Squaw's Rescue Dog Team to Olympics in Vancouver

Wylee is going to the Winter Games.
The 2-year-old border collie is a member of the Squaw Valley Ski Patrol Avalanche Rescue Dog Team that has been invited to provide assistance at the Olympics in Vancouver beginning next month.
The 2-year-old border collie is a member of the Squaw Valley Ski Patrol Avalanche Rescue Dog Team that has been invited to provide assistance at the Olympics in Vancouver beginning next month.

The team based at the resort near Lake Tahoe is the only one in the United States to receive such an invitation.

"This is the highlight of all the handlers' and dogs' careers," said Matt Calcutt, who will be coordinating the team in Vancouver. "It's almost like the doggy Olympics."

Four dogs and four handlers from the Squaw team plan to make the trip.

Calcutt said they were selected because they have met the high standards of the Canadian Avalanche Rescue Dog Association for years. They also will be representing Squaw Valley USA in honor of the 50th anniversary of the 1960 Winter Olympic Games held at the resort south of Truckee.

Wylee, and his handler Craig Noble, joined other team members earlier this month in a simulated search and recovery of skiers and snowboarders caught in a slide at Squaw Valley. They did sweeps for avalanche beacons and sniffed out buried objects including one patroller volunteered to be buried by his superior.

Among the stringent standards from the Canadian group is a requirement that dogs can find scented items — pieces of clothing worn by patrollers for training purposes — buried overnight more than 2 feet deep, Calcutt said.

"They (the handlers and dogs) need to get validation in dog searching, obedience, avalanche knowledge, they have to be able to forecast avalanche activity, and have to be able to travel in avalanche conditions," Calcutt said.

So how do the handlers get the dogs up to snuff?

It's all about "play, play, play," Calcutt said.

"When they find something it's the biggest reward of the dog's life — we don't give them this much attention at any other time," Calcutt said, as Noble wrestled with Wylee recently after a successful find.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2010/01/31/state/n133618S95.DTL&tsp=1#ixzz0eFxCv9nP

On the Ellen Degeneres Show today: The four firefighters who saved a stray dog from the swollen LA River last week

Most popular dog breeds of 2009 announced by American Kennel Club

Most popular dog breeds of 2009 announced by American Kennel Club

Posted using ShareThis

2009 Top 10 Most Popular Dogs in the U.S.:

1. Labrador Retriever

2. German Shepherd Dog

3. Yorkshire Terrier

4. Golden Retriever

5. Beagle

6. Boxer

7. Bulldog

8. Dachshund

9. Poodle

10. Shih Tzu

LAFD Technical Rescue, Dog Plucked from L.A. River

Dog Walking In Golden Gate National Recreation Area

We are lucky in The Bay Area with these amazing places to walk dogs.
http://www.nps.gov/goga/planyourvisit/pets.htm


Areas Open For On Leash or Voice Control Dog Walking

Dogwalker in action!

This is pic of Ralphie & I. Ralphie has to be on-leash for awhile because she had surgery on a shoulder but she still is getting out!

Dublin Dog Collars - A must for beach wear!

www.dublindog.com

I'm in love with these dog collars. They are waterproof, time tested at the beach everyday and Chico and I have yet to destroy one. If you have an active salt water loving dog like mine, check out one of these collars. www.dublindog.com

Happy Birthday Chico!

Training Search Dogs for Urban Rescue

American Humane Association Supports Animal Relief Efforts in Haiti Through International Coalition

American Humane Association Supports Animal Relief Efforts in Haiti Through International Coalition

Posted on: Friday, 15 January 2010, 16:16 EST

Original Article link here

American Humane First to Join This International Response Team

DENVER, Jan. 15 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Humane Association is part of the Animal Relief Coalition for Haiti (ARCH), an international group of professional animal welfare organizations committed to aiding animals in the earthquake-stricken region. American Humane is the first organization to join and commit significant resources to ARCH, which was created by the World Society for the Protection of Animals and the International Fund for Animal Welfare.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070521/LAM095LOGO)

Currently, this international coalition is preparing a mobile animal clinic and staff to perform outreach work in Haiti, with training provided by ARCH. The coalition also will be assessing and assisting with the needs of animals belonging to people displaced by the disaster, as they move into temporary camps. Plans include providing food and clean water, as well as vaccinating companion animals against rabies.

As of today, coalition personnel are not on the ground in Haiti, due to restricted access in the country. The coalition expects to have professional animal rescue responders arrive in Haiti in the coming days to begin assessments of animal needs and provide initial assistance. Naturally, the situation may change quickly, and the coalition will adapt its plans and efforts to best meet the needs of the animals.

People who want to support these vital efforts and help other animals in disasters can donate at www.americanhumane.org/aes-donate.

American Humane will be actively updating its website and social networks to inform people on the status of the coalition and how they can help. Find us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/americanhumane and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/americanhumane. The information contained in this release can be reused and posted with proper credit given to the American Humane Association.

About American Humane

Founded in 1877, the American Humane Association is the only national organization dedicated to protecting both children and animals. Through a network of child and animal protection agencies and individuals, American Humane develops policies, legislation, curricula and training programs to protect children and animals from abuse, neglect and exploitation. The nonprofit organization, headquartered in Denver, raises awareness about The Link(R) between violence to people and violence to animals, as well as the benefits derived from the human-animal bond. American Humane's office in Los Angeles is the authority behind the "No Animals Were Harmed"(R) end-credit disclaimer on film and TV productions, and American Humane's office in Washington, D.C., is an advocate for child and animal protection at the federal and state levels. The American Humane(R) Certified farm animal program is the nation's original independent certification and labeling program for humanely raised food. American Humane meets the strong, comprehensive standards of the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance, has been awarded the Independent Charities of America's "Best in America" Seal of Approval, has met the stringent standards for financial efficiency and accountability required by the American Institute of Philanthropy to qualify as a Top-Rated Charity, and has received a 3-star rating from Charity Navigator, America's premier independent charity evaluator. Visit www.americanhumane.org to learn more.

SOURCE American Humane Association

Pic of the day

Rescue dogs are seen in their enclosure before leaving for Haiti at the Torrejon military airbase in Torrejon de Ardoz, Spain, Wednesday Jan. 13, 2010.

Video: Dog senses earthquake before humans

Scientists don't really understand if animals can detect earthquakes before humans, but this YouTube video certainly makes you think this dog got an early warning. According to a story on National Geographic's website, historians recorded that animals in 373 B.C. left the Greek city of Helice days before an earthquake leveled it.

National Disaster Search Dog Foundation Deploys Rescue Teams to Haiti

SOURCE: National Search Dog Foundation
Jan 13, 2010 19:23 ET
http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/National-Search-Dog-Foundation-1101550.html
National Disaster Search Dog Foundation Deploys Rescue Teams to Haiti

LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwire - January 13, 2010) - National Disaster Search Dog Foundation, a non-profit, non-governmental organization dedicated to recruiting rescued dogs and partnering them with firefighters to find people buried alive in the wreckage of disasters, today announced six Canine Search Teams are en route to Haiti to assist with search and rescue efforts in response to the powerful 7.0 earthquake that struck the island on January 12. The State Department, the U.S. Agency for International Development and the Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance are working in conjunction with California Task Force 2 (CA-TF2), a FEMA urban search and rescue task force based in Los Angeles County.

CA-TF2, which is sponsored by the Los Angeles County Fire Department, is one of two U.S. Task Forces charged with responding to international natural or man-made disasters. All six teams deploying with CA-TF2 were trained by the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation to find people buried alive under the wreckage of disasters.

"The Haitian government has requested assistance from the U.S. in responding to the most devastating earthquake to hit the island in 200 years," said Debra Tosch, Executive Director of Search Dog Foundation. "We know that the first few hours after a major disaster has occurred are critical in saving lives and the search and recovery teams are in place now."

Los Angeles team members of the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation heading to Haiti today include:

-- Gary Durian & Baxter - L.A. County Fire
-- Ron Horetski & Pearl - L.A. County Fire
-- Bill Monahan & Hunter - L.A. County Fire
-- Jasmine Segura & Cadillac - L.A. County Fire
-- Jason Vasquez & Maverick - L.A. County Fire
-- Ron Weckbacher & Dawson - Civilian

"Our hearts go out to our neighbors in Haiti, and we're honored to be able to help find survivors of this terrible tragedy," said Bill Monahan a firefighter and paramedic with Los Angeles County Fire. "In addition to comforting victims and their loved ones, we'll be relaying up-to-the-minute news and information through the Search Dogs Twitter feed at http://twitter.com/searchrescuedog."

ABOUT THE NATIONAL DISASTER SEARCH DOG FOUNDATION (SDF) www.SearchDogFoundation.org

The Search Dog Foundation is a non-profit organization whose mission is to strengthen America's emergency response network by producing the most highly-trained canine-firefighter disaster search teams in the nation. SDF recruits rescued dogs and partners them with firefighters, providing the canines and the training at no cost to their departments. SDF receives no government funding and relies solely on support from individuals, private foundations and companies to produce these highly-skilled teams.

Since its founding in 1996, SDF has rescued hundreds of dogs, many on the brink of euthanasia. They have trained 105 Search Teams, 72 of which are currently active. SDF Teams have been deployed to 66 disasters including the World Trade Center attacks and Hurricane Katrina and state and local emergencies such as earthquakes, mudslides, building collapses, train derailments and missing person searches. Eight of SDF's teams are members of CA-TF2 and are ready at all times for immediate deployment overseas when called upon by the Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance.

California Hires K-9s to Help Ease Budget Crunch

Source: Doggies.com
Written by The Dog Lady · Filed Under Dog News

I wish I could remember where I picked it up, but I have been reading a publication called Kind News, Jr. Edition. It is a 4-page newspaper put out by the Humane Society Humane Society.org/Kids specifically for children.

In the issue I have, it talks about a unique program developed by the California Department of Fish and Game. Under current economic conditions, employees in all departments have been cut to the bone. Due to the large amount of territory each remaining officer must cover, they have a hard time catching poachers who illegally take wildlife such as bears, trout, and elk.

As part of the solution, the Department began training dogs to recognize the scent not only of the protected wildlife, but also of gunpowder. The dogs they use? Pooches from local shelters! What a great way to reduce overcrowding at shelters while giving the dogs meaningful work and contributing to the state’s well-being.

Because the state budget didn’t allow for the care of these K-9 employees, Fish and Game officers were paying for their partners’ vet care, food, and other expenses. The HSUS stepped in with a grant to help out.

Kudos to the California Department of Fish & Game and the HSUS for partnering to rescue shelter dogs as well as to protect the state’s wildlife.

Until next time,

Good day, and good dog!

DOG WALKERS: VOLUNTEER TO WALK DOGS AT ANIMAL SHELTERS

http://www.charityguide.org/volunteer/fewhours/dog-walkers.htm
by Ann Mason

Volunteering as a dog walker at your local animal shelter or humane society is a meaningful way to make a difference in the lives of homeless dogs in your community.

Dogs in animal shelters are confined to cages. The isolation and restricted activity can cause health and behavior problems that affect the dogs' quality of life and chances for adoption.

Volunteer dog walkers provide the daily exercise, affection and socialization that confined dogs need to stay healthy, happy and adoptable so that they can one day go home to a family that will care for them in ways their original owners did not.

Animal shelters and humane societies rely on the help of volunteers to operate; dog walking is one of the most flexible ways to help. Most shelters allow volunteer dog walkers, who have completed an orientation, to simply drop-in during regular business hours to walk and play with the dogs.

If you are an animal lover interested in brightening the day of a lonely dog that needs a little attention and exercise -- and if you need maximum flexibility with your volunteering -- walking dogs may be for you!

* Find your local animal shelter by entering your zip code at Pets 911 or Petfinder.
* Contact the closest animal shelter to inquire about dog walking opportunities. Complete any necessary paperwork, orientation and training required by the shelter before you begin volunteering with the dogs.
* Encourage friends and co-workers to join you as a volunteer dog-walker, and remind people considering getting a dog that your local animal shelter has many adoptable animals eager to find new homes.

To learn more about health and welfare issues facing dogs and other pets in animal shelters, contact the Humane Society or The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).

Chico is on Dogbook! Check out his profile.

Chico's Dog Book Profile Link.

Even In Recession, Dog Walkers' Hands Are Full

by Josie Holtzman NPR All Things Considered

Looking for a job with no dress code, no cubicle and no office politics? One that, despite a tough economy, still has a lot of pup — uh, pep? The clientele can be a handful, but it's nothing a few treats and a long walk can't satisfy.

It's 10 a.m. in downtown New York and Casey Butcher is ready for work, but he's forgotten his paper. A lot of New Yorkers start the day with the morning paper. For Butcher, though, the newspaper serves a whole different purpose.

He's in the dog-walking business, and his first client of the day is a French bulldog puppy named Mochi who is about to take care of his own business.

"A lot of dog walkers invest in the blue poop bags, but I try to use an AM New York when I can," Butcher says. "I'm a little aware of my carbon footprint — I can go through, like, 20 bags a day."

Butcher works for a company called Club Pet NYC. It's not the most glamorous way start to a day, but even in this economy, poop pays. How much does it pay? That can be a little controversial.

An article in a 2004 issue of the New York Daily News asked people how much they made. A dog walker named Sammy Swale reported about $50,000, prompting some dismayed online responses such as, "I went to grad school for five years for a Ph.D. and I still make less than the dog walker!" Another reader replied, "The dog walker is lying, we make much more than that!"

Butcher agrees, although he won't say how much he makes. "I have a friend who's making $100,000, and that's with the company taking half. So he brings in about $200,000 a year just walking dogs." That would be a pretty good income even with Manhattan's high cost of living.

But not just anyone is cut out for this line of work. According to the walkers, it's a lot harder than it looks. First, there's the physical toll. Sherman Ewing, the guy who started Club Pet NYC, says his foot grew a size and a half in his first year from walking about 10 miles a day.

Then there are the logistics. Like the keys to 200 apartments.

"What is amazing is I can tell if any are missing just from the sheer weight of it," says Eric Hahn, who has worked for Ewing for the past seven years and considers himself somewhat of an expert walker.

Even so, walking five dogs at a combined weight of 350 pounds can be a little tricky.

"There is a method. People see you with a bunch of dogs and they think it's just random," Hahn says. He explains his system this way: "Whoever is full and has not been emptied yet is on the outside of you — it's a matter of rotation. I need to keep track of who's empty and full because if a dog's about to go and you go into a lobby ... ."

But what makes dog walking truly challenging is that you have to be good with both dogs and people.

"I have people where their kids call me Uncle Eric," Hahn says. "I've had dinner with my clients. It's not like I'm the help, necessarily; it's more like [an] extended member of the family."

The people at Club Pet NYC won't call dog-walking recession-proof. But it certainly will never require a government bailout or a stimulus package. Unlike the banking industry, dog walkers can always count on a high rate of deposit.

Link to story and audible on NPR

Hiring a dog walker : tips from Dogtime

Article can be found by clicking here.

Much as we'd like to, most of us can't lounge around with our dogs all day, every day. After all, someone has to work to pay for the kibble, and once in a while we all have to go someplace where dogs simply aren't welcome (funerals and business trips come to mind). What do you do with Spot?

It all depends on your situation. If you work long hours or have such a long commute that you don't have time to properly exercise him during the work week, either doggie day care or a dog walker can be a terrific solution. If you travel frequently, a pet sitter is an excellent alternative to a kennel, because your dog avoids the stress of a disrupted routine.
How do I choose a dog walker or sitter?

A dog walker is responsible not just for exercising your dog but for keeping him safe while out cruising on foot. The sitter is responsible for that and more. This is not a job for the eight-year-old kid down the street: the walker needs to be up to the job or you could risk a lost dog or one who's been hit by a car.

Interview the candidates. Take the time to interview several people to see what they offer and how your personalities fit together. Does your dog respond well to any of them? Do you trust them? Here are some other questions to consider:

* Is the person bonded and insured?
* How long has she been in business?
* How many times a day does the sitter come?
* How long a walk will your dog get?
* How will you know that he's really being walked for that amount of time?
* How many dogs does the walker take out at the same time?
* Will the dogs go to an off-leash fenced area, or will the dogs be on a leash the whole time?
* What will the person do with the dog waste?
* Will she water, feed, or medicate your dog, if needed?
* Will she offer special assistance to your older or special-needs dog?
* Can your blind, deaf, or lame dog go with a group of dogs being walked?
* Does the walker have a group of older dogs, or will you have to pay extra for a solo trip?
* If you have a puppy, will your pup be walked with other youngsters?
* Does the walker have a first aid kit in her car, and does she provide water and treats when appropriate?
* What is her discipline style? Does it differ from your methods?
* Is there a backup in place should the walker get sick or have car trouble?
* What is the fee and how does the person bill?
* What is the procedure if you need to cancel a walk?

Get references. If you know of people who are satisfied with a walker's or sitter's services, there's a good chance you'll be satisfied too.

Go on a walk. Get a feel for the pack dynamics, including how the walker manages and interacts with her charges. If she's not particularly keen on the idea of you tagging along, that may be a red flag.

Take a look at the physical makeup of the group--this is a case where size matters. Toy Poodles should not have to keep pace with German Shepherds and Great Danes. And of course there's a safety issue: big dogs may trample, play too rough with, or simply trip over the little ones.
Why walkers and sitters should be bonded and insured

These folks have to be trustworthy not only because they're caring for your dog--they also have access to all the stuff in your home, and we're not just talking about dog beds. That's quite a bit of trust needed for a stranger.

Ask for written proof of commercial liability insurance and/or bonding. Take no excuses such as, "I've filed for it but it's not here yet" or "It's not necessary," because it is, and a professional knows that. Any walker or sitter you consider should be insured for liability including care, custody, and control of the involved dogs.

A dishonesty or fidelity bond claim protects you if the pet sitter is convicted in criminal court of stealing your dog or things from your home. You won't get anything without a conviction--which can take years--but it's better than nothing.

Some sitters get insurance coverage for theft instead of a bond, because theft insurance doesn't require a criminal conviction and it usually covers accidental breakage or damage to items in your home, as well as stolen items. This is all to your benefit whether your sitter or walker is dishonest or merely klutzy.

Bottom line: A dog walker or pet sitter is a great way to keep your dog happy and well-cared for if you can't be with him during the day. Interview potential candidates thoroughly and consider only those who take your dog's physical and emotional well-being as seriously as you do.

AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB’S RANKING OF THE TOP 125 DOGS IN POP CULTURE

Site names pop culture's 'top dog'

Chico digging Tahoe.

He found The Charlie Brown tree.

Family dog saves B.C. boy from cougar attack

Man's best friend does it again....

http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=2403805

Pack of coyotes sparks concern in San Rafael

Pack of coyotes sparks concern in San Rafael
Jennifer Upshaw Swartz
Posted: 01/03/2010 10:23:56 PM PST

Linda Gattuccio walks her two dogs Sammi and Maggie in San Rafael. Gattuccio has changed her route after encountering a pack of coyotes along a trail behind Embassy Suites. (IJ photo/Robert Tong)
Linda Gattuccio and her two golden retrievers used to enjoy their early-morning walk on the dirt path along the wetlands adjacent to the Marin Lagoon development behind the Embassy Suites hotel in San Rafael.

No more.

It was about eight weeks ago that Gattuccio, 58, an account executive with Fidelity National Title Co. in San Rafael, first spotted the pack of five coyotes on the dirt path popular with dog walkers, exercisers and people pushing strollers.

"I've seen them close to Embassy Suites, around behind Embassy Suites, occasionally one or two, but not really in our neighborhood," she said, adding that she had seen them before near her walking trail behind a big fence but never on the path.

"God, there were five of them on the actual dirt path," she recalled. "They were grouped together. Somebody goes 'act big like a bear and they will run.' They did not run. They stood their ground."

Coyotes have become a fixture in the county, with animal control officials reporting sightings on the rise in the past decade. Encounters have been reported in Hamilton, Terra Linda, China Camp, the Ross Valley, Mill Valley, Tam Valley, Fort Baker and Sausalito, among other places.

In November, a brazen coyote that enjoys frequenting popular gathering spots in Southern Marin generated more than 60 complaints to the Marin Humane Society.

The coyote, which has been spotted behind Best Buy in Marin City and on the bicycle path near the Holiday Inn in Tamalpais Valley, also
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has been seen in residential areas such as Bayvista Circle and Donahue Street in Marin City and on Tennessee Valley Road off of Shoreline Highway.

Wildlife experts say coyotes play an important role in the ecosystem, keeping rodents in check and preventing them from feasting on bird eggs. Humane society officials said there is little to fear from the doglike animals; still, people should use common sense.

In the Marin Lagoon area, others have seen them too. One woman with a stroller stood paralyzed in fear after an encounter one day. Gattuccio, seated in her car at the time, said she leaned on her horn to scare the pack away.

"She was just standing their frozen," Gattuccio said of the woman with the baby. "She obviously didn't know what to do."

Al Pasquale, 69, a marketing executive who lives on Lagoon Court, said, boy, do they have coyotes.

"We really do," he said. "I've seen them twice. I saw one about a month ago, two about two weeks ago and they were walking across McInnis just north of the Embassy Suites going into that company Autodesk and they went right in front of my car. They were healthy-looking coyotes."

He said he's not too worried, but does keep a close eye on his small Norfolk terrier when the dog goes out to do business at night.

"I don't want anything killed," he said of the pack. "Just capture them and put them up in the woods or something."

A tricky proposition, said Carrie Harrington, a spokeswoman for the Marin Humane Society. Because coyotes have a wide range, relocation is tough.

Still, residents should call when they spot the pack.

"If they haven't already, definitely call us," she said. "We'll send officers to the area to patrol. We'll post notices in the area. It's not easy to trap and relocate them. They tend to have quite a big radius they travel, so they might come back again, but definitely call us. That sounds like an area that we might want to post notices."

Gattuccio, who now only walks on the concrete path along McInnis Parkway and avoids the isolated dirt trail, said she thought she had a good strategy but has since abandoned it.

"I was going to get a foghorn," she said. "I looked it up in on the Internet. If you make it uncomfortable they'll probably go back up into the hills. My neighbor said, 'if you shoot a foghorn off at 6:30 in the morning we will evict you and keep the coyotes."

Contact Jennifer Upshaw Swartz via e-mail at jupshaw@marinij.com

Dogs get bored if they never leave home

Ask the experts
Dogs get bored if they never leave home
Susan Sharpe

Winter months are very busy for dog trainers. Previously well-behaved dogs begin chewing, jumping, barking and seem to be out of control.

Dog owners fail to make the connection between their dog's unwanted behavior and the fact they are walking them less – or not at all, because of the weather.

Dogs need to be walked even in the winter months. Going for a walk supplies both mental and physical stimulation, but few dog owners realize the importance of mental stimulation. Even if your dog receives adequate exercise playing fetch in the backyard, if he never leaves home, he too can go a little stir crazy.

Put yourself in your dog's place, imagine you have a treadmill and other exercise equipment in your home, but you can never leave your property. You receive adequate exercise by working out in your home gym, but how do you feel after a few days of not leaving the house? All of a sudden a simple trip to the grocery store is a welcomed event. Going off your property is not about exercise, but stimulus!

If you're not able to walk your dog, take him with you to visit friends and family, but ask them first. Find dog-friendly places such as dog groups and doggie daycare.

Take him along to run errands. Stores selling food items cannot permit dogs inside, other than service dogs, due to health laws. Non-food stores such as banks, hardware stores or other places where food is not sold, there is no harm in asking, as long as you respect their answer. When you are allowed inside with your dog be sure to give your dog the opportunity to relieve himself prior to entering the building and have your dog on leash. You might be surprised how many places welcome a well-behaved dog for a short visit.

If your dog is not comfortable with going to new places, then provide new stimuli at home. Teach him new tricks or behaviors; learning is stimulating. Use interactive toys such as Kongs or treat balls that intermittently dispense food. You can use his regular amount of daily food consumption in the toys, to prevent weight gain.

Another option is to hide small amounts of food around the house and teach him to "find it." Start by putting your dog behind a closed door or baby gate, then place small amounts of his daily food ration in various locations, let him out and tell him to find it. Initially you'll need to teach him how to play the game by going with him and getting excited when he sees the food, but soon he'll be searching through the house upon hearing the cue "find it".

The more active the dog the more you'll need to keep him physically and mentally stimulated to prevent unwanted behavior problems. Failing to provide adequate activities means you're forcing your dog to create his own ways to occupy his mind. When dogs are forced to create their own mental stimulation owners rarely approve of their methods. Proper exercise and mental stimulation can prevent and even resolve most unwanted behavior problems.

Tip of the week: If you have problems walking your dog, or taking him to new environments find a positive reinforcement trainer to help you. Find a dog group, doggie daycare, or create your own dog group with other dog friends.

Bark questions to: Canine Companion, 11652 North - 825 West, Huntington, IN 46750 or e-mail info@caninecompanion.us.

Canine Companion conducts dog training classes in Fort Wayne, Huntington and surrounding communities and behavior consulting nationwide. Along with their combined 30 years experience and endorsement by national organizations, the trainers are all graduates of Purdue University's DOGS! Program and have earned the title of Certified Pet Dog Trainer through the Association of Pet Dog Trainers.

Copyright © 2010 The Journal Gazette. All rights reserved. News service copy is used with permission. The information contained in the report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Journal Gazette or granting news service.

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