Carhart
Here's Anchorage Animal Care and Control's Adoption of the Week, courtesy of Brooke Taylor, AACCC public relations coordinator.

The annual Fur Rondy Mutt Show is set for noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 26, at Alyeska Canine Trainers, 549 International Airport Road (next to Guido's Pizza).

Whether you're a Rondy lover or a pet lover, this is always a fun event. The highlights are the demos in everything from flyball to agility to obedience/rally and more. But there are also lots of prizes for things like best dressed, best talker, shake your booty and canines got talent.

Do you have a dog who insists on waking up before you do? Do you have any tips for changing that schedule so you can get a full night's sleep?

The longer I own Lucy, the more I see why everyone calls Chessies stubborn. Lucy has been waking up around 4:30 a.m. and pacing the halls. My wife doesn't get up until about 7, and I sleep in until about 10 because of an evening work schedule. But, left to her own devices, Lucy would want us all up at 4:30 a.m.

Use this space to discuss anything you'd like, or just stop by and say hello.

Sadie
Here's Anchorage Animal Care and Control's Adoption of the Week, courtesy of Brooke Taylor, AACCC public relations coordinator.

Malachy the Pekingese wins Best in Show at Westminster: A Pekingese named Malachy walks across the floor during the judging of the toy group at the 136th annual Westminster Kennel Club dog show in New York, Monday, Feb. 13, 2012. Malachy went on to the coveted best in show award. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

View a gallery of photos from Westminster

By BEN WALKER
AP Sports Writer

Here's an unsettling video that's making the rounds. A mastiff rescued from an ice pond appeared on a TV news show, and bites the KUSA anchor.

I'm posting not for shock value but for discussion and education. Can anyone see it coming? Were there any signs? What could have been done to prevent it.

Dogblog note: Since dog lovers tend to be animal lovers overall, I'm passing on this press release from Anchorage Animal Care and Control on some birds available for adoption.

Adoptions begin Sunday -- the same day AACCC hosts its Valentine's Pet Adoption Fair.

Birds Involved in Animal Cruelty Case Available for Adoption Soon

Murphy

Here's Anchorage Animal Care and Control's Adoption of the Week, courtesy of Brooke Taylor, AACCC public relations coordinator.

What are the dog-friendly businesses in Anchorage? The staff of the ADN's 61 Degrees North is working on a story on dog-friendly businesses and is looking for suggestions.

Obviously, there's Petco. And I've heard that Sportsman's Warehouse allows dogs. Are there others you know of?

List them here, or email Julie Wright at jwright@adn.com.

Thanks for the help.

Use this space to discuss anything you'd like, or just stop by and say hello.

Use this space to discuss training issues -- brag about successes, lament setbacks, or bounce a question off the group.

I spent a delightful afternoon yesterday hanging out at a dog park in Las Vegas with longtime Dog Blogger kariabre, aka more recently as Baily Mesa Big Carl. It got me to thinking what a shame it is that Anchorage has no fenced dog parks.

I've announced Pet New Year on the blog already but here are the latest updates, courtesy of Brooke Taylor of AACCC.

Benefits to the public
$5 rabies vaccinations for dogs and cats provided by Anchorage Animal Care and Control Center;
30 free microchips for first dogs and cats attending provided by Alaska SPCA;
free nail trims with donations to a rescue group provided by Golden Days Pet Grooming;

Mickey
Here's Anchorage Animal Care and Control's Adoption of the Week, courtesy of Brooke Taylor, AACCC public relations coordinator.

What do you use as a reward for training? Always treats or food? Has anyone had success reward-training with toys or just praise? Do you prefer one method over the other? Does the dog understand the toy is a reward?

I bring this up because I recently struggled trying to teach a relative's Yorkie the sneeze trick. Both mine learned it relatively fast, so I'm wondering why this one struggled. She is food motivated but not ravenously so like mine. She likes toys but didn't easily grasp the concept that the toy was a reward.

Use this space to discuss training issues -- brag about successes, lament setbacks or bounce a question off the group.

I'm on vacation out of state and left the dogs behind. While I try to appreciate my independence from them, I'm drawn to every dog I run in on vacation. On this leg of the trip, we're visiting my nephew's 3-year-old Yorkie. She's a delight. Very well socialized, with only one bad habit that I've seen: She's been known to pee submissively when people get her excited by fawning over her when they meet.

Use this space to discuss anything you'd like, or just stop by and introduce your pack.

I went to a bootie-making class at ACT yesterday, and it was a breakthrough! Not only are they easy to make, but the ones I made for Lucy pretty much solved our extreme-cold walk issue. She was picking up her feet immediately once she got off the plowed roads.

Use this space to discuss training issues -- brag about successes, lament setbacks or bounce a question off the group.

Pet New Year at Alaska Mill and Feed is coming up Saturday, Feb. 4, but here's a fun addition to the program: an all-breed talent show event sponsored by Advocates for Dog and Puppy Wellness.

Important: Deadline for entry is Saturday, Jan. 21, so if you're interested you'll have to email your entry right away to be eligible -- it's first come, first served.

Check out the following attachments for more information.

Here's a note from Brooke Taylor, public relations coordinator for Anchorage Animal Care and Control Center, on the seizures of more than 100 animals in two weekend cruelty cases.