The Pros and Cons of Spaying a Sheltie By Becky Turner Discuss This Article at our Sheltie Forums

Spaying a Sheltie mean surgically removing the reproductive organs: the ovaries, uterine horns and the body of the uterus. This completely eradicates female heat cycles, prevents pregnancy, and reduces the risk of developing diseases of the reproductive organs. Shetland Sheepdogs who aren't spayed generally enter their first heat cycle from 810 months of age. They will release powerful airborne pheromones which can travel huge distances to attract unneutered males for a period of 3-14 days. You must keep a female Sheltie very secure during this time or face the likelihood of having 4-6 unplanned puppies on your hands. According to The Humane Society, 3 million dogs are put down in US shelters every year - that's about 1 dog every 10 seconds. And often these animals are the unplanned offspring of cherished family pets. The solution is to spay your Sheltie if you do not plan to breed her.

Foxie, a beautiful female Sheltie There are also significant health benefits to spaying your Sheltie. Indeed, many vets recommend spaying a dog after you have finished breeding her for health

reasons alone, as it can improve the quality of her life and even increase her life span. This article is here to present you with all the pros and cons of spaying your dog.

The Pros of Spaying a Sheltie Prevention of unwanted pregnancy - Most pet owners do not want an unplanned litter on their hands. There is no real money to be made this way, since it takes considerable time and expense to raise the puppies to 8 weeks (consider food, vet checks and vaccinations for up to six puppies in one go). Even professional breeders don't make much money from producing litters - they do it for the continuation of the breed. And worst of all, it may be hard to find new homes for the puppies who may ultimately face euthanasia at a rescue shelter when they can't be cared for any longer. Who wants an unplanned dog litter? No one. Prevention of menstruation - If you leave your female Sheltie unspayed, she will menstruate every time she goes into heat. This can be both messy and inconvenient. Most female Shelties go into heat every 6-8 months. During this time, you can expect to have male dogs hanging around your house. You must never leave your female Sheltie out in the yard while she's in heat, nor let her off the leash if there are other dogs nearby. The best thing to do is drive to a remote area for walks - otherwise her urine and vaginal discharge will blaze a trail right back to your home. In short, you must be very vigilant with a Sheltie in heat. Spaying eliminates this. o Reduced risk of cancer - Spaying a Sheltie reduces her hormone levels which directly correlates to a reduced risk of uterine, mammary and ovarian cancers. However, this is heavily dependent on how early you spay your dog: Before first heat = a 0.5% chance of developing breast tumors later. o Between first and second heat = an 8% risk of developing breast tumors. o After second heat = a 26% risk of developing breast tumors in later life, which is the same risk as a dog of any age who is not spayed. Prevention of Pyometra - By spaying a Shetland Sheepdog before her first heat cycle, you prevent Pyometra, a hormonal abnormality and bacterial infection which commonly affects middle-aged dogs who have not been spayed. It occurs after a heat cycle where fertilization doesn't occur, and causes the horns of the uterus that usually weigh 3 oz to swell to 10-15 lbs. If left untreated, the uterus will eventually rupture and spill bacterial fluid into the abdomen, causing uremic poisoning which is fatal. Treatment for Pyometra is expensive, involving hormonal and IV fluid therapy or a

complete ovariohysterectomy costing up to $1,000. What's more, the strain on the kidneys or heart can cause lifelong problems even after the uterus is removed. Improved coat - This may not be a deal breaker but it's certainly a factor in your decision to spay your Sheltie. Because Shetland Sheepdog hair grows in phases, it is often inhibited during heat cycles and whelping. The coat appears thin and even exposes the skin in certain areas. It can take 2-4 months to return to normal, and some dogs never develop a normal coat because of their wildly cycling hormones.

The Cons of Spaying a Sheltie Sterilization - Once you spay your dog, she will never be able to produce puppies. If you are going to breed your Sheltie, you should wait until at least her second heat cycle, and make sure that you have her genetically tested for health problems and that she has a good temperament. These are just some of the factors that professional breeders take into consideration before breeding a dog. However, you may want to ask yourself why the breeder sold her as a pet and didn't keep her for their own breeding stock. My advice is, if you have no experience, don't go there. Spay Incontinence - After spaying, some female dogs develop incontinence. This is caused by low estrogen levels weakening the muscle tone around the urethra so that urine leaks from the bladder. However it can be easily treated with medication, and is not limited to spayed dogs; all older dogs can develop this condition. Cost of spaying - The cost of spaying a Sheltie at a Humane Society or a low-cost clinic is between $50 and $175 depending on the size of your dog. Some vet clinics charge up to $300 but this is the higher end price range reserved for bigger dogs. As a Sheltie owner you should not expect to pay as much, although it certainly will depend on where you live. Generally spaying is more expensive than neutering, because it is a more complex internal surgery. Remember that the cost of spaying your dog is far less than the cost of vaccinating a whole litter of Sheltie puppies. Dangers of anesthesia - During surgery, your Sheltie will go under general anesthesia, which carries risks like the forming of blood clots, fatal arrhythmia and respiratory depression. A UK study found that for healthy dogs, the risk of death under anesthesia is 1 in 1,849 - and that covers various surgeries. In terms of allergic reactions, herding breeds like Shetland Sheepdogs - while still statistically rare - are possibly the most likely breeds to suffer an allergic reaction to pre-anesthetic drugs used during surgery. While the evidence is sketchy, many vets are aware of the connection, and will adjust their procedure either by testing for the rare MDR1 gene prior to surgery, or changing their pre-anesthetic protocol to avoid suspect drugs. Be

sure to mention this to your vet before the surgery. However, serious complications during anesthesia are uncommon and this alone should not put you off spaying a Sheltie. In fact, many dog owners allow their pets to go under general anesthetic for simple procedures like having their teeth cleaned. Early Spaying - This is a hot area of contention. Due to the problem of overpopulation of dogs in the US, some animal shelters and vets have begun spaying and neutering at a very early age - even as young as 6 weeks. This is much sooner than the norm of 5-8 months, ideally before her first heat cycle. Some experts say that early puppy spaying can actually increase aggressive tendencies in females, as it prevents the production of progesterone, a Serotonin uplifter. Opinions vary on the ideal time to spay - from 6-7 months of age (before the first heat cycle) to 3 months after the second heat cycle (about 18 months of age).

As you can see, there is a wealth of information to take into account when considering spaying a Sheltie. The one issue that stands out from the crowd is the problem of dog overpopulation. Even with the majority of pet dogs spayed today, there are still millions of unwanted puppies put down every year in the US. If noone spayed their pets, this problem would be a whole lot worse. Finally, in the US, many professional Shetland Sheepdog breeders require you to sign a spay agreement before you buy a puppy from them. This is to ensure that only their best quality Shelties will be used to propagate the breed, which is what created the beautiful Sheltie dog you see today. It also ensures that pet owners don't add the the problem of unplanned breeding. So if you want a purebred dog as a pet, you will likely be obligated to spay your Sheltie anyway. This also goes for rescue Shelties - many shelters spay dogs before rehoming them, whatever their age.

About The Author Becky Turner is the creator of Sheltie Planet. She lives in New Zealand with her partner, Peter, and their son, Fox. Becky is 100% owned by Howard and Piper Woofington Moon, the Shelties who inspired this site. Visit them on Facebook or The Sheltie Planet Forums.

The Pros and Cons of Neutering a Sheltie By Becky Turner Discuss This Article at our Sheltie Forums

The most obvious reason forneutering a Sheltie is to ensure he doesn't impregnate a female and create an unplanned litter. Dogs and bitches in heat will always find each other - sometimes across miles - and the deed is done fast. According to The Humane Society, 3 million dogs are put down in US shelters every year. That's about 1 dog every 10 seconds. And often these animals are the unplanned offspring of cherished family pets. The solution is to neuter your Sheltie. This is a humane act - especially when you consider all the puppies being euthanized every day because of failure to neuter. There are also significant health benefits for your dog to take into account. For instance, studies show that if you don't neuter your dog, he faces an 80% likelihood of developing prostate disease when he is older. This article is not meant to scare you into making a decision one way or the other. It's here to present you with all the known facts. Deciding whether to neuter our own Shelties was a really tough decision, because we received so much conflicting advice wherever we went. I am not a vet nor do I have any medical training, but the following pros and cons of neutering a Sheltie are based on the most reliable sources of information I could find. I hope I can help make the decision easier for you.

The Pros of Neutering a Sheltie Prevention of testicular cancer - Castration is the removal of the testicles, which completely eliminates any possibility of your dog developing testicular cancer. In unneutered dogs, testicular cancer is common, especially as they get older. The treatment involves castration itself, and sometimes chemotherapy if the cancer has spread. The outcome is usually very good although complications can occur. Reduced risk of prostate problems - More than 80% of all intact dogs eventually develop prostate diseases. These include benign enlargement, cysts and infection

which are all related to the presence of testosterone in dogs. By neutering your Sheltie you significantly reduce the risk of prostate diseases in later life. Reduced dog aggression - Dogs neutered before sexual maturity are less likely to show aggression than intact dogs, due to the lower levels of testosterone in their bodies. Your Sheltie's underlying personality will not change with neutering, but aggressive behavior patterns can be toned down, making him a calmer, happier pet. He may even become more gentle and affectionate, and less likely to get into fights with other (even bigger) dogs, which can result in serious injury. The degree of reduced aggression really depends on the dog and the age at which you neuter a Sheltie; the effect is usually greatest if he's fixed before one year old. Reduced risk of roaming - Without the instinctive drive to mate, your Sheltie will be far less likely to roam in search of a female dog in heat. When they are ready to mate, bitches release airborne pheromones which can travel huge distances. For those intact dogs who are tied up and can't escape, this torture lasts continuously for 3-14 days while the female is cycling in estrus. If the dog does manage to escape, he risks being hit by a car, stolen or being lost altogether. Prevention of unwanted pregnancy - The ultimate goal of roaming is to mate with a female and produce puppies. Most pet owners do not want an unplanned litter on their hands. There is no real money to be made this way, since it takes considerable time and expense to raise the puppies to 8 weeks (consider food, vet checks and vaccinations for up to six puppies in one go). Even professional breeders don't make much money from producing litters - they do it for the continuation of the breed. And worst of all, it may be hard to find new homes for the puppies who may ultimately face euthanasia at a rescue shelter when they can't be cared for any longer. Reduced risk of hernias - Perianal hernias are common in older, intact dogs. This is where the colon, bladder or prostate pokes through the abdominal cavity, caused by testosterone weakening the muscles near the anus. In longhaired breeds like Shelties, the problem may go on for months before you see any abnormality. When left untreated, the organs can become damaged and even die from loss of blood supply. Treatment involves complex surgery to repair the damaged muscle and organs, and can cost $1,500 or more, which is many times the cost of neutering. By neutering a Sheltie, there is less testosterone in the body and the muscles stay strong, thereby dramatically reducing the risk of hernias. Reduced risk of perianal tumors - Tumors that grow around the anus may be benign or malignant and called perianal tumors. They are stimulated by testosterone and occur in intact dogs more than 7 years old. Treatment involves surgery and must be detected early to stop them from recurring. However, both perianal tumors and hernias are exceptionally rare in neutered dogs.

The Cons of Neutering a Sheltie Sterilization - Once you neuter your dog, he will never be able to reproduce. So if you plan to breed him, hold off getting him neutered. If you are going to breed your Sheltie, make sure that you have him genetically tested for health problems, that he has a good temperament, and many more factors that professional breeders take into consideration before breeding a dog. However, you may want to ask yourself why the breeder sold him as a pet and didn't keep him for their own breeding stock. Though it may feel wrong to you, Fido is a dog - not a human. He's not going to grow up, get married and start a family, so don't judge him by your human standards. Cost of neutering - The cost of neutering a Sheltie at a Humane Society or a lowcost clinic is between $45 and $135 depending on the size of your dog. Some vet clinics charge up to $300 but this is the higher end price range reserved for bigger dogs. As a Sheltie owner you should not expect to pay as much, although it certainly will depend on where you live. Here in New Zealand it cost us the equivalent of $180. This included a special catheter inserted into the arm in case of an allergic reaction to the anesthetic, which is of slightly more concern for owners of Collie breeds. Remember that the cost of neutering your dog is far less than the cost of vaccinating a whole litter of Sheltie puppies - or surgery for health issues in later life. Dangers of anesthesia - During castration surgery, your Sheltie will go under general anesthesia, which carries risks like the forming of blood clots, fatal arrhythmia and respiratory depression. A UK study found that for healthy dogs, the risk of death under anesthesia is 1 in 1,849 - and that covers various surgeries. In terms of allergic reactions, herding breeds like Collies and Shelties - while still statistically rare - are possibly the most likely breeds to suffer an allergic reaction to pre-anesthetic drugs used during surgery. While the evidence is sketchy, many vets are aware of the connection, and will adjust their procedure either by testing for the rare MDR1 gene prior to surgery, or changing their pre-anesthetic protocol to avoid suspect drugs. Be sure to mention this to your vet before the surgery. However, serious complications during anesthesia are uncommon and this alone should not put you off neutering a Sheltie. In fact, many dog owners allow their pets to go under general anesthetic for simple procedures like having their teeth cleaned. Early Neutering - This is a hot area of contention. Due to the problem of overpopulation of dogs in the US, some animal shelters and vets have begun neutering at a very early age - even as young as 6-14 weeks. This is much sooner than the norm of 5-8 months, which gives the dog time to physically grow to their nearadult size but not reach full sexual maturity. Some breeders say that the lack of testosterone seriously affects the dog's growth, causing the growth plates to fuse

which results in a dog that is lanky and lighter in bone. They recommend that the best time for neutering a Sheltie is at 1 year old. However, scientific studies have so far been unable to prove this. If anything, they found that younger dogs actually recover from surgery faster. This confusion was one factor that made us wait until Howard and Piper were 11-12 months old before we got them de-sexed. I definitely feel more research needs to be done before we can rule out the dangers. Increased risk of osteosarcoma - Recent studies have shown that dogs neutered before 12 months of age have a two-fold increased chance of developing osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer. This is much more common in large or giant dog breeds - and is fairly rare in smaller breeds like Shetland Sheepdogs.

As you can see, there is a wealth of information to take into account when considering neutering a Sheltie. The one issue that stands out from the crowd is the problem of dog overpopulation. Even with the majority of pet dogs neutered today, there are still millions of unwanted puppies put down every year in the US. If noone neutered their pets, this problem would be a whole lot worse. Finally, in the US, many professional Shetland Sheepdog breeders require you to sign a neutering agreement before you buy a puppy from them. This is to ensure that only their best quality Shelties will be used to propagate the breed, which is what created the beautiful Sheltie dog you see today. It also ensures that pet owners don't add the the problem of unplanned breeding. So if you want a purebred dog as a pet, you will likely be obligated to neuter your Sheltie anyway. This also goes for rescue Shelties - many shelters neuter dogs before rehoming them, whatever their age.

About The Author Becky Turner is the creator of Sheltie Planet. She lives in New Zealand with her partner, Peter, and their son, Fox. Becky is 100% owned by Howard and Piper Woofington Moon, the Shelties who inspired this site. Visit them on Facebook or The Sheltie Planet Forums News for Dogs and their People

September 15, 2009 Hello, Black Dog Rescue Project is excited to publish the first issue of Rescue Paws, a monthly newsletter for Dogs and their people. Each month, Rescue Paws will be delivered to your inbox. You will find recent headline news stories, information on whats happening at Black Dog Rescue Project and tips on how to better communicate with your dog. If you like what you find here, please help us spread the word and forward this to your friends and family. If this was forwarded to you, please take a moment to subscribe to Rescue Paws. In this Issue Headlines : Impact of the Economy on Dogs Black Dog Rescue Project : Coming Soon Favorite Things : Kong Remys World : A Natural Jumper Dog Speak : Tail Wags of Happiness Headlines The economy has been the big news in the headlines in the U.S. and around the world for many months now. The failing economy is taking its toll on both people and their pets. Shelters are full and the dogs keep arriving as owners become unable to care for their pets. CNN reports that the UK has seen an 11% increase in the number of stray dogs over the last year. Budget cuts in California prompted a change to the required holding time for stray dogs. The required time has moved from 6 days down to 3 days which will drastically reduce the number of dogs that can be saved. Hoping for a change in the economy, Las Vegas plays host to SuperZoothis week where manufacturers and suppliers of pet products show off whats new for 2010. Black Dog Rescue Project Coming Soon... Rescue Me: We are thrilled with the success of the homeless black dogs we have highlighted on our site. Maggie, Kinsey and Ranger have all found homes and we are hopeful that Devin will soon be in his forever home. For more information on Devin, check out our home page. Spooky Dude: Chris and his wife are volunteers for the AuSable Valley Animal Shelter in Grayling, MI. Chris shared his story about the black lab mix that spent nearly a year waiting for his forever home.

Black Dog Walk: The first Black Dog Walk took place at Liberty Park in Salt Lake City last month. We are spreading the word and bringing awareness to the plight of homeless black dogs. If you would like to meet other dog lovers and help black dogs in your community, please consider starting a Black Dog Walk in your community Directories: Creating the state directories is a time consuming process but a very valuable resource for our visitors. We will continue to add new state directories until all states are complete. Colorado will be online shortly. Pit Bulls: If the black dog is the underdog of the rescue dog world, then the black pit bull is the ultimate underdog. Look for more information on banned breeds and breed specific legislation in the next month. Gourmet Dog Treats: Do you know whats in your dogs favorite food or treats? We are putting the finishing touches on homemade dog treats that you can feel good about giving to your dog. Look for these treats to be available in our Favorite Things section in the coming weeks. Media: Hollywood has a very large influence on how the public perceives black dogs or certain breeds of dogs. We will be creating a section on the website to discuss this topic in more detail but want to pose a question to you first. Are you aware of any movie, TV show or commercial, past or present, which portrays a black dog in a positive light? We have been trying to find just one example and have come up short. If you have an example, please let us know! Favorite Things The Kong is a must have item. Click on the photo to order your Kong today. We LOVE the kong because it is indestructible and helps relieve boredom while you are away. Kongs come in a variety of sizes and strengths from puppy to adult. The ideas on stuffing a Kong are endless. Some of our favorites are to break up small biscuits and alternate with layers of peanut butter and biscuits. Put it in the freezer to make the fun last a bit longer. On a hot day, fill the kong with water and freeze it for a fun popsicle. You can also fill it with beef or chicken broth and freeze it. Buy 2 kongs so that one is always in the freezer and ready to go when you need it. Remy's World Remy was our inspiration for the Black Dog Rescue Project. We adopted Remy back in June when

a news story broke about an animal hoarder who had been keeping 75 poodles in horrific conditions in a one room cabin. It has been wonderful to watch him progress each day and to see him discover what being a happy and loved dog is all about. Remy has been attending the Black Dog Walk each Saturday and truly enjoys prancing through the park with the other dogs. To help with Remys confidence, we began teaching him basic obedience and quickly discovered that he is a natural jumper. We built our own agility jump.Remy is now flying over the jump with a twitch in his tail and a big smile on his face! Remy loves to jump and then to curl up on your lap for a soothing massage.We will be building more obstacles for our agility course and will keep you posted on Remys progress. Dog Speak Did you know that a wagging tail is not always an indication of a happy a playful dog? Depending on the situation and the rest of the dogs body language a wagging tail could also indicate fear, submission or dominance. If your dog is standing tall and wagging his tail quickly, this typically indicates that he is happy. If he is in a play bow while wagging he is ready to play. However, if he is crouching while wagging the tail more slowly this does not indicate that he is happy. Depending on the situation, this could be a display of dominance to another dog or could indicate that he is fearful or being submissive if the tail is lowered. Watch your dogs tail more closely. See the different situations that cause the tail to be lowered or raised and to wag quickly or more slowly. You will begin to understand your dog much more clearly. Comments? Ideas? Feedback? I'd love to hear from you. Just hit reply to this email and tell me what you think!Spread the Word Save a Life! Black Dog Rescue Project News for Dogs and their People October 15, 2009 Hello, Rescue Paws is the monthly newsletter for dogs and their people published by Black Dog Rescue Project. Each month, Rescue Paws will be delivered to your inbox. You will find dog news, information on whats happening at Black Dog Rescue Project and tips on how to better communicate with your dog If you like what you find here, please help us spread the word and forward this to your

friends and family. If this was forwarded to you, please take a moment to subscribe to Rescue Paws. In this Issue Headlines : Halloween Treats and Tips Black Dog Rescue Project : New and Coming Soon Favorite Things : Cesar Milan Training DVD Remys World : Count Barkula Dog Speak : Let's Play! Headlines The leaves are changing and the air is cool and crisp. Fall is definitely here and Halloween is right around the corner. October is Adopt a Shelter Pet Month, so please consider treating a dog in need to a warm and cozy forever home. You can see Remy's costume this year in Remy's World below. If you have a cute pic of your dog in costume that you would like to share with us, please reply to this email with your photo. Can't wait to see those fun costumes! Black cats are one of the symbols of Halloween and ABC News did an article on black dogs and cats getting overlooked at your local shelters. Black Dog Rescue Project contributed to this article on Black Dog Syndrome. See our comments on page 2. Trying to capture that perfect picture of your dog in his adorable or spooky costume? Here is an informative article on how to take that contest winning photo of your dog. There are also some links to fun photos of pets in costumes. The North Country Gazette printed an informative article on some basic and sound advice for keeping your pets safe this Halloween. Black Dog Rescue Project Coming Soon... Rescue Me : Phantom found his forever home last week. Thank you Georgia! Delilah is the current profiled dog and she is such a sweetheart. She will melt your heart and make a great addition to just about any family Black Dog Walk: We moved the Black Dog Walk in Utah to Ogden. The walk in Ogden has been both fun and a success. We are always looking for more folks to join us so please mark your calendars and join the pack. If you would like to meet other dog lovers and help black dogs in your community, please consider starting a Black Dog Walk in your community. You will feel great knowing that you are helping to change the odds for

black dogs in your area. Directory: This past month we added both Colorado and Wisconsin to our directory pages. Illinois will be up within the week. The process is slow but we are making progress. Gourmet Dog Treats: We are happy to announce that our What a Good Doggie! Gourmet Dog Treats are now available. Our first flavor is Remys favorite, Banana Nut. Order now to get the perfect Halloween treat for your dog and the dogs in your neighborhood. Share the love today! Favorite Things The weather is getting cooler so make yourself a hot chocolate and curl up with your dog for some couch time. This DVD set will benefit both you and your dog with the knowledge you gain. This is a must have for all dog owners and it also makes a great gift! Cesar Milan Mastering Leadership Training Dvd Set Mastering Leadership DVD Series by Dog Trainer Cesar Millan A Must-Have for Dog Owners! Cesar Millan's Mastering Leadership DVD Series is a comprehensive, instructional three-DVD set that will show you how to become your dog's pack leader, the importance of calm-assertive energy and how to establish proper rules, boundaries and limitations for your dog. **Note the Bonus DVD: The Essential Toolkit is NOT included in this set. Also, search 492419 for the Illusion Training Collar by Cesar Milan THE SYSTEM INCLUDES EVERYTHING YOU SEE BELOW: Volume 1: People Training for Dogs DVD Cesar's methods have been successful at rehabilitating even seemingly impossible-to-correct dog behaviors. He shares his wisdom and wit from a lifetime of working with dogs, including: The basics of dog behavior Understanding the nature of the pack Energy and body language Giving rules, setting boundaries and limitations Why the walk is important Cesar's fulfillment formula Bonus Features, including feeding time with Cesar's pack Volume 2: Becoming a Pack Leader Following the methods learned in Volume 1, Cesar works directly with dogs and their owners to demonstrate how it's done. Topics include: The role of the pack leader How to use energy and body language to influence your dog How to create rules, boundaries, and limitations Getting control during walks Bonus features include outtakes, and Cesar's questions for the viewer Volume 3: Your New Dog: The First Day and Beyond Loaded with invaluable ideas and

essential tips to start off on the right paw in the third volume of Cesar's Mastering Leadership series. Topics include: How to select the perfect dog for you and your family Introducing your puppy to your household for the first time Indispensable advice on adopting dogs from shelters, rescue groups, and breeders Selecting a dog that matches your energy Bonus Features, including puppy tips, and teaching with treats Remy's World Remy aka Count Barkula! is officially ready for Halloween. He is such a cute Count Barkula and is sure to bring some smiles to peoples faces as we attend the different festivities. He wasnt terribly excited about wearing it or posing for the picture, but with the promise of treats, he finally stopped trying to eat the cape, and complied with my wishes. With his new found confidence, Remy is exploring more parts of the yard. His favorite spot at the moment gets him covered in cockleburs. He runs back to the house covered in them daily. I then have the task of picking them one by one from between his toes and throughout his fine black curls. Im beginning to think he deliberately gets covered in them because he enjoys the lap time as I pick them from his fur. Dog Speak Lets Play! If you have more than one dog or take your dog for a play date and you are new to the dog world or new to a particular breed of dog, it may be difficult

at times to tell what behavior is natural playing and when things are beginning to get out of hand. Many dogs will nip and jump, bark, and even growl during play. Some dogs play much rougher than others so it is a good idea to supervise. To know that the dogs are just playing and all is well, look for the play bow. A play bow is when the dog has his front end on the ground with the back end up in the air, as if he is bowing. You will see the play bow when a dog is initiating play and you will often see the play bow throughout the play session. Supervising dogs at play and being able to see the play bow from both dogs will help you keep the play from going to far Comments? Ideas? Feedback? I'd love to hear from you. Just hit reply to this email and tell me what you think!Spread the Word Save a Life! Black Dog Rescue Project