Harley’s Place: Information For Responsible Dog ownership

21/02/2023

10 Things to know before bringing home a German Shepherd Puppy:

1. German Shepherds are a high work & prey drive, high energy herding breed.
These dogs were originally bred to herd sheep and later transitioned into the war dogs of Germany at the beginning of World War I, later to be feared during World War II.
They require a serious amount of exercise, mental stimulation, and training to be well-behaved canine citizens.

2. German Shepherds come with many health risks.
German Shepherds and many of the deep-chested breeds we know and love are prone to GDV (bloat and torsion of the stomach,) Addison’s disease, Degenerative Myelopathy, vision impairments, Hip & elbow dysplasia, Epilepsy, and other hereditary ailments. It’s of the upmost importance taht when searching for a breeder, you do extensive research into the health testing that they do on both the dam and stud before making your decision. If you’re adopting, try to get as much background information as possible and do genetics testing like Embark or Wisdom Panel to gain some insight on your dog’s health, so that you can hopefully create a plan to avoid health issues for as long as possible.
The saying “You get what you pay for” applies to dogs especially. Breeding and healthy genetics plays a roll not only in health but in temperament and workability, as well.

3. They shed… a lot.
I hope you’re not allergic to dander! These dogs shed like crazy and you’ll likely be vacuuming once a day if you don’t want tumbleweeds of hair blowing around the house.
GSD’s have an undercoat and a top coat. If not brushed frequently and well, skin allergies, impacted fur, and skin irritation can happen very quickly. It’s important that you care for your dog’s skin well since this breed is prone to skin and dietary-related allergies.

4. Early socialization is CRUCIAL.
This is super important for any dog, but especially German Shepherds.
Dogs need to socialize and become neutral to many different people, environments, animals, and places, to prevent issues like reactivity, anxiety, aggression, as well as to create a balanced temperament. This should be done in a controlled manner between the ages of 8-16 weeks and beyond. Puppies should not be on the ground until they have at least 2-3 rounds of vaccinations, so a stroller, being carried, or other means of transportation may be necessary until it is old enough to walk on the ground.
These dogs are incredibly powerful and can inflict great harm to other humans and animals if not taught to be neutral.

5. They are Velcro dogs.
If you’re not a fan of clingy, attention seeking, loves to be by your side whenever possible dogs, German shepherds are not for you. These dogs closely adhere to their main handler, and while they Still love the rest of their family, prefer to be with (or on top of) their person as much as they can.

6. Dietary and weight management
This breed gains weight incredibly easily if diet and exercise is not balance properly. Consult with your vet on how to measure food intake and exercise based on YOUR dog’s needs to ensure that they are healthy and happy.
The life span of an overweight dog is, on average, 2-3.5 years shorter than dogs who stay at a healthy weight, not to mention the thyroid, joint, pancreatic, and liver issues that can ensue from poor diet and exercise. German shepherds are naturally lean dogs and need to stay that way.

7. They are mouthy
German shepherds are incredibly mouthy from puppyhood and are often referred to as “land sharks”. They need to be taught “soft mouth,” and bite inhibition which is being gentle when taking food, treats, toys, ect and learning when/what is appropriate to bite.

8. They are not immediately good with children.
Like all dogs, shepherds need to be trained on how to behave around small children, and children need to be taught how to behave around the dog. Boundaries need to be set for both dog and child, and maintained to show the dog that their space is theirs and that there is no need to resource gaurd or protect themselves.

9. They require crate training.
My biggest piece of advice to anyone bringing home a GSD puppy is to immediately introduce a crate. They can be incredibly destructive as teething puppies and when left bored/unoccupied.

10. They need a job.
German shepherds were designed to sustain working for up to 12 hours a day and require some sort of job to keep them content. If your dog is out in the house, ask them to place on their bed while you do chores, teach them to pick up their toys and put them in a basket, teach them a sport like agility, whatever it may be, this will help keep your dog interested, engaged, and mentally stimulated, causing less behavioral issues and a great bond between them and you.

What else would you like to read about? Drop your suggestions in the comments! 👇🤍🐕🦮🐩🐕‍🦺🐾

16/01/2023

16/01/2023

16/01/2023

14/01/2023

14/01/2023

14/01/2023

Just incase you thought online service dog registries were real....

14/01/2023

14/01/2023

I know you’re probably annoyed at this point, but I’m here for another
✨Educational Dog Post No One Asked For ✨

Today’s topic:
”Restricted” breeds.

Restricted dog breeds are those who are typically banned from rental housing mainly, but also breeds frowned upon by the public unless they are highly trained. They are widely seen as loose canons, aggressive, reactive, or dangerous by the general public.
I want to discuss why most of these breeds have fallen under this label and what we can do as dog owners to set stunning examples of not only restricted breeds, but any dog.

Some restricted breeds include:
Rottweiler
German Shepherd
Belgian Malinois
Doberman
Pit Bull
Doggo Argentino
Chow Chow
Shar Pei
American Bulldog
Cane Corso
Akita
Bull Terrier
Mastiffs
Basically 1/2 of billy breeds

All of these breeds have at some point been banned or restricted access to housing and other various places. Some due to size, but most due to assumed temperament or a reputation for aggression.

As dog owners of these breeds, or any, it is our job to be responsible for our beloved dogs. This starts with doing extensive research on your breed (or each breed if your dog is a mix). This goes beyond basics. It’s important to know the history of the breed, why they were bred, dietary needs, exercise needs, mental stimulation needs, vet care, training requirements, and more. You need to look at every aspect of the dog and compare their needs to your lifestyle. Can you exercise a dog for at least two hours a day? Can you dedicate time to advanced and consistent training? No? Then can you afford to hire a professional trainer? Can you afford a proper diet for a large breed? Can you afford regular vet care and possible trips to the ER?
These are all very important questions you need to ask yourself before you welcome a new dog into your home and life. If their needs aren’t met, their behavior shows it.

Most of the listed dog breeds fall under the working dog category, this meaning that they were bred intentionally with certain characteristics and high drive/energy so that they can maintain long work dogs under many different conditions. These dogs are not for the faint of heart and require tripple the time that common family pets do. Because they are bred with high drive and energy levels, they require more time to exercise and more mental enrichment. A walk around the block once or twice a day WILL NOT meet the dog’s needs. A tired dog is a good dog and if you fail to release all of that pent up energy, your dog will find ways to do it that are not healthy, safe, or constructive. Mental enrichment in the form of lick mats, snuffle mats, interactive toys, and training is also a top priority. They are quick thinkers and incredibly smart, they were bred to work and have a purpose. If they don’t have a purpose, they will make destruction their job. For dogs like this, training them for sports, protection (ONLY DO THIS WITH A KNOWLEDGEABLE PROFESSIONAL TRAINER!!!), etc give them a fantastic outlet, builds relationship, and can burn off a lot of energy.
At the bare minimum , they need to run or do intense activity like fetch until they are worn out.

While most of these breeds are incredibly trainable, they need a highly skilled handler who has previous experience with dogs. These breeds are NOT for first time dog owners and can be incredibly stubborn. Again, education is key, but I’m warning you, if you get in over your head with a breed you’re not equipped to handle, you, the dog, and your family will all suffer and it usually ends with the dog being rehomed within the first 2 years of it’s life.

These dogs are powerful. While the scary, strong, powerful look is highly desired, these dogs have the power to end someone’s life incredibly quickly. They are considered deadly weapons in court if they cause bodily injury.
They need to be socialized VERY well from the time they are vaccinated and able to encounter other humans and animals. If a dog is not socialized properly and thoroughly they can develop fear reactivity, fear aggression, and in breeds that were bred to gaurd or protect, they can see innocent bystanders as threats. They can also develop frustration reactivity, this is when the dog is just soooo excited and exploding because they want to meet a new friend. The more common of these is fear. Because they’ve never encountered all of these different things, they have no idea what’s going on and will lash out to keep the scary things away from them. If boundaries are ignored and the dog is pushed, it will eventually lead to aggression. (Lunging, nipping, biting, snarling, etc)

They are not “everyone” dogs. They are not meant for everyone. I’m not trying to gate keep these dogs, but they need a strong leader who has the time and energy to keep up with them. They need more than 30 minutes every evening.
I also would not suggest these dogs for households with young children. As we know, kids will push boundaries. These dogs can be great family pets given the correct training and their needs are met, but it is YOUR JOB as a parent to teach you children to respect the dog, it’s space, and it’s possessions. Dividing time between young kids and dogs is also difficult, so again, I wouldn’t do it until your children are capable of understanding boundaries and you have a little more time to dedicate to the dog.

Poor socialization, lack of training, insufficient exercise and stimulation needs, and lack of outlets are some of the biggest reasons these dogs can become aggressive and reactive. It happens very very quickly and can’t take years to resolve, so please, before you buy a dog, research the breed, reputable breeds, and do a deep dive into what it will require of you.

That’s all, bye. ✌️

*DISCLAIMER* Service Dogs required for a disability do not apply to any restrictions or discrimination based on breed. Service Dogs are task trained to mitigate their handler’s disability wether it be physical or psychiatric and go through rigorous training and proofing. It is ILLEGAL to fake a service dog and is punishable by fines and possible jail time. There is no certification or registration in the United States, rather a prescription from a physician who actively treats you in the form of a recommendation letter. If you are not disabled, please do not fake a service dog. You tread on and abuse our rights as service dog handlers as well as put other’s lives at risk.

14/01/2023

You already know what time it is, time for an
✨educational dog post no one asked for✨

Before I share the topic of today’s post, I’m giving a disclaimer because I know many people who may be offended by this or take it the wrong way. While I disagree with the topic and do not find it ethical or responsible, I hold no hatred, malice, or I’ll intentions toward the dogs, solely the humans. Nothing that will be mentioned is the dogs’ fault, nor do they have control over anything that happens to them, however humans do and it’s their job to be fully educated, responsible, and ethical, which is sadly not the case.

All of that being said, today’s topic is doodles.
Doodles are HIGHLY controversial in the dog world, but not many take the time to properly educate on them correctly, so I’m here to do that.

Labradoodles, golden doodles, Aussie doodles, bernadoodles, and any other dog that is bred with a poodle is not ethical or okay.
I don’t even know where to begin.

Doodles are not pure bred dogs. They are not. They are a cross between a poodle and whatever other breed they chose. Many are under the assumption that doodles are a breed, when, in fact, they are not recognized by the AKC, CKC, or any other registry. If someone sells you an ”AKC registered doodle”, they are lying to you and giving you a dog with hung passers, meaning that they lied about who the parents are when filling out the necessary forms. These dogs cannot participate in any AKC sports or events unless they are register with AKC Canine Partners, which is the registry for mixed breed dogs.

Doodle breeders will often not do the necessary health testing required of the dogs. When you are crossing breeds, or breeding any dog in general, you need genetic testing to make sure the dogs are clear of any heredity ailments, OFA testing for hip and elbow dysplasia, and individual testing based on breed and common illnesses or deformities in them. Not doing this testing can result in dogs or puppies that can become very ill and in turn suffer.

Doodles ARE NOT hypoallergenic. A common ploy that doodle breeders will use is that the dogs are hypoallergenic. This is incredibly false. While doodles typically shed less than other dogs, they still produce dander and fur. Some of the Dander gets trapped in the coat since they have a more curly coat, which yes, typically makes them easier for people who suffer with allergies, but this does not mean they are hypoallergenic. If you are searching for a dog that is, you will not find one. Doodles can also be mixed with breeds like Golden Retrievers and Bernese mountain dogs, who have incredibly think, long coats, which increases the likelihood of more allergens and dander. A better option would be a well-bred poodle. They have fantastic temperaments and are one of the least-sheddy, allergen producing dog breeds.

There is no standard. Because doodles are a mixed breed, there is no real standard for coat, temperament, looks, behavior, or predictability. You, as an owner, have no idea what kind of dog you are getting. You could end up with a super chill dog, or one that’s prone to destructive behaviors, one that’s generally stable, or one that’s anxious and reactive. This all lies in genetics. Buying a doodle puppy is like playing the lottery. You could end up with a jackpot, or be out a bunch of money.

Doodles typically have more health issues.
Because of the lack of testing and incompatible breeds, most doodles live shorter lives and have more health issues. Health issues include, but are not limited to Addison’s disease, hypo/hyperthyroidism, Dysplasia, Epilepsy, GDV, Retinal atrophy, Sebaceous Adenitis, Patellar Luxation, LCP disease, subvalvular aortic stenosis (hereditary heart disease), skin allergies, coat problems, cataracts, cancer, pancreatitis, and many more.
We all want our pups to be happy and healthy, but with these dogs, the chance that they will be inflicted with any one of these things is significantly higher than that of well-bred, pure-bred dogs.

As I have discussed before, if someone is breeding dogs, it should be to better a breed. The reason many of the beautiful dogs we se are still alive is because of caring breeders who do an immense amount of testing, research, titling, and care for their dogs. Being an ethical breeder means putting the dogs first and ensuring that they not only be healthy, but find homes suitable for them as well. This, again plays into breed standards. If you cannot predict a dog’s temperament to some degree, how do you know which home it should go to?

Another major flaw with doodles that I see way too often is doodle owners who don’t groom their dogs well or enough. Because they have poodle genetics and a relatively curly coat, they require daily or near daily brushing to prevent Matts and pelts. Many are not ready or capable of maintaining this level of care, therefore, they end up at groomers getting shaved down. Matts and pelts can be incredibly painful if left untreated and can cause immense damage to this skin.

There are many more pitfalls to these dogs that I’ll get into another time, but for now, I’m leaving the comments open to anyone who would like to leave their two cents. Again, I have no hatred for these dogs, it’s just upsetting to know that there are people out there who think it’s okay to take the risk of subjecting a dog to lifelong health issues, behavioral issues, instability, and giving them to owners who are uneducated and unprepared for the dog they are getting.
And I’m also not saying all doodles are bad. There are some super great ones that I know, but that still doesn’t make what the humans are doing acceptable.

14/01/2023

Hi Everyone!
I have created this page to share my series of
✨Educational Dog Posts No One Asked For✨ so that we can all learn and grow as Dog owners and so that friends and family can share posts and stories publicly to others while having it seperate from my personal page. The mission for this page is to educate on health, care, training, ethical breeding, sports, and jobs that pertain to our furry best friends. You’ll find tips, tricks, and science-backed information on how to care for you dog so that they live the happiest and longest lives possible. I want to build confidence within the dogbook community, so no question is too big or small. I encourage everyone to ask any questions as I’ve invited some other very educated and trustworthy friends, trainers, and veterinarians to add their opinions and knowledge as well!

Be well!
Bri & Harley