Daily Puppy Buying Tip - 11/27/2009

When you go to buy a puppy, take someone with you who can be objective. The puppy seller wants to get you emotionally involved with the puppy. You need someone with you who can be detached and can make a rational decision. Talk to the person away from the seller. Listen to them and let them help you make an objective decision.

Daily Puppy Buying Tip - 11/25/2009

Get a contract in writing before you agree to buy the puppy. The contract should specify what the breeder will do for you if there are health issues with the puppy and how long the guarantee is good.

Return of your money is best, but most breeders want to give you a puppy from a future litter. Also, most breeders will not pay for medical treatments your pup may need. They want you to fall in love with the puppy and then their offer to have you return the puppy for another in the future gets them off the hook as you will refuse to return the puppy.

Daily Puppy Buying Tip - 11/25/2009

See and play with both parents of the puppy before you buy. Puppies are cute. They soon become dogs. Make sure you want the dog he will soon become. His parents are the best indicator.

You cannot do this at a pet store. But that is OK, since there is ABSOLUTELY NO CHANCE that you will be shopping for a puppy at the pet store.

Keep in mind that my advice is mostly related to buying a purebred dog as a puppy. If you are adopting an older dog, the rules are completely different and my tips may or may not apply.

Bubble's New Pups - Born 10/26/09

Two boys (pictured together) and one little girl (pictured alone).

Ready just in time for Christmas.

Daily Puppy Buying Tip - 11/22/2009

Never, ever, ever buy a puppy from a pet store. Pet stores are a key part of the puppy mill industry.

Daily Puppy Buying Tip - 11/20/2009

Make certain that you have a health guarantee in writing as a part of your puppy purchase contract. Breeders can (and will) promise anying to get your money. If it is not written down (with details), it never happened.

Daily Puppy Buying Tip - 11/19/2009

Always get your new puppy vet-checked BEFORE you fall in love, show the kids, take him to show friends, etc. You have to make sure the puppy is healthy before you "invest" in him. Once he becomes "part of the family", you lose objectivity in the process of negotiating with the breeder.

Resort guest charged with cruelty to his puppies

Resort guest charged with cruelty to his puppies

I say, "Throw the book at him!" This behavior is totally unacceptable. I applaud the heros that turned him in.

Let's hope they are not creating "designer pups"

24 Yorkie, Maltese dogs seized from Lehigh Acres puppy mill adopted

From the article:

The animals included 24 Yorkies and Maltese, one German Shepherd...

Seriously, those are some designer cross-breeds I would not want!

Euthanizing a famous dog?

Public outcry follows ASPCA decision to euthanize Oreo, 'miracle' dog who survived six-story fall

I am much more logical than emotional. I find it strange that people become passionate about the euthanization of a dog that has been in the news, but not the thousands of (anonymous?) dogs that face the same fate daily.

This dog was not social (likely due to its previous abuse) and will always be a danger and a nuisance. Many friendly, social dogs are put down every day because no one is willing to take them.

Que-Tee-Pi's Little Girl

This little Maltese is a couple of days old. (And she is quite a handful!)

I have to put her back in with Que-Tee-Pi now. Mommy is missing her little girl.

Our current pups - Chelsea's four pups

This squirming mass of four puppies is Chelsea's two-week old litter.

Our current pups - Cassie's three

Here are Cassie's three pups at about 6 weeks old.

Pit bull puppy chews off baby's toes

Pit bull puppy chews off baby's toes

Sad story. From the looks of it, it could be neglect on the part of the parents, or it could be a terrible series of misfortunes leading to an unpredictable disaster.

It seems the dog was locked in a bathroom, but the 3-year-old let it out in the night. The parents were not awakened (drugs - legal? or illegal?) and the baby was not in a crib. I would not call a baby sleeping somewhere other than a crib child abuse. I know my children fell asleep in places other than cribs a lot.

An update on the five-legged puppy story

Dispute over no-longer-five-legged puppy to go to court (TV court, that is)

An interesting twist to the five-legged Puppy News story.

A nice article for those with a new puppy

A few hints about a new puppy

Heart-Warming Five-Legged Puppy Story

Five-Legged Puppy Saved from Side Show

A very heart-warming Puppy News story about a lucky little dog who will likely now lead a charmed life.

Pets should be restrained in vehicles

Wisconsin fatal crash blamed on dog jumping into lap

Pets, like people, need to be restrained while riding in vehicles. They can cause accidents, as in this case, or more commonly, be greatly harmed in accidents that don't injure those who are restrained. Pet carriers, or strapped-in harnesses can be used. They are available at pet store everywhere.

Great dog story...questionable ethics

Puppy power: Heroic 9/11 rescue dog is cloned five times after winning competition

Some people have issues with cloning in and of itself. I do not. Clones are not scary, they are identical twins (or triplets, etc) separated in time. Other people have ethical issues with cloning because of known health defects. This is more troublesome to me. I can understand the scientific need to create clones in order to learn how to make better ones, but I still don't like knowingly creating defective animals.

Human carelessness, canine suffering...

Police dog, alone in SUV, dies - probe launched

Sadly, this type of Dog News story happens way too often. I suspect that the officer was very fond of this dog and had no intention to hurt him. Too many people take shortcuts and eventually one of them turns into a disaster.

Something I don't understand...

Steeler player's son home recovering from dog bite

I know of several Pit Bulls. They are as sweet as can be. What I don't understand from all of these "Pit Bull Attacks" Dog News stories is whether the particular animal that committed the attack was trained to be aggressive or whether it was a sweet gentle dog until the attack. Is it just the nature of the dog to be aggressive and any Put Bull is subject to attack at any time, or are the attacks a matter of the ones that are trained to attack getting loose?

Puppies facing death sentence

Puppies facing death sentence

I am always biased in favor of the dog, but I can concede that this supposed Puppy News article is also biased in favor of the dogs. There could be more to this story. The dogs could be a menace and the SPCA could be doing the community a favor. I doubt it. I think the likely story is an overzealous bureaucrat flexing his muscles against a helpless citizen. I wish I could trust the media enough to know the real story here.

Pet Stores and Puppy Mills

Large pet store chains breed puppy mills

Simple puppy buying advice: DO NOT BUY FROM A PET STORE!

This Puppy News article is just further information validating the advice I have long advocated at Buyingapuppy.com.

Dealing with a Dog Breeder

Suggestions for puppy shopping

Check out this Puppy News article for another of the many things that can go wrong with buying a puppy.

Do dog have souls? Let's hear from the affirmative vote.

Dogs have souls, but you already knew that

Read this Dog News article and decide on the arguments for yourself.

Man Sentenced for Killing a Police Dog

Police dog's killer gets a life term: Conviction was man's third strike

Unable to argue the sentence, Barrar expressed hope the case will get people to think about how poorly society deals with the mentally ill.

The basic problem here is that we as a society don't want to lock up the mentally ill indefinately. This is a sad Dog News story where no one wins in the end. We'd have to lock up many mentally ill people who may never be violent to make sure we get the ones who will be. In letting many mentally ill people free in society, some will inevitably hurt themselves and others.

Tougher Laws Proposed for Puppy Mills in Texas

Legislation to Clean Up Texas Puppy Mill Industry Heads

The rules proposed here seem reasonable. There is some paperwork required for the health records. That could be a bit of a nuisance. I don't see a definition of "large-scale breeding operation" in the article.

Advice for Children and Puppies Coexisting

Can dogs and kids can go hand in paw?

This Puppy News contains some great advice here for happy coexistence between children and dogs. I would also include picking a puppy that matches the lifestyle and characteristics of your child. Active, outdoor child? Active, outdoor dog. Quiet, bookworm child? Docile, companion dog.

Concise and Important Advice on Worms and your Puppy

Puppies and worms

Here is advice from this Puppy News article:

Caution: if you see any signs of worms you will need to take a sample of faeces to the veterinary surgeon. Do not handle your puppy without wearing gloves and constantly wash your hands.

I'd take the puppy, not just the sample. Puppies should be seen by a vet for basic care. Find a good vet you like and can afford and let him care for your pup.

Bo's Beanies

Bo, our country's First Pooch, has been honored with a Beanie Baby lookalike.

Here is a Puppy News story about it:

First Puppy has furry lookalike

And here is a Dog News story about it:

Dog gone! Bo Beanie Babies scamper off shelves

Animal cruelty charges filed in puppy mill case

Animal cruelty charges filed in puppy mill case

There is not a circle of Hades deep enough for people who abuse pets.

From this puppy news article:

The case stems from a raid on Jan. 16 in which authorities say they seized about 160 dogs, many of them covered in urine and feces.

PEOPLE! DO NOT BUY A PUPPY FROM A PUPPY MILL! It is not good for you, the puppy or the other dogs at the puppy mill. You are not saving a puppy; you are providing cash to a disgusting breeder and encouraging him/her to continue mistreating more and more animals.

Dog saves man who saved him

Dog saves man who saved him

A great dog news story.

Sad story...

Sad dog news:

Coyote snatches Chihuahua off Englewood trail

There seems to be little that can be done about this. Leashes are very confining. I never walk my dogs with leashes. They walk with me. I coyote is too stealth and too wiley to completely avoid.

From the article:

...people who come across coyotes should haze them - yell, or throw stones or sticks - in an effort re-instill a fear of humans in the animals.

I can't imagine this is a PETA-recommended strategy.

Dog Whisperer visits puppy mills

Dog Whisperer visits puppy mills

Info from the dog news and puppy news story:

The show premieres at 9 p.m. Friday, May 8, on the National Geographic channel. It will also air at 6 a.m. Sunday, May 10, and 2 p.m. Friday, May 15.

This sounds like a show that people involved in the world of dogs needs to see, even if it is not pleasant.

More Defense of Responsible Breeders

It's Where the Obama's Didn't Purchase Their Pup That Matters

Here is a nice puppy news article that makes an intelligent and impassioned defense of responsible breeding.

I completely agree with this assessment of pet stores:

Totally at fault are the pet stores (whose supplies are from puppy mills and commercial warehouses) selling to anyone who has cash (credible breeders are discerning and interview perspective buyers).

More recommendations against buying "cute"

How to choose the right puppy for your family.

People picking out a puppy for its "cute appeal" and then when it needs constant attention and exercise and gains 100 pounds, they can't take it.

Don't buy a puppy because it is cute. Make sure you would want to own the parents of the pup before you buy it. I have many other recommendations on this site. Do your research before buying a puppy.

A Cute Story with a Horrible Twist

Meet The Puppy That Glows In The Dark

Awwwww! How cute. A ruby red puppy that glows in the dark...

But then there are these little gems:

Team member CheMyong Ko of the University of Kentucky in Lexington, said of the breakthrough: "The next step for us is to generate a true disease model."

The hope is that, following the Ruppy breakthrough, transgenic dogs will become more effective stand-ins for the study of human disease.

Ok, not so cute anymore. They want to breed puppies with genetic mutations that cause them to quickly get cancer, heart disease, Parkinson's and other diseases so that they can test medical procedures on them. I'm very happy with them testing medical procedures on rats. I can even deal with them testing with pigs (good stand-ins for humans, and I don't mean that in any negative way.) But, I am definately NOT happy with performing medical tests on dogs. Yes, I realize that it happens now. I'd like to see that stopped and I definately do not want to see new dogs bred just to be used for testing.

I will continue to follow dog news and puppy news stories like this and bring them to you here.

The Government Continues Its Assault on Breeders

Oregon Alert: HB 2470 Gaining Momentum - Continued Opposition Needed!

Sometimes it seems the government is not interested in safe, healthy breeding, but in the elimination of the breeding of dogs. I realize that "anti-puppy mill" legislation has been in the news for many years, but the efforts seem to be more coordinated and intense.

Many people want to reduce the supply of puppies to increase the demand for shelter animals. I fully support the adoption of shelter pets, but I do not support forcing people into this option by removing other options they may desire. The other options must include purebred and designer puppies.

I will continue to watch for puppy news and dog news and continue to post links to stories here.

Fantastic Story About A WWII Hero Dog

Medal for Dog Rip, Who Saved 100 People, Fetches 24,250 Pounds

The current story is about the amazing auction price of the medal the dog recieved. I am more interested in the original story of the lives the dog saved digging people out from bombed out buildings. That, to me, is the real dog news story.

Dog Fighting Video - Not really...

Que-Tee Pi and puppy "fighting"

I hope you enjoy this cute clip of one of our moms and pups playing.

It's not exactly dog news or puppy news, but it is fun.

Puppy Mill News from Oklahoma

Senate Passes “Puppy Mill Bill“

Some lawmakers like Senator Jay Paul Gumm also say the bill lacks teeth and actually punishes good breeders.

This is very typical of legislation. It is far easier to target laws against people who follow the law. They are public and visible. Those who skirt the law are far more stealthy.

More News on Puppy Mill Legislation

Dog lovers urge Ind. to crack down on puppy mills

There seems to be more and more dog news and puppy news lately concerning puppy mills.

The House version outlined specific standards of care and limited breeders to 30 adult female dogs that are not spayed.

I'm not sure how enforceable this would be. If you have 150 adult female dogs, would you just create 5 businesses in 5 different people's names (Husband, Son, Daughter, etc.)

Two People Who Should Not Have A Puppy

Woman Arrested After Puppy Taped To Fridge

These people should NEVER be allowed to have a dog. This crazy puppy news story shows a couple of immature and irresponsible people taking their anger out on a poor defenseless pup.

Apparently, the boyfriend took the side of his pup against the girlfriend, as he was arrested for whatever well-deserved response he meted out.

Puppy Buying Tip - The Cold Fish

Take someone emotionally uninvolved with you to see the puppy.

Take someone who has no stake in the decision with you to see the puppy. Take a sibling, a parent or a friend. Give them veto power. If they say no to your buying that puppy, back away from the purchase. Take them aside and listen to why they are uncomfortable. Making a good decision to buy a puppy means putting aside emotions and looking at facts. Someone uninvolved can be a great help in doing just that.

I have seen many people who are otherwise very rational become very irrational when the holding a cute, loveable little fur-ball. You will be living with this puppy for more than a decade if things work out well. Saying NO to a few puppies before you say YES to one is a great idea.

The opposite of taking someone emotionally uninvolved with you is taking kids with you. The puppy could have three legs (all in the front) and the head installed backward and the kids would still fall in immediate and permanent love with it. Show the kids the puppy AFTER it passes your test. If possible, show it to them AFTER it passes the Vet Check. Why get them emotionally attached only to find that it has a heart condition, or a kennel-disease? (You should avoid getting emotionally attached, too.) At this point, it is just a candidate. There are hundreds more out there just like it and more are being made everyday.

I know it sounds cold, but buying a puppy has to be an unemotional business decision. Once the deal is done and the puppy passes the vet check, then you are REQUIRED to fall head-over-heals in love with it, but not a minute before.

Dog walkers help homeless pooches find owners

Go here for the article.

This dog news article finishes with a great piece of advice:

"Open your heart and your home to a rescue animal."

I just finished watching Marley and Me. I have been a dog person all of my life. I grew up on rescue dogs and now I breed Maltese. I have loved them all. I have had to bury way too many dogs to count in my 40-some-odd years. Marley and Me is a great movie. If you have not seen it, you must.

Stolen Chihuahua pup returns to NY store with note

Go here for the story.

My parents have a little black Chihuahua. I can fully understand why the thief would return this puppy.

Seriously people, I am only kidding. There went my Chihuahua-loving audience. They will no longer be visiting me for Dog News and Puppy News.

I hope the thief will visit my site for advice and then buy a puppy next time.

Birmingham Tea Party

Rick (of Rick and Bubba) at the Birmingham, Al Tea Party.

Two camera-phone pics from the Birmingham (Shelby County Veteran's Park) Tea Party.

It is hard to estimate the crowd. Maybe 3000-5000. It was A LOT of people. The crowd extended way past the designated area, to the pavillions, behind the stage.

That's a Long Way Down!

Dog Survives 130-Foot Fall Off Cliff

From the dog news report:

His fall didn't make a sound.

I'm betting that to poor Laddy, it did!

11 Week Old Maltese Boy

Give that Dog A Bone!

Puppy Helps Save Lost Toddler's Life

You just gotta love a heartwarming puppy news story like this.

Interesting News from a Interesting News Source

Honda introduces 'Dog Friendly' components in its fall 2009 Element

Dog-friendly vehicles? I'm still not sure it is a good idea to leave a pet in an automobile with a vent and a fan. Hot summer days down south can be brutal.

And another dog news story:

Vaccinations and your dog: how often is really necessary?

"I'm not a Veterinarian, but I play one on the internet!" Take this info with a grain of salt, and always, always check with your vet.

Puppy Training Tip - Consistency

There is probably no more important element in puppy training than consistency. The puppy is learning non-stop. If you take the puppy outside to relieve himself once or twice a day, and he uses the carpet inside three or four times a day, he is not learning the right lesson. I know...your life is busy and you can't take him out every three hours for a month. Find a way. More consistency of training when he is a pup means more consistency of behavior when he is older.

The general rule is that pups can hold their bathroom for as many hours as they are months old. A 4 month old puppy needs to go every four hours. Obviously, there is some variation. When you provide your pup with food and water, you can expect him to need a bathroom break soon. Learn the pattern and try to have him go where you want him going as many times as possible. Success creates more success and failure creates more failure.

(There are several ways to housebreak your pup. This post does not address which way you should train your pup. Consistency is improtant no matter which way you use.)

Obama girls name their new puppy 'Bo'

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090412/ap_on_go_pr_wh/obama_promised_puppy

I hope 'Bo' has a nice time chewing the carpets in the most exclusive house in the country. Also, I hope he completes his potty training well. It is our house, after all...

In older puppy news, Biden's puppy, named 'Champ', resulted in much grief for the breeder.

Biden's Puppy Breeder: "Never, Never, Never Again" Are you next?

Biden's Puppy Breeder: "Never, Never, Never Again" - Philadelphia News April 10, 2009

This part is frightening:

Dog wardens from the state showed up at Brown's Wolf Den kennel, repeatedly, for inspections.

"I was cited for a piece of kibble on the floor and five strands of dog hair. They took a picture of that, they walked around, snapped pictures and don't tell you why," Brown told the newspaper.

Are we hobby breeders supposed to hide? Keep a low profile? These were not crazies from PETA or ELF that harassed this lady, these were duly authorized representatives of the government.

Where is the appropriate line? A breeder with 200 dogs needs regulating by the state, right? 20? 2? A normal citizen with a few pets? Someone with children?

Must the conditions be better for dogs than, say, children? Should children be removed from homes because of food on the floor? Other trash? What if a family doesn't sell puppies, but just has multiple pets? Should they be regulated? Why are their pets less valuable in the eyes of the law than any other animal?

More government regulation of puppy mills would be good for me. They make thousands of puppies while I produce only a few. With fewer puppy mills, the supply would be dramatically reduced. It would no longer be good for me when they try to regulate me. I don't make enough money to be able to afford to learn and comply with onerous regulations.

Should buying a puppy really be this complicated?

Congratulations to Deb and Gypsy

Congratualtions to our friend Deb and her new Champion Maltese Gypsy.

GREAT WORK by both of you!

Legislative Action Against Puppy Mills

Puppy Mills are back in legislation in Ohio:

http://wksu.org/news/story/23246

And in Wisconsin:

http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2009/04/06/daily47.html

Hobby Breeders versus Shelter Adoptions

There is a great deal of debate about whether anyone should ever buy a dog or whether everyone should adopt one of the millions of dogs and puppies that are euthanized each year. It would be nice if people would be willing to adopt a pet from a pound, but most people are just not willing to do this.

It would be difficult and speculative for me to try to list all of the reasons that people prefer to buy a purebred puppy from a hobby breeder over an unregistered pet from a shelter. (PLEASE DON'T EVER BUY A DOG FROM A PET STORE OR A PUPPY MILL.) It is likely very similar to the reasoning behind the vast majority of people having their own baby over adopting one that is available in need of a home. Sadly, that is human nature.

My wife and I are hobby breeders. We love our dogs. They often sleep with us, sit on the sofa with us and take walks with us. This is, sadly, not the case for way too many breeding dogs. My parents were of the philosophy that a dog should be allowed to have one litter, then it should be spayed. It was a member of the family and this is what it deserved. We would find friends and neighbor to adopt the puppies or we would raise them. This is also somewhat out of favor these days. My parents were also of the school of thought that no one should ever pay money for a dog. There were always people looking to give one away. This includes people looking to give away purebred dogs that they could no longer keep.

As I grew up, we had many random new dogs and puppies come randomly into our lives over the years. Most people do not wish to live this way now. People expect to be able to pick the breed of dog they want, with characteristics that they want, when it is convenient for them. This almost always means buying a puppy. Given this fact, we strive to do the best we can with breeding healthy and high-quality puppies from well-cared for and loved dogs.

Introductory Buying A Puppy Blog

New puppies born yesterday. Two boys and a girl born to our little girl Bubbles. Pictures will be up soon. Please see my articles about buying a puppy.