Comments on: 5 Easy Ways to Help Dogs from Home

By: Ariana

Ariana — Wed, 11 Mar 2015 18:44:52 +0000

I agree with all the ideas but most of all I have an idea I am willing to share with everybody. You should go to your local animal shelter or pound and just spend quality time with the pets. Help them get comfortable until they get adopted.

By: shibashake

shibashake — Tue, 15 Apr 2014 01:05:09 +0000

In reply to Maria. It is not possible to say. Unfortunately, dogs get neglected in a variety of different situations. There are just not many laws that protect dogs, and even those that do exist, are usually not well enforced. Personally, I think there should be more controls at the point of sale (i.e. breeder level) so that there won't be so many homeless dogs and better matching between dog and owner.

By: Maria

Maria — Mon, 14 Apr 2014 04:17:45 +0000

Today I saw a truck with a lot of dogs inside. One of them stuck it’s head out and started barking at me and its eyes were red. My dad said that it means the dog is unhealthy and not well trained. Did the owner get them from a puppy mill or something?

By: shibashake

shibashake — Tue, 09 Jul 2013 19:29:18 +0000

In reply to Lisa.

This ASPCA article has a good list of techniques on recall training (teaching a dog to come when called).
http://www.aspca.org/Pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/dog-articles/teaching-your-dog-to-come-when-called

Dogs often chase after cars because of prey drive. Prey drive is an inborn instinct that all dogs have – some more than others.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prey_drive

We can redirect prey drive, and we can train our dogs not to treat certain things as prey, but the drive will always be there.

Therefore, I personally would not take any chances when it comes to dogs and cars. I fence up an exercise area for my dogs (it could be a smaller area to save on cost), and then I take them out walking on-leash every day. We walk from about 1-4 hours depending on the temperature and their energy level. I use a no-slip collar and a secure 6 foot leather leash.

As for invisible fences, I agree with you. They are unreliable, risky, increase stress levels in dogs, and can significantly lower quality of life. Polsky’s study also shows that they can cause increased aggression in dogs. Not something that I would use or recommend to others.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Tue, 09 Jul 2013 02:22:20 +0000

I need help before it is to late. I have two dogs that I rescued at a bridge last year. They were starving little puppies. I had to have the girls eye removed due to injury. They are doing great except for now they chase cars and trucks. I live in the country on a dead end road. I have woods on one side and back of my yard. My road frontage is very long. Darla and Spanky run free. They are only pinned at night in a large cage. They do not go to neighbors houses. They are chasing cars that go by our home. Neither will stop nor come to me when I call for them when I here a car coming or when they are chasing. I do not have the money to enclose four acres of land. I was told to just put an invisible fence across the road frontage of our yard. I think it would not work because I think they would then go into the woods to go around or they would run and take the shock but not come home. Any ideas on what I can try. I tried pitting a leash in them as soon as I heard a car but once the car came they got out of their collar and took off chasing. Please give me some help before it is to late. Thank you.
Lisa