Flow with Life!!!
We said good-bye to Ipomea at 8 am. Our driver was 30 minutes late and flew through the mountain roads at breakneck speed to get us to the airport. He didn't really acknowledge that he was late, but made sure that we get there. 🙂 We made it in time and flight was nice and... Continue Reading →
Many people do not understand protection and Schutzhund training for dogs. A common misconception is that dogs are trained to be vicious. However, this couldn't be further from the truth. Proper protection/bite work teaches a dog an appropriate time and way to defend its owner and its self. It also allows the owner to learn their... Continue Reading →
The Call of the Wild/White Fang by Jack London My rating: 5 of 5 stars Classic and a great read!!! I read it long time ago as a child and in Russian. Reading it this time, as an adult, makes these stories more meaningful and thought provoking. It saddens me that these days kids/teens read... Continue Reading →
This is a good article discussing bloat in large and giant breeds. It provides a nice description of symptoms and prevention. I have seen this disorder mostly in German Shepherds and Great Danes ... both very deep-chested breeds. I've always stuck to a philosophy of feeding my dog after exercise/walk with a nice 30-40 min... Continue Reading →
How to Raise the Perfect Dog: Through Puppyhood and Beyond by Cesar Millan My rating: 5 of 5 stars This is a must read for any current or future dog owner.I am a huge fan of Cesar Milan and his realistic and effective approach to dogs.I believe, he is one of the very few popular... Continue Reading →
It's been 3 weeks since Dante passed away. Only now, I am ready to write about it. Dante 02/15/03 - 12/02/13 http://instagram.com/p/hcQ8V3sV7H/ I always knew and have accepted that dogs will live only 10-15 years and I will have to let go of few dear tail wagging friend in my life. Nonetheless, it has been... Continue Reading →
The extermination of dogs in Romania is horrific. I understand the problem of large stray dog populations and acknowledge that it needs to be remedied. However, the way it is done in Romania is inhuman and vicious. The mass torture and inhuman abuse of animals is government sponsored and sanctioned. What I cannot comprehend is... Continue Reading →
Great, short article. Many people believe that their dogs will protect them. However, most dog owners, have no experience with protection dogs and lack an understanding of what a good and well trained protection dog’s behavior should be like.
I was the victim of such ignorance myself, before I was lucky to meet a person who was willing and able to demonstrate the proper attitude and replicate it in dogs.
Not all dogs can be good protection dogs, despite of their breed, but all dogs can be raised and trained properly and to the best of their ability. They will devote their lives to their owner, however it is the owners responsibility to raise and develop their K9 friend to be a competent and confident dog.
“He’s very protective of me,” bragged the owner of the German Shepherd I had been called out to evaluate. “He won’t let anyone near me.”
Indeed, her 18-month-old Shepherd was telling me in every line of his body that he did not want me anywhere near him. Head down, eyes wide and staring, muscles tense, and softly growling, he was not a dog I had any desire to approach. He was not, however, “guarding” his owner.
Many fearful or insecure dogs act just like this Shepherd, growling and posturing when people come near their special person. However, their body language tells the true story: these dogs are worried. Their weight is often shifted over their hindquarters, and they rarely position themselves in between the new person and their owner. They lack confidence, and make up for it with their “the best defense is a good offense” approach.
So why…
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Yesterday I read a painfully poignant post by Phyllis DeGioia about her dog, Dodger and her decision to put him down due to his aggression (“Euthanizing Aggressive Dogs: Sometimes It’s the Best Choice“). Her words were not only  powerful because they came from her own experience, but also because they so clearly articulated the conflicting emotions and guilt one feels when faced with euthanizing a dog due to aggression.
Societally, it is so much more acceptable to euthanize a dog for old age or illness than it is for a dog with behavioral issues. Â And yet, many a pet owner has had to face making this type of decision. Â I admire Phyllis for her courage in writing about her decision to euthanize Dodger.
In 2011, I wrote about a dog park friend who had to make this difficult decision after her cream-colored Golden Retriever showed serious signs of aggression…
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I am a big opponent of specific dog breed banning. Most breed based legislature is based on unfounded reasoning and has little foundation in facts.
Politician’s drafting these rules have little to no knowledge of the dog breeds or dog behavior.
No breed is vicious or dangerous by nature. Some breeds are bigger, stronger and have a higher defensive and protection drive. Some breeds posses a higher game drive. However, it is up to the owner to socialize, train and practice responsible dog ownership.
Thus, in my opinion, the method of specific dog breed banning is wrong and fruitless and only leads to pushing some breeds into underground in to the hands of the people who will use them for wrong and abusive reasons.
An appropriate approach would be to educate and license dog owners and to promote dog training and obedience training!!!
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FlowHound 