Our post yesterday showing the Doritos Super Bowl commercial with the dog and the shock collar drew a lot of comments against these devices. The turnaround at the end of the commercial may have amused many, but the idea of shock collars did not.

Today we present a new video, showing what appears to be Cesar Millan somewhat surreptitiously using a shock collar to make a dog “behave” around a cat. It’s torturous to watch as the dog screams out and eventually becomes fearful and submissive. Since the video does not show the context of what Cesar is doing, maybe he has explained that this is a last-ditch desperate measure. But if the text at the top of this video is true — that the viewing audience is never told that a shock collar is being used — it’s even more heinous. It looks like Cesar is using his mental powers and small corrections with this leash and “SHH” sounds to make the dog behave when he’s actually using painful and frightening electricity. (Could the “SHH” sound actually be the sound of zapping?”)

When did The Dog Whisperer become The Dog Shocker?

I am far from a training guru, so I’d love to hear from some trainers or anyone else about what could be going on. If you saw the complete show, did Millan explain what he was doing? In this video, it really looks like he’s just sneaking the shocks, but that just can’t be the case — can it? The owner must have known what he was up to. And she just sat there, unflinching…

And how about the woman’s comment at the end? “It’s been a lesson for me to learn how to relate to one that wants to dominate me.” OK, so apparently she’ll be using shock collars on her bosses and beaus from now on. I’d like to see Part 2.

(I apologize at the outset to our friends outside the US. It seems that most National Geographic videos are unviewable in many other countries. That’s a shame…)

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Every year in St. Louis, there is a massive pre-Mardi Gras party for pups called the Beggin’ Pet Parade. Party animals (and, y’know, people too) flock to the French neighborhood of Soulard where passers-by can drink in their glamorous ensembles.

This year’s edition of the parade happened to fall on Super Bowl Sunday – and the event took on more meaning as the New Orleans’ Saints claimed victory. Our friends at St. Louis’ Riverfront Times were nice enough to let us republish some colorful photos from yesterday’s bash.

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The Northeast and the Mid-Atlantic states got walloped by major winter storms this weekend. More are expected this week.

Meanwhile dogs need to be walked. Especially when you have three big dogs like Ethel, Nola, and Lucy, above. These are the lucky dogs rescued by my two good friends, Ho Blair and Jerry Devine. (They’re the ones with the big coats. Er, the big puffy, not fluffy, coats.)

Old English sheepdogs are supposed to be in their element in the chilly weather, but take a look at the expressions on the girls’ furry faces in this photo in their local newspaper. They look utterly shocked, with mouths open, eyes staring in disbelief at the surrounding winter wonderland.

There’s a good reason for this. A few months ago, they were all enjoying the high life in warm, sunny Palm Springs, Calif. Last time I saw Ho and Jerry, they were in shorts and tropical-hued short-sleeve shirts, and the girls sported short haircuts and lounged like coddled popsicles around the air-conditioned bliss of their house until it was cool enough to go for a walk.

Then Asbury Park, N.J., beckoned. “We miss having four seasons,” Ho explained. Little did they know about the fourth one. Still, they love it, and say they continue to believe in their sanity. The dogs may be saying otherwise, judging by their looks.

(We tease. Actually, the dogs are probably a lot happier there than in Palm Springs, where it gets mighty toasty during summer.)

We who live in relatively warm climes salute devoted dog owners who live in places where snow shovels are de rigeur. It takes a lot of effort, fortitude, and insulation to get through these frigid months of dog walking. Here’s a nice, warm toast to you and your chilly-pawed friends!

Photo: Noah K. Murray/The Star Ledger

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Anyone see this commercial yesterday during the Super Bowl? We’re curious what Dogsters think. Bark back (as long as you’re not wearing one of these wretched collars) and let us know!

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Abbie Girl leaves Dozer the Surfing Bulldog in her wake while riding the waves at Coronado State Park, near San Diego (Photo: Dan MacMedan, USA Today)

Abbie Girl is an Australian Kelpie with many talents. Not only is she a Dogster, but she also herds sheep (per her breed’s strong spot), rock climbs, and surfs. In fact, this sporty girl can surf well enough that she was chosen to be a surfing extra in the upcoming film, Marmaduke. This led to her being featured in USA Today. Check out the article.

If her part stays in the film, you’ll be able to see Marmaduke and say, “Yep, I know that dog. She’s a Dogster, just like my dog.” (Unlike your dog, she earned $400 for her role as an extra…)

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