What’s a “Canine Good Citizen?”  Find out tonight on the “My Doggie Says…” radio talk show, from Dr. Mary Burch, spokesperson for the American Kennel Club, and director of “Canine Good Citizen,” a program that tests dogs’ ability to be well-behaved members of the community.  You can learn more here.  Dr. Mary, also a certified animal behaviorist, may also be able to answer your animal behavior question.

The show airs live on KFNX 1100 in Phoenix, at 8:00 p.m. Mountain Standard Time, also 8:00 p.m. Pacific Daylight time.  It is streamed live at www.1100kfnx.com.  Dial-in numbers are:   In Phoenix:  602-277-KFNX.  Outside Phoenix Area:  1-866-536-1100.  Join the program and get a free copy of the “Dog Appreciation Lessons” CD, a collection of eighteen wonderful dog-bonding stories from the “My Doggie Says…” show.

At 2:00 in the morning, Callie Golden Retriever walked to the side of my bed and sat facing me. She “snorted.” I don’t know how else to describe the sound she makes. It’s not a bark, or a “wuuf,” or a growl. It’s just a “snort.” Usually, she uses a “snort” to get my attention.

Sometimes, Callie walks right to the edge of the bed and sits down in a place where I can reach her neck to give it a vigorous “puppy scratch.” And sometimes she sits down a few feet away facing the door. This means, “I gotta go pee!” But this was different. She was facing me, but too far away for a “puppy scratch.”

So, what’s she trying to say? Running out of options, I guessed maybe she wanted to go out. So I dragged myself out of bed and walked to the kitchen door that leads out to Callie’s side yard — her place to pee and, maybe, chase a racoon or possum. Got it. Right?

Wrong! She didn’t walk to the door. Instead, she sat down in the middle of the kitchen. Not close enough to the puppy treat bowl to be asking for a puppy treat. Just in the middle of the kitchen. Then I noticed that her food bowl was on the sink and that it still contained a few bites of dinner.

That stinker! She remembered, at 2:00 in the morning, that there was still a little dinner in her bowl, and she was asking me, very politely, to serve it to her.

I’m sorry, Mr. Research Scientist, but when was the last time a 2 1/2 year old kid did something like that? I swear; dogs are smarter than we think!

Sometimes, to understand what your dog is saying, you have to go through all the possibilities and be real creative about trying to understand what they are thinking. On the other hand, “food” is probably the answer more often than not.

Tune in tonight to the “My Doggie Says…” Radio Talk Show to hear Barbara Davis, of the Golden Retriever Club of Greater Los Angeles Rescue,” and Heather Murphy, of the “Arizona Golden Retriever Connection, answer your questions about rescuing a dog. Listen Live at www.1100kfnx.com or on-air at KFNX-1100, Phoenix. To join the conversation, call (602) 277-KFNX or, toll free, 1-866-536-1100.

Dr. Aubrey Fine is a native of Montreal, Canada. He received his graduate degree from University of Cincinnati in 1982. Dr. Fine opened his practice in Claremont in 1987. His practice specializes in treating children with ADHD, learning disabilities, developmental disorders and parent child relations.

Dr. Fine has also been an active faculty member at California State Polytechnic University since Fall of 1981. His leadership among faculty and teaching excellence earned him the prestigious Wang Award in 2001, given to a distinguished professor within the California State University system, in this instance for exceptional commitment, dedication, and exemplary contributions within the areas of education and applied sciences. He was also awarded the Educator of the Year in 1990, from the Learning Disability Association of CA. He just was awarded the 2006 CA Poly Faculty Award for Community Engagement. He is the author of several books including the Therapist’s Guide to Learning and Attention Disorders as well as the Handbook on Animal Assisted Therapy.

Listen to how Aubrey uses animals in his human therapy programs.

Fred talks about ways you can improve your dog communication, dog relationships, and dog bonding skills — intermixed with tracks from the “Dog Tracks CD: Songs by Dogs” and the “Dog Appreciation Lessons” CD.

Dean Koontz tells how his Golden Retriever, Trixie, opened his eyes to some aspects of life that he had come to see as “mundane.”

Host Fred Haney talks about dog bonding, dog communication, and dog relationships.   Hear sound clips from the “Dog Tracks CD: Songs by Dogs” and the “Dog Appreciation Lessons” CD.

Win a free copy of the “Dog Appreciation Lessons” CD; call the show tonight (8:00 PM to 9:00 PM Mountain Standard Time) with a question for Kelly Moyer.  (602) 277-KFNX or (866) 536-1100 (toll free).  The show is broadcast live in Phoenix and streamed live on KFNX 1100.  Learn more about “Tails of Hope Animal Rescue and Adoption” here.

Callie had a terrific time visiting with her Golden Retriever friends and lots of people visitors at Pet Expo OC last weekend.  She met lots of wonderful people — and dogs — and she was glad to support the efforts of the Golden Retriever Club of Greater Los Angeles.

Get a free copy of the “Dog Appreciation Lessons” CD.  Call in to the “My Doggie Says…” radio talk show tonight at 8:00 PM Mountain Standard Time (8:00 PM Pacific Daylight Time) and participate in the discussion about dog-bonding.  Listen live on KFNX-1100 in Phoenix, or listen to the streaming audio at www.1100kfnx.com.  In Phoenix, call (602) 277-KFNX.  Outside of Phoenix, call toll-free: (866) 536- 1100.

Listen to Sharon Sakson, author of “Paws & Effect: The Healing Power of Dogs,” on the “My Doggie Says…” radio talk show.  Sharon shares many examples of the amazing healing power of dogs.

When Sharon was on the show, she was in Phoenix to judge the whippets on the Fiesta Cluster All-Breed Dog Show and Agility Trial.  Click here for more information about Sharon.