Doggy in the Window Blog

It's not a title many would aspire to, but for actor Dane Andrew and his beloved Chinese Crested Rascal, it's a top honour.  The 3kg purebred dog has now been voted "The World's Ugliest Dog" multiple times and the dog and his master wouldn't have it any other way. 

1- World's Ugliest Dog (2002)
2- Ring of Champions
3- The Oldest Ugly Dog (Fort Bragg, CA)
4- The Regal Cinema's Hotel for Dogs "Ugly Dog Contest"
5- Author Tim Downs' "Ugly Dog Contest"
6- PSPCA's, "Ugly but Cute"

Primarily hairless, Rascal sports some tufts of hair sticking out of his head, and a little on his tail and feet. He also sports some warts and freckles, and a tongue that won't stay in his mouth due to some missing teeth.  His charming ugliness makes him quite the chick magnet, in fact, a magnet to anyone who wants to rub his stubbly back or head.

Rascal comes from a long line of ugly dogs.  His dam, granddam, and grandsire all  have held the title of "The World's Ugliest Dog." There have been two mayoral proclamations to honour him, and a recent star in the Walk of Fame in Palm Springs, USA.   He's even had an honorary doctorate in Animal Magnetism bestowed on him from San Francisco State University.

Rascal has also been on "The View", "Animal Planet",  "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno", "The Jane Pauley Show", "The Carson Daly Show", and has made Kathy Griffin's D-List.
The popular pooch has also been cast in five horror movies and has a cartoon and a documentary on the way, both titled, obviously, "The Ugliest Dog."

Andrew recalls a funny incident where three men were abandoned by their dates at a recent film festival when the women got up and fawned over Rascal, asking to hold him and ignoring their dinner partners.  Andrew says, "He has this affect on woman. They love him."  

Rascal and his owner are hoping that a leash they designed and sponsor will take off, with a portion of the proceeds going to animal rescue programs.  For more information take a look at Rascal's website, http://www.officialworldsugliestdog.com/.  In the meantime, all the king of ugly requires is a couple of sardines a day – his favourite food.

If you're looking at that photo and saying "I just don't know if I want a bright green toilet sitting in my garden", you're not alone.  Still, the "Powerloo",  the brainchild of an American inventor, does have some appeal:  it paints a picture of your pup heading out into the yard to do exactly what humans do at the toilet, flushing, and walking away with a big grin.

But a fairy tale is still a "fairy tail."  That isn't what the "Powerloo" does.  In fact, it's probably not going to lessen your scooping chores one iota.  You still have to gather up the offensive fecal matter, put it inside the device and flush it yourself.

Take a look at the product description:

 "The PowerLoo system makes an offensive task simple, safe and hygienic. Greendog™ identified a situation every pet owner faces but no one likes to talk about and invented a unique, exclusive product to solve the problem.

Green Dog presents an innovative outdoor, maintenance-free, flushable toilet for proper and sanitary disposal of pet waste.  This unique in-ground toilet installs easily in your yard and connects directly to your home sewer line. The engineering, mechanics and materials are state-of-the-art.  Green Dog is designed to protect the environment from contamination and disease which is spread by improper pet waste disposal."

Not to be an outdoor eyesore  but a fashion accessory, the "Powerloo" comes in colours like "copper vein", "weathered green", and "luna sandstone" as well as the original lime green colour.  The device was supposed to be available in June, but the website is still offering "preorders" along with "investment opportunities"!

The product reviewers are having a field day with the "Powerloo".   "Gizmodo.com" says:  "Despite connecting to your outdoor plumbing lines, the PowerLoo is not a backyard doggie toilet. The PowerLoo is a backyard (poop) flusher (read: you pick up dog (poop)  then place it in the toilet). And while I'm sure it adds some level of convenience to doodie disposal, the price is on par with one of those fancy, Japanese toilets that literally air dries the cellulite from your butt."

And this from Foolishgadgets.com:  "However, this PowerLoo promises hands free clean up.  How?  Why you just pick up the poop and drop it in, wait, that's not hands free.  Maybe they mean go monkey style and pick it up by your toes." 

Perhaps all the negativity is a bit harsh.  The creator says his motive was to keep the foul smelling bag most of us have from sitting around for a week until trash day.  There could be some benefit in that, as we who have had to spray that dirty garbage can out with the hose weekly know all too well.  And his goals are not all that grand, Curt Fornier says he only plans to manufacture 500 of the devices this year, selling for $1,000 a piece.  Oh yes, the Powerloo also comes with a heater for harsh climates so the system doesn't freeze up in the winter.

If you want to have a look, check out the PowerLoo at www.powerloo.com

As dog lovers, nothing warms our hearts more than a tale of canine courage that saves an owner's life.  The Humane Society of the United States takes time every year to honour some of these inspiring dogs with their "Dogs of Valour" awards.   This year's choices were difficult, and the judges had to choose between fifteen finalists for a winner, three runners up and a special award for "The People's Hero". 

The top winner is Baby, a 5-year old Great Dane from New Mexico (pictured right). His owner is an 82-year old cancer survivor, who set out for a car ride one night with Baby at his side.   The man became disoriented; driving his car off the road, down an embankment and wedging it between two trees.  The man found himself unable to get free, and couldn't get anyone's attention by screaming and honking the horn in the remote area. 

Baby snuggled up to his owner to keep him warm during the night.  Every few hours, Baby would leave the car to look for help, and then return through a broken window to remain at his master's side.  In the morning, the Dane left the site and found a nearby neighbor, leading her to the accident site.  Rescue crews got the man out of the wreckage, getting him medical attention for a cracked spine.  The 2009 dog of valour is recognized for loyalty in staying with his owner, and for innovation in seeking out help.

The Runners-up are:

Boo, a German Shepherd/Bloodhound mix.  While out on a walk, Boo's owner took a spill and knocked himself unconscious. Boo took off for a nearby building, making such a ruckus people called the police on him.  Before they could catch the dog, he ran back to his master, leading police right to him.  

Charley. A West Highland white terrier.   When a neighbour three houses away fell off a ladder, Charley alerted his owners that something was wrong. He pulled his owner towards the house and took her straight to the 61 year old unconscious man. 

Labrador Retriever Jake saved his 12-year old owner from drowning.  Using his natural affinity for water, he alerted the family when the child became trapped in the current.

And the "People's Hero" goes to D-boy – a representative of the much maligned pit-bull breed.  The plucky dog stood up to an armed burglar and protected his family from the intruder.  The gunman ended up shooting the dog three times, but D-boy continued to charge the man, running him off.  After some careful treatment in the Emergency Clinic, D-boy survived his injuries to win this deserved award.

For more information on the Humane Society of the United States, visit: www.humanesociety.org

We hope to see something similar in Australia some time soon!

The one task that can frustrate a puppy owner more than any other is probably the most important thing you can teach a dog – STAY in one place until I tell you to move.  Why is it so important?  Well, it can keep your dog from getting into trouble or danger.  It can keep your dog safe while you're trying to do something else, like clean the house, take care of a child or entertain people in your home.  Out in public, it can keep your dog away from people who might not want to interact with your precious pooch.

You've successfully taught your dog to "stay" when you give the dog the command and it does not move from its original position.  There are many ways to "stay".  You can stay in a "down", or you can stay in a "sit."  It's easier to train the down-stay, so that's where we'll start.

Your dog should already know the "sit" and "down" command to work on "stay".  This homework teaches the dog that the BEST place in the world to be is at your side.  If that sounds familiar, it's the same concept we use to teach "come".  Make sure you teach this exercise in an area where the dog cannot run away, such as an indoor room or an area enclosed by a fence.

1. Put a leash and collar on the dog and tell it to sit, and then down.

2. Once your dog is in the down position, say "good dog" and offer a reward, but keep  the dog in a down.   Remain standing, but keep your fingers lightly in the hollow between the dog's shoulder blades, an easy place to put pressure and keep the dog from rising.

3. Say "the dog's name"  followed by the command "stay" while holding your right  hand up, palm out (as if to motion stop) for a few seconds.

4. Say "good stay 'name' " in an upbeat tone and give your dog a reward.

5. Release your dog from the "stay" by saying "okay" and patting firmly two times on the side of the ribcage.

6. Repeat the whole process, adding a few seconds to the "stay" each time.  Make sure you end the session on a positive, high note.

To reinforce the down command, you will repeat this whole process while sitting on the floor next to the dog, extending the stay out to 5-10 minutes.  This can turn into a bit of a wrestling match, but you essentially are teaching that the stay goes on as long as YOU say it does.  The dog can fall asleep, but cannot get up and wander off without you giving the release command "OK" with the two pats.  Repeat this exercise every night for a week, varying the length of the time in the down-stay.

The next step is to teach the dog to remain in the down-stay while you move away.  This exercise is also done with a leash and collar on.

1. Tell the dog to sit, and then down.

2. Once your dog is in the down position, say "good dog" and offer a reward, but keep       the dog in a down.   Remain standing, but keep your fingers lightly in the hollow between the dog's shoulder blades, an easy place to put pressure and keep the dog from rising.

3. Once you are sure the dog is steady, give the "stay" command with your right hand.  Holding the lead, step out in front of your dog, facing it, not so far away that you can't correct if it gets up when it's not supposed to.

4. Immediately walk around the dog back to your original position.  Reach down and give the "ok" and the release pat and reward.

5. Repeat this whole process, gradually moving further away from your dog.  It is probably wise to lengthen the leash instead of dropping it completely until you are completely sure your dog is not going to run off. 

6. If your dog makes a mistake, return to the first step and complete it successfully so the session ends on a positive note.

How often I heard that statement about a few of my dogs.  It was usually uttered by my mentor as she was being jumped on or muddied by one of my rowdy crew of Irish Setters.  She didn't mean I should hire out the dog to dig holes or work in a fast food restaurant, she was referring to keeping the dog  out of trouble by occupying his brain!  A bored dog is a dog primed and ready to find something to do on his own, usually, something you don't want him to do.  If you don't occupy your dog's mind, as he ages, he will become constantly bored and lose some of his zest for life. 

The brain of a dog is just like the brain of a human in one important way:  Use it or lose it!  Happily, there are dozens of things you can do to exercise your buddy's gray matter as well as his body   While fetch is fine, and taking a walk is wonderful, what about teaching your dog to do something a little more challenging?

Obedience and agility classes are obvious choices that get a dog thinking and strengthen the bond between dog and owner.  Hunting and tracking are another outlet, but there are more simple things you can do at home with a puppy or especially an older dog to keep them sharp.

Hide and Seek

In his mind, there's nothing better for your pet than to be with you!  With a puppy, just wait until the little tyke is out of your sight, go around a corner with treats and call  him.  Be prepared to give him a little help and then a big enthusiastic reward when he does find you.  It's the same with an older dog, except you might be able to put him in a stay to get away.  As both get better at it, you might have to get creative about getting out of their sight, possibly throwing a ball or providing some other distraction.  Soon, this game might have to go outside because you'll run out of places to hide!

Name the Toy

Start by taking his two favorite toys into a room with no other toys, and using the names you already call them, throw them one at a time saying "go get the ___".  Once you think he understands, set them across the room and tell him which one to bring back.  Reward the right choice; prompt him towards the other if he doesn't get it right.  End the session if it's not going well, and try again another time.  Make sure it's FUN!  When he knows the names of the two toys, try adding another,  and another……

Let's face it.  It's an all too common sight to find your aging buddy curled up on his dog bed, snoozing the day away, often leading to weight gain and arthritic conditions.  Even the most sedentary dogs can be enticed with activities that are based on fetch and chase.   Here are a few games from an animal behaviourist that will not only get your companion up and moving, but will add some happiness and excitement to his days! 

Chase

First rule – your dog chases YOU, not the reverse.  You never want your dog to run away from you when you need to get him away from a dangerous situation.  Start by getting your dog's attention, then run away from him. Just before he catches you, stop and reward him with a cookie or his favorite toy.  The best reward is to repeat the game!

Keep Away

A few minutes of keeping your dog's favorite toy away from him can lead to some harder play.  If he's still up to jumping, try to get him to make a few leaps in the air. Just don't  keep the toy away so long that the dog gets frustrated.  A little keep away can lead into another one of the games as follows.

Sprints

Once you know your dog will follow you on the run, set up some mild wind sprints – running about a 15 metres, making an abrupt 180 degree turn, then running back to where you started.  Start small with say, four laps.  These might not be easy for you either! 

Complicated Heeling

If you've ever done any obedience training, you're familiar with teaching your dog to heel by varying your movement to keep his attention as he stays by your side.  Why not speed it up, and not worry about the accuracy?  See if your dog can keep up with you no matter which way you zig or zag, or how fast or slow you go.  

On Your Mark, Get Set, Go.

Your dog needs to master a few obedience moves to play this game.  Instead of "down", the command is "on your mark".  Then you teach the dog to pull up his rear into a play bow on "get set". "Go" speaks for itself!  Off you go running with your buddy, just a few hundred feet perhaps, and he gets a big reward at the end!   This will charm the daylights out of everybody if you can get your pooch to master it.

Just like when you start any exercise program, make sure not to overdo at first.  You will be able to tell  when your dog has hit his limit.  Just don't neglect to get him started up again later!

Air, water, food and shelter.  That's what every living organism needs to survive.  But there is more necessary for any quality of life.  Physical care and nurturing is essential to thrive.  As a dog owner, knowing and meeting your dog's basic needs will keep him healthy and happy. 

Nutrition

You owe it to your pet to find a food that provides a healthy, balanced diet.  Do some research, but don't forget to make the crucial determination about whether your pet will eat it or not.  Buying top shelf holistic pet food is pointless if your dog won't eat it!  If you want to cook your dog's food  yourself, check with your vet first to make sure the diet is right for your dog.  After determining what to feed, keep an eye out for things like low energy levels or a dulling coat.  You may have discovered a food allergy, or just something that's not right for your pet.   A change may be in order, but do it gradually to avoid stomach upset.  And of course, your pet must have access to clean, fresh water at all times.

Home Sweet Home

Your dog needs to belong to a pack, and in this case, that's your family.  He thrives indoors with his people.  Give your dog an area of the house as his own:  a kennel, crate or dog bed.   Living indoors doesn't mean carte blanche to do what he pleases.  Set the rules, enforce the areas where he's not allowed, and make him welcome in those where he is.   Your dog should never be left unattended outside without shelter, especially during very hot or cold weather.  There can be health consequences, and the possibility of your pet being stolen becomes a concern.

The Body Shop

Just like humans, dogs need regular exercise and preventative medical care.  Make an exercise routine with  your dog, even if it's just a morning walk around the block.  Make sure your pet gets a check up at least once a year, or as often as your vet recommends.  Prevention can save a lot of heartache down the road.   At the very least, your dog needs to be brushed, given a bath and have its nails trimmed.  Depending on its breed, a regular haircut may be on the calendar.

Loving Care

Just like human children, dogs need discipline and structure.  Training is essentially for a happy, well-adjusted dog.  If you're not sure about getting the basics across, head for a training class or find a good book that teaches you to do it yourself.  The most basic rule is to reward good behavior, and correct misbehavior instead of punishing.  Give your dog every chance to succeed. 

Keep the bond with your dog strong by spending special time with him.  Human contact, walks or a simple ride in the car will ensure your buddy stays happily by your side. 

How we all love those photo features in magazines that picture people who strongly resemble their own dogs.  Even better, we love a contest version where we can go get our camera and find our blonde friend who looks exactly like her own Golden Retriever. 

Admit it, you have at least one friend who looks just like his or her canine companion.  Many a dog show will reveal about five or six women gathered around the Irish Setter ring with hair dyed to match their dogs, or Afghan people who should have long since gone totally gray, now sporting jet-black or platinum blonde locks.

Who can forget the famous photo of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and an English Bulldog?  For some people, it was difficult to tell the two apart!   Both had jowly cheeks, a wide mouth and numerous skin folds.  Many a political counterpart would even claim Churchill's  personality mimicked a bulldog's as he helped guide Britain through the bleakest years of World War II. 

It's not such a far stretch to figure out that we like things that are similar to us.  Psychologists point to the world of computer dating.  We search for someone who likes the same things we do; things like hobbies, sports, political beliefs and music to name a few.  It's all about finding someone who will fit into our lives and allow us to continue to do the things we love. 

We tend to select dogs the same way, based on how similar that breed's personality is to our own.  Is it overstretching to say we strive to look like them as well?  There are not too many people out there who consciously wander into the beauty parlor and ask their hair to be dyed to match their dog's, but somehow, they end up coming out with the same hue.  Perhaps it's the same sentiment that inspired this popular prose that circles the internet endlessly: 

If you can start the day without caffeine;
If you can get going without pep pills;
If you can always be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains;
If you can resist complaining and boring people with your troubles;
If you can eat the same food every day and be grateful for it;
If you can understand when your loved ones are too busy to give you any time;
If you can forgive a friend's lack of consideration;
If you can overlook it when those you love take it out on you when,
through no fault of your own, something goes wrong;
If you can take criticism and blame without resentment;
If you can ignore a friend's limited education and never correct him;
If you can resist treating a rich friend better than a poor friend;
If you can face the world without lies and deceit;
If you can conquer tension without medical help;
If you can relax without liquor;
If you can sleep without the aid of drugs;
If you can honestly say that deep in your heart you have no prejudice  against creed or color, religion or politics; then, my friend, you are  almost as good as your dog.

Reading that, who wouldn't want to look just like their dog?

Incidentally, Winston Churchill did not own that bulldog.  He owned a miniature poodle named Rufus, a dog that looked nothing like his master at all.  But since the British think of the bulldog as a symbol of their country, someone must have decided that a photo opportunity with the wrinkly canine would be good public relations and an inspiration to the country in troubled times.  It looks like it was a good instinct.

Take a look at this gallery of owners who look like their dogs!

http://www.tanmonkey.com/fun/dog-looks-like-owner.php

Understanding what your dog is trying to tell you is crucial for its training and well being.  The best way to get that information isn't from listening to the sounds a dog makes, it's from watching the positions of its body.  Because dogs are primarily non-verbal, their body language speaks volumes.  If you take some time to watch dogs responding to people and other animals, you'll learn some things that will protect you and your dog from danger,  aid in your dog's training and identify behavioural problems. 

A dog that stands up straight with head high is showing confidence.  Its ears are perked up and eyes alert.  There is no tension in the mouth, and the tail is relaxed.  This dog appears friendly and comfortable, and you can be fairly certain this dog is not a threat.

A dog that shows all these behaviours along with a wagging tail and a wide open panting mouth can be assumed to be happy.

When a dog shows happiness and excitement, as well as jumping and running around, you're probably seeing playfulness.  When you see a wiggly dog with its rear end up in the air, front end down on the ground with direct eye contact, you're seeing what is known as a "play bow".  It's an unmistakable invitation.

The biggest sign that you've run into a submissive dog is its unwillingness to look at you.  The head will be down, the ears held back and the tail held low.  To prove its unwillingness to challenge, the submissive dog may even roll on its back, exposing its belly, and lick a dog or a person. 

If a dog has all those behaviors plus a very tense stance with shuddering and whimpering, you're seeing anxiety.  The tail is low and may be tucked. An anxious dog can overreact and become fearful or aggressive.  If this is your dog, remain calm and take it to a more familiar situation.

A fearful dog mixes submission and anxiety with some very extreme signals.  It may stand crouched close to the ground, ears pinned back and eyes narrow.  The tail is between the legs and it exhibits trembling.   You may notice whining, growling or bearing of teeth.  Sometimes a fearful dog will urinate or defecate.   If threatened,  this dog can turn aggressive.  This is the time to calmly walk away from this dog.  If you are the owner, get your dog away from the source of its fear without  punishing or comforting. 

A dog that leans a bit forward and stares you straight in the eye may be showing dominance. 

The hackles may be up, ears perked and alert and you may hear a low growl.  This dog appears unfriendly and possibly threatening.  If the target immediately submits, there is little trouble.  If the other dog tries to be dominant, there may be a fight.  If this behaviour is aimed at people, the dog needs some serious behaviour modification. 

An aggressive dog is not difficult to spot, or sense.  There is forward movement, snapping, growling and barking.  The hair on the neck stands up on end.  There is piercing eye contact, and the tail fur may be puffed up.   This can potentially become a dangerous situation, and it is important to get to safety by backing away without making eye contact while showing no fear.  If your dog is exhibiting these signs, you need to head to a  professional dog trainer for help. 

 The election for the White House First Dog is over, and the winners name is "Bo".   He's black and white, fuzzy and completely lovable. He's also reportedly a late night partier and suffers from a little separation anxiety.   Bo seems to be adjusting to his new address at the White House, but the first family may be having a little trouble adjusting to him!

Beginning on election night, when President Barak Obama announced his promise to his daughters to get a family dog, the frenzy over which dog was perfect for the position became a national obsession in the U.S.  The subject became fodder for every TV talk show and news program.  Various groups with agendas started to weigh in on the issue.   

Some were pushing mixed breeds; purebred lovers were putting out a shout for their favourite flavour.  Shelter advocates were lobbying for a dog that really needed a home, and the anti-puppy mill people were stressing the need to properly research a dog that fit into the Obama's lifestyle and met the hypo-allergenic requirement.

The first family is going to have to put in some time to get to that dog-savvy.  At a recent White House event attended by over a hundred children, Michelle Obama called Bo "a little crazy".  The media reported some of the best quotes from the brand new dog owner.

-- "It was like 10 o'clock. Everybody was asleep and we hear all this barking and jumping around. The president and I came out and we thought somebody was out there. And it was just Bo. He was playing with his ball."

-- "He loves to chew on people's feet." 

-- "Right now I'm taking care of this puppy, so I'm doing a lot of dog walking and dog training.''

Ah yes, how many times does mum end up doing all the work?  7 year old Sasha and 10 year old Malia seem to be getting off the hook rather easily, not something that's been overlooked by canine critics!

The American fascination with presidential dogs goes back to the nation's beginnings.  George Washington, the first U.S. President, bred American Foxhounds and gave them names like Tipsey, Tipler and Drunkard.  Many canines have walked the corridors of the White House since then, most lately, the black Scot Terrier owned by President George W. Bush and family.  Barney's popularity was cemented through his "Barney-cam" videos, released to the media yearly, and seen all over the world.

So what can Bo do to top his predecessor?  Well, the six month old PWD is off to a good start.  He's slated to appear in his own comic book called "Puppy Power – Bo Obama" starting in September.  He's already been turned into a "beanie baby" by the Ty toy making corporation and has already been the subject of endless photo opportunities.  Mr. Obama says Bo has real "star power".