When Can I Run My Puppy?
Often people wonder when they can run their new puppy. Basically you can run a healthy puppy when their growth plates have closed. No forced exercise (which includes biking, jumping, jogging, or roadworking) until the puppy’s growth plates have been fully formed and developed. A quick visit to your veterinary doctor for x-rays will be able to tell you when that time is for your particular dog. In general, the rule of thumb in large breeds for growth plates to be fully closed is around 18 months to 2 years of age. Until the growth plates are fully in place and the dog is developed and structurally sound, please do not engage your puppy in forced exercise activities, such as jumping, biking, jogging, etc. as you could injure your pet. Meanwhile, feel free to let your puppy self exercise on appropriate surfaces/places, take nice walks, and play with other animals and toys. It is important puppies get plenty of both physical and mental safe exercise daily. Don’t worry about lost time; you and your dog will have plenty of years to run together ahead of you as he grows.
- © Wisedogblog.com

Why to Trim Dog Nails

Trimming dog toenails should be routine and normal basic care for dogs kept as pets. Long toenails (especially those that have started to curl with sharp tips) can be quite dangerous.
Long toenails can grow into a dog’s foot and paw pads, making it painful to walk. Long nails are more likely to rip off and hurt the animal. They are more likely to leave scars and injuries when playing with other animals.
They hurt more when your dog becomes your lap dog sitting on your lap and cuddling. Or when your dog paws you (shakes, etc.). Or paws a child. Or runs into someone or jumps up on someone fetching a Frisbee in the air, etc. Long nails can rip into carpets and your car seats; basically get caught on things easier. They can easily tear materials when digging into their beds or couch to get comfortable. Long nails can actually grow into the paw.

Also, long toenails can start to interfere with regular movement in many breeds. When they are clicking and dragging on concrete and other surfaces, for many dogs that may mean they are too long. Many times dogs can shape toenails with walks, but sometimes they do not get walks that can do that for them, or their feet need more attention than just walks can provide.
Most dog owners can expect to get in the habit of maintaining their dog’s nails as part of their normal care, either themselves or have the dog groomed for nail trimming. Little nubs of nails may not be a desired or decent length for all dogs and not recommended for agility/active dogs, but that doesn't mean a well groomed decent nail length isn't nicer on the dog, for the dog, for other dogs playing with the dog, and the owner too. It is!

I have seen many dogs that won't allow owners to clip/trim/dremel nails, and this is just a shame and can be fixed with training. Especially with a puppy you have a blank slate and need to train the dog to accept touching puppy toes and trimming nails and other normal care grooming so you and also if applicable groomers and vets aren't having to do the dog's toenails with a fight. It shouldn’t be a big deal, and doesn’t take long. Just take a few seconds out of each day to gently mess with your puppy’s paws, check his teeth, check ears, etc.

It is important to be able to groom and go over puppies and dogs to look for problems and get used to handling. This could someday save a dog’s life if the dog has something stuck in their paw or needs to quickly have something removed from their paw and also keep nails a safe length for the dog's sake and those around the dog. Teaching an animal to accept quick and painless grooming is in their best interest and helps prevent unnecessary stress. Trimming a few toenails shouldn't be a big deal, just a normal part of life as a pet dog. Setting a time aside to groom and go over an animal does take a bit of effort and isn't quite as fun as watching a TV show or surfing the Internet, but it is important, prevents accidents, and the best part is that it only takes a few minutes a week or every two weeks to a month depending on your individual dog to keep toenails in proper condition. Happy grooming!
- © Wisedogblog.com

Searching for a Breeder Quick Tips
This can be one of the most exciting times in a pet lover’s life. The search for the perfect puppy, the anticipation, the excitement, and the joy of puppy breath and little needle teeth…
To make sure this experience is as great as it should be please do some real research before bringing home your new furry bundle that will be with you and your family for the next ten plus years. Put as much thought into this process as you would buying a house or any other investment. Do not buy on impulse as you could regret it later with mental or physical defects or a shorter lifespan for your dog.
Here are some quick rules from a pet owner to look for when buying an animal from a breeder.

First, why are they breeding?
If they are breeding to improve the breed and can back this statement up with proper applicable health testing AND titles (temperament titles of some kind, working titles of some kind, and/or AKC or UKC show titles) then get more information about their breeding program, they might be someone you would be interested in buying a puppy from. Remember, don’t just take their word for it; learn to research the breeding program before committing to a verbal agreement or deposit. You can find results from titles, testing, and pedigrees to back up claims and statements online with a little bit of effort.
If they are just breeding for pets, don’t buy from them. If they sell on a first come first serve basis, don’t buy from them. If they are breeding because they want a dog just like the sire (father) or dam (mother), don’t buy from them. If they are breeding because the sire or dam is nice, smart, or sweet, don’t buy from them. If they are breeding just to make back the money they spent on the dog, don’t buy from them. If they are selling puppies on the side of the road or at a flea market, do not under any circumstances buy from them. If they can’t even spell the name of their breed, don’t buy from them. If your intuition kicks in with some red flags, trust your instincts and don’t buy from them. If their dogs are shy, don’t buy from them. If they are breeding dogs crossed with other dog breeds and calling them designer breeds, don’t buy from them. If they are breeding several different breeds of dogs on the premises, don’t buy from them. If they are breeding to show their kids the miracle of birth, do not buy from them. That is not a good reason to breed. They could have rescued a dog and saved some lives by fostering a pregnant rescue dog if that was their whole intent.

Where do they keep their dogs?
If you are searching for a pet that has the best start in life make sure the breeders raise their puppies in the house. By bring raised indoors the puppies are used to normal household sounds and activity and are used to lots of human contact and attention. You are already off to a great start when you bring your dog home due to their start in life from day one. Dogs are not livestock, like chickens or goats, to be kept and raised in pens and barns. If a breeder keeps their dogs and/or puppies in outside pens or small cages, don’t buy from them.
NEVER EVER buy from a pet shop. Pet shop puppies never come from good breeders, as good breeders would never release their dogs to such a place, despite what the employees might try to tell you. Pet shop puppies come from puppy mills. Save yourself grief and heartache and do not support pet shops selling puppies.

When do the puppies leave for their new homes?
The ideal answer should be anywhere from 8 weeks to 16 weeks, depending on the breed and other factors. Do not under any circumstances do business with any breeder that lets puppies leave to their new homes before 8 weeks of age, regardless of excuse. Puppies need to stay with their canine littermates and dam until at the very least 8 week for physical and mental developmental reasons as well as socialization and bite inhibition reasons. This is such a big deal that a great many states in the United States have made it against the law to release puppies to buyers before 8 weeks of age due to all the harm it can do to puppy developmental stages.

What type of care have the puppies received when you get them?
The breeders you want to deal with have had their puppies seen by a vet and have adhered to their chosen vaccination protocols and will have records and advice for you so the pet is up to date on the best standards of care when you receive the animal. This ensures a good start to a long happy life. They have also kept the animal clean and fed the puppy high quality foods to help keep the immune system healthy and help make it easier for you to potty train your new baby. Their puppies will be healthy, well fed, and have bright clear alert eyes, clean ears, and groomed appropriately. Breeders that do not bother to give any shots, do not worm, feed low quality food, don’t take dogs to the vet for regular routine preventative care and make puppies spend most of their time in dirty areas, outside, or in small pens are to be avoided at all costs. Breeders with puppies that are listless, dull, dirty, very shy, or not playful at all and seemed depressed should be avoided. It is not worth the risk to deal with these types of breeders. You can do better and they should too for the sake of the puppies and puppy buyers too.

How do they answer your questions?
Good breeders will be happy to answer your questions and talk about their breed. They are knowledgeable about the breed and dogs in general. They are like a built in support system when you buy a puppy and are there to help guide both you and your puppy whenever assistance is needed. If a breeder seems unknowledgeable about the breed or dogs in general or seems very defensive when answering simple questions, please, for your sake, find another breeder. If a breeder dodges your questions, find another breeder. If a breeder cannot answer your questions and doesn’t know who to direct you to that can, find another breeder. If a breeder just tries to be a salesman selling only their dogs as they best and attempting to sell you dog supplements, find another breeder.

To sign or not to sign?
Just a quick note about guarantees and contracts: be sure to read all the fine print personally several times and perhaps get a lawyer to review it before EVER signing or agreeing to a document. That is because many guarantees and contracts provided to you by breeders primarily protect themselves and are not always in your favor or even in your dog’s favor. That is more common than you would think unfortunately. It is really buyer beware when navigating the world of contracts and guarantees in dogs.
For instance, I have seen some breeders force puppy buyers to buy “x” amount of “x” brand supplements or the contract/guarantee is useless and void. If any breeder wants to sell you supplements, like a special brand of vitamins as I have seen many less than ethical breeders attempt to do, you might want to consider not entering into an agreement with them. Same goes for if they offer replacement puppies, if something went wrong with your puppy, why in the world would you want another from the same breeding program and no one wants to give up their pet they have become attached to already.

Try to remember, dogs are live beings, not televisions or refrigerators, or other mere products. There are many factors that impact development mentally and physically. Having a guarantee and contract gives some unknowing buyers a VERY false sense of security. That is because a contract is only as good as the people who entered into it in dogs; especially for a transaction such as buying a puppy.
In the case something goes wrong with your puppy it can be a real pain or darn near impossible in many cases to enforce it legally or “prove” it was genetic and/or the breeders fault. Not to mention very hard emotionally and very draining in time off work, legal fees, and other expenses. It makes more sense to go with a breeding program from a reputable/responsible breeding program. A breeder that concentrates on sound of body and mind, longevity, and giving puppies the best start in life that will be there to support both the buyer and puppy for life. As opposed to buying from someone who just randomly breeds two dogs that are both probably "conveniently" located on premises and then sells those puppies on a first come first serve basis but gives me a contract. Chances are, the contract isn’t so great anyway.

This is not a comprehensive list of tips to look for when searching for a puppy, instead these are just a few quick tips on finding a good breeder to supplement your research. Hope you have found this short article helpful and wisedogblog wishes you the best on finding your new pet!
- © Wisedogblog.com

Link: http://www.mydobermans.com

For some time many Doberman owners have been aware of proposed breed bans, also known as BSL (Breed Specific Legislation), intending to take away their Dobermans. Breed bans mean that on a set date, the government will decide if a certain breed of dog or several breeds of dogs are no longer welcome in that country or state. The government will send Animal Control officers to go door to door and remove dogs living in the areas of the breed ban. They will then unjustly kill the dogs taken from their own homes, based on their looks alone.
Sound unbelievable? Sound like a direct violation of our Constitutional Rights? Sadly it has already become a reality in some parts of the United States. Colorado and Iowa are two states that have counties that are discriminatory toward certain breeds by enacting Breed Specific Legislation. Each year, BSL bills are introduced in states and counties all across the United States. Each year, many responsible Doberman owners have to wonder if this will be the year the government will ban their wonderful dogs? The threat of BSL is real and should be taken seriously by everyone who owns and loves dogs. The fact that the government could dictate which dog breeds responsible citizens are allowed to own should concern everyone. This article will discuss nine reasons why breed bans are not effective legislation.

First of all, the types of people targeted with breed bans usually do not give much thought about any laws. That means breed bans will not reach the target of the legislation, the negligent dog owners. The only people the law directly impacts are those who obey the law. Law abiding citizens are already responsible owners to begin with. Irresponsible owners are the kind that are involved in negligent dog owning behavior such as: letting their dogs run off leash all over the neighborhood and in places where leash laws exist; not getting their pet dogs spayed or neutered; chaining their dogs to live in the yard; keeping dogs cooped up in pens; thinking ownership of a reactive aggressive dog is cool and/or desirable; trying to fight their dogs even when against the law; and other irresponsible ownership actions.
Another question to ask is where would Animal Control obtain information in order to find out the homes and owners who own certain breeds of dogs? Basically, the information would come directly from responsible dog owners themselves. These are the owners who leave paper trails when they register their dogs with the city, participate in dog shows, microchip their dogs, and take their dogs to the vet for routine care and shots. The irresponsible owners do not register their dogs, participate in dog shows, microchip their dogs, or stay up to date on veterinary care. In turn, making them difficult to locate.

Second, most people don't know how to correctly identify various breeds of dogs. Many people don’t know what my Dobermans are as far as their breed and have trouble identifying them. My Dobermans are cropped, docked, and their color is the typical and traditional looking Doberman color, yet many still cannot correctly identify their breed. While out in public people have called my Dobermans Pit Bulls, German Shepherds, mix breed dogs, Greyhounds, Foxhounds, Great Danes, Pointers, Miniature Pinschers, and other various breeds. Dobermans with floppy ears and a long tail are really confusing for people, even more so if they are red, brown, blue, or fawn. The majority of people do not recognize them as Dobermans at all, even though they are purebred Dobermans. Which means even with a breed ban on Dobermans, many can and will slide under the radar if they are not registered with any registry and do not have a long paper trail stating their breed. The same identification problem occurs with a large amount of purebreds and mixed breeds alike. The majority of purebred dogs living in the United States do not have valid registration papers. There are thousands upon thousands of unregistered purebred dogs living the in United States. Although they are purebred they may not registered for many reasons: some people never mail in the papers; some people lose them; some people never bother to register; etc.
Most Pit Bulls are not registered. It is impossible to register a Pit Bull with the American Kennel Club (AKC) as that breed is not even recognized as an AKC breed. Many people incorrectly identify Pit Bulls calling the dog a Pit Bull even if it is another breed or a mixed breed not related to a Pit Bull. If you think you can correctly identify a Pit Bull up close, please take this test and find out: http://www.pitbullsontheweb.com/petbull/findpit.html.
Also a large number of dogs are of mixed ancestry and it isn’t always obvious what they are mixed with, as they may look nothing like a breed at all. Many mixed breed dogs are mixed with more than just two dog breeds making identification even more challenging. When tracing roots back most purebred dogs are of diverse mixed ancestry. Another problem with breed banning is the decision of what dog is “x” breed and what dog is not “x” breed. This is not always easy to determine for many people, especially in the absence of an in depth accurate registered pedigree. Who is the person whose decision ultimately brings life or death to a dog that has done nothing wrong other than be born to resemble a certain breed? I see many problems with identifying dogs and putting them to death based on a person’s opinion.
Animal control officers don't even know their breeds as well as they should. Some hold their own biases. Some have never been to dog shows and are not interested attending. Many are not interested in breeding. Many have poor knowledge of dog breeds and how it related to canine health and genetics. Some might be new to the job. Some might not have in depth breed knowledge. Some may not know canine genetics and are unable to identify the true origin of dog breeds, especially in mix breeds that are hard to correctly identify even for some breeders. Those are just a few of the reasons why Animal Control officers might not know the breeds and mixed breeds well. I know I personally wouldn’t bet my cherished dogs lives on someone’s personal opinion.
Furthermore, how can anyone verify the validity that dog bites reported from the general public are really from Pits, Labs, or Boxers? Many dog bites go untreated and unreported if they are from small breeds. This skews statistics and they become more skewed when it comes to specific purebred dog breeds, as many people can’t tell the difference between the breeds and mixed breeds. Making identification even more complicated is the fact that many breeds are not registered and are of questionable backgrounds.
Various dog bite reports fail to give full and honest disclosure; rarely much is reported behind those stories and statistics. Misidentified breed mistakes aside, it is not common to hear about the background details such as: was the dog being chained in the backyard; was the dog in unbearable pain; was the dog neglected and mistreated; was the dog abused; did the owners bother to socialize the dog; were people treating the dog humanely; etc.

Third, does it really work when the government blanket bans anything? Even things that make sense like drugs, criminals owning guns, or decrees that people not kill each other do not work even when banned. Statistically outright banning does not show positive results in the United States. Even with harsh penalties the United States, it is still a very dangerous place to live despite banning laws. Dog abuse is illegal yet it happens every day all across the United States. The enforcement for dog abuse is often times too costly for states to receive proper funding and the enforcement for dog abuse laws are far from adequate. Breed banning would add even more of a burden on an already overtaxed system. Tax dollars, funding, and proper allocation of resources should go towards properly enforcing important laws already in existence, such as preventing animal cruelty and eliminating dog abuse in the lives of all dogs across the United States. Making new legislation will not magically solve problems. Banning certain breeds of dogs is not economically feasible or realistic.

Fourth, what about those who own dog breeds found on breed ban lists, such as Dobermans, Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, German Shepherds, Great Danes, Huskies, or Boxers that are very stable, have excellent temperaments, and are much loved family pets and lifelong companions? What about those dogs that do therapy work in hospitals and nursing homes and bring smiles to people’s homes every day? What about those dogs that act as service animals, being a direct and important part in helping a disabled person live their life? What about those dogs that went through training to do Search and Rescue and help save lives? What about those dogs that help children with learning disabilities? Breed bans overlook the dogs that are contributing to our society in positive ways and label all dogs as dangerous, solely based on how they look.
When a breed ban is enacted all household pets and companions, working dogs, police dogs, obedience dogs, hunting dogs, show dogs, therapy dogs, childrens best friends, certified search and rescue dogs, and working service dogs are all equally effected and in danger. Animal control will research pet owners and obtain personal documents that show ownership such as: vet records and microchip information; training club records; therapy dog visit logs; dog show catalogs; or SPCA records (where someone adopted a dog to save a life) in order to seize all dogs of the breed or breeds banned. They will take all seized dogs to a shelter to euthanize them since they essentially became "illegal" overnight. Dogs that have never and would never hurt anyone will be taken away from their homes to be killed. It is the stuff nightmares are made of for loving dog owners. There are no easy choices in a breed ban. A family will be forced to move if they want to keep their dogs.

Fifth, breed banning does not mean negligent dog owners will suddenly become law abiding. If a county or state successfully passes a breed ban, negligent and irresponsible owners (the types that encourage aggression in the first place, are in gangs, fight dogs, etc.) will either breed the banned dogs irresponsibly underground (and not have the chance to socialize them, show them, walk them, or have access to adequate vet care for fear they will be taken away); or the negligent dog owners will move onto to another powerful breed and do whatever they wish with that breed. The AKC registers over 156 breeds, the UKC registers over 440 breeds, and other dog registries exist as well. Every dog breed, even Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers, are capable of aggression and have the need to be socialized and treated humanely. The underground breeders will probably get creative and make mixes that no longer look like the banned breeds but still have a high percentage of that breed. What then? Ban anything that looks likes the new mixes too? Who will decide which ones meet the correct characteristics since mixes do not have a standard, look very different even if from the same parents, and lack breed type? Should the newly created breeds from underground breeders be banned one by one as they are created? Where does it stop?
When a breed ban goes into effect, instead of going underground, responsible owners will have to give up their cherished pets by quickly moving them out of the county/state, or move themselves from their established lives and jobs to relocate for fear their much loved pets will be seized and killed. Or, some can risk keeping their much loved pets or service dogs inside their home without the chance to take car rides, go to shows, get adequate vet care, go on walks, etc. for fear they will be removed and killed at the pound based on nothing more than outside looks.

Sixth, in a country filled with millions of dogs where the pet industry brings in over 35 billion dollars per year, there are only 12 deaths a year according to the book Dog Bite Related Fatalities. In short, fatalities are highly unusual, especially when you compare the numbers.
You would think the number of deaths would be much higher compared to the number of dogs America owns if dogs are so dangerous. According the Humane Society of the United States over 74 million dogs are living in the United States. Out of over 74 million dogs, only 12 deaths occur a year. This means an individual has a .00001% chance of death from a dog bite per year. Instead of dogs, bees should be animals of concern for humans as they are killing over 50 people per year. Being killed by bees is far more likely than being killed by a dog. Yet, each bee attack and death never seems to make the local news. In fact, horses kill people more often than dogs. Over 150 deaths by horses occur each year. If someone follows breed-banning logic they would conclude horses are dangerous animals and should be banned.
Statistics in a TIME magazine article state parents kill their own children more than dogs kill children each year, but you do not hear about legislation to ban parents because they are all dangerous. Humans murder and injure each other more often than the over 74 million dogs even get close to doing. More people young and old die in cars each year (over 40,000) than die any other way. Should the government ban cars since they are so dangerous? Should they ban certain types of motor vehicles, like sports cars and motorcycles? If cars should be banned, swimming should also be banned, as around 500 children per year die from being around bodies of water. So please take out pools from backyards, the city pools should be closed. Lakes and river trips should be avoided, as they are a dangerous activity seeing as a large amount of adults and children die per year in water.
Around 800 people die per year riding their bicycles. My grandfather was an expert rider and he used to ride cross-country. He was wearing a helmet when he crashed but still suffered massive head trauma (the helmet broke). Following breed ban logic, bicycles should be banned; clearly they are more dangerous than dogs. On average over 60-70 people die each year from getting struck by lightening according to the National Weather Service. A human has a much higher percentage of dying from being struck by lightening than getting killed by a dog. Many sites listed for preventing accidental injury for children list things such as car safety, poison safety, fire safety, railroad safety, toy safety, and water safety. All of those are more likely to injure a child than a dog.

Seventh, it is more prudent to crack down on laws that are already on the books and need to be enforced properly. Important laws need to be enforced such as : not allowing animal abuse; being strict on abusers; huge fines for loose dogs; enforcing leash laws; not allowing dogs to live tied to a chain; and other things that can lead up to bites and are considered animal cruelty. Instead of breed bans, dog owners nationwide need a reminder that they cannot be negligent and/or cruel to their dogs, as that behavior will no longer be tolerated or go unnoticed. Why is it that the government cannot properly enforce animal cruelty laws due to lack of funds and lack of staff, yet they will somehow be able to fund and enforce stiffer breed ban laws to be followed?
A better idea than breed bans are conducting dog education classes in schools so kids can learn what is acceptable and not acceptable and learn to read dogs better. These classes are not only fun for children, they also teach safety and proper ownership. Society benefits when children become more dog savvy about the proper care of dogs and proper treatment of our canine friends.
50% - 70% of dog bites occur on the owner’s property. Also, most dog bites happen by intact (not neutered) male dogs on chains. There is a bigger problem than just breed. Ownership plays a big part. As a country, many people can’t read dog behavior and many more do not take the time to properly train and/or socialize their dogs. Many owners make their dogs live in inhumane conditions, such as in small pens, chained, or tethered outside. It is amazing in a country full of dogs that there are not more fatalities and dog bites owned by people who are overall clueless about raising dogs. If you look at the sheer numbers of dogs living alongside humans, it quickly becomes apparent that most dogs are very adaptable and friendly, despite society as a whole not always giving them the respect, training, and dignity they deserve.
A small handful and very small percentage of dogs, regardless of specific breed or lack of breed, will have neurological issues that are beyond human control due to breeding and individual temperament. While that is a shame, it is important to note that this is not the norm fortunately for us humans. Thankfully, the large majority of dogs of all breeds and mixed breed dogs are very adaptable and not human aggressive.

Eighth, breed banning initially goes after Pit Bulls (which we have already established are hard to identify and not even registered as an AKC breed) and Rottweilers, next are Akitas, Chow Chows, Dobermans, Siberian Huskies, German Shepherd Dogs, Belgian Malinois, Australian Cattle Dogs, Bulldogs, Bull Terriers, Saint Bernards, Mastiffs, Scottish Wolfhounds, and more. Boxers and Great Danes have also appeared on breed ban lists. Some breed ban lists call to ban any dog over a certain weight. For a time in history, Dobermans were America's most hated breed, then public perception moved to Rottweilers, then to Pit Bulls where it currently stands today. Public fear of dog breeds changes and shifts breeds throughout the decades. The specific banning of dog breeds is not an acceptable or realistic solution to any problem and would create all new problems.
I grew up with Dobermans and they are the best breed in the world to me. A big part of me would be lost if the government told me I could not longer own them due to the outliers (in statistics this means those that do not at all fit in the normal standard curve, the ones that are not normal and typical of the rest of the population). Dobermans are a popular breed being in the American Kennel Club’s (AKC) top 25 of all dogs registered for over 30 years. Out of all the Dobermans in the country, both registered and not registered, rarely is there a problem with most Dobermans. More Dobermans gain their championships and work as therapy and service dogs bringing joy to others each year than kill or harm people.
Dobermans are a highly intelligent and versatile breed. They are used in police work and can detect drugs and bombs. Dobermans help find children and people lost at bombsites and in investigations. Dobermans act as a guide dog for the blind, and work as service dogs for the disabled. They are therapy dogs going to nursing homes and hospitals to help people get better and bring joy to lives. Dobermans dedicated their lives to our country with their service in our military in Guam. Dobermans are in the top levels of being competitive and successful at obedience, agility, rally obedience, fly ball, freestyle dance, and conformation dog shows. Dobermans are used for hunting and herding and as a stable sport dog. They are cherished family pets and devoted companions to young and old alike.

Ninth, since when can someone honestly look at another human being and instantly be able to know everything about them based on nothing more than their melanin (the pigment in the skin)? Society does not accept that type of discrimination and stereotyping. Blanket statements like: all human males or dog males are this way; all human or canine females are that way; all red dogs act like this; all red headed humans act this way; black dogs act this way; blue eyed people are always this; etc., are incredibly inaccurate.
However, these types of statements are not based on fact. Rather, they are based on blanket biased stereotyping which doesn't leave any room for truth. Life is not just one way or the other. Life is not black or white. There is a lot of grey area as not everyone or everything is alike. Not everything or everyone fits neatly and accurately into one narrow-minded box. Blanket stereotyping has been a source of oppression for many throughout history in the world. While this article may be about dogs and dog breeds, the basic premise remains the same. Prejudice is still prejudice. Stereotyping is still stereotyping. To ban dogs based only upon the way they look is prejudice and is blatant discrimination.

In conclusion, breed banning through breed specific legislation (BSL) is not an instant easy answer to a perceived problem. Breed banning will do more harm than good for society. Breed banning punishes responsible and caring owners. Breed banning kills countless numbers of great dogs that never do anything wrong. Breed banning will be costly and expensive while at the same time ineffective.
A more reasonable answer would be to restrict ownership by requiring more education to own dogs. Public education should also be in schools on the proper care of dogs and how to read, treat, and approach our fellow canine friends.
Some people ask what they can do to help fight Breed Specific Legislation (BSL). There are many ways people can help:
• Support groups that are fighting BSL with your encouragement, support, time, and/or money.
• Find and support Alliances for Responsible Dog Owners in your state.
• Write your legislators and let them know you oppose Breed Specific Legislation.
• If a place of business has Breed Specific Legislation, do not support that business and let them know why.
• If you own a Doberman, join your local Doberman club and join the Doberman Pinscher Club of America.
• Become active in dog clubs, donate funds, spread awareness, and donate your time doing Meet the Breed.
• Meet the breed is public education with a dog breed usually at dog shows and other dog events. The general public will have the opportunity to meet Dobermans and get honest advice answering questions from Doberman owners.
• If you own Dobermans, make sure your Dobermans are always seen in a positive light and are great breed representatives in private and public on both a large scale and a small scale.
• While you are socializing your Dobermans take the opportunity to help educate the public about Dobermans.
• After your TDI certification, volunteer to do therapy work with your Doberman through a local dog club.
• Volunteer in schools to help children learn more dogs.
• Volunteer in Four-H programs in your community to help children learn more about responsible dog ownership and dog training.
• Share your touching personal stories and pictures of your dogs that are beneficial for the breed with other individuals.
• You can also buy “Ban the Deed, Not the Breed” merchandise to spread awareness while at the same time fighting BSL http://www.dpca.org/Legisltv/Magnet.htm.
These are just some of the many ways that you can help. With Breed Specific Legislation a real possibility, all dog owners have to be proactive to help fight the fight on behalf of our wonderful dogs.
© 2009 mydobermans.com

High Energy Puppy Power

Congratulations on your high-energy puppy! High-energy puppies are very rewarding and entertaining. They have a way of bonding deeply with their humans. They can be a joy to own and train. They can inspire us to become more active along with them.

When writing this, I am assuming you take at least one daily walk with your puppy. So in addition to your walks I hope this article can help give you some tips and ideas on managing your new puppy’s seemingly endless energy. This article is applicable for puppies, young adults, and adult dogs alike. Actually, all puppies and dogs will enjoy most the activities listed, regardless of their perceived energy levels. My hope is that not only the dogs have fun, but the owners have a lot of fun with these suggestions too.

Game Time!
Most high-energy canines usually eagerly welcome playing fun games. Get creative with the games and change games frequently to keep their attention. Do not do long sessions with puppies, as your puppy might experience boredom and burnout. You want the games to be fun, so keep the interactive sessions short and always leave them wanting more. Remember with puppies don’t do forced road working, forced long distance running, or jumping until growth plates are closed (around 18 months for many large breeds). And always remember to supervise your puppies during the training stages and set them up for success.

Hide-n-Seek is a fun game to play inside the home or outside in a securely fenced in area. You will hide from the puppy then have them find you. As an extra bonus for extra fun you can play with two people or more. At first, some puppies might need extra help understanding the purpose; you might call out the puppy’s name every once in awhile. But pretty soon, your puppy will catch on to the point of this game. When puppy finds you be sure and praise your puppy. You can even give a small food reward at random.

This game is useful for teaching names of family members. For instance, someone can say, “Where is Sarah?” And puppy searches for Sarah, the only one missing from the scene. When they find Sarah say, “Good find Sarah!” Our dogs know our family members names and can find them by name. So you can turn a fun game into a useful name learning exercise. Also, when family members are right about to come home you can say, “There is Sarah”. And they will know Sarah is coming soon. So they can also learn family member names that way.
You can also play hide and seek with toys and give them names, just the same way you would in the above example. Find your bone, find your ball, find your Kong, find your octopus, and so forth. For extra fun you can hide bully sticks, that way it is quite a reward for them for a while after when they find the special treat! Same with filled Kongs. For ideas on preparing a filled Kong please see our Wise Kongs 101 article in this blog.

The puppy name game is a fun recall game to play, setting the foundation for a solid recall. Be sure do this game in securely fenced in areas. The game can be played indoors or outdoors. The more people involved in this game, the better. You will stand in a large area, a circle if you have a group of people, and have only one person call the puppy’s name. When the puppy reaches the person who called their name have that person praise the puppy a lot and they might want to give a treat if you wish at random, one or a jack pot for a job well done. Remember, you are just having fun and building a come response to their name. This game is good for building a fun and willing recall.

When building reliable recalls that is only one step of many of course. During the puppy name game you don’t have to stand stationary waiting for the puppy to get to you in every case. You can make a small game of chase where they chase you a little bit. With most puppies, movement by you makes them want to come to you even more! So feel free to back and up and move around. Never ever chase your puppy though as that is a bad habit you don’t want to encourage when training your puppy; the chasing game only goes one way, with them chasing you.

In yards and other securely fenced in areas when teaching a recall by myself with the puppy I will sometimes call them and then turn the other way and run like crazy. This encourages a fast response and my dogs always run to chase me and catch up! As they learn, you can phase out the turning away and running more and more each time until you finally have shaped and molded the ideal response. You can add fronts and sits and other steps later, when the puppy is more experienced and mature.
It is also fun during random times while in your home calling your puppy to you as well. It can be a mini-game recall puppy name game too. This is also one step of many to help build solid recalls. Reward quick responses with praise, or a toy game, or food rewards. You are conditioning the dog to have a positive response to your calls, inside or outside, in groups or alone. Never use the same words to call the puppy to come to you for something the puppy does not enjoy or as punishment. Remember, the recall can save your puppy’s life; it is a vital and important command. Make it a fun and positive command.

Toy Time!
Fetch can also be a fun game to burn off some energy. There are all sorts of wonderful fetch toys available on the market from all different types of Kongs, to Flying Squirrels, Frisbees, Orbees, rope toys, training dummies, Jolly balls, rubber sticks, Huck toys, and the favorite old stand-by tennis ball (Kong makes a squeaky tennis ball). Teaching your dog to fetch may or may not be required on your part depending on your dog. Some dogs already have a strong retrieving instinct and catch on to fetch quickly and easily. Others might require some training and time to become reliable at the game. For double the fun you can always use two fetching toys, throwing the other toy immediately when they return with the first toy. Using two toys is particular useful when teaching energetic dogs to play the game.

Tug games can also be fun and a good form of exercise. Many dogs have a lot of genuine enthusiasm for a great game of tug. There are many different thoughts concerning a good game of tug. Some people recommend never playing tug with your dog. Some people recommend that you always win. Some people recommend always letting your dog win up to a certain point. Some people recommend rules when playing tug, for instance, you always start the game, they release every time when asked, you end the game, and so forth. Some people insist rules do not matter. What you want to do with your dog is personal and depends on many factors, your experience, your household, what you are training your dog for, and most importantly, your dog! Different dogs may require different techniques. What works for one, may or may not work for another, even within the same breed or the same litter.

Fun toys to use for tug can be jutes, invincible rings, fabric toys, fleece tugs, rope toys, and other special toys made for tug you can find online and in stores that sale pet supplies. Please remember, some puppies have the tendency to be destructive with their toys. If a puppy consumes inedible objects such as dog toys they are putting themselves at a high risk for impactions, which can require veterinary intervention and can result in the puppy’s death. So please for your puppy’s own safety supervise them while they are playing with any toys they can tear apart and consume.

For a homemade dog toy you can empty out plastic liter bottles of juice or soda and peel off the labels and remove any caps for an interesting puppy toy. To make it more interesting, you can put treats inside that they will have to work a little bit to get the food out of the container. Some puppies might be allergic to plastic so take note of how your puppy reacts. Also, remember to supervise so they do not eat the bottles. The bottles are intended to be a toy only.

If your puppy loves high-pitched noises I highly recommend you consider getting your puppy a few Cuz Balls. They are loud and obnoxious and many puppies are entertained with them for hours. You can find Cuz balls online or at most pet retail spots. There are also many fun squeaker toys on the market to entertain dogs that love the squeaky sounds; they come in both plush and rubber material.

As far as chewing goes, Orbee products (Planet Dog) are a favorite in this household. Orbee makes different types of dog toys from the same durable material, from bones, balls, and even vegetables. Make sure and pay attention to the chew-a-meter when picking out Orbee toys for your particular dog. Rope toys can also provide a good outlet for chewing in your dog provided your dog does not eat the rope. You do not want to allow your puppy or dog to eat the toy.

There is a toy called a Canine Genius, which can provide a lot of mental stimulation for a dog toy. Also, you can pair food with toys for your dog’s pleasure by using a Buster Cube or a filled Kong. A Buster Cube is a toy in the shape of a cube that you can fill with treats or kibble. Then you adjust the setting and when the dog touches and rolls the Buster Cube, the Buster Cube will reward them with food. Many puppies really delight in the Buster Cube. Always supervise use of the Buster Cube, since some puppies might accidently crack the cube. I have not had this happen to me in my years of using the Buster Cube, but have heard of it happening before.

A filled Kong is a Kong toy filled with special treats. These can take minutes to hours for your dog to hallow out and eat their special treat. For ideas and recipes on how to make the perfect Kong for your dog, please see Wise Kongs 101, provided to you by Wise Dog Blog.
Another yummy way to keep your puppy entertained is to give your dog a bone or dog chew. There are different types of bones and chews and each come with risks and rewards based on many factors, including your particular dog’s behavior and dog size and breed. Do your research and decide what bones and chews are safe to give your dog. Ideas include raw knucklebones, Merrick bones, cow hooves, pressed USA rawhide, bully sticks (a personal favorite here!), and different types of Nylabones.

Laser light toys can also be good fun for some dogs. They can really help wear puppies out and can be made into a fun game. You should make commands for the start and end of the game, so they know when it begins and when it ends. For many dogs it can be dangerous and mentally unhealthy game however. I must caution please know your dog before you use such a toy and never point the toy in the dog’s eyes. With some particular dogs a laser light can cause and aggravate obsessive-compulsive behaviors and chasing of shadows and light reflections and other very unhealthy and mentally unstable behaviors. So if you are going to use a laser light, please do so with caution and know your dog well. Discontinue use immediately should your puppy become obsessed with playing and obsessive about light reflections and shadows. You do not want to encourage such behavior.

Play Time!
Your dog will thrive on human interaction and classes with you, but also many puppies greatly will enjoy playing with other well-adjusted dogs. I do not recommend dog parks, as I am not a fan of throwing a puppy in with a bunch of strange random dogs I know nothing about owned by owners I do know either. Too many unknowns for me, I don’t know what health the dogs are in, if they have been vaccinated or if they are carrying diseases, their history with other dogs, their temperaments, personalities, or their socialization levels.

Rather than a dog park I suggest you set up play dates with dogs and puppies that you know well, they can be dogs of friends and family. Many times puppy kindergarten classes will offer a short play time and you can get a small group together before and after classes for a good safe romp. I have always had great success finding suitable playmates for my dogs regardless of my dog’s age.

Another good idea to wear out your high-energy puppy is doggie daycare. Many doggie daycares offer half days and full days. You can pick which is suitable for you and for your puppy. Even as little as one half day once a week can really be beneficial to both puppy and owner. Make sure the doggie daycare is reputable and that you feel comfortable with them and make sure they do temperament evaluations before accepting dogs into the daycare. Some doggie daycares offer cameras so you can watch your puppy have all the fun in real time. Most puppies really love their time socializing at doggie daycare and have an absolutely wonderful time. Finding a great doggie daycare can be immensely helpful for many high-energy puppy owners as the daycare will help drain their energy in a positive way.

Class Time!
Puppies need to be worked both mentally and physically. Taking classes with your high-energy puppy will enhance your bond and make your puppy much easier to live with and will pay off for years to come. Don’t send your puppy out with others for training; take classes WITH your dog for the best results. Puppy classes are a must for most breeds. Puppy kindergarten, puppy agility, beginner’s obedience, and beginners tracking are a few classes that are suitable for your puppy. You can go on to other classes from there, like rally, fly ball, tracking, competitive obedience, herding, and so much more.
Here is a locater so you can find a reputable dog club for your classes: http://www.akc.org/events/obedience/training_clubs/

From play dead, shake, give me a kiss, spin, and sit pretty, and so many more; there are a lot of fun tricks to teach your dog. Remember you can also work at home on obedience and teaching of fun tricks. Keep the sessions short and happy. Always start and end on a good note.
With one of my very high energy dogs I made sure to exercise the puppy before class so the dog could better focus during the class, after having ran off some steam. It worked really well for him.

Socialization is also vital when raising puppies and helps wear them out since they are working mentally and learning about their world. Socialization should continue during the dog’s entire lifespan. Remember to keep your puppy on a properly fitted comfortable collar with a light soft leash when leaving your home.
Some ideas for socialization are kids sport games, pet stores, getting your oil changed, running on errands with you where you stay in the car such as drive thru’s to pick up food, medicine, or to go to the bank, walks in the park and neighborhoods, fairs, parades, festivals, family and friends homes, cook-outs, dog shows, feed stores, the vet (take them just to be weighed and get treats, for fun!), walking around campuses, the post office, kid’s playgrounds, outside of shopping malls, the fire station, maybe to work with you on certain days, dog classes, vacations, wooded areas with streams and ponds, video stores, book stores, community pools, oceans and beaches, some restaurants with large patios will allow well behaved dogs to sit or down politely beside you while you are eating so be sure to give them your business, and the list goes on and on about possible places to socialize, be creative and have fun with your dog.

Many dogs thrive in great outdoor trips alongside their owners. High-energy puppies and dogs love hiking and camping with their owners. They also have an enjoyable action packed time swimming in the lake, river, or ocean with their owners. If you puppy isn’t quite an expert on swimming, you can buy a lifejacket for dogs of all sizes for the safety of your canine. If you are an active family, please bring your dog along with you on your activities, depending on breed, age, and condition. Also, keep in mind you must keep your dog well hydrated and if you bring a backpack for your dog, work your dog’s way up to wearing the pack first, then add weight slowly. If you own a dog breed with a deep chest, please read up on bloat. It is more common than you might think and with early medical intervention survival rates are high.

In conclusion, I hope these suggestions will help you and your dog or puppy of any energy level. I hope you have a lot of fun together trying some of these suggestions. High-energy puppies are very entertaining and can be a joy to share our lives with. Make sure and stay up on the obedience training, make it fun, keep sessions short, and find new things that interest your puppy. Take extra walks in various stimulating places that will work puppy’s minds and socialize them. Have fun with the puppy stage and remember, with dogs you will get out what you put in. The more you work with your dog, the more time you invest into them, the more you will both be rewarded for a long time to come. Good luck and have fun!
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