Dog News from the Web
Scientists decode dogspeak
Artificially intelligent Dr. Doolittles can understand dog barks as well or better than humans do. These findings suggest computers might significantly help people comprehend animal communication. Scientists tested artificially intelligent software on more than 6,000 barks from 14 Hungarian sheepdogs.
After analyzing digital versions of the barks, overall the computer program correctly identified the kinds of barks the dogs made 43 percent of the time - about the same as humans' 40 percent, said researcher Csaba Molnar, an ethologist at Eotvos Lorand University in Hungary. The software identified 'walk' and 'ball' barks better than people, although people identified 'play' and 'alone' barks better than the software.
Veterans visit Riverside memorial to honor war dogs
The small group of veterans gathers at Riverside's March Field Air Museum once a year, traveling from all corners of the country, to mourn forgotten heroes of battle. They come to honor the dogs that saved lives by detecting booby traps and watching over military camps, dogs that became trusted friends in times of loneliness. The meeting point is the 16-foot-tall West Coast War Dog Memorial, which holds a bronze statue of a soldier and his German shepherd. For years, veterans have sought to have the contributions of war dogs recognized with a national monument. The West Coast memorial, designed by Denver-area sculptor A. Thomas Schomberg, was to have been placed at Riverside National Cemetery, but a national Veterans Affairs advisory committee argued that doing so would be disrespectful. The museum agreed to take it, and the veterans to meet there every year on the Sunday before Memorial Day.
Shih Tzu Dog Training - Body Language Your Shih Tzu Understands
Shih Tzu dogs are highly intelligent creatures and many pet owners do not give them enough credit when it comes to the way they can read and understand our body language. Some people have no idea that the body language that we display has a major impact on how well a Shih Tzu dog will listen to us and obey our commands. Using the correct form of body language can also quickly stop your Shih Tzu dog from displaying an improper behavior. Let's use a very common example, such as the overexcited Shih Tzu dog who likes to jump on every guest that comes to your door. We all go through this with our puppy or adult Shih Tzu dog at some point in time. As soon as the guests arrive your Shih Tzu is overwhelmed with happiness and excitement about who is at the door and whether or not they are going to play with him.
Career has gone to dogs
'If you do what you love, you'll never 'work' another day in your life," says Connie Pinkerton, who left a corporate job after 22 years to become a dog trainer. The first step toward Pinkerton's career change began four years ago when she became a volunteer at Human Haven Animal Shelter (HHAS) in Bolingbrook. Bark Busters, a company comprised of dog behavioral therapists and trainers, demonstrated their training methods to HHAS volunteers and Pinkerton was sold on their mission to enable clear communication between owners and their dogs. Shortly after the demonstration, Pinkerton enrolled in the Bark Buster "boot camp" and became a certified trainer. Pinkerton's training makes her a valuable resource as an adoption counselor at HHAS, since she is able to provide assistance if problems occur after a dog is adopted. She uses non-physical training methods in the owner's home that teach the owner how to "talk to your dog in a dog's language," and has trained more than 100 dogs in the past year.
Laurence Mancuso Dies; Founding Abbot Was 72
The Rev. Laurence Mancuso, the founding abbot of the Monks of New Skete, whose hilltop monastery in upstate New York is renowned for breeding German shepherds and teaching a holistic approach to dog training, died on June 10 in Framingham, Mass. He was 72 and had lived in Natick, Mass., since his retirement in 2000. In 1969, a kennel in Morristown, N.J., donated a German shepherd to the monastery. But one winter night, the dog ran away. The monks had become so attached to the dog, Brother Stavros said, that they soon replaced it with two others, and then began breeding more. Soon, visitors who drove up the road to buy produce at the monastery began begging for puppies. With Father Laurence's approval, but under the supervision of another monk, the brothers studied veterinary medicine, animal nutrition and breeding techniques. The monastery's pack of German shepherds continued to grow, with one dog at a time assigned to each monk for training.
Fence Climbing Dogs
Some dogs are just fence climbers. This particular German Shorthair, Daisy, is a 30 pound bundle of energy. She is as sweet as they come, but you have to watch her; she climbs fences better than my 5 year old boy (who climbs like a monkey, by the way). We have to have a lid on the kennel and have it tightly wired down. Daisy hadn't been in the kennel 10 minutes and was out again. I was dumbfounded as to how she got out, because there was a top on it. I put her back and watched her leap 6' in the air, cling on and climb to the top and push her way through the roof fence panel edge. Needless to say, we have wired it down tight all the way around now. Now she climbs around the upper section of our kennel about like a gibbon, but can't get out.
Dog Training and Classical Conditioning
To understand how classical conditioning works in dog training, you are going to do a simple dog training exercise. You are not going to teach any practical skill to your dog but this is a very important exercise to understand the first step in dog training: classical conditioning. Therefore, this exercise is more useful to you than your dog. Take in account that you can't carry out this exercise if your dog is not able to eat solid food (for instance, very young puppies or dogs which must be in a special diet because of health problems). You need 15 to 20 food treats for your dog. These treats could be any healthy food that your dog enjoys, such as sliced hot-dogs, chicken chunks, dog food pellets, freeze dried liver, etc. Food treats must be of about the size of a navy bean (this is very important). Your dog must be off-leash, so you must find a fenced place to carry out the classical conditioning exercise. It must be a place your dog is familiar with, and there should be no distractions. In other words, you, your dog and the food treats must be alone in that place.
Summer advice for the four-legged set
ONEIDA - While summertime often means fun in the sun for humans and their furry companions, it can also bring about unpleasant circumstances for the four-legged set. From parasites to extra pounds, dogs and cats face special health concerns during summer and it's up to their human counterparts to help them through those sweltering dog days. On Saturday, the Oneida Animal Hospital, in conjunction with Wanderers' Rest Humane Association and the Humane Society of Rome, held its second annual pet fair. Several experts were on hand to provide advice on such topics as parasite treatments, pet diets and grooming.
Is Doggy Day Camp Right for Your Pet?
At Best Friends, we have been running doggy day camp programs since 1997. We suggest the following guidelines to anyone thinking about camp for their family pet:
Consider Whether It Will Benefit Your Dog
In most cases, the answer is yes. Day camp is a great choice for high-energy dogs who need lots of daily exercise, as well as for puppies and young dogs who demand frequent interaction. At the other end of the spectrum, overweight dogs and older dogs suffering from arthritis can also benefit because the excitement around them gets them up and moving. (Be sure to check with your veterinarian first.)
Day camp can also be very beneficial for a dog who becomes anxious when left home alone and who expresses his discomfort with problem behaviors like howling, damaging furnishings or soiling in the house. In addition, shy dogs who can gain confidence around other canines. However, day camp won't help with a dog suffering from serious separation anxiety or fear issues; you'll need to seek assistance from a professional trainer before considering day camp for these pets.
Dogs hone skills to catch poachers
RISING SUN, Md. - In the middle of a remote campsite, Warden stopped and began scratching at the ground where an ammunition magazine was hidden by officers under a pile of dried grass.
In another minute he found a shotgun shell.
And in another, he found a holster.
"When he starts to scratch to indicate he's found something, we throw a ball at him," said Cpl. Casey Zolper, a Delaware Division of Fish & Wildlife enforcement agent. "Everything is a big game to him."
Like other black Labrador retrievers, Warden's favorite game is fetch. But he plays for a different reason.
Warden and Zolper were practicing article detection - a training exercise designed to help in the enforcement of regulations against poaching. Warden and dogs that work with environmental police units in Maryland and Pennsylvania are spending five days at the Boy Scouts of America's Camp Horseshoe in northern Cecil County to hone skills used in investigating hunting violations.
"We actually have quite a good bit of poaching throughout the whole state," Zolper said.
New police dog just beginning to get the hang of new job
Though he just returned from training in Mechanicsburg on Friday, Sugarcreek Borough Police Department's new K-9 officer was hard at work running through training exercises Thursday.
Gudzis "Goose" started official duties Monday, and so far has not been called upon for searches.
Patrolman Ryan Ashbaugh, Goose's handler, said it has been a big adjustment going from working with Szultan, the K-9 officer he worked with for several years that was killed when hit by a car while off-duty in November, to a "green" dog like Goose.
The two dogs have similar, friendly personalities, but Ashbaugh said Szultan had been so well trained and so used to working with him, that he needed little commanding.
"He knew what I wanted him to do, before I had to say anything," Ashbaugh recalled.
Goose, on the other hand, is just learning, and needs a lot of reinforcement.
"He's a good dog and I have no doubt we'll get there," Ashbaugh said.
Book offers tips on how to 'Get rid of the problem, not the dog'
There can be so many problems we face when we have a dog. Just watch an episode of "The Dog Whisperer" and you will see what we mean. When someone decides to get a puppy, they are not trained and sometimes the puppies have developed horrible habits. It can be overwhelming. But before you get rid of your dog, read on. "Get Rid of the Problem, Not the Dog," by Rod Cassidy is a great book that tackles many "dog issues." Over the next couple of weeks, we want to share excerpts from his book. The first problem is very common. Chewing.
TRAINING AREA FOR PIT BULLS FOUND
Concealed in a wooded area off a dead end street on the east side of Pine Bluff, police and animal control officers discovered what appeared to be a fully operational training ground for pit bulldogs Thursday morning. Director of Animal Control DeLoyd Cleveland said the find, in the woods beside 4201 Texas St., was made almost by accident.
"We were in the area of looking for a stray dog and when we pulled into the driveway of the house to turn around, we saw a pit bulldog come out of the woods," he said. 'We followed the dog into the woods and when we got a little way in, we could hear all that barking and saw the dogs staked out in the woods."
After obtaining a search warrant, animal control officers and police returned to the area Thursday to seize the dogs, who were being kept in violation of a city ordinance that regulates pit bulldogs, as well as another ordinance that limits the number of animals that can be kept in the city limits.
NFL Players Involved in Dog Fighting?
There is a great deal of evidence tying Atlanta quarterback Michael Vick to a very large dog-fighting business (5/30, Sports, "Vick search warrant issued"). Clinton Portis, a Washington running back, stated that if Vick wanted to participate in dog fighting, he should do it, that it's nobody's business. This situation is a perfect example of sports figures who are overglorified and regarded as above the law because they are stars. Dog fighting is a felony and an extremely violent, cruel sport. Dogs routinely fight to the death in bloodbaths. Some are used as bait, mouths taped shut. Dogs that lose are thrown out, wounded, to suffer and die alone. Some are chained so tightly they can't lay their heads down. Others are set on fire.
Willow will be more than just a companion dog
BEATRICE, Neb. - Her name is Willow. Like most dogs, Willow, a brown and black Belgian Tervuren, will spend her life being a close companion to her owner, Roxann Hamilton of Beatrice. But, in the next few months she will go beyond that of a loving companion and friend to one of service dog. Hamilton and Willow are taking part in a program provided by Noah's Assistance Dogs of Crete that assists owners in training their companion dogs to become service dogs to fit their various medical and emotional needs. When most people think of service or assistance dogs, they often think of guide dogs. But service dogs benefit and assist with many other needs. There are service dogs for emotional support, mobility, psychiatric care, medical alert, seizure alert, diabetic alert, hearing dogs and autism alert, Hamilton said. There are also therapy dogs.
Bark Busters opens new franchise in Fort Myers
Bark Busters, the world's largest dog training company, is expanding into Southwest Florida. New franchise owner Patrick Logue, of Fort Myers, selected a Bark Busters franchise for this market because of its dog-loving culture and the strong demand for a gentle and natural approach that delivers results. The area is typical of a metropolitan area in that dogs are frequently kept in confined areas, which can easily lead to behavioral issues, such as barking, aggression, separation anxiety, hyperactivity and general unruliness.
'Just a dog'? There's no such thing
A friend sent me this via e-mail. The words weren't attributed to anyone, but they struck a deep, deep chord - a chord often played by not just dog owners, but also by cat, horse, rabbit, guinea pig, mouse, rat, pig, reptile - and every other kind of animal you might name - owners. With apologies to the writer for not being able to identify him or her: "From time to time, people tell me, 'Lighten up; it's just a dog,' or, 'That's a lot of money for just a dog.' "They don't understand the distance traveled, the time spent or the costs involved for 'just a dog.' "Some of my proudest moments have come about with 'just a dog.' Many hours have passed and my only company was 'just a dog,' but I did not once feel slighted.
City program helps new pet owners train their dogs
Tinker Bell was an adorable black-and-brown Chihuahua, with big, brown eyes and a wagging tail when Madge Hughes got her as a gift from the animal shelter. For Tinker Bell, life was happily ever after. Not so for Hughes, who only discovered post-adoption that Tinker Bell likes to chew. A lot. On socks. On shoes. On arms. Ready to throw in the (well-chewed) towel, Hughes instead decided to turn to Ask the Trainer to provide assistance in dealing with Tinker Bell's restless and fearless nature. The free service of the city of Albuquerque provides dog training for people who are having problems with puppies and adult dogs they adopted at local shelters. Ask the Trainer is part of the city's effort to encourage people who adopt pets from shelters to keep them.
Training Dogs Fills Hole Left in Couple's Heart
Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show - Mike and Marianna Smith showed dogs for several years in the 1970s. Then their children were born, and the hobby took a back seat as the Smiths became swim team parents. They followed their daughter, Jennifer, from meet to meet as she competed for a spot on the U.S. Olympic team. It wasn't until 1997 that dog shows again became a part of their lives - for a very different reason. In December 1996, Jennifer was killed in a car accident. Suddenly, a dachshund puppy, Maid Marion, they had just bought for their son, Zach, became a rallying point for the family. "We began showing her," Marianna Smith said. "The first time that I cared to live (since Jennifer had died) was when we went to a dog show."
Want A Showdog? Start Preparing Before Birth
Admit it, you've thought about it. Maybe you were watching Best In Show, or maybe you were catching a rerun of Bravo's reality television show, Showdogs Moms & Dads. At some point you looked over at your canine companion and thought, "My dog could do that." Maybe you even want to compete in the Westminster Kennel Club's annual dog show, running Feb. 12 and 13 this year. Unless you've invested years of time and thousands of dollars into your dog's training, chances are it can't. Turning your dog into a showdog isn't something that's decided on a whim. According to Susan Kerwin-Hagen, a certified American Kennel Club judge and coordinator of Midwest Airlines Premier Pet Program, it's a choice that should be made long before you've even taken your puppy home.
Service Dog has her Chance to Prance
She has bewitching eyes and dark, curly hair, but Pickles isn't just any pretty face. Laurie Hardman's Portuguese water dog is a rare, Westminster-bound show dog who's also a service dog, capable of detecting Hardman's seizures before they happen. Epilepsy experts caution that there is no actual seizure-alert training for dogs, except rewarding those who do give alerts and thereby reinforcing the behavior.
Young Pup Mushers
Dean Fairburn has dreamed of qualifying for the Iditarod since he got into the sport in the mid-1990s living in Alaska. Now after winning the 200-mile Eagle Cap sled-dog race in Oregon in January, the Garden Valley, Idaho, man is one step away from achieving his goal. Fairburn is one of nine rookies among 19 competitors in this year's Race to the Sky sled-dog race. The 350-mile race starts Saturday at Camp Rimini before winding its way along a loop between Lincoln and Holland Lake. "I've trained a couple mushers who are in the Race to the Sky this year," he said. "I've helped several mushers who've gone on to be Iditarod mushers. I really enjoy training dogs."
Death of toddler mauled by Rottweilers was accidental, inquest rules
PORT COQUITLAM -- One bite would have killed three-year-old Cody John Anger, and when the pack of Rottweiler dogs set upon the toddler in his Maple Ridge home, death was a certainty. The jury in a coroner's inquest yesterday concluded that Cody's death was an accident and recommended the Ministry of Health and the province's Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals set up a registry to note all serious dog bites. The jury also recommended the B.C. Ministry of Education and the SPCA set up dog-bite prevention lessons for Grade 3 pupils. One of the world's foremost dog behavioural experts testified at the five-person jury inquest yesterday that a Rottweiler has the bite strength of 2,000 pounds per square inch. Prof. Coren recommended training for dogs and their owners, but said a breed ban would not solve future attacks. About 53 per cent of all fatal dog attacks are on children, and the better route, he said, is education and training.
Dogs Fill Special Need
The school day started off Tuesday on a bad note for one 5-year-old autistic boy who goes to Lincoln Elementary School in Aberdeen. He was upset and screaming. But when a specially trained dog named Levi arrived in his classroom, the boy became quiet and cooperative almost immediately. Levi has a calming effect on her students with autism, said Lincoln special education teacher Mary Mohr. "It's like having another classroom assistant - almost like having an extra person," she said.
Dog Trainer Transmits His Hard-Won Wisdom
GRANBY - Dog trainer Herbert A. Everett learned how to pick out a puppy the hard way. In 1968, he got his first dog, a German shepherd he named "Caesar" who was so vicious he had to have him put down. Everett talked about his experience recently at his Amherst Street home from which he runs his dog training business Sirius Center. The 63-year-old dog expert said the puppy stayed off by himself and would growl when other dogs would come near him. "Genetics play a big part. He was a social misfit," Everett said. He took him to dog obedience school and said "It went straight downhill with a tailwind after that."
Furry therapy: dogs help hospital patients recover
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- George and Jean White are regulars in this fourth-floor room at Forsyth Medical Center, an area filled with wheelchairs, walkers and people in casts. But the first question they usually ask isn't about anybody's health. "Do you have a dog?" they ask. It doesn't matter if the answer is no. "It's about their life, and it sort of puts them back where they are in control," Jean White said. The Whites have two certified pet-therapy dogs, Molly and Kelly, golden retrievers who wear their own hospital ID tags as they trot through the long, institutional halls, their blond tails waving like fans.
Teeth Care Important for Dogs
I will admit that it's not fun to brush my dog's teeth. It's not that he bites, but he certainly isn't a big fan of having me mess with his mouth. So I completely understand that when you hear something like, "Brush your dog's teeth for better dental health!" that you put it out of your mind. And when it's bad enough with dogs, dealing with cat's teeth can be even more challenging. But with February marking National Pet Dental Health Month, it's a good time to look at how improved dental care can really be worth it.
Trainer of Clintons' dog finds real calling in show ring
QUEENSBURY - The video contained the kind of pictures meant to charm: President Clinton standing on the White House lawn, waving as he walked, casually yanking on the leash of his chocolate Labrador, Buddy, who was straining to run. Back at his Maryland home, shots like those made Greg Strong wince. It had nothing to do with politics, or with his feelings about the president. It was about Buddy. When Buddy was a puppy, then named Teddy, Strong gave him a 10-day crash course in training and obedience. It was a rush job. Christmas was coming, and the Clintons wanted to have the dog in time to surprise Chelsea when she arrived home from school.
Dog Heroes Laying Their Lives on the Line
Vendi, a 4-year-old German shepherd recently returned home to Fort Belvoir, Virginia, from a tour of duty in Iraq. For the last six months, she has had the responsibility of detecting explosives and sniffing out landmines, saving lot's of lives in the process. She is one of the many unsung heroes, military working dogs who work alongside U.S. service members, endangering their lives to try and make the world a better place.
Their are roughly 500 MWDs currently detailed to the Army, most of which are working with Soldiers in Iraq, said Sgt. 1st Class Donald Nelson, Fort Belvoir's K-9 kennel master. Deployed dogs can spend up to a year in the war zone before returning home to resume duties as patrol dogs, specializing in narcotics or explosives detection. Nelson currently has a team of 10 dogs and 10 handlers that make up the Fort Belvoir Police Canine Unit, and he anticipates getting four more dogs in the near future. "These dogs are our partners, not our pets," Nelson said.
The Paw-shank Redemption : Inmates find dog teaching not just for canines
Angela Little sat at a small table, pretending to read a book. When the alarm clock sounded across the room, she ignored it. Her dog Hannah rushed over to her, jumped up, trying to get her attention. Without saying a word, she gestured to the dog, followed her to the alarm clock and turned it off. Hannah got a treat and Little got a sense of accomplishment. Hannah is in training to be a hearing alert dog. Her trainer, a native of Gibson City, is an inmate at Dwight Correctional Center. "I figured if I had to be here, what better a program to be in," Little said.
The buzzzz about....Rachel Kann
Becoming the owner of a Springer Spaniel puppy about six years ago was the beginning of a new career for Phillips resident Rachel Kann. A graduate of Phillips High School, she had attended Northcentral Technical College, then married before moving back to her home community. "Soon after I acquired Tess, I found out that she had some obedience issues, so I took her to an area dog training facility," she said. "I soon decided that working with dogs was what I wanted to do, too."
Winter Safety Tips for Dogs
Indianapolis, IN - While it's easy to think that dogs are immune to cold because of their fur, the fact is that more dogs perish due to stress in the winter than at any other time of the year. Frostbite, hypothermia and even death are real dangers to dogs as the snow piles up and the mercury drops. In many parts of our country, special precautions are required to protect our canine friends from the cold. The following guidelines are based on Bark Busters' expertise in dog training and the experience of the company's network of dog behavioral therapists who have successfully trained more than 350,000 dogs worldwide.
Fighting crime on four legs
At only 19 months old, "Charik," the new K-9 for Police Department, has some big paws to fill. His predecessor, "Pativ," has an impressive resume that includes assisting police in more than 40 drug seizures and finding 34 missing people or suspects in eight years. However, K-9 Pativ is easing into retirement and after 14 weeks of training, Patrol Officer Sylvia Toumayan is confident the newest addition to the Police Department will hold his own. In addition to Pativ's law enforcement accomplishments, he is the first K-9 in Concord whose social nature elevated him to something akin to celebrity status.
Hey, brush your dog's teeth!
EDMOND - Peridontal disease is an inflammation and either active or inactive destruction of periodontal tissues including the gums (gingival), periodontal ligament, cementum and alveolar bone (bone around the teeth). Unfortunately, two things combine to make this a serious disease in dogs, as well as some humans. Bacteria are a part of the normal flora of the month, they always are present and they proliferate. The second problem is lack of oral hygiene. Not many dogs, and unfortunately a few humans, brush their teeth daily, floss and rinse to keep the mouth as clean as possible. This falls to owners to do for their pets, and unfortunately in our busy day-to-day routine, brushing the dog's teeth is pretty far down the list.
Drug sniffing canine helps Readington Twp. police
READINGTON TWP. - On one of his first patrols New Year's Day, Readington Township's newest police officer sniffed out four pounds of marijuana during a traffic stop. Not a bad way to start the year, and not bad for a rookie fresh out of the academy. Fanto, who partners with Patrolman Chris Heycock, was up for the challenge as soon as he bolted out of the patrol car, scratching and clawing to get into the trunk of the car where the bag of marijuana was found.
Walk and silent auction raises money to train service dogs
Tempe Beach Park was flooded with dogs Saturday during the Walk 'n Roll Dog Walk and Silent Auction hosted by Power for Paws, a non-profit organization that provides service dogs to people with disabilities. Power for Paws pre-registered 252 participants, and lots more people of all ages joined the day of the event. Though it was not required for people to bring their dogs, most did, with breeds ranging from Chihuahuas to Great Danes. Robyn Abels, co-founder of Power for Paws said the turnout this year was great. "Our vision is for people with disabilities to have access to service dogs they choose," Abels said. "Every year it gets bigger and better."
Dog Breeds DNA Testing: Coming to Your Home
Despite what recent reports in the media would suggest, it is not possible to determine the breed of a dog, or composition of a dog's breeding without seeing a pedigree, which relies on the pedigree being genuine. This is about to change however, with the launch of a DNA test that can tell you what breed of dog you are dealing with if you are unsure. MMI Genomics, a subsidiary of the life science group MetaMorphix, Inc., announced today the launch of the first commercial, DNA-based, diagnostic test that can genetically determine the breed composition of dogs.
Striving to take the bite out of dog ownership problems
GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colo. - A recent spate of high-profile dog bite cases has prompted the Roaring Fork Kennel Club to offer an educational program about dog safety. The club is sponsoring a panel discussion and demonstration at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 8, in the Glenwood Springs Community Center. In December, Garfield County's animal control officer was fined for owning a vicious dog when her dog jumped a fence and bit someone in the ankle. That same month a pit bull belonging to a Silt woman bit an elderly woman who mistakenly came to the wrong address. Both dogs were euthanized.
Smacking dog can backfire
While I can certainly sympathize with the jogger who was bitten at John Chesnut Sr. Park, I would like to take issue with his advice to the owner "to discipline his dog, to smack him on the nose and tell him not to bite people." While the "Just say no" approach might sound good to some people, the reality is that physical punishment can actually backfire by making the dog even more aggressive, and in fact it does not train the dog what it should do instead of lunging at joggers.
Puppy showers and doggie nuptials
Custom printed invitations containing the word "shower" historically meant one of two things: a baby was about to be born or the wedding day for an ecstatic bride-to-be was fast approaching. A change is in the wind: Newborn puppies are having their day in the shower department. "You are kidding," exclaimed Roche Avenue Elementary Principal Lillian Durbin, who laughed at the idea. "I don't know what to say. I just had a new grandbaby and into grandbaby showers."
Kids Learn the ABCs of Proper Dog Care
After one young child reached his hand into a bag filled with animal care items, he pulled out a studded dog collar, looked puzzled and answered the Lend A Paw trainer's question: "It's a watch!" The dog trainer burst into laughter with the many other children and parents, all gathered at the Newhall Library to participate in one of New Leash On Life's pet education sessions. Heidi Esslinger, the Lend A Paw trainer from New Leash On Life in Newhall, corrected the young boy. "It's actually a flat collar," she said. "But it does kind of look like a watch doesn't it?" New Leash On Life was started in 1997 by Bobby and Kelly Dorafshar as a nonprofit organization that responds to what it describes as years' worth of "watching the shelter system deteriorate."
Training essential to happy pet relationship
OK, so you have survived the last month of the family's new Christmas puppy, or at least you haven't pulled your hair out, yet? Don't worry all new puppy owners always go through that initial couple of weeks as puppy and owner adjust to each other. Please remember to be patient and, just as with young children, there will be those days that will truly put you to the test. However, with a few simple steps, you and your new canine companion will form the groundwork for a most rewarding relationship.
Cow Dog College
Dogs have always been a part of ranch life, as mascots, companions, or, in the case of trained stock dogs, working partners. Border Collies, Australian Shepherds, Australian Kelpies, and other livestock-working breeds have become more and more popular in recent years, finding homes both on and off the ranch. Now, a California operation offers stock dog owners the chance to vacation on a working ranch and put to the test their dogs' skills at herding cattle and sheep. Crystal Rose Cow Dog College, established in 1998, specializes in raising and training stock dogs (specifically Border Collies), giving lessons to novice handlers, hosting the occasional dog trial, and providing a one-of-a-kind vacation opportunity.
Dog training should be fun
The first thing you notice about Averill Ring at Mountain View Dog Training is how comfortable and happy she seems. This is a woman who clearly likes herself and her life. And after spending a little time talking with her, she's clearly very happy with what she does for a living! We were lucky enough to meet up on another one of our unseasonably warm January days and so sat outside with her newest dog, June, to entertain us. June is a Border Collie who's been a part of the family since November and Averill is training her in agility. She didn't seem to need any training in welcoming guests and was happy to give me kisses!
Bad dog? You may be barking up wrong tree
REMEMBER falling in love with "that doggie in the window, the one with the waggly tail"? At this moment he's snarfing cookies from the kitchen counter; when they are gone, he'll finish shredding the mail. How rude. Dog etiquette maven Sarah Hodgson is too well-bred to lay the cause of this bizarre behavior squarely at the feet of the dog's two-legged companions. "But as the leader of the pack, it is up to you to lead," she says. And she means this literally, as in, "You go out the door first. The puppy follows you." Co-author with Arthur Greenwald of "Miss Sarah's Guide to Etiquette for Dogs & Their People," Hodgson says expecting good manners from your adorable puppy is the responsibility of every dog owner.
Iraq combat vet gets service dog
FRAMINGHAM - Spec. Raymond Hubbard, 28, and his two-year-old black labrador retriever named Dace will be the second graduates of NEADS Canines for Combat Veterans program. At NEADS (National Education for Assistance Dog Service Inc.) in Princeton, Hubbard and Dace successfully passed their final exam today. Their test included Dace fetching a phone, turning off lights and staying with Hubbard when a ball was thrown. The two will officially graduate with other service dogs at NEADS March 4. Hubbard, married with two sons, is reserved by nature. But that changed when Dace passed a test, Hubbard excitedly said "Good dog" and "Good Girl."
Top dogs in Marin to strut stuff at Cow Palace
It's a dog-eat-dog world out there, and every pooch wants to be the Best in Show at the 100th annual Golden Gate Kennel Club Dog Show this weekend. One prestigious competitor, a miniature long-hair dachshund named Souven, was the best male in breed for long-haired dachshunds at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show last year. Owners Jean and Bob Burnett of Kentfield, members of the Sir Francis Drake Kennel Club, hope to start this year with another champion title.
Doggy day care : Business Caters to Canine Customers
Sitting at a desk tapping on a laptop, Patti Howerton could pass for a corporate executive. There's the black leather chair, a cordless phone and a letter tray on her desk. But that's where the similarities end. Clients that wander into her office tend to drool on themselves. They sniff their friends' behinds. Most think nothing of drinking out of a toilet bowl. And Howerton wouldn't have it any other way. Pals for Pups co-owner Val Lafontaine comforts Wrigley after the pooch got into a small confrontation with another pup. Both dogs were fine. Patti Howerton, left, and Val Lafontaine play and oversee their furry clientele all day at the recently opened Pals for Pups in Roselle. "I have the best job in the world," she says, lovingly eyeing a furry client that just jumped onto her chair. "They kind of accept me as a pack leader."
Going to the dogs: Waterboro family mushes together
WATERBORO (Jan 24, 2007): Despite the fact that York County has seen very little snow so far this year, one Waterboro family is still enjoying their favorite outdoor activity: dog sledding. Members of the Downeast Sled Dog Club for 12 years, Leonard Daigneault and his wife Missy are gearing up for their next Mushers Bowl, scheduled for Feb. 10 and 11 in Bridgton. Their three boys, Ethan, 7, Braden, 5, and Rylan, 3, are all part of the process. Ethan and Braden are learning to control a dog team, and even Rylan often goes along for the ride.
How to shed pounds with your pooch
What's one sure-fire way to tell that it's time to lose weight? Patti Lawson, author of "The Dog Diet: A Memoir," offers this no-nonsense tip: "If your dog is able to bite the extra fat on the back of your arms, it's time to tone them up!"
At least six new books propose ways to use your pooch to shed your paunch. That's right, the answer to a svelter you might just be staring you in the face, tongue out and tail wagging. Take your dog for a walk. Every day. Twice a day if you can manage it. But what makes walking the dog better exercise than, say, jogging or spinning or pole dancing?
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