Comments for k9fundamentals.com

Comment on Read the Label! by TriPom Chews

TriPom Chews — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 18:05:48 +0000

There is a NEW (December 28, 2011) article on MSNBC which reports that the FDA is now saying that 353 dogs have gotten sick or died from eating Chinese chicken treats this year. The link is: http://on.msnbc.com/vKKHKK

Personally, I think the number of dogs sick this year is well over one thousand from the number of websites I’ve visited where I have seen dogs that are ill or that have died being discussed. I am almost certain it is something the Chinese are feeding the poultry used for their treats.

Did you know, according to Wikipedia and a New York Times article, that the Chinese fed Melamine to livestock? Melamine, as you may know, was the non-listed ingredient responsible for the pet food recall a few years ago. If you haven’t, you should search for “Melamine” on Wikipedia and read the article.

Melamine is a principal ingredient in making Formica countertops and causes kidney failure if eaten. The Chinese were also caught putting Melamine into kids’ milk and infant formula.

The only truly safe treat is one that you make yourself or that you buy from a company you trust. We make and sell our own chicken jerky, TriPom Chews, and only buy from other “Mom & Pop” sized treat makers that we have met or spoke with.

Comment on Read the Label! by TriPom Chews

TriPom Chews — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 21:20:06 +0000

I just worked a craft show over Thanksgiving weekend. I had flyers about
the recent 2011 FDA warning about Chinese chicken treats and was giving them out and educating anyone I could stop who answered “yes” to the question, “do you have a dog or cat?”

A groomer I spoke with that weekend told me that she had a client whose dog just passed away from Chinese chicken. My dogs are my children, truly. I can only imagine how devastating that was for that family…

If you’re looking for a REAL ‘American Made’ chicken treat, we started making our own Chicken Jerky after we ran across the FDA warning of 2008 about Chinese chicken treats making dogs sick or killing them. It turned into a cottage business and we now sell our TriPom Chews online and in 20 stores in the New England area. Our products are the only ‘Maine Made’, ‘American Made’, chicken jerky produced from whole, restaurant-quality chicken breasts containing NO Additives and NO Preservatives. We had to make them super wholesome as our 3 Pomeranians (our babies) taste test every batch for quality.

Comment on Read the Label! by Liam @ Buy Dog Food

Liam @ Buy Dog Food — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 00:25:54 +0000

These treats are shocking and I am surprised they haven’t been banned. Anything that has to have artificial flavors added in my mind is highly suspect; if it has good ingredients why would you need to add flavor. Same goes for colorings – they are there for the owner’s benefit – the dog doesn’t care what they look like!

Buy Dog Food Online

Comment on Why you don’t want a German shepherd by R Ray

R Ray — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 10:32:18 +0000

Thank you so much for this article. I have a four year old female GS who just last week attacked our smaller dog. The smaller dog was an older male that was here prior to the GS. Per our vet, the attack was a ‘kill’ attack because the smaller dog was grabbed on the back of the neck. Unfortunately, we had to put our smaller dog down. Our GS has plenty of room to roam and exercise, however, she is an outside dog. We have never taken our dog to training. I’m extremely concerned because we have a small child and I have heard stories of these dogs ‘turning’ on their human families. Obviously, I should have done my research prior to buying this dog. But, I didn’t and I don’t want to give this dog away if I can learn to train this dog and lose my fear of having this dog around my child. Do you think the GS could still be trained? Would you have any concerns with this dog being around a small child?

Comment on Why you don’t want a German shepherd by Brian

Brian — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 23:00:29 +0000

I agree with one of the first posters. While this is a fantastic, truthful rundown of the GSD, for me, this is a reason why some people want a GSD. Of course they can be a handful. Anyone who does not realize this have obviously not done their research, let alone ever own a GSD. Living with German Shepherds since birth (30 years), I would never consider owning any other breed. The loyalty, friendship, intelligence and protectiveness is a trademark with them. Sure, I’m biased since I was raised with them, but I consider my dogs friends and companions. I do not consider them pets. To sum it up, great rundown on the subject, and for those with problems with Shepherds, they can be trained very well. Although it does take patience and understanding of the breed. The author is dead on with their take on the breed. Please, listen to Sams’ information. Maybe a GSD is not right for you. It will be right for many. Thanks Sam.

Comment on Rusty by Cherilyn

Cherilyn — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 14:30:23 +0000

Sammie, you’re a saint! The photos and stories about your Rusty adventures are fantastic!! So glad you have the insight, knowledge and patience to help him become a great dog.

Comment on Rusty by Warren

Warren — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 13:50:08 +0000

It’s like this dog was raised in a cave for the first year. Genetically, he has very social temperament, likes people, has pretty decent inter-dog, intra-pack skills, but no people or human-structure skills. This morning, he finally decided he wanted to play, bit my leg (kinda hard) and then grabbed my arm very hard, drew blood! I yelled OW and he immediately stopped, but how is it that this dog has NO experience with toys and has never learned any bite inhibition with people? But Sam’s right — this dog learns FAST.

Comment on Why you don’t want a German shepherd by sam

sam — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 16:42:10 +0000

Thanks for your thoughtful comment. I am both a current owner and trainer (and very occasional breeder) of German shepherd dogs. I love the breed. My boy Dax is a delight and makes me laugh every day. He is a serious working dog who is thoughtful, intelligent and capable. His brother is a wonderful family dog and retrieving fool, and another brother is a perfect companion for an active hiker, snowboarder and outdoorsman.

I wrote the article after receiving yet another phone call from someone who was facing putting their GSD to sleep because it had bitten someone. I’m tired of people who get a GSD puppy, then complain because the puppy grows up to be a territorial guard dog. The German shepherd is not a golden retriever in temperament. For generations, the GSD has been bred to be a working dog, excelling in military, police, search and rescue, and other service work. They are also great sport dogs, and enjoy Schutzhund, agility, competitive obedience and other active pursuits.

When you say you specialise in the breed, I’m curious about what that means. What sort of training do you do? Do you assist distraught owners with problem dogs? Or better yet, do you help new puppy owners raise and socialise their GSDs to become model members of society?

Thanks, and hope to hear back from you,
-sam in Montana

Comment on Why you don’t want a German shepherd by Crissy

Crissy — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 06:01:01 +0000

German Shepherds are great dogs. I don’t know why a former owner and current trainer would write an article giving the breed a bad name. They already have a bad name by ignorant people who know nothing but what they news and TV tell about them. I study dogs and happen to specialize in the breed and consider this artice not very reliable and a waste of time.

Comment on Toy testers needed! by Regina Randlett

Regina Randlett — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 20:33:40 +0000

We have two dogs, one of which is a service dog. She is a golden and an amazing dog but absolutely destroys every toy we have ever given her. She rarely chews on home items such as shoes and such but when given a dog toy, it lasts only a few minutes. I think she we would be perfect. Would be more than happy to give a full review and p hotos if needed.

Sincerely, Regina Randlett