Frequently Asked Questions.
Keep in mind that these
answers are based on what we have researched and found personally to be
true. We are not Vets or experts. We are a small rescue
and have had some small experiences, learned a bit, and are
willing to share our beliefs.
Hopefully there is something here that will help others.
1. |
Q. |
Do males &
females have different personalities?
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A. |
No they do
not.
Gender does not directly determine
intelligence, affection, sociability, submission, dominance, aggression, activity level, ability to be housetrained, willingness to
learn or much else in a dog.
Just like with people each dog has a
different and distinctive personality. That is why we take the
care we do in placing a puppy or dog in a new home. It is
important for the personalities of the dog and their new people be a
compliment. |
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2. |
Q. |
Do females
shed more than males?
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A.
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In
unaltered, females shed more often then males due to
hormonal changes during her cycles. Spayed females do not shed more
than males. ALL DOGS SHED, at least twice per year. Curly coated
breeds such as the Poodle have a "tangle effect" which holds onto the
hair until it is combed out. Short-coated breeds (such as Dalmatians) shed also and
the hair is often more difficult to pick up even with a vacuum cleaner due
to it's texture.
Double coated
breeds, like Pomeranians, primarily
shed their undercoat, which requires brushing all the way to their
skin during that shed or matting will occur. Be prepared to brush your dog two or three times
weekly. Grooming should be a time enjoyed both by your
dog and yourself. |
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3. |
Q. |
Are females
or males easier to housetrain and train in general?
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A.
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NEITHER
Each dog is an individual and has different learning curves and
responds to different methods of training differently. High
intelligence doesn't always make a dog more trainable, sometimes it just
makes them
more wily in ways to thwart you! HUMAN BONDING is the single most
important factor in your dog's trainability. You must be bonded to
your dog for it to even want to please you. Can you blame it? I don't
have much desire to please a stranger, or someone I don't like
myself, so I can't blame the dogs too much.
Age also plays a role in
in how well they house train. Puppies will have to go to the
bathroom more often than an adult. There are many aids and
methods in potty training; piddle pads, litter boxes, belly bands
and britches. All can be great stress relievers during the
training process.
Potty training
takes consistency and attention. The puppy must go out after
eating, sleeping, playing, etc. At first you will find
yourself going out every hour or two. Soon those times will
lengthen and the outings will be longer apart. Even with my
older rescue dogs if I revert to "puppy" training most times they
are very trainable. They don't learn it on their own, they
have to be taught.
The most common puppy
training mistake that I see made is punishing the dog after the deed
is done. This only teaches them to be fearful, of the rug, of
your hand, you, or whatever they relate to the punishment,. It is
completely ineffective for the potty training as they cannot relate
the punishment to the completed behavior. I find that it is
common that the person who complains their pet won't come to them is
generally the one who has used their hands to spank or punish the
puppy. I wouldn't come either if I expected to be hit.
In order to punish you have to catch them in the process of
performing the act. Even then the correction is "No" "Outside"
and out the door you go. Rubbing their noses in it does no
good and spanking is just crewel and ineffective. Consider
that, to a dog, poo is really cool stuff and rubbing their noses in
the poo is not the most horrible thing that can happen to them.
After the deed is done, they
don't relate that they are responsible to the poo or pee that they are
getting rubbed in their face. All they know is that you are
mad at them and possibly hurting them.
Another common issue
with potty training is the dog who gets "reversed". If your
dog is going outside and doing nothing... then as soon as you come
in the door they piddle on the floor. That dog is reversed.
Two things are important here. The first is that you don't
give up on them when you are outside. Stay out there until the
dog has done their business, then come in. The other is a bit
of a "fooled ya" trick. When they are done, then come in, turn
a circle, and go right back outside. This will allow the body
to say "hmmm... I am inside now time to potty..." then when they get
outside the body is started and they go. Tons of praise when
they go and you are good to go back inside. Generally two or
three times of this and they have gotten "un-reversed".
Let me also de-bunk a
popular misconception. Boys are not the only ones who mark,
girls do as well, they are just a bit more subtle about it. I
often have have people indicate that the don't want a male because
they mark. Marking is a dominate behavior most common in
un-altered adults. A pet needs to be taught
that marking is not acceptable behavior. In the mean time a
belly band or britches (for the girls) can save a lot of stress and
cleaner. |
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4. |
Q. |
Should I
alter (spay/neuter) my pet and at what age?
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A.
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Absolutely you should alter your
pet. All dogs placed by Displaced Pets rescue are
spay/neutered before going to their new homes. Even puppies
will not leave our home until that is accomplished. One of the leading causes of death in pet animals is mammary gland and
testicular cancers. Early altering will prevent the sexual maturation
and greatly reduce (almost eliminate) the incidence of these cancers.
With hundreds of animals being put to sleep each and every day it is
your responsibility to spay and neuter your pets.
One of the most common reasons animals are abandoned have to do with
housebreaking. The scent of estrus is noticeable to dogs for five
miles! Instinct causes your dog to respond to this scent with
urinating in their surroundings to mark their
territory. Females piddle in tiny amounts and therefore it is less
noticeable, and males lift their leg and urinate on objects to mark
territory-which is more noticeable, but both genders mark their
territory when left unaltered. Since the scent of urine is present-it
then causes problems with defecation in the house as well. Since
sexual maturity occurs in toy breed dogs well before the age of one
year old this makes it advisable to alter your pet between the age of
five and seven months of age (In boys, before they learn to lift their
legs). Most vets recommend this age as well. |
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5. |
Q. |
Will
spaying/neutering make my dog fat?
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A.
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No
The activity level and
diet of your pet determine it's weight. If unusual weight gain
happens then thyroid testing may be in order, or outside sources of
food not under your control, well meaning neighbors for instance,
should be considered. Maybe they just need to start going for a
long evening walk. |
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6. |
Q. |
We are going
to have a baby. Do I need to give away my pets?
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A.
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Absolutely NOT. There is no
reason to give away your pet if you are expecting a new baby, unless
the pet has aggression issues before the child came along. Pets with
children can be very rewarding for you, your pet and your child.
If you are having
aggression issues that you are concerned about a good obedience
class would be of benefit for both you and your pet. That
obedience instructor may suggest further behavioral modification
sessions if a pet is still having issues. |
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7. |
Q. |
Should I
breed for just one litter to give my children the experience of the
"miracle of birth"?
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A.
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Birthing
is a miracle, but NOT one I would want my children to witness!
It
is bloody, agonizing, and potentially very dangerous to the dog and
the puppies. MANY
small breed females have Caesarean sections and MANY of them die. That
is not something I would wish to subject my young children to.
Children are usually very emotionally involved with their pet
and it is a potentially traumatic experience for them, far from the
"miracle" you hoped it would be. Additionally you are
putting the life of their much loved pet at risk with any pregnancy.
What kind of "miracle" would that child see to watch their pet and her
puppies die during that "miracle"? Consider just how
many dogs are in rescue - hundreds are put to sleep in shelters
every single day. Do you really want to add to that for the
sake of an educational experience?. |
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8. |
Q. |
How often do
I bathe & brush my dog, and with what?
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A.
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This
can vary with breed type. A Maltese, Yorkie or Chinese Crested
with their fine hair will need to be brushed more often than a
Chihuahua. Here are some suggestions for a few breeds that I
have worked with.
With most dogs, between baths you
can use
a bit of baby powder for a dry cleaning that keeps them sweet
smelling. Make sure not to get the powder in the dog's nose. You
can also use a "steam bath" method of taking a HOT wet towel and
wrapping it around the dog for a few minutes, then rub vigorously.
The steam bath will remove a great deal of soil from their coat and
works great for a freshen up when traveling.
- The Pom has a
double coat and can have issues with dry skin and coat; and
requires bathing approximately every other month or every third
month-according to their lifestyle. Use a gentle dog
shampoo (I use a Protein Lanolin dog shampoo). Brush
with a metal pin brush (the longer pins the better) and metal detangling comb thoroughly at
least once per week. Watch for mats behind the ears, under the front arms and along the
backs of the legs as these are the areas where the coat is finer and
will tend to mat. Be sure to brush before a bath and after the
coat has dried after a bath, that is when you will get most of the
loose coat out.
- The Poodle
and Bishon have a curly coats that catches up the loose fur.
Brushing regularly with a pin brush to work out that coat is
important to avoiding mats. These dogs are considered hypo
allergenic because of the type of coat and the minimal of
shedding. Brushing with a metal pin brush or even the fine
slicker brush.
- Hair
type coats like Maltese, Yorkie, Havanese and Puff Chinese
Crested's have more of a human type of hair. They require
frequent brushing to keep the tangles down. They also
benefit from some additional oil in the coat, like silk oil or
mink oil. These are also considered hypo allergenic breeds
because of the hair like coat, rather than fur. I prefer a
soft boar brush and comb for this coat type.
- Short coats
like Chihuahua actually have as much shed or more than some
longer coated breeds. The hair that they shed is also more
difficult to remove from clothing, etc that the fur of some
breeds. A slicker brush works best to remove the shed on
the Chi types of coat.
- Terrier
types. Terriers benefit greatly from "stripping" the coat.
There are many YouTube videos showing how this is accomplished.
Their coats are a more coarse texture. My preference is a
slicker brush for the terrier types.
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9. |
Q. |
What does it
cost to own and care for a dog?
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A.
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Adopting a rescue dog is a wonderful experience. It is very
important to be ready for the responsibility of being a pet owner.
Many people adopt or rescue a dog without considering the long term
costs associated with owning a dog. We want you to be prepared for
all of the things that come along with owning a dog.
Here are some of
the things that you will want to consider:
What is
your dog's life expectancy? |
Little dogs
have a live span average of 15-18 years.
The oldest Pom I have had was 22. |
What is
the placement donation for your dog? |
Our
placement fees range from $150 - $400 |
Vet Care:
(all of our placements are spay/neutered, current on
vaccinations and micro-chipped)
- Wellness check at your Vet? |
$75 |
- Annual Vaccinations |
$35 annually |
- Heartworm Test |
$45 |
- Fecal Parasite Test |
$40 |
- Dental |
$350 to start |
- Broken Limb |
$500 - simple splint
$2000 if surgery is required |
- Flea and Tick Prevention |
$30 per month |
- Heartworm Prevention |
$15 per month |
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Harness
and Leash |
$30 |
Crate |
$35 - 75 |
Bedding |
$30 |
Toys &
Bones |
$50 annually |
Grooming
Supplies (brushes, shampoos, etc) |
$40 annually |
Groomer |
$45 to $80
depending on coat type |
Fencing |
$50 x-pen
type
$200 to $1500 chain link yard |
Training |
$150 - $350
in home or classroom training |
Boarding |
$15 - $35
per day
We offer limited boarding for $15 per day. |
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8. |
Q. |
I want a
teacup dog. Do you get those?
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A.
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First
off, there is no such thing as a teacup dog, in any breed. That is a term
created by puppy mills in order to put big prices on little dogs.
The smallest of the Toy dogs are the Chihuahua, Pomeranian and Toy
Poodle. I will speak to Pomeranians since that is my
expertise.
The Pomeranian's
proper size is 3 to 7 pounds. They are part of the AKC Toy
group. In the US there are no such thing as size variations
for Pomeranians. Since the Pomeranian originally came from the
larger Spitz breeds a quality breeder may occasionally see
Pomeranians over that 7 pound mark, but those should be rare.
Puppy Mills love to breed the bigger Poms as they get bigger litters
and it means more money. These bigger Poms are the largest
majority of the Poms that we find in rescue. Poms of the
proper size, 3 to 7 pounds, are less common. Poms that come in
under that 3 pound mark very often have health issues and live
shorter lives.
In the Poodle and
American Eskimo breeds there are size variations of Toy, Miniature
and Standard. Each of those have very specific characteristics
and none are called teacup.
If you see a
breeder marketing Standard, Toy and Teacup Puppies run; as that is a
puppy mill or back yard breeder who is just out for the money.
I have also seen rescues buying into the hype and marketing tiny
dogs as teacup. We don't do that here. All that serves
to do is to validate the marketing hype that has been created by the
puppy millers. If you come to me looking for a teacup dog
expect some good natured education.
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9. |
Q. |
I work long hours, is it
bad for my dog to be alone for 10 or more hours a day while I am at
work?
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A.
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There’s a reason we call them our best friends: They are wired to
spend time with us, watch us and help us. That’s not to say you
shouldn’t get a dog if you work, far from it. A dog is a friend who
is always there to greet you, play with you and exercise you.
Not many of us can spend all day with our dogs, even though it would
be amazing if we could. We have work, school and other commitments
in our lives. Where 10 or 12 hours a day isn't ideal, there
are ways of managing it so your dog is safe happy and comfortable.
Teach your dog that being home alone is okay. Every dog should be
able to stay on his own all day without falling apart emotionally or
becoming destructive. From the time you first get him, whether he’s
a puppy or an adult, practice leaving him alone. Start with just a
minute or two and gradually extend the length of time as you become
comfortable with his behavior while you’re out of sight. He can be
in his crate, in a gated space, or once you’re sure he’s
trustworthy, on his own in the house. Watch for potty accidents,
too, as these will tell you how long your dog can be left without
needing to go outside.
As you work with you dog on being alone, don’t re-enter the room if
he’s crying, whining, howling or barking. Wait until he’s quiet,
then go in and praise him in a brief, matter-of-fact tone of voice.
You want him to think that being on his own is normal and safe. Give
him a treat when you leave but not when you return.
If you feel that your
dog is having separation anxiety when you are gone. Try using
a crate for his away time. Make sure that the crate is big
enough for him to move around in and that he has access to water.
Many little dogs, when left the run of the house, will begin looking
for you. As they search they become more anxious that they
can't find you. To much space can lead to an increasing
anxiety. When you put them in their crate they consider that
their den, or safe place, they will relax and know that you will be
letting them out when you return.
Make sure he has constructive ways to occupy his time when you’re
not around. Stuff a Kong toy or fill a puzzle toy with his daily
ration of kibble so he has to work for his meals. Give him an
antler or raw bone to gnaw on. But a word of caution: Never
leave your dog unsupervised with a toy that could be chewed apart
and swallowed. Before leaving your dog alone, make sure any toys in
the environment are indestructible.
Leave the radio tuned to a calming classical station so that they
aren't in a totally quiet space. This way they are less
affected by other noises that happen throughout the day. Choose the
station carefully. You don’t want to come home to a dog who is amped
up from listening to people shout at each other all day.
Your dog will be
overjoyed when you come home and take them for a walk first thing.
They are so happy to see you that being alone for a long day isn't a
big deal at all.
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As
stated throughout this page.
I am no expert, these are just things I have found to be helpful to
me and/or represent my own opinion.
Hopefully they will be helpful to you. |
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