This is my commentary on the Anaheim Police dog bite incident. Last week I watched a video of an Anaheim police situation where a police k9 was released into a crowd of people. My major concern, of course, was for the safety of the dog. The video clip below shows a portion of the situation from a local news channel. …
Banning the Breed -Ignoring the Problem
There is a much heated topic that is on the tip of everyone’s tongue lately and that is BSL or Breed Specific Legislation. With BSL a government can impose a “ban” on a dog based on what the dog looks like. The most focused on dogs are pit-bulls. Now, whether you like them or not, whether you have one or …
Working with Shelters that Work
I’ve always said that there are two types of people in the world: those that say it can’t be done and those that are busy doing what others say “can’t be done.” I’m happy to see so many shelters nationwide embracing tools that help save lives. Last week I was invited to speak to SAWA (the Society of Animal Welfare …
Desperate Dogs Determined Measures
I can’t tell you how many people have asked me to teach them how to do what I do or to write a book on the topic. Well, for the last year I’ve been doing both: I’ve been working with shelters teaching them the system that I’ve used to save dogs condemned to death and I’ve been writing my book …
To Test or Not To Test
That is the dilemma facing shelters throughout the country. Of course I am talking about the temperament testing dogs. It is such a heated debate between shelters and animal rights advocates that taking a stance is certain to ostracize you from one or the other. The truth is that both sides have valid points. Shelters are always asked about the …
a response to one of the most heated topics on dog training
http://m.psychologytoday.com/blog/animal-emotions/201204/did-cesar-millan-have-hang-the-husky Dogs that bite people get killed. People that block a dog’s attempt to bite are scolded. I’d rather find myself in the second category than in the first. I would like to offer a reality check to the controversy that has ensued over the episode in which Cesar Milan immobilizes (or as is commonly referred to) as “hangs” a …
Every Once in a While
Just when you think you’ve seen it all something comes along to amaze you. This amazement isn’t always good, but there’s always something good about it. The other day I was at the West LA shelter doing a series of temperament tests for the K9 Connection program when I walked down the kennels and found Chewey and Maggie Sue cuddled …
The Forgotten remain forgotten…
I see the eyes on the dogs behind the bars at the shelter, it’s almost as if I can hear their thoughts and their cries. They look through the bars hopeless and broken. The faces are the same, the dogs are the same, the stories are the same. As so many rescues and big organizations come into the shelters to …
Urge Governor Brown to do the right thing.
I’d like to share with you my letter to Governor Jerry Brown to urge him to reconsider his position on the changes to the Hayden Law. I hope you’ll join me in pointing out the benefits of a law that saves the lives of the most innocent victims of our state’s economy, our companion pets. This law is important for …
Kyle Dyer – Newscaster Bitten on face
Since this event there has been much discussion about who is right and who is wrong. The only real facts that are clear are that Kyle Dyer was bitten on the face. Denver authorities have placed the dog under a 10 day mandatory quarantine and cited the owner (standard procedure). They say that the dog will be returned to the …