Wayne Tolson - A Moments Paws

Barkin' Bash Time and Date Change

noreply@blogger.com (Wayne Tolson) — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 23:17:00 +0000

The 7th Annual Barkin' Bash has been moved to Sunday, Oct 26th, from 1-4PM. It is being changed due to the possibility of really nasty weather. If want to volunteer, show up early and be ready to work. This is a great event and they could use your help!

All this means is that you just get your furry ones in costume a day later... no worries

Some News from the Park...

I wanted to give a BIG DOG BARK out to Duncan's Mom... aka Melissa... who welcomed in a new addition. A baby girl! Mom and baby are doing well and we congratulate Melissa and wish her whole family the best.

Don't forget the time change next week. The parks will be closing earlier. Get your crew out there now because it is going to be a long time before we can get back to the park after work.

Barkin' Bash Ths Weekend!

noreply@blogger.com (Wayne Tolson) — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 15:01:00 +0000

This weekend marks the 7th Annual Barkin Bash Howl-O-Ween Event...This event provide dollars to the dog park and beach to help keep them in the great shape they are in. It also provides you and your pooch the chance to get dressed up and have a good time together in the park.

Here is information from the Barkin' Bash website:

The 7th Annual Howl-O-Ween Barkin' Bash will be held on October 25th from 11am - 3 pm. Doggie vendors, canine rescue groups, raffles, costume competition and more are on the docket. Dogs and their owners are encouraged to come in costume. 100% of the proceeds of this event go directly to the Quiet Waters Dog Park and beach for maintenance and improvements! Registration will be open shortly. Park entrance fees are waived during the bash. Don't miss this fun and informative event!

If you want to check out the site, or get more info, here is the link:
http://www.barkinbash.com/

As a follow up...

We want to thank everyone who came out for our Dog Blood Drive. It went very well and we had a great turnout! The EVBB will be having more donation locations coming up, so if you missed the event you can always go to their site

And a little reminder...

Just because it is getting colder does not mean you can stop treating for fleas and ticks. The fleas are looking to get into your house and once there they are really hard to get rid off. Ticks do not die off until there is at least 10 days of a hard frost.

Did I miss something??

noreply@blogger.com (Wayne Tolson) — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 04:05:00 +0000

How did I miss this... Japan and the Canine market has taken off. There are over 13.1 million dogs, as of 2006, in Japan. That is insane. I thought that we had a TON of dogs, but that is just crazy. That outnumbers the total population of children 10 and under! Forget video game marketing, we need to market more squeaky toys....oh and tennis balls!

Well, they decided to go after the market. And the idea was one I didn't see coming... Owners are taking their dogs in the city to Oxygen Bars" Yep... you heard me. Oxygen bars!

I have friends who have owned oxygen bars for humans and there are people who swear by the effects that breathing pure oxygen has on the body. I found that it cleared my head, but made me almost feel drunk. I was not into it, but if it is your thing...woohoo. Go For it!

Back to the dogs:

The thought by the Japanese people is that if it works well with humans, it should work well with dogs...This type of thinking has spanned over 30 "doggie oxygen bars" in Tokyo alone. Wow! That is like going to Seattle for Starbucks. They are everywhere.

I know you are trying to figure this out or you are just thinking that this is crazy. The thought behind this is that the city dogs do not get enough exercise, which the bar owners say leads to the lethargy and depression of your pooch. They say that a 30 min session, at a cost of $18, with your dog in a oxygen chamber will create vigor and help your dog be happy. Okay... Sure. I just take mine to the park for a lot less and it makes mine tired and happy. I would rather them sleep instead of being punchdrunk or to think more clearly... They are smart enough now, thank you and I don't need them to become barflys.

If you want to learn more, check it out here

In other dog health news... Do not forget THIS WEEKEND. It is the Dog Blood Drive Event and we still need dogs to be there. We have a pretty good crowd that has said they want to be there, but we need to make sure we have 20+ dogs. Your dog can save the lives of 4 dogs!! We need you and your pooch to sign up, or just show up. It is from 2-4PM at Muddy Paws, on Hillsmere road, right outside the entrance to Quiet Waters Park. If you need more info, please check www.socialpronetwork.com/community.cfm

I will be there and I look forward to seeing you and your pooch there!

Dog Blood Drive Event - Oct 12th.

noreply@blogger.com (Wayne Tolson) — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 19:23:00 +0000

A few posts ago I mentioned to you that I was working on setting up a blood drive event with the Eastern Veterinarian Blood Bank (EVBB) and Social Pro Network. Well, I have been able to make it happen. It will be Oct 12th, Sunday, from 2-4pm. I was able to get the kind folks at Muddy Paws to allow use of their location for the event. They are excited to be able to host this event and give something back to the community.

There is always a need for blood for animals that have been injured, require surgery or have other ailments. The original idea was to have a blood drive, similar to the human types, but I found out that it does not work that way. Here are the requirements:

* A healthy canine weighing 35 pounds or more and between the ages of 9 months and 7 ½ years. (A dog may remain in the program until they reach the age of 8 ½ years. Therefore, a dog must be no older than 7 ½ years to make the required one year commitment.) Blood donors must have no history of serious diseases, and cannot be on medication.
* A commitment to donate five to seven times over the course of one year. (Dogs can safely donate as often as every three weeks.)
* Donors must be brought to our facility or to a blood drive location. If you are not in our area, please contact the EVBB; we may be able to direct you to a nearby donation site.
* Dogs must be maintained on heartworm preventive and must be current with their regular veterinarian's preventive health and vaccination schedule.
* Please note that some medications may exclude your dog from the blood donor program. Please contact the EVBB for details prior to scheduling an appointment
* Please note that the EVBB cannot function as a hospital should your pet become ill in any way.

Any dog that fits the above requirements is welcome to show up. There will be treats and gifts for all donors. To sign up in advance or for more information, please check out the info page at Social Pro Network. Once again thank you to Muddy Paws, EVBB, Social Pro Network and everyone involved... Let's make this a HUGE event. The animals need your help and it takes just a little effort to make a big difference. We are looking for 20-30 donors and I know we can make it happen!

I will post another blog here in about 2 weeks to remind you and to update any info

Creatures great and small

noreply@blogger.com (Wayne Tolson) — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 04:12:00 +0000

One of the nice things in life is that when you like something, you usually find yourself surrounded by that most of the time. I was sitting back and taking a look at my last 2 weeks since the last time I was here and I thought about my everyday life. It was amazing how many times it involved animals (other than the dog park) surrounding me.

Here is a partial list
1)Turtle Extraction - It had been quite a while since I had seen a turtle up close but I got the chance last week. Somehow a turtle made it to the middle of one of our busiest streets, Admiral Drive. I am not sure where it was trying to go, but hanging out in the middle of this road would end it's journey quick. I saw it when I crested the hill. I was not sure what it was, but when I saw a head pop-up, I realized what it was. I slowed down, opened my door, picked it up, put him in my lap and took it to the other side of the road(I was told you never put them back where they came from because they will just do it again). With him safe and no traffic snarls, I moved on and he crawled off. What was my thank you(not that I expected one)? A stream of turtle pee on my leg!

2)Ice Cream Social -
Now, before you ask...how does this figure into this wonderful list? Well, it was a Ice Cream Social for Dogs! I was lucky enough to be invited to this little gathering and man was it a good time. I took the leash of a very young and strong, mixed-pooch. Anything and everything that looked like, smelled like or was food was in this one's sight. Along with my little sled dog, there were Danes, mixes, spaniels, and all kinds of four-legged marvels. It was great to walk around Annapolis (City Dock Area) and have people ask if just came from a dog show, if we are part of a parade, or just plain cooing! The Danes are great with people(not that the others weren't) and the people went crazy for them. After a short walk, we got some yogurt (I know it is not Ice Cream!) for the humans and the dogs (Thanks, Karen!). The dogs went crazy for these frozen delights, which in turn delighted everyone outside of Ben and Jerry's. It turned into a huge sticky mess with yogurt mixing in fur, ears and chins. I want to go again!

3)The Stalker Cat - There is a cat that lives across from me who has decided it wants to stalk my apartment. It is a friendly cat, well taken care of and one that seems to have no fear of humans or dogs. Every time I step outside, this little stalker comes out of nowhere to rub against me, purr and try to get an invitation to come and play with my crew. I have tried to explain to this little guy that, even though it may seem like a great idea to play with dogs, it is not usually a good match to do so. I am not truly a cat person, I love animals of all types, this guy has won me over. As much as I like this cat, it is just creepy to look outside my window and see eyes staring back at me from the porch across the way. It is like some bad indie horror movie.

4)Deer - They are everywhere I go. They walk in front of me when I leave Quiet Waters, have jumped out at me when I was walking in my neighborhood and have taunted the dogs from the other side of the fence. The ones in Quiet Waters, I can handle. They move on when you come by or they just stay in place and stare at you. But the one that jumped out from the woods had me shrieking like a kid. I know, I am a baby. But when it is late, dark and something that is taller than you, bigger than you, has instruments of pain attached to it's head, is looking pretty pissed off and jumps out from nowhere, I challenge you to be anything else!

5)Bat Man - I got lucky and found a bat in a parking lot... Woo Hoo! I like bats, but I am never quite sure how to deal with them, not that I have been around them that much. I was walking through a parking lot, looked down, and I saw something that looked like a ball of fur. Then I saw the wings. I knew that it was a bat, but I was not sure of whether it was alive or not. As I got down closer, I realized that this one was definitely alive, but not moving. I picked it up with a box top, put it in the bottom of the box and called someone who knew something about bats(I found the numbers on the web). They informed me on how to handle the bat and that they would be by the next day to come and pick it up. Home we went. The little guy(or gal) hung out with me (outside on my deck, with me inside) overnight. After it was taken away, in a VERY COOL bat cage, I was told I could donate and check on him. I did both and I found out the reason the bat was where it was...it was malnourished. They were giving him mealworms and they where helping him out. The cool part was that it was scheduled for take off later next week. One more thing... This story has another animal popping out. When I went to check on it, before they came, I looked in the box and could not see it. I was afraid that something had happened. I turned the box around and it was under the top (see pic) sleeping. I had my hand on the top of that box top and didn't even feel him there. I almost fell over when I saw it there!

As much as I love animals and have enjoyed the last few weeks, I will be working on thinking about other topics... ones I won't get into here... to see if I can surround myself with them as well!

Hot Spot

noreply@blogger.com (Wayne Tolson) — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 23:24:00 +0000

The Hot Spot.... No, it has not been the Dog Park (well, it may have been) but instead it was something that Steve decided to wake me up with one morning that has made my house the spot I have been for the last 2 weeks.

Steve, also known as Mr. OCD (don't know where he gets it from... maybe breeding), had a small spot on his leg where it looked like some fur had come loose. I didn't think too much about it because he had been blowing part of his old fur and it didn't look like much. I cleaned it and went to bed. When I woke up, I had a dog that had licked the fur, the size of a softball, off his back leg. I will not go into detail of what it looked like, but I had trouble looking at it myself. I had no idea what had happened and called my vet. She had a free appointment and I was able to get Steve right in. Side note....Do not try to take a hyper dog on a ride of more than 5 miles when all he wants to do is lick and scratch and you won't let him.... It will feel like FOREVER.

Back to the story...hope you are still with me and not reading about hybrid dogs or something. Anyway, I got Steve to the vet and found out he is allergic to fleas! My dog is allergic to fleas? I have heard stories about this, but I never truly believed it. I felt that a dog being allergic to fleas is like having a calf that is lactose intolerant. How can it be?

My vet looked at the mass of wet fur and nastiness and told me that I should be proud, as it was one of the worse cases she had seen. She was impressed with his level of focus (Oh, if she could see him with a ball at the park!) and his ability howl, wail, moan, talk and growl... all at the same time (while she was creating a new style for his fur coat and he was eating treats). You know what? I am proud of that. We worked hard on those skills by riding by bikers, getting close to cats and just seeing people out and about. It is just nice to have someone else see this and be impressed. It is validation. Of what, I am not sure.

We came home with about 20 bottles of pills (slight exaggeration), some surgical scrubs, cotton, a list of how to administer everything and a full explanation of what Steve had. One thing was missing. That was how much of a joy it was going to be to get Steve to take gel caps. Woo-Hoo! I would have paid good money to not do that. Peanut butter, cheese, bread, etc. all failed.I decided it was time to take matters into my own hands and boy was it ever so nice to stick my hand all the way down his throat numerous times (he figured how to work his tongue to get it back up). After 3 days of this, I got it down and I think Steve resided himself with the fact that this was going to happen 2 times a day. Though we did get the pill issue down, we still had the 2AM potty breaks and the 5AM potty breaks to deal with.

I know that dogs don't always have fleas, but everything you have seen in cartoons (Yes, I watch cartoons) with fleas having cookouts, summer shacks and bluegrass concerts on the backs of dogs, while the dog blissfully was unaware, made me unprepared for the news that Steve will never be able to hear the sounds of happy fleas. How sad is that? Instead, his body will reject the idea all together and decide to blow off some fur, cause lesions, create sleepless nights for both of us (thanks to whining and constant bathroom calls), rack up large vet bills and keep the pharmaceutical industry going strong. Stupid Fleas!

When I watch the old time cartoons and see those happy little fleas dancing and singing their little flea hearts out... I am going to yell at my TV because it was all lies! I was lied to and it was all just a lie! Guess you cannot believe everything you see in animation.

One last thing.... In working with EVBB (Eastern Veterinary Blood Bank), Social Pro Network and Muddy Paws, I have put together a Doggie Blood Typing Event for Doggie Blood Donations. I will have some more information on this in the next few days here (once we confirm times and such), but you can get some preliminary information here

One of a kind designer dogs

noreply@blogger.com (Wayne Tolson) — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 02:59:00 +0000

Ok... It is time for our first contest here. I am going to ask for your help with a little something for Steve. I need a designer name for him. He is a lab/border collie mix. I used a name generator and came up with "Jacob Bowers". I like that. Sounds like Jack Russell. If you can do better, let me know.

Back in the day, I paid a whole $40 for him at the shelter and he came fixed and ready to go. A girl there said "there are no mutts, just one of a kind designer dogs". I liked the sound of that, so I have used it many times over the years. Looking back on that, I realize I got a great deal on my, then, designer dog. We now have a whole cottage industry of "designer/hybrid dogs" where people shell out money for dogs that years ago were considered to be in the same class as Steve. I guess it only makes sense that in an age where people want hybrid cars, why not hybrid dogs?

I found a resource, http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/hybriddogs.htm , that shows over 300 different combos of hybrid dogs. Each name has a link to the dog-types, as well as pictures, of each. Oy Vey! or should I say, Ori Pei (which by the way is a Pug/Shar-Pei mix). Some of my favorites; Brat (Boston Terrier/Rat Terrier mix), Cheeks (Chihuahua/Pekingese mix), Frengle (French Bulldog/Beagle mix) and last but not least Shocker (Cocker Spaniel/Shiba Inu Mix).

Take a look at the pictures of all of your favorite "hybrids". Who knows? You may have picked up a hybrid without having to wait for 3 - 6 months, with a deposit, to get one or pay the extra price because of the hybrid naming.

Understand that I am not knocking this phenomenon, but find it intriguing. It seems like we are getting away from pure-breeds in favor of something that some of us knew...that having a hybrid can help alleviate the issues from the over-breeding of purebreds such as; hip and eye problems, skin conditions and other ailments. The hybrid dog can also allow you the option to you pick traits you want in a dog while allowing you to be able to say you have a shneagle (Beagle / Schnauzer mix) with a straight face. That last item, in itself, is worth all the money.

The dog park has a ton of shelter dogs, some Katrina dogs (Hey Bailey!!...Steve asked about you yesterday...) as well as hybrids and purebreds. What I have found is that regardless of whether you have a hybrid, a pure-bred or what is affectionately known as a mutt, dog people are dog people. We love our 4-legged friends. At the end of the day we all have our companions that can drive us crazy, make us laugh, comfort us or embarrass us in public, no matter what they look like. So maybe, even though Steve could be considered a Borador, I will just stick with one of a kind designer dog and leave it at that...

Spoiled Rotten

noreply@blogger.com (Wayne Tolson) — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 05:49:00 +0000

Dogs have many great traits. Each one has a unique personality that is derived from their upbringing, socialization and you. If you treat your dog like a spoiled little person, you are going to get a spoiled little dog. If you allow your dog to learn how things work in the dog world on its own, then you are going to have a very nicely adjusted dog.

I let my dogs be dogs. They learn by interacting with others on how to behave. This is the way nature intended it. Some dog owners feel that their dogs are not truly dogs, but furry fragile humans. They are not. They are more like little kids. Kids and dogs are similar in that they both want to get dirty, tease others, run at full speed, push limits and form friendships. If you shelter your kids and are overbearing and overprotective, you produce kids with social issues. Well, guess what? This is another similarity that kids and dogs share. If you yell at your dog (or other dogs) because they are playfully growling, rolling in the dirt, barking to be chased or basically acting like a dog should, you take away your dog being a dog. Your dog then becomes like you and starts responding negatively to "dogs" and poof! You have created a spoiled little dog.

They say "Let kids be kids, they can grow up later". Well, let your dog be a dog. They will sort it out just like the kids do and they will grow up well adjusted and slow down some. Do not allow your fears or overbearing persona control you and how you respond to your dog. I am not advocating letting your dog get hurt or traumatized. What I am saying is that you need to know your dog well enough to know what it is saying. Look at how your dog is playing. Listen to the different barks, tones of growling and watch their body language. They will give you cues to what your dog is feeling. Some play rough, some don't. Some sound like they are killing each other, some are quiet. Some like to roll on the ground, some like the chase. Usually, the dogs in the group will figure out who is who and play according. If you feel like there is a bully after your dog, ask the owner (politely) to have their dog stop. Do not yell at your dog to stop. It can only confuse your dog. What may have sounded bad, may have actually been fun for your dog and it may not understand what it was doing wrong. Try to keep the dogs apart for a few minutes and if your dog keeps going back, and there is no aggression, then your dog is not feeling threatened. This may be a new side of your dog. Relax. They will let you know.

The point of all this is the joy of having a dog is watching your dog in the world around it. Whether it is catching a Frisbee, rolling in the mud or chewing on the leg of a friend, your dog knows how to take care of itself more often than not. If you allow your dog to be dog, you can be a more relaxed owner and you will enjoy each other even more.

The Long Paws

noreply@blogger.com (Wayne Tolson) — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 16:35:00 +0000

Well, I just arrived back from my jaunt in the Great White North of Canada and it is funny how even when you are away from your animals they are still with you in spirit.

I dropped my crew off at a local retreat and immediately felt the pangs of separation anxiety starting to build. This was my first time dropping off the "kids" to the facility (though they had stayed there before) and I was not sure on how I was going to react. Luckily, when I went to Norway, a friend dropped them off for me (that in itself is a story for another time... let's just say it involves food spillage, lateness and constant barking) so I did not see the reactions. Boy, did I see them this time! I had faces looking at me like I was never coming back, pawing and a little bit of whining. I know that this is all guilt, but it works. Trust me. They know what they are doing and mine were working the guilt hard. As I drove away, all I could think about was that I wish I could be taking them with me, am I doing the right thing, etc...

The funny thing about this was that the last time the crew stayed at the kennel they came home clean, played out and didn't get out of bed for a day or two. It was a beautiful thing so I knew they would be in good hands and that I was going to have some needed R-n-R.

Well, the trip was a great time, but the canine gods were messing with me. I saw a ton of dogs that looked like mine and every time one would pass they would stop and look up at me. It was almost like they were saying to me... "I cannot believe you left your dogs alone!" It became almost comical.

As the week wore on and after dog after dog after dog gave me "the look", I called the retreat and was told that everyone was good and that Steve had manipulated someone else into throwing the ball until their arm hurt. They were eating well and playing with others. I had been discarded! Once I found out this tidbit of info I went in search of the carriers of guilt around where I was staying. Low and behold, none were found. Isn't that funny? Once I found out you are all working together to guilt me and that it is all a scheme, you are no where to be found?!

Leaving the North behind, I was determined to make sure that I was going to let my crew know that I knew what they had done and that they had forgotten all about me. As I pulled up to the retreat to get my crew, I was greeted right away by clean dogs (I hardly recognized them) who could barely contain themselves at the sound of my car. There was barking, jumping, running, you name the adjective and it was being performed. As I got out of the car to walk over to where they were, they bounded over to me and then to my car (I had to take them out and into the office to pay) Try as I might, I could not remember what it was that I was going to confront them with. As I was leaving a woman was sobbing and her dog was whining. I was having flashbacks from my time earlier and smiled. I knew that she and her dog were going to be okay.

Once we got home, everyone relaxed and fell into a deep sleep (mostly across my arms, legs, etc). Maybe the message wasn't that I was forgotten, but that I was being remembered. I need to work on my language skills.

Raising Canine...

noreply@blogger.com (Wayne Tolson) — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 03:38:00 +0000

When you talk about children it is sometimes said "It takes a village to raise a child". Well I am going to change that to "It takes a dog park to raise your canine". Now, before you start sending me nasty grams saying that you have a well adjusted dog that responds to you, does not move furniture while you are away or can grab the remote (or beer) on command... hear me out. By the way, if your dog does do all that, let me know how much you will charge me to have you teach mine all of that.

As far as how I see the proverb...it means that if you have a group of people watching out for the best interest of your child, you will have a child that is well developed and cared for. Well, believe it or not, it is the same way for your pooch.

In the time that I have been going to the dog park, I have seen many a dog come in with its tail between its legs and sticking its body either against the fence, in the legs of the owner or under the bench. Over time, the dog starts to see the same people and the same dogs. It starts to realize that it will not be eaten by these other dogs and that it can actually have fun being a dog. It is great to watch how, as the dog becomes more accepted by the other dogs, it starts to show its true personality. Your dog, without you or him knowing it, has become part of a village and you have become an elder.

The village is not something that is concrete. There are many villages. Many people, and dogs, travel from one to the other. The villages are guided by rules that are unspoken, done without thinking and are widely accepted by the elders. You, as an elder, have certain responsibilities to the village. You have to make sure that the new members learn how things are done. This means that you have to acquaint them with the protocols of the dog park, the hierarchy of the village and which ball belongs to Steve. With this responsibility, comes the authority to help stop a behavior when someone (read dog) is being bad. Whether it is digging holes to China (Hey the Olympics are there!), playing with the water dishes (Can we please tell Duncan his ball is clean?) or simply becoming a little too acquainted with another canine (Gus really needs to buy Steve dinner or something). You understand that other elders will tell your dog to stop and you will do the same with their dog(s). It becomes a comfort knowing that you have someone else who cares about you and your dog and that you do not have to have stress.

If we can just work on creating better canines, everyone will benefit. No matter what village helped to raise it.

Fido and the Forth

noreply@blogger.com (Wayne Tolson) — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 01:59:00 +0000

The forth is this Friday and I cannot believe it. It seems like only yesterday I was walking the dogs in the Spring showers.... hold on a minute, it was yesterday!

Anyway, with the Forth comes all kinds of excitement and adventure for your pooch. If you have a very social dog, they will enjoy smelling everyone and everything around them. If you have an anxious dog, they will be celebrating once the Fireworks stop. Whichever category your 4-legged friend falls into, make sure they are not overwhelmed and frightened by the crowds or the constant booming.

It is easy for you and your dog(s) to have a safe holiday and one that will have both of you enjoying the day. Just remember these 3 simple things; Don't overfeed (or give your dog table scraps that they might not be used to), make sure they always have water and lastly let them know they are safe (either in their safe place in your house or next to you at the cooler).

If you are heading downtown to see the fireworks, I have found something that will be fun for you and your dog. The Crabtowne Cannines are doing their 5th annual parade march. This year the theme is "300 wags for Annapolis" 1708-2008. For $15 you get a shirt (with the special themed logo on it), a bandana for the dog and water to keep all creatures hydrated. All excess monies will be given to the Anne Arundel SPCA... So go to Paws Boutique or call their shop at 410.263.8683 to register. You will have a great time, get to hang out with other dog people and support the SPCA and our Country. I am going to try to be there, but may have to work.

As far as what to do for the parade, I would usually say don't over do it with doggie costumes... but, hey, this is for 300 years of Annapolis proper. A town that embraces dogs. So, embarrass Fido for the day. He will forgive you, if you have enough treats!

Lastly I want to say thank you to everyone who has sent comments and asked me about the blog. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. Have a safe and happy holiday.

Common Bonds

noreply@blogger.com (Wayne Tolson) — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 04:13:00 +0000

It is funny how when you start talking to a dog person, you automatically start to bond with them. You realize that it takes a certain person to deal with having a dog. The joys of potty-training, long cold walks in the rain, keeping fur off of your clean plates (which by the way, are in the cabinet) and of course yourself. You know that if that person can put up with that then they are probably a good person.

I would not trade any of what I have been through for anything. My dogs have been there for me when my dad died, I changed jobs and I moved to a new house. They don't ask questions of where I have been, what I have been doing... All they want is to know that I am home and that I am as happy to see them as they are to see me. More often, than not, that is the case. There have been certain times when I come home to find that my living room has been rearranged to their tastes and they have decided to sample the delicacies out of my trash can. But, hey. That is part of the joy. I cannot get mad at them because by the time I get home they have forgotten what they have done, but I can be not overly happy...

Speaking of not being happy. My dogs know when they are doing something that they are not supposed to do. I let them know using verbal tones and sound cues to get them to stop and focus on me. I used clicker training on mine as well as snapping my fingers. It has worked well for me. You can try any type of noise distraction that will work. From pennies in a can to a chain in sock thrown on the ground, you have to be able to get your dog to focus or else you will never have control. They will become the pack leader and you will be just a member. You want to make sure YOU are the Alpha. That does not mean that you have to do anything that will hurt, or demean, your dog. It means that you need to let the dog know its place in your household. I make sure that I eat first (they go the bathroom first), that I do what I have around the house first and that they always stay behind me (off leash) or beside me (on leash)

I love The Dog Whisperer. He is definitely an Alpha. He gets dogs to do what they should be doing and lets the dog know where it stands in "the pack" of your household. It has been proven that dogs that know where they are in the "pack hierarchy" are much calmer and responsive. Those who are not sure, tend to be more anxious and have behavioral problems.

On the subject of pack mentality, I pay attention to all types of interactions with people and their dogs. I notice how the dog behaves and how the person trying to interact with the dog behaves. I have been able to put together a list of names for the behaviors of people:

1) The Repeater - This person feels that if they say the dog's name 100 times real fast the dog will either come or respond. Good luck with that. Your dog will ignore you just to see how many more times you will call it
2) The Sitter - This person thinks that if they shout commands from a sitting position that the dog will stop. Forget it. Your dog will be thinking... "If he cannot be bothered to get up to get me, why should I be bothered to come"
3) The Denier - Yes, that is a word... This person denies that their dog is doing anything wrong, out of line or possibly even exists (depending on what they are doing) If you deny you know your dog, you expect them to accept you?
4) The Screamer - Yell a little louder... They can't hear you at the North Pole! Like I would come to you if you were yelling at me... good luck with that. When people yell at dogs when they are barking, it rarely works. That is because your dog is doing its version of yelling and you are just yelling back. Try to use a calm voice.
5) The Lover - This person sounds like they have sugar dripping from every pore of their being. Your dog is too embarrassed to come to you. It is like when you were a kid and your mom dropped you off in "the family wagon"

There are ways to keep your dogs attention and control in a few simple steps. Make sure you reward for right and DO NOT hit or yell for wrong. Also speak commands clearly and in the proper tone. Do not say Sit 5 times. Say it once and wait for the response. Be consistent and don't get frustrated. Dogs will learn if you take the time to work with them. Also, make sure you take them to an obedience class and practice in areas where there are distractions. Your dog will be better because of it and the time spent working and bonding will make it so you both can be happy.

Dog Days of Summer

noreply@blogger.com (Wayne Tolson) — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 00:07:00 +0000

In my last blog I talked about how great it was to get out and take your pooch(es) to the local parks and beaches. This time I want to talk to you about when it is best to leave your pets at home and what you can do to make this a great and safe summer for you and your furry companions.

Here are the top 5 things you should know:

1) The most important item of all. Do not take your dog with you to run errands if it means they are going to stay in the car. They are safer, and better off, at home while you run around. If you have a dog that is anxious about you leaving, work on crate training. Dogs left in cars can suffer brain damage, and even death, within a very short period of time. Dogs have a normal body temperature of around 101-102 degrees. They can only withstand heat of 107-108 degrees for a VERY SHORT amount of time. A car, on an 85 degree day, can reach that temp within about about 15 minutes. Watch out for the following signs; Panting, Dehydration, Diarrhea, Red mouth and red eye membranes, rapid/irregular heart beat, weakness, dazed look, high body temp or coma. If you see any of these, in any animal that is in a car, get medical care right away. If you see a dog locked in a car with the windows up, notify someone right away or try to find the owner. You could save a life. If you are interested in learning more, check out this great site. It has great info and tools to help you.

2) Make sure you keep your dog hydrated. When you go for a jog, swim or just a long walk, make sure you bring water for you and your dog. There are a ton of great travel bowls. The one I use is made from a fabric material and folds down to the size of a CD. I just unfold it and fill it and we are good to go. This is very important as dogs do not sweat like humans. They only sweat from their footpads and nose. They lose water by panting rather than sweating. Keep an eye on their activity level and how heavy your dog is panting. Also, look for signs of the above mentioned heatstroke.

3) Don't overexercise. I know that is not going to be a problem for me, but for Steve (who is OCD for a certain red ball) that is a little harder. He will go until he cannot anymore. I have to regulate him and make sure he is not overdoing it and getting too hot. Most dogs will just lay down when it is too hot, others cannot help themselves. It is best to keep in mind that if you are uncomfortable exercising in the heat, try doing it in a fur coat.

4) Speaking of fur coats... Be careful when you groom your dog. Some dogs have what is called a double coat and should NEVER be shaved. Steve is one of them. The lower coat actually acts as an insulator and helps with body temp. If you are unsure, ask your vet. If you do have a dog that can be shaved, try to keep the fur to no less than one inch. Dogs can get sunburned just like humans, so keep an eye out for that.

5)Festivals, parks and events. Not all places are dog friendly. Sandy Point is a great example. You can bring your dog in if you are going out on a boat, but not if you are visiting the park for any other purpose. Most state parks have the same rules. Festivals may seem like a great place to hang with your furry one, but be careful as hot asphalt can burn pads, leashes can get tangled with people and your dog may get into something that could make it very sick. As far as events go, there are many great dog friendly events that you and your dog can enjoy. Just make sure your dog is ready for the crowds and energy.

If you follow common sense with your companion(s) and make sure that they are safe, hydrated, kept cool and in your control you both will have a great summer of great memories. I will leave you with a very cool link... Interesting!

Park Protocol

noreply@blogger.com (Wayne Tolson) — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 01:20:00 +0000

Let me ask you a question. Where can you go in Annapolis and talk about your private life intimately and find out about someone else in the same way? Oh, and not even know their first name? Give up? It is your local dog park.

I have been going to Quiet Waters Dog Park for over 5 years. It is my favorite place in Annapolis and I look forward to every time I can get there. It is a great park (it was voted in the top 10 in the country) with a nice layout for the enclosed portion and a great beach to allow swimming. I enjoy the variety of dogs and people, but I still know very few first names of people I have met over that time and very few know mine. I know these people well enough to know where they vacationed, where they work, who they are married to, or dating, and what kind of car they drive. But quiz me on their first names and I would probably score about 50%. That may sound bad, but I do consider the 'regulars' I know to be my friends. I know that not all of them know my name. I am constantly called Steve, who by the way is my dog and not my first name. If I run into someone I know from the dog park outside of the enclosed chain links, I will be called Steve's dad. When someone is entering the park, it is not 'hey, it is Jim and his dog'. No, it is 'hey, it is rover and his dad.'

While I am on the subject of names, the name Rover, Spot or Fido used to be 'the dog names'. Those three names had 90% of the dogs covered. Now, we name our dogs more and more with human names than ever before. I was at the park tonight and out of the 8 dogs, four had human names; Steve, Duncan, Thomas and Frankie were all in attendance. This may not seem like a big deal, but there are many times when there are only human names in the park. That can make for an interesting time. Like when I am trying to get Steve's attention and the man across the park is Steve. I am not sure why this is happening, but I know I am not naming my kid Rover or Spot, but I do like the names Bailey and Indigo.

Dog parks have their own etiquette and their own rules. I am not talking about what is written down and posted, but what is unspoken or unwritten. I am going to try to write some them down and let you know what they are so you and your companion can enjoy yourself in the dog park. I may be kicked out of the pack for this, but here they are:

Do not ask someone for their name. Wait until you have been coming to the park for about 6 months, or so, before you do. Talk to us all about our dogs and how great they are and you can ask all you want about a person's life, but if you ask for a name you may be labeled as strange.
Make sure you pay attention to where your dog goes to the bathroom. We do not want to have to yell at you to tell you where it is. We are too busy talking about the person who is introducing themselves to everyone.
Do not wear clothes that you do not want to get dirty. You WILL have muddy paw prints and dog spit on you when you leave. It is a dog park and not a prom. Remember, the dirtier the dog, the more fun it had and PLEASE do not whine when you see how filthy you are.
Do not bring food or treats into the park unless you really, really want all the attention. Don't be surprised when you have been jumped on, stared at or nudged by every dog in the park. Also, like in elementary school, if you don't bring enough to share, don't bring any.
Lastly, do not come into the dog area with a child in a stroller or to play Frisbee, lacrosse or catch. That is what the other 300+ acres are for. Allow us with human names to have fun in our little piece of the park.

Dog parks are a great way for you to play and have fun with your dog. They can be the best way to help you and your furry companion to bond and work on social skills as well as practicing your obedience training. We are extremely lucky to have as many dog-friendly parks as we do in our area. When you visit a local dog park, remember to enjoy yourself and allow your companion to do the same. You will both be better for it.