Dish-Houston

A message straight from the DISH dog trainer Stephan Bennett at "Get A Long Little Doggie"....

Hi friends,

I hope this finds you and your pack happy, healthy, and balanced. 

This first year in Houston has been a busy, exciting roller coaster and Get Along Little Doggie is growing.  Slowly but surely! 

A big thank you to all our dedicated clients.

A couple of announcements:

Be sure to tune in tomorrow evening and watch me try to combine dog training with reality television! 

Get Along Little Doggie will be featured  on The Little Couple episode, "Rocky's Revenge".  Rocky is the little couple's little Chihuahua and he rules their house! 

The Little Couple airs Tuesday on TLC @ 9PM.

I discovered that filming a reality television show is not very conducive to practical dog training, but it should be good for a laugh nonetheless!   

About The Little Couple:

Bill Klein and Jen Arnold are just like your average newlyweds -- except for the fact that they're both under 4 feet tall! "The Little Couple" is a new series for TLC that follows the couple as they embark on their new life together. They'll face not only the struggles of two little people in an average-sized world, but will also move to a new city, negotiate the purchase of a home, and weigh the risks of planning a family - all while navigating the ups and downs of any new marriage!

Go to the TLC website for more information: 

**Also, right after the holidays I will be conducting a Trick Training class (Yea for stupid pet tricks!) and a Canine Good Citizen Class.  So make sure you keep up with your training!  Just a little bit every day makes all the difference in the world.

Make sure you check back in with the Get Along Little Doggie website every so often as we are in the process of revamping the website (complete with a Thank You Houston Photo Gallery), and designing a blog with tons of new information. 

And of course, we have jumped on the social networking bandwagon.  Even Cowboy and Hud have their own Dogbook page. 
Become a Fan of Get Along Little Doggie on FACEBOOK.

Thank you all so much for your support and much love and mega woofs to the dogs!

~Stephanie


--
Stephanie Bennett
323-573-0727
steph@getalonglittledoggie.net
www.getalonglittledoggie.net

"If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went."
~Will Rogers  

DISH friend Dow Hickam...and owner of Top Drawer Lingerie...is also a doggie lover! This delish man just brought home his new fur child and sent a few pics to DISH!

HOUSTON...MEET ABBY HICKAM!

Congrats Dow on being a Daddy again and for being so wonderful as to adopt a fur child that needed a good home! There is a special place for you in heaven =)

As we experience on a daily basis here at The Dog Bowl, not everyone has the same "house rules" for their dog(s).

Whatever your house rules/training rules are for your dog one thing is certain - your dog will not succeed unless you (and the whole family) are consistent.

We are currently helping out a friend and client of The Dog Bowl with the training of her Jack Russell Terrier named Dylan (shown on the left with Jennifer). He was a rescued pup and she adopted him approximately 3 years ago... We think he is around 5-6 years old. If you have come into our retail storefront recently you have had the "pleasure" of having us beg you to pet him. (He will be staying with us until tomorrow, Saturday.)

Dylan has A LOT of anxiety... Which many of you know is usually expressed as aggression. In Dylan's case he always needs a "job" and a place to just "be". Many dogs are like this - large or small! So even if you think a smaller dog breed is "easier" guess again! Dylan, for example, has proven to be a challenge, but we are working through it. Every day brings an opportunity to train and work with him (and his visitors/friends). To quote Cesar Millan "Rehabilitate dogs.... train people." Because dogs do behave the way we want them to - this includes the good or the bad.

In our quest to assist Dylan we had to first learn how to best communicate with him and react in an appropriate manner with any negative or inappropriate behaviors "in our pack" we came across Training DVD's as well as Breed Specific DVD's (now offered at The Dog Bowl Online Storefront). These were very helpful in his rehab!

We also took in a few of Cesar Millan's videos & would like to share a few of our favorite points from his show on National Geographic:

• Don't let them climb on you.... You tell them where to be.
• One of the most important things Cesar wants to get across is that dogs are dogs—not humans! (So they communicate differently than we do.)
• Often the solution we would use for a human is totally wrong for solving a dog’s issues.
• Nose/Eyes - claim your space If you reward dominance YOU become a part of HIS pack. His tail is up - checking you out with dominance.
• Discipline is not about being mean it is about being a great dog owner, the greatest.
• Discipline vs. releasing frustration on an animal is not good. It is not good with being angry and then touching anybody (much less your dog). Being calm & assertive to protect yourself.
• When a naturally submissive dogs lives with a human that does not lead, he or she will attempt to right the pack balance by filling what they see as a vacant pack leader role. This is how behavior problems develop.
• If dog is aggressive - Do not touch, no talk, no eye contact with dog. Agression is NOT a breed thing. Aggression is a state of mind.
• No one has ever challenged him - he has gone to "the red zone". Dominant needs to challenge him in the red zone. Challenge in a calm & assertive state.
• 2 dogs - 1 touch the other 1 touches.... 1 is going to win.
• Aggression is a result of 1 or 2 things: (1) Animal that is controlling the situation. (2) Animal that is the pack leader.
• If the animal that is the pack leader. Aggression is NOT what happens right away the OUTCOME (behavior) of insecurity, frustration, anxiety, tension... We don't know what the exact source is.
• Dog is more powerful in their own environment - neurotic behaviors come out in that environment.
• Once they feel how good it feels to be a balanced dog they feel good & say "hey let's do this more".
• Improve your relationship with your dog! Learn how to achieve balance and establish pack leadership with practical tips and techniques.
• Easier to influence calm submissive mind than excited submissive mind. Practice NO talk, can touch & can look at him, but sound brings excitement.
• Consistent with expectations of the dog & consistent with behaviors that we allow & with what we do not allow.
• The more you learn about dog psychology, the better you will be able to connect with your canine companion!
• Remember, there are no quick fixes; pack leadership is a year-round 24/7 commitment.
• Prioritize what is best for the dog.

Whoever said you could not do two things at once was soooo wrong! Paws Houston is one of DISH'S favorite organizations. Here is their latest post on how you can help! If you are able to help, please email Scott@pawshouston.org.

 GIVE A DOG A RIDE

• "Oscar" is an adorable 13 pound Dachshund that rides well in the car and needs transportation to the vet for his annual wellness visit. Oscar lives on the North side of town near Aldine Bender and I-45 and his vet is in Bellaire.

• "Precious" also needs a ride to the vet for her annual wellness visit. Precious is a small Rat Terrier that is cherished by her human mother. Precious lives on the North side of town near I-45 and Airline and her vet is also in Bellaire. Precious has her own carrier so she would be very easy to transport.

Please let Scott know if you are interested in taking either one of these prized pups to the Doctor.

 DOG WALKING TEAM

• PAWS Houston client needs help walking her dog "Honey". Honey is a small adorable 7 pound terrier that absolutely loves people and going for walks. Honey's mom has a hard time getting around and when she does it's with a wheelchair or walker making it difficult to walk her beloved Honey. Honey and her mom live near Woodway and Bering. If you can walk Honey only one time a month within a designated week please let me know. This is a great volunteer opportunity if you happen to live in that area or happen to drive by that area on your way home from work.

OUTREACH - DOG SHOW

The Reliant Park World Series of Dog Shows is one of our largest outreach opportunities; we still need a few volunteers to help man the booth. The following is a list of times,

Thursday: July 16^th - Afternoon Shift 12:30 -p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

(One Volunteer Needed)

Friday: July 17^th - Morning Shift 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

(One Volunteer Needed)

Saturday: July 18^th - Morning Shift 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

(One Volunteer Needed)

Saturday: July 18^th - Afternoon Shift 12:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

(One Volunteer Needed)

Sunday: July 19^th - Morning Shift 8:30 p.m. - 12:30 p.m.

(One Volunteer Needed)

Sunday: July 19^th - Afternoon shift 12:03 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

(One Volunteer Needed)

VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION

 If you have not done so already please R.S.V.P.for the PAWS Houston Volunteer Orientation July 21^st 2009.

R.S.V.P.

When: July 21^st, 2009

5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Where: Bayou on the Bend

High-rise Residential Living

Conference Room - Ground Level

5201 Memorial Drive

Houston Texas 77007

If you are able to help, please email Scott!pawshouston.org

Being in the forefront of a concept that request consumers to consciously "think" about what they are buying we are constantly bombarded by the fact that there are marketing falsities on an astounding amount of available products.

Here is an example: Take "Natural Greenies" or "Smart Greenies" for instance, the packaging alone labels the purchaser as smart and aware of healthy options. But what IS this item? When we break down the chemistry of the "natural" item the findings are in fact quite contrary to the labeling. It is as if the manufacturer is telling you, the consumer, one thing and selling you another.

"Low fat", "low carbs", "all natural", and of course, the newly popular "organic" wording is practically on everything marketed from toilet paper and shoes, to food items.

As a consumer and a smart one at that, all we simply have to do is take a second and think about the item in question. Ignore all the beautiful packaging and labels and think about what it took to put that item on the shelf. At the very least, question what it takes to sustain that item in it's container or bag.

The conclusion of your thoughts will no doubt be in conflict with the "wonder ingredients" that is formulated as natural and true. Yes - they were real at one point & then they were changed to what you see now, and of course processed. Hmmmmm

So getting back to "real and basic" it seems that if it were in fact "natural and real" it would rot and break down - real items do. For example, if you leave an apple out on the table over the course of a month it starts to deteriorate. Well of course it does! It is a fresh, real item. And as a smart consumer we don't need a label to tell us that!

Thanks JACKIE from The Dog Bowl!

In the way they raise awareness and money for their cause...which DISH is fully behind! Tonight, it's YAPPY HOUR! heehee

It's at Open City Bar & Bistro! From 5:30 – 7:30pm, enjoy drinks with the Houston Humane Society & HOT 95.7! Entry fee is $10 ($8 dollars goes directly to the HHS), which includes your first drink and enters you into a raffle to win a fabulous prize! Relax, unwind and support the tireless efforts of the Houston Humane Society. Open City is located at 2416 Brazos Street

FUN!

This, my DISHIE friends ,is what DISH is all about. This is why DISH was created! It's all about giving back to the community! Here is a great event where you can give back to the community of the worlds fur children!

Need groceries? Love animals? Support the Houston Humane Society with your weekly grocery shopping list. Shop and fill up your grocery carts at your local Whole Foods Market on Wednesday, June 24th! Whole Foods Market will be donating 5% of the net sales from the entire day to HHS from four Houston area locations.

Participating in Community Giving Day is a great way to show your support for the Houston Humane Society, a non-profit animal shelter dedicated to eliminating cruelty, abuse, and the overpopulation of animals. HHS receives no federal, state, or local funding and relies solely on donations and special events like Community Giving Day. Community Giving Day could earn up to $15,000 for the HHS- just think about how many animals could be helped with that money!!

Participating locations:
2955 Kirby Drive, Houston, TX 77098
4004 Bellaire, Houston, TX 77025
11145 Westheimer Road, Houston, TX 77042
6401 Woodway, Houston, TX 77057

DISH will absolutely be getting our shop on ttomorrow! Good thing we are out of our organic lavender infused pup treats! It will be our reason for going to Whole Foods tomorrow!

Everyone likes giving a little puppy or kitten for Holiday. That's great if you are a good pet owner, there are tons of animals up for adoption right now that were Holiday pets last year that were gifts to not so responsible pet owners. If you want to give a pet for Holiday then please consider adopting one from one of the many places around town. CAP is a good place to adopt because they put animals down after only a couple of weeks, So you can go save a life!

There is also a place down in the new Pavillions! It's next to Forever XXI and right downtown so you can pick one up on your way home! The pet adoption center will be open on the weekends, starting Saturday, November 29 and will run through Sunday, December 28. Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

There is also the one in Highland Village where the Sharper Image used to be next to William Sanoma. That's where we got the DISH Dog Kaisur 4 years ago on Dec. 18th! =)

Give a needy pet a loving this holiday season. It will make you a better person! =)

Here's the problem with CAPS...they put animals down!!! The DISH Dog Trainer found Rosie the other day and is not able to keep her because he has a small apt with 2 dogs and no yard. Rosie is at CAPS now but comes with FREE DOG TRAINING if you can rescue her before her death date...no pressure there!! DISH has offered to foster her until a suitable home is found. HELP US OUT!!! Click HERE for more info!!!

This is so perfect sine the DISH Dogs are long little doggies! heeeheee

The DISH Dogs are starting DISH Doggie Training today! During IKE we had to travel together...usually the DISH Dogs get borded but alas, not this time. This is the first time the youngest DISH Dog got to travel with Mommy. He was in strange houses, around strange people and other strange animals..this brought out the worst in him! Needless to say it's TRAINING TIME! In walks Stephanie with Get A Long Little Doggie Training!

We will take great pics and keep you updated on the progress. We are starting with a 5 week program! Wish us luck!!

If you are looking for a furry friend or just wanting to love on one for a while You have to know about Red Collar Rescue!!

They have a huge network of nurturing and caring foster homes for fur children that are awaiting adoption! The provide rescue services, vet care, foster care, and adoptive placement to stray and abandoned dogs and cats.  All of their animals are vaccinated, spayed or neutered, micro-chipped, and on heartworm preventative. All animals in their program are fostered by individuals who keep the dog or cat at their residence until it is adopted. Please consider becoming a foster parent and opening your home to a dog or cat in need.

If you are looking for a fur child of your own, they will be holding pet adoptions at Kiehl's in Highland Village the 2nd and 4th weekend of each month! While you are there, pick up some of the pet shampoo and conditioner for your babies! DISH'S new fav is the spray on dry shampoo! With our fur children being so close to the ground, it's helpful! =)

Make sure you ask for Chris when in there, he's the sweetest and gives the best hugs! =)

This is hands down the cutest thing DISH has ever seen!!! You will love this video and send it to all of your friends! =)

Summer Don’ts

There are several summer hazards pet owners should be aware of. Here are five things you should never do with your dog:

• Don't leave your dog in a parked car Even with the window cracked, temperatures can rise up to 30 degrees in the space of a few minutes this puts pets in danger of heat stroke when the indoor temperature reaches 110 degrees. Even when it's 70 degrees outside, it is going to be suffocating in a quick amount of time in a car!

• Don't tie your dog up outside in the blazing sun Our canine pals need an escape during sunny summer months, so if you plan to leave your fur child outside, make sure that it can find shelter under a tree shade, a porch or other structure. The heat is not only a danger to your dog, but your pet can also become sunburned if it’s a thin-coated or wire-haired breed. And make sure to leave a full water bowl out for your baby as well.

• Don't put sunscreen made for humans on your pooch Chemicals in some sunscreens can be harmful if pets ingest them. What dog won't try to lick off anything you put on it if given the option? Pet stores sell sunscreens formulated especially for dogs.

• Don't exercise your pup under the midday sun Chasing sticks or a Frisbee, or even a long walk, can put extra strain on a dog during peak sun times, just like it does to you. The heat of the day can take a toll particularly on dogs who are overweight, older or who have certain diseases..again just like you!
• Don't walk your dog on asphalt unless you test the temperature A dog's paw pads are susceptible to burns! so before heading out for a walk, slip off your shoes and stand on the pavement with bare feet first! If it's not comfortable for you, it's not going to be comfortable for your dog either.

Well Comcast has finally done something worth while! Comcast has launched a pet adoption channel through their ON DEMAND service available to digital cable customers. The site features dogs, cats and other animals up for adoption at the Houston SPCA. Profiles will be refreshed on the channel every two weeks

How good is that??? YEAH COMCAST! Now be really good and bring down my cable/internet bill!

Can you believe that more than 14,000 animals were adopted from the Houston SPCA in 2008??? WOW!  

This is the pup that I got to rescue Sunday night wandering around S. Braeswood. She's a Cocker Spaniel and is soooooo well trained! She is chipped, but we are not able to locate her parents. Pumpkin is currently hanging out with the Cocker Spaniel Rescue people and they adore her. She's very well behaved! She sits and lays down when you tell her to. She's better behaved than my own two pups! They are grooming her, taking her to the doggie dentist and getting her shots. If you are interseted in a pup, let me know! She's looking for a loving home!