Snip it or Leave it? What's your say?

Pet overpopulation is of course a big issue and one that is present in every county across the United States.

How is it any different around the world? For example in Japan? Let's take a look.

Doglando's Agility Class and Club

Finally, Doglando is bringing Agility to the canines of East Orlando. Whether you and your dog want to join just for laughs or train for competition, Doglando's Agility class is where you need to be.

Enroll now. Starts April 1, 2010, and will meet every Thursday night from 6pm -7pm and 7:15pm - 8:15pm.

Also join Doglando's Agility Club. For a small fee, come practice on our equipment every Sunday anytime between 10 am - 4pm. Open to all levels, all breeds... the only thing required is a positive, fun attitude.

Call us at 407-574-3160 for more information.

Dog Responsibly... University of Doglando

Doglando... half my dream

And here is the other half.... a sanctuary for dogs and Elephants... my two most favorite animals on earth.





One day....

Pet Airways

The Pet Airways Travel Experience: How it works

1. Drop your pet off at our Pet Lounge
Drop your pet off at our Pet Lounge, located at the airport. You must check in your pet no later than 2 hours before take off.

2. Potty Break less than 2 hours before flight
Potty Breaks are very important to your pet. With the human airlines, your pet could be made to hold themselves for a very very long time. Pet Airways monitors the last time your pet had a potty break, and makes sure that they get regular potty breaks along the way. This means that it may take us longer to get to where we are going, but the care of our pawsengers is our first priority.

3. Pets Board The Plane
Pets board the plane and our Pet Attendants make sure they’re all comfortable and that they, and their pet carrier, are secure.

4. Pet Attendant looks after the pets during the flight
A Pet Attendant monitors and checks the comfort of all pawsengers every 15 minutes during the flight. After landing, pets will be disembarked, given a potty break, and will be available for pickup at the Pet Lounge.

5. Pick up your pet and enjoy your family vacation
Pick up your pet at the Pet Lounge at your destination, knowing he or she has traveled comfortably and safely in the main cabin of our plane.

Fun Dog Toys... make great photos

Humunga Stache Durable Dog Toy. Go indognito to the park with this fun toy! For the pooch with a good sense of humor; this shiny black toy is a ball on one end and a giant cartoon mustache on the other. Dogs naturally pick up the ball leaving an outrageously funny mustache sticking out! Dogs also love to hold the ball in their mouth, and shake the mustache back and forth! Get your pup a stache today!! Pets should be supervised when playing with toys as no toy is completely indestructible.

Wall Decor / Wall Decals

Have you heard of wall decals? Seems like its the new trend in home decor these days. A few weeks ago, I was in TJ Max and saw it there, then at Joann's for the first time.

It seems like a really cool idea... and one that works awesome for people like me who get bored of the same decor and paint on the walls and I feel like I have to change it almost every two weeks. It's a good thing I don't have the time to, otherwise I think I truly would.

Check it out, here are a few wall decals made by Gecko that could dress up your dog's wall space.

Stamps to the Rescue

Assuming you still use stamps…

The US Postal Service has unveiled its newest batch of stamps, Adopt a Shelter Pet commemorative postage stamps. The Stamps to the Rescue promotional campaign featuring spokesperson Ellen DeGeneres aims to donate 1 million meals to animal shelters across the country.

The stamps feature five cats and five dogs who were adopted from a shelter in New Milford, CT.

You can order them at the online USPS Postal Store now, or wait and get them at your local post office starting on April 30th.

Groom Grub and Belly Rub, Avalon Park

East Orlando Pets, we are approximately 2 weeks away from opening!

Today I finalized on the colours, and I think we have the store layout finalized as well.... if the trend continues it may change by tomorrow.

We are really excited about our new shop, and hope to be serving all pet residents of East Orlando by the end of April.

Coming soon: www.groomgrubandbellyrub.com.

Dog friendly vacations

Are you already planning your summer vacations. Here are some really cool dog friendly camps for short holidays.

Camp Winnaribbun

On the shores of Lake Tahoe, Nevada Campers have the opportunity to participate in obedience, agility, herding, tracking, nature talks, massage therapy, wonderful campfires with smores and storytelling and much, much more.

Camp Unleashed
Located in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts this camp offers several sessions throughout the year. Activities include relaxing, hiking, swimming, sampling dog sports, learning canine massage and more.


Camp Dog Wood
Camp Dogwood takes place in Ingleside, Illinois.

Camp Dogwould
Near Perth, Ontario this camp offers a bit of everything, Tellington Touch, Reactive Dog Modification Class, Obedience, Fun Games & Tricks, Flyball, Agility, Freestyle, Rally and more.


Barking Hills Country Club
Where every human must be accompanied by a dog. A place for owners and their dogs to work, learn and play. Activities include obedience, lure coursing, agility, flyball & carting. Also active in Pet Assisted Therapy programs and can be a resource for your group or facility.

Camp Barking Hills
Camp Barking Hills in Hackettstown, New Jersey is a weekend camp for dogs and their
owners to play, learn new things and explore a variety of activities they might not
have had the opportunity to experience. Camp Barking Hills wants to give people the
chance to explore activities and sports with their dog in a relaxing atmosphere.

Dog Days of Wisconsin Summer Camp
A place where you can relax and have a good time with your dog. Participate in one of the scheduled activities or just watch the sun set on a hill with crickets chirping around you ... all with your canine best friend at your side. The camp is at Camp Helen Brachman located near Stevens Point, Wisconsin in Portage County, about 140 miles northwest of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Canine Club Getaway
Located at Northern Catskills, New York this camp offers a variety of dog activities and seminars.

Camp Gone to the Dogs
Perhaps the most well known of the dog camps. This Vermont camp offers a week long session with introductions to flyball, herding, agility, clicker training, canine nutrition and more.

Glen Highland Farm
Morris, NY. Glen Highland Farm offers a variety of experiences from a simple on-your-own getaway to a six day group camp to a camp for kids and assorted mini-camps and seminars.

Bark!Here Dog Camp
Located in North Texas It is a scheduled three day weekend with your dog.

Wag It Camp
Based in Lincolnville, Maine the focus is on agility competition skills

Gunflint Lodge - Dog Lover's Weekend
Northeastern Minnesota

Paws and People Camp
Bozeman, Montana scheduled for a single weekend it offers hiking, canine trail etiquette, wilderness first aid and other outdoor fun.


Maian Meadows Dog Camp
Gig Harbor, Washington

Dog Paddling Adventures
Enjoy paddling, hiking and winter adventures (whether a beginner or experienced), while at the same time enjoying a bonding experience that is truly unique. Share the beauty of Ontario's finest waterways.

4-H Paws n Pals
In Western Maryland this is a camp program for kids and their dogs - or they can borrow a dog if they don't have one of their own.

Google in Orlando ... Off topic

Off topic, but relevant to all those living in Orlando, FL....

Get Googling Orlando
Google is looking for a City like ours to test their experimental ultra high speed internet network. That means our residents would have access to an internet connection 100 times faster than anywhere else. As you can imagine, the possibilities for this infusion of technology are endless. From media to communications, it would dramatically change the way we experience the internet in our homes.

Google has asked our City government to submit a formal application. They also want to hear from you! Why should they pick our community? What would you do with this incredible opportunity? You can answer these questions by taking a few minutes to fill out Google’s survey. But, don’t stop there! Google wants to see just how creative we can be. So, tell us what you would do with one of the fastest internet connections in the world by making your mark on our Google Map, send in a YouTube video, and share with your friends by e-mailing, buzzing, tweeting, or Facebooking.

Orlando… It’s time to GET GOOGLING!

Summer Camp Program Youths and Dogs

University of Doglando will be launching their first summer camp program for youths between the ages of 13-17 years of age this summer.

The program, part of Paws Making PALS (Positive Achievements, Learning & Sharing) will enroll up to 10 youths for their first camp of 2010. Youths will be split up into teams of two, and each team will be allowed to choose one shelter dog to adopt, then train and readopt into a forever home, at the end of the camp.

The program will educate youths on how to be responsible pet parents as well as provide them with insight on the differences between acquiring pets from a shelter vs, pet shop, breeders, back yard breeders and craigslist. They will learn how to select dogs based on temperament vs good looks, and over the course of the summer camp program they will have acquired basic dog training skills.

Youths will also engage in extra curricular activities such as arts and crafts and building of agility equipment. The entire group of 10 youths will be responsible for putting together a graduation ceremony for the dogs and perspective families at the end of the camp, and one fundraiser project for Puppy BREATH (more to come later).

University of Doglando's Paws Making PALS opens enrollment on of April 1, 2010.

One month old Puppies

Update on Nola and her puppies:

I had all the intentions of keeping Nola with her puppies until they were adopted, but sadly, this will not be the case. She is so over being a mum; within the last few days she has stopped allowing them to feed off her. Quite honestly, I don't really blame her little did I know these little rascals had their teeth coming in.
Today on day 29, here is what their jaw looked like (don't mind my black fingers):


This little guy hung onto her as she walked away.


From a behavioral stand point, I think, it is imperative that the mother stay with her puppies through their most critical development phases, as her nurture and comfort during stressful experiences has a very big impact on their stability later on.

Here's a great example: Today, as I was lifting up each puppies lips to take photos of their teeth, there was one puppy in particular who just was not going to have it. He screamed, and yodeled and howled and growled just while being handled... I had not even touched his mouth yet. Nola was on the other side of the house when she heard the puppy, and immediately came running up to see what was going on. She calmly walked into the x-pen and accounted for all of them, then she looked over at the one in my hands. She gently licked his face and the top of his head, in an attempt to calm him and reassure him. This is all he needed.

Granted he did not stop whining, I truly believe it calmed him enough to attempt to understand I was not harming him. His whines became lower, and then he just lay there looking up at me. I think this was a critical moment for the puppy, and I don't believe this level of comfort can be brought in absence of mummy dog.

Dog Beach...Venice FL

Looking for an off leash dog beach to take your dog's to? Check out the dog friendly beaches in Venice, FL.

Thank you Becky (Doglando Mum) for sending us this information to share with our readers.

Amenities: Fenced dog play yard leads to the only beach area in the county where dogs are allowed. Other amenities are picnic tables, benches, showers, drinking fountains for humans and dogs. Open daily, 7 a.m. - dusk. To the south is South Brohard providing beach access for humans only, includes boardwalks, benches and showers. Parking available at both places.




Has anyone else been to this beach? Email us photos of your dog and his/her beach friends.

Dog Responsibly...University of Doglando

The world from your dog's eyes

In one of my classes, I have a Boston Terrier, who's eyes are set apart quite far and off to the side of his head. His owners, laughing said, we think he is dumb.... because he could not find the kibble that fell on the floor!, I thought this would make an interesting blog topic today because many pet parents, and even trainers are unaware of this.

Everyone wonders what the world looks like from their dogs eyes. I am sure you have encountered a moment when all of a sudden you turn to your dog and say "I wonder what you are seeing." Maybe in some cases it has not been much of a wonder, but a "what in the heck do you see that you barking your head off at?"

Either way, its quite a fascinating thought. Have you ever wondered if every dog sees the world in the same way? Do you think all dogs see the same things? or see things in the same manner?

I have quite often wondered about that, but feel that every dog sees things differently. I am not referring to their thought process when I say they "see things differently" like when talking about humans. For example, lets say you are on a walk with your dog, and someone rides by on a bicycle. To one dog (that has never seen a bicycle) he/she may see it as a moving object, and nothing else. To another dog who has never seen a bicycle before, it mean mean a moving object that will not stop.

I know for some deep thinkers this maybe a hard concept to visualize, but keep it simple for the purpose of the point I am trying to convey.

Take a close look at the difference in the position of the eyes and the shape of the eyes, in the two dogs below:





Notice, the Boston's eyes are set off more to the side, on a broader head, and are also more bulgier than the Greyhound's eyes. Their eyes are placed laterally. The Greyhound's eyes are set closer to one another, and the head is more narrow and the snout is protruding outwards. This is called forward placement. Dog's with lateral placement don't have a big overlap between the right and left eye sight, making things in close proximity difficult to see.

it is why if you have ever seen a Boston trying to find the kibble that fell out of his bowl, ends up stepping on it, and only sees is when he step back... then he steps back in and its lost again. Now comes in the sense of smell, to narrow it down to finding it.

Placement of eyes has a lot to do with the the way dogs see their world, but the biggest difference in the anatomy of a dog's eye, is that a some dog's such as Greyhounds have a "visual streak," while other like the Boston Terriers have an "area centralis."

The difference between a vision streak and area centralis is the positioning for high density vision cells. In dogs with a vision streak, these cells are placed in a straight line to the retina. In dogs with an area centralis, the vision cells are in a circle in a spot, providing a very detailed sight much like humans.

On the same note, it is why those dogs with a visual streak may chase a bicycle. They see all the way around, and can see the bike coming, and in its peripheral vision, where as the Boston only sees it in a flash.

So maybe it is fair to assume, those dogs who like to hunt or chase have a visual streak, while those who pay close attention to your facial expressions when you ask them to sit, and are not easily destructed by the wide world around them, have an area centralis.

Nola Giving Birth

Sorry for the delay, here is a video of Nola giving birth to two of her precious babies.

I can not believe how great of a mum she is. The video is a bit unclear, but I think you can still appreciate her natural instinct.

Enjoy.



Dog Responsibly...University of Doglando

When does a puppy's ears open?

It is important not to use bright light around a new born puppy. This impacts their optical nerves and can effect their visual development.

On the same note, it is imperative noise is reduced during this time too. They can sense sound through pressure, and the pressure can cause movement of structures in the mature ear.

Puppies ears open around the same time their eyes do. Although in some breeds (sight hounds) their eyes open before their ears, for the most part it is within the same time frame.

The biggest difference in development of their eyes vs ears is that, once their ear canals open, their ears are fully formed. Usually within a week or so the puppy's hearing will be fully usable and quite acute.

Here is a photo of one of the pups. Take a close look at his ears.

Why are puppies born with their eyes closed?

Puppies are born with their eyes closed. They typically open them between 10-14 days of age, sometimes up to 18 days of age.

Some animals develop their senses at birth, while others develop their senses after birth. The development of these senses relates to their defense mechanisms. Dogs, unlike horses for example are predators. Horses are prey.

Predators normally develop their senses after birth as they have to hunt for their food. It is advantageous for a female dog to have a short gestation period, deliver the puppies early, loose the weight as it works against her when hunting. And since she does not hunt daily, she can care for her pups in between.

Horses on the other hand are prey animals. They have a longer gestation period giving their unborn plenty of time to develop so that they are ready to stand up and trot within minutes after birth. Their senses must be developed at birth in order to reduce chances of becoming prey to predators.

Many of the puppy's critical organs including its brain are not fully formed at birth. Puppies will spend several weeks developing rapidly, not just in organ development but in size and motor skills.

A puppy's eyelids are closed at birth for this reason, while the eye develops. Their eyelids are tightly shut during this period as a measure of safety as the eye itself is very fragile.

14 day old puppies

On Sunday February 28, 2010, Nola's puppies turned 14 days old. It is known that puppies open their eyes between 10 days and 14 days of age, and sometimes even as late as 18 days.

Today (02-28-10), two of the six puppies opened their eyes. One of the two opened both his eyes, and the other only had one eye open.

It is really cool to see the rest twitch their eyes in an attempt to open them, but they can't.



Why are puppies born with their eyes closed?

Animal Antibiotic Abuse

Cost Vs. Health:

I know this is slightly off topic, but I think it will interest most of our readers and those of us who eat meat should definitley watch the videos below. Educate yourself to make a healthier choice for your family, and only buy meat that is Antibiotic Free.

Animal Antibiotics a Threat?


Watch CBS News Videos Online

Antibiotic-free Animals


Watch CBS News Videos Online

Once again it is fascinating to watch how one world is separated into two and compare our practices here vs those across the waters from us.

Go back and watch the two videos on mute.... what do you notice? I mean if nothing else, notice the difference in the manner in which farm animals are treated here and there.

I always try to remain objective during my comparative analysis.... but it is quite hard to do this when you realize why certain practices are practiced because of cost vs its impact on health and its impact on the welfare and wellbeing of animals.

In the first clip, listen very closely to Veterinarian Liz Wagstrom from the National Pork Board.

Like even many of the companion animal veterinarians, who's practices are based around the bottom line rather than the welfare and well being of the animal, this is just astonishing in this day and age.

It's kind of like our veterinarians... their nutrition books are written by Science Diet. All they know is what is they have been taught while in vet school, and that is all based around Science Diet. They get free food for their pets while in school, and through out their career. They get endorsed by Science Diet and ultimately is what drives their bottom line.

I wonder if the same practice goes on in farming only that their support and education is from Pharmaceutical companies. The greatest loss to raise animals anitbiotic free animals is to the Pharmaceutical companies is it not? For many business driven practice, incentives are hard to deny regardless of ethics and its harm.

City of Orlando K9 Dogs

I have always wondered what it would feel like to be on the bite end of a K9 dog. I got to experience this at the Doglympics, of course in a bite suite.

Let me tell you, although I would do it again... this was a serious workout. It is hard to imagine the force behind the bite, and this dog was all about it. He did not have two modes, one for shows and one "for real," it was all for REAL.


Click here to watch Teena go down by the K9.

POST Doglympics USA, 2010

Thank you to all our vendors, participants and attendees for joining us at the 2nd Annual Doglympics USA, 2010.

The weather was great, the turnout was greater, and the fun was greatest!

Where else can you get to see Dock Dogs, Lure Course Racing, the National Frisbee Dog Competition, Flyball Demos, Agility Demos, Weight Pulling and Hang Time. Oh and lets not forget about, the Wiener Dog Races, Jack Russel Terrier Races, Italian Greyhound Races, Yorkshire Terrier Races, Potato Sack Relay, Longest Stay, Fastest Recall, and the Six Legged Race.

For those of you who missed out on this years event, be sure to join our mailing list for information on next years Doglympics.

For those who came and would like to share your experience with everyone else, including videos and photos from the Doglympics 2010, please visit the Doglympics Forum.

Get ready Central Florida, your University of Doglando will soon be bringing Dock Dogs to Orlando.

If you would like to sign up to be on our board, please email us at info@doglando.com; subject DOCK DOGS BOARD.

If you would like to register as a member of the Central Florida Dock Dogs Club, please email us at info@doglando.com; subject DOCK DOGS MEMBERSHIP.

Any dog, any breed!