Cottage Dog - Spring 2012 by Cottage Dog Magazine

Vol. 3, Issue 1

Spring 2012

SportsEdition NEW

INTRODUCING:

COTTAGE DOG CLUBTM The

PUPARAZZI!

CALL NOW FOR OFF SEASON SPECIALS!

Photography by Erin Monett, everimages.ca

MUSKOKA TIME TIMES HAPPY

youryour dog pets to a dream While you stay at DeerhurstTreat Resort, can vacation where they can run, play & swim unwind at nearby Happy Tails pet resortall day, while you unwind at Deerhurst Resort. Ourresort. fur guests liveyour big dreams Catch a break at Muskoka’s favourite Where only to chase chipmunks, out jump frogs and run theyou trails. Happiness rush is to the beach. Your longest drive gets to the green. abounds here! They rise at dawn without facing closed door, instant friends and delight in sharing all the And good nights mean watching stars at a the lake or livemake on stage. funhere places and things to do. Come nightfall their care-guardians say, Summer sun to winter fun, have it all at Deerhurst. Close to “you can’t hear a pin drop for the sound of the snoring dogs.” Huntsville and Algonquin Provincial Park.

Deerhurst | @ DeerhurstResort Happy-Tails-Pet-Resort-and-Camp

MUSKOKA TIME While you stay at Deerhurst Resort, your pets can unwind at nearby Happy Tails pet resort Catch a break at Muskokaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s favourite resort. Where your only rush is to the beach. Your longest drive gets you to the green. And good nights mean watching stars at the lake or live on stage. Summer sun to winter fun, have it all here at Deerhurst. Close to Huntsville and Algonquin Provincial Park.

deerhurstresort.com | 1-800-461-4393 or 705-789-6411 |

Deerhurst |

@ DeerhurstResort

Spring 2012 Vol. 3, Issue 1

Publisher: K. Lisa Brooks

Publishers Note

Editor: Lorie Lee Steiner

Contributing Writers: Christine Blum Clair Duder Dale Peacock Erika Phillips Kelly McShane Kerry Vinson

Lorie Lee Steiner Nancy Silcox Selma Mulvey Shari Robinson Sheena Stark Tricia Waples, CTDI

Cartoonists Vince Grittani

Cover Photo Credits: Ron Schmidt (Loose Leashes)

Layout Artist: Craig Belanger

Ad inquiries: Lisa Brooks - lisa@cottagedog.com

Story Submissions: Lisa Brooks - lisa@cottagedog.com

Publisher Contact: Cottage Dog Publications 1393 Brunel Road Huntsville, ON P1H 2J3 705-789-9181

Publication Agreement #: 42035032

To subscribe (8 issues, 2 years) visit us online at: www.cottagedog.com Reproduction of any part of this publication without expressed written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited.

Hello my fellow Cottage Dog lovers! Tis almost time for Cottage Days in the sun again and we have good plans to make it an exciting, fun-filled summer indeed. You may be wondering if your Cottage Dog swallowed the last issue of Cottage Dog because it’s been a while since you saw one. Spare the rod, I must confess, we have not printed an issue since our Fall / Christmas 2011. Thankfully, I am able to write that fact inside a triple thick e-pack of not just one, but three e-readable publications! Hoping we have made it into your good books in more ways than one. While we love the printed magazine form with its fresh smell and glossy pages, it’s just too uncertain a time to print. No better logic can explain that than the sad news that the great Dogs in Canada Magazine has closed its doors after decades of publishing. So, yes we evolved quickly into a new e-publication format, with a keen desire to print again when advertising supports it. We are very happy to share the news about the Mediahound event services, and the Cottage Dog Club’s success in bringing the media sponsorship, Sport and Comedy Club entertainment and a full Puparazzi magazine to the All About Pet Show and Toronto Marlies’ Dog Day – both held on April’s 6 to 9th Easter Weekend. Our Cottage Dog Club wowed the crowds with sponsors Pipefusion, ez grass and Algonquin Outfitters and our great resorts (who supplied over $16,500 worth of full week getaways in Ontario and Quebec), along with our coordinator Heather McLeod and RuffSport, Sara Winchester Carson, (youngest certified trick trainer) and over 30 other volunteer members who came to have fun! Sport and Comedy Dogs squirreled around doing Ruff’N-it cottage agility , flyball and discdog routines as well as tricks and dock jumping in that un-duplicatable joy of a ‘bonefide’ Cottage Dog! My longtime friend and cottage and weekend TV guy, Vince Grittani, did an incredible job as our Mediahound Master of Ceremonies. Audience, participants and dogs enjoyed it immensely, so much so, that the new owners of the All About Pet Show asked us to come back next year – long before the weekend had ended. I’d love to list all our great stories, tell you about our Cottage Rental section, new online store and so many more things, but time is of the essence, we have great things to bring to you, and another fantastic e-pack yipping at its heels to be let out the gate. For now, enjoy the read, and we’ll see you and your Cottage Dog in the sun, real soon!

Lisa Brooks

The information and editorial content in Cottage Dog Magazine is strictly for entertainment purposes. Any opinions controversial or otherwise expressed in our articles are those of the writers and not necessarily those of Cottage Dog Magazine. The author, publisher, distributor and provider provide no warranty about the content or accuracy of content enclosed. Information provided is subjective. Neither the Publisher nor Author shall be liable for any loss of profit or any other commercial or other damages resulting from editorial content. All links are for information purposes only and are not warranted for content, accuracy, or any other implied or explicit purpose.

Inside This

Issue

6 Bits & Bites 8 “Say Cheese” 18 4 Dynamos Coming To

Muskoka

28 Give Your Dog A Getaway They Will Remember

38 Motorcycle Dogs 44 Teach Your Cottage Dog

To Fetch You A Cold Beer

50 On Any Given Weekend 54 Muskoka Woodland Bush Splash

58 Bosco, No Clown To Extreme Sports

62 From Rehab To Diving Fool

66 Bardot, The Diving Dog 72 The Chipmunk Challenge

82 Cottage Rentals Listings

92 Kerry Vinson’s Thoughts 94 Selma Mulvey’s Soapbox...

Bits & Bites Dear Cottage Dog, We love Cottage Dog â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the articles are great, pictures even better and we always enjoy seeing dogs in their element and having fun! Cheers!

Kathryn Howell Dog Paddling Adventures www.dogpaddlingadventures.com Photograph of Kailey & Jessie

- 6 - Cottage Dog - Spring 2012

’s

“Molly” a member of the Watson Family of Bethany, Ontario.

US PROBE PET JERKY TREATS IN CHINA! Federal health officials have sent inspectors into Chinese plants that make chicken jerky pet treats to investigate potential links to illnesses and deaths in hundreds of dogs in the United States. It’s not clear exactly how many inspectors are involved or which plants the officials will visit as they attempt to solve the mystery behind at least 600 reports of illnesses including abrupt kidney failure after dogs have been fed chicken jerky treats made in China.

TEA FOR TWO; ME AND BLUE! California Tea House, a US-based gourmet tea company, has formulated the first ever herbal tea blend dedicated to dogs - Machu’s Blend Tea for Dogs - as an alternative for not only treating but also maintaining and prolonging canine well being and happiness. The herbal tea formulated Machu’s Blend promotes a balanced immune system, healthy skin and coat, lowers stress, and aids in the digestion of dry dog food, claims the company. California Tea House said the canine tea also prevents bloat, seizures and motion sickness caused by car rides. California Tea House manufactures loose leaf and organic herbal tea blends. The company offers a variety of blooming, green, black, white, oolong, roobios, decaf and herbal teas. Cottage Dog - Spring 2012 - 7 -

“Say Cheese!”

Dog Photographer Extraordinaire:

Ron Schmidt by Lorie Lee Steiner

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t’s a large leap from high-end fashion photographer to canine camera ace, but embracing all things dog has made New Jersey native Ron Schmidt one happy camper. These days when he takes glam shots, his models show more than ‘a little leg.’ In fact, most often they’re showing all four legs ... and he wouldn’t have it any other way. Ron’s latest high-profile magazine gig features the handsome blond and brunette duo, Lewie & Clark, rowing their way to fame on the cover of this issue of Cottage Dog. Ron Schmidt is the creative genius behind ‘Loose Leashes,’ the commercial photography company he runs with his witty wife and authoress, Amy, and their lovable rescue dog, Sam. A graduate of the Brooks Institute in Santa Barbara, California, Ron spent five years working with New York’s finest fashion and celebrity photographers in the Big Apple. “But,” he says, “It just wasn’t my bag. So I went out and started doing my own thing. One day I created a photo of my yellow Lab, Indy, in the woods, carrying a tree on her back. We sent it out as our Christmas card that year and the response was amazing! Later, I did four more images of dogs in that style – fun, conceptual stuff – and stuck them in my portfolio.” That same portfolio he took to a well-respected consultant in New York City to gain exposure for his business and hopefully pick up some commercial work. The consultant was impressed enough with his images, but when it came to the dog pics, she went crazy. “It was very validating,” Ron admits, “to have a well-known professional rave about those. That’s when I knew I was on the right path.” ‘Loose Leashes’ was formed in 2005 and exemplifies Ron’s passion and sense of humour: “Dogs only. I’m not a pet photographer and I don’t shoot portraits. The Cottage Dog - Spring 2012 - 9 -

name wraps up what I do. It’s all about portraying dogs being happy, with nothing holding them back – like the dog has complete freedom to get in his canoe and enjoy life.” One look at the fetching cover pic of Lewie & Clark and you’re itching to know “how did he get them to do that?” I mean, it’s tricky enough for us humans to balance a canoe, let alone doing it with a companion in the boat and a lifesized oar in our chops. The answer is a perfect combo of imagination, talent and good old-fashioned grunt work. Ron’s skills know no bounds; artist, casting director, set builder and as it turns out a bit of a magician. It takes some clever conjuring and a ton of hard work behind the scenes to pull off such a realistic shot. The magic begins in Ron’s home studio. Here he draws his ideas on paper; some are put aside, some sail right into the trash. Inevitably there’s an ‘aha’ moment. “I know right away if I like it and then I’ll start fleshing out the concept in detail. Each dog becomes a character with its own name and bio. I create the images and Amy writes their individual stories.” Next, an open casting call goes out on the craigslist website – looking for dogs with certain unique markings, for example. Living 40 min from New York City, there is no shortage of eager models. Ron also has a great rela- 10 - Cottage Dog - Spring 2012

tionship with local breeders, where he knows he can find well-trained, purebred dogs. While he adores all Mutts, he rarely uses them in his work because they are just too unique and people buying his images usually want to identify with a certain breed. When it comes to set design, a timeless look is where it’s at. Props must be classic – retro and appealing but not dated. And even though imagination is definitely at play, Ron insists his images have to be completely believable. No dogs shooting the curl on surfboards, though they have been known to carry them on the roof of the family station wagon! The whole process is akin to a cinematic production. Creating outdoorsy, fun characters like Lewie and Clark and capturing them in wild and wacky, or warm and fuzzy scenarios. This is where the conjuring comes in. Let’s take our famous canoe pic: Two dogs in a boat, floating down the river, oars in teeth – a pair of true adventurers. What you don’t see is that it’s only half of a canoe, with a square back and no bottom that Ron made out of plywood in his basement. To scout the location, he drove around with his assistant, the dogs and the prop boat until he found the perfect river’s edge vista. The demi-canoe was sitting in only 2 ½ cm (an inch) of water with the dogs and boat held in place by his helper, when Ron started his

low angle shooting. Hundreds of images later, success! The oars were shot separately and added as digital details back in the studio. No tongue splinters for these dogs, but a fab splash in the river after work. The image of ‘Fluke’ mugging in the sailor hat was created entirely in-studio. It was no problem getting him to don the cap, but Ron spent many hours digitally producing the sexy chest tattoo. Anchors aweigh! While it’s no secret our canine buddies are irresistible, they can also be a challenge. Something Ron’s on-site ‘dog wrangler,’ Amy, knows all too well – considering she is allergic to many of the breeds she works with! Boston Terriers are particularly sneeze-worthy, so imagine her joy being up close and personal as ‘Biscuit’ drooled over pastries at the Bakery. The scene was created using an old window from the Schmidt’s basement, decorated with a swipe of cheese to get the dog to lick the glass. Easier said than done. In the end it took 6 different Bostons, over 100 shots of each and more cheese than you could shake a stick at to get this delicious image. But, even Amy agrees, it’s priceless.

Along with selling framed and unframed prints through Loose Leashes.com, Ron’s photographs are available as licensed products like greeting cards. He and his wife also collaborated on a Loose Leashes children’s book, featuring Ron’s dog photos and Amy’s clever poems. It was such a big hit they’re now working on a second book, a fun romp about puppies going to school, due for release in summer 2013 by Random House. The idea was inspired by the trips they make with their therapy dog, Sam, to visit handicapped children at school. Ron describes his best friend Sam as “a large white Lab that looks like a giant. He is thin and tall with long legs and a very long body and weighs about 125 lb. But he is such a laid-back, low energy fellow that the kids love him. Large dogs are magical and he’s a real people magnet. I know everybody in town because of Sam. He’s so big and unique, as soon as people see him they have to come over and pet him.” Ron and Amy also share their love and concern for the well-being of all animals by donating every month to a different charity, including dog rescue groups. It’s their way of giving back in a meaningful way to the peaceable kingdom.

www.looseleashes.com

FILMING FIDO - Tips from a Pro For Cottage Dog readers thinking of going into the biz as dog photographers, Ron Schmidt has some sage advice: “Be original. Find a niche and create your career from that. I don’t shoot in the traditional sense, I have my own unique style that works for me. Most importantly, have fun!” Ron was only 7 when he took his first animal photos – of squirrels and his dog Nicki – and he admits “at times I am still that boy peering through my lens at a dog, waiting to capture that perfect moment, but now I have a way better camera!” Ron’s camera of choice is a Canon 5D Mark II. He made the switch from medium format film to digital about 2 years ago – now, instead of taking 30 - 60 shots ( 3 to 6 rolls of film) and having to develop them, he takes 500 to 1000 pics in half the time with no development charges. Cottage Dog - Spring 2012 - 11 -

INTRODUCING THE

COTTAGE DOG CLUB

- 12 - Cottage Dog - Spring 2012

JOIN THE COTTAGE DOG CLUB TODAY! Our new Cottage Dog Club™ is all about embracing joy and camaraderie with our dogs and participating in a getaway and cottage lifestyle full of dog sports and fun! Maybe you are a serious club member who stars in agility, flyball, disc dog competitions; or maybe you just like to see your dog jump off the dock. Come share your skills with others and give your dog an opportunity to try some new things! And basically, be part of a fun weekend lifestyle!

Annual Cost: $40 includes: • FREE Subscriptions to our magazines: Cottage Dog and Puparazzi with more on the way

• FREE Samples and Coupons from our Sponsors • Attend one FREE Play Day Event with a Cottage Dog certified trainer & their assistants

• FREE Participation Pass for The Cottage Dog Show: Weekend Getaway Festival in Huntsville [June 15-17, 2012. See www.cottagedog.com/events.php for more details]

• The opportunity to enroll in fun and informative training sessions, classes and seminars with your dog as well as time to socialize with other dog lovers

• Got a dog star? Qualifying members have the exciting opportunity to train and participate in our Ruff’N-It Sport & Comedy Programs

• All this and much much more …

TO SIGN UP, PLEASE VISIT WWW.COTTAGEDOG.COM/COTTAGE-DOG-CLUB

JUST ANOTHER REASON TO JOIN THE TM

COTTAGE DOG CLUB June 15-17

Cottage Dog Weekend Getaway Festival

Come Meet “Thee Dogs” & See Them In Action!

- 14 - Cottage Dog - Spring 2012

FROM CANADA

http://www.youtube.com/heroicmoments

Hero & Sara Carson (Ontario)

FROM USA

http://youtu.be/405td2YgZu4

Jessie & Heather Brook (Arizona )

http://youtu.be/lTMz-QzH02M

Diesel & Heather McLeod (Ontario)

http://youtu.be/XuhE-OC_U-c

Nevada & Shari Robinson (California)

o matter what sport you’re involved in or what breed you love, this is for you.

various demos, as well as jumping in on some hands-on

The Cottage Dog Club is hosting its ﬁrst-ever doggy

The weekend is a chance to connect with dog sport

sporting event for all who love to participate – and have

enthusiasts, join other clubs, learn all that you can and,

fun while they’re at it!

most importantly, have a blast with fellow dog lovers. All

This weekend getaway is a chance for you to showcase

experiences that you and your dog are sure to love.

with a beautiful Muskoka backdrop.

your sport of choice or try out a new one with your dog.

Have a riot meeting new and old friends in our Sport

From June 15 through 17, the CDC is giving you an oppor-

and Comedy Relay Race. There are big prizes for versa-

tunity to see what other sports are all about by watching

tile dogs that score high in several sports, with a top dog

Cottage Dog - Spring 2012 - 15 -

taking home $1000! Those competing for the Top Dog must compete in three to four different teams so they can spread their skills around. Relay teams have staggered starts allowing for multiple team participation. Team components consist of dog-in-canoe paddling team, agility, Cani-cross runners, wheel-joring, flyball, DiscDog, dock jumping and lastly, the Cold One Retriever, where the dog fetches the final handler a cold one from the fridge and brings it to them in their Muskoka chair. Fun! Everyone who competes in our relay of multiple sports is challenged to become “fast” friends to win a variety of awards, prizes and memories. Our membership represents many performance groups that will be on-hand to demonstrate their skills in a variety of sport and comedy performances, including agility, flyball, tricks, and more. There are also extra perks, such as our sponsor Algonquin Outfitters giving free canoe and outfitting lessons and demonstrations on the river beside our venue, with only a small charge for equipment rental if needed. We start each morning with a pancake breakfast hosted by a charity or rescue group, followed by a warm-up parade with participating groups showcasing their club banners so everyone is on top of their game! Front and centre will be seven-month-old North Bay trick dog, Hero, demonstrating his skills alongside his owner Sara Carson – one of the world’s youngest certified trick trainers. Diesel, another celebrated Border Collie, will be attending the event to show the newbies a thing or two. Diesel has been a top-ranked dock jumper in Canada and worldwide. He also competes in flyball, agility and disc.

Nevada, a third Border Collie, World Champion dock diving dog and underwater diving dog, will also be in attendance, coming all the way from California. This amazing eight-year-old was featured in animal photographer Seth Casteel’s infamous ‘underwater dogs’ photos. TallyHo Inn has offered space for 80 dock jumping friends to meet up and spend time with Nevada and her trainer/ owner. The Inn features cottage-style accommodations. Book early to ensure you get a space. Celebrity dog, Jesse, a Jack Russell Terrier from the U.S.A., will bring his entourage of fans to the event and will be putting on a show no dog lover should miss. Star of the original “Useful Dog Tricks” video, Jesse has been featured in television and movies worldwide. He even has his own celebrity blog. Once you’re finished schmoozing with the who’s who of the performance dog world, you can take part in a giant game of snakes and ladders, courtesy of the Huntsville Animal Shelter. The shelter will be on hand raising funds to maintain its operation – a worthy cause that saves hundreds of Muskoka’s animals annually. We also have a bus line that will be picking up people from central locations in Toronto at a cost of $75 each direction with plenty of room for your pooch and your gear. Entry to the event is free of charge for CDC members, which is just another reason you should sign-up. Add this event, and more to come, to all of the other CDC member perks; including try-outs and discounts from our affiliate sport clubs and businesses, deals on members’ products and services, as well as an annual subscription to our flagship e-magazine Cottage Dog, and new Sports Edition and Puparazzi magazines, and you have a total winning combination for you and your dog..

For more information on the event or to sign on to become a Cottage Dog Club member, visit www.cottagedog.com.

- 16 - Cottage Dog - Spring 2012

COTTAGE DOG CLUBTM

IS A PROUD SPONSOR OF:

THE TORONTO

A SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: No Mowing. No Watering. No Problem!!

Premium Synthetic Turf

Tally-Ho Inn www.tallyhoinn.com

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Domaine Summum Well Behaved Humans Accepted être Humaine bien élevés Acceptés

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LAKE OF BAYS M U S K O K A , O N TA R I O , C A N A D A

Cottage Dog - Spring 2012 - 17 -

DyCnoammingotso

Muskoka

Don’t let his size fool you. This pint-sized pooch packs a big punch when it comes to his impressive resume. Jesse, a Jack Russell Terrier, is no newbie in the game of showbiz. He has a long list of credentials that make Lassie look like an amateur. Jesse was the star of a recent Beneful commercial and has been the spokes-dog in commercials for Circle K convenience stores, using the alias “Buster,” as well as for the Virginia Lottery. His face adorns the box of the Bissell Multi-Cyclonic Pet Vacuum and he has appeared in print ads for PetSmart and Mighty Dog. Jesse’s first moment in the spotlight came when he was featured doing his “suitcase trick” on The Late - 18 - Cottage Dog - Spring 2012

JESSE

Show with David’s Letterman’s stupid pet tricks segment. The trick involves tiny Jesse packing himself into a suitcase. He has also performed jump rope on The Rachel Ray Show. The list goes on and on. Which is why it is such an honour to have this little man attend the first-ever Cottage Dog Club event in Huntsville this summer. Jesse loves performing tricks and bringing smiles to people’s faces and we’re hoping his quirky repertoire will inspire our members. Outside of show business, Jesse competes in disc, agility and freestyle competitions in the USA, where he lives with his owner Heather Brook. She describes him as her “little shadow” because he fol-

lows her and watches her every move. If you see Brook, you know Jesse is right behind her. “Jesse is my first and only dog and he was the inspiration for all that we have accomplished,” she said.

because of their abundant personality, charm, en-

With his best friend Brook as his handler, Jesse has been featured on multiple TV shows around the world – from the USA and the United Kingdom, to Germany and Japan. “Jesse and I train using positive reinforcement and relationship-centered training,” explains Brook. “In this type of training, we put the canine-human relationship first and foremost. We focus on teaching and enhancing the bond in all that we do. Training is fun, and we like to emphasize this through games that encourage Jesse to think and be creative.”

beg,” said Brook of his first self-taught trick. And

Having brought Jesse home as a puppy, Brook said she was drawn to the Jack Russell Terrier breed

ergy level and zest for life, which is exactly what makes Jesse stand out from the pack. “When he was nine-weeks-old he taught himself how to sit up and Jesse still amazes her every day. “Jesse’s eyes light up when he knows we are learning something new. The mental stimulation and physical stamina that some of his tricks require is a great way to put the high energy levels of a Jack Russell Terrier to good use.” Brook hosts a blog to keep her best friend’s evergrowing fan base apprised of his new ventures. To follow Jesse in all of his upcoming adventures, visit justjessethejack.blogspot.ca

Cottage Dog - Spring 2012 - 19 -

DyCnoammingotso

Muskoka

A canine star will soon be making an appearance in Muskoka. ‘Diesel’ was Canada’s top ranked Border Collie in the World for 2008. He took the top spot nationally in 2009 with a best jump of 25 ft 11 inches, as well as being the top-ranked Canadian dog for Big Air in 2008 and 2009. This crowd-pleaser receives numerous invitations to world-level competitions each year, including an invite to Cottage Dog’s first-ever Club event being held in Huntsville in June. He was the first Border Collie to excel at Extreme Vertical jumps in Canada in 2008, followed by an exceptional 2009 season, where he grabbed 6 ft, as well as accomplishing a 6.25 second Speed Retrieve time. - 20 - Cottage Dog - Spring 2012

DIESEL

“The biggest moment for dock jumping was when he hit 26 ft 10 inches at an event in Belleville at the age of 7,” said his owner Heather McLeod. “He is unique because of his drive and enthusiasm no matter what sport.” Diesel is also a member of Instant Replay, one of North America’s fastest flyball teams. His fastest time in flyball has been 3.76 seconds. “He puts his all into everything,” said McLeod, owner of Ruff Sport. “He is a crowd favourite, especially at our Raptor half-time shows.” Now 8-years-old, Diesel competes in 10 to 15 sporting events each year, including agility, flyball, disc and dock jumping. McLeod says the key to training is starting as soon as possible and making the interactions fun.

“Right from the beginning (my dogs) come home and train through shaping, using short fun sessions for everything that’s of value to them,” she explained. “These exercises create manners, drive and talent. Less is more.” Although she originally purchased Diesel as a pup with the intention of competing strictly in flyball, McLeod soon found herself training him for multiple competitions and was happy to see him excel in every sport he tried, including dock jumping. “Yes, he is a Border Collie, so, yes, they do excel at many sports, but not typically a water one,” she said, noting it’s not the breed that makes the dog a good choice for competition. “There is no ideal choice. It’s what you make of it, but making training fun makes him want to do it over and over.”

This spring McLeod plans to bring Diesel to the Cottage Dog Club event where he will surely gain scores of new fans. Through all of his impressive performances, Diesel has gained quite a loyal following, hoping to witness his every move, trick or win. Although McLeod says social networking isn’t part of his repertoire – yet. “He does deserve a Facebook page, so I will be working on that. Diesel has a great fan base,” said McLeod. For now, you can find info on Diesel and the rest of McLeod’s doggy fleet at www.ruffsport.ca. As for the future of this veteran athlete, McLeod says she doesn’t see him retiring anytime soon. “We will continue to show and compete even more, as long as we’re having fun and he is healthy and fit.”

Cottage Dog - Spring 2012 - 21 -

DyCnoammingotso

Muskoka

By the time most dogs reach seven months of age, they’re still learning the basics of obedience. Not Hero. Hailing from North Bay, Ont., this 28-pound ball of pure energy is busy making public appearances and training for his next jaw-dropping performance. Hero has performed at the Purina National Dog Show with a trick team, as well as at the All About Pets Show where he wowed the crowd on Easter weekend. His areas of expertise include disc, agility and of course his long list of impressive tricks, which he loves to show off in exchange for cheers. This canine up-and-comer has his own Facebook page where he updates his barrage of loyal fans - 22 - Cottage Dog - Spring 2012

HERO

daily, including posting pictures and videos of his top-notch performances. “For his age he is extremely mature and watching him perform will bring a smile or a laugh to anyone,” said his owner Sara Carson – one of the youngest certified trick trainers in the world. “Hero has a never-ending source of energy and if it does run out he just needs an hour to recharge,” said Carson of her beloved Border Collie. “He loves to ‘work,’ so playing sports and tricks is great for him.” An aspiring veterinarian in her early years, Carson has had a passion for dogs since she was a youngster. The 17-year-old first became involved in dog training after the purchase of an English Cocker Spaniel puppy she named Maple, back in 2004. In

2008, Carson and Maple took on the sport of agility. Four years of competition led to Maple earning Agility Dog of Canada (ADC) and Expert Trick Dog (ETD) titles. Maple is now retired from the sport and lives with Carson’s mother. Carson’s talents as a trainer don’t end with dogs. She successfully trained a chipmunk in agility – a feat not many people can claim. Along with being a full-time student, the teen teaches agility and trick training courses. Although training dogs is her passion, her pride and joy is Hero, who keeps a smile on her face with his antics. “He has from the day I brought him home stuck his tongue out,” said Carson. “It’s actually really funny and he does it at the perfect times.”

Hero has a long career ahead of him with many public appearances on the horizon, as well as community service. Hero will spend some of his down time visiting seniors in retirement homes to show off his skills, which he hones with daily training sessions lasting 10 minutes or less. “Hero will have his first agility trial next year and eventually compete at the Regionals. I hope to continue performing with teams for demos or even on TV,” said Carson. Also on that list of upcoming events is Cottage Dog’s first ever Club event being held in Huntsville in June. All are invited to come out and give Hero the praise he craves. Cottage Dog - Spring 2012 - 23 -

DyCnoammingotso

Muskoka

NEVADA

Does this face look familiar? If you took the time to peruse the recent compilation of underwater dog photos by Seth Casteel that went viral then you have already witnessed this girl’s hidden talent. Nevada is a World Champion dock diving Border Collie who can be seen descending into the watery depths to retrieve a tennis ball – one of several of Casteel’s infamous photos. But this isn’t Nevada’s first brush with fame. She has her own YouTube channel, which can be accessed by searching “Nevada the diving dog,” where all of her amazing performances are posted for all to see. This furry star loves to entertain the crowds and will showcasing her obedience and numerous tricks. - 24 - Cottage Dog - Spring 2012

Along with dock diving, Nevada is an accomplished flyball competitor and has also learned how to surf. Born in Sparks, Nevada, her training began at the tender age of six weeks. She has always loved water and jumping, making her a natural in the world of dock jumping and diving. Nevada is headed to Canada from the USA to be part of the Cottage Dog Club (CDC) weekend, June 15 to 17 in Huntsville, Ont., where she will meet her fans and interact one-on-one with dock jumping enthusiasts. During the weekend, Tally-Ho Inn has committed to allowing 80 of Nevada’s fans the exclusive opportunity to bunk at the Inn alongside her and her owner-trainer Shari Robinson.

COME STAY WITH NEVADA AT THE TALLY HO INN Shari Robinson and Nevada will be staying at the Tally Ho Inn during the Cottage Dog Weekend Getaway Festival, June 15 - 17, 2012.

Entry to the event is free of charge for CDC members and the Inn is offering special rates. But be sure to book early, as the spaces are sure to fill up fast. Nevada has much to pass along to her fanbase. She is known for her unique style of head-first dock diving and has been clocked at 36 miles an hour. This ambitious diver was invited to all four years of World Championships beginning in 2006 to 2009 with Dockdogs, SplashDogs, The Super Retriever Series, as well as being an invitee to the Purina Incredible Dog Challenge three times. She is set to give the performance of a lifetime in Muskoka this spring.

They offer 26 rental accommodations ranging in size from rooms to 3 bedroom cottages. All accommodations have colour tv, clock radio and small fridge. All are individually heated by oil or electricity. 4 suites, 2 cabins and 11 cottages have wood burning fireplaces and firewood is supplied once a day. Another 2 suites, 3 units and 5 cottages have kitchens. The Main Lodge houses the dining room,living room with fireplace and piano, office, snooker table. Laundry facilities for guests are located in the main lodge. Space is limited, so book your stay today! Tel: (705) 635-2281 2222 Hwy 60, RR 4, Fax: (705) 635-2727 Huntsville Ontario E-mail: info@tallyhoinn.com P1H 2J6 Canada Web: www.tallyhoinn.com

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solid Dallas, emerging after a s his jump! The salt water give coat a silky soft touch.

Carney’s

K9 Swim club

carneysk9swimclub.com Carney’s K9 Swim Club is a jewel nestled on the back roads of

Southern Ontario. Located just outside Brantford at 89 Langford Church Rd Brant County this 5 acre doggy paradise offers dock diving and more. Constructed in 2010 this brand new state of the art HEATED salt water pool is the place to come and swim your dogs. Whether you are looking for an official sized dock diving set up to fine tune your competition skills, looking for some swim time to rehabilitate injured dogs. We have a ramp so you can walk your pup right into the pool.Our water is always sparkling clear so if you would like to swim with your pup you can. Or just looking to get out and have some old fashioned fun with your dog, make the K9 Swim Club your first stop! Paul and Brenda Carney got bitten by the dock diving bug in 2006 when they first ventured out to the Toronto Home Show with their Chesapeake Bay Retriever ‘Rudder’. After a fun filled season of dock diving they decided to add another Chessie to the mix and along came ‘Spirit’ who catapulted Paul to the top of the Canadian rankings, earning this new team top honours for two full seasons as top female dog overall on Canadian soil. Paul is recently retired, and he and Brenda are living out their dream in the country. They’ve built the ultimate doggy playground for their pack and want to share the fun and excitement dock diving has brought them with you! The K9 Swim Club has a state of the art, heated, salt water pool. We are pleased to offer 3 season dock diving to all of our crazy dock diving enthusiasts and a fun, no pressure atmosphere for people to come and give this wild and wonderful new dog sport a try. Our facility is set on 5 glorious acres, bordered by a beautiful forest. We have several large fields available for disc dog practice or field trial work.We also have a 12,000 sq foot secure fenced in area for off leash fun! Want to come in a group for the afternoon? Drop us a line and we’ll work to accommodate you and tailor a package to your needs. We will be hosting fun days over the summer months, this is a fun way to see how your dog measures up in the dock diving world and also hope to have some trainers on hand to give some helpful hints. We look forward to hosting these events and can’t wait to see everyone out at the K9 Swim Club! Please feel free to check out our website, we’ve added lots of photos of our dogs splashing around, photos of our property and more! We hope to see you on the dock!

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Canadian Canine College with their agility setup.

Saltwater Pool? Yes! Our pool is the only one of its kind in Ontario, using saltwater. The benefits of saltwater are numerous, not only does it have many healing properties but it also leaves your skin and hair feeling soft and luxurious after a swim. Your dogs will emerge from the swim club feeling refreshed and silky soft, almost like they had their own day at the ‘doggy spa’. If you choose to take a dip in our pool (don’t worry, it’s cleaned daily) you won’t have to worry about the red eyes and itchy skin that often occur with chlorine pools. Asthmatics can breath easy at the swim club as there are no harsh fumes with a salt water pool.

water Brand NEW state of the art HEATED salt dogs. pool is the place to come and swim your

Cottage Dog - Spring 2012 - 27 -

GIVE YOUR DOG A GETAWAY THEY WILL REMEMBER!

TAKE THEM TO HAPPY TAILS PET RESORT

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Photography by Erin Monett, everimages. ca

ne of the biggest changes to take place in the family unit is the human – dog dynamic that has evolved since baby boomers stopped crawling on all fours. Our concept of human and dog guardianship has changed most drastically in the last 15 years. With nuclear families spread far and wide, and thanks to cell phones and WiFi taking our jobs outside the conventional office, dogs have been our settling force. In our uncertain and stressful lives, they give us new purpose. In return, we give them all the privileges of children, researching and seeking the best food, education, sports and even summer camp vacations. Hope you enjoy this editorial about Happy Tails Pet Resort, a place near and dear to my heart, that’s been my dream job since founding the business 16 years ago. Happy Tails is a Muskoka classic pet camp for privileged “fur children” that put out its shingle on proverbial Fools’ day April 1, 1996. A pioneer in cage-free dog camps, Happy Tails is a good dog’s choice vacation destination – something that’s obvious if their guardians understand the code of the wagging tail. Happy Tails has been instrumental in bringing about positive changes in pet care. An episode on Cottage Life TV has been shown many times a year in both Canada and the US, and continues to be since it went into syndication. Perhaps you remember the episode when an adorable 8 week old yellow lab puppy surprised me during the interview. He swam to where I stood in knee-deep water and did effortless laps around my legs. A lot of people heard our name, they just didn’t remember where and how. But they loved the idea of opening a cage-free camp for dogs and so a lot of said camps opened and a lot of new petrelated businesses called Happy Tails popped up in Canada and the States. A particularly amusing one to me was when a flea and tick product did a TV commercial of a baby yellow lab puppy going to Camp Happy Tails. It’s all good though, because it got the message out: what better way to take care of our loved ones than giving them a stress-free, happy place to run, play and swim all day. That’s what dogs undoubtedly dream about

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Cottage Dog - Spring 2012 - 31 -

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when they lie on the floor beside your work station. Sadly, we control every aspect of their lives, because we have to, as good guardians. When they go outside; how long they walk; if they go to daycare or have a dog walker in the daytime, what and when they eat, if they have dog friends. We have in a way imprisoned their lives out of our deep love. They in turn have made it hard for us to do the things we used to do when we did not have a dog waiting for us. The result is that both dog and guardian finds being apart a cause of great anxiety. Our joint existence continues to get more and more contained and that’s where our getaway and cottage lifestyle helps us and our dogs leave behind our tightly-managed lives. Yeah, Cottage Dog! You would think publishing Cottage Dog is in direct opposition to running a pet care facility, as we write about sharing time with our dogs, not being apart. However, what do we do when we are too busy, or have to go away on business, or escape to see a bit of the world ourselves? Where do we leave our pets? Family, friends? Well, good as that may sound, it’s not always the best answer for your furry best friend. Even if they know their surrogate human fairly well, they know their bonded person’s schedule intimately, and sitting at home they might fret we’ve been run over by a car or something just as horribly black and white, of course. The dog walker may be their best friend at pee time, but routines are routines and when things get mixed up, it boosts the pumping of canine adrenaline and that is the hormonal culprit to so many problems and accidents. Dogs tend to make poor decisions about flight, fright and fight in their “natural bodies” when they are under stress. So Murphy’s Law happens more often when Mom or Dad is away. In Muskoka, where the air and the water has a new freshness, and the space of Happy Tails covers 12 dog parks and park grounds, and caters to ½ the population of most city dog daycares, having all that open, uncrowded space frees them of the extra adrenalin very rapidly. Fearful dogs become warm and playful. Cranky dogs become mellow sun worshippers, ambling along trails Cottage Dog - Spring 2012 - 33 -

smelling of tails past. Like cream finding its own level, dogs of similar interests and energy quickly veer off to do that which they love. Be free. Nothing quite equates to thinking like a dog for a little while. It’s like going home to their core being, where they can chase a chipmunk, dig a hole for the fun of it, try to out leap a frog along the banks of a wonderful spring-fed pond, pretend they are hunting like the hounds of Baskerville along the tree canopied trails of fully-fenced dog parks. (Two of our 12 dog parks are almost 10 acres in size.) The dogs rise at the crack of dawn unhindered by waiting for a human to get up and open a door. They might play king of the castle with a few friends on a warm mound of dirt in a wildflower-filled meadow. Or maybe roll in a lovely clay mud hole that all the dogs love because it’s like a magical spa treatment. And after a few hours they feel really good, ready to come in for a bite of breakfast and greet the new guests arriving between 9 and 11 am. (Occasionally 12, if bribery is involved. Note: I take coffee with cream, no sugar).

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We need the ‘no traffic’ hours for the newbies to relax and truly explore the full scope of the dog parks. We also have a limited afternoon time frame and close by 6 pm, so again, there are no cars or strangers arriving. Dogs will personalize the sound of traffic and entry of new people, even if they know they aren’t their people, because they might have been sent by theirs, or their folks might be the next to come if they wait. We put the dogs’ happiness first and sometimes it might seem a bit persnickety, but it’s the right thing to do for our furry guests. We take our time introducing new guardian staff to our dogs for just that reason. It makes for much happier dogs than those who stay by the entry areas thinking they might miss their ride home if they wander too far. And just think of all the fun they’d be missing. After a good afternoon being shown all the fun spots by their newest best friends, dogs happily eat dinner and settle down with full bellies, as if they were in their own homes. They have individual door-less, dog-sized sleeping and eating areas if they want to go in, turn around and not worry about someone coming up behind them.

However, more often than not, they lie down beside their buddies, put a head on them or a back against their back and sleep like they’ve always been together. We don’t hype dogs up like some handlers might, dogs don’t need to bounce and run on the spot to get a full day of play in here, it’s Muskoka, set before them to enjoy. While our handling is low key, we are aware of what’s happening. We have enough dog parks to let a shy dog get his bearings, or a too macho dog get rid of that excess energy, and when they are ready to be introduced it is a positive, wonderful experience. Our small dogs are always with small dogs. It’s just the right thing to do. They feel big in their own world and safe from dogs that might feel predatorily inclined towards a fast darting dog the size of something that resembles prey. Old dogs or those who need flat areas have their own parks, and those who gulp in their freedom finally get enough space to feel awesomely good. So often, dogs never get an opportunity to fully lift the lid on their keg of

energy due to their human’s timetables or the inexperience of others in city dog parks. Some dogs are signed up for camp activities. They come out of the large dog parks in smaller groups and do sports such as water retrieval or hiking adventures, even paw print painting and ceramic foot arts and crafts. They get a bit of extra human interaction but it doesn’t bother the rest of the dogs who otherwise might think they are missing out on something. Why? Because those guys and gals are much too busy with their own fun agenda. We have welcomed dogs into our lives for centuries and over time they have taken a deeper, more important role in our lives. However, we still owe it to them to let them have a vacation where they can do what nature bids, without worrying about our wrist watches or a collar. It allows us to be humans for a while, too and enjoy some of the things we can’t do when we vacation with our dogs. Sometimes separate vacations are good, and when we come back together what ‘Happy Tails’ we have to share of our good times apart!

Cottage Dog - Spring 2012 - 35 -

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CATEGORY SUBMISSIONS • Cottage Lifestyle • Getaway Lifestyle • Adventures • Speed & Intensity • Comedy & Design • Dog Fun & Playtime • Puparazzi

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M oto rcyc le Do gs by Nancy Silcox

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hen Craig and his wife Grace Sulyma of Embro, Ontario bought their twin Harley Davidson motorcycles and looked forward to a month-long summer biking vacation, their first thought was how to accommodate Xander, their black Labrador Retriever, on the trip. “It wasn’t an option to leave him behind for a whole month,” says Craig. “And as he loved car rides, we figured he’d like coming along with us on the motorcycles.” The fact that Xander didn’t like the feel of the wind on his furry face, preferring to view the scenery from behind a closed car window, was a small challenge to overcome. A small fiberglass-topped, teardrop-shaped trailer pulled behind Craig’s motorcycle was Xander’s first personal transportation device (PTD). Craig had cut a hole out of the top of the trailer for Xander’s head, and added both a windshield and a bolt ring to which he could attach the dog’s harness. “After all, he is a Black Lab and all it would take was a squirrel running by and he’d be out like a flash to chase it, no matter how fast we were going,” Craig laughs.

Cottage Dog - Spring 2012 - 39 -

Building a Comfort Level Xander started his motorcycle life with short runs, close to home, and plenty of stops. His comfort level grew with each outing but there remained some apparent anxiety issues. “If I was going over 50 mph, he’d just lie down and go to sleep but if I was moving slowly, passing through towns, he’d bark at the world.” Craig recalls that the worst time came when he was at stop lights. “He’d bark like crazy; it was like he was announcing ‘hey everybody, look at me.’ An intercom helped somewhat. At least then I could talk to Xander and reassure him that all was well.” But the big guy was still voicing his comments when the bike slowed down. “So I needed to go back to the drawing board. It was not an option for him to stay at home,” states Craig.

The Motorcycle Dog Phenomena Craig Sulyma is one of a growing number of motorcycle enthusiasts who share their sport with beloved canine companions. A gander at YouTube.com shows dozens of videos, featuring all manner of dog/motorcycle/driver trios: dogs riding shotgun behind the driver – both in the sitting and standing position (check out “Dog,” a mixed

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breed acrobat who watches the world go by with his front paws resting on his human’s shoulders); dogs riding in front of the driver; dogs perched on the gas tank; dogs in carriers; dogs in trailers and comfy in their own personal sidecar. Safety freaks beware! In many of the videos, motorcycle man’s best friend rides au naturel, without the safety precautions of a helmet, tether or goggles. Serious and responsible humans can find a wide range of equipment and protection for their biker pup.

Ensuring Safety First Carriers, both soft and rigid, cater to smaller breeds and range from $100 for petits Bichons to upwards of $500 for medium-sized Beagles or Spaniels. A padded Gas Tank Pad with straps and a safety leash, at around $100, is an option too. This allows your pup more freedom and movement. With a bit of ingenuity and handiness, less-pricey carriers can be fashioned. Leigh Barker of Arizona has modified a plastic milk crate for his white Toy Poodle and motorcycle buddy, Spike. “Two dollars and he’s safe and sound on the seat behind me,” says Leigh.

For the big breeds, Retrievers, Shepherds and hounds of various varieties, trailers and sidecars are most appropriate. The price tags for deluxe models, with various bells and whistles can reach $6000. When Joanne Free of Edmonton decided that a day on the road just had to include her Basenji, Giza, she needed to find a carrier that would fit comfortably between herself, as passenger, and her husband AJ, driving their Harley Davidson FXR. “I shopped around and settled on a carrier that was shaped like a large padded, flat-bottomed purse. A zip closed across the top and there was a cut-out area where the dog’s head would stick out. The bag strapped securely around the human’s shoulders.” Joanne wanted her plan to be a success, so she introduced Giza to the idea gradually. “I got her used to the bag itself before I even put her on the bike. Even then, we’d just sit on it, engine off, before we even moved.” By the time the Harley departed the Free driveway, Giza was as snug as a bug in a rug, nestled against Joanne’s stomach, against AJ’s back. She was raring to go to start her life as a motorcycle dog.

Safety was a key element when Anne Desrochers of Ottawa decided to bring her beloved Bichon Frise, Cricket, along on her Suzuki 800cc cruiser adventures. “I love my dog and hated leaving her behind on weekends and evenings when I’d go riding.” When Anne discovered a ‘TBag Pet Carrier’ for motorcycles, she knew she’d found the answer to her dilemma. Unlike Joanne, whose hands were free to attend to Giza’s needs on trips, Anne drove her own motorcycle. Cricket needed to be independently safe and comfortable. “Cricket’s head sticks out of the carrier and she wears a harness which is tied to two seat belts inside it, so there is no way she can get out,” says Anne. Comfort is addressed in the T-Bag carrier too. Zippered vents on each side fold out to allow more air passage on hot days. The bag is also waterproof for unexpected rain showers. Although she dislikes them, Doggles are de rigeur to protect Cricket’s eyes. Cricket was soon in the groove. “Before long, as soon as I started to get her gear out, she went crazy. It got to the Cottage Dog - Spring 2012 - 41 -

point that I couldn’t leave the house without her, just like an American Express card,” laughs Anne.

Safety combines with fashion for the doggy motorcycle set too. A trendy leather cap looks good on Rover… a bargain at $12, in various colours. Responsible owners recommend safety helmets for man (and woman’s) best friend. Most accommodate either floppy or pricked ears for a reasonable $30. Flashing LED safety collars and the requisite Doggles can be bought for around $20 each. Let’s not even get started on the leathers for the stylish canine dude and babe! Still, outfitting your pooch for a day on the road need not break the bank. Joanne Free adapted swim goggles to protect Giza’s eyes on the road. She had a sewing friend whip up a little biker jacket too. “Black with lots of cool buckles,” she chuckles.

Problems with Gawkers Bikers who pull their dogs in trailers agree that the very novelty can sometimes cause safety problems – and not of the bikers’ own making. Leigh Barker recalls some close calls when Spike rides behind him in his customized trunk. “He can become a traffic hazard. Car drivers do crazy things like pulling up right behind us to take pictures of him.” Craig Sulyma had an even bigger problem with Xander following behind. Not only was Xander a novelty on the

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road, and people would do the darndest things to get a better look at him, this one was a big, barking dog, attracting all sorts of attention. A sidecar solved both problems. “Cars couldn’t pull right up behind us to see Xander. Secondly, Xander’s barking stopped when he could see me right beside him and I could talk to him and pet him.” The verdict is still out for Xander and his goggles. “He knows how to use the windshield of the sidecar to push them to the top of his head and get them off,” Craig laughs.

Great Canine Road Trips Inevitably fans of the motorcycle life dream of a long road-trip, hitting the open highways and bi-ways of the nation, not a care in the world, save a bed for the night – preferably under the summer stars. Having a dog along to soak in the atmosphere and sights makes the dream even more appealing. By the time Basenji Giza Free was nine months old, she was off on her first extended motorcycle trip. “We headed off for the Maritime Provinces and into the U.S.” says Joanne, “and she proved herself a great little biker and camper.” Her humans made sure they stopped every couple of hours to give their baby a good leg-stretch. Last summer, Xander, the big Black Lab had his first big road trip – one that began in southwestern Ontario, headed to eastern Ontario, then on to North Bay, Timmins, Chapleau, Sudbury and home again. Xander weathered the trip well says Craig, with only “a bit of grogginess.”

Four days on a motorcycle will do that to most travellers, human and canine! Xander’s up to any trip, across the province or to the corner store. “Any chance he gets now, he’ll hop into the sidecar and just sit and wait for me,” laughs Craig.

Breaking the Ice And if there is one common denominator for travelling bikers and their dogs, it’s the ability of their pooches to open doors of communication. On a “pre-Giza” motorcycle trip across Canada, Joanne and AJ Free noticed that people they encountered along the way avoided them, even viewing them with distrust. “We were bikers after all,” Joanne says.

The second big trip with Giza in tow changed all that. “When people saw that we had a dog with us on the bike, they couldn’t wait to come over to talk. She was a real icebreaker.” Anne Desrochers found that this friendliness even stretched to the usually stern and imposing border guards. “Last summer we were crossing the US – Canada border and the official called her supervisor over to meet Cricket. Before we knew it we had three officials crowded around us, all wanting to pet Cricket and asking all sorts of questions.” Cottage Dog readers are advised to keep their eyes open for these travelling dogs this summer. And don’t forget to tell them you read their stories in this magazine. Cottage Dog - Spring 2012 - 43 -

to Fetch You a

COLD BEER! by Tricia Waples, CTDI

ost who enjoy sharing getaway lifestyles with their cottage dogs also enjoy the relaxing moments when they can sit back with a cold brew on a hot summer day or after some strenuous thirst-inspiring outdoor activity. However, let’s face it, the idea of getting up from a deepseated Muskoka chair to fetch another cold one is totally for the dogs! While the men of the lakes and the woods usually lay claim to the operation of cottage BBQs – thereby handsomely fulfilling their role as provider of thick steaks and yummy burgers using an array of gift boxed BBQ aprons, chef hats and specialized tools of the cottage trade – their wives, relieved of the job of cooking, delight in packing plenty of bug spray and sunscreen for everyone, including the dog. And they aren’t afraid to use them. Enter the third entity in the family hierarchy, the dogs of the cottage, seeking out the one role they were genetically wired and carefully engineered to do. It’s as natural as chasing chipmunks and hunting frogs. Any dog who loves to chase a stick or fetch a ball is going to think he’s made it to the big times. It’s time to give them the keys to their success. Teach them to fetch a cold beverage. It’s a good cottage dog’s ideal job. They can soon master the beer fridge and the cooler box but when the bar is raised, the idea of jumping off the dock, swimming under the dock where it’s cool and shady and then diving 4 feet to where the water is perfect to chill beer is the dog’s equivalent to computer games. Some truly gifted cottage dogs will even take the empties to the box or designated return area. They don’t want to stop. At Cottage Dog, we decided it’s time to reward these dogs’ natural instincts and find out who are the best Brewster fetchers. Be sure to come to our Cottage Dog Show, the Weekend Getaway Festival held in the Canada Summit Building in Huntsville (Muskoka) Ontario, June 15 to 17, 2012. Turning it over now to our certified and ‘bonefide’ trick trainer, Tricia, for all the details on how to teach your dog to Fetch A Beer.

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Photography by Tricia Waples, CTDI

Teach Your Cottage Dog

BEFORE STARTING, YOU WILL NEED: • Cans of your favourite cold beverage (some empty and some full) • Covers for the cans (so the dog’s teeth will not damage them) • Yummy treats for the dog • A short length of rope

• A fridge or cooler to hold the cold beer.

TRAINING YOUR DOG TO FETCH A BEER FROM THE FRIDGE IS AS EASY AS 1,2,3 Warning: Before beginning, be sure your dog does not like beer. Otherwise, once he or she learns to how to open the fridge, they may help themselves and you will never get to enjoy that ice cold brew.

Step 1 – The dog learns bringing you a beer is

fun and rewarding.

• Put covers (small foam protectors) on several cans of beer. I suggest starting with empty cans in case an overenthusiastic dog punctures a can. No point in wasting beer. • If your dog likes to fetch, simply toss the empty can and have them retrieve it. Be sure to reward the dog for bringing the beer can to you.

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• If your dog does not fetch yet, then hold the beer can in your hand and encourage the dog to put its mouth on it. When the dog puts their mouth on the can, praise them and give a yummy treat. Repeat this until the dog is eagerly putting the can in their mouth. Add the command ‘Beer’. • Gradually move the beer to a shelf in an open fridge. Note: A cooler can be used for this entire trick, instead of a fridge. • Repeat the exercise until the dog is reliably going to the open fridge to retrieve the beer. • At this time it is important the dog bring the beer directly to your hand with as little shaking as possible. • Once the dog is reliably retrieving the empty can, you can graduate to using a full, unopened can of beer to be retrieved. • Remember to reward the dog each time with a yummy treat so they do not steal the beer.

Step 2 – The dog learns to open the fridge. • Play tug with your dog using the piece of rope. This should be a special toy that will only be used for this trick.

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• When the dog is tugging well on their new rope toy, you can tie the rope to the handle of the fridge. • Call the dog over to the fridge and encourage them to tug on the rope. Use the command ‘Open’. • Be encouraging and when they tug hard enough to open the fridge, reward them with several treats. You might have to help the door open the first few times. We want the dogs to be successful.

• It helps to actually put the treat on the shelf in the fridge so the dog learns they have to open the fridge door to get their reward. • Once the dog is readily pulling on the rope to open the fridge so they can retrieve their treat, it is time to move on to the next step.

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Step 3 – Putting it all together • Place the covered beer can in the fridge on a lower shelf. • Walk with your dog to the fridge and command ‘Open’. The dog learned this in Step 2, so should be eager to pull open the fridge door. • When the fridge door is open, command ‘Beer’. This was learned in Step 1. The dog should take the beer and retrieve it to you. Reward any interaction with the beer can. • Gradually send the dog to the fridge from farther away and only give the command BEER. • As the dog learns this behaviour you can put the command into a sentence like ‘Cottage dog, bring me a cold BEER.’ • With time and patience you should be able to relax in your chair and send the dog to fetch a cold beer from the fridge.

Those of you who are overachievers can use a similar method to train the dog to put empty cans in a box.

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HELPFUL HINTS: • It is best to train this trick on a clear flat surface that is easy to clean, just in case some of the liquid in the can escapes. Dogs have been known to puncture beer cans. Consider doing the initial training outside, especially if you have carpet on the floor. • Avoid using glass bottles until the dog is well trained. Carrying glass can be hazardous for your dog. The dog will probably drop the beer a few times during the training process. We want to protect the dog from injury and of course, no point spilling the beer. • The dog’s mouth must be able to enclose a beer can. This is not a trick for a Pug, unless you have mini-cans of beer. Only large dog breeds will be able to pick up and carry a full can of beer.

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On Any Given Weekend! by Claire Duder

n any given weekend, in fields and arenas and soccer domes all over Ontario, you can finds groups of people and dogs running around and making noise as they participate in one of the fastest growing dog sports in the world. Welcome to the world of dog agility!

What is Dog Agility? Dog agility began in the late 1970s, as the British version of a half-time show at Crufts, one of the world’s largest dog shows. The dog show organizers needed to fill a bit of time at intermission, so dogs were run over a miniature show jumping course as a way to entertain the crowds. From this simple idea, an entire sport developed that spread rapidly throughout the dog fancy, and today has tens of thousands of fans – and fanatics – world-wide. Dog agility is basically an obstacle course for the dog. A judge sets a course, using a variety of standardized obstacles such as jumps, tunnels, see-saws and weave poles, - 50 - Cottage Dog - Spring 2012

and the dog who runs the course “clean” (i.e. fault-free) in the shortest time, wins. It is the handler’s job to direct the dog over, under and through the obstacles in the correct order, using verbal cues (“tunnel!”) and physical signals. Agility is always run off-leash and the handler is not permitted to touch the dog during a run, but verbal praise and encouragement are welcomed. In contrast to many other dog sports, there is little or no formality in the world of dog agility. Fun for dog and handler is the order of the day and you can hear it, both inside and outside the ring. The agility community is a very close-knit one and handlers share in each other’s successes ... as well as the notso-great moments that can happen on course.

“Hey! My dog can do that!” Almost every dog owner who has seen an agility trial on TV or in person has probably thought to themselves, “I bet my dog would be good at that. She can run and jump

and she loves to climb things.” The good news is that they were probably correct – almost every dog can participate in agility at some level. As long as your dog is reasonably fit and mobile, agility training is not out of reach. Agility training potentially offers great benefits to every dog, even the one snoring on the sofa beside you as you are reading this article. Regular structured activity is always a good thing – too many dogs just don’t have enough to do, either mentally or physically. Anyone who has trained a dog to do anything knows you can reap rewards that spill over into your everyday lives, and let’s face it, most of us could also use a reason to get out and be more active.

Let the fun begin! In the early days of agility in Canada there were few trainers and most people learned their handling skills from mail-order books, using makeshift obstacles cobbled together from odds and ends and only practiced in the back yard. Nowadays, many dog trainers who once did just obedience training are branching out into agility instruction, or have totally converted to agility. What was once a sport practiced only during the nicer weather has now

gone year-round, with many purpose-built indoor facilities to choose from. There are books and magazines devoted to dog agility, ‘Yahoo’ agility lists by the hundreds, specialists in agility gear for you and your dog, agility equipment manufacturers and a whole industry of health care providers whose job it is to keep the canine athlete happy and healthy and running at their best. You won’t have to look too hard to find an agility group of some sort close to home. In agility class, you should expect to learn how to perform the required obstacles safely and correctly, how to direct your dogs to perform the obstacles in the order you want and how to run as fast as possible while doing it! Even if you have no interest in competing, you and your dog can enjoy the mental and physical training, as well as the friendships that develop during agility class. Because agility is a pretty physical activity for your dog, do get the OK from your veterinarian before you sign up for that first class. If you and your dog are new to fitness, be prepared to start slowly and work on strength, stamina and weight management outside of class. Even very young dogs can start training in some aspect of agility, but Cottage Dog - Spring 2012 - 51 -

most of the training should wait until the dog is physically and mentally more mature. Dogs of every size and body type can be seen in agility classes all over Ontario and most agility organizations welcome dogs of any, or no particular, breed. You prob- 52 - Cottage Dog - Spring 2012

ably wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see a Pekingese or an Irish Wolfhound at a World Championship event; higher level agility competitions are generally dominated by the more athletic and lightly built breeds, such as the Border Collie, but you may well see that Pekingese or Wolfhound at an agility class or a fun match one day.

Taking it to the Next Level So, your dog has done well in the classes you take at your local dog training club, your trainer has given you the thumbs up and you think you might like to enter a trial? Look out, you are about to be bitten by the agility bug! There are a number of agility organizations in Canada that sanction formal agility competitions. The Agility Association of Canada (AAC www.aac.ca ) is the largest such organization, sanctioning almost 400 trials a year across Canada. The trials are run by member clubs and can vary in size from a small evening event for 15-20 dogs, all the way up to a multi-day, multi-ring event for hundreds of dogs. In order to compete at an AAC trial, your dog must first be registered with the AAC – a simple process and quite inexpensive. Other organizations that sanction agility trials, such as the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC www. ckc.ca ) and Canine Performance Events (CPE www. K9cpe.com) have similar rules. At any agility trial, there are usually levels of skill from beginner to expert, and only dogs of similar skill levels compete against each other. There are also a variety of height divisions, so that your Beagle will not be running head to head with a Labrador. Some organizations have special

divisions for older dogs, or dogs with non-standard body types. To add even more to the fun, each agility organization has different classes with different rules, so there really is something for (almost) everyone. Spectators are always welcome, so dropping by to check out a local trial is a great way to get a feel for what happens. The phenomenal growth of agility in the last ten years or so is a testament to the just plain fun the sport is for both dogs and handlers. At its very heart, agility is ‘just’ a game we play with our dogs; one that deepens and broadens our bond with our four-legged partners. Almost every agility dog, from backyard hero to world champion, is a family companion first and foremost, so if you are looking for a fun way to get some exercise for you and your dog, check out a local dog agility class ... but look out! You could be an agility addict before you know it.

Claire Duder is a veterinarian who has practiced in Muskoka for over 25 years. She has competed in agility all over Canada with her Border Terriers, Robin (now retired), Jamie and Sydney. She is currently the Agility Association of Canada’s Regional Director for Ontario.

Cottage Dog - Spring 2012 - 53 -

Muskoka Woodlands Bush Splash For Outdoor Dogs not Outdoor Feasts! by Dale Peacock

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uskoka Woodlands Bush Splash has been cottage country’s outdoor living skin recipe for both people and pets since 1996. However, long before the twentieth century, First Nations people and early settlers of Muskoka knew the secret to surviving outdoors in the moist and humid environment of the area’s many lakes, waterways and dense woodlands. Our forefathers lathered on skin salves rich in protein fats from bears and beavers mixed with fermented alcohol based liquids before they stepped outdoors to enjoy the wilderness. The skin recipe worked to keep them comfortable, but being in close quarters may not have been such a treat; that early concoction would have been quite unpleasantly pungent. While the beauty of our natural environment helped to transform Muskoka into Canada’s cottage country capitol, we have to admit that things are not all rosy all the time, especially in the outdoors in spring and summer. Ouch! Every spring optimists with a sense of humour do their best to make the most of a bad situation by launching “Black Fly Festivals” in faux celebration of something that many consider to be the bane of existence in cottage country. The festivals are concrete reminders that we have more ominous beasties to combat in our daily lives than black bears and wolves. At least you can see those critters coming! Muskoka Woodlands Bush Splash to the rescue! The product uses a more pleasant fatty base in its formula than our early forbearers were able to utilize. The soya based, protein-rich complex mixed with citrus oils and juices and a vanilla extract results in a pleasant, almost nutty chocolate smell. It’s a vast improvement over ancient remedies and is guaranteed to make users welcome at family gatherings and in any close encounters of the personal kind. However, based on Health Canada PMRA (Pest Management Regulatory Agency) reg Cottage Dog - Spring 2012 - 55 -

ulations, a product cannot label or market its product with repellency claims or use words such as insect, bug or bite, without its PMRA registration number. And there is the rub: it cannot get a PMRA number in order to make those claims on its packaging or advertising unless it has a registered controllable active. As an ‘all food’ ingredients recipe Muskoka Woodlands Bush Splash is unable to meet PMRA’s criteria as having a controllable active. Its entire recipe would need to be first registered as the controllable active, with its location and sources also registered. Since food grade products come from all manner of sources, it cannot meet Health Canada’s controlled substance specifications, and therefore the product remains without a PMRA number. The frustration for the manufacturer of Muskoka Woodlands Bush Splash is that although the product passed its repellency test at 95.7% against DEET based products, it had to be re-identified as a skin product and use wording exempt under PMRA. Even then the product - which read No DEET, Non Pesticide - had to be pulled off shelves and re-labeled due to a competitor complaint. But owner Lisa Brooks hasn’t lost her sense of humour. She says wryly, “A PMRA agent once told me that if a man’s tie had a mosquito design it would fall under PMRA authority.” She adds, “I think he was joking but I am not sure!” It is unfortunate that this all-natural product is so hamstrung given the concerns about DEET, which is in many insect repellants that do have a PMRA number. The Ontario Ministry of Health approves DEET but has these warnings on its web site: - 56 - Cottage Dog - Spring 2012

When using repellent containing DEET: •

Use federally registered insect repellents such as products containing DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide).

•

Apply repellent sparingly on exposed skin or on top of clothing.

•

Do not use under clothing.

•

The repellent doesn’t have to be applied heavily to be effective – a light coating will do.

•

The concentration of DEET should be no greater than 30 per cent for adults and no greater than 10 per cent for children.

•

DEET-containing repellents are not to be used on children under 6 months of age.

•

Use mosquito netting for babies and toddlers in cribs and strollers.

•

Use only when needed and follow label directions carefully including restrictions for use on young children and maximum number of applications per day.

For many parents and pet owners, it’s not exactly reassuring. They might prefer to use a less controversial product but it’s hard to select Muskoka Woodlands Bush Splash because it is so restricted in the claims it can make. Dr. Karen Barnes, DVM and co-owner of North Bay Animal Hospital said, “I use Bush Splash personally and on my pets and we sell it through our veterinarian clinic.” She adds, “We find that most pet owners are very happy with it. It has a nice scent, and it is both effective and welltolerated by people and pets.” She continues, “We used to recommend Skin-So-Soft by Avon but we find Bush Splash to be much more effective.” Dr. Barnes earned a degree in Wildlife Biology then graduated from Ontario Veterinarian College in 1989. She worked in practices in Thunder Bay and North Bay launching North Bay Animal Hospital in 1997. In her lim-

ited spare time she likes activities like gardening, horseback riding, reading, travelling and spending time with her husband, daughter and their pets. When she’s enjoying the great outdoors, Bush Splash helps to make it more enjoyable. Every spring, the head of a university entomology department is on the evening news telling us that the bugs are now out (as if we needed a reminder) and that the only effective repellent to safely protect our families is a DEET based product. Maybe it’s not really conspiracy minded to wonder why respected institutions continue to support DEET based products, which are manufactured by huge pharmaceutical companies. It’s a point to ponder. Two years ago, Muskoka Woodlands Bush Splash became even more family friendly by converting its skin recipe to over 97% certified organic ingredients. Parents and pet lovers enjoy the fact that it’s 100% edible -- albeit not very tasty. The bad taste means that kids and pets are unlikely to ingest enough to result in upset tummies and diarrhea. Rich in natural Vitamin E, omega 3 essential fatty acids, and vitamins A, C and D it not only feels good to the skin, it is good for the skin of the entire family whether they are old, young or the family pet. Local Veterinarian, Jason McLeod also weighs in, “I use it on my old dog because he refuses to come inside in even the worst of black fly times and is no longer mobile and flexible enough to try and ward them off.” On its effectiveness, he also adds “He used to get literally hundreds of bites on his belly after a few hours outside and for the past few years he gets almost no bites.” Muskoka Woodlands Bush Splash conditions the skin and regular application builds a natural resistance to the ongoing attack that exposed skin encounters in cottage country. An added benefit is soft and supple skin that smells wonderful. Every man, woman, child and family pet can relax outdoors because when you venture outside, Bush Splash has you covered!

Following a successful corporate career, Dale Peacock, a stint of global volunteerism and the acquisition of a law and justice degree at age 50, Dale embarked on a writing career armed with the fanciful idea that a living could be made as a freelancer. To her own great surprise, she was right. The proof lies in hundreds of published works on almost any topic but favourites include travel, humour & satire, pets, the environment and entrepreneurship. Having re-invented herself half a dozen times, Dale doesn’t rule anything out. Her time is divided equally between Huntsville, Ontario and winters spent near Tampa, Florida with Jim whom she married after 25 years of unwedded bliss. Two grown kids and two geriatric cats receive double doses of love and attention when she’s at home in Canada. Cottage Dog - Spring 2012 - 57 -

Photography by Jim Zelasko

Bosco,

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No Clown To Extreme Sports by Sheena Stark

osco is a gangly and boisterous German Shepherd dog that has always had an affinity for water and loves to retrieve toys. Anything will do, a tennis ball, a stick, heck, even a pinecone. We adopted this wild and crazy water loving dog from the Hamilton-Burlington SPCA in the fall of 2006. He was without a doubt, the noisiest dog in the building, but he got along with our other dog, Kona, and he has a happy go lucky personality that won us over. We had competed with Kona at a DockDogs event earlier that year, so when an event popped up in early 2007, I decided to take Bosco along for the ride. I had only had him for four months over that winter, and wasn’t even sure if he could swim! The event wasn’t very busy, so I entered him. He sure made a lot of noise, standing at the edge of the dock and barking at his toy. This was an indoor event and his voice carried throughout most of the building. Each team (competitor and dog) gets 90 seconds on the dock and absolutely cannot push, shove or throw the dog in the water. After about 85 seconds Bosco decided to slither into the water. His first recorded jump was less than six inches. That’s ok, we had nowhere to go but up, or rather, out! We certainly weren’t setting any records at our first event, but he sure did have a great time and we were hooked! He did gain some momentum and managed a few jumps over five feet that weekend. We even made the amateur finals that weekend and finished in 11th place (which, incidentally, was last place in the finals, but he didn’t know that. It was all fun and games for him).

Cottage Dog - Spring 2012 - 59 -

DockDogsTM is a toy motivated sport. Jumping dogs off a dock into water is a game that many dogs play for fun all summer long at cottages across the country. Turning it into a competition and judging the distances debuted at the ESPN Great Outdoor Games in 2001 in Lake Placid, NY. Initially it was just a ‘filler sport’ but it was such a success that it has been growing by leaps and bounds every year since. Big AirTM was the original discipline and remains the most popular of the three today. Big Air is the long jump for dogs. The distance is measure from the end of the dock to where the base of the dog’s tail hits the water. The key to getting the biggest and best jumps is to make sure the toy is one that the dog absolutely goes nuts for and will jump through hoops, or into water, to get. Teams new to - 60 - Cottage Dog - Spring 2012

Photography by Little GSP Photography

In the years since our first event, Bosco has jumped to the head of the class. He has been the top ranked German Shepherd in the sport for the last four years and for the last three years he has been the top Extreme VerticalTM dog in Canada, holding the Canadian Extreme Vertical record, and for the last two years he has been the top ranked Regional Extreme Vertical dog in the world. He has been invited to compete at the World Championships in 2009, 2010 and 2011. We have travelled to competitions from Oregon to Vermont and Alberta to North Carolina and many places in between. This is not a sport that requires a long pedigree –in fact, the current Big AirTM World Record is held by a mixed breed dog from Pennsylvania. The family pet can come out to an event and compete for a chance at prizes, ribbons and bragging rights!

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the sport often use the “place and send” technique. They stand at the end of the dock with the dog and hold on to the collar (or leash) and throw the toy into the pool while keeping the dog at their side. They will then run back down the dock with the dog, and then release the dog. The dog runs down the dock and leaps into the pool to get their toy. As the team builds confidence people often switch to “the chase” technique. This requires more practice, but generally tends to produce bigger jumps. The idea behind “the chase” method is to train the dog to stand, sit or lie down and stay at one end of the dock, while the handler walks to the opposite end of the dock. The dog must wait until the handler gives the queue to release the dog, at which point the dog sprints down the dock as fast as they can and jumps off the dock, chasing the toy into the water. This does mean that the throw is a very important part of technique and it can make or break a jump. Ideally, for this method to be the most successful, the toy should be flying through the air just in front of the dog’s nose, so they are stretching out and reaching forward for that toy. Many teams use a special toy that is reserved for dock jumping only, which helps to build the dogs excitement and keep their interest.

y by Jim

Iron DogTM was invented as a way to incorporate all three disciplines using a team’s best scores from all three disciplines throughout the competition. The highest score wins. In most competitions, the scores are taken from the regular competition however, at some competitions, like the World Championships, each team must compete in each discipline each day. The winner of the Iron Dog competition at these events truly is an all round athlete with stamina, strength and endurance.

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Speed RetrieveTM is the newest of the three disciplines and can only be described as drag racing for dogs. The dog runs down 20’ of dock and swims 40’ to the end of the pool to pull a bumper off its holder. Like Extreme Vertical, Speed Retrieve can sometimes be a hard discipline for new dogs to master. They are, after all, standing sixty feet away from that toy hanging at the opposite edge of the pool! Dogs are given the opportunity to be ‘shown’ the toy. The handler can take the dog to the edge of the pool while someone stands at the opposite end of the pool where the bumper is hanging and can splash the water so the dog can see that the toy is there. Once they are lined up on the start line, however, no one is allowed within a specified radius of where that toy is hanging.

Zelasko

Extreme VerticalTM was launched in 2005. This is the high jump for dogs, and was initially designed as a training technique to help dogs get more ‘air’. A bumper is hung 8’ out from the dock over the water and starts at 4’6 high from the dock. Extreme Vertical is definitely a crowd favourite. Watching dogs leap up high into the air and grabbing that bumper is amazing. It is a discipline that demands explosive power from the dog, and a desire to leap up and snatch that bumper. Retrieving comes naturally to many dogs, but to get the dog looking up and marking where that toy is, and then being released to go and retrieve that stationary toy hanging out over the water can seem a little daunting in the beginning. That’s why spending time to build the dogs drive for that toy is so important. Staff and fellow competitors at DockDogs’ competitions are always willing to step in and help new dogs learn the concept.

Sheena Stark has been a DockDogs competitor for over six years and has previously served on the Board of Directors for the Ontario DockDogs club. She was also a certified judge for three years. She has three rescue dogs, two German Shepherds and a Belgian Malinois. Kona was adopted from the Toronto Humane Society in 2004 and Bosco was adopted from the Hamilton-Burlington SPCA in 2006. She also adopted Ryker, a Belgian Malinois from the American Belgian Malinois Club rescue (www.malinoisrescue.org) in 2010. Her dogs enjoy training and competing in a variety of canine sports, including agility, disc dog, rally, weight pull, tracking and canine nose-work. Cottage Dog - Spring 2012 - 61 -

From Rehab to Diving Fool

Nevada: A True Champion by Shari Robinson

- 62 - Cottage Dog - Spring 2012

Photgraphy by Shari Robinson

lease let me introduce you to my 8 year old best friend, Nevada. At 34 lb and 19” high, she is a very active, high drive Border Collie, who is both a World Champion dock diving dog and highly competitive in Flyball. Nevada was born in Sparks, Nevada and was given to me as a gift for my May 2004 birthday; she was only 6 weeks old and we have been together ever since. Her training began within hours of her coming into my life, and proved very early her love of water and jumping. She will retrieve any toy that is thrown for her, although her favourite in dock jumping is her yellow rubber ducky. She does both the set and release (I call it the flyball technique) and the chase technique. She naturally tries to dive no matter which technique I ask her to do. Nevada has a strong will to please her momma and we love to entertain the crowds with her obedience and numerous tricks. She is very smart and learns quickly anything I teach her. Nevada is known for her running speed (she has been clocked at 36 miles an hour) and also for her unique style of head first dock diving. She is often seen hanging over the edge of the dock and practically falling in. People ask me all the time what it is she’s looking at and I have always said jokingly, “Looking for Sharks, of course.” But in reality she is checking the depth of the water to see if she can dive. I have been told by many a judge that she is the hardest dog to judge because of her splashing head first entry into the water. She and I spent 4 years travelling all over the United States attending dock jumping events with various organizations. She qualified and was invited to all 4 years of World Championships beginning in 2006 to 2009 with Dockdogs, SplashDogs and The Super Retriever Series and was an invitee to the Purina Incredible Dog Challenge 3 times. She qualified as the Number One Border Collie several times with all the Dock Jumping organizations and was voted by her peers in 2010 as the Splashdogs’ “Most Entertaining Dog on the Dock” and then voted again in 2011 as the Splashdogs’ “Most Entertaining Dog in the Water.” These two accomplishments are my most treasured as they were nominated and voted on by my extensive dock jumping family. In August of 2009, Nevada sustained a CCL tear to her left leg. She came out of her crate the second to last race of the day at my Flyball tourney limping. After warming her up, the limp went away and she ran her last race like a champ, so I thought maybe she had just laid down wrong. For the next 3 weeks she limped on and off and then a trip to the vet con

Photgraphy by Shari Robinson

- 64 - Cottage Dog - Spring 2012

firmed her injury. My heart sank to the floor as I thought her sports days were over. She was just 5 years old and taking away from her what she lived for was not acceptable to me. I started extensive research on any form of rehabilitation that could prevent her from surgery and found the Yahoo group ConservativeManagement.com – there Nevada’s rehab began. Upon the advice of the Orthopedic Vet I took Nevada to a local Physical Therapy facility and received a program from the PT Specialist for rehab without surgery. Many of the exercises were the tricks that Nevada was already trained to do. 4 months of keeping her quiet and 3 months of strength building and then another 5 months of slowly letting her go back to her full time sports and she is now completely healed. During the course of her rehab was when Nevada’s deep diving to the bottom of the pool began. I can’t stress enough how much I think water therapy is the best way to rehab a pup from this kind of injury. Nevada swims pretty much every day, weather permitting. She lost very little muscle mass during her rehab which I believe was key to her recovery. She did atrophy some when the weather became too cold to swim, so I increased her walking to build the muscle and introduced the therapy ball and did daily exercises to build her core strength. One day while we were out swimming in her pool, her toy sank to the bottom of the pool. She whined and cried and batted at the water, sticking her head under – trying, trying, trying to get that toy. I said to myself, “Oh I can work with this, maybe I can teach her to dive?” I fished her toy out and slowly built her confidence and within 2 weeks she was diving to the deepest part of my pool. That was close to 2 ½ years ago. Nevada is now a diving fool. Nevada’s diving talents were discovered by renowned pet photographer Seth Casteel of www.LittleFriendsPhoto.com. She has been down 10 feet with very little effort and had numerous photos taken of her underwater, many of which have gone viral.

“Nevada the Diving Dog” A slow motion video producted by Seth Casteel http://youtu.be/XuhE-OC_U-c

Nevada’s talents are not just in dock jumping or deep diving, as she is an accomplished Flyball dog. She generally runs 3.9 to 4.1 seconds in any position and earned Region 16 Champions with her Flyball team in 2010. She has also learned how to surf, both of which came after rehab from her CCL injury. Nevada today is still healed and competing in consecutive days of dock jumping, playing flyball, going on cattle calls and auditions for TV and doing a little surfing too. She is pretty much restriction free. I continue with her rehab to keep her muscles strong; lots of swimming and diving to the bottom of the pool, one of her most favourite things to do. Thankfully, she shows no signs that her leg was ever injured.

Nevada Learning How to Dive http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=At6l_aVL2IE Cottage Dog - Spring 2012 - 65 -

The Diving Dog by Christine Blum

ardot never met a puddle she didn’t like. She’s a yellow Lab, the diminutive runt of her litter, which I was told meant she’d be submissive and shy (I should have re-checked my sources). I brought her home at 7 weeks with the intention of not replacing, but hopefully starting to fill the void left by the passing of my best friend, another yellow Lab named Garbo. I enjoy year round sun living in Southern California, and have the requisite backyard pool. Bardot was so tiny that she fit comfortably in my hand. From the day I brought her home, I held her in the water, just to get her used to the feeling. This was also a precaution, since I’d seen her do those crazy vertical puppy leaps that come out of nowhere and defy gravity. If she accidently fell in, I didn’t want her to panic before I had a chance to scoop her out. In a matter of weeks she was swimming around like a guppy. When the spirit moved her, she’d get up, head to the edge and jump in to cool off. Bardot was not a delicate swan, swimming neck-extended to avoid getting her hair wet, she

- 66 - Cottage Dog - Spring 2012

Photography by Christine Blum

Bardot,

revelled head to toe in the water. This all seemed fitting

I could tell she was proud of her newfound talent. And I

since she was named for the French bikini model and ac-

was beside myself. I ran out and got an underwater hous-

tress, Brigitte Bardot.

ing for my camera, and made the kind folks at my pet

I’d read and seen YouTube videos of dock jumping, so when she was 6 months old, I took her to a class. While

store fill a bucket with water so I could test and find toys that truly sank.

other beginner dogs were edging with trepidation down a

One such toy was a rubber ball made of multi-coloured

ramp to the water’s lip, Bardot looked out at the cool blue

ropes of plastic. I tossed it in one Saturday, and she stood

pool and took a running leap over their heads. “This one’s

at the edge ready to leap as it started rolling into the deep

got potential,” I heard the instructor say.

end. Pretty soon it was at the lowest point of the pool, in

Around that time, Bardot and I also started playing with sinkable toys in the pool. I would put them on the steps and she would dunk her head an inch or two into the water to retrieve them. Within a week, we’d upped the ante and I was dropping the toys into the 4ft. shallow end and she was diving down and bringing them up. I would not call her graceful at this point – legs and other private

8ft. of water. She looked at me forlorn and I said, “Hold on, Bardot, I’ll get the net.” I was headed to the pool shed when I heard the splash. I turned around and she was gone. Seconds later she broke back through the surface, ball in her mouth, releasing a big breath of air. About that time I let out my own gasp followed by massive hyperventilation.

parts were splayed all akimbo in the air as she taught her-

Bardot dropped the ball at my feet and cocked her head

self how to propel underwater.

at me, wondering why on earth I was breathing like that.

Cottage Dog - Spring 2012 - 67 -

Well, like a proud parent witnessing baby’s first steps, I took photos day and night and paraded family and friends to the pool’s arena. Though they had all heard my bragging, each was still amazed and let out the now obligatory gasp as Bardot plunged into the depths. I was careful not to let her deep dive more than a few minutes at a time, and asked my incredulous Vet (until she saw the video), what precautions I should take to protect Bardot’s ears and body from the effects of this. She thought it was a good idea to limit the amount of time she deep dives, easier said than done, and told me to carefully dry her ears after each swim. It also goes without saying that I am always right there when she’s in the water. Next came the notoriety. A photographer named Seth Casteel, of Littlefriendsphoto.com, had heard about Bardot from another diving dog and her owner, Nevada and Shari Robinson. Soon he was shooting both dogs diving underwater and posting photos on his Facebook page. Literally from one day to the next, Seth’s images were discovered and we all went viral around the world. Do an internet search and you will see what I mean. Secondly, the folks from Natural Balance Pet Foods created a show on Animal Planet called Who Let The Dogs Out. They heard about Bardot and came to our pool to film an episode of her diving. (It aired in the U.S. on March 24th) Once again we upped the ante, and I spent several weeks beforehand teaching Bardot to dive for a specific toy from several I had thrown to the bottom. She aced it! Which brings us pretty much to today. Bardot is 1 ½ years old and we are just scratching the surface of what she can do. She loves being in the water with people as well as diving, and each time we go in I work on a new skill. It is not my goal to have her appear on late night talk shows or do TV commercials. My last dog Garbo and I were a pet therapy team visiting Alzheimer’s patients. It gave such joy to both of us that I know I want to carry on the tradition in some way. But Bardot is an athlete and very active.

- 68 - Cottage Dog - Spring 2012

This got me thinking about aqua therapy and the monotonous exercises that returning injured Veterans, people with spinal injuries and autistic children go through. Let’s get Bardot and me into the pool to brighten up their therapy, I thought. Let’s develop exercises we can do with these patients to help the healing process. Let’s set up a pilot program that can become accredited in local therapy centers across the country. We’re ready to start but we need some help. We need doctors and therapists who are willing to guide us, so we can see where we fit in and how we can contribute. And down the road, we will need help from business, legal and insurance experts who can make this program a reality. I know the pure joy that comes from sharing the water with Bardot, and I see the happiness deep within her from doing the same with me. Her thirst for learning and pleasing is as endless as her energy.

You can catch Bardot in action in my video entitled, “Out For A Sunday Dive” http://youtu.be/RcPZdYNhayg

Dogs have been proven to provide special therapy to patients on land, now it is time to take that to the water.

For more information email us at divingbardot@websterinc.com and like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/bardotthedivingdog

Cottage Dog - Spring 2012 - 69 -

M u s ko k a Is Pet-Friendly!

here

Huntsville/Lake of Bays Chamber of Commerce 705-789-4771

www.huntsvilleadventures.com

M u s ko k a To u r i s m 1 - 8 0 0 - 2 6 7 - 97 0 0 www.discovermuskoka.ca Once Discovered, Never Forgotten

The

Chipmunk Challenge Introducing the next big cottage craze! By Erika Phillips

Sarah Carson and Peanut

ave you ever sat back and wondered what’s happening to our youth these days? With all the television and video games, with sports being removed from the school systems and extra curricular events being anything but education or fitness oriented, we’re constantly talking about the state of young people. Little respect, lacking in discipline and responsibility… kids just aren’t like they used to be! But then there’s Sara Carson. Sara’s a teenager, a 16 year-old, in fact. A young adult. She resides in the small northern Ontario town of North Bay, where she has spent her entire life. What makes Sara different than most of today’s teens? She is eloquent and sophisticated, responsible, driven and inventive. Not to mention possessing great foresight and imagination.

“Agility has become a huge sport that now spans the globe.” CottageDog ‘discovered’ Sara after coming across an ad on Kijiji for rat agility equipment. Sara was selling rat agility equipment… yes, you heard right! After making contact, we learned that Sara has in fact trained several rats to complete and run full agility courses. “I picked up two furry little rodents from the local pet store and brought them to their forever home,” said Sara. “Oreo and Sparky. I’ve been teaching them tricks like ‘spin’, ‘sit up’ and ‘open it’. They can open drawers and are starting to close them. I adopted two more rats from a couple on the Internet. Phantom and Chum Chum also know tricks. These rats were all taught using positive reinforcement. Then, my grandpa made me rat agility equipment and I started training them how to use it. They enjoyed it so much that they started doing it all by themselves!” Agility has become a huge canine sport that now spans the globe. Around since the early 1980’s, dog agility is a sport in which a handler directs a dog through an obstacle course in a race for both time and accuracy. Dogs run offleash with no food or toys as incentives, and the handler can touch neither dog nor obstacles. Consequently, the handler’s controls are limited to voice, movement, and various body signals, requiring exceptional training of the animal, and plenty of coordination on the part of the handler. Perhaps not surprisingly, Sara has also trained her own agility dog… and yes, even a chipmunk. It all started when spending her summers hanging out in the woods around her grandma’s house in northern Ontario. On a warm summer’s day in 2009, a chipmunk – later named Peanut – started eating out of Sara’s hand. Peanut became very trust- 72- 28 - Cottage Dog - Spring 2012 - CottageDog - June 2011

ing, and Sara decided to start training him. She built mini pieces of agility equipment from cardboard and lured him over the equipment. Whenever she had success, she’d offer the chipmunk a treat and say “good boy”. Every time Sara returned to her Grandmother’s house, she’d go to the back door and call for Peanut and he’d come running through the grass to come see her! Her favourite piece of equipment for Peanut was a set of weave poles made from Popsicle sticks that she taped toothpicks to and stuck them in the ground. Peanut was a natural and picked up the ‘game’ quickly. Together, they practiced agility together for over a year. Why agility, we asked Sara? When just eight years old, and after much thought and consideration, her family decided to bring home a puppy. An English Cocker Spaniel was the breed of choice, named Maple. Sara was a natural at teaching tricks and so taught Maple to roll over,

to retrieve things and do all the basic obedience behaviors. One day, while browsing the Internet, she came across a video of another girl running her dog through various obstacles. Sara then started doing the same thing with Maple, teaching him to jump the garden fence and chairs. She did more research on the sport and learned all the training methods. There were no professionals or training facilities at the time in her area so her grandpa built her a jump, teeter and an a-frame to start. Eventually, over time, she managed to save her money and added weave poles, six jumps, a tunnel and a chute. “We had our first agility trial in July 2009,” says Sara. “I thought we were ready since Maple could do everything at home with such confidence and speed, but I was wrong. As we walked into the ring and made our way towards the first obstacle, Maple just went around it and left the ring! I was crushed! Years of practice and then that.”

Cottage Dog - Spring 20122011 - 73 - 29 - CottageDog - June

After a year’s break from competing, Sara decided to retry in July 2010. She’d spent the interim practicing in parks and different areas, building confidence in herself and Maple. That second agility trial led to Maple’s first qualifying score, making Sara “the happiest person on earth!” After further training and the introduction of more advanced tricks, Maple got his ‘Novice’ trick dog title. And the third trial was better still, with Maple claiming his ADC (Agility Dog Of Canada) Title.

Every time Sara returned to her Grandmother’s house, she’d go to the back door and call for Peanut and he’d come running through the grass to come see her! This year is already shaping up to be a good year for Sara. Maple has now achieved his expert trick dog title, and as we go to press the pair are attending the AAC (Agility Association of Canada) 2011 Ontario Regionals. Sara’s still training her rats, who seem to be getting smarter and more trusting of her and people every day. And Peanut? On a sad note, Peanut passed away after being attacked by a bird or prey. Here’s Sara’s description of what happened: “It was a horrible day, and I still tear up thinking about it. I was at my grandma’s when I could hear a neighbour knocking on the backdoor. She was in a panic and was talking to my grandma. They ran outside and told me to stay in the house. I didn’t listen (I wish I had) and I saw Peanut rolling around in the grass, in pain. The neighbour said a bird must have grabbed him and not finished what he started. Peanut was brought into the house and put in a cardboard box. We called a few vets but got nothing in response. Soon after, my unbelievable little chipmunk, Peanut, passed away. The very next day, we were in the local paper...” Sadly, since Peanut’s demise, Sara hasn’t as yet plucked up the courage to train another chipmunk, although she doesn’t dismiss the idea entirely. But for now, she’s going to stick with dogs… oh, and rats.

Erika Phillips, an international animal behavior consultant currently living in the Georgian Bay area of Ontario, has been practicing undisputed scientific based behavior methods for nearly 20 years (www.thecontroversialcanine.ca). - 74 - Cottage Dog - Spring 2012

Sarah Carson and her dog Maple, cocker spaniel

Peanut

Cottage Dog - Spring 2012 - 75 -

HOW TO

AGILITY TRAIN ACottageDog’s CHIPMUNK step-by-step guide to making a winner!

Step 1: The Athlete Find a willing chipmunk. This can be done in a variety of ways, such as fishing with peanuts…

Step 2: The Reinforcement The most important thing to remember when teaching any animal certain behaviours is that you must always hold the ‘power’ in your hands. This usually takes the form of a reinforcement or reward. It’s necessary to convince a wild animal to do what you want it to do without it knowing that you want it to! You can’t force or coerce an animal into doing what you want, they must want to do it themselves. You must use cunning, manipulation, a little reverse psychology, and a really big incentive. And chipmunks, as we all know, love nuts, fruit… and cheesies!

Step 3: The Enclosure Depending on how long you’ve known your chipmunk, you may need to set up an enclosure to ensure your new buddy doesn’t bail on you. Include in it your obstacle or ‘agility’ course. This can be easily constructed from toilet roll tubes for tunnels, wood or cardboard ‘A’ frames, pause tables, straws or Popsicle sticks for weave poles etc. Make sure the enclosure is small enough that your chipmunk has no choice but to go through, over, under or around each object in order to get his reward or reinforcement at the end of the ‘run’. - CottageDog - June 2011 - 76- 32 - Cottage Dog - Spring 2012

Step 4: The Training There are two ways to train. The preferred choice is shaping the behaviour. Shaping is like building a puzzle – you introduce and reinforce for successive approximations, gradually molding or training your chosen beasty to perform a specific response by reinforcing any responses that come close to that which is desired. In other words, reward for smaller parts of the larger picture. The other approach is to use luring, usually a food treat on a piece of string – simply show the bait and they follow until they succeed in catching it. The problem with lure-based training is that they’re simply following a desired object and not actually engaged or thinking. They learn to follow the food, but not to go over, under or around an object in order to get it.

Step 5: Putting It All Together

When you think the Chipmunk has learned the ‘game’ of going through each obstacle separately, start adding pieces together for a longer course. This is called behaviour chaining: the new behavior you want to build may be a series or chain of related behaviors. Another useful tool is to use a marker or signal to tell the chipmunk that a reinforcement is on its way. You can do this by using either a clicker or some other sound. This method also uses positive reinforcement and is also reward based. The clicker is used during the acquisition phase of training a new behavior, to allow the animal to rapidly identify that a behavior is sought, and also the precise behavior of interest. - 33 - Dog CottageDog - June 2011 Cottage - Spring 2012 - 77 -

Step 6: The Training There are two ways to train. The preferred choice is shaping the behaviour. Shaping is like building a puzzle – you introduce and reinforce for successive approximations, gradually molding or training your chosen beasty to perform a specific response by reinforcing any responses that come close to that which is desired. In other words, reward for smaller parts of the larger picture. The other approach is to use luring, usually a food treat on a piece of string – simply show the bait and they follow until they succeed in catching it. The problem with lurebased training is that they’re simply following a desired object and not actually engaged or thinking. They learn to follow the food, but not to go over, under or around an object in order to get it.

Step 7: The Road to Fame and Fortune

Since you now have your chipmunk going through a variety of obstacles at regular intervals, it’s time to put everything together for a few practice runs. Try timing it, and set yourself goals. Once mastered, get out your video camera and capture everything on film. Then, send CottageDog your results and we’ll pick the besttrained chipmunk and make you both famous!

Enter the

CottageDog

Agility Challenge! Chipmunks have been found around cottages as long there have been lakes and trees. Year after year, they greet us throughout our days, seeking a little attention apart from the occasional peanut or two. During the winters, when we return to our city homes with our dogs, they await our return and the winter months curled up snuggly near our cottages. They watch us throw sticks off the docks for our cottage dogs to retrieve, and as we head off on hikes through the bush with our canine friends, no doubt wishing in their little striped suits that they, too, could be a favourite cottage pet. Well, thanks to a young agility trainer from North Bay called Sara Carson, that’s all about to change. Young Sara, you see, has become famous for agility training her chipmunk friend, Peanut. After writing a story about her, we wondered: could we do that? Or more specifically, could our CottageDog readers emulate Sara’s success and agility train a chipmunk of their own? “You betcha!” was our unanimous response, especially if we provided everything they needed to do it – Sara as inspiration; a stepby-step guide to doing the actual training; and, Unbelievable Chipmunk naturally, an incentive (a whole whack of prizes!). does Dog Agility! And, as every chipmunk knows, they can outrun andhttp://youtu.be/PQpf77y-SWk outsmart a cottage dog ten-to-one! So here’s your CottageDog “Cottage Chipmunk Challenge”: find a willing chipmunk at your cottage (or your friend’s, your parents, your girlfriend’s cottage… anyone’s!), one that’s raring to be revved up for the contest of contests! Then film them performing around the agility course, and send your entry to us (or post it to our website). To enroll, complete the simple registration with your name, address and chipmunk’s name and send it, along with your entrance fee of $39.99 (plus HST), to: The Cottage Chipmunk Challenge, 1393 Brunel Road, RR#2 Huntsville, ON P1H-2J3. Or visit www.cottagedog.com to register and pay by Paypal.

The Chipmunk Challenge http://vimeo.com/40309150

- 78 - Cottage Dog - Spring 2012

ENTER THE ANNUAL

COTTAGE DOG CLUB AGILITY CHALLENGE! Chipmunks have been found around cottages as long there have been lakes and trees. Year after year, they greet us throughout our days, seeking a little attention apart from the occasional peanut or two. During the winters, when we return to our city homes with our dogs, they await our return and the winter months curled up snuggly near our cottages. They watch us throw sticks off the docks for our cottage dogs to retrieve, and as we head off on hikes through the bush with our canine friends, no doubt wishing in their little striped suits that they, too, could be a favourite cottage pet. Well, thanks to a young agility trainer from North Bay called Sara Carson, that’s all about to change. Young Sara, you see, has become famous for agility training her chipmunk friend, Peanut. After writing a story about her, we wondered: could we do that? Or more specifically, could our CottageDog readers emulate Sara’s success and agility train a chipmunk of their own? “You betcha!” was our unanimous response, especially if we provided everything they needed to do it – Sara as inspiration; a step-by-step guide to doing the actual training; and, naturally, an incentive (a whole whack of prizes!). And, as every chipmunk knows, they can outrun and outsmart a cottage dog ten-to-one! So here’s your CottageDog “Cottage Chipmunk Challenge”: find a willing chipmunk at your cottage (or your friend’s, your parents, your girlfriend’s cottage… anyone’s!), one that’s raring to be revved up for the contest of contests! Then film them performing their homemade agility course, upload it to YouTube and send the link to chipmunk@cottagedog.com.

Cottage Dog - Spring 2012 - 79 -

Advertising Feature

Bringing Your Pet Along On A Summer Vacation Getaway

cottage is every pet owner’s preference for a vacation. Try bringing a dog into a resort – they’re not usually permitted. Besides, what’s more relaxing thought than seeing your pooch, mane ﬂowing, make a prance around the grass and trees, ending with a ﬂying leap into the lake! Many pet-owning families are choosing private lakefront cottages: You have the whole place to yourselves; the beachfront is yours; the family can have lots of relaxed quality time; and you can do day trips into the surround- 80 - Cottage Dog - Spring 2012

ing region if you like. If you stay for a couple of weeks, you can set up things the way you want them, just like a home away from home. So a cottage rental vacation can be ideal for a pet owner. Many cottage owners (about half of them) permit vacationers to bring their “best friends” along, if they promise to keep the place clean. Obviously, you would need to “poop & scoop” as well as vacuum up all evidence of dog and cat hair. Most owners also prefer that your pet stay off the beds for allergy reasons.

There are many choices of cottage rentals out there. Prices can range from $600 per week to $10,000 per week, depending on how much luxury you want to treat yourself to.

and choose the parts that are most important to you. For

In fact, if you like variety, you can choose a different cottage every year: Parry Sound one year, Muskoka another, Haliburton, Kawarthas, Bruce Penninsula, Temagami, Lake Simcoe.

tant parameter. Two web sites that are technologically ad-

Grandparents especially, who value quality time with their grandchildren, feel that the cost of renting a cottage is a small price to pay for spending a week or more relaxing with loved ones. Memories are made of this: jumping off the dock, paddling a canoe, relaxing with a book, baking cookies, teaching the little ones how to catch tadpoles and taking the dog for a walk. Finding a cottage can be challenging, though. There are so many web sites, and so many cottages to view. Here are two suggestions to make things easier: 1.

Use a sophisticated web site that allows you to search within very speciﬁc parameters, for example, cottages that permit pets.

2. Contact a rental management company that can do the searching for you. Using a sophisticated web site allows you to hone in on exactly what you want. Just go to the search feature

example, if you are a family of 6, put that it; maybe certain dates are important; or choose the region or amenities (internet for example). Price range will also be an imporvanced are CottagesOnTheWeb.com and CottageCountry. Cottages On The Web allows you to choose several “favorites” and then compare them as well. In both cases, you would contact the owner of the top two or three cottages to get more information. Rental Management companies are always ready to help you find the ideal cottage. One of these is Ontario Cottage Rentals, based in Muskoka: ontariocottagerentals.com. A phone conversation can elicit all your criteria and allow the staff to put together a small list of cottages that fit your needs. For example, you might want to do canoeing in a small private lake; or you might need to have two bathrooms and 4 bedrooms. Maybe there is a chef in your group who wants a “proper kitchen.” Whatever your needs, the staff at Ontario Cottage Rentals will try to assemble a list that fits your bill. Whatever your needs, you will need to act fast because cottages book up early. So dream of a beautiful lake front cottage holiday with the family pet, but be practical about making it happen.

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Pet-Allowed Vacation Rentals Lenelric

Jack Pine Lodge Bass Lake, Port Carling

Pine Lake, Gravenhurst

Lenelric is a lovely, old-fashioned 3 bedroom cottage with a beautiful view, great sunsets, and a sunny location. Take a simple vacation in this classic Muskoka cottage, all on one floor. ($1250/week) 877-788-1809

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Jack Pine Lodge is a beautiful, newlybuilt luxury cottage located on Bass Lake. The cottage is 2000 square feet with four bedrooms. There are two bedrooms on the main floor, and also a four-piece bath. ($2595/week) 877-788-1803

Lakeside

Pineview Bass Lake, Port Carling

getaways. ($2995/wk) 877-788-1803

Pineview is nestled among the pines, and has much to offer, and with 5 bedrooms is a great size for larger families or corporate

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Bass Lake, Port Carling

Lakeside is a three-bedroom cottage located on Bass Lake. The main cottage has two bedrooms on the upper level, as well as a den in the lower level, with a pull-out couch. All bedrooms have queen-sized beds. ($2395/wk) 877-788-1803 www.ontariocottagerentals.com/f028

Lorimerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lure

Avalon

Lorimer Lake, Parry Sound

Otter Lake, Dorset

This recently-built, four-seasons, Viceroy-style, three-bedroom, two-bathroom cottage sits on 35 acres of woods with 2,500 feet of lakefront on long, narrow and quiet Lorimer Lake. ($2000/week) 877-788-1803

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Avalon has four bedrooms, two levels of decking, a great waterfront, and lots of windows to enjoy the views. There is a southern view through towering pines and hemlocks. Comfort and space abound .The property offers privacy. ($2000/wk) 877-788-1803

Vernon View Lake Vernon, Huntsville

Located in a resort style setting, Vernon View sleeps 4, and is located between two other attached units. The 3.25 acre peninsula features approximately 730 feet of shared waterfront. ($630/week) 877-788-1809

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www.ontariocottagerentals.com/f059 Falcon Lodge Lake Vernon

This two-bedroom cottage shares a wonderful 3.25 acre peninsula, nicely wooded and featuring approximately 730 feet of waterfront on Lake Vernon. The lodge-type setting offers extensive boating, fishing and water sports. ($895/week) 877-788-1809

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Pet-Allowed Vacation Rentals Stone Cottage

Fairy Vista

Georgian Bay

A stunning postand-beam four bedroom cottage. Large level lot with 780 feet of shoreline offers privacy. Featuring cathedral ceilings, fireplace, family room and deck. ($3250/week) 877-788-1803

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Point of View Peninsula L., Huntsville

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This four-bedroom is what old-fashioned cottaging is all about. The upper level has three bedrooms with a unique free flow air system. Wood burning fireplace, screen porch. ($1595/week) 877-788-1809

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La Belle Vie

Healey L. Hideaway

Lake of Bays, Dwight

Healey L. Mactier

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This charming 2 bedroom cottage is decorated in traditional style with two separate levels. It has a south facing large deck and two docks. ($975/week) 877-788-1809

Victoria Belle This charming threebedroom cottage on Lake Simcoe, is a true jewel with its renovated, wellequipped kitchen and wrap around deck from the living room. The boathouse has been converted into a games room.($1195/wk) www.ontariocottagerentals.com/f235

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Lake Simcoe, Orillia

877-788-1809

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Pennfield Point

La Belle Vie Cottage is well suited for a two-family vacation. There is a threebedroom main cottage and large guest house that sleeps 7. Beautifully appointed. Young children will love the play zone! ($3350/week) 877-788-1803

This spacious four bedroom, three bathroom cottage offers in-town convenience and privacy on a large lot. It has a bright, open concept main floor. Glass doors provide access to the deck, which runs across the front. ($2495/week)

Peninsula L., Huntsville

Looking for a true cottage experience? This traditional Muskoka cottage is decorated with antiques and rustic furniture. It has unique free flow air system on the upper level, fireplace, and screen porch. ($1650/week) 877-788-1809

Fairy Lake, Huntsville

Morrison L. Gravenhurst

This newly completed Muskoka Cottage boasts 3 bedrooms, two-and-a half bathrooms, open concept, executive style kitchen with gas stove and 10 foot tall windows. Enjoy the shoreline with a shallow entry. ($2995/week) 877-788-1803

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Pet-Allowed Vacation Rentals Green Birch

Cook’s Cabin

Bass Lake, Orillia

Ahmic Lake, Magnetawan

This 2-bedroom cottage property boasts woodland and a creek, and is located on Bass Lake, close to Orillia. Garden doors open onto a large, 3-tiered deck, and sliding doors access a screened porch. Level lot, large sand bar and shallow entry. ($950/week) 877-788-1809

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Loon’s Nest

Idlehour Cottage Peninsula L., Huntsville

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Conveniently located near Huntsville and Algonquin Park, this 4-bedroom cottage has a level, treed lot with a deck, screened porch, firepit, shallow swim area, and access to a chain of lakes. ($1805/week) 877-788-1803

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Mark’s Hideaway

Lakeshore Lane

Foote Lake, Novar

Lake Bernard, Sundridge

This is a 3-bedroom cottage with a large, open-concept area. Enjoy the breezes and view of the lake from the screened porch and deck. Steps lead down a slope to the lake where the water is shallow for a long way out. ($1180/week) 877-788-1809 www.ontariocottagerentals.com/f107

Situated on a south facing shore of Lake Bernard, this 3-bedroom, twolevel cottage has expansive views. Featuring an open concept living room, dining room and kitchen, large decks, two bathrooms and washer/dryer. ($1355/week) 877-788-1809 www.ontariocottagerentals.com/f240

Rockhaven

Turtle Cottage

Sand Lake, Kearney

Parry Sound

An outstanding fivebedroom cottage in the trees on Sand Lake. Home away from home with fully equipped kitchen, screened Muskoka room with indoor fire pit. It features a lower floor rec room, & a jacuzzi tub in master bathroom. ($1995/week) 877-788-1803

877.788.1809

Fairholme L, Dunchurch

This 4-bdrm cottage offers a wonderful spot for a peaceful family vacation on Fairholme Lake. Open concept with a wood stove for nice ambience on a cool night. Many activities available to keep everyone busy. ($1375/week) 877-788-1809

Cook’s cabin is a three-bedroom, twobathroom cottage on Ahmic Lake. The gently sloping lawn down to the shallow sand beach is ideal for families. Enjoy the six-person hot tub on the deck, perfect for star gazing. ($1600/week)

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This comfortable, three-bedroom cottage offers all the features of a private island paradise combined with the convenience of a cottage on the shore. Turtle Cottage has a screened-in area in the centre. ($1220/week) 877-788-1809

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Pet-Allowed Vacation Rentals Green Birch

Cook’s Cabin

Bass Lake, Orillia

Ahmic Lake, Magnetawan

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Loon’s Nest

Idlehour Cottage Peninsula L., Huntsville

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Mark’s Hideaway

Lakeshore Lane

Foote Lake, Novar

Lake Bernard, Sundridge

Rockhaven

Turtle Cottage

Sand Lake, Kearney

Parry Sound

877.788.1809

Fairholme L, Dunchurch

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Pet-Allowed Vacation Rentals Brookside Cottage

Cherryhill

L Nosbonsing, Callander

Deer Lake, Katrine

Explore the unique and interesting landscape of Brookside cottage, with a natural brook that runs through the property, and an acre for exploring. This 2-bedroom cottage plus Bunkie features a sunroom and full kitchen. ($975/week) 877-788-1809

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877-788-1809

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Two Docs Cottage

Hilarity Hall

Little White Fish Lake

Mary Lake, Port Sydney

A perfect getaway with two-plus bedrooms. It includes a sundeck on the boathouse, a dock and a small sandy area. The family room has board games and the galley-style kitchen is fully equipped. The Bunkie has a separate living area. plus 2 piece bathroom, shower. ($1890/week) 877-788-1803 www.ontariocottagerentals.com/f130 Woodcrafter’s Country House Healey L ., Bracebridge

This is a beautiful three-plus-bedroom cottage. The spacious openconcept living/ dining/kitchen area features expertly crafted maple floors, pine ceilings and doors.($1650/wk) 877-788-1809 www.ontariocottagerentals.com/f136

Located on a private, beautifully treed lot, this is a three-bedroom cottage tucked away on Mary Lake. The cathedral ceilings, fireplace and sliding doors to the deck make this a great place for gathering. ($1690/week) 877-788-1809 www.ontariocottagerentals.com/f132 Lee’s Lakeside Lair McQuaby L Powassan

privacy, sunlight & beauty are words that come to mind at Lee’s Lakeside Lair. Situated on five acres of land, the three-bedroom, chalet-style cottage has a good-sized deck and gazebo. ($1130/week) 877-788-1809

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The White House

Indian Riverbend

Maclean Lake, Coldwater

Indian River, Port Carling

At 2600 sq. ft., this cottage provides space for everyone: 5 bedrooms, three bathrooms, a family room, & a recreation room with a pool table. It has a a gourmet kitchen with granite counter tops and an island. ($2995/wk) 877-788-1803

Cherryhill Cottage is situated on a large, level, grassy lot by the shores of peaceful Deer Lake. The property has lots of space for children to play, and the sandy beach and shallow entry into the lake add to its appeal. ($1450/week)

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Located just two minutes from Port Carling, this spacious five bedroom cottage has lots of room for the entire family or your large group. There are various options for sleeping arrangements and two lounge areas. ($4567/week) 877-788-1803

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Pet-Allowed Vacation Rentals Dragonfly Cottage

Muskokaview

Peninsula Lake, Huntsville

Lake Muskoka, Bala

Dragonfly Cottage combines the charm of yesteryear with the amenities of today. The fivebedroom cottage plus boathouse has character with a Muskoka Room, large dock and high speed internet. ($2470/week) 877-788-1803

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Dunworkin Cottage Lake Vernon, Huntsville

At the end of a quiet bay, with 130 feet of lake frontage, this is a wonderful spot for a family vacation. The level lot leads to a shallow beach, and dock. ($1525/week) 877-788-1809

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This two-bedroom cottage, with bunkie, offers fabulous views. Inside there is traditional cottage décor, open concept living areas, and wonderful natural light. A wood stove will take the chill off. ($2395/week) 877-788-1803

Ideally Yours Lake of Bays, Huntsville

A wonderful ninebedroom retreat with a main cottage, a second selfcontained four bedroom cabin, and a third cabin with two bedrooms. Enjoy the tennis court, multiple docks and shallow & deep swim areas. ($5000/week) 877-788-1803

White Pine Ledges

Maple Lake, Parry Sound

This executivecottage sits majestically overlooking a quiet and secluded bay. There is plenty of room for your family, with two bedrooms on the main floor and a master retreat on the second floor. ($2100/week) 877-788-1803 www.ontariocottagerentals.com/f174

Wan-Da-Wa

Tasso Treasure

Peninsula Lake

Tasso Lake, Huntsville

Steeped in history, this cottage, built in 1922, sits on 450’ of Peninsula Lake shoreline. Nestled among the trees is the main cottage, with the guest cottage nearby. There are five bedrooms, each with a door to the porch. ($2495/week) 877-788-1803

www.ontariocottagerentals.com/f170 Maple Lake

3 Mile L, Bracebridge

White Pine Ledges is a five-bedroom, twobathroom cottage. There is a fully equipped kitchen, dining table and comfortable living room. The dock offers all day sun and wonderful sunset views. ($1850/week) 877-788-1803 www.ontariocottagerentals.com/f251

www.ontariocottagerentals.com/f158

www.ontariocottagerentals.com/f175

Situated on a southfacing shore, with great swimming and clear water, this is a place to “get away from it all” and relax. The cottage has three bedrooms plus a bunkie. A large dock offers all-day sun. ($1260/wk)

877-788-1809

www.ontariocottagerentals.com/f176

Pet-Allowed Vacation Rentals Heritage Log Peninsula Lake

Nestled among the trees are the beautiful log main cottage and sleeping cabin. Three double beds and three single beds provide room for a large family. Surrounded by lake on three sides, and offering sunset views. ($2295/week) 877-788-1803

Bruce L. Minett

Looking for that perfect family vacation and a true cottage experience? This cottage, on a quiet lake near Lake Joseph and lake Rosseau, is the one for you! An expansive 4-bedroom cottage,living room and a Bunkie. ($3295/week)

www.ontariocottagerentals.com/f177 877-788-1803

www.ontariocottagerentals.com/f233

Harp L. Cottage

Isle of Skye

Harp Lake, Huntsville

L. Muskoka, Port Carling

This year-round retreat is in a quiet location near Hidden Valley ski area. The four-bedroom, twobathroom cottage has a true Muskoka feel. Living and dining rooms view the lake, & provide comfortable space for the whole family. ($1495/week) 877-788-1809

Lake House

Experience Muskoka in luxury and style. This unique and stunning cottage has been lovingly restored to provide luxury living without losing its original character. The property has its own safe harbour with sheltered docking. ($6895/week)

www.ontariocottagerentals.com/f185 877-788-1803

www.ontariocottagerentals.com/f191

Blue Willow

Rustic Retreat

Otter Lake, Huntsville

Lake of Bays, Huntsville

A private retreat with 4 plus bedrooms & two bathrooms. A spacious kitchen, big screen satellite TV. Downstairs has a games room with pool table. Sandy beach and water toys complete this great cottage. ($2195/week) 877-788-1803

This classic threebedroom Muskoka cottage built in the 1950s is rich in history. The cottage has a rustic appeal and gives you a feeling of an authentic cottage experience. Large grassy yard. Enjoy both the dock and shallow water. ($1195/week) www.ontariocottagerentals.com/f196 877-788-1809 www.ontariocottagerentals.com/f202 Cozy Bay Bass Lake, Port Carling

Enjoy great lake views from the wrap-around deck of this spacious three-bedroom cottage that includes a bunkie with fourth bedroom and bathroom. Swim off the dock or enjoy the shallow water with sandy bottom. ($1775/week) 877-788-1803

Tall Pines Cottage L. Nosbonsing

Situated on half an acre of land, and with a gentle slope to a sandy beach, Tall Pines is a great location for a wonderful family holiday. The cottage has three bedrooms, open concept kitchen. Good fishing lake, use of kayak, paddleboat ($1395/week)

www.ontariocottagerentals.com/f203 877-788-1809

www.ontariocottagerentals.com/f204

Pet-Allowed Vacation Rentals Echo Bay Getaway

Cobble Hill Cottage

Boshkung Lake, Carnavon

Lake Restoule, Powassan

This traditional cottage boasts three large bedrooms, and has a large living room and kitchen, covered BBQ patio area and a basement games room. Enjoy the west view from the 25 ft dock. ($1765/week) 877-788-1803

www.ontariocottagerentals.com/f247

Nestled among the pines, overlooking the lake you will find this delightful 3-bedroom cottage. Follow steps down from the parking area to the screened-in porch and to the lake. Open concept living room, dining room and kitchen. ($1050/week) 877-788-1809

www.ontariocottagerentals.com/f206

Cat Tales Cottage

Kyle Bay Cottage

Georgian Bay

L Nosbonsing, Callander

This classy twobedroom, onebathroom cottage is located on the beautiful smooth rock shore line of Georgian Bay, unique to this area. Open concept kitchen/living room with high ceilings and air conditioning. A boater’s paradise for exploring Georgian Bay. Shallow water entry. ($1095/week) 877-788-1809 www.ontariocottagerentals.com/f226

This year-round retreat is located at the end of a bay and has a natural tree line for privacy. From the parking area, there is a staircase down to the cottage. The open concept cottage offers a kitchen, living room and sitting area. and the bay is nice and quiet for exploring by paddleboat. ($1195/week) 877-788-1809 www.ontariocottagerentals.com/f225

Cottages At Diamond “In The Ruff” Nutt Lake, near Huntsville

Welcome to luxurious accomodations and fabulous golf too! This cottage resort setting in the very heart of Muskoka offers it all. Enjoy your own place in upscale accomodations, a sandy beach with a variety of water toys to explore the lake, hiking in the wilderness. Each cottage is beautifully appointed and furnished. Stainless steel appliances and Corian counters will make meal preparation a pleasure. Sliding doors off the kitchen and dining area lead to a screened-in Muskoka Room and out to a large deck with a barbeque and outdoor furniture. The vaulted pine, tongue and groove ceilings with exposed beams add a true Muskoka flavour. The beautiful, floor to ceiling stone fireplace will take the chill off of those cool evenings while you enjoy the large flat screen satellite television. Two tastefully decorated bedrooms are located on the main level, along with a four-piece bathroom with its own jet tub. You will find a king bed in one and twin singles in the other, complete with linens. Upstairs, overlooking the living area below, is the third bedroom with queen bed and en-suite four piece bath. For those who cannot leave the office, there is a small desk on this upper landing with internet connection available. The large, shared lakefront area offers a sandy beach and non-motorized boats. Reduced golf rates. ($2,650/week)

877-788-1803

www.ontariocottagerentals.com/f122

Pet-Allowed Vacation Rentals CORBET COVE

WOLSELEY LODGE

LISTING ID 171690 REGION Muskoka RATE $1,600/wk DESCRIPTION Private Cottage Rental

LISTING ID 171815 REGION French River RATE $475/wk DESCRIPTION Cottage Resort

DETAILS: 2 & 3 bedroom cottages, 2 full bathrooms, fireplace, BBQ, high-speed internet, satellite tv, dvd player, fully equipped kitchen, steps to waterfront w/ sandy shoreline.

DETAILS: 1 to 4 bedrooms cottages with kitchen, satellite TV, BBQ, firepits, motorboats, shallow entry beach and waterfront, and guided fishing tours.

CORBET COVE VACATION VILLAS IS COMPRISED OF 2 AND 3 BDR PRIVATE COTTAGES CRADLED IN TALL PINES ON PRISTINE LAKE OF BAYS IN MUSKOKA, OFFERING TRANQUILITY IN ITS NATURAL SURROUNDINGS.

THE WOLSELEY LODGE IS JUST 3.5 HOURS NORTH OF TORONTO, OFFERING FIRST CLASS FISHING ON THE FRENCH RIVER, LAKES AND RAPIDS. WITH 95% OF THE SHORELINE PROTECTED AND UNTOUCHED, BE PREPARED FOR A BIG CATCH (HINT: MUSKIE OVER 50” ARE CAUGHT EVERY YEAR!)

ONTARIO

For more info visit http://www.cottagecountry.com/listings/171690/

ONTARIO

For more info visit http://www.cottagecountry.com/listings/171815/

CLEAR LAKE COTTAGE

THE COBBLESTONE

LISTING ID 171999 REGION Parry Sound RATE $1,100 - $1,850/wk DESCRIPTION Private Cottage Rental

LISTING ID 174695 REGION Lake Simcoe RATE $1,995/wk DESCRIPTION Private Cottage Rental

DETAILS: 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 1,600 sq. feet, fireplace, full kitchen, stereo, DVD player, dock, BBQ, fire pit, 2 minute walk to waterfront with sandy shallow entry beach.

DETAILS: 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, fully equipped kitchen, fireplace, satellite TV, stereo, DVD player, dock, BBQ, fire pit, kayak, canoe, waterfront.

ONTARIO

CLEAR LAKE COTTAGE IS THE ORIGINAL 1900S HOMESTEAD OF THE PROPERTY IT IS LOCATED ON, PROVIDING A CHARMING AND HISTORICAL SETTING NESTLED BETWEEN PASTURES, SURROUNDED BY 220 ACRES OF FIELDS AND WOODS AND ADJACENT TO THE LAKE.

For more info visit http://www.cottagecountry.com/listings/171999/

ONTARIO

LOCATED RIGHT ON BASS LAKE, THE COBBLESTONE COTTAGE IS A 10 MINUTE DRIVE FROM ORILLIA. THE PROPERTY’S NOTABLE FEATURES INCLUDE A SUNROOM, A DECK THAT SPANS THE WIDTH OF THE COTTAGE AND A WATERFRONT LAKEHOUSE THAT INCLUDES WORKOUT EQUIPMENT.

For more info visit http://www.cottagecountry.com/listings/174695/

LAKE COUCHICHING

VICTORIA HARBOUR

LISTING ID 174700 REGION Lake Simcoe RATE $900/wk DESCRIPTION Private Cottage Rental

LISTING ID 174696 REGION South Georgian Bay RATE $995 - $1,695/wk DESCRIPTION Private Cottage Rental

DETAILS: 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, fully equipped kitchen, fireplace, stereo, DVD player, large deck, firepit, BBQ, dock, waterfront.

DETAILS: 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, fireplace, air conditioning, fully equipped kitchen, deck, stereo, cable TV, pool and foosball tables, dock, firepit, waterfront w/ shallow entry beach.

ONTARIO

LOCATED FIVE MINUTES FROM THE ACTION OF CASINO RAMA, THIS COTTAGE ON LAKE COUCHICHING OFFERS THE COMFORTS OF LAKEFRONT LIVING AT AN AFFORDABLE RATE, NOT TO MENTION ITS LARGE DECK AND GRILL IS A HOMERUN FOR BARBEQUE ENTHUSIASTS.

For more info visit http://www.cottagecountry.com/listings/174700/

ONTARIO

THIS GEORGIAN BAY COTTAGE IS ABOUT 1.5HRS DRIVE FROM TORONTO, ACCOMMODATING UP TO 6 PEOPLE. THIS COTTAGE PROVIDES ONE OF THE BEST VALUES THAT YOUR VACATION DOLLAR CAN BUY. IT OFFERS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE IN THE WHOLE FAMILY.

For more info visit http://www.cottagecountry.com/listings/174696/

To advertise your listing with Cottage Country, call 1-866-808-6210 xt. 1

Pet-Allowed Vacation Rentals CARSON LAKE

LK. HURON LOG HOME

LISTING ID 187312 REGION Algonquin Park RATE $850 - $1,025/wk DESCRIPTION Private Cottage Rental

LISTING ID 180376 REGION Bruce County RATE $1,500 - $2,200/wk DESCRIPTION Private Cottage Rental

DETAILS: 3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, fully equipped kitchen, wheelchair accessible, stereo, satellite TV, DVD player, deck/porch, firepit, BBQ, dock, waterfront with sandy shallow entry beach.

DETAILS: 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, 4,000 sq. feet, fireplace, fully equipped kitchen, stereo, satellite TV, DVD player, internet, deck/porch, BBQ, waterfront w/ shallow entry beach.

APPROXIMATELY 2 HOURS FROM OTTAWA AND 4 HOURS FROM TORONTO, THE BEAUTIFUL CARSON LAKE COTTAGE BOASTS NUMEROUS WINDOWS OVERLOOKING THE LAKE AND A RECENTLY RENOVATED KITCHEN.

WITH PANORAMIC VIEWS OF LAKE HURON, THIS EXECUTIVE WATERFRONT LOG HOME HAS AN OPEN CONCEPT OF LIVING SPACE ON THREE LEVELS AND A WRAP AROUND DECK ON THE MAIN FLOOR. IT IS AN EXCELLENT VENUE FOR A FAMILY GATHERING!

ONTARIO

For more info visit http://www.cottagecountry.com/listings/187312/

ONTARIO

For more info visit http://www.cottagecountry.com/listings/180376/

MAGGIE BAY ESTATE

CHALET ENCHANTEUR

LISTING ID 171753 REGION Bay Of Fundy RATE $850/wk DESCRIPTION Private Cottage Rental

LISTING ID 174702 REGION Eastern Townships RATE $1,300/wk DESCRIPTION Private Cottage Rental

DETAILS: 2 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms, fully equipped kitchen, fireplace, deck, satellite TV, high-speed internet, , volleyball net, tennis court, basketball net, firepit, BBQ, waterfront w/ sandy shallow entry beach.

DETAILS: 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, fully equipped kitchen, fireplace, deck/porch, stereo, satellite TV, DVD player, BBQ, dock, waterfront.

NOVA SCOTIA

THE BAY OF FUNDY AND ANNAPOLIS VALLEY AREA IS A GREAT DESTINATION TO RELAX, HIKE, FISH, GOLF AND PLAY. THE FUNDY COASTLINE DELIVERS SOME OF THE BEST SUNSETS YOU WILL EVER SEE IN YOUR LIFE!

For more info visit http://www.cottagecountry.com/listings/171753/

QUEBEC

LOCATED RIGHT ON THE LAKE, CHALET ENCHANTEUR IS THE PERFECT PLACE TO RELAX, PLAY, AND SPEND TIME WITH THE FAMILY.

For more info visit http://www.cottagecountry.com/listings/174702/

BODEGA RIDGE

LONE PINE RANCH B&B

LISTING ID 174051 REGION Vancouver Island & Gulf RATE $1,400/wk DESCRIPTION Cottage Resort

LISTING ID 185989 REGION Central Alberta RATE $80/night DESCRIPTION Bed and Breakfast

DETAILS: Fireplace, fully-equipped kitchen, air conditioning, DVD player and collection, cable, waterfront, maid service, onsite restaurant, conference centre, wedding facilities.

DETAILS: Six pacious guest cabins, each equipped with 2 queen size beds, mini-fridge, microwave, sitting area, pull-out couch, down duvets and private bath. Hearty ranch breakfast served everything morning in main house.

BRITISH COLUMBIA

BODEGA RIDGE RESORT IS A 22 ACRE PROPERTY WITH SEVEN BRIGHT SPACIOUS SELF CONTAINED LOG CABINS. EACH CABIN HAS A PRIVATE CEDAR DECK AND A GLASS PANELED WOODSTOVE EVOKING AN OLD-WORLD AMBIENCE!

For more info visit http://www.cottagecountry.com/listings/174051/

ALBERTA

ENJOY THE PRIVACY OF YOUR OWN LOG CABIN IN A RUSTIC RANCH WONDERLAND. TRAVEL BY CANOE AND ADVENTURE TO NEARBY ISLANDS AND LOCAL WILDLIFE; EXPLORE THE NEARBY JASPER NATIONAL PARK OR SIMPLY RELAX ON THE PEACFUL AND SERENCE RANCH LAND.

For more info visit http://www.cottagecountry.com/listings/185989/

To advertise your listing with Cottage Country, call 1-866-808-6210 xt. 1

Kerry and his dog Sugar Bear, a rare breed Caucasian Ovcharka.

Kerry Vinson’s Thoughts...

hile reading the Fall 2011 issue of Cottage Dog, I came across an article that brought back some memories to me. The article was written by Selma Mulvey, whom I do not know, and was entitled “Dangerous Legislation That Takes A Bite Out Of Being Canadian”. In this article the author details some of the egregious injustices that innocent dog owners and their dogs have experienced due to the Ontario Government’s Breed Specific Legislation, which was passed in amendments to the province’s Dog Owner’s Liability Act in the middle of the last decade. The memories evoked as I read this article were from my involvement in the subsequent court challenge to these amendments in 2006, when I was called on to testify at those proceedings. The basis of my testimony was due to my behavioural assessment of a dog involved in a fatal attack (on behalf of the Ontario Coroner’s Office) and whether or not that dog was a “pitbull”.

“..the Ontario Attorney General’s Office was never really interested in scientific evidence.” One problem with the entire proceedings was that (as Ms. Mulvey correctly points out in her article) there is really no such breed as a pitbull. The term has evolved as a slang description of a “mixed breed” dog with some vaguely defined physical characteristics. Indeed, it is quite possible for two people to look at the same dog and one to conclude it is a pitbull and the other to disagree, because of the subjectiveness of the identification process. Now I should point out that I am not an expert on dog breeds, - 92 - Cottage Dog - Spring 2012

but I have been designated by the Courts as an expert in the area of aggressive canine behaviour. Regardless, my testimony lasted the better part of an afternoon on that Fall day in Toronto. During that time period I was questioned (some might say badgered) by three gentlemen who I believe were Crown Attorneys representing the Ontario government. They continually attempted to get me to identify the dog involved in the above mentioned tragic incident as a “pitbull”, by asking the same questions over and over again with slightly different wording. Because of the confidential nature of Official Coroner’s Office Investigations, I am not able to discuss the details of my report to the Coroner on the incident, but I think it’s fair to say that on the subject of dogs identified as pitbulls, my position has been made clear in other public forums. It is that there are only two kinds of dogs: purebreds and mixed breeds. Furthermore, that aggressive behaviour can be present in any dog of any breed, and it is a completely false concept to single out a particular breed or type of dog as responsible for the dog bite problem that exists in Ontario today and over the last decade or so, as there is absolutely no scientific evidence to support this concept. Unfortunately, if one examines the BSL issue, the Ontario Attorney General’s Office was never really interested in scientific evidence. During the original hearings on this legislation, numerous recognized experts testified that banning a particular breed of dog is a totally ineffective approach to dealing with the problem of canine aggression. In fact, I don’t think that any of the “experts” from throughout North America who were involved in those hearings supported the government’s position, and the most current information that I am aware of today indicates that the total number of dog bites in Ontario has not decreased since the implementation of BSL. The spe-

cious premise put forward by the provincial government

In closing, I want to clarify that I am certainly in favour

here is that they are protecting the public from aggressive

of “dangerous dog” legislation that truly safeguards the

dogs, when the fact is that the problem has simply trans-

general public from aggressive dogs. I could write several

ferred itself to other breeds. In the meanwhile there have

pages as to why BSL as it presently exists in Ontario does

been many hundreds, perhaps thousands, of completely

not do this, but that’s not really the purpose of this col-

innocent dogs that have been destroyed and their own-

umn. I understand that there is a private member’s bill

ers persecuted under BSL. No one knows for sure, as such

currently before the provincial legislature to remove the

statistics are not kept or are suppressed by a government

breed-specific sections of the law, and I would urge mem-

that doesn’t want people to know the ineffectiveness of

bers of the dog owning public (and anyone else who is

their policy.

against injustice) to give their support to this effort.

Kerry Vinson holds a BA Degree in the field of Psychology, and has studied Learning Theory as it applies to both people and animals. Since getting into the animal behaviour business on a full time basis in 1998, he has authored over 70 articles on dog behaviour issues for veterinary publications and pet magazines in Canada. He has been designated an Expert Witness in the area of canine aggression in Ontario, and has testified in several high profile court cases as well as a Provincial Inquest. He has appeared on Canada AM, CBC’s Doczone, The Outdoor Life Network, The Discovery Channel, TV Ontario, etc., and presents lectures at Colleges throughout Southern Ontario. Kerry currently resides in the Northumberland Hills east of Toronto with his four dogs (three German Shepherds and a Caucasian Ovcharka) and can be contacted through Animal Behaviour Consultants, which provides formal assessments of dog behaviour, at (905)352-3353 or on the web: kvinson@consultant.com

STAY TUNED FOR OUR SUMMER 2012 ISSUE! IN OUR NEXT ISSUE:

• Weddings - A Special Moment • Camping With Puppies • La_Quinta - A Dog’s Best Friend • Tame An Unruly Dog - Go Sailing • Snoopy & The Flying Machine • And Much More...

Selma’s Soapbox... BILL 16 - A LONG TIME COMING On November 30, 2011, amid a flurry of excitement, a Private Members’ Bill to repeal Ontario’s breed-specific legislation (BSL) was brought forward and passed First Reading. Dog owners were thrilled as the blogs and social media sites lit up with the news. What makes Bill 16, Public Safety Related to Dogs Statute Law Amendment Act, 2011 so special is that it has been cosponsored by members of all three parties in the Legislature. Randy Hillier (PC), Cheri di Novo (NDP) and Kim Craitor (Lib) are proudly standing together for dog owners’ rights in Ontario. It must have taken special courage for Mr Craitor, a member of the governing Liberal caucus, to sign on to a bill that repeals legislation brought in by Dalton McGuinty’s government in 2005 in the face of overwhelming opposition from the public and every credible expert organization in North America and beyond. One person commented “When I heard there was tri-party support and the bill passed First Reading, I broke down and cried.” Can most of us imagine bursting into tears over the announcement of a bill simply coming up in the Legislature? That illustrates the kind of stress dog owners in Ontario have been living with for the past seven years. Breed-specific legislation in Ontario has affected law-abiding owners of unoffending mutts beyond what most people would or could endure. One of the fallacies of this scheme (and there are many) is that it will control irresponsible, negligent or criminal dog owners. The trouble with that is that only law-abiding people obey laws, the ones who are never a problem in the first place. Dog owners now have good reason to be optimistic, given the tri-party status of Bill 16, and are already busy getting - 94 - Cottage Dog - Spring 2012

petitions signed, planning events and looking forward to the re-opening of Ontario’s parliament in February. Bill 16 was scheduled for Second Reading on February 23, 2012. Many supporters came to a rally that day in front of the Legislature. Over 350 people signed in at the registration table. The Bill passed Second Reading 51 - 26 and Committee hearings were held on April 18 and 25. They look forward to the end of the reign of terror that has gripped the community since the law was enacted in 2005. They can’t wait for the day when they no longer have to live in fear that their loveable mutt may be mistaken for an illegal “pit bull” and seized and killed, just because somebody doesn’t like the way he looks, or worse, the way they look. Dog owners have hope, something that has been fleeting over the past seven years due to the many roadblocks encountered in the battle to restore equal treatment under the law to all Ontarians, dog owners or not. We have given the Bill the nickname ‘Hershey’s Bill’. Hershey was a beautiful brown dog who worked as a St John’s Ambulance therapy dog. Originally rescued from a bad situation, she was believed to resemble one of the three breeds banned in Ontario. When the “pit bull” ban came in, poor old Hershey lost her job. It was very sad, because she looked forward to visiting hospitals and nursing homes to bring cheer to the people there. Her sweet and gentle nature made her a favourite visitor at those places. Hershey is no longer with us, but her name lives on among Ontario dog owners as an example of how unjust and unkind this legislation is. Ontario’s “pit bull” legislation has taken good dogs with good owners off the streets and out of the dog parks while allowing irresponsible owners to carry on unchecked. It has diverted valuable resources towards pointless searches for illegal “pit bulls” and has wasted taxpayers’ money on court

cases trying (largely unsuccessfully) to prove that dogs are “pit bulls”. It has confused everybody from animal control officers to the average dog owner on the street. To this day, we find that most people who ask about the law don’t understand it at all. Unfortunately, by the time they contact us they and their pets are already in trouble.

It’s time Ontario grew up, started treating its citizens like

People have a right to understand legislation and to know whether they are affected by it. As Clayton Ruby said at the Superior Court of Justice in May, 2006, governments may write vague legislation but they can’t throw you in jail over it.

Minister Dwight Duncan and tell them you support Bill 16

Bill 16 will attempt to restore sanity to the province, to get everybody away from the diversionary witch hunt and back to dealing with the tiny minority of owners who ignore warning signs, don’t bother training or socializing their dogs, let them run loose or worse, encourage them to be fearful and unpredictable. This handful of antisocial people has spoiled things for the rest of us. I admire dogs and want every bad owner to be shut down - to be forced to demonstrate that they are mature enough to keep a dog. I want people to love dogs as much as I do. I want to be welcome when I go somewhere with my pets, not shunned because somebody else didn’t deserve the privilege of owning a dog.

In the meantime, please visit www.randyhillier.com for

People like me want laws to be fair, universal and easily understood but most of all, we want them to be effective. Unfortunately, banning a shape of dog fails to address problem owners in any meaningful way, and, in creating a false sense of security, does a disservice to all the people of Ontario. You may hear on TV or read in the newspaper that dog bites have decreased since the breed ban came in. That is simply not true. If one performs arithmetical gymnastics and cherry-picks from incomplete databases the numbers can be worked to show anything. But when you play the numbers straight and get them from reliable sources (such as Public Health departments), it is clear that dog bites have remained stable across the province. This is to be expected, since that’s been the experience everywhere else. Many places that had tried this idea rejected it. Holland, Norway, Italy, Germany and Scotland have all repealed laws banning dogs by shape. A Bill recently passed in the House of Lords in England which would rescind the notorious Dangerous Dogs Act - one of the first (and worst) examples out there - and replace it with legislation that works. That Bill must still pass in the Commons. On this continent, many towns and cities, too many to list here, have either rejected BSL outright or have rescinded it. Toledo, Ohio, a place held up by the government as a shining example of success, has fired its dog-catcher and repealed its ban on ‘pit bulls’. There are several state-wide bans on BSL, among them Texas, Maine, Illinois, Colorado, Florida and California. Vancouver repealed its breed ban in 2005 when data showed it didn’t work. And that is the key. Jurisdictions that have actually collected data and analyzed it have found that BSL doesn’t work.

adults, and listened to the experts, instead of trying to save face by fiddling with numbers for the six o’clock news. We hope you will join us. If you want to help, please contact your MPP along with the Hon Dalton McGuinty and and want it brought forward for Third Reading (final vote). It’s that simple.

more information and to sign the online petition. If you can, please print out a hard copy and get a few signatures, then mail it to Randy Hiller’s office. Every signature will help!

Selma Mulvey is a native Torontonian who now lives in Ontario’s farm country with three dogs. She is a lifelong dog lover and has become a social activist over the past eight years fighting the Ontario “pit bull” legislation. She is a member of the Dog Legislation Council of Canada and has blogged at Caveat since 2005.

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