Musher’s Secret

Available at:
Grateful Dog Bakery

Pawsitively Pure

When there is 15 inches of snow coating your lawn, drive and everything else it is definitely a snow day.  While a chorus of snow blowers and snow shovels echo in the air, the one sound I hear in my house is chewing.  Chewing noises make me nervous.  There is a very special sound that wood makes when it is being carefully “tasted” for full bodied flavor, a special “crunchy” noise.

This isn't Brego, but you get the idea...

Brego prefers wood to all else that can be chewed – except leather which ranks a very, very close second.

How do I know this? Well, as a behavior consultant, pet trainer and scientist I enjoy observing animals in their natural habitat, doing and learning about the world.  This means I ask  “how will he solve this problem” then watch while my puppy figures out how to wedge his body under the baby gate, uses his foot to knock one of my favorite BØRN shoes off the step and into his waiting maw, then re-positions his head to get back under the gate with the shoe.

So, today I heard wood chewing and walked around the corner asking myself what could he possibly be working on to make so much noise? There he was – sitting in the chair at my desk, teeth embedded in it’s soft pine edge.  Was I mad – well, I was the one who taught him to sit in the chair and it was a snow day.  Today’s snow meant no 1 hour run at the farm hunting up doves, racing through the woods or looking for cats to play with in the barn.  For a 6 mo old German Shorthaired Pointer a snow day is equivalent to detention.

To closet we went where our Premier Busy Buddy toys live.  One filled Funny Bone later and the only chewing I hear is that of rawhide! Dinner tonight will be in a Twist & Treat or Kibble Nibble toy to keep him busy while I work on the computer.  On a snow day there is nothing more important than having a great box full of dog puzzles!

Premier toys are available at your favorite local pet shop or online: www.premier.com

Amanda Eick-Miller, RVT, CPDT-KA is the owner of Pawsitively Pets, LLC in Wooster, Ohio where she provides in home training for dogs and cats.  As a Veterinary Behavior Technician she also provides counseling and behavior modification services for pets with medically based behavior problems. For more information see: www.PawsitivelyPetsOhio.com

Here’s a unique one: even for me…who has seen lots of dogstuff in the world…

A pup named Tucker is making a trailed work of Arf…literally.  This Cleveland pup, diagnosed with degenerative myelopathy,  the canine equivalent of multiple sclerosis, is hosting an open house where you can stop by and support his cause.  I read his story on the PEE-ces of art website, and after his tramatic rescue story, it is so great to read he is in a loving home, and his PEE-ces of artwork will be on display for all to admire.

You see, his diagnosis left him unable to lift his leg, like so many male dogs are prone to do.  So instead, he walks and pees at the same time, leaving a trail as he goes.  His mom saw art in his streams and captured the images with her camera lens.

Here’s the poop…err..pee scoop (that just didn’t work…I can’t hit every pun right)

ARTIST OPEN HOUSE
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Noon – 6 pm
Bela Dubby Art Gallery & Beer Cafe
13321 Madison Avenue, Lakewood, Ohio

Purchase Your Tickets Early – Limited Availability
Tickets: $30 each / two for $50 in advance of show

Enjoy gourmet hors d’oeuvres and a
cash bar of beer, wine and coffee delights.

Gallery show runs March 1 – March 31, 2010
at Bela Dubby Art Gallery

Proceeds to benefit two exceptional non-profit organizations:
The Sanctuary for Senior Dogs and The Cleveland Animal Protective League.

Pee-ces Official Website

Teddy’s Mom reviews Zoomingroomin Mobile Pet Spa!

Do you have some cool stuff to review?  Contact Teddy’s Mom today!  Woof!

Yes that is right you astrological junkies.  AkronDogStuff.com dug up some doggy horoscopes for your pup, so they know what their humans are up to…or not up to.  The stars are being read, and your pooch will either wind up high on good vibes or stuck out in the dog house.  Let’s hope for the first choice.

Aries (Mar21/Apr20) Being at home with your people is more important than either you or they might realise currently; the better you are at providing a calm centre where housemates and guests can find a sympathetic listener and courageous ally, the more wonderful your household becomes. The idea of being on hand to hear what those who need to talk have to say should appeal to your inclination to be first and, of course, while these friends are unburdening themselves, you’re their centre of attention.

I love it when I come across events that involve both dogs and children: and this one is no different.

In Hudson, there is a program called “Tail Waggin’ Tutors”, where children read to patient canines listening to their story.  Hudson magazine did an article about this great program.

According to the Therapy Dog International Web site, the objective of “Tail Waggin’ Tutors” is to encourage children to read by providing a non-judgmental listener and furry friend to read to that won’t laugh at them if they make a mistake or stumble over a word. Children learn to associate reading with being with the dog, and begin to view reading in a positive way. Over time, the child’s reading ability and confidence can improve because they are practicing their skills.

Woof to this great program, and a direct link to the Hudson Library if you are interested in learning more…

Akron Life & Leisure Magazine is accepting votes for best local stuff!

Please bark for AkronDogStuff.com as the best local blog!

Where to vote:  http://www.akronlifeandleisure.com/

Did you adopt a poochie in 2009?

Click through to this link to get your free food from Pedigree!

Pedigree is offering a free month of food* for anyone who adopted a dog in 2009.

Even if you don’t use this brand, and you adopted a dog, it would be great to get and donate to your local pet food pantry or rescue group!

Please visit their website at http://www.pedigree.com/03Adoption/Adopt-A-Dog/Adopt-Free-Food/default.aspx for complete details and to download the mail-in form.

*Provided in the form of a coupon redeemable for a 20 lb. bag of PEDIGREE® Food For Dogs. Offer valid only for adoptions by individual consumers in the United States of America (excluding territories and possessions) from Jan. 2009 to Dec. 2009. Limit: One (1) coupon per household/ address. All requests must be received by Feb. 2010. Please allow 6-8 weeks for delivery. Void where prohibited, taxed or restricted. No incomplete, forged or altered order forms or adoption documents will be accepted. PEDIGREE® Brand is not responsible for late, lost, damaged, incomplete, misaddressed, postage due, or illegible mail, order forms or adoption documents.

For more funnies:  http://todaysdogbyguygilchrist.blogspot.com/

Ted at a retirement community visiting Gramma

Ted is a totally mild pup with a chill disposition.  He listens to me wholeheartedly and wants nothing more than to please me.  So, through the past few months, I have decided I think I need to put him to work.

Ted will be going through a training to become a therapy dog.  If you are thinking about putting smiles on other’s faces while you parade your pup through a retirement community, or children’s hospital, keep reading.  If not, keep reading anyway.  LOL

Through my extensive research, there are different certifications for different training programs.  So, if you want your pup to become part of the Doggy Brigade at Akron Children’s hospital, for example:  You need a certification from the Delta Society.  If you are looking to go through the retirement community, they may only accept Canine Good Citizen, or another certification of sorts.  Do your research prior to signing up for a class.  Once you know the program you would like to be involved in, only then should you find the class.

I am still on the deciding line as to which direction to go.  Marty’s Mom, and ZoominGroomin Groomer has done her homework for Delta and is ready to enroll Marty to school.  I’ve been a slacker when it comes to this, moreso because I am just not sure where I am going to take Ted around.

Keep posted, because once I figure out where Ted is going to work, I will give you the scoop on the class…just incase you want your pooch to be a do-gooder too.

Woof!