Published by:Christopher Aust, Master Trainer Master-Dog-Training.com
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Well, it's nice to be back writing the newsletter again. I truly believe I have some of the best readers anywhere and am thankful for all your kindness and well-wishes. Our article this week is about one of the things I often talk about in the newsletter and relates back to last weeks article, “Commitment,” as well. There are more things going on in the world of dogs that are overlooked, or simply not given consideration, because many well-meaning owners simply close their eyes to them or don't take the time to stay informed on the issues. There is breed-banning legislation being slipped through with minimal public announcement, only to later be overturned for being costly and ineffective after a few years. Who does it cost? Not the legislators passing the laws, but the public taxpayer. Then there are the families forced to get rid of their dogs, move or fined for not being responsible dog owners. This is an example, but there are several other issues out there that are similar. Dog parks shutting down, limiting access to public areas where dogs were once allowed, shooting strays by public officials and substandard Animal Control facilities and training. We need to keep ourselves informed of issues going on and voice an opinion when we see something wrong.
So, the FDA continues their investigation of Proheart 6. If your dog becomes sick after being injected with this medication, report it immediately to the FDA at 1-888-fda-vets, or visit their website at www.fda.gov. If your dog is getting ready for his heartworm test and preventative, ask your veterinarian what they are using. If they are using Proheart 6, you might want to ask them for an alternative treatment. If they don't offer one, find another vet.
Female Chongqing Dog
Okay, that's it for today. I'm outta here!
Christopher
Dog Chewing the Sofa? Puppy Eating Your Shoes? Or WORSE?
Did you see the post on Dogs Life (Business Networking) about the new show Animal Planet is doing. It's called “Who Gets the Dog.” It seems rather reckless what they are doing and was wondering what you thought. You can also read about it at the show's web site. www.whogetsthedog.com Name Withheld
I became a little concerned when they did a show that featured a lady who calls herself a "behaviorist" and conducted the most ridiculous temperament testing I have ever seen to determine which dogs in a shelter should live and which should die. After seeing this particular show, I became a little disenchanted with Animal Planet.
“Who Gets the Dog” is being produced by LMNO Productions in Los Angeles. They have a long list of shows to their credit with many Emmy awards attached to their principals. They are also in partnership with London Weekly Television in the UK. For the most part, I don't have a problem with the shows they have produced. They simply aren't my cup of tea. They have projects like “Super Surgery,” “Extreme Evidence,” “Celebrity Boot Camp,” “Race to the Altar” and “I wanna be a Soap Star!” For me, mostly mind numbing stuff I would take a pass on.
Turning the tables on humans who always pick their pets, Who Gets the Dog? is a reality program that lets the dogs decide where and with whom they will live! Each week, one lucky canine packs his or her bags and journeys to three different homes in search of a loving family. The dogs, picked from local animal shelters in Los Angeles, spend 24 hours in each home. After playing and participating in various activities, each dog will decide with the help of our professional animal experts, which family to call its own.
At first glance, it all sounds rather sweet and innocent. The sweet little doggie is rescued from the shelter and finds a new and loving home. The poor abandoned dog finally gets to make the human the “underdog” so to speak. Kind of gives you the warm and fuzzies, so, what is the problem? Where to begin ... where to begin?
First off, the show's premise is that the dog makes the choice. The dog isn't choosing anything, the “professional animal experts” are. I doubt the dog and experts are conferring after each visit to determine what the dog felt about the people and experience. We all know that simply isn't going to happen. Now I consider myself, as do many others, to be one of the best in the business when it comes to canine behavior and understanding. There is absolutely no way I would put myself in a position to make such a critical life changing decision for a dog or person under such conditions. I also believe any “expert” who would needs to spend a little more time in school or have their head examined. We have to understand what is happening to the dog. (You would think these “experts” would know this!) I truly wonder at the motivation of these experts for joining this project. I suspect it is either the desire for their fifteen minutes of fame or profit generated. I don't care what their qualifications or training, I believe they have violated their obligation to the beast for either profit or fame.
Dogs left at the shelter are generally under a huge amount of stress regardless of the circumstances of how the dog got there. The truth of the matter is even when an owner relinquishes a dog to a shelter, they rarely give a full and detailed explanation of the dog's behavior, habits or the reason they are giving up the dog. When a dog is found by strangers, of course, nothing is known. Now we have the dog in a shelter where they are scared, in unknown surroundings, usually uncomfortable and damp. They are given minimal attention from staff, which is usually over-worked and dependent upon volunteers. The dog's diet is usually inconsistent from what they are used too, as well. This creates a high level of stress, which, in turn, usually leads to temporary changes in the dog's personality and behavior. I don't know how many clients I have had that have gotten dogs from shelters where the information about the dog's personality given by shelter staff was completely inaccurate. Now we take a dog in this condition and in one week subject it to at least three environmental changes, and as many as seven if the dog returns to the shelter between visits to the individual families. Each of these families I am sure will shower the dog with love only to “reject” (at least in the dogs eyes) the dog. This will do nothing but cause additional stress on the dog. Now after it all, the dog goes to its forever home after being through a process, which completely destroyed the dog's confidence having had the rejection process repeated on it numerous times. All of this done when the dog was at an extremely high stress point with absolutely no understanding of what is going on or the Neilson ratings process.
Now we have to consider the people who would go onto such a show. I'm not saying they are shallow or “bad” people, but it is something that needs to be considered. I have been around people in show business in my time, in fact, my best friend has a few Emmys of his own as a Producer and Director. I also have family members in the biz. With that in mind, and the new trend of reality shows showing the auditions for these types of shows, I think I have a good grasp. I'm not going to sit here and say I think everyone who applies for this show is only looking to have their fifteen minutes of fame and doesn't love dogs. What I will say is that many people will say anything to have that 15 minutes. Beyond this, we have to be honest and realize the prospect of being on television can often motivate well-meaning people to make inappropriate decisions. Let's say for instance the family doesn't like the dog after having their home invaded by cameras, telling all their friends about the show and contest, (that is what it is only the prize is a living creature) and putting on their “party manners” for the show? Do you think if they didn't like the dog and they won, they would say, “Oh sorry, we were just playing for the camera?” Hell no they aren't! The dog will more than likely end up in another shelter, more screwed up than he ever should have been in the first place. I have been on camera a couple of times in my life. Each time, it was just a couple of cameras and it was a little nerve wracking to say the least. I did okay but I was still nervous and not necessarily myself. The same thing will happen to many of these families, and the dog will sense their nervousness. As a result, the dog could very well act differently and cause the “experts” (I'm having a hard time calling them this) to make an inappropriate match for the dog.
The executives of LMNO are relying on these “experts” to give the show credibility. They apparently, as far as I can tell, are all from the Humane Society of the United States. (HSUS) The problem I see with this is HSUS is also a non-profit, dependant upon donations and fees. Quite honestly, I don't agree with all their views, but I didn't think they would become involved with a project such as this. Perhaps contributions are down, and they view this as something to give them a boost. I just don't know. It sure doesn't sound like the experts designed this program. I can see the marketing department, but not a credible canine behavior expert. I will have to give considerable thought to working with HSUS or even giving them a donation if their experts endorse this program.
The long and short here is this is a “reality show.” We have all seen the after show interviews with contestants of these shows, where the contestant says things get misconstrued when the show airs. After all, often hundreds and hundreds of hours are taped to go into a one or two hour show. They have to show what is marketable. I understand the producers have to make money and protect themselves against law-suits and such. We live in a litigious society. There are contracts, liability releases, disclosure agreements, and Lord knows what else, usually created by attorneys who have carefully put it together to protect their client. The people who apply to be on these types of shows do so with the full knowledge of what they are getting into.
The difference is the dogs don't know what they are getting into. In my opinion, this is only slightly better than a puppy mill. It seems to be profit at the expense of the animal. I am sure everyone involved believes they are doing something good but they really aren't. If they were, I would think they would donate ALL profits to numerous private, non-profit rescue and welfare operations around the world. The show also would need to be completely revamped: their taping procedures, involved experts, testing procedures for dogs and applicant families. There would need to be clear disclaimers to the public about adopting rescued dogs, the unusual and unrealistic nature of the project and no endorsements for one particular rescue/welfare operation. This might be a start. But just that. A start. You know, I said earlier, and in last week's article, about the commitment we owe our dogs and the responsibility we have to them. I am providing you all the email addresses to the producers of this show, Animal Planet and HSUS. Take a minute to voice your concerns and let them all know a dog in trouble is not a prize to be won or a commodity to be exploited.
(Their link to email them apparently doesn't exist at the time of this writing. Go figure.)
Discovery's Animal Planet
Humane Society of the United States
Next week, I will do a short piece on a solution for making this project something that could be a positive for rescued dogs and be based on true “reality.”
If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you. That is the principal difference between man and dog. ~ Mark Twain ~ HERO DOG
Emsie, the dachshund, is the constant companion of Elsje-Marie Lombard who has owned the dog for two years. In June, the two were playing in their yard when the little girl's father, Jacques, heard Elsje-Marie begin to scream. He arrived in time to see Emsie attack the snake and throw it away from the little girl. “The snake was poised to strike when Emsie stepped in.” Jacques related. “She just jumped in front of Elsje-Marie and grabbed the snake which was at least three times longer than the dog." Both the dog and little girl escaped uninjured. Mail Bag
I'm sure that many people have told you that we look forward to your newsletter every week and I was disappointed when I didn't find it. But, as the saying goes, "Priorities are ...," so your absence was understandable. Good luck and welcome back.
Kent M.
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"Hey, girls," says the brunette, "let's go home early tomorrow. She'll never know." So the next day, they all leave right after the boss does. The brunette gets some extra gardening done, the redhead goes to a bar, and the blonde goes home to find her husband in bed with the female boss! She quietly sneaks out of the house and returns at her normal time. "That was fun," said the brunette the next day. "We should do it again sometime." "No way!" says the blonde. "I almost got caught!"
Thank You For Reading! Have a Terrific Week!
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