Thanks. I guess that’s what “all ages” means. Smart one I am, eh?
My current dog is probably somewhere between. Very excited initially when someone comes over, but very content to lounge around most of the day. Our biggest issue (and concern with a new puppy) with him has been dog park behaviors. He does go nuts there. Gets aggressive over resource guarding a ball from other dogs in chase. Haven’t figured out how to train him away from it-so I just don’t do dog park anymore. Obviously he and new pup won’t be loose together without supervision for months anyway. And I’ve been reassured they will work it out. But still nervous.
Many professional dog trainers think of dog parks as a place where dominant dogs learn how to be bullies and submissive dogs learn to be frightened. The potential for bad interactions and degeneration of social skills is so high that most trainers I know would never go there or recommend them to clients.
Dog parks are also a place where contagion can be spread. A dog park near me was shut down recently due to whipworm infestation in many of the dogs that played there.
This is one reason I prefer dog friendly breweries. When a dog owner approaches us at a brewery, I mention what our dog(s) are vaccinated against as a way of getting similar information from them. Then I mention how are dog(s) are when playing, and they reciprocate. Then we allow our pets to interact.
You can drive yourself crazy trying to make your way through the dog food jungle. I usually check the ratings on Dog Food Advisor. But even then, I don’t believe in some of the hype.
I’ve been feeding my pack Diamond Naturals for Large Breeds. It’s the best-rated food I can get without having to become homeless. (4.5 out of 5 stars) I think it’s 40# for $36. I’m feeding a Great Dane, German Shepherd and a boxer. So there is no way I can afford the really pricey stuff. I also add a spoonful of canned food to their dishes. They seem to be doing just fine. And they clean their dishes.
I’ve been told by both a veterinarian and a dog trainer that Diamond is the brand to get if you can find it consistently in your area as the best bang for your buck. I used it years ago, then the garden center that stocked it went out of business and I couldn’t find it anywhere nearby.
As anyone who has read my post may know, I an a dog-food snob, at least as far as buying grain-free vs. (IMO) crap. But $110 per bag for grass-fed beef and berkshire pork? Cage-free-range chicken and gluten-free Scottish salmon? Nope!
Really? I thought they were all over. Menards is kind of like a Home Depot but sells pet food and some human food too. Fleet Farm has some hardware but is really geared toward fishing, hunting, hobby farms, pets and also sells some human food.
Our dog gets frozen meat blends delivered every two weeks or so. Chicken, beef and turkey flavors, with vegetables and who knows what else chopped in… He loves it so much. (we thaw it first, of course)
There is a small chain here, Uncle Bear’s that has beer, bar food, and allow dogs at the outside tables. Some of the beer is branded with their name but I suspect it is contracted out rather than brewed on premises – they do not claim it.
Leaning Cask Brewery is so dog friendly that all their beers are named for/about dogs. They are patterned after an English pub and usually have a cask beer on offer (it kicks quick).
