We are fortunate to live in an area with lots of loved canine family members!

Yesterday, April 28, I presented a talk and info session on this very topic. Joining me with their invaluable expertise were trainer, Lauren Ranghelli, and compassionate and dedicated Animal Welfare Department officer, Captain Albert Marquez. We did this presentation for the Embudo Canyon Neighborhood Association, and had attendees from the Foothills and beyond.

If you were there, thank you so much for attending! We hope you found the information useful for you and your dog(s).

Here are links for the resources we mentioned. (A PDF of the presentation will be posted shortly.) If you have any questions, please send me an email: info(at)dogparent(dot)com or use the contact form.

Nina Ottoson Puzzle Toys   http://www.nina-ottosson.com/
Whiskey demonstrated his expertise with one of these. These are excellent mental games for dogs, and provide enrichment and fun for both you and your dog. And for dogs who chow down a bit too quickly, you can use a device like this for feeding time (dry kibble only, of course). Check out the assortment of interactive puzzles on her site! You can purchase some locally at Long Leash On Life (see below), online at Amazon, or through her website directly.

Long Leash On Life  http://www.longleashonlife.com/
If you haven’t been to Long Leash On Life yet, go…and bring your pup! This natural health food store for dogs and cats is a source for all things good. From healthy foods and treats to the latest in positive, natural training products, toys, and more, you’ll love Long Leash On Life. And so will your fur babies.
9800 Montgomery Blvd, Suite 13
Albuquerque 87111

La Cumbre Brewing Co.  http://www.lacumbrebrewing.com/
For a truly dog-friendly experience and a tasty micro-brew, Whiskey loves going to La Cumbre. Your pup must be well-behaved and on-leash, of course, but is welcome inside the place. They don’t serve food, which may be why it’s okay for pups to visit.
3313 Girard NE
Albuquerque 87107

Animal Humane Association Agility Park and Classes  http://animalhumanenm.org/index.php/humane/behavior/training/
Find the very best classes for pups at Animal Humane Association (at various locations). Their brand new agility park is beautiful and ready for fun! Their Agility for Fun classes are 7 weeks long and fill up quickly, so be sure to check the website, click on class name, click on class name again on the calendar, and register ASAP! Whiskey will be attending the next session (starts June 9th).
Animal Humane Main Campus
615 Virginia St SE
Albuquerque 87108

Animal Humane’s TAIL DATE Social Club  http://animalhumanenm.org/index.php/humane/news/tail_date/
Meet other dog lovers at various fun and pet-friendly events when you join Tail Date. A modest yearly membership fee entitles you to monthly invitations to Tail Date events, 10% off at Animal Outfitters, discounts at various local businesses, and a whole new set of dog-loving acquaintances!

The KONG: Stuffed and Frozen!  http://www.kongcompany.com/
We love Kong for making durable, functional toys for dogs! The Kong original is a classic, available in various ‘strengths’ for the full range of canine chewers. Lauren spoke about stuffing a Kong, freezing it, then giving it to pooch for hours of tasty fun. As with all chew toys, make sure you supervise your dog and know his/her chewing habits. You can get Kong toys at lots of places, including Long Leash On Life and online at Amazon..

Freedom Harness, by Wiggles, Wags, and Whiskers  http://www.wiggleswagswhiskers.com/newsite/freedom-no-pull-harness.htm
After testing just about every no-pull harness/device around, this one ranks at the very top for several reasons: it’s comfy (with a velvet lined section under the arms), secure, and WORKS! We would NEVER recommend pinch collars or choke chains (choke chains should be outlawed: they can inflict all sorts of serious injuries to your dog’s neck and spine and can even suffocate the dog). You can order this in a range of colors from Long Leash On Life. Read more about it on the Wiggles, Wags & Whiskers website or read some reviews on Amazon.

On-the-Go-Dog Speed-e Treat dispenser  http://www.ourpets.com/products_onthegodog.html
Lauren demonstrated how easy this treat dispenser is to use. You load it from the top, and just squeeze the bottom for the treats to come out. You can keep your pockets clean, and give treats easily and quickly while training and playing with your dog. Lauren wears hers on her belt loop, I use the lanyard option and wear it around my neck. Either way, this is one of the nicest, cleanest, easiest treat ‘bags’ we’ve found (and believe me, we’ve tried many!). You can get one right away at Long Leash On Life, or order online at Amazon.

Animal Protection of New Mexico’s Cruelty Hotline  http://www.apnm.org/programs/report_animal_fighting.php
Animal Protection of New Mexico is an organization whose mission is to advocate the rights of animals by effecting systemic change, resulting in the humane treatment of all animals. Working state-wide, their efforts focus on ensuring the humane treatment of animals. They run a hotline for reporting animal cruelty. The number is 1-877-5HUMANE. Learn more about the organization and its vital, good work at www.apnm.org.

Calming Cap
So sorry to discover that the company who originally made this (Premier) is no longer making it. We’re hoping that a new company takes over production and brings this brilliant, successful product back to us! In the meantime, you can find some at Long Leash On Life or online at Amazon.
For another alternative to the Calming Cap that works just as well, check out the Thundershirt (www.thundershirt.com). Using the discovery that gentle constant pressure is very soothing and calming to the nervous system (see a great demonstration of this in use for autism in the film about Temple Grandin: “Thinking in Pictures: My Life with Autism”). Almost every dog with anxiety will find instant, natural relief when he puts on his Thundershirt. You can find this at Long Leash On Life or online at Amazon.

If there’s anything else you would like more information on, just write me a note at info(at)dogparent(dot)com or use the contact form. Woof!

When someone you know has lost their beloved fur angel, finding the right words can be difficult. Some people don’t get it—the depth of the loss. But if you do understand, you’ll appreciate this awesome find. Heart Speak Message Cards are handmade and say it all so perfectly and beautifully, you’ll no doubt be quite moved when you read them. They make their cards in two versions: “In Spirit” for pets who have passed on, and “Celebrating the Journey” to acknowledge the current bond between a pet parent and their beloved pet. The writing is so beautiful (positive and heartwarming), the images are precious, and the cards are soft and rich to touch, each printed on handmade paper with handmade envelopes. I’ve already sent out two, and anticipate sending many more. For sympathy or celebration, this is a site you’ll want to bookmark.

As the brilliant author, researcher, and professor, Temple Grandin, says in her book, Animals Make Us Human:

“What dogs probably need isn’t a substitute pack leader but a substitute parent. I say that because, genetically, dogs are juvenile wolves, and young wolves live with their parents and siblings…Dog owners do need to be the leader, but not because a dog will become ‘alpha’ if they don’t. Dog owners need to be the leader the same way parents do. Good parents set limits and teach their kids how to behave nicely, and that’s exactly what dogs need, too.”

She goes on to explain that the evolutionary process of dogs resulted in their being developmentally arrested, so to speak, at a young age. Less like a wolf, more like a wolf cub. As such, they need parents to guide, protect, and care for them. This is not ‘humanizing’ the dog. Rather, it is an accurate and appropriate behavior response to an animal that has been bred to retain it’s puppy-like characteristics, so as to better co-exist with humans.

You can read all about this in greater detail in Ms. Grandin’s book. But for now, know that the love, guidance, and trusting, responsible care you provide your dog is absolutely the right thing to do.

1. Custom Doggie Illustrations by Animator, Lili Chin

By Lili Chin

It was serendipity. I was at the most awesome Clicker Expo last January and happened to be sitting next to a really sweet person who happened to be Lili Chin. She gave me her card and I knew (having been in the commerical arts for a lonnnnnng time) that this was one seriously talented illustrator.

Her illustrations are gorgeous, cartoon-like, sweet, perfect. She’s an animator, too, which partially explains the talent level. Her custom illustrations are priced according to number of doggie subjects (1 dog=$100, 2 dogs=$160, etc.). Get one. You’ll love it. Get one for someone else’s pup. They’ll love it.

2. A Custom Blanket from Photoweavers

A sample of a throw by PhotoWeavers

If it wouldn’t ruin a surpise, I’d post a photo of the great throw I ordered from Photoweavers. Can you just imagine how someone would feel receiving a soft, cotton, woven throw with the image of a beloved dog on it? Not just any dog, THEIR dog! And if the gift is for someone who’s beloved pup has passed on… well, you can imagine how well that would go over. No words necessary. Love this. Cost is $129. And you’ll save 30% if you use this code: FRIENDSANDFAMILY  at PhotoWeavers.com.

3. The book: Don’t Shoot the Dog! The New Art of Teaching and Training by Karen Pryor.

Don't Shoot the Dog by Karen Pryor

Ignore the title and check out this brilliant read about the science of learning. “Karen Pryor is a scientist with an international reputation in two fields: marine mammal biology and behavioral psychology. Through her work with dolphins in the 1960s, she pioneered modern, force-free animal training methods.” That’s from her website, Reaching the Animal Mind. She’s also the creator of Clicker Training.

First published in 1984, this is the SCIENCE of learning. It’s real, it works, and it’s beneficial to both you and your companion animals. Don’t be trapped in the dark ages with ‘whispering’ and ‘dominance’ and ‘pack leader’ folklore. Give this book to someone you love.

4. Cow Udder Liners Make Great Dog Toys?

Helping Udders Tug Toy

Here at Dog Parent, we love companies that support rescue organizations. And through DailyKibble, we found out about a company that makes the coolest dog toys out of recycled udder liners! Helping Udders takes the previously discarded rubber liners that are used in commercial milking factories and turns them into doggy toys for chewing, tugging, and general doggy fun.

They come in all shapes and sizes (for all shapes and sizes of dogs), some have ropes attached, some incorporate bungees. And when you buy these cool toys from Helping Udders, you get to choose which rescue will receive a part of the purchase price. They have a huge list of rescue organizations on their site, and, to date, more than $170,000 has been donated. Now how cool is that?

5. Always in Your Heart, for Sure

Always in My Heart pendant from Humane Domain

The Humane Society of the US has an online shop called Humane Domain. We found this beautiful heart-shaped pendant necklace that can be personalized with your fur angel’s name on the back. On the front, the heart-shaped pendant says “Always in my heart” with a paw print. So precious!

It’s available in pewter ($19.50) or sterling silver ($59.50), and the name engraving on the back is included in the price. The chain is a 20” cable style. Who wouldn’t love this gift?

6. How Many Bowls of Food will Your Purchase Fund?

A jewelry find at The Animal Rescue Site

The Animal Rescue Site is part of The Greater Good Network, and helps fund non-profits that are working for animal causes. Their shop sells an adorable line of signature paw print products.

We’ve been shopping at The Animal Rescue Site for years and have never been disappointed by the quality and great prices on their jewelry and accessories. Plus, they calculate the aid provided in terms of “bowls of food funded.” Check out the Paw Print jewelry, accessories, and clothing. You’ll probably become a regular, happy customer.