Pet project: For the love of our furry friends

Lestre Zapanta

Dogs and cats are among the most popular pet choices in the Philippines. As such, it is no surprise the spotlight now falls on these adorable house companions via GMA News TV’s “Luv U Pet.”

Produced by former GMA News and Public Affairs news correspondent Claire Delfin for Claire Delfin Media, the pet-oriented lifestyle show tackles everything pet lovers need to know about their furry friends.

That said, Claire is adamant that the show focuses only on the positive aspect of pet ownership.

“Ako, I believe kailangan din na when you want to promote love, you have to show love. If you want to teach love, you have to show love, so positive reinforcement lahat at hindi ’yung puro negatibo ang ipapakita sa show. For example, hindi (namin ifi-feature) ’yung may batang nakagat ng aso at namatay kasi it’s very negative eh,” she explained.

The idea of producing the show came about after Lestre Zapanta, a dog master with 15 years of experience analyzing canine behavior, was featured on “Brigada” some time ago.

“They had an episode on ‘Brigada’ about dog behavior interventions then maganda ’yung response ng public so it further cemented what I have always observe na may demand for information about pets,” Claire shared.

On getting Lestre to host “Luv U Pet,” Claire said, “We need someone to help us understand and exercise necessary interventions para mas maging matiwasay ang buhay natin kasama ang pets.”

Aired on Saturdays, the host shows viewers how to handle an aggressive dog. There is also a segment, whose concept, Lestre explained, “is bent on putting the psychology of askals dun sa dogs living inside the house.”

Citing how street dogs are more sound, stable and secure than most pampered purebreds, Lestre added, “The problem kasi, mas maraming aso sa loob ng bahay ang may nakakagat as compared sa nasa kalye.”

The Pinoy Dog Whisperer also wants to educate owners on how to discipline their dogs.

“Halimbawa, si nanay ay naglalaba (tapos) mangungulit si doggy, (I’ll teach viewers) paanong gagawin para hindi mangulit. Kailangan ko lang mag-intervene kasi hindi naiintindihan ng dog owner paano baasahin ’yung aso niya at paano ma-educate ’yung aso niya na, ‘This is not allowed.’”

Surprisingly, Lestre is self-taught, learning his trade mainly by observing street dogs.

Co-host Jamie Fournier, who has a three-year-old beagle named Chase, admitted she has learned so much from working on the show.

“The exposure to him (Lestre) is very helpful (because) I have a dog. Pinagsasabihan niya rin ako (na ’wag masyado) i-spoil ang aso ko,” she shared.

“Luv U Pet” airs Saturdays at 4 p.m. on GMA News TV Channel 11

Pet project: For the love of our furry friends

Source: Mb.com.ph (March 01, 2015 at 12:12AM)

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