How Much Is That Doggy In The Window...

The cute puppy in the window costs quite a lot.... and not just money!  Dogster Blog had a great blog Friday, it is a call to action for all of us dog lovers.  The blog was to make us aware of a new campaign the ASPCA has started to discourage people from buying puppy mill puppies at pet stores.  Below is the heart of the blog, read it and decide if it is time for you to get involved.

...apparently there is a huge disconnect in a staggering number of people’s heads when it comes to puppy mills and pet stores. Many are aware of the harsh conditions at the puppy plants but don’t realize they wind up turning into the cogs in the mill machine when they pay for that cute puppy in the window. It’s only later, when they run into the typical genetic or behavioral/socialization problems that they realize their mistake. (Please note: I am aware that not ALL mill dogs display these issues, but that does not excuse the conditions under which they were born and raised, etc.)

A few days ago, the ASPCA released the results of a poll they’d commissioned Lake Research Partners to conduct on their behalf. From it, these two eye-widening numbers emerged: apparently 78% of consumers don’t know that most pet store puppies come from puppy mills. The poll also found that 80 percent of consumers would not purchase a puppy if they knew the animal came from a mill.

Putting two and two together, the ASPCA has launched the No Pet Store Puppies campaign. At the heart of it is a pledge — and whether you’re a dog, cat, chinchilla or iguana parent, I urge you to take it along with me and encourage friends and family to do the same. The pledge is simple, here’s what mine looked like:

I hope you all take the pledge!  My goal is not to put pet stores out of business, it is to only allow the safe and humane treatment of animals.

To give me a bark, bark on the link:  Bark!

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!