Make your Move
• Adjust your attitude. If you have had any bad experiences with a dog, meeting a new one will likely make you tense. Daisy can read that easily and it can affect her feelings towards you. If you feel at all nervous, take a minute to breathe deeply and relax. You should only ever approach a new dog when you are calm.
• Avoid making eye contact, at least initially. Eye contact is a bold move between dogs. It signals dominance and some may react badly to it. Show Daisy you are no threat by looking down or up, but not right at her eyes.
• Approach Daisy slowly. Rushing at her can be terrifying and threatening and she may act accordingly.
• Stick out your hand slowly and calmly. If she wants to sniff it, let her. Move your hand toward her neck, either on the side or under her chin. Petting a dog on the top of the head can be perceived as threatening. You can pet her all over once she is comfortable with you, but for now stick with the neck.
• Let Daisy smell you out. Dogs greet each other by smelling. If she wants to smell your pants, your arms, or even your face, let her. Remain still, calm, and keep avoiding eye contact.
• Once you have gotten this far and all is well, you can look Daisy in the eyes and become her new friend.

What Not to Do
Meeting Daisy is one thing. She is your new neighbor. Her owner was around to tell you it was ok to approach. But what about other situations? The safest bet is to not meet a dog that is alone. If you feel you want to approach a new dog, be sure you do not make these mistakes.
• Don’t let size or breed determine your approach. A little Yorkie can pack a nasty bite and a Doberman may be a sweet pushover. Size and breed have absolutely nothing to do with a dog’s temperament.
• Don’t approach a dog that is barking from its fenced yard. He may be friendly after all, but the risk is greater when a dog feels he is protecting his property. Leave him alone.
• Don’t tense up or act nervous. The dog will act accordingly. If you stick your hand out and then jerk it back out of fear, the dog will jump back and a fear bite could be possible.
• Don’t interrupt food or a chew toy. If a dog is busy with food, a treat, or a toy, he is more interested in it than you, so just let him be. If you try to get in between them, you may come away with a bite.
• Don’t run. If you have assessed the situation and a dog seems intimidating, protective, or aggressive, the last thing to do is run. Back away slowly and avoid eye contact. The best way to lose unwanted attention is to ignore it.
• Don’t misread the signals. A stiff, slowly wagging tail, held up very high is not a friendly sign. Nor are flattened ears, a tense body, or continuous barking. A lower, wagging tail, upright ears, and a relaxed body are good signs.

Dogs have very different ways of communicating than we do. Understanding what they are saying can be the difference between making a new friend or getting bitten. Once you’ve earned the trust of a new dog, you have a friend for life, but getting there is not as easy as walking up to a human and assessing through verbal queues. Heading these words of caution is the best way to make a new canine buddy.

You have probably been wondering how Sammy could be so vicious sometimes. Aren’t golden retrievers bred to be sweet and even-tempered? And aren’t Rottweilers bred to be guard dogs? The answer is yes, but the truth is nurture trumps nature when it comes to dog behavior. Sure, breed guidelines can give you some indication of what a dog’s behavior can be like. But it is not set in stone. How a dog is raised, trained, and socialized makes more difference than anything else.

Not to worry, though. It is not too late for Sammy to become more like Lolita. With proper training from a professional and in extreme cases, work with a behavior specialist, Sammy can become the mailman’s best friend.

How do Dogs Get to be Aggressive?
Aggressive behavior is not natural in a dog unless it is feeling threatened or feels its owners are threatened. Otherwise, there is no reason for any dog to snarl, snap, or bite. Something external has to make Sammy feel like he needs to bite the mailman.

There are many possible ways in which a dog might become aggressive.
• Bad or non-existent socialization. When a puppy does not get out of the house and meet new people, they can become fearful of strangers. They may be perfectly calm and easy-going around their owners, but strangers may make them very nervous. Dogs need to be exposed to lots of different people and different dogs to learn how to behave appropriately around others and to learn to be comfortable in a variety of situations.
• Abuse. Obviously this is not the case with your beloved Sammy. But, many dogs that have been abused physically naturally become aggressive towards people. Their aggression is a defense mechanism to keep from getting hurt again.
• Inappropriate Training. Some dog trainers still use pain and fear as motivation. Choke collars, shock collars, and other sorts of deterrents during training can lead a dog to become aggressive.
• Isolation and boredom. Dogs that are left alone for long stretches of time can become aggressive out of frustration. If you work long hours and Sammy stays alone in the house all day, the mailman coming to the door may be the most exciting part of his day. He is frustrated, bored, and lonely and this makes him lash out. Aggression born of frustration can also result from lack of exercise. All dogs, no matter their size or breed, need a walk or two each day to release energy and to get out and see the world. Imagine how you would feel if you never left the boundaries of your yard.

How do You Correct Aggression?
An aggressive dog is a serious matter. Before attempting to retrain Sammy yourself, consult with a trainer or behaviorist who has experience working with aggressive dogs. The best way to beat aggression, however, is to start early. When taking in a new dog, you should establish yourself as a firm, but gentle leader of the pack. You also need to get the dog out into the world to meet new people and dogs, and to get plenty of exercise. If you have long working hours, consider getting a dog walker for a midday break, exercise, and socialization.

Where to Begin
With all of the regulations in place, the hardest part is often deciding where to start. There are actual professional pet transportation companies, which can be hired to help you with everything from paperwork to being sure your pet has the correct vaccinations to providing ground transport once your pet has arrived. If you choose to do it on your own, it may take some doing, but your dog is surely worth it.

A good place to start is with the local embassy or consulate for the country to which you are moving. They will be able to advise you of any quarantine time, whether or not a microchip is needed, what sort of vaccines and vet records you’ll need and if your dog’s breed is even allowed into that country.

Preparation
It can take up to six months to get everything rolling for your pet’s journey to join you. During that time, there are other things you can work on to help them get used to the idea. If your dog isn’t used to being in a crate, you’ll need to teach Bailey that the crate is a safe place and that it is not a punishment. Start off with 20-minute sessions and increase the time gradually. Include a favorite blanket and a toy. Be sure she has access to water as well. Over time, it will be a place she is willing to go on her own. By the time you are ready to fly together, Bailey will be a pro at staying in her crate.

Your veterinarian will be able to help with any health records, vaccinations, microchips, blood tests and health certificates that are required. It is very important that the instructions provided by the consulate or embassy are followed to the letter, as any mistakes can cause your dear dog to remain in quarantine longer than expected.

During the Flight
Different airlines also have restrictions regarding animals as passengers. Some airlines will allow a certain number of small animals as carry on baggage per flight. If you have a large dog, it’s very likely that they will need to be placed in temperature-controlled cargo. It is advised that you not sedate your dog, as it can suppress their respiratory system and cause a dangerous health situation if too much sedative is given. If you think it’s best that your pet be calm throughout the flight, you should discuss your concerns with your vet. Bailey’s doctor will be able to best advise you based upon your dog’s individual health, as well as how long the flight is.

Once You Arrive
If Bailey has to be placed in quarantine, be sure to visit her daily. That might be unnecessary advice, but she needs to know she is not being left there. She needs to know you still want to be with her in order to keep her spirits up and to remain healthy. If you can, leave a favorite blanket and toy with her to remind her of home.

Dogs typically are happy to be anywhere their people are. If they see you’re adjusting, they will adjust quickly to new surroundings as well. It might not be a bad idea to keep her in only a small part of your new home to begin with. After a couple of days, allow her to explore. Be very careful that she is not able to get out unescorted by a member of the family, as unfamiliar territory can be extremely dangerous.

Setting up the New Place
Try to set Bailey’s area up the same way it was in your old home. Place her bed and dishes in a similar orientation. If you two had special routines for meal times and play times, try to return to those as quickly as jet lag allows. This will reassure her that she is safe and it will strengthen the bond between the two of you. In no time, she should adjust and maybe be speaking the new language faster than you.

1. Dogs want to please you. Cats can be trained to a degree and can even be taught to use a human toilet as a litter box but by nature cats are in their own world. They are social animals but not pack animals and this mentality makes a huge difference in what they feel compelled to do for you. A pack animal, like a dog, seeks only to please his alpha or leader and any sign of displeasure immediately shows on that expressive face. Your body language is watched and read at all times where the stiffening of your spine may be enough to alert a sensitive canine that you are becoming displeased. The drive to please you is what makes them so trainable whereas a domesticated cat does not seek a leader and is not inclined to please you because it sees no benefit in it. Most cats do not even like their bellies rubbed but for a dog it’s heaven and a very good reason for Mason to do as he is told. Both dogs and cats have the ability to leave their emotional baggage in the past and adapt to the now. Adopting an older dog is not a risky venture providing he has been socialized.
2. Dogs grant a large measure of security. Even if you own the most cowardly dog in the world, he is still capable of defending you with his pointy teeth designed for rending and tearing flesh and his great, strong jaws that won’t let go once latched. Every dog has the potential to be a very serious threat to life and limb and this very reason is an excellent deterrent to robbers and other bad people who might try to hurt you. Granted, the smaller breeds are not as fearsome even if they can do damage; it is the larger dog that will instill fear in the hearts of others. Even walking down the street with no sense of danger, people will move aside to accommodate the dog you have at the end of your leash. Society has a healthy respect for the might of those jaws unleashed and for single woman on her own especially, a dog is an excellent idea for security reasons. While some cats have been known to attack intruders, this is very rare and the sight of a cat will not scare anyone away.
3. Dogs make great running partners. Jogs, walks and runs are safer with a dog by your side and on a leash. Cats can be trained to take a leash if you start young enough but it is a rare feline indeed who will go running with you. Dogs crave the exercise and turns out they actually need it, so on those days you do not feel like dragging yourself out of bed, a dog will encourage it. If you ever wished you could find motivation for those lazier times, you will find it in the form of Mason who is waiting impatiently for his time with you. Dog owners tend to be more active outdoors than cat owners, involving the dog with their camping trips, hikes and nature strolls, all things Miss Neela will not be interested in.
4. Dogs are excellent variety companions. Not everyone hunts but those who do will find their trained hunting dog absolutely invaluable. Dogs can be trained to such degrees that they can tell pheasants from other birds and with their super sense of smell, can lead you to them. Dogs are superior over cats for those admittedly rare and horrifying moments of a bear attack; more than one human has been saved by their dog that instinctively reacts to rescue his human leader. Some larger dog breeds have been bred specifically to save drowning people or rescue them from other disasters and have the massive strength to carry a full- grown man many miles to safety. A cat simply cannot compete in the arena of body strength. Dogs have the greatest sense of smell known on the planet, especially blood hounds, which are so impressive and precise they can track a running man down inerrably, even if that man is covered in layers of clothing and other scents or runs through water. It’s no wonder they are renowned for hunting down escaped criminal, something a cat would never be inclined to do.
5. Dogs can replace human eyes. Not exactly, but they can be trained to be eyes for someone who has no sight, or be the hands for someone who has lost theirs. Dogs are so eager to please humans that they will happily do for us what we cannot do ourselves. It takes a special dog for these tasks and very special training but the fact is it can be done, improving the quality of life for many who need the added assistance. Dogs can even be trained to smell the difference in normal blood sugar levels as opposed to dropping blood sugar levels, alerting their diabetic masters that insulin is needed immediately. Try doing that, Miss Neela.

Dogs are higher maintenance than cats; it is true. They require much more time and attention but the returns have never been doubted. The adage that a dog is man’s best friend can ring true for many reasons and they come in all shapes and sizes to fit your lifestyle. Even with the smallest breeds there lies the urge to please, the ability to train and the pack mentality. Dogs and cats are not alike to be sure and in the end we are certainly glad for it. Vive la différence!

As a result of their lifestyles, dogs’ paws are prone to wear-and-tear and can be injured in some environments, such as where broken glass is found on the floor or the ground surface is hot. Dog’s feet contain some important blood vessels, which means that in the unfortunate event that the paws of your waggy-tailed friend are injured this could result in a great deal of bleeding.

Protective items such as all-weather dog shoes are a great investment and can help keep your pooch’s feet protected throughout the year and toasty in winter. If your canine doesn’t feel comfortable wearing boots, instead opt for paw wax, which works by forming a dense, breathable barrier on the base of your dog’s paws. In addition, invest in some paw pad balm to sooth your canine’s feet each evening.

If your furry friend is the victim of injury, you might need to seek medical attention. If he’s bleeding moderately to severely, or there is an object that is deeply embedded in his paw, you need to make sure that you take precautions to prevent the situation from turning dangerous. These veterinary costs can escalate rapidly, without sufficient pet insurance.

By taking out insurance for dogs at Pets At Home, any medical expenses required to keep your pooch in tip top condition are met by the insurer partly or in whole. Most include cover for regular check-ups and immunization. Insurance is particularly important given these times of financial austerity as it can act as a shield to generally rising prices, meaning your dog’s wellbeing never has to be sacrificed.

Markings Matter
Commonly seen at dog parks, in a new environment, when something exciting happens, or even on short walks: fixed and non-fixed, male and female, dogs like to lift a leg in a gesture of power and lay their urine over the remains of another dog’s passing. High-ranking dogs, who usually hold their tales and heads high, tend to mark more than a submissive or low-ranking dog, but almost all dogs will mark. This serves several functions for the urinator and those following behind. Urine can offer a biological profile of the canine, spelling out health, sex, age, fitness, social status, and so on. This can be used by other dogs like a snapshot, allowing them to recognize the dog via quick sniff later. What good does this do? It helps the sniffer and the sniffees to determine approach, judge aggression and know what posture to take when greeting face to face. This helps avoid confrontations.

Of course, urine can indicate when a female is ready to mate as well, helpful to her in finding potential breeders and helpful to the non-fixed male in hunting her down and presenting himself. As can be expected, those urine markings get a lot of attention paid them much like a picture of a supermodel might get more notice from young interested males. Non-neutered or non spayed dogs will mark more than their fixed counterparts.

Making a House a Home
Because urine is a signature and then some, it brings comfort to a dog who sees it as an invisible fence, a pheromonal staking-out of territory, a scent house that makes a home. Certainly this harkens back to the day of the wolf, from which all domestic dogs stem. Instinct is a powerful motivator and while the need to mark territory as a safe zone may not be exactly the same as in the wild, it still has its uses. In the undomesticated world, urine warns other predators, especially other wolves or wild dogs, that a virile canine lives on that parcel of land and he is willing to defend it aggressively if need be. It actually saves everyone a lot of time and energy to advertise by using scent billboards, if you will.

However, marking inappropriately can indicate stress in a dog’s life, usually in the form of a lack of confidence. More confident dogs may not feel much of a need to mark their living areas, where more nervous dogs may feel compelled to mark the stairs, their human’s belongings, maybe even the bed. This is overwhelmingly a stress marker that the dog is lacking human leadership and has taken the burden of leader onto her own canine shoulders. (It is possible that frequent urination around the house can be traced to a urinary tract infection or some other medical issue.) This is highly distressing to a dog because it proves very difficult indeed for the poor pooch to control where and when her humans come and go. The leader of a pack has that kind of freedom not the followers, so if a dog takes on the role of leader and the humans don’t fall into place like the dog expects, it can make a dog go a bit crazy. This is from where most bad behaviors stem in the canine world, including tearing up the house when the people leave, barking and jumping up on people when they return and lots of pee marking. Using urine to mark territory is the dog trying to protect her pack in a leadership role. Your dog does not want to be leader. Your dog wants you to be leader. She is much happier following her human.

If you have a dog who is marking on all your belongings or your furniture, try assessing what could be making Peepers nervous and provide the boundaries and guidelines he requires. Otherwise, marvel at the efficiency of a dog’s built in résumé as he puts it ‘online’ for every other dog to read.

Dogs, like humans, can suffer from a variety of skin diseases, ranging from inconvenient to dangerous. If Flora is scratching in excess, make sure to take this seriously. Her comfort, your cleanliness of house, and maybe even her life may depend on it.

Atopy, a.k.a. Allergies
Flora may have a type of canine skin allergy called “Atopy.” Just like a human, she can develop a hypersensitivity to anything from household chemicals to pollen to other animals. Atopy symptoms vary from bumps, rashes, and sores to sneezing, runny eyes and nose, and ear infections. Because of the ranging symptoms, Atopy is also known by the names “allergic inhalant dermatitis,” “atopic dermatitis,” and “atopic eczema.” Though Atopy cannot be “cured,” it is treated with medications, special diets, and sometimes the simple solution of removing the allergen from the dog’s environment.

Alopecia X, a.k.a. Black Skin Disease
There is a small chance that Flora suffers from a rare doggie skin disease known as Alopecia X, or Black Skin Disease. This disease causes Flora’s hair to fall out in a symmetrical pattern and the skin underneath to darken to a purple/black shade. Alopecia X is not dangerous, just a bit aesthetically disturbing. Very little is known about the disease, including its causes. Similar symptoms can result from a few other doggie diseases, most prominently hypothyroidism and hyperadrenocorticism, so even if your belief is that Flora has this rather benign disease, be sure to get her checked out at the vet’s office.

Parasites
Parasites like Ticks and Fleas are always a possibility for your pooch, so if Flora is scratching a lot in the same area, comb through with your fingers to see if you can see anything. Ticks are very visible, fleas a bit less so. Parasites are both highly treatable and highly preventable. A variety of collars, sprays, and shampoos can help Flora from getting parasites, and pills, shots, and shampoos can help get rid of them. The bigger issue is that parasites can carry more severe diseases to your furry best friend, so make sure you put a lot of efforts towards prevention!

Symptoms Commonly Mistaken for Diseases
There are a few symptoms of multiple skin diseases in dogs that may be mistaken for the problem, rather than a symptom. These include dermatitis and eczema – inflammation, rashes, which are caused by external factors like ringworm, poison ivy, and hair loss. These symptoms can help diagnose Flora’s problem, but are not, themselves, the disease. This means that even if Flora’s inflammation goes away, or her hair loss stops, she may not be cured. Try to keep a watchful eye out for repetition of symptoms like these, as they may be the sign of a more serious problem. All of that being said, sometimes Flora may just have an itch, but it is better to be safe than sorry.

Tumors
About 50% of tumors in dogs are cancerous. If Flora is scratching, licking, or biting the same spot constantly, rub over it with your hands and see if you can feel a lump. It is a good idea in your pup to check for tumors about once a month, especially when they get older. Mast Cell Tumors and Melanomas, which are malignant, and fatty tumors, which are benign, all feel the same to a pet owner, so if you find a lump anywhere on Flora, get her into the vet right away. Sometimes tumors can be treated or removed, and sometimes they’re harmless. Either way, acting fast can be the difference between life and death for Flora.

If Flora is scratching, don’t ignore her discomfort. She doesn’t have thumbs so she can’t dial the vet herself. She doesn’t speak, so she can’t tell you what’s wrong. She is showing you that she’s hurting, so help her out! Find out what’s wrong so you can help your furry family member heal back to perfect health and happiness.

Tail Chasing
Play can come in a whole lot of flavors and for dogs, when nothing is going on and boredom sets in, sometimes your own tail is the best plaything around! Often, but not always, tail chasing is nothing more than boredom and play, egged on by an owner’s laughter.

While tail chasing sure looks like playful antics and nothing more, some interesting research has recently been published. Apparently, there is a correlation between high cholesterol levels and tail chasing behaviors. Before you rush to check Hector’s blood levels, though, check a few other things first. Fleas, ticks, an injury, or an anal gland problem can all lean to tail chasing. If chasing leads to biting and licking, examine the areas carefully, looking for evidence of fleas or a hot spot. Hector may be going after a painful or itchy spot and not really playing after all.

Scooting
It looks so cute! Little Domino, his spotted butt glued to the carpet, dragging himself forward with his speckled front paws. What’s that behavior all about?

Well, actually, it’s not so cute after all. Dogs have glands at the base of their tails, one on each side. These glands secrete tiny amounts of anal fluid when a dog defecates that identifies the dog, sort of like fingerprints or a business card, if you will. The openings to these glands can get kind of “gummed up” and then the glands get full and impacted or worse yet, infected. Scooting is a sign that there is an anal glands problem.

While there are myriad instructions on the Internet letting owners know how to free the anal sac, it really is best to have your vet perform this quick and minimally invasive and smelly procedure. It will take him or her 30 seconds with no risk of injury. Unless you are an experienced anal sac/anal gland remover, you can cause serious injury to your Domino. Just let the vet do this and in seconds Domino will forget about scooting. On occasion this needs to be repeated twice or even three times, however, this is rare.

Paw Licking or Biting:
On this one we need to move from the obvious to the obscure. First: is there something in the paw, either in a pad or in between the pads, that is bothering her? Check for cuts, scrapes, thorns, a pebble, a skin lesion or “pimple,” etc. How about fleas, a tick or other parasites?

Once you are sure that there is nothing in there, and the licking and biting hasn’t stopped, consider allergies. Sometimes food allergies can manifest as itchiness and paw licking/biting is the result. Check with a vet regarding allergies, and try to identify the culprit. With guidance from your vet, you might find that a raw food diet will help.

Finally, if you are able to rule out both localized problems, like a thorn or a cut and allergies are not to blame, paw licking can also be due to anxiety or boredom. In some cases, this is just a bad habit, kind of like a human biting their nails. In other cases, this can blossom into full-blown obsessive compulsive disorder and requires treatment.

Chewing “Air:”
Ever notice that some dogs “chew” even when there is nothing in their mouths? They make funny lip smacking, “air chewing” sounds as if they have a bad case of cotton mouth! What’s that all about?

Apparently that sound is deeply soothing to a dog. It reminds them of one of the first sounds they ever hear, a sound associated with all good things: suckling or nursing. Dogs do it to convey a sense of contentment and to help others around them feel at ease. In other words, “don’t worry and be happy!”

Rolling in Smelly Things
Ask any dog owner: this nasty habit always occurs when the timing is at its absolute worst! Wearing white? Need to go to a wedding or funeral in five minutes? That’s when Nemo will find the freshest pile of something horrid to roll in. Why?

Three theories have been suggested, but experts are not sure which explanation is correct. First, some think that dogs may do this as a predatory behavior to “cover up” their own scent. Others suggest that dogs gain status within a pack from being highly scented, since all the other pack members will stop what they are doing to sniff. Finally, some believe the behavior has to do with communicating to other pack members that a food source has been found.

Although there may not be full agreement among vets and researchers why dogs do this, it is, well apart from stinky and poorly timed, normal, healthy and nothing to worry about long term.

Muzzle Nudging or Poking:
A poke, or “ponk” (combination of poke and bonk) is a common enough dog-to-human gesture that usually means “pet me” or “pet me more.” But have you ever seen dogs do it to each other? Dogs push or poke their nose into another dog’s muzzle at a ninety-degree angle. What’s that all about?

Apparently a throwback to puppyhood, the muzzle-to-muzzle ponk is about submission. It is a pacifying gesture, the ponker saying to the ponkee “I am not a threat. I’m just a friend. Got any food?”

Mounting or Humping
No discussion of dog behavior would be complete without at least mentioning the dreaded humping behavior. Mounting or humping, is when a dog climbs on top of another dog to feign sexual intercourse. To humans, this behavior sure looks like it needs no explanation, but believe it or not, it isn’t what it looks like! Humping or mounting can occur between two females or when a dominant female meets a submissive male. Humping can be about seeking sexual contact, but it is often just a display of dominance. It is extremely common to see within your pack as one is establishing and continuing to reinforce his or her place as pack leader.

Again, unless it gets too forceful or appears that one is hurting the other (unlikely), chalk it up to one of those dog-like behaviors. It’s harmless, in other words.

The Service Professions
There are many services that can be provided for the busy dog owner and of course his or her dog: grooming, walking and training are well known opportunities for careers. Indeed others exist as well. How about working at a boarding kennel or doggy day care, or if you have the right location, opening your own?

How About Retail?
Whether it is a big box stores or independent boutiques: stores that cater to the pet owning public are popular these days. If you have a head for business and an enthusiasm for pet products – or perhaps even your own product line in pet food, treats or dog beds – opening a retail pet supply store might be just the ticket for you. Of course if you do this, please consider a few things:

• Resist the urge to sell dogs
o There are plenty of dogs in shelters
o Most stores get their dogs from puppy mills, which are just foul places to get animals (a little Internet search and you will see what we are referring to)
• Do cater to all levels of dog owners, not just the affluent ones
o All dogs need food, supplies and toys
• By all means make your story pet-friendly
o Who can resist the clientele?
o Imagine receiving daily puppy kisses just for opening your doors

Are you Creative?
Creating and selling items such as “dog tags” for pet lovers, pet-themed jewelry, t-shirts, or household items such as mugs or dog bowls can be a fun way to make a living. These items can be sold over the Internet using sites such as eBay, Craigslist or Cafepress. Indeed you can try for a more local approach and explore selling on commission or on consignment at local pet stores or pet supply stores. Breed themed items, rescue oriented items with a percentage of profits donated back to rescue groups, or “my dog and me” matching items might be ways to distinguish your products from the those of the masses.

Health Related Careers
Veterinarians, veterinary technicians and animal hospital staff are the tried and true careers in canine health and healing. Although rather new but gaining in popularity as dog owners see their canine companions suffering from maladies that traditional medicine can’t cure are careers in alternative healing. Acupuncture, homeopathic care, massage and even mental health care for dogs are niche markets to explore. First, be sure to acquire a solid foundation in traditional canine health care, but then developing and offering a specialty in complementary or holistic health care may be a way to stand out form the crowd. As with some of the other careers mentioned above, creating your career in pet health care requires a significant investment of time in education and training. The costs involved in pursuing the education and training may be prohibitive for some, but as with any educational expense, the investment may well be worth it as you can look forward to years of enjoying a truly rewarding career.

Law Enforcement
If you have a penchant for hands on work with dogs in potentially dangerous or stressful situations, and/or a background in law enforcement, you might want to look into search and rescue work with dogs or working in a police or military K-9 unit. The handlers of these highly trained dogs act as the dog’s partner, reinforcing training, providing exercise and bonding and working daily with the dogs. Specialties such as narcotics sniffing, bomb/explosives detection, cadaver dogs and live search and rescue are all specific skills the dogs can develop and use.

Shelters
Whether on a volunteer basis or in a usually low-paying salaried position, careers working in dog shelters exist and often fill up fast. Between stray dogs and cats and people who bred dogs but later on realized the work involved in raising them, shelter/rescue dogs are on the increase. They need not only a place to live while awaiting their forever homes, but also companionship while living there. If you have ever gone to visit a dog in a shelter, either with the intention of adopting or to volunteer, you know how appreciate these buddies are.

As the expression goes, this is only scratching the surface. If you can dream it, the job exists. Working with dogs is as much fun as it is rewarding. They are apt to be far more appreciative and congenial than most coworkers in any office.

Greyhounds in the racing industry start out their lives on breeding farms, where the animals are over bred for the purposes of “natural selection”. What this means is that dogs considered unfit are killed, while those considered race-worthy are then put into training in preparation for their futures on the dog racing circuit.

And bleak futures they are. The dogs will spend their racing careers penned up in cages at dog tracks or in kennels, exposed to all kinds of weather conditions. The stresses associated with their oppressed lives combined with the intensity of greyhound racing leaves many dogs suffering from chronic injuries and illnesses, and many – maybe most – of the dogs end their racing careers as sick and broken creatures. But the end of their racing days does not bring relief in many cases. Frequently these dogs are killed, while the lucky ones may end up unwanted in an animal shelter. In some instances, these dogs have even been sold to laboratories for use in medical research. Racing dogs are commodities to their owners, and concern for their welfare basically ends after their relatively brief careers as racers are over (and they have made their owners lots of money). Mind you, the dog racing industry denies this reality, claiming that their dogs are well cared for and that most are adopted out to good homes after they are retired from competition. But this is an industry that is determined to do everything it can to keep its dirty little secrets hidden from public scrutiny.

Wait; Don’t Leave! It Gets Better!
Thankfully, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Adverse publicity has damaged the dog racing industry greatly, and there are now only ten states left that still have tracks in operation. Best of all, an enormous number of greyhound rescue and adoption organizations have now come into existence, as the plight of these fragile and gentle creatures has come into the public eye. Greyhounds are being rescued and placed in good homes by the thousands in every state. The organizers of these rescue groups are the ones responsible for the encouraging adoption rates trumpeted by the dog racing industry, which deserves little credit for any of the progress that has been made.

If you have been thinking about adopting a dog, then you should seriously consider a greyhound. These dogs are very sweet natured, and they are especially good with children because they will simply leave rather than attack if they feel threatened or stressed in any way. Greyhounds do indeed love to run, and if you have a yard or there is a park nearby, they will love to be there where they can be free to run around in circles for their own entertainment, not for someone else’s. Finding a greyhound rescue and adoption group in the US is not hard; simply look on the Internet and you are sure to find contact information for an organization operating in your state or area. Be prepared to answer some questions, however, as these organizations care a lot for their canine charges, and they will not adopt one out to just anyone. They want to make sure these kind and gentle creatures end up not just in any homes, but in great forever homes.

Ultimately, the end of the plight faced by racing greyhounds can only come about if the dog racing industry is rendered extinct once and for all. This is up to you – if there is a racing track in your state or city, use your power as a voter and a citizen to let your elected officials and the local media know that you do not approve of this operation, and let them know the sad truth about what goes on inside this industry. All dogs are wonderful, we know this, but Greyhounds are quite a unique breed. They are sweet and special creatures deserving of loving homes, but it would be so much better if they could find them before they have been subjected to exploitation and abuse.