Essay Persuasive on Puppy

Puppy Mills: Why They Must Be Stopped

Imagine this: A little girl and her mother walk into a pet store. There are many different types of dogs for them to choose from. Some lie with their heads down, their big, sad eyes staring back through the cage. Others wag their tails and bark with excitement. The little girl peers around the store, searching for the perfect puppy. Finally, she locks eyes with Jasper, a mini Golden-doodle. He sees the little girl from inside his cage and immediately begins to wag his tail and pounce at the lock. “Look at that puppy, Mommy! He’s perfect!”, the little girl exclaims.

The sad truth and what this little girl doesn’t know is Jasper comes from a puppy mill. While in the mill, Jasper was kept in a cage so small that he could barely lie down. He wasn’t given fresh food or water for three days. He slept in his own feces and was abused by the other dogs. He never experienced the joy of running around in the grass or even playing fetch. By this family purchasing Jasper from the pet store, they are financially supporting the inhumane puppy mill from which Jasper came. Puppy mills breed dogs in terrible housing conditions. These mills are extremely mentally and physically harmful to the dogs. While some states have taken action to try and prevent puppy mills, it still remains a very serious issue. Puppy mills must be banned in the United States for good. The main problem with puppy mills is they breed and house dogs in absolutely horrible living conditions.

Puppy mills are small shacks with stacks of metal cages stuffed with sick dogs on top of each other. The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) has coined the phrase “puppy mill” to describe “…a commercial dog breeding facility that mass-produces dogs in substandard conditions” (Bell). These breeders make a living by selling dogs wholesale to brokers, who then sell them to pet stores, who then sell them to uneducated customers. Leslie Isom, a companion animal care associate from HSUS says, “Puppy mill dogs often live in filth and are victims of inadequate shelter, veterinary care, and food” (Bell). They have no cooling or heating systems, and no shelter from the blistering sun or freezing rain. Sometimes three to four dogs are shoved together in one small cage, and if a female has her puppies, rather than moving the litter to a larger living space, the cage simply becomes more crowded, causing some of the newborns to die. The dogs are rarely, if ever, let out of their cages to enjoy the normal pleasures of chasing a ball, lying in the sun, or simply being petted. The only human contact they receive is when their cages are cleaned out, which only occurs once a week. Sadly, ninety percent of those puppies in the pet shop window are from puppy mills (Goodall). Even worse, the state of Missouri is home to 1,462 licensed commercial dog breeders, which breed about one million puppies per year combined (“A dog’s life”). No person should ever want to take part in promoting this abusive cycle that affects thousands of dogs across the country.

Puppy mills are legal, but how the dogs are treated is not. These puppies are mentally and physically abused every day. The puppies often suffer from starvation and lack of water. The small cages these dogs must live in have wire walls, as well as wire floors, which sometimes cause the puppies to lose their paws or even legs because of holes in the sharp wire. There is also no veterinary care provided, so dogs with open wounds must heal on their own and if any puppy catches a disease, it simply spreads. An investigator of Lancaster County puppy mills found that some breeders do not properly vaccinate their puppies as well (Bell). Many of the dogs tend to get into fights due to the close living quarters. These fights can leave the smaller and weaker dogs with no place to run and a small chance of defending themselves. In the middle of the night, owners of the mills will go out and shoot the moms that are too old or sick to have any more puppies. They then leave their bodies in dumpsters and fields, stripping the dogs of any chance to ever experience love. Desperate to breed as many puppies as possible, commercial breeders will sometimes let fathers mate with daughters, or brothers mate with sisters. As a result, “Many puppies are born with genetic flaws that come from inbreeding, such as blindness, diabetes, and hip dysplasia”, says Sue Pressman, a consultant for animal welfare organizations (Bell). Isom says that unfortunately, “Because of these harsh conditions and the dogs’ lack of proper socialization, many of them don’t make good pets. They may bite or nip out of nervousness” (Bell). The Philadelphia Inquirer reported numerous incidents of puppy mill dogs dying within days of being purchased (Bell). Most customers are uneducated on this information and have no idea they are supporting such a cruel industry. A handful of states have tried to prevent this abusive cycle. A few states have adopted puppy “lemon laws”, which seek to offer consumers protection against buying sick puppies and have indirectly forced some breeders to clean up their act. All 50 states have anti-cruelty laws that should prevent mistreatment, however, they are poorly enforced, since puppy mills are still legal in most states (Bell). Animal-rights supporters have gathered more than 190,000 signatures in support of the Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act, an exercise that was passed to improve conditions in the state’s breeding facilities, however, no improvements have been made (“A dog’s life”).

In 2009, the Missouri Department of Agriculture created a program called Operation Bank Alert. Under this, individuals can report unlicensed breeders to the state. This initiative has helped rescue more than 3,600 dogs and put 180 unlicensed breeders out of business, but there is still a lot of work to be done (“A dog’s life”). California has banned the sale of commercially-bred pets and plans on making it illegal for pet shops to source their animals from puppy mills. Instead, they will only sell rescued animals or strays from animal shelters and humane societies, giving some of California’s 800,000 yearly, unwanted pets a better chance of finding a home. However, this is just one out of 50 states. If all of America could take these few simple steps, imagine how much better the lives of these innocent dogs would be. While it is very easy to spot the negative effects of puppy mills, there are a few positives. There are jobs provided to those who work in puppy mills. There are also a few states that are trying to make puppy mills less miserable for dogs. In Iowa, there was an attempt to pass a bill that would triple the size of the dog’s cages, put flooring in, give the dogs some time outside, and have annual check-ups with veterinarians. This bill could have had a domino effect because of the large percentage of puppy mills that are in this state. However, this bill was never passed because of the American Kennel Club (AKC). The AKC is the breed registry for pure breed dogs in America, which trick people into believing that they care about the treatment of animals, but in reality, only care about their profit. They continually fought this bill simply because they did not want to pay for any adjustments in Iowa. Because of this roadblock, puppy mills continue to remain horrific and inhumane. Also, there will always be another job opportunity for someone, hopefully, one that does not support the mistreatment of animals. So, the little girl brought home her brand-new puppy, Jasper. However, something was not right. After a few weeks, Jasper became very sick and stopped eating. He very rarely left his bed. He never went outside. He flinched whenever anyone came near him, and soon began biting the little girl when she tried to pet him, for he was afraid she would want to hurt him. The little girl’s mom knew it was time to take him back to the pet store. Unfortunately, because of his sickly condition, no one would buy him, and eventually the pet store had to make room for a new litter of puppies. So, when buying a dog at the pet store, ask where the dog came from, the treatment it has received, and who its parents are. Or better yet, rather than buying from a pet store, consider adopting from a local shelter. It is time to work together to put an end to puppy mills in the United States once and for all.

Works Cited

    1. “A dog’s life; ‘Puppy mills’.” The Economist, 13 Nov. 2010, p. 39 (US). Gale In Context: High School, https://link.gale.com. Accessed 26 Sept. 2019.
    2. Bell, Alison. “Tails of woe: the shocking truth about puppy mills.” Teen Magazine, June 1997, p. 72+. Gale In Context: High School, http://link.gale.com. Accessed 26 Sept. 2019.
    3. Goodall, Emily. “Puppy mills.” Skipping Stones, May-Aug. 2011, p. 8. Gale In Context: High School, https://link.gale.com. Accessed 26 Sept. 2019.
Posted in Dog

Every Dog Owner Should Be Responsible for Their Dogs

Have you ever been bordered by your neighbor’s dogs at night when you try to sleep and they keep barking? Of course, most people have been in this situation because nowadays, there are a lot of dogs and most of the owner cannot deal with the dog’s problems. In this essay, I want to investigate the most important problems that people are facing with their neighbors’ dogs such as dog’s poop and bite.

First, dog’s poop on the floor is not fine but it is even worse if it is in front of your house. Sometimes, people just want to have a good day and they woke up to the pale of dog’s poop right in front of your house. So, the owners should have been more careful about that problem because it’s sting and it could spread some bacteria around other’s house as well.

The second reason is dog bites the neighbors. For example, in the community (Borey) that I live, people supposed to walk for exercise peacefully, but they do not feel like that at all. While they are walking for exercise around the Borey, they have to carry the stick along with them to protect themselves from the dog. The dogs used to bite the neighbors, who walked pass their house. The dog owner was so irresponsible at that time. He did not bring the victim to take an injection nor giving the victim the money for treatment.

There are some ideas that countered that dogs have their own freedom so they could poop anywhere they want and bite those whose scare them. For example, some people try to tease with dog so the dog would buy them for sure. Moreover, when people are walking outside of the house, dogs might think that they are bad strangers, so they bite them. For popping, people who have seen it would have collected it by themselves and then don’t have to wait for the owners to do it. Although it’s true but we must remember that, dogs have its owner so the owners must have responsibilities to their dogs. They can train their dogs to do its business at the right places. Another point is that, the owners must look after their dogs so it won’t make any trouble such as biting people or other’s dogs when it stays outside of the house.

In conclusion, dog could do their business wherever they want if the owner didn’t train them, and the dog could bite the people easily without reasons. So, every dog owner should take a highly responsibility toward their dog especially those who live in community.

Posted in Dog

Exemplification Essay on Dog

There are over 340 genetically distinct dog breeds in the world, all of which have definitive characteristics. While most breeds are ideal for recreational purposes, dogs have been used in the military since 1914, as effective guards and efficient trackers with their strength, agility, and sense of smell. Dog behavior is referred to as the response of a domestic dog to both internal and external stimuli. This behavior has been shaped over thousands of years of human training and breeding, and these particular behavioral traits have also been linked to genetics.

Key attributes of a successful military dog are intelligence, aggression, strength, and sense of smell Most military dogs are large breeds like German Shepherds and Golden Retrievers. They are ideally male and are oftentimes left unneutered so they maintain their natural aggression and testosterone. This aggression should be kept under control with thorough and rigorous coaching. These characteristics apply to many dog breeds, however, the question remains unrequited on the perfect dog breed for both police and military functions. The most economical dog breed is the Belgian malinois, with a keen sense of smell, immense strength, and a decent quantity of aggression. Rigorous training is also employed on these dogs so that they perform optimally in military exercises and combat. Both canine and handler have to be assessed in order for an efficient relationship to ensue between them. According to a manual from the United States Department of the Army, an effective handler must meet three criteria before being eligible to employ military dogs. They must have a good understanding of the mind of a dog and how it works, as well as be able to train and exercise the dog effectively to ensure the best possible outcomes. Military working dogs and their handlers need to have a symbiotic relationship. They both must provide security for each other, and aid each other in crime prevention patrols, emergency response, and intruder detection on RAAF Bases and in deployed locations around the world. The two main breeds of military working dogs employed by the Air Force are the sheepdog and Belgian Malinois. The dogs are typically from the Air Force’s own breeding program to ensure they are of the highest quality. Members of the general public can also volunteer to foster Air Force dogs when they retire or before they are employed. Once both dog and its trainer are matched, they work together to maintain a high standard of fitness and training. This entails regular testing to ensure that they are prepared for combat or duty at any time. When they have finished their service, military working dogs will retire to their handler’s home at the end of their Air Force service. Before this, a number of checks are undertaken to ensure the dog can enjoy a happy and healthy retirement after their loyal service.

Being able to predict the success of animal breeding depends on one important issue that we still need to discuss: why does performance in offspring resemble that of the parents? Selective breeding can solely be successful if the attribute under selection is hereditary. As a result, only a fraction of the dogs are designated for breeding. These dogs are allowed to produce offspring, and since the attribute is heritable, the performance of the offspring will resemble that of their parents. To ensure the best qualities of a dog are inherited, only the best parents are used for breeding and the average of subsequent generation are going to be higher than that of the present. A trait is inheritable if the performance of that trait, at least in part, depends on the genetic makeup (DNA) of an animal. Variations in performance between animals will (partly) be explained by genetic differences between animals. Animal breeding relates to intentional choice by humans based on animal performance in a particular surrounding for predefined and transmissible traits. In most practical animal breeding schemes, selection focuses on more than one attribute at the same time.

The animals that are superior in this combination of traits are categorized as breeding animals. In general, this pairing of traits comprises traits associated with performance (e.g. milk production, the amount of offspring, growth, sport, and performance), health, and reproduction. The speculation behind the selection for a mix of traits easily becomes extremely intricate. Developments in animal breeding overall have gone hand in hand with developments in society. Dogs were a loose relation to wolves until approximately 15000 years ago. DNA sequences that were extracted from the ancient dog remains from Latin America and Alaska showed that Native American dogs were speculated to have originated from multiple previous world lineages of dogs. These dogs had been speculated to have accompanied late Epoch humans across the Bering Strait. A certain biological group of dog sequences was distinctive to the new world, meaning that it is consistent with a period of geographic isolation. This unique monophyletic (a group of organisms consisting of one ancestor) group was absent from a substantial sample of modern dogs. This means that European colonists systematically discouraged the breeding of Native American dogs. The origin of the common dog from wolves has been established, however, the number of founding events, as well as where and when these occurred, is unknown. To review these queries, the mitochondrial polymer sequence variation was examined within 654 domestic dogs that were representing all major dog populations worldwide. Although these statistics indicate many maternal origins from wolves, less than 95% of all sequences belonged to 3 phylogenetic (evolutionary development) groups universally delineated at similar frequencies, suggesting a typical origin from one gene pool for all dog populations. A larger genetic variation in East Asia than in alternative regions and the pattern of evolutionary variation concludes that the domestic dog is of approximate East Asian origin.

Studies in the past have shown that dog genes have paired genes to their resulting phenotype. An example of a dog breed therewith would be the short legs of Dachshunds. However, these studies started with the physical attribute and searched for the corresponding gene or genes that coded for it. One specific study instead compared gene regions that showed signs of modification between breeds and searched for physical traits which may correspond to those changes.

Various dog breeds with varied types of specific behavior serve as genetic isolates and are ultimately suited for use in studies of advanced characteristics such as behavior. The central nervous system as well as its neurotransmitters are an integral component in the study of behavioral biology. Serotonin and dopamine are neurotransmitters within the brain and have a crucial function in the management of behavior, as they are both mood enhancers. Several of the medicines that are used for the treatment of psychological disorders have an impact on these neurotransmitters. The neurotransmitter systems have many alternative receptors and enzymes that regulate the assembly and breakdown of psychotropic substances. All stages of these reactions are controlled by genes and might be potential sources of behavioral changes. The study concluded that there was a variation in genes associated with the levels of serotonin and dopamine in canines. These variations are used as markers within the study and discovered connections between genes and hostility in dogs. This also conjointly covers studies of genetic activity (expression studies) in several areas of the brain in hostile and docile dogs respectively

Dogs in warfare have an extensive history stemming from ancient times. Their uses and characteristics have evolved over the span of thousands of years, ultimately used as companions or for military purposes. The characteristics of these dogs are very specific rigorous training and handling are required in order for them to attain military status. Numerous studies have evidence that these traits are genetic, along with many years of human contact and evolution. We have evolved the wolf into a docile and domesticated animal that comes in hundreds of variations and breeds. We have refined these traits and have used them to protect and serve our country through the military. Our technology is advancing, and so are the animals we train.

Posted in Dog

How Pets Affect Well-Being

Stress, anxiety and temporary depressive states are common for those just living their daily lives. However, studies have proven that a simple companion could change this. Having animal companions, such as dogs, have a great impact on overall health and happiness.

Spending quality alone time with an animal whether it be your own or one from a group organization bringing those pets to a public facility raises overall physical and mental wellness. Dogs are natural mediators of emotional health; this is shown to work by studies done in several nursing homes filled with elderly men and women who often feel a poor quality of life and lack of contact with the outside world. In one study pet therapy has been observed among the elderly. It shows a significant change in behavior and cognitive function when the participants spent time with dogs. This study consisted of bringing in several dogs that have been specially selected to visit patients in the nursing home and give them each some, one on one time with the dog and the handler.

During this study, the people involved were assessed, before and after spending time with the dogs for 90 minutes every week over six weeks. All of the results pointed to the fact that dogs really are a very intuitive, affectionate animal and positively affected their overall wellbeing and quality of life and happiness (E. Moretti et al., 125-128). Another study showed benefit from dogs in the elderly, it showed that the elderly functioned easier when it came to life stressors when they had a dog verse when they didn’t (Pichot, 6). Those who were involved in both of these studies had great mental and physical benefits after the study was finished. Participants who regularly were acting out due to stress or cognitive function or even other issues were significantly affected on a positive scale. They were more involved in the group activities and were overall more pleasant to be around (E. Moretti et al., 125-128). While dogs did help with the elderly, many studies that showed how they helped other people in the community have a happier life.

It is a belief that owning a dog as a pet has rather different benefits than just being around a dog. The health benefits of owning a dog can be seen as both physical and mental, however, there are typically more physical when owning a dog rather than visiting one. The studies show that dog owners are more likely to go out and walk, jog, and interact with other forms of physical activity. It has also been stated that 95-99% of pet owners felt a strong positive impact on their general health when they did things to care for their dog, like grooming, walking and petting their companion. Other studies have also shown that those who do own pets are more likely to live a longer happier more fulfilling life (Pichot, 6). However, there are situations making it more convenient to visit a dog versus owning one. Students are generally a very good example of why visiting a dog would be more convenient.

Students are found to have the highest rate of stress and lowest self-rated overall happiness and connection to society. Frances S. Chen and his associates asked students to rate their levels of loneliness, sadness and depression and 59% of the students felt lonely, 65% said they felt sad and 37% said they felt major depression during their time in school (Wiley, 468-470). Many said that because of these feelings they found it hard to function on a daily basis. Dogs do this by raising the overall wellness and happiness of those they are around. Previous research has revealed that interacting with dogs reduces indicators of stress, loneliness, and depression. They as well help with reducing anxiety and initiating contact with the people.

The study to show this involves collecting a large group of students from a variety of studies and having them go to drop-in sessions to interact with dogs and their handlers. Initial studies have provided evidence that going to theses drop-in sessions will increase the students’ feelings of connection to society. This is shown because after the therapy session the participant’s stress levels were drastically lower, and as a result, their grades started to go up and they started to become more involved in their campus life. Pets connect us to society by providing companionship to bridge the gap between society and individuals feeling isolated (Wiley, 468-470).

Dogs are like a bridge; they are a way for us to feel more comfortable connecting and interacting with people in society. It is thought that dogs provide a sense of comfort and safety not found in other living beings. Domestic dogs have been protecting and providing a sense of comfort for their humans for about 15,000 years. In 1976 humans were then buried with their pets remains (Pichot, 3-4). In the last two decades, studies have proven the benefits of companion animals. Companion animals contribute to their owner’s wellbeing in almost all situations. Many people say that their dog helps them shape their life. A study by a scientist known as Gunter, is presented by the University of Ottawa Press, stated in his research that companion animals were a bridge of social support for humans. In the study, they placed someone in a wheelchair in a very active location involving many people and did an experiment where at one point they were alone and then they put the same person with a dog. They then watched from the sidelines to see how much interaction was held with and without the dog present.

The results showed that when the dog was present more people were willing to go and interact with the subject. This is because the dog served as a bridge to the gap of interaction. This shows that dogs are a great way to allow people to interact with ease versus being afraid to make the first step to interact. Dogs provide a source of pleasure and connection to the world around them, as well as for many people the promise of hope. Research clearly shows the positive effect of dogs when it comes to getting support and increasing the overall wellness of their lives (Lund, 112). When accompanied by animals’, people are more likely to have a positive outlook and live a more fulling life.

The companionship these animals bring us is irreplaceable by any other being. Dogs are the most loving and accepting animals available. They adapt easily to situations when life creates change. They allow interaction with others without the fear of approach as well as give daily guidance on where to take the day.

Posted in Dog

Reflections on Experience of Owning a Dog

While watching my father dig a hole slowly at the bottom of our garden, I was unaware at the time this was in fact where one of my childhood best friends was going: the dog I grew up with. I was unaware of how ill he was, unaware of how far cancer had spread all over him. As a young child, all I seen was the same dog I seen years before. A dog that loved playing around and loved going for long walks, running and rolling in the mud and water.

My first memory of Bart was the day he arrived home. My mother and father travelled miles to get a chocolate Labrador, when they arrived at the farm he was at, the strong smell of wet dog became clear as they walked further in the farm house. The sound of little footprints got louder and louder until Bart came storming down the stairs with a kitten locked in his mouth. “I thought it was a puppy we were getting”, – my mum whispered to my dad. Bart was a lot bigger than my parents thought he would be and a lot more hyper. Once they returned home it was time for me and my older brother to meet him. I was around 2 years old, the only thing I remember clearly is when I was quietly sat at the top of our freshly carpeted stairs and much to my surprise, I was knocked over by a very excited dog running mad around his new home.

From that day on Bart became a staple in our family, he came everywhere and did absolutely everything with us. As he grew older, he became a little slower but he didn’t change drastically, until he started getting a small lump on his body which progressed to being multiple lumps over his body and his head. I didn’t understand at the time that these lumps were making Bart ill, I found the trips to the vets exciting as I thought they were just checking up on him. I didn’t realize they were planning how long he had left to live. As he got gradually worse and worse the small lumps turned into large cancerous lumps, this is when my parents knew they had to do what was best for Bart. I remember very clearly those words that came from my mother as she was trying to hold back her tears, “We need to get Bart put down”.

This was my worst nightmare. I felt every emotion run through my body at once as I heard those words. Bart had been with me for as long as I could remember and the thought of him no longer being around was heartbreaking to not only just me but my whole family.

The night before Bart was put down, I was told to say my final goodbyes as he would be gone that next morning. The hardest part was not saying goodbye that night it was in fact the next morning. Returning home after he had been taken to the vets, the gate leading into his garden was left open creaking slowly by the wind. This is when it really hit me that he would never run excitedly out the old, rusted gate to go on a walk, never stand and wait at the gate for me to return from school and I would never hear his deep bark at the other dogs walking past our house ever again.

As the weeks slowly progressed after he died, my mother started to bring up the idea of getting another dog but I could not stand the idea of this. I could not think of anything worse than replacing Bart with a new puppy. Without Bart the house felt empty as there was no one there to always happily greet me every time I entered the living room, no one to give me company whenever I felt alone and had no one else.

It took around a year and a half for me to feel ready for another dog to come into my life, there was just one rule that it could not be another chocolate Labrador as it would always remind me of Bart. Instead, we all agreed that it would be a golden Labrador we would look to get, this is when my life changed for the better. I never thought a new puppy would have such a huge impact on my life. It helped fill the empty feeling that was lingering around the house.

The day we went to take our new dog Max home was exciting but also nerve racking, as we were led into the breeders living room, I could hear the small footprints running towards us. From that moment on Max would follow me around everywhere and want to be with me constantly. It became very clear from the start that Max was my dog, he needed me just as much as I needed him.

It is often said that ‘a dog is a man’s best friend’, and rightfully so. A dog’s company portrays the same quality and benefits than human company can, it just comes without the negatives; they will sit and listen for hours without a single argument. Therefore, I strongly believe that everyone at some point in their life should experience Reflections on the experience of owning a dog to a loving home.

Posted in Dog

Should Pitbulls Be Allowed as Pets? Essay

Imagine banning one type of person based on the fault of others. This is what we did to Pitbull Terriers in 1991. This ban has cost many innocent and harmless dogs their lives. Pitbulls get labelled as an aggressive dog breed, but with good ownership and proper care can be one of the most gentle and affectionate companions. Pitbulls aren’t born to fight but get trained to do so for human entertainment, these dogs are also made to look threatening as they commonly have their ears cropped by irresponsible owners. It’s going to take a lot of convincing to change people’ opinions.

To begin with, the Pitbull is seen as the most violent dog breed, this has made them the most popular dog found in shelters across the world. These types of dogs occupy large amounts of shelters. Due to their false reputation Pitbulls would not be the first choice for most families, leading to over one million Pitbulls being euthanized every year. Most of the dogs put down are innocent, but stereotypes mean more to people than the dog itself. some would say that it is the consequence of being a monstrous breed but in reality, they are one of the most loyal and family-friendly dogs.

Generally, aggression within a dog stems from mistreatment, poor training and lack of interaction with other animals. This is usually the fault of the previous or present owner, showing how large of an impact bad ownership has on the behavior of a canine. “A well-socialized dog is less likely to feel scared so is less likely to be aggressive”, – reports the PDSA. Others would argue that they are born vicious however several sources state that Pitbulls are not inherently dangerous. Therefore, this is something they’re taught, as dogs are a product of their environment and unfortunately, violent dogs live in a cruel environment. We need to take action against these neglectful owners and make sure these dogs are given the best care and the beautiful breed is portrayed in a positive light.

We can start this change by preventing docking their tails and cropping their ears, this is used to make them appear intimidating and unnatural. Although this can be a medical procedure used for disease of the ear, unfortunately most of the time it is not beneficial and is only for aesthetic purposes. The RSPCA states “Ear cropping is painful and completely unnecessary”. So, why do this to your pet? The alternative argument is that humans get cosmetic surgery all the time, the difference is we choose to do so whereas dogs do not get this choice. By forcing the dogs to get these operations, you are making them fit the conventional aggressive Pitbull look. It’s said we fear these animals but make them look more frighting. Doing this to any pet is irresponsible and evil.

The stereotype around Pitbulls not only taints their reputation but also other large breeds such as Boxers, Dobermans, American Bulldogs etc. As looking like a Pitbull is seen as a bad thing in today’s society, because Pitbulls are seen so negatively, this leads people to believe all larger breeds are threating and should be used in dog fighting, we need to inform the uneducated that no dogs, including Pitbulls should never be used for such a brutal sport. We kill over 16,000 dogs annually through organized dog fighting, but we ban a breed for killing less than 10% of that in many years.

Unfortunately, the heinous ban on Pitbulls Terriers remains a law, it’s time for us to stop stereotyping the breed and identifying that the owner is at fault not the dog. Only then Pitbulls will be seen as animals and not monsters. This is why I strongly believe that Pitbulls should be allowed as pets, as they are also man’s best friend.

Posted in Dog

Benefits of Owning a Dog

It is a well-known saying that dogs are a man’s best friend. A new study in Europe has even found that dogs have been around for 32,000 years. The first dog known to be domesticated was known as Canis familiaris and descended from Eurasian gray wolves. They were originally bred by humans to assist people in hunting, but over time became a member of their family. Dogs depended on other members in their pack thousands of years ago for survival, thereby creating the mindset that in order to survive you have to be loyal with your teammates. From that ideology, they have always remained loyal to their owner and never leaves their side making them one of the best pets. They even became emotionally bonded with their human families and can read their owners facial expressions in a millisecond. Dogs’ connection with their owner has provided multiple benefits to people through a mental, physical, and social perspective. Foremost, dogs have a positive effect on their owner from a mental perspective.

Having a dog as a pet can provide numerous mental benefits for his or her owner. It is known that there is significant stress reduction in people that own a pet dog. Psychologist Alan Beck and psychiatrist Aaron Katcher conducted a study 30 years ago of the effect of having a dog on the body. Through this examination, they found signs of stress significantly reduced in pet owners. Specifically, the owner’s blood pressure decreased, heart rate slowed, breathing became more even, and muscle tension relaxed. These noticeable benefits occur after only five minutes after associating with a dog. Another study was done to further examine this theory when stressed adults were told to pet a rabbit or a toy. The feeling of touching a toy did not relieve any stress, but stroking the rabbit greatly reduced anxiety in people (including ones who did not love animals experienced this result). In effect, this demonstrates that an owner will experience a significant decrease in anxiety with simply petting their dog due to the sensation created. Additionally, the idea that one is important and needed forms through taking care of dogs. Caring for a living animal gives someone a sense of purpose and meaning in their life, therefore making it significantly less likely that depression and loneliness will form. This relationship has been discovered by scientists, leading to the formation of animal-assisted therapy. This type of therapy has benefited thousands of people who had autism, medical conditions, or behavioral issues. Also, it is useful in combating illnesses such as depression, schizophrenia, or addiction. In this type of therapy, you keep a dog at your side throughout the day for emotional support. He or she provides a sense of safety and comfort, thereby taking their owners attention away from an anxiety-ridden situation. Another positive influence that a service dog can have is that it can help create a better sense of trust in the owner and stabilize their emotions. Also, petting a dog is known to increase oxytocin (stress-reducing hormone) and decrease the production of cortisol (stress hormone). Therefore, from a mental perspective, improvement is prevalent with the ownership of a dog and can drastically help people with mental health issues. Not only can dogs make a positive different in owners mentally, but also physically.

Owning a dog can significantly increase an individual’s physical health. Due to the responsibilities that taking care of a dog entails, one’s physical fitness greatly improves. The owner is required to take their dog out for a walk every day around the neighborhood. The importance of taking your dog out every day creates motivation in the owner to go outside and walk or run on various paths. According to a study done at Michigan State University, dog owners are about 34% more likely to walk for 150 minutes per week that people that do not own a dog. Additionally, it found that owning a dog increases the leisure-time physical activity by around 69%. In effect, the cardio benefits from owning a dog greatly increases their physical health. Therefore, this lowers one’s risk of obtaining cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer and increasing an owner’s lifespan. Another benefit from a physical perspective is that owning an active dog allows you to sleep better during the night since you have been expending energy by playing with your dog throughout the day. The amount one walks is seen through a study done by Lintbells. They found that the average dog owner walked about 870 miles about every 12 months, 7 miles more than people who do not own a dog. Also, dog owners wake up at an earlier time to feed their dogs, thereby giving them a head start to their day and increasing productivity. Furthermore, dogs increase the amount of exercise their owner does, thereby helping improve their physical fitness. Not only do dogs help owners from a physical perspective, but also from a social perspective.

Dogs greatly help their owners in multiple aspects from a social perspective. Dog owners are known to be more outgoing, friendly, and funny by the whole world. Children who are attached with their dog have an easier time becoming friends with others according to research. Moreover, they develop these social skills that can positively influence them when interacting with others. A child who is born isolated, shy, and reserved will greatly benefit with owning a dog. As attachment towards a pet dog increases, there is a noticeable increase in great social skills and empathy. This occurs because of the everyday love dogs give to their family. With this unconditional love, children feel as if they have someone to depend on and builds a feeling of trust at a young age. A study done in 2013 even found that dogs can increase social interaction and improve communication with autistic children. This is due to the fact that when people take out their service dog, people are more likely to stop, talk, and become friends with the owner. In effect, the child with autism is more likely to engage with another and talk of something they love: his or her dog. Furthermore, having a dog allows more people to connect with others thereby improving social skills in owners.

Dogs are a man’s best friend and allow their owners to improve their mental health, increase their physical health, and enhance their social skills.

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Human-Dog Relationship

Human beings and domesticated dogs have a special bond and relationship that has existed over the years. Their unique chemistry can be traced back thousands of years back to approximately 15,000 years ago. The human-dog relationship has evolved over the years, and their co-existence bond and way of living are surprising. In countries such as the United States of America, almost 48% of the total households have a dog pet (Brulliard and Clement, 1). The human-dog relationship is purely symbiotic as both derive several benefits like companionship from each other. This paper will explore the human-dog relationship, how it was developed, the factors sustaining the relationship, the science and history behind the dog-human relationship and the balance in this relationship.

Definition and Description of Human-Dog Relationship

The human-dog relationship is purely symbiotic as they wholly depend on one another for companionship. The relationship between dog and human beings can be traced back to approximately 15,000 years ago. This is evident from the Bonn-Oberkassel dog, which was found to be buried between two human beings. In countries like the United States of America, more than 48% of the total households have dog pets (Brulliard and Clement, 1). Over the years, dogs have been described as the ‘human best friend’. Dogs offer great companionship and loyalty to their human owners. The special bond between human beings and dogs is evident in most homes that have domesticated dogs for various reasons. Dogs are social animals, just like human beings. Dogs thrive off of the attention and the affection which they receive from human beings. These kinds of interactions make them the best candidates for the ‘best friends’ to human beings.

It is quite interesting to note that most children and adult human beings as well have and adore the cordial relationship with the dogs. Dogs are much more than a normal pet to human beings. Dogs are known to be very kind, loyal and very understanding (Taylor, 1). Also, they have an indomitable spirit in their interactions with human beings. For instance, dogs greet us happily when we come back home from work. They will happily wag their tails and give us a very playful grin as a way of communicating to us. Dogs help human beings in various day to day tasks. Excellent examples of these include offering companionship and giving support to people living with specific disabilities. From the 16th century, dogs are known to be service-helpers, especially to blind people. Dogs have also proven to be very helpful in saving lives and in the prevention of crimes. For instance, the German shepherds serve as the canine police, mostly used in drug-sniffing. To top it all, dogs increase the opportunities for the health-beneficial socializations in and among human beings. Tus, the human-dog relationship is symbiotic and beneficial to them both.

Why Human-Dog Relationship Developed

Human beings and dogs share a special kind of chemistry which can be traced many years back in history. Their relationship has developed and evolved from different angles, and the results are evident in human-dog relationships today. Most domesticated dogs in most homesteads across the world descended from the wolves, which are characterized by human behavior. Dogs have intriguing parallels with human beings as they are a social unit. That is, they are territorial, hunt cooperatively, emotionally bonded with other members of the pack. It is important to note that the social adaptations of the dogs are similar to those of human beings (Dotson and Eva, 460). This means they can live happily surrounded by human beings, and the vice versa applies. These similar traits make it easier to bond and develop a long-lasting relationship with human beings for the benefits they can derive from each other.

Further, most human beings view their dogs as family members, which reflects the social compatibility between the two. For instance, dogs are very attentive to their masters. They have the abilities to determine what their owners are likely to do and their schedules. Dogs are astute readers of the human body language. Dogs are attuned to the emotional state of their owners. They quickly express their contrition whenever they are annoyed by their owners. Dotson and Eva (462) note that their ability to express their affections and show unconditional love to their owners enhances the development of a long-lasting relationship with human beings. Thus, the relationship and the bond between human beings and dogs developed from the mutual benefits which both can derive from each other. As a social unit, it is evident that both depend on one another for their survival and emotional well-being. This kind of relationship is paramount and beneficial to both dogs and human beings, as discussed above.

Factors that Sustain Human-Dog Relationship

Several factors sustain the relationship between human beings and dogs. To start with, dogs and human beings are social creatures/beings. Just like human beings, dogs are extremely territorial and very protective of human beings against enemies. Both great each other emotionally after days or weeks of separation. Their ability displays negative emotions when they are hurt enable them to co-exist peacefully and happily. Human beings and dogs must understand their behaviors, tendencies and emotions for them to co-exist peacefully. Secondly, human beings can live with dogs as part of their families. Dogs’ abilities to express emotions and show unconditional love helps human beings to see them as parts of their families (Kluger, 1). Both tend to benefit from bonding activities such as taking walks together. Such activities increase their closeness as members of one happy family. Thirdly, dogs and human beings are mentally attuned to each other. The dog’s ability to show attentiveness to human being’s emotions increases their bond as they can lean on each other when sad or hurt. Dogs’ ability to interpret the emotions of human beings and respond to them appropriately enhances their companionship with human beings. Dogs’ ability to react to these emotions plays an essential role in sustaining the human-dog relationship.

Further, dogs and human beings share a symbiotic relationship (Kluger, 1). Both have developed close domestic ties, where mutual benefits are derived from each other. The symbiotic relationship is evident in various ways. Dogs act as cooperative guards who protect human beings against enemies and dangers. In return, human beings provide them with love, food and companionship. Additionally, dogs secrete similar love hormone to that of human beings. Both secrete oxytocin which makes them both crave for companionship. However, this is dependent on the emotional and physical closeness between human beings and dogs. For these reasons, human beings consider dogs as members of their families, and the above-discussed factors sustain their relationship.

Science Behind Human-Dog Relationship

Science can be used to explain why dogs are considered to be human ‘best friend’. The relationship between human beings and dogs can be dated back when human beings were nomadic hunters and their interactions with wolves. Scientists argued approximately 30,000 years ago; human beings made interactions with wolves which paved the way for their interspecific companionship. Evidence indicates that human beings domesticated dogs twice in the history of evolution. Researchers from the University of Oxford made a discovery that humans can easily domesticate dogs from their interactions with human beings (Miller, 1). Science shows that both human beings and dogs are social creatures. Thus, their partnerships are considered mutually beneficial. Dogs are known to offer companionship and protect their owners against enemies. On the other hand, human beings provide food and care to dogs. Therefore, this symbiotic relationship between the two is mutually beneficial.

Dogs can easily understand human speech. Most dogs understand what their owners say primarily if the conversation features good words of praise. Dogs can process what we say and how it is communicated in a similar way in which the human brain processes the same. Through this, dogs can respond appropriately. Dogs bonding with human beings is further enhanced by the dog’s ability to make and maintain eye contacts. The mutual gazing between dogs and human beings creates bonds, whereby oxytocin hormone is generated. Oxytocin is the love hormone that stimulates the feeling of love. This concept can be used to explain why human beings cuddle and snuggle with their domesticated dogs for companionship.

Additionally, dogs can distinguish the friends and enemies of the owners just like human beings (Miller, 1). For this reason, dogs can sense danger and protect their owners against their enemies. The play between human and dogs can be described as a ‘unique interspecific interaction’. Through routine activities like walking in the parks or playing, both the dog and human beings display their emotions, and each of them responds appropriately. Thus, the above scientific facts as discussed provide the evidence behind the human-dog relationship.

History Behind Human-Dog Relationship

The relationship between human beings and dogs started 33,000 years ago. Human beings and wolves hunted together, being social creatures. This alliance enabled them to survive upon the human being’s migration to Europe; human beings partnered with wolves (Chang, 1). The wolves chased away the big animals as human beings used their weapons to kill them for food. The wolf-human partnership created modern human-dog relationships. Approximately 200 years ago, human beings started warming up for domesticated dogs (Taylor, 1). Dog domestication was triggered and facilitated by the explosion of the pet shops, their supplies and foods. Approximately 100 years ago, the adoption of purebreds became the norm as most veterinary officers started to specialize in small breeds and species.

Boris Levinson was the first person to discover the human-dog bonding, especially in assisted therapy. Levinson found that children who displayed withdrawal and uncommunicative features would easily and freely interact with dog pets during their therapy sessions (Taylor, 1). His discovery was strengthened by Elizabeth Corson research that evaluated pet-facilitated therapy. Since the 1980s, the media coverage has spurred the use of dogs in therapy programs and the positive impacts related to it. Today, approximately 60% of the Americans own pets (Miller, 1). Dogs have been tied to the evolution of human beings, especially when it comes to dogs defending the small children. Dogs play an important role in changing human nature, especially in the emotional life and, the individuals’ responsibility. The human being relationship with dogs as pets today has become deep. Most dog owners consider the dogs as part members of their families. They feed, love and care for these dogs just like any of their family members.

Balance in Human-Dog Relationship

As noted above in the discussion, the human-dog relationship is symbiotic and mutually beneficial. Human beings depend on human nature for companionship and protection. Dogs provide a good source of company whether it is taking walks together or cuddling after a long day at work. Also, dogs can sense and identify enemies of their owners and protect them appropriately. On the other hand, dogs depend on human beings for love, food and care. Most domesticated dogs enjoy the love and attention they receive from their owners. Thus, I believe that the human-dog relationship is neutral and reciprocal and they both depend and derive mutual benefits from one another. This is a balanced relationship where companionship and emotional stability are the key benefits (Rebolini, 1). Therefore, both human beings and dogs need to understand their roles and support one another efficiently. Through this, the symbiotic relationship will be and continue to be beneficial to both the dogs and human beings in this journey of life.

Conclusion

The human-dog relationship has evolved over the years to become one of the best ‘mutually beneficial’ relationships ever. Human beings depend and invest in their dog’s pets for companionship and protection. Dogs are known to be human beings ‘best friend’ from the way they interact with humans. Their symbiotic relationships explain why both depend on each other—dogs’ ability to understand human being’s emotions and respond to them appropriately. History and science have proven that for years, human beings and dogs have continued to depend on each other for survival. Therefore, their relationship is balanced, as it is reciprocal and neutral.

Posted in Dog

Importance of Dogs to Humans

History has proven that humans not only prefer the company of fellow humans. A great number of people also acknowledges our pets as a rather worthy companion. One of these pets is the so-called man’s best friends, dogs. Dogs have been recognized for their intelligence as well as their adaptability that enable them to be one of the most popular animals that can be guided and trained in order assist with tasks that we normally have a difficulty of dealing with. One of these tasks is the shepherding of farm animals which makes farm works easier and more convenient. Dogs, specifically K-9 units for their extraordinary sense of smell, are also utilized by police forces particularly those that deal with investigations of crime scenes and the detection of explosives and illegal drugs.

Today, ownership of dogs is quite a conventional thing in the community. Dogs are classified as territorial animals. This fact enables them to be well-trained to protect the owner’s home, to alert the owner in cases where an intruder enters, and even to attack when their owner is faced with danger.

Dogs play a major role as support for people who are physically challenged. These are called assistance dogs and one of the most popular aspects that they are utilized is assisting people with visual impairment. Aside from an extraordinary sense of smell, dogs also possess a remarkable sense of hearing. Thus, assistance dogs are also used to aid people with hearing impairment to warn them to dangers and alert them to important sounds.

It is evident that keeping dogs gives great advantages but while some have many uses and some others might a few or none, the reason why many people still adopt dogs is their irreplaceable companionship. Many studies prove that those who own dogs enjoy a content life. This can be linked with other studies where dogs aid in reducing levels of anxiety and blood pressure that in turn improve a person’s mental health. These can further be supported by many cases where assistance dogs were used to help people suffering from PRSD cope with the disorder.

In many countries, dogs are considered an important part of families. An estimate of 78 million dogs in the United States alone have been taken as pets having families and couples starting a family as the majority owners. Moreover, an innocent dog can also be involved in a couple’s fight. Thus, when a couple arrives at a breakup, there are instances that the couple will argue about the custody of the dog. Dogs are also a reason why we can be active in social interactions. They can become a partner in our daily routines and bridge us to other people or dog owners, promoting human companionship and friendship along the way.

Animal-assisted therapy also makes use of dogs which play a significant role in drawing a better mood and mindset from people. They can liven up the mood of elderlies in nursing homes and serve as companions for those who are struggling with mental and physical conditions.

Nevertheless, it’s undeniable that while dogs might be hyperactive, stubborn, and cheeky, they are valuable and heartwarming creatures that bring bliss to us and capture our hearts.

Posted in Dog

I Want a Dog: My Opinion Essay

It was the month of April 2013 and my birthday was coming up later in the month. My family and I only had one dog in our household at the time and I was continuously raving about how we should get another one. My fondness for dogs was endless, so after weeks of contemplating, I knew exactly what I wanted for my birthday.

I pranced toward my Mom delightfully singing, “I want a dog for my birthday, Mom!” Ever since that point, we were rifling everywhere within our vicinity. Not once were we able to find any newborn puppies? Slowly but surely, my birthday began to approach closer and closer.

I was constantly left with the disheartening news from my Mom saying, “We weren’t able to find you a puppy today, honey.”

By this point, I was very discouraged and didn’t even think that I would be getting a puppy for my birthday. Another day came around the corner and I wasn’t expecting any exciting news whatsoever. I was already accustomed to the routine we had set with unhopeful news about not finding a puppy. Little did I know this poor thought of mine would be gone forever after that day.

“Haley, this may or may not be the best day ever…” my Mom whispered.

I tilted my head in confusion.

My Mom continued and said, “It is the best day ever, Haley! We found you a puppy!” my Mom cheered.

I was shocked. By that point, I had frozen due to my disbelief. I then accusingly said, “You’re joking, Mom! You have to be, this is crazy!” I could see her heart bursting with joy. She began to show me pictures of the puppies on her cellphone and I was speechless. These puppies are the cutest thing in the world I thought – they had me in complete awe. I could already tell from the images that one of them was going to be my future best friend.

“The day is here; the day is here! Someone new is joining our family today!” I exclaimed. I was bouncing up and down like a malfunctioned pogo stick. We arrived at our destination, a beautiful house that held the kindest puppy owners. Once we got out of the car, I knew that we were going to be taking a cute, tiny, fluffy puppy home. I made my first step into the home and then I ran inside to go meet the puppies. At this moment, I was thrilled to be having all of the puppies racing toward me, but only one of the eight came after me.

This was very unexpected as I was hoping to meet all of the puppies, so I gave the cute little pup some love and hurried over to the puppy’s nursing. They were so occupied with nursing from their mother, that they didn’t even notice me. I was a bit upset, but it all was made up with the other puppy that was bubbly, soft, and loving. I almost believed it was fate for her and me. Her not being able to nurse from her Mother and me not being able to see the other puppies, it was meant to be. We decided that this precious little pup would join our family that day.

Bringing this darling home was such a delight. Luckily, she was a dog to love the fresh outdoor breeze striking from the car windows. Petting through her luxurious, white fur and taking a small glance at her big, bold, dark brown eyes was a miracle. She was what could be classified as the “Dream Dog.” The ride home was adorable with all of our hearts melting with joy. Just thinking about the action of ours of me going to see her and her coming to see me played a vital role in this personal experience of mine. It was such an incredible and memorable moment that it will always have a place in my heart.

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