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Hot Dog News

Ask The Vet & Furry Words

INSIDE 2 4

“I found a way to help others through animals, so it’s been great,” says Danielle Ireland McGuckin, Founder of Silent Sidekicks, the 501(c) 3 animal-

By Susan Spisak

Basic Training Tips

Dogs for Adoption

Above: Sidekick Morgan entertains students at the Woodland Library

See SIDEKICK on page 5

and 35 animals, all registered through the national therapy organization, Pet Partners, fulfill

Woofs, Words and Meows

assisted therapy, activities and educational organization that she initiated to serve the communities of Maine and New Brunswick, Canada. She and her sidekick, Morgan, a two-year-old Golden Retriever, along with 50 humans

Gives Back

Volume 9 • Issue 11 • November 2014

SILENT SIDEKICKS

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Hot Dog News

Hanson Completes Course on Canine Social and Psychological Development with Honors BANGOR - Don Hanson, co-owner and Director of Behavior Counseling and Training at the Green Acres Kennel Shop in Bangor, has completed a five week course on Canine Social and Psychological Development. Offered by the Association of Professional Dog Trainers and taught by Gail Fisher, the course covered the critical periods in a dog’s life that have the greatest impact on his development. Factors to consider when selecting a puppy or evaluating a dog’s suitability for breeding were reviewed as were socialization ad habituation needs during the critical period. The course included a review of canine research that took place at Maine’s Jackson Laboratory and that was published in Genetics and the Social Behavior of the Dog by John Paul Scott and John L. Fuller. Hanson passed the course with honors. When asked how the course applies to his work at Green Acres Kennel Shop, Hanson stated: “Material covered in the course will be very useful in the further refinement of the curriculum we use for our Puppy Headstart class. It will also be helpful for consultations with clients where we review traits to look for in puppies

when selecting a breeder.” 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 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.

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Bangor’s Best Pet Photographer Offers Annual Holiday Pet Portrait Events HERMON – Debra Bell, owner of Bell’s Furry Friends Photography located in Hermon, Maine, is ready to help pets and their people get started on their holiday shopping at its annual Holiday Pet Portrait events held on Nov. 2 at Green Acres Kennel Shop in Bangor and Nov. 15 at For Dogs Boutique in Holden. Each event will also benefit the Furry Friends Food Bank. Bell’s Furry Friends Photography was recently named Bangor’s Best Pet Photography business and Bell specializes in helping pets look and feel their best in front of the camera with heartwarming results. Holiday Pet Portrait sessions are 20-minutes each and cost $45 per session for up to three pets. Included in the cost is a $10 donation to the Furry Friends Food Bank, based at Eastern Area Agency on Aging, a 5-inch by 7-inch gift print, and an online ordering and viewing g a l l e r y. Double sessions — 40 minutes each — are $70. No digital files are included in the sessions. Space is limited, so reserve your spot soon. The first event will be held 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 2 at Green Acres Kennel Shop, located at 1653 Union St., Bangor. This is the sixth year that Green Acres has hosted this

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event. Call 945-6841 to reserve your session. The second event will be held on Saturday, Nov. 15 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at For Dogs Boutique, located at 251 Main Road, Holden. This is the third year that For Dogs has hosted this event. Call 989-7297 to reserve your session. “For six years it’s been a delight to meet so many area pets and their people and to create beautiful images used as gifts and to capture their pet for posterity,” Bell said. “My goal during these sessions is to create sweet and adorable images in a fun and positive environment. And it’s even nicer that we can help give back to the community through the good work of the Furry Friends Food Bank.” The Furry Friends Food Bank assists seniors and people with disabilities to keep their pets at home by providing food and supplies. The Food Bank is supported solely by donations of dog and cat food, cat litter and money. Bell’s Furry Friends Photography is a friendly, fuzzy division of Bell Imaging & Design LLC. Learn more at bffpetphotos.com or by calling Debra Bell at 356-2353 or emailing her at deb@bffpetphotos. com.

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Tennis Ball Trees By Christopher Lockwood

A whimsical children’s story about a Labrador Retriever’s love of tennis balls. Written by Maine author Christopher Lockwood with beautiful illustrations by Maine watercolor artist Kathleen Fox. $14.95 www.tennisballtrees.com

Downeast Dog News

Downeast Dog News Publisher/

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Katie Grant

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

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Parent & Publishing Company Maine Pet News LLC

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• Provide the latest in dogrelated news and information. • Encourage and support dogfriendly businesses and Mainemade pet products and services. • Cultivate a community of responsible dog guardianship/ ownership. • Support animal welfare causes.

From the Publisher

Well here we are readers, it's the beginning of November and the Holiday season. Can you believe how quickly 2014 has flown by?! At home, we've been enjoying nice, cozy fires from the woodstove. The Beagles have dragged their beds in front of the stove to take full advantage of the warmth. I don't blame them! We've also been spending lots of time outside. I bundle Baby Abel up in his carrier and hat, put the collars on the dogs, and out we go! Johnnie especially likes frolicking around in the leaf piles. This is really adorable to watch, because of the sheer look of joy on his face, but then I remember that we have to pick up all of the leaves he displaces. Ah - such is

Therapy Dog Cirra Honored With AKC Humane Fund Award for Canine Excellence Cirra, Glimmer’s Spirit of Acadia, is one of five dogs nationally to receive the Therapy Dog Honorable Mention Award for Canine Excellence from the American Kennel Club Humane Fund. The special Awards for Canine Excellence (ACE) “express the American Kennel Club’s time-honored respect for the extraordinary canine-human bond, as well as their appreciation for the innumerable ways in which dogs meaningfully contribute to our lives.” Each year, hardworking dogs in five categories are commemorated for making significant contributions to an individual or their communities. Cirra is a nine year old Great Pyrenees who lives on Mount Desert Island with her owners Robyn Douglas and Denise Houseknecht. She is a beloved and extremely active member of her community. In her lifetime, she has dedicated 1,300 hours listening to children read and visiting patients in hospitals and residents of a retirement community. As a member of the Downeast Dog Scouts, she has been involved in numerous community service

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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.

life with dogs! :-D Abel is now 3.5 months old and is very curious and interested in his surroundings. His developing eyesight takes in high contrast pictures and objects best, so guess what three of his favorite things to stare at are? You got it! The pups! The stark difference in their tri-color markings makes it very easy

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November 2014

for Abel to see and focus on. Plus they move around all the time so that's just fun to watch! It makes me so happy to see all four of my "children" getting along together. Just the other day, Abel was playing on the floor (under close supervision of course) when Johnnie decided to join him (see picture left). Johnnie has been the least sure of the baby since Abel's arrival, so this was so cool to watch happen. Once Abe was tired of playing, Johnnie got up and reclaimed his spot on the couch. I guess he just wanted some special "Johnnie & Abel" time. We hope everyone stays warm and has a great start to the holidays! Cheers! -Katie, Baby & The 3 Beagles

projects and educational programs. Cirra’s service to her community has been recognized by the Great Pyrenees Club of America, Dog Scouts of America, and Therapy Dogs International, Inc. Through her Children Reading to Cirra Program, Cirra has visited numerous schools and libraries; however she spends much of her time at the Northeast Harbor Library. The program provides a relaxed, comfortable, safe, nonjudgmental, empowering, and fun environment to encourage the love of reading and improve reading skills. Children and adults, including those with developmental disabilities, have developed special relationships with Cirra. Readers learn how to interact safely around dogs and about responsible dog ownership. Learning is enriching and fun with Cirra’s breed cards, word puzzles, activity books, and her Alphabet Book. C is for Cirra is a photographic alphabet book featuring Cirra’s life from puppyhood to adulthood and is a favorite book. Cirra has a mail basket at the library for children to leave her special notes and drawings if they wish. Her small, stuffed “Cirra” in a

See CIRRA on page 11

Table of Contents Hot Dog News ........................ Furry Words ............................ Ask the Vet................................. Basic Training Tips ................ Words, Woofs & Meows ...... Baxter ........................................ Performance Dog Training. Pet Loneliness ........................ The Itchiness of Fall .............. Pet Cold Weather Tips ......... Dogs for Adoption................. Calendar of Events ............... Business Directory ................

2 4 4 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

Furry Words

Ask the Vet . . .

Sara Moore, Animal Communicator

As I write this, my 9 year old yellow lab Sophie is spread out in front of the toasty warm woodstove, and the chill in the air is a reminder that we’re about to hunker down for another New England winter. That being said, autumn is one of my favorite times of year because of the vibrant colors, the fact that you can snuggle in bulky sweaters and having a bed full of animals keeps you extra warm at night. I also love that you can go for a walk and not be swarmed by either black flies or horse flies. Sometimes it’s the simple things we are grateful for! This October, Sophie got sprayed by a skunk. That is one of the drawbacks of the warmer nights of fall. Those of you who’ve gone through this before are probably cringing and thinking “Oh No!, “ followed by, “Thank goodness it wasn’t me!” That’s a totally fair reaction. Having a skunky dog is pretty heinous, but for me there was a huge lesson in it that I’d like to share with you. When I got divorced seven years ago, I knew that I could not keep Sophie because my business was expanding, and I spent most of my kid free time traveling. It was an impossibility for me to take care of a dog, and I also knew that she was very much my ex husband’s dog. She was his, and at the time, I even offered to help find her a perfect home if he was unable to keep her. Now, as I say this, I understand that I’m opening myself up for an onslaught of judgments. Hear me out. I was a single mom with a one and a half year old boy, a full time job, and Enlightened Horizons was in the infancy stages. We had a friend that adored Sophie who was ready to take her, but it was an all or nothing option. It was much harder on my ex because he had to find a place to live with a dog, but he was able to bring her to work, which helped. In the end, she stayed with him. I only took her occasionally when he was busy or away, which wasn’t very often. When I did have her, I’d get so frustrated by her antics and anxiety that when I brought her

back I was relieved to have her out of my house. In the past year, I have been teaching a lot of workshops on how to communicate with animals, and I always use her for practice. In the beginning, she told the class to let me know that she did miss seeing me, so I started offering to take her instead of dreading the call asking me to help out. Then she told another class she wanted to go back and forth with my son, switching houses every week. Um, OK, so we did it. The last workshop she asked for a meat bone and to go on more runs in the woods. Guess what? I got her the bone, she’s living happily between the two houses, and I’m getting outside with her more. She is so much calmer and happier! How the heck does this have anything to do with the skunk incident of October 2014? When she got sprayed, it was on her last out around 10pm. I was ready for bed and exhausted, but I smelled her before I saw her waiting by the mud room door. I left her outside and made a concoction of baking soda, peroxide, vinegar, and dawn. I had heard about a mixture like that when a friend’s dog got sprayed years ago, and I wasn’t sure of the exact measurements, but I figured anything was better than nothing. I brought her into the shower, got in with her, doused her, got the water warm enough, and washed her off with love. I wasn’t angry. I wasn’t frustrated. I was sad that she had to go through the disgrace of being skunked and that it was worse to be her than the person cleaning her off. Do you see where I’m going here? Even a year ago, I would have blamed her, my ex and the skunk. This time I wanted her to know she wasn’t in trouble (I honestly don’t think she meant to get sprayed!), and I treated her with pure love. Yes, my house stunk for a while, but I have been reminded that having Sophie in my life is a gift, and I’m so lucky to be one of her humans! In her own way, she’s helping me really understand what love really means. It means taking a skunking every now and then. 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.

Dr. Judith Herman

Harmful Holiday Food & Dogs

I am going to my mom’s for Thanksgiving and taking Jack, my lab, with me. There will be a ton of people and food. What do I need to watch out for? I really don’t want to end up in the ER on Thanksgiving. The Holidays should be full of fun and joy that includes your best friend. When we go to someone else's house or you have many people coming to our own, we need to be aware of potential concerns and have ways to prevent exposure. Some of the potential hazards of Holiday dining for Jake can be chocolate, fruit, alcohol, bread dough, nuts, alliums, and xylitol. Let’s discuss one potential toxin at a time. The first to discuss is chocolate. Most of us are aware that chocolate can be dangerous to dogs, but we don’t know why. Chocolate is the reason for 50% of the calls to pet poison helplines. Chocolate contains caffeine and theobromine, which are both methylxanthines. What happens to our dog if they ingest enough chocolate is vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, high fever called hyperthermia, increased urination, and cardiac signs. Certain medications can make the effect of eating chocolate worse. Fido can vomit several hours after ingesting chocolate because the stomach is slow to empty. The offending chemical can stay in the body for 2-4 days. The amount of chocolate a dog needs to consume to become ill from methylxanthines is: • mild exposure- 10mg of solid chocolate like baker’s chocolate per pound of body weight. • moderate exposure- 20-25 mg per pound of body weight. • severe exposure- 30mg (one ounce) per pound of body weight. • (30mg equals about an ounce) The other more common problem with chocolate is pancreatitis. The usual exposure to chocolate for most pets is from candy, desserts, and other rich treats. These treats can cause inflammation in Fido’s pancreas which is very painful and can be very serious. The next concern is xylitol. Xylitol is a sugar alcohol and can be found in everything from chewing gum and protein bars to toothpaste. Be extremely careful, read all labels, especially if Jake is a chow hound lab who will eat anything. If xylitol is in the

top 5 ingredients, keep it under lock and key. Xylitol poisoning includes vomiting, weakness, wobbliness, and twitching. It causes low blood sugar and liver disease. Allium species of plant can be problematic. These include onions and garlic. Garlic has been used in cancer treatments to flea control. A little can go a long way. This species of plant when taken in large amounts causes bleeding. Japanese breeds, such as Akita, Shiba Inu, and Korean Jindo, can be very sensitive to allium. Macadamia nuts, though very tasty, are toxic to dogs. One nut is about 2 grams. The toxic dose is 2 nuts per pound of body weight, so 10 nuts can make a 10 pound dog sick. This nut is neurotoxic. There is vomiting, lethargy, and hyperthermia (fever) three to six hours after eating the nuts Hind limb weakness, wobbliness, and tremors occur six to twelve hours after ingesting. The other problem is pancreatitis because of the high fat content of the nuts. Grapes have been in the news for causing acute renal failure. Grapes, raisins, and zantic currants (tiny grapes) are all suspect. Black, red, and white currants from the ribes species are not toxic. The first sign is spontaneous vomiting for one to three hours, which occurs six to eight hours after ingestion. The reason for toxicity and dose is unknown. Grape seed extract is not toxic. You can induce vomiting several hours after ingestion of grapes or raisins. The last concern is alcohol. Many dogs love the taste of alcohol. The source can be drinks, bread dough, desserts, hand sanitizers, and cleaners, etc. Alcohol is rapidly absorbed and causes hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), hypertension, low or high body temperature, wobbliness, and seizures. Any rising yeast dough is dangerous. After ingestion the dough may rise in the stomach because of normal body heat and cause bloating, intestinal blockage, and twisted stomach. The alcohol from the yeast is quickly absorbed too. None of these foods should be taken lightly when your dog eats them. If you suspect ingestion, call your veterinarian, local poison control, and pet poison helpline right away. These professionals can tell you what to do or not do. The Pet Poison Helpline is staffed with toxicology experts 24/7. There is a $39 per case charge. Their website is www.petpoisonhelpline. com/owners or the toll free number is 1-800-213-6680. Judith K. Herman DVM, CVH Animal Wellness Center, Augusta, ME www.mainehomeopathicvet.com officeawc@roadrunner.com

Downeast Dog News

SIDEKICK from page 1 their mission of enriching people’s lives and promoting health and happiness through positive experiences with animals. After her college years in Colorado, Danielle moved home to Lincoln, Maine and searched for a small animal-assisted therapy group so she and her then sidekick, Groucho the cat, could give back to her community. She was stunned there weren’t any in the state, so she spent two years mapping out Silent Sidekicks with the help of a mentor from Women, Work, and Community. During that time, Groucho passed away, but Danielle persevered in his memory, knowing there were others who could share their pets such as dogs, cats, bunnies, Guinea pigs, and mini-horses. But destiny stepped in; she saw a friend’s Facebook post offering a last Retriever pup. Danielle knew this was a sign that she needed this canine sidekick; before her husband, Andrew, was deployed, he asked her to look for a Golden Retriever puppy. Since Silent Sidekicks was officially founded in late 2012, their size as well as scope of

November 2014

program offerings has grown quickly. In addition to the Silent Sidekicks Visiting Program, where teams visit hospitals and health care facilities, Danielle instituted the Reader of the Pack Library and School Program that encourages children to read to a handler’s sidekick to build their vocabulary and comprehension. The similar Academic Support Program is geared toward high school and college students; they can visit a pet in their school setting, allowing them to relax and enjoy a break from their studies or exams. Silent Sidekicks also boasts the Paws and Effect Club. “As an organization, we are trying to think creatively, especially for teens.” The objective is to give teens an outlet for animal interests, all while enlightening them on the importance of library resources, animal therapy and giving back to their community. In one such project, club members learned about therapy birds, researched bird houses and built and donated

See SIDEKICK on page 10 Left: Morgan assists at a hospital

Basic Training Tips by Diana Logan

Do You Know How Long Your Dog's Leash Is? A calculated risk

Recently, a woman called me, very distressed that her on-leash dog had nipped a young boy who walked past them on their morning walk. She admitted that her dog never really liked kids – he would growl and bark at them - but she never thought he would actually bite. This event was very sad for the kid, his parents, the dog, and the owner. It was preventable, too, but happens too frequently nonetheless. If a dog cannot physically connect with the object of his aggression, he cannot cause physical harm. We dog owners need to do a better job of ensuring the safety and well-being of those around us. We need to give our dogs more space from the little kid who evokes fear in our dog, or for those “vertically talented” dogs, from the human he is sure to jump on if he has the chance. We can control the space our dog has

access to when he is on leash. When I’m leash walking a dog, I find myself making perpetual calculations and observing my dog, so I know what is drawing his attention at any given moment. How long is my leash? How far is the nearest distraction? What can my dog reach? Is there a person or dog approaching? If so, how can I position myself so that we can pass with sufficient space so as not to interfere with his movement or ours? If there is a dog approaching, how long is his leash? Does he have skills or is he excitedly lunging and pulling

his way towards me? What skills does my dog have that will help manage the situation, or on the flip side, what behaviors does my dog have that will make the situation more challenging? These assessments have to be made on the fly. Did you know that a regular 6’ leash can offer a dog a diameter of about 18 feet of movement? That figure factors in the length of the leash plus an extended arm (about 3’), doubled. The figure is doubled because our dogs can move from one side of us to the other in no time flat if we are not paying attention. A full body lunge and its momentum will add up to even more than 18’. Retractable leashes make calculations impossible – I avoid them at all costs: a dog’s behavior is unpredictable if he has a 50’ range of movement. Some things to consider: •

•

• •

•

Safety is the biggest concern –that of you and your dog and anyone with whom he may come into contact. Our dogs will notice things that we don’t. Observe your dog so you know what he’s paying attention to – you will have a chance to

•

re-direct if necessary. Limit your dog’s space by limiting the length of the leash. Our dogs don’t have to greet every dog and every human they encounter. You can let the leash out longer once they are gone. Limit your dog's view by blocking it; this will often help reduce his interest. Teach skills to your dog which will help with dayto-day living, including good leash walking skills, attention games, and fun games to play while you are out and about with your pooch. You can turn leash walking into a fun adventure! Take good stuff with you on walks so you can reward your dog for appropriate behaviors. •If your dog has fear issues, contact me. Without careful desensitization and counter-conditioning, our dog's fears are likely to get stronger. They are unlikely to go away without help.

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

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Downeast Dog News

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

Do You Really Know Your Dog?

In her book, Inside of A Dog, author and researcher Alexandra Horowitz writes, “We are known by our dogs— probably far better than we know them.” Horowitz is right, and sadly dogs don’t come with a user’s manual. In my 19 years of teaching dog training classes, I have tried to teach my students about more than training; if you want to be a good companion to your dog, you need to know about your dog’s language, natural history, anatomy, emotions, and everything else that makes your dog a dog. I believe one of the best gifts we can give to ourselves and to our dogs is a better understanding of who they are. In my columns for November and December, I’ll review the books that everyone who lives with a dog should read. It’s a perfect time to pick one up for yourself or for another dog lover in your family or circle of friends. On Talking Terms with Dogs: Calming Signals by Turid Rugaas – This book and its author, Turid Rugaas, have influenced my understanding of dogs more than any other book or seminar. While

this book is few in pages, it is rich in information depicted in great photos. This gentle, kind, woman is incredibly knowledgeable about canine behavior and ethology. She has taught many how to live in harmony with our dogs by helping us to better understand what they are trying to tell us, and in turn, she has taught us a better way to express ourselves to our dogs. Full of photographs illustrating each point, On Talking Terms with Dogs: Calming Signals focuses on how dogs use specific body language to cutoff aggression and other perceived threats. Dogs use these calming signals to tell one another, and us, when they are feeling anxious and stressed and when their intentions are benign. If you have more than one dog, or if your dog frequently plays with others, or if you are a frequent visitor to the dog park, you need to be familiar with calming signals. This book will help you learn 'dog language', for which you will be rewarded with a much better understanding of your pet and its behavior. FAVORITE QUOTE: "If you want your dog to respect you, you must also respect your dog. A good relationship is based on two-way communication and living together in a well-balanced togetherness. Leadership does not solve anything; it only creates problems in our lives as well as in the dogs' lives." The Other End of the Leash - by Patricia McConnell, PhD – Back in the early 1990's, before I entered into the pet care business, I was fortunate to attend several dog training classes taught by Dr. Patricia McConnell. Her understanding of how dogs and humans communicate and her emphasis on rewarding good behavior made this the first class my

dog Gus and I really enjoyed. The Other End of the Leash is an information-packed, yet readable book. In it, you will learn how to have an improved relationship with your dog through better communication. As a scientist who has studied both primate and canine communication systems, Dr. McConnell has a keen understanding of where the communication between humans and dogs often breaks down, creating frustration and stress for both species. For example, she explains how simple innate greeting patterns of both species can cause conflict. We know that when two people meet, the polite thing to do is to make direct eye contact and walk straight toward one another smiling. However, as Dr. McConnell notes: "The oh-so-polite primate approach is appallingly rude in canine society. You might as well urinate on a dog's head." Direct eye contact and a direct approach is very confrontational to a dog. Dr. McConnell also emphasizes how dogs primarily communicate visually, while humans are a very verbal species. The picture she paints of the frustrated chimp, jumping up and down, waving his hands, and screeching repeatedly is only a slight exaggeration of the frustrated human, saying "sit, sit, sit, ahhhh please sit" while displaying countless bits of body language. Primates, including humans, "...have a tendency to repeat notes when we're excited, to use loud noises to impress others, and to thrash around whatever is in our paws if we're frustrated. This behavior has no small effect on our interactions with dogs, who in spite of some barks and growls, mostly communicate visually, get quiet rather than noisy to impress others, and are too busy standing on their paws to do much else with them." With these fundamental differences, it's amazing we can communicate with our dogs at all. FAVORITE QUOTE: "If humans

are understandably a bit slow at responding to the visual signals that our dogs are sending, we are downright dense about the signals that we generate ourselves." DOGS: A Startling New Understanding of Canine Origin, Behavior and Evolution by Raymond and Lorna Coppinger – This book refutes a great number of the popular myths about the domestic dog with sound science. Dr. Coppinger is a professor at Hampshire College where he teaches evolutionary biology. He and his wife Lorna have over 40 years of experience living and working with all varieties of dogs. The main premise of this book is that humans did not create the dog by taming and domesticating the wolf, but instead the dog selfevolved from the wolf. Tamer and less energetic wolves started hanging around human settlements for the discarded food, and over time, these wolves evolved into today's village dog. Only in the last few hundred years have humans become involved in consciously, and not always responsibly, engineering the village dog into the many breeds we see today. The Coppingers have studied village dogs (feral dogs living in human communities) as they exist in the world today in places like Mexico City, and Pemba. FAVORITE QUOTE: "Dogs as a species are most likely less than fifteen thousand years old, which is a barest instant of evolutionary time. Wolves as a species are maybe five million years old, and they need protection from extinction. ... [There are] four hundred million dogs in the world – that is a thousand times more dogs than there are wolves. If wolves are the ancient ancestors of dogs that means dogs have achieved a biological coup, successfully outpopulating their ancestors by a lot.”

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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By Baxter

NEWSFLASH! Humans have discovered we’re smarter than they thought we were. Well, duh! For eons, humans have thought they were training us when it’s clear that all the way back to the days of the caves, we’ve been training them. We’ve trained them to feed us and not just dog food, but the good stuff they eat; we’ve trained them to open doors for us, to pick bugs off us, take us on adventures in their big moving crates; we’ve trained them to throw sticks and balls and flying disks for us, to get down on their hands and knees with their butt up in the air to play with us – and of course the pièce de résistance: we’ve successfully trained our humans to walk along behind us with little black bags and keep everything, well, tidy. And humans are so smug with their one-dimensional language of the tongue that they fail to recognize the subtleties of our language, a language of not only voice, but of sight and scent and touch and licking and bodies. Even the fur on our backs helps us communicate. Humans put so much importance on words they think that’s all they need to understand one another – and that gets them into trouble sometimes. But alas, human’s perception of our inferiority has worked to our advantage over the years. That plate of raw meat that disappeared from the counter? Dunno. I’m just a dog. But now (with apologies to our feline friends) the cat is out of the bag. Now they are going to start ‘training’ us to use more of their words, so they can show us off to their friends. And that dreaded day may come when, dog forbid, they will expect us to go along behind them and tidy up. Chow, Baxter

Downeast Dog News

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

Obedience – Thoughtfulness in Training What Is Your Dog Trying to Tell You? Anyone who has owned a dog for a while – even if it is your first dog – begins to realize that communicating with another species can be challenging. Dogs are incredibly observant and spend a great deal of time watching us and assessing boundaries and limitations by watching our reactions. They are very sensitive to subtle cues, body language and prey drive behaviors, such as chase. Humans, on the other hand, tend to be poor observers of their dogs, mainly because they do not know what to look for and therefore miss a great deal of attempted communication. So here is where the confusion starts to set in: The dog attempts

to communicate something. We as humans do not understand the “animal communication” and override it or ignore the attempted communication entirely. The dog feels their attempt at communication is not effective, so will try either a larger or different version of the behavior or may not do anything and withdraw and not show any effort and then be labeled “stubborn”. The breakdown in communication escalates – sometimes to the point of an extreme test of wills – usually resulting in an unhappy dog and frustrated owner. It is important to understand that every interaction with your dog is a communication that will have a positive or negative effect upon further communications. The relationship you have with your dog is based upon the “antecedent”, or the “soup” of what has come before. It is the sum total of all the experiences good and bad that you have had with your dog. When we fail to respond

properly in a way that the dog can understand, we cause stress which can result sometimes in more unwanted behavior or a default behavior such as sniffing, running away, lying down, and refusing to move, etc. It is a well-known fact that dogs learn by repetition and that they are situational which is why we must teach behaviors we want to become reliable in many different locations, but there also must be thoughtfulness in training – repetition alone will not guarantee success. In order to truly teach another species what we want, we must be willing to recognize, observe, and listen to their attempts at communication. While teaching/training, we

must remain in a fluid, flexible state of mind, so we can successfully react as behavior changes. If we are simply static and demanding, we may immediately solve the problem, but we probably haven’t taught anything that will become a reliable behavior. We may have unintentionally taught the dog to want to avoid us so as not to have confrontation. It is important to assess where you are in your relationship with your dog. Is there a strong foundation of trust, consistency and fairness? Are you clear and calm in your instruction? Is the progression of skills too fast for this particular dog? Is the environment too stressful at this time in training? Does our dog really know and understand the behavior we want? If we cannot honestly frame satisfactory answers to all of these questions, we may be doing more damage than we are aware of and eroding the relationship and foundation of trust with our dog. Many people start showing their dogs too soon because they “want them to have fun”. Dogs do not need to “compete” to have fun – what they do need is a strong, stable relationship with their owner based on mutual understanding – then, they can have fun anywhere. Happy, thoughtful 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.

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Understanding - And Easing - Pet Loneliness In the midst of back-toschool season, pet loneliness is getting a lot of hype. Anyone who has lived with animals knows these feelings can be just as strong in them as they can be in us. During this time of year, boredom, isolation, and lack of stimulation can happen quickly and without warning for animals as children head back to school and teenagers leave for college. Animals left at home while their owners go to work are also likely to be strapped with the same sense of loneliness. What can you do? Exercise is the most important factor in keeping your animal lively, healthy, and engaged. If you know you are going to be out of the house for hours at a time, go for a long walk or run together. Throw a ball around. If you have a cat, play with a toy to engage his or her hunting instinct. Many animals experiencing loneliness and separation anxiety are destructive when bored. This is the best way for your pet to have fun and get rid of excess energy. Television or radio can offer background noise, alleviating the

sense of isolation in your pet while at home. Don’t turn it too loud though and consider something calming like a nature channel. Specialized pet videos exist, too. To use less energy, partially open a window (if it is safe) for natural sensory stimulation. Safe interactive toys, like the Kong, offer fun and delicious ways to keep your dog or cat stimulated at

home. The Kong is a beehive-shaped toy that can be filled with your pick of treats. Opt for small biscuits, mashed bananas, pasta, and more. To keep your animal entertained for longer, consider stuffing with your pet’s favorite filling (yogurt is my pet’s favorite), and freezing overnight. Some sites will advise leaving raw beef marrow or rawhide bones for

your dog. I would advise against this though, as pieces can break off and cause harm. Bones like this are best given with some supervision to be safe. Offering interaction throughout the day at an animal daycare or with a pet sitter is wonderful if you can afford it and if it works for your pet. Often animal daycares offer lowered monthly rates, and pet sitters can be found through the National Association of Pet Sitters or just by asking around. Read reviews online, schedule a tour, or conduct interviews, too. The type of play, care, and love your animal will receive in these situations, especially if other animals are present, will not only help to alleviate feelings of stress and isolation but increase happiness—and the likelihood of restful sleep at the end of a long day. Andrea Fisher is an animal lover, writer, and content specialist for Choose Home Security. You can read more of her work @andreafisher007.

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one to a nursing facility. Fit, Fur, Fun teaches children the merits of physical activity by partnering them with a dog/ handler team and working out thru an agility obstacle course. “It is so much fun,” Danielle says. “[The children] interact with animals in a positive way.” And this nonprofit with the motto, “That some friend can speak to your heart without saying a word,” also offers Crisis Response; in fact, Danielle and Morgan were called out after the Boston Marathon bombing to provide comfort to those who had witnessed the tragedy. Danielle’s goal is to have significant coverage across Maine and New Brunswick, so she’s hoping more volunteers, with or without a sidekick, will join in this gratifying endeavor. “It is so rewarding…We all have some sort of skills that are unique to us, talents we have, to give back to others.” For more details on this organization that offers all services free of charge, visit http:// www.silentsidekicks.org/. For info regarding Pet Partners testing and registration, contact Danielle at info@silentsidekicks.org.

Left: Danielle and Morgan working together!

Downeast Dog News

The Itchiness of Fall By Ashley Bickford, Loyal Biscuit Co. Fall is my absolutely favorite season. Other than the obvious delight of cooler temperatures and the gorgeousness of the foliage, it heralds the coming of my favorite holiday and I love finally being able to wear sweaters again (it’s the little things). Unfortunately, fall can also be a time for pesky allergies for both you and your dog. Though seasonal allergies can be a hard thing to eradicate completely, there are a few ways you can help manage allergy symptoms in your pets. So what exactly is happening biologically when your pet is suffering from an environmental allergy? When the cells in the body, either human, dog, or cat, react to an allergen, they release a chemical called histamine. Histamine causes small blood vessels to start oozing and leaking fluid which makes the tissue around them become inflamed and itchy. In animals, these histamine releasing cells are really concentrated in the groin, paws, armpits, and sides of the face. Scratching and/or chewing will increase in these specific areas and can often result in hair loss, hot spots, and chronic itching especially if they aren’t managed properly. One of the best ways to combat seasonal allergies is by getting rid

Fenway poses for a nice Autumn photo! Photo by Heidi Vanorse Neal, Loyal Biscuit Co.

of the cause as best you can. After an outdoor romp, wipe down your dog’s paws to remove the allergens. You might want to bathe your dog a little more during allergy season as well. With environmental allergies, oatmeal based shampoos are not recommended since grains can exacerbate an allergy. Instead, use a hypoallergenic shampoo like Mutt Nose Best’s U. Puppy Dog, Nootie’s Hypoallergenic, or Earthbath’s Hypo-allergenic (we have the latter available to use in our self-serve dog wash!). Always make sure to use lukewarm water when bathing your itchy pet as very warm water can end up drying out their skin further.

Brushing your pet once a day can also rid them of allergens. It also increases blood flow which can help bring down inflammation. Keeping your house neat and tidy can also go along way to battling the itch causing allergens. If you don’t already, vacuum and mop at least twice a week. When vacuuming, concentrate on any dust collecting areas like rugs and curtains. You will also want to wash your pet’s bedding (or your bedding if your pet sleeps with you) once a week. You will also want to switch your dog to a high quality food that has no fillers, by-products, corn, soy, and little to no grains. A good diet helps

to boost the immune system and improve your dog’s overall health. If you’re unsure of what food might be the best fit for your pooch, you can always stop in to any Loyal Biscuit Co. for a food consultation. We’ll take the time to talk with you and give you some options to fit your dog’s needs as well as your budget. A food supplement, like Grizzly Salmon Oil, that is rich in omega-3 fatty acids can also help to decrease inflammation. Coconut oil is also great to give to your dog as it contains lauric acid which decreases the production of yeast (ever wondered why your dog’s paws smell a bit like corn chips? That is from naturally occurring yeast. An allergic reaction makes the immune system out of whack which usually leads to higher levels of yeast. Yeast overgrowth can lead to an even itchier dog and sometimes secondary infections). Hopefully these tips will help you get a handle on your dog’s fall-based allergies. As always, if you have any questions, or have tips of your own that you feel have helped your dog get some relief, please share them with us on our facebook page! Until next time, Loyal fans! Sources: Sojo’s: “The Natural Approach to Fall Allergies”, “25 Ways to Eliminate Your Dog’s Constant Scratching”, Web MD: “Allergies in Dogs”.

CIRRA from page 3 tote bag is also available for checkout for children to read to “Cirra” at home. Cirra rewards her readers with Cirra bookmarks with tassels of her spun fur, stickers, paw print pencils, and special books to take home. Cirra also visits every other week at Birch Bay Retirement Village in Bar Harbor, Maine. Cirra drops in to see residents that are fond of dogs to provide canine companionship and emotional support on the Pleasant Cove and Safe Harbor Assisted Living units. Staff members that are afraid of dogs have

November 2014

seen her gentle nature and responded over time to greet her with a pat on the head. Her magnificent presence is not lost on the residents, even those with memory loss. In their words: “She is the essence of beauty, I so enjoy her,” and, when otherwise unable to speak lucidly, a resident surprisingly stated, “I would be happy if I could live with you.”

Is Your Pet Winterized? Top Cold Weather Tips for Dogs and Cats As temperatures drop here in the Northeast, make sure that all members of the family - furbabies especially - are ready to have a fun and safe winter. Check out these great tips from our friends at TripsWithPets.com. Winterize my house - check, winterize my car - check, winterize my pet - what? With the full wrath of winter upon us - arctic winds, plummeting temps, snow and freezing rain (ugh), have you taken the time to be sure that your pet is winterized? That is, prepared for the frigid temps and all that goes along with it? Take note of these special precautions and tips to ensure your pet is safe and protected this winter. Un-Pet Friendly Winter Products Anti-Freeze: Be sure that you keep your pet far away from automotive anti-freeze. This highly toxic yellowish green fluid poses a life-threatening danger to pets. It contains ethylene glycol which is a potent toxin to the kidneys. Just as little as a lick of this dangerous fluid can be dangerous to your pet. Take your pet to the vet immediately if you suspect that your dog or cat has ingested anti-freeze. Early treatment is essential. Windshield Washer Products: Less toxic, but also a danger, are windshield washer products. They contain methanol which can cause severe nervous system depression in pets. If pets ingest these fluids they

may exhibit drooling, vomiting, and instability. Ice Melt Products: Treating sidewalks, driveways, and steps with rock salt and other ice melt products is another routine of winter months. If pets ingest these products, they can suffer from gastrointestinal tract irritation, as well as depression, weakness, seizures, cardiac issues, and other life threatening issues. Without ingestion, rock salt and other ice melt products can dry out and irritate your pet's paws and stomach. Dry paws can lead to cracks and possible infection (not to mention discomfort). There are pet safe ice melts on the market; however, you can't control what others are putting on their sidewalks. To help prevent irritation and injury to your pet, gently wash and dry off their paws AND bellies at the end of their walk.

If you are traveling with your pet, be sure to wash off your pet's paws and belly once you get them in the car. As a preventative measure, you may want to consider boots for your pet; however; I have yet to find some that stay on! Applying pet paw wax to your dog's pads is another preventative measure. Space Heaters: In seeking out warm places, pets may cozy up to space heaters or heat lamps which can also pose dangers to your pets. Keep fluffy tails away from heat lamps and space heaters, as they can easily ignite into flames. In addition, dogs and cats love to seek out the warmth of a fire. Be sure that your fireplace is protected by either a safety screen or glass to help prevent sparks from flying out and landing on your dog or cat. Outdoor Threats The Elements: Your pet needs to

be protected from the cold itself. Just because your pet has fur doesn't mean they are completely protected from the cold. If you have a short haired breed, you may want to consider protective clothing for them. In addition, when the temps really dip (particularly when the wind chill is a factor), limit their time outdoors. In addition, if you are traveling by car with your pet, do not leave them in a freezing cold car. After you turn the heater off, the temperature rapidly drops. You know your pet best, so be sure to keep a close eye on them and bring them in if they are exhibiting signs of being too cold. Monitor your pet closely to avoid any type of severe reaction to overexposure to cold such as hypothermia. Signs of hypothermia include: lethargy, weakness, shivering, muscle stiffness, difficulty breathing, and fixed and dilated pupils. Bodies of Water: Most dogs love to romp in the snow off-leash. It's important to know the area in which you are playing with your dog. Be sure to keep your pet away from bodies of water - even if they appear frozen. Incidents of dogs falling through the ice happen way too often and are easily preventable. Car Engines: Outdoor cats find warm engines the perfect place to find warmth during the cold winter months. Turning your car on with a cat curled up on your engine is obviously a big danger. To alert any cat that may be near your car engine, bang on your hood a few times before getting in and starting your car. Escaping the Cold Pet Travel...South: Some choose to skip the winterizing stuff and travel to a warmer climate with their dog or cat. If you plan to travel with your pet to escape the cold, be sure to plan ahead. If traveling by plane, check with your carrier to determine their airline pet policies. If traveling by car with your pet, be sure to plan ahead and take all the necessary steps to ensure your pet has a safe and happy road trip, including securing pet friendly hotels & accommodations along your travel route! Read more at TripsWithPets.com!

Downeast Dog News

Dogs for Adoption Banner, 6 yrs, Labrador Mix

Happy and energetic fellow who can get a little overstimulated duringplay, but always means well. 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.

Max, 7 yrs, German Shepherd/ Husky? Mix

Max is a reserved guy looking for a quiet, country home where he can go on nature walks, lounge on his bed, and let his playful side emerge. He’s a great watchdog, very “low-maintenance,” and has no annoying habits. He can’t be around small animals due to his high prey drive and doesn’t get along with some dogs. But he may be able to live with a laid-back dog around his size. For more information about Max, please contact Almost Home Rescue (Maine) at vicepresident_ahr@yahoo.com.