In Jake’s case he is never aggressive with food or while going or on trips to the park.. of course! At least those were the words used by Jake’s owner to describe the unwanted behavior he wanted to change in his beloved dog. So after hearing the many stories of how Jakes greets the mailman I decided to delve further into investigation as to how, why and when this behavior happened.

Sweet most of the time, but Jake’s energy range goes from energetic to slug at different intervoles throughout the day and then suddenly when the mailman approaches psycho-dog! Then like clockwork, the mailman approached. Jake was in his usual “lounge lizzard” position draped over his usual chair, and then like a rocket, jumped out of the chair, and fired off his machine ( I’m gonna kill you) bark, upon hearing the rattle of the mailman open the mail box. Needless to say, this was not good.

O.k. so a lot of issues, right? I think many dog owners could use a basic understanding of how these behaviors develop and then that can the cure. Firstly, many (not all) dogs are not so mailman aggressive one would think. Actually, it’s the noise of the chain or opening of the mail slot they are hearing and usually barking at. In Jake’s case, he was not able to see the mailman, he just heard the mail being dropped in slot. So what to do?

Here are a few suggestions that I gave Jake’s owner. Dog’s respond to repetition and consistency in both the positive and the negative sense. Jake’s owner did not correct this behavior. Sure he said no, but after the fact. What was needed was to change the place Jake hung out on a daily basis, at least during the few hours a day that the mailman comes. By using a baby gate and creating a new space in the kitchen or hallway, just for a few hours, creates a positive boundary. Secondly, music would help drown out the alert cues of Jake’s hobby of listening to the mailman coming. A third option was to create a mail basket instead of opening the slot. If a behavior is allowed to be repeated such as daily barking then over time this can get out of hand and a really bad accident can happen. Dog owner awareness is key!

P.s. If you, as a dog owner, find that your dog is “over the top” aggressive toward people approaching your yard or property always seek professional help from a dog trainer in your area.

This old video of Jimmy Stewart on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson is so sweet. He reads a very touching poem he wrote to honor his best friend Beau. I love this clip for many reason’s. Although I didn’t train Mr Stewart or Beau, I have trained the wonderful family and their dogs that now own the famous Jimmy Stewart property. The house itself has changed yet the property and street still have an air of a mystical and magical mystique of old Hollywood times. So when I heard this beautiful monologue that speaks to every dog owner so magnificently, I had to share it!

Ahh yes.. the tea cup or toy breed (aka) the tiny little dog and the infamous housebreaking issue! I know, many owners feel it’s hopeless. Some feel it’s not possible and others feel these little dogs are not capable.  The truth? Of course it’s possible and yes they can learn to go potty outside!

O.k it’s true they don’t lead the blind or do police work, but they are just as smart as any breed of dog. Now, having said that, the owners of these toy breed dogs, on the other hand, need to realize a few things. Firstly, that teaching your pup formally, to go outside potty means taking him out “formally” and regularly, on a leash to go potty! That means first thing in the morning and several times throughout the day and evening. Now, I’m not trying to be disrespectful or rude in saying such an obvious task, but what happens to toy breed dog owners is they forget or become inconsistent. The truth is that when you own a large breed puppy, you simply don’t forget. The potty accident is huge! Taking your dog out becomes the main focus when raising a large breed dog, who is 45 lbs at the age of 4 months. Therefore, those dog owners get on a routine of going outdoors pretty fast.  Another thing to remember is that toy breed dog owners often play indoors with their pups. This can give a dog a mixed signal when holding the urge to potty. For example, they play fetch down hallways and in living rooms. Owning a big dog you just would not do that, you can’t or furniture would go flying. Of course, there are many steps to housebreaking a puppy or solving a chronic housebreaking problem.

However, the key points remain that toy breed owners need to become more aware of when they wake up take they need to take their dogs outdoors first, also before initiating any kind or play indoors. Potty first, then play! Getting your dog on a schedule and awareness is the start to solving this issue and the main philosophy of this post. Stay tuned for more tips on this topic and please pass this along to any toy breed owner who needs to understand this stupidly simple but sometimes not so obvious dog owner tip!

Is this product safe? Years ago these treats had some issues and unfortunately a few dogs choked and died. The treat is now new and improved with a soft, chewy texture that is easier to digest. They are now so soft that they are even bendable. The gummy texture helps remove tarter from a senior dogs teeth! Older dogs sometimes stop chewing things like chew bones, and dental cleanings are expensive but become necessary. However, like with any treat or dog chew you have to be a mindful dog owner! You really need to know your dog, ask your vet and think about when you give treats.

Seriously, I mean when you buy a treat for your dog, think about your dog and circumstance. Do you have multiple dogs? Does your dog gulp treats? How old is your dog? You are probably thinking, why should I ask myself all of these questions before giving my dog a treat or a chew!? Well, all of these questions have to do with safety and ultimately safety will save you heartache and vet bills. These treats like other treats and dog chews can be great if you read the packaging and get the proper size of treat for your dog. The main thing is that your dog does not gulp or hoard treats. If that’s the case this type of treat may not be right for  your dog. This treat is now new and improved to be chewy and easy to digest helping to clean teeth and has vitamins galore.

Paws for a Minute™ safety tips for treats!

1. If your dog gulps treats, this treat is not the best. Beware of your dogs chewing behaviors. Check with your vet, first.

2. Read the packages and think before you buy a chew bone or treat!

3. If you own multiple dogs don’t give them all a chew bone or chew treat all at the same time. This creates a “shark effect” and frenzy that can cause choking.

I recently read a very cool little piece in Newsweek called The World’s Real Winners. In it, I saw that Belgium was named the “Best Place To Be A Dog Owner“. First of all, what an honor! Second of all, I had no idea Belgium was so dog friendly. Accordingly to the piece, “dogs are truly considered part of the family” in Belgium. They are so appreciative of their four-legged friends that they allow them to accompany them to the grocery store, restaurants, sporting events, music festivals and even on the train. How cool is that? Curious about this, I did a little more research and found a guide to the Top 10 Most Dog Friendly Cities of Blegium from BringFido.com.  It’s an easy place to find out where all the pet friendly hotels, parks, restaurants, etc are so you can plan that long awaited trip abroad for you and your pooch. PS- According to the Embassy, there is no quarantine for pets traveling to Belgium. Which means, if your dog meets the requirements all you need is the proper documentation, a suitcase and your off!

We discovered this trailer of an independent film soon to be released. Check it out! It looks amazingly well done.

Released Date: Opens Sept 1, 2010

Background Info/Cast:

Beautifully animated and featuring the voices of Christopher Plummer, the late Lynn Redgrave, and Isabella Rossellini, My Dog Tulip is a bittersweet retrospective account of author J. R. Ackerley’s 16-year relationship with his adopted German Shepherd, Tulip.

The distinguished British man of letters, Ackerley hardly thought of himself as a dog lover when, well into middle age, he came to adopt Tulip — a beautiful, yet intolerable 18-month-old German shepherd. To his surprise, she turned out to be the love of his life, the “ideal friend” he had been searching for in vain for so many years. In vivid and sometimes startling detail, the film reveals Tulip’s sassy, often erratic behavior (and very canine tastes) and Ackerley’s fumbling but determined efforts to ensure an existence of perfect happiness for her.

A profound and subtle mediation on the strangeness that lies at the heart of all relationships, My Dog Tulip was written, directed and animated by award-winning filmmakers Paul and Sandra Fierlinger and is the first animated feature ever to be entirely hand drawn and painted utilizing paperless computer technology.

Based on the book MY DOG TULIP by J. R. Ackerley. The book is available from New York Book Review at booksellers nationwide.

CAST (Voice)
CHRISTOPHER PLUMMER
LYNN REDGRAVE
ISABELLA ROSSELLINI
PETER GERETY
BRIAN MURRAY
PAUL HECHT
EUAN MORTON

www.MyDogTulipFilm.com

As of lately, I’ve come across more and more dogs that are dyed to look like other animals. I think it all started by a Japanese gentleman named Kensuke Hirakawa who adopted a Maltese-Poodle mix named Colombo. Colombo was in bad shape when he found him with a very matted coat and dark tear marks around his eyes. Being a beautician and pet store owner, Hirakawa decided to update his new friends look by dyeing his fur and grooming him to look like a panda. And, just like that, a trend was born.

Here are a few pics from a recent publicity event in China. They dyed these dogs to look like other more “wild” animals to help promote the opening of a new pet friendly park.

This is especially popular in Asia, but is becoming more and more prevalent in Europe and the States as well. Here in the US, there is pretty crazy grooming competition held in Pasedena, CA every year known as Barkleigh’s Creative Styling Contest. Below is a video featured on Animal Planet from the 2009 contest and further down you will see some pics that REALLY showcase the talents of these creative groomers.

Cruel or fun? They say that they all use pet safe dye products and all the dogs are cooperative while grooming but, there is a huge debate taking place on whether this is humane or not. What are your thoughts?

Listen to Inger’s Paws For A Minute Quick Tip to learn more…

http://www.pawsforaminute.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/QT13MILL.mp3

Got to love the strategy of getting the birds eye view of the situation. Check it out..