A day in the life of Cuba's finest export...

New article for www.petexpertise.com

Is Training Always the Answer? Training vs. Management

Enjoy!

Is your dog stubborn or just uncomfortable?

It's a cold Saturday in upstate New York, the kind of day where everything is covered in ice, deicing salts, or both. Four future training superstars gather at the Clicking with Canines facility in Endicott, NY to attend a KPA workshop weekend presented by my business partner Steve Benjamin.

KPA is a lot of work for both the dogs and the people, so we took a short break to allow the students to take their dogs out for potty breaks and get some fresh, if not bitter cold air and stretch their legs a bit. Many of the dogs live further south than Binghamton, and are no more pleased with the bitter winds and cold temperatures than I. Some of the dogs with shorter coats are, in fact, shivering and can only be outside for a few minutes at a time.

The KPA students attending are talented trainers with a great understanding of dog behavior. They understand one of the fundamental differences between positive training and traditional training: positive trainers blame a breakdown in the training process when a dog doesn't respond appropriately to a cue, traditional trainers blame the dog. We are taught to tape ourselves training and review the tapes to evaluate the clearness and precision of our cues, to be quiet with our bodies and "let the clicker do the talking." If the behaviors are proofed for all aspects of fluency, and the cues are clear, why on earth would our dogs ever NOT respond to the cue?

Some people attribute poor cue response to dominance, some to spite, some to stubbornness or willfulness. I am guessing that 99% of the time the response is: either you haven't proofed the behavior well enough or something about offering the behavior makes the dog uncomfortable.

One student learned the hard way, a lesson well-taught from his beautiful but very short haired mix breed dog.

We approached the building together, eager to get some relief from the cold. Like many of the students, this particular individual has their dog on a "Nothing in Life is Free" protocol, which means the dog earns life rewards through the performance of cued and desirable behaviors. Think of all the things you give your dog, and all the things that your dog can give you. You should expect something from the latter category in return for giving your dog something from the former category.

As we neared the door, the student cued his dog, "sit." I would bet that this dog had performed "sit" thousands of times, in dozens of different environments. The behavior was well proofed, so why wouldn't this dog sit?

I asked for the dog's leash. Once I had the leash in hand, I turned to the student and said, "you know how to sit, right? You know what the word means?"

"Yes."

"OK," I said, "take your pants off and sit on the ice in your skivvies." I think he thought I'd lost my mind. I was hoping to teach him to think about things from his dog's perspective.

Needless to say, the student did not respond to my cue, even though he understood the cue and its connection to the behavior. Why didn't he want to sit on the ice in his undies? Because ice is cold, and it is uncomfortable to sit on. So are deicing salts, I'd imagine.

It is always important to consider, if you are cueing a behavior that you have proofed well and your cue is clean and clear, environmental factors and stressors which may make it difficult, uncomfortable, or impossible for your dog to comply with the cue.

Example: Dogs don't like to sit on ice.

Example: Reactive dogs are not disobeying a cue if you ask for a down stay in the presence of another dog; you are simply asking for an operant behavior in a situation where your dog is responding emotionally.

Example: A student was teaching her dog to leg weave, but was lined up incorrectly, effectively asking her dog to walk into a wall. Needless to say, the dog did not respond to the handler's weave cue.

Whenever you are cueing behaviors, evaluate the situation and note carefully differences between your dog's usual response. If you have practiced to the level of distractions in the environment and your dog shuts down, maybe something is wrong. Maybe your dog is not disobedient but is in fact in pain or experiencing a high level of stress.

If there are behaviors your dog usually performs with joy and suddenly you get no or lackluster response to the cue, consider if something in the environment may be discouraging your dog, and think too about your dog's health - is there something painful or uncomfortable about responding to their cue?

Some dogs want to respond to a well taught cue so badly that they will do so despite physical discomfort. This can end up backfiring and poisoning your cue, the dog will associate the cue with discomfort and thus will not respond as reliably to your cue in the future because sometimes, responding to the cue hurts!

In any training, make sure that your cues are clear and concise, and that you are realistic about your dog's response to the cue in relation to how well you have proofed it. If your normally enthusiastic jumper all of the sudden lays down or goes into her crate when you cue her favorite behavior, it may not be a training problem, but a physical problem.

Training should be fun for you and your dog, but will not be fun for your dog if it hurts her. Remember the KPA student, who was well-intentioned, tried hard to be the best student he could be, understood the cue very well, and still could not comply with my request for a cued behavior because it would have been both socially and physically uncomfortable for him; and keep this in mind if your dog's normally enthusiastic cue responses start to break down.

A good deed for dogs in need, a good deed for your country!

PERMISSION TO CROSS POST w/ credit to Casey Lomonaco, KPA CTP, Rewarding Behaviors Dog Training (www.rewardingbehaviors.com).

Regardless of your political views on the war in the Middle East, I believe we can all agree that the men and women who serve in our country's armed forces are courageous patriots and deserve the full support of those who they defend.

How can we as pet people help out the brave soldiers who have vowed to protect us? Consider fostering an animal for armed forces personnel serving overseas. Soldiers who have human families may be lucky enough to find that a caring relative will offer a place to live for a beloved pet while the soldier serves on active duty. Others are not so lucky, having no human family or no family members who are able/willing to bring one or more dogs and/or cats into their homes. These soldiers find themselves facing an incredibly difficult decision - what happens to a soldier's dog when he leaves for Iraq?

It is difficult enough to leave one's home for dangerous combat half a world a way. The world each soldier is entering into is foreign and dangerous, and each must say goodbye to the things that make his country worth defending - life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. For those of us who share our lives with animals, it is difficult to imagine how happiness can be pursued without them, and they are certainly a vital part of our lives.

It is no different for the men and women in our armed forces. Many are placed into situations where the only apparent alternative is to turn their furry best friends over to an animal shelter. Most will pray that their dog finds a new family. Many of these prayers will go unanswered, and the dogs and cats of heroes end up as statistics; one of faceless millions who travels to the Rainbow Bridge at the end of a needle, victims of the devastation that is pet overpopulation.

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP
What can you do to help these men and women? Consider opening your home as a foster home for a serviceman or servicewoman's companion animal. There are wonderful organizations which specialize specifically in finding temporary foster homes for the pets (dogs, cats, chickens, horses, and a variety of other species) of military employees serving active duty.

OPERATION NOBLE FOSTER -
specializing in finding foster homes for cats belonging to servicemen and servicewomen

Operation Noble Foster specializes in finding temporary foster homes for cats belonging to military personnel. Check out their page "Basics of Fostering Cats for Military" for more information. Want to sign up and offer your home to a military kitty? Here is a link to the foster application

NETPETSFOSTER:
MilitaryPetsFOSTER Project©
NetPets is different from Operation Noble Foster in that they do not place restrictions on the species of the foster animal in question. If you are interested in applying to be a foster parent for The MilitaryPetsFOSTER Project©, this link will bring you to their application for foster parents.

CONSIDERATIONS FOR FOSTER PARENTS
Do you have the room to bring another dog, cat, horse, chicken, or sheep into your life?

Do you have the finances? These organizations are volunteer run and are charitable organizations - you will likely be responsible for the veterinary bills, food, and other expenses associated with the animal's care while it lives in your home.

Concerned about how to introduce your foster pet to your existing household pets? If you need a little guidance, do not hesitate to ask a behavioral professional for help (www.greatdogtrainers.com).

IF YOU CANNOT FOSTER, DONATE OR VOLUNTEER!
You may not be able to foster for whatever reason, but that doesn't mean you are unable to help the effort. Both organizations accept tax-deductible donations on their websites.

Alternatively, if you have a well-visited website, consider writing an article about these programs, or post one of the organizations' banners on your websites to bring much-needed recognition to the plight of military pets needing foster homes.

If you are already involved with rescues, Operation Noble Foster offers the following link for tips on how you can help both with military cat rescue and provides contact information for individuals who can help if your rescue accepts other species of pets.

IF YOU ARE A SERVICEMAN OR SERVICEWOMEN LOOKING FOR A FOSTER HOME FOR YOUR BEST FRIEND
First, let me extend my heartfelt gratitude to you for your willingness to sacrifice, putting it all on the line, to defend a nation you believe in.

One sacrifice I hope none of you will ever have to make is that of a safe homecoming, welcomed warmly by those you love the most; those who have whispered countless prayers in your name during your absence, and those whose tails may have wagged less since you departed. All of you deserve to come home to the same thumping tail wag or enthusiastic kitty "mrao" that you left behind when you responded to the call of duty.

FINDING A FOSTER HOME FOR YOUR MILITARY KITTY
Here is Operation Noble Foster's Basic Information for Military Personnel. From their website, you can also find suggested foster contracts (which can be modified to suit the needs of both soldier and foster parent). You will be able to view applications from potential foster parents, contact references, ask any questions you might have to find the right home for your cat. While you are keeping your country safe, a kitty owner with a big heart might just open her home and keep your cat safe in return - contact Operation Noble Foster today to explore foster homes and opportunities for your favorite feline.

FINDING A FOSTER HOME FOR ALL OTHER MILITARY PETS
If you are a soldier looking for a foster home for your pets (and you do not have kitties), visit the home page for MilitaryPetsFOSTER Project and scroll down until you see the application for military personnel.

2009 John Fisher essay available online!

Hi dogster friends!

At last I can share with my friends Dances with Dogs; the essay about Monte which won this year's APDT/Dogwise John Fisher essay contest (and a free trip to San Fransisco for mom!).

Enjoy, dogster pals!

Dogwise John Fisher essay winner!

It is with great gratitude that I thank APDT and Dogwise for selecting my essay on Monte, my reactive Saint Bernard, as the winning entry in the 2009 John Fisher essay contest. I also thank Janice Patton, APDT awards committee chair, for being so understanding when I shrieked in her ear upon hearing the good news and accepting my award!

In offering the John Fisher essay contest, both organizations have taken a stand to promote modern, positive reinforcement dog training - an effort which will certainly result in improved relationships between dogs and the humans that love them.

The wonderful prize for this contest is a trip to San Fransisco for the APDT conference in October - what an opportunity! I am very much looking forward to the trip, and having a chance to visit with other KPA CTP in addition to learning from many talented trainers and behaviorists who have helped guide me in becoming the trainer I am today.

Thanks again, APDT and Dogwise! See you in San Fransisco!

APDT members - my winning entry will be published in a forthcoming issue of Chronicle of the Dog. I hope you enjoy reading it!

Have you read my articles yet on www.clickertraining.com?

How to Potty Train Your Puppy the Clicker Way

How to Create a Reactive Human in Ten Minutes or Less

Pro Trainers - How To Increase Revenue Via Memberships

Watch out for a new article this weekend!

Want to read more? Check out my personal blog on www.clickertraining.com!

Happy to be back as this week's tipster on the Daily Dog- Tip!

I'm ba-ack!

Once again, I have the great pleasure of being this week's dogster Daily Dog Tip writer.

Check out my tips here! This week's entries are on bite safety prevention/education - ways to keep kids and dogs safe around each other.

Hope you enjoy, happy training everyone!

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Check out my latest blog entries for great training videos and a link to a free clicker training course offered by some of the world's top competing clicker trainers!

Vote for your favorite entry in this month's Clicker Trick- of the Month contest!

Winniethecorgi learns the ring toss!. Just when I thought she couldn't get any more fabulous, Winniw wows us yet again! You can view her video here.

Barkley Orville learns to freeze! Too cute with all those treats on his nose, I love this! View the video here.

Hamtaroplanet created an amazing home made agility set for her hamster and taught him to run it. Sophia's youtube video has received almost 100,000 views, have you seen it?

DancingCavy, future freestyle champion, submitted a video on training "go to place." This is one of the foundation behaviors at Clicking with Canines and I think it's such an important behavior for all dogs to learn, her training plan and video are posted here.

At Clicking with Canines, targeting is viewed as a foundation skill because it is useful in teaching so many behaviors. One of the many wonderful applications of targeting is the doors it opens to a trainer wanting to do distance work on behaviors. DiscdogShayne's entry this month focuses on just that topic. Here is her video, showing how to target train: Go to your mark, Scoot from a distance, Spin and other at a distance, Down at a distance (w/ no voice command), Sit at a distance to a stand (with hand and voice), Down on recall, and finally down at heel.

Who's your favorite? Make sure you vote today!

ADOPT 09 CONTEST

This is a re-post to enter in the contest!

The dog of my dreams? Beethoven, then Cujo, then Monte.

April 1st 2009 8:27 pm

BE WARNED, THIS IS LONG!

I received a message from a friend recently, saying that her in-laws wanted a Saint. She asked for some feedback on the breed, and my first question was, "Are they SURE they want a Saint?"

Let me preface this entry by saying that I have always dreamed of living with a giant breed dog. When I made the decision to rescue a Saint Bernard, my friends and family thought I was insane.

Years later, their assumptions have proven correct. I am insanely in love with the breed, and have an understanding of the fact that living with one can be a real threat to an individual's sanity.

MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH BEETHOVEN SYNDROME

Like many, I fell in love with the Saints in the Beethoven movies. Comical, enormous, intelligent, slobbery, hairy, and incredibly devoted to family were some of the impressions that this movie made upon me in relation to the Saint Bernard breed.

So I adopted "Beethoven." Literally. Monte's name was then, "Beethoven."

Many of you are familiar with Monte's story. I adopted him at 18 months old from a rescue. The rescue did not mention that he had any behavior "problems" other than counter-surfing. As an added "bonus," he was listed as a dry-mouthed Saint!

I arrived at the rescue, excited to bring home my new dog. I made a 3.5 hour trip each way with a friend to get the dog I had always dreamed of.

I walked into the rescue, and the director said she would go get him. She brings in this dog, and he comes running over to me, immediately leaning his entire body into me, looking upward as if to say, "can we go home now?"

I almost did not know how to answer him. I had dreamed of bringing home a majestic, beautiful, powerful dog, and this is not the dog that greeted me.

The dog that greeted me weighed approximately 75 pounds. Literally, skin hanging off bones. His head looked distorted, and many who are familiar with emaciated dogs will confirm that this is one of the last places on the body to retain fat. There was none.

Starting a few inches behind his shoulder and continuing to the base of his tail was a raw, smelly, oozing sore. A hot spot gone awry. His fur was black and oily - he had never been groomed before. A stench exuded from every pore on his body, nearly bowling me over.

He looked like a nightmare. This was not the dog I had dreamed of at all. However, I knew that I could not leave him there. For better or worse, "Beethoven" came home with me.

First stop on our ride home, McDonald's. A six piece chicken McNugget was required to teach him his new name. I was not going to be the lady with "Beethoven the Saint Bernard." The name Montecristo was selected, as he came from a town called Cuba. Ironically, we chose to name him after a fine Cuban export, Montecristo cigars. This dog did not resemble what anyone would have referred to as a "fine Cuban export," even in their wildest dreams.

I brought Monte home with me, and he greeted my Chow mix with what seemed like astonishing ferocity. I was shocked and concerned about this behavior, as I knew that he had been off leash with many other dogs at the rescue, seemingly with "no problems."

Luckily, my Chow has been well-socialized, and proved to be a better "behaviorist" for Monte than any human could hope to be. After approximately fifteen minutes, she began teaching Monte to play.

He was unsure about being in the house at all, having lived on a ten foot rope outside of someone's house for the first year and a half of his life. He also was not "potty trained," (more on this later), knew no behaviors, and had never been walked on a leash.

The next morning, Monte received his first bath. We coaxed him into the tub. We began running the water, I expected him to be startled. Instead, I saw relief in his eyes, the cool water must have been soothing on his inflamed skin. I watched black, oily water run down the drain for what seemed like days. Eighteen month's worth of filth and flea dirt. It was astonishing.

I started crate training Monte from the start. I had picked him up from the rescue on Thursday, taken Friday off of work, and did not return to work until Monday.

At the time, I worked at an academic publishing company which was luckily, within five minutes of my home. Each day at lunch, I and a couple of ladies from work would go to my house for lunch and to chat.

That Monday, I came home for lunch with a few friends, I couldn't wait for them to meet my new dog.

I opened the door to my house, and nearly fell over from the smell. My just-bathed Saint Bernard was covered in diarrhea. So was his crate, the walls near it, the floor outside of it...Saint Bernard mess everywhere. I was embarrassed, and felt horrible for him. I cleaned the crate, walls, floor, my dog, the best I could and apologized profusely to my friends.

Later that day, I came home after the end of the work day. Again, I was greeted with a foul stench like no other. Again, Saint Bernard, crate, floor, walls, covered in mess. Again, clean everything the best I can.

This continued for months. Multiple times a day. I tried to remind myself not to be mad at him...this was not his fault. His body was not, at this point, able to process quality nutrition. I tried to transition slowly, very slowly, to a quality food. I felt like the situation would never improve.

I also noticed another, musty smell. This was the smell of chronic ear infections, which also reoccured for what seemed like ages. Diarrhea, ear infections, hot spots...all at the same time, seemingly all the time.

These physical problems had me strapped, emotionally and financially; but they were only the beginning.

When I began taking Monte for walks, I noticed some other disturbing trends. First, withering stares from individuals in the neighborhood. They saw me walking an obviously very unhealthy dog, and thought that I created the mess they saw before them. I felt so ashamed, as I feel all of my efforts to restore him to health were failing and that it was painfully obvious to members of my community, those same members who I had won over with a beautiful, fluffy brown Chow mix puppy just months before.

Even worse was Monte's heightened reactions to other dogs. A loaded stillness followed by terrifying vocalizations, lunges, hard stares, teeth bared, lips pulled back, hackles raised from neck to tail. People called him Cujo, and I felt ashamed of myself and my dog because by all appearances, they were right.

One day, while on a walk, he dragged me into the middle of a busy city street after another dog. I was badly hurt, and my husband had to take the dogs home, get the van, and come back for me because I could hardly walk. I still have the scar from that event, it travels my left leg from ankle to calf.

I was terrified of my dog. "Beethoven" was now anything but.

I watched the Dog Whisperer. He made so much sense, I bought a prong collar, read his book, watched episodes of his show, even went to his seminar, introduced myself and sat down to talk with him about my experiences with Monte.

The aggression intensified. I would no longer walk him, I was too afraid. I resented my dog. I cried, thinking I'd gotten myself in way over my head.

I saw my friend's skull in his mouth. I panicked. I began to consider my "options." I knew returning him to the rescue was a death sentence. My "choice" at that point seemed to be taking him to the vet myself for euthanization, or laying that responsibility on the rescue. If I wasn't willing to work with him, what would make me think anyone else would be? Aren't there millions of dogs waiting, dying in rescues each year without the severity of issues he presented?

After some soul searching, I decided that it would not be fair to consider the option of euthanization unless I had actually tried working with a professional trainer. I searched and searched, finding Steve Benjamin at Clicking with Canines.

I was very skeptical a clicker and some treats would work for my dog. I felt it was my last hope, so what did I have to lose besides the expense of the lessons? Steve impressed upon me the huge responsibility and undertaking that Monte would be. His aggressive response easily placed him in the record book for Steve's "Click to Calm" program. Steve "made no bones" about impressing upon me that the road to rehabilitation would require hard work, patience, and dedication on my part. Years later, I can thank Steve for his candor, and have a Saint Bernard who has hosted and participated in doggy slumber parties. Amazing!

HOW BEETHOVEN BECOMES CUJO

So how did "Beethoven" turn into Cujo? What the hell happened to my "dream dog"?

Here's what I believe happened, from my understanding of the first eighteen months of his life.

1) Bad breeding. I am not the only one sucked in by the Beethoven movies. Where there is a desire, there is an unscrupulous individual waiting to capitalize on this demand. In the world of dogs, this is embodied by the puppy mill and back yard breeder. Individuals in each of these groups have profited from those of us who are sucked in by the handsome face, the affectionate, devoted nature of the breed, and the awesome history represented by our noble Saint, the Alpine Mastiff.

What makes me think Monte came from a bad breeder? Because the same wonderful rescue I got him from (and they were wonderful, did their best for all the dogs, and provided a great level of care to the dogs and cats whose lives are in their hands) received a number of unaltered, male Saint Bernards in a very limited period of time. A couple of these dogs were adopted by individuals I am familiar with, and they all had the same types of behavioral issues and health issues I saw in my own dog.

2) Hasty decision making. OK, I'll admit it...I had no idea what I was getting myself into. There were many days when I cried, thinking, "what the hell have you gotten yourself into, Casey?" I thought my husband would never forgive me.

Because I endeavor to find the good in people, I am going to assume that Monte's first family loved him very much. I do know that they were financially in a spot which led them to lose their house, which was the eventual reason for his return to rescue. Not knowing for sure, I assume that they wanted to provide for him the best they could. Perhaps they, like me, were unaware of the extraordinary costs associated with owning this breed: financially, emotionally, and otherwise (more on this later also).

SAINT BERNARDS...THE GOOD, THE SLOBBERY, AND THE SHEDDY

OK, so let's get to the "nitty gritty" of Saint ownership.

First, there are two coat types in the breed: rough coat and smooth coat.

The AKC standard for a smooth coat reads as follows:

Very dense, short-haired (stockhaarig), lying smooth, tough, without however feeling rough to the touch. The thighs are slightly bushy. The tail at the root has longer and denser hair which gradually becomes shorter toward the tip. The tail appears bushy, not forming a flag.

The AKC standard for a rough coat reads:

Longhaired

The longhaired type completely resembles the shorthaired type except for the coat which is not shorthaired (stockhaarig) but of medium length plain to slightly wavy, never rolled or curly and not shaggy either. Usually, on the back, especially from the region of the haunches to the rump, the hair is more wavy, a condition, by the way, that is slightly indicated in the shorthaired dogs. The tail is bushy with dense hair of moderate length. Rolled or curly hair, or a flag tail, is faulty. Face and ears are covered with short and soft hair; longer hair at the base of the ear is permissible. Forelegs only slightly feathered; thighs very bushy.

Monte is a rough coat Saint. Both coat types require substantial grooming, both are prone to blowing coat twice per year.

"Dry Mouth Saints," Unicorns, and other myths.

The rescue I got Monte from called him a "dry mouthed Saint." Let me assure you, there is no such thing. There are slobber rags around my house, and I have a wide array of aprons that can be handed out to guests who wish to leave my home as dry as they were when they arrived. Saints SLOBBER...there will be slobber from your floor to your ceiling, guaranteed. All of your clothes will look as though four inch wide snails have crawled all over them, leaving an interesting but admittedly unfashionable shiny trail where Saint Bernard tongues have swept by. THIS WILL HAPPEN, AND IS UNAVOIDABLE. If you can't handle slobber, don't get a Saint. Period. Don't. Really, I mean it.

Monte makes great impressions wherever he goes. From setting the reactivity record at Clicking with Canines to a veterinary story I will never live down. The first time I brought Monte to a new vet (and future business partner), it was a warm summer day. My "dry-mouthed Saint," immediately upon entering the office, began to slobber.

The staff placed a fan on the floor to cool him down. Still slobbering. My vet opens her mouth to tell me that my dog has an oral tumor which will need to be removed surgically, at the same instant Monte shakes his face. A "wad" (for lack of better term) of slobber flew directly from his jowels into her mouth. A look of horror registered on every face in the room. We were all flabbergasted, speechless, and trying not to vomit. Needless to say, she now tells stories about Monte to all of her clients. This is a noticeable trend resulting from nearly every trip we make in public together.

Or, if you want a "dry-mouthed Saint", you will find them along with the magic wands, unicorns, and hyppogryphs at locations like Diagon Alley.

Kiss that retirement fund goodbye.

Everything about owning a Saint is expensive. REALLY expensive. I could probably buy a new dog training facility with what I spend on my Saint. Toys are more expensive. Crates are more expensive. Food is more expensive. Leashes and collars are more expensive. Veterinary bills and medications are more expensive. Everything is REALLY expensive. (Did I mention the expense yet? Just want to make sure I cover that. Saints are a substantial investment!)

Poorly bred giant breed dogs

Saints, more than any other giant breed, have fallen prey to puppy millers and back yard breeders, largely in thanks to the popularity of the Beethoven series of movies.

A well-bred Saint is a joy to behold, solid of temperament, an ideal family dog, a worthy companion and defender of his family. A poorly bred Saint Bernard is a powerful giant often with faulty neurologic wiring, myriad inherited health problems (from entropian to bloating to hip displasia) and inadequate socialization...this can be a recipe for disaster.

If you decide on a Saint, you must either choose a well-bred Saint or a carefully selected rescue dog. Not all rescue Saints present the "problems" Monte has shown, many of them are amazing dogs and adjust readily to life in a good adopted home. I have met both rescued and well-bred Saints who function as very well-trained service and therapy dogs, brightening the lives of hundreds, if not thousands, with their huge leans, happy faces with lolling, smiling, tongues, regardless of drool or the accumulation of shed hair.

Saints are not incredibly active dogs, but do require a fair amount of physical and mental stimulation. If you're an agility person, should you get a Saint? If you want to have fun, yes! If you want to win, probably not. If you want to start your dog jumping at a young age, definitely not!

Impact on joints should be limited until the growth plates have closed, and I did not allow Monte to do any jumping whatsoever until he was at least three years old. Saints do not require a huge house or yard. Properly exercised, Monte spends approximately 90% of his life hogging our bed.

Saint Bernards are incredibly sensitive to heat. Monte would love to live in an area where it never got above forty degrees farenheight. Make sure that you have a place for your dog to cool off in warm seasons or climates.

Saints are not without health problems, and like many giants can be a short-lived breed. Health considerations include: bloat, entropian, hip displasia, ear infections, hot spots, and in some cases, cancer and wobbler's syndrome. They are rightly called a "heartbreak" breed.

HOW CUJO CHANGED MY LIFE

OK, so why in the world do I love Saints so much after going through what I affectionately refer to as "The Monte Experience?"

There is one thing that Cesar says that I whole-heartedly agree with. Paraphrased, he says something to the effect of, "we do not get the dogs we want, we get the dogs we need."

If I didn't have Monte, I would not be a professional trainer today. I would not be among the first 100 individuals in the world to be certfied as a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner. I would certainly not cry the first time my dog is ever allowed to meet other dogs off leash, and offers them a play bow immediately. I would never send emails to each of my friends when a dog comes to spend the night at Monte's house, or he at another dog's house, for the first time.

It seems like from all my experiences, my conclusion would be something along the lines of...."get another Saint? Not on your life!"

Instead, I am constantly looking at them on petfinder and elsewhere, wishing for one, three, or seven more. I'm hooked. Smitten, in deepest smit. Head over heels.

He's made me a better person. Through introducing me to positive training, Monte has changed how I interact with each creature on this earth...looking first to reward behaviors I like, encourage, instruct, empathize. I've seen the results of this paradigm shift in the response both people and animals have to me, and have been amazingly reinforced for the journey Monte has taken me on and the lessons he has taught me.

I've also learned how to be the best advocate for my dog's health. Monte's introduced me to homeopathy, limited vaccination schedules, raw feeding, and now is a vision of health. Handsome and regal, he now is an awesome example of what a healthy Saint Bernard should be.

Every dog I ever own will be thankful to Monte for the changes in me he has been responsible for. What a gift.

One of my best friends and an individual who has rehabilitated reactive dogs of her own (toy breed puppy mill rescues, generally), says "dogs are our teachers and our students." No phrase in the world could be more emblematic of my relationship and experience with Monte.

I couldn't be prouder of my Cujo, or more thankful for all he has taught me about humility, dedication, commitment, humor, patience, and kindness to those I encounter of all species.

For that I can only thank my Cujo, my inspiration, my motivation, my friend, my Saint Bernard.

Copyright: Casey Lomonaco, 2009. Rewarding Behaviors Dog Training (www.rewardingbehaviors.com)

Mom's going to be on the local news tonight!

Mom and I were cuddling in bed this morning when we were roused by a ringing phone.

Because mom has her priorities straight, she let the machine get the message so we could have a few more minutes of snuggling.

It turns out it was the local news station, asking mom to do an on-camera interview about the Obama's new dog, her thoughts on Porties, and what advice she would give the first family about raising Bo.

The interview was this afternoon at the classroom. It should be on the local news at 10 p.m. tonight. If mom sees and approves of the video (still nervous about how things went), she'll share the link in my dogster diary!

Essay Contest: Positive Reinforcement for Homeless Pets

Essay Contest: Positive Reinforcement for Homeless Pets

Hi all!

I think you know that I enjoy writing, and I'm hoping that some of you do as well!

I plan on doing the Clicker Trick of the Month contest each month, but figured it would be fun to throw in an extra contest every now and then.

This contest will run through May 31st, 2009. Like the Clicker Trick of the Month contest, voting will be opened for a period of one week. The winner will be announced on June 7, 2009.

Befitting the topic at hand, the prize will be a $25 donation to the 501(c) rescue of your choice. The winning essay will also be posted on the RBDT home page.

Topic:

How have you used positive reinforcement training techniques to improve the lives of homeless pets (or of one specific homeless pet)?

Parameters of the Contest

You must be a forum member on RBDT to participate.

Contest entries must be no more than 2,000 words in length.

One essay submission per user.

All submissions must be original works, written by the forum member submitting them.

Start working on your entries today!

A tragedy strikes Binghamton, New York

A tragedy has befallen my home today.

Please pray for the victims of the shooting at the American Civic Association and their families.

The dog of my dreams? Beethoven, then Cujo, then Monte.

BE WARNED, THIS IS LONG!

I received a message from a friend recently, saying that her in-laws wanted a Saint. She asked for some feedback on the breed, and my first question was, "Are they SURE they want a Saint?"

Let me preface this entry by saying that I have always dreamed of living with a giant breed dog. When I made the decision to rescue a Saint Bernard, my friends and family thought I was insane.

Years later, their assumptions have proven correct. I am insanely in love with the breed, and have an understanding of the fact that living with one can be a real threat to an individual's sanity.

MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH BEETHOVEN SYNDROME

Like many, I fell in love with the Saints in the Beethoven movies. Comical, enormous, intelligent, slobbery, hairy, and incredibly devoted to family were some of the impressions that this movie made upon me in relation to the Saint Bernard breed.

So I adopted "Beethoven." Literally. Monte's name was then, "Beethoven."

Many of you are familiar with Monte's story. I adopted him at 18 months old from a rescue. The rescue did not mention that he had any behavior "problems" other than counter-surfing. As an added "bonus," he was listed as a dry-mouthed Saint!

I arrived at the rescue, excited to bring home my new dog. I made a 3.5 hour trip each way with a friend to get the dog I had always dreamed of.

I walked into the rescue, and the director said she would go get him. She brings in this dog, and he comes running over to me, immediately leaning his entire body into me, looking upward as if to say, "can we go home now?"

I almost did not know how to answer him. I had dreamed of bringing home a majestic, beautiful, powerful dog, and this is not the dog that greeted me.

The dog that greeted me weighed approximately 75 pounds. Literally, skin hanging off bones. His head looked distorted, and many who are familiar with emaciated dogs will confirm that this is one of the last places on the body to retain fat. There was none.

Starting a few inches behind his shoulder and continuing to the base of his tail was a raw, smelly, oozing sore. A hot spot gone awry. His fur was black and oily - he had never been groomed before. A stench exuded from every pore on his body, nearly bowling me over.

He looked like a nightmare. This was not the dog I had dreamed of at all. However, I knew that I could not leave him there. For better or worse, "Beethoven" came home with me.

First stop on our ride home, McDonald's. A six piece chicken McNugget was required to teach him his new name. I was not going to be the lady with "Beethoven the Saint Bernard." The name Montecristo was selected, as he came from a town called Cuba. Ironically, we chose to name him after a fine Cuban export, Montecristo cigars. This dog did not resemble what anyone would have referred to as a "fine Cuban export," even in their wildest dreams.

I brought Monte home with me, and he greeted my Chow mix with what seemed like astonishing ferocity. I was shocked and concerned about this behavior, as I knew that he had been off leash with many other dogs at the rescue, seemingly with "no problems."

Luckily, my Chow has been well-socialized, and proved to be a better "behaviorist" for Monte than any human could hope to be. After approximately fifteen minutes, she began teaching Monte to play.

He was unsure about being in the house at all, having lived on a ten foot rope outside of someone's house for the first year and a half of his life. He also was not "potty trained," (more on this later), knew no behaviors, and had never been walked on a leash.

The next morning, Monte received his first bath. We coaxed him into the tub. We began running the water, I expected him to be startled. Instead, I saw relief in his eyes, the cool water must have been soothing on his inflamed skin. I watched black, oily water run down the drain for what seemed like days. Eighteen month's worth of filth and flea dirt. It was astonishing.

I started crate training Monte from the start. I had picked him up from the rescue on Thursday, taken Friday off of work, and did not return to work until Monday.

At the time, I worked at an academic publishing company which was luckily, within five minutes of my home. Each day at lunch, I and a couple of ladies from work would go to my house for lunch and to chat.

That Monday, I came home for lunch with a few friends, I couldn't wait for them to meet my new dog.

I opened the door to my house, and nearly fell over from the smell. My just-bathed Saint Bernard was covered in diarrhea. So was his crate, the walls near it, the floor outside of it...Saint Bernard mess everywhere. I was embarrassed, and felt horrible for him. I cleaned the crate, walls, floor, my dog, the best I could and apologized profusely to my friends.

Later that day, I came home after the end of the work day. Again, I was greeted with a foul stench like no other. Again, Saint Bernard, crate, floor, walls, covered in mess. Again, clean everything the best I can.

This continued for months. Multiple times a day. I tried to remind myself not to be mad at him...this was not his fault. His body was not, at this point, able to process quality nutrition. I tried to transition slowly, very slowly, to a quality food. I felt like the situation would never improve.

I also noticed another, musty smell. This was the smell of chronic ear infections, which also reoccured for what seemed like ages. Diarrhea, ear infections, hot spots...all at the same time, seemingly all the time.

These physical problems had me strapped, emotionally and financially; but they were only the beginning.

When I began taking Monte for walks, I noticed some other disturbing trends. First, withering stares from individuals in the neighborhood. They saw me walking an obviously very unhealthy dog, and thought that I created the mess they saw before them. I felt so ashamed, as I feel all of my efforts to restore him to health were failing and that it was painfully obvious to members of my community, those same members who I had won over with a beautiful, fluffy brown Chow mix puppy just months before.

Even worse was Monte's heightened reactions to other dogs. A loaded stillness followed by terrifying vocalizations, lunges, hard stares, teeth bared, lips pulled back, hackles raised from neck to tail. People called him Cujo, and I felt ashamed of myself and my dog because by all appearances, they were right.

One day, while on a walk, he dragged me into the middle of a busy city street after another dog. I was badly hurt, and my husband had to take the dogs home, get the van, and come back for me because I could hardly walk. I still have the scar from that event, it travels my left leg from ankle to calf.

I was terrified of my dog. "Beethoven" was now anything but.

I watched the Dog Whisperer. He made so much sense, I bought a prong collar, read his book, watched episodes of his show, even went to his seminar, introduced myself and sat down to talk with him about my experiences with Monte.

The aggression intensified. I would no longer walk him, I was too afraid. I resented my dog. I cried, thinking I'd gotten myself in way over my head.

I saw my friend's skull in his mouth. I panicked. I began to consider my "options." I knew returning him to the rescue was a death sentence. My "choice" at that point seemed to be taking him to the vet myself for euthanization, or laying that responsibility on the rescue. If I wasn't willing to work with him, what would make me think anyone else would be? Aren't there millions of dogs waiting, dying in rescues each year without the severity of issues he presented?

After some soul searching, I decided that it would not be fair to consider the option of euthanization unless I had actually tried working with a professional trainer. I searched and searched, finding Steve Benjamin at Clicking with Canines.

I was very skeptical a clicker and some treats would work for my dog. I felt it was my last hope, so what did I have to lose besides the expense of the lessons? Steve impressed upon me the huge responsibility and undertaking that Monte would be. His aggressive response easily placed him in the record book for Steve's "Click to Calm" program. Steve "made no bones" about impressing upon me that the road to rehabilitation would require hard work, patience, and dedication on my part. Years later, I can thank Steve for his candor, and have a Saint Bernard who has hosted and participated in doggy slumber parties. Amazing!

HOW BEETHOVEN BECOMES CUJO

So how did "Beethoven" turn into Cujo? What the hell happened to my "dream dog"?

Here's what I believe happened, from my understanding of the first eighteen months of his life.

1) Bad breeding. I am not the only one sucked in by the Beethoven movies. Where there is a desire, there is an unscrupulous individual waiting to capitalize on this demand. In the world of dogs, this is embodied by the puppy mill and back yard breeder. Individuals in each of these groups have profited from those of us who are sucked in by the handsome face, the affectionate, devoted nature of the breed, and the awesome history represented by our noble Saint, the Alpine Mastiff.

What makes me think Monte came from a bad breeder? Because the same wonderful rescue I got him from (and they were wonderful, did their best for all the dogs, and provided a great level of care to the dogs and cats whose lives are in their hands) received a number of unaltered, male Saint Bernards in a very limited period of time. A couple of these dogs were adopted by individuals I am familiar with, and they all had the same types of behavioral issues and health issues I saw in my own dog.

2) Hasty decision making. OK, I'll admit it...I had no idea what I was getting myself into. There were many days when I cried, thinking, "what the hell have you gotten yourself into, Casey?" I thought my husband would never forgive me.

Because I endeavor to find the good in people, I am going to assume that Monte's first family loved him very much. I do know that they were financially in a spot which led them to lose their house, which was the eventual reason for his return to rescue. Not knowing for sure, I assume that they wanted to provide for him the best they could. Perhaps they, like me, were unaware of the extraordinary costs associated with owning this breed: financially, emotionally, and otherwise (more on this later also).

SAINT BERNARDS...THE GOOD, THE SLOBBERY, AND THE SHEDDY

OK, so let's get to the "nitty gritty" of Saint ownership.

First, there are two coat types in the breed: rough coat and smooth coat.

The AKC standard for a smooth coat reads as follows:

Very dense, short-haired (stockhaarig), lying smooth, tough, without however feeling rough to the touch. The thighs are slightly bushy. The tail at the root has longer and denser hair which gradually becomes shorter toward the tip. The tail appears bushy, not forming a flag.

The AKC standard for a rough coat reads:

Longhaired

The longhaired type completely resembles the shorthaired type except for the coat which is not shorthaired (stockhaarig) but of medium length plain to slightly wavy, never rolled or curly and not shaggy either. Usually, on the back, especially from the region of the haunches to the rump, the hair is more wavy, a condition, by the way, that is slightly indicated in the shorthaired dogs. The tail is bushy with dense hair of moderate length. Rolled or curly hair, or a flag tail, is faulty. Face and ears are covered with short and soft hair; longer hair at the base of the ear is permissible. Forelegs only slightly feathered; thighs very bushy.

Monte is a rough coat Saint. Both coat types require substantial grooming, both are prone to blowing coat twice per year.

"Dry Mouth Saints," Unicorns, and other myths.

The rescue I got Monte from called him a "dry mouthed Saint." Let me assure you, there is no such thing. There are slobber rags around my house, and I have a wide array of aprons that can be handed out to guests who wish to leave my home as dry as they were when they arrived. Saints SLOBBER...there will be slobber from your floor to your ceiling, guaranteed. All of your clothes will look as though four inch wide snails have crawled all over them, leaving an interesting but admittedly unfashionable shiny trail where Saint Bernard tongues have swept by. THIS WILL HAPPEN, AND IS UNAVOIDABLE. If you can't handle slobber, don't get a Saint. Period. Don't. Really, I mean it.

Monte makes great impressions wherever he goes. From setting the reactivity record at Clicking with Canines to a veterinary story I will never live down. The first time I brought Monte to a new vet (and future business partner), it was a warm summer day. My "dry-mouthed Saint," immediately upon entering the office, began to slobber.

The staff placed a fan on the floor to cool him down. Still slobbering. My vet opens her mouth to tell me that my dog has an oral tumor which will need to be removed surgically, at the same instant Monte shakes his face. A "wad" (for lack of better term) of slobber flew directly from his jowels into her mouth. A look of horror registered on every face in the room. We were all flabbergasted, speechless, and trying not to vomit. Needless to say, she now tells stories about Monte to all of her clients. This is a noticeable trend resulting from nearly every trip we make in public together.

Or, if you want a "dry-mouthed Saint", you will find them along with the magic wands, unicorns, and hyppogryphs at locations like Diagon Alley.

Kiss that retirement fund goodbye.

Everything about owning a Saint is expensive. REALLY expensive. I could probably buy a new dog training facility with what I spend on my Saint. Toys are more expensive. Crates are more expensive. Food is more expensive. Leashes and collars are more expensive. Veterinary bills and medications are more expensive. Everything is REALLY expensive. (Did I mention the expense yet? Just want to make sure I cover that. Saints are a substantial investment!)

Poorly bred giant breed dogs

Saints, more than any other giant breed, have fallen prey to puppy millers and back yard breeders, largely in thanks to the popularity of the Beethoven series of movies.

A well-bred Saint is a joy to behold, solid of temperament, an ideal family dog, a worthy companion and defender of his family. A poorly bred Saint Bernard is a powerful giant often with faulty neurologic wiring, myriad inherited health problems (from entropian to bloating to hip displasia) and inadequate socialization...this can be a recipe for disaster.

If you decide on a Saint, you must either choose a well-bred Saint or a carefully selected rescue dog. Not all rescue Saints present the "problems" Monte has shown, many of them are amazing dogs and adjust readily to life in a good adopted home. I have met both rescued and well-bred Saints who function as very well-trained service and therapy dogs, brightening the lives of hundreds, if not thousands, with their huge leans, happy faces with lolling, smiling, tongues, regardless of drool or the accumulation of shed hair.

Saints are not incredibly active dogs, but do require a fair amount of physical and mental stimulation. If you're an agility person, should you get a Saint? If you want to have fun, yes! If you want to win, probably not. If you want to start your dog jumping at a young age, definitely not!

Impact on joints should be limited until the growth plates have closed, and I did not allow Monte to do any jumping whatsoever until he was at least three years old. Saints do not require a huge house or yard. Properly exercised, Monte spends approximately 90% of his life hogging our bed.

Saint Bernards are incredibly sensitive to heat. Monte would love to live in an area where it never got above forty degrees farenheight. Make sure that you have a place for your dog to cool off in warm seasons or climates.

Saints are not without health problems, and like many giants can be a short-lived breed. Health considerations include: bloat, entropian, hip displasia, ear infections, hot spots, and in some cases, cancer and wobbler's syndrome. They are rightly called a "heartbreak" breed.

HOW CUJO CHANGED MY LIFE

OK, so why in the world do I love Saints so much after going through what I affectionately refer to as "The Monte Experience?"

There is one thing that Cesar says that I whole-heartedly agree with. Paraphrased, he says something to the effect of, "we do not get the dogs we want, we get the dogs we need."

If I didn't have Monte, I would not be a professional trainer today. I would not be among the first 100 individuals in the world to be certfied as a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner. I would certainly not cry the first time my dog is ever allowed to meet other dogs off leash, and offers them a play bow immediately. I would never send emails to each of my friends when a dog comes to spend the night at Monte's house, or he at another dog's house, for the first time.

It seems like from all my experiences, my conclusion would be something along the lines of...."get another Saint? Not on your life!"

Instead, I am constantly looking at them on petfinder and elsewhere, wishing for one, three, or seven more. I'm hooked. Smitten, in deepest smit. Head over heels.

He's made me a better person. Through introducing me to positive training, Monte has changed how I interact with each creature on this earth...looking first to reward behaviors I like, encourage, instruct, empathize. I've seen the results of this paradigm shift in the response both people and animals have to me, and have been amazingly reinforced for the journey Monte has taken me on and the lessons he has taught me.

I've also learned how to be the best advocate for my dog's health. Monte's introduced me to homeopathy, limited vaccination schedules, raw feeding, and now is a vision of health. Handsome and regal, he now is an awesome example of what a healthy Saint Bernard should be.

Every dog I ever own will be thankful to Monte for the changes in me he has been responsible for. What a gift.

One of my best friends and an individual who has rehabilitated reactive dogs of her own (toy breed puppy mill rescues, generally), says "dogs are our teachers and our students." No phrase in the world could be more emblematic of my relationship and experience with Monte.

I couldn't be prouder of my Cujo, or more thankful for all he has taught me about humility, dedication, commitment, humor, patience, and kindness to those I encounter of all species.

For that I can only thank my Cujo, my inspiration, my motivation, my friend, my Saint Bernard.

Copyright: Casey Lomonaco, 2009. Rewarding Behaviors Dog Training (www.rewardingbehaviors.com)

One of my best friends and an individual who has rehabilitated reactive dogs of her own (toy breed puppy mill rescues, generally), says "dogs are our teachers and our students." No phrase in the world could be more emblematic of my relationship and experience with Monte.

I couldn't be prouder of my Cujo, or more thankful for all he has taught me about humility, dedication, commitment, humor, patience, and kindness to those I encounter of all species.

For that I can only thank my Beethoven, my Cujo, my Monte, my inspiration, my motivation, my friend, my Saint Bernard.

Copyright: Casey Lomonaco, 2009. Rewarding Behaviors Dog Training (www.rewardingbehaviors.com)

Suggestions for Training Articles?

Since I've been asked to write training articles for Karen Pryor Clicker Training, I figured I'd ask my dogster pals if you had any suggestions or requests for future articles that you'd like to submit for consideration?

Clicker Trick of the Month Contest on RBDT!

Hi Dogsters!

Since many of my dogster pals are wonderful and amazing clicker trainers, I thought I'd extend an invitation to you all for some friendly fun!

On my website, www.rewardingbehaviors.com, I am blessed with the friendship of many wonderful trainers. A recent discussion has prompted me to start a "Clicker Trick of the Month" contest on RBDT.

This is not restricted to those who train dogs, but is open to those who train any species using marker training and positive reinforcement. It costs nothing to join or enter, and there is no obligation whatsoever (luckily, I seem to have few problems filling my schedule with wonderful and loyal customers, so no pressure!).

Details are available here for any dogsters who would be interested!

Show me what you're working with, dogster clicker trainers!

Clicker Trick of the Month Contest on RBDT!

Hi everypup!

Because my RBDT board members have inspired me, I've decided to start a "Clicker Trick of the Month" contest on RBDT.

If you clicker train your dog, and would like to participate, we'd love to have you! Full details of the contest are available on my website at: www.rewardingbehaviors.com.

Show me what you're working with! Get those clickers ready, friends!

You lucky dog, you!

I know all of you are stunned by the lovely job Kathryn Beals did on the painting she made of us. Now you have a chance to be captured on canvas by Kathryn, at a special offer specifically for dogsters!

The details are on Kathryn's page at (http://www.bealsstudios.com/dogster.html) and the offer allows dogsters a $50 discount on the purchase of paintings or gift certificates!

Run, don't walk, to Kathryn's site and take advantage of this wonderful offer. I can attest that Kathryn is a pleasure and a joy to work with, and can't wait until I can afford yet another portrait of my pooches!

Can you help bring Regal home?

Hi all,

Mokie's real-life playpal Regal (who does not have a dogster page), is missing.

He has been gone since last Friday. He slipped his collar during a fireworks display. His mom is one of my mom's best friends, and Regal and his sister Queenie are the two dogs in the world mom and I see the most, after her own dogs!

We are absolutely devastated, and know that he probably just wants to get home to his family very badly.

Please cross post the information if you are able:

Here are pictures of Regal:

Regal 1

Regal 2

He is a 52 lb, blue merle, neutered male. He was lost on King Hill Road on the border of Newark Valley and the Town of Maine in Broome County, New York.

Here is the listing I posted on a local chat site, and petfinder missing pets listsing that I put up as well. I really am trying everything I can think of to help Brenda and Queenie get him back home, do you have any advice?

Please pass the word along, especially if you know people in the Southern Tier of New York or across the border in Pennsylvania.

New portrait progress!

As you can see, there have been exciting developments in the progress of our portrait by Kathryn Beals.

After all Mokie's gloating over Diary of the Day this week, it was nice to be able to pull the trump card of saying I got painted first!

Tomorrow, the update will be posted on her art blog at www.howipaint.com.

I only gave you guys a sneak peak because I love you. You lucky ducks, you.

Will Becca steal YOUR heart?

Hi guys!

So I found the cutest Saint Bernard girl ever, and she has a perfect heart in her markings!

If anyone's looking for a big lovey girl to share their home with in the CO area, check out Becca!

Tagged!

I got tagged by my friend Gunner.


The rules to this game are to put in four of the following and then tag four other pups! So here goes:

Name four jobs that you've had.
1. Slobber Technician: I can't tell you how often I see surfaces which have obviously never been slobbered on. I quickly correct this problem. I am also good at helping mom get dressed, because I slobber all over her clothes right as she walks out the door, to make sure she is looking her best (and shiniest!)
2. Patience Tester: I have done my best to test mom's patience in regards to every possible aspect of my health and behavior.
3. Human Trainer/Teacher: I taught mom more than she thought she'd ever have to learn about dog training and health.
4. Spooning Therapist: Mom says I'm the ultimate "spoon-ee". Every chance I get, I try to get her to come up and spoon in the big, soft, comfy people bed, or sometimes on the carpet in front of the fireplace. Nothing like spooning a pup that's as big as you, eh ma?

Four places you have lived.
1. At my yucky first home.
2. At the slightly less yucky rescue
3. At my forever home, with mom and dad
4. In a cabin in the Adirondacks with mom, dad, and Mokie!

Four places where you have been.
1. Finger Lakes Wine trail - those winos love me!
2. Clicking with Canines - my doggy school
3. Many state parks (Taughannock, Chenango Valley, Treman, Adirondacks, etc.)
4. To my friend's farm!

Four places you'd rather be.
1. on a walk
2. taping a nap on my bed
3. in the basement, where the two freezers used for storing my raw meat magically open as I approach. Then, consuming the hundreds of pounds of meat in each of them.
4. Seamus and Kimmy's, to play with Dakota!

I'm tagging my good buddies:

Audrey because she is so very beautiful and she always makes me feel special!

Ella because she's my Brazillian raw fed/B & T nerd pal!

Jackpot because she is one of our bestest and oldest dogster pals.

Kiona because she is very beautiful, and her funny emailed videos always make my mom smile and laugh.

Manbearpig!

BOL! Mom says that when dad (man), Mokie (bear), and I (pig) wrestle, we remind her of:

Manbearpig

Huzzah for South Park, they must have been spying on us!

Here is the video: video

Now you've REALLY made me mad, mom!

So all my pals were the best when I had my tumor-ectomy this week, and I wanted to say my thanks to all of them.

I convinced her into letting me send out all of our rosies, and...she sent them from Mokie! Mokie, who always steals the dogster spotlight, is guilty even at this, my most triumphant hour!

Friends, please know that those rosies were from our entire family. I just wanted to make sure y'all know how much I love you!

Home from surgery!

Hi guys!

So mom and dad just brought me home. I sure am a little wobbly...and hungrier than ever! So mom can only swing through dogster quick like, because she has to go make me a shepherd's pie.

They took my tumor off with a laser, and I don't even need antibiotics!

The ladies at the vet said I was very big and handsome and soft and fluffy and sweet, but that I was pretty hard to lift off the surgery table!

Just wanted to check in, and let you guys all know I'm doing alright now, and on my way to feeling better! Thank you all for your incredible support and friendship.

This experience has shown me that some of the best pals are those we know by the names of their dogs.

Surgery Mogwai!

Hi all!

Since we found out about the tumor, all of our dogster pals have been really wonderful, super supportive, and quite knowledgable! We thank you all very much for your well-wishes, and will be sure to show our gratitude as best we can come next zealie deposit!

;o)

Anyhoo, the worst part of the surgery for me will be that I can't eat after midnight tonight. Not that I'm the kind of guy to stay up all night eating (although, had I the opportunity...), but I like a nice breakfast as much as the next pig.

Mom's making me something called a shepherd's pie tomorrow. Normally, it's all raw meat, all the time for us pups, but surgery means we have to make some adjustments to my diet temporarily. I'm not sure what this shepherd's pie is, but I know it has mashed 'tatoes, which I love very best of all. I'm known for my garbage-eating, so I'm not picky anyway. Shepherd's pie will be nice and soft so it won't hurt my mouth, she said, so it will be a nice treat at the end of a scary (and hungry) day.

After that, I have to eat ground raw for a day or two, then I can have boneless non-ground meats, but still no bone for a couple of WEEKS! Today, we picked up some Nature's Variety ground raw medallions, so that I can keep my bone ratio around where it needs to be until I can get back to my regular diet.

We got beef, venison, lamb, and rabbit NV medallions. Sabrina showed us where to get a BOGO coupon, and saved us $30! If you'd like to try NV, go to

Not a great vet visit

Hi guys!

Yesterday, mom and I were playing tug. When she took the tug from my mouth, she saw that it had blood on it.

She looked in my mouth, and it looked like there was a pink balloon about the size of the tip of her pinky finger. She touched it, and it felt hard. I was a good boy and didn't get growly or grumbly.

This morning, she called our vet. He got us in for an appointment this afternoon. He started pulling my lips around to look at my teeth. I got really nervous when he started pushing his fingers around in my mouth, but I did my best to be a very good boy.

Then the doctor said that I had a tumor in my mouth. When he said that, mom and dad got sad. The doctor said that I have to have surgery soon, and that they will take that tumor thing outta my mouth.

March 3rd I have to go back early in the morning and get what they call "anesthesia." That means they're gonna knock me out, I think. Then they're going to remove the tumor and send it to a laboratory where they will biopsy it.

Mom said she's going to be doing a lot of praying in the next few weeks. Maybe you guys could say a prayer too, if you think of it?

Tagged by Jackpot!

My dear sweet pal Jackpot"got me" in a game of Valentine Day.
Here's the rules:

In Valentine Day Tag, you write your five Valentine Day wishes in a diary entry, then choose five of your pup pals and have them write down five of THEIR wishes. Then they choose five pup pals... and so on and so on.

You can let your five pup pals know that they have been tagged by paw mail, or rosette. Have fun and I hope all of your Valentine Day wishes come true!

My 5 Valentine wishes are:

1. Every homeless pup should find a forever home as good as mine
2. That mom sees a playdate with Dakota in my near future
3. I want a WHOLE deer all to myself
4. I want Mokie to let me sleep without waking me up to play all the time
5. I want to keep working on my training, and progressing towards being a good boy!

That's my 5 wishes, and my 5 Valentine tag pals are

1. Audrey http://www.dogster.com/dogs/546483
2. Otis http://www.dogster.com/dogs/203395
3. Butchie http://www.dogster.com/dogs/112070
4. Spike http://www.dogster.com/dogs/365257
5. Kolbe http://www.dogster.com/dogs/324424

Who are the people in your neighborhood?

Hi all!

So is it just me, or do any of you have fantastical neighbors?

On one side of our lawn is Ron, who shares his home with two older Irish Setters. Sometimes mom stays on the porch when we're in the back yard and watches us. She laughs because as soon as Ron leaves his house, we run over to the gate. He'll sneak over just like a little kid with bunches of doggy cookies and stand at the gate sharing with us. Sometimes, he has a barbeque outside and comes and shares with us! He also maintains lawns and grounds at the health center where we walk every day, and whenever we see him on his big industrial lawn mower, he'll pull over and dispense treats as a good neighbor should.

Then there's another lady who lives two houses over. She always cuts through the neighbors lawn and throws lots of treats for us in the back yard. Her treats are VERY little, because she buys them for her shih tzu, so she throws a whole bunch.

We also are lucky enough to have the world's best mail lady. Whenever we see her, we're guaranteed goldfish crackers! Sometimes she'll even knock on the door on the weekends, asking if me and Moke can come out on the porch to get treats.

I really love all these nice people in my neighborhood, but mom says that sometimes she worries all those calories from so many generous community members will add up on my waist-line! Plus, we try to eat grain free and some of the treats certainly aren't, but regardless, if they're just the occasional treat, she'll let us splurge and have a little junk food (aka milkbones).

How 'bout you guys? Who are your favorite neighbors?

Tagged!

Here are the rules:
Because it’s Thanksgiving time, there is a change to the rules.

Each player needs to tell seven special things they are
thankful for. Tagged dogs must post the rules in their diary
and their 7 things. Then choose 7 pups to tag and list their
names. Let them know by pawmail or rosette that they have been
tagged and to read your diary for the instructions on how to
play.

Seven Things I’m Thankful For:
1. I'm thankful that mom and dad didn't give up on me, when I was sick, unsocialized and afraid. Thanks mom, I know Saint Bernard messes are not fun to clean!
2. Mocha Bear, for teaching me that I can have other doggy friends and for helping me learn how to play.
3. My yummy raw diet, and mom and dad again for buying two full size freezers to keep my yummies cold!
4. A warm place to sleep at night, and my very own memory foam bed.
5. My trainer Steve, who taught mom and dad how to help me make other doggy pals.
6. Dakota, for being my boyfriend and having the bestest playdates ever.
7. People that don't mind drool.

I was tagged by Jackpot, my beautiful-est girl pal!

I tagged:
Bresen
Summer
Meridian
Sirius Black
Moxie
Bella Beans
Kitai

Watch out, Zoolander!

I am the next male fashion model!

After many months of being too afraid, I proudly wore and modeled my Saint Bernard barrel today!

Dogsters with Aggression

Mom started a new dogster group for people who share their homes with doggies like me, doggies that have aggressive behavioral problems.

I think when dogs are aggressive, if it goes unaddressed, doggies die, and that makes me sad.

So if you want help, and a support group, search us in the groups and join, we'd love to have you!

Fun Dawg of the Week!

Hey guys!

My pal Butchie told me about this great group Fun Dawgs, and we joined, oh...maybe a month ago?

Well, guess what? I am the Fun Dawg of the Week!

For those of you who aren't familiar with Dawgs Just Wanna Have Fun, please realize that this honor is something akin to being given the Nobel Prize of Dogster Fun. So THAT'S an accomplishment!

No time for diary writin', gotta go party it up!

P.S. I think this is the first time I have "trumped" the cub on Dogster! A little gloating goes a long way!

Three years old!

After a long evening and morning, running with my dearest love Dakota through 180 acres of woods and creek, I'm one tired guy. Getting a nice cool bath when I came home finished me off, and then that big dinner of lamb for my birthday...I think I shall sleep for a week!

Until I wake up, all of those of you who have sent birthday wishes and rosies and pics, know how much I love you all.

Life couldn't get any better than this. I have a wonderful forever home now that made me smart and handsome and healthy and happy, who bring me on fun adventures and buy me minivans...and wonderful friends in all of you. It doesn't get any better.

Tagged again!

Wouldn't you guys know it, my pal Lily tagged me!

Here's how you play...

Here are the rules of the game!

Each player starts with seven random facts about themselves. Dogs who are tagged, need to post in their Diary the rules & their 7 pawsome facts. Then choose 7 dogs to tag and list their names. Don’t forget to bark them a pmail that they have been tagged and to read your Diary, or, send them a fun Rosette announcing they've been Tagged!

1. I would spend 95% of my life sleeping if it weren't for the 'rents dragging me on walks and Mokie trying to play with me all the time.
2. My favorite place to take naps is in my crate on my memory foam bed.
3. I have a real-life boyfriend named Dakota. Mom says she doesn't care that I'm a gay dog.
4. One time I opened the oven and ate all mom's home made pastries.
5. Another time I ate an entire three pound bag of applies.
6. A couple days before the apples, I destroyed an entire week's worth of garbage all over the house
7. I don't like to swim, but I love cooling off in the water on super hot summer days.

1. Khola
2. Hamish
3. Skye
4. Second Chance
5. Ra
6. Elvis
7. Ziero

My manly bits...

Mom has many great pictures of me. The only problem is, sometimes I get a little more "excited" than I should and my happiness well...becomes self-evident in our photography, shall we say?

Mom wanted to make dad a gift from one of our pictures, and has no idea how to use photoshop.

So the other day, believe it or not, she had to ask her boss to "photoshop my lipstick" out of the picture.

First of all, since finding Dakota, I am VERY proud to admit I'm comfortable with my sexuality. Moreover, I don't see what the big deal is in the first place.

But mom's face turned SO red when she had to ask her boss, and her boss was CRACKING up at one of the oddest requests she'd ever received.

Go figure. I guess humoms just don't "get it."

A New Game!

Here's a cool new dogster game. Pick three of your favorite dogster pals and write what it is you LUV about them. We were "tagged" by the loveliest of lovelies, the beautiful Miss Jackpot.

Here are my three. Keep in mind, it was VERY hard to pick only three. If we get tagged as much as in the last game, we'll have an easier time, because it's much easier to talk about other pups that we adore than to keep coming up with stuff about us!

Elvis:

http://www.dogster.com/dogs/546451

I love dear Elvis because he is such a big handsome boy like me and because his wonderful momma is as immune to slobbery lugs as my mommy. Plus, his mom likes rescuing big slobbery Newfs and Saints, and hopes someday to have another Saint for their pack! I like Elvis because his pack reminds me of home.

Otis:

http://www.dogster.com/dogs/203395

I love my friend Otis because his big bully grin always makes our whole pack chuckle whenever we look at that handsome mug. He's super nice, and funny, so he is a GREAT ambassador for bully breeds everywhere!

Sirius Black:

http://www.dogster.com/dogs/497643

I love Sirius because he is very handsome and has a very kind pack leader who has been a good friend to our pack since we were lucky enough to meet their acquaintance. Sirius and his mom are very supportive of our pack, in all of our endeavors, and have really been there for us whenever we needed a friend!

I better go give those boys their rosettes!

Reunited and it feels so good!

Hey guys!

What a weekend! See, mom has these friends Kimmy and Seamus (read my last diary entry, they are the "he" and "she" of my boyfriend, Dakota). Anyway, they had a bunch of chickens, and some lousy old fox broke into the coup and got all but one of their hens.

Kimmy takes really good care of her chickens and loves them, so she was very sad about her loss.

Anyway, mom went (with her mom and grandmother) to a really neat produce/farmer's market on Saturday. She got lots of beautiful produce and a whole bunch of fresh herbs that she used to plant an herb garden this weekend.

She went into a small building, and they had lots of baby chicks, ducklings, adult roosters, hens, guinea fowl, bunnies, etc (we had LOADS of smells to sort out when she got home). Anyway, they had pullets, which are female baby chickens.

Mom called Kimmy and Seamus and asked if they would like her to buy them some for a housewarming gift, and they said yes, so mom bought six! She bought the starter food for the chicks, and some bedding, and brought them to our house.

We couldn't get to Kimmy and Seamus' until Sunday because they were going to the harness races Saturday night, so the chicks SPENT the night at our house! Talk about exciting! Believe it or not, folks, I was scared of them. Yes me, the big pig, was scared of six baby chicks who are so tiny, they just came out from under the heat lamp last week!

I think in a couple of months, Dakota will come stay at our house for a couple of weeks. His sister has to get some surgery for her hip, and can't run or play while she's recovering, so I think Dakota might come stay with us while Mona gets all better.

WHOA! Will the excitement never end? I must be the happiest, slobberiest, and most tired Saint in the world today!

Friends!

Hey guys!

So yesterday, mom and dad put our Roadies on us, and got our butts into the car. We got to go to her friends' (Seamus and Kimmy) house.

We had never been there before. We pulled into a VEEERRRRRY long driveway. Dad parked the van down the driveway, and started taking us out of our harnesses and getting the leashes on everyone. Well, only a short walk later, and it's off leash time!

Mokie and I, obviously, have to secure the perimeter and check out the new and exciting scents of an unfamiliar place. My ears perk at the sound of other dogs. For those of you who know me, you know that sometimes I have had some socialization problems.

Lo and behold, four big black labs come running up to Mokie and I! We had never met any of these dogs before, and it turns out that two of them (Dakota and Ramona) belong to our host and hostess, and Bo and Daisy belong to their friend Luke.

Well, pals, you've never seen a dog as excited as I was! Holy crap! Big dogs that are kind of overwhelming, but kind of the most exciting thing I've ever seen!

I made mom so proud, running and playing. Dakota was my favorite, and we played for hours and hours and hours, running through the woods, in the creek, all over 180 acres of upstate New York woodlands.

Later that evening, two Chesapeke Bay Retrievers show up with another human pal, Kyle. So a total of 8 dogs, running and swimming and playing and humping and sniffing and panting for an entire evening.

We spent the night. I was really sad and barky to leave my new friends. I guess some of the two leggers there were hunters, and have lots of free venison for us. What a super evening, and the best part is, we get to do it again - SOON!

When will then be now?

Jukebox!

Having a playlist is almost like having your very own jukebox on your dogster page. Mom tried to pick the best songs to represent me and Mokie, so check it out and let us know what you think!

Mom's taste in music is very eclectic...as a cellist (although it's been a LONG LONG time since mom had a cello, that makes her sad) she loves classical music. As a vocalist, she enjoys a myriad of genres, from jazz (especially Latin jazz), to punk rock, to alternative, reggae, to R & B/doo wop, to hip hop, so be prepared for a wide array of musical styles!

Tagged!

I've been tagged by some of dogster's coolest pups!

Brigitta
Carmen
Stella
Booker
Casey
Jackpot
S irius Black
Zazzabelle

Here are the rules of the game!

Each player starts with seven random facts about themselves. Dogs who are tagged, need to post in their Diary the rules & their 7 pawsome facts. Then choose 7 dogs to tag and list their names. Don’t forget to bark them a pmail that they have been tagged and to read your Diary, or, send them a fun Rosette announcing they've been Tagged!

1 I get called "Piggy" far more often than Monte.
2. I don't DO swimming
3. I can oink like a pig too!
4. I'd spend 90% of my life sleeping were it not for Mocha's overwhelming supply of energy
5. I am a bully with other doggies
6. I have my own myspace page!
7. If I lift my leg when I pee, I pee all over my front feet. (yucky, mom says!)

Here are all my tags!
1. Jackson
2. Natty Gann
3. Houston
4. Guinness
5. Sophie
6. Tinker Toy
7. Peggy Sue
8. Monkey
9. Zazzabelle
10. Kiki
11. Jacky
12. Kaiser
13. Lady Bug
14. Eight Ball
15. Pugsly
16. Stevie the Wonder Dog
17. Fudge
18. Poncho Lopez
19. Nikita Sophia
20. Storm
21. Mudge

Hey guys!

I was just looking around, and being so thankful for everyone's kindness. You see, Mocha came to live at our house first, so she was on dogster WAY before me and had all these wonderful friends who welcomed me with open arms.

But because she's "better established" around these parts than I am, she gets to post in all the forums, writes way more diary entries, way more rosies to pass out, and gets more pal requests, corraled more often, etc.

Anyway, I can see why y'all love her so much, but I want to make a special thanks to those pups who have extended overtures of friendship to me specifically. You guys know who you are, and I love ya!

I'm not jealous of Mokie. In fact, I have some socialization problems from my "before life," and I couldn't have asked for a better girl to live with and learn from. She's my very bestest friend in the whole world, and you're all very right to love her. She's also a very good teacher, and a very good doggy role model, because somehow (and I don't know how she does this), she seems to know exactly the right way to act around every dog she meets. Instead of being scared and awkward like me, she is very confident and gregarious.

Someday, even though it may be years from now, maybe I can be like that too. Mokie seems to think that all dogs were put on earth by God specifically to be her playmates. For as big as I am, I'm a scaredy cat. I get so uncomfortable and awkward around other dogs, I just don't know what to do with myself! When I've had the chance to actually meet other dogs, I get all barky and lunge-y, but when given the opportunity, I've been known to sniff a bum or two in my day. (or maybe three, tops!)

Before I came to my new house, the first kindness I had ever known was from the rescue volunteers that brought me in and tried to find me a new mom and dad and place to play. I was yucky and sickly and lonely and scared and big and awkward and dirty and just having an all around, really rough and terribly scary time. I would see all the little dogs get adopted days after coming to rescue, and would just lie around, slobbering all over myself, until someone picked ME! Finally, someone picked ME! For real, you mean it?

So I ran up to my new mom and leaned my big, then mangy butt into her with all my strength, and looked up like "you mean it, you're going to take me home?" After mom (and her friend Brenda, who went along for the road trip), my first best friend was named Chicken McNugget from a magical and lovely parallel universe you all may know as...McDonalds. Me and Chicken McNugget were instant pals, I felt like singing, "Where have you been all my life, oh beautiful Chicken McNugget?" But Chicken McNugget did not respond...just sat there, smelling delectable and staring at me. So I stared back. Then I chomped. It was truly a match made in heaven...almost like the chicken BEGGED me to chomp.

Then I met dad, and my cub sister. This was better than I could have ever imagined.

And then, then, well...then came you guys. Dogster. All the loving friends a guy like me never dared to dream of. Since I AM kinda undersocialized, to be honest with you, I might be a big barky bully if we ever got the chance to really meet. But in my heart of hearts, I love all of you very much, and from this distance, bask in the glow of love and friendship you've offered so selflessly.

Dog bless you all, each and every one!

To foster mommies and daddies....

TO MY FOSTER MOM (OR DAD)

  THERE I SAT, ALONE AND AFRAID,
YOU GOT A CALL AND CAME TO MY AID.
YOU BUNDLED ME UP WITH BLANKETS AND LOVE.
AND, WHEN I NEEDED IT MOST, YOU GAVE ME A HUG.
I LEARNED THAT THE WORLD WAS NOT ALL SCARY AND COLD,
THAT SOMETIMES THERE IS SOMEONE TO HAVE AND TO HOLD.
  YOU TAUGHT ME WHAT LOVE IS, YOU HELPED ME TO MEND,
YOU LOVED ME AND HELPED ME AND BECAME MY GOOD FRIEND.
AND JUST WHEN I THOUGHT YOU'D DONE ALL YOU DO,
THERE CAME ALONG NOT ONE NEW LESSON, BUT TWO.
FIRST YOU SAID, "SWEETHEART, YOU'RE READY TO GO,
I"VE DONE ALL I CAN, AND YOU'VE LEARNED ALL I KNOW."
  THEN YOU BUNDLED ME UP WITH A BLANKET AND KISS,
AND ALONG CAME A NEW FAMILY-- OH WHAT A BLISS.
THEY TOOK ME TO THEIR HOME, FOREVER TO STAY.
AT FIRST I THOUGHT YOU HAD SENT ME AWAY,
THEN THAT SECOND LESSON BECAME PERFECTLY CLEAR;
NO MATTER HOW FAR, YOU WILL ALWAYS BE NEAR.
  AND SO, FOSTER MOM, YOU KNOW I'VE MOVED ON,
I HAVE A NEW HOME, WITH TOYS AND A LAWN.
BUT I'LL NEVER FORGET WHAT I LEARNED THAT FIRST DAY--YOU NEVER REALLY GIVE YOUR FOSTERS AWAY.
  YOU GAVE ME THESE THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER YOU BY,
WE MAY NEVER MEET AGAIN, AND NOW I KNOW WHY--YOU'LL REMEMBER I LIVED WITH YOU FOR A SHORT TIME,
I MAY NOT BE YOURS,
BUT YOU'LL ALWAYS BE MINE.

Dog Bless the Mail Lady

Dear Mail Lady,

Thank you for being such a great friend. You are always as happy to see me as I am to see you.

This Thanksgiving, I am thankful for the mail lady. I am thankful that if she doesn't see us when she drops off the mail, sometimes she still leaves two big old cookies on the mail box, so mum will give them to us when she gets home.

Dog bless you Mail Lady, on Thanksgiving and every day. Rain, sleet, snow, whatever and whenever, you're a great pal!

4 paws = :o(

What do those 5 paw dogs have that me and Mokie don't have?

What a bummer!

My Tail of Devotion for Montecristo (Monte)

This is a special Tail of Devotion

See All Tails of Devotion

Dear Bubbles

Dear Bubbles,

I'm very thankful that you let me and my sister come visit your pack for a play date this weekend. Ever since mom brought me home from the rescue, the only friend I ever had to play with is Mokie.

Now don't get me wrong, pal...Mokie's a pip! She's a great sister, and we have loads of fun playing together. But mom always got sad that nobody else wanted me to play with their dogs, because there are so many little dogs around our 'hood, and no big dogs like me.

:o(

We're very thankful to have gotten a chance to meet and play with one of our favorite pup pals. What a great mom and dad you have! Maybe next time Georgie boy can go too, and then it will be a whole mess of Saints (and Mokie), and almost like a reunion of Saints from Joy's rescue! Maybe we can get Gina, Brandy, and Kat up here for a meet and greet -LOL!

Thanks for giving me a chance. I think I'll like having friends, and can't wait until we can come up and visit, and me and you can slobber all over Mokie and go swimming and eat chicken jerky again - are we a spoiled bunch or what?

Monte

I LOVE this place!

Mokie was right...this place is great! All of her friends have been so welcoming to me...thank Dog! We've gotten bunches of pal requests, and bones, and rosettes...this is a great time, indeed!

BASH pals are great...I love you pups!

Roses are red,
Violets are blue,
Pen's a sexy doochie,
and so is PEGGY SUE!

George and Woody, I love you guys almost as much as you love each other - BOL!

Tink, her mum is a great pal of me mum's...she makes pretty pictures for us, and has been an invaluable friend to our pack!

Missy, Bubs, Mystique, Kitai, Naila, Jacky, Bella and Abby, Arg, Angel, Pen & Farley....all your packs, Butchie, everypup we love - we have met the best pals here! Thank you all for being you and being GREAT!

HELLO Dogster!

*quiets the audience*
*drum roll*

Its my first day here! I know how eagerly anticipated this event is by many pals and fans...at last, the day has arrived!

Mom says I'm always too busy wrestling for her to get any really good pictures of me yet. It took her a while with Mokie before she got good at pictures, so have patience...mom says after I have good food and a family that takes me to the vet's when I need to go for a while...my fur will be so much softer, and I won't be so skinny....

So, folks, believe it or not, I will continue to grow even more handsome! Mom went through some of Moke's pals and invited a couple, but I'm always open to pal requests, and expect more to be on the way from me! I can't wait to see what Mokie loves so much about dogster...

Off to catster to chase the kitties, see you pups later!

Monte boy