4th Annual Wags-n-Whiskers Walk

Thank you to everyone who supported us on behalf of the Glendale Humane Society in the 4th Annual Wags-n-Whiskers Walk.  The Montrose Farmer's Market was a flurry of furry activity as vendors, pet professionals, companion animals and, of course, the community came out -- leashes in hand -- to show their appreciation for the local animal shelter.

If you'd like to participate in a similar event, the Pasadena Humane Society will be hosting their annual Wiggle Waggle Walk fundraiser at the Rose Bowl on Saturday, October 11th.  Yay!  Or should I say, woof!?!

Ask Miss Behavin: The Chew Toy Dilema

Dear Miss Behavin,

I walked into a pet store to purchase toys for my beautiful new labrador puppy, who is teething, and was completely overwhelmed by the selection.  Are there any toys I might want to avoid letting him chew on?

Sincerely,

Sarah

...and Linus

Dear Sarah and, of course, Linus:

Items such as rawhide, rope toys, plus animals and squeaky toys should be carefully considered, as they can often resemble items in the home -- and items the family wants the dog to avoid.  When chew toys resemble other household items, the dog may have difficulty discerning the appropriate from the forbidden objects when left alone.  For example, the ends of some brands of rope toys are fringe-like and tasseled, similar to upholstery accoutrements or rugs.  Rawhide is made of processed animal products, often skin and tendons, and resembles leather -- the choice material for many shoes, handbags and small fashion goods such as wallets and gloves.  Fuzzy plush toys are soft and tactile like rugs, carpeting and accent pillows and baby toys.  Rubber and plastic squeaky toys may be similar to children's action figures, toddler's toys and similar items.  In addition, you may not want the dog to play with toys that are disignated for other animals in your home, such as the cat's toys, which can also look quite similar to children's toys -- or more importantly -- small caged pets or birds that may or may not be present in your home.

This is not to say that rope toys, rawhide, and plush animals should never be offered as rewards or during play.  Chewing is a natural behavior, especially during the teething process for puppies. The goal is to set up the dog for success and make differentiation easy for the pet.

Continue to check back with our blog at www.good-sit.com as we offer more tips for managing chewing behavior.

Yours in Training,

Miss Behavin

Keep Your Buddy Busy: Chew Toy Tip #1

Appropriate chew toys are fantastic objects to keep your pet entertained and engaged in appropriate chewing activity.  It allows you as a pet guardian to positively reinforce which objects are okay to mouth, and when necessary, have an item to "trade out" when your dog is focusing on test-tasting forbidden items.  Since we'd prefer to keep the Prada's pristine and the Jimmy Choo's unchewed, this week will focus on fun toys for dogs of all dispositions.

The Tug-a-Jug is a unique and brilliant hybrid -- both in form and function.  It resembles things you'd find around the home and then combined in an innovative manner.  Take a Nalgene water bottle, a Downy dryer ball and a small length of rope and there you have it. Quite simply, by touching the toy, seeing, hearing, smelling and tasting the treats or kibble the Tug-a-Jug dispenses, interacting with the toy becomes self-rewarding.  It is excellent for food-motivated dogs and can be used to encourage proper chewing with high-value treats, or simply incorporate into obedience training and feeding meals to add novelty to your dog's routine. 

It comes in small and medium/large sizes that stand up to the strongest of chewers. Available at www.busybuddytoys.com.

Ask Miss Behavin

Imagine for a moment...

A modern day Mary Poppins coaching you and your pets with a dash of eco-glam thrown in for good measure.

Her name is Miss Behavin: resident animal enthusiast, tastemaker, and advice columnist here at Good Sit.  Miss Behavin believes whole heartedly in the good life.  And the good life is synonymous with people and pets living in harmony.

This regularly-updated blog will act as your guide to tips, trends tidbits, insights, observations and ephemera from the whimsical to the wise.  No problem is to big or pleasure too simple.  Readers and clients alike are encouraged to submit questions and comments to missbehavin@good-sit.com or via the Good Sit contact form located at our primary website.

We hope you will join us.  Things just keep getting better and better at Good Sit!