dogblog's blog

First place: Otis
Runner up: Axel

Use this space to discuss training issues, to brag about successes, lament a setback (see below) or pose a question to the group.

Jillie's housetraining went south a couple days after I bragged about her success last week. Had a couple more accidents. But she's also barked to go outside a couple times too. I'll put her success rate at about 80 percent right now, which still leaves me with hope she's on the brink.

What's up with your gang?

Vet examined Eddie today, the sixth day since he started limping after an unexpected romp in the snow. He found it to be painful and suspects a torn meniscus.

I'll have to call back tomorrow, because I didn't do a very good job asking questions after learning that the prescribed treatment is to remove the meniscus. Evidently, there's no artificial surface they can put in there to give the joint any cushion.

I asked if it meant for sure that his agility career is over, and he said it depends on how he heels. He says some dogs return to normal levels of activity. But how can a dog return to normal activity if there's no shock absorber in the knee?

Use this space to discuss anything you'd like, pose a question or just say hi.

Here's Alize

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

Here is Alize, a 5-year-old, spayed, female, pit bull mix. This sweet and happy girl is great on walks and has done well in Shelter Dog Playgroups with the other dogs. She enjoys playing and running in the snow and exploring new scents. She is smart, attentive, and listens well. She is very friendly and easy-going and would make a great companion. Alize can be adopted for $72, as she is already spayed, which includes her MOA license, vaccinations, and microchip.

Ah, the challenges of owning little dogs.

As I headed out on our morning walk today, the plan was to leave Eddie behind. He's limping and his vet appointment isn't until Wednesday. But as I called Rusty and Jillie to the door, I discovered Eddie would have none of that. He was going, and that was final.

He's 10 pounds, so I decided to carry him in my coat. I figured it was easier to do that than to have to deal with his attitude if I left him behind.

It was a little trickier than I thought, especially since I was carrying the video camera too, but all was going well. Eddie was content to go along for the ride, and the other dogs were behaving off-leash.

When I was a kid, the prescribed method for entertaining your dog while away was to toss them a soup or rawhide bone. But those can present problems to some dogs. Soup bones can chip and be swallowed. Rawhide is tough to digest. Bully sticks are great, but, as with the rest, if you use them, you need to be around to supervise.

Kongs and various interactive toys where you can hide treats are nice, but I'm finding that the peanut butter, cheese and treats I stuff into them can create dietary problems. Especially when you've got a dog on the injury list with no outlet for his energy. I've cut Eddie's food portions, but I'm afraid he's getting too many calories.

Cover boys Jack and Chip

Woohoo, Chip and Jack made the cover of the Alaska Dog News 2010 calendar.

Readers were asked to vote on pictures that were featured in the monthly publication, and I'm told that one came up No. 1. Did I say "Woohoo!" yet? Amazing, really, because the inside photos are incredible.

Use this space to discuss training successes, challenges or to pose a question to the group.

Take the poll: Housetraining your pup

I'm biting my tongue as I write this, but today is Day 4 of perfect potty habits for Jillie. She was 7 months yesterday. She's barking to go outside, and she's not even using the litter box in her X-pen. She's holding it overnight.

I was beginning to think we'd never reach this point. She was routinely walking over to Rusty's bed and leaving him a little surprise. We must have washed the cover 2 dozen times.

The last anything-goes topic is getting buried, so here's a new one to use to discuss anything you'd like.

Featured breed: Newfoundland

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

Update 11/17: Tsunami passes the Canine Good Citizen Test!

Jillie's still working out the whole 'traction' thing

OK, before visitors to adn.com/dogshots start getting the idea that Yorkies are the only dogs who romp in the snow in Alaska, it's time to get out the cameras and snap some pictures of your pooches enjoying (or not!) the snow.

Ready to play
Ready or not, the snow has arrived, and that can mean challenges for dog owners not lucky enough to own a northern breed.

How does your dog do in the snow, and what precautions do you take to make it a pleasant experience? Are there any problems you haven't been able to solve? Lastly, any pet peeves with how some of your neighbors treat their dogs in the cold?

Use this space to introduce your own topics of discussion or just to stop by and say hi.

Featured breed: Neapolitan mastiff

Morgan the Devil won the first-place prize.

Bozlee the pirate won the People's Choice Award.

Use this space to discuss training issues: successes, setbacks or just to pose a question for the group.

Here's what's up with my pack:
* Jillie's successes continue to be in baby steps. While she's developed a stay, it's not improving much in time elapsed and distance. And her "down" suddenly got shaky, so it's back to square one there. Took her to Petco yesterday and discovered she's growing up. At nearly 7 months, she's suddenly interested in everything and has the confidence to explore. She's never been much of a puller on the leash, but she started. We worked for 15 minutes or so on sits, stays and heels, and she showed some improvement -- although she did pee in the store. Still struggling with that. I'm trying to teach the bell technique at home, but I'm seriously considering not weening her off the litter box. Anything below 30 seems too cold for her, and I have to double coat her just to go outside to pee. That's going to get old quick.

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

Titan is a 1.5-year-old neutered male, American Bulldog mix. His neuter surgery was done this past week by Southside Animal Hospital, which has been generously donating some dog spay/neuters to AACCC dogs to help get them adopted!

Use this space to discuss anything you'd like.

Featured breed: Miniature schnauzer

I know one of these!

How do you feel about the use of negative reinforcement in dog training? Do you still use it? Do you use it less than you did, say, 5 or 10 years ago?

I only became interested in organized dog training 5 years ago, but even in that short time it feels like the pendulum has swung even more toward positive training methods. In our first obedience classes, sharp "pops" on the leash were encouraged as corrections. A couple instructors recommended prong collars to keep my Yorkie from pulling. I was also encouraged to use my hands to manually put my dog in sits or downs. I'm not criticizing those methods in general, but they weren't right for my little dogs.

Morgan the Devil

After a banner year for entries and overall quality of costumes, the winner of the 3rd Annual Dog Blog Howllll-oween Costume Contest is Morgan the Devil. Congratulations, Linda Henning. The judges loved your costume and your picture. "Spooky," was the description.

Linda, who publishes Alaska Dog News (www.AlaskaDogNews.com), is a regular contributor to the blog. She wins a $50 gift certificate to Paw Prince, the posh pet supply store in Anchorage that sponsored the contest.