Last updated Mar 08/10  

Pet Corner
Resources for Pets and their Owners

Lost and Found Pets, Pets up for Adoption    Pet Emergencies        Cat Spay/Neuter Program        Training Your Dog

lost and found Missing/Stolen American Bulldog/Boxer Cross - female I met Amanda and her mom while they were frantically searching our neighbourhood for their missing dog, who had been stolen, as described in the poster. The dog has been seen in Point Douglas recently, and at a meeting last night where I showed the poster, a lady said she'd seen a man and woman chasing the dog, catching her, down by the community centre, and loading her into a blue mustang with white stripes. If you have seen this dog or know anyone who has, please contact Amanda at 221-1101 or 414-6224, or text msg at 1-204-216-0207 DOG IS FOUND!!

A Happy Ending -- Nov 6/09 -  This morning around 6:30 AM our young dog Daisy was outside for her morning routine as we were getting ready for work. Shortly after we found our front gate wedged open and our dog gone (this was not like her, or our gate to be open). We searched for hours up and down each street in the area however, no luck.

Our pup is a female Mastiff/Shepard cross, she is the size of an adult lab however only 6 1/2 months old!
She is very friendly (overly friendly)!

Daisy is wearing a red collar with a design. She is a Mastiff/Shepard cross 6 1/2 months old however, the size of a small adult lab.
She is tan in color, with a dark brown/black face mask.

Kristin & Jerry   

The Lovely Daisy HAS BEEN FOUND!

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This is Spirit. Her owner, Shelley, was hit in her car by another car on the Redwood Bridge. Spirit jumped out the window when the accident happened. Shelley and her partner Todd want Spirit back, and we hope you can help. If you see Spirit, please call Shelley at 995-6387 or 770-3718.

SPIRIT HAS BEEN FOUND!! 

Thanks to all who kept a look out for her. She was found on Stephens St near Rover, having been cared for by two girls who had adopted their foundling. They didn't want to part with her but in the end, they did. We're expecting a photo of the happy reunion, to post on the website.

An email from Shelley -

Thank you so much for putting my lost puppy on your website. I’m so glad to meet people who sincerely care. What a great website you have to support your community. It’s a happy ending for us. Found Spirit laying cozy on a lawn with a couple of young girls who were taking good care of her.  She is now safe and sound at home.  All the best to you and thanks again.

Much appreciated, 

Shelley B.                   

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Inner-City Cat Spay/Neuter Program

The goals of the Inner-city Spay and Neuter Program are:

• to educate people in our community of the need to spay and neuter their cats
• to inform them of city bylaws and upcoming changes in bylaws that could affect them ( done through flyers and events)
• to provide access to transportation and transportation to low-cost spay and neuter services
• to advocate for low-income pet owners

Watch for upcoming meeting dates and come out and support this important program.  (childcare not provided)

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Dog Hairs in My Coffee

The Basics        House-training your Dog

	A column for dog owners and dog lovers, written by David Delorme, local dog training guru and dog rescuer Reprinted from The Point Community News Sept/09 Edition Point Douglas has gone to the dogs – literally. There are nearly 400 dogs in our small community, which means we need good dogs and good dog owners. I’ve decided to write a series of articles to help make that possible.
David with one of his rescued dogs, the lovely Ruby

I hope to cover many of these issues with this series of articles. 

It’s best said now: Dogs are not people, they are dogs. It’s unfair and unproductive to associate human emotions and traits with dogs. Doing this can cause a lot of confusion and frustration in a dog’s mind.  

Before getting a new dog, some research must be done.  Getting a large, active dog is probably the wrong choice if you’re not an active person. An active person who wants to jog with their dog probably wouldn’t get a Pug or other toy breed.  

Dog personalities and traits vary greatly from breed to breed. Dogs have been selectively bred for the last 12,000 years and have very little in common with wolves. Certain traits have been encouraged, others have not.  

Many common problems such as dog or people aggression and fear aggression can be solved with early socialization. The best time to socialize a dog with other dogs is between 4 to 6 weeks. Socializing with people is from 4 to 12 weeks. Dogs at older ages can be socialized, too, but it is harder and more time consuming.  

The best way to socialize a dog is to find neighbours with friendly dogs so they can play. Walking your puppy is another good way to introduce them to the sites and sounds of the city. Let people pet them calmly. When you encounter something that it’s afraid of, be patient, don’t force it.  

Dogs are very observant of your body language. If something frightens him and you tighten the leash or act upset, it will reinforce that the object should be feared or not trusted. It’s best to have someone with you that can approach the object, touch it and offer a treat to the dog if he comes to it. Allow the dog to sniff it. Don’t force the dog; this is negative reinforcement and the dog will associate the object with a bad experience.

We’re off to a good start. One of the topics my next article will cover is house training a dog.

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Dog Hairs in My Coffee - House Training your Dog
By David Delorme

House training or house proofing a dog is very easy using a method called crating. A crate is a portable kennel made out of wire or plastic. It should be large enough for the dog to turn and lay down comfortably but not big enough to allow pooping and sleeping at the other end. With puppies you might want to get a bigger one that can accommodate a divider. I personal have used this method for several years on lots of dogs with great success.

Dogs have a natural desire to den and like a cool, dark place to sleep. This is not punishment. It should be a nice safe place for your dog to relax. I have a blanket over mine to create a darker, more peaceful environment.

You should crate your dog whenever it is in the house and is not being actively watched. If you don’t allow your dog to roam about the house, it can’t get into trouble and learn that when it is not being watched it is OK to get into the garbage or eat your aunt’s $200 shoes or have a big fit when someone comes to the door. As your dog settles into a routine you can leave the door open for longer periods. You can use a command such as “crate” or “bed” whenever it enters. Later you can tell the dog to go to his crate when it is necessary. Take your dog to its spot so it can relieve itself as soon as you take it out of the crate.  

Rules for crating:

• The crate is not punishment. Don’t force the dog in, but a gentle push is ok. Be firm but calm.
•  Calmly praise the dog when it goes in, no baby talk or excessive chatter that over excites the dog.
• Dogs should not be in a crate for more than 8 hours and much less for puppies or older dogs with poor control.
• Don’t put water and food in the crate, but a bone or a chew toy is good.
• When you let your dog out be quiet and calm. Don’t make a bug fuss, just take it outside to relieve itself and praise your dog when the deed is done.
• If your dog does make a mess, clean it up. It is not the dog’s fault. You might have to adjust when you feed the dog or it could be a result of illness.
• Don’t over adorn the crate with pillows and such. Dogs prefer a cool, clean environment.
• Don’t let your dog out if it is whining or barking. Wait till it is calm and quiet.

In my next article I will be dealing with exercise and the happy, healthy dog.

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