Carl Spitz and the Hollywood Dog Training School

By Langley Cornwell

The Hollywood Dog Training School, currently owned and operated by Richard Karl, was once a hotel and training ground for the Hollywood elite. The fancy four pawed “actors and actresses” were brought in to learn to hit their acting cues. The Hollywood superstars also brought their canines to set up house in their own little personal hotel of sorts. The rich and famous regularly lavished their canines with a visit to the hottest spot in the doggie world at that time. Carl Spitz, the owner and trainer at this Hollywood hotspot, knew how to make dogs feel like a million dollars.

Carl Spitz, Sr. was the original owner and brains behind the initial Hollywood Dog Training School. Originally from Germany, Spitz got his start working with dogs for movie roles. He learned about dog training from the man that many consider the greatest dog trainer of all time...Colonel Konrad Most. Clearly he learned his lessons well, because he went on to be among the greatest in his own right.

Most everyone knows the dog Toto from the movie The Wizard of Oz. Toto was actually Carl’s family dog and was trained under his watchful eye. Toto’s real name was Terry, and the dog became one of Spitz’s most famous clients. Starring alongside Judy Garland, that cute little canine actor was so much fun to watch. Although he was one of Spitz’s most popular clients, he was far from the only one.

Back when Spitz first started the school in 1927, the Hollywood elite would bring him their dogs to be pampered and trained. The accommodations were right out of a Hollywood fantasy, with extravagant playgrounds and beautiful views. The dogs would also have private baths and dryers, and custom menu items made by special cooks. How many dogs do you know that are bathed in porcelain bathtubs? Spitz made sure they had the best of everything for his visitors.

During World War II there was an initiative for a canine corps to help fight the war. Spitz was one of many trainers that helped prepare the dogs for their roles in the initiative. His training skills were highly valued and almost certainly helped keep soldiers safer through that program.

The original Hollywood Dog Training School was located near Laurel Canyon but was later moved when the Ventura Freeway was cut through. They ended up in North Hollywood on Vanowen Street. Lassie was trained at this kennel location. In fact, the place was owned by Rudd Weatherwax, the original trainer for Lassie.  The school is still located there to this day.

Carl Spitz, for his part, became one of the most influential dog trainers in history. His book, Training Your Dog, is one of the first manuals on dog training to be created. That book is now a rare find and would be considered a top addition to any book collection on the subject. Spitz trained dogs throughout his entire life and is considered one of the innovators of some of the dog training skills and tricks that are still being used today.

Richard Karl bought the place in 1978 and has since turned it into a training ground for dogs and cats of all economic backgrounds. Although many of the famous Hollywood stars still bring their dogs and cats to the school, the primary function of the place now is to train family pets. Although the school was originally only for dogs, Karl has added a cat building to the premises so that felines would not be left out. The cat building offers kitties their own areas for sleeping and eating, as well as ample room to play and socialize.

Although the Hollywood Dog Training School started as a place to nurture the Hollywood Elite and train the next canine actors and actresses, the school has now become a place where your dog or cat can go and be the star.

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Top 5 Cat-Friendly Dogs

By Langley Cornwell

In the past, I’ve only shared my home with dogs – and those dogs had little to no interaction with cats. On those unfortunate occasions when they did interact with cats, it usually turned out poorly for me. It would invariably happen when I was walking both dogs at once and a cat would saunter across our path, glancing slyly at us with a gleam in its eye. My big dogs would take off on cue, lunging on the leashes like sled dogs, and it would take every ounce of my might not to do a face plant right on the pavement.

Experiences like these made me marvel at dogs that got along with cats. I thought that “those dogs” were rare and wondrous, that their humans must have worked long and hard to get them comfortable with “the opposite” species. At that time, in my mind dogs and cats were like day and night or black and white – they were opposites. Then I met my husband, a Real Man Who Loves Cats. When we decided it was time to add to our family, we went to the shelter and came back with a dog and a cat.

Our dog and cat have formed a tight interspecies bond; they are good friends. With appropriate socialization, most dogs and cats can live together harmoniously. Some breeds seem to be more accepting of feline friends than others, however. Here are five dog breeds that are recognized as being cat-friendly:

Golden and Labrador Retrievers

Big, happy and athletic, retrievers love everybody. Known for their devoted and obedient nature, retrievers are easy to socialize with other dogs and with cats. Many households that have retrievers also have cats, proving that size doesn’t matter.

Chihuahuas

Chihuahuas are known for their self-reliant, confident personalities. Even though they are fearless, they seem to have a soft spot for felines. In fact, Chihuahuas and cats seem to genuinely enjoy one another, often seeking each other out.

Boston Terriers

The lively Boston Terrier is a cat-friendly dog. Their intellect and determination make them easy to train, so if your cat is the type that likes to have plenty of personal space, this dog breed may be a good addition to the family. They will likely develop a mutual respect, at the very least.

Maltese

Charming and good-looking, Maltese are smart dogs that love to please. Because they’re fast learners, even if your cat can't figure out that running away will cause dogs to chase him, the Maltese can be trained to ignore the cat. These dogs are naturally gentle-natured, so they are excellent companions to cats.

Cocker Spaniels 

Cocker Spaniels catch on to things quickly, and readily obey their human companions. Most will happily cuddle with anything, human or feline, within paw’s length. Good for households with an existing cat, this breed seems to have a penchant for smaller creatures.

These are just a few of the many breeds known to connect well with cats. Generally speaking, dog breeds that are said to be intelligent and have a good temperament usually adapt to new experiences more easily and coexist more harmoniously with cats and other animals.

Even so, the relationship between a dog and a cat will vary depending on each animal’s personalities, social skills, past experiences and a variety of other factors. With very few exceptions, almost any dog can learn to be cat-friendly if he’s gradually and lovingly socialized, preferably at a young age. Plenty of patience and CANIDAE Grain Free Pure Heaven Biscuits worked for us.

Do you have interspecies friendships in your home? If so, did it happen immediately, or did the animals take time to warm up to one another?

Top photo by Pete Markham
Middle photo by Aviva West
Bottom photo by CavinB

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Do New Cats Need To Be Litter Trained?

By Langley Cornwell

Whether you are introducing a new cat into a multiple cat household or you’re bringing your first kitty home from the shelter, you’ll have to help the new family member get acclimated to the litter box.

All change is stressful for cats, and going into a new home can be a nerve-racking experience. Some cats require a longer adjustment period than others, so it’s important to do what you can to help your feline friend feel safe and secure. Even if it seems like your cat is one of the fast learners, the key factor in helping him get used to his new home and his new litter box is to move slowly.  

Teaching a cat where to eliminate is much different than the rigors of house training a dog. With cats, instinct is on your side; cats naturally like to relieve themselves in the sand or dirt. Therefore, when you introduce your cat to a litter box, with a bit of encouragement he'll happily go there instead of making a grand mess in your house.

At the beginning, it’s a good idea to restrict your new cat to a single room— but only for a short time. The transition will be easier on him if you have plenty of food and water, a bed, some toys, a scratching post and a litter box in “his” new room. Put your cat’s food, water, bed and toys at one end of the room, and the litter box at the other end of the room. Since cats appreciate privacy, he will be more inclined to use the box since it’s in a low-traffic area and away from his eating and resting area.

If possible, choose a room for your cat where you intend to keep the litter box after he’s allowed full access to the house. You’ll want to start with the litter box that you plan to use for a long time so the cat gets accustomed to it.

As soon as the two of you come home, go into the room and gently place your cat into the litter box. Allow the cat to stand in the box as long as he chooses (or not; whenever we place our cat in a litter box he jumps right out). Don’t make any sudden movements or do anything that may startle him; your cat needs enough time and space to get used to the new smell and feel of the box.

Spend time in the room with your new cat. Get in the habit of placing him in the litter box when he awakens and whenever he eats a meal or drinks water. Some cats will immediately understand what to do and others are slower to catch on. Either way, if there are no medical conditions present your cat will eventually recognize the purpose of the litter box.

Positive reinforcement is a powerful tool. When your new kitty uses the litter box appropriately, offer plenty of praise and perhaps a tasty tidbit, such as the new grain free Pure Taste cat treats from CANIDAE.

Never discipline a cat while he is in the litter box or he may associate the box with punishment. Likewise, do not attempt to teach your cat to use the litter box by moving his paws back and forth in the litter. This unpleasant experience may make him afraid of the litter box.

Once your new cat is consistently using his litter box appropriately, gradually offer him access to more and more of the house. Even if you set up (or already have) litter boxes in other rooms, try to allow your cat access to the litter box in his former confinement area so that he can return there to eliminate if he’d prefer.

For related reading, check out:
Controlling Cat Litter Scatter;
The Accidental Invention of Kitty Litter;
Which Cat Litter is the Best?

Top photo by Kcheckeye 
Bottom photo by abbamouse

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Can you take your Dog on Public Transportation?

By Langley Cornwell

As the economy continues to evolve, there have been some notable changes to the transportation industry. More and more Americans are switching to smaller cars, and sales of hybrid automobiles are on a steep upward trend. Families that used to be two-car households are figuring out creative ways to drop down to one car and eliminate the inflated cost of gasoline, property taxes, maintenance, etc. for that second car.

As a response, public transportation is taking on a more important role in the new American lifestyle. We have a long way to go to catch up with many of the countries in the European Union, but I’ve seen giant strides even in the small southern town where I live now.

Fortunately, some trains, buses, trolleys and light rails now allow pets. Be aware, however, that there are still many restrictions for this method of transportation when your travel companion walks on four legs. At this time, people that plan to have their pet accompany them must avoid Amtrak and Greyhound; neither carrier allows animals on its trains and buses.

Other than avoiding Amtrak and Greyhound, there are no standard guidelines to follow when determining whether a certain train, trolley or light rail system will allow pets and, if they do, what their rules and regulations are. Before making your plans, check for updates and new information regarding which carrier in your area of travel allows pets and what restrictions apply.

If you’ve determined that pets are allowed to travel with you on public transportation, make sure you both adhere to good travel etiquette. Here are some tips:

Traveling with your dog by bus or taxi

Someone dressed in a black suit may not want to go to work adorned with Samoyed hair. Therefore, when Fido is along for the ride, keep him on a lead at all times and keep him by your feet. Do not allow him to sit on the upholstered seats.

Traveling with your dog by train

Some rail carriers will allow two dogs to travel for free when accompanied by one person. Ask about pricing when you make reservations.

• Before you board the train, be sure your dog has relieved himself.

• For long journeys, take fresh water and a supply of high quality dog food, like CANIDAE’s Grain Free Pure Elements.

• Make sure your dog is on his lead at all times and – as with busses or taxis – do not let him sit on the train seats.

• If another passenger has a problem with your dog being on the train, you may be asked to move to another section.

• According to the dog travel advice on Your Dog Holidays, dogs are allowed to travel free in UK on the London Underground, but they must be carried on escalators.

Traveling with your dog by ferry

There are a lot of barrier islands where I live, and dogs often travel by ferry. To be sure, always ask the company about its policy towards pets before booking. Most ferries accept dogs as long as they stay with their owners in the car. They simply load in the car and stay in the vehicle; they are usually not welcomed on the passenger deck during the voyage.

Regardless of company policy, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) allows your service animal to accompany you to any public place. Therefore, service animals must be allowed to ride on all manner of public transportation, including taxis. Since service animals are considered workers, not pets, more restrictions apply to them. They are usually required to ride at their owner’s feet during travel and there is no additional charge for them. For the time being, therapy dogs and comfort/support animals are not classified as service animals.

Recently, restrictions against pets traveling with their owners on public transportation systems were amended in some parts of the United States. After Hurricane Katrina, the U.S. government’s Homeland Security realized that some people refused mandatory evacuation on public buses because they could not take their animals with them. Since that time, rules have been established to allow some pets to use public transportation and receive care during emergencies.

Have you ever taken your dog on public transportation? If so, what was your experience like?

Top photo by turismotorino
Bottom photo by prettyinprint

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Tips for Controlling Your Pet’s Shedding

By Langley Cornwell

There was a time, a long time ago, when I naïvely thought that pet shedding was seasonal. I used to think there was a magical time in the not-so-distant future when I wouldn’t have to dust, sweep or vacuum every day. I used to hope that a furtive glance at the corners of our home wouldn’t reveal dust bunnies big enough to scare the dogs.

I’ve come to accept that pet hair all over the house, our furniture and my clothing is a fact of life. As I commiserate with family and friends, it’s apparent that while some dog and cat breeds have longer hair or thicker coats or heavier undercoats, they all still shed. Sure, some shed more than others… but they all shed hair, and it’s a nuisance.

Since we can’t stop our pets from shedding, it’s good to learn ways to reduce loose dog and cat hair from swirling around our homes.          

Dogs and cats shed for the same reason that humans do: to get rid of damaged, old or excess hair. My fantasies of seasonal shedding were not totally pipe dreams; it’s true that animals grow a thicker coat in the winter months to help insulate them from the cold. Then when summertime comes, they shed the extra hair to stay cooler. But that’s not the whole story. Pets also shed damaged hair throughout their lifetime. And if your pet happens to have any type of skin conditions, allergies or irritations, they may shed excessively.

There are steps you can take to keep your cat or dog’s skin and hair healthy and reduce the quantity of excess pet hair in your home.

Groom your pet often. My brother’s dog actually lets him use the vacuum on him, but that has to be the exception. As a rule, brushing your pet’s coat frequently removes the dead hair, which is the best thing you can do to keep shedding to a minimum. It’s also important to bathe your dog often during the summer. Regular bathing and brushing will keep your pet’s coat healthier, and a healthier coat is less likely to shed.

Cover your furniture and car seats. Pet hair seems to be magically attracted to upholstery, and the hair finds a way to attach itself so it’s nearly impossible to remove. I’ve tried vacuum cleaners with special attachments, adhesive lint rollers and a myriad of products specifically designed for the task of removing dog or cat hair from upholstery—all without success.

If you’re like me and allow your pets onto your furniture and bed, you may want to consider furniture throws and car seat covers. It’s the easiest way to keep hair off of your furniture with the added bonus of being able to remove and wash them any time you feel the need.

Vacuum regularly. Even though your furniture and car seats are protected, you still need to find a way to (humanely) control the dust bunnies. Be disciplined with your vacuuming efforts. Regular vacuuming is the easiest way to keep the corners of your home free of excess pet hair.

Feed your pets a nutritious food. A dog and cat’s coat is often a reflection of what they are fed. If your pets eat a high quality pet food, like one of CANIDAE’s new Grain Free Pure formulas, their coat will be shinier and healthier. And a healthier coat sheds less.

Maintain regular veterinarian checkups. Different diseases can affect your dog or cat’s skin and coat. As a responsible pet owner, it’s good to maintain regular visits to your veterinarian. This practice will help identify problems early, which will provide more effective treatment.

Controlling your pet’s shedding involves routine brushing and grooming as well as paying attention to your animal's diet. By following these simple tips, you can significantly reduce the amount of dog and cat hair in your home, on your furniture and in your car.

Does your pet shed a lot? If so, can you share any secrets for keeping pet shedding to a minimum?

Top photo by Caroline 
Bottom photo by Monkey Mash Button

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How to Bring Out the Best in Your Dog

By Langley Cornwell

What? Your dog is perfect? Well then, move along. There’s nothing for you to learn here. But if you’re like me, there are things we could do to make our dogs happier and our lives easier. It’s a simple concept, really. It all starts with determining what “type” of dog you have and then tailoring your activities to suit them.

Dogs generally fall into broad categories like couch potato, exercise nut, curious intellectual and loner. By accommodating their natural tendencies, you will bring out the best in your dog.

Couch Potato

Our newest dog is a complete couch potato; his idea of a good time is snuggling on the sofa all day. Because of this, I don’t expect him to be the outstanding athlete that our (loner) other dog is. Even so, we know it’s important to make sure he gets some sort of daily exercise and mental stimulation, but we don’t push him to run laps around the ball field. When we’re settled in for the evening, if we make sure there’s plenty of space on the couch for him to be near one of us, he’s happy. With regular, low stress walks and loads of personal interaction, we’re bringing out the best in this dog.

Loner

Our other dog definitely falls into the category of being a loner. When we’re all snuggled on the couch, she’s either at the far end, with plenty of personal space, or she’s on a bed in another room. She’s a happy dog and we interact with her a good bit, but when it’s quiet time, she wants to be left alone. According to Modern Dog Magazine, loner-type dogs do well with activities that reinforce a solid and dependable relationship with you.

These dogs like predictable routines they can rely on. If you have a loner, you’ll bring out the best in her if you establish daily training sessions that include plenty of praise and rewards. To foster a closer bond with a loner, you may try hand feeding her with a nutritious, high quality dog food like CANIDAE Grain Free PURE elements.

Exercise Nut

Some dogs must have an all-out workout every day or they simply cannot relax. If this is the case with your dog, develop some activities that you can do together to make sure he gets adequate physical exercise. Take care, however, that you don’t allow your dog to develop so much that he turns into an exercise junkie who needs more exertion than you can offer.

Just make sure you don’t over train your dog unless you’re interested in agility training or disc training. If you have an exercise nut, you’ll bring out the best in him if you provide adequate workouts, but it’s also very important to teach this type of dog how to relax.  

Curious Intellectual

You’ve heard of the dogs that can open the most intricate latches and pry off the lid of double locked trash cans. If you have an intellectual dog, they need to have a good, regular mental workout or they could turn their smarts into destructive behavior. More complex training exercises like tracking, herding or even the cognitively demanding Treibball will satisfy the intellectual dog. Along with brain-stimulating activities, curious intellectual-type dogs should get proper daily physical exercise as well.

Does your dog fall into any of these categories? Or maybe your dog is a mix of several; our loner has exercise nut tendencies. Tell us about your dog, and what you do to bring out the best in him or her.

Top photo by AnnieCatBlue
Bottom photo by Dan Bennett

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Do Dogs Understand Human Speech?

By Langley Cornwell

Most dog people believe that their pets can understand them; some say their pets are in tune with their moods and emotions, and some even go so far as to say that their pets understand their actual words.

Nonetheless, scientists have yet to conclusively determine how much human speech dogs can truly understand. If you have a dog, you know they are able to link sounds with actions (let’s go for a walk, get in the car, lay down, shake, bow, etc.) but they struggle with concepts. For example, if you say, “Go get a toy” the dog will do just that. But if you have a ball and a rope side by side and you say, “Go get the rope” the dog may have a hard time determining which toy you are asking for.

There are exceptions to this. In fact, my friend’s yellow lab has 5 Frisbees, each a different color. If you tell her to get the pink one, she does. Likewise, if you ask her to bring you the red one, she does. Clearly, my friend’s dog displays a high level of cognition. And all of this is without any training!

Research confirms that dogs can functionally understand and use concepts like larger and different with a good bit of training with high value rewards like Canidae Pure Heaven treats, but my friend’s dog simply has this ability. Most dogs can label objects but have problems with differences like color or size (bring me the red Frisbee, bring me the big ball).

A well-known experiment conducted by German researchers confirmed that a Border Collie named Rico had a vocabulary of over 200 words. The researchers started by validating Rico’s vocabulary in a controlled setting. To do this, they collected 10 items Rico was familiar with. They had Rico’s owner issue a verbal command for the dog to fetch a specific item from another room. Rico performed this task perfectly. Next, the researchers wanted to take the experiment a step further so they placed another item –  one that was unfamiliar to Rico – among the familiar items. The owner requested the new item by name, even though Rico didn’t know the name of the item, and Rico brought the new item back to his owner.

Researchers performed this test multiple times with different new items. Remarkably, Rico brought back the correct item 70 percent of the time. This experiment illustrated that the dog not only understood human speech but also knew how to use the process of elimination.

Stanley Coren, a psychologist who is known for his extensive research on the subject of dog intelligence, believes that the average trained dog knows around 160 words. According to the Discovery’s Animal Planet, Coren believes that some dogs even show a vocabulary as vast as a human toddler's.

Have you ever watched any YouTube videos of a dog called Skidboot? It’s hard to tell if this dog is just really well trained or if he can actually understand human speech. Either way, be careful. I lost more time today than I care to admit; once I started watching this dog, I couldn’t get enough.

What about you? Do you think your dog understands your words?

Top photo by Annheathen
Middle photo by Pippalou
Bottom photo courtesy of David Hartwig

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