Inspired training for dogs and their families
Jill Bowers
Dog Training and Behavior Specialist

Thank Blog!
is written by Jill and Jamie Bowers.

Jill is a private, in-home dog trainer based in greater LA.

We believe that dogs offer companionship that adds unique and valuable richness to human lives. We help dogs and people realize the fullest potential of their relationship.

Should you have any questions about dogs or our services you can contact us or feel free to use the comments.

Jill Bowers, Behavior Specialist  Monday, January 29, 2007

Bike for the life of a dog!

Everyone should do this!!!

http://roverrescue.com/events/4-0-20061027210126.pdf

Bike the Los Angeles Marathon
in support of Rover Rescue
Sunday, March 4th, 2007
• Cyclists are raising $500 or more in pledges to support Rover Rescue.
• 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes for the cyclists who raise the most money.
• Cyclists each receive a Rover Rescue T-Shirt.

Call Today for your complete Fundraising Package.
a non-profit organization dedicated to
the rescue & placement of homeless
dogs from los angeles animal shelters

www.roverrescue.com

Dog Breeds DNA Test. Could It Settle The Pit Bull Type Argument?

Despite what recent reports in the media would suggest, it is not possible to determine the breed of a dog, or composition of a dog's breeding without seeing a pedigree, which relies on the pedigree being genuine. This is about to change however, with the launch of a DNA test that can tell you what breed of dog you are dealing with if you are unsure.

MMI Genomics, a subsidiary of the life science group MetaMorphix, Inc., announced today the launch of the first commercial, DNA-based, diagnostic test that can genetically determine the breed composition of dogs. Canine Heritage(TM) is a diagnostic test that uses MetaMorphix's state-of-the-art, SNP-based, DNA technology to certify up to 38 major breeds. The Canine Heritage(TM) test is easy to administer and requires only a cheek swab sample to be mailed to the company for analysis. Results are returned to owners in 4-6 weeks.

"This is very exciting news for dog lovers," said Dr. Ed Quattlebaum, Co-Chairman and CEO of MetaMorphix, Inc. "The first question always asked of mixed-breed dog owners is, 'What kind of dog is that?' Now, owners need not guess and can say with certainty, 'The Canine Heritage(TM) test showed that my dog is a mix of Labrador Retriever, English Setter and Border Collie'. In addition to better understanding your pet's behaviour, your dog's breed analysis can enable you to work more closely with your veterinarian to develop a lifetime health and wellness program."

In America, where the test is being launched, rescue organizations and animal shelters account for roughly half of the 6 million dogs taken home per year and only 25% of these pets are purebred. Beyond an adopter's innate curiosity about their new pet, owners are interested in their dog's breed composition so they can make informed decisions that ensure happy and healthy lives for their animals.

The test could have far reaching ramifications in the UK too, should it translate to the British market. With many owners of dogs of a certain size or appearance being accused of owning illegal breeds, they may be able to prove the heritage of their dog.

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Jill Bowers, Behavior Specialist  Wednesday, January 24, 2007

A cold one for man's best friend

Humanizing dogs at it's best...I love it.

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands (AP) -- After a long day hunting, there's nothing like wrapping your paw around a cold bottle of beer.

So Terrie Berenden, a pet shop owner in the southern Dutch town of Zelhem, created a beer for her Weimaraners made from beef extract and malt.

"Once a year we go to Austria to hunt with our dogs, and at the end of the day we sit on the veranda and drink a beer. So we thought, my dog also has earned it," she said.

Berenden consigned a local brewery to make and bottle the nonalcoholic beer, branded as Kwispelbier. It was introduced to the market last week and advertised as "a beer for your best friend."

"Kwispel" is the Dutch word for wagging a tail.

The beer is fit for human consumption, Berenden said. But at $2.14 (or 1.65 euro) a bottle, it's about four times more expensive than a Heineken.

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Jill Bowers, Behavior Specialist  Tuesday, January 23, 2007

Owning A Dog Is Good For Mental And Physical Health

London, England (AHN) - A scientist said Monday that owning a dog is beneficial for the mental and physical health of the owner. Dr. Deborah Wells, a senior lecturer at the Canine Behavior Center of Queens University in Belfast, said a study of dog owners showed they have lower cholesterol and blood pressure and fewer minor physical ailments than people who do not own dogs. People who have dogs are also less likely to develop serious medical problems, she said.

Wells' research was published in the British Journal of Health Psychology. She reviewed several studies on pet owners and found that a pet dog helps their owners recover more quickly from serious illnesses, including heart attacks.

She cited a 1995 study that claimed dog owners were 8.6 percent more likely to survive a year after suffering a heart attack than those who do not own a dog.

According to chinaview.cn, Wells said, "It is possible that dogs can directly promote our well-being by buffering us from stress. The ownership of a dog can also lead to increases in physical activity and facilitate the development of social contacts, which may enhance physiological and psychological human health in a more indirect manner."

Wells also says, dogs could also serve as "early-warning systems" for more serious diseases, such as cancer and epilepsy.

The website healthyexpressions.com states that pets help alleviate depression or loneliness through the simple daily routine of care giving.

The website says that simple acts like buying food for and exercising pets can provide a real sense of purpose and encourage people to get out more. Pets also can help people deal with the loss of a loved one with their calming presence.

Pets can also provide comfort and lessen loneliness for people missing a spouse, close friend or relative. Touching or stroking pets can uplift the owner's spirits and help ease everyday problems, the website says.

http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7006225648

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Jill Bowers, Behavior Specialist  Sunday, January 21, 2007

Oddball appetites: Readers share their dog tales

Things your pets have eaten: A fake tree, a real Rolex ... even a hamster Source

My, but your dogs have eaten some weird things. When we asked for your tales of the strangest things your pooch has consumed, we received hundreds of responses.

Among the most notable? A Rolex watch, a dress, lots of underwear, cash, fake trees and — especially disturbing — a hamster.

One reader wrote to tell us about a pug that devoured cheerleading pompoms. "We didn't know it until she was passing them,” she wrote. "Our school colors are maroon and white and there was the pompoms coming out. My husband said, look, she's in the school spirit."

Another vengeful dog who’d been banned from a dinner party ate the reading glasses of a guest. “He showed no ill effects,” wrote the reader. “In spite of my husband's threats he is still living and still chewing.”

Read on for other oddities compulsive canines have consumed:

A whole box of shredded wheat (vet visit), a bee (vet visit), a razor, and the latest mouse bait(2 days ago), which the cure for is 1 Tbs. of peroxide every 10 min. until the dog vomits. ... Ties a lab mix and is doing well — until the next meal of choice.
—Diana, Indianapolis

My ex's puppy ate razor blades. She managed to swallow five of them with no damage. She had surgery and they were removed with no problems.
—Anonymous

An entire bag of Hershey's kisses, foil and all. A box of Crayola crayons. My mother's panties and numerous socks. The dog was fine and didn't have any discomfort, he passed tin foil for a few days, and spring green-colored crayon bits, and socks, but the panties he threw up!

—Betsy, Chicago

A bright green sock which later decorated the lawn in several spots.

—Karen, New York

I had a pug eat pompoms once and we didn't know it until she was passing them. Our school colors are maroon and white and there was the pompoms coming out. My husband said, look, she's in the school spirit. Thank goodness she was OK.
— Nancy Chapman

My dog Pepe (English Springer Spaniel), who is free to roam around our yard unleashed, likes to eat Maxi Pads. She has a friend Willy (white poodle) who lives up the street. Willy's owner walks him down to play with Pepe every day. One day I saw Willy coming down the street toward the house so I called Pepe, "your friend's here" and she came running out the house. I didn't notice she came flying out with a Maxi pad in her mouth. Next thing I know, Willy's got the pad and running toward his owner with it...I screamed NOOOOOOOOOOO, WILLY COME BACK..... .It was no use, next thing I know, his owner is staring at me with the dirty maxi pad laying across his feet. He says " Um..are you missing something"...I haven't been able to look him in the eye since.
—Amanda, Poughkeepsie, N.Y.

Growing up we had many different pets with many different tastes: Sheba (husky) loved boxer shorts and socks. She would always leave the elastic bands. Jake (golden retriever): lipstick. If he could get to it, he would eat it. Sophie (Peek-a-poo): Once gnawed on the Christmas lights, broke a light off and ate it. She also gnawed through a branch on the artificial tree that year. She is not the smartest of dogs. Otis (Min. Schnauzer): anything paper and he eats it.
—Carissa, Akron, Ohio

My Shepherd/Rottweiler mix has eaten loads of strange items, luckily without ever needing surgery: a dress, 3-foot piece of sheet, carpeting padding AND tack-strip. And the worst — an entire box of mac & cheese: box, dry noodles, foil cheese pack and the blue plastic shopping bag that it was brought home in! Luckily now that he's in his senior years, all he eats that is "strange" is coffee grounds from the trash. I guess he needs his caffeine rush.

—Paul Miele, Pittsburgh, Pa.

The fringe holding a throw rug together. I pulled it out of his butt like a magician pulls scarves from his sleeve.

—South Portland, Maine

Last Christmas, when our dog was a year and a half old, she developed a taste for Christmas ornaments. Never mind the fact that, as a six-month-old puppy only a year prior, she'd shown no interest whatsoever in the ornaments. About a week after we'd put up our tree last year, my husband called to tell me that the dog had eaten one of our plastic ornaments. "We don't have plastic ornaments," I said, mentally reviewing our ornament collection. "Those are blown glass. Call the vet. Now." So my husband scooped up the shattered remnants of the ornament, put them in a plastic baggie, and took them and our dog to the vet. The vet coaxed our dog to swallow a few cotton balls soaked in milk — to absorb any sharp-edged ornament pieces — and sent us home with some antibiotics. The dog survived the whole ordeal without any complications whatsoever. Although we did have some very sparkly dog "business" for a few days. This year, we hung all the ornaments just out of reach of the dog on the top two-thirds of the tree. It looks a bit odd, but we certainly worry a lot less.
—Bronlea, Bellingham, Wash.

Mine has eaten push-pins for a bulletin board, carpet binding and underwear. He's had to have 2 surgeries, one for the carpet binding and one for a steak bone I didn't get away from him soon enough. He's almost 11 and doesn't seem to be getting over his fetishes!
—J., Minnesota

My English Pointer somehow slipped out of his leather collar and swallowed it. He managed to pass it naturally. He did have a little trouble with the buckle, but a little olive oil helped it along.

—Anonymous

My female American Eskimo chewed & swallowed a $10.00 bill I was about to tip someone. I "recovered" 3/4 of it, in many pieces, washed & sanitized it, yet B/A still would not redeem it for a whole $10.00 bill. [I left out the "recovery" details at the bank.]

—Pat, San Diego, Calif.

My first Weimaraner ate everything plastic. She also had a "thing" for socks and pantyhose. During the first 8 months we owned her, we spent $7K on surgeries to remove little dinosaurs and baby socks from her stomach and intestines. The thing that really started her on a downward spiral was the 17-year cicadas that came to the DC area in 2004. She thought they were tasty little snacks and harvested them right off our deck. Apparently she couldn't digest their wings and bodies, and they caused some major "back-up" in her system and this lead to pancreatitis. Keep in mind this is a dog that swallowed a Siberian hamster whole with no ill effects. (This is also the same dog who would have died from thirst if the only water available was in a toilet.) Go figure. Later she became a diabetic (just after another bout of pancreatitis when she consumed lord knows what). We administered two shots of insulin a day, and carried all 65 pounds of her up and down stairs after she went blind. Eventually her pancreas just gave out — $20k later — and she died in my arms. And yes, I said my "first" Weimaraner. Now I have another one who appears to have a thing for pencils and sea shells. Our vets were understandably ecstatic to see us back.
—JBWilton, McLean, Va.

My pit bull Tyson once swallowed my Rolex watch. I was having a barbecue in my backyard, and some barbecue sauce got on my watch. My hands was greasy so I took my watch off and laid it on the table. Next thing you know my dog swallowed the watch. The shine from the watch and the barbecue sauce must of been very tempting for him to resist. I took him to the vet right away and had his stomach pumped out. After the surgery Tyson was 100% back to normal. My dog of course is way more important to me then my Rolex watch.
—Nick Wells, Bayside, N.Y.

My brother's Scottie, Seamus, is a spoiled brat. He chews furniture, relieves his bowels on his recliner, intimidates the full-sized Collie and is generally a pain in the behind. They have just two rooms where no pets are allowed. At a family birthday dinner, we left the dogs in the family room and Seamus was miffed. So he climbed up onto the couch, over to the table, behind the lamp and stole my husband's reading glasses and chewed up every piece of them, including the lenses! He showed no ill effects, in spite of my husband's threats he is still living and still chewing.
—Anonymous

Thanks Alex, for submitting this!!

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Jill Bowers, Behavior Specialist  Tuesday, January 16, 2007

Labradors still No. 1 dog, Yorkies second

Anthony Ramirez
New York Times News Service
Jan. 16, 2007 10:36 AM

NEW YORK - In a dog-loving nation, the lists seem to say something.

The American Kennel Club on Monday announced a shift in its 10 most popular dog breeds in the nation and in the city, or at least in that elite group of purebred dogs whose pedigrees and papers are in order.

At a Rockefeller Center news conference filled with handlers, dogs and photographers, the club noted that the dog claiming the No.1 ranking had not changed.

Across the country, the most popular dog last year, as it has been for 16 years in a row, was the Labrador retriever, with about 124,000 registrations, or 14 percent of the club's total.

In New York, the most popular breed in 2006 was the poodle, with 77 registrations, or about 8 percent of the club's total in the city. It has been the most popular breed for two years in a row, according to the club, which describes itself as the largest purebred-dog registry in the world.

But the big news, the club said, was the No. 2 ranking in both the city and the country: the Yorkshire terrier, overtaking larger breeds like the golden retriever and the German shepherd.

The tiny Yorkie, favored by the wife played by Eva Gabor in television's "Green Acres," had about 48,000 registrations in the United States, or 5 percent; and 49 in the city, also 5 percent.

Daisy Okas, a spokeswoman for the club, said the toy-dog group of breeds, which include Yorkshire terriers, had risen from 12 percent of the registry in the 1970s to about 23 percent today. Among the criteria to register with the club is providing proof of a dog's family tree.

Representing No. 1 was Sabrina Fairchild, 5, a tan Labrador retriever owned by Linda Berkeley, 44, a landscape architect from Greenburgh, N.Y.

On her head, Sabrina wore a gold-colored fabric crown, and around her shoulders was draped a red velour cape with faux ermine piping. The photographers cooed.

There was a small platoon of Yorkies, including Maggie, 8, and Sammie, 3, her granddaughter.

Sharon Jones, 55, Maggie's owner and an amateur breeder from Mohrsville, Pa., squeezed a yellow toy to make sure the dogs paid attention to the photographers.

Jones used to acquire aircraft for films like "Nighthawks," the 1981 Roosevelt Island thriller starring Sylvester Stallone. Squeeze toys "don't work on movie stars," Jones noted. "Ego too big."

http://www.azcentral.com/offbeat/articles/0116top-dog16-ON.html

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You Know You've Gone to the Dogs When...

  • Nobody's feet are allowed on the furniture, but your dogs are welcome to sleep on any piece they so choose
  • It takes an entirely separate garbage can to handle the poop
  • All kinds of things around the house are in need of repair, but the injured dog you rescued by the side of the road requires immediate surgery and out comes the checkbook
  • You and your family haven't had your annual check up in two years, but the dogs are all medically up to date
  • You start barking at your children to "Sit! Stay!"
  • You're more concerned with the dogs' needs than your own when the budget gets tight
  • At least three of your five weeks vacation are scheduled around grooming, vaccinations and dental cleaning...all for the dogs!
  • Dog crates double as chairs and/or tables in your family room
  • You can only remember people by associating them with their dog
  • Overnight guests (who share your bed) are offended by having to sleep with you and the dog(s)
  • You snuggle closer to the dog than the person with whom you are sleeping
  • You decide to downsize from a huge house in the city to an average country cottage with lots of land in order to build the kennel of your dreams
  • You spend more time looking through mail order catalogs for dog supplies than for Victoria's Secret nighties or Miles Kimball gadgets
  • All your social activities revolve around other dog people
Read More

Jill Bowers, Behavior Specialist  Friday, January 12, 2007

Brothers found guilty over 'grossly' obese dog



Two brothers who allowed their pet labrador to become "hugely and grossly" overweight were today found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.

Derek Benton, 62, and his 53-year-old brother, David, received a three-year conditional discharge after magistrates in Ely, Cambridgeshire, ruled that they had given the dog, called Rusty, an inappropriate diet.

Speaking after the verdict, the RSPCA inspector Jason Finch said the chocolate labrador could only walk five or six steps before "collapsing" when the pet was taken away from the brothers.

The owners had been told to take their dog to a vet for treatment but did nothing, Mr Finch said. "The dog was not being treated, so we felt the only option was to take it away and get it treated by our own vets," he told Sky News.

The RSPCA said the Bentons fed Rusty improperly, causing his weight rising from eight to more than 11 and a half stone in two years.

The court heard the RSPCA had taken the dog from the brothers in March last year, and he had since lost three and a half stone.

Today's ruling said that Rusty would be returned to the brothers, but would have to be properly cared for and kept on medication.

The brothers' lawyer, Ann-Marie Gregory, told the court that Rusty was so fat because he had arthritis and could not exercise easily, and said convicting them would set a worrying precedent.

"This is a test case. It has never been done before. It is a fat dog. It is accepted he is still a fat dog," she said.

Ms Gregory told the court she had received phone calls from "people up and down the country worried to death because their cat is a couple of pounds overweight or their rabbit is a couple of pounds overweight".

"I have to say, one wonders where this case will stop," she said. "Are we going down the route to fat children? Are we going to have parents prosecuted in court because their child is overweight?"

It would have been unrealistic to expect the Bentons to put Rusty through the same regime the RSPCA had, Ms Gregory argued.

"It has cost in the region of over £3,000 to get Rusty to the point he is today," she said. "How many people have £3,000 in their pocket to spend on their pet dog?"

She said Rusty, aged 10 or 11, was a "happy dog" who would be better off at home with his owners, adding: "Weight alone is never an indication of happiness."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/animalrights/story/0,,1989216,00.html

Jill Bowers, Behavior Specialist  Friday, January 05, 2007

Dogs too fat? US allows weight-loss drug

dpa German Press Agency
Published: Friday January 5, 2007

Washington- Dogs can't tell you they want to lose weight. But if you think yours is too fat, relief is on the way. Responding to rising obesity among the popular pets, the US government approved the first prescription weight-loss drug for dogs - complete with a warning for humans not to use it.

Slentrol, by New York-based Pfizer Inc, cuts appetite and fat absorption to produce weight loss, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said Friday in announcing the product's approval for sale.

About 5 per cent of US dogs are obese and another 20-30 per cent are overweight, the FDA cited surveys as saying. Like heavy humans, overweight pets are at higher risk of developing health problems such as heart conditions, diabetes and joint wear.

"This is a welcome addition to animal therapies, because dog obesity appears to be increasing," Stephen Sundlof, the head of the agency's animal medicine centre said in a statement.

However, dogs treated with the drug may suffer from vomiting, loose stools, diarrhea and lethargy, the FDA said.

Veterinarians generally define a dog that weighs 20 per cent more than its ideal weight as obese, the agency said.

It's been a long time...

Happy New Year! I decided to stop posting in 2006 and start up again in 2007. Jamie and I have a lot of things planned for Thank Dog! that we are very excited about.

During the past 3 weeks, things have been slow due to the holidays. Most of my clients went on Hiatus, so I didn't really have anything to report. Now I am trying to get back into the swing of things and hopefully 2007 will be just as good or better as 2006 - 2006 was by far the best year for Thank Dog!

Yay for my clients and for the vets that refer me!!

 



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