Raising Bo Obama: Portuguese water dog owners show the way
In politics and pet ownership, if you really want to understand what you're getting yourself into, it's best to talk to people who have been there before you.
In that spirit, we turned to owners of Portuguese water dogs and asked them what guidance they would give President Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama and their daughters, Sasha, 7, and Malia, 10, on raising Bo, their 6-month-old puppy.
Granted, the Obamas have a White House staff to help them. But we figured they'd still appreciate a few words of wisdom from the Portie pros out there.
Alison and Robert of Oakland, Ca., owners of Maggie (right), almost 4, suggested:
1. INVEST IN TOYS: Toys are a must. What I read was no less than 6, although Maggie is quite spoiled. Her favorite is pink pig, followed by yellow bear. She likes the stuffed ones better than the plastic or rubber dolls.
2. TRAINING IS KEY: We hide treats and play hide and seek. She sits in the backroom and waits while we hide little cookies around the house. She trained well, and I would highly recommend puppy school. She loves to give a high 5 (especially if a treat awaits), sit, stay, lie down, leave it, take it, let's go. When staying in the doggy hotel, she would do agility. PWDs are quite good at that, and you could tell she loved it!
So training!
3. HIT THE WATER: A pool, a nice river or lake is a requirement! They love their water, and Maggie will even shuffle around in a 2-inch puddle of water if that is all she can find!
Tina Tomblin of Columbus, Ohio, owner of Dudley (left), 17 months, suggested:
1. EXERCISE, EXERCISE, EXERCISE: Portuguese water dogs are high-energy pups who demand attention! Offer frequent runs outdoors.
2. INVEST IN CHEAP TOYS. Buy many toys, but don't spend a lot. We get the $2 toys as Dudley will find a way to pull the stuffing out in no time!
3. TEACH RELAXATION, TOO: Scratch him until his tail curls back (that's a sign he's relaxed).
Susan, Stephen, Walden and Sethly, of Silver Spring, Md., owners of Nika (below), 8, suggested:
1. START RIGHT, BE CONSISTENT. Like the presidency and like parenthood, there are two key rules to remember: "Begin as you mean to go on" and "Be consistent." If you don't want him in the Lincoln bedroom (or, gasp! sleeping in the president's bed), then don't "just this once" invite him in for a hug and a romp. And always have everyone in the family use the same words to let the dog know what you want him to do. Don't have one person say "STOP!" and one person say "NO!"
One of the main reasons Nika is such a well-behaved dog is because the whole family has participated in training her -- not formally, but in everyday ways. No one feeds her (or even pets her) at the dinner table, so she never begs. And whoever takes her on a walk, tells her to "heel" ... and so she does.
2. SPOIL HIM (A LITTLE). After the novelty of getting him wears off, don't forget to continue to love him, take him on long walks, and tell him he's the most wonderful dog in the world.
Photo of Maggie courtesy of Alison and Robert
Photo of Dudley by Tina Tomblin
Photo of Nika by Susan Moeller
SEE MORE:
Our Portuguese water dog reality check
PHOTO of Bo and the president during their first "workout"
Comments
A PWD was my first pet (age 4) and I have been a member of the Democratic Party ever since (now 65).
Posted by: gordon brown | April 13, 2009 9:07 AM
FYI: For training purposes I've heard that it's better to name a dog with a two syllable name. Thus, you might want to call him BoBo.
Congratulations and Good Luck! :)
Posted by: Kirsten Reiner | April 13, 2009 10:58 AM
This dog is so gay....Obama should have gotten a golden retriever at least.
Posted by: Rick | April 13, 2009 11:19 AM
Hey Rick,
Gay? Are you serious? I have 2 Porties and the 10 yr. old could kick the a.. of any golden. At 6 months and 30 lbs she kicked a full grown male Shepard's a.. so bad he ran away from his owner.
These dogs can dive 20' down in water and retrieve objects off the bottom, they can swim underwater and herd fish into nets, and at 4 months mine was trained to bring the paper in. Now tell me of any golden that could do that. Oh, and they don't shed - that's where the golden has them beat!
Posted by: Joe | April 13, 2009 1:48 PM
I like the name Bobo. My dog's name is Rayray. Bobo needs his own dog. We got ourself a dog for our dog. She is called 'Reba" (after cute litte Reba, country western singer). Rayray needed a dog to run off all of the energy!! They are both rescue dogs. Not $2000 dogs.
Posted by: Shellie | April 13, 2009 1:51 PM
Bo has already had positive reinforcement training from a great trainer in Washington, DC. As for the comment about Bo being gay- the PWG is a working dog, a good agility and obedience competitor, a wonderful pet. And you can use a one syllable name. Read up on positive reinforcement training and you will realize how wonderful a dog he will be!
Posted by: Sharon Dlubala | April 13, 2009 1:53 PM
Rick, I'm sorry to hear that you think Bo is "gay." (Hello? Can we please stop using the word "gay" as an insult?) The President chose a PWD because the breed is considered a good choice for owners who are allergic to pet dander. His daughter, Malia, has this allergy. I'm glad to know that Obama cares about the well-being of his child more than getting a dog that won't make him look "gay" as you put it.
Posted by: Ashley | April 13, 2009 2:37 PM
Bo is a cutie! Although I would have liked to have seen another Scottie in the White House. I quess Barney the biter messed it up for everyone.
Posted by: Quincy | April 13, 2009 5:17 PM
Porties totally rock! They are the most intelligent breed I've ever owned and possess a sense of humor that other dogs just don't get. Our male used to love to tease us by stealing food from the kitchen and parading around our bedroom with his prize. Sometimes he ate what he stole, but often he just wanted to show us that he could take whatever he wanted. Once he came prancing in with a pitcher of iced tea in his mouth-didn't spill a drop either. They both loved doing chores; bringing in the mail and newspaper, and their favorite, bringing in the groceries. They took their work very seriously and would carry in everything from steaks to toothpaste without even considering taking a cut of the goods. Of course, that steak was fair game if you left it out on the counter and an hour had passed. Porty owners always have to be on guard!
Posted by: Judy | April 13, 2009 5:31 PM
I have had many dogs during my life but I've never had one like our portie, Molly. We've had 3 goldens and many mixed rescues but never a dog as smart as a portie. However, training and consistent reinforcement is a must. I wouldn't recommend a portie as one's first dog because I think they are smarter than most humans. I know there is a person in that black, curly suit!
Posted by: Linda | April 13, 2009 6:50 PM
Good choice for folks like the Kennedys who can't differentiate between humans and hound dogs.
Posted by: ziggy | April 13, 2009 7:20 PM
How insanely unfortunate for the breed. To WISH any breed becomes a celebrity breed is to wish that the breed becomes the commodity of puppy mills. The PWD fanciers have been exceptional in protecting their breed from such a fate to this point but now, I suspect the greed will take over and plenty of puppy farms will be willing to commit all sorts of stunts to get their hands on PWD papers (please note, I didn't say dogs, they can breed ANYTHING and claim it's a purebred anything else with any registry in the world - if they have the papers).
The Obamas' should have led the way in responsibility and gotten a rescued dog. Commenting that a breed has 'cute puppies' only helps insure its popularity with irresponsible breeders and potential buyers.
Posted by: Julie Hensley | April 14, 2009 9:22 AM
I'm so glad Bo Obama came dressed to play in a tux. I think he's a perfect match for the Obamas: intelligent, athletic, able to multitask, great sense of humor.I look forward to Malia and Sasha writing their own book about Bo.
Posted by: patricia | April 14, 2009 10:30 AM
Here are some Bo supporters... or not
(cartoon)
http://raim.blogspot.com/2009/04/bo.html
Posted by: raim | April 20, 2009 6:04 AM