So. Cal. Fires leave Thousands of Pets in Need - How YOU can HELP!

Hi All,

First, I sincerely hope that all of you and your loved ones are safe from harm in the wake of the fires now engulfing so much of Southern California. I have family in the San Diego area who have fires to the North and South of them, but so far are safe and have not been evacuated.

From the San Diego Humane Society & SPCA Web Page, 10/23/07

Over the last two days, officers, staff and volunteers have helped in evacuating more than 400 animals and are directly assisting several thousand animals at evacuation centers throughout the county. It is estimated that between 10,000 to 15,000 animals are in evacuation centers countywide.

If you would like to help the thousands of displaced and injured pets and animals in need due to the So. Cal. fires, please click on the links below to find out how to donate pet supplies, food, cash, or volunteer time.

San Diego Humane Society & SPCA - How you can help; what you can donate.

San Diego Humane Society & SPCA - Make a secure online donation.

SPCA Los Angeles DART program (Disaster Animal Response Team)

Below is a link to an article from the Humane Society of the U.S. on Disaster Preparedness for Pets, as well as a link to get a FREE Pet Rescue Sticker for your Home so that Fire Rescue will know that there are pets in your home.

Residents in Path of California Wildfires Urged to Plan for Pets' Safety - from http://www.hsus.org/ 10/22/07

ASPCA FREE Pet Rescue Sticker

Again, I hope that all of you are safe and that you will remain out of the reach of these destructive and widespread fires.

~Nicole~

Safe at Last 10/21/07
Braving the wind and ash, [SD Humane Society's] Animal

Rescue Reserve (ARR) brings two grateful dogs to safety.

October 2007

Hi All!

It's been a busy summer for me! And with business booming, there are some changes on the way...

First, check out my NEW Blog at Blogspot.com! All Teacher's Pet Dog Training E-Newsletters will be posted and archived here. And take a quick survey while you're there - October's is about interactive dog toys!

Second, I will be raising my training fees for the first time in several years as of February 2008. My fees will still be - as always - more than competitive with other local trainers. My fee for a 1-hour in-home training session will increase from $75 to $79, and the pre-paid discounted package of 4 sessions will increase from $285 to $299 (price is still a discounted rate).

Other fees will increase accordingly. For more information, please visit my website.

And just a reminder: as always, once you are a Teacher's Pet Client, you are always welcome to contact me with any questions and concerns about your pet(s). So even if you are not currently in training lessons, please do keep in touch!


The HOWL-idays are just around the corner, so start planning your pets' holiday photos now!

The Pet Photo Pros take some of the best pet portraits I've seen. Many of my clients have used them and been extremely happy with their services.

They will be at Highlander Pet Center in Arcadia on Saturday, 11/3 from 11 AM - 4 PM. Schedule your appt. now so you don't miss out! To reserve a time slot for your pet's photo session or for more info., contact the Pet Photo Pros or call Highlander Pet Center at (626) 357-1787.

Lucas (all groomed and primped) and I will be there in the afternoon, so we hope to see you there!

(While you're at Highlander Pet, pick up a NEW Harvest Chewz edible dog chew. These are the longest-lasting edible dog chews I have found on the market. Great for even super-aggressive chewers who destroy regular dog chews! Try one and let me know what you think. And remember, when choosing the right size chew for your dog, bigger is better - and safer!)

Finally, HOWL-O-WEEN is my absolute favorite Howl-iday! Celebrate this year by attending a local Howl-o-ween event especially for pets.

The biggest is the Annual Haute Dog Howl'Oween Parade & Pet Adoption Fair for Charity in Livingston Park in Long Beach. This is THE place for your pets to see and be seen in their adorable costumes!

Expect 500+ costumed doggies, door prizes, vendor booths, bobbing for Howl'oWeenies, a dog treat stacking contest, a Bulldog Kissing Booth, disc dog demonstrations, fun contests, a pet adoption fair, photo opportunities, and preliminary canine costume judging (judges start roaming the park at 2 p.m.).

For more information or to pre-register your dog online, visit the Haute Dog website.

Hope you all had a wonderful summer, & that I'll see you all soon!

July 2007

Summer is here, and it is HOT!

Here are some great ideas for keeping your HOT DOG cool and happy this summer:

Visit a Dog Beach! The surf & sand can provide hours of fun and cool enjoyment for your doggie. The beach is the one place I would say it's okay to let your dog dig a hole to China and get it out of her system! Not to mention the off-leash dog play; it's like having an oceanfront Dog Park! Check out Huntington Dog Beach.

Give your dog a PUP-sicle! Fill the small top hole on a Kong Toy with peanut butter to make it leak-proof, and then fill with water, or a 50/50 mixture of water and low-sodium chicken broth or unsweetened apple juice, and pop it upside-down in the freezer for a cooling summer treat to occupy your dog for hours! You can even add some dog biscuits or meaty treats inside for a frozen surprise. OR, if you want a MEGA-treat that will last all day, try the NEW Kool Dogz Ice Treat Maker - a giant-sized "pup-sicle" maker that lets you fill a frozen chunk of ice with treats, toys, even stuffed Kongs that your dog can anticipate and enjoy as it melts throughout the day! It comes with a stand to hold the frozen treat in place.

Always carry water with you for your dog with a portable dog bowl to avoid overheating. You may want to limit long walks to mornings and late evening, when the temperature is cooler.

Also, keep in mind that hot concrete or pavement can actually burn the pads of your dog's feet, so avoid it whenever possible on very hot days and walk your dog on the grass instead. Or try Musher's Secret Paw Wax to protect your dog's feet from the heat.

Try a cooling pet bandanna, vest, or bed to help maintain normal body temperature in the hot summer sun. Check some out here: Chilly Buddy Dog Cooling Jacket ; Body Cooler Pet Bandannas & Mats.

Get a "Doggie" Wading Pool! You can purchase a cheap plastic children's wading pool from a local bargain or toy store that will provide priceless cool, splashing and wading fun for your dog. Or, you can purchase a pool made especially for dogs, with a separate compartment that you attach to your garden hose to provide a constant supply of fresh drinking water! Dog Dip N Sip Pool

Watch out for early warning symptoms of heat stroke including hyperventilation, dry mouth and nose, excessive/thick/sticky salivation, rapid heart rate, dull, grayish-pink, or bright red gums, bright red tongue, unsteadiness, vomiting, and diarrhea.

If you suspect your dog may be suffering from early symptoms of heat stroke, immediately move the dog to a cooler environment out of direct sun and with cool, fresh, circulating air. Use a hose, shower, or tub of cool - NOT COLD as it may shock his system - water to wet and cool him, especially his belly and legs. Lay him on his side if he is unsteady. Offer him cool - but again NOT COLD - water to drink. Contact your Veterinarian or nearest Vet Hospital immediately. For more information on heat stroke and pets, click here: Humane Society of US

Hope you all enjoy a happy, healthy, and COOL Summer!

July 4th 2007

Hi All,

When I used to volunteer at the Pasadena Humane Society, everyone on the staff would talk about July 4th as if it were some kind of Doggie Rescue "D-Day." I was told that Independence Day was the 1 day of the year that had the highest influx of dogs into the shelter, mainly from around the Rose Bowl area. This was due to a combination of doors in the home being left open or constantly being opened by party guests, inadvertently creating an easy escape route for household pets, plus the abundance of fireworks displays throughout the day, which are notorious for spooking dogs and creating a panicked desire to escape.

If you know that your dog is afraid of loud noises, thunderstorms, and potentially fireworks, or if your dog is new to you and you're not sure, be especially vigilant this 4th of July.

Do NOT bring your dog with you to a Fireworks Display, and do NOT leave him in the car! The intensity of the sights and sounds is likely to cause at best mild anxiety and fear for your pet and at worst he may escape, eliminate in or destroy the car. In any case, he will not enjoy it.

DO leave your pet at home in a safe, comfortable, enclosed area away from windows and screen/glass doors, with blinds closed and the TV or radio on at normal volume to help mask the sounds of the fireworks. Remove any items that your pet could destroy or harm himself by chewing, as dogs can become destructive and chew to soothe themselves when stressed and anxious.

Do NOT leave your dog outside in the backyard unattended, or even chained up. If your dog gets spooked, he could go to great lengths to escape your yard, or become entangled in his chain and harm or even choke himself in a frenzied anxiety attack.

DO make sure that before leaving home, you give your dog a chance to completely eliminate. Eliminating in the house can be another fear/anxiety reaction to fireworks.

Do NOT crate your dog for the first time. If your dog has never been crated, July 4th is not a good day to start! The dog may associate the crate with the fireworks and hurt himself trying to escape, or develop a lifelong fear of crates as a result.

DO consider boarding your pet for the day at a reputable facility away from any large fireworks displays where he can be monitored and kept safe.

DO take the time to make sure that your pet is wearing intact, up-to-date tags with your address and phone number, as well as a microchip (which is available through your veterinarian or the Pasadena Humane Society). Both are necessary, as many times your dog may be found by a passerby near your home, who can easily return your dog to you if they have your address and phone number. The microchip can be scanned by a Veterinarian or Shelter who can then access your contact information.

If you know from experience that your pet is severely afraid of fireworks, DO discuss possible medical treatment options for Independence Day with your veterinarian beforehand.

If you find that your pet is fearful of fireworks, contact me to discuss possible training treatment options.

Have a Safe and Happy 4th of July!

June 2007

Hi All!

So many owners of mixed-breed dogs over the years have asked me, "What breeds do you think my dog is?" or "Is there a test to tell me what breeds my dog is?". Well, I am happy to report that finally, YES! THERE IS!

The Canine Heritage Breed Test uses DNA technology developed in mapping the human genome. Using a swab of your dog's cheek DNA, MMI Genomics, Inc. will genetically identify your dog's breed characteristics from among 38 dog breeds. If your dog is descended from a breed not on the list of 38 currently verifiable breeds, you will receive verification of a "secondary" breed from earlier in her ancestry. (The company plans to expand the list in the future.)

I, like many other rescue-dog owners, have been DYING to know what breeds exactly my little dog Lucas is made of ever since I got him from the Pasadena Humane Society in 2001. I used to drive myself crazy trying to decipher the potential mix of breeds, and had given up years ago to save my sanity! But alas, 2 of the breeds that most likely make up his heritage - Pomeranian and Papillon - are not included on the list of 38! So, we may have to wait for the expanded version...

To find out what breeds make up your doggie's breed heritage, Click Here to order your Canine Heritage Breed Test for $65.00. (That's a bargain if you ask me!) Results should take 4-6 weeks.

And please, let me live vicariously through you: Email Me and tell me what breeds your dog turns out to be!

Mother's Day 2007

Hi All!

First of all, an early Happy Mothers Day to all of you Pet Mommies ! I'm sure if your pets could, they would thank you for taking such wonderful care of them!

As we all know, there are far too many animals out there who aren't as lucky. So this Mother's Day, consider giving the (human) Moms in your life a gift that will benefit orphaned animals as well:

Flowers for a cause! Use promo code ASPCA and

10% of the proceeds from your purchase will go to the ASPCA.

1-800-Flowers.com Use Promo Code ASPCA

Give an Honor Gift! Donate to one of the following charities in

Mom's name. These Honor gifts include either an E-Card or

Paper Card notifying her of the donation.

ASPCA Mother's Day Honor Gift

Pasadena Humane Society Donation Gift Card

Buy her gift online! Shop in one of the following stores that

benefit various Animal Rescue Organizations.

Gifts range from Books & Jewelry to Pet Supplies & Body Care items.

Animal Rescue Site Online Store

Stores that benefit the Pasadena Humane Society

(List including Amazon.com and IGive.com)

Adopt a Polar Bear for Mom! (Symbolically of course ) Through the World Wildlife Fund, you can adopt your choice of Mom's favorite from 40 animals. She will receive a personalized electronic adoption certificate, screensavers, wallpaper and AIM icons that will be emailed to her on the date you choose.

World Wildlife Fund Adopt an Animal

Hope I've inspired you to give a creative and charitable gift for Mother's Day this year!

Wishing you all the Best this Mother's Day,

Nicole (Lucas' Mommy)

March 2007

Hi All! Hope everyone's doing great!

The weather today is BEAUTIFUL, but when the weather is bad - like it has been in the past few weeks - finding ways to keep your dog from being bored and under-stimulated indoors all day can be very challenging. And we all know - some more than others - that boredom in dogs can lead to destructive behaviors such as digging, chewing, and even potty training setbacks and accidents.

One solution is to provide your pet with "Interactive" toys, such as Kongs stuffed with dry dog food, treats, and/or unsweetened peanut butter or plain low fat cream cheese; Tricky Treats Puzzle Balls; and Tug-A-Jug Treat Puzzle Toys. Another NEW solution is the KongTime machine. This machine dispenses multiple stuffed Kongs on a timer at intervals throughout the day so that when you are away at work, your dog can look forward to a new yummy toy to conquer every few hours! And because dogs are very good at learning patterns, not only is your dog occupied while licking away at the stuffed Kong, but they have something to look forward to while waiting for the next one to dispense!

February 27th this past week was SPAY DAY USA. Pet overpopulation may not be an obvious problem in your neighborhood, but visit certain parts of downtown Los Angeles, or any of the many overcrowded animal shelters in LA County, and it is painfully evident. I can't even drive around in certain areas anymore in LA because I know I will end up with a carload of stray dogs that I find just roaming the streets (it's happened, believe me!). If you know someone who hasn't yet spayed or neutered their pet, or if there are feral cats living around your home, the Pasadena Humane Society offers low-cost or no-cost surgeries through their SNiP program. Feral cats (wild cats, different from strays) can be caught and brought in to the Pasadena Humane Society using a humane trap called a "Have-A-Heart" trap, which can be rented for only $4 a day. The Pasadena Humane Society will spay or neuter the cat(s) and then you can return them to the habitat where they were found. This type of TNR or Trap-Neuter-Return program is proven to reduce feral cat colonies in an area by up to 50%!

For more info on the Pasadena Humane Society's SNiP program, Spay Day USA, and what you can do to help in the fight against pet overpopulation, please click on the following links:

http://www.phsspca.org/SNiP/index.htm

http://network.bestfriends.org/california/news/12493.html

Lastly, I want to remind everyone of the Teacher's Pet Dog Training Referral Program. For every new client you refer to me that signs up for a Private Lesson, you receive a $10 credit toward your next lesson! So make sure that all of your referrals mention you by name when contacting me.The finest compliment I can receive is a referral from my clients and friends, and I want to make sure that I know who to thank for each and every referral. Have a wonderful week, and I hope to talk with you all sometime very soon!