Bark Blog

Greatest American Dog

No doubt all of us think we have the greatest American dog. I certainly do! If you'd like to watch other people and their pooches publicly vie for the official title, check out CBS's new reality game show, "Greatest American Dog." It debuts this Thursday, July 10, at 8/7pm central. Tillman the English Bulldog looks like a seriously awesome contender!

The first time I saw a Bulldog skateboard on Animal Planet's "Pet Star," I thought it was truly unique. Since then, I've seen several more skateboarding Bulldogs. What is it about this breed that makes them so good at it? As Tillman's owner says, he's "like a Lab in the shape of a pot roast." Does it have more to do with their easygoing nature and their willingness to people please? I'd love to hear your theories!

Julia Kamysz Lane

Dog Thought Dumb Saves Boy

Jake clearly had something to prove. The Bailey family of Omaha, Neb., loved him, but thought the 4-year-old black Labrador Retriever lacked smarts. How else to explain his rock obsession or selective listening?

Well, his ears worked when it mattered most. Last Friday, 12-year-old Tony Bailey went for his usual dip in the Platte River. Unfortunately, the water was unusually high and the boy quickly realized he was in trouble. No one heard his cries for help, except for Jake, who came running to the rescue. He jumped into the water, swam to Tony and allowed the boy to hang onto him as he swam back to shore.

Just goes to show that you should never underestimate your dog. Good boy, Jake!

Julia Kamysz Lane

Summer Safety Tips

Now that the weather is heating up, it's time to dig in the garden. Please do not use cocoa mulch around your plants as it is toxic to dogs who ingest it.

A few days ago, I was walking two of my dogs in my parents' suburban development and suddenly smelled the worst chemical odor. A lawn-care company was spraying a front yard that was a block away and across the street from us. If I could smell it that easily, I can only imagine how offensive -- and potentially dangerous it was -- to my dogs. You might not be able to control your neighbors' choice of fertilizer, but it's well worth looking into natural lawn-care options for your and your dog's health.

With all the rain we've gotten in the Midwest, I've been keeping an eye out for a natural dog toxin: mushrooms. Not all varieties pose a threat, but why risk it? I pick the 'shrooms while on poop patrol and now it's just a habit.

Lastly, please learn from my mistake and do not allow your dog to go swimming in a retention pond. This past week, my Dalmatian, Darby, got really hot during a sunny afternoon walk. Since she loves to swim and we were close to a retention pond, I decided to let her go in for a quick dip. She was only in there for two minutes when she came back to me lame, holding up a bloody front left paw. It was a deep, clean gash along the inside toe, so I suspect it was glass. My poor judgment call required an emergency trip to the vet, stitches and a $320 bill, not to mention poor Darby's pain and suffering.

In talking to other dog owners about my experience, I have heard other horror stories about dogs swimming in retention ponds. One woman told me her dog almost drowned because the suction of a drain was pulling her under. She hadn't been aware of the drain and was prepared to jump in to save her dog. Thankfully, her dog was large and in excellent physical condition, so she managed to make it back to shore. If your dog gets hot, fill up a little wading pool in the backyard or turn on the sprinkler. Your dog will enjoy it and you'll have peace of mind.

Julia Kamysz Lane

Dog Power!

Bored with the same old walks? Then you and your pup might like to try the Dog Powered Scooter and the Dog Powered Trike. They're similar to mushing, except the dogs are harnessed from behind the human driver so he can steer without worry. Architect Mark Schuette of Bend, Oregon, invented the dog scooter and trike as a way to spend more time with his dog and give him enough exercise. For a cool video demo with a Husky and a Rottie, click here.

Julia Kamysz Lane

Chicago Tribune Loves BARk!

To those of us who love dogs, the success of BARk magazine makes perfect sense. Who wouldn't want to read a smart periodical dedicated entirely to our cherished companions? But it's always nice when non-dog people (or entities) admit that they find it fascinating, too. So thank you, Chicago Tribune, for congratulating BARk on its 10-year anniversary in today's editorial, "That's 70 in dog years."

I especially like the dare at the end, in which the editors "defy anyone -- dog-haters and cat-lovers included -- to thumb all the way through BARk without grinning like a border collie. It will make you want to get a dog. Or be one." BARk readers, how do you feel after you read the magazine? Are you compelled to give your dog a big hug? Does it inspire you to try something new with your dog? Or add another pup to the pack? Let us know!

Julia Kamysz Lane

Is That A Dog Or A Coffee Table?

A few weeks ago, I visited a home as part of the adoption process for our rescue group. This couple was anxious to find a friend for their mixed-breed dog. They told me over the phone that their pup was spoiled rotten. Even so, I was not prepared for the coffee table with a wagging tail that waddled over to greet me. The poor dog was so overweight that he was practically as wide as he was tall. He was only four years old, but he walked and breathed with difficulty, as if he was much older and in poor health.

It reminded me of a recent visit to the dog park. I had joined a large group of people walking around the grassy path. Most of the dogs were running ahead to chase one another and play. But one overweight dog labored to keep up with us. I wondered aloud if she was okay. Her owner assured me that she was "just old" at eight years of age and had joint problems. I was shocked and felt really sorry for the dog. I then asked the owner to guess the age of my Catahoula, who was romping in the field with the "young" dogs. She guessed five years old. I bragged, "He's 10 years old. He competes in agility and does recreational sheep herding." Maybe he just has good genes, but I think the fact that he is in great shape has added quality years to his life.

Canine obesity is literally a growing trend. Take control of your own dog's health by checking out Stop Canine Obesity. Simply fill out the BARC (Body Assessment Rating for Canines) to determine whether your dog could stand to lose a few pounds. You can also learn more about the National Canine Weight Check, offered next month through participating veterinarians.

Julia Kamysz Lane

Littlest Pet Shop Glosses Over Harsh Reality

My three-year-old niece is enamored with the Littlest Pet Shop line of toys. As I struggled to open her latest collection of admittedly adorable creatures, it was all I could do not to throw them in the trash and lecture on the horrors of puppy mills and corporate greed. On its Web site, toy maker Hasbro infers that the Littlest Pet Shop promotes responsibility by allowing children to collect a variety of animals without the um ... responsibility of caring for live pets. Nice marketing spin but I'm literally not buying it. And it pains me to see kids play with a product that only shows one side of the commercial pet industry.

Perhaps Hasbro could add some new locales to its collection for a more well-rounded perspective. How about the Littlest Pet Shelter, where many pet shop puppies eventually end up due to the health and behavior problems that result from poor breeding, malnutrition and lack of socialization? Or the Littlest Commercial Breeder, where purebred dogs are kept in cages and forced to reproduce as often and as long as they are able. Once the breeding pairs no longer prove useful, they can go to the Littlest Pet Auction, available to the highest bidder.

It's possible to teach children how to take proper care of animals without promoting or glorifying pet shops. Many therapy dog groups, such as Therapy Dogs International (of which I'm a member) and Delta Society offer children an opportunity to interact with a healthy, friendly dog and learn about his needs. Some libraries and schools smartly encourage kids to read aloud to therapy dogs, as a way to improve their reading skills without fear of judgment. Or you could always give them an old-fashioned stuffed animal to hug, pet and feed.

Julia Kamysz Lane

My Dog Can Do Laundry

You know that saying that we only use 10% of our brains? Well, the more I learn about dog behavior and training, the more I realize how very little we ask of our dogs despite their clear ability to learn and do more. Connie the Newfie is the perfect example. When her owner, British animal behaviorist Hazel Carter, was stricken with arthritis in her back, she taught Connie how to do everything from untying her shoe laces to doing the laundry. I'm not suggesting we turn our dogs into personal maids, but teaching a dog a new trick can give them the mental stimulation they crave. And if it helps keep my house tidy in the process, what more could you ask for?

Julia Kamysz Lane

Keep Your Dog Safe From Predators

Over the past few weeks in the Chicago area, small dogs have been under attack by hungry coyotes and even a red-tailed hawk. In all cases, the dogs had been left outside unattended in order to go potty. The carefree days when a dog could roam freely -- or even for just a few minutes to take care of business -- are long gone. Take the time to escort your dog outside, on leash. A small inconvenience for you could literally save your dog's life.

Julia Kamysz Lane

What's The Most Creative Dog Name?

Companies are getting too good at marketing ploys! Veterinary Pet Insurance recently (and smartly) released a list of the top 10 dog names and cat names using its database of 450,000 clients. The #1 name for both dogs and cats is ... drum roll, please ... Max! That's a safe, solid choice, and the other names follow suit, from Buddy to Rocky. Well, what do you expect from a group of people who bought health insurance for their pets? I imagine they're not gonna take many chances!

If you want to see some truly intriguing dog names, go to an agility trial. Some blazing fast dogs have obvious names like Bounce, Blur, Quick and Spree. Other dogs answer to Mayhem, Rebel and Riot -- perhaps a clue to their um ... exuberant personalities. But would you name your dog Rage? Or Chewbacca? Does your dog have a particularly creative or unusual name?

Julia Kamysz Lane

Ken Foster's Pit Bull Party!

Best-selling author and pit bull lover Ken Foster kicks off a series of bully-themed events in New Orleans to celebrate his latest book, "Dogs I Have Met and The People They Found." Foster's handsome brindle pit bull, Brando, is featured on the cover.

Oct. 3: Join the Hot 8 Brass Band at Sound Cafe (2700 Chartres St., New Orleans; 504-947-4477) from 7-9pm to celebrate the pit bulls of New Orleans and Foster's new book. Special bully guests include Dag, the inspiration for Belladonna owner Kim Dudek's latest venture, Dag's House; Trap Jack, a former desk-duty dog from the Louisiana SPCA; Lola, special assistant to Gloria Dauphin of the Louisiana SPCA; and Animal Rescue New Orleans's director Robyn Beaulieu's beautiful blue pit bull.

Oct. 4: Foster reads from and signs copies of "Dogs I Have Met" at Octavia Books (513 Octavia St., New Orleans; 504-899-READ) at 6pm.

Oct. 6-7: Pit bulls are eligible for free vaccinations and spay/neuter services at clinics throughout New Orleans. Enjoy panels of historic images of the pit bull compliments of Animal Farm Foundation.

For more info about any of these special events, call 504-613-7370.

Julia Kamysz Lane

Doggie Da Vincis

Necessity IS the mother of invention! When Mary Stadelbacher of Salisbury, Md., needed to raise money fast to keep her service-dog training business afloat, she got creative ... or rather, her dog did. She figured that if her Foxhound mix, Sammy, could learn to open doors and pick up objects for disabled people, he could learn to pick up a brush and paint. Two years later, paintings by Sammy and fellow "Doggie Da Vincis," are popular for fundraisers as original works and notecards. As far as Stadelbacher knows, her dogs are the only dogs that hold paintbrushes in their mouths to paint at an easel. To see videos of the dogs painting or purchase their work, go to Shore Service Dogs.

Julia Kamysz Lane

Trail Dogs

Fresh from hiking with my dog in Montana’s Tobacco Root Mountains and South Dakota’s Black Hills, I’m disappointed to run into a news brief in New Scientist. In response to a perceived lack of evidence in the debate over dogs in natural areas, researchers in Sydney set out to quantify their impact. They found that people walking a dog on a leash in national parks frightened away 41 percent of the birds in a 50-meter area. (People alone, even two people, frightened away about half as many). The complete study is available for a $30-download fee from Biology Letters.

I’m all for keeping dogs (as well as miners, loggers, road builders, ATVs, etc.) out of sensitive conservation areas, but I hope these results won’t be used to constrict even further areas where well-behaved, trail-savvy dogs are permitted. During research for a recent book project, I interviewed several folks who hike regularly with their dogs, including members of the excellent Yahoo.com Traildog group. I heard story after story of how dogs enhanced wildlife sightings by quietly signaling the presence of owls, moose, bear, grouse and so on.

For me, and many others, getting my dog OUT is the impetus to hike in the first place. I believe almost anything that deepens our connection to and appreciation for the backcountry is good, because it inspires us to protect it.

Lisa Wogan

p.s. Of course, it goes without saying that trail dogs should be under control at all times and that hikers should apply leave-no-trace practices to their canine trail buddies, including burying or packing out dog waste. Just like everywhere else in our lives with dogs, people who don’t hike smart make it a lot tougher for the rest of us to win acceptance for dogs.

What's a Pibble Doing on the Radio?

If you read my article, "Disc Drive," in the July/August 2007 issue of The Bark, you're already familiar with  bully-breed advocate Andrew "Roo" Yori and his disc-dog world champion, Wallace the Pit Bull. Roo now hosts a monthly radio show, "Pibble Talk," and his next show is at 9 p.m. central time this Sunday, August 26, 2007. Tomorrow's guests include Jon Bosak, author of a graphic novel for young readers, Demo: The Story of a Junkyard Dog, and Diane Jessup of Law Dogs USA, a non-profit group that provides trained narcotics- and explosives-detection Pit Bulls to law enforcement for free. Listeners are welcome to call in with questions and comments. 

Julia Kamysz Lane

What's Next, Rent A Kid?

Perhaps FlexPetz founder Marlena Cervantes and her clients are well intentioned, but personally, I find this rent-a-dog business appalling. Cervantes prefers to use the term “dog time-share,” as if our canine companions are on a par with a condo. Such semantics might make for good marketing, but it does not change the fact that these dogs are treated like books checked out from the library.

Sure, on the surface, it seems like a good idea. People who don’t have time to properly care for their own dog can rent one for a few hours every week or for a full day – whatever fits their busy schedule. Well, that’s super convenient for the person, but what about the dog? He is shuttled between multiple homes over the course of a week’s time. What does that constant change do to the dog, both mentally and physically?

According to the company’s Web site, “FlexPetz dogs receive regular ‘refresher’ training sessions with our certified dog trainers.” I imagine the poor dogs need it because of the lack of consistency from home to home. Most dogs thrive on routine and building a bond with their family. What happens when they grow old? Will they be retired and allowed to live in one permanent home?

FlexPetz also spins its service as a way to save shelter dogs and prevent other dogs from ending up there. Again, brilliant marketing, but if the dog’s history is unknown, is it wise to press this dog into such a service? Even the best-trained, physically healthy and temperamentally sound dog might be stressed under these circumstances.

Lastly, what does this teach children about responsibility? That it’s okay to have a dog on the human’s terms, no matter how it might affect the dog’s welfare? That you can always get what you want? If someone truly doesn’t have the time, energy, money, etc., to be a responsible dog guardian, then why not volunteer at a shelter? Those dogs would gladly go for a walk, get a belly rub and enjoy some company, all for the price of a kind word (and maybe a treat).

Julia Kamysz Lane

Camp Gone to the Dogs!

Over Memorial Day weekend, my dogs and I had the pleasure of attending Camp Dogwood about an hour northwest of Chicago. The experience was both invigorating and exhausting! We arrived Friday afternoon to find an honest-to-goodness camp setting, complete with woods, cabins, campfire circle, beach, dining hall, and plenty of bugs for the dogs to chase. I felt like a kid again!

The first night was a little rough as I was in charge of three large dogs without my husband to help. (We had signed up together but he took a new job within weeks of camp and could only get away on Sunday.) I settled in as best I could and met my roommates – seven humans and eight more dogs. That’s right, we had 11 dogs under one roof! There was little privacy or space, but I couldn’t have asked for nicer roomies, both human and canine.

They were especially accommodating of my oldest Dalmatian Darby’s wariness of new people. I asked them to please allow her to come to them rather than approach her directly and they all helped her feel at ease. The camp provides orange bandannas for anyone whose dog needs extra space or a proper introduction to people and/or other dogs. I worried that fellow campers might give Darby a wide berth or assume she was aggressive, but for the most part, people were very considerate and gave her attention on her terms.

The dogs and I didn’t sleep well that night due to a thunderstorm and an annoying emergency exit sign that kept the tiny room well lit. Plus, my dogs or my roommates' dogs barked at every little sound. For the remaining nights, I opted to commute from my house every day, which was only a 45-minute drive. I hated having spent so much money on a room I didn’t use, but getting a good night’s rest for both me and my dogs was priceless. 

Saturday and Sunday offered a full schedule of activities from which to choose. Camp instructors led seminars on aromatherapy, canine nutrition, photography, thunderstorm/firework phobia, treat-making and more. My pups enjoyed agility, beach games, dock diving, lure coursing, rally obedience, swimming, tracking, you name it! I was especially excited when Darby grew so confident during dock diving that she jumped off the pier repeatedly and whined when she had to wait for her turn.

If I had to pick my favorite activity, it was the herding clinic on Sunday morning, in part for the sheer novelty of it. (Having lived in the city or the ‘burbs, I had never seen it in person.) Any dog with a herding-breed background (purebred or mixed) was eligible for the Herding Instinct Certification (HIC) test. As far as we knew, our rescue 10-year-old Catahoula Leopard Dog, Desoto, had never even seen a sheep before, but we thought it’d at least be fun to try.

So bright and early, we joined a caravan of cars traveling to Magic's Legacy, a stockdog training farm just over the border in Genoa City, WI. Instructor Shannon Wolfe (gotta love the name!) first demonstrated herding with her amazingly quick Border Collie, Minnie. To help us fully appreciate Minnie’s talent, she then asked us humans to attempt to herd the same flock. What a mess! We had sheep running all over the place or standing stubbornly in a corner of the field. It was jaw dropping to see that 12 people couldn’t even come close to accomplishing the work of one little dog.

When it was time for the HIC tests, I felt a little nervous. Would Desoto completely ignore the sheep or would he try to eat them? The moment he entered the pen, he went into a kind of trance, crouched down and started moving the sheep. It was amazing to see him instinctively know what to do. He easily passed the HIC test and did such a marvelous job that my husband excitedly yelled out, “Good job, buddy!” which earned him a glare from the tester. (The owner is supposed to be completely silent and let the dog focus on the task at hand.) We always thought Desoto was special, but as we drove back to camp, we were simply in awe of him.

Unfortunately, my youngest Dal, Jolie, swam a little too much and sprained her tail, known to many a Lab owner as “swimmer’s tail” or “dead tail”  (Sporting Dog Health). The injury limited her activities for the remainder of camp, which was disappointing. Of course, I was relieved it wasn’t something more serious. I decided not to bring her back on Monday so she would take it easy. Knowing your dog’s physical limits was key to making the most of camp. Despite thorough safety precautions on the part of camp instructors and participants alike, dogs will be dogs; there were at least two bite incidents of which I am aware. Also, a greyhound required several stitches to his leg after taking a tumble during lure coursing, a high-speed sport.

Considering how many dogs were at camp and the number of athletic activities, I think everyone did a remarkable job of putting health and safety first.      

If you have any questions or comments about attending dog camp, please post in the “Comments” section. I'd love to hear from you! – Julia Kamysz Lane

AMERICA'S FASTEST ... CHIHUAHUA?

You read that right! Petco will hold its third annual “National Chihuahua Races” in search of the country’s fastest Chihuahua over Labor Day weekend in San Diego. Regional qualifiers kick off in Chicago on May 5, 2007, followed by races in Boston, Los Angeles, Seattle, Washington, D.C., and other major cities throughout the month of May. Competitors will be split into heats of 10 dogs. Each heat consists of a 35-foot dash. Regional winners will then go paw-to-paw for the national championship. To register, go to PETCO. - Julia Kamysz Lane

GGNRA Dog Policy

For those of you in or near San Francisco who care about the fate of the dog policy in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, the first meeting of the Negotiated Rulemaking Advisory Committee for Dog Management at GGNR has been scheduled:

Monday March 6 from 4pm until 7pm
Landmark Bldg. A
Fort Mason Center
San Francisco, California
directions

There are some who will be part of the negotiating who wish to eliminate dogs altogether from the GGNRA, so it's important for dog advocates to attend these meetings and speak up on behalf of the dogs and the responsible people who enjoy this national recreation area.

Off leash in wilderness areas

The Los Angeles Times (need a log-in?) has a piece on the controversy over illegally off-leash dogs on hiking trails. Some agencies, tired of citing the dogs' owners, have started banning dogs entirely from trails.

Here's an excerpt from the Dog Bytes blog of Bark contributing editor Mark Derr, with his take on the article:

To say that animals who evolved in the presence of predatory canids get agitated when one is around is basically to state the obvious in a way that reveals the ideological bias that many "wildlife biologists" have against domestic animals, even if they keep a few themselves. These biologists were inculcated with the notions that "wild nature and its plants and animals" are vastly superior--physically, mentally, genetically--to their degenerate domestic kin and that the wild must be kept pure from the corrupting influence of civilization. Their attitude is as rigid and as dangerous in the long run as that of the slash and burn developers. Both believe that nature and the humanmade world are fundamentally at odds.

You can read the rest of it here. -- G.S.

Dog park resources

Sometimes the Internet truly is the World Wide Web. Write something, and it leads to a network of resources you didn't even know about. That's how I tripped across the Dogpark-National-News e-mail group on Yahoo. The group spreads the news about upcoming dog-park plans and helps those who want to start dog parks in their communities to convince their local government of the value of off-leash recreation. There's also a sharing of ideas for setting up rules and fund-raising.  -- Gina Spadafori

Protection from coyotes

In Marshfield, Mass., they've had problems with coyotes ... and think a dog park would protect the town's dogs from their wild cousins. -- G.S.

Chuckit!

Salon columnist Cary Tennis takes a break from giving advice to tout the wonders of the Chuckit:

[I]f you can get a dog to run after thrown objects, you're on the right track. Then it's a matter of refining technique. One often sees people on the dog run carrying a tennis racket and hitting a tennis ball. That can work OK if the dog brings the ball back, takes out his white handkerchief, wipes off the ball and hands it to you. But if you have to remove the slimy ball from the dog's mouth with a stern "Drop it!" or pick it up out of the dirt after he drops it at your feet, you are then picking up a soggy, hairy ball covered with dog saliva, dirt, little decomposed leaves, burrs, and whatever else, including dog poop, that the ball may have landed in. So it's a little distasteful, all that handling of the slimy ball. ...

... So along comes the Chuckit!, with which you can happily amble along, pick the ball out of the dirt without touching it with your hands and launch it at a surprising distance with relatively little effort or practice.

Speaking as a person with three retrievers, I can vouch as well for the Chuckit!. It's a nifty bit of dog gear. -- Gina Spadafori

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery

The success of a dog park in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, inspires the creation of one in Iowa City. Here's the story. -- G.S.

Room to roam

A dog park for La Vergne, Tenn.? You gotta know this is a movement with legs when all kinds of towns in all sorts of places are considering off-leash recreation. "As long as it comes before the board and we approve it, I think a dog park is fine," Vice Mayor Ronnie Erwin said. Here's another piece, about the beginning of dog-park construction in Norwich, Conn.

And speaking of off-leash, what about this news from Richmond, Va., about the stray they simply call Black Dog? Here's an excerpt:

For at least 13 years, this shaggy, dreadlocked chow has wandered through the manicured yards of some of the city's classiest neighborhoods like an outlaw teddy bear, warming hearts with his seemingly supernatural intelligence and inscrutable aloofness. Only he knows how many people leave him treats, but the number is believed to be large and cover several square miles.

His origins are as nebulous as he is. For years, he drove Richmond dogcatchers nuts, eluding every snare, drug and dart they fired at him until they finally concluded that he's not catchable and perhaps not even canine.

Amazing stuff. But it turns out Black Dog's time may be running out. Here's the story. -- G.S.

Ames to get a dog park?

The folks in Ames, Iowa, are looking to add a dog park to their recreational facilities:

[Dru Frykberg, the newly elected president of Friends of the Ames Dog Park,] points out that many Ames dog owners, including ISU students, are renters who would benefit from a dog park. A park would not only help the dogs, but could serve as an important social outlet for humans too, Frykberg said, emphasizing how people interact with each other as they watch their dogs play together.

Woof! Woof! to Frykberg, and may Ames get off-leash recreation soon!

Dog park siting

Everyone wants a dog park, says one park and rec official in Northwest Arkansas. Problem is, he says, everyone wants it somewhere else.

Good piece here from the Northwest Arkansas News about deliberations over the planning of a dog park It's the kind of thing you won't find in a big-city paper, because they don't routinely cover something like a park district board meeting.

The piece covers the discussions so common to those of us who follow these issues: Should children be allowed? Any limitations on the kinds of dogs? What about parking, barking and pick-up of waste?

More dog parks

Dog parks are good for communities. Well-socialized, well-exercised dogs are well-mannered dogs, and that's good not only for the dogs and those people who have them, but for everyone. We're happy to see more people realize that the recreational needs of people with dogs are every bit as deserving of attention as those of tennis or softball players.

The communities of Iowa City, Iowa, and Greeley, Colo., are looking at dog park proposals. We hope they go forward.