“Breed Profiling”: How Companies Discriminate

A recent story in the Los Angeles Times reported that insurance companies categorize certain breeds as "high risk." According to the story: “It's a trend that began about 10 years ago, at around the same time as statistics were released showing that pit bulls, Rottweilers and German shepherds were responsible for more than half the dog bite fatalities in the U.S. over a 19-year period. Despite opposition from consumers, many insurance companies still maintain a will-not-cover breed blacklist.”

Boerboels are on the list......and so are Akitas.

The lists have evolved to include the following breeds:

• Wolf hybrids
• Akitas
• American Bandogge Mastiffs
• Boerboels
• Chow-chows
• Doberman pinschers
• Olde English Bulldogs (English bulldogs are acceptable)
• Rottweilers
• Pit bull breeds, including American Staffordshire Terriers, English Bull Terriers, Pit Bull Terriers, Presa Canarios and Staffordshire Bull Terriers
• Mixed breeds containing any of the above

If a homeowner has what is considered to be a “high-risk” breed, insurers may jack up the policy premiums or simply decline a policy altogether.

The story continues: “But the ASPCA and defenders of some of the most stigmatized breeds, like pit bulls, say dog aggression is often more about owner behavior than breed temperament. Aggression can be fostered in any breed and has been throughout history, as humans exploited the natural strength of certain breeds, [ASPCA senior director of government relations and mediation Jill] Buckley says. In the middle ages, it was the Great Dane, bred and trained to defend the castle moats. The Newfoundland was the bad boy of the 1800s. Today it's the pit bull. ‘There'll be another breed tomorrow. You can't just keep banning breeds. You have to look at responsible ownership,’ Buckley says.”

What do you guys think of this policy?

Pimp Your Ride…With a Dog Car Seat Cover

Sure, it’s pretty awesome to take your dog with you on a weekend trip. But after a couple hours of him kickin’ it in the backseat on the way to or from your destination, there’s probably a decent amount of drool, hair, and dirty paw prints back there. (Not to mention, you might as well say goodbye to that new car smell.)

If you want to avoid taking your ride to the carwash to get vacuumed and detailed every time your pooch travels with you, maybe invest in a seat cover. Here are three that I like:

• A hammock seat cover (from Doctors Foster and Smith) protects your backseat from pet hair, dirt, or puncture marks from your dog’s nails. It also acts as a barrier so he can’t climb into the front seat while you’re driving. (The company claims this seat cover will fit in any size vehicle, although I'd measure before buying.) These are $44.99.
• Quilted, padded seat covers are a whole lot more aesthetically appealing, and they have fastening devices that keep them from sliding around.  These ones—from Inthecompanyofdogs.com—sell for $59.95.
• Canine Covers also makes custom car seat covers for dogs. They’re a whole lot more expensive, but you can choose from a variety of fabrics, and their covers can be made to fit the dimensions of any car.

 Has anyone else test-driven any of these?

Do You Know What "Coprophagia" Is?

Yeah, I didn’t know what it meant either. Curious? Well, “coprophagia” (or “coprophilia”) is a term for when dogs eat poop. Yep, it’s just plain nasty. And apparently, it’s fairly common. Eew.

Image via Maniac World

According to various online sources, coprophagia can be an indication of a variety of different things, such as a) your dog is malnourished and/or has a Vitamin B or enzyme deficiency, b) your pet has a larger health issue such as diabetes or a tapeworm, or c) you have a dog who has some behavioral issues or is just plain bored. (Puppies, some experts say, sometimes eat feces out of curiosity.)

Various websites suggest other reasons for this behavior, but either way, it’s probably best to check in with your vet regarding possible causes and treatment. In the meantime, if your dog has a fecal fetish, it may be a good idea to keep the face-kisses to a minimum.

Have you had this issue with your dog? What did you do?

Looking for a Dog Trainer?

A few years ago when I was living in the West Village, I met a man walking the most well-behaved dog I’d ever seen down Bank Street. His name was Garry Gross, and he was a dog trainer, he explained. The brindle pit bull at his side was one of his students.

Does your dog have you wrapped around his little paw?

I’d forgotten about Garry until a few weeks ago when I went looking for a NY-based pet photographer and found his name online. (Turns out that Garry is a man of many talents. A former fashion photographer for numerous advertising clients and magazines such as GQ and Cosmopolitan, he also takes gorgeous pictures of dogs. Check out his photography website here.)

Anyway, if you’re looking for a dog trainer, I’d highly recommend Garry. He has your dog stay with him for two weeks and helps rid your pet of behaviors such as separation anxiety or aggression. Not only is Garry amazing at what he does, he’s just a really nice, normal guy, and your pet would definitely be in good hands.

If you’d like more information, check out his dog training website, http://dogtrainersofnewyork.com/. You could also email him at garry@dogtrainersofnewyork.com or call 212-807-7141.

Dog Traffic Vs. Stroller Traffic

If you’re a dog owner in New York City, you know all too well the look of the steely-eyed stroller mom. Often clad in size 25 J Brand jeans, ballet flats, and wraparound sunglasses, they strut with the determination (and underlying rage, perhaps?) of a military drill sergeant. As far as they’re concerned, if you’re in their path you better well move your arse, or you’re fair game for steamrolling.

My dog has often experienced the wrath of the aggro NYC Stroller Mom. If Riley innocently stops to sniff a hydrant…WHAM! Here comes NYC Stroller Mom with a swift whack to Riley’s left hindquarter. (Stroller Mom is late for her mani/pedi, no doubt.)

On one occasion, I brought Riley with me into an UES Kinko’s (where they kindly welcome well-behaved dogs). There we were, patiently standing in line, when one particularly intense NYC Stroller Mom walked past us, purposefully running over Riley’s little paw. Riley squealed; Stroller Mom snorted with laughter. I wanted to punch her in the face. I’ll spare you the exchange that ensued…

Look, I get it, ladies. Babies are precious cargo. Nobody will dispute that. But my dog is pretty damn important too. I take issue with your rudeness. Just because you have kids doesn’t mean you’re entitled to a) take up an entire sidewalk, b) cop a ‘tude since your nanny called in sick today, or c) plow down innocent dogs. I’m sick of you all bringing me down. Dogs are entitled to just a little bit of sidewalk space too.

Has anyone else had this experience? Please, PLEASE write your comments. Am I alone in this?