PetSugar

Will You Get Online With Cesar Millan?

PetSugar — Wed, 28 May 2008 08:00:01 -0700

Not only does Cesar Millan help train Oprah to be the pack leader of her pampered pups (including helping beloved Sophie socialize with other dogs before she passed away), but he can help train you to do the same . . . online!

Cesar's new interactive training course is hitting his website in June to help you get calm and assertive with your pets, but you can sign up now for email alerts to get a head's up before it hits the web. I've watched almost every episode of the hit National Geographic show, so this course is a welcome distraction for me while I patiently wait until I can get in on one of his super popular seminars. I've personally seen the results with his methods since an old roomie of mine used them since day one with her puppy, but I know they aren't for everyone. Will you take Cesar's online training course?

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World's Meanest Dog May Not Be the Breed You Think It Is!

PetSugar — Thu, 28 May 2009 08:00:03 -0700

When we think about stereotypically "mean dogs," I'm pretty sure we can all name those most maligned. But statistically, the world's meanest breed isn't a Pit Bull, Bulldog, or even a Doberman - it's an English Cocker Spaniel!

A recent study by the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Barcelona shows more reported cases of aggression by the English Cocker Spaniel than any other breed, followed by Rottweilers, Boxers, Yorkshire Terriers, and German Shepherds. Yes, the Yorkie is tiny, but can apparently pack quite a punch! With over 1,040 acts of aggression studied, the report shows that the Cocker Spaniel is more likely than other breeds to show aggression towards their owners and unfamiliar people.

But not all is lost for the breed. With proper training and discipline, the Cocker Spaniel (and any other breed for that matter) can be well behaved and friendly to other dogs and people. I'm a firm believer that there are no "bad breeds," so here's to hoping that owners can take the time to train their pups to be civil four-legged members of society! Check out some of my favorite training tips and tricks when you read more.

Training classes aren't just for puppies - you can always enroll your pup in an obedience class, no matter how old they are!
Have your pup's next playtime include strangers to get used to unfamiliar faces, er, scents!
Pick up a training book for 24/7 advice. Here are some of your favorites!
Know the difference between training methods, then pick the one that is right for you and your pet.
Help your pooch learn proper dog park etiquette as early as possible.
Take an online class led by Cesar Milan, and learn at your (and your dog's) own pace.
Use the hand touch to get your pup under control.

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New Product Alert! Mascot Gets Charitably Eco-tastic

PetSugar — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 08:30:01 -0700

Just 'cause it's good for the environment, doesn't mean it needs to be bad on the eyes. Take this brand-new collection from Mascot: it's eco-friendly and fashion-friendly.

There are six different color combos, but the blue/yellow style, along with these charms, benefit the company's non-profit partner, Canine Companions for Independence, which trains assistance dogs for people with disabilities.

The Eco-Sport line is available for pre-order - it doesn't ship 'til July 15, but they've got a 25 percent off everything online (now through July 4, code: MCT25OFF), so place your orders soon . . . and have one happy dog by next month!

To see if the collars and leads fit your stylish lifestyle, check out the widget below.

Striped Eco-Sport Collar ($18)	Lucky Horseshoe Eco-Sport Lead ($24)
Lucky Horseshoe Eco-Sport Collar ($18)	Striped Eco-Sport Lead ($24)	Mascot Companion Charm ($24)

To the Rescue: Earthquake Safety For Pets

PetSugar — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 12:50:01 -0700

This morning, many of us felt a small earthquake here in San Francisco . . . yikes. While it's scary for everyone involved, the pet owners at Sugar HQ began wondering about furry friends back at home. First off, even though there are no guarantees, I get extra peace of mind by having a decal with my pet's name and my phone number on my door in case of emergency personnel – the ASPCA will send you a safety pack for free by simply requesting this online.

Check crate placement. If you crate a pet, make sure you position it far away from windows and any shelving with large objects that could topple or break. (North's crate is under my solid wood desk.)
Put a backup plan in place. Both my dog walkers and a pal who live nearby have keys to my apartment. If you work far from home, it's a good idea to make sure someone close by has easy access to a pet in case of a disaster.
Have leashes/crates ready. Even if your pet roams free during the day, have a travel crate on hand in case you need to leave suddenly. Kitties can get very spooked (and harder to catch) so make sure you have a way to secure a feline if you need to evacuate. Also, if taking an animal out of a crate, have the leash ready to immediately snap because even the calmest, well-trained pet can get spooked and get hurt with any broken items around the home.

PS, don't ever leave a pet at home – if you're evacuating, take your furry friend with you!

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Come PetMarking With Me: Doggies Back-to-School Duds

PetSugar — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 00:30:03 -0700

Bear with me here. I know most doggies aren't thinking about going back to school, but let's pretend your dog is getting ready for a big first day – either at a new daycare, playdate, or training class. I wouldn't want too much to interfere with North's playtime so I'm thinking a new collar or sleek tank would be in order, what do you think?

All you savvy shoppers and Internet researchers out there, please suggest special items to make a good first impression and come PetMarking with me, by bookmarking your finds on TeamSugar. Don't forget to tag your finds as "First Day." I'll do a recap next week of our finds.

Geeksugar has written a helpful explanation of how to bookmark . . . or, in our case, PetMark! Happy hunting!

Don't know where to start? To see some of my favorite online stores, read more.

The Sophisticated Cat

Trixie+Peanut

Wag Stores

Greatest American Dog: All the Antics, All the Fun!

PetSugar — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 17:15:19 -0700

Seriously, the premiere of Greatest American Dog was all I could have hoped for and more – but with 12 dogs (and 12 strangers) living together in a house, what else could I expect? Featuring misbehaving mutts and purebreds alike and challenges like doggy musical chairs, it was almost as funny watching the owners try to get their dogs to listen as it was to watch the dogs themselves. Learn a little more about the show (and see my favorite act) when you read more.

The contestants broke up into three teams for final performances in the first elimination of the series. While all the pups were cute, I loved that most of them weren't very different than our pets at home – fairly obedient but far from show dog performance perfection. Check out the fab Aloha team below.

I'm not sure if it was Preston's Mohawk or the incredibly trained Galaxy, but I felt this was the most cohesive theme and group. If you missed last night's show, watch the entire thing online at CBS.com.

Treat Your Home-Alone Pup This Valentine's Day!

PetSugar — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 15:00:08 -0800

I've already shared how much North loves his rubbery, red Kong, so Kong Time is definitely on our wish list! Holding up to four Kongs, Kong Time lets you fill up each of the toys with your pooch's favorite treats, load them in the dispenser, and reattach the cover. Each Kong is released at random intervals within a preset time period, perfect for uncrated, home-alone pooches. If you've got a MacGyver-in-training, the Kong Time ($79.99) can even dispense from a countertop out of pup's reach (or can sit on the floor). Either way, it'll surely call your pet into the room with a beeping sound soon associated with snacktime – yum!

I've also bookmarked this product, as it will surely make my pup "crazy for red." Don't forget to find other sleek red items for our current petmarking challenge. Many of my favorite online shops (like Muttropolis, Trixie + Peanut, and Modern Tails) have special Valentine's collections available now – a great place to start shopping!