Underdog Rescue of Minnesota

Pet Meet & Greet This Saturday

2009-05-14T21:38:00.001-07:00

We have our weekly Pet Meet and Greet this Saturday at Urbanimal in Uptown. We'll be there from 12:30 to 2:30. We hope to see you there!

Pet Meet & Greet Tomorrow

2009-04-24T16:30:00.000-07:00

Our weekly Pet Meet & Greet is tomorrow from 12:30 - 2:30pm at Urbanimal in Uptown (2106 Lyndale Ave. So). Stop on by and say hello! To check which dogs will be there, please see our website. Under each dog's page it will say if they will be at each weekly event.

Go here to our adoptable animals page. We hope to see you there!

2009-04-12T11:05:00.000-07:00

Meet Blizzard, a 5-6 month Terrier mix. She is an amazing little ball of love. Blizzard is almost pure white. Like some white dogs, Blizzard is hard of hearing. She could hear as a young pup but as she has grown, her hearing has diminshed. She can still hear somewhat and she responds very well to visual cues. She learns quickly, and is doing really well with potty training. She is totally crate-trained, and knows to go potty when outside. Blizzard would be a really great fit for an active family, as she loves to try new things. She is very quiet in the house, and loves to play with her toys.

She loves to play with other dogs, but is a fairly physical player. If you have seen the new Downtown Dogs commercial airing on the CW-Twin Cities, then you have seen Blizzard in action, as she is the star of the commercial.

If you are interested in meeting Blizzard, please contact a volunteer at 952-929-0777.

Mister

2009-04-03T20:02:00.000-07:00

Mister, lovably determined

Pet Meet & Greet Tomorrow!

2009-04-03T19:49:00.000-07:00

We have our weekly Meet and Greet (adoption event) tomorrow at Urbanimal! We will be there from 12:30-2:30. Stop on by and say hi. We would love to meet you and answer any questions you may have!

Thank you!

2009-03-28T19:17:00.001-07:00

Thank you to everyone who came to our Adoption Event today! We had a great turn out! Busy, busy, busy! It was great to see everyone there.

Adoption Event Tomorrow!

2009-03-27T15:29:00.001-07:00

We hope to see you all at our weekly Pet Meet and Greet tomorrow, Saturday, from 12:30-2:30pm. We will be in the back of Urbanimal in Uptown (2106 Lyndale Ave. So, right across the street from the Wedge Co-op).

Hope to see you there!

Thank you!

2009-03-21T17:46:00.001-07:00

Thank you to everyone who stopped by our Adoption Event today!

Come Say Hi to Dusty Rose!

2009-03-13T16:20:00.001-07:00

Dusty Rose is wonderful, friendly dog looking for her Forever Home! She has been waiting patiently for a long time! Would you like to meet her? Stop by one of our Adoption Event Saturdays at Urbanimal in Uptown (2106 Lyndale Ave. So) in Minneapolis from 12:30-2:30pm.

She is great with other dogs and completely ignores cats. She is very well mannered and loves people. she would be best in a home as a single dog or with a male companion. She is about one year old and 40-45lbs.

Adoption Event Tomorrow!

2009-03-13T16:07:00.001-07:00

We hope to see you all at our weekly Adoption Event tomorrow (Saturday) at Urbanimal in Uptown! We will be in the back of the store from 12:30-2:30pm. Stop in and say hello! We have many wonderful dogs (and cats!) that would love to meet you!

Thank you!

2009-03-07T22:30:00.001-08:00

Thank you to everyone who came out to our adoption event today! And thank you again to all our volunteers and foster families.

Adoption Event This Saturday

2009-03-05T21:15:00.001-08:00

We have our weekly adoption event this Saturday, 12:30-2:30pm at Urbanimal in Uptown (2106 Lyndale Ave. South).

We hope to see you there!

Recent Adoptions

2009-03-05T21:13:00.000-08:00

The following dogs were adopted recently! Thank you to all our volunteers and adoptive families!

Drake
Quince
Jasmine
Marley
Berta

Adoption Event This Saturday

2009-02-19T17:34:00.000-08:00

Hello!
Hope everyone is having a good week. Looks like our warmer weather is leaving us!

We have our weekly Adoption Event this Saturday at Urbanimal in Uptown (2106 Lyndale Ave. South) from 12:30 - 2:30pm. We'd love for you to stop in for a visit. Hope to see you there!

Meet Peet!

2009-02-16T20:00:00.000-08:00

This is Peet. Peet is a wonderful, quiet little one. He had a tough life as he was recently rescued from a puppy mill. But now he is looking for his forever home! Since he is from a puppy mill he is a bit timid. He is so loving and rides great in the car. Such a laid back little fellow. Please contact us if you'd like to know more about this great guy!

Meet Jasmine!

2009-02-15T17:07:00.000-08:00

Jasmine's original owners moved out and left her in an abandoned apartment. She was pregnant, but luckily she was rescued! She is about 1-3 years of age and incredibly sweet and mellow, with amazing clear blue eyes! She would be a terrific only cat or a good companion for a male kitty. For more information, please call us at 952-929-0777.

A Great Valentine's Adoption Day

2009-02-14T21:57:00.000-08:00

We had a wonderful turn out at our Adoption Event today. We had lots of dogs available and many people came. Thank you to everyone for coming out! And, as always, we thank our volunteers and foster families, as we could not be saving these animals without you!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Adoption Event Today!

2009-02-13T19:19:00.001-08:00

Our Adoption Event is tomorrow, Saturday, at Urbanimal in Uptown (2106 Lyndale Ave. South).

We hope to see you all there! And Happy Valentine's Day!

Recent Adoptions

2009-02-13T19:17:00.001-08:00

This week the following dogs and cats were adopted:

Fiona
Gin Gin
Midnight - kitten
Zoey
Blake
Casper - kitten
Apollo
Charlotte
Vivianna
Grace Kelly

Thank you to all our new adoptive families for giving these wonderful animals loving homes.

Thank you!

2009-02-07T20:30:00.000-08:00

Thank you so much to everyone who came to our Adoption Event today. We had a wonderful turn out! As always, we are more than happy to answer your questions. Please don't hesitate to drop us a line if you'd like to know more about a dog.

Adoption Event Tomorrow!

2009-02-06T20:06:00.000-08:00

We have our weekly Adoption Event tomorrow, Saturday, 12:30 - 2:30pm at Urbanimal in Uptown, Minneapolis. 2106 Lyndale Ave S.

Stop on by! We have a lot of wonderful, loving dogs that would love to say hi!

Adoption Event Today!

2009-01-30T23:33:00.000-08:00

We hope you can come by to our Adoption Event today from 12:30 - 2:30pm at Urbanimal in Uptown (2106 Lyndale Ave South - 612-879-0709)
There will be some wonderful dogs there that would just LOVE to meet you! We are located at the back of the store on the left. Hope to see you there!

Meet Mister!

2009-01-25T14:41:00.000-08:00

Mister has had a really hard life before he came to Underdog Rescue. He was severely abused. He and his sister, Tess, were found severely beaten, tied up together, and stuffed into a duffel bag. They were left that way in an alleyway in Minneapolis. An Animal Control Officer found the duffel bag and rescued them.
X-rays showed that this was not the first time horrible things had been done to Mister. His legs had been broken in the past and he will always walk a little differently as a result. Amazingly, all of his abuse did not destroy his sweet temperament. He loves people & is very good with other dogs. Mister is about 7 months old now & will likely weigh about 40 pounds as a adult. For more information, please send us an e-mail to underdogrescue@petml.com

Adult Cats Need Homes

2009-01-25T14:38:00.000-08:00

Why Adult Cats Need Homes More Than Kittens

A few statistics affecting adult cat placement are:

71% of cats that enter animal shelters are euthanized
"Kitten season" occurs from early spring to late fall, where an average female cat can produce three litters of kittens in this short time. An average liter is 4-6. One mother cat can produce 18 kittens in one kitten season. A female cat can begin having litters as early as 6 months old.
Animal Control facilities usually euthanize the mother cat as soon as the kittens can be weaned to prevent more litters. Female cats in Animal Control facilities are at the highest risk of immediate euthanasia.
Kittens are cute and cuddly and easier to place than their larger counterparts-Cats.

Underdog Rescue currently has several adult cats who are in need of homes. Most of our adult female cats were rescued from Animal Control while still pregnant in order to protect them and their unborn from euthanasia. Their kittens have long been placed in new homes, yet they remain waiting. Our cats are all altered, medically and behaviorally tested (including feline leukemia), updated on shots, and totally willing to warm laps and hearts. Please consider them for your family.

From the Available Pets page on our website. Click here for more information.

Featured Dog - Tanner

2009-01-24T23:27:00.000-08:00

Tanner is a wonderful friend. He is eager-to-please and great with other dogs. He hasn't lived with cats, but doesn't seem to mind them. Contact us for more information about this marvelous dog! We'd be happy to answer any of your questions.

Thank you!

2009-01-24T18:11:00.001-08:00

Thank you to everyone who came out to our Adoption Event today! We had a great turn out! If you have any questions, don't hesitate to

Adoption Event Tomorrow!

2009-01-23T18:18:00.000-08:00

Just a reminder that we have our weekly Adoption Event tomorrow (Saturday) at Urbanimal in Uptown, on Lyndale Ave. We will be there from 12:30 - 2:30pm. Stop on by! We'd love to meet you!

Meet Dusty Rose!

2009-01-17T17:50:00.001-08:00

Dusty Rose is such a sweet girl! She has been waiting for her forever home for a long time! She's wonderful with other dogs, ignores cats and is a very well-rounded, good-mannered dog. She is about 1 of age and 40-45lb. Dusty would do best in a home as a single dog or with a male companion.

Would you like to know more about sweet Dusty Rose? We would be happy to answer any questions you have, and arrange a meeting.
If you're interested in Dusty Rose (or any of our animals) please see our Applications Page on our website, found here.
Not sure if Dusty would be the right dog for your home? Visit our Adoptable Animals page! You never know who you may find!

Meet Speck!

2009-01-17T13:11:00.000-08:00

Hi! I'm Speck! See more about the cute and adorable Speck here!
Our other Adoptable Animals can be found here.
Thanks for reading! : )

Adoption Event Tomorrow!

2009-01-16T15:25:00.002-08:00

Tomorrow (Saturday) is our weekly Adoption Event at Urbanimal in Uptown. Come see many of our available dogs and cats, ask questions, or just say hi! We'd love to meet you!

Adoption Event: 12:30-2:30pm
Urbanimal in Uptown
2106 Lyndale Ave. So
Minneapolis
612-879-0709

Recent Adoptions

2009-01-16T15:25:00.001-08:00

The following dogs have been adopted this week:
Millie
Max
Tracey Gold
McNiff
Jasper

Thank you to all of their foster families, and to our new adoptive families!

Adoption Event

2009-01-10T18:23:00.000-08:00

Thank you to everyone who came out to our adoption event today, both volunteers and visitors! We had a great turn out!

McNiff

2009-01-09T17:39:00.000-08:00

Meet McNiff! McNiff is a wonderful, quiet guy. He loves everyone and is great with cats. Poor McNiff has been overlooked for a long time because he has a missing leg. But you wouldn't know it! He gets along so well!
We asked Mr. McNiff for a few words for our blog.
He says, "You should come say hi to me! Underdog rescued me as a puppy. I had a really badly hurt leg and they had to amputate it. But I gets along great! And I likes kitties! I'm working super hard on my training! I's doing great! I can't waits to meet you!"

Adoption Event Tomorrow!

2009-01-09T17:28:00.000-08:00

Are you coming out to our Adoption Event tomorrow at Urbanimal? We would certainly love to see you! Come on by, say hello, ask questions, and visit the dogs! We're at Urbanimal in Uptown from 12:30-2:30pm. Hope to see you there : )

Urbanimal
2106 Lyndale Ave. So
Mpls
612-879-0709

Meet Pablo!

2009-01-08T21:29:00.001-08:00

This is Pablo. He's a gentle giant, a big, loving teddy bear! He absolutely loves belly rubs!

Up For Adoption - Blizzard

2009-01-08T21:21:00.000-08:00

Hi, my name is Blizzard!

Our Most Recent Adoptions!

2009-01-08T19:12:00.001-08:00

In 2008, Underdog Rescue was able to save over 220 dogs and puppies and 87 cats and kittens who all would have otherwise been euthanized. This could not have happened without the help of all our volunteers, foster families and adoptive families! Thank you all!

In the last part of December, the following dogs found homes:

Cita
Blueberry
Ginger
Cali
Aspen
Arrow
Lilith!
Pearl

Our Featured Dog of the Day!

2009-01-08T18:10:00.000-08:00

Our Dog of the Day is Terry!
Terry was rescued from an abusive situation. He was severely malnourished and very skinny. But he has come around so well, and is a wonderful dog.
Would you like to find out more about Terry? Give us a call! 952-929-0777 or come to our adoption event, held every Saturday from 12:30 to 2:30 at Urbanimal pet supply on Lyndale Ave. in Uptown, Mpls.

Thank you!

2009-01-03T20:35:00.000-08:00

Thank you to all our volunteers and visitors who came to our Adoption Event today! We appreciate all your support and the animals love to meet people on their way to finding their forever homes!

Adoption Event Tomorrow!

2009-01-02T17:43:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to send out a quick note that we have our weekly adoption event tomorrow, January 3rd, 12:30-2:30pm at Urbanimal in Uptown (on Lyndale Ave.). You can check to see if one of your favorite Underdogs will be at the event by going here. Click on Adoptable Dogs or Adoptable Cats to see who's coming. Hope to see you there!

2009-01-02T13:11:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone!
It has been a while since our last post. Things have been very busy lately. Just wanted to wish everyone a Happy New Year and here's to a wonderful 2009 for the animals!

Most Recent Adoptions

2008-11-26T18:43:00.000-08:00

So far in November, Underdog Rescue has had an outstanding number of wonderful adoptions! The following dogs found their forever homes:

Ashley Wilkes
Alfie/Frisket
Bardock
Willow
Tess
Mike
Sy
Jess
Bur
Francis
Natalie
Rudy
Ellie
Elsie
Ninja
Duchess
Lady
Mimi
Cleveland
Frankie
Bishop
Maddie
Ollie
Amelia
Sophie
Ellen
And one cat - Nemo

Thank you so much to all our volunteers, foster families and new adoptive families!

Recent Adoptions

2008-11-25T21:22:00.003-08:00

Recent Adoptions

2008-11-25T21:22:00.002-08:00

Recent Adoptions

2008-11-25T21:22:00.001-08:00

Recent Adoptions

2008-09-26T15:21:00.000-07:00

A sincere thank you to everyone who helped us save the following dogs in the last week:

Calli
Annie
Max
Rudy
Chino
Emma aka Molly
Bishop
Ali
Sam
Daisy

Without your help, not one of these dogs would be alive today. Happily, all will go on to find loving homes!

Benefit for the Underdogs!

2008-09-26T15:17:00.000-07:00

All are invited! Thursday, 10/9/08 from 4:00-7:30

Where: 508 Bar located at 508 1st Ave North in Minneapolis 55403 Benefit for the Underdogs!

Press Release:

Recently, Underdog Rescue stepped up to save several dogs who had found themselves in a very bad way. In each case, we offered their one and only chance at continued life. These Underdogs included:

Birdy, a tiny Chihuahua mix who had been struck by a car and was left with two broken legs and a crushed pelvis. Underdog Rescue exhausted its resources having Birdy's injuries surgically corrected by an Orthopedic Specialist. She is still recovering and will be looking to
be adopted in the near future. Her Vet Bills so far have totaled over $2,000.

Mimi, a puppy mill rescue who is one luck lady! Mimi is a little Maltese mix who would have been disposed of at the awful puppy mill where she had been born. Mimi had a serious heart murmur that could only be fixed through surgical intervention. She had heart surgery at
the U of MN and is now recovering enough to be spayed soon. Her Vet expenses so far have exceeded $4,000.

Governor, a sweet Pit Bull mix who has had a very hard life! This poor guy had been horribly abused & neglected but still retained his sweet spirit and remarkably, faith in people! When we rescued him he was so used to beatings that he flinched every time you went to pet him.. We soon found out this poor guy had a bad case of heart-worm but we were not about to turn our backs on him after all he had been through in his life. We went on to have x-rays taken of his heart and heart-worm treatment began. The costs involved top $500-$700 and he will need to remain in foster care until December while he recovers. He will be ready for adoption after that time.

Mindy, a sweet little Rat Terrier with multiple injured legs. She will need multiple x-rays and may also need surgical repair.

Sophie, a schnauzer also with a broken leg and needs to either have her leg pinned or, sadly, possibly amputated. The costs involved will likely reach $400-$800

2 baby Pit Bull puppies who were found bound, stuffed in a duffel bag and left in an alley. From what Animal Control Officers could tell someone had been kicking them & throwing them against the side of a building. Both puppies suffer signs of trauma, abuse and both sustained injuries. The little girl, Izzie, has a badly broken hip which will need surgical repair. The costs involved will reach $700-$1200.

Please help us help them! All will need adoptive homes once they have recovered from their injuries!

Donations Needed! We would like to put a silent auction together as a part of this fundraiser. Please give an item if you can! We also need help with print work donations including signage and posters of adoptable animals.

Recent Adoptions

2008-09-21T13:01:00.001-07:00

Here are our most recent adoption successes! Thank you to everyone who helps our animals find their forever homes!

Dogs:

Belle

Benjamin

Leon

Sue

Ted

Ziggy

Recent Adoptions

2008-09-14T18:08:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone! Here are our most recent adoptions. Thank you to all our foster and adoptive families!
The following animals have found their forever homes!
Dogs:
Ceely
Smith
Stewie

Cats:
Celeste
Doug
Sunday

Thank you, volunteers and fosters, for all your hard work!

Recent Adoptions

2008-09-06T14:33:00.000-07:00

Hello all!
The following underdogs and undercats have found their forever homes:
Dogs:
Ace
Bindy
Guinea
Mason

Kittens:
Dusko
Bernie
Mac

Thank you to the continuing hard work and dedication of all our volunteers and foster families! We so appreciate your support!!!

Recent Adoptions

2008-08-26T15:03:00.001-07:00

Here are some of our most recent adoptions! Thank you to all our volunteers and foster families!!
The following animals have found their permanent homes:
Aries
Blythe Danner
Chief
Dottie
Elmer
Madge
Meha
Shoop
3 kittens

Recent Adoptions

2008-08-07T18:52:00.000-07:00

The following dogs have found their permanent homes:
Butterscotch
Claire
Maddie
Ming
Razzle
Sparkle

Thank you to all our foster homes and volunteers!!

Most Recent Adoptions

2008-06-25T21:07:00.000-07:00

Recently several animals have found their forever homes! Congratulations to our new adoptive parents!

CeCe
Aries
Dauber
1 cat

Recent Adoptions

2008-06-22T20:13:00.000-07:00

The following animals have recently been placed into their new forever homes:

Jezzie
Louie (on the same day as mom Jezzie!)
Rachel
Stewart
Carl
2 kittens

Thank you to our new adoptive parents, and all our volunteers!

Fosters Needed!

2008-06-12T18:06:00.001-07:00

We are currently in great need of foster homes! All of our fosters are very full. The more foster homes we have the more animals we can save. Please spread the word! You don't even have to foster for that long. Sometimes just a week or two is a big help. If you are unable to foster right now, please ask friends of yours if they would be interested. Thanks!

Articles: Separation Anxiety

2008-06-02T21:25:00.000-07:00

Separation Anxiety – a common struggle for rescue dogs

By Maureen Haggerty, CPDT, The Canine Coach, LLC

Separation Anxiety is a common behavior problem but it has very serious ramifications for both the dog and caretaker. It also appears to be more prevalent among shelter, rescued, or otherwise re-homed dogs.

What is separation anxiety?
Separation anxiety is an emotional panic triggered by being left alone. How this panic is displayed varies by dog. Common behavior symptoms of separation anxiety include:

Pacing, panting, trembling
Behaviors which hinder the leaving process (e.g. hiding, guarding the door, keeping the person from putting them away)
Incessant whining, howling or barking

Destructive chewing and digging, usually around doors and windows
Excessive drooling
Defecation/urination from an otherwise housetrained dog

Some dogs begin to show signs of anxiety during the leaving ritual, such as gathering your things or putting work shoes on. All dogs with separation anxiety will show signs immediately upon being left. Often the panic continues until someone returns.

Separation anxiety is often wrongly suspected when there is destruction or barking simply because these behaviors only happen when the dog is alone. Barking and destruction often occur out of boredom. One determining factor is whether the behavior begins immediately after leaving (separation anxiety) or much later during your absence; a video camera will help resolve the mystery.

What causes separation anxiety?
Some dogs seem to have a predisposition to develop separation anxiety due to their temperament. These are the very “clingy”/attention seeking dogs. If their people feed this tendency by giving attention whenever it’s sought, and don’t work with the dog to develop independence and frustration tolerance, separation anxiety can develop.

For others it can be triggered by a one-time or re-occurring traumatic event while left alone. One example was where the dog was left in the laundry room, and the washer overflowed and flooded to room. Another example could be the dogs first thunderstorm experience happened when left alone.

In the case of surrendered or abandoned dogs, it could be the stress they experienced from being abandoned. For others, it is simply that they have never been alone. They came from a home with other dogs or a stay-at-home mom and a house bustling with activity.

Separation anxiety is also common among rescue and shelter dogs because it is a common reason for surrendering a dog due to barking complaints from the neighbors, the damage it can cause, and the expense of time and money in the training.

What can we do to help prevent separation anxiety?As foster families and new adoptive families we have to help our dogs from developing separation anxiety. One way is to not fall into the trap of feeling sorry for our “rescued” dogs and the desire to give them an abundance of attention and everything they want. Don’t do this to your dog.

This does two things. For one, you are painting a dramatic contrast between the hours you are home versus the hours you are not, increasing the dog’s desire for your return. Secondly, if your dog always gets what he wants when he asks, he does not build any frustration tolerance. A high frustration tolerance is necessary to handle being alone all day. Your dog has to deal with not being able to get outside the moment he wants to; seeing his toy with no one to throw it; smelling the treats with no one to get one. If he is used to being able to bark or paw and get what he wants immediately from you, it is very frustrating to be alone when he can’t get these things.

Build your dog’s independence (and frustration tolerance) by practicing exercises where your dog must stay a distance away from you while you are home, maybe even out of sight for periods. Practice leadership exercises where you insist your dog wait and be patient to get what he wants.

And keep your departures and arrivals very low key. Keep it to simple “goodbye” and “hello”, again, not to paint a dramatic contrast to when you are home versus gone.

Make the “special stuff” happen when you leave, not when you return. Your leaving should signal the time your dog gets a special long lasting treat, he only gets when you leave. Try leaving your dog with a stuffed Kong toy, or teaching your dog to find hidden treats.

What if your dog already has separation anxiety?If the dog you are fostering already has symptoms of separation anxiety, the above exercises under prevention will be a part of the treatment, but will probably not be sufficient.

In addition to the above, you will need to work with a trainer to develop a desensitization and counterconditioning program. With counterconditioning we slowly associate being alone with feelings of well-being. The training program may also require working with a veterinarian to get the dog on anti-anxiety or anti-depressant medication to help take the emotional edge off to speed up the progress of the training. Unfortunately, medication alone is never sufficient to relieve separation anxiety.

These training programs are intensive and tedious. Further, you need to have a place to bring the dog every time you need to leave until his tolerance is built to a sufficiently long period to leave him at home. It takes a great deal commitment in time, energy and money to rehabilitate a dog with separation anxiety. A dog is not adoptable with separation anxiety. Let’s do everything we can to prevent it from developing in the dogs we are caring for so they dogs can quickly get into their forever homes.

Articles: Keeping Dogs Stimulated!

2008-06-02T20:51:00.000-07:00

Keeping your dog busy and stimulated

by Maureen Haggerty

Dogs need activities to keep them busy. If we do not direct them to appropriate activities and keep their minds stimulated, your intelligent, healthy dog will find things to do on his own. Normal dog behavior includes chewing, jumping, digging, running, hunting, chasing, and tearing things apart. Dogs need to exercise these behaviors to maintain their health physically and mentally. We need to redirect these behaviors into appropriate activities we can live with.

Satisfying the need to chew:

Nylabone!" make great chew toys for dogs that like to chew. I don't recommend using rawhides because there is a danger of the dog biting off large pieces and swallowing them, and these can cause internal obstructions which can lead to surgery or even death.
You can also take rope toys and soak them in chicken broth and freeze them for a tasty, chilling treat during the summer.
Dogs need a variety of textures to chew on: something that can be torn apart (rope, stuffed toy), something that has "give" to the power of his jaw (ball, rubber toy), and something that is very hard to scrape teeth against (knee bone, marrow bone, knuckle bone, hard Nylabone!").
Some dogs love tennis balls, both chasing them and chewing on them. Do be aware, tennis balls made for the sport contain harsh chemicals which allow them to bounce better on the court, and these chemicals have been known to wear down a dog's tooth enamel after many years of chewing on them.
Always assess your dog's toys for the dog's level of chewing. A dog that is an aggressive chewer should have toys made of sturdy, tough rubber with no little knobs or buttons that he can pull off and accidentally swallow. Some dogs will go nuts trying to tear squeakers or noise-makers out of toys so you want to be sure that you supervise play with these toys and remove them when they get damaged so that the dog cannot eat the squeaker.

Working for dinner. It's fun and natural:

Get old rags or socks and wrap up your dog's dinner or treats, and let the dog work on tearing it up to find his dinner As your dog gets better at this, tie tightly with lots of knots and then put the bound rag inside a box or old Tupperware container, let him work really hard for his dinner, after he eats he will want to take a nap.
Take your dog's dinner, go outside, and throw it chicken feed style all over the yard! This is a very fun and draining exercise for a dog. They get to use their natural instinct to sniff out food. A very large portion of a dog's brain controls their olfactory function, therefore, the more we create activities where they get to use their nose, the more stimulated and tired they will get.
Purchase raw marrow bones or knuckle bones from your butcher. Give them to your dog frozen to make them last longer (and stay neater) and refreeze between use.
Look for food dispensing toys at the pet store that can that be stuffed with your dog's food. There are balls, cubes, and various other shapes that your dog has to roll, whack, or shake to try and get their dinner out! There are other toys like the popular Kong which you can fill with something soft like peanut butter or canned food and kibble mixture. Again, try freezing to make it last longer for your dog.

Stimulating exercise, that doesn't involve a walk:

Games that utilize your dog's nose are great exercise. A very large portion of a dog's brain controls their olfactory function, therefore, the more we create activities where they get to use their nose, the more stimulated and tired they will get. Teach your dog to find small dog biscuits around the house. Start really easy (where she can see where you put the treat) so she can catch on to the "Find It" game. Gradually increase the difficultly. As your dog catches on, work towards her not seeing where you put it and tell her, "Go find it!"
Fetch, Hide and Seek, and Recall Games (ask me if you need explanation) are some fun activities for your dog. When done properly they are also excellent at improving your dog's obedience and attention to you.
Teaching your dogs tricks is another fun activity that will stimulate your dog, and they're a lot of fun, particularly for children. If you teach the tricks with "free-shaping" (ask me) they are particularly draining as it makes your dog think!
For dogs that enjoy digging, set aside a dirt or sand area that is a legitimate place for them to fulfill this need. Bury toys or treats in this area and teach your dog to search for them, which will encourage him to dig in this particular spot. If your dog begins digging where he is not allowed, use a startling "Eh!" and quickly bring him over to his digging spot where the buried treats will reinforce this place.
A lot of dogs love water and providing them with a small kiddie pool is lots of fun for the dog. If you have a pool, many dogs enjoy swimming and playing "fetch" in the pool.
Many dogs enjoy running an obstacle course as can be seen with agility competitions. You can create your own agility course in your yard. Tunnels can be bought from children's toy stores and you can make jumps very cheaply and easily with PVC pipe from your local hardware store. You can also purchase agility equipment often for great prices from Ebay or use your picnic table benches to go over and walk along, a table to go under, garden stakes to weave around.

Maureen Haggerty, CPDT, Owner The Canine Coach, LLC
www.thek9coach.com

Articles: Dog Aggression

2008-06-02T20:49:00.000-07:00

Dog Aggression

by Maureen Haggerty, CPDT

It’s common.
If you have a dog that is showing signs of aggression, you are not alone. Aggression is the number one behavior issue facing dog owners.
It is very difficult when our beloved companion, who is so affectionate at home becomes a menace at the dog park, or barks and growls at guests in our homes. Some of you may be experiencing your dog growling at you, perhaps when you try and take a bone from him, or at your spouse when he comes to give you a hug or kiss.

It’s normal.
Aggressive behaviors is almost always a normal canine survival response. Your dog is not abnormal or misbehaving; he is doing what he is naturally programmed to do. However, it is a problem when dogs live in a human world. It is therefore our responsibility to teach them what is normal and safe in our world, and that they can rely on us for their safety and survival.

What is aggression.
Aggressive behavior is almost always a response to a perceived threat by the dog. Either the dog perceives that his personal safety could be in danger or that resources needed for survival will be taken away.

When your dog growls, it is his way of communicating that he is uncomfortable with something and is asking for more distance from the perceived threat. If his communication is ignored, he may ask in a louder more obvious growl. If still ignored, he may feel his only option is to aggress and lash out with a bite.

There are other reasons for aggression. Aggression between dogs in the same household can be status related. If there is a sudden onset of aggression, it is possible that there is a medical cause for the aggression and the dog should be thoroughly examined by a vet. There are many medical causes of aggression, including a change in brain chemistry, low thyroid levels, loss of sight or hearing, and pain caused by either a physical injury or illness. There is also something called redirected aggression which occurs when the dog is highly aroused in a display of aggression but cannot get at the trigger. The aroused dog may turn and bite the nearest dog or person. Redirected aggression toward a person can occur when one tries to break up a fight or prevent a dog from fighting.

What you need to do now.
If the aggressive behavior is new, get your dog thoroughly examined by a vet, including a full blood work-up, before seeking behavioral help.

Do not punish aggressive behavior; this will make it worse. Instead, until you seek help, you must avoid situations which will trigger an aggressive response from your dog. If he can only be comfortable with dogs at least 100 feet away, then you need to keep him that distance. If your dog growls when you take his bone or grab his collar, then you need to avoid these situations (don’t give him bones and find other ways to bring him to you). This is very important because you do not want your dog to practice the unwanted behavior. The more a behavior is practiced the more it becomes ingrained. Further, if you continue to do something with which your dog is not comfortable, you risk someone or another dog getting bit.

Make note of what your dog growls at or otherwise behaves aggressively toward. It is these things to which you need to slowly accustom your dog, teaching him they are safe (provided they are). If not done appropriately, you risk worsening the situation or doing harm to your dog.

There’s help.
There are ways to effectively and positively modify and manage most aggressive behavior. Find a dog training professional who is experienced in working with aggressive behavior using strictly positive, dog-friendly techniques. These techniques are called counter-conditioning and systematic desensitization. When done successfully, the results are amazing. You will see your dog’s automatic response to what was once a threat change to one of calm and happiness - or even anticipation.

Maureen Haggerty, CPDT, Owner The Canine Coach, LLC
www.thek9coach.com

Articles: Basic Training

2008-06-02T20:47:00.000-07:00

Basic Training Principles

Almost everything you need to Know!
by Maureen Haggerty

Dogs repeat behaviors that work for them.
Reinforce behaviors you like.
Make them fun and rewarding for your dog.
Prevent behaviors you don’t like.
Use management to prevent your dog from practicing these behaviors. If they are practiced, make sure the behavior is not rewarding, so it is not reinforced.
Provide for your dog’s behavioral needs.
Many behaviors we do not like are natural dog behaviors. Rather than suppress these behaviors, provide appropriate outlets for them. (See Keeping Your Dog Busy.)

Maureen Haggerty, CPDT, Owner The Canine Coach, LLC
www.thek9coach.com

Food for Thought

2008-06-02T09:24:00.001-07:00

We will be posting some more information on recent adoptions soon. For now, a little tidbit . . .

What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide the difference you want to make.
--- Jane Goodall

Pit Bull Ownership - Do's and Don'ts

2008-05-21T22:00:00.000-07:00

Here are a few important things to always remember regarding the care of pit bulls. Many of these are common sense, but some are specific to pitties.

Never leave pit bulls unsupervised with other animals. Pit bulls should always be placed in their own crate or safe area when unsupervised.
Spay/neuter your pit bull as soon as possible (as with all dogs and cats)
Begin socializations as early as possible and continue throughout the dog's lifetime. Among other things, this helps them to be better behaved and more comfortable in a range of situations.
Never place a pit bull on a tether or use an electric fencing system.
Always have a pit bull on a leash when not in a secure fenced-in area.

Pit Bulls and Children
As with any other breed of dog, under the right circumstances, pit bulls are wonderful with children! If a child is hurt by a pit bull it is most likely a result of being knocked over by an excited and friendly pit trying to lick their face.
There are a few rules to follow when children are dealing with ANY dog:

Always supervise children around dogs
Watch the child's behavior closely
Make sure toys, treats, bones are put away before a child has contact with the dog
Never let a child near a dog's food/water dish (any dog)
Put your dog through obedience training and get your children involved.
Never force your dog into a situation, with children, that makes them uncomfortable

Have questions? We'd be more than happy to answer them! Remember, there is no such thing as a dumb question. You can also use the links on the side of the page. There are some great pit bull sites located there. Or contact us with any of your inquiries!

Pit Bull Myths

2008-05-21T21:44:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone!
There is a lot of misinformation about pit bulls, and many other bully breeds. Here is some very good information about pit bulls, citing many common myths.

Myth: Pit bulls have locking jaws
They do not. The jaws of a pit bull are functionally the same as any other breed

Myth: Pit bulls don't feel pain
Not true at all. Pit bulls have the same nervous system of every other breed and they DO feel pain. However, pit bulls have an incredibly high pain tolerance which allows them to function normally despite pain and discomfort.

Myth: Pit bulls attack and bite more people than any other breed.
Not true. Statistics show that pit bulls account for roughly 1.89% of total dog bites. Cocker spaniels and Chihuahua's are statistically more apt to bite.
The media encourages this myth by assuming that all attacks that occur from an unknown breed or unidentified breed are pit bulls and this is what is portrayed on the news. It should also be noted that the most abused and neglected breed is the pit bull and, as such, retaliation is sometimes inevitable.
The following video illustrates pit bulls and the media. Please note that some of the pictures are very graphic. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2oVTz0Bgawk

Myth: Pit bulls "turn" on their owners
False. Dogs, as a species, do not do things "just because." There is always a reason for their behavior. Improper, aggressive handling, lack of socialization or training, misreading of the dog's behavior, and disease can cause ANY breed to bite. It is important to remember that all dogs are just that, dogs. They are not human and, therefore, can not express their fears, anxieties, or anger through oral communication.

Myth: The only thing pit bulls are good for is fighting.
Not true at all. Pit bulls were originally bred for sport. They are agile, fit, and incredibly easy to train. This makes them remarkable candidates for a number of activities such as agility, obedience trials, weight pull, conformation showing, Schutzhund, seach and rescue work, therapy dog work, and even herding. They are very often used in police work.

Pit bulls and bully breeds have a bad reputation and are abused more than other breeds. Please help us get the correct information out there!

New Adoption

2008-05-20T21:27:00.001-07:00

We're happy to announce that Cash and Ernest were adopted tonight! Congratulations to Cash, Ernest, and their new families!!

Adoption

2008-05-19T19:39:00.001-07:00

Tiki was just adopted this evening! Congratulations to Tiki, and her new family! We love you, Tiki!

Pet Meet & Greet Today!

2008-05-17T09:21:00.001-07:00

Our weekly Pet Meet and Greet is today, 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at UrbAnimal in Uptown, Minneapolis. Come on down and say hi!

UrbAnimal is located at 2106 Lyndale Ave South. Their number is 612-879-0709.

Pet Meet & Greet This Saturday!

2008-05-15T22:03:00.000-07:00

Come on down to UrbAnimal in Uptown, Minneapolis, and say hi to some of our lovely dogs and cats! The Pet Meet and Greet is in the back of the UrbAnimal store, 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. To see if a specific animal is going to be present, check their page on our Available Animals page here.
Stop by, say hi, ask questions, and say hello to some lovely animals! We'd love to see you!

UrbAnimal is located at 2106 Lyndale Ave South. Their number is 612-879-0709.

Recent Adoptions

2008-05-13T14:19:00.000-07:00

Last week, Rex, (aka JoJo), Kiwi, Zora, Cricket, Dakota, Shiba, Neil, and Josie were adopted into their forever homes! Thank you all very much, both to our volunteers, foster homes, and our new adopting parents! Together we are making a difference, one animal at a time!

New Adoption

2008-05-12T11:59:00.000-07:00

Herman, one of our puppies, was recently adopted into his forever home! Congratulations Herman!
For more information on our adoptable animals, see our Available Pets page here.

Pet Behavioral/Nutrition Links

2008-05-08T18:23:00.001-07:00

Have questions about potty training? Unsure what is the best food for your pet? Have a puppy who's teething and need help? Or maybe you need a few tips on behavioral issues. Click here to see our Educational Materials page for many useful brochures.

Weekly Adoption Events

2008-05-08T17:58:00.000-07:00

Each week we have a Pet Meet and Greet where anyone can visit and socialize with our animals, have questions answered, as well as meet and talk with volunteer and foster parents! Our Pet Meet and Greets are every Saturday from 12:30 - 2:30 p.m. at UrbAnimal in Uptown Minneapolis.
UrbAnimal is located at 2106 Lyndale Ave South. Their number is 612-879-0709.

If you're interested in meeting a specific dog or cat, please check their page on our website. Their attendance is updated weekly. Click here to go to our Adoptable Animals' page, and check the individual pet's profile. Also, if you're interested in adopting, please fill out an application ahead of time. Adoption applications can be found here.

Come join us! We'd love to meet you!

Our Wallflowers

2008-05-07T21:51:00.000-07:00

We have several wonderful animals that, for some reason, continue to get passed up for adoption. Who are these mysterious, lovable underdogs?

Our first guy is Wiggles.
He is a 1-2 year old American Staffordshire Terrier mix. He's been waiting since July 2007!
Mr. Wiggles got his name because he is so excited that he can't help but wiggle with joy every time he sees you! He is also known as "Teddy" because he is a very sweet, gentle and loving little Teddy Bear. Mr. Wiggles/Teddy is chocolate brown in color & small in stature, weighing only 45 lbs at 1 – 1 ½ years of age. He plays well with other dogs, but can get inappropriate because he is not good at reading "that's enough" cues from other dogs. However, he is a silly guy who can entertain himself for hours tossing his toys in the air.
Mr. Wiggles/Teddy prefers women, as he was likely mistreated by a man before we rescued him & can be shy with new men. He is also uncomfortable with new situations and needs a firm but understanding handler. He already completed basic obedience and knows all of his commands – he works hard to try to follow the rules. He is snuggly and affectionate, and loves car rides, belly rubs, and sleeping with you in bed. Mr. Wiggles/Teddy also LOVES the water and will play all day in a kiddie pool. He is an enormous fan of playing fetch and will play with you for hours. Mr. Wiggles is also very smart and loves nothing more than to please. He has lived with another dog but may do best as the only dog, or a dog who will put up with his shenanigans, as he will guard his toys, food, and bones from other dogs. Although he is crate trained, he does not like to be left alone in his crate, and does best when crated next to another dog. If he is left to his own devices, he will chew on inappropriate things like furniture so he really needs to be crated when unattended. This means that he would not be a good fit for apartment living, as he may bark when left alone. He has lived fine with an assertive cat (with claws that hurt), but would not do well in a home with a cat not used to dogs (or without claws). He would do best with a person or family who has previous experience with bully breed dogs.
Poor Mr. Wiggles has had a rough start to life and needs a patient and understanding person to give him another chance. He will reward you will all of the love he has to offer!
Email: underdogrescue@petml.com

Next up we have Lydia, a 1-2 year old female Staffordshire Terrier mix. She's been waiting since April 2007!
Lydia is a beautiful and sweet girl. She weighs about 55-60 pounds. Lydia plays well with other dogs & is very friendly with people. She is a very quiet girl who rarely barks! She would be happiest as either the only dog or with one other canine companion. Lydia is a beautiful light cherry brindle sweetheart. She is crate-trained and loves to please. Lydia is a bit too interested in cats to live with them harmoniously. She loves to play with other dogs but would do best in a home as the only dog, with a male dog or possibly with a submissive female. So, if you have a boy dog who is looking for a girlfriend, Lydia might just by your answer. She can be met by appointment, please contact a volunteer at 952-929-0777.

Next is Sally, a 10 month old female American Staffordshire Terrier/American Pit Bull Terrier mix. She's been waiting since July 13, 2007!
Sally was one of a litter of six born in Underdog Rescue after her mom was pulled from a high-kill shelter days before she gave birth. Her mom and brothers have long been placed with their forever homes, but she still waiting. Sally is now 10 months of age and very pretty young lady (her pictures do not due her justice). Sally is a petite girl, weighing just 30-35 pounds. She is considered a reverse brindle, which means she is darker than regular brindle-colored dogs. She does fine with other dogs, but would be happiest if placed alone or with a male dog. She is currently fostered in a home with children and loves them immensely. Sally is a great girl and truly deserves a home she can call her own.

Heidi is a female Pit Bull Terrier mix, female, who's been waiting since July 29, 2007! Heidi is a very sweet girl who is about 2 years of age. She weighs 40-45 pounds and is full grown. She is very sweet and loves to please. She already knows how to sit & shake hands. Heidi is calm & quiet in the house and the yard. She loves to play with other dogs. She makes it quite clear to them that she loves her toys even more and she is not into sharing. So far every dog has respected her feelings on the matter. She has lived in a foster home with 2 kids, ages 7 & 8 and 3 cats. Heidi is now in a new foster home for the holidays with 2 dogs & 2 cats & she is just wonderful with all. She loves to stand on her back legs and give you hugs! She loves LOVES to snuggle! She is perfectly house-trained & very loyal. Heidi is a great dog & she will make a wonderful best friend for someone!

Up and coming, we have Jezzie, a 2 year old female Pit Bull Terrier mix who has been waiting since September 15, 2007!
Jezzie came to us when she was extremely pregnant. She had been picked up by Prior Lake Animal Control and had been on the run for some time. She gave birth to eight puppies and was a great mom to them. Jezzie's foster home really love her. She has an easy going personality, and loves to cuddle and spend time with the family. We think that she spent most of her time in a yard, because she does not seem to know the rules of a home. However, she is bright and learning quickly what is expected of her. Jezzie is treat motivated and would excel in obedience training. She gets along great with other dogs, and loves to play. She would do better in a home without cats, but she is very respectful of her miniature poodle foster brother. Jezzie is short and smaller than her pictures may indicate. She weights around 40 lbs. She is such a great dog and really deserves a wonderful home!

Our Wallflower cats include Tink, a 2 year old, female, Domestic Short Hair/Torbie, who has been waiting since May 18, 2005!
Tink is a little sweetheart. She is affectionate & loves to be petted. She is about 2 years of age. Tink gets along very well with other cats but is quite shy when it comes to dogs. She would do best in a home with other feline companions, or just with her people.
Poor Tink was found pregnant when she was only 6 month of age. It was a horrible experience for her & she just didn't know what to do. She was too young for that sort of responsibility!!! Her babies had to be hand-raised by one of our foster homes. They have since all been adopted out. Now Tink is spayed & ready to find a home of her very own.

Last but not least is Madison, a 1 year old female, Tuxedo. She's been waiting since August 18, 2007!
My name is Madison and I was rescued from Animal Control a few short hours before my 7 black and white bicolor babies, Emma, Parker, Twiggy, Zoe, Charlie, Lauren, Piper and I were scheduled for euthanasia. My babies and I have been living with our foster mommy and her bi-color tabby kitty since August 8th. I am a very sweet kitty and a good – though very young -- mommy to my babies. I like other kitties, though my foster mommy is not sure if I like dogs. I love to be held and petted and brushed; I am very social and like to follow people around the house. I even sit still to have my toenails trimmed! I am considered a black and white bicolor/perfect tuxedo cat, just like “Socks” who lived in the White House from 1993 until 2001. Learn more about bi-color cats, our genetics, patterns and bi-color cats in popular culture at: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Contact us at underdogrescue@petml.com

Welcome!

2008-05-07T20:36:00.000-07:00

Welcome to our new blog! We will have news and updates on a regular basis. Stop by or subscribe to us via RSS feed to keep up-to-date on our dogs and cats. If you have any questions please feel free to contact us!
What is RSS? Not sure how to subscribe? No problem! Contact Nick, who maintains our blog, at airchia@gmail.com

General inquiries regarding animals: underdogrescuemn@petml.com

Thanks for reading!