A lot of coverage has been placed on pit bull attacks over the years. Just today, there was a news story on MSNBC covering this issue.
What side are you on?
Now what if your child had just been attacked, does that change your answer?
The Apartment Dog | by Diana Bocco
“I want a dog, but I live in an apartment.”
How many times have you worried that apartment living means you can’t get a dog? The truth is that a lot of breeds do surprisingly well in apartments and many actually thrive there. Apartment living has many benefits, including a reduced risk of injury and accidents (less exposure to the elements or risk of escaping) and a closer animal-human bond. It also has its drawbacks.
EXERCISE PROBLEMS
When it comes to choosing an apartment dog, make sure you pick a breed with a low to moderate need for activity. Size is not as important here, as some large dogs (including French Mastiffs, Chow Chows and St. Bernards) do well in apartments if walked at least twice daily. High-energy dogs, on the other hand, may end up with behavioral problems if confined to apartments all day long. “I’ve seen this sad mistake far too many times with my clients; people who get a particular breed without researching it first,” says dog trainer Victoria Schade. She mentions the case of a young apartment dweller who got a German Shorthaired Pointer because she thought it seemed like a cool dog. “I walked in the door to her tiny apartment and knew without a doubt that this woman, still in the throes of the early 20’s party lifestyle, was not going to be able to keep the dog. It was re-homed two weeks later.”
The keys to successfully living with a dog in an apartment are to make sure you choose the right breed and to exercise the dog enough on a daily basis. Most hyperactive dogs are that way because their owners skip walks or limit outside time to a five minute run.
TRAINING
Having a well-behaved dog is essential to living in an apartment and keeping a civil relation with neighbors. Nothing spells trouble faster than having a skittish dog that barks every time somebody steps off the elevator or that gets scared by the comings and goings outside your door.
SOCIALIZATION
Because of the reduced living space, it’s imperative that humans and dogs learn to live in harmony if they are going to coexist in an apartment. “Whether or not there are children in the apartment can be a huge consideration,” says Paul Owens, author of The Dog Whisperer. For children under three years of age, it’s equally a matter of protecting the dog as much as the child. Young children can be taught how to gently pet toy dogs (dolls). They should be taught to never hit a dog but to always play gently. “Children can be taught about a dog’s ‘safe spot.’ This is an area that is off limits to the child and the dog must be left alone. These safe spots can be a kennel or under the kitchen table or the dog’s bed.”
According to Owen, the most important thing for the parents to realize is that they will, in essence, be bringing another “child” into the home with the same needs of feeding, educating, socializing, protecting and caring for them as their own human children. “The parents will be the primary caregivers and if they do not have the time, energy and money, a dog should not be adopted.” Bringing an animal into a home is a major commitment. As one saying goes, “A dog is not just for the holidays…it is a lifetime commitment.”
BEST APARTMENT DOGS: Spaniels (English and American, Sussex, Clumber), Beagles, Boston Terriers, Chihuahuas, Dachshund, Bichon Frise, Bulldog, Lhasa Apso, Pekingese, Pomeranians, Pugs. Despite what you may think, large breeds also do well in apartments because they usually tire fast and need little to no exercise to burn excess energy.
DOGS THAT DON’T DO WELL IN APARTMENTS (includes high-energy and noisy dogs; some guardian dogs may become agitated by the coming and going of neighbors and end up causing a lot of noise and destruction): Dalmatians, Jack Russells, setters and retrievers. The German Shorthaired Pointer and the Alaskan Malamute are perfect examples of large dogs that needs a yard to thrive.
Joel Brown from the Boston Globe and I chatted before the holidays. A nice guy who, along with his wife, recently had commissioned a painting of their dog. He noticed how many options were available, and how many of them weren’t cheesy or painted on velvet - in fact they had an incredible degree of quality. You could find almost any style to match your individual tastes in reproduction whether it be modern, classical, photorealistic, or surreal.
See the pet portrait by Kathy Weller at left. Her website is Weller Wishes. Picture your dog done up like that! 
Anyway, Joel wrote an article about dog photos today, and I was mentioned/quoted twice! Very cool!
My quotes:
With young couples postponing having children - especially in the current economic environment - their pets get even more of their attention and disposable income than ever. “People are devoting more attention, spending more money, getting them better gifts,” said Brian Henderson, editor of DogBoston webzine (www.care.dogboston.com).
Of course, nearly every pet owner now has gigabytes of hard-drive space devoted to digital snapshots of their beloved collie or cockatoo, just like every parent has a zillion baby pictures. “I think having [a painting] done really slows down the capture process and lets you stick something on the wall that you can actually remember, instead of breezing through a couple of digital camera photos,” Henderson said.
1. A Shiny Coat is a Healthy Coat. A healthy coat starts with nutrition. So, feed your dog a high quality dog food. Often generic dog foods use cheaper ingredients which may not always be great for your dog. (Pet food recalls, anyone?) Remember to compare ingredients, and when in doubt, talk to your vet (but they also can be influenced). Limit the amount of treats your canine receives – especially if you are training her.
2. Checking your Dog’s Fur on a Regular Schedule
Thorns, burrs, fleas, and ticks interfere with a healthy coat, and can turn into very serious health problems for your canine. Make a habit of checking your dog’s fur weekly and especially after long walks in grassy areas. Regular Frontline is said to be better against ticks than ‘Frontline Plus’.
3. Consider Using Baby/Tearless Conditioner
Some people think it sounds strange, but it can work wonders. Look for a dog conditioner that is tearless, so if it gets in your dog’s eyes, it won’t hurt.
4. Don’t be Tempted to Share Your Shampoo
You paid a fortune for your shampoo, so it must work wonders on your dog.right? Wrong, often human shampoos are too harsh for dogs. Make sure to purchase a shampoo that is specifically designed for dogs.
5. Bathing Tips
Some dogs require baths more often than others. If your dog is one that requires fewer baths, this may interfere with a shiny coat. Check with your vet on your specific bread.
And remember, if your dog continues to have a dull luster to his coat, talk to a groomer or vet. They may have additional suggestions based on your dog’s unique breed and circumstances.
Guardian Angels, in Framingham, wants the world to know what they’ve become in 2008 and into 2009. Mostly a training center but they also offer doggie daycare and advice.
Recently they changed their name (from Guardian Angels Mastiffs) and they also offer a wide variety of instructional articles ranging from dog food ingredients to housetraining to carsickness. Recommended books, too.
I think more pet-related websites should also offer tips and advice so they doggie parents can learn every time they visit your site.
Guardian Angels
Phone: 508-864-7452
Fax: 508-872-0512
Framingham MA
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