The English Bulldog Puppy Blog

Every time I see dogs in seclusion whether outdoors or indoors, it pains my heart to see it bark at all who happens to pass by. It is as if it barks to someone or anyone to get attention and actually spend time with it.

The reality of having to work to earn a living is a must especially if you want to make ends meet, including your dog’s needs. But, a little time alone or make that quality time alone with your dog goes a long way to make your pet feel special and appreciated. Go through simple ways to have a time to bond with your pet dog without exerting very much effort or spending more time.

Take your dog along

Why not let your dog tag along when you are out doing errands like picking kids up from school? It is a hassle-free way to shower your dog with attention and stimulation. If you are one of those owners whose lives rotate around home, sending or picking up kids from school, at soccer games, then allowing your dog to participate in these activities can meet much of her social needs.

Sleep with your dog.

Experts agree that having your dog sleep in your bedroom does not necessarily mean to let it sleep on your bed. Your dear pet can sleep on the floor or another mini sofa in your room. It is a great way to spend extended time with your best friend with no additional effort on your part.

Find common hobbies you both like to do.

There are some activities that seem to be more fun when done with a buddy. Yes, your buddy can be your dog. Try doing mutually enjoyable physical activities that you both love. Add in some cuddle time during these activities too. It never hurts to express how much you love your pet.

Multitasking

Are you busy making lunch or dinner while your dog hangs around? Use this opportunity to train your dog how to sit-stay and down-stay commands.

Delegating

If you don’t live alone, other family members can take turns helping out on dog care. For example, if you are living with children then designate them to be walkers, exercisers and players of your household pet. It spreads the interactions over more people.

Who wants a grumpy, lonely dog for company? Spend a little extra time with your dog to make it a happy member of your home. Every dog requires training, exercise, and quality one-on-one time with people each and every day. A little creativity on your part can help meet most of your dog’s social needs without putting a dent in your schedule.

Technorati Tags: dogs, English Bulldog Puppy, how to spend quality time, pets, take care

NORTHUMBERLAND – A feeling of hope goes for a long way for couple, Bethany Whyne and Adam Heim, who never gave up to find Maggie, their beloved 2-year-old English bulldog, stolen on October 8 from the backyard of their home on Second Street.

Almost four months later, that hope, and their prayers, was rewarded.

“It was a long shot, but we found her,” said a much-relieved Heim on Monday night. “Bethany and I always had the feeling that she was safe. We were getting constant tips and leads. People really cared about Maggie and us. It was incredible. We finally located her last week and brought her home on Friday night.”

She had not been abused by the dog-napper.

An individual who lives in Williamsport, but had spent time in Northumberland snatched Maggie.

Heim was tipped off last week by a “concerned citizen” in Northumberland who responded to a $500 reward offered by Heim and Whyne for information leading to the recovery of their dog.

“This man thought he knew who might have taken the Maggie,” Heim said. “Turns out, he was right.”

Heim declined to identify the informant.

“I want to respect his wishes to be anonymous, but the truth is that without the reward, I don’t think we would have found Maggie,” he said.

Heim called the Williamsport police after receiving the tip.

“We were lucky,” he said. “A Northumberland borough policeman, who now worked in Williamsport, was familiar with the case. The department was extremely cooperative and helpful.”

Heim drove up to Williamsport on Friday evening and met police at the home where Maggie had been taken.

Whyne, a nursing assistant at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, drove directly from work to Williamsport.

“I was very nervous,” she said. “Our hopes had been dashed so often. I thought, ‘Is this for real?’ I had many nights where I just cried. I mean, Maggie is my child.”

As she approached the house in Williamsport, a police officer motioned for her to come to the porch and identify the dog.

It was Maggie.

“The minute she saw me, I fell to my knees, and she started jumping at me and kissing me,” Whyne said. “We immediately identified her to police and then took her home.”

Whyne and Heim decided not to press charges against the individual.

“It might have been different if Maggie had been mistreated, but she wasn’t,” Heim said. “She was well-fed and groomed. Besides, our whole purpose in offering the reward was to get Maggie back. I wasn’t out to prosecute or pursue this as a criminal matter.”

They had been living in a Northumberland duplex for about a month before the dog went missing.

“It happened in an instant,” Whyne recalled. “It was a beautiful fall afternoon, and Maggie was in our fenced-in backyard sunning herself. I was in the house. Adam suddenly came in the house looking for Maggie. ‘Is she here?” he asked.

She was gone.

“We searched the neighborhood,” Whyne said. “Kids, parents, everyone looked for her. By the end of the day, we had the feeling that someone had just reached in and taken her. She’s such a friendly dog. She would have just jumped into a car.”

Whyne was dogged in her quest to get her pet back. She never gave up hope.

She placed lost-and-found advertisements every day in The Daily Item. They also hung posters and distributed fliers.

“People reacted with disbelief and anger that someone would take a pet,” Heim said.

And although Whyne had tons of calls and suggested leads, nothing panned out.

In the interim, they adopted another dog, Jack, a Schnauzer. They already had a poodle mix named Stewie.

“With Maggie gone, we wanted to give Stewie company,” she said.

Now, all three dogs run and play all over the house together.

“Maggie has to get used to the house again and to Jack, but they’re starting to get along,” Whyne said, laughing.

The day after bringing Maggie home, they began taking down the fliers they had posted all over town.

“We’re getting cheers when people recognize Maggie,” Whyne added. “People are so happy that she is back home and safe.”

“We are so grateful for the outpouring of support we received,” she said. “People, even strangers, kept telling us, you’d find her. Everything will be OK. To all those people, I want to say this is a story with a very happy ending.”

Technorati Tags: adam heim, bethany whyne, lost english bulldog, maggie, news, northumberland

2 suspects held without bail, 3rd on bail of $21,500

Three men are facing burglary charges after one of them told police they broke into a northeast-side pet store and swiped three pricey puppies last month including an English bulldog.

Shane Bradtmiller, 31, of the 1400 block of Kitch Street, told police he, Kory Lee Church and Timothy Harris broke into Petland at 10538 Maysville Road on Dec. 30, a probable cause affidavit filed Wednesday said.

Expensive pet supplies as well as an Italian greyhound, a chiweenie and an English bulldog were taken.

Officers arrested Church, 20, of the 15700 block of Canyon Ridge Road, and Harris, 23, of the 1900 block of Vermont Avenue, this month after an informant told police the two were trying to sell stolen pet supplies.

Police went to Harris’ home and found two of the puppies. The third was later recovered at a Decatur home.

Church and Harris initially faced charges of receiving stolen property. They were each charged this week – Harris with one count of burglary and Church with two counts of burglary.

Church was being held in lieu of $21,500 bail. Harris is also charged with driving with a suspended license. He was being held without bail.

Bradtmiller was arrested Jan. 12. He is charged with two counts of burglary and one count of receiving stolen property. He was being held without bail.

Technorati Tags: bail, english bulldog new, kory lee church, petland pet store, robbery theft crime, shane bradtmiller, timothy harris

Don’t miss another episode of DogTown, “The Road Home” on Friday, January 29 at 10PM ET/PT

The Road Home episode shows how Little Girl, a Catahoula leopard dog mix, is given a second chance and learns to overcome her fears with help from John Garcia, in hopes that she will be adopted. Shy dogs are often among the first to be euthanized in shelters because they are difficult to adopt, but not at DogTown, a no-kill facility. Later we will follow a morbidly obese Chihuahua, Tuli, with a tiny head and a pineapple-size body, who must lose weight to become healthy enough for adoption. Finally, we meet Shockey, a terrier mix who is full of energy and excitement that makes her hard to control. See how DogTown manager Michelle Besmehn works to help Shockey listen to commands and overcome her stubbornness.

“Obese Chihuahua” – Due to serious health concerns, an overweight Chihuahua has to shed some pounds.

“Little Girl’s Big Fears” – An extremely shy dog overcomes her fears at Dogtown.

Technorati Tags: chihuahua, dogs, dogtown, january 29 2010, national geographic channel, the road home

The rate of dog obesity has steadily increased based on the Veterinary Economics report that 40% of US dogs are overweight and National Academies’ Research Council showing 25% of pets in Western societies are obese. Don’t let your pet dog balloon to a weight that falls under the obesity category. Know tips on how to make your pet as healthy as it should in the New Year.

Let your dog make your resolutions for you in the year 2010. Your dog is bound to be your lifelong loyal and loving companion, the least you can do is to promote its wellness. We recommend resolutions that will leave you AND your dog feeling vibrant and great – without any need to wear spandex, spinning classes, or low fat dressing.

Resolution 1: Quality walks

Puppies never refuse the chance to go out for a walk. Resolve to take your pet to walk the same old stroll up the block and back. Your dog will appreciate new scents and sounds in as much as you enjoy new scenery. Mix up weekday walks with new routes, unfamiliar trails, unchartered side streets. On weekends, explore new neighborhoods. You can also research dog-friendly hiking spots in your area.

Resolution 2: Less hugs, play more tugs

Hugs can do wonders but is not exactly the same case for dogs. A nice and long hug can make your dog squirm and wriggle out of your arms. It’s a canine thing to feel trapped. Why don’t you play tug with your dog? A hearty round of tug played appropriately can be a huge stress reliever as an exercise. This is an activity when DROP IT and OFF are important commands to teach your pup.

Premier Busy Buddy Bouncy Bone Dog Toy

Resolution 3: Introduce new toys

Toys need not to be store-bought new toys just as long as they’re new to your dog. It hasn’t seen the toys before or at least in a very long time. Swap toys with your dog-lover friends and neighbors. You can trade toys every few weeks so your dog can have something new to charge, change, or chew on.

Resolution 4: Party, party, party

Parties do not mean fancy birthday fete or a bark mitzvah. A rendezvous with two of your dog’s fave people who adore your dog will do. Play a few of his well-loved game or simply ask invitees to practice a couple basic commands with your dog. It is an opportunity for your dog to be praised, treated and rewarded by someone else. It is great for socialization and to boost its confidence.

Resolution 5: Outdoor bonding with your dog

Agility classes are a perfect combination of mental stimulation, physical activity, and most of all teambuilding between you and your best friend. Man and dogs both have a ball to practice agility skills. If pole and tire hoops seem like an intimidating play for your dog, consider a Canine Good Citizen class. It is a program designed by the AKC and offered in cities across the country designed to promote responsible ownership and well-mannered dogs. Not only are you brushing up your training techniques, your dog also gets refresher course in good behavior.

Resolution 6: keep my dog physically fit

The last resolution requires willpower to follow through daily walks with your dog, healthy food, and more games of fetch. It is true that the pleading puppy eyes are enough to make you melt at your defenses and give your dog his stash of treats. Remember how important your dog’s health just as you would take care of your own health. A man’s best friend needs his daily dose of health booster in any way your dog can.

Technorati Tags: canine health, english bulldog, exercise, resolutions to keep dog healthy

Have fun playing Dogtown, a NatGeo’s newest game for all dog lovers!

Rehabilitate troubled dogs for adoption! Volunteer at DogTown to mentally and physically repair canines by diagnosing ailments, playing catch, teaching tricks, and finding them a loving home! Based on the hit National Geographic TV show!

System requirements:

Windows Vista, Windows XP
Pentium-III processor speed
256 MB RAM
100 Mb Hard Drive Space
64 MB VRAM 16 or 32-bit Video Card
16 bit DirectX compatible sound card
DirectX 9.0

Download your own NatGeo Games: DOGTOWN game here.

Technorati Tags: dogtown game, national geographic channel game, video game

Be sure to tune in on National Geographic’s DogTown episode “Sanctuary” on Friday, January 22 at 10PM ET/PT.

Here is a preview on how John Garcia find a Sanctuary for Shaggy:

Shaggy, a mixed-breed feral dog, survived living in the wild near the Grand Canyon and may never have socialized with humans. After six years of extreme weather and hardship, Sherry Woodard helps Shaggy learn how to begin to trust and interact with humans. Next, Dr. Mike and his wife turn to John Garcia for help with their dog Penny, a mischievous beagle mix whose uncontrollable behavior must be corrected before she causes more damage to their happy home. Finally, Reggie’s family can no longer afford the veterinary care for this elkhound mix and surrender him to DogTown, where he is treated for a mysterious disease that is slowly destroying his nose and ears.

Kanab, UT, USA: Penny on the sofa with Dr. Mike Dix and Elissa Jones. (Photo credit: © NGT)

“Shaggy the Survivor” – After surviving 6 years alone in the Grand Canyon, this wild and dreadlocked pup is heading to DogTown.

“Puppy Puzzles”- Penny’s a little too clever for Mike and Elissa’s own good. So John’s got some tools to keep this rambunctious pup occupied.

Technorati Tags: dogtown sanctuary episode, english bulldogs, john garcia, national geographic channel

Dogtown’s new episode will premiere on Friday, January 15, 2010 at 10 PM ET/PT on National Geographic channel. Be sure to watch the new episode tomorrow night on Natgeo!

For the meantime, read on to know what the new episode is all about.

(Photo credit: © NGT)
Kanab, UT, USA: Dr. Patti Iampietro takes a look at Lake, a blind retriever-mix, who lost her sight due to complications with diabetes.

Meet one of DogTown’s toughest challenges, Clemance, a shepherd mix rescued from the 2006 Lebanon-Israel war. DogTown manager John Garcia helps the traumatized canine overcome her aggression toward people and other dogs when she is on a leash. John teaches Clemance through a strong relationship that meeting dogs while on a leash is no reason to lash out. Then meet Lake, a blind Lab mix forced to live in isolation because of her severe aggression toward other dogs. Dr. Patti Iampietro is part of the medical team that performs a complex procedure that may help Lake regain her sight and potentially curb her aggressive tendencies. Finally, two neglected Chihuahua mixes, Monte and Piñata, rescued from filthy and unsafe conditions, are skittish and terribly shy. Trainer Pat Whitacre creates a unique training program that teaches the dogs how to trust humans with the hope that it will lead to a permanent home for them.

Watch a video on “Canine Cataract Surgery”  below.

Cataracts have blinded the diabetic dog. Dr. Patti hopes surgery will help restore at least some of his sight.

Watch a video on “Chihuahuas Surplus” below.

A glut of unwanted Chihuahuas in L.A. results in euthanization and neglect – but this pair of pups get a second chance.

Technorati Tags: dogtown, january 10, National geographic, television programs

Catch back to back episodes of Dog Whisperer and Dogtown on National Geographic tomorrow Friday, January 8.

DOG WHISPERER: CESAR IN OZ

Friday, January 8 at 9PM ET/PT

Brisbane, Australia: Paris, a Shar Pei, gives Cesar Milan a kiss. She’s a cuddly and bubble dog belonging to the Cowleys. (Photo credit: © MPH – Emery/Sumner Joint Venture)

Dog Whisperer: Cesar in Oz continues with Cesar in Australia. Cesar begins working with Sydney, a 9-year-old Weimaraner who was attacked by a man on a postie motorbike, the vehicles used by Australian mail carriers. The incident turned Sydney aggressive against posties or anyone riding one of the motorized red postie delivery bikes. Cesar pulls out all the stops to stamp out Sydney’s postie phobia. Next Cesar faces one of his toughest challenges in Oz as he meets Vincent, a 4-year-old shar-pei who has a thirst for blood, attacking other dogs and his owner. Cesar’s Australian adventure is not over yet — he meets Australian red cattle dog Astro, who barks incessantly at the oddest activities, including making the bed, riding a bike or carrying an object out of the house. In this special destination episode, Cesar gets a taste of Australian wildlife … in canine form.

“Astro’s Epic Bark” – Alison’s dog, Astro, has been barking almost non-stop for 7 years. Will Cesar bring a little silence back into their lives?

This pup has a bite history with mail men on red motorbikes. Can Cesar change this dog’s relationship with the posties?

DOGTOWN: BRIGHT FUTURES

Friday, January 8 at 10PM ET/PT

Kanab, UT, USA: Sherry Woodard and Kristi Littrell spend quality time with Billy, a dog who needs management for aggressive behavior. (Photo credit: © NGT)

When animal control seized pit bulls from Michael Vick’s property, 22 of the most severe cases were sent to DogTown for rehabilitation. While many of the Vick dogs have made steady progress, one in particular has been a challenge for DogTown manager John Garcia. When Handsome Dan arrived, he suffered from a crippling fear of people and had been known to face his kennel wall for hours on end. Under the expert care of Garcia, we’ll see how Handsome Dan has transformed from an emotionally traumatized pit bull into one who is ready for adoption. Then, Dr. Patti Iampietro races to find a cure for Charlene, an elderly spaniel mix with a mysterious life-threatening illness. And finally, meet Billy, a behaviorally challenged rottweiler mix who has a habit of lashing out when strangers try to touch him. Watch as behavioral consultant Sherry Woodard doesn’t give up on helping Billy.

“Billy’s Bad Behavior” – When Billy starts showing signs of aggression, his trainer tries to find an explanation. Could there be a physical problem?

“Vick Dog Rehab” – After spending most of this life in a cage, this former fight dog gets his first taste of wide open spaces.

Technorati Tags: cesar milan, dog whisperer, dogtown, january 2010, National geographic, new episodes, television program

Security should be a top priority especially in pet shops.  You would never believe how certain breeds of dogs including English bulldogs cost.  Read how a pet store in Fort Wayne got robbed.

FORT WAYNE, Ind., (WANE) – A late night robbery a day before Christmas Eve left the Petland Store at 10538 Maysville Road with three less puppies.

The suspect or suspects snatched three purebred dogs, along with about $20,000 dollars in merchandise.

Employees found out about the robbery early Thursday.

“At 7 o’clock my kennel manager and staff came in to feed the puppies and clear the kennels and everything,” recalled store owner Kit Farrar. “That’s when my kennel manager noticed something was wrong.”

Farrar rushed in to find the puppies missing, along with empty shelves and racks. The thieves took an English bulldog, Italian Greyhound, and Chiweenie, a Dachshund and Chihuahua mix.

Each of the pups was between nine to ten weeks old and anything but cheap.

“The bulldog is almost four thousand dollars, that’s our most expensive breed,” Farrar told NewsChannel 15. “We just want the puppies back safe. They’re very young and need to be returned immediately so they can continue their veterinary care.”

Farrar says the robbers pried their way in through the back dooor, and then kicked in his office door to steal the safe.

And they didn’t stop there.

“A whole bunch of our Eukanuba food, all our electronic collars, designer shampoos, retractable leashes, a bunch of filters from our fish department. It seemed like they were collecting the right things to take,” said Farrar.

Because of the volume and sizes of the items stolen, Farrar supsects more than one robber was involved. He says police were able to find a few fingerprints to analyze.

The store had no alarm, or cameras. There is some surveillance video from the nearby Wal-Mart that could help though. The possibility of the robbery being an inside job has just about been ruled out.

In the meantime, Farrar’s installed a deadbolt, and an alarm system is next. Police are also watching the building.

Petland’s partnered with a group called HelpMeFindMYPET to get the word out about the heist and they’re hoping for a safe return.

HelpmefindMYPET is an organization that helps recover lost ot stolen animals. It reports that the stolen puppies were all microchipped and enrolled in its registry. The group has sent out an alert for all three puppies and is working closely with Fort Wayne police to locate them.

If you have information on the stolen dogs, call HelpmefindMYPET’s 24 hour toll free hotline at 866-699-FIND (3463) or visit the website.

Technorati Tags: english bulldog, fort wayne, news, pet store robbed, robbery