I Love My Mutt Dogs

myrynda asked:


I want a special dog that is different and not the kind of dog that everyone has the street dog or the mutt dog or the regular cheap dog

I dont want a shelter dog because they are dirty and sick and a lot of disease so that is not for me

So what kind of dog is good for me and good to show to my friends and they will say wow your dog is so cool!

Cathy

sillyasafoxx asked:


i’ve been to spca’s and because I live in an apartment, I’m over looked. I’ve been wanting a puppy to raise, so I have company to walk with at a local park. I prefer medium to larger breeds. Help?

Gina

KDodge asked:


It looks like you have a puggle. Is that right? He looks adorable. I have a puggle also and he is so adorable. His name is Kilo and he is such a good dog. He is such a perfect dog. I love my puggle mutt too.

Beatrice

Ty Brown asked:

Human beings are bound by certain social rules and etiquettes. Dogs are too, however, their rules are entirely different from our rules. For example, it is rare that one person meets another person and within seconds begins a violent fight. This behavior, however, is very common with our canine friends. Introducing two dogs in public is an art and an exercise in training and control. You must be prepared if you are going to avoid not only dog fights, but if you are to steer clear of dog illnesses and other problems when introducing two dogs.

When I have my dogs in public the first rule I live by is ‘assume the worst’. What I mean by this is that I assume that most other dogs out there are ill-behaved and not dog friendly. I know this sounds extreme and perhaps rude but honestly, am I that far off? If you assume this position you will be correct a majority of the time. Most dogs in public are poorly trained and poorly socialized and shouldn’t be counted on to automatically get along with your dog.

So how do you go about introducing two dogs with such assumptions? The short answer is, I don’t. When I am in public, generally speaking, I keep my dogs separate from other dogs I encounter. Do I know if the approaching dog is current with his shots, do I know if the other dog is dog aggressive? The answer is no. Why would I introduce my dog into such an unknown situation where he could get injured from a fight or sick from an illness?

The next assumption I typically make is ‘assume the other dog owner knows nothing about dogs’. When I approach another dog owner on the street or in a park I often find that they are eager to have their dog meet both my dog and me. I often hear comforting words such as, “Oh, he’s fine with other dogs,” or, “It’s ok, he’s friendly.” Well the truth is that maybe their dog has been friendly with a few dogs but who is to say that their dog will be friendly with my dog? I was once walking with a client and their dog down a path in the woods when along came a beautiful Airedale Terrier. As we approached the owner of the terrier called out, “He’s friendly!” following which the dog immediately proceeded to lunge at the leash while barking quite aggressively, obviously looking for a fight. Both I and my client’s dog barely missed being bit as the other owner was nearly pulled over. Ever since this experience, and many similar ones, I have realized that I can’t trust the judgment of other dog owners.

As a result of this style of thinking I religiously avoid dog parks. They are the bane of the dog world and should be avoided at all costs. They are a recipe for disease and fighting. You would be wise to avoid these settings.

Am I being too much of an extremist? No, I don’t think so. In doing this I am almost guaranteeing a safe outing everywhere I go. You may be asking, “But what about socialization? Shouldn’t my dog learn to get along with other dogs?” The answer is yes, but only under controlled settings.

I am very careful about the children that my young daughter meets. I try to avoid having her meet kids who are bullies or sick. Why wouldn’t I do the same for my dog? Whenever I allow my dogs to meet new dogs I do so only when the situation is controlled.

So what is a controlled situation? It could be a variety of settings, but typically a controlled situation is one where I am familiar with the other dog owner, familiar with the other dog and feel that said owner can control said dog. A controlled situation finds both dogs on leash and under control. When introducing two dogs I am always confident that I can control my dog so I need to make sure I partner up with someone else who can also control their dog. With all of these ducks in a row I am ready to introduce my dog to the other dog.

As I said, both dogs are on leash so the first step is allowing the other dogs to be near each other to see initial reactions. I will have my dog about 10 feet from the other dog. If either of the two begins to show aggression I know that maybe this is not a potential friendship. If they are okay at this distance I proceed. One dog remains stationary, preferably in the ‘sit’ command, while the other dog is walked by at a distance of 5-6 feet. The moving dog is then asked to sit while the other walks 5-6 away. Everybody still okay? Good, let’s keep going. Now I put my dog in the heel position on my left hand side while the other owner puts her dog on her left hand side. From here we walk past each other head on. By walking head on with our dogs on our left hand sides and under control the dogs are still separated by our bodies and still haven’t come in contact with each other. At this point, however, each dog has seen the other from a variety of angles and from a variety of potentially threatening and non-threatening positions. If they are still okay you can keep going. Obviously if they have shown aggression at any point you should stop the session.

The next step is the actual introduction. Each owner should approach the other, each dog should be preferably in the heel position. At about 3-4 feet from each other the owners should have their dogs sit by their sides. If everyone is still all right the owners should release the dogs from the sit position and slowly allow the dogs to start sniffing. After a few seconds each owner leads his or her dog away from each other and walks in the opposite direction. Do a U-turn and return to each others proximity. Come back to a halt again 3-4 feet away from each other and repeat the process. Do this several times, each time allowing the dogs to sniff each other for a bit longer period. At this stage it is important to look for tell-tale signs. If the hair on the back of one dog goes straight up lead that dog away and go even slower with the introductions. Watch for other signs such as the lips being lifted, growling, or other very tense behavior.

It is important to keep your dogs on leash. If a fight were to break out both owners could immediately drag each dog apart from each other. If when you introduce two dogs like this and everyone is still okay you can gradually give the dogs more and more freedom and allow them to play even more.

As with all dog training, use common sense. Watch for signs in your dog. Introducing two dogs can be fun, but you must always exercise caution.

Timothy

Lee Dobbins asked:


It’s been said that dogs are man’s best friends, and that’s perfectly shown in our societies today. Not only are dogs given expensive dog foods or gourmet dog treats, they’re also showered with a lot of fancy accessories.

Before, dogs used to sleep on the cold hard floor, but now, comfortable and soft beds for dogs are made available in the market. What’s even more amazing is that manufacturers are coming up with more dog accessories ideas such as Halloween costumes, dog toys and even dog sweaters to keep the dogs warm during winters.

The ordinary dog collars are slowly being replaced with something fancy. If you think dog collars are still those boring pieces of leather with a hard buckle attached on them, then you should try to visit a few pet specialty shops.

The mall has a wide collection of fancy dog collars. Now, collars come in different shape, color and size to suit the taste of the finickiest dog owner. They could even be made out of different materials such as nylon, leather, suede, metal and fabric.

Different designs are also available. No matter what your preferred design is, you’re sure you could find one to match your dog and fit your taste. In fact, it’s possible for your dog to wear a collar that perfectly matches whatever it is you are wearing. Examples of beautiful patterns of dog collars are polka dots, crystal, mink, bone, denim, crocodile prints and even Victorian.

If you think these collars are fancy, then you probably haven’t seen a dog collar attached with adjustable buckles, speakers, reflectors and RFID. A dog collar can even contain a GPS device so you can locate your dog wherever it goes. Now, just how fancy is that?

There are also lighted dog collars which can help keep your dogs safe. If you usually bring your dog outside for a walk at night or during foggy days, these lighted collars will enable you to see your dog even if it’s half a mile away. Usually, these illuminated collars run with an ordinary watch battery, and are weather- and shock-resistant.

There are also fancy dog collars which are highly personalized. Most of them are made-to-order. If you want a beautiful dog collar that comes with beads or small letters spelling your dog’s name, you can just order online.

Some manufacturers would even allow you to personally your dog’s collars. So if you have a great idea on how a collar should be made for your very special pet, then you should try to give your local pet shops a visit.

But dog manufacturers didn’t stop there. They know that dog lovers are not reluctant to spend a few hundred dollars just to accessorize their dogs, thus, they took full advantage of this. The most exquisite dog collars have probably been designed.

There are collars which are made of expensive materials like gold, platinum and silver. With precious gemstones such as sapphires, rubies and crystals embedded on them, these collars are more of jewelry than a dog collar.

Gone are the days when dog collars are simply just name tags. Dog collars also speak of the dog owner’s fashion and style preference. In addition, these dog collars are just one of the ways you can show how much you value your dog.

With such fancy dog collars available, it’s make you wonder if the dog itself is able to appreciate such extravagance. Well, whether the dog appreciates these fancy dog collars or not doesn’t really matter. What really matters is that you, as a dog lover and your dog’s best friend, were able to get your dog a fancy collar he deserves.

And if you’re feeling a bit more extravagant, you might even consider giving your dog other dog products like a throw blanket or dog totes. Do you know that the dog accessories industry is becoming a multi-million dollar industry? And that’s because of the numerous dog lovers like you who would probably spend a fortune for your pets.

That’s also one of the reasons why dog owners are the easiest people to find gifts for. Dog owners shower their dogs with so much attention, that you can’t possibly go wrong if you get them something for their pets. So don’t stress yourself too much thinking on what gift to give them.



Tanya

the answer man asked:


What other strange mutt types have you seen for dogs?

Kathryn

Rilee T. Madison asked:


Dogs are considered man’s best friend. Throughout the ages and of all animals, dogs have been man’s companion. More than companions, dogs serve a variety of functions. There are working dogs (e.g., police dogs) and dogs that are used as guides for the disabled. Farmers and livestock owners use dogs for herding, and some home owners get dogs specifically to guard their property.

Whatever the primary purpose of a particular breed of dog is, it’s important that it receive proper training. Many dog training professionals will attest to the importance of having a well-trained dog. You don’t have to be a professional dog trainer to train your dog. You can do simple activities to teach your pet how to behave.

Dog training tip #1: Curbing your dog’s digging behavior

As a dog owner, you need to understand that dogs are social animals. When they are lonely or alone, dogs resort to digging. Loneliness isn’t the only reason dogs dig, though. In some instances, dogs that dig are experiencing some sort of nutrient deficiency. To make up for this condition, dogs oftentimes would eat the dirt they dig. If your dog tends to dig a lot, spend more time with him. It also pays to have your dog checked up to make sure that his health is in good condition.

Dog training tip #2: Potty training your dog

A reward-based method works best when potty training your dog. To use this method, give your dog a treat after it potties in the right place. Following up good behavior with a reward will make it easier for your dog to remember doing good behavior.

Dog training tip #3: Repetition is key

Whenever you are trying to teach your dog something—whether it’s a trick or making your dog obey a command—repetition is important. Repetition and consistency are keys that will help your dog understand a command. To test if your dog knows a command after so many repetitions, test him without any assistance. Do this at least three consecutive times to make sure that your dog’s grasp of a command is not simply a fluke.

Dog training tip #4: Communicating with your dog

When training your dog to follow a certain command or do a certain thing, it’s vital that you not just issue the command out. It’s also important that you direct your dog how to perform a command or drill as well as correct your dog if he doesn’t follow the command properly. Be consistent when you are issuing out commands and trying to teach your dog to develop certain behaviors. For instance, if you are trying to teach your dog not to chew on slippers or shoes, do not praise him one day when you see him chewing on a slipper.

Dog training tip #5: Proper timing in training your dog

It’s always best—and professional dog trainers will recommend this—to train your dog when it is still a puppy. When it comes to training dogs, it is indeed true that old dogs can’t learn new tricks. So start training your dog early.

Dog training tip #6: Let your dog know you’re the boss

Dogs are pack animals, which means they follow a hierarchy. Thus, when training your dog, it’s important that you establish yourself as the alpha dog (the leader). Your dog needs to understand that he is the submissive being. Avoid showing any fear when your dog snaps back. Doing so will break the established hierarchy you have with your dog. When your dog is doing his exercises, never allow your dog to stop mid-way or not complete the exercise. Firmly let your dog know that it should do what you, the alpha dog, wants him to do.

Dog training tip #6: Act around your dog

Your puppy will naturally want to chew on things so give your puppy an outlet for his chewing urges. You can give your puppy a chew bone to chew. If your puppy tries to chew on you, yelp loudly, fold your arms and ignore your puppy for about ten minutes. When a puppy becomes too rough on other puppies, the others yelp and tend to ignore the puppy. However, you may need to assess your puppy’s personality because he may react to the yelping by biting more and even harder. If this happens, you may need to apply a more aggressive approach.



Edgar

GitEmGang asked:


I’ve been trying to understand why,other than, such such has one anybody would be fool enough to actually PAY anything for a mutt/mongrel/mix/crossbred dog.
Just the current fad?
So it’s abymal ignorance falling for packaging instead of product?
Folks spend hundreds of years developing a breed some loon has an accidental breeding w/their low quality whatever,sticks a cutesie-poo name on it rips off the gullible? Thought so.

Duane

John Williams Dog Training asked:

This command is a very useful command and is relatively easy to teach your dog. After learning the sit command, this command should be a breeze for you. Getting your dog to be able to lie down and wait while you go into a shop or walk away is a very useful command and is also key to gaining trust and a good relationship with your dog.

This command should be firstly taught indoors or in a comfortable place your dog is used to learning and doing commands for you, and then as time goes on and your dog gets better at achieving success with the command, you should take it into a public place with lots of interests and new smells to distract them. This should test the strength and commitment your dog has for the down command.

To start, make sure your dog is in the mood for training and preferably in a hungry and wanting mood where they will be more than happy to please you if it means they get a treat, just before meal times is generally a good time for training and will help the progress of your dog.

When you are ready to begin and you have your dogs treats to-hand, start by getting your dog to sit for you, followed by a reward .Then let your dog know you have another treat in your hand for him and slowly lower it in front of him, going lower and lower, as the treat gets lowered closer to the ground your dog will be forced into the down position with their belly firmly on the floor and paws ahead of them.

As soon as your dogs belly touches the floor, the command ‘down’ should be said and you should reward them with praise, encouragement and the treat you used. This makes the dog associate the command with the action and the action with a reward to help your dog training process.

If your dog steps out of line during the training exercise, gently punish them accordingly. After you have learnt this command and you now think you’re ready for the next step, try taking your dog into a distracting place or area, or playing with their ball around them. When you have your dog under control at all times using the down command it is time to move on to more advanced dog training and you have now got a new trick to show your friends and family.

Andre