Becoming Responsible- There's No Such Thing as the Poop Fairy

When you get a dog, you are signing your life away to be a slave to your dog’s bowels.  It’s just how it is.  Your dog has to poop, so you must come home from work early or hire someone to go to your house, and you let your dog out to do his business.  When he’s done, you have an obligation to fulfill; you must remove it from the premises, the doggy equivalent of flushing the toilet.  And yet, thousands, if not millions, of dog owners shirk this duty every day.  It’s this sort of crappy behavior that results in dogs being banned from parks, beaches, and other public places.  As dog owners, you can’t just dump your responsibility to scoop the poop entirely.  Ignoring your obligations has consequences that extend beyond you and your dog.

Overbreeding

I had a question posed to me after someone read this post about questions to ask in a breeder interview, and I would like to take the time now to answer that question.

 “Why is breeding dogs more than twice a horrible sin?”

Becoming Responsible- Reliable and Appropriate Training

Irresponsible dog ownership is nothing less than a plague.  That statement may sound a little extreme, but think for a moment.  What is the main reason dogs end up in shelters?  Irresponsible ownership.  Why do you hate your neighbor’s dog? Irresponsible ownership.  Why are dogs not allowed in the park or on the beach? Irresponsible ownership.  Many other limitations, fears, stereotypes, and laws are in place because of irresponsible owners, and every dog owner is affected by them in some way, big or small.  As dog owners, we need to do our part to care for our animals while also being considerate of others.  The following few posts will discuss how we, owners, can make the world a better place for dogs, other owners, and non-owners alike.  Today, we begin with the greatest issue amongst irresponsible owners: failure to provide appropriate and reliable training.

Should You Breed Your Dog?-- A Flowchart

I didn't make this flowchart. I found it somewhere in the bowels of the internet.  It sums up responsible breeding very nicely!  I thought it would be something nice to post while I work on my next text-based entry.

The Comprehensive Corgi Guide- A Resource for New and Future Owners

Table of Contents

CTRL+F the number to skip to that section.

01.   A Brief History- Touches upon the origin of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi

02.   The Tail of Two Corgis- Describes the general differences between the Pembroke and Cardigan Welsh Corgis

03.   So I Heard You Like Herding- A discussion on how the Corgi’s historical purpose affects its attitudes, personality, and habits

04.   A Short Dog’s Shortcomings- Describes the health issues one should be prepared to deal with in a Corgi

05.   A Hairy Situation- Shedding and grooming are briefly described

06.   Final Rebarks- Closing this massive document

Identifying a Reputable Breeder, v.2

So, as an addendum to my previous post about how to find a reputable breeder, I am here again to provide you with a quick, easy reference guide on what questions you should ask to determine if the breeder is, in fact, a breeder, or if they are a “breeder” that must be avoided at all costs.  This has been modified significantly since its first posting to be more in-depth and understandable.  Remember, these questions should be brought up in natural conversation with the breeder, not presented as a list or ultimatum. In no particular order, here is the list.

Where, Why, and How to Adopt a Dog

So, you presumably know what breed you are interested in, and what age would be the best fit for you.  Now all that is left is to determine where, why, and how to go about adopting that new member of the family.  There is one last question you need to ask yourself before you begin searching for your new canine pal:  what do you expect from your dog?  If companionship is all you desire, consider adopting your dog from a shelter or other rescue/re-homing situation.  If you are seeking performance, optimal health, and/or strict adherence to breed standard in conformation or temperament, adopt from a reputable breeder.  These are the only two acceptable avenues of obtaining a dog, no exceptions.