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David Duchovny: “Lick My Face” To Support Zero-Kill Shelter Initia

Christina Peden
by Christina Peden
Published:  June 24th, 2016
He’s moved on from chasing aliens to saving dogs. Now, he’s asking pooches to lick his face. Lucky dogs!


Who knew Mulder was such an animal lover? We didn’t, but we’re certainly not complaining!


David Duchovny and his rescue dog, Brick, this week helped kick off animal rescue organization Target Zero’s brand new “Lick My Face” campaign. David released a video in which he promised to donate a dollar for every lick he received from Brick, and he’s challenging you (plus X-Files co-star Gillian Anderson and ex-wife Tea Leoni) to do the same!


Target Zero is a non-profit organization that mentors shelter and animal welfare leaders in proven best practices for getting to ‘zero kill’ (or no-kill) status in three years or less. David is a member of the charity’s board, so the cause is very near and dear to his heart.


Related: What Is A No-Kill Shelter?


We all know the stats behind America’s stray dog and cat problem are staggering: each year, approximately 3 million cats and dogs are euthanized in shelters across the US due to overcrowding. So far, Target Zero has helped two cities — Waco, Texas and Huntsville, Alabama — reach zero kill status. Brevard County, Florida is also not far behind, but they don’t want to stop there.


Zero kill is defined as 90 percent or more of dogs and cats safely making it out of a city’s shelter. About 10 percent or less is made up of animals who unfortunately will not make it due untreatable medical issues or major, non-rehabilitative aggression issues.


“Target Zero is showing a clear path to end the euthanasia of adoptable shelter animals through its proven-to-work program,” says Duchovny. “We’re currently in eleven cities, but I’d like us to be in 20, 30, 40 more as quickly as possible to keep saving more and more lives. My hope is this campaign will get the word out far and wide that we’re here to help.”


Related: Four Paws Up! Detroit Opens Its First No-Kill Dog Shelter


Okay, so we may have fibbed just a little at the beginning of this article. While you won’t actually get to lick David’s face, you can do the next best thing: let your pooch cover you in kisses, while you pledge to donate a dollar for loving lick you receive. Sounds pretty great to us!


Want to get in on the action and help save the lives of shelter animals across the country?


Follow the “Lick My Face” campaign guidelines below:


  1. Participants may join the “lick-off” just by having a smart phone or video camera and enthusiastic four-legged partner.
  2. A pet friendly substance such as all natural peanut butter may be applied to one’s face to up the donation count (and fun!).
  3. Post your videos to your favorite social media channels:Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and others with the hashtags: and
  4. Participants will donate at least one dollar for every lick received at http://www.lickmyface.org/
  5. Don’t forget to challenge others to join the cause!


Well, what are you waiting for?! Grab your pup and let the smooch-fest begin!


To see David and his adorable pooch Brick in their very own submission, check out the video below!

WOW
Christina Peden
Christina Peden

Christina Peden is a lifelong animal lover and avid wordsmith. She lives in Toronto with her boyfriend Ryan where they are proud pet parents to puppy, Matilda and cat, Oscar. In her spare time, she can be found enjoying Toronto, Canada's all-too-short patio season, taking advantage of the city's numerous parks or curled up with a good book.

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Can Counterconditioning Help My Reactive Dog?

Caring for and managing a reactive dog can be incredibly frustrating. Your dog may be a sweet angel at home, but they suddenly evolve into a barking, growling, lunging whirlwind when out in public.Luckily, there is hope!Overcoming reactivity is a process that will not happen overnight. However, dog trainers and behaviorists have seen great success with positive reinforcement techniques like counterconditioning.This article will explore how counterconditioning works, the steps involved in the process, realistic timelines and expectations, and tips for a successful journey toward a calmer, more confident dog. Get started today!What is Counterconditioning for Dogs?Let’s start at the beginning—what exactly is counterconditioning, and why is it recommended for managing and treating reactive dogs?Counterconditioning is a behavioral modification technique that focuses on changing your dog’s emotional response to a specific stimulus.For example, some dogs feel fear and anxiety at the sight of another dog. This could be due to a lack of socialization, meaning they weren’t taught that other dogs can be friendly. It could also be a reaction to a past trauma, like having been attacked by another dog. In these situations, counterconditioning can be used to teach your dog that the sight of another dog leads to a positive experience.Why is this an effective approach for addressing reactivity? Reactivity, by definition, is an overreaction to a trigger. While this is often associated with fear or anxiety, some reactive dogs become overly excited. An overexcited dog may jump all over strangers not because they are trying to cause harm but because they are so excited to see them that they can’t control their response.If you have identified your dog’s triggers, you can use this training approach to teach them to respond in a new (and better) way.What Can Counterconditioning Be Used to Treat?Reactivity isn’t the only behavioral condition that can be treated with counterconditioning. This technique can be used to address a wide spectrum of situations in which a pet may be responding to a situation or trigger in an unwanted way.Some situations where it is commonly recommended include helping dogs overcome specific fears or phobias as well as managing or overcoming behaviors related to obsessive-compulsive disorder.Common fears that may be addressed with counterconditioning include: Fear of car ridesAnxiety when visiting the vetNoises (fireworks, thunder)Babies (especially the sound of crying)Strangers or other dogs in publicAllowing guests to enter their homePhysical triggers like cars or bicyclesDogs who dislike grooming, like brushing or having their nails trimmedIf you believe this approach may be helpful in your dog’s unique situation, we recommend speaking with a behaviorist.You can find professionals in your area by browsing the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists website list or the Animal Behavior Consultants Directory by the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior.

What Is Pyoderma In Dogs?

The sight of an itchy dog often raises concerns among pet parents. From parasites, like fleas and ticks, to uncomfortable skin issues and irritation, the explanation is rarely a positive one. In some cases, even finding a cause is an uphill battle. One condition you may have read about or heard your veterinarian mention is pyoderma. But what is pyoderma, and what does this mean for your best friend? In this article, we will dive deep into the world of dog skin issues, uncovering not only the warning signs and possible causes of pyoderma in dogs but also the steps you can take to offer some much-needed relief from the itch and irritation. Let’s get started… What is Pyoderma? Pyoderma is a term used to refer to a bacterial skin infection, with the word literally translating to “pus (pyo) in the skin (derma).” It is one of the most common dog skin conditions. Luckily, it is also often easy to treat once it has been diagnosed. Most dogs recover fully with the proper medication. The condition is classified into one of three types based on its location in or on the skin. They include: Surface Pyoderma: infections on top of the skin’s surfaceSuperficial Pyoderma: infections in the outermost layer of the skin, including in the hair follicles (which may be referred to as superficial bacterial folliculitis)Deep Pyoderma: infections in the deeper layers of the skinThe condition itself isn’t always visible, making it sometimes difficult to spot. This is why it is so important for dog parents to familiarize themselves with the warning signs of skin irritation and seek veterinary help. They can do the tests necessary to look beyond what is visible to the naked eye. What Causes Pyoderma in Dogs? Every healthy dog has bacteria on the surface of their skin. When a dog’s skin becomes irritated for any reason, they respond by scratching at the spot. This creates openings in the layers of the skin where the bacteria can move deeper, creating the perfect environment for them to grow and thrive. There are several potential triggers for the initial irritation, including: Environmental or seasonal allergies Food allergies Flea allergy dermatitis Chronic exposure to moisture (like skin folds)Seborrhea Impaired blood flow to the skin Endocrine disorders (Hypothyroidism, Cushing’s disease) It can also start when the skin is damaged due to an injury. Even a minor injury could cause just enough of an opening into the skin’s layers to begin the cycle. Is Dog Pyoderma Contagious to Humans? As this is a bacterial infection, it isn’t a risk of transmission like an airborne virus would be. Some strains of the bacteria can occasionally lead to an infection in humans or other dogs. However, the risk is incredibly low unless you have a compromised immune system. You can minimize the risk of transmission by focusing on keeping your home clean as your dog fights the infection. This includes regularly cleaning their food and water dishes as well as any bedding your dog sleeps on regularly. If you have an open wound, keep it covered when spending time with your infected dog.

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