Dog Food Recall

It was announced at the end of last week that some Diamond Food products are being recalled due to salmonella contamination.  I know I have received a couple of letters from stores carrying these products and they are being pulled off the shelf, but make sure you check the food your dog is eating. The Associated Press brought us the story below, it lists the brands that are recalled.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- Fourteen people in at least nine states have been sickened by salmonella after handling tainted dog food from a South Carolina plant that a few years ago produced food contaminated by toxic mold that killed dozens of dogs, federal officials said Friday.

At least five people were hospitalized because of the dog food, which was made by Diamond Pet Foods at its plant in Gaston, S.C., the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. No pets were sickened, according to the Meta, Mo.-based company.

"People who became ill, the thing that was common among them was that they had fed their pets Diamond Pet Foods," said CDC spokeswoman Lola Russell.

Three people each were infected in Missouri and North Carolina; two people in Ohio; and one person each in Alabama, Connecticut, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Virginia, the CDC said.

"Our folks are really wanting people to be aware of it. They want to be aware that this is causing people to get sick because they may have product in their homes. For every one that is reported, there may be 29 others," Russell said.

People can get salmonella by handling infected dog food, then not washing their hands before eating or handling their own food, health officials said.

The South Carolina plant temporarily was shut down April 8. Diamond Pet Foods has issued four rounds of recalls for food made at the plant, located outside of Columbia, S.C., between Dec. 9 and April 7. The latest recalls were announced Friday.

"We took corrective actions at the plant, and today the plant is up and running. Our mission is to produce safe pet foods for our customers and their pets in all Diamond facilities," the company said in a written statement Friday.

In 2005, a toxic mold called aflatoxin ended up in food made at the same Diamond Pet Foods plant in South Carolina and dozens of dogs died. The company offered a $3.1 million settlement. The Food and Drug Administration determined the deadly fungus likely got into the plant when it failed to test 12 shipments of corn.

FDA officials were not immediately available for comment Friday on the most recent problems with the plant.

Agriculture officials in Michigan found the strain of salmonella during routine testing of dog food on April 2 and health investigators noticed there was a possible link to the food made by Diamond Pet Foods. An ill person still had some of the food, and authorities were able to link the cases to the food, the CDC said.

The recall covers a number of pet food brands made at the Gaston plant, including Canidae, Natural Balance, Apex, Kirkland, Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul, Country Value, Diamond, Diamond Naturals, Premium Edge, Professional, 4Health and Taste of the Wild.

Though there are no reports of this causing illness in CA, I would still take caution with this food.

For more information on the recall, bark on the link:  Bark!

What's Up Downtown May!

Happy May!  I hope you all had a great first weekend in May and got to celebrate Cinco De Mayo!
May is here and Downtown has a lot to offer you in the way of fun things to do, new places to eat, shows to see and of course special deals for Mother's Day. 

I, however, am most excited about my own event, the Spring Fever Pooch Parade on May 15th.  You must RSVP by May 8th and it is getting full, so RSVP today.  It is going to be so much fun for both you and your dog!!

I am into food, so trying new places to eat is high on my list of things to do.  I am looking forward to getting a burger from The Counter Burger on 7th, they are so yummy, I'm sure this location is no different.  I've already had a chance to sample a sandwich from Mike's Deli on 1st, delicious food and high quality service!  I am also looking forward to getting a cocktail sometime soon from Bar Thirteen, it looks like a great vibe!  There are more new places to try, but these are just a few.

If you get as much joy from seeing shows as I do, there are some good choices to see right now.  To name a couple, La Bohème is coming to the LA Opera and Follies is now playing at the Ahmanson.  Those are just two, there are so many exhibits to see and concerts, you could keep yourself entertained every day of the month!

Finally, don't forget that this Sunday is Mother's Day.  If your mom lives in the area or is coming in for a timely visit, there are some great brunch offers to treat her to.  To view all the participating restaurants and their special brunch offer for Mom's and Mimosas, just bark on the link:  Bark!

Happy May Everyone!

My Bond With Neville

Tuesday was one of the most emotional days I've had with Neville to date. Not in a bad way, just emotional. There are a few factors involved: I had been rushing around preparing for my trip I started yesterday for the few days prior, the events Downtown for May Day and all the chaos that was surrounding that, he had an acupuncture treatment and then I left him at the kennel. With my energy being weird and the intensity of Downtown, my sweet boy was a little stressed.

Right before I took him to his acupuncture treatment I read a blog that my vet had posted about the connection we have with our pets and how they rescue us just as much as we rescue them. This is a thought I have a lot about both my dog and cat, but especially Neville. So going to the vet, I was already in a sentimental mood.

The treatment went really well and he was extra sweet to me and my vet! We spent some quite time in the exam room after his treatment so I could say goodbye. I felt like my heart was being ripped out as he sat in front of me and looked so lovingly at me with his big brown eyes. Neville has this look that he gives at all the right moments that is a mixture of the cutest puppy you have ever seen and a stunningly handsome dog. It melts my heart every time.

So after lots of kisses and hugs and a quick trip outside for one last potty, it was time for goodbye. I walked him back to the kennel area and as he rounded a corner I turned back and ducked out before he could see me leave. I barely got into my car before the tears started to come. The silly part is that I leave him at this kennel because it is a safe place for him. It is my vet so I trust her and the staff and Neville really likes it there. On top of all of that, he only has to stay for 2 days and then my friend and mommy to his girlfriend, will pick him up for a weekend sleep over. Why I got so upset, I don't know. Logically, I know it is fine, but still somewhere in my head all I could think about was my sweet boy being scared and lonely and not understanding what was happening.

Ultimately, when I was at home Tuesday night and felt how empty the house was, it just made me appreciate how far Neville and I have come with our bonding. I know I can't imagine how or what my life was without him and I hope one day he can forget the life he had before me. I know I love him and he loves me and it is one of the most amazing feelings to be loved and bonded with such a special dog.

I know each of you can relate with this because of your own special bond with your dog. No matter if they are truly a rescue dog or not, my bet is that they rescued you in whatever way you needed them to.

Take a moment to hug your dog today and just feel the love between you, I know that is all I want to do today but my sweet boy is so far away so I will have to wait a few more days.

Spring Fever Pooch Parade... Don't Miss Out!

 A few weeks ago I announced the Spring Fever Pooch Parade that is going to be on May 15th in Little Tokyo and the Arts District.  I want to clear a few things up about what this event is and why it would be good to attend.  Many people have asked or inquired, is this just a walk or is this just training on how to walk your dog?  The answer is no.  It is much more than that.  Really, the Pooch Parade works on socialization for your dog.  Socialization on a broad scale, so that includes other dogs, people, cars, buses, skateboards, bikes, and everything else that comes with the city.  We do take a walk, but during the walk I have you stop every so often to do different exercises to work on your dog's focus on you. 

At the end of the night, we sit down at a restaurant, this time will be Urth Cafe, with our dogs.  This allows for your pooch to rest, but also for you to have a pleasant dining experience with your dog. 

Space is limited and there are a few spots left, so hurry and RSVP today or at least by May 8th.  All the details about the event are below from my original post.

The temperature is risin'!  Get your dog out & let's sniff Downtown's air on the side of the city we don't get to very often!  

It brings me great pleasure to announce Bark & Clark's Spring Pooch Parade!

Please join us for the Spring Fever Pooch Parade on May 15th @ 7pm. 

The evening will start with me, Certified Trainer, Tamara Clark, leading your pooches through the busy streets of Little Tokyo and we will make our way through the lights and people over to the sometimes no sidewalks of the Arts District.  We'll keep your dogs tail wagging with special to-go treats from Pussy & Pooch and, as usual, the evening will conclude with a chance for the humans to sit down, unwind and enjoy wonderful conversation at the dog friendly, Urth Cafe.  So fun!  

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.  The Spring Fever Pooch Parade workshop's focus will be on you dogs socialization with busy sidewalks and streets and safety where sidewalks don't exist.  As well, we will have our usual education on the approved potty places and how to get your dog to go there. 
 
The benefit of working your dog in this environment is it helps reinforce their basic obedience and uses those skills to increase their focus on you - not all the distractions. 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. 

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 and if you can't be there, I hope you will help spread the word!  

Be sure to RSVP by May 8th because space is limited.  The cost is $40/dog.

To sign up for The Spring Fever Pooch Parade, give us a bark:  Bark!

Introducing Baby to Dog

Babies are still on my mind after a weekend of seeing my friend's new babies and helping a couple of clients prepare for a new arrival and another one introduce their dog to their baby for the first time.  K9 Magazine Blog had a great set of tips on this exact subject.  It is loaded with great information for any expecting or new parents with dogs.

No matter how amazing your dog may be, you never truly know how they will handle a baby coming into their home.  That is why it is essential to prepare your dog as much as you are preparing your home and yourselves.  The information below can help you do just that. 

Start your preparations early

As soon as you know there is a new baby on the way, you and your family will begin to prepare yourselves for the changes ahead. Your family dog will also need to be prepared for the new arrival, as there will be alterations to the home environment and routine once the baby comes into the house.

With a little forward planning, you can get your dog used to the changes well in advance, so that he should hardly notice any difference when the baby actually arrives.

You should start to make preparations four months in advance of the birth – do not leave it until the baby has arrived. The whole family can enjoy the benefits that having a dog can bring by following the advice in this leaflet.

How will your dog react to your new baby?

If your dog has already experienced the arrival of a new baby, and has coped well, you should not have too many problems. However, if this is the first time your dog will be living with a new baby, then ask yourself the following questions:

• What sort of relationship will you have with your dog when the baby arrives?

• Once the baby comes, will you want to exclude your dog from certain areas of the house?

• Does your dog have any behavioural problems? If so, they may get worse once a baby has arrived. You should contact your vet for a referral to a dog behaviour counsellor if you need help.

If you are happy with your dog’s behaviour, then you can proceed with the general advice given in this leaflet.

Before the baby is born

• Handling

Your dog should be able to tolerate being stroked around the chest, shoulders, back, legs, tail and head without any problems. Handling exercises are to be done when your dog is calm and quiet – do not turn these exercises into a game or the dog may learn to wriggle, struggle and play-bite.

• Sounds

Play tape recordings of a baby crying, gurgling and screaming for short periods, and always follow this with something your dog finds rewarding (e.g. give the dog a titbit or have a game). Repeat this procedure until the dog begins to associate the sudden onset of the crying noise with a treat.

• New smells and objects

Get the dog used to baby powder, soaps, shampoos and baby milk by using them in the home in the weeks leading up to the baby’s arrival. Playpens, cots, pushchairs, highchairs and changing mats should be in place before the baby arrives too.

• Exercise

When you walk your dog now, think about how much exercise he gets, if he pulls on the lead, comes back when called or whether he is aggressive to other dogs. Once the baby arrives you will have to manage any problems in addition to wheeling a pram or pushchair. In addition, new mothers may be in some physical discomfort after having the baby, so you will need to make sure that the dog can be physically controlled. If your dog pulls on the lead, you could purchase a harness or a head collar (e.g. a ‘Gentle Leader’) that helps to stop dogs pulling.

See how often friends or relatives might be willing to walk the dog while you are still pregnant. This will give you an indication of the amount of exercise he will receive if you are unable to take him out yourself. If you think the dog will receive shorter or fewer walks once the baby arrives then you need to change the routine a few weeks in advance.

If the dog gets fewer walks he will need to use up his energy some other way, otherwise he will get bored.

Bored dogs are not happy, and they may become stressed and destructive. Don’t try to make up for fewer walks by giving your dog more food treats. You will only make him overweight and unhealthy. Try to compensate for fewer walks by playing more games with him and consider paying a responsible dog-walker to take him out for you.

• Training 

Get your dog used to staying at home without you, by leaving him for short periods initially, and slowly progressing to longer periods. Consider joining a dog-training class. Visit the class without your dog before you book and always make sure the trainer is friendly and uses kind, reward-based methods of instruction without the use of choke chains and punishment.

• Food

A large percentage of accidents occur when babies or toddlers approach a dog’s food bowl, or when the baby tries to take a dog’s bone or chew. Your dog will have to learn not to guard his food bowl and should learn how to take food treats gently – without grabbing the hand.

• Attention

Your new baby will take up a lot of your time. You will have visitors to see the baby, including family, friends, and health visitors. Even the best parents in the world are unlikely to be able to give their dog the same amount of attention once the baby arrives. The dog will feel left out if it does not receive attention after the baby is born. Your dog will quickly learn to do things which force you to take notice of it (e.g. stealing nappies).

The best way to prepare your dog for a change in the amount of attention he receives is to try and reduce any contrast between the amount of attention he will receive before and after the birth. In advance of the baby’s arrival, the dog should be taught to tolerate periods when he does not receive any attention from you.

You should regularly give your dog attention for 20 minutes. Then, when the 20 minutes is up, you should completely ignore the dog for the next 20 minutes (no verbal, physical or eye contact) as should anyone else in the household.

• Toys

Dog toys and baby toys are often made of similar materials. Some toys even make the same kind of noise, such as a squeak. It is not surprising then, that some dogs become confused about who owns the toy.

Limit the number of toys that your dog has to two or three and pick them up and put them out of reach at the end of a game. This will teach your dog that you are the one in charge of the games. In addition, it prevents the baby from accidentally picking up the dog’s toys and putting them in its mouth. Encourage your dog to give up their toy for you whenever you ask. Never be aggressive when you attempt to take the toy from the dog – otherwise you will teach him to guard his toys.

• A quiet place to go

dogs should always have a quiet, safe place to go to whenever they need to rest. This will be especially important to them once the baby arrives and eventually begins to toddle about. Dogs will need to be given their own space. Teach the dog to go to a place (e.g. a mat in the corner of a room). It can be close to you and makes the dog feel safe and happy. An indoor kennel (also known as a cage or dog crate) could also be considered for those times when the dog needs peace.

• Resting and sleeping places

You should decide if you intend to change where your dog currently rests and sleeps, once the baby has arrived. For example, if it lies on your sofa every evening and sleeps next to you in bed, are you happy for this to continue? If not, make all changes well in advance so the dog does not associate the change with the arrival of the baby.

• Health matters

Make sure that your dog is in good physical health. Your dog should also be free from fleas and worms. Any suspicions about illness or developing ailments should be checked out by a qualified veterinary surgeon. Any pain or irritation that the dog experiences will lower his threshold for aggression (i.e. if he is in pain, he will be less tolerant about being handled and more likely to growl, snap or bite).

After the baby is born

• First introductions

When a new mum meets the dog for the first time after coming out of hospital, the dog is probably going to be very excited. The best way to carry out this first introduction will be when the dog is tired – after a long walk and play session. Firstly, the dog should be reunited with the mother when she is not with the baby, as the dog is likely to get excited and jump up at her. Later, the baby should be introduced in a quiet room where the dog has few associations – not in a place where the dog usually sleeps or eats.

• Praise your dog

Associate the baby’s presence with positive, enjoyable experiences for your dog. When your dog is behaving well around the baby, give lots of gentle praise and tasty titbits. The first interaction should be under control with the baby being held in the adult’s arms and the dog allowed to sniff the child. The dog will appear interested for few seconds and will then lose interest. When he backs away you should praise him and give him a treat.

Carry on with the normal daily duties and routine and the dog should accept the new arrival readily.  Dogs will be very patient while you adapt to life with a new baby, so don’t forget to include them.

• Hygiene

People who do not have dogs of their own may try and encourage you to rehome your dog due to hygiene. It is essential that your dog be treated for worms and fleas regularly, using products from your vet. Don’t leave dirty nappies on the floor, as they can cause the dog to wet or mess on that spot. Nappies can also be apdogising for certain dogs, so it is essential that any ‘nappy bin’ has a sealed lid and is emptied regularly. Use antibacterial soap to clean your hands after feeding, grooming, cleaning or playing with your dog.

• Supervision

Do not place the baby on the floor with the dog and never leave your dog unsupervised with a baby, not even for a second. This includes all dogs, even those with an excellent temperament. The use of a screen door for the baby’s nursery allows you to keep the door shut, but still see and hear the baby.

• Toddlers

dog owners should be aware that their baby will soon start crawling and toddling, and that it is important for them to remain vigilant once the child starts to move about of its own accord. It is especially important to provide the dog with a safe place to rest and relax, which is inaccessible to the toddler. This will avoid the situation where the dog is continually followed, cornered and pestered by the infant.

This may all seem like basic common sense, but that is easy to say when you are not the parents expecting.  Life changes very quickly and even more so after the baby, and that is just from a human perspective, imagine how your dog feels.  So it is important to try to get your dog as prepared as possible so they can be as happy about the baby as you are.

This is an issue I am dealing with more and more as a trainer and have had great success.  Much of what I instruct my clients are things listed above, but there are a few other key actions and exercises that can help reduce the anxiety your dog may feel and prepare them for the new addition to the family.

For training on this matter or any other matter, just give me a bark!  BARK!

Baby's Best Friend

This week has been an eventful one!  Two of my close friend's had babies, so I now have baby on the brain.  As I thought about what I wanted to do for this Friday blog, I knew it had to include babies and dogs.  Having a doggie best friend growing up is one of the most amazing things.  I feel extremely lucky to have had dogs around me and taking care of me my whole life.

This video is about a little girl and her special German Shepherd friend.  There is a series of these, so if you want to see the little girl grow up with her loyal K-9 friend, just search Ace and Keira on YouTube.  Enjoy!



Have a great weekend and don't forget to do something special with your dog.

Strengthen The Bond With Your Dog

A few days ago K9 Magazine had an article entitled How to Strengthen the Bond With Your Dog.  There are so many good tips in this article and all things that I do with my students and even with my own dog.  The overall message is completely in line with reward based training and truly creating an amazing bond with your dog.  For your reading pleasure the article is below, please keep in mind this is a British publication so certain words are spelled slightly different than the American spelling.

Man’s best friend is famous, of course, for his devotion, unconditional love and natural predisposition toward human affection. But for many owners, a little more insight on how to strengthen the bond with their canine friend can certainly reap rewards. Behaviour expert Linda Robins A.P.D.T. explains how to get an even closer relationship with your dog.

When choosing a puppy pick a breed that suits your lifestyle. Many people choose a dog for the way it looks. Big mistake! It is well worth seeking expert advice from your vet or a behaviourist. These people see different breeds on a regular basis and will be pleased to advise you.

Young puppies
The ideal age to collect your puppy is in his 7th week. This will ensure you have him at a time when his bonding is at its natural peak.

Spend time playing with your puppy. Socialising is very important from an early age. Carry the puppy (if he has not had his injections yet) around public places. Without a doubt people will be stopping you to talk to and touch your puppy – a wonderful way to socialise him.
Arrange to have plenty of spare time when you collect your puppy. This will give you the opportunity to get house training well on its way.

House training
To house train a puppy without stress or worry means being with him for most of his waking hours, to be able to go outside with him at regular intervals. If you are unable to do this, house training is likely to take a long time and may cause frustration for you, which the puppy will also pick up. This is not conducive to strengthening the bond.

Keep the puppy with you at night. Put his bed beside yours or crate train him and use this as his bed. Having him close to you will help strengthen the bond. Having him beside you will help with house training, as you will be aware of when he wakes in the early hours, as is likely to happen. “Puppies should be carried upstairs, rather than going up themselves as damage could be caused to their joints.”

When I am asked to take a puppy in for house training I crate train (for the night time), and let him sleep next to me. I then get up at around 6-30 AM, carry the puppy outside, and wait with him until he “goes”.

I also take him outside at night at around 12 so he has every opportunity to learn to control his bowels. This 6 hour period can be stretched quickly once the routine is established.

Play
It is important for your puppy’s long-term routine that he learns to be comfortable whilst on his own, so use these first few weeks to teach him this. Give him time out occasionally throughout the day with SAFE toys and SAFE nylon bones. Fill a couple of hollow toys with part of his daily rations. Hide them (in obvious places for a puppy) so he has to search and forage for his food. This will give him pleasure and tire him. Arrange for somebody to pop in a few times each day if you have to go out for longer than 3hrs, to give him time and company and to feed him. A young puppy needs 4 meals daily (more if under 14 weeks and depending on the breed you have). 

When you arrive home do not expect your puppy to be calm. He will be very pleased to see you, will have slept while you have been out and will be expecting some fun and games. Ensure the play is constructive by slotting in some basic commands followed by joyous praise and a game with a ball.

Strengthening the bond with older dogs
Start with basic obedience exercises. Exercises such as sit, down, stay, walking to heel, recall, retrieve or trick training will develop interaction between you and your dog. Use tasty teats or a favourite toy to encourage your dog’s attention and motivation to respond. Guide your dog into position using a treat THEN put the command in.

When out walking, if the recall is not reliable, use a flexi lead as back up if your dog does not come on the first command. When he returns to you, always praise and reward. NEVER be cross if he doesn’t come back. Consider it your fault not his and start the recall training again from scratch.

Teaching a happy responsive recall helps strengthen the bond between you. Do this frequently, praising and rewarding each time Play with your dog in the house. If you have a sensitive dog play on the floor to increase confidence. If you have a bossy/independent dog use constructive play with a toy on a rope.

Retain or strengthen your dog’s respect for you by being fair, rewarding good behaviour. Remember that dogs are conflict solving animals and really want to get it right. By being fair to your dog he will give you his trust.

With some dogs you may have to work hard to achieve this, especially if he has his wires crossed as to what is right or wrong. But with guidance and the proper type of advice and training an amazing amount of improvement is possible. I have turned around horrendous cases and clients have been amazed at the improvement and change in their dog’s behaviour generally. By strengthening the bond you too can improve your dog’s behaviour.

It is not a good idea to send a dog away for behaviour counselling if he does have serious problems i.e. biting visitors/family members. This may lead to increased anxiety/insecurity, resulting in even worse behaviour. When asked to take a case such as this I prefer to visit the dog in his home and meet any people that play an important part of his daily life. These consultations are aimed at enlightening owners on how to strengthen the bond with their dog to dilute and avoid behaviour problems.

Don’t be tempted to send your dog to a large training establishment that may well increase his behaviour problems. However, if you do need to look for residential training make sure your dog lives as one of the family while being treated. When I take in a dog with training or behaviour problems he lives as one of the family with the emphasis on domestic training, to make him socially acceptable.

Strengthening the bond with a rescued dog
Don’t underestimate the lengthy process of rehabilitating a dog that has suffered the stress of re-homing and rescue kennels. Let him settle in, but above all, make sure he understands the house rules from the start. Don’t over indulge him in an attempt to strengthen the bond between you. Give him a week or so to settle in, then start with very basic obedience exercises, rewarding good behaviour. When he comes over to you praise him with your voice and a treat. When he sits freely praise again and reward. Avoid correcting him wherever possible….he may have developed bad habits in his previous home through no fault of his own. Take the opportunity of bad behaviour away.

For example if he steals from the worktops, keep them absolutely clear of anything he may find interesting. He will soon lose the habit if it is non-rewarding to him. If he jumps at visitors put him on the lead. Distract him then offer him a chance to redeem himself with a simple command…praise and reward.

There are endless ways to lose bad habits without being cross with him.

If you have any doubts about your dog’s response to your efforts at strengthening the bond, have him checked over by your vet to eliminate the possibility of medical problems. If a dog is in pain he will not be able to respond well to your attempts at bonding or training.

Classes
Before going to an obedience class check out the trainer- are they APDT member? If not ask to see the trainer with their own dogs; do their dogs look happy? Do the other dogs in the class look relaxed and are the other owners interested in listening to what the trainer has to say? By training your dog using positive methods in a fair yet effective way you really will strengthen the bond between you.

 Overall, I don't believe in taking in a dog for training away from the owner, but I do agree there are certain situations that may be the only way to get through to the dog.  Training is never easy nor is the process of creating and maintaining a bond with your dog.  But it is well worth it when you get to enjoy the product of all that work!

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