Dog Gone Blog - The Dog Blog for Real Dogs

Okay, you asked for it - the Michael Vick chew toy

For those people who got here by searching for "Michael Vick Chew Toy".  Hi.  Nice to meet you.  Hope you at least took a minute to look around.

But probably not.  I'm sure you had a single-minded purpose that somehow got you here.

That would be this.

If you purchase it please tell your dogs for me: "Chew it in good health."

 

Oh, do I have a problem with the toy? 

Funny you should ask.

I would say from these pictures - and, yes, that's my kid taking a
bite out of the dogs' George W. Bush chew toy - that the answer would be
a very emphatic "Hells no".

I'm just sorry that I didn't think of it first.

Something tells me we won't be sniffing each others butts at this thing.

I know I owe you - my three readers - an advice post but I've been so busy preparing myself for this little conference I'm going to that I have not yet written a response to your (my readers in the queue) questions.  I'm sorry for that.  I promise that as soon as I get back I'll get down to the business of forcing my opinions on how you should raise your dogs.  You're welcome.

In the meantime, if you have not yet sent in a question about your dog's behavior, training or lack thereof, or any other dog related question you can think of - and you'd like to - please send them to Dog Gone Blog at yahoo dot com.  I'm really enjoying the ones I've received so far and the ones coming up are really fantastic, in a horribly difficult to answer sort of way.  They really run the gamut but what I'm really looking for is questions from families with dogs.  In particular, families with school-aged or younger children.  And if you're thinking of getting a dog in the near future and you already have kids at home, I'd love to hear from you too.

And to you readers who found yourself here from one of my business cards - Hello!  Welcome.  Pull up a chair.  Don't mind the dog hair, there's nothing I can do about that.  But it adds a certain something to the wardrobe, don't you think?  If you look closely at my clothing or my laptop while we're at Blogher you're sure to find a few stray dog hairs sticking out here and there.

So, as I was saying to you newbies - have a look around.  Get comfortable.  Feedback is important to this blog so if you'd like to see something in particular or you would like some advice (hey, it's free!) send your thoughts to the address above.  Or leave it in the comments.  Or buy me a drink at Blogher and tell me all about your pooch.  I love to talk dog.

I'll be back next week!  Chow chow.

(Yeah, I know it's spelled "Ciao", but a Chow is a dog and I thought it was funny and... Sheesh.  Tough audience.)

Thinking about a pet sitter or a kennel for your dog?

In case you were wondering, Mitt Romney and his amazing stick-the-dog-on-the-roof-because-he-loves-the-fresh-air trick did not drive me away from the ol' blog.  I was on vacation.  Well, I took a trip with my family to see more family, and then even more family.  Which is not a vacation at all but a lesson in control and patience.

Anyhooo...

You don't care about my trip, you care about what I did with my pets during this trip, right?  Yeah, thought so.

We left the dogs and the cat (how it pains me to say "cat" instead of "cats" but Dizzy hasn't returned and I fear he won't ever again, but I digress) with a pet sitter.  This is a first for us as we usually put the dogs in a boarding kennel and the cat (*snurffle*) gets looked after by a neighbor or friend. 

Well, this time I didn't want to inconvenience a friend with cat box duty and Lana has never really taken to being kenneled so we hired a wonderful woman to come to our home three times a day to feed, water and love our pets.

And loved she did.  I am so deliriously happy with how well it worked out that I'm at a complete loss for words.

(Okay, not really.  I am very happy with the care my pets received but I am rarely without words.)

It costs a bit more to have a pet sitter come to the house to care for three pets but I don't think I'll go any other way now.  For our pets - especially Lana - a pet sitter is the way to go.  They're in their own environment, someplace where they feel safe, and there's no need to transport them.  Plus, the pet sitter we used took in our mail, watered our plants and changed around the lights to make it seem as if someone was home all the time. 

If you're looking for sitters in your area and don't know where to start I recommend beginning your online search with Pet Sitters International, but also get referrals from friends and veterinarians.  It's hard finding a person you can trust on line or through the phone book, so word of mouth can be a life saver.  And make sure before you hire someone that you get a chance to interview each other.  Get to know the person who will be caring for your precious pets.  Also, it helps if they're insured and bonded.  It's even better if they're pet First Aid certified.  You just never know what can happen.

Now, before I am labeled as a kennel hater, I am not opposed to kenneling.  I've worked in a kennel before and a good one, though hard to find sometimes, is great for a well adjusted dog.  If you're looking for a reputable kennel in your area try starting with the ABKA website.  You can often find kennels that offer grooming and daycare on sight.  A place like that would be perfect for the super social Fisher. 

Just like with finding a sitter, ask around to vets and other pet owners about reputable kennels.  Before dropping your pooch or kitty off for a week make sure you can take a full tour of the facility.  You should be able to drop in to a facility during regular working hours without having to make an appointment for a tour.  I'm always suspicious when a kennel owners asks me to come by after a certain time.  I wonder what they're hiding.

A kennel should be clean and smell decent (within reason, we are talking about a place that houses pets).  The owner should have a plan for after hours care and never assume they will administer medications or special diets.  Ask first.  As a matter of fact, ask lots and lots of questions.  If the owner or manager can't answer your questions to your liking, it's time to find a different kennel.

So, yes, hiring a pet sitter worked out great.  My pets were spoiled - I can tell by how they follow me to the refrigerator where the carrots sticks and cheese is housed - and that's exactly what should happen when you go on a trip and leave the four-legged kids behind.  Your pets shouldn't dread seeing your suitcase come out, they should feel secure in the knowledge that another person will come and care for them while you're away.  And feed them cookies.  And cheese.  And rub their bellies.  And throw a ball for them.  And...

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

Congratulations to Elwood, this year's winner of the Ugliest Dog contest.

Can you believe the breeder was going to euthanize him because he was too ugly to sell?  Tragic.  I think he's a stunner.  Definitely a chick magnet.  Thankfully, Elwood found a wonderful home and now he's famous.  It just goes to show you, don't overlook that diamond in the ruff.

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On a personal note, readers of my other blog know that over the weekend I lost one of my cats.  I'm hoping some kind family took him in, but I fear he may have wandered into someone's open shed or garage and got stuck there or worse (I can't think of that right now, too painful).  I have a long day of flyer making and distributing ahead of me and I'm not looking forward to engaging some of my more truculent neighbors.  This being New England we're not all the neighborly sort, if you get my meaning.

It's horrible to lose a pet, the worrying and the waiting is intense and draining.  Yes, I know I shouldn't let my cat outdoors but he loves wandering the neighborhood and he's lost a good deal of weight since he became an indoor/outdoor cat.  He was happy and healthy... and now he's gone.

I've found some great information on the web about what to do if you've lost a dog or cat so I thought I would include them here in case this happens to any of you - my 3 readers.

• Here's a very thorough list of steps to take if you've lost a pet. 
• This is another list from the Humane Society.
• And finally, a website recommended by the HSUS - Pets911.com.  A site dedicated to adopting and finding or reporting lost pets.

Look what the cat dragged in

Wow, is this place dusty, or what?  And look at those cobwebs.  It's going to take me forever to get all this cleared away.  But I will.  That is my commitment to... Me, since I'm probably the only one around to read this blawg. 

Yes, I am back. 

I miss sharing my opinions on all things dog with people who didn't ask for it.  My main reason for taking a break from this blog back in January - besides my overall burnout - was that I doubted the commitment of the dog owners that I was meeting, both in my classes and out.  I was tired of people wanting a ten minute fix for their dog's problems, problems that they themselves had caused.  Problems they wanted to get fixed between commercials because that's what what's-his-name does.  And why didn't I work the same way that what's-his-name did?

Other people's doubts made me doubt myself. 

All these doubts, however, finally brought me back to what I know - dogs.  I know dogs.  I get dogs.  I understand them more than I understand people sometimes.  I love their expressive eyes and their simple nature.  A simple nature that belies the complicated relationship that we have with these canine family members we call "Best Friend".

These complicated relationships are the stuff of novels and feature motion pictures.  But it's also the root of where we oftentimes go wrong with our dogs.  We imagine them to be more than they are but we're the ones who fall short.  We fall short of fulfilling the responsibilities that we took on when acquiring one of these amazing creatures.  I'd like to help with that.

When I started this blog I said it would be for "real" dogs and their owners.  Not handbag dogs, designer dogs, or the breed du jour, but for the everyday dog.  The mix down the street.  The purebred pup that your sister and her husband just got.  The dog behind the bars of your local shelter whose eyes spoke to you in a way that you just had to bring him home.  This is my declaration that this blog will once again be for those dogs and others like them.  The imperfect animal living in an imperfect world.  The dog that has potential to complete an important portion of our lives if only we can step up to that challenge.

One of the features that I will be adding to this site, to go along my general lecturing on dog training and product reviews (because the reviews are the sugar that help the lecturing go down), is something I am extremely passionate about but one of those areas where dog owners screw up the most.  It will be called "Tykes and Tails" and this regular feature will address how we raise our kids along with and alongside our dogs.  I hope you'll share your stories and frustrations with me.  Dog Gone Blog at Yahoo dot com.

I welcome any questions you have about dog training - even if you don't have kids - and hope you will allow me to use them on this blog.   I enjoy helping dog owners.  I love talking about dogs.   Sit down, speak to me, let's talk about your dog.

Now that I've stretched my legs, it feels good to be back.   

A good long nap

Okay.  I lied.  I had hoped that by making a declaration of commitment to this blog I could jump start my desire to keep it going.  But work and life have been stepping in between me and this site and I just don't have the time or desire to write pithy entries about training and behavior, or even to fill this space with product recommendations.  Sorry.

I'm not closing down entirely, however.  Think of this as a well deserved rest, a good long nap in the warm sun (hey, living in the North a girl can dream).  I'm going to hold on to this site with the hopes of regaining my desire to share with others what I know about dog training and dog stuff in general.  I need to step back, regroup, find my love for this subject again.  Now I feel like a beaten dog that still comes back looking for a kind hand.  Not from the feedback I get from this site, because I love all three of my readers, but from my chosen profession and my overall distaste for those looking for easy fixes.  I've got to say, it's all really getting me down.  But I'm going to stop here before this turns into a rant of epic proportions.  Nobody likes a bitch.  Not a two-legged one, anyway.

Until my return I wish you well and hope you'll come back and visit when, yes when, I get back to writing about my love of all thing canine.  We hope you and your four-legged friends have much success in your ongoing training and care. 

Wet sloppy kisses,

The Dog Gone Blog pack

We're baaaaack

Hi there.  If you've come over from my other blog, welcome.  Sorry for all the dust and dog hair but I've been gone for awhile and I'm still trying to clean up the joint.

It could take awhile.

 

It's a new year and with a new year comes resolutions.  One of my many - oh so many - resolutions is to revive the dying Dog Gone Blog.  I've got ideas for posts swirling in my head but if you could help a lady out I will repay you in cookies (recipes for cookies, anyway.  Dog cookies, people cookies, your choice).  I will be going through my email and comment archives to dredge up all the questions that I have been asked, and I promise I will answer them here in the not too distant future, but in the meantime if there is a dog training or basic behavior problem that you have please leave a comment or send me an email (dog gone blog at yahoo dot com) and I will be happy to help you.   All questions are subject to being posted on this blog.

We also need to bring back Dog of the Week.  Please send in your dog's picture, along with his or her name, age, breed, and whatever other information you'd like to include, and your dog could be selected for the dubious honor of Dog of the Week, where the prize is absolutely nothing except my undying love and sloppy kisses from Fisher and Lana.

My four-legged friends and I wish you and your's a Happy New Year!

Sticking my nose out

I haven't updated this site for what seems like a dog's age, for reasons that I'd rather not get into right now, but this is my vow (to all three of my readers) that Dog Gone Blog will be back up and running in circles soon.  I have posts in the works, reviews of products for that special pooch on your holiday list as well as posts on training and dog-related issues, that I want to get out there as soon as I can get myself motivated enough to finish them.  Some yummy treats might do the trick.

Mmmmm... Cookies.

I thank the handful of you that still come here occasionally for hanging in there, for sending me emails and asking me questions about your dog's behavior.  That was the motivating factor for me, my need to stick my nose into other people's business and tell them how to raise their dogs.

Stay tuned for more mirth and merriment and opinions - ooh, and more Dogs of the Week! - you didn't ask for!

Dine with your Dog Day? Yuck.

Dear Nicollette Sheridan,

I may not be a fan of your's (seriously, hon, Michael Bolton?  Again?  He must be amazing in the sack.) but I'm on your side today.  I wouldn't have eaten the dog food, either.

And Linda Blair, good call on the vegetarianism.  Dog kibble doesn't go well with pea soup.

Sincerely,

A Concerned (non)Fan

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I don't care if October 21st is "Dine with Your Dog Day", I'm not sticking my head into a metal dog bowl beside my dogs to munch away.  Sure, I've eaten dog cookies (ahem, gourmet dog cookies from the local dog bakery - or, barkery, as they're sometimes called - and the peanut butter treats I lovingly make for my beloved pooches because, duh, they're made with peanut butter) but canned dog food?  Uh uh. 

Connecticut, Rhode Island, Nebraska and West Virginia have already made this Saturday a state recognized day for honoring dogs.  Unfortunately, it's missing it's mark for me.  If you want to honor woman's best friend (okay, and man's too) do you have to attach it to a dog food company run by Dick Van Patten?  Do you really need a corporate sponsor and a cheesy title to put aside a day for such a noble beast?  Yes, I know you're giving back to local animal shelters.  Blah, Blah, Blah.  You're donating 50 whole cents per trial sized bag?  Wow.  Can you spare it?

I've checked out the facts on that food and it looks pretty good.  But I'm not buying something labeled "Hobo Chili" for my dog.  And this ad campaign (let's call it what it is) smacks as slightly... I'll be nice, misguided.  I will hand it to your marketing department, though, this is probably the largest national push for dog food I've seen since that little chuck wagon went riding through the house ending up in a large bag of chow.

So go ahead, Mr. Bradford, you go first.  Belly up to the bar and throw back a nice helping of that wet dog food.  Mmm Mmm tasty.  How's that "Chinese Take-Out with Sauce"?  I'll stick to the crab rangoons, thanks.

Adopt a shelter dog month

Have you ever thought of adopting?  A dog, that is.  Then this is a great time to do it as October is the month the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) has dubbed Adopt-A-Shelter-Dog Month.

Even if you're not planning on adopting a dog this month, but you are thinking of it for the future, you should check out their website before you step foot in a shelter or find yourself on Petfinder.com.  The ASPCA's site is a veritable cornucopia of important information for those thinking of adopting a shelter dog, such as:

Things to think about before you adopt (and there is much to think about)
How much is that dog going to cost me in the long run? (here's a hint: A lot.)
Top 10 tips for adopting the perfect family pet

And when you're ready they'll even help you find a shelter near you.

When you've gone through all the useful information, thought it out, and found the perfect dog for you don't forget about the schwag.  I'm loving the holiday cards.

If you are planning on adopting a dog I urge you to go through all the information the ASPCA has provided for you.  Adding a dog to your family is not something to approach lightly, it's an investment of time, money, and love.  But it's so worth it when you find the right one.  So what are you still doing here?  Go.  Scram.  Shoo.  Git.