Pooch Parade Raffle!

Love your dog... for free! 

Bark & Clark is offering free entry to the Love Your Dog Pooch Parade for one pup... All you have to do is send an email telling us what makes your pooch lovable! 

Entries must be received via email by 6:00 PM on February 3rd. Include a photo and you'll be entered twice! All submissions will be entered randomized by a third-party raffle. 

The winner will be announced February 4th on Facebook and Twitter. 

This $40 value includes treats for you and your pooch!  The Bark & Clark Pooch Parades teach uptown manners for Downtown dogs. This class is so fun, it's more like an outing... We'll take a stroll through different parts of the city and focus on doggy's ability to deal with the public, the lively city and all the other pooches out and about.

Along the walk, we'll cover basic obedience to help your dog focus on you - not all the distractions. We'll also focus on manners specific to the city, such as sitting at all intersections before crossing; sitting for introductions and the proper way to greet other dogs.
This interactive lesson is sure to teach both you and pooch something new. We're positive you will really connect through fun drills and exercises, all while taking in the gorgeous sights of Downtown.

Each session ends in a more social setting, putting the focus back on you. Mix, mingle and enjoy sophisticated refreshments.... For more info, click here

* * * * * * * * * *

Submit entry here

or to include a photo, send an email directly to bark@barkandclark.com

One entry per pooch per day.

Thanks! And good luck!!

B&C

Valentine's Day Treats

Valentine's Day is just around the corner, do you know what you are getting for your dog yet?  If you are thinking of a box of chocolates, I would think again.  Lucky for us the good folks at FunStuffForDogs.com published a list of the best gifts and they are on sale!  

They have a wide range of things to get, if you want something simple you could go with a card or get a special gift like a burrow bed to really show how much you care.  There are toys of all sorts and treats too.  Anything you could think of, even an engagement ring and box that squeaks.

If you want to make this Valentine's Day special for you and your pooch, get them a gift that says you care and don't forget to join the Pooch Parade.

To view the list of Valentine's Day dog goodies, bark on the link:  Bark!

Top Five Reasons To Attend The Pooch Parade

The Pooch Parade is around the corner and I would love to see you there with your furry best friend!  If you still can't decide if should come out or not... here are the Top Five Reasons you should.

5.  You and your dog will meet new people.
4.  You will learn something new about or for your pup.
3.  The treats for both you and your pooch are yummy.
2.  You will have a fun night with your furry companion.
1.  It will show your doggie just how much you love them.

All that is left is to RSVP for this event!  Space is limited so do not delay.  Once the class is fully essembled I will send out the details of the evening.

To RSVP for the Pooch Parade, bark on the link:  Bark!

Dachshund Helps Fight Off Robber

Growing up with Dachshunds, I will be the first to tell you they can be quite the guard dog despite their size.  They are so protective of their people and their young.  I've seen some pretty fierce attacks by Dachshunds, enough to make a grown man run out of a house.  So when I saw this story, it really made me smile thinking of the loyalty they have to their owners and just how far they will go to protect them.  

In Miami, FL a robber posed as a pharmacy delivery man and tried to rob a 74-year-old woman.  The woman was expecting a delivery, so when the robber buzzed up and said "farmacia", she of course let him in.  She then began to question the order and he asked to use her phone.  As he pretended to be on the phone, he pulled out an electrical device and began shocking the woman repeatedly and during the struggle he grabbed the gold necklace that she was wearing around her neck and threw her to the ground.  This is when her little Dachshund came to her aid, but the robber then shocked the dog with the electrical device.  He continued to threaten the woman but she was able to get a pair of large scissors to scare the robber off.

If you should be in the Miami area, here is who the police are looking for:  "He is described as 50 to 55 years old, five-foot-two to five-foot-four and about 180-200 pounds. He has a large belly, thinning hair with receding hair line and unshaven round face. He was wearing a dark navy blue polo shirt and dark blue pants."  Additionally, he fled in a white two-door car.  If you have any information please call the Miami Police's robbery unit at 305-603-6370 or Crime Stoppers of Miami Dade at 305-471-TIPS.

To read the full story, bark on the link:  Bark!

Do Pets Have A Sixth Sense?

I talk about dogs having a special ability to communicate to us, that they can tell us things that we may not be aware of or notice.  Is this a sixth sense?  I don't know.  But according to this poll that Petside.com conducted, over half of pet owners believe that their pet has a sixth sense.

The stories that were told range from dogs warning their owners that one of them is about to have a seizure to their pets predicting a change in weather.  The method in which the pets communicate these predictions or warnings have just as large of a range, anything from excessive barking to cats behaving out of the norm. The one thing that is true in all cases is that the owners believe their pets 100% and in some cases that has saved their lives or at least kept them out of danger.

I believe that our pets can tell us all sorts of things if we listen.  They seem to pick up on things that we often miss.  I don't know if this is a sixth sense or if they are just more in tune with the five they have.  

To read this full story, bark on the link:  Bark!

A Tribute To My Robert

Yesterday evening I received the call I have so been dreading, my father telling me that earlier in the day my parents had to euthanize my dog Robert.  I got Robert, a Keeshund and Sheltie mix, 15 years ago while I was in college and he has lived a very full and happy life.  But somehow, it doesn't make it hurt less, the loss of my best friend is very real.

I found Robert the day after valentines day in a pet store where a shelter was holding an event.  My friends and I use to go there to look at and hold the puppies and dogs when we were feeling blue.  But this day was different because when I picked him up, I couldn't put him back down.  Every time I tried he would cry and cry, so I didn't feel like I had a choice.  $30 later to pay for him and who knows what I spent on the bed, food, toys and treats and we were on our way back to the dorm, where I successfully hid him for a few days.  By Wednesday of that week I was told to get him out or I was going to be kicked out.  Thankfully my parents lived on a 124 acre farm and were all too happy to take him in.  So I packed up his stuff and drove 2 hours and delivered him to his temporary home.

Robert loved the farm, besides having an elderly Dachshund to show him the ropes, he had all the land he could want to run and play on.  He remained there until about May when I moved him back with me at college in a house I rented.  This year was one of the hardest, but the best.  I had my best friend to come home to everyday and I would talk to him for hours, go on long walks, play a ton and would get pushed out of bed almost every night with his stiff leg move.  But Robert got very sick this year and began to really hate the city.  Then I ended up moving again and made the hardest decision I had to make, I realized that Robert was 100% a farm dog, not a city dog.  He was always happiest on the farm, so that is where I let him live.

My father and Robert became ultimate buddies.  It was almost as if Robert was able to fill the gap I had left when I moved away from home.  They did everything together, rides in the truck, walks through the fields, rides on the tractor and lots of snuggling.  I think my favorite thing to watch was Robert running full speed to jump into the biggest pond on my parents land and would proceed to swim laps.  He was a character with a huge heart.

Eventually, as with all pets, age caught up with him.  Yesterday morning he no longer could walk and he was barely hanging on, so my parents took him to their vet and let him have peace.  It is what I knew was coming and thought I was prepared for, but I don't think you can be prepared for this.

So I ask you all for a moment of silence to say goodbye to an amazing dog who I loved so much.  He was the best listener, a loyal friend and a natural protector.  I will forever miss and love you Robert, rest in peace my old friend.

R.I.P. Robert Smith Clark

November 1995 - January 24, 2011

Sleeping With Your Pet Could Kill You?

According to a recent study to be published in next month's issue of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Emerging Infectious Diseases, there is real risk to letting our dogs and cats sleep in our bed with us. Though researchers do agree that having pets do help with both physical and mental illness and may help lower blood pressure, reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and decrease feelings of loneliness, while increasing opportunities for exercise, outdoor activities and socialization.

This study is trying to raise awareness about "the risk for transmission of zoonotic agents by close contact between pets and their owners through bed sharing, kissing or licking is real and has even been documented for life-threatening infections such as plague, internal parasites" and other serious diseases.  The greatest risk is with children or immunocompromised people.

I encourage all of you to read the article, there is some good information to take into consideration if you allow your pets to sleep in your bed.  But I will say that after reading everything, my cat will still have his spot in my bed.

For the full article, bark on the link:  Bark!

Fun Friday

This week has been a busy, long and tiring week, but a really good one!  I know that on the eve of this busy weekend a little laugh certainly sets the mood.  I'm sure I have shared that I grew up in a house where my mom bred Dachshunds.  So I am very familiar with how silly they can be, that is part of the joy of owning one.  No need to say that when I saw this video and just couldn't help letting out a belly laugh.  The stabborness of this little guy is probably what made me laugh the most.

Enjoy the video and don't forget to laugh.

Funny dog video  dog playing air hockey @ Yahoo! Video

Have an amazing weekend!

A Life Changing Moment

Yesterday my life was touched and changed all in a matter of minutes when a little after 2:00PM I picked up my foster dog Trapper.  I have agreed to train and foster this little guy as he is very fearful and to the point that he could not be adopted out.  His story is a sad one for sure.  He and his 2 litter-mates were found as very young puppies surviving by old train tracks with no mom in sight.  

The Mutt Scouts rescued them and nursed them to health and even found homes! Everyone thought the story ended there, but sadly it did not for Trapper.  About seven or eight months after adopting Trapper and his sister, the man returned Trapper due to his intense fear.  

This is where I learned of him.  A client of mine and volunteer for the Mutt Scouts contacted me and asked for my help.  After one meeting with this sweet guy, my answer was clear, I had no choice but to foster and train him.  

I brought him home yesterday and I am amazed and what a good dog he is!  He already knows sit and down and is crate trained.  His major issue is of course fear and more specifically, fear of men.  So having my boyfriend here is a huge help to Trapper, though I don't think he sees it that way yet.  He is still very shy around him, but I also am not expecting overnight miracles.  The fact that he will touch him with his nose is big progress.

Our first night went well and today we begin our foundation building.  I already see that he is forming an attachment to me (of course that feeling is mutual) and starting to trust me.  I know the journey ahead of us is a long one, but I also believe it will be the most rewarding of my life and the most important for Trapper... or whatever his name shall be.

I will keep you all updated on the progress as we go.  One thing is for sure thus far, he is extremely easy to love and care for!

For more information on Bark & Clark training, bark on the link:  Bark!

LA Art Show

Tonight kicks off the 16th annual L.A. Art Show at the L.A. Convention Center.  The Art Show will run from tonight, Wednesday, January 19th to Sunday, January 23rd.  There will be an array of art to see, over 100 galleries are participating in the show.  You can also catch speakers discussing topics ranging from architecture to feminist art.

Everything starts tonight with a Opening Night Premier Party, 7pm - 11pm which includes dinner.  Tickets are $125 and all proceeds go to benefiting the Art of Elysium, a Getty-approved foundation that helps hospitalized children appreciate art. 

The show is $20 daily, Thursday-Saturday from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at 1201 S. Figueroa St., (213) 741-1151.

For more information on the L.A. Art Show, bark on the link:  Bark!

Sweet Faith

By looking at Faith you would never know that she was severely abused by her former owner.  Faith ended up in the Hillsborough County Florida Animal Control and the man admitted to forcefully kicking Faith to the point that she lost control of one of her back legs.  Due to the injury, the leg basically died and therefore needed to be removed.  Luckily the happy go lucky Faith bounced back with no problems and now walks around on three legs with no problem.

The issue now is not her leg, but finding her a home.  Faith is in need of a foster home or forever home with owners that will love and cherish her.  To learn how to adopt this amazing little one-year-old, call 813.744.5660.

Here is a video that gives a little more detail about Faith and a little more insight to just how special she is.

To read more on this story, bark on the link:  Bark!

MLK Day

Today is a special day to observe a man who did so many great things for human rights, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr..  I hope a great deal of you get the day off to enjoy the day in his honor.  But if you are like the rest of us and still have to work, don't forget to take a moment to think about all the wonderful things this man did for equal rights in this country.  He died much too young, I am certain he still had many things to change or simply make better.  One thing is for sure, today being his birthday, should be celebrated and he should be honored.  

If you are looking for the best way to celebrate, there is the annual Kingdom Day Parade happening today at 11am.  The route starts at Martin Luther King Blvd and Western Ave, traveling west on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd to Crenshaw Blvd, south on Crenshaw Blvd to Vernon Ave with a festival at Leimert Park. 

If you are looking for another way to celebrate, today is the last day for ice skating in Pershing Square.

Whatever you end up doing, just remember why you have today off and what one amazing man was able to accomplish for human and civil rights.

To learn more about the Kingdom Day Parade, bark on the link:   Bark!

Our Valentine Doggy Date Night!

 

As you all know from reading this blog, the most important thing to me is for owners to show their love to their dogs.  This is why I couldn't pass up the opportunity to celebrate our love and adoration for our pooches by having a Valentine's Day themed Pooch Parade.

I am very excited to announce Bark & Clark's first Pooch Parade of 2011.  Please join us for Love Your Dog Pooch Parade on February 9th @ 7pm.  It will be a night on the town with your dog as we take a romantic stroll through our beautiful city.  Then a special treat for your pooches at Pussy and Pooch and finally a chance to sit down and enjoy adult treats with wonderful conversation at the lovely and dog friendly Portofinos.

Besides the obvious fun you will have, this is a great chance to learn about how to handle your dog downtown and in general with other dogs and humans.  This class focus is on basic obedience to help your dog focus on you - not all the distractions. We'll also focus on manners specific to the city, such as sitting at all intersections before crossing; sitting for introductions and the proper way to greet other dogs.  Last but certainly not least, we address the ongoing battle of teaching owners the proper places to potty their dog and how to clean it up!


We teach uptown manners for Downtown dogs! This class is so fun, it's more like an outing... So let's take a stroll through the city and focus on doggy's ability to deal with the public, the lively city and all the other pooches out and about.

I am so excited about this Pooch Parade, I hope I will see you all there!  Be sure to RSVP by February 4th because space is limited.

To sign up for our next Pooch Parade, give us a bark:  Bark!

Art Walk Tonight

Tonight is the first Art Walk of 2011!  I know everyone is excited to welcome back our favorite art event.  It is so nice for our neighborhood to buzz with excitement and people, at least for one night of the month.

If you are a dog owner, a little word of caution, though Art Walk does welcome the pooches to come out, it is really not a safe environment for them.  There are so many people on the sidewalks there is no way to safely get your pooch through them all.  The exception is of course if you have a small dog that you can carry, there is no threat to their safety if they are in your arms.  But for the bigger pups, it can be scary and even dangerous.  I unfortunately witness every Art Walk people out with their dogs walking them through the crowd and hearing the yelps from people stepping on their tails or paws.  Of course no one is doing this on purpose, it is just the product of having so many people on small sidewalks.  

So if you are going to Art Walk tonight, leave your pooch safe in your home.  When it is time for a walk, be sure to keep them out of the heart of the event.  No one wants their dog hurt and certainly no one wants to be the one that hurts your dog.

Have fun tonight and be safe!

For more information on Art Walk, bark on the link:  Bark!

Potential Canine Vaccination Breakthrough

K9 Magazine reported today that there is a new product about to launch in the world of canine vaccination.  The product is VacciCheck and it was developed by Biogal-Galed Labs with the help and input of Modern Veterinary Therapeutics, LLC (Miami, FL).  VacciCheck is meant to be used as a diagnostic tool to evaluate the antibody response to the core vaccination or infection by Infectious Canine Hepatitis, Canine Parvovirus and Distemper Virus. The wonderful thing about VacciCheck is it gives veterinarians the opportunity to assess all 3 of the core vaccines and it is a test that can be done in the office or lab and have the results in 20 minutes.

Biogal plan to launch this product at the North American Veterinary Conference (NAVC) on January 15-19th 2011 in Orlando, Florida. This conference is the major event of the year in the United States for the small animal veterinarian industry, attracting over 15,000 participants. 

I think this is a great breakthrough.  Anything that can help get the right amount of vaccine to our dogs has to be a good thing.  I think the down side will be the price tag associated with this new test.  I am most happy that their continues to be progress made in this area.

To read the full article, bark on the link:  Bark!

Food Truck For Dogs

What is more hip right now than food trucks?  That would be a food truck designed for our pooches.  Phydough is an ice-cream and gourmet treat truck cruising around L.A.  Your furry friend can pick from an array of yummy treats such as peanut butter and bacon cookies, duck-fat cookies, red velvet cookies, froi gras ice-cream, cookie dough ice-cream sandwiches or just pick up some frozen cookie dough and make them at home.  These are just a sample, there are so many more and no matter what your dog's taste may be, they will surely have a great treat to satisfy them.

Phydough's prices are not bad, they are no more expensive and on some things less expensive, than a boutique pet store that would sell these items.  The best part is that your dog will LOVE them!

Follow them on Twitter or their own website to find out where they will be next.  I have included that information in the Bark! below.

To find out where the Phydough truck will be, bark on the link:  Bark!

Training

Since I announced last week that January is National Training Month, I've been paying attention a lot more to the dogs around me or people around me that really need training.  It is hard to keep my mouth closed when you see people strong arming their pooches and think that is control.  It breaks my heart to watch owners use choke chains and prong collars and give harsh corrections to their dogs.  Where did people learn that giving your dog a major yank on the neck (no matter what direction) will correct their dog and make them listen or stop doing whatever it is that they are doing?  You can severely injure your dog with tactics like this.  The owners of large dogs are mainly who I see, I'm sure they think their dog is too big to feel the correction, but that is not the case.  

I could go on and on about this and how upset I get, but I will get straight to my message.  Please, all pet dog owners, do yourself a favor and enroll in at least one class of training.  My trainings are not just about teaching the basics it is about creating an amazing relationship with your dog.  No matter how you are relating with your dog now, I promise after one session of my style of training, you will have a better relationship with your dog and it is not be so exhausting.

I still have room in my Saturday class that started this past Saturday or I am available for privates.

To learn more about my training, bark on the link:  Bark! 

New Year's Resolutions For Pets (And You)!

I received Petside.com's newsletter yesterday and had a good laugh reading all the New Year's Resolutions for pets.  It is all the things you would love to hear your dog or cat say as resolutions.  Things like a dog promising not to pull on the leash or chew up a shoe and cats not to drink from the toilet bowl.  It is very cute and good for a smile or even a laugh.

At the end of the fun list, they then have a link you click for the resolutions for pet owners.  I may not agree with the advice in all of them, but I think they are all great ideas.  I agree with making a resolution as a pet owner to do better things for your pet, be that more play time or training or just to make more time to spend with them.

To view the New Year's Resolutions for Pets, bark on the link: Bark!

Don't forget to click on the link for the resolutions for pet owners.

Do Pets Have An Impact On Our Health And Well Being?

There is a very interesting article in the New York Times opinion pages claiming that our pets do not have the positive effects on our health as we suspect they do.  The article does start by saying that there is research that supports a positive impact on our health such as stroking an animal lowers blood pressure, that AIDS patients living with pets are less depressed and that pet owners have lower cholesterol levels, sleep more soundly, exercise more and take fewer sick days than non-pet owners.

However, there is another side to the story and that is what this article is focusing on.  

To quote:

"A 2006 survey of Americans by the Pew Research Center, for instance, reported that living with a pet did not make people any happier. Similarly, a 2000 Australian study of mortality rates found no evidence that pet owners lived any longer than anyone else. And last year Dutch researchers concluded that companion animals had no effect on their owners’ physical or mental well-being. Worse, in 2006, epidemiologists in Finland reported that pet owners were more likely than non-pet owners to suffer from sciatica, kidney disease, arthritis, migraines, panic attacks, high blood pressure and depression.

This pattern of mixed results also holds true for the widely heralded notion that animals can cure various physical afflictions. For example, a study of people with chronic fatigue syndrome found that while pet owners believed that interacting with their pets relieved their symptoms, objective analysis revealed that they were just as tired, stressed, worried and unhappy as sufferers in a control group who had no pets. Similarly, a clinical trial of cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy found that interacting with therapy dogs did no more to enhance the participants’ morale than reading a book did.

As for the presumed curative powers of swimming with dolphins, researchers at Emory University who reviewed the dolphin therapy studies concluded that every one purporting to document positive health effects was methodologically flawed." 

The article does go on to say that by no means are they trying to disparage the companionship between pet and human, rather, they are only trying to point out there may not be the healing power we have been told of in the past.

I personally have my own thoughts and theories behind this.  Seeing first hand what the love of a dog could do for my sick grandma in her final months or how my mother healed from back surgery having her loyal dog by her side almost as an assistant and finally my father healing from heart surgery with no depression... once again due to his faithful dogs that kept him happy and laughing everyday.

Maybe there is no scientific proof that our furry friends help our health and well being, but I think it is what you see and what you believe in your head.  If you are ill and you believe your dog gives you the strength to get better, I would say they do because you believe it.  

For the full story, bark on the link:  Bark!

What's Up Downtown - January

There is a lot happening to kick off the year.  First off, if you haven't been ice skating in Pershing Square, you still have time, it will be open until January 17th.  Beyond that there are new restaurants on 5th Street (Coronado) and 6th Street (Cabbage Patch), a new salon on 7th Street (Neihule) and a new market on 5th Street (Two Bits Market).  There is of course lots of concerts, theater and art events to attend and some great lectures are coming too.

Today in the Music Center Plaza is the LA Arts Month Kick-Off Festival from 12-1:30 and it is FREE to attend.  To learn more, bark on the link:  Bark!

I hope you find the perfect things to do in Downtown for January.

To view the whole calendar for What's Up Downtown - January, bark on the link:  Bark!

"Lost" Dog by Delta Airlines Is Found Dead

Did your travels leave something to be desired this holiday season?  Or did you manage to come and go with no delays, cancellations or major disruptions?  Well the latter of the two was not this case in this story.  On December 22nd Alisa and Brian Miller were flying with their 2 dogs, Nala an 8-year-old German Shepard mix and Princess a Beagle, from San Diego to Frankfurt, Germany.  There was a connection in Atlanta and that is where Nala escaped from her crate sometime in the night.  There was a massive search launched to find Nala and Delta offered $1000 as a compensation for the Miller's.  Unfortunately, Nala's body was found along side I-75 by a road crew and it is said she was struck by a car and died instantaneously.

This is a tragedy to say the least.  How did this dog escape an airport to get out on a freeway?  Is there monitoring of the dogs especially in a lay over situation?  This is not the first time that Delta has lost a dog and I think we can all bet this will not be the last.  Is there no agency that can look into their operating procedures when it comes to transporting pets?  We have to pay enough money to transport our pets that we should be ensured that they safely arrive at their end destination.

My condolences go out to Alisa and Brian Miller for their lost.  It was said that they are of course devastated by news and they have given the $1000 to the Atlanta Pet Rescue.

For the full story, bark on the link:  Bark!

National Train Your Dog Month

Happy New Year!  We are now into January and did you know it is National Train Your Dog Month?  What a perfect resolution, to get your pooch trained.  Training is so much more than just simply having your dog mind basic commands.  There is socialization, creating and maintaining a fabulous relationship, having a solid way to communicate with your dog, providing mental stimulation and it provides you with the tools that could save your dogs life.  

The next step after deciding to get your dog in school is deciding what training is right for you, class or private.  Lucky for you I happen to know an amazing trainer that does both, me!  I still have room in my class that is starting on January 8th and I am always accepting new private trainings.  If you just need a few tips here and there, come to my next Pooch Parade class in February.

To learn more about training with Bark & Clark, bark on the link:  Bark!