The Dog Diva

Summer Camp....a look back.

2011-09-13T08:53:00.001-07:00

Now that it is September and the kids are all back to school I look back at a summer filled with Humane Education. Our 6 camps educated nearly 200 children ages 8-15 on animal welfare, wild life, the environment and much MUCH more.

Summer Camp...week 1, 2011

2011-07-18T09:23:00.000-07:00

An animal and enviromentally friendly summer camp for kids is a great way to teach them respect and understanding of our world through fun and entertainment.

Here you will see about 30 elementary students learning about animal welfare. This is SO important, because, scary as it is...they ARE our future.

BREAKING NEWS!!!! (I wish....)

2011-07-07T10:48:00.000-07:00

“Thor nibbled on his owner’s ear. The Pit Bull worked hard to awaken Kemper Hunter and his girlfriend, Sarah Laughlin. Instantly, they understood Thor’s urgency. They desperately attempted to fight the smoke to get to Shelby, their 3 month old baby, but couldn’t. The fire department arrived to find the panicked couple screaming outside their home, assuming they had lost their baby and their dog in the still blazing fire.
Just then, they all witnessed Thor pulling the bassinet out the door to safety. Baby and dog were OK”.

If only stories like this made international news the way they would if the dog had eaten the baby!

Pit Bull "photo blog"

2011-06-27T13:19:00.000-07:00

More great pics just keep pouring in of the Second Annual Pit Bull Pot luck and I just HAVE to share them with you!

(Second Annual) Pit Bull Pot Luck Photos!

2011-06-15T07:31:00.000-07:00

Enjoy this gallery of the Incredibulls Second Annual Pit Bull Pot Luck! May 21st 2011.

Second Annual Pit Bull Pot Luck

2011-05-25T07:20:00.000-07:00

Last weekend the Incredibulls held our Second Annual Pit Bull Pot Luck. We had around 100 people and 50 pit bulls!

There were great vendors plus fun games and wonderful prizes...a good time was had by all.

Everyone especially enjoyed the Hang Time challenge...

Graduation Spring 2011

2011-04-28T06:10:00.000-07:00

Another season, another set of Obedience classes come to an end...I'm so proud of all my students!

It's a Dog! It's a Plane! I'ts an exaggeration!

2011-04-04T11:46:00.000-07:00

If you have read my blog before you know how I feel about Pit Bulls. You also know how I feel about bite statistics and the media's bias toward the breed. Well, last night as I was getting ready for bed, the news was on. They were talking about a plane that had to make an emergency landing due to a 5 foot by 1 foot hole that had ripped open on it's side. They proceeded to ask travelers at the airport if they felt safe flying after hearing about this, and most of them were apprehensive to say the least. This got me thinking...what about the THOUSANDS of other planes in the world that did NOT have holes in them? What about all the ones who made it safely to their destinations with out anything out of the ordinary occurring? Hmmm.....so, kinda like, what about all the pit bulls that DIDN'T bite some one today? What about all the ones who are wonderful loving and friendly companions? Obviously there are more of them than there are ones that bite. Just like there are more planes that fly than ones that crash. Just a thought....

Shelter Dog Enrichment

2011-03-30T06:52:00.000-07:00

Recently we've started "Level One" of a new enrichment program for our shelter dogs. Level one includes:

Dogs are now being fed 2 small meals a day instead of one large one.

Quiet dogs receive Peanut Butter Captain Crunch while barking dogs get ignored.

Dogs receive daily 'dog food ice cubes' in their kennels to lick, munch and gnaw on.

All of this is in addition to the 15-20 minutes a day of exercise and an additional 10-15 minutes of training.

We have also implemented a new color code system and extensive pet personality profiles. All of this of course is aimed at making our dogs more adoptable and getting them into homes more quickly.

We've got some fun stuff in store for Level Two...I can't wait!

Check out some pics of the dogs enjoying their enrichment!

Go GREEN!

2011-03-17T09:10:00.000-07:00

In honor of today, St. Patrick's day, we'll be talking about ways to go "GREEN". Not literally of course, please don't color your Malteses hair green! What I'm talking about when I say green is environmentally friendly.

So, how can you and your dog go green? Simple; recycle together!

Before your plastic containers make it to the curb in the recycle bin, they should already have been recycled by your dog!

Water bottles, peanut butter jars or any other empty plastic container (that did not contain anything harmful!) can be reused and recycled for some doggy FUN!

Water bottles can be filled with treats then given a peanut butter 'lid'. Your dog will love rolling the bottle around to get the treats out. (Make sure you remove the cap and the cap ring first.)

You can even feed your dog their dinner in this manner. Your dog can also clean out your empty peanut butter jars. (I would bet they get them spotless!)

Other containers can be used in similar ways OR you can stimulate your dogs sense of smell.

Make small holes in the container, and fill it with something stinky. (Dogs love stinky!) If you have a small animal in the home (hamster, Bunny etc...) You can use their shavings, you can also use essence of wild game such as duck, pheasant, or deer to name a few. (These may be purchased in concentrated amounts from you local out doors store.) Drop a few drops on a rag and place the rag inside. Then watch your dogs nose go!

If you have an empty milk carton, cut it in half, hang it from a tree and fill it with yummy goodies. Your dog will now have to jump and hit the container to make the treats fall. (It's sort of like a doggy pinata!)

I hope you have enjoyed these lessons on going GREEN and I hope you have a safe and happy St. Patrick's day!

Who to Choose?

2011-03-09T10:02:00.000-08:00

Recently I've been thinking a lot about how to advise people who are looking for a dog trainer. The more I think on the subject, the more complicated and frustrating it becomes.

One thing I know for sure is that you have to be careful. Ever since the economy crashed, it seems everyone and their mother is a dog trainer. There are so many schools of thought on dog training. How do people know which is best?

There are of course numerous dog training 'schools' out there, many of which are completely hands OFF and totally on line.

So basically you could be hiring a person with a certificate, but absolutely NO animal handling experience. Scary.

Other schools do a combination of book work, on line education and hands on, like the program I am a Mentor Trainer for. However, these young trainers inevitably end up training like their mentor trainer teaches them to, and whose to say if that is best for them?

Then there are the numerous national and international organizations that offer well recognized certifications. Most of these organizations will let you become a member simply by giving them money every year. Does that make one a good trainer? I think not. Others ask for letters of recommendation and make the trainer take a very extensive test. (All for a hefty price I might add.) That seems a bit better, but to maintain your accreditation, you must earn a specific number of continuing education credits. Again, that sounds good until you look at it under a magnifying glass. To obtain your credits, you must, you guessed it, pay. And not just a little bit either, most of the classes that are 'approved' cost anywhere from $150-$700! Now I can tell you that even to the most successful dog trainer, that is a large amount of money.

I don't believe that money = accreditation, certification, education or experience. So, no matter how many letters a trainer may have after their name, it still may not be indicative of their effectiveness.

So, what is a parent of an out of control dog to do? How do they know where to turn? Where to look? Who to choose? Who to trust?

Well, the easy answer is, they don't. Sorry I don't have better news for you.

My best advice would be to get a recommendation from a friend or your local animal shelter. Then ask the trainer for references. Ask them about their hands on experience first, education second. A good trainer will have both. Then, observe how your dog reacts to them. (Hint, your dog should like and respond to them!)

In the end, the amount of letters after ones name does not necessarily prove anything. Sure it looks impressive, and at least shows initiative, but I would suggest looking at the whole picture when choosing a trainer. One that both you and your dog feel comfortable with.

Good luck, and happy training!

Pet Friendly

2011-03-04T11:27:00.000-08:00

Recently I was contacted by a local apartment complex about their pet policy. I was delighted to hear that I couldn't have made a better one if I'd designed it myself!

Hear was woman telling me that they had no weight limit, no number limit as long as the animals were well taken care of, and best of all NO BREED RESTRICTIONS! They conduct doggy interviews with each individual dog before the lease is signed.

Wow. Yes! Finally somebody got it right!
Now, if only we could get other places to follow suit.

We will be getting the word out to the community shortly by hosing our second annual Pit Bull Pot Luck at the complex.

Things like this give me hope.

Baby Girl is a 7 year old Female Pit Bull who is currenty

up for adoption at the SPCA of Central Florida.

A Fun Fundraiser

2011-02-23T08:28:00.001-08:00

Recently our shelter had it's annual pet walk fundraiser. This year, however there was something a little different. This year one of the "Packs" was made up entirely of Pit Bulls! The group the Incredibulls walked this year to show people that it's all in the ownership. The dogs, all spayed or neutered and well behaved, were wonderful examples of their breed. The pack also came in 4th place for top fundraising packs. Not bad at all considering the number of packs that participated in the walk.

Keep up the good work Incredibulls!

New Trick # 3

2011-02-14T12:48:00.000-08:00

Crawl: Today we'll learn how to teach our dogs how to do an 'army crawl'.

First, have your dog lay down.

Next, place a treat in front of their nose and slowly drag it forward. Say C-RRRR-AAA-W-LLL....

Some dogs will take right away to this and start moving towards the treat, others will take more encouragement. Make sure to reward ANY forward movement what so ever at first. Gradually increase the distance your dog must crawl for the treat.Eventually, work your way to having your dog 'down' and 'stay' then ask them to crawl across a small room to you. People love this trick and dogs look really adorable doing it!

Happy Training!

A Picture in Time

2011-02-07T13:25:00.000-08:00

Graduating Basic Obedience Class Winter 2011

Some people asked me to post some pics from the Posh Pit Yappy hour, so I thought I'd oblige.

I also decided to include the pics from our latest Obedience Class graduations. (Both Basic and Intermediate.)

You'll notice that there is a little blind and deaf puppy in some of the pictures. She is the one I eluded to in a previous blog, wondering if she'd find her happily ever after...well, she did!

The Posh Pit Yappy Hour

2011-01-31T09:05:00.000-08:00

Recently, the Incredibulls had a Yappy Hour fundraiser at a local wine bar. I was quite excited to see all the bullies on the patio of a DownTown wine bar, and I wasn't disappointed.

We had around 40 well behaved pit bulls show up with their responsiBULL owners, and many others came just to show their support.

Every seat in the place was filled with Pit Bull owners, lovers and supporters.

The bullies behaved wonderfully too. The worst behaved dogs there were a Airedale Terrier and a Yellow Lab!

All in all, the event raised over $1000 to help with more pit bull outreach and education.

I believe we really changed some minds that night and busted through some stereotypes as everyone was impressed with how friendly and well behaved all the Pits were.

Next up, we've got 94 pit families signed up to walk as a 'pack' in an upcoming fundraiser for the SPCA...

Go Incredibulls Go!

I Like Cheese

2011-01-11T12:45:00.000-08:00

Cheese is great in almost every form, but this weekend it was the foam form that took center stage for me.

As a football fan it has been a hard season, watching as Micheal Vick rose once again to super stardom.

So this game was sure to cause me heart burn. Just the thought of Vick playing in a super bowl is enough to make me scream, then to think of him winning it, and being named MVP. Barf.

Well, at least this year I don't have to worry about that any more. Thanks to the Green Bay Packers! I wore my cheese head proudly throughout the game and yelled and screamed at the TV more than I have in a while. My poor dog couldn't get any sleep!

When it looked like the Eagles might rally in the end, it was almost more than I could bare, but then, it happened. Vick messed up and threw an interception. Beautiful. Perfect.

Goodbye Vick, at least until next season...

And thank you Packers...I hope you go all the way!

The Little Things

2011-01-05T10:39:00.000-08:00

Every now and then we can get so overwhelmed with all of the animals in our care, or in need, or in need of our care that we focus to heavily on the big picture. It is easy to become frustrated or disappointed when this happens, and sometimes, it takes the smallest thing to remind us what we do, truly is making a difference and saving valuable lives.

Recently, this "little thing" crossed my path.

On the day before all the holiday 'craziness' was about to begin, I received a Christmas card. But this was no ordinary card, for inside was the gift of happiness, warmth and joy.
This card was from a former shelter alumni of mine named Rex. I remember Rex well because when he came to us he was old and big. Two qualities any rescuer will tell you are not big sellers. The day Rex got adopted, I was out in the play yard with him when a woman and her husband came rushing in saying "There he is!" They had seen him on our web site and the woman had asked her husband if they could add Rex to their family. Originally he had said 'no'. So, she took Rex's picture off of the site and made it the screen saver and back ground on their home computer. When her husband logged on later that night and saw Rex's face staring back at him, he agreed to adopt.
They already had their adoption paper work filled out when they walked through the door of our shelter. It was truly meant to be.
In his Christmas card, Rex wrote: "Merry Christmas to all of my friends. I am loving the cool weather. My mom puts a fire in the fireplace every morning for me to warm up by after my dad takes me outside to sniff the cool air and run around my back yard. I have been with my adoptive parents for 3 years now. I am such a sweet loving boy and my mom says I never do anything wrong! Hope you have a very Merry Christmas! Love, Rex"

Included was a photo of Rex, in front of the fireplace with a Santa hat on.....

That's all I needed for Christmas this year....

Looking Back, Looking Ahead...

2010-12-23T07:17:00.001-08:00

What a year it has been, and what a year I am sure the next one will be.

We've seen some great victories and some tragic set backs in the animal welfare world, and something tells me that next year will bring more of the same.

What will the future bring? Perhaps an MVP and a Super Bowl ring for psychopathic dog murderer Micheal Vick? Or maybe he'll suffer a career ending injury in the play offs... Only time will tell.

Will the sweet little deaf and blind puppy that was recently surrendered to us find a loving and supportive forever home? Or will she be returned in 6 months because she is "just too much"?

Will the 8 year old female pit bull with chunks missing out of her ears at the local animal services find a home on her last day or will she be euthanized on Christmas eve because no body wanted her?

Will we see more breed bans in the coming year or will we see them repealed?

Will 2011 be the year that people finally begin to understand and feel compassion?

Once the New Year is underway, will charities such as your local shelter be suddenly forgotten? Or will people continue to donate blankets, cookies and other much needed supplies all year long?

We will just have to wait and see.

We will hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

~The Dog Diva~

Baby, It's Cold Outside!

2010-12-15T09:07:00.000-08:00

Living in a warm climate as I do is supposed to come with its advantages. Like, being WARM. However, Old Man Winter has, apparently, heard about our nice beaches, and come for a visit himself.

As we all scramble to layer up, and shops run out of gloves and scarves, I can't help but think about the dogs. Oh, not the dogs like mine, all snug on her bed in the house with the heat on, no, I worry about all the other ones. The ones in back yards, in dog houses, on chains, running the streets and even those in shelters.

Not every shelter is lucky enough to have heat, so think about donating a blanket or doggy sweater to your local animal rescue organization, or better yet a Kuranda bed. (Elevated off the cold floor.)

Sure, dogs are dogs and have build in fur coats and a higher body temperature than we do, but it isn't just about surviving, it's about being comfortable. If I slept in my garage tonight I wouldn't freeze to death, but I don't think I would sleep either.

So, if you have an outside dog, please, bring them inside during the cold (and then keep them there!) If you have an inside dog, think about donating their sweater to a dog in need. (I know your dog looks cute, but, hey, they've got it pretty good!)

There are few things sadder than a shivering homeless pet.

So keep your heart warm by making sure those less fortunate furry souls can sleep comfortably on a cold winters night.

New Trick #2

2010-12-09T10:42:00.000-08:00

Roll Over

To get your dog to roll over, first place them in a 'down'. Then, bring the treat around behind their head and over their shoulder.

(Many dogs have a side preference so try both ways!)

Not all dogs will roll all the way over right away. So first reward your dog for lying on their side, next their back, then finally all the way over!

What Would You Do?

2010-12-06T11:30:00.000-08:00

This past weekend my husband and I were taking our dog Christmas shopping for her gifts at a large well known pet store, when we witnessed something horrible. Animal Abuse.
I had been watching a particular patron because I was waiting for an opportunity to go up and pet his dog. She was a beautiful white pit bull. He was on the phone, so I was waiting for him hang up so that I could try and sell him on some of my pit bull groups and programs etc...
Before his conversation ended, the dog must have some how pulled him (didn't really see anything myself...) and he went off. He yelled at the dog to SIT and STAY, after it cowered and complied, he hit the dog repeatedly in the face. Then he said, and I quote: "Move again and I'll beat your ass."
I was horror struck. My husband and I stood frozen for a moment with our jaws dropped. Another customer was walking by, and actually got tears in her eyes.
When the man started walking again, the dog trotted faithfully at his side, tail wagging.
She doesn't know any better, to her, that's what love is. That made me so sad.
I never saw him purchase anything, it was as if he was just trying to show off...he had her on a pinch collar and thick heavy chain. Way to perpetuate a stereo type buddy.
So, of the options presented to me, the way I saw it, these were my choices:
1) Do Nothing
2) Confront the man myself
3) Play stupid, and go up as if I saw nothing, the whole time trying to educate, and encourage 'my way'.
4) Alert the store staff

So, I know what I did, but I want to know....what would YOU do?

A New Trick #1

2010-11-29T12:01:00.000-08:00

In previous blogs I have covered how to teach your dog basic obedience such as 'sit', 'down' and 'stay'. In my New Trick series I will teach you how to teach your dog a new trick! (Yes, even if you have an old dog!)

Please make sure that your dog DOES know their BASIC commands before starting a trick!

Today's trick will be: SHAKE, PAW or Give Me Five!

It really doesn't matter which one you call it (I like give me five...) it only matters that you are consistent. So pick one and stick to it!

To teach this trick, place your dog in the 'sit' position. Hold out a treat in front of your dog with a closed hand. Let your dog sniff, smell and lick your hand but do not give up the treat. Eventually your dog should try using a paw to open your hand, when they do, open your hand and say your chosen command word. Then repeat.

If, like me, you do not have a dog that likes to use their paws, simply pick up a paw (gently please!) with one hand, say the command word, give them their treat with the other, and place the paw back. Repeat.

Once your dog has mastered this, use it sparingly and not always in the same order. (Sit, shake down...sit shake down...etc...) Do not reward a paw you haven't asked for.

Good luck and happy training!

A Happy and Healthy Thanksgiving

2010-11-22T10:08:00.000-08:00

It's that time of year again. When we spend money we don't have to eat a ton of food we don't need. We give thanks for our family and friends, and all the while our dogs are wondering: "What's with all the food, and strange people and why isn't there a plate for me?"
It is important to supervise both your dog and your house guests during this holiday. People mean well, but don't always put your dogs health or digestive tract first when offering you pooch a morsel or two.

Your dog should NOT have: Chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, bones or turkey skin. They can have sweet potato, pumpkin and turkey meat. IN MODERATION!

Keep that in mind and please have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

Education Brings Change

2010-11-18T06:48:00.000-08:00

Last night I gave yet another of my favorite classes to teach. My Pit Bull Education Class. This one however came with some extra pleasant surprises.

First, every seat in the house was filled! There's nothing like having to take down more chairs than you set out to accommodate the masses walking through the doors!
Next, the ambassadog in attendance was one of the best we've had. A former bait dog turned Canine Good Citizen.
Thirdly, the education and awareness level of this class, was higher than I'd seen before. It seems the word is getting out about all things pit!
And lastly, the questions were great! You never know what you are going to get during Q and A but last night was wonderful, and better yet, I felt as if the people were actually LISTENING to my answers and believe that they will act on them as well.

All in all, it was a great night, we even had some members of the Incredibulls there to represent!
Thanks to all who came, and to those who couldn't, our next one is on Feb. 23rd 2011!

Hope to see you there.

First Time Parents 4

2010-11-11T13:27:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the final instalment of First Time Parents!

I'd like to start this one out with a big word: Anthropomorphize. Do NOT Anthropomorphize your pet. This means do not attribute human feelings or characteristics to your pet. Your dog did not pee on your carpet because he hates you! (He just had to go!)

Always, always, always socialize your pet. Most behavior problems, including fear and aggression stem from under socialization.

Common toxins/poisons/hazards for dogs include:

Chocolate

Grapes

Raisins

Onions

Pork

Chicken Bones

Dog food is very bad for cats and both can be harmed by plants such as mistle toe, poinsettias and holly.

Make sure to keep your pet away from cords, garbage, medications and socks! (Dogs cannot process them!)

Dogs LOVE:

Bananas

Apples

Sweet Potatoes

Pumpkin

Carrots

Chicken

Beef Hot dog

Cats LOVE:

Chicken

Tuna

Cat nip

Spearmint

Developmental Stages:

0-2 years

Puppy/Kitten hood

Adolescence

Have patience and set rules now!

2-5 years

Sexual Maturity

Adulthood

Active and Healthy

5-9 years

Slowing down

May begin to see some medical issues

10 years and up

Slow down

Rest

Sleep

Increased medical problems

Decrease in hearing and vision

(Indoor) Cats have a longer life expectancy than dogs. They can live 16-20 years. Dogs live between 8-15 years depending on size. (Small dogs tend to live a bit longer than large breed dogs.)

When the time is right your pet will most likely stop eating and drinking. They will be unable to get up, or use the rest room by themselves. It is important to have a good relationship with your vet to insure that they will be there when you need them the most. Some will even come to your home. Stay with your pet. Don't make them do it on their own! You owe it to them!

Afterward you can bury them or cremate them.

You can begin again when the time is right for you. Don't give up. It is selfish to say you don't want to put yourself through the heartache again. You can, they are worth it, and a homeless pet out there needs you!

Remember, all you need is patience, consistency and a sense of humor and you'll do fine!

First Time Parents 3

2010-11-09T08:07:00.001-08:00

Welcome to the third instalment of "First Time Parents!"

I'd like to start out by talking about grooming. Grooming needs will depend on what type or breed of pet you adopt. For example; Persian cats require much more grooming than a Domestic Short Hair Cat; an English Bulldog, more than a Labrador.

Your dog should be bathed about every 2-3 weeks. You do not want to bathe a dog too often as they need the oil their skin produces for a healthy coat. Cats bathe themselves, and dogs need their teeth brushed, but both cats and dogs require their ears cleaned and nails trimmed.

If you do not feel comfortable doing these things yourself, I recommend bringing in the help of a professional. In time you may feel more comfortable.

When clipping your dog or cats nails it is VERY important not to 'quick' them. Dogs and cats have a vein that runs through their nail, so we must be very careful not to cut it. It is very painful for the animal and it's almost impossible to stop the bleeding. (Get Quick-Stop.)

Do not use 'human' toothpaste on your pet. Buy pet specific paste and brush.

Ears should be cleaned with cotton balls and an ear cleaning solution.

Make sure you see your veterinarian at least once a year for yearly vaccinations and tests. Your dog should be on a heart worm preventative that they take once a month to prevent heart worm disease. (Cats can have this too.)

Also make sure that your pet is on appropriate flea prevention.

Cats will want to be on a hair ball preventative. Most actually like the taste, but if they don't just smear it on their paw and they will have to lick it off!

Get your new pet set up with some training. Decide how much or how little. Will you do your training in home or at a class? Make sure to get the whole family involved, be open to new ideas and know when to ask for professional help.

Make sure to train using only positive reinforcement. (See previous Blog on the subject.)

Come back next time for common household toxins/poisons and developmental stages in the final instalment of First Time Parents.

First Time Parents 2

2010-11-04T08:26:00.000-07:00

Welcome back! Let's get right into it!

I want to start out by talking about food. Choose a high quality food for your pet. Do NOT free feed dogs! This can lead to an over-weight dog, plus you are unable to properly monitor your dogs eating habits. Always provide your pet with constant access to water. Keep your pet at a healthy weight. Dogs and cats cannot decide to go to Burger King for lunch so there is really no excuse for having an obese animal.

Prevent food aggression in dogs by dropping handfuls of their food into the bowl a little at a time.

Exercise is super important! A tired dog is a happy dog and a sleeping dog or cat cannot get into mischief. Cats enjoy 'prey play'. Prey play is when you allow your cat to 'hunt' (chase a fake bird on a string) 'kill' (catch and shake the fake bird) and 'feast'. (Follow this activity with a high protein treat.

Most dogs love long walks. Some like runs, others like to chase a ball or a Frisbee. Some even like to hang from trees or pull heavy things. Find out what you dog likes and wants to do, or what your dog may have been bred to do, and focus their exercise towards those things.

Mental stimulation is also very important. When you leave your home, your pets can become quite bored. Kong toys are great distractions! Fill them with everything from peanut butter and baby food to cottage cheese and sweet potato!

Cats enjoy indoor gardens of wheat grass, and scratching posts.

Come back next time when we'll talk about grooming, vet care and more!

Pitty In Pink!

2010-10-26T13:16:00.001-07:00

This past weekend was the local humane societies annual fall dog walk fundraiser.

The weather and new venue were beautiful and perfect in every way.

Another new addition this year was the Incredibulls pack and information booth. The group even won 3rd place for top fundraising packs! We recruited new members and helped change some minds.

The pitties wore pink (Bullies for boobies!) in their support of Breast Cancer Awareness month.

Here are some pics of the day.....

First Time Parents

2010-10-20T12:36:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, we can get so caught up in the 'dog world' that we forget that some people out there are "Pet Virgins". (Never owned a pet before). Every now and then I am blindsided by what to me seems like a very simple 'common knowledge' question, and I remember, it isn't common knowledge.

So, here is my first installment geared towards First Time Parents.

First of all I'd like to say Congratulations! And welcome to the wonderful world of pet ownership. This will be a life changing experience for both you and your new pet. There will be hard work but also plenty of happiness.

Now, the first question that needs to be answered is where is your new pet coming from? The answer...Adopt! Adoption saves lives and helps you to be part of the solution and help fight pet overpopulation. Many shelters and rescues will give you a pet that is already spayed or neutered and has already received all of their vaccinations.

Before you choose a pet, do your research. What type of pet will be best for you? What size? What breed? What activity level? When thinking about these questions try not to become too focused on looks or breed type. Ask yourself more important questions like what your life style is like, and look for a pet that suits your needs.

Questions to ask:

What do you see yourself doing with your new pet?

Are you active or a couch potato?

How long are you away from home?

Next, go shopping for all of your new pets needs.

What to buy:

Leash, collar, food,toys, bowls, litter/litter box, crate or carrier...

Yes, your new pet will cost you, so make sure you are ready for the added expenses:

Adoption fee

Vet bills

Emergencies

Food

Heartgaurd

Flea prevention

Toys

Treats

Scratching posts

Litter

Litter boxes

Cleaning supplies

Grooming supplies

Pet deposits

Etc...

Your new pet will also require a time commitment for training, exercise and play.

Pet proof your home, get a vet, make rules and set a routine.

Come back next time when we will discuss feeding, grooming and more!

Pit Bull "Attack"

2010-10-14T07:49:00.000-07:00

Recently I was asked to appear on a local news station, to talk about a pit bull 'attack' in the area.

Admittedly, the phone call from the news room was the first I'd heard of the incident. So I looked it up on the good old Internet and this is what I found.

A pregnant woman was walking in a not so nice area of town, when two LOOSE dogs (one thought to be a pit bull and the other a Labrador) "attacked" her. Actually, what happened was that one of the dogs bit the woman on the leg. So, this was a dog BITE not ATTACK. The dogs were captured by Animal Control and no owner has yet been found. Meanwhile the woman was treated, and she and her unborn child are fine.

My question is...how is this news?

I do not know whether or not it was actually the pit that bit the woman or whether or not the dog was actually a pit at all. Also, I have to wonder what the woman may have done...did she try to yell or intimidate the dogs? Did she stare at them? Did she run?

If the news reported on every dog bite that occurred daily, they'd barely have time for the weather and traffic! But of course not every dog bite is news worthy...just the pit bull ones.

It will never cease to amaze me that THIS is news but when we have our Incredibulls events and invite the media out to see 30 pit bulls and their responsible owners all getting along and having a good time...they are not interested.

Amazing...

Trick or TREAT!?

2010-10-11T09:01:00.000-07:00

Anyone who knows me knows that Fall is my favorite season, October is my favorite month and Halloween is my Favorite holiday.

As with most of our human celebrations, this holiday freaks our dogs out. Spooky decorations, mom and dad dressed up as unrecognizable ghouls, continuous door bell ringing, and perhaps worst of all, the donning of some horribly embarrassing costume.

Below are some pointers to help you and your dog enjoy a happy and safe Halloween.

-Make sure all chocolate is kept out of reach!

-If you throw a party, make sure everyone knows the 'dog' rules. Or consider keeping your dog in your bedroom during the festivities.

-Get your dog ready for lots of doorbell action. If your dog cannot handle this, you may want to baby gate them away from the door, so they wont be able to get to it.

-Desensitize your dog to their new spooky surroundings. Have a particularly scary decoration? Feed your dog yummy treats in it's presence.

-Get your dog a costume. Normally I am not a fan of dressing up dogs, but this day is my one exception. They may hate it, but it makes for some irresistible pictures!

-Make your dog pumpkin Cookies! Pumpkin is extremely healthy for dogs!

-Take your dog trick or treating with the family. It will be less stressful than staying home, plus an extra walk for your dog is always a good thing.

If any of you have tips of your own, feel free to leave them in the comment section!

And...have a Happy Halloween!

Pit Bull World

2010-10-06T10:27:00.000-07:00

Recently, a local radio talk show host who shall NOT remain nameless, Bud Hendinger, spoke on a topic of which he obviously knows nothing about: Pit bulls.

He claims to have the solution to the state of Florida's "Pit Bull Problem."

His "solution" is this: To do the "responsible" thing and ban the breed, but not round them up to be euthanized, oh no, he proposes starting a new theme park called Pit Bull World where people can come to see he savage beasts such as they do at a zoo, and where the dogs can do what they do best; fight each other to the death. Among his other ideas are for everyone who willingly turns in their pit bulls to pit bull word, to receive a voucher that they can take to their local shelter to get a free 'other' dog of their choice, thereby giving thousands of homeless dogs who really 'deserve' it, a home.

No I'm not kidding and unfortunately, neither was he. It is so scary to think of all of the people out there listening to his insanity, believing it and agreeing with him.

Of course pit bull advocates around the state (and country) have been flooding him with emails, none of which he will probably read.

I of course invited him to my next pit bull education class, though I'm sure he will not come.

The world is indeed a frightening place, and not because of pit bulls, but because of ignorant people with a microphone.

Diamond is a young female Pit Bull currently up for adoption at the SPCA of Centrla Florida.

Vick's Broken Wing

2010-10-04T12:52:00.000-07:00

As to not devote too much of my life to blogging about Micheal Vick, this entry will be brief.

Yesterday, the Eagles took on the Washington Redskins in Donavon McNabbs highly publicized return to Philly. Overall, the game all but fizzled out.

I am by no means a fan of Washington, however on this occasion I rooted them on with intensity. If Vick is going to be a starting quarter back in the NFL, at least I might see him lose.

Turns out, I got more than I bargained for.

Not too long into the game, Vick took off running, aiming for a touchdown. Right at the goal line he was tackled simultaneously by two defenders. Vick was hurt. He left the field and the game and headed for the locker room. (On a side note, all was for not, as there was a holding penalty on the play!)

At first they thought Vick may have cracked a rib, but X-rays came back negative, looks like just a bruise, but still he never returned to the game, leaving former starter, now Vick back up Kolb to finish the game. The Eagles lost to the Redskins 17-12.

After the game I couldn't help but think...if we played by Vicks rules, he should be 'put down' right? I mean, he was no longer able to compete, and contribute to a win...an "Eagle" with a broken wing that could not fly....a dog with a broken leg that cannot fight....

Lucky for Vick, we crazy "dog people" don't run the NFL. But I can't say the same for those 'crazy Philly fans...they have been known to turn on quarter backs, and are quite possibly the nastiest fans in the league.

I know one thing for sure, they do not like a quarter back that gets injured a lot. A few more stunts like Sunday's and they could be calling for Vicks head.

Well...one can hope anyway...

Extraordinary Dogs with Ordinary Stories

2010-09-28T11:37:00.000-07:00

Lately I have been feeling like the world is maybe a bit too caught up in sob stories. Every time we turn on the TV or check our email boxes, we are flooded with sad stories followed by even sadder ones. It seems like shelters and rescues across the country are in constant competition with each other for the biggest sob story. This dog was shot, this one starved and still this one shot and starved!

I know the reason these stories are exploited and I get it, really I do. They are money makers, plain and simple. Also, not being born yesterday I realize that not all of these stories are true. It is a sad reality I know as there are plenty of real tear jerkers to go around, people really needn't make up their own, but they do. The answer as to why again is money.

Please do not think that I am heartless or that I believe that the poor shot/starved dog does not deserve a loving home and a happily ever after because believe me I do. I'm only saying....what about the rest? I know plenty of dogs that have never been fought or abused but have still been abandoned by those they loved and languish in shelters waiting for some one to save them. These dogs may seem quite ordinary, but they need love too.

If you own a former puppy mill, bust or even Vick dog, thank you. But if you, like myself adopted a dog with no particular past traumatic event, then I would also like to say a heartfelt thank you.

The bottom line is: They all need love, they all need care and they all need homes.

Seemly ordinary dogs can become extraordinary in the eyes of their families. So thanks again to all of you who, when it came time to add a dog to your family, chose adoption from your local shelter, wherever that might be. Whatever dog you chose, you made a difference in their life, and that, to me is what is really extraordinary.

I'm a Stage Mom

2010-09-21T12:21:00.000-07:00

About a month ago, a photographer friend of mine let me know about an upcoming gig she had. Usually, her photo shoots have one thing in common; people paying her good money to photograph their dog. This time however, a company (DogiPot) was paying her to take pictures of their products, and needed a dog model. They wanted a dog, medium to large build, not black, not white, well trained. Well, that's MY dog!
Although I didn't know I had it in me, I immediately went into 'stage mom' mode and submitted my baby's pictures. Within an hour I had gotten her an audition!
I'd love to say she passed her auditi0n with flying colors, but she did not. She actually charged her auditioner, hackles raised and barking. Luckily he came equipped with doggy steak treats, and she soon changed her tune. After about 15-20 minutes, she had the job!

The big day came, and I wondered how she would do. The shoot lasted about 3 1/2 hours and she was such a trooper! (I'm sure it helped that she had a tent, plenty of water and treats, and of course lots of love and everyone telling her how pretty she was!)
During the shoot it was as if she could read the photographers mind. When she asked her to look up, she looked up when she thought she should sit, she'd sit before the sentence was even finished!
One of the very last shots sent a wave of pride over me. The photographer asked if she'd put her paw on a box of poop bags. I honestly didn't think she would, as she doesn't enjoy having her paws touched. We set up the shot and I took her paw, placed it on the box and asked her to STAY...and she did! Then the photographer asked her if she wanted to go for a WALK and she put her ears up and cocked her head to the side. Evey one in attendance gasped. It was perfect.

So now I'm not only a stage mom, but a proud one. She received compensation (a REAL working model!) and over 6000 doggy poop bags! It was a great experience all together, and I am quite grateful for it. But most of all, I am proud.

Are You Ready?

2010-09-15T07:32:00.000-07:00

In case you haven't noticed...Football is back. Fans across the country (and the globe) are apparently quite excited by the fact, as ratings are soaring farther than they have in years. I am not sure if the release of the new book; The Lost Dogs, was timed so near the start of the season on purpose or not, but it just goes to further illustrate the absurdity of the fact that Micheal Vick is once again playing in the NFL.

During the Eagles season opener, starting Quarter Back Kevin Kolb was knocked out of the game with an apparent concussion, so in came Vick.

The Eagles lost the game against the Green Bay Packers (thank GOD) but that didn't stop Vick from making several highlight reels.

I just have to wonder the lesson this all teaches us....

It must be OK to do reprehensible things, and even get caught as long as you say you are 'sorry' (you don't have to actually mean it!). The world will not only forgive you, but actually REWARD you for it. Giving you your job again, paying you royally and acting like those horrible things you did never really happened or at least weren't that bad, because after all, they happened years ago.

I DARE any 'normal' working class person out there to get arrested for something, go to jail for it and then come out and GET YOUR JOB BACK! Most ex-cons have a hard time finding work that involves hard labor or deep frying something let alone a paycheck worth MILLIONS.

I am a dog trainer, therefor I understand dogs pretty well...humans on the other hand...well, that's a whole other animal indeed.

May I Have the Attention of the Class?

2010-09-10T10:45:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was the first day of Fall Obedience classes.

So much promise, so much hope, so much work!

As always, we start our program with a people only information session. By the end of the class I already know what dogs are going to be more work than others, even though I haven't met them yet.

As many of you undoubtedly know, teaching a dog to sit, lie down or stay is the easy part. It's teaching their human counterparts to interact with them and community with them effectively that is the real challenge.

Generally I feel the owner with the widest eyes by the end of the class is probably going to be my biggest challenge.

Basic obedience classes will always hold a special place in my heart, because you can really see the change in owners and dogs by the end of the series. The confidence level increases as stress levels decrease for both human and canine.

Wish me luck!

Dog Friendly

2010-09-07T09:29:00.000-07:00

Recently I went on a road trip with my Dog. Fun right? Well it was, mostly...

I was traveling in a somewhat rural area of the southern US, and hotels were not as plentiful as I am used to. Finding a dog friendly hotel on my route actually turned out to be impossible. So I ended up driving about an hour out of my way to stay in a La Quinta. (All of the hotels in this chain accept dogs, all sizes, no deposit.)

Although I am a HUGE fan of La Quinta's pet policy, I have to say, our accommodations were less than satisfactory. The lady at the front desk told me she didn't want to say my room number out loud, and wrote it down for me instead. When I asked where I could park my trailer, she told me to park in the back...if I wasn't worried about anything getting stolen! When I pulled around the backside of the establishment I could not believe my eyes. Drug deals and prostitution. Seriously. At this point I was weighing my options of making it to my next destination, a 6 hour drive, before falling asleep at the wheel.

We ended up staying the night, hoping our car would still be there come sun up. Our dog had one of the double beds all to herself, but that didn't last long. The loud music and voices from out side made her nervous, and she soon joined us on our small bed. None of us got much sleep that night.

This all made me ask: Why is it so hard to find a decent pet friendly hotel in ANY location you wish? We drove by several lovely looking places, where we were not welcome, all because we choose to travel with our well behaved dog. Is it really that hard to set aside a room or two in a hotel for dogs? We'll pay our pet deposit. And what's with the size limit? 25lbs is the most common. I have never owned a dog that small in all of my life, why am I being discriminated upon? Just because a dog is small does not mean it is well behaved or less destructive or quieter. It angers me that we are treated like second class citizens because we are 'dog people'. Perhaps I am alone on this one, but I don't think so.

And although this particular La Quinta wasn't the nicest place I've ever stayed, (but maybe the worst), I still feel better about giving them my money, because as a cooperation they do not discriminate. They open their doors to us 'crazy dog lovers' who would rather travel with our loyal companions than leave them behind.

Maybe someday other corporations will catch on that they are missing out on a huge market. Until then, it's a good thing that we are traveling with our "over the normal weight limit" dogs, as we'll need them to feel safe during our 'dog friendly' travels.

Bully Beach Bash and Backyard BBQ

2010-08-30T12:11:00.000-07:00

This past weekend was the second meet up of our responsible pit bull owners group; The Incredibulls.

The event was a Bully Beach Bash and Backyard BBQ, and it was a HUGE SUCCESS!

Over 25 dogs and 50 people showed up to mix, mingle and play. (AS well as eat some yummy food!) There was contests and games and wonderful prizes.

Thanks to all who worked, volunteered and attended the event! Below you will find some pictures from the day.....what do you know, NO ONE GOT EATEN!

Enjoy.

Another Summer Another Camp

2010-08-20T11:41:00.001-07:00

Every year we do more and more camps and this year was out of control! (In a good way.)

Each group of campers spends a week at the shelter learning how to care for, groom and train animals. They do crafts and make home made dog cookies. Some even put together public service announcements!

Hopefully these camps as fun as they are, also help mold these young minds into ones that will make a positive future for animals!

Enjoy the pictures.....

Dog Behavior Workshop End

2010-08-17T11:33:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the final instalment of the Dog Behavior Workshop!

Let's start off with a little dog training history.

It is interesting to point out that back in the late 1800's early 1900's dog training was more like today's approach than the more recent one of the 60's and 70's. Originally dogs were trained as hunters, or to assist in a hunt, after that they were used by the military. The military used mostly physical adversives, punishment and praise to train, whereas modern reward based methods focus heavily on positive reinforcement.

Dr. Ian Dunbar, DVM popularized lure reward training and Karen Pryor, marine mammal training brought clicker training to the scene.

In clicker training one can see the classical conditioning parallels. Instead of a dog salivating to a bell, an animal associates a click as a reward. Clickers are great used as bridges for shaping a behavior.

There are many benefits to modern training methods such as:

Promotes communication

Builds a relationship of understanding

Family Friendly

Pro-active

When having to correct your dog, NO may not always be sufficient. Always redirect your dog to an appropriate behavior. We spend a lot of time telling our dogs what they cannot do, and very little time letting them know what they can!

Now I know many of you out there may be fans of some dog training shows on TV so I want to mention a few things about dominance. Not all behavior problems or aggression are caused by dominance! Dogs are NOT born leaders. They are pack animals therefore they are actually born followers. NEVER force your dog into an "alpha roll"as this method is confrontational and outdated.

The modern positive reward training is scientifically proven, increases teamwork and promotes a harmonious relationship. It fulfills both the needs of the dog and the human!

The importance of understanding the needs of our K9 friends is great. Did you know that the number one cause of death for dogs is actually euthanasia!? And the highest reason for relinquishment to a shelter is lack of education on the part of owners.

Exercise is also very important. Remember a tired dog is a happy dog and a sleeping dog cannot get into mischief.

Mental stimulation is also very important. Dogs get bored. If you do not give your dog something to do, they will find something, and it wont always please you!

Mental work keeps your dogs happy and healthy and prevents the 'crazies'!

Be realistic. We love the dogs we HAVE not the ones we wish we did! The best home for you dog is YOURS. If you are not willing to deal with your dogs behavior, how can you expect others to be?

Adjust your expectation accordingly. Don't forget to praise your dog for doing nothing! Set achievable goals.

Remember this and you'll be fine:

Patience

Consistency

Sense of humor

Dog Behavior Workshop 4

2010-08-09T10:56:00.000-07:00

Let's start this one off talking about Opperant Conditioning. This theory was made famous by psychologist Dr. B.F. Skinner and deals with Antecedents, Behaviors and Consequences.

When trying to figure out quadrants, ask yourself these questions:

Who's behavior is being affected?

What is the antecedent?

What is the behavior?

What is the consequence?

What is the anticipated future behavior?

Now, what quadrant does it fit in? (+R -R +P-P)

Next let's talk about Counter Conditioning.

Counter Conditioning is when we teach a dog to associate a previously negative experience with something good. Ex: A dog afraid of people is fed tasty treats in their presence.

Desensitization:

Presents a stimulus at a low intensity level, then gradually the intensity is increased over time. This has been shown effective in treating dogs with thunderstorm anxiety and car sickness.

Behavior Shaping:

Breaking up large difficult tasks into smaller simpler ones. Sub steps become increasingly demanding.

Come back next time when we discuss the history of dog training!

Dog Behavior Workshop 3

2010-07-26T12:39:00.000-07:00

Introduction to basic K9 learning theory:

Thorndike's Law of Effect (1911) "Behaviors just prior to a pleasant event are more likely to be repeated; behaviors just prior to unpleasant events are more likely to diminish."

Positive Reinforcement: Think of this as a + sign, adding something to your dogs environment that increases the likelihood of a desired behavior re-occurring in the future.

Remember, love is all you need. When looking for a trainer, look for one that uses a heaping scoop of positive reinforcement with a very small side of negative punishment. Never use positive punishment on a dog!

Behaviorism:

Pavlov's classical conditioning followed by B.F. Skinner:

Positive reinforcement +R

Negative reinforcement -R

Positive Punishment +P

Negative Punishment -P

Extinction

Dog Behavior Workshop 2

2010-07-23T11:23:00.000-07:00

Welcome back! Here are the answers to the Quiz:

1) Attention

2) They had to go!

3) It's Comfy!

4) They're Bored

5)They don't know how to.

So how'd you do? As you can see, dogs think very simply.

Let's talk a bit about a popular theory these days, Pack Theory.
It is true that dogs are pack animals, however, they are removed from wolves by THOUSANDS of years.
Dogs are NOT born leaders, in fact they are born FOLLOWERS! Think about it, if every member of a pack wanted to be the leader or 'alpha' that pack wouldn't function very well, would it? Dogs are more than happy to sit back and relax and let you take care of the important stuff like food, water and shelter.

Dogs do not need to be dominated. The best way to establish leadership is through the Nothing in Life is Free method which states that a dog must work for everything it wants. Before a dog eats, gets pet, goes outside, plays etc, they must first do something for you. (Like sit).

If you do find yourself with a dominant dog, make sure you mix their food with your hands and let them watch you eat first, before they get fed. Also make sure to walk through doorways first.

In the next instalment we will delve into K9 Cognition and learning theory...see you then!

Dog Behavior Workshop 1

2010-07-09T09:39:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the first instalment of my Dog Behavior Workshop.

In the blogs that follow we will be discussing common K9 myths, doggy cognition and training plus much more! Enjoy!

Let's start with some myths and misconceptions:

Dogs Don't have feelings

Dogs Don't think

Dogs Think like humans

Dogs must be led through fear

Dogs are alpha and must be submitted

Dogs feel guilt

All of the above are FALSE statements, but many hold them to be true.

Facts and Truths:

Dogs think like DOGS!

Simple

Honest

Similar to a young child

Lead through love, understanding and respect.

Don't Anthropomorphize! This means placing human emotions on animals. EX: ("He pees on my bed while I'm gone because he's mad at me!")

Dogs cannot:

Be spiteful

Hateful

Mad at you

Guilty

Understand non tangibles

Dogs can:

Do math (you don't believe me? Take out 3 cookies from the cookie jar and give your dog 2!)

Rico the boarder collie is thought to be the smartest dog on earth. He knows the names of over 200 toys, learns new names quickly and is able to retain them and is able to pick out new and unfamiliar toys.

Duke University conducted a very interesting study on K9 cognition and came to find that dogs are the only species, other than human, that understands what a pointed finger means. Other animals including primates and dolphins look at your finger while a dog will follow the point and look in the direction you are indicating. They believe this comes from the thousands of years of domestication our furry friends have had.

QUIZ:

Your dog jumps on you because?

Your dog pees in the house because?

Your dog gets on your couch/bed because?

Your dog eats your couch because?

Your dog doesn't play well with others because?

Come back next time for the answers and more!

Dogs in "Paradise"

2010-07-07T06:16:00.000-07:00

Recently I was fortunate enough to travel way out into the Southern Caribbean to the island of St. Lucia.

This island has been on my 'must see' list for quite some time now, and now that I have been all I can say is....CHECK!

Out of all the places I've traveled, this by far was one of the worst...for animals, dogs especially.

Stray dogs were everywhere, standing in roads, chasing chickens through villages, standing with the pigs on the beach....all were filthy, most malnourished and skinny. As I passed one mother dog with 3 puppies feeding from her I wondered what sort of spay/neuter program (if any) was offered on the island.

A few dogs had collars, but I wasn't sure that meant they were well cared for, or even fed on a regular basis. I can only imagine the desease....parvo....distemper...etc...

I wondered what could be done....what could I do? I am still asking myself that....

Could this tourist paradise be a purgatory for these furry souls?

The Pit Pages

2010-06-30T08:28:00.000-07:00

Hello and welcome to the first edition of the Pit Pages! Here I will seek to inform and educate you on things currently effecting the pit bull community.
Tyson is a young male pit bull available for adoption at the
SPCA of Central Florida.

BSL DIES

I would like to start out with some good news! As many of you are aware, there were a couple of bills going around the Florida House and Senate this past season dealing with BSL. (Breed Specific Legislation.) Currently in Florida, individual cities and counties cannot make their own breed specific laws. This legislation sought to repeal that, allowing BSL to pop up everywhere and anywhere around us. This has been going on consistently for the last few years, and once again this year the bill died. But not before passing several committees with recommendation. Keep a look out for a similar bill in future sessions, and look up the voting record of your local senator. Make sure you are sending the people you want to represent you!

ANIMAL FARM FOUNDATION PIT BULL CGC GRANT

I am proud to announce that we are once again the recipient of the Animal Farm Foundations CGC Grant! With this grant we can raise funds to continue pit bull community out reach and education. For every community pit or pit mix that passes their CGC, we receive $150! So if you think your pit could pass the test, start practicing now! You can find a copy of the test on the AKC's web site. Obtaining a CGC can be a great thing for a pit bull parent. It has been known to help with insurance and land lord issues. Please say you'll participate!

INCREDIBULLS

Our next Incredibulls event is coming up fast! Join us for our Bully Beach Bash on August 28th at 2pm. (Location TBD)

If you haven't already, you can join our group on Face Book!

............

Until next time, help your pitty stay cool by making them some frozen treats! Take some peanut butter, honey, mashed banana or baby food and water. Mix and freeze in ice cube trays! They are shelter dog tested and approved.

Speaking of the shelter dogs, remember, you can always make a batch or two to share with the homeless pets at the shelter!

It's That Time of Year Again...

2010-06-17T10:04:00.000-07:00

Every year we have summer camps here at the shelter. They are very busy and tiring weeks, but always well worth it.

The kids learn to groom and train dogs, and how to handle and make toys for the cats. They also do crafts that benefit the animals such as bandannas, peanut butter ice cube treats and wheat grass planters.

At the end of the week we take a field trip out to the JSPA compound where the kids get to meet all sorts of animals from porcupines to camels to large exotic cats and birds.

The goal is to teach these children about responsible pet ownership in the hopes that the next generation will be more humane and educated about pets.

...And The Winner Is...

2010-06-11T05:49:00.000-07:00

You may remember a few weeks ago I posted some wonderful pictures of pit bulls enjoying some time in the sun. They were all entries in the Incredibulls Bathing Bullies poster dog contest.

Well, after much deliberation, a winner has been chosen!

I am excited to share the winning photo with you all!
Congrats to Jordan and her 'mommy' Rita!

This beautiful photo will be turned into a poster advertising our next Incredibulls event, a Bully Beach Bash, being held on August 28th!

The Five Things

2010-06-09T07:28:00.000-07:00

Ok, I'm about to let you all in on a little secret here...there are only five things one needs to be a good dog trainer....so, are you ready?

They are:

Patience

Consistency

A Sense of humor

Patience

and Consistency!

(See you need the sense of humor part already!)

Let's go through them one at a time and talk a little bit about why they are so important.

Number one, Patience: You're never going to get very far with a short fuse. It is amazing how after 20 minutes of zero results, all of a sudden BAM lightening strikes and the dog gets it! Most behavior problems stem from either laziness or hastiness. Patience also gives you a sense of calm. I seldom worry about 'if' the dog is going to learn something, I just wonder 'when'.

Number two, Consistency: They say it's not a black and white world, but for dogs, there isn't really a grey area. (With a dog jumping up for example, you can ignore them 9 times, but if on the 10th they receive attention, it's like starting over from square one.) So, for our canine friends it either IS or it ISN'T. They either CAN or they CANNOT. They either DO or they DON'T. Simple.

And last but certainly not least, a Sense of Humor: Dogs are animals, and therefore quite unpredictable. If you look at situations as humorous instead of frustrating it will greatly help you and your dog. Some things may hurt, other might be quite disgusting but if looked at the right way, most are quite funny!

Well, there you have it, happy training!

Why We Do It

2010-06-07T10:01:00.000-07:00

Every now and again we are reminded quite out of the blue why we do the work that we do.
Today was like that for me. I arrived at work this morning to find a note and picture waiting for me on my desk. I could tell right away that it was written by a child, and the picture attached was of a large mixed breed dog and a birthday cake.
The letter reads:
"Our dog, Daisy was adopted on May 31st 2009 at SPCA.
Thank you for treating our dog with respect while she was in her cage.
In this picture you will see Daisy has just blown out her birthday candle
and is heading for the cake!"

The back of the picture read: "Daisy on her first birthday."

Alright I'll admit it, this got to me...I formed a few happy tears and thought out loud "good for you Daisy!"
Not only was this a happy ending for one of our shelter dogs but this young little girl, whom I've since found out is only 5 years old, really seems to 'get it'. She didn't thank us for feeding her dog, or even just 'taking care of her', but for treating her with RESPECT. Bingo. Nail on head.

This is why we do it.

Say How Do You Do and Shake Hands

2010-06-02T08:45:00.000-07:00

Introducing two dogs can be a simple and easy task. However, it can also be the cause of stress and emotional scarring.

There are many possible out comes that occur when introducing two dogs for the first time, and many theories and ways of doing it.

The first thing that all dog owners should keep in mind is that it's OK if their dog doesn't like the other dog. We tend to get too caught up wanting our dogs to like everyone and everything, but this is highly unrealistic, as we ourselves do not get along with everyone we meet.

In my opinion the best way to introduce two new dogs is in an unfamiliar place, to them both. This way, neither of them should get territorial. The biggest mistake I see people make is walking the two dogs straight at one another on leashes. This is extremely confrontational. It's not wonder the dogs end up fighting! It is best to just start walking together, side by side. This way the dogs can sniff one another, get to know each other and get some good exercise doing it. Walk and walk until the two dogs are all tuckered out. (Too tired to care or get grumpy.)
Now you can head home. The dogs should just want to lay down for a bit to rest, and by the time they become rejuvenated, they are old news to each other.
Now sure, things don't always go as planned, but just remember not to get mad or upset. You must have patience and you can try again, but also, know when to quit.

These things were sent....

2010-05-25T10:38:00.000-07:00

Some days as an animal rescuer are more difficult than others. Some days seem to go your way and good things happen for good dogs. You can lay your head down at night and feel happy with your days work.
Other days, nothing goes your way and good dogs meet unfortunate ends, or you come up against road block after road block. You cry yourself to sleep on those nights and if you are religious you pray for the innocent souls.
Then there are the days that, well to put it nicely, frustrate the heck out of you! These days I find tend to revolve around one very annoying individual whom it seems lifes mission is to be a thorn in your side. These people are never happy, never satisfied and always rude.
These people make us wonder....wonder what they're problem is?...wonder why they have nothing better to do than to complain?...wonder why they would choose to 'pick on' us when we are only trying to help?
I recently encountered one of these people, and am sad to say my dealings with them are not yet over.
It is amazing how people can somehow look past all the positive, all the good, and focus on one teeny tiny little insignificant thing, that really, in the end, makes no difference.
When we meet these individuals, we need to remember to breathe. We cannot allow our knee jerk reaction to surface, as this will only make matters worse. Smile through your gritted teeth and give them what they want. (Usually free stuff coupled with a little ego stroking.)
It is the quickest way to get them out of your hair, so that you can go back to doing what REALLY matters. Saving lives. Something those 'other' people will never know about...they are way too selfish.
Keep up the good work out there and don't get discouraged!
The Dog Diva

"Fur" a Good Cause

2010-05-21T07:18:00.000-07:00

Recently I participated in the collection of dirty dog hair. We brushed shelter dogs, collected shavings from surgeries and hit up local grooming facilities. My car was full with stinky bags all for a good cause.

You see, apparently hair (dog and human alike) is being used to help soak up the oil spill in the Gulf. At first this made no sense to me, until I saw a demonstration. Why do we wash our hair? Because it collects oil! Now all the pieces were coming together!

The organization that makes the mats is called A Matter of Trust, based out of San Francisco, CA. People all over the country are mailing them their dogs sheddings and they are being turned into giant oil sucking mats. Genius. Finally a practical use for all that dog hair floating around my house!

The shelter dogs, and my own, were happy to do their part, and they all look and feel the better for it.

It is incredibly easy to do, and so I encourage all of you out there to do the same. Your dogs, the ocean and your floors will thank you.

Bathing Bullies

2010-05-17T07:40:00.000-07:00

The Incredibulls next event on August 28th is a Bully Beach Bash!

We are holding a contest for our next poster dog to advertise this event.

If you are interested, simply post your pic on our Incredibulls Face Book page AND email your entry to me!

The submissions are due by midnight on June 6th and the winner will be announced on June 7th!

Below are some submissions already in the running!

Enjoy!

The Dog Diva

A New Challenge

2010-05-12T09:41:00.000-07:00

When you work with dogs, a new challenge is always waiting right around the corner. My latest endeavor is a dog named Otis.

Otis was surrendered to the shelter a couple of weeks ago, and I noticed him immediately. He is beautiful! All white with blue eyes. My first thought was that he wouldn't be around long, but then I noticed he eyes looked a little...off.

Turns out not only is Otis blind, but he is deaf as well.

Oh boy. I've done deaf, I've done blind, but I had never done both on the same dog before.

Luckily for me a trainer friend of mine recently raised a blind and deaf puppy. She was able to give me some wonderful advice.

Normally for a deaf dog I would use hand signals to teach commands, for a blind one words. For Otis, he would have to learn by touch.

Touch his rear and lure him into a sit. (He still learned the same, with a cookie on his nose, he could follow the scent.) For down, you touch his shoulders and lure him down.

But, manners would not be the most important thing for Otis to master.

Otis first needed to learn how to walk on a leash. You see, every time you went to put the slip lead over his head, he would bite and chew it. He would pull and tug, and bite higher and higher until he was almost at your hand. Bitter Apple wasn't doing anything to deter him either.

The simplest, quickest solution was to put him on a harness. What a difference! I think the harness helps him to feel more secure.

His next biggest problem was his mouthing. I can't blame him, he only has so many senses left!

Just removing all attention from him when ever he did it worked for that.

It is amazing how he can smell you when you arrive. He knows you are there, and can find you. He learns his boundaries quickly and is a very smart boy.

My next concern was who would adopt him? I knew there were plenty of people who's hearts would go out to him, who would feel sorry for him, but these were not the right people for Otis. Otis needs to be treated just like a regular dog. This is not a pity case, this is a life style changing project. Whomever adopts this dog will need certain resources. Time, patience and understanding.

Lucky for Otis and his new adopter (who ever they turn out to be) things are looking up.

My friend owns and operates a local dog training/day care/boarding facility and we reached an agreement to where Otis and his adopters will receive free behavior counseling and may even get free day care or training!

So, for now, Otis sits and waits for the right person to come for him.

The Good news/Bad News Game

2010-05-04T12:44:00.000-07:00

The other day I received some very good news about Pit Bulls here in Florida. The bill to repeal the ban on BSL died in the senate. Whew, another 'safe' year for the pits of the state.

Then today, I got a call bearing some not so good news. It seems one of our local county animal facilities has a 'no adopt' policy when it comes to Pit Bulls. This disturbs me greatly for many reasons.

First is the obvious, it's just not fair. The sheriff who made the rule said it was due to too many 'bite cases' but most of the dogs that enter their facility have no bite history at all and are healthy and happy family pets.

This was brought to my attention when a family wanted to adopt a pit that was found outside of their business and brought to this facility. Oh, who am I protecting here it's Polk County Animal Services. They were told they could not have the dog. Only rescue groups are allowed to take pits.

This baffles my mind...they would rather euthanize this dog than give it to a willing adoptive family?!

The next thing that really gets me is I can't quite figure out how this is legal except for the fact that it isn't technically illegal. I understand how a private SPCA or Humane Society could implement this rule, but a public shelter? I just don't know.

There is no county or city ordnance against the breed, yet the government run facility is denying it's tax paying citizens their right to own the dog of their choice...?

Just doesn't sit right...

We have extended an invitation for them to attend one of our pit bull education classes and have even offered to take it on the road to them.

This will not be an over night change but I feel up to the challenge.

In the mean time I am trying to get the word out to rescue organizations in the area.

God Bless the Pit Bull, never has any dog been so hated and misunderstood.

Let's Play a Game!

2010-04-30T06:46:00.000-07:00

Looking for a fun new game to play with your pup?

Try Red Light Green Light!

Remember playing that game as small child in elementary school or (I'm going to date myself here) at the Roller Rink?

The idea is simple, it works your dogs sit/come/stay commands.

To play with just you and your dog:

Have your dog sit on one end of the room and stay while you walk to the other side. For the "Green light" have them come to you, but only a few steps before "Red light" they have to stop, sit and stay again. Continue in this manner until your dog reaches you on your side of the room.

To play with a group:

Designate one person as the 'Caller'. This person will not have a dog in the game. All other participants wait with their dogs in a parallel line on one end of a room, putting them in a 'sit'.

The caller waits on the other side of the room and calls out "Green Light!" At that time all other participants begin walking toward the caller with their dogs. When the caller yells out "Red Light" all dogs must be asked to stop, sit and stay. The last dog to comply is 'out'.

You may have to go across the room a few times depending on size and the competence level of the dogs playing.

Have a fun prize for the winning team.

Now go play...GREEN LIGHT!

Submissive Urination

2010-04-26T07:31:00.000-07:00

Submissive urination occurs when your dog feel threatened. It may occur when your dog feels that he is being punished or if he perceives some one as threatening. (It is important to remember that this is based on your dogs PERCEPTION of a threat, it does not indicate that a true threat actually exists.)

What will help your dog most with this is gaining confidence. Confidence can be built in many ways, from simply teaching your dog basic manners to training them in fly ball competition. Also start exposing your submissive dog to new people and places, always keeping the occasions positive. Your dog may be submissively urinating if:

Urination occurs when your dog is being scolded or greeted or when someone approaches him.

Your dog is a some what shy, anxious or timid dog.

They have a history of receiving rough treatment or punishment after the fact.

The urinating is accompanied by submissive postures such as crouching or rolling over to expose the belly.

What to do if this is your dog:

First, take your dog to the vet to rule out any underlying medical conditions.

Keep greetings low key.

Encourage and reward confident postures.

Give your dog an alternative to acting submissively. (Ex: If your dog knows some commands, have him come greet you with a sit/shake at the door.)

Avoid approaching your dog with postures that read as too dominant. (ex: direct eye contact, hovering etc...)

Pet your dog under the chin or on the chest rather than the top of their head.

But most importantly NEVER punish or scold your dog for exhibiting this behavior, as this will only make the problem worse!

A Dog Lovers Day is Never Done....

2010-04-19T06:35:00.000-07:00

This weekend was a very busy one for me. It started off with a lecture I gave on Saturday morning on Dog Behavior. It was a two hour affair that covered everything from common doggy problems to K9 learning theory. The class was well attended and well received by all. Directly following that, I rushed out to the University of Doglando to set up for our Pit bull Pot Luck event. This event was the first meeting of our new pit bull meet up group, the Incredibulls!

We all put a lot of hard work, time, effort and sweat into the event and I am happy to report that it was a glowing success!

We had over 50 responsible pit bull parents attend with over 35 amazing pits and pit mixes. Everyone, human and K9 alike got along beautifully with minimal skirmishes. There were contests, raffles and cakes. (One for the dogs and one for the people!) Tons of good food and good conversation was had by all.

At one point as I surveyed the crowd, people mingling, pit bulls playing, swimming, climbing and lounging, I had to pinch myself. It was like a dream come true. I thought about how many minds we could change...here was a large group of Pit Bulls, the most hated and feared dog in the country, all getting along beautifully...and what do you know? No one was bitten! Amazing what a little responsibility can do! Everyone is anxiously looking forward to our next official meet up on August 28th, but many people plan to get together on their own in between now and then. Perfect.

If you would like to join our group, or see pictures of the event, just search Incredibulls on Face Book. You can also show your support by shopping our Incredibulls store at: www.cafepress.com/incredibulls

When I arrived home from the event, I noticed a dog loose in my neighbors back yard...unfortunately I knew that they had moved out two days before. I parked my car in my driveway and walked back to the yard. The poor little poodle type dog was crying and barking at the top of her little lungs. She was not tied up, and was wearing no collar. I knew this did not bode well. I grabbed and extra leash and walked toward her slowly hoping not to get bit. I crouched down next to her and she came to me. We went back to my house where I quickly made my laundry room a temporary home for her, she was SO thirsty! A few of my neighbors stopped to to ask if she'd been abandoned...apparently she'd been outside barking for hours. It made me wonder why hadn't any of them done anything for her? Oh well, she was with me now.

The poor girl, who I named Noodles the Poodles, was so matted and her nails were the longest I have ever seen. I fed her and clipped her nails and she went to sleep.

On Monday I took her with me to work and brought her to the county facility. That way if some one IS looking for her, they will be able to find her. However, if she does not get claimed or adopted, she'll be back with me....she's cute and sweet, but I am not a poodle girl, so I will find her a home...that shouldn't be hard, because even though I am not one, there are plenty of poodle girls out there in the world.

And so a dog lovers work is never done...we shall see what today brings....

I Saw The Sign

2010-04-07T12:33:00.000-07:00

Many times I take for granted the simple things in life.

After traveling around to schools and youth groups I have found that many students, and surprisingly their teaches too, do not know the basic signs of an un friendly dog.

So, let's cover the fundamentals:

Signs of an un-friendly dog include:

Hair raised on the backs of their necks, backs and/or rear

Ears pulled back tight

Stiff or ridged body posture

Stiff un-wagging tail

Wide staring eyes

Curling or raising of lips to show teeth (and gums)

Low growls or agitated barking

You can diffuse a possible confrontation by sliding away slowly sideways, making sure not to turn your back on the dog or stare them down. Keep them in your peripheral vision. Talk in a calm and soothing voice to the dog. If knocked down, get into a ball and protect your head. Do NOT squeal or yell as this will only egg the dog on. The dog will eventually get bored with you and you can go for help.

A Second Happy Ending

2010-03-30T13:27:00.000-07:00

A few posts ago I wrote about a sweet girl named Candy, and how happy I was that she had received the happy ending she deserved.

Well, I may have spoken too soon.

About two weeks after her adoption, she got into a scruff with her new brother, a 9 year old springer spaniel, and did some damage. Not only to Bo (the dog) but to her human daddy as well. You see, he'd stuck his hands in the middle of the fight and not surprisingly was bitten.

Unfortunately he was bitten quite badly (believe me I've seen pictures!) His wound wasn't properly cleaned the first time in the ER and when he went back, there was talk of him loosing his whole hand! (Luckily this did not happen.)

But what to do with Candy? Well, her new parents did not feel it fair to Bo to keep Candy around. I cannot blame them. Resident dogs do take precedence.

So Candy came back. But, when they brought her back, they told of the bite to the hand, and were then referred to the County. You see, all human bites must be quarantined. So poor Candy went to the County facility for her 10 day quarantine period. After which she would be re-evaluated and best case scenario, be put up for adoption for anther 7-10 days until her time was 'up'.

All of this happened on my day off. Of course. So I'm getting frantic text messages while laying out in my back yard.

The next day I take action. I get with my contacts at the county to advocate for her, put notes in her file and sneak me in to visit her and bring her cookies.

Next I get on the email train and try to find her a place to go.

Her previous family is very torn up about all of this because they love her, and don't want anything bad to happen, but say that they cannot take her back.

Then, an Angel appeared in the form of Jenifer from the Central Florida Pit Bull Rescue. She would take Candy.

Hallelujah Amen.

So we pulled a few strings, got her evaluated and out the door, again.

So far so good with Candy. Her and I had a heart to heart in her isolation kennel. I told her I found her ANOTHER good home, and asked her to please behave this time.

She looked back at me and licked my nose.

I took it as a 'yes'.

Did You Know?

2010-03-25T11:52:00.001-07:00

Did you know that by 8-12 weeks of age a puppy should be handled by 100 different people of all ages and sizes?
Did you know that the second most dangerous place for your puppy to be is your vets waiting room floor?
Did you know that the MOST dangerous place for your puppy is right OUTSIDE your vets office?

Did you know that a shelter's adoption numbers don't take into account returns?

Did you know that the biggest killer of cats is litter box problems?

Did you know that cats don't actually 'miss' their litter boxes? If they go outside of them they meant to!

Did you know that when done correctly potty training is error-less and takes only 7 days?

Did you know that dogs must always be kept entertained?

Did you know that there are no studies supporting the effectiveness of DAP?

Did you know that this was a short blog and now it's over?

When Will You Be Home?

2010-03-22T07:46:00.000-07:00

Separation Anxiety is a sad and scary thing. Your poor dog literally becomes sick with depression, and they act out in many owner displeasing ways.

When left alone, a dog suffering from separation anxiety will become extremely anxious, not understanding where you have gone or if you will ever return.

Signs include: Chewing, scratching, busting out of confinement, barking, salivating, urinating, defecating, vomiting or digging.

Remember that dogs are social pack animals and safety comes in numbers.

I see cases of this every day, and it is a large reason for owner relinquishment's. There is hope however. The treatment for separation anxiety is effective, but lengthy. Unfortunately many owners are simply not willing to put in the time and the effort to cure their pets of this agonizing anxiety.

First of all, let me say that if your dog is truly suffering from serious anxiety where their safety is in danger, see a vet. They can prescribe something to calm your dogs nerves. THIS IS NOT THE "FIX"! The root of the problem must still be gotten to!

Let's start with your EXIT: When it comes time for you to leave, just do it! Do NOT make a big production out of it. No 'ooey gooey' goodbyes. It is actually better to ignore your dog for about 10 minutes prior to your leaving. Otherwise your dog experiences a showering of your affections followed by complete withdrawal.

Give your dog something to distract themselves with. KONG toys are GREAT distractions and can be filled with everything from your dogs left over dinner to peanut butter, cream cheese, baby food and more! This only comes out when you leave. The dog now has something to look forward to instead of dread.

Confinement: Confine your anxious dog to a small area of your home. (And please dog proof it first!) Crating is an option ONLY if it does not cause your dog any physical damage. Some dogs will try so hard to escape a crate that they injure themselves.

Remember, a confined dog cannot damage your home!

Leave a radio or TV on in another room, or make a recording of your own voice. The recording only has to be about 20 minutes as most anxiety and destruction occur within that time period.

Next you will need to DESENSITIZE your dog to your absence. This is the time consuming part, but it works!

Go through your normal 'getting ready to leave' routine, walk out the door, then immediately walk back in. Place all your things back and sit down. In about 10 minutes do it again, but this time count to 10 outside. Repeat many times gradually working up to a trip to the corner store. Now your dog should have less anxiety about your return because sometimes you come right back! So, every time you leave, it is not an all day absence. Your dog relaxes, and so can you!

And of course a tired dog is a happy dog! The more exercise you can give your dog the more likely they will be to sleep while you are out!

Dr. Ian Dunbar

2010-03-17T08:33:00.000-07:00

Over this past weekend I was fortunate enough to attend a seminar held by renowned Veterinary Behaviorist Dr. Ian Dunbar.
At first the 3 day 8 hour lecture sounded...well, long. But I soon was wrapped up in knowledge and discovery as Dr. Dunbar craftily illustrated stories and ideas that spring from his brilliant mind.
Also luckily enough, he speaks with a wonderfully smooth British accent and is down right funny.

The entire weekend was spent discussing puppies and adolescent dogs, and I was reminded why I always gravitate towards adopting senior citizens!
This all came at such a perfect time as I am just beginning to offer puppy and obedience classes myself. I have a lot of work to, but am excited by the many ideas now planted in my head.

It was also a wonderful opportunity to meet some dog professionals in the community. I may be just starting out on my career with dogs (only five years in) but I hope that someday I might be the one to teach a seminar.
Being open to education and new ideas seems like a good way to start. Putting those new ideas into practice and finding out what really works seems like a logical next step.

So stay tuned for updates on how all of this incredible new knowledge is being put to use! And wish me luck!

Awarded for Cruelty

2010-03-11T13:18:00.000-08:00

Well, I simply cannot believe it. But yet, somehow it is true. Micheal Vick was voted to receive the Ed Block Courage award. Yes, courage.

It baffles my mind to think that somewhere out there are people who think that what Vick has done is courageous.

I'm not sure what part of torture, gambling and murder is considered brave. It was too much to take when he was re-instated in the NFL, then signed by Philadelphia, but now, an AWARD!? What kind of message is being sent here? It's OK to do horrific things as long as you have Tony Dungy by your side?

I would encourage every one to write the the members and sponsors of the Ed Block foundation. Let them know what a horrible mistake they've made. Ask them what exactly is so courageous about a 'man' who commits a horrific crime, then is welcomed back into society so easily.

Ask them why is it that the ability to throw or run with a football, somehow trumps the down right corruptness of an individual; because I'd like to know.

Shame on Mike Vick, shame on the NFL, shame on the Eagles organization and shame on the Ed Block Foundation.

May they someday see the light and repent for their inappropriate and unfortunate actions.

A Disapointing Day

2010-03-08T05:45:00.000-08:00

As you may or may not know, last week SB1276 was voted favorable in committee. This is both frustrating and confusing as so many of us were told that there was an over whelming number of phone calls in opposition. How then is it that the senators would vote FOR it?! Unfortunately it doesn't matter now. What matters is what to do next.

I urge everyone to contact the two senators who voted against it, John Thrasher and Andy Gardner, and thank them. I would also suggest calling the other nine and letting your voices be heard once more.

If this is heard in any more committees or heaven forbid goes to the floor, you know you can count on me to keep you updated.

Want to do more than just make a phone call? Me too. That's why I plan on attending the HSUS's Humane Legislation Day in Tallahassee on April 6th. This will be a chance to get in some face time with the people voting on this and other animal related bills.

To sign up, or for more information go to: http://action.humanesociety.org/site/calendar/388761489?view=detail&id=101661

Whatever you do, do NOT let yourself become discouraged. You are NOT in this alone, believe me.

SB 1276, A New Home and A Party?

2010-03-04T06:06:00.000-08:00

It has been an active few days around here for the Pit Bulls of Florida. Later today, SB 1276 will receive a hearing. If it passes, it will allow local governments around the state to enact Breed Specific Legislation. Of course the pit bull loving community has been out in force emailing and making phone calls. During my personal session of phone calling I received some good news. One assistant told me they'd been flooded with calls opposing the bill. Another said that they had gotten more calls from Orlando than any place else in the state. This made me proud of my local community. Still a third woman stated: "If we've learned anything from this bill, it's not to mess with people's dogs!" So I have hope. However I will NOT rest until the verdict comes in, and my stomach is currently tied in knots thinking about the possibility that this may pass. For now all we can do is wait and pray.

Yesterday was my favorite kind of day at the shelter. A dog who had been waiting for her forever home for 4 months, found a home. And not just any home, a GREAT one. It was the kind of adoption that makes me remember why I do what I do. I've already received an up date email, letting me know how much her new family loves her. Her name is Candy. She is a 6 year old Pit bull, a bit over weight, orange in color with a white face. Candy is truly one of the happiest and most loving dogs I have ever met, and I couldn't be happier for her. Good for you Candy, you are truly deserving of every happiness this world has to offer. And thank you to Denise, her adoptive mommy, who just a year ago came in and adopted another older pit mix girl. There really are good people in this world.

Now to the party part. For those of you in the Central Florida area, mark your calendars for April 17th. That is the date of the first meeting of the new Pit Bull meet up group: The Incredi-BULLS! It will be held from 2pm to 4pm at the University of Doglando. All spayed/neutered pit bull and pit bull mixes along with their responsible owners are welcome. You are also welcome to come if you are a lover of the breed, but do not currently own one. It is a Pit Bull Pot Luck, so bring a dish of your choice. We will be providing drinks and two cakes. (One for people and one for the dogs). The dogs will be free to roam the 3 1/2 acres and play in the pool and sand box. There will also be prizes and contest. We hope to host 4 Incredi-BULL meet ups a year, so come join us and get involved in this group. SUPPORTING RESONSI-BULL FAMILIES, ENCOURAGING EQUALITY.

If you are interested, simply leave a comment below for more information!

A Loss To Our Community

2010-02-25T06:25:00.000-08:00

I received a phone call yesterday at around 4pm from a local news station. They asked me if I was aware of what took place at Sea World Orlando earlier in the day. Having been at work all day, I was not.

The reporter informed me that a whale trainer had been killed by one of the whales at the park. She asked if I could comment on why this may have happened. I declined to comment, having never worked with marine mammals before, I didn't feel comfortable giving my input.

After hanging up the phone my thoughts immediately leaped to a colleague of mine who trained whales at Sea World Orlando. "What if it was her?" I thought to myself.

Upon arriving home and turning on the local news, I learned the sad truth that in fact it was my fellow animal trainer and dog lover, Dawn Brancheau.

My heart fell to the floor as everything around me became a blur. I phoned a co-worker who knew her as well to share the news and we commiserated.

I've spoken to many of my friends here in the Central Florida training community and we all feel her loss. We are, very much a family. One love, one passion. And yes there are dangers to what we do, but the joy of the job far out weighs them.

Dawn volunteered her time at her local SPCA, using her vast training knowledge to work with the homeless dogs and make them more adoptable. She truly loved animals. Her bright personality and infections spirit will be missed.

My only hope is that no rash decisions are made about the life of the whale...I hope that the whale is allowed to live out his life, as I 'm sure Dawn would have wanted it that way.

Swim in peace now Dawn, swim in peace....

Best in Show

2010-02-23T09:20:00.000-08:00

Recently I was asked to speak about Dog Shows, Pure Bred dogs and...adoption....? I know, they don't seem to go together, at least not at first.

Every year, 'dog show season' brings it's champions, and we see a rise in popularity of whichever breed finds itself in the winners circle.

So when I was asked to to a spot on a national morning show regarding the adoption of pure bred dogs, I was intrigued.

The thing is, buying a dog should never be an option. No matter what breed of dog people think they want, one can always be found, waiting in a shelter or rescue.

But let's back up. The first question people need to ask themselves is: "Why do I want this particular breed?" Is it because it is the type of dog that the 'it' celebrity has? Did this breed just star in a movie? Or win Best in show?

The next question you need to ask is: "What do I really know about this breed?" If the only answer is: "They're cute", then further research will be needed. People need to evaluate their lifestyles. Do they want a high energy or low energy dog? How much time do they have to spend with the dog? Will they get a puppy or an adult? People looking to get a dog too often go by looks alone and not by traits or personality.

I can't tell you how many Border Collies are surrendered to shelters or put down due to their 'destructive behavior'. However, when one looks at the facts, they find that the poor dogs were kept in crates for 9 hours a day and then not properly exercised or stimulated on top of it. Border Collies are extremely athletic and intelligent, but people get them because: "Oh, look he has blue eyes!"

Once one has done the research, and a breed has been identified, the question should be raised: What about a mix of this breed? A dog who is MOSTLY German Shepherd or almost all Chow. These dogs can give you the same benefits of the breed but with less health issues.

Finally, when looking for a new friend, don't count out your local shelter or County facility. 25-30% of all dogs in shelters are pure breeds. Out of the 55 dogs we had here last week, 18 of them were a pure breed.

If a specific breed cannot be found at the local shelter, try a breed specific rescue. EVERY breed has one. PetFinder.com will find one for you! Just enter your zip code and breed and they will find you a match!

And finally, just because that show dog looks like such a wonderfully behaved canine, doesn't mean that yours will be. Those dogs are worked with from birth to become a champion. Their owners lively hood revolves around them.

For the rest of us, our dogs should be a member of the family, a best friend and a constant companion. Sure they may never win a trophy, but honestly, that's just more to dust anyway.

Stairway to Fear

2010-02-18T05:49:00.000-08:00

Many dogs are frightened of stairs, and the reasons vary with each situation.

If you adopt a dog who has never lived in a home with stairs, they may be hesitant to go up them, down them or both!

On the other side, is a dog who HAS lived with stairs before, but has had a bad experience with them.

I will never forget the time an adopter called me about 45 minutes after adopting a beautiful American Bulldog. She was standing at the bottom of the steps leading up to her apartment and the dog would not budge. Another time, I received a call about a dog who went up the stairs initially, but now would not go down them. The poor thing hadn't been outside to go to the bathroom in three days!

Some people try to force a dog up or down the stairs, however this does not allow the dog to overcome their phobia. It also may end in a nip or bite, when the scared dog says: "No way I'm scared!"

Once again, positive reinforcement is the way to go, however, before implementing a training and reconditioning routine, make a visit to your vet to rule out pain as the issue. (For more information on positive reinforcement, see my previous blog on the subject.)

If you are starting with a young puppy, you can prevent the development of fear by properly socializing them. (See my blogs on puppies for more information.)

If you've got an older dog on your hands, who's fear is already instilled, remember to go slow. Start by just approaching the steps. Reward for progress no matter how small.

You can use a tasty treat or a favorite toy to lure you dog up the steps little by little.

Take this training one step at a time...literally. Up one step and back down. (Or down one and back up, depending on your situation.)

Make sure to have something very special (maybe dinner) waiting for the dog at the end of the steps. This way your dog can learn that going up (or down) the stairs leads to something good!

Be patient and do not rush the process.

If your stair way is "open" as in built without vertical panels, your dog may be scared of falling through! Try draping a sheet or blanket over the steps, so your dog can't see all the way down.

Kitten Class 3

2010-02-16T07:38:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the final instalment of my kitten class series. After this is back to what I know best...DOGS!

Let's start with the "milk myth". Did you know that the ONLY milk your kitten needs is it's mothers? Kittens do NOT need cows milk any more than we do....and no, we don't need it!

Beating Boredom: Plant an indoor garden for your kitten. Try wheat grass in small planters. Get a couple of cat tress and don't throw away those paper bags and cardboard boxes! They may great kitten forts! Change up your kittens play things regularly to keep them stimulated.
You can make cat toys out of pipe cleaners as well. They cost about 3 cents to make. I like to make little bugs, but feel free to get creative!

Remember to confine your kitten at night to where ever you are. Cats are nocturnal by nature and a small kitten can get almost anywhere!

Scratching is a natural and normal cat behavior and should be encouraged, in the right places. Buy a scratching post and show your kitten how to use it. Scratching allows your kitten to scratch and also leave their scent behind.

Kitty Signals: Quivering tail: "I love you!" Swishing or Wagging tail: "I'm annoyed." Ears Up: Curious, alert. Ears Back: "I'm not happy about something..." Low Purr: "I'm very happy! That feels good!" Low Growl: "Back off!" Hissing: "I warned you! Now I'm really MAD!" Meow: reserved especially for humans.

Litter Box Training: Finding the right location is important. Put kittens litter box in a place that provides privacy but does not totally isolate. Keep the box clean. Litter should be scooped every day and the box cleaned with soap and water weekly. Make sure to have as many litter boxes as you do cats and place a box on each level of your home. To train your kitten to use the box, place them inside when they most need to go. (Wake up, after play, after eating, after nap, before bed...)

Be prepared, your kitten will have accidents. It's ok. If you catch your kitten in the act of a mistake, interrupt them with a loud noise and then place them in the litter box. You CANNOT correct them after the fact.
Clean the area with a non ammonia based product. Enzyme eaters work great.

A note about de-clawing. It is cruel and inhumane. There are several countries where the procedure is outlawed. De-clawing removes more than just the nail, it removes the first bone of every 'finger'. Ouch. De-clawing can cause severe behavior problems and is unnecessary. Simply clip your cats nails regularly. Push out the claws by squeezing the paw and snip up to the pink. Do NOT clip the pink part, as this is a vain and will be painful. You can also put "pedi-paws" on your cat. Pedi-paws are basically a rubber nail cover. They come in all different colors!

Crate Training: Crate training your kitten is very important as it will make vet visits much easier for the both of you! Crate training cuts down on the stress of your cat. Start early with your kitten and go slow. Never force your kitten into the crate. They should always walk in willingly for a treat or their dinner.Proper crate carrying should be done AWAY from your body, and with the opening of the crate facing backwards. This minimizes kitty's stress immensely, plus it's a GREAT arm work out!

Problem behaviors to look out for include: Counter surfing, suckling, fights/aggression, night crazies, spraying and scratching. Counter surfing is not only annoying but can be dangerous to your kitten. (Think hot burner!) To prevent kitty from doing this, simply make your counter an un-attractive place to be. Try placing a plastic carpet runner upside down on your counter. You cat will not like the way this feels on their feet, there fore they will be less likely to jump up there in the future. Suckling is generally caused by a cat being taken from his mother too early. Most cats that display this behavior, do so their entire lives. Spraying can be controlled by spaying and/or neutering your cat.

To figure out what is causing your kittens 'bad' behavior you have to ask yourself a series of questions: Have you changed anything? Taken anything away? Added anything? Met a new person? The smallest thing can set off your cat. (Finally threw out that bean bag chair from 1993? Tried a new perfume?) Find the answer and fix the problem.

Aversives: An aversive is something your cat does not like. There are texture aversives (like the upside down carpet runner), smell/taste aversives such as citrus, surprise (a stacked pyramid of empty soda cans that falls over when your cat jumps on your bed) and human controlled such as a squirt gun. Be careful with human controlled aversives and they can back fire and make your cat fearful of you, instead of the action.

Managing rough play. Hands are NOT play toys and kitten should learn right away that it is NOT ok to bite them. If your kitten bites your hands, end the play session immediately. Always follow by redirecting them to an appropriate action, like chewing on a toy.

The importance of play: Play manages kittens stress and reduces ankle biting and scratching.

Prey Play: This should be done just before bedtime. Simulate a hunt with your kitten with a mouse toy on a string (or similar toy). Let kitty hunt the toy and 'kill it'. Follow with a high protein meaty treat. This will send signals to your kittens brain that it is time for sleep.

Always use positive reinforcement! Encourage the behaviors you want to see and ignore the ones you don't.

Hard work, responsibility and commitment = a life time of love.....

Kitten Class 2

2010-02-12T05:44:00.000-08:00

Thanks for coming back! Now, let's talk about introducing your kitten to your dog. Feed them both their dinner on opposite sides of a closed door. This way they can smell each other during a very important time of the day. Swap scents! Just like you did with your resident cats, swap your dogs bedding with your kittens. During the initial introductions, have your dog on a leash on one end of the room and your kitten being held on the other. Feed them both yummy treats such as chicken, beef hot dogs or tuna. Keep the sessions short and sweet. When it's time, let kitty go first, and ALWAYS supervise their interactions.

Your kitten and your kid: It is very important that your child understands the kitty rules. You must ALWAYS supervise your child when they interact with your kitten. Make sure you show them how to hold the kitten properly.

Early handling of your kitten is super important. The more the better, and always keep sessions positive. This is imperative for having a well socialized adult cat.

Kittens should stay with their mother and siblings until at LEAST 8 weeks of age. (12 is better). A kitten can be spayed or neutered as early as 8 weeks. It is extremely important to spay or neuter your cat. Did you know that for every person born, there are 65 cats!? That means for every cat to have a home each one of us would have to have 65 cats. We all know that is never going to happen, so we must do what we can to stem the feline population growth. SPAY AND NEUTER!

Kitten Developmental Stages:

0-2 weeks, neo-natal

2-7 weeks socialization period

7-14 weeks most active play period

3-6 months Ranking period

6-18 months Adolescence

Many people have 'indoor/outdoor cats', but this is not something I recommend. I believe that cats, like dogs, should be inside only. Out door cats do not live as long as indoor cats, and they face hazards such as Feline aids and leukemia as well as wild animals, cars and more.

If you already have an outdoor cat, make sure they have a break away collar, are microchiped and have a bell attached to them. Out door cats have decimated our nations small bird population. By belling your cat, the bird will have time to escape before it's too late.

Don't forget to vaccinate your cat, and take them to their annual vet appointments!

Also, start your kitten on a flea prevention program and a hair ball remedy. Most cats actually like the taste of the hairball paste, but if yours doesn't, just smear it on their paw, and they will be forced to lick it off!

Don't be alarmed if you kitten's heart is beating super fast, that's normal! Cat's hearts beat around twice as fast as a human heart.

Calculating your cats age is not as simple as calculating your dogs age. For more information go to:

http://http//www.purina.co.nz/Home/All+About+Cats/Living+Together+Cat/Get+More+Out+Of+Life+Cat/Your+Cats+Age+In+Human+Years.htm

The Dog Diva on.....Kittens!

2010-02-09T09:16:00.000-08:00

I know what you're thinking...this is a dog blog, and yes it is, but I wanted to take a moment to write a little something about that often neglected 'other pet'. Sure kittens are cute, and soon shelters across the country will be flooded with them as 'kitten season' starts. Yes, Kitten Season.

So, I figured why not arm yourselves with the knowledge it takes to have and raise a kitten into a well adjusted adult cat?

Let's get started.

Kittens need constant supervision. Remember: Curiosity killed the cat! Kittens can be very messy and destructive.

Before kittens arrival you will need to go shopping! Make sure to get toys, litter box, litter, food, treats, bowls, collars, tags and cleaning supplies.

On kittens first night home, confine kitty to a small back room that has been kitten proofed. Set up kitty base camp in that room with food, water, litter box and bed. Keep the door closed and let kitty adjust. (This also keeps any resident cats or dogs out of the room for now.) Make sure to play with and visit kitty many times during the day.

During the first week, keep the door shut, but use scent swapping to start introducing your new kitty to the rest of the household. Take the bedding from kitty's room and swap with your other cats or dogs bedding. This way everyone gets to smell everyone else, with out having to meet yet.

Week two, you can crack the door to allow kitty to come out if desired, but do not open the door wide enough for your larger animals to crawl through. Now it is kitties choice. Have patience and never force your kitten. As kitty becomes more and more adventurous you may begin to gradually move 'base camp' out into the house.

Come back next time for information on introducing your kitten to your dog and much more!

Puppy Class 3

2010-02-05T05:30:00.000-08:00

Thanks for coming back for Puppy Class 3! As you can see by now, puppies are a lot of work!

Let's start today by going over some common problems that start off small and grow into a big deal.

Jumping: Is not cute. Period. If you do not want your full size dog to jump on you and others, you cannot allow your puppy to do so either. Jumping is an attention seeking behavior, so don't give your puppy ANY attention for doing it! (Not even negative attention.) Simply ignore the behavior, then praise them when the have all four feet on the floor.

Rough Play. Ouch, this can hurt, as puppies have very sharp little teeth! You should NEVER allow your puppy to put your hands or feet in their mouth. A puppy should learn that their teeth should never touch human skin. So, every time your puppy mouths you, YELP loudly and walk away. This way, puppy learns that he will have to play more gently if he wants the game to continue.

Always redirect mouthing behavior to an appropriate toy.

Puppy keep away: this is when your puppy grabs something you want, and that they shouldn't have. (your sock or remote control for example.) Then, you proceed to chase them all over the house trying to get it back. This is a super fun game for your puppy! One that they will most likely want to repeat every night. You cannot chase your puppy for the item...whatever it is. You must wait for them to get bored with it and drop it themselves. This is why it is so very important to puppy proof and supervise, so that puppy doesn't have access to forbidden items in the first place.

Teething: Puppies teethe just like children do. If your puppy is sore, you can wet a rag or a rope toy and freeze it. Then give it to puppy to gnaw on. Also, a cold carrot works too.

So in the end, work, responsibility and commitment equal a lifetime of LOVE.

Puppy Class 2

2010-02-01T07:33:00.000-08:00

Socialization is the MOST important thing you can do for your puppy! I cannot stress this enough. You will need to expose your puppy to many different people and places, remembering to keep all activities positive and never to force your puppy.

Although dogs are removed from wolves by thousands of years, they are still a social pack animal. I discourage any form of 'dominating' your puppy to show who is boss. In stead, try the Nothing In Life Is Free method.

Basically, your puppy will need to work for everything he receives. (eating, playing etc...) Your puppy will have to preform a task for you first. (Ex: Sit.) Puppy will learn that YOU run the show, and they can remain clam knowing that they don't have to worry about shelter and other resources themselves.

Your puppy is a reflection of you!

The Puppy Test: Your child, your puppy and a chew toy...alone. Your child approaches the puppy and the puppy growls. Your child runs away. What did the puppy just learn? Well, he learned that growling is a good way to keep people away from his things! What should have happened? If you said that your child and your puppy should NEVER have been left alone together in the first place, then DING DING DING you are correct!

The Puppy Test Cont....You re-enter the room. Your child once again approaches the puppy with his toy, but this time he bites! What did you see? You saw your puppy biting 'out of the blue'. BUT did puppy bite out of the blue? The answer is no. The puppy already warned the child with the growl, but since you were not around to hear that, you now believe that you witnessed an un-provoked bite. (This is about the time that I receive a frantic phone call where you say something about being 'at your wits end...)

Anyway, I digress...your child and your puppy need to be supervised at all times. If you had been in the room when the puppy growled, you could have ended it with a stern NO! Then worked with the puppy on exchanging toys for treats! Simple.

Dinner time is a very special time for puppy and an important one for you and your family. The person who feeds puppy is a very special person, therefore your entire family should be involved. Place a hand full of food in puppy's bowl and set it down. When puppy finishes, drop by hand a few more kibble, then a few more. Have your kids do this too! This way your puppy will learn that hands near the food bowl bring GOOD things. This will prevent food aggression. Start handling your puppy while he eats. Touch him all over including his feet and tail.

The chew toy rules: The goal here is to prevent possessiveness. You will want to have around 20-25 toys for your dog and rotate them every month or so, so they don't get bored. Your puppy will need to learn to give up their toys when you ask them. (Note: never forcibly take a toy or chase puppy for it.) Simply offer puppy a yummy treat in return for the toy. Count to five and give the toy right back. Gradually increase the time you have the toy, but remember to always give it back.

Remember that your puppy will have problems and things will go wrong. Be prepared and remain calm.

Punishment must be given promptly followed by redirection and reward! (For more information about punishment, types and how to administer, see my blog devoted to the subject.)

Come back next time when we discuss jumping, teething and more!

Got Puppy?

2010-01-28T06:46:00.000-08:00

Is a puppy right for you? Are you ready for all of the responsibility? Remember, puppies need constant supervision and are a lot of maintenance!

Sure puppies are cute but....they go to the bathroom EVERYWHERE, they chew on EVERYTHING, including your favorite pair of shoes! Puppies nip and teethe and know very little of the world. Therefore it is up to you to teach them everything.

You already have a puppy? Start socialization right away! Puppy proof your home. If you don't want it chewed or peed on, don't let puppy have access to it. Set a routine and be consistent. Make sure to purchase the correct cleaning products. You'll want a non ammonia based product. I like to use simple white vinegar and baking soda. Have your puppy vaccinated and spayed or neutered!

Puppies need their families! A puppy should remain with its mother and siblings until at least 8 weeks of age. During this time, puppies learn valuable social skills like how to play and how to fight, and how hard is to hard to bite. (Bite inhibition)

Once you take over the role of teacher you MUST remember to socialize your puppy soon and often.

It is up to you! Puppies are 100% dependent! A puppies biggest danger is lack of education on the part of the owner. At the shelter, we receive thousands of puppies between the ages of 6-10 months every year. These puppies come in with little to no training. They were once cute little things with so much potential, but due to lack of training, arrive in our care as crazy 'out of control' large dogs who are now difficult to adopt out.

Did you know that some people even euthanize their pet due to behavior problems? Problems which could have been easily prevented with just a little work and effort. Behavior problems CAN be avoided! Remember what is cute today, may be obnoxious tomorrow!

Do NOT anthropomorphize! (Big word I know...) This just means don't place human emotions onto your dog. They don't poop on your rug while you're out because they are 'mad' or 'spiteful'. They pooped because they had to go!

Puppies may be small today, but will be big tomorrow! Make sure to set the rules and boundaries now. Decide what you want in an adult dog and begin shaping your puppy to meet your expectations.

Come back next time when we further discuss the importance of socialization and how to make sure your puppy listens to you!

A Word About Punishment

2010-01-25T10:05:00.000-08:00

Every now and then our dogs do something they shouldn't. (Gasp!) I know it's hard to believe, but it happens. So what do we do?
Many people would answer that question with "punish them". But HOW to punish a dog properly is too often left un-answered.
Punishment can be divided into two distinct categories, positive and negative. Don't think of positive as good and negative as bad, think of them as plus and minus signs.
So, positive punishment is ADDING something to a dogs environment that decreases the likelihood of an undesired behavior reoccurring in the future. (Leash corrections, verbal reprimands, squirt bottles, penny cans etc...)
Negative punishment is REMOVING something from a dogs environment that decreases the likelihood of an undesired behavior reoccurring in the future. (Removing your attention/turning your back when a dog jumps on you.)
Positive punishment is not recommended in the forms of hitting, yelling or causing the dog any pain or severe discomfort. And NEVER use this form with fearful or aggressive dogs.
I use only Positive Reinforcement to train with negative punishment a distant second. (For more information on positive reinforcement see my earlier blog on the subject...) I do not use positive punishment.

Remember to act quickly! If you punish a dog too late, you may actually be punishing them for ceasing the unwanted behavior! You can only correct a dog in the act, never after the fact. Always re-direct your dog into an acceptable behavior. We spend way too much time telling our poor doggies what NOT to do, and not nearly enough time telling them what they CAN do!

To be effective, punishment must be: sufficiently aversive, immediate, delivered with EVERY occurrence of the undesired behavior and followed by positively reinforcing a desired behavior.

Good luck and happy training!

Kindness of Strangers

2010-01-22T06:55:00.000-08:00

Perhaps Blanch DuBois said it best in A Streetcar Named Desire when she said: "I have always depended on the kindness of strangers."

Recently I have been touched by how giving people can be. Even in the face of hard economic times people still open their hearts and their wallets to help others. Others that they don't know, have never met and will (most likely) never meet. Be it the recent earth quake in Haiti or fundraising for the shelters upcoming pet walk, donations are made large and small.

It is the small ones that most touch my heart. The ones that might have meant a night out for the family, or even groceries for the week, but was donated to help those in even more desperate situations.
Where would we be without these every day, run of the mill heroes? People who ask nothing in return for their help. No t-shirt or key chain to prove to their peers how charitable they are. No recognition with award or ceremony. I myself would prefer it if more charities spent more donated money on the actual cause and less on the trinkets and prizes. Our reward should be simply that we helped. That some where, some one benefited from our gift.

So whether you donate to help build a barn for bully's (Bad Rap), help earth quake victims or support your local shelter; thank you. I don't have any fancy gifts or certificates of appreciation, but I don't think you want that. I think a simple thanks is all that should ever be needed or given.

So the charity can keep their picture of the child I helped feed and instead use that money to feed her sister as well.

With all of the global crisis we hear about daily it is important to remember those that are needy in our own community. The local homeless or animal shelter for example can always use volunteers. Volunteering is a great way to make a donation of time, if money is scarce.

So keep up the good and selfless work, and remember, the best thank you you can receive is knowing in your heart that you did the right thing.

(Just a side note to those of you that have donated so generously to Paws in the Park...and you know who you are....Thanks.)

Diane
The Dog Diva

Lucy is a sweet 8 year old female terrier mix who is currently awaiting her forever home at the SPCA of Central Florida. Go to Orlandopets.org for more information or to donate or volunteer!

Potty Training 103

2010-01-18T07:22:00.000-08:00

It's time to talk about cleaning up after your puppy has an accident. This will most likely happen at least once or twice, so be prepared and make sure to have the right products on hand.

First off, let's make sure to keep our dogs' potty area clean. Picking up your dogs' stools can help you asses their overall health and check for worms or upset stomach.

If you catch your puppy in the ACT of having an accident; say NO and scoop the puppy up, quickly carrying them outside to finish with praise.
NEVER rub a dogs nose in an accident! They will not associate your anger with the mess. Yes they will look sad, but only because you are yelling at them, and they don't know why.
If you come across an accident, stay calm.

Keep in mind that health problems, changes in diet and/or emotional upset can cause temporary setbacks in house training.

When cleaning up an accident, make sure to first calmly put your dog away where they cannot see you. Make sure to use a non ammonia based product! Plain white vinegar works well with a bit of baking soda to soak up moisture. Then vacuum when dry.

Remember, puppies are attracted to urine scents so make sure to clean thoroughly and keep an eye on that spot in the future!

Good luck and remember....if you're lazy, it's your fault!

Potty Training 102

2010-01-15T07:50:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the second instalment on potty training your puppy or dog. Let's get started!

Have a cue word such as "Go Potty!" When your dog is successful, lavish them with praise and maybe give them a special treat to help reinforce their success.

If your dog does not go to bathroom after 5 minutes outside, bring them back in and place them in their crate for 10 minutes, then try again. No playtime until they've done their business!

A simple strategy for puppy's first night home:

Carry the puppy from the car to your yard and set them in the 'potty area' until they go. Tell them how good they are and bring them inside to play. Take them outside to potty every two hours after that. Feed them their dinner in their crate, and leave them inside for 30 minutes. Then carry your puppy outside for a potty break. This time, wait for a bowel movement. If it's taking a while, walk the puppy around a bit to encourage movement.

Always take your puppy outside first thing when you open the crate and always carry them. We want your puppy to feel that grass under their feet when they go!

Take your puppy outside one last time before tucking them into their crate. If your puppy howls during the night, take them out for a potty break. (Having a puppy is not THAT different from caring for a human child that wakes up in the middle of the night!)

Do not play with your puppy at night, as this will teach them bad habits. After a few nights, your puppy should sleep soundly until morning.

Establish a daily routine for your dog. Dogs love consistency. Set aside specific times each day for potty, play, eating and sleeping.

Example: First thing in the morning take your puppy outside to potty. After an hour of playtime, feed puppy breakfast in the crate. Wait 30 minutes then back outside for a bowel movement. For the first month or so, your puppy will be receiving 3-4 meals a day. So; potty, play, meal, potty, play, potty, nap, potty,play, meal potty etc....

Eventually your puppy will learn the routine and go potty accordingly, however if you ignore puppies signs and signals or move to slowly, you will have a mess to clean up and it will be your fault!

A note about paper training: Paper training your dog is not recommended as it makes the whole potty training process harder and take longer. We want to get through to the puppy that the only acceptable place to potty is OUTSIDE!

Male dogs: Your male puppy will start to lift his leg between 4 and 9 months of age. He will begin to mark his territory, possibly inside your house. This has little to do with potty training, because marking and reliving the bladder are two separate things.

If you have not done so already, have your dog neutered NOW to prevent this behavior as well as cutting down on his aggression and eliminating the chance of testicular cancer in his future.

Come back next time for potty training 103....Cleaning up the mess......

Potty Training 101

2010-01-12T10:01:00.000-08:00

Unlike their feline counterparts, puppies must be shown much more than simply where to go to the bathroom. They must also learn when. Potty training can be the most frustrating part of puppy hood. Even when done correctly, this step in a dogs development takes time.

The first thing to remember is; always be Pro-active not Re-active! We want to prevent accidents, not wait for them to happen. YOU play the most important role in potty training your dog. Success or failure rides on your shoulders. You must be patient, determined and reliable.

Supervision is of utmost importance. Your puppy is like a small child and must be looked after at all times. If your puppy is always within sight, then you will never walk into your bedroom and find a 'surprise' waiting for you. I suggest physically attaching your puppy to your belt loop with a long leash. This way, where you go, so does puppy. Now, when you see your puppy sniffing, circling or squatting you will be right there to get them immediately outside.

The first few weeks of potty training are the hardest and most important. And don't blame the dog if you're lazy!

Adult dogs can be trained in the same manner as puppies, but have a greater bladder control. Puppies have to go potty when:

They wake up in the morning

30 mins after they eat

After play time

Whenever you leave

Whenever you return

And last thing before bed

Do not wait for your dog to 'tell' you they have to go out. Puppies usually don't know they have to go until the moment they do!

If this all sounds like a lot of work it's because it is!

Dogs like to sleep and eat in clean places. This is the primary reason why crate training can be so effective. Make sure to purchase a crate that your puppy can grow into, and block off the excess with cinder blocks. (Virtually indestructible.) We don't want your puppy using half of a large crate for a bathroom and half for sleeping. Your dog should have just enough room to stand up and turn around. In the crate should always be water, a sleeping pad and toys. Place the crate in a central location in your home. Crates should be used primarily for sleeping and eating; never punishment. Your dog should only be in the crate when you cannot supervise them.

Note: If your already potty trained dog begins having accidents in the house, take them to a vet right away, as they may have a UTI or other medical problem.

Make sure to clean up any accidents with a non ammonia based product. (Baking soda and white vinegar work well.) You need to get out all of the smell, because to a puppy, if it smells like a bathroom, it is a bathroom.

If you catch your puppy in the act, pick them up and rush them outside ASAP! We want the puppy to feel grass under their feet while they are relieving themselves, not your carpet!

Don't give your puppy the run of the house too soon. Block off specific areas with baby gates during the transition period.

Come back next time for Potty Training 102!

BSL In Florida?!

2010-01-07T05:26:00.000-08:00

For the third year in a row Rep. P. Thurston (R) has filed a bill (HB543) to repeal state law 767.14 which currently prohibits municipalities from passing Breed Specific Legislation.

In the past, he has failed to gain senatorial support, but we should not feel falsely safe. He obviously cannot take no for an answer, and until he gets voted out...(he is up for re-election later this year...) we will have to fight him, and BSL.

Please, if you live in Florida, write your representatives and let them know that you do NOT want BSL in your state!

Go to: www.myfloridahouse.gov/sections/Representatives/representatives.aspx for a list of contact information.

We cannot sit idly by, we must take action NOW or our dogs will pay the price later. Remember to be passionate yet polite.

BSL only punishes good dogs and good dog owners; dogs who have done nothing wrong, except being born the 'wrong' breed. BSL has proven in-effective in communities who've tried it and it does not protect citizens from being bitten nor does it stop dog fighting. The criminals who fight dogs are already engaging in illegal activities, and don't care if the dogs they abuse are also illegal as well.

To round up and murder innocent beings solely because of how they look is racial profiling at best, but reminds me of worse...

In many places that have enforced BSL dogs have been falsely identified, and despite their owners protests, have been ripped from their arms and destroyed.

Punish the DEED and not the BREED.

Ban ignorance NOT breeds.

Pit Bulls are just dogs, four legs, two eyes and one heart.

The focus should be on the human end of the leash...

For anyone in the Central Florida area who is interested in learning more about the American Pit Bull Terrier my next Pit Bull Education Class will be held on January 27th at 6pm in the education room of the SPCA of Central Florida. It is free to the public.

Stick together, stay strong and make your voiced heard, for our dogs' sake.

Thank You.

Diane AKA The Dog Diva

If It's Too Cold For You....

2010-01-05T05:32:00.000-08:00

My car told me it was cold this morning. It's true, a very cute little snow flake appeared on my dash, accompanied by a soft chime. OK I get it, it's cold out.

It wasn't long after I arrived at work yesterday morning that a local news station called wanting to do a story on the freezing temperatures and pets. So I headed out in the cold to meet them.

My standard answer of course to the question "what to do with your outside pets on a cold night" is "bring them inside where they belong."

Look, it isn't rocket science, if YOU are cold THEY are cold. Simple as that.

It is true that animals tend to have better survival skills than we do, and a dogs natural body temperature is higher than ours, but that does not make them any less susceptible to the cold and even worse, the wind.

You MUST get your pet out of the wind and off of the ground. If nothing else, allow them into your garage for the night with a blanket or two. (Note: please make sure that you pick up and move any hazardous materials from said garage before closing them in for the night.)

Place a door on your out side dog house to block the wind and make sure that they have DRY blankets and non frozen water to drink.

If you have a chain link kennel with cement floor, tie tarps around the sides and secure them on all sides. Give your dog a Kuranda type bed to get them up off the floor.

Horses should be brought inside the barn and blanketed. Be careful of heaters though as they do pose a fire threat.

In a perfect world everyone would have an inside pet. A true member of the family. (I felt guilty yesterday for turning the heat off in the house and finding it at 66 degrees when I got home. (Not cold for doggy standards by any means, but I left it on today anyway!)

If you can spare a blanket or two, please donate them to your local shelter to help warm a homeless pets' spirit; and if you see a stray or loose dog pull over and help them find their way home or to the shelter, where at least they will be fed and (hopefully) out of the elements.

Happy New Year and please...stay warm!

Happy New Year! (Twenty Ten!)

2009-12-30T06:36:00.001-08:00

As I write this, my last blog entry of 2009, I am not as much looking back at the year I've had as I am looking forward to the year ahead. I feel that 2010 (that's twenty ten NOT two thousand ten) is going to bring great joy, change and advancement for myself, my blog and the world of dog. There will be obstacles and hurdles yes. Most likely I will find myself fighting BSL or even for some small policy change that if enacted could save at least one dog, and for me that's plenty.

In the past I have focused quite hard on all of the dogs that I didn't or couldn't save and it drove me down to a very dark place indeed. As of late, I have tried to focus on the ones that I have saved. The ones that are in their happy forever homes right now as I type this. The ones that if my life hadn't bumped into theirs, might not be of this earth anymore. So for the dogs saved, I celebrate. I will of course always continue to morn the fallen, but their sacrifice only gives me more courage, more stamina and more passion.
Things cannot go on as they are. Euthanasia cannot continue to be our main population control device. Our children must cease to be entertained by the cruelty of the circus, we must look long and hard at what or WHO we are eating, and we must not allow convicted dog fighters back into our hearts.

As a collective we have a long way to go, but I see bright spots in the tunnel. I hear every day from people trying to do the right thing. I hope that this decade will be one of understanding and compassion. A decade of respect for ALL living creatures big and small. Each and every one of them having the right to live out their lives in safety and in health.

A wise man once said: The greatness of a nation and its morals, can be judged by the way its animals are treated. (Gandhi)

Just something to think about as you make those annual resolutions come midnight.

And remember, if you only change ONE person, open ONE mind or soften ONE heart this year, count is as a year well spent. Do not allow your self to become focused on the millions you didn't change...there's always next year!

Have a Happy-yappy humane New Year!

The Dog Diva

Keep it Positive!

2009-12-28T08:00:00.000-08:00

You hear the term "Positive Re-enforcement" a lot these days, but many people still are not quite sure what it means. I will do my best to explain this most important of dog training philosophies.

First let's not think of positive as 'good' or 'right' let's look at it like a + sign. We are ADDING something to a dogs environment that increases the likelihood that a desired behavior will occur again in the future.

Re-enforcers for dogs are things like food, toys and praise. Basically anything your dog values and will work to earn.

So then, to positively re-enforce your dog, you simply give them what it is they value immediately following a desired behavior.

Yes, it is that simple.

Now, you will want your dog to start offering the desired behavior for as little reward as possible. This way you wont have to have chicken in your pocket at all times for your dog to listen to you!

Begin a schedule of variable re-enforcement. That way your dog wont know when the reward is coming and will always comply hoping that this time will be THE time! When weaning your dog off treats for example, do not allow the to see the treat until AFTER the behavior is preformed. The dogs' behavior should earn the treat, the treat should not earn the behavior.

Remember that positive re-enforcement is NOT the same as physically forcing your dog into a behavior and the rewarding them afterward. Your dog needs to learn on their own!

Timing is imperative! You MUST reward your dog within seconds for them to associate the behavior with the re-enforcement.

Well, I hope that clears some things up...

Happy Training!

Yappy Christmas!

2009-12-23T08:40:00.000-08:00

For some, this time of year brings happiness, joy and laughter. For others (myself included) it brings stress, long lines and bills. If you are like me, and yearn for mid January when normalcy starts to take hold once more, then your dog is likely to be stressed out as well. Dogs are very in tune to us, and can sense our anxiety. To keep your dog calm this holiday season, do your best to keep their routine the same. With shopping, family and parties, this can be more than difficult but remember dogs thrive on routine so keep waking, sleeping, feeding and exercise times all as normal as possible. If you are expecting company, make sure everyone in the house knows what the doggy rules are. If Grandpa Joe brings along his big box of medications, be sure to keep them out of Fido's reach.

Also, some of your decorations can be hazardous to your pups health. Christmas tree needles and water can be poisonous as well as mistletoe and poinsettias. You may also want to forgo the tinsel on the tree.

Be careful when baking those Christmas cookies too. Chocolate and raisins can be toxic to dogs.

Don't forget to allow your dog to be a part of the holiday festivities. Going light looking? Bring the dog along! Opening gifts...you got one for Max too right? Let them join in and everyone will have a 'howling' good time!

Remember those less fortunate than your Buddy or Daisy and donate food, toys, treats, cleaning supplies, bedding or time to your local Animal Shelter.

I wish all of you a very Happy-Yappy Christmas!

Peace On Earth....

Diane aka The Dog Diva

Ummm...That's my LEG!

2009-12-22T05:48:00.000-08:00

Whatever you want to call it; mounting, humping or 'loving up' this behavior is un-welcome and un-necessary and can be stopped.

It's not funny, so get that out of your heads right now. I have seen this behavior lead to dominance, aggression, scratches and bites, so whether you have a Great Dane or a Chihuahua, put and end to it today!

OK, first things first. Is your dog spayed or neutered? If you answered NO, move back 10 spaces. Get your dog fixed ASAP as this may be the one and only reason they are exhibiting this behavior.

If your dog is spayed or neutered, good for you. Pass GO and collect $200! But don't worry. Mounting is not always sexually motivated. Some dogs mount to show control or dominance.

This behavior can many times be eradicated in much the same way as jumping. A stern OFF, a turned back and walking away. However this is not always the case.

I have seen some pretty severe cases of humping over the years, and the good news for you is that all of the dogs got over it. Even Chico...who is by far the worst humper I've ever come across in my career.

Chico was a large adult male Rottweiler mix with a severe humping problem. Chico would not hump other dogs (a different problem behavior that almost ALWAYS is sexually or dominance driven) he would only hump people.

I first came across Chico when I heard a volunteer yelling from the play yard. I came in to find her frantically trying to pull Chico off of her by the ears. He wasn't budging, and his nails were digging into her arms drawing blood. I immediately leashed him and pulled him off of her. Then I returned him to his kennel and thought about what to do next.

I placed a note on the exercise log stating that no volunteer was to get him out with out my assistance. We then started Chico on a stern regiment of being walked around the play yard on a leash, in between my legs. At first I did this solely for control, as he was a very strong dog, but over time, it seemed to have a different affect on him as he no longer tried to hump me. I could now walk him around the yard on a loose leash. However, if he got close enough to another person, sir hump-a-lot would make a return appearance.

Because he was on a leash, I was able to pull him off. He then ceased from humping anyone who entered the yard with him. Anyone who entered afterwards was still fair game. We continued to work diligently with Chico over the months he was in our care.

One volunteer had told me that in all her 14 years at the shelter, she had never felt that a dog was truly un-adoptable...until now. I wouldn't hear any of this as I knew Chico was a good boy some where deep...DEEP down.

Then one day, something amazing happened. Chico stopped humping. He became an ace at his manners and was ready to find a new home.

It was two days before Christmas when Chico's forever home came in for him. A family with young children who were able to boss Chico around, telling him SIT! and DOWN! And Chico was obeying like the good boy I knew he could be.

They took him home for Christmas, and that to me, is the best gift any of us could have hoped for.

Chico the reformed humper.

Motion Sickness in Dogs

2009-12-18T06:00:00.000-08:00

Does a simple trip to the vet leave your dog feeling queasy and you cleaning up a mess in the back seat? If so, why not take the time to put your dog through the simple process of desensitization?

This is a proven process, and when done correctly is extremely effective. Make sure to devote the time necessary to do this right, and always keep sessions short and successful.

First, start by simply having your dog NEAR your car in the drive way. Because your dog already associates your car with feeling sick, time spent near it while feeling normal will be a key factor in your dogs rehabilitation.

After a few of these sessions, open the car doors. Don't have your dog jump in just yet, again just stay near the car.

The next step will be to turn on the cars' engine. This is still not the time to allow your dog into your car; wait until he or she feels comfortable with this step before asking them to get in. Once your dog is in your car, keep all the doors open and have them jump right back out again. Gradually shut the doors, and sit in the drivers seat. Do not move the car yet! Wait until your dog is ready.

When the time is right, back out of the driveway, and then right back in. Remember, small steps will be the key to success here.

Slowly add time and distance in the car; down the street, around the block and so on.

Your dog should slowly get used to the cars' movements and no longer become sick.

The entire process can take weeks, but the end results are worth it for the both of you.

Throughout the training, remember to shower your dog with gentle and encouraging words of praise!

If done right, you'll soon be able to take those paper towels out of your trunk!

Good luck and happy training!

Kids Will Be Kids...

2009-12-15T06:52:00.000-08:00

So you've got a dog...and a kid...now what? First of all, make sure you didn't get the dog for the wrong reasons. (ie to teach your child responsibility) As we all know who always ends up doing all the doggy chores....you.

Set up a doggy rule book for the entire family to follow and hold weekly practices to make sure everyone is on the same page. And my biggest piece of advice for your dog and your kids? Supervise! Supervise! Supervise!

This is all well and good in your home, but what about when your child is out playing with friends, or over at another home for a play date? Make sure to teach your children how to interact with any dog they come across.

If your child comes across a dog being walked by their owner, the FIRST thing they should do is to ask the owner permission to pet the dog. If the owner declines, your child should say thank you and move on. If the answer is yes, it is now time for the child to properly introduce themselves to the dog. This is done by allowing the dog to sniff the BACK of the the hand. This will not work with the front of the hand, as that smells like the last thing it touched. The back of the hand smells like YOU. This is how the dog will get to know, and remember you. After the dog has sniffed the child's hand, the child may pet the dog...but not just anywhere! The dog should be pet under the chin and on the chest. Teach your kids never to pet a new dog on top of the head, back or rump area as the dog cannot see them or their hands, and this may make the dog nervous. Always keep your hands where the dog can see them!

Don't over whelm the dog and keep the petting session brief. Thank the dogs' owner and move on.

Dogs that belong to friends should be treated in this same manner. If your child encounters a jumping dog, instruct them to turn around and brace themselves on something.

If your child ever comes across a stray dog it is important that they understand NEVER to approach it or run from it. A running child may prove too tempting for even the nicest of dogs. Children are instructed to slide away slowly, while keeping the dog in their peripheral vision. Then they should tell their parents right away so that Animal Control can be called or so that mom or dad can go over to see if the dog has any ID tags, and return the dog home.

If a stray dog approaches your child, it is imperative that they not run! They should put their side toward the dog and stand like a tree with their hands in a fist. They should remain still while the dog sniffs them and checks them over. The most likely result is that the dog will get bored and move on. If your child is knocked down, they need to get into a ball and protect their face and neck. Again, no wiggling or screaming as this will only encourage the dog. Stay still and silent and the dog will get bored and move on.

It is important for your children to understand that just because their dog at home and their friends' dogs are nice, that this does not mean that every dog out there is. Many dogs are wonderful around adults, but not with kids, so as a parent always be aware, and always SUPERVISE!

The Educational Struggle

2009-12-10T05:57:00.000-08:00

Education is an important yet delicate thing. We value education in our society, yet many people are resistant to it. Whether they are aware of this or not, is not always clear; what is clear is that their minds are closed shut to new, and many times correct, information.

Anyone in the animal welfare business will tell you that educating the public on the many important issues is more than difficult.

People tend to resist change, it's human nature, so when a new and different idea is offered, it is many times ignored or even repelled.

I find this confusing because many times, these people have come to us because of our 'expertise' in the field. But when they don't like what they hear suddenly they know better.

Let me tell you now dear readers, just because your parents did it that way and their parents and theirs, does not make something RIGHT. I know I know, this can be difficult to swallow. So I'll give you a moment.....

(Duke (left) is a handsome young male Pit Bull/Lab mix, available for adoption from the SPCA of Central FL)

OK, so if you're still reading...good for you! You've passed the first hurdle in accepting that there may still be things out there in this world for you to learn. I myself love learning, and try to learn something new every day. This of course gets harder and harder with age.

Young people have the advantage of minds that are not yet chock full of useless information. That is why humane education focuses on school aged children so heavily. Young people are still forming their opinions and ideas about the world and are, at this stage, more than happy to contradict their parents. Giving a class to a group of young people can be so fulfilling because you can almost see them drinking in the new information. With adults, you can sometimes actually see them blocking it. It's not our fault though, you see we simply cannot over ride our formed schema's.

If you are asking..."Uh, Diane, What's a schema?" don't worry, I'll tell you!

I like to think of schema's as little labeled boxes in our brains. (Think about your attic, basement or back room/closet). We only have so many boxes, so we have to assimilate some things....every time we learn something new, we try our best to cram it into a box full of things we already know and are comfortable with. (Are you following me?)

So, when we come across a large oddly shaped object (or piece of different and challenging information) we just can't fit it in any of our boxes, so we throw it out, or reject it.

OK enough with the psychology lessons....the problem is much simpler than that: How to get people to open their minds and perhaps more importantly their hearts?

Some people respond to hard numbers and facts. So here goes....For every human born there are 13 dogs and 65 cats. That means for every pet to have a home EACH person would have to have 13 dogs and 65 cats. Not just every household or family but every individual. One pair of cats and their offspring can create up to 420,000 kittens in just 7 years. Millions of adoptable cats and dogs are euthanized every year in this country alone, while puppy mills and stores make millions of dollars make MORE dogs.

Some people learn through fear: Neutering your male dog will save him from testicular/prostate cancer later in life. A spayed female cannot get ovarian cancer. (Did I mention that cancer is the number ONE killer of dogs?) Spaying and neutering cuts down on aggression. Neutered males seldom mark their territories and spayed females wont bleed all over your rug.

Then there are the folks out there who respond to passion. I see good dogs die every day. Dogs who've never done anything wrong in their lives, dogs that some one at one time had promised to take care of, dogs with love, fear and uncertainty in their eyes. Dogs that willingly walk back to the euthanasia room, happy to be out of their kennel, not knowing these are their final moments on earth. How anyone could justify purchasing a dog, or breeding a dog when these wonderful companions are killed every day, is just beyond me. It just doesn't fit in any of my boxes or in my heart.
Perhaps I am too passionate about my work, and maybe I overwhelm people with my fervor.
Or it may be that people build a wall of guilt, telling themselves that the one litter they let their cat have really didn't take the homes of 7 shelter pets, who were then put to death when their time was up.
Whatever it is, guilt, indifference or plain old stubbornness...it seems one simply cannot teach compassion.

Diane AKA The Dog Diva

BOING! Look at me!!!!

2009-12-07T08:11:00.000-08:00

Jumping. This just may be the most complained about doggy behavior, and funnily enough, it's one of the easiest to fix!

No one (well most of us anyway) likes going over to 'that friends' house all dressed up, only to have our panty hoes ripped or dress shirts paw stained, all while 'that friend' clamors (always too late) to drag the dog away to confinement, while muttering something about how she just doesn't know why he does that and how sorry she is.
This whole ordeal is just not necessary.

Jumping up is an attention seeking behavior, therefore the way to break a dog of this is to withdraw ALL attention from them; even negative.
Some people will suggest pushing the dog off, saying NO or kneeing the dog in the chest. Even though all of this is "bad" attention it is still attention none the less.
(I know we all remember that kid from our elementary school who would act out just so he could see his name written on the board!) Thus, 'bad' attention is still......well.....attention, and therefore rewarding.

When your dog jumps up on you, simply cross your arms, turn and look away and say OFF! If your dog comes around to the other side of you and tries again, turn away once more and repeat until your dog has all four paws on the ground. Once this occurs you may praise your dog lavishly. If your dog becomes exited by this attention and jumps up again, simply repeat the off procedure once more. It wont take your dog long to figure out that he receives attention while on the ground and gets ignored in the air.

Off is an instructive reprimand and is better in this case because it tells the dog what to do, rather than just letting them know you are displeased.

Have guests coming over? Make sure they know the OFF rules so they don't un-do your training with a single "good doggy" while Fido has his paws on their shoulders.

This system works; period. I have used it on very severe cases and with time and consistency, OFF always wins out.
So good luck and as always, happy training!

Hyperactivity

2009-12-04T09:50:00.000-08:00

A dog with hyperactivity can be destructive as well as pesty. Remember that many breeds of dogs have a psychological need to stay busy, and if you don't give them a job to do...they'll find one! And it most likely will be highly unpleasing to you.

Dogs need toys, (Chew, soft, KONG, balls, Frisbee's etc...) daily walks and play time with both you and with other dogs. Making your dog a part of your day to day family life can also help with hyperactivity. Instead of locking your dog in a crate and leaving, why not take them with you?! Your dog would surely love to watch little Johnny' s soccer game, or go through the bank drive through with you. Being a part of family activities will give your dog something to do and to look forward to, and you will notice an over improvement in your dogs' behavior.

Now, I know that you can't take your dog everywhere you go, so when you have to leave Fido behind, make sure that he's had plenty of exercise first. Confine your dog to a specific area in your home that is dog proofed (ie no trash cans left out or cords to chew...) and leave behind some fun toys. (A KONG stuffed with goodies should keep your dog happy and occupied.)

When you arrive back home play a game of hide and seek or "find the treat" with your dog for a little brain stimulation and fun!

Let Me Touch Your Feet!

2009-12-01T07:24:00.000-08:00

During the Holiday Season many people will be bringing a new furry friend home to join their families. There are many things to know and consider when doing this, but in an effort not to overwhelm my loyal audience, I will be taking these steps one at a time!

Today we will be discussing: Handling.

Handling is very important for all dogs. You can start this process whether you have a puppy or a senior. It's never too early or too late to start!

Handling is an especially important routine because all dogs will need their nails trimmed, their hair combed, teeth brushed and ears cleaned. Do NOT wait until these things actually need to be done to try them! Start getting your dog prepared today!

Get your dog used to having all parts of his or her body touched. Always be gentle and praise them verbally and with yummy treats for good behavior.

Toe nail clipping can make even the most seasoned dog owner cringe; and anyone who's ever "quicked" a dog knows why!
Start small by clipping just the tip of the toe nails. Do just one or two at a time, followed by praise, treats and/or play time. In other words, associate the event with something enjoyable for your dog.
If your dog has clear nails...lucky you! You will be able to see the quick (vein) in the nail, so you shouldn't have trouble avoiding it. For the rest of us, the best advice is to go slow and take a little at a time. Always have styptic powder close at hand to stop the bleeding in case of an accident. Quicks can bleed without stopping for quite some time without this.

Follow the same rules for teeth brushing and ear cleaning. Slow and patient with lots of "Good Dogs!"

You can practice handling whenever your dog is near you. Touch your dogs feet, look in their ears and open their mouths whenever you get a chance.
If you do this enough your dog will become desensitized to the process.

Is Your Dog Driving You Crazy?

2009-11-24T07:19:00.000-08:00

We've all had one, or at least know some one who has... or still does. A crazy dog. It seems no matter how much exercise they are given or how old they get, they just don't slow down.

The Dog Diva to the rescue!

Below you will find 5 simple and cheap tips for calming your crazy dog....you're welcome.

EXERCISE: Whatever exercise you are currently giving your dog...double it! Romping in the back yard or a quick trip around the block is not sufficient for most dogs. Your dog needs to get really tired out! Go for a run or a bike ride, or simply extend the length of your walk. Don't forget about your dogs mental needs either. Fido should be both mentally and physically tuckered out. Try getting involved in agility, Frisbee or fly ball. On a rainy day you can play Hide and Seek with your dog for some indoor fun!

DO NOTHING: Behaviorist Sue Sternberg developed this idea, and it really works! All that is required of you is that you do...well...not much. Sit in a small quiet room and read a book or a magazine; or get some work done on your computer. All while paying peripheral attention to your dog. If your dog nudges you, barks, whines, paws, jumps or tries to get your attention in any other way, ignore them completely. (This may take some time at first.) When your dog finally settles down, hand them a treat and say GOOD BOY! (Or girl!) If you are thinking that this will in turn send your dog running to you in hopes of attention, well, you're right. But what you must do is ignore them once more. Again, after they settle, give them another treat and a GOOD DOG. Repeat. Remember to continue to reward your dog the longer they remain calm and quiet.

FOOD: You may actually be feeding your dog the crazies! Many dog show ADHD like behaviors when they eat a poor diet. If you can't pronounce all of the ingredients in your dogs food, don't feed it to them!

LAVENDER: A few drops of lavender essential oil between your dogs shoulder blades or a spritz on a bandanna around their neck can have calming effects. Even if this doesn't work for you, your dog will smell great!

T-SHIRTS: A snug fitting shirt can help sooth and calm dogs. (Kind of like a hug!)

Tis The Season For FOOD!

2009-11-20T06:22:00.001-08:00

This is the time of year when we all tend to gain a couple of pounds. But did you know that a few pounds on your dog can actually be incredibly hazardous to their health? I know how tempting it can be, with all the scraps and leftovers hanging around, but remember, turkey skin and bones are choking hazards!

Also, chocolate, onions, grapes, raisins, avocados and macadamia nuts, among other things, can be toxic to your pet. All of which brings me back to my cardinal rule: People food for people, dog food for dogs!

I have already given you a few of my favorite recipes tailored especially towards K9 cuties, but you've asked for more! Below you will find two more yummy made for dog baked goods.

But before I get to the recipes themselves, I'd like to take a moment to talk about how to have a save and successful Thanksgiving with your dog.

First, keep your dogs' routine as consistent as possible. The holidays are a very stressful time for us all, and your dog is no exception. The more consistent you can make your dogs life, the less stress they will have.

Make sure all guests in you home know the 'doggy rules'. No scraps from the table, no jumping up etc... Also make sure they store their medications away from Fido's reach, and just in case, know the poison control hot line (888-426-4435) and the number for you nearest emergency vet!

Afraid your best friend will embarrass you with bad manners during dinner time? No worries, stuff a KONG or two with wet food, baby food, peanut butter or treats and they'll happily settle in for a feast of their own!

OK now for the recipes. Oh and on a side note, if you happen to have any left over doggie goodies, you can always take them to your local shelter and share them with less fortunate, homeless pets.

Shush Puppies

2 cups cornmeal

1 cup wheat flour

1 2/3 cup cheddar cheese

3 tsp garlic powder

4 tlbs oil

1 cup powdered milk

1 1/8 cup water

Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees. Combine all dry ingredients in a bowl. Gradually add oil and water. Mix well. Dough should form a sticky ball. Place on greased cookie sheet by spoon fulls and bake for about 20 mins.

Banana Pupcakes

2 cups water

2 bananas

1 tps vanilla

3 cups flour

1 tbls baking powder

1 egg

3 tbls honey

Heat oven to 350 degrees, mash bananas. Mix all ingredients together and pour into cupcake pan. Bake for 20 mins.

Shadie is a 7 year old terrier mix available for adoption from the SPCA of Central Florida. She'd love to go home with you for the holidays!

The Dog Diva on National TV!

2009-11-18T06:09:00.000-08:00

Dear Readers,

I am pleased to announce that I will be taking the The Dog Diva's message to a television set near you!

I will be appearing on several pet segments during the national morning show The Daily Buzz. My first segment will air on Thanksgiving. Tune in for Safe Holiday Pet Tips by the Dog Diva!

Following that will be segments on Training and Pet Holiday Gift Ideas. (Nov. 30th and Dec. 14th respectively.)

All segments air around 7:45am.

Thanks for your continued support and please...spread the word!

Diane aka The Dog Diva

Give Treats, er I Mean Thanks...

2009-11-16T07:09:00.000-08:00

During this time of year, we humans tend to eat a lot of food. Much of that food is, let's face it, not that good for us. But what about our K9 companions? Do you find yourself giving Fido your table scraps more during the holidays? Naughty naughty!

It's OK to want to 'spoil' your dog this time of year, it's only natural. But instead of stuffing and pie, why not cook up some of these special yummy treats designed especially for doggies! You can make enough to share with your dog's friends or the less fortunate dogs at your local shelter!

Happy Cooking!

Massive Mastiff Munchy Muffins

2 Carrots (shredded)

1 1/2 cups water

1 egg

1/4 teaspoon vanilla

2 tbls Honey

1 1/2 over ripe bananas mashed

4 cups whole wheat flour

1 tbls baking powder

1tbls Cinnamon

1tbls Nutmeg

Mix all wet ingredients together in a bowl. Then add banana, mix thoroughly and set aside. Combine the dry ingredients and add wet. Mix thoroughly. Coat a 12 muffin pan with non-stick spray (or muffin cups). Fill with batter about 3/4ths full.

Bake at 350 degrees for one hour.

Bull Dog Brownies

1/2 cup shortening

3 Tbls Honey

4 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

1 cup whole wheat flour

1/2 cup carob powder

1/2 tsp baking powder

Cream shortening and honey. Add all remaining ingredients and blend well. Bake in a greased cookie sheet for 25 minutes at 350 degrees.

Frosting

12 ounces non-fat cream cheese

2 tbls Honey

Blend together and spread over brownies.

Enjoy!

Under The Surface

2009-11-13T05:58:00.000-08:00

Dogs dig period. It is a natural canine behavior. However sometimes the digging can get a bit out of control, or compromise the dogs safety. In these cases, we need to dig deep and find out what is going on with the dog....under the surface.

Your first task will be to figure our exactly WHY your dog is digging. Is there a critter living in your flower beds? Is your dog simply looking for the perfect place to marinate his bone? Does your dog enjoy a game of tug of war with roots? Do you live in a hot climate? If so your dog may be digging to stay cool. Or is your dog simply bored, and looking for a way to stimulate his mind? It is important to find the cause behind the digging because the treatment is different for each.

As always remember you cannot scold your dog after the fact. If you come home to find a new hole in your yard, it's too late, better luck next time. If you catch your dog in the act, you can interrupt them with a firm NO and then redirect them to a more appropriate behavior.

After some spying and sleuthing, you've hopefully come to a conclusion about why your dog digs. Did you find a critter in your garden? The best solution here is to have the small animal humanely removed from your yard.

Is your dog digging to bury his bone? Why don't you hold onto the bone for him, and only let him have it when you can supervise him?

Is your dog playing tug of war with trees? Give him something to play with that doesn't destroy your maple. Tie a rope toy or spring toy from a branch and encourage your dog to play with that instead.

If heat is the cause, why not provide your dog with a nice wading pool to cool off in? (Baby pool.) Or better yet, bring your dog inside where the AC is!

If your dog is digging out of boredom, you have a harder task in front of you. Dogs that dig out of boredom often dig out of their yards and 'escape'. Your dog is searching for something to stimulate his mind, and because you did not provide anything for him, he will go and find his own fun. This of course compromises your dogs safety and should be dealt with ASAP!

To prevent your dog from getting under your fence, you can bury chicken wire about one to two feet under the soil at the base of your fence. Once you have your dog securely in your yard, please give Fido something to do! A KONG toy or two stuffed with yummy ingredients such as peanut butter, baby food, cheese or wet food.

If this doesn't work or you find your dog just simply loves to dig, then I say let them. In a controlled and appropriate manner of course.

Build your dog a dig box. (Similar to a child's sand box.) Place it in an area in your yard that will be your dogs dig spot. Fill the box with sand and loose soil. Now, bury items for your dog to find. Make it easy at first until they get the idea. As time moves on you can bury items deeper and deeper. Encourage your dog to dig in that spot and praise them for doing so. Continue to correct the dog anytime he or she digs outside of the box.

You have now successfully taken control of the digging behavior. Congratulations, you and your garden can now breath easy.