Potential Dangers While Walking Your Dog.

From left to right: Mabel, Pachanga and Coco. Proud pack members of City Dog Pack!

Many New Yorkers like myself enjoy going on long walks around the city with their dog. While walking your dog can have many benefits for you and your dog, there are a few potential hazards that can harm your furry best friend. Most people look out for obvious dangers such as broken glass or street traffic, however there are a few things many people usually don't keep in mind when they are walking their dog in NYC.  Since I'm a dog walker who walks dogs 6 hours a day I've noticed many things that can hurt my dogs during their walks.  Here are a few that you should keep in mind for now on.

Light pole in NYC with exposed wire. Very dangerous for dogs!

1. Exposed wires in light poles and sidewalks.

Dog owners who have dogs who like to mark and pee on several objects during their walks should be especially mindful of this.  I once had a college professor who owned a beautiful 120 pound Cane Corso who was electrocuted while urinating on a light pole with exposed wire.  Unfortunately her dog died from this accident.  It is best to keep your dog away from all light poles and if you see one with exposed wire, contact 311 to have it fixed.

Sidewalk grate. Some dog's legs and paws can get trapped in these causing serious injury.

2. Sidewalk grates and water drains.

These are all over nyc and your dog's legs can get caught in them, causing a serious injury. Sidewalk grates have small openings that can trap the paws of the smaller dog breeds.  Some water drains that are often found along sidewalk curbs have openings large enough to trap dog's legs of any size. Keep an eye out for these and walk around them.

Cooked meat bones on an NYC sidewalk. These are also very dangerous for dogs.

3. Food trash left on the street.

This can be dangerous for dogs especially those dogs who like to scavenge for food during their walks. Some dog owners don't mind if their dog finds a piece of food in the street and most of the time it is harmless but there are foods such as cooked bones that can get caught in your dog's intestinal tract and make your dog ill and it can even be fatal. I once walked a dog who put an entire chicken bone in his mouth and in order to get it out I had to give him a hard tug on the collar to make him drop it. A nearby pedestrian saw me do this and accused me of being cruel to my dog. I explained to her why I jerked his collar the way I did and she replied; "It's just a chicken bone!". Surprisingly most people don't know cooked chicken bones are hazardous for dogs.  That chicken bone could have actually killed him.

My intent isn't for people to be on edge while walking their dogs. Dog walking should be a relaxing experience. I just want people to be aware of things that they otherwise wouldn't be aware of.  Enjoy your dog walks!

The two cutest yorkies you'll ever see

These two adorable little fur balls are Sadie and Rose. I have been walking them for almost a year now but I still cannot get over how ridiculously cute they are. Besides their teddy bear appearance they have quirky little personalities that can make anyone's heart melt. When I first began walking them, they were very nervous to walk outside and it was a challenge to get more than a block away from their building. Now we can actually enjoy long walks together, however they do like to play hide go seek when I pick them up everyday. Sadie and Rose have the power to make any tough, rugged, man crawl on the floor with them and act like a fool. They put me on their cuteness spell everyday!

City Dog Pack's Last Agility Class of the Season

On Sunday we had our last dog agility class for the season. We started our free agility class so that the dogs and dog owners of the City Dog Pack community can meet each other and enjoy a great activity on Sunday mornings. We also wanted to give back to all the amazing dogs who make it possible for City Dog Pack to exist. According to the feedback we received the class was a huge hit and we cannot wait for next spring to begin the classes again.

In the several classes we had, we saw some dogs make dramatic improvements in dog agility. Most dogs were afraid to get near the equipment during their first class, however those same dogs gained the confidence and skill to run through the obstacles on their own. Next season our agility class will be even better with new obstacles and better equipment.

Sunday's class was kind of bitter sweet. While we had a great time, we knew it was going to be the last class of the season and we would have to wait for next spring to see some of the dog participants again. Either way it was a great class and the dogs put on a show in Saint Catherine's Park!

Our youngest pack member, Alden

Hello City dog pack community.  I will like you all to meet Alden.  Alden is a pit bull boxer mix and at about 4 and a half months he is the youngest member of City Dog Pack.  We have been walking him for a little over a month now and we must admit, it has been a challenge. Not because he is a crazy puppy, but because he is so darn cute he attracts so much attention which makes it difficult for us to walk an NYC block without someone stopping us to pet him.  Alden has a very happy go lucky and curious attitude.  He loves to walk around and socialize with any person or dog who wants to say hi.  He also loves to visit the dog park and wrestle with his City Dog Pack walking buddies.  We are exited to see him  mature into an awesome dog and we will love for him to be City Dog Pack's pit bull ambassador!

Check out this video of Alden battling the leaves of autumn.  So funny!

Ned joins the pack!

This is Ned.  He joined City Dog Pack a few weeks ago and he has been a great addition to the great dogs we walk.  He is a fun and energetic Jack Russell terrier with a big personality.  In the short amount of time he has been walking with me we have gotten to know each other very well.  He has been nervous around strangers in the past but City Dog Pack has been a good influence on him and he is getting better.  In return he has helped us.  Ned has been walking with a couple of puppies everyday and he has taken them under his wing.  We look look forward to having many more great walks with Ned and we look forward to the great progress he will make with us.

City Dog Pack's dog agility class 7/17/11

Casper and me working on the dog bridge

Soho is getting so good!

Julie getting some shade after a great performance

Riley flew by the most difficult obstacle in her first class

Molly warming up before the class

Yesterday we had another awesome dog agility class at St. Catherine's park.  Changing the time of the class to 9:00 am to 10:00 am gives us much cooler temperatures to work in, making it much more comfortable for the dogs and their owners.  It is very rewarding to see the dogs improve in the classes and to see how confident they are becoming.  Dog agility gives dogs all the benefits kids get from sports.  It provides great exercise for dogs and their owners , it builds the dog's confidence, it mentally stimulates them and it builds an amazing bond between dogs and their owners.  Every Sunday I look forward to seeing the dogs improve at the course and I look forward to seeing new dogs and their owners come and join in on the fun.  If you are looking to get your dog started on dog agility, or if you have any questions about the sport, give us a call.

House Breaking 101

Good example of a crate proportioned to the dog's size.

     House breaking issues is the #1 reason people hire me as a dog trainer.  It is also one of the most common issues that causes owners to send their dogs to shelters.  Many people get dogs with out giving serious consideration to the work that is involved with house breaking a new dog.  The truth is, living within 4 walls is unnatural for dogs despite how domesticated they have become and it is up to us as humans to show them how to live in a home.  It is also important to realize that whenever a family brings in a new dog into a home, there are going to be accidents.  To me, house breaking is more than just training a dog not to eliminate in the house.  House breaking is training a dog how to live in home with rules and boundaries.  That means training a dog not to eliminate in the house, not to chew and destroy anything in the house, not to bark excessively and to train a dog to behave in a way that is considered appropriate to the owner.  If you are considering getting a new dog and you can't come to terms with the fact that these issues are going to occur during the process of training, it is probably a better idea that you don't get a dog.  Try getting a hamster.
     Now follow these simple rules to help house break your dog.  If you have any questions or if you think you need help house breaking your dog, contact us.

1. Get a high quality crate that is appropriate for your dog's size.  Your dog only needs room to stretch it's body and turn around freely in the crate.  Dog's do not like to eliminate in areas where they rest or sleep.  If you get a crate that is too large, your dog will eliminate in one side of the crate and rest in the other.  If you get a crate that is too small, your dog will be uncomfortable.  Don't worry, crates aren't inhumane.  If you desensitize your dog to the crate properly, it will learn to love it. Never use a crate as a punishment or as a time out.

2. Keep your dog in the crate unless you can directly supervise your dog until it has been fully house broken.  This does not mean you can leave your dog in the crate all day.  Keep in mind puppies can go with out relieving themselves for about an hour for every month of age until they reach about 8 months.  So follow this rule of thumb when trying to determine how long it is appropriate to leave your dog in the crate.

3. Also keep in mind that dogs usually have to relieve themselves after they eat, sleep and exercise.  So make sure you provide a walk after these activities.

4. Make a dog walking and feeding schedule and stick to it!  Dogs love routines and if you follow it consistently, your dog will develop an internal clock that will let them know it is time to eliminate.  Make sure you provide food and water at the same times every day.  Do not leave food and water out all day for your dog to eat and drink.  It may seem cruel but as long as you are providing enough food and water, your dog will not go hungry or thirsty.  It may be difficult to maintain a schedule if you work full time so if you can, hire a dog walker to help you with walking and feeding.

House breaking pads slow down the house breaking process.

5. Unless your dog can't be outside for health reasons, do not use house breaking pads.  These pads slow the house breaking process and sometimes they make it impossible to house break your dog.  All they do is make the dog feel it's o.k. to eliminate in the house.  If you give your dog a nice, warm and soft surface like a wee wee pad in your home to relieve it's self, what incentive does your dog have to relieve it's self on a hard sidewalk? Also lets be honest.  Soiled housebreaking pads can be gross!

6. Keep your dog's living area clean.  If your dog can smell areas in your home where it has eliminated in the past, it will have even more of an urge to do it again.  Your dog can smell odors that we can't detect.  There are products that can help eliminate these odors.  One of my favorite products is nature's miracle.

7.  If your dog is out of the crate and you are supervising it (which you should be) and it begins to relieve it's self in the house, it is important that you startle your dog.  The most important thing is that you catch them in the act.  This is why it is important to supervise your dog every time it is outside of the crate unless the house breaking process has been completed.

When house breaking a dog, everyone in the dog's family must be on the same page and work together.  You also must be consistent and go at it 100 percent.  If you put in 50 percent effort, you'll get 50 results!

Our free dog agility classes are back!

Molly the Cockapoo

Casper the Tibetan Terrier

Soho the Belgium Malinois

Foo Foo the Chihuahua

Today we had our first free dog agility class in a few weeks so I was thrilled to get things going again.  We were working on changing the location of the classes but we got such great feedback from all of the people who attended past classes, so we decided to stay in St. Catherine's park.  We changed the time of the class to 9:00 am to 10:00 am because we figured the morning will have much cooler temperatures for the dogs.  Today the class was great.  It was a pretty small class because of the time change but we did have a couple of new dogs show up and show off their skills.  One new dog that impressed me was Soho, a 5 and a half month old Belgium Malinois who started off very shy but finished strong after she was able to build her confidence.  Molly the cockapoo was the most experience dog there and she helped me introduce some of the new dogs to the agility course (thanks Molly!).  We will having our class again next Sunday at 9:00 am.  Hope to see you there!

Choosing the right equipment for your dog.

    There are countless types of leashes, collars and harnesses in the market which makes it difficult to choose the right ones for you and your dog.  My advice is to choose a piece of equipment that you (the handler) feels comfortable using.  Also, I suggest you consult a professional dog trainer who isn't completely against using any particular piece of equipment. Another thing to consider is that there is no piece of equipment that will be the best for any dog.  What works well with one dog may not work well with another.  Before I get into the different types of equipment I want to briefly discuss collapsed tracheas and dogs.  Many people choose not to use collars on their dogs in order to prevent a collapsed trachea.  Out all my years of working with dogs I have never heard of a dog getting a collapsed trachea from using a collar.  Some dogs are just prone to getting this condition and some dogs that only wear harnesses get collapsed tracheas.  If your dog has already been diagnosed with this condition I would avoid dog collars but I wouldn't avoid collars to prevent it.
     Now for the rest of the blog I will describe different types of equipment in the market today and I will discuss the pros and cons of each piece of equipment.  If you have any questions after reading this blog, feel free to contact us.

Flat Collar

Flat Collars: These are the most commonly used pieces of equipment by dog owners today.
Pros: They give you control over your dog and they come in an endless variety of styles and colors.
Cons:  They have to be fitted very snug in order to prevent your dog from slipping out of them.  Because they have to fit so snug, they can be pretty uncomfortable for your dog.

Body Harness

Body Harnesses:  These are also commonly used and they are growing in popularity.  Mainly because many people believe they are the most humane piece of equipment to use on your dog.
Pros:  Probably the most comfortable piece of equipment for your dog.  They look nice and come in many styles and colors.  Good alternative for dogs with collapsed tracheas.
Cons:  They give you little or no control of your dog.  What many people don't realize is that they were made to train dogs to pull materials and for scent tracking so that the dog can keep it's head low to the ground and pull it's handler to the object it is tracking.  When ever I see a dog in a harness pulling it's owner (which I do everyday), I know the dog is doing excactly what it should be doing.  Harnesses have their place in dog training, but most of the time leash etiquette is not that place.  Also, while they look very secure, dogs often back up out of them.  If a dog can get a leg out of a harness, they can easily slip the rest of their body out.

Choke/Slip Collar

Choke/ slip collars:  Probably the most commonly used collars amongst dog trainers.  They must be fitted to a proper setting with the dog remaining on one side of the handler during their walks.  Calling this piece of equipment a choke collar gives it a bad name.  I prefer to call it a slip collar.  You should consult a professional before using a slip collar.

Pros:  They give you great control of your dog.  If fitted and used properly, they hang on a dogs neck like a piece of jewelry.  Thus making it very comfortable for a dog to wear.  They make it virtually impossible for your dog to escape.

Cons:  If not used properly, you can hurt your dog using slip collars.  Also, slip collars do restrict the dog's airway when given a correction or when the dog pulls.

Prong Collar

Prong collars:  Probably the most misunderstood piece of equipment.  They are made to simulate a disciplinary bite dogs give when another dog is out of line.  It is necessary to either consult a professional before using this piece of equipment or do extensive research.  The prongs in the collar are not sharp and they cannot penetrate the dog's skin because the prong make contact with the dog's skin diagonally.

Pros:  They give you the most control of your dog.  Often nicknamed "power steering for dogs" by dog trainers.  Unlike other collars, they do not restrict the dog's airway.
Cons:  They look very intimidating.  The links in the collar often pop off, so a slip collar should be used as a back up.  If used incorrectly you can hurt your dog.  You may get some dirty looks by people who think prong collars are inhumane.

Remote Collars

Shock/Electric/Remote Collars:  To accurately explain this piece of equipment I need to write a whole blog on them.  First of all, I call them remote collars.  Calling them shock or electric collars makes them seem worse than they really are.  They are made to give the dog an electric stimulation whenever the handler presses a button on a remote.  The stimulation is usually no greater than the sensation one gets from a static shock.  These should only be used by professionals or by someone who has been trained by a professional.  If used properly remote collars can be a very humane way to train your dog.
Pros:  A great way to communicate with  your dog when you are not next to them.  It is a safer and more humane alternative to constantly having to give your dog leash corrections.  Great for off leash training.  Very affective for problematic behavior.
Cons:  Dog handlers must have extensive training before using remote collars.  They attract bad attention from people who think remote collars are inhumane.  If used incorrectly, they can do more harm than good.  There are only a few name brands worth buying and they can be expensive.

Head Halti

Head Halti/Head Collar/Gentle Leader:  These collars are meant to be fitted on a dog's head and muzzle.  These are relatively new but they are growing in popularity.
Pros:  They do give you control of your dog without causing any physical pain.  Good for dogs who overpower their handlers.
Cons:  They come off a lot!  While they do not cause physical pain, there is no piece of equipment that irritates dogs more than a Head Halti.  The strap that goes around their muzzle causes a lot of discomfort.   Personally, they are my least favorite piece of equipment to use on a dog.  Many people believe they are good for correcting problematic behavior but they cover up behavior issues rather than fix them.  I like to allow dogs to make mistakes so that I can correct them and they can learn from those mistakes.  Head halti's make that impossible because they pull the dog away rather than correct them.     

Our Newest Member, Mabel the Puggle

Mabel the Puggle

Mabel and Boomer after a long walk

Meet Mabel.  She is City Dog Pack's newest member.  Mable is an adorable 5 year old Puggle with the sweetest personality.  She recently moved here to NYC from Arizona and we are trying to show her around and make feel more at home.  So far she has been great.  Mabel has such a cool laid back attitude that any dog or human will love to be around.  She is going to be a great influence to the rest of our dogs.  We are lucky to have Mabel as a part of our pack and we look forward to having a long relationship with her.

Kona's first training session with City Dog Pack

This is Kona. She is a beautiful 9 month old beagle pointer mix with lots of energy and lots of personality.  She had her first training session with me on Friday and she did exceptionally well.  Her owners called me because while they were doing a good job training her on there own, they needed help maintaining her focus and she had anxiety issues with elevators.  During her first training session we went over leash etiquette and the sit and down commands.  Kona's great performance during her first training session was a reflection of her owners.  They did a great job taking in the information I was teaching them and their timing was spot on.  Kona learned the sit and down commands in 5 minutes and after doing some leash etiquette exercises for about a half hour, she was able to walk by her owners without lunging.  We also did some desensitizing with the elevator and her issues are nearly gone.  We will be teaching her the stay command next.  Stay tuned to follow Kona's progress!

The importance of positive and negative reinforcement in dog training

There are two general methods in regards to dog training; positive reinforcement and negative reinforcement.  Many people have incorrect understandings of what exactly these methods mean.  Just to clarify, positive reinforcement involves rewarding the dog with food or toy rewards and praise, while negative reinforcement involves removing positive rewards, verbal reprimands and physical corrections, such as a tug on the leash or stimulation from a remote collar.  Many dog trainers choose to use one method exclusively, however the best dog trainers have knowledge and use both positive and negative reinforcement.  Positive reinforcement is the best method for teaching a dog new behaviors and it's a great way to communicate with a dog to let them know that what they are currently doing is exactly what you want them to do.  Trainers who are completely against positive reinforcement argue that it is bribery and not training.  If used correctly, positive reinforcement is not at all bribery but a great way to establish a bond of trust between you and your dog.  However, positive reinforcement alone can result in a shallow relationship between you and your dog where your dog will only respond to you if you will give them a treat or a toy and if used alone, it is incomplete training.  Positive reinforcement alone is incomplete training because without negative reinforcement you can not have assurance that your dog will listen to you in any situation.  For example if your dog chases a cat out into the street, the reward of catching the cat is possibly more valuable to your dog than any food or toy reward you can offer.  Sometimes there is no way positive reinforcement can stop or improve unwanted behavior.  This is where negative reinforcement comes in.  Negative reinforcement is the best method for correcting unwanted behavior and it communicates to your dog that disobeying you or behaving badly

Keeping your dog cool this summer.

I'm a big believer in providing a lot of  exercise for dogs by taking them on long walks and having them participate in physical activities that increases their heart rate such as, dog agility, retrieving and jogging.  However, in the summer time I'm very careful with how hard I push my dogs.  The heat can be more dangerous for dogs than for humans.  Dogs are much more closer to the ground than we are and the radiant heat from the street can make the temperature for them feel 10 to 20 degrees hotter.  Follow these tips to keep your dog cool this summer.
1. Schedule long walks or activities during the cooler parts of the day: Try reserving your dog's longest walk or activities early in the morning or after sunset if possible.  Temperatures are usually much cooler during these times.

2. Keep your dog hydrated: Provide plenty of fresh water before, during and after walks.  You can find many collapsible water bowls in pet stores that can conveniently fit in your pocket.  These are great for giving your dog water during their walks.

3. Know where you can find water in the area you are in: Try to remember where you can find water fountains and spigots.  You don't want to be in a position where you have an over heated dog and you don't know where to find water.  Many places don't allow dogs, so you can't expect to walk in any public place with your dog to get water.

4.Wet your dog before walks:  This can make a big difference in temperature.  Dogs can not sweat to cool their selves down like we can.  A wet dog can stink up your apartment but don't worry.  In really hot weather, your dog can dry up in as little as 15 minutes.

5. Stay in shaded areas: During your walk, choose routes that are in the shade.  If you decide to take a break, choose a shaded area.

6. Stay off the streets:  As mentioned earlier, the radiant heat from the streets can make the temperature much higher for dogs and the heat from the asphalt can burn their paw pads.  Try to limit their time in the street and stay in the park as long as possible.  The trees in the parks provide shade and the grass and dirt is much cooler.

7. Last but not least, know the signs of over heating:  Don't freak out and rush your dog to the vet if it's panting.  Look out for raspy panting that makes it seem like your dog is having difficulty breathing.  Also look out for red eyes, and over drooling or foaming at the mouth.  If you see any of these signs, take a break in the shade, provide water and get your dog in an air conditioned room as soon a possible.  If you notice diarrhea with blood, constant vomiting or sluggish and confused behavior along with the other signs I mentioned,  try to cool your dog down as fast as possible and get them to a vet as soon as possible.  These are possible signs of heat exhaustion or even stroke which can be fatal.

With all this said, don't be afraid to enjoy the summer with your dog.  It is important to acclimate your dog in all types of weather.  Just follow these tips and take it easy with the physical activity. Enjoy your summer!

City Dog Pack's dog walkers and the competition.

Being a dog walker in NYC is a great job.  I absolutely love coming to work everyday.  I get great exercise while I hang out with amazing dogs all day.  All of the dog walkers in the City Dog Pack team consider it a privilege to work with dogs.  We enjoy walking our dogs in groups of 2 to 3 dogs as you can see in the pictures on the left, so that we can give our dogs individual attention.  Walking dogs in small groups gives us the opportunity to get to know each dog individually.  Other than walking dogs in small groups, another one of our big rules is that we never allow our dogs to wait outside while picking up other dogs.  This is something I see other companies do all the time and it really annoys me.  In the pictures on the right, you'll see dogs tied up to a fence while their dog walker (not from City Dog Pack) picks up another dog.  Some times these dogs will be left there for nearly an hour with one dog walker assigned to as many as 12 dogs!  The dog services business is a big business and the problem is sometimes you have people who start these companies because of the business opportunity and not for their love and knowledge of dogs.  To maximize profits, they hire under qualified personnel, they pay them poor wages, and they have them walk as many dogs they can at one time.  When I see the way these companies operate, I wonder if the dog owners even know how their dogs are walked everyday.  If there is a potential customer who doesn't care how their dog is walked, City Dog Pack is not for them!  We have by far the best dog walkers in NYC and  we take our dogs on structured walks where they will get great exercise and they will socialize with many dogs and people.  As founder of City Dog Pack my goal isn't to have the biggest or most profitable business I can have.  My goal is to provide the best dog walking and training services possible.

Private agility session with Teddy and Molly

Today City Dog Pack had an awesome dog agility session with two amazing Cockapoos, Teddy (pictured above) and Molly (pictured on the right).  Teddy and Molly practiced hurdles, the tire jump, the pause tables, and weave poles.  They both put on a great performance and made their mommies proud.  It takes a lot of hard work and practice to master dog agility but Teddy and Molly are off to a great start.  I love training dogs, rehabilitating dogs and walking them but working with dogs side by side in activities like dog agility is a very rewarding experience.  Many dogs in New York City don't get a chance to show off their full potential and activities like this give them that opportunity.  Today I was able to see how proud Teddy and Molly were when they completed an obstacle.  I can't wait to see how good they get!

Our free dog agility class 6/5/2011

City Dog pack had a very busy day during our last dog agility class.  We had many dogs show off their skills and we drew quite a crowd.  It was amazing to see how quickly many of the dogs learned how to negotiate the obstacles.  We even had a blind Australian Shepard come out and inspire the crowd when he jumped our highest hurdles!  Many of the pedestrians who were watching the class thought the dogs had a lot of experience with dog agility but most of the dogs who participated were in their first or second class.  Lola, a six pound French Poodle seen in the top picture, was fifteen minutes into her first class and she was dominating the course.  She was able to complete some of the obstacles of the leash in her very first class.  The dogs absolutely loved the class and some of their owners were pleased to see how tired their dogs were once they got home.  Besides developing a bond with your dog and giving them a sense of pride and fulfillment, activities like dog agility gives dogs an exceptional workout.  Everybody knows, a tired dog is a good dog!        

Mr. Linc the Yorkshire Terrier

This is Mr. Linc.  He is a four year old Yorkie and he has been a member of City Dog Pack for almost a year now.  When most people think of Yorkies they think of a high maintenance prissy dog but don't mistake Linc with one of those.  He is very masculine, tough and rugged.  Linc likes to go on easy strolls to Carl Schurz Park so that he can check out the cute girl dogs hanging out at the small dog park.  When I first met Linc he was not very social with other dogs and he was a bit lazy but now he's getting along better with other dogs and he enjoys going on longer walks.  When we had our first dog agility class I was shocked with Linc's performance.  I thought he was going to be content with watching other dogs run the course but he immediately put on a show.  He was jumping hurdles and loops, running through tunnels, climbing bridges and he even pulled a weighted cart!  Considering his usual mellow demeanor, his owners and I were surprised with his energetic outburst.  In this picture he is laughing because he just chased off a Pitbull. 

Mr. Bear the Wheaten Terrier

This is Mr. Bear.  He is a 1 and a half year old Wheaten Terrier.  I have been walking and training Bear since he was about 6 months.  He is the most athletic member of City Dog Pack and he is very smart.  He is also the goofiest member we have.  Every day I walk him he does something that makes me laugh.  Many mornings when I show up to walk him, he greets me with one of his owner's shoes (he never brings the same shoe two days in a row, very funny).  Bear and I have developed a true bond with each other within the year we have spent together.  He sometimes even anticipates what I want him to do before I even tell him.  I love all of the dogs I work with but Bear and I have a connection that usually only occurs between dog and owner.  I am proud to have him with us.

Training session with Mango

This is Mango.  She is an adorable 11 month old French Bulldog.  Yesterday she had her first training session with City Dog Pack and she was wonderful.  Mango is super motivated and she has a great owner so I predict she will accomplish a lot with her obedience training.  Before yesterday she was a leash puller, but after a simple change of equipment and a small amount of guidance for her owner, Mango was walking like a Westminster show dog!  She and her owner make a dynamic duo and we look forward to working with them much more in the future.   

Is it O.K. to have a big dog in a small N.Y.C. apartment?

Many people ask me if I think it is O.K. to have a big dog in a small N.Y.C. apartment.  I think it depends on the owners more than the dog.  Big dogs usually require much more exercise than smaller dogs and it is the owners responsibility to provide that exercise, whether they do it their selves or if they hire a dog walker to help them.  Also, big dogs obviously take up more space so if you have a small studio apartment they might be in the way and they might knock over things more than a small dog would.  Lets be real here, dogs are awesome but they can be a bit clumsy.  People often tell me; "I want a big dog but I have no room in my apartment for it to run around".  If you're using your home to provide most of your dog's exercise, you might want to rethink your strategy.  Your home is the place where your dog should be calm and relaxed.  Take your dog on daily long walks.  If you can't, get help from a dog walker (from City Dog Pack of course), or take your dog to the dog park.  If you do this everyday, your dog will not need to run around at home.  Also, dogs of all sizes and breeds like to dwell in small spaces.  Farm dogs who have a lot a land to run around most of the day, often return to a small space to lay down and relax.  So as long as you provide sufficient exercise and you don't mind sharing your space, having a big dog in a small apartment can work out just fine.  If you're wondering if these pictures are real, yes they are.  This is Hercules, a 282 pound English Mastiff.  He holds the record for the biggest dog in the world.  Imagine him in your studio!   

Brady the Dachshund

This is Brady.  He is the kindest and most gentle Dachshund I have ever met.  He is the perfect dog to help other dogs with fear issues.  The dogs and I love when Brady joins us on our walks.  He enjoys munching on chicken jerky treats and going on trots around the neighborhood with his best bud Brutus the Boston terrier.  He also likes to play hide and seek when I pick him up for his walks.  His owners are lucky to have him and as you can see in this picture, he has a killer smile!

Riley the cockapoo

This is Riley.  She is the cutest 7 month old cockapoo you'll ever see.  I've been training and walking Riley since she was about 4 months.  She is super smart and a fast learner.  Riley likes to go on nice strolls with her best friend Lola the toy poodle.  She loves attention from people but she is still a little shy around other dogs.  Her owners and I socialize her as much as possible and the hard work has been paying off.  In the top picture she is in the dog park getting ready to play with an Italian Greyhound she met.  The bottom picture shows what she does when I pick her up for her walks.  She sometimes passes out from excitement.  So funny!