When people come to the shelter to adopt a dog, the staff at the ARL tries their best to guide them to the best dog for their families and lifestyles, and to educate them about general breed characteristics. Some people listen and choose the right dog while others overlook our guidance and pick a dog based on the dog’s looks or for other reasons. Quite often when people ignore our advice, the dogs come back to the shelter. And that breaks our hearts. Imagine how the dog feels…

Below are some generalizations about a few breeds. Keep in mind that these are characteristics that we tend to see but not all dogs in that breed group will exhibit these characteristics.

One of the most misunderstood breeds is the Chihuahua. Little and adorable, they epitomize the lap dog. The dog that movie stars carry around in their purses.  But there’s another side to these dogs – they can be terrors. Chihuahuas typically are one-person dogs, especially if that person has been treating the dog like a baby. Chihuahuas get very possessive and will bite. They can have Napoleon complexes, that is, they think they are in charge.  Small yet mighty. Also, they are not always good with little kids. However…we have seen some very wonderful Chihuahuas who are good-natured and well-behaved.  They were probably given the proper training from a puppy. Other small dogs can be temperamental as well if they were spoiled, treated like babies and not properly trained.

Retrievers (Goldens, Labradors) are very popular dogs. The media likes to portray these dogs as couch potatoes who like to lie by the fire with you. Not!!  These dogs were bred to run all day with hunters, retrieving game. They can be very high energy. Many a Lab has been brought into the shelter because people simply couldn’t deal with the amount of exercise the dog requires. Add to it that these dogs are highly intelligent. If they get bored from lack of stimulation, they can be destructive. Having had Goldens for 22 years, I can personally attest to this. Of course, you may find a retriever who is lazy but that’s not the norm.

Herding dogs such as German Shepherds, Corgis, Cattle Dogs and Border Collies also need a good deal of exercise and mental stimulation. And because they are herders, they use their teeth a lot.  When working, they tend to nip the sheep (or whatever animal they are herding) to get the animals to move. In a home, they continue to do this. Many a little child has been nipped and the dog has come back to the shelter because the adopters did not understand the dog’s true breeding.

Hounds, oh dear… Beagles and Bassetts bark. Period. And they bay. And they bark. That’s also in their breeding. They are telling the hunters that they found the prey.  Oh yeah, they also run away. Their noses are their guides and nothing else matters when they catch a scent. Try calling a Beagle to “come” when he’s caught the trail of a rabbit!  Impossible.  Many a Beagle has shown up at the shelter as a stray from running away.

And speaking of running, Huskies. Talk about a breed that was bred to run!  Yes, they will try their best to escape and will run away. These dogs desperately need exercise. They also have a very high prey drive which calls them to wander. And another thing about Huskies, they are prone to separation anxiety. They really and truly are pack animals, pulling sleds and sleeping together. They need an active person who will be with them.

And finally, terriers. As a breed classification, they tend to be very independent, strong-willed and energetic. They were bred to work alone, most of them to hunt out vermin. As a result, they can be diggers. Take the Dachshund as an example. They really like to dig.  So be prepared to guard your flower garden!

As I said, these are general characteristics that people should be aware of when they are considering adopting a dog. Every dog is an individual with a unique personality. Trust the advice of the ARL staff because they have evaluated and worked with the dogs.

As you know, the ARL takes in a large number of strays. Happily, some get returned to their owners. We’re glad to see them reunited but sad that the dog had to through the stress of coming into the shelter. Some precautions can be taken to prevent your dog from ever having to come here, and prevent the terrible possibility of us not being able to locate you. Yes, some pets get adopted out to someone else or euthanized because their owners did not know to come here or were away. Here are a few things to think about to prevent your dog from coming in as a stray:

·         If you have a fenced yard, regularly do an inspection to see if your fence has been compromised that your dog could escape. Make repairs to ensure that your dog is safely contained. And is your fence high enough? Some dogs are escape artists and can climb the highest fences.

·         If you have an electric fence, be sure to regularly check and replace the batteries in your dog’s collar. Many times, the batteries go dead and the dog will walk off of the property.

·         Never leave your dog outside unattended when you are not at home. You may think it’s just a quick trip but anything can happen in a short time. Someone can come into your yard and open the gate, allowing your dog to roam. I once knew a woman who left her dog outside while she went on vacation, thinking that they dog would be protecting the property. She had a neighbor come over to feed the dog. When she came home from vacation, the dog was gone.

·         If you have children, be careful that they are not opening the door and allowing your dog to escape. Use indoor gates if necessary to ensure that your dog cannot get out of opened doors.

·         Have your dog spayed/neutered. An altered dog is a lot less likely to want to stray.

·         Fireworks season is upon us and many dogs will try to flee to get away from the noise. The ARL sees an increase in strays around the 4^th of July. Keep your dog securely inside when you know that fireworks will be going off in your neighborhood.

·         It goes without saying that your needs to have identification in the event that he does get away. Microchips are ideal as well as an ID tag on the collar. But microchipping is preferred in case your dog’s collar comes off.

Thanks for keeping your dog safe and preventing him from becoming a “guest” at the ARL!

Anyone who regularly visits the ARL or any other open admission shelter in this country sees that we are overrun with Pit Bulls. And the problem is getting worse by the day. Combine this issue with the perception that Pits and certain other breeds are responsible for most of the dog bites, one of the first solutions suggested is breed bans, also known as breed-specific legislation (BSL). The theory is: Do away with the breeds and the problem goes away. Cities and counties around the U.S. are struggling with how to deal with the issue. Let’s take a look at BSL to determine the effectiveness and the alternatives.

Some cities have enacted legislation to ban certain dog breeds, mostly Pits, Pit mixes, other terriers who may look like Pits, Rottweilers, and Dobermans to name a few. The intention is to control the number of vicious dog attacks and especially deter people who are involved in criminal activity. Of course, there are problems with breed bans.

First, what about the people who already have these dogs? Most BSL allows dogs to be “grandfathered” so that people may keep the dogs they already had before the law takes effect. However, quite a few challenging restrictions may be required such as the owners must take out expensive liability insurance policies, the dogs must be muzzled in public and certainly the dogs have to be spayed/neutered. The truly nice dogs and their people who are responsible will suffer.

Breed bans are also flawed because the people who are the real perpetrators of the problem will go underground and continue to breed and house these dogs – or find another type of breed to exploit. The outlawed dog will now become even more desirable by unscrupulous people.  And what exactly is a Pit Bull? It is not a real breed but a loosely defined look of dog. Boxer mixes could be mistaken for Pits, American Bulldogs are always misidentified as Pits, and I’ve even seen Lab mixes who could be called Pits. Who will make the determination which dogs are banned?

And finally, the real problem behind dog bites is not necessarily a breed issue. According to the ASPCA, 70% of dog bites are from unneutered males, a chained or tethered dog is almost 3 times more likely to attack, 78% of dog bites cases in 2006 involved dogs who were mainly used as guard dogs or “image enhancing” (guys who want to appear to be more macho).

Any breed has the potential to bite. Dogs who have not been socialized properly (with other dogs, with a variety of people and especially with children), who have not been trained or have been improperly trained with methods using punishment, shock, or with the specific intention to make the dogs attack are more likely to bite.

Conclusion: Breed-specific legislation is not effective in controlling Pit Bull overpopulation and bites, and many cities that have enacted it over the years are overturning it.

What are the alternatives?  Well, that’s a tough question. First, encouraging spay and neuter will help. However, mandatory laws are also fraught with problems – they hurt the decent breeders. Tougher leash laws may help prevent dog bites but enforcement is definitely an issue. There just are not enough law enforcement officials to effectively police people. Getting to children as young as possible to educate them can help. As we know, enculturated behavior is extremely difficult to change. When kids see their parents and other older family members and friends acting in certain ways with dogs, they will grow up to believe that this is the norm. Trying to educate them otherwise will be very difficult once this impression is engrained.

For these reasons, the ARL and other shelters cannot do it alone. We need everyone who cares to pitch in and educate. Parents: If your children (usually teens) come home with a puppy, ensure that you can be a responsible owner by getting the dog licensed, spayed/neutered, vaccinated, trained properly, and not kept on a chain outside. If you cannot commit to these actions, you must be a good example and tell the child to give the dog back to the breeder. When these irresponsible breeders learn that they no longer can sell or give away their dogs, then maybe they will stop breeding.

What can you think of that you or others can do to get the overpopulation of Pit Bulls under control and reduce the number of dog bites?

Do you like to take your dog everywhere with you, especially in the summertime? We all know that dogs need to be protected from overheating but what else should you consider when you travel with your dog when it's warm outside?

Making the Rounds around Town:

It’s so fun to have the car windows down with the warm breeze blowing through your hair. Dogs love it too! But be careful – some dogs may try to jump out the window. I recently heard a story of a young puppy who jumped out a car window and broke its leg and the leg needed to be amputated. That could have been avoided. And dogs who hang out car windows are in danger of getting foreign objects in their eyes.

Be careful about leaving your dog alone in the car. A window cracked a couple of inches is not enough to prevent your dog from overheating. It doesn’t take long for the temperature in cars to climb too high, even when the outside temperature doesn’t seem too bad. Dogs simply can’t tolerate a closed in, hot car.

Those of you with pickup trucks, please, please be careful about allowing your dogs to ride in the back. Just one slam of your brakes or bump in the road with send your dog sailing.

Going on Trips Away from Home:

If you are travelling overnight or a long distance from home with your dog, here are a few reminders to make your trip safer and more fun for your dog.

Make sure that your dog has a comfortable and secure place to lie in the car. A seat cover will protect your seats and be a cozy option where your dog can relax. Also, many dogs get anxious in the dog. A harness/seat belt combination is a good option to ensure your dog cannot get thrown around in the car, plus it helps him to feel more secure.

Does your pet get car sick? Ugh, that’s no fun for anyone. Talk to your veterinarian prior to your trip to get advice on how to prevent sickness. Dramamine is safe for dogs but be sure that you use the proper dosage.

Bring along a travel bowl and water, and if your trip is really long, some treats or your dog’s food. Be sure to take frequent potty breaks and allow your dog to get a drink.

Going to the Beach?:

Pack the sunscreen – for your dog! Pet stores sell sunscreen made specifically for dogs. Their noses and ears can get sunburned. And dogs who have thin hair and pink skin are particularly sensitive.

Take along a beach umbrella or tent to give your dog some shade if you will be there for a long time, or if it is overly hot.

Does your dog like to swim? Be sure that the water conditions are safe for your dog to go in. If the waves are too high or rough, or if there is a strong undertow, reconsider allowing your dog to go into the water.

Prevent your dog from drinking salt water. It will make him very thirsty, causing him to drink more water and bloat. Do remember to pack his own bowl and drinking water.

Take some tissues so that you can clean your dog’s ears when he comes out of the water.

Finally, for all of the above activities, monitor your dog. Don’t allow him to overexert in the heat. Dogs just want to have fun and may not know their limits. They could easily get heatstroke.

Have a fun summer with your dog!