For the Love of dogs!
Dogs are the soft underbelly of every homeowner and gardener.  In fact, pet owners are often as wild about their dogs as they are about anything else in life. When I was looking to find the perfect canine companion, I only had two requirements:   a friend with whom I would share my life and a traveling buddy.  I found a nine-week-old Miniature Schnauzer one fall weekend in East Hampton, NY.  This small and shy little dog would be the perfect addition to my life and home.

Over the years, I have come to learn a lot about schnauzers. I was to quickly learn that schnauzers talk back. The dog with the human brain is loaded with personality.  Perhaps the real translation of schnauzer is workaholic. It doesn’t matter what size it is:  miniature, standard, or giant, if it’s a Schnauzer, it’s most likely looking for a job to do. 

Historically, the type of work for which Schnauzer were bred varied with the dog’s size.  The minis were originally highly valued ratters and tireless watchdogs on farms in Germany.  Today, they are mostly companion dogs, but some Schnauzers continue to work.  This means “look out” to any UPS and mail carrier coming to the door.  Corky, my 16 pound little girl, will acknowledge you and ask:  Why are you here?  Bark, Bark, Bark. Who sent you?  Bark, Bark.  Don’t I look cute in my Burberry collar?   Bark, Bark, Bark.  Excuse me, Bark Bark. Do you have any treats for me?  Bark, Bark, Bark, Bark. You get the picture. 

I have embraced my Miniature Schnauzer Corky, who is now nine, as if she were my child.  Since she was 9 weeks old, I have come to understand her and know how to get the best quality of life for her.  Cute and lovable, I just cannot stop myself from spoiling her with endless love and attention.   And yes, at times lots of gifts too.  Since that first night when she curled up next to me in bed, I knew at once that  I had found a friend.  I would never return to the days of sleeping alone. 

As in any thing I do, I took on this new pet ownership with responsibility and accountability to assure a happy and healthy dog.   I was to learn by reading and asking many questions of  my veterinarian and of owners of many other four-legged friends.

Training:
Think of training as a lifelong activity.  Training will help keep your dog smart, sharp and stimulated. Early puppy socialization involves training the difference between playing with littermates (biting allowed) and playing with humans (no biting).  Dogs need discipline boundaries.  Speak to your dog not at them. The sooner you come to realize they understand and respond to this the sooner you will see the results.  Classes are available to help you train your dog as well as some excellent books to purchase or borrow at your local library.  Ask other pet owners how they trained their dog and what worked for them.  Any pet owner would love to show off their dog’s tricks and learning experiences.

Treats keep any dog sharp:
Training your dog to perform tricks has other rewards besides having fun.  When learning tricks, a dog strengthens its body and brain while earning rewards. Always watch your dog’s fat intake, so consider using toys, praise or a quick cuddle as training rewards in lieu of treats.

Train with games:
Games and toys are among the rewards a dog goes for.  Fetch, chase and tug are ideal fun for both.  The games you play with your dog will affect it’s overall behavior.  Don’t allow rough games because you will teach it to treat other people and other dogs the same way.  No one enjoys a rough dog that can’t play nicely with other animals or humans. 

Food for life:
Veterinary experts agree, there is no substitute for a complete and balanced diet.  My recommendation is to go with a dry kibble.  Selecting the right food calls for you to become a careful label reader.  Look for a product that is well balanced.  Labels always list ingredients in descending order. Always look to see Chicken, beef and the like should be at the top of the list. This will indicate the food has more of this mainstay than other ingredients listed farther down on the label.  If you see grains, food coloring and preservatives at the top the list, pass on this brand.  I prefer an organic dry kibble high in natural meats and fiber which helps keep your dog regular and healthy.  If confused by all the choices, ask your vet to recommend something.  You can purchase this at any good pet store.   Dry food is easier to store and serve, and you can always add a little warm water to your dog’s bowl to soften the food or create gravy. Once you find a dry  food you and your dog agree upon, you can use it for an entire diet or as the basis for other additions. Puppies require smaller portions more often, as well as food designed for a slow steady growth. Older dogs may require special diets too.  Veterinary experts welcome additions to enhance the nutritional value, especially during those formative years.  Consult with your veterinarian to learn what is the proper amount of food and supplements to feed your dog.

Dental care:
Your dog’s oral health is directly linked to its overall health and well-being. Preventing dental disease is easy when you know what to look for.

If your dog has any the following it is an early sign of dental disease or possibly other serious conditions. Bad breath, red swollen gums, bleeding gums, heavy tartar deposits on teeth or lack of interest or difficulty in eating food.

Although your pet may not enjoy dental visits, it is necessary. Each dog is unique in his or her own way.  Some dogs are more prone to dental disease and require yearly dental care, while others may only need attention every few years.  Your veterinarian can recommend what is best for your dog.  Keep your dog smiling with a full mouth of teeth by following some easy steps to introduce the process to them.

Talk to them and tell them what you will be doing.  Start early when your dog is only a few months old if possible. Get your pet accustomed to having its mouth handled by massaging and stroking its lips for a minute or two twice a day.  As time passes gradually move your fingers into their month and massage the gums and teeth. It is best to do this in a circular motion.  Now you are ready to introduce the toothbrush.  Available at any pet store, these are soft-bristled toothbrushes designed for pets. Toothpaste comes in a variety of tasty flavors that they can enjoy.  Never use human toothpaste! Your dog’s sensitive stomach will be upset if swallowed. Only concentrate on the outer surface of your dog’s teeth.  Your dog’s tongue will keep the inner surfaces tartar free for you.

Car safety:
As you know, driving without a seatbelt is not only against the law, but a bad idea.  We take so much time to see that our children are safe and we forget about our four-legged friends.  We simply expect them to jump in and enjoy the ride with no thought to the dangers.  Recently, a friend gave me a seatbelt harness for my dog.  I love this thoughtful gift.  It never came to my mind that this would be safer and better way to travel with my dog.  The real question was, would this work?  Could I expect my dog to stay put and be seated for the entire ride? I was eager to put this to the test.  I would quickly learn that it works well, and I feel better knowing she is safe too. I could never now find myself allowing her to travel with out it.  For less than thirty dollars, a seatbelt harness can save your dog’s life. Available at your local pet store in an array of sizes.  I encourage you to embrace the seatbelt law by adapting it to your dog as well.  What a wonderful lesson to teach your child that this too is an important part of the responsibility of owning a dog. 

Dogs in the garden:
Hours pass as I experience the joys of my little dog Corky discovering all that is new in the garden.  After all, this is a working Schnauzer and there is lots of work to do here:  chasing squirrels, letting  birds know who is in charge, and  overseeing the property as security director.  All visitors need to be sniffed and announced while naps are squeezed in between.  Unless it is raining or freezing, Corky likes to be on duty outside for the day’s work ahead.  This is an endless job for man’s best friend. Providing a quality of life and being responsible is what pet ownership is all about.  In the end, you will enrich your life with a dog that you can call your own.  Just remember, as much as you love your dog, your dog loves you many times more, and in their own canine way they live to joyfully serve and love you.