April 2009

Its important to socialize your dog everyday!

Posted by on April 27, 2009.

Alright, you've got a well-trained dog. However, you failed to socialize him as a puppy, and he's a bit stand-offish with other dogs. Because of that, you are afraid that there will be a dog fight. Having a large dog might pose a problem. Small dogs are also dangerous when they are aggressive.

This is only a rough guide for dogs that aren't aggressive. If your dog shows any willingness to bite another dog, don't hesitate to contact a professional. It's best to admit that you need help with your dog than to have him put down for mauling another person's pet.

Things you can do to socialize them:
1. Take them to parks/busy areas with people/plazas/shops (be sure you are not just walking them there but training them there!) Keep them inline at all times! Make corrections!
2. Dog parks
3. Neighbors houses (be sure they behave, do not just let them run around. Remember this is training not play time!)
4. Sporting events (soccer games, baseball games, skate parks etc)
5. Special dog events

These are a few places to socialize your dog. Do it early, its important for later!

Kenzie at a Indoor Soccer Game:
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**some info from this blog has been taken from http://www.wikihow.com/Socialize-Your-Dog

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Adventures in Catsitting

Posted by on April 18, 2009.

Yesterday afternoon Miles and I set out in an attempt of reaching the K-9 Ranch. Johnny and Mitten were safe and snuggly inside while we had the truck in 4hi and 3rd gear. We were headed up for a sleepover with the cats and a big day of snowy fun when we awoke.

As I drove up the mountain, the snow was coming down so fast that I had to run the wipers on high and the defrost on high. All the while Miles, true to his wintery nature had his head completely out the window. Almost as if he was in a crow's nest helping me navigate the rough seas of snow that lay ahead.

I had to get out a few times to knock the snow off my wipers. What did I hear? Complete silence. What did I see? An ocean of the cleanest white snow you could imagine. Not a single sign of life. No cars on the road, No lights on the houses, no birds in the sky, no animal tracks on the ground...
Felt a little like "The Shining" for a moment there... Completely alone.

Trees were down every other turn on the road blocking the path due to the wet snow. It was 30 degrees according to my car's thermometer. This type of snow does a lot of damage. A tree must have hit the power lines, because there was not a single light on any of the houses.

As I rolled down the bumpy white space - (that's how I found my way) - in the space between the trees - I became a little disoriented. I looked back at Miles, my fearless companion. He was on an adventure - not a care in the world. I thought to myself, how nice to live like a domestic dog. He has it all, a good leader to look to and never worried about the next meal, pure happiness all the time.
But, back to the story... I have been driving this road for 10 years and know each bend, hair pin, and steep hill like the back of my hand. Eventually I figured out where we were. We were coming up on Walker Ranch. The forest opens up here, so I had no way to navigate without the cushion of the trees on each side. There were NO tracks to follow. Just a blanket of white.

Miles and I hopped out so that he could go bananas in the snow. And that's just what he did. Great big Rottie Circles, Miles making the distinct Rottie noises, a grunt each time he brings his front feet forward, Quite impressive to watch - although it doesn't last long, he tires fairly quickly from anaerobic activity.
Once he slowed down, he dropped his nose to sniff, but found nothing to follow. This too is eerie for a dog like Miles that if allowed will take off following any slight detection of a scent.

So, we snapped some quick pictures and headed back down to town. So, we didn't quite make it, but it was a fun little attempt. Mitten and Johnny had to brave the blizzard together. We'll make another attempt today if the road is re-opened!

My Pictures will be up soon...
Need to shrink them...

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FREE DOG 101 SEMINAR AT HEALTHY SPOT IN SANTA MONICA THIS TUES!!!

Posted by jennifer on April 12, 2009.

Hello Everyone-
Please join me for a free seminar at Healthy Spot in Santa Monica this Tuesday night at 7 p.m. www.healthyspotla.com Bring your pooch and I'll take your questions and give you insight into the mind of man's best friend...
Dog 101.jpg

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YOU BE THE DOG EXPERT

Posted by jennifer on April 10, 2009.

Do you think the Portuguese Water Dog is a good breed for the Obama's? Why?

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How popular is your Pets name?

Posted by on April 9, 2009.

For most of us naming a pet can be as nerve racking as naming a first child. We all come up with ways to have our pup choose the perfect name whether it is as simple as what name it comes to when you call it or to the more complicated (and usually silly) methods. The following are the top 10 dog names according to a recent survey by Veterinary Pet Insurance so is your pup popular or unique?

10 Most Pupular Male Dog Names & 10 Most Popular Female Dog Names

1. Max 1. Molly

2. Buddy 2. Maggie

3. Jake 3. Daisy

4. Rocky 4. Lucy

5. Bailey 5. Sadie

6. Buster 6. Ginger

7. Cody 7. Chloe

8. Charlie 8. Bailey

9. Bear 9. Sophie

10. Jack 10. Zoe

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Bringing Home A Shelter Dog

Posted by jennifer on April 8, 2009.

How can anyone resist that cute little face that peers back at them through the kennel door at a dog shelter? Many times when human beings walk into a rescue organization there can be a lot of emotions that come up that you may or may not be aware of. Some find themselves overwhelmed with guilt or sadness for the animals and some just want to take home every single one. These emotions when adopting a dog need to be checked at the door. If you go in with the mind set that every dog is going to a great home, you will have a clear head to operate with good emotions on choosing the right dog for you. Lifestyle, exercise, commitment, training, socialization and leadership are a full time job. Make sure before you bring Fido home, you will not be sending him back. Getting a new dog of any sort requires patience, a lot of time and a life long commitment financially, emotionally and physically. Be sure to choose a dog that not only fits your budget but also your physical strength and lifestyle. If you are a runner, choose a more active dog. If you are a couch potato, meet my friend- the greyhound who loves to sleep and watch t.v.

- After bringing your dog home, realize your friend needs about two months to properly adjust to his new environment.
- Take your dog for a good long walk around the neighborhood the first day as the highest way to form a bond with your dog is on a walk.
- Walk your dog off the property everyday. Larger and more active breeds require a fast paced one-hour power walk and small dogs require two half hour normal walks.
- Rescue dogs can sometimes be at a rescue because they have run away. Ensure you have everything set up- such as checking fencing, etc. before you bring him or her home.
- Expect stress and get involved in a good dog training class as soon as possible.
- Problems are common within all dogs. Most puppies don't fully mature until 2 -3 years. Be aware that you may still have a puppy on your hands even though he looks fully grown.
- Lack of education on the part of the dog owner is the number one reason why dogs are returned into the shelter system. Do your part on researching lots of information and avenues before giving up!
- Lastly, if you treat your dog more like a dog and less like a human being, you'll be speaking his language and ensure a healthy and happy relationship with one another ☺

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