This website is best viewed on a PC.SPECIAL ALAPAHA QUALITIES Of the many endearing qualities that make an Alapaha so special, such as their loving and affectionate demeanor towards its people and other comrades they may share their home with, along with their goofy antics and having a playful nature just to name a few. However, aggression is not one of them! They possess the ability to read a situation before reacting, having the mental capacity to approach any given circumstance in a calm manner, and the awareness to settle if a would-be threat ends up being one of your children's friends, for instance. It's these attributes that make them an excellent guard dog with a stable temperament and not a liability. To us, They're just a loving puppy in a big dogs body that wants nothing more than our affection and approval. When we let them, they will gladly climb onto one of our laps, given having a 75 - 90+ pound dog in our lap isn't the easiest feat to achieve depending on who it is, lol! No matter what the task is at hand, they are always alert to their surroundings and very protective, keeping a watchful eye. Jack's silly side, lol! They love the attention from our kids' friends!
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This website is best viewed on a PC. WHICH CRATE SHOULD I USE?
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Make sure the crate latch is an "L" shape, like in picture below! or it could eventually slide out of place, and your fur baby will be on the loose!
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With our research, we like using the raised feeders with ours and we personally, have never experienced any issues with bloat in our dogs.
Read "Raised Feeder Bowls" Benefits/Risks?
Link to the particular Feeder (L), that we use below. By 2 months of age, your new puppy should be able to eat/drink directly out of the bowls in their raised stand.
(Jack, pictured at 3 months)
(Jack, pictured at 3 months)
Slime In Your Dogs Water Bowl?
We suggest washing your dogs food and water bowls every one to two days using the coarse side of a sponge and hot soapy water, then rinsing well until no more suds are visible.
Biofilm needs to be physically broken up in order to be removed. Use the coarse side of a two-sided sponge to break it down, and then put the bowls in the dishwasher which is safer and more effective because the heat is antimicrobial. For a more natural cleanser, you can combine equal parts of baking soda, table salt, and hot water. If washing by hand scrub with hot soapy water, then rinse. Make sure you do not use the same sponge to wash your dishes or counters.
To really disinfect, mix a solution of one tablespoon bleach to one gallon of water and submerge the bowls into the solution to soak for about 3 minutes, and rinsing well to remove any bleach residue which is toxic to your pets. You also can use a bleach solution on ceramic, glass, plastic and stainless steel dishes but not aluminum which will rust.
A word of caution if using plastic feeders, they can sometimes cause an allergic reaction to your pets muzzle or chin area, causing a breakout similar to acne!
To really disinfect, mix a solution of one tablespoon bleach to one gallon of water and submerge the bowls into the solution to soak for about 3 minutes, and rinsing well to remove any bleach residue which is toxic to your pets. You also can use a bleach solution on ceramic, glass, plastic and stainless steel dishes but not aluminum which will rust.
A word of caution if using plastic feeders, they can sometimes cause an allergic reaction to your pets muzzle or chin area, causing a breakout similar to acne!
NOTE: We are not sponsors nor are we paid for any products, pet toys, etc., suggested on our website.
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By 3 weeks of age, we start introducing the new puppies to moistened puppy kibble, along with still getting their mothers milk, and slowly tapering them off of her until they are completely weaned by 7 weeks of age. We also like adding a vitamin supplement to their moistened puppy kibble as well for that extra boost.
Upon reaching 7 weeks of age, they are eating dry puppy kibble specifically formulated for Large Breed Puppies, 3 times daily until they are full with each feeding. These dogs will not overeat.
*By regulating their feedings, this also helps to make their bowel/bladder movements much more predictable, and aids with housebreaking! These are the brands pictured below we prefer to use. All are Approved by: Association of Animal Food Control Officials AAFCO, for all life stages including the growth of large breed dogs.
No By-Products, No Artificial Colors, No Artificial Flavors, No Corn, and Grain-Free dog/puppy kibble. We will switch up on occasion for variety, and only with AAFCO approved brands all free of what we have listed above.*
*Our dogs are very active! we are fortunate enough to allow them hours of free play outdoors, they play tug games a lot, chasing each other, and exploring our property, etc., Because of their high activity level, we like to give our adult dogs, free choice of dry kibble only, no wet food, as they are maintaining a consistent, healthy weight, and we will adjust this accordingly depending on age, and activity level down the road.
Otherwise, we would suggest around One year of age, with average to moderate activity feeding adult dry dog food two times daily.*Wet food can cause tooth decay over time*
NOTE: We only use their dog food and occasionally small pieces of cheese or bits of raw cauliflower, for training and treats. No table scraps.
Ice cubes are a favorite treat too, they all come running when they hear that ice maker! See our blog on "Dangerous Treats".
Upon reaching 7 weeks of age, they are eating dry puppy kibble specifically formulated for Large Breed Puppies, 3 times daily until they are full with each feeding. These dogs will not overeat.
*By regulating their feedings, this also helps to make their bowel/bladder movements much more predictable, and aids with housebreaking! These are the brands pictured below we prefer to use. All are Approved by: Association of Animal Food Control Officials AAFCO, for all life stages including the growth of large breed dogs.
No By-Products, No Artificial Colors, No Artificial Flavors, No Corn, and Grain-Free dog/puppy kibble. We will switch up on occasion for variety, and only with AAFCO approved brands all free of what we have listed above.*
*Our dogs are very active! we are fortunate enough to allow them hours of free play outdoors, they play tug games a lot, chasing each other, and exploring our property, etc., Because of their high activity level, we like to give our adult dogs, free choice of dry kibble only, no wet food, as they are maintaining a consistent, healthy weight, and we will adjust this accordingly depending on age, and activity level down the road.
Otherwise, we would suggest around One year of age, with average to moderate activity feeding adult dry dog food two times daily.*Wet food can cause tooth decay over time*
NOTE: We only use their dog food and occasionally small pieces of cheese or bits of raw cauliflower, for training and treats. No table scraps.
Ice cubes are a favorite treat too, they all come running when they hear that ice maker! See our blog on "Dangerous Treats".
***See detailed Puppy Stages Progression Photos, Potty Training and Feeding***
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*Toys That Can Take A Chewing*
Just a few toys we've found through our experience that can stand up to their chewing! These are great and come in different sizes. Puppies grow fast, and we suggest getting the largest size available for your new puppy at 8 weeks to adult. *We choose not giving our dogs rawhides/pig ears or knuckle bones, etc., for risk of being a choking hazard. Giving them these types of treats/chews, will almost always leads to them not being interested, and refusing the safer bones/antlers, and other types of toys, because they can not compete with those types of flavor basted chews, and bones. The types we use listed below, can last ours a long time.
We have not experienced any of our dogs breaking off or chipping their teeth with any of the toys we have suggested here.
This being a working breed, their mouth is like our hands and they LOVE to chew and carry things around... Ours like variety and these toys help keep them from boredom so they stay happy and satisfied, especially on their downtime.
*I like to add to this from time to time, once I feel the toys are tried and true from our experience with all of our dogs in our opinion!*
Just a few toys we've found through our experience that can stand up to their chewing! These are great and come in different sizes. Puppies grow fast, and we suggest getting the largest size available for your new puppy at 8 weeks to adult. *We choose not giving our dogs rawhides/pig ears or knuckle bones, etc., for risk of being a choking hazard. Giving them these types of treats/chews, will almost always leads to them not being interested, and refusing the safer bones/antlers, and other types of toys, because they can not compete with those types of flavor basted chews, and bones. The types we use listed below, can last ours a long time.
We have not experienced any of our dogs breaking off or chipping their teeth with any of the toys we have suggested here.
This being a working breed, their mouth is like our hands and they LOVE to chew and carry things around... Ours like variety and these toys help keep them from boredom so they stay happy and satisfied, especially on their downtime.
*I like to add to this from time to time, once I feel the toys are tried and true from our experience with all of our dogs in our opinion!*
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Jolly Pets Teaser Ball-
Any Size! (8 "pictured) Our dogs have yet to destroy this or puncture it! They like carrying it around too. Below: Leia, playing with the Teaser Ball. 
Blinky Babble Ball - Medium or Large
This Babble Ball is loud, and obnoxious! BUT, our dogs love this thing! They have not cracked it. However, after about a month (with our 5 playing with it) It doesn't make all the sounds.
Chuckit! MAX GLOW-L/XL.
This particular "Chuckit! ball", and there are a few different ones, poses no threat of choking and glows in the dark. Our dogs absolutely love it! Jack walks around flexing his jaws on it, while it makes a funny popping noise with it being hollow and flexible with a hole on both ends, he seems to really like that, lol. As long as your puppy/adult does not begin to chew on the hole openings on either side, then it can be practically indestructible! 
Nylabone ANTLER Alternative
Dura Chew Powerful Chewers Venison flavor-L. This one is pretty tough! 
Nylabone Dura Chew Ring Chicken Flavor
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Plastic bottles without their caps or labels of course. They don't last long but they have a great time with them while it lasts, so keep an eye out for any signs of the plastic being punctured and then of course, THROW it away!
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Petstages Deer Horn Long Antler Lasting Chew-L.
This withstands their chewing and lasts for months with all of ours chewing it, as do the other types we've listed. When the bones get worn down where they could possibly swallow one, we throw them away. We also keep a spare in the car and in their crates.
This withstands their chewing and lasts for months with all of ours chewing it, as do the other types we've listed. When the bones get worn down where they could possibly swallow one, we throw them away. We also keep a spare in the car and in their crates.
Great Tuggy Rope!
*We Suggest this one for a puppy up to 3 months old. Otherwise, supervised play with adult dogs!* This braided rope toy without those loose rope ends and tag, is best for ours to play tuggy with and it seems to last longer. They do prefer the 12 in, for whatever reason. Also, it's a really good choice as far as rope toys go, for them to chew on individually, and can last months with younger puppies up to around 3 months, depending on their desire to chew. When your fur baby begins to knaw off any fibers or pull out stuffing, etc., from any toy THROW it away!
Lily
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Nylabone Power Chew Galileo Chew Toy-L/XL
This is Super Durable!
This is Super Durable!
Pet Qwerks Dinosaur BarkBone Real Bacon Dog Chew Toy-XXL-XXXL
They LOVE This one, and lasts months with our pack of 5!
They LOVE This one, and lasts months with our pack of 5!
Lexy with the XXXL
***See detailed Puppy Stages Progression Photos, Potty Training and Feeding***
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DOG TREATS AND DANGERS
TREATS: If you choose to buy any pet treats or foods made in China, you may be exposing your pet to serious danger. Some of the treats include: chicken jerky treats, chicken tenders, chicken strips, chicken treats and sweet potato treats. As a precaution, buy only food and treats made in the USA. Even though buying pet products made in the United States won’t eliminate all risk of ending up with tainted products, it can improve the chances of keeping your dog safe. Veterinarians are now reporting kidney problems linked to dogs consuming sweet potato and yam treats made in China. One of the types of rare kidney disorders is Fanconi’s Syndrome. If left untreated, Fanconi Syndrome can be fatal.
In 2007, the FDA become aware of an increasing number of ailments in pets associated from consuming Chinese produced jerky treats. Most of the complaints involved chicken jerky (treats, tenders and strips), but others include duck, sweet potato and treats where chicken or duck jerky is wrapped around dried fruits, sweet potatoes or yams. If your pet exhibits signs of distress after eating Chinese products, contact your veterinarian. It is advised that you save the treats and packaging for testing by the FDA to confirm or rule out if the product caused any disorder.
The FDA released a warning to dog owners informing them to avoid nonflavored and flavor basted dog bones. This was advised due to the fact of their potential harmful effects. Dog owners have reported that these bones caused gastrointestinal obstructions, blocked airways, internal bleeding, vomiting and diarrhea.
*Beware of Xylitol- Xylitol is reported to be 100 times more toxic to dogs than chocolate and causes an increase in insulin circulating through the dog's body. This may cause your dog's blood sugar to drop and lead to liver failure. Initial symptoms include vomiting, lethargy and loss of coordination. Eventually, the dog may have seizures and liver failure can occur within just a few days.
*Chocolate- Large amounts of chocolate and cocoa products can kill your dog. The toxic component found in chocolate is called Theobromine, which dog’s process much slower than humans and this causes a buildup of toxic levels in their system. Even just a small amount of chocolate, especially dark chocolate, can cause symptoms such as staggering, labored breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, fever, heart rate increase, abdominal pain, arrhythmia, seizures, coma and death. Chocolate also contains very toxic substances called methylxanthines, which are stimulants that stop a dog’s metabolic process. If your dog does ingest chocolate, contact a veterinarian and Pet Poison Helpline ASAP! The signs of sickness may not be visible for several hours even with death following within 24 hours!
*Cinnamon- While cinnamon is not actually toxic to dogs, it’s probably best to avoid it. Cinnamon and its oils can irritate the inside of dogs’ mouths, making them uncomfortable and sick. It can lower a dog’s blood sugar too much and can lead to diarrhea, vomiting, increased, or decreased heart rate and even liver disease. If they inhale it in powder form, cinnamon can cause difficulty breathing, coughing and choking.
*Eggs- Raw egg whites can give dogs biotin deficiency, so be sure to consult the advice of a licensed veterinarian before giving them or any food/treats to your pet you may be unsure about, for their health and safety.
*Fruits and Vegetables…Fruits- grapes, raisins, cranberries, persimmons, peaches and plums are especially dangerous treats for your dog. The problem with these fruits is the seeds and pits. Seeds from persimmons can cause inflammation of the small intestine and cause intestinal obstruction. Also, obstruction or choking is a possibility if a dog eats the pit from a peach or plum. More importantly, peach and plum pits contain cyanide which is poisonous to both humans and dogs. The difference is that humans know not to eat them. Dogs, unfortunately, do not. Other toxic human foods to dogs are onions, yeast dough, artificial sweeteners, avocados, alcohol and coffee.
*Macadamia Nuts- This is one of the most poisonous foods for dogs. They can cause vomiting, increased body temperature, inability to walk and lethargy. Even worse, they can affect the dogs' nervous system.
*Garlic- Like onions, chives, leeks and garlic, is part is five times more toxic to dogs than the rest of the Allium plants. Garlic can create anemia in dogs, causing side effects such as pale gums, elevated heart rate, weakness and collapse. Poisoning from garlic and onions may have delayed symptoms, so if you think your dog may have eaten some, contact your veterinarian.
*Ice Cream- Dogs do not digest dairy very well, and some dogs have a slight intolerance to lactose, a sugar found in milk products.
*Table Scraps- Feeding table scraps can cause many health issues for your pet. Feeding dogs scraps of food from the dinner table damages the health of pets as canine digestive systems cannot process food in the same way as humans. Dogs’ digestive systems cannot process food in the same way as humans, meaning certain foods normally classed as healthy could be toxic for a dog. Oily and fatty foods can lead to severe health problems such as diarrhea, vomiting and pancreatitis. Even worse, there are several people foods that are highly toxic to animals. Onions or any food prepared with them, for instance, can be unsafe for dogs and should never be given. Fat trimmings, cooked or uncooked can be an obvious cause of obesity in dogs. Fat trimmed from meat can cause pancreatitis. This can be painful and cause loss of appetite, lethargy, and dehydration. Feeding cooked bones to your dog such as leftover chicken or pork chop bones etc. is extremely risky as cooked bones can become a choking hazard and could splinter causing punctures and lacerations internally. Some dogs that are constantly fed with table scraps have the tendency to become dependent on them. Dogs that eat table scraps could start refusing to eat their regular dog food. Aside from that, feeding your pets the scraps can also cause undesirable behaviors such as the sneaking of food off of your plate while your back is turned. Granted, most dogs if given the chance will do this anyway unless they have been properly trained. However, if they already have a taste for it, this may encourage the behavior along with begging, which both can become very annoying.
Click on the highlighted word, "Dogs Health" and on the PET MD logo below, for more in-depth information on this topic.
In 2007, the FDA become aware of an increasing number of ailments in pets associated from consuming Chinese produced jerky treats. Most of the complaints involved chicken jerky (treats, tenders and strips), but others include duck, sweet potato and treats where chicken or duck jerky is wrapped around dried fruits, sweet potatoes or yams. If your pet exhibits signs of distress after eating Chinese products, contact your veterinarian. It is advised that you save the treats and packaging for testing by the FDA to confirm or rule out if the product caused any disorder.
The FDA released a warning to dog owners informing them to avoid nonflavored and flavor basted dog bones. This was advised due to the fact of their potential harmful effects. Dog owners have reported that these bones caused gastrointestinal obstructions, blocked airways, internal bleeding, vomiting and diarrhea.
*Beware of Xylitol- Xylitol is reported to be 100 times more toxic to dogs than chocolate and causes an increase in insulin circulating through the dog's body. This may cause your dog's blood sugar to drop and lead to liver failure. Initial symptoms include vomiting, lethargy and loss of coordination. Eventually, the dog may have seizures and liver failure can occur within just a few days.
*Chocolate- Large amounts of chocolate and cocoa products can kill your dog. The toxic component found in chocolate is called Theobromine, which dog’s process much slower than humans and this causes a buildup of toxic levels in their system. Even just a small amount of chocolate, especially dark chocolate, can cause symptoms such as staggering, labored breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, fever, heart rate increase, abdominal pain, arrhythmia, seizures, coma and death. Chocolate also contains very toxic substances called methylxanthines, which are stimulants that stop a dog’s metabolic process. If your dog does ingest chocolate, contact a veterinarian and Pet Poison Helpline ASAP! The signs of sickness may not be visible for several hours even with death following within 24 hours!
*Cinnamon- While cinnamon is not actually toxic to dogs, it’s probably best to avoid it. Cinnamon and its oils can irritate the inside of dogs’ mouths, making them uncomfortable and sick. It can lower a dog’s blood sugar too much and can lead to diarrhea, vomiting, increased, or decreased heart rate and even liver disease. If they inhale it in powder form, cinnamon can cause difficulty breathing, coughing and choking.
*Eggs- Raw egg whites can give dogs biotin deficiency, so be sure to consult the advice of a licensed veterinarian before giving them or any food/treats to your pet you may be unsure about, for their health and safety.
*Fruits and Vegetables…Fruits- grapes, raisins, cranberries, persimmons, peaches and plums are especially dangerous treats for your dog. The problem with these fruits is the seeds and pits. Seeds from persimmons can cause inflammation of the small intestine and cause intestinal obstruction. Also, obstruction or choking is a possibility if a dog eats the pit from a peach or plum. More importantly, peach and plum pits contain cyanide which is poisonous to both humans and dogs. The difference is that humans know not to eat them. Dogs, unfortunately, do not. Other toxic human foods to dogs are onions, yeast dough, artificial sweeteners, avocados, alcohol and coffee.
*Macadamia Nuts- This is one of the most poisonous foods for dogs. They can cause vomiting, increased body temperature, inability to walk and lethargy. Even worse, they can affect the dogs' nervous system.
*Garlic- Like onions, chives, leeks and garlic, is part is five times more toxic to dogs than the rest of the Allium plants. Garlic can create anemia in dogs, causing side effects such as pale gums, elevated heart rate, weakness and collapse. Poisoning from garlic and onions may have delayed symptoms, so if you think your dog may have eaten some, contact your veterinarian.
*Ice Cream- Dogs do not digest dairy very well, and some dogs have a slight intolerance to lactose, a sugar found in milk products.
*Table Scraps- Feeding table scraps can cause many health issues for your pet. Feeding dogs scraps of food from the dinner table damages the health of pets as canine digestive systems cannot process food in the same way as humans. Dogs’ digestive systems cannot process food in the same way as humans, meaning certain foods normally classed as healthy could be toxic for a dog. Oily and fatty foods can lead to severe health problems such as diarrhea, vomiting and pancreatitis. Even worse, there are several people foods that are highly toxic to animals. Onions or any food prepared with them, for instance, can be unsafe for dogs and should never be given. Fat trimmings, cooked or uncooked can be an obvious cause of obesity in dogs. Fat trimmed from meat can cause pancreatitis. This can be painful and cause loss of appetite, lethargy, and dehydration. Feeding cooked bones to your dog such as leftover chicken or pork chop bones etc. is extremely risky as cooked bones can become a choking hazard and could splinter causing punctures and lacerations internally. Some dogs that are constantly fed with table scraps have the tendency to become dependent on them. Dogs that eat table scraps could start refusing to eat their regular dog food. Aside from that, feeding your pets the scraps can also cause undesirable behaviors such as the sneaking of food off of your plate while your back is turned. Granted, most dogs if given the chance will do this anyway unless they have been properly trained. However, if they already have a taste for it, this may encourage the behavior along with begging, which both can become very annoying.
Click on the highlighted word, "Dogs Health" and on the PET MD logo below, for more in-depth information on this topic.
This website is best viewed on a PC.
There are so many poisonous plants out there, here is the link and the Top 10 Poisonous Plants to your pets!
This website is best viewed on a PC.
I wanted something different and I thought Jack looked like the color of some Moonshine. So, after doing a little searching, I came up with Moonraker's....And that's how Jack got his name. : )
Thanks for reading! Susie
Here's the article.
MOONRAKER, MOUNTAIN DEW, MOONSHINE, OR WHITE LIGHTNING?
Thanks for reading! Susie
Here's the article.
MOONRAKER, MOUNTAIN DEW, MOONSHINE, OR WHITE LIGHTNING?
Categories
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AGH! Worms
Alapaha Qualities
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Dry/Raw/Canned...
Durable Toys!
How Jack Got His Name
LIFE WITH AN ALAPAHA
Merle And Brindle
Poisonous Plants
Rapid Growth Rate In Puppies Myths Vs Facts
Temperament VS Personality
Unusual Southern Names
What Is Drive?
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What To Feed Your New Puppy?
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