Modern Dog Fall 2016

Is Your "Untrainable" Dog Just Super Smart? + Why Your Senior Dog Seems To Be Having Puppy Problems

The lifestyle magazine for modern dogs and their companions F ALL 2016

Is Your Dog Trying To Tell You Something?

BOREDOM BUSTERS! Keep your dog busy & entertained p27

Find out on p28!

Publications Agreement Number 40743013 Return Mail Dept, 202–343 Railway St., Vancouver, BC V6A 1A4

THE ST COOLE FF TU DOG S IS IN HERE!

p62

Try This Bond-Based Training Approach!

7 Ways to

Transform Your Relationship With Your Dog

p56

How To Choose The Best Bed For Your Dog

moderndogmagazine.com DISPLAY UNTIL DEC ‘16

$5.95

WHY GROWLING IS GOOD ADD THESE THINGS TO YOUR DOG'S DINNER CANDID CAMERA: STARS & THEIR DOGS A NATURAL FIX FOR SEPARATION ANXIETY

p108

Is Your Dog Super Smart?

Find Your Match! Is the Poodle, Basset Hound or Portuguese Water Dog the breed for you?

62

VOL 15

NO 3

ROMAN SUBMITTED BY BINA CANDITO

FALL 2016

FEATURES 28

Is Your Dog Trying to Tell you Something?

How dogs tell us what is happening in their world.

32

Why Growling is Good Growling is meant to avert aggression, not cause it, but many owners misunderstand and correct their dogs.

Here's why you should make sure you're not one of them.

48

Get Inspired! These Entrepreneurs Turned Their Love of Dogs Into Careers They Adore

56

Best Beds Options abound and all dogs have different preferences.

Here's how to choose the right bed for your dog.

58

Listen To Your Heart Ahead of the curve: Mutts comic strip creator Patrick McDonnell has spent the last 20 years promoting animal adoption—and he’s not prepared to stop there.

62

Seven Ways to Transform Your Relationship With Your Dog This bond-based training approach can powerfully change the way you connect with your dog.

66

A Survivor's Story Gillian, a gentle Tosa (Japanese Mastiff) mix survived the dog meat trade. Read her story and find out how you can help end this barbaric practice. BY POOJA MENON

90

How to Assess Your Dog's Cancer Risk Prevention and early detection can save your dog's life!

Here's what to look for. BY DR. RODNEY PAGE

100

How Chiropractic, Acupuncture, and Massage Therapy Can Dramatically Improve Your Dog's Life Alternative therapies are increasingly being used to offer relief and even restore the mobility of dogs suffering chronic conditions. BY YVONNE ZACHARIAS

46

BY NICOLE WILDE

PHOTO SUZIE KIXMOELLER

BY STANLEY COREN

BY J. LESLIE JOHNSON

BY ANDREA QUERIDO

BY JENNIFER ARNOLD

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116

Why Your Senior Dog Seems to Have Puppy Problems Is your senior dog suddenly turning into a problem child? Here's why this is happening and what you can do about it!

118

Passion Project The adoption of a rescued Pit Bull led our Star Dog contest winner, Laura Morgillo, to her life's purpose.

BY TEOTI ANDERSON

BY ROSE FROSEK; PHOTOGRAPHED BY RICHIE SCHWARTZ

BODY & SOUL 78

A Natural Way to Address Separation Anxiety The CBD's found in hemp might just be the solution you're looking for!

80

G.I. Woes How to know when a gastric upset warrants a trip to the vet.

82

Use Your Voyce; The Find; Bark Back: Modern Dog Poll

84

10 Reasons Why Turmeric is Good for Dogs

88

Words of Wisdom Pocket-sized inspiration cards to stick on your fridge or use as a bookmark.

BY CONNIE WILSON

BREED PROFILE 26

Your Perfect Breed Match Is the Portuguese Water Dog or Poodle the dog for you?

110

The Basset Hound Easy-going, laid back, charming—there's much more to the Basset than those seemingly sad eyes.

BY KELLY CALDWELL

THE GOODS

LIVING 12 Playtime Fails

Try as they might, these dogs find playtime a tad challenging.

34

Stars, They're Just Like Us! Candid snaps of celebrities out and about with their pups.

40

DIY Eat: Fall Flavours to Perk Up Your Dog's Dinner Perk up your dog's dinner with these healthy fall toppers!

46

Tula the PhoDOGrapher This GoPro-wearing rescue dog offers a smile-inducing dog's-eye view into dog park hijinx, one that captures the joyousness at the heart of our best four-legged friends.

22

We're Giving It Away!

We've got three months of awesome giveaways, from toys and jackets to beds, supplements, and more!

44

Doggy Décor Must-haves for the design obsessed dog lover.

76

How to Properly Bathe Your Dog Make bathtime easier with these dos and don'ts.

72

Perfect Presents Great gift ideas for everyone on your list!

98

Stanley's Smile How an English Bulldog with a cleft palate is making a big difference. BY NOA NICHOL

94

Back-to-School Boredom Busters Keep your dog busy and engaged with these fun, mentally 104

stimulating finds!

REGULAR FEATURES 6 Editor’s Letter 8 Contributors 10 Stuff We Love 14 The Scoop 20 Smile! Photo Contest 125 Marketplace

106

12

Say hello to Wolfgang, aka Wolfie, a mixedbreed cutie from Phoenix, AZ! Photographed by Esther Choi.

“I am a pretty mellow mushroom who loves to accompany people, whether it be to the bathroom or out on the town. Find me on Instagram @wolfiethefoxdog!”

F AL L 2016

Last Days Saying goodbye to a beloved dog.

BY CATHY MAYRIDES

ON THE COVER

4 moderndog

One Dog, Three Artistic Takes We tasked three pet portrait artists with capturing the same dog. Check out the results on page 104!

108

Your Disobedient, "Untrainable" Dog May Be A Super-smart Evil Genius

114

Human & Hound A photographic celebration of a bond like none other.

121

Connie's Book Club Curl up with a good dog and a good book. Editor-in-Chief Connie Wilson's selection of this fall's must-reads.

128

Last Lick: How I Met My Dog

BY ALEE PASQUALOTTO

In USA: MODERN DOG (ISSN 1703-812X) Volume 15, Issue 3. Published quarterly

by Modern Dog Inc. at 142 Churchill Drive, Newington, CT 06111-4003. Periodicals postage paid at Hartford, CT and additional offices. POSTMASTER: send address changes to Modern Dog, PO Box 310402, Newington, CT 06131-0402.

TREASON & GLORY SUBMITTED BY JENNIFER FAIRBAIRN

56

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EDITOR'S LETTER

Great communication begins with connection.

I

’ve been reflecting a lot on successful relationships and the very important role communication plays. If there's blocked communication, a relationship can quickly become troubled. Most of us realize that to have good relationships with our friends and family we need to be able to effectively communicate, but for some reason we often fail to apply this same thinking to our relationships with our dogs. Our dogs are family too and it's equally important to be able to effectively communicate with them for the sake of everyone’s happiness, as well as for a harmonious home. Of course, interspecies communication is more challenging as we don’t share a language but our dogs help us out. They are continually observing and interacting with us and, though it may not always seem like it, they aim to please. Since they can't verbalize their feelings or wants, we owe it to them to pay close attention to understand their needs, intentions, and the motivators behind certain behaviours.

Whether the cause behind a particular action is mental or physical—say, sudden unrest and anxiety caused by an impending thunderstorm or the onset of a slight limp caused by physical discomfort—paying attention allows us to deduce what’s going on and intervene appropriately.

Your dog's body language can tell you a lot about what he's thinking and feeling. For instance, does he hold his tail upright and rigid when an unfamiliar dog approaches? Is he standing tall with hackles raised? He's likely making himself look bigger and more imposing, which is perhaps not dominance, as many assume, but rather a fear-based behaviour. Esther, Modern Dog's Miniature Dachshund displays this behaviour when larger dogs approach, in an effort to make herself look bigger.

Knowing what she is—and is not—comfortable with allows

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us to prevent altercations (she’ll get snippy if her boundaries are crossed). And what about growling? Most of us have been led to believe that growling is bad, but not so. Find out why you should never stop your dog from growling on page 32.

And these aren’t the only ways dogs communicate. In this issue Dr. Stanley Coren explains how dogs have evolved to actually "show" us what they consider to be interesting or want (p 28).

Tapping into our dogs’ desire to please and their ability to communicate with us is Jennifer Arnold, the Executive Director of Canine Assistants. On page 62 she explains how you can powerfully change the way you connect with your dog through her bond-based training approach. The first principle? Helping your dog feel secure and loved. Makes sense, doesn’t it?

And that’s not all! This issue is chock-a-block full of boredom busting toys to keep your dog busy and mentally engaged (p 27), the best beds for every type of dog (p 56), fun photos of celebs out and about with their pups, tips for those of us with super seniors, and so much more! From how to identify your dog’s cancer risk to fall flavours to add to your dog’s dinner (yum, squash!), we’ve got you covered!

Wishing you the best of the season, romps through the fall leaves and Netflix marathon sessions, dog on couch, included!

Much love,

Connie Wilson, Publisher & Editor-in-Chief

COMIC USED WITH SPECIAL PERMISSION OF KING FEATURES SYNDICATE

PHOTO KHAREN HILL

—Oprah Winfrey

Get your copy of

WAYNE PACELLE'S NEW BOOK TODAY�

NATIONAL BEST­ SELLER!

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The Humane Economy: How Innovators and Enlightened Consumers Are Transforming the Lives of Animals, now a New York Times and Washington Post bestseller, describes a revolution in American business and public policy that is changing forever how we treat animals and conduct commerce. Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States, tells the story from the frontlines, in a book that speaks to both mind and heart.

"I recommend this book to every consumer and corporate CEO. It's a 21st century blueprint for both conscious business and social progress." -John Mackey, co-CEO and founder, Whole Foods Market

"The Humane Economy is a brilliant

book that celebrates the truth: our

economic well-being is inextricably linked to the well-being of animals."

- U.S. Senator Cory Booker

"This is a humane revolution, and Wayne Pacelle, president of The Humane Society of the United States, has been at the fore front of it."

-Nicholas Kristof,

The New York Times

"A fascinating, highly readable and remarkably comprehensive book."

- Jane Goodall

"A critically important read for anyone who cares about business success or animals-or, like so many of us, both."

- Jack Welch, former CEO of GE

To learn more, visit humaneeconomy.org. Follow @WaynePacelle and join the #humaneeconomy conversation on Twitter!

THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATU

Back on Track apparel can help provide relief from aches, pains and underlying inflammation. Our customers have felt the improvement in their own bodies and in the way their dogs move.

With products and apparel for dogs, people and horses, Back on Track is the perfect choice for therapeutic gear. Visit our website to find a nearby retailer and a product that's rig ht for your dog and for you! Back on Track: helping dogs, horses and people achieve a more active and comfortable life!

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C ON TRIBUT OR S FALL 2016

•

VOL 15

NO 3

Publisher Editor-in-Chief

Connie Wilson Editor & Creative Director

Jennifer Nosek Audience Development & Digital Marketing Director

Lauren Cheal Social Media & Events Coordinator, Subscription Services

Taryn Cheal Assistant Art Director

Natalie Gagnon Design & Production

Clara To Sales & Marketing

Jacqueline Lowndes, Nav Nagra PHOTO XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

We’re thrilled to feature the artwork of illustrator Michelle Simpson in this issue! A professional illustrator and graphic designer with a BAA in Illustration, Michelle draws inspiration from nature, animals, and her childhood memories. We can see why her children's book, Monsters In My House, won the Brenda Clark book prize award!

Check out more of Michelle’s work at michellescribbles.com and flip to page 28 to see her illustration for “Is Your Dog Trying To Tell You Something?” (We’re sure you’ve seen your dog give you this look!)

Modern Dog Inc.

Junior Accountant

Celine Benipayo Sales & Subscription Services

Nav Nagra Copywriter & Administrative Assistant

Rebekah Chotem Controller

Cecilia de Roca Chan, CPA, CGA Honourary Editor-at-Large

Jytte Wilson

New York pet photographer Richie Schwartz has 36 years of experience as a professional photographer—he’s photographed over 75,000 pets in 33 states! Richie was named one of the Top 25 Pet People of 2010, along with Oprah Winfrey and Ellen DeGeneres, and has been voted Best Pet Photographer on Long Island the last three years in a row, making him the perfect person to train his lens on our adorable Star Dog winners, Titus and Hailey. Turn to page 118 to get the low down on this cute duo.

GET YOURSELF A SUBSCRIPTION! Give us a call at 1-800-417-6289 or subscribe online at moderndogmagazine.com/subscribe Advertising inquiries call (866) 734-3131 In Canada: MODERN DOG (ISSN 1703-812X) Volume 15, Issue 3.

Published quarterly by Modern Dog Inc. at Suite 202–343 Railway St, Vancouver, BC Canada V6A 1A4 POSTMASTER: send address changes to Modern Dog, Suite 202–343 Railway St, Vancouver, BC Canada V6A 1A4 In USA: MODERN DOG (ISSN 1703-812X) Volume 15, Issue 3. Published quarterly by Modern Dog Inc. at 142 Churchill Drive, Newington, CT 06111-4003.

Periodicals postage paid at Hartford, CT and additional offices. POSTMASTER: send address changes to Modern Dog, PO Box 310402, Newington, CT 06131-0402.

PHONE

(604) 734-3131 OR TOLL FREE (866) 734-3131 (604) 734-3031 OR TOLL FREE (866) 734-3031

FAX

A word nerd, book warrior, and baking addict, Andrea Querido's early childhood fear of dogs was successfully squashed when her family got a spirited yellow Lab, Dakota, who lived to the wise age of 14. This led her to welcome a feisty and headstrong Frenchie, Penelope, into her family in 2013, and life has never been the same. She wouldn't want it any other way. For this issue, Andrea Querido chatted with the amazing Patrick McDonnell, creator of the wonderful cartoon Mutts, about his Shelter Stories series in promotion of pet adoption. You’re going to want to read this story (page 58).

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The publisher is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, images, photographs or other materials. By accepting and publishing advertising the publisher in no way recommends, guarantees or endorses the quality of services or products within those advertisements.

Copyright 2016 by Modern Dog Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced by any means, electronic or mechanical, including the Internet or photocopying without the written permission of the Publisher. Modern Dog and its logotype are the trademarks of Modern Dog Inc. Modern Dog is published four times a year. One-year subscription prices: Canada $16CAD, U.S.A. $16USD, foreign $45USD. Subscription orders and customer service inquiries should be sent to Modern Dog Subscription Services, Suite 202–343 Railway St, Vancouver, BC Canada V6A 1A4

PRINTED IN CANADA

www.moderndogmagazine.com Publications Mail Agreement Number 40743013 We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada. Nous reconnaissons l'appui financier du gouvernement du Canada.

! # @

STUFF WE LOVE Modern Dog staffers’ picks of the litter 1 These super hip backpacks from Maggie Modena are going to make your pup the talk of the town! They’re both stylish (think limited edition mixed-media prints) and practical—the pack also functions as your dog’s harness. Trust us, a dog in a backpack is an adorable sight to see! Prepare for attention.—Clara ($45, shop.maggiemodena.com)

$

2 Handcrafted perfection! Turning heads is inevitable in this Oscar leather dog collar from Collier Leeds. Named after the company’s own loyal Golden Retriever, the collar—available in three colours of leather and either antique gold or silver finishing—will be the envy of the dog park!—Miniature Dachshund Esther ($90, collierleeds.com) 3 Switching my dog Penny’s tags from collar to collar is so simple with Links-It! The innovative design of this tag connecter means no more broken fingernails, and the accompanying Pawdentify ID tags are super durable so they won't become unreadable. Available in an array of fun prints and colours. Love it!—Connie ($22 for the set, pawdentify.com)

BM

BL

4 Cordless vacuuming is a dream! But not when the battery conks out after a few minutes.

Thankfully, the Dyson V8 Absolute cordless vacuum has 40 minutes of battery life, quickly transforms into a handheld, and easily cleans those hard to reach spots. Love it!—Cecilia ($600, dysoncanada.ca or dyson.com) 5 A jacket as prepared as you are! The K-Rosco Dog Walking Utility Jacket from Let's Go Design has it all—poop bag dispenser, an extra leash, lots of pockets, and a removable fleece liner to keep you warm, dry, and dog-walk-ready year round! It's a Modern Dog Editor-in-Chief essential!—Rebekah, ($290, letsgodesign.net)

%

6 Being a Dachshund, my short legs keep me low to the ground, so if my fur gets too long it picks up twigs and dirt. My mom's solution? The new Andis Cordless EasyClip Li Clipper! The 11-piece set is easy to use and has everything we need to quickly keep my coat neatly trimmed and debris-free!—Penny the Wirehaired Dachshund ($120, small-animal.andis.com) 7 Supporting my dog's probiotic and digestive health is easy with GutSense from Dr. Dobias. This organic supplement is made in the USA with natural ingredients like dandelion and cilantro to promote the health and happiness of my favourite pooch!—Taryn ($55, peterdobias.com) 8 With a light sweeping motion, Fur-ZOff quickly and effortlessly removes pet hair, fuzz, and lint from carpets, upholstery, and clothing. Made from 90% post-consumer materials, it’s environmentally friendly, lasts forever, and is just $13. My new best friend!—Lauren ($13, furzoff.net) 9 Midwest Homes for Pets Canine Camper Sportable gives your pup her very own retreat!

Easy to assemble, transport, and clean, this space-conscious camper also boasts a sheepskin pad for lush lounging no matter where your intrepid travels take you.—Nav (From $70, midwesthomes4pets.com) 10 My dog Esther can often be found chewing on an Alligator Dental chew from Whimzees.

The fun shape, delicious taste, and irresistible texture disguise the fact that these treats are actually good for her—they help remove plaque and tartar from her precious little teeth!

And the special, limited-time Hallowe'en packaging let's your dog get in on the Trick or Treat-ing fun!—Jennifer (Box of treats from $15, whimzees.com) 11 At WHOWAGWEAR, they're all about ethically-sourced materials, social responsibility, and expressing yourself–and I am so into it! Purchase the Good Girl tank top from their Evergreen collection and 20% of sales goes to the ASPCA! PS: you can create your own design, too!–Celine ($65, whowagwear.tcom)

& *

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^

! l o L Treason & Glory

Bentley

I don't know about this...

PLAY TIME FAILS

Ozzie

Joey

So I'm the wizard?

Riley

Teddy

Namexxx Finn

You can't see me, right?

Lilli-Bean 12 moderndog

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Djeck

PLACE YOUR BETS! WHAT BREED AM I?

I'm active alert, and a fast learner

PHOTOS ©AKC

Find out what breeds make up your dog's unique mix and learn where some of those adorable quirks come from with one cheek swab!

Know Your Breeds: Meet the Pumi!

Hailing from Hungary, the Pumi joins the pack as the American Kennel Club’s 190th recognized breed The adorable Pumi is a medium-sized, agile dog from Hungary, bred to gather, drive, and keep livestock under control. A member of the Herding group, the breed is intelligent, quick to learn, and extremely willing to work. These very alert, energetic dogs require daily exercise and mental stimulation and do best with an active family. Their coat, a combination of wavy and curly hair that forms corkscrew curls all over the body, simply needs an occasional bath and a combing every two to three weeks. As AKC Vice President Gina DiNardo notes, “This lively, adorable dog makes a wonderful companion for a family willing to provide lots of exercise and mental activity.”

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Ever wonder what breeds make up your dog’s unique mix? Cass, the marvelous mutt pictured here, and her person, Gabrielle Kahn-Chiossone are about to find out! They won our Facebook giveaway of an Embark DNA testing kit. (If you’re not already following us on Facebook, why the heck not?! Prizes, people.) Results of our winner’s test will be revealed in the winter issue of Modern Dog so place your bets on this cutie’s breed mix now!

OUR READERS WRITE

“I love this idea. I dog-sit and one of my customers has done this and put my contact info on his tag.

Love it so much I am going to get a bunch made for all my doggie pals!”

— Birdie Colleen Trafford Find the template at moderndogmagazine.com/diyvacaytags

PHOTOS CARLOS CHIOSSONE

THE SCOOP

THE SCOOP

Did You Know That Being A Proud Pet Parent Might Make You A Better Neighbour?

PICKY EATER SOLUTION Has this ever happened to you? You bring home a new brand of dog food—one that came highly recommended—and feed it to your pup, only to have him snuff his nose at it and refuse to eat? We’ve been there plenty of times, and it’s costly!

PickyPuppySamples.com has found a solution. They offer a huge range of dog foods, from which you can choose as many 3 oz sample bags as you like! Make your selections from four categories—adult, puppy, sensitive systems, or prepicked sample packs—and they’ll conveniently be delivered to your door, allowing you to test exactly what your pup is craving. Each sample is around $2, or you can choose a pre-packaged sampler for $9 - $18. And if your dog cools on a particular food? Order some more samples! What an ingenious—and money saving—solution to our picky puppies’ ever-changing taste buds.

SWEET POTATOES

Make It! D.I.Y. Dog Treats

Don't overlook these simple, healthy, and reasonably priced treats you can easily make from ingredients picked up at the grocery store!

16 moderndog

are a great source of dietary fibre and contain vitamin B6, vitamin C, beta carotene, and manganese.

Try slicing and dehydrating them to make a healthy, chewy, single-ingredient treat for your dog!

F ALL 2016

A recent study conducted by State Farm found that pet owners are some of the most engaged neighbours. Quite simply, all that extra time outdoors creates opportunities for interactions with neighbours—and having a cute dog certainly breaks the ice!

If you’d like to improve your relationship with your neighbours, nationally recognized advice columnist and etiquette expert Hariette Cole has some advice: when a neighbour shows interest in your dog, take it as an opportunity to introduce yourself, or even invite them along for the walk! You never know, you just might find a new walking companion, best friend, or, heck, even soul mate! But the best way to win your neighbours’ respect? Control that barking dog. The survey found that 72 percent of neighbours consider a good neighbour a quiet neighbour—that goes for humans and dogs alike!

POPCORN that has been air popped with no butter or salt makes a terrific low calorie treat for your dog. (No hot air popper? You can pop it in a paper bag in the microwave, no oil needed!) Popcorn contains potassium as well as the bonebuilding minerals phosphorous, magnesium, and calcium.

So snuggle up and share that popcorn (try adding a sprinkling of nutritional yeast!) with your furry friend next time you watch a movie.

THE SCOOP

POKÉMON GO MEETS DOG WALKING

P

erhaps you’ve noticed people acting strangely of late, staring into their phones even more than usual, stopping traffic on highways, swarming parks. The cause of this curious behaviour? Some cute fictional creatures and an app with a user base that has quickly outnumbered both Twitter and Tinder. The craze for Pokémon Go, a free, location-based, augmented reality game you play on your phone, has swept the globe—it’s as inescapable as the media coverage that has followed in its wake. But some fans of the game are looking past Pikachu, Charmander, and Squirtle (those would be Pokémon characters, for the uninitiated), and to its altruistic potential.

Phil Peckinpaugh, director of the Muncie Animal Shelter in Muncie, Indiana, noticed the uptick in people walking outdoors thanks to a Pokémon Go obsession when an idea struck: all of these people could be walking dogs! Phil quickly

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turned to social media where he promoted the opportunity through the shelter’s website. “Just come to the front desk and say your are here for the Pokémon dogs,” read the post.

Social media went crazy for the initiative, with people sharing, retweeting, and commenting on the post. And then came the people. Within one hour of the post, they saw a surge of people lining up at the shelter to do their part (and “catch ‘em all”—the game’s motto—in the process). Safety concerns were addressed, too: “If you can’t be responsible while playing the game, you’re not the best fit,” Phil noted.

How do the dogs feel about? They’re probably concerned for the sanity of their dog walkers, but will likely keep that information to themselves. Why mess with anything that results in more dog walks? This win-win situation gets two paws up from us!

• Antibiotic and Growth Hormone Free • Federally inspected meats and vegetables • Formulated for all life stages for Dogs and Cats • Convenient packaging options • Available at over 120 Retail locations across Ontario and Quebec

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THE SCOOP CAPTION THIS!

Spot On We're in love with these too-cute patches!

THEM !

Combining a love of dogs and clever sayings into succinct and witty iron-on patches is selfprofessed “Pomeranian enthusiast” Kristen Lourie.

The Winnipeg, Manitoba-based artist and graphic designer designs the humourous and super-cute embroidered patches in her spare time, using her “baby potato dog” Gomez Napoleon for inspiration. Our favourites, of course, feature pups, like the always adorable Corgi, along with cute sayings like My Dog Is My Bae, In Dog We Trust, and Only Dog Can Judge Me. We want every single one of these instant outfit enhancers. Find them at Kristen’s Etsy store Kodiak Milly from $11, etsy.com/shop/KodiakMilly Artist & designer Kristen Lourie with her muse, Pomeranian Gomez Napoleon.

PHOTOS MICHELLE STEIGMEYER

Profess your love of dog with these iron-on patches!

AND THE WINNING CAPTION FROM THE SUMMER ISSUE IS…

"And that, Sheldon, is how puppies are made."

SUBMITTED BY: DIANA STOCKERT

RUNNER-UP CAPTIONS "That's supposed to be a dog? Who is this clown?

SUBMITTED BY: MARK JOYAL

"Leo, don't you think this is just twisted?!?"

SUBMITTED BY: TOBY COLLINS " "Don't listen to anything he says; he's full of hot air." SUBMITTED BY: FRANKIE LAUGHTER

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C A R T O O N S © 2016 B Y D A V I D J A C O B S O N

Exercise your funny bone. Create a caption for this cartoon and submit your entry at moderndogmagazine.com/cartooncaption.

The most comic captions will be published in the next issue.

!

E L I SM

Modern Dog’s Photo Contest Winners!

Freddie

Bridget Talented K9 Tonya

Staffordshire Bull Terrier & Rottweiler Mix

Standard Poodle

Siberian Husky & Border Collie Mix

Lego Toy Australian Shepherd Xxx Xxx

Legend Pit Bull

Prince Goober

Toy Australian Shepherd

Great Pyrenees

Piper

King Charles Spaniel, Shih Tzu, & Bichon Frise Mix

Rhett

Shiba Inu 22 moderndog

F ALL 2016

Mia Molly

Poodle & Chihuahua Mix

Princess Chihuahua

Miniature Australian Shepherd

Tater Super Sam

Shetland Sheepdog

Jack Russell Terrier

Koda

Zoey

Pomeranian

Pug

Rafe Hess German Shepherd

Freddie Spitz

Moose

Rosie

Bernese Mountain Dog

Chihuahua

Dottie Sargent Lexi & Gator

English Bull Terrier

Australian Shepherd & Shepherd Mix

Bandit the Therapy Dog

Alaskan Malamute

Think your dog ought to be in Modern Dog?

Dillion

Blue Heeler

Asia Bella

Upload your dog’s photo at moderndogmagazine.com/ photocontest. Not only will he or she be entered to be our Dog of the Week, but a selection of the photos entered will appear on these pages!

Shi Tzu

moderndogmagazine.com

23

ENTER TO WIN

We’re giving it away! Enter to win fabulous giveaways each and every week in September, October, and Novermber.

Go to moderndogmagazine.com/giveaways to enter! Lucky readers will win every week.

september

1st-7th

Win 1 of 12 “Your Puppy Month

By Month” from Idiot’s Guides!

Choose your breed and learn about their development.

8th-14th

Win 1 of 25 bags of Beef Liver Dog Treats from Vital Essentials, the leader of quality and innovation within the RAW pet food industry since 1968.

15th-21st

Win 1 complete set of canine products from Back on Track, makers of therapeutic pain relief products for dogs! Package includes Therapeutic Mesh blanket, Crate Liner, and a Dog Travel Bed!

22nd-30th

8th-14th

15th-21st

22nd-31st

8th-14th

15th-21st

22nd-30th

october

1st-7th Win 1 of 5 Torus Watering bowls from Torus! Your choice of a 1 litre or 2 litre bowl in either pink, blue, charcoal or red.

Win 1 of 11 durable Wild Heart Soft Bite Floppy Discs from USA Pet Spot!

These super, soft discs are 25 cm— perfect for high flying fun!

november

1st-7th

Win an exclusive, limited-edition luxury apparel ensemble from CanineKids Outfitters! Prize includes a coordinating collar, leash, and harness set, a lightweight water-resistant coat, and winter coat to keep your pup warm!

Win 1 of 4 True Hemp Chews for Dogs Variety Packs from True Leaf Pet! Try all 3 varieties—Hip + Joint, Calming, and Health Support.

Win 1 of 12 packages of Cetyl M Joint & Immune Support for dogs!

Supports a healthy immune system and joints and to maintain optimal health.

Win a totally awesome prize pack of Stella & Chewy’s most popular recipes from their raw, freeze-dried dog food line, valued at over $200!

Win 1 of 12 jars of BioSKIN & COAT Allergy Support for dogs and cats with hotspots, seasonal allergies or yeast overgrowth. This natural, bioflavonoidbased antihistamine targets histamine receptors to stop the allergic response!

Win 1 of 25 delicious Peanut Butter Flavored Sprays for dry dog food, made in the USA with all natural ingredients! Easy, convenient to use, and dogs love it!

Win one of ten signed copies of Flash’s Song: How One Small Dog Turned Into One Big Miracle. This book “will bring tears of joy to your eyes!” says Dr. Bernie Siegel.

No purchase necessary to enter or win. Beginning September 1, 2016 at 12:01 AM (PST) through November 30, 2016 at 11:59 PM (PST), enter each day at moderndogmagazine.com/giveaways. Each week’s giveaway ends at 11:59 PM (PST). Each week, the specified number of winners for that week’s giveaway will win the prize featured in the giveaway calendar (ARV: $200). Odds of winning depend on the number of entries received. Contest is open to legal Canadian and US residents 18 and older as of date of entry. Void in Puerto Rico and where prohibited by law. Giveaway subject to complete official rules available at moderndogmagazine.com/giveaways.

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INSET PHOTO: OLLIE SUBMITTED BY KAYLA STONIER

s y a w a e v i G t a Gre

Find Your Perfect Breed match

Is the Portuguese Water Dog or the Poodle the Dog for You? The Portuguese Water Dog Highly intelligent, people oriented, and athletic

Adventurous, affectionate, and athletic, this smart breed is of medium size (35 – 60 pounds) and spirited temperament. Used as working dogs from ancient times by fisherman along the coast of Portugal, Portuguese Water Dogs spent their days in and around the water, retrieving gear dropped into the sea, hauling nets, carrying items between ship and shore, and even herding fish into nets. The breed’s webbed feet (yes, really) speak to its history and proficiency in the water.

I'm lively!

The Portuguese Water Dog’s coat comes in two textures, wavy and curly, and may be black or brown, with or without white markings, solid white, or parti-coloured.

On pets and working dogs, the coat is usually clipped short, while show dogs display longer coats in one of two specific styles: the lion clip or the retriever clip.

Is the Portuguese Water Dog right for you?

Find out more at: moderndogmagazine.com/ breeds/portuguese-water-dog

This breed’s high energy level, daily grooming needs, and nimble brain mean he’s not for everyone, but for owners who can spend significant amounts of time with their dogs, the Portuguese Water Dog’s high intelligence and people-oriented personality are big pluses.

The Poodle

Proud, active, and very smart This very intelligent and active breed has three official AKC-recognized varieties—Standard, Miniature, and Toy. The denominations are used to describe size only; all the Poodles are actually one breed, governed by the same standard. Still, debate amongst Poodle lovers is lively as to the unique temperament attributed to each size, though it is probably fair to say that Poodles of all sizes share more in personality traits than they differ from each other. Those tiny Toys think they can do anything the “big guys” can do—and do it better—while a lot of “dignified” Standards would secretly love to be tucked under your arm and accompany you everywhere.

The Poodle’s elegant look belies its athleticism. Despite its reputation as a “frou-frou” dog, the Poodle actually features a squarely built, athletic, and efficient physical design, part of its heritage as a working retriever. The custom of clipping Poodles originally arose from their function as a retriever; working dogs were kept closely trimmed on some areas of the body to reduce the weight of a waterlogged coat. Longer hair was left on joints and around the chest to help those vital parts stay warm, hence the “lion” clip and pom-poms that most people associate with the well-groomed Poodle.

All Poodles are lively, fun loving, affectionate, and highly intelligent and many owners insist the breed has a sense of humour. And whatever size you choose, all models come with immeasurable love and joy to share—no option on that.

Is the Poodle right for you?

Find out more at: moderndogmagazine.com/breeds/poodle

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I'm superrt! sma

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IS YOUR DOG TRYING TO TELL YOU SOMETHING? How dogs tell us what is happening in their world

By Stanley Coren Illustration by Michelle Simpson

S

ometimes it is the observation of small, every day behaviours that leads to an increased understanding of how dogs think and behave. I was reminded of this when a friend gave me a gift. It was a boxed set of selected episodes from the “Lassie” television show, which ran from the early 1950s through the mid-1970s, during which a handsome Collie shared adventures with several different families in various settings and situations.

It was a warm, lazy afternoon, and we had nothing else planned, so I offered my friend a beer and the two of us sat down to look at a randomly selected episode and watch my favourite dog star perform. At one point in the episode, Timmy, played by the child actor Jon Provost, got into trouble (as usual). Lassie ran off to get him some help, and in the next scene we got to see Lassie running up to Cloris Leachman, who played Timmy's mother. Lassie looked directly at her, then turned and looked in the direction where Timmy could be found. When she did not seem to respond, the dog looked at the woman again, making clear eye contact, and then gave a quick bark before looking back in the direction where the dog’s young master was located. Next Lassie repeated the behaviours, even taking a few quick steps toward that path that she wanted the woman to follow. Timmy's mother eventually got the idea and raced out of the kitchen to go help save her son.

My friend, who is an astute psychologist but does not work with dogs (or any animals other than humans), gave a little

chuckle and commented, “It would be nice if dogs actually acted like that. What the director is having the dog do is a choreographed dance. He’s trying to show us the behavioural equivalent of what a child who can't yet verbalize might do in this situation. It begins with the child trying to attract the attention of an adult by at least pointing in the direction she wants the adult to go. But that, of course, is beyond the capability of a dog. Dogs use communication to tell us how they're feeling, and although they're good at expressing their emotional states (tail wags, growls, whimpers, and that sort of thing) they certainly don't engage in referential communication where they tell us about interesting things in the environment, like where you might find a pot of gold—or, I suppose in the dog's case, a pot of biscuits.”

I was impressed that my friend had picked up on the significance of the dog's behaviour; however, as I later explained to him, it is actually true that dogs naturally behave exactly like Lassie did in that TV episode. It is simply the canine way of “showing” us what is happening in their world. As far as I can determine, the first scientific discussion and demonstration of this kind of behaviour appeared in the journal Animal Cognition. It was a report by a team of researchers headed by Adam Miklósi from the Department of Ethology at Eötvös University in Budapest, Hungary.

The study involved 10 dogs and the setup was fairly simple.

It took place in a room the dogs had been familiarized with. The room contained three bowls which were scattered around in moderndogmagazine.com

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ILLUSTRATION MICHELLE SIMPSON

different directions, placed upon bookshelves or other surfaces which were well above the dog's reach. Next, somebody (a person the dog already knows) enters the room and hides either some food or a favourite toy in one of those three bowls and then leaves. The dog's owner then enters the room and the researchers videotape what happens next.

Typically, the dog will engage in a behaviour where they attempt to make eye contact with their owner and, once that is done, they then look in the direction of the interesting stuff.

Sometimes the dogs will make a sound, a bark or a whimper, either when gazing directly at their owner or at the desired object.

The sound seems to have the same function as someone saying, “Hey look over here!” Gazing at the owner is a means of making sure that the dog has the human's attention and gazing toward the interesting material is then the equivalent of pointing.

Of course the researchers introduced a number of careful controls, since it could simply be that the dogs are just staring at something they want with no particular intention of communicating. Were that the case, even when the owner was not in the room, the dogs should continue to stare at the interesting location. It turns out, however, that the dogs look at the desirable location a lot less when the owner is not there.

It is principally when their owner is in the room that the dog's behaviour becomes this alternating gaze-at-the-person-and-then-theobject, which is repeated until they get some kind of response.

One interesting aspect of such behaviour is that dogs do not have to be taught this form of communication. It seems to appear naturally. And human beings, without any deliberate instruction, seem to recognize the significance of this sequence of actions, responding to it by going to check out the location that the dog is gazing at. The researchers suggest that perhaps the reason why this behaviour is so common in dogs may have to do with the intervention of humans. These investigators suggest that, perhaps during the process of domestication, we have systematically

selected dogs with better communication abilities. A dog who can tell us where there are things which interest him, or which he considers to be important, is a more useful companion and is easier to get along with. So the dogs that have this ability will be cared for a little bit better and will more likely be the ones selected for breeding. That means that if this behaviour is genetically controlled it will become more prevalent in successive generations of dogs.

In any event, it appears that the sequence of actions that we were observing in Lassie was not simply part of a “dance” concocted by Lassie's trainers and the film's director, but rather was an example of a common way in which dogs engage in “showing” us what they consider to be interesting in their world— the cookies on the counter, for example. n

TRAINING

WHY GROWLING IS GOOD Growling is meant to avert aggression, not cause it. But many owners misunderstand & correct their dogs.

By Nicole Wilde

I

magine this: You’re in line at the grocery store. The man behind you is standing very close, and you become uncomfortable. He inches up to where he’s practically touching you. There’s a woman in front of you, and the aisles are narrow. You have no space to move away. What would you do? Most people would turn around and say, “Excuse me” or something similar. But now imagine that your ability to speak was gone. You could try giving the man a stern look, but if that didn’t get the message across, you would eventually be forced to resort to physical measures, putting an arm out to stop him or even pushing him away.

The ability to communicate discomfort is very important to both people and dogs. Growling is a perfectly acceptable canine warning which, roughly translated, means, “Hey, I don’t like that,” “Don’t come any closer!” or “Please stop what you’re doing.” Just as in the grocery store scenario, taking away the ability to politely ask the offender to cease and desist eventually results in having to take physical action, which could result in a dangerous situation for both parties.

Humans are hard-wired to understand that a growl is a threat, so it’s reasonable and even advantageous to become upset when we hear one. But a growl from a dog is actually a good thing.

Don’t get me wrong; I’m not suggesting that it’s desirable for any dog to growl at his owner, but again, growling is a non-aggressive form of communication. Whether a dog is growling at another dog or a person, it’s a warning. If the dog wanted to attack, he would.

Growling is meant to avert aggression, not cause it. But many owners misunderstand and correct their dogs. The dog then learns that growling leads to being punished and suppresses the growl, which

often results in biting with no warning. As a trainer, I’ve seen many cases like that over the years, and they can be both difficult and dangerous to rehabilitate.

Growling has its own spectrum of intensity. If the pitch of a growl deepens, the dog’s arousal level is becoming more intense.

The accompanying body language offers information as well. A dog who is standing stock still when growling (as opposed to moving away in fear) is conserving his energy and standing his ground; this is a potentially volatile situation, whereas backing away while growling is the behaviour of a dog who is fearful or conflicted and is attempting to make the big, scary thing go away.

If you are on the receiving end of a growl, whether the dog belongs to you or someone else, the best course of action at the moment is to defuse the situation. After all, the dog’s arousal level is already elevated. You don’t want to shout, or worse, get physical, as those things could lead to a bite. Instead, look down and to the side. This communicates that you’re not a threat, while allowing you to keep the dog in your peripheral vision. Back away slowly. Don’t turn your back if you can help it, as some dogs are more prone to attack from the rear. If the dog in question is your own, address the situation that caused the growling at another time when your dog is calm. For example, if your dog was growling when you touched his paws, you would implement a behaviour modification program designed around a gradual desensitization to having paws touched. Always employ the assistance of a professional trainer if necessary. Remember, growling is simply communication. If we take a moment to assess why a dog is growling instead of automatically taking the attitude that he’s behaving inappropriately, we will react appropriately. n

Nicole Wilde is an award-winning author of ten books on canine behaviour. Her books, seminar DVDs, and Wilde About Dog blog can be found at nicolewilde.com.

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Puppy love! Make-up-free former Spice Girl Geri Horner rocks a casual look as she cuddles her two beloved dogs and heads out for a day in the British sunshine.

Their favourite accessoory is their dog

Plus-size model Ashley Graham is seen carrying her French Bulldog during a photoshoot for retailer Lane Bryant in Tribeca, NYC.

! s r a t Sey’re just

They love their pups!

Their dogs accompany them on errands

Their best workout buddy is their dog Newly engaged Pippa Middleton rocks a green checkered keyhole dress as she goes out and about with her Cocker Spaniel, Rafa, in West London.

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SNEAKERS, PACIFICCOASTNEWS; ©PALACE LEE, PACIFICCOASTNEWS

So You Think You Can Dance host Cat Deeley seen out walking her dog Lily in Beverly Hills, L.A. The TV host wore a 'Dancing is my cardio' muscle tank with capri leggings and sneakers.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: ©PACIFICCOASTNEWS; ©PACIFICCOASTNEWS; ©SAM SHARMA/

Th ! s u e k li

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Our Boutique is stocked with fashionable and durable collars, leashes, bow ties, and flowers for every outfit and occasion. marloannsboutique.com

Uniquely designed sterling silver jewelry fitting every budget for people who love dogs and cats. Featuring stunning dog breed, cherished memorials, personalized pendants, keepsake rings, and more. Made in USA. dazzingpawsjewelry.com

Keep your dog dry and warm! Equafleece dog clothing offers timeless British style and design. The soft Polartec fabric is 100% rainproof in the harshest weather conditions and dries a damp dog in minutes! equafleece.com

Get stylish accessories as unique as your dog at Cody and Bella, such as the nautically inspired ombre adjustable rope leash and individually numbered FOUND tag handmade in Brooklyn, NY. CodyandBella.com

Protect your furniture from unsightly dog hair, boogers, and stains with P.L.A.Y.’s Luxe Throws!

This dual-layered, waterresistant blanket drapes beautifully across your dog’s favourite lounging pad and is 100% washable. PetPLAY.com

moderndogmagazine.com

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They baby their dogs

They have their priorities—pillows & pups—straight!

Julianne Hough is seen taking a Saturday afternoon hike with her dog, Lexi.

Chelsea Handler makes her way through Los Angeles International Airport with her dog Chunk.

Setya’rresj!ust

!

FACE S I H T

Helena Christensen grabs a hot drink and walks her Miniature Australian Shepherd , Kuma (which means 'bear' in Japanese) through the west village NYC.

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They travel with their bestie Kelly Osborne carries her Pomeranian, Polly, in her arms as she walks through Los Angeles International Airport.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: ©PACIFICCOASTNEWS; ©MIGUEL AGUILAR, PACIFICCOASTNEWS;

They go for Sunday strolls

! like us

©PACIFICCOASTNEWS; ©PACIFICCOASTNEWS

Th

They share their ice cream Awww. Happy 3rd

They take their dogs for hikes Reese Witherspoon goes for a hike with her dogs in Los Angeles.

Setya’rresj!ust

Th

Who ya gonna call?

Rapper Eve looks to be getting in the Ghostbuster style in this fashionable boiler suit style ensemble as she walks her dog Hendrix in Manhattan's Soho neighborhood.

They strut their stuff

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! like us

Amanda Seyfried walks her dog around Toronto's fashionable Yorkville neighborhood.

They bring their dogs everywhere

PACIFICCOASTNEWS; © SEAN ONEILL, PACIFICCOASTNEWS; © LGJR-RG, PACIFICCOASTNEWS

tooe! cut

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: ©MATT PORTEOUS, PACIFICCOASTNEWS; © KAI,

birthday Prince George! This past July, Prince George celebrated his third birthday at the family's Norfolk, UK home by sharing ice cream with his English Cocker Spaniel, Lupo.

eat D.I.Y.

Fall Flavours

Add These Things to Your Dog’s Dinner

Perk up your dog’s dinner with these healthy fall toppers!

KALE Trendy kale can make a welcome addition to your dog's dinner, too.

A member of the brassica family (one of the groups of cruciferous veggies that includes rutabagas, turnips, broccoli, and cauliflower), kale is very high in beta carotene, vitamin K, and vitamin C, as well as carotenoid pigments. You can feed your dog leafy greens such as kale raw, dried, or lightly cooked. Try making kale chips by drying kale in your oven (it’s like vegetarian jerky!) or chopping and lightly steaming kale before adding it to your dog’s dinner.

ZUCCHINI is a good source of calcium, potassium, beta carotene, and folate.

Zucchini can be served to your dog cooked or frozen but we think it’s best fed raw. Try grating it and mixing a bit into your dog’s dinner!

SQUASH is high fibre and low calorie, making it great for helping dogs on a diet feel full. Like pumpkin, it can also be added to your dog’s dinner to bulk up his stool. Best of all, most dogs love its sweet taste and it’s a great source of beta carotene.

Pro tip: Cook the squash, remove the seeds, and then slice and freeze to make it a fun, crunchy, ready-to-go frozen snack for your dog.

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CRANBERRY Cranberries, which contain vitamin C, manganese, and fiber, can help fight urinary tract infections.

Most dogs don’t like them fresh (too tart!) but stewed is another story. Cook them down in a bit of water (no sugar added) then add a teaspoon or two to your dog’s dinner.

PUMPKIN Beta carotene- and fibrerich pumpkin is bulk forming, keeping the GI tract moving, which helps keep the cells lining the gut healthy. It’s also low calorie so it’s a great dinner addition for dogs on a diet.

D.I.Y.

GIZZARDS, the organ meats/turkey neck you usually find tucked away in the cavity of a whole bird, make an awesome occasional treat for dogs. Boil up the gizzards with a bit of water and then cut them into pieces (throw out the turkey neck but keep the cooking water to give to your dog—it will be deliciously flavoured). Once cool give little pieces to your dog as a special treat he’ll love! Organ meats should be fed sparingly. Liver, for example, is an excellent source of B vitamins (thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, and folic acid), vitamin A, and vitamin K. It is also a great source of iron. But too much liver may be toxic to dogs because of its high vitamin A content. Limit the amount of liver fed to your dog to not more than 1 g of fresh liver/Kg body weight per day.

TURKEY (OR CHICKEN) BROTH If you’ve roasted a

NUTRITIONAL (ENGEVITA) YEAST is

yeast that has been grown under controlled conditions and then treated with heat so that it is no longer active. A favourite of vegetarians and vegans, this yeast has a slightly nutty or cheesy flavour and is often used as a flavour enhancer—try it on your popcorn instead of salt and share a light, healthy snack with your pup! Nutritional yeast is very rich in B-vitamins, which play a role in the metabolism of fat, carbohydrate, and proteins.

Try sprinkling a small amount (less than a teaspoon) on your dog’s dinner to improve palatability.

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whole chicken or turkey, save that carcass! Throw it in a pot with some water and let it simmer away for a few hours. Then let it cool, pick the meat from the bones (discard the bones once picked clean) and you’ve made a healthy dinner topper for your dog he’s going to love! Pour some of the broth atop his regular dinner—we guarantee he’ll go crazy for it—and freeze the rest in ice cube trays so you can defrost single servings to add to your dog’s dinner as desired (like every day!).

OATMEAL This cold weather breakfast staple is a great source of soluble fibre and can be beneficial for older dogs that have trouble maintaining bowel regularity. It’s also an alternative grain source for dogs that are allergic to wheat. Keep in mind oatmeal should always be fed cooked and plain—no sugar or flavouring. Many of the small, microwavable oatmeal packets contain sugar and flavouring so nix these.

BROCCOLI We know a number of dogs—Modern Dog’s Miniature Dachshund, Esther, for one—that go wild for raw broccoli florets! Broccoli, a member of the cancer-fighting cruciferous (cabbage) vegetable family, is packed with phytochemicals, fibre, calcium, beta klcarotene, folate, and vitamins A and C and is low in calories. You can feed your dog bits of broccoli raw, cooked, or frozen. n

{Want it!} These hilariously apt tea towels from Emerson’s Kitchen are the perfect conversation starter in any dog-loving household and a great gift idea for your design-loving friends with dogs! $11, emersonskitchen.com

Help your dog (and the rest of your family) safely navigate hardwood stairs by adding these beautiful carpeted stair treads that prevent unnecessary slips and accidents. They come in a vast array of designs, ensuring you’ll find the perfect style to suit your home décor. From $85, deanstairtreads.com

Doggy Décor

{Editor’s Choice} Howly’s Peach Perfect dog bed is a must-have for the design obsessed dog lover. With its space-conscious, modern, beautifully minimal design and comfy cushion (thoughtfully waterproof for life’s little accidents), this unique den-like bed is as gorgeous as it is practical! From $220, codyandbella.com

Interior style that wags

{Great gift idea!} We’re loving the unique wall art created by Animal Blueprint Company.

Available in a whole array of breeds, these architecturally inspired pieces highlight unique features in the coolest way. Now with the option to customize with your dog's name. From $110, animalblueprintcompany.com {Editor’s Pick} Sanitas leather dog beds are the stuff dreams are made of. With their beautifully minimal lines, luxurious leather, bolstered edge, and three different cold foam elements providing different grades of hardness, this bed is the bomb. Each bed is custom made to suit the specific needs of your dog (size, breed, any infirmaries), and will look gorgeous in your living room. Someone call Architectural Digest! $700, sanitasdogsworlds.com

The multi-functional Fortress End Table does double duty as both a beautifully crafted end table for you and a cozy den for your dog! Its door can be shut to keep dogs safely secured, or left open so they’re free to roam! From $375, dynamicaccents.com

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Sweet dreams are guaranteed in Bowsers’ Donut Beds. These microvelvet beds—so soft—beg to be curled up in and are available in a rainbow of colours and patterns, from this dreamy blue to lattice, plaid, hot pink, and more. From $70, bowsers.com

SMILE!

Tula the PhoDOGrapher This GoPro-wearing rescue dog offers a smile-inducing dog’s-eye view into dog park hijinx, one that captures the joyousness at the heart of our best four-legged friends

E

ver wondered what life looks like from your dog’s perspective?

Susie Kixmoeller & Tula Tula, a GoPro-wearing Labrador, is here to show you. Susie Kixmoeller, Tula’s 17-year-old human big sister, wanted to capture the happy expressions she witnessed at the dog park, so she strapped a GoPro camera onto Tula’s harness and secured herself—and her growing 6,000 Instagram followers—an insider’s view. The photos caught on and Susie and Tula’s story has not only been picked up by scores of local TV stations throughout North America, but they’ve even been featured in the London Telegraph and London Daily Mail.

Wondering just what you’ll discover through Tula’s lens? In a word: joyousness, plain and simple. Expect plenty of lolling tongues, toothy grins, wide Pit Bull smiles, elated Border Collies, and general legs-akimbo silliness as Tula and her canine pals let loose in their neighbourhood dog park.

The GoPro takes two photographs every second, leaving Susie the arduous task of sifting through thousands of dog photos in order to find the perfect picture. It’s a time-consuming job, but the result is a distillation of everything we love about dogs: their unbridled enthusiasm, total lack of self-consciousness, and heedless abandon when it comes to playtime.

There is something undeniably magical about seeing the world from a dog’s point of view, but don’t just take our word for it—follow Tula on Instagram (@caninehappyhour) and see for yourself! n

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INSPIRE

R ead y to t a k e the leap?

Get Inspired!

THESE ENTREPRENEURS TURNED THEIR LOVE OF DOGS INTO CAREERS THEY ADORE

By J. Leslie Johnson

Necessity, the Mother of Invention Father and son duo Michael and Gary Friedland created ingeniously simple, brightly coloured rubber dog boots that protect dog paws from injury, whether from hot sidewalks or earthquake rubble.

T

his past April, a massive, magnitude 7.8 earthquake rocked the coast of the South American country of Ecuador, collapsing buildings, destroying entire districts, and burying many in the towns of Manta, Portoviejo, and Pedernales. More than 600 died. Over 20,000 were injured.

Ecuador deployed over 10,000 soldiers to the disaster-strewn area, and the military brought in search and rescue dogs to seek for survivors amidst the rubble. The courageous dogs worked amidst the buckled buildings without hesitation, sometimes locating survivors, sometimes locating bodies. They paid a high price for their valor: jagged steel, shards of glass, and shattered

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concrete tore into their legs and paws as they searched.

In the United States, Spanish-language station Amore Radio contacted Pawz, a Brooklyn-based company specializing in paw protection for dogs. Will the company help? Pawz immediately sent 120 packs of boots to the grief-stricken area in an effort to protect the heroic search and rescue dogs.

The boots, made of a durable natural rubber, provide a strong barrier between the dog’s paws and potentially dangerous substances such as harmful chemicals, splintered building materials, and searing hot pavement. The deceptively simple protective boots are the brainchild of Gary Friedman, a retired art director in the New York area, who studied at the LaGuardia School of Music and Art, the inspiration for the hit movie Fame.

Gary, who enjoys taking his Jack Russell Terrier, Huckleberry, for walks in the city, tried a number of boots to protect his dog’s paws from hazards such as salt and chemicals but kept running into a problem: he couldn’t keep the boots on Huckleberry’s paws.

Father and son duo Michael & Gary Friedland have created & marketed ingeniously simple—and effective— dog boots.

Frustrated, Gary drew on his creative background and set to work designing dog boots that would stay on Huckleberry’s feet. After numerous inventive experiments, including the use of rubber dishwashing gloves and party balloons, Gary contacted a friend who ran a latex factory.

Somehow, they’d manage to slip off and frequently be lost. Losing one boot meant buying an entire new set of four, an expensive proposition.

Frustrated, Gary drew on his creative background and set to work designing dog boots that would stay on Huckleberry’s feet. After numerous inventive experiments, including the use of rubber dishwashing gloves and party balloons, Gary contacted a friend who ran a latex factory. His initial efforts progressed into a carefully engineered design, one that would hold up on the sidewalks of New York City. Gary started walking Huckleberry, sporting the colourful new rubber boots, drawing the attention of curious onlookers.

Some just smiled as they saw a dog walking about in what appeared to be a pair of rubber galoshes. Others stopped him. They wanted to know where they could buy the boots. Gary, however, is not the entrepreneurial type. He is passionate about the boots but not about marketing. This is where his son, Michael, steps in. Like his father, Michael is artistic, having studied at Ithaca College in New York, a top school for film and media, and he works as a photographer and graphic designer. Unlike Gary, Michael has a strong entrepreneurial spirit. He also has a law degree and a head for business.

Michael just so happened to be looking around for a new business venture when he learned about the excitement his father’s new boots were creating. He understood the moderndogmagazine.com

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Deep inside, you know what you want to do, so don’t be afraid to go ahead with what makes you happy.

need for the boots, having first-hand knowledge of the peril to paws that lurks on busy urban streets and roads. Michael has a Husky/Lab cross, a beautiful white dog with striking blue eyes.

“One time, I found him whining in what I thought was a puddle of water,” Michael recalls. “It turned out to be liquid chloride, a chemical used to melt ice on the roads.”

Gary and Michael decided to turn the boots into a business and in 2005, they started Pawz, with Gary as primary designer and Michael as primary marketer.

The innovative balloon-like boots have many selling points.

For one, Pawz dog boots are safe for both the dog and the environment. They are made from natural rubber, a milky liquid called latex, which oozes from trees such as Hevea brasiliensis, commonly known as the rubber tree, when cut. In contrast, synthetic rubber is created artificially using chemicals such as acetylene and hydrochloric acid to make water-resistant substances like neoprene. Since Pawz are 100 percent natural, they are biodegradable and can be recycled. The bright colours of the boots—blue, purple, green, and hot pink—are derived from vegetable dyes.

The rubber boots, featuring a large balloon-like area that stretches over the dog’s paw, are much narrower at the top, where they fit quite snugly over the leg. This means the boots are quite easy to put on, and once on, they tend to stay on. In addition, the boots are inexpensive as compared to leather dog boots and sell in packs of 12. Although the boots are reusable, they eventually wear out over time. Once a boot has worn out, the dog owner can simply recycle it and slide a new one over the dog’s paw.

“It’s a “feel-good” business,” Michael explains, adding, “Our customers love the product and it solves a problem that they had. I see people smile when I walk down the street with a dog wearing brightly coloured boots—it makes everyone’s day, seeing a dog walking in blue boots.”

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Couture and Coconuts Twin sisters Charisa Antigua and Carmina O’Connor followed their passion to start not just one but two successful businesses, creating both stylish pet fashions and health-improving treats.

“D

eep inside, you know what you want to do, so don’t be afraid to go ahead with what makes you happy,” says Charisa Antigua. That is exactly what she and her twin sister, Carmina O’Connor, did when they co-founded Oscar Newman Luxury Pet Couture, a high-end pet fashion business for dogs.

The sisters, born in the Philippines, immigrated to the United States in the early 1990s where they completed post-graduate training in Computer Science. Although they had promising careers in the IT field working for information giants such as IBM, as creatives, they felt something was missing. After work they’d find themselves dabbling in pursuits like oil painting—until they they experimented with an entirely new creative outlet: designing clothes for Charisa’s Yorkshire Terrier, Barbie. “We fell madly in love with doing this,” Charisa says.

And so, in 2003, the sisters co-founded their company, Oscar Newman, featuring an exclusive line of pet couture, including dresses, coats, and sweaters as well as blankets and toys, aimed at upscale pets and their owners. Their stylish garments feature hand-dyed fabrics and embellishments such as beading, crocheting, and smocking. Swarovski crystals adorn many of the garments and celebrities such as Hilary Duff, Paris Hilton, and Britney Spears have outfitted their dogs with Oscar Newman apparel. “We saw there was a growing demand for high-end pet fashion and we haven’t looked back since!” says Charisa.

Although Charisa and Carmina have a small staff at their headquarters in Batavia, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, it’s skillful artisans in the Philippines that create the garments under the watchful eye of their older sister, Jesusa, who conducts the

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Auburn Leathercrafters' handcrafted leather dog collars.

Pawz durable, natural rubber dog boots.

Oscar Newman high-style dog clothes.

We saw there was a growing demand for high-end pet fashion and we haven’t looked back since!

company’s operations in the island country. Charisa and Carmina draw upon their artistic talents to design the stylish, distinctive garments in the United States and then the nimblefingered crafters in Southeast Asia meticulously create them by hand.

The tags for their first collection featured the image of Charisa’s beloved Yorkshire Terrier, Barbie, who was the inspiration for the company. Upon her passing, another little dog, Violet, came into Charisa’s life. Although Violet was sweet and loving, she had some serious health issues.

“Violet had every allergy under the sun and a compromised immune system,” explains Charisa, adding, “She would scratch herself until she bled.” In a concerted effort to help the little dog, Charisa fed Violet a variety of fresh, wholesome diets and eliminated suspect foods such as grains but nothing helped.

Then Charisa remembered how her own grandmother had cared for her in the Philippines. When she felt unwell, her nanna would give her fresh, wholesome coconut oil. Charisa started mixing organic coconut oil into Violet’s food, a teaspoon of oil for every 10 pounds of body weight, and soon she started seeing results. “We were able to wean her off Prednisone [a steroid medication] for her allergies,” explains Charisa, adding, “She improved beyond belief.”

Encouraged by Violet’s rapid improvement, the sisters looked into scientific research on the benefits of coconut oil for pets and discovered it can improve immune function as well as enhance digestion. Pets that regularly ingest premium coconut oil often have healthier skin and coats, and conditions such as chronic ear infections can improve. At the same time, their friends, noticing the remarkable improvement in Violet’s health, started asking

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for coconut oil for their own pets. Charisa and Carmina found it was difficult to find high-grade organic coconut oil for pets in the U.S. and so in 2009 they launched CocoTherapy, a company that offers a range of coconut-based products for pets, from organic virgin coconut oil to nutritious treats such as coconut chips.

“There are different ways to make coconut oil and CocoTherapy uses the very best methods,” says Charisa, adding, “The oil is squeezed from the meat the day we harvest them.”

The sisters make the high-quality oil in the Philippines, one of the world’s top producers of coconut oil, again under the careful management of their sister Jesusa. Wanting to give back to the country that has given them so much, Charisa and Carmina donate a percentage of profits from all CocoTherapy sales to the island nation’s Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS).

However, PAWS is not the only animal rescue group that the sisters assist. In addition to supporting numerous organizations in the United States such as the Animal Cancer Foundation, Yorkies Inc., and Best Friends Animal Society, Charisa and Carmina also created Violet’s Friend in Need Fund, a program that provides pet owners with financial assistance for urgent veterinary care. “When Violet was sick, her vet bills were in the thousands,” recalls Charisa. Although she was able to provide for Violet, many owners cannot, and so they are often left with considering euthanasia. Part of the profits from both Oscar Newman and CocoTherapy are invested into the fund and interested applicants can apply at www.cocotherapy.com.

“As a company overall, we are very conscientious about the products we make,” explains Charisa. “We want pet lovers to know they can trust our products. It is a labor of love and we do it because we love our pets.”

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We are all rushing through our days,” says Anita, of the hectic, modern-day lives that many of us lead. “Our products are quiet and simple, a reminder of something we want to be in touch with.

Handcraftmanship & Traditional Values At family-run Auburn Leathercrafters, America’s oldest manufacturer of leather dog collars, Alan and Anita Dungey are the third generation to proudly carry on the tradition of handcrafted dog products made with love and a commitment to community values.

A

nita Dungey watches her new employee, a troubled youth, with a small measure of concern. It’s his first day.

He looks discouraged and Anita wonders if the semirepetitive nature of the job is dampening his enthusiasm. On the second day, however, she sees a change in his outlook. Holding a sturdy, handcrafted dog collar in his hand, he enthuses, “This is really cool—I just made something!”

“This was incredibly encouraging for me,” says Anita as she remembers the satisfaction her new employee, hired as part of a commitment to community outreach, derived from working with his own hands and creating a tangible product.

Anita and her husband, Alan, operate Auburn Leathercrafters, the oldest maker of leather dog collars in the United States. The company got its start in 1950, when Alan’s grandfather, Everett Dungey, began fashioning handmade dog collars in his basement, impelled by his strong love of dogs and a fervent entrepreneurial spirit. The aspiring business owner started to show his carefully handcrafted products at local pet stores and soon discovered there was a growing demand for them. Everett expanded his business, moving from his basement to an actual shop. In time, his son, Gordon, Alan’s father, joined him and together they developed the business into a full line of leather dog collars, leashes, and harnesses.

Like his father and grandfather before him, Alan makes his handcrafted collars and leashes in Auburn, a city in Cayuga County, New York. The city of 27,000 is located in the Finger Lakes Region of Upper New York state, a beautiful area of rolling hills and lush forests separated by 11 freshwater lakes that

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spread like fingers across the area. He maintains a small staff, which he treats, as did his grandfather and father, more like members of the family than employees.

“We foster values such as attention to detail and a determined work ethic, and this has created a wonderful team,” says Anita. “We support them and they are proud to say they work here.” Anita and Alan hire people from all walks of life—those with disabilities, ex-members of the military, and youths with troubled backgrounds—giving all an opportunity to contribute to the company and the community.

Anita and Alan’s son, Christopher, will be following in his forebearers' footsteps—having just completed college, he is now returning to Auburn Leathercrafters. Alan will carry on the tradition of passing the family’s knowledge to his son, just as his father passed it to him, and his grandfather before him.

“Christopher is excited about coming back and learning the business from top to bottom,” asserts Anita. And for her part, Anita is enthusiastic about her son assisting with new ventures such as expanding Auburn’s line into Europe and Australia. The company must find a way to maintain the quality of its carefully crafted collars and leashes while absorbing other expenses such as the high cost of shipping. However, as Anita and Christopher maneuver the maze of constraints presented by a volatile, everchanging world, they have an ally to guide them: their strong Christian faith.

“We stand behind all that we do, and if we make a mistake, we admit it and make it right,” explains Anita. “We can be proud of knowing we tried to do what was right, and we were not wasteful of our time and resources.”

Alan and Anita still produce the hallmark leather collars, leashes, and harnesses that Gordon and Everett created, but have enhanced the line with a few innovative designs of their own. “We added a cotton and leather line of tug toys that has done very well,” explains Anita. She believes their all-natural products appeal because they evoke a simpler time, a movement back to the earth, towards nature. “We are all rushing through our days,” says Anita, of the hectic, modern-day lives that many of us lead. “Our products are quiet and simple, a reminder of something we want to be in touch with.”

Auburn’s fine products are available through pet retailers across the U.S. and Canada as well as online at collarsandmore. com (auburndirect.com for wholesalers). n

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STYLE

Choosing The Best Dog Bed For Your Dog Options abound and all dogs have different preferences. Here’s how to choose the right bed for your dog.

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hoosing the right bed for your dog may sound like a simple task but it’s more complicated than one may think. If you’ve ever had the experience of choosing a cute new dog bed only to discover your dog will lie anywhere but there, you know what we’re talking about. Dogs, like us, are all different and have unique preferences when it comes to their beds. And if you consider the fact that the average dog sleeps 14 hours a day (for puppies and large breeds, this number could be more like 17 or 18 hours a day!), you’ll want to make sure your pup has the perfect-for-her spot to snooze. Here are our top picks in six categories.

BEST FOR: ENVIRONMENTALLY CONSCIOUS DOGS AND THEIR PEOPLE Of course your dog deserves an ultra-comfy, ultra-stylish bed—but what if that bed was also eco-friendly? That’s a big win in our books. P.L.A.Y.’s fashionably unique and durable dog beds are designed to fit any stylish home AND are environmentally responsible. Their beds’ 100% natural cotton exterior is filled with polyfiber stuffing made from recycled plastic bottles. Reduce, reuse, recycle!

Plus, with removable, machine washable and dryer-friendly covers, keeping them clean is a breeze (which also means they’ll last a lot longer). P.L.A.Y. has even been Gold Certified by Green America’s Green Business Certification program for their company's environmental efforts! From $85, petplay.com

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BEST FOR: SMALLER BREEDS

Don’t forget the little guy! For our smaller four-legged friends we recommend the Cocoon Bed From Kruuse.

Its low profile makes it easy for smaller breeds to get in and out of, but the bolstered sides still offer plenty of comfort and support. This luxurious bed is made with anti-rip material, is easy to clean, and completely washable, making it a perfect pick for smaller pups! From $40, kruuse247.com

BEST FOR: DOGS PRONE TO SMELLING A TAD “DOGGIE” Who, me?

BEST FOR: LARGER BREEDS Do you frequently find your big dog hanging off the edge of his bed? For big dogs that like to stretch out (i.e. all of them), we recommend the Mix & Match Memory Foam Bed from Be One Breed. Their newest bed offers multiple waterproof cover options, ensuring the perfect match for your home décor. It's spacious enough for your Great Dane, though long and short-limbed pooches alike will dig this style-conscious and comfortable bed!

From $41, beonebreed.com

S OR BEST FOR: OLDER DPOAGIN DOGS WITH JOINT

While we love our dogs to the moon and back, dog-smell isn’t our favourite scent. For a bed that offers your dog the comfiest place to lay his head while also resisting eau de dog (that’s French for dog odour), we recommend the Dog Gone Smart Repelz-It Rectangular Bed. Repelz-It uses both nanotechnology and a state-of-the art bacteriostatic to keep stains, dirt, liquid, bacteria, and pet odours from clinging to the fabric even after much use! And believe us, with its high density, AAA-grade, siliconized polyfill that maintains a high loft and eliminates fill bunching, your dog will be spending a lot of time atop this odour-resistant bed! From $79, dgspetproducts.com

BEST FOR: DOGS WHO LIKE FEELING ENCLOSED Some dogs, especially little ones, feel most comfortable when enveloped.

For them we recommend the Buttercup Bed from Bowsers. This versatile bed is totally clever: by adjusting the toggle tightness the bed can instantly be transformed into a flat bed for lounging, then just as quickly back into a secure, buttercup shape for your little snuggler!

From $55, bowsers.com Older dogs and those with joint pain or arthritis need an extra supportive bed to cushion sore joints and prevent aches and pains. Our choice: the Crown Supreme Memory Foam dog bed from Buddyrest. Its high-density foam base retains a sturdy shape and is topped with a cooling, pressure-relieving foam layer that provides ultimate comfort. A low profile means it’s easy to get in and out of, and the bolsters provide a sense of security and a comfortable place for your dog to rest his head. No worries if your older dog has bladder problems—the bed is waterproof, odour resistant, and easy to clean. $330, buddyrest.com

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USED WITH SPECIAL PERMISSION OF KING FEATURES SYNDICATE

Listen To Your Heart Ahead of the curve: Mutts comic strip creator has spent the last 20 years promoting animal adoption—and he’s not prepared to stop there

By Andrea Querido

I

t's often said “a picture is worth a thousand words,” but if the shelter animals depicted in Patrick McDonnell’s Shelter Stories comics could talk, they’d probably have these two heartfelt words to share: thank you.

For the past 20 years—long before today’s current trend of rescue awareness—Patrick McDonnell, the award-winning artist and creator of the Mutts comic strip (which Peanuts creator Charles Schultz called “one of the best comic strips of all time.”), has run a cartoon series sharing the tales of shelter animal and encouraging adoption.

Called Shelter Stories, the series began life after Patrick received a call from the Humane Society of the United States asking if he would lend his talent to promote Animal Shelter Awareness Week. Today, Patrick’s Shelter Stories runs in 700 newspapers around the world, twice a year—both the first week of May and the first week of November—to highlight the stories of some 10 million cats and dogs (among countless other species, like rabbits and guinea pigs), who wind up in

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animal shelters each year. (A published book entitled Mutts Shelter Stories: Love. Guaranteed has collected fan favourites.)

The inspiration for the series? Patrick gives all the credit to his first dog, Earl, a Jack Russell who lived to the wise old age of 19.

“Earl just had this love of life and, just looking at this joy, and thinking of the other animals who deserve that… if people would only find it in their hearts to welcome a new family member into their home…” says Patrick.

This past May, Patrick’s work was featured in Episode 6 of the PBS series “Shelter Me: Hearts and Paws,” hosted by Kristen Bell. The episode follows Patrick on his inspirationgathering journey through the Animal Care Centers of NYC, the only open admissions shelter in New York. From doggie playgroups to bunny speed dating and pet adoption events, Patrick used his experiences to create a new “Shelter Stories” installment to encourage people to support their local shelters and adopt from them.

“The Animal Care Centers of NYC alone takes in 34,000 animals a year and they’re open 24/7. This year, so far, they’re at a 93 percent adoption rate, which is pretty incredible. They’re the angels, the ones working 24/7 for these animals. [They] are the true heroes of the series,” says Patrick, himself a New Jersey native.

So where did his love of animals come from? Like many children, Patrick adored animals. “I’ve always been an animal lover; I was in love with Snoopy and wanted a dog really bad.”

But unlike most kids, this childhood desire to have a fourlegged friend to call his own subconsciously followed him.

When he began his magazine illustration career, working for such publications as Sports Illustrated and Time magazine, he found that his cartoons would more often than not feature a generic dog in the background. It was only after his editor revealed that the “generic” dog he kept drawing was actually a Jack Russell Terrier that Patrick decided to act on this overdue wish and his childhood dream of welcoming a dog

into his family finally came to fruition.

“It was full circle, really. The cartoon dog became a real dog, and then the real dog inspired Mutts,” says Patrick.

A love of pets wasn’t the only thing that began in childhood. Although he attended the School of Visual Arts in New York City on scholarship, graduating in 1978, Patrick says his love of cartoons started as early as four or five years old.

“I was lucky, my mom and dad went to art school in New York City, so art was encouraged in our home. It’s just something I wanted to do my whole life and I was lucky I had parents who encouraged me to follow my dream.”

Clearly, it’s Patrick’s ability, honed over a lifetime, to “draw everything like they are alive,” coupled with his lifelong love of animals, that enables him to so powerfully capture the stories, struggles, and successes of the pets featured in his Shelter Stories. “I just feel like they’re our fellow beings on this planet. They’re little souls we share this earth with.”

The series has led to countless letters from fans sharing

Patrick McDonnell with his pup Amelie—adopted from the same shelter featured in the film.

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“

”

#Adopt One of the biggest misconceptions about shelter animals is that they’re damaged or troubled. But, as Patrick shares, each has his or her own unique story.

Sometimes an owner passes away or is no longer able to take care of their beloved pet, and so off to the shelter they go.

“For a long time people wanted a certain breed of dog, let’s say, and you couldn’t find it at a shelter. But now, with petfinder.com, you can just punch in the breed you want and it will show you all the shelters in your local area with those breeds,” says Patrick, adding the simple joy of helping a pet in need is sometimes beyond words.

“Shelter animals are just so grateful. You just get nothing but unconditional love if you save a life.”

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how his Shelter Series has changed their lives and, in turn, the lives of a shelter animal.

“I did a story once about dogs and cats with health problems and the dog, Sky, wanted to be adopted, but he was deaf. The last line was ‘listen to your heart.’ About a month after that story appeared, I received a letter from a police officer who had been part of a drug bust, and there was a deaf dog she had to take to the local shelter. She said that for the rest of the day she couldn’t get that dog out of her head. Shortly after she read the paper where that comic strip appeared and she went back to the shelter to adopt that dog,” he says, adding “I would say that’s the best letter I ever got.”

Next up for this passionate animal advocate is bringing his beloved Mutts characters to life in a screenplay currently in development with Fox Animation, which Patrick calls “entertainment, but with a strong animal message”.

It’s another way to share the message he’s been trying to impart throughout his whole career: “You can find a new best friend. It could save your life, and save a life. They’re just waiting for you.”

W

hat if the long-term commitment of pet adoption isn’t your thing? Patrick says there are a lot of ways you can help your local animal shelter.

“They’re always looking for foster parents, which is a great way for an animal to be back in a normal house setting, offering some relief for the animal,” says Patrick. “Plus you

might have the chance to adopt him out (assisting in finding his forever home) or you might choose to keep him!”

In addition to foster pet parents, many shelters are in need of volunteers who are able to care for the pets (walk them, clean their litter, etc.) and, always, donors who are willing to donate blankets and food.

* A heart-warming must-watch! The first five episodes of the "Shelter Me" series are streaming online for free via ShelterMe.tv!

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I just feel like they’re our fellow beings on this planet.

They’re little souls we share this earth with.

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Ecosmart Designs is finally here, after years of blood, sweat, and tears! Over 800 styles of jewelry, tags, and gifts, all MADE IN AMERICA! You and your furry friends can choose from multiple breeds, colors, and designs. Retailers: all are attached to a beautiful story card backer and offered on a hardwood POP display in several sizes. ecosmartdesigns.com

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At Emerson’s Kitchen, they believe in all-natural and organic ingredients, a small carbon paw-print, and making the wait for a forever home a little more flavourful. Find all-natural treats your dog will love at emersonskitchen.com.

Protect your dog's health by adding daily Agatha's Apothecary Advanced Probiotics. Build a strong immune system and fight challenges pets face with these stay-fresh single serving, high potency, amazing probiotics for dogs! agathasapothecary.com moderndogmagazine.com

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TRAINING

7 WAYS TO TRANSFORM YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR DOG

xxx

This bond-based training approach can powerfully change the way you connect with your dog

By Jennifer Arnold

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everal years ago, I began studying how to help ease the anxiety I saw in so many dogs, even those trained using positive methods. These studies, along with my work as the Executive Director of Canine Assistants, a non-profit organization which trains and provides service dogs for children and adults with physical disabilities or other special needs, led me to an unexpected and in some ways unwanted epiphany. To be honest, my life would have been far simpler without it. It necessitated a change in approach that flew in the face of many of dog training’s most sacred methods. But this particular idea was worth the trouble. It simply changes everything for dogs and the people who love them.

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It turns out that we’ve been approaching life with dogs upside down. We’ve operated under the assumption that a well-mannered dog is a happy, secure dog. But that’s backwards. In fact, a happy, secure dog becomes a wellmannered dog. We’ve been focusing on what a dog does rather than how a dog feels. When dogs feel secure and loved, problem behaviours are largely eliminated. The need for us to direct our dogs’ actions becomes dramatically reduced.

Prior to changing my teaching method, I’d observe dogs jumping or mouthing or exhibiting frantic behaviour in an effort to be reassured; now utilizing a bond-based approach, I see these same dogs walk beside their people voluntarily, matching them stride for stride. These dogs can now imitate actions after a single demonstration, instinctively harmonizing with the energy and activity levels of their people. I’ve seen our service dogs, educated with bond-based teaching, perform feats indicative of astonishing cognitive prowess, such as

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counting objects, recognizing colours, indicating letters in order to spell simple words, fast-mapping to learn new words, discriminating between yes and no, large and small, up and down, and much more. This transformation is possible for all dogs—be they working assistants or beloved companions.

I was so moved by what I was witnessing that I was compelled to write a book, Love Is All You Need: The Revolutionary Bond-Based Approach to Educating Your Dog, outlining these principles, and now I want to spread the word. Here are seven key tips to get you started with bond-based teaching and transform your relationship with your dog!

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#

Put your relationship first. Dogs, like people, are highly social. For social

animals, relationships wield enormous power. If your dog has a great relationship with you, it gives him all the motivation he needs to make you happy. Remember, a good connection is reciprocal, allowing both parties some measure of control. For example, the effects of a reciprocal connection or lack thereof are quite obvious when walking your dog on leash. When one of you is dragging the other, the walk becomes arduous, sometimes even grueling. But when you and your dog are in sync, the walk becomes effortless and enjoyable. The difference is so dramatic that I created a leash that allows you to hold one end while your dog holds the other, giving both a feeling of connection and control. Think of leash-walking as a microcosm of everyday life with your dog. Because dogs must function in our human world, the leadership role falls primarily to us, but that doesn’t mean we should act as dictators. Our greatest influence comes from connection, not direction.

#

2

Seek to understand your dog. In

any good relationship, empathetic understanding is critical. Your dog already spends a great deal of time trying to understand you, analyzing your habits, moods, and preferences. Do your dog the same courtesy: learn as much as you can about dogs in general. What colours can they see? How does their amazing sense of smell work? What emotions do they appear to experience? Study your dog to learn as much about him as you can. What does he like to eat? What games does he enjoy? Is he a laid-back couch potato or a high-energy herder? What are his greatest fears? To know is undoubtedly to love—something he likely figured out about you long ago. moderndogmagazine.com

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reactivity or stalling on leash), or an effort to cope with stress (such as paper shredding, compulsive chewing or excessive barking). With most training methods, the suggested solutions to these problem behaviours involve increasing your control over your dog, thus starting the cycle again.

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3

Look with eyes of love. Your perspective determines

your response to things that happen. If you believe that your dog gets angry when left alone in the house and seeks revenge by shredding your paper towels, you’re bound to get angry in return. Undoubtedly, you would be more sympathetic if you realized that dogs who do “naughty” things while you are away, such as shredding paper towels, are likely doing so as a way of coping with the fact that they miss you. Remember that his very life depends upon you taking care of him. He would never do anything just to anger or frustrate you. If he does upset you, do all in your power to see the situation through his eyes, those same eyes that view you with such adoration.

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Help your dog learn to trust you. Studies have shown

that dogs develop attachment patterns to their primary caregivers similar to those experienced by preverbal children. It is critical that your dog’s attachment to you be a secure one. Dogs who have secure attachments to their people are far less likely to display problem behaviours rooted in anxiety than their less secure counterparts. You can secure your dog’s attachment to you by responding consistently to his needs and never making him feel that he has to earn your love or caring. If he asks for your attention or affection, give it to him. Give him treats as “I love you and will always care for you” gifts rather than as rewards for his compliance to your directives.

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5

Stop training your dog. Current approaches to training

dogs, including positive reinforcement, promote a sense of conditional affection—I love you if you do as I say, or I will feed you when you please me. This is something that can badly damage your dog’s trust in you and in himself, creating a vicious cycle. Damaged trust results in increased anxiety that increases the likelihood of problem behaviours. These problem behaviours may be linked to a desire to secure your connection or caregiving (think mouthing, jumping, and submissive urination), a need to exert greater control over his environment (such as

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#

7

Help your dog learn. Learning can be a social, internally

motivated process as happens when a dog discovers that sitting when his person sits helps keep his group in sync and makes his person happy. Internally motivated learning is far better overall for dogs, allowing them to develop a strong bond with their teachers and exert a measure of control over their environment, necessary for mental wellbeing. Internally motivated learning in dogs is also better for us as it requires less vigilance and allows our dogs greater flexibility in understanding what constitutes appropriate behaviour. A dog who knows how to sit when cued requires more direction and management than does a dog who figures out that it is best to be still and quiet when his person is still and quiet. Give your dog the chance to learn to direct his own behaviour by allowing him to watch and synchronize with you and he will do so appropriately the vast majority of the time. And, dogs trusted to self-direct are more likely to comply when you do have to request a particular behaviour.

Allow Your Dog to Astonish You. Cognition is the

acquisition of knowledge and understanding as the result of mental processes such as memory, thought, planning, and perception. Thanks to the many canine cognition centers now open at prestigious universities worldwide, we know that dogs are capable of relatively complex cognition. Can your dog learn to answer yes or no questions? Can he distinguish between yellow and blue? Can he copy your actions when asked?

Can he sniff out a treat or toy you’ve hidden? Ask him. Teach him that touching your left hand indicates yes and your right hand indicates no. Show him something in yellow as you say, “yellow” and likewise with blue. Demonstrate a simple action and ask your dog to do like me. Hide his kibble or toys around the house or fenced yard and allow him to follow his nose. We’ve been so focused on telling our dogs what to do that we’ve forgotten to ask them what they are capable of doing. The answer may well astonish you!

Living with and loving dogs can and should be a pleasure. There is certainly no need for fear, force, or conditional affection. All of those are counterproductive to what is most essential: your relationship with your dog. And as in any relationship, the bond is the key element. The way to achieve a bond beyond measure is quite simple: love is all you need! n Jennifer Arnold is the author of Love is All You Need: The Revolutionary Bond-Based Approach to Educating Your Dog, on sale August 23rd.

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INSPIRE Noreen Kohl and Gillian.

A Survivor's Story Gillian, a gentle Tosa (Japanese Mastiff) mix survived the dog meat trade. Read her story and find out how you can help end this barbaric practice.

By Pooja Menon

A

t first glance, Gillian is just like any other companion dog—joyful, affectionate, and always accompanied by a wagging tail. She’s tall and broadchested—a Mastiff trait—has soulful eyes, and a gentle mouth that gives the softest kisses. She loves to run, wrestle with other dogs from her pack, sunbathe on the deck, and ponder life’s complexities (or so we like to think) over chew bones. Her fur-bestie is a Cane Corso puppy named Daphne.

But dig a little deeper into her story and you’ll find this gentle giant has suffered atrocities that are most likely beyond anything you or I can comprehend. You see, Gillian is a victim and a survivor of the dog meat trade. She was born and reared on a dog meat farm in South Korea, in a district in the South Chungcheong Province. For her, small pleasures like rolling around in fresh cut grass, chewing on a bone, and getting belly rubs are brand new experiences that are nothing short of miraculous.

What Gillian is familiar with, however, is being a prisoner and suffering intense cruelty at the hands of human beings. Human

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interactions prior to Gillian’s rescue and rehabilitation often resulted in her being coerced, intimidated, or tortured. Sadly, her plight is not an exception, but the rule for all dogs reared on dog meat farms.

According to the South Korean government figures, more than two million dogs a year are reared on dog meat farms located throughout the peninsula. The dog meat trade is also rampant in China, Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, and the Philippines, however, these countries largely source their meat from the streets—it’s unthinkable, but the dogs eaten in these countries are often strays and stolen pets. South Korea is the only country known to have established dog meat farms to supply the demand fueled by the erroneous belief that consuming dog meat helps to increase stamina and virility.

Also, unlike its other Asian counterparts like Hong Kong, the Philippines, and Taiwan, where the dog meat trade is banned, the South Korean government has yet to impose a ban.

Gillian’s story prior to her rescue is not for the fainthearted.

Dog meat farms are overcrowded and unimaginably filthy.

The farms range from backyard enterprises to factory farmstyle facilities that house thousands of dogs. Dogs reared on these farms are kept tethered to short ropes or in small, barren cages with wire mesh flooring that offer no padding for their paws. They suffer intense hunger and thirst, are kept in close confinement 24 hours a day, and have little to no room to move around. This, combined with often witnessing the slaughter of other dogs in front of them, puts an enormous strain on them, often crippling them with fear.

Hard as it is to imagine today, Gillian came from a farm no different than the ones described above. The fact that she escaped a violent death—on a farm that is still in business today—is solely because of the timely intervention of her guardian angel and tireless animal advocate, Lola Webber, co-founder of Change for Animals Foundation (CFAF).

Lola first laid eyes on Gillian in July 2015, when visiting dog meat farms alongside Humane Society International (HSI) to assess possible farm closures/conversions to crop based farming.

At the time, HSI had just begun their operations to shut down as many dog meat farms as possible, leveraging the critical resources and funding available to them, and partnering up with CFAF to help raise awareness about the dog meat trade. Unfortunately, due to a myriad of reasons, Gillian’s farm was one both organizations were unable to work with.

“I have visited countless farms and walking away from so much misery and knowing what fate awaits the dogs is one of the most heart-wrenching and shameful experiences,” Lola says.

“I cry tears of shame and remorse for the dogs and promise them

that I have seen them and that they matter to me. But the reality is that we can’t save them all.”

When asked why Lola chose to leave with Gillian when there were countless others she could have saved, Lola’s response is heartrending.

“Sometimes, when your heart has been broken into a million pieces, and you feel like the sadness is going to engulf and destroy you, you make a decision that you can make it right for one life.”

For Lola, that one life on that fateful day was Gillian’s. Gillian’s sad eyes and quiet dignity made it impossible for her to walk away. “The truth is, I bought Gillian off of the farmer that day with every dollar I had,” she admits.

Once Lola was able to ensure Gillian’s safety, she returned to Gillian’s cage to get better acquainted. What she saw up close was soul-destroying. Gillian was painfully thin—her skin sat tight over her ribcage, she could barely stand due to the sporadic use of her legs, and her teats hung almost to the wire mesh flooring—a result of being used over and over again for breeding puppies. Years’ worth of excrement was piled up underneath her cage, and the stench of feces and ammonia hung ripe in the air. None of this deterred Lola as she stepped up to the bars and offered Gillian her hand. For a dog that should have despised human beings, Gillian received Lola by hobbling over and laying her head against her hand, closing her eyes.

Gillian left that day with Lola and has never looked back since. Yet Gillian’s journey forward was anything but easy despite her lucky break. Post-rescue, Gillian was placed with an elderly couple in South Korea for the requisite 30-day quarantine period

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Lola Webber, cofounder of Change for Animals Foundation, with her own dog, Django, also rescued from a meat farm.

before she could be flown into the United States. A few days later, the worried couple called Lola to inform her that Gillian had gone into a difficult labour. Worried, Lola immediately dispatched a vet to ensure she made it through her delivery safely. The vet who cared for Gillian was able to save her, but he was sadly unable to save her puppies. Lola later learned that Gillian had given birth to 14 pups.

Once deemed fit to travel, Gillian was put on a plane to San Francisco, where her first stop was the San Francisco SPCA. She spent several months at the shelter receiving urgent medical care for various health complications and learning how to be a dog.

With patience and consistent efforts by staff and volunteers, Gillian began to enjoy daily walks, play sessions with other dogs, and positive interactions with humans (with the help of lots of treats and affection).

Gillian’s health, however, was a different story. The shelter vet team discovered complications with her uterus that required further testing for comprehensive answers—testing that was far beyond the scope of what the shelter could offer. They believed her complications might have been a result of multiple pregnancies and a botched C-section while at the farm. Thus Gillian would need to be placed with an experienced family or rescue that could continue to provide her with the medical care she needed to get fully better.

The SF SPCA Animal Partnership and Transfer Associate, Frances Ho, got to work immediately, putting feelers out within the rescue community. Did anyone out there have the resources to provide this gentle survivor with a much needed home to call her own?

Frances’ plea for help was answered by the wonderful folks at Gentle Ben’s Giant Breed Rescue, a rescue that specializes in finding homes for abandoned large breed dogs in need of second chances. Noreen Kohl and her husband, co-owners of the rescue,

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took one look at the photographs that accompanied Gillian’s story and knew they couldn't turn away. They assured Frances that they were ready to take Gillian in and make sure she received the best medical care possible.

Gillian set off once again to what would be the final leg of her journey. Her reception at the Pittsburg airport was trouble free, and she settled into her new home quickly, even getting off on the right foot with Noreen’s current entourage of rescue dogs. A week after Gillian had time to acclimate, Noreen took her to see an internist for an ultrasound and consultation. The results of the consultation turned out to be shocking. Gillian did not have a bladder at all!

The doctor assured Noreen that despite having no bladder and only one of her kidneys—the lack of either could be hereditary or a result of the botched C-section—Gillian was fully capable of living a normal, healthy life. Yes, she would battle urinary incontinence for the rest of her life, but she would make a wonderful companion regardless. Noreen accepted the challenge of caring for Gillian with grace, and brought her back home.

“Gillian is completely trusting of me,” Noreen says. “She is still a little wary of my husband, but will come up to him now when he’s sitting on the couch. She always comes up to me in the evening when I’m eating because she knows I will always give her a little bite of whatever I eat. She takes things so gently.”

Since having Gillian, Noreen has visited several websites to learn more about the horrific dog meat trade. What she’s seen, she confesses, sickens her. Watching the videos and learning more about the trade has left her with an even deeper respect for her four-legged child, both for Gillian’s capacity to still have faith in humanity and for her endless ability to forgive. “She knows we love her so much, and I think she truly feels at home with us.

She finally has a chance to enjoy life.” n

Create Change

PHOTO ©PACIFICCOASTNEWS

W

hile people’s perceptions in South Korea about the dog meat industry are changing, there is still a ways to go before the climate turns favourable for an all out ban on the trade. For one, the practice of consuming dog meat is closely bound with tradition, and while a lot of people don’t consume dog meat themselves, they are not ready to challenge the practice. Secondly, dogs reared on farms are considered to be “different” and “incapable” of being companion dogs, unlike “pet” dogs. In reality, the dog meat trade is widely supplemented with dogs from the pet industry as well as those that are reared as puppies on factory farms.

Unfortunately, these beliefs are what continue to secure support for the trade today, allowing some Korean lawmakers to push for the legalization of the dog meat industry through regulation by classifying certain breeds of dogs as livestock.

However, there is reason to feel hopeful.

The recent rise in pet ownership, especially among the younger generations, has vastly helped spur on the growing societal discontent between proponents and opponents of the dog meat industry and there is an increasingly vocal opposition to the trade.

HSI, CFAF and other local activists and organizations are working together to devise approaches to ending the trade for good—in a Lucy Watson and Carrie Fisher way that will bring dog meat farmers on board at a photocall for the #StopYulin to voluntarily give up their dogs for rehoming campaign at the Chinese and close their farms, establishing cropEmbassy, which culminated in based, non-animal farms in their place. the delivery of a petition to the These efforts have met with great success Chinese government to end the and continue to do so every single day. In Yulin Festival.

2015 alone, HSI, in tandem with CFAF, closed down four dog meat farms. Over 224 dogs were rescued from these farms and then rehomed. Both organizations hope to continue bringing about more farm closures while simultaneously working to raise the profile of meat dogs to show them as great companions.

With the upcoming 2018 Winter Olympics being held in South Korea, both organizations hope to continue building on the current momentum and use the exposure of the games to garner public support to eventually compel the government to ban the consumption of dog meat once and for all.

How you can lend your voice?

• Sign this HSI petition urging the Chinese government to ban the Yulin Dog Meat Festival in China, and share on your social pages using #StopYulin: hsi.org/stopyulin • Donate to Change for Animals Foundation’s (changeforanimals.org) campaigns that support ending the dog meat trade.

• Contribute toward Gillian’s ongoing medical care by visiting Gentle Ben’s Rescue: gentlebensgiants.org

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SPECIAL PROMOTION

Perfect Presents A gift guide for dogs & dog lovers

Pandora Compatible Beads – Over 100 breeds!

Exclusively from Bark Beads, this is the only line of beads featuring your specific dog breed. Over 100 breeds available! Pandora-compatible sterling silver beads, handcrafted in the USA. CHRISTMAS SALE – 40% off with code: BARK. BarkBeads.com

Elegance and function defined! The Urban Lounger's contemporary, streamlined shape and clean lines define this trend setting design by Bowsers. Plus a dual layer, fibre topped foam inner cushion provides orthopedic support and plush comfort! bowsers.com

New! Handcrafted Dog Necklace. Exclusively from Bark Beads, this is the only line of necklaces featuring your specific dog breed. Over 100 breeds available! Necklace charm, handcrafted in the USA (chain not included).

CHRISTMAS SALE – 40% off with code: BARK. BarkBeads.com

Have you heard?

The makers of iFetch automatic ball launchers have created a new fetch toy! The iFetch Frenzy is a non-electronic, gravity-driven toy priced at just $39.99. Visit goifetch.com.

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Sterling Earrings – Pick Your Breed!

Exclusively from Bark Beads, this line of earrings features your specific dog breed. Over 100 breeds available!

Sterling silver earrings, handcrafted in the USA. CHRISTMAS SALE – 40% off with code: BARK. BarkBeads.com

SPECIAL PROMOTION

Perfect Presents — a gift guide —

The ultimate “Boy or Girl” gender ID tag for your dog.

No more “Don’t Look Under Me” moments when introducing your dog with The Bog Tag! Purchase now at thebogtag.com

The Pawfect Gift—Custom hand-crafted ceramic Dog Treat Jars from Eldoop Design! Unique, creative pottery designs that capture the likeness and personality of your very own pooch! Prices start at $150 (plus shipping), eldoop.com

Pet hair problem? Try Fur-Zoff, the best solution for the pet hair mess. In your car and home Fur-Zoff works faster and cleans better than any other product—and it lasts forever! $12.99, furzoff.net

Fusion Gates are the perfect pet accessories, allowing you to manage paw traffic and stylishly transition your home through the seasons— the art screens are interchangeable, making holiday decorating effortless! Shop or gift at fusiongates.com.

Protect the furry one you love with Sleepypod’s Clickit Sport safety harness.

The crash-tested Clickit Sport helps keep your pet passenger safe when climbing in for a ride. Starting at $70, sleepypod.com

Training never tasted this yummy! By “pup”-ular demand, Three Dog Bakery Kitchens have created tantalizing training treats in three flavours for better-behaved dogs.

Made with love in the USA. threedog.com moderndogmagazine.com

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Perfect Presents — a gift guide —

Chloeduck creates what you love and what you want!

They design special pieces for Dog Moms just like you!

Sign-up to receive some seriously exclusive “treats” at chloeduck.com The Original SturdiBag Pet Carrier is a light, durable, flexible-height carrier designed to “flex” without collapsing, allowing it to conform to the under seat height of all airline seats. Available in multiple sizes. sturdiproducts.com The Travel Wag’s walker has everything you need for dog walking. The tote has all your dog essentials for holidays, including a chiller, bowls, poop bags, and even an emergency lead! travelwags.com

Opie & Dixie's USDA Certified Organic balms soothe, hydrate and heal troubled skin conditions. Say goodbye to cracked, calloused, dry paws and snouts, and raw, painful hot spot lesions. opieanddixie.com

Perfect for touch-ups between groomer visits, the Wahl Deluxe U-Clip is great for clipping paws and faces—as well as finishing touches and even light body clipping!— making clipping at home convenient and enjoyable. wahlanimal.com

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Attention dog lovers! Meet Jasper, the feisty Sled Dog Dachshund who beats the odds to lead a team of huskies to victory.

Hardcover, picture book available this October. Use SLEDDOG to get 30% off at sleddogdachshund.com

SPECIAL PROMOTION

Perfect Presents — a gift guide —

Class up your canine with Merry Jane & Thor’s line of luxury dog collars and leashes. Handcrafted with custom woven webbing, beautifully detailed patterns and antique bronze hardware, this “wag swag” is sure to please the fussiest Fido! merryjaneandthor.com

Keep pets safe and stylish with Pawdentify Tags & Links-It. Cute designs and easy-to-read ID that will never fade! Plus, attach tags and change collars quickly and easily with Links-It. No more broken fingernails! pawdentify.com

Vibrant turquoise studs accent this leather dog collar, hand-crafted in Colorado by Ruff Puppies Collars. Customize this one of a kind gift by adding a personalized name plate.

From $34, RuffPuppiesCollars.com

It's a fact: 10 million pets get lost each year. Protect yours with the Whistle GPS Pet Tracker. It sends an alert when your pet wanders off and helps you find them in minutes! Just $80 with monthly data subscription plans starting from $7, whistle.com

Artisan hand stamped in USA dog tags come in 7 different styles, most available in either Sterling Silver or Bronze. Silver Bones is proud to offer a lifetime warranty on all tags. shopsilverbones.com

Grain-Free Bear Crunch from Charlee Bear Products comes in three great flavours. Made from simple, healthy ingredients and less than 3 calories per treat with irresistible taste and delightful crunch! charleebear.com

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Tip: Dogs are calmer if you start at the tail and move forward, wetting down and lathering the coat.

30 years ago, John Paul DeJoria, co-founder of John Paul Mitchell Systems, revolutionized the professional salon industry by banning animal testing for his line of hair products. But he didn’t stop there. Next, John Paul took his in-depth expertise in hair and skin care formulations and love of animals and applied himself to researching new standards for pet grooming, ultimately creating the John Paul Pet line shampoos, conditioners, sprays and pet wipes (motto: “tested on humans first”). Deeply committed to animal friendliness and giving back, John Paul Pet knows pet grooming.

T DON’TOGTEHE OFF TONG WR T! STAR 1

Brush your dog before bathing to remove tangles, dirt, debris, and shedding hair.

2

To reduce dog anxiety during bathing, place a towel on the bottom of your tub or sink to reduce the water spray, mute the sound, and to prevent your dog from slipping.

3

Pre-treat areas on your dog by applying shampoo directly onto dry fur—surfactants in shampoo bond to dirt on contact. Then proceed to wet down the coat and apply all over shampoo.

4

Dogs are calmer if you start at the tail and move forward, wetting down and lathering the coat.

5

Use tepid/warm water to bathe your dog—not as warm as we might like our bathwater. (However dogs do not like cold water either.)

6

Be sure to use a tearless shampoo on the face area to prevent eye irritation, and rinse thoroughly.

7

Keep water out of the ears! Placing a cotton ball just under the ear flap can help keep water out of the ears.

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Here John Paul Pet shares their bathing basics for proper, stress-free bathing of your dog.

8

Be sure to use a conditioner after shampooing even on very oily coats, as it returns moisture to the skin and coat.

9

After massaging your favourite conditioner into your dog’s coat, lock in moisture by rinsing with cool (not cold) water.

10

Be sure to rinse out shampoo and conditioner thoroughly as they will attract dirt and can cause irritation and flaking if left in the coat.

11

Blot your dog dry with a towel (this may take more than one towel).

12

If your dog will tolerate the sound of a blow dryer, use on NO or LOW heat, moving quickly over the coat avoiding ears and face while running a brush through the fur.

PHOTO JANA VACKOVA

HOW TO PROPERLY BATHE YOUR DOG

A Natural Way to Address Separation Anxiety

ZEN BABY!

The CBD's found in hemp might just be the solution you're looking for!

Many of us have heard of the benefits of hempderived CBD products for pain management, but may be surprised to learn that they’re also helpful in addressing behavioural problems, such as separation anxiety. Read on to find out how CBDs could help your anxious dog!

Does your dog have separation anxiety, appear stressed, or exhibit problematic hyperactivity? Have you tried everything and nothing seems to help? A hemp-based CBD product may be the remedy you’re looking for! Dr. Robert Silver, a licensed and nationally renowned holistic veterinarian explains why: Hemp contains CBD (cannabidiol) molecules. The CBD’s found in hemp, a type of marijuana that can be legally grown as it produces less than 0.3% THC, won’t get your pet high and can be legally obtained. CBD’s act like a key turning on or off certain functions within cells. For instance: • They can stimulate serotonin production, a neurotransmitter that improves appetite and reduces anxiety • They have anti-inflammatory benefits • They have anti-psychotic benefits • They can have sedative properties (at higher dosages) • They have anti-pain benefits as they can bind with a nerve cell causing the nerve cell to reduce production of pain causing chemicals

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They reduce stimulatory neurotransmittors that result in seizures • They can turn on an immune cell so it works better • They can reduce the growth of blood vessels that a tumor needs in order for it to grow and spread •

We see very good benefits from the cannabinoid extracts from hemp that contain CBD for anxiety and behaviour problems, hyperactivity, and restlessness at night, but the jury is still out as far as whether they can help with fear-based aggression.

It is probable, however, that they work for that as well, since they help with anxiety. (Separation anxiety can be a difficult condition to address, so it may be necessary to use CBD’s in combination with calming drugs or other calming herbs, as well as with behavioural modification techniques.)

Start with a low dose, and gradually, over weeks, increase it to avoid problems, and to find the best dose for that dog and that condition.

CBDs are safe in dogs (whereas THC on the other hand, when administered in too high a dose can be toxic) so I recommend hemp as a place to start with cannabis therapy in dogs.

For more information on how medial marijuana works and how it can help your pet, pick up Dr. Silver’s book, Medical Marijuana & Your Pet.

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BODY & SOUL

to I don't want tal k about it

G.I. Woes

How to know when a gastric upset warrants a trip to the vet

By Connie Wilson

M

y dog Kaya had an uncanny knack for getting into stuff she shouldn’t, scarfing down totally gross things before I could stop her. Miraculously, she barely had a sick day in her life—flatulence, yes, a room-clearing result of her gastric indiscretion, but her actual tummy upsets were few and far between.

There were a couple times, however, when I panicked, like the time I discovered red drops of blood on the hardwood floor and frantically began looking for their source. When I realized Kaya was bleeding from her bum and leaving blood on the floor wherever she sat down, I totally freaked out. I imagined the worse—cancer—and rushed her to our vet. Thankfully, it wasn’t the big C and the vet was nonplussed. The bleeding, though frightful seeming, wasn’t that big a deal. It was caused by something that Kaya had managed to eat at the off-leash dog park (I still remember her coming out of the bushes that

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day licking her lips). Whatever she ate had inflamed her colon, causing hemorrhaging. A simple course of antibiotics and a bland diet for a few days cleared everything up and she was back to her old self (and bad habits) again. No harm, but definitely foul.

Gastric upsets are unpleasant and upsetting for everyone involved, so how do you know if they indicate a serious problem that needs immediate veterinary intervention? And when can you manage at home? We had Dr. Jeff Werber, DVM, a general practitioner who fields phone calls from anxious clients on a very regular basis share some guidelines to help ease your mind where GI upsets are concerned. From experience, he says that 80-85 percent of “emergencies” aren’t. Here’s what he has to say about the subject: Vomiting/Diarrhea A very large proportion of calls are for gastrointestinal problems. If your dog starts to vomit, but is still

acting totally normal, and WANTS to eat or drink, I’m usually less concerned. As a matter of fact, though these dogs want to eat or drink, it is best not to let them. Often, once the stomach has gone through the rigors and smooth muscular contractions associated with vomiting, not to mention experiencing the potential irritation to the stomach wall itself, it is primed for more vomiting. So anything that goes into that stomach, even something as benign as water, will stretch that stomach wall and can easily induce more vomiting. Simply said, vomiting breeds vomiting. What we recommend is to keep these dogs without food for at least 12 hours, and instead of allowing them access to a bit of water—place a few ice cubes or ice chips in his or her water bowl in order to minimize the amount of water that can be ingested at one time. This will prevent the stomach from stretching. Now, if the vomiting continues despite all of this, or your dog seems to be becoming more depressed or listless, begins to dry-heave frequently, or you note his or her abdomen beginning to expand and tighten up, then it is definitely time to call your veterinarian or a local emergency hospital.

As far as diarrhea is concerned, we typically see two types— small intestinal and large intestinal. Small intestinal diarrhea is typically characterized by very loose or watery stool. These dogs are often more depressed or lethargic and seem “sick.”

In contrast, large intestinal diarrhea is often more soft or “mushy,” more like “cow patties,” and can even appear to be encased in mucus or even dark or red, blood. Dogs with large intestinal diarrhea are more often than not still happy and animated. Though this stool with blood may look scary, it’s usually not something to panic about.

If dogs with the very watery, small intestinal diarrhea are still acting okay and will eat, we recommend feeding them a very bland diet, say boiled white meat chicken or low-fat cottage cheese mixed with white rice, mashed potatoes or pasta. This is fairly easy to digest and will act to help bind them. Dogs with the large intestinal soft/mushy stool will usually still want to eat, but should be fed bland food high in fiber. The bland chicken or cottage cheese is still appropriate, but for the carbohydrates you want to feed high fiber, like cooked oatmeal, bran or bran flakes (no Raisin Bran, of course), or canned pumpkin. You can even add some psyllium powder.

Again, if the symptoms persist past a few days, actually worsen, or if your dog’s general attitude, energy, or appetite diminish, it’s time to see your veterinarian. n

Dr. Jeff Werber, known to the world and his patients as “Doc Hollywood,” is frequently seen on America’s top news and talk shows and is a regular contributor to PetHealthNetwork.com. Dr. Jeff has practiced veterinary medicine for more than 30 years and is one of a select few actively practicing veterinary medical journalists in the U.S.

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BODY & SOUL

Diligent dog owners (that’s us!) who want to keep track of their dog’s most up to date health information need look no further than the Voyce Health Monitor. What is it? A convenient and comfortable collar that monitors all of your dog’s vital health information, such as resting heart rate, resting respiratory rate, distance travelled in a day, calories burned, and quality of rest. Developed in collaboration with biomedical engineers, veterinary experts, and Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, it uses non-invasive sensors and exclusive patented technology to gather vital health information about your dog, from activity metrics to resting heart and respiratory rates— key indicators that help detect health conditions early.

MODERN DOG POLL QUESTION Does your dog open presents?

CAST YOUR VOTE AT MODERNDOGMAGAZINE.COM

The information all syncs with the Voyce Wellness Management Center online, where you can monitor trends, keep track of health goals, access thousands of expert articles, and be the first to notice any alarming changes in your dog’s health. Should you notice something strange, you can notify your vet immediately—or, even better, if they have Voyce Pro, your vet will have immediate, remote access to the same vital information you have! Have post-surgery concerns or an illness that’s being monitored? With Voyce Pro your vet can check in on your precious pup from afar. Find out more at voyce.com.

THE FIND

Did you know that medicinal mushrooms can help your dog battle cancer?

Fight cancer the natural way with I’m-Yunity, a single species medicinal mushroom extract made from the Coriolus Versicolor, or Zhi, mushroom. This mushroom has natural anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal properties, so it helps build and maintain a healthy immune system. What’s more, I’m-Yunity helps restore a healthy appetite and promote active energy levels in your dog, helping her get back to her usual self! $90, imyunityfordogs.com

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Water babies!

MD ResuPoll lts

63%

of Modern Dog readers' dogs love swimming.

OZZY SUBMITTED BY CHARLOTTE

USE YOUR VOYCE

BODY & SOUL

10 REASONS WHY TURMERIC IS GOOD FOR DOGS A magic ingredient that is worth every dog lover's attention

By Dr. Peter Dobias

I

am super excited to share facts about turmeric with you. In fact, if I were sent to a remote island I would make sure that I took a turmeric root with me. In this article, my goal is to tell you about the amazing properties of turmeric. However, I also want to share with you why drug companies may not like the discoveries around this natural medicinal powerhouse.

Turmeric has several other names, my favourites being Indian Saffron or Nisha, which are much less known. Most people know the name curmin or curcuma, which comes from the Latin Curcumae Longa. Turmeric is also called pian jiang huan in Chinese. It may be one of the oldest medicinal plants and is native to Southern India. It loves high rainfall and temperatures between 20 to 30 C (68 to 86 F). It is mainly used in curries and gives Indian meals their specific yellow colour. I love the plant in medicine so much that I

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have included turmeric in SoulFood, my certified organic multi-vitamin for dogs.

There are many reasons why turmeric has been catching the attention of dog lovers and holistic and natural practitioners. In fact, if I listed them all, this article would be pages long. Instead, I share with you the most impressive characteristics of this amazing plant. After many years of using it in my practice, I have seen no side effects and many positive outcomes.

Top 10 reasons why turmeric should be in your dog's health and longevity program:

1

Turmeric has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects

Scientists confirmed turmeric is a natural antibiotic in 1949. In addition, it has also been clinically proven to be an anti-inflammatory and has anti-parasitical properties, which, in traditional medicine, has been known for millennia.

From $39.99.

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2

Turmeric has been proven to be effective against plaque buildup and gingivitis.

This is really exciting news because so many dogs suffer from gingivitis (gum inflammation), which impacts overall wellness.

3

Turmeric is good for the heart.

4

Turmeric appears to help in the prevention of diabetes.

Scientists have now confirmed that curcumin protects the heart from myocardial infarction. The cardiac muscle is one of the most hard-working muscles in the body and protecting it from unnecessary inflammation is the key to good health and longevity.

This one may be a real surprise for many. In my mind, diabetes is often triggered by a carbohydrate-based diet and getting rid of kibble is the most important step. However, if your dog's blood sugar levels have been close to abnormal or your dog's breed carries a genetic predisposition, adding turmeric may be beneficial.

5

Turmeric seems to inhibit gastric and duodenal ulcers.

Generally, I am not in favour of animal experimentation, but an experiment with laboratory rats has proven that turmeric can protect them from ulcer formation. This is really exciting because drug-based anti-inflammatories are usually known to cause ulcers. This is one of the biggest reasons why turmeric should always be used in place of chemical non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs for pain/arthritis and injuries.

6

Turmeric is known to reduce the chances of colon cancer.

Yes, that is correct! Scientists have confirmed in numerous studies that curcumin provides significant protection against colon cancer, a disease that affects both dogs and people.

7

Turmeric reduces and slows down leukemia.

I have seen quite a few dogs with leukemia in the course of my career. The conventional option of treatment is chemotherapy. If I honestly look at the dramatic drop in quality of life in dogs on chemotherapy—the vet visits, injections, IV's, hospitalization, and treatment-related sickness—I would never submit my dog to such treatments.

However, I have personally seen some very promising results of slowing down and reducing the growth of lymphatic cancer, such as leukemia, using turmeric. The fact that curcumin can

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trigger cancer cell death (apoptosis) has now been confirmed in a study.

8

Turmeric can protect DNA from radiation damage.

This one may have surprised you, but it is great news. Radiation release in the environment has been a serious concern, especially after the Fukushima accident.

Scientists have now confirmed that phytochemicals in turmeric can protect cells against radiation-induced damage.

9

Turmeric is great for arthritis and joint pain.

Many people now know that turmeric reduces joint inflammation and discomfort. In my mind, arthritis creeps up on dogs as a result of muscle weakness, joint instability, toxin build up, and mineral deficiencies.

I mentioned above that pharmaceutical anti-inflammatories cause serious side effects, such as kidney and liver damage.

10

Turmeric has been shown to have an antidepressive and anti-suicidal effect!

To be honest, I did not know about this one until I started researching this article. Isn't this absolutely fantastic? This may not be exactly the most common use in dogs, but considering that a large portion of our society is on anti-depressants, this is very promising.

If you source turmeric on your own from possibly non-organic sources, please note that turmeric is often the subject of adulteration through the addition of toxic dyes and colours and you have to take extra precaution.

In comparison with anti-inflammatory drugs and other pharmaceuticals that cause numerous side effects, turmeric is without a doubt one of the most valuable gifts of nature. I can only imagine that drug companies would love to license its composition. We all are lucky that they can't! n

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Get In spired!

Pocket-sized inspiration cards to stick on your fridge or use as a bookmark

I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love.

For me they are the role model for being alive.

Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened.

—Gilda Radner

—Anatole France

What dogs? These are my children, little people with fur who make my heart open a little wider.

Everything I know, I learned from dogs.

—Oprah Winfrey

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—Nora Roberts

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WELLNESS

HOW TO ASSESS YOUR DOG'S CANCER RISK Prevention and early detection can save your dog’s life!

Here’s what to look for

By Dr. Rodney Page

K

nowing your dog’s cancer risk is absolutely key to cancer prevention. By identifying dogs at an increased risk of cancer development, we can watch for warning signs, allowing for diagnosis at a stage when intervention will be most successful.

Assessing an individual dog’s cancer risk is accomplished by taking into account conventional risk factors—age, breed, gender, family history, carcinogen exposure—to identify dogs generally at risk of developing certain cancers. From this information, specific screening and surveillance programs along with recommendations for cancer prevention can be implemented.

Here’s how to assess your dog’s risk factor, along with cancer warning signs to watch for.

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Cancer Screening: What To Watch For Unfortunately, it is well known that certain breeds are prone to develop cancer. Worse still, because cancer is a common disorder of older dogs and cats, all pets beyond the age of seven or eight years of age should be considered “at risk” for cancer.

Annual physical exams, screening laboratory bloodwork, and urinalysis are recommended for dogs over seven years of age. In addition, the use of cutaneous maps to chart the location, size, and diagnosis of all skin masses will help to determine rapid changes in growth or any new masses to be concerned about.

Ask your vet to chart all skin masses.

Owners must also take responsibility for prevention of cancer.

Early neutering/spaying of male and female dogs is the best example of prevention of testicular and mammary cancer. Certain breeds of dogs with long noses, such as the Collies or Shepherds, are at increased risk of developing upper respiratory disease as well as cancer when exposed to second-hand smoke and should be removed from a passive smoke environment. (Note that second-hand smoke is bad for all dogs but particularly terrible for those already predisposed to upper respiratory cancer.)

Likewise, frequent use of coal or kerosene as indoor heating sources may increase the risk of nasal cancers. Observation of bowel or urinary habits should be consistently performed. Any concern about straining or blood should be checked out by your vet.

Owners should also be able to accurately evaluate mammary glands, peripheral lymph nodes, oral cavity structures, examine interdigital spaces, and external ear canals. Ask your vet to show you what to look for.

Assessing Your Dog’s Risk According to Breed, Age, and Gender Many cancers more commonly affect animals of a certain age, gender or breed.

Knowing your dog’s risk factors often aids diagnosis. The table below is a partial list of specific breeds/characteristics of dogs predisposed to certain types of cancer.

CANCERS AND THE DOGS PREDISPOSED TO THEM (A PARTIAL LIST)

Cancer Type: Mast Cell Tumors Bone Tumors Thyroid Tumors Hemangiosarcoma Tumors Lymphoma Mammary Tumors Bladder Tumors

Most Commonly Found In: Brachycephalic breeds, retrievers Large/Giant breeds Boxer, Beagle, Golden Retriever Golden Retriever, German Shepherd Bulldog, Boxer, Boston Terrier Boxer, Golden Retriever, Rottweilers Boxer, Spaniel, Dachshund, Poodle Scottish Terrier, Westie, Shelties

Histiocytoma Viral Papilloma

Young dogs Young dogs

Squamous Cell Carcinoma Malignant Melanoma

Non-pigmented regions Darkly pigmented regions

What To Do If You Find Something Noting the onset and duration of the mass, its growth rate, and prior treatment will help determine a course of action. Any previous tumors diagnosed in the patient should be identified as to type, completeness of treatment and follow up. The history of when a female dog was spayed or the reproductive history should be detailed.

Physical Examination: The goal of an examination is to identify any other issues or diseases that may limit cancer treatment options and to define the extent of the tumor burden. A topographic map of the patients’ body is useful for future comparison moderndogmagazine.com

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“

Certain breeds of dogs with long noses, such as the Collies or Shepherds, are at increased risk of developing upper respiratory disease as well as cancer when exposed to secondhand smoke and should be removed from a passive smoke environment.

”

and for identifying benign skin lesions such as lipoma and sebaceous adenomas. Physical measurements of any superficial lesion(s) using calipers is useful to document changes in size of superficial masses, most of which are not malignant. It is essential to estimate the invasiveness of a tumor and the degree of attachment to underlying tissue in order to adequately plan the surgical biopsy and/or resection of a lesion. Regional lymph nodes must be evaluated for size, consistency, and fixation to adjacent tissues. Physical exam findings will also help in selection of ancillary diagnostic procedures necessary to define tumor extent (specific imaging techniques, type of biopsy, endoscopy, etc.)

Diagnostic Evaluation—Clinical Evaluation: After a thorough physical examination, a screening laboratory evaluation should follow. This generally includes a complete blood cell count, serum biochemistry panel, and urinalysis. Other diagnostic tests are performed as indicated. Survey radiographs are suggested to detect metastasis, determine potential bone involvement or evaluate orthopedic soundness prior to amputation or limbsparing in dogs with osteosarcoma, localize oral or nasal masses, etc. The next step is CAT scans and MRIs, both of which are routinely available and are able to define the invasive characteristics of deep-seated tumors much more clearly than survey radiographs. They may be particularly helpful when planning involved surgical procedures. Ultrasonography can be used to determine the proximity of a tumor to large blood vessels, to determine the cystic nature of masses, to evaluate possible intra-abdominal metastases to lymph nodes or organs, and to assess the initial and post-treatment tumor volume.

Cytologic examinations (examination of tissue samples) from fine needle aspiration biopsies of accessible tumors and regional lymph nodes are important diagnostic procedures. Fine needle aspiration can be accomplished on any accessible mass.

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Often, a rapid, inexpensive diagnosis can be made for certain tumor types (lipomas, sebaceous adenomas, lymphoma and mast cell tumors). Treatment decisions should be considered on a cytologic diagnosis only when a definitive diagnosis can be made, such as with lymphoma or mast cell tumors.

Tumor Biopsy: Many techniques are available for tissue biopsy.

The method selected should safely and simply procure adequate tissue samples to provide an accurate diagnosis without compromising treatment. Biopsies can be excisional (complete removal of a tumor that is small and not attached to underlying tissues) or nonexcisional (removal of only a portion of the tumor). Nonexcisional techniques include: a) a fine-needle aspirate, tissue impression smears or fluid analysis or b) tissue samples procured from a surgical incision or punch biopsy.

Even if a cancer diagnosis is possible with a fine needle aspiration, a tissue biopsy may be indicated to establish prognosis and guide treatment planning. For example, the histologic grade of soft tissue sarcomas and mast cell tumors are prognostic factors that can be helpful in treatment planning.

Biopsy results may suggest the degree of surgical resection necessary for definitive removal and a clean margin or indicate that additional types of therapy may be beneficial.

Each dog and pet owner have unique circumstances that must be considered. Your veterinarian should provide thorough, accurate, and unbiased options for management based on an understanding of the patients’ general health, specific tumor type, the likelihood of response to treatment, maintenance of good quality of life, and emotional support for owners. Each step of the diagnosis and therapy plan can and should be considered carefully. Many new techniques, procedures and management information are available. Consultation by a specialist is one of the best investments an owner with a pet that has cancer can make. n

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6

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Covering 700 square feet and lasting 30 days, the diffuser calms and relaxes dog by mimicking the pheromone emitted by mother dogs after giving birth. adaptil.com

Keep your dog busy & engaged with these fun, mentally, stimulating finds!

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Let your dog rock out on a MuttNation Treat Guitar toy! Stuff it with treats or other toys for your dog to extricate as he fetches, tosses, and tugs. Made of molded rubber, it’s perfect for chewing and teething. And every purchase helps fund the rescue and adoption programs of MuttNation Foundation! petmate.com

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Stanley's Smile How an English Bulldog with a cleft palate is making a big difference

By Noa Nichol

D

eborah Pack is the kind of teacher we all wish we had.

During her nearly twodecade-long career, Pack, who recently retired, placed enormous emphasis on teaching her preschool students about love, kindness, compassion and acceptance—with help from some very special assistants along the way.

“In 2003 I adopted a baby goat and asked the principal at my school if I could bring him in,” she recalls, speaking from her home near Kansas City, Missouri. “We quickly saw remarkable things happening, in terms of the children learning to love and work together to help this orphaned animal survive and grow.”

Rabbits, kittens, and a pair of beautiful Pekin ducklings followed. In 2010, Pack brought her first puppy—a Bulldog named Madeline—to class.

“The kids wanted to help Madeline become a therapy dog in the community,” she says.

“It was amazing to see four and five-year-olds work together so diligently to get this dog to a place where she could be of service to others.”

In 2011, however, Pack saw an ominous shift in her usually sunny classroom dynamics.

“The group of children I got that year were for some reason more negatively focused on the differences they saw in each other—I could see that the bullying and name calling was beginning,” she explains. “I tried to talk to them about how our differences make us unique and are something to celebrate, but my words just seemed to fall to the side.”

Brainstorming how she could set a positive example, Pack put a call out to her network for an animal with a disability that she could bring into the classroom. Her request was answered with Junior—a deaf puppy who helped teach her students about kindness, empathy, and even humanity.

“The kids taught him sign commands and even trained him to sit in a kissing booth to raise money for various causes,” she says. “He really helped drive the lesson home that our differences—and even what may be perceived as shortcomings or disabilities—are worth embracing.”

Word about Pack’s animals and their impact on her preschool students spread. In 2014, she received a phone call from a woman with two adoptable special-needs English Bulldog puppies—Oliver, who was deaf, and Stanley, who was born with a bilateral cleft lip. Pack agreed to meet them.

“When I got there I found myself staring at Stanley—I’d never seen a dog with a cleft lip before,” says Pack, adding that the puppies’ dependence on each other was apparent.

“Stanley acted, to a large extent, as Oliver’s ears, while Oliver let Stanley use his body as a prop so he could do things like keep his head up while he ate,” she explains. “Oliver would even lick Stanley’s face clean after meals. One clearly bolstered the other’s weakness by bringing him strength. It was beautiful, and I knew I could never separate them.”

Besides the fact she could provide them with a loving home, Pack also knew the dogs moderndogmagazine.com

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and, at the end of the day, that’s really what all of our work is about, too.”

Seeing a real opportunity, Smile Train made Stanley its official “furry ambassador,” and the response ever since has been astounding.

“Before you knew it people were really loving Stanley and we found that, just as Deborah predicted, he was a great vehicle to teach people through a real-life example about cleft lip and cleft palate,” Reinhart says, adding that, since the surgery to correct these issues really is so simple, it’s rare to see a child in the U.S. or Canada with the defect untreated, making it somewhat more challenging to educate North Americans about Smile Train’s important work.

“Stanley is really helping us spread the message, particularly among niche demographics like schoolchildren and animal lovers and, at the same time, he’s working wonders in terms of teaching people about acceptance. He’s a very special dog.”

A special dog with an exceptional owner—since partnering with Smile Train, Pack and Stanley have raised funds—through kissing booths, fashion shows, and other endeavors—to provide seven children with cleft surgery. The pair also travels to schools and public events in their community to provide education about cleft lip and palate in both people and animals and to promote Smile Train’s overall mission.

But it doesn’t end there. In 2015, Missouri’s governor issued a proclamation naming March 24 as Stand Up for Stanley Day statewide. Now, Pack is working with her senator to make the initiative national in order to further spread the message that animals born with cleft palates ought to be valued rather than destroyed, and that we, as humans, should accept, embrace, and celebrate each other’s differences rather than resort to bullying.

And it is all, she insists, thanks to Stanley—the little Bulldog that could.

“Stanley has brought a light into my life that shines through me outward to others,” she says. “The more time I spend with him the more I see how important the work we’re doing is. He has been a remarkable asset to our lives, showing us who we can and should be in terms of us all being unique and accepting each other’s differences. This beautiful, perfect dog truly exemplifies what the power of love and acceptance can do.” n

PHOTO LANI M. ODELL, OWNER/PHOTOGRAPHER AT CAPTUREDBYLANIMICHELLEKC.COM

would be “the perfect way to teach children about acceptance and to not judge a book by its cover.”

“It was the last piece of the puzzle of what I’d been trying to teach for years—that it’s OK to have differences,” she says. “For me, finding these boys was a real blessing.”

Soon after bringing the puppies home, Pack noticed that Stanley was having trouble breathing. A specialist told her the palate at the back of his throat was elongated, and that a hole in his mouth needed to be repaired. The procedure would be expensive but, when the surgeons at BluePearl Veterinary Partners hospital in Overland Park, Kansas, heard about Pack’s plans for Stanley, they agreed to do the operation for free.

“They repaired the hole, did the palate at the back of his throat and even neutered him. They were so kind,” she says. “They also asked if I wanted to have the outside of his mouth corrected—it was a purely cosmetic procedure—but I said no. Just as he has one brown eye and one blue and his back legs are irregular, his cleft palate, which looks like a split in the front of his mouth, is how he was born. We are all born with our challenges, our differences, but we can all overcome those things and go on to do great things.”

Great things, indeed. Beyond bringing the little Bulldog to her school and allowing him to impart invaluable lessons about love, kindness and resilience to her class, Pack reached out to Smile Train, an international charity that provides training, funding, and resources to empower local doctors in more than 85 developing countries to provide free cleft-repair surgery and comprehensive cleft care for children in their own communities.

“When Deborah emailed us about her dog, Stanley, and explained that he was born with a cleft palate and that she wanted to know if they could help our cause, I responded to her immediately,” says Troy Reinhart, Smile Train’s vice-president of development, who is based in New York. “We’re always looking for new ways to promote our work and to educate the public about the fact that millions of children in developing countries are suffering from untreated clefts—a condition that, though easily corrected, prevents them from eating or speaking properly or even attending school or holding a job. Deborah explained that a big part of her goal was to teach people—kids—about acceptance,

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WELLNESS

n i a p be e! gon

How Chiropractic, Acupuncture, & Massage Therapy Can

DRAMATICALLY IMPROVE YOUR DOG’S LIFE Alternative therapies are increasingly being used to offer relief & even restore the mobility of dogs suffering chronic conditions

By Yvonne Zacharias

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I

s your dog in pain? Maybe you haven’t considered it before but alternative, holistic treatments like acupuncture, massage therapy, and chiropratic are increasingly being used to solve a whole host of canine problems.

Once the preserve of humans patients, these age-old therapies with New Age panache are steadily encroaching into the animal kingdom. Some of the success stories are so astounding they may make a willing participant of even the staunchest Western medicine adherent.

Dr. Laurie McCauley, a veterinarian who has a string of accreditations after her name attesting to her expertise in acupuncture and chiropractic, has used the 2,000-year-old healing art of acupuncture to treat everything from skin problems to muscular-skeletal pain to neurological issues.

“It’s also huge for paralysis,” explained Laurie, who now works out of North Carolina. Specifically, she cites the case of a little white Bichon who was paralyzed in the back end.

“He couldn’t stand. He was incontinent. We put needles in and literally when we pulled the needles out, he was able to stand and take steps.” The following day, after another acupuncture treatment, he was trotting.

Her chiro successes are no less amazing.

She cites the case of a Cairn Terrier named Murray who, at 14 years old, was still highly competitive in the sport of agility. When she saw him at a dog show, he refused to do several jumps during a run. One look told Laurie pain was at the root of his refusal.

She treated his back problem with chiro and the very next day he came in first among the jumpers and was well ahead of the pack in other areas too.

For the lay person, chiro involves manipulation of the spine and muscles to bring them back into normal alignment while acupuncture involves inserting tiny needles into various points along major channels in the body. If these healing modalities work for humans, why not for dogs?

Laurie generally recommends an integrative approach using both eastern and western medicine so you get the best of both worlds.

And despite the amazing successes she’s seen, she cautions her clients not to expect miracles.

“I always tell people I have the initials DVM after my name, not G.O.D., so I can’t make their dogs live forever—but I can certainly improve their quality of life.”

Josee Gerard, based in Calgary, Alta., is another chiropractor specializing in animal treatment.

Although not a veterinarian herself, animals are often referred to her by their vets.

Dogs make up the majority of her practice, although she has treated cows, llamas, deer, birds, rabbits, and even the odd lizard.

Like the other animal healers in this article, she raves about the results. For example, by adjusting the third lumbar

spinal nerve, she has managed to restore signals to the bladder to cure urinary incontinence. Simply by repositioning a disc, she says she has managed to cure paralysis.

“It’s the best job in the world for me because sometimes we see an immediate reaction. It’s so rewarding.”

She offers two telltale signs that a dog could benefit from a chiropractor. One of when a dog is attempting to do a full-body shake after emerging, say, from the water and the shake stops before reaching the tail. The second sign is when you are running your hand down the dog’s spine and you see little flinches. Both

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Two telltale signs that a dog could benefit from a chiropractor: when a dog is attempting to do a full-body shake and the shake stops before reaching the tail, and when you are running your hand down the dog’s spine and you see little flinches.

Both indicate a blockage in the spine.

A Miniature Dachshund receives an acupuncture treatment.

indicate a blockage in the spine.

Josee charges $120 plus tax for an initial visit, which usually last about 45 minutes, and $50 plus tax for follow-up visits, which usually last about 15 minutes.

Dr. Rachel Barrack, a veterinarian certified in veterinary acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine, travels around New York City with her duffel bag—filled mostly with tiny needles– treating furry members of the family.

“It has been a wonderful adjunct and has completely changed the way I practice medicine.”

Rachel, whose services start at $200 depending on location and travel, loves nothing more than getting a follow up call from a dog owner saying their pet is running around once again like a puppy.

Acupuncture can help with behavioural problems too. It “can be very calming for dogs with anxiety,” Rachel explains.

The needles are so tiny that most dogs don’t feel any pain when they are inserted. In fact, many dogs even fall asleep during the treatment.

And while western medicine has its benefits, particularly when surgery or advanced diagnostics for acute diseases are required, Rachel has found acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine seem to be able to tackle chronic conditions like skin disease or prolonged gastro-intestinal issues that can elude standard western medicine approaches.

She’s also found the two can neatly be used in combination.

For example, Rachel has found that Chinese herbal therapy and acupuncture can be used to alleviate some of the negative side effects of western drugs, particularly chemotherapy or radiation.

No less promising are the effects of another alternative form of treating dogs: massage therapy.

Denise Theobald used to provide massage therapy for humans.

Then one day, while sitting on her back porch with a friend and

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watching three dogs run around like crazy, she got the idea of extending this healing art to animals.

Now the owner and lead instructor at the Chicago School of Canine Massage, she’s never looked back.

When dogs are brought in lacking mobility because of arthritis or some form of joint dysfunction, she puts those trusty hands of hers to work, massaging deeply into the soft tissue, releasing fascia trigger points.

She uses lymphatic massage as well to stimulate the immune system and decrease primary and secondary swelling.

One of her biggest challenges is building trust with dogs who are in pain so they will allow her to touch them. She works with these dogs gradually, allowing them to experience bit by bit the pain relief that comes with her magic touch. With this positive reinforcement, the reluctance vanishes.

“We can take a dog that is absolutely terrified of people and within a few sessions, they are coming and laying down, accepting massage.”

She has witnessed mini miracles as a result of her healing art.

She cites the case of one dog brought in in a cart, a spinal injury preventing him from moving his back end. Through massage, she was able to re-establish a nerve motor pattern and within two months, the dog had 70 to 80 percent more function and was able to bear weight on his own legs.

Denise charges $50 to $80 for roughly a one hour, in-office session, although in the case of palliative or hospice care where the dog can’t withstand a lot of bodywork, she’ll do a half hour session for between $30 to $40.

So whether or not you believe wholeheartedly in these alternative treatments, you might want to give them a whirl.

The successes seen indicate they just might work for your dog, too. n

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HEART ART

Dog, Artistic Takes

Have you ever considered getting a portrait done of your dog? We tasked three portrait artists with capturing Charlie, a Chihuahua/ Terrier, winner of our pet portrait contest. Take a look at the results. If you’re like us, you’re going to want to commission a portrait of your dog!

The Realist

The Passionate Portraitist

The Digital Native

Hallmarks: Textured detail & monochromatic colour

Hallmarks: Colour & detail

Hallmarks: Pop Art-inspired layers

With a background in biology, it’s perhaps no surprise that artist Natalie Zimmerman is drawn to depicting animals. When it came to her art, her first medium was pen and ink—she loved its precision—but when she ventured into scratchboard, a technique in which the image is etched into a thin layer of white China clay coated in black India ink, she fell head over heels.

The commissions Natalie receives almost always come with a touching back-story, and she brings those stories to life through the depth and nuance of her chosen technique. Her ultra-realistic portraits play with light and shadow, made all the more dramatic by their monochromatic colour scheme. Commissions start at $125. nataliezimmermanart.com

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Laura Johnson describes her artistic style as realistic, but with a lot of heart and a feeling for colour. We couldn’t agree more.

Working from photographs and primarily with oil paints, Laura brings her subjects to life, capturing expression through skill and careful attention to nuance. She loves watching as her paintings-in-progress evolve, taking on not just the physical appearance of her subjects, but also their personalities, which is really what’s at the heart of portraiture. Once complete, Laura finds no greater pleasure than seeing the owners’ faces when they view their completed pet portrait for the first time. Commissions start at $125 and Laura donates 10% to the animal charity of your choice. ljjgallery.com

Working with a photograph of your pet, Heather Hugginson uses Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop to create her Pop Artinspired digital illustrations. Manipulating the supplied image, Heather goes deep, tweaking colour and texture and adding layers and shapes to create portraits with a slightly Warhol-esque vibe, but in a more modern and minimal palette.

Heather’s path to pet portraiture began when she illustrated the pets of her friends, who adored the finished pieces as much as she enjoyed the process. But as much as she loves the making of, what she finds most rewarding is the incredible feeling of joy she gets when her clients see their finished portrait for the first time. Commissions start at $65. illustrate-it.ca

MEMORIAL

LAST DAYS Saying goodbye to a beloved dog

By Cathy Mayrides

S

ome months ago, I wrote a story for Modern Dog about my little dog, her early days, and her transition to old age.

She survived illnesses and bounced back many times, amazing and mystifying me, and dazzling her little world with her resolve to stick around.

She was entering her 18th year on Earth and people found it extraordinary that this old girl was still here, in spite of a few “touch and go” situations. But she endured, and every day when the sun rose, she did too.

Today, I look at her empty bed and think back over the last couple of weeks. People told me that I would know when her time was up, and I’m not sure I believed them. I mean it all seemed more complicated than that. She couldn’t tell me how she was feeling. She didn’t “complain” and I guessed a lot, perhaps occasionally reading her gestures and face correctly and, perhaps, occasionally not. There is a lot of guesswork involved when you have an old dog. I kept looking for signs that she was ready and I didn’t see them, until a few days ago.

She was looking confused and wanted to be held more than usual. I pressed her close to me and whispered, “Kukla. If you want to go, it’s okay.” But eventually, she struggled to get down and walked into her bed, where she slept for the remainder of the day. There was no interest in her eyes when I mentioned the dog park, a place that seemed to give her joy and comfort. She did, after all, have “friends” there, and she could roam freely and smell the smells of old and new dogs. She could slowly walk around the perimeter, stopping to listen to sounds in the distance and sniff the weather odours that traveled in on the winds. On this day, the mention of her favourite place did not prompt her ears to lift up or her eyes to anticipate a good time. It was the first time my little dog wanted to sleep, only sleep, and be left alone. With her thoughts? Did she have any idea that, like the inner workings of a clock, her spring was winding down and would soon cease to run? Or did she only know the tiredness, the weariness, and resting was her instinctive non-action. I don’t know, having no idea what’s in the head of a dog, but I did know that none of this was her usual behaviour.

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One night, she awakened and became quite confused. She had tremors and began walking into walls and furniture, and when I saw her face I was alarmed. The fear in her eyes was apparent, and when I picked her up she clung to me like an infant, and touched me intermittently as if to check that I was still there. I resolved to bring her to the veterinarian if she did not improve, but she characteristically looked better the next day, even though she slept more than usual. By the third day, she was almost back to herself.

So this is how her last weeks unfolded, going from worse to better to just okay. It was impossible to ignore the changes, but more positive to rejoice in the good days. And as long as she still had the good days, I brought her to the park and for rides in the car. Her appetite waned so I bribed her with the foods she loved.

And suddenly one day, she had no interest in eating. She had no interest in anything other than curling up in her bed and sleeping.

Her walking was compromised and wobbly and I assessed her thinness and lethargy. “Bathroom” functions were diminished and the fear in her eyes had returned.

Anyone who has a pet knows that this final mercy is the ultimate gift, but such a daunting responsibility too. Is it time?

Have I done everything possible? And, of course, the nagging regrets—the day I raised my voice because she urinated on the rug, the day I had to leave her alone for a longer time than usual…all of this flooded into my mind—and then, I stopped beating myself up. She had a good life. She lived a lot longer than I ever expected. And she was loved and cherished, a part of my family.

She will live in my heart forever. Such a little dog but such a large presence. n

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Are some dogs smarter and easier to train than others?

“The first part is difficult to answer because intelligence can

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be measured in many ways. But more importantly, smarter does not mean easier to train. The easiest dogs to train are those that are relatively calm and have a dependent personality so that they want to please you. Because they have a follower personality, they learn what you want despite the gaps in your training and are happy to oblige. Dogs that are more independent and consequently could care less about verbal kudos have to be trained more methodically and with things that are actually motivating to them. When trained in a stepwise fashion you may not notice much difference in speed of learning and they will appear happy and willing to learn too.

When you skip steps or use rewards that the dog doesn't care about, these dogs come off as stubborn and willful. When you combine independence with high energy and arousal such as a Jack Russell Terrier, plus a strong ability to problem-solve or tenacity in getting to what they want, you can be in for a big struggle. If you're not a step ahead and several IQ points smarter, your cute puppy Einstein may develop into an evil genius.” n

STELLA SUBMITTED BY JAMIE CLINGAN

W

hen Dr. Sophia Yin, a pioneer in force-free positivereward-based training, passed away in 2014, the world lost a tremendous advocate for the humane treatment of animals. Her legacy lives on, however, not only in training, behaviour, and veterinary communities, but through the many lives she touched by helping people better understand animal behaviour. A core group of her dedicated employees stayed on after her passing to manage the company and continue her work, and it remains an invaluable resource. Through her website, drsophiayin.com, where her free training advice and videos are still available.

Here we share a spot-on answer from Dr. Yin addressing dog intelligence.

STORM SUBMITTED BY OLIVIA MARTIN

YOUR DISOBEDIENT, “UNTRAINABLE” DOG MAY BE A SUPER-SMART EVIL GENIUS

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BREED PROFILE

The Basset Hound

SWEEKTE,Y, LOW-IENT PAT

Easy-going, laid back, charming —there’s much more to the Basset than those seemingly sad eyes

By Kelly Caldwell

H

e’s the undisputed canine icon for “sad puppy-dog eyes,” and he certainly gives the general impression that he’s depressed and, well… maybe even a little bit dopey.

However, looks can be deceiving, and the Basset Hound is anything but morose.

The Basset Hound’s earliest origins can be traced back to roughly 700AD, when St. Hubert—a monk and member of the French nobility—took an interest in developing the perfect dog for hunting rabbits and other small game. Using the Bloodhound and other breeds, his efforts produced a scent-hound that was sure-footed, low-slung, and in possession of an extraordinary sense of smell… in short the Basset Hound. St. Hubert’s hounds became extremely popular in France, in particular, with the upper crust. No doubt the Basset’s slower walk appealed to those who wanted to stroll alongside their dogs at a civilized pace.

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The breed flourished in France up until the days of the French Revolution. Then, when the nobility’s rule came to an abrupt and violent end, so did to their kennels. But Basset Hounds managed to survive, and, after they were imported to England in the 1860s, things started to look up—until, once again, war and unrest wreaked havoc on the breed. Numbers dwindled dramatically during and following both World Wars. Fortunately, there have always been Basset Hound fanciers who have dedicated themselves to reviving the breed, and today the breed’s numbers are strong. The Basset Hound made its first appearance at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in 1884, and was recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1935.

He’s easily one of the most recognizable breeds out there today. The AKC accepts the breed in any of the nine recognized hound colours, with markings and colour patterns of no

importance. Height of the Basset should not exceed 14 inches, and his long, white-tipped tail—originally conceived in order to make the dogs easier to spot in dense brush—should always be held high.

Those short stocky legs keep the Basset— and his nose—close to the ground. This gives him an edge with tracking, as do those trademark long ears, which pick up the scent of the quarry and keep the Basset Hound motivated on the hunt. Experts seem to concur that the Basset Hound’s scenting prowess is second only to that of the Bloodhound.

Scent-hunting aside, this is a lovable family companion. Gentle and calm, he’s an easy dog

to be around and widely praised as being terrific and patient with children.

Bassets love their guardians and can be lumped in with many other breeds who live up to the Velcro Dog moniker, because they’ll always be close by.

An interesting aspect of the breed’s personality is that these dogs were always bred and raised in a pack. That pack instinct remains today, and many a Basset Hound lover has learned that these dogs are likely to be happiest when around other dogs. They are ideally suited for multi-dog households, and let’s face it… two Basset Hounds means twice the fun!

Most Popular Dogs in the U.S. According to the most recent AKC registration statistics [1]

Labrador Retriever German Shepherd Dog [3] Golden Retriever [4] Bulldog [5] Beagle [6] Yorkshire Terrier [7] Poodle [8] Boxer [9] French Bulldog [10] Rottweiler [39] Basset Hound [2]

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An interesting aspect of the breed’s personality is that these dogs were always bred and raised in a pack. That pack instinct remains today, and many a Basset Hound lover has learned that these dogs are likely to be happiest when around other dogs. They are ideally suited for multi-dog households.

Bassets their peo love ple!

Size: Medium According to the AKC standard, the Basset Hound should not exceed a height of 14 inches. But, while he’s low to the ground, the Basset is a heavily boned breed. Most range from 50 to 60 pounds.

Activity level: You might be surprised to learn how much energy and endurance this sure-footed breed has. So, when he’s not sleeping, he’ll be eager to enjoy daily walks and lots of playtime.

Grooming: His short, dense, “wash-and-wear” coat just needs weekly brushing and the occasional bath. Keep those long ears clean and toenails trimmed!

Heritage: Tracking Dog for the Nobility Bred by French aristocrats to help them hunt small game, the Basset has also always served as a devoted and loving companion to his people.

If you like the Basset Hound, you might also give some consideration to the Beagle, Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen, and the Bloodhound.

For info on Basset Hound rescue in the U.S., visit basset-bhca.org. In Canada, visit bassetrescue.ca.

READ YOUR BREED

For more breed profiles, go to moderndogmagazine.com/breeds

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Beagle

Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen

Bloodhound

INSET IMAGES ©AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB

Profile: The Basset Hound

Living with a Basset isn’t entirely simple. Fanciers say it over and over: This is a stubborn dog. Bassets are intelligent, but like many hounds they are not overly biddable. Training is important and finding motivation that works for your Basset is just as important. These food-loving dogs are likely to respond to a stash of yummy treats.

While not ideal as a companion for runners, the Basset Hound has good energy and needs daily walks and play time. Despite that trademark gait and sleepy-looking face, the Basset is actually quite an athletic dog in his own way. Engaging in activities like tracking and obedience will also give him plenty of motivation to leave the couch. Having some room to roam will serve him well, but his nose will always rule him, so walks on-leash or playtime in a secured area are best. He’ll follow that nose into the path of danger, so take steps to keep him safe.

Because he’s so low to the ground, the Basset Hound may occasionally need a bit of a boost from you when he needs to get into a car or on your bed. And, perhaps not surprising for this heavy-boned breed, he’s not much of a swimmer by nature. A life vest is important to give the Basset some buoyancy.

Like many long-backed, low-slung breeds, back issues can arise. Avoiding unnecessary wipeouts is really important, so keep his nails trimmed and exercise caution on icy spots during the winter. Otherwise, the Basset’s a pretty hearty breed, one with an often misconceived of disposition. Giving the outward appearance of a sleepy, lethargic dog, the Basset Hound is actually a scenthunter extraordinaire and an “up for anything” kind of dog.

Happy, bouncy, and bubbly—the Basset Hound is a winner! n

Yair & Cooper

PHOTOGRAPHS ROBERT STOETZEL

Human & Hound

WEST VILLAGE, MANHATTAN

A photographic celebration of a bond like none other

“I just moved here from Florida a year ago, away from my immediate family. I still get really lonely sometimes so I decided to get myself a dog! He's been with me for about five months now, and he helps me with the loneliness and keeps me company.”

Claire & Bean

WILLIAMSBURG, BROOKLYN

Ryan & Shaggy

UNION SQUARE PARK, NYC

Betty & Little Bill

NOHO, MANHATTAN

“I started dressing him up mainly to keep his feet from getting dirty, then he got used to it.”

“Bean is my best friend, my boss, my rock. He's the inspiration behind both of our brands & lights up my life everyday with his quirky wiener dog ways.”

N

ew York, mecca of culture and style, finally has someone shining a deserved spotlight on the city's best canine and human friendships. Robert Stoetzel, a Brooklynbased photographer, recently made the transition from human photography to the wonderful world of dog and pet photography, finding himself drawn to the unique bonds between dogs and their people. Taking to the streets of New York City, Robert is continually on the lookout for inseparable pairs to photograph,

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“He teaches me how to be patient all the time because he's still a baby and we're learning together, and it's really fun.”

beautifully capturing the deep relationship between humans and their canine companions. Packed with style and personality, the diverse range of photos showcase some of our very favourite things: street fashion, photography, and the Big Apple. Check out Robert’s work at humanandhound.com or follow @human_and_hound on Instagram for a fascinating glimpse into the lives of interesting New Yorkers and their adorable pups. n

TRAINING

WHY YOUR SENIOR DOG SEEMS TO HAVE PUPPY PROBLEMS It's just a little frosting on the muzzle, "sugar sprinkles," if you will. These endearments for the telltale signs of age on our dogs’ faces mask our denial of their march through time.

Wasn’t it just yesterday we brought him home? When did he get so frail, so tired…so old? And why is he suddenly turning into a problem child?

By Teoti Anderson

A

s dogs get older, you won’t just see changes in appearance or stamina. You’ll also see changes in behaviour.

Puppies chew inappropriate items, eliminate in your home, and struggle when you first start to clip their nails. As you train your pup, these issues go away—only to often return in your dog’s golden years. This is normal, although it can be confusing for unsuspecting pet parents who thought these problems were long in the past. Ready for some déjà vu? Here are some issues you may find coming back to bite you as your best canine friend becomes a senior.

Anxiety Perhaps your dog used to be a little nervous during thunderstorms, but now a storm sends him into a full-blown panic. Or maybe he used to hate thunder, but now also freaks out at fireworks, motorcycles, and other loud noises. Even if it’s been years since your dog acted anxious or frightened, it’s not uncommon for fears to return, increase or even develop as he ages.

Or perhaps it’s your dog’s reaction to you leaving. Did he cry as a puppy when you left for work? If you treated the issue, he likely improved and was perfectly happy to be a latchkey dog while you went out. Your senior dog, however, may now start whining the

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second you pick up your keys to head out the door.

Why is this happening? As a dog ages, his hearing and other senses diminish. This can cause stress for your dog. As his longtime companion, you are his comfort. So when you leave, it can increase his stress, which can manifest in separation distress or anxiety. He may whine more, be clingy, and have a general worried expression. You may see stress yawns or lip licking. Increased anxiety and phobias are not uncommon in older dogs. If you suspect your dog is overly stressed, talk to your veterinarian about anti-anxiety medication – it may take several different trials before you find one that works best for your dog. Other things you can do to ease his anxiety include keeping to his routine as much as possible, leaving the TV or radio on when you have to leave him alone, and keeping his mind engaged by teaching him new things.

Housetraining Accidents Remember cleaning up after your puppy? All those paper towels!

Well, it’s time to stock up on them again, because your golden girl may experience housetraining accidents. As a dog ages, she may not be able to hold her bladder as long as she could in her prime years. Physical aging aside, dogs also have accidents in your home due to stress. It’s not spite! Your old girl isn’t mad you went to

that party and came home late. She was stressed when you didn’t follow your regular routine, and so she peed. If she peed on your clothes or bed, again it wasn’t because she was angry at you.

She went to a source of your scent for comfort, was stressed, and peed. If your older dog is peeing inappropriately, your first stop should be your veterinarian to rule out a physical problem.

If she’s healthy, then confine her just as if she was a puppy when you can’t supervise her. Go back to your housetraining lessons and teach her again where you want her to eliminate. Also remember that older dogs, like older people, need more bathroom breaks and try to adjust your schedule accordingly.

There is a beautiful quote by Sidney Jean Seward, “Blessed is the person who has earned the love of an old dog.” Your senior dog may be reliving some problem behaviours as he ages, but it’s a small price to pay for every extra day you have together. n Teoti Anderson, CPDT-KA, KPA-CTP, is a professional dog trainer and author of The Dog Behavior Problem Solver, Ultimate Guide to Dog Training, Puppy Care and Training, and more. She hosts the Get Pawsitive Results radio show on Pet Life Radio and educates pet parents and other trainers on canine behaviour through popular webinars and workshops.

Destructive Behaviour Your puppy was a chewing machine, going through your personal belongings as if on some sort of canine mission.

He lost his puppy teeth, those back molars came in, and he grew up and less interested in chomping through your household. Until the day he decided to start up again as a senior.

Again, destructive behaviour is not generated from spite. In your senior dog especially, it’s likely due to anxiety. Chewing helps your dog relieve stress. Give your dog new toys to chew on, and rotate them frequently to keep their appeal fresh. Be sure and praise him when he chews on the toy instead of your shoe!

Grooming Struggles Who was more nervous the first time you cut your puppy’s nails, you or your pup? By now, grooming your dog is probably old hat, but you may notice your senior is less tolerant of handling than he used to be. Instead of holding still for a nail trim, he may pull his paw back. Instead of relaxing while you brush him, he may be irritable and even snap.

As dogs age, they grow more physically sensitive. Aching bones and arthritis may make it painful for your dog when you brush him. Be extra gentle with your older dog while grooming. Use treats to make the experience a positive one, just as you did when he was just learning how to enjoy his spa treatments. moderndogmagazine.com

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STAR DOG

Motto: The more one judges, the less one loves.

Passion

T C E J PRO

Thanks to our amazing Star Dog Contest sponsor Adaptil!

How the adoption of a rescued Pit Bull led Laura Morgillo to her life’s purpose

By Rose Frosek Photographed by Richie Schwartz

Y

ou never know what seemingly “no big deal” decision is going to set your life on an entirely different path. So it was for 45-yearold Laura Morgillo and her husband Joseph. The couple, both residents of Islip Terrace, a small community on Long Island, New York, found their path changed—and their passion—when they decided to take a chance on a rescued Pit Bull needing a home.

Laura was scrolling through PetFinder.com, the site featuring rescue dogs up for adoption (searchable by breed, location, and a host of other specifications) when she saw this “sweet looking little Pit Bull” named Hailey that a rescue group had pulled from a kill shelter in Virginia. Laura and her husband were hesitant but had recently read a slate of stories online

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testifying to the good nature of the breed. They decided to take the leap and see for themselves. “Hailey totally changed our perception of the breed,” Laura says. “She is the sweetest, most loving dog we have ever had the pleasure of knowing.”

Smitten, Laura heard of another Pit Bill rescued off the streets of the Bronx with a broken leg and a severe case of mange. He almost didn’t make it—he was scooped up from a local kill shelter a mere hour before he was to be euthanized. The rescue group that pulled him posted that they were looking for a foster home, and Laura and Joseph rose to the challenge. Laura named him Titus and devoted two months to tirelessly training him and posting cute photos in order to find the perfect forever home. But after a

promising placement fell through, the Morgillos realized they’d already found the perfect home for him: theirs.

They haven’t looked back since.

“If I could only say one thing about Pit Bulls, it would be that no home should be without one.” Laura enthuses. “They are loving, loyal, smart, silly and just all around clown dogs—no need for the comedy channel with a Pittie in the family! After having dogs that have never seen the inside of a shelter and then having dogs that have...the difference in personalities is amazing. I have never been loved more than by a dog that had once had nothing.”

Since her experience with Titus, Laura has become the President of a rescue group, Peace Love -NRescue Angels. She cannot overstate

Laura & Joseph Morgillo with Titus & Hailey.

Is Fostering Right For You?

PHOTOS RICHIE SCHWARTZ

“A good foster parent would be someone that has a little extra time to spend helping a dog adjust to home life and getting them ready for a new home. It may mean some vet visits (paid for by the rescue or organization you are fostering for), feeding, training, and taking pictures to put out on social media or websites in the process of finding their forever home, but the feeling of helping a dog in need sure outweighs anything else!”

—Laura Morgillo

“

The best thing about rescuing a dog is the pleasure you get out of watching what was once an unwanted, homeless, sad dog enjoying the rest of his life, happy and healthy and loved.

the importance of foster homes in saving shelter dogs: “A foster parent is one of the most important parts of rescue. Without them, we cannot pull an animal from a shelter as it would have no place to go. And I can tell you that fosters are very hard to find. Too many dogs are dying in the shelters daily due to the lack of fosters. Fostering is one of the most rewarding experiences.”

It’s a true passion project; the Morgillos are tireless in their rescue work, fundraising efforts, and bully breed advocacy—and they’ve met with some pretty amazing successes. “I think

”

aside from Titus and Hailey’s wedding day, (a fundraiser that raised over $5000 for rescue), the proudest moment in this journey was the Monster Elf Drive we did this past holiday season,” Laura recounts. “We were able to raise over $5000 in toys, treats, and much needed shelter supplies for one of our local shelters. The look on the shelter staffs’ faces when we pulled up with five SUV's filled with stuff was indescribable.”

Another proud moment, one that happens often, is when one of Titus and Hailey's fans sends Laura a message letting her know that, through Titus

and Hailey’s Facebook page, Titus and His Girl Hailey, she has changed their opinion about Pit Bulls and they have either adopted or decided to foster.

“When we started this page it was really just for fun but has turned into so much more,” Laura says. “The amount of people we have been able to help in some way is astounding and makes my heart smile every day.

Could your dog be the next featured? Our next Star Dog contest launches this September.

Enter your dog's photo at moderndogmagazine.com/stardog. moderndogmagazine.com

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PHOTO LESLIE MOSIER

Connie’s Book Club Left to right, from Doug the Pug: King of Pop Culture; Sled Dog Dachshund

Curl up with a good dog and a good book

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF CONNIE WILSON’S SELECTION OF THIS FALL'S MUST-READS.

Gods, Ghosts, and Black Dogs

By Stanley Coren This compulsively readable collection of dog stories blends fact, history, humour, and mystery to neatly illustrate the age-old deeply rooted bond between humans and dogs. Stanley Coren spans the globe as he shares folklore, mythology, and tall tales gathered the world over, addressing an array of canine-related questions, such as Why do Dalmatians have spots? and Are there dogs in heaven?, along with stories like how a dog myth changed modern psychotherapy. Deeply engaging, this compelling far-reaching look at our deep relationships with our dogs demonstrates the undeniable impact they have had on our lives and the depth and duration of our relationship with canines.

Doug the Pug: King of Pop Culture

By Leslie Mosier We, like the rest of the world, can’t get enough of this squishy-faced pup! Doug the Pug has taken social media by storm, with over 5 million adoring fans on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat. Now, he’s bringing his unwitting charm to the literary world. In this full colour photo-book you’ll find a selection of Doug’s best pics: bulging out of a too-tight lifejacket, sporting a mohawk, rubbing elbows with Justin Bieber, and so much more. The adorable antics of this Instagram-famous dog showcase the true meaning of “Pug Life.”

The Secret Language of Dogs: Unlocking the Canine Mind for a Happier Pet

By Victoria Stilwell In an effort to better understand, communicate, and connect with our dogs, Victoria Stilwell (star of Animal Planet’s “It’s Me or the Dog”) unlocks the canine mind. Dogs have a rich social intelligence and a physical and vocal language as complex and subtle as our own. Our task is learning how to interpret and respond. In The Secret Language of Dogs, Victoria offers a guide to reading both the subtle and obvious cues our dogs give us, including tips on managing their strange behaviours, and how to read signals of pain. This insightful look into the minds of our beloved pets will undoubtedly strengthen your relationship! moderndogmagazine.com

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Cannabis and CBD Science for Dogs

By D. Caroline Coile Backed by 30 years of research, D. Caroline Coile, Ph.D. introduces readers to the many amazing therapeutic applications of legal, safe, and veterinarianapproved cannabis products for dogs. Dog lovers everywhere, particularly those looking for a natural remedy for myriad canine problems, from pain relief to anti-anxiety, will appreciate the accessible breakdown of the science and research behind this burgeoning field. Firsthand accounts of success stories keep it readable, relatable, and compelling—if you’re like us and your dog has age-related aches and pains, you’re definitely going to want to give CBD products for pets a try. Another win? All book proceeds are donated to charitable animal organizations!

From Fuddles and Puddles

Best Books for Kids Instill a love of dogs with these sure-hit kids’ books guaranteed to delight the little ones in your life!

Sled Dog Dachshund

By Laura Atkins, Illustrations by An Phan When you think of dog sledding certain breeds come to mind, namely the Husky and Malamute. But what about Dachshunds? When Jasper, an enthusiastic and fearless Dachshund, hears about the world’s biggest sled dog race he knows he needs to not just take part, but win! The fact that he doesn’t fit into the harnesses and is a fraction of the height of his teammates doesn’t deter him one bit. This beautifully illustrated children’s book comes to a nail biting finish—can Jasper pull his team to victory, or will they be one foot short of first place?

Flash’s Song

By Kay Pfaltz When Kay Pflatz finds out that her beloved Dachshund, Flash, has a tumour on his spine and three weeks to live, she is simply devastated. But the brave, tenacious little dog has a different timeline in mind: instead of the predicted three weeks, Flash lives for an unexpected five-and-a-half miraculous months. Their last months together are captured in this evocative book in which Kay’s love for her dog is tangible. Their story will resonate with all dog owners who understand the deep, incomparable bond that forms between humans and their canine companions, as well as those of us who have experienced the many little miracles dogs bring into our lives. All profits from this book, now available in paperback, are donated to charity.

Sit Stay Heal Fuddles and Puddles Written and illustrated by Frans Vischer Cats are generally the unquestioned rulers of their domain—that is, until a pesky dog happens to intrude on their blissful reign and upsets the balance! That’s precisely what happens to top cat Fuddles when her owners bring home a slobbering, howling, floor wetting dog suitably named Puddles. But can “frenemies” become best fur-friends? This lovingly illustrated book hilariously renders the age-old cats and dogs dynamic with an adorable ending kids will love!

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By Mel C. Miskimen Time and again, our beloved dogs amaze us with their power to heal hearts, as often evidenced in the face of loss. For Mel Miskimen, it was her mother’s passing and her father’s subsequent withdrawal from life that required the help of a four-legged friend. Enter Seamus, a rowdy, hapless Labrador who arrives at just the right time! As Mel uses Seamus to coax her father back to life, she confronts her own feelings of grief and loss, and together the three work their way towards healing. This memoir, at turns hilarious and heartbreaking, is sure to warm the hearts of all who read it.

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Must-haves for you & your dog

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Must-haves for you & your dog

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moderndog marketplace

Dynamic Accents Amish Handcrafted Pet Furniture • True Mortise and Tenon Construction • No flakeboard, Solid Hardwood Construction Made in USA | www.DynamicAccents.com

moderndogmagazine.com

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LAST LICK

How I Met My Dog I

“

Having the privilege to love Ella has given me a new outlook and passion for life. Her bright blue eyes never fail to put a smile on people's faces and she never ceases to amaze me with her unfailing obedience and drive to please me. What an honor it is to be yours, Ella!—Alee Pasqualotto

”

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ELLA SUBMITTED BY ALEE PASQUALOTTO

rescued Ella from a family friend who found her dropped off on a highway with two other Aussies.

She had a bullet in her back and was pregnant. (Unfortunately, one puppy was blocking the rest and none survived.)