Dog Sledding in the Olympics

With the Olympics finishing tomorrow with a Gold Medal Game against host Canada in Men's Hockey, I wonder if, as more and more sports are added to the Olympics every two years, if dog sledding would ever become an event? I think it would be very cool.

A tribute to Daddy

I have a real soft spot for Daddy. I was lucky enough to experience first hand just the work Daddy has done. My dog Chloe has some dog-dog issues and Cesar's Pack changed both her and my life. Chloe was surrounded by a good 10-15 balanced dogs for a day and she took special attraction to Junior, Daddy's Protege. It was her first dog-dog interaction in quite some time and she enjoyed every second of it. And so did I!

A good friend of mine just suggested that we take our dogs on an extra long walk tonight in honor of Daddy. I could not think of a better way to show my appreciation.

"Daddy" Cesar Millan right hand "man" passes away this Friday.

Prescript; Boston Dogs Organization has taken a lead from the Dog Whisperer and we have successfully utilized "Shamrock," a Certified Service Dog, in training many dogs throughout Greater Boston. 

 

Dog have Souls so I expect to Cesar will see Daddy again and I will see Shamrock when that time comes.

 

In Memoriam: Daddy the Pit Bull

Cesar Millan, all his family and friends, his staff and volunteers, and dog lovers all around the world today will mourn the passing of one of the most loyal, trusting, well-balanced, and influential pit bull ambassadors the world has ever known. Daddy, Cesar’s longtime friend and partner in canine rehabilitation, died peacefully surrounded by family on Friday the 19th of February. He was sixteen years old.

He lived each day of those sixteen years happy and fulfilled as Cesar’s right-hand-“man,” helping to shape the behavior of entire generations of dogs by showing them the way to balance. He stood as champion for calm-submissive pit bulls everywhere, and was instrumental in helping to repair their image as violent, savage, uncontrollable beasts. He successfully battled cancer and weathered chemotherapy, and even got the opportunity to present at the 56th Annual Creative Arts Emmy Awards!

His name is now added to that honorable roster of dogs gone by whose influence is still felt today, and which includes some of Cesar’s beloved childhood heroes: "Rin-Tin-Tin." "Lassie." … "Daddy."

He has been immortalized by Dog Whisperer fans in all mediums, from painting, to photographs, to charcoal drawings and papier-mâché sculpture. And, of course, he lives on in his work, reflected in the balance and calm-submission of his protégé Junior, the countless animals to whom he was a positive role model, and in the hearts and minds of everyone who knew him as a calm, sweet, and mellow example of a widely misunderstood breed.

In Loving Memory.

If you would like to honor Daddy’s memory and the contribution he made to improve the lives of other animals, you can make a donation to Daddy’s Emergency Animal Rescue Fund, which will provide assistance for dogs who are victims of abuse or violence, man-made disasters (hoarder and puppy mill rescues), and large-scale natural disasters (hurricanes, fires, and other natural catastrophes).

Should we appear on Animal Planet TV "Dogs 101?"

 

Dogs 101...a lot of us owners fell asleep during this class. Need a Tutor?

Contact Boston Dogs Organization

Are you an Anthropomorphic Dog Owner?

First you may need a dictionary; but to save you the time Boston Dogs Organization will share the definition as it applies to your canine friends. Anthropomorphizing dogs basically mean treating your dogs like human and assuming or giving them human traits; this is where the problem starts. Dogs don't interact the way humans do with humans. Its totally okay and necessary in some cases for dogs to sniff each other butts. Psychologically Dogs don't think like humans. Dogs don't respond the same way humans do to human commands. More to come on this subject...

Victoria Stilwell, Dog Training, It's Me Or The Dog : Animal Planet

Victoria Stilwell, Dog Training, It's Me Or The Dog : Animal Planet

Posted using ShareThis

The Pit Bull Misconception

After spending my time volunteering at the MSPCA-Angell Animal Adoption center, I was fully presented with an abundance of questions from visitors about all the bit pull terriers that were up for adoption. Many visitors wanted to know more about the breed and presented a skittish nature because of the misconception that haunts this breed. So I thought I would bring a little insight to you about this lovable breed
Pit Bull Terriers are agile and athletic. They range from medium to large in size. Pit Bulls do need a moderate amount of exercise. If not, they can become bored and destructive, as in many other dog breeds. The breed itself is very strong willed and can be quite stubborn at times. They can suffer from dog aggression due to their fighting instinct produced through breeding to become a dominate gene. They may also suffer from human aggression.
BUT, let me say that this is by no means ALL pit bull terriers. Animal and human aggression can be found in other breeds as well; however they do not have the stigma attached to them. Many of these characteristics can be controlled with obedience training with Boston Dogs Organization. There are an abundance of pit bulls ready for adoption at the MSPCA-Angell and Animal Rescue League of Boston. These dogs at shelters noted above have gone through an intensive temperament evaluation and are approved to live harmoniously in your home with obedience training. Boston Dogs Organization would like to help eliminate this stigma against this breed and bring more loving pit bulls out of shelters and into loving homes and the community. The more exposure society has with well-trained pit bulls, then the more comfortable people would have to adopting them and thinking twice against surrendering them. T'Shana, Rock, Rainey Champ and many other pit bulls want to be a loving companion to you today, so please learn more about the breed and spend time with these dogs. They will prove to you that they two can be as lovable as any other breed.

Who is walking Who? Look's like the Dog...

If this looks like your walk. You should contact us!

Snow Snow and More Snow

As I'm sure you have heard Boston is supposed to get hit with a snow storm tomorrow. If you can get out there and give your dog an exhausting workout today you should take every opportunity to do so! Remember to bundle up your dog appropriately for the weather! Be sure to watch your dog for signs that he is cold- and keep your outings as short or as long as your dog can handle! For most of us tomorrow will be a quick potty break outside and a dog with lots of energy inside. Here are some more tips for you to keep your dog busy when mother nature is busy outside!

Memory- Doggy style

Take 3 cups. Preferably ones that you can not see through and have the dog sit in front of you. Put a treat under all three cups. Tell the dog to find it. Next time put a treat under only one cup, move the cups around AND then tell the dog to find it. Fun little way to exhaust your friend mentally!


SOCKS! (preferably a new sock so your scent is not on it and that way he wont pick up your real socks and use them for toys!)

1. Put a tennis ball in the sock and then tie a rubberband around it. (I actually prefer to use girls hair elastics- Less chance the dogs teeth can break it by accident.) This can be used for a game of fetch in the house- or for your own dogs amusement by throwing it around.
2. A nice game of tug of war with a sock if you dont have a tug toy around!

Doggyatta-

Take a brown paper bag and fill it with small dog treats. Hold the bag in your hand as your dog tries to paw his way into it!

A simple balloon-

Just becareful if it pops that the dog does NOT swallow the peices.

I did this with my dog and a clicker.

Blow up a balloon. Put it on the floor.

Click the dog for looking at the balloon.

Click the dog for nosing the balloon. (If your dog has a target command. You can use that by placing your hand or finger right in front of the balloon and letting the weight of the dogs nose push the balloon.

Basically your goal is to get the dog to push the balloon and eventually volley with you.

Fun for both you and your dog.

*** I have also found that I am using this for my dogs impulse control. Telling her to leave it is pretty hard for her- so we have actually used this in some of our training!

And always remember. PLAY IS ON YOUR TERMS.. NOT YOUR DOGS!

Another Successful MeetUp #3 for Boston Dogs Organization

Yesterday 40+ dog lovers and their four-legged friends ventured out to Middlesex Fells in Medford for Boston Dogs Organization MeetUp #3. A large diversity of large and small breeds played about while their owners laughed, learned, and enjoyed the daylight before the SuperBowl excitement that evening began. Many attendants commented on how great it was to be able to bring out their dog for fun so when they were to return home to watch the game with intense eyes, their four-legged friends would be relaxed, calm and on many occasions sound asleep. The Middlesex Fells- Sheepfold provided an abundance of room for dogs to play ball or chase each other. Boston Dogs Organization had a number of our dog trainers present with their clients. This is a continuation of Boston Dog Organization's dedication to achieving positive, obedient dogs and well educated owners whether at home or out at the park. Meet Up #3 was an abundant success and enjoyed by all!

Dog Training in Boston: What's the best method?

Boston Dogs Organization specializes in Dog Training and Surrender Intervention. Our team of five dog trainers in Boston and the metropolitan area all have unique Dog Training skills to give you and your family the best relationship with your dog and share other Boston dog advocates and services.  Here is a great site that provides unbiased guidance http://www.dog-obedience-training-review.com/ and http://www.positivedogtraining.org/ to many of the methodologies. 

Boston Dog Training - Who Trained the Four Dogs Shown in Superbowl Commercials

We wondered who trained the four amazing dogs - three Labrador Retrievers and one Golden Retriever performed complex roles in four Super Bowl commercials this evening in the New Orleans Saints victory over the Indianapolis Colts, (As a Bostonian this was a positive win on so many levels; morally, for the city and recovery of NO, and the fact Patriots fans typically hate the Colts and Mannings in general - nothing personal!)

But back to the Dogs. We train ultimately for the health, well-bring, happiness, of Dog and Owner, and to prevent surrenders, abandonment or maltreatment of dogs, for reasons we, Boston Dogs Organization can fix. Surrender Intervention through training is one of our core competencies and an integral part of our Mission.  please contact us BEFORE you give up a dog. We work donate and volunteer with four different shelters.  At some shelters, such as the MSCPA - Angell and the Animal Rescue League of Boston, we see incoming surrendered dogs and the reasons owners give; apartment too small, moving to a new state, job change, we don't want him/her, we can't train him/her, we don't want a dog, etc, etc, etc. In Our opinion - these "reasons," while some may be legitimate and some percentage unavoidable, We think in large part We, Boston Dogs Organization, and the entire dog community can step in through training, education, surrender intervention techniques, owner train and training, and a litany of other options, We can help. This is our Mission.

If these Super Bowl dogs can do what the world saw tonight on the most prestigious and expensive night on television advertisement and commercials, we can help you.

For the sake of your dog and other dogs, give us a call 617 419 5020 or email info@boston-dogs.com please.

Dog Training Boston Dogs Organization - Why We Are Different

Dog Training Boston Dogs Organization

Why we are different!

• Our trainers are certified but unique
• We only do individualized training
• We use Positive Reinforcement and Millanian Methodology
• We are nonprofit 501(c)(3)
• Our Goal is to train Owner and Dog 
• We have a 100% success ratio to date
• We can train to your dogs individual psychology and yours
• We have worked with Cesar Millan, the Dog Whisperer
• We training in multiple environments
• We use our Certified Service Dogs to assist in training
• We gurantee our rates - we don't want anyone elimanited based on money
• We train in Surrender Intervention
• We train Dogs that have been unsuccessful in classes and with other trainers
• We train ANY dog; aggressive, insecure, "untrainable," dogs
• We are a holistic, comprehensive, and there for you in all things dog and owner
• Our relationship doesn't end when your family is trained
• We will go above and beyond because our Mission Statement requires us to
• We train YOU

Meetup THREE at the Middlesex Fells - Training and Discovery

What a blast - better than a Super Bowl party. More to follow...

Meetup FOUR - Brookline Avenue Playgroud, Brookline, MA (off-leash)

15 days away! Scheduled and please reply via Boston Dogs Organization Meetupgroup!

--IMPORTANT-- Bostonian Dog Lovers - training and socialization too!

Hello all Bostonian Dog Lovers,

Tomorrow, as you know, we have a Meetup at the Fells (Sheepfold.)  This will NOT BE AN OFF LEASH Meetup, due to DCR regulations at the Fells requiring all Dogs to be on a leash/lead of a maximum of seven feet in length. We will proceed with the Meetup abiding by the current regulations.

Please respond via the RSVP feature and email if you will be attending knowing this. Currently there are 20 Bostonian Dog Lovers scheduled to attend.

Most Importantly, We and We strongly encourage all our members to respond if they are able to attend. BDO is highly in favor of an off-leash policy for dogs that are under control by verbal/signal command by owners and also a place delegated for dogs and owners less secure or trained. Ultimately a dog, 99% of all dogs, can be effectively trained to be responsible off leash.  We also have a strong set of legal precedence that we will present.  Our Board of Directors consists of multiple Vets, Lawyers, Dog Advocates, Business People, etc...

The Meeting is DCR Middlesex Fells Meeting, Monday, Feb. 8, 2010, at McGlynn School, Medford at 7pm.

So two major points:
One: your response to attending the Meetup; Two: will you be able to attend the DCR Meeting Monday evening

Again please respond via email as well as the RSVP feature built into the Boston Dogs Organization Meetup group, (If you are not currently a Boston Dogs Organization Meetup member, you can join by clicking on the Meetup logo to the left on the site/blog. I will be able to provide transportation to two Group members along with my Certified Service dog Shamrock and another member. Also I know there are members who would be willing to carpool.

There will be a follow-up email tomorrow after the Meetup in regards to both issues.

Sincerest regards,

Christopher Lyle
Executive Director/CEO
Boston Dogs Organization
617 419 5020 (BDO)
info@boston-dogs.com

Thank You

Mockumentary "Best In Show" on Encore Television...

This humorous account of the Dog Show subculture....

Boston Dogs Organization has no stance on showing dogs. I thought this was pertinent knowing that the Westminster and AKC shows are in season. I believe the dogs that participate are well cared for but, I personally do not think that any dog is better than any other dog, and therefore personally we don't participate in that world.

Dogs love unconditionally and I believe we should love our dogs unconditionally whether they have a blue-ribbon around their neck or are mixed breed, rescue from who knows where...

The Dog Shows do give you an opportunity to see registered breeds that you may not be familiar with; I believe the AKC has around 180 recognized breeds, though over 357+ breeds exist throughout the world.

Volunteering Delight

Every week is a delight for me to enrich the lives of our four-legged friends at the MSPCA-Angell and the Animal Rescue League of Boston. Today at MSPCA-Angell, I love and nurture little ones like Angel, a black lab who ate treats for the first time today, or Goober, a 3-month old Brindle Pitbull with three legs but can move around with great ease and has the sweetest face. We are able to come in contact with all the dogs at the shelter during feeding time. They are gloriously happy to see me and are intensely awaiting their tummy's delight. When it's chow time, the MSPCA-Angell caters to the dog's needs (puppy food, adult food, amount of food in coordination with size of dog, special food due to a dog's allergies). We also fill Kongs (large hollow rubber toys) with wet food then freeze them. It gives them something to play with towards bed time. Great care is given to the animals by the volunteers and employees at the MSPCA-Angell.
At Boston Dogs Organization, we know that in our efforts to provide education to a dog's owner and training for a dog. We are here to help in the transition from the shelter to your home.


Here is how to stuff a Kong: www.kongcompany.com and ehow.com

Things You'll Need

• A Kong
• dog treats
• peanut butter
• dry dog food

1. 
   
   
   
   Step 1
   Purchase a Kong. Get the right size Kong for your dog. Normal Kongs work best but if you want your dog to have better teeth, buy the Dental Kong.
   
2. 
   
   
   
   Step 2
   To get your dog used to the idea of using a Kong, insert a simple treat, like Milkbone, into the Kong and have your dog try to take it out. Praise him/her so that your dog begins to really like this toy. You can also put peanut butter, which is a favorite for many dogs.
   
3. 
   
   
   
   Step 3
   When your dog becomes expert at the above step and really begins to love Kong, you can experiment with it. If you don't mind giving your dog human foods, you can find different recipes at www.kongcompany.com.
   
4. 
   
   
   
   Step 4
   The basic idea is to put a little bit of creamy substance like peanut butter in the small hole end, fill 1/3 with treats, fill 2/3 with dog food, and add an accessible treat in the bigger hole end.
   
5. 
   
   
   
   Step 5
   If your dog becomes too good at this, then you can freeze your Kong. You can also put your dry dog food in water so that it will become soft and bigger. After you stuff it, if you freeze it, this Kong will last your dog at least few hours. This is great for teething puppies and those getting used to there crate. Just make sure there is nothing they can choke on, please.
   
   
   Enjoy!
   

Responsible Dog Ownership Days

 

Great for all Dog Owners and Lovers to sign! You'll need to cut n paste the link.

www.akc.org

Recession Hits Pet Owners Hard too and BDO can help!

Hey all-

This is an intersting article found on Dogster.com. I'm sure that we have all felt the effects of this recession in one way or another. Our pets are no exception. That's where we at BDO can step in. If you need any lowcost options for anything dog related, Contact us and we can be sure to point you in the right direction!

Animals Suffer as Effects of Recession Linger Posted:
It's well known that many people have abandoned their pets due to financial hardships imposed by the Great Recession. It’s also well known that, whether or not the recession is technically over and the gross domestic product is growing or shrinking, many folks are still suffering from hard times. So I guess it shouldn’t come as a surprise that pets are still being abandoned and shelters are still being overwhelmed.From an article in the January 21, 2010 Economist.As the number of job losses and foreclosures has mounted over the past two years, some people have chosen to surrender their animals, unable to afford pet food let alone veterinary care. Many have brought their dogs and cats to shelters. Some have been less kind, chaining them to fences or locking them inside their foreclosed homes. One kitten was even left in a mailbox in Boston.Looking after these pets is becoming more challenging because many shelters rely on government money and have seen their funding cut. Animal Care and Control of New York City, for example, saw its grant fall by over $750,000 this fiscal year, around 7% of its operating budget. Fewer people are coming forward to make donations.The article goes on to point out there are some silver linings on the clouds. As with many other times of hardship, resourceful people are working on clever ways to address the problem.Some non-profits are trying to step in and encourage people not to abandon their furry friends at shelters in the first place. Pet-food banks, which give pet food to people in need, have sprung up across the country.One non-profit organisation, Pilots ’N Paws, connects pilots to shelters with dogs that have not found homes. The pilots volunteer to fly them to other states, giving them a second chance at adoption.The internet is playing its part. One organisation, ForeclosurePets.org, runs an online billboard that allows people facing foreclosure to find a home for their pet. Adopt-a-pet.com uses its website to help shelters advertise and send e-mail alerts when certain types of animals come in. By the end of 2009 8,500 animal shelters were using the site to post adoption listings for 140,000 pets, up from 6,800 shelters and 98,000 listings at the beginning of the year. Now all that is needed is 140,000 good homes.
--From Dr. Eric Barchas DVM

DCR Meeting - Dog Advocacy

Hi All,

Boston Dogs Organization will be representing the interest of dogs at the Fells. A very brief synopsis is we are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit affiliated with many other organizations such as ARL - Boston, MSPCA - Angell, "Dog Town," and are highly in favor of an off-leash policy for dogs that are under control by verbal/signal command by owners and also a place delegated for dogs and owners less secure or trained. Ultimately a dog, 99% of all dogs, can be effectively trained to be responsible off leash.  We also have a strong set of legal precedence that we will present. We also have an off shot-up Meetup Group under the same name and will try to send as many members as possible.  Our Board of Directors consists of multiple Vets, Lawyers, Dog Advocates, Business People, etc...


Incidentally I am Mt. Biker as well.

I want to thank FellsDog Group for spear heading this but we will be their in support as well.

Christopher Lyle
Executive Director
BDO boston-dogs.org
617 419 5020 (BDO)
617 259 6725 (c)

Check out our Flickr page!

We are now on Flickr!

If you were already at Boston Dogs Organization member or supporter feel free to post your picture(s) of you and your four legged friends (if you do not have a Flickr membership) click HERE. and share your photos with us! If you a not a member of our Boston Dogs Organization Meetup group at all, join!

To treat or not to treat?

B.F. Skinner was a smart man- and we all have a lot to thank him for in the world of training dogs! He discovered three rates of reinforcement- continuous, fixed and variable. I will talk about continuous and variable because they are the most beneficial to dog training. Fixed interval reinforcement is actually boring for the dogs and can even cause some behavior extinction.

Continuous reinforcement is most useful for teaching new behaviors and its simple. Every time the dog does the behavior you ask for- you reward him or her. For example when teaching a dog to sit- every time your dogs bottom hits the floor you treat him. The dog knows that when his butt hits the floor he gets a treat so he keeps performing the behavior. Once the dog nails the behavior you can move onto variable reinforcement.

Variable reinforcement is the best way to train a dog. There are two types- interval and ratio. Ratio being that the dog sits. He gets a treat. He sits 3 more times- no treat but on the 4th sit he gets a treat. The dog is more apt to perform if he knows that some point in the near future he will get a treat! Interval training is the amount of time between reinforcements. For example if your dog is learning to “stay” you will use interval timing for treats. The first being 3 seconds all the way until a 20-minute stay. The important part to interval training is that you know your dog. You need to always reward your dog before he “loses focus”.

These schedules can be the cause of some negative behaviors as well. Take “counter surfing” as an example. Your dog climbs on the counter and gets a roast beef sandwich. Yum for the dog, bad for you. You have also just taught the dog that hey if I jump up on the counter I get food. So you work your dog- you make sure you clean your counters of all food and this seems to work. You give them a leave it every time they jump up and they seem to have given up. That is Until a guest leaves a cookie on the counter for you. SCORE the dog gets it again. Now you have to start over. This tells the dog hey- Even though I had to jump up 20 times- I finally got a cookie! I still have it!

The same thing can happen for walks too. If you are having trouble on your daily walk with pulling and just not listening, think about how the rest of your day goes. Do you take your dog on a quick potty walk and let him do whatever he wants? If so you are actually telling the dog that “Hey if I pull hard enough I will get where I want to go at some point”.

As with any dog training whether it’s for new behaviors or fixing bad ones- consistency is key. A trainer once told me, “My whole life would be training”. She was right.