Pug Talk - Spring 2016 by Pug Talk

Volume 52 | Number 1 | Spring 2016

Canine Depression Training Your Pug

Aging Pugs Ask A Vet

Neonatal Puppy Care Kit The Whelping Pen

Puppy Adolescence: Trials & Tribulations Tales of Teenage Terror

Dedicated to purebred pugs and those who love them!

In This Issue November/December 1994

Tail of the Pug

Pugs of the Past

PUG TALK

801 Dellwood St. #113 Bryan, TX 77802–5363 Phone: (512) 887–7847 Email: PT@pugtalk.com Web: www.pugtalk.com

Editorial

–by Marcy Heathman

Neonatal Puppy Care Kit The Whelping Pen

OWNER/EDITOR/ PUBLISHER

–by Beth Ballard

Marcy Heathman

Collector's Corner

ART DIRECTOR/ GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Ladybug

Christen Cabe Creative Commonground www.creativecommonground.com

Rare finds for pug people

Featured Rescue –by San Diego Pug Rescue

Aging Pugs

Smartphone Apps for Dog Owners

Viking Mops

Atom Unleashed

Pug Talk LLC 801 Dellwood St. #113 Bryan, TX 77802–5363.

Puppy Adolescence: Trials & Tribulations

Periodicals postage rates paid at Austin, Texas.

–by Vicki DeGruy

CONTRIBUTORS

Ask A Vet

Artists: Debby Hanks The Whelping Pen: Beth Ballard Pugtographer: Wendy Davenschot PAW: Pugs Around the World: Felicity Prideaux

Pug Talk (ISSN:1529–5478) is published quarterly by:

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New Releases

Wendy Davenschot

Internet Celebrity Pug

Tales of Teenage Terror

Canine Depression Training Your Pug

–by Cher Grindle McCoy

Remembering Wally

PAW: Pugs Around the World

–by Felicity Prideaux

Cover Pug

Seloy Fisherman's Pride "Seloy" is one the beloved pets of Wendy Davenschot, a photographer out of Denmark. What started as a hobby blossomed into the Vikingmops page, where Wendy pays tribute to her three generations of precious pugs: "Seloy," his son "Loki," and Loki's son "Valdemar." Be sure to check out the full story of Vikingmops on page 14 of this issue.

We Want Your Opinion!

Spring Forward

Corrections

Have something to say about Pug Talk? Have a suggestion for an article? Want to see coverage of a certain event? Do you think we're doing a good job? We'd like to know! You can send us a letter, or email editor@pugtalk.com—these submissions will NOT be used for Pug People Say. If you want to send something in for Pug People Say, please email pps@pugtalk.com with your stories, notes, high-resolution images, etc.

It's time to shape up for the 2016 season. Our next issue is Performance Pugs—Obedience, Agility or ?????. Get ready for an action-packed issue! SUBMISSION DEADLINE: May 1, 2016

In the photo on page 12 of the 2015 Q4 Issue, the Winners Dog for the Canadian National Specialty was Eaglesdare Wicket's Got the Ticket.

Go Digital Great news for the tech-loving Pug Talk enthusiast. A digital-only subscription is only $18/year, and print subscribers can view Pug Talk online for FREE! Sign up for your digital account at PugTalk.com.

On page 31 of the 2015 Q4 Issue, in the Pug Dog Club of America Specialty results, GCH Fantasia Diamond Spice of Eaglesdare is owned by Sue Koehler, and bred by Regina and Mary Wolicki. Pug Talk apologizes for any confusion we may have caused.

CHECK YOUR SUBSCRIPTION DATE IMPORTANT: Check your address on the back cover to see the date of your last copy of Pug Talk. If it says 2016–Q1 then THIS is your LAST issue!

PUG TALK January | February | March 2016

PUGS OF THE PAST

November/December 1994 CH LARIMAR'S TALK OF THE TOWN Ch. Larimar's Talk of the Town was the #8 Toy dog, and the #1 Pug for 1994 and 1995. Born in 1991, he was bred and owned by Hazel Martens, and sired by Ch. Larimar's Chip of the Old Block, out of Ch. Jill's Win-Chimes of Li'l Mite.

CH KENDORIC'S HIGHLAND FLING Ch. Kendoric's Highland Fling, bred by Doris Aldrich, and co-owned with John and Linda Rowell. "Kyle" was a multiple group winning 19 pound pug on the rise. He was sired by Am. Bda. Ch. Kendoric's Highland Piper, out of Kendoric's French Cordial, a Ch. Nanchyl Girasol daughter.

CH HALLIGAN'S REDDY OR NOT OF ERIN Ch. Hallagan's Reddy or Not of Erin was ending his specials career in 1994, having been highly rated the two previous years. Reddy was sired by Am. Can. Ch. Hallagan's Reddy Teddy of Erin, out of Ch. Hallagan's Maggie of Erin, and owned by Patricia Hallagan, and Erin Hallagan Thieme.

Section Title

EDITORIAL

Tail of the Pug –by Marcy Heathman

his issue of Pug Talk highlights our Juniors and Seniors—puppies and the elderly. Each require attention in different ways.

Puppies If you’re looking for a puppy and the best way to find one, there’s LOTS of advice on the Internet telling you what to do. The American Kennel Club (AKC) wants you to be certain you have chosen the correct breed for your lifestyle. They want you to be certain you have the time to spend training, grooming, and exercising your new dog. And they want to be sure you can afford a puppy, both now and as it grows older. They stress that dog ownership is a responsibility for the life of the dog. The ASPCA stresses the importance of knowing the sources of puppies in pet stores and the often poor facilities where they are bred and raised. Their message is that shelters are full of happy, sweet puppies waiting for homes. They also stress that commercial puppy breeders are marketing their puppies online, and purchasing a puppy online “typically” supports the puppy mill industry. The Kennel Club of the UK stresses being ready for dog life, from expenses to training, noting that a puppy is a lifelong commitment. Then find the right dog, whether pedigreed or crossbred, for your family and lifestyle. And finally, if you want a purebred, they guide you in how to find the right breeder for your new family member or the proper purebred rescue organization. Overall, they all emphasize doing your research. You can’t escape homework, even when finding a dog. Finding a purebred begins with a conscientious breeder, who uses the written Standard as a blueprint for the puppies they sell. The reputable breeder will be

able to talk about the pedigree and explain the registration papers to you. Just remember: the presence of those “papers” doesn't guarantee health, conformation, or temperament. Instead, you will most often find those attributes in a puppy who has been raised in the home of a conscientious breeder. Serious breeders are often attempting to breed potential champions in the show world. Not every puppy in a litter is a potential show dog, so there are often those puppies referred to as “pet” puppies. I’ve often compared the two this way: the show prospect is a Cadillac. Everything is top of the line, from eight speed transmission, V8 engine, leather seats and wood inlays throughout the interior. The “pet” puppy is the Chevrolet: he has the same transmission and motor, but the seats are vinyl and the dash is molded plastic. That pet puppy has been raised exactly the same way, with the same bloodlines, the same nutrition, the same medical care, and the same basic training the “show dog” has gotten. The pet dog simply doesn’t have all the bells and whistles a show dog does. The hardest part is finding that breeder, and finding that puppy, and having it all come together. Conscientious breeders don’t breed to have dogs “in stock” all the time, waiting for someone to buy one. Prospective owners need to ask, why did the breeder choose this breed? How long have they been involved with it? What health tests have been performed? (Don’t accept the statement

PUG TALK January | February | March 2016

that the parents are healthy and don’t need to be tested!) Ask for a copy of the test certificates. Ask for a copy of the sales contract. Ask for references—and check them. We won’t go into all the questions; there are plenty of places to find lists. The main thing is: do your homework.

Puppy-Finding Tips

»» Choose a breed that

suits your lifestyle and household members

»» Know the source of

puppies from pet stores and avoid supporting puppy mills

»» Be aware of all the

lifelong responsibilities

»» Always buy purebreds

from reputable breeders

»» Ask what health tests have been performed on the puppy

»» Request papers and health certificates for your purebred puppies

Senior Living As dogs age, taking care of them becomes more difficult. Owners of aging dogs often struggle with their pets' dementia and incontinence—as well as navigating through the maze of end-of-life care decisions. Old age isn't a disease, but a stage of life for pets and owners to navigate. One thing to remember is that older dogs are typically more sensitive to extreme temperature changes because of changes in their metabolism. Older dogs are like older people. Older people are the ones we hear about as victims of freezing temperatures or heat waves. They're less able to regulate their body temperatures, so we have to make sure they have some kind of coat or blanket on to keep them warm and not keep them out as long in cold weather. The same goes for heat, especially in pugs. You really don't want to leave them out in the yard on an extremely hot day. They can dehydrate. They will overheat. They simply cannot cope with the heat, and it's a recipe for disaster. The same applies when you’re out walking your older dog, because their heart and lung functions weaken over time. Don’t expect your twelve-yearold dog to play like a two-year-old. And watch their weight! The more weight a dog carries, the harder it is on the joints, and the pain stays with them all the time. The so-called “senior” diets may or may not be truly geared for elder dogs. While there are a few laws governing the contents of puppy food, there isn’t a definition of what constitutes food for senior dogs. There are some things you can do to help your senior maintain their quality of life. Start by visiting your regular veterinarian twice a year. It’s easier to detect problems earlier, and it may be easier to ease the symptoms. Be certain to take care of their teeth. In pugs especially, teeth can be an issue not only when young, but especially in old dogs. An infection in the mouth can spread throughout their body. You’ll also want to make sure they have plenty of water, and watch for heavy consumption, which may be a sign of diabetes.

Keep exercise appropriate to age— many dogs will continue to play or run as you ask for it, but it may not be the best thing for them. And give the senior a comfy orthopedic bed to ease the joints. Some have a heated core, which may be helpful too. Veterinary medicine has come so far in the past decades, and dogs are living much longer than before. Extending their lives offers the opportunity for them to develop serious painful diseases. And remember that dogs hide their pain and suffering. It’s instinctive for them to hide their issues from the pack. So when we do actually see it, it’s probably quite severe. And then after living with our dogs for eight, ten, or more years, we have to deal with end-of-life issues. Cancer affects half of all dogs older than ten years, in one form or another. Deciding whether or not to treat cancer aggressively is difficult for many pet owners, because there are so many things to consider: the cost of treatment, a pet's quality of life after treatment, whether the treatment is painful, and how long a dog's life can be extended. It’s during these painful times that so many elder dogs are dumped at shelters or surrendered to rescues. People don’t want to pay for the medications or clean up after their dog, or it’s possible they simply cannot stand the idea of having a dog grow old and die. Many are ashamed to tell the breeder, who might take the dog back if they knew. Instead, in pain and in need, a dog is pushed away from the life it has known, into a cold concrete kennel or a home with strange dogs and people who they don’t know. Their routine is shattered, and the dogs are confused and depressed. Rescues know that the foster homes do their best to provide a return to normal life, and to see that the elders receive loving care and medical attention. For some, the rescue can only provide love and care at the very end. For others, the confusion and loss they feel is— usually—gradually replaced with the love of their new homes. In the end, sometimes we have to love them enough to let go. We have to

Senior Care Tips

»» Protect your senior from extreme heat and cold.

»» Don't overexert your dog;

adjust his exercise regimen and activities for his age

»» Maintain a healthy weight »» Visit the vet at least twice per year

»» Care for their teeth as they age to prevent infections

»» Plan on caring for your

dog until the end of its life; there is little a shelter or rescue can do to place elderly or unhealthy pets

decide if the bad days outnumber the good ones. Putting an end to suffering is truly a final act of love. You have given your dog unconditional love throughout their lifetime, and now they need your strength and love. Give your dog the opportunity to leave this life with dignity. Abandonment will not make them healthier or give them a better life. Don’t leave your beloved pet miserable and confused on the side of the road or chasing after your car when you dump them.

Looking into those big brown eyes, you’ll know when the time comes. The eyes may not see as well, and the ears may not hear like before. Their lives revolve around napping, meals, and outside time. But you’ll know. Love your pug every day; love your pug to death.

Tail of the Pug

THE WHELPING PEN

Neonatal Puppy Care Kit –by Beth Ballard

ast issue, we began taking a good look at what’s in our whelping kits. I shared my own list of supplies and hope they were helpful. This issue, we’ll explore what is in my neonatal puppy care supply kit. Let’s start with a good way to transport newborns in the event the whelping is actually a C-section. There are many, very good portable incubators on the market now that are specifically designed for dogs and cats. For dogs, there are varying sizes to accommodate the different sizes of breeds. They are rather costly, but if you ever need one, they are invaluable to have on hand. Quite often, I do see makeshift or homemade incubators and transport kits made from plastic totes or plastic drawers, and to be very honest, these, in my humble opinion, are quite dangerous. All plastic in the US and many other countries is made from petroleum products, and there is a “gas off” effect from some of the chemicals and products used to make these totes that we cannot detect—but tiny newborn puppy lungs can be very affected by. If you add heat and humidity, and then also oxygen, in an incubator-type compartment using a plastic drawer or tote, it would be a very high-risk situation. And on that same note, never ever use Styrofoam or any other type of cooler or carrier to transport newborns or any puppies. Never secure the lid on anything through which air cannot pass. For my C-section transport, I use a medium-sized Sherpa™ bag. I line the inside of the bag with flannel, and depending on the season, I can make this thicker or lighter. My heating pad fits perfectly in the bottom, and with a soft baby blanket or hand towel on top, it’s just the right temperature. Remember to always keep your heating pad on low, never any higher. On the way to the vet

for the surgery I plug in my heating pad to my car inverter and warm it up nice and comfy. As soon as we get to the vet office, I take it back to surgery and plug it in to keep it warm. I also place my wash cloths and drying cloths under the heating pad so I have something warm to use to hold and wrap the puppy in during resuscitation. My Sherpa™ bag has a huge pocket on one end where I can put in a can of Boost™ canned oxygen, in addition to much of my C-section kit, so I have things handy if I need them and oxygen on the go.

until I see that I will definitely need to have it, but I do have all the supplies on hand to make it in a jiffy if necessary. I usually wait until the mom and pups are settled and then make a nice batch of mother’s pudding for the mother. It is very important to have all the supplies on hand to make things like puppy formula or mother’s pudding or liver water BEFORE you need it. Make out a shopping list and go to the store and/ or order your supplies when you are not in a hurry or stressed. You’ll find this is a huge advantage for you and your mentor(s). You won’t be caught in the middle of the night needing something when everything is closed, or have to send out a family member to get things in a hurry when you can’t leave the new pups and mom—or worse yet, needing something that has to be ordered and is a few days out on arrival. “Be prepared”: the best advice ever. “Be prepared.” Many items I mentioned in my last column that I keep in my whelping kit also double as neonatal care kit items— things like cotton balls, cotton swabs, a digital thermometer, stethoscope, oxygen, petroleum jelly or Vaseline, surgical lubricant, the digital scale I mentioned, wash cloths and towels, etc. All are used in both my whelping kit and my neonatal puppy care kit.

Before the litter arrives, in the last few days before the due date, I bake several chickens or a large turkey; this is very helpful in getting protein into a new mother, especially if she’s a picky eater. I debone and freeze the chicken, along with the broth, in small containers or zip lock bags and only thaw what I need as I go. I do the same for liver water. I prepare the liver water and then freeze it in ice cube trays and thaw as needed. I do not make up any formula

PUG TALK January | February | March 2016

In addition to those duplicate things, I have several items in my puppy care kit that I always keep handy. I keep a clipboard right by the puppy pen, on which I have all my charts for tracking puppy weights and information on the mother, and several sheets of paper where I write my notes on the litter. Each puppy gets identified and tracked on my charts and in my notes. This way, if something goes wrong and I have to make a trip to the vet with one of the babies, I’m not standing there in

a stressful situation, trying to remember what that puppy’s temperature was this morning or what its weight was today. I can grab my clipboard and take it with me, and there are all the answers to his questions and my notes on what I’ve observed with this puppy. I note every nursing time and how the puppies do for several weeks, and I track temperature and recovery notes on the mother for at least two weeks. When the puppies are totally weaned, I put all these notes in a file for this specific litter, and if I ever need to, I can refer back to it for important information. Also in my neonatal care kit, you will find at least two bags of Ringer’s Lactate and syringes and needles to administer sub-q fluids if needed; bags of Ringer’s can also be warmed in a microwave and used as a heat source in a pinch. I also have Nutri-Drops™, Mylicon™ drops or simethicone for puppy tummy gas, and feeding tubes and syringes to use with them. My feeding tubes are clear, measurement marked, number 5 French tubes. I keep a good supply of Bene-Bac Plus™, which is a probiotic that can be given to puppies from day one. I have found many times that Bene-Bac Plus™ has saved me the worry of a puppy with diarrhea getting very bad. A good probiotic is a wonderful thing. Ahead of time, I cut several lengths of various colors of embroidery floss to use as tiny collars to identify puppies.

I also keep a tube of ophthalmic eye ointment in my neonatal puppy care kit, even though the puppies’ eyes are not open. Once in a while, you will find one with a swollen eye. Warm compresses and a little of the ointment is a great help, but do consult your veterinarian if you are faced with this issue in one of your puppies. Try not to hurry Mother Nature when it comes to feeding. Puppies can live for several hours without milk but must have heat and warmth continually. It is hard to resist the urge to supplement feed that first day when you are waiting for the good milk to come in. You may even think your girl has no milk, but remember, in a normal situation the first day or so, she has colostrum, which is much different than milk and doesn’t even fill her mammary glands. In a day or so, she should be producing wonderful, good, creamy rich milk for her babies. The colostrum is vital, and so the pups may not seem to be getting enough, but they are. Try not to introduce anything into their systems not made by their mother. I do keep several vials of fresh frozen plasma in my freezer so that, if for some reason, there is no colostrum whatsoever for the puppies, I can give FFP. Many breeders will give FFP the first day anyway, but in truth, it is not needed and really should not be given, as it is a blood product with a type such as A, B, and AB.

If you find yourself in a situation that demands hand feeding, there are several puppy formulas you can purchase, such as Esbilac™ and Just Born™, but the best thing you can do is make your own. Find a recipe that gives you 10 to 12 calories per cc. When hand feeding a puppy, calories are everything. I do not ever recommend using a powdered formula, because you can never, ever get it totally mixed, no matter what you do, and a clump of powder in a newborn’s gut is a huge problem. It is my honor to write this column each issue. If you have canine reproduction questions you’d like to see addressed in “The Whelping Pen,” send suggestions to pugs4people2@yahoo.com or connect with me on Facebook @ Beth Ballard (Birch Haven Pugs).

Neonatal Puppy Care Kit

Collector's Corner RARE FINDS FOR PUG PEOPLE

Untitled Pug Oil Painting

Painted Pug Bronze

English, 1863-1949 | Approx. 14" x 18"

Austrian, 1861-1936

Charles Frederick Dawson FRCA

Franz Xaver Bergmann

An oil on canvas of a pug recumbent on a sheepskin rug with red ball looking for play. Signed bottom right â&#x20AC;&#x153;F. Dawsonâ&#x20AC;?; English, circa 1900.

An Austrian cold-painted pug wearing a blue collar from the Viennese foundry of Franz Xaver Bergmann.

Porcelain Pug Figurine

Ceramic Pug

Circa 1840 | Approx. 4" x 2.5"

Circa 1900

A 19th century English porcelain model of a pug lying on a rectangular cushion base with corner tassels.

A cold-painted terracotta model of a pug dog seated on its haunches with free forelegs and a stitched tan 'leather' collar and glass eyes. Continental, probably Austrian.

PUG TALK January | February | March 2016

FEATURED RESCUE

Ladybug â&#x20AC;&#x201C;by San Diego Pug Rescue

adybug, also known as "the Bug" and LB, came to San Diego Pug Rescue from a family who no longer wanted to care for a sick old pug. Relinquished at almost 16 years old, Ladybug lived the last year of her life with foster parents Robert Henry and Anne Ainsworth. When she came in, her teeth were rotten, she had a bad urinary tract infection, she was deaf in both ears, and she had severe arthritis. Pug Rescue and Cuyamaca Animal Hospital took her into their loving arms and provided the necessary medical treatments so this old gal could be pain-free in her senior years. She found a permanent foster home with Anne and Robert and quickly became the "toast of the town" when she went to all the Pug Rescue events and San Diego Pug Meet-ups. Her spunky spirit, soft white fur, and funny face warmed everyone's heart. She was introduced to everyone at the 2008 St. Pugtrick's Party and won the "Distinguished Senior" award at the May Party 2008. She loved dressing up and always had a fancy dress or funny costume to wear. Her last big award was "Best Look-alike" at the Pug Rescue 2008 Halloween Party, which she won with her brother Keggan and best friend Rosebud Shea in their "Octopus' Garden" cart and costumes.

Quarter 4, 2015 CHIC Numbers â&#x20AC;&#x201C;Canine Health Information Center

NAME OF PUG

DATE

NEW/UPDATE

CHIC#

REG#

Talbotrails Divine Thunder EH

12/23/2015

UPDATE

95029

TS07300401

Mary Delisa Divine Mastiffs

Hill Country's Lovin' Spoonful

10/29/2015

NEW

109145

TR99329902

Kristy Ratliff

Hill Country's Ya'll Ready for This

10/29/2015

NEW

109146

TS14347901

Kristy Ratliff

Dulittle's Shoot for the Stars

12/31/2015

NEW

110449

TR97073101

Kristy & Kevin Ratliff

OWNER

Ladybug

ASK A VET

Aging Pugs

"We have two dogs—Bubba, 11 years old, and Boo, who is 2. Bubba is active, as Boo keeps him playing. My concern is, I know nothing about old age and how to deal with it: what should we look for, what are signs of serious problems, and how do we make aging comfortable for us all? Bubba and Boo are inseparable."

–Peter R.

weather (rainy, cold) make it worse? Arthritis is common in dogs as they age, particularly if your pug is overweight. You want to be certain they have a healthy diet and exercise so they’re not too fat. Supplements containing either glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate or Omega fatty acids may help may help decrease the discomfort. Arthritis occurs in any joint, but most commonly in the legs, neck and back.

condition, and vomiting. Early kidney changes may be picked up through routine blood work, which is why it is so important to have vet checks every six months. ‣‣ Growths and Tumors: Old dogs tend to get lumps and bumps over their bodies. These should be checked by a vet to rule out cancers. Fortunately, most growths are benign warts, moles, or fatty tumors.

‣‣ Graying around the face, muzzle: Some dogs begin to gray at two years of age, but most dogs commonly show a bit of gray starting at middle age (5-6 years). Pug faces can go almost completely white with age.

‣‣ Urinary tract disease: Blood in the urine is often the first sign of a bladder infection, and increased accidents in the house along with straining to urinate are all potential signs of urinary tract problems.

The old adage, "one human year equals seven dog years," is an easy way to estimate to your dog's age, but isn't the most accurate. Smaller dogs don’t age as quickly as larger ones. Generally, a seven-year-old pug is about the same age as a 44-year-old human. At ten years, your pug will be about 56 human years. By 14, a pug is approximately 72 human years of age.

‣‣ Reduced hearing: Is your dog hard to wake up after sleeping? Are they startled easily if you approach from behind? Hearing loss may be a cause. There isn't a lot that can be done for age-related hearing loss, but a vet exam should be done to rule out other medical problems, such as an infection, growth, or foreign body in the ear.

‣‣ Heart disease: A persistent cough with difficulty breathing can be an early sign of heart disease, as can decreased appetite, in a pug. This is something you want your vet to check out, because you may also be dealing with…

Generally, a dog who is seven years or older should be considered middle to senior aged, and a consultation with your vet is in order to determine the best health care maintenance program for your dog as s/he ages. Your vet will consult with you about the best time to begin geriatric monitoring.

‣‣ Mobility loss: Loss of muscle mass, especially in the hind legs, is often seen with old age. Keeping older pets mobile through appropriate exercise keeps them healthier (weight control) and more mobile. Consider the traction they get on the floor by adding skid-free surfaces to help with standing and lying down.

When do we consider dogs “old”?

What things should I expect as my dog ages? Each dog, like each human, is different. Here are some general things to watch for as a pet ages: ‣‣ Slowing down: You may notice that your dog slows down, showing signs of difficulty sitting, standing, or using stairs. Is there any hesitation or stiffness? Does a change in the

Which problems have warning signs we can look for? ‣‣ Chronic kidney disease: Kidneys are often a problem in our seniors as aging takes a toll. It’s difficult to spot, because it’s a gradual process from renal insufficiency to renal failure. Look for decreased appetite, increased thirst, increased urination (or virtually no urination), poor coat

PUG TALK January | February | March 2016

• Brachycephalic syndrome: where your pug may have issues with pinched nostrils, an elongated soft palate, or a collapsing trachea. Your vet needs to determine if your pug has any symptoms and determine exactly what’s going on internally. And don’t forget… • Dental care: If your pug suddenly has bad breath, it may be a sign that your regular brushing or crunchy treats aren’t maintaining oral health. Keeping teeth healthy allows your older pug to continue to eat pain free! Time with your senior dog will be some of the most rewarding you’ll ever have. Your healthy dog will repay you with love and devotion every single day. Keeping them healthy and happy for as long as possible is the goal we all want to achieve.

NEW RELEASES

Smartphone Apps for Dog Owners good behavior. This app allows you to use this training method right from your phone. It also includes training tutorials, so you can use the features to get the most out of your training. Free for iPhone MapMyDogwalk: Now you can track any outdoor activities that you and your dog may encounter. The app gives you data such as the distance, speed, time, calories burned, and route of your walk. You can even allow the app to give you motivation and update you throughout your adventure. This app is a fun way to help you and your dog stay in shape by exercising together! Free for iPhone and Android

e never go anywhere without our phones these days. And it’s no longer just a telephone: Today’s smart phones provide us with email, entertainment, reminders, music and weather. It’s no surprise that now, dog owners can use apps to make our lives easier as well. Here are some great smartphone apps for you and your pug to enjoy: SQUEAKER! 2016 Dog Toy: Need a squeak noise to get your dog’s attention? This app will provide you with a megaselection of squeaks, from “Honky Grunty Rattly Toys” to “Talky Mega Awesome Toys,” so you can find the one that attracts your dog the most. Free version on Android (ad supported) or $1.00 iClicker: Clicker training is a highly successful dog training method that works by rewarding the pup for

Dog Whistler: Tired of calling your dog by mouth? This app lets you choose among a variety of whistles and frequencies to help make training easy. It also allows you to have an alarm that can help stop an action. For example, if you want to stop your dog from sitting on the furniture, you can set an alarm that is triggered by the motion of the dog jumping on the sofa to help train the dog to stay on the ground. Free for iPhone DogVacay: Your dog stays in a real home with a loving sitter while you’re away. DogVacay connects dog owners to a community of over 20,000 five-star-rated dog sitters across the U.S. and Canada. All reservations include premium pet insurance, 24/7 customer support, and a daily photo or video chat. Free for iPhone and Android iPottyTrain: Housebreaking your puppy is one of the first training steps for a new dog owner.

Track your puppy’s potty schedule and set reminders to help you remember to take your dog outside to do their business. This app can also track food intake and indoor accidents to best manage your dog’s bathroom schedule. $0.99 for iPhone Spending on my dog: Monitor your spending by managing a budget for your dog’s expenses. Some cost categories included with this app are veterinary care, food, toys, accessories, pet medical insurance, grooming, and the list goes on. The app can be viewed as a pie chart or exported as a spreadsheet to add to other expenses. $0.99 for Android Pet First Aid: Take care of your furry family member. The American Red Cross Pet First Aid app puts veterinary advice for everyday emergencies in the palm of your hand. Get the app and be prepared to act when called upon. With videos, interactive quizzes and simple step-by-step advice, it’s never been easier to know Pet First Aid. Free for iPhone and Android Puppy Coach 101: Here’s an app that will help you teach your puppy to sit, drop it, come, and other common commands. It lets you keep track of your goals and provides instructional videos to guide you along the way. Your pup even gets a diploma when the goals are met! $2.99 for iPhone These are just a few apps to help dog owners with obedience, training, entertaining, and fitness. What apps do you and your furry friend use together?

Smartphone Apps for Dog Owners

VIKING MOPS

Wendy Davenschot Pug Talk is honored to welcome Wendy Davenschot from the Netherlands as a contributing photographer. Many of you may have seen her work on her Facebook page for Vikingmops. We are excited to present some of her photos here, and in future editions. Welcome, Wendy!

never expected my search for a pug to lead me to Denmark! But after a warm welcome from Birgit Seloy at Kennel Seloy, I looked into the kind and beautiful eyes of the most amazing puppy and fell head over heels in love. We had already created a list of names, but after gazing into those deep brown eyes, we made the decision to name him in honor of Birgit for trusting us with this precious gift of love. Thus, he was titled with his pet name "Seloy"; the name fit the little prince perfectly. As he was a gift from my husband, his registered name became Seloy Fisherman's Pride. Just for fun, we started to attend some dog shows, and we both enjoyed it. We enjoyed it so much that Seloy could add Dutch Youth Champion, Amsterdam Junior Winner and Winner '11, Best Show Pug NL 2011, Dutch Ch, Danish Ch, German Ch, Luxembourg Ch, Belgian Clubwinner '12, Dutch Clubwinner '13, Amsterdam Winner '13, and International Champion to his name. I have had many dogs before, but Seloy is my soul mate, my once-in-a-lifetime dog. He is always there, my shadow and my sunshine. He, to me, is the embodiment of unconditional love. To share this with the world, I started to

photograph him, trying to capture those moments when he touches my heart and my soul. He taught me that there is more to the breed than eating, sleeping, or sitting on your lap. There is laughter, joy, happiness, fun, humor, cheekiness, curiosity, wonder, exploration, kindness, protection, warmth, speed, peeping, mischief, and on and on. My husband told me to put a watermark in my photos, and I came up with Viking Mops since Seloy is from Denmark, and because of our own interest in the Scandinavian culture and Seloy's personality (in Europe they call pugs “mops”). The feedback I got was that I captured the pureness of the breed, the heart of the pug. This was my drive to continue sharing my 'moments' on our Facebook Vikingmops page, and my rewards are the smiles we put on people’s faces. We live in the Netherlands, and when we go to national or international shows, people recognize my boys and want to take a picture of "the Vikings." My wish was to have a son of Seloy one day, so Loki came into our family and my dream came true. He is the spitting image of his father; how lucky can you be? Loki was bred by Louise Brooks Lowe and Stazey Hawkes at Pugalicious Kennel in London UK. We gave him the pedigree name Pugalicious

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Seloys Pride to honor his daddy and his daddy's breeder. It was a gift to see the relationship between a father and his son and the love they have for each other. Since our home got double pugged, they’ve doubled our daily laughter. Loki also has a wonderful show career. At this moment, he has added Dutch Youth Ch, German Youth Ch, Europasieger '15, Luxembourg Ch, Dutch Ch, German Ch, Best Pug Dog NL '15 and International Ch to his name. I adore my Vikings, so when I got the opportunity to get a son out of a litter that Loki bred in Germany, after I saw the blue boy, who was just a few days old … I got that feeling in my stomach … that feeling that you could get something special … and special he is: Valdemar (Robinien’s A Viking’s Pride), our 3rd generation Viking, was bred by Julia Dodeck at Robinien's Mopszucht in Germany. He’s presently seven months old. We’ve shown him a few times, and during his first foreign show, he got BIS 3 Minor Puppy. We’re very excited about his development … he reminds me so much of his grandfather and father. I hope my photos bring you a measure of the joy my Vikings have brought to me.

Warmest regards, Wendy

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A single star shining in the night sky for the one we have loved and lost. CH. DRESS CIRCLE LOCK AND LOAD

To the stately gentleman who provided us with years of love and companionship and added so much to our breeding program, we wish you a peaceful rest.

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Christine Dresser DVM | Dress Circle PUG TALK January | February | MarchCurtis 2016 Rowe | Trump Pugs

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TING

CH. TRUMP'S BRUCE ALMIGHTY GCH. DRESS CIRCLE BEBE KING x GCH. TRUMP'S CUDDLE BEAR Our double Lock and Load great grandson won an Owner Handled Best In Show at the prestigious Central Ohio circuit in November. Thank you Judge Helen Stein. Bruce started out his first weekend in 2016 with a Toy Group 1 (pictured, thanks to Judge Jackie Stacy) and a Group 2 under Judge Jeff Bazell. We are proud of the generations that have come together to help us in our quest to produce an outstanding line of black Pugs with an emphasis on type, soundness and health.

Find Atom's videos online on his YouTube Channel INTERNET CELEBRITY PUG

Atom Unleashed If you’ve spent any time online, you’ve probably seen the antics of Atom the Pug. Atom can be found on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and he has become quite a celebrity. Recently, Pug Talk had a chance to talk with his dad, Rich, about Atom and his story. Tell us about you and the rest of Atom’s family. I’m Richard Briant from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and my wife is Amber.

• • • •

Pug Races Honda Civic Pug Drives Tractor Pug on a Horse Pug Drives a Boat

I’m a sheet metal worker, and my wife works for Audi and at a jewelry store. We have three dogs in total: Atom, a purebred pug; Guinness the English bulldog; and Stella, a mini Shar-Pei crossed with pug. We also have a Russian blue cat named Kitti. What can you share about Atom’s background? Atom is a six year-old who has lived with us for three years. A friend of ours was having a baby and felt they would not be able to give Atom the attention he deserved. I had always wanted a pug, so he came to us! We

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• Construction Pug: Drives a DumpTruck • GoKart PUG • Skateboarding Pug

had Stella first, then came Atom, and then Guinness. Is getting Atom ready for the shoots a lot of work? Oh no, we just feed him good food (Acana), brush him regularly, and give him plenty of hugs and love! It really seems like it’s more playtime for him. Does Atom have favorite toys? Yup, he LOVES plastic balls and his porcupine!! We continue to purchase the same toy, as he absolutely adores it. He just sits there and sucks on it until it’s all wet and yucky!

What about any cute or frustrating habits he might have?

photos, even writing storyboards for new and upcoming videos. I always have a GoPro camera in my pocket, as He loves to sneeze in your face and fart you never know what’s going to happen on you while you’re sleeping in bed. And and look cool on camera! I just connect yes, he sleeps in my arms every night, fur the GoPro to the phone, and I can and all. He even gets part of my pillow! share the photos directly to the social platforms. I post about three times a Would you consider Atom to be your day on the accounts, and it’s down to a best buddy? science now, part of my regular routine Oh yes, 110 percent! We spend EVERY that I enjoy, and it keeps everything up minute together, unless I’m at work. He to date. literally follows me around, his flat face against the back of my legs, and then I wanted to try something new for Atom, when I sit down he stares at me the so I went out one random afternoon entire time! He’s definitely a Daddy’s bud! with a friend of mine. We went out and brought Atom with us, but really How did Atom’s online career get didn’t have a plan set up for what we started? were going to do. The general idea I am a videographer/photographer, and was mostly to shoot some new photos in my spare time, I enjoy just shooting for his pages. So we took all kinds of random videos and taking some really photos that day, even putting Atom on awesome and unique photos. I have the steering wheel of a car for some always had my eye out for a good subject shots. And that’s when the first “viral to shoot. I would take photos of Atom video” was conceived. I looked at my at random, but never really put any of buddy and said we should shoot a little it online. Then one summer, we were at video, making it look like Atom is driving our cottage, and Atom was attacked by this car!! As a joke, we slapped some another dog and lost a piece of his ear. GoPro cameras all over the car and It really hurt us, and we felt really bad randomly shot this pug driving a car with for Atom. We gave him love and plenty no shot list or script, just going with of attention (like every pet deserves), the flow. A day later, it was edited and and I just started taking some random uploaded to his online accounts. funny pictures. I showed him off on my And it had fifty thousand views in the Facebook, and it was almost alarming first week! One week later, I received the amount of interest there was in the a message from photos of Atom. I felt like I should go the extra mile, so mid-February of 2015, Beth Troutman of the television show Right I really went the extra mile and made This Minute. She Atom a Facebook account of his own. I wanted to air Atom’s posted a few pictures of him daily with driving video on their funny and cute captions, and within a show!!! Amazed, I week he had gained over a thousand said yes. Once the “Likes” on his page. Soon after that, I video aired on national created an Instagram account for him, which has also grown fantastically. Today, television, Atom his Facebook page has around thirty-two started getting TONS thousand “Likes,” and his Instagram has of new fans. I realized then that this was just thirty-four thousand followers. the beginning, and Does it take a lot of people to produce we needed to make his social media? more driving videos of Atom. I have been able It’s just the three of us: Atom, Mom and me! Most of it is done by me; I post and to use my passion to take care of all his social media accounts create the videos. A month later, we shot from my Samsung Note 3 in my pocket. “Pug on a Tractor,” and Unless I’m at home…then I pull out the AGAIN they aired it laptop, and I can be on it for hours at on Right This Minute! a time just sorting and editing Atom’s

The next day, CNN emailed me, asking if they could show the tractor video on their show, and of course I said YES!! This pattern has continued with each new video and grown tremendously. Emails were pouring in from all kinds of companies and new publications, asking how the videos were done and where they came from. After that, we started getting calls and emails from different companies wanting to sponsor Atom. It was a lot of work to go through his email, since he doesn’t really like using computers! One of the biggest sponsors who reached out to us was GoPro! They sent him his first very own GoPro, and the videos keep on coming. So far, our videos have included Atom driving a car, a tractor, a dump truck, riding a horse, and taking some girls tubing by pulling them behind a

Atom Unleashed

Atom Unleashed // continued from page 21 boat. We have a long list of plans for upcoming videos, including an off-road pug, scrapyard pug, snow mobile pug, and lowrider pug. We’re going to try to release a new video once a month. Atom is a real professional when it comes to participating. His personality is the typical, happy, funny pug, but with a little bit of reserve. He loves the camera—his tail won’t stop wagging when he sees it. We only put clothes on him because he LOVES it. I can hold open a shirt for him and he shoves his head right into it. He really is easy to get along with. On photoshoots, he sits there until we’re done, loving it. Since that first video of him driving a car, he’s been in love with any kind of steering wheel. Once the camera is rolling, all we do is put him on the wheel, and he actually steers sometimes! It’s too bad his feet can’t hit the pedals or he’d really be driving! The videos vary in the amount of time it takes to shoot them: usually we get

the entire video shot in five hours, but it can take up to two days. Editing takes another day. There are only three of us who work on the video production: me, Atom and my partner Mitch. But we actually work up a shot list and story weeks beforehand. And during the entire shoot, Atom wags his tail. It’s almost like he knows what we’re doing and really enjoys it. There aren’t any treats or training involved at all. He’s a natural! Do you ever get recognized in public? Sometimes, and it’s pretty freaky when that happens. So many people react to Atom with bliss and that “AWWWWWwwwwww…” which comes from their heart. The amount of video sharing is astonishing. On average, the videos receive fifty thousand views almost immediately. Over time, they’ve gone as high as THREE MILLION views! And the people who see it share it, and then more see it. It’s neat how many people get attached to Atom. We once

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received a message from someone who was on vacation in Mexico, and they saw one of Atom’s videos showing on a Mexican news channel. That’s how they discovered Atom! Does Atom have any causes he helps out with? Not right at the moment. In the spring, when there’s better weather and the salt isn’t on the sidewalks, we do have a project planned. We’re going off to downtown Toronto to search for the homeless. Atom will have a wagon he’ll be pulling with burgers for them. If they’re hungry, they can get a burger! I think Atom will really enjoy doing this, and it’s good karma all the way around, to be able to help others out. Anything else you’d like to add? Just that Atom the Pug has only just begun! We have many new videos on the way. STAY TUNED!!!

TALES OF TEENAGE TERROR

Puppy Adolescence: Trials & Tribulations –by Vicki DeGruy

Can you tell me where I've gone wrong with my puppy? She used to be so good about coming when she was called and doing what she was told. It seems like just overnight she's turned into a brat and deliberately disobeys me. She's already been to an obedience class but she acts like she's forgotten everything she learned. She's nine months old.

Welcome to adolescence! You have the canine equivalent of a rebellious teenager. Young puppies are very dependent on people and other dogs for instructions. They have a strong instinct to follow and to fit in. At about six months of age, they start to think for themselves and test their independence. This is also the time when they start to question your authority. Instead of automatically obeying you when you give a command, they now ask “What for?” and “What will you do if I don't?” This can be a trying time for your relationship. In fact, most dogs taken to animal shelters because of “behavior problems” are between nine and 18 months old— prime canine adolescence. Most of these problems could be solved if the

owner understood what was really going on and how to handle it. This is also a very critical time for your relationship. Dogs do grow out of adolescence but what they learn during that time will stay with them the rest of their lives. Your puppy is testing you. If she learns that you won't enforce your commands and that she only has to obey when she wants to, you'll be setting a pattern that will be very hard to break. It's important that you only give a command when you mean it and only when you're prepared to follow through. If you've called her to come and she doesn't, go and get her. Every time, no exceptions. Work a short obedience practice session into your schedule every day to brush up on her training. Include obedience commands like “Sit,” “Down,” and “Stay” in your daily routine

"… [M]ost dogs taken to animal shelters because of “behavior problems” are between nine and 18 months old—prime canine adolescence. Most of these problems could be solved if the owner understood what was really going on and how to handle it." around the house so they become second nature to you and your puppy. Be consistent. If you enforce a command sometimes but not always, she'll learn that she only has to obey you sometimes. Show her what you expect from her every time. Be persistent. Teenagers and adolescent dogs are stubborn. To get your point across, you need to be stubborner than they are! Be patient. A well-trained dog doesn't just happen, it takes an investment of time and effort. To get the full return on this investment, a teenaged dog needs guidance and time to mature. Adolescence is a temporary condition but the solid foundation you build now will support your relationship for many years to come.

Puppy Adolescence: Trials & Tribulations

TRAINING YOUR PUG

Canine Depression

Cher McCoy lives in Lexington, VA with her husband, Steve, her German shepherd and pug, Rottie, three kitties, and a parrot. She is a dog trainer, animal behaviorist and the owner of Lexington Pet Care Center, founder of Virginia Share-A-Pet and hosts her own Pet Education radio show on 3wz 96.7 FM. Contact her at: lexpet@cfw.com.

–by Cher Grindle McCoy

t’s easy enough to imagine a dog is depressed. Some even look permanently down-in-the-dumps (pugs, basset hounds and bulldogs come to mind), and our language reflects that notion when we say someone has a “hang-dog” expression or is living “a dog’s life.” But how do we know when a particular dog’s depression-like signs are masking a potentially serious physical illness? Is the dog mourning a traumatic loss or simply reflecting our mood? Or is the dog suffering true, clinical depression similar to what mental-health caregivers treat for humans? Physical or mental malady? These “signs of depression” may actually indicate a serious physical illness that merits veterinary attention: ‣‣ Lethargy or listlessness ‣‣ No appetite for several days ‣‣ Changes in standard routine ‣‣ Nausea Get to know your dog. Watch for any changes in routine behavior! I’m not a veterinarian, nor do I play one on the radio or TV. However, I worked with dogs who have been diagnosed with clinical depression. Having said that, in veterinary medicine, a diagnosis of clinical depression in dogs is extremely rare. Dogs can’t tell us, in so many words, what’s going on inside their heads, and we can’t assume they have the full range of emotions we see in humans. For the same reason, most veterinarians will not make a clinical diagnosis of OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder) in dogs: Sure, we can observe compulsive behaviors and try to deal with them. But are dogs obsessing?

We simply can’t always be sure. Remember: In animal behavior, we base our decisions on observable behavior since the dogs can’t tell us what is going on. I did a radio show recently on OCD. If you think your dog may have OCD, it would be a good idea to seek help from a professional.

Something physical has changed, and we should be paying attention.

If canine clinical depression does exist—and some experts won’t go that far—I will note that more veterinary medicine indirectly may be treating the disorder. When they do prescribe drugs to help manage some kinds of anxiety or aggression in dogs, they prescribe the same drugs used to treat human depression. Perhaps as the treated dogs feel less anxious, they also feel less depressed. But we can’t say we are treating clinical depression.

Mourning a loss: If, after the dog gets a clear bill of health from the veterinarian, he still seems depressed, what else is going on? The dog may be mourning or reacting to some other change in his life. And yes, dogs do mourn losses of all kinds of companions—human as well as animal. Also, changes in the family make-up may be disturbing to dogs; they can’t distinguish between losses due to death and other reasons—separation or a divorce, for example—or a child going off to college. The so-called “empty nest syndrome” affects dogs, too. They may not understand why someone they cared about is missing, but they are mourning the loss.

Rather, we worry that dog owners might mistake signs of physiological illness—such as lethargy and lack of appetite—for temporary depression and fail to seek medical attention before it’s too late. There are 500 reasons why a dog appears depressed, and only one is between the ears…the canine brain. Nausea and other gastrointestinal distress, for example, might go along with human depression, but in a dog, those are more likely to be signs of gastrointestinal illness rather than anxiety or worry. Bottom line here is, see your vet BEFORE you call a behaviorist to discuss canine depression. Rule out medical possibilities before you address behavior problems. The same goes for radical changes in a dog’s sleep/work cycle. The dog probably is not lying awake at night, depressed about his stock portfolio or the prospects for world peace.

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Prolonged lack of appetite and failure to eat can cause serious problems if they continue more than a day or two. A diabetic dog, without food for several days, may suffer insulin shock and die.

Don’t worry, be happy! If your dog seems down in the dumps, make a list of five things to make him happy. Number one might be a veterinary exam, if the dog exhibits signs of physical illness. The rest of the list can be fun activities that have pleased the dog in the past. Most of these activities will involve your dog’s favorite person—you! And if you’re feeling down, don’t be afraid to give the dog a big hug! Whomever or whatever the dog is missing—give the dog time to mourn. If he’s missing another dog, or even a cat, don’t rush out and replace that animal. Mourning is a natural process that takes time, although dogs usually recover before we do.

Additions to families also can be stressful to dogs. Dog owners often report that their long-time family pets become depressed or jealous when a new baby comes home to join the family. Sometimes we detect a little jealousy in a dog that isn’t getting as much attention, but he’s probably not depressed that you have a new baby. It’s the change in routine that can be stressful to the dog. They may appear to be jealous, but it’s really competition, as dogs are incapable of jealousy. They would have to have the ability to reason in order to feel jealousy. They are problem solvers, and it can look the same. Canine mirrors—If you think nothing in the dog’s life and daily routine has changed, maybe you have. If your dog is depressed, look in the mirror. You may be projecting something on the dog, and he is picking up on your feelings. Dogs can “read” our body language better than our spoken communication. A dog will notice if you’re holding your head lower and are slumped in the shoulders. You won’t need a mirror, because you’ll see your mood reflected in your dog. Many behaviorists expected the September 11 attacks to produce a surge in reported depression and were quite surprised how well most dogs recovered. In all the cases studied, most dogs recovered, but it was the people’s reactions that upset the dogs.

but some of the symptoms may be similar. If your puppy/dog is having a problem handling fear and you are at a loss to help, perhaps the following will help you. First, NO ATTENTION for acting wimpy. My mental image at a time like this is, she’s a damsel in distress, and I’m the knight in shining armor sallying forth to slay the dragon. I boldly approach whatever it is and admonish it for being scary, thump on it a bit; I’m all blustery and puffed up, and at the least intimation from the pup to join in the game or even come and investigate with me, I turn my attention to the pup and talk boldly to her, like “Atta girl! Mean old trash can! <thump thump> You just get outta our way, you nasty old thing!” I watch to see just how far away her comfort zone is and retreat to that spot with her. I may sit down and toss a ball or play a bit of tug with her. Or, I may just lay back and close my eyes and pretend to take a nap, totally unconcerned about the “monster” behind us. Eventually, she will investigate a bit further—be careful not to jerk up and startle her when she does—and then we leave. Also, it usually helps to move around the thing a bit, as often it’s just poor lighting that made it look scary in the first place.

Of course, it’s harder to do this if the thing she’s afraid of is a person or animal. (Although…I had a friend get Some dog owners report that the more a big kick out of me charging up and intelligent breeds are better at sensing taking off his hat and beating him with mood changes. Border collies, for it.) But still, DO NOT reward wimpy example, have an uncanny ability to behavior!!!!! Always remember that you know what we’re thinking before we do… get what you reward, and if you pet and but it’s probably due less to breed than coo to a frightened dog, she’ll think the dog’s relationship with you. Sharing you are telling her that it’s correct to moods is one of the “risks” of close be frightened—that there is indeed relationships with other living things, but something to be frightened of. challenges can become opportunities for I also play a lot of tug with timid pups. improvement. This might be the perfect time to give that dog a great big hug. Get And I let them win. I pump them up and praise any kind of possessive or bold him excited: Hey, let’s go for a walk! behaviors around the house and yard. I That’s the kind of good medicine that have a soft rope with a knot in the end helps the giver as much as the recipient. hanging from a low, thin branch on a tree. From a very young age, I play tug When dealing with canine depression, I with that rope and encourage them to always like to look at some other areas play by themselves. The branch it’s on that might mimic depressive behavior. bends and whips around a lot; as they The first one that comes to mind is fear, get older, they learn not to be frightened which causes stress—not depression— of the tree moving as they tug.

I let timid pups chase me and catch me and I fall and let them get on top of me. I only chase after them if they seem to enjoy it, and I never catch them but always let them find a way to squirt by and get away. Sometimes I pull a sheet over us both and play with her under it from a very young age. Then I put her under the sheet and play with her from outside, and then I go under the sheet and let her attack me. Eventually, I can shake a sheet or towel (or flag) and flap it quite alarmingly, and she just sees it as a cue that a game is about to commence. Having said all of that, I must also say that on rare occasions, the opposite may work better for a puppy, and there’s only a couple of ways to tell which one to continue using. First, if it isn’t working as I’ve described, then you may have a puppy that does better when you reassure them. Again, this is the exception, not the rule. The other way to figure it out is to have a professional help you. You may have missed some body language that you need to know to determine which method to use to help the puppy overcome fear. When you play tug games, however, I have specific rules that I adhere to without exception. Tugging is great for building confidence, but rules need to be enforced. Tug isn’t the only game that helps to build confidence. Agility is one of the best games on the planet to build confidence. Agility can’t be done on regulation equipment until the puppy is old enough that their growth plates have closed. This will be different for different breeds. You can, however, use puppy equipment that you can build yourself, and I do recommend you do this if you have a puppy that is fearful, scared of their own shadow, or just lacks confidence in general. Most of all, have fun with your puppy and with your training. On November 7th, Asgard’s Katisue had a litter of nine. On December 28th, I picked up my boy. His name is Asgard’s Majority Leader—call name Major. Here he is at his first Agility Trial at the Virginia Horse Center last month.

Canine Depression

PAW

[PUGS AROUND THE WORLD]

Remembering Wally –by Felicity Prideaux

have to admit that, due to a variety of reasons, I really didn't get my act together for this issue! However, I would like to share a story with you, in line with this issue's topic of “seniors”…

and I decided that Wally would have two sets of parents; he would come to live with us—for a little while at least.

This is Wally's story— well, it's just a small part of Wally's story, but it's the only part I know, because as a “senior,” Wally's owners decided they couldn't care for him. They asked the Pug Club of New South Wales to assist in rehoming him. Hence, Wally arrived in our lives in August 2014. He was aged somewhere between 13 and 15. He was blind, deaf, suffering terrible yeast infections…and he had the waggiest tail and the biggest smile! Initially, the plan was for Wally to live with dear friends and pug devotees, Anne and Mick. But the highest priority was a visit to our fabulous vet for an injection, some antibiotics and a change in diet. The love and devotion that Wally was given at Anne and Mick's set this remarkable old gentleman on the road to recovery. However, after a while, it was obvious that with his impairments, Wally needed to have people around him all the time, at least in the short term. Thus Anne, Mick, Rob

Wally settled in straight away! He loved cuddles, and we loved his smiles! He worked out where everything was, and he soon had us trained as to what his barks meant!! He was still recovering from the yeast infections, so the poor old boy needed a bit of TLC, but it was amazing how quickly medication and change of diet worked for him.

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Despite being blind, he mapped out the house and the yard and rarely ran into anything. He got on well with most of the other pugs. The only strained relationship was with the other senior in the house, Darcy. The two old boys steadfastly ignored each other for the first few weeks. However, as time went by, the relationship mellowed and they became the best of friends, rarely far away from each other and never a cross word between them. They sat together, slept together and wandered around together. They enjoyed each other's company. Four months after Wally arrived, we moved house onto a five-acre property. The thought of acquainting Wally with a new environment was somewhat daunting…well, it was for us, but not for Wal!! It took him about three days to “map” the house yard. It was much bigger than our previous backyard, but its size didn't seem to worry him. In fact, he loved it! He would actually break into a trot when he was in "clear space." He knew where all the trees were, and the fence line provided him with the perfect "exercise path." At least three times a day, we

He left a hole that can never be filled and a darkness that can never be lit—because it was his smile that gave us light. would see Wal walking the fence line! It was as though it was his personal “get fit” track!! Wally was a very social dog. He loved visitors. He loved being the center of attention, and one of his best days was when he accompanied me to “A Pooch Affair,” the canine expo. Wally thought that all the members of the public had come to see him! He adored the pats and the cuddles. A noisy crowded exhibition hall could have frightened him, but no: he lapped it up!! We couldn't trace all of Wally's history, but we knew his owners got him from the pound and he had been had been an outside dog in his previous life. We knew he was between 13 and 15, and we think he was closer to 15, albeit an active 15. I have to say that Wal captured my heart, and I was prone to posting pictures of him on Facebook. It seems his endearing smile captured quite a few other hearts as well, and friends were quick to ask why when I hadn't posted a photo of Wally for a few days! Wally left us on 18 November 2015. He left us on his terms: he hadn't been sick, he just didn't wake up. He was with his best mate Darcy, and the night he left us, he had had his usual five treats before “lights out” … He left a hole that can never be filled and a darkness that can never be lit—because it was his smile that gave us light. That night, Anne, Mick, Rob and I cried together, but as we reminisced, we smiled and laughed a lot too. He had given us the most wonderful gift, and when he left us, we know he was content and happy and most of all, he knew he was very much loved. Godspeed “Wal-Wal”…

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Front Cover 8.75" x 11.25" 8.75" x 11.25" 17.25" x 11.25" 8.75" x 11.25"

General Position Ads General position color ads are limited to printer’s restraints. Contact us early if you wish your ad in color. All ads include one photo and up to 150 words. Add $35 for each extra photo, and $10 for over 150 words.

Ad Size

Color

B&W

Full Page

$200

$100

Half Page

$110

$55

Quarter Page

$85

$45

8.75" x 11.25" 8.75" x 5.75" 4.5" x 5.5"

Specialty Photos

Photographs & Artwork We cannot guarantee printed quality of poor photos submitted. Extreme enlargements of low quality JPEG photos do not reproduce well. We generally crop to include the judge, handler and dog if possible—please inform us of any special requirements you have regarding your photography. Mark a photocopy of the picture if you want a specific crop. Send the original, high-resolution, uncut photo with your layout. All ad photos must be clearly marked to be returned. Address labels work better than handwriting on the back of photos, which leaves impressions on photos and may bleed onto other photos. It is assumed that all photos submitted have been properly released by the photographer for publication in this magazine for general public viewing. We do our best to retain a photographer’s name/logo on ads, but cannot guarantee to do so. If it is important for a name/ logo to appear, please indicate when you send in your information for your ad.

Pug Talk is produced and sent to the printer electronically. Any custom electronic ads must be composed and exported as PDF (InDesign, Illustrator) or high quality JPEG (Photoshop, PageMaker, or Quark). Ads submitted to Pug Talk in printed form (hard copies) Layout as finished ads (camera ready) will Ad prices are for space only. We will be scanned for electronic placement. typeset your ad from your layout at no Please make sure your digital scans extra charge within our capabilities. If you require special art, matching pages, are saved in high quality JPEG or TIFF illustrations, logos, text, etc. please send format. Scans should be performed at DETAILED descriptions and/or sketches, 300 dpi. Please email us FIRST if you or arrange with your own artist and send have any questions at pt@pugtalk.com. the art to us. When you send results of your specialty, your Best of Breed and one other photo (Trophy Table, BOS, BW as examples) will be printed FREE. Additional specialty pictures will be $25 each.

Section Title

PUG TALK January | February | March 2016

Loose Hairs

Do You Digital?

Did you know you can get Pug Talk on your electronic device? No need to fold or roll the magazine to take it with you, simply download the digital copy. Every print subscription receives the digital version for FREE—you simply need to register an account on the website, and we'll set your access. When you register, you also are signed up for our newsletter, which primarily lets you know when the latest issue is available. We are so pleased at the number of our subscribers are taking advantage of this technology to get their pug "fix."

Check Your Subscription Date IMPORTANT: Check your address on the back cover to see the date of your last copy of Pug Talk. If it says, 2016–Q1, then THIS is your LAST issue!

Subscribe to Pug Talk You can subscribe or renew your subscription from anywhere in the world. Simply go to www.pugtalk.com/subscribe and click on the payment option you’d like. Want to make a gift subscription? Use the www.pugtalk.com/subscribe page, and in the message area, tell us who you’d like to receive Pug Talk.

Ad & Copy Deadline In an attempt to keep Pug Talk arriving in a timely manner, we must respect our deadline. The deadline for all issues is the first of the month of the quarter the issue is published in. Early ads and articles are greatly appreciated.

MAY

DEADLINE FOR APRIL/MAY/JUNE ISSUE: The deadline for the Performance Pugs issue is May 1, 2016.

Back Cover Our model for the back cover is Atom, this quarter's internet celebrity pug. Atom is a purebred pug from Ontario, Canada who absolutely LOVES the spotlight. He's earned thousands of viewers on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Find Atom's videos online on YouTube, and watch for many more of his adventures this year!

PUG TALK

801 Dellwood St. #113 Bryan, TX 77802–5363