There Is No Security, Like Dog Security

All Dogs provide Security

In all of my previous entries I discuss how you can take care/provide for your dog, however for this entry I will be talking about how your pup can take care of you. I believe that even with all of our technical advances there really isn’t any 100% guarantee for protection in the home or on the street. Police, security systems, even guns aren’t really all that great at prevent an attacker from attacking or neutralizing them when aggression is shown, however a dog, especially certain breeds, can be all the protection you need. For security inside of the home it doesn’t matter wether you have a Chihuahua or a Mastiff any dog will serve as a great alarm system by barking at any potential criminals trying to enter and this will both wake you up and most likely deter the criminal from wanting to continue breaking into your house. Now on the street it is a little different because generally speaking smaller and less ferocious looking dogs will not intimidate potential attacks enough to keep them away, however certain breeds (and any very large dog) will make potential attacks choose another victim.

Breeds That Excel at Security 

There are tons of different lists online of “best security dogs, most intimidating dogs, etc” however I am going to just give a quick overview of the breeds that I think work best for security purposes. Right off the bat I have to say bully breeds are probably the best for intimidating potential attackers and keeping their owners safe, this means pitbulls, bulldogs, and mastiffs. Though there are certainly more dogs that have stronger bites and even better protection instincts than bully breed dogs, the intimidation that bull breeds demand is truly amazing and in my opinion are best for protection because their intimidating demeanor keeps attacks from ever happening in the first place. When considering a dog for protection there has been one breed that stands out above the rest and his been described by many as the Cadillac of security dogs, I am of course talking about the German Shepherd. German Shepherds are universally recognized as police dogs, and have the bark, bite, and instincts to provide some of the best protection any owner could hope for. In addition to bully breeds and German Shepherds nearly any large dog will fulfill the role of a protector against potential attackers. Obviously (hopefully) most of us aren’t buying our dogs with security in mind, however when questioning your own security, be it in the home or on the street, don’t ever underestimate your furry companion because the truth is he/she can provide you more instant security than an alarm system, police, pepper spray, tasers, or even a gun. 

Collar Vs Harness

Don't Make Your Pup Scream Help!!!

For the longest time I was not very fond of using a harness for dogs, for the simple fact that I believed the handler had more control if he/she is using a collar. However, I do not claim to know everything there is to know about dog owning/handing/training and therefore I too am learning knew things everyday. I recently switched my American Bulldog, Jane, from a collar to a harness and she is actually responding quite well to it. So in this entry I am going to give a quick run down of collars and harnesses, as well as an acknowledgment of a few specialized collars/harnesses that I think are innovative and helpful.

Make Them Say Thank You

I believe that the number 1 downside of using a collar of any type is that you are leading your dog around by their neck, and depending on how much your pup pulls you could end up choking them on a regular basis. This choking can be even more exacerbated by the use of slip collars and choke chains, which I really don’t suggest unless you have trained your dog to be at a point where he or she will walk without pulling what so ever. However getting your dog to walk perfectly without pulling takes some time and unless your Cesar Millan (who we all know can train any dog in 30 minutes) the best option for all us normal people is the harness. Harnesses come in all different styles, colors, and specialty makes however at their base they are all pretty much the same, two straps go over your dogs shoulders like suspenders and one goes around their waist like a belt and then everything connects at the top of their back and that is where you hook the leash on. With dogs that pull they are a Godsend and can really help to not only walk your dog, but also walk him or her without the guilt of constantly choking your pet. Just like with collars there are a couple specialty harnesses that do different things, such as a harness which gets tighter around the chest the more the dog pulls so that it acts almost as a choke collar would but instead of the tension being around your dogs neck it is instead around their chest, which is a bit less sensitive. 

Discipline…. Need I Say More?

The Problem

Today’s blog is going to be about an aspect of dog training and owning a dog that most people love to avoid, discipline. Many people view their dogs as something that should be loved and nothing else, or are so caught up on how cute their pup is that no matter what their furry friend does they see it as cute and do not ever discipline their animal. First and foremost, discipline is not just for the human it is actually many for the dog’s mental health and well-being. Dog’s need discipline and in fact in the wild dog’s choose a pack leader so that he/she will lead them and provide the similar discipline to what the dog received as a puppy from their mother. Without rules and boundaries dog’s cannot be happy, and will become mentally unstable the only problem is how do we discipline our dogs without physically hurting the pet that we love so much.

The Solution

I am a firm believe in what I call “the touch”. The touch has been coined by Cesar Milan in many of his Dog Whisperer episodes, the idea of it is that instead of hitting your dog or spanking them when they do unwanted activity the owner instead makes his/her hand into a claw type formation mimicking the teeth and mouth that a dog would normally use, to quickly and firmly poke the dog in a sensitive area in an effort to get the dogs attention and let them understand that what they are doing is unwanted. Though the touch is to be firm and pinching it does not hurt the dog and should not be used with hurting the dog in mind. Every dog has a different spot on their body where they are sensitive and thus more receptive to the touch, as to finding the spot, that is the job of the handler to go about the trail and error process. If done correctly the touch is honestly the only disciplinary tool any handler needs in order to communicate properly with their dog. Many people have different idea and products to do exactly what the touch does (bottles of water, clickers, dog whistles) however in my experience, it is best to not use an outside tool, because when you don’t have that tool you loose all power in your dog’s eyes and this is never good in forming the submissive relationship that you want with your dog. 

Potty Training…. The Right Way

The Challenge 

Probably the biggest challenge to owning any dog, and especially owning a dog in the city is potty training. Obviously it is very important for your canine companion to know the difference between using the bathroom outside as opposed to inside on your rug/carpet/hardwood floor etc, and the process of making your pup understand this distinction can be a tiring one, but if you follow these steps you can get your dog potty trained as soon as possible.

The Process

When you pup is really young (8 weeks-12 weeks) your best bet is probably to get them pee pad trained first so you can save yourself a little bit of sanity, because they are going to be going to the bathroom constantly and without pee pads it will be very challenging to try and get them outside each time. After your pup is about 3 months old however you need to start getting them outside to use the bathroom as much as possible so they can get used to it. I found that the key to potty training my dogs was to anticipate their bathroom needs based on when I give them food and water. A lot of people mess up at this point, because they give their dogs access to food and water 24 hours a day, however for potty training purposes I suggest feeding and watering your pup 3-5 times a day and making sure to take the food and water away after about 30 minutes then about 5-10 minutes later take them outside to go to the bathroom and eventually they will make the distinction and realize that outside is the place to go. Now when your dog does have an accident inside, which will happen, its important to not get too angry and yell because your dog really does not understand why you are even upset, in their mind the choice was simple they had to go, they went, they feel better now. When your pup has an accident I found that the best way to handle it is a simple and gentle spanking and then a THOROUGH clean up of the mess. I capitalized “thorough” because getting all the smells and mess up is by far the most important part of potty training. Dogs see everything through their nose and if their nose smells pee or poop in an area, they will not think twice before using that area to go to the bathroom again. Eventually, if you keep with these simple instructions you are going to have a dog that will not have accidents and who eventually you can trust to not soil your home whether your watching him/her or not, and once potty training is over all that’s left is to enjoy the friendship and love of your four legged companion. 

Crate Training… God’s Gift to Dog Owners

The Pro’s

Crate training is something that I am a very big believer in, however seems to be somewhat of a controversial issue with a lot of dog owners. Many people view locking their dog in a crate as cruel, however this is quite the contrary. Dogs are den creatures, so they enjoy and actually need a small space that they can call their own for sleep and to feel safe. If you try and look at things from your dog’s point of view, sleeping without a crate would be like sleeping outside for us. As well as being healthy for your dog physically and psychologically, crating your pup can insure that none of your personal objects get chewed or destroyed, and can be very helpful when potty training because dogs do not like to use the bathroom in their crates.

How To

Now, there is a little bit more to crating your dog then just buying a crate and expecting them to go in there and be quiet for 7 hours, you have to train your dog to live in their crate. First thing is first, the best way to get your pup to enjoy their new home is by putting their food in their crate for a while so they will associate the crate to happy feelings. To begin with you should keep your dogs crate somewhere close to you like the couch, so that they don’t feel like they are all alone when they go in there, this should take away any potential whining or crying that your dog might do at first. Personally, I like to cover my dogs crates at least partially with a blanket or towel just to help them sleep and keep some of the lights and sounds out, but a lot of people really just don’t like to do this, so it is your choice. If you follow these few simple steps within a week or two your dog will be sleeping in his/her crate and you will never have to worry about waking up to any pee puddles or chewed up furniture, however always remember not to ever use the dog’s crate as a place of punishment because this will circumvent all of the training that you have done and your pet will no longer see their crate as a good place but rather relate it with bad feelings and will not want to be in there. 

To Walk or not to Walk? Is It Really Even a Question?

Problem

One of the most important things dog owners neglect is a daily leashed walk with their canine companions.  I am not talking about walking two blocks, letting them defecate, and then taking them back inside. I am talking about taking your dog on an adventure around the city, and sharing an exploration with your pup.  It is not only important for them to see and smell new things, it makes you, the owner, feel better as well.  It also helps you and your dog form a closer bond, in a way to where you are not just their owner, but the leader of their pack who provides them protection and guidance throughout the walk, and eventually always leads them home.  This builds trust as well as helps prevent dogs from becoming “dominant” over their owners.  I try to take my dogs on about 3 mile walks each day and in return, my dogs are happy, content, and tired.

Solution

In my experience, many people will not get a dog because “they do not have a yard to run in.”  Well this is definitely not a reason to ever keep from getting a dog.  I do not have a yard, however daily walks can provide a dog with all of the exercise and mental stimulation they need.  Owning a dog is not about being lazy, and honestly one of the best rewards a dog can provide a human with is the motivation to get up off the couch and get outside to walk just for the sake of walking. As well as general leashed walks, off leash dog parks are a great outlet to let your dog exercise as well as become better socialized towards people and other dogs.  You would be surprised how many dog parks are around the city and probably just a few blocks away from your location.  I know that many people in my building do not even take their dogs to the building dog park, but instead will walk to dog parks nearby. The most important thing to remember is that dogs have been domesticated to be the companions of humans and live where we live, so please don’t ever let “not having a yard” stop you from enjoying the love and companionship that comes from dog ownership, because in the end the dog who is walked daily will be better mentally and physically balanced than the dog who is left in a big back yard on their own all day. 

To Walk or not to Walk? Is It Really Even a Question?

Problem

One of the most important things dog owners neglect is a daily, or at least every other day, leashed walk with their canine companions.  I am not talking about walking two blocks, letting them defecate, and then taking them back inside. I am talking about taking your dog on an adventure around the city, and sharing an exploration with your pup.  It is not only important for them to see and smell new things, it makes you, the owner, feel better as well.  It also helps you and your dog form a closer bond, in a way to where you are not just their owner, but the leader of their pack who provides them protection and guidance throughout the walk, and eventually always leads them home.  This builds trust as well as helps prevent dogs from becoming “dominant” over their owners.  I try to take my dogs on about 3 mile walks each day and in return, my dogs are happy, content, and tired.

Solution

In my experience, many people will not get a dog because “they do not have a yard to run in.”  Well this is definitely not a reason to ever keep from getting a dog.  I do not have a yard, however daily walks can provide a dog with all of the exercise and mental stimulation they need.  Owning a dog is not about being lazy, and honestly one of the best rewards a dog can provide a human with is the motivation to get up off the couch and get outside to walk just for the sake of walking. As well as general leashed walks, off leash dog parks are a great outlet to let your dog exercise as well as become better socialized towards people and other dogs.  You would be surprised how many dog parks are around the city and probably just a few blocks away from your location.  I know that many people in my building do not even take their dogs to the building dog park, but instead will walk to dog parks nearby. The most important thing to remember is that dogs have been domesticated to be the companions of humans and live where we live, so please don’t ever let “not having a yard” stop you from enjoying the love and companionship that comes from dog ownership, because in the end the dog who is walked daily will be better mentally and physically balanced than the dog who is left in a big back yard on their own all day. 

Doggie Clothes?

In my experience, many girls, and even some guys, love to dress their dogs up.  The smaller the dog, the more clothes it gets.  Sure, it is “cute” to dress your dog up in a dress, with sunglasses, a bow, and booties, however is it the best for your dog?  It is becoming more and more popular to see people doing this to their dogs.  I even know a dog groomer who will glue a bow into the dog’s fur, which has to be cut off or just left on.  Stores are popping up all over the city that advertise custom clothing, as well as other extreme things to “pamper your pooch.”  As I was watching “It’s Me or the Dog” one afternoon, an episode came on of a lesbian couple would had a dachshund and a Yorkshire terrier, both of which are tiny, cute dogs.  They would dress their dogs up in outrageous little outfits, and went as far as to put on diapers so they wouldn’t have to take their dogs to go to the bathroom every hour.  Their problem was that their dogs would fight nonstop.  As the dog trainer, Victoria, explained to them the reasoning for their problem, life in the dog world got much clearer to me.   Clothing restricts a dog’s natural smell as well as body signals.  Without this, two dogs cannot communicate properly, therefore will fight nonstop.  The transformation once the couple stopped dressing their dogs up was amazing.  The dogs sniffed at each other, and then just started playing, as if they were never mortal enemies who acted like they were trying to kill each other. 

I am not saying you should not pamper your pooch, love them all you want.  You can even dress them up once in a while, or give them a jacket on a cold or rainy day.  However, giving them an entirely different outfit everyday takes away from the fact that they are dogs and that they think differently than us.  Anything that will mask a dog’s smell creates a risk for not only you, but also your dog.  Dogs need to be able to communicate to help them build healthy relationships and to get properly socialized.  So please, for all you lovers of doggie clothing lines, keep it to a minimum to keep your dogs happy.  

Best Parks in the City

I have been to several dog parks in the city; however the best one I have found is the Schuylkill River Park Dog Run, located by the intersection of 25^th Street and Pine Street.    The park is not only for dogs, but also has a community garden and a place nearby for kids.  Each section is beautifully landscaped and has enough space for everyone to be happy.  The thing that makes me believe the Schuylkill River Park is the best is that there is a separate of leash section for little dogs, and then a larger section for dogs of any size.  In my experience, little dogs generally do not get along well with larger dogs because of not just size, but also the lack of proper socialization they get.  Many people do not correct bad behavior for little dogs because they are generally smaller and cuter.  Smaller dogs also are usually also not exposed to other dogs as much as they should be, because owners are afraid they may get “hurt” during playtime.  The separate park for the smaller dogs is great, especially for owners who want to socialize their small dogs, without the risk of getting hurt.   

The Schuylkill Park is also great because all the owners who bring their dogs there are very well aware of their dogs and their dogs’ actions.  In the many times I have been there, I have never witnessed any actual dogs fighting, or any other foul play.  Around the park there are also many plastic bag holders, so when your dog has an accident, there is never a reason to leave it, making the park much cleaner than most places in Philadelphia.  The final reason that the Schuylkill Park is my number one spot to take my dogs is because although there is plenty of grassy area for your dogs to run around in, the off leash section of the park is gravel.  I have run into parks covered in grass, which is usually all dead, or mulch, which holds the smell of urine and the other nasty things that dogs may leave behind, not to mention the muddiness when it rains.  The gravel does not absorb the smell as badly as the mulch, and always looks good, unlike the grass.  The gravel keeps the park looking great, no matter the weather.