The excitement of a new puppy can often distract from the firm way they must be domesticated. Chihuahuas and other Toy breeds are notorious for being extremely difficult to housebreak. Behavior specialists list Chihuahuas in the top five most difficult breeds to housetrain. Though it is not easy, it is not impossible. There are quite a few tips to train your puppy with very few accidents, so do not despair! You and your new housemate can do it!

Steps

1. You Want to Start by Creating a Space for Your Pup. Whether you use a small exercise pen, a crate, or fence off an area of a room in your house, make sure it is no larger than 2×3 feet. The intention here is to create an area small enough that he considers it his space for eating and sleeping. It is against their nature to urinate or defecate where they sleep, so this is a good way to start. It will teach him to “hold it” until he is let out.
2. Establish a Feeding Schedule. He will most likely have to go about thirty minutes after eating, and that is when you should take him outside. For pups under 3 months, feed them 4 times a day, 3-6 months, 3 times a day, and over 6 months, twice a day should suffice. Avoid feeding him scraps or treats in between meals when he is a pup. This will compromise his training, and lead to mistakes in the house.
3. Be Sure to Take Your Pup Out Just Before Bedtime, and Immediately Upon Waking. If he naps during the day, be sure to take him then, as well. As they grow and nap less often, they will associate waking up with being taken outside, and will be less likely to go in the house.
4. You Can Attempt to Associate Certain Words and Phrases with Urinating and Defecating. To do so, while he is going, you should say things such as, “go potty,” “go to the bathroom,” or even “go for a walk.” This word association will help you communicate when he should go. If you are leaving for the evening and you will not be around to take him out, but you need him to go before you leave, you can then use these words and phrases to encourage him to go outside. If “Want to go to the bathroom?” is always said during or just before he is taken outside to go, he will associate it with going to the bathroom.
5. Praise Your Pup for Proper Behaviors. Use positive inflections in your words, and give him positive attention for using the bathroom the proper way. Do this during and immediately afterwards. He will enjoy this, and eventually, associate it with his potty behaviors.
6. Correct His Wrong Behaviors, but Do Not Condemn Him Afterwards. If your pup makes a mistake, pushing his nose into it or yelling at him after the fact will not help. He will not understand the connection, and he will just think you are angry for no reason. If you catch him in the act and yell, “NO,” or speak sternly, he is much more likely to understand the connection and alter his behaviors as a result. Excess anger without proper conditioning will set back the house training, and will scare the pup. Chihuahuas are generally quite scared of loud noises and raucous behavior, so be cautious with your disciplinary approaches.

Tips

• Some people like to take a newspaper out for their dogs, as a way of getting them used to using a newspaper when they cannot hold it and their owners are not around to take them outside. Others like to use a wide variety of methods such as grass pads and indoor dog potties. These methods are left to the owners to decide, as dictated by schedules, preferences, and cleaning methods.
• Chihuahuas fall very naturally into schedules, and as they grow, you will want to alter these schedules very gradually. A very young pup will need to go at least every 2-4 hours, and some will have to go even more frequently than that, depending on age and size. Every time they have an accident, it sets back their training, as they are creatures of habits. Be sure to keep a watchful eye on your pup, and ensure that you have the time and energy to train him before taking him into your home.
• After a few weeks of these techniques, your pup should understand a little bit more about his acceptable potty behaviors. There will be mistakes throughout, but with these careful techniques, your pup should be housetrained in two to three months.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Potty training a dog is generally a lengthy process which costs the owner valuable time, money and countless amounts of patience and it is for that reason that selecting the right product right off the bat is so significant. When deciding between purchasing a dog litter box or pee pee pads, there are many factors to consider. At first glance it may appear as though both are viable potty training and indoor toilet solutions, however there are some great financial advantages associated with the litter boxes. This guide indicates the financial upsides to training your dog to use an indoor dog litter box rather than a pee pee pad in terms of equipment costs, additional expenses, and their overall environmental impact.

The Numbers:

Speaking strictly in terms of numbers, a dog litter box is a more sound financial investment. A dog litter box requires the one time purchase of the litter box (roughly $50), and with pee pee pads the expense is cumulative. Consider the following scenario: if your dog utilizes two pads per day at $18 for a package of 30 pee pee pads, that owner is facing a $450 a year expenditure on pee pee pads alone. For five years at this same rate, this dog owner is likely to spend $2,250 on pee pee pads. The annual cost of pee pee pads measured in the cost of pads alone illustrates how indoor litter boxes are a more financially feasible option. Moreover, when owners take into account the price of correcting certain problems intrinsic to pee pee pads, the true annual cost advantage of indoor litter boxes becomes evidently clear.

(Image Source)

Pee pads are not a perfect invention and have inherent problems associated with their usage. How do urine stained paw prints on your clean carpet sound? Or puppy pee on your hardwood floors? Dogs stepping on a pee pee pad are essentially stepping in their own urine which they then track throughout the house. Conversely, the dog litter boxes have grates which prevent even the smallest of dogs from stepping in their own urine which is safely stowed in the space below. A dog’s tracks of urine throughout the house will have accumulative costs associated with steam cleaning carpets, furniture and odor eliminating procedures. It becomes shockingly apparent that dry paws equal happy dog owners.

Aside from tracking pee throughout the house, pee pads are also known for their leakage problems. This leakage can be as a result of the dog simply urinating more than the pee pad can handle or a defective pee pee pad. Regardless of why the pad is leaking, the result is the same: soaking your home with your dog’s urine while you are away. Continued leakage in the same place will cause undo costly damage to wood and carpet surfaces, and not to mention anything else it touches. A dog litter box is does not leak and is built for easy cleaning.

There are also certain problems with using pee pee pads that are unique to puppies. Puppies like to explore, dig and chew on things and pee pee pads are a potential target. Puppies are known for chewing pee pee pads into tiny pieces and then playing with them thereby leaving urine soaked pieces throughout the house.

(Image Source)

Environmental Cost:

With everyone making strides towards being more environmentally sustainable, the ecological cost of your dog’s potty training or indoor toilet should also be point of consideration. With landfills already reaching maximum capacity, pee pee pads are only further attributing to the loss of landfill space as they do not breakdown easily. On the other hand, an indoor dog litter box can be lined with old newspapers which can be discarded and recycled at the end of the each day. (It should be noted that indoor litter boxes do not require newspaper to be fully operational.)

Indoor dog litter boxes are a more economical indoor pet bathroom solution than pee pee pads. Not only is the one time purchase fee associated with a dog litter box less than the yearly expense of pee pee pads, but the additional costs associated with repairing the subsequent effects on home flooring and furniture from potential pee pad leaks and urine paw print stains, makes the decision between these two options crystal clear: dog litter boxes are more cost effective. This financial consideration coupled with the overall environmental cost of pee pee pads, in comparison to a dog litter boxes’ minimal carbon footprint, catapults indoor dog litter boxes as the best option.

Popularity: 1% [?]

A purse dog comes with two meanings. You’ve got the purse that’s shaped like a puppy, popular with young girls everywhere as they can keep trinkets, money and jewelry in a purse that looks like a stuffed animal but is cute enough to pet. The other kind of purse dog is what the stuffed animal purses are most likely trying to mimic, though one look at these dogs and it could be the other way around. A living purse dog is a puppy that’s from a small enough breed that they can fit into a purse. They’ve become all the darlings of Hollywood as celebrities walk down the red carpet with these dogs under their arm. Can you say cute? It’s not just little girls who gush these purse puppies with all kinds of affection.

Taylor Momsen

The American actress, singer and star of the show Gossip Girl is all the talk of the town with this fluffy ball that she might as well have picked out in a toy store. You’d expect this pooch to be battery operated, but forget to take it for a walk, and you’ll soon find the batteries have leaked all over the carpet. This puppy is so cute you could almost sneak it through airport security, until it starts whimpering for love.

Ashley Tisdale

The American actress, singer and television producer can be seen hitting the premiere of High School Musical with this stuffed animal that yaps. It’s so small and fluffy, you’d swear there was a toy inside. The star of the 2009 film Aliens in the Attic has found a pooch so cute you’d swear it was from another planet where guard dogs are the size of cute fluffy pillows.

Britney Spears

It’s hard to believe this pretty little pooch of Spears can survive such trauma as being the night time companion of one of America’s most controversial party celebrities. We can only hope she lets the ball of fluff drive home. It’s a cute little dog, but you kind of feel sorry for her after the owner she got stuck with.

Blake Lively

The star of the TV show Gossip Girl gives her miniature Benji a scolding after it peed on her party dress. Bet she made it to the party to be the gossip of the town. Dogs need to go for walks, Blake, even if they are the size of furry slippers. Seems like Blake should be getting the scolding, since the puppy probably doesn’t know how to flush.

Lauren Conrad

The star of the MTV reality series Laguna Beach looks like it’s found the meaning of Zen in Conrad’s arms. This puppy may take a big purse, but if it’s small enough to be carried like a baby, it still qualifies as a purse dog.

Amanda Bynes

Named one of Teen People’s “25 Hottest Stars Under 25,” Bynes totes this adorable pooch everywhere she goes. The look of fear in his eyes makes you wonder if he’s watching out for the paparazzi, or maybe he’s worried he might end up as Bynes’ next fur coat. Now that’s incentive for puppy discipline training. Pee on this jacket, buddy, and you just may become the next.

Paris Hilton

Paris’ dog looks so small it could fit inside a pocket, let alone a purse. A little bigger than a gerbil, this dog puts on the cute. Too bad it has to put up with Paris. A night with Paris and Britney is enough to leave any pooch dreaming of the dog house. At least his is probably air conditioned with its own Jacuzzi and professional puppy masseuse.

Popularity: 2% [?]

A litter box for dogs? Has the world gone crazy? No, but you might if you have to pick up another pile of dog remains from your living room carpet. Indoor dog litter boxes make a lot of sense; especially if you live urban areas where having your dog outdoors is not an option. Here are 5 reasons you should consider an indoor dog litter box.

Economics

Puppy diaper pads aren’t cheap. A year supply of puppy pee pads can run you $450. Patio potty systems can easily run you over a grand. That’s serious change that can be invested with better alternatives. An indoor dog litter box will only cost you $50 a year. They’re affordable, tough, and provide a sanitary site for you dog. Save your carpet and wallet by investing in a dog litter box for your home.

Convenience

When you come home from a long day at work, the last thing you want to do is clean up a dog’s mess. With an indoor dog litter box, the mess is easily contained and quick to clean up. Your dog’s remains settle easily on the top of the grates of the litter box, so clean up is easy and mess free. Simply replace the newspaper from within the dog litter box, for a fresh setting for you dog.

Cleanliness

When dogs start to lose their control, they frequently face health problems that can be further antagonized by contamination caused by standing in their own filth. An indoor dog litter box features a raised screen so that the urine is absorbed below while your puppy’s feet stay nice and dry. It’s healthy and clean, saving your dog the indecency of standing in his or her own waste while you’re away. The pad easily absorbs the mess, with the bottom replaced for easy cleanup.

Artificial grass can be very difficult to clean up. Often, the cleanup falls to the wayside, leaving your puppy to suffer.

Design

Indoor dog litter boxes don’t look like a toilet. In fact, your friends may even mistake one for a yoga mat. Unlike puppy pads that scream puppy potty, an indoor dog litter box doesn’t look like a bathroom device at all, except to your dog. Keep it clean, and the potty will blend into the rest of your home. You can keep it in the living room, hallway or kitchen.

Environmentally friendly

Using a dog litter box vs. dog diapers or pee pee pads will minimize the your affect on the environment. Puppy diapers fill up landfills and leak waste. An indoor dog litter box, on the other hand, can last a long time, so you aren’t contributing any pollution to the environment. An indoor dog litter box is an earth friendly alternative.

As dogs get older, they lose their abilities to control themselves, and in results accidents occur. Accidents can also happen as a result of diseases, infection or other physical problems. You may have to work late at the office often, and can’t get home in time. Don’t blame yourself or your dog. Place a dog litter box within your home to reduce the frequency of these accidents.

Popularity: 3% [?]

Popularity: 7% [?]

Dogs are wonderful, but their messes are not. When your dog skips out on its housebreaking duties, the mess it leaves catches you between rage and guilt. You’re upset that your animal friend has left you a “gift” that smells and stains your carpet, but caught wondering if you forgot about the walk or came home from work too late. Perhaps you’re furry friend is getting up there in years, and these bathroom problems are just a sign of the times. You almost feel guilty that your dog is growing old.

Whether you are away from home frequently or your pooch’s bathroom habits have gone senile, there are solutions beyond a roll of paper towels and a spray bottle. An indoor dog litter box may be the perfect solution. Messes get isolated without staining the carpet and are easy to clean up. You don’t have to come home boiling and frustrated every time you find a mess. Your pooch can be comfortable while you’re gone without making a mess.

The following are a few benefits of an indoor dog litter box solution.

A litter box is more economical and environmentally responsible than “puppy diapers.”

Those puppy pads add up, not only on your monthly budget, but also on the size of trash you contribute to a landfill that will last thousands of years. Similar to baby diapers, puppy pads don’t easily break down. They’ll be around about as long as the Egyptian Pyramids, but don’t contribute the same legacy. Plus, they’ll cost you a small pharaoh’s ransom over a few years. A year’s supply of puppy pads costs more than $400. Add it up over several years, and you’re paying the price of a quality used car just so your puppy can go to the bathroom. You’d be better of buying them a 1987 Toyota and letting them have their way with the bucket seats.

A litter box keeps it clean.

You can get puppy litter boxes with specialized designs that make the whole process very sanitary, both for you as well as the puppy. The bottom is raised yet absorbent so your dog’s feet stay dry and clean. Solid messes are easily cleaned up, leaving no stain. They are convenient, making it easy to clean up after you’ve gotten home from a tired day’s work.

Puppy potties don’t look like a bathroom.

A puppy litter box doesn’t even look like itself. Much different than what you’d get for a cat, puppy litter boxes don’t scream bathroom. Assuming it’s clean, a guest would look at it and probably wonder what it’s for. It looks more like an exercise mat, although you might want to explain yourself before any houseguest sits down to do yoga. A puppy litter box doesn’t look offensive. It fits inside a house comfortably. Since it’s easy to clean, you can keep it from smelling and looking disgusting. They are also durable if used outdoors, even in the rain, sleet or snow. A good dog litter box can last for years, saving you money on pee pads and contributing less to a landfill while fitting the natural environment of your home.

Saves your dog the embarrassment and you a one-sided argument.

You may not be able to get home from work on time, or your dog may be suffering problems due to age or other health problems. Messes happen. An indoor dog litter box prevents them from happening, giving the dog a clean way to do its business in peace. If you had to go, would you want to cross your legs all day until your dog decided to come home? Give your puppy a chance to relax without contributing to permanent carpet stains and owner guilt complexes that rage in the night.

Popularity: 7% [?]

Owning a dog can be wonderful. Dogs are basically 4 year olds that never grow up, so you never have to worry about the cost of college. However, you do have to worry about them soiling the rug. Constant dog doo and urine stains on the carpet are enough to sour even the world’s biggest dog lover. Pooch messes can ruin a home, souring your living area with the noxious smell of a disgusting dog pound.

Sometimes a dog that messes up the house isn’t the result of poor training or a bad upbringing, but a serious medical condition. Infections, bladder stones, colitis, diabetes, cancer, parasites, and inflammatory diseases can all be the real reason your pooch is soiling the carpet, which no amount of training, finger shaking or pet treats will cure.

If your dog suddenly and surprisingly starts urinating indoors, it may be the result of a bladder infection. It’s always best to check with a vet if the behavior is new and not just the result of bad habits. Like humans, dogs can be cured of infections with proper medical care. When an infection is the source of the problem, clearing the infection is the key to getting your pet to use the proper facilities.

Also, it’s fairly common for older, spayed females to dribble. You can easily fix this with applied dosages of estrogen. Often, you can get away with tapering the dosages off after a few months after your pet’s hormonal system reaches a balance, although some dogs may require estrogen treatments for the rest of their lives.

Inflammatory bowel disease is often confused with irritable bowel syndrome because the results on the rug are similar. Unlike IBS which can be caused by stress, however, inflammatory bowel disease is the result of inflamed cells in the bowels, and the treatment is completely different. The source of the inflammation may be bacterial, dietary or parasitic. Removing these conditions should return the dog’s system to normal.

Worms and other parasites waste the dog’s body of nutrients and energy. As the pooch’s body struggles to rid itself of the parasites, it will go to the bathroom frequently, often uncontrollably. Consult a vet to see how to rid the parasites. Often, antibiotics and worm removal are key to curing the animal and returning it’s potty use to normal.

Kidney or bladder stones can also lead to frequent urination which the dog cannot control. Consult a vet to see how to rid the stones. If a dog is left inside, a proper indoor dog toilet method may be necessary, giving the dog a proper place to do his or her business without soiling your rug.

If a dog is suffering from cancer, failure to control its potty habits is often the first sign. Have the animal screened to detect problems early.

Failure to control its bowels may be a dog’s first sign of diabetes. Consult a vet to make sure. Like humans, animal diabetes can be treated with proper diet and exercise. You may have to buy special food. Indoor dog potties may be necessary to give the dog a proper place to go where the messes can be easily cleaned and maintained.

Bathroom problems may also be the result of a neurological disorder. This can be confirmed through blood work, radiographs and other tests. It’s fairly common in older dogs. In these cases, indoor puppy potties can be very helpful, giving the dog an easy accessible place to do his business that’s easy for you to clean up too.

If you have a housebreaking problem that doesn’t just seem behavioral, have the dog checked by a vet. Often, the reason is more medical than behavioral. By treating the medical condition, you get to the source of the problem, often eliminating it so the dog returns to normal bathroom behavior. Enjoy your relationship with your dog more by eliminating housebreaking problems at the source. Indoor puppy toilets can be an easy facility for your dog to use if he can’t control himself.

Popularity: 10% [?]

Like children, you need to get your puppies young to raise them right. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. By properly socializing your puppy from an early age, you can teach it important socializing behaviors it can carry for the rest of its life. Starting with a puppy is like beginning with a blank page. The first behaviors you teach it are crucial. With proper socialization, you can avoid serious behavior problems such as shyness, timidity and aggression.

Once a puppy has all its shots at about 16 weeks of age, it’s important to socialize it with other friendly dogs, as well as acclimate the puppy to environments outside of the home and property through regular walks on a leash.

If you raise your puppy in the country or a suburban environment, it’s best to gradually acclimate him to traffic noise, crowds of people and other everyday life situations he’ll experience in more populated areas. Starting at 8 to 10 weeks of age, a weekly visit to town can be very helpful in getting your puppy used to busier areas. This can be very helpful at preventing environmental phobias.

When socializing with other dogs, keep in mind that puppies with fewer than 3 or 4 series of vaccinations should avoid contact with other unfamiliar dogs. It may be best to carry them in a crate or a Sherpa bag to make sure they don’t make too early contact with other dogs that may subject them to disease.

If your puppy shows early signs of timidity, it’s best to gradually introduce him to new and unfamiliar people so he can learn confidence and trust. Visitors should avoid sudden movements to touch the puppy as this can increase his fear and inclination to react aggressively. Make sure the introduction is gradual and passive, allowing your puppy to first sniff the hand through a gentle means. Avoid eye contract and confrontational body language. Visitors should crouch near the floor with the body facing away from the puppy, holding their hand to the side while offering the puppy a treat. Allow the puppy to first take the treat from their hand, rather than forcing the treat onto the puppy.

If the puppy is shy, resist the temptation to coddle or treat the puppy like a “poor baby.” The visitor should always remain encouraging, friendly and upbeat.

It’s very crucial the puppy learn to socialize with his own kind. By only socializing with humans, your puppy can learn problematic behaviors when around other dogs, leading to anxiety or aggression.
If your puppy is timid around other dogs but fully immunized, begin with socializing the puppy around other friendly easy-going puppies and dogs. Beginning to medium sized puppies work best, gradually working towards bigger dogs as the puppy learns confidence and comfort. Notice the puppy’s body language as it interacts with other dogs. If your puppy is especially timid, one day play sessions work best.

There are easy to recognize signs that your puppy is stressed. Panting when it’s not hot or the puppy is not thirsty is one sign of an overly anxious puppy. Timidity shown by running away, shirking or hiding in your arms is another sign of fear. This is natural in the beginning and should go away as the puppy is better socialized with humans and other dogs.

Yawning repeatedly is another sign of a possible nervous tick. Other dogs may become more hyperactive, running around and barking excessively. It’s similar to how some people may become overly anxious and talk or fidget nervously. Some dogs may tend to withdraw as they are overwhelmed by the situation.

Be patient and gradual with your puppy, but start early. Like humans, the building blocks of behavior in puppies are laid at an early age. It’s important to establish a solid foundation for a well-adjusted and healthy dog for years to come.

Popularity: 10% [?]

Potty training your puppy can be hard if you’re a first-time owner, and even if you’ve had dogs in the past, potty training is still one of the most challenging parts of house training your pet. Every pup has its own personality, and the things you do to train it must cater to your puppy’s specific habits.However, there are a few simple tips that can make the whole process a whole lot easier. All of them have, as their underlying principle, the idea of consistency. Dog training is about getting your pet into a habit. A consistent routine is what is going to accustom your dog to relieving itself in the same place every time. Here are 10 simple tips to potty training your puppy that will keep both of you happy.

1. Dog Toilet Features. If you’re using a dog toilet, make sure that it (a) is easy to clean, (b) has a splash back, (c) has a post for your puppy to aim at, and (c) is large enough so that your pup doesn’t out-grow it so quickly.
2. Praise is the Key. Praise can go a long way in training your puppy. If it uses the dog toilet correctly, or if it does anything else that you want it to do again, for that matter, don’t forget to give it lots of praise. Doing so will ensure that your puppy will want to keep going outside when it has to, instead of just using your carpet or coffee table as a toilet.
3. Watch for Signs and Act Quickly. If you see that your pup is turning in circles or starting to crouch down like it wants to use the toilet, quickly grab your dog and lead/carry it outside. Place him where you want him to go every time. Your pup will realize soon that this is where you want it to go. Eventually it will start using that spot on its own. The key is to keep alert for signs that it wants to go.
4. Keep a Strict Feeding Schedule. Make sure that you feed your puppy at the same times every day. A consistent meal schedule will make it so that your dog has regular, predictable bowel movements. Obviously this will be immensely helpful during the potty training process.
5. Indoor Toilet: Use Newspaper. This is tip is mostly for you, the owner. It is much cheaper and just as effective to use newspaper under the grill of your indoor dog toilet, rather than a gel or litter-type products sold at pet shops.
6. Deodorize Unwanted Accident Spots. If your pup goes potty in an unwanted spot, clean it up as quickly as possible and deodorize it. This will get rid of the smell that your dog associates with going potty and will prevent your puppy form going back to that spot.
7. Play with your Pup in Accident Spots. This is related to number six. Because dogs tend not to use the toilet in spots that they associate with eating and playing, it is important to not only clean accident spots thoroughly but also to feed your puppy and play with it anywhere where there’s been an accident.
8. Frequent Attention. Give your puppy lots and lots of attention during this crucial training period. It will allow you catch accidents before they happen and will strengthen the bond between you and your pup, which will make potty training process easier and more enjoyable.
9. Restrict House Access. For the sake of keeping your house as clean as possible, restrict house access until your pup is fully potty trained. Baby gates and tile floors are recommended.
10. Keep Training Consistent. As mentioned in the introduction, consistency is key. If you’re leaving your dog with a dog-sitter or a relative for portions of the day, make sure that they use the same training methods as you. Otherwise, the pup will be confused and it will take much longer to train it properly.

Popularity: 13% [?]

Petaluma, CA – The crowd at the Sonoma-Marin Fair this past Friday chanted “Pabst, Pabst”, while the judges of the 2009 World’s Ugliest Dog contest made their final deliberations. The two final contenders were the crowd favorite Pabst (a boxer-mix shelter dog) and Rascal, a Chinese Crested and former champion of the World’s Ugliest Dog contest.  Given that the Chinese Crested breed has held dominion over the title for over seven years and that it accounted for over 50% of this year’s contestants in the pedigree class, many people were surprised when the boxer-mix was named the winner.

Among those surprised by the outcome was Pabst’s owner and contest first-timer Miles Egstad, of Citrus Heights, California. “I don’t think he’s that ugly,” said Egstad of his boxer-mix, whose most distinguishable feature is his large under-bite. But it was Pabst’s sweet personality that won the crowd over, and perhaps convinced the judges to break from tradition.

Egstad, 25, says his dog’s name comes from the fact that he has a “bitter beer face”. Egstad became aware of the World’s Ugliest Dog contest when he saw it on television. His friends urged him to enter Pabst, and as a consequence Egstad is now a couple thousand dollars richer. Pabst swept in all three rounds of the dog contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair, earning $100 for mutt class, $500 for runoff in the pedigree class, and $1000 for World’s Ugliest Dog.

On top of that, contest sponsor House of Dog added another $1000 in prize money, a table of expensive dog collars, lashes and bowls and a modeling contract for Pabst, which the World’s Ugliest Dog signed with his paw. Grace Chon, the event photographer, conducted a professional photo shoot.

Pabst was a shelter dog when Egstad adopted him three years ago. This year marked the first time that a so-called “mutt” has won the contest. Karen Halligan, one of the contest judges and a veterinarian famous for her roles in the television series Groomer Has It, Dog Tales, Animal Rescue 911 and Dogs 101, performed screenings to ensure that all competing dogs were healthy. As judge Brian Sobel stated, the contest was meant for “dogs who are naturally ugly.”

The show was filmed by Dogs 101 and will air this fall on the Animal Planet television network. The local humane society was also present at the contest, bringing along its adoption wagon. The World’s Ugliest Dog contest has been trademarked by the Sonoma-Marin Fair and this year marks its 21st anniversary.

Popularity: 13% [?]