Link to Jake's TV Commercial

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lplvd63lqR4

It's Here! Jake's First Ever TV Commercial!

Well we waited and waited and finally we got to see it. Jake's first ever TV Commercial. And he SPEAKS!

JC Penny Ad Comes Out This Weekend

Hi everyone,

Well this weekend (March 15-16) my newest print ad came out in the JC Penny mailer. I think this is a national campaign so if you get the JC Penny mailer, you will see my picture in the middle spread. I remember that day so well. The model was a bit nervous around dogs, even though I did nothing, no licking, no jumping, nothing, she was still a bit uncomfortable around dogs. I don't think she had one when she was small. Because she was nervous, I became a bit nervous. I just wondered why she was nervous. Later Mommy told me why, but at that time, I just figured there might be something bad that she knows about and that I'm not aware of. Owners of dogs never realize that when we are scared, it's because they are scared or nervous. It's like thunder and lightening. Usually we dogs don't have a problem with it. But when someone starts hugging us and telling us everything will be ok, well, than we start to wonder... "what do they know that I haven't figured out yet? There must be something bad out there and Mommy or Daddy is trying to protect me from it..." See what I mean?

Anyway, enjoy the new photos. I also put one up of our Entenmann's commercial. This was during a shot for one of the close up scenes. If you come across the commercial, don't forget to drop me a line! Its not going to be shown where I live!

Well, gotta go. I have butts to smell and places to mark.

My Entenmann's Donut TV Commercial

Ok, I'm bummed. After a full day of shooting, I find out that my commercial will only be shown in the east coast. If anyone sees it, please drop me a note!

We arrived at 8am for roll call. They looked me over and said what a good looking boy I am. My mommy was beaming from ear to ear as everyone in the crew just had to pat me and play with me. The director looked scarry, but he was a softy. He called for wardrobe to fit me with a new red collar. A make-up lady gave me a brush to comb down my hair.

And than filming started. I had to watch a family I never met before eat tasty donuts and never got a bite! What's wrong with that?? A little girl was near me and she kept wanting to pat me, but they wouldn't let her. She looked as nervous as I was, so I think we kept each other calm.

By 11am, they were done with me and my friend Roo, an aussie that was in the commercial as well, took a break as the repositioned the cameras for new angles. It was a long day. Mommy took me back to the car to take a nap as I was waiting for my close up shots. I couldn't sleep much cause there were cats everywhere! I had to keep them away from the car!

Finally the day was done. I slept all the way home. Mommy said she was very proud of me. I did my part like a champ. I wont tell you all the details of the commercial, but there is a funny part at the end. You'll have to send me email when you see it.

Jake's TV Commercial

Well today we got a copy of the story board. This is our first time ever doing a commercial. Mommy has stand behind me while I look ahead at the family. Eventually the camera will pan on my face for a close up! There will be another dog with me, a much bigger dog. Mommy found out that dog is "doggie aggressive". So she is setting up a meeting prior to filming to make sure I'm safe near that dog. She doesn't want anything bad to happen to me. The other mommy said she can control her dog as long as I don't get into his face. Hmmm what if I just wanna say Hello? Not good.

For a look at the story board - http://barkandstuff.com/myfiles/file/EntenmannsShootingBoard s.pdf

Jake Goes For Another Photo Shoot With JC Penny's

Friday, Jake and I went to another studio to do the JCPenny Spring Mailer. It's going to be a nation wide campaign so it might hit your mail box! Keep and eye out for it! Everything went smoothly and the photographer really liked the way Jake was working it! However, one of the assistance decided to play basketball about 15 ft away from Jake. Well, you know what happens when you have a ball and a Jack Russell.... if you don't, all I can say it wasn't pretty! Jake stayed in position but kept staring at the ball. Everyone was impressed how he stayed, but he wasn't looking at the camera!!! Eventually we removed the ball and after Jake came to terms that he wasn't going to play with the ball right away, he began working it again.

Send us an email if you spot Jake in his JC Penny ad!

Dog - Dog Aggression

Well this is a hard one. And it's hard because owners don't want to believe it. But not all dogs like to be around strange dogs. Why is your dog aggressive towards other dogs? Could be many reasons, maybe lack of socialization during puppyhood around other dogs, littermate problems, but most likely its genetics. Certain breeds have an aggressive disposition. Jack Russells for one are known to be aggressive towards other dogs, and many bully breeds (Pits, Boxers, ect).

So what can you do? You can try and manage the situation. But you will never "cure" it. And if someone tells you that they can cure your dog, RUN. There are several good books out there that can help you manage your dogs aggression. My favorite is "Click to Calm: Healing the Aggressive Dog".

You can read more about it on this site: http://www.clickertraining.com/node/343

If your dog is aggressive towards other dogs (more common than most people realize), it doesn't mean automatically that your dog will be people aggressive. However, a dog that learns that growling and snapping gets their way, may be more prone to use it when annoyed. Do you have small children? If so, than I wouldn't worry to much if the dog behaves well around them. If you don't, well, most dogs are uncomfortable around small kids. If they are going to bite, this is the group they go for most. Why? well kids don't look like adults in a dogs mind. they are smaller, walk funny, move strangely and have no doggie manners. Dogs who suffer from fear aggression, might find kids a threat. Something to consider and keep in the back of your mind.

Like I said before, you will never cure it, but you can manage it. Managing it doesn't mean that she can be left unattended with another strange dog and hope for the best. It means, you need to supervise any visits with strange dogs. I think finding a professional will help alot, but I would make sure they have a proven record in aggression. If you go to Click to Train website, they do have a list of accredited trainers. You can start with that list. I prefer clicker training. Much better results. Best of luck to you...it's not easy.

Good luck. Don't be down about it. Just work with your dog. It's gonna take lots of work and lots of practice.

Potty Training the Easy Way With Jake

Happy New Year Everyone,

If you want to teach your dog to potty outside for all occasions, than you must be consistent and not do any "work arounds". So how do you start? And yes, you can do this with dogs that "already are housebroken..but.."

This method is the most practiced by prof trainers. It's good for those who have a fenced yard or not. If you have a fenced yard, wouldn't it be better to train your dog to go potty in the same area for easy pick up afterwards? No hunting, no stepping on poo.

1. Don't let your dog potty in the house. Sounds easy, but the main reason why dogs potty in the house is because they have to go! I know, that sounds silly, but many owners don't pay attention to the signals that a dog tries to give, sniffing, walking in circles. Most owners are too busy on the computer or watching TV. So, make sure if your dog is not in a crate (especially for new dogs or puppies) keep an eye on them. If you have to, put them on a leash and let them accompany you everywhere in the house. So who is the bad dog here? Not the dog, but the owner. If your dog potties in the house, you only have yourself to blame.

2. Keep a regular schedule. Most dogs have to go potty about 20 min after eating, when they first wake up in the morning, when it's bed time and after rough play for a long period. Knowing this, set a routine schedule. Feed your dog at the same times (never free feed, always set the bowl down and take it away after 10 min). Wake up and take your dog out at the same time, and "bed time" should be at the same time. Remember, just because your not tired and want to stay on the computer a bit longer, doesn't mean your dog isn't!!

3. Use a leash and some treats. Ok, this was mentioned before but needs more explanation. Get the leash, and some treats and use the SAME path/door everytime. This way your dog will associate that door with the potty door and that will become one of it's signals to let you now it's time to go. Don't make a big deal of it, keep your dogs excitement level low. Take the dog to the prefered spot (not your neighbors yard), and just stand there and wait. Do not interact with the dog, do not encourage the dog. Just business as usual. Once your dog does go potty, MAKE A BIG DEAL OUT OF IT. Reward your dog and praise your dog and if they don't like treats, play with your dog! The idea here is that all fun and games start AFTER you go potty, not before! In no time, your dog will automatically associate with going potty to being rewarded and getting personal attention from you. Once your dog gets this after awhile, you can remove the leash, but still go out with your dog. Make sure your dog is doing what it's suppose to do. Eventually it will be routine for your dog to fist go potty in the chosen area, and than go an explore the backyard, front yard or whatever.

I hope this helps.