My Puppy Picked Me!

Hello Again!

I know it has been a very long time since I've posted, so I'm very excited to get started again!

I thought it would be a good time to share how I found the love of my life - my fur-kid Pebbles.  It was quite the process, but I've ended up with 6 years of a healthy, (most of the time) well-behaved, joy-filled little pooch that I couldn't be happier with; and hopefully many years still to come.  So here's how it all started:

I did a TON of research and came to the conclusion that I wanted a Papillon.  They are small (I live in an apartment downtown), quite smart and trainable, super-affectionate, and have very few genetic health problems.  This pooch is for me!

The first breeder I went to was on a farm about 2 hours north of the city.  She seemed very nice, raised the puppies in her home, which was very clean, and she even had puppies available!  I got there and went through all my questions, played with all the puppies and their mom and was honestly, quite impressed.  All the puppies were beyond adorable, but I held to the promise I had made to myself and left to visit the other breeders before making a choice.

The second breeder I went to was not the same experience.  She had all the dogs (and she had TONS) out in runs, no where near her home.  She proudly told me that all her puppies were on a raw diet and I began to ask about the process she goes through to prepare the food.  She gave me a massive list of ingredients, and all the steps it takes to create this masterpiece of raw deliciousness for dogs.  I then asked if it would now be a problem if I wanted to change the puppy over to organic kibble and wet foods .... Her answer was more than concerning: "Oh that's no problem at all - at this age you can just switch it and they'll be fine".  Ummmmmmm ... Last I checked, you don't do that to a dog at any age!  A change in food must be gradual and going from raw food to kibble would have to be more gradual than most! Needless to say, I left without a puppy.

I called the third breeder and really liked her immediately.  She told me she had two puppies available, and one in particular was really affectionate and cuddly - exactly what I wanted.   The other was more out-going, not quite as affectionate, but had a huge personality - not quite what I wanted.  She seemed to have no trouble spending time answering my questions on the phone, she was so passionate about the dogs, and she also had a lot of questions for me regarding the situation a dog would come home to.

I got to their awesome country home and was welcomed by a crew of 11 papillons happily jumping around the front lawn.  She brought me inside to meet the two puppies and one of them was ALL over me!  I didn't even get my shoes off before she was on my lap and licking my face - she followed me everywhere!  We sat at their kitchen table and talked for quite a while about all things dog. The puppy was sure to get herself up onto my lap and promptly fell asleep.  The breeder let me know that this was the dog she said was not as affectionate .... That was not the experience I was having with her!

The breeder looked at me near the end of our conversation and said "I normally never let someone take a dog after only one meeting, but I don't think that one is going to let you leave without her!"  There was no doubt about it, my puppy picked me.

- her first day at home with very scraggly tail fur!

~Ash & Pebbles 

Hallowe'en Costumes

With Hallowe'en upon us, I thought it would be a good time to discuss doggy Hallowe'en costumes!

There are three types of costumes for dogs, in my opinion:
1.  Dog-Appropriate (i.e.: your dog does not hate you for putting it on him)
2.  Not-So-Dog-Appropriate, but too funny or cute to pass up (i.e.: your dog hates you a little, but will forgive you)
3. Really-Not-Dog-Appropriate (i.e.: your dog hates you because you made her uncomfortable and embarrassed for an extended period of time)

Here are some examples I found:

Dog Appropriate

This is Charlie The Ladybug - obviously aware of how insanely cute he is and not weighed-down with the costume choice! 

I love this Jockey idea - this is hysterical but not bothersome to the pooch. 

Crayola Pup is adorable and comfy - love it! 

Being that the English Mastiffs are one of the largest breeds that can consume up to 20 cups of food daily, Poop Factory is more than appropriate for this guy! 

Not-So-Dog-Appropriate, but too funny to pass up:

Okay, this guy is a little warm from the wig, but this is TOO funny! 

He's pooped from carrying around all that honey, but Pooh Bear is just adorable! 

While Super-Dog is probably a little restricted, you can't deny this one was worth it! 

We all know he's going to run into every table leg he passes with that handle, but other than that, this is Great! 

Part of me wants to put this in the Really-Not-Dog-Appropriate bunch, but this Oompa Loompa made my day! 

Really-Not-Dog-Appropriate

Common People!  Flippers?!?

While this is very cute, she looks like she's been stuffed into this Geisha costume like a sausage! 

PLEASE never put your dog in a full-fur suit! This is not funny and just plain mean. 

On a side note, if you wish to dress your children up as your dog ….. 

Now that's FUNNY! 

~ Ash & Pebbles 

Dogs and Kids are a lot Alike!

Its amazing how similar dogs and children are sometimes:

They sleep in odd positions .....

They play with their siblings in a similar fashion .... 

They like bubbles ....

They have the same curiosities ....

They both get milk-mustaches .....

They enjoy making a mess in a way that is incomprehensible to human adults ....

They wonder at windows ....

No explanation required.

~ Ash & Pebbles 

Dogs are good for our Health!

We all know how a wagging tail and pure joy at the fact that we decided to come home again can make us smile, but there are some other little-known health benefits to owning our fur-kids.  Here are a few I found - some might surprise you!



One of the biggest, and not overly-surprising facts is that dog owners are typically more active than non-dog owners.  A 2006 study done by Canadian researchers at the University of Victoria showed dog owners walked on average 300 minutes a week, compared to non-dog owners who averaged 168 minutes per week.  This effect extends to the children of dog owners as well - the study also showed that children who grow up with dogs in the household are more likely to participate in moderate to vigorous physical activity than those without.  Something MUCH needed for the current generation of young children, in my opinion.

Many parents worry about exposing their young children to animals for fear of illness and allergies.  However, a study published in the Journal of Pediatrics in 2011 showed that children who were exposed to household dogs before the age of 4 were less likely to develop environmental allergies.  On top of that, the study found specifically that the rates of children who develop eczema were considerably lower than those without household dogs before the age of 4.

We all know dogs can be trained to sniff out bombs and illicit substances, but there's a new type of sniffer that is helping combat a now widespread problem: Peanut Detection Dogs.  Training facilities such as the Florida Canine Academy have successfully trained dogs for people whose peanut allergies are so severe that even miniscule residues can trigger an allergic reaction.  The dog pictured here is a peanut detection dog, named Holmes, with his owner - a girl highly allergic to peanuts.  Her mother was quoted as saying: "Now I don't have to worry, we have Holmes, he has hit on countless items I have been assured are safe.  I don't trust the companies, I trust Holmes .... he has never been wrong."

Dogs can naturally lower your blood pressure.  A study done by The University at Buffalo evaluated blood pressure and related health factors of stockbrokers in New York.  When the study was complete, evidence showed that stockbrokers with dogs had considerably lower blood pressures than those without.  The calming effect of dogs, combined with the companionship they offer, can be an excellent way to reduce blood pressure.

Robert Bierer, a Child Psychologist in New Mexico, conducted a study that showed that pre-adolescent children who had dogs and were involved their care, had considerably higher levels of self-esteem and empathy.  These children also developed a stronger sense of responsibility for their actions and greater work-ethic in their teenage years.

Owning a dog is hard work and takes a lot of time, dedication and compassion.  But if you are willing to put in the effort, the healthy effects that dogs have on humans can improve your physical, mental and social well-being.

Training with Treats ..... Knish Knish!!

I was speaking with a friend today who is very close to bringing home her new Fur Kid!!  I'm so excited for her and dying to meet him - pics of little Charlie to come!

She asked me about training today and it made me think about when I first got Pebbles.  I decided to take her to puppy class, and unfortunately the one I chose talked me into making a BIG mistake.  I was taught to train her with treats.  Bad Ash.  Very, Bad Ash.

Dogs are fascinated, even obsessed with treats.  So when you have one in your hand, and are trying to make the dog do something, ALL the dog is thinking about is the fastest way to get that T-R-E-A-T.

I believe that training is forging a relationship between you and your dog - you are the pack leader and your dog must follow that hierarchy and listen to you.  Once this is established, you gain a happy and well-adjusted dog that respects you.  If you use treats, you are training your dog to focus on the treat, not you.  This makes the treat more important than you are to the dog, and the hierarchy is broken.  Hence, when you are without treats, your dog doesn't listen to you.  

Dogs in a pack do not use treats (or bribery) to gain authority or respect.  One dog will arise as pack leader by using an increasing scale of correction given to the other dogs, based on their individual personalities.  

Treats do not provide a consequence.  When a dog is off-leash, and distracted, he feels he has the option to choose the treat you happen to be frantically waving around from a distance (I have TOTALLY done this), or instead, choose the distraction.  If your dog likes squirrels more than treats, you are going to have a problem.  

If you have trained your dog to listen to you based on respect, he no longer feels that he has that choice.  He knows there will be a consequence if he does not listen - an uncomfortable tug on the collar for example.  Corrective actions for bad behaviour coupled with praise and affection for good behaviour will bring about a much more trustworthy dog in all situations. 

Please don't make the same mistake I have - ensure your trainer is recommended and doesn't bribe her clients (your dog) into seeming well-behaved in class.  As soon as that treat is gone, so is the training! 

~ Ash & Pebbles 

   

Funny Faces

I almost always know what my pooch is trying to tell me: 

Any thoughts on what these guys are saying?? 

~ Ash & Pebbles 

They Talk to Us! The Ears

Dogs are very expressive animals.  They communicate to us through their face and body language and express happiness, sadness, fear, anger and love - we just need to know the signs to see it!

Ears are a fantastic indicator of what your pup is trying to tell you.

Relaxed / Content:  When your dog is relaxed, his ears will sit in a neutral position.  This means they are not pricked forward, drooping down, or forced back.  Whatever the breed or ear type, the ears are where they naturally sit.

A relaxed Aussie

Alert / Playful:  Your dog will prick her ears forward to show alertness - something has caught her attention, be it a non-threatening noise she wants to investigate or her ball you are about to throw.  This is coupled with relaxed body language such as an open mouth and relaxed tongue.  

Someone has this Papillon's ball ... She's alert and focused with her ears forward and wants to play!

Alert / Concerned:  Your dog will also prick his ears forward, but produce a stiff stature when alert but unsure, or concerned. 

This guy just heard a noise - he is processing and determining if it is a threat. His ears are up, body stiff, tail lifted and mouth shut. 

Friendly / Submissive:  If your dog wants to show "I'm promise I'm friendly", often to a fearful human that they have received scared body language communication from, they will drop their ears back gently.  A dog is showing they are harmless and want to be social through this ear position.

    Gently pulled back Ears + Kisses = I Love You Mom!   

Fearful: If your pup is afraid and feeling threatened, they will pull their ears back and down forcefully. Typically they will hunch, and also put their tail down and between their legs.  Be cautious, this can turn to aggression in almost any dog if not corrected. 

This pup has her ears pulled back tightly, is leaning away from the perceived threat and hunched over.

So next time you're talking to your pooch (we all do it), take a minute, look at her ears, and see what she's saying back! 

~ Ash & Pebbles 

*Photos credits to dogtime.com, kootation.com, tumbler.com