Why Are Cops Afraid of Pitbulls?

 A cop issuing a eviction notice goes into a  private yard with a what i suppose is a territorial pitbull, not even rushing the cop just barking, cop feels threatened, attempts to shoot dog that is contained in a private yard...shoots self. A warrant supposedly might be understandable but really trespassing into a yard with a protective pitbull for a eviction notice? There are so many wrongs in this scenario but at least the dog is safe and i'm kind of sorry to say the cop got what he deserved....karma.

Sorry but it is never right to shoot someone's dog that is contained in a private yard and isn't threatening anyone other then the person who decides its okay to trespass into a private yard with a protective dog.

Dog Body Language

Before assuming what you think is going on in your dog's mind make sure you brush up on some common dog body language. Dogs can't vocalize how they feel so always pay close attention to your pup's posture and body language. These will give you a better understanding of how your dog is reacting toward situations or it's just their overall personality. 

If at anytime you have to question your dog's behavior or are worried about your dog's behavior consider consulting a professional dog trainer or two or three or however many you need advice from until you have confidence and trust in that professional dog trainer's(s) methods. 

Dog Park Etiquette

Here are some basic guidelines when bringing your rambunctious canine to the dog park.

*If your dog is under 4 months of age do not bring them for safety and health reasons.

*Make sure your pet is healthy and up-to-date on vaccinations so not to spread disease.

*If your dog seems uncomfortable take your pet somewhere else they might enjoy. Don't 
stress your dog out by forcing socialization especially if your pet has anxieties.

*Do not bring any female dog that is in heat. As for intact male dogs or even female dogs, that's a hit or miss. If you have a well-socialized, non-aggressive, submissive for the most part pup it should not be a problem as long as they do not show any behavior problems i.e. aggressive tendencies, constant mounting, etc.

*Supervise your dog at all times. This is not the time to ignore your pup and expect them to play nice or other dogs to play nice.

*Do not bring or use treats and toys from your home with other dogs around.

*Don't allow dogs to form loose packs or to bully other dogs.

*If a dog park is overcrowded consider going somewhere else. Even at a dog park, dogs need space.

*Avoid taking advice from fellow dog owners or giving advice yourself, whom are not dog professionals.

*Clean up after your dog please!

*Make sure your dog is not being bullied, learning bad manners or participating in rough play with other dogs. If so be willing to leave for your dog's safety.

Otherwise have fun!

Hypoallergenic Pets Do Not Exist

So it seems there is a lot of hype about so called hypoallergenic dogs. A lot of them being mixed breed "designer" mutts like the labradoodle or basically any dog breed that supposedly does not shed hair like poodles, Yorkshire terriers etc. So the assumption is if the dog or cat does not shed hair it must be hypoallergenic. Wrong. Here is a lovey study ^_^

Hypoallergenic Breeds of Dogs: Do They Exist?

A 2012 study by researchers in the Netherlands and Virginia sought to determine if hypoallergenic breeds of dogs actually produce less Can f 1. Homes with “hypoallergenic” breeds of dogs, including Poodles, Labradoodles, Spanish Waterdogs and Airedale terriers, were studied and compared to homes with “non-hypoallergenic” dogs, including Labrador retrievers and various mixed-breed dogs. Hair and coat samples were taken from the dogs, and settled and airborne dust samples were taken from the homes and analyzed for Can f 1 concentrations.

Surprisingly, the amount of Can f 1 found in hair and coat samples was actually highest in the hypoallergenic breeds of dogs, with Poodles having the highest amount of the dog allergen, and labrador retrievers having the lowest amount. These differences did not appear to be related to gender, age, spay/neuter status or frequency of bathing or swimming—although recent swimming (but not bathing) did significantly reduce the amount of dog allergen collected for all types of dog breeds.

 When comparing floor and airborne dust samples from the homes of the dogs, researchers found that homes with Labradoodles had lower amounts of Can f 1 from floor dust samples when compared to other hypoallergenic and non-hypoallergenic breeds of dogs. This difference could not be explained by spay/neuter status, age, gender, bathing frequency, house cleaning frequency, or type of floor covering.

 However, homes with carpeting had higher levels of Can f 1 in general in the floor dust samples compared to homes with hard floor surfaces, regardless of dog breed. There was no difference in the amount of airborne Can f 1 in homes with hypoallergenic versus non-hypoallergenic breeds of dogs. (http://allergies.about.com/od/animalandpetallergy/a/The-Myth-Of-Hypoallergenic-Dog-Breeds.htm)



So basically just cause a dog does not shed hair does not mean it is necessarily good for a family with allergies. Allergies do not just derive from hair dander but also the animal's saliva. So even a hairless breed of dog or cat will produce some allergens. So think carefully and do a lot of research before considering a so called hypoallergenic "designer"  dog or cat breed for your allergy ridden family. You are better off getting advice from your family doctor then a breeder promoting hypoallergenic dog breeds and mixed mutts that in retrospect will not provide your family any or little relief from allergies.