As we all know, dogs are descendants of wolves, even the most unlikely of pooches – the little curly white miniature poodle, for example. Wolves are pack animals, meaning that in order for them to feel whole, or complete, they must be a part of a tribe, not unlike humans.

But dogs still have their pack habits, despite several thousand years of trying to domesticate it out of them. And since dogs no longer have their wolf buddies to hang with, they need and expect that from other dogs, or absent that, their human counterparts.

The need for a dog to feel a part of a pack is in their DNA, and unfortunately for the poor dog, this is something that many humans don't seem to realize or care about. Instead, they throw their dogs outside ALONE all day in their back yard and expect it to be just fine. Well the dog isn't. The dog suffers terribly, crying, whining, barking and pleading for attention, love, affection. And their dumb owners with hearts of stone, simply don't get it. This backyard neglect and abuse of dogs is incredibly common and widespread. Or worse, these owners lock their dogs up in a hot house in the summer while they are at work all day. Worse still, in a cage, that is so small they poor dog can't even turn around in it. This kind of extremely callous treatment leads the dog to feel that he/she is being punished, and why wouldn't it, since this is beastly treatment for any living creature. If the dog, goes to the bathroom in the house, who can blame the poor dog? She/he is hot, cramped, not being walked and can't even stretch her/his legs. Then the owner, who in my opinion should spent some time in a small cell for animal abuse, to see what exactly it feels like - comes home and yells at and/or beats the animal. Yes, this sickening meanness towards these gentle animals is so common that it's a clich. Or else why would there be so many dog (and other animal) sanctuaries.

So if you want your pet dog to be a part of the family, here are the things to do

DO'S
1. Walk your dog daily. It needs fresh scenery and exercise just as much as you do. Take water for your dog, with a small container to put it in. I use a clean empty yogurt cup. When you see your dog out of breath, stop and give it some water. Water contains oxygen. Remember that dogs are wearing essentially a fur coat that makes them about 20 degrees warmer than us. Be sensitive to that. When you see a dogs tongue hanging out, it desperately needs water. He/she is dehydrated. When you stop somewhere, pause and offer your dog some water.

2. Give your dog a lot of affection and attention. An average dog maybe has the intellectual understanding of about a three or four year old I think. Some dogs are even smarter than that. Your dog will understand what you want or need simply by your tone of voice. Communication is key for a good relationship. Dogs are not just dumb animals. They have some basic emotional needs, like all living things. Affection, protection, caring, expressing joy, play, fun and boundaries. And yes, a dog treated with love with protect you with its last breath. It's what your dog will naturally do if she/he loves you.

3. Let your dog sleep on your bed or at least in your room. Dogs need to bond with their human caretaker.

4. Include your dog in any festive activities and fun events. Play ball; throw a Frisbee; maybe take your dog to a dog park. Occasionally take your dog to the mountains or other family outings. Let your dog roll in the grass. Dogs love that.

5. Make sure that your dog has all the necessary tags and shots, but not more. Our dog got sick from an overdose of a vaccine. After that we went to a wholistic vet with our dog, I would personally recommend a good wholistic vet that gives homeopathic remedies instead of drugs. I have heard some very sad stories about dogs suffering in agonizing pain from being overmedicated. Be careful. Look around. Ask questions and get references. There are even non-toxic flea collars for dogs, that are all natural.

6. Give your dog a good kibble daily with plenty of fresh water daily. Clean out their bowls daily, making sure the little bit of soap used is thoroughly rinsed off their dishes. Make sure that their kibble is without artificial ingredients, colorings, dyes or offal. Add a little beans (canned are OK) to the kibble. Dogs love beans and they are a good source of protein. Also give your dog a little fresh greens (I add about 1/2 teaspoon of olive oil to veggie to make it more palatable) daily, or least several times a week. Iceberg or red-leaf lettuce; a little carrot; cucumber or steamed broccoli are all veggies that our dog likes, mixed in with her kibble. Our dog also likes a little brown rice once a week; some canned fish (sardines, mackerel, salmon, or fish steaks, once or twice a week). I give my dog a hard-boiled egg once a week as well. Dogs aloso like a little apple juice (w/o corn syrup or sugar though).

7. Pet and nurture your dog frequently. I kiss my dog on the head a lot and pet her. Loving sweet talk your dog saying: "Good girl/boymommie's girlmy little babymy smart girl," etc. You get the picture. Cuddle with your dog, especially during cool weather.

8. If you can integrate a doggie door into one of your house doors all the better. That way, your dog can come in the house and leave as he/she feels like.

9. If you are going to leave your dog outside, make sure that it has a companion dog and that they both get along well and like each other. Have a doghouse that's weather sensitive that will accommodate them both. Make sure that they each have enough clean fresh water.

10. Every so often check your dog's body thoroughly for ticks (if you find one, put some alcohol on it, wait a couple of seconds then quickly, using tweezers, grasp the little vampire by the body and pull it out of your dog's flesh. Hopefully the stinger will come out as well). Then dab the wound with alcohol, making sure that your dog does NOT lick it. Never let your dog lick alcohol. Or, you could dab it will colloidal silver (a disinfectant that kills germs AND viruses). Purchase it at 10 parts per million at any good health food store. If your dog licks it's wound that has on dabbed some colloidal silver of 10ppmillion it's OK.

11. Use an all-natural shampoo on your dog that can be purchased at a health food store. I suggest Dr. Bronner's Almond Shampoo. Avoid shampooing around the eyes. Just dampen a cloth and wipe around (never in) dogs eyes. Dr. Bronner's shampoo can sometimes be bought in bulk at health food stores. We only wash our dog about three times a year because we think that too much bathing will remove away essential oils in their skin, leaving their sky dry and eventually flaky, creating an imbalance.

DON'TS
1. Don't put your dog in a cage. Or in a box (even with air holes). This is simply unacceptable and is the equivalent of lying down in the trunk of a car. Sure there's a little air, but we're talking barely

2. Don't ever expose your dog to weather extremes, heat or cold. Never leave your dog in a locked car or it can suffocate to death, especially in the summer. Don't ever tie your dog to a tree or leave it in the hot sun. Don't abandon your dog outside all day, especially without water and shade during warm/hot weather.

3. Don't ever hit your dog. Don't ever take out your frustrations or unhappiness in life on your dog. It's simply bullying abuse and cruelty. If you can't love and protect your dog, the kindest think that you could do would be to take it to a no-cage dog sanctuary and give them a check for the equivalent cost to care for your animal for life. Don't ever take your dog to the dog shelter, where it will most likely eventually be killed unless someone adopts it. Don't let your dog loose on the street in the hopes that someone will adopt it. It will either get hit by a car, be attacked by other loose dogs, or caught by the dog catchers who catch dogs through a noose around its neck and then carry it that way, hanging by the noose to the paddy wagon.

4. Avoid yelling at your dog, unless your dog is very disobedient and this is the last resort. You want your dog to respect you, not fear you. If your dog fears you, he/she won't love you.
Love, respect and trust is what you want. Not fear.

5. Don't use chemicals of any sort on or around your dog. This includes perfume, sprays or dangerous chemicals like antifreeze or pesticides. As you would safeguard a child, do the same with your dog.

6. Don't just go away on vacation and dump your dog with someone who is a stranger or a relative or friend who doesn't like dogs or your animal. This is asking for your pet to be abused and this will only lead to your dog not trusting you or making your pet neurotic that you don't love her/him. If you take your dog on an airplane, do NOT ever put your dog (in a cage) in the baggage department near the airplane engines. I have heard of dog's dying from the trauma of the separation from you as they are relegated to a hell of ghastly loud airplane engines frightening the wits out of the poor animal. Take your dog on board with you, and pay for the extra seat on the plane. Your dog will probably need a sedative of some sort. And Ilook forward to the day when dogs can sit next to their owners on the plane without having to be in a cage.

7. Don't let aggressive people or dogs near your dog. You would be asking for a fight or for your dog to be abused. I frankly am extremely leery of pit bulls, because the slightest little thing seems to aggravate them and they can become very volatile in their behavior. This is a very alpha breed.

8. Don't clip your dog's toenails, simply because, like most people, you'll likely cut them too short and cut the nerve that actually runs through their nail, causing real pain. My dog nibbles and clips, so to speak, her own nails. And with the plenty of exercise that she gets, her nails naturally wear down. They never need clipping.

Having a dog as a pet is a responsibility that requires on your part, more than just feeding your pooch. It is an opportunity to have a real bond in a very heartfelt way. Treat your dog with love and you'll come to discover maybe, that this relationship is so much richer than previous ones you've had. Dogs bring immense joy and happiness when you are bonded, and their loyalty to you is legendary.

by Gloria Allen