It's Moving Day for the ObamaDog

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

The Obama's have a new puppy! A 6-mo old Portuguese Water Dog...

Quote:

By SHARON THEIMER, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON – Bo the Portuguese water dog makes his official move into the White House on Tuesday, and how President Barack Obama and his family introduce him to his new home — and the world — will say much about their skills as novice dog owners.

The White House will be the puppy's fourth home in his six months of life. He was born in Texas, then moved to his first owner's home in Washington, D.C., then spent nearly a month with Sen. Edward Kennedy's dog trainer in Virginia, and now is moving to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

A dog can become disoriented when moving to a new home, said Cesar Millan, host of the National Geographic Channel's "The Dog Whisperer" and co-founder with his wife of a nonprofit foundation to help abused and abandoned dogs.

"Being disoriented can lead an animal to become anxious, to become nervous, to become fearful," Millan said. "In some situations they get really excited. So, regardless which state of mind the dog might go into, that's not going to be good for the dog."

Among Millan's top tips: "Day one or day two or day three, there should be a lot of walking involved. And before the dog eats, he should be very hungry, because that helps him to understand that the humans are helping him to work for food and water." Focus on establishing a routine to help the dog calm down, rather than comforting him and using his name a lot when he's upset, Millan said.

Bo was given up by his first owner because things weren't working out with the family's other dog. Kennedy and his wife Victoria, who had two Portuguese water dogs from Bo's breeder and acquired a third from Bo's litter, thought Bo would be perfect for the Obamas, and gave the dog to the Obama daughters, Malia and Sasha, as a gift, the dog's breeder and a spokeswoman for Michelle Obama said.

At 6 months, Bo is still very much a "goofy puppy" and like many Portuguese water dogs, may still be that way up to age 2 or even 4, said Stu Freeman, president of the Portuguese Water Dog Club of America. "A puppy is a puppy and these are very active puppies," he said.

"The dogs are intelligent, they need to work and be kept busy," Freeman said. "If you can't keep them active and amused, they will find something to do."

Bo, the Obama Dog

[Woody]

Quote:

Portuguese water dog

I wish he had gotten an American dog.

[Liz]

I wonder who named him Bo, and if it is because of the President's initials?

[Liz]

Well, his name on his papers is Amigo's New Hope, and his first owner called him Charlie, I highly doubt if the trainer named him, which leaves Sen. Kennedy and the Presidential family. I just wonder if it is a coincidence. At any rate, it is a very cute puppy.

[GreatLakesGramma]

Just because a dog had previous owners doesn't mean the new family wouldn't rename it.

[Woody]

From what I heard ... it was named in honor of President B. O.

[GreatLakesGramma]

Quote:

Portuguese water dog

I wish he had gotten an American dog.

The dog was given to his daughter as a gift by the Kennedys. Obamas were doing their dog shopping at the animal shelters until then.

[Outta Here]

Quote:

Portuguese water dog

I wish he had gotten an American dog.

[phkrause]

The only thing I care about is that the dog is happy now. And has a good home for the next 8 years.

pk

[GreatLakesGramma]

Born in Texas = an American dog.

Absolutely!

[Outta Here]

Hmm. I hope the dog has a good home for the rest of his life.

[Liz]

Born in Texas = an American dog.

The ones born in Texas are the best kind....LOL

[Woody]

Very Funny.