Dog Days Woodside

02/20/2024

That head.

The Bracco Italiano just might have the “hound-iest” look of all the gundogs, and we think it has a lot to do with that magnificent head. Pendulous ears set low, jowls you want to get lost in, and a big head whose skull and muzzle are of equal length contribute to an appearance that throws off most people unfamiliar with the breed. How important is the head to breed type? The FCI standard devotes no fewer than 451 words to describing the head and its components.

Bracco Italiano by LA Shepard/thedoglover
https://www.facebook.com/L.A.ShepardArt
http://fineartamerica.com/art/all/l.a.shepard/all
https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheDogLover

02/19/2024

Imagine trying to keep this staunch working dog as a pet!!

02/19/2024

This might surprise you, but I think teaching a dog to sit is one of the the skills your dog really doesn't need. Now hold on, hear me out before you hate me. It might be convenient but it's not essential. It's not a life or death skill, like leave it or recall might be. And in most contexts when owners tend to use sit, we could easily swap out stand instead.

Sit is such an overused, under-rewarded skill. People ask their dog to sit, for no real reason, far too often. Why does your dog need to sit to get a treat? Do you perform a "trick" every time you go to the cookie jar for a snack or every time before your partner shows you affection? Read more in this week's post.

https://rescuedbytraining.com/2024/02/19/quit-the-sit/

02/19/2024

02/19/2024

When considering the ethics of how we treat small dogs, it's crucial to take their growling as seriously as we would with larger breeds. This approach respects the emotional state and communication efforts of the dog, regardless of size. Growling is a clear expression of a dog's discomfort, fear, or stress. By acknowledging and responding appropriately to these signals from small dogs, we validate their feelings and provide them with a sense of security and understanding.

Ethically, it's important to recognise that all dogs, regardless of size, have the same basic emotional needs and ways of communicating. Dismissing a small dog's growl can lead to a misunderstanding of its emotional well-being and potentially exacerbate their distress. This can result in a dog feeling misunderstood, ignored, or not taken care of, which is contrary to ethical pet ownership principles that emphasise understanding and responding to an animal's needs.

Furthermore, by taking a small dog's growling seriously, we promote a more compassionate and empathetic approach to animal care. It reflects an understanding that a dog's behaviour is a reflection of its emotional state. Addressing the root cause of the growling, whether it be fear, anxiety, or discomfort, shows a commitment to the ethical treatment of animals, where their emotional and psychological well-being is given priority.

In essence, ethically responsible dog ownership involves recognising and respecting the emotional expressions of all dogs, big or small. It's about creating a nurturing and understanding environment where dogs feel safe to communicate their feelings, and where their signals are respected and addressed appropriately.

02/19/2024

A very awarded Police Dog. He saved more than 100 human lives... RESPECT! ❤ ❤

02/19/2024

I’m a dog trainer.
I teach people how to teach their dogs.
But I also - just as much or maybe even more - am a “dog manager”.
Teaching people how to manage their dogs.
Management is faster, and for many owners more accessible and realistic than training.
Sometimes this management is short-term, and sometimes it is a long-term solution.
The balance between training and management is individual to each family.
You know what makes management really hard?
Dogs that are stronger than their owners.
I am starting to see this more and more, and it worries me.
Dog owners are reaching out because they are small-framed (I am, too!) and their 80 lbs adolescent Doberman is pulling them over on every walk.
They tell me their dog got in a fight because he got loose when they couldn’t hang on to the leash.
When they try to wrestle their dog away from the opening front door, the dog easily wins and darts out and gets in trouble …
This is not good.
If owners acquire powerful working breeds, they need to be able to keep them under control (through training and/or management) or this quickly gets out of hand.
I want to be clear that I am not making this about body types.
There are a lot of amazing dog trainers out there who have a small frame, who are not physically strong or who have a medical condition or disability and their large dogs are *fantastically* trained.
It's a joy to watch. I highly respect them.
I am by no means a strong person either.
BUT let’s be realistic: If you get a dog that is stronger than you, your training game needs to be on point.
Because if a dog’s behavior is neither regulated by management nor training we have a problem.
In my in-person training I have seen many situations in which the training ability & physical strength of the dog owner was grossly mismatched with the dog’s level of drive and power.
There is so much frustration on both the human and canine sides of these teams.
Those cases are really difficult for a trainer to resolve - and they quickly become sketchy for others around, too (such as the dogs that are charged when the strong dog gets loose).
If you love training fast, driven & strong dogs - fantastic. I love that, too.
If you are looking for a companion and don’t have a huge interest in training - choose a dog that does not overpower you. You and your dog will be MUCH happier with this arrangement.

02/18/2024

Aww, look at that sweet face! Our Ryder!
GCH CH Dancing Bear's I Know You Ryder
CGC CGCA CGCU TT TKN TKI RN CHIC OFA
BEST Boy! He's 11 & 1/2 years old now 🤎🤎🤎

History, literature, culture and more - including resources for parents and teachers - everything you wanted to know about the lifeguards of the high seas - www.thenewfoundland.org

02/16/2024

02/15/2024

Another dog job! 👍🏼☺️

02/15/2024

02/14/2024

🚨 ATTENTION Contra Costa County: Our shelter has reached 150% capacity, and we urgently need your help 🚨

We particularly need our larger dogs into forever homes to create more space for the amount of in-need animals coming in. Please come in and adopt from CCAS.

If adoption isn't an option for you, we encourage you to consider fostering. Fostering provides our animals with a much-needed break from the stress of the shelter environment, and we provide all necessary supplies (food, kennel, toys, medical support, etc.): https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/7846/Dog-Foster-Program

🗣️ Everyone can contribute by sharing this post and spreading the word within their networks 📲

The photo here represents only a portion of the animals in our care. For a more comprehensive view and to learn more about each dog, please click on their photo on our website: https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/7885/Available-Dogs

Adoptions are free through February (minus a $25 license fee). You can call 925-608-8400 and have the Animal ID number ready for more information about our available pets.

Our regular schedule is Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00am to 5:00pm (until 7:00pm on Wednesdays). We're located at 4800 Imhoff Place in Martinez, CA. Please contact us for any questions.

02/14/2024

The Sparks Fire Department has a new member and he's not your typical firefighter.Grizzly, a massive Newfoundland, has joined the Sparks Fire Department as the

02/13/2024

Putting Ethics & Welfare First!
Effective, humane animal training and pet care methods are the foundation of any animal’s healthy socialization and training and help prevent behavior problems.

02/13/2024

02/13/2024

02/13/2024

02/13/2024

Don’t fall for it!

02/13/2024

You are not going to create or worsen obesity by providing a tasty treat at a potentially stressful time. You are helping to protect behavioral health and offering comfort.