Announcing our 2010 Dog Pop-Art Calendars benefiting the Paws in Prison program!
Brighten each month of 2010 with this calendar's 12 unique, brightly colored and fun pop-art portraits of dogs.
Not only that, for every calendar purchased I will donate $1 to the wonderful Paws in Prison program, which takes homeless shelter dogs at great risk of being euthanized and has inmates train them, giving both the prisoners and dogs a second chance at life.
They make a great gift for the dog lover on your holiday list!
Calendars are $19.95 and are available through Lulu.com.
Click on the orange button below to purchase now:
PETFINDER
I'm thrilled to say Petfinder.com has decided to run a contest to help promote the dog photo books. Aren't they wonderful! For those of you who don't know them, Petfinder is a website that provides a central location for shelters and rescues to promote their available pets. When you are looking for your next friend to adopt, you simply need to visit the Petfinder home page to search for all available pets in your area. I have also added Petfinder's widget to my blog to help promote available pets around the country who are looking for their forever homes. If you have a website or blog, you should consider adding one, too.
SO WHAT'S THE CONTEST & HOW CAN YOU WIN?
(Click here for samples of my dog photography.)
To enter the contest, all you have to do is comment on any Petfinder blog post between Sept. 23 and Oct. 23, 2009. Make sure you add the hashtag "#photobook" at the end of your comment in order to be entered in the contest. Please be sure to include a valid e-mail address when you post your comment (it will not be seen by the public). One comment per e-mail per day will be counted, so comment often!
As much as I'd like to visit Hawaii some day soon, the contest is not open to individuals living outside of the 48 states. Please note that the selected rescue pet will NOT appear in The Photo Book Project photo books, but will receive a one-hour session in their home town with me to take place between Oct. 23rd, 2009 and January 1st, 2010. The selected commenter will receive two 5"x5" and two 8"x8" photo prints of their pet. At the end of the specified time, a commenter will be selected by www.random.org.
So, do it! Go now to Petfinder's post about the dog photo books and comment on the blog! Go now, and go often! One comment per day per person is permitted, so you can enter every day from now until October 23rd. I hope you win! And PLEASE - tell your friends. The whole idea behind the photo books is to raise awareness and that can't be done if only a handful of people know about the books. The more people who know about the projects, the more we can help raise awareness for shelter dogs and deaf dogs. Tell people. Save some animals. Save some lives!
Thanks as always, for your continued support of the projects. Sadie, my deaf rescue dog, thanks you! :)
Just an FYI...if you are looking for certain older posts on the blog, click on the link to read them, but suddenly find that the page is missing, there is a reason. I removed a few posts. Why? I recently had an incident where someone was using a photo of mine without my permission. This person was using my photo to advertise a different dog up for adoption on Craigslist. Sound fishy? You bet it does. There is a disclaimer in the sidebar of this blog that says my photos are mine, and that I don't permit anyone using them for any reason whatsoever. So, not only was I angry that my photo was being used illegally, without my permission, but I was also angry that she was claiming that this photo was a picture of HER dog! Why didn't she just post a photo of her own dog? Maybe the dog wasn't really hers? Was she afraid someone might recognize the dog and report her? I can only speculate.
I removed certain posts because those posts didn't have ugly watermarks all over the images. I will be reposting the posts as soon as I get around putting the ugly watermark/copyright over each one of the images. It's a shame I have to do this. I just don't want my pictures being used without my permission, and I certainly don't want my images to be used to promote the sale or adoption of OTHER dogs.
INTERNET SCAMS involving pets
Unfortunately, there are all sorts of scams all over the internet, especially involving pit bulls. I'm just giving you an FYI to be aware. Report any suspicious activity like this, and be aware that when you are trying to rehome a pet that there are many people who seem legitimate, but their intentions are anything but good. Check references. Do a home visit.
Do you know know of any scams involving pets and the internet? If so, please add them to the comments of this post. This would be a great chance to educate people so they don't fall victim to any of these scams.
In honor of Deaf Dog Awareness Week, I decided to write a post that would do just that - raise awareness about deaf dogs. I also wanted to help answer some questions that people who are considering adopting and training a deaf dog might ask. In order to do this, I needed to seek the help of someone much more knowledgeable about the subject, so I recruited Seattle Dog Trainer Stormi King for an interview.
Stormi had originally gotten in touch with me when she heard I was photographing for the Deaf Dog photo book. When she said she had a deaf American Pit Bull Terrier named Jack who had his Canine Good Citizen certificate, his United Kennel Club Companion Dog obedience title, and was titled as a therapy dog, I knew I had to photograph Jack for the book!
I met them both in Seattle back in June to take photos of Jack (some of those photos are accompanying this post). Stormi and Jack certainly did not disappoint. Jack is so well-trained that when, during the shoot, Stormi gave him the signal to stay and then went downstairs to find his favorite tennis ball, Jack didn't move. He stayed put for minutes in the same spot and stared at the basement door, and, despite me trying to get his attention with treats and arm waving, Jack didn't budge until Stormi came back upstairs and gave him another command. Impressive. (My dog Sadie is, of course, as equally well-trained...honest!) ;)
My interview with Stormi:
Melissa: Tell me a little bit about you and your business.
Stormi: While I've only been officially in the dog business for about a year, I've been around dogs my entire life. I was that kid in the neighborhood that knew the name of every dog, where they lived, what their best trick was, etc., but if you asked me the names of the humans that resided there, I probably couldn't tell ya! After really getting into training with Jack, my own deaf dog, going through training for the obedience ring and therapy work, I decided why not? I can do this! I enrolled in the Seattle School of Canine Studies followed by the Companion Animal Science Institute in order to get a good solid education in the science behind how dogs learn and why they do what they do, and opened my own business from there. I mostly do private, in-home training, where I help owners with everything from basic training to more advanced behavior issues, and am currently also working with a local training facility to put together a program for kid safety with dogs that we're hoping to take to local elementary schools in the area.
Melissa: What is Jack's story, and how did he come to be yours? Did you know he was deaf when you got him?
Stormi: I always say I wasn't looking for a dog, he found me, which is basically true. At the time I was working at this little boutique shop, and one of our vendors dropped by one day to drop off some goodies with this cute little white wiggle worm in tow. Jack was 4 months old at the time, after being dumped at the shelter at a ripe 8 weeks of age, and was in foster care and need of a home. I didn't think I was in the market for a dog at the time, but I couldn't help but see there was something special about this little guy. When I was told he was deaf, that pretty much sealed the deal. I spent the two weeks after meeting him almost obsessively researching everything I could on his breed and deaf dogs, and finally caved and called to see if he still needed a home. Fast forward to today, Jack is a happy gooberific dog, and that vendor who was his foster dad is now one of my best buds who just recently adopted another deaf dog who is Jack's favorite playmate.
Melissa: Did you have any reservations about adopting a deaf dog? Had you ever had any experience with deaf dogs before you met Jack?
Stormi: Aside from just learning how to communicate with a deaf dog, somehow the concept of adopting a deaf dog didn't really seem that daunting to me. I'd never had any experience with a deaf animal prior to adopting him, but I'd always had a fascination with sign language, so it almost seemed like an exciting challenge to have a companion that I could train in our own little secret doggy sign language.
Stormi: All of the adoption paperwork I did was mostly through his foster dad who is also an animal control officer whom I knew, so I lucked out. Our shelter here does their very best to make sure the animal is going to a good home, and to my knowledge they don't require a home to have a hearing dog to be able to adopt a deaf one. I can't see a reason why that would be a requirement. I know I certainly enjoy the fact that my dog doesn't hear the neighbor's barking dogs, and I don't want anyone tipping him off!
Melissa: Do you think there are people who should NOT adopt deaf dogs (or specific home environments where deaf dogs wouldn't be a good idea)?
Stormi: For the most part, I don't know that I would say there are specific home environments that are a no-go for deaf dogs so much as it just really depends on the individual dog and the individual person. I've heard people say that homes with children shouldn't adopt deaf dogs, or that deaf dogs don't make good therapy dogs, but I've seen enough situations that totally debunk those ideas that I can't see any good in making blanket statements like that. I think deaf dogs do require more patience that a hearing dog (you can't exactly say "Hey Fido, leave it" from across the room and expect them to do so), more creativity (you have to come up with different hand signals rather than just saying "sit" or "down"), and a sense of humor (your only method of calling your dog at the park is by waving and jumping around, so be prepared to look like a loony!). About the only environment I can think of that isn't suitable for a deaf dog is rural areas where dogs customarily run around off-leash since they can't hear cars coming, you calling for them, or coyotes or other animals that could harm them.
Melissa: How is training a deaf dog different from training a hearing dog? Is training a deaf dog harder than training a hearing dog?
Stormi: Maybe I'm a bit biased, but in a lot of ways I find it easier. We humans tend to place a great deal of our communication in verbal skills. Think of how many owners you see at the park yelling "no! no!" when its clear the dog has no clue what "no" even means. Dogs, on the other hand, naturally communicate almost entirely with body language. So the way I see it, it really puts the dog-human team on a more level communication field. Of course, that's not to say non-deaf dogs can't learn verbal cues, because obviously they do, but I like to think of it as cheating and getting to skip that step of adding a vocal cue to the desired behavior.
Stormi: Many of his general obedience cues came from the hand signals I saw other handlers using in training and obedience rings. His other cues, like those for silly tricks or "go to bed" basically just morphed out of whatever gesture was the lure to teach him the trick. As I was teaching him the trick, I'd be thinking of what would be a simple hand signal for it, and just slowly fade the lure to that signal. Initially I wanted to teach him in standard ASL, but so many of the signals require two hands, and I wanted signals I could give him with one hand while holding a leash in the other.
Melissa: Are there specific things you had to teach Jack that you wouldn't typically have to worry about as much with a hearing dog (such a desensitization to touch when they aren't looking at you, or the need for them to check in often, etc.)
Stormi: The biggest things that I think are different are being able to teach a useful "watch me" or a useful "leave it". With a hearing dog, you can be walking along, they see a squirrel or rotten food on the ground, and you say "leave it". With a deaf dog, you can't exactly do that, which is why I think its very helpful to teach your deaf dog a solid cue that can be used when you need to get their attention in real world situations.
Stormi: I've personally never felt the need for one. Vibrating collars (not to be confused with shock collars) are for the purpose of getting your dog's attention when they are off leash. They're not really a tool to train your dog, but more of a pager system. When properly conditioned, they can work wonderfully. Personally, I just opt to not have my dog off leash in any area that isn't entirely contained (a good idea vibrating collar or not), and if I need to get his attention for any reason, I either walk over to him, or wait for a moment when he looks up and call him over.
Melissa: What are your thoughts on the myths surrounding deaf dogs (such as the ones that say they are dog or child aggressive, or that they aren't trainable).
Stormi: Ha - well, if they're supposed to be child aggressive and untrainable, I know a lot of deaf dogs that failed that test! I don't buy any stereotype that a kind of dog, be it breed or impairment of some kind, is supposed to be one way or another. They're all individual creatures with different personalities, different lives, and different learning experiences. I've talked with owners who have done amazing things with their deaf dogs that would defeat every myth you could throw at them, so I'm certainly not inclined to buy any statement that says "well, he's deaf, so he's gonna be like this..." Deaf dogs are not inherently skittish, "difficult", nor do they automatically startle or become aggressive when they reach a certain age. Like any dog, they simply need to be well socialized and exposed to as many new situations as possible as a young pup.
Stormi: The ideas that "pit bulls" (a term which encompasses several breeds-not just one) have an "aggressive" gene, have brains that grow too large for their skulls, randomly turn on their owners, have locking jaws, or any other absurd myths out there are just plain ridiculous and have nothing but sensationalistic hysteria to back them up. These ideas that people come up with would be laughable if it weren't costing innocent dogs' lives on a daily basis. The fact of the matter is the American Pit Bull Terrier and the multitudes of breeds that are lumped in with them are DOGS. Not a foreign species from another planet, but DOGS. Dogs that have been a part of our lives for decades. Just like the beloved Labrador, Boxer, Spaniel, and every other breed of canine. Their jaw structure is designed the same as any other dog and their brains do not miraculously explode when they reach a certain age. There is no data to back these accusations up, and no data to support the idea that there is even such a thing as an "aggressive" gene. As many cities who have implemented breed bans have discovered and are beginning to repeal, banning one breed of dog does nothing to address the real problem, and in many cases reported bite incidents have actually increased in cities with bans on "pit-bull-like dogs". They are a wonderful breed, full of personality and life. As with any dog, they require adequate exercise, training, socialization, and basic needs such as food, water, and medical care. Unfortunately, due to their physique, they often attract the wrong kind of people who, combined with the media's irresponsible reporting on dog issues, have subsequently put every dog with a block-like head's life in jeopardy, but given a loving, stable home, they can thrive just as well as any other family dog and excel in nearly all available dog sports.
Melissa: What certifications does Jack have?
Melissa: Any final suggestions or advice for people out there who are considering adopting a deaf dog?
Stormi: As with any dog, make sure the breed, or likely mix of breeds, fits your lifestyle. An Australian Shepherd is not for a couch potato, and an English Bulldog is not for the avid runner. Be prepared to get into a training program of some sort. Training is not just for the dog - it's for you, too. Training helps you understand how to communicate effectively with your dog, and how to make your coexistence fun and enjoyable rather than a constant battle of frustration. Be prepared to dog-proof your house and not leave dangerous substances like anti-freeze lying around, or your favorite date-night shoes. Remember you can't just yell "hey, stop!" at a deaf dog, and by the time you get to them it could be too late. Make sure you have a secure fence or have your dog leashed before opening the door to go out - a loose deaf dog can easily be hit by a car before you are able to get them back. Be aware that some deaf dogs can spook and startle by being abruptly woken up or by someone suddenly touching them from behind, and take the time to desensitize them to it. And, most importantly, enjoy the fact that as you walk though your neighborhood of barky dogs, you get to appear to have the most well-trained dog on the block!
Stormi King runs Smart Paws Training and Behavior Solutions, a science-based, in-home, private dog training business in Seattle, Washington. She strives to help owners understand their canine companion and to help build a strong relationship between dog and owner. Anyone interested in training help can visit her website, or send her an email. For more help with training a deaf dog, read her article Deaf Dog 101: Living with and Training Your Deaf Dog.
To all of us who share our lives with deaf dogs, it's common knowledge that deaf dogs can make wonderful family pets, that they are highly trainable, smart, loving, playful and in most ways just like any other dog.
However, most people who meet my deaf dog Sadie (she is the happy smiley black dog in the photo) feel one of two things when they find out that she is deaf:
1-they either wonder why on earth I would want a deaf dog (as if to say she's "broken" in some way), or
2- they feel sorry for her (truthfully, they feel sorry for this smiley, happy, tail-wagging dog!).
One of my reasons for starting the deaf dog photo book was to educate people. I wanted to make sure that the next time these people encountered a deaf dog that they didn't have either of those typical reactions.
To me, having a deaf dog, in many ways, is just like having a hearing dog.
There are a few differences, of course, especially with training, but most of the time I actually never think about her being deaf.
Deaf dogs are definitely not "broken" - in fact, I think she's perfect as she is. She's also smarter than most hearing dogs I know. (She learned the "sit" command in less than a minute.) Hand signals are just the way I speak to her. (I also talk to her ALL the time - I can't help it!) I do keep her on leash outside for the most part when we are in an area that is not fenced in, although I know many deaf dogs with great recall even without vibrating collars. Sadie, however, likes to chase things (like deer and cars) and this can be dangerous because I can't call her back if she's not looking at me.
AND, don't feel sorry for deaf dogs. Sadie doesn't know she's deaf, and if she does, she doesn't let it hold her back. (I always say we can learn a lot from deaf dogs.) To say she has a great life is a HUGE understatement. She's one of the happiest dogs I know (except for right now because she's lying on the couch next to me and I keep reaching over to pet her, which keeps waking her up - she's so annoyed. If she doesn't get her 22 hours of beauty sleep a day, she's just a wreck). (I promise to write more about Sadie here at some point.)
If I were actively searching for another dog, I would look for another deafie. In fact, most people whose deaf dogs are in the deaf dog photo book have told me the same thing.
One of my main reasons for wanting to rescue another deaf dog is because thousands of deaf dogs are put to sleep every year, simply because they are deaf (which brings me to my next reason for starting the deaf dog photo book): I want the practice of culling deaf dogs to stop.
It's my hope that once people see these gorgeous dogs (I wasn't kidding when I said I thought they were perfect - Sadie's one of the reasons I got into dog photography in the first place - I couldn't stop taking pictures of her!), they will be as outraged as I was to learn that thousands of deaf puppies are put down each year and that the Dalmatian Club of America actually goes after their breeders who DO NOT cull their deaf dogs!
HERE ARE MY 8 BEAUTIFUL REASONS (just a few of the stars of the Deaf Dogs photo book) WHY THE PRACTICE OF CULLING DEAF DOGS HAS TO STOP
1- Johnnie - Deaf "Lethal White" Australian Shepherd
2- Radcliff - Deaf Border Collie
Click here to pre-order.
All photographs in this post are copyright 2009 Melissa McDaniel Photography and absolutely no reproduction of any kind is permitted.
