bbking48507 asked:


An opportunity has been cast my way to take over ownership of a pure bred Red Nose APBT, commonly referred to as a Pit Bull. The current owner has neglected the dog and a mutual friend has convinced the guy to give up the dog to a better home. The dog is a 6-7 month old female, unspayed. I have a 6 yr old male APBT/American Bulldog who is great with other dogs. My question is since they are very close to the same breed, are they compatible even though they are opposite sex? I’ve heard some people say that your second dog of the same breed should be of the opposite sex. I’ve also heard that the 2nd dog should be the same sex as the younger will learn from the older, and the older one will become the alpha dog. I’ve had a bad experience dog sitting a friend’s female German Shephard/Rotweiller mix who constantly fought with my dog. My dog never started fighting with his female. She was the one instigating the fights. What do you think? I said neglected. I didn’t say abused. They guy keeps the dog in a kennel all day long, never plays with her, no walks, nothing. He thinks his part time daughter loves the dog, but upon speaking with the girl, she couldn’t care less about the dog. On top of that, he is living with a friend who’s wife is severely allergic to dogs so the dog must stay outside, and he must limit how much he is aroung the dog then the wife. Yes, I met the dog, and she is wonderful! I like the breed for the dog, not for the fighting or agression. They are a strong, extremely loyal and affectionate breed, and I do not support the breeding of APBTs for fighting.
And yes, she will be spayed as well as brought up to date with her vaccinations. Ears will not be cropped either.
Sorry about your cat, but isn’t the cat the dog’s archenemy? Many dogs have a high prey drive, APBT’s no doubt exhibit this. I know mine does!
For any other APBT basher’s out there, take the time to read this:http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/americanpitbull.htm

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belinda w asked:


I bathe my cocker spaniel weelky he sees a groomer about every 8 weeks. I wash and treat his ears really good but we still have a problem with odor about 2 days later. We’ve had him about 7 years I never noticed this until about 1 year ago. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thank-you

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Kristie R asked:


Our two year old cocker spaniel has been growling at our 8 month old because the baby has grabbed a hold of her ears. Now every time he crawls towards her she growls. I think out of jealousy, our dog will go sit next to the baby when we are on the floor playing with him to get our attention. This is when the baby will try to pull her. This is scaring me. Our dog has always been so gentile. Does anyone have suggestions?

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Connie Limon asked:


The first sense of a Shih Tzu puppy is “scent.” The newborn Shih Tzu puppy will be able to smell the scent of the breeder immediately after the sac is broken. The Shih Tzu breeder is familiar with litters of Shih Tzu puppies before their eyes open. Up until the Shih Tzu puppy opens its eyes they became familiar with their breeder’s scent through their dam’s coat. Shih Tzu puppies learn where there is and is not a place of milk and nourishment on their mother through scent.

It is advisable that only the Shih Tzu breeder handle puppies during their first two weeks. This does limit the Shih Tzu puppy’s reality of the world around them; however, it is practicing sound early responsible care practices. As Shih Tzu puppies begin to open their eyes they become aware of differences in people. Because of this awareness, a very young Shih Tzu puppy may act violently the first time handled by anyone other than their breeder. The Shih Tzu puppy may begin to struggle or scream to be free. It really is not necessary for other people besides the breeder to handle Shih Tzu puppies during this very early period of their lives. If a Shih Tzu puppy is frightening by early interactions with other people it could set the stage for later mistrust toward all humans. It is therefore extremely important that all early contacts with a Shih Tzu puppy be positive. Once a barrier of distrust is instilled in a newborn Shih Tzu puppy, the puppy can become hard to work with and sometimes even unmanageable as adults. Limiting contact with humans also aids in the spreading of germs to newborn Shih Tzu puppies.

There is a proper way to hold a very young Shih Tzu puppy. You should not “swoop” a Shih Tzu puppy quickly into your arms, or hold it at arm’s length. Do not ever pick up a Shih Tzu puppy by its legs, ears, tail or scruff. Severe and even irreparable damage can result.

Use the following steps to pick up and hold a newborn and very young Shih Tzu puppy:

1. Place your hands firmly around the Shih Tzu puppy’s body making it feel secure before it is lifted from the whelping box.

2. Immediately begin to snuggle the Shih Tzu puppy closely to your neck, chest or face area, letting the Shih Tzu puppy smell your familiar scent. Here is where the Shih Tzu puppy will feel the reassuring rhythm of your breathing and your heartbeat. The Shih Tzu puppy will remain relaxed. The Shih Tzu puppy will have less tendency to struggle against others first holding them if you will practice these steps from the beginning.

In general, you should not place very young Shih Tzu puppies in your lap, at least until after they begin to walk. They do not feel secure in a lap position at a very young age.

When handling newborn Shih Tzu puppies it is helpful to make “kissing” sounds near their ears. The sound is similar to puppies nursing. Therefore, repetitious kissing offers the same sense of security and comfort for the Shih Tzu puppy.

One of the earliest conditionings a Shih Tzu puppy encounters is being nestled in secure comfort by its dam while being fed warm milk. When you emit the same type of sounds with repetitious kissing the Shih Tzu puppy responds immediately to your stimulation and will feel secure. The Shih Tzu puppy will snuggle rather than struggle and learn to trust humans from a very early period of their lives. This type of conditioning is important for proper development as an adult Shih Tzu and instills a “trusting” of humans rather than a “fear” of humans.

Shih Tzu puppy conditioning beyond diet is a highly important part of a professional Shih Tzu breeder’s job, and will often separate the professional breeder from the “backyard” or puppy mill breeders.

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E asked:


I just took my 1 yr. old golden retriever to the groomer for the first time yesterday. He got the full service package from Petsmart (washed, dried, brushed, ears cleaned, nails clipped, and hair trimming). I do his regular teeth and brushing, and I also bathe him every couple of weeks. When should he need to go to the groomer again? The most important thing he went for was to get trimmed because his hair gets so long and shaggy.

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Anna Hart asked:


When I write of a “well-rounded” black Labrador puppy, you may immediately picture a round, roly-poly black puppy. That is not what we normally mean by the term, of course.

Understanding black Labrador puppies begins by grasping the fact that a well-rounded black Labrador puppy is one that has learned to get along with other dogs and with family members (including other pets). It is a puppy that has bonded with his “pack” and fits in well. It has been socialized – but how do you socialize a black Labrador puppy?

Socializing the Black Labrador Puppy

All dogs are social creatures, but few are as social as a black Labrador puppy. A black Labrador puppy loves attention, and wants to get it from everyone and everything. A black Labrador puppy does not want to share, however, and must learn that every member of the “pack” shares. He must learn how to respond to both human and animal members of his new pack.

Understanding black Labrador puppies involves 7 simple steps that help puppies become well-rounded.

1. Puppy Pats

Your black Labrador puppy needs to be patted, touched, and caressed. Most people do this instinctively from the time they get the puppy. Children, especially, touch the puppy in every possible place they can. The more children there are, the more puppy pats your black Labrador puppy will receive. Even if yours is a gun dog, and children are not playing with it, it still needs puppy pats. Let it feel your hand on its ears, its nose, and its paw pads. Get your black Labrador puppy accustomed to being touched and patted. It will help him fit into his new life. While you’re at it, teach children how to treat the puppy.

2. Puppy Playtime

It is important that you and your black Labrador puppy have several playtimes each day. If possible, give him at least one in the morning and one in the evening, as this will establish a pattern for future exercise times. Teach your black Labrador puppy that you are his friend. Play fetch. Take a toy away, teaching the importance of sharing. Do not let him take it back in an aggressive manner. Hide a toy and let him hunt it.

3. Puppy Rolling Game

Every black Labrador puppy needs to be involved in frequent bouts of the puppy rolling game. This game shows the puppy that his position in your pack is one of submission. When playing with your black Labrador puppy, roll him on his side now and then. Hold him there as you silently count to 10. When you reach 10, remove your hand and let the puppy get up. If he struggles while you’re holding him, do not let go. You must not let your black Labrador puppy overpower you, or he will believe he is the pack’s dominant member.

4. Share-a-Puppy

A big part of understanding black Labrador puppies is recognizing that they need a wide circle of acquaintances. When you get your pup, note his age in a notebook. Subtract it from 24 weeks. If your puppy is 8 weeks old, you would subtract 24 – 8 = 16. In those weeks (whatever number you wrote), you need to share your puppy with at least 100 new people. If you wrote 16 weeks, set a goal of having your puppy meet 6-7 new people each week. Keep track so you know it is happening. Simply have strangers hold your black Labrador puppy, and touch it. Hand it back and forth carefully so it does not fall.

5. Share-a-Meal

A black Labrador puppy can quickly learn to be protective of his food dish. If left to natural instincts, he may become hostile when others come near his bowl. To avoid this, share a meal by sitting or standing close to the bowl when the pup is eating. Have other family members do the same. Teach your black Labrador puppy that his food is safe even when someone is very near.

6. Puppy Home School

From the time you get your black Labrador puppy, teach him every day. He is old enough to learn basic commands such as come; down; drop it; leave it; and sit. Avoid yelling at the puppy or punishing it. There are good Labrador training courses available on the Internet. Order one and use it faithfully.

7. Puppy Support Group

Please understand that a black Labrador puppy needs the constant support of everyone in his home. Life is full of exciting things, as well as frightening things. When a garbage truck comes banging down the street, he will tuck his little tail between his legs and run for cover. What do you do. You – and everyone else present – act as though nothing happened. Your black Labrador puppy will notice that he is the only one running. He will soon decide that, if no one else is afraid, the sound of garbage trucks is not important.

Understanding black Labrador puppies is an ongoing process, but these 7 steps will give you a good start.

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cece_21 asked:


I have a yorkshire terrier and i want his ears clipped

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mattysmom asked:


He also has these undertones around eyes and mouth- it’s almost like the skin is pigmented, but not the hair. I found him, took him to vet, she says he’s prob pure shih tzu- I think he may be mixed w/poodle (doesn’t matter, I’m just curious) I had to get his hair cut off-it was so matted, but he seems to have curly hair- that’s why I think poodle.
oh! his hair was about 2 1/2 to 3 inches long!

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