The Dog Gear You Need + An Action Plan for Leash Reactivity
The lifestyle magazine for modern dogs and their companions
HELP! Barking, Pulling… Experts Solve the Top 5 Problems
DOGS THAT PLAY TOO ROUGH
FALL 2018
FIND YOUR PERFECT BREED MATCH
When to intervene p48
TAIL S: WAG EY T TH A H W N MEA
p46
Take This Quiz!
Cannabis +Canines Could CBD help your dog?
p38
Is Co-Sleeping Okay? p17
moderndogmagazine.com DISPLAY UNTIL DEC ‘18
$5.95
Canine Rescuer Reveals All
Is the sassy Chihuahua, patient Great Dane or feisty Scottish Terrier for you? find out inside!
FALL 2018
VOL 17
NO 3
26 46 FEATURES 32
The Top 5 Behavioural Problems —and How To Solve Them Training experts give actionable advice addressing the most common dog problems, from barking to leash pulling and more.
88
Why Dogs Have Tails Balance, communication, pheromone distribution… your dog’s tail does it all! BY STANLEY COREN
92
The Beast at the End of the Leash An action plan for leash reactivity. BY TEOTI ANDERSON
36
Dogs That Play Too Rough Roughhousing at the dog park—what to look for and when to intervene. BY NICOLE WILDE
BODY & SOUL 60
38
Should You Let Your Dog Sleep in Bed with You? A new study looks at the effects of canine co-sleeping. BY STANLEY COREN
Are You Your Dog’s Favourite Person?; The Gatorade of the Dog World
62
Modern Dog Poll Results; The Find; Chew On!
64
Quiz: Find Your Perfect Breed Match Want to know which breeds best match your personality? Take this quiz to find out what breed is your Spirit Dog. BY KELLY CALDWELL
Puppy Essentials; Feel Good Dog Food Homeopathy 101
66
Apple Cider Vinegar and Your Pet
54
Thoughts Of Dog ‘Thoughts of Dog’ is the Sweetest, Funniest Thing on the Internet
26
Know Your Breed Is the Chihuahua or the Great Dane for you?
68
Cannabis for Canines Your dog can keep calm and carry on with CBD, the cannabis that helps—without the high. BY JANE MUNDY
100
The Scottish Terrier Get to know the "Scottie Dog," a die-hard terrier from the Highlands. BY KELLY CALDWEELL
75
Raising Kind Kids Planting the seeds of interspecies kindness and empathy in children reaps rewards for families, communities, and the children themselves.
46
BY TRACEY TONG
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READ YOUR BREED
THE GOODS 34
Home is Where the Dog Is File under “want it!” Drool-worthy home décor finds designed for dog people.
50
andrew grant
23 Perfect Presents Inspired gift ideas for dogs and dog lovers.
78
78 Serendipity Commercial photographer Andrew Grant accidentally found his calling photographing dogs. BY ROSE FROSEK 86
Look What We Found! The Modern Dog team’s current faves, finds, and obsessions.
98
Essential Dog Gear Don't miss out on these amazing products!
DOG LIFE 12
Masters of the Nap These dogs take napping to the next level!
24
We’re Giving It Away! We have tons of great giveaways—from gorgeous jewellery to the tastiest dog treats—and winners every week! Turn to page 24 to see all the cool dog stuff that’s up for grabs.
28
42
Stars, They’re Just Like Us! From coffee runs to dog park dates, candid snaps of celebrities out and about with their pups.
44
Dog on the Job: Official Product Tester A member of Modern Dog’s canine team shares his favourite dog products.
82
A Dog Treat Recipe for Fresh Breath No more dog breath! These toothsome dental treats for dogs will sweeten your pup’s breath and tickle his taste buds. BY SUZI BEBER
84
I Invented That! How a childhood love for Lego led a Cambridge physicist to create a next-level pet door and a Fitbit for dogs.
Battle of the Bath How to deal with dogs that hate being groomed.
BY JANE MUNDY
94
DIY Craft: A Bed for Tired Dogs Make a super-cute no-sew dog bed out of a spare tire! BY KRISTINA STEPHENS
REGULAR FEATURES 6 Editor’s Letter 8 Contributors 10 Stuff We Love 14 The Scoop 22 Smile! Photo Contest 109 Marketplace
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60
Why Dogs Bury Things Ever wonder why your dog buries toys and treats? Turns out there are two very good reasons for this behaviour.
105 Connie’s Book Club Curl up with a good dog and a good book. Editor-in-Chief Connie Wilson curates your fall season’s must-read list. 112 Last Lick: Double Trouble Caution: these canine besties make an adorable case for adding to your pack!
ON THE COVER Hazel the Dachshund, photographed by Andrew Grant. For more on Andrew and his amazing work that has, to date, raised over $2 million for rescue (and made a fan of Ellen DeGeneres!), turn to page 78.
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In USA: MODERN DOG (ISSN 1703-812X) Volume 17, 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.
EDITOR'S LETTER
CONNIE WILSON WITH PENNY, PHOTO KHAREN HILL
LOLA BOOTHROYD SUBMITTED BY ALEX
OUR R E ADE R S WR IT E
Fetchin' Joy
>> Wouldn't we all love to be this dog right now?!
Juno-Bear the Border Collie/Australian Shepherd/Lab mix is lovin' his fetch time in Applegate Lake, Oregon. Thanks to owner Connor Kasler for sending in this adorable shot! Modern Dog gives it four paws up!
A
s much as I revel in the summer months, the arrival of September, with its cooler weather and renewed sense of purpose, thrills me. My dog Penny loves it too. Although she adores summer barbeques and the beach (and cooling off in the ocean—who can relate?), she prefers fall’s more moderate temperatures and is ready for a new set of adventures by the time September rolls around. I’m right there with her—bring on the walks through crunchy fall leaves! With Penny and the rest of the Modern Dog office pack as our inspiration, we’ve designed this issue to entertain, inspire, and educate, combining our enormous love and respect for dogs with our enthusiasm for the season in what is hopefully our best issue yet! We’ve scoured tradeshows, shops, cities, and the internet to sleuth out the very best gear and products. We share recent scientific studies (such as the effects of canine co-sleeping, p 38), help you get a better read on your dog’s body language (p 88), and delve into how CBD, a hemp-derivative that’s reported to help dogs with myriad issues, from pain to anxiety, can help your dog (p 68). Take our quiz to determine your perfect breed match (p 46), tackle problems in your relationship with your dog (experts solve the top five behavioural problems on page 32), and that’s just for starters. We’ve got a cool dog product to be won every single week (p 24), candid captures of celebs out and about with their pups, an action plan for leash reactivity, DIYs, drool-worthy home décor finds, profiles of the sassy Chihuahua, patient Great Dane, and feisty Scottish Terrier, and tons more. So go ahead, jump right into this issue and get your fall season off to a great start! Thank you for being a part of our awesome community of dog lovers. I’m so glad you’re here.
Yes! Great Giveaway Prize “I never win anything and this is one thing that I REALLY wanted to win. We lost our two dachshunds (Barney and Abby) last year and [this] painting of them by Christy! Studios [is] wonderful. Thank you and Modern Dog Magazine so very much!!!!” —Michelle Benefield
Much Love,
Connie Wilson, Publisher & Editor-in-Chief
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“We love your magazine. It also makes a great gift for all the "dog moms” in my family!—Aileen Wilson
C ON TRIBUT OR S FALL 2018
Monika Melnychuk is an illustrator whose obsession with dogs began at a very young age. She currently resides in Whitehorse, Yukon where her two dogs, Sid the Vizsla and Walnut the German Shorthaired Pointer, can run free in the forest. Monika’s work has been spotted on Canada Post stamps, on Blasted Church wine bottles, and in many magazines and newspapers across the continent. Turn to page 88 to see her illustrations for Reading Your Dog’s Tail!
•
VOL 17
NO 3
Publisher
Modern Dog Inc. Editor-in-Chief
Connie Wilson Editor & Creative Director
Jennifer Nosek Assistant Art Director
Natalie Gagnon Social Media Coordinator
Alice Sewell Sales & Marketing
Alice Sewell, Laura Sluggett Audience Development & Digital Marketing Specialist
Jessica Linnay Manager, Accounting Services & Subscription Services
Celine Benipayo Copywriter & Subscription Coordinator
Krysten Downton Controller
Cecilia de Roca Chan, CPA, CGA
Jane Mundy is an award-winning writer and photographer. Her articles have appeared in many magazines, from Scientific American to More magazine, and she is a regular contributor to The Province and Vancouver Sun's travel section. Jane has also written two cookbooks: Ocean Wise 1 and Ocean Wise 2, and Modern Dog magazine published one of her first stories back in 2003. When Jane isn’t writing she’s hiking with Lizzy, her Karelian Bear Dog, pictured here. Flip to page 68 for Jane's look at cannabis for canines!
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 17, 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 17, 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
FAX
Dr. Stanley Coren is a psychologist with a passion for dogs. He has an array of bestselling dog books to his name and is a media-favourite for pretty much anything related to dogs, science, and psychology. In this issue, Stan unpacks the many purposes of a dog’s tail and tells you how to read its nuanced movements and positions to better understand your dog. Turn to page 88 to jump right in!
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(604) 734-3031 OR TOLL FREE (866) 734-3031
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 2018 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.
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STUFF WE LOVE Modern Dog staffers’ picks of the litter 1 A vacation just isn't right without my dog at my side. Travel with your dog to 4Paws Campground and Retreat in the scenic foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina. Watch your furball jump into the swimming pond, kick-it on the agility course, and settle in for the night in your rented RV or cabin—paradise!—Natalie (Starting at $84 per night, 4pawskingdom.com)
$
2 I always ensure my pup has the most stylish accessories but sometimes I need something pretty too! Carrie Cramer’s beautifully handcrafted jewelry is perfect for this. With a range of breeds to choose from, there is a piece for every dog owner. She also just launched an awesome new line with renowned vet Dr. Lisa Lippman. Love it!—Alice (Starting at $195, carriecramer.com)
BN
3 We love wine and we love dogs, and that’s why we’re huge fans of Mutt Lynch Winery. Their award-winning wines have dog-awesome labels (try their Unleashed, HellHound Red or Fou Fou Le Blanc, to name a few) adding a sense of whimsy to seriously good wine. AND they support local, national and international rescue organizations with donations and fundraising activities. What’s not to love?!—Laura (From $15, MuttLynchWinery.com) 4 I love my new diner bowl! The elevated dish in NMN Designs’ “Henry” diner helps me feel less bloated after a yummy meal and my human loves the elegant design.—Penny the Wirehaired Dachshund ($60, nmndesigns.com) 5 I’m always thinking about ways to proclaim my love for dogs. This All You Need is Dog keychain is the perfect addition to my collection of cutesy things. Angie makes super fun dog, cat and feminist (three of my fave topics) pins and keychains and also gives back to non-profit groups like animal rescues and female advocacy groups! Check out her shop!—Celine (Starting at $16, thefive15.com/)
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6 The Modern Dog office pack loves Amore MEGA Morsels. This human-grade, ethically sourced, dehydrated dog food provides all the benefits of raw, with the convenience of dry and comes in chicken, beef, turkey or novel proteins like kangaroo (1/2 cup = 1 pound of raw food!). It can be served as-is or rehydrated by simply adding water! That’s Amore!—Connie (From $15, amorepetfoods.com)
BM
7 Hurtta’s wonderfully named Outback Dreamer Sleeping Bag is a must for outdoor adventuring! Cozy, water-repellent, and breathable, this well insulated sleeping sack (think heat-reflecting foil in the lining) was designed to support your dog’s natural sleeping position so he can curl up easily in the bag’s warmth. No camping trip on the horizon? It also makes an ideal sleeping mat!—Jennifer ($70, hurtta.com)
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8 Losing a pet is incredibly difficult. With Lisa Havelin’s beautiful line of Pet Reliquaries memorial lockets, you can keep a reminder of your beloved pup with you wherever you go. The website also offers grief resources.—Kyrsten (Starting at $285, petreliquaries.com) 9 Fruitables’ perfectly petite treats are packed with big flavours and contain no artificial colouring or flavours! With their small size, they’re easy to chew and perfect for treat hounds, older dogs, and young pups in training.—Cecilia ($15, amazon.com) 10 It rains all the time in the Pacific Northwest so my dog’s always wet. Before the Puff n Fluff dryer I was always doing towel laundry or chasing her with a hair dryer. This ingenious dog dryer dries your dog in minutes. Lifesaver!—Jessica (From $40, thedogdryer.com) 11 I loved custom engraving my dog’s leather collar from Central Kentucky Tack and Leather, and the padding makes it super comfortable for him!—Laura (Starting at $35, centralkentuckytackandleather.com) 12 Provide your pup with tropical summer vibes all year long! Einstein Pet’s tasty, Hawaiianinspired Luau Time Treats are totally natural and organic. Made with real pork, pineapple, and chia, these fiber-rich and antioxidant-packed treats will have your dog dancing for more!—Esther the Miniature Dachshund ($11, einsteinpets.com)
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&
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CUTE!
Naptime Champs! Masters of the Nap: these dogs take napping to next level
s we e t s d rea m
Rye Keeley
Xxxx
Rikku
Zzzzz . . . Stanton Sylvie
Oop s!
Turk Oscar
Coco
Ryder
For a behind-the-scenes look at what we’re up to in the MD offices, the latest breaking stories and videos, cool contests, events, & exclusive giveaways, become a fan of Modern Dog on Facebook & follow us on Twitter, Instagram, & Pinterest. Go to facebook.com/moderndogmagazine, twitter.com/moderndogmag, instagram.com/moderndogmag & pinterest.com/moderndogmag.
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THE SCOOP
PHOTO XXXXXXXX
Some of the pawsome staff at the Aloft Hotel!
HOTEL LOBBY SHOWCASES ADOPTABLE DOGS A heartwarming check-in experience featuring foster dogs finds homes for shelter pups in record time
N
ext time the Modern Dog team is in Orlando we’ll definitely be staying at the Aloft Hotel. The downtown boutique property (nightly rate at time of writing—$140) is not only hip and well situated, but at check-in you’ll be greeted by an adorable dog up for adoption.
The Aloft Orlando’s, ahem, lofty goal is to match families with homeless pets by showcasing a rotating roster of foster dogs looking for forever homes in the hotel’s lobby. The effort is modelled after successful programs implemented by Aloft sister properties in Asheville, NC; Greenville, SC; and, Tallahassee, FL. Each property is home to one foster dog at a time. The adoptable pup spends his daytime hours hanging out in a cozy dog house and enclosure in the lobby, where hotel guests and visitors can meet him and potentially become his new family. So far, the program has been a hit—at the Aloft Tallahassee hotel, for
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instance, it took a single day for Mavis, a homeless Shih Tzu, to get adopted. To date, Aloft hotels have found permanent homes for almost 200 dogs. The Aloft isn’t alone, either—other hotels, including the Westin Ottawa, the Sheraton Milwaukee Brookfield, Fontainebleau Miami Beach, and the Sheraton Four Point Wakefield Boston, among others, have implemented similar programs designed to help get dogs adopted. (All these properties also offer petfriendly rooms should you be travelling with your pup. The Aloft Orlando provides special amenities for doggy guests including complimentary welcome treats, dog toys, and optional dog bed rentals.) We love seeing businesses find ways like this to give back and get involved. Three cheers for these very cool programs helping rescue dogs find homes!
THE SCOOP
RIGHT IMAGE: PHOTO ABBY’S PHOTOGRAPHY
zach shows what's undernea th!
Dog Rescuer Zach Skow Bares His Soul—and His Underwear—in Revealing Jockey Ad Campaign After hitting rock bottom, Zach found sobriety through his rescue dogs and discovered purpose in giving back. Now fame has found him.
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ou may have seen the ad running on TV and taken note. After all, it’s not every day you see a handsome dog rescuer in his underwear surrounded by three rescue dogs, one of which— an adorable fluff ball missing her two front limbs—walks around nimbly on her hind legs. Dog rescuer Zach Skow is the latest hero to be featured by Jockey, a 142-year-old brand known for its underwear. Zach, who found purpose in giving shelter dogs a second chance at life after hitting rock bottom and battling liver disease, was wisely if unexpectedly chosen to star in the next chapter of the brand’s inspiring “Show ’Em What’s Underneath, Show ’Em Your Jockey” campaign. In a personal, intimate video and series of portraits, the #ShowEm campaign introduces Zach baring his soul (and his Jockey underwear), illustrating what’s underneath, both literally and figuratively. Zach shares that, after years of abusing alcohol and drugs, he was facing end-stage liver disease at the age of 28. While trying to overcome the lowest point in his life, the unconditional love he found in his dogs gave him the strength to work through his addiction and take his life back. His miraculous recovery inspired him to establish Marley’s Mutts, a non-profit organization that rescues, rehabilitates, trains, and re-homes dogs from high-kill centers.
He’s saved the lives of more than 5000 dogs thus far. As part of Marley’s Mutts, Zach created Miracle Mutts, a community outreach and education endeavor, to help empower both dogs and people to live happy, healthy, and productive lives. The program helps nonverbal kids with autism, people recovering from substance addiction, veterans, and incarcerated inmates. Zach also started Pawsitive Change, a progressive and intensive rehabilitation training program that matches dogs with inmates. The objective is to reduce inmate recidivism by providing them with a viable skill while saving dogs at the same time. To date, they’ve positively impacted over 120 dogs and more than 200 prison inmates. “Zach has found an even bigger purpose through his extraordinary work saving thousands of dogs and transforming people’s lives through the power of the human-canine bond,” says Erica Rendall, vice president of marketing for Jockey. “Zach shows us that everyone deserves a second chance and that it’s never too late to find your own purpose to make a positive impact in the world.” For his part, Zach says that the #ShowEm campaign has “helped me feel comfortable with putting the real me out there. Jockey has given me this amazing opportunity to show people it’s okay to be vulnerable—in order to find acceptance from others, you have to start with yourself.”
Read our full profile on the inspiring Zach Skow at moderndogmagazine.com/zach-skow moderndogmagazine.com
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THE SCOOP The Vacation Your Dog Dreams Of Asheville, North Carolina’s Barkwells is a dog’s paradise
Travel + Leisure calls it “perhaps one of the best places on the planet to take your four-legged companion.” Located outside of Asheville, North Carolina, Barkwells is an all-cottage resort designed with furry guests in mind. Boasting acres of grass, a pond stocked with fish, and farm animals like chickens and goats, the property is a dog’s paradise, offering unparalleled freedom in a safe and secure environment. Your best friend is free to splash through the pond and run, play, and roam through acres of fully fenced meadows. Each of the property’s eight one- and two-bedroom cabins feature gated porches, fenced-in yards, and a dog door so your pup can freely explore or chill on the covered porch while you enjoy your private hot tub or cozy fire. A new second location in Brevard, situated in the beautiful western North Carolina mountains, lets you drink in the mountain air, go hiking, and see waterfalls in the Pisgah National Forest and Dupont State Forest. After working up an appetite, head to downtown Asheville or Brevard for fabulous petfriendly independent restaurants in the area. A vacation win, no pet sitter needed!
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THE SCOOP CAPTION THIS!
The Most Popular Dog Names and Most Commonly Insured Breeds
C A R T O O N S © 2018 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.
AND THE WINNING CAPTION FROM THE SUMMER ISSUE IS…
Have you noticed a lot of Bellas and Lucys running around the dog park? With good reason—they both top the charts for trending dog names. Embrace Pet Insurance analyzed their 2017 new policyholder data to determine the most popular dog names and the breeds most commonly insured. Here are the results. Most Commonly Insured Breeds
Most Popular Dog Names
#1 Mixed Breed Dog
#1 Bella
#2 Labrador Mix
#2 Lucy
#3 Labrador Retriever
#3 Bailey
#4 Hybrid Dog
#4 Charlie
#5 Golden Retriever
#5 Max
#6 German Shepherd Dog
#6 Luna
#7 Chihuahua Mix
#7 Daisy
#8 French Bulldog
#8 Lola
"Technically, I'm not a water dog.”
#9 Yorkshire Terrier
#9 Buddy
SUBMITTED BY: JOSEPH A. DEWAN
#10 Goldendoodle
#10 Molly
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"Don't even think about going after my Chuckit ball!" SUBMITTED BY: LESLIE PUSKAS
RUNNER-UP CAPTIONS "Do you mind if my steed and I join you?” SUBMITTED BY: ELIZABETH WARREN
! E L I SM
Modern Dog’s Photo Contest Winners!
Dottie
Trooper
English Bulldog
Labrador Mix
Jeffrey
French Bulldog
Peekaboo
German Shepherd Mix
Dakota
Border Collie/Chow Chow Mix
Grace
Nala
Boxer
Samoyed
Molson
Border Collie
Birdie Pug/Chihuahua/ Pekingese Mix
Norm
Wheaten Terrier
Daisy
Yorkshire Terrier
Trooper Bitzy
Labrador Mix
Juno
Chihuahua
Oakley
Pitbull
Biscuit
Toy Golden Doodle
2am in Tokyo Doug
Multipoo
English Bulldog
Cocker Spaniel
Bentley
Jesse Scratch
German Shepherd
Lucky
Miniature Schnauzer
Bichon/Yorkie/ Poodle Mix
Boxer
Think your dog ought to be in Modern Dog?
Lou, Lexi & Kona
Lurcher/Husky/Golden Retriever
Quinn
Maltese/Shih Zu/Poodle Mix
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!
ENTER TO WIN
We’re giving it away! Enter to win fabulous giveaways each and every week in September, October, and November. Go to moderndogmagazine.com/giveaways to enter! Lucky readers will win every week.
september Petting Wars:
The lifestyle
magazine for
Dog-Dog Aggressi on In The Home
modern dogs
+ Dogs Can
Smell Your Emotions
!
and their companio
Are You Causing Your Dog’s Barking? What to do if
ns
SUMMER
2018
BEST SUMMER EVER!
you’re the probl em
IFIC TERR & TOYS ! TS TREA
FIND YOUR TRIBE
Recipes for
Finding friend romance at s & even dog meetups magazine.c
moderndog DISPLAY UNTIL
SEPT ‘18
p12
Summer Fun
p44
Easy Homemad e Treats
om
$5.95
PROBIOTICS FOR DOGS ACTIVITIES TO TIRE OUT HIGH-ENERGY BREEDS EVEN GREAT GIVEAW AYS!
find your breed match: Is the
Shar-Pei, Cane Corso
1st-7th
Staff-Favourite Gear
or German Shortha ired Pointer
p30
for you?
Win 1 of 5 one-year subscriptions to Modern Dog magazine, chock full of helpful articles, heartwarming stories, and so many cute dog photos!
october
1st-7th
Win 1 of 10 Wild Ginger Duos from John Paul Pet. The shampoo and shine spray use wild ginger extract to cleanse, condition and add shine to your pup’s coat.
november
1st-7th
Win 1 of 4 silver charms or bracelets from Bark Beads. These .925 sterling silver charms are gorgeously crafted and come in dozens of dog breed styles!
8th-14th
Win 1 of 3 bags of Super Premium Healthy Dog Food from Ketunpet. This gluten-free food is rich with high-quality vegetable proteins and promotes healthy digestion and weight control. Choice of Adult or Puppy food.
15th-21st
Win 1 of 5 HandsOn Gloves—the massage your dog will beg for! These gloves provide a more thorough shedding, bathing and grooming experience for you and your pup.
22nd-30th
8th-14th
15th-21st
22nd-31st
Win 2 free months of fresh dog food with NomNomNow! These perfectly proportioned meals are fresh, healthy and delivered straight to your home.
8th-14th
Win a delicious prize pack from Primal Pet Foods! Your dog will love the well-balanced, freeze-dried raw formulas in 6 delectable flavours like lamb, duck, and venison.
Win 1 of 3 (26.4 pound) bags of N&D Pumpkin Grain-Free Canine dog food from Farmina Pet Foods. With 97% protein from animal sources it'll delight your dog's taste buds!
15th-21st
Win 1 of 4 Dog Bundles! This bundle of premium quality dog-tested toys and all-natural treats and chews provides hours of fun for your best friend.
Win 1 of 4 Mirage Pet Products gift certificates worth $50! Spoil your puppy with a wide array of collars, harnesses, toys, outfits and more!
Win 1 of 10 10-ounce jars of Hempenhanced Grizzly Joint Aid from Grizzly Pet Products. Perfect to help any dog ease aches, discomfort, and stiffness in their joints.
22nd-30th
Win 1 of 12 FurZoff, the new and better way to remove pet hair from your home and vehicles. Made in USA of 90% recycled material, it’s 100% durable!
No purchase necessary to enter or win. Beginning September 1, 2018 at 12:01 AM (PST) through November 30, 2018 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: BAILEY SUBMITTED BY KELLY DELEON
s y a w a e v i G t a Gre
know your breeds
Is the Chihuahua or the Great Dane for you?
I'm y! sass
The Chihuahua
T
Charming, graceful, sassy
iny in size but large in spirit, the sassy and spirited Chihuahua packs big-dog attitude into a small package. The temperament of the Chihuahua is described as terrier-like: these are spirited, curious, confident dogs, feisty and brave. Many seem to come into the dog park thinking they're the biggest studs in town. Dogs heavier than six pounds are considered outside the AKC breed standard but otherwise there are no restrictions on size. Though small, this compact, solidly built dog gives a general impression of alertness and balance. The breed’s physical hallmarks are a round, apple-like skull and low-set, flaring ears. There are two coat varieties, smooth and long—and both shed. Chihuahuas are excellent watchdogs, loyal and quick to defend their homes and families. Playful, intelligent, and deeply affectionate, Chihuahuas love to cuddle with their humans, tend to be excellent citydwellers, and, with their saucy disposition, are undeniably charming.
Is the Chihuahua right for you? Find out more at: moderndogmagazine.com/chihuahua
The Great Dane
T
Friendly, patient, dependable
he regal Great Dane is a gentle giant, and we mean GIANT— some weigh close to 200 pounds. Strong, well balanced, and closer in size to a pony, the Great Dane is, quite simply, a wonder to behold. Although the Great Dane was originally developed for hunting, this is a versatile, sweet-natured dog. Loyal, loving, and sensitive, the laidback Great Dane is patient with kids and an alert home guardian, and has relatively modest exercise demands. As with all breeds, the Great Dane comes with some health considerations, most notably bloat or gastric torsion. And while the Great Dane grows quickly, the breed is not considered mature until he is a few years old; until then, play and exercise must be kept moderate to avoid injury. But the biggest consideration and perhaps the only true downside to the Great Dane is this: your time with your beloved friend will be somewhat limited. The Dane’s average lifespan ranges from seven to ten years. Some last longer—and some leave us even sooner. Their short lifespan is the indisputably difficult part of loving the canine world’s gentle giant. Affectionate, loving, sweet, loyal—this huge breed has both a wonderful disposition and incredible good looks. Just plan on buying him his own couch!
Is the Great Dane right for you? Find out more at: moderndogmagazine.com/greatdane
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I'm patient !
BATTLE OF How to Deal with Dogs THE BATH that Hate Being Groomed Does your dog HATE being groomed? You’re not alone. Though many dogs don’t love grooming sessions (baths and nail clipping are often particularly problematic), there are some dogs whose intense dislike for the process make it near impossible to take care of essential things like trimming those talons or washing off skunk. For these dogs, we share here expert tips plus recommended products to help in the battle of the bath. ND SECO E H T EYES YOUR E I'M E M LEAV RE! A HE OUTT
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#1
Work with a behaviourist In truly tough cases, call in the experts. This is the ideal starting point to positively impact your dog’s long-term ability to be groomed. Positive-reinforcement behaviourists can assess your dog and begin identifying and working on the underlying triggers and associations causing the upset. They give you training tips, coping mechanisms, and daily tasks you can perform to desensitize your dog, like daily paw massages.
#2
Have back-up in the grooming salon
#3
Calming Sprays and CBDs
#4
More spot cleaning, less full baths
Bring in a third helper, so both you and your friend—someone your dog knows and trusts—can help the groomer. That way you have someone to help restrain and calm your dog, while you and the groomer can work on the grooming. (Be sure to let the groomer know what they’re getting in to.) To help with anxiety, try adding a few drops of Bach’s Rescue Remedy for Pets (rescueremedy.com) to your dog’s food, or spraying MediPets CBD Pet Spray (diamondcbd.com) into your dog’s mouth (legalities surrounding CBD vary per province/ state; check with your vet and turn to page 68 for more on how CBDs can help dogs with everything from anxiety to pain). Both are two natural ways to help your dog relax and reduce anxiety. Make life easier between baths by using a spray, dry shampoo, and/or handy pet wipes to freshen up your pet.
Products That Can Help A Handheld Scrubber The Dexas Scrub Buster is great for spot cleaning. It lets you use water and shampoo in the top capsule and dispenses it onto your dog where you can lather it with the bristles. You still need some water to rinse off the soap, but a quick rinse with the hose does the trick. The scrubber is also good to use in the summer months after camping and to keep any odours at bay.
A Good Glove Brush A de-shedding glove is a Godsend, allowing you to remove excess fur and loose hair while you pet your dog, getting him comfortable with the processes of grooming. The HandsOn glove is a favourite. They come in multiple sizes and really work!
Dog Cologne/Spray Skout’s Honor Probiotic Deodorizer in Honeysuckle scent not only hydrates but also deodorizes your dog’s skin by incorporating probiotics, which make it difficult for harmful bacteria to take over while allowing good bacteria to flourish. Just spray on and brush or massage through your dog’s coat and onto skin for a fresher, better-smelling pet in between washes! Can be used daily. skoutshonor.com A Good Daily Brush Getting rid of the dander and hair can make your dog at least look freshly groomed and put together! Try the FurBliss brush—no matter your dog’s breed/hair type, they have a brush that will help.
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Waterless Shampoos Dry shampoos are super popular for people to use in between showers, why not for dogs?! There are a few types we’ve tried and each has its own benefits: • John Paul Pet has a Waterless Foam Shampoo that you pump into your hands, massage into the dry fur, and simply brush it through—no rinsing required! • Rufus and Coco's Water Free Wash cleans, deodorises and removes oil without water. Simply sprinkle on, brush and go! Bathtime Gear Aquapaw’s ingenious Slow Treater is designed to keep less cooperative dogs busy. Pack it with peanut butter and stick it to the wall to distract your dog while you’re washing him! aquapaw.com/products/slow-treater
Conditioner Spina Organics’ fur detangler is a lightweight leave-in conditioner that nourishes fur without weighing it down. Enriched with Argan and Moringa oil to make your dog’s coat softer than ever before, it eliminates tangles and leaves fur static-free, no rinsing necessary! spinaorganics.com
Doggie Body Wipes Wet wipes are a baby must-have and the principle applies nicely to dog hygiene. You can wipe off anything weird your dog has rolled in and keep your dog smelling as fresh as possible. Glandex Anal Gland wipes have a deceiving name—while they’re great for keeping your dog’s nether regions clean, they can be used all over your dog’s body. They’re even good for using on your dog’s face and paws. n
SPECIAL PROMOTION
TRAINING
5
THE TOP
#1
BEHAVIOURAL PROBLEMS
(and How to Solve Them)
Leash Pulling
Have a dog that is always pulling on his leash whenever you go for a walk? According to dog trainer and behaviour expert Inger Martens, part of this problem may lie in trigger words, such as “Do you want to go for a walk?” As Inger explains, sometimes phrases like these “create chaos and craziness” in your dog even before the walk has started. Her solution? Put your dog’s leash on silently before a walk, using no trigger words. Once your dog is leashed, guide her around the house for a few minutes. Finally, put some space between the time the leash is clipped on and when you actually leave for the walk. Do some chores, or perhaps watch a bit of television before you actually take your dog out. “This exercise,” Inger explains, “will break up the pre-walk pattern of excitement that is associated with a leash.” The result is that your dog will have less built-up, frenzied energy that she channels into pulling and sniffing on walks!
#2
Chewing on furniture /inappropriate objects
Dogs turn to destructive chewing for many reasons, but major ones are boredom and excessive energy. According to trainer and behaviourist Nicole Wilde, the first step is to make sure your dog is given proper chew toys when left alone so that your pup has a better alternative to chewing prized possessions. Nicole notes that most important, however, is to make sure your dog is “getting lots of physical exercise and mental stimulation.” If your dog is getting a healthy amount of exercise, she will have less nervous energy to direct into destructive chewing.
#3
Peeing Indoors
Does your dog continue to pee indoors post puppyhood? First, rule out any physical problems. Dog behaviour expert Teoti Anderson advises that inappropriate urination can be a sign of problems such as a urinary infection or Cushing’s disease, so be sure to get your dog a veterinary checkup.
Does your dog pull like this? Try a HALTI Headcollar, which gently helps train your dog to stop pulling by guiding their head while still allowing them to drink, eat and be comfortable. (From $26, CompanyOfAnimals.us)
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If the problem isn’t physical, there are a variety of reasons your dog could be peeing inside, including stress, anxiety, or learned behaviour from a previous home. Whatever the reason, however, Anderson advises that “starting housetraining from scratch” is a good bet. You’re going to have to watch your dog like a hawk to prevent accidents; unsupervised house roaming is a thing of the past. Restrict your dog’s access, particularly to areas she frequently pees, give her more frequent bathroom breaks, and reward her every time she goes to the bathroom outside. The trick is to “teach her that you only want her to eliminate outside,” Teoti says. Once she starts getting the hang of it, you can slowly increase her freedom and access to more areas of the house again.
#5 #4
Lack of Recall
This is probably a familiar scene: after a good romp at the dog park, you call your dog. “Rex, come!” He refuses, appearing suddenly hard of hearing. Why won’t your dog come? According to veterinarian and expert animal behaviourist Ian Dunbar, you need to look at this scene from your dog’s point of view. Your dog has learned that the dog park is fun, and when he obeys your command of “come,” his leash gets hooked on, and the fun ends. Not really a great reward for obeying a command! To help your dog with recall, Dunbar suggests teaching your dog to come in smaller, contained areas before trying it in distracting areas such as the dog park. Once you progress to areas with greater distractions, you need to teach your pup that coming when called does not necessarily mean the end of fun activities. Once in a distracting area, ask your dog to come, and if she complies, say “Good Dog!”, grab her collar, and then immediately say “Go Play” and let her go back to her fun play session. “After just a half a dozen trials,” Dunbar explains, “she will learn that coming when called does not necessarily mean the end of her play session.”
Barking
This is the big one. Although we appreciate that our pups often have their reasons for excessive barking, such as protecting their territory, it can definitely be a nuisance to hear your dog barking away while you’re trying to work or relax. Trainer and behaviourist Nicole Wilde reminds us that we need to understand that barking is the way dogs communicate. If your dog’s barking has become problematic, she says you “need to figure out why your dog is barking and under what circumstances and then approach the problem positively and humanely.” As such, there are many, many reasons why your dog barks, and how you deal with it will depend on the cause. If your dog is barking because she wants something, for instance, teach her that barking will not result in a reward (whether it is attention, affection or treats). If your dog learns that her behaviour is not resulting in what she wants, she may realize that barking doesn’t lead to anything positive and cease barking. If your dog barks whenever someone is at the door, this is a way of marking and defending her territory. Nicole suggests using positive reinforcement such as cookies to “teach her that after a few barks her job is to run to a designated area away from the door.” With practice this should reduce the doorbell barking. Your dog’s barking could also be motivated by fear. According to Teoti Anderson, if the cause of your dog’s barking is fearbased, “work with a professional, reward-based trainer to help your dog learn that he’s safe and you’ll take care of him.” n
For more on problem barking, go to moderndogmagazine.com/problembarking.
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{ Great gift idea! } Available in a whole variety of breeds, these lovely silhouette ornaments are crafted out of locally sourced walnut cut to highlight a gorgeous natural wood grain. Choose to engrave a name at check out! $33, houndworks. patternbyetsy.com
The stylish Montana bed from West Paw is made with eco-friendly, lightweight IntelliLoft fiber for a cozy bed that will look great in the house, car, crate, or office. A cool-looking, portable, and comfortable multitasker! $69, WestPaw.com
Home is where the dog is File under “want it!”
Looking for the perfect doghouse? The Precision Pet Country Lodge doghouse is a mini, solid wood cabin for your pup! Quality crafting ensures extra protection from the elements. From $90, Petmate.com
Eldoop Design's custom ceramic sculptures of pets are nothing short of amazing. Eldoop will work with you to craft a sculpture of your dog to specifications of your choosing—they can be small enough to fit on the lid of a treat jar or as big as you like! Starting at $165 Eldoop.com
The Venus Scoop bed is designed for small or arthritic dogs, offering a scooped front for easy access without compromising on sleek style. From $105, Bowsers.com
Bring more spark into your home with these incredible artworks from Pet Portraits! Styled after your pooch, these portraits strive to capture the special bond between pet and owner. From $325, PetPortraitsCanada.ca
Is it time to walk the dog? Make checking the time an enjoyable activity with an Anything Dogs Wall Clock. With over 60 different breeds to choose from, there’s a handcrafted solid oak clock for near every breed fancier! $110, AnythingDogs.com
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Imagine a plush toy custom built in the image of your pooch—what could be cuter? Cuddle Clones make irresistibly adorable clones in the likeness of your pup. A perfect keepsake or a sure to be treasured gift. $249, CuddleClones.com
TRAINING
DOGS THAT PLAY TOO ROUGH Roughhousing at the dog park
By Nicole Wilde
Q:
How can I get my dog to play nice? He gets overexcited and plays too rough with other dogs at the dog park. He also tries to play with dogs that obviously aren't into it. (He hasn't hurt any of his playmates but it scares their owners.) How can I help him dial down the intensity of his play? I’m not a fan of dog parks—too much can go wrong. But I do respect your concern for other people and their dogs when your pup plays too roughly or solicits play from uninterested playmates. So, let’s talk about how you can go about ensuring everyone’s safety. Dogs have different play styles depending on their breed, age, and other factors, but they generally understand each other’s body language. The first step in getting your dog to play nicely with others is for you to become very familiar with canine body language so that you can notice when tensions are first starting to build. When I was filming at my local dog park for my DVD Dissecting the Dynamics of Dog-Dog Play, I captured hundreds of hours of footage of dogs interacting. In editing this immense amount of footage, I was able to break things down into body language and signals that indicate play is becoming too rough or overwhelming. Allow me to share some of these elements. When dogs are romping happily together, their bodies are like limp noodles. Tails may wag in loose arcs, and mouths may hang open. When a dog becomes tense, his body stiffens. In play, although the tail is wagging, it may be held high and be moving stiffly from side to side (this can indicate confidence or dominance), be lowered and moving quickly back and forth
A:
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within a small radius (possible nervousness or anxiety), or even be tucked between the dog’s legs (usually fear). When a dog’s body goes stiff and that “happy mouth” closes—he may be staring at another dog or taking offense to something a dog is doing as this happens—this is called a “freeze.” Momentary though it maybe, this important mini-pause gives a dog time to assess the situation before him. Does he need to run away? Should he fight? Or is everything okay, and everyone can go back to what they were doing? Depending on the potential threat, the dog will make his decision. Watch for freezes in your dog and others, along with the other body language mentioned. If you notice a freeze or tense body language, stay alert and ready to intervene if necessary. Of course, there is much, much more to watch for, but this will get you started. As far as the play itself, one thing to be wary of is speed and intensity. It is a lot easier for play to boil over into aggression when things are becoming fast and furious. Are the dogs racing around the park? There’s nothing inherently wrong with that, but monitor them to ensure that all the adrenalinefueled excitement doesn’t turn into aggression. The more dogs that are involved, the more potential danger. Also, the more vertical the play gets, especially where dogs are standing on their hind legs and mouth wrestling, the more potential for danger. And, watch for actions dogs may take offense to. A few to watch for are humping, hip bumping or slamming, and placing a head over another dog’s neck or shoulder area. If you notice that your dog is becoming overexcited or playing too roughly, or that other owners are becoming concerned, create an enforced break in the action by calling
The first step in getting your dog to play nicely with others is for you to become very familiar with canine body language so that you can notice when tensions are first starting to build.
your dog to you. If he does not have a solid recall to the point that he will come to you even when playing with another dog, that’s okay; this is a very high-distraction scenario! Practice at home first, then work outdoors, gradually adding distractions as your dog is successful. Don’t forget to reward him every time! You can also practice recalls when the dog park is empty so that your dog will become accustomed to coming when called there (just don’t use food if other dogs are in the park). If you do create an enforced play break, it needn’t be long, just long enough for your dog and others to calm down. If things have escalated to the point where it looks as though there may be an actual fight, call your dog to you or, if he doesn’t yet have a solid recall, calmly walk over and take hold of him. Then leash him and leave the park. Careful monitoring and listening to your instincts will go a long way in allowing everyone to have fun while staying safe. n
Nicole Wilde is an award-winning author of ten books on canine behaviour. Her books, seminar DVDs, and Wilde About Dogs blog can be found at nicolewilde.com.
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DOG LIFE
SHOULD YOU LET YOUR DOG SLEEP IN BED WITH YOU? A new study looks at the effects of canine co-sleeping By Stanley Coren
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Being near a dog increases the flow of oxytocin, a hormone associated with affection and happiness, as well as relaxation.
I
recently received an email question from one of the psychology graduate students in my university. It read, in part: “I have always shared my bed with my English Cocker Spaniel, Elsapeth. I feel comfortable with her and I think that it improves the quality of my sleep. For that reason, I was surprised (and upset) when my fiancé, who is doing his medical internship at VGH [Vancouver General Hospital], told me that the accepted opinion in the medical community is that a dog should not be allowed to sleep on the bed with a person, and probably should not even be allowed to sleep in the same room. Can you point me to some actual research on this issue?” The timing of her question turns out to be serendipitous, since a new study has just appeared in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings which deals with this question. Several surveys have shown that roughly 60 percent of all dog owners allow their dogs to sleep on their bed with them. There are many reasons dog owners give for sharing their beds with their canine companions. One of the most common is that dogs are warm and it feels good to snuggle up to a dog on a cold night. This is consistent with the fact that dogs have a body temperature which is 3 to 6 degrees higher than our own and this makes them a very efficient non-electric blanket or bed warmer. In fact, the term “three dog night” comes from the Canadian Maritime provinces where it was standard practice to take your dog to bed with you on a cold night to help keep you warm. If the night was really cold you might need three dogs to effectively combat the chill. A second common reason cited for having your pet in bed is that dogs help us relax. A dog's rhythmic breathing when he is lying next to you can help to lull you to sleep. In addition, being near a dog increases the flow of oxytocin, a hormone associated with affection and happiness, as well as relaxation. A third reason for sleeping with a dog is that that they make us feel safe. We all feel somewhat vulnerable when we are lying in the dark in our beds; the presence of a dog, regardless of size, gives us a sense of being protected.
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standards. Allowing the dog on the bed caused only a minor There are two main medical arguments used to suggest drop in sleep efficiency, which averaged around the acceptable your dog should not be sleeping with you. The Allergy and 80 percent mark. So the previous research was correct—people Asthma Foundation of America recommends that people with with dogs in their bed did, in fact, wake up (somewhat) more allergies keep their pets out of the bedroom because allergens frequently throughout the night compared to those whose dog associated with pet dander can build up and cause allergy slept elsewhere; however, in terms of the total amount of sleep related problems. obtained each night, the effects were negligible. However, the major reason why medical practitioners It is interesting to note that having a human companion don't want you sleeping with your dog is the suggestion that next to you in bed did not cause dogs may disturb your sleep. This similar sleep disturbances. People is based on a survey in which 53 “Allowing the dog on the who slept two-in-a-bed actually had percent of pet owners reported that bed caused only a minor better sleep efficiency than those their dogs tend to wake them at who slept alone. This finding may least once each night. Since sleep drop in sleep efficiency, deprivation, no matter what its which averaged around the have implications for people who find that their human bed partner objects cause, can have negative physical acceptable 80 percent mark.� to the idea of sharing their sleeping and mental effects, the conservative accommodations with a dog. When it recommendation from the medical comes to couples, it turns out that 13 percent admit to having community has been to simply eliminate this source of sleep disagreements on whether the dog should be in bed with disturbance by eliminating the dog from the person's bed. them or not. One problem with the existing data is that the real effect The fact that a human partner and a canine partner might of the sleep disturbance caused by dogs was not directly not get along well in bed is something which could have measured. So, since it was not known whether canine-related been confirmed by none other than Napoleon Bonaparte. sleep disturbance has a major or minor effect on the total When he married Josephine he learned that her Pug, Fortune, amount of night's sleep, a research team from the Mayo Clinic, always slept with her. On their wedding night Napoleon headed by Salma Patel, decided to objectively measure it. was surprised to find that Josephine insisted that the dog The technique which this team used involved strapping remain on the bed as usual. Later that evening, when the actimeters (which are movement detectors) to both humans newlyweds were flagrante delicto, Fortune took offense at and dogs, and then monitoring their sleep over a seven-day what was going on between his mistress and the general and period. Sleep efficiency is measured by comparing the amount demonstrated this by biting the French leader on his thigh. of time that you spend actually sleeping with the total amount Napoleon was not amused and bore a scar and a grudge of time that you are in bed. Sleep efficiency of 80 percent or against the little Pug for the rest of his life. Despite the sleep more is considered to be sufficient. Sleeping with the dog in efficiency study finding, I am sure that he did not get a the bedroom (but not on the bed) maintained an 83 percent decent sleep that night! n sleep efficiency, which is considered to meet usual satisfactory
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They've got the best locks
They swagger and stroll
! s r a t S y’re just
Susan Sarandon enjoys an afternoon shopping with friends and her tiny dog in Studio City, Los Angeles.
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They love a good shop
MIGUEL AGUILAR, ©PACIFICCOASTNEWS; TED, ©PACIFICCOASTNEWS.
They stay side-by-side
Selma Blair takes her dog Cappy on a shopping trip in Los Angeles.
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: TED, ©PACIFICCOASTNEWS; ©MIGUEL AGUILAR, PACIFICCOASTNEWS; JS/
The us! like
Amanda Seyfried takes her dog Finn to a salon and the post office after grabbing an iced coffee in Los Angeles.
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Henry Cavill doffs his cap to photographers as he leaves a Hugo Boss photo shoot in downtown Los Angeles accompanied by his “travelling bear” Kal-El.
DOG ON THE JOB A member of Modern Dog’s canine team shares his favourite dog products
T
he Modern Dog office is, of course, SUPER dog friendly, so a regular day at the office sees the canine team camped out under desks, patrolling the lunch room, and enthusiastically greeting couriers. One of the perks of the job, aside from accompanying favourite humans to the office, is the dogs get to try out A LOT of dog products, from beds, toys, and gear to food and treats (drool). In short, the office dogs know their stuff when it comes to the best dog products out there, so in this issue we’ve profiled canine staffer Gyoza and his top dog gear picks.
BIO Gyoza was rescued in the city of Yellowknife, NWT and brought to Vancouver by L.E.A.S.H. Animal Welfare Society, where he found his furever home. Gyoza is a quiet, gentle guy who never barks and lets the younger, more rambunctious dogs in the office climb all over him without batting an eye. He enjoys lying on beds that are too small for him and silently hiding under the desks of people who have gotten up to get a cup of coffee.
NAME Gyoza (named after his *L.E.A.S.H. Animal Welfare Society is a non-profit dog rescue society serving the Vancouver, BC area. Through a committed network of foster homes, they rescue, rehabilitate, and re-home all breeds of dogs, giving each one a brand-new LEASH on life! Check out this amazing group at leashsavinglives.com.
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favourite food) BREED Possibly a Shepherd/ Collie mix of some sort, with maybe some Husky thrown in for good measure, but his actual parentage is not known. AGE Unknown.
GYOZA’S TOP DOG PRODUCT PICKS Bowsers Cross Country Hammock Car Seat Cover CAR RIDES!!! Gyoza’s #1 reason for living is car rides. He loves them so much he will jump right into ANY open car door, regardless of whose vehicle it is. But his big fluffy body leaves the backseat looking… well, let’s just say it looks less than factory-new. A full coverage seat cover is essential and Bowsers’ definitely fits the bill! $109, bowsers.com
RC Pets Ultimate Control Harness and Beyond Control Leash Furbliss Pet Brush from Vetnique Labs Gyoza will tolerate getting brushed, but it’s not something he particularly looks forward to. Thankfully, the Furbliss brush provides a relaxing massage while removing all his loose fur and dander and it’s waterproof so it can be used during bath time, too! $16, furbliss.com
It became very apparent in Gyoza’s first few days post-rescue that he was NOT accustomed to walking on a leash. Think pulling, lunging, and spinning. Other “no-pull” harnesses were put to the test, but it was RC Pets’ Ultimate Control Harness paired with the Beyond Control Leash that really saved the day. From $40, rcpets.com
Canada Pooch Torrential Tracker Raincoat Living in the Pacific Northwest means that a good rain jacket is essential for every member of the family, especially the extra fluffy ones who will stubbornly not tolerate being blow-dried after getting caught in a downpour. The Torrential Tracker is perfect for Gyoza, and he looks amazing in yellow. From $40, canadapooch.com
RhinoPlay Cirq Toy from goDog Being a big chewer and ripper of stuffed toys, Gyoza rarely receives a toy that lasts longer than a single day and therefore rarely receives toys at all. Surprisingly, the lightweight foam Cirq toy has lasted for months! And he still loves it! $15, rhinoplay.com
Campfire Treats Alaskan Crunch Dehydrated Cod Skins These foot-long dehydrated cod skins are Gyoza’s all-time favourite snack! He will happily sit and listen to the sound of his own crunching for hours with one of these bad boys propped up between his paws. $15, campfiretreats.com
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ich wheed bryour is piri t s g? do
QUIZ
Find Your Perfect Breed Match Want to know which breeds best match your personality? Take this quiz to find out what breed is your Spirit Dog! By Kelly Caldwell Dogs. We love them. We relate to them. We compare ourselves to them. And we are, after all, a lot like them. With so many different breeds out there, it’s funny how many of us just can’t help but naturally gravitate towards a certain group of dogs—working, toy, etc.—or a specific breed. In choosing a canine companion, we’re looking for a dog that will adapt to our lifestyle. We want a dog who will enjoy our company and enrich our lives. So, what breed would your spirit dog be? You may love your Sheltie, but are you a Sheepdog at heart? You may have a passion for Poodles, but is there a Pomeranian in your soul? Grab a pen and let’s get started—this quiz will determine your breed match! Write down the score corresponding with your answer to each question.
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1. Energy Level Your alarm goes off. It’s time to get out of bed. What runs through your head? a. I’m going to break that clock and sleep in. All day long. (score 7) b. I should get up. I have important work to do starting… now. (score 6) c. I just need 10 more minutes. Time to hit the snooze button. (score 5) d. YAY! Where are my running shoes? Time to burn some calories! (score 4) e. Alright, let’s do this. No time to waste. Let’s go find something fun to do. (score 3) f. Give me a few more minutes, then come back and let’s go get into some trouble together. (score 2) g. Great! I’m a morning person. So happy to see the new day dawn. (score 1)
2. Grooming Time to put yourself together for the day. What’s your beauty regimen like? a. My what?? (7) b. I’m pretty low-maintenance, but I take looking good seriously. (6) c. I’m not going to lie—it takes a bit of work to look this good, day in day out. (5) d. I don’t have time for beauty routines. No make-up, no fuss, no muss. (4) e. I like to take the time to put myself together. You never know when you’ll need to impress someone. (3) f. Just the basics. I’ve always said personality is more important than good looks. (2) g. I’ve been known to take a little longer than some to look my best. I just want to start the day off looking great. (1)
3. Home Décor/Space When it comes to living spaces, your personal style is: a. Quiet, spacious, and lots of room to roam. Think: hobby farm. (7) b. I’m a bit of a homebody but I need some room. A cozy house, ideally with outdoor space like a large backyard would serve me well. (6) c. Inside, you’d ideally find me cozied up by a fire; outside, the beach or the pool. (5) d. A farm in the country. I can survive anywhere, but that’s my happy place. (4) e. I’ll adapt to any environment, but I need some room to run and play. (3) f. I’m super social and don’t need a ton of outdoor time. Urban living sounds fun. I’d rather roam the streets than lounge in my backyard. (2) g. I don’t need a big home, just a cozy living room hanging with the people I love. (1)
4. Training School’s starting tomorrow. Your thoughts? a. I would much rather be at home sleeping all day than sitting in a classroom. (7) b. Good. I apply myself seriously to school and like to learn new things. (6) c. Happy to go to school! I hope my teachers like me. I tend to learn quickly. (5) d. It’s hard for me to stay still, but learning comes easily to me and I usually get high marks across the board. (4) e. I’m smart, but I sometimes struggle a little bit to stay focused in school. (3) f. I like school. Maybe too much. I’ve been called a class clown a time or two. (2) g. School sounds fun. I hope the teacher likes me and I make some new friends. (1)
5. Appetite Time for a snack. What sounds good to you? a. A pizza. And by that, I do mean the whole pizza. (7) b. Healthy food but lots of it. I eat a sizeable but very balanced diet. (6) c. I’ve been told I’ll literally eat anything— and it’s hard to deny it. (5) d. Sometimes I get so busy that I forget to eat. Just make it something quick so I can be on my way. (4) e. Food is great—especially treats. Dessert…yummy! (3) f. I love food—too much, apparently. I have been known to struggle a bit with the portion control. (2) g. Just a small bit of whatever happens to be available works great for me. Thank you! (1)
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6. Athleticism
7. Temperament
8. Prey Drive
Let’s talk about your approach to exercise and sports.
When it comes to making new friends, how would you describe yourself? a. If I have to put in much of an
Imagine the canine version of yourself. Oh, look—it’s a squirrel out on your back porch, do you:
effort, I’m not interested. (7) b. I’m happy to be out meeting new people, but I already have plenty of friends. (6) c. I’m always keen to make new friends. The more the merrier. Pool party! (5) d. I tend to make friends when I’m out exercising or goofing around. I gravitate towards really active people like me. (4) e. It depends. I like some people—others, not so much. I’m going to call it a draw. I must admit I can be a little hot-headed. (3) f. I’m a social butterfly and make friends easily, but I don’t like to be pushed around. (2) g. Oh, I love making new friends. You can never have enough friends. (1)
a. Raise your head slowly and give it some side-eye… then go back to sleep. (7) b. Walk over to the window and bark decisively—that ought to do it. (6) c. Squirrel! Can I go and chase him, please? (5) d. Let me at him, let me at him. Don’t make me crash through that door! (4) e. Intruder! Intruder! I won’t stop barking until you open that door. (3) f. He looks cute. I’ll chase after him and hopefully we can be friends. (2) g. Not really a fan of conflict. Maybe I’ll just wait for the squirrel to leave before I venture back outside. (1)
a. My approach? To relax, unwind, and sleep through as much of it as possible. (7) b. I like to stay fit, and I pride myself in being physically strong. (6) c. Love it, especially if it involves outdoor play, especially in the water. (5) d. I can’t go a day without exercise, and the more variety the better. (4) e. I get by with daily walks, but running or other vigorous exercise does help me feel great. (3) f. Daily walks are good, and I’ve got it in me to play pretty hard… right before I crash. (2) g. I love a leisurely walk when the weather cooperates, but nothing too strenuous. (1)
9. Affection Level
10. Travel
Someone’s comin’ in for a hug! You:
Time to think about planning a vacation!
a. Play dead. Hopefully they get the hint. (7) b. Indulge them, but maneuver strategically for a side-hug. (6) c. Love it! There’s nothing better than cuddle time. (5) d. Enjoy the affection, but hugs are slowing me down and I need to be on the move! (4) e. Can take it or leave it. If I’m in the mood, I can get into a nice cuddle. If I’m busy, I’d rather not. (3) f. Will happily stop whatever I’m doing to get some lovin’. Hopefully there are some treats to go along with that hug. (2) g. Hang on to them for dear life. There can never be too many hugs. (1)
a. I’d much rather stay at home and relax. See you when you get back. (7) b. A vacation? Maybe. I’ll need to know all of the details to see if I can work it into my other priorities. (6) c. That sounds fun. Please tell me we’re going to the beach? (5) d. I like the idea, but can we go to the country? Maybe visit an organic farm? Also I have to incorporate my exercise routine into this trip. (4) e. Sure! Road trip, plane ride, let’s hit the road. I’d prefer a farm or forest to a beach, if given the choice. (3) f. I’m up for anything, so long as there’s some down time and fun—and food. Let’s not forget about great food. (2) g. As long as you take me with you, I’ll go wherever. (1)
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The Results
Tally up your final score. If you have…
Between 65 and 70: Your spirit dog is a Newfoundland Dog! Like the Newfie, with your sweet, sensitive soul, to know you is to love you. Quiet time, plenty of indoor and outdoor room to roam, and surrounded by family—that’s your happy place. You are patient and devoted. You’re also a lot like the Bernese Mountain Dog, the Bullmastiff, and the Great Pyrenees. Between 56 and 65: Your spirit dog is the German Shepherd Dog. Like a German Shepherd, you’re steady, strong, and cautious. You take your roles in life and at home seriously, though you still build plenty of down time and fun into your days. You’re also a lot like the Belgian Malinois, the Black Russian Terrier, and the Siberian Husky.
Between 24 and 33. Your spirit dog is the Jack Russell Terrier! Like the JRT, you seek out fun and you’ve always got something on the go. You enjoy down time, but you’re far too busy to just chill all day long. Given the choice between horsing around or cuddling, you’ll choose fun every time. You also have a lot in common with the Australian Shepherd, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, and the Springer Spaniel.
Between 46 and 55: Your spirit dog is the Golden Retriever! Like a Golden, you love to be outside and you’re a natural athlete, but you’re also very content to relax at home with friends and family. You’ve got the work/life balance thing down pat! You also have a lot in common with the Labrador Retriever, the Weimeraner, and the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever.
Between 16 and 23: Your spirit dog is the French Bulldog! Like the Frenchie, you’re adaptable, playful and smart—a social butterfly and an up-for-anything kind of person. You’re a happy soul and would much rather chill with friends than to hit the gym or run a halfmarathon. You also have a lot in common with the Boston Terrier, the Pug, and the Basset Hound.
Between 34 and 45. Your spirit dog is the Border Collie! Like the Border Collie, you’re busy, busy, busy—you can’t help it, you’re just a ‘go until you drop’ kind of person. If you aren’t burning off steam, you feel frustrated. You love the outdoors and prefer the country over the city. You also have a lot in common with the German Short-haired Pointer, the Boxer, and the Australian Kelpie.
Under 15? Your spirit dog is a Miniature Poodle! Like the Miniature Poodle, you’re very smart, loving, and, though active, you’re quite content to be near the ones you love. You’re a lover, not a fighter! You also have a lot in common with the Brussels Griffon, the Havanese, and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. n
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Perfect Presents SPECIAL PROMOTION
A gift guide for dogs & dog lovers
Celebrate your favourite breed with these fun shirts and accessories! Over 100 breeds are available to choose from on seven soft tri-blend shirt styles, as well as hoodies, totes, mugs and decals. Use code MD18 for 10% off. inkopious.com
DOOG’s Pet Pop-up Pool requires no poles for assembly and is perfect for bathing your dog outdoors. This award winning, patented pool even packs small for travel and holidays. No more messy indoor dog! Order at DoogUSA.com
Aquapaw's innovative Slow Treater helps persuade pups to get in the tub and keep them there! The 100% silicone body suctions to any smooth surface, is dishwasher safe, and freezable. Aquapaw.com
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Petique’s Bedside Lounge pet bed is an all-in-one bed for your furbabies. Featuring a mattress that provides extra comfort, a raised platform, and a bottom bunk, it’s the perfect natural lounging environment! Petique.com
The basics are always in style! SturdiBag flex-height ultralight soft sided carriers in 6 sizes made with safety, comfort and durability for all your travel needs. Only Sturdi will do! SturdiProducts.com
Lovingly made. The PERFECT GIFT. Hand-made custom ceramic creations by Eldoop Design feature an artist rendered sculpture, meticulously crafted to capture the likeness and personality of your furry friend. All breeds welcome. From $165. Eldoop.com
There's no better gift than bonding with your pet! HandsOn Gloves let you easily groom your dog, creating a happy and less stressful experience for both of you. They also make bath time a breeze! HandsOnGlove.com
SPECIAL PROMOTION
— A gift guide for dogs & dog lovers —
The perfect gift for the dog-lovers on your list! Boo Boo's Best’s treats are healthy, all-natural, and grain-free and are made with exotic proteins like alligator and kangaroo. So delicious no dog can resist! booboosbest.com
These super cute sterling silver necklaces by Stick Man Creations are available in more than 70 animal designs, including 25 different dog breeds! Handcrafted in Montreal, Canada. stickmancreations.com
How will anyone know that you have petz at home alone if you’re injured and can’t speak?! Latchkey Petz alerts first responders and notifies your caregiver so your petz don’t suffer at home alone. Latchkeypetzstore.com All natural, American made rawhide chews from Bears Pet Supply are perfect for your furry friend! They're safe, never use preservatives and are great for destructive chewers. Available in five flavors to suit every pet! bearspetsupply.com
Winter doesn’t have to be a pain in the paw! Salted sidewalks, subzero temps, ice, snow and dirt are no match for Saltsox, the ultimate in urban paw protection. Made in the USA. Saltsox.com
NMN Designs' stunning Indus Steel Diner is made with a solid metal base and a sleek, brushed-stainless top. Available in two sizes and finishes, white and mocha, to suit a variety of tastes. NMNDesigns.com
Fun and colourful BUSTER toys give you many ways to play with your dog! The braided fabric design even helps clean your dog´s teeth while you enjoy playtime together. kruuse247.com
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SPECIAL PROMOTION
Perfect Presents — A gift guide for dogs & dog lovers — Make drying your dog a stress-free event with the Puff-N-Fluff! Your dog will love the warm air circulating around them and you will love how easy it is to eliminate that wet dog smell. TheDogDryer.com
HoundWorks creates gorgeous ornaments from richly-grained, solid black walnut. With more than 75 dog breed designs available, you can even add a name for that extra personal touch. hound-works.com
Keep your pet safe, comfortable, and stylish with the Buddy Belt harness! The unique low-cut design cradles your dog's chest, minimizing pressure on the neck and spine. Available in many sizes and colours with the accessories to match. Buddy-Belts.com/shop
Bark Beads designs gorgeous .925 sterling silver jewelry fashioned after dozens of dog breed styles. Their artistic bracelets, pendants and charms are perfect expressions of love for your dog. BarkBeads.com
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Train your dog to stop pulling on the leash with the HALTI Headcollar—the world’s first no-pull headcollar. Recommended by training experts worldwide, HALTI headcollars are fully adjustable to fit dogs of all breeds and sizes. CompanyOfAnimals.us
Skip the fussy flaps, drawcords, velcro, and zippers in favour of a beautifully draped, easy-fitting and waterproof design that provides a perfect balance of coverage and freedom of movement. Made in the USA with recycled materials. goldpawseries.com
You won't let him chase the squirrels, so how about wearing them instead? This adorable 1" wide squirrel collar is perfect for long Fall walks! Available in sizes S – XXL with a matching leash. Made in the USA. Save 20% with code 2HD2018. 2houndsdesign.com
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SMILE!
DOG FEELINGS ‘Thoughts of Dog’ is the Sweetest, Funniest Thing on the Internet
Our newest Instagram/Twitter obsession puts a smile on our face on the daily ‘Thoughts of Dog,’ a Twitter and Instagram account imagining a dog’s earnest musings, routinely gives us all the feels. Matt Nelson, the college student behind the Twitter Juggernaut We Rate Dogs, is behind the genius offering. (For the uninitiated, We Rate Dogs is a Twitter account that has amassed over seven million followers pretending to rate dogs while pronouncing them all “good dogs,” usually ranking them a 12 or 13 out of 10.) His newest, disarmingly charming account nails a dog’s ponderings in a way that is heartstringtugging and, we like to imagine, completely accurate. We readily admit we’ve teared up more than once over these posts. Here are a few of our favourites to date.
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A VOICE FOR THE VOICELESS The endlessly inspiring Dr. Patti threw herself into helping the pets of her community and hasn’t looked back By Tracey Tong
H
aving been a shelter veterinarian for years, Dr. Patricia Canchola thought she had seen it all. But what she saw now had tears streaming down her face. “This is hunger that hurts,” she recalls saying of one of her first cruelty investigations, involving a dog named Susie. The Poodle mix had been living with an elderly woman who had two other dogs, but kept just Susie outside with no shelter and no food. Susie was only a day or two away from death when she arrived at Pueblo Animal Services in Pueblo, Colorado, after a concerned passerby called the authorities. “When animal control brought her into the shelter, it was difficult to tell the front end from the back end of the dog as the matting covered either end,” says Dr. Canchola, who is known affectionately in animal welfare circles as Dr. Patti. “What became more shocking was that underneath the fur was a skeleton of a dog. Her medical condition of chronic starvation was life-threatening. We immediately began supportive care and proceeded to groom her, with absolutely no mental response. She just stared off into space as though she was ready to give up.” “Once she was released from the bondage of matted hair, it was painful to see starvation at this level.” Thanks to Dr. Patti, Susie saw a happy ending—she was adopted by Dr. Patti’s good friend and saw a full recovery. “Susie is my reminder that no matter how painful a situation and how lonely an individual, it is possible to hold onto something that can bring you back to life,” the vet says.
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Dr. Patti has always had a soft spot for hurt and stray animals. Growing up in Pueblo, she was a magnet for local strays. “I think I picked up every stray that I ever came across,” she laughs. “I had more relationships with animals than I did friends in my neighbourhood.” Her parents not only allowed young Patti to bring home stray dogs and cats, but engaged her in games of ‘pet doctor,’ where she would pretend to examine, diagnose, and treat sick stuffed animals. There was a “definite desire to nurture, rehab, and care for strays, be they hungry or injured,” she says. “That in conjunction with the fascination with anatomy, physiology, and basic sciences, I realized early on there was only one way to mix the two—be a veterinarian.” So perhaps its no surprise that the little girl grew up to be a strong, confident, and hardworking animal doctor who would come to be named one of America’s best. Last year saw Dr. Patti chosen from hundreds of nominees and named the Hero Veterinarian winner at the seventh annual American Humane Hero Dog Awards. A graduate of the Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, she worked in Yankton, South Dakota and Lakewood, Colorado before landing back in Pueblo. After plans for her own state-of-the-art clinic unexpectedly fell through, she happened to hear about an opening for a full-time vet at Pueblo Animal Services. Private practice and shelter medicine are as different as cats and dogs, says Dr. Patti. “Once I ventured into shelter medicine I was
stunned and shocked to find out what goes on in the community. When I looked at the thousands of strays that entered our shelter, I couldn’t help but wonder, ‘where in the world are they coming from?’ She dug in and saw “cruelty and neglect cases, geriatric surrendered pets, litters and litters of kittens, feral cats with injuries and illnesses, cats and dogs hit by cars or mauled by other animals. I had entered the kingdom where a whole new beast was waiting.” Pueblo itself sees a lot of poverty, which doesn’t help its stray animal situation. It’s one of Colorado’s top three cities for unemployment and has an average income of just $30,000. Pets become the unintentional victims of the high poverty levels. “It’s still a little bit shocking and I’m still a little bit surprised when I see the high number of animals that are lost, wandering, and displaced,” she says. With very little discretionary income, pet food and pet care end up at the bottom of the totem pole, says Dr. Patti. At the shelter, the top two reasons for owners surrendering their pets are wellknown: the inability to provide medical care and food for their pets. After wondering what she could do to help people keep their pets in the home, the St. Martin’s Well Pet Clinic—a Saturdayonly, non-critical, non-emergency clinic—was born. Named for Dr. Patti’s first shelter dog, Marty—a three-legged dog who was her travel partner for trips to National Mill Dog Rescue—and St. Martin de Porres, a patron saint of animals and the patron saint of charitable acts, St. Martin’s Well Pet Clinic opened in April 2010 and has since extended its hours due to demand. It is run completely by volunteers. When Dr. Patti mentioned her idea, her vet clinic clients, who have since grown to become close friends, stepped forward to volunteer their time. The clinic operates on a sliding scale. “If they can’t afford it, we figure it out,” says Dr. Patti. “We make it happen. Whether [the contribution is] a dollar, two dollars, three dollars, I think it gives a sense of pride that they were able to do something for their pets.”
Frequently, Dr. Patti would see strays come into the shelter with their ribs on display. It broke her heart. “That’s hunger at its worst,” she says. The answer, to her, was simple—the same year that St. Martin’s was established, Dr. Patti founded a non-profit pet food bank, helping hundreds of local families feed their pets every year. The Amazin’ Amos Pet Pantry is named for another one of the good doctor’s beloved pets, her “soul dog and love of my life, Amos.” Amos and Dr. Patti met in 2002 when she was working in a multi-doctor practice where staff offered to house rescue dogs and cats from the local shelter. When she’d come to work, Amos would get so excited to see her that he could hardly control himself. When she decided to take him home for the night, “he gazed at me all the way home as if to say, ‘finally, you’re taking me home!’ He walked in like he’d lived there forever. He knew exactly where the water bowl was and proceeded to jump up on the couch and make himself at home. To make a long story short, he was my best friend until he died at home with his family and dog friends at his side. He went everywhere I could possibly take him. If I was out and about by myself the common greeting was ‘Where’s Amos?’” Before finding a home with Dr. Patti, Amos was on the streets for about a year. “I often wondered what he managed to eat and [where he found] safe cozy shelter on the run,” she says. But for all the good work she’s done in the community, Dr. Patti doesn’t see an end in sight. “We know many situations will never change so we plan on being around to help,” she says. “We don’t see it as giving up our Saturdays.” That generosity is not lost on others. “I’ve developed a great deal of respect for shelter veterinarians over the years, and what they do behind the lines is one of the less glorious aspects of being a veterinarian,” says Dr. Mike McFarland of the company Zoetis, which sponsors the American Human Dog Hero Awards.
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“It’s hard to imagine a more compassionate and dedicated professional than Dr. Patti. I can’t think of anyone who deserves this award more.” Indeed, one of the least glorious aspects of Dr. Patti’s work is the abuse cases she sees. As soon as she started working in shelter medicine, Dr. Patti found herself in court on a consistent basis, working side-by-side with animal law enforcement every day to bring animal welfare cases to justice. She felt it was crucial to present information with a scientific, forensic approach, so she took as many online courses surrounding animal cruelty, court etiquette, and forensics studies as she could, eventually earning a certification. Having been involved with “more cases than I’d like to count,” Dr. Patti has helped bring down penalties from monetary fines to extended prison sentences. “To be the advocate and the voice for those who have become the victims of human indifference and hate is the hardest part of my position, but the most important,” she says. “It helps knowing my voice for the pet was heard, but sometimes, the emotion comes out at home where I can release the frustration and tears.” While there are happy endings like Susie’s, there are still many others cases that don’t end so well. “Wherever there is spousal abuse or child abuse, I can guarantee that if there’s a pet in the home, he or she is also the victim of abuse and more times than not it does result in death.”
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She hopes that with continued education centred around responsible pet ownership, that there will be fewer cases of neglect and abuse. Until then, she is determined to keep working on behalf of the animals. When asked what other projects she has up her sleeve, even the tireless Dr. Patti is, understandably, at a loss. “I don’t know what I could possibly do next as I seem to use up all my spare minutes helping pets and families,” says the 55-year-old, who is a “single parent” to three Chihuahuas— Roberto, 13, Ginger, seven, and Bonita, six years. But two months ago, she started the paperwork to convert St. Martin’s into a nonprofit entity. “There is such a need for minor surgical procedures and dentals in the community,” she says. “Once our non-profit status is granted, I plan on submitting requests for grants to purchase equipment that would help provide such services. We should be hearing some good news any day or week now.” And to think that all this started because she accidentally stumbled into her job as a shelter veterinarian. “Had I not stepped into the area of shelter medicine, I would never have realized the need for basic preventative medicine and pet food,” she says. “I know what my pets mean to me and so I would hope that I have a deep sense of empathy for what families are going through. Being able to help them when I can and however I can makes my heart happy. I truly believe it takes a special kind of person to be the voice for the voiceless and I feel as though this is my calling.” n
ARE YOU YOUR DOG’S FAVOURITE PERSON? 8 Signs Your Dog Loves and Respects You Are you your dog’s favourite person? Or does your bond need some work? You may think you and your dog have a pretty good thing going, but how can you really tell? According to canine behaviourist Steve Duno, signs of a strong bond with your dog include:
e A willingness to listen to your commands i Good eye contact r The desire to be near to you o Matching your pace when walking t Keeping tabs on your location p Initiating physical interaction or closewhen off leash
ness and enjoying being handled by you
u Frequently checking in to see where you’re at
a A strong recall, even when
there are lots of distractions
If you couldn’t check all of the boxes, fret not. You can improve your bond with your dog by paying more attention to your pup, spending more time partaking in activities together, working on recall, instilling a sense of purpose through tasks, training and rewards, and grooming and petting your dog regularly. Steve recommends playing “hide-and-seek” with your dog too. This fun activity encourages your dog to seek you out (hide and then call your dog) and will help your dog begin to think of you as a reward. When your dog finds you, be sure to shower her with praise. Tasty treats wouldn’t hurt either. Remember, your relationship with your dog is just like any other relationship in that it requires love, attention, and dependability. If you fail to give your dog what she needs, you risk weakening your connection. But even if your bond is not as strong as you’d like it to be, it's always possible to win your pup over! Playtime, anyone?
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The Gatorade of the Dog World Heat exhaustion, parvo, diarrhea, dehydration… this canine hydration formula is designed to help sick or dehydrated dogs recover quickly. Packed full of electrolytes and vitamins for dogs, Bullyade's electrolyte-based formula was originally developed to help dogs stricken with the parvo virus. With parvo, death is actually caused by fluid loss and dehydration, so rehydration is paramount during the critical recovery period. Dog owners quickly discovered Bullyade was also a tremendous help in cases of diarrhea or dehydration too, as well as for plain old overexertion, making it ideal for working, competition, military, and police dogs. 100% natural, it contains 18 absorbable vitamins and minerals designed specifically for dogs delivered in an irresistible form—add Bullyade to your dog’s water and it changes the flavor to beef or chicken! You can also use it to create healthy pet treats (think ice treats or dog biscuits) or sprinkle it on your dog’s dinner as an added vitamin supplement. Interested? You can find out more at bullyade.com.
BODY & SOUL Poll MD ults Res
17%
of Modern Dog readers would feed their dog meat grown in a lab.
The Find
Natural support for urinary tract health Does your dog show discomfort when urinating? Life is ruff when peeing is uncomfortable! Urinary Tract Health, a natural, homeopathic product from HomeoVet, is designed to support your dog’s urinary health. This natural health product helps maintain the health of your pet’s urinary tract and eases the elimination of urine. Signs your dog could use a “leg up” in that department include difficulty urinating, stomach pain, discomfort during urination, and excessive licking of the genital areas. Remember, whether a condition is acute or chronic, this product can provide assistance as a supportive treatment, but will not replace traditional veterinary medicine. It is important to verify ethiology, general symptoms, and behaviour with your vet to give the best treatment. $13, homeocan.ca
Chew On!
Try this ! t produc
These highly digestable, high-protein treats are sure to keep your dog begging for more
Want a long-lasting treat to keep your pup busy? Honey I’m Home makes healthy buffalo bully sticks that are low in fat, and coated in natural honey to add key vitamins to your dog’s diet. With high digestibility, these chewy sticks will promote healthy teeth and a happy dog! ($13, HoneyImHome.com)
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BODY & SOUL FINDING WELLNESS NATURALLY WITH HOMEOPATHY FOR PETS
Cure your dog’s ailments and maintain her good health with gentle natural medicine alternatives
Puppy Essentials Accustom your pup to grooming with a puppy grooming kit
There are some pups out there that love being groomed and handled. But for others, grooming is a necessary evil, endured, tolerated, but never enjoyed. Just ask our rescued office German Shepherd, Maverick. This otherwise sweet-natured dog dislikes grooming to the point that he has been banned from several grooming clinics! If only Maverick had been introduced to grooming and handling when he was a puppy. With a simple, non-scary intro-to-grooming kit like the Puppy Kit from ConairPet, you can gently introduce your dog to the world of grooming so he has nothing but positive associations. ConairPet’s perfect Puppy Kit comes complete with everything you need—clipper, comb, brush—to groom your pup and help him become accustomed to the practice at a young age!
Feel-Good Dog Food Do you know what’s in your dog’s dinner? A new pet food company is prioritizing easy-to-understand, premium quality ingredients, clear labelling, and a transparent business model—you can even enter a code online from each bag of pet food to learn the origin of each ingredient. It couldn't be easier to feed your dog food you know is good for him! PureLUXE Pet Food is making natural, gourmet food for dogs and cats, available through retailers near you or delivered fresh to your door. They select grade-A unadulterated ingredients sourced directly from America’s heartland and formulate their food with a special blend of micronutrients to deliver energy, immune support, healthy skin, and a beautiful coat. There are no fillers, no sugars, no by-products, and no chemicals, and ingredients are naturally preserved. Order it for delivery or find a retailer near you at pureluxepetfood.com.
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Homeopathy has been around for ages. Since at least the 18th century, humans have used homeopathic remedies, designed to heal ailments and maintain good health by triggering our bodies’ own internal systems. Homeopathy practitioners use this ancient form of natural medicine to benefit our pets, too. Using the principle of “like cures like,” homeopaths for pets choose small, diluted doses of naturallyoccurring substances like herbs and minerals to treat the symptoms of illness or enhance wellbeing. Unlike pharmaceutical medicine, homeopathic remedies are free of unwanted side effects and are gentle on the body. They activate your pup’s own existing disease-fighting mechanisms to promote healing, rather than call on harsh chemicals that can disrupt the natural flow of body systems. WHAT CAN PET HOMEOPATHY TREAT? Virtually anything! Homeopathic remedies include: Relaxation remedies for separation anxiety, fear and stress that contain soothing ingredients like chamomile and calendula. Mobility and joint homeopathic medicines help aging dogs maintain agility by using the active ingredient arnica, which comes from the sunflower family of plants. Allergy and skin remedies alleviate scratching, biting, and allergy irritations by soothing skin with echinacea and the herbaceous nightshade plant. Digestive upset can be treated with homeopathic remedies that contain the natural mineral phosphorous combined with nux vomica, a deciduous tree native to India and southeast Asia. WHAT CAN YOU AND YOUR PET EXPECT DURING HOMEOPATHIC TREATMENT? Rather than depend on a diagnosis that only summarizes superficial symptoms, a homeopath practitioner assesses the entirety of a pet-patient’s individual state of wellness through an observation period of whole body symptoms that affect physical, mental, and behavioural states in order to ensure a perfectly matched treatment solution. Medicines sourced from powerful natural ingredients like calendula and echinacea are chosen to address the signs and symptoms assessed under observation, and are administered as easy-to-use pellets, globules or liquid tinctures. Ready to optimize your pet’s vitality? Find homeopathic remedies and other wellness products for dogs at shop.moderndogmagazine. com.—Jessica Linnay Remember, it is always recommended to consult your veterinarian prior to *starting new treatments. After this, find some great options at homeocan.ca.
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BODY & SOUL Apple Cider Vinegar Can Help Your Dog By Connie Wilson
This amazing tonic has myriad canine applications, from deterring fleas to treating skin conditions and removing odours. Here’s how to take advantage of apple cider vinegar’s many health and household benefits!
I
love ordinary products that do extraordinary things, and apple cider vinegar (also referred to as ACV), is one such product extraordinaire. ACV is made from fermented apples. It is one of the oldest fermentation processes known to humankind and has been used medicinally for thousands of years. I first learned about its many uses years ago when I was looking for more natural remedies to incorporate in my life. I was intrigued to learn that the ancient Egyptians used ACV not just as an antiseptic, but also as a weight loss agent, while in ancient Greece, Hippocrates (known as the father of modern medicine), advocated drinking vinegar as an energizing tonic and a healing elixir and also used it externally for cleaning wounds, inflammations, and burns. Meanwhile, Caesar’s armies used ACV to cook with and for its antiseptic properties against insect and snakebites. Cleopatra’s beautiful complexion was attributed to her daily use of diluted ACV as a facial tonic. Today we’re seeing a resurgence of this popular but common household staple to help humans with everything from relieving sore throats, bug bites, and constipation, to even regulating blood sugar levels and lowering cholesterol. So, if this simple and natural but multifaceted home staple is so useful for humans, is it also good for our dogs? The simple answer is yes—most experts agree that its documented human benefits also help dogs; but, as always, it’s a good idea to check with your vet first. Made from just apples and water, it may be suprising to learn that it has strong antioxidant and antibacterial qualities. Slightly
acidic (it has a pH of 3.1 to 5), it can soothe a dog’s overly alkalized digestive tract, notes Whole Dog Journal, which recommends starting with the addition of a teaspoon of ACV to your dog’s water bowl. ACV is packed with potassium—11 grams in a tablespoon. You can also use it to rinse any vegetables or fruit you and your dog consume; Cook’s Illustrated found that cleaning produce with a solution of 1 part vinegar and 3 parts water removed 98 percent of bacteria, proving it to be more effective than anti-bacterial soap.
6 WAYS APPLE CIDER VINEGAR CAN HELP DOGS #1 Add to water and food to aid digestion and regulate weight and blood sugar #2 Use to clean ears and fight infection #3 Repel fleas and ticks #4 Relieve itchy/flaky skin, improve lack luster coats, and soothe irritated skin and hot spots (dilute 50/50 with water) #5 Fight yeast infections on paws (soak your dog’s paws in a solution of half ACV and half water) #6 Remove dog and cat urine odours in the home (works to remove skunk odour too!)
Many holistic vets recommend a daily dosage of: • 1 tsp (5 ml) for small dogs and cats (up to 14 lb) • 2 tsp (10 ml) for medium dogs (15 to 34 lb) • 1 tbsp (15 ml) for large dogs (35 to 84 lb) Note: Never use undiluted ACV and do not feed ACV to dogs that have irritation of the intestinal tract lining.
FOR EAR CARE Clean your dog’s ears by dampening a cotton ball with a solution of equal parts apple cider vinegar and water, and use it to swab the inside of the ear. The vinegar helps to control the growth of unfriendly bacteria and other microorganisms that are a common cause of ear infections, and as a result, this will help keep your pets from scratching their ears.
>> Visit moderndogmagazine.com/ACV for more ideas and recipes using apple cider vinegar that can help your dog!
The Find
A next gen crate that looks good, is easy to clean, and collapses for easy storage! Whether for travel, potty training or vet visits, most dogs will need to be crated at some point. Unfortunately, many crates are big, bulky, and hard to clean. So Diggs designed a crate with both owners and pets in mind, making life easier. An awesome feature of Diggs’ crate is that it conveniently collapses for easy storage while still maintaining solid safety features, such as rollability in case of emergencies. Their crate is also attractive, which is no small feat and a huge plus if it’s in your living room. Plus, it comes with a pull-out tray for easy cleaning. And for anyone with a puppy, this crate offers a long-term solution since it comes with a separator that can be added/removed as your dog grows! Find it at Diggs.pet.
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SPECIAL PROMOTION
NATURAL DOG
Products to enhance a healthy canine lifestyle
Is your dog getting enough vitamins? Bullyade is the #1 Preventative & Recovery supplement for animals. Simply add it to water to reduce the risks of parvo, dehydration, lethargy and other illnesses. Coming in Beef and Chicken flavor, it’s the pet version of a sports drink! Bullyade.com
All Natural Goodwinol Shampoo is gentle enough for kittens and puppies as young as six weeks old. It contains a natural insecticide and has a clean bright scent that lasts. Made in the USA. Goodwinol.com
I’M-YUNITY for Dogs. Improve your dog’s immunity and quality of life with I’m-Yunity. It’s the only clinically proven medicinal mushroom extracts of Coriolus versicolor. I’mYunity contains proprietary and standardized extracts to help to reduce pain and fatigue while improving energy levels, mobility, and appetite. Learn about clinical results at ImYunityForDogs. com and use code “moderndog” for a 5% discount!
Perfect for the small or figure-conscious dog, CocoTherapy’s Coco-Charms training treats are not only good for your furry friend, but ridiculously delicious! Coco-Charms are vegan, 100% organic and use no eggs, dairy, grains, or preservatives so dogs with allergies can enjoy them too. Available in Blueberry Cobbler and Coconut Pumpkin Pie. CocoTherapy.com
From $39.99. Tired of always checking the labels? Fishskinbites are a single ingredient treat, packed with omega 3 fatty acids that encourage dog coat, skin, heart and nerve health. Only using sushi grade fish skin, they’re conveniently freeze-dried for a long shelf life. Fishskinbites are the healthiest treats for your dog. Fishskinbites.dog
Is your pet experiencing constant itching or paw biting? It could be caused by a food or environmental intolerance. Affordable Pet Test uses a simple hair analysis test to get the answers you need! AffordablePetTest.com
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HEALTH
Cannabis for Canines Your dog can keep calm and carry on with CBD, the cannabis that helps—without the high. By Jane Mundy
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History Documents show that Americans have been using cannabis oil since 1840. Dr. W. B. O’Shaughnessy was the first doctor to prescribe it and by 1906 there were over 123 different companies competing to sell cannabis oil. Then “reefer madness” hit in the 1930s, creating fear around marijuana and hemp that lasted decades. We’re finally seeing a reversal of this thinking. This October, Canada will become the second nation in the world to legalize both the recreational and medicinal use of marijuana and marijuanaderived products like CBD.
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ourteen-year-old Miniature Schnauzer Nikki suffered a severe injury in 2010 that was treated with anti-spasmodic and anti-inflammatory drugs, but they caused nasty side effects, including loss of appetite, listlessness, and lack of energy. Nikki’s owner, Susan Bolotin, was at her wit’s end, until Nikki’s veterinarian suggested hemp-based cannabidiol, known as CBD. “Our veterinarian said she only had anecdotal evidence but there are no side effects and there was nothing to lose, “ says Susan. “Within days of taking CBD tincture Nikki was playing with other dogs at the park—he hadn’t done that for months. He slept less and his appetite returned.” The Schnauzer had been a canine athlete, competing in agility contests, but after his injury three vertebrae were fused and he had difficulty even walking. Now he was even running and wanting to play more. “We also saw a significant change in Nikki’s behaviour— his prickly personality returned. He gives me the finger sometimes,” Susan says, laughing. She also says that Nikki is completely off antiinflammatories, but still taking anti-spasmodic medication. “He isn’t getting better, but CBDs have vastly improved his quality of life.” CBD is hot right now, but humans have
“Within days of taking CBD tincture Nikki was playing with other dogs at the park—he hadn’t done that for months. He slept less and his appetite returned.” CBD vs. THC Marijuana contains at least 64 phytocannabinoids (plant-based cannabinoids), among them cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC gets you high, CBD doesn’t. Hemp vs. Marijuana Hemp and marijuana are not the same, but they both belong to the cannabis family. Hemp produces less than 0.3% of THC, the active chemical in marijuana that gets you high. An average batch of marijuana contains anywhere from 5–30 percent THC content, while hemp is regulated to only contain a maximum THC level of 0.3 percent, making it impossible to feel any psychoactive effect or get a “high.” Most all marijuana is grown indoors, sucking up tons of electricity. Hemp grows outdoors: it is solar powered, requires very little water to grow and could help save the planet because it turns CO2 into oxygen.
been using it for over 8,000 years. People are prescribed medical marijuana to support the treatment of a host of ailments and illnesses, including skin irritations and cancer. So, if humans are helped by a particular medication that is natural and safe, it makes sense that we want to share it with our ailing pets.
A VETERINARIAN WEIGHS IN Dr. Katherine Kramer, a veterinarian at Vancouver Animal Wellness Clinic, is not legally allowed (as per the College of Veterinarians of B.C.) to prescribe or even recommend CBD, unless she is specifically asked about it. “I should wear a button that says ‘Ask me about CBD,’ Kramer says with a chuckle. She welcomes this opportunity to increase awareness because for the past six years, her clients’ results are “nothing short of miracles.” Kramer’s practice focuses on geriatric and cancer patients, so she knows firsthand how CBD helps with pain and arthritis, with nausea, seizures, and anxiety. It even helps with behaviour issues. “Some dogs before taking CBD had such horrible behaviour problems, and in an urban environment anxiety can go through the roof,” says Dr. Kramer, “but soon after taking it owners tell me they ‘have their dog back.’ And pets with cancer have been able to get their quality of life back.” If you told Dr. Kramer six years ago that she would “discuss” medical marijuana with her clients, she wouldn’t believe you. She had the ‘aha moment’ when a client, who worked with human patients treated with medical marijuana, suggested that his cat also try cannabis. “His cat had multiple health issues; prescribed opioids were knocking him out and affecting his appetite so he had nothing to lose. He was willing to try CBD so we worked out the dosage and in no time the cat improved; his appetite and energy came back and we reduced the conventional medications,” adds Dr. Kramer. “He lived a few more quality years after that. And I started looking at more worrisome cases.” A few years ago Dr. Kramer would get a call about CBD about once a month; now her clinic is taking calls from vets and clients across North America. In a nutshell, this is her advice:
#1
Talk to your vet about anything you are thinking about trying; your vet also needs to get educated about these products. If enough pet owners ask, it will force the vet community to take further action.
#2
It’s important to use a quality-controlled product. Be careful about the products you use as they could be laced with THC (more about that below at left) or maybe there’s not enough CBD in it to be effective. The FDA recently found that 90 percent of products they tested had little or no CBD or it didn’t match label ingredients.
Products That Can Help Want to Give It a Try? Here are Nine CBD Products to Get Started
TINCTURES CannaHemp Paws’ CBD Pet Tincture offers a concentrated form of CBD oil that’s great for dogs that require a higher dose of CBD for their health needs. This tincture only contains three ingredients: certified organic hemp seed oil, coconut MCT oil, and cannabidiol (CBD). $30/30ml, Cannahemp.com
Iceland Pure now mixes their pharmaceutical-grade fish oils with CBD to create a health-packed tincture for your pet. Using USAgrown hemp, this tincture is designed to reduce pain and anxiety while offering all the benefits of fish oil. Approximately 50 doses (1ml each) per bottle. $105/1000mg, icelandpure.com
TOPICAL CBD Dog Health makes an all-natural, nongreasy topical to heal a wide range of dog’s skin ailments. Produced in the USA, this every ounce contains 150mg of cannabinoids combined with several soothing essential oils. ($40/1oz, cbddoghealth.com)
Ask the supplier for a certificate of analysis and if you have any concerns start with the true hemp line, which is 100 percent safe.
3
#
Regarding dosage, the current catch phrase is “Start low, go slow.” And the rule of thumb .5 mg per lb of body weight. (e.g., 5 mg per 10 lbs) so a little goes a long way.
Dr. Kramer thinks that CBD’s therapeutic potential is enormous, but there’s the legality issue, mainly due to insufficient clinical trials. “I’m hopeful that with more research and studies the legal barriers will fall,” she says, “and then we will be allowed to prescribe CBDs.” (Although the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association officially encourages research into the safety, dosing and uses of cannabis in animals, the American Veterinary Medical Association has not yet condoned the use of medical marijuana and related products with animals.)
WHAT IS CBD AND HOW DOES IT WORK? CBD is short for cannabidiol, one of more than 60 nonpsychoactive compounds found in both hemp and cannabis (aka pot) plants. It creates beneficial physical changes to the body’s endocannabinoid system—known to affect bodily processes such as digestion, mood, and sleep. Endocannabinoids are the chemical messengers that tell your body to get these processes moving and when to stop; they help maintain optimal balance in the body, also known as homeostasis.
OILS
When the body does not produce enough endocannabinoids or cannot regulate them properly, you are more susceptible to illnesses. CBD is known to have anti-anxiety, anticonvulsive, antinausea, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor properties.
LEGALITIES In British Columbia CBD is available in pet stores and every corner dispensary, and the rest of Canada is catching up. Starting October 17, 2018, Canadians will legally be able to use recreational marijuana, but it may take longer for Canadian pets to get their paws on cannabis derived treatments. Good news is that Health Canada recently approved a clinical trial to research the use of cannabidiol (CBD) to treat animal anxiety. In the U.S., if you are in a hemp-legal state, you can order online. CBD aficionados, regardless of which state or province they live in, seem largely unconcerned with legal repercussions as punishment for procurement has thus far proven unlikely. To give you some idea of pet cannabis consumption in the US, sales of cannabis products marketed for pets at medical and adult-use cannabis dispensaries in 2017 totaled nearly $7 million in California, Colorado, Oregon and Washington, according to BDS Analytics. In Colorado, sales of pet products grew almost 50 percent in 2017. For her part, Susan Bolotin says CBD has been a godsend. “It won’t make Nikki better but it’s my job to make him as comfy and happy as possible and I rely on CBD to help me do that.” n
TREATS
Grizzly Pet Products’ CBD Calming Aid for Dogs and Cats is tailormade for travel, vet visits, or relieving anxiety in other stressful situations without causing drowsiness. Grizzly uses a unique blend of organically grown hemp oil and wild krill oil to create this all-natural soothing supplement that also promotes emotional balance in pets. ($30, grizzlypetproducts.com) Tuscan Naturals’ organic, pharmaceuticalgrade CBD oil helps relieve your pooch of pain, nausea, and poor appetite. Their focus is on making an effective alternative to harsh medications and improving canine quality of life. As an extra bonus, this product is made using olive oil, promoting a shiny coat for your dog. ($53/150mg, tuscannatural.com) Coconut oil, an all-around amazing supplement benefitting your dog’s skin and digestion, just got even better: Natural Doggie now offers a CBD-infused Coconut Oil that combines coconut oil with the calming, pain-relieving benefits of CBD oil. (NaturalDoggie.com)
Holistic Hound has created a super-charged wellness enhancing treat for your dog with their Hemp and Mushroom bites. Thirdparty tested for potency and organically grown, these bites contain a blend of cannabidiol-rich hemp oil and five different mushrooms, all sourced in the USA. ($29, holistichoundhemp.com)
True Leaf understands how tough it is to watch your dog slow down with age, so they made True Hemp Chews for hip and joint pain. These chews support joint health while reducing inflammation by using hemp seed, omega 3 fatty acids, and curcumin. They’re easy to dose and designed to help relieve stiffness for your senior pup. ($14, trueleafpet.com)
Medipet’s CBD Pet Spray is a helpful way to soothe your pet in stressful situations. Simply spray into your dog’s mouth before car rides or long journeys, it’s non-GMO and made in the USA. ($50, MediPetsCBD.com)
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RAISING KIND KIDS Planting the seeds of interspecies kindness and empathy in children reaps rewards for families, communities, and the children themselves. By Tracey Tong | Illustration by Martha Pluto
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ive-year-old Julieta Martinez loves animals—not just her own rescue pups, Simona, Lucy and Martina—but all dogs. Her mother, Diana Marcela Duarte Alvarez, volunteers at various rescues, and Julieta has been coming with her since she was born. “We always had different dogs living in our house until we found them new homes,” says Julieta’s mother. So when Julieta’s fourth birthday rolled around and the little girl asked to collect dog food donations in lieu of receiving gifts, her mother was unsurprised. “She used to go with me every month to buy a couple of big bags of food for the shelter, so it was not surprising that she understands the importance of food for these organizations,” Diana says. Ten-year-old Gavin Watson also loves animals. Gavin doesn’t speak at school. In fact, he’s not verbal with anyone other than his mother, his father, and one friend. But around dogs, he’s a different person. He does talk to dogs and likes to read to them. “He’s always bonded better with animals than (with) people,” says his mom, Christine Thomson. And dogs love Gavin, too. Gavin is on the autism spectrum and has a condition called selective mutism. Around dogs, however, he’s comfortable. Gavin has been around dogs his whole life. Christine has a dogsitting business, is very involved in the rescue community, and volunteers at the Ottawa Humane Society (OHS). She also does rescue transport, and since he was very young, Gavin has tagged along. He’s also helped out at rescue events, and during many searches for lost and missing pets. For Gavin’s last birthday party, he asked for donations to the shelter instead of gifts. “He said he never uses the presents he gets, and he wanted the money to go to help animals find a home, and to have food,” Christine says proudly. “I think it's really important to teach kids that not everything is about what we get for ourselves, but how we can help others.” Gavin and Julieta are just two of the growing number of children getting involved in fundraising for animal rescue
and welfare organizations. It’s a trend being seen all over the continent. According to Kelly Meincke, manager of events at the OHS, 50 percent of the organization’s fundraising events are held by youth, raising $40,000 for the shelter annually. “We are very appreciative of donations from youth in our community,” says Kelly. “When folks are engaged in our organization from a young age, we believe this helps to build lifelong supporters.” The organization, which helps nearly 10,000 animals each year, appreciates “the effort and passion that each youth puts into every event,” says Kelly. The events include bake sales, lemonade stands, garage sales, and birthday parties. The Humane Society of the New Braunfels area in Texas, which helped 4,300 animals last year, also frequently receives donations from kids. “Their actions are selfless and heartwarming,” says the shelter’s live outcome coordinator, William Stapleton. “There is nothing better than letting them tour the facility [to] see exactly how their donations can help each animal, discussing heartworm treatment, vet bills, and the general costs to save an animal's life.” William says the children often mobilize their fundraising efforts on social media platforms and “when you see the friends and families of every third grader in a school, it is amazing how much it can add up.” Furthermore, they are an inspiration to shelter staff. “It keeps us rejuvenated in the face of overwhelming odds,” he says. Youth groups contact the Washington Area Humane Society on a daily basis, says volunteer and event coordinator Laura Fine. “It is heartwarming to see their excitement when they bring their items and monetary donations for the animals,” she says. The children raise between $1,000 and $2,000 per year, but working with youth groups is more about education, the humane care and treatment of animals, and upholding the shelter’s community presence than it is about raising money, Laura says. The Toronto Humane Society also sees a large number of fundraising efforts by children. moderndogmagazine.com
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Hutchison, a board member and the current treasurer of the Humane Society of Northern Utah. “College-aged kids also come to our sanctuary to do group projects every semester.” Internationally acclaimed family counsellor, speaker, and author Alyson Schafer agrees that fundraisers organized by young people are becoming more popular. “I think people are much more aware of their ability and agency to do good,” Alyson says. “It’s much higher on people’s radar than in the past, and people are better at involving their children in child-friendly ways. I think it’s fantastic, I think it has the ability to moderate what has become a big problem—which is entitlement and individualism—in our society.” Alyson believes that human beings are wired with the innate desire to care for their fellow man. Research has shown that the desire to help and give is so fundamental to humans that without it, people would start feeling lonely. “When we contribute, that’s how we feel connected and feel good. Whether you make a contribution to a charity, help a bird fallen from its nest or donate time to walk animals, it’s all got the same effect—it makes you feel valued, important and connected,” says Alyson. Parents can help their kids by finding out what the child’s natural inclinations are. “For many children, that’s animals and pets,” says Alyson. Remember that kids like to do things. “For children, money is very abstract, but collecting donations and dropping them off is more concrete. They get feedback from the wagging of a tail or a smile of a volunteer.” Six-year-old Izzy Caverly received heartfelt thanks from some furry friends after collecting donations for Sit With Me, a local dog rescue at her sixth birthday party in May. The organization held special significance for the Ottawa resident, who had adopted her two-year-old Boxer-Dane mix, Mavis, from Sit With Me. She decided to forgo presents in favour of making a donation of about $200, but received something far more valuable. “She learned about the joy of giving,” says her father, Luther Caverly. “I think teaching children young about the value of giving helps them grow into more thoughtful adults that hopefully fosters a more caring, giving culture, which I think creates stronger communities,” he says. “I love animals because they are an important part of our
ILLUSTRATION BY MARTHA PLUTO
So much so that the organization launched a popular Humane Education Program in 2016. The shelter does not receive any government funding and relies solely on the kindness of corporate and individual donors, so the team is especially appreciative of the children who support them. “Every child who supports us and talks about us with their friends is a step in the right direction,” says Tegan Buckingham, manager of marketing and communications. “Most importantly, it helps to instill compassion toward animals and responsible pet ownership.” In order to provide its wide range of programs and services for animals in need, the BC SPCA needed to raise more than $36 million in community donations in 2017. To meet this goal, they need support from all sectors, even the really young. Youth 13 and under contributed an amazing $50,000 to $100,000 annually, says Lorie Chortyk, general manager of community relations. “Often, children are motivated to give when they see or hear about an animal cruelty case in the news, and some just love animals and want to help in any way they can,” says Lorie. “It is certainly becoming more and more common and a real sign of hope for our world that kids care and demonstrate such altruism.” “Any time we can encourage and recognize selfless behaviours, it helps children feel good about helping,” Lorie continues. “This will most likely create a lifelong advocate for those more vulnerable. Youth feel very strongly about animals and our relationships with them. They want to help end animal suffering and they do so by speaking up for animal injustices and in many cases, they fundraise or give gifts for the animals—food, toys, bedding. It is amazing to see because a generation ago this was less common.” Murad Kirdar, business and public relations officer at the Santa Fe Animal Shelter and Humane Society, agrees that his organization is seeing a relatively new, positive trend among youth contributing to the shelter in meaningful ways. “Several years ago, the practice was quite rare with only a handful of youth taking the initiative to raise funds for our homeless animals actively,” Murad says. “However, it is now common for our shelter to receive two to three donations per month from this group,” he says, citing a greater awareness among youth. And it’s not just younger kids that are giving, says Danna
When I see an animal that's been hurt, I want to help them. It makes me feel happy knowing they are being taken care of. —eight-year-old Nathan Lalande
world,” says eight-year-old Nathan Lalande. He was only six when he donated his allowance and collected donations on his birthday for Sit With Me; at seven, he collected funds on his birthday for Adopt Me Cat. “When I see an animal that's been hurt, I want to help them. It makes me feel happy knowing they are being taken care of.” The demands placed upon these rescues and agencies are immense, says Nathan’s mother, Cheryl Gandier. “I feel it is imperative for kids to learn to give to those in need, to be more civic-minded and grateful for what they have.” “It is so important to develop these kinds of qualities in children, because today people are so focused on teaching the young ones about science, technology, business, etc.,” says Diana. These things are important too, she says, but “should take a second place to things like sharing, caring, being kind, and respectful. If we all take care of each other, we could have a better world and a better and happier life for our children.” Giving really does start at home and it becomes a part of family culture if you do it properly, says Alyson. Parents can start teaching their kids about giving from a preschool age. Studies have shown that “kids who gave help in their families in various ways were more altruistic toward others outside the family,” says Dr. Thomas Lickona, an American developmental psychologist and professor of education whose eight books on character education include Educating for Character, Raising Good Children and most recently, How to Raise Kind Kids. In How to Raise Kind Kids, Thomas also cites another study showing that kids who have chores for which they aren’t paid develop a greater concern for others. “Children learn so much from modelling that even a two-yearold can watch you collect clothes to drop off in a donation bin,” Alyson says. Slightly older children can help place donations in a bag and help accompany parents to drop off donations. “It’s a small gesture, but it plants a small seed that will continue to grow.” n moderndogmagazine.com
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Adar
Serendipity
Commercial photographer Andrew Grant accidentally found his calling photographing dogs. In doing so, he has raised over $2 million dollars for rescue and made a fan of Ellen DeGeneres. By Rose Frosek | Photographs by Andrew Grant
ndrew Grant was working as a commercial photographer, shooting a catalogue for Chef Works when two French Bulldog’s belonging to the kitchen showroom’s owner wandered onto set. To be nice, Andrew obligingly including them in a few shots. They sat right where he wanted them and peered right into the lens. “Simple stuff,” he thought, later commenting that perhaps he should do a book of dogs someday. After learning that millions of cats and dogs enter pet rescues in the US each year, “someday” became next week and Andrew began shooting dogs for what would become a book called Rover. Andrew’s original vision was to create a book filled with homeless pets—flipping through a book like that would illustrate that healthy, smart, and beautiful purebreds and mixed breeds are available at rescues, he thought. But after visiting with a few
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rescues in the San Diego area, Andrew quickly learned that their greatest challenge is raising money to support their programs and care for homeless pets. This is where everything fell into place. “I recognized that it would be very challenging to raise a meaningful amount of money with the profits of a self-published and distributed book,” Andrew says. “So I launched a program that enabled pet lovers to have their pet photographed and included in the next book when they made a donation of $5,000 to a pet rescue.” That program has now generated donations of over $2 million dollars for over thirty rescues across the country. More importantly, it has created lasting relationships between generous donors—donors who might not have been aware of the great work these rescue groups do in the face of tremendous challenges—with deserving and effective organizations.
Vinny
Rianna
Gracie
Bear
Champ
Duke
“During that first year I had so much serendipity in my life that I was able to conceive the project, photograph all the dogs for the book, design the entire book, locate an overseas publisher, and see Ellen DeGeneres flipping through the pages of Rover in just nine months. Seeing everything fall into place so easily assured me I was on the right path. We are now in the ninth year of that ‘one year project’ thanks in large part to Ellen’s great support of Rover. Not that there isn’t a lot of hard work and dedication involved. Andrew, along with his partner and co-photographer Amanda Hedlund, have spent years “living on the road with all of our belongings in storage, crisscrossing the country chasing down donors and photographing their pets.” They welcome all purebreds and mixed breeds, even dogs that weren’t originally rescued, as raising money for rescue is their primary goal. Plus, highlighting all dogs helps underscore their message that all breed types are available in shelters. Their work is their passion. Donors, present in the studio when their dog is being photographed, are able to see the images on a large monitor. When Andrew hears, “Oh! THAT’S our boy!”, he knows they’ve accomplished their task.
Donors can also make an additional donation to sponsor a homeless pet. That dog is then photographed too and included in the book, “showcasing that beautiful purebreds and mixed breeds are available at rescues.” Photographing the homeless pets at a rescue is both a heartwarming and heartbreaking experience. “After a few treats in the studio,” Andrew shares, “we often discover that the scared dog in the kennel has a repertoire of tricks. It’s at those moments when I find myself asking, ‘what is a great dog like you doing in a place like this!?’ Dogs end up in rescues because their elderly caretaker can no longer care for them, because of financial problems… As a result, it’s easy to find wonderful dogs at a rescue. That includes house trained dogs, gentle senior dogs, and even purebred puppies. “A pet rescue is a very complicated business with living inventory and tremendous expenses,” Andrew continues. “If the books and articles like this result in more people donating money and/or their time to rescues then we’ve done our job. We also hope that the books inspire people to welcome a shelter pet into their home…even folks with a penchant for a certain breed of dog can find just what they’re looking for at a rescue!” n
Interested in having your dog immortalized by Andrew while supporting rescue? Andrew is now photographing donor’s dogs in cities across the country for the next book. A list of stops is available at RoverWorks.org.
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PET PROJECT
eat D.I.Y.
A Dog Treat Recipe For Fresh Breath
NO MORE DOG BREAT H!
These toothsome dental treats for dogs will sweeten your pup’s breath and tickle his taste buds! By Suzi Beber
DIRECTIONS
INGREDIENTS
1. Place chicken giblets in pot and cover with filtered water. Bring to a boil. Skim foam off top with a spoon then turn down and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from heat.
{Note: Organic is best whenever possible}
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1 pound raw chicken or turkey giblets (for example, hearts, liver, kidneys, and gizzards). This will yield 2 cups of giblets once cooked.
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2 Tbsp fresh oregano, minced (or 1 Tbsp dried)
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1 Tbsp fresh parsley, flat or curly, minced
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2 Tbsp first pressed olive oil, or another first pressed oil of your choice
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1 whole egg
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1 cup whole grain flour, for example, gluten-free whole oat flour (other whole flours can be used too, for example, hemp or quinoa.) 1/2 cup coconut flour
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1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese (optional)
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1/2 cup fresh or frozen minced cranberries, or 1/4 cup dried, unsulphured and unsweetened minced cranberries Pro Tip: Save the broth from cooking the giblets to top your dog’s food, or to make another batch of biscuits.
*Always consult your vet before feeding your dog new foods
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2. Cover one cookie sheet with parchment paper. 3. Remove the giblets from the broth, and whirl in a food processor or blender until they form a paste, then transfer to a large mixing bowl. Do the same with the remaining ingredients, except the whole flours. 4. Prepare the dough by mixing the ingredients together until the dough pulls away from the sides of the mixer, or you can use your hands to form a well incorporated dough. If the dough becomes too dry, add a bit of the broth you have set aside. 5. Sprinkle flour or oatmeal on a cutting board or counter. Transfer dough, knead a few times, and then roll out into desired shapes and sizes. You can even roll out small pieces of dough into thick “pencils" to make a perfectly sized walking or training treat. Place on cookie sheet. 6. Place cookie sheet in cold oven. Turn to 350° F. When oven reaches temperature, turn down to 300° F for half an hour, and then down to 200° F for 1.5 hours. 7. When they are hard and completely cool, treats can be kept in a jar on the counter for one week, though they probably won’t last that long with hungry pups around! They can also be easily stored in an airtight container in the fridge, and can be frozen too.
SUPER FOOD INGREDIENTS CRANBERRIES contain a variety of biologically active compounds, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, anthocyanins, and condensed tannins. Research has shown that pure cranberry juice may be just as powerful for fighting cavities as it is for bladder infections. A team of researchers from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry and New York's Rutger's University found that many of the special substances found in cranberries may not only inhibit the enzymes associated with the formation of dental plaque, but can also stop the bacteria from sticking to surfaces. These compounds also prevent acid formation and reduce the acid tolerance of the bacteria that cause decay. PARSLEY has a long history of use with dogs, note veterinary nutritionists Elizabeth Pask and Laura Scott. Its potent antimicrobial properties make it the perfect breath freshener and it can also be used to soothe the stomach. Use only parsley leaves and stems, and not the seeds. Juliette de Bairacli Levy, the Mother of Herbal Medicine for dogs, cats, and stable animals, recommends the use of minced, fresh parsley leaves, one teaspoon per five kg body weight, added to food. *Note: by parsley we mean culinary parsley (curly or flat leaf), not spring parsley, which is a different plant and toxic to dogs, though both parsley and spring parsley can cause photosensitivity in massive doses.
OATS are a strength giving cereal. They are low in starch and high in minerals, especially potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, and calcium. Oats are also rich in vitamins B, E and G. They are a nutritive food and support strong teeth, while also being known as a nerve, blood, and hair tonic. COCONUT contains medium-chain saturated fats, which are transformed into energy and contain special properties that act as antiinflammatory agents, helping to decrease bacterial growth, irritation, and inflammation. OREGANO contains carvacrol and thymol, which have anti-fungal and anti-parasitic properties. It is a strong antiseptic herb. n moderndogmagazine.com
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I INVENTED THAT!
How a childhood love of Lego led a Cambridge physicist to create a next-level pet door and a Fitbit for dogs By Jane Mundy
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ike many kids who grew up before the Internet, Dr. Nick Hill either played outdoors or built stuff indoors with his Meccano set and Lego. “I also took things apart to see how they worked but they didn’t always get put back together,” says Nick, laughing. At age 12 he built a Lego mechanical dog that walked across the living room floor. “My mum remembers that dog. Little did we know that it might have been my calling.” Fast forward about three decades. Nick was working at a design agency called NXT on product development when they incorporated Lego into a prototype. Inspired, that very night Nick revisited his old Lego set and started working on a pet door in order to solve a personal problem… FLIPPER THE CAT If necessity is the mother of invention, then Flipper the cat is responsible for the pet door Nick invented. Flipper’s existing standard-issue cat door provided him freedom, but at a cost— neighbourhood cats were coming in uninvited and stressing him out. As soon as Nick’s new door was installed, “Flipper was much more relaxed.” Nick was convinced that the cat flap he had created, which put to use radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology, was a great idea. There was a lot of hype at the time around RFID technology, which uses electromagnetic fields to automatically identify and track tags attached to objects. The RFID tags contain electronically-stored information and are used in many industries to track products, from cars to pharmaceuticals. And implanting RFID microchips in livestock and pets allows for positive identification of animals. Nick saw that RFID had a wide-scale application, lots of publicity,
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and growth potential. Furthermore, at NXT, Nick had developed a new kind of touch screen that was so successful he only needed to work part-time. This allowed him the bandwidth to start a new venture of his own. He was off and running: he had a product idea in a hot tech area and no one else had made that product—or so he thought. With a standard electronics kit from the hardware store, Nick turned the spare bedroom into his workspace. Fortunately his wife Jane was supportive. “She had a good job and supported our family in this enterprise so it was a joint decision, and she helped on the business side,” explains Nick. Nick says his three boys are also inspirational—these budding entrepreneurs and Lego fans are at that age (the oldest is nine and twins are eight) where they outsmart you. They constantly come up with ideas for inventions. “After the cat flap door was on the market they said I should make one for dogs, so we did,” adds Nick. “One boy came up with glasses for cats after I told them how they can’t focus when they get close to prey and their whiskers take over.” Not every idea can be a bestseller. Prior to imagining the pet door, Nick had a PhD in quantum physics of semiconductor devices from the University of Cambridge and three years of academia behind him, which he found interesting and challenging but he was looking for something more applied than esoteric science. And he loved the entrepreneurial spirit of getting things done and making something new. “I loved the curiosity-driven research but more than that, I love seeing the application of cool technology in everyday lives,” says Nick.
The SureFlap Microchip Pet Door let's you set times when your pet can come and go. Never wake up in the middle of the night again!
be fine,” he says. “I was going to produce a pet door without compromise.” When Nick launched his product a year later, it took the majority of the market. He had developed a new RFID technology called OnTune, offering greatly improved read range for a given battery life and enabling new use of the pet microchip. BUT WERE THERE OTHER PATENTS? Nick admits he wasn’t the first person to imagine a pet door operating from a microchip. It’s always a good idea—from the get-go—to see where your product stands regarding Intellectual Property (IP). “Someone had already come up with the idea and had disclosed it publicly,” says Nick,” but the patent had lapsed and it wasn’t taken to the final product phase.” He saw this as good news, however, because a concept is not protected and there was no product because it was a difficult technical problem. But how would he get from a pure idea to a physical product? And were there other patents? Nick has some background in IP so that worked out well: you can do a lot with free tools and search patents. As well, he was confident that it could be built, but it wasn’t going to be easy; microchips are designed to be small and implantable, not to operate a pet door. “I stayed up at night thinking of ways to solve the problem, but I wasn’t worrying. It was a cool idea with mass market application; it was possible but technically hard to do,” Nick says. “For me, this spelled a great start to create a successful business.” RECIPE FOR SUCCESS Figuring out the technology took about a year. Nick never became disenchanted; he was confident and convinced it was going to be a success. But halfway through the development phase, after the technical problems were solved and he was into design mode, someone else launched a similar product. This product, however, had a reader that was outside of the door and you had to plug it in rather than run on batteries. “I immediately bought one, ripped it apart and knew I would
FUTURE PRODUCTS The finished flap, given the name the SureFlap Microchip Cat Flap, was just the first in a line of multi award-winning pet products developed in the past decade. There’s the SureFlap Microchip Pet Door, with automated curfew mode (owners don’t have to get up in the small hours to let their pets out or can restrict exit at night) for larger cats and small dogs. And SureFeed, which is a Microchip Pet Feeder that enables portion control for pets on weight management diets and individual-specific access for pets on prescription drugs, stopping them from stealing each other’s food. “When you look at trends, in general people are getting busier. Combining good pet care with modern life is a challenge and that is where our future products are focused,” says Nick. “For instance, Flipper’s door monitors every time he goes in and out of the house and my phone meows when he goes through the door. It’s all about piece of mind: I know Flipper is safe when I’m at work because I know his normal routine.” Weigh scales under the feeder bowl indicate how much food your pet has eaten, so “with the feeder, I know Flipper is eating the right amount of food.” A behaviour monitor for dogs was launched this August 2018. Nick says this “Fitbit for dogs” does a whole lot more than recording running, eating and sleeping. “It monitors shaking and scratching and barking; when your dog was last fed and exercised, and how many calories pooch burned yesterday,” he adds. “It’s not being obsessive. It’s more like a ‘clip and forget’ that you put on your dog’s collar. We see this as a powerful tool, and the future in quality pet care.” Sureflap products are available at amazon.com and direct from Nick’s company surepetcare.com. moderndogmagazine.com
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Look
WHAT WE FOUND! The Modern Dog team's current faves, finds & obessions
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We found the perfect tote bag! These cool cotton canvas bags feature reinforced stitching and come in a whole variety of breeds, like Goldens, Greyhounds, and more. Errands have met their match! inkopious.com
Your new favourite tee, found! These super-soft 100% cotton shirts—featuring Labs, Bulldogs, Boxers, and more—are tailor made for Saturday mornings at the dog park. doglinegroup.com
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Choose your pet’s breed in these beautiful silver charms from Bark Beads. Coming in .925 sterling silver or gold, this jewelry is lovingly made in the U.S.A. BarkBeads.com
For the tireless fetcher, what could be more fun than an automatic ball launcher? iFetch makes a rechargeable launcher that lasts up to 300 throws, and has flexible throw settings to fit any space. GoiFetch.com
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2 Hounds Design brings luxury into your hands with this swiss velvet leash— nothing beats it for comfort! Made with imported velvet, strong nylon webbing, and trigger snap, you'll be proud to walk your dog with it. 2houndsdesign.com
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These soft, hand crocheted blankets are loved by small dogs, puppies, and cats. Ideal for carriers, crates, and kennels, or for breeds likes Dachshunds that love being covered up! etsy.com/shop/ CanineCoziesBlankets
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Why Dogs Have Tails Balance, communication, pheromone distribution… your dog’s tail does it all! By Stanley Coren Illustrations by Monika Melnychuk
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ver wonder why your dog has a tail? It turns out there are many good reasons! The dog's tail was originally designed to assist in balance, keeping a running dog on course when he turns. When a dog is running and has to turn quickly he throws the front part of his body in the direction he wants to go. His back then bends but his forward velocity is such that his hind quarters will tend to continue in the original direction. Left unchecked, this movement might result in the dog's rear swinging widely which could greatly slow his rate of movement or even cause the dog to topple over as he tries to make a high speed turn. Throwing his tail in the same direction that his body is turning serves as a sort of counter weight which reduces the tendency to spin off course. Dogs also use their tails for balance when walking along narrow surfaces, much the same way that a circus tightrope walker uses his balance bar. However, the tail is not particularly important when simply standing around on flat surfaces or walking at normal speeds. Evolution seized upon this opportunity and co-opted the tail at those times for communication purposes. For most breeds of dogs the tail is easily seen and serves as a sort of signal flag that communicates information about the animal's emotional state. A number of breeds, such as the Beagle, even have tails with a white tip to help increase their visibility. Variables such as how high the dog carries his tail, how quickly the dog is moving his tail, and even whether the tail is being wagged more to the left or right side of the body can convey a lot of information about how the dog is feeling, his mood, and even his intentions. Dogs with very short tails, either because of the nature of their breed (for example the French Bulldog is born with a little stump of a tail about one inch in length) or because their tails have been docked, cannot communicate as well; such dogs often have difficulties interacting with other canines.
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The tail's position, specifically the height at which it is held, can be considered a sort of emotional meter. A middle height suggests the dog is relaxed. If the tail is held horizontally, the dog is attentive and alert. As the tail position moves farther up, it is a sign the dog is becoming more threatening, with a vertical tail being a clearly dominant signal: "I'm boss around here," or a warning, "Back off or suffer the consequences." As the tail position drops lower, it is a sign that the dog is becoming more submissive, is worried, or feels poorly. The extreme expression is the tail tucked under the body, which is a sign of fear: "Please don't hurt me." Just as there are different dialects to a human language, such as a southern drawl or a New England twang, there are also dialects in dog tail language. Different breeds carry their tails at different heights, from the natural nearly vertical position common to Beagles and many Terriers to the low-slung tails of Greyhounds and Whippets. All positions should be read relative to the average position where the individual dog normally holds its tail.
HOW TO READ YOUR DOG'S TAIL Movements give additional meaning to the signals. The speed of the wag indicates how excited the dog is. Meanwhile, the breadth of each tail sweep reveals whether the dog's emotional state is positive or negative, independent from the level of excitement. As a result, there are many combinations, including the following common tail movements: A slight wag, with each swing of only small breadth, is
usually seen during greetings as a tentative, "Hello there," or a hopeful "I'm here." A broad wag is friendly: "I am not challenging or threatening you." This can also mean: "I'm pleased." This is the closest to the popular concept of the happiness wag, especially if the tail seems to drag the hips side to side with it. A slow wag with the tail at half-mast is less social than most other tail signals. Generally speaking, slow wags with the tail in neither a particularly dominant (high) nor a submissive (low) position are signs of insecurity. Tiny, high-speed movements that give the impression of the tail vibrating are signs the dog is aroused and about to do something, usually run or fight. If the tail is held high while vibrating, it is most likely an active threat. We can now add another newly discovered feature of dog tail language that may surprise attentive pet owners as much as it surprised scientists like me. It now appears that when dogs feel generally positive about something or someone, their tails wag more to the right side of their rear ends, and when they have negative feelings, their tail wagging is biased to the left. (We are talking about the dog's left or right, viewed from the rear as if you are facing in the direction the dog is viewing.)
Beyond providing a visual signal that displays emotional information, tails also have another important role in communicating: every time your dog moves his tail, it acts like a fan, spreading the dog’s unique scent around. These smells, called pheromones, are designed to communicate information between animals. Some important pheromones come from the anal glands which are two sacs located under the tail; the anal sacs’ odour is as unique among dogs as fingerprints are for people. When dogs wag their tails, muscles contract and press on these glands, causing a release of some of the scent. A dominant dog who carries her tail high will release much more scent than a dog who holds his tail lower. The dominant dog's tail wags will spread her scent around announcing, “I am here,” whereas a frightened dog holding his tail between his legs covers the moderndogmagazine.com
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It is something of a surprise to many people to learn that puppies do not wag their tails when they are very young. The youngest puppy I ever saw systematically wagging her tail was 18 days old, and both the breeder and I agreed that this was quite an unusual case. Although there are some differences among the various breeds, the scientific data suggests that, on average, by 30 days of age about half of all puppies are tail wagging and the behaviour is usually fully established by around 49 days of age. Why does it take so long for the puppy to start wagging his tail? The answer comes from the fact that puppies begin tail wagging when it is needed for purposes of social communication. Until they are about three weeks of age, puppies mostly eat and sleep. They are not interacting significantly with their littermates other than when curling up together to keep warm when they sleep, or crowding together to nurse. They are physically capable of wagging their tails at this time, but they don't. By the age of six or seven weeks or 42 to 49 days (when we start to see tail wagging behaviours on a regular basis) the puppies are now socially interacting with one another. Most of the social interactions in puppies are what psychologists call play behaviours. It is through playing that puppies learn about their own abilities, how they can interact with their environment, and most importantly, how to get along with other individuals. Thus the pup learns that if he bites a littermate he is apt to be bitten back, and perhaps the game that he was playing might be terminated by its now-angry playmate. It is at this point that the puppy also starts to learn dog language. It is not clear to what degree these emerging social communications are pre-wired, but learning is clearly needed to refine the use and interpretation of these signals. The pups learn to connect their own signals and the signals provided by their mother and their siblings with the behaviours that come next. They also begin to learn that they can use signals to indicate their intentions, and to circumvent any conflicts. This is where and when the tail wagging behaviour begins.
One place where conflicts are likely to occur is during feeding. When a puppy wants to suckle her mother, she must come very close to her littermates who might have been nipping, jostling or chasing her a few minutes earlier as they all crowd in to find a teat. To indicate that the current situation is a more peaceful one and to calm any fearful or aggressive response by the other puppies, the
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puppies begin to wag their tails. Tail wagging in puppies thus serves as a truce flag to littermates. Later on, puppies will begin to wag their tails when they are begging food from the adult animals in their pack or family. As the puppies come close in order to lick the face of the adult dog, they signal their peaceful intentions by tail wagging. Thus it’s clear that the reason that very young puppies don't wag their tails is that they don't need to send appeasement signals to other dogs yet. When communication between dogs begins to be needed, however, they rapidly learn the appropriate wagging signals, putting that marvellous tail to use! n
ILLUSTRATION BY MONKIA MELNYCHUK
anal glands. Thus, his scent doesn’t spread around and he does not draw unwanted attention to himself.
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TRAINING
THE BEAST AT THE END OF THE LEASH Does your leashed dog go crazy when he encounters other canines? This is called “leash reactivity.” Here’s what to do about it. By Teoti Anderson
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our dog goes to doggie daycare a couple times a week and has a grand time. He plays well with dogs big and small, and the staff love him. Every couple weeks your friends come over to your place with their dogs and your dog has a blast playing with his buddies. Attach your social dog to a leash, however, and he becomes a lunatic. Every time you take your dog on a walk, he lunges and barks at other dogs, trying so hard to get to them he practically pulls you off your feet. The fur on his shoulders goes up, he growls, and he acts like he wants to run over and kill the other dog. What is this, a case of Jekyll and Hyde? When a dog is aggressive primarily when on leash, this is called “leash reactivity.” People are often confused when their usually friendly dog, a saint around other dogs when off leash, becomes a completely different beast when tethered. It’s not uncommon, however. Some dogs get this way because they don’t deal with frustration very well. This is especially true of adolescent dogs. If your dog gets to play with other dogs a lot throughout the week, but then you won’t allow him to go see another dog when he’s on leash, it can be confusing. He wants to say hello to the other dog but you won’t let him, and he may not have good enough coping skills to deal with the frustration very well. This does not mean you should let him run up to every dog you meet! This won’t help the problem. Instead, you’ll be rewarding his bad behaviour by giving him the paycheck of going to greet the other dog. Sometimes, the problem can be created by the type of equipment you use to walk your dog. For example, if you use a prong collar to control your leash puller, the collar constricts sharply around your dog’s neck when he pulls—if he pulls to
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greet another dog, he gets corrected by the collar. Dogs start to associate other dogs with the correction. In essence, you may have accidentally taught your dog to not like the sight of other dogs. To avoid this backlash, try using a front-clip harness to walk your dog. [We like the Halti Harness, which steers your dog from his chest.—Ed]
Keeping Your Dog Cool and Focused There are three main areas to work on when helping your Hyde control his aggressive impulses during walks—your relationship, his obedience, and finally, the aggression itself. You need to build a solid foundation in all three areas or you won’t make significant progress. Think of this approach as a three-legged stool. All three legs need to be the same size or you’ll just wobble. You probably think you already have a great relationship with your dog. He loves you, you love him, right? But does he look to you for help? When he’s barking and lunging on leash, he’s not looking to you at all. He probably acts like he can’t even hear you. If you want to make him better, you need to beef up your relationship so he starts looking to you for answers, rather than just acting on his own. One way to do this is hand feed him all his meals. This teaches him that you are the direct source for all his food. This is classical conditioning: building associations. Hand goes towards dog and dog receives delicious food, therefore dog loves your hand coming near him. You give him food and he loves food, therefore you are awesome. Obedience is critical. If your dog doesn’t listen to you in your living room, there’s no way he will listen to you in the heat of an aggressive moment. Use reward-based training to beef up his skills. One particularly useful one for a leash reactive dog is to
teach him to look at you. Preferably, teach him to give you eye contact when you call his name. For this to work, however, you can’t use his name in other contexts. If you’re the type of pet parent who uses a dog’s name throughout the day, then use another cue, such as “Look” or “Watch Me.” Hold treats. [We like Doog's awesome treat bag that keeps reward treats handy! DoogUSA.com—Ed.] Call your dog’s name (or say “Look” or “Watch Me”) one time. As soon as he looks at you, say “Yes” to mark that he did something right, hold the treat up to your eyes to sustain his eye contact, then give him the treat. Repeat. Practice indoors, where there is less competition for your attention. Gradually work so your dog will look at you with increasing distractions indoors, then outdoors. His aggression is the final area to address. For this, you’ll use counter conditioning—changing his opinion of other dogs while he’s on leash. Take really good treats with you on your walk. When you see someone with another dog, stop. Stand close to your dog (shorten his leash if necessary) but don’t ask him to sit down or anything. You don’t want to add pressure to him, you are just going to work to change his opinion. As soon as your dog sees the other dog, say “Yes” (the marker that he did something right) and immediately give him a treat. Repeat until the other dog disappears. What you are doing is teaching your dog that the sight of other dogs means delicious treats.
If your dog barks and lunges, you are too close to the other dog. Back up until he can calm down and focus on your training. This process can take just several sessions or quite some time to succeed, but be patient and diligent, and get professional help from a reward-based trainer if you need it. Finally, please do not allow your dog to just go up and greet other dogs on leash if he is telling you that it’s not a good idea. If your reactive dog is lunging, has a stiff body posture, high flagging tail, fur raised on his shoulders, or is barking or whining, these are not really signs he wants to make friends. He’s actually telling you he is very stressed, and in turn, his behaviour could be stressing out the other dog as well. Your neighbours may not appreciate you allowing your dog to get in their dog’s space, so this will just add human tension to the interaction. Leash reactivity is a frustrating and sometimes embarrassing problem. If your dog is really sweet off-leash, however, there is a good chance you can help him. Your furry monster can learn how to be a gentleman, both off leash and on. 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.
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craft D.I.Y.
A Bed For “Tired” Dogs
MAKE IT! Materials
vehicle tire (I got mine for free ÆÆ1from a local auto body shop—they usually have piles of used tires in various sizes, so you can pick and choose the right size for your dog.)
ÆÆLiquid dish soap ÆÆScrub brush ÆÆRetractable utility knife paint in the colour of your ÆÆSpray choice (I went with bright pink for my ultra-girly pooch, Maisie)
ÆÆ meters of fleece fabric in the ÆÆ2colour or pattern of your choice Drop cloth
ÆÆCotton batting ÆÆSharp scissors ÆÆMeasuring tape
Make a super-cute no-sew dog bed out of a spare tire! By Kristina Stephens
How-to 1. Wash the tire using liquid dish soap and scrub brush to make sure you remove all dirt and grease. Allow to fully dry before Step 2. 2. Using the retractable utility knife, carefully cut off the inner rim of one side of the tire. I scored it first then slowly worked my way through the layers of rubber to get a nice clean cut. Fortunately, tires have built-in guidelines, so you won’t need to mark it first. 3. Lay out a drop cloth in the grass (easier to cut the grass than wash paint off of flooring if you get any over-spray!). Spray the outer tire with several thin coats. I did three coats to get full coverage. Allow five minutes between each coat and at least an hour for it to fully dry. 4. Now that your tire is ready, it’s time to make the inner cushion. First, you’ll need to cut two circles of fabric for the top and bottom of the bed. Measure the diameter of the tire and add 6". Fold your fabric in half so you can cut two pieces at once. On the fabric, draw a horizontal line marking the diameter plus 6". Find the centre point of that line and then draw a vertical line marking the diameter plus 6", so you now have a cross marked out on your fabric. Draw a circle connecting the marked out measurements. Now cut through both pieces of fabric. 5. Cut 1" wide, 3" deep strips along the edge of the circles. Once they are all cut, start knotting the top and bottom pieces together. Leave a 5" opening in the perimeter to fill the pillow with cotton batting. (If you have a sewing machine, feel free to skip this step and sew the pillow together.) 6. Stuff the pillow with the batting, and knot off the remaining strips. Place the pillow in the tire, and voilà, a nifty new dog bed!
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PHOTOS KRISTINA STEPHENS
PET PROJECT
BEHAVIOUR
Why Dogs Bury Things Ever wonder why your dog buries toys and treats? There are two very good reasons—read on to find out what they are!
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ave you ever watched your dog Many dog experts do not bury a prized possession—a toy, even a treat—and wonder why the suggest curtailing digging heck he does that? According to Science behaviour entirely, as it Focus, two major factors are to blame for is a natural instinct. this behaviour: evolution and boredom. On the evolutionary front, wild dogs such as wolves tend to bury food they don’t plan on eating immediately. This hides it from others and possibly masks the smell of the food. Also the cool temperature of the earth acts as a sort of refrigerator, away from your prized flower beds while providing him with preserving items to keep them fresh. Domesticated dogs have held an appropriate outlet for this instinctual behaviour. on to the instinct to bury items, despite the fact that they don’t HSUS also points out that dogs sometimes dig for comfort or have to worry about their food supply to the same extent. protection. If the weather is too hot, dogs may dig holes to lie As for the boredom factor, digging can be a sign of nervous in the cool soil. They may also dig to provide themselves with or excess energy. While digging is a natural behaviour, if it is shelter if it is cold, rainy, or windy, or if they are thirsty and are excessive, your dog may be in need of more physical exercise or trying to find water. If your dog is often digging during extreme mental stimulation. If you suspect this could be the case, make weather, improve his outdoor shelter or bring him indoors so that some more time for exercise and see if the digging decreases. he feels more comfortable. Note, however, that many dog experts do not suggest curtailing Lastly, some dogs also owe their digging instinct to breed type. digging behaviour entirely, as it is a natural instinct. Behaviourist Certain dogs, such as Dachshunds, were bred to dig in pursuit of Nicole Wilde and the Humane Society of the United States the badgers and other burrowing animals they were bred to hunt. [HSUS] both suggest finding or creating a designated digging As a result, certain dogs dig not only because of their natural area if your dog is a determined digger. This will guide your pup instincts, but because of human intervention as well!
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Steal! These super-cute plaid Cabin Vests from Hot Dogs All Dressed are handmade in Montreal and come in an easy-fit style suitable for dogs of all shapes and sizes. Pick between red, blue and navy and for only $28, these vests will do the impossible: make your dog look even more adorable! hotdogsalldressed.com
Essential Dog Gear! Don't miss out on these amazing products!
Dog walks should be easy on your dog! Minimize pressure on your dog’s neck and spine by switching from a collar to a Buddy Belt harness, making walk time a pleasure for you both. From $42, Buddy-Belts.com
A tail we could wag hand-dyed, handwoven colorfast cotton collars and leashes with brass hardware. Machine washable and available in many fun and colorful patterns. From $27, Tailwags.com
Need a handy way to store treats? DOOG’s treat pouch let’s you easily keep treats on hand and, with its removable, washable inner lining, it keeps your bag from getting messy. A training essential! $30, DoogUSA.com
Dog’s paws are exceptionally sensitive in winter. Pawmagic can help keep soft and healthy with an all-natural beeswaxbased formula in stick-form that’s easy to travel with. $18, muttluks.ca
Keep your puppy warm this winter with Goldpaw Series’ Santa Fe Stretch Fleece. Hypoallergenic and sustainably made in the USA, this snuggly coat fits close so it can be worn under a harness on walks. From $39, Goldpawseries.com
Got a dog who can't or won't walk? A Petique pet stroller is the ideal solution. Also great for those who like to take their dog shopping on or public transit. $190, petique.com
{ Editor’s Pick } How gorgeous are these handmade, beaded dog collars? Made of beautiful rolled leather, they’re completely customizable—choose your own bead colours! From $55, sleepy-holowleather.myshopify.com
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BREED PROFILE
The Scottish Terrier Get to know the “Scottie Dog,” a die-hard terrier from the Highlands By Kelly Caldwell
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BOLD, NT, DE N E P E D IN FEISTY
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n his 1912 book Scottish and Irish Terriers, Williams Haynes wrote, “Words fail me when I want to describe the Scottish Terrier. To me he is the dog of dogs, my personal opinion being: all dogs are good; any terrier is better; a Scottie is best.” Those are big words to live up to but, then again, the Scottish Terrier never shied away from a challenge. Scotland. It’s a land characterized by tall mountains, deep glens, and jagged coasts. The terrain is incredibly rugged and poses many challenges for man and beast alike. It’s no surprise, then, that the dogs that emerged from this country are remarkably tough. The earliest origins of the Scottish Terrier remain a bit of a mystery. With centuries-old breeds, we have no written records and are left to look at a wide range of sources in order to put the pieces of breed development together. We do know that, as far back as the 16th century, small terrier-like dogs were used to hunt vermin throughout the highlands, as described and depicted in very old Scottish literature and artwork. Scotland’s small terriers—strong-willed, tough, and built low to the ground—were bred solely for temperament. Good looks were irrelevant; breeding stock were selected for prowess in the hunt, fleet-footedness, and trainability. All were used to corner or chase out small animals, including badgers, otter, and foxes. This purpose, along with the harsh climate and rough and rocky terrain, resulted in the short-legged dogs with tough, wiry coats that developed into the various terriers of the highlands. Traits and appearances were similar, so there was a great deal of confusion surrounding the names of these dogs. Most were referred to as short-haired Terriers or Little Skye Terriers, until it was decided that separating out the breeds made sense. The Scottie has been called a Fox Terrier, Otter Dog, Carin Terrier, and the Aberdeen Terrier. Eventually, Scottish Terrier was suggested—and it stuck. For a long time, the breed was seldom seen beyond the borders
of the highlands, where he was a regular fixture as a working dog and family companion. A Scottish Terrier was first noted in the English Stud Book in 1880, and the first breed club—The Scottish Terrier Club of England—was founded a year later. In 1888, the Scottish Terrier Club of Scotland formed, and for decades there was disagreement over the breed standard. This got sorted out in 1930 when a standard finally satisfied everyone and led to the development of the Scottie we know today. Scotties were first imported into the United States in the early 1800s, with the American Kennel Club (AKC) According to the most recent AKC recognizing the breed in 1885. registration statistics The Scottish Terrier Club of [1] Labrador Retriever America formed in 1900. [2] German Shepherd Dog The breed was not an [3] Golden Retriever overnight sensation, but [4] French Bulldog by the 1930s the Scottie [5] Bulldog was the third most popular [6] Beagle dog in the United States. [7] Poodle President Roosevelt helped [8] Rottweiler raise the breed’s profile, as [9] Yorkshire Terrier he was rarely seen without [10] Pointers his beloved Scottie, Fala. So [58] The Scottish Terrier joined at the hip were the two that Fala is a prominent part of the statue at the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial. In the 1950s, Hasbro launched Monopoly with a Scottie game piece that is still recognized and cherished throughout the world. There certainly seems to be something special about the Scottie when it comes to dog show wins. At the Westminster Kennel Club, he’s ranked second for most Best in Show wins, behind the Wire Fox Terrier. Today’s Scottie is a small but dense dog. The AKC
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Size: Small Bred as a heavy-boned, hearty low-to-ground dog, the Scottie averages 10 inches at the withers and weighs between 18 and 22 pounds. Activity level: Moderate exercise is required for the Scottie. A daily walk is a minimum, and some rigorous play-time will also serve this plucky pup well. Grooming: Daily brushing will keep him looking his best. Every few months, some clipping and trimming will ensure that mats don’t form. Heritage: Terrier Group Bred to Burrow. This hearty and bold terrier was bred to trap or chase away otters, badgers, fox, and other small animals. For information on Scottish Terrier rescue in the U.S., visit stca.biz. In Canada, visit canadianscottishterrierclub.com.
If you like the Scottish Terrier, you might also give some consideration to the:
Cairn Terrier
Skye Terrier
READ YOUR BREED
West Highland White Terrier
For more breed profiles, go to moderndogmagazine.com/breeds
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INSET IMAGES ©AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB, ©GORDEY
Profile: The Scottish Terrier
emphasizes proportions in the standard. (Male and females should be roughly 10 inches at the withers, and the length of the back from the withers to the tail should be closer to 11.) They are accepted in weight ranges of 18 to 21 pounds for females and 19 to 22 pounds for males. Stand-out features are the Scottie’s expressive, almondshaped eyes, pointy ears that stand high, and a tail that tapers in thickness and is sometimes slightly curved. He has a wiry outer coat and soft undercoat, and although we typically think of Scotties being black, the breed is also accepted in brindle or wheaten colours. In the home, Scotties are very affectionate with their families, but standoffish with strangers. The breed’s aloofness is so pronounced that even his full-bodied, trademark tail-wag is typically denied to strangers. Indeed, the Scottie gives newcomers the general sense that they are remarkably unimportant. Don’t take it personally—but do count your lucky stars if a Scottie decides to pay you some attention. That’s an honour, you know. The Scottish Terrier is among the most (and arguably the most) strong-willed and independent-minded of the small terriers, and this means that training is an absolute must. Is training a Scottie the easiest task? Not really. He’s intelligent, he’s feisty, and he’s his own dog. Positive-reinforcement training is absolutely essential because—for all his independence and spunk—he’s also a sensitive soul. Whether it’s hurt feelings or a bruised ego, one thing is for sure: trying to force a Scottie to learn or do anything is not likely to yield a positive outcome. The Scottie has a reputation for being a little testy with other dogs, so, along with training, some early socialization with other dogs is very important. This is a fairly easy-to-manage breed when it comes to exercise. Daily walks will keep the Scottie content. He’s a good choice for those with smaller homes or apartments. When outside, keeping him on-leash or in a secure area is advised as he’s hard-wired to want to give chase. He’s also a notorious digger—again, part of the breed’s history. Though exercise requirements are quite easily met, this playful breed needs plenty of mental stimulation and attention. If he’s bored or unhappy, his tendency to dig may escalate. Is he a good choice for those with small children? Debatable. Scotties don’t suffer indignities well, and there are certainly more patient breeds out there. The Scottie won’t be happy if smaller kids tease or pester him, and his scrappy personality can surface quickly if he feels cornered. Health-wise, the Scottish Terrier is a sturdy little dog, but like all purebreds he can be prone to some genetic disorders, including Scottie Cramp—a condition that affects movement and seems to be triggered by stress. The Scottish Terrier may be small, but there’s a lot of ‘dog’ in this dog! He isn’t for the faint of heart but, for those who can appreciate him, the rewards are considerable. The Scottie is a true stand-out, even amid a wonderful group of fellow terriers. To be loved by Scotland’s Diehard is something special indeed. n
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.
A Healing Justice By Kristin Von Kreisler This inspiring novel tells the story of police officer Andie Brady and her German Shepherd, Justice, who serves as her active K-9 partner and loyal friend. After a horrible crime takes place, Andie, hounded by the press and wracked with her own guilt, is placed on administrative leave. With her career and her freedom at stake, Andie returns to a small Puget Sound, Washington community, where she worries that she will lose everything, including the critically injured Justice. In chronicling Andie’s journey to recovery, this wonderful story powerfully renders the post-trauma road to healing while offering a touching and honest representation of the strength and loyalty of our amazing canine friends.
Santa's Dog Written by JoAnn Sky and illustrated by Ed Koehler In this entirely winning Christmas story, award-winning author JoAnn Sky and illustrator Ed Koehler deftly capture the love and joy only a dog can bring to a family. When Santa’s dog Lance accidentally falls out of the sleigh Christmas Eve, Lance is taken to an animal shelter and then brought to the home of a military family whose Dad is leaving to serve his country. As the year passes, Lance must decide if he wants to stay with his new family or return to the North Pole with Santa next Christmas Eve. Adults and children alike will love this heartwarming story that movingly illustrates the deep bond between people and their pups.
Living With a Deaf Dog By Susan Cope Becker If you have a deaf or hearing-impaired dog in your life (or are considering adopting one), this book is a must read. An excellent companion guide, it’s full of insightful and practical training advice specific to deaf and hard-of-hearing dogs. An invaluable resource in understanding and communicating with your hearing-impaired pup!
Go Find By Susan Purvis This amazing story chronicles the journey of Susan Purvis and her Labrador retriever, Tasha, as they train to become a search-and-rescue duo. Join the courageous pair as they venture through snowstorms, sea storms, and untamed forests to pursue certification in avalanche, water, and wilderness recovery. During this difficult but rewarding journey, Susan also finds she is on a voyage of self-discovery, reconnecting with her true nature and finding communion with the other lost souls on this adventure. This exhilarating and motivating book is a mustread for physical adventurers and explorers of the wilds of the soul alike. moderndogmagazine.com
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Big Dogs, Little Dogs: A Visual Guide to the World’s Dogs By Jim Medway This colourful, engaging picture book is a totally charmer! Children and parents alike will love this fun yet educational introduction to the world’s 300 domestic dog breeds. Organized by seven official groupings (Working, Toy, Hound, Terrier, Herding, Sporting and Non-Sporting), it includes every breed recognized by the American Kennel Club, as well as yet-to-be recognized breeds, popular mixes, and less familiar breeds recognized in other countries. Add to this a fun Puppy Identifier and a Dog Breed Fact Index, and you have an entertaining book that will be enjoyed by the entire family!
Burning Ridge In the Line of Fire: Daring Stories of Man’s Best Hero By Ace Collins These moving stories of amazing dogs and their remarkable bravery will keep you on the edge of your seat! In the Line of Fire recounts the life-saving missions of courageous dogs serving in the military. Facing fear and danger to protect and empower those they work with, these dogs save the day on incredible missions. If you ever needed a reminder of the limitless valour and devotion of dogs, this is it. Courage, faith, loyalty—this inspiring book has it all!
By Margaret Mizushima When Officer Mattie Cobb and her K-9 partner Robo are called in to investigate a murder at Redstone Ridge, Mattie is stunned to learn that she actually had a close personal relationship with the victim. As the investigation continues, more bodies are discovered, and Mattie finds herself caught up in a horrifying game with an unhinged killer. Will Mattie and her trusty canine partner be able to solve the mystery and stop the murderer? Delve into this suspenseful and engrossing novel to find out!
Bring Jade Home A Dog’s Way Home By W. Bruce Cameron W. Bruce Cameron, bestselling author of A Dog’s Purpose, weaves another utterly compelling, heartstring-tugging, deeply relatable story capturing the devotion and powerful bond between dogs and their people. A Dog’s Way Home tells the story of Bella, a young dog who gets separated from her beloved family. Told through Bella’s perspective, the reader follows along as she embarks on an incredible, dangerous journey through 400 miles of Colorado wilderness to try and find her loved ones. You’ll laugh, cry, and cheer all the way through to the very end. It’s soon to become a major motion picture so read it now!
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By Michelle Caffrey After surviving a terrible car wreck in Yellowstone National Park, David Sowers and Laura Gillice find that their nightmare has only just begun—they are devastated to learn that their Australian Shepherd, Jade, has gone missing after the accident, having escaped the hands of rangers and dashed into the wilderness. With the park full of wolves, mountain lions, and grizzly bears, David and Laura are unable to rest until they can bring Jade safely home. This uplifting true tale about one couple’s devotion to their dog and the selfless volunteers that support them in their quest, is guaranteed to lift your spirits. Don’t be surprised if you come away inspired to visit the glorious Yellowstone National Park as well. n
Must-haves for you & your dog
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Must-haves for you & your dog
CANINE EC COZIES OZIES
Beautiful hand crocheted blankets for your dog.
for small dogs, puppies and cats. Soft acrylic yarn with coordinating faux fur trim. Great for beds, crates, car seats, sofas and laps. Approx. 20" x 20".
etsy.com/shop/caninecoziesblankets
Bike Tow Leash for amazingly stable and safe dog-Biking. No tools or special training needed for bikes trikes & mobility scooters. Made in USA www.BikeTowLeash.com ph: 857-BIKE-DOG
Furs 'N Hers™ Collar & Bracelet Set
sleepyholow.ca
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Fine shopping for the dog lover‌ and their best friend!
anythingdogs.com
877.298.0638
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LAST LICK
Ellie & Friend
double trouble
Roxy & Friend
Caution: These canine besties make an adorable case for adding to your pack!
Chico & Rocco Hennessy & Waffles
Nala & Cooper 112 moderndog
Chips & Queso
Sissy & Bubby
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