A Breed of Dog For Everyone!

Admin: Kenn Bell

Categories: Dog Files Viewpoint, KatyBeth Jensen, News, Show Dogs

Click to join our Facebook Fan Page and follow us on Twitter!

Dog Files Viewpoint: A Breed of Dog For Everyone!

By KatyBeth Jensen For The Dog Files

A few days ago, I was mingling with strangers when a heartless friend introduced me as “someone who knows a lot about dogs.”  Naturally, one of the strangers was thinking about getting a dog. I took a sip of my coke, looked at the inquiring face staring expectantly at me and thought, “Here we go again.”  

Smiling, I inquired what kind of dog he was thinking about. For the next twenty minutes, he talked about the family Lab that had been an integral part of his childhood. “I want my kids to have a dog like I grew up with. He was great. Of course, I’m divorced and only have the kids on the weekend.” I then casually asked if he remembered who took care of the family dog. He gave me a what-does-it-matter look and said, “My mom.”  I asked if his childhood dog was physical and active.

“Oh yeah!” he exclaimed. Our Lab would play ball for hours and hours and wanted to go everywhere we did.” 

Still smiling, I said, “Well then you want an active dog that loves to play ball and go on long walks.”

“Well, sure … on the weekends, with the kids.”

After countless conversation like this one, I have learned to cut to the chase. I looked right at him and said, “Well, if we can convince your mom to move in with you, and find a Lab that only wants to play ball on the weekend, we will have found the perfect dog for you and your children.”

I don’t think I offered the kind of help he was looking for, and yet, if he heard me at all, I offered the kind of help he needed to hear. 

The average life expectancy for a dog is 12.8 years. There is a big chance the dog you bring home will live with you longer than your kids will. One of the most important questions to consider when deciding what type of dog you want to bring into your home and heart is, “What is this dog bred to do?”

A Labrador Retriever lives happily-ever-after in a family that is prepared for a large, boisterous, energetic dog that retrieves everything that’s not nailed down. A Lab is not going to be happy only playing with the kids on the weekend and being left alone for long periods of time. A Lab is going to want to be your best friend even when you go to the bathroom.

An older couple shared with me that they were considering buying a  Portuguese Water Dog. Curious, I asked, “What do you like about a Portuguese Water Dog?”

“Well, our last dog shed a lot and we were looking for a dog that didn’t shed.” Okay, that makes sense, I thought, as I waited for them to continue. We stood looking at each other awkwardly for a few seconds before they added, “They shed hardly at all.” 

“What else do you know about the Portuguese Water Dog?” I inquired, having pretty good idea of the answer. 

“President Obama’s family has one.” Yeah, well rumor has it that the Obama family had to hire three staff members and a full-time trainer to provide Bo with enough training and exercise to turn him into first dog material. The Portuguese Water Dog is a working dog. Their historical purpose was to assist the Portuguese fisherman to do a day’s worth of work. This translates to, “If you don’t want a very active dog, consider a different breed.” The couple considering the Portie was more inclined towards cruises, car rides, and parking spots close to the entrance of the places they were driving to. I smiled and shared with them that a Bichon Frise is another breed that “sheds hardly at all” but needs a more moderate level of activity. Bichon Frises were bred to be companion dogs, and well, Barbara Streisand owns a Bichon Frise! 

Dog breeds are not interchangeable. Dogs are bred to do a specific job. Today, few dogs do the jobs they were bred to do, but they still harbor the skills that made them successful in their original careers. There is a right breed for every family, and making the right match is important.

Profiling before contracting to provide a forever-after-home for the pup of your dreams is encouraged. Take some time and research dog breeds.  If you are considering adopting from a shelter, you have a better chance of a good match if you have in mind “something like a Lab” or “some kind of terrier. “ 

There is a breed of dog for everyone. With a little effort, you can find the right breed of dog for your lifestyle, fall in love, and live happily ever after.

The End.

Pats for your pups,

Katybeth

Katybeth is a professional pet spoiler, living in the Chicagoland area, running her own business, Camp-Run-A-Pup. Camp Run-A-Pup spoils other people’s pups, and they do it really well. Katybeth lives with and loves three dogs of her own, Rascal, a Parson’s Terrier (AKC recognizers her as a Parson’s; you might recognize her as a Jack Russell), Skippy, a Schipperke with a personality disorder, and Scooby, a beagle that might belong to a neighbor. Katybeth’s newest family star is Soquel’s Last Souvenire, or as they like to call her, Trinket, a show-stopping Doberman pup. Katybeth co-owns Trinket with her mom because she likes being on the winning side of the dog show arena and wanted the rights to tell the real unabridged stories of the oddities of dog showing. the movie Dog Show did not even come close to telling. Katybeth also enjoys writing her blog — My Odd Family. Dogs, dog people, dog shows and owning a dog business combined with hearth, home and family never leaves her at a loss for material to write about.

Katybeth Jensen,PPS
Professional Pet Spoiler
http://www.camprunapup.com/
http://www.deerantlersforpups.com/
http://myoddfamily.com/

My Dog’s Better Than Your Dog!

Admin: Kenn Bell

Categories: Dog Files Viewpoint, KatyBeth Jensen, News, Show Dogs

Click to join our Facebook Fan Page and follow us on Twitter!

Dog Files Viewpoint: My Dog’s Better Than Your Dog!

By KatyBeth Jensen For The Dog Files

All sorts of pups will come to camp this summer.  Crash, my rescue poster pup, will gallop through our gates. Howard, a Labradoodle who has never known a sad moment will come to play. Maggie, a Pitbull, will shyly join us while her people travel. The Bouvier des Flandres will summer with me. And then, of course, there is Joey, George,  Dakota, Tucker, Theo, Lily, Buddy, Chelsea Chatham, Radda, Skelly, Sophie and, last but not least, Sullivan. Just to name a few…

Why do we insist that a rescue dog is more valuable or more loved than a purebred dog with a pedigree full of champions? On the other hand, why wouldn’t a mixed breed or a rescue pup be just as valuable as a purebred dog? 

The other day, I heard someone offer the opinion that people who bought purebred dogs were snobs. Really? Well maybe a little and it is true that people who show dogs are a bit on the crazy side. I know, because I co-own a champion Doberman and own an AKC-registered Parson Terrier that was ridiculously expensive.  I also own a Beagle that mostly isn’t, and a Schipperke rescued from a pet store. Who cares. What’s important is that my dogs are all loved and will live with me forever-after.  My clients who own the well-bred, pricey Bouviers, Vizslas and Boxers don’t love their dogs any more or any less than my clients who adopted mix-breed dogs from shelters. 

Whether you want to adopt a pup, rescue a pup, or buy a pup from a reputable breeder, what does it matter as long as you are willing to love them and give them a forever-after home? Helping to find forever-after homes for the abandoned, abused dogs that overpopulate and overwhelm our shelters and rescue groups is a noble thing to do. Adopting is a wonderful option. Preaching the value of spaying and neutering dogs that aren’t going on to the show arena is helping to grow responsible dog ownership, and if we can shut down pet stores that display puppies in the windows, I think we can count on a ticket to heaven.  On the other hand, judging each other or standing superior because you own one type of dog over the other is just silly.  
 
Stand proud for your dog. Declare them the best, the most perfect, and of course, the most loved, and let your fellow dog owners do the same. Putting someone else’s choice down or standing in judgment leaves you less time to brag about your wonder-pup! If you want to promote rescues or shelters, you can point to your dog’s strengths, challenges and how far they have come, without ever declaring EVERYONE SHOULD RESCUE. If you want to promote purebred dogs, you can talk about the strength and beauty of a thoughtfully-bred dog.  

Let’s all be dog snobs together! Of course, its’ going to be hard to outshine my Doberman that just walked out of the show ring with her championship, or my goofy Schipperke that spins like a top, but go ahead and give it a try.  What makes your pup the best? 

Pats for your pups,

Katybeth

Katybeth is a professional pet spoiler, living in the Chicagoland area, running her own business, Camp-Run-A-Pup. Camp Run-A-Pup spoils other people’s pups, and they do it really well. Katybeth lives with and loves three dogs of her own, Rascal, a Parson’s Terrier (AKC recognizers her as a Parson’s; you might recognize her as a Jack Russell), Skippy, a Schipperke with a personality disorder, and Scooby, a beagle that might belong to a neighbor. Katybeth’s newest family star is Soquel’s Last Souvenire, or as they like to call her, Trinket, a show-stopping Doberman pup. Katybeth co-owns Trinket with her mom because she likes being on the winning side of the dog show arena and wanted the rights to tell the real unabridged stories of the oddities of dog showing. the movie Dog Show did not even come close to telling. Katybeth also enjoys writing her blog — My Odd Family. Dogs, dog people, dog shows and owning a dog business combined with hearth, home and family never leaves her at a loss for material to write about.

Katybeth Jensen,PPS
Professional Pet Spoiler
http://www.camprunapup.com/
http://www.deerantlersforpups.com/
http://myoddfamily.com/

Vacation Time? Tips For Leaving Your Dog Behind.

Admin: Kenn Bell

Categories: Dog Files Viewpoint, KatyBeth Jensen, News

Click to join our Facebook Fan Page and follow us on Twitter!

Dog Files Viewpoint: I’ll Be Back Soon!

By KatyBeth Jensen For The Dog Files

In several weeks, my son and I will head to Alaska on vacation.  My Jack Russell, Rascal, will be left behind for the first time with someone other than my husband or my mother.  After her initial shock at not coming along, Rascal probably won’t even notice I’m gone. Jack Russells are like that. On the other hand, I’m having terrible separation anxiety before I’ve even packed my first bag.  Rascal has slept next to me every night since we brought her home. On the rare occasions I have left her home overnight, she easily substituted my husband or mom as her sleeping partner. Jack Russells are like that. I, on the other hand, didn’t sleep worth a woof. When I tell my clients that I understand how hard it is to leave their pups, they know without a doubt that I do. 

As a professional pet spoiler and petprietor of Camp Run-A-Pup, I can share a few tips which might make it easier when you have to leave your pups behind.  

If you can find a reliable caregiver, your pups will be happiest at home. Here is the catch, though. Only leave your pups at home with your mother. Okay, if your mother is not available, then only consider friends you would trust with your car. 

Do not rely on the friend playing with your adorable Lab puppy in May when she says, “Oh, he can stay with me over 4th of July.” Your puppy will be bigger, splashing in his water bowls, turning your kitchen into a swimming pool, and using your work clothes as a beach towel.  Your friend will not be amused by these stories, and will suddenly be very busy. Have a back-up plan. 

While looking for the “next best place to home” for your pup’s vacation stay, here are few things to remember: 

Happy is not always possible. Safe and well-cared-for is. Your first consideration for leaving your pup when you travel is, “Will my pup be safe and well-cared-for?” 

It’s become common for boarding facilities to offer accommodations that include big screen TVs, water beds and music customized to your pup’s taste.  I don’t have a judgment about these a’ la carte offerings (ok, I do … I think they are silly) as long as you realize your pocketbook is being hijacked by guilt. Unlike people, a dog’s loyalty cannot be bought by big screen TVs unless buttered popcorn is included, and then only maybe. 

Take time to consider what will make your pup feel most secure while you are away.  If your pup is not social, don’t send him to spend ten days in a highly social environment, even if you think it sounds like fun to you. It won’t be fun for your pup. If your pup is a party animal and loves nothing more than to play with other dogs, a traditional kennel might be borrriiinnggg.  

Camp Run-A-Pup is not a crate-free environment. In my opinion, a crate-free environment would be like sending you to Las Vegas for three days without a hotel room. Every pup needs a special spot of their own. If a dog was crate-trained properly as a puppy, they will usually do fine in a crate in a new environment, even if it has been dog years since they have set paw in a crate.  When prospective clients make a reservation at camp, we discuss crating. If they are not comfortable with the idea of their pup spending some time in a crate, I offer them names of crate-free boarding accommodations.

Pups don’t have the same concept of time that we do.  Yes, I know your dog knows when it’s time to eat, go to bed or pick the kid up from school. This is based on routine, though, not the clock. Still not convinced, are you? Let me try again. If you go to the grocery store and are gone for one hour, your pup will greet you with unabashed enthusiasm. When you come home from being gone for the whole day, you are still greeted with the same unabashed enthusiasm. Why am I telling you this? To help you feel less anxious about the length of time you are leaving your pup. The most important thing is not that you leave, but that you come back. 

Skip the long goodbyes. Pat your pup, tell them you will be back soon, and GO. If you leave confidently, your pup can get his vacation off to a good start. If you are certain your pup is going to have a tail-wagging good time, he will believe you. 

Pups don’t forget their owners. I have campers staying with me for ten days, three months, and one camper from August through May. Never once has a pup forgotten their owner. True, your pup might love me, race to greet me, and be a happy camper, but trust me, he will always love you best. Always.

It won’t be easy to leave my pups when we head out on vacation, even for someone who knows without a doubt “they will be just fine.”  I will pack my bags, kiss their noses and announce, “We are going to have a great time!” Then I’ll tell them, “I’ll be back real soon,” shut the door quickly, and whisper to myself, “I’ll be back real soon.” 

How do you deal with leaving your pups when you go on vacation? 

Pats for pups!

Katybeth

Katybeth is a professional pet spoiler, living in the Chicagoland area, running her own business, Camp-Run-A-Pup. Camp Run-A-Pup spoils other people’s pups, and they do it really well. Katybeth lives with and loves three dogs of her own, Rascal, a Parson’s Terrier (AKC recognizers her as a Parson’s; you might recognize her as a Jack Russell), Skippy, a Schipperke with a personality disorder, and Scooby, a beagle that might belong to a neighbor. Katybeth’s newest family star is Soquel’s Last Souvenire, or as they like to call her, Trinket, a show-stopping Doberman pup. Katybeth co-owns Trinket with her mom because she likes being on the winning side of the dog show arena and wanted the rights to tell the real unabridged stories of the oddities of dog showing. the movie Dog Show did not even come close to telling. Katybeth also enjoys writing her blog — My Odd Family. Dogs, dog people, dog shows and owning a dog business combined with hearth, home and family never leaves her at a loss for material to write about.

Katybeth Jensen,PPS
Professional Pet Spoiler
http://www.camprunapup.com/
http://www.deerantlersforpups.com/
http://myoddfamily.com/

Dog Files Viewpoint: The Dog Park Blues

Admin: Kenn Bell

Categories: Dog Files Viewpoint, KatyBeth Jensen, News

Click to join our Facebook Fan Page and follow us on Twitter!

The Dog Park Blues

By KatyBeth Jensen For The Dog Files

I was visiting with some new dog owners the other day, and they were worried.

It’s that time of year again. The weather is warming, and the sunshine is luring my campers’ owners to take leash in hand and head out to our local dog parks with their furry playmates.

It’s that time of year again. Concerned dog owners will call me with tales of their pup being bitten or biting a park playmate. Pups will be dropped off at camp with stories about the other dog owners that frequent dog parks. Owners who don’t care, are irresponsible, talk on cell phones, and bring toys and badly behaved children.

Some owners will wish for a more social dog. Others will wish their dog would share his toys, like the other dogs at the park. Owners will be beside themselves because they were yelled at when their larger dog ran over a smaller dog. One owner will cry when she shows me where her dog was “attacked” for no reason AT ALL. Another will cry when she tells me how her sweet dog seemed to attack another playmate for no reason.

I will hand out tissues, kiss owies, reassure everyone, and once again, curse the dog parks and playgrounds. However, since it’s doubtful I’m going to convince you that your pup would probably prefer a nice long walk with you for companionship, I’m going to share with you a few tips to consider before you open the gates of the local dog park and unsnap your leash.

Babies, toddlers, unruly older children? Leave them at home. Just do. If you bring them, don’t even think about snarling at the owners of dogs who run over them or jump on them. The odds of a bite are high. Read the sign on the gate: DOG park.

Before you enter the gates, dump all the treats out of your pocket. No treats. When you swim in the ocean, do you bring shark bait with you?

Toys. Leave them in the car. Dogs don’t share. They can’t be taught to share. Really. If a dog gives up a toy or allows another dog to take their toy, they are not “sharing.” They are showing social awareness. If they resist, they know the other dog will probably bite them. If your dog steals toys or refuses to share, they are not “selfish.” They are showing dominance. Leave the toys in the car. Okay, I see that purple eggplant in your pocket. Hear me sigh, but at least you know the dynamics. I’ll get the tissue ready.

Dog parks are stressful for your pups. Imagine you entered a party and twenty people descended on you, wanting to sniff your butt, jump on you, and snuggle up to your partner. Imagine knowing that at least a couple of “guests” had guns or knives. My guess is, you would hightail it out the door pretty quickly, or else head for the bar for a double. Giving up the human idea that dog parks are “fun” will help your pup have a better time and be less stressed.

When you enter the dog park, unsnap the leash, but please keep it in your hand. If you are sipping a latte and need a hand for your cell phone, put the leash around your neck.

Wait one minute. If you are sipping a latte and talking on the phone, who is watching your dog? Yes, the dog who is running amuck. Hang up. (I don’t have the heart to tell you to pitch the latte.) When your dog gets unruly at the dog park, call them to you immediately, and snap the leash back on, even if this means spilling the latte. Your dog needs your attention. Better yet, every few minutes, call your dog to you and have them sit. Your pup will feel more secure each time you reestablish that no matter what happens at the dog park, you are still his leader.

Along with your dog, leash, latte and purple eggplant, I hope you brought your sense of humor and goodwill with you to the dog park. Dogs will bite one another, get personal with one another, and sometimes accidents happen. Try to work it out. Be nice. If you can’t be nice, stay out of the dog park. I do.

Don’t stay too long, and for goodness sakes, shut the gate when you leave!

Now, take a nice calm walk home or back to your car. Talk to your pup about your day. Practice a few sits and downs. Look down and feel appreciation for the pup strutting beside you at the other end of the leash, wondering if the dog parks are really the best place for you and your pup to have a good time together.

Pats For Your Pups!!

Katybeth

Katybeth is a professional pet spoiler, living in the Chicagoland area, running her own business, Camp-Run-A-Pup. Camp Run-A-Pup spoils other people’s pups, and they do it really well. Katybeth lives with and loves three dogs of her own, Rascal, a Parson’s Terrier (AKC recognizers her as a Parson’s; you might recognize her as a Jack Russell), Skippy, a Schipperke with a personality disorder, and Scooby, a beagle that might belong to a neighbor. Katybeth’s newest family star is Soquel’s Last Souvenire, or as they like to call her, Trinket, a show-stopping Doberman pup. Katybeth co-owns Trinket with her mom because she likes being on the winning side of the dog show arena and wanted the rights to tell the real unabridged stories of the oddities of dog showing. the movie Dog Show did not even come close to telling. Katybeth also enjoys writing her blog — My Odd Family. Dogs, dog people, dog shows and owning a dog business combined with hearth, home and family never leaves her at a loss for material to write about.

Katybeth Jensen,PPS
Professional Pet Spoiler
http://www.camprunapup.com/
http://www.deerantlersforpups.com/
http://myoddfamily.com/

Dog Files Viewpoint: Less Worry… More Happy… Please!

Admin: Kenn Bell

Categories: Dog Files Viewpoint, KatyBeth Jensen, News

Click to join our Facebook Fan Page and follow us on Twitter!

Less Worry… More Happy… Please!

By KatyBeth Jensen For The Dog Files

I was visiting with some new dog owners the other day, and they were worried. 

Were they feeding them the right food? Did they buy the right crate? Was their pup getting enough of the right kind of socialization? Were the pup’s collar and leash appropriate? Had they chosen the right trainer offering the right kind of training? And by the way, at what age did I feel it was important for the pup and family to meet with an animal communicator? Their prime concern was finding ways to make their pup happy. 

Here is a suggestion for a happy, healthy pup: Stop worrying about their happiness and well-being, and let them worry about yours. 

My Jack Russell, Rascal’s purpose in life is to make ME happy and she does it very well. And the happier I am, the happier she is. I feed her steak from my plate because it makes me happy to offer her something she will enjoy. I insist she walk on a leash without pulling me because it makes me happy when we have a pleasant walk together. She sleeps with me because sleep would be impossible without her cuddled up next to me. I keep her safe and healthy because it makes me happy to take good care of those who matter to me. 

Buy the dog food you feel comfortable buying, and the crate that will work well with your household decor. Crate your pup so you can both be happy to see one another when you get home. Take your pups to the places you feel comfortable going. I have one client whose happiness does not include trips to parks or beaches, and I doubt she has ever picked up a slobbery ball. So what does she do? She snaps the leash onto her pup’s collar and they take off to window shop down Michigan Ave, where doormen enthusiastically greet her pup with biscuits and a handshake while my client murmurs pleasantries and sips her Starbucks. Owner and pup are happy. How do I know her pup does not miss the beach, chasing a ball, and hanging out with dog friends? Besides speaking fluent dog, I know that when a dog’s owner is happy, the dog is happy. 

Rascal has manners because happiness, for me, includes being able to invite friends over without having them pawed and jumped on. On the other hand, when she recently stretched out on the dining room table to sunbathe, I was both amused and happy. Trinket, my mother’s Doberman, counter-surfs with gay abandonment. When my mother offers only a mild, “No,” I know in my heart it’s only for my benefit. My mother forgives Trinket the stolen bagel because Trinket makes her happy and the bagel was mine.

By the way, I know I’m writing to the reasonable dog owner or perhaps even the reasonable “dog person.”  I know you are not going to comment, “Well, it makes me happy to fight dogs, so are you saying I should go ahead and do it?” or “It makes me happy to let my dog run free down busy streets, so he can fully experience who he is.” or “It makes me happy to let my dog outside to bark at midnight.” If you think this is what I’m writing about, I will have to doubt that you have the common sense to happily own a dog. 

A pup’s greatest pleasure is to make you happy.  What could be better than having a happy owner? Go ahead and let your happiness wag the tail of the dog, and if I’m wrong, you can always work it out with your dog communicator. 

Pats for your pups!

Katybeth

Katybeth is a professional pet spoiler, living in the Chicagoland area, running her own business, Camp-Run-A-Pup. Camp Run-A-Pup spoils other people’s pups, and they do it really well. Katybeth lives with and loves three dogs of her own, Rascal, a Parson’s Terrier (AKC recognizers her as a Parson’s; you might recognize her as a Jack Russell), Skippy, a Schipperke with a personality disorder, and Scooby, a beagle that might belong to a neighbor. Katybeth’s newest family star is Soquel’s Last Souvenire, or as they like to call her, Trinket, a show-stopping Doberman pup. Katybeth co-owns Trinket with her mom because she likes being on the winning side of the dog show arena and wanted the rights to tell the real unabridged stories of the oddities of dog showing. the movie Dog Show did not even come close to telling. Katybeth also enjoys writing her blog — My Odd Family. Dogs, dog people, dog shows and owning a dog business combined with hearth, home and family never leaves her at a loss for material to write about.

Katybeth Jensen,PPS
Professional Pet Spoiler
http://www.camprunapup.com/
http://www.deerantlersforpups.com/
http://myoddfamily.com/

Dog Files Viewpoint: What Talents Have Your Pups Brought Out In You?

Admin: Kenn Bell

Categories: Dog Files Viewpoint, KatyBeth Jensen, News

If you like The Dog Files please join our Facebook Fan Page at http://www.facebook.com/dogfiles

Also, follow us on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/dogfiles

What Talents Have Your Pups Brought Out In You?

By KatyBeth Jensen For The Dog Files

Do you have natural talent? I always wanted to sing, but during grade school music performances, I was asked to just move my lips. My fifth grade art teacher smashed my clay pot. It wasn’t much of a pot, but I was proud of it, and from that point on, our more artistic housekeeper was assigned my art projects. I don’t got rhythm … really! I watch other people clapping to music and have to work hard to keep up. Dancing should have come naturally. My mother was a ballerina, but the best anyone could say when I was a tot was, “how cute!” When I outgrew cute, I also outgrew ballet slippers and tap shoes. Academically, I was never gifted, and twelve years of Spanish and a Spanish-speaking housekeeper did not improve my ear for foreign languages. If a lack of natural talent qualified for a handicap sticker, I would have one.

However, tonight I did unearth what may be my natural talent!  I out-maneuvered two Bouvie de Flandes, a Deer Hound, and an extremely persistent Jack Russell while maintaining my hold on a piece of French Silk pie. Ta Da!! This TA DA lead to me to believe that I might have a few more natural talents just waiting to be discovered and shared! 

Doggie camp messes don’t upset me. I can clean up just about anything (use your imagination here) without so much as a single gag! This includes crawling into a crate to accomplish the job.

I can persuade even the most resistant pooch to open their tightly clenched jaw and take their medication like a good pup. 

While some bird watchers can identify birds by their sounds, I can identify most dogs by their bark – which often even surprises the pup. 

I can handle the owner who calls three times on Christmas day to talk to her pup for up to ten minutes each time, and only pretend to put the pup on the phone once.
Without bragging too much, let me just say my owner patience is near legendary.  

Without a moment’s notice, I can list all the wonderful things your pup did at camp, and forget and forgive any and all transgressions, including, but not limited to grabbing our Sunday dinner off the counter, eating my child’s Easter chocolate marshmallow Godiva bunny and then throwing it up, and munching on my new Puma sneakers.

Without looking at the bag, I can identify different kinds of kibble. I think I could even come close blindfolded! 

I can manage a good night’s sleep surrounded by five dogs, one child, and a parakeet that snores, all while hanging off the side of the bed, holding onto my pillow and handkerchief-size piece of blanket!

I can even convince my family to WELCOME BACK a camper that is not housebroken, barks non-stop, jumps on us and makes us chase it around the yard!

TA DA!! I may never be invited to sing, dance, or lecture, but I am absolute proof that we are all, in fact, Good at Something!

What talents have your pups brought out in you?

Pats for your pups,

Katybeth

Katybeth is a professional pet spoiler, living in the Chicagoland area, running her own business, Camp-Run-A-Pup. Camp Run-A-Pup spoils other people’s pups, and they do it really well. Katybeth lives with and loves three dogs of her own, Rascal, a Parson’s Terrier (AKC recognizers her as a Parson’s; you might recognize her as a Jack Russell), Skippy, a Schipperke with a personality disorder, and Scooby, a beagle that might belong to a neighbor. Katybeth’s newest family star is Soquel’s Last Souvenire, or as they like to call her, Trinket, a show-stopping Doberman pup. Katybeth co-owns Trinket with her mom because she likes being on the winning side of the dog show arena and wanted the rights to tell the real unabridged stories of the oddities of dog showing. the movie Dog Show did not even come close to telling. Katybeth also enjoys writing her blog — My Odd Family. Dogs, dog people, dog shows and owning a dog business combined with hearth, home and family never leaves her at a loss for material to write about.

Katybeth Jensen,PPS
Professional Pet Spoiler
http://www.camprunapup.com/
http://www.deerantlersforpups.com/
http://myoddfamily.com/

Dog Files Viewpoint: Let’s Not Kibble

Admin: Kenn Bell

Categories: Dog Files Viewpoint, KatyBeth Jensen, News

If you like The Dog Files please join our Facebook Fan Page at http://www.facebook.com/dogfiles

Also, follow us on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/dogfiles

Lets Not Kibble

By KatyBeth Jensen For The Dog Files

Since I rarely cook, I was surprised when I was sent a recipe that started out like this:

“This is a fun, easy recipe. From start to finish, it will take about 2 hours. It has 16 ingredients, and serves 12.” The sender then writes, “Well-worth the effort for the joy you will see in your pup when she is eating her loaf.” My PUP?!  This is a recipe for my dogs?  Are they nuts?? In no way do I want to add that tidbit to my son’s overflowing therapy folder: “My mom spent two hours cooking for the dog, but ordered pizza for me.” He already wonders who I love best and why the dog has a later bed time.

After reading this 2 hour, 12 ingredient recipe, I wondered … have we gone over the cliff when it comes to feeding our dogs?  Ah, now I have your attention! I feel you bristling, fingers poised to thunder across the keyboard, comment section overflowing with, “OH MY GOD! IS SHE REALLY going to cross over that line into our relationship with our dog’s food?” Uh, well, yes I am.

Recently, a dog mom brought her pup to camp, with a twitch in her eye and shaking hands holding the leash. She shared with me she was spending about 15 hours a week preparing a fresh diet for her very large breed dog. Both the dog mom and her grocery budget were overwhelmed.

I remembered back to when my son was a baby and ready to try solid foods. Several mom suggested I was nothing short of irresponsible for feeding him Gerber’s baby food. They admonished me to bake and mash or grind fresh organic squash, green beans, turkey and then freeze it in ice cube trays. The flashback immediately had me reaching out with empathy to this dog mom.

This poor women had fallen prey to the dog park foodies. Up until that point, her pup had done beautifully on a high end dry dog food which will remain nameless because I’m smart.  The dog park foodies set upon her, scaring her silly with stories of chemicals, dead animals and toxins mixed into her dog food. Food preparation quickly morphed from opening a bag of dog food to a series of steps that now included a blender, choppers, frying pans, boiling, straining, and extra trips to the store. And worse yet, her pup did not even like his fresh diet, so additional energy was consumed playing “open wide” and “here comes the airplane” with her 90 pound pup. With my encouragement, she went back to buying her dog food, and her relationship with her dog, family, friends, and full-time job improved.

If you enjoy cooking food for your pups, by all means do so. Why not?  However, terrifying other dog owners by comparing store-bought commercial dog food to rat poison is just not nice.

Speaking of poison, there is no humor in the recent dog food scandals that rocked the nation, resulted in several pet deaths, many animals falling ill, and the nationwide recall of dog food products. We do need to care about what we feed our pets. However, when dog owners pontificate on the evils of commercial dog food, I wonder how the dog I grew up with every grew old on Special Cuts. Think back, do you ever remember your mom taking to the neighbor mom about what she fed the dog or what ingredients were in Buddy’s food? Of course, dogs did not have strollers, diamond earrings, or planned play dates back in the olden days, either. We have evolved.  Well … maybe.

After listening to several pet food enthusiasts discuss the awful ingredients in ALL commercial dog food, I was very relieved to check and find out my dog food did not fall within the ALL COMMERCIAL DOG FOOD category (I am still not telling you what food it is!). My pup`s dog food ingredients included chicken, cracked pearled barley, white grain brown rice, oatmeal, carrots and peas. Tip: if you are cornered by the dog food police for admitting you buy dog food at the grocery store instead of a dog food boutique, inquire nicely where they buy their family`s food.

Ok, enough kibbling about the best way to feed the family pup.  Roughly 17 billion dollars* was spent in 2008 on dog food. It seems to me those dog food billions leave a lot of room for a lot of different dog food options, both commercial and homemade, so go forth and make your choice and I will make mine. After all, I may say kibble, you may say sweet potato, but our pups just say, “Is it dinner, yet?”

Source: APPA Industry Statistics and Trends.

Pats for your Pups,
Katybeth

Katybeth is a professional pet spoiler, living in the Chicagoland area, running her own business, Camp-Run-A-Pup. Camp Run-A-Pup spoils other people’s pups, and they do it really well. Katybeth lives with and loves three dogs of her own, Rascal, a Parson’s Terrier (AKC recognizers her as a Parson’s; you might recognize her as a Jack Russell), Skippy, a Schipperke with a personality disorder, and Scooby, a beagle that might belong to a neighbor. Katybeth’s newest family star is Soquel’s Last Souvenire, or as they like to call her, Trinket, a show-stopping Doberman pup. Katybeth co-owns Trinket with her mom because she likes being on the winning side of the dog show arena and wanted the rights to tell the real unabridged stories of the oddities of dog showing. the movie Dog Show did not even come close to telling. Katybeth also enjoys writing her blog — My Odd Family. Dogs, dog people, dog shows and owning a dog business combined with hearth, home and family never leaves her at a loss for material to write about.

Katybeth Jensen,PPS
Professional Pet Spoiler
http://www.camprunapup.com/
http://www.deerantlersforpups.com/
http://myoddfamily.com/

Dog Files Viewpoint: The Perfect Pup

Admin: Kenn Bell

Categories: Dog Files Viewpoint, KatyBeth Jensen, News, Uncategorized

If you like The Dog Files please join our Facebook Fan Page at http://www.facebook.com/dogfiles

Also, follow us on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/dogfiles

You might remember last fall when I asked if anyone in The Dog Files Community would be interested in writing their opinions in a monthly column for us? Well, I am very proud and pleased to bring you our very first, Dog Files Viewpoint.

First up, we have KatyBeth Jensen of Chicago, Illinois whose column will center around running a “pet spoiler” business in Middle America.

Enjoy,
Kenn

The Perfect Pup

By KatyBeth Jensen For The Dog Files

Being a professional pet spoiler and president of Camp Run-A-Pup, I have learned one thing for certain: your pups are perfect.

Someday, an owner will show up at my door and say, “Katybeth, our dog is spoiled rotten, we allow him on the furniture, feed him from the table, he only minds when he wants to, he might mark your furniture or steal food off your counter, and his barking might drive you crazy.” The truth is, we don’t mind a bit. We hope you won’t either, because we think he is perfect just the way he is. We can then both hug and agree from the get-go, this pup is perfect. However, it usually goes more like this …

Perfect Pup and his owners arrive at camp to check in. He sits next to his owner who holds his leash with a death grip. I am told this pup would NEVER: jump on people, poop, lift his leg, or pee in the house, counter-surf, beg at the table, or put so much as a paw on the furniture. Barking would only occur if our home or property is approached by someone both dangerous and armed. I smile and nod at the proper places, being somewhat familiar with this story, and look down to meet Perfect Pup eye to eye. He knows I know.

Before the owner leaves, we mutually agree that “other people” own the unruly dogs. His dog is, without a single doubt, perfect. The leash transfers hands, and the pup immediately jumps on me and the owner without missing a tail wag. We ignore the jumping, spinning and leaping on the other end of the leash and bid each other a speedy goodbye. Perfect Pup and I move inside the house.

With few exceptions, Perfect Pup will immediately put his feet up on my counter to do a little shopping. What? No bagel? No half-sandwich or carefully buttered piece of toast? The pup looks at me astonished, and knows I know. I explain, “We are not a self-serve establishment.”

Just like a kid checking into a hotel, Perfect pup then wants to explore. Finding our establishment to be suitable, he will decide to give us his mark of approval. I watch and I wait. He goes to lift his leg and I offer a sharp, “No.” Surprised, he glances over at me, and knows I know. Foiled yet again, he resigns himself to leaving his mark on a deer antler by gnawing it vigorously and with joy.

When the family gathers for dinner, Perfect Pup’s ears perk up and he watches intently. Who is the weakest link at this table? Choosing the human boy-child first, he is deeply disappointed. Discovering the boy has been trained from birth to keep his eyes on his fries, watching his plate carefully, he easily ignores Perfect Pup’s pleading eyes, drooling and circling like a shark. With persistence, Perfect Pup moves on to me and is greeted with a, “Hey buddy, you were sitting right there when your person said you never beg.” With persistence, he wonders could the soft touch be the dad at this table? Perfect Pup knows it’s almost never the dad, but maybe, just this one time … and begins to nose his way in that direction. He plays it well: keeps his distance, eyes slightly downward, ears slightly pitched, and just the right amount of pack respect. Bingo! The dad rewards his perseverance with a tasty morsel from his plate. The pup glances at me shyly and I look back. He knows I know.

That evening, Perfect Pup, who would never dream of getting on the furniture at home, does not hesitate before taking his deer antler and heading for the big comfy chair where he makes himself comfortable for the rest of the evening. Leaving his comfy spot only to bark loudly at the human boy entering the room wielding an iPod, Perfect Pup looks at me … and he knows I know.

The days progress and soon it’s time for Perfect Pup to check out of camp. The owner arrives. Perfect Pup wags happily, leaps to greet and meet his owner with gay abandonment, and the greeting is returned with equal enthusiasm. The owner looks at me a little sheepishly and smiles. He knows I know. Perfect Pup runs to me for one final pat, and I smile, telling the owner, “It’s true. Your pup is perfect.”

Pats for your Pups,
Katybeth

Katybeth is a professional pet spoiler, living in the Chicagoland area, running her own business, Camp-Run-A-Pup. Camp Run-A-Pup spoils other people’s pups, and they do it really well. Katybeth lives with and loves three dogs of her own, Rascal, a Parson’s Terrier (AKC recognizers her as a Parson’s; you might recognize her as a Jack Russell), Skippy, a Schipperke with a personality disorder, and Scooby, a beagle that might belong to a neighbor. Katybeth’s newest family star is Soquel’s Last Souvenire, or as they like to call her, Trinket, a show-stopping Doberman pup. Katybeth co-owns Trinket with her mom because she likes being on the winning side of the dog show arena and wanted the rights to tell the real unabridged stories of the oddities of dog showing. the movie Dog Show did not even come close to telling. Katybeth also enjoys writing her blog — My Odd Family. Dogs, dog people, dog shows and owning a dog business combined with hearth, home and family never leaves her at a loss for material to write about.

Katybeth Jensen,PPS
Professional Pet Spoiler
http://www.camprunapup.com/
http://www.deerantlersforpups.com/
http://myoddfamily.com/