Riley Training Center

Missing Dog - Bouvier des Flandres - New Mexico

2012-01-27T18:22:00.000-08:00

Leo is a two yearold male Bouvier des Flandres dog who recently was placed with his new familyin Taos, NM. He went missing 15 January 2012 in a Forest Service area nearPenasco while on a sledding excursion with the family.

Leo is a medium gray brindle in color, 26 1/2" tall at the shoulder, andweighed 85 pounds when he went missing. It would not be unusual for him to havelost weight since he has been missing. He was wearing a blue collar, but had noID tags on. He is micro-chipped.

This dog is friendly to people and other dogs, but may be tentative or skittishbecause he has been missing since 15 January 2012.

Leo has been spotted at a distance in the same area since then, and has beenheard barking, but the family has not been able to retrieve him. A live traphas been placed in the area and food is being left on a regular basis but Leo hasnot been caught yet.

Flyers have been sent to local veterinary clinics and animal shelters in thearea. Contacts have been made with rescue people in the area, and some havebeen able to go to the area to search for Leo, but they have not been able tofind him yet.

The people involved would greatly appreciate help from anyone in the area whocan help find Leo and bring him to safety. They are also asking for suggestionsof resources in the area that would help with finding and capturing the dog.

Some possible resources could be horseback search groups, as well as footsearchers with dogs to try to attract and entice Leo to return to safety. Ifsomeone had a trained tracking dog that would also be helpful.

The families have asked if you spot Leo, do NOT chase him. Instead try runningthe other way and being silly to attract him, or just stand still and talkquietly to the dog to encourage him to approach.

If you can help find Leo, suggest resources to help find him, or if he isspotted or captured, please contact Sue immediately at 503-648-9385 or503-693-7523. There is voice mail for each line. Other contacts: Jody at505-453-5762 and Kathy at 505-266-9204.

This is a much loveddog that needs to be found and returned to his family. Please help find Leo.

Zoya DeNure is racing to make a difference in the sport of mushing

2012-01-19T05:13:00.000-08:00

Zoya DeNure is racing to make a difference in the sport of mushing. She is concentrating on improved dog care on the trail as well as in the dog yards and encourages using positive race training that works for every sled dog, young or old.

While at the AKC Eukanuba National ChampionshipI had an opportunity to meet Zoya, her husband, John, and their daughter, and I really enjoyed the time spent with them. In my past life, I worked and/or consulted for pet food manufacturers and some sponsored sled dog racers – or mushers in their vernacular. One thing that really struck me about DeNure and her kennel partner, best friend and spouse, John Schandelmeier, was their comfort being around huge crowds of people. That is a highly prized skill for people running dogs and living in the wilds of Alaska.

Traveling to Orlando from Minneapolis, I felt right at home with the Madison, Wisconsin native from the moment I met her. Ms. DeNure told me that she “fell in love with sled dogs while watching a sledding demonstration at my local feed mill in Stoughton, Wisconsin.” From there, she knew she had to head north to Alaska – which she did taking a position as a handler in a professional sled dog kennel.

DeNure, like many of us, has a past life too. Before becoming a musher, she was an international fashion runway model & record label representative traveling and living all around the world. Not the typical path that most mushers take.
Before meeting with Ms. DeNure, I asked on Facebookand Twitterwhat people would like to know about a high-fashion model turned musher. The top questions follow.

KARD: How are mushing and modeling similar?
Zoya: Both arenas are mentally challenging in ways that force you to step out of your comfort zone and into another world where you are under a lot of pressure holding a great deal of responsibility.

KARD: Are there fitness regimens that you use in both mushing and modeling?
Zoya: I love to run and hike and have always done a little of both. Caring for 50 sled dogs full time, training for mid-distance races and now having a three year old daughter, I'm staying in the best shape of my life!”

KARD: Which is more grueling?
Zoya: Mushing. It's physically more grueling, the dogs needs always come first, no matter how tired, hungry or cold you are. The dogs needs always come first, the golden rule!

KARD: Has being a woman affected how people view you in mushing? Did your modeling career make people think you were more or less qualified to run dogs?
Zoya: I get a lot of publicity within the sport because of my background which allows me to be a spokesperson for the sled dogs and humane training and treatment of these animals. Other mushers can be resentful of this. I used to be a model, what do I know -- that's the attitude I get from some and it's frustrating, but I know I can't change it overnight.

Crazy Dog Kennelshas about 50 sled dogs and about 25 of these dogs are rescued and running on their teams. This is unusual and makes DeNure stand out from other mushers.

KARD: What helped you determine that rescue dogs would be a good part of your team?
Zoya: Dogs are dogs. They don’t know if they are a rescued dog or not. I saw a great need in this state for rescue and rehab work back in 2004 and at the same time wanted to form a little sled dog team but couldn't afford the asking price of a typical "sled dog" from most kennels. A team dog can sell for $300.00 - $2,000.00. If that dog doesn't care for his new owner/musher or the way he's being handled, he may not run as well as expected because of that asking price and then ends up in the pound a year later. We see this kind of thing often. Very good dogs end up in tough situations, what they need is more time, positive training and love.

KARD: What challenges does that bring to team development?
Zoya: We train the rescues the same as we would our own. We may design a slightly different training regimen for that dog until we can properly evaluate him or her in the team. Some of the rescued dogs have been neglected or mistreated and the biggest challenge is gaining their trust -- it comes with time and patience.

KARD: How do mushing and your tourism business tie-in with each other?
Zoya: Lots of mushing interest in general, and over the years we discovered that if we could offer custom dogsled trips, we could supplement our income with something we already do and enjoy. (Crazy Dog Mushing Kennel and Alaskan Adventures)
This is one of my favorite questions to ask people in an interview.

KARD: If you could leave a note on the kitchen table for future generations what would it say? Zoya: Follow your heart, have patience and enjoy the journey.

To learn more about Zoya DeNure, visit her on the web at dogsleddenali.com

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New AKC Owner-Handler Series

2012-01-17T05:13:00.000-08:00

The American Kennel Club is launching a new event in 2012 that will take place at select dog shows around the country – the AKC Owner-Handler Series.

Owner-handlers make up the majority of show entries and these people are the core of the conformation dog fancy. With this new program, AKC is going to spotlight the owner-handler by acknowledging the large amount of times and tremendous dedication that these people put into their dogs.

The AKC Owner-Handler Series will take place after Best of Breed judging in each breed ring. This competition will be open to all non-professional owner-handlers, whether experienced or novice. To be entered in this part of the competition, all dogs' eligibility must be indicated by checking the Owner-Handler box on the official AKC entry form at the time of entering the dog show. Once entered, the entrant will be marked as Owner-Handler eligible with an asterisk (*) in both the steward's book and the show catalog.

How does the selection process work? Here’s the information from the AKC: Owner-Handler Best of Breed will be selected from the dogs that are eligible to compete in the Best of Breed competition including Winners Dog and Winners Bitch. If the Best of Breed/Variety winner is Owner-Handler eligible, it will automatically be Owner-Handler Best of Breed/Variety. If BOB is ineligible and Best of Opposite Sex is eligible, BOS will compete against the eligible Best of Breed dogs of the other sex. If the BOB and BOS winners are both ineligible, the judge will choose Owner-Handler Best of Breed from the eligible Selects and eligible WD or WB. If one of the Selects is eligible, the judge will excuse dogs of the same sex as the Select and judge the remaining dogs of the opposite sex including the eligible WD or WB. If the BOB, BOS and Selects are not eligible, the judge may choose any eligible dog remaining in the ring.

Based on points from Breed, Group and Best in Show wins accrued throughout the year, AKC will rank the dogs and invite the top owner-handled exhibits to a special year-end event where they will be able to compete for a Best Owner-Handler Award.

AKC Owner-Handler Series Point Scale: (Note: Owner-Handler Series points do not contribute to championship points)
Best in Show
100
Group 1
30
Group 2
20
Group 3
15
Group 4
10
Best of Breed
5

The AKC is hoping that many Owner-Handlers will take part in this new series and they look forward to your feedback about the new Series. They plan to add shows featuring this new event throughout the year, so stay tuned for updates on www.akc.org.

The first events in the 2012 AKC Owner-Handler Series will take place at:
Dog Fanciers Association of Oregon – January 21st
Oakland County Kennel Club – January 21st
Sahuaro State Kennel Club – February 4th
Colorado Kennel Club – February 19th
International Kennel Club of Chicago – February 26th
Ft. Worth Kennel Club – March 24th
Atlanta Kennel Club – April 14th
Greenwich Kennel Club – June 9th

If you have any questions or feedback to share about the AKC Owner-Handler Series, AKC encourages you to contact Bri Tesarz at glt@akc.org or 919-816-3514.

And don't forget to mark your calendars for the ABC Television Network broadcast of the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship on 4 February 2012. Check your local listings for airtimes.

Email me anytime, follow me on Twitter, tell me your story, and please subscribe to my Examiner - Dogs column!

Charlie saves his neighbor from fire

2012-01-16T05:13:00.000-08:00

Image: Julie Reinardy

What breed of dog do you associate with fire fighters? If you’re like me, it might be a Dalmatian, however for the Reinardy’s neighbor that dog would be a Yorkie called Charlie.

As Julie Reinardy and her family slept, a fire broke out at their neighbor’s home. Charlie, a four-year-old Yorkshire terrier knew something was wrong. The tenacious terrier apparently could hear the smoke alarm going off and his determination got the Ms. Reinardy up and dialing 911. The fire department came quickly and the neighbor that Charlie likes to watch garden was able to save himself and his home.

Charlie is a spunky terrier that immediately fit into the Reinardy family with Cooper the Labrador/Beagle mix and Daisy the cat. This little dynamo has a giant personality and like all good terriers refuses to give up – which was really lucky for his neighbor! Charlie has a softer side too and loves to snuggle and cuddle with his family.
Good boy Charlie!

Thanks to Chuck and Don’s Pet Food Outlet for sharing this story on their Facebook page!

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Don't complain. Train!

2012-01-13T05:13:00.000-08:00

Image: Bailey Wading in Parker's Lake by Kathleen Riley-Daniels (Telephone image)

Every dog needs basic manners and this ensures his safety and gives you peace of mind. This basic training also provides the framework for more advanced training work and helps your dog reach his full potential.

When Should I Start?
Immediately start teaching your dog the rules in your house. This is really important because if there are no rules in place, your dog will makes up his own set of rules. The training starts the instant those feet come through the front door.

How Often Should I Train?
I prefer short sessions spread over the day, but work with what fits your schedule. The biggest key is being consistent and spending time every day training your dog. Remember, even a few minutes is beneficial for your dog. Keep your training sessions short and fun, giving lots of praise when he performs correctly so he’ll want to work with you.

Daily training sessions will help him learn and give him an opportunity to practice -- and perfect -- what you have taught him in earlier sessions. If you really want to make it easier on yourself, incorporate the new skills into his daily life too so you reinforce the training and it becomes a good habit.

How Long Should the Sessions Last?
Keep your sessions short and sweet, you and your dog will benefit more from the short sessions. If you can manage several 5-minute sessions through the day that would be great, if you can do 10 to 20 minutes at a time that works too and is so much better than drilling the dog endlessly on commands. For pups, the session should last 3-5 minutes, spaced throughout the day with at least a half-hour break in between – their little brains need shorter work times with more breaks and more fun. No matter what age your dog, more frequent sessions with shorter periods of time will give you better results.

Once you see how much you and your dog enjoy this time together those shorter sessions will start appearing when you have a few spare minutes. Before you know it you’ll be adding in extra sessions and your dog will be improving quickly.

If you have a fast learner, one session may be enough to teach certain exercises. Use your other sessions to review skills your dog has already learned. Or, you may need to repeat the same lesson 3-4 times a day until he gets the idea. Just remember to stay flexible and remain upbeat. You want the dog to enjoy the training times, not dread them.

Five basic commands to work on with your dog:
·         Sit
·         Down
·         Stay
·         Come
·         Heel (or as I have taken to calling moving forward, “Let’s Go!”

Here’s a quote for your dog training sessions: “Blessed are the flexible for they won’t get bent out of shape.”
Here are a few local places for training:
Outlaw Chinooks (This is me, voted a top trainer in the Twin Cities)
On the Run! Canine Center Great looking facility and lots of options for classes.
Pet Stuff - Minnetonka -- variety of classes and instruction available.

Email me anytime, follow me on Twitter, tell me your story, and please subscribe to my Examiner - Dogs column!

Marketing the AKC Eukanuba National Championship 2011

2012-01-11T05:13:00.000-08:00

My name is Kathleen and I’m a marketing junkie. Why is this something I’m sharing on this page? I’m sharing because I got to see P&G Pet Care in action at the AKC Eukanuba National Championship. What a treat! Seeing the Minnesota dogs in action at the show was an added bonus!

As part of the event, I found out how the Eukanuba name came into being. The name Eukanuba (pronounced “U-Ca-noo-bah”) originated in the 1940s as a lyrical expression (think Jazz) describing something “supreme.” When Eukanuba founder Paul F. Iams was looking for an unusual and memorable name that had significant meaning for the superior quality of his new brand, he chose the word Eukanuba.

The event itself is the “ultimate dog event” that showcases all 167 AKC recognized breeds and varieties with the events coming to a climax on Sunday night with the naming of the National Champion. On the way to the Sunday night event, there are lots of dog experiences to be had. While wandering around the venue I was able to take in dock diving, obedience, herding demonstrations, Police Dog competitions, agility, meet the breeds, conformation and general canine entertainment. I think I walked about 15-miles a day!

This is a joint event with P&G and the AKC so there are unique and combined purposes in play during the event. P&G focuses on breeders, breeds and sharing their leadership and research into canine nutrition. Yes, this is a large company which some people find distasteful, but as a large corporation they are able to invest significant funds into development of products and programs for dog lovers.

AKC promotes awareness and hopes to encourage more people to participate in conformation dog shows by spotlighting events like Junior Showmanship, Agility, Obedience and Canine Good Citizen. The AKC was promoting the benefits of purebred dog ownership and AKC registration while extolling the virtues of the human/dog bond and the importance of responsible dog ownership.

I’ve been showing animals for my entire life, and I am always amazed at the scope of this event. The 2011 AKC/Eukanuba National Championship, AKC National Obedience Invitational and AKC Agility Invitational featured nearly 5,000 dogs, hundreds of vendors, and tons of fun! Being held in in Orlando, Orange County, Florida this is really an event for the entire family! This location offers easy in-and-out flights for dogs and is a wonderful family vacation area so plan on coming to Florida early or staying after the show to get the most out of your travels.

AKC/EUKANUBA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP BY THE NUMBERS

173 AKC recognized breeds are entered to compete.
The largest entries include:
- 64 Boston Terriers
- 61 Vizslas
- 58 French Bulldogs
- 57 Rhodesian Ridgebacks
- 56 Retrievers (Labrador)
- 51 Australian Shepherds
- 50 Havanese
- 50 Retrievers (Golden)
- 48 Dachshunds (Longhaired)
- 46 Rottweilers
- 45 Pugs
- 44 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
- 44 Border Collies
The newest breeds to compete include:
- 3 American English Coonhounds
- 5 Entlebucher Mountain Dogs
- 9 Finnish Lapphunds
- 8 Cesky Terriers
- 11 Norwegian Lundehunds
- 12 Xoloitzcuintli
All 14 AKC Miscellaneous Breeds will be represented.
More than 130 “Veterans” (between 7 & 12 years old) are entered.
AKC Meet the Breeds® will feature 166 breeds at decorated booths staffed by experts. (Sat. & Sun. from 10 am to 4 pm)
By group, entry totals are: Sporting – 637; Hound – 526; Working – 605; Terrier – 441; Toy – 527; Non-Sporting – 469, Herding – 491 and Miscellaneous – 68
Dogs from 44 countries will compete in the Eukanuba World Challenge including Mexico, Australia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. The Eukanuba World Challenge is a one-of-a-kind event offering top dogs from around the world, and the winner of the Eukanuba Breeders’ Stakes, the opportunity to compete for the title of “Eukanuba World Challenge Champion” and a total of $15,000 in prize money.
Judge Mrs. Polly Smith of St. Stephens Church, Virginia will select the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship Best in Show (BIS) winner. The owner(s) of the BIS winner will receive more than $50,000 while the breeder(s) of the Best in Show winner will be awarded $15,000.
Mr. James Reynolds of Nepean, Ontario, Canada will select Best Bred-By Exhibitor in Show from among 1,328 dogs (35% of the total entry) entered in the Bred-by-Exhibitor (dogs being shown by their owner/breeder) competition, who will be eligible to win the $15,000 cash prize. Same-day streaming video coverage of all regular and bred-by groups and evening events will be provided on akc.org.
159 youngsters, ages 9-17, who have met high academic standards and qualification criteria based on year-round competition, will compete in Junior Showmanship.
Mrs. Zena Thorn Andrews, also a renowned breeder/judge of Dachshunds, will replace Tamas Jakkel to judge Dachshunds (Longhaired).
Ms. Carla M.S. Molinari will judge Sari Brewster Tietjen’s entire assignment.

AGILITY AND OBEDIENCE INVITATIONALS BY THE NUMBERS

592 entries in the AKC Agility Invitational - 157 breeds from 46 states. Eukanuba and J & J Dog are proud sponsors of the AKC Agility Invitational.
146 entries in the AKC National Obedience Invitational - 55 breeds from 33 states and Canada. Eukanuba and J & J Dog are proud sponsors of the AKC National Obedience Invitational.
50 Juniors competing at the AKC National Juniors Agility Competition on Friday, Dec. 16th (8 am to 11 am).
48 Juniors competing at the AKC National Juniors Obedience Competition on Saturday, Dec. 17th (8 am to 3 pm).
9 All-American Dogs competing in Agility and 6 in Obedience.

You’ll be able to watch the show event broadcast on ABC Network Television on Saturday, 4 February 2012. (Keep an eye on the press risers to see me shooting pictures of the evening events.)

Email meanytime, follow me on Twitter, tell me your story, and pleasesubscribe to my Examiner- Dogs column!

AKC dog show conformation classes explained

2012-01-09T05:13:00.000-08:00

Image: Riley (via cell phone)

This past weekend at the Land O’Lakes Kennel Club dog show at the River Centre, I got to have fun introducing a 10-year-old and a 40-year-old to the wonderful world of dog shows. Sharing my love of animals and the related venues with someone is one of my favorite moments! My horse mentor, Fran Reker liked this quote, Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds that you plant.~Robert Louis Stevenson

Once I started explaining to these two what was going on at the show, there were other folks that joined in the peanut gallery – of course everyone is welcome! Because we were sitting near the group rings, these questions were mostly about conformation showing.

Let’s start with the word. It is spelled “conformation” and is directly related to how well the dogs conform to the established breed type or breed standard. It is not “confirmation” like rite of initiation in Christian churches or in a different direction, hotel reservations.

In conformation classes there are a number of classes available at most dog shows. This will be explained using AKC classes, but there are other kennel clubs that also offer dog shows. Males and females compete separately within their respective breeds, in seven regular classes. The following classes are offered, and are divided by sex.

Puppy - For dogs between six and twelve months of age, that are not yet champions. This class is sometimes broken into more age groups which are designated as 6-9 month – puppy, 9-12 month puppy and 12-18 month puppy. The dogs entered in these classes are not yet champions. This is an optional class.

Twelve-To-Eighteen Months - For dogs twelve to eighteen months of age, that are not yet champions. This is also an optional class.

Novice - For dogs six months of age and over, which have not – before the entry closing date -- won 3 first prizes in the Novice Class, a first prize in Bred-by-Exhibitor, American-bred, or Open Classes, nor one or more points toward their championship. This is an optional class.

Amateur-Owner-Handler – For dogs that are at least six months of age that are not champions. This is a class for owners that have never been a professional dog handler, an AKC approved conformation judge, or employed as an assistant to a professional handler. This is an optional class.

Bred By Exhibitor – This is a class for dogs that are exhibited by their owner and breeder, that are not yet champions. This is an optional class.

American-Bred - For dogs born in the United States from a mating which took place in the United States, that are not yet champions. This is a mandatory class.

Open - For any dog of the breed, at least 6 months of age. This is a mandatory class.

After these classes are judged, all the dogs that won first place in a class compete again to see who the best of the winning dogs is. Males and females are judged separately. Only the best male (Winners Dog) and the best female (Winners Bitch) receive championship points. The Winners Dog and Winners Bitch then compete with the champions for the Best of Breed award. At the end of the Best of Breed Competition, three awards are usually given:

Best of Breed - the dog judged as the best in its breed category.
Best of Winners - the dog judged as the better of the Winners Dog and Winners Bitch.
Best of Opposite Sex - the best dog that is the opposite sex to the Best of Breed winner.

Email me anytime, follow me on Twitter, tell me your story, and please subscribe to my Examiner - Dogs column!

Marketing the AKC Eukanuba National Championship

2012-01-05T05:13:00.000-08:00

My name is Kathleen and I’m a marketing junkie. Why is thissomething I’m sharing on my Examiner page? I’m sharing because I got to see P&G Pet Care in action at the AKC Eukanuba NationalChampionship. What a treat! Seeing the Minnesota dogs in action at the showwas an added bonus!

As part of the event, I found out how the Eukanuba name cameinto being. The name Eukanuba (pronounced “U-Ca-noo-bah”) originated in the1940s as a lyrical expression (think Jazz) describing something “supreme.” WhenEukanuba founder Paul F. Iams was looking for an unusual and memorable namethat had significant meaning for the superior quality of his new brand, hechose the word Eukanuba

The event itself is the “ultimate dog event” that showcasesall 167 AKC recognized breeds and varieties with the events coming to a climaxon Sunday night with the naming of the National Champion. On the way to theSunday night event, there are lots of dog experiences to be had. Whilewandering around the venue I was able to take in dock diving, obedience,herding demonstrations, Police Dog competitions, agility, meet the breeds,conformation and general canine entertainment. I think I walked about 15-milesa day!

This is a joint event with P&G and the AKC so there areunique and combined purposes in play during the event. P&G focuses onbreeders, breeds and sharing their leadership and research into caninenutrition. Yes, this is a large company which some people find distasteful, butas a large corporation they are able to invest significant funds intodevelopment of products and programs for dog lovers.

AKC promotes awareness and hopes to encourage more people toparticipate in conformation dog shows by spotlighting events like JuniorShowmanship, Agility, Obedience and Canine Good Citizen. The AKC was promotingthe benefits of purebred dog ownership and AKC registration while extolling thevirtues of the human/dog bond and the importance of responsible dog ownership.

I’ve been showing animals for my entire life, and I amalways amazed at the scope of this event. The 2011 AKC/Eukanuba National Championship, AKC National Obedience Invitational and AKC Agility Invitational featured nearly 5,000 dogs, hundreds ofvendors, and tons of fun! Being held in in Orlando, Orange County, Florida thisis really an event for the entire family! This location offers easy in-and-outflights for dogs and is a wonderful family vacation area so plan on coming toFlorida early or staying after the show to get the most out of your travels.

AKC/EUKANUBA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP BY THE NUMBERS

173 AKC recognized breeds are entered to compete.
The largest entries include:

64 Boston Terriers
61 Vizslas
58 French Bulldogs
57 Rhodesian Ridgebacks
56 Retrievers (Labrador)
51 Australian Shepherds
50 Havanese
50 Retrievers (Golden)
48 Dachshunds (Longhaired)
46 Rottweilers
45 Pugs
44 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
44 Border Collies

The newest breeds to compete include:

3 American English Coonhounds
5 Entlebucher Mountain Dogs
9 Finnish Lapphunds
8 Cesky Terriers
11 Norwegian Lundehunds
12 Xoloitzcuintli

All 14 AKC Miscellaneous Breeds will be represented.
More than 130 “Veterans” (between 7 & 12 years old) are entered.
AKC Meet the Breeds® will feature 166 breeds at decorated booths staffed by experts. (Sat. & Sun. from 10 am to 4 pm)
By group, entry totals are: Sporting – 637; Hound – 526; Working – 605; Terrier – 441; Toy – 527; Non-Sporting – 469, Herding – 491 and Miscellaneous – 68
Dogs from 44 countries will compete in the Eukanuba World Challenge including Mexico, Australia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. The Eukanuba World Challenge is a one-of-a-kind event offering top dogs from around the world, and the winner of the Eukanuba Breeders’ Stakes, the opportunity to compete for the title of “Eukanuba World Challenge Champion” and a total of $15,000 in prize money.

Judge Mrs. Polly Smith of St. Stephens Church, Virginia will select the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship Best in Show (BIS) winner. The owner(s) of the BIS winner will receive more than $50,000 while the breeder(s) of the Best in Show winner will be awarded $15,000.
Mr. James Reynolds of Nepean, Ontario, Canada will select Best Bred-By Exhibitor in Show from among 1,328 dogs (35% of the total entry) entered in the Bred-by-Exhibitor (dogs being shown by their owner/breeder) competition, who will be eligible to win the $15,000 cash prize. Same-day streaming video coverage of all regular and bred-by groups and evening events will be provided on akc.org.
159 youngsters, ages 9-17, who have met high academic standards and qualification criteria based on year-round competition, will compete in Junior Showmanship.
Mrs. Zena Thorn Andrews, also a renowned breeder/judge of Dachshunds, will replace Tamas Jakkel to judge Dachshunds (Longhaired).
Ms. Carla M.S. Molinari will judge Sari Brewster Tietjen’s entire assignment.

AGILITY AND OBEDIENCE INVITATIONALS BY THE NUMBERS

592 entries in the AKC Agility Invitational - 157 breeds from 46 states. Eukanuba and J & J Dog are proud sponsors of the AKC Agility Invitational.
146 entries in the AKC National Obedience Invitational - 55 breeds from 33 states and Canada. Eukanuba and J & J Dog are proud sponsors of the AKC National Obedience Invitational.
50 Juniors competing at the AKC National Juniors Agility Competition on Friday, Dec. 16th (8 am to 11 am).
48 Juniors competing at the AKC National Juniors Obedience Competition on Saturday, Dec. 17th (8 am to 3 pm).
9 All-American Dogs competing in Agility and 6 in Obedience.

You’ll be able to watch the show event broadcast on ABC Network Television on Saturday, 4 February 2012.

Email me anytime, tell meyour story, and please subscribe to my columns!

John Edward's "Other Woman" Rielle Hunter and Marion Hulick

2012-01-04T05:13:00.000-08:00

Image

What do John Edwards, Rielle Hunter, and former Westminster winning French Bulldog owner, Marion Hulick have in common? Well, hold on to your proverbial hat.

First we should start with the world of south Florida. This area attracts many people -- some quite wealthy and some quite scandalous. Living in Minnesota, I can definitely see the allure to having a year-around climate for outdoor cavorting, and especially for showing horses.

The now Rielle Hunter was formerly known as Lisa Druck, (born 20 Mar 1964) is one of four daughters (In addition to Lisa, they had three other daughters, Roxanne Rae, Jennifer Ann and Melissa Sue.) born to James Druck (1934–1990) and Gwen Druck, who owned Eagle Nest Farm in Ocala, Florida, where they raised show horses.

In addition to being a wealthy attorney -- who ironically specialized in defending insurance companies -- James Druck had a private jet that may have made flying around to meet and teach Tommy "The Sandman" Burns how to electrocute horses easier. (He was all ready known by the Sandman moniker because horses would mysteriously die when he showed up at shows.)

At the time he was flying high as an attorney, little Lisa Jo had a winning horse called Henry the Hawk. Unfortunately for Henry the Hawk, he was owned by the Druck family and although in the prime of his life he was found dead in his barn. To be fair, James Druck had Tommy "The Sandman" Burns do the deed, but he taught him how so I find his behavior equally reprehensible.

Why did Henry need to die? Well for the $150,000 in insurance money, of course. In a 1992 Sports Illustrated interview, Burns claims that James D. Druck showed him how to electrocute Lisa's horse using a stripped extension cord and a wall socket. Burns was arrested in 1991 which created a fair amount of national attention. James Druck died of cancer in the Tampa, Florida area in 1992.

Burns and accomplice Harlow Arlie, both of the Chicago area, were held at the Alachua County jail after their arrest. There are some implications with these folks and the disappearance -- likely murder -- of the Brach's candy heiress, Helen Voorhees Brach.

Helen Brach, the vanished candy heiress whose name was on the ledger with Rub the Lamp, Belgium Waffle, Rainman, Roseau Platiere and Empire -- Thoroughbred horses that had been murdered for the insurance. Brach's body has never been found.

Shortly after the electrocution, Lisa Jo Druck fled from the tropical climes of Florida and headed to New York City. Once there, she dated 'Brat Pack' novelist Jay McInerney, who used her as the basis for the lead character in his steamy 1988 novel, 'Story of My Life.' McInerney claims her part is played in the novel by character Alison Poole and he further claims that Hunter/Druck's behavior was both intriguing and appalling. Based on what I have discovered about him, that is really saying something!

After New York, Lisa Jo Druck moved to California and married attorney Alexander M. "Kip" Hunter III (born April 14, 1959) in 1991. She changed her name to Rielle Hunter in 1994. They were divorced in 2000. Somewhere in that general neighborhood of time she started her own production company which leads us to John Edwards.

In 2006 Druck/Hunter was hired to produce a series of campaign trail behind-the-scenes videos of Sen. John Edwards. In October 2007, The National Enquirer leaked word of the affair and the fact that Hunter was pregnant. The candidate eventually dropped out of the race and admittedto cheating on his wife, but denied siring the child -- of course we know that changed too.

Now let's bring it home! Tommy "The Sandman" Burns was hired by French Bulldog fancier Marion Hulick when she was the horse trainer who helped this low-life, animal hit man kill one of her charges in the Putnam Country town of Brewster 20 years ago at the behest of her boss, cellphone heir George Lindemann Jr.

You can learn much more about the seedy side of the horse business in Hot Blood by Ken Englade. He covers all these folks and more.

All about Helen Brach, by Mark Gribben — Hatcheck Girl to Heiress — Crime Library on truTV.com

Edwards' mistress raised in Ocala

http://bullmarketfrogs.com/blog/2010/02/controversy-mars-french-bulldog-group-win-at-westminster/

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=munson_lester&id=3533725

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/10/opinion/10dowd.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rielle_Hunter

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horse_murders#Drucks.27_Henry_the_Hawk

The ultimate dog walking jacket

2012-01-01T05:13:00.000-08:00

As the actual temperatures dropped below zero today I was really wishing I had the K-Rosco Dog Walking Utility Jacket. Instead I layered up like all good Minnesotans and hoped I had the right combinations and amounts for my foray into the great outdoors.

This jacket is water-proof, seam-sealed winter jacket that converts into a lightweight summer vest – although as hot and humid as we get in Minnesota we probably would use the vest in spring and fall instead.

I love the poop pick-up bag dispenser that is built right into the jacket. The poop bag rolls will fit nicely in there so you can clean up after you dogs – and I know you do that every time!

Additional features to help make your dog walking and hiking easier are reflective piping, treat pocket, belt/leash, hood with a visor, a key coil, water-bottle pocket and lots of additional pockets inside to stash your cell phone and more.

This practical jacket comes in black or red and sizes small to xxl. You can learn more and order here: Let's Go Design | Being Prepared Never Looked So Good http://bit.ly/xTq6wC

New Year's Resolutions for Dog Owners

2011-12-31T17:13:00.000-08:00

When I saw this assignment in my in-box, all I could thinkabout were the years of broken resolutions. Long ago I gave up giving things up – what is the point if you don’tstick with it anyway? Instead I started looking at the New Year as anopportunity for improvements. That method works much better for me. 2012 is aleap year and I would love to see us dog-people leap into improving our livesand those of our “fur family” members too. Here are some tips to get youstarted.

Food - This yearlet’s try and feed our dogs the most nutritious diet we can. Does your foodpass the dog food taste test? This doesn’t mean that your dog will eat it, butrather that you would eat it. If you wouldn’t eat the kibble, why would youexpect your dog to eat it? If you aren’t sure about what your dog eats, you canlearn how to read the labels. While you areat it, keep your dog at a healthy weight. Overweight dogs live shorter livesand can lead to conditions like diabetes. Keep your dog’s weight appropriatefor his size.

Exercise – I wouldlove it if you were walking your dogs every day for about 45-minutes. It isgreat for them and for you too! Exercise helps them both physically andmentally and for those of you that have been in my classes you’ll recognizethis statement: A tired dog is a good dog. Under the exercise umbrella I wouldadd playing with your dog and really important, training your dog.

Grooming – Brushingyour dog and taking care of their basicmaintenance is a great time for the two of you to bond. If you aren’tcomfortable doing toenails, have a reputable groomer show you how or at thevery least get your dog in to have toenails worked on. In the Minneapolis area you can have a mobile groomer stop by to help with groomingtasks.

Appreciate –sometimes we forget to make or take time to really appreciate our companions.Enjoy their personalities, their quirks, their successes. Build a strongrelationship with your dog and help them live successfully in your home.

Please share your tips and resolutions in the comments.

Happy New Year!

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2012 AKC Eukanuba National Championship Junior Showmanship

2011-12-28T05:13:00.000-08:00

This coming year is so exciting for our new juniors! We have some new junior showmanship participants from Minnetonka and Lakeville that are excited about the possibility of heading to the National Championship show in Florida.

AKC has shared this information to help you get your junior handler ready for the event.
The December 2012 AKC/Eukanuba National Championship will be held in Orlando, Orange County, Florida on 15-16 December 2012.

Eligibility to enter the event is based on the Junior's accomplishments in both the show ring and in the classroom.

The requirements are:

Juniors must have 5 first place wins in an Open Class, with competition present. Wins must be earned between October 12, 2011 and October 10, 2012. Juniors must be under 18 years of age at the time of the wins. Age on the day of the show has no bearing.
Juniors must have a grade point average of at least 3.0 or equivalent for the 2011- 2012 school year. GPA must be verified by an official school transcript or home school information sent in and received by AKC prior to the entry form being sent to the Junior.Please submit official transcripts or home school information no later than October 23, 2012. Transcripts or home school information received AFTER October 23, 2012, WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED and no invitation/entry form will be sent. Transcripts may be sent as soon as the current semester ends. It is the Junior's responsibility to ensure that AKC has received all necessary documentation.
Please send to: AKC, 8051 Arco Corporate Dr, Suite 100, Raleigh, NC 27617-3390 Attn: Juniors.
Dogs must conform to eligibility requirements as described in Conformation Junior Showmanship Regulations.
A signed parental permission form must be returned to the address listed above.

All Juniors entered will compete in Preliminary classes, in which a specified number of Juniors will be selected by the judges to compete in Finals. Placements are not made in the preliminary classes.

The December 2012 judges for Junior Showmanship are Mrs. Jan Swayze-Curry and Mrs. Karen Mammano (Preliminaries) and Mr. William P. Shelton will judge the Best Junior Finals.

Parental Permission Form

For questions regarding the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship, email Invitational@akc.org.
For questions regarding Junior Showmanship at the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship, email Juniors@akc.org.

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Buying a new puppy or dog -- what you need to know

2011-12-26T05:13:00.000-08:00

Congratulations on deciding to add a dog into your life! Here are some tips to consider to assist you in finding the perfect companion.

AKC Registered and/or AKC Papers
The AKC (American Kennel Club) is a registry service, not a guarantee of quality. What registration papers tell you (in theory) is your new puppy or dog is the breed you are buying. That is all the papers mean. Registration papers are not a guarantee of quality or anything else. If the people you are buying your puppy from try and charge you extra for papers, RUN away from this deal. Charging extra for registration papers is against AKC rules. Report anyone trying this to the AKC. There are even some people that sell papers on a black market basis. You can contact AKC to check your papers.

How papers relate to the "real world." Papers are like the title to your vehicle. The title will tell you what type of vehicle you have, Ford, Dodge, Chevrolet. The title does not tell you it is a good special vehicle or that is worth more than any other vehicle. The title just tells you the vehicle you have is most likely the type that it says it is. Know what questions to ask your breeder about your new dog.

Color
Color is simply a genetic code. Is some breeds, diluted coat color can relate to other health issues like allergies and/or skin and coat problems. There are also breeds where color relates to more serious health problems. Study up on the breed you are interested in and know what issues can arise. Know what questions to ask your breeder about your new dog.

"Special" Ancestors
Do a little research into your breed. In any breed, many dogs can and do trace back to a common ancestor. Is the dog being touted a dog from recent breed history or are you looking at a name from 50+ years ago. Know what questions to ask your breeder about your new dog.

Price
If you look in the paper, you will see many dogs listed in the $100 dollar range. Remember the old saying, "You get what you pay for." These dogs are rarely a great deal.

Free to Good Home
This is frightening. Free dogs can end up anywhere. There are "harvesters" that travel around and pick up free puppies, kittens, dogs and cats. They can end up in research laboratories, as bait for dog fighting rings, or as breeders in a puppy mill.

Dogs as Gifts
Do not give a pet as a gift!

Championship Lines
There should be at least 4 dogs with titles in the first three generations. People that breed and show dogs will be proud to show you the photos, ribbons and trophies. A good breeder is breeding to improve the breed. Remember, just because the parents were "special" dogs doesn't mean all the pups will be special. Know what questions to ask your breeder about your new dog.

Show Quality
If you are searching for a puppy in the newspaper, you are most likely not purchasing a show quality pup. To a classified advertiser, the term show quality most likely means you are paying more money. For a puppy with the potential to be show quality, go to a breeder that is showing and breeding to help improve the breed. Know what questions to ask your breeder about your new dog.

Health Guarantee
As a general rule, this means the breeder will take back the unhealthy puppy and give you a replacement. Will the replacement be from the same litter? Is this a repeat breeding? Will the replacement puppy have the same health problems? Now that you have had your puppy for a period of time and bonded with him, do you really want to know what will happen once you return him to the breeder? Good breeders have good guarantees. Know what questions to ask your breeder about health and temperament.

Educate Yourself
Learn as much as you can about the breed you are interested in. Know what questions to ask your breeder about your new dog.

Finding Your Puppy or Dog
Find a reputable breeder. They won't be as "cheap" as a classified advertised puppy, but you will get more value for your money. Consider working with a breed rescue club and adopting an older dog.
Remember if you buy from a backyard breeder (someone who breeds without thinking or knowing why and/or how to improve the breed) or from a puppy mill (commercial breeding for the express purpose of making money) all you have done is padded someone's pocket and encouraged them to do it again.

If you are now asking yourself, "Where do I get a good puppy?" Start with the United Kennel Club and the American Kennel Club to learn more about breeds. You can also contact the national breed club to get more information and to locate a reputable breeder. In Minnesota, start with the Minnesota Purebred Dog Breeders Association

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Senior pet care tips

2011-12-23T05:13:00.000-08:00

It seems like only yesterday that your pup literally ran circles around you when you went for walks, with lots energy to spare. Now your dog has a hard time making it up the stairs, and the vision and hearing aren't as good as they once were either. Sometimes she gets confused, yet the veterinarian tells you there is nothing seriously wrong with her; she's just getting older. Dogs age, just as humans do -- only more quickly. If your pet seems to be slowing down, here are some things you can do to help.

Watch your pet carefully, keeping track of where she is in the house. She may need assistance finding her way around.
Watch with particular care as she climbs up or down the stairs, and help your pet if needed. If she is small and you are strong enough, you may need to carry her up and down the stairs.
If you also have a younger dogs(s), walk the older animal separately from the youngsters so the older dog can go at a slower pace instead of struggling to keep up with the others.
Make sure your dog is eating properly. A good super premium senior food is an excellent choice for the geriatric dog. Don't give her hard bones to chew on; she may not be able to handle them.
Never let her roam loose outdoors. When she is outside the confines of your fenced yard she may easily become lost or become the target of a more aggressive animal.

If you need something for your aging dog, visit a local pet retailer like Pet Stuff where you can learn what products make the most sense for your companion.

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Whistle training your dog

2011-12-21T05:13:00.000-08:00

Game Fair was a full swing summer event by our old house and I heard lots of whistling for dogs, but not too many that would make sense to the dog hearing them . Here are some tips to help you teach your dog to respond to a whistle.

Whistle training is really easy and doesn't take too much time. In it's simplest form, all you do is blow your whistle right before giving the verbal command that your dog all ready understands. I like the two-tone whistles for training because the end with the ball inside is louder and the sound will carry over longer distances. The opposite end (without the ball) is great for close work and so loud that your dog will be blasted with sound and doesn't annoy other people in the general vicinity. The following tips should help you get your dog working quickly to the whistle. I would practice these commands alone so you get the hang of them before using them with your dog.

COME. Bring the tip of your tongue to the roof of your mouth just behind your front teeth, then blow into the whistle. Your tongue will flutter. (I think it sounds like quail flushing.) Now flutter your tongue as you blow into the whistle. It should make a trilling sound. A long trilling sound is best for your COME command.

SIT. There is no whistle sound for HEEL, the dog should always be close enough to hear our voice for the HEEL command. After HEEL, blow one sharp authoritative blast immediately before telling your dog to SIT. If the dog doesn't sit immediately, assist him into the position, but do not blow the whistle again. Initially all the SIT work will be up close. By the time the dogs are ready to be away from us, the SIT command will be well established. One sharp authoritative blast will be the SIT signal.

RELEASE. This is the verbal command to allow the dog to leave a STAY command. Later this command will precede the FETCH command and may even take place of FETCH meaning it is okay to go after the dummy or bird. It is useful in the field when the dog should be quartering and they are lazy or hanging around their dog friends. Start with the SIT whistle, then give a new direction with your arm as you blow your whistle for GO. Begin by blowing two rapid notes into the whistle, tweet-tweet, immediately before saying GO at the target (food and treats work well for this exercise.) Two rapid notes, tweet-tweet will be the release signal.

Once your dog is reliably responding to the whistle, vary your commands. Sometimes just use the whistle, sometimes just voice, sometimes just hand signals. Keep practicing the various "languages" you have taught your dog so he will respond reliably to all of them. Don't stop training with the whistle once your dog has the concept. Like people, they can forget quickly. Keep using the whistle, your voice and hand signals so your dog has a great working knowledge of all commands in all languages.

When your dog is handling well with the whistle, don't get a big head over it. Only use your whistle when you need to, otherwise you may start to nag your dog and annoy everyone around you. (Over use of the whistle also brands you as an amateur.) Learn to use your whistle only when necessary.

Whistle SOS
If you ever get lost in the woods, use your whistle to help people locate you. The whistle will be more effective than the three shot SOS from your shotgun. Morse Code for SOS is: short-short-short, long-long-long, short-short-short. SOS on the whistle indefinitely. If it really gets bad, put the whistle in your mouth and your breath will make enough noise that a trained Search and Rescue dog may locate you.

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Retriever play training

2011-12-19T05:13:00.000-08:00

When starting puppies on retrieving, use something light and easy to carry like a small dummy or socks stuffed with rags. Don't throw sticks, play tug-of-war games or train two pups at once letting them compete for the dummy, these practices all promote chewing and hard mouths -- things we don't want to see in pups or adult dogs.

Small dummies and socks are easy for pup to retrieve, you won't be able to throw them too far and they won't bounce like a tennis or rubber balls do. The socks have an advantage of having your scent on them and can be easier for pup to find. Before you start using your dummy, carry it around for a few days or wipe some perspiration on it to give more scent than just your hands will. Have faith, your scent is critical later on.

The reason we are working with the dog is to avoid creating bad habits. There will be no "toss and hope." When your dog decides to run around you and see if you'll play the chase me game, there will be no yelling, no punishment or threat of punishment. To help you be successful, position yourself between the dog and the crate. Most likely, your dog will want to run to his "apartment" and play with the new prize. Catch him as he runs by. (A check cord can be helpful here.)

THROW the dummy a few feet (always underhand and always past the pup's eyes) say FETCH as he runs toward the dummy to pick it up. Then if needed, urge (NEVER YANK) him back toward you with the check cord. PRAISE the dog a lot as you say GIVE and take the dummy. If pup doesn't release the dummy, you can push it farther back in the mouth. He'll shove it out with his tongue.

If the pup isn't interested in the dummy, tie a cord to it and toss it again. If he runs toward it and then losses interest, give the dummy a yank. More than likely, he will pounce on it and then you can lure him back to you.

Some dog's interest can be peaked by dropping a tennis ball. It bounces, he tries to catch it, but bumps it with a clumsy puppy foot. The ball rolls farther, urging the pup to chase. Finally he grabs the ball and amazingly, you are both having fun.

For the play method to work, the sessions must remain fun. Don't make it work by overdoing. Practice a little play obedience and play fetch for a few minutes each, then quit. Enthusiastic pups can fetch six times, pups that get bored easily should only do two or three fetches. Remember puppy attention spans are very short. It is better to play train for five minutes several times a day than one marathon session. QUIT WHILE YOU ARE AHEAD , long before pup becomes bored.

Don't let yourself become angry while training, that will make pup dread your sessions together. No matter what happens, maintain the excited spirit of play. If you are saying sweet things through gritted teeth, your dog will know you are angry. If you don't have patience, take acting lessons so your dog won't suffer.

After your play session is over, take the pup back to the house or kennel. NO MORE PLAY OF ANY KIND. This play training is his play. He will look forward to play training and later to more serious training if he is never permitted aimless self-play outside the house or kennel. The dog's enthusiasm for your "play" will be enhanced so you will always have his attention. This will save an enormous amount of training time.

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House training your dog

2011-12-15T05:13:00.000-08:00

Going to the bathroom in the house is one of the biggest issues for new puppy owners. You can easily win the battle if you are consistent, patient, use supervision, utilize confinement and reward your pup with scrumptious treats. Remember, you are teaching your puppy where to relieve himself rather than where not to relieve him or herself.

One of your first steps is to choose a place that you want your pup to eliminate. Once you have chosen the spot, always take your pup on leash to the spot and stand there for three to five minutes. If you don't have success, take pup back inside and place them in their crate. When you are home, make this trip every hour or two and praise success with voice and treats to expedite the learning process. You pup will quickly learn that elimination bring tasty rewards.

Use a Crate. Most dogs love their "den" as long as it is the right size. If it is too big, part of it will become a bathroom. If it is too small, it is uncomfortable. Your pup should have enough room to stand up, turn around and lay down. When pup is in the crate, provide a food stuffed chew toy like a Kong so pup has something to occupy the confinement time. The crate should help you predict when the pup needs to "go" so you can teach pup where and why it needs to eliminate outdoors.

Outside Time: Puppies need to relieve themselves frequently. Ideally, your pup should go outside every two hours.
Same Time, Same Place: Take pup out on a six-foot leash and stand in the place you want pup to "go." Praise pup for "going" in the right location.
Boo Boo? Show pup his mistake and let him know he was wrong with a firm "No!" Take pup outside and show him how you want it done. (Not literally!)
Don't rub pup's nose in "it" unless you want him to eat "it."
Don't smack him with a rolled up newspaper unless you want him to eat it. If you want to hit something with a newspaper, roll it up and hit yourself for not paying more attention to pup's needs.
Feed to Succeed: A high quality, nutritional, highly digestible diet keeps odors, waste and trips outside to a minimum.
Take pup out:

After eating
After napping
After a play session
First thing in the morning
Last thing at night
When his eyes are crossed

The biggest key to house training success is consistency. The more consistent you are with pup, the quicker pup will give you the desired response. When pup relieves himself outside, pup earns more free time inside your home. One quick method is alternating freedom and confinement. On a basic level the following guidelines will help you train your puppy:

Follow the house-training schedule strictly. If pup has an accident you have allowed too much freedom.
While standing in one spot with pup on a leash, allow two minutes for relieving himself. Reward immediately (within one second) with a treat or praise after the desired behavior.
Holding "it" all night is the first stage to successful housebreaking.

If your puppy whines and cries at night, please try to ignore the commotion and go back to sleep. (This applies unless pup is hurting itself.) If you get up even to reprimand pup for making noise, you have just shown your pup that you will get up at night. Occasionally dogs must relieve themselves at night, and ignoring will lead to a big mess in the morning. You can respond to the pup's warning by allowing pup out for only two minutes, and keeping the entire event as low key as possible.For an easy routine to assist in quickly training your pup to "go outside" and avoid most accidents, follow this simple schedule:

In the morning, carry your pup outside and place it on the ground (attached to your leash) that you have designated as the bathroom. Give your command to "go to the bathroom" or "potty" or "tinkle" or some other suitable phrase. Allow two minutes for a response. Gently repeat the command (in a tone of voice like you use with your coworkers) and as soon as pup responds, reward immediately. Remember to bring your reward treat with you no matter how optimistic or pessimistic you feel.
If pup fails to respond within the allotted time, carefully take it inside and place it back in the crate until you are dressed and ready to try again.
When your pup responds correctly, give lots of praise and of course your scrumptious treat. Giving the treat reinforces the desired behavior.
Now pup is going to the bathroom outside and can earn some freedom in your home. The following table shows a suggested daytime schedule.

Goes to the bathroom outside	1/2 hour free time	1-1/2 hours of confinement
This routine continues until pup learns to "go" on command and earns your trust. At that time you can allow more freedom then go to the next level.
Goes to the bathroom outside	1 hour free time	2 hours confinement
This routine continues until pup is doing well. At that time you can allow more freedom.
Goes to the bathroom outside	2 hours free time	2 hours confinement

This entire process may take up to six weeks. Follow the basics covered here and DON'T become discouraged. They are only pups once and we should enjoy all aspects of new companion's lives.

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Keep ticks off your pets

2011-12-13T05:13:00.000-08:00

Ticks

Check your pet's skin every 24-48 hours and after being in tick infested areas. Ticks need to be attached for 48 hours to spread disease.
Remove brush and clear dead leaves from around your house and kennel areas.
Use tick prevention like collars, shampoos, powders. (Be sure the prevention is not worse than the disease.)

Tick Transmitted Diseases

Lyme disease. Caused by the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria, which is carried by the tiny deer tick. Symptoms usually take 2-5 months to appear after exposure and include fever, lameness and lethargy. Lyme disease responds well to antibiotics, but damage to the joints can be permanent. A vaccine is available, but does not ensure total protection.
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Transmitted by the American Dog Tick. Often accompanied by neurological signs like dizziness and seizures as well as muscle and joint pain.
Diseases carried by ticks include those caused by the Haemobartonella microorganism, the Babesia parasite and Ehrlichia. Symptoms of these blood borne diseases include anemia and weight loss.

TICK REMOVAL

Use a fine tipped tweezers or tick removal tool.
Grab the tick by the mouth or head and pull directly outward. Do this quickly so you don't crush or irritate the tick into releasing harmful bacteria into your pet's blood stream. Toss it into a jar of alcohol to kill it.
Clean the bite wound with a pet safe disinfectant and apply a small amount of triple antibiotic.
A small reaction like a bump may occur.
Wash your hands thoroughly after removing a tick.

Tick Links

CVM-Oklahoma State - Tick Explanations and Pictures
Pet Education - Tick Life Cycles, Anatomy and Disease Transmission
CDC Tick Image

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Pet friendly travel -- "north woods" style

2011-12-11T05:13:00.000-08:00

Seeing the world through a new pair of eyes is what traveling with your fur children (a.k.a. pets) is all about. Here are some “up north” destinations for maximum pet-friendliness.

If destinations limit pet size or require a stay in a smoking room, they are not on this list. If you know somewhere interesting that should be included or want to update folks on the places listed here, please let me know.

Crane Lake, Minnesota

Distance from Minneapolis: About 6 hours.

Where to Stay:

Voyagaire Lodge and Houseboats
Crane Lake, MN
800-882-6287

Host: Jim Janssen
Web Site: www.voyagaire.com

E-mail: info@voyagaire.com

Rates: Lake Home $175 – $1695 Houseboats starting at $385 per day. Houseboats accommodate multiple people easily. Currently there are no extra charges for pets.

It is likely your entire trip will be spent touring the waterways in one of 33 houseboats that allow pets. You will have an in service prior to striking out on your own on the proper operation of the houseboat. The houseboats offer a fantastic opportunity to let your dogs be dogs while enjoying the solitude of the border country.

During the winter, this area is known as “The Nation’s Icebox” and is located near International Falls. When summer arrives, though, there are magnificent things to behold. Voyageurs National Park is a 219,000-acre water-based park. So much of this park is covered with water that no roads lead to its interior. During open water season your best travel bets are by floatplane, canoe, kayak, motorboat, sailboat or houseboat. There are some excellent hiking trails on the Kabetogama Peninsula, but the only access on the United States side is via air or water ferry.

Duluth, Minnesota

Distance from Minneapolis: About 2.5 hours.

Where to Stay:

Historic Willard Munger Inn

7408 Grand Ave. - Duluth, Minnesota

Telephone (218) 624-4814

Toll Free: (800) 982-2453
Web Site http://www.mungerinn.com

Email: munger@mungerinn.com

Host: Will Munger
Nightly Rates: $45 - $200

This is a very pet friendly destination with a pet exercise area and numerous trails that lead right from your front door. There are 23 smoke-free rooms ranging from economy, whirlpool studios, kitchen studios and fireplace suites. The Inn also manages the adjoining 70-site Indian Point Campground located on the Western Waterfront Trail, where you can enjoy hiking, make a campfire, or take a short canoe paddle on the river during the summer and fall seasons. Enjoy the new courtyard with rock garden, fire ring and complimentary grills.

Your hosts want to help you experience Duluth’s Urban Wilderness. As a guest, you will receive a continental breakfast served around a wood-burning stove in the cedar lounge. There are complimentary, quality mountain bicycles provided with your room and for a small extra charge you could rent canoes and kayaks. The Munger Inn is located at the end of the Willard Munger State Bicycle Trail and the Western Waterfront Trail, just one mile from the foot of Spirit Mountain Ski Area, across from the Lake Superior Regional Zoo. They are 4 miles from the Canal Park area. In addition to the West Waterfront Trail and Munger Trails, there are a number of other
excellent bicycling /mountain biking / hiking / cross country ski and birding trails within close proximity to the Munger Inn.

Grand Marais, Minnesota

Distance from Minneapolis: About 5 hours.

Grand Marais is located between the shores of Lake Superior and the Sawtooth Mountain range. This area offers wonderful outdoor adventures where you will discover a pristine natural harbor, an incredible selection of hiking and mountain biking trails, well groomed cross-country ski and snowmobile trails, a multitude of streams and waterfalls, and spectacular scenic vistas. You can also experience an eclectic mix of creative crafts, inspirational art and historic souvenirs. This small harbor village has many cafes, coffeehouses, diners, taverns, restaurants, museums, galleries and specialty shops all within walking distance of each other. Here’s a tidbit about Grand Marais: The Kadunce River northeast of Grand Marais was once known as the Diarrhea River. Drinking its water was not a good idea.

Where to Stay:

Gunflint Lodge

143 South Gunflint Lake

Grand Marais, MN 55604

800.328.3325

www.gunflint.com

http://gunflintlodge.blogspot.com/

Hosts: Robert, Miranda and Zach Kerfoot. Bruce and Sue Kerfoot. (Retired)

Rates Start at: $99

Pet Fees: $20/night/pet

Gunflint Lodge is located in the wilderness of northern Minnesota. Established in 1927, they have created a tradition of providing every accommodation to make your vacation as adventurous or relaxing as you wish. The atmosphere pervades wilderness elegance and comfort. Your hosts strive to make your every wish and desire possible while providing excellent attention to detail.

Gunflint Lodge also offers a Dog Lover’s Weekend in Afternoon dog socials will give you a chance to meet other pets. They set up an agility course for the entire weekend (for a K9 Olympics, north woods style). Pet fees are waived during this special weekend. First reservations received get a complimentary upgrade to a premier cabin with a spa. Dog Lover’s Weekend rates start at $395.

Minocqua/Lake Tomahawk, Wisconsin

Distance From Minneapolis: About 5 Hours

Where to Stay:

Loon Call Cottage

Lake Tomahawk, Wisconsin

Contact Telephone Numbers: (760) 399-6308 or (715) 356-3301 in the summer.

Web Site: http://www.outdoorfrontiers.com/stories/LoonCallCottage.htm

E-Mail: sp1944@aol.com

Host: Sue Parker

Nightly Rates: $150 per night with a two-night minimum. Additional non-pet rooms are available at the main house, price available on request.

This private getaway offers a beautiful cabin on a 6-acre island in Lake Tomahawk, part of the Minocqua Lake Chain. The cottage has one bedroom, which is very comfortable for two to three people (if you don’t mind sleeping on a sofa) and has all the amenities. Hot and cold running water, heat, electricity, complete kitchen, all dishes, utensils and bedding. All you need are your personal items and food. The cottage has a fireplace and a generous supply of firewood. It is classic "North Woods" with lots of knotty pine and a deck to relax on as well as a gas grill. The only access (other than by water) is via the footbridge, so the only vehicle traffic on the island is golf cart. The island is extremely quiet and is the perfect location to get away from it all.

Pet Travel Packing List and Tips

Crate/Kennel/Carrier
Leash and Collar (Flexi-Leash is good to take along too.)
ID Tags (We include on with local information too.)
Food and Water (Bottled water works well too.)
Food and water bowls.
Blanket or other bedding.
Pooper Scooper, baggies and kitty litter if your cat is traveling along.
Favorite toy.
Grooming supplies
Pet First Aid Kit
Petastic or similar carpet cleaner, just in case there is an accident.
Call and confirm that pets are still allowed where you plan to stay.
Ask about restrictions and fees so you are prepared.
Get a ground floor room for easier access to the “bathroom.”
Keep your dog on a leash in public areas.
Don’t let your dog swim in the hotel pool.
Don’t leave your dog loose and unsupervised in the hotel room.

Helpful Links:

http://www.gopetfriendly.com/ Go Pet Friendly

http://www.petswelcome.com/ Pets Welcome

http://www.bringfido.com Bring Fido

http://www.outdoorfrontiers.com/stories/LoonCallCottage.htm Loon Call Cottage

http://www.gunflint.com Gun Flint Lodge

http://www.mungerinn.com Munger Inn

http://www.voyagaire.com Voyagaire Houseboats and Lodge

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Avoid feeding these foods to your dog or cat

2011-12-09T05:13:00.000-08:00

I'm like lots of people, looking for ways to feed something in addition to my animals's daily ration of pet food. All of our dogs and cats can enjoy a variety of protein, carbohydrates, fruits and veggies, as long as we are aware that some food can be toxic to your pet.

Here is a brief list of "Do Not Feed" items -- when in doubt, you can always find more information at a pet poison control site -- that you'll want to pay close attention to:

Alcoholic beverages (This should go without saying. )
Artificial sweeteners (NutraSweet, SweetN'Low, sorbitol, xylitol and similar items)
Avocado
Candy
Chocolate (all varieties and forms)
Coffee (all varieties and forms)
Fatty foods
Garlic
Grapes
Raisins
Macadamia nuts
Moldy or spoiled foods
Mushrooms
Onions and onion powder
Salt
Seeds (any type -- watch under the bird feeder too)
Yeast dough

If you have any question about whether a food source is okay for your pet, contact your veterinarian (DVM) or call the pet poison control line at the ASPCA 888.426.4435

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Praise your pooch

2011-12-07T05:13:00.000-08:00

Image: Riley

Praise is the most important tool you have to train your dog, and is also the hardest thing for people to remember to use during a training session.

One of the most significant motivators for dogs is praise, but what is praise? Praise is not a pat on the head or a droning monotone good. Dogs are too smart for those approaches. Verbal praise should be heartfelt and sung out in high pitched, happy tones at the exact moment the dog has succeeded at the task or command. The more exuberant you are with your properly timed verbal praise, the faster your dog will learn.

Another form of praise that can be more powerful than verbal praise is physical praise. (The pat on the head does not fit here either.) The best form of physical praise is whatever your dog likes best. For a puppy that just learned to lay down on command may want a belly rub. Since he is successful with the down, by all means rub his little belly. After he has learned to perform the command consistently, you can gradually make him work harder for his praise. Other forms of physical praise that most dogs like are stroking under the chin, stroking the ears and patting the chest.

If you only remember one thing from dog training, let it be to verbally and physically praise your dog!

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Dogs 101: Five dog-friendly dining spots in the Twin Cities

2011-12-05T05:13:00.000-08:00

Image: Riley

Enjoy the beautiful weather while you can and take pooch along with you for a bite -- to eat.

Psycho Suzie’s Motor Lounge Welcome to Tiki paradise! Dogs will get a water bowl and can enjoy the deck and garden while socializing with their people. Psycho Suzie’s Motor Lodge has homemade food with daily creations, fabulously kitsch décor and excellent rum concoctions for tossing back so be sure Fido brings a designated driver. Their web site encourages visitors to embrace lowbrow heaven.
2519 Marshall Street NE | Minneapolis 55418 | 612.788.9069

Lucia's Restaurant Chef Lucia Watson, offers select local ingredients and reasonable pricing. Lucia's Dog Bar is available on the patio during the warmer months, or in Minnesota-speak, weather permitting. The dog bar offers shade, treats and water from an elegant fountain.

1432 West 31^st Street | Minneapolis, MN 55408 | 612.825.1572

Corner Coffee serves coffee, tea, smoothies and other beverages as well as made-to-order sandwiches, soups, and pastries. You can get your wi-fi free and on Friday nights you can listen to live music from a variety of local bands. Every month, Corner Coffee, features local art for your viewing pleasure. There is usually a good dog event just around the “corner” and the web site is updated frequently.

514 N 3rd St Suite 102 | Minneapolis, MN 55401 | 612.338.2002

WA Frost The historic, shaded patio welcomes dogs with a water bowl and a cool place to relax. A warm ambiance is created with turn-of-the-century architecture at this fine dining establishment with a full bar, their outside garden dining area is something to look forward to each summer. Dogs are allowed at the outer tables; they must be leashed and under owner's control and care at all times. 374 Selby Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55102 | 651-224-5715

The Happy Gnome has one of the most extensive beer selections in town and was named one of the “125 Places to Have a Beer Before You Die” by All About Beer Magazine. The food is an excellent eclectic mix of “American Nouveau” You and your dog will enjoy watching life unfold from the lush, dog-friendly patio in the Cathedral Hill district.
498 Selby Ave | St Paul, MN 55102 | 651.287.2018

Know somewhere that dog people shouldn't miss? Share your thoughts on dining with your dog.

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