urban paws magazine
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June 2011 issueTRANSCRIPT
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“The great pleasure of a dog is that you may makea fool of yourself with him and not only will he notscold you, but he will make a fool of himself too. “
- Samuel Butler
Photo courtesy of Augusto Serna
e can learn a lot from our dogs. Theycan teach us forgiveness, how to loveunconditionally, and see past the fur.
Conversely, our dogs rely on us to help guideand teach them how to behave socially. Since wedon’t speak the same language, it’s often difficultto convey our expectations. Connie’s article onpage 14 offers some tips how to effectively usevoice tones to properly communicate with yourdog.
If you’ve been following our agility series andhave hit a few obstacles along the way (no punintended), turn to page 22 for some guidelineson how to regroup and obtain positive results.This month’s handsome cover dog comes to usfrom Houston Boston Terrier Rescue Group ofGreater Houston. Boris was such a sport during
Editorial
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Issue 5: Volume 5www.urbanpawsmagazine.com
the photo shoot! To learn more about him andother available dogs, turn to page 20.
Summer is finally here, and that means flea sea-son. If you’re looking to save a few bucks (andwho isn’t?) check out Pet Armor’s new flea pre-ventative on page 18. It sells for about half theprice of Frontline™, with the same active ingre-dient.
If you like free stuff, don’t forget to enter theZuke’s treat giveaway! Three lucky winners willreceive a custom tote bag filled with $100 worthof treats. To enter, visit our website atwww.urbanpawsmagazine.
Jennifer Kitchens
URBAN PAWSMAGAZINEP.O. Box 1556Spring, Texas 77383www.UrbanPawsMagazine.com
Design and layout by:ZOECOCREATIVE
© Copyright 2011. No part of this publication may bereprinted or otherwise reproduced without the publish-er’s written permission. Urban Paws magazine assumesno responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, feature andidea submissions, or photographs, and such material willnot be returned. Urban Paws magazine assumes no lia-bility for the contents herein and has the right to refuseadvertising for any reason. Urban Paws magazine doesnot endorse any specific product or service containedherein; we do encourage you to support our advertiserswhenever possible.
Please tell our advertisers you heard about them inUrban Paws!
On the CoverBoris, photographed byAshlee Newman Photography.
Follow us on FACEBOOK & TWITTER for the mostup-to-date information, news and events!
6 www.urbanpawsmagazine.com
Calendar
June 2011 Events For a full listing of events, visit:www.urbanpawsmagazine.com/events
JUNE 1-30Adopt a Shelter Cat MonthVisit your local animal shelter or rescue organi-zation to view adoptable cats.
JUNE 11City of Conroe’s Dog Days of SummerBring your four-legged friend out to McDadePark for a morning of fun in the sun. Pet con-tests, agility demonstrations and pet adoptions.Admission is free. For more information, visitwww.cityofconroe.org.
JUNE 12Houston Beagle Rescue’s Meet & GreetCome by and meet some of the adoptableBeagles at Petco in Spring, 9507 I-45 Northfrom noon - 4:00 p.m. For more information,visit www.houstonbeaglerescue.org.
JUNE 14Summer Y.A.P. (Youth & Agility Program)Presented by Bed Bath and Biscuit. 9:00 a.m.Y.A.P. pairs youth and dogs with a family-friendly sport, concentrating on teamwork,sportsmanship and communication. Classeswill be held every Tuesday for 6 weeks. Formore information, call 936.890.3647.
JUNE 20-24Companion Animal Camp at HHSThis is an opportunity for children ages 7-13 towork hands-on with the animals cared for by
the Houston Humane Society. Register onlineat www.houstonhumane.org.
JUNE 24National Take Your Dog toWork DayFor more information on how to get involved,visit www.takeyourdog.com
Have an event that you would like to add toour calendar? Just send us an email at:[email protected] sure to include the event name, date, timeand location.
The Scoop
News &Happenings in the Houston Area
LOCAL ANIMAL SHELTER RECEIVESSURPRISE DONATION FROMTOMBALLBUSINESSAbandoned Animal Rescue staff were pleas-
antly surprised recently when Kim Williamsarrived at the rescue center and presented adonation check of $500 to Barbara Schultz,one of AAR Board Members. Resale With aPurpose is a Tomball resale shop ministry thatgives its proceeds to community non-profitgroups.
HELP YOUR FAVORITE ANIMAL SHEL-TERWIN $15,000 BY VOTINGONLINEAdopt-a-Pet has teamed up with Care2 and
ASPCA to promote pet adoption and recog-nize outstanding animal shelters and rescuegroups throughout the U.S. If you volunteerfor or support and animal shelter or rescueorganization and would like to see them winthe 2011 America's Favorite Animal Sheltercontest, cast your vote! Voters can search byzip code to find shelters in their area by visitingwww.care2.com/animalsheltercontest. The con-test runs from May 16th to July 10th so startvoting! Shelter winners will be determined bythe number of supporters voting on the Care2contest page.
Urban Paws Magazine 7
HOUSTONAREACOMPANIESWILLGO TOTHEDOGSON JUNE 24THFirst celebrated in
1999, Take Your Dogto Work Day is anationally recognized
day created to celebrate the great companionsdogs make and to encourage adoptions fromshelters and rescue organizations.Pet lovers are encouraged to participate by
planning a workplace event to show off theirpooches and promote pet adoption. The offi-cial web site offers helpful resources for con-vincing companies to participate as well assteps for organizing an event. Companies caneven partner with a local shelter or rescueorganization and invite them to bring adopt-able pets and information about adoptionopportunities. To get involved, visitwww.takeyourdog.com.
HOUSTON FLEA INFESTATIONCAN BEBLAMEDONDROUGHTPet owners may find themselves purchasing
flea preventative for the first time. Houstonarea veterinarians are seeing more pets suffer-ing from fleas this year. Sometimes up to fourcases a day. Blame it on the lack of rain thatHouston has received over the last couple ofmonths. Homes with irrigation systems areattracting wildlife, wildlife that more than likelyhas a flea problem. Animals like squirrels andopossums are on the move with dry weather.Your best bet is to keep your pet on flea pre-ventative to control the flea population.
12 www.urbanpawsmagazine.com8 www.urbanpawsmagazine.com
dog park is a facility set aside for dogs to
exercise and play off-leash in a controlled envi-
ronment under the supervision of their owners.
Parks vary in accoutrements, although a typical
dog park offers a fence; separate, double-gated
entry and exit points; adequate drainage; bench-
es for humans; shade for hot days; parking close
to the site; water; tools to pick up and dispose of
animal waste in covered trash cans; and regular
maintenance and cleaning of the grounds.
Off-leash dog areas, or dog parks, provide a
community setting in which people can gather
and socialize and where they can observe the
interaction of groups of dogs at play. Dog parks
allow owners and their dogs to spend time
together while the dog satisfies its cravings for
canine play and companionship.
Houston is lucky enough to have over 25 dog
parks and that number continues to grow.
Organizations such as the Houston Dog Park
Association are dedicated to educating people
about the responsibilities and benefits of pet
ownership. They also help to support and
encourage new dog park developments.
If you’re new to the dog park, we’ve compiled a
list of all Houston bark parks. Each dog park is
governed by the rules set forth by the entity that
built it. Some parks have age limits and restric-
tions on children. We recommend researching
each park to see which one is the best fit for you
and your dog.
While dog parks are intended for carefree fun,
pet owners are always encouraged to keep an eye
on their dog at all times and be sure your park is
open before you head out.
AA
UUNNLLEEAASSHH tthheeFFUUNN aatt tthheeDDOOGG PPAARRKK!!
Urban Paws Magazine 9
BaytownBaytown Bark Park4334 Crosby Cedar Bayou
BellaireOfficer Lucy Dog Park4337 Lafayette
DowntownDiscovery Green1500 McKinney
Deer ParkElla and Friends Dog Park500 W. 13th Street
East HoustonMaxey Bark and Run Park601 Maxey Road
GalleriaTanglewood Bark Park5801 Woodway Drive
Inner LoopDanny Jackson Bark Park4700 Westpark
Ervan Chew Dog Park4502 Dunlavy
Levy Park Dog Park3801 Eastside
West Webster Bark Park1501 W. Webster Street
KatyKaty Dog Park5414 Franz Road
KingwoodKingwood Dog Park619 Lakeville Drive
Northeast HoustonGene Green Beltway 8 Dog Park6500 E. Sam Houston Parkway N.
Northwest HoustonTC Jester Bark Park4201 TC Jester Blvd.
PasadenaBay Area Bark Park7500 Bay Area Blvd.
PearlandIndependence Dog Park3919 Liberty Drive
Southdown Dog Park2150 County Road 94 (Smith Ranch Road)
South HoustonTom Bass Regional Dog Park...coming soon!
Spring/TomballBurroughs Park Dog Park...coming soon!
Sugar LandPawm Springs Bark Park15300 University Blvd.
The WoodlandsBear Branch Dog Park5200 Research Forest Drive
Cattail Park9323 Cochrans Crossing Drive
Terramont Dog Park8500 Terramont Lane
West HoustonCongressman Bill Archer Bark Park3201 Highway 6
Millie Bush Bark Park16756 Westheimer Parkway
HHoouussttoonn AArreeaa BBaarrkk PPaarrkkss
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Pet Safety
Stop. Drop. Roll Over?
s pet owners, the mere thought of our
home catching fire is terrifying.
According to the US Fire Administration’s web-
site, more than 1.7 million uncontrolled fires
occur annually in the US. it’s estimated that
more than 500,000 pets
are killed by house fires
each year. That’s a stagger-
ing statistic. The best way
to prevent tragedies is to
prevent the occurrence of
a fire.
Many of us rely on the
window decals that say
something like “In case of
fire or emergency–animals
inside!” to alert emergency
response teams to the
presence of pets. But, how
well do these decals really
work? Are they even visi-
ble in the event of an emergency?
While firefighters are trained to look for win-
dow alert sings, in many cases of fire, the loca-
tion of the fire determines where the firefight-
ers will enter the home. It may be through a side
window where decals are not present or visible.
Smoke can even render them unreadable. There
are many reasons that the decals can be unno-
ticed amidst the chaos of a home fire. What is,
then, the best way to indicate that pets are inside
the home?
Firefighters say that in many cases, a neighbor
has alerted them to the pets inside. This tactic
has resulted in many successful pet rescues. It’s a
good idea to get to know your neighbor’s pets
and vice versa.
Smoke detectors alert humans that’s it time to
evacuate, but pets
don’t know what that
high pitched alarm
means. To make mat-
ters worse, the sound
can even scare a pet
into hiding, increasing
the risk for harm as
we frantically search
for them.
Many groups are
working to improve
the survival chances
of pets caught in
house fires. Alarm
monitoring compa-
nies, such as ADT, local veterinarians and
humane organizations are looking to save the
half a million pets that are lost each year.
While firemen attempt to get pets safely out of
burning structures, they are not able to revive
them unless they have the proper equipment —
pet oxygen masks. These specially-designed ani-
mal masks can be used both on conscious pets
that have suffered from smoke inhalation and
pets that need to be resuscitated after losing con-
sciousness from exposure to the dangerous toxic
fumes.
ABy Jennifer Kitchens
Fire departments have to concentrate all of
their own funding for human equipment. That
means it is up to us to provide for our pets. Pet
retailers such as Wag’N (www.wagn4u.com)
offer the necessary gear to first responders to
effectively care for pets in emergency situations.
The O2 Fur Life® Program allows pet owners
to sponsor their local fire department or donate
kits to emergency crews.
As a pet owner, it is your responsibility to pet
proof your home and be aware of potential fire
hazards. Always extinguish open flames before
exiting your home and keep younger dogs, espe-
cially puppies confined to prevent them from
accidentally starting a fire.
FIRE SAFETY TIPS
Extinguish open flames
Remove stove knobs
Invest in flameless candles
Keep pets near entrances when away
Secure young pets
Consider using monitored smoke detectors
Affix a pet alert window decal
Be sure your neighbors know that you havepets and how many are in the home
Barking Lot
Houston Beagle & HoundRescue’s B.Y.O.B. (Bring YourOwn Beagle) Party
Houston Beagle & Hound Rescue recentlyheld its 3rd annual B.Y.O.B. party at PawtyPalace in Katy. Previous Beagle adoptersbrought their new pals to socialize with thosewaiting for their new homes.
12 www.urbanpawsmagazine.com
Guests mingle with the Beagles
Do I smell hot dogs?
Eager contestants anxiously waiting
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By Connie Archer,Bark Busters Home Dog Training
IT’S NOT WHATYOU SAY,IT’S HOW YOUSAY IT
Photo courtesy of Rebekah Pavlovic
Urban Paws Magazine 15
Training & Behavior
The Command Tone: When giving commands, use a normal, nice
voice tone. Remember that you are instructing
your dog, not screaming at her for doing some-
thing wrong. Simply say the dog’s name and a
one-word command. Examples would be
“Abby, sit”, “Abby, stay”, “Abby, come.” Your
dog will learn these short one-word commands
much more quickly than something like, “Abby,
will you sit down for me, Sweetie?” It is confus-
ing to your dog if you say, “Abby, come”, one
day and then “Come on over here, Sweetie” the
next.
The Praise Tone: When praising your dog, the high-pitched,
happy voice tone is best. Dogs love to please us
and well-delivered praise is usually all that is
needed to reward your dog. The exception to
using the high-pitched tone would be if you are
praising a very excitable, “hyper” type dog. In
this case, use a more calm and soothing tone
when you praise.
If you commit to working with your dog, paying
close attention to matching the correct voice
tone to the correction, command, and praise,
you will be amazed at how quickly your dog will
respond. Remember, it’s not WHAT we say, but
HOW we say it that counts.
ur sweet, four-legged friends
seem to really listen when we talk
to them, but do they always
understand what we are saying?
Remember, dogs do not come into this world
understanding English. When you say to your
dog in a high-pitched, happy voice tone, “Oh,
Abby, you’re the cutest little puppy”, her entire
body wiggles with excitement. But, try this. Use
the exact same high-pitched voice tone and say,
“Oh, Abby, you’re the ugliest, dumbest, little
puppy”, and her body will still wiggle with that
very same excitement. The point is that it is not
WHAT we say, but HOW we say it, that gets the
point across. The proper use of three basic
voice tones will get the best and fastest results
with your dog.
The Correction Tone: When correcting, use a voice tone that is low
and growly. A dog gives a low growl to warn or
correct another dog, so by using this same tone,
you are speaking to your dog in a language she
already knows. Also, keep it simple. One consis-
tent correction word, said in the right tone, will
do the trick. Why complicate things by using
many different corrections like “No Bark”, “No
Bite”, “Off ”, etc. By using one word said in the
right voice tone, your dog will quickly learn
when she hears your correction, it means “Stop
whatever you are doing right now.”
O
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Visitpetplay.com to view styles,sizes & prices
LIFESTYLESguide
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Pet artist LarryWatkins creates won-derful pieces of artfor pet lovers. Usingphotos of four-legged friends, hedigitally creates aone-of-a-kind keep-sake to be treasuredfor years to come. PetArt by LCW offerslimited edition printsas well as customprints.
Visitpetartbylcwcom to view samples,sizes & prices
Co-Pilot Protection PlanProtect your Pet’s Health with Healthy Paws Pet Insurance
Your enrollment helps homeless pets!
GoHealthyPaws.com/UrbanPaws
Gimme ShelterJoin us in helping our four-legged friends find loving homes. Adopt a dog today!
20 www.urbanpawsmagazine.com
Hi, I’m Boris, a three-year-old, black andwhite Boston Terrier. I am one handsomeboy and I have the personality to match! Iwas dropped off at a local kill shelterbecause my owners were no longer able tocare for me. Geez, people can be so cruel.I’ve been a big hit with all of the BTRGHvolunteers because I am so sweet. I am areally quick learner and have alreadylearned how to use the doggy door. I amlooking for my forever home with a fami-ly to love me. Could that be you?
Please note that these dogs may have been adopted by the time you visit them; however, there are many more wonderful dogs in need of forever homes.
Ourcover dog,Boris!
Boston Terrier Rescue Group of Greater Houston
www.houstonbostonrescue.org
Boston Terrier Rescue of Greater Houston is a well-established group that hasbeen rescuing Boston Terriers (and sometimes Pugs and French Bulldogs) for
over 11 years. Started as a one-person operation in early 2000, the group has grown to a solid base ofvolunteers across the country who work together to get abandoned, abused and neglected dogs into theirforever homes. Boston Terrier Rescue takes in the old, the injured, the sick - the dogs that society hasmany times discarded. All rescues are given immediate veterinary care, including vaccinations, heartwormtests and spay/neuters. If the dog requires extraordinary care, most commonly heartworm treatment,Boston Terrier Rescue addresses those needs immediately.
MIKEYHi, I’m Mikey and I am just under ayear old. I was found with Mallory, tiedto a pole when animal control saved us.We were both schedule to be eutha-nized, but were rescued by BTRGH.Mallory and I were inseparable until Iwas taken to be treated for heartworms.Now I am quite independent andwould do best as an only dog. I enjoyrunning and playing and would lovenothing more than to find my foreverhome with a nice, big yard to run in.
MALLORYMallory here. I am a sweet girl justunder a year old, who is currently livingin a temporary foster home in Austin. Iam a bit quieter than Mikey, but I alsolove to run and play.I get along a littlebetter with others too, and would prob-ably be fine in a home with other dogs.
BUCKLEYI'm Buckley and I'm new to BostonTerrier Rescue. My owners didn’t wantme anymore so they sent me to a killshelter in Waco. I'm only 8 months oldand I'm a happy boy now that I'vefound lots of friends who love me. I’mnow ready for my forever home now.
MARGARETTEHello, I’m Margarette, a seven-year-oldBoston Terrier. I was sent to a local killshelter, where I was left by my ownersbecause they could no longer keep me.I am a beautiful, serious girl who canstill kick up my heels – when I have anopen yard! Although I am about 90%deaf, I am still very alert and observant,and just as sweet as can be.
CLANCYIt’s Clancy! I’m an adorable little guythat came from a kill shelter outside ofHouston. When I arrived at BTRGH,the discovered that I had a huge chem-ical burn on my back that was not visi-ble in my shelter photos. I was taken tothe vet immediately, where I receivedurgent medical care. I’m only about ayear old, and will be going through thehealing process for a few monthsbefore I am ready for my forever home.
Urban Paws Magazine 21
FRIDAYI’m Friday, a beautiful, French Bulldogwith attitude! I was found a stray on abusy Houston highway and picked upby a good samaritan. My foster momthinks that I probably need to be anonly dog.
ith the best will in the world,
sometimes stuff happens – once, training my
dog to weave, with her dinner bowl at the end, I
slipped and fell flat on my backside kicking the
bowl right out from under her as I squealed in
panic! Result: Flying treats and dog hiding
behind the oleander bushes. Not good. So, what
to do?
This month’s example features Chica, the
cheeky Chihuahua. Chica loves agility – particu-
larly the contact equipment – ‘A’ frame, Dog
Walk and Seesaw (Teeter). We teach these start-
ing low and gradually raising the height. Last
Fall, Chica veered off-course and made a bee-
line for the see-saw, flying up it without noticing
it was higher than she had experienced. It
banged down and scared her. Following week
she made it very clear that she wasn’t at all happy
OOPS! What do to whentraining goes wrong
22 www.urbanpawsmagazine.com
with the see-saw. These guidelines helped get
her through it.
1. Take a break. Trying to work a scared dog or
force it to perform is like scratching at a wound
– it never has time to heal. Taking a break from
that exercise allows you to plan your approach
and the dog time to calm down. How long? It
depends. Sometimes a few minutes are enough.
Sometimes a month is good. In similar circum-
stances I once lent a friend my see-saw for their
Labrador. After a month I asked if they had
practiced. “We didn’t have time” she said. “But
you know what? Last week he was playing in the
back yard and did it all on his own!” Now, I’m
not advocating dogs using equipment unsuper-
vised, but this does show that, given time, they
can sometimes work things out.
By Lesley Young, Dog Angels U.S.W
2. Go right back to basics. We reintroduced
Chica to the see-saw at very low height, intro-
ducing her at the pivot with the see-saw already
tipped. Over a few weeks Chica performed the
tip herself and was readily running onto the see-
saw. We are now in the process of very gradual-
ly increasing the height again.
3. Take your time. Often problems can be avoid-
ed by simply taking more time to train some-
thing. This includes very gradually raising the
standard of performance (working separately
on elements like speed, duration or level of dis-
traction) and proofing each stage in different
locations.
4. Try to offer the dog a choice. Never coerce a
dog into position, this can generate lasting fear.
Chica was briefly and gently restrained when she
tried to back off – to prevent her instinctive
‘flight’ response and allow her rational brain to
take over. After that she had the choice to go
forward and get her treats or to stand still or
jump off the side. Provided the task you are ask-
ing of the dog is small enough, they will usually
choose to do it.
5. Make it highly rewarding. Know what your
dog values the most. Chica loves roast chicken,
lesser dog treats simply won’t do. Doggy Math is
very simple: How much effort is this going to
cost me? What’s in it for me?
If performing takes a huge effort (including the
effort to stop doing something or overcome an
emotional response) then the reward needs to
be really great! Know what your dog loves most
and don’t over-use it.
Thankfully, today, Chica is happily well on the
way to full height. (And my youngster is back
weaving).
Lesley Young (MA Hons), has 17 years experience ofDog Training - relocating to The Woodlands, Texas in2009. Lesley runs Pet Dog, Puppy and Agility classesand is an AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator.www.dogangels.us.
CGC Certification:The Foundation for Good Behavior
By Alison Terrell
amie Fincher is no novice when it comes
dogs. Not only is she extremely active
among North Houston’s rescue commu-
nity, she also finds time in her busy
schedule to promote the ideals of good dog
behavior through the Canine Good Citizen cer-
tification. Put on through the AKC, the Canine
Good Citizen certification is presented to those
dogs that excel in the basics of obedience and
behavior. Calm around strangers and new stim-
uli, these dogs are the epitome of well behaved.
Jamie decided to have her Doberman Pinscher,
Prime, go through CGC testing in order to bet-
ter promote the breed and help remove it’s neg-
ative connotation as a “dangerous breed.”
Today, Prime is CGC certified and well on his
way to many more obedience accomplishments
thanks to Jamie’s guidance and the CGC certifi-
cation for it’s positive foundation.
A: What is your dog’s name?
J: Prime.
24 www.urbanpawsmagazine.com
J
Photo courtesy of Robyn Arouty Photography
Urban Paws Magazine 25
A: What breed is he?
J: He’s a Doberman Pinscher.
A: How old is he?J: 16 months.
A: Did he receive the CGC (Canine GoodCitizen) at 16 months?
J: Yes, he did.
A: So, what is the CGC and why did you decideto certify Prime in it?
J: The CGC is a behavioral certification test thatthe AKC offers. Basically, it tests a dog’s tem-
perament, how they act in public and determines
how well behaved they are overall. For some
dogs, being well behaved and displaying a posi-
tive affect comes naturally, but for others it may
be a challenge. Luckily, those requiring extra
coaching for the CGC examination can find
trainers that offer CGC prep tests. Personally, I
decided to have Prime certified as a CGC due to
his breed, the Doberman Pinscher, which nor-
mally carries a negative connotation with it. I
think it’s especially important for owners of
those dogs classified as “dangerous breeds” to
seek out CGC certification in order to rectify
their dog’s reputation among the public. A CGC
certification would be valuable to someone with
a “dangerous breed” dog, or any dog for that
matter, due to the fact that the certification acts
as validation for the dog’s good behavior.
A: Besides the “dangerous breeds” do you thinkthe CGC certification would be beneficial for
any dog?
J: Definitely. It’s an easily achievable goal thatspeaks volumes about your dog’s overall behav-
ior.
A: So, what would you tell other dog owners todo to prepare for the CGC test?
J: I would suggest some obedience training,specifically your basics: Sit, stay and how to walk
on a leash. It’s also important that your dog
learn to be calm when strangers approach.
A: What would CGC test day look like?
J: There are many parts to the CGC exam, but,basically, the test consists of having your dog sit
and stay still for an examiner to groom him,
loose leash walking your dog, introducing your
dog to numerous stimuli such as medical equip-
ment, plastic bags being thrown in the air, etc.
These are all events designed to test your dog’s
reaction. Theoretically, a CGC examiner would
like to see a calm and collected dog during the
entire testing period. Should the dog react nega-
tively, he could fail the exam and be asked to
retest.
A: Would you recommend the CGC test to alldog owners?
J: Yes, most definitely, it shows your responsibil-ity as a dog owner to have well behaved pets that
would excel in public situations. Also, it helps to
rectify the reputations of “dangerous breeds,”
which is vitally important for the public.
A: Where can dog owners find more informa-
tion about the Canine Good Citizen certifica-
tion, such as where they take place and how to
prepare?
J: The AKC website – www.akc.org
Tail End
Tackling Taboo Topics
You notice that you friend’s pug has become abit pudgy. You can’t just blurt it out, but youhave to say something because you truly careabout the canine in question. So, how do youbroach such delicate matters? Your friendsneeds to hear the truth and better that they hearit from you.
YOU MEAN“Your dog is fat.”
DON’T SAY“When is she having puppies?”
DO SAY“Ever thought of vertical strips?”
Pet obesity can be associated with thyroid dis-ease, cancer and diabetes. It complicates jointdisease from arthritis to hip displaysia. Fooddoes not equal love.
26 www.urbanpawsmagazine.com
YOU MEAN“Your dog needs to learn some manners.”
DON’T SAY“Who socialized your dog? Gordon Ramsey?”
DO SAY“My dog really enjoyed his Canine Good
Citizen class.”
You may think it’s cute when your Bulldogjumps on your lap to kiss you, but some peoplemay find it intimidating, or even rude.Obedience class teaches social graces and allowsyou to bond with your dog.
YOU MEAN“Your dog has bad breath.”
DON’T SAY“Does your dog drink out of the toilet?”
DO SAY“People who feed raw call bones Nature’s
Toothbrush.”
Pet dental hygiene is important. Problems canlead to heart failure, liver disease and tooth loss.Bad breath is usually a serious warning sign.
YOU MEAN“Your dog has gas.”
DON’T SAY“Phew! That’s the worst odor I’ve ever
smelled!”
DO SAY“I too like baked beans.”
Gas can be a sign of gastrointestinal issues andmay be an indicator of bloat, which can be fatal.Simethicone products can reduce simple flatu-lence.
Urban Paws Marketplace
Urban Paws Magazine 27
urbanpawsLOOKING FORWARD...JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER
5th Anniversary Nutrition Animal Legislation
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