#Licensed Dog Breeder

[darkwood-sleddog]

AVENUES FOR CONTACTING REGARDING THE NEW CDC DOG IMPORTATION RULING

The CDC recently released their newly revised rules applying to all dogs wishing to enter the United States. This includes stricter paperwork and veterinary record requirements within a certain timeframe, implantation of a specific type of microchip PRIOR to rabies vaccination and a hardline restriction on any dog younger than six months. You can view all the new requirements HERE.

It is my belief that several aspects of the new ruling require additional review and nuance that is not being taken, specifically the 6 month of age rule which in my opinion is over regulatory as dogs can be fully inoculated against rabies at four months of age.

The new ruling makes very little if any distinction of dogs coming from high risk rabies countries and dogs coming from no/low risk rabies countries. The reasoning outlined in the ruling is to "streamline" the process of importation by making the requirements the same across all areas of import. This is unreasonable to countries that have no rabies present as they pose no risk.

Additionally, these rules do not take into account the shared land borders between the United States, Canada and Mexico and treats Canada and Mexico like other foreign bodies which is unreasonable. People living in border areas often cross between the US and Canada/Mexico on a frequent basis. There is no fencing at the Canadian border and wildlife of any health status can cross freely on both the northern and southern border. There are also border towns and enclaves that have an increased frequency of border crossings for daily life that need to be taken into account in regards to the paperwork requirements.

And Finally, I take big issue with the fact the ruling and reasonings behind several of the restrictions addressing the concerns of hobbyist and ethical dog breeders regarding the restriction on age of import will put on genetic diversity of dog breeds. Many breeders would rather place a puppy in an equally good home in a country where the puppy can be home at the critical young age than hold on to a dog for months. This will also prevent sport dog, service dog, and working dog puppies from being properly socialized into their future roles. Not only does the CDC make no exception for service dogs, dogs of military families, or any dog in this instance, but they addressed hobbyist and preservation breeder's concerns by stating that the USDA already has rules limited dog imports to 6 months of age for commercial breeding. Note that commercial breeding and what requires a USDA license is very specifically outlined by the USDA which does make exceptions for hobbyist breeding. The CDC ruling talks about commercial and hobbyist breeding as the same thing, referring specifically to the USDA even though the USDA themselves make specific distinctions. The CDC ruling equates hobby breeding with commercial breeding directly, with no acknowledgment that even if they were the same the puppy can be and is often most often already purchased and legally owned by the client/new owner so breeder requirements would no longer be applicable.

There are many other individual concerns. These are just my top concerns.

What can you do?

HERE is a change.org petition by Jaye Foucher that outlines similar concerns that I share as well as ones more specific to sled dog teams traveling and those that frequently do business in Alaska.

CONTACT the CDC directly and voice any concerns you have.

Contact your REPRESENTATIVES and SENATORS, especially if you live in a border state. Phone OR email would be fine. I personally prefer email as it provides a written record of the communication. While the CDC is not full of elected officials, the Senate and House recently passed an Agriculture bill titled "The Healthy Dog Importation Act" where many of the new restrictions are echoed and reiterated on a legislative level.

[objecthusbandry]

object behavior #1: biting!

hi! i'm hoping to make this a series on various object behaviors, what they mean, and what can be done about them, if anything. first up is one that i've gotten a LOT of asks about: biting, gnawing, chewing and the like. let's get started!

why objects bite

there's many various reasons your object might be biting you or others. i'll go over a few:

-your object is hungry -your object is bored -your object is trying to play with you -your object is stressed/scared/angry/sick -your object is trying to protect you -your object is poorly socialized/traumatized

hunger: this is probably not the reason, but it's important that you feed your object appropriately based on their species requirements. biting can rarely be a sign that they aren't getting the nutrients they need.

boredom: make sure you're giving your object plenty of attention! they may bite in an attempt to get your attention if they feel bored or understimulated. in young objects, they may also bite during teething, so make sure your object has chew toys! every object species has drastically different needs and as an owner it's your job to do research into your pet's play needs.

playing: sometimes, objects of medium or large size can be unaware of how much damage they can cause via biting - and they're simply playing with you the way they know how. a trick that works sometimes is to let out a high-pitched sound when your object bites to show in a way they understand that you're being hurt. reward with treats if the biting stops!

stress/sickness: be careful to watch your object's behavior. are they avoiding contact and lashing out when touched? are they growling, snarling or otherwise making noises indicating they want to be left alone? if their body language indicates they may be sick, it might be time to take your object to the vet.

objects can catch viruses and get bacterial, fungal and parasitic infections just like any other living thing. it's important to monitor their behavior to be sure they're healthy.

protection: much like some breeds of dogs, some objects are fiercely loyal and will snap at anyone they don't recognize. you can try petting your object while around strangers and giving them treats to help them associate strangers with a positive experience, but this doesn't always work, and over-aggression towards unfamiliar faces and be indicative of: trauma: all too often objects are mistreated in shelters, and sometimes even licensed breeders don't know how to properly tend to their specific needs. this can lead to the objects they adopt out being nervous, aggressive, and traumatized. if your object was adopted from someone you suspect may have abused them, it is your obligation to contact the proper authorities. that said, i highly recommend looking into professional behavior training for your object if you think they may have trauma that leads to this kind of behavior.

while this option may not seem necessary and can be rather expensive, sometimes this is really the best choice. poorly socialized and traumatized objects need professional help - if nothing listed above seems to be the reason for the biting, please consider this as an option.

hopefully this helps anyone who is wondering why their pet likes to nibble on them or bites strangers! if you have any questions, feel free to send them. thanks for reading!

[fatehbaz]

[D]omesticated attack dogs [...] hunted those who defied the profitable Caribbean sugar regimes and North America’s later Cotton Kingdom, [...] enforced plantation regimens [...], and closed off fugitive landscapes with acute adaptability to the varied [...] terrains of sugar, cotton, coffee or tobacco plantations that they patrolled. [...] [I]n the Age of Revolutions the Cuban bloodhound spread across imperial boundaries to protect white power and suppress black ambitions in Haiti and Jamaica. [...] [Then] dog violence in the Caribbean spurred planters in the American South to import and breed slave dogs [...].

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Spanish landowners often used dogs to execute indigenous labourers simply for disobedience. [...] Bartolomé de las Casas [...] documented attacks against Taino populations, telling of Spaniards who ‘hunted them with their hounds [...]. These dogs shed much human blood’. Many later abolitionists made comparisons with these brutal [Spanish] precedents to criticize canine violence against slaves on these same Caribbean islands. [...] Spanish officials in Santo Domingo were licensing packs of dogs to comb the forests for [...] fugitives [...]. Dogs in Panama, for instance, tracked, attacked, captured and publicly executed maroons. [...] In the 1650s [...] [o]ne [English] observer noted, ‘There is nothing in [Barbados] so useful as … Liam Hounds, to find out these Thieves’. The term ‘liam’ likely came from the French limier, meaning ‘bloodhound’. [...] In 1659 English planters in Jamaica ‘procured some blood-hounds, and hunted these blacks like wild-beasts’ [...]. By the mid eighteenth century, French planters in Martinique were also relying upon dogs to hunt fugitive slaves. [...] In French Saint-Domingue [Haiti] dogs were used against the maroon Macandal [...] and he was burned alive in 1758. [...]

Although slave hounds existed throughout the Caribbean, it was common knowledge that Cuba bred and trained the best attack dogs, and when insurrections began to challenge plantocratic interests across the Americas, two rival empires, Britain and France, begged Spain to sell these notorious Cuban bloodhounds to suppress black ambitions and protect shared white power. [...] [I]n the 1790s and early 1800s [...] [i]n the Age of Revolutions a new canine breed gained widespread popularity in suppressing black populations across the Caribbean and eventually North America. Slave hounds were usually descended from more typical mastiffs or bloodhounds [...].

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Spanish and Cuban slave hunters not only bred the Cuban bloodhound, but were midwives to an era of international anti-black co-ordination as the breed’s reputation spread rapidly among enslavers during the seven decades between the beginning of the Haitian Revolution in 1791 and the conclusion of the American Civil War in 1865. [...]

Despite the legends of Spanish cruelty, British officials bought Cuban bloodhounds when unrest erupted in Jamaica in 1795 after learning that Spanish officials in Cuba had recently sent dogs to hunt runaways and the indigenous Miskitos in Central America. [...] The island’s governor, Balcarres, later wrote that ‘Soon after the maroon rebellion broke out’ he had sent representatives ‘to Cuba in order to procure a number of large dogs of the bloodhound breed which are used to hunt down runaway negroes’ [...]. In 1803, during the final independence struggle of the Haitian Revolution, Cuban breeders again sold hundreds of hounds to the French to aid their fight against the black revolutionaries. [...] In 1819 Henri Christophe, a later leader of Haiti, told Tsar Alexander that hounds were a hallmark of French cruelty. [...]

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The most extensively documented deployment of slave hounds [...] occurred in the antebellum American South and built upon Caribbean foundations. [...] The use of dogs increased during that decade [1830s], especially with the Second Seminole War in Florida (1835–42). The first recorded sale of Cuban dogs into the United States came with this conflict, when the US military apparently purchased three such dogs for $151.72 each [...]. [F]ierce bloodhounds reputed to be from Cuba appeared in the Mississippi valley as early as 1841 [...].

The importation of these dogs changed the business of slave catching in the region, as their deployment and reputation grew rapidly throughout the 1840s and, as in Cuba, specialized dog handlers became professionalized. Newspapers advertised slave hunters who claimed to possess the ‘Finest dogs for catching negroes’ [...]. [S]lave hunting intensified [from the 1840s until the Civil War] [...]. Indeed, tactics in the American South closely mirrored those of their Cuban predecessors as local slave catchers became suppliers of biopower indispensable to slavery’s profitability. [...] [P]rice [...] was left largely to the discretion of slave hunters, who, ‘Charging by the day and mile [...] could earn what was for them a sizeable amount - ten to fifty dollars [...]'. William Craft added that the ‘business’ of slave catching was ‘openly carried on, assisted by advertisements’. [...] The Louisiana slave owner [B.B.] portrayed his own pursuits as if he were hunting wild game [...]. The relationship between trackers and slaves became intricately systematized [...]. The short-lived republic of Texas (1836–46) even enacted specific compensation and laws for slave trackers, provisions that persisted after annexation by the United States.

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All text above by: Tyler D. Parry and Charlton W. Yingling. "Slave Hounds and Abolition in the Americas". Past & Present, Volume 246, Issue 1, February 2020, pages 69-108. Published February 2020. At: doi dot org/10.1093/pastj/gtz020. February 2020. [Bold emphasis and some paragraph breaks/contractions added by me. Presented here for commentary, teaching, criticism purposes.]

[drdemonprince]

how is it having a chinchilla? How does it compare to a dog, rabbit, lizard, or other pets? I'd like a pet when I'm more financially stable, but idk if I'll ever be mentally stable? I worry about meeting its needs, but something like a fish is too low interaction for me.

Are chinchillas considered an "exotic" animal? I know some states require licenses to have them as pets, like hedgehogs

Chinchillas are in the sweet spot of low maintenance but high engagement, in my opinion. When you're busy, you can keep em in a cage with water, hay, pellets, a few chew toys, and a wheel to run on pretty much indefinitely ; when you want to play with them you can let them roam around a chin-proofed room and enjoy watching them jump, roll, and dart around the room bouncing off the walls.

Chins are curious and fearless, and they are *fast* and can jump as high as four feet off the ground, and quite high energy, so they can be a lot of fun to have around. They however are NOT LAP PETS and will chew up every single wood baseboard / electric cable / book / pair of shoes they can find, so you have to keep an eye on them or else cover everything with cardboard. Don't let the cute tiktoks fool you, most dont want to sit still on a countertop holding things for videos. Chins are like cats: they do want they want to do, and they choose when they want to make contact with you and where they want to go.

Chins are also hypoallergenic! and relatively cheap to keep, aside from the initial start up costs of buying a good Critter Nation cage and a Happy Chilla metal wheel and the pet itself. They are very long lived for a rodent, some making it into their 20s, so be prepared for a long term commitment. (my last chin made it to 13, but we didnt feed her well when I was a child. Dump Truck, who we give hay and Oxbow pellets only, is 7 but I expect him to be around a long time. He's still very youthful).

There are no "exotics" restrictions on owning chinchillas, because they have been domesticated since the 1800s. All chinchillas come from breeders, none are captured from the wild, and there are many reputable breeders in the US, the UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, and Japan, as well as rescues. Here in Chicago we have Northwest Indiana Chinchilla Rescue just a few miles out.

One final note: chinchillas need a cool environment. If the room they are in gets about 85 degrees, they will die. They evolved in the Peruvian mountains and are built for a cold, dry environment. If you can't afford to keep them in air conditioning all summer, do not get one. In the winter, they will post up for hours beside an open window. Ice chips and a cool marble slab in their cage can help them regulate temp too.

To learn more, I recommend Let's Love Chinchillas. It's a website, a subreddit, and theyre on facebook/instagram etc.

[despazito]

This is kind of random but I trust your opinion and knowledge on things like dog breeds - I'm sort of obsessed with Borzoi and have been for years now. Can't have one atm cause I have cats, and no yard, but in the future its the breed I lean toward the most. Do they have any breeding inflicted issues like the shquashed faced breeds or hip-issues of the GSD? I never really trust breed-focused pages to tell me stuff like that, since they're by people who are really INTO the breed - ya know?

dolichocephalic (long muzzled, opposite of brachycephalic) dogs do not really have any welfare issues associated with the long muzzle. the muzzle length problems arise when you squash the soft tissue inside a skull that is too small. that being said it shouldn't be a license to see how long you can physically breed a muzzle onto a dog, everything is good in moderation.

Eris the borzoi who's popular in memes has a ridiculously long snout to the point that she's got a pretty goofy looking overbite

i mean this in no offense to Eris i'm obsessed with her, but i would really dissuade anyone from breeding a dog if it's got that degree of malocclusion, this isn't the look we should be striving for (which is difficult when some breed standards basically DEMAND an uneven bite ie. english bulldogs)

part of me is worried that the popularity of snoot memes may make people try to breed for it even more, the current AKC borzoi standard clearly asks for an even or scissor bite, however i think adding a clause that penalizes overshot bites wouldn't hurt and might be a good preventative measure.

A quick look around doesn't show any serious health problems unique to borzoi that aren't also found in other similar size breeds. many websites stress the danger of bloat being higher for borzoi because it's more prevalent in dogs with a very deep chest, and the borzoi club of canada says that they may be sensitive to certain anesthetics. the american borzoi club also mentions a higher risk of an enzyme disorder called methemoglobin reductase deficiency?

all in all there seems to be nothing serious in borzois, and i think sighthounds on average have a cleaner bill of population health than other dog groups.

If you don't trust breeders or club resources it can be insightful to lurk on breed-specific facebook groups or forums especially local or health oriented ones. don't go there for any medical advice, but you can see which kind of health issues people are posting about and with what frequency, and potentially even which breeders the sick dogs are coming from. I was invited to join a group about saint bernards in the UK, it's basically a buyer beware watchdog group of concerned owners with sick bernards tracking sires and bloodlines that produce unhealthy dogs. of course those groups are very susceptible to infighting and personal vendettas or smear campaigns but it can offer an insight

[starless-nightz]

boo! did i scare you? im a job application

I'm 15 years old and my family owns 2 pet stores and my parents are licensed breeders, they a slowly teaching us how to help around with the dogs, the dog shows and the store AND they are paying us for

[jouno-s]

hate arguing with staunch ‘adopt don’t shop!!!’ people. where the fuck do you think dogs in shelters come from? certainly not from responsible licensed breeders. responsible breeders aren’t the problem, backyard breeders and irresponsible owners are

[dinodomestics]

Lore: Dinosaurs in the Mainland - A Jurassic Park AU

In this alternate universe, the catastrophic events that were set to annihilate Isla Nublar never occurred. Instead, the dinosaurs of Jurassic Park found themselves becoming an unexpected, yet enduring, part of the ecosystem. Over time, as nature took its course, these prehistoric creatures began to migrate and integrate with mainland wildlife, transforming the world in ways no one could have imagined.

Now, a few years later, dinosaurs have become a strange yet accepted part of life. They roam freely in certain regions, coexisting with modern animals. Some species have even been incorporated into human society, with people keeping smaller dinosaurs as exotic pets. However, the presence of dinosaurs among humans comes with strict regulations and an ever-present risk.

The Integration of Dinosaurs

Dinosaurs are no longer confined to the island—they have spread across various habitats, adapting to different environments and climates. While most large, dangerous dinosaurs remain in remote areas or reserves, smaller species have become more commonplace and are sometimes found in urban and rural settings.

However, the integration of dinosaurs is a delicate balance. No dinosaur species has yet been fully domesticated, meaning that even the smallest, cutest dinosaurs retain wild instincts. Owning a dinosaur is not like having a dog or a cat; it's more akin to keeping a raccoon or a fox. These creatures require specialized care, understanding, and respect.

Owning Dinosaurs: Rules and Regulations

Types of Dinosaurs as Pets:

Small Herbivores/Omnivores: These dinosaurs are the most common pets. Examples include Compsognathus (Compy) or Protoceratops. They are typically small, manageable, and less dangerous than their carnivorous counterparts.

Small Carnivores: While less common, some small carnivorous dinosaurs, like the Ornitholestes, are kept as pets. Owners must have a deep understanding of their needs and behaviors, as they can be unpredictable.

Medium-Sized Herbivores: Dinosaurs like Pachycephalosaurus or Stegosaurus are sometimes kept as pets but are strictly outdoor animals. They require large enclosures and extensive care. These dinosaurs are never carnivores due to the inherent risks.

Licensing and Ownership:

Small Dinosaurs: Small dinosaurs, including small herbivores and (rarely) small carnivores, can be kept as pets without a specific license. They are treated similarly to cats or dogs in terms of legal ownership.

Medium-Sized Dinosaurs: Ownership of medium-sized dinosaurs requires a license. Prospective owners must complete training and certification to demonstrate their ability to provide appropriate care. You are never permitted to own carnivorous medium sized dinosaurs.

Professional Breeders: Only licensed breeders are authorized to breed medium sized dinosaurs. Pet stores may sell very small dinosaurs but are not allowed to offer larger ones.

Illegal Dinosaur Trade: Large dinosaurs, like T-Rex, are illegal to own and are subject to severe penalties if trafficked or kept as pets.

Cross-Breeding:

Cross-breeding between dinosaur species is rare and only possible between closely related species. The results are unpredictable and usually not suitable for pet ownership. This practice is highly regulated to prevent unintended consequences.

Safety and Ethics:

No Fully Domesticated Species: It’s crucial to remember that no dinosaur species is fully domesticated. Owners must always be cautious and respectful of the dinosaur's natural instincts.

Behavioral Risks: Even small and medium-sized dinosaurs can exhibit dangerous behaviors if stressed or improperly cared for. Owners are required to take preventive measures and provide appropriate environments.

Environmental Impact: The presence of dinosaurs has altered ecosystems. Conservation efforts are in place to manage their impact and ensure a balance with native wildlife.

Ownership Responsibilities:

Care Requirements: Owning a dinosaur is a significant commitment. Proper habitats, diets, and enrichment activities are necessary to maintain the dinosaur’s well-being.

Community Impact: Dinosaur owners must be aware of the potential risks their pets pose to their neighbors and communities. Escape, aggression, or environmental damage are serious concerns.

Reporting and Compliance: Owners of larger dinosaurs are required to regularly report on the health and behavior of their dinosaurs to regulatory bodies. Non-compliance can lead to the revocation of licenses and the confiscation of the dinosaur.

And Finally,

Dinosaurs are becoming more and more common as pets in this universe, and this blog is a fun little au roleplay where everyone can have a dino pet and ask questions about their behavior and care, I hope to see your asks fill my inbox soon!

[insipid-drivel]

Tama and her best sister, Maggie, passed out after zoomies. Maggie (the black Chihuahua, left) is only beginning to realize her new best friend is a self-heating fur blanket/emotional time machine. Their story is kind of making me weepy as it's been unfolding.

What's wonderful is that, while Maggie is a 22-month-old rescue from out of state, Tama is just barely 4 months old and from a happy, secure home with a Pomsky breeder that specializes with health, temperament, and disease-eliminating breeding practices, and is also a licensed competitive obedience trainer. If things go well, I hope for Tama to be licensed as my ESA, since I lost my furbaby ESA 2 years ago and needed a long time to grieve, as well as find the right dog with the right temperament. I still fully endorse rescuing, with Maggie and my calico, Nimue, both being sponsored out of state rescues that I love very much, but Tama's circumstances are a little more unique since I need her to be reared for an actual job where her background can really count. Maggie seems to need her own ESA at the best of times, and Nimue is very uncomfortable with anywhere that isn't home, inside, with a visible roof and central air, and me watching birds out the window with her while I also rub her tummy.

Maggie's always been very clingy, quick to panic and bark at strange noises, and generally seems to have had pretty bad anxiety and self confidence issues that no amount of human affection and comfort seemed to make progress with. I get the sense she was weaned too soon, was the runt, or came from an environment where she was one of many other dogs and puppies. She's very shy, afraid of aggression, submissive, and very much was not capable of standing her ground or asserting any dominance or boundaries before Tama came home with me.

Since bonding, Maggie has actually started to seem to regress emotionally and psychologically to acting and playing like she's Tama's age (approx. 4 months), and is acting like they're maturing at the same rate. She's getting better with her potty training by watching Tama, making happy and playful sounds she never has before, barking less, and sticking up for herself and demonstrating more confidence. She even learned basic commands like "sit" and "leave it" from joining Tama during obedience lessons. Maggie even learned to use her Big Sister voice to help me teach Tama to be gentle with her teeth during playtime.

It's really touching to see Maggie healing by having the chance to have a do-over with her puppyhood alongside Tama. It reminds me that for those of us humans walking around with old traumas, spending time doing the things we couldn't enjoy during those times - childish as we may feel doing them at first - really can help us heal and reclaim time we thought was lost to us forever.

Sometimes it just takes an annoying kid that has 0 chill about acting their age to get us there.

[theautisticdoctor]

Entry #016

Autism Service Dog Journey – Week 1

This burnout hit me hard, like smacked me right in the face and stomach and I feel like recovering is going so slow, too slow. I have been trying to get my energy and confidence back to where it was, but it’s just not happening. I have been researching ways to get myself back on my feet and one of the things I came across was the Autism Service Dog. In my country there’s a huge waiting list for these type of dogs, it’s not covered by health insurance yet and it costs about €25K to train one (and a €400 extra every two years to renew the license). There are other ways to get funding but there are massive waiting list, I’m not applicable due to age, or so much paperwork, so I would’ve had to rely on crowdfunding. Which sucks because I don’t like being in the spotlight unanonymously. Also getting a dog through one of those organisations will mean that I would lend a dog, but I also suffer massively from fear of abandonment. Like my cat is three years old, but thinking about the day she’ll be gone gives me already massive anxiety although I know it won’t happen for another 17 years – and nobody dare tell me otherwise because she’s going to be at least 20 years old. I talked to some friends of mine who have a lot of experience with training dogs, and I made the decision to train an autism service dog for myself. To help me manage the challenges I face daily, because I know a (service) dog could make a significant difference in my life. She will offer me support that I wouldn’t be able to find elsewhere. I will deal with how to get the appropriate official certifications later.

So after months, if not years of extensive research (thank you recurrent hyperfixation) I decided to finally give it a go and I bought a puppy last week. I created a more than extensive training plan / program for us and talked a lot with the breeder about the health and characteristics of her parents. I’m not sure how I am going to combine it with my work yet, but up until now they are very supportive.

Breed

Generally I found that the best breeds are the Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Poodles, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Border Collies, German Shepherds, Belgian Shepherds, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Great Danes, and the Australian Shepherds. But most importantly, when selecting a breed you should consider the temperament and trainability. If you are suffering from dog allergies I’d suggest to go with a hypoallergenic breed, although it is not a certainty you won’t have a reaction. The temperament should be calm and stable and the dog should be responsive to training, intelligent, and eager to learn and work. Also you should be able to match the energy level of the dog, for example the working dogs, like shepherds require a lot of activity throughout the day. Furthermore, depending on the tasks or goals you have for your service dog the size of the dog might be an important factor. For example, I really want my service dog to be able to apply deep pressure, so I need a larger breed in order to achieve this goal. However, while breed traits are important and overall true and applicable, each dog is an individual. You should assess the temperament and compatibility of each specific dog with your goals and needs. Talk to the breeder, ask them how their parents are like, how previous nests grew up to be, observe the puppies or dog and talk to professional trainers. Also nurture and therefore training is a big complement part to nature. After a ton of research, talking to breeders, talking to a befriended trainer and the making of a dozen pros-cons lists, I finally decided that the Belgian Shepherd was the perfect fit for me. So, I am now a proud owner of a Belgian Malinois Shepherd puppy, named Pallas.

Belgian Malinois Shepherds are known for their intelligence, trainability, and loyalty. While they are often seen in roles like police or military work, they can also make exceptional service dogs with the right training. Their high energy and strong work ethic make them well-suited for tasks that require a lot of focus and precision. They are very sensitive and reactive which makes them a good fit with me, because I need her to sense my emotions, my hunger and thirst, but also my flashbacks. They are very big so she will be able to give me deep pressure but also needs a lot of leadership, which is a quality I want to train and develop. I spent quite some time observing her parents, who are for malinois very gentle, calm and soft. So I expect to see those qualities back in her, and I already do. Although she is a puppy she is not hyperactive, listens very well, behaves very well and is already really socialised to people, other animals small and big, and just the outdoor buzzing life.

Goals

My goals for a service dog are to provide deep pressure therapy in certain situations, to assist me with sensory overload, to notice and notify me of certain emotions, bodily feelings, negative / distressing stimming and flashbacks, and to help me in social interactions. She’s not really there to give me practical support or assistance, but rather to give me emotional support and to be a trusted companionship.

Training

Training a service dog is no piece of cake. It requires patience, consistency, and a deep understanding of both the dog's needs and my specific needs. Together with a dog trainer I created a training program that fits my needs and also covers the challenges of training a puppy into a service dog. The first phase I called the “Puppy Preschool Program”, which covers building a strong relationship with my dog, socialisation and basic obedience. Since she’s really just a baby, it’s about learning to trust me and follow my commands. She’ll learn how a clicker works and how she is eligible for treats. She’s going to learn commands like sit, follow, stay, lay down and leave. She also needs to be socialised, that means plenty of exposure to other dogs, cats, livestock, people and motorised vehicles. When she’s graduated from this she’ll enrol into “Puppy High School”, which covers advanced obedience and public access training. Exposing her to different environments will help build her confidence and adaptability. Because, I need her to stay calm in public access places and I need her to behave and listen to me. This means no barking, no tugging, no begging, and not reacting to distractions. She’ll also learn more commands, like fetch, apport, catch, hug, kiss, nudge, guide and paw. It’s going to lay down the foundation for the third phase where she’ll have to do tasks without any commands but by her own notice of signs and signals. Because, after this she’ll do “Puppy College” which are the advanced specific tasks like notifying me of emotions, negative / distressing stimming, flashbacks and bodily feelings, providing assistance with sensory overload and during social interactions and applying deep pressure. After this I am able to call her my autism service dog. Although even after this initial training is complete, it is important to keep continuity in reinforcing commands and keep adapting her to any new needs that arise.

Progress

I have my pup of 10 weeks for a small week now and the transformation I’ve already witnessed is nothing short of miraculous. She’s already such a source of emotional support, for example I fell down in the dark after 4 days because I tripped over something and she came running towards me and started licking my dislocated wrist and hugging me. In the first days she did a lot of puppy nipping, but I managed to get her to almost completely stop doing that in just a week. She walks with me on a leash without tugging and she already listens to the commands sit and follow. She is very gentle in meeting other people, other dogs and she is so amazingly sweet with my cat, it’s like I’m living a dream. Our bond is really building strong and it’s amazing to see the progress in such a short time already. It’s also amazing to see the effect on me, I have been outside walking, I’ve been talking to people on the street and if I don’t want to talk I simply tell her “no, you’re not getting cuddles from this person” loud enough for the others to hear so they don’t interact with us.

If you're considering training an autism service dog for yourself, I think patience is essential because training takes time and each dog learns at their own pace. Also, consistency matters with all animals and dogs in particular. They need consequent, regular, consistent training sessions to have success in progressing. I can definitely recommend working with (experienced) trainers who can provide valuable insights and support, although I am aware that they are very pricey. But most and foremost building a strong, trusting relationship with your dog is essential and could already benefit you in your symptoms.

If you have the ability to get an autism service dog through an organisation I think you will save yourself a lot of time and have more reassurance the process will work out okay, which I can therefore definitely recommend. But maybe we should advocate as a community to make the autism service dogs more accessible for everyone with a diagnosis. Instead of making them only available to people who have the means to get their dogs training for such ridiculous prices. Because according to the Assistance Dogs International all programs must be nonprofit, but then also, how can they ask for €260 per 45 minutes of training excluding driving reimbursement and if you write or app the trainer it will cost another €100. I really fail to see how that is a nonprofit organisation and not just a lucrative business model. It is something that should be able to be done for way cheaper.

Feel free to reach out if you have any tips, thoughts, suggestions, or advice for me, I’d really appreciate them all. I’d absolutely love to hear your stories. And if you have any questions or need advice on training your own autism service dog from me just ask, nevertheless I will definitely share more of my journey with Pallas in the near future.

[just-antithings]

if you could have any dog or cat and guarantee it will live a long healthy life with you being perfectly capable of providing it's needs, which breed would you pick? personally my answers are german shepherd and bombay cat

Once me and my husband buy our first house, we plan on getting our first dog, and I plan on having her go through service dog training she will be a white Swiss Shepherd. I want a lot of pets, 3 of which I know I'll only be able to get at breeders (any other pets will be from shelters). My Shepherd is one. The other 2 are a female siamese cat. My husband wants a giant dog breed. we aren't sure what kind yet, but he will probably be trained for both home defense and hunting (me and my husband are working on getting our hunting licenses). The dogs will be named hades and persephone, and the cat will be Miso.

We thankfully are in a position where we will be able to provide for the needs of our pets, and our end goal is to own a property with at least 2 acres of land. Still thank you for asking, and maybe some other mods can answer in the reblogs.

[agoddamn]

Asst'd skunk facts because I always want to tag ramble whenever I reblog skunks

They're legal to keep in a number of states as well as Canada and the UK! With license or without, depending on location. Registered breeders and everything are out there.

Many pet skunks get an elective surgery to remove the stink gland, although this is illegal in the UK and considered similar to declawing in that it removes a natural behavior purely for human convenience. You can also just not terrorize a skunk, and then it won't spray

Spraying is a last-resort weapon for skunks; it usually takes a few days for enough fluid to build up in the stink glands again

They have an unusually low level of fear because they've got very few predators on account of the aforementioned stink glands. Certain birds of prey can't smell their fluid, but everyone else with a nose...Although they are a significant rabies vector, it's not strange to see them not very fearful of humans in the same way it's strange to see a bat or a fox or a rabbit not showing much fear of humans. If you've seen a video of a skunk nosing up to a human and then walking away, that's not bizarre behavior (also they're crepuscular, not purely nocturnal!)

The primary barrier to them being legal pets in the US is the lack of an official rabies vaccine more than anything else. I've heard that a feline rabies vaccine functions perfectly for them, but isn't currently federally recognized in the US (this is also a very off-the-books "I've heard...") because testing would be very expensive for little profit

Pet skunks tend to get fat easily because the cheapest/easiest thing to give them is cat food, which is very high-calorie...and skunks are gorge eaters. Since they're scavengers their instinct is to eat fucking everything they can whenever they can

On the scale of exotic pets my completely amateur asshole opinion is...not the worst you could do, honestly. They're not an already-domesticated species like cats/dogs, but it's also not the kind of thing like a mountain lion or a wolf where 'dude that is literally just a wild fucking animal in your house.'

I don't get vaguely concerned when I see a skunk tiktok like I do when I see, idk, people snuggling with tiger cubs or some awful Dodo video. Although animal abuse is always out there, their pop culture bad reputation actually protects them a little bit in this sense; very few people want to keep a pet skunk for clout, where zillions of people want to keep a wolfdog for clout.

(of course, the ethics of keeping an exotic pet are questionable for a number of other reasons such as vet availability, but like I said--on the scale.)

[northwestmutt]

Life updates! I haven’t been super active, so a lot has happened since my last post.  More health issues lately, causing dizziness, lightheadedness, and feeling like I’m going to pass out. I’ve had bloodwork done, a heart monitor, etc. and everything comes back normal. I’ll be seeing a specialist in a few months to hopefully get a better idea of what’s causing my issues. I also got a new puppy! Her name is Tillie and she’s a mini Aussie. I got her from a wonderful breeder in town.. Her older half-brother is my friend’s SDIT, her full sister from Tillie’s litter is my friend’s mom’s SD prospect, and Tillie is a prospect as well. Annie won’t be retiring anytime soon, but if Tillie has the potential to alert to migraines and/or whatever’s been going on with my health, she would be my medical alert dog. If it doesn’t work out, I might train her to be a therapy dog instead. And finally, I got my license! I can drive and I have more opportunities to do training and working with Annie and Tillie both together or separately.  I do have a tiktok but I’m not sure how active I’ll be on there. https://www.tiktok.com/@northwestmutt

[cleverdonutninja]

8 Tips for Finding A Professional English Cream Golden Retreiver Breeder

Finding the right puppy to welcome into your family can be a challenging task. The key is to first find the ideal breeder whom you trust and then ensure they meet your requirements and standards for finding the puppy of your dreams. As with a responsible pet store, professional breeders like Elite White Goldens want the best for their puppies. They want them to find loving homes where they will be fulfilled by loyal and loving owners who respect their dogs as family.

If you’re a family or someone looking for fur babies or white golden retriever puppies, these tips will help you find a reputable breeder to help bring a new Golden Retriever into your life. Take a look below!

1. Know What Makes a Professional Breeder

For starters, professional breeders provide a safe and clean living environment for dogs and puppies. They treat the animals as their family members and don’t lock them in tight spaces. Reputable breeders also tend to stick to one or two breeds and have extensive knowledge about them. For example, Elite White Goldens focuses on breeding white golden retriever puppies only.

2. Start Your Search With Local Breeders

It’s a good idea to start by contacting professional breeders in your area. If you can’t find one, an excellent move is to consult your local veterinarian. Veterinarians can recommend professional breeders as they have a good working relationship with them.

3. Meet the Breeder in Person

Once you know a breeder, we recommend meeting them in person. The best location would be in the place where they raise the pets. By doing so, you’ll be able to see the puppies, how they’re taken care of, and how they interact with their master and strangers.

4. Ask the Breeder Questions 

One way to identify a professional breeder is to ask them questions about the puppies and dog care practices. Hence, before the meet-up, you should prepare a list of questions. Professional breeders are passionate about pets and will patiently share their knowledge with you.

5. Visit the Pup’s Parents

The best way to see how your dog will turn out is to look at their parents. This will give you an idea of the puppy's size, temperament, and appearance.

6. Take a Look at the Dog’s Medical History

Professional breeders ensure their dogs are healthy by providing health screenings, such as OFA and CERF. Thus, before buying one, it’s crucial to ask for these documents. Moreover, the breeder will explain health conditions that typically affect that particular breed.

7. Only Buy From Assured Breeders

As a rule of thumb, don’t buy puppies from puppy mills or back yard breeders. Most reputable breeders hold a business license and pay taxes. Once you identify a reputable breeder, read their reviews and take some time to get to know them. Reputable breeders screen their dogs for common health concerns, and provide pre-and post-sale support to ensure your puppy has the best possible life.

8. Check Their Breeder of Merit and Bred With H.E.A.R.T Certifications

Reputable breeders cooperate with pet associations like American Kennel Club (AKC) to promote integrity and consistency of breed standards. As such, they’ll have certifications for Breeder of Merit and Bred with H.E.A.R.T. programs.

Partner With a Professional Breeder Today

The bottom line is that partnering with a professional breeder guarantees you get the perfect addition to your family. When you’re looking for golden retriever puppies for sale in Michigan, you can count on us at Elite White Goldens. We’re a professional breeder that provides quality care and generous love to our goldens as well as a lifetime of support for our adoptive families.

[lionfanged]

UNPROMPTED / always accepting @snippyrocket sent . .  .

"We got a pretty big intake at the shelter today. Some old fella. A well-meaning guy, I think, but lonely. Bred far more than he could possibly take care of."

Shinya looks nothing short of exhausted.

This is their first big job -- and it's certainly taken its toll. He's sure that temporary fluctuations in care requirements could be dealt with, but ultimately, every important decision went through him. He's been busier than ever, lining up foster homes for some, signing everything off, and making sure everyone gets the care they need.

"I'm certain that most of the pups will all find homes quite soon, save for a couple o' sick ones that need to stay a while..."

As he flops down onto the couch, his hand slips into the inside pocket of his jacket, his sleepy, half-lidded gaze cast over to his fiancé.

There's just one thing left to do before he can catch a decent nap.

"Mixed in amongst the hoard, there was a bit of a curveball thrown our way... But passing her up felt wrong. I already know where the best place for her is."

Shinya produces a Pokéball, holding it out toward Atticus. Inside, a tiny and malnourished Skitty awaits him, nervous and unsure of her new surroundings.

"I saw from the pictures... She belonged to the wife. But the lady passed a while before he did. I don't think the poor thing stood much of a chance, what with all the dogs."

She deserves someone who can thoroughly spoil her for the rest of her days, and this is surely the best place for it.

"I know I shouldn't bring my work home with me, but... Whaddya think?"

pride was not an adequate manner of describing how atticus felt about his beloved shinya’s hard work. in his obsessive dedication to ensuring all went well for his fiancé's shelter, he had even begun to neglect the plans he had been masterminding for years, leaving a budding organization without a proper figurehead to follow. a few years prior, the atticus then would have been mortified, rightfully furious of the present day man who neglected his goal of placing hoenn beneath his heel, as it deserved to be, in favor of doting on another.

love was weakness. people would leave, and abandon him. had he not learned his lesson?

yet, all those fears were put by the wayside to focus on an uncertain, but hopeful future. a future that involved sitting down with his exhausted lover and placing his legs on his lap, massaging surely sore muscles from thigh to calf, tense and taut from a long day’s work of running around managing his shelter.

‘ good intentions or not, those pokemon are now in much better hands, ‘ atticus stated plainly, focused on his ministrations, and paying little mind to shinya’s subtle movements. ‘ this is why they require so many licenses and training sessions before they allow simply anyone to become a breeder. it was only a matter of time before his incompetence caught up to him. ‘

the overhead lights glinting off of a polished object brought him to look over, and his focused expression broke into a rare look of surprise at the offered pokeball.

‘ ... what? ‘

did shinya suddenly decide that atticus was up and ready for a dog? while he had accepted all of proton’s pups, for they were as much family as his shinya, that certainly did not mean he had any want for any of his own. feline pokemon were much more to his tastes, or at least, pokemon of a similar energy.

‘ i know how much you love and care for every pokemon you take in, ‘ he began, gently accepting the pokeball to study it. ‘ but i do not know if i am ready for that same responsibility. you know that dog pokemon have a level of energy i simply cannot manage-- ‘

pressing the button on the capsule to release the pokemon, feeling it cruel to keep it constrained for even a moment longer, his words stuck to his tongue like glue when she appeared. she was not a dog at all, and instead of the bumbling pup he had expected crouched a frightened, uneasy skitty, skinny and nervous.

‘ ... you may very well be the end of me, my love. ‘ his hands stopped their work altogether to carefully, delicately reach out, allowing the nervous pokemon to think, and then slowly inch forward to sniff at his fingers, evaluating if friend or foe. ‘ do you know how old she is? ‘

atticus’s mind was already racing with what he needed to order for her enrichment, her diet, and anything that would make her immediately more at ease in this strange environment.

[ivyfox-illustration]

License Plate RAINBOW POODLE, standard poodle, watercolor, spoo, continental cut, realistic, unique poodle gifts Your favourite breed art print - head or body conformation - groomer gift - Other Breeds Available - dog breeder gift - regional specialty or national specialty prize gift idea Artwork by Ivy Fox Illustration Follow Ivy Fox Illustration on social media https://m.facebook.com/IvyFox.illustration/ https://www.instagram.com/ivyfox.illustration/ Find your dog breed: Personalized Pet Portraits: https://ivyfoxillustrates.etsy.com/ My website: https://ivyfoxillustration.com/ Art Prints Merch Original PaintingsCreate highly personalized front license plates for drivers with glowing personalities. Decorate them with photographs, illustrations, custom names – it's all up to you. They're lightweight, and each one has four pre-drilled holes for a super easy installation. .: Lightweight aluminum .: Compatible with License Plate Cover (12.2" x 6.3") .: Pre-drilled holes .: Easy installationContact Email: IvyFoxIllustration@ gmail(dot)com ———— Tags and other miscellaneous info: ———— Ivy Fox Illustration Ivy Fox dog art Museum of the Dog American Kennel Club Showsight - Where Champions Are Celebrated American Dog Fancier InfoDog Best In Show The Canine Chronicle AKC Gazette best pet portrait artist watercolor fine art unique art Akc meet the breeds Westminster kennel club dog show national dog show crufts grooming intergroom superzoo petquest groom expo dog sports well bred dogs purebred preservation breeders ethical breeders breeder of merit akc grand champion Ch – Champion of Record – earned by gaining 15 points in conformation wins. Points awarded is determined by the number of other entries the winning dog defeats. A dog must win at least two majors (by winning at two different shows under two different judges where there are enough entries defeated to equal 3-5 points by the AKC point system. OTCh – Obedience Trial Champion To earn an obedience title, the dog must have a passing score of 50% of possible points or better, and an overall passing score at three different competitions under three different judges. CD – Companion Dog (First Level Obedience Competition, basic obedience exercises) CDX – Companion Dog Excellent (Intermediate Level Obedience Competition, more advanced obedience work) UD – Utility Dog (Advanced Level Obedience Competition, difficult obedience work, including hand signals) UDX – The highest obedience degree AKC presently awards TRACKING TD – Tracking Dog TDX – Tracking Dog Excellent VST – Variable Surface Tracking HERDING HIC – Herding Instinct Certificate HT – Herding Tested PT – PreTrial Tested HS – Herding Started HI – Herding Intermediate HX – Herding Excellent HCh – Herding Champion AGILITY NA – Novice Agility OA – Open Agility AX – Agility Excellent MX – Master Agility Excellent NAJ – Novice Agility Jumper OAJ – Open Agility Jumper EAJ – Excellent Agility Jumper AKC Unofficial Titles CGC – Canine Good Citizen ROM – Register of Merit – A dog or bitch must earn a number of points specified by the DPCA rules, and also meet the numbers of champion and major pointed progeny required by DPCA. The requirements for bitches are less than the requirements for the dogs because males have the opportunity to produce a far larger number of offspring. ROMC – Canadian ROM ROM/C – designates that the dog has earned an American and a Canadian ROM. TT – Temperament Tested TC – Temperament Certified AOE – Award of Excellence-A dog must meet qualifications in conformation, obedience, and also be OFA´d to earn this award. New competitions are being added and rules for competitions change, for the most up to date rules and regulations, check with the AKC and the DPCA. Miscellaneous American titles often seen on pedigrees and in advertising. BIS – Best in Show at an All-Breed Show in conformation. BISS – Best in Show Specialty (where only dogs of the same breed are competing in conformation) BOB – Best of Breed BOS – Best Opposite Sex BOW – Best of Winners (best between Winners Dog and Winners Bitch in breed conformation class competition) WD – Winners Dog – the winning dog overall of the regular classes of his sex. WB – Winners Bitch – the winning bitch overall of the regular classes of her sex. RWD/RWB – Runner up to the winners dog and bitch, if the winner becomes ineligible for the award then the runner up will receive the points awarded from that show. Special – A dog that is already a Champion that is competing for Best of Breed only. A Champion cannot compete in the classes where points are earned (because a Champion has already earned them!) RTD – Registered Therapy Dog TD I- Dog has passed Therapy Dog International´s testing HEALTH CERTIFICATIONS OVC – Ontario Veterinary College OVC Hip Certification – A dog may be preliminary screened at a younger age, but will not receive a certification unless the dog is at least 18 months old. It was told to me by a tech in the radiology department of OVC that they consider hips to either be bad, in which case they are rated on a scale from 0 – 4, with 4 being the worse, or they are “good” in which case the animal will receive a certification number (if 18 months or older. Therefore they do not follow the U.S. rating system which includes “FAIR”, Good, Excellent”. Their exact words were “the hips are either GOOD or they are NOT. OFA – Orthopedic Foundation for Animals OFA Hip Certifications – dogs within a specified range of normal hip x-rays are certified OFA-Excellent, Good, or Fair OFA – Elbow Certification – Certified by OFA for normal elbows on x-ray, only one grade recognized as normal. Check with OFA for proper procedures and positioning for hip and elbow x-rays. A dog may be preliminary screened at a younger age, but will not receive a certification unless the dog is at least 24 months old. OFA is also now doing certifications for other canine health concerns such as normal thyroid levels, check with OFA for accurate data and rules concerning these. CERF – Canine Eye Registry Foundation-dog is certified to have normal eyes. Re-certification must be done annually. vWD – Von Willebrands Disease free-meaning the dog has been tested and found free of vWD, a bleeding disorder, vWD free ratings also are often given with a percentage listed. For the best information on Von Willebrand´s Disease, contact Dr Jean Dodds, who is the leading research specialist in blood disorders. Dog show prize idea