Recent Posts by Marni
Recent Posts by Marni
40 post(s) found
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10 days ago
Marni
39 posts
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Topic: Rescues, Shelters And Adoptions / South Florida HSBC Walk for the Animals 2009 This event is in South Florida, Broward County
WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT! PLEASE POST YOUR WEB PAGE AND START YOUR COLLECTION FOR THE WALK FOR THE ANIMALS! OUR ANIMAL ASSISTED THERAPY TEAM IS COUNTING ON YOUR SUPPORT!
You DO NOT need to attend the actual walk to support this great cause. Any help is greatly appreciated!
IT'S NEVER TOO SOON TO BEGIN COLLECTING!
If you haven't already done so, please make some time to create your Walk for the Animals web page. Our Animal Assisted Therapy team is hoping to raise at least $25,000 this year but we can't do it without your help! Anyone can create a web page and solicit for donations. Additionally, anyone (in state or out of state) can be part of our Animal Assisted Therapy pack. So, forward to all your friends, family and co-workers alike. This is for a great cause and the animals need YOUR help!
Walk for the Animals – Saturday, March 7, 2009 at Huizenga Plaza
If you are a past Walker, Pack Member, or you plan on participating for the first time in our “Walk for the Animals” – then you need to make sure that you take advantage of our fundraising tool. It’s an easy way to help raise money for the Walk and earn “goodies” for yourself at the same time. This tool allows you to create your own personal fundraising webpage, that you may email to all of your friends & family. Your recipients will then have the ability to easily make a donation on-line towards your fundraising goal.
If you are part of or want to be part of the Animal Assisted Therapy team, be sure to select Animal Assisted Therapy team and register as being part of this pack and not as an individual. This tool will track all donations made through your webpage for the Animal Assisted Therapy pack.
Feel free to invite your friends, family members, colleagues, etc. to build a webpage and join our Animal Assisted Therapy pack as well. You do not have to have a therapy animal to join our pack.
Last year the Animal Assisted Therapy pack raised over $22,000 and came in second place! Our goal this year is to raise at least (if not more) $25,000. So, it's time to get out there and start collecting now! It's never too soon to collect. Good luck to everyone!
Please visit http://firstgiving.com/walk4theanimals and check out how easy it is for you to create your own webpage! Click on the 'get started' icon and make sure you select Animal Assisted Therapy team as your team. |
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10 days ago
Marni
39 posts
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Topic: Events / Walk for the Animals 2009 Awesome! I see you linked to our team. Bring some friends and family along...we'll take all the animal lovers we can get! I train for pretty much everything, including therapy. Here's my site if you are interested. www.humanek9.com Woof!
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11 days ago
Marni
39 posts
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Topic: Events / Walk for the Animals 2009 Yes you can link to any pack you want to. You can either contact First Giving support via their site or if you want to send me the link to your page I can do it for you. Let me know...woof! |
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14 days ago
Marni
39 posts
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Topic: Events / Walk for the Animals 2009 Woof Nicole, We'd love to have you, your friends, family and anyone else join our pack. The more the doggie pals the more money gets raised for the Humane Society. Just follow this link http://www.firstgiving.com/walk4theanimals/default.asp?eventid=33604 and click the "get started" button. Be sure to select "ANIMAL ASSISTED THERAPY" as your team. Hope you can join us! Woof! |
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18 days ago
Marni
39 posts
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Topic: Events / Walk for the Animals 2009 This event is in South Florida, Broward County
WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT! PLEASE POST YOUR WEB PAGE AND START YOUR COLLECTION FOR THE WALK FOR THE ANIMALS! OUR ANIMAL ASSISTED THERAPY TEAM IS COUNTING ON YOUR SUPPORT!
You DO NOT need to attend the actual walk to support this great cause. Any help is greatly appreciated!
IT'S NEVER TOO SOON TO BEGIN COLLECTING!
If you haven't already done so, please make some time to create your Walk for the Animals web page. Our Animal Assisted Therapy team is hoping to raise at least $25,000 this year but we can't do it without your help! Anyone can create a web page and solicit for donations. Additionally, anyone (in state or out of state) can be part of our Animal Assisted Therapy pack. So, forward to all your friends, family and co-workers alike. This is for a great cause and the animals need YOUR help!
Walk for the Animals – Saturday, March 7, 2009 at Huizenga Plaza
If you are a past Walker, Pack Member, or you plan on participating for the first time in our “Walk for the Animals” – then you need to make sure that you take advantage of our fundraising tool. It’s an easy way to help raise money for the Walk and earn “goodies” for yourself at the same time. This tool allows you to create your own personal fundraising webpage, that you may email to all of your friends & family. Your recipients will then have the ability to easily make a donation on-line towards your fundraising goal.
If you are part of or want to be part of the Animal Assisted Therapy team, be sure to select Animal Assisted Therapy team and register as being part of this pack and not as an individual. This tool will track all donations made through your webpage for the Animal Assisted Therapy pack.
Feel free to invite your friends, family members, colleagues, etc. to build a webpage and join our Animal Assisted Therapy pack as well. You do not have to have a therapy animal to join our pack.
Last year the Animal Assisted Therapy pack raised over $22,000 and came in second place! Our goal this year is to raise at least (if not more) $25,000. So, it's time to get out there and start collecting now! It's never too soon to collect. Good luck to everyone!
Please visit http://firstgiving.com/walk4theanimals and check out how easy it is for you to create your own webpage! Click on the 'get started' icon and make sure you select Animal Assisted Therapy team as your team. |
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309 days ago
Marni
39 posts
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Topic: Advice, Training And Tips / Therapy Dogs We are getting away from the term "pet therapy", because it is inaccurate and misleading. This term was widely used several decades ago to refer to animal behavior training programs. The preferred term now is Animal Assisted Therapy, which suggests that the animal is the motivating force that enhances treatment provided by a well-trained person. The definition of animal assisted therapy is: AAT is a goal directed intervention in which an animal that meets specific criteria is an integral part of the treatment process. AAT is designed to promote improvement in human physical, social, emotional, and/or cognitive functioning. AAT is provided in a variety of settings and may be group or individual in nature. |
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Sat 22 Sep 2007 06:03AM PDT
Marni
39 posts
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Topic: Events / Walk for the Animals 2008 - Humane Society of Broward County This past year, over 9,500 animals in our care were given a second chance at new and loving homes. Thanks to generous people like you who share our passion for animals, the Humane Society of Broward County (HSBC) has not only been able to find new homes for thousands of animals, but also been able to provide a variety of educational programs and assistance for our community and beyond. The Humane Society of Broward County is a private, non-profit organization not affiliated with any national group that shares a similar name. We are only able to help because of the generous support of people like you in our community. We rely 100% on donations from people and companies who care. Our Mission: The Humane Society of Broward County provides shelter, aid and responsible adoptions to animals entrusted to our care, and educates the community about respect and kindness to all animals. Click here: http://www.firstgiving.com/marnibellavia |
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Thu 16 Aug 2007 05:38AM PDT
Marni
39 posts
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Topic: General / Where are you? Our pack is in Sunrise, Florida in Broward County |
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Sun 12 Aug 2007 04:15PM PDT
Marni
39 posts
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Topic: Rescues, Shelters And Adoptions / RSQ lingo Some common shelter lingo: RTS - Return to Shelter OS - Owner Surrender URI - Upper Respiratory Infection KC - Kennel Cough UTI - Urinary Tract Infection HWP - Heartworm Positive HWN - Heartworm Negative OR - Owner Request (normally for euthanasia) |
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Fri 10 Aug 2007 07:58AM PDT
Marni
39 posts
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Topic: General / Amazon.com promoting dog fighting Agreed. I have signed it too and passed it on. ARGH!!! |
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Wed 08 Aug 2007 11:26AM PDT
Marni
39 posts
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Topic: Breeds Club / shih - tzus I have a Shih Tzu...he's my boo boo bear. Love, love, love the breed! His "zen like" temperament keeps me calm all the time. :) |
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Wed 08 Aug 2007 11:21AM PDT
Marni
39 posts
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Topic: Support And Suggestions / Who's online I like the idea of a who's online area or an Instant Message button on each person's profile. :) |
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Tue 07 Aug 2007 03:26PM PDT
Marni
39 posts
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Topic: Advice, Training And Tips / Gentle Leader?? GoldenMom, that's too funny. When I went to a trade show I got one of those buttons too! I pinned it right onto my dog's leash. No matter what, I still think they look better than those horrible choke and pinch collars. :) |
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Tue 07 Aug 2007 03:07PM PDT
Marni
39 posts
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Topic: Advice, Training And Tips / Gentle Leader?? FreedomKat, I do agree that if you are not using the GL in conjunction with training the dog may revert back to their old behavior of pulling. However, if you use it and train consistently with it, a person should notice a difference once they go back to their regular collar. The other point you make which is so true is that people often mistake the GL for a muzzle. This is a great time to stop and educate people on the GL. You'd be surprised how many people get that "ah ha" once they hear the explanation and see that the dog can eat, drink, bark, etc with one. I try to educate as many people as possible on the GL. In my opinion it works much better (and is more humane) than choke and prong collars. And although it may look like a muzzle, (again just my opinion) I think it looks less "aggressive" on those so called "dangerous breed dogs" than choke and pinch collars do. |
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Tue 07 Aug 2007 02:13PM PDT
Marni
39 posts
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Topic: Advice, Training And Tips / Help Carla...that's too funny! I can just see them now strutting their stuff all the way down the counter! LOL |
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Tue 07 Aug 2007 02:10PM PDT
Marni
39 posts
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Topic: Rescues, Shelters And Adoptions / Free ads for rescue groups Thanks Robert & Hershey for sponsoring this. We just put up the Humane Society of Broward County's logo and hope that lots and lots of doggies and kittens get adopted real soon. Wags and licks! Oliver, Cali & Sydney |
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Tue 07 Aug 2007 02:01PM PDT
Marni
39 posts
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Topic: Advice, Training And Tips / Help You might want to go to Home Depot and get some of those safety latches they make for babies. You can put those on your cabinet doors and your pup shouldn't be able to get in. I have recommended those many times to my clients and they have worked really well. As for the counter surfing, it's really hard because dogs will be dogs and if they know food is there they will try to get at it. I would work on training the dog to stay out of the kitchen and giving them certain boundaries where they can and can't go. This also means when you sit down to eat dinner in the kitchen your dogs should be out of the kitchen. Basically, stop allowing them to be in the kitchen at anytime. If you have a crate, you can always give the dog a yummy treat and have them go to their crate until human dinner time is over, or your cooking is done, etc. Baby gates as mentioned above can work too if your dog can't jump over them. Another trick you can try is to get a bunch of empty soda cans with tabs on them. Tie a string through each of the cans so they connect to each other. Place the string of cans on the counter and set the dog up. Meaning, place something tasty up on the counter so they will want to jump up and get it. When they do, they should take down all the cans with them. The sound of the cans hitting the floor might scare them and therefore they won't want to jump up on the counter again in the future. Make sure you are home (but out of sight so they don't connect you with the sound) when you do this. |
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Tue 07 Aug 2007 01:51PM PDT
Marni
39 posts
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Topic: Advice, Training And Tips / Gentle Leader?? Here's some input and advice from a dog trainer's point of view. The Gentle Leader headcollar is a humane and effective tool in handling and training a dog. It is NOT a muzzle. In fact, when fitted properly, a dog is free to open his mouth to eat, drink, pant, fetch, bark and even bite (although we hope not). The GL stops pulling and lunging on walks, prevents jumping, helps control barking and begging, and does not choke the dog. Each strap has a distinct and important effect. The nose loop was designed to mimic the way a pack leader demonstrates his position. He gently, but firmly, grasps a subordinate's muzzle in his mouth. This is a non-aggressive, clear signal that conveys who is boss! The nose loop encircles your dog's muzzle in this same manner, letting him know in his own language that you are his leader. This is a good thing! Dogs feel more secure when they know who the leader is. The GL neck strap applies pressure to the back of the neck rather than the front of the throat, which calms a dog. It's similar to a mother picking up her pup by the scruff of the neck. Also, dogs tent to pull against pressure so the gentle pressure at the back of the neck causes the dog to pull backward, not forward. This means an end to leash pulling and allows pretty much anyone to walk large or difficult dogs. Dogs as young as eight weeks old can wear one. As for the dog getting used to the GL. Some dogs will adapt to it right away and others will not. The ones who don't often times will do what I call the "death roll" and spin around on the ground, paw at the mouth and do just about anything to get it off. The key here is to keep the dog moving forward. The dog can't be on the ground if you are moving in a forward direction. When and only when the dog is NOT trying to get the GL off, priase and treat. This is a big one because if you time your treat giving when the dog is pawing or trying to get the GL off, then in his mind you are reinforcing that behavior. Instead, wait until the dog is not paying attention to the GL and reward and praise then. Another good trick is when you are home (never leave a GL on a dog unsupervised) put the GL on your dog without the leash attached. Play a few games of puppy push ups, recalls, tricks, anything that will interest your dog. Again, when he is not attempting to get the GL off, praise and treat. If you find the GL rubs your dog's nose, you can get some mole skin at any drugstore and apply it to the inside of the nose loop. That should help a bit. The GL in my opinion is one of the best training methods out there. |
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Mon 06 Aug 2007 08:32AM PDT
Marni
39 posts
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Topic: Fun / Can you find the APBT? Got it, first try. :) |
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Sun 05 Aug 2007 05:49AM PDT
Marni
39 posts
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Topic: General / Breed specific legislation (BSL), agree or disagree? The breed ban in South Florida is only in Miami-Dade county. You can have pits in Broward County, Palm Beach County and Monroe County. And the breed ban in Miami-Dade was done years ago and never changed. When they decided not to ban the other counties, they grandfathered Miami-Dade in and never changed it. So, they are only illegal in Miami-Dade County. If you need more information on this, let me know and I'll put you in touch with the proper authorities for confirmation if you decide to move back up to Broward. :) |
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Sat 04 Aug 2007 09:37AM PDT
Marni
39 posts
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Topic: General / Breed specific legislation (BSL), agree or disagree? This is a very SORE subject for me as is for lots of people. I totally DISAGREE and am AGAINST BSL. A law against breeding or owning a specific breed of dog does NOT and I repeat does not solve the problem. Punish the deed NOT the breed. Breed banning will only cause those types of people who engage in illegal things with dogs to go further underground. And let's not forget all the hundreds of thousands of people out there who have sweet and loving dogs like pit bulls, rotties, shepherds, chows, etc. Breed bans hurt EVERYONE and mostly the animals that are needlessly put to dealth because of "their breed." Today, it is your pit bull, tomorrow it could be your shepherd, in 6 months your rottie, in a year your doberman. When does it stop? Where does it stop? And if by chance your dog is a mix that "looks" like one of the so called dangerous breeds, your dog is doomed as well. Education, spay/neutering, obedience training are just a few things that will help to save a very misunderstood animal. And just to clarity "pit bull" is not a breed. These so called BSL laws declare an ENTIRE breed "dangerous or vicious" based on the actions of a few members of the breed. Breed specific laws are often a knee jerk reaction from politicians and people who want to say they are "doing something" to stop dog bite incidences and fatalities after (that's the joke) a highly publicized dog attack. Why aren't these people thinking about how we should be educating adults and children everyday so they don't get bit by a dog, any dog! Although everyone I'm sure would want to avoid and prevent dog bites/attacks, BSL has proven to be ineffective in the reduction of dog bite incidents. BSL laws do NOT protect communities from fatal dog attacks and dog bite injuries. Additionally, these laws as I mentioned before target and punish ALL dogs, and the owners of a breed; the guility ones and the innocent ones. Well behaved dogs of that particular breed are seen, classified, and treated the same as the dogs that have in fact bitten or attacked someone. Deeds/actions, not breeds should determine whether a dog is dangerous. Why are innocent dogs and their owners being punished for the irresponsible actions of somebody else who simply happens to own the same breed? The laws needs to hold individuals accountable for their own actions. Law abiding people should not be punished for the irresponsible actions of another person. BSL does not acknowledge the fact that ANY breed can be dangerous. The law should protect your community from all dangerous dogs (again based on deed or action). I could go on and on but I'll stop for now. Thanks for letting me vent. I hope there are more people out there that are concerned about this. It may not be YOUR dog today, but it very well could be YOUR dog tomorrow. |
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Fri 03 Aug 2007 09:17AM PDT
Marni
39 posts
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Topic: Fun / Best Dog related books I just loved the book "Scaredy Dog, Rehabiliating your Reactive Dog" by Ali Brown. I saw her at a conference and she was wonderful as were her methods for rehab with dogs. |
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Thu 02 Aug 2007 09:14AM PDT
Marni
39 posts
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Topic: Fun / Who's your fav photo, here? How in the world could you choose? They are ALL so darn cute!!! |
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Tue 31 Jul 2007 09:04AM PDT
Marni
39 posts
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Topic: Rescues, Shelters And Adoptions / Humane Society of Broward County, Florida The Humane Society of Broward County... * is a 33,000 square-foot, completely air-conditioned shelter * has the ability to house 300+ dogs and cats * placed 9,518 animals into new homes in fiscal year 2005; no other source in South Florida placed so many dogs and cats * has over 200,000 patrons visit each year * educationally touched over 150,000 children and adults in fiscal year 2005 * has full-time veterinarian services for shelter animals * is identified nationally as a "Leader in Animal Welfare in South Florida" * is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization * receives no funding from the government, United Way or any national group Where The Money Goes The Humane Society of Broward County relies 100% on funding from individuals, like you, who care. Every dollar is carefully spent to help the unwanted animals. How to get there: The Humane Society of Broward County is located at 2070 Griffin Road just west of I-95 on the south side of the street. For more information, please call 954.989.3977 or visit www.humanebroward.com. |
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Tue 31 Jul 2007 08:54AM PDT
Marni
39 posts
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Topic: Advice, Training And Tips / My new puppy bites when playing Young puppies are notorious at biting your hands - and those sharp puppy teeth can be very painful! But rest assured that this is a very normal thing - it doesn't mean that your pup is aggressive, just that she is young. If you watch a litter of puppies interacting with each other, you'll see them biting each other all the time. The problem is that they often mistake our hands and clothes and ankles as being just like their littermates. How do we teach the pup not to do this to us? First, we'll start with some basic rules of how to interact with a young puppy: •Puppies might see your hands the way they'd see each others' jaws. Don't wave your hands around the pup's face or grab at her. Use your hands to pick up toys (just as you'd like the pup to do) or for soft, gentle petting. •Don't play "chase-me" games where you and the puppy chase and grab at each other. •Play with lots of toys - you can play tug-of-war, fetch, and chase games with them. Make sure if you are playing tug-of-war you always win (meaning you end up with the toy not the dog and the play ends). •Make sure the puppy is getting enough exercise. How much is "enough"? Probably more than you think - at least 40 minutes to an hour of running and playing a day. Puppies LOVE to play - that's what they live for. What's the worst thing that could happen to them? Play ending. So that's how we will "punish" them for being too rough - by suddenly making play stop when they bite. The rule is "All fun and games end when puppy teeth touch human skin". Pups bite because it is fun, it's their way of playing, and it gains them attention. So, to punish the puppy, all we have to do is make the fun end. If you're playing with your pup and his teeth touch you, yelp loudly and shrilly like a hurt puppy. (If this makes him MORE excited, or if you're a guy who can't really do this, BELLOW like he's really hurt you). Immediately disengage yourself from him, and as calmly as you can, leave the pup behind (in a safe, puppy-proof place). Give him the cold shoulder. You only have to leave him for a little bit (less than 5 minutes, probably). Meanwhile, make sure that your pup is getting lots of praise and attention when he is playing well and gently. Pups sometimes learn to bite you to get attention, so make sure that they are getting rewarded with attention when they're being good, not when they're being bad. If the biting is really bad, you might also want to spray the back of your hands (or clothes he's going after) with Bitter Apple. If your puppy backs off from biting at it, PRAISE him: "What a good boy, that IS disgusting, isn't it!" Immediately redirect his toothy attention to a more appropriate item (like a toy). (I only spray the backs of my hands because I don't want to get the nasty flavor on any treats that I may be handing out, bearing in mind that any time you are interacting with a puppy you are teaching him what actions have good consequences and which ones don't - so I always have a treat ready to reward the types of behaviors I want to encourage.) I mentioned above to make sure that the puppy is getting enough exercise. I can't emphasize this enough - you'll be amazed by what a difference it makes. I recommend bringing your pup to an off-leash dog park, or any park where people bring friendly dogs for socialization. Let your puppy run and play and wrestle with other dogs. It will tire him out, and other dogs will be SURE to tell him when his needle-sharp puppy teeth are being used inappropriately! Meanwhile, you can start teaching your pup to sit and lie down on command. As your pup gets good at responding to these cues, you can use them to calm him down when he starts forgetting himself and using his mouth too hard. Please note that it's important that puppies learn that they can control the strength of their jaws and the way that they use them. You really do NOT want your pup to never bite you because then he will never learn how to bite softly. This is called "bite inhibition". In your pup's lifetime, he will probably be put in the position where he feels he needs to bite - this is the only way that dogs have to show that they are very upset. Your goal is to teach your pup that he can grasp with his jaws without breaking skin. (As a clumsy dog owner, I have been known to accidentally step on my own dogs' tails. Instinctively, they will usually put their jaws where the pain was - but since they have good bite inhibition, they merely grasp with their jaws instead of biting). A note about children: Young children and young puppies must always be supervised when they are together. The fast, unpredictable movements of children often excite puppies. When puppies accidentally hurt them (and they almost always will, eventually), children tend to scream in a way that excites puppies further, and often run away or wave their arms - causing the pup to want to bite them again. Teach young children to move slowly around dogs so that they don't over-stimulate them, and teach them to "freeze" when the pup starts to get too excited - before the pup starts to bite. When the kids and the pups are playing together, set up a situation where it will be easy to separate them quickly - maybe a door the child can slip through, or a baby gate you can pop the puppy over when he gets too rambunctious. A good idea (from Nancy Beach) is to make it a rule that there is always a toy between the child and the dog - that neither one sees the body of the other as a play object for direct manipulation. Also, a note about orphans, singletons, and pups who leave their litter mates early: Puppies learn a lot about controlling their jaws from their littermates and mothers. Pups who were abandoned, born alone, or removed from their litter at an early age are more likely to have issues with biting and mouthing. One recommendation is to find "replacement littermates", dogs of a similar age or size, or with the kind of temperament that will put up with a rude pup, that this pup can interact with to make up this learning. Puppy biting is normal and most pups will grow out of it eventually, but take the time to teach them that humans do not put up with it. If you puppy continues the biting behavior it would be wise to seek out a professional dog trainer or behaviorist for additional help. |
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