I'm wary of creating new psychological disorders since they can create new classes of those with legally protected "disabilities". That being said, is there a justification for defining "Animal Cruelty Syndrome"? I do know this: that people who will abuse animals have something seriously wrong going on in their heads, and can cause a whole lot harm to animals and people. It's something that has attracted the attention of law enforcement, animal welfare activists, and the psycholocial community.
A man died trying to save his dog from drowning in a canal. These situations are always hard, and it's easy to say what you would or wouldn't do if you were faced with the same crisis. My rule in advance is always people safety first, animal safety second. This man had a wife (no mention if he had kids). They were relying on him, too. Sometimes you have to do hard things in life. What would you do in this situation?
I'm not sure how I feel about this, from a legal standpoint. In my opinion, overfeeding a dog to the point it is suffering like this is clearly abuse. I support using the law to save abused animals. On the other hand, does this kind of thing set a precedent for other seizures of animals for reasons that aren't so serious? I just don't know. So, I guess I'll just wait and see...
Here's another story of someone who allegedly went bonkers and shot someone because they let their pup poop on their prized lawn. First off, if you have a dog, be as inconspicuous as possible when pottying your dog, and pick up after your dog. Second, if you are a nut about your yard and you don't want people pooping their pets in your yard, instead of packing a pistol, why not just build a fence? We all have to get along in this world, and nothing was worth the death of a human being over this kind of thing.
Here we go again. The new Marmaduke Movie comes out in theaters on June 4th. And once again, you can bet that people will go out and buy Great Danes without thinking about what they are getting into. Great Danes are a LOT of dog, not only in size but in cost and in terms of behavior. These were dogs designed to tackle big game. A number of years ago, I heard of two Great Danes attacking and mauling a black bear... Think about that some time. Danes aren't always good with other dogs, and you definitely don't want to get two of the same sex in the same home. Further, you MUST go to a reputable breeder, not a pet store or backyard breeder. With health problems galore, there are also dangerous behavioral instabilities that come along with certain colors, especially the merles.
That being said, I like the breed and have trained a number of them. But, they are not for the casual, impulse buyer. I already anticipate hearing stories of these dogs filling the shelters in about a year from now.
I have been working for months on a new dog training web page. It features a lot of new content, a more user friendly look and navigation profile, and a new shopping cart. You can now order online lessons, dog food, and a variety of dog supplies. And there is a ton of other new stuff coming.
I've told numerous people that it is a mistake to give dogs bones from your dinner plate. They aren't the same as the ones you get from a pet store, nor are they similar to the bones a wolf would gnaw on in the wild. And sure enough, here is a warning from no less than the FDA confirming the same.'
A lot of dog trainers have been watching the SeaWorld story (killer whale kills trainer) with interest. There has been a raging argument within the training world regarding the efficacy of so-called "purely positive", "cruelty free", training, focusing on operant conditioning and clickers. I have stated again and again that the theory of operant conditioning is obsolete, a truncated, limited, myopic view of behavior. And this incident proves it once again. Training animals is more than something as simple as putting a quarter in the machine and getting your candy bar.
I work with dangerous dogs on a regular basis. Many are treated quite well, and still end up dangerous. Why is that? I know, and so do a lot of more common sense trainers.
Gang members used dogs and weapons to kill. They wouldn't be having these kinds of problems if they'd legalize guns and self defense in Britain, and start putting these losers away for life instead of cushy prison sentences. You can bet the dogs will be sentenced to death and the criminals will be out in a couple of years to kill again. This was animal abuse by these thugs.
They have banned pit bulls. The new law excluded banning animal sacrifice for religious purposes; there has been a huge increase in animal sacrifice because of religions such as Santeria.
There is a reason why there is a Bill of Rights amending the US Constitution... because government always keeps trying to accumulate more power over individuals over time. The Soviet Union had laws against pretty much everything. Same with North Korea today. Would you want to live in a place like that? More laws don't make a better society. Dog breed bans do not make the public safer, just like gun bans don't make the public safer. They have dangerous dog bans and gun bans in England. Has that made England safer? No. London is a mad house these days. It is illegal to defend yourself, and you are more likely to end up dead or in prison if you do defend yourself or someone else there. They've turned into a country of pussies.
I have had to tell a number of students to STOP WATCHING THE DOG WHISPERER, Cesar Millan. They are trying to do what he does and are messing up their dogs and worsening their dog's problems.
You can't become a dog trainer or behaviorist just by watching his show.
I've been aware, from the beginning, that many strange dog behaviors have a genetic component. I find it sad that there are quick buck artists out there that claim they can fix any dog's behavioral problems. They can't. Maybe you can manage the problems, but you can't "cure" what can't be cured. I saw a dog trainer's vehicle recently with a sign that said they "guaranteed" they could solve any behavioral problem... what does that say about either their "expertise" or their ethics?
So, what do you do if your dog does some strange stuff? Ask an expert... but be sure to ask the right person, otherwise your dog will suffer and so will your wallet.
You ARE planning on training that new pup of yours, right? Delaying the training of a pup just gives the dog more time to develop bad habits and behaviors, and increases the chances the dog will be given away to a shelter.
Some Benchmarks:
You should start house training and puppy manners lessons from 8 weeks of age. Socialization should start the day you bring your puppy home... with other animals and with a variety of people and situations. By 4 months of age, the pup should be already on track with the house training. No later than 4 months of age, you should enroll your dog in obedience classes. By 6 months of age, your dog should not be peeing or pooping in the home, and should go potty on command. Your pup should be pretty well mannered, and good with guests. Your pup should be regularly playing with other friendly dogs on a weekly basis. Your dog should know how to walk on a leash without pulling. Your dog should be able to Sit Stay, Down Stay, Come when called, and Heel... on and off leash in moderately distracting environments. By 2 years of age, your dog should be able to obey you within 100 yards, off leash, with distractions, be good with other dogs and people, completely trustworthy in the home (no accidents and no destructive behaviors).
Isn't this absolutely RIDICULOUS? This is why I'm for limited government and citizen legislators. Government has NO BUSINESS meddling in our lives to this degree.
Merry Christmas to everyone (including your dogs)! Please, have a ton of fun today, be careful with your pets, and get ready for the coming New Year!
Dogs are going to become more politicized in the future. Dogs are now targets of the socialists. Dogs are targets of the Nanny State because they seem to represent the "rich", they represent "carbon pollution"... since they eat and they have gas and they poop, and everyone needs to be protected from being a human being and from nature. But, let's not sweat that stuff today. We'll fight that after the holidays, OK?
