My Favorite Dog Tails

How a Dog Scratches His Back

Even with one mom and three children in the house, the humans can be too busy and too distracted apparently to scratch a dog's back in a timely manner. Chief and Bella have found a way to get that itch on their own. And the result is pretty darn hilarious.

I believe Chief invented this trick and Bella now imitates it. They lay on their back - preferably on grass or a rough textured carpet - and then they wiggle. They go back and forth and wiggle around like a worm on a hook. Only they're on the floor. They especially seem to enjoy scratching their back hips or rear this way.

The first couple of times you wonder if they're having a fit or a seizure. You get kind of worried until you see the goofy, happy smile on their little canine face. Then the laughter starts.  With entertainment like this, we may never scratch their back again.

Repairing the Damage from a Teething Puppy

Puppies teeth. From about four to six months of age, they teeth as they lose their puppy milk teeth and their permanent teeth come in. That means they bit and chew. Everything.

Chief had just passed that milestone when we adopted him. We "enjoyed" the entire process with Bella. And our chair legs and trim can tell the tale.

Yes, she teethed on chair legs and baseboards as well as stair spindles.

I have finally got around to fixing it (and has assumed she's done!).  It's easy to fix. Just take some wood putty and fill in the small bite marks by smoothing the putty across the small holes with your fingers. It will fill in nicely and your finger will automatically wipe off most of it.  For more serious damage, take the putty and fill in and reshape the trim, smoothing as much as you can with your fingers to recreate the profile of the trim.  Allow the putty to harden for at least several hours if not overnight. Then lightly sand with a flexible sanding block.  Paint.

To try and minimize inappropriate teething surfaces as much as possible, be sure to have plenty of chewing toys around your puppy. Of course, you probably can't watch your puppy every minute, and as soon as your back is turned to stir that spaghetti sauce, you never know what may look comforting to a teething pup.  "Corner of the cabinet, hmmm, that sharp point would be perfect to gnaw on to help that new incisor I've been working on."

Dogs Play Favorites

I have no doubt that both Bella and Chief love me and recognize me as the Alpha dog, leader of the pack.  Both like to snuggle up with me in different circumstances. Chief likes my lap when watching tv on the couch. Bella views that my bed is her bed. In fact, when it comes to sleeping, Bella much prefers to sleep with me. Chief, when he has his choice, picks sleeping with my boys. It's like a male-bonding ritual that transcends species. 

Even Dogs Like Air Conditioning

It has been a very late start to summer here in Chicago this year. Very cool and rainy. (Think Seattle.) But Summer arrived in earnest this past weekend. While I had been enjoying lower heating/cooling costs, I finally had to relent and turn the air conditioner on Sunday. Bella and Chief really appreciated it. Through out the heat of the day on Saturday, they stayed inside, under the ceiling fan on the cool hardwood floor.  By Sunday evening though, they were back on the couch, laying in soft pillowed comfort.

Just goes to show that dogs like it cool in Summer too. So remember to keep in the cool areas, shade, and have plenty of water to drink during the hot summer months.

Dog Named Faith Walks Upright on Two Legs

Some days we all need a little faith. And sometimes it comes from the most unusual sources. Here's a dog named faith that shows even the most difficult circumstances can be overcome and be a source for good.

Read the story about this wonderful dog here on Snopes.com to show that it is a TRUE story.

Dying Dog Saves Owner's Life

Here's a heart-warming story of how a dying bulldog saves his owner's life in a house fire.  Read the full story of this wonderful dog here.

The Truth Behind Pet Store Puppies

Any puppy is adorable. But beware of where you get one. Stores nearly always get their puppies from puppy mills - where puppies are bred constantly and their mothers used and abused. Often the puppies have genetic problems from inbreeding and poor prenatal nutrition.  Buying a puppy from a pet store supports puppy mills. Instead, consider a reputable breeder or a rescue to save a puppy from being put down. (Our Chief was rescued from a high-kill shelter, literally with only hours to spare before he was rescued.  Bella was rescued from a puppy mill.)

Here's a sad story of one mother who lived a sad life in a puppy mill, used until she was used up, and rescued but not before her poor body had been worn out.  The article also provides some hints about reputable breeders. And of course, as a rescue itself, shows why adopting a rescue dog  truly saves a life, perhaps several.  Read it all here and see Hot Shot's story.

5 Characteristics of an Alpha Dog

In your reactions with your dog(s), it's important to be the recognized Alpha dog of your pack (i.e., family).  Although Bella would like to be the Alpha Dog, she doesn't have the confidence.  Chief is the quite, assertive Alpha between the two. I am the Alpha over them. (Does that make Chief, the Beta dog?)

Here are a five characteristics that demonstrate that Chief has dominance in the pack hierarchy over Bella. If you want Alpha status over your dogs, you should be sure to the do the same behaviors.

1) First to go out the door. Some times Bella sneaks in front, but nearly always Chief goes out first.  This is an easy way to establish authority. So when you take them out for a walk, go out the door first, making them wait until you have crossed the threshold.

2) First to the water bowl. Bella waits until Chief is through. (Now, I'm not saying you should get down on hands and knees and slurp from the dog bowl, but many experts advise to feed your dogs after the family has eaten.)

3) First to eat. Same as above. Although I feed both dogs in their kennels, Bella will wait until Chief starts eating to eat.  And if I don't feed them in their kennels, Chief will ...

4) Help himself to Bella's food.  If I leave the door unlocked, he will come right into her cage and take over her food bowl. She always acquiesces.  (Again, I'm not suggesting you reach in while they're eating and help herself to a kibble, but if you share a snack, make sure you get first dibs.)

5) Gets his way. While this may not seem fair for one person to always get his/her way, it is in the dog pack. If Chief wants a toy and doesn't just want to play with it with Bella (like a tug), he will command that she gives it up. And if he has one, she will not try to take it away.   So when you discipline or train your dog, remember you must and should win. If you say sit, do it until the dog sits - no treat or reward until they obey.

I have found the dogs behave much better for me than the children. Why?  Because they know I'm the Alpha and outrank them. If they ever misbehave with the children, I remind them of these steps for them to re-establish their place in the pack hierarchy. The dog pack is not a democracy. There is a King/Queen, the Alpha.  Your dogs behavior will the better if you are the Alpha, and if you recognize which dog has dominance if you have more than one.

Dog of Summer

Spring (nearly Summer) has revitalized Chief. He has woken from his winter slumber, and he wants to play. Play tug. Play fetch. Play with Bella. Play with balls. Play in the grass. He'll be outside for hours at a time. If he's not playing, he's sitting on the deck watching the yard, apparently thinking about what he could and will be playing next. Occasionally, he'll come inside and drop down on the couch in total exhaustion. That is until the next sound or smell wafts in from outside, and then he's off again.  He reminds me of boys in summer, who won't come inside and can't play outside long enough.

How to Walk Two Dogs at a Time

Walking Bella and Chief together can be a challenge.  I've done it many times with two leashes, feeling like a puppet master to trying to avoid entangling the leashes. But there is a better way. Dog leash coupler.

It gives to ends to one leash. Hook it to your leash and now you have two snaps, one for each dog. You can also get it for three dogs, or add a coupler style for as many dogs as you can handle.

I will forewarn you that putting two dogs on one leash creates tremendous pull. If I was really daring, I'd wear roller blades. I'd fly down the sidewalk (and likely kill myself).

The dogs do adjust to having to cooperate and wait for the other. Or sometimes not, as they'll just pull their partner on to the next incredible smell.

Check out the couplers at Superleash.com.

[Editor's Note:  The photo of the coupler above is from Superleash.com]