More Pup Crawl

This is a video from City Hall Park as we all gathered for the Pup Crawl this weekend. Get a load of the range of dogs... from Pomeranians to Pits!

1st Annual Brooklyn Bridge Pup Crawl

Hank & I participated in the 1st Annual Brooklyn Bridge Pup Crawl and had a fantastic time!

It was a gorgeous evening for a walk across the bridge and to be accompanied by hundreds of other dogs and their owners, all with light up Lulu Leashes to benefit animal shelters made it perfect.

I shot lots of short videos and will try to post them little by little. This one is narrated by my friend Lynda who was fairly obsessed with a gorgeous Bernese Mountain Dog named Madison:

Boots Rocks Hide & Seek

Our seminar in Sunset Park last week concluded with a fun game of Hide & Seek for the participants. Hide & Seek is a great way to challenge your dog's recall and teach him to respond even if he can't see you.

Everyone did really well and each dog had their own challenges. Here's a video of a stellar performance by Boots. During the first 2 rounds her owner, Alice, had found hiding spots off to my right. This video is the 3rd round and Alice switched it up and is hidden behind a tree to my far left. Boots, assuming she was once again hiding on the right, took off in that direction. This is what Boots did when she realized Alice was not where she thought she was:

Fantastic!!

Interested in joining us for the seminars? Call (718-812-3890) or email (info@doggieacademy.com) for information.

Huggable Urn

This made me go "EWWW!": Huggable Pet Urns.

While trying to find the right urn for Allie, my daughter Sydney would tell me that she missed Allie, so she would have to hug the cardboard box where we kept Allie's remains.

The urn is made by hand-sewing a pocket in a plushy that resembles your pet or in a personalized pillow. A plastic container with a sealable lid is then slipped inside the pocket. Your pet's ashes can then be placed inside the plastic container. Depending on the size of your pet and the size of the plushy you choose, it is possible that NOT all of your pet's ashes will fit into the plushy.

As much as I've loved my dogs, I never wanted to keep their remains in a stuffed animal to hug. Is it just me? Do you think this will catch on?

Hank vs. Crate

This post is meant to give hope and encouragement to those of you in the process of crate training your dog.

I've had a handful of clients lately that have been frustrated and concerned about their dog in his crate. The process can be really challenging, especially when you're dealing with an older dog that has no prior crate experience. However, I'm here to tell you that it takes time, patience and consistency to get your dog to the point where not only does he accept being in his crate, but also enjoys being in there. It will happen, do not give up!

When I first adopted Hank, he hated his crate. He whined, cried and barked in it so much that I had to sleep in the living room for the first handful of nights he was with us just keep him calm calm enough that our landlord wouldn't evict us.

This is Hank today:

Notice the open door of the crate. Vinny & I were watching the Yankee game and Hank just put himself to bed.

So keep up the good work guys, it will be worth it!

Want to Teach Your Dog to Skateboard?

The Woof Report shared this blog and I wanted to share it too. Dr. Sophia Yin blogged about how to teach a dog to ride a skateboard. Not only does she give clear step by step instructions, but I love that her blog is called Leadership without Force. Check it out the skateboarding tips here.

Personally, I have a soft spot for Tillman, after seeing him on Greatest American Dog. Can your dog do this?

Brooklyn Bridge Pup Crawl

FIDO let me know of this excellent event coming up on September 26th. It's the 1st Annual Brooklyn Bridge Pup Crawl to benefit animal shelters. Hank & I are registered (and unless I have to work we'll be there)! I'm hoping for a beautiful fall night and will bring my Flip camera so I can share all the great Brooklyn Dogs!

I also love that participants receive an illuminated leash. As the owner of a black dog, I can totally see the benefit of that.

Please join us for a moonlit walk across the Brooklyn Bridge to take in the Statue of Liberty and the Manhattan Skyline—and to help provide food to animal shelters across the country. 
The ASPCA estimates that 1 million pets are at risk for being put up for adoption this year due to home foreclosures and heart-breaking decisions about how to reduce household expenses. 



The night will include refreshments for you and your pooch, as well as a special doggie bag with treats to say thanks for helping to feed other pets in need. Prior to the walk, your pup will receive a stylish illuminated dog leash to keep us visible and to light up the night to draw attention to the cause.

The event is free, but we ask that you make a small donation when you register online. All donations go directly—and in full—to our partner shelters.

Want to volunteer or help out? Let us know.

Sunset Park Clean Up

One of the participants of my Sunset Park training seminars has organized a volunteer clean up in the park. So, grab your work gloves (and any yard tools you have handy) and join the group on Sunday, September 13th from 9:30am-12:30pm. A clean park is a benefit to all dog owners (and non-dog owners) in the area!!

For more information on this opportunity to give back, contact Carol Singh at singhcarol85@yahoo.com.