My dog is eating my electronics

Our dog is a good dog. He is potty trained. He rarely has any accidents. He knows how to fetch, he knows how to obay commands to sit, lay down, come, and shake.

We are also very lucky in that he hasnt been chewing on couches, furniture, shes or socks. He does have one weakness. He loves my electronics. He loves to eat blackberries, cell phones, cameras, network cables, power chargers, and sometimes even live power supplies. Here is a picture of his latest desert of my plantronics blue tooth ear piece.



We are not sure why he loves to eat electronic gadgets. We aren't sure how to train him otherwise. We provide him with bones to chew and congs so he generally leaves our stuff alone, yet he generally prefers a new shiny gadget to a hide. How do we break this habit?

Trib Article about Dog Transportation

The Chicago Tribune had a great article in the Transportation section about safety features in cars for dog transport. Jen Mystkowski had a great half page shot of a little dog on the cover. Unfortunatly the article is only available to online scubscribers - and i am not one of them.
Here is what i was able to get from the site and in case you have access here is the Sit. Stay. Safely. article link.

Fencing, bags, safety belts, hammocks, car seats, kennels? these are just some of the items that make car-travel safe and comfortable for Fido or Fluffy.

I have also broached the topic in my blog article about dog transportation here.
Here are some more interesting highlights from the article.

29.1 million Americans say they have traveled 50 miles or more with a pet in the last three years.

The article goes on to mention some pet friendly features in Subarus and Saabs. Finally here is a good reference from teh American Veterinary Medical Association. What you should know about traveling with your pet.

More shichon Videos

Westminster Dog Show - Shih Tzu and Bichon Frise

I can not believe that I have found myself watching the Westminster Dog show. I suppose our little shichon has made a big impact on us. Although a shichon is not a recognized breed by the westmister dog kenel, the Shichon / Zuchon parents are.

Here are the videos for the BICHONS FRISES show.

And the show vides for Shih Tzu.

Unfortunately the Westminster Kennel club doesnt allow me to embed the video here. Luckily i found a fan who posted the intro on YouTube:



And here is some news - the Westminster Dog Show website doesnt have this up yet - the 2008 Westminster Kennel Club 2008 Best In Show was won by a 15 inch Beagle!

11 Ch K-Run's Park Me In First
Breed: Beagle, 15 In.
Sex: Dog
AKC: HP 16966001
Date of Birth: May 05, 2005
Breeder: Kathy Weichert & Leah Bertagnolli
Sire: Ch Windkist A Walk In The Park
Dam: Ch Legacy's Lil Secret At K-Run
Owner: Caroline Dowell & Eddie Dziuk & Jon Woodring & Kathy Weichert
Photos: Breed judging / Group judging

Breeder - Hybrid Mixed Puppies

I have received several comments asking about the breeder of Monkey, our shichon (zuchon) puppy whose father and mother were a Bichon and a ShiTzu.

Take a look at this earlier post which gives the info and website of the breeder.

Good luck and I hope you find a wonderful Hybrid mixed puppy and give it a great home!

Grooming Disaster - part 1

Our poor little shichon puppy had to get all of his fur cut off! Yes, it is middle of January, and despite my pleading and strictly against my suggestions, my wife took him to the groomers and had him completely shaved.

See for yourself:

Monkey before grooming (see the curly Bichon like coat which kept him warm)




Now after the grooming:



Granted he actually looks like he has legs, but he is COLD! Especially since it dropped to 10 degrees Fahrenheit in Chicago a week after all his fur was gone. Just see how comfortable hi is in this video of him (with his fur) frolicking around in the snow.

Now there were reasons for this. Apparently Shichons (and I suppose other small dogs like the Bichons and Shitzus) need special grooming brushes etc, and his fur was 'rasta' like matted. But more on this in Grooming lessons part 2.