Your Dog and the Law
Feb 1st 2009Dog Laws
There will be laws and ordinances where you reside restricting the ownership of certain pets. Laws can change and evolve over time and can vary from locale to locale. A responsible owner must keep abreast on new laws and amendments to existing laws with the ownership of pets.
The concept of paying taxes has most humans upset nor does it sit well with dogs. Licenses are basically taxes on dogs. The purpose of licensing dogs is a valid and important one. They serve as a positive means for identification of your dog if lost or stolen. By obtaining a license for your pet, it shows you care enough to identify him or her.
Everyone has their special love and adoration for a specific breed. My fondness is for the Spaniels. The well-bred, trained English Cocker Spaniel is happy, playful, gentle, loyal, trusting and affectionate toward everyone. They desire to be included in all activities. Eager to please they usually do well in obedience training. These dogs are good with children and socializes well with other animals with the exception of some males becoming aggressive with other males. Some females are aggressively possessive with their owners. They bark to alert the family of a visitor. Cockers that are left alone too much may retaliate becoming aggressive and relieving themselves in places unknown. 
A dog is certainly man’s best friend. This is why you need to take extra care while choosing a dog collar. Today, the market is filled with various varieties of collars for different dogs. It is no longer regarded as a ‘just a strap around the neck’ but an accessory that gives a dog a personality. As a fashion statement dog collars are gaining popularity because owners like their dogs to look as fashionable as they are. Before you go ahead and buy a collar for your dog, spend a little time to find out all you can about the product. This way you can make an intelligent choice, which not only suits your pocket but one, which will be comfortable to your dog. 
Right around the time your puppy is eight to ten weeks old, he will begin a new stage in his life. We call this the "fear period". During this period the puppy has developed his adult senses and his fears may last several weeks. Don’t be alarmed! This is common with all puppies and you must use patience. 
The dogs behavior is truly adapted to the needs of humans. The dog is unquestioning and reliable in both giving and receving affection. The most important thing we must remember as the master is to be the one to dominate and not to be dominated. If your dog is submissive to you he will give respect and affection and will learn with the proper training to respond to your commands. There are a few guidelines that we must follow to have a healthy relationship with our dogs. 
How it all began with Golden Retrievers: Sir Dudley Majoribanks wanted a hunting dog, but not just any hunting dog. He wanted one that was just as a much a companion as it was a retriever of the birds he shot. The then popular Irish Setters and Spaniels were only good for showing him where the birds had fallen but their coats, much too fine, kept them from finding them in harsher areas. So, Dudley Majoribanks created the Golden Retriever and, coincidentally, one of the most popular breeds. Of course, it was not an easy task–it took him years to create the dog he envisioned (years and multiple breeds). 
Many dogs jump up when greeting their owners, friends and other pets, but in many cases this is not behavior that should be encouraged. You, as the dog’s owner, may not mind, but guests may well be annoyed, frightened or simply worried about hygiene issues of having a dog’s face close to their own. 
Some dogs often get out of control as far as their noise levels are concerned, and their owners realize that some barking dog training is in order. Of course, you have to understand that barking is a natural way for the puppy or dog to communicate, both with you and with other dogs. Here are a few things to do and things to avoid while training your dog.
Much like their owners, more and more dogs worldwide are showing signs of obesity. Besides limiting their enjoyment of life as a dog, extra body weight can lead to to joint and heart problems, shorter lives, and sometimes behavioral issues. 
Who likes a stinky dog? Not many. And when your dog is less than spring fresh, your attitude towards him may change. Although this may be as little a thing as turning your face away when he jumps on you; however, your dog can read into this behavior and translate it into a sign of rejection. Like it or not, all dogs have to be groomed. And despite what you might think, even shorthaired dogs need a good brushing now and again.