Puppy socialization

There has been rumors floating that I might get a puppy playmate. Mom is still really worried because I am not a sharing kind of bulldog. You go near my Mom and I get a bit upset. However, a puppy may come here soon rather than later. With a new puppy means socialization. That means the new puppy will get to go to all the cool places I went to with exceptions of Pet Stores and Dog Parks until he/she has her last puppy shots.

So I asked my Mom how do you socialize if you don't do the social things we do. She announces we will be having small friends over and things. Wait the puppy gets parties and I don't?

What is so important about socialization... For one, jumping and humping. That is sort of a big no-no in the Gunner house. Also, being friendly and not afraid of people. Letting the smaller pint size kids touch me or the new kid on the block will make us more lovable.

When a puppy is young that is when you get to teach and expose them to the things they might encounter as older dogs. Taking the food bowl away, taking the favorite toy away, keeping a tight hand on the dominance. With a possibility of having two strong males in the house, Mom will need to be pack leader and that is really important to learn.

Recently I had company and I tried to share my favorite of ALL time bone with her. I pushed it through the fence to her. I think she was afraid of My Mommy because she wouldn't take it, but I was a good boy for trying.

Another HUGE tip if you ever even think about showing your dog, START very young. Put your hands all over them, in their mouths, on their Lincoln and Douglas' when they drop, grab their paws A LOT  and clip their nails very early.

Bathing and nail maintenance is very important and starting it young is key. Short nails are not only more attractive, they also help prevent foot spread and feet issues. The nails if to long can mess up a dog's gait and they tend to have issues. Think of that old lady that wears scuffy slippers and her feet are super wide, yup you get the ugly truth picture.

Just remember the puppy coming in is very new and scared, keep them comfortable and expose them at your comfort level.

Bulldog skin issues...

In Florida it seems everything is blooming. The Oaks are in full nuisance and the rest of the blooms are poking their heads out. This often causes allergies. You know dogs get allergies right?

When the allergy season comes, it mostly makes my nose run and I itch from time to time. However, my sister from another mister loses her hair and she is wheezy.

Here is a tip I learned from a visiting Veterinarian. If you are prone to pollen and things, wash your dog in Dawn dish washing soap and double rinse. This eliminates some of the pollen on the hair that you pick up from outside.

Not Listerine this time, but the Dawn seems to really work. I know they use that with the birds that are covered in oil, but to try in on a dog... Well we did and it works.

Always check with your Vet, these are just my suggestions on what works on me.

Happy Sunday!

Knowing your dog's short falls - Gunner's Mom posting

Today was a meetup in Tampa and we did not attend. Not because it was going to rain, not because it was not in our backyard, not because we didn't know anyone going, and certainly not because we didn't like who was going. We didn't go because to my dismay, Gunner went there a week or so ago for a photo shoot. Let's just say it was a failure and leave it at that. Oh you want details huh? Well, to digress a bit, when I bought Gunner I was told don't worry bulldogs don't like water. They can't swim and don't want to be near the water. That was a huge FAT lie because when I took him to his first Dog meetup at Davis Island Beach Park, he dove right in and sunk.

To move up to speed that was almost 2 years ago, so I figured some old dogs can be taught tricks... Not this one. Not only did he try to be Mark Spitz and do a little diving, he proceeded to take the photographer into the water as well. I had a life jacket for Gunner but not the photographer nor his camera. The shoot was horrible, Gunner was terrible, the photographer is scarred for life and he may not ever take another picture again.

So to the 8 people that wanted to know "whats the story" why didn't we go, plain and simple Gunner is a butthead that likes to scare the bat crap out of his Mom and not give it a second thought. Besides he had a Daddy and Me day and kept his land loving feet on the ground. I am quite sure he missed his friends at the meetup, and I am sure Alfred was the star of the show. Next week we are on solid ground and if the ones that are mad we didn't come decide not to come to the next one, so be it... I don't live my life by the Twitter revolt or gossipers...I do this for Gunner, not anyone else...

A little Bulldog reminder...

Bulldogs are a bit unique in that we have some high maintenance health situations. One of our situations is chewing things that we shouldn't chew. Another is getting over-weight. We are not Lunks or whatever Planet Fitness calls body builders, we do not exercise regularly and often the bag of chips on the couch is a sweet ending to any day.

When I came to live with my Mommy she had some specific rules. I am not a rule liker you know, I prefer to live my life fast and free, having the woman keep me down is not my idea of living fast and free. Once I arrived she laid down the law.

Toys with squeakers were only allowed in my family room (Charlie Sheen room) toy basket and only when she was watching me. If I chewed a toy open and stuffing or holes were exposed it went in the garbage, no questions asked.

In my private room I could have Nylabone's except for the digestible types. Plus I could have certain toys I couldn't or wouldn't chew.  

Ropes were only allowed if they were not digested, meaning really I couldn't have them.

Zero rawhide!! Treats were monitored, I could only have BilJac treats. Nothing else. Only the one kind. She did venture off to different flavors.

• No plastic bags to play with
• No cheap raw hide from China
• If you use water bottles remember to take the ring off the cap area
• If you use a tire like substance as soon as its chewed and bits are off, throw it away
• Squeakers unattended
• When washing your dogs toys or bones, careful with detergent it gives belly aches
•  All human food is not ok
• Just because your Cocker never did it doesn't mean the bulldog won't. 
• If it's loose throw it out

Often you forget the toys on the market have a danger. One instance is the squeaker. When the bulldog chews it and digests it, your pawrents go to the bank and withdraw about $3,000 dollars in bone money and take it to the vet. It has taken many of dogs lives, so we have the no no rule.

The rope is another one that scares the wits out of my Mommy. We just lost a friend on vine to the rope.

Last night our friend who just returned from the Emergency Clinic said there were 2 bulldogs and one Frenchy there with these above-issues. They were there for their hamster (don't judge me I have all kinds of friends)

Just wanted to give our two cents...

Two sides to every story - Rescues

As of late rescue groups haven't had the best reputation. For one reason or another something goes hay wire and fingers get pointed. There are two sides to every story, and usually the truth lies in-between.

The positive side of rescue groups is they pick up, treat, home and try to re-home a dog that has come into their care. They do their very best to make sure the dog has medical treatment and behavior evaluations. No one wants an animal shifted back and forth between homes.

The negative side of rescue groups is some people do not understand why their screening process is more than if you were buying a puppy/dog. They do charge and they do put sometimes unrealistic expectations on new families. Also, when there is a stray dog that needs attention, some rescues close their eyes to them unless they are 100% re-homeable, and often that is misunderstood as resalable.

My view on rescues isn't of the positive nature. Generally you read in specific breeds of an animal available that seems perfect, but if you are not in their immediate area, you are not a candidate. Also, without professional evaluations they will deem an animal food aggressive or dog aggressive because in their PACK of dogs, they react. Just because someone has a dog rescue doesn't make them an expert. Slowly introducing another dog into any circumstance is the first and foremost way to go, if you do not have that luxury of working one on one, and you must throw it in a group, you have the same end result as throwing a bunch of tacks at a wall and if it sticks, it must work.

Our family supports rescues with exceptions. We prefer to pay directly to a Vet of Record. We fund raise to keep dogs in homes, not in shelters, and to educate owners before it's too late.

I see darling dogs for rescue all the time, however, their stipulation is Ohio only, New York only, Alabama only. Many people I know would travel for a rescue, they love the idea of a road trip to get their forever buddy. On the flip side, I do know that if the dog doesn't work out, it's a far distance to return and that is a concern. However, I would make that same trip up as back if I had the opportunity.

Just our two cents.

Tampa Area Bulldogs Meetup

We are doing it again! Grab your bulldog and head out to the Park! We have a lot of local friends that like to show support for our bulldog community.

We will be celebrating St. Patty's Day a little early, I hear a leprechaun will be sending shamrock treats for all our friends.

Please join us if you can. Email GunnerthisGunsforhire@gmail.com for more info or directions.

Happy Feb 1st. Only 13 more days to Vday

I love Valentines day very much. I like to give my Mom a special treat for being the bestest Mommy in the whole world.

However, I also like to give the sexay women's Valentines too. We call it Bullytines. Nothing screams romance like a big ole smooch from a wrinkled face dog. This year I'm a playa as they call it.

I have a few Bullytines. My main baby-doll Maud she is one of my besties sisfurs. She is one years old and sassy pants all the way.

 

Then there is my other sweetie Sugar Lump... She is amazing and sweet. I luff her very much. She is my other besties cousin (Beauregard) We are very perfect for each other, her Mommy and My Mommy talk and we might have a play date sometime soon. I hope she likes the Bullytine I bought her! I think she is beautybull. 

I could go on and on about the other loves I have, but everyone is calling me a playa. I have 2 human Bullytines but their gifts are their love to me. I absolutely love my friend Tara, she is going to college so she can get a great job and move next door and play wif me all the time...

My second is my God Mother Anna. She is a very dear lady and we luff her a lot. If anything ever happens to Mommy and Daddy, I will go live with her. I know she will take awesome care of me and I hope to meet her in person on my summer journey.

Happy Valentines Day to everyone coming up... We want everyone to feel the love we feel and hope it's a great day....