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Volume 9 â&#x20AC;˘ Issue 7 â&#x20AC;˘ July 2014

Hot Dog News

Dogs for Adoption

See TRAVEL on page 5

toys, first-aid, grooming kits, and favorite food. Map your journey strategically by noting stops along the route; websites like US Rest Areas (http:// restareas.appspot.com/) are helpful or install a free iphone/ipad app such as USA Rest Stops (https:// itunes.apple.com/us/app/usa-reststops/id528988698?mt=8). If you

Words, Woofs & Meows

so you can travel confidently and safely. Driving can be an easy way to travel with your fur friend. It is also a terrific option if you have a larger breed as airlines have in-cabin weight restrictions for non-service dogs. Driving gives you the flexibility to make stops when he needs to answer his call of nature. Car space affords you the opportunity to pack more of his comfort items such as his bed,

Furry Words Training Your & Ask the Vet Performance Dog

INSIDE 2 4

You are including Rover in your travels and know his safety is a priority; no need to ruin that holiday bliss by worrying about his wellbeing. Regardless if you are driving to a pet-friendly cottage in the mountains or jetting off to a dogwelcoming seaside villa, research your plans and be well-organized,

By Susan Spisak

TRAVEL SAFELY WITH YOUR DOG THIS SUMMER

DowneastDogNews.com

DOWNEAST DOG NEWS

FRE E

Hot Dog News Green Acres Raises Goal for June Fundraising Effort for BARKK To End The Silence On June 2nd, Green Acres Kennel Shop announced a fundraiser for the BARKK To End The Silence initiative from June 1st through July 5th with a goal of raising $1000. The goal was to raise $500 from clients and when that was accomplished to match it with a $500 donation from Green Acres Kennel Shop. That happened yesterday, Sunday, June 8th, just eight days into a thirty-five day fundraiser. Increasing the awareness of the role pets play in domestic violence and providing a safe pet-friendly shelter for those fleeing violent situations clearly resonates with our clients and community, so we are raising our goal. If we raise an additional $1,500 from the community between now and July 5th, Green Acres will donate another $500 making a total of $3,000 for this important cause. Customers will be asked for a donation when making purchases. Anyone is able to donate by coming into the store or online through our website: http:// w w w. g r e e n a c r e s k e n n e l . c o m / cashforyourcause OR http://bit. ly/1nmW8Y9 . BARKK To End The Silence is an initiative of the Paw It Forward Foundation created by Jenny Dwyer of Mutt Nose Best. Their mission is to

raise awareness of domestic violence and to raise funds that will provide funding to equip local domestic violence shelters with designated “pet friendly” rooms that have separate ventilation and outside fenced areas. Funds will also pay for veterinary care and emergency “get out” kits for families in violent relationships. Currently in the state of Maine, there are NO Domestic Violence shelters equipped to house family pets. When asked why she started the Mutt Nose Best Foundation, Jenny Dwyer stated: “One in four women in her lifetime will be directly affected by violence. It affects our friends, our neighbors, our teachers, and our tellers. Domestic violence does not discriminate, however it does isolate. The BARKK To End The Silence mission is extremely personal for me because 10 years ago I left an abusive relationship, and a little over a year ago, my abuser killed his wife and then himself. When news of this tragedy hit me, my thoughts spiraled…why did I stay for so long and that could have been me. More importantly, why did she go back that day? In that moment, I knew the answers were one in the same, our pets. “ “Domestic Violence is a silent

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burden that many suffer alone. In that isolation, many turn to their pets as a source of love, loyalty, and companionship. Animals are abused in a staggering 88% of families where violence is an issue. Seventy-one percent of pet owners entering domestic violence shelters have reported that their batterers had injured, maimed, killed, or threatened family pets for revenge or to psychologically control their victims. Sadly, 65% of pet owners in these situations stay in danger longer because of fear for their animal’s safety or no place to flee with them.” Green Acres Kennel Shop co-owner Don Hanson states: “We are very excited to be working with Jenny and BARKK To End The Silence. Our clients have picked a very important and worthy cause for our June fundraiser, and we are very confident that they will step forward to donate. We hope several clients will join several members of the Green Acres staff at the 2nd annual

BARKK To End The Silence 5K on the Bangor waterfront on September 27th.” People may follow the activities of the fundraising drive on the Green Acres Kennel Shop FaceBook page (https://www.facebook.com/ GreenAcresKennelShop). In business since 1965, Green Acres Kennel Shop at 1653 Union Street is a Pet Care Services Association (PCSA) accredited facility offering 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 in 2013, the Green Acres retail store offers a wide variety of wholesome pet foods, treats, and quality supplies. For more information, please call 9456841 or visit www.greenacreskennel. com.

Therapy Dogs International, Inc. Award Robyn Douglas and Cirra the Remarkable Volunteer Award Title

Robyn Douglas and her Great Pyrenees, Cirra (Glimmer’s Spirit of Acadia) have earned their Therapy Dogs International Remarkable Volunteer Award Title (TDIRVA). Therapy Dogs International, Inc. awards this title in recognition of the dog’s tireless determination to visit those in need of their unconditional love and the active volunteers who share these great dogs for the benefit of others. In addition to 100 Tail Waggin’ Tutor reading visits, Robyn

and Cirra have enjoyed another 250 Children Reading to Cirra reading dog visits. For several years, Cirra has listened to students from Mount Desert Elementary School on Tuesdays and local children on Thursday afternoons at the Northeast Harbor Library. The Children Reading to Cirra Program has been part of the library’s Summer Reading Program. Campers have read to Cirra at Camp Beech Cliff one afternoon a week during the past two summers as well. Cirra has participated in special reading events at local schools and libraries. In addition, Cirra visits with residents at Birch Bay Retirement Village with Denise Houseknecht. At nine years of age, Cirra enjoys her daily walks, learning new things, and is a member of the Downeast Dog Scouts.

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From the Publisher

Well, DDN readers, it is officially summer now! I hope that everyone had a wonderful June filled with dog walks, playing in the park and maybe even some time at the beach. The beagles and I have enjoyed extended lunch breaks outside in the backyard and lots of begging my husband for scraps while out grilling! This month we focus on travel and vacationing with your pets. Our cover story has a bunch of great tips for enjoying a vacation with the ENTIRE family. We hope you like it! Another great resource

Pekingese dogs have history like no other. The supposed love child of a great lion and tiny mon key, these dogs have a unique look and a very distinct personality. Very intelligent, overly brave, and incredibly stubborn, they are not just the ball of fluff they

might appear to be. Leah Haney, a regular writer for the Downeast Dog News, is such a fan of Pekingese that she has written a book about them. Little Paws and Lion Hearts is an honest and loving view into what life is like with this tough little dog who most of the time has no need to please anyone other than himself. There are about a dozen stories of Pekingese aggression, bravery, stubbornness, and love submitted by women from Maine to Florida; many of them have fabulous photos to accompany them. Leah will be selling Little Paws

-Katie & The 3 Beagles

and Lion Hearts at pet events and book signings around the Oxford Hills and Lake Region areas this summer. The book is also available for purchase on Amazon.com.

Is your Fido a natural for Mr. December?

The Pope Memorial Humane Society of Knox County is still accepting photographs of your fabulous pets be it furry, feathered or scaled, for the 2015 PMHSKC Pet Calendar! The coveted Cover Shot has already been sold but we have Glamour Shots available where you'll have the pleasure of seeing your pet’s full page sized photo for an entire month with accompanying

sidebar story where you get to gush about your pet ($200). Or maybe the very affordable Tail Wagger Shot, a photo featured on a month date space, is more your style ($35). Each entry receives a complimentary 2015 Calendar to show off to your friends and family. Don't miss out on this fun way to help homeless animals in our community. 100% of the proceeds goes back into helping the animals

at the shelter. Submission forms are at hskcme.org or at PMHSKC shelter facility located at 17 Buttermilk in Thomaston. shelter. We also have advertising opportunities available. Deadline for submissions is August 1, 2014. Email calendar@hskcme. org with any questions. Visit www. hskcme.org. Call 207 594-2200.

Join the Underhound Railroad at the Movies! Boothbay Harbor: On July 19, 2014 at 3:00pm non-profit, dog rescue organization, Underhound Railroad, will be hosting a viewing of the award winning Cynthia Wade documentary “Shelter Dogs” at The Harbor Theatre. Deemed “”One of the Ten Best Documentaries of 2003″ by The Boston Phoenix, Shelter Dogs offers “an intimate look at the ethical life-and-death decisions made at Sue Sternberg’s animal shelter in

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July 2014

but I’m sure they will become our little dude’s best friends! Also in preparation for the baby, I will be taking some time off to acclimate my own self to motherhood and life with a newborn. We are asking that all new submissions for the paper be turned in by JULY 23RD for the August, September, and October papers so that they can be laid out and ready before my leave! Enjoy and have a safe Fourth everyone!

Maine Writer Launches New Pekingese Book

Downeast Dog News welcomes submissions of local news, events and photos. Email: katie@ downeastdognews.com.

COPYRIGHT 2006-2014 All contents of Downeast Dog News are protected under United States copyright law. The contents may not be reprinted or reproduced without the expressed written permission of the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within Downeast Dog News are those of its contributors and not necessarily those of the publisher. Content of ads is the sole responsibility of the advertiser. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the content and Downeast Dog News assumes no liability for any errors, omissions or claims made by its contributors or advertisers.

for pet travel tips is petMAINE. petMAINE is part of our family of publications and is entirely dedicated to pet-friendly travel in Maine. These guides are available at our normal DDN distribution spots; pick one up today! The beagles are getting more and more excited for the new addition to our pack. They will all become big siblings at the end of August. The pups have been around a lot of children and have always been very gentle; they are also just very curious (they’re beagles!). It will be a transition,

upstate New York.” Sponsored by the generosity of Janson’s Clothing in Boothbay Harbor, all proceeds from this event will directly benefit Underhound Railroad, and their mission to saving lives, one shelter dog at a time. An afternoon guaranteed to educate and evoke emotion, doors to the event will open at 2:30pm.

See MOVIES on page 5

Table of Contents Hot Dog News ........................ 2 Furry Words ............................ 4 Ask the Vet................................. 4 Performance Dog Training . 6 Basic Training Tips ................ 7 Baxter ........................................ 8 Words, Woofs & Meows ...... 8 Dogs for Adoption................. 9 Calendar of Events ............... 10 Business Directory ................ 11

Furry Words

Ask the Vet . . .

Sara Moore, Animal Communicator

Recently, I met a tri colored Australian shepherd named Ozzie from Hawaii. He is part of a military family and is very high energy. The family is in the process of moving to New Jersey but took a month to travel across the country, so Ozzie flew into Portland, ME. He’s staying with his human Aunt Claire, her two children, husband, dog Buca, and kitty Ninja. They live about a mile and a half away from us and our kids are good friends. It’s been quite a transition for all of them, and I’d love to know what Ozzie thinks of the time he’s spending in the mountains of Conway, NH. The first thing that is different living in New Hampshire is that Ozzie has more freedom and can be off leash at times. His house in Hawaii was near a busy road, so he was used to running free in an enclosed area in the backyard or being on a leash for a morning run. Beyond that, he would never be loose. This proved to be interesting when Claire realized he had no recall. He had no idea what “Come!” or “Here!” meant. At home, he’d go in and out through a dog door and was pretty much allowed to come and go as he pleased. Buca helped show him that when you get called and actually return, you typically get rewarded with a treat. Being a herding dog, he’s ridiculously smart and in only two weeks, he’s very aware that more trips outside mean more treats. It’s a logic I can appreciate, but it seems a bit ridiculous at times! The other thing he’s been introduced to is cats. Ninja is a tough little kitty but is not used to being chased all over the house and nudged by a fluffy dog. Ozzie showed no signs of wanting to hurt the cat, but he is very curious and bossy with him. Buca is a dignified ten year old lady, and it’s taken her about five months to warm up to the cat. Poor Ninja went from trying to get a dog’s loving attention to receiving obsessive amounts! It’s been quite a transition for everyone. Buca is glad to be kitty free, Ozzie wants the kitty to love him, and Ninja kitty has been spending a lot more time in the basement or perched in higher

places. Ozzie’s typical day with his owners consisted of a minimum five mile run at the crack of dawn. Claire is not an early riser. We joke (or is it?) that you if you wake her, you’ll get to meet Claire Bear. You don’t want to wake the bear. Again, this is another thing Ozzie doesn’t quite understand. The good news is he’s still alive, and the bear didn’t get him. The not so good news is Ozzie has Claire up, even on weekends, by 8am. The positive of this shift is that she is slowly adjusting to an early morning that consists of getting the kids to the bus, followed by either a walk or hike in the White Mountains with Ozzie. Buca still sleeps in and seems to prefer staying home and enjoying the silence when everyone is up and being productive. That’s working out quite well for everyone! Probably the hardest thing they’ve had to deal with is the fact that Ozzie will eat any and everything in sight. Buca has manners and rarely even finishes her own bowl of food. I am unfortunately way too familiar with dogs that clear off counters, destroy lunch boxes, and will even chew through a back pack if they smell any food when they are left alone. Sophie, my yellow lab, has gotten worse instead of better in her later years. It’s beyond frustrating because you think you have the kitchen on lockdown only to come home to find something unexpectedly strewn across the living room floor. Being able to leave a huge bag of dog food on the floor or not doing a final sweep before leaving the house is something they won’t miss when Ozzie is reunited with his family. In two weeks, they will all meet up at a family reunion near his new home town. I’m going to miss him! He’s a love bug and always smiling. I’m sure his host family will miss him as well, but resuming some sense of normalcy and routine is always comforting. I know that Buca will be relieved to see him go! Ninja may actually find that he misses the attention, which means Buca could be in for some kitty harassment. I’m curious to see how it all plays out! I just think it’s cool that I got to meet a dog from Hawaii. Sara Moore is a psychic medium for people and animals. She lives in Conway, NH and can be reached at sbeagen@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.

Dr. Judith Herman

Road Trip Safety Tips I am traveling to the Midwest Q to visit family and taking my dog, Butch. What do I need

to know and take, so he will be comfortable on this two day trip? A. There are several things you can do to prepare for a happy, fun, and pleasant vacation. The first and most important thing to do is to understand the environment to which you are taking your best friend. We all want to take our dogs with us on vacation, but to make it enjoyable for the dog, we need to know what our dog will experience. Will there be children, dogs, or other animals such as bunnies, cats, and ferrets? Does your dog know these critters, and does he get along with them? Is he invited or did you stress - “no dog so I am not going!” ? Once you know the ground rules of the place you are visiting, the next step is how to prepare Butch for the grand vacation. You will be traveling for a few days, so find dog friendly hotels or camp sites. Most camps want proof of rabies, so make sure you have all your paper work in order in a file or envelop. That makes it easy. I have a plastic container that is secured in my car with my dog’s name, age, tattoo number, allergies, vaccination history, what he eats, etc. This is a safety measure in case of an accident. Bring a crate or exercise pen with you, so your pup has a safe, quiet place to hang out when necessary. Take his own bed if possible. My Bryan loves hotels and settles in quite nicely with his own travel bed. I take distilled or spring water with me, so he doesn’t get a belly ache from a change in water. Diarrhea can really ruin a vacation. Make sure you take enough food. I make Bryan’s food and put it in individual containers for each day. I then freeze it and take it in a cooler. Many hotels have small refrigerators which can keep it cold. Of course, if you feed kibble, then it is easy. Make sure you have a good leash and collar. Don’t assume your dog will come when called in a strange area with strange smells. Be sure to take plenty of poop bags. People who don’t pick up after their dogs ruin it for all of us, so be a good neighbor. I also pack an emergency kit with simple things for diarrhea, torn nails, and minor cuts and scrapes. Being a homeopathic kind of person, I always take my

remedy kit. If your dog is on medication, make sure you have plenty, maybe even extra incase of a spill or loss. If your dog travels well in the car, then no medication would be needed. If he gets anxious or nauseous, take medication to help sooth him either from your veterinarian or your health food store. Don’t feed him before hand if he gets car sick. Lemon balm tincture is very soothing for upset tummies. Aconitum, a homeopathic remedy, is good for anxiety and may be helpful too. If you have a Thundershirt, he can wear that in the car. Follow the rules of the hotel or camp site. Don’t leave Butch alone at either place. Always take him with you. If housekeeping is knocking, any rational dog will bark. Housekeeping doesn’t know that Butch is a good guy. Try to keep your home schedule the same on the road. If you take your dog out for a walk three times a day, then take a break from driving and do so. Remember not to leave him in a hot car. Find shade and take a fan that runs off a battery. Any car place like VIP, NAPA, Home Depot, Lowes, or Sears carries them. I have a fan with chargers that I can rotate. You can also buy a windshield screen to block the sun from heating up the car. There are also cloth screens which reflect the sun from the car. If you leave the car running with an air conditioner on, check it frequently. I unsuccessfully treated a little dog with heat stroke because the air conditioning stopped working. Some, but not all cars, run air conditioning when the car is off. Check the owner’s manual before trying this. Once you arrive, let Butch meet any house dogs outside. It is less stressful for all doing it outside, and if the dogs are rambunctious, they won’t upset the house. Set up your crate and Butch’s bed in an acceptable place. Butch maybe the best trained dog in the world, but until everyone settles in, he is by your side or under your watchful eye. Once you have settled in, then you can relax. Feed Butch separately from the other family pets. Remember to have the best trip with your best friend starts with manners. Well behaved dogs are always invited back and are a pleasure to be around. Manners are not taught at the last minute. They start the first day you get your pup. So pack the car and you and Butch have a great vacation. Judith K. Herman DVM, CVH Animal Wellness Center, Augusta, ME www.mainehomeopathicvet.com officeawc@roadrunner.com

Downeast Dog News

TRAVEL from page 1 need to stay overnight, check out animal-friendly accommodations at http://www.bringfido.com/lodging/ hotels/; this site also lists worldwide veterinarians. Don’t forget to pack a jug of water, bowls, meal-sized portions of food, treats, and waste disposal bags; put them in a handy spot for quick access. For the safety of you and your pet, keep him restrained in the back seat while driving; he can be a distraction and actually cause an accident. Opt for an appropriatesized, well-ventilated crate or use a safety harness; it works with the seat belt and some models offer a quick release button. If your dog is smaller, try a secured canine booster seat. Flying may be best if you are traveling a long distance, but it can be stressful on your pet, so consult your vet first. Many commercial airlines out of Portland International Jetport allow small dogs in the cabin under your seat on many flights in acceptable crates weighing a combined 20 pounds or less. Heavier approved breeds must be crated and shipped in the cargo area. Be sure his collar, tags, and nails can’t get caught

MOVIES from page 3 in its walls; there aren’t dog-sitters below. Take direct routes. If you must switch to another flight, use the same carrier if possible as most will transfer your pet. Since policies, restrictions, international particulars, and fees vary by airline, it is best to dial up carriers for details. For a list of airlines that serve PWM, visit www. por tlandjet por t. org/airlines; scroll through their sites for pet guidelines and contact info, and if you need a rental car at your destination, phone ahead as not all agencies allow pets in their vehicles. Be sure you have your dog's health records and license, that he’s current on vaccinations and preventative treatments, is micro-chipped and registered with your travel cell number, and has any medications and refills. By planning ahead and being prepared, you can have a relaxing, hassle-free and fun vacation with your dog. For more tips, visit Bark Buckle UP at http://www.barkbuckleup.com; this site is specifically geared towards pet travel safety.

Available for Adoption Underhound pups will be present for a meet and greet, and the group will be offering refreshments to their twolegged supporters. Underhound Railroad volunteers will be present to answer questions and discuss the rescue process. Tickets will be $10 at the door; however they can also be bought in advance for $8 in person at The Harbor Theatre or by contacting Ashlea at underhoundashlea@gmail. com. Strong images are contained in this film. Some content may not be suitable for children under fourteen. Viewer discretion is advised. About Underhound Railroad: Volunteer based Underhound Railroad was formed in 2009 with the mission of saving dogs’ lives out of high kill shelters down south and

finding them forever homes to live out their happy days. The rescue process involves a foster family down south, a USDA certified transport company, a foster family up north, and a network of volunteers and coordinators. Underhound Railroad is a 501(c)(3) pending non-profit organization and relies heavily on the generosity of its supporters. Donations, along with monthly fundraising efforts, enable Underhound to continue saving lives, one shelter dog at a time. For more information regarding this or other event opportunities, please contact Ashlea at underhoundashlea@gmail.com.

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July 2014

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TRAINING YOUR PERFORMANCE DOG rescue, or young or old – you name Agility, Obedience, Tracking By Carolyn Fuhrer

Obedience - Why A Little Bit of This and That Doesn't Work! Since we have opened our training center, I have already seen many students with very confused dogs, dogs who are worried, stressed, nervous, reactive, hyperactive, or just plain out of control. After talking with owners, I find out they have no real structure for training. They read a puppy book, went to a class a few times, saw something on a video, got some well-meant advice from a friend, and perhaps attended a workshop or two, yet they have no real solid basis on which they base their training. I watch them go from various states of praising their dogs, getting annoyed with their dogs, blaming their dogs, the breeder, or previous owner, excusing bad behavior because the dog is a

it. What we really need to understand in training is consistent, fair communication that our dog understands. There is no simple recipe for success; otherwise everyone would have perfect scores! The dog must value the reward. Just because we spent $15 for a special gourmet bag of treats doesn’t ensure its value to the dog. Some dogs value a release of “all done – go play!” more than food. Your dog is the boss here. He must determine what is most valuable, and you must learn how to use the reward he seeks. If your dog values a toy by itself but doesn’t really care to play with you, this is not a high motivation for building a relationship. Interactive play is a fabulous motivator, but not all dogs buy into it right away. We must learn to play like our dog plays in order to put value into this interaction. So many of us are really not good players, but you

can learn to play if you are willing to take the time. I see so many dogs confused about the reward system and how it works. I see many owners feeding their dogs to keep them quiet and under control, using food to get attention and being extremely inconsistent with the behaviors they reward. Then, once the visible food goes away, the dog doesn’t work at all because a pathway between performance, praise, and reward was never achieved. Positive training does not mean “anything goes” and does not imply a “free lunch” attitude. A well behaved dog that is under control can actually have more freedom

than an unreliable dog who feels he can indulge in any impulse. Dogs are happier, calmer, and much more stable when they understand the rules and are able to predict the outcome of a behavior. Proper training actually empowers the dog by allowing him to pick behaviors with outcomes he desires. Behaviors need to have consequences in order for the dog to choose one behavior over another. A desired behavior should have clear, consistent, valuable (to the dog) rewards. The dog needs to understand this behavior has “good” consequences. An undesired behavior should get nothing – it should never work or pay. The dog needs to understand that an undesired behavior gets nothing and sometimes even gets the dog further away from what he desires. A dog who understands what behaviors will bring him rewards (food, freedom, play, etc.) will be a confident, happy, and reliable dog. Be kind to your dog – use clarity and consistency in your training.

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.

DE Dog News 4.8 x 3.5

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Open 24/7 year round Located next to Scarborough Downs in the Enterprise Business Park right off Route One.

A Sound Education for Every Dog • • • • • •

STAR Puppy Family Dog Manners Canine Good Citizen Control Unleashed AKC Community Canine Rally Obedience

Services Offered

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Attention Heeling Growly Dog/BAT Training Outdoor Adventures for Shy Dogs Leash Lungers “Reform School” Conformation/Show Handling

• RallyFree/Freestyle • Circus Dog Tricks • Dog Photography for Pets, Magazines, Ads, and Catalogs ...and more!

7 Trillium Lane Falmouth, Maine 04105 • 207.899.1185 www.poeticgold.com • Ljilly28@me.com

207.885.1290

maineveterinaryreferralcenter.com

YANKEE CLIPPER

We groom the most important pets in Maine — Yours! Offering a full range of grooming services Including Hand Scissoring, Cat Grooming, Hand Stripping & Shedless Treatments

Call today and schedule an appointment with our award-winning staff Food and Supplies for Cats and Dogs Watch your pet groomed live!

www.yankeeclipperpetgrooming.com click the webcam buttons

207.593.9100

589 Commercial Street/Route 1 Rockport, ME 04856

Downeast Dog News

Basic Training Tips by Diana Logan

No Charge, Please! A threat to our privileges

A friend and I were enjoying a hike when a young kid suddenly ran up to us from out of nowhere and insisted we pay attention to her. She smacked us, flailed her body about recklessly and tugged at our clothing, even managing to find and pull at our wallets. We were very annoyed, to say the least. Her parents were nowhere to be seen. After a few moments, a woman came around the bend and bellowed at us, “she’s friendly!” We expressed our discontent. The mom bristled, scolding us for carrying money, something her daughter loves. She called us antisocial and ranted on about how her daughter only wanted to play, insinuating we were at fault for not wanting to engage with her. --------------------I drove into the parking lot and noticed young kids milling about near their vehicle. I pulled into a distant spot. The moment they saw

me park, one of the kids ran up to my car and scraped the driver’s door multiple times with a nail, scratching through the paint. Incensed, I yelled at him. The adults were watching, but did nothing and offered no apologies, carrying on like nothing had happened. Years later, my car still bears the scars. ---------------------At a local park, I joined paths with a man and his big and very active son. Way up ahead, there was a kid and his mom walking

towards us. The man got very excited – he told his son to run over and “say hi.” The son tore ahead at top speed and stopped inches from the other kid who looked uneasy. The big boy jumped on top of him. “Oh yes, I always encourage him to run up to any kid he sees and wrestle with him,” said the man. “He loves it!” The man assumed all children were there for his own kid’s personal benefit, whatever the cost, no matter what the victim kid or his parents might think about it. He didn’t notice that the kid was uneasy. -------------You would probably agree that these scenarios depict very rude human behavior. If we were to replace the young humans with canines, however, it would be considered normal. A charging dog can be perceived as threatening whether we are dog or human. Dogs can behave differently if we train them to do so. We are responsible for their behavior, whether they are ours or we are walking them for someone else. Unfortunately, this “normal” way of doing things contributes to the continued erosion of privileges to visit local off-leash public spaces.

Things to consider: Not all dogs and humans want to interact with other dogs and humans: we need to respect personal space. Dogs will not automatically know what to do and are not at fault for not doing “the right thing.” Charging can become very habitual and fun for a dog with just a few repetitions, so we need to step in and take responsibility as soon as possible. What to do? We need to take the initiative to do some training to teach our dogs new patterns of behavior. Return next month to find out what and how… stay tuned!

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

CLASSIC PAWS, INC Canine Learning assistanCe serviCe speCiaLties

Sandra Pond (KPA) (CTP) Karen Pryor Academy, Certified Training Partner

At Classic Paws we strive to provide the highest quality of service to our clients while maintaining the integrity and well-being of our dogs.

sandra@classicpawstherapydogs.com • classicpawstherapydogs.com 6 Broadway Ave. Naples, ME 04055 • 207.899.5822

TRAINING WITH A PURPOSE A non-profit 501c3 organization

July 2014

MBHHShow_DEDogNew_061614_Layout 1 6/16/14 1:37 PM Page 1

ENJOY

other people’s wet dogs...

at the World Championship Boatyard Dog Trials!

By Baxter

Backyard Cookout NO pets will be allowed on show grounds. Only pre-determined dogs will be in the event.

Sunday, August 10th 10:30 a.m. Harbor Park, Rockland maineboats.com

WORDS, WOOFS & MEOWS By Don Hanson, BFRAP, CDBC, CPDT-KA

Which Dog Food Is Best? - Part 2

Last month Don discussed how to evaluate the companies making the pet food. This month he discusses how to evaluate individual brands and formulas within a company. After selecting companies you are comfortable with, the next thing a pet parent should do is to look at the individual foods

produced by a company. In this day and age, most pet food companies manufacture and market multiple lines or brands of food. For example, the Natura Pet Food Company, which is currently owned by Proctor & Gamble, manufactures 5 brands of pet food: California Natural, Evo, Healthwise, Innova, and Karma. They do this to meet specific needs (hypoallergenic and grain-free formulas), marketing niches (organic), or various price points (good, better, or best). Pet food companies recognize that budget does matter to pet parents, and they try to offer a food brand in multiple price categories. Unfortunately, because people focus on the price per bag and price per pound, instead of the cost per feeding, these categorizations aren’t always logical. It really can save you money if you learn how to calculate the true feeding cost of a pet food (http://www.

Over the years, I've given all sorts of advice on how to enjoy your humans’ cookout. I've suggested stealth, patience, and such brazen tactics as taking the food right off the grill. This summer let’s focus on the young humans. They are always fertile ground at these events. They come in three varieties, small, medium, and large. The group of smallest humans is easily identified. Members of this group either sit on their parent’s lap or in a very tall chair- the lap – not worth your time. However, the tall chair can bring a veritable cornucopia of interesting tidbits your way. The portions are small, but the flavor can be quite good – especially when tenderized by the chair’s occupant. This brings us to the middle group. There are two opportunities here: food placed on their plate by a parent that somehow finds its way under the table – and the jackpot: a plate left unattended. Members of this group are apt to jump up for no apparent reason and run off chasing one another like a bunch of, well, animals. A quick check of the immediate area around you, a swift sniff, and voilà, you’ve got the makings of a meal. Note: once it’s on the ground no one is going to take it away from you. And finally the group called ‘teens.’ The males of this group are either banging on one another with their hands or they are talking to females. When they are engaged with females, their brains turn to something the consistency of moist dog food. You can climb up next to them, brush them aside, and start eating from their plates – they won’t notice. Long after you’ve slipped away, they’ll look back at the plate (still thinking about the females), see that it’s empty, and think they ate it all themselves. Chow, Baxter

greenacreskennel.com/petfood-information/determiningtrue-pet-food-costs). You will often discover that the actual difference in the feeding cost between the categories is often negligible, and the food that costs more per bag actually is a better value. When choosing pet foods to offer in our store or for personal use, we also look for a brand that offers multiple, adult formulas, with different protein sources that support our philosophy of dietary rotation (http://www. greenacreskennel.com/petfood-information/why-rotatingdiets-makes-sense.html). A great example of this would be PureVita’s formulas in which they offer chicken, duck, bison, salmon, or turkey formulas. When we first started talking about dietary rotation many years ago, we quickly became the pariah of many food companies and some local veterinarians. Interestingly, now some food companies also actively promote rotation, and many veterinarians recognize that it is not harmful and makes sense. Other factors to consider are

the availability of a pet food brand. The small family owned companies we discussed in my last column typically and intentionally choose to market their products through independent, locally-owned retailers who are knowledgeable and passionate about sharing their knowledge of pet nutrition. They also typically offer a money-back guarantee – if you are not satisfied with the food, return it to the retailer for a full refund. They also often offer frequent buyer programs that help that retailer build customer loyalty. Remember: when you buy from a locally-owned store, you are getting expertise and service and you are also helping your community. In my next column, I’ll discuss looking at the labeling on pet food, specifically the ingredients used.

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.

Downeast Dog News

Dogs for Adoption Jaya, 2 yrs, Weimaraner/ Doberman Mix

An import from Puerto Rico, she is an initially timid, but darling girl that likes to bond with her people. 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.

Brinx, 5 yrs, Hound Mix

A super sweet love bug of a gal who will do great with just about any family out there. Available at Animal Welfare Society, Kennebunk, (207) 9853244. 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.