Every dog owner is a vet nurse.

Such a cute puppy!  Can't imagine her getting into trouble . . .  ooops! In the blink of an eye this little cutie can end up with an 'ouchie!'  . . .  Some accidents/injuries and illnesses most definitely require the medical attention of the vetrinarian professional.  It is so very important to have good relationship with one or more competent vets who are able to communicate well with you about the needs and treatment options for the best care of your dog whether routine care or in emergencies.

There are, however, many instances where your pet will need some sort of first aid care or treatment when it's not feeling well or follow up care after being treated at the animal hospital . . .  care that you should be prepared, equipped and able to provide. 

First of all don't hesitate to ask your vet for advice while you are there for routine check ups, etc.  The vet or vet tech should be willing to provide information about your home treatments of minor cuts, scrapes, bumps, etc. and what to look for that would indicate a trip to the clinic is warranted.

Secondly, get and keep handy a good book that covers dog health issues.  Know what the 'normal' body temp is supposed to be and have a thermometer handy to use for diagnostics.  Read up on how to clean and dress a cut or wound and have supplies handy.  Also know when a wound is beyond your set of skills and when you need professional help.  Not all injuries or illnesses require a mad dash to the doctor.  You should be capable of taking care of your dear pet in most all little boo-boos and minor illnesses.  If you have raised or are raising children you know what I'm talking about.  Don't confuse the child and the dog . . .  there are some differences in some treatments but it is not that difficult to become confident in providing good treatment and care for your dog just as you did or are doing for your children.  In some cases you may be surprised at how similar the two can be!

Until next time . . .   Eliot

Rosehall Kennel carefully breeds the large, old style, family friendly straight back German Shepherds and has placed puppies with great families and in work situations throughout the US and Canada and into Mexico.  Check us out at www.rosehallkennel.com and follow us on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/RosehallLargeGermanShepherds

What kind of fence?

The standard 10 X 10 X 6' tall chain link panel kennel kits can be the ideal start of your dog's safe home.  If you have a very small dog the kennel pen doesn't need to be that tall and the 100 square feet provided could be adequate for fairly long stays in that space.  A big dog will require much more space for day time stretching but the 100 square feet can be a good night time place if it has shelter within it such as a good quality dog house.

The day time play yard should be big enough that the dog can actually break into a run, at least for short distances so if space is limited, a longer narrower space is prefered to one that is more square. . .  thus the term, 'dog run.'  Daytime shelter is required within the play yard as well as the night time enclosure.  A dog house, a roofed porch, whatever can be provided to provide good shade and shelter from wind, rain, snow, etc.

There are a number of good fencing options for dogs.  There are now well tested 'underground' electronic fences and the wireless fences, both of which will alert the dog as it approaches it's boundaries by stimulus through a device on the dog's collar.  These are different from the older style 'electric' fences that actually have an electrical charge pulsing through wire that is run from post to post around the dog's boundary. Back yards can be fenced with wooden 'stockade' type panels making an enclosure that cannot be seen through.  Chain link fencing, woven or welded wire fencing are other options for fencing off a good play yard.

Each of these options has strong advocates.  We know of dogs who stay well within their yards under each of these kinds of fencing.  We also know instances of dogs who chronically escape from any or all of these!  Dogs are able to jump over, dig under, chew through or climb just about any type of reasonable fencing that can be imagined.

The real key to keeping a dog safely contained within it's appointed play yard is relationship.  A well loved and well disciplined dog will know the 'master's' desires and will choose to live within the boundaries set once trained to it. There is effort and perseverance required to training the puppy or young dog to respect the boundaries.  You cannot leave your dog unattended for long periods of time or without toys or amusements to keep it entertained and expect the dog not to attempt to 'break out.'  Your loving relationship with the dog must include bountiful times in your presence as a companion and adequate stimulation to satisfy it's need for amusement for the dog to be content to stay within the fence . . .  whatever kind of fence it is.  If the dog is content, it will stay in a good play yard.

If you have adopted a dog that is old enough to have already developed some behavior problems, it can be a major challenge to work through them.  There are great consultants that can help with dog behavior problems.  Occasionally those problems are the result of a temperament quirk in the dog.  Usually dog behavior problems are the result of human problems the dog encountered or endured.  Most often the problems can be corrected . . .  even the determined escape artist!

Until next time . . .   Eliot    www.rosehallkennel.com

Give me Liberty or give me Death

On March 23, 1775 Patrick Henry gave a passionate speech to the Virginia Convention in which he said, 'Give me Liberty or give me Death.'  This remains a well know slogan that came from the American Revolution and is learned by United States school students in their history lessons.  For many of us it remains a cry that is closely associated to our passion for our personal freedom and political liberty.

We often hear people who are almost equally passionate about giving their dog liberty. "I wouldn't have a dog that has to be confined,' we hear people say.   Well, with rare exceptions, giving your dog unrestrained liberty to roam the face of the earth at will may well be putting your dog at risk of death. There are all kinds of real dangers 'out there' for a dog.  Often the dog doesn't recognize the dangers because they are not 'natural' in the dog's understanding of their environment. . . the vehicle traffic, the property boundaries that may be strictly enforced by others, the dog fearing humans, vicious and possibly rabid wildlife, and tempting 'eats' that can be very poisonous to dogs (such as antifreeze that apparently is quite tasty to the dog but is fatal.) The unfairness I see here is that in matters of political liberty, I am making my own choices that may place me at risk of great bodily harm or even death.  When a dog owner makes that decision on behalf of the dog, the owner is putting the dog at risk and the dog DIDN'T make that choice. 

One of the responsibilities of the alpha dog in the pack is to keep the pack safe.  As a dog owner, you must take the place of the alpha dog in the pack.  That means it is up to you to provide secure surroundings for your dog.  While we are strongly against 'staking out' a dog or keeping it on a 'dog run,' we are adamant that the dog must have sufficient space and time in which to vigorously exercise every day.  Securely fenced play yards are the best option where at all possible.  This is not the 10 X 10 or even the 20 X 20 chain link kennel pen.  This is the 1/8 acre (5,000 square feet) minimum play area where the dog can actually stretch out his legs and run. (The play yard pictured above is 1.5 acres opening onto a 2.5 acre lake.)

The alternative is twice daily runs with the owner.  The dog must be on leash or under strict voice command depending upon local ordinances.  Some people have equipped bicycles with gear that allows the dog to safely run along side of the bike.  Many communities have dog parks where you can take your dog for exercise and socialization.  An adult dog spends much of it's day at rest. But in order to maintain both physical and emotional health, the dog must have opportunity to be enthusiastically active.

Your dog must have some degree of freedom.  The dog tied out to a tree or living on the cable run needs daily opportunity to experience some freedom.  But it is up to the dog's caretaker to ensure that their freedom is safe from danger.  To greater or lesser degrees human governments attempt to do the same for the citizens.  Legitimate arguments can be made both pro and con regarding the restrictions and interference a government makes in a person's life.  I don't believe the arguments can be the same regarding your responsibility to care for the safety of your dog.

Until next time . . .   Eliot      www.rosehallkennel.com

p.s.  Ironically only a few hours after I finished writing this I received a cell phone call from a family member. She was crying and distressed. She had been on her way to school to pick up her child and a dog darted out of a driveway under the wheels of her car and was killed.  An irresponsible dog owner failed to keep their dog safe and has subjected this young woman to the trauma and distress of the dog's death under the wheels of her car.