In the last few days I have seen a huge jump in the number of people who have signed up to be notified via email alerts when A Dog's Life is updated. It could be that readers want to win the highly coveted MaineToday.com Frisbee prize offered in the 'Where's Charlee?' contest. Maybe they want to be the first to read the clues and get a jump on other ferocious competitors...
But more likely you have found your way here via syndicated pet columnist Gina Spadafori's plug of A Dog's Life Blog over on her great blog Dogma.
Thanks Gina!

For the record, while the first contest was specific to those of us who visit off leash areas in Portland, there will be soon be photos of Charlee visiting places of local interest, and it will be possible to win even if you have never been to Maine (if you are a good Googler).

The first 'Where's Charlee' location was correctly identified by Susanna of Dogs Deserve Better who has requested that the Frisbee be set free at the Ocean Avenue Dog Park.

Will do!

Where's Charlee?

In honor of my brand new camera, and with the help and blessing from Wendy over at Outdoors with Children and Kid Tracks blog...A Dog's Life is holding a contest.

Here are the rules:

The first person to post a correct comment about Charlee's location in the photo, wins a new Maine Today.com Frisbee, suitable for framing, or playing fetch.
If you know the answer, post it!
Don't forget to include your email address.

Here is a hint:
Charlee and Sophia are running in a designated off leash area!

Update! 4/28 10:10pm

Second hint, here is another photo from a different angle.

Yet another clue:
4/29 9:50 PM

This off leash area in Portland has been blogged here twice before.

click here to read more about Oscar the world's smartest goldfish

While sitting at my desk and contemplating blogging a "bad dog!" story that a client told me this weekend, I looked over to see my own dog participating in the very same activity.

Here again is a place where a sniglet is in order. I am looking for a sniglet to describe dogs who hide things in the house. My last dog used to leave biscuits and the like under piles of toys. She was partial to Lego Duplo's and she would fret when the kids played near her stashes. I even caught her tipping over the red bucket filled with Duplo's to feather her edible nest with.

Current dog likes corners and anything made of material that she can use as a cover. Minutes ago I caught her leaving a marrow bone under my daughter's old winter coat that she found in the basement in a give away pile.

For lack of a better sniglet, I think 'home hoarders' can be used to describe this not quite natural but all too common act of the domesticated dog.

For those who are wondering what my client's dog did that was so bad....
Lady the Rat Terrier dug a whole in her owners mattress to bury her stash.
Bad dog Lady!

Is your dog a home hoarder? Can you think of a better sniglet to describe dogs burying their booty in places other than dirt?

In Saturday's Portland Press Herald there is the disturbing story about a 20 year old man who killed two sex offenders and then took his own life.

The story speculates on the killers state of mind. Most disturbing to me is this quote:

Those who are actually insane or psychotic - who hallucinate, talk to dogs, hear voices in an empty room - they usually attack at random (in places such as) a shopping mall and gun down anything that moves," Levin said.

Any readers out there who don't talk to dogs?

The topic of dental health and marrow bones has brought a flood of letters to my mail box,and it seems like every dog person I have come across in the last few days wants to know more about dental health and marrow bones.

People seem to be split into two distinct categories; those who give marrow bones freely (like me!) and those who haven't and are afraid to try.

One friend of mine wrote that I should suggest to readers who own small couch potatoe dogs to scrape out most of the marrow with a spoon because marrow can be too rich for the little guys. I posted a Vet's letter in yesterday's blog that told of the dangers of broken teeth. Dr Wheeler suggested brushing is the only safe way to go. Aubrey wrote in asking for suggestions because her rescue dogs don't enjoy having their teeth brushed and here is my reply:

Hi Aubrey,
My Vet has approved marrow bones for my dog and suggested that I give her more marrow bone and less kibble. But like you, I have no doubt that Dr Wheeler raises valid concerns.

Dogs can easily get desensitized to having their teeth brushed, just like nail trims, and grooming or wearing a Gentle Leader. For this we use classical conditioning. That means you need to change the association to being handled about the mouth into a good thing at an emotional level. Many rescue dogs have issues with being restrained and you need to make this a force free and pleasant experience.

Take out the toothbrush and give your dogs liver, or whatever they just LOVE. Don't try to put a toothbrush in their mouth just yet. Pretty soon they will learn the tooth brush coming out is a precursor to good things happening. Do this several times daily. You need to make a good association with the toothbrush. In short time you will see them excited when they see the toothbrush because they know a good thing is coming.

Then add the paste and after the dogs lick it off, give them the special goody.
Do this for a few more days.
Next put the paste on the toothbrush and while a dog licks it, push gently on a tooth or gum. Praise and treat with the super yummy goody.
You then need to have the dogs gradually allow you more and more time in their mouths in order for them to get the goody. You could gradually fade the treat reward if you like. If it is not fun for the dog, then you have gone too fast. After doing something my dog finds unpleasant, I throw her a little party and usually play tug or fetch as well.

You could use a tooth brush, a finger brush, gauze or even a wash cloth to help your dog get used to the practice. I should think if your dog liked the taste of the toothpaste, you would start by just having the dog lick it off your finger. I would try brushing before dinner when they are more hungry and want the toothpaste more, or possibly at a normal siesta time.
If you are using a clicker this desensitization will go much quicker.

I cannot predict how long this process will take because it will vary from dog to dog. Watch for signs of stress and go slower and back up a few steps if the dog stops enjoying it. Take your time! It is human nature to try to move things along too quickly. Good luck and please let us know how it goes.

Trainer's word of caution
If you do not know your dog well, do not chance being bit. Be careful! While this was written to help rescue dogs, many rescue dogs have baggage. Tooth brushing should not be done on an unknown dog, or a newly acquired dog, or a dog with major issues. Watch for signs of stress to include, panting, stiffening, hard stare, sweaty peds,and a hardness around the mouth.
People often make the mistake of expecting a newly acquired rescue dog to be ready for baths, grooming and nail clipping. Go slowly and use caution.

You are responsible for YOUR dog.
Please read an email I received from a Bridgton Vet. who has a special interest in Canine Dentistry.
He reminds us that brushing our dog's teeth works great and without the risk.

Gary Wheeler, DVM

Charlee just had her yearly Vet appointment and our Vet was thrilled with her teeth! Last year we discussed having her put under to have her teeth scraped due to excess tarter, but this year Charlee's teeth are tarter free!

So what you ask is my secret?
No secret-Charlee chews raw marrow meat bones from the supermarket.

My dog gets a marrow nearly every day and she loves them!

As with anything you give your dog, please use caution. Do not buy bones small enough for your dog to swallow. Do not cook it, because they can splinter, and wash your hands after handling. If you have a power chewer it is possible for larger pieces to break off, but for most dogs they are fine.
One last word of warning: If you have a dog with guarding tendencies use extreme care. Marrow bones are at the top of the "love list" for most dogs. Use extreme caution with multiple dogs, and children.

Last year I caused quite a stir when I blogged that I was not vaccinating my dog. You can read more about it here.
Sorry if some of the links are no longer are active. This year due to a low Parvo titer I did give her the Parvo vaccine, but she will also have the titer repeated in month to check for her baseline.

I am not telling YOU what to do, but I am strongly suggesting that you do your own research and make your decisions concerning your pets health and well being.

Vaccines CAN be harmful.

I am also happy to report that the Rabies Challenge Fund has received tax exempt status. Please consider donating to this worthy study. If we don't fund it, nobody will.

Here is my latest email from Kris Christine:

Hi Nancy!
UPDATE on The Rabies Challenge Fund!!

Cheers, Kris

Trainers tip:
I keep the old empty marrow bones and stuff and freeze them for a special treat. Great idea for dogs that need some busy time.

Sample bonicle recipe:
Try soaking kibble in water and adding plain yogurt, peanut butter or leftovers in a bowl.
Stuff into bone and freeze!

Sophia-one dirty doodle!

I thought I had the original mud puppy until I took Sophia to the dog park on Ocean Ave. today. At nearly 9 months old, she loves to play and does so with reckless abandon. She is quite adept at skidding through the mud head first.
Can you tell?

After a winter's hibernation, the hose came out to play for the first of many outdoor baths.

As much as I strongly believe dogs should be allowed to be dogs, me and Charlee and guests, will be sticking to higher ground for a while.

Here is a first for me.

On my way to see this dog Tuesday morning, I stopped by the dog park on Ocean to let my dog have a quick run in the back field and found an empty parking lot!

Since when does a little rain scare all the Mainers away?

I will be posting more about my fabulous training weekend with Pamela Dennison in just
a bit, but until then check out Susan Clothier's article "He just wants to say hi".

Ruby, a client's Rotti puppy accompanied me to NY and she was a super star student.

The reason that the boxer is posted above is that he can be reactive with other dogs when out walking on a leash. His reactivity is a direct result of inadequate early socialization and this is a common issue with many dogs. If you were walking your dog and your dog came up in his face, he like many dogs, including mine, would not take kindly to it and it would result in a substantial setback in his training.

Why do people think it is ok to let strange dogs meet just to say hi? Usually it is the people who want to let their dogs say hi that are the ones who also let their dogs jump all over your dogs. Most dogs do not take kindly to this outright rude behavior. Susan Clothier makes the analogy that having a strange dog jump on your dog is like a guy coming up to you in the mall and getting all in your face, putting his hands all over you and then licking and fondling you. Not ok right? So why is it ok for you to let your dogs meet strange dogs in this manner?

While at the clinic there were many folks who came up to me with their dogs and tried to have them meet my client's Rotti puppy. I did not allow it and loudly discouraged it with a "They do not have to meet!" to which I heard "he just wants to play" or "she loves other dogs". My puppy was there for one reason and that was to learn! She was not there for play. I make plenty of time for dogs to be dogs, as you can see in a number of previous blogs, and I allow my dogs plenty of off leash play time.
For what purpose does my dog need to meet yours? So I can return my client's dog with a puncture wound? So she can learn that when she is working she can play with any dog who happens to walk by? So she can be put in a situation that I cannot control where she learns to be fearful because of your rude dog? Think folks and if you haven't already read Susan's article above you can read it here.

The owner of the 7 year old boxer called in hopes of reforming him into a better meeter and greeter. In the initial phone consultation, she told me she hoped he would be able to go to the dog park. I told her that was not a reasonable expectation and that as dogs age, just like most people they often don't enjoy the same things they did as youngsters. It was here that I made the analogy that when I was much younger, I could be found packed like sardines at the Rat in Kenmore Square, but I no longer enjoy slam dancing with people half my age. She understood completly!
Our dogs change as they age, and don't forget it! The boxer won't be going to the dog park, but with training, management and desensitization she will be able to calmly walk him down the street.
They will reach their goals quicker if people don't take their dog up to her to just say "hi".

In group class I have a strict no meet and greet policy for several reasons.

-Many people misread dogs body language.
-I want the dogs to come to class and learn to ignore the other dogs.
-We do not want the other dogs to be more interesting than us.
-I teach people to use play as a reward, and to teach their dogs that all good things come from them and that we control everything!
-I can't have dogs coming to my classes having bad experiences that could possibly affect them for life.
-Not all dogs who come to class have had positive experiences with other dogs.
-As class progresses we may allow play time only after I see which personalities have similar play styles.
-The dogs have 7 days a week to play with other dogs and one hour to learn in class.
-To help people learn that their dogs have no business being interested in any dog that they happen to pass near.

Trainer's Tip:
If your dog loves to play, use it as a reward. Remember it is not always about the cookie and use real life rewards that are important to your dog often. Make sure you are clear and use a release word like "Ok-play!" and you will start to find that your arm remains safely in it's socket.
Play can work wonders when working recalls if used correctly.