Tuesday, February 28, 2006

Philippines Dog Meat Controversy

The eating of dog meat is very controversial. I oppose the consumption of companion animals.

Philippines President Gloria Arroyo has defended the eating of dog meat, the use of which has been perfected by gourmets in northern Luzon and in her hometown in central Luzon.

"Dog meat keeps you warm, does it not?" Arroyo told Mayor Braulio Yaranon of Baguio City, during a dinner which she hosted for local government officials.


And here is more background on the story…

Letters from foreign countries like Canada, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom have been transmitted to the PB. Every letter, written either individually or as a group, manifested opposition to the passage of a legislative measure seeking to legalize the sale of dog meat. The letters suggested that measures to this effect should be ignored or rejected.

Advocates for animals' welfare said dogs should not be slaughtered for human consumption.

Republic Act (RA) 8485 or the Philippine Animal Welfare Act penalizes the butcher of dogs, except those used for ritual or offering, in recognition of the customary practices of the indigenous peoples.


Sigh. It is a weird world we live in.

Dingo Hybrid Kills Toddler

A 22-month-old Australian girl was mauled to death on Thursday by her family's pet dog, a cross between a labrador and a dingo, say reports.

A dingo is a wild animal, and it isn’t a good idea to have a wild animal cross as a family pet unless you know what you are doing, and many people don’t. I have met people who have successfully owned wolf crosses… but similarly, even they will admit, it is a challenge. I wrote a previous opinion piece on this type of dingo-cross mauling weeks ago.

Dog Dragged Behind Car

Girl Marries Dog

Overkill

Veterinary Malpractice

Monday, February 27, 2006

Electrocution Proof Booties For Dogs?

On the shelves at Trixie & Peanut, a boutique in Manhattan, are indulgences for dog owners concerned with image: pink-sequined tank tops, moss-green lizard-skin collars, rhinestone barrettes shaped like tiny bones. Then there are specialty products for a different kind of shopper: people who don't want their pet to be electrocuted.

For them, the shop's owner recommends $79 boots with thick rubber soles that might protect pets if they should walk over one of the city's unpredictable sites of "stray voltage."

What do you expect from a corrupt old city, where organized crime has such influence over the construction and trade unions? Taxes keep going up, and the city keeps running down, yet going on. Crazy.

Sunday, February 26, 2006

Shocking

Georgia Tightens Dog Fighting Laws

Question & Answer... Read This!

Faithful Dog!

Saturday, February 25, 2006

My Rules

I guess there are some things I should spell out with regards to this blog and my web page, www.SamTheDogTrainer.com … AGAIN! From time to time, I get inquiries from people who don’t realize the nature of free speech, thus here are disclaimers about information published herein and at my web page. This is a crazy world sometimes, and you have re-state and re-state the obvious about what you say and why you say it. So, here goes. Sorry for doing this. Yes, it is boring…


By participating in this web log, or using my web page, you agree to the following:

a.) I’m against any kind of wacko political stunts to further the pro-dog agenda… meaning no violence, property destruction, foul language, or anything that would otherwise bring dishonor to ourselves, our dogs, reasonable dog owners, or reasonable public servants. We’ve all been disgusted and appalled by the stunts of the animal rights nuts. We don’t want to be like them. You will not engage in any of these kinds of stunts in my name, or in reference to this web log.
b.) We need to work within the political / legal / cultural system. We need to persuade people by the logic of our positions. We have a strong case to present, and it is a winning cause. You agree to abide by the law.
c.) Everything stated here is my opinion. Every event quoted is “alleged” until proven in a court of law. I’m trying to examine and illustrate why we are right on this issue, not to conduct an inquisition or legal proceeding.
d.) From time to time, I receive very interesting comments, emails and letters. Typically they refer to some kind of behavioral problem or political issue. Since this web site is a way for me to oftentimes educate about responsible dog ownership, I shall sometimes use these inquiries and correspondence as the basis of a posting, article or as an example. By submitting any correspondence or inquiry, you thereby agree that the materials and information submitted are wholly your own, and you hereby give me permission to publish them in whole or in part, for potential profit or for free, without compensation to you of any kind, and to indemnify and hold me, and anyone or any organization referenced here, harmless for all claims and damages arising out of anything you say. This information, if we choose it for source material for this web site or other publication, will usually, but not always, be reasonably stripped of direct information about who you are, to protect your identity. This information shall then be used to educate people and benefit society concerning pro dog politics, dog training, behavior, responsible dog ownership and other relevant issues.
e.) If I don’t like the way you treat others, you can be banned from this web, at my sole option and discretion.
f.) Copyright and Trademarks and Patents: Nothing contained herein shall be used, promulgated, modified, transmitted or displayed without Sam Basso’s prior express written consent.
g.) Governing Law, Venue and Jurisdiction: All claims relating to this web site or Sam Basso shall be governed by the laws of the State of Arizona without regard to its conflict of law provisions. Any action with respect to such claims in shall be determined solely by Sam Basso, and brought in the Superior Court for Maricopa County, Arizona and may not be removed therefrom, except by express written permission by Sam Basso, at his sole option and discretion.
h.) If a court of competent jurisdiction holds any provision of this agreement and statement of policies is deemed to be unenforceable or contrary to law or void as against public policy or otherwise, if possible such provision shall be modified to be as similar to the original provision while still conforming to law (otherwise it shall be considered severable), with the remaining provisions continuing in full force and effect. This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding between the parties and no modification hereof shall be effective unless agreed to in writing and signed by all parties. Exchanged emails shall not constitute such written agreement.
h.) Copyright Notice: Copyright © 2005 Sam Basso, Phoenix, AZ, U.S.A. All rights reserved.
i.) Any rights not expressly granted herein are reserved.
j.) No Warranties and Limits of Liabilities, Uses of Information: Information provided herein is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind, either express or implied, including without limitation warranties of merchantability, accuracy, timeliness, fitness for a particular purpose, or completeness. The author(s) of this information and web site assumes no liability or responsibility for any errors or omissions contained herein. Users of this information do so at their own risk. You can’t train every dog the same way, political issues are often times more complicated than presented in a web log, and legal remedies and advice need review by a competent attorney. Since this information is for educational, and sometimes business, purposes, some information is purposely omitted because the intention is to stimulate debate. This blog is NOT a political action committee or similar organization, nor represents itself as a non-profit venture. This is an e-newspaper and editorial comment device, for all practical purposes. Sam Basso and other producers of information for this web site shall not be made liable to users of this information, or anyone else, for any direct or indirect damages arising from any use of this web or information. Users must hire Sam Basso to obtain more complete, accurate and current information. We make no warranty that any of the materials on this web site are accurate, complete, or current. Although we may make changes to the materials contained herein at any time without notice, we do not make any commitment to update the materials.
k.) Permission is granted to temporarily download the materials (information, graphics, or software) from this web site for personal, non-commercial transitory, or educational viewing only. Such use may not violate the policies of www.blogger.com or www.blogspot.com or their related entities. You may also excerpt this web, or link to it, for the purpose of promoting pro-dog causes. We also reserve the right to require that you withdraw and/or delete any quote or link that we find detrimental to the purposes of this web log. This is the grant of a license, not a transfer of title, and under this license you may not: remove any copyright or other proprietary notations from the materials or transfer the materials to another person or "mirror" the materials on any other server. This license shall automatically terminate if you violate any of these restrictions and may be terminated by us at any time.
l.) Hyperlinks to third-party web sites: We shall, from time to time, hyperlink this web to other web sites. We cannot be responsible for the contents or policies of any site we link to, nor do we make any express or implied warranty as to whether you shall be satisfied or damaged by interacting with these other web sites or their related businesses. It is possible that some links will be to retailers and manufacturers, Sam Basso might be an authorized affiliate, manufacturers representative, or otherwise be receiving a referral fee, commission and/or profit on any purchases you make. Sam Basso cannot make guarantees concerning the business policies or practices of these retailers or manufacturers. If you have a purchase dispute, you should contact them directly.
m.) Information Provided To Us: You agree that any information you provide to us shall be complete, current and accurate as to all relevant details. Any replies we make to you shall be limited to the quality and quantity of information you provide to us.
n.) Prices: All terms, prices, policies and conditions are subject to change without notice. All sales are final; no refunds; sold "as is."
o.) All information stated herein is the opinion of Sam Basso, and should be treated as such; not all information has been verified as to its completeness or accuracy. The names and entities referred to in this web should be treated as fictitious, and critiques are to be used as illustrations and should never be construed to refer to a specific person or entity; any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. Many articles are for entertainment purposes only. Unless otherwise explicitly noted, the example companies, organizations, products, people, and events depicted herein are fictitious and no association with any real company, organization, product, person or event is intended or inferred.


I hate rules. I wish we lived in a world where "a man's word was his bond", where people took personal responsibility for their words and actions, where you could do business on a handshake, and that people worked out their differences in a friendly and reasonable way. But, unfortunately, things just aren't that way. I have to penalize the 95% of good people out there, by having to implement some business rules, so that I can weed out doing business with the 5% of the nut cases out there. I apologize for having to set some rules just to advocate pro-dog editorials and to make an honest buck.

- Sam

Thursday, February 23, 2006

More Idiocy From Auburn WA's Dog Breed Ban

So, the morons in Auburn, WA are banning dog breeds...

Check out which dog breeds are on the list:

Akita
American Pit Bull Terrier
American Staffordshire Terrier
Bull Terrier
Cane Corso
Dogo Argentino
Dogue de Bordeaux
Kuvasz
Pit Bull Terrier
Presa Canario
Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Tosa Inu

Now, tell me, WHY are all these breeds on the banned list? There has been ongoing controversy over the pit bull terrier... but why all these other breeds, which have NO history of any attacks AT ALL? Can you find dog attack stories on even half of these breeds in the news? No.

I know of an apartment complex that is banning dogs over 50 lbs... and dog breeds they consider "aggressive". Guess what breed is on their list? GREYHOUNHDS!!! Can you believe it? That is just absurd. This is why this stuff has to be fought. These are arbitrary and have no basis in any kind of fact or public safety concern.

I am 100% against breed bans. The problems can all be traced back to people: poor breeding, lack of socialization / neglect, abuse, lack of training, lack of a leash in public areas, poor supervision, poor containment when unsupervised, and gang-organized pit dog fighting operations. Breeding will get better when people know how to pick a good dog. Socialization will get better when people are told they need to take their pups out to meet a lot of people and animals during the critical phase between 8 weeks and 16 weeks of age. Abuse can only be solved by proper enforcement of existing dog laws… and it is tied into drug and alcohol abuse. Training will only help if people will spend the money to hire a professional, instead of being cheapskates and doing it themselves. Leash laws need to be enforced in urban areas, but off leash training areas need to be set aside in parks for dog owners to have the opportunity to work their dogs for control in case their dogs get loose… you can’t expect a dog to obey off leash if you don’t have the ability to practice off leash obedience. Containment requires a proper kennel at home. And it is about time we got serious about busting up the gangs in this country. In LA, they have nearly 1,000 gangs!!! A thousand! How can that be? That city is corrupt, like so many of our cities. We either deal with that, or you’ll never stop the pit fighting blood sport.

This breed ban is another sign that Auburn has a totally incompetent police force, and a totally incompetent government. I've been to Auburn, WA many times. It is a crappy city, ugly, beat up, and mismanaged. Here they are sitting on some of the most prime real estate in Puget Sound, and the place is a wreck. This also shows the complete incompetence of King County, which is run by Ron Sims, The Incompetent. Their animal control division is a mess. Illegal drug operations abound in the southern part of Puget Sound. As I've said over and over again... Washington state is a beautiful place that is being wrecked by politics. Here is another prime example.

Tuesday, February 21, 2006

Another Stupid Dog Law

The Executive have announced tough new powers to target all aspects of illegal dog fights. The proposals would outlaw making or showing the films.

The Executive want the punishment for anyone involved in dog fighting, whether it be as a trainer, a spectator or even just someone who is filming it to be increased from a fine of £5,000 and or six months in jail to a fine of £20,000 and or a jail term of a year.

Rural affairs minister Ross Finnie MSP said: "This is just an appalling practice in this country. It's depressing really that in a civilised society we still have people who engage in this form of barbaric cruelty. We've decided to bring it to an end, we're going to have measures in the bill which will actually make it an offence and we will increase the fines to a maximum level. We're quite determined that this kind of cruelty simply will not be tolerated in Scotland."

While the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals welcome these moves from the Executive they are concerned that people will not be prosecuted for possession of pictures of a dogfight.


I am VERY worried about laws that breach freedom of the press. I do not think these kinds of videos should be banned. I have watched such videos to learn about the barbarity of dog fighting. Was I a criminal for doing so? Look, I’m a dog trainer, and I try to educate myself on all aspects of dog and people behavior. Plus, pictures of a dog fight in a book can be useful as a tool to teach how barbaric this practice is. As you know, I hate dog fighting. So, this isn’t some kind of excuse on my part to promote this blood sport. I also watched the Danny Pearl video, the one where he is beheaded by Islamic fanatics. I wanted to see what kind of evil we were fighting against in this war on terror. It was horrible. I did it because I needed to know we were right in fighting this war... and we are.

Pictures of dogs fighting teaches a dog trainer about canine body language. I needed to study dog aggression when becoming a trainer, and many dog books on dog behavior have pictures of two or more dogs fighting. Some pictures are from pit fighting situations, others from actual street dog fights. To stop the behavior, or prevent it, you need to learn and watch the behavior. On the other hand, I am glad organized dog fighting is illegal, and I want the organizers and spectators put in jail. Similarly, I am fully supportive of this war on terror... and I want the terror organizers put in jail, too.

This Scottish law is stupid. THE DOG FIGHTING PROBLEM IS A DRUG AND GANG PROBLEM. Hey, idiots. Instead of doing this kind of politically correct thing... a typical European response to a social problem... try doing some real police work and bust up these violent gangs.

Police Dog Runs Away

Bart, the 4-year-old German shepherd who not only works but lives with Chicago Police Officer David Dorken, had been missing for the better part of Monday.

The dog disappeared from the 8300 block of South Pulaski where he was taking a bathroom and exercise break in his handler's backyard, said Chicago Police Sgt. Lisa Mueller, the canine training supervisor, early Monday night.

"It's just like having your own personal dog," Mueller said. "He goes to work with him and he goes home with him. So not only are the handler and his wife heartbroken, but so are their kids."

It's unclear how Bart, trained to find people and detect drugs and other evidence, got out of the yard, but there was no evidence he had been stolen, Mueller said.


When the authorities find such a dog, it is always implied what idiots the owners were. I keep bringing up these types of articles to show you that this stuff even happens to the police. The next question will be: what will they do when they find the dog? Will they shoot the dog and charge the officer with a crime if the dog either growls at someone or bites them? Probably not. Will they consider the dog vicious if it doesn’t want to be cornered by strangers? Probably not. But, if it was YOUR dog, then the story would be different. You’d be charged with a crime.

Something to think about…

Take the speck out of your own eye before you try to take the beam out of your brother’s eye, huh?

Saturday, February 18, 2006

Dandie Dinmont Faces Extinction

I See This All The Time

People are placing such unrealistic expectations on their dogs that they are causing them to become victims of 'Perfect Dog Syndrome', warns Britain's pet charity The Blue Cross.

The pet charity is concerned that an apparent lack of understanding about the importance of training and socialising could mean that dogs are not considered 'perfect' and are brought to rehoming centres, such as those run by The Blue Cross.

A massive 87 per cent of dog owners recently surveyed by the charity who said that their perfect dog would be able to be socialised in a month also wanted that dog to be good with people and kids. Worryingly, of those surveyed who could only dedicate 30 minutes a day to their dog, 75 per cent also expected it to be a family dog.


This survey doesn’t surprise me. Folks just don’t do enough planning and research when getting a dog. And most people don’t hire a trainer BEFORE they get a dog to get instruction on how to proceed from the first day.

Dogs Need Public Space, Too!!!

DOG owners are barking mad at a proposed ban on exercising their animals in Noble's Park.

Douglas Corporation is proposing dogs should only be allowed to run free in a dedicated area near St Ninian's Church hall.

The controversial move comes after a continuing problem with dog fouling.

But owners are angry and a petition with 600 signatures has been presented to the town hall.

Peta Cubbon, of Laureston Grove, Douglas, walks her dog in Noble's Park twice a day.

She said: 'There is a large group of regular dog walkers and we all pick up after our animals.

'We know some people don't clean up after their dogs but the majority of people using the park do. It's not fair that responsible dog owners should have to suffer.

'If dogs are not allowed to have their freedom, they are not able to mix and socialise which is important for them, they need stimulating.

Cattle A Deadly Risk To Dog Walkers

An Outrageous Crime

A 19-year-old man has appeared in court charged with outraging public decency in connection with the death of a dog.

It follows an incident on 27 October in which a Yorkshire Terrier, Emmie, was found near its home in Huddersfield with a firework tied to its body.

Tests later showed the fatal injuries had been caused in a road accident.


What is with young guys who do this kind of thing to dogs? I knew quite a few mean guys when I was in school. Looking back, some of the stuff they did was absolutely criminal. And the schools and parents looked the other way, and the rest of us just tried to stay out of their wacky way.

Abusive Hunting Tradition

Flower is a four year old Podenco, a rare Spanish Hunting dog who was brought into Dogs Trust Merseyside Rehoming Centre after being saved from certain death. While living in Spain Mrs. Websters came across Flower hanging by his neck from a tree. She quickly rescued the dog and took him to the vets. Mrs. Websters then decided to bring Flower back to England to live with her, but found her daughter was allergic to dogs so regretfully contacted Dogs Trust to find him a new home.

Spanish Hunting Dogs are often sacrificed at the end of a hunting season in cruel and barbaric ways simply because they are no longer needed or are considered bad hunters who have brought embarrassment and humiliation to their owners.


This is just sick. Who would abuse a dog because it didn’t do a hunt the way you wanted it to? Any good dog trainer would KNOW before the hunt if the dog was well trained, and had the ability to hunt properly. These morons blame the dogs for their own failures. They need to go to jail, and do some hard time there, as punishment.

You Can't Always Believe What You Read

Many dog owners who relinquish their pets to animal shelters are not entirely honest about their dogs’ behavioral problems probably for fear that their pets will be put to sleep, according to a study from the University of Pennsylvania and University of California veterinary schools. According to the researchers, these behavioral problems may sometimes pose a risk to an adopting family who could unknowingly take in an aggressive animal... "Questionnaires certainly provide a useful starting point when assessing an animal’s behavioral health," Serpell said, "but they should also be taken with a grain of salt."

A GOOD WARNING TO ALL SHELTER AND RESCUE VOLUNTEERS!

I never trust a owner release form from a shelter. It might provide some clues, but you have to get to know the dog before you can tell if the dog should be put up for adoption.

Quarantine Laws Are Inhumane

Dog breeders and foreigners moving to South Africa are barking mad at the Department of Agriculture and Land Affairs after its officials destroyed or sent back their precious pets on the basis of a dodgy veterinary test.

In the past four months, quarantine facilities have been crowded with dogs being brought into the country at great expense while their owners await the outcome of tests for leishmania, a parasitic disease that kills both humans and animals.

John Fulton, a Tanzanian veterinarian, said the South African tests carried out at the Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute in Pretoria were inaccurate and “a lot of animals have been put down that should not have been put down”.


These quarantine schemes have proven to be a fraud, and harmful to dogs, regardless of where they are implemented. These laws should be repealed in every country.

Dog Supplements Could Be Fatal

Emotions Trump Reality In Pit Bull Ban Fight

Dogs Are Big Business In Asia

Thursday, February 16, 2006

Greenies: To Die For? No Way!

Greenies are the most popular dog treats in the country, but after more than a dozen dogs' deaths, many owners and veterinarians believe they are unsafe.

As I’ve said for a long time… I won’t give them to one of my dogs. I have been warned by breeders, for years, that Greenies are dangerous.

Wednesday, February 15, 2006

Choosing A Dog Trainer

Most dog owners don’t know what to look for when choosing a dog trainer. So, I wrote this article today to help them with this important issue:


COMPARE ME TO THE COMPETITION

“When people call me to inquire about dog training, I often tell them that I don’t have any kind of fancy sales pitch ("Buy now and save $39.95! Boy, you better sign up for lessons right now or your dog is going to become aggressive and dangerous! Etc., etc."). I just don’t do that kind of thing. I let my reputation sell for me instead. I am a "straight shooter" and I'll tell you like it is, good or bad. I don't say things I don't mean. You are paying me for honest advice, even if it is hard to hear.

So, if you don’t know whether I’m the right person to train your dog, then here’s what to do.

First, read through all the articles at my web page. I wrote this to show you that I know what I’m talking about, and to educate my customers. Through those stories and examples, you’ll get to know me and my training philosophy. Also, be sure to read my blog, Pooch Master. You'll learn a great deal about who I am and my commitment to animal welfare.

Second, read about how I correct a dog. I have several articles here on that topic. A lot of people want to know that I’m not going to hurt their dog in the training. That is an important consideration, isn’t it? I would let just anyone train my dog, either. To sum things up, I can train 99% of all dogs with just a bag of treats, a collar and a couple of leashes. It isn’t about hurting the dog, or a bunch of fancy devices. It is more about what I know than the tools that I use.

Third, go to my competitor’s web pages and compare what they are saying to what I’m saying. Read their training articles. Do they know what they are talking about? Usually, the answer is no. You are also going to see some outlandish sales claims. For example, there is always a con artist in every city I’ve been in that says they can completely train your dog to off leash obedience in 3 to 5 lessons. Now, seriously, do you really believe that? Come on. Do you think that police dogs are given a week of lessons and are then ready for patrol work? Do you think that guide dogs for the blind are given a week of lessons and are ready to do off leash work for their masters? Or search and rescue dogs? Or drug detection dogs? Or competition obedience dogs? No way. That stuff is a lie. Yes, you can berate and force a dog to do something in a couple of lessons, but that isn’t my definition of proper training. Or there are the people who say you can do a board and train type of lesson and the dog will come back home perfectly obedient. Now, tell me this, if that is true, then why is it if I hand my fully trained dog to you, he won’t listen when you give him commands? Because you don’t know what you are doing, and you didn’t earn the obedience with my dog. Yes, I could strap an electric collar on a dog and force it to obey anyone who gave it a command, but that takes all the spirit out of the dog. And yes, there are some very malleable dogs that will take commands from anyone after the training, but that just isn’t the way most dogs work. That is why you see mostly German Shepherd Dogs on police forces and Golden / Labs doing guide dog work. Those breeds were selectively bred to be "slaves", and they re-home better than most other breeds. Rottweilers, Dobermans, and other dogs like that don’t do well switching from one master to another. The police need a dog that can be handed to a new K9 officer, and in a short time, put on the street to apprehend criminals. You can’t do that with most of the man working breeds. And that is the same reason why you don’t see more breeds doing guide dog work. You can’t have others training the dog for you, and then transfer the dog to another person for the dog to obey.

Fourth, talk to real people. You are going to see a lot of so-called credentials touted by other trainers. There are several non-profit dog organizations which you can join, supposedly to prove you are a qualified trainer. The same is true with so-called "certified animal behaviorists"... folks who have gotten a PhD in animal behavior, who can't or won't train your dog to obey, who know more about behavioral drugs and the theory of operant conditioning, but can't relate to how to train a dog to obey you in your home and in your life. Well, look into those organizations and certification programs. There are also dog training franchises you can join and call yourself a "dog trainer". They don’t mean a thing. I decided long ago to not waste my time joining them. If you want credentials, ask for past customer references. That is where the rubber meets the road. I am always willing to give you references. Tons of them, if necessary. More than you can and will call to check me out. I never pre-screen my references. I don’t call them and tell them what to say or warn them they are going to get a call. I want you to get it straight from them, good or bad. Ask away. You’ll see they like what I did with them and their dogs, I came to the appointments, I didn’t hurt their dogs, I have high standards and I am relentless in going for a good result, we worked through all the problems they were having, and I knew what I was doing. The biggest laugh is is when you see a competitor calling themselves a "Master Trainer". I have only met one of those in my lifetime, and his name is Armin Winkler. I trained with him for 2 years, and I give him all the credit for making me into the trainer I am today. He is still a better trainer than I am (even I don't call myself a Master Trainer... there are only a handful of them in the world), and I’m not embarrassed to say that. But, he is located in Virginia, and not a lot of people have the means or time to travel there to train with him. He IS a Master Trainer… absolutely phenomenal. And I’m blessed to have had the opportunity to not only train with him, but to be his friend. Go to his web page www.SchutzhundVillage.com . You will see that he doesn't belong to any of these silly organizations, either. He just has a web page to educate his customers, tell them about his schedule, and to update you on past and upcoming events. Many of those so-called "celebrity" trainers, who write dog training books that you can find in the local bookstore, train with him. He doesn't have anything to do with these organizations, and they mean nothing regarding how qualified the trainer is. In addition, we have all trained dogs for famous people. I could tell you names of people you would know, famous people... lead singers of rock bands, researchers, business icons, the wealthy, etc... but they want their privacy, and I don't publish those names.

Whether you sign up for private or group lessons with me, feel free to first check me out. And check out my competitors. I have no worries about any of that. I just want to train dogs, not get in a contest with these other folks.”

TOURIST ALERT: Ontario, Canada

Canada & BSL - Important

Permission to Crosspost

**PLEASE READ - THIS COULD EFFECT YOU IF YOU HAVE A DOG AND ARE
TRAVELING THROUGH ONTARIO, CANADA**

TOURIST ALERT!

You have no doubt seen the warnings posted on credible websites in the UK, the US and in other areas of Canada against traveling to or through Ontario with your dog. This is good advice.

If your dog is one of the registered breeds described in Ontario's amended Dog Owners' Liability Act, or if, as stated in the Act, your dog bears a resemblance to any of those breeds, you may end up going home with fewer friends or family members than you had when you arrived.

Here are the prohibited breeds:

American Pit Bull terrier
American Staffordshire terrier
Staffordshire Bull terrier

Here are some of the breeds which, if unregistered or if mixed, could be (and have been) considered 'pit bulls' by the authorities in Ontario. If your dog has a short coat, boxy head and is a certain colour, he or she could be in real trouble in Ontario.



Boxer

Boston terrier

Bull terrier

Plott Hound

Great Dane

Bullmastiff

Mastiff

Labrador retriever

Chesapeake Bay retriever

French Bulldog

Patterdale terrier

Vizsla

Rhodesian Ridgeback

Dogue de Bordeaux

Cane Corso

Dogo Argentino

Fila Brasileiro

Australian Cattle Dog


If you are traveling from Manitoba on your way to Quebec or the Maritimes, for example, you are STRONGLY ADVISED TO BYPASS ONTARIO BY DRIVING AROUND THE BEND THROUGH THE US for that portion of your trip. Should you find yourself accidentally inside Ontario's border on your trip, you are STRONGLY ADVISED TO KEEP YOUR DOG OUT OF SIGHT, TURN AROUND AND HIGHTAIL IT DOWN TO THE STATES IMMEDIATELY.

We are not making this up. Here is the text, verbatim, of a letter received from Ontario's Minister of Tourism, Jim Bradley.

Ministry of Tourism and Recreation

Minister
9th Floor, Hearst Block
900 Bay Street
Toronto, ON M7A 2E1
Tel: (416) 326-9326
Fax: (416) 326-9338
M2005-5790

April 7, 2005

Dear :

Thank you for your e-mail messages about the Ontario government's new legislation banning pit bulls. I appreciate the opportunity to address your concerns, and I apologize for the delay in responding to you.

Ontario's Public Safety Related to Dogs Statute Law Amendment Act, 2005 became law on March 9, 2005, and it amends the Dog Owners' Liability Act. The new legislation will come into effect on August 29, 2005, banning pit bulls and their importation into Ontario. The new law also places restrictions on existing pit bulls and toughens penalties for the owners of any dog that poses a danger to the public. Pit bulls already legally resident in the province before the date the law comes into force may remain legally in Ontario, subject to certain conditions, such as compliance with leash, muzzle and sterilization requirements. Accordingly, law-abiding owners of existing pit bulls in Ontario need not give up their dogs.

Importing pit bulls into Ontario will be prohibited after August 29, 2005. Pit bulls not legally resident in Ontario prior to this date will be subject to seizure, and persons found to have imported a pit bull into Ontario will be in violation of the law and may be subject to fines and/or jail. There are no exceptions for tourists, including those simply passing through Ontario with their pit bulls, apart from a limited exception for individuals participating in a recognized dog show. You can find further information about the legislation on the Ministry of the Attorney General's website at: www.attorneygeneral.jus.gov.on.ca.

Ontario greatly values its visitors from Canada, the United States and abroad. We are proud of the many world-class tourism attractions and experiences in Ontario, and we are working hard to provide a safe and welcoming province for visitors and residents alike. For more information on travelling in Ontario, please visit www.ontariotravel.net, or call toll free 1-800-Ontario (1-800-668-2746).

Again, thank you for advising me of your concerns, which I will share with my Cabinet colleague, the Honourable Michael Bryant, Attorney General of Ontario.

Yours sincerely,
Jim Bradley
Minister


Sounds to us as though they value their visitors as much as they value their citizens, ie, not at all.

SO, BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY, FOLKS. DO NOT TRAVEL THROUGH ONTARI-SCARI-ARI-O WITH YOUR BELOVED BEST FRIEND.

IT'S JUST NOT WORTH IT.

Remember, the onus is on the owner of the dog to prove it is not a 'pit bull'. If convicted of an offense under the new DOLA, owners are liable for fines of up to $10,000 and a jail term of up to Six Months.

The only options for a convicted 'pit bull' are death or consignment to a research facility.

We hope owners of other breeds will show solidarity with their fellow dog owners and avoid travel in Ontario until this law is overturned. Remember, a municipality may add any breed or mixed breed they wish to their bylaws and may also add harsher penalities and restrictions than those in the provincial law.

Lesley Sailor

Elizabeth Brinkley. MFA in Theatre
Dante Kennels, est. 1974
Latrobe, PA

http://www.dantekennels.com

Bull Terrier Wins Westminster

A colored bull terrier called Rufus used his head Tuesday night to become America's top dog.

The tan-and-white mix won best in show at the Westminster Kennel Club, drawing a rousing ovation from the sellout crowd at Madison Square Garden.

I am 100% shocked that the judges at Westminster let a bull terrier win Best In Show.

Here’s why…

Many people, including me, have never felt that the AKC thought the bull terrier breeds were “politically correct” enough to let them win a big show like this. We have felt that the AKC has run away from fighting actively against breed bans and unreasonable dog laws. The impression has been that they would rather bury their heads in the sand, and collect dues, than take hard core positions to protect the rights of dog owners. The bull terrier is a former fighting dog, and thus, is a breed that they wouldn’t want to promote. We have also had the impression that they would never allow a Staffordshire Bull Terrier or American Staffordshire Terrier win, either, for the same reasons.

I really like bull terriers, and have considered getting one some day. They are fun, highly trainable, athletic family dogs. But, as with all things, there are negatives that many people aren’t aware of.

First, they are former fighting dogs. Meaning, that even though they failed to become the best fighting dog in the pit, it doesn’t mean that they won’t fight other dogs if confronted… because they will. These are tough dogs, but they never had the fighting capability of the pit bull terrier. It is extremely important that you get one from a reputable breeder (now that this dog has won, you can bet that a lot of unscrupulous and money hungry folks out there are going to try to cash in and breed them like flies). The good breeders (and there are some really excellent, responsible bull terrier breeders) won’t just sell you a dog if you come with money. You are going to have to go through some hoops to prove you are a responsible dog owner and know what you are getting into.

Second, these dogs are notorious jumpers. Since these dogs are very friendly, they will jump up on people to greet them… and that big, bony head of theirs has been known to knock people out… seriously… knocking people unconscious! All the bull terrier people will tell you of their encounters with being hit by those heads as they jump up to kiss you. This could be dangerous for the elderly, and for smaller children. They don’t do it to harm you, they do it to greet you or to solicit play… but either way, it can be dangerous!

Third, these dogs are known to be destructive in the home and yard. The bull terrier is a very active, curious, mouthy dog that likes to pick things up in their mouths and chew them. I remember the first time I talked to breeders at a dog show about getting a bull terrier. And I remember the stories they told of destructive chewing. Many said they couldn’t leave their dogs alone in the home unsupervised. And the first dog training call I got for a miniature bull terrier was about destructive chewing. They had a 1 year old male they kept in the laundry room when they were at work. The dog had a doggie door to the back yard. The dog had not only chewed up the walls and doors in the laundry room, it had uprooted every plant in the back yard and drug it in through the doggie door and shredded it.

Fourth, some of these dogs have very high prey drive towards other animals. Thus, some can become cat killers as adults. It is EXTREMELY important to properly socialize a bull terrier as a puppy with a wide variety of domestic animals to help prevent this. When a dog like this is obsessed with killing cats, they focus like a laser beam when they sense one around, and it takes a lot of obedience training to call them off a chase, if you can at all.

Fifth, because it is a white dog, bull terriers are often born deaf. Certain types of white coat are associated with deafness in dogs. You see the same thing with white boxers, Dalmatians and the Dogo Argentino. So, you need to have the puppy tested for deafness before you bring it home. It is no fun getting a dog that is deaf. The training is more difficult and expensive, the dog will be less manageable, and some deaf dogs become aggressive with age because they can't predict when something is about to painfully bump into them.

I like a bull terrier, and still might consider getting one some day. But, I’d most likely get a well adjusted, young adult, say 1 to 2 years of age, through a reputable bull terrier organization, instead of a puppy. I’d want to make sure the dog was well socialized, good with other dogs and kids and adults, a couch potato at home, and a dog that would take to training. If I got a puppy, I’d want a lot of customer references from the breeder so I could check out their line of dogs to see if it was the right one for my lifestyle.

Love the breed, and I’m glad it won. Let’s just hope it doesn’t become a popular breed, because it could end up on some breed ban list some day. It isn’t the dog for everyone.

Tuesday, February 14, 2006

Armin Winkler Interview

Here is an interview with my friend, and Master Trainer, Armin Winkler. A lot of trainers call themselves a "master trainer". Few people deserve that title. Armin is the real deal.

His web page is www.SchutzhundVillage.com

Don't Buy Dogs From The Back Of A Van!

Dogs Being Stolen

Dog owners in Mason and Gallia Counties beware.

Several dogs have come up missing in the area and their owners think it's the work of thieves.

Wednesday morning Delmas Flora opened the door to let three of his dogs out. Only one of them came home.

"We just let them out long enough to go to the bathroom and back and they never come back," Flora said.

He believes someone stole his two dogs, Baldwin a brown and white Boxer, and Queenie, a brown and white spaniel.

Baldwin said, "I love my dogs as much as I do my kids and that's with all my heart so I love my dogs."
Ad

Mason County Dog Warden, Lisa Davern has received more than eight calls and several emails in the last week from owners who believe their dogs were stolen. Witnesses have reported seeing a black truck in the area picking up dogs.


Where are your dogs right now? Criminals steal dogs to use as bait for training pit fighting dogs.

Dog Stolen From Back Yard, Used As Pit Fighting Bait Dog

Returning to their Inkster home late Saturday from Saginaw, Tony and Sandra Price discovered their dog missing from their backyard and footprints of the dognappers in the freshly fallen snow.

Lady, the Prices' 18-month-old boxer, has a sweet disposition and "would go with anybody," Sandra Price said.

"She's a good dog," she said. "She just loves to jump on you and just play with you. You just rub her head, and she loves her treats and everything."

Tony Price followed the footprints as far as he could, but his wife could hear Lady's distinctive cough-like bark coming from the backyard of a home a few houses down and one street over. Ominously, she also heard the growling and barking of bigger, meaner animals.

From a distance, Tony Price could see a handful of young men and at least two pit bulls on chains. He yelled to them, but they denied seeing Lady.

The youths left, but Price later found Lady, who is now recovering, in that backyard bleeding profusely from the neck and barely alive.

"Oh, she was really messed up," Tony Price said Monday.

A 15-year-old boy who was arrested by Inkster police that night appeared Monday in the juvenile division of Wayne County Family Court charged with animal cruelty.


Do you now see why I don’t recommend leaving your dog alone in the back yard? Unsupervised dogs need to be indoors or in a locked, secure indoor/ outdoor kennel.

Monday, February 13, 2006

Group Dog Training Classes

For the past 10 years, I have only offered private lessons. Recently, I have started offering group classes, for those who can’t afford private lessons, and for certain types of situations where a dog is better off being trained with other dogs and people present.

I am having great fun doing these classes. They are much different than anything I have ever seen any other dog training school offer. I have innovated a wide range of new things, which are proving to be quite successful.

Sometimes, you have to invent a better mousetrap. I think I have done that.

Saturday, February 11, 2006

Animal Rights Victims

Next time those animal rights wackos start arguing about pet ownership, have them explain THIS!!!

These animal rights wackos are under indictment for killing and dumping many helpless dogs from shelters.

By the way, I never mention the name of these wacko organizations, or link to them, because, to do so, increases their visibility throughout the internet. Search engines look for key word phrases, so why should I waste my money, and harm dogs, by giving them more exposure, which they can then use to raise more money and recruit more wackos to their causes?

Wednesday, February 08, 2006

Revenge Of The Nerd

Hong Kong Fights Animal Cruelty

Sweden Donates Bomb Dogs To Cambodia

Tuesday, February 07, 2006

Military Dog Training Center Almost Complete

Year Of The Dog Tragedy

A TOTAL of 510 people were hurt by pet dogs in Tianjin during the just-concluded Spring Festival when they teased the animals to make them bark, believing the sound "woof-woof" would bring wealth and food fortune in the new year

Instead it brought them pain and wounds for abusing "man's best friend" in the north China port city. Three rabies cases were reported in Tianjin late last year.

Chinese people like the barking sound because "woof-woof" resembles the pronunciation of Chinese character "Wang," which means prosperity.

The number of people hurt by dogs from January 29 to February 5, the holiday period, was over 100 more than during the previous lunar New Year period, said the Tianjin Municipal Disease Control Center.

Doctors said some people were bitten by pet dogs raised by their friends and relatives because they are not familiar with the animals.

Others teased pet dogs raised by their friends and relatives just to hear them bark, but they were attacked.

Loyal and obedient, dogs are also thought to be able to bring fortune. As a Chinese saying goes, "Cats come with poverty, while dogs with property."

Experts with the Tianjin disease control center warned citizens to be cautious when playing with the pet dogs to prevent injuries.


IDIOTS.

I knew there were going to be lots of problems as a result of the Year Of The Dog. People are getting dogs for superstitious reasons, instead of getting a dog as a pet. When the fad wears off, these dogs are going to be abandoned, and a tragedy of major proportions will be set off.

Dog Mauled By Crocodile

Dog Shot By Those Training Him

A police officer is forced to shoot his dog – after the animal attacked him and a fellow officer during training Saturday.

It sounds like these guys didn’t know what the heck they were doing. Just because you watch someone else train a dog, doesn't mean you know how to do it yourself. I could be wrong, but this doesn't sound like these guys should be training dogs for security work.

Starving Dog Ate Rocks To Ease Hunger

Get A Dog, Stay In Shape

Dedicated dog owners log more exercise time than their urban neighbors without pet dogs, according to a study in the February issue of American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

"There's this extra dog obligation that helps get people up and out for their exercise," said author Shane Brown, a physical education instructor and researcher at the University of Victoria in British Columbia.

Brown and co-author Ryan Rhodes surveyed 177 men and 174 women between age 20 and 80 in Greater Victoria and found that the 70 dog owners walked an average of 300 minutes a week compared to 168 minutes a week for the others.

However, other than walking, dog owners exercised less than non-owners, suggesting that when dog lovers go on walks, they do it partly because they choose to be active with their pets. “A feeling of obligation to the dog explained 11 percent of the variance of getting out there and actually doing the behavior,” Brown said.

Women and men spent an equal amount of time walking their dogs. Time spent on strenuous physical activity, either walking or other forms of exercise, was similar for owner and non-owners.


One of the reasons I got my first dog, after I graduated from college, was to stay in shape. I knew that if I had a dog, and I committed to walking a mile a day for 10 years, I would stay in shape… and it worked!