Doggie Academy

Holiday Deals

2009-12-01T16:26:00.002-05:00

Looking for a way to save during the holidays? Or maybe a gift for someone who loves to take advantage of all that Brooklyn has to offer? Brooklyn Based has put together a coupon book of 30 Brooklyn Based Deals for $30.

The deals include a free cupcake at Baked with any purchase, a buy one get one free sake tasting flight with an Omakase meal at Zenkichi, 20% percent off handbags at Thistle & Clover; $50 dollars off a 3rd Ward membership; 20% off cheese and (still) wine at Stinky Bklyn and Smith & Vine; a free draught beer during happy hour at the Bell House... and 20% off your first lesson or behavior consult with Doggie Academy!

Check out Brooklyn Based to find out how to get your hands on this great book of deals!

Holiday Open House at Westchester SPCA

2009-11-29T12:19:00.003-05:00

Join the Westchester SPCA for their Holiday Open House on Saturday, December 5th from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Join the SPCA along with 100.7 WHUD to celebrate the holidays with your canine companions! Have your photos taken with Santa or Frosty by Liza Margulies of Snootydog.com while enjoying live music, fabulous food, wonderful refreshments, games for the kids, prizes and much more!

Please RSVP by December 4th to lisa@spca914.org or call (914) 941-2896 x22 for further details! No fee to attend.

The Holiday Open House will be at Club Fit, 584 North State Road, Briarcliff Manor, NY 10510

Guiding Eyes Fundraiser & Contest

2009-11-25T14:10:00.007-05:00

Want to show off your dog in his finest party attire while helping a great cause? You have until next Monday (November 30th) to submit your photo entry. Your $20 entry fee goes to Guiding Eyes for the Blind and you have the opportunity to win some terrific prizes. Visit dogsinpartyhats.com for all the info.

click to enlarge

October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month

2009-10-22T11:59:00.008-04:00

Let's celebrate our loved shelter dogs! Send in photos, videos, stories of your adopted dogs.

I'll start with this stupid video of Hank:

Don't have a shelter dog of your own? Well, get on down to Biscuits and Bath where we have almost a dozen adorable puppies for adoption (I have a soft spot for Azure and I know Agatha has many fans). Need help choosing just one? Need help training once you get your cutie home? Let me help you!

Catherine Malandrino Charity Event

2009-10-21T11:52:00.002-04:00

All you dog loving fashionistas get out there and support Stray from the Heart!

Catherine Malandrino and Stray from the Heart Private Shopping event

When: Wednesday, October 28, 2009 6pm - 9pm

Where: Soho Boutique, 468 Broome Street, NYC 10013 212.925.6765

Guests will enjoy 15% off full price merchandise for the evening. Cocktails will be served. 10% of the evenings proceeds will go to benefit Stray from the Heart.

RSVP: soho@catherinemalandrino.com

Looking for Halloween Doggie Fun?

2009-10-16T13:23:00.000-04:00

Here's a list of doggie costume parties coming up in Brooklyn. If you have any more to add, please leave a comment!

Bay Ridge:
Harvest Festival Halloween Canine Costume Contest
Sunday, October 18th, Noon until 5PM (Rain date: Sunday, October 25th)
Narrows Botanical Gardens
Those wishing to register their dogs for the Canine Costume Contest have to register at Paws 'N Claws Grooming, 57 Bay Ridge Avenue (69th St). No dogs will be registered on the day of the event. Registration is October 1st to 16th.

Brooklyn Heights:
Howl-o-Ween Doggie Charity Costume Parade and Contest
Sunday, October 25th at 1PM
Parade begins at the Remsen Street entrance to the Promenade
It’s free to attend the parade, but if you want to enter your dog the cost is $25. All proceeds will be donated to nonprofit animal causes. Tickets are now available at Perfect Paws at 102 Hicks Street, the corner of Pineapple Street. Tel: (718) 852-6200. You must purchase your ticket at least a day before the event to register your dog.

Carroll Gardens:
Howl-O-Ween 09
Sunday, October 25th, 1PM to 4PM
DiMattina Dog Run, Hicks & Woodhull St.
$5 suggested donation, proceeds to benefit The Picasso Fund.

Fort Greene:
The 11th Annual Great PUPkin Dog Costume Contest
Saturday, October 31, Registration begins 11:30, judging starts at noon sharp (Rain date: Sunday, November 1st)
Fort Greene Park at the stairs below the monument in Fort Greene Park (at the crypt level)
Suggestion donation per entrant: $5.00. All donations will go toward keeping the bag dispensers filled for the year.

Big News for Doggie Academy

2009-10-15T13:14:00.000-04:00

Hooray for Doggie Academy! I am now officially an AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluator!

What does that mean? CGC is a designation given to dogs (and their owners) that are proven to have good manners at home and in public. The test includes walking through a crowd and reacting calmly to another dog. For a full list of the test items go here.

Interested in having a CGC of your own? Call me and I can help you train and prepare and then administer the test during one of our lessons.

Bulldogs Face to Face

2009-10-02T12:54:00.000-04:00

I loved how these two English Bulldogs were so calm and cool (and handsome!) when they met at the Pup Crawl.

Pup Carry, Roll and Crawl

2009-10-01T12:37:00.004-04:00

One of the great things about the Pup Crawl was that dogs didn't have to walk in order to participate. Not only did I see plenty of dogs being carried (like Coco, the cute 5 month old Chihuahua with the tongue that sticks out) but plenty were being rolled in various contraptions. Whether they were old, missing limbs or just plain tired, no one was left out!

More Pup Crawl

2009-09-30T12:29:00.002-04:00

This is a video from City Hall Park as we all gathered for the Pup Crawl this weekend. Get a load of the range of dogs... from Pomeranians to Pits!

1st Annual Brooklyn Bridge Pup Crawl

2009-09-29T12:51:00.001-04:00

Hank & I participated in the 1st Annual Brooklyn Bridge Pup Crawl and had a fantastic time!

It was a gorgeous evening for a walk across the bridge and to be accompanied by hundreds of other dogs and their owners, all with light up Lulu Leashes to benefit animal shelters made it perfect.

I shot lots of short videos and will try to post them little by little. This one is narrated by my friend Lynda who was fairly obsessed with a gorgeous Bernese Mountain Dog named Madison:

Boots Rocks Hide & Seek

2009-09-28T15:12:00.003-04:00

Our seminar in Sunset Park last week concluded with a fun game of Hide & Seek for the participants. Hide & Seek is a great way to challenge your dog's recall and teach him to respond even if he can't see you.

Everyone did really well and each dog had their own challenges. Here's a video of a stellar performance by Boots. During the first 2 rounds her owner, Alice, had found hiding spots off to my right. This video is the 3rd round and Alice switched it up and is hidden behind a tree to my far left. Boots, assuming she was once again hiding on the right, took off in that direction. This is what Boots did when she realized Alice was not where she thought she was:

Fantastic!!

Interested in joining us for the seminars? Call (718-812-3890) or email (info@doggieacademy.com) for information.

Huggable Urn

2009-09-21T12:30:00.005-04:00

This made me go "EWWW!": Huggable Pet Urns.

While trying to find the right urn for Allie, my daughter Sydney would tell me that she missed Allie, so she would have to hug the cardboard box where we kept Allie's remains.

The urn is made by hand-sewing a pocket in a plushy that resembles your pet or in a personalized pillow. A plastic container with a sealable lid is then slipped inside the pocket. Your pet's ashes can then be placed inside the plastic container. Depending on the size of your pet and the size of the plushy you choose, it is possible that NOT all of your pet's ashes will fit into the plushy.

As much as I've loved my dogs, I never wanted to keep their remains in a stuffed animal to hug. Is it just me? Do you think this will catch on?

Hank vs. Crate

2009-09-20T12:18:00.000-04:00

This post is meant to give hope and encouragement to those of you in the process of crate training your dog.

I've had a handful of clients lately that have been frustrated and concerned about their dog in his crate. The process can be really challenging, especially when you're dealing with an older dog that has no prior crate experience. However, I'm here to tell you that it takes time, patience and consistency to get your dog to the point where not only does he accept being in his crate, but also enjoys being in there. It will happen, do not give up!

When I first adopted Hank, he hated his crate. He whined, cried and barked in it so much that I had to sleep in the living room for the first handful of nights he was with us just keep him calm calm enough that our landlord wouldn't evict us.

This is Hank today:

Notice the open door of the crate. Vinny & I were watching the Yankee game and Hank just put himself to bed.

So keep up the good work guys, it will be worth it!

Want to Teach Your Dog to Skateboard?

2009-09-19T10:53:00.000-04:00

The Woof Report shared this blog and I wanted to share it too. Dr. Sophia Yin blogged about how to teach a dog to ride a skateboard. Not only does she give clear step by step instructions, but I love that her blog is called Leadership without Force. Check it out the skateboarding tips here.

Personally, I have a soft spot for Tillman, after seeing him on Greatest American Dog. Can your dog do this?

Brooklyn Bridge Pup Crawl

2009-09-18T22:37:00.004-04:00

FIDO let me know of this excellent event coming up on September 26th. It's the 1st Annual Brooklyn Bridge Pup Crawl to benefit animal shelters. Hank & I are registered (and unless I have to work we'll be there)! I'm hoping for a beautiful fall night and will bring my Flip camera so I can share all the great Brooklyn Dogs!

I also love that participants receive an illuminated leash. As the owner of a black dog, I can totally see the benefit of that.

Please join us for a moonlit walk across the Brooklyn Bridge to take in the Statue of Liberty and the Manhattan Skyline—and to help provide food to animal shelters across the country.  The ASPCA estimates that 1 million pets are at risk for being put up for adoption this year due to home foreclosures and heart-breaking decisions about how to reduce household expenses.   

The night will include refreshments for you and your pooch, as well as a special doggie bag with treats to say thanks for helping to feed other pets in need. Prior to the walk, your pup will receive a stylish illuminated dog leash to keep us visible and to light up the night to draw attention to the cause.

The event is free, but we ask that you make a small donation when you register online. All donations go directly—and in full—to our partner shelters.

Want to volunteer or help out? Let us know.

Sunset Park Clean Up

2009-09-08T11:45:00.002-04:00

One of the participants of my Sunset Park training seminars has organized a volunteer clean up in the park. So, grab your work gloves (and any yard tools you have handy) and join the group on Sunday, September 13th from 9:30am-12:30pm. A clean park is a benefit to all dog owners (and non-dog owners) in the area!!

For more information on this opportunity to give back, contact Carol Singh at singhcarol85@yahoo.com.

Calling All Dogs for Mural

2009-08-19T17:03:00.002-04:00

If you are in Prospect Lefferts Gardens and have a dog, you might want to participate in "Doggywood."

Dog mural coming to Lincoln Road

PLG Arts is working on transforming the "temporary" construction fences on Lincoln Road into a mural celebrating the diversity of the neighborhood. While it's a neat idea, I've been hoping they'd do something more interesting than generic nods to diversity—y'know, like a painted replica of the glass tower building. Or life-size paintings of real estate offices.
Still, I'm glad to see that someone on the planning team has the right idea—a section of the mural will exclusively feature neighborhood dogs. In fact, if you'd like to get your dog up there, you can send a photo along with a brief description of "what makes your dog special" to thedoggywood@gmail.com. Fifteen winners will be selected via an online vote starting on August 23, followed by a painted portrait by local artist Susan Berkowitz.
The final work, "Doggywood" will reside on a panel 7' x 8' feet, part of the PLG Community Mural Project on Lincoln Road near the Prospect Park Station, and will be revealed during an event on Saturday, September 12 and Sunday, September 13, 2009.

Freestyle Comes to Brooklyn

2009-08-08T12:22:00.004-04:00

You've seen Canine Freestyle routines on YouTube. The combination training, teamwork & music in a dance-like performance with your dog always looked like fun. But you never knew how to get involved. Well, you're in luck!!

One of the FIDO members has been involved in Canine Freestyle for several years and is looking to start a club here in Brooklyn! Roni Henning & Willow love this competitive dog sport and if you think you would too, send an e-mail to roniprint@aol.com.

If you haven't seen this video, check out Carolyn & Rookie in this amazing performance of "You're the One That I Want." This could be you!

Is Your Dog Your Best Man? Maid of Honor?

2009-08-07T12:35:00.004-04:00

Are you thinking about having your dog in your wedding party like this couple in England? Call me to help brush up on his/her aisle walking skills!

Groom picks dog as his best man

A groom stunned guests by having man's best friend as his best man.

David Harding, 32, picked his pet springer spaniel Frank because he did not want to offend his friends by choosing between them.

He dressed his 18 month-old 'best mate' in a tuxedo collar and hat.

'My friends were quite surprised,' said Mr Harding.

He married wife Michelle, 32, at a church in Northam, Devon.

Michelle said: "Frank is a big part of our family and we wanted to 'include him in our wedding.

"Before the wedding we took him to the church to make sure he was alright there and asked the reverend who said he didn't mind at all - I even noticed he had put a dog bowl out.

"He was as good as gold on the day, super quiet, he way wonderful."

A Snuggie... For Dogs!!!

2009-08-04T20:52:00.001-04:00

AhhhhhHahahahahaha!!!

Best View in Brooklyn: Dog Training Opportunity in the Park

2009-08-03T09:23:00.002-04:00

Thanks to some of the Sunset Park Training Seminar participants who wrote lovely comments about Doggie Academy here:
Best View in Brooklyn: Dog Training Opportunity in the Park

Doggie Academy Blog Has a New Home

2009-08-01T11:50:00.002-04:00

The Doggie Academy blog has moved! The new address is blog.doggieacademy.com.

No worries, if you go to the old address you will be re-directed.

Blind Collie Has a Guide Dog

2009-07-27T13:13:00.009-04:00

This is a fantastic story from BBC News. For the full story, click here.

Lombardi Street Visits Villalobos Rescue Center

2009-07-24T15:37:00.004-04:00

My dear friend Kevin Jackson is writing and directing a web series called Lombardi Street. As a part of the show's promotion, he and Shaun Gerardo visited Villalobos Rescue Center. Villalobos is a Pit Bull sanctuary and many of the Michael Vick dogs ended up here.

Brandon Bond directed a documentary about many of these dogs called "Vicktory To The Underdog" and all profits go to Villalobos. If you'd like to buy the documentary go here. I think I am going to get myself a copy, unless there's going to be an NYC screening soon (hint, hint, Kevin).

Check out KJ's video aabout Lombardi Street, Brandon Bond & Villalobos.

Find more videos like this on Lombardi Street