Do you think your dogs should be allowed to roam free or should they be kept in a fenced area or on a leash?
Some of our dogs....
We live in the country. My closest neighbor is a mile away. We raise a limited number of Miniature Australian Shepherd puppies to place into their forever homes. We have 9 dogs but we used to have 10. They are part of our family.
We live near a dirt road and although there is not much traffic, many of the cars that pass drive WAY too fast. It is for that reason and others that I have chosen to keep our dogs safe and only let them out when someone is with them.
We live near a dirt road and although there is not much traffic, many of the cars that pass drive WAY too fast. It is for that reason and others that I have chosen to keep our dogs safe and only let them out when someone is with them.
Cherokee
Buckaroo
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Starr
Lil' Jimmy
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Lady Day
Patsy
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Miss Kitty
Big Boy
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Kowgirl
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Living in the country, in Texas has been interesting.... to say the least. People who are not breeders, leave their dogs intact. They let them roam loose, without supervision. They do not seem to regard these animals as their best friend but simply an ornament to adorn their yard so that they may pat it occasionally should the urge arise.
I am going to share three stories, the stories I am about to tell are true. The names have been changed to protect the innocent.
I am going to share three stories, the stories I am about to tell are true. The names have been changed to protect the innocent.
Story #1. My story. As I mentioned before, we had 10 dogs. The one that you do not see pictured above is Anna. Anna was my favorite. In fact, any of you who have seen our business card or logo for our Natural Pet Health Food have seen her picture. She was a stunning Australian Shepherd with dark merle coloring and two blue eyes. She loved being with me and did not especially care for playing with the other dogs. You could say, she was my shadow.
Anna
One day, we let her out to use the restroom. Now as I shared with you before, we make sure that we are out with them when they are out. Our yard is not fenced and we do not want to lose our dogs. My son, still in his pajamas, went into his room to get dressed. I was sitting at my desk in the office, on the computer, looking out the window, wondering why there seemed to be less traffic than normal. I realized it was Good Friday. "It must be people have gone out of town for the holiday," I thought to myself. I got up to make some coffee and walked into the kitchen. About that time, a neighbor pulled slowly into our driveway and honked. I quickly threw some pants on and my son met me at the back door as we went to see what the neighbor needed. He said, "your black dog is in the road." I heard his words but couldn't think. What did he mean? What black dog? I thought of Patsy and Lady Day, they are black dogs...but how did they get out and why would they be in the road. Then I realized what he was saying, Anna, was dead, in the road.
Just a brief period in time. I never saw a vehicle pass our house, it must have happened between the time I got up from my desk to walk to the kitchen.
Someone, I still do not know who, plowed over my poor, dear Anna and kept right on driving.
The neighbor, Mr. G helped me get her back to the house. I was so devastated!
Just a brief period in time. I never saw a vehicle pass our house, it must have happened between the time I got up from my desk to walk to the kitchen.
Someone, I still do not know who, plowed over my poor, dear Anna and kept right on driving.
The neighbor, Mr. G helped me get her back to the house. I was so devastated!
Story #2. A continuation of #1. My son stated digging her grave. The soil in our parts is nicknamed black gumbo for its dark, rock hard, clay consistency. After quite some time, he had only managed to dig a few inches. This was not going to work. I called on another neighbor, Mrs. H, and she and her sons said they would come and help. As she was driving to our house, there were two Pitbull Terriers in the middle of the road. Mrs. H slowed to a stop and saw a lady in her yard, planting her garden. She rolled down her window and called out to the lady, "Hi! Can you please call your dogs?" The lady, hands covered in dirt, looked up and replied, " if they are dumb enough to be in the road, run them down." Horrified, Mrs. H, who was on her way to help me and my son told the lady, "NO, that is not right. You call your dogs." The lady did so. I am not sure if she grumbled the whole way about it, all I know is that I was SHOCKED to hear this story as was Mrs. H to experience it.
Her boys saved the day with three teenage boys equipped with shovels, they were able to conquer the rock hard soil. We wrapped Anna in a sheet and placed her into her final resting place. She was a good girl.
Her boys saved the day with three teenage boys equipped with shovels, they were able to conquer the rock hard soil. We wrapped Anna in a sheet and placed her into her final resting place. She was a good girl.
Story #3. The chicken lady and dogs gone bad. I have a neighbor that we'll call the chicken lady and a mile past her, the cowgirl.
The Chicken Lady and Dogs Gone Bad
One day, the chicken lady was tending to her small flock of 6 chickens. These chickens are her pets, they also provide fresh eggs daily for her family. She brings them into her home at night and they stay in a box in her laundry room. During the day, she takes them out to their coop that is enclosed with chicken wire for them to walk around and get exercise. Every late afternoon, the chicken lady lets her chickens out of their enclosure to snack on bugs in the field. She had gone into the house to get some tea so she could come and relax and keep an eye on her beloved cluckers. She had just turned her back and started pouring her tea when she heard a horrible ruckus coming from outside. She ran out the back door to find two dogs in her yard, one with her favorite chicken in it's mouth. She proceeded to scream at the dog and get quite hysterical. The dog dropped the chicken and wagged it's tail at her looking for a pat. She picked up the chicken that convulsed and died in her arms. It's neck was broken.
She proceeded to call the cowgirl, who owned the dogs. After telling her story, the cowgirl replied "I don't have a solution, just shoot 'em."
She proceeded to call the cowgirl, who owned the dogs. After telling her story, the cowgirl replied "I don't have a solution, just shoot 'em."
So you are probably wondering... what is the point of these stories? Why are you telling us this?
I'm writing this as a way to help pet owners take personal responsibility for their pets. We also heard the news of 3 of our puppies that we had placed getting killed. Two by hit and run drivers and one by coyote attack. These families were horrified at their loss, heartbroken. I would like to share some methods to help this not happen in the future.
Sport & his boy
1. Get your dog trained. In particular for recall, sit, and stay. This means when you call your dog, it stops everything it's doing and immediately comes to you.
Lack of training is one of the top 10 reasons a pet will end up in a shelter. As a breeder, it is my job to educate my clients on how to properly care for their pet. In fact, we insist on first right of refusal should our clients be unable to care for their pet. We will find a new home for them.
Sport graduated with honors from his puppy class. Is going for continued classes and learning so much! His boy is having a BLAST with his BEST FRIEND!
Lack of training is one of the top 10 reasons a pet will end up in a shelter. As a breeder, it is my job to educate my clients on how to properly care for their pet. In fact, we insist on first right of refusal should our clients be unable to care for their pet. We will find a new home for them.
Sport graduated with honors from his puppy class. Is going for continued classes and learning so much! His boy is having a BLAST with his BEST FRIEND!
Our Girls
2. Socialize your dog. Believe it or not, this can help to establish boundaries.
It sets the tone for your relationship with your pet and how the pet should or should not act around others. This relationship is important in building the bond for your pet, keeping him close.
Your dog is part of your family and should be treated as such. They are like a small child. Most would not leave their 3 year old alone in an unfenced yard without any supervision, so do not leave your dog unsupervised.
It sets the tone for your relationship with your pet and how the pet should or should not act around others. This relationship is important in building the bond for your pet, keeping him close.
Your dog is part of your family and should be treated as such. They are like a small child. Most would not leave their 3 year old alone in an unfenced yard without any supervision, so do not leave your dog unsupervised.
Sport, just got neutered!
3. Spay or Neuter your pets. This will help your pets stay close and not get the "call of the wild."
This helps keep down the population of "unwanted" animals that end up in shelters. Another top reason for animals ending up in shelters is when they have a "whoops" litter of mutt puppies.
Sterilizing your pet also improves their health and decreases the chance of testicular and ovarian cancer. So do this for their health!
This helps keep down the population of "unwanted" animals that end up in shelters. Another top reason for animals ending up in shelters is when they have a "whoops" litter of mutt puppies.
Sterilizing your pet also improves their health and decreases the chance of testicular and ovarian cancer. So do this for their health!
4. Finally, respect others. Be a good neighbor. You do not want your dog trespassing on other people's property or making them uncomfortable. If you see other dogs, be sure your dog is on a leash or in a safe area. Don't let your dog jump up on people, chase cars, etc. Pick up poop when your dog goes. That means, carry a poop bag with you when you go for a walk. Build a fence, buy a kennel, keep your dog on a leash. Use common sense.
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