Age: Approximately 4

Breed: Dachshund/Catahoula Mix

I met Joyce Davis about a year ago. I was alone, in a shelter near Dallas and about to give birth to 7 puppies. I didn’t know why I was there, how long I would have to stay or what was going to happen to me.

I had been misidentified as a purebred Dachshund, so the Weiner Dog Rescue from Houston wasn’t able to take me in. Luckily, Joyce from S.A.F.E. House Rescue found a foster home for me while I waited to give birth. That foster family kept my puppies and found homes for all of them.

Joyce took me home, cleaned me up, had me spayed and found a foster home for me at Miss Daisy’s Dog Camp with Debbie Oliver. “Why would someone do that?” I wondered. Over the course of several months while she visited me at my foster home, Joyce filled me in on S.A.F.E. House Rescue, their mission,  why they picked me and Joyce’s mission to find me (and lots of other shelter dogs) forever homes.

Roxy: Joyce, I was so out of sorts before you found me. Why did you pick me to help?

Joyce: You were just such a fabulous dog, Roxy. You have such a sweet personality. I also wanted to make sure your puppies were well cared for and that all of you found loving, permanent homes. I placed you with Debbie because she is an expert at helping shy dogs who have some confidence issues like you used to have. I’m so proud of both of you for all the progress you’ve made!

Roxy: So Debbie has helped other dogs find homes?

Whitney was a foster dog at S.A.F.E. House rescue who now travels the world with her forever family.

Joyce: Debbie has helped LOTS of dogs find homes, Roxy. She once fostered a Chihuahua named Whitney. We don’t usually know the history of the dogs we take into our foster program, but whatever happened to Whitney, she was terrified of people. And the only way she knew to defend herself was to bite. I just knew Debbie would be able to help her. After receiving some TLC and gentle, positive training, Whitney overcame her fear of people, and she’s never had an issue with biting since. In fact, Whitney travels all over North America with her forever family going to horse shows and equestrian events. It is such a sight to see – tiny little Whitney hanging out with giant horses. And she is completely happy and comfortable. I love it when things turn out so well for a dog we’ve helped rescue.

Roxy: I’ve never met Whitney, but I did meet a former foster dog named Phoebe.

Joyce: Yes! Phoebe was fostered by Debbie, too, and adopted by a family who already had two dogs. She was terribly shy when we got her. In fact, she was so shy, she didn’t even want to eat if a person was in the room with her.

Roxy: I don’t believe it! I’ve spent some time with Phoebe, and she is playful and outgoing and affectionate. You mean to tell me she was AFRAID when she first got here?

Joyce: Yep, and you see what a fantastic girl she blossomed into! Just because a dog is shy or fearful or nervous when we first get them doesn’t mean they are going to stay that way. I’d probably be afraid too if I ended up in a shelter where I didn’t know anyone.

Roxy: There are so many dogs without homes. How did we all end up like this?

Joyce: We don’t always know why a dog ends up in a shelter. I think some people just don’t realize the kind of commitment it is to have a dog companion. Some dogs develop health problems their owners can’t afford to treat. Some people move away and can’t take their dogs with them.  Some dogs get separated from their human families but don’t have any identification to help them reunite. Other people don’t want to keep their dogs after they have human children. Some dogs are removed from unhealthy or unsafe situations by animal control officers. Dogs have been surrendered when their owners find out they are pregnant. Some dogs intended as Christmas gifts end up in shelters by Valentine’s Day when the excitement and newness have worn off and the reality of the responsibility of dog ownership settles in. We’ve even heard of dogs being turned into a shelter because they didn’t coordinate with an owner’s home décor. But at S.A.F.E. House, our focus is on helping as many dogs as we can be healthy and happy and find permanent homes.

Roxy: So what happens once you pick up a dog from a shelter?

Joyce: Each dog has its own, special needs, but we always make sure each one is seen by a veterinarian, and we treat any medical issues they might have – fleas & ticks, heartworms, broken bones, skin infections, spay or neuter, etc. Not all dogs need extensive medical care, but they all get seen by a doctor. Then, they are placed in a foster home where volunteers care for them until a permanent home is found.

Quizzie is an adorable little girl who was fostered by Debbie Oliver at Miss Daisy's Dog Camp. With such a cute face, it didn't take long for Quizzie to find her forever home.

Roxy: You just said “spayed or neutered.” I know some people don’t understand why a dog needs to be “fixed.” Well, after having a litter of puppies, I know why. But why should a human care whether their dogs are fixed.

Joyce: There are several reasons. A neutered male dog is much less likely to wander and get hit or killed by a vehicle. There are certain types of cancers and health problems that can be avoided in both sexes of dogs when they are fixed. And fixing your dog is the best way to help reduce the number of animals in shelters, so all of our foster dogs are spayed or neutered.

Roxy: What does a foster family do while a dog lives with them?

Joyce: A foster family first and foremost loves the dog and treats them like a member of their family. They bathe them, feed them, walk them and make sure they are learning basic manners. We have about 15 volunteer foster families. Their role in the rescue process is crucial! They help dogs like Whitney and Phoebe learn to live in a normal home environment. So, they get a chance to settle into a regular routine, and we get to see what their REAL personalities are like – not just how they behave when they first arrive at a shelter and are in an unfamiliar place with strange dogs and new people.

Roxy: I know Debbie loves me like a member of her family, but is it really possible that EVERY SINGLE foster dog at S.A.F.E. House gets the attention and affection I get here?

Freddy is being fostered by a S.A.F.E. House volunteer. As soon as his leg is healed, he'll go to live with his forever family and new sister Whitney.

Joyce: Absolutely! Our foster family volunteers have big hearts, and they do what they do because they love dogs. In fact, we recently took in a dog to our foster program that needed a lot of help. A good Samaritan called animal control when they saw someone throw a small dog out of a pickup truck window into a ditch. Freddy was a 5-year-old Chihuahua. He had never been neutered. He didn’t have any identification. He was tossed in the ditch, and landed in an ant bed. But his front left leg was broken, so he wasn’t able to get away. By the time animal control officers found him, he had been bitten all over his body. He had hair loss, a broken bone, and needed to be neutered, but his adorable, funny personality was intact. By his personality alone, you’d never guess what he’d been through. His foster mom took him to regular vet appointments to get him healthy. First, we had to let his skin heal before he could be neutered. He only weighed two and a half pounds, so his leg couldn’t really be put in a cast; it had to be put in a splint. His foster mom watched over him until, one by one, all of his health problems had been addressed. And just recently, Freddy found a forever home with Whitney’s family! Once he gets the ok from the vet that his leg is healed, Freddy will join Whitney for a life spent with people who will adore him and care for him.

Roxy: Caring for all of us sounds like a big responsibility, especially the veterinary care. How does it all get paid for?

Joyce: It can be expensive to care for so many dogs while they await adoption. The foster families provide high-quality food for the foster dogs, but S.A.F.E. House Rescue is responsible for their medical care. Adoption fees help cover a small portion of our costs, but most of our costs are covered by generous people who make donations to us. Veterinary care isn’t cheap, so we are always grateful when we get a donation.

Jay Jay, a mixed breed puppy, is one of about 250 dogs S.A.F.E. House Rescue will place in permanent homes this year.

Roxy: How many dogs have you helped?

Joyce: S.A.F.E. House will place approximately 250 foster dogs in permanent homes this year.

Roxy: Holy smokes, Joyce! 250! That’s a lot. How long have you been doing this?

Joyce: I started S.A.F.E. House with a friend ten years ago. But remember, 250 IS a lot of dogs. But… there are dozens and dozens of rescue groups in our area all trying to find homes for abandoned animals. (And unfortunately, there are still many, many dogs that don’t get removed from shelters and placed in homes.) Some groups focus on rescuing a specific breed. Some rescue puppies. Some focus on dogs that need special medical care. I hope people know they can find almost any type of dog they are looking for with a rescue group.

Roxy: Ten years is a long time. Do you ever get tired of doing this? It sounds like a lot of exhausting work – making sure 250 dogs a year get removed from shelters, nursed back to health and placed in permanent homes. You don’t get paid for what you do. What keeps you going?

S.A.F.E. House Rescue dog Minnie Mouse was adopted by her forever dad when he heard what a good experience someone else had adopting a rescue dog.

Joyce: Happy endings! We do see some sad things running a rescue group, but all the happy endings we witness make the hard work worth it. We helped a purebred Golden Retriever named Romeo find a home several years ago. Romeo had been picked up by an animal control officer and taken to the local shelter. He was wearing an ID tag, so his family was contacted. They showed up to claim him, but ended up leaving him there when they were told they would have to pay a fee to take him home. We took him into our rescue program and found a perfect fit for him. A little boy was having a hard time during a transition in his family, and his mom thought a dog might be a good kind of informal therapy for him. Romeo was so well behaved. He knew basic commands, was potty trained and knew how to walk on a leash. The boy and Romeo became lifelong best friends. Every morning when the boy would leave for school, Romeo would stand at the door, get up on his back legs and hug his human friend goodbye. And when he came home in the afternoon, they would hug again. That dog got to spend his entire life with a best friend who couldn’t wait to see him, who let him sleep in bed with him, who loved him and cared for him. And that little boy got a best friend who helped him through some difficult times. It was good for everyone. Romeo has since moved on to Doggy Heaven, but his human companion knows how much joy a rescue dog can bring to your life. He says when he’s finished with college and in a permanent home, he’s going to adopt another rescue dog.

Roxy: That just made me a little teary. Do you think I will end up in a home like that?

Foster Camper Roxy has a soft spot in her heart for puppies.

Joyce: Absolutely, Roxy. One of the things a rescue group can do that most shelters can’t is to do a really good job of matching dogs with appropriate families. Some dogs love kids. Some dogs like to run. Some like to be couch potatoes. Some do best in a home with other dogs, and some prefer to be an only pet. Potential adoptive families fill out an application with us that helps us select the right dog for them. It might not always be quick, but S.A.F.E. House tries very hard to match the right dog with the right humans. And since our dogs are already in safe foster homes, we can take our time to find a good match.

Roxy: Is that why you had me fill out a biography to go on the S.A.F.E. House web site? I felt like I was signing up for online dating!

Joyce: In a way, it is a little like online dating. We put as much information as we can about the dogs we have available for adoption to help potential families select the dog they’d like to adopt. Of course, we can’t include everything on our web site. But, for instance, you said you wanted people to know you are a low maintenance dog, right? We try to convey that in your online profile.

Roxy: Goodness, yes! I don’t do drama. I’m looking for a nice, quiet, stable life. I don’t need to travel the world or have a closet full of clothes. I hear lots of men prefer low-maintenance gals, so maybe one of them will see my profile! Yeah, my motto is “Keep It Simple.” I’m not an exercise fiend. I’m house trained and crate trained. As long as someone can give me some cuddles and a cozy place to take a nap, we’ll get along just fine.

Foster dog Roxy makes sure Santa knows she wants a forever home.

Joyce: You’ve got such a positive outlook, Roxy. I know you’re going to find a great home!

Roxy: What do you think people should think about before they get a dog?

Joyce: Lots of things. If they are looking for a specific breed, they should do lots of research about the traits and needs of that breed and not just get one because they like the way it looks. They should consider how much exercise it needs, the type of grooming it requires, whether or not it will be prone to certain health problems, and the cost of life-long veterinary care. People should understand that ALL DOGS will need some type of training – they’re not mind readers after all. So I think people should be willing to take a basic obedience course with their dog or have a good relationship with a qualified trainer. What each dog owner hopes to get from their relationship with their animal companion will be different, and a trainer can help show them how to meet those goals so both of you are happy. Of course, I think everyone should consider getting their dog from a rescue group or a shelter, but if someone really wants to get their dog from a breeder, they need to research the breeder carefully, too. Quality breeders will not sell their dogs at flea markets, on the side of the road or to pet stores.

Roxy: What are the benefits of getting a dog from a rescue group?

Roxy hopes her online profile will help her find a forever home soon.

Joyce: Dogs from rescue groups are usually up to date on their shots and have already been spayed or neutered. Also, with a rescue group, a person has the opportunity to choose the age of dog they prefer. Puppies are a lot more work than most people anticipate, so adopting an adult dog is a good option for a lot of people. With an adult dog, you can often skip the teething phase, the potty training phase, the crate training phase, and the rigorous demands of socializing them. Plus, if you adopt an adult dog, you know what size they are, period. With mixed breed puppies where we aren’t 100% certain the breeds of the parents, their adult size is often a best-guess estimate of the rescue volunteers. Also, it feels good to rescue a dog that might have been euthanized in a shelter. I tend to believe rescue dogs are especially loyal to their humans. I think on some level they understand what has happened to them.

Roxy: So what kind of human are you searching for for me?

Joyce: You definitely need a human who loves a sofa companion. Your foster mom Debbie tells me you’ve taken over the sofa in her den. You are also a little shy, so we are searching for a family who understands that and is willing to give you some time to settle into your new home. Debbie also says you adore puppies, so maybe we can find a home where you will have a little playmate.

Editor’s Note: If you think you might be a good human match for Roxy, you can find more information and make an appointment to meet her or any other of S.A.F.E. House Rescue’s adoptable dogs by visiting www.safehouserescue.org.

Age: 5

Breed: Sheltie

Topic: Extreme Doggy Makeovers

Most of you know me as the well-dressed social director at Miss Daisy’s Dog Camp. I’ve got a wardrobe full of couture dresses, and I attend every party held here to make sure each one is fabulous. What many of you may not know is that I wasn’t always such a well-adjusted social dog. In fact, when I found my way into my forever home, I required quite a bit of patience and training. I underwent what I like to call an “Extreme Doggy Makeover.”  I like to believe that great dogs aren’t just born, they are created with the help of thoughtful, kind, patient and loving human companions. Some of my camper friends might challenge me on this point, but I think I have the BEST human companion ever!

When I came to Debbie’s house from Abandoned Animal Rescue in Tomball, I was terrified of just about everything. I didn’t want to come out of my crate. I was fearful of people. I was afraid to go through doors. I didn’t want to eat. I didn’t want to ride in a car. I didn’t want a bath. I wasn’t potty trained. I didn’t want my nails trimmed. (That last one just blows my mind today. What kind of girl doesn’t LOVE a manicure?)

After lots of gentle training and patience and love, Debbie helped me complete my Extreme Doggy Makeover. Now, I love to dress up and have my nails done. I participate in agility classes (which really gave me confidence and helped me come out of my shell). I have a FABULOUS recall. I get along with other dogs. I get excited to ride in the car and make new friends.

As it turns out, a few of my camp friends have undergone their own Extreme Doggy Makeovers. They each had different challenges, but all of them had human companions that believed in them and loved them. The following interviews detail how each of them completed their makeovers. Although there is no magic word, no magic wand that can be waved to create a well-behaved dog, these canine-human teams have found that patience, practice and consistency can produce amazing, dramatic results!

Brodie, Aussie, 6 years old, and her human Mari

Before: Brodie couldn’t be in a crate calmly and was reactive on walks and also toward people near her home. After: Brodie knows her crate is her very own safe place. She loves to go in it. She can walk without reacting to people, cars and other dogs. Her family actually LIKES to take her on walks!

Brodie was living with her third family when she started her makeover process. It is not certain what happened with her first family, but a professional who met Brodie while the family lived in the northwest suspected she had been crated inappropriately and had developed a fear of confinement. During her stay with her second family, Brodie lived with other dogs, but was never socialized in a healthy way. She had never worn a collar or a leash and had never been walked. There were signs of possible abuse or neglect. During her first walk with her current family, Brodie was afraid of everything – busses, dogs, people, cars, bicycles, etc. Although it is not discussed openly or very often because they don’t want to hurt her feelings, Brodie’s family at one point considered turning her into a rescue group because they were so overwhelmed with her behavioral issues. Luckily, they decided against that option and found their way to Extreme Doggy Makeover specialist, Debbie Oliver, who is also the owner of Miss Daisy’s Dog Camp.

Sophie: Brodie, what did you want to makeover about yourself?

Brodie: I suppose the main issue I had was that I was afraid of a lot of things. I was afraid to go on walks mostly, but I also was scared when cars and people went in front of my house. I know my humans dreaded ever taking me for a walk. They didn’t really “argue” but they did have to take turns walking me because none of us really enjoyed it. Still, I needed the exercise. I acted out in ways that weren’t appropriate, like barking and pulling on my leash, but I didn’t know how else to get what I wanted, it made things go away because I looked like I was mean.

Mari: She became very protective of the house. She even started to jump the fence and chase away runners. She was so reactive. Once we started training, Brodie learned to overcome her reactivity and cope with her anxiety.

Sophie: What do you think is the most important thing you learned?

Brodie: Definitely to communicate with my humans better. When I get nervous now, I can look at Mari a certain way, and she knows it means I want to leave. I don’t have to tear up the drapes or bark or hop the fence to get what I want now.

Mari: I learned not to humanize Brodie, and to accept her for who she is. Also, to persevere and never give up. I learned to individualize my dog and her training plan. We learned to monitor and adjust as we went through the process.

Sophie: Mari, how is your family different since Brodie had her makeover?

Mari: Our kids understand Brodie better. We all look forward to walking her. Brodie learned to love her crate, and we call it her house. If ever she is afraid or nervous now, she goes there because she knows it is a safe place. The dog we rescued two years ago is not the dog we have now. Brodie is a wonder dog! I am so glad we didn’t give up!

Shelly, Bischon, 1 year old, and her human Emily

Before: Shelly would bark at visitors to her home and tended to bully other dogs during play. She also was highly reactive to anything “new” during walks – fire hydrants, people, dogs, cars, even blowing leaves. After: Shelly greets visitors to her home happily, has many doggy friends and loves going on walks now that she can approach new situations with calm confidence.

Sophie: Shelly, your human told me that some of her friends don’t even believe you are the same dog since your makeover. What happened?

Shelly: People misunderstood me. I always had lots of energy and made a lot of noise. I was just excited. But the people around me misunderstood and thought I was going to bite. I love people. I would never bite, but my behavior was confusing to the humans.

Emily: She barked at people and dogs on walks and she did a lot of lunging and pulling on her leash. My fiancé was afraid to walk her because he didn’t know how she was going to behave. People didn’t want to visit us. It didn’t just affect me and Shelly. It affected everyone around us. It made the people and dogs around us on walks nervous because her barking made them afraid.

Sophie: It sounds like you had a lot of love to give, Shelly, but you didn’t know how to express it. Is that right?

Shelly: It is. Also, I didn’t like new things, so sometimes walks could be a little nerve-wracking for me. Noises, trash cans, cars, blowing leaves, bicycles… there is just so much out there in the world. Sometimes it’s hard to take it all in!

Sophie: Emily, it sounds like you had your hands full. What finally worked?

Emily: I learned to recognize Shelly’s body language BEFORE she got so nervous and out of control. I taught her to turn away when she wanted to leave a situation. Shelly learned to communicate to me.

Sophie: Life must be very different for the two of you now.

Shelly: Absolutely, people can come over to visit us now. I can go on walks with Emily and approach other people and dogs because I know I have a safe way to leave if I want to. I have so many friends now that Emily helped me learn how to interact with the world.

Sunny, Poodle, 1 year old, and her human Carole

Before: Sunny was relegated to living behind a gate in the kitchen because she would jump up and grab her human’s hand with her teeth. She also had a bad habit of walking right underneath people and tripping them. After: Sunny and Carole are best friends. Sunny knows to sit calmly at her feet when she wants affection. And since her behavior is so much better, Sunny can now enjoy access to the whole house.

Sunny is a poodle with a bubbly personality, and her human Carole intended her to be her best friend and companion.  Unfortunately, Sunny’s exuberance was overwhelming for Carole and bordered on just plain annoying. Sunny would jump up and grab Carole’s hands with her teeth in order to get attention. She also was in the habit of walking right between Carole’s feet which posed a real safety hazard. Without any other solution, Sunny was relegated to the kitchen, so Carole could maneuver around her home in peace. It wasn’t until they completed Sunny’s makeover that the two found a way to live happily in the same space.

Sophie:  Sunny, your transformation has been one of the most dramatic ones I’ve ever seen. It’s hard to believe now that you were so out of control. Why do you think that was?

Sunny:  The jumping up and nipping usually got me what I wanted – attention. Once Carole and I learned how I could tell her I needed attention in a nicer way, the transformation happened pretty quickly.

Carole: I got Sunny when she was just six weeks old. She was hyper. She jumped at my hands. She just drove me crazy. I thought that as she got older her behavior would just improve on its own, but she was getting bigger and she wasn’t improving. She did what I called “Psycho Running” near dinner time. It was like she wanted to hurt me, and I had no control over her. And it’s hard to love a dog whose energy is so intrusive.

Sophie: It sounds like a lot to handle. What made this makeover successful?

Carole: I always thought you had to be harsh with a dog to train them. It was so refreshing to learn that you could train a dog in a way that didn’t involve punishment. I learned to communicate to Sunny that I was not a pushover.

Sunny: Since I know what the rules are and am able to follow them, I’m much happier. Now I have access to the whole house! I know jumping up won’t get me what I want. Instead, I can tell Carole when I want affection by approaching her and sitting at her feet. We can be real companions to each other now. Carole is my best friend.

Carole: Sunny has become just a different dog. I don’t know when exactly it happened, but she became a dog I could like. It was just a miracle to me. Without the training, I might have brought Sunny back to the breeder. I’m so glad I didn’t do that. Sunny is a comfort to me now. She’s not “bearable”; she’s “loveable.”

Sophie: Why do you think your makeover was so dramatic, Sunny?

Sunny: Carole always believed that you could imprint good behavior or “human” qualities onto a dog. When we went through this makeover process together, I learned how to communicate effectively with Carole. I learned to emulate her good qualities – kindness, friendliness, good manners. I can still be happy and exuberant. I still have a bubbly personality. But I exhibit those traits in a way that isn’t upsetting to my human.

Carole: I actually look forward to seeing Sunny now. When she’s not around I miss her. This training experience was sort of like learning to read. I don’t remember exactly how I did it. I just did what was suggested and it worked!

Editor’s Note by Debbie Oliver: Each of these teams was so much fun to work with in different ways, and at times they all brought tears of happiness to my eyes. I remember when Carole told me as she was picking Sunny up from an overnight stay, that they can now sit together on the couch and watch a movie.

The time, on one of our many field trips, Shelly went up to three small children and took treats from them as she sat and waited patiently gave me such a feeling of accomplishment. When I told Emily, she said that was the first time Shelly ever “happily and quietly” approached children.

And I got teary-eyed when Brodie looked at an approaching dog, and instead of spinning, barking and biting at her leash, looked calmly back at us and said “OK, I did it – pretty good huh??”

These were three very dedicated owners that learned to make training fun, and did it with patience and love. I am so lucky to get to witness first-hand the change in these wonderful dogs. Thanks to all of them, two-legged and four-legged, for letting me be part of their journey.

Lots of behaviors that many humans believe are just part of who their dog is can actually be changed through training. Training improves the overall relationship between you and your dog, establishes trust and can greatly improve the quality of your dog’s life. Common behaviors like jumping up, barking, tugging on a leash, running away, begging, picky eating or anxiety can often be improved through training makeovers like the ones Brodie, Shelly and Sunny experienced. It’s never too early (or too late) to start. It can work with adult dogs and puppies, rescue dogs and show dogs, males and females. All of my training is custom-designed to fit you, your dog, your family and your lifestyle.

Q: Okay, here goes…..Bear loves food….as you well know! He’s recently started begging when we eat. ( My son being home may have triggered that!) I usually ignore him and eventually he’ll stop, but now he’s barking at us. Don’t like the barking!! What’s the best way to handle that?

A: I talked to Bear’s mom, Diane, and got some more information on Bear’s begging behavior. She said that he may look at her sometimes with those sad Bear eye’s when it is just her at the table, and she just ignores it. When other family members are home, it is harder for them to ignore and he “knows that” so the eyes are also accompanied with some low growls and barks which seem to make it impossible to ignore. 

Over the past year, Diane has done a fabulous job of getting Bear’s weight down.  We both have seen a big difference in his energy level, and it is definitely in Bear’s best interest to keep those extra pounds off. They also do not want this behavior when they have company.

We have decided to tether (leash) Bear to a part of the kitchen where the family members that can’t seem to resist those eyes don’t have to look at him. He will still be close to the table but this will make it much easier to not give in to the “Poor Bear” syndrome.  I am quite sure that if totally ignored, Bear will figure out very quickly that nothing good falls from the sky when my “people” are eating, and he will just lay down and get comfortable. When we ignore the begging behavior, it’s very important to reinforce what behavior we do want. So when they are not eating and Bear is just laying around minding his own business, that’s when they can treat him.

If you think about it, how often does a dog get a treat for when they are bugging us for one, yet they get ignored when they are doing exactly what we want them to do, not bugging us!!!

I am preparing a chart for Diane to keep in her kitchen, where she can keep notes as to how many times Bear has whined or barked to get food. This way we can track if it happens more often when other people are at the table, if it happens more while they are in a certain room eating, and most importantly, if it starts happening less and less if totally ignored. When I say totally ignored, I don’t just mean, he doesn’t get food. He also shouldn’t  get attention or the poor Bear speech as well as no food.  Let’s just not forget to reward Bear for being a good boy (which he is the majority of the time) while we are ignoring this behavior!! If we look at the chart and if the “poor me eyes accompanied by even poorer me groans”  isn’t happening with less frequency after one week, we need to adjust our criteria.

Camper Mackenzie

Q: How can we stop Mackenzie from barking at vehicles driving by while she is walking on her leash?

A: This behavior, leash reactivity to cars, seems that it is worse with louder cars and faster vehicles like motorcycles or large, loud trucks. The good thing is that she does not seem to react as soon as she sees or hears them but waits to react until they go by her, which means that we have plenty of time to move her further away or change her focus. The bad thing is that she has been doing this for 5 years. There is something in this behavior that is reinforcing to her because she is still doing it. It’s probably just “fun to chase the loud car away, and it works every time!!!” However, it doesn’t really matter why. We just need to decide the best way to change the behavior. It is not something that we are going to change overnight because it’s been happening for so long.

Kim and I have discussed a program that she is going to start to change Mackenzie’s reaction to these loud, fast things that she loves to try and “chase away.”  She is going to start in her own yard and driveway, so that when she sees a vehicle, she can play a “look at that” game.  It’s important that she keeps her far enough back from the street to start, so that she is not reactive to them.

 If you have used a clicker before, this is a great time to break your clicker back out. If not, you can use a word like “yes” to replace the clicker. When you see the vehicle, you can play a game with it. When you see a car approaching say, “Look, there’s a car!” When Mackenzie looks at the car, say “yes” or click or whatever your marker word is. This will cause her to look back at you, because you have previously taught her that the marker means something really good is about to happen, like a piece of chicken!! You can very slowly move closer and closer to the thing that makes her react, and if done consistently enough, you won’t have to say anything, she’ll see a car and immediately turn back to you to get her yummy thing. “Hey mom, there’s a car, where’s my chicken?”

Very similar to the way your dog may hear the treat jar opening and comes running because they know there might be something in it for them.  It’s important in this exercise not to move too close too quickly, remember that she has been practicing this for 5 years, it’s going to take a bit to change her association. I explained to Kim that while she is changing this behavior to not let Mackenzie practice it. For example if she is in the street talking to a neighbor and can’t move back, pick Mackenzie up, where she says she will not react.

Since this is sometimes a slow process, it helps to keep a log so that we can see we are making progress. For example, on Monday I was 15 feet from the street and was able to keep her from reacting by treating her each time she saw a car 4 times. This can be a positive reinforcement for the owner as well, because it shows we are making forward progress.  If not, we need to adjust some of the criteria.

Camper Kingston (As A Puppy)

Q: What is a nice way to enforce rules at home for visiting dogs?

This question is probably best answered with a question. Do you want to spend the time that you have guests, training their dogs or do you want to enjoy your guests and manage their behavior the best you can? The answer is probably the latter. Remember that even if we think it’s a problem behavior, your guests may not.

You can easily use such tools as leashing a dog to a heavy piece of furniture or crating to manage behaviors such as begging at the table or jumping on guests. Many behaviors can be handled by simply asking your guests if they could keep their dogs on a leash while you are trying to greet more visitors, cook without having one of your four legged visitors counter surf, etc.

This can easily be compared to the complicated situations of friends visiting with their kids. Can we easily discipline other people’s children without it getting a bit uncomfortable?

Sorry, I wish I could give you an answer such as, have your well behaved dogs sit down with the guest dogs for a few minutes when they first arrive, and they will explain all the rules of the house to them. Unfortunately, nothing seems to be that easy.

Camper Kirbie

Q: My dog is afraid to walk on the trail alongside the roadway. She’s afraid of cars. I’m currently trying to walk her at dinnertime, with her kibble in hand and, treating her as we walk. My problem with this training method is that as I get out of my neighborhood, onto the trails, she stresses out so bad that she won’t even accept a treat. She tucks her tail and scurries around like a crazy dog trying to run away. Her brain shuts down. She doesn’t accept a treat again until I get back into the comfort zone of our own neighborhood. Is there any other way I can build her confidence and help her overcome this fear of taking walks?

A: In discussing this behavior in more detail with Charity, we determined that there are really two issues going on here. The first is that Kirby is nervous and stressed really even leaving their immediate yard area. Although she will do it, she is not happy about it. The cars in a strange area, further compound the issue.  After going to Kirbie’s house to try to pinpoint where she was starting to shut down,  I noticed that she had her happy, wiggly body until we turned to the left outside of their cul de sac where a very loud terrier started barking at us from a fenced yard. Up until this point, she was happy to play ball and tug with me. Once she heard the dog bark, she wouldn’t tug anymore.  As we got closer, she would barely chase the ball.

What Charity and I decided to do, was to first associate that dog’s bark with a happy thing.  For Kirbie, the happy thing is the sound of a squeaky ball. So when scary dog barks, Kirbie hears her ball and gets to play for a few seconds.  The idea here is that when the dog barks, (which I think was scary for Kirbie) instead of getting scared, we can eventually change the way she feels about that bark because we are now pairing it with something that she likes. I suggested that Charity not walk her by that dog for now, because she may have not wanted to leave the cul de sac anticipating the turn which took them right by that dog. We will first see if we can get Kirbie happy and tugging when we turn the opposite direction, still pairing the bark with a squeak from the ball.

If we have walked to a point where Kirbie won’t play tug or just loses that wiggly Kirbie body, we have pushed it too far. An important issue to note here, is that while we are going through the process of trying to help Kirbie deal with unfamiliar areas and scary dogs we won’t walk her for exercise.  Her exercise will need to be done in “happy” areas. We don’t want to force her to walk where she is not happy.

Unfortunately, as is true with most behavior modification programs for behaviors that have been happening for a long time, this is not something that will change overnight.  She’s seven years old, and this has been happening for 6 plus years. It’s always a good idea to keep a log of our progress, so if we are not progressing we can make appropriate changes to the program. The changes might be also be so small that unless we log our progress we may not really see that we are headed in the right direction.

Camper Dixie

Q: Dixie barks when someone rings the doorbell. I would like to know an effective training method to stop and/or control this behavior.

A: After discussing several options with Lee Ann to solve this problem, the one that seemed to make the most sense, was teaching Dixie to run to her crate every time the doorbell rings. Lee Ann told me that when she is getting ready to leave, Dixie knows the cues for departure and will already run to her crate. She loves her crate because she always gets something good when she goes there. Click and treat to Lee Ann for doing a great job of crate training!!!

So she will start ringing the bell (with no one there) and get Dixie to go to her crate. After doing this consistently every time Dixie hears the doorbell ring, she will start automatically going to her crate.  When this happens, she can add a distraction such as having a family member go outside and ring the doorbell.  In a very short time, this will work just as effectively with guests.

 This is really more of a management tool, than training Dixie to sit and not bark at the door, but in this situation it seemed to be a lot less work, and everyone’s happy because Dixie is not barking at the door. Most importantly, Dixie is happy because she just got something yummy for running to her crate.

Editor’s Note: What was interesting to me about each of these questions was, if I had answered them without getting further details or determining with my own eyes what the problems were, I would have answered every single one of them differently than I did.  There are normally several ways to handle a situation, and you must determine what is best for all involved (two legged and four legged.) Sometimes it’s more management with less training, and sometimes it’s more training.

Hope you all learned something from these great behavior questions – Happy Training and remember to always keep it fun!!!!

Miss Daisy’s Dog Camp owner Debbie Oliver is celebrating 105 canine years in business (that’s 15 human years for all you bipeds) with an open house extravaganza!

Established in 1995, Miss Daisy’s was the only business of its kind in the area– locally owned and focused on the entire well-being of the dogs in its care – physically, mentally and socially.

“It’s been almost 20 years since I started making endless lists regarding what I thought ‘the perfect dog camp’ should be,” Debbie said. “I knew that it was possible to have a place that you shouldn’t want to cancel your vacation because you felt so bad about leaving your four legged kids.”

“After I heard from countless people that there must be a reason there were no other places like the one in my dream, I was more determined than ever to make it work. That’s why it puts a smile on my face every time one of our campers comes running in and doesn’t even look back at mom or dad.”

“After years of looking for the perfect property, starting a ‘mini’ camp in my own home, and visiting facilities all across the country, (only to see that it was true that no one did it the way that I wanted to) Miss Daisy’s finally became a reality.”

The facility is set up to accommodate dogs of all different ages, breeds and temperaments. It has over 2 acres of outdoor play areas (encompassing 4 separate fenced areas), two indoor play rooms, 8 private suites, 2 laundry areas, a raised bathtub for the pre-trip-home bath, puppy playground equipment and even swimming pools in the summer.

The independent, confident dog that likes to play hard will love a private suite during nap time, and the older, quiet dog that enjoys relaxing in his own crate can enjoy the company of similar dogs in a separate indoor area.

“If they ever start a camp like Miss Daisy’s for humans, I will be first in line!” said Eva Morgan, mother of Yorkshire Terrier Truffles.

Camper Vivienne

Other customers agree. “The absolute love our lives, Vivienne, has been going to Miss Daisy’s since we brought her home. When I turn on the street she gets all excited and forgets totally about me! She is the rock star of our family and Debbie and crew treat her the same way,” said Tonya Bohannon, mother of a playful French Bulldog.

Miss Daisy’s has earned recent fame for the elaborate birthday parties the staff provides for its campers. Individuals as far away as Australia have commented on how much fun the parties seem to be for the dogs.

Camper Lenny

Camper Lenny, a Greyhound from an Italian background, continually tries to convince his parents to let him have a party of his own because of how much fun he has had at all of the recent celebrations.

“I would love to have a pizza party,” he said. “I mean, I am Italian after all. Besides, there seems to have been some other international-themed parties lately. Didn’t Hamish have a Scottish Highlander-themed party?”

Siblings Leo and Lily seemed to be on board with Lenny’s party idea.

“We may be small,” Lily said, “but we come from a big, Italian background. We love to eat and spend time with our friends and family.”

“Besides,” Leo mentioned, “it would give me a good reason to get a new suit!”

Debbie recently made the acquaintance of a local canine tailor who has proved invaluable to the growing entertainment division of Miss Daisy’s. Dressing up for parties is always optional; Debbie makes sure each camper on party day gets a festive bandana.

But some dogs love the chance to express themselves through fashion. Judy Gaskin is a local designer of one-of-a-kind doggy clothing and has provided party clothing for the likes of Annie, Dancer, Sophie, Nicky, Bette, Kingston, Bentley, Oscar & Emmy. Her clientele continues to grow as the parties at Miss Daisy’s become more elaborate and exclusive.

Camper Bette

“By the end of the year, I’ll have three original Judy Gaskin creations,” Camper Bette, a Yorkipoo who’s been coming to Miss Daisy’s since she was adopted by camp counselor Misty last October, said. “I’ll have the dress I wore to Annie’s “It’s A Small World” party, the custom-made pajamas for my birthday in October and my Army uniform dress for my brother Kingston’s party in November. I’m going to need my own closet soon!”

Other dogs order their party clothes from L.A. and New York. But whether they are wearing canine couture or going au naturel, all the dogs have a blast on party days.

Camper Jack

“It’s all about the cake for me,” said Camper Jack, a Chihuahua-Jack Russell Terrier mix who has been coming to Miss Daisy’s since 2006. “The guys at Barker Street Bakery never cease to amaze me. The cakes, of course, look fantastic. You would think they couldn’t possibly taste as good as they look, and they don’t… they taste even better! I just can’t say enough how much I look forward to the cake.”

Past party themes have included Rodeo, Dogs Playing Poker, Rock & Roll, Lost In Space, Jingle Belle Ball, Monkey and Safari. Upcoming parties include a Super Dog party, pajama party, pirate party, 1940s-USO-Big Band party and a Candyland party. You might think the well for party ideas would dry up, but that isn’t the case at all. The Miss Daisy’s staff seems to possess inexhaustible stores of creativity, so be sure to keep your eyes and ears tuned in for the latest and greatest happenings at camp.

Camper Danger

Jennifer Jacobs Roberts is mother to a Pug named Danger who celebrated his recent birthday with a Lost in Space-themed party. “They have such a passion for dogs and never cease to amaze me with their incredible creativity! I wouldn’t leave him anywhere else!”

“Part of my dream was a picture of me sitting down in our large playyard, drinking my morning coffee (possibly with Baileys in it) and  watching our campers romp around in the early morning,” Debbie recalled. “Oh my, that part of the dream  never did and never will become a reality. I had no idea how much work ‘playing with the dogs all day’ could be. But I wouldn’t change a thing!!”

Debbie is even able to take her positive approach to life and dogs into the other part of her business – training.

She teaches a Just For Fun Agility class throughout the year. Each class lasts for six weeks and focuses on building the relationship between owner and dog through non-competitive agility.

Camper Emma, a Coton de Tulear, is a recent graduate of the beginner Just For Fun Agility Class.

Camper Emma

“Debbie’s place is the PERFECT place to learn agility,” she said. “I had never done anything like that before, so I was a little bit nervous. But once I got out in that play yard and started learning to do tricks… well, I can’t even describe how much fun I had with my family. I got to play with other dogs, and we all got to see each other improve. It was a life-changing experience.”

But agility isn’t right for every dog, and Debbie is happy to oblige almost any training request. She’s helped clients with crate training, potty training and basic obedience. She offers both a daycare-and-train option as well as a board-and-train option. She’ll even accommodate private training.

Camper Bentley is a Miniature American Eskimo who recently turned to Debbie for help.

Camper Bentley

“I had a crate at home, but I just wasn’t sure how to get settled into it,” he said. “Debbie helped me learn that my crate is my castle! Now I am perfectly content to go in for a nap or a meal or just some quiet time while my mom goes out to run some errands.”

Bentley is Marsha Vance’s fourth dog at Miss Daisy’s. “Debbie’s facility is amazing; it is totally for the dogs! Seriously, the window seats, the suites; the play yard is a huge place where my dogs actually get to act like dogs and run and play all the while under the watchful eye of Debbie who makes sure no behavior gets out of hand. The swimming pool during the warmer months, lots of toys and balls to play with and of course nap time are some of the many other activities my dogs could participate in or not. Sometimes I wish I were staying there!”

A recent favorite training event at Miss Daisy’s has been one that is always top-secret – the Smartest Camper of the Week program.

Once a week (time permitting) a secret camper is chosen and is taught his or her very own trick without the knowledge of any of the other campers or his or her owner. Then as a surprise at pick up time, the camper reveals the trick before going home.

Camper Bear

Camper Bear, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, was involved in the SCOTW program recently where he learned to “boogie” – a trick involving performing figure eights around the legs of a human.

“My mom actually saw my trick on Miss Daisy’s facebook page while she was sitting in the airport waiting for her flight home to come get me,” Bear said. “She was so surprised. She knows how smart I am, but this was something completely unexpected. I wasn’t sure I would be able to figure it out in time for her return home, but Debbie believed in me 100% and told me I could do it.”

Bear’s mom, Diane Kaufman, tells a story that illustrated how much Bear loves coming to Miss Daisy’s and of another “trick” he does to show just how much.

 “Dogs need to interact with other dogs. Bear loves his friends at Miss Daisy’s Dog Camp.,” she said. “It has become his second home. I can leave him there and know that he is safe, happy and loved! All I have to do is say the word “CAMP” and Bear is immediately racing to the car. Each time we turn onto the road in front of Miss Daisy’s, Bear gets very excited. He literally leaps across the seat and has hit the horn on many occasions! Guess that is his way of letting Debbie and her awesome crew know that he has arrived!”

A signature service offered by Miss Daisy’s is no-cage boarding where dogs are allowed to stay for extended periods in private suites.

Campers Emma & Oscar

“I would seriously cancel a vacation if I couldn’t get my dogs into Miss Daisy’s,” said Dede Miller, mother of two Yorkshire Terriers named Oscar and Emmy. “I love Debbie, and so do Oscar and Emmy! Our entire family loves her because we can all enjoy our time off knowing our babies are well taken care of. It is truly an amazing place run by an amazing woman!”

Camper Zoe, a Bischon from Austin, insists on staying no place but Miss Daisy’s. “I know it is a little bit of a drive,” she said, “but it is the most comfortable place to be while my parents are travelling. I can’t even fathom staying anywhere else. No one has a place like Miss Daisy’s anywhere.”

Camper Zoe

“It is by far the best place I have ever seen for dog boarding,” said Lee Ann Viktorin. “Dixie absolutely loves to go there. She cries when we turn onto Miss Daisy’s street and cannot wait to get out of the car. It is such a good feeling to know when I am away my beloved pet is not only getting the very best care but also having a great time.”

Miss Daisy’s offers so many customer services, they are hard to even list. Debbie even provides holiday portraits for the dogs that attend camp.

“We’ve been through many changes, and things just keep getting better and better. The fairly new additions of the parties and training are very exciting. We started the parties because in my book, anything that keeps our creative juices flowing, makes our four-legged friends have a blast, and puts a smile (even if they are shaking their head) on our customers faces first thing in the morning is a good thing,” Debbie said. “The training is truly my passion, and you will see much more in that area in the near future.”

Camper Dixie

She is happy to share her knowledge with her clients and especially her staff. Debbie holds nothing back where her employees are concerned. She is happy to share her expertise about dog behavior to ensure every dog at camp gets the best possible care from every single person on staff.

She is a fabulous dog trainer, plus she has a special knack for finding one-of-a-kind talent in each of her employees – whether it’s photography, party planning, social networking, writing, decorating or any other number of talents. The employees at Miss Daisy’s love their work.

“My degree is in communication, and I worked for several years as a newspaper reporter,” camp counselor Misty said. “But all the bad news really wore on me. I’ve always been a dog lover, and I adore my job at Miss Daisy’s. Debbie has been a huge help teaching me about dog behavior, paying for me to take specialized on-line classes and allowing me to continue my love of writing by letting my creativity run wild with the Rolling Bone.”

Camp counselor Shannon agrees Miss Daisy’s is the place to be.

“I’ve also always been a huge dog-lover, so naturally, when I found Miss Daisy’s, it was like a dream come true. I’ve worked with dogs before, but nowhere else can even compare to this place. My boss, my co-workers, the dogs, the whole atmosphere is ideal. I get to play outside all day with the dogs, design and decorate things, party (!!!) AND take pictures! Seriously, what else could I ask for in a job? There is never a dull moment. I think it’s safe to say the camp counselors have just as much fun here as the campers do!”

Throughout her fifteen year history, Debbie has fostered numerous dogs through her relationship with Safe House Animal Rescue. Sometimes, a rescued dog might need a little TLC before moving into their forever home. Debbie’s knowledge and patience prove invaluable to the rescue group, the new owners and, of course, the dogs.

Camper Phoebe

Debbie is currently fostering a Miniature Pinscher mix named Phoebe. After a little bit of love and attention from Debbie, Phoebe is excited to search for her forever home.  Debbie even worked with Phoebe during the launch of yet another phase of the Miss Daisy’s empire – publishing.

“Debbie came to me and told me she had just started publishing an online magazine called Rolling Bone and asked if I would be interviewed for a piece that would detail my reasons for wanting to find a forever home,” Phoebe said. “Of course I said yes. What a great opportunity. Not only did I get to tell my particular story, but hopefully I was able to bring to light the reality of rescue dogs. We aren’t dogs with ‘issues.’  We are great dogs that need loving homes. I love Debbie for understanding that and trying to educate people about shelter dogs.”

Part of the open house celebration will raise money for Safe House. Martin Tremblay, a local caricature artist, will be on site to create portraits of Miss Daisy’s friends and clients with their dogs for a $25 donation to Safe House. A Sweet Sixteen race will be held, and the $5 entry fee for that event will also be donated to the rescue group.

“So here’s to another 15 years,” Debbie said. “Of course, I may be in a wheelchair at our next open house! And thanks to our fabulous customers for making it possible!!”

Editor’s Note: For more information about Miss Daisy’s Dog Camp, visit www.missdaisys.com or call to speak directly with Debbie – 281-255-3131. 

Camper Giselle celebrates the completion of her first wiener dog race.

Article by Misty Mills

 When you first meet Giselle, you don’t get the initial impression that she is a finely-tuned running machine. In fact, your initial reaction to her might be that she is somewhat of a… well… princess.

Giselle recently started down a path of self-transformation which has led her into the exciting life of the amateur wiener dog racer. Rolling Bone Magazine recently sat down with her to discuss her burgeoning success in such a drastically different venue from where we’ve normally seen her.

RB: Giselle, the last time the media paid any attention to you, you were hosting a princess-themed birthday party. What happened?

G: Well, nothing happened actually. I still feel like a princess inside, but I felt there was another part of me that wasn’t being expressed. I struggled for a while to find it. Then one day, my mom mentioned the wiener dog races, and I thought I’d give it a go.  You know, just for kicks.

Training outdoors helped Giselle adjust to the heat.

RB: Well, it seems that the idea of racing just for kicks was perhaps setting the bar a little low. From what we understand, you actually got involved in some pretty serious training for your first race. Is that right?

G: Well, “serious” is such a loaded word. Did I want to do well? Sure I did. But the number one rule in my family is “Have fun.” So I worked hard, yes. I trained hard, yes. I was extremely dedicated. But in the end, I just wanted to know I had given it my all and had a good time with my friends and family in the process. Winning was not really a motivator for me.

RB: This was your first foray into the world of wiener dog racing. What did you expect going in?

G: I try not to have too many expectations, honestly. You’re just setting yourself up for disappointment like that. But I did my research. I knew the venue was the Sam Houston Race Park in Houston. I knew the course length was 25 yards. And I knew I’d be competing in a heat against 7 other wiener dogs. Other than that, I learned as I went.

Indoor training let Giselle improve her speed and focus.

RB: What did your training routine consist of?

G: Well, you’ve got to be careful not to over-train. You can end up with injuries like that, or like a lot of dogs who take the sport too seriously, you can end up burnt out at a young age. So, my trainers and I devised a plan where I would train for maybe 10 or 15 minutes at a time. Then I was rewarded with some very delicious protein supplements called “liverwurst.” It honestly is the most delicious thing I’ve ever had. And since I was working out, I didn’t have to worry about bulking up.  Over a short amount of time, I could tell my speed was improving; my focus was heightened; and I found myself able to run longer and longer distances.

RB: Training is one thing, but often times, performing in the real event is something entirely different all together. What surprised you about your actual race day?

Giselle's mom and dad, Rebecca and Bob, are her biggest supporters.

G: Oh my goodness, the most surprising thing was all the wonderful support I had! Friends and family and people from my gym showed up to cheer me on. And even though it was a competition, the other racers were fantastic and supportive. The noise level was also much higher at the racing venue. Even though I had practiced with neighbors cheering to simulate crowd noise, nothing prepared me for how much noise a group of excited humans can make! It was fantastic though to hear all that love coming from the stands. And the racing surface was a little soft for my taste. There really wasn’t a way to simulate a dirt race track in my training area, so that was something that took a little getting used to.

RB: Do you think you will continue in the sport of wiener dog racing?

G: Right now I’m just enjoying having completed my first race. It was an absolutely 100% positive experience. I think I would continue to race if I could get some of my friends at Miss Daisy’s Dog Camp to form a team with me. I like having my friends around, and I think it would be more fun with them . I think what I learned through this process is that I will always be a little bit of a princess. Now I’m just one who can RUN!

Editor’s Note: Whether or not you intend to reach the level Giselle achieved in the wiener dog races or not, playing games with your dog is a great way to bond with them and provide the exercise and mental stimulation they need. It’s also a fantastic way to incorporate training into your routine in a way that is fun for both of you!

Camper Phoebe is on the prowl for her very own human!

Author: Phoebe

Age: Approximately 8

Breed: Miniature Pinscher Mix (???)

Topic: Time to Settle Down

I never really understood the desire some of my girlfriends seemed to have to “settle down” with a single human. You know, find a comfy sofa or a yard or a lap and stay put for the rest of your life? It just never seemed like my style. I was always much more of a go-getter. I wanted to get out there and experience life. See the world. Try new things. The idea of having a human to take care of just seemed like way too much work. I mean, you’ve got to be around all the time for them to cuddle with. They need you to drive around with them. Go on vacation with them. Walk them. Humans, let’s face it, can be a little high maintenance.

Camper Phoebe enjoys the outdoors.

But over the last several months, I think I’ve come to understand what all my friends have been raving about.  A comfortable, stable life with a “forever family” is starting to sound better than a home-cooked liver treat. The idea of my very own Christmas stocking hung on the same mantle every year warms my heart. Cuddling up with my very own human for a nap or a movie night is sounding better and better.

Maybe it’s my age. I’m not a puppy anymore. I could tell you about all the amazing things I’ve seen and done in my life, but they are all so incredible, you probably wouldn’t believe me anyway. Besides, all of that is in the past. I’m focused on the future now. I’ve decided I do want my very own human. Maybe if I tell you what I’m looking for you can help me find him or her.

First off, I’m not concerned about the size, shape, gender or color of my human. I know a lot of dogs get hung up on the “look” they want their human to have, but I’ve been around the block enough times to know that doesn’t really matter. I am more concerned about what they have on the inside. I need a human who is caring and gentle. I never thought I would admit this about myself, but sometimes I just like to be held. I know, that’s not very feminist of me, but there you have it. Phoebe likes to cuddle. There, I said it. Are you happy now?

Phoebe likes to stretch after a long play session.

Although, now that I think about it, you’ve heard what they say about dogs starting to look like their humans, right? So, I suppose I wouldn’t be opposed to the idea of going home with a GORGEOUS human! Hee, hee! I’ve even been told I look just like a celebrity – Carrie Underwood apparently has a dog that looks just like me.

Also, as I’ve said already, I’m not a puppy. I’m not interested in being house trained. I’ve been done with that part of my life for ages. So any human that is looking for a dog to pee on their rug or chew on their shoes or shred apart their sofa should look somewhere else. I am just not into those activities anymore. Seriously? How immature. Also, I’ve had all my shots, and I’m in good health, and I expect my human to be the same. I don’t want to catch some weirdo human disease because they didn’t want to go to the doctor. We don’t have to run marathons together, but a little bit of play time every day would be nice.

I’d like my human to come from a reputable place. No road-side vendors or human mills for me. I know, I know, you look at them, and they’re so cute, and you think, “Well, someone has to take them home!” But if you give money to those people who match dogs up with humans on the side of the road, you’re just perpetuating the problem. There’s no way to know what kind of problems those people will have. I’d rather go through a good breeder or a rescue group.

I’ve been independent for a very long time, so I really would prefer not to have to share my human with another dog. I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with that; I just don’t think it’s for me. You know? I am a little cautious when I make new friends, so whoever I choose will have to accept that I might take a little bit of time learning to trust them, but I will come around if they give me enough space.  Actually, I have a human friend, Debbie Oliver, who owns and runs Miss Daisy’s Dog Camp, and she could give my new human lots of good tips about how to make me comfortable and happy. Debbie made me feel right at home at Miss Daisy’s.  I’ve made tons of friends there – both human and canine – and I’m hoping my new human will see if it’s possible for me to come back for a visit every now and then.  I’ve heard something about a special day care deal, so maybe they should talk to Debbie about it.

Editor’s Note: If you think you might be a good human match for Phoebe, you can find more information and make an appointment to meet her by visiting www.safehouserescue.org.

 Summer has finally arrived at Rolling Bone headquarters, and to celebrate, the staff at Miss Daisy’s Dog Camp is throwing their first ever human party to honor camp counselor Emilie’s high school graduation.

The canine party committee was thrilled to have the opportunity to throw a “people” celebration because of committee members’ Dolly and Gracie Hill’s efforts to promote inter-species peace and friendship.

“Our new non-profit group aims to promote peace and understanding between all creatures – dogs, cats, humans, squirrels, etc.,” Gracie explained.

“Our humans go to great lengths to make sure we are happy and healthy,” Dolly chimed in, “so we felt like this was the perfect way to start our campaign – by throwing a party for one of our human caretakers.”

Camper Otis

There was some confusion as to the theme the party should take, however. The concept of “high school graduation” was foreign to most of the committee members as well as regular camp attendees.

“So let me get this right,” camper Otis said. “She was in class for thirteen years? YEARS? That’s just crazy. What kind of tricks were they trying to teach her? I mean, I’ve been coming here for ages, and I haven’t seen Emilie as much as do a single jump or run through a single tunnel. I’m not saying she doesn’t deserve a party, but I wonder… what has she been doing all this time at school?”

Camper Danger

Camper Danger tried to explain. “Otis, people don’t learn to do agility or obedience at school. They learn things like reading and math. I don’t really know what those things are, but I’m pretty sure it involves making sure they can bring home plenty of squeaky toys and cookies for us.”

Camper Katy thought she had a better explanation. “I’ve seen all about high school on television at my house. They made a documentary movie about it called High School Musical,” she said. “High school is all about singing and dancing. It looks really hard because everyone in the documentary was singing and dancing together in unison. They also had to go to big group meetings every week called ‘pep rallies.’ Basically, they were busy from dawn till dusk.”

Camper Katy

In any case, all campers seemed on board with helping Emilie celebrate her graduation. She has been a big part of their four-legged lives for over 2 years now. Some of the dogs can’t even remember a time when Emilie wasn’t around.

Camper Sunny

“Emilie’s leaving?!?” Camper Sunny asked. “That can’t be. She is one of my favorite camp counselors! She knew me before I was potty trained! She helped me celebrate my first birthday! Miss Daisy’s just won’t be the same without her. I can’t believe this is the first I’m hearing of it. I think I’m going to need some alone time to process this.”

Camper Mia was thrilled for Emilie. “I don’t know what this graduation thing is all about really,” she said, “but Emilie is just such a cutie. Almost as cute as me. And she’s got lots of energy. And she’s so much fun to play with. And she’s the only one who can put my thoughts into words  my humans can understand. And did I say she was cute? And did I also say how happy I am for her? I wonder if she’s going to get a new outfit for her graduation party. I always get a new outfit for our

Camper Mia

 parties. What is our color theme this time? Should I go casual or glam it up? Oh, I just love, love, love Emilie, and I am so happy she finally gets to have a party!”

Campers Oscar and Emmy thought they were able to predict Emilie’s future. “Listen,” Emmy said. “Oscar and I have been in the biz for years, and this kid’s got talent. She’ll be spitting out million dollar screen plays, like, a week after she’s gone. This girl is gonna go far.”

Campers Oscar & Emmy

Oscar agreed. “Look, she’s obviously got the brains to be a world-famous writer, but she’s the whole enchilada. She’s got the charisma, the looks, and she’s got connections through me and Emmy. I wouldn’t be surprised if she received her first Pulitzer by the time she was 30. Seriously, the girl’s got IT.”

Camper Truffles said she would miss the girl time she gets to spend with Emilie.

“She gets me,” Truffles said. “She knows when I want to be girlie, and she knows when I just want to run around like a tomboy and have fun in the play yard. It’s like she speaks dog.”

Camper Truffles

All the campers seemed to agree that one of the things they love most about Emilie is her ability to accept them just as they are.

“Look, I’m kind of a loner. I like to do my own thing,” Camper Gooby said. “I’m not really a ‘joiner.’ Emilie gets that. She understands me. She doesn’t try to change me into a super-social dog. She knows I’m not being rude; I’m just a little more

Camper Gooby

introverted than the other dogs.  I like to hang out on the fringe and just think about things. So many other people might try to turn me into what they wanted me to be, but Emilie just loves me for who I am.”

The committee put the finishing touches on their party planning earlier this week – ordering a cookie cake that was human-safe, blowing up balloons in Emilie’s high school colors (maroon and silver) and making all kinds of decorations for the front office and the play yard.

“I’ve always wanted to do agility with Emilie,” Camper Bentley said. “Do you think we could play some agility games with her? I’d love to race her over some jumps!”

Camper Bentley

“Oh, oh! And through a tunnel, too!” said Camper Emma. “I know I am new to this agility thing, but tunnels are my favorite, and I bet I could beat Emilie in a tunnel race.”

Miss Daisy’s owner Debbie Oliver reminded the campers that Emilie is not trained to do agility.

Camper Emma

“We’ll have to wait and see if Emilie is up for competing with you guys,” she said. “But no matter what we do, remember that rule number one is always to have fun. So, we will definitely do something to have fun with Emilie before she heads off to college.”

“I think this party is going to be great,” Camper Trina said. “It’s going to be fun, and we’re going to get to tell Emilie how much we love her before she leaves.”

Camper Trina

Getting in my exercise has never been so much fun!

Today’s Blogger: Kingston

Breed: Cockapoo – Male

Age: 2 ½

Topic: Exercise

1. Run forward 10 feet.

2. Stop and sniff to the left.

3. Make a 90-degree turn to the right.

4. Run in a clockwise circle 27 times.

5. Run a wiggly line roughly 50 feet.

6. Wag butt.

7. Stop and sniff to the right.

8. Pee on whatever is nearest.

9. Run back the way you came.

10. Repeat series 3 times.

I put a lot of effort into this workout plan, so I have been nothing but disappointed with my human’s lack of discipline and effort. She completely ignores my instructions and insists on running in nothing but basically straight lines (sometimes she’ll run in a giant circle.) How boring! She never stops to sniff anything. She never pees on anything. It’s just a disaster.  I don’t know what she is thinking.

So recently, I sat her down and explained that if she wants to be a slacker who insists on just running 26.2 miles in a single direction, then that’s her business. But I need something a little more challenging. Something that requires a little more skill, stamina and brain power. So, she got me signed up for the Just for Fun Agility class at Miss Daisy’s Dog Camp.

Finally, someone who understands my physical fitness needs! Miss Daisy’s has been a godsend. (By the way, you do know that God spelled backwards is dog, right? Coincidence? I think not.)

Emma, The White Lightning, shows off her jump skills.

Anyway, the Just for Fun Agility class was exactly the kind of workout I needed. I’ve got three friends in the class with me – Emma, who we all affectionately call White Lightning; Zoe, who got the nickname The Blur because she moves so fast we can hardly see her; and my sister Bette. I begged my mom to let me take this class without her, and trust me, I’ve got an adorable beg. I don’t know how she resisted, but Mom said no; Bette needed her exercise, too. Never mind that Bette is only about four inches off the ground and refuses to go at anything above what we refer to as “Bette speed” – approximately .0007 miles per hour.

Bette likes agility because she thinks she look so cute doing it.

Whatever, I’m not going to let my sister’s lack of motivation keep me from feeling the burn. This agility workout is the bomb. It’s kind of like circuit training. We start out doing some restrained recalls then move on to a series of jumps. After that, it’s through the tunnels and chutes, over the A-frame and across the dog walk. We finish it all up with a dramatic (if I do say so myself, and I do) leap through the tire hoop and a final dash through the weave poles. Also, the protein treats we eat during our workout are fantastic. I’m not sure exactly what they are supposed to do, re-build muscle, maybe? In any case, they are DEEEE-LISH!

Zoe gets pumped up for a relay race by her owner/parter, Vaughn.

It’s great cardio, and because we are lifting our own body weight, we also get some great weight-bearing training as well. They say that’s good for bone strength. I don’t know about that, but since I’ve been doing this workout I feel like I’m able to focus more. I sleep better at night. My mom and I have bonded. I’ve even learned not to let Bette’s glacial pace irritate me so much. I’ve gotten much closer to my friends Emma and Zoe. Hey, I might even get a date night out of this arrangement. I hear Emma thinks I’m kind of cute. I bet it’s because of how svelte I look since I’ve been doing this new workout.My mom still insists on doing her ridiculous running workout. She says she’s training for a marathon. I have no idea what kind of nonsense a marathon is. From what I understand a whole bunch of people line up and run in a single direction – no liver treats, no jumps, no weave poles. But I will give my mom credit for integrating my workout into her schedule one night a week. Baby steps, right?The first six-week class just ended, and I can’t wait for the next class to start. I hear in the intermediate class we get to work on the teeter. If you think you’d enjoy the Just for Fun Agility workout at much as I did, you should call my personal trainer Debbie Oliver at Miss Daisy’s Dog Camp – 281-255-3131

Editors Note: Canine agility training, like the kind Kingston has been learning is all about getting owners to learn that training your dog can be fun and not just a task they have to check off their list.  Our students learn more than how to perform each obstacle, many “moms and dads”  say that the class has improved how well the dog “listens” at home. What could be better than having fun with your canine friend?  Learning something along the way is just an added bonus .