A Time for Family - A Time for Dogs

If there are two things that I like or love being with most, that would be my family and lots of dogs. I enjoy spending time with my children, simply hanging out with them and having fun is a feeling of overwhelming joy. Every time spent with them is most worthwhile and quite relaxing, perhaps therapeutic in a way. And with dogs around, it really completes our day.

Talk about our attendance in a recent dog trick show held in a mall, I always look forward not to miss and bring my kids to such kind of events. I want them to appreciate and experience the fun and friendliness of the environment, it's a good place to get acquainted. You meet different people from all walks of life yet share the same interest, they all love dogs.

If pups need to be socialized with people, likewise children need to interact with dogs. The bond between canines and humans is zealous and precious during childhood, when playfulness, imagination and emotions govern

Kids need to learn how to love, care for, and respect other creatures like dogs. It teaches them a sense of responsibility.

The fact about exposing our children to pets is a Living Education.

So, next time you want to take your kids out for fun, perhaps you would like to check first for any dog related events or shows that's happening in the community. I guarantee, its most worth it.

"Weepet" A Dog Story

Hello, years ago I was eating on garbage and drinking water from street drainage. I have no home and practically sleep anywhere.

People disliked me , they never want me near their yard, they threw things at me just to drive me away, or even worst, hit me with a hard stick to keep out from their gates. They hated me so much. Can't blame them because I'm a stray dog or in local term "ASKAL", they always thought I have rabies, since I don't look so nice and really stinks so bad. I was so awful and unhealthy.

One day, I got beaten terribly by a ferocious Pitbull, sad to say his owner trained him to be a gladiator and did it to me on purpose.

All along, I thought the whole world hated me, but I was wrong.....because I found a friend.

I never knew that a person who is so extremely passionate with dogs regardless of condition still exists.

At first, I thought he is no different from the rest, who does not care especially with dogs like me...well, I was wrong.

He fed me, bathed me, cured my wounds and took me in, let me sleep under their shed. He trained me well and taught me a lot of tricks, and one thing I'm good at is "Retrieving". At the time he saw me, digging from trash looking for food and carrying a bag of garbage in my mouth, he already knew and strongly believed, I have the potential. Maybe he was right, because I'm a fast learner and I really made him proud.

All the while I knew my world will never change, but now, everything a dog would want in order to be happy surrounds me.

I found a leader, an alpha, a friend, with endless patience and compassion.

And now, I'm very happy that people accepted me, especially the children, who enjoys my company as their playmate. We play "fetch" and always have fun.

It's a wonderful feeling being cared and loved. And I promised to guard, protect, and obey them. Become a comforting companion till death....

Because they are my family.

Weepet

The Importance of Dog Socialization

There are two things that influence a dog's behavior, namely genetics and experience. Genetics is nature and it's given. Every breed of dog has its own genetic traits and characteristics that contribute to the way a dog behaves. As soon as puppy is born, he/she will react to things, environment, situations, based on its inherited way of stimulation and thinking.

However, such natural behavior can be controlled or altered, for better or for worse, depending on the pup's experiences, particularly during the early sensitive period of development. A young puppy has a fast learning mind and can easily absorbs whatever you teach him. A pup nurtured or raised properly can become a good dog or better yet a wonder dog, but if the wrong kind of learning occurs, you may end up having a dog with lifelong problems in attitude and behavior. It is so important to accompany young pup to people of all ages, genders, sizes, color and deportment during the early period of its development and this is the idea of Socialization.

In socializing young pups. the objective is to prevent such negative experiences. When pups are first born they trust everyone and everything. At this time they should be exposed, under pleasant circumstances and with positive results, to environment, people and animals of all sorts. The window of rapid acceptance begins to close toward the 8th to 10th week of life. If adverse experiences occur during this stage, the negative effect may become severe.

Although early socialization of an unvaccinated pup would pose an unacceptable health risk, it can be resolved by setting a degree of isolation but not totally. Friends can be invited to visit your home and interact with the puppy, by playing with him, feeding and praising him. The pup's experience should be positive and pleasurable at this time.

LOKI with Dog Buddy Sachi

Also, it is helpful to have the pup interact with fully vaccinated and well cared for animals of the same or different species, as long as it can be assured that they are friendly. Socialization to other animals, including dogs, is almost as important as socialization to people. Generally, dogs raised in kennels do not get well socialized to people.

Good socialization is well achieved in a home-based atmosphere where in pups are allowed to explore and interact freely. In short, spending more time in a kennel or crate lessens the chance of socialization.