Here in the LeBlanc household, we have all different types, ages, sizes, and genders of dogs.  Our family is very eclectic.  We have taken in anything from a 3lb blind chihuahua to a 200lb Great Dane.  There are multiple challenges to housing the amount and the different types of dogs.  First water bowls.  You have to have a large water bowl and a short water bowl.  They are everywhere and you have to fill them up constantly.  We have dog gates spread throughout the house, all tall some that fill up the entire doorway, again due to some dogs' ability to jump over them.  Our fence has two different heights.  The outside fence not only meets the ground, to prevent mischievous little ones from digging out around the entire perimeter, but is also tall enough to keep the big guys in. We have big dog beds; one is our personal king bed for our ol guy Budroe.  Then we have smaller floor beds for the rest of the younger pups.  Our crates range from 54 inches tall to 32 inches tall to 24 inches tall.   There are many many obstacles to having different breeds and sizes.

Chewing.  Whether its chewing on us or on a toy, our dogs love these bones.  We have so many dogs that we only allow the one type of "toy" in our household.  We have to be very careful to not introduce anything different, it causes jealousy which leads to fights.  We have however successfully been able to keep these in the home.  These Benebones are everywhere.  In the yard, in the house in the bed, in the garage, everywhere.  Our dogs will turn to these when they are bored and need stimulation, or are lonely, or happy, it seems these bones fulfill lots of emotions and needs for the pups!  We like these because between the 18 dogs, these bones are rarely left unchewed for any length of time.  We have to replace them often, once they have been widdled down to nubs.  However, even our little pups enjoy the nubs.  They also don't crumble or splinter.  Its a sight to see our smallest little girl Pippy carrying around a full-size bone.  

Pack animals, often a term used when speaking about a group of animals.  It is assigned to a group of animals that live together for survival.  Dogs thrive in packs, the fact that we have isolated them from their species means we have to fulfill that innate need to be apart. Don't be fooled, dogs still yearn to be in their natural environment, however happy they seem.  They simply decide to put up with us.  As the now new established pack, you and your dog, the human needs to establish themselves as the pack leader.  The alpha.  The alpha in a pack provides, shelter, safety, and resources.  So as the human you must do the same in the form of food, feeding your pup.  Providing shelter where the dog can relax and feel protected enough to relax and enjoy their surroundings.  Safety is provided when the dog trusts that you as their owner will protect them.  This does not discount the times where the dog will protect its "family."  This refers to the everyday ongoings.  As the Alpha, you have established yourself with consistency, creating patterns of behaviors that the dog recognizes as an effort to be the leader. 

Due to the size of our pack we are constantly asked how do you manage that many dogs?  Most people report being overwhelmed with the responsibilities of having two or three dogs at a time.  Well, for safety and for unwanted behaviors, we use crates.  The use of crates allows us to have some freedoms, such as going out of the house for work, date night, whatever.  What we can count on is our babies are safe and sound at home.  There are so many triggers in a big pack its helpful to know our babies are protected from these and the other dogs as well.  Stress, noises, smells, can all play a big part in the behaviors of our pack.  Having crates set up at all times allows us to separate dogs when needed, feed dogs safely, contain dogs when we have company, basically keep them safe from themselves and their siblings.  Our dogs even prefer to sometimes have "alone" time and go into their crate all on their own.  Some want to have privacy when they are playing with a toy or maybe when they get a treat.  There are all sorts of reasons a dog may choose to distance themselves from the pack.  We have often found our older dogs need more downtime than say our 1 year olds.  Crates are very useful in house training.  Puppies will literally pee or poop in their crate or in any room for that matter.  With training for appropriate places to go potty, crates are highly useful.  You have to be careful to not get to big of a crate too fast.  Let the crate grow with the dog.  Most dogs unless they were severely abused or neglected do not choose to sit in their own feces or pee.  They will use the far side of a crate to do their business and retreat to the other corner.  This is why crates are sold with dividers.  The dog should have enough room to stand and stretch, turn around and sit back down or lay down.  Mistake number one is allowing to big of a crate to be used where the dog can escape from their own mess.

This post is especially hard to write today.  In the last week we have lost 2 dogs, both we had to euthanize.  The waves of grief are unimaginable.  It seems so much worse being that these babies were not dying from old age, it was unexpected.  What to do now?  Not only are we grieving, the entire pack dynamic has shifted once again.  The dogs know their brothers are no longer with us.  Some are impacted more than others.  One, Jojo, was a direct sibling of another.  KC, the surviving sibling has been more clingy, noticing less energy, less attempts at play with the other pups, noting her to sniff our house especially the garage and perimeter.  She knows her brother is gone, but was not able to be with him or see him during euthanasia or after.  We lost Herman just last night.  His brother Roelo, not direct sibling, but they have been together since Roelo was a pup, is very quiet and clingy.  He is currently sleeping next to the garage door, maybe he thinks he is in there.  I imagine the smell of Herman is stronger in the garage since he was fed and crated there.  

Poop eating, AKA, canine conspecific coprophagy.  Why does this happen?  We have four puppies, they were strays.  They are approximately 8 months old now but have always had the disgusting habit of eating poop.  No matter if they just ate their own meal, they still run and slurp it up.  It's become more like a game now, who can find it the fastest, like an easter egg hunt.  No matter me cleaning, feeding good nutrition, exercising the babies, they still love it!  Of course I have asked my veterinarian.  Apparently its behavioral and instinctual.  Mother dogs will often be seeing eating the excrement from her babies to keep the den clean.  As gross as we as humans believe it is, it's just another food source according to my vet.  Digested dog food, yuk.  Other sources have claimed it may be from a diet deficiency, however my dogs are fed and supplemented well, and it still occurs.  Boredom, or highly anxious dogs might exhibit this behavior.  Greedy eaters, those that have a drive for food, tend to be guilty of poop eating.  

Happy National Pet Day!!!!  As you know we only have dogs, but we love all animals.  I am bias to dogs, love the warm cuddly wagging tails, smiley faces of all my dogs.  Yes, we have 20!  Sometimes it's hard for me to believe.  I've been sitting here trying to figure out what to write for content.  Why not introduce each and every one of my babies to give you a taste of my family.

Feral means (especially of an animal) in a wild state, especially after escape from captivity or domestication.  Similar words to describe feral are "wild, untamed, undomesticated."  We adopted three dogs in the last 2 years or so that are considered feral.  Upon recommendation from a certified dog trainer, after evaluating temperament, recommended these dogs were deemed safe for our pack.  Our pack has specific needs.  First and foremost, we already have an alpha male and female.  We do not bring in dogs that will challenge the hierarchy.  Second is general temperament of the animal... are they overzealous and highly active?  We already have a high energy pack due to sheer size.  Highly active dogs make it very difficult to integrate.  

Mange. I know it's scary. Especially if you rescue or foster. We recently added two pups that were diagnosed with mange. First question, is the mange contagious? We certainly have to protect the pack we already have. Our local vet said the little chihuahua, Pippy, has "red mange." This is just another name for demodectic mange. The pitty, Miss Maggie was diagnosed with Demodex mange. These are the same thing, just different names. Both are non contagious, both are more common in puppies, or dogs with weakened immune symptoms. Interesting enough both of the dogs fall into this category. They were both strays so a weakened immune system is common in both. Pippy still has baby teeth and the vet guessed she was about 8 months old. Maggie was underweight. This type of skin condition usually affects localized areas of the skin as well. Poor Maggie was covered in localized areas of mange, was hard to tell it was localized. The humane society she came from had done a skin scraping to confirm. Another type of mange is sarcoptic mange. This is caused by scabies! Highly contagious not only to other dogs but also to humans. A gross fact, the female mite burrows into the skin and lays her eggs, which then hatch three weeks later. The young feed on the hosts skin!

Why foster?  

Essential Oils, are they safe for dogs?  Good question.  I have been dabbling with essential oils for years.  I have always used Doterra.  I'm by no means endorsing the brand name, but they are a highly reputable company that sources it products from all natural native grown ingredients to make the essential oils.  Knowing they are pure, without fillers not only have I used them but also used them in my home and on my own animals, specifically my dogs.  Why would one choose to use essential oils for their dogs?  Anxiety, hyperactivity, skin irritations, allergies, upset stomachs are a few ailments that I have personally used these products for and are familiar with the results.