dog ball with embossed Gucci dog logo

black rubber. large size.

$90.

red rubber. large size.

$90

green rubber. large size.

$90

black rubber. small size.

$70

red rubber. small size.

$70

green rubber. small size.

$70

If you are seriously considering buying your dog a rubber ball for ninety dollars, please contact me right away, I have a bridge for sale.

What is the most you have ever paid for a dog gift?

$4,750.00
Large Diamond ID Bone - 14K White Gold
Front side features 3.40ct colorless gem diamonds (G color, VS+ clarity). Back features flat plate for engraving with 4 dog bone cut-outs in all four corners. FancyBones.com

18kt gold $2640.00 avaiable at Classypets.com

Tiara $59.95 Classypets.com

Dog Tag $170. www.Gucci.com

Leash and collar $460 from Gucci.com

Swarovski crystal leash and collar from Handsnpaws.com
Seems a bargain at $37.oo each

Collar $19.95 Pampered Puppy.com

Collar 34.95 Matching lead 29.95
charms sold sepereratly for $3.00 each
Pampered Puppy.com

Here comes the bride

Always the bridesmaid

The groom

I was on the phone tonight discussing my over the top web findings with my good friend Beth and mentioned that I had been surfing for dog wedding attire.
To which she pronounced "First of all dogs are not monogamous and second of all, they have no business wearing white."

Nuff said.

Wedding attire featured here available at Ritzy Rover.com
Dress $149.00
Two-piece tuxedo $119.00
Bridesmaid shirt $18.00
prices do not include shipping

Check out Buttercup and Peanuts wedding. Buttercup and Peanut.com also sells wedding attire. If your virgin bride needs a veil, they got it!

It was seeing these doggie shoes that started me on the kick to feature silly and overpriced accessories for dogs.

We are not talking about shoes to keep your dogs feet warm and protected from ice and snow. We are not talking about special boots to keep your dog from slipping on the floor. We are talking accessory shoes for your dog.

These shoes are 63.99 at www.tinypawsco.com and they come with socks. I can usually buy shoes and socks for all three of my HUMAN kids for that price.

You have got to check the interior of Monster Dog House from the Discovery Channel. Love the photo of the humans playing poker and what dog wouldn't love their own inground bone shaped swimming pool.

Then check the Monster Animal Shelter in Tennesee.

(This Old House Magazine photo)

Several years ago I rushed to the store to buy my friend Rose the coffee table book Barkitecture. She works for a prestigious architecture firm in Boston, and I must say, it was the perfect gift for her. Rose loved the book, as do I and everyone who sees it. Top architects from around the country had a best dog house competition, and the results are documented in the book. It is fabulous! Be sure to search the sample pages on Amazon.

Barkitecture still holds a yearly contest as a fund raiser. Check out one of this years three winners The Pug-0da .

While I was looking up the link on Amazon for Barkitecture I came across the book Pads for Pets .

If you search the book's pages on Amazon you will find directions on how to make your dog it's very own Pup-Tent. I am sure my kids would love one to.

This month in This Old House Magazine you can get directions to make 5 dog houses that mirror full size homes.
The on line resource is 9 pages long and you can also compete for the best dog house design if you are so inclined.

The house at the top of the page is up for bid on Ebay until July 7th to help raise money for the ASPCA.

If you prefer buying outright to making your own or bidding on Ebay then check out Back Yard Stuff.com

and

$2,495.00 plus Shipping Charge s - $300
How about a little Colonial
from Tails by the Bay?>

and

For the over $5,000 dollar range Check The Well Appointed House web site.

$6,160.00 plus shipping

There is no secret that we love our pets and are spending tons of money on them. I am devoting this entire week to the extreme and extravagant, starting with my next blog on lavish dog houses. If you have links to dog products that are over the top, please send them on to:
Gooddogz1@aol.com and they may be included later in the week.

If you think your dog should be living the Hollywood lifestyle and strutting it on the Dog-Walk, then be sure to check back all this week. You may as well go and get your credit cards now and leave them next to your computers until Friday.

Happy Training!

As we were driving home the other day, my dog started to squirm in the car doing the "I gotta go now dance", and so it was by chance that I pulled over at Capisic pond for a pit stop. With three kids in tow, nothing is ever quick, and we ended up meandering the short trail at twilight on Saturday joined by only a few mosquito's.

Both kids and dog were happy to be bounding along the smooth paths. The pond's natural beauty was not lost on any of my children. We were joined by several Swallows dive bombing the pond for bugs, and at least 15 crows chased a large Red Tail Hawk from their obvious nesting area, while the Red Wing Black birds flitted from one Cat of Nine Tails to next.

The pond is nestled between Capisic and Brighton Ave, and even though you are well off the street, only dogs with excellent recalls should be there off leash. We encountered many people without dogs having a quiet walk. Each time before we passed them I was sure to call my dog and have her pass them while at my left side and under control. If you go with your dog, please remember that it is not a dog park, but a city park that graciously allows dogs.

Closer to Capisic Street there is a large field of Lupines, where I had to run back this morning to get pictures of. Just gorgeous! To me Lupines are Maine.

If you go-
-Be considerate of people and the houses near the park. Please don't be the person with the runaway dog that ruins it as an off leash area for the rest of us.

-Park at Lucas Street off Brighton Ave to begin. You will have the pond on one side and private fencing on the other. The closer you get to Capisic, the closer you will be to people's homes and their unfenced yards. Be sure to keep your dogs out of neighbors yards.

-Don't overestimate your dogs recall. The park is surrounded by very busy streets.

-Bring binoculars. Fantastic birding spot.

What we like-

Nestled in a neighborhood, what is not to like about the natural beauty and the peacefulness of the pond. Another wonderful oasis is the city.
Great birding spot. Convenient place for a pit stop if you and your dog find yourself in the area.

Kids love the small paths that lead to the water. Each one makes them feel like explorers.

What we don't like-
Too close to civilization and busy roads to really run your dogs, but great for the dog that stays close. The run off at Rockland Street can get quite rank.

Capisic
(pronounced cap-piss-ic , a name that still makes my kids giggle)

Landmark posting-the 101st blog!

Here are some answers to questions you may (or may not have).

Q.-Why do you blog?

It is wonderful to have an outlet in which to share something that I am passionate about, that has the potential to help people and their animals. It is nice to have somewhere to send all those email forwards I get everyday to an appreciative audience. And as an added bonus…who doesn’t like to be kvetch (Yiddish term for complain)?
It is great for me because I was often writing the same emails over and over concerning common behavior problems. It has helped me to (very slowly) develop handouts for my clients.

Q.-How did you get a blog?

I had the editor in class last fall and I asked him.

Q.-Where do you get material for your blog?

Some I surf for, most I just ‘know' about and lots of the goofy stuff and links are sent to me. The thing is, I am not getting any more emails than I used to, I am just putting it to better use by justifying my time spent doing something when I should be doing something else.

Q.-Is it true that some people call you Erma Dogbeck?

Yes!

Q.-Do you like being called Erma Dogbeck?

Yes (to a point!) I think Erma Bombeck’s humor and take on life was very approachable and that is how I try to come across, both in my writing and in real life. Plus with three kids, my take on dog training involves families, kids, humor and an overall whirlwind state of affairs, which I think Erma would have appreciated.

Q.-Do you see yourself blogging in five years?

I am sure the Internet will be even more evolved by then, and someone younger, prettier and wittier will be v-logging (video log) or whatever technology has to offer in five years.

Q.-Will you write a book?

Funny you should ask! I submitted a book idea to Dogwise last year and I was thriled that I wasn't flat out turned down, but they wanted to see the actual book, not just the idea. I have started to plug away at it. My idea is to write a book about people and their dogs and what I have learned from them and them from me. My plan is to highlight different clients I have had (changing the names of course) with tales of the mistakes they have made and what we have all learned along the way. Many of their mistakes are universal. While my book would (hopefully) be funny and witty, it would also be a learning text. Think Erma Dogbeck meets James Herriot. Publishers you out there?

Q.-Do you ever regret making the switch from a professional horse trainer to a professional dog trainer?

Sometimes I miss the horses, but I don't have the time that it took to be with the horses. Not to mention my once girlie figure is no longer. It would be great to have a horse again one day, but I will never event again, that is for sure! After I had kids I could no longer clear my mind and just "ride" like pre-kid days.

Q. Is there anything you don’t like about dog training?

Yes! The longer I train, the more complex behavior problems I encounter. Many of these dogs will never be quite right and it is sometimes heartbreaking dealing with wonderful families with difficult dogs whose only fault is being nice and having a big heart.

It can be exhausting dealing with dogs who I know would be fine in a experienced home, but will never be quite right in the situations life has put them in. I see dogs that have had rough starts in life and they are usually the most emotionally draining but at the same time the most rewarding. Just this weekend I saw five dogs, all with the potential to hurt someone, but with owners who will most likely never give them up.

Q.-Do you have a favorite type of dog to train?

Yes - PUPPIES! I love starting the pups out right.

Q.-How do you deal with dangerous dogs?

Rule Number One - All dogs bite! The key is to learn what triggers their behavior and then work on solving the problem and avoiding the trigger. Most trainers are problem-solvers by nature.

Q.-Have you ever been bitten?

Just once - on the hand by a Miniature Pinscher in a training class, and it was my fault. It did not require medical attention. I have had other bites that were more of a warning. These days I am a big fan of muzzles, and muzzles will be a blog topic really soon. I was bitten by my neighbor's two German Shepherds when I was six. My brother, cousins and I were in their fenced yard and ran to jump over the fence. I was the youngest and slowest, and they bit the last thing over the fence. Use your imagination...(and yes, it was a face-down doctor's visit.)

Q.-Most kids would have been afraid after that, weren't you?

Only of going back in their yard!

Q.-Have you ever recommended euthanasia?

Yes, of course. I am a policy member of New England Border Collie Rescue and we realize that we cannot safely rehome every dog that crosses our path. We take that responsibility very seriously and it is never one person who is forced to make such a difficult decision.

There is a saying in the dog world that management always fails. We can lock up our dangerous dogs when company comes over, but Murphy’s Law says that someone will let that dog out. As a Mom, people come first. I love dogs as much or more than the next person, but people (and especially kids) always come first.

Q.-What do you like best about dog training?

I have always had a love and connection to animals and when I am training it never seems like "work". Improving the bond between people and animals is what it is all about. I am constantly telling my kids to find a profession they love.

Q.-Anything you would like to add?

Yes, Maine Today tells me that my blog had a very successful month of May and I would like to thank you all for reading. I would like my blog to be a local forum. If you have listings of local events, fund raisers, human interest stories, pleas for help, interesting links, or anything else that may interest Maine Today readers, please send them along.

Happy Training!

Slow to load but worth it!

Be sure to check out all the pages including Agility Barbie's favorite dog vanity plates.

Dogs 24/7 is a new coffee table book that enables you to download your own photo to be featured on the front cover of your own copy.
Five hundred photo's were chosen from over 50,000 digital photos taken by both amateur and professional photographers.

Excellent marketing idea! I can think of at least 5 dog loving friends that Dogs 24/7 would be the perfect present for.

My parents bought us a subscription to Readers Digest and like Readers Digests all over the universe ours resides in the bathroom. This morning while perusing our newest edition I noticed an entire chapter of Ella in Europe: An American Dogs' International Adventures.The book was a good read during all the rain we had, but my friend Beth and I both agreed it got a bit boring towards the end. We both wanted to shout out to the author and tell Mr Konick..."ok I get it, you love your dog and in Europe you really can take your dog just about anywhere." Things got a bit old.
After reading the book where the author declares his love for his pet on nearly every page, I am surprised that he is taking his beloved dog Ella to Europe again to film the show for Animal Planet. According to my math she must be at least 12 years old.
Hard to say exactly what I would do in a similar situation, but I should think I would graciously bow out for the health and well being of my beloved dog.

In Los Angeles, at least, if you throw a stone into a pack of dog trainers it's hard to hit one who won't eagerly di-vulge his disdain.

Another buyer beware story.

Top five Weiner sites of the day

# 5

Dachshund Rescue of Maine, home of the Weiner Dog Picnic. Keep checking their web site for the date of this years event.

#4

Weiner Dog races...very silly. My kids loved the Dancin' Doxies.

#3

Rusty the narcoleptic Weiner dog
Bet you can't watch it just once.

#2

Weiner dog furniture from Brussels.
To begin click the home page, then click 'work', and hit the scroll arrow until you find the sausage sectional

#1 (just in time to share with your freinds for the fourth of July)

Nothing says 4th of July like Weiners and fireworks

This Christmas season, give the latest, hottest new Barbie. It's the K-9 Rescue Barbie. She comes with her own Ford Aerostar minivan, with various size dog crates inside. She has a cell phone that's just barely working due to over use and underpayment. Barbie herself is decked out in jeans, grungy athletic shoes, and a t-shirt that says "Dogs are better than any other living thing on earth". She also comes with a road atlas of every town and state in all of North America, and a compass on the dashboard of the van.

She also has a map of every McDonald's in the world. Optional is the special Rescue Dog Barbie laptop computer with the names and addies of every other dog rescue person on earth, in case she gets somewhere and a contact fails to show up. Running buddy, "Lucky", the three-legged, blind Shih Tzu doll is available for an additional $49.95. For $89.95, you can complete the set with "Pissed-off-husband-at-home Ken", and the various foster dogs at $20 each.

Prices for accessories are:

a. Fake snow falling on Barbie's van: $12.95
b. Flat tire for Barbie's van: (see Barbie's Road Service")
c. Barbie's First Aid Kit: (human): $11.75, (canine): $69.50
d. Barbie's Speeding Ticket: $95 (Mississippi--$195)
e. Barbie's coat-that-she-had-to-buy-in-Minnesota: $85
f. Barbie's Vet Bill for Lucky in Vaughn, NM: $63.45
g. Barbie's contact, Rhonda, who she had to give gas money to in Mesa Verde, TX.: $20.
h. Barbie's bill to get her contact, Luis, out of jail in Bakersfield, CA.,: $500.
i. Barbie's bill to get Luis's dogs out of the pound in Bakersfield, CA.: $265.
j. Barbie's hotel/kennel bill in Laughlin, NV, while she waits for her contact: $532.
k. Barbie's overalls that she has to buy while in Minden, NE hunting down lost coonhounds: $49.95
l. Pizza for Barbie's suspicious looking hitch-hiker with sick puppy: $15
m. Vet bill for hitch-hikers sick puppy in Des Moines, IO: $143.29
n. Barbie's doggie wheelchair for "Klause" the rescue dachshund in Leavenworth, KS.: $143.
o. And Barbie's van detailing/fumigation from hauling parvo/kennel cough puppies: $187.
p. Barbie's new resume to get new job when she gets home from run: $29.95

-- Author Unknown

HERDING BARBIE: This very popular Barbie comes with her very own authentic drover coat, Stetson cowboy hat, several pair of cowboy boots, waterproof boots for very inclement weather, silk long johns, wool socks, and an monogrammed staff. Much like Tracking Judge Barbie, this version of Barbie has perpetual "bad hair", so be prepared to leave the cowboy hat on at all times. Also included is her very own monogrammed stretcher so that she can be carried out of the arena when the sheep run over her. Barbie comes with her own Sheltie, "Round 'em Up's Chaser HI", or "Yapper". "Yapper" comes with her own gold-plated chain so that she can be hooked up to the barbed wire fence with all the Cattle Dogs and Border Collies (barbed wire fence not included). Barbie also comes with several sheep, cows, and ducks, making her one of the more expensive Barbies.

AGILITY BARBIE: Unlike most slim, attractive versions of Barbie, this Barbie is quite muscular from hauling very heavy A-frames, teeter-totters, and dog walks. She can carry an A-frame panel with one arm and set up all of the contact obstacles single-handedly. Barbie comes complete with a full set of agility equipment, lawn chair, cooler, stopwatch, battery-operated fans, an open-sided tent for shade, sunscreen, bug spray, rain suit, waterproof boots, 57 different agility rule books for all occasions, and her very own courier (Ken) who can hand deliver agility entries to the most popular trials and stand in line for Barbie. Ken also helps set up the equipment. Barbie also comes with her own agility dog, Border Collie "U-AtchRunaround's Speed Demon AX, AXJ, etc., etc., etc., BFD", or "Contact". Trailer for hauling agility equipment sold separately.

OBEDIENCE BARBIE: Barbie comes with a training bag full of gear, a set of utility articles, a full set of regulation obedience jumps, her own lawn chair, cooler, a subscription to Front and Finish, and her very own obedience Golden Retriever "OTCh Sparklepond's Shorestepper's Heelalong Fool" better known as "Two-hundred". Accessories such as HIT ribbons and high scoring club plaques can be purchased separately.

TRACKING JUDGE BARBIE: Barbie comes with a Polartec snowsuit, Gore-Tex rain gear and boots, wool socks, leather tracking gloves, silk long underwear, sunscreen, bug spray, a baseball cap, a waterproof clipboard, mylar paper and space pens in three colors. She also comes with whistles in two different colors to match the snowsuit and rain gear, a complete set of tracking flags, a compass, and a set of 12 different tracking articles. Unlike most Barbies, this Barbie always has a "bad hair day" so it's best to leave a hood or the baseball cap over her hair at all times.

Included in the deluxe version is Barbie's tracking dog "Pokealong's Can't Find Squat TD", or "Sniffer", a Siberian Husky who comes with his own harness and rope as well as a lifetime supply of hot dogs. Sniffer has been known to eat start articles with one gulp and turn the start flag into a large toy at TDX tests, grabbing it in his mouth and running in large circles around the field (especially when there is a large audience watching). This version also comes with a case of Valium for Tracking Judge Barbie for this very reason. This is the most expensive Barbie and most collectors prefer to leave her in the original box.

EARTHDOG BARBIE: Barbie comes with her very own monogrammed shovel, a custom-built liner for training, and a cage with three live rats. Also included are several pair of jeans, flannel shirts, t-shirts, rain gear, sunscreen, bug spray, and waterproof boots. Barbie comes with several small terriers (you choose the breed) and two first aid kits (one for the dogs when they get in fights, and one for Barbie when she gets her hand in the way) as well as a .38 revolver for emergencies (don't ask). This version of Barbie can be removed from the box but some collectors prefer to leave the terriers in the original box.

And last, but not least, the most popular one of all is the DOG CLUB PRESIDENT BARBIE, who comes with TWO cases of Miss Clairol hair color (to color her own gray hair), a monogrammed strait jacket, a leather-bound copy of Robert's Rules of Order, and a gold-plated gavel. The gavel unscrews at the end and is secretly a .357 magnum which can be used to keep unruly club members under control or just get rid of them all together!

Four-wheel-drive sport utility vehicles and minivans complete with dog crates are sold separately for all versions of Barbie.

The only one missing? Flyball Barbie!! Coming this Christmas!

-- Author Unknown

I sat down to share one of my favorite sites on my blog only to find:

Sorry, the site you requested has been disabled.

Someone tell me that Agility Barbie has just been moved to a new host!

That is the line I remember from attending my one and only Tupperware party in high school at friends house. Why a Mom would invite teenage girls to a Tupperware party is still a bit of a mystery even after all these years, but I still remember not feeling guilty in the least for not buying a burping or non burping piece of plastic.

Enter the Pupperware party. Same premise only at a Pupperware party pet products are sold and pets are encouraged to attend. They have gotten a lot of positive press but I still don't get it. People can order items on line these days with deep discounts, or they can drive to the nearest pet shop that carries a huge assortment of products. There is nothing you can get a Pupperware party that you can't get elsewhere without having to pull a guilt trip on your friends.
The Pupperware party people tell you to invite guests with their dogs "to make it more fun" which really translates into more likely to buy. And what about having multiple dogs in your home that get into a fight or bite someone? Does Pupperware provide insurance?
Didn't think so.

Twelve Dogs of Christmas
official site with trailer.

Last year about this time, I started getting emails from people informing me that an independent doggie flick, The Twelve Dogs of Christmas, was coming to film in Maine and that they were looking for dogs to act in the movie. The producers advertised quite a bit, and people kept on urging me to call, so call I did.

I never got past:
"If your dog is chosen she will be here for at least one month with the trainers. Owners are not allowed."

"Goodbye!"

When the movie opens in December, I will be there will all three kids in tow, but until then we look forward to checking out the book. It would make a great Christmas in July present.

After , viewing this article about the movie at Meridian magazine online, I feel as though I just watched a trailer.

Here is proof that Americans are not the only ones hopelessly devoted to their pets.
Meet Raymond the Swedish Yorkshire Terrier

Read the story of a woman who moved to Georgia and opened a Veterinary practice.

Only one little minor problem......she isn't a Vet!

My parents have taken my three year old daughter for a few days to give me a few days to paint, clean, work, organize, and catch up before the other two kids are out of school next week.

When they picked her up they gave me these photos of my dog and my sister's two Golden Retrievers taken at their house in May this year. Tess is the light colored one and Belmont (Belly)is her son. I love those wonderful dogs!

The Magnolia tree is my favorite tree of all time and is in the back round of so many of my family's photos.

I have posted this picture before, but in case you missed it, this is me with Ginger (a dog I will miss forever and ever) my childhood Golden circa 1972 or 73 in front of the same tree.

THANK YOU MOM and DAD!!!!!!! Try not to let the little one drive you crazy.

My head is still shaking after reading the latest update from the San Francisco Gate concerning the 12 year old boy who was killed by his dogs.

There are plenty of GOL (gasp out loud) quotes from the boys mother.

Hours before being mauled to death by the family pit bull, 12-year-old Nicholas Faibish had been told to stay in the basement separated from the dogs, said his distraught mother, Maureen Faibish

"I put him down there, with a shovel on the door,'' said Faibish, who had left the boy alone with the dogs on June 3 to run some errands. "He had a bunch of food. And I told him, 'Stay down there until I come back.' Typical Nicky, he wouldn't listen to me.''

I find this the scariest part and believe it will be the fuel to further pitbull bans:

Ella and Rex II were "family dogs," Faibish said. They spent most of their time inside the house, slept in bed with the children every night and woke Maureen Faibish up every morning by licking her face. Ella was trained to lick her makeup off and kiss her ear.

"He's the most loving and giving dog in the world,'' she insisted. "There were no violent tendencies in him at all.''

"Oh, they should keep their pit bulls,'' Faibish said. "Even though my son has been killed in a tragic accident, I don't think they should be banned. "

"It's Nicky's time to go," she said. "When you're born you're destined to go and this was his time."

Comments?

Posted by Nancy Freedman-Smith at 06:16 AM
Comments (5) | Permalink

Thelma
Available from Dogs Deserve Better

From Susanna Richer of Dogs Deserve Better Portland:

Due to the recent loss of our kennel space - Dogs Deserve Better - of Maine is in desperate need of foster homes and/or donated kennel space. Dogs deserve Better is a 501c3 non-profit organization specializing in dog owner education as well as the rescue of chained, tethered and penned dogs.

We have placed over 150 dogs this year, many of which come from abusive situations and/or high kill shelters.

We not only rescue and place dogs within New England, but also pull dogs in line for euthanasia from high-kill shelters in the Southern states. The dogs are transported to New England almost weekly and then placed in wonderful homes.

Fostering a dog is an excellent way for prospective adoptive parents to experience dog ownership and to 'test drive' a dog in their home environment with out making a long-term committment to a specific dog. Fostering also makes a dog more adoptable as they are able to regain self confidence and trust in humans that may have been lost in its previous 'home' environment.

Dogs in need of foster homes right now include:

Buster
Custard
Muppy
Tudey
Thelma
Tyler
Tess

All dogs coming onto our rescue are spayed/neutered and updated on vaccinations.

If you can provide a temporary or permanent safe haven for any of these cuties, please contact:

Susanna Richer,
slricher66@yahoo.com

To adopt a dog or to find out more about us, visit:

http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/ME52.html

My neighbor's extremely cute one year old pugs have found a way under their fence and have come over for a visit at my back door a few times.

Which as you can see drives Charlee insane.

The Pugs mean no harm, but it sets my reactive dog off and raises her already trigger happy adrenaline levels off the charts.

If your dog is in a fight, or is invovled in a highly charged experience like Charlee's where adrenaline levels rise quite high, they will be in an aroused state for about 10 days afterwards. It usually takes at least 10 days for their adrenaline levels to return to normal.

It is best to keep the dogs calm and away from too much stimulation during this time frame so as not to set them off again. Dogs who have been in a fight are more likely to get in another one right away.

Even the best made training plans can go off course by events that we have no control over. All we can do with problem dogs is try to control their environment the best we can.

Last night while teaching my classes I had several people ask me
"how can I get my dog to tell me when he needs to go out?"
The discussion got around to the pro and con of teaching a dog to ring a bell at the door for this purpose.
There are companies like Poochie Bells who make a very cool product that you can custom order in many different varieties and color combos to suit your style, or you can make your own.

They provide very easy instructions to follow on teaching your dogs to ring the bell to go out.

The only negative thing I have to add is that once most dogs get the hang of it they ring, ring, and ring that bell to excess. Some owners take the bell down when their dogs start to get too annoying only to find that the bell helped the dog learn to go to the door when they need to go outside. Others just get through this adjustment period the best they can usually by leash walking the dog.

The price of the Poochie Bells is fair, but they are easy to make yourself with bells and ribbon from your local craft store. After Christmas I always pick up door hanging jingle bells at deep discounts and store them for clients who wish to try this type of alert training. If you make your own, they should hang at nose level.

When I train for this behavior I use a clicker and treats, and sometimes dab a bit of peanut on the bell in the very beginning.

Happy Training!

The emails started arriving fast and furious on the 4th. A 12 year old boy was killed by the family pet Pit bulls when his mother left the home for a few hours. On the numerous professional on-line training lists I am on, links to different articles, blogs and personal commentary has been flowing steadily ever since.

Should I post some of these links on my blog I wondered to myself? No I thought, I love so many Pitbulls, it would be a disservice to add fuel to the already raging fire against them.
But I looked over at my own 12 year old boy playing his X-Box and I was torn. As I was mulling it over I heard an "animal behaviorist" on CNN claiming that children should never be more than an arm reach away from a grown up around any dog.
Sorry-that is just not true. True for kids at dog parks, and younger children, but this boy was 12 years old and he was home alone. 12 is an age where most kids have had a taste of parental freedom for a while. What a ridiculous statement that just doesn't apply in this case.

This spring alone, I have been forwarded numerous links to articles on lethal Pit attacks. Last month there was a story about an Aussie puppy in training to be a guide dog that was attacked while training at a train station by a Pitbull who jumped through a window of a car to get to it.
I thought to myself, if all these stories, too numerous to even recall them all, are upsetting me, then Joe Public who doesn't know any wonderful Pitbulls personally must be very scared.

Why is it that all the Pitbulls that I have had in classes over the years, and there have been too many to count, have not only been exceptionally sweet, but have been the stars of their classes? Usually by the second week of class these dogs have won over the entire class made up of people who originally were skeptical and scared. I have known throughout the media frenzy that surely it must be the good owners, but certainly this poor Mom could not have done anything to deserve such a horrible fate for her child. Images of the bloody scene the Mom came home to have been racing through my mind ever since, and I have even started to rethink allowing grown Pitbulls into group class.

Then I was forwarded an article, put out by the people of Bad Rap. Bad Rap is a San Francisco based education group for pit owners and the general public. If you fear Pitbulls, if you own Pitbulls, if you think they should all be dead, or if you think that Breed specific legislation is the only answer then please read this.

At long last common sense answers to a tough problem.

It is now clear as day. Bad breeding!
It is the breeding that needs to be regulated.
Spay and neuter your pets and especially your Pit Bulls. Do not buy a Pitbull from a back yard breeder. Period.
If you cannot afford to have your Pitbull altered, there are resources providing reduced fee and even free services.

I grieve for this young boy and his family. But I truly believe that by banning all Pitbulls, the unsavory will just conjure up more dangerous dogs,and it won't take long at all.
My vote is to mandate more responsibility for breeders of "dangerous breeds", combined with stricter managment regulations for owners.

Spay- neuter resources:

MAINE
Animal Refuge League
449 Stroudwater Street
Westbrook, ME 04092
Phone; (207) 854-9771
Spay/neuter program for pets of qualified low income people.

Control Animal Population
Maine Federation of Humane Societies
c/o Denise Springer, Administrator
Animal Welfare Society
PO Box 43
West Kennebunk, ME 04094
Phone: (207) 985-3244
Discount certificates for people who demonstrate a financial need.

Friends of Feral Felines
PO Box 8137
Portland, ME 04104
Phone: (207) 797-3014
Email: mchase1@maine.rr.com
Low Cost Spay and neuter for ferals in Southern Maine

Humane Society - Waterville Area
120 Drummond Avenue
Waterville, Maine 04901
Phone: (207) 873-2430
Provides assistance for S/N to low income residents of the towns
in serves in 17 communities in the Kennebec, Somerset and Waldo
Counties

Maine Veterinary Medical Association
PO Box 8
Rumford Center, ME 04278
Phone: (207) 364-8660
Low cost spay/neuter program.

M.A.M.A.
P.O. Box 94
Prospect Harbor, ME 04669
Phone: (207) 422-2358
Email: turnerperkins@acadia.net
Low cost spay/neuter for North and Central Maine

Do you have a power tugger? Do you enjoy buying from companies that give back to the community? Do you run a rescue that is always looking for ways to make a little extra money?

Then you must check out Helping Udders website.

Helping Udders' tugs and toys are made in Kansas from recycled rubber liners used in machines to milk real cows.

Contact with all those cows leaves an irresistible cow-smell that dogs udderly love!

When you make your purchase be sure to pick a rescue from the list so Helping Udders can donate 25% of the proceeds to the doggie charity of your choice.

(New England Border Collie Rescue hint hint!)

If you are unsure if playing tug is good for you and your dog here is a link to an excellent article on the how-to's of Tug by famed author and trainer Pat Miller.

Be sure to take a peek at the Poo-pal bags page!

Murphy is a six-month-old 'Labradoodle' (Labrador/Standard Poodle cross) that came to his new home from a well-known Virginia breeder (who claimed she couldn't sell him because he underwent eye surgery). His new owners didn't purchase him but paid $350 to have him shipped to them sight unseen. They are a young couple who plan on having children in the not-too-distant future. Wanting to get off to the right start, they signed him up for my upcoming obedience class before they even received the dog. The owners are not particularly dog savvy but are personable and caring and they were hoping for a dog that would blend into their family unit and be able to join them on numerous outdoor adventures.

At his first vet appointment, Murphy was panicky and badly-behaved. So much so that the vet recommended he see a behaviorist in the home and advised against his participation in a group obedience class. I was invited to their home to meet and assess Murphy.

My first impressions:
- He is a fearful boy, afraid of new things, and new people. He is also afraid of regular everyday kitchen and house noises, and leash walks in the neighborhood.
-Murphy has had little if any experience with children (I had my three-year-old along with me as a "tester").
-His first week in his new home was most likely his first time indoors. I felt strongly that he had lived in an outdoor kennel area with other dogs.
-He was not properly socialized.
-The dog had bonded with the wife, but not the husband.
-He had a severe case of dermatitis.
-Initially, Murphy would not let me (or my daughter) near him, but would eat bits of chicken I threw towards him from across a room. I could not get close enough to touch him.

My preliminary assessment didn't produce much encouraging news and his new Mom was devastated, but not surprised. They had waited three long years and researched breeds and breeders before choosing this puppy. The owner tells me that in her extensive correspondence with the breeder, Murphy had been described as "social and very sweet". However, red flags arose when she discovered he'd yet to be named (despite his advanced age), he arrived in a filthy condition, and the vet saw no obvious signs of a previous eye surgery.

We discussed a variety of options for re-homing him with a family that has more experience with problem dogs. None of the possibilities we discussed included returning him to the breeder. Just as I was preparing to leave, the owner mentioned that he behaves very well with other dogs. We decided to introduce him to my dog, Charlee.

Murphy transformed back into a puppy in the presence of Charlee - his tail wagged, his eyes lit up and he was genuinely happy, and he accepted my daughter and I with no fear. As many young dogs do, he initially came on too strong for Charlee (who promptly reminded him of doggie protocol, snarking briefly at him so he'd back off). We hung out as a group on the porch where he licked my daughter and let both of us touch him. Murphy and Charlee got a few minutes of playtime (while dragging their leashes) in the yard, and he readily accepted my presence in the small outdoor space,and even came to me when I called him.

After seeing his comfort level rise to nearly normal we decided to give him a three-week reprieve. I left his owners with instructions for remedial socialization, and we agreed that he can come to class only if the weather is good and we can be outside. I hope being around other dogs will help him accept his alien new world quickly.

A fearful puppy lacking positive early socialization experiences during their first several months can become a dog with fear aggression. While this critical stage of early learning can never be completely regained, some dogs can 'catch-up' with the help of lots of remedial socializaiton.
Unfortunately I cannot offer any guarantees. Hopefully he has good genes to work with and will be able to snap back from his obvious lack of early socialization to become the companion that he should be.

Tune in later for an update of his first class experience.

Airlines will be tracking pet injuries and deaths starting June 15th. Read the story here.
After June 15th you can check the stats on the DOT web site.

In the 80's I worked at Logan Airport in the Cargo Deptartment of a major airline for a short time, and witnessed first hand dogs getting loose, missing connections, death from heat exhaustion, and re-routed flights with the dogs whereabouts unknown. On several occasions I took dogs home because they had no where else to go after their flight was canceled at the last minute.

Upon arrival, most dog were stressed, exhausted and covered in vomit and diarrhea. It didn't take long before the breeders and frequent flyers knew that I was looking out for their pets and shipped their dogs only during my shift. On my shift the pets always had someone meet them at the plane and didn't board until the very last minute. We never left them unattended on the tarmac and always sent them home with clean airline blankets (unbeknownst to our employer) and water, and most got immediate potty breaks, even though we were under strict instructions never to take them out of their crate. We always took them in the office before taking them out (making a mess of the office by the way), but we always kept them safe.
My shippers were always grateful.
Not everyone is as conscious as we were. Use caution when shipping your dog and be sure to get the direct cargo phone numbers on either end and speak directly to the people looking out for you pet.

On a side note, we also shipped many animals for the Museum of Science and the New England Aquarium to include, dolphins, seals, skunks, snakes, sea turtles, alligators and fish. I was also responsible for shipping human remains, which is why I didn't work there very long!
Many airlines give pets frequent flyer miles, but did you know that funeral homes get frequent flyer miles to?

Even the dogs know it is finally spring.

A big thanks to Joy Elliot for this phenomenal photo of Monkey the Border Collie!

Chew toys for the Jewish dog.

The Meet Your Match™ Canine-ality Adoption Program is being utilized at The Animal Refuge League in Westbrook. Both dog and adopter undergo a thorough screening process and the adopter is then given a pass to adopt one of the three color coded groups of dogs.

As a trainer I constantly meet people and their dogs who are far from a match made in heaven. Often this can lead to undo stress on the family and dog, and even the ultimate relinquishment of the dog. Left to their own devices human beings will often stray from common sense and the obvious when choosing a dog. People tend to think with their hearts instead of their heads and are often swayed by factors such as age, looks, gut feelings or even pity, or they may jump to adopt a certain dog with no rational thought invovled except that the dog is a certain age or a breed they admire. Take note, many dogs simply do fit the breed standard that you are expecting. A pretty dog or a young dog may not be the best choice for your family, and certainly should not be the sole consideration to base such a major commitment on.

I whole heartedly support the color coded system and encourage people to utilize it. The primary goal of adoption screening is to help create a match that will last a lifetime.

Here is how it works:The results of the survey will match you with dogs from one of three categories: easy, average, or high maintenance.
Purple = easy, for a more laid back companion
Orange = average
Green = high maintenance, for the on go dog that will require more exercise and attention from their new owners

Looking for a dog? Be sure to check out their list of adoptable pets.

We are fortunate in the Portland area to have such wonderful shelter in our community. Don't forget they need money and supplies to operate and your donations are tax deductible.
If you do not have the funds for a donation, please consider donating something from their wish list.
Not from the area? Please remember that all shelters and rescues need money and supplies!

Even wine has gone to the dogs.

If you are a fan of the incredibly goofy as I am, I hope you have a computer that enables you to watch this short movie entitled:
Mission Fruit Loops based on actual events, starring Micro the Miniature Dachshund.

Enjoy!