Your Questions About Dog’s Life Rescue
Sharon asks…
Help controlling herding behavior in a border collie mix puppy?
I rescued a six-month-old border collie mix pup last week and she’s extremely bright. She starts in agility lessons and obedience training next week. She gets a LOT of exercise and stimulation but she’s been trying to herd my five-year-old daughter. While she hasn’t hurt my daughter and I understand that it is a natural behavior, it is something that I need to find ways to stop or redirect.
I know that border collies and mixes CAN be trained not to herd children, and I need advice on helping her redirect her intelligence and instinct into something more productive. I hope that agility lessons will help some, but any help for at-home training is much appreciated.
Last time I posted a question like this, I was attacked by people telling me that I shouldn’t have gotten a herding breed and expected it not to herd, so let me make one thing very clear: My puppy is a RESCUE dog. There are not enough working farms in the world to provide loving homes for all the mixed-shepherd breeds in the world. Besides that, working farms want purebred border collies, not mixed breeds like mine.
Are you saying that all of these animals are better off euthanized than in loving homes that do their best to care for them? I’m enrolling my pup in agility and obedience lessons and I take her for a five-mile walk every day, but I need to “grow a brain” for rescuing this poor baby’s life? Don’t judge me for adopting a dog that needed a home and has strong herding instincts. Blame the irresponsible jerks who didn’t spay and neuter their border collies to begin with. I will NOT be shamed for saving a dog’s life just because I don’t happen to have a herd of sheep for her to tend. We don’t shame beagle owners who don’t take their dogs hunting or Dalmatian owners who don’t give their dogs carriages to guide, so please don’t attack me for adopting a herding dog. I saved her life, I am a responsible owner, and I will not accept people accusing me of animal abuse just because I don’t own a freaking farm. (Sorry for how aggressive this sounds, but the answers I got last time were WAY out of line and inappropriate.)
Clockwork, what gave you the impression that I bought this dog? She was on the euth list at my local animal control because she was very sick. She had been found abandoned in an empty house, half-starved and sick with pneumonia. I footed her vet bills for her recovery and paid to spay, vaccinate, microchip, supplement, and medicate her. And you’re accusing me of being “delusional” for thinking I rescued her? You’re the one who needs to get your head checked.
And the reason that I have this dog (should I need to explain this) is because she’s a wonderful, brilliant, loving dog and because I adore her. I shouldn’t need to explain why I love my pet to people like you. Please just go away and keep your judgments to yourself. I dare you to go tell the millions of owners of non-working dogs that you think their animals are better off dead than in loving homes. Go to Hell.
admin answers:
Your mixed breed Border Collie can be started on livestock, since she is keen on herding. Go to the United Stated Border Collie Assoc. Site. There, it lists sanctioned herding trials. You can go to one and speak to the handlers. When your dog turns a year old, you can get her started. In the meantime, you can take her and have an instinct test done. You don’t need to own a farm, for your dog to be started on livestock, you can take lessons 2-3 times a week.
Agility/obedience and walks are not enough mental stimulation for a BC/BC mix.
Mary asks…
How to convince my parents to get another dog?
On the 13th of May last year (which happened to be Mother’s Day) we had to unexpectedly put down our dog of nearly 11 years due to water on the lungs. I had had her since I was 5 and I was torn up over it for weeks and it is still unpleasant to the point of tears to think about today. We have recently moved house and in two weeks our lawn will be put in. I want to ask my parents if we could get another dog, as I really miss the company they give (I’m an only child who doesn’t like spending more time with people than I really need to). After my last dog died we did discuss briefly the idea of getting another dog once we were in our new house.
Unfortunately life isn’t going particularly well at the moment. About two months after Mali (my dog) died, my mother was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer that had spread to some lymph nodes. She underwent 4 rounds of chemotherapy and is now in her second last week of six weeks of radiation. She will be on hormone therapy for the next five years as the tumor was hormone receptive. This means that she will most probably have all the symptoms of menopause all over again for that period of time. So basically Mum is now staring to lean towards no dog. Dad is more open to the idea.
I’m not planning on asking for a new dog, I would much prefer to rescue on from the pound or similar welfare organisations in my area, reducing the cost somewhat. We still have my old dog’s bed and several kilograms of dog food (yes, it is still good) and I’ve obviously had previous experience in looking after a dog, and in light of recent event’s I feel a lot more mature than I was raising Mali from a puppy. I have two other pets, a python (most low maintenance pet ever!) and a horse about 5 minutes drive away whom I ride regularly and see twice a day every day, before and after school. Unfortunately, horses and snakes are not the most cuddly animals and I’ve been longing for a dog for a long time. A lot of my friends have dogs, and at the farm where I work every weekend there’s an old kelpie and a husky and when they come say hello and ask for cuddles, it makes my day.
Any advice on how t approach this matter would be highly appreciated.
@Dominator You sir, are an insensitive piece of humanity. And at 16, I have as much of a right to controlling my own life as anyone else. Go grow a heart.
@Dominator I’m not a nagging child. And who’s to say that “children” are incapable of thought and emotion. I’ve certainly met children with greater emotional and rational capacity than you seem to have.
admin answers:
Tell them as you’ve told us. I agree, having a wonderful friend to tell every thing to makes life easier.
As long as you are willing to care for it I’d say yes.
Getting a rescue is a wonderful idea and you can give a lonely dog a forever home.
Chris asks…
Will a golden retriever bond more closely to me if I have it from being a puppy?
May seem like an obvious question, but I was just thinking, if I have the dog from it’s very early life, will it develop a bond with me that it could not get if I, say, rescued it from a pound? I know all dogs are different I’m just thinking in general terms. I really want my bond with the dog to be as strong as possible. Incidentally is there anything I can do to strengthen the dog’s bond to me other than just socialising with it? Thanks.
admin answers:
They have puppies at pounds.
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Your Questions About Organic Dog Food Brands
Charles asks…
What dog food is good for my puppy, easy to find, and not cost a lot?
Well I want to feed my 5 1/2 month old pup good food, but not have to look for it in 5 different stores and end up spending a lot of money on it. I have a GSD puppy and want him to be eatting healthy.
admin answers:
Well with a GSD you should be careful not to feed a high protein food
How to grade your dog’s food: (Some brands are done at the very bottom)
Start with a grade of 100:
1) For every listing of “by-product”, subtract 10 points.
2) For every non-specific animal source (”meat” or “poultry”, meat, meal or fat) reference, subtract 10 points.
3) If the food contains BHA, BHT, or ethoxyquin, subtract 10 points.
4) For every grain “mill run” or non-specific grain source, subtract 5 points.
5) If the same grain ingredient is used 2 or more times in the first five ingredients (i.e. “ground brown rice”, “brewer’s rice”, “rice flour” are all the same grain), subtract 5 points.
6) If the protein sources are not meat meal and there are less than 2 meats in the top 3 ingredients, subtract 3 points.
7) If it contains any artificial colorants, subtract 3 points.
8 ) If it contains ground corn or whole grain corn, subtract 3 points.
9) If corn is listed in the top 5 ingredients, subtract 2 more points.
10) If the food contains any animal fat other than fish oil, subtract 2 points.
11) If lamb is the only animal protein source (unless your dog is allergic to other protein sources), subtract 2 points.
12) If it contains soy or soybeans, subtract 2 points.
13) If it contains wheat (unless you know that your dog isn’t allergic to wheat), subtract 2 points.
14) If it contains beef (unless you know that your dog isn’t allergic to beef), subtract 1 point.
15) If it contains salt (or sodium, as it is also called), subtract 1 point.
Extra Credit:
1) If any of the meat sources are organic, add 5 points.
2) If the food is endorsed by any major breed group or nutritionist, add 5 points.
3) If the food is baked not extruded, add 5 points.
4) If the food contains probiotics, add 3 points.
5) If the food contains fruit, add 3 points.
6) If the food contains vegetables (NOT corn or other grains), add 3 points.
7) If the animal sources are hormone-free and antibiotic-free, add 2 points.
8 ) If the food contains barley, add 2 points.
9) If the food contains flax seed oil (not just the seeds), add 2 points.
10) If the food contains oats or oatmeal, add 1 point.
11) If the food contains sunflower oil, add 1 point.
12) For every different specific animal protein source (other than the first one; count “chicken” and “chicken meal” as only one protein source but “chicken” and “salmon” as 2 different sources), add 1 point.
13) If it contains glucosamine and chondroitin, add 1 point.
14) If the vegetables have been tested for pesticides and are pesticide-free add 1 point.
94-100+ = A
86-93 = B
78-85 = C
70-77 = D
69 = F
Here are some foods that have already been scored.
Dog Food scores:
Authority Harvest Baked / Score 116 = A+
Bil-Jac Select / Score 68 = F
Blue Buffalo / Score 114 = A+
Canidae All Life Stages Chicken & Rice / Score 94 = A
Canidae All Life Stages Lamb & Rice / Score 101 = A+
Canidae Platinum / Score 91 = B
Chicken Soup Senior / Score 115 = A+
Diamond Maintenance / Score 64 = F
Diamond Lamb Meal & Rice / Score 92 = B
Diamond Large Breed 60+ Formula / Score 99 = A
Dick Van Patten’s Natural Balance Ultra Premium / Score 122 = A+
Dick Van Patten’s Duck and Potato / Score 106 = A+
Doctors Foster and Smith Adult Chicken & Brown Rice Formula / Score 101 = A+
Doctors Foster and Smith Adult Lamb & Brown Rice Formula / Score 102 = A+
Eagle Pack Holistic Select Large & Giant Breed Adult Formula / Score 101 = A+
Eagle Pack Super Premium Large & Giant Breed Puppy Formula / Score 97 = A
Eagle Pack Super Premium Natural Formula / Score 96 = A
Eukanuba Large Breed Puppy Formula / Score 82 = B
Foundations / Score 106 = A+
Hund-n-Flocken Adult Dog (lamb) by Solid Gold / Score 93 = B
Iams Lamb Meal & Rice Formula Premium / Score 73 = D
Innova Dog / Score 114 = A+
Innova Evo /Score 114 = A+
Kirkland Signature Chicken, Rice, and Vegetables (Costco brand) / Score 110 = A+
Natures Recipe Lamb Meal & Rice / Score 96 = A
Nutrisource Lamb and Rice / Score 87 = B
Nutro Natural Choice Large Breed Puppy / Score 87 = B
Nutro Natural Choice Large Breed Adult / Score 86 = B
Nutro Max Large Breed Adult / Score 85 = C
Pet Gold Adult with Lamb & Rice / Score 23 = F
Premium Edge Chicken, Rice & Vegetables / Score 111 = A+
Premium Edge Lamb, Rice & Vegetables / Score 110 = A+
Premium Edge Puppy Large Breed Lamb, Rice & Vegetable / Score 104 = A+
ProPlan Natural Turkey & Barley / Score 103 = A+
Purina Beneful / Score 17 = F
Purina Dog / Score 62 = F
Purina Come-n-Get It / Score 16 = F
Royal Canin Bulldog / Score 100 = A+
Royal Canin Large Breed Giant Adult Formula / Score 95 = A
Royal Canin Natural Blend Adult / Score 106 = A+
Sensible Choice Chicken and Rice / Score 97 = A
Science Diet Advanced Protein Senior 7+ / Score 63 = F
Science Diet for Large Breed Puppies / Score 69 = F
Wellness Fish & Sweet Potato (
Betty asks…
which one is better nutro, natural balance, natures recipe, organix ,or royal canin dog food?
i am looking into higher quality dog food and im wondering which brand is the best to feed my baby (dog) hehe since i heard pedigree isnt that great i seached petco and just list some brands. please tel,l me which one you recommend
~ already know about blue buffalo and solid gold and eagle packjust wanted to know about those brands
admin answers:
Organix would be better for the fact that organic foods use no pesticides, chemical fertilizers, antibiotics or growth hormones. The best way to look for a good food beyond this is to check the protein source. Avoid by-products. Chicken/beef meal is good but fresh is better. The protein source should be the very first ingredient, there shouldn’t be a lot of fillers such as corn, the food should be naturally preserved with vitamin E (mixed tocopherols), free of preservatives, artificial flavors and colors, the more protein sources the better, it is good to have digestive enzymes and omega 3 and 6 in the food. If the food is made by a major brand, avoid it…such as Science Diet Naturals. Major companies that put these products out are just trying to keep up with the profits and are more likely to use inferior ingredients. Natures Variety is a good organic food. I think Nutro is at the lower end of your list. The others are all good foods, just check ingredients as outlined above.
Michael asks…
What would kind ofpuppy food should I feed my 3 month od Dachshund?
I got a puppy about three weeks ago. And She has shown to be a picky eater. She is only 3 months old now, and I want to make sure I feed her the best food I can. I’ve bene told so many different opions, and dont know which to follow.
I’ve been told to put her on dog food at 12 weeks.
Also I’ve been told to only feed her food that the first ingredient is a meat. Nothing starting with corn. But I’ve been told that Science Diet was one of the best, and it starts with corn. So I’m confused. Should I put her on something else, or keep her on science diet. I’ve also heard Pedigree was good, but I’m not so sure.
Also If she wont eat, is it ok to mix soft food with dry in an attempt to get her to eat it. I’ve been told both ways on that subject.
Thank you for the help.
admin answers:
Oh, no, no, no! Science Diet and Pedigree are two of the worst! You don’t want to feed your pup anything that contains corn (dogs cannot digest corn well at all), by-products, animal digest (animal feces), artificial colors and/ or flavors, etc. I would strongly suggest that you don’t talk to your vet about nutrition. Vets take a class on nutrition and it’s taught by a dog food company. The vet learns whatever that company wants them to learn and then they sell that dog food in their office. Also, any dog food that you see on a commercial or that you can buy from the grocery store is going to be a poor quality food. Grocery stores are for people, pet stores are for pets.
My husband and I have been very happy with Natural Balance and Canidae. They are both good quality dog foods and those are the two food our three dogs have done the best on. They eat Canidae because they seem to do a bit better on it, but we were very happy with Natural Balance as well. I would highly recommend both brands!
Here’s a kibble rating chart and some foods and what they scored. This is what we used to find a good quality food for our pups.
You will need your kibble’s list of ingredients, as found on the bag (or oftentimes their website).
Please note, however, this is for ingredients ONLY…. So before feeding a pup be sure to look at
the protein and fat and calcium and calories in the Guaranteed Analysis.
Start with a grade of 100:
-For every listing of “by-product”, subtract 15 points
-For every non-specific animal source (“meat” or “poultry”, meat, meal or fat) reference, subtract
10 points
-If there are no specific meats or meat meals, subtract 25 points
-For every grain “mill run” or non-specific grain source, or grain “middlings”, subtract 10 points
-If the food contains BHA, BHT, or ethoxyquin, subtract 15 points
-If the same grain ingredient is used 2 or more times in the first five ingredients (i.e. “ground
brown rice”, “brewer’s rice”, “rice flour” are all the same grain), subtract 5 points for each
occurrence
-If the protein sources are not (specific) meat meal and there are less than 2 meats in the top 3
ingredients, subtract 3 points
-If it contains any artificial colorants, subtract 5 points
-If it contains ground corn or whole grain corn, subtract 3 points (subtract 5 if corn is listed in the
top 5 ingredients)
-If the food contains any animal fat other than fish oil, subtract 3 points
-If lamb is the only animal protein source (unless your dog is allergic to other protein sources),
subtract 2 points
-If it contains soy or soybeans, subtract 5 points
-If it contains wheat (unless you know that your dog isn’t allergic to wheat), subtract 2 points
-If it contains beef (unless you know that your dog isn’t allergic to beef), subtract 1 point
-If it contains salt, subtract 3 points
-If it contains corn syrup, molasses, or other added sweetener, subtract 10 points
Extra Credit:
-For every different specific animal protein source (other than the first one; count “chicken” and
“chicken meal” as only one protein source, but “chicken” and “turkey” as 2 different sources – do
not count egg, cheese, or other similar ingredients), add 1 point
-If the food contains 3 or less different mentions of grains (or other high-carb plant-based foods
like potatoes), add 5 points
-If any of the meat sources are organic, add 5 points (if the number 1 ingredient is organic meat,
add 10 points)
-If the animal sources are hormone-free and antibiotic-free, add 3 points
-If the food is baked not extruded, add 5 points
-If the food contains probiotics, add 3 points
-If the food contains fruit or vegetables (NOT corn or other grains), add 3 points
-If the vegetables have been tested for pesticides and are pesticide-free, add 1 point
-If the food contains barley or oats or oatmeal, add 1 point
-If it contains sunflower, hemp, flaxseed, or other polyunsaturated vegetable oils, add 3 points
(add 5 if it is the #1 fat)
-If the vitamin and mineral sources are chelated, add 5 points
94-100+ = A
86-93 = B
78-85 = C
70-77 = D
<70 = F
Food Grade Results
A's Score
A+ Chicken Soup for the pet lovers soul 113
A+ Eagle Pack Holistic chicken 114
A+ Eagle Pack Holistic LG and Giant Breed Adlt 113
A+ Eagle Pack Natural 104
A+ Timberwolf Organics Lamb and Venison 136
A+ Solid Gold Bison 123
A+ Solid Gold Wolf King 109
A+ Solid Gold Hund N flocken 105
A+ Solid Gold Mmillennia 111
A+ Innova 117
A+ Natural Balance Duck and Potato 114
A+ Canidae 119
A+ Foundations Chicken and Vegetable 109
A+ Flint River Ranch Fish and Chips 109
A+ Wysong Synorgon 110
A+ Flint River Ranch Lamb, Millet and Rice 117
A+ Back to Basics 107
B's
B Eukanuba Natural Lamb and Rice 87
C's
C Nutro Lamb and Rice 85
D's
D Iams Lamb and Rice 74
F's
F Pedigree Adult Complete 14
F Ol'Roy 9
F Science Diet Chicken Adult Maintainance 45
F Purina Beniful original 23
All Purina and Pro Plan foods rate as a F
F Pro Plan Giant Breed Adult 41
F Pro Plan Performance 53
F Pro Plan Chicken and Rice
F Purina Dog chow
F Purina Large Breed 40
F Diamond Lamb and Rice 61
F Diamond Performance (formerly professional)
F Diamond Large Breed 55
As for mixing the wet and dry food together, yes you can do that. Both of our females will eat anything, but our male is really picky! So, we feed them the Canidae dry food and mix in some Canidae wet food and they LOVE it! : )
Also, here's the Canidae.. Http://www.canidae.com/dogs/all_life_stages/dry.html
And the the Natural Balance website.. Http://www.naturalbalanceinc.com/
This website was also very helpful to us.. Http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/dog_food_reviews/
I hope this helps some! Good luck! : )
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