Published by:Christopher Aust, Master Trainer Master-Dog-Training.com
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Well, believe it or not, I don't have a lot to say this week here in the Drool Section. So rather than waste a lot of your time trying to fill space, I will simply keep it short.
Like all things, there are some things that could be improved, but, all in all, I think they did a pretty fine job. If you would like to read more about the legislation, go to:
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3891119.stm
Apparently, the suspect came into the house through an open door and went upstairs where the victim was. He chased her down the steps where the pig pinned the woman against the wall and began his assault. The woman managed to get away from the suspect long enough to let her dog in the house. The dog immediately jumped into action, attacking the punk and sent him running. There is no telling what could have happened to this woman if not for her beloved companion. I just hope, that when the dog did attack the man, it managed to sink his teeth into the dangly bits.
Okay, that's it for now. I'm outta here! Cheers!
Christopher
Dog Chewing the Sofa? Puppy Eating Your Shoes? Or WORSE?
First, I am a new subscriber and love your newsletter. I am hoping you can help my husband and I make a decision about obtaining a new dog. We both had dogs growing up but not as adults. We now are at a place where we would like to get a dog but want to make sure we are getting only the highest quality available. We don't plan to breed or show the dog but do want to make sure it comes from excellent healthy lines. We have been looking at getting a Belgian Shepard but have been told the best ones are bred in Europe. We have found a breeder there that is willing to ship us a puppy but are concerned the shipping could be dangerous or traumatize to the dog. We know you recently shipped some dogs from China and would like some feedback on what we should do if we decide to ship. Thanks for the help.
Norma V.
Now, I do love motorcycles and for many years I had one. To me, one of the greatest ways to take a road trip and enjoy the scenery is on the back of a bike, wind in my face, winding my way along a mountain road. I have often dreamed of packing my gear and touring America from the back of a Harley Davidson Fat Boy. Maybe one day. Now I know, statistically, I have a better chance of dying in a motorcycle accident than I do of dying in a plane crash. I also understand my logic isn't logical. It is just the way I am and I doubt either is going to change any time in the future.
So what does my irrational thought process have to do with the writer's question? Glad you asked! There are actually a couple of things I want to address here I feel are pertinent to the writers dilemma. There are tens of thousands of pure breed dogs, of wonderful quality, currently sitting in Animal Control Offices, shelters and with breed specific rescue groups in every country, just waiting for their forever mom and dad to come and take them home. If you aren't planning to breed or show your dog, please go to one of these organizations first. Even if you don't find the “pure breed” dog you are looking for, you could very well find the mutt of your dreams.
I say this all the time but it is true and often missed when we look at our dogs' behaviors, likes and insecurities. Dogs really aren't much different than us. Their personalities are different from dog to dog. What one likes may scare the crud out of another. When I was still working for the government, we used to make buy trips to Europe to purchase potential police dogs. We would evaluate dogs for courage, drive, temperament, health and intelligence. Once a dog met the criteria and was selected, they would be shipped back to the States to go to the Academy and begin their training. I can't tell you how many times I have seen, what I would call a super confident dog, come off the plane looking like a neurotic crack cocaine addict. It happens. What we have to do is prepare each dog for their travel well in advance of the time they get on the plane.
We can't explain to the dog what is about to happen when we ship them, but we can make sure they are physically ready to deal with the stresses of travel. This is critical if the dog is going to quickly get over the stress of travel but also to ensure they will be behaviorally sound upon, or soon after, their arrival. If you are having a puppy shipped to you from a breeder, you are most likely spending a good amount of money. Now, if you are investing a good amount of money in your new furkid, then you should take the time and expense to make sure your “investment” is protected. Do not rely on email. You need to have a one-on-one relationship with the breeder you are buying your dog from. They need to understand your expectations and you need to understand their philosophies. If the two don't mesh, you may want to find another breeder. If you have to hire an interpreter to speak to the breeder, then do it. This ensures there are no misunderstandings between you and the breeder before the dog is shipped. After all, if you are shipping a dog from another country, you are spending a lot of money. Two hundred dollars for an interpreter is not that much considering. If you are getting a dog from another country, you should explore that country's regulations and general “dog breeding” ideologies. What we find to be the “norm” here may be viewed as ridiculous in other countries.
Regardless of the exportation regulations in the country a dog comes from, make sure they meet the regulations of your country. Have the breeder provide certification paperwork that states the dog meets all vaccination and health requirements necessary to import a dog to your country. This can save you thousands of dollars by avoiding quarantine regulations if your dog does not meet the standard.
The dog should be shipped in an airline approved shipping crate. Some countries will allow wire mesh kennels however I strongly discourage using this type of crate. They can be easily crushed or bent resulting in significant injury to the dog. I prefer the hard plastic crate that comes in two pieces. Do not use the collapsible type. The crate needs to be big enough to allow the dog to easily turn around 180 degrees and stand fully erect. The dog should also be able to lie down comfortably across the narrow side of the crate. The dogs should be introduced to the crate they will be shipped in several days in advance from the day they are to be shipped. If they are comfortable with the crate, it will help to alleviate additional stress the dog will experience throughout the process. Make sure the crate has a grate in the bottom so the dog isn't laying in spilled water or urine. If you have a short-haired breed, put a sweater on the dog as opposed to putting a blanket in the crate. If for some reason the dog needs to have a movement, you don't want them laying in it. Make sure they place some sort of absorbent material under the grate.
The dog should be given a half ration of food approximately eight hours prior to being put on the plane and nothing more. Food should accompany the dog in case they are delayed in travel, but the dog shouldn't have free access to it. They do need to have a water bottle attached to the crate and you need to ensure the dog knows how to use it in advance. Now, before you start writing your letters telling me the dog needs food in their kennel, consider this. If the dog does become stressed during the flight and has a full stomach, they could very well bloat or develop torsion. I think we will all agree we would rather pull a hungry dog off a plane than a dead one.
When the dog arrives get them out of the crate as soon as possible. Allow them to do their business and provide them fresh water. You will want to make sure you bring some basic cleaning supplies with you to the airport in case the dog soiled the crate during travel. You need to clean it out before putting the dog back in it for travel home. While I know it is exciting to have our new furkid finally with us, try not to over do the affection and attention the first day or so. They need some time to relax and become familiar with their new surroundings. You will have many years to pamper and spoil your dog, so give them a day to adjust at their own pace. Wait at least three hours after the dog has arrived home to feed them and then only give them a half ration. This is for a couple of reasons. First, the stress of travel could have upset their stomach causing them to vomit or maybe send it in an unpleasant way out the other end. Second, if they are really stressed they could bloat. Take them to the veterinarian for a full check up within 72 hours of their arrival. Have everything checked. Hips, eyes, heart and a complete blood work series. This way, if there are any health issues, you can contact the breeder immediately. Shipping a dog can be a lot of work but not difficult if you plan everything out well in advance. Remember, when we ship our dog, we are doing it for ourselves and not for the dog necessarily. With this in mind, we have the responsibility to ensure the process is as easy as possible for the dog. It's the least we can do.
~ Rita Rudner ~
Thank you so much for your article last week. (Canine Good Citizen) I get so mad when I see other owners out in public with their dogs who act like the rules of common courtesy don't apply to them. There are so many people in my area like this I have had to take my dogs to the park either early in the morning or later at night just so I don't have to deal with the multitude of irresponsible owners. Thanks for putting out the word! Nancy N.
Great article this week! (Canine Good Citizen) I have forwarded it on to all of my dog owner friends and family. It is so annoying to go to someone's house and have their dog act like an uncontrolled monkey. I wish I could send to every person who owns dogs. Thanks again.
Gary
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"Who is the mightiest of all the jungle animals?" the tiger roared. The poor quaking little monkey replied, "You are of course, no one is mightier than you." A little while later, this tiger confronts a deer and just bellows out, "Who is the greatest and strongest of all the jungle animals?" The deer is shaking so hard it can barely speak, but manages to stammer, "Oh great tiger, you are by far the mightiest animal in the jungle." The tiger, being on a roll, swaggered up to an elephant that was quietly munching on some weeds and roared at the top of his voice, "Who is the mightiest of all the animals in the jungle?" Well, the elephant grabs the tiger with his trunk, picks him up, slams him down, picks him up again, and shakes him until the tiger is just a blur of orange and black, finally throwing him violently into a nearby tree. The tiger staggers to his feet and looks at the elephant and says, "Man, just because you don't know the answer, you don't have to get so pissed!"
Thank You For Reading! Have a Terrific Week!
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