This Just In ...
Kevin Fischer is a veteran broadcaster, the recipient of over 150 major journalism awards from the Milwaukee Press Club, the Wisconsin Associated Press, the Northwest Broadcast News Association, the Wisconsin Bar Association, and others. He has been seen and heard on Milwaukee TV and radio stations for over three decades. A longtime aide to state Senate Republicans in the Wisconsin Legislature, Kevin can be seen offering his views on the news on the public affairs program, "InterCHANGE," on Milwaukee Public Television Channel 10, and heard filling in on Newstalk 1130 WISN. He lives with his wife, Jennifer, and their lovely baby daughter, Kyla Audrey, in Franklin.
The Barking Lot (06/12/10)
The Barking Lot is a regular weekly feature of this just in…Written by my lovely wife, Jennifer and me. It opens with the weekend dog walking forecast followed by the main blog from dog lover, Jennifer. Then it’s DOGS IN THE NEWS and our close. Enjoy!
THE WEEKEND DOG-WALKING FORECAST: We grade the weather outlook for taking your pet outdoors.
TODAY: UPDATED-Mostly cloudy, humid, isolated thunderstorms beginning this afternoon through the evening. Foggy conditions until after 9:00. High of 72. "C"
SUNDAY: Mostly cloudy with isolated showers. High of 73. "C"
Here’s my lovely wife, Jennifer with this week’s main blog:
I often talk about getting a dog, especially when Kyla is a little bit older. I figure that’s the best plan… After all, Kevin doesn’t need to know that my intention is really to have dogS. Yes, plural. I had two dogs most of my youth, and it was a blast. They had different personalities, looked different, and played differently with me. So why wouldn’t I consider the same situation with our family?
Actually, there might be some reasons. Or at least there are things to thoughtfully consider before you just spring two dogs on each other and assume they will be doggy BFF’s.
Again from our friends at PetPlace.com, there are certain steps you should follow when you want to introduce two dogs for the first time. I think this information would be useful for introducing two “friends” or “extended family” dogs as well as if you would like to adopt a second one for your home. Excerpts of their article include:
1. Keep it friendly - It may be possible to introduce the dogs in a relaxed manner by just letting them sniff and play, as long as both are known to be friendly with other dogs.
2. Take it slow - If you are not sure how the dogs will react, start off cautiously by taking them for a walk together on neutral territory (e.g. a park, not your yard).
3. Watch for signs - Be aware that wagging tails do not necessarily mean that dogs are happy to see each other.
4. The dominant dog will emerge - When the dogs eventually meet off-leash, one of them is going to need to establish dominance. This is a normal and necessary step in a dog-dog relationship, but sometimes the process can look and sound pretty scary.
5. Support the dominant dog - Once the dogs are together, make sure that you support one dog as dominant (this will probably be the resident dog). Show him that he is number one.
Additional tips from PetPlace.com are specific to helping you think through the process of adopting a second furry friend. So besides all the great ideas listed above here are some more points to ponder:
If you have a dog and you're thinking about getting another dog, choose wisely. There are many things to consider, like finding the right dog, keeping the peace and balancing the pet budget.
The better the match, the easier the transition will be. A natural hierarchy will develop over the first few weeks and usually the older incumbent dog will and should occupy the "alpha" position.
Is it better to get a dog of the same or opposite sex? Many veterinarians and behaviorist recommend choosing a dog of the opposite sex. This will decrease the chance of aggression.
What breeds should you avoid? Avoid breeds that are known for their aggression toward other dogs (e.g. Pit Bull). Do your research first and choose the breed that has the best chance of getting along with your resident dog.
Make sure their personalities match. If the incumbent dog has lots of playful energy, it would be appropriate to get a new puppy or young adult dog. However, if your present dog is unlikely to tolerate the antics and energy of an adolescent dog, consider getting an older dog.
Once you select your new dog, the "dog-to-dog" introduction is very important. Observe their behavior ... see how they react to each other, and then decide how to continue.
Consider all of these factors when choosing a second dog - and don't forget about the added expense for that dog's care. In addition to food, toys and grooming think about the additional medical expenses.
Uh, sorry, Kev. If you think that all this information is going to dissuade my hopes of having eight paws and two tails in our home, you are out of your doggone mind.
---Jennifer Fischer
Gee.
You think you know someone.
Time now for DOGS IN THE NEWS, canines that made headlines the past week.
Humane Society doesn't respond for 6 hours, dog dies in hot car.
Man throws dog off a bridge. What should the sentence be? Same question, woman throws dog in the trash....
Restaurant apologizes for banning seeing eye dog.
Not everyone agrees the beach is a place for dogs to play.
Vet: Don't trust pet with kids.
Dusty has been trained from infancy for an important job.
Blood banks for pets becoming more important.
How much would you spend on a sick pet?
Long leashes could mean big fines here.
Ordinary house dogs are being tested for possible hunting instincts.
Why is Luke Robinson walking dogs for 2,000 miles?
Colleges are putting out the welcome mat for students' pets.
Here, Kev! Here, boy! Is it ok to give the dog a human name?
10 ways to calm dogs of fear of thunder and lightning.
New pet fad: Dyeing dogs.
Yes, your dog can be a good citizen.
That's it for this week.
Thanks for stopping by.
We close with our closing video. A CBS reporter takes his dog to a dog camp, only to find the clientele a bit strange.
This site uses Facebook comments to make it easier for you to contribute. If you see a comment you would like to flag for spam or abuse, click the "x" in the upper right of it. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use.