Scratchings-and-Sniffings

Back Packing with Miles

Miles got his first taste of back packing last weekend. I posted some photos on Monday and have more for today's post. Phil and Alice went along with us and we all had a great time. Miles got a little beat up but it's all part of the learning process for a puppy. He may look like an adult dog but he's still a puppy when it comes to common sense and he'll be that way for another year at least.

One thing he is learning is that not all dogs want to play puppy games all the time.

First Clicker Training Class for Miles

We've had a run of bad weather the last few weeks so our first clicker training class with Miles was delayed until this morning.

We did have the orientation where we got the basics including the concept behind clicker training. As I mentioned in more detail in a previous post on this topic, clicker training is nothing more than operant conditioning. First you get the dog conditioned to the idea that the noise of the clicker means a reward is soon to follow. Once that is accomplished you use the clicker to identify the behavior you are looking for. When you see the behavior you want, you click and then, treat.

This morning we worked on a few exercises that are designed to make training of specific command like "come" easier to train down the road. The first exercise was to get Miles to move forward and touch my hand with his muzzle. Starting out, if he even looked at the hand he got a click and a treat.

Yes, you can come to BlogPaws! BlogPaws or Bust!

For regular readers, this announcement will spark LOTS MORE excitement. For new readers, this announcement will spark TANTILIZING NEW excitement. Either way, you'll be excited! How could you not be?

Over at BlogPaws, my other pet project, we're preparing for the first and best pet blogger conference on the planet. We have a fantastic line-up of speakers and sponsors, and our committee members are busy tweeting about the event every day. One thing we've discovered is that this kind of came about rather quickly (it did - we thought about it, created it, and hit the ground running just a few months ago) and some people are dying to come but need a little help.

Vets Without Borders

You've probably heard of Doctors Without Borders. This organization travels the globe providing much needed medical assistance in war or natural disaster ravaged countries. They were on the scene in Haiti within days of that disaster.

Turns out we have a similar group of Veterinarians, Animal Health Technicians and Veterinary Students. World Vets is an international animal aid group that currently has projects in 12 countries on five continents.

 

While they are sending a team to Haiti, their model is a little different than Doctors Without Borders. World Vets focuses on sustainable relationships with partner nations. They work with local authorities, health officials and community leaders to establish ongoing veterinary aid programs in mostly developing nations. 

Doggie Prozac

Ok, so is this a good thing, or a bad thing? According to the DailyMail out of the UK, "A dog version of the anti-depressant Prozac has been approved for sale to British pet owners."

Prozac, for dogs. Interestingly, I used to say Carmie needed some doggie Prozac, when she would not allow her lick granuloma to heal. Then, we put a sock on it and I stopped talking about doggie Prozac. When my daughter was having trouble with Twiggy, her Greyhound, dealing with separation anxiety, I started thinking about doggie prozac again...knowing, of course, that there wasn't any such thing.

I know there were and are medications you can give your pet, for separation anxiety, but most of us would choose behavior modification, wouldn't we? Or, would we (should we?) resort to the help of drugs?

That's One Big Dog

Have you heard about George the really Great Dane? He's been all over the news the last couple of days after being named world's tallest dog by the Guinness Book of World Records.

It's a pretty interesting story. Apparently, a Guinness official had to go to George's home in Tucson for an official measuring attended by George's Veterinarian among others. The title was in dispute as another Dane from California was also in the running.

George measured a whopping 43 inches at the shoulder, beating out the California Dane by a mere 3/4 inch. According to the AKC, a male Dane must be at least 30 inches at the shoulder to meet the breed standard. George beats that by one Beagle.

Pet Dental Health Month: A Scratchings & Sniffings Out Loud - Home Care

In this, our second session of Scratchings & Sniffings Out Loud with Dr. Grace and Dr. Larry, we discuss homecare for pet dental health month. Yes, you can and should be brushing your dog and cat's teeth at home. There are a number of ways to do this, and you should be using a pet dental care toothpaste, not people toothpaste. (the first session can be located here: Pet Dental Health Month: Part I.)

Listen up: 

The Grumpy Old Lady: Goes to the vet

They got that "thing" out again, yesterday. That thing I had to sleep in on the trip here, from NY to CO. (see the truck and me and Mom in this picture; the sleepy-inside thing is in the truck next to us) I wasn't sure why - I haven't seen it since we moved in. But, once we got in the car, I figured it out. They were taking me to the vet!

Ok, I'm not like some cats. I don't hate the vet's office. It's something different - and once in awhile I like to see something different. That's why Mom is holding me up to look out the window, in this picture.

My old vet, back in NY, was a cat vet - she didn't see dogs at her office. I don't know about this new vet. He was nice, and the tech girl was nice, but I didn't see or hear dogs or cats. Hmm... maybe CO vet offices are different than NY vet offices.

Miles Goes on Vacation

We took Miles to Tucson for Valentine's Day weekend. We stayed at Loew's Ventana Canyon Resort, a swanky and uber dog friendly place. Miles got a special tag, bowl and treat at check in and they even have a dog "room service" menu. Of course, Miles eats only Purina ONE, so he passed on that.

We had a blast. Chris hit the spa, I tried my luck on the "Shoot Out", the best group bike ride/ race in the West and Miles relaxed in regal fashion.

 

This place is nestled in the mountains on the north edge of Tucson and blends right in with the desert. We took Miles on several hikes in the area and he chased Road Runners and almost got into it with a roving band of Javelina's. Good thing he was on his leash and Gentle Walker Dog Harness.

A True Chameleon... Fascinating Stuff!

I found this fascinating video on the IN® Pet Supplement blog. It requires some patience - watch all the way through. You'll be amazed. At least, I was.