Why Do Dogs Wag Their Tails?

Barking and Tail wagging are the two main ways dogs communicate with us and other dogs.
What some of these tail waggings might mean to us:

WELCOME HOME: Broad, medium to fast sweeping motions. The happier he is, the faster his tail wags.

CURIOSITY: Mostly horizontal but not stiff. This wag signals, "I am interested, I would like to get to know you, but I am not challenging you or being aggressive."

A CHALLENGE: When the tail is fully horizontal, a duel is offered up to another dog or human.

LEADER OF THE PACK: The tail is held up and over his back.

RELAXED: The tail is lowered, but not between the legs.

IN FEAR FOR HIS LIFE: The tail is dropped completely between his legs and he is shaking. (SAD!)

TOP DOG: Tail up but not vertical lets you know he is confident and in control.

CONFUSION: Slow wagging signifies confusion over whether he is encountering a friend or foe.

AGGRESSION: A bristling tail signifies aggressive intent. (Stay away!)

DON'T MESS WITH ME: The tail is held high and stiff and wagging fast.

(borrowed from The Dog Lover's Daily Companion)

and...........adding from my own dog's experience.....(especially adept at these wags is our lab!)

I LOVE IT WHEN YOU TALK SWEETLY TO ME: Tail thumps on ground or wags gently in circles.

I LOVE IT WHEN YOU SAY 'TREAT': Definite wild tail wagging in circles practically making their rump follow.

I LOVE YOU AND PLAY WITH ME: Entire backside moves left and right with tail, enough to knock a wine glass clear off the coffee table!!

A puppy is what a puppy eats........

Huh? Aren't all dog food brands virtually the same??
Well...apparently not.

Meeko arrives home in 6 days. Time to go get puppy food. Hmmmmm....do I feed him the same food our older dogs are eating? Nope....puppies need a higher caloric and more nutrient dense food for good growth and proper energy supply. What goes in, comes out. And I'm not talking in that sense. I'm talking about the quantity and quality of food our puppy eats, will naturally affect how he behaves and how successful he will be in managing the daily stresses of puppy life. So if not our Fudgy & Boomer's brand of food, then what? Ok then....time for some research.....( you all know how I love to research!!)

WOW! There a lot of dog food choices out there! And a lot is CRAP!(or will be)  (parden my pun!)

When I was growing up we used to feed our dog Tanya ( a sweet Heinz 57) our human food left-overs. Makes sense...why not...if it's good enough for us why not then especially good enough for our canine companion? Apparently many years ago ( ok....not THAT long ago!) commercially prepared dog food became popular because of claims that human food didn't contain enough of the nutrients that dogs needed for good health, and that it possibly contained ingredients that were difficult to digest. I suppose some of that makes a case....however are today's dog or puppy chow choices really much better?

Makers & producers of dog food these days, are really just that....producers. It's a business. The faster and cheaper they can make it, the more the dough rolls in. Veterinarians are noticing a huge pitfall in the majority of brands of commercially prepared dog food choices on pet store shelves today. These vets are noticing more and more cases of liver & kidney disease, seizure disorders, skin allergies, pancreatitis, and on and on, in the pets they care for.
Not more than a few months go by before we hear of yet another widespread pet food recall. This can affect numerous brands that have been found to contain poisonous substances as well as many ( I really don't want to go here, but it'll be quick and brief!) rendered animal byproducts; and sadly, it's not the livestock left-overs we consume!! ( Done....no more!)
Another huge problem with these mass market produced brands is that the extreme heat used to produce it destroys what it's supposed to (yes...all the bacteria infested junk), but it also destroys most of the nutritional value (if there is any) of the ingredients, including any beneficial bacteria and, vitamins & minerals, and enzymes needed for digestion.

OK....so ....where does that leave us wise and conscientious dog food consumers? Well....it leaves us with 3 good choices! (phew...you were worried huh?) (I was!)

1. Human-Grade High Quality dog/puppy food
2. Home cooked food ( and no this is not YOUR left-overs)
3. Raw Food Diet

Human-Grade High Quality dog food - There are a few pet food manufacturers that developed and offer a better choice in dog food. They have created a dog food that is actually fit for humans to consume. It is primarily made up of fresh real ingredients such as; chicken (real chicken, not rendered pieces we couldn't eat), chicken liver, sweet potatoes, carrots, peas, apples, and supplemented with flax seed oil, vitamins and minerals! You can choose dry kibble or canned versions. And if you still feel like maybe your pet may be missing certain nutrients you can always add your own such as, cottage cheese, raw fruits(Note: raisins & grapes are toxic to dogs!) & vegetables, a raw egg, acidophilus, yogurt...etc

Home Cooked Food - This is not always the food you eat at your dinner table.....at times it can be, but if you are eating pizza & brownies tonite....it may not be the best choice for Fido. This option can be time consuming if you are already cooking a meal for a family of 5 and then making a separate course for your pups! But it is definitely a good option. At least then you know what your pets are eating and can add any supplements yourself, that they may need to correct any health problems they may be experiencing. There are endless websites with recipes and ideas to help you get started!Go.........google!

Raw Food Diet - Apparently our canine friends thrive on an enzyme-rich diet, which more closely mimicks their diets from the wild. All raw food dog diets include raw meats such as; beef, fish, poultry, venison, lamb & rabbit, mixed with raw vegies, fruit, high quality oils, and herbs such as parsley, ginger & garlic. You can also add grains such as quinoa or brown rice. Again....a very viable option, probably a bit more expensive and time consuming. But fabulous if you've got both of those.

So.....after all this fabulous information, what did I decide to go with? For now I am choosing the human grade canned and kibble dog food. (Mixed with the occasional home-cooked meal as well, just not on pizza night!). The brand I am first going to try is Merrick. They have fabulous & delectable flavors that you might find on an old-fashioned small town cafe menu. Servings such as; "Grandma's Pot Pie", "Burger Pie & Sweetie Fries", " Mixed Grill", "Brauts N' Tots", "Harvest Moon", & " Thanksgiving Supper", and so many more! Merrick's kibble has an all natural dried gravy coating so that you can add a bit of warm water to it and it creates a yummy gravy for the pups to slobber up! It is really & truly all natural and all human grade food! WE could eat it! Really! ( I wouldn't and I won't, but I could!!) AND...all of Merrick's chicken is now organic! Bonus!

But it'll be so fun to watch Meeko gobble it all up....hopefully anyhow. I'll let you know with a follow up post in a week or two.

And Fudge and Boomer lucked out with a few cans of Grandma's Pot Pie for a taste test. Maybe they'll be trading their old kibble for more of the good stuff as well!

Puppy Socialization

Meeko got to touch grass with his paws today! And hear a car drive by. And see a fly zoom past his head. And explore a tree trunk. And feel what eating clover is like. And play with a toy we brought him. And......well, you get the picture!

He was socializing. Getting used to a different environment. An outside environment. It was very cute and funny to watch him observing his outdoor environment. He'd stop and listen when a car went by. He'd look up at the sky and wonder what in the world that was zooming by. Quite the entertaining sight.

Puppies needs tons of socializing. Especially between 6-14 weeks of age. And that doesn't just mean human interactions. It also means access to hundreds of different types of situations and environments. Meeting a variety of dogs, young & old, small & big, Daschund or Newfoundland, and anything in between. Introductions to a wide variety of people as well; young & old, white or black, people with hats or sunglasses on, people with no hair, people with beards, people with canes, people on bikes or in a wheelchair, children of all ages, babies, men, women, running, walking, shouting or quiet. There are actually Puppy Socialization charts that you can download from the internet if you are unsure of where to begin and what types of situations you should introduce your pup to. It contains an entire list of introductions to various types of people, other puppy safe animals (ie. cats/kittens, other dogs/pups, horses, and other livestock), places, things, noises, surfaces, various types of handling, and smells.

Puppy socializing is more than just housetraining. It is a big and busy job. According to information from the SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), by the time your pup is four months old, he/she should have met at least 100 different types of people(100....really?? Do I even know that many??), walked on at least 15 different types of surfaces, experienced 30 new places, heard hundreds of noises, met a handful of different types of animals, and be actively engaged in weekly play with other dogs and puppies; either through a training class or play group.
Raising a puppy is like raising a family member. It is these early life skills that will stay with your puppy for the rest of her life.
It is a lot of work in a short amount of time that will pay off for an entire lifetime!

Puppy Veggie Biscuits

This is a terrific recipe for home-made puppy or doggie biscuits, and I thought I'd share it with you.

(courtesy of Dog Lover's Daily Companion; by: Wendy Nan Rees and Kristen Hampshire)

Our plan is to stuff the KONG type chew toys with home-made biscuits, treats, dried liver bits and peanut butter to curb any possible destructive chewing habits Meeko might be tempted to indulge in.
So.....the more biscuits....the merrier........I better get baking!

4 cups Rye Flour
1 1/2 cups whole rolled oats
1 cup water
2 eggs, slightly beaten
3/4 cup shredded carrots
1/4 minced parsley
2 garlic cloves, minced


1. Preheat Oven to 350*. In a medium size bowl, mix together the flour, oats, and water until blended. Stir in the eggs, and add the carrots, parsley, and garklic and mix well.
2. On a lightly floured surface (using rye flour), knead the dough, adding more flour if sticky.
3. Roll out to 1/8 inch thickness. Cut out 1/2 inch wide biscuits, with a sharp knife or pizza cutter, or use a doggie biscuit shaped cutter.
4. Place on lightly greased baking sheet and bake for 25 minutes. Transfer to wire rack to cool.
5. Store in sealed container in refrigerator and enjoy sharing with your puppy for best behaviour treats or stuff in KONG with peanut butter or cheese!

Puppy Preschool

Well......Meeko starts school a week after he arrives into our home. Puppy preschool! Kinda cute! And oh so necessary!!

There is such a small window of opportunity to socialize a puppy. From about 7-16 weeks of age they need to be slowly & gently exposed to all sorts of people, experiences & environments, and situations. During this time they also need to have as much exposure to different sizes, types, and breeds of dogs as possible. EVEN if they have "brothers" at home. Puppy classes ensure much of this exposure as positive experiences, as well as learning that they are not the top dog! Their master or mommy and daddy are!
They will learn all of the basics such as sit, stay, down, come, off, release, as well as the all very important bite-inhibition. This is where they learn to have a soft mouth, while playing and mouthing another human and/or fellow dog. This bite-inhibition is probably the most important training piece your pup will get, and you should practice it as much as possible at home. It will mean a safe & secure peace of mind in your dogs (and your!) future.

So....Meeko starts puppy preschool for 6 weeks. The first class is actually just for owners/masters. It's just me that'll be going, so really it's just 5 weeks. Then he'll graduate and jump right into puppy kindergarten for more of the same just on a more challenging scale! Thank goodness our kids don't grow at such an exponential rate! I could never keep up! (although sometimes I find myself wishing they'd hurry up and grow out of a certain phase!!)

These classes are the best investment you could ever make when you get a pup! And Meeko will be the best dog on the planet! (right alongside Boomer & Fudgy)  :)

By the way....Meeko's preschool classes are at the BARKZ dog store and university in Kirkland. This is their link;  http://www.barkz.com/
They also have puppy playground times, as well as playtimes for bigger and older dogs.
Check it out!!

Puppy Kisses.....or are they??

I absolutely adore getting all the licks & tongue lashings, from our current doggies, on a daily basis. They are always so forthcoming and the pups gaze longingly into my eyes when they do so. I absolutely do not mistake this for anything other than a pure and loyal display of love and affection. That big slobbery tongue slathering my cheek, chin or neck, or even hands.......most definitely means....."You are my best human, what would I ever do without you, and I adore you more than anything on the planet!"

Or does it...........??????

Apparently even Charles Darwin would write about his dogs showing affection and it's meaning; "the dogs have a striking way of exhibiting their affection, namely, by licking the hands and faces of their masters." Was Darwin correct?? All this slobbery and licky attention.....is it true love?
According to Alexandra Horowitz's research in her new and heart warming book, "Inside of a Dog", she states that scientists and researchers of wild species of dogs; coyotes, wolves, foxes, have observed that puppies lick the face and muzzle of their mothers upon return of a hunt.....in order to persuade them to regurgitate some of their dinner.
Boy.....Fudge and Boomer must be extremely let down and dissapointed on a daily basis that I have not once regurgitated any grub for them!! However they both do always come to me AFTER I have fed them, and give me a "Thank you" lick on my hand or chin! Maybe it is good enough for them!

And apparently, Horowitz goes on to say, that our mouths just simply taste great to our pack. Dogs, like us humans, have similar receptors for salty, sweet, bitter and sour tastes. Hmmmmm.......has most of the "kissing" been going on after a delectable and quite scrumptious meal on my part? I'll have to take note of that next time. (again...I think they are just hoping I will share! Not a bad idea....I might finally lose some weight!)

The best news of all though, Horowitz writes, is that most of the "kisses" our dogs relinquish on us has to do with genuine happiness to see us or to once again greet us when we come home from our hunt; or work. In addition to muzzle licking in a way to ask for food, many dogs and wolves lick each others faces in a ritualized greeting. "Sibling" dogs may greet each other after a time apart; a mother will lick her pup not just to clean but upon reuniting after a time apart. A young or timid dog may give a more dominant overbearing dog a few licks on the muzzle to appease him for the time being. And most always these licks; "kisses", are accompanied by tails wagging, excitement, and mouths open....displaying a true happiness.....too see you again.

I personally......will always still see them as "I love and adore you" kisses!!!! ( And will give serious thought to that new weight loss idea!)

Happiness is a Warm Puppy!! ( or five!!)

"Every child should have two things: a dog, and a mother willing to let him have one."

                                                                                                          Anonymous

"Ohhhhhhh....the joy!!"

Puppy day again today! How much they are growing! Zoe was in complete puppy heaven! And boy...did they LOVE her! Instinctually...they were much more gentle with her than they were with me, or another adult; "larger" person. No nips or bites to the little one, ......just gentle nudges, and licks! So amazing!

Puppy love!!!!!!

“Dogs allow us to experience a companionship that is supremely honest and extremely forgiving."