My husband was a "cat person", so it took almost two years for him to agree to a dog for our children.  I promised that I would do everything  for the dog and it wouldn't be any extra work for him.  In 2006, we added Monaco to our family, a hairless female Chinese Crested. Monaco was such a sweetheart, our daughter's new BFF and she was friendly towards everyone...people and other animals.  This made us long for another dog.  I decided she needed a boyfriend.  After begging and shedding some tears, my husband caved.  So, in 2008 we added Venice, a hairless male to the family.   Monaco didn't like him at first, but within a couple of weeks, they were best friends.   In 2009, we married our dogs...first comes love, then comes marriage and then comes the PUPPIES!
In 2011, I decided to give breeding a try.  I educated myself with conversations I had with Laurie of the Yuppy Puppy and various research.  I felt confident enough to successfully do this and my husband was onboard.  Monaco and Venice produced a beautiful litter of two.  My daughter and I whelped them on my husband's birthday... the "cat person", how special.  I told my husband we would sell the puppies.  But once I laid my eyes on them, that idea flew out the window... it was love at first sight.  Wow...a dog WITH hair, that was different... and a hairless with the best markings and colors I had ever seen.  They were gorgeous, how could I part with either one of them?  My husband kept asking if I had advertised yet...I kept putting him off.  Ahhh, the power of tears...now we have 4 Chinese Cresteds, a PACK!  Rome, is a white Powderpuff and HonoLULU is our hairless baby girl.   What a tough job, one litter and done!  Giving birth to another child is less work and I would have gotten more sleep!  God Bless Laurie Strew!  
Now let's get REAL...Monaco and Venice were totally OUT OF CONTROL!  Venice "the Menace" became a new nickname.  Forget having visitors over without first gating all of the dogs in the kitchen and then listening to a barking frenzy.  The sweet Monaco we once knew, now enjoyed biting anyone who came through our door.  Venice had copied this, plus had a couple of behavior issues of his own.  How did this happen?  Are Chinese Cresteds supposed to behave this way?  NO DOG should behave this way!   I thought it was cute because they were small, so I just ignored this behavior.  But what if a Doberman Pincher did this?  It's not so cute, is it?
Remember I said they would be MY responsibility? I tried obedience class and dropped out.  I was overwhelmed.  I multi-task, but there weren't enough hours in the day for this working mom, I was spreading myself too thin.  
They were my BABIES, I gave them tons of affection, instead of treating them like DOGS.  They became in charge of me and it was MY FAULT, I allowed it to happen.  I needed help!
What I've told you is just a fraction of my story, but I'm sure a lot of you can relate to treating these cute little Cresteds like babies.  The Producers for the Dog Whisperer loved my story and thank God they did!  Cesar Millan recently trained me and my family.  Monaco, Venice, Rome and Lulu are now OUR responsibility, not just mine.  Our dogs are on the right track and my family and I are finally on the same page.  Exercise, Discipline and then affection!  Look for our complete story in 2012 on the Dog Whisperer.
I am the LEADER of my pack!
Kimberly Mastriana