Happy New Year! Many of you traveled over the holidays-our kennel had a “full house”-and we hope you had a nice time. We're getting into the post-holiday groove with our third issue of the bigger (and, we hope, better) monthly newsletter. We've filled it with useful, interesting info about day care and dogs in general. This is a work in progress, though, and we want to hear from you! Contact newsletter editor Kellye Crocker (aka Cosmo's mom) with any questions or suggestions you have-or info you'd like to share. (mailto:Kelcrocker@mchsi.com, 278-5658)

Your pup bounds into the front room in the morning and ten hours later, she's there, waiting for you. Has she spent her entire day in that one room? No way! We vary each dog's activities daily, with an emphasis on socialization. It's fun for them but it's also important. An increasing number of dogs don't know how to act with dogs or people who aren't their owners. This leads them to act fearful or aggressive when they're out and about.

We move the day care dogs among our rooms, all of which offer outdoor access, so they can have different places to explore and play. We also like to “mix it up” by putting different dogs together in playgroups. However, just like in many offices, we have our little intrigues-individual dogs who don't like being with specific other dogs-we're naming no names-and we accommodate that. (One dog still holds a grudge against another who once snatched his toy. This was months ago!)

We make two to four trips to the West Des Moines dog park each day. But our employees also teach obedience lessons, such as how to heel from the kennel door to the van, give baths, play ball and take the dogs on twenty-minute walks through the neighborhood north of the kennel. When the weather's warm we take dogs swimming and set up kiddie pools on site. Our employees also dole out snacks throughout the day, and other treats, such as cuddles and just-right scratches behind the ears. We work to provide an active, engaging, loving environment for your dog while you're away.

This is an excellent time to take inventory of your dog's behavior and resolve to tackle problems. Unfortunately, a minor annoyance can escalate into a serious situation for you and your dog. And research shows that people give up their pets most often because of behavior problems they don't know how to solve.

Here, tips for tackling three common problems-jumping, barking and begging-as well as resources for finding more help. Remember, too, that we're always available to talk and work with you on specific behavior issues you're having with your dog.

Down, Rover! Puppies naturally jump on each other and their parents. It's fun, but also a way to learn important canine lessons. When an older, bigger dog gets excited and jumps up-pressing his front paws on someone's legs or chest-it can be irritating or even terrifying. The vets who run PetEducation.com say that this bad habit can be broken in about a week. The trick is to use a twisting “body block” technique that doesn't allow the dog to get his paws on you in the first place. If your dog does get up on you, don't push him away with your hands. He may think you're introducing a fun game. Instead, make the situation as awkward for the dog as possible by ignoring him. He'll soon learn that attention and praise come when all four paws are on the floor. Some people find that gently stepping on the toes of one of the dog's rear feet also is helpful, but be very careful not to cause pain. For more information on the body block technique and other help with jumping, see the full article at http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=2&cat=1551&articleid=160

QUIET! It's normal for dogs to bark occasionally, but out-of-control barkers can drive you nuts, anger neighbors and violate animal control laws-and indicate a problem with your pooch. First, figure out when and for how long your dog barks, and what's causing it. The Humane Society of the United States says the main reasons for barking problems are: social isolation, separation anxiety, territorial/protective behavior, and fears and phobias. Doggy day care does a good job of helping to prevent the first two. A territorial/protective barker alerts you to “intruders” such as the mailman, walkers and even neighbors in their own yards. A territorial dog's tail is up and her ears are up and forward. A fearful dog barks at things that scare him, such as thunderstorms. His ears are back and his tail is held low. In all of these cases, the Humane Society offers several ideas for desensitizing your dog to what is causing the problem. Click on “barking” on the tip sheet list at: http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/our_pets_for_life_program/dog_behavior_tip_sheets/index.html

Please? Pretty please? On Animal Planet's “Good Dog University” program, Jay Stutz says that he's never met a dog that didn't prefer human food to kibble. But our food, especially junk food, can rot a dog's teeth and make him fat, which can lead to disease and joint problems. If your dog's begging interrupts meals, you need to find something positive for him to do instead, Stutz says. In a short video clip on the program's website, you can watch Stutz helps a family teach their Yellow Lab, Duke, that the dining room is off limits during mealtimes. Duke learned to sit and stay nearby waiting for an after-meal treat for his good behavior. The key is consistency (no cheating!). When Stutz returned two weeks later, Duke clearly had the routine down. See the lessons at http://animal.discovery.com/guides/gooddogu/videogallery/behavior/behavior.html (click on the sixth dog in the row, the second Yellow Lab).

Does your dog have other behavior issues? All three of these websites offer information for dealing with a range of problems. The Humane Society has the most in-depth tips and Good Dog U only offers video clips, but they're short and it's helpful to see the trainer and dog in action. Good luck!

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Combine flour, wheat germ, cornmeal, pizza seasoning and cheese. Add water and oil to dry ingredients. Knead for 2 to 3 minutes. Roll dough to 1/4 inch thickness and cut with dog bone shaped cookie cutter (or in whatever shape you want). Bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until edges start to brown. Cool completely before storing. Store in airtight container in the freezer.

Images of poodles appear in artwork as far back as the first century, but the breed's beginnings remain controversial. France has been officially designated the poodle's country of origin, but Germany and other countries claim this highly intelligent, sprightly breed as their own, too.

Poodles are categorized by size. Standard Poodles, measuring 15 inches or more at the shoulder, are the largest. (The others are Miniature and Toy.) Day-care regulars Misty, Beau, Gigi, Max and Jigsy exhibit the Standard Poodle's distinctive air of elegance, pride and dignity. A poodle's fluffy coat is curly or falls in ringlets-and get this, allergy sufferers-they don't shed! They require extensive grooming, though. (Some owners have their dog's coat trimmed to a special style. This is required when showing a poodle older than a year.) Poodles exhibit a variety of colors, including blue (such as Misty), black (Beau and Gigi), red (Max), cream (Jigsy), silver, brown and apricot.

The breed's popularity in France has led to the common name “French Poodle.” However, the French say, “Caniche,” or duck dog, in a nod to the breed's earliest retrieving skills. Later, the French trained poodles to be circus performers. Standard Poodles generally are calmer than the smaller breed varieties. Happy, sensitive dogs, they enjoy people and other dogs and dislike being alone. They're excellent with children and can make good guard dogs. Standards, who love walks and the water, have great stamina and require more activity than the Miniature or Toy poodle.

Big News. Obesity isn't just a people problem. Apparently, American dogs are gaining too much weight, too. On January 5, the Food and Drug Administration announced the first prescription diet drug for dogs. Slentrol is a liquid that can be placed in a dog's food or mouth. It's expected to cost $1 to $2 a day. Manufacturer Pfizer estimates that some 4 million American dogs are obese. One vet quoted in a New York Times story says that he'd recommend the drug only for the most obese and infirm dogs. Most others should rely on diet and exercise to get rid of extra pounds. Read the full story: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/06/washington/06dogs.html?_r=1&hp&ex=1168059600&en=0a4f39b5a2ba702b&ei=5094&partner=homepage&oref=slogin

One Reason We're Glad We Don't Live in Alta, Utah. Every January, dog-lovers in this small ski town “go wild with anticipation,” according to a recent article from The Contra Costa (California) Times. That's because the town of 370 limits dog ownership to just 12 percent of the human population. When dog licenses are up for renewal in January, “They start counting the dogs rumored to have died or moved away with their owners,” the article says, “hoping that a few of the finite number of licenses will be up for grabs.” The paper quotes one dog-lover, a lawyer/avowed ski bum, saying, "It's almost impossible to get one. It took me 11 years of trying.” The article also says: “The crime blotter, a must-read in the town's monthly newsletter, reveals actual and perceived violations of the 12-page dog ordinance.” Here's the full story, “In one Utah town, dog ownership is high politics. With licenses limited, animal lovers have taken to smuggling and other far-fetched schemes to keep their canines”: http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/news/16404278.htm

Fortunately, we don't have to deal with twelve-page dog ordinances here. However, January is the time to renew West Des Moines dog park tags, which are valid through the calendar year. To save time, you can give us your filled-in forms and check, and we'll turn it in for you and pick up the new tag. You can pick up the paperwork from us or download it from here:

Thank you for making the past year so rewarding and successful. We appreciate you and enjoy your pets. And thank you for reading. Do you have dog-loving friends you think would enjoy this newsletter? Send them to our website, http://www.greenbeltkennels.com/!