RexTheDogWalker

My other dog, Chelsea gets very bored very quickly .. (monkey brain).

.. I’m overnight pet sitting 3 dogs (one over friendly but rough labrador and two over excited Jack Russells) at this apartment complex..so first thing in the morning I take them downstairs to go potty.

This morning my dogs and I noticed this lady walking by with her dog .. I know she noticed us as well because my over excited dogs started barking and launching at them and we decided to go away from her.

I attached the 2 Jacks to a tree so that I could let the Lab take his potty break and then I see the same lady approaching us … RIGHT AT US!!!!
I knew the Jack Russell dogs were going to have a fit and they did. I know one of the Jacks becomes very aggressive and I warned her not to try anything because of my dogs aggressive behavior, all this was happening while I was trying to reach my Jack Russells that were tied to the tree and at the same time I was trying to control the 80+ lbs Labrador wanting to join the commotion.

The lady’s answer was “ohh no worries my dog knows how to defend himself” <– REALLY? I didn’t want anybody to attack or defend themselves!!! I just wanted my private commotion-free moment to potty my dogs..that’s all I wanted.

By this lady approaching my dogs without my permission it created a rough-growling-leash tangling-jumping-barking-nipping-attacking/defending themselves moment.

Which is what I was totally trying to AVOID.

PLEASE ASK FROM THE DISTANCE IF IT’S OK TO APPROACH WITH YOUR DOGS TO SOMEONE WHO IS HANDLING OTHER DOGS, specially if the dogs are from a powerful breed and and the handler is a kid or if the person is handling more than 2 dogs (specially if they look like they might be high energy-crazy dogs)..

I know what we all want is to be friendly with our neighbors and wanting our dogs to socialize is (almost) always a good practice but safety comes in FIRST.

#JustSayin

There is a young lady who walks her huge Mastiff dog right when I’m walking my client’s dog Cooper (who is another big Labradoodle dog) and when I see her coming in my direction on the same sidewalk I immediately turn and walk away or cross the street.

She probably think I am rude and over reacting thinking her huge mean looking dog (because he does look mean) is going to attack and eat Cooper every time I walk away from her.

The truth is that Cooper is actually the problematic dog. Cooper is very friendly…veeeeery very friendly so much that he always wants to jump and play with any dog alive he sees on this earth. His problem (my problem) is that he is not very gentle when playing around with other dogs and he goes wild and jumps and spins and barks and gets very excited when he is too close to another dog..and that’s why I avoid any interaction (while I’m working) a least in the very first 15 min that I am trying get Cooper to go potty.

I am ok with Cooper or any of my other friendly dog clients to play and socialize with other dogs once I am done with my doggie duties, but since this is hard to explain while walking in the hot Arizona weather (in shaded and grassy areas of course) handling a big crazy dog and also hard to explain from 100 feet away from the Mastiff dog lady is better if I just turn away or cross the street before Cooper gets to excited.

Sorry Mastiff dog lady I don’t mean to be rude :(

Ps. Don’t ever judge anyone without having a conversation with that person first.

Here are some basics. Following these simple rules should make the Dog Park visit a pleasant one for everyone.

* Aggressive dogs are not welcome.
* Dogs in heat are not welcome.
* Your dog should be under voice control.
* Dogs should have current vaccinations.
* Don’t bring more dogs than you can handle.
* Always clean up after your dog.
* Fill any holes your dog digs.
* Don’t bring young children. These are not playgrounds for humans.
* Keep your pet on a leash until you are into the fenced area.
* Watch your dog while in the fenced area.
* Offer your dog water.
* Abide by any local park rules.

“The question isn’t whether he deserves to earn a livelihood. The question is whether Mr. Vick should be able to re-join the ranks of elite athletes in the NFL.”—Ed Sayres, ASPCA President & CEO

On Monday, July 20, former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick, once the highest-paid player in the National Football League (NFL), was released from federal custody after serving a 23-month sentence for dog fighting. The investigation into the horrific activities that took place at Vick’s Virginia dog fighting operation, Bad Newz Kennels, and his 2007 federal conviction not only led to a sullied public image, but to the star quarterback being let go by his team and indefinitely suspended from the NFL.

In light of the ASPCA’s integral role in the investigation—we collected forensic evidence for the court case and led a team of behaviorists in the evaluation of the dozens of dogs rescued from Vick’s property—Ed Sayres, ASPCA President & CEO, offers his unique perspective on the release of Michael Vick and the question on everyone’s mind: what will he do now?

The following are selections from Sayres’s statement, which can be read in its entirety here.

“…the facts are clear: Mr. Vick participated in a six-year pattern of illegal activity. His plea clearly stated that along with these activities, he savagely electrocuted and beat dogs to death after they lost their brutal fights[…]. This was not a one-time transgression or crime of passion—this was a multi-year pattern of behavior that demonstrates a startling lack of moral character and judgment.”

“Given the stature of what it means to be a part of the NFL, it is crucial that Mr. Vick first express remorse for what he has done—something that he has yet to do throughout his incarceration.”

Read the rest of Sayres’s statement on Michael Vick.

What do you think? Tweet on this article. Include @aspca and #VickFre

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Source ASPCA

Today I broke a finger (I think it happened while I was playing softball). The pain is intense like when a bone is broken, but I’m not really sure. But does it really matter when the pain feels like my finger is broken (even when is not)? not so much.

The real test will be tomorrow. Dog Walk service for a group of 4 dogs. At least they are old clients and now they walk with out pulling. Let’s see how it goes.