Welcome to the official site of the Bichon Frise Club of Greater Los Angeles Our meetings/activities are held approximately every month. Visitors are always welcome. Our upcoming meeting date will be announced on this page and on members’ e-mails. Your Bichon is always welcome at our meetings and activities. (The Bichons love their “play dates.”)
Terry Ellen Collings President, BFCGLA mtcollings@sbcglobal.net
For information about membership, please contact Myrna Baum at myrna999@aol.com. Hope to see you soon!
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BICHON BUZZ
BICHON FRISE CLUB OF GREATER LOS ANGELES August - September 2017 |
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Hope you are all enjoying your beautiful summer! I think our Bichons really like lounging and rolling out in the nice, warm sunshine.
Our next regular Bichon Frise Club meeting will be 12 noon, Saturday,
September 16, at the Lazy Dog Restaurant, 8800 Apollo Way, Downey 90242,
562-354-4910. Our members and Bichons have checked out this venue before and have given this a high rating! Our fluffs are welcome and can order doggy delights for themselves to eat and also play with their furry friends! We humans can stuff ourselves and become “lazy dogs”!
Please RSVP to Myrna Baum at 805-306-9516 or myrna999@aol.com so we’ll have an estimated head count for lunch.
ALSO: Save the date for our next meeting—October 21! More info soon!
Our BFCGLA Officers and Chairpersons:
President: Terry Collings 714-970-7194 (mtcollings@sbcglobal.net)
Vice-President: Marjie Hessamian Ungureanu
Secretary: Myrna Baum, (myrna999@aol.com)
Treasurer: Sharon Suzuki
Director: Sandy Fair
Director: Hertha Faulkner
Director: Blanca Guzman
Web Master Chairman: George Steinheimer
Refreshments Chairman: Cheryl Steinheimer
Honorary Food Samplers: Toby and Baxter Steinheimer
Club Cheerleaders: Chloe Staley, Tiffany Collings, & Bon-Bon Steinheimer
Good info: 5 Human Foods You Should Be Feeding Your Pet By
Dr. Barbara Royal, author of "The Royal Treatment: A Natural Approach to Wildly Healthy Pets"
Warning: Spaghetti is not one of the 5 human foods to feed your dog (but it's a really cute picture). Most of the time, pet owners are cautioned to never feed their furry friends "people food." Veterinarians often remind pet owners that chocolate, grapes, and raisins can be poison to dogs and cats and that onions can cause a life-threatening form of anemia. And while broccoli, cauliflower, and other vegetables in the brassica family (cruciferous vegetables) can be healthy additions to diet, they can have a troublesome affect on thyroid function unless they're cooked before feeding.
But there are human foods that, when used as a supplement to a dog or cat's diet, can be quite beneficial to their health. Our pets have thrived on our leftovers for hundreds of years, but with increasingly unhealthy diet choices in human meals, we need to be careful what we offer our pets from our own plates.
Human foods such as meats, fish, cheeses, and other animal products can be used regularly in a healthy pet's diet. We just have to be sensible about what we feed, and, of course, how much.
So what should you skip? Avoid feeding your pet any corn, wheat, soy, or peanut butter in food or treats. Be aware that glutens, spelt, maize, breads, corn syrups, and pasta are other names for wheat and corn products.
What You Should Really Be Feeding Your Pet
Dogs who have "sensitive stomachs" may just need a healthier diet of fresher foods. The GI tract depends on a large amount of appropriate bacteria to function properly, and to decrease gas and improve stool consistency. Because the foods we feed our pets tend to be so carefully packaged to avoid bacterial pathogens, it may be difficult for animals to obtain proper bacteria for their gastrointestinal tract. A periodic probiotic supplement or some yogurt (and if you can find it, goat yogurt is even better than cow yogurt) can help re-populate the GI tract and improve digestive health.
Other over-the-counter probiotics can be used as a pet supplements as well. Dairy-free versions are available for sensitive animals. Just remember to look for well-sourced organic products from respected companies.
Aside from the occasional meat treat or healthy leftover, here are some additional foods that you should be feed your pet, and why they're good for your furry friend.
Unsweetened Canned Pumpkin
For a Superman-strength stool regulator, give your dog or cat a bit of pumpkin. It regulates moisture and provides a gentle fiber, making it a terrific tool to combat constipation or diarrhea. Dosage is 1 tablespoon once or twice daily for a 30-pound dog or a 1/2 teaspoon for an average cat, in food or as a treat. I'm surprised at how many cats like to eat straight pumpkin from a spoon, but you also can mix pumpkin with meat, baby food or yogurt.
Fun idea: Put the pumpkin or pumpkin mixes (with yogurt, meat baby foods or other meat-based treats) into ice cube trays or in rubber toys, or in spoonfuls on wax paper and freeze to use later as treats. This also solves the problem of open cans of pumpkin from going bad in your fridge.
Fish Oil
Omega-3 fatty acids such as fish oil aren't just good for humans, they can improve your pet's coat and him recover from inflammatory conditions, arthritis, and skin problems. How? Omegas encourage free-radical scavenging, which can decrease inflammation. But take note: Carnivores do not efficiently convert plants.
Raw Pet Food 101: What to Know before You Switch
Chicken or Beef Broth
Warm, low sodium chicken or beef broth — or even plain warm water — can be added to pet food to increase palatability. The meat broth itself can enhance the flavor of foods, and foods smell more appetizing when they are warmed. In addition, if you're concerned about hydration, pets will drink more fluids if the fluids taste good.
Barbara Royal is a veterinarian in Chicago who is internationally renowned for her work in integrative medicine and physical rehabilitation. She is the author of "The Royal Treatment: A Natural Approach to Wildly Healthy Pets" and the go-to veterinarian for Oprah Winfrey.
Dr. Royal currently is president of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association and president-elect of the AHVM Foundation. She also is the founder and owner of The Royal Treatment Veterinary Center in Chicago.
Our next regular Bichon Frise Club meeting will be 12 noon, Saturday,
September 16, at the Lazy Dog Restaurant, 8800 Apollo Way, Downey 90242,
562-354-4910. Our members and Bichons have checked out this venue before and have given this a high rating! Our fluffs are welcome and can order doggy delights for themselves to eat and also play with their furry friends! We humans can stuff ourselves and become “lazy dogs”!
Please RSVP to Myrna Baum at 805-306-9516 or myrna999@aol.com so we’ll have an estimated head count for lunch.
ALSO: Save the date for our next meeting—October 21! More info soon!
Our BFCGLA Officers and Chairpersons:
President: Terry Collings 714-970-7194 (mtcollings@sbcglobal.net)
Vice-President: Marjie Hessamian Ungureanu
Secretary: Myrna Baum, (myrna999@aol.com)
Treasurer: Sharon Suzuki
Director: Sandy Fair
Director: Hertha Faulkner
Director: Blanca Guzman
Web Master Chairman: George Steinheimer
Refreshments Chairman: Cheryl Steinheimer
Honorary Food Samplers: Toby and Baxter Steinheimer
Club Cheerleaders: Chloe Staley, Tiffany Collings, & Bon-Bon Steinheimer
Good info: 5 Human Foods You Should Be Feeding Your Pet By
Dr. Barbara Royal, author of "The Royal Treatment: A Natural Approach to Wildly Healthy Pets"
Warning: Spaghetti is not one of the 5 human foods to feed your dog (but it's a really cute picture). Most of the time, pet owners are cautioned to never feed their furry friends "people food." Veterinarians often remind pet owners that chocolate, grapes, and raisins can be poison to dogs and cats and that onions can cause a life-threatening form of anemia. And while broccoli, cauliflower, and other vegetables in the brassica family (cruciferous vegetables) can be healthy additions to diet, they can have a troublesome affect on thyroid function unless they're cooked before feeding.
But there are human foods that, when used as a supplement to a dog or cat's diet, can be quite beneficial to their health. Our pets have thrived on our leftovers for hundreds of years, but with increasingly unhealthy diet choices in human meals, we need to be careful what we offer our pets from our own plates.
Human foods such as meats, fish, cheeses, and other animal products can be used regularly in a healthy pet's diet. We just have to be sensible about what we feed, and, of course, how much.
So what should you skip? Avoid feeding your pet any corn, wheat, soy, or peanut butter in food or treats. Be aware that glutens, spelt, maize, breads, corn syrups, and pasta are other names for wheat and corn products.
What You Should Really Be Feeding Your Pet
Dogs who have "sensitive stomachs" may just need a healthier diet of fresher foods. The GI tract depends on a large amount of appropriate bacteria to function properly, and to decrease gas and improve stool consistency. Because the foods we feed our pets tend to be so carefully packaged to avoid bacterial pathogens, it may be difficult for animals to obtain proper bacteria for their gastrointestinal tract. A periodic probiotic supplement or some yogurt (and if you can find it, goat yogurt is even better than cow yogurt) can help re-populate the GI tract and improve digestive health.
Other over-the-counter probiotics can be used as a pet supplements as well. Dairy-free versions are available for sensitive animals. Just remember to look for well-sourced organic products from respected companies.
Aside from the occasional meat treat or healthy leftover, here are some additional foods that you should be feed your pet, and why they're good for your furry friend.
Unsweetened Canned Pumpkin
For a Superman-strength stool regulator, give your dog or cat a bit of pumpkin. It regulates moisture and provides a gentle fiber, making it a terrific tool to combat constipation or diarrhea. Dosage is 1 tablespoon once or twice daily for a 30-pound dog or a 1/2 teaspoon for an average cat, in food or as a treat. I'm surprised at how many cats like to eat straight pumpkin from a spoon, but you also can mix pumpkin with meat, baby food or yogurt.
Fun idea: Put the pumpkin or pumpkin mixes (with yogurt, meat baby foods or other meat-based treats) into ice cube trays or in rubber toys, or in spoonfuls on wax paper and freeze to use later as treats. This also solves the problem of open cans of pumpkin from going bad in your fridge.
Fish Oil
Omega-3 fatty acids such as fish oil aren't just good for humans, they can improve your pet's coat and him recover from inflammatory conditions, arthritis, and skin problems. How? Omegas encourage free-radical scavenging, which can decrease inflammation. But take note: Carnivores do not efficiently convert plants.
Raw Pet Food 101: What to Know before You Switch
Chicken or Beef Broth
Warm, low sodium chicken or beef broth — or even plain warm water — can be added to pet food to increase palatability. The meat broth itself can enhance the flavor of foods, and foods smell more appetizing when they are warmed. In addition, if you're concerned about hydration, pets will drink more fluids if the fluids taste good.
Barbara Royal is a veterinarian in Chicago who is internationally renowned for her work in integrative medicine and physical rehabilitation. She is the author of "The Royal Treatment: A Natural Approach to Wildly Healthy Pets" and the go-to veterinarian for Oprah Winfrey.
Dr. Royal currently is president of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association and president-elect of the AHVM Foundation. She also is the founder and owner of The Royal Treatment Veterinary Center in Chicago.
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Bichon Frise Training Tips--The Top 4 Behavior Types Of Bichons
When we live with our Bichons, we want to train them properly, don’t we? Yet sometimes it all seems to go wrong, no matter how hard we try. Usually though, this is due to not knowing your Bichon Frise’s Behavior Type.
It turns out that there are 4 different Behavior Types for Bichons. These are based on the Bichon’s specific learning style. Each dog learns in his/her own unique way.
So let’s take a look at the top 4 Bichon Frise Behavior Types and how you can use this information to make training your dog a breeze:
Type #1 – The Follower
You will probably hear a lot of talk of leadership when you investigate dog training. True leadership is kind and patient. Leadership in dog training is setting the guidelines for how your Bichon should behave and then carefully making sure your dog knows them.
Many people forget to do this and the dog is accused of being out of control, when really he is only doing what he has learned on his own with a lack of careful coaching and leadership.
If your dog responds best to firm, but loving, leadership then he is probably a Follower.
Type #2 – The Routine Lover
Consistency is one of the most important things to embrace during dog training.
People often don’t realize that when they are inconsistent in their teachings, the dog is learning from that, as much as he does when they are carrying out planned training sessions.
If you find your Bichon “acting up” when you’re not doing regular training sessions, or when you don’t give commands the same way each time, then he’s this type of dog.
Type #3 – The Variant
A common dog training mistake is believing that if a dog can carry out a learned act in one environment then he should be able to do the same act on command wherever he is. This is not the case.
When a Bichon learns something new in one environment the entire situation is part of the learning experience. Teaching the command in varying environments will ensure the dog actually knows his new command in every area that it is asked of him. This is a method called proofing, or sometimes referred to as learning in context.
Type #4 – The Perfectionist
Scientists have been busy over the last many years, learning how the canine species is best taught. They have dispelled many myths and introduced some superb dog training tools that make for easy teaching and learning between Bichon Frise and owner.
Some Bichons really need you to deliver your commands at the exact right time, every time. If this is the case with your Bichon, then he’s probably a Perfectionist.
Dog training can be easy if approached properly. The best way to do this is to think about what your Bichon Frise’s Behavior Type is based on what you just read, and utilize this in all the training you do with your dog.
When we live with our Bichons, we want to train them properly, don’t we? Yet sometimes it all seems to go wrong, no matter how hard we try. Usually though, this is due to not knowing your Bichon Frise’s Behavior Type.
It turns out that there are 4 different Behavior Types for Bichons. These are based on the Bichon’s specific learning style. Each dog learns in his/her own unique way.
So let’s take a look at the top 4 Bichon Frise Behavior Types and how you can use this information to make training your dog a breeze:
Type #1 – The Follower
You will probably hear a lot of talk of leadership when you investigate dog training. True leadership is kind and patient. Leadership in dog training is setting the guidelines for how your Bichon should behave and then carefully making sure your dog knows them.
Many people forget to do this and the dog is accused of being out of control, when really he is only doing what he has learned on his own with a lack of careful coaching and leadership.
If your dog responds best to firm, but loving, leadership then he is probably a Follower.
Type #2 – The Routine Lover
Consistency is one of the most important things to embrace during dog training.
People often don’t realize that when they are inconsistent in their teachings, the dog is learning from that, as much as he does when they are carrying out planned training sessions.
If you find your Bichon “acting up” when you’re not doing regular training sessions, or when you don’t give commands the same way each time, then he’s this type of dog.
Type #3 – The Variant
A common dog training mistake is believing that if a dog can carry out a learned act in one environment then he should be able to do the same act on command wherever he is. This is not the case.
When a Bichon learns something new in one environment the entire situation is part of the learning experience. Teaching the command in varying environments will ensure the dog actually knows his new command in every area that it is asked of him. This is a method called proofing, or sometimes referred to as learning in context.
Type #4 – The Perfectionist
Scientists have been busy over the last many years, learning how the canine species is best taught. They have dispelled many myths and introduced some superb dog training tools that make for easy teaching and learning between Bichon Frise and owner.
Some Bichons really need you to deliver your commands at the exact right time, every time. If this is the case with your Bichon, then he’s probably a Perfectionist.
Dog training can be easy if approached properly. The best way to do this is to think about what your Bichon Frise’s Behavior Type is based on what you just read, and utilize this in all the training you do with your dog.
PETEXPO 2017: In April many of our BFCGLA members and Bichons helped to “man” our BICHON FRISE BOOTH for 3 days at the April 28-30 PetExpo at the Orange County Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa. We had lots of visitors coming to see and touch a real, live Bichon Frise close up. We also answered lots of questions about the care, grooming, behavior, etc., related to Bichons. All of our volunteers (including our Bichons) enjoyed their participation at the PetExpo. Plan to join us next year!
Sharon Suzuki (our very competent treasurer) handled all the business and financial aspects for our participation at the PetExpo, and Myrna Baum did an outstanding job as our Pet Expo schedule coordinator.
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Happy PetExpo volunteers!
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Our Board of Directors
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Another happy Bichon meeting!
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Looking for you July 15th
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This photo of Marlene was taken in 2014 outside a restaurant near her home
in Lake Havasu, Arizona
in Lake Havasu, Arizona
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In loving memory of our president, Marlene Steiner, who passed away October 22, 2016
Marlene's encouragement and guidance meant so much to all our members over the years.
Terry Collings BFCGLA
mtcollings@sbcglobal.net 714 970-7194
mtcollings@sbcglobal.net 714 970-7194
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BFCGLA Officers
Terry Collings, Interim President 714-970-7194
Marjy Hessamian Ungureanu, Vice-President
Sharon Suzuki, Treasurer
Myrna Baum, Secretary (myrna999@aol.com)
Hertha Faulkner, Director
Webpage Manager: George Steinheimer
Food and Table preparations: Cheryl Steinheimer
Honorary Food Samplers: Toby and Baxter Steinheimer
Club Cheerleaders: Chloe Staley, Tiffany Collings, & Bon-Bon Steinheimer
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