Little Holly's Big Book Club: Interview With Sue Chipperton, Gidget the Dog's Pup-sonal Trainer!

As part of our first “Little Holly’s Big Book Club” series, I was incredibly lucky to have the opportunity to speak with Sue Chipperton, co-author of A Famous Dog's Life and trainer behind the "Yo Quiero Taco Bell" ad campaign's famous Chihuahua star, Gidget, around whom the book is centered. Sue was kind enough to take time out of her crazy training schedule to chat with me about Gidget, the book, life with dogs and her career.

The book was born out of a collaboration between Sue and her friend Rennie Dyball of People magazine. Shortly before Gidget’s death, Rennie put together a story about famous animals featuring stars such as Moondoggie (Bruiser from Legally Blonde, and another Sue trainee), Salem the Cat from Sabrina the Teenage Witch, and of course Gidget. After Gidget passed away, Sue reached out to Rennie to see if People would be interested in running an obituary for the little Chihuahua with the big personality, which they did (you can read it here).

Despite the fact that Gidget hadn’t been on TV in years, the article was met with overwhelming response. Sue recalls googling her shortly after the article ran and going through 45 pages of responses…with still more after. Realizing that there was still significant public interest in Gidget and that she had a number of personal photos, Sue spoke to Rennie again, this time about the possibility of a picture book. Rennie suggested they take it a step further, to a full memoir style book, of which she became the co-author. 

It is clear from the overwhelming response to the article that the “Yo Quiero Taco Bell” campaign is more than just an ad campaign: it was a defining moment in 90s popular culture, and cemented Gidget as an icon for generations to come. Though there is no telling whether the campaign would have had as wide of an impact without Gidget and Sue at the helm, there is no denying that Gidget became “a little personality,” and that she had something special that viewers responded to. I asked Sue if there was a specific “star quality” that they looked for in studio animals. In her 20 years at Studio Animal Services, Sue worked with everything from ducks to cats and squirrels, but when it came to dogs she was considering for studio work she always sought out those with "outgoing and borderline obnoxious behavior" in the shelter, knowing they could later channel that over the top energy into something that worked on camera. Although shy dogs in shelters can make wonderful pets, they aren't always the best to be on set, where there can be a lot of overwhelming components.

Of course, every once in a while a critter shows such megastar talent they simply can’t be denied. When Sue adopted her pup Beans from the shelter, she had no idea whether she would work as a studio animal, but she ultimately became one of the most requested stars at Studio Animal Services!

Outside of the famous coworkers (both two and four legged), Sue says the best thing about her job is the travel, and the fact that every day is different. However, it is this spontaneous aspect to the job that can make it difficult to maintain the elusive work-life balance. Many opportunities early in Sue’s career were based largely on the fact that she “had a passport and could leave the next morning at 10am,” and there are some days where she doesn’t get home until 3am. She admits that the unpredictability and long hours have taken a toll on her social life, since Friday night plans can often be derailed by a last minute commercial assignment coming in on a Wednesday. But I suspect when you are spending 12 hours on set with Brad Pitt, or strolling the red carpet of a Hollywood premiere, you don't mind missing that happy hour after all :)

Gidget and Sue on the red carpet at the Godzilla premiere. Photo by Ron Galella. Image courtesy of A Famous Dog's Life on Facebook.

For those who want to make a life out of the undeniable adventure that is studio animal work, Sue says the best place to be is in LA. There are markets in places like New York, Chicago, Detroit, or Miami, but they are often too small to offer much experience. Sue says the best thing she did for her career was making the move to LA, and being open to interning for no pay until she learned the craft. She was lucky that she had a background in training marine animals in Florida prior to moving to California, which helped her move through the ranks quickly, and says some prior knowledge of animal training can be a real asset. There are two year courses available that some trainers opt to take first, which can also lead to careers in zoos or as a veterinarian. Either way, experience is key, and, like many careers, a willingness to put in the grunt work at the beginning can pay off big down the road.

Even if you aren’t jetsetting to a movie set, it doesn’t mean your pooch can’t travel like a star! Since Gidget and Sue became adept at travelling throughout the Taco Bell campaign, I asked her about her own tips for travelling with a pet. She linked me to her own blog post on the subject here (jackpot!), which goes into detail on flying your pooch in the cabin, in cargo, and even internationally, but she also had a few basic tips worth mentioning.

For pups flying in the cabin with you, Sue cautions against opening the bag and taking your dog out en route to your destination, as it discourages them from sleeping (the ideal situation for a long flight). This is not only best for you and your pet, but also fellow passengers who might have an allergy or other concern about dogs that could make for an awkward flight. Sue often kept Gidget in her bag with a sweater covering it, and was so discreet many passengers didn't know there was a pooch on board at all!

Traveling in style. Photo by Sue Chipperton. Image courtesy of A Famous Dog's Life on Facebook.

Sue also recommends taking your pup out and about as much as possible prior to airline travel, to get them used to going places with you and being in their bag. Giving your pup exposure to more environments and situations contributes to a "more well-rounded, well balanced dog,” who will be less likely to be stressed and overwhelmed by the situation.

Of course the downside to being out and about in New York City is the unavoidable stressors that can spook a small pup. Sue says the key to dealing with these environmental stressors is to be aware of the situation around you. If you can cross the street to avoid the scary thing, then there is no reason to put your animal through the anxiety of encountering something that makes them nervous.

For situations like garbage trucks where you absolutely cannot avoid it, she recommends having a plan in place before you leave your house. Her top tip: have treats (or, for really scary things, really good treats, like cut up steak or chicken) to whip out when something scary happens to draw your pet's attention back to you. As a last resort with a small pooch, you can always pick them up and walk away, but be sure not to pet them and coo at them, as they can misinterpret that as a reward for acting scared. As soon as you are a comfortable distance away from the thing that spooked them, set them down and make them go through basic commands to redirect their focus (this is the time to use that steak!). And most importantly, set them up for success when you leave the house, "even if it means walking half a block and coming back."

Another downside to life in New York is that we aren’t blessed with the year round gorgeous weather that Los Angeles and Hawaii (two of the places Sue has been lucky enough to call home during her career) have. Luckily, Sue has a creative (indoor) way to wear out your pup on days the weather simply will not permit a walk. Since "mental stimulation is more exhausting than physical stimulation," she recommends hiding food or toys throughout the apartment for your pooch to find. Start out simple (under the coffee table, behind a couch cushion), and increase difficulty to make your pup use their brain (and their nose) to track down the reward. Sue played this game with a Jack Russell who could sniff out a toy at the top of a very tall dresser, and then would sit patiently while she retrieved it for him. Fun for two and four legged family members, and certainly more pleasant than a walk in 2 degree temps! 

For those readers who are considering adding a pup to their life but have not yet taken the plunge, Sue had a few tips to ensure you end up with the paw-fect relationship. Regardless of where you are in life or how big or small your home and outdoor space is, she cautions that "people need to be really cautious and responsible when getting a dog," and do the leg work in researching the breed and understanding their needs and natural "job" prior to bringing them home. For example, not all small dogs are well suited for apartment life, as "many smaller breeds are more active" and will require a fair amount of exercise to exert their energy on something other than chewing your collection of Ikea furniture. In fact, she said an Irish Wolfhound is less active than a Jack Russell, and is very well suited for life in your tiny studio...if there's room for the both of you, that is!

Irish Wolfhounds make excellent apartment dogs, despite their impressive stature. Image via Dog Breed Info.

No matter which breed you choose, "each dog is an investment in your time," and you owe it to yourself and your pup to look into what they were bred to do to ensure you can meet their activity needs. You are responsible for your pup's happiness, and taking the steps to make sure you get the right breed for your life and circumstances will make everyone happy! And when you do make the decision on the perfect pup, Sue gives great tips on housebreaking here. Consider your rugs AND furniture legs saved!

I would be remiss if I neglected to ask about Gidget's fave Mrs. Hedgehog toy (buy it from Amazon here, and yes, I bought one for Holly), and whether there are other toys that Sue has found to be favorites among her famous pooches. Antlers won out on pup-ularity for chewing, and plush toys with squeakers got the boot since studio pups with high energy and drive tend to un-stuff them rather quickly. She said if a dog shows a particular interest in one toy, she will keep buying that one over and over (my drawer full of Nylabone sticks says AMEN to that tactic), and that she will save extra special toys as motivation for big jobs, taking them from the pup for a day or two before and then producing them on set when they need an extra oomph (after food and treats have lost their appeal). And toys don't have to be Christian Loubarkin to make your pup flip--Sue has a Jack Russell who would do anything for a tennis ball.

Even Gidget's favorite Mrs. Hedgehod didn't make her happy during this photo shoot with William Wegman. Photo by William Wegman. Image courtesy of A Famous Dog's Life on Facebook.

As our interview was winding down, I knew I had to ask Sue the age old question: can you teach an old dog new tricks? She said not only can you teach an old dog, but an old squirrel, duck, rat, or cat..."as long as you find the motivation you can train any animal." Of course, some pets may be more motivated than others…I don’t suspect my parent’s 17 year old cat will find motivation beyond napping any time soon!

I had a wonderful time chatting with Sue and hearing her reminisce more about Gidget and her lifetime of studio work. If you still can't get enough (I know I can't), check out the most recent book she is featured in, available for pre order on Amazon here.

Until Next Time, Darlings!

Paw-sitively Fabulous: American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen Training

Holly and I have been attending Petco's dog training courses since right after I got her. I love that they provide a safe space for her to play with other dogs (off leash dog parks make me too nervous because of their unpredictability), and over a whopping FOUR six week courses, Holly has made some fast puppy friends and fallen head over heels for our local Petco's trainer. Whenever we visit she insists on dragging me back to see if she is working, which, by the way, is not a behavior typically encouraged in the dog training courses! Holly gets a free pass, obviously, because she is so cute :)

Holly on her First Day of School!

I wanted to highlight the latest course Petco has to offer, which Holly and I have been participating in the past few weeks. The course is a six week prep for the American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen Certification Exam, and is offered at Petcos across the United States.

The AKC CGC Certificate is awarded to dogs with exceptionally good manners at home and in their community, and consists of a 10 part test that challenges dogs on some of the more difficult day to day behavior issues they may encounter. Having this certificate can be helpful in convincing apartment buildings (or tricky coop boards) to accept your pup, will circumvent some hotels' no pet policy, and is a first step for animals who want to move on to more difficult training programs such as those required for service dogs, agility, or tracking.

Over the course of the six week class, our trainer worked with each of the individual dogs on each of the 10 points covered by the test, and identified specific areas that needed to be worked on. In order for dogs to receive the CGC Certificate, they must pass the test in all 10 areas--and let me tell you, these tasks are challenging! Dogs must be able to calmly walk through a crowd and past other dogs, be greeted by a friendly stranger, sit and stay for a prolonged period, not react to loud noises or standard grooming, walk loosely on a leash through various turns and about faces, and be separated from their pet parent for a full three minutes without any reaction.

Demonstrating greeting a friendly stranger with Uncle Alex!
Just kidding--they aren't actually allowed to give the friendly strangers kisses :)

Did I mention that all of these must be completed without treats? As soon as we heard no food rewards were allowed, we knew we were in BIG trouble. Unless there is a treat in my hand, Holly pretends she doesn't even know her own name (little stinker). That, coupled with our move and crazy schedules making it tricky to practice for the past several weeks made the practice test last weekend especially...challenging.

Maybe she just didn't want to wear this hat again?

I don't think that we'll be trying for the official certification anytime soon (tests are $10, and you can try twice for that fee before having to pay again). But we did have a blast working on these new challenges, and I found that they really helped with some of the issues Holly and I had in the past. One notable example was her fear of toddlers: on the day we were working on loud noises/distractions, a little boy shopping with his parents wanted to join in on the fun, and stood by while our trainer threw a large metal bowl onto the tile floor. I was sure Holly would panic, but using the skills our trainer mentioned (ok, and treats), she kept all eyes on me and walked calmly past the noise. During our practice exam, a toddler ran full tilt past her, a stroller closely following, and she didn't bat an eye! Even though we may not have passed with flying colors, that moment made me a very proud dog mom!

Until Next Time, Darlings!

Paw-sitively Fabulous: New Puppy Guide

As the Polar Vortex continues to bring chilly temperatures all over the East Coast, many people seem to be making the decision to warm up their homes and their hearts with a new four legged family member.

Along with the major responsibility of new puppy ownership, the sheer number of items needed can be daunting. I have often heard having a pup is like having a new baby (even from people WITH babies!), so I decided to put together a list of the products Holly & I couldn't have lived without during our new puppy phase!

1. Four Paws Wee Wee Pads:

Look, it's not the most glamourous part of pup parenting, but the fact of the matter is depending on the age of your pup, you may just find yourself house training (or at least getting the occasional carpet "present") for the first few weeks after you bring your fur baby home. Holly had a major aversion to going to the bathroom outside for the first month or so after I rescued her, but she was very diligent about using her Wee Wee pads (a lot of rescues and some breeders will pre train pups to these pads, which have a built in enzyme that tells them this is the place to go!). Not only did these save my carpet at the time, they still come in handy in my New York apartment if Holly has an emergency in the middle of the night.

We advise to go with the 100 or 150 pack and subscribing on Amazon or Wag.com. This is one thing you don't want to run out of!

2. Petco Collapsible 2 Door Crate & Pendleton Blankets:

People have different opinions on crates for pups, but after doing extensive research about how new puppies like to have a space of their own, I decided to have Holly crated initially. The key to crate training is not to leave your puppy for more than a few hours at a time (I have a dog walker who comes to take Holly out halfway through the day for an hour long romp, which not only helps keep her weight healthy but leaves her nice and tired until I come home), and to make the crate a happy, secure place. Holly loves her crate so much we have brought it with us on road trips so she has a "home base" in a new location--and whenever she gets nervous or insecure, it's the first place she heads to. Now we leave the doors open and keep her in a baby gated section of the apartment, but often I will come home and she is sound asleep in her crate anyway!

We went through several types of bedding (Holly will chew or shred bedding when she gets bored or nervous, and most plush bedding is dangerous when ingested), before discovering the one thing impervious to Little Holly's Big Teeth. It may be non conventional, but we have been using blankets from Pendleton Woolen Mills to line Holly's crate for several months now, and coupled with a more vigorous walk routine, the destruction of bedding has come to an end! For a less expensive but still durable option, I recommend checking out your local Army/Navy supply store for vintage woolen camp blankets. They are made from the same thick wool as Pendleton's blankets and can even be thrown in the washing machine so long as you don't mind a bit of shrinking!

Pendleton blankets may seem pricey for pup bedding, but compared to the cost of buying a new bed every few days they seem very reasonable!

3. The Art of Raising a Puppy by The Monks of New Skete:

Largely considered one of the best books on early pup training on the market, and written by some of the most respected breeders and trainers of puppies in the nation, The Art of Raising a Puppy goes into detail about each of the stages of puppyhood and describes how best to ensure your pup grows up into a secure, well mannered adult. I enjoyed reading it because I was able to see how some of Holly's difficult behaviors early on may have been a result of her having been a stray separated from her mother (puppies learn a lot of behaviors from their parents as they grow up); and made me even more in awe of her happy go lucky persona given her tough start!

The Monks use story of one litter to help explain stages of puppyhood clearly.

4. Oster Gentle Paws Cordless Nail Trimmer:

I am very nervous about the possibility of hitting Holly's quick when I trim her nails, but I also know the serious health risks that can come with letting her nails get too long. That's why I was thrilled to discover this product from Oster, which features a motorized grinder that rapidly files down your pup's nails rather than trimming them. The plastic safety guard further ensures you won't get too close to the quick. I keep mine by the bed and give Holly a quick paw-dicure while we watch TV in the evening!

5. Pawz Dog Booties:

We have a huge amount of salt on the streets right now thanks to the Polar Vortex bringing tons of snow to the East Coast, and in addition to being drying, stinging, and irritating to your pup's paws, it can be poisonous when ingested. All in all, it's not something I want Holly to come into frequent contact with, so we use these tiny balloon like booties to protect her little feet on her walks. I will warn you: from my experiences and those I have had with other puppy parents I have encountered, these are not something your pup will immediately adapt to. Since they are made of plastic, I am sure they feel a little funny on their paws, but rest assured that with a little time and a lot of patience your fur baby will be prancing through the snow and getting compliments left and right on their snazzy footwear! Pro tip: we had our local Petco trainer help with the sizing so we knew they were just right.

Little Holly loves how many compliments she gets on her orange booties! 

6. Firefighter Pet Rescue Stickers:

Essentials if you live in an apartment, these inexpensive adhesives let local rescue teams know that you have an animal inside and who to contact (you, your vet, etc) in the event of an emergency. I hope that mine never get put to use, but it brings me peace of mind knowing they are there when I am not.

7. Petco Puppy Training Courses:

Words cannot describe how much Holly and I have loved our time in Petco's Puppy Training Courses. We began with the basics in Puppy 1 and had so much fun bonding and working together that we are now enrolled in our fourth level, the American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen prep course. Apart from providing a useful foundation of tricks and skills for puppyhood, the courses also give us a chance to work together and to have playtime with other owners and pups for an hour each week. Holly loves "school" so much she will whine when we are in the vicinity of our local Petco and try to pull me inside, even if we don't have class that day (FYI, this kind of behavior is NOT what we are supposed to be encouraging...haha!). In fact, the only thing Holly seems not to enjoy about school is the graduation hat I purchased for her on Etsy--or maybe she looks so unhappy in her grad pics because she knows the fun is over!

Do you have any new puppy must haves? 

Until Next Time, Darlings!