Puppy Shot By Crossbow!

If you are a loyal reader, you know that I always have something fun and lite on Fridays, but I can't do that this Friday.  I had a nice fun blog planned, then I saw the news last night and got so mad I knew I had to change the topic and try to help.  A 6 month old German Shepherd puppy was shot by a crossbow out of nowhere and due to extensive injuries had to be euthanized!  The police are now on the hunt for the suspects who did this. As well, animal control is trying to locate the owners of the pup.  If you have any information about the person that committed this hideous crime or the owners of the pup, please call Riverside Co. Animal Services 951.358.PETS (7387).

Below is the full story with the details of the events leading up to this pup's last moments.  I urge you all to be on the look out, eyes and ears open, let's bring this little pup some justice.

Again, if you have any information on this incident or the owners of this pup, call Riverside County Animal Services 951.358.PETS(7387).

Petco Being Sued After Dog Dies

Three years ago Teresa Gilland took her beloved Sadie, a Lhasa Apso, to Petco for a normal grooming.  As part of the grooming, Petco uses cage dryers, Sadie was put into a kennel and the dryer turned on.  I do not know the details from there, but the story ends with little Sadie being rushed to the vet with a 107 temperature (normal dog temperature is 101-102) and then dying due to what the vet called a "severe heat stroke".  When Gilland later saw Sadie’s cage at Petco, she said it had blood smears and scratch marks.

Teresa was of course devastated and has made it her mission to stop Petco from using these machines or at least put up a warning to their customers.  This mission has come in the form of a lawsuit which has not been easy to file since in the state of California dogs are property so finding a lawyer to represent you is a challenge.  But Teresa has not given up in 3 years and has now found Christine Garcia, a San Francisco lawyer who specializes in animal litigation.

The civil lawsuit they filed in Sacramento Superior Court charges wrongful death and negligence, and asks for unspecified monetary damages.  “I want Petco to stop using these machines, or at least post warnings to customers about them,” said Gilland told the Sacramento Bee. “This, for me, has been just devastating. I don’t want it to happen to anyone else.”

Unfortunately, Sadie is not the first dog to perish because of a cage dryer. And she wasn’t the last. In the right hands, and with plenty of supervision, many groomers and veterinarians say they can be safe. But even a well-meaning groomer, busy with other dogs, might forget about a dog in a kennel set up with a drying mechanism. Temperatures can quickly reach dangerous levels.

I will keep my eye on this case as it continues to develop.  I can't imagine the pain to lose your beloved pet in this way.  What do you think?

To get in touch with Bark & Clark, bark on the link:  Bark!

5th Annual Dog Day Afternoon Success

Yesterday was the 5th Annual Dog Day Afternoon at the Cathedral of our Lady of the Angels and it couldn't have gone any better!  We all had a great time and there were so many adorable dogs to love.  

I have to brag just a tiny bit, I thought my booth was wonderful!  We had a HD T.V. displaying images that was the main focus and it really did it's job.  I ended up having some wonderful conversations with all sorts of people including the next candidate for Mayor Jan Perry.  I was able to really spread my word about the importance of training and promote my upcoming event that I believe will start to change Downtown dog behavior.  Though I "Launched" this last night, the formal announcement will be in this blog today, so stay tuned...

I was so impressed with our friend's Pussy & Pooch!  Their booth was out of sight!  They even had a chef cooking gourmet treats for the pooches on the spot.  I loved it.  Of course there was a huge line all night for that.  I was so happy to see them out do themselves again.  They are always leading the way as our only Downtown pet boutique!

If you missed the event last night, no worries, there will be another one next year!  That is for sure based on the success from last night.  Speaking of success, I would not have been able to pull any of this off if it weren't for some very special people giving me their hard work and time!  Thank you to my amazing friends, family and supporters that helped me with the design, marketing, booth construction, getting out and talking to people and just your overall support!  I could not do what I do without you.  Especially you Atlas, one of my mascot dogs.  Your energy alone is enough to make me smile all night!

If you are interested in training with Bark & Clark, bark on the link:  Bark!

 

Summer Strut Pooch Parade!

Summer time is here, so grab your dog and come celebrate in Downtown!  It brings me great pleasure to announce Bark & Clark's Summer Pooch Parade!

Please join us for Summer Strut Pooch Parade on August 16th @ 7pm.  This parade will be back in the Historical Core, strutting through our tree-lined streets, practicing good manners and stopping in at Pussy & Pooch for a break and fabulous & tasty snack.  After our stroll and lesson, it's our turn for adult refreshments and treats at the fantastic Portofino's on Main.

Aside from the obvious we'll all have, this is a great opportunity to learn about how to handle your dog downtown and in general with other dogs and humans.  This workshop's focus is on basic obedience to help your dog focus on you - not the innumerable distractions around. We'll also work  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 August 12th because space is limited. $40

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

5th Annual Dog Day Afternoon

Downtowner's what will you be doing between 6pm - 9pm tonight?  If your answer is nothing, change it to coming to Dog Day!  The Downtown dog event of the year is here.  Bark & Clark will be there at our booth talking about dog safety, training and the best way to love your pooch.  We will also be launching something exciting, but you have to be there to find out what it will be! (...or read this blog tomorrow)

If you are wondering what on earth Dog Day is, it is really simple.  Most every dog business/ pet business in Downtown and surrounding areas come together in the courtyard of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels.  We talk to people and their dogs and give out really cool samples, take aways and coupons.  It is a doggie paradise with all the love and attention they get and an owners dream because is tires them out and you score major swag.

All in all the evening is a lot of fun!  You must however RSVP, but the good thing is, it is not too late.  RSVP today by barking on the link:  BARK!

Hope to see you there!

Dog Trainer Jailed After Breaking Pups Leg

I think we all see it all the time, the people that refer to themselves as "Dog Trainers" but really have no idea what they are doing.  Some just watch a myriad of YouTube videos, other just watch the dog training shows on T.V.  But what they typically have not done is completed any type of program to teach training theory or earn a certification.  Even for those that have, sometimes the education, adaptation and learning stops there.  In my opinion those are the dangerous trainers that have no business training your dog and this story just furthers my thinking.

The K-9 Magazine blog had a story in it about a Dog Training team that both admitted responsibility for breaking the leg of a German Shepherd puppy called Kim during one of their training classes in Farnborough.  Apparently Grant Chanin "pushed Kim to the floor and spread his entire body weight across her whole body during the class in June 2009."  Chanin also admitted six additional animal cruelty charges, including choking one dog ‘to the last breath’.

Chanin and her partner Laura Kahane have agreed to take down their Evolution Dog Services Ltd website within a week.  Chanin was sentenced to 8 weeks in prison and was prohibited for looking after animals for 10 years.  Kahane was given a 12-month community order for her role in the abuse and must also complete 80 hours of community service, as well as having a 12-month ban on looking after animals.

The story makes me sick both as a trainer and dog lover!  I work hard to help people have a better relationship with their dog, that is the training I focus on.  Yes, it is done through obedience, but every single one of my clients comes out with a great relationship with their pooch.  I could never imagine doing anything to hurt an animal during a course of training.  What in the world kind of training are they doing?  I really feel for the people that invested in their service only to be taken by their fraudulent nature.  What a shame!

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

Friday Lite!

Happy Friday Everyone!  A good friend of mine shared an amazingly cute video with me that I had to make the center of this blog today.  If you are looking for a cute song and video to start your day right, be it Friday or any other day, I dare you not to be in a good mood after hearing and watching this.

The writer and singer of the song is a friend of my friend and he is a rock & roll guy that has put out a few children's albums.  This song is just perfect for both dog lovers and children!  I know this song spoke to me loudly as I LOVE to dance with my dog.  It is the joy at the end of everyday for me, I come home from my last appointment (no matter what time) and there is my Neville prancing around ready to dance!

If you are serious about dancing with your dog, there is even a sport dedicated to it.  I don't think Neville and I will ever be in a stadium performing like the professionals, we will just settle for our living room for now.

I hope this inspires all of you to dance with your dog tonight or this weekend!  Enjoy!

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

Michael Vick Urges Congress To Support Anti-Dog Fighting Bill

I have been very vocal about my disgust with Michael Vick in the past.  I have went so far as to say that his school and other appearances are not enough.  So now, I humbly say, maybe I have been way too harsh.  There is no way to forget his hideous acts in the past, but it would appear he is really stepping up to help right a major wrong.  Michael Vick has announced his support for The Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act, which would make it illegal to attend a dog fight or cock fight. Vick, who served two years in prison for his role in a dog fighting ring, says stiffer penalties could prevent people from attending fights.  So he is now teaming up with Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.) to push for this federal legislation.

This does not wipe away his past, but I think it is a big step to helping save many dogs in the future.  We all make mistakes, some just seem worse than others, but we should all be given the chance for redemption.  Perhaps this is his.  Below is a video with a bit of the press conference and explanation of the new Bill.

5th Annual Dog Day Afternoon

Downtowner's grab your dogs and head to the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels on July 26th for the 5th Annual Dog Day Afternoon!  This event is open only to the dogs of Downtown but people from all over are welcome to join.  If you have never been, I really suggest to get your RSVP in today and check it out. 

It is a lot of fun for both the K-9's and the humans!  You pick up great information, free swag from the vendors and your pooches will be exhausted by the end.  But keep in mind, if you have a dog that doesn't enjoy people or other dogs, this is not the even for them.  It gets a little crowded with people and there are LOTS of dogs.  So this event is for the super friendly and socialized dogs only and it would be perfect for puppies to work on their socialization.

Dog Day is from 6-9pm on July 26th (less than a week away) in the courtyard of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels.  To RSVP, bark on the link:  Bark!

Bark & Clark will be there spreading our word about training, doggie etiquette and how to keep your dogs safe and healthy...hope to see you there!

Dog Disappears At Groomers

In Houston, TX an 11-year-old girl and her grandma dropped off their little poodle Gigo at a groomers.  Sounds, normal right?  Well, later in the day when the groomers did not call for them to come get the dog, the little girl and grandma returned to the groomers only to find they had no idea where their dog was.  They lost a dog in the course of a day!

The worst part of this story is that the little 11-year-old girl, Alexandra Bonilla, lost her mother last year of kidney disease, and her little white poodle helped her get through her loss and was such a comfort to her.  Her father, Salvador Bonilla, is outraged over the lost dog mainly because the groomer's have offered no explanation or apology for the loss of their dog.  They did however offer another dog, but in his and his daughter's minds, there is no replacing this dog and no amount of money to pay for her.

The full story is in the video below.  What do you think?

Special Edition Friday!

Okay, I know this has nothing to do with dogs or Downtown, but I went to Harry Potter The Deathly Hallows Part II last night and it is all I will be able to talk about.  I still feel like a screaming teenage little girl!  The audience was by far the worst part of the whole deal, but they also added that extra level of entertainment and feeling that you were all in this together.

The night's action started with a live duel between two audience members (I'm certain it was rehearsed prior) and was preceded and followed by many dressed as characters from the movie... very fun!

But once the movie started all I could do was feel my heart pound and watch every exciting moment after the next.  The anticipation, excitement, terror, heart break and pride you feel throughout the film is enough to give any Harry Potter fan the fix we have so badly been craving.  The acting was fantastic, such a talented group!  Even the characters you love to hate are a joy to watch on screen because the actors are so committed and so good!

I was a huge fan of the books and this may be the first movie since the first one that I wasn't completely disappointed by the changes the film adaptation made.  Oh, it was good! Here is a trailer and a 6 minute bring you up to date video just in case you haven't seen it.

If you are a fan, go see it.  I didn't do 3D, but I might have to go back for that too.

Have a happy and safe weekend, and even if you go to the movies, don't forget to do something fun with doggy!

Fighters Fighting Dog Fighting!

I had to share a couple of these PSA's that the non-profit group Knock Out Dog Fighting put together.  You might wonder where the name came from, it is a group made up of professional boxers and MMA fighters.  These guys know all about the true sport of fighting and strongly agree, dog fighting is not a sport and is absolute abuse.  

The non-profit spreads their word by speaking out via these PSA's and going school to school and trying to educate youth.  Below are a couple of their PSA's, enjoy.

To learn more about Knock Out Dog Fighting, bark on the link:  Bark!

Campfire At Vista Hermosa!

Vista Hermosa Natural Park is by far one of my favorite parks in LA.  So I was over the moon excited to hear they are doing an evening of campfire songs and roasted marshmallows!  What a fun summer activity to bring to the city.

The event is hosted by the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority, free campfires take place every Wednesday from 7-8:30 p.m. The program, which started on July 6, runs through August 24.

Families are asked to meet at the Grotto Amphitheater, and are encouraged to pack a picnic and bring a blanket. MRCA staff will provide the campfire and marshmallows. The event is free and open to the public. Free parking is available inside the park, or along Toluca Street.

If you haven't made it to this park, please go check it out.  If this event is not your thing, go on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon, it is the perfect place to for you and your pooch to have fun.

For more information on the Campfire event, call (213) 250-1100 or bark on the link:  Bark!

Dogs Can Get Sunburned Too!

Even though it may be overcast this week, the sun is still up in the sky and can still do damage.  I've focused a lot on heat, but what I haven't talked about is the actual sun and the damage it can do to your dog.  Yes, just like humans, your dog can get sunburned.  Especially if you have a dog that has little or no fur, light (or white) fur, and all dogs are sensitive on their bellies, inner thighs and nose.  I found an informative little blurb on the Petside.com newsletter that goes over the best practices to keep your dog safe from sunburn.  Enjoy the read.

Dogs absolutely CAN get sunburned just like we can. There are certain areas on animals that are most sensitive to the sun. Dogs that like to sun their bellies, inner thighs, or any other areas that don't have a lot of hair can get burned. Even dogs that have light colored noses can get sunburns. Hairless dogs, like Chinese Crested can get sunburns all over their bodies!

If you are going to let your dog lie out in the sun you should definitely apply a sun block. There are sunscreens created just for pets and are available in any pet store.

Be sure not to use a human sunscreen if you think your pet may lick it since some ingredients, like zinc oxide which is contained in human ointments, can be toxic. Licking zinc oxide can cause nausea, diarrhea and even anemia. Sunscreens made specifically for pets do not contain zinc oxide and are safe. Some popular brands of pet sunscreen are Doggles, NutriVet, and Vet’s Best.
Remember that sunscreen must be reapplied after many hours in the sun. It's also probably best not to let your dog lie outside in the direct afternoon sun.

I hope this has given you some helpful information that will keep your dogs safe and happy.

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

Cool Video Friday!

Happy Friday everyone!  I hope you have a great weekend and remember as this heat continues to rise to think about the effects it has on your pooch.  Keep them hydrated, try to keep their paws in the shade and don't push them physically, monitor the exercise.  But otherwise, have fun and spend some good time with them!

To send you into the weekend on a happy note, a friend sent me this video and I just love it!  I should preface this by saying I am not encouraging or condoning anyone breaking out dogs from a shelter.  But this video has such a sweet and pure message, I can't help but watch it and smile.  I hope it makes you smile too.

Have a happy and safe weekend!

Most Common Dog Health Problems

 

I read an interesting article in K-9 Magazine newsletter about the Most Common Dog Health Problems.  The study was done by a US pet insurance firm and the results indicate that pets visit the veterinarian for many of the same reasons humans visit the doctor, with ear infections the No. 1 condition for dogs and lower urinary tract disease No. 1 for cats. The top 10 conditions accounted for nearly 340,000, or close to 25 percent of all canine claims.

The Most Common Dog Health Problems are:

1. Ear Infections
2. Skin Allergies
3. Pyoderma/Hot Spots
4. Gastritis/Vomiting
5. Enteritis/Diarrhea
6. Urinary Tract Infections
7. Benign Skin Tumors
8. Osteoarthritis
9. Eye Inflammation
10. Hypothyroidism 

I have to say, none of these were a big surprise, as these are the things I am asked about the most.

It is a quick read with some interesting facts, to read it, bark on the link:  Bark!

What's Up Downtown July!

With the sights and sounds of fireworks exploding all around Downtown we welcome July!  This year is flying by, but the summer months are here.  There is always a lot to do, but this is when all the outdoor fun begins!

The list is long, so I will tell you about three of the events I am most looking forward to.  Grand Performances 25th Season continues and brings us some fun performances on these hot summer nights to come, Summer on the Plaza begins July 15th with their free concert series, and last but not least, what I am most looking forward to the 5th Annual Dog Day Afternoon on July 26th from 6pm - 9pm.

Again, this is just a few of so many, check out the calendar for yourself and find the perfect night out or event to attend.  I hope to see you and all your pooches at Dog Day Afternoon!

To view the DowntownLA Calendar, bark on the link:  Bark!

Think About Your Pooches

This weekend was beautiful but challenging with all the fireworks.  I was very impressed that Neville didn't react more than he did, he was great!  I thought for sure with all his fear issues the fireworks would get to him, but he seemed to be fine.  Last night got a little much at one point, but he just hung out in his crate and was fine.  But, that was just my dog.  I was really bothered by what I saw the rest of the weekend from other dog owners.  

 It was so hot this weekend and yet I saw people running in the heat of the day with their dog, standing in direct sun on a hot sidewalk talking to other people and not letting their dog have shade,  and so many people were out with their dog in the heat with no water.  I understand that you have to walk your dog, I have to walk mine too and I get you may not be able to walk your dog in the shade the whole time.  That is not what I am referring to.  I am talking about instances that people clearly were not taking into consideration their dog's needs.

Running with your dog is great, but it needs to be done in the morning or evening during the summer months, it is just too hot to run your dog (especially a dog with lots of fur) in the middle of the day.  And if you feel your dog can handle it, you need to have water for your dog every 15 minutes or so depending on the heat.

Standing and talking to another person is a great way to get your dog to practice sit and to be patient, but not when you are in direct sun on a hot sidewalk.  If you want to stop and talk, great, but get your dog in the shade, the sidewalk is hot and the longer they sit there on it the more their pads heat up and they heat up.

WATER!  It is so important.  When the temperature rises your dog needs more water, they can become dehydrated very quickly.  If you are out exercising in the heat, your dog should be given the opportunity to drink water about every 15 minutes, if it is a cooler time like the evening or morning it can be less, about every 30 minutes or so.

All I am asking is that as the heat continues to come in, just think about your pooches.  They are much more delicate than most people think.

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