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PH FasDog Folks, our next Guest...Darlene is here under the name petxpert

petxpert Thank you. It's nice to be here.

PHMowgli yes i know that too LOL

PHSmDog Welcome Darlene

Deanhil HI SmDog.. how are ya? good to see ya )

PHMowgli Hi Darlene I did not even see you down there

PHSmDog Dean... LOL don't ask.

PH FasDog Welcome to the Sixth Annual Chat Week at PetHobbyist. We are extremely pleased to have you all here! Before our guest for tonight is introduced, I would like to explain our format for this evening's chat.

We will use a protocol format. If you have a question or comment for our guest, please type a ? or ! to the screen. One of the hosts will be keeping a queue and will call on you in turn fo ryour question or comment. Meanwhile, please respect the guest and other chatters and refrain from chatting in the room or using the audio buttons. If you need assistance, please highlight the name of any PH host (with the gear icon) and whisper a message to them. This procedure will allow everyone to ask questions and see the information from our guest.

PH FasDog Good evening and thank you for joining us tonight!

DogHobbyist.com is pleased to welcome Darlene Arden, author of “The Irrepressible Toy Dog" as well as many other publications as our guest during our Sixth Annual Chat Week.

Darlene is an internationally recognized authority on toy dogs and their care, as well as on general health and welfare issue regarding all canines. She is a long-time member of the Dog Writers' Association of America (DWAA) and has written hundreds of articles and columns for all of the major dog publications. A frequent guest on radio and television programs on the subject of dogs and animal welfare, Darlene is also a judge for the World Canine Freestyle Organization.

There really is nothing like a toy dog, as everyone who shares a life with one will tell you.

Thanks, Darlene, Welcome!

PHFlea Welcome Darlene!!

petxpert Thanks so much! It's both a pleasure and an honor to be here!!

PH FasDog If you would like to ask a question of our Guest tonight, please type in the chat a "?" or "!", you will be called upon in the order received. Hint...type out your question after you put your ? to the screen so you are ready..and please put a G/A (go ahead) or Thank you at the end so we know you are finished with your question or remark.

petxpert I"m looking forward to talking with everyone. I'm rather a slow typist so bear with me

PHSmDog ?

petxpert The Irrepressible Toy Dog was a real labor of love. It was about 17 years or more in the making. And I researched it far and wide.

petxpert Little dogs are real dogs as I"m sure everyone here knows! But they have their own issues.

petxpert They need some special consideration in some areas. There's so much we can discuss!

PHFlame ?

petxpert Please feel free to ask anything! And I"m also happy to discuss wellness.

petxpert And freestyle!!

Deerhounds LOL

PHFlea whoohoo!!

petxpert g/a

PHFlea Smdog g/a

PHSmDog What do you think is the biggest health threat to toy dogs these days? And what more can we do to prevent genetic problems from being produced? I test for everything and worry about outcrossing into new lines because there are so many problems out there... what's a breeder to do?

Caridad_nr ?

Trin_nr Hello

Trin_nr is anyone there

petxpert Ah, a very thoughtful question. I'm happy to hear that you do all possible testing. I think every responsible breeder should but even then you can have some rather unhappy surprises

petxpert I think problems depend upon the breed. First, as a Toy breeder, you know that the size of the neonates is really critical -- they're so small that they don't have the reserves that larger breed puppies have

LilGuys4_nr ?

PHSmDog No doubt. I also research pedigrees for 10 generations back...in hopes of preventing problems. No shunts, legge perthes or other genetic problems here...

petxpert If you can get them through those early days you're on your way! As for specific problems,that's more breed specific

PHSmDog aren't there several problems healthwise that are pretty much universal among toys?

petxpert Fantastic! Liver shunt and lymphangiactasia, for example, are big problems in Yorkies

GinaSpadafori_nr HiDarlene!

PHSmDog Which happens to be my breed... Yorks

petxpert OTOH, virtually all small dogs have a collapsing trachea or are predisposed to it, as well as luxating patellas

petxpert Hi Gina!!!!

petxpert Ah, I was a Yorkie mom for a very long time.

PHSmDog [img id=em-5]

petxpert You can breed away from luxating patellas and collapsing trachea but it require diligence and the desire to do something about it.

petxpert The problems break my heart.

petxpert g/a

PHSmDog The problem is that people getting pets are not always getting healthy pets because a lot of breeders out there aren't as careful as I am

PHFlea Flame g/a

PHFlame my friend has a chihuaha who is very aggressive to people other than her own family. She is about 8 years old. Is there anything I can do to avoid getting my ankles bitten while I visit? Right now they put her away in a bedroom. Tthanks

petxpert Hi Flame. The problem is one of fear. Small dogs can react that way for a number of reasons.

petxpert It would take conditioning to get the dog to accept you.

GinaSpadafori_nr ?

petxpert It depends upon how much work you and the owner want to do, otherwise, keeping her in the other room is the ultimate in protection for your ankles

petxpert One of my goals in writing The Irrepressible Toy Dog was to help people raise normal, well-adjusted small dogs so they wouldn't end up with a dog like that. It's no fun for the dog, the owner, or guests.

petxpert You can work with the dog using treats, largely ignoring the dog but tossing treats the dog's way, and not moving fast when in the dog's presence

petxpert g/a

PHFlea Caridad g/a

Caridad_nr I am deeply concerned about the prevalence of the toy breeds in puppy mill situations. I talk and type myself hoarse trying to stop people from buying pet shop puppies, but it seems to go in one ear and out the other. What more can be done, when educating people seems to be useless, or if not useless.... at least not enough.

Caridad_nr ga thank you

petxpert Caridad, I share your frustration. We dog writers do what we can to educate the public, You do what you can, and still we can't get the message out. Unfortunately, the mainstream publications don't seem to want to let us cover this issue. I would suggest that you write letters to major women's publications like Good Housekeeping, Woman's Day, etc., and ask them to address this issue since this impacts the family.

petxpert The more we can get the word out to the general public, the better. And the magazines don't know what you want to read unless you tell them

petxpert Another issue in the same vein is that of the crossbred dogs like the infamous Poo breeds, the new Labradoodles, etc. Sold for lots of money but they're mixes, and there's no real breed standard.

petxpert Nor are those people likely to do the testing

petxpert g/a

PHFlea LilGuys4 g/a

ShihTzusRule_nr great question, Caridad!

ShihTzusRule_nr sorry, meant to whisper that!

petxpert LOL That's okay. I believe in positive reinforcement.

PHSmDog ?

LilGuys4_nr hello Darline, I love your book!

petxpert It WAS a great question!

LilGuys4_nr I mean Darlene, I'm sorry

petxpert Thank you, LilGuys4

LilGuys4_nr my question is that I am considering adopting a new dog

petxpert I appreciate hearing that.

petxpert And?

LilGuys4_nr I have four Maltese and this dog is a Labrador

LilGuys4_nr I'm worried about the size difference in play etc

LilGuys4_nr do you have any tips for me in making this work?

LilGuys4_nr he's already a year old, the Lab I mean

petxpert Ahh, what is the activity level of this particular Labrador? You are right to be worried. It will require constant vigilence

LilGuys4_nr he's very active but seems quieter than some labs I've known

petxpert You will have to supervise very carefully and even then, accidents can happen

LilGuys4_nr my husband wants him, I like him very much too, but I'm just worried

LilGuys4_nr can they ever play together?

petxpert Since you've read my book, do you remember the story in there about the big dog and little dog who lived together happily but both were racing to the door when the doorbell rang?

LilGuys4_nr YES!

petxpert The big dog accidentallly knocked the little dog into the wall as they rounded the cornerand the little dog was killed

LilGuys4_nr (

LilGuys4_nr not very enouraging story [img id=em-0]

petxpert This is what frightens me. It's a true story. I know some big dogs and little dogs who can live quite well together. I'm not saying it can't work but how does the Lab get along with little dogs?

LilGuys4_nr he loves them, he's been here

petxpert I'm not trying to scare you, just pointing out the possibility

LilGuys4_nr yes

petxpert Ah, well, then it may work

LilGuys4_nr it's a big responsibility

petxpert You said a mouthful!

LilGuys4_nr he lies down on his belly and mouth wrestles with them

LilGuys4_nr it's very cute

petxpert Awwwww

LilGuys4_nr and rolls on his back and lets them run all over him

LilGuys4_nr I'm just a worried mom

petxpert With supervision, I think it can work. You are aware of the potential problem. He sounds like a sweetheart

LilGuys4_nr he is, thank yo uso much!

LilGuys4_nr we're probably going to try it

petxpert I understand and you're smart to be worried. That means that you'll go into it with your eyes open and you won't become complacent. That's very much in your favor. -)

LilGuys4_nr thank you!

petxpert I hope you'll let me know how it goes!

LilGuys4_nr and everyone get her book, it's great!

LilGuys4_nr how can I do that, Darlene?

petxpert Thanks.

petxpert g/a

PHFlea Gina g/a

GinaSpadafori_nr Darlene, as you know, I have a Cavalier now. He was raised with and as a "big dog" and seems to think he's a retriever. Do you think people "install" some behavior problems by treating little dogs like "special babies" instead of like "real dogs"? ) g/a

petxpert You can either e-maiol me at petxpert@aol.com or through my website

LilGuys4_nr thanks, Darlene! I will!

GinaSpadafori_nr btw ,,, he's a BIG Cavalier ... 22 pounds.

petxpert Ahh, yes! One of my pet peeves. LOL Little dogs have some special needs, and I never tell people not to have fun with their little dogs but they need to be aware that they're *dogs* not human babies.

petxpert For example, little dogs have four on the floor and they can use them! And this is another reason I encourage small dog owners to get involved in a dog sport like freestyle

petxpert It gives both the dog and the owner confidence while they have fun together and bond.

Deerhounds ?

petxpert Waht is your quesiton, Deerhounds?

Deerhounds LOL... should I jump in? It's a separate question

Deerhounds that Gina's question reminded me of

petxpert Oh, I saw a question. LOL

petxpert Jump in, please. This is exactly how I lecture -- I let people interrupt and I still get back on track

Deerhounds I can wait my turn )

GinaSpadafori_nr Thanks, Darlene! And yes, it's a GREAT book. And so's the new one! )

Deerhounds I was thinking about small dogs from the point of view of a person with BIIIIG dogs

petxpert Okay, I'll finish with Gina's question, then we'll go on to yours

Deerhounds ok!

GinaSpadafori_nr )

petxpert For example, little dogs lose body heat more quickly than larger dogs, so in a cold climate they'll need a warm sweater or coat for protection when they go out. This doesn't mean that you need to buy your little dog a smoking jacket or a black velvet dress. Although I know where you can get both. LOL

Deerhounds LOL

petxpert So some of it really isn't pampering. And they do need to be protected from unsupervised dogs and unsupervised children.

petxpert g/a

GinaSpadafori_nr Thank you! g/a

PHFlea Queue order Deerhounds, Me, Smdog then Mowgli

petxpert -)

Deerhounds I honestly realize that small dogs can be injured or killed just in play with big dogs like mine, and I try to be very careful at all times. Gina brought her Cav and I was bordering on paranoid.

Deerhounds BUT....

Deerhounds I have had SO MANY tiny dogs attack my dogs in public

Deerhounds when my dogs are on leash and completely minding their own business

petxpert Ahhh, well, you've come to the right place. LOL

GinaSpadafori_nr (Deerhound's dogs thought my Cav was a bunny ... not good!)

Deerhounds I've had an Italian Greyhound leap out of its owners lap and latch onto the face of my deerhound!

petxpert I believe in responsibility on BOTH sides

Deerhounds LOL Gina, no, not funny!

petxpert Little dogs can do something like that and there are 2 possible reasons, either fear or no fear. In other words, trying to say, I"m here, don't hurt me! or, not realizing their own size,.

petxpert some small dog owners think it's cute, that it shows "attitude" but that "attitude" isn't prudent and unless the big dog is particularly good with small dogs, it can get the little dog killed. Most large dogs, especially the Sighthounds, see little dogs as prey

petxpert That's pure genetics, not meanness.

Deerhounds I see the "cute" reaction a lot

Deerhounds and when I tell them it could get their dog killed, that becomes a reflection on my big bad dog

petxpert There's another true story in TITD about the two sighthounds at a dog show, being walked by their owner they saw what no one could see -- two Chihuahuas being walked at the other end of the field. They broke their leads, took off at lightening speed, and each grabbed a Chi. Both little dogs were killled

Deerhounds who is the one with Italian Greyhound embedded in his face, LOL

Deerhounds oh no!

petxpert THis is what I tell people. they are responsible for teaching their little dogs manners. I'm a big proponent of training small dogs.

petxpert No choke or prong collars. Remember, they're predisposed to a collapsing trachea if they don't already have one. And they're smart. All I need is a clicker and something the dog likes.

Deerhounds oops!

GinaSpadafori_nr whoops!

PHFlea Oh no.....

PHMowgli oops

Skaket Ok...who has the big dogs in here? LOL

PHMowgli didn't we do this tuesday LOL

PHMowgli I have big and small LOL

Deerhounds <---big dogs here

PHFlea Big and Smal

GinaSpadafori_nr Small, medium and large!

PHFlame okay, it must have been my dog aggressive american bulldog

PHMowgli Gina how is the sheltie?

Skaket Katie's sleeping. LOL

travlinpom_nr <-- tiny little dogs (cant be my fault)

GinaSpadafori_nr He's wonderful! A perfect dog. )

PHMowgli of course he is gina he is a sheltie afterall LOL

PHFlea Gina...How are you?? Missed seeing you around

kandie_nr chichahua can you tell me about them i have a baby 11 weeks old???????????

Deerhounds I have Darlene on the phone, she is logging back in now!

GinaSpadafori_nr I'm doing great. Nice to see everyone. )

PHFlea Whoohoo!!

PHMowgli great Deer

PHMowgli we all missed you Gina

GinaSpadafori_nr )

PHFlame Here is what I am whispering to newcomers. I hope it is all right. Welcome to our special chat "The Irrespressible Small Dog". We're using protocol in this chat, so please don't chat in the room. If you have a question, just type ?, and your name will be added to the queue. IIt would help if you would type out your question after you send the "?" so it will be ready to do. Please put a g/a or thank you after your question so we will know you are done with your question. Please wait until you are called on to send your question. Thanks!

PHFlame ooops, that was supposed to be whispered to someone

PHMowgli works for me Flame LOL

PHFlea Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house not a creature was stirring............thanks Flame ruining my train of thought!!

PHFlea Hi Laddies

PHMowgli hey laddies Welcome

Deerhounds she is still logging in....

Laddiesmom_nr hi everyone

Deerhounds she apologizes

PHFlame wb

Deerhounds and says she is doing her best

PHFlea WB smalldog

PHFlea WB!!!!

Deerhounds welcome back Darlene!

PHMowgli WB

PHMowgli Yeah Darlene is Back

Deerhounds Darlene said to go ahead with the next question )

petxpert sorry about that.

Deerhounds she's done with mine, LOL

PHFlea Darlene...since your twisting my arm to Freestyle with my pom (very big grin), Can you explain to some who may not know what Freestyling is? Where to go and how to start? Thanks )

petxpert I can train dogs but not mylittle ibook

PH FasDog Oh oh.....

Deerhounds ooops

PHSmDog Oh my

Deerhounds she's on AOL, what can I say?

PHMowgli darn

PHFlea ackkkkkk dumb Ibook..........

PHFlea Hey I'm on aol and haven't been booted.....YET!!

PHMowgli I am freezing though

GinaSpadafori_nr I need to leave. Great to see everyone! Say bye to Darlene.

Deerhounds her line is busy now

PH FasDog Bye Gina!

Deerhounds night Gina!

PHMowgli keep whispering to people on accident so if you get a whisper to me that seems odd please disregard it

PHMowgli from*

Deanhil hmm.. that was suppose to be to everyone'

Deanhil I'm on aol and all is woking fine

Skaket Me too..

PHMowgli I am not on AOL LOL

PHSmDog Hey Skaket.. how are you?

PHMowgli but I still whisper on accident LOL

petxpert Hi again!

PHFlea We have strong winds tonight....might be affecting her

Skaket I'm fine...and you, SmDog?

petxpert where were we?

PHMowgli Welcome Back!

PHFlea Talking about Freestyling

Skaket Awww, we miss you too.

PHFlea Well beginning too anyway.....

petxpert I'm a member of the World Canine Freesytle Organization WCFO, a judge and referee

petxpert and we have divisions for everybody from juniors

petxpert to sassy seniors

petxpert and we have a handicapped division

petxpert anyone with any size dogs, any breeds or mixed breeds, can do it

petxpert it solidifies the bond

petxpert it's somethin gyou can do with your little dog

petxpert I encourage EVERYBODY to get involved with something like this

petxpert you don't have to be athletic

petxpert you don't have to move fast

petxpert it's an offshoot of obedience

petxpert it's trick training, and it's fun

petxpert but you don't have to be particularly speedy or athletic

petxpert it gives the dogs a sense of confidence

petxpert and it gives the owner a sense that the dog really can do something

petxpert they are so busy having fun they forget about teh babying and the pampering

petxpert ga

PHFlea Thank You!!

PHFlea SmDog G/a

PHSmDog What can be done to build confidence in a shy dog? Especially a toy dog...

petxpert oh, WCFO on the internet is worldcaninefreestyle.org

petxpert Something like freestyle as a matter of fact!

petxpert don't rush a dog who is shy

petxpert let the dog take his time

PHMowgli http//wwwworldcaninefreestyle.org

PHFlea ?

petxpert PHSmDog, what sort of things are you looking for, what are you hoping to accomplish?

PHSmDog Well, I had a show dog who was afraid of dogs behind him... needless to say he had a problem in the ring

PHSmDog Most of mine aren't shy but occassionally one comes along

petxpert my feeling is, what's more important?

petxpert do you REALLY need to show the dog?

PHSmDog No I took him out of the ring

petxpert if the dog is TERRIBLY uncomfortable, I would retire the dog from the ring and find something else to do with the dog

petxpert did he have a bad situation with the dog, did he have a bad experience that you're aware of?

PHSmDog He would do it as long as he was last in line, but he didn't like it. No bad experiences

petxpert good you retired him, better to make the dog happy. Everything you do with the dog should be enjoyable for the dog.

PHSmDog Mine are pets first, show dogs second

petxpert the world looks different to small dogs. If you only come up to people's ankles, what does the world look like?

petxpert Good, I'm glad to hear it, that's the right attitude!

petxpert ga

PHFlea Darlene, I heard you have a new book coming out, can you tell me about it?

petxpert Yes!

petxpert I'm very excited

petxpert it is called Unbelievably Good Deals and Great Adventures that you Absolutely Can't Get Unless You're a Dog Owner

petxpert it's coming out in June!

petxpert it encompasses everything from places to go and things to do with your dog, or that are dog-related that you may do without your dog, like visit the dog collar museum over in England...

petxpert it's international as well as the US by the way

petxpert it's everything from shopping to doggy day care, doggy bakeries

petxpert places to go, things to do, dog show tours here and in the UK

petxpert all kinds of sights to see and fun things to do with your dog

petxpert it encompasses so much it's hard to list them all

petxpert I had SUCH fun writing that book

petxpert Thanks for asking!

petxpert ga

PH FasDog Folks, please join us for Small Dog Chat at this time every Thursday, 10-11 pm et.

PHFlea Your Most Welcome!!!

PH FasDog Darlene, on behalf of all of us at DogHobbyist.com thank you so much for being our guest tonight! And thank you to all of you who attended.

petxpert I want to thank everybody!

PH FasDog Please be sure to join us tomorrow night at 9pm in the Auditorium for our next guest Jacki Hadra, founder of IMOM, INC. For information on all our Chat Week events, please visit http//www.doghobbyist.com/DogChat.html

PHMowgli Thank you Darlene

petxpert I had such a good time!

PHFlea Darlene, I will be in touch with you.......

PH FasDog Thank you and good night!

PHSmDog Thanks Darlene

petxpert thank you, everyone!

PHFlea Thank you!!

Skaket Thank you, Darlene.

PHFlea Wow, that was great!!!

PHMowgli Thank you everyone for coming tonight

PH FasDog She is fantastic

PHFlea Night

PHMowgli yesit was very infomrative