The leader of the pack

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February 20 is Love Your Pet Day, at least in the US. Certified dog behaviourist Karen September of Happy Dog MC, who has worked in the Monaco area for nearly eight years, gives some advice to Monaco Paws on tough puppy love 

What got you interested in dog training?
KS: I grew up on a farm in Australia and we always had dogs and horses. I’ve been around dogs all my life as we bred Bull Terriers and Blue Heelers.

Have you found that dogs in Monaco have any special issues?
KS: Monaco is so small with a huge concentration of dogs so it’s important that dogs learn correct social behaviour. But the problem is that living in small apartments dogs don’t always get enough exercise and this can result in barking, aggression, anxiety and bad lead manners.

What is the most important lesson that owners need to learn?
KS: It is really important for owners to set rules, boundaries and limitations in the home and outside. I find that owners often humanize their dogs to the point that the dog becomes confused. Dogs are pack animals and need a strong pack leader.

What should owners do if they are having problems with a dog’s behaviour?
KS: Bad behaviour is a cry for help. The first thing is to look at the daily routine. Exercise is essential; dogs are travellers, they love to move and explore and if they don’t get enough exercise (a garden is no substitute for walking out) they become frustrated and bored.

Screen Shot 2016-09-26 at 4.01.09 PMHow much exercise does an average dog need?
KS: I recommend at least a 30-45 minute walk, two times per day.

Why is walking, especially on the lead, so important?
KS: Correct lead manners where the dog walks respectfully next to, or behind their owner, is the foundation for teaching the dog you are his pack leader and he is a follower. If the dog is in front he will instinctually assume a protective, leader role and this is when the problems start.

How does the human become the pack leader?
KS: It’s all about energy. Dogs rely on their instincts, not conversation. If you project a calm, assertive energy your dog will relax and respond with calm, submissive energy and look to you for direction in all situations.

So, the training is both for the dog and the owner?
KS: Yes, definitely. Dogs and humans have a deep connection that goes back 20,000 years. However, you can’t be a friend to your dog without first establishing a leadership role. I am not saying that giving love and affection is wrong, but it must be given at the right times.

Besides lead training, how else do you help dog owners?
KS: I can help in lots of ways. I love to help people adopt a dog or choose a new puppy. I can help socialise a dog to a new baby or a change of circumstances. As well, I specialise in working with dogs that are overly aggressive or have anxiety problems.

Do you think its possible to teach an old dog new tricks?
KS: Age has no bearing whatsoever. It’s never too late for a dog to learn to be calm, balanced and happy.
Share your Love Your Pet Day photos on Instagram tagging monacolife_
Monaco Paws is a collaboration between writer Siri Trang Khalsa and photographer Kaidi-Katariin Knox. Follow on Instagram @stkmonaco and @art.of.an.eye or contact monacopaws@gmail.com

Pom-Tastic

015 2016 McPaws Larry (1)Monaco Paws is off and running in 2017 as we continue our quest to meet the cutest and most intriguing dogs in the Principality. We begin with the irresistible Larry, a Pomeranian owned by Zhanna Pikhulya and her daughter Stella.

Zhanna originally came to Monaco from Ukraine to attend the International University of Monaco where she earned an MBA. Building upon a career in modelling, Zhanna is now co-founding a new brand of luxury handbags. Stella, 11, attends Collège Charles III. She is also a very accomplished rhythmic gymnast and regularly excels in international competitions.

When did you decide to get Larry?
Zhanna: I gave Stella a “License to Have a Dog” certificate for her tenth birthday. We hadn’t found Larry yet, but she had this certificate, which made her very happy. Then we set out to find the perfect dog together.

So how did you find Larry?
Zhanna: We knew we needed a small dog, who could travel with us, and my other condition was that he shouldn’t be too silly. We found Larry at a breeders in Biarritz. When I saw he was born on Stella’s birthday, we knew he was the one.

Is this your first dog?
Zhanna: We’ve always had cats but the dog is the French influence. I fought against it very hard because it is such a commitment, however, we eventually gave in.

How have you adjusted to having Larry?
Zhanna: He’s in charge and has completely taken over the apartment. He is our guardian.
Stella: We play a lot. He is always ready to play.

Is he ever a bit naughty?
Stella: He steals slippers and socks … And I feed him from the table.
Zhanna: He can be very barky, but when he wants “me time” he will go into his crate for a little break.

Does Larry like to go for walks?
Zhanna: He hates walking! He puts out his front legs and refuses to move, definitely not a jogging dog.
Stella: We always end up carrying him.

How does he do when you travel?
Zhanna: Perfect, not only is he is such a great traveller but he loves his travel bag. He’ll sit in it for hours when we take it out to start packing up for a trip. He does not want to ever be left behind.

002 2016 McPaws Larry (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I see Larry has seven different outfits are displayed on the sofa …
Stella: We like to dress him up, but he doesn’t really like it very much.

Larry is very handsome. Does he need a lot of grooming?
Zhanna: We give him a bath every few weeks and afterwards we wrap him up in a towel to dry. He loves to sleep for hours wrapped up like a baby.

Does he get a lot of attention?
Zhanna: He is such a rockstar, definitely more popular than me.
Stella: He has his own Instagram account – @larry_pom_monaco – he has more than 150 followers, so far.

Monaco Paws is a collaboration between writer Siri Trang Khalsa and photographer Kaidi-Katariin Knox. Follow on Instagram @stkmonaco and @art.of.an.eye or contact monacopaws@gmail.com

Article first published January 11, 2017

READ ALSO: Tess of the Ville
READ ALSO: West Highland White Terriers, Domino and Nellie

Monaco’s therapy dogs

Monaco Paws is delighted to meet the K9s and their companions from Chien de Coeur, the Monaco-registered association that provides therapy animals to the elderly around Monaco 

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Ruth Archer and her Carin Terrier, Bramble; Patricia Turkmen with Honey her French Bulldog; and Tonka sitting between Sabine and Patrick Thienpont.

Can you tell us about Chien de Coeur?
We are a group of people with friendly, well-educated and sociable dogs which we take for therapy visits to the Gerontology Unit Princesse Grace Hospital, as well as two retirement homes around Monaco, La Qietudine and Residence Cap Fleuri.

Are the dogs specially trained?
We make sure that the dogs are in good health, calm, well-mannered and will never bite, but there is no other special training.  They just need to be good and happy dogs.

When did it start?
We began in 2013 and have been going strong since then.  In 2014 we became an official partner of the Princesse Grace Hospital.

How do the visits help the sick and elderly?
For some people we are the only visitors they get each week.  Sometimes being with the dogs is helpful for the patients in their recovery too.  The dogs bring back fond memories and happiness which make them feel better.

What do the dogs do during the visits?
Mostly they just sit with the people and they hold and pet the dogs.  Little ones can sit on their laps.

Do the elderly people and hospital patients appreciate the visits?
We give them an hour of sunshine.  The dogs act as a bridge and help engage the patients.  Many people are separated from their own dogs when they are in the hospital or retirement home. This way they can connect with the love they give and receive from their own pets.

Do the dogs enjoy the visits?
They love it, they know they are doing a special service.

What is the inspiration behind ‘Chien de Coeur’?
On the streets you just see happy people, but behind the walls their are many people who are very alone.  This work does not just help the patients, but it brings us and our dogs a lot of happiness and good feelings.

Where can people find out more about your work?
People can see our website to find out more and contact us if they would like to get involved.

Article first published May 22, 2016.

READ MORE: Monaco Paws

Ever-ready, Ever-bright

The sun is out, the flowers are in bloom and Monaco Paws is back on the street.  Irina Peterson and her Miniature Pinscher, Ever, are rarely apart.  This week Monaco Paws found them enjoying a lovely afternoon outside the new Monaco Yacht Club.

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Do you find Monaco to be very dog-friendly?
It opens a new universe.  I had lived in Monaco for 17 years before I got Ever and thought I knew a lot of people.  Since having him the number of people I know has doubled.

Is it easy to keep Ever with you all day?
Yes, he comes to the office with me everyday and has a bed there where he rests quietly while I work. He hates to be alone, but he is not a “bag-dog”; he won’t stay in a bag.  He feels a little offended to be put in a bag.

How has Ever affected your life?
He has changed my life for the better.  I have learned so much.  Dogs just help you to be 100% in the present.  There is no dwelling on the past or worrying about the future.  He is my dog, but I also feel like I am his human and therefore responsible for his happiness and well-being.  It is a mutual and reciprocal relationship.

Screen Shot 2016-09-26 at 3.43.59 PMWhat do you like about Miniature Pinschers?
They have lots of personality, I love their looks and they are very adaptable.  They can be very active and athletic, but also calm and affectionate.  He is friends with everyone.  He likes kids and all animals; cats, dogs, rabbits and even turtles.

Is it an intelligent breed?
He is very smart and a little cheeky.  I can’t fool him more than twice. He had some formal training and is very well-mannered. He only barks if there is trouble. Once I found him barking loudly at a cupboard and when I opened it, I saw a small electrical fire had started.

Pinschers often have their ears and tails clipped, why didn’t you do that with Ever?
I insisted that he remain in his natural state.  Plus he talks to me so much through his ears and tail.  I can tell what he is thinking by the position of his ears and judge his mood by his tail.

Ever looks like a very sporty dog.  Does he need a lot of exercise?
He really appreciates exercise.  On the weekends he runs 10K with my running club and me. Ever has also participated three times in the charity event, No Finish Line.  This year he completed 75 kilometers.

Have you bred Ever?
He recently became a father for the first time!  The neighbor of a friend also has a beautiful Miniature Pinscher and they met in a garden in Nice and just played and got on so well.  Two adorable puppies were born last August.

Do you think you will continue to breed Ever?
Well, if he falls in love again, I won’t prevent it.

Monaco Paws: Lap Dancer

Debbie Crumpets is the faithful companion of Stephan Bourgond. Originally from Canada, Stephan has been in Monaco for more than ten years where he is principal dancer with Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo. Monaco Paws met up with Stephan and Debbie in Fontvieille for a little stroll and chat with this charming couple.

Photo: Kaidi Photography
Photo: KaidiPhotography.com

How did Debbie get her name?
I went to a pet shop in Nice with a friend who needed to buy cat food. I wasn’t really planning to get a dog, but there were a bunch of rowdy puppies in a pen, and then this little one asleep in the corner. I picked her up and she just hung in my arms. She reminded me of the character “Debbie Downer” from Saturday Night Live, the one who always says the wrong thing and brings everyone down, but in the cutest possible way. She was just so chill. And since she is an English breed (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel), I added Crumpets to her name.
How long have you had her?
We’ve been together a while now, six years.
Why did you want to get a dog?
I grew up with dogs and I missed having something to care for. It is good motivation to care for something other than yourself.
Have you done much training with Debbie?
We did a little training … me, Debbie and YouTube. She has a training blanket. Whenever we go anywhere I bring it and make a little space for her so that she always feels like she has a safe place and she can feel comfortable anywhere.
Does she like to play?
She is a little lazy. I’ve tried to make her fetch in so many ways. She will fetch two times and then she sits and just watches me throw the ball.
Photo: Kaidi Photography
Photo: KaidiPhotography.com

You perform all around the world. Do you take Debbie with you?
She doesn’t travel with me when I work, but otherwise I travel with her a lot. I like exploring a new city with a dog, it makes me feel more like a local.
Is she a good travel companion?
Yes, she is great in the car. She has been to Ibiza many, many times. And I take her to Canada when I go back to visit my family.
Does she get on well with other dogs?
She is pretty relaxed; she waits for other dogs to come to her.
Do you still have the energy to walk Debbie after dancing all day?
We walk at least an hour every day. It is good for her and for me. Our daily walks help clear my head.
Has Debbie retained her tranquil demeanour?
Yes, she is so relaxed, it’s like she is on Ambien. Everyone says we are perfect for each other because we are both so weirdly calm.
Would you say that being calm is what makes Debbie such a good companion?
It makes her a great lap dog and a great conversation piece, like a painting on a wall. People become mesmerised by her stillness, elegance and poise.
Monaco Paws is a collaboration between writer Siri Trang Khalsa and photographer Kaidi-Katariin Knox. Follow on Instagram @stkmonaco and @art.of.an.eye

The Life and Times of Max

On a recent sunny morning, Monaco Paws walked up to the Principality’s Upper East Side to meet a Yorkshire Terrier called Max, the beloved pet of Paul and Fiona Betts. Paul was Senior Foreign Correspondent with the Financial Times for 35 years, which took him and his family all over the world.

The Betts have been married for 41 years, have four children and are expecting their eighth grandchild any day. Still, it’s clear that Max remains the centre of their world. Photo: Kaidi Photography
The Betts have been married for 41 years, have four children and are expecting their eighth grandchild any day. Still, it’s clear that Max remains the centre of their world. Photo: Kaidi Photography

How did you get Max?
Fiona: He was a year old and had been the pet of our daughter’s friend, but she was going off to art school and needed someone to look after him. We said we would take him, but only if we could keep him. She agreed and sent Max from New York to us in Paris and we picked him up from the Gare de Lyon in 2002. He was a pedigree of great lineage and incredibly handsome.
Had you ever had a dog before?
Paul: As a journalist we had to move around a lot so it wasn’t practical to have a family dog but when Max came to us when we were in Paris, and I discovered the city in a way I had never known before.
Fiona: Cities can be very lonely places. Dogs help one understand the world in a better way.
When did you bring Max to Monaco?
Paul: Three years after having Max we relocated permanently to Monaco. My parents came to Monaco in 1956, so we always visited often. In fact, when I was young I attended the American School in Villefranche-sur-Mer … when it was still there.
What is the best thing about having a dog?
Fiona: One lives in the moment with a dog. You learn an awful lot.
033 2016 Max the Yorkie KaidiPhotographyMax is quite a small guy. Do you need to be especially careful with him?
Fiona: He is mostly okay, although bigger dogs can be a danger for him. It’s best to just use one’s common sense. I speak to him very quietly and he behaves.
Paul: In Italy we need to watch out for the eagles.
Is Max more attached to one of you?
Fiona: He is attached to the person who gives him the most food! He is incredibly greedy. I am very strict, so we disagree at times on his care and feeding.
Paul: I spoil him.
What does he like to eat?
Fiona: He likes Grissini sticks, Monaco Beline Biscuits, little chunks of Parmesan, bits of ham … but he really must be kept on a very strict diet.
Now that Max is 16 and in his senior years, does he have special needs?
Fiona: I watch him much more, like a child or an old person. He’s lost his teeth and is going blind. It’s difficult to watch him lose his senses but we keep him active, and it’s important to make sure he has lots of things to smell everyday. Someone once told me that a dog smelling things is comparable to us reading the paper everyday. I just like to make sure he is comfortable. At this stage cleanliness is very important too.
Paul: We had a real scare about a year ago when we were coming back from Italy. His diet is terribly important.
How would you describe Max’s place in your lives?
Fiona: He is our fifth child, and unites the family. He’s always been happy to go on any adventure with us and never wants to be left behind. He is so much a part of us … Max is irreplaceable.
Have you ever written about Max?
Paul: Yes, I was asked to review the service provided for dogs at the Hôtel de Crillon in Paris. They were trying to attract travellers with dogs. It turned out as a half-page spread in the FT Weekend Section, and the hotel gave Max a silver medal for his collar. It says “Hôtel de Crillon” on the front and “Return to the Bar” on the back.
Fiona: We could write a whole book about him, the story of Max is rich.
Monaco Paws is a collaboration between writer Siri Trang Khalsa and photographer Kaidi-Katariin Knox. Follow on Instagram @stkmonaco and @art.of.an.eye or contact monacopaws@gmail.com
Max the Yorkie KaidiPhotography