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Written by Kartika Damon
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 So what’s next? Where do you go to get a good mastiff?
How do you know if the puppy you’re buying is a quality puppy with good health, and a gentle temperament? (A good mastiff will cost you anywhere from $1,500 to $3,000, and anything less, should be questioned. There are no bargains.) And is it really that important – can’t I buy one from anywhere and save myself money?
That last question, that’s what I want to answer first. I’ve seen mastiff puppies in pet stores and I’ve seen them advertised on the net, with phrases like “will ship within the U.S.” It’s important to understand that many of these puppies are the result of intensive breeding operations, the infamous puppy mills, often scenes of cruelty and neglect run by those who use substandard livestock and inadequate care to produce as many puppies as cheaply as possible.
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Written by Kartika Damon
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 Owners are responsible for making their dogs good citizens.
If you’re a dog owner who's taking good care of your pet, you know there are many obligations you have to your dog. After all, your pets are in many ways like your children, and it’s up to you to make sure both your dog’s physical needs are met and you're training him to be a part of society.
Your dog should be required and trained to obey basic commands, be trusting and sociable with humans and others dogs, and have good manners in public and at home. The quality of your life and of your family, friends, and neighbors, depends on the proper training and socialization of your dog.
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Written by Kartika Damon
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 Don’t by into the Myth that it’s cruel to put your puppy in a crate – used responsibly the crate is one of the basic necessities of puppy provisions.
I’m a firm believer that the very first purchase you should make before bringing home a new puppy is a quality crate or dog kennel. Think of it like this—before you bring home a newborn baby, you are required to have a car seat first!
A quality crate will be useful for the entire life of your dog—from the puppy years to adulthood. Most dogs that have been introduced to a crate while still puppies, enjoy their crates as a safe place to rest or hang-out. Therefore, a crate should never be used for the purpose of punishment.
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Written by Jody Draznin
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 Bear is a pit bull mix. When I first me him 8 years ago, he had an intense black face and an aloof demeanor. I had just started dating my boyfriend, and I was basically the new kid on the block, or in Bear's eyes, an intruder who was trying to steal away his best buddy.
Right around this time, pit bulls were getting bad publicity. I had heard news stories about terrible incidents between pit bulls and humans, and quite frankly, I was apprehensive about spending time with this dog. However, despite my reservations, I sensed a sweetness in him and I decided it was worth trying to win him over.
Bear's favorite occupation was to ride around in the car with Paul. He'd ride for hours on end, often licking the upholstery or with eyes glued to the scenery ahead. Bear always sat up stick straight in the front passenger seat. When Paul and Bear drove through town, people often mistook Bear for a human passenger.
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Written by Kartika Damon
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 My dog used to come to work with me
I felt very lucky. Until recently, I was allowed to bring my 50 lb. Chow mix, Beardog, to work. We’d go out for potty breaks a few times a day, and little walks around the office building. Every day, he got to visit another Chow, Fuzzy, who belongs to the receptionist and had her dog bed in the corner of the cubicle. The Company’s President seemed to find petting Fuzzy and giving her special treats contributed greatly to his own happiness factor, and for five years, he had brought her a breakfast treat. Beardog and Fuzzy got to run around behind our building and play a bit each day. A box of dog treats sat on the receptionist’s desk.
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