This section will cover the companion dog. This may be a retired show dog, an obedience dog, an agility dog that is also a Companion animal. The primary focus will be the routine care of a dog that is a family pet. It makes no difference whether the Companion is a dog or bitch, because the article will assume the dog is spayed or neutered, as all strictly Companion pets should be. It will be referred to as "Companion" or "dog" or "he", even though it may be a "she". As with previous articles, interjected are my beliefs, others may differ. The routine, care, feeding are what has worked for me. Others may have different results and routines.

The main things to be concerned with in a Companion are diet and general care. Involving the Companion in family activities is a given. Vacations, holidays and special events such as children's sports activities should involve the Companion when possible. After all, the definition of a companion is a buddy, a fellow, an associate, a mate.

When you get your Companion, whether it is a young or older kees, enroll in an obedience class at a local kennel club. This will give both of you a good start at forming a lasting bond. You will learn how to train your dog effectively and your dog will learn how to interpret what you mean. Even if you have trained other kees before, each dog needs socialization and going to a training class is important for a well-rounded individual.

The Companion should always stay current on vaccinations and be pest and worm free. If you walk your dog in public parks, this will require more monitoring.

Since your companion shares your daily life, chances are they will be traveling with you when you visit friends or relatives, for holidays or daily quick trips. One thing to be concerned with is for them to wear proper ID on their collar. A rolled leather collar is best for a kees. Consider getting your pet tattooed by a local vet or grooming clinic in addition to the ID. After getting the tattoo, register it with a national registry such as National Dog Registry or Tattoo-A-Pet. The latest in pet ids is the microchip. I have recently started to use the microchip instead or in addition to the tattoo. The registry service I recommend for the microchips is the CAR (Companion Animal Recovery) offered by the AKC. See www.akc.org for details. Take along the rabies tag with certificate on trips.

When traveling on overnight trips, take along the same food you feed everyday along with a supply of water. Some dogs are sensitive to changes in their water supply. You won't know the quality of water available where you are going, most likely. Always walk your dog on a leash when away from home even if they are the most well trained obedience dog.

Clean up stools using a baggy as a glove to pick up with, invert it and dispose in a well-ventilated trash container (such as those at rest areas). Avoid allowing your dog to explore the feces of other animals. Don't allow your dog to walk in marshy areas where they can pick up giardia or any number of other bacteria/protozoa. When exercising your dog on the road, avoid busy traffic areas if possible. Stop at rest areas as opposed to pulling over on the side of an interstate.

Never leave your dog in a hot car for any length of time. Never allow your dog to travel with any part of his head out of the window. Dogs should always travel in crates and not be allowed to wander all over your car while traveling. The crate is like a seat belt. Take along rawhide chews, cow hooves or other favorite toys that don't have sharp edges to jab your dog while riding in the car.

If you are staying in a motel, don't allow your dog to be alone in the room. Always crate your dog in the room when you cannot supervise them (for example while you sleep). Some dogs are sensitive to treatments used on motel carpets. Take along a coat spray and waterless shampoo in the case your dog becomes itchy. [Air & foreign travel, camping not covered.]

Your Companion should not need very many baths in a year. The only times you may want to wash him would be if he gets into something foul, has skin/coat problems or has a pest problem. Make sure when washing your kees, that you first dilute the shampoo even if it doesn't call for it to be diluted. Once your dog is lathered up, rinse him well! That is a big mistake some groomers and owners make...not rinsing the kees well. It can cause many skin and coat problems when the shampoo dries on the skin. Weekly grooming sessions for maintenance grooming are a good way to instill the human animal bond with your dog. Do a complete grooming, clipping toenails if necessary. Check the ears, eyes and pads of feet. Trim the hair between the pads flush with the pads. Check the teeth and scale if you see any buildup. Because your Companion is altered, shedding will not happen as often. When it does, using a wide tooth comb or rake will help get dead coat out. Warm baths two weeks apart will expedite coat blowing.

If you have an "only" Companion dog, they will benefit from some time with members of their own species. If a neighbor dog is available, some fun time with that dog would be good socialization on a regular basis. Dogs really do need to remember they are dogs and do benefit from having time with others like themselves in addition to being your Companion.

Exercise is important to overall health. Take your dog for walks and be sure that includes some running time for them to stretch. If you dog retrieves, this is great exercise. A ball, Frisbee or stick will all provide great stretch of the muscles along with good heart and lung exercise.

Remember when using herbs & vitamins, some can have disastrous side effects when used in excess or in the wrong applications. They can cause illness or even death. When in doubt, read further and consult someone more knowledgeable and your veterinarian. Don't use something your aren't sure of.

The herbs [& related] I mix in the Companion Dog herbal formula are:
Nettles, Oil of Evening Primrose, Garlic, Slippery Elm Bark, Peppermint, Dandelion, Parsley, Alfalfa, Cayenne, Rosemary Leaves, Sea Vegetables, Spirulina, Bee Pollen, Red Clover, Sage, Echinacea.

Benefits of the above:

nettle - rich in iron to help with the circulatory system. It is rich in Vit A, C, D and calcium & protein.

Oil of evening Primrose - helps alleviate toxins related to an unhealthy diet. Helps stop growth of many kinds of cancer. Stimulates stomach action to help liver & spleen conditions. Very high in gamma linolenic acid (GLA) [an essential fatty acid] which aids in manufacturing prostaglandin. Studies are showing this to stimulate the hormone system which may be blocked in some cases. [not to be used in epileptics]

garlic - natural antibiotic, antiviral, antifungal. It rejuvenates all parts of the body. Great for circulatory system. It also is a natural flea fighter and digestive calmer.

slippery elm - for gastric distress [colitis], draws out impurities, heals all parts of the body

peppermint - for digestion, poor appetite & gas

dandelion - fresh, chopped. Rich in iron, copper & potassium great for the heart.

parsley - cleanses the liver, tones the body, builds resistance, strengthens digestion, source of Vit C, iron, manganese, calcium, phosphorus.

alfalfa - helps in weight gain, stimulates appetite, good for muscle/joint pains, contains calcium, phosphorus, iron, potassium, magnesium, enzymes, choline, sodium, silicon, Vits A B, D, K & P

cayenne - good for heart muscles & worm control

rosemary leaves - good tonic for reproductive organs. Relieves depression. One of the most powerful herbs to stimulate the nervous system. Rich in Vit A & C, calcium. Good for the circulatory system.

sea vegetables - rich in vitamins, minerals and thyroid gland stimulant. Helps with any joint problems.

spirulina - provides nutrients to the body when it is not getting enough in regular diet. Good during or after battle with a chronic disease. It helps with vitality, purifies and builds the blood. Easy to digest. Rich in protein, chlorophyll and essential fatty acids.

bee pollen - one of nature's most perfect foods. Contains vitamins, minerals, enzymes, amino acids. Improves stamina, endurance, increased energy.

red clover - an anticoagulant, helpful with heart problems. Just being realized in cancer treatments with success. Also for skin complaints & arthritis.

sage - rich in Vit A, C & B complex, a lot of calcium & potassium. Good for the brain, to improve memory, for mental exhaustion & improve the ability to concentrate.

echinacea - stimulates the immune system, is an antibacterial & antiviral

Hips xrays, stifle checks and blood work testing are not done by less reputable folks. This is due to the fact that these Companions come from questionable backgrounds, having ancestors that have weak immune and maladjusted psychology systems due to lack of proper nutrition and socialization through generations of such poor conditions. I am not saying that kees from reputable sources are free from problems, but at least their nutrition and care through many generations would not be neglected because they are not raised as money making prospects. [Again, assuming responsible breeders are truly responsible.] Kees from reputable sources are bred [assumption] to the AKC Breed Standard. Others are not. These basic assumptions become important when the health of the dog is addressed.

*[FYI: In making the assumption above [ie most Companion kees come from questionable breeders], the statistics were used obtained from a 6month period of AKC numbers of Kees and kees litters registered. Projecting that six month figure, in a year's time 1,664 kees litters were produced resulting in 8,028 individual kees registrations. In order for KCA members [of which there are approx 300& assuming they are ethical/responsible] to have produced that number of kees, each member would have to average 5.54 litters per year, which is highly unlikely. In attempting to project the most number of kees bred from reputable sources, it is more likely that each KCA member breeds 2 litters per year of 4.8 puppies [average litter size based upon AKC figures even though many KCA members do not breed], resulting in 2,880 individual registrations. That would account for 35% of the total kees registered, maximum number. The rest, 5,148 or 65% minimum, are coming from somewhere else.]

A healthy, well raised kees with a quality background whose parents (and ancestors) have been tested clear of genetic problems can *ONLY* be obtained from a reputable breeder.