PAWS UP NOVEMBER 2020 EDITION
PHOTO TIPS FOR RESCUERS
PHOTOGRAPHY SAVES LIVES!
THE TREAT THAT KEEPS YOUR DOG ACTIVE BLUE BUFFALO DOG TREATS
Table of Contents 01
8 Hot Holiday Gifts for Pups
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An Interview with YAY Dogs
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How To Make Easy Homeade Dog Food
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Photography Saves Lives! (Cover Story)
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An Inside look at Recent ASPCA Rescue
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5 Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds
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6 Thanksgiving Foods Bad For Your Dog
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Quote of the Month (Back Cover)
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Celebrate Christmas with your Pooch BARK Gingrbrew Holiday Dog Toy - Gingerbrew Man, $7.99 Target.com Frisco Holiday 12 Days of Christmas Advent Calendar with Toys for Dogs, $39.98 Chewy.com
Dexas Popware for Pets Single Elevated Pet Feeder, $16.99 BassPro.com
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YETI Boomer 4 Dog Bowl, $39.99 Yeti.com
West & Willow Pet Portrait, $59.95 WestAndWillow.com
Happy Hour Crusherz - Wine Three Pack, $23.99 ZippyPaws.com
Wildflower Bow Tie Collar, $45.00 TheFoggyDog.com Tengzhi Christmas Dog Sweaters, $11.99 Amazon.com
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An Interview with YAY Dogs Does your dog jump on guests? Does he chew shoes when left home alone? Does he drive your neighbors crazy with his barking? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions or have other behavioral issues with your beloved dog, Clare Reece-Glor of YAY Dog might just have the answers.
How long have you been a professional dog trainer? “I’ve been training dogs for more than nine years now. I have always worked with dogs and even horses, but started my business a little less than a decade ago.”
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What did you do before working with pets and their parents? “For many years I worked as a corporate trainer in management and supervision, but I always wanted to work with animals. In 2008, I started working part-time at a veterinary clinic. When I would put families, who brought in new puppies in a room, I’d offer them tips on housetraining or I’d answer other questions they had. Not long after that, the veterinarians started asking me, specifically, to go in and talk with people about their dog’s behavior. The lightbulb clicked on and I knew what I wanted to do! I studied, went to a national conference on training and walked dogs for a local shelter. After six months of study, I took on my first clients.”
How does it work when you’re training a dog? Do you work with groups or individuals? “I typically do individual training. I call myself a coach for people and their dogs. The reason for this is that it’s so important to me that I teach the pet parents and empower the people; it’s not just about training the dog myself and sending him home to his family.”
“more than a pet—they are family.” Do you have a particular method or philosophy by which you train dogs? “I use a variety of methods for training. What I really love is when I teach the pet owner how to read their dogs’ behavior. I show them how to reward the behavior they approve of. I don’t just try to fix unwanted behavior. I also show people how to tire dogs out mentally, not just physically.”
How can you exercise your dog mentally? “Mental exercise, for a dog, can include games, impulse control work and puzzles or games in the environment. A tired dog is often a well-behaved and happy dog.”
How important is it for the dog owner to understand what you’re doing and to be involved? “In many cases, when a dog is unruly it’s because he hasn’t been properly trained. This puts the onus on the pet parent to assure his or her dog is a good canine citizen; one who doesn’t chew shoes, bark incessantly or jump on visitors. Many pet owners consider their pets to be more than a pet—they are family. Consider that your puppy or dog is a toddler and you can see the importance of training so you can live happily together.”
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Ingredients: 6 cups cooked organic brown rice (3 cups uncooked rice) 2 pounds ground lean beef, cooked through, fat drained 4 hard boiled eggs, peeled and diced small 3 carrots, shredded or thinly sliced 1/4 - 1/2 cup minced fresh parsley or 1/4 cup dried herbs ***see my Homemade Dog Food Seasoning Blend post for a full list of herbs to feed your dog. 3 tablespoons of olive or safflower oil
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Notes: Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs: Place the metal trivet into the Instant Pot and add 1 cup of water. Add uncooked eggs on top of the trivet. Place the lid on top, lock to sealing, and cook high pressure for 5 minutes. Release pressure valve manually at the end of the cooking time and carefully remove the hard boiled eggs to a water bath to cool.
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Instant Pot Rice: Combine the desired amount of rice and water in an Instant Pot. Place the lid on and set the pressure to sealing. Select the rice function, allow the pressure to release naturally when the cook time is complete.
How To Make Easy Homemade Dog Food Recipe by Megan (ThisMessIsOurs.com) “It’s a fact, feeding your pup a diet of 100% human grade dog food is easy, cost effective, and WAY better for them than a traditional doggie diet of processed kibble! My easy homemade dog food recipe combines lean ground sirloin, wholesome brown rice, fresh vegetables, hard boiled eggs, and tender herbs for a healthy, vibrant alternative to traditional dog food.”
Instructions: Combine all of the ingredients together in a large container and stir to combine completely. Store in the refrigerator in-between. feedings.
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Photography Saves Lives! PHOTO TIPS FOR ANIMAL RESCUERS, SHELTERS AND THEIR VOLUNTEERS/FOSTERS GOOD PHOTOGRAPHY IS ESSENTIAL FOR SHELTERS! Too often, shelters underestimate
the importance of good photos. I have been photographing street dogs, rescues and dogs in shelters since 2010 and can assure that great photos make a big difference. First of all, good photos get more attention to the animals in need. Some dogs I photographed were adopted (sometimes after over 2 years waiting at the shelter) because someone fell in love with the dog in the photograph. Secondly, I always tell the shelters: think of it as marketing! You are there to “sell a product” (i.e. adopt a dog out) and you need to make sure your images stand out, especially in big cities like New York where there are over 100,000 dogs available for adoption... In the long run, good photography gives a better image of the shelter itself, which will lead to more adopters coming in, and they are more “shareable” on social media, which will lead to more followers for the groups/ shelters. If you think about it, the photographs of their adoptable pets are their window for the world!
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A: Assertive: Whenever working with a dog, remember to be gentle but assertive. The dogs usually spend most of their time in a cage, then they get pulled out for a photo-shoot! Obviously they are going to be a little tense or very excited. The best way to help them relax, trust you and pose for you, is if you are assertive yourself. You need to be gentle too, of course! And use positive reinforcement tools. Know your job, know their limits. Be clear in your directions (sit, stay/wait, ha ha, no, stay!). A happy dog is a dog that feels like he/she does not have to be in control. If you are unsure yourself, you might make them uncomfortable. I always treat my little shelter models like professional models. In my mind they are here to perform a job. I do my best to make the rules of the game very clear. Sit, stay, look at me, and get yummy treats and attention in return. The more photoshoots you will do, the easier these things will come.
B: Background: people often underestimate the importance of the background. But remember that a dog in a sad/filthy environment will look sad and filthy. A positive image sells a positive dog. Make sure there are no trash bins, tires, etc, behind your dog. Place him/her in front of a nice colored wall, a bush of flowers, etc… Take the dog outside for the photos. If you can’t, make sure the background is pleasant. If you shoot indoors with light and studio equipment, consider getting either a vinyl backdrop (those can be washed and sanitized), or seamless paper backdrops (available at photo stores), or any kind of backdrop (even fabric). Sometimes a solid color wall works great! Before you start photographing, make sure the background is spotless and clear, and does not have wrinkles and folds. If you know how to use Photoshop, clean up the background before sending the pics to the shelter, remove little stains and dirt the dog might have brought onto the set. It can take a lot of time but it is worth it. A dirty photo will not appeal adopters as much as a super clean image!
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C: Calm: If the dog is very excited, take a moment to let the him/her calm down, sniff around and work out his/her excitement. It will make your work so much easier. Then, be ready to shoot! Many rescues don’t get to come out of their cage often, so they will most likely be overwhelmed by the smells and stimulation around them. Not all dogs will need to sniff around, but when they do, let them! (in all moderation). I try not to pet the dogs too much when they arrive on set, because I want them to be sitting and looking at me, not rolling around the ground enjoying a massage session! The petting is for after the shoot :) If you are fostering a dog for a rescue, snap photos of the dog during nap time, or after a walk, etc. Show the range of his/ her personalities, not just the moment of excitement. D: Drop: Drop down and photograph from the
dog’s eye level. That means you will be on your knees a lot, but, hey, it’s for the love of the doggies! If the dog is tiny, put him/her on a table or staircase, or drop even lower. If you place the dog higher, have a handler to make sure the dog is safe.
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E: Embrace: Embrace your materials and make the best of what you have available. You may not have the best photo gear or the ideal environment, but that shouldn’t stop you from making your dog shine. It’s much easier to work with a DSLR, a reflex camera. With phone camera or small “point-and-shoot” cameras, there is a lag between the moment you press the trigger and the moment the photo is actually snapped. By then, the dog will have moved. It’s much harder to get good results with those. If you can have access to a reflex camera, it will help tremendously (they take the photo as soon as you press the trigger). Be creative and remember: The power is in you! I have worked in very difficult situations, emotionally and logistically, but always manage to get a good shot. The limits are in your head! F: Flash: unless you know how to use professional lighting (off-camera light), avoid using flash indoor, “on-camera” flash, especially when there is very little light available, because that will create the scary zombie-like shiny eyes. If you do not have access or the knowledge to use artificial light, and the place where you photograph does not offer good natural light, try and shoot outdoors whenever possible, and in a shaded area. If there is enough light (big windows, or if you are outside), the flash can sometimes be useful as an additional light source, for example with black dogs. In bright sunshine, use your flash as a “fill light”, that will get rid of strong shadows and make your dog’s fur shine.
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G: Go for it: try many different angles and don’t hesitate to over-shoot. It’s better to have too many photos than too few. A photographer’s most important task is to select the right image to use. When you are choosing from your photos, select carefully. The way your dog looks on the photo will be how potential adopters will perceive him/her. Some dogs require more time than others. But it’s always worth it. Some shelters insist on getting head-shots and body-shots. I personally only do head-shots unless the dog has an unusual body (the post-processing is quicker with not so much clean-up to do). When shooting, know what you are looking for. A head-shot will require you to turn your camera. If it’s a body shot, get all limbs in the photo. Head-shots usually work better to catch an adopter’s attention. If you are only able to post/publish one photo of the rescue, select the one that speaks to you the most. It might be one where the dog is looking away, or with the eyes closed. If it speaks to you, it will most likely speak to someone else. I always tell the shelters: it is all about getting the adopters through the door! VIDEO: many rescues will love having videos of their dogs. So if you have a phone camera or a camera with a video option, especially if you are fostering, remember to take some short (10/30 sec) videos. Hold the phone horizontally (so that the video is horizontal, fitting a TV/computer screen).
H: Help: Get someone to help you during the photo shoot. That person can manage and hold the dog for you. You should only have to focus on the taking the photos (remember to always be ready to click! You might miss the money shot if you are not). If your helper is holding the dog, that person should not become the focus of the dog’s attention: you should be the one making noises or waving a treat for the dog. Not the helper. If the dog is on a leash, the helper should make sure to remove tension from the leash, as much as possible, as it will not look good on the photos and the dog might look like he/she is out of control or strangled. If you have more than one person helping, have someone stand behind you, at your level (on their knees if you are on your knees), so they can attract the dog’s attention from behind the camera. I do not recommend to have more than one or two people with you in the room, as it makes for too much stimulation and distraction. Be nice to the people wanting to help, but be in control of your own set. You are in charge. Again, once you’ve performed a few shoots, you will find your comfort zone.
I: Interest: Once everyone is ready and your dog is sitting or standing in one place, it’s time to get the dog’s interest. Choose your tool according to the dog. Shelters usually know if a dog gets too stimulated by food, or squeaky toys, for example, so ask them for each dog. I have lost shoots because the dog was way too stimulated by the toy and would not sit still after he saw the toy in my hand! Tools can be: high value treats (something they don’t usually get at the shelter, or something that is usually used for training), a squeaky toy or making noises with your mouth to keep your dog alert and attentive. Start with one small sound like a whisper, and if it does not work, go to the next tool. Find the noise or pitch that makes the dog react and be ready to shoot. Dogs get bored quickly so don’t over-stimulate them. Shelter dogs are usually nervous or over-stimulated already so be mindful, especially with noises. If a noise does not work or if the dog does not want the treat, stop the noise and remove the treat. I see a lot of people insist too much and it gets very uncomfortable for the dog. If something does not work right away, move on to another trick, talk to the dog. Don’t push it. I usually wait till the dog is sitting and attentive before I make a tiny sound. I insist that no one else on set makes any sound. This allows me to grab a photo in less than 30 seconds. Eye contact with the camera is very important. Most adopters will look at the dog’s eyes first, and they will read stories in them, connecting instantly. Make sure the eyes are the focal point of the photo. Find your “money shot” (for example, smiling dog with ears up and tilt of the head).
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An Inside Look at Recent ASPCA Rescue of Nearly 600 Animals JUNE 7, 2019
The ASPCA recently assisted the Indiana Gaming Commission (IGC) with the rescue and removal of nearly 600 animals from two properties in Morgan and Owen counties that are connected to alleged animal fighters. “While we continue to coordinate the ongoing care of the animals found, we wanted to share with you some of the images taken from the scene, as your support makes efforts like this possible. The below photos show why we can never let up in our fight against cruelty and our work to provide second chances to those who need us most.� ASPCA
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After several rainy days in the region, we found dogs taking refuge at the end of their chains. Their only source of drinking water was filthy and full of debris.
In spite of their situation, the dogs were excited to greet ASPCA responders. Every dog approached responders and law enforcement eagerly wagging their tails.
This sweet dog would not stop trying to nuzzle our responders, running and jumping through the mud and water as far as his chain would allow.
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This pup strained against his chain, seeking attention from an ASPCA responder.
While some of the dogs had small houses, others had only plastic barrels for shelter.
While on the property, our responders navigated deep mud and puddles to release the dogs from their chains, and get them to a clean, dry environment with fresh water.
All the dogs and birds we removed have since been transported to temporary shelters where they are receiving forensic, medical and behavioral evaluations, as well as loving care away from the chains and muddy pits where they were found.
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Two responders remove a dog’s collar and place him in a gentle lead.
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5 Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds Some dog lovers have the misfortune of being allergic to the animals they adore, and because of this there are people who have developed hypoallergenic dog breeds. These breeds may not be 100% allergen-free, but they certainly make life easier for those living with allergies. With so many to choose from, we’ve compiled a list of the most popular hypoallergenic dog breeds.
#1: Poodles, Poodles, and Poodles!
The curly-coated Poodles are tops on the list because they are so versatile. They come in three sizes, several colors, and a multitude of personalities, from serene and regal to sharp and sassy. They are also, without exception, intelligent and loyal. They even smell great, at least compared to most dogs. The large Standard Poodle may be the most hypoallergenic, pound for pound, but the smallest, the tiny Toy Poodle, will obviously produce less dander. The Poodle is definitely for you if you like living with royalty. Professional grooming is a must.
#2: Bichon Frise
The small curly-coated Bichon Frise is a calm lapdog with a lower activity level, which combined with high trainability and a friendly attitude, makes him an ideal pet for many. However, a puppy’s coat quality differs markedly from that of an adult’s, and you may be allergic to only one type. The Bichon’s coat does need frequent brushing, so an allergic person might want to hand off this chore to another family member.
#3: Italian Greyhound
The peaceful, elegant, and long-lived Italian Greyhound requires minimal grooming, which is definitely a benefit. He’s quiet in the house and good with other dogs and cats, but most tend to bond with just one person. They have almost no doggy odor.
#4: Portuguese Water Dog
The water-loving PWD has practically the ideal coat for an allergy sufferer: It is low shedding and single. This is an active, athletic dog who nonetheless is comfortable in an apartment if given sufficient exercise. He may exhibit a definite preference for one family member over another. The breed needs frequent brushing and professional grooming.
#5 Lagotto Romagnolo
With a lineage that can be traced back to Renaissance Italy, the Lagotto Romagnolo has been delighting dog lovers for centuries, thanks to its friendly demeanor and signature curls. These dogs are cloaked in a double-coat of thick, woolly hair, and they shed minimally. The Lagotto Romagnolo’s coat is also waterproof, as this breed was bred to be a waterfowl retriever.
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6 Thanksgiving Foods Bad for your Dog Stuffing: Thanksgiving dressing is often made with onions, scallions or garlic. These ingredients are extremly toxic for pets and can cause life-threatening anemia. This is the destruction of red blood cells.
Ham: Ham and other pork products can cause pancreatitis, upset stomach, vomiting and diarrhea. Pork is also high in fat, which can lead to obesity in pets. Even a small amount of ham can contribute a very large amount of calories to a small dog or cat’s diet.
Turkey Bones:
Bones can cause severe indigestion in dogs and cats, potentially causing vomiting and obstructing the bowel. Bones may also splinter and cause damage to the inside of the stomach and intestines. In some cases, turkey bones may even puncture through the stomach and cause a potentially fatal abdominal infection.
Mashed Potatoes: While potatoes are safe for pets to eat, mashed potatoes usually contain butter and milk, which can cause diarrhea in lactose intolerant pets. Additionally, some recipes call for onion powder or garlic, which are very toxic to pets.
Salads with Grapes/Raisins: There are many salads served at Thanksgiving that include grapes or raisins as an
ingredient, from fruit salad, to waldorf salad, to ambrosia. However, grapes and raisins are very virulent and potentially deadly. Grapes can cause severe, irreversible and sometimes fatal kidney failure in dogs. Be sure to keep all dishes that include grapes and raisins away from pets.
Desserts: While pumpkin pie is the most famous Thanksgiving dessert (canned pumpkin also has many pet health benefits), many people offer a variety of chocolate desserts at Thanksgiving. Chocolate is toxic to dogs and cats, yet dogs love the smell and taste of it. The darker the chocolate, the more toxic it is. Keep all chocolate desserts out of the reach of pets to prevent an emergency trip to the veterinarian.
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“ A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than they love themselves.� - Josh Billings
