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Does Medication Work for Stopping Dog Behavior Problems?

The pet industry is booming, and drug companies now find that they can make good money creating, and marketing a variety of medications for dogs and cats. There is dog medication for obesity. dog medication for separation anxiety, and of course dog Prozac for aggression.

Certain kinds of dog medication, including pain medication, vaccines, anti-biotics, allergy medicines, etc. are very appropriate (as directed by your vet) for dealing with physical ailments in dogs. However, should you medicate your dogs for behavioral or psychological issues? Is there a “magic pill” that can quickly, and effortlessly stop bad dog behaviors?

The good and the bad of dog behavior medication …

Shiba Inu Puppy Cam

This Shiba Inu puppy cam thing is extremely addictive. They are so cute, and their mannerisms are so similar to my 2 year old Shiba.

Shiba Inus, however, are a difficult breed to care for.

Shibas are aloof, naturally dominant, and do not generally like being handled, hugged, or held. They are not lap dogs. Shibas are energetic, extremely intelligent, and need a lot of mental and physical stimulation. Shibas need a lot of attention, and they like being inside the house with their humans. If left alone for too long, they will become bored, destructive, and will probably escape to find adventure elsewhere.

Shiba Inu Personality …

Do you still want to get a Shiba puppy?  For those brave souls, check out the breeder list at the National Shiba Club of America or adopt from a Shiba Rescue. If you love Shibas, do not get a puppy from the pet store. Most, if not all of the puppies in pet stores come from back-yard-breeders or puppy mills.

Read more about buying a puppy …

Why Walking a Dog is Not as Fun as it Used to Be

Walking with your dog sounds like a really pleasant enterprise. It brings to mind images of an obedient, and off-leash, Lassie-like companion, walking next to you, in a field of daisies. The sky is blue, your Lassie is looking up at you with adoring eyes, and the mild wind ever so slightly causes a soothing, rustling sound in the trees around you.

The reality of dog walking is unfortunately very far from this idyllic picture. First of all, Lassie really likes to pull and will often jump and bite at the leash. Lassie likes barking at passing cars, and will happily tow her owner towards squirrels and cats at high speed. And as if dealing with Lassie is not enough, you must deal with the difficult neighborhood idiots who are hell-bent upon making your walk with your dog as unpleasant an experience as possible.

Read more about those idiots and how you can combat their idiocy …

Barking Dogs

Why do dogs bark, and how can you stop dogs from barking?

 

Dogs bark for a variety of reasons including alert barking, defensive barking, boredom barking, stress barking, excitement barking, and attention barking.

 

The best way to deal with dog barking issues, is to identify the root of the problem, and retrain an alternative behavior.

Other techniques for dealing with the barking dog includes putting your dog in daycare, hiring a pet sitter, using a bark collar, or debarking your dog.

How to stop your dog from barking …

Vorpal Bunny

Today, I was reminded of a very important lesson by a bunny … 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Ez5QPW-ku4

Embrace nothing:
If you meet the Buddha, kill the Buddha.
If you meet your father, kill your father.
Only live your life as it is,
Not bound to anything.
~~ [Hindu Prince Gautama Siddharta, the founder of Buddhism, 563-483 B.C.]

What is Your Dog’s Sleep Number?

Although it may not seem like it when you get your puppy, dogs really like to sleep. Dogs are crepuscular; they are most active at dawn and dusk and sleep the rest of the time. Dogs in fact, sleep an average of 16 hours. This will vary depending on age, temperature, breed, and activity.

Given that dogs sleep so much, it makes sense to get them a good bed. A comfortable bed will make for a healthier, happier, dog, who is more willing to listen to you. Consider your dog’s breed, temperament, age, and external factors such as temperature, to make a good dog bed choice. The soft, fluffy bed that may seem extremely comfortable to us, may not be the most comfortable for our dog. Dogs frequently have a different “sleep number” than we do, so observe your dog and pick a bed based on his preferences.

Read more about dog beds …

Dog Stories: Let’s Talk about Dogs

All dog owners have many dog stories to tell. My Siberian Husky, Shania, is a sweetie, who loves everyone, and likes to nibble on people’s chins. My Shiba Inu, Sephy, is more aloof and in love with himself. But he can also be a big goof, and he is extremely gentle with his sister, Shania.

Yesterday, he was lying nicely on his bed, and Shania comes bounding up and starts using him as her chew toy. They tussle around on the bed, and when the dust settled, she is on the bed and he has been chased out  

There are always so many interesting dog stories to tell, and in these times, we all need some fun, and entertaining dog tales. So come and join me at HubPages and share your dog stories. We need more dog people at HubPages and you are all invited!

Read about Yodi, the brave rat terrier …

Do Dogs Need Other Dogs?

When you watch dogs, especially puppies at play, it is easy to believe that dogs really do need other dogs. Puppies are so exuberant in their play, they have so much fun with each other, and then they just plop down next to each other in a puppy heap during sleep time. How can a human even compete with that, much less replace it?

This is probably why many dog owners today try to make their dogs into social butterflies. There is a general expectation that a dog should get along with another dog and if he does not, there must be something wrong with him.

My trainer, however, claims that dog-to-dog socialization is purely for us humans; so we can have a dog that we can take with us everywhere. Dogs, according to her, really need to be with their people but are perfectly happy with or without other dogs around. She said that dogs are happier curled up in bed with us, with a piece of steak, than they are with their doggie friends.

So what do you think? Do dogs need other dogs?

Here is what some dog veterans think …

Debarking: Should it be Legal?

I am hearing more and more cases of people debarking their dogs. Many people consider the debarking process to be inhumane, while others think that debarking is acceptable as a last resort to surrendering their dog, which would mean euthanasia in many cases. Debarking is illegal in the UK, so should it be illegal here as well?

First, let us consider why dogs bark. Dogs bark for a variety of reasons. Common reasons include:

1. Warning. Dogs may vocalize sometimes to indicate to others that some resource (toy, food, area) belongs to them.
2. Alert. Guard dogs commonly vocalize to let their pack members know that there is activity that may be dangerous.
3. Boredom/Frustration. Dogs that are left alone for long periods of time may vocalize because they are bored and frustrated. If dogs have a lot of pent up energy, that they are unable to release otherwise, they may bark out of boredom and frustration. This may also lead to barrier frustration, and other behavioral problems.
4. Stress. Dogs sometimes bark when they are under stress. For example, some dogs may bark and lunge because they are fearful of other dogs. Dogs that have separation anxiety may also bark and otherwise vocalize when their owners leave, because of stress.
5. Excitement. Dogs often vocalize when they are excited. This usually occurs when they are greeting people, or new dogs.

I am lucky in that I never had to consider debarking my dogs. When I was growing up, we had several German Shepherds that barked whenever there was any activity outside. However, we lived in a cul-de-sac so there was not much foot or car traffic. Now, I stay home with my dogs most of the time, so I do not have a barking problem. The question, I think, comes down to this …

How much does debarking reduce a dog’s quality of life?

That is difficult to tell. I imagine that it would be different for different dogs. My Shiba Inu, for example, would get really depressed and stressed out if he got debarked. He is a very sensitive dog and does not like any kind of change. I imagine he would get stressed every time he vocalized and realized he could not do it properly. On the other hand, my Siberian Husky is more of a happy-go-lucky girl. She is a tripod dog and has adapted to that very well. I imagine she would be able to adapt to debarking as well, without a significant decrease in quality of life. But … I can only speculate.

So what do you think?

1. If you anticipate that you will have dog barking issues, should you not get a dog?
2. If you already have dog barking issues, and have debarked your dog(s), should you not get new dogs in the future?
3. If a dog is about to be euthanized, but can be adopted if he is debarked, is that acceptable?

What is your position? Are there instances where you think debarking is acceptable? Or do you think that debarking should be illegal?