to his royal highness. When it is more convenient for him, he returns and assumes that this is an appropriate time for you. The fact that it is 3 o’clock in the morning, the night before your big presentation at work, is of little consequence to him.

If you live in an area that is safe for cats to freely roam indoors and out (a farm, far from a main road or deep in the country and of course away from coyotes), and you have ever heard the telltale scratch at the door, you know Sir Bruno is requesting access to his palace. Unfortunately, this is usually at the least convenient time, and again, likely to be around 3 o’clock in the morning. When you stagger to the door, half asleep and open it, Sir Bruno doesn’t even move, does he? He sits there, not in his home and not outside enough for you to slam the door in his face and go back to bed. All the coaxing in the world will not entice him to do what he doesn’t wish to do, now will it? Just as you’ve had enough of his shenanigans and are muttering things under your breath that not even you can decipher, Sir Bruno saunters past you, just as he did when refused to allow you to pet him the night before.

He eats his food, takes his sweet time moseying to your bed where you by this point are in your second phase of primordial snooze. To reinforce his reign of your home, you and everything in his path, Sir Bruno lands squarely atop your head or if he’s ‘kind’, lies down next to your ear and purrs loudly until you wake up and pet him. And why do you pet him? Because, you recognize that he was clearly a Prince in a former life and although he has been reincarnated into a cat, he clearly has memories of his past existence.

Dogs – They Live to Serve You

If you are a brand new dog owner and assume the behavior you’ve been putting up with in your beloved Bruno is even an inkling of what you can expect out of living with Earl, thankfully you would be mistaken.

The first time you met Earl at the local no-kill shelter, he probably took one look at you and, depending upon his previous experience with humans, he may have either run toward you or apprehensively approached you. Either way, timid or happy-go-lucky, he let you know that he would be so honored if you could please take him home with you. In his non-verbal way, he said to you, “I have had a bit of a rough life and I promise if you take me home, I’ll let you train me, bathe me, brush me daily, cut my nails, I’ll eat whatever you give me and if you walk me daily, I’ll shower you with love and affection.”

And so, you bring Earl home, you introduce him to Sir Bruno who hisses and heads for the door, not to be seen for at least 24 hours, “or until you’ve removed that mongrel from my castle.” Given that the latter doesn’t occur, Sir Bruno accepts your new canine buddy and just deals with it.

Assuming that you keep your promise and train Earl, feed him two squares a day, exercise him at least twice a day, establish that you are the pack leader over him, he will, and this a promise, shower you with as much love and affection as you can stand. Get ready for plenty of puppy kisses, because they’re coming your way.

And for all you know, Sir Bruno may change his ways and not be so quick to ignore you. Well, perhaps not.

Veterinarian: Lifesaver, Caretaker, Confidant

One of the most important relationships a new pet owner can develop is the one with his or her veterinarian. Choosing a quality vet may take some time and entail a bit of trial and error. As with anything of this level of importance, it takes time. Occasionally you strike gold right off the bat. Other times, you look for a long time. Just like with doctors that tend to humans, you want to find one who genuinely cares for his or her patients and puts their needs ahead of everything else. If you can find one with a varied career, and both broad and specific knowledge, that’s all to the good. Some animals are known for curious and not-well-documented ailments. One of these esoterically-inclined vets might be the ticket, depending on the species of your special friend.

The traits you may consider optimal when considering a vet may not be the same as your friends would pick. Some people neither want nor care to know about what the vet does. They simply want their animal to be ‘taken care of’. Others want to be involved in every aspect of the process – to bounce ideas off the vet, to have the security in knowing that whatever happens, they and their animal will be getting the best care possible. Of course, when it comes right down to it, you will want to defer to their judgment, but that dialogue is of importance and shouldn’t be discounted.

As an example of a particularly unpleasant ailment, a common problem in German Shepherds is that some develop an autoimmune disease called Perianal Fistulas - characterized by swelling and inflammation of the sweat and sebaceous glands around the anus. Though the cause is unclear, what is known is that the body is attacking itself. In some rare cases, this disease presents itself on the muzzle. It comes across this way:

Day one: Your dog’s muzzle will have what appears to be either white heads or cystic-type pimples.

Day two: Those pimples open up and are raw and oozing blood and pus. They’re painful.

Day three: They are very raw and extremely irritated. Hopefully, if you see something like this, you won’t, as many people do, wait three days. If you haven’t felt alarm by now, by day two, you should at least have taken your Shepard to the vet. Most vets will recognize the illness easily. A normal course of treatment to try is treating with Animax as 75% of cases usually clear up with one run of the drug. However, if Bruno is the rare dog whose nose or sebaceous glands don’t clear up with one treatment, hopefully your doctor will be open to your bringing alternate or experimental treatments you may have researched on your own to his or her attention. And if you happen to have one who is broadly inclined, they might have a few you don’t know about.

Another ailment particular to a majority of Shepherds (and large dogs in general) is Hip Dysplasia. This is an exceedingly unfortunate side-effect of particular breeding in order to achieve a certain appearance. It can manifest in degrees from mild to severe, and though there are surgical procedures for it, if Bruno’s discomfort can be minimized with anti-inflammatory medication or other medicines, that would be the optimal course. There’s no sense in putting the dog through the physical and emotional distress of surgery if you don’t have to. If your vet (with whom you hopefully have a good rapport) does not advocate surgery, and provides well-founded reasons as to why not, listen to him or her. Take his or her advice.

The point about this narrative is that it’s important to have a relationship with your vet that includes you being your pet’s best advocate. Your vet may understand medicine, but he or she doesn’t a) know everything and b) doesn’t know your dog the way you do.

Is My Dog Throwing a Tantrum?

Dr. Jan Bellows.

Dogs have very obvious emotions. They are an animal that wears its heart on its sleeve (or fur). They put their tail between their legs when they are scared, wag their tail wildly when they are playful or happy, and lay down and look up at you when they are tired, sad or bored. In general, most dog behaviors are fairly easy to understand.

However, there are a variety of dog behaviors that are more complicated. We sometimes have a tendency to place human emotions onto dogs, but the reality is that there is still a lot we do not know about dog emotions. One of the best examples of this is when it comes to negative behaviors.

Dogs may also exhibit some strange behaviors that seem moody, angry or sometimes even a little bit scary. For new dog owners that have never experience some of these behaviors, they may look as though your dog is trying to act out, and possibly throwing a tantrum.

Uncontrollable Running

Some types of dogs are prone to uncontrollable running. Excite them just a little bit and they will suddenly jolt around your home, running and weaving in and out of anything in their path, possibly running into pieces of furniture until they finally stop and look up at you, tired.

Do you have a herding dog? This is not a tantrum. This is the effect of a rush of energy that has caused these dogs to be overwhelmed by their instincts. Herding dogs have herding instincts, so they will start to run. Anything that causes a rush of energy can lead to these types of behaviors.

Many of these strange, sudden, and possibly overwhelming behaviors are a result of your dog’s specific breed type. You will find that many breeds, not just herding breeds, have some type of instinctual behavior that they struggle to control when they are rushed with energy. Keep that in mind when you are worried about a dog tantrum.

Alpha Behaviors

Other types of behaviors that may seem like tantrums are alpha dog behaviors. Dogs may show these behaviors by urinating on your pillow or chewing up your favorite shirt. In some ways these dogs are throwing a mild tantrum. For example, a dog is more likely to urinate on your pillow if you recently kicked it out of bed.

However, these are generally the result of the dog thinking it is alpha of the pack. When you do things that question its leadership, these dogs respond with bad behaviors designed to reinforce “their dominance.” Urinating in your pillow may be due to you sleeping in a space it thinks is its own. All of these “tantrums” are due to a long term problem and your dog acting out in specific ways.

Do Dogs have Tantrums?

According to pet owners, dogs do have tantrums. Many pet owners have found that their dogs seem to slam their paws on the ground when they do not get what they want or nip at their feet when they are unhappy. Some of these dogs may be having tantrums, while others behaviors may simply be getting anthropomorphized by their owners.

Still, there is no denying that there are a number of behaviors that dogs show that could easily be defined as having a tantrum. For example, if your dog gets frustrated, it may bark at you angrily, growl and whine a bit, or go and attack its toys out of frustration. But dogs are not likely to show you true tantrums in the same way that humans do.