Fireworks Are Our Friends

Most people are overly protective with their dogs and fireworks. The shelters are overwhelmed with dogs that have run away from their homes in a panic due to the noise. Some dogs are so neurotic during firework season that they need to be sedated. Personally, I haven't had to deal with that for primarily two reasons: 1) I have always had hunting breeds that are usually oblivious to fireworks and loud gun noises and 2) My gang has a very calm energy which passes to other breeds that may not have such a firework forgiving nature. Now, if you are not lucky enough to have those two scenarios going for you let me suggest the following to help de-stress the holiday:
1) Do NOT over-react to their stress level. Be calm, relaxed and do not baby your dog, that only encourages their behavior.
2) If you are going to be away for the evening of the 4th, put your dog in a crate in the basement or garage, turn on classical music and cover their crate with a sheet so they cannot see out.
3) Do not feed your dog the night of the 4th---especially if they will be crated. Nervous dogs can get what we call "the squirts" and you don't want to come home to that mess!
4) As puppies, if you have any friends with dogs that are calm during the 4th, like Labradors, Golden Retrievers and the like, have your puppy hang with them during the firework season. They will imprint that this loud noise is nothing to be afraid of!

Happy July 4th all you dog people!

I Am Not A Cat Person!

I am not a cat person. I find cat people suspect and not of the basic personality type that fits in well at a backyard BBQ or office setting. Dog people own dogs that accept them warts and all. They are the office mediator and make great potato salad for BBQ's. Cats could care less about who they room with and only show emotion, albeit insincere, at feeding time---after dinner they go back to their aloof stature and could care less if you're dead. Now, for dog people, they are constantly affirmed, adulated, worshipped, the center of their universe, and that's just for walking through the front door! Perhaps its a weakness in my character, but I figure if I am going to share my space it had better be with someone that worships the ground I walk on. I seem smarter, infallible, gorgeous, heroic, fit and engaging to my dogs. I haven't received too much positive reinforcement from a cat. Heck, my kids don't find me as amusing as my dogs do---I don't even find me as amusing! Needless to say, I am a bone-a-fied dog person and that will be the focus of The Dog Spot. A place where people are loved by their dogs, disdained by their cats, mocked by their children and share a space with a very patient spouse or significant other.

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