Social Media Hound Elmo at the Yappy Christmas Raffle

Posted by Belinda - Social Media Manager

Everyone who meets Elmo loves him.  He's super cute, super friendly and very photogenic.  He is our Social Media Hound cos every time I post his photo, we always get lots of likes!

Pup Reporter Alexia, with Social Media Hound Elmo, at the Yappy Christmas Raffle

I've had Elmo for a year and a half, and it seems like the longer I have him, the more quirks he develops.  Not sure if that's from living with me, or whether he's always had these funny habits, but I reckon a lot of them came from his life before I adopted him.  The RSPCA didn't have any history on him, but I strongly believe he came from a puppy farm.

Someone told me once that some dogs like to jump onto other dogs as a form of dominance.  Well, it seems like Elmo like to jump on female dogs, and when I say jump on them, I mean mount them from behind.  Yep, I suspect he's had quite a few fluffy white offspring from his time at the puppy farm.  But over a year after his desexing surgery I didn't think he'd still be in the habit of trying to hump the lady dogs!

Elmo is grumpy because he didn't want to wear the Santa hat!

Look at him, he's so cute!  Yes he is and I love him to bits, but his past life keeps intruding into the present.  I can't walk him past wheelie bins without him freezing and pulling away with fear.  And he has the same reaction to running water and outdoor taps. 

And did I mention he is a peeing machine?  No bush, no post, no tree trunk, is immune to Elmo's piddle.  At our recent Christmas raffle he spotted him cocking his leg against the Executive Producer's handbag, a water bowl, a few table legs, some random Christmas decorations left lying on the ground, and every tree trunk in close proximity.  I've been told that for Elmo, marking is a natural behaviour for him and to try and change this would just confuse and stress him. 

So I am resigned to having to watch him like a hawk every time he's around other dogs, in case I have to run in to stop him from humping a lady dog or weeing against someone's property.

Elmo is popular with the ladies, both two and four-legged, as seen here with Intan Lay

No you can't tell just by looking at him that Elmo has these quirks.  But I would never give him up just because he tried to have his way with three female Cavaliers in one afternoon.  Just because Elmo can't have puppies anymore, that doesn't stop him from trying!  Honestly, I think he doesn't know his boy bits are gone for good.

Who's Your Doggy?

Posted by Belinda - Social Media Manager

Making a TV show when you don't have a lot of money does present some challenges. But we've been lucky to have a very motivated team of volunteers who are really good sports when it comes to dealing with the public when filming.

Our usual guy Vas couldn't make it to filming this time, so I called up an acquaintance, Peter, to fill in as Yappy while we patrolled St Kilda for dog owners to interview.

On that day I found myself acting as costume assistant, roadie, social media person, production assistant, driver, dog wrangler and promoter.  All in the space of two hours.  A limited budget calls for maximum flexibility of duties, but still it's a lot of fun and you just have to muck in if you wanna get some great TV content in the can.

Yappy playing with some children in St Kilda

Standing outside Luna Park, that was a trip!  All the kids and families kept coming up to Yappy, wanting photos and hugs.  A couple of young men even came up to hug Yappy!  Liza was handing out business cards to anyone who'd take them while I kept shouting out "Yappy Hour TV!  Channel 31!  7th November!  Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter!"  Hopefully I didn't ruin the audio....

Maybe filming on a Thursday afternoon wasn't the best idea.  We just couldn't find any dogs around to film!  Tony had lined up a young woman to interview about her dog, someone he'd met in a bar the night before.  He didn't manage to get her phone number though.

On St Kilda beach we found a young couple who were happy to be filmed talking about their female Jack Russell.  Mid-way through the interview Elmo started circling her, sniffed her hindquarters, then jumped on her.  I blurted "Elmo, don't hump the little dog!" and pulled him off.  

Maybe we should be making a reality TV show instead.

Yappy and Elmo, with Tony Bolton and Roger Qureitem in background

Our recent additions to the Yappy team

Posted by Belinda - Social Media Manager

The show has started broadcasting and we're getting more and more people joining the Yappy Team.

Now we have Julia Drost, our resident dog breed expert.

Laura Densley - Rover Reporter

Naomi Fryers, mother of 14 month old Ted, and our Yappy blogger

Intan Lay who will issue media and press releases

And Tony Knight, fresh from the UK, the world renown Dog Listener!

Preview of Episode 3

Posted by Naomi - Yappy Blogger

Welcome to our ‘dog blog’!

A quick heads (and tails) up to all our pawsome Melbourne furfriends: Yappy Hour TV (YHTV) Episode 3 screens tonight at 6pm on Channel 31!!

Get your tails and tongues wagging folks because the hottest new show in town will be racing across your screens again tonight!  Our Rover Reporters present an action-packed episode on all things canine, while meeting a range of owners and discussing their beloved furbabies.

Former Sale of the Century star Celeste Billinge introduces us to her rescue pup “Rosie” ex RSPCA and fills us in on what the pair have been up to, including some retraining and other such tricks.  And our resident doggy nutritionist offers some useful advice on using natural ingredients in doggy diets to overcome ailments.

We gain an insight into the tattoo industry by visiting Joy Antonie at 'Joy of Ink' and find out how common it is for owners to get inked in honour of ‘(wo)man’s best friend,’ and that owners often get tattoos in memoriam.  Thank you to Les Toth for a great interview!  Southern Cross Pet Services also give us an insight into humans’ grieving processes for pets that have been lost, or crossed the ‘rainbow bridge’ into doggy heaven.

Tonight’s show will also give viewers inside access to tips on avoiding becoming ‘barking mad’. For all you pet owners (current and prospective) YHTV meets Mark Glazenbrook who invented a distraction toy that keeps dogs occupied when they would otherwise be barking. There is also ongoing discussion throughout the show on dogs as pet therapy or companion animals.

                                                                                                           

Arguably a highlight of this episode is the tale of ‘Story Dogs’, who have created an incredible network and are helping children with literacy in local Melburnian schools. 

Pup Reporter Alexia at Sandringham East Primary School

Find out all this by watching the show TONIGHT!  Like all YHTV episodes there’s something for every dog lover, so don’t forget to tune in.

And don't forget to come back to our Yappy dog blog for a post-show review, including more information on any of the products, specialists and guests we discuss on Yappy Hour TV.

From all the team at Yappy Hour TV we wish you a lovely day.  See you tonight!

NAOMI FRYERS

The Dogs Behind Yappy Hour TV

Posted by Belinda - Social Media Manager

We thought it was time we dedicated an entire blog post to our own furry four-legged darlings...As we wouldn't be making our doggy show if it wasn't for them!

So here's Tyson, a Staffy cross belonging to our animator Kathy Constantin.

Barlie, our blogger Naomi Fryer's dog, a Shihtzu Poodle.
 

A handsome Great Dane called Charlie, beloved by Lorinska Anderson, Rover Reporter.

Chanel, Dior and Gucci, a Maltese, Papillion and Chihuahua, who are cared by Libby Petrella, Rover Reporter.

Tiny 14 month old Zoe, a chihuahua, owned by Executive Producer, Liza Robinson.

Liza's 10 year dog Zac, a Jack Russell chihuahua mix.

And here is Taco, another Chihuahua also belonging to Liza. 

This is Social Media Hound Elmo, who is a Bichon Frise crossbreed sharing his life with Belinda Chong, digital media manager.

 And last but not least...here's Yappy!  Beloved by children and everyone in the Yappy team.

What breed is Elmo?

Posted by Belinda - Social Media Manager

My dog Elmo is a male Bichon Frise cross.  When I adopted him from RSPCA VIC they identified his breed as that.

He definitely had a Bichon face, but he's smaller than typical Bichons.  Plus his coat is less dense and he has clear nails instead of black ones.

Random dog lovers I encounter on the street like to play 'Guess the breed' with my dog.  Most of the time they think he is Maltese, poodle, or shihtzu.  On rare occasions people guess correctly because they have their own Bichon at home.

Elmo, aka YHTV's Social Media Hound, at Mentone Beach

I was having a meal in St Kilda with Elmo once, and the French waitress knew he was a Bichon cross because her own dog in France was one.  And she was telling me how much she missed her dog too.

Random strangers who normally wouldn't have anything to do with me will come up to me and Elmo just to start conversations about Elmo or to talk about their own dogs.  It doesn't matter what age or background they are, kids and adults alike will just come up to us and tell me what a cute dog I have.

One of these days I will get the dog breed DNA test to find out exactly what mix of breeds he is, just cos I'm curious.  But in the end it doesn't matter, cos I love him just the way he is.

BELINDA CHONG

Filming at the Royal Melbourne Show

Posted by Belinda - Social Media Manager

It's not that hot today but muggy and a little windy at the Melbourne Showgrounds.  Liza is ill so Libby has kindly taken her place for the day.

Filming at the Advance Dog Pavilion

The Showgrounds are so big it takes forever to walk from the Advance Dog Pavilion with our filming equipment to the showbags building where we hope to find the 3AW booth.  Liza had heard that 3AW were interviewing kids at the Show, and asked us to see if they would agree to interview Alexia so we could film it for Yappy Hour TV.  And to promote the show to 3AW listeners.

Well okay, Liza, hopefully Roger won't mind staying back an extra 30 minutes.  We find the booth with a couple of young women out the front handing out pamphlets.  It's Magic 1278 broadcasting today, not 3AW.  Hmm, not sure who we should ask about interviewing Alexia.

Roger tells me to ask the young woman out the front, since she's wearing a Magic 1278 shirt.  I tell her about 3AW's interviews with kids and ask her if we could arrange something like that with Magic instead.

She tells me Magic have a programme which is preplanned and she's not sure if they include interviews with kids.  Ok then.  Roger looks at me and says "Well maybe not then...?"  Alexia looks worried.

"Is there a producer that maybe we can talk to?"  I ask the young lady.  She doesn't really respond and gives me a look which is not encouraging for us. 

"Oh well thanks anyway, we'll just wait here for our colleagues to catch up with us," I say to her.  I guess it's a bit much for us to just turn up and ask for a live on-air interview there and then.

Yappy and Libby

We see Yappy and Libby in the distance, who are stopping frequently to pose for photos and hugs with children.  Yappy is amazingly, astoundingly popular here at the Show.  Then I see the young woman talking to the announcer inside the Magic 1278 booth, and she is glancing at us.

I bring Alexia inside the booth, give Libby's business card to the announcer and introduce Alexia to him.  He agrees to interview her, and they agree to let us to film them talking, with Yappy next to them inside the booth.

OMGOMGOMGOMG!

I am blown away by the friendliness and generosity of the Magic 1278 announcers for being such good sports.  Libby and I watch the interview from outside and every time Ric Ditchburn mentions Yappy Hour TV we squeal and jump up and down with excitement.  The other male announcer Kevin John comes out and tells us "But it's only radio!"  to which we reply "But we don't care!!!"

Alexia is very natural and quick thinking when interviewed, and even thanks the announcer at the end.  She is a true professional at age 10!  When filming has finished we thank the Magic 1278 team and pack up our things.  Alexia is fooling around with the Yappy costume and Roger is taking smartphone pics of her like any proud Dad.

Libby has sore feet and I'm knackered, but I'm really proud we got to film Alexia being interviewed today.  Yappy Hour TV is Liza's dream, and sometimes all you have to do is go out and ask someone to make your dreams come true.

Alexia being interviewed live on Magic 1278, with Ric Ditchburn and Yappy.

Special thanks to Jane Holmes, Kevin John and Ric Ditchburn from Magic 1278

The first time I ever met my dog - Belinda

Posted by Belinda - Social Media Manager 

My dog is cute, he's fluffy and very smart.  He loves all food, especially seafood;  I like to joke he is half Bichon, half cat, due to his deep love of fish.

My dog came to me via RSPCA VIC.  I had for a while been interested in getting my first ever dog, a small quiet one, and I thought a small adult hyperallergenic dog would suit my household.

I didn't have any expectations of breed or appearance, I just wanted a calm dog who wasn't fazed by much going on.

At the RSPCA in the last pen I saw a small white dog, with no collar and not even a sign on his pen.  It was sitting quietly on the bed in the back of the pen.  I looked at it and it looked back at me, not reacting much to me at all.  The dog was a bit on the scrawny side, coat roughly clipped and very short, with nothing remarkable to distinguish it from any other generic white dog.  

I did a circuit of all the glass pens and found myself back at the untitled pen.  This time the little dog was standing behind the glass door of its pen.  There was a slit in the door that was just wide enough to squeeze my hand through, and I just felt the urge to pat the little white dog.

As soon as my hand reached the dog's head it started licking me.  I was too shocked to even pull it away, or be disgusted.

Elmo, also known as YHTV's Social Media Hound

What's more, after a while the dog even rested its paw on my hand while still licking it!  So I knew there was something special about this dog...

He's not a shy, scared little dog anymore, but Elmo has his moments.  Like any dog he hates baths but he's also scared of random things like wheelie bins and running water.  I don't where he lived before he came to the RSPCA -  he had no name, no collar, and no history.  All I know about him now is that he's about 4 years old and he is a mix breed male Bichon Frise.

The RSPCA called him Elmo, and I kept that name because it reminds me of where I got him from. 

Everyone tells me what a friendly cute obedient dog he is, but honestly, he only became that way because now he has someone to love him, and to take care of him.

BELINDA CHONG

Alexia Writes About Being A Pup Reporter

Posted by Alexia - Pup Reporter

Hi my name's Alexia and I'm a Pup Reporter for Yappy Hour TV.  For me going around and interviewing people about dogs is a big chance for me.

Pup Reporter Alexia, on location at Brighton Dog Beach

I grew up with dogs.  I love dogs.  A couple of years ago, my favourite dog in the world died.  We named him Flash.  It was really rough when that happened.

I remember when I woke up and Flash was sitting on the end of the bed and when I sat up he jumped on me and started licking me.

I started dancing when I was 3 years of age.  I think I have about 40 medals and 15 trophies at home.  But now I'm a cheerleader for KLD Allstars and I LOVE it.

I like working with Yappy Hour TV because I learn a lot of stuff about different dogs when I interview people.  Being on camera is pretty cool.  Because it's something I always like doing.  I've always wanted to work with my Dad who is a cameraman because if I get stuck he will help me with another question.  

Thanks for listening

ALEXIA  xox

How Yappy Hour TV Started

Posted by Liza - Executive Producer 

Always hard to write about “how it all started” from the beginning, mmm…where to begin….

I guess actually I had a plan a long time ago to do a TV show, but my original concept was conceived when I was living in the US with my three pooches, and like many other TV viewers was becoming so dis-interested in the content being shown on TV.  

I returned to Sydney for a while and was managing a pub in in trendy Balmain.  Across the road was a dog park, and I would sit there in the morning sun, talking to the Sydney pooch owners, missing the three I left behind in LA.  So the idea to make the Sunday Happy Hour at the pub into a Yappy Hour seemed like a logical idea - have the dog owners come into the pub for a get together around 2pm after a play in the park, have a glass of wine, cheese and biscuits, and of course some doggie treats for our furry friends.  It was an instant success!

Yappy Hour TV is fuelled by our love for DOGS….how much they bring to people’s lives, how much JOY they bring to everyone, especially at this time on the planet, we need this in fact MORE than ever.

In May we received an email from Channel 31 to say they liked our concept in writing and would like to see a pilot, so it was all systems go.  Having very few industry contacts in Melbourne, I resorted to good ole trusty Gumtree and BINGO I found the right guy straight away, it’s just amazing how the universe works.  Roger Quraitem (cameraman) had a lot of experience, was freelance and LOVED the idea.

Liza Robinson (Executive Producer), Roger Quraitem (Camera) and Libby Petrella (Rover Reporter).  Also pictured is Liza's chihuahua, Taco.

In June we launched our Facebook page and this was even before we had received confirmation from Channel 31 that our pilot was accepted, in fact before we had even produced the pilot.  I knew I was taking a risk but I had a gut instinct and I have very rarely been wrong!!

The response from Facebook was amazing - people started to contact us, what a great idea, how can we be involved, we want to be on the show etc etc….and so it evolved.  Through Facebook I met a lovely lady by the name of Libby Petrella, as soon as we met we connected.  I thought perhaps she could assist as a Rover Reporter, as she has her own three adopted furbabies.

Channel 31 in Melbourne confirmed they loved the show concept and advised a launch date of Friday November 7th at 6pm, so it was all systems go, assembling sponsors, a production team etc etc.

We needed social media assistance and a photographer, and again the universe answered and found us Belinda Chong and Andy Dyson, again both big dog lovers, and who were very excited about being part of the team.  The team continued to grow even more with Pup Reporter Alexia, daughter of cameraman Roger, our animation person Kathy Constantin. Santiago Castano our sound engineer, as well as Lorinska Anderson and Tony Bolton, as Rover Reporters.  Not to mention Vas Patel and Peter Spowart as Yappy the mascot!

Enough for now...

Gotta run…time to go smooch my pooch…or should I say pooches!

Yappy Hour TV on location at Brighton Dog Beach, with Claude the Cavoodle in foreground.  Credit: Emily Butler

LIZA ROBINSON