Paws to Review Your Petiquette

Now that summer is officially here, it’s time to get out of the house and see the world.  Even if that means you only make it across town, it’s time to get out and do things.  But don’t forget to bring the dog.  There will be plenty of opportunities this summer to share an adventure with your pup, which means now is the best time to brush up on your petiquette.  

 Here are 10 simple petiquette rules that every dog and dog owner should practice.  And even though these refer to the dog park, these manners are good rules of thumb for any dog interaction scenario.

#1.   Choose the appropriate area for your dog.  Most dog parks have a small dog yard and a big dog yard.  While you may be ok with your smaller dog in the big dog yard, you cannot expect larger dogs to accommodate you by restricting their play and you assume the additional risk.  Larger dogs are not usually appreciated in the smaller dog yards at all. 

#2.  Enter the dog park (or any dog situation) calmly.  Never let your dog get overly excited or aggressive when approaching or entering an area with a lot of dogs. Too much excitement or fear will elevate the energy level of all the dogs greeting him/her and that high energy level can lead to problems.  Work on rewarding calm energy around the park and discourage elevated energy of any kind.

#3.  Watch your dog.  A trip to the dog park is not the time to get lost in conversation or stick your nose in a book.  A trip to the dog park is about bonding with your dog by interacting with him/her, reading his/her body language, and observing his/her interactions with other dogs.  Any situation can change in a moment.  Owners should be close by and ready to take action if needed.

#4.  Avoid an ambush.  Too often dogs will be surrounded by other dogs when entering the park. This level of energy can escalate very fast and, depending on the mix of dog personalities, it can lead to a serious problem.  When a new dog arrives, call your dog over to you and give him/her some attention until the new dog has a chance to get through the gate.  Wait for the crowd to disperse then let your dog go and greet.  I'm sure your dog would appreciate this same courtesy when entering the park as well.

#5.  Don’t let your dog obsess over another dog.  Too much attention can be a very bad thing, and unlike humans, dogs can’t use words to express their displeasure.  If your dog is annoying another dog he/she is at risk for a bite (or worse).  Puppies are usually the biggest offenders.  If your dog is obsessing over another dog who does not want his/her attention try to refocus his/her attention on something else. If that doesn’t work, you may need to leave early.

#6.  Keep your puppy in line.  While you may love and adore puppies, most adult dogs do not care for puppies at all. Why? Because puppies lack dog manners and constantly break petiquette rules.  And while other dogs may be the best teachers for a puppy (most of the time) you should keep in mind that not all owners appreciate their dog being bothered for the sake of your puppy’s petiquette lesson.  If your puppy is obsessing over another dog, refer to #5.  You may also consider befriending other puppy owners and coordinating a meetup time for your puppies to play together.  

#7.  Curb your dog’s barking.  If your dog barks out of excitement or frustration, you may be irritating other dogs and their owners.  Barking can be considered aggressive and excessive barking will get you complaints. To avoid scowls and dog fights, work with your dog more at home on curbing his/her barking habit.   

#8.  Pick up your dog’s poop.  There are no employees who come to pick it up and there are no magical poop-be-gone fairies to make it disappear.  More importantly, there are no excuses for not picking up after your dog.  And nothing ruins your day like when you or your dog steps in poop while trying to enjoy your time at the park.  We won’t even get into the unsanitary statistics of it all.  Pick up after your dog.

#9.   Dogs have good days and bad days.  If your dog seems to be overly aggressive, sensitive, or irritable in any way, then the dog park is not the place to go that day.  This could mean changing your plans for the day or leaving the dog park early.  Despite the wrench in your plans, avoiding a dog fight should always be your priority.

#10.  Don’t let your dog jump on or scratch at people’s legs for attention, no matter how small they are.  Small dogs are the worst offenders and because they are so cute we let them get away with it instead of discouraging the habit.  Of course, when those small dogs grow up to be big dogs weighing 60lbs plus, it isn’t so cute anymore.  Great or small, no one likes to be a dog’s jungle gym or scratching post, so be considerate of others.  

Calling All Paws to the Bark for Life Event

Looking for something to do with your dog tomorrow?  Well you are in luck because the 3^rd annual Corona Bark for Life walk will take place tomorrow, April 28^th, at The Shops at Dos Lagos in Corona. 

What is Bark for Life?

“The American Cancer Society Bark For Life^TM is a noncompetitive walk event for dogs and their owners to raise funds and awareness for the American Cancer Society's fight against cancer.” –RelayforLife.org/barkcoronaca

The Corona Bark for Life is a fundraiser event for the annual Corona Relay for Life (a 24-hour relay), which will be held May 19^th - 20^th at Santana Park.

The annual Corona Bark for Life is hosted and organized by mother and daughter team, Colleen Cain and Stephanie Gott, to honor the memory of over 11 family members who have passed away from cancer, including beloved husband and father, Bill Cain.  Bark for Life also honors the many service dogs who assist cancer patients and those who have passed away from cancer. 

Why should I help?

·         Approximately 1 out of every 3 women in the U.S. will develop cancer in their lifetime.

·         Almost 1 of every 2 men in the U.S. will develop cancer in their lifetime.

·         1 out of every 9 dogs in the U.S. dies of cancer each year.

·         Cancer is the 2^nd leading cause of death in the U.S., exceeded only by heart disease.

By supporting or participating in Bark for Life, you help the American Cancer Society raise much-needed funds and awareness to help save lives and reach their ultimate goal, which is to “create a world with less cancer and more birthdays.”

How can I get involved?

You can support the American Cancer Society Bark for Life by donating, participating, and

spreading the word. 
 

By donating to the American Cancer Society you can provide support to cancer patients and their families in the community.  And with the proper funding, the American Cancer Society will be able to offer a broad range of essential programs and services at no cost to the recipient. To donate, log on to www.relayforlife.org/barkcoronaca

 

To participate simply come with your dog(s) to The Shops at Dos Lagos, located at 2780 Cabot Drive in Corona.  This year’s Grand Marshall will be Assemblyman Jeff Miller of the 71^st Assembly District (which includes Corona, Eastvale, Norco, and a few cities in Orange County). The event kicks off with the walk but it doesn’t stop there.  There is plenty of fun to had after the walk including the agility course, doggy costume contests, vendors, food, adoptions, demonstrations and more.  New this year to the festivities is the Doxie races, which are always fun to watch.  The event is from 9a.m. – 3p.m. and the entry fee to join the walk is $20 for the first dog, and $10 for every immediate family dog after that. For more information, or to pre-register your dog, log on to www.relayforlife.org/barkcoronaca or call (951) 283-9128.

   

If you can’t donate or participate you can still make a difference by passing on this

information and encouraging your friends and family to support the cause in whatever way
they can.  Every little bit helps and together we can make a difference and save lives.

The Unknown Dogs of the Titanic

We all know the epic love story of Jack and Rose in James Cameron’s Titanic (currently being reshown in theaters everywhere). But do you know the stories of the 12 dogs that boarded to RMS Titanic, only 3 of which survived?  Not many do, that was until now, thanks to one professor in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and news of his exhibit which has gone viral.

April 10^th, 1912 marked the departure of the RMS Titanic on her maiden voyage from Southampton, England to New York in the United States.  April 15^th, 2012 marked the 100^th anniversary of the tragic day when the Titanic hit an iceberg and sank to the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean.  The Titanic was the largest ship afloat at the time, able to carry 2,435 passengers and 892 crew members.   While the ship was the highest standard in luxury and comfort it was also equipped with advanced safety features, such as remotely activated watertight doors.  Despite this and other state-of-the-art safety measures, the ship lacked one pertinent safety feature – carrying enough lifeboats for the number of passengers on board.  As a result of this and other issues, such as the lifeboat not being filled to capacity, of the 2,223 people on that voyage 1,514 lost their lives. 

When you think of the Titanic you think of the great tragedy that befell its passengers and all of the lives that were needlessly lost.  What many people have never heard about (and probably never even thought about) was that there were 12 dogs aboard the ship and an onboard kennel to care for them.   An exhibit at Widener University, located in a suburb of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, hopes to change all that by focusing part of its latest Titanic exhibit on the stories of the 12 dogs (4 of which belonged to Philadelphia families) who made that fateful voyage.  

The exhibit at Widener University is produced and curated by J. Joseph Edgette, Ph.D., professor emeritus of education and folklorist emeritus at Widener and an authority on the Titanic.  “There is such a bond between people and their pets. For many, they are considered to be family members,” Edgette says, “I don’t think any Titanic exhibit has examined that relationship and recognized those loyal family pets that also lost their lives on the cruise.”

Of the 12 dogs aboard the ship only 3 survived. “All surviving dogs were small and were kept in the first-class cabins of their owners,” said Edgette.  And while the remaining 9 dogs that perished were taken well care of in the onboard kennel, their owners could not get to them in time to rescue them. 

One of the 3 dogs that survived included Lady, a Pomeranian puppy owned by Margaret Hays of New York City.  She wrapped the puppy in a blanket so the crew assumed it was a baby and allowed her to carry it on to the lifeboat.  The second dog to survive was Sun Yat-sen, a Pekinese owned by Henry and Myra Harper (of Harper & Row Publishing fame), also of New York City.  The third dog to survive was another small Pomeranian owned by Elizabeth Rothschild from Watkins Glen, New York. 

Two of the dogs that were lost with the Titanic belonged to William Carter, a coal magnate from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  His children were very worried about their pets but William assured his daughter Lucy and son Billy that their King Charles spaniel and Airedale would be alright and encouraged his children to get into the lifeboats. The family survived but the dogs did not.  (According to Edgette, the 1912 Renault replica, used for the love scene between Jack and Rose in James Cameron’s Titanic, was based on the car owned by the Carters).

 Two other Airedales, named Kitty and Airedale, belonging to John Jacob Astor IV and his wife, perished along with their master, John.  Another lost pup was Dog, a Fox Terrier belonging to William Dulles, an attorney from Philadelphia. 

Of these heart-breaking stories, perhaps the most tragic is that of Ann Elizabeth Isham.  After living abroad for nine years, Ann boarded the Titanic to visit her brother in New York for the summer.  During the sinking of the Titanic, Ann was already in a lifeboat but got out to go rescue her Great Dane.  She never returned to the lifeboats and a few days later her body was found in the water still holding on to her cherished dog.

The Titanic exhibit not only spotlights the four-legged family members and their owners onboard, it also tells the stories of the 68 Philadelphia families aboard the ship (including 3 members of the Widener family, for whom the Widener University is named), as well as information about the ship’s builders, recovering the bodies after the ship sunk, how local families have commemorated their lost loved ones, and the impact this tragedy has had on popular culture.  The exhibit is now open and free to the public until May 12^th.   

4th Annual Weiner Hunt

Looking for something festive to do with your pup his weekend? Well, look no further because the 4^th Annual Weiner Hunt is sure to do the trick. 

What is a wiener hunt, you ask? A wiener hunt is like an Easter egg hunt for kids but instead of kids, it involves dogs, and instead of Easter eggs each dog gets to track down and eat tasty bits of hotdog wieners.  Your pup gets to stimulate his mind while searching for a yummy treat and you get to enjoy the show.  It’s a win win! 

What if your dog is food aggressive, you ask? Not a problem because each dog gets a private hunt in a secured area, making it perfectly safe and enjoyable for everyone.  Also, each hunt is timed and the fastest 3 hunters in each size category win a prize. 

In addition to the wiener hunt, there will be ‘red carpet’ photos, dog and human vendors, adoptable dogs, raffle prizes and more.  Proceeds benefit FOCHP, the Friends of Orange County Homeless Pets dog and cat rescue.

The fun takes place on Saturday, March 31^st, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Camp Bow Wow.  Camp Bow Wow is located at 1431 N. Daly St. in Anaheim.  For more information and to reserve your pups wiener hunting spot, call 714-533-2267.

Happy hunting!

A Quick Escape Is Closer Than You Think

Need a weekend escape?  All this rainy weather may have you a feeling a little cabin feverish.  And it doesn’t help when rainy weekends make the dog antsy and destructive from boredom.  Luckily, you live in California; and one of the great things about California is that bad weather is never here to stay. 

With spring in the air, and green everywhere, now is the time to get outside and make the most of those beautiful sunny days.  It’s time to give yourself a break from the day to day bustle and get out and see what’s going on in your neck of the woods; literally.  

The Inland Empire has a treasure trove of hiking trails, from Temecula to Big Bear, just waiting to be explored.  The best part is, your four-legged pal can join you and explore too (on leash, of course).  Just be careful not to bring any new friends home with you.

5 Hikes You Can Enjoy Locally

1.       Fairmount Park, Riverside -  This multi-use park features a couple of lakes with trails for walking and hiking as well as areas for other activities such as a playground, tennis courts, picnic areas,  and a golf course.  This local treasure was designed in 1911 by the designers of New York’s Central Park, Olmstead & Olmstead, and is sure to please, offering a little something for everyone in the family.  Located at 2601 Fairmount Blvd. in Riverside.

2.       Louis Robidoux Nature Center, Riverside -  This park offers several hiking trails, many of which take hikers around Sunnyslope Creek.  There are other trails which take hikers to Schroder’s Pond, Burnt Pond, or the Santa Ana River.  Additionally, this park has several educational bridges highlighting the native animals and plants of the park.   Located at 5370 Riverview in Riverside.

3.       Skyline Trail, Corona – For hiking or biking, some of the best views of Corona can be can be seen from this little known trail which leads to the Cleveland National Forest.  Located on Skyline Drive (off Lincoln Ave, turn right onto foothill, the entrance is a little hard to find) in Corona.

4.       Pine Knot Trail, Big Bear -  This moderate 6-mile (roundtrip) hike gives you an little more of a physical challenge while rewarding you with a breath taking view of the world below.   Parking is located at Aspen Grove (just off Highway 18, past the Big Bear Dam and Mill Creek Road) in Big Bear.

5.       Cougar Crest Trail, Lake Arrowhead -  This 5-mile (roundtrip) hike is a not for the faint of heart but well worth the views.  Located off Highway 38 (on the left side, about 2 ½ miles east of Fawnskin) in Lake Arrowhead.  

You never know what great trails can be found in your neighborhood until you go out looking for them.  So put on your boots and grab the dog, it’s time to get out and explore your neck of the woods.

Celebrate St. Paw-tricks Day with the Pups

This Saturday, March 17^th, the 20^th Annual ‘Walk with the Animals’ will take place at Fairmount Park in Riverside.  Hosted by the Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center (formerly the Riverside Humane Society) and put on each year in an effort to raise money to help care for the thousands of homeless animals they take in each year.  

Participants are encouraged to bring their dog(s) to join in the 1.3 mile walk around the park as well as family and friends of all ages to enjoy the activities and entertainment afterward. 

Registration begins at 8:00 a.m., along with a pancake breakfast, and the walk begins at 9:00 a.m. After the walk, all are welcome to participate and enjoy activities such as ‘Kiss the Blarney Dog’ – Kissing Booth, Doggie Costume Contest, as well as special kid activities.  There will be exhibits, boutiques, baked goodies for sale (human and canine), and local rescue groups to check out.  Entertainment will include The Muttley Crew K-9 Team and Butler Fearon O’Connor School of Irish Dancers.  Low cost vaccinations and microchipping will be available as well, if your pup is behind on his vaccinations or you have been waiting for a more affordable chance to get him microchipped.  

Whether you can or cannot participate in the walk this Saturday, you can help raise funds or give a donation through firstgiving.com.  So far, 73 teams have helped raise over $14,000, but that is only about ¼ of the $50,000 goal.  The smallest amount can make a difference, so give what you can to help support your community and its homeless pet.

For more information about the Mary S. Roberts Pet AdoptionCenter, or to see dogs and cats available for adoption, check out their website.

Mastering the 3 basic commands - Come

Getting your dog to come when call is more important than just being able to scold her when she has done something wrong.  In the event of an emergency every second counts and you want your dog to come when called, right away.  “When Maui gets out of the house, off lease, she thinks it’s an opportunity to play chance.  She will keep running from me if I go after her,” says Arlene Patrick of Corona.  “When we lived in our first apartment she got out and I had to chase her all the way down to the shopping center.  I was so angry and scared at the same time, I didn’t know how to react when I finally got a hold of her.”   

You are on a walk and your dog comes out of her collar to go chase a squirrel; or your dog ran out the front door and right into traffic on a busy street.  There are hundreds of scenarios where your dog’s safety is at risk and coming when called can make the difference between life and death (and your sanity).  

Correcting these bad habits takes time but believe me, the time is always worth it.   Set aside a time to practice learning (or re-learning) commands like “Stay”.  Keep the sessions short (10-15 mins.) and make it a positive experience (happy tones and rewards).  Rewards can consist of treats, toys, praise, or even a game.  Whatever motivates your pup to work and keep working is a good tool.  If you are using treats as a reward, be inconsistent with the rewards and don’t give a treat for every correct action.  Using an irregular reward disbursement schedule will force your dog to pay attention instead of anticipating your next move.  And lastly, remember that all dogs learn at a different pace.  Have patience and don’t give up.  No dog is too old to learn new tricks.

Learning (or re-learning) Come

These steps will help reinforce the “stay” command while teaching your pup the new “come” command.

1.       Tell your dog to “sit” (and/or lay “down”) and then “stay”.

2.       Take 2 – 5 steps back then say your dog’s name and “come” – or whatever command you choose (example: “Sweet pea, come”).

3.       When she comes to you, reward her immediately and praise her with “good come”.  (Replace “come” with whatever command you choose, but be consistent or you will confuse your dog.)

4.       Repeat steps 1 – 2 several times, taking 2 – 5 more steps back each time. 

5.       If you so choose, you can train your dog to sit each time she comes and to stay seated until you give her a release command (such as “release”, “go play”, or “carry on”). 

Mastering the Command:

Once your pup has the “come” command down, switch things up by:

1.       Hiding around the house and calling her to “come” find you. 

2.       Interrupting her play (especially at the dog park) with periodic “come” commands.

3.       Using an extra-long leash on your next walk or trip out in public.  Let her wander off in front of you and call her to “come” back. 

Remember to reward immediately with praise when she does come.  Positive reinforcement will create a more reliable recall.  Happy Training!