I'm No Crash Test Dummy Dog, And Neither is My Ventura Dog Trainer Mom

Gone are the days when children would ride in their parents laps while driving, helping them steer the car. Yep, my own mom the rockin' dog trainer here in Ventura, got to do that with her mom in the family Buick. No seat belts...just giggling and having fun.

Well, times have changed -a lot! One of mom's motto's is "safety first!" Check out some of her dog training tips in her blog. This safety issue includes yours truly riding in style (and safely), no matter where I'm headed! I don't get to sit in laps (while we're driving). 

Nope, as mom says: "If it's not safe for a human child, how could it be safe for our pets?" I think this is what she's talking about. Check out this great dog car safety video that mom and I found on Youtube. 

Even before mom became a professional pet dog trainer here in Ventura, teaching her dog manners classes and working with her private dog training clients, she always knew that keeping any animal in a proper car restraint was the right thing to do, and that it makes for being a responsible pet guardian.  

I remember when we were driving home from the shelter where I came from, mom made the comment to dad that they were going to have to find some sort of seatbelt or car seat for me. Neither of them wanted me flying out of the car, becoming some sort of projectile and getting hurt. 

I'm fortunate enough to have a car seat in both mom and dads car's - plus I have a separate seatbelt for traveling - like when we fly to San Francisco or Colorado - this way no matter whose car I'm in, I can be kept safe.

Mom and I also like to help keep our doggy friends safe too, so she offers the Guardian Gear Safety Car Harness at her studio - and tomorrow she's taking a whole bunch over to our vendor booth at Canine Adoption Rescue Leagues 12th annual Pooch Parade Fundraising Event & Pet Expo. 

Dog Laws: We Don't Need No Stinkin' Badges... Uhh, Yes We Doo-Doo

As a law abiding canine, I'd like to send a BIG click-treat to all you law-abiding humans. My mom the rockin' dog trainer and I were out and about, training for my upcoming 5K, and I had to you know what...(#2, do my business, etc.) Anyway, this really nice lady complimented my mom for cleaning up after me. 

Wasn't that nice? She and I both don't understand why, considering it's a law! Yep, just like littering is against the law, so is not cleaning up after us doggies. I can't believe there has to be laws for this - I would think common sense would dictate that you humans wouldn't want dog doody left all over the place... I guess some people just don't care. What a shame. 

Well, in honor of us dogs, you humans have created an annual holiday from April 20 - 26, called "National Scoop the Poop Week"! You can read more about it on the Association of Professional Animal Waste Specialists (APAWS) website - they're the ones who came up with it. I say, not such a bad idea. 

Speaking of dog laws, there are a few others I'd like to bring up. Why? Because, as a dog, I like to be kept out of harms way. These laws were created to protect us poochies, not to make you humans nuts: 

• Collars with ID's: Mom says she still doesn't understand why many dog guardians don't have collars and ID tags for their dogs. Humans always carry their own ID and wallet on them. They also have special ID tags just for human children. So why not help protect us dogs?

Mom, being a great dog trainer and responsible dog mom, likes to explain to her dog training class students and private dog training clients that dog collars are like wallets, and that they should only be used to carry ID (doggy license) - they can also be used to match an outfit, but carrying a license and name tag with phone number are the main reasons. All dogs are required to have one in California. 

• Leashes: ugh, as much as I hate them, I know they're a law in our town of Ventura. Unless it's specifically written for all to see, us dogs need to be on leash when off of our own property. It doesn't matter if your dog is well-mannered, it's a law! Even if you can drive really well while under the influence, it's still illegal to drive drunk! 

You should probably check out your own local dog laws so you can remain a law abiding citizen. This is one resource mom uses for our laws: Dog Law. They have some great information on everything from leashes, tags, and for when we bark too much. 

And finally, requiring dogs to be restrained with seat-belts, with or without car seats! Oh wait, that's not a law! How silly! 

Hmm, I wonder when they're going to create that law? Something for this properly-secured-in-his-car-seat inquisitive canine to ponder. 

Ho-Ho Road Trip!!!

I love the holidays! Or as we dogs like to say, the "pawlidays". Mom and dad are home more than usual, which means more play-time for me! It's kinda rainy out, and I see those big containers on wheels that mom and dad put their clothes in when we leave town...I think they're called suitcases. Anyway, I also see mom loading up some of my things in my overnight bag - which means only one thing: ROAD TRIP! 

Yep, I was right... Into my little car seat, all strapped in safe and sound...Mom still doesn't understand why there aren't laws that require us pets to be secured safely while riding in automobiles... Hopefully someday a law will be passed! Until then, mom and dad use their common sense and try to set examples for others. 

Anyway, in addition to safety, mom also provided my bwanky to keep warm, my kitty toy, and my chew bone. She likes to keep me safe, but also provides enrichment too...keeps me from getting bored and barking "are we there yet?" I know I look kinda uncomfortable in this picture, but trust me... everything was great! Sometimes this expression even gets me treats...hmm, mom must be learning, because this time it just got my picture taken. I'll keep trying.

Today we went straight to our destination: Pismo Beach! What a great place. The Cliff's Resort is really doggy friendly - everyone greeted me with their cute squealy voices - which always makes me happy...you can tell just by my body language and vocalization....wiggly-waggly and high pitched squealing with excitement.

It was quite chilly out, but the sun was shining, so once we got our hotel room lined up, mom

and dad and I took to the trails and the beach... I love exploring - especially after a nice rain... the smells are heavenly! It's a shame you humans don't have the acute sense of smell us dogs have. Maybe as you evolve yours will get better. 

You can see me running up the side of the cliff, looking around, sniffing, and having a grand ol' time. Dad had my tennis ball, but I wasn't into chasing as much as investigating my surroundings - after all, this is new territory for me...and "new" means more motivating than the usual stuff. 

After we played around in the sand, we went back to hotel, walked around, talked with others...the sunset was really pretty - mom too a picture of it, check it out. 

After picture time and socializing, we all went and played one of my favorite games...tee-hee-hee...mom and dad call it "hallway ball" - hotels are great for this...not that I'm suggesting you do it, cuz you might get in trouble. But hey, what a great place to run like a maniac playing fetch! Plus, I'm more of a sprinter, unlike my herding breed friends...so a little goes a long way with me - especially if it's a really long hallway. We got a few rounds in, until I was nice and tired and wanted to go back to the room for nappies...and my dinner.... 

Mom and dad didn't stay in the room for dinner, they were allowed to go into the restaurant, unlike me... So, they left me with my favorite toy - my Tricky Treat Ball...giving me something to do while they were gone. They came back just a short time later and brought me delicious snacks...turkey and roasted veggies! I could still smell prime rib on dad...how come he didn't bring me any of that? 

Anyway, we decided the night was still young and went up to the nice lobby in the hotel...I guess you humans like mental activities too - mom and dad played something called Backgammon - as you can see, I was helping mom out...The fireplace was on, the couch was comfy, everything was really nice...a good "pawliday" for everyone. I wonder where we're going next? Hmm, something for this inquisitive canine to ponder... 

My mom the dog trainer barks too!!!

Wow...and I thought I was a barker. My mom the dog trainer has trained me pretty well to keep it quiet in the car. She has a whole routine. She also teaches humans how to keep their own dogs quiet when riding around in their cars in her dog training classes at The Inquisitive Canine studio here in Ventura. 

Once in a while she has to remind me with a short time-out...but for the most part I sit tucked in my car-seat all safe and sound...not a peep. But HER! Well, that seems to be a different story. Yikes! And she says I can "peel paint"...

Usually happens when we're sitting on the road - instead of moving along... She calls it "traffic" - I don't know what this means...but I have noticed when mom gets what dad calls "grumpy" her body language is all tense - shoulders are up around her ears, her brow is all wrinkly (she hates that), mouth is closed up - unless she's "barking" at the people around her. And if I bark with her, she gets even angrier. What a hypocrite...! I'm just trying to help... Well, forget it. She can bark all she wants - but this inquisitive canine has learned that it's more fun and more rewarding to just stay quiet - same as my dad does. 

This dog is ready to race!

Wow, another great road trip! Mom and dad took me on a great road trip today... Headed south to visit their friends in Camarillo Nancy and Gordon...and their puppy Kona - mom knows them from her one of the puppy classes she teaches. I guess mom and dad wanted to check out their beautiful yard and the landscaping...but I got to check it out too! And boy oh boy was it great! Lots of pretty places to run around - great smells and everything. 

The cool thing mom found out was that Nancy and Gordon's human son Charlie is a race car driver!! Check out the great photo - he's standing in the center podium - #1 !!!  

I love driving too, as you can see from the picture dad took.

Charlie lives and races in Europe right now...but maybe some day he'll take me on a road trip...that would be really cool. Something tells me mom wouldn't allow me to ride in any car going that fast...even if I was wearing my seatbelt or in my car seat... Hmm, how to get into a race car...something for this inquisitive canine to ponder. 

Now this was a fun road trip!

Wow, mom and dad really came through! They made up for yesterday by taking me out for lots of playtime... First thing out of bed dad whisked me off to the field for a nice long romp and ball chase. Then we went on a few errands together. After getting home mom made me breakfast (in my Tricky Treat Ball - which is always a fun time) - then we all went out together. This time we headed south - I was such a good boy in the car. Mom was great at paying attention too, because she let me know...I love hearing her say I'm a "good boy" (sometimes she throws in a treat too). While mom was inside some store, dad took me for a little walk in a nice grassy area - lots of nice smells for me to stick my nose in. Then we headed back home...But the real fun was when when mom asked if dad wanted to stop for a hotdog! OH BOY! That means I get some too - cuz dad always shares with me!!! And I was right, the picture proves it!. I think I heard them say again how they wanted to make up for the dull road trip they took me on yesterday...it was more about them yesterday, but it seems to be all about me today. Which in my book, is great for this inquisitive canine. (*Note: I am wearing my comfy harness/seatbelt, it's just difficult to see in the photo's)

Road trip bad...Making up for it good!

That road trip stunk! And not in a good way...So yesterday, we were all packed and ready for a trip - mom had all of my things she usually takes when we go somewhere for longer than a day... Extra food, my Tricky Treat Ball, Bully stick, toys, those silly plastic bags she like to carry my poopy in (humans are weird that way). And of course the usual suspects: my crate, leash, harness, license, and lots of water. Plus she and dad had some pretty clothes so I guess they were going somewhere fancy. If you know me by now, you know I like road trips...so I was pretty excited - especially since we were heading north! My favorite! 

Well, without ranting too much - we ended up coming home last night...yep, just one long day where I barely got out of the car to play...sure my car seat was comfy, and I got to potty, and they fed me, and gave me water...all of the necessities - just like Muttlow's Hierarchy - but this road traveling pooch ended up playing lookout all day and night! Ggrrrrrr... and booorrrrrrring! 

I hope they had a good time...because for me it wasn't all that great...I guess it was better than being stuck at home. Plus, I heard them saying they were going to make it up to me by taking me out a lot today...And so far I think they're following through. Mom and I spooned this morning in bed - and now I see dad getting the car keys along with my leash and treat bag! Alright! We're going out!!! Woo-hoo...This inquisitive canine is outta here. Hope you all have a great Sunday too...