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Hot Dog News

Baxter

INSIDE 2 7

Is it every dog's dream to get all perfumed and pretty and strut his stuff in the halls of Westminster, that most prestigious of purebred dog shows? Well, some awardwinning champions in Maine

By Linda Webb Aceto

Dogs for Adoption

See SHOWTIME on page 5

and Jonesy (MACH2 Pencader No Quarter MXS MJS XF) in hopes of repeating their win in Agility last year, and her mother, Cindy Ratner, will be back with Zep (Bare Cove Rock Star MX MJB). BAM! (FA

Looking For a New 'Do Words, Woofs & Grooming Feature Meows

8&9

will do just that this year. Mystic (GCH Tamarack Billions of Stars over PoeticGold CGC), owned by Jill Simmons of PoeticGold Farm, will realize this dream in February. Delaney Ratner of Tree Frog Farm is returning with Kelso (Bo-Tyne Red Light District MXB MJB XF)

Photo above: BAM!, a 12 year old Border Collie competed in the 20" jump height class last year. This year, he is cheering on his buds from the sidelines, enjoying his retirement.

Maine Dogs Compete in 2015 Westminster

Volume 10 • Issue 2 • February 2015

IT’S SHOWTIME!

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DOWNEAST DOG NEWS

FRE E

Hot Dog News

Efforts Being Made to Name Labrador Retriever Official Maine State Dog

Gile's Lab, Jack on the boat!

Arundel, ME. Stacy Gile of Arundel, Maine loves dogs! Since she also loves the prominent role they play in the daily lives of so many Mainers, Gile approached Senator David Dutremble to introduce legislation recognizing one particular breed as the official state dog. Her enthusiasm resulted in bill LD 107 as “An Act to recognize the Labrador Retriever as the official state dog.” The bill is sponsored by Dutremble, who represents District 32 (Alfred, Biddeford, Dayton, Kennebunkport, and Lyman) and will be heard in the State and Local Committee on Wednesday, February 11 at 1:00 pm. Dutremble, well known in his District through his work as a Lieutenant Firefighter and EMT with the Biddeford Fire Department, remarked “I know some people may

say it's a waste of time or there are better things to be discussed. While that may be true I take ALL of my constituents’ requests seriously. I was approached by Stacy who was very interested about making the Lab the official State Dog. Our discussion led to the fact there are several other items and animals that the state recognizes, so why not a dog? When asked why the Labrador Retriever, Gile explained “It’s a logical fit for Maine. The breed originated in Newfoundland (not Labrador as you may have thought), where they were used to help the fishermen retrieve nets, fish and sometimes the fishermen themselves. With our state’s strong fishing and hunting heritage, the Lab is a natural symbol for our state. Many businesses, large and small feature Labs in their logos or advertising. You can’t go the beach without meeting one or two. And my

See BILL on page 13

New Business in LaGrange Offers ‘End Care’ for Pets

LaGrange - A newly built, locally owned and operated, state-of-theart facility has opened in LaGrange that offers cremation services and products for beloved pets. A family business of lifelong pet owners, Ashes To Ashes Pet Crematory will provide compassionate end care with dignity and respect. Their services may be requested, when needed, either from your home or through your veterinarian’s office. Gene and Ardys Goodine, who have lived in LaGrange since 1985, decided to create a business that would allow them to work from home. After much research and

many conversations, they selected the pet cremation industry. They felt that this business would allow them to provide needed options for others when they lose a beloved pet. Opened on December 18th, 2014, the business is located at 340 Howland Road (Route 6) in LaGrange will be recognized by the big yellow sign. Available products include a variety of urns, but the specialty items they are most excited about are the remembrance jewelry. There are charms, necklaces, and bracelets that are specially designed to hold a small amount of the cremains which many find comforting. Their website is www. ashestoashespetcremator y.com. Directions and more details are available on the site. By Bonnie Anderson

Freeport - The Center for Wildlife Health Research (CWHR) recently received $38,000 in grant support from two Maine-based foundations. A $30,000 grant from the Elmina B. Sewall Foundation will be used to conduct research on community cat colony reduction in Maine. An additional award of $8,000 from the Belvedere Animal Welfare Fund at the Maine Community Foundation is targeted for board development, strategic planning, and organizational capacity building. CWHR is now actively seeking new members for its Board of Directors who have a passion for animals, and bring talents in marketing, financial management, fundraising, law, or human resources. “The Sewall grant will enable

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Copy Editor Belinda Carter Contributors William Kunitz Diana Logan Sara Moore Judith Herman Carolyn Fuhrer Linda Webb Aceto Advertising Katie Grant 207-751-7786 katie@downeastdognews.com

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Center for Wildlife Health Research Receives $38,000 in Grant Support, Seeks Board Members CWHR to conduct groundbreaking research in Maine focused on reducing the number of homeless cats in Maine, protecting both cats and wildlife,” said Dr. Elizabeth Stone, Executive Director and Chief Veterinary Officer at CWHR. “As we expand to encompass this work, we are looking for leaders in the community to join the CWHR team. The capacity building grant from the Belvedere Fund will help us with this goal of strengthening our organization.” Founded in 2004, the Center for Wildlife Health Research has as its mission to reduce negative impacts of human activities on wildlife. Programs include education, applied research, and early spay-neuter designed to promote responsible pet care. CWHR supports the work of the Community Spay Neuter Clinic, a high-volume, low-cost, spay-neuter operation based in Freeport which has

Downeast Dog News

sterilized over 15,000 dogs and cats since it opened in 2010. CWHR also conducts humane & environmental education camps throughout the summer in Freeport, Maine. To express interest in joining our Board of Directors, or for more information about CWHR, email llichko@cwhrbirds.org, call (207) 540-4032 or visit www.cwhrbirds. org. Founded in 1982 by the late Elmina B. Sewall of Kennebunk, Maine, the Elmina B. Sewall Foundation supports work in Maine to improve the well-being of people, animals and the environment while fostering relationships that strive for social equity and community resilience. More information can be found at http://www.sewallfoundation.org/. The Maine Community Foundation partners with donors and nonprofits to strengthen Maine communities. For more information, visit http://

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From the Publisher Hello everyone! It’s been awhile! We’ve had a few very busy months, so I’ve made room for our amazing content and haven’t written in a bit. I hope everyone had a great holiday and is enjoying the New Year! Our little family has been doing great - Abel is now 6 months old and absolutely in love with his beagles. He laughs at them whenever he sees them and loves to listen to them howl. They love him right back - or maybe it’s just the left over sweet potatoes on his face…either way, it’s so nice to see our family bonding. This February issue of the paper focuses on one of the biggest events in the pet community - The Westminster Kennel Club competition. There are a number of Maine dogs that we have featured in our cover story representing our corner of the country at the show! You can catch them at the show on

Abel and I - someone is growing up too fast!

February 16 and 17. The competition will be LIVE on CNBC February 16th from 8 - 11 PM and then again on February 17th on USA from 8 - 11PM. You can also catch up on everything online at westminsterkennelclub.org. Let’s all cheer on our hometown pups! This issue also brings with it some very sad news for our own Downeast Dog News community. Long time contributor,

Don Hanson, co-owner of the Green Acres Kennel Shop has qualified for membership in The Pet Professional Guild (PPG), a professional pet industry memberassociation. In order to qualify for membership, one must agree to support the PPG’s Key Charter which is committed to force-free pet training and pet care. Hanson commented that “PPG’s commitment to force-free pet care is very much in line with the Pet Friendly policy that Green Acres started talking about in February of 2006. We began advocating for pet friendly practices at that time because of reports of some practices at other facilities, but we were practicing force-free training and pet care long before that. While there are other dog trainers in Maine that are members of PPG, we’re excited to be the first Maine facility that also offers, daycare, boarding, and grooming that has committed to force-free care. PPG also has some great educational

resources that we will be using with our staff. I also like that they have a section for pet owners at their web site petprofessionalguild.com.” According to PPG President, Niki Tudge, “The PPG is a memberassociation organization that was founded to represent dog training and pet care professionals who are committed to scientifically based, force-free training and behavior change methods. The PPG is the only professional pet industry member association that advocates for forcefree dog training and pet care and requires that our members adhere to our “Guiding Principles. We also make these principles available to the public. This way anyone using the services of a PPG member can be confident of the methods and the philosophical and scientific basis of the training methods and pet care techniques used when caring for their pets.” Headquartered in Wesley Chapel, FL, the Pet Professional Guild is

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February 2015

-Katie, Baby & The 3 Beagles

Green Acres’ Don Hanson Qualifies for Membership in the Pet Professional Guild

Contact 2

Baxter, has sadly passed away. Baxter’s extremely popular column, “How To Live With Your Humans,” has been a staple in this paper since the beginning. Baxter’s wit and charm always reminded us humans how ridiculous we can be in the eyes of our dogs but also how to enjoy all of the little things in life. Baxter will be greatly missed; in fact, this paper will not be the same without him. As a tribute to his life and his contribution to DDN, we will be reprising some favorite columns from the archives. Over the years, there have been over 100 columns, so enjoying them again will be fitting. You can read Baxter’s final column on page 7. Thank you for everything Baxter, our hearts are with you and your family, and may you now rest in peace.

an organization comprised of dog training and pet care professionals committed to holistic, force-free methods. Their mission is to help make every pet a valued member of its family and to improve the relationship and the quality of life people share with their pets by providing the greatest value and highest quality, state-of-the-art, force-free, scientific based pet training and pet care. In business since 1965, Green Acres Kennel Shop at 1653 Union Street offers boarding, daycare, and grooming for dogs and cats, as well as pet behavior consultations and training classes. Voted Best Kennel every year since 2002, Best Pet Store every year since 2007, Best Dog Trainer every year since 2011, and Best Pet Groomer every year since 2013, the Green Acres retail store offers a wide variety of wholesome pet foods, treats, and quality supplies. For more information, please call 945-6841 or visit www. greenacreskennel.com.

Table of Contents Hot Dog News ........................ Furry Words ............................ Ask the Vet................................. Basic Training Tips ................ Baxter ........................................ Looking for A New 'Do ........ Performance Dog Training. Words, Woofs & Meows ...... The Great Grain Debate ...... Dogs for Adoption................. Calendar of Events ............... Business Directory ................

2 4 4 6 7 8 10 11 12 13 14 15

Furry Words

Sara Moore, Animal Communicator

This month I’d like to answer some of the most frequently asked questions I get as an animal communicator. For those of you who have had a reading with me, some of these will sound familiar to you. If you’re a skeptic, I’m not here to convince or convert. I’m not sure exactly how all of this works, but I can tell you that I’m amazed every time I get to communicate with your living or deceased people and pets. The one I hear the most is, “Is my dog on the other side ok?” YES! Always! And no, he does not hold any resentment regarding whatever happened in the final days. He is grateful to go “home” when it’s his time. If you think you waited too long, that is all right. He gave you the freedom (also known as free will) to do it in your own time. Have I met dogs that are in pain and ready to go, but their human isn’t ready to let go? Absolutely. Do the dogs try their best to assure them that it’s ok? Yes. Do the owners hear it? Sometimes. It’s a journey that we’re on, and our animals teach us something about ourselves. Every animal, in retrospect, has offered lessons that we can learn or shy away from, but when his lifetime on this earth is over, he is always all right. Here’s another common question. “We just lost a dog, and we think our current dog is lonely. Does he want a companion?” The answer for this varies as much as the weather. However, not all dogs grieve the loss like we do. They may seem introverted or quiet, but they may simply be giving you the space you need, or they may be loving the peace and quiet absolutely and shamelessly. I love it when I get asked this question and the dog’s response is, “Absolutely NOT! What are you thinking?!” This is when I get to ask questions about what would make him happier, more content, and if you do get another dog, what kind would he like. When you go through this situation, step back and ask if you are the one who needs another dog, or if maybe the

remaining dog or dogs are now given the opportunity to come into their own and shine. Many readings are prompted because a dog freaks out during thunderstorms. I am not a dog trainer or vet, but as an energy worker, I have found some commonalities in the insight they share on this subject. We are all made of energy. Energy has a vibration. When that familiar vibration is disrupted, it can be very uncomfortable. Let me explain that as a visual for you. When you look at the still surface of a peaceful pond, it is flat and serene. Picture yourself lazily dozing on a floaty chair in that pond. Suddenly, someone tosses a boulder right beside you, and the ripples and waves it causes jolts you back to reality and may even give you a moment of panic. That is what a boom of thunder or a gunshot may feel like to an animal’s energy field. So how can you prevent that? Imagine the surface of the water being slightly disrupted by a breeze. There are ripples- not huge wavesand you’re back in that floaty chair. If someone tosses a boulder now, you won’t hear the splash because it’s being muffled slightly by the breeze, and because the water is already moving or vibrating on the surface, you won’t get rocked like you did with the first scenario. So if you have a dog that feels the energy shoot through him like a boulder on a calm pond, sometimes using a white noise machine will drown out that huge crack or rumble, and it won’t feel as monumental. Try it! If I had a list of all of the questions I have been asked, it would fill more than one column! If you’d like a reading or want to know why your dog behaves a certain way, an animal communicator or behaviorist may be the perfect person to help you. Often the answers include a message for the owners. Take a moment to tune into your animal, and try to hear what he is telling you! Sara Moore is a psychic medium for people and animals. She lives in Conway, NH and can be reached at enlightenedhorizons@gmail.com. Readings can be done in person or long distance via phone or email. For more information and upcoming classes so you can learn how to better communicate with your pets, go to www.enlightenedhorizons.com.

Ask the Vet . . .

Dr. Judith Herman

Does My Puppy Need To Come From a Champion?

I am going to buy my first purebred dog. I have researched breeds and have found the perfect breed for my family. I have gone to dog shows and talked with breeders. Everyone has been so helpful. My concern is a friend of mine said I need to look at the pedigrees and see if there are a lot of champions in my future puppy’s background. That seemed okay until I looked at the pedigree of the puppy I am interested in. It doesn’t have many champions. Do I need to be concerned?

It sounds like you have done your homework, which is to know your family life style, what requirements you want in a pup, and then check with breeders. Going to dog shows is the best way to see a variety of examples of the breed you are interested in. When the family has sat down and written what qualities it wants in a pup of a particular breed, it is time to start talking to breeders and people on the street with that breed. Asking around the neighborhood is a good place to start because you can meet the dog and ask questions about care, exercise needs, temperament, and health. From there, you can start looking for breeders. Many breeders will stress the champions in their line, but that is only a part, and for a family, a small part of finding its life long companion.

that the puppy you are looking at will look like others in the breed. What is more important is knowing the health of the line of dogs, temperament, and longevity. There is a website called k9data. com which lists this information for any dog listed. It does not list temperament. The temperament you will find out by going to the breeder’s for a visit. I suggest going before you are itching for a pup. Visit 3 or 4 breeders that interest you. Play with the parents and other dogs in the kennel. Call ahead to make sure the time is right for a visit with your whole family. Never buy a puppy over the internet! You must go and visit the breeder. The information and pictures on the website most likely are real but many are not. You want to build a relationship with the breeder. A good breeder stands by all the puppies he brings into this world. This is a lifetime commitment and finding the best match you can is worth all the work. The caution is you can go through all this and still run into problems. That is why a good breeder will stand with you and the puppy through its lifetime. We all have a certain look of the breed we love, but remember, it is more than looks which make a great companion. Judith K. Herman DVM, CVH Animal Wellness Center, Augusta, ME www.mainehomeopathicvet.com officeawc@roadrunner.com

SHOWTIME from page 1 Kick It Up a Notch MX MXJ XF), now retired, will be there in spirit, cheering on his buds. In addition, Patty Richards of Golden Dreams Kennel is returning to Westminster with Mica (Ch Snowshoe Samsong's Waiting In The Wing). Mystic, a Golden Retriever, will take his turn at Westminster as a first time contender. Still a puppy at heart, he is no novice nor slouch at competition. He earned his first points at six months, and he completed his American Champion title at Vacationland at the young age of twelve months, taking out all the "Big Kids." Since that time, he has worked with Jill as her teaching assistant while he prepared for his next challenge. That challenge turned out to be this January at Novi, Michigan where, at just twentyone months, he won Best of Breed, finishing his Grand Championship title! Now he is ready to wow them at Westminster. He is raring to go, too. Although it takes him about five hours to get all gussied up, he thrives under the hustle and bustle of the limelight. Sparking with enthusiasm, he demonstrates his love of the game at each show. When it is his turn at Westminster, he will prance, charm, and excel his way through his paces having spent hours of early, early morning training with Jill. His progress at Westminster can be followed on his Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ Poeticgold?fref=photo. In spite of the rigors of his training, Mystic remains the normal, happy, and exuberant Golden. More than just a show dog, he is an inveterate show-off. He spends his down time stuffing three tennis balls into his mouth, pleased as punch that he has achieved this level of expertise. Always the competitor, he now works on adding a fourth ball to his repertoire--but it continues to escape him. Outside the show ring, one of Mystic's primary and perhaps most important, jobs, is to act as ambassador for The Morris Foundation Lifetime Study, which does extensive research on Goldens and their issues with cancer and eye problems. Mystic warmly would

Mystic will take his first turn at Westminster on the 16th. He earned his Grand Champion title earlier in the year and is ready to WOW in New York!

5 year old Zep, returns with Cindy Ratner to compete in the Agility Compeition. welcome more breeders and their dogs into the program. Mica, at sixteen months, already cut his chops at Westminster by taking his place as a pup last year with owner/handler/breeder of Ch Samoyeds, Patty Richards. Mica also

loves the big top. A polished show dog, he got his first major at just six months on his first weekend out. After that, Mica showed on a very limited basis and managed to win at least once every weekend that he showed, beating out some pretty

tough competition. He finished his championship in January of 2014 at the age of fourteen months. Mica is a well-rounded dog, able to adapt to all the commotion going on at Westminster. A consummate performer, as Patty puts it, "he really turns it on" during the shows-demonstrated by his record to date. This year, once again, his big date is at Westminster, at the young age of two. Rather than hyper focus on "the win", Patty sees this show as a celebration of all that she and her dogs have accomplished. Although not part of the judicable events at Westminster, one of Mica's favorite past times is making sure everyone's ears are clean. Mica has an ear fetish. If he doesn't win a show for any other reason, he will always leave his mark through the cuteness factor. The Ratner clan will also return to Westminster this year to show their expert agility skills. Kelso, guided by Delaney Ratner, is an eightyear old Border Collie and was last year's overall Westminster Agility Champion! In addition, he won the 20" jump height class, while Jonesy, a ten-year old Miniature Schnauzer, won the 12" jump height class. In addition, Cindy ran with Zep, a five year old Shetland Sheepdog, in the 12" jump height class, while BAM!, a Border Collie who is now twelve years old, competed in the 20" jump height class. This year Kelso, Jonesy, and Zep will return to the ring to test their mettle. They, too, love going to Westminster, in spite of the hullabaloo they meet in New York. Veterans in agility, they are well prepared for the upcoming tests in the competition, all having begun their training at an early age. On the other hand, in his down time, Kelso just has to snuggle with Delaney following her everywhere in order to catch a hug or two. He is, also, I suppose, a latent hunter--his favorite house sport is to gather small toys and pounce on them. Although they all, like most dogs, love learning, BAM! and Zep are exceptionally high drive and are very tuned into working. Jonesy is

See SHOWTIME on page 15

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The number of champions in a pedigree is nice. It tells you

Downeast Dog News

MIDCOAST Ames True Value, Wiscasset ....................16 Damariscotta Veterinary Clinic................ 12 Harbor Hounds............................................... 6 Loyal Biscuit.................................................... 2 Two Salty Dogs ............................................. 7 Waggle Tails................................................... 11 Yankee Clipper............................................. 10

STATEWIDE & BEYOND ASPCA Bar Harbor....................................... 12 Bell's Furry Friends Photography................. 7 Dogn'i Apparel.................................................. 2 JJ Photos.......................................................... 10 Maine TV 85 ................................................. 14 Puppy Love .................................................... 7 Silver Paws Pet Tags ..................................... 4

SOUTHERN Camp Bow Wow......................................... 16 Happy Tails.................................................... 11 Maine Veterinary Referral Center........................ 10 Pet Connection.......................................... 10 Pleasant Hill Kennels .................................. 4 Portland Veterinary Specialists.............. .. 2 Tender Touch Veterinary............................. 7 The Whole Dog Market............................. 10

BANGOR & DOWNEAST Bear Brook Kennels ................................... 12 Green Acres Kennel Shop ....................... 16

February 2015

WESTERN Bee's Pet Boarding ..................................... 10 Taylor Brook Animal Hospital ................... 5

Basic Training Tips by Diana Logan

Dog Language and Culture, the Basics Cliff Notes to Better Understand our Best Friends

The following "Cliff Notes" contain important points that I try to remind myself of on a regular basis. They help me be a better dog owner, a better trainer, and a more understanding person whether I'm working with dogs or humans. I hope they help you, too! Dogs Know Everything Dogs already know how to do everything we want to “teach” them the challenge is in figuring out how to elicit the desired behavior when we want it. It’s not about “making Fido do what I want him to do,” it’s about “making Fido WANT to do what I want him to do.” Dog Dogma, Simplified Dogs do things for two reasons: • To get what they want • To avoid what they don’t want They also have the underlying ulterior motive to be safe, both physically and emotionally. Life = FUN & Games If we make up the games and the rules and teach our dogs in a way they understand, we quickly become

their Activities Directors! Train without Confrontation We humans learn more efficiently if: • We are motivated • The consequences are good • We learn what the “rules” are (as opposed to what the rules aren’t: YES! vs NO!!!) • We don’t get punished for incorrect guesses • We feel safe and trust the people we are working with • We are not afraid to experiment and express ourselves • All of the above applies to our

dogs, too. Dogs: • Live in the Moment - therefore the consequence for a behavior has to be immediate • Are egocentric: “Me, me, ME! What’s in it for ME??” • Want to please themselves • Need many repetitions in order to learn a new behavior • Need to know precisely what behaviors are being rewarded in order for them to become habit • Learn through trials & errors, associations, experimentation; they are experts at recognizing patterns • Do not know “right” from “wrong” (do we humans even know this?) • Are not verbal creatures Leadership Dogs don’t know that humans control the universe. We must earn our leadership position, not claim it. Being your Dog’s Leader Means: • Seeing the world through your dog’s eyes • Keeping your dog safe, physically and emotionally • Providing your dog with the necessary mental and physical stimulation that he needs in order to be healthy • Granting valuable resources for desired behaviors • Withholding valuable resources

for undesirable behaviors Understanding that English is a foreign language • Not expecting your dog to intuitively know what you want • Being patient, consistent, fair, and trustworthy • Being observant, educated in canine body language and having realistic expectations “Don’t blame the dog for failing to live up to human expectations.” (Chris Bach) Being your dog’s leader does not mean: • Overpowering your dog • Being “dominant” or “alpha” • Physically forcing your dog to do or not do things • Yelling at your dog • Labelling your dog “stubborn” and blaming him for failing to comply with your wishes Behavior + Reward = stronger behavior Behavior - Reward = weaker behavior “You Get what You Pay For” “Reward” is defined by the individual dog at a given moment. (food, attention, access, games, toys, etc.) Consequence Drives Behavior A dog learns not through being told what or what not to do but through the immediate consequences of his actions. It’s as simple as cause and effect – the way we all learn! •

By Baxter

Snow

I don’t think I’ll ever understand humans. First, as I mentioned a while back, after years of dry food, they started giving me moist, yummy, meaty food. But before long that, too, lost its flavor, and I stopped eating it. You would have thought they’d be angry with me for turning up my nose at such good food, but no, instead they started feeding me their food. I’ve spent a lifetime trying to convince them to share. Then a few

days ago, they finally started sharing. I didn’t even have to ask. In the last day or two, I’ve lost interest even in their food. Maybe it never was that good. I don’t know. I’ve now taken to hanging out in the snow. After all, winter is my time of year. This year seems special. The snow feels wonderfully cool on my body. When it’s falling, I feel like I’m being enfolded in and held close by soothing, comforting hands. Unfortunately, my human calls me inside after just one or two dreams.

I try to ignore him. Sometimes it works, but usually I give up and go inside. And when I’m inside, my human seems different. He will sit down beside me and pet me. I don’t even have to ask. He’ll be petting me and without warning, he’ll start shaking; water streams from his eyes, snot drips from his nose, and he makes sounds that make me uncomfortable. I wish there was something I could do to help him feel better. Today, he’s home. He usually leaves for the day, but today he wants to spend all his time with me. That’s great. I love my human. I wish he’d come out and lie in the snow with me. I think he’s planning to take me to the vet later. I hope it doesn’t take long. I want to get back to the snow. Chow, Baxter

Baxter Gephart Kunitz 2005-2015

Diana Logan, CPDT-KA Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Knowledge-Assessed Pet Connection Dog Training, North Yarmouth, Maine www.dianalogan.com 207-252-9352

Downeast Dog News

February 2015

Looking For A New 'Do! For a "Best of Show" Look - Keep Up With Grooming

Our cover story this month features our “hometown” champions headed off to the Big City to compete in the Big Show. Staying in line with their trip, we wanted to feature another large part of the champions’ routine (as well as most other dogs too), grooming! If you tune in to watch the Westminster Dog Show this year, you’ll not only see the dogs competing at their best,

but they are looking their best in the ring as well. You’ll see some seemingly outlandish cuts (Poodles in particular) which require diligent grooming while others will just be looking clean, trim and shiny. Whether you own a show dog or not, grooming is essential to maintaining a healthy pup.

Longhaired dogs require frequent grooming. Groomers can give Fido a trim to keep hair out of their eyes/face, prevent matting and make sure that the underlying skin is healthy and clean. Shorthaired dogs might not require clips at the groomer, but regular trips can help maintain healthy skin, shiny coats and trimmed nails. If your pup gives you the slip when you break out the nail clippers, consider bringing them to a professional groomer. Usually nail clips can be quickly done and the pros have the knowledge and equipment to get it done without much fuss. If you are going to the groomer for the first time, make sure to do your research. Some states require certification for grooming, others do not. Visit the facility you are planning on taking your pup to before your appointment to meet the groomer and scope out the facility. If you or your dog is uncomfortable, perhaps it isn’t the best match. Grooming can be stressful to some dogs, so make sure yours is comfortable in his surroundings before he gets on

the table. If your animal is new to grooming, introduce them slowly so that they are comfortable! Groomers will all have their own preferences when it comes to shampoos and conditioners, but that doesn’t mean those will work for your dogs. Again, ask your groomer what they use and why. See if you can try a sample to see if it works for your pup before your appointment. Also, remember groomers are not dog sitters. If you are dropping off your pup for her appointment, make sure to be prompt in picking her back up. Your groomer has other appointments to keep before and after yours! Also, many grooming facilities use kennels to keep pups before or after their appointments. If your dog is not

comfortable in a kennel, speak with your groomer about whether there are other options. Some facilities practice a “one dog at a time” policy to avoid using kennels. Another option might be to inquire whether you can stay with Fido during her appointment if she is stressed. Make sure to inform your groomer about your dog! If Fido has a sensitive spot, or really doesn’t like to be touched in certain area, don’t

let your groomer figure this out the hard way! Be up front to help out the groomer and your pup. Many grooming facilities also offer self-serve washes to make cleaning your pup even more convenient. If you find yourself in need of a quick rinse for Fido, this might be a great option. Facilities supply bathing stations, shampoos and conditioners for you to bathe Fido on your own. This is a wonderful option if you are

travelling with your dog and need to clean them off. Another option to make grooming more convenient and efficient for you is the mobile grooming station. Some groomers have invested in a van or truck and outfitted the inside into a grooming station. This allows them to come to you – eliminating the hassle of getting your dog in the car and traveling. Groomers can also help in unfortunate circumstances that curious pups may find themselves in – skunk clean up, flea and tick treatment, “what did you roll in?!” cleaning, and anti-fungal/ bacterial treatments to name a few. Groomers can help maintain healthy teeth with cleanings, safe, trim nails that won’t break and prevent dreaded matts from forming in the fur. W h ile f requent grooming is necessary for some breeds, all owners should also brush their pups regularly as home

to maintain healthy coats. Teeth brushing and nail clipping can also be done at home, though some owner prefer to leave these to the pros. Check out some of our favorite grooming facilities below and consider bringing your pups to one of them to freshen up and look “Best of Show” ready!

1311 Roosevelt Trail (Rte. 302) Raymond, ME 04071

207.899.9315

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We Ain’t Braggin’… But Tails ARE Waggin’

Downeast Dog News

February 2015

TRAINING YOUR PERFORMANCE DOG Agility, Obedience, Tracking By Carolyn Fuhrer

Tracking in Winter A Time of Study, Reflection and Fun While our Maine winters are not conducive to being able to do a great deal of tracking, the season for tracking will be here before you know it. This is an excellent time to set goals for the season. Keep them reasonable and set a timetable by which you can mark your progress. This is also an excellent time to review the rules and regulations for tracking tests and maybe take a look at the tracking book you bought last year! It is also a good time to look over your equipment – leads, harnesses, articles, gloves for your hands if necessary, and an organized system to collect articles like a fishing vest (lots of pockets), fanny pack or belt pouches to hold water, found articles, spare lead, rewards for training, and anything

else you want to carry along. You should be comfortable with your equipment. The harness should fit your dog properly. You should also be prepared for bad weather or heat. Do you need rain gear, boots, etc.? Does your dog need a raincoat or a cool coat? Some dogs are really bothered by heat and others, especially short haired dogs or small dogs, have a hard time in cold weather. Tracking tests and practices occur in all kinds of weather, so be prepared. There are many skills you can practice over the winter, and you and your dog can become quite accomplished working on them so that you can devote a lot more time to actual scent work when the season begins. Tracking involves your dog finding articles along or at the end of the “track”. Articles can be gloves, bandanas, a sock, change purse, wallet, or in the more advanced tests, a plastic or metal

article such as a light switch plate or an empty tin. You should teach your dog a consistent, recognizable behavior when your dog finds an article, such as a sit, down, paw tap, nose tap, etc. Article indication can be taught as a trick. If you use a clicker to train, this can be a big help. To start, you can have your dog on a 6’ leash – you do not need the harness at this time. Put an article down – it’s okay if you dog sees it – when your dog goes to the article “click” and praise and make a big fuss over it. Then pay with a high value food treat you place right on the article. Do this a few times until your dog

thinks this is a great game! Next time when your dog goes to the article, wait. Your dog will probably look at you, expecting the treat. Continue to wait – most dogs will offer some kind of behavior. If they sit, down, bark, paw the article, and you think one of these would be a great article indication, click and praise and reward on the article. I like to use a behavior that the dog offers naturally as long as it is consistent and recognizable. If you want a specific behavior, such as “down”, you might say, “Did you find something? Can you down?” As you offer less and less verbal information, your dog will soon figure out that when he finds an article and lays down, he will be rewarded. You can expand the game by putting a few articles around the house, and as you approach with your dog on lead and your dog does his article indication, you praise and pay on the article. Have some fun teaching this, and it never hurts to reinforce this skill with a trained dog. Keep article indication bright and get ready – we’ll be out tracking again very soon!

Carolyn Fuhrer has earned over 80 AKC titles with her Golden Retrievers, including 2 Champion Tracker titles. Carolyn is the owner of North Star Dog Training School in Somerville, Maine. She has been teaching people to understand their dogs for over 25 years. You can contact her with questions, suggestions, and ideas for her column by e-mailing carolyn@dogsatnorthstar.com.

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A Holistic Approach to Dog Training - Part 2

Dog Training is About so Much More Than You Training the Dog

Last month I shared a bit of my story with dogs and emphasized how the relationship we have with our dogs can be improved upon if we take the time to train them. However, training is about much more than teaching the dog to sit; a training program should have a comprehensive, holistic foundation. What is “A Holistic Approach to Dog Training”? Holistic is defined as “relating to or concerned with wholes or with complete systems rather than with the analysis of, treatment of, or dissection into parts.” It is essential to a dog’s welfare to understand a dog’s physical, mental, emotional, and social needs and his methods of communicating with one another and with humans. It is the use of this knowledge that allows for the building of a trusting relationship with dogs, meeting their needs, and thus ensuring their quality of life. As humans, we have the ability to continue to learn about our dogs as a species as well as individuals. A key component of a good trainer is that he will make the process of learning and training fun. This not only increases the probability of success, but also serves to further enhance the relationship. Also, central to training is the management of a dog’s environment to prevent dangerous and undesirable behaviors while simultaneously using reward-based training to teach the dog to offer behaviors that help him thrive within our human world. Why should I train my dog with a holistic approach? Besides the obvious benefits of having a well-trained dog that is responsive to you, training, when done with humane methods, is extremely beneficial to your dog as well. Dog’s Don’t Come With A User Manual

Spending some time to learn about your dog, its breed, what he was originally bred to do, normal and abnormal canine behaviors, how he learns and how he expresses what he is feeling will be very beneficial. A good place to start is with the following books ; On Talking Terms with Dogs: Calming Signals by Turid Rugaas , The Other End of the Leash by Patricia McConnell, PhD, DOGS: A Startling New Understanding of Canine Origin, Behavior and Evolution by Raymond and Lorna Coppinger, Dog Sense: How the New Science of Dog Behavior Can Make You A Better Friend to Your Pet by John Bradshaw, For the Love of A Dog - by Patricia McConnell, PhD, and Living with Kids and Dogs…Without Losing Your Mind: A Parent’s Guide to Controlling the Chaos by Colleen Pelar. Building a Bond & Trust If you make training fun and rewarding, which is not hard to do, training can become a central part of your effort to build and strengthen the bond with your dog. After all, isn’t companionship the main reason you got a dog? My dog Muppy was a bit shy when we adopted her. Through training, we’ve established a wonderful relationship that has helped her get over her shyness. Additionally, she’s learned: how to control herself around other people (sit, down, stay), behaviors that help keep her safe while enjoying the world (heel, coming when called, leave it), and things that help me take care of her (swallowing a pill, trimming her nails, combing out mats). All of these things she’s learned also make it easier for her groomer, her veterinarian, and others who care for her. Because she has learned these things through the use of positive reinforcement, her trust in the human world has grown immensely. Socialization & Habituation Properly socializing and habituating your dog when he is 8 to 16 weeks of age and maintaining this socialization for the lifetime of your pet can go a long way in helping your dog to enjoy being part of your everyday life without being fearful. Unfortunately, most people do not fully understand the concept of socialization and think that exposing a dog to a couple of friends and their existing dogs or the neighbor’s dog is all it takes. Socializing a dog is not that simple and requires planning, which is why taking your puppy to a class taught by a professional dog trainer can help you get off to a good start. You will have the added benefit of meeting others that are going through all of the same puppy frustrations that you are.

Many families and their dogs become longtime friends through puppy class. Prevent Problems Before They Start People have good intentions when they train their dogs, but often they or a family member or friend inadvertently end up training the dog to do exactly the opposite of what they really want. Often people come to us with a dog that habitually jumps up on certain people and after we talk with them, we discover they have unknowingly been rewarding jumping. It’s much easier to train what we want from the beginning than to have to “untrain” a behavior we don’t like. Learning Basic Manners When one gets a dog, it is usually with the intention that it will be a member of the family and will be able to participate in family activities. One of the best ways to make this happen is by teaching the dog some basic manners like sit, down, walking on a loose leash, coming when called, and leaving things he’s not supposed to have. Mental Stimulation So many people worry about making sure their dogs get sufficient physical exercise, yet rarely do they think about their mental stimulation which is every bit as important. A dog that receives plenty of mental stimulation is much less likely to engage in problem behaviors like destructive chewing and digging. Regular training sessions, even after a dog has successfully learned everything you want him to know, can keep his skills sharp and help expend that pent up energy. Teaching your dog something new and fun (e.g. retrieve a favorite toy, find a hidden object) can provide your dog with mental stimulation on those days when life does not accommodate a walk. Sometimes it can be as simple as training your dog during commercial breaks as you watch your favorite TV program.

Because It Is Fun! My dog Muppy absolutely loves to “go to school.” When she prances in her heel position, it is obvious to see how much she is enjoying herself through her body language. Her mouth is open, relaxed, and smiling while she is looking at me with rapt attention. Not only is she having a great time, it fills my heart with joy to watch her. All the while, she is learning skills that will help her to successfully live in a human world. Give holistic training a try and spread the word! Working With A Professional Is Worth It Working with a certified professional dog trainer (CPDT) is one of the best ways for you to implement a holistic training program for you and your dog. A good CPDT will teach you about body language and canine communication; he will introduce a fun, positive method of training and will help guide you through those difficult moments of canine chaos. A professional understands that all dogs are different, yet ultimately learn the same way and can help you prevent problems before they begin. They are also there to answer your questions and to show you how to do something; not something you can get out of a book or a YouTube video. Yes, you can see a trainer on YouTube, but he cannot see you and your dog, and that is an essential factor in helping people and dogs to progress. Don Hanson is the co-owner of the Green Acres Kennel Shop (greenacreskennel.com) in Bangor. He is a Bach Foundation Registered Animal Practitioner, Certified Dog Behavior Consultant, and Certified Professional Dog Trainer. He produces and co- hosts a weekly radio show and podcast, The Woof Meow Show heard on The Voice of Maine (103.9FM, 101.3FM, 1450AM & woofmeowshow.com) every Saturday at 7:30AM and Sunday at 8:30PM.

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Downeast Dog News

February 2015

The Great Grain Debate To give your pet food with grains or to feed grain-free, that is often the question. Is it just a fad or is there some actual benefit to feeding your dog or cat a food without grains? Could there be a pet that actually benefits from grains? There are obviously many questions surrounding this dietary quandary. Let’s break the grain issue down question by question. What is a grain?: Grains, or cereals, are seeds from grasses that are harvested for food. Some of the more common grains you will find in pet food are wheat, corn, rice, oats, barley, millet, oatmeal, and quinoa; but some foods (like The Honest Kitchen) are starting to include “ancient” or “pseudo” grains like buckwheat, teff, amaranth, and chia seeds. A grain seed is comprised of three parts: bran, the outer layer, which is a source of fiber, endosperm, the inner portion, which is a source of starch, and the germ, the reproductive part of the seed, which contain vitamin E, folic acid, phosphorus, and magnesium. Do cats and dogs need grain?: Cats are strict, or obligate, carnivores, meaning that meat is biologically essential to their survival. Cats do not have the ability to make certain amino acids and vitamins on their own like most herbivores and omnivores can so they rely solely

on their diet, nor do they have the ability to digest grains. They also require taurine and arginine which is found almost exclusively in meat. Therefore, a biologically appropriate diet for a cat contains basically only meat, organs, and bone. With dogs it’s a bit more complicated. Dogs can digest grains but not very easily. Like humans, they produce the enzyme needed to digest grains, amylase, but unlike humans who produce amylase in their saliva, dogs produce it further along the digestive tract (in their small intestine). As grains take a long time to break down, having the required enzyme at the tail end of the digestion process means they don’t get broken down all the way. So a biologically appropriate diet for a dog would more than likely contain more

proteins and fats than carbohydrates. But sometimes grains can be beneficial. Depending upon what kind of grain (the higher quality the better. Wheat, corn, and white rice are on the lower end while your ancient grains are on the higher end) they can help steady blood sugar levels in diabetic pets, provide a good source of fiber, or even act as prebiotics to help soothe an upset digestive tract. Are all grain-free diets equal?: Just like kibbles with grain, not all grainfree kibbles are the same. You cannot make kibble without carbohydrates: there would be nothing to bind all the ingredients together. Instead of your barley, rice, and other grains, grain-free foods use novel carbohydrates like tapioca or potato. In lesser quality grain-free foods, the

Dogs for Adoption

carbohydrates will make up more of the ingredients list than the meat based proteins. You’ll also want to be aware of where the food was sourced and manufactured. Higher quality grain-free foods will source and manufacture solely in the USA or Canada. You can also go the canned or raw (frozen, dehydrated, or freezedried) route as well. Since neither require carbohydrates in their manufacturing, you can often find options that are completely carb free. In the vein of being biologically or species appropriate, raw diets would be the closest to what your cat or dog’s wild ancestors would have eaten. Who would benefit from a grainfree diet?: There are many pets that can benefit from switching to a grainfree diet. If your pet is overweight, a grain-free diet can help them shed pounds. Since protein isn’t stored in your pet’s body like carbohydrates are, a grain-free diet that’s high in protein can help your pet maintain or lose weight. Grain-free diets are also great for very active or working dogs as higher protein helps to rebuild muscle and bone. Pets with allergies, even environmental, can benefit from a diet free of grains. Since grains can be so hard to digest, they can overtax your pet’s system leaving a lowered immune system and cause your pet’s inflammatory response to go into overdrive (itchy city here we come! You can read more about pets and seasonal allergies here). Picky eaters are often more apt to chow down on grain-free foods as the higher meat content makes them more palatable. Hopefully this has helped you untangle some of the mysteries behind grain-free foods. As always, if you are interested in making a food switch, please stop by any of the Loyal Biscuit Co. locations for a chat. There are many grain-free options out there, from kibble to can to raw, and we can help you find the best one to fit your pet’s needs. By Ashley Bickford, Loyal Biscuit Co.

Peri, 1 yr, Rescue Mix Peri, a one year old rescue mix, LOVES the outdoors, going for walks, hikes, and swimming...He is a special needs pup with fears of new people and new surroundings, but once he feels comfortable with a person, he's an absolute snuggle bug! Peri's forever family should have love, understanding, love the outdoors, and it would be in his best interest for his adoptive family to be willing to have several

Lula Belle, 8 yrs, Walker Coon Hound

She's not old, she's wise. Would prefer not to live with cats, but is great with other dogs and rugged children.

Available at Animal Welfare Society, Kennebunk, (207) 985-3244. Our Adoption Center is open from 11 AM to 7 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and from 11 AM to 4 PM Saturday and Sunday. We are closed on Wednesdays.

Sheba, 2 yrs, Pit Bull Mix

Very affectionate and playful girl, would be happy to live with some other dogs and older children.

meetings with Peri, before a formal adoption, so as to give him the chance to get to know them, so the transition is a safe and healthy one for him. For more information, please contact his Foster Mom at breannaannaerb@gmail.com.