Doggy in the Window Blog

The vast majority of people who bring puppies into their lives want them to grow up to be happy and well mannered dogs.  Unfortunately, it doesn't always work out that way as suggested by the alarming number of adult dogs who are surrendered by their owners to shelters and rescue organizations.  What went wrong?  How did that playful pup everyone adored turn into an adult animal no one wanted? 

Early Socialization

There are a lot of experts out there who feel that poor socialization in the first four months of a puppy's life is a major cause of behavioral problems in adult dogs.  Remember, socializing a puppy is not something that begins when you bring the pup home.  No one should bring home a puppy under the age of eight weeks under any circumstance, except if the puppy is in a rescue situation.  The first eight weeks are the time when a puppy begins to learn how to play and behave from its littermates and its mother.  Puppies need the warmth and comfort of this environment so try to know as much as you can about your puppy's early upbringing before bringing it home.

Exposure to New Situations, People

There are many different socialization techniques you can employ but they all boil down to exposing the puppy to new situations and experiences -- lots of them.  Preferably, this process should be managed by you, the puppy's owner.  If you can't be with your puppy all day, try to find someone who can come in during the middle of the day and interact with the puppy.  A puppy confined for eight to ten hours or more without encountering a human is not likely to grow up to be a well adjusted adult dog.  Expose the pup to as many new people as possible.  Everyone loves puppies so you should have no trouble inviting neighbours over to see your new addition.  Encourage patting and handling the puppy.  If there are older children in your neighbourhood invite them over as well.  They'll love it. 

Take the pups for walks and encourage any passer-by who expresses an interest to let the pup sniff them.  Do this early and do it often.  A puppy that rarely experiences different people will grow into an adult dog that is fearful of people. Expose the puppy to different situations as well.  Take the pup in the car with you as often as you can.  Common sense should be enough to remind you not to leave the pup unattended in the car.  If you have a yard, make sure you and others spend time out there doing different things.  Try taking the pup to a shopping area for a walk instead of just walking the neighbourhood.

Interaction with Other Dogs

Expose the puppy to other dogs early and often.  A puppy that never interacts with dogs is likely to grow into an adult dog that will either be fearful or aggressive towards other dogs. But make sure you know the dogs with which your puppy will interact.  Dog parks are wonderful but not for puppies.  You can't control the other dogs you find there and puppies are very susceptible to diseases like parvo that might be lurking in the dog droppings in the park.  Make sure the dogs you select are up to date on shots.  Some people check with their vets to find the names of other new puppy owners and arrange "puppy play dates!" 

Early Obedience Training

There are puppy training classes available through your vet, your local community centers, and even your local pet store.  But if your puppy shows a propensity for it, it doesn't hurt to start with simple things like the "Sit" command as early as possible.  Spending the time and effort in taking a formal class with your pup is a great investment as it can lead to a more enjoyable adult dog.  Good luck with your puppy!

So you've decided to bring in a new member of the family - a puppy.  After a lot of research and a lot of soul searching you decided to choose a reputable breeder to provide you with your puppy.  Your puppy will be ready to take home in a matter of weeks.  What about a name?  Is there a right way and a wrong way to pick a name for a puppy?  Are some names better than others?  Where do you start?

Dos and Don'ts When it Comes to Naming Your Fur Baby
Although choosing a name is a subjective process, there are some things to be aware of as you consider potential names for your puppy.  While many people select a name before bringing the puppy home, some wait until they've had a chance to get to know the puppy in the home environment to see what kind of name fits the pup's personality.  Either way, there are a few "do's and don'ts".  In some ways picking a name for a puppy is not all that different from picking a name for a new baby.  If you've been an avid fan of Greek mythology all your life, do you really want to name your child or your dog "Aphrodite" and make them put up with that name all of their lives? 

Avoid One Syllable Names
There are two "don'ts" most dog experts would agree with when it comes to names for a puppy.  Both have to do with how a dog learns it's name.  Have you ever seen a bilingual dog?  Some dogs respond to commands in English or Spanish.  The dogs don't understand the words the way we do. They associate the sounds of the words with the action we want them to perform  - so the first "don't"  is to avoid one syllable names.  Most training commands are one syllable so a one syllable name will make it harder for the dog to discriminate between the sound of its name and the sound of certain commands.  The second "don't" is to avoid names with more than two syllables.  The reason is the same:  there are three or more sounds associated with a multi-syllable name which makes it harder for the dog to learn.  What's left?  Two syllable names are the recommended "do" when it comes to selecting a name for a puppy.

Too Many Spots and Rovers Already

Now it's time to get personal.  Start with how you feel about names that are traditionally associated with dogs --like Rover or Fido or Spot -- and names that are also used with humans.  There are many nice "doggy" names to be found in the world of literature, like "Buck" from Jack London's "The Call of the Wild".  There are also "doggy" names from famous dogs, like "Balto" or "Togo", two of the lead sled dogs in the famous Alaska serum run that is commemorated in the yearly Iditarod dog sled race.  If you're more comfortable with human names, any two syllable name that strikes you is fine, with one caveat.  If you may be adding a human baby to your family at some point, think a little about names you might like there.  If you've always dreamed of having a son named "Edward" think twice before you name your dog "Teddy."  "Teddy" and "Eddy" are just too similar sounding.  So enjoy the new puppy, whatever it's name might be! Too Many Spots and Rovers Already

Now it's time to get personal.  Start with how you feel about names that are traditionally associated with dogs --like Rover or Fido or Spot -- and names that are also used with humans.  There are many nice "doggy" names to be found in the world of literature, like "Buck" from Jack London's "The Call of the Wild".  There are also "doggy" names from famous dogs, like "Balto" or "Togo", two of the lead sled dogs in the famous Alaska serum run that is commemorated in the yearly Iditarod dog sled race.  If you're more comfortable with human names, any two syllable name that strikes you is fine, with one caveat.  If you may be adding a human baby to your family at some point, think a little about names you might like there.  If you've always dreamed of having a son named "Edward" think twice before you name your dog "Teddy."  "Teddy" and "Eddy" are just too similar sounding. 

So enjoy the new puppy, whatever it's name might be!

Guide Dogs.  We all marvel at how they do what they do.  How do they learn all that they need to know to assist their human?  Perhaps you assumed, like many of us, that their training began as adult dogs in some special school with an intensive program.   Guide Dogs Queensland in Australia is such a place.  But did you know a guide dog's training actually begins as a puppy in a private home?

If you love dogs and are looking for a volunteering opportunity there is nothing more rewarding than raising a future guide dog.  Volunteers in these programs receive their "future guide dog" at about ten weeks and keep the dog till about twelve to fourteen months of age.

As a dog lover you know that early socialization is the key to having a happy, confident, well-mannered adult dog.  That is the kind of dog homes Guide Dogs Queensland need to enroll in their training programs. Socialization is what being a Puppy Raiser is all about.

While you have your puppy you will be asked to take the puppy with you wherever you go and expose it to all different sorts of situations.  Future guide dog puppies wear a special coat which allows them to go places other dogs can't go.  You'll take the pup along with you on shopping trips, to eating establishments, to sporting events -- wherever you go the puppy goes along.  That special coat says to all who see it "This pup is special and he or she can go anywhere."  You'll even be able to take the puppy on public transportation.  You'll be responsible for exposing the puppy to other dogs of all ages and other people and children of all ages.  Visits to pre-schools, schools and hospitals are encouraged.

Puppy raisers can expect regular visits and support from trained Puppy Development Staff.  With most Guide Dog Training Centres visits are once a week in the early stages of the puppy's time with you and then taper off as time progresses.  Typically, you will be asked to attend several formal puppy training sessions at the Guide Centre. 

To qualify as a volunteer you obviously must have the time available.  You must also have a car, be accessible to public transportation, and live close to the Guide Dog Centre you select.  In addition, most centres ask that you have a fenced yard.  Future guide dogs must live and sleep inside the home as well.

What is the most difficult part about being a Puppy Raiser for a Guide Dog Centre?  Giving up the dog.  While this is a frequently tearful process, a large number of Puppy Raisers stay in the program and keep working with new dogs as long as they are able.  Not all dogs make it through the rigorous training they face when they start and some centres allow their puppy raisers to adopt them if they don't work out.  Knowing that you are providing a partner and a companion for someone in need is a very rewarding experience.  If you think you've got what it takes to get involved with these wonderful dogs, please look for a Guide Dog Centre in your area and get in touch with them.  Get involved.  You'll be glad you did!

It is your big day, your wedding day, and you want to include your entire family which includes your pet.  It is wonderful that you want to include your pet on your special day.  Just be sure to follow these rules to ensure a smooth wedding day:

• Do your research.  Find out whether your venue for your ceremony and your reception will allow pets, and if so, what restrictions or extra deposit will be required.  Some venues are very pet friendly and will assist you in your wedding plans – even offering tips and suggestions.  Other venues are not pet friendly, so be sure to ask what their policies are prior to signing a contract and booking the venue.
  
  
• Practice makes perfect.  Whatever the role your dog will play in your wedding, be sure that you practice multiple times before your big day.  Ideally you should practice twice a week, every week before your wedding.
  
  
• Flowers to avoid.  There are many flowers that are toxic to pets include daffodils, tulips, lilies and sweet peas.   While a flower-adorned collar may be adorable, it certainly would not be worth jeopardizing your pets' health.  It is best to check out whether your flowers are safe, so check out www.hsus.org for a full list of toxic plants.
  
  
• A leash goes a long way.  A leash is ideal to keep control of your pet during the wedding.  The last thing you want on your big day is a loose pet, or worse your pet running away with all the commotion.  Be sure to consider how your pet reacts in crowds of people and unfamiliar locations – if your pet is nervous, their role in your wedding may cause them more pain than joy. 
  
  
• Make it worth it.  When your dog is participating in your wedding be sure to have treats handy and make this a fun activity.  Treats also come in handy to quiet a pet during important moments. 
  
  
• Involve friends.  Discuss your plans to include your pet in your wedding with those involved in the wedding.  It is a good idea to discuss your idea with friends, family and wedding participants so that they are aware of your plans.  People may be allergic to your pet and could take medication to prevent an ill-timed allergy attack.  Other people may be fearful of pets, and could take time beforehand to meet your pet and be put at ease.
  
  
• Walk and potty.  Be sure your dog has received adequate exercise and a chance to potty before playing their role in your wedding.  You can use herbal solutions or sprays to calm your pet before the wedding.  Also ensure that your dog has a safe and secure place to rest before and after their role in the wedding is over.  A kennel is ideal for this purpose. 
  
  
• Designate.  It is ideal to designate a wedding participant with the caretaking of your pet.  This will ensure your pet is safe, taken care of and at-ease during your wedding.  Be sure that the person in charge of your pet is familiar with them and is aware of their idiosyncrasies.  Your designated caretaker should keep a watchful eye on your pet and be able to react if your dog is stressed, tired, hungry or in need of a potty break.  Also, be sure that your caretaker knows what your pet can and cannot eat – and ask your guests to not feed your dog.   

If you've ever considered getting a show quality pedigree dog you have an idea how expensive they can be. Two thousand dollars sounds like a lot of money for a quality Portuguese Water Dog, right? Well, just how much would you pay for a dog? Not just any dog, but a champion with bloodlines to make a Crufts Judge cry out in delight. How about $155,000 USD? Early in 2009 a couple in Florida paid that sum for a champion Labrador named Lancelot Encore. The "Encore" was a clever addition to the dog's name since the dog was cloned from another champion named Lancelot. Sounded like a lot of money at the time but now it actually looks like a bargain. The record for the most expensive dog in the world has been broken.

A mysterious Chinese woman known only as Mrs. Wang recently paid $582,000 USD for a champion Tibetan Mastiff she calls "Yangtze River Number Two." Supposedly Mrs. Wang has long sought the perfect Tibetan Mastiff. Recently she set off with a Mastiff she already owned in search of a mate -- for the dog, not for her. While in the town of Yushu in Qinghai province, she saw him -- White Root, as he was called then. This region has long been famous for its Tibetan Mastiffs and it did not disappoint Mrs. Wang. She was in love and she had to have White Root. She happily paid for the dog and immediately let her friends at home know she had fulfilled her quest and was on her way home. Friends being friends, they arranged for an appropriate reception for Yangtze Number Two at the airport in Xi'an, capitol of Shaanxi province. Limousine upon limousine surrounded the arrival gate, complete with welcome banners. Noticing the throng of luxury cars, the locals began to arrive in ever increasing numbers thinking they were awaiting the arrival of some noteworthy human being. It is not known how the locals reacted when they realized they had gathered together to greet a dog, not a human celebrity.

Things have certainly changed in China since the days when Chairman Mao banned dog ownership as a petty bourgeois pastime. Today there are about 150,000 dogs licensed in Shanghai alone. The government of China discourages any excessive displays of wealth on the part of the rich there, and dog ownership is no exception. "One dog per family" policies are being implemented in some areas and authorities in Shanghai may ban dogs from certain public places.

Not to be discouraged, there are rumors that Mrs. Wang may be fitting Yangtze Number Two with a 52-carat diamond studded collar. The collar even has a name: Amour Amour and it is the most expensive dog collar on the planet. And how much does it cost? 1.8 million dollars, USD. On returning home Mrs. Wang reportedly commented on the price of the dog saying: "Gold has a price, but this Tibetan Mastiff doesn't." So why not fit the world's most expensive dog with the world's most expensive collar? Go for it, Mrs. Wang.

Capturing great photos of your dog can be a daunting project.  Some dogs ham it up for the camera while others shy away.  Even if your dog is photogenic and enjoys striking a pose, it is not exactly easy to take a stunning photo.  You want to capture your dog's personality, and there are ways to maximize your success rate.  Just follow these rules to ensure you can improve your photography skills and generate breathtaking images of your dog.

Get Down

To get the most out of your photos, you will need to get down onto the same level as your dog.  Sometimes that will mean lying on the floor or sitting on the floor or kneeling down, all depending on the height of your dog.  If you have multiple dogs, choose a height that is in between the height of both dogs.  Getting on their level is the best way to capture interesting looks, angles and to best portray your dog.  It is best to avoid taking too many shots where you are looking down on your dog.  Consider taking photos from all angles and all heights.  Another fun trick is to place the camera on the ground and take pictures of your dog as they walk towards the camera.  You will be amazed at the awesome photos you can capture.

Zoom In

Do not be afraid to zoom in on your dog.  You can focus on specific body parts, or zoom in to ensure your dog fills up the entire frame of the photo.  It is better to have a zoomed in shot, rather than a shot where your dog is difficult to see.  Try capturing a paw, a nose, an ear – you get the point.  Think about what makes your pet unique and choose shots that will show off those attributes. 

Lighting Matters

Natural light is best for photography and when taking pictures of dogs it is best to avoid using the flash on your camera.  The flash can make eyes look spooky, red, or glowing – and the flash can make some dogs scared.  It is best to use good lighting and avoid low lighting or dark shots.  Remember – lighting makes the photograph.  Do experiment though with varying lighting to see what works best and best suits your dog.

Have Fun Taking Your Shots

When you are having fun, so is your dog.  It is imperative that you make this photo session fun and not a serious task.  Play with your dog, feed dog treats, laugh, smile, and engage your dog; then, you are guaranteed to have unique and wonderful photos of your dog.  Action shots are another way to spice up your photographs. 

Call a Friend

When in doubt, call a friend and have them take pictures of you and your dog.  Consider having your friend zoom-in on your dog as you play with them and encourage action shots.  Your friend can help to make the photo session more play than work, and your friend may have some unique ideas about angles, shots, and situations. 

Whatever your camera, you can get the best shots of your four legged fur ball by following the tips outlined above.  Most of all have a good time and keep it fun!

If you decide to leave the photography to the professionals, Charlotte Reeves Photography will provide the most beautiful, candid photos of your dog imaginable. Take a look at the website here: www.CharlotteReeves.com.au
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You're heard all the stories.  Maybe even lived a few of them!  You leave, the dog gets mad and _______.  (choose one)

1. chews up your new designer shoes
2. pees in your new designer shoes
3. WEARS your new designer shoes, digs out of the yard and runs up your credit card at the local watering hole.

We ALL think that our precious pooch does things like this on purpose, longing for our company.  In spite of these stories making good conversation, take heart.  That's not what they really mean.  Your doggie darling is not dreaming up ways to get even, he's simply doing something he thinks is fun. 

Chewing and digging are normal dog behaviours.  Good owners do their best to nip these activities in the bud from the get-go by teaching when it's appropriate to chew or dig, and what items are acceptable.  Chewing, digging, and barking can also be your dog's way of expressing anxiety or boredom.  And just like a toddler that gets into mischief when you're talking on the phone, it may simply be that our dog needs more of your attention.  If it only leads to scolding, hey, they'll take what they can get. 

Punishment may not work in these situations.  A better course is to remove the underlying problem.  Here are a few tips:

1.) Make sure your dog gets adequate exercise.  Let's define that a little better:  exercise where their brain is engaged.  Leaving a dog alone in the yard does not accomplish the same thing as going for a walk, playing fetch or any activity where you and your dog are interacting.  Just like you, a dog that gets enough exercise sleeps well, and will take a nice long nap while you're gone.

2.) Provide acceptable things to chew on.  There are lots of things to keep a dogs interest.  Hard rubber Kong toys that can be filled with treats will keep a dog occupied for hours.  Soft toys and ropes are also good alternatives as long as the dogs don't shred them.  Don't leave the same toys out every day; rotate them to keep it interesting.  And use good judgment about rawhide.  Let your dog have one as you watch first.  If the dog tears off pieces and eats them, this isn't a good idea for unsupervised play as it can lead right to the vet's office.

3.) Avoid making your dog lonely.  If you're home, your dog should be with you.  Even if it's lying beside you while you watch TV or spending those 8 hours of sleep on your bed, that's time your dog considers spent with you.  Company makes for a more secure dog.

4.) Don't leave or come home with a big fanfare.  If you set your dog up to be excited as you walkout of the house, that energy has to get burned off somewhere, and sometimes, the target is going to be some of your personal items.

5.  And the most obvious point:  PUT YOUR STUFF AWAY!  If you leave temptation in your dog's path, it's not fair to punish him when he just couldn't resist.  If you want to keep something safe and pristine, put it behind a closed door, or high up enough that it can't be reached. 

When it comes to canine wigs, the question may simply be "why"? 

But who are we to judge.  Perhaps it's Halloween, perhaps there's a canine costume ball, perhaps your dog has a potential career as a rock star.  Who knows.

In any case, should you ever need a counterfeit coif for your best friend, we've found a place you just can't top.  (Get it?) 

Wiggles Wigs for Dogs is one of the premiere wig and custom hair piece makers for canines.  The company was started by Ruth Regina, an 8th generation wig maker with 50 years experience in hair and makeup in Hollywood.  She plied her trade in movies like "Scarface" and "Striptease".  Regina even did a long ago stint working for the Jackie Gleason Show!  Her craft inspired her to start a wig shop on Bay Harbour Islands that not only specializes in custom wigs for humans, but for dogs as well!  They are created from products that will not harm the skin or eyes of animals. In the product line are items with names like "Yappy Hour", "Yappy Hour with Braids", "Dollface" and "Joe the Bartender.  

The wigs come in a rainbow of colours because, after all, if you're going to put a wig on your dog, why should it be understated?  If this were all not enough, any of these styles can be modified into perfectly sized things like Sarah Palin's distinctive upsweep, Bob Marley's dreadlocks, Marilyn Monroe's platinum waves or wildly coloured Mohawks.

Regina's work has of course gotten her national attention. She's been on the David Letterman show and was featured on the Animal Planet's "Most Outrageous Odd Looking Pets."   

For more information on Wiggles Wigs for Dogs, visit their website at www.wigglesdogwigs.com.