Hanging Pet Food Dispenser

Excuse Me, Is That A Dog In Your Purse?g was a dog. Oh, how times have changed!

As a child growing up on a farm we always had a dog. he slept outside on a pile of straw or in a dog house of sorts. He never had a bubble bath or a designer bed. He chased cows and cats and guarded the property. Now dogs seem to be the new "accessory" that everyone just has to have!

We have all seen the pictures in the magazines of the stars with their little pups peeking out of designer dog carriers resembling over-sized purses. Just the other day I saw a man in the grocery store with a sling bag over his shoulder. I thought this was just a bit odd until I realized it was actually a dog carrier and two beady eyes were peeking out at me! Sure enough, it was a little weenie dog, right there at the meat counter selecting sausage...ok, that was just a little too weird even for me!

My point is that our pets go everywhere with us these days. Maybe we have those petite-sized dogs that we carry in those nice purse style dog carriers. Maybe we use the duffle bag dog carrier for travel so they can be with us even on the airplane. Maybe we need something larger for long car trips, something that can be loaded into the back of the mini-van. It could be small animal carriersto keep not so agreeable pets on their way to the vet separate so they don't tear apart each other or the driver!

Maybe it is the chic designer dog carriers so we can look as cool as the stars walking Rodeo Drive. It can be practical, stylish, durable, comfortable, leather, canvas, whatever. We just want to have our pets with us where ever we go. After all, they aren't just pets, they are family! Now if I could figure out how to get a designer purse carrier for my Great Dane.

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Fact is, most dogs unless taught otherwise, perceive your child as nothing more than a pack mate. It is your responsibility to help you dog make the association that your child is an Alpha pack member, who is to be trusted and respected.

Your dog would naturally correct a rude puppy with an open mouth muzzle pin, inflicting little or no pressure, but with lots of noise, drama and drool. When doing that with your child, what your dog may be doing, is teaching your child puppy manners, in a harmless way, they have invaded their space.

Genetically some breeds are less, or not at all prepared, to deal with stomping, throwing, yelling, threatening, running, falling, mischievous mini humans. Inherently, your dog's breed may have a low reaction threshold. If that is the case, he is going to be quicker to react to lower levels of perceived personal threats. If he is genetically programmed to herd, protect, or chase, he will need your Alpha direction to help him learn children are not cows, sheep, invaders or vermin!

Many puppies leave their litter and go home with well-behaved adults who have few friends with children. They just don't have the learning experience to prepare them for the erratic and unpredictable behavior of young humans.

They are often less prepared and unable to cope with the unpredictability of a rambunctious toddler or child. Combine genetic tendencies, inability to cope, and lack of experience with children, what you may have is a dog who could be unpredictable and possibly dangerous.

OK, so what can you do, as a responsible parent and dog owner? It's actually very simple...SET RULES for both your child and your dog. Desensitize them to each other.

DOG RULES

1. All humans, mini or otherwise, are Alpha!
2. Obedience...your dog is to obey every one and thing on two feet. Get your dog and yourself, into a structured obedience class...and do the homework!
3. Alpha always goes first...through doorways, on stairs, in narrow spaces, such as hallways. Dogs wait their turn.
4. The mini human has feelings...no nipping, growling or biting!
5. Exuberant behavior is an OUTSIDE activity only.
6. Food and toys are not to be protected.
7. Food and toys in a mini human's hands, are OFF LIMITS!
8. Mini human should be avoided when they are too
9. Respect the mini human's space. Access to the entire house is a privilege, not a right.

MINI HUMAN RULES

1. The dog has feelings too!
2. The dog is NOT a toy.
3. The dog feels pain, and is not to be hurt...no pinching, pulling, kicking, or biting.
4. The dog's toys are not to be touched
5. Alpha...yupper, that means even the mini human, ALWAYS goes first.
6. Exuberant behavior is an OUTSIDE activity only.
7. Mini human toys and food, are not to be left where the dog can get them.
8. The dog is NEVER to be bothered when it is sleeping. Many bites are caused when the dog has been startled while sleeping.
9. Respect the dog's space. Access to the dog's sanctuary area (crate, bed, sleeping area) is to be respected...NO MINI HUMANS ALLOWED!

YOUR JOB AS THE ALPHA OF ALPHAS

1. SUPERVISE, SUPERVISE, SUPERVISE!
2. NEVER leave the mini human and dog alone...EVER!
3. Teach empathy to your child...teach them dog's have feelings and feel pain too.
4. Enroll in a positive reinforcement, punishment-free obedience class with your dog. Teach both your child and your dog, "ENOUGH", "EASY", "SLOW", "LEAVE IT" and "STOP!"
5. Be aware of your dog's mood and body language. Most dogs will usually warn with a growl, BEFORE they bite.
6. Teach your child Alpha skills. Let them mix the dog's food by hand, so your dog gets the message the mini Alpha provided the food. Let your child give the dog treats, as a reward for following a command. Teach your child how to walk they dog, using leadership skills.

BOTTOM LINE: If your dog is not able to get away from the "thing" that annoys or terrifies him, get the "thing" away from your dog. The majority of dogs communicate in the only ways they know how, when they want to be left alone. They make a statement by: dead eye staring, looking away, moving away, showing teeth and/or growling, all of which are appropriate dog signals of warning. Children, unless taught, do not understand or notice this language, so it's important to be there to intercede. Above all, give your dog a safe, private place to retreat, where the mini human absolutely cannot follow.


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