My Friendly Pets

In an entry that I wrote prior to Thanksgiving, I spoke about the dangers in various types of foods, specifically grapes and raisins. (click here). I recently received an e-mail from a veterinarian in Ohio who recently treated a dog, but sadly the dog died from the ingestion of too many raisins.

Here is how it went, the vet, Laurinda Morris was working at the Danville Veterinary Clinic when she received a call about a 56 pound 5 year old neutered lab mix that ate half a container of raisins between the hours of 7:30 in the morning and 4:30 in the afternoon on a particular day. The dog started to get very ill at 1:00 am the next morning but she didn’t hear from the owners until 7:30 am, almost 24 hours after the dog started eating the raisins. By this time the dog was shaking and vomiting violently.

It was obvious to Dr. Morris that the dog was in serious condition. Blood work was done, and it was determined that the dog was already suffering from severe kidney failure. Fluids were given to the dog to try and rid the body of the poisons and to hydrate the dog. The dog got progressively worse. He got progressively worse and the only time the dog could acutally urinate was when he was given the diuretic, Lasix. The dog was on three different anti nausea medicines and continued to throw up just as violently. The numbers that indicated kidney function continued to worsen, so finally it was decided to euthanize the dog and end the suffering. The dog was not going to get better and prolonging his agony was helping no one.

Dr. Morris said that she had also contacted poison control and was told that even with as few as 7 grapes or raisins a dog could become ill. People often use grapes and raisins as treats as they are small and quick, but remember, they can be deadly to your dog. There is no need for a dog or its family to suffer as the ones did above. Be aware of what is in your home and how easy it might be for your dog to access it. It could mean the difference in your dog’s life.

In an entry a couple of days ago, (click here to check it out), I highlighted some symptoms your dog may experience that would require immediate attention from the vet.
However, your dog may experience health issues that are a matter of concern but allow you to observe for a day or so before contacting the vet. Some of those will be discussed here today.

If your dog experiences changes in their eating or drinking habits, it could be something temporary, like an upset stomach or perhaps they just feel under the weather. You should consult your vet if your dog hasn’t eaten anything over a 24 hour period and especially if the dog doesn’t drink. These changes could be caused by stress or many other conditions, which is why it is important to discuss it with the vet.

If you see dark residue or smell an unpleasant odor from your dog’s ears, it could also be a concern. Your dog might have ear mites, an ear infection, or allergies that cause production of yeast that irritate the ears of the dog. These problems should be addressed by the dog’s vet as potential damage to the dog’s ears could lead to loss of hearing. While it is not immediate that you contact the vet as an emergency, if you note these symptoms, you should not wait longer than 24 hours.

Just as our systems can be disrupted due to stress, and changes in food and water, our dogs systems can respond similarly. The result can be diarrhea. If your dog experiences diarrhea for more than a few days and it is accompanied by weakness and lethargy, it is time to contact the vet.

There are several other symptoms and conditions that will be discussed in a further entry. While they may not be life threatening, they do affect the overall quality of life of your dog and should not be taken lightly. Just as we care for ourselves, we have to be even more diligent with our dogs, because unfortunately, they can’t always tell us their aches and pains verbally, but there are signs and we always must pay attention!!

It’s that time of year again…Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Now we know that that wonderful city has had its challenges in recent years, with Hurricane Katrina, pokice corruption charges, and rampant crime sprees. But even with all of that, New Orleans never forgets about Mardi Gras and how to throw a great party for man and beast alike.

One of the most popular parades at the Mardi Gras is known as the krewe of Barkus Parade. This parade is for dogs and their owners and all dress for the occasion with some unique and interesting costumes. Check out the picture below:

The dog above is Queen Lucy, a mixed breed dog who participated in the Mystic Krewe of Barkus parade, yesterday on a sunny, but chilly day in New Orleans. There is no set costume for those who pararde through the French Quarter. Some are donned with beads, hats, crowns, and tierras. Others assume the likeness of other creatures. For example, Amber Scott and her dog, Roxy wore matching bumble bee outfits. Many of the dogs were on leashes, but a good portions of the canine participants were the stars of their own floats.

This parade began in in 1993, one year after a bar patron who always brought his dog with him to the Good Friends Bar, came up with the idea. Then in January of 1993, the official Barkus krewe was created and the rest is history. The crowds that both participate and watch the parade have steadily grown each year. The parade starts out at Armstrong Park and continues through and around the French Quarter until it parade ends up back at Armstrong Park. I’m sure if you are interested in the 2009 Krewe Barkus Parade, more detailed directions are available.

If you would like you and your dog to participate in this very cool event, there is a small entry fee, but the fees collected go to help animal friendly organizations, such as animal rescue and shelter facilities. Bring lots of sunscreen (even though its winter, you can still burn down in New Orleans). Wear comfortable clothing, get their early and set your most comfortable chair up to see a parade like no other.

Check out some great info on another wonderful show…ready to return…LOST!! LiRa lets us know all about it.

Unfortunately our dogs can’t verbally speak to us regarding their ailments and illnesses. However, they do give us signs through their behavior as to how they are feeling and what they may be experiencing. We just need to be observant owners. There are some things that we usually don’t pay attention to once we’ve had our dogs for a while. When we let them out to do their business, very few of us will check their urine or feces. These things are usually only examined when we are walking the dogs and they decide to do their business. But on occasion, you should note that both of these functions are working properly, because if not, it could indicate illness for your dog.

According to Animal Planet (www.animalplanet.com), there are several instances where you should contact the vet immediately. For instance, if you note that your dog has abdominal pain, or hardness in the abdominal area, this could indicate a variety of severe conditions such as a blocked bladder, pancreatitis, peritonitis or an undetected pregnancy. If your dog is experiencing difficulty in breathing or is wheezing, this could be allergies, but could also be something like heart disease or an obstruction in the windpipe. If your dog has difficulty urinating or there is blood in the urine, the vet should be contacted right away as your dog could have a urinary tract infection, stones or tumors.

If your dog’s eyes or eyelids are inflamed, the vet should be notified and your dog should be examined right away to determine if there is an eye infection, injury or corneal ulcers. Delaying a vet visit could cost your dog his/her eyesight. If your dog has a loss or balance or coordination and seems extremely weak, this is a cause for serious concern as it could be an indication of brain loss, brain trauma or tumors.

There are several other conditions that I’ll be speaking about in future entries. Just remember, you know your dog better than anyone else and will be able to judge and know from your gut when the dog is seriously ill. Go with your gut and don’t hesitate to call the vet for your dog’s health and safety and for your peace of mind.

For some natural cures for HUMANS, check out fellow blogger, Shelly and what she has to offer us in her blog, Natural and Sustainable.

In a prior entry, which you can see by clicking here, I wrote about an unbelievable dog rescue that took place at a puppy mill in Virginia. This was a sad story, but with many happy endings. Many of the dogs left Virginia and were transported to the North Shore Animal League of America in New York. Click here to check out NSAL.

Some of the dogs that were brought to the NSAL were Chihuahuas and unfortunately were born without any front legs. You can imagine how hard it would be to get those dogs cared for much less adopted. This can be a common tragedy at puppy mills where people who call themselves breeders just throw a couple of dogs together and hope for the best. Breeding dogs to be well, healthy and strong is a process that requires knowledge and experience. Check out the video here to see what happened to three of these rescued chihuahaus.

Donna Imhof is a vet tech who worked with the dogs at the North Shore Animal League and thanks to the gifts of sponsors, the chihuahaus, named Carmen, Venus and Pablo, we given custom made wheel carts that they now use to get around and function as a normal dogs. After fostering these dogs through their adjustment period and getting them fitted for the carts, Donna decided to adopt all three permanently. Donna says it is a lot of work and a lot of love. The dogs are now fully grown healthy chihuahaus and truly enjoy their new home and being together. According to Donna, the three dogs do everything together. When one dog eats, they all eat, and when one goes to sleep, they all turn to slumber. It is a “small” miracle that these dogs were rescued twice. Once from Virginia, where it was planned that they were to be euthanized until the NSAL stepped in and then rescued again by Donna Imhof who now gives the dogs the love and home they truly deserve!!! Great job Donna!!! I hope everyone checks out the North Shore Animal League. It is a state of the art animal health, rescue and shelter facility and the largest no kill shelter in the world..the world would be a better place if there were more places like NSAL!!!

In the entry from yesterday, I talked about overweight dogs and how they get that way…yes, a large part of it is our fault. But the great part is that we can also be the help our dogs need to take off some of that excess weight. As with humans and a pre-diet physical, prior to starting any weight loss program for your dog, you should speak to the vet. It is necessary to insure that the dog does not suffer from a thyroid condition which can be determined from a simple blood test. Once you’ve been given the o.k. by the vet, starting your dog on a healthier lifestyle is quite simple.

First, weigh the dog to know where you’re starting. Then cut down your dog’s total food servings by 1/3. People might think this is drastic, but according to the vets at PetCenter. com, dogs don’t have to eat everyday, so by merely cutting back on 1/3 of your dog’s daily intake, you won’t be starving him/her…so let go of the guilt. Make sure that the 1/3 cut back includes everything, even treats. If you are giving the dog less meal food, but increasing or maintaining the same level of treats, you will see very little to no change in your dog. Remember the point is to reduce the dog’s overall caloric intake. After about two weeks, weigh your dog again. Even a couple of pounds lost will indicate that you are going in the right direction. If there is no loss in weight or a gain, it is suggested that you cut another 1/3 of the total food intake daily.

Again, your dog will not starve and when they start to lose that unwanted weight, they will feel better and probably want to be more active. Increasing the exercise for your dog will help with his/her battle of the bulge!! (It can be good for you too). Taking your dog for a daily walk and increasing the walk incrementally, either on a daily or weekly basis will help tremendously.

The final point which can either make or break the weight loss plan for your dog is the consistency and commitment of this plan by all members of the household. It doesn’t help the dog, if there are people in the house willing to sneak him treats because they feel bad for the dog or reward him with food after a period of exercise…it defeats the whole purpose!!! So make sure everyone is on board with the plan and make them part of it. Household members can take turns taking the dog for a walk or as a family, plan to walk together.

Soon you’ll have a dog that is trim, lean and healthy. A normal weight dog will help to insure that your beloved pet is with you as long as possible. But don’t just do it for you, do it for them!

For a cute read, check out fellow blogger, Lynn Little as the Home Zookeeper.

Most of us had New Year’s resolutions to eat healthier, exercise more or just get leaner, but what about our dogs? Have you looked at your dog lately? Is he/she pudgier than you believe he/she should be? If so, it could be very unhealthy for your dog. Obesiety casues similar problems in canines as in humans. There can be strain on the organs, as well as on the dogs’ legs and joints. As a result the dog exercises and moves around less because of the pain or discomfort and the obesity can get worse.

So why does obesiety in dogs occur? According to PetCenter.com a dog simply is overweight because the dog takes in more calories that he/she needs. If your dog is overweight, which your vet will be able to tell you as a result of a basic exam, preliminary tests should be done to insure it is not heart or thyroid related or that there is no metabolic causes for the weight gain.

Vets concur that there are several excuses they hear from pet owners regarding their dogs’ weight. The excuses are catagorized and labeled as follows. There is what is known as “the nibbler” and the owner probably complains that the dog hardly eats at all. This might be true, because the dog hardly eats about 15 times a day with food that is left in his dish throughout the day. Then there is “the beggar” whose owners think that it is o.k. to allow the dog to beg until it is rewarded. The owners feel guilty if they don’t reward this bad behavior and the dog continues to beg and to gain weight! How about the owners who show their affection to the dog through food? The dog that gets fat from this is is known as “the good dog”, because every time the dog does something good they receive a treat. What most family memebers don’t realize is that everyone in the family is sneaking the dog treats for his/her “good” behavior! And finally accoding to PetCenter.com, there is what they refer to as “the gourmet dog” who gets so used to “people food” that they will determine their preferences and eat only what they want. This can be anything from favorite table scraps to actual cookies and ice cream!!!!

Unless there is a medical cause for the dog’s obesity, we have not far to look to see the culprit - simply gaze in the mirror. Yes, it is our behaviors with our dogs, in reference to food that can make them fat and eventually sick. We’ll talk tomorrow about ways to slim your dog now. In the meantime, don’t feed them more than they need and don’t give them all that they want!!!

For more information about caring for your dog and the looking into pet insurance, see a previous entry by clicking here.

Dogs’ tails are as varied as the dogs themselves. Some dogs have curled tails, like the Samoyed below

Other dogs have tails that are straight and high, while others still, have long flowing tails!!! Some breeds have their tails docked while still young, so it looks like a mere stub on the back of their butts. There is a lot of discussion about docked tails, but we’re not going to go into that here!!

So what do all of those tail movements mean? Well, in addition to the barks, growls and whines, tail movements are a way that dogs communicate with those around them. The trick is to read the “tail talk”, so you know exactly what your dog and others are saying.

We always assume a wagging tail is a sign of friendliness in a dog. However, that isn’t always the case. The position and motion of the tail will truly tell what the dog is thinking and how it might soon act. According to PetPlace.com, a dog’s tail that slowly wags and curves down and up in a U is the sign of a relaxed dog that might be inviting friendly play.

It is usually a sign of dominance when the dog’s tail is held up high whether it is wagging or not. This dominance could be a sign of aggression as well if the high tail shakes and arches over the back of the dog. I saw this many times with our dog Geo. His tail would get very stiff and tall and when danger approached, the tail would curve over his back and the hair there would stand up as well. At that point, I knew he was aggitated at someone or something (it was never with us).

I know when both of our dogs were really happy, it wasn’t only the tail that did the wagging, but the entire rear of the dogs seemed to sway. This was especially true when we came home and they were so happy to see us!!!

So watch the tails, both the position and the motion. Both of these indicators will give you a clear idea of how the dog feels!!! Remember, a wagging tail does not automatically mean a happy dog.

On this day, lets also remember Martin Luther King Jr. who fought for the rights of not only African Americans, but all Americans! See the Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech by Dr. King by clicking here to go to the blog of Emily Bennett.

Puppies, like any other “child” needs certain things from their Moms to start a life that provides emotional and physical security. To remove a puppy from its mother and litter mates early is really inviting problems for the dog and the potential owners of that dog.

According to a survey, many people felt it was all right to take puppies from their moms and littermates between the ages of 6-8 weeks. However, vet supported information suggests that it is completely unhealthy for the puppies to be removed from the litter prior to 8 weeks. It is said that if breeders are pushing the puppies onto prospective owners when the pups are less than eight weeks old, they probably are not reputable breeders. The main interests of these individuals are not in the puppies, but rather in the cash they’ll make from the sales of current and future litters.

The veterinarian information regarding removal of the pups from the litter states that there are 4 critical stages that puppies should go through prior to their separation from their Moms and those five stages occur from birth through the eighth week of the puppies’ lives.

From birth through the third week, puppies have literally no mental capacity and all of their needs are taken care of by the Mom. There need not be any human handling at this time, unless the Mom or pups are ill. At the fourth week, the puppies start becoming aware of other living things around them. They can be with humans minimally, but are learning more from the Mom and should not be removed from the litter at this point. At 5-7 weeks, the pups are much more easily socialized and begin playing with the other pups and have an increased amount of trainability. At this stage they are also beginning to understand the difference between human and canine socialization.

It is anywhere from the 8th to the 12th week that puppies can be removed from the litter and their littermates. They still require a lot of love, time and attention, which they should now get from their human “pack”. They are able to be taught easy commands and are looking for true acceptance by their new family.

Any puppies leaving their litters before the 8th week is in jeaopardy of having separation anxiety and difficulty with either canine or human socialization. So as excited as you and your family are to have that new puppy, make sure that it is the right time for everyone, puppy included!!!!

Animal lovers come in all colors, shapes and sizes. Check out who is the most recent spokesperson for PETA, according to fellow blogger, Sally Andersen! You’ll be surprised and perhaps entertained….lol!!!

My dogs both loved marrow bones and it made be feel good to watch them try and get all of the marrow out of the center and then knaw on the bone and enjoy every last morsel. Marrow bones, especially raw ones are recommended for several reasons. First of all, raw marrow bones from the butcher, allows the dog to release a lot of energy when they dive in for some long hard chewing. This is especially good for puppies who always seem to have so much of their energy to expel. This bone chewing can also be good for their teeth and gums. However, there is a difference of opinion when speaking with dental veterinarians. They feel that the marrow bones will do one of two things when they are chewed on by a dog. Either the bone itself will break or the one of the dog’s teeth might break. According to vets specializing in canine dental care, if a tooth breaks it needs to be extracted or have a root canal. If not, unnecessary bacteria can get into the tooth and then travel throughout the blood stream of the dog in several days. Obviously, this could make a dog very sick. According to the vet, the dogs can get the same benefit of marrow bones for their teeth if we simply brush their teeth regularly. This would also eliminate the possibility of tooth breakage. See a previous blog entry about caring for your dog for more information.

And then there are other, more severe dangers of marrow bones. Check out the picture below.

This is a picture sent to me by a friend at my job. Her sister had sent the picture to her. The dog is her sister’s and the marrow bone that the dog was chewing on, slipped over the jaw of the dog, above some of the higher teeth and became wedged there. The dog couldn’t get it off, because he couldn’t get it back over the high teeth in his mouth. Imagine the panic that the dog must have felt, unable to get this bone out of his mouth! My friend’s sister had to take the dog to the vet and the vet had to saw the bone off in order to get the dog’s mouth free. My friend’s sister was home at the time, but if this happened to a dog while no one was home, the dog could get crazy trying to get the bone off and perhaps could seriously harm itself. So just beware. While these bones have some great benefits, they should never be given to a dog where no one is home to supervise!!

Yesterday it was announced that the first adult human cells were cloned by a private company in California. Technology was used to make 5 embryos in the hopes of making matched stem cells for patients. While this is a true break through, many people don’t realize that the first dog was cloned over two years ago in South Korea.

Snuppy, an Afghan hound was born in April 2005 at a Seoul National University in Seoul, South Korea. Woo Suk Hwang, was head of the team that cloned Snuppy. This process wasn’t perfect or efficient as it took 1000 to 2000 embyos before the cloned embryos. The cloned dog was created by using the same techniqe that was used to create Dolly, the first clone created mammal in 1997. It was more difficult to clone a dog than other mammals because canine eggs are more immature during ovulation than other mammal eggs. In order to avoid this dilemma, Woo Suk Hwang and his team discoved a way to retrieve the eggs in a more mature state. This help to facilitate the success of the dog clone.

The claim of this cloning raised the eyebrows of skeptics. But after two independent studies confirmed that the dog was indeed a clone based on the DNA studies. This was an awesome feat and one that has far reaching implications. Scientists are truly hoping that the dog clones will shed some light on treating serious human afflictions.

So how does this actually work. Well, in Snuppy’s case it went like this; the genetic material of the ear was taken from a 3 year old afghan hound and it was placed into an empty egg cell. The egg was stimulated to divide and grow into an embryo. After growing a bit, it was then transferred into the womb of a surrogate dog, a yellow lab, where the gestation period was completed in 60 days. The puppy was delivered by cesarean section at that time.

Of course there are many ethically based questions that result from cloning, none of which will be addressed here. But cloning is here and I believe here to stay. If used for the benefits it could bring, everyone would be better for the results. However, I would imagine that along the line, there would be some who would try and profit or exploit the aspect of dog cloning for their own personal gain. But time will truly tell.

For some other science related information on making you feel better, read fellow blogger, Brick ONeil on www.encouraginghealth.com

Well, it is that time of year, you know, the Golden Globes, Screen Actors Guild, People’s Choice, and the Oscars. Well, there is one award presentation that won’t be effected by the writers strike. The AKC (American Kennel Club) just announced the 2007 Most Popular Dogs in the U.S. This is a big deal for any breed crazy dog owners as it is always nice to have your dog be part of the “popular crowd”. I know you’re waiting on the edge of your seats, so the envelope please!!! 2007 Most Popular Dogs in the U.S. are:

1. Labrador Retriever

2. Yorkshire Terrier

3. German Shepherd Dog

4. Golden Retriever

5. Beagle

6. Boxer

7. Dachshund

8. Poodle

9. Shih Tzu

10. Bulldog

Whew, what a relief!!! And no long thank you speeches! That’s great! There are some interesting facts to tell, however. One surprise on this list is that the Bulldog finally made it into the top 10!! The bulldog was first recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1886 and was most popular in 1923 when it was in 5th place of the top 10. It dropped significantly over the years and was 41st on the list in 1973, its lowest popularity level ever!!

Did you wonder who the Bulldog replaced in the 10th spot? It was actually the Miniature Schnauzer. The dog that has maintained the longest popularity is the Beagle. It has been on the AKC’s top ten list since 1915. Some of the other dogs that have or are gaining popularity in recent years include maninly dogs in the “Toy” group. The popularity of this group was a mere 12% in the 1970’s to now a growing 23%. Could it be because, Paris, Britney, Lindsey and others find it so very chic to carry around their small toy dogs in their purses like an ornament?

The longest any breed has held a position on the list in a consistent spot has been the Poodle who reigned supreme for 23 years ranging from 1960 to 1982. The dog that has had the greatest growth in popularity is the Havanese. This is a small dog that has the kind of coat that people with allergies tend to choose. Amazingly, since 1997, this dog’s popularity has grown 994% and is now in slot 37 of the AKC’s top 100 breeds.

Whatever breed your dog is or is not, just love him/her because that’s all they want from you!!!

If you haven’t watched the show, check out the blog on American Idol. You’ll find out all you need to know!!

One of the most devastating experiences for any pet owner is the loss of that pet. The grief experience is real, deep and the pain of the loss can be just as traumatic as losing a “human” family member. Many people must find ways to deal with their grief. Some are able to bury the pet on their property and are always close by to grieve, remember and visit the lost animal. Others may have their dog creamated and keep the ashes in a place close to them. Still others may be able to bury their dog in a pet cemetery. However, for many people none of these are an option and people must look at other alternatives to preserve their beloved dogs.

An alternative brought to many by a certain company is both what they do and what the company is called - Pet Preservation. This is also referred to as freeze dried taxidermy. The site is quite interesting and can be found by clicking here. While this might seem distasteful to some people, it is very comforting to others. After reading many of the stories that people wrote about the quality of the work done and the peace and comfort that was brought by having their beloved dog(s) with them again, I feel that this is an alternative people should explore.

This company has a great site that will answer many of the questions everyone is thinking right now. Like first of all, what is freeze drying? Well, basically, it is removing all of the moisture from the animal through a vacuum technique. Once all of the moisture is removed, the pet will “live” forever. One fact pointed out by this site that I hadn’t thought of is that many owners want to be buried with their pets and many stipulate this in their wills. This alternative allows for that to happen. According to Pet Preservation, the process takes about 4-6 months and works better than traditional taxidermy for pets as the results are more lifelike. I am not familiar with the traditional techniques of taxidermy, nor do I care to be, but I have learned a bit about this other option. And while this may or may not be the option for everyone to use, it could be one that should be considered when trying to keep your beloved dog forever in your heart, your mind and your home.

The company above is located in Colorado Give a look at fellow blogger Sean Doherty and his information about Denver, Co.

When I see things for dog lovers, I have to let my readers know and I came across this really great site called Fun Stuff for Dogs and it can be found by clicking here! This is an organization that tells us honestly about their policies and even identifies the people that run their organization and calls them our “team”. Its rare to see that in any organization today.

Of course the site offers some traditional doggie items such as collars, leashes, and food bowls. Then there’s the doggie furniture and strollers, puppy shower supplies and even doggie travel kits. You truly have to take a look at the category called “funniest dog stuff ever”!!!! It will give you a laugh. I don’t know if I’d ever give any of these to my dog or as gifts, but they would be funny and I’m sure if the dog doesn’t get a laugh from it, the owner surely will!! LOL!!

On this site there is a Funny Dog Tales Newsletter. It is here that people send in their own funny stories and pictures about their dogs. There is one where a dog got into the laundry, dragged the owner’s bra from the basket and went outside with it to play. I know, not funny, but it is when you learn that outside is an entire construction crew watching this dog shake the owner’s bra from side to side!!! There are many of us who have stories and antecdotes about our dogs. This is a great place to share them.

This site isn’t all fun and games. They are concerned with the health issues of dogs as well. One of their most interesting products is sunscreen for dogs. Dogs are subject to ultraviolet light just like you and I. For short haired dogs or light skinned dogs, if left out in the direct sun for more than 30 minutes they could get sunburn. The product comes in a handy 2 oz. spray bottle. You spray it on a cloth and wipe on the exposed area of your dog. This product and information about it was featured in the New York Times.

While your shopping for treats for the pooch, don’t forget the kids love treats too. Check out fellow blogger Shelly and her tips for healthy kid snacks and other great info.

All dogs bark. Some bark more than others and there have been many a neighborhood rift over barking dogs!!! So why do they make all that noise? To be honest, I truly missed hearing my dog bark after he was gone. I kind of expected it when people came to the house, as it was his way of greeting family or strangers. Some breeds are known for more barking than others, but an any rate, there is not a hard and fast rule about barkers because there are some breeds that are not known as barkers but have been heard lound and long by many.

So why do our dogs bark? They are communicating!!! With whom and about what is the question. There is what is commonly known as the territorial bark. This is the bark that lets others know there is someone near. The bark can either be a welcome territorial bark, meaing, “I know you’re here and come on in.” or it could be a warning territorial bark that says “Go away, or you might get hurt.” Many people are thankful for the dog who has the territorial bark as it alerts them to people near the home whether friend or foe.

There is also the play bark. This is usually a higher pitched bark from your dog saying, “Come on, lets go have some fun” or “Throw it again, throw it again, I’m having a really great time.” Once you know your dog well enough and you are playing, you’ll be able to tell the difference in all of their barks and the play bark is truly entertaining, as its almost like a little kid wishing for just a bit more time before bed!!!

Remember we said dogs bark to communicate. Its just stands to reason then that some of their barking may be aimed at getting attention or stating a request. Most of us are very happy when our pooch barks at the door to let us know they have to go out, avoiding any indoor accidents. However, the barking dog can get demanding. When your dog barks at his bowl to let you know they want food, you are now the one who is trained, not the dog.

As in any type of dog behavior, barking or not, can be trained and it is to the advantage of any dog owner (and their neighbors) that the barking habits of your canine be a major component of any dog training program.

For some great Spring thoughts and garden practices, check out fellow blogger, Susan Walsh and her blog, the Earthly Garden.