Meet & Greet

Can it be some owners have no idea how to read the four-footed companion they share their homes with...?

When I'm out on a walk with my girl, I try to exhibit proper dog-walking etiquette--when there is an unfamiliar dog and owner approaching us, I ask if the dog is friendly (safe for my girl to approach) especially when I see body language being exhibited that would lead me to believe otherwise.

The responses vary. "Probably" or "He/she should be alright", are common answers.

Not good enough--sorry!

As an urban dog owner, proper walking etiquette is your responsibility. Your dog has obviously been approached before by a passing dog while out on a walk. If you don't know how your dog is going to react on (or off) leash to greeting another one, then you are not walking your dog enough or you aren't bothering to interpret the signs your dog is sending out....

When dogs who are unfamiliar with one another meet, there is a standard, international, canine conversation that takes place. Although it's not our language, their message should come across to both dog and owner loud and clear. They use body language.

There are distinct signals from both sides. A dog who approaches with a stiff gait, tail up and wagging slowly and stiffly-or not wagging at all, ears erect, ruff up, making himself larger than he is, staring directly into the other dog's eyes ( with intent) is not necessarily welcoming the other into his social circle.

If the other dog displays the expected 'response' to this affront--submissive, making-myself-appear-as-small-as-I-can, tail tucked, in a crouching walk, head turned to one side, eyes downward, ears lowered, depending on the other's temperament, he should be fine.

Unless the dog who appears to be the dominant is really a wanna-be dominant. He's still climbing the ladder and he has something to prove.

A true dominant will very rarely start a fight-they don't need to-their very presence and energy demands respect. They may discipline a dog...but not fight with it. It's below their station in life, unless goaded into it.

If it's a true dominant, then the respect shown is enough...he got his point across and will then find out more about the dog by sniffing his parts. The submissive dog may squirm a little but will attempt to stay as still as possible until the dominant has finished his once-over. Sometimes a dominant will allow the other dog to check him out-but not necessarily.

The dominant will then proudly (and slowly) strut off from his 'conquest', tail held high until out of reach, (never glancing back) at which time he may 'lower the flag' until he sights another dog.

When two dogs meet who are equals, there is a mutual acceptance and admiration. There's the doggy dance-the two-step, where leashes get tangled as they greet each other, circling and sniffing-both dogs tails wagging, even with their back or lower, ears back, mouths parted in a relaxed grin.

There's the very submissive dog who, when approached by any dog, will drop its head as low as it can, sit and be very still, or crouch and maybe urinate. It may drop and roll over onto its back, exposing its neck and stomach area, tail wagging very close to its body, seemingly pleading with the other dog to do it no harm. Many times a young pup will exhibit this same behavior.

When this submissive type is 'released' from the dominant one's examination, some of them are so thrilled no harm came to them, they rejoice by jumping up at the other dog and licking at its mouth area, with a lot of flourish...out of respect and in thanks for being spared.

My girl has an approach to on-coming dogs I've never experienced before. As soon as she observes a dog who will ultimately be passing us, she stops abruptly in her tracks. Head held high, she lifts her tail and wags it, at the same time averting her eyes from the dog by turning her head to the side, as if studying the surrounding scenery. I can coax her along to no avail. She remains rooted to that one spot until the dog has completed his exam and only then will she express any interest in furthering the 'meet and greet.' Very respectful!

So before the tugging on the leash and out-of-control-behavior takes over, there is always subtle body language displayed. Being familiar with these basic signals will allow you time to redirect the energy or dominate the situation before it becomes full-blown and out of hand.

My next post I'll be continuing with body language--what is acceptable after their initial introductions, signals they send to other dogs while playing and the boundaries we should set for them in a play situation.

Woofstock 2009

With soaring summer temperatures and sunny skies, friends from out of town, along with their giant-sized dog, travelled downtown with me to experience Woofstock--touted by its organizers as the largest outdoor dog festival in North America....'A festival for dogs!'


This 'celebration' for our beloved canines takes place in the St. Lawrence Market neighbourhood. Front Street, a four-lane boulevard from Jarvis Street to Yonge Street and from Market Street South to The Esplanade is closed off to vehicular traffic. That's about six blocks of concrete and store-front sidewalk in the center of downtown Toronto. Line those streets with two hundred vendor booths, over 150,000 people and half as many dogs and you have a marketer's dream.


There were dogs whose coats had been dyed pink, dogs whose feet never touched the ground being carried around in pet carriers, dogs with muzzles on, dogs wearing jogging suits, boas, sun bonnets, running shoes, sun dresses and fancy baubles around their necks.


There were dogs being led around from one booth to the next with a look of total confusion in their eyes. There were dogs who were both over-heated and exhausted. Some just falling asleep at curbside, others panting--searching for that familiar yet elusive plot of grass or tree trunk to relieve themselves on.





There were dogs who were entered in a variety of contests--waiting dutifully in line along with their owner for up to an hour to show off their unusual trick or their best howl.

I didn't get around to 'The Ugliest Dog Contest' and hope the line-up to enter that was a very short one!

There were dogs refusing to mount the stairs to the main stage event-Mr. & Mrs. Canine Canada Pageant, (despite the owners' best efforts) where the dogs were introduced by a squealing MC amid too much fanfare and cheering (and please turn that microphone down, remembering the contestants' sensitive hearing).


One particularly unsettling sight for me was the Petopia On-Site Doggy Daycare. You could bring your companion to the festival and leave it with an unknown care-giver in a giant cage while you shopped. This was not designed with a dog's comfort in mind. There were about seven or eight dogs in the area when I passed by. Two of the dogs (Great Danes) were fortunate enough to have secured a spot on a small, matted area--which was the only shaded space in the pet-care center--the rest of it in full sun. The other dogs were wandering back and forth on the heated pavement, awaiting their owners' return. NOT a service where any dog lover worth their kibble would park their dog!


The Wine and Beer Garden on site invited us to 'bring your dog in at any time.' I'm as much a fan of mixing alcohol and dogs as I am of imbibing while caring for children so we skipped that offer!





The booths and tents, if you could get close enough to them without tripping on the dogs who were allowed to walk (as opposed to being shuffled along in doggy carriages or strapped to their owner's chest in a doggy-carrier) offered everything imaginable to the canine consumer. There was also the unimaginable.


One product I'm still in a quandry over, is the scoop cup. It's a cardboard cup (much the same as french fries are served in) in which you place a plastic bag. You can then pick up your dogs poop without having to feel it through the bag. Pull the bag out, dispose of it, load another one into the container and you're ready for your next poop 'n scoop session. The folks who were demonstrating this invention were having such a difficult time of it that I had to state the obvious--why make it more involving than it is?? KISS (keep it simple, stupid) implies here!


Let's get it straight--this celebration is not for the dogs. If it was for the dogs, it would be held on some grassy expanse, where there's a breeze blowing and plenty of trees to sniff and lift a leg up against. It would be held at a more appropriate time of year-perhaps earlier in the spring or in late September/mid-October, when the sun and air-quality are friendlier.



It would have a pond where dogs could cool off in, instead of a concrete fountain that is full of soapy bubbles of unknown origin!


The booths would be spaced so neither the owner nor the companion got their paws stepped on.

As it is now, it's a field of dreams for marketers. A feeding frenzy for the consumer.

It's a travesty to advertise it as otherwise.

Slobberfest 2009

Last Saturday we celebrated our Beach version of the annual Woofstock-the largest outdoor dog festival in North America.

Our canine community celebrates Slobberfest. This dog-day afternoon is presented by Center 55, our local community center. It's a fund-raiser in support of the many excellent services they offer for children, seniors and families.

The first year I attended this gathering, it was held in Kew Park. In my opinion, a venue better suited to this celebration.

Now, for the second year, it's held parallel to the boardwalk, on the grassy area in front of the old boathouse, also referred to by some as the open-air building. The only pro I can think of for using this space is the accessibility to the off-leash area, directly across the boardwalk.

Journey and I headed down to the site with a friend who'd made her way into Toronto along with her very large-sized dog Walter, to experience the festivities.

A block from our destination, we could hear music in the air-some 60's or 70's tunes blasting from the general direction in which we were heading.

Upon arriving, I noticed the DJ/MC had set up his impressive sound equipment under the shelter of the boathouse, while the booths-about ten of them, were scattered out front along the grass. I had to raise my voice an octave or two to be heard above the music and was wondering about the comfort level of the dogs.

As a responsible dog owner, I appraoched the DJ, and asked if he might consider turning down the volume, explaining a dogs sense of hearing is ten times more acute than a humans. (shouldn't he have been aware of this??)

My friend from out of town commented on the lack of room on the walkway from the boardwalk to the boathouse-the center of the action, where the contests were being held-it was far too narrow. Flanked on either side by booths and tables, there was not room enough for people and dog traffic.

I remember the first year I attended Slobberfest in Kew Park, approaching the organizers with my concerns about their choices of the various contests. I see my concerns fell on deaf ears--

The 'Hot Dog Eating Contest' has dogs bobbing for hot dogs out of a bucket...who can eat the most hot dogs in a given time frame-I think it's a minute.

Does anyone really want to cheer their dog on, under the pressure of a stopwatch, to ingest nitrates, dyes and high sodium in copious amounts?? Great fun I suppose, if your dog is used to eating crap.

I reiterate---with all the quality, natural choices on the canine market, could the organizers not have considered another option? Unconscionable and indefensible.

If that's not enough to make any healthy dog (and any responsible owner) ill, there's the 'Canine Ice Cream Eating Contest.'

All these contests are held in the shade of the boathouse-however the floor is concrete. Why, with so many shade trees couldn't the revelry be held on a grassy area adjacent to the boathouse??

Why can't the organizers get together with doggy people (because they certainly don't seem to be!) and come up with healthier, more challenging contests??

Relay races, hide-and-seek-an-item, fastest response to a given command...are just a few that come to my mind...but come on--chowing down on hot dogs?!

Time for the organizers to give their tails a shake and spend some time and put a little more thought into the planning of this celebration. Perhaps a 'suggestion box?' I'm sure there would be a few good ones to chew on!

Respect The Code!

Most law-abiding dog-owners in the beach are using the designated off-leash areas to ensure their canines get sufficient exercise and socialization in an attempt to appease the rest of the community and the powers-that-be.

Within the past two weeks, I've been told by multiple sources about two dog fights in the off-leash areas.

These have not been the brief, vocal conflicts where dogs confront one another for momentarily being in one another's space or for nabbing a toy.

Those skirmishes usually only last about ten seconds and it's over. The less dominant ( or less energetic) of the two sustaining no injuries-save for a bruised ego. Not giving it another thought, he returns to his socializing, a rung lower on the ladder.

These fights have been blood-drawing, have-to-break-them-up battles. One owner got his hand badly bitten in his attempt to separate the clashing canines.

The off-leash areas have a 'Code of Conduct' posted at the entrances.

It simply isn't being adhered to-Pit Bulls are running loose, unmuzzled in the partially-enclosed areas, in-tact males are in there, (against the code) dogs who show aggression toward another dog are not being leashed and removed from the space-instead the person who complains about a dogs aggressive behavior has to listen to a flurry of obscenitiesfrom its owner (wonder why the dog is aggressive??!). Dogs who aren't under voice or signal control are not being retrieved and leashed.

As summer approaches, the problems can only escalate.

When tourists from other areas of the city flock to the beach with their canine companions for some sand and sun, the off-leash areas will be the place to exercise them.

It will be culture shock for many dogs who may not be as socially adept as most of our fortunate friends.

If we can't respect other dog owners and the required code, perhaps we should consider having the areas patrolled by impartial parties-who have knowledge of both dog behavior and the code of conduct.

Gentle (?) Leaders

Advertisments for head collars-the Gentle Leader and the Halti-claim to 'calm the boisterous dog who pulls on the leash.'

Every obedience school, trainer, every expert in the canine field-even veterinarians-are expounding on the excellence of these devices.

Unfortunately, I beg to differ. In my opinion, these collars border on abusive and can lead to injuries, especially when coupled with a flexi-leash. There is no teaching involved with this product.

The concept behind the design is to simulate the pack leaders control by encircling the puppy or dogs snout and lower jaw as well as applying pressure at the scruff of the neck.

Anytime I've watched a dog discipline another dog using this technique, it's done for no more than fifteen seconds, then it's over, with the desired effect, a calm, respectful dog. When the more dominant dog uses this form of discipline, it never leaves a mark-it's done with a firm gentleness.

There are dogs who have permanent hair loss and scars on top of their snouts from these gentle leaders. I'm not even sure where the term leader comes into play. Most dogs I see wearing this contraption are either squirming desparately to get out of it-pawing at their own snouts and rubbing them onto the ground or the skin on their faces is pinched up and twisted, contorting their features so the dog can only see with one eye due to the tautness of the equipment.

I would be concerned with the obvious damage over time, to the cervical vertebrae from the constant twisting motion of the neck as the dogs head is continually yanked sideways. If it's used as a training device for a few weeks, (which I've never seen happen) injuries incurred while wearing one can last a lifetime.

Not all snouts are shaped the same. To offer this product in small, medium and large doesn't make a whole lot of sense (except of course, to the manufacturer!). At the very least, customizing the head gear to reflect the needs of individual breeds would show some basic knowledge of canine structure-and a little intelligence!

Could there be a correlation between the use of this head equipment and the rise in the number of cases of Wobbler's disease in recent years?

Convenience certainly plays a part in its popularity... let's face it, it's far less time-consuming, strapping on the head gear than devoting a couple of weeks teaching the basic etiquette, rules and expectations of walking together.

There is no collar that can take the place of training!

What appears to be a quick and easy fix is not necessarily the best way when dealing with nature.

You'd think by now we'd all have learned that lesson!!

Live Dogs Used As Shark Bait

With a burdened heart I create this post tonight. It gives me no pleasure at all.

There will be no pictures on my blog tonight to reflect this post. I can't bring myself to desecrate this space that way.
You can however check out the links below but the images are quite graphic and very disturbing.


I speak of the barbaric use of both live or dead dogs and cats being used as shark bait. The practise of taking a dog, piercing a giant hook through both upper and lower lip or snout or paws of someones more than terrified domesticated companion as its stuggling is in vain.


Once the dog or cat is captured, the fisherman 'hook' them the day before to let them bleed sufficently.

Some escape before being tossed overboard, to live without being able to eat or walk, depending where the hooks are and to die a pitiful dealth due to infection or starvation.


The dog is then hoisted over the side of the boat and dragged through the water, using the blood streaming from the open wounds caused by the fish hooks to attract any shark in the vicinity. Sometimes the fishermen leave the dog or cat out in the water overnight and return the next day to check for their catch.


Apparently this practise has been going on for over a decade.


I can't spend more time on this topic....it's unhealthy for my soul.
I just wanted to make anyone who is interested aware there are two options.

There is an on-line petition you can sign.

http://www.petitiononline.com/13by3/petition.html


http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/10/1019_051019_dogs_sharks.html


Or (and better) you can take a few minutes out of your busy schedule and send a letter (you know, that primitive practise of writing on paper, signing your name to it, placing it into an envelope with a stamp!) addressing it to any French Consulate.


Shame on the French Government. France-a country that professes such love of dogs to allow this barbarism to go unchecked for so long!

Choose Wisely!

I once named a sweet-as-pie puppy Scandal. Her registered name was 'Sandalwood What A Scandal.' I wasn't considering her personality or character at the time but instead was reflecting on the trauma surrounding the whelping.

How many times people would comment that she suited her name! From running down the boardwalk with a squirrel she'd just caught, stopping to show her 'treasure' to passers-by, to catching a seagull as it was taking flight, then charging along the sand blindly, its wings covering her eyes, while tourists stared in shock and disbelief.

I think it has alot to do with our voice inflection when we utter their given word (name). The energy and quality behind what that name brings to our mind.

'Boomer,' a black lab, is rough and ready to go anywhere, ingest anything and in his twilight years is unaccepting of his physical limitations (adventurer/construction-worker/hockey-night lad).

'Lacy,' a sheltie, is a gentle, mild-mannered, slightly aloof girl (frilly-girl/teatime/poetry reading).

'Carl,' a great dane, shows signs of leaning toward having OCD, is genuinely fun to be around and kind (living vicariously through others/dependable/a bit needy).

'Ruckus,' a boxer, is always at the center of any disruption at the dog park, not in a nasty way but just wants to be where the action is ( dash and dare/nosey/high-energy).

'Lucy,'a yellow lab, is a fun-loving, high-energy, what'll-we-do-next girl (shopaholic/where's-the-party girl).

'Whiskey,' a beagle, is full of energy, (and himself!) and wants to be the center of attention (the comic-relief/always regale-you-with-a-story type).

Then there's my 'Journey.' An unassuming sort, plodding along, taking everything in, investigative, exhibiting a low-key acceptance of life.

How often have we exclaimed--or heard, 'that name really suits your dog'....or is it the dog who has grown into the name...the subconscious qualities, the subliminal message we send when we utter their name?

So when you bring your new puppy home or decide to keep that 'special one' out of a litter, the first order of the day is to decide on a suitable name.

We can hardly entertain the idea of proudly presenting our newest member of the family without an identity, without a label conjuring up the character and qualities we're hoping the pup will one day embody.

Logically speaking, we should probably wait until our new charge has given us more to go on than the expected accident on the carpet upon bringing it home...it would be more prudent for us to wait for a glimpse into its character and personality.

I believe a dog grows into its name. It will become the embodiment of the name you choose...so choose wisely.