Polka Top Six

What would I do without google ? I have no idea how we survived BG (Before google) From the inane to the serious, everything is googled.

Since Polka's arrival our google searches have increased crazily.
Here is a sample with best answers I found online and some I learnt from Polka:)

1.Buy or adopt a puppy?
Adopt ofcourse. Every time you purchase a puppy from a pet Store, a perfectly adoptable dog loses a home.
No matter what they say, ALL pet store puppies come from puppy mills or irresponsible breeders.
Most puppies for adoption are mongrels. They will love you more than the pedigree dogs and are always full of enthusiasm.

2. What to do if puppy runs into a glass door?
Same thing that you would if you ran into a glass door. Been there. Done that! This happens all the time. It's not as rare as it sounds. Your puppy is probably ok unless (s)he is whimpering in pain. Keep a close watch, check for bumps. If anything is out of the way call the vet. Common sense but I had to google this to feel better :)

3. Can a dog be brought up vegetarian?
Dogs are carnivorous. They need meat but some of the animal food available in stores might not be as good. A well balanced diet, high in protein vegetarian food is better for dogs than Grade K meat.

For Polka we give her doggie food and some of my cooking (I know its dangerous but I give my cooking only in small quantities)
Some of the veggie options I like:

1. Carrots
2. Leafy vegetables
3. Lentils
4. a little bit of yogurt
5. Rice
6. Bread
7. Potatoes in small quantity
8. Bananas

4. What not to give a dog ?
1. Garlic
2. Onion
3. Raisins
4. Peanuts

5. How to stop a dog barking?
It depends. Is he barking for no apparent reason? When you leave him/her alone ? Or when (s)he is scared ?

If it is unreasonable barking or when left alone - IGNORE that should work.
Another thing that a friend of mine tried was shaking a jar of coins to startle the dog and that seems to have worked. The dog associates the barking with the startling noise of coins in a jar and does not like the association.

For Polka, she barks when she is scared. Every time she does that I tell her it is OK and that there is nothing to worry. That soothes her and when she stops barking I praise her. So far it has worked well. She no longer behaves like a scaredy-cat but she still barks if scared.

6. Dog or Baby?
This deserves a full post by itself. Hold on to that thought ;)