GIVING A PET FOR CHRISTMAS?  DON'T DO IT!  

Think of all the times you’ve received a gift you didn’t want or like.  Now, imagine that the unwelcome gift is a pet -- a living, breathing creature who needs care, feeding and constant attention.  Now what!?  The choices are few:  either the recipient returns the pet or reluctantly keeps her.

Because dogs are my specialty, I’ll discuss them specifically.  Here are some reasons this is more of a problem than a simple inconvenience.

If the dog is returned: 

• The dog now has a history of being returned and is harder to re-home.
• The dog was away from the adopting agency or breeder when potential adopters were looking and may have missed an opportunity for a good home.
• If this puppy was between the ages of 7 and 16 weeks, part of her critical socialization period was missed or worse, damaged because the recipient probably didn’t want to spend any extra time with her.
• Finally, and most importantly, this emotionally complex animal has just experienced rejection, and the stress of changing “homes” several times.

If the (unwanted) dog stays:

•   If the dog is a gift for a child, think about how long it takes a child to tire of her toys.  (A dog is not a toy!)
• Who will take care of the dog when the child loses interest?
• Chances are pretty good that the recipient won’t bond well with this dog, because he wasn’t part of the selection.
•  The dog may not be the right match for the person; too active, too sedentary, too big, too much grooming required, etc.
• The recipient may not have enough time to spend with the dog which would likely lead to problem behaviors.
• Puppies require a LOT of work to raise them properly.  You must:
•  Socialize extensively between 7 and 16 weeks of age
•  Housetrain
•  Crate-train
•  Train them for manners
•  Exercise them sufficiently
•  Teach them what they can and cannot chew on
•  Teach them to enjoy grooming
•  Give them adequate veterinary care 

Adding a pet to one’s family is like adopting a child.  This is a personal, time- and research-intensive choice made by an individual or family (everyone should be involved in choosing just the right dog or puppy for the family). 

If you want to get something special for that pet-loving person in your life, here are some suggestions for giving:  

• Gift Certificates.  Most shelters and probably breeders have gift certificates for their animals
• Your loved one can pick out his own pet.



Felted Wool Husky from AmberRose Creations

• The pets available during holidays may not be the right ones for your recipient.
• Pet portrait.  If the recipient recently lost a pet, check out the many excellent artists on-line (e.g. PerlillaPets) who produce beautiful reproductions from photographs in many price ranges
• Felted wool pets. Amazingly realistic, just about any animal or breed you can think of can be reproduced in felted wool.  (e.g. (AmberRoseCreations)
• Life-like toys for children
•  “Breathing” dogs (http://www.breathingdog.com/)
• Fur Real Friends (http://tinyurl.com/bwreyyq)  
• Webkinz (http://tinyurl.com/bvwg3ns)
• Zhu zhu pets (http://tinyurl.com/8582mhz)
•  Breed-specific.  Support their love for a particular breed with any of hundreds of breed-specific items from t-shirts to Lladro figurines.

Dalmation:  www.breathingdog.com

Your intentions are the best.  Make the most responsible choice possible for your loved one and for the animals involved.

Posted by Tracey Schowalter, Puppy Adept, Inc.

PLANTING SEEDS

A lot of dog trainers are lured into the profession by a desire to solve a problem.  Perhaps a much-loved dog doesn’t play well with others, or maybe he has severe, debilitating anxiety every time he’s left home alone.  Instead of giving up, these dog owners become so full of knowledge in their quests to find a solution, the next natural step is to share that knowledge with others.

Not me.  No, sir.  I got into training, because it was fun and (I thought) pretty easy. 

My husband Bill and I adopted a little Shih Tzu/Terrier mix named Boz.  

He was practically perfect.  He walked nicely on a leash, barked only occasionally, got along well with our 2 cats and was easily housetrained.  Eventually, Boz and I took a couple of classes in clicker training for fun, and I was hooked.  I was fascinated by the deep bond I had forged with this funny, feisty, gentle little guy.  I also was blown away by his ability to learn and adapt.  I simply wanted more.

I sought out a teacher and found über-trainer Pat Miller of Peaceable Paws fame.  Back then, she was just up the road in Chattanooga, Tennessee.  To be honest, I had no clue on that first day that I was on my way to meet one of the best positive trainers on the planet.   

Fate was kind.  Pat became my mentor.  Today, I count her as a treasured friend.

It wasn’t until I began my apprenticeship with Pat that I learned the depth of understanding I would need to be a good enough trainer to guide other, more-challenged dogs through our crazy, demanding human world.  The more I learned, the more I wanted to learn.  Pat unquestionably gave me the best foundation possible to set out on my own and create Camp Canine USA. 

Now, years later, I have worked with countless dogs on every challenge you can name – from housetraining to serious aggression.  I train, because I want to help others enjoy their dogs the way I enjoy mine, to have a better understanding of why dogs do what they do and to teach them (the dogs) some manners along the way. 

Tracey Schowalter of Affinity Dog Behavior and Training has been a special friend and colleague since we met through Pat Miller more than a decade ago.  I am honored and just plain tickled pink to join her in this venture.  We’re proud to share our combined 30 years of experience and our passion for dogs and fun, effective, force-free methods of training them. 

Let’s plant a few seeds and see how many happy, well-adjusted dogs will grow!

Posted by Jenny Schneider, CPDT-KA, PMCT, CAMP CANINE USA, LLC