Frequently Asked Questions

A: The Fila Brasileiro is a very large dog breed from Brazil. These dogs are intelligent, sturdy, and strong, and the Brazilian army uses them for work in the jungle under conditions no other dogs can stand up to. These versatile working dogs have an interesting history; they have been used for everything from guarding gold mines to hunting Jaguars. A Jaguar can run 40 miles per hour, and few dogs can keep up. The breed is also often used as trackers, hunters, or herders. This breed is loving and loyal to a fault towards their family and will put up with a lot from children and other pets, but they are inherently suspicious against strangers. This is a natural guardian who lives to protect their loved ones. Puppies should get to meet many different people in positive situations, and since the dogs become very large - up to 180 lbs - and are very strong, it is extra important to train them well.  

A: We mentioned yesterday that June is Adopt a Shelter Cat Month. If you're thinking about adding a kitty to the family it is be a good idea to consider the cat's personality. They are as individual as we are, and matching personalities can be a big help when it comes to getting along. ASPCA has put together a list with nine common cat personalities. This is more fun than serious, of course, but it serves as a good reminder that cats are individuals. 1. The Private Investigator The P.I. cat doesn't like trouble. It is good at staying hidden. It can vanish without a trace and reappear in the most unexpected places. This type of cat is likely to sleep with one eye open and constantly keep an eye out for danger. 2. I'll Love You Later This type of cat will love you from a distance, probably for a really long time, and the bond develops gradually. When the cat decides it's time you'll be subjected to intense head butting, purring, and napping on your lap. 3. Cuddle Me Now These kitties are love bugs. There will be abundant purring, rubbing up against you, and demanding to be petted. If these cats could speak, they would say, "Adore me." 4. The CEO The CEO thrives on routine and order, and almost live on a schedule. He or she will put you on the to-do list, but you'll have to wait your turn. 5. The Side-Kick  The Side-Kitty-Cat loves to be with you and makes a great constant companion, but can also enjoy some "me-time". If you want someone to share adventures with, this is a perfect choice. 6. The Helper These cats love to be around their human, and live to help with the strangest things. If you're cooking, the cat will be right there. If you want to use the computer, you'll find the helper sleeping on the keyboard. The Helper generally feels that personal space is overrated. 7. The Golden Cat Team player that pulls its own weight in whatever it perceives needs to be done. The Golden Cat is likely to do what you expect from it, and it likes to be pampered at the end of a long day of doing the right thing. 8. Wild Thang These cats have a wild streak, and they're pretty much the opposite of the Golden Cat. If you want a companion that's always up to playing, breaking rules, and challenging limits, this is the kitty for you.  Having a Wild Thang can be exhausting, but also infinitely rewarding. 9. The Commander The Commander Cat has a very clear perception of who's the boss, and it loves to lead. It is super confident and demands respect and admiration. It will make time for you, but it will also make sure you know who's in control.

A: Human fingers have little ridges that form our unique finger prints. Did you know that dogs have something similar? They don't have fingertips, of course, but every dog's nose is unique. There is only one, and no other like it. The nose print of a dog is a unique as a fingerprint. If you take a peek at your dog's nose through a magnifying glass you'll see all sorts of patterns and creases. They are never the same between two individuals. Thus far, nose prints aren't used for dog identification. There's no central dog database with nose prints, but rumors have it that companies are looking into offering nose print identification. The dog's nose is remarkable in more ways. An average dog's sense of smell is about 1,000 times better than a human's. Some dogs can smell dead bodies under water, they can smell termites, and natural gas buried under 40 feet of dirty. They can also be taught to detect cancer too small to be detected by medical equipment, and can sense lung cancer through a person's breath.

A: Dogs love to roll around in smelly stuff and often look very happy with themselves as they're doing it - at least until they end up in the inevitable bath. What's so great with being dirty?  In order to understand this strange behavior we need to go back in time. The ancestors of our modern dogs needed to hunt to live, and the dogs' prey was cautious. Dogs need to eat, but that doesn't mean the food wants to be eaten. In order to make hunting easier, the dogs would attempt to disguise their scent, luring the pray into thinking they weren't a threat. Disguising their scent could also protect them from being found and eaten themselves. This behavior is so deeply rooted it's difficult to break. Most dogs only roll themselves in icky stuff from time to time, but if it becomes a problem many dog trainers recommend making the pleasurable (rolling in something smelly) less pleasurable. For instance through squirting the dog with a little water when it does the rolling. Keeping the dog on a short leash can also help, so it doesn't have a chance to roll in the stink.

A: Everyone who knows a dog has seen the bedding dance; walking around and around before lying down with a contented sigh. Ever wonder why they do that? Humans and dogs have  a lot in common. Both species like to be comfortable. The walking around in circles doesn't seem to make much sense on a doggie bed or carpeted floor, but a long time ago dogs made little nests for themselves through stomping the grass. It exposed the cooler ground below the grass, and marked the area with the dog's scent, signaling to others that the place was claimed. Today, some dogs still do the circle dance, but others can be much  more particular with their sleeping area. Some want all their toys near, and others don't like to sleep without their favorite blanket or towel. It's like a human being uncomfortable when the pillow is wrong. Having the sleeping area just the way they want it helps the dogs feel secure and comfortable. Removing a favorite piece of bedding can in extreme cases make a dog anxious and unable to relax.

A: Photo belongs to Douglas County Sheriff's Office Late May, someone released thirteen police dogs from a kennel in Douglas County, Colorado. Ten of them were found quickly, but three have been missing for quite some time.  The first of the missing three was found on June 2nd, around 10 miles from the kennel, and since it was only a couple of days after the disappearance he was in pretty good shape. The second dog, Alonso, was found tied to a fence Thursday, severely dehydrated and around 20 lbs underweight. Alonso apparently spent most of the week tied to the fence with no food or water in the summer heat. He will be okay, but was found in the nick of time. The last dog, Dux, was found in an abandoned house. He is underweight, but otherwise unscathed from the adventure. At the moment, no arrests have been made and it is uncertain why the dogs were taken.

A: There are many stories about magpies being attracted to shiny things and taking off with silverware or jewelry, but other species than birds are also attracted to bling. Some dogs, for example, like to steal to shiny objects.  Many dogs snatch up things such as necklaces or small sparkling purses, carry them off, and hide them. Owners who find their cell phone with sparkling cover in the laundry pile or a bracelet under the sofa cushions might be tempted to blame the children, but the culprit might have four legs. There are several theories to why some dogs like to hide things. Some believe the habit is genetic and stems back to a time when meals weren't guaranteed and all excesses had to be preserved. Burying leftovers helped preserve the food, and protect it from others. The dogs would come back later and eat the buried food when they wanted or needed it. Other theories state that the dog might be bored, and hiding things gives something to do, or that lonely dogs feel better because they have something stashed away that smells like their human. The behavior can also stem from wanting attention. Some dogs and young children will take whatever attention they can get, even if it involves being scolded. In this case, the dog hides your things because it likes the interaction it gets when you find the things - even if you're yelling at it. These dogs need more interaction, and maybe a puzzle toy to help keep them occupied.

A: Dogs are sensitive to human emotions, and scientists at the Newcastle University in the UK are working on a system where elderly dog owners could benefit from dogs' responses to our moods and behavior. To start with, the team needs to know the dog's normal behavior, so there's something to compare to. They have developed a remote-sensing water proof collar that can measure what the dog does and how it acts during a normal day. Step two is comparing changes in behavior with the baseline. Sudden changes can indicate that something has gone wrong. For example, if the dog no longer walks outdoors like it used to, the owner might have run into to issues with mobility. A sudden increase in anxiety in the dog might mean that there's something seriously wrong with the owner. The dogs wouldn't need any extra training. They only have to wear the collar, and behave like dogs do. The idea is to be able to reassure family and caregivers about an older person's health without intruding on the person's privacy. Monitoring the pet is less intrusive than monitoring the person.

A: Traditional dog food come as kibble in a bag, or stew in a can. As more and more pet parents get into cooking for their pets or feeding raw, the marketplace for dog food is also changing. According to research made by PetCo, a majority of pet owners customize their pet's food in some way. It can be through adding vegetables or bacon to the regular meal, or through preparing it all from scratch. Naturally, the pet industry is on top of the trend. Several  brands design food that require us to freeze, dice, heat, mix, and refrigerate the food. The food can, for example, come in a roll and be mixed with kibble and canned pumpkin. There are even customized dog foods, perfect for the individual's breed, age, and activity level. US sales of dog food totaled $21 billion in 2013, and is still on the rise. Some stores respond through redesigning their pet food aisles to look more like human food aisles. Several pet food makers are also rebranding their foods with recipes and names more appealing to humans. What type of food do you give your pets? How do you make the decision?

A: Large parts of the USA anticipate summer with a mix of dread and joy. Summer is great, but would be better without tornadoes and hurricanes. Every year pets are separated from their humans during difficult weather. Some come back, other families keep searching for years with no luck. One example is the Bring Hanah Home movement who has searched for a a dog ripped from her human's arms in the Joplin tornado three years ago. Hanah has been spotted after the tornado, but despite offering large rewards she still hasn't been found. Tornadoes are scary because they arrive so quickly. Hurricanes usually give warning and time to prepare or leave the area. When it comes to weather, there are never any guarantees, but there are things to do that will improve the chances of getting out of severe weather unscathed. Prepare for the pets Make a pet-friendly emergency plan. Know not just where the nearest storm shelter is, but where the nearest pet-friendly storm shelter is. Also, put together a disaster kit with basic pet supplies and medications. It should contain enough to get by for three days. If you have to go to the storm shelter, bringing the pet's favorite treats, toys, and bedding can help ease some of the stress. Know where you have your carrier Smaller animals - particularly cats - have an eerie ability to disappear when you need to find them. Keep your carrier available and easy to reach. Put the pets in the carrier when the weather starts to look bad. It's better to have them in the carrier and not have to go than to rush around the house looking for them. Practice It's a good idea to take dogs to the storm shelter on a regular basis. If they're used to the area and environment they won't be so stressed when you have to be there. Wear identification Despite our best intentions, pets often get separated from their owners in emergency situations. Make sure they wear a collar or harness with their rabies tag and identifying information. Also, make sure that your pets are microchipped. It is a quick and easy procedure that can make the difference between going home or ending up in a county shelter where you might not find them.