Rudy Meets Zoey

Back in May of 2016, we met Zoey for the first time... Here's some photos of her as a pup!

She's a Standard Poodle! 

Earlier this month we had the pleasure of meeting Rudy, who is actually Zoey's half brother! These two are about a year apart, and live in separate homes, but they DO share the same father, and daycare. 

They actually met each other for the first time today! Who knew you could find your long lost sibling at a daycare!? Since Rudy started out in our Puppy Program, he graduated to our Medium Dog Program today, where he met Zoey. He was getting much too big to hang out with the smaller pups, and his energy was skyrocketing; we knew it was time. Check them out below!

Rudy loved hanging out with his big sister's friends...

Aren't they adorable together?

 
I'm looking forward to watching Rudy grow up, and see how he turns out compared to his bigger sister!

Have a good night everyone,
~Shaunte'

Dogs & Memorial Day

 

All around the states, people are celebrating Memorial Day everywhere. They grieve for their lost loved ones, and remember how brave and strong these young soldiers were, for standing up and fighting for our country.

Don't forget though, dogs have always played an important roll in wars as well. Check out this video to see what I mean! 

 

I hope you all had a marvelous Memorial Weekend!

~Shaunte'

 

Small Dogs!

The small dogs had a lot of fun this week! Here are some clips of the action from our Small Dog Program.

Fort Fido regular Winston tearing it up with with one of our newer pups Rudy.

Nia, the latest addition to our Small Dog Program, playing fetch with Keys, Tobin, and Lucy.

Finally, Eva and Lucy.

Have a great weekend,

- Gary

Nia

This adorable little pup is almost five months old, and weighs about ten pounds. She was rescued from Taiwan, and is a Formosan Mountain Dog! Nia passed her assessment with flying colors; she had a blast! Nia is the runt of her litter of ten... What she lacks in size, she makes up in personality. This girl is fierce! She had a great time playing, and getting to know what The Fort is all about.

We're looking forward to watching Nia grow up with us. She had such a great time, she's even coming back tomorrow! 

Have a marvelous evening,
~Shaunte'

Flex

Flex was our handsome assessment that joined our Small Dog Program this morning! He's a seven pound, seven month old Miniature Pinscher, with a whole lot of spunk! Flex had a good time meeting all the other dogs in his area, and was super focused on playing. We have a feeling "ball time" is going to be his favorite activity at The Fort. 

I'm looking forward to seeing this little guy return. Have a good evening,
~Shaunte'
 

Tank

Yesterday, we had the pleasure of meeting Tank. He is a one-year-old, one hundred and twenty pound, Rottweiler. Tank joined our Large Dog Program, and had a great time playing with his new friends. Georgia, the German Shepherd, was one of his favorites. Tank passed his assessment with flying colors and is welcome back anytime. We look forward to seeing him again soon.

Have a great weekend,

- Gary

Fonzie and Penny

  Fonzie was one of our assessments this morning. He's a Terrier mix that weighs twenty two pounds and is only seven months old. This little guy mingled with the dogs in our Small Dog Program and had a great time learning the rules of daycare, and how to hang out with the rest of his new friends. 

P.S, does his name make you think of someone- particularly someone who used to be pretty famous? 

Yes, Fonzie was named after the coolest "bad boy" around, The Fonz! 

  Penny was our other adorable assessment. She's an eleven month old, Yorkshire Terrier
that weighs eleven pounds! We noticed right away that this girl is very aware of her surroundings; she doesn't miss much. She's a keen dog that had a fun time doing her thing today, and learning where her place is at, within the pack. She even made a new friend with a Wired Fox Terrier, named Bella Adele.

Have a marvelous evening,
~Shaunte' 

Piper & Parks

Piper came into the Fort bright and early this morning for her assessment. She is a six-month-old, twelve-pound, Pomsky (Pomeranian x Siberian Husky). Piper joined our Small Dog Program where she made friends with Winston the Blue Heeler. She had a good first day and is welcome back anytime.

Yesterday, we welcomed Parks to the Fort. He is a fourteen-week-old, twenty-four-pound, Border Collie. He had a great first day, and played with everyone in our Medium Dog Program. His favorites were Molly and Clover. He is welcome back anytime. Good job, Parks!

Check out this clip of Parks playing with his new friend, Clover.

 

Have a great weekend,
- Gary

Rudy and Jerry

Rudy came into The Fort to join our Puppy Program all bright eyed, and bushy tailed Tuesday morning. This little guy is a ten month old, twelve pound Standard Poodle. He did exceptionally well on his first day, and made a couple friends! One of the dogs he took a particular liking to was Lucy, we even got them playing on video together; check 'em out! 

Another cool thing that we discovered yesterday is that Rudy actually already has a half sister, coming to Fort Fido. No, they aren't from the same household either; check out Zoey! She's a standard poodle in our Medium Dog Program that joined us just around this time last year! Rudy and Zoey share the same Dad, and I'm looking forward to watching Rudy grow up, and eventually join his sister with her friends.

Jerry was today's handsome assessment. He's a three in a half year old Greyhound that joined our Medium Dog Program and weighs seventy two pounds. This dashing dog had a wonderful time meeting his new play buddies... He was intermixed with the pack all morning, and even found a friend named, Nala.

Both Rudy and Jerry are welcome to come back for more daycare fun whenever they please.
Have a marvelous night, Shaunte' 

Feeding People Food to Dogs: What's The Risk?

  People have been sharing their table scraps with dogs from the dawn of time... It's okay to give your dog a treat every now and then, but it's good to know the difference; what's okay, and what's not okay to feed your Canine friend? Some foods can be very deadly for dogs- so it's good to be educated about it if you're going to go that route...

  Here at Fort Fido, we personally don't recommend doing this because it has too many risks. Yes, there's foods that are safe, but no guarantees that it'll sit right with your pet. Since we know this is a pretty common occurrence among households with dogs all around The World, we thought it was an important topic to bring up.

9 Surprisingly Dangerous Foods for Dogs 

1. Popcorn: High levels of fat and sodium can lead to dehydration short term, and obesity long term.
2. Avocado: The skin and leaves can cause respiratory distress, congestion, fluid around the heart, and even death to non-human mammals.
3. Macadamia Nuts: Causes vomiting, Ataxia (the loss of control of body movements), weakness, and depression.
4. Grapes: One of the people foods that's "most toxic." It can lead to Kidney failure and Death.
5. Onions and Garlic: Whether it's fresh, cooked, or dried, it can damage a dog's Red Blood Cells, decreashing Oxygen flow, and can also lead to Anemia.
6. Tomato Plants (Raw Potatoes, Too): Ripe tomatoes aren't on the dangerous list, but if your dog ingestes a green, unripe tomatoe, or any part of its leaves or stem, watch out... Unripened Tomatoes can cause distress, lethargy, weakness, and confusion.
7. Coffee, tea, and other Caffeinated things: Another one of the more dangerous, anything Caffeinated can cause vomiting, diarrhea, increased thirst, and an increased heart rate.
8. Dairy (even cheese): It isn't as dangerous as others, but short term effects can cause constipation, diarrhea, and gas. Long term effects are obesity and lasting gastrointestinal issues.
9. Sugar Free gum, anything sweetened with Xylitol: Xylitol is a naturally occurring substance that's popular to use as an alternative sweetener to gum and candy... Although, if it's ingested by a dog it can cause dangerously low blood sugar.

9 Human Foods dogs can eat

1. Melons: Watermelon, Cantaloupe and Honeydew are all healthy options for  your pup.
2. Berries: Blueberries, Blackberries, and Strawberries contain free-radical fighting antioxidants. They're good for dogs for the same reason they're beneficial for us! (Lots of dogs like them frozen)
3.  Apple Slices: Dogs can eat this yummy fruit, just make sure you take out the seeds, they contain Cyanide naturally. Oranges are good as well, they just can't eat the rinds.
4.  Baby Carrots: Crunchy vegetables are really good for your dogs teeth and it's a bit easier not to overfeed with veggies, since they're a low-calorie food.
5.  Peanut Butter: This is a food for dogs that many people use, to hide pills in. Peanuts don't appear to cause allergic reactions in dogs like it does to people.
6.  Bananas: They contain Phytonutrients that are very healthy for your canine friend, just like us!
7.  Green Beans: This is a veggie that fills dogs up and is often used a lot, in weight management programs. An entire can of Green Beans contains 70 calories. 
8.  Cooked Chicken: If you run out of your dogs regular kibble, Chicken is a great alternative. Doesn't matter if it's boiled, baked or served rotisserie-style.
9.  Sunflower Seeds (Shelled): In moderation, this is a great treat for your dog. Remember, treats should not be more than ten percent of your dogs daily calorie intake.

 Now that you know the differences between good and bad human-foods for your dogs, keep in mind to "go slow." Don't overfeed your dog with a bunch of human food they're trying for the first time...

 What I mean by that is, a dogs digestive system can be very sensitive. Like British Columbia vet Grant Nixon points out, "If you ate nothing but bread and water and then someone gave you a steak out of the blue, it'd upset your stomach too." Remember that next time you want to give your dog a little bit extra.

  It's best to start in moderation, and slowly work your way up to adding more. Although, every dog is different and it also depends on the breed. You'll learn what portions are good to feed your pooch and if you aren't sure, talking with your local Veterinarian would be a great resource.

 Another thing to watch for if you start giving your dog human food, is their stool. Is it firm? Is it chunky, or runny? You'd be surprised at what you can learn by watching your dogs poop. If your dogs poop is normally super firm and slowly changes to a pancake consistency, or even Diarrhea, odds are whatever you're feeding them isn't agreeing with their stomach...

 

Reminders:

Watch the fat. It's essential for a proper diet, but too much can cause harm. I would also advice to stay clear of any bones... Cooked bones can cause choking and intestinal tearing. Raw bones are popular among certain breeds, but many experts think it's too much of a risk. Marrow bones are considered "safe", although they must be two inches long to avoid splintering. 

Happy eating,
~Shaunte'

Bailey

This morning, we had the pleasure of welcoming, Bailey, to the Fort. He is a five-month-old, thirty-pound, Australian Shepherd. Bailey joined our Medium Dog Program, where he had fun playing with the other dogs. He especially liked playing with Zoey and Noel.

Bailey had a good first day, and is welcome back anytime. We look forward to seeing him again soon!

Have a great weekend,
- Gary

Our SLINGER Toys!

 Have you ever wanted to find a toy that allows you to play fetch with your dog, but not get your hands all slimy and sticky from dog slobber? 

 What about finding a ball that not only floats in water, but can sore through the air super far- whistling at the same time?

 Lucky for you, we found the perfect toy to assist with all of the things I mentioned above... 

 Watch these videos below if you want to check out my demonstration of how our Slingers work, and see what we have in stock!

Our selection (we have more than the balls)

I hope you enjoyed the videos just as much as this beautiful weather that we had today...

Have a marvlous night, 

~Shaunte'

20 Rarest Dog Breeds in The World

There's all kinds of different dog species that roam our land. Some look super similar to each other, some have extra digits and unique features; others aren't even acknowledged by the American Kennel Club .  

... Read today's blog to see which dogs made that list.

1.) Tibetan Mastiff
Known for a "solemn but kind expression" this noble breed is independent in nature. They're very aloof and watchful, which makes for a  great guardian.

2.) Swedish Vallhund

 An athletic dog that excels in: obedience, agility, tracking, herding, and fly-ball. They come in a variety of colors and has three different tail lengths... From bobtail, no tail, to a full curl tail. 

3.)Bedlington Terrier

 This breed is much more athletic than it appears, they're traditionally used for racing and catching Vermin. They're known for their curly pale-colored wool coat, similar to a lamb.

4.)Finnish Spitz 

This hardworking breed resembles a fox in many ways. The breed is known for its intelligence and brisk movements. They have a dense coat, a bushy tail, and they range in colors from pale honey, to deep auburn.

5.)Otterhound  

 This dog is very capable in the water. Having a double coat, webbed feet, and a great nose that helps with hunting on land.


6.) Norwegian Lundehund

This dog's unique build helps them excel at Puffin Hunting. They have six toes on each foot, prick ears, and the ability to tip their heads backward to touch their backbone.




7.)Chinook

Their name Chinook, stands for "warm winter winds" and was originally originated in New Hampshire as a drafting and sled-dog racing breed.

8.)Catahoula Leopard Dog

 The Catahoulas are believed to be the first dog bred in the United States and was traditionally used to hunt wild boar.


9.) Peruvian Inca Orchid

This ancient breed has been around since before AD 750! This agile and swift breed is good at hunting and luring. Its most notable quality is that it is hairless, with skin that appears in many different variations... 





10.) Thai Ridgeback 

 These guys were previously unkown outside of their country of origin, but are quickly gaining popularity. The trait that makes this breed so unique, is a ridge of hair that's growing in the opposite direction of its coat. Only two other breeds share this trait!

11.) Azawakh

This West African sight-hound makes for a fiercely protective companion and is extremely intelligent! 


12.) Lagotto Romagnolo

 This dog was traditionally used as a gun dog and was named as a lake dog from Romagnolo Italy. They're also great at truffle hunting, just like pigs!

13.) Mudi

A very talented herding dog, and hunter that likes to be a rodent exterminator, flock guardian, and is at their happiest when given long walks or jogs.


14.) Stabyhoun 

There's fewer than 4,000 of these guys left in existence... They make excellent guard dogs and like to hunt Rodents! Originally from the Netherlands.


15.) Karelian Bear Dog

The Finnish Bear Dog is one of the top 10 most common breeds in its home country. These guys have quick reflexes, and a fearless nature. They're still popular with big-game hunters to this day. 





16.) Carolina Dog 

Also known as the American Dingo, this dog started as roaming wild and free. It was discovered in the Cypress swamps of the Southeastern United States in the 1970s.

17.) New Guinea Singing Dog

They got their name due to their unique vocalizations and make great companions because of their intelligence and physical abilities...


18.) Catalburun

Possibly because of severe inbreeding due to their rarity, the Catalburun is one of the only dogs in The World that has a split nose and suspended ears. They were originally bred for hunting in Turkey.

19.)Fila Brasileiro 

Have you ever been curious as to what a Mastiff and a Bloodhound would look like bred together? Check out this breed! This working breed is known for its tracking ability but can have aggressive tempers at times.

20.) Telomian

Telimians are the only known Malaysian breed to live elsewhere. They were originally bred to hunt vermin and have amazing climbing abilities, because the homes in Orang Asli are built on stilts.


Have a good evening, 
~Shaunte'