Modern Dog Fall 2020

Worried About Vaccines? Why You Should Titer Test + Problem Behaviour Warning Signs

The lifestyle magazine for modern dogs and their companions FALL 2020

FUN BOND BUILDERS

Listen

UP! How to get your dog to actually listen

RE ’ E W IT G N GIVI AY! AW esome 2 Aw Win Stuff p2 g Do

p26

Pup-Tastic Home Goods

Canine Essentials Guide Dreamy Beds Cool Toys Adventure Gear

p62

Do We Crate Too Much?

moderndogmagazine.com DISPLAY UNTIL DEC ‘20

$6.95

p38

Amazing Hero Dogs

Best Breeds For New Pup Parents + The Frenchie, Boston Terrier & At-Home Workouts With Your Dog

Worried About Vaccines? Why You Should Titer Test + Problem Behaviour Warning Signs

The lifestyle magazine for modern dogs and their companions FALL 2020

FUN BOND BUILDERS

Listen

UP! How to get your dog to actually listen

RE ’ E W IT G N GIVI AY! AW esome 2 Aw Win Stuff p2 g Do

p26

Pup-Tastic Home Goods

Canine Essentials Guide Dreamy Beds Cool Toys Adventure Gear

p62

Do We Crate Too Much?

moderndogmagazine.com DISPLAY UNTIL DEC ‘20

$6.95

p38

Amazing Hero Dogs

Best Breeds For New Pup Parents + The Frenchie, Boston Terrier & At-Home Workouts With Your Dog

FALL 2020

VOL 19

NO 3

32 FEATURES 28 34

Why Are Dogs So Friendly?

Science now has an answer. BY STANLEY

COREN

Nipping Problem Behaviour in the Bud Five problem dog behaviours you should stop now.

28

BY TEOTI ANDERSON

38

Meet 5 Amazing Hero Dogs These courageous canines will warm your heart and bring a tear to your eye.

58

50 Shades of Brown What your dog’s poop tells you about their health.

BY JANE MUNDY

62

Do We Crate Too Much?

Rethinking how and why we crate dogs.

KNOW YOUR DOGS 24

The Boston Terrier vs the French Bulldog Can you tell the difference between these commonly confused breeds? We give you the lowdown on their personalities, characteristics, and more.

78

Best Breeds For Experienced Dog People + Perfect Matches for Newbie Pup Parents Breed expert and AKC Executive Secretary Gina DiNardo shares her list of dogs best suited to experienced owners and those perfect for newbie dog parents.

84

Meet the English Springer Spaniel Full of energy, tender-hearted—this lovable bird dog combines brains and obedience with stamina, energy, and sweetness. BY KELLY CALDWELL

BY SASSAFRAS LOWREY

70

How To Get Your Dog To Listen Easy tips to teach your dog to listen and respond when spoken to. BY NICOLE WILDE

88

Extra Special Pups of Instagram These inspiring (and darn cute!) pups don't let their challenges get in the way of living their best lives—and winning tons of Instagram followers!

THE GOODS 26

Dog-Tastic Finds!

Paw-some goods to delight both you and your dog.

32

The Great Outdoors Gear Guide Canine essentials built for adventuring.

61

Problem Solvers Ingenious solutions to common dog-life problems.

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BODY & SOUL 46

Could Your Dog Benefit from CBD? Proponents testify it’s a remarkably effective, natural way to deal with all manner of ailments.

48

Honestly Terrific Dog Toys; Seniors Need to Get Out and About Too; Immune Boost

34 50

Why Is My Dog Vomiting?

Causes of vomiting and when to worry.

BY DR. SARAH MYERS

52

Titer Testing: What It Is and Why You Should Consider It Does your dog really need to be vaccinated? Titer tests allow you to avoid over-vaccination while ensuring your dog is still protected. BY TRACEY TONG

26

DOG LIFE 16

Young Dogs Disobey Their Human “Parents,” Much Like Teenagers Adolescent dogs have similar ‘behavioural challenges’ as teenage humans: study. BY MICHELLE MORTON

22

We're Giving It Away!

We've got three months of amazing giveaways, from CBDinfused functional dog treats to a car seat cover, with winners every week! Turn to page 22 to see what's up for grabs.

24 36

Why You Should Feed Your Dog Yogurt Improved gut health is just one reason to feed your dog this nutrientpacked food. BY SUZI BEBER

72

Your Best Workout Buddy Has Four Legs How to stay fit at home while involving your furry friend in your workout.

74

Does My Dog Have a Food Allergy?

Is what you're feeding your dog making her sick?

REGULAR FEATURES 6 Editor’s Letter 8 Contributors 10 Stuff We Love 12 The Scoop 20 Smile! Photo Contest 94 Marketplace

20

BY TRACEY TONG.

92

Connie's Book Club Curl up with a good dog and a good book. Editor-in-Chief Connie Wilson's fall selection of must-read books for dog lovers.

96

5 Bond Building Exercises How to be your dog’s best friend: Five fun ways to engage your dog BY ROSE FROSEK

ON THE COVER If this photo doesn't put a smile on your face we don't know what will!

Golden Retriever mama Cash and Buttercup, her 8-week-old pup, photographed by Shaina Fishman.

Based in New York, Shaina is a commercial photographer specializing in capturing the personalities of pets.

Cover inset illustration by Michelle Simpson.

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96

In USA: MODERN DOG (ISSN 1703-812X) Volume 19, Issue 3. Published quarterly by Modern Dog Inc. at 142 Churchill Drive, Newington, CT 061114003. 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

Social icon

Circle Only use blue and/or white.

For more details check out our Brand Guidelines.

W

hat a year it’s been so far. Especially in challenging times, we lean on our dogs—for comfort, to make us laugh, to remind us to live in the moment—and certainly we’ve needed those things of late. More than ever, people are appreciating dogs for what they are to so many of us: family.

This issue is a celebration of our remarkable friends. We honour some of the truly amazing hero dogs that have transformed and saved lives, celebrate some of the special pups out there who have overcome challenges and are inspiring others to do the same (p 88), and fill the pages with irresistible canine faces to put a smile on your face.

We also explore ways we can do better by our dogs, from reducing crating (p 62) to using titer testing to avoid over-vaccination (p 52). Expert, actionable advice is featured to help with any behavioural challenges you may be facing, in articles like "How to Get Your Dog to Actually Listen."

And as always, we explore ways to enhance the wellness of our best friends, unpacking how and why to try CBD for dogs, recommending gear like a tested and approved mobility aid, and sharing the very best finds for dogs and the people who love them.

We hope you enjoy this issue as much as we loved putting it together.

Online shopping at its best!

I don’t remember ordering an issue of #moderndogmagazine ... Bosco? Pinot?

—@mr.bossy_the_rat_terrier

LOVE WE OUR LEST LITT !

FANS

With love,

Puppy Love My first issue!—@percy_the_dalmatian Connie Wilson, Publisher & Editor-in-Chief

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P H OTO T E R R A N B AY E R , W E S T W AY S T U D I O ; LO R I F U SA R

Loungin' and Learning

Spending a day in the sun at the lake reading @ModernDogMag! —@rambothepuppy

CO N N I E W I L S O N W I T H P E N N Y, P H OTO K H A R E N H I L L

OUR READERS WRITE

C O NTRIBUTOR S FALL 2020

Sassafras Lowrey is an

award-winning author whose books have been honored by organizations ranging from the American Library Association to the Dog Writers Association of America. Her dog books include Tricks In The City, Healing/Heeling, Bedtime Stories for Rescue Dogs, and Chew This Journal: An Activity Book For You And Your Dog forthcoming in late 2020. Sassafras is a Certified Trick Dog Instructor (CTDI) who lives, writes, and trains in Portland, Oregon. On page 62 of this issue, Sassafras explores whether we overuse dog crates to the detriment of our dogs’ wellbeing.

•

VOL 19

NO 3

Publisher

Modern Dog Inc. Editor-in-Chief

Connie Wilson Editor & Creative Director

Jennifer Nosek Design & Production

Hayley Schmidt Sales & Marketing

Linda Helme, Amanda Dalla Zanna Comptroller

Cecilia de Roca Chan, CPA, CGA Accounting Services & Subscription Services

Vicki Szivos Sales & Marketing Assistant

Georgia Riddle-Olsen Audience Development Coordinator

Yaunna Sommersby Subscriptions & Office Assistant

Becky Belzile

Tracey Tong is a lifelong

GET YOURSELF A SUBSCRIPTION! Give us a call at 1-800-417-6289 or subscribe online at moderndogmagazine.com/subscribe

animal lover and award-winning journalist who can’t go for a walk without rubbernecking at every dog.

The Burlington, ON native—who once bought a house with a backyard just so her two small dogs would have a pee space to call their own—now lives in Ottawa. She has been working in newspapers and magazines for almost 20 years and has contributed to more than 50 publications. Tracey is currently the editor of a parenting magazine. Turn to page 52 for Tracey’s compelling exploration of why you should consider titer testing before re-vaccinating your dog.

Advertising inquiries call (866) 734-3131 In Canada: MODERN DOG (ISSN 1703-812X) Volume 19, 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 19, 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

founder of Canada’s Smiling Blue Skies Cancer Fund and the Smiling Blue Skies Fund for Innovative Research at the University of Guelph, where she was awarded a doctoral degree honoris casa for her work in cancer. Suzi, who shares her home on Vancouver Island with three Golden Retrievers and a Chocolate Lab, has volunteered helping pets with special needs for over two decades. She is also the author of a cookbook for dogs and in this issue shares her recipe for homemade old-fashioned yogurt (p 36), an easy gut health booster you can make for your dog.

F AL L 2020

(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 2020 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

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Z A Z I E TO D D P H OTO B A D M O N K E Y P H OTO G R A P H Y

Dr. Suzi Beber is the

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

FAX

Stuff We Love

Modern Dog staffers’ picks of the litter!

1 I keep my dog Chili Cheese looking suave and sophisticated in the suede and silver collar and bow tie set from Puccissime Pet Couture! This dapper handmade collar with bow tie, available for pups of all sizes, is the perfect doggy accessory for any occasion.

—Becky ($30, puccissime.com) 2 Enjoying the outdoors with your dog shouldn’t come at the expense of the environment.

These Zero Plastic Poop Bags from Lucky Dog are made from organic plant material and completely break down, fully decomposing in three to six months, so you can clean up after your pup while helping reduce your footprint!—Jennifer (from $15, jewettcameron.com) 3 Keeping my dog safe with an updated and cute ID tag is a must. This durable, double-sided Sushi Roll dog tag from Rebel Dawg comes personalized with your dog’s information. Tons of fun styles are available—it’s hard to choose just one!—Amanda (from $45, rebeldawg.com) 4 These just may be the cutest cushions ever! Send your dog’s photo to Everything About Animals and they’ll make it into an adorable custom cushion made with organic and ecofriendly fabric and ink.—Cecilia (from $55, everythingaboutanimals.com) 5 The Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids in Sammy’s Shiny Coat from Stengel Oils keep my coat and skin healthy, while also helping with cognitive function! Omegas are also known to help with inflammatory and immune disorders, protecting my immune system and joints.

—Charlie the Chocolate Lab (from $20, sammysshinycoat.com) 6 Be prepared for all weather with this awesome Dog Walking Utility Jacket from Let’s Go Design! Waterproof and reflective with hood and visor, it is convertible for all seasons (removable fleece liner & sleeves!) and comes with pick-up bags and treat dispensing pockets. I love mine! It’s now 10 years old and looks as good as new.—Connie ($290, letsgodesign.net) 7 My pup now devours her dinner thanks to the addition of Primal’s Chicken Butcher’s Blend Raw Topper. Designed to give your dog’s regular dinner a boost, the delicious meal enhancer provides nutrient-dense proteins and critical calcium via ethically-raised meats and freshly-ground bone to thrill your dog.—Georgia ($10, primalpetfoods.com) 8 Do not hesitate to get this coat. The Great White North coat from Chilly Dogs is unparalleled in fit, material and design, keeping your dog warm and dry no matter the weather. I’ve used this coat a ton with my dog Penny and it is perfect!—Connie (from $60, chillydogs.ca) 9 Encouraging play is easy with the Shake and Squeak toys from Pet Factory. Made with premium materials and built to last, these toys feature a squeaker and come in classic shapes pups love!—Yaunna (from $8, petfactory.com) 10 We’re going to celebrate my dog Charlie’s 12th birthday with a wheat-free Pumpkin cake from Puppy Cake! This dog-approved mix is so easy to make and includes only high-quality, dog-safe ingredients so I can feel good about letting Charlie enjoy a special birthday treat on his big day.—Linda ($7, puppycake.com) 11 Show off your breed love with an etched light solar stake from Personal Etchings! A great addition to your garden or walkway, this solar powered stake recharges every day and can be etched with any dog breed!—Vicki (from $25, personaletchings.com) 12 It’s Fall, a.k.a. pumpkin spice season, making this reversible dog harness from Beast and Buckle a must-have! Made from quality neoprene and breathable mesh, this comfortable harness is durable, safe, and stylish.—Hayley ($30, beastandbuckle.com) 13 Salmon is the first ingredient in Chicken Soup for the Soul’s grain-free Salmon, Pea, and Sweet Potato recipe. They’ve also included antioxidants and superfoods for a delicious and healthy made-in-the-USA meal. I also love that since September 2016 they have donated over three million meals to pets in need.—Jennifer (from $20, chickensouppets.com)

Owner and head roaster of Fetch Coffee, Sarah Witter

Fetch a Coffee That Helps Dogs In Need!

This woman-run company knows how to start your day right

By Becky Belzile

D

og-loving coffee nerds rejoice!

Fetch Coffee Roasters gets you.

Fetch is owned by people who love and know coffee—and dogs. “Few things are better than that first sip of coffee in the morning,” their website states. “And with your dog snuggled by your side, you have the perfect start to your day.”

Based in Oregon, Fetch Coffee Roasters aims to make people happier one sip at a time by only using carefully selected specialty beans. They also aim to help dogs in need with $1 of every purchase being divided equally between two global rescue organizations: The Oregon Humane Society, and the Soi Dog Foundation, a Thailand-based non-profit helping street dogs.

And that’s not all—Fetch Coffee Roasters, itself a woman-run company helmed by owner and head roaster Sarah Witter, also participates in the Café Feminino program, an independent nonprofit organization which provides funding and grants to women producing coffee in poverty-stricken areas around the world.

Their coffee is fair trade (Morning Run is organic!) and ethically sourced from

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Guatemala, Sumatra, Ethiopia, and Peru. You can get your hands on some aptly-named beans like “Belly Rub” coffee and even “Squirrel!!” espresso to brew at home. If you’re not sure where to start, they have a “choose your coffee” page that helpfully outlines the tasting notes of each bean. Prefer a smooth and robust flavor? Try Morning Run. For those preferring fruitier and lighter tasting notes, Tail Chaser may be the best choice.

Aiming to make your coffee experience effortless and memorable, start to finish, their site includes brewing guidelines from grind size to timing, a cold brew guide, and their shopping information includes the coffee’s origin, roast, body, acidity, growing altitude, and process. All of these make a difference in how the coffee tastes. Most beans–with the exception of espresso--can be purchased whole or pre-ground for convenience. Those who want their caffeine buzz on the go can scoop up a branded stainless steel and bamboo travel mug or tumbler to show off on dog walks—all with the bonus of knowing that a portion of your purchase goes to helping pups in need. Find Fetch coffee at multiple locations around the Portland Metro area, or order online at fetchroasters.com.

Coffee With A Cause

Fetch Coffee Roasters supports these two amazing charities The Oregon Humane Society, founded in 1868, remains one of the oldest humane societies in the U.S. They enforce no time limit on shelter stays and adopt out thousands of animals per year. They also provide quality medical care for strays. Their operation relies completely on the generosity of their supporters.

Based in Phuket, Thailand, the Soi Dog Foundation helps street dogs and cats who have been abandoned and abused. Part of their mission involves spaying and neutering stray dogs, conducting mobile clinics around the Bangkok area, vaccinating, and providing veterinary care with over a dozen full-time veterinarians.

P H OTO S R AC H E L S T E V E N S P H OTO G R A P H Y

THE SCOOP

THE SCOOP

Pup Art Artist JJ Galloway’s deliciously whimsical dog portraits find fans worldwide

W

e happened upon JJ Galloway’s dog portraits and were completely smitten.

I mean, come on—pups paired with woodland forest creatures, like squirrel nemeses? A Golden Retriever wearing a crown of veggies? How could you not fall for her delightfully whimsical illustrations?

The Annapolis, Maryland-based artist’s affinity for animals comes naturally.

Growing up, her Mom was (and still is) involved in training Bloodhounds for search and rescue.

“To say we were a dog family would be putting it mildly. Not everybody can live with Bloodhounds,” laughs JJ. As an adult, JJ spent several years as the PR Manager of first the Maryland Zoo and then the National Aquarium in Baltimore. “I think having spent so much time around animals, learning about them and appreciating them and the conservation efforts around their preservation has given me a unique background in animal appreciation,” she says.

Today, she starts every day in her studio with her mixed breed pup, Ruby.

“At the start of 2018 I gave myself

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permission to paint only my favourite subjects and not worry about whether or not anyone else liked the art,” she says.

“My business took off.”

Unreined, what she produced was often food-themed and frequently whimsical, like a pigeon with a ramen nest on his head. Her work is now collected, found in public and private collections around the world, and licensed by companies like Bed, Bath and Beyond. When she’s not in her studio, she can be found at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery where she oversees the drawing programs.

Her animal portraits tend to combine respect with her signature adornment: hats.

“When you add a food crown or hat, there’s an attitude involved which makes that painting so much more personal,” says JJ. “I also don’t ever mock the animals. I show them in a way that makes the ridiculous food ‘hats’ seem perfectly normal.”

Your dog could be featured in one of JJ’s delightful paintings. Commissioned portraits start at $350—an incredible gift for yourself or a fellow dog lover— and prints are also available through jjgalloway.com.

THE SCOOP

Young Dogs Disobey Their Human “Parents,” Much Like Teenagers Adolescent dogs have similar ‘behavioural challenges’ as teenage humans: study | By Michelle Morton

A

ccording to a new study, dogs going through puberty can become disobedient—just like many human teenagers. The good news? Your pup’s misbehaviour during adolescence is normal and a passing phase.

The study, published in The Royal Society journal Biology Letters and titled “Teenage dogs? Evidence for adolescentphase conflict behaviour and an association between attachment to humans and pubertal timing in the domestic dog” found striking similarities.

The study’s co-author, Dr. Naomi Harvey, a zoologist with a specialty in companion animal behaviour and welfare, told Modern Dog magazine that it’s crucial for new dog owners to be aware of this passing phase “because sadly, the peak age when dogs are abandoned and end up in animal shelters is before they are one year old.”

Dr. Harvey said that while adolescence is a vulnerable time for parent-child relationships in humans, little has been documented about dog-owner relationships during this time.

“The teenage brain undergoes huge changes that impact behaviour, reducing impulse control and heightening emotions,” Dr. Harvey said. “Our theory was that behavioural challenges at this time could strain the dog-owner relationship, potentially increasing risk of relinquishment or future behaviour problems.

“Speak to many dog owners or trainers and they’ll tell you they’ve witnessed behavioural breakdowns in adolescent dogs, but such changes haven’t been documented scientifically before now,” she said.

Dr. Harvey said her team’s research included collecting behavioural data on trainee guide dogs during their first year of life, then using that information to see whether dogs show a breakdown of obedience towards their owners when they

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go through puberty, and if there are similarities to human adolescence.

“We collected behavioural data on 285 of them [puppies] when they were 5 months (pre-puberty), 8 months (during puberty) and 12 months (post-puberty) of age using various means including validated behaviour questionnaires, completed both by their human ‘owner’ (a Guide Dogs volunteer who lives with the dogs and raises them in their homes) and their Guide Dogs puppy training supervisor,” explains Dr. Harvey.

Researchers found what most dog owners report: The dogs did become less obedient during puberty and that this was just a passing phase.

“What might surprise some people though is that we found this reduction in obedience was socially specific,” Dr. Harvey said. “They only behaved worse for their owners during puberty, as they still behaved well for other people—much like how human teenagers might behave poorly for their parents but well for strangers.”

From a scientific standpoint, Dr. Harvey said there was one finding that was particularly exciting—an owner’s relationship with their dog has a physical impact on the animal’s development.

“The dogs who had signs of what we call an ‘insecureattachment’ to their people,” which Dr. Harvey explains is characterized by the animal following the person all the time and high levels of attention seeking, “entered puberty when they were younger than dogs with more secure attachments.”

Dr. Harvey said this discovery “parallels what human psychologists have reported when they look at parent-child relationships and puberty timing, but in this case the effect is across species, with the human in the role of the parent and the dog as the child.”

THE SCOOP CAPTION THIS! 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.

C A RTO O N S BY J O H N K LOSSN E R ; J K LOSSN E R . CO M

AND THE WINNING CAPTION FROM THE SUMMER ISSUE IS…

California Dreamin’

Dogs take over the iconic Beverly Hills Hotel in an irresistibly charming new photo series from fine-art photographer Gray Malin.

Following the success of his The Parker Palm Springs animalseries, the photographer teamed up with the iconic Beverly Hills Hotel for a delightful collection of photos that capture classic Hollywood style via a cast of canines.

The series, ‘Dogs at The Beverly Hills Hotel,’ serves up timeless glamour via over twenty different dog breeds in vintage cars, designer accessories, and custom costumes, captured throughout the property of the beloved hotel. From a pampered Pug in a bungalow to a Chow Chow dining at the Cabana Café, these dogs have us dreaming of our own future five-star stay. In the meantime, images are available as limited edition prints on greymalin.com and at the hotel’s Signature Shop.

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"I should never have taught him how to roll down the window!"

Submitted by Sue Taylor RUNNER-UP CAPTIONS "...and squint ya eyes, ya gotta squint ya eyes!"

Submitted by Tim Bicknell

“He ate some of his ‘special treats’ again.”

Submitted by Nick Dub

"For crying out loud Steve, I can’t take you anywhere."

Submitted by Cailin Smith

"He doesn't know we are going to the groomers yet."

Submitted by Meredith Mooney

P H OTOS © G R AY M A L I N , W W W. G R AYM A L I N . CO M @ G R AYM A L I N

Room service, anyone?

Canines take over the Beverly Hills Hotel, delightfully capturing classic Hollywood glamour in playful new photo series

!

E L I SM Ellie May Blue Pitbull

Modern Dog’s Photo Contest Winners!

Brody

Brut

Siberian Husky

Lola Puggle

Dachshund

Ziggy

Marlow

Hungarian Puli

Chihuahua

Oliver

Chocolate Lab

Piper

Border Collie

Maui Samoyed

Theodore Golden Retriever

Bella

French Bulldog

Milo

Cockapoo

LimĂłn

Harper

Yorkie

Pembroke Welsh Corgi

Millie Pitbull

Leo & Remi

French Bulldogs

Jetta Chihuahua

jasper

beamer

Husky/Malamute Mix

Coco

Olde English Bulldog

French Bulldog

Dixie

Australian Shepherd

Hallie

Cocker Spaniel

Mazie-Grace Golden Retriver

Rosten

Dachshund Mix

Think your dog ought To be in Modern Dog?

Mookie

Pug/Boston Terrier Mix

Beaker

Basset Hound

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

1st-7th

Win 1 of 4 treat duos from Holistic Hound! It includes a bag of their Full Spectrum Hemp and Mushroom Bites and a sample pack of a different flavour.

8th-14th

15th-21st

22nd-30th

8th-14th

15th-21st

22nd-31st

8th-14th

15th-21st

22nd-30th

Win 1 of 10 botanical duos from John Paul Pet! The duo includes a 16 oz Lavender Mint Shampoo and full Body & Paw Wipes with Orange Oil.

Win 1 of 4 prize packs from Healthy Shores! Keep your pup happy with nature’s best food from Canada’s West Coast.

Win a Split Rear Seat Cover from 4Knines! Keep your car seats clean and looking brand new with this easy to install, waterproof cover.

October

1st-7th

Win 1 of 8 TEEF! Dental prebiotic for dogs. A human grade, vegan and vet approved water additive that targets the root cause of gum disease and bad breath.

November

1st-7th

Win 1 of 3 navy blue king size PawPad Protective Covers! Sleep with your pets without their mess. Machine washable, lightweight, waterproof & absorbent.

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!

Win a Lucky Dog prize pack! It includes a 32-pack of zero plastic poop bags, a dog crate, a pet cot, and an orthopedic pillow.

Win 1 of 4 coffee prize packs from Fetch Coffee Roasters!

Each prize pack includes two 12 oz bags of coffee beans and a travel mug, with your choice of roast and travel mug design.

Win a Smart Pet Feeder 2.0 from Instachew! This automatic app enabled pet feeder features 5L capacity, 2-way audio-video, scheduled feeding, night vision, and an HD camera.

Win 1 of 5 prize packs from Nature’s Logic! It includes 3 bags of Distinction dog food, 1 jar of peanut butter with hemp seed oil, and 3 bags of freeze dried bites.

Win 1 of 12 Furzoff, the new and better way to remove pet hair from your home and vehicles.

Made in the USA of 90% recycled material, it's 100% durable!

No purchase necessary to enter or win. Beginning September 1, 2020 at 12:01 AM (PST) through November 30, 2020 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: RIO SUBMITTED BY EDEN A SCHARMEN

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

Commonly Confused Breeds

VS BOSTON FRENCH THE

THE

TERRIER BULLDOG A

t first glance, the Boston Terrier and the French Bulldog, or Frenchie, as the breed is commonly called, share many similarities, and with good reason—both breeds were created using the English Bulldog. Both are of smaller stature, have distinguishing pricked ears, and charmingly flat faces.

The bright, affectionate, and adaptable Frenchie was developed in France in the late 1800s, whereas the lively, amusing, and friendly Boston Terrier, known as “The American Gentleman,” is American through and through—the breed was developed in Boston, MA, in the late 1800s by crossing Bulldogs with the now-extinct English white terriers. (It is unknown what other breeds were combined with the toy English Bulldog to create the Frenchie.)

You can tell a Frenchie from a Boston Terrier by colour and body type.

Boston Terriers have a black-and-

white tuxedo-like pattern that includes white on their faces.

Frenchies, on the other hand, can be brindle, white, cream, or fawn, or a combo of some of the aforementioned. The Frenchie is also of slightly heavier build and lower to the ground than Boston Terriers, who have longer legs and are a bit slimmer—Bostons should weigh 12 to 25 pounds. Build-wise, the Frenchie, who should weigh under 28 pounds, looks like a Bulldog in miniature, with the exception of his hallmark large, upright “bat ears” for which the breed is known.

Both the French Bulldog and the Boston Terrier are known to be excellent companions for singles, families, and city dwellers in particular thanks to their portable size. Sturdy, charming, and peopleoriented, these two have many fans. Both are within the top 25 most popular breeds, according to AKC registration statistics, attesting to their irresistible nature.

Looking for a versatile, cozy sleeping pad for your pup? The soft and durable Chill Pad from P.L.A.Y. can be used as a bed in a variety of spaces and is designed to fit most standard pet crates.

Made from eco-friendly and recycled materials, it’s easily machine washed and dried.

From $30, petplay.com

Show your love for your people with this adorable “Dog People Are My People” tee from Dapper Dexter! This ultra-soft t-shirt is available in a wide variety of unisex sizes—perfect for the dog park or coffee run! $31, dapperdexter.com

Goods to delight you and your dog.

Lightweight, comfy, and stackable, 4Legs4Pets pet cots are perfect for home, travel, training, and more, and make an especially ideal outdoor bed for your pup! Made with open weave mesh fabric, this portable cot can be easily cleaned—no need to remove the cover. Choose the “Build A Cot” option to customize! From $47, 4legs4pets.com

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Irresistibly cute! This Super Fluffy Corgi LED Light is an adorable addition to any room. Portable and battery-powered, it generates a soft light that can be adjusted for brightness—perfect for the Corgi lover or kid in your life. From $28, etsy.com/shop/ thousandskies

Every good dog deserves a beautiful collar. Built to last, the gorgeous, handcrafted camouflage collar from Auburn Leathercrafters is lined with sturdy, long-lasting bridle leather and finished with antiqued hardware. From $32, auburndirect.com

Sweet dreams! The new Roll-O bed from Bowsers combines the best features of their most popular beds rolled into one! An excellent choice for older or large breed dogs, this heavenly bed features stuffed bolsters, added orthopedic support, and a zippered cushion cover with waterproof barrier. From $150, bowsers.com

Science Now Has An Answer

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I L LU ST R AT I O N BY X X X X X X

Why Are Dogs So Friendly?

Pet dogs have altered genes that make them friendlier than wolves, a new study demonstrates

By Stanley Coren

E

arly last fall, while wildfires were ravaging the state of California, a colleague, who is a clinical psychologist, had dropped by my home to help coordinate my participation in a fundraising effort to try to rescue some dogs that had become homeless because of the conflagration. She sat down on a window seat while I went into the kitchen to get her a cup of coffee. While I did so I paused for a moment to let my dogs in from the backyard. Quite predictably, they immediately ran to greet her.

By the time I brought the coffee out to her I found that my Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, Ranger, had jumped up onto the seat beside her and was licking her face so vigorously that he had removed a good bit of her makeup.

She laughed and pushed him away and back to the floor. “Friendliness is one thing,” she said, “but in dogs it seems to have reached a level of friendliness that might be called insanity, or at least some kind of mental aberration.”

While I took a moment to settle the dogs down, I said to her, “You know, there is some recent research which suggests that you may be right about ‘insane friendliness’ in dogs. Have you heard of Williams–Beuren Syndrome?”

“Sure,” she replied. “In the clinic we just call it Williams Syndrome. As I recall, it is a sort of friendliness mutation. It is rather rare—maybe in one out of every 10,000 to 20,000 people. There are some physical characteristics, such as elflike facial features, and people with Williams Syndrome also seem to have some cognitive difficulties, at least when it comes to focusing on problems. However, to psychologists, the most interesting feature of this mental condition are the socialemotional behaviours which are quite the reverse of the fearful or aggressive responses that we clinicians are normally called upon to treat. Individuals with Williams Syndrome seem to lack any kind of social inhibition—in other words, they act as if they love everybody. They tend to seek the company of others quite enthusiastically and are usually described as being kind-spirited, empathizing with others’ distress, and are also caring and forgiving. They don’t seem to show the normal level of fear of strangers and tend to run up to and hug completely unfamiliar people. The technical term for the behaviours they are showing is hypersociability, which I suppose could be viewed as pathologically friendly.”

I sat down and sipped on my coffee and said, “Well, in a series of articles that have come out over the past three or so years, a big research team made up of investigators from Princeton, Oregon State University, and a bunch of other places, noticed the similarity between the extremely friendly behaviour of dogs and the behaviours of  moderndogmagazine.com

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The sociability of the dogs proved to be a detriment since they spent a significantly greater portion of the two minutes they were given to complete the task gazing at the human. people with Williams–Beuren Syndrome. They then went on to test to see whether the social behaviour of dogs might be influenced by the same factors that cause these behavioural deviations in people.”

I went on to explain that the team was headed by Bridget Von Holdt of the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Princeton University. The investigators knew that WilliamsBeuren Syndrome was a genetic problem. It is due to the deletion of part or all of a section of DNA on chromosome 7 in human beings. It includes about 29 genes. This same sequence appears on chromosome 6 in dogs, so the team looked for structural changes in that string of genes, such as deletions, insertions or transpositions of DNA to other locations.

To measure differences in the social behaviour among various canines, the researchers compared 18 randomly selected pet dogs to 10 wolves that had been in captivity for a long time and had become tame and relatively friendly towards humans.

One of the tests they used was a very simple assessment of just how friendly the dogs and wolves were. During the test, a stranger or a person who was familiar to the animal sat quietly; the behaviour of the dogs or wolves toward that person was monitored. The dogs showed nearly twice as much friendliness, spending 63 percent of their time hovering within a meter of a familiar person seeking social contact, as opposed to only 35 percent for the wolves. When presented with a total stranger the results were similar with the dogs spending nearly twice as much time as the wolves being friendly (53 percent for dogs versus 28 percent for wolves).

The dogs and wolves were also given a problem-solving task which required them to figure out how to take the cover off of a box which contained a bit of sausage as a reward. Here the sociability of the dogs proved to be a detriment since they spent a significantly greater portion of the two minutes they were given to complete the task gazing at the human. Because of this only two of the 18 dogs tested solved the problem. The wolves, however, were not distracted by social behaviours or misdirected attempts at friendly interaction, and they immediately set to work. Thus nine out of the 10 wolves solved the problem. An interesting feature of this is that people with Williams–Beuren Syndrome also show a lack of persistence on cognitive tests, perhaps due to the same social distractibility.

Once they had confirmed the behavioural differences in sociability between dogs and wolves, the team next needed to see if the expected genetic differences were also present.

To do this, samples of DNA were taken from both the dogs

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and wolves for analysis. Looking at the targeted sections of the chromosomes, the researchers found that the DNA varied widely in the dogs, and to a lesser degree in wolves, at least as far as parts inserted, deleted, or duplicated. People with Williams–Beuren Syndrome also show great variation in the critical region of the chromosome, and the degree of variation is thought to affect the severity of the condition and its impact on the person’s personality. This also seems to be true in the wolves and the dogs. The hypersocial and friendly dogs had more DNA disruptions in the relevant regions than the more aloof wolves. Specifically, the most significant disruptions were on the gene that is associated with a protein called GTF21 (which in turn regulates the activity of a number of other genes). Higher levels of disruption in that critical region of the chromosome were associated with the most social dogs. A relative lack of change in that gene seems to lead to standoffish and the more distant and aloof behaviour that we tend to associate with wolves.

In more recent research, these researchers looked at the genetic code of 298 domestic and wild canines. One of the characteristic behaviours associated with wild canines, such as wolves or jackals, is that they are xenophobic. That is the technical term for being fearful of strangers, meaning that wild canines become frightened or wary when they encounter people, and because of this they tend to try to avoid them.

This is, of course, the exact opposite of what we see in our dogs. This research team offered the idea that during the process of domestication, because we wanted dogs to be sociable and approachable, we systematically bred animals which have the genetic mutations that predispose dogs to be abnormally friendly.

I think that I must’ve chuckled before I noted, “In other words, the researchers concluded that the genetic disruption that produces Williams–Beuren Syndrome in people (which we define as a ‘deviant mental condition’), has now become ‘normal’ in dogs and accounts for their persistent friendliness towards humans. It’s also likely that this genetic condition is a contributor toward producing the personality type which allows us to domesticate dogs in the first place and for them to form an affectionate bond with humans. Put simply, it means that your suggestion that dogs are ‘insanely friendly’ might not be far from the truth.”

I was interrupted by a giggling sound and looked up to find that Ranger had jumped back up on the window seat next to my colleague and was now affectionately licking the remaining makeup off of the other side of her face. 

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Keeping your dog warm and cozy just got cuter! The machine washable MuTTuque from Muttluks is made from soft knit fleece fabric and designed to comfortably protect dog’s ears, head, and neck. While you're at it, get some of their awesome dog boots too! muttluks.ca

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Rain, snow, and dirt are no match for the Classy Full-Body Suit from Zippy Dynamics! Lightweight and water-resistant, it's made from high quality materials and available in a wide variety of sizes to keep pups clean and protected from the elements! zippydynamics.com

THE

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Flingerz Ball Launcher was made with hardcore fetchers in mind! The patented launcher stick lets you play fetch for hours without having to stoop to pick up a slobbery ball. Designed with slotted edges, it flexes as your dog chews, floats, and whistles through the air! Find it on Amazon

Great s r o o d OuEtAR GUIDE G Canine Essentials Built turing for Adven

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$

Every adventuring pup needs a jaunty bandanna! Elevate your pup’s outdoor style with a charming Eco Bandanna from Lil’ Archies! These bandannas are made with certified organic cotton knit fabric and the designs are created using a sustainable digital printing process. lilarchies.com

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Outdoor adventures await! Stay hydrated on the go with this collapsible travel cup from Dexas.

This easy-to-store cup features a clip that can be attached to a collar, leash, backpack, or belt loop for portable, easy access. dexas.com

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Does your dog love to play frisbee and tug of war? Made of real mountain climbing rope and durable nylon fabric, the Rope Gliderz frisbee from ZippyPaws is gentle on your dog’s teeth and built to withstand serious play! zippypaws.com

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PHOTO @HENRYTHECOLORADODOG

$

Nip It It in the Bud! 5 Problem Dog Behaviours You Should Stop Now

By Teoti Anderson

1) Jumping for Attention

Y

ou visit your friend and her young dog practically mauls you in greeting as you walk in the door. He’s friendly—to the point where you’re left black and blue. “He’s just a puppy,” your friend shrugs. He may be a puppy, but he’s going to end up being a big dog with bigger issues if your friend doesn’t act soon.

Do you notice early signs of problem behaviours in your own dog? Maybe your puppy likes to chase the kids in the back yard, and now that he’s getting bigger he occasionally knocks them down. Maybe your dog has started growling at you when you approach his food bowl. Or maybe it’s just something annoying, like your dog jumping on the couch on top of you when you’re sipping coffee.

While we all wish canine problem behaviours would just go away on their own, this rarely happens. Problem behaviours start small and grow with time. Ideally, the best time to address a problem is when it starts. You’ve heard of the phrase, “Practice makes perfect?” Well, the longer your dog practices a behaviour, the better he gets at it. Waiting too long to address an issue will make it harder to fix later. Here are five problem behaviours you need to nip in the bud right away.

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Consequence of Waiting to Address: A dog that always jumps on people. If you don’t mind your dog jumping on you, then that’s ok. Do you have anyone else in your life for whom it may be an issue? For example, do you have friends who visit who have little kids? Or do you have elderly parents or grandparents who visit? If you don’t want your dog jumping on them, then you need to train your dog not to jump on people. (If you don’t have anyone like that who will be around your dog, then you may not mind the jumping.)

The best way to eliminate jumping in your dog is to only pet him while he remains sitting. If he’s not sitting, no petting. For everyone. If you push him off, or yell at him, or even give him eye contact, you’re giving him attention for jumping. Teach your dog to sit. Once he’s learned this behaviour, make sitting the best thing in your dog’s life. Give him treats for sitting. Cue him to sit before you attach his leash and take his leash off.

Cue him to sit for his food. Cue him to sit before you throw the ball for him. Make sit so much a part of his daily routine that sitting becomes his new habit, not jumping.

3) This Couch is Delicious! And Your Shoes, this Magazine, that Charger Cord…

Consequence of Waiting to Address: A dog that chews a path of destruction through your home. Dogs will put practically anything in their mouths. Your dog could easily swallow something that can hurt or even kill him. Train your dog what items are ok for chomping, and which are off limits.

Solving this issue requires supervision. When your dog chews on something he shouldn’t, say “No” and redirect him to an appropriate toy. If you don’t trust your dog to keep his teeth on the right toys when you’re not watching him, then he needs to be crated. If your dog picks up a toy, be sure to praise him for making a good choice.

4) Kids Are Fun to Chase 2) Getting Comfy on the Couch Consequence of Waiting to Address: A dog that will always jump on the couch.

If you don’t mind, skip this section!

Allowing dogs on the couch is a personal decision. If you don’t care, and your dog does not have aggression issues, it’s fine if you let your dog up on the furniture. Keep in mind, though, other people in your life may not feel the same way. If you don’t mind your dog curling up with you on the couch at any time, but would be mortified if your Labrador jumped on your mom’s lap, then teach your dog not to jump on the couch unless he gets permission.

Solving this issue is relatively straightforward. Every time your dog gets up on the couch, gently take his collar and get him off. Every single time.

Don’t give him access to the couch when you are not there, as you won’t be there to correct the behaviour. Don’t tell him “off” and then give him a treat, or you’re paying him for jumping on the couch in the first place.

If you want to allow your dog to jump on the couch only with permission, cue him to sit next to the couch. Then pat the couch with your hand, encouraging him to jump up. When he jumps up, praise him and give him a treat. If he jumps up without sitting first and getting your hand pat signal, gently take him off.

Consequence of Waiting to Address: An injured child. Where it might be ok to tackle another dog in a game of tag, it’s not ok for a dog to chase a child and topple her to the ground.

If your dog loves to run, give him a healthy outlet. Play fetch. Play recall games across the yard with family members taking turns calling him so he can run to them for treats. Consider getting a flirt pole toy—a long pole with a cord that has a toy attached to it.

Teach your dog to chase the toy and not your kids. If he does chase a child, say “No!” and immediately remove him from the yard. Don’t wait until a child gets hurt. Be consistent and remove him at the first offence.

5) Growling Over the Food Bowl Consequence of Waiting to Address: A dog that bites. Don’t think your dog “would never bite,” because that’s just not realistic. A growl is a warning. Your dog is telling you he doesn’t like you near his food bowl. If you ignore this warning, he could escalate.

With any signs of aggression, consider getting professional help from a reward-based trainer. If this behaviour has just started and your dog has not yet bitten, then start with an empty food bowl. Gradually drop food in the bowl for his entire meal so he learns your hands coming towards his bowl are positive. Do not stick your hands in his bowl, or take the food away from him intermittently, or pet him while he’s eating. This is just annoying to your dog and can increase aggression. If your dog continues to growl at you during this exercise, stop and get professional help. For more specifics on how to address resource guarding, go to moderndogmagazine.com/resourceguarding. moderndogmagazine.com

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MAKE IT!

eat D.I.Y.

Why You Should Give Your Dog Yogurt Improved gut health is just one reason to feed your dog this nutrient-packed food

By Suzi Beber

Y

ogurt has a long, storied history, going all the way back to the Neolithic peoples of Central Asia, around 6000 BC, when herdsmen began milking their animals. Back then, storage containers were made from the stomachs of animals, and the milk naturally curdled and fermented, helped along by the natural enzymes found in the stomachs.

Yogurt is recognized by so many names around the world—katyk, dahi, zabadi, mast, leben raib, roba, cuajada, dovga, matsoni—and they all share the same history. As far back as 6000 BC, Ayurvedic writings referred to the health benefits of fermented milk. Even Genghis Khan, founder of the Mongol empire, is said to have fed his entire army yogurt because he believed that it instilled bravery in his warriors. More than likely, it was the perfect food to calm stormy stomachs.

Stamen Grigorov, a Bulgarian medical student, was the first to explain the benefits of eating a diet that included yogurt by discovering Bacillus bulgaricus, a lactic acid that is still used in today’s yogurt cultures. The first yogurt laboratory and factory were

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rt yogu rs offe s to nes good whole your mily! fa

opened in France in 1932; you know it as today’s Danone Yogurt.

Dr. Martin Goldstein, author of “The Nature of Animal Healing,” says that healing all starts with food. He writes of yogurt, “Just as it helps us by providing friendly bacteria for our digestive tracts, so it helps pets, especially those with gas or diarrhea, and should definitely be given in conjunction with antibiotics for digestive support.”

Adding yogurt to our dogs’ diet provides them with a valuable source of protein and calcium, along with magnesium and potassium, vitamin D, K2 enzymes, essential fatty acids and whey, and its probiotics help to support their gastrointestinal system and boost immunity.

If your dog has been prescribed antibiotics, the probiotics in a dollop of yogurt can help to restore healthy intestinal flora thanks to strains of healthy bacteria that include Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Steptococcus thermophiles, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, and Bifidus. It’s no wonder that yogurt is considered one of the world’s super foods.

Yogurt All Around!

Remember, when purchasing store-bought yogurt, carefully read labels to ensure that it contains no artificial colours or flavours, and that no sugar or sugar substitutes have been added, particularly xylitol, which is toxic to our pets.

Yogurt offers lots of goodness to your whole family and can be a beneficial addition to your dogs’ daily diet or as a nutrient dense treat.

Make Your Own Pet-Friendly, Probiotic-Packed Old Fashioned Yogurt This recipe was taught to me many years ago. It is a generations old Eastern European recipe. It really, really works and it’s great for your whole family, dogs included!

Ingredients *Choose organic ingredients whenever possible.

1

litre of whole milk, for example, homogenized cow milk or whole, naturally homogenized goat milk

1

small container (175 grams) of Balkan style yogurt (or goat milk yogurt, water buffalo yogurt, or sheep yogurt)

Instructions 1. Place milk in a large pot and bring to a boil. This is a “watch the pot carefully” recipe. Small bubbles will form around the edges first, and then bubbles move towards the center. Watch the milk carefully to ensure it doesn’t burn. You can do this by simply turning the heat down just before the milk reaches a rolling boil. Boil the milk for 15 minutes. A timer is useful for this step.

2. After 15 minutes, turn the stove off, and let the milk cool down until it is lukewarm. Do not remove the pot from the stove.

3. Then, in a small mixing bowl, whisk a small amount of the yogurt with a small amount of the boiled milk until smooth. For example, combine four tablespoons of milk and six tablespoons of yogurt. The more yogurt used, the more firm your own yogurt will be.

4. Place the mixture back in the pot that contains the rest of the milk. Cover the pot and leave it until yogurt has formed. You can check the pot from time to time. As the yogurt is forming, it looks a bit like Jell-O. The yogurt can take anywhere from eight to 12 hours to form. Semi-firm yogurt, perfect for dips, sauces, and meal toppers, will be ready in as little as four hours if you use whole goat milk.

Whey will come to the top of your homemade yogurt, and it is good to use too. Serve as is, or, if you prefer to strain your yogurt, skim the whey (the liquid-y part) from the top.

5. Store homemade yogurt in containers and refrigerate or freeze. Homemade yogurt will last as long as commercial brands do.

6. Fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices can be added to yogurt after the base has been prepared.

MORE GREAT DIYs...

Get crafty! Go to moderndogmagazine.com/diy-projects moderndogmagazine.com

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5

INSPIRE

Meet Amazing Hero Dogs These courageous canines will warm your heart and bring a tear to your eye

F

or many of us, our dogs are our best friends, confidantes, and comfort. But for some, they are daily miracle workers and team members, transforming and saving lives; it’s these dogs the American Humane Hero Dog Awards sets out to honour, bringing attention to the “life-changing, life-saving power of the human-animal bond,” says Dr. Robin Ganzert, American Humane president and CEO. “All of our semifinalists are heroes who exemplify the courage and heroism we seek to spotlight...We hope that their accomplishments not only bring much-deserved attention to these courageous canines, but inspire America to reflect on the outsized contributions that animals make in our lives every day.”

This year saw 408 dogs nominated for the Hero Dog Awards. After nearly half a million votes, 21 remarkable dogs advanced to the semi-final rounds. Another round of voting will determine the top dog in each category— Guide/Hearing, Military, Law Enforcement, Search and Rescue, Service, Shelter, and Therapy—and the finalists will be featured on the Hallmark Channel this fall. The star-studded feel-good Hero Dog Awards special airs in conjunction with Hallmark Channel’s Adoption Ever After initiative, which aims to empty shelters and end the epidemic of pet homelessness—especially fitting as many of these dogs were rescued. Here we profile six of the amazing canine semi-finalists.

Amy Sherwood + Dolly Pawton, Cardiac Alert Dog “Dolly Pawton is my cardiac alert dog, trained to alert if my blood pressure drops or heart rate rises to an unsafe level, writes Amy Sherwood of Naples, Maine. Being confined to a wheelchair due to multiple medical conditions has been difficult, to say the least. At times, my body will physically not allow me to do everyday tasks. I try to remain as active as my body will allow. With Dolly's help I am able to do that. Before having a service dog, I went out very little but

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Cardiac alert dog Dolly Pawton Dolly changed that. She helps me to function without having to depend on others.

Dolly helps in every aspect of my life, including reducing my social anxiety.

I was a victim of domestic violence which caused PTSD. I struggled to get out of bed, not just because of my health but because my self-confidence was horrible. Because of my fears, it was much easier and safer for me to stay home. People have no idea the pain I was in before Dolly. Living with so many medical issues along with PTSD takes a real toll on me both physically and emotionally. I wake up with nightmares, terrified to go back to bed but now I have Dolly right by my side to keep me safe...She is truly my most crucial medical equipment with a loving, beating heart. I don't know what I would do without her in my life. She is my hero.”

Lisa Edge + Noah, AntiBullying Dog “What would you do if you were a pup born without eyes and used a wheelchair due to handicapped back legs?” queries Lisa Edge of Mineral Point, Wisconsin. “You become the world's most beloved anti-bullying dog, and an ambassador for blind and handicapped animals!”

“I was in despair after my injuries. I needed a helper.

What I received was a fur guardian angel.”

“This is Noah, a pup who travels to schools with lessons about acceptance, tolerance, disabilities, and kindness,” she writes. “He is an outstanding visual for kids to see that it's okay to be different, just like he is! Known as ‘The Anti-Bullying Pup,’ Noah sends a strong message that it's never okay to pick on people who may have disabilities, look or dress differently, or have different beliefs. Rescued by Saving K9 Lives, given a Muffin's Halo to protect his head, and a wheelchair donated by Mango on a Mission, Noah has proven to the world that even with handicaps, he can do anything a ‘normal’ pup can do....just a little differently. When he's not in the classroom, you can find Noah at nursing homes, freely giving his love to seniors. His innate ability to love makes him a favourite guest. He also enjoys skiing on the slopes of Wisconsin with custom skis to fit his wheelchair! Noah has been a semi-finalist in the American Humane Hero Dog Awards in 2016, 2017, and 2018. He has been featured in People magazine, interviewed by Inside Edition, named a Wisconsin Hero Dog, and chosen as ASPCA Dog of the Year 2018-19 for the work he does in schools. Noah can show you a thousand reasons why he was spared from certain death. He is a champion for the ‘underdog,’ as he, himself, is one. Roll on, little guy!”

Penn Street + Beethoven, Service Dog "I suffer from Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS),” shares Penn Street of Loveland, Colorado. “SJS burns you alive from the inside out. At age nine, 75 percent of my body was covered in second- and third-degree burns. My parents were told that if I survived I would be blind, deaf, permanently on a feeding tube, and would never be able to breathe on my own. Boy, were they wrong! Not only did I survive, but I also lived. Yes, my eyes, ears, lungs, heart, etc. don't work great all the time, but it does not keep me from being the best person I can possibly be. Beethoven fills in the gaps so that all my broken parts are whole.

“Service Dog? Beethoven is the definition of a service dog. Each morning he nudges me a few minutes before my alarm goes off. He waits patiently as I get my painful body moving. He stands in front of the stairs until I find the railing and we begin our day. He guides me to the bus to head to work at the non-profit No Barriers. In the office he greets everyone making sure their workday starts off with a smile. When we are not working for No Barriers we are volunteering for the Lions. We visit clubs and share our story inspiring them to continue to be Knights of the Blind. Beethoven shakes everyone's hand who donates. Beethoven is my hero every moment of every day. Beethoven is a Guide Dog because I cannot see, but he is so much more to me and everyone who meets him.”  moderndogmagazine.com

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“I have no regrets about losing my hearing; I would trade my ears for Aura any day.”

Gretchen Evans + Aura, Hearing Service Dog “Aura is a trained hearing service dog,” writes Gretchen Evans of Brunswick, Maine. “She became my ears after I lost my hearing in a rocket attack in Afghanistan. “I was in despair after my injuries. I needed a helper. What I received was a fur guardian angel. She has restored my independence. I went from being a blown-up deaf person to a person who now feels safe and secure in the world. She never has a day off and I rely on her to keep me safe. She provides me with the confidence I need to interact in the world.

She has allowed me to pursue my passions and purpose in life. I have no regrets about losing my hearing; I would trade my ears for Aura any day. She is happy to work for me, displaying undying loyalty. She knows I am deaf but loves me anyway. Always by my side, head up and ready for anything.

She is my hope. I am forever grateful to her. There is not a medication or a therapy that could do for me what Aura does for me every day. The photograph (seen at at left) of Aura was taken on the very first day I received her. I immediately felt her love flow through her leash right into my heart.

She looks at me like I am the best person in the world. We hope to continue to be ambassadors for people with hearing loss. She has changed how I see and feel about the world. Aura is the epitome of a hero, putting others before herself, ensuring my safety over hers, and providing her constant service to me, asking nothing in return. We will continue to hike, explore, travel, and enjoy all the world has to offer. She is my most sacred companion.”

Jason Howe + Sobee, Service Dog “Sobee is a four-year-old rescue who was in a kill shelter in Georgia,” shares Jason Howe of Holt’s Summit, Missouri. “She was two days away from being euthanized when the organization K9s On the Front Line rescued her and gave her to me. I am a combat veteran who struggles with PTSD and am a recovering addict. I began self-medicating after returning home from two deployments. I was living in Missouri and had no place to go except to keep digging my grave. With one last effort to have a good life, I got on a bus and traveled to Maine where I grew up. After returning to Maine, I ran into an old high school friend who had a service dog. I asked him if it helped and he said it saved him. He put me in contact with K9s On the Front Line and this is when my life changed. The founder, Dr. Hagen Blaszyk, took me under his wing and assured me everything was going to be just fine as I had an army of support with me now. When they gave me Sobee, it was an instant bond.

I began getting outside, going for walks, and opening my curtains. I was beginning to see the world again because of a dog? Yes, because of a dog.

When I’m having a panic attack, Sobee is trained to bring me back to the present moment and back to reality. If we are out in public, Sobee is trained to watch my back. Because of Sobee, I was able to start a chapter of K9s On the Front Line in Missouri, paying it forward for veterans. Sobee is a true Hero Dog or I’d be buried!”

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The perfect gift for a pet parent! ConairPRO Dog and Cat’s 5-Piece Grooming Starter Kit gives you all of the essentials for an at-home grooming. Plush Squeaky Toy included to add some fun to the grooming session! chewy.com

Give the gift of a clean dog! Wondurdog dog wash kits feature an innovative shower brush with a flip down splash shield.

Shower, sink faucet, and outdoor versions available. Wash your pet, don’t get wet! wondurdog.com

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Perfect Presents

The new Patriotic Cot from 4Legs4Pets is fitted with navy, red, and white woven fabric and either navy or red legs. It’ll be your dog’s new favourite spot to relax! Get 25% off with code MOD25. 4legs4pets.com

Coordinated fashion for you and your pet with Walker & Woof!

Featuring original art, these t-shirt and bandana ensembles celebrate that very special bond. A great gift for yourself or a dog-adoring friend. walkerandwoof.com

You’ll laugh, tear up, and nod your head in recognition as you read this new Chicken Soup for the Soul collection about the magic of dogs. Royalties from the book will support American Humane. chickensoup.com

Put your pet first with Treatworx! Made with the finest ingredients, these treats are free of grains, fillers, and artificial additives and colours, making them the perfect healthy gift for your dog! treatworx.com

Looking for a safe alternative to ‘real’ pork bones for your dog? Tex’s Smoke’n’Chews are made from durable, hickory-smoked TPR material. They are the perfect gift for aggressive chewers!

Save 5% with code TAKE5. texchews.com Style your pooch fashionably with Puccissime Pet Couture’s luxury handmade collar & bow tie sets. Everything is uniquely designed and created by owner, Ahoo, in her workshop in beautiful Vancouver, BC. puccissime.com moderndogmagazine.com

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SPECIAL PROMOTION

Perfect Presents

Rebel Dawg is a fully customizable tag & charm shop.

Personalize yours with 25 shape and colour options! They’re lightweight, jingle-free, USA-made and perfect for both dogs and cats! Use code MDRD15 for 15% off. rebeldawg.com Keep your pup warm this fall with The Bood & The Snood washable Polartec fleece 2-piece from Ruffina.NYC! This USAmade pullover is super cozy and available for both male and female dogs. ruffina.nyc

Jack, a neglected boy, saves a neglected, starving dog and learns that one small moment can change a life forever.

Floating Twigs is highly recommended in over 4,000 Amazon and Goodreads reader reviews!

Find it on Amazon

Recycle in style!

The new Earthstyle collection from 2HoundsDesign combines colourful upbeat designs with earth-friendly webbing made using recycled plastic bottles. Choose from six retro-hip designs.

2houndsdesign.com

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The perfect multi-functional gift for any dog lover! Wagnetic dog leash offers two expandable zipper pocket compartments for hands-free storage of personal items, pet toys, treats & more. Find it on Amazon

This adorably giftable, Halloween-themed canine mystery finds amateur sleuth Melanie Travis and her prize-winning poodles pawing for clues after an October 31st celebration turns into a spooky game of trick-or-treat! kensingtonbooks.com

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Could Your Dog Benefit from CBD? Proponents testify it’s a remarkably effective, natural way to deal with all manner of ailments

Interested in giving it a try? Here are 5 CBD products formulated for dogs: Let them eat health-improving treats! The CBD-infused pet treats from Suzie’s CBD are made with full spectrum, humangrade, and organic CBD—the hemp is grown on their own USDA organic farm— providing the benefits of CBD in treat form! ($20, suziespettreats.com)

Jasper Sorën’s high concentrate pet CBD allows for flexibility with daily dose amounts to achieve desired results. Suitable for dogs of all sizes, the double independent-lab-tested formula blends organic hemp oil with broad spectrum CBD isolate from Colorado growers. ($149, jaspersoren.com)

These delicious CBD bites combine the power of organic hemp-derived full spectrum CBD with a powerful blend of organic medicinal mushrooms (Reishi, Shiitake, Mesima, Poria, and Turkey Tail) to support the immune system, joint health, and more. ($45, holistichound.com)

For dogs with hip or joint pain, try Grizzly Pet Product’s Hemp Enhanced Joint Aid Liquid. With a blend of five active joint support ingredients, wild fish oil, and organically grown hemp oil, it’s specially formulated to reduce stiffness, pain, and inflammation. ($30, grizzlypetproducts.com)

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F

rom dinner parties to the dog park and progressive vet offices, there’s a reason you keep hearing about CBD. Cannabidiol, or CBD as it is commonly called, is a hemp derivative that is non-psychoactive, meaning that, unlike THC, it won’t get you or your dog high. CBD is now legal in both Canada (Health Canada recently approved a clinical trial to research the use of cannabidiol to treat animal anxiety) and the US, where it is federally legal, though some states put restrictions on buyers.

CBD proponents are many. Owners as well as vets, such as Dr. Katherine Kramer, medical director for VCA-Canada Vancouver Animal Wellness Hospital, a small-animal integrative hospital in Vancouver, B.C., report that dogs suffering from pain, anxiety, loss of appetite, and seizures, among other ailments, have shown remarkable improvement without suffering the side effects of conventionally prescribed medicines.

“There is increasing evidence that CBD can be helpful for pets with arthritis or chronic pain, cancer, seizures, and some behavioural issues, such as anxiety, cognitive impairment,” says Dr. Kramer, who is also a director of the Canadian Association of Veterinary Cannabinoid Medicine.

Testimonials from dog people who have found that their dogs have a new lease on life following the administering of CBD abound. To administer to your dog, you’ll want to choose a quality, third-party lab tested product formulated especially for pets. Options such as tinctures, oils, dog treats, and orally administered sprays, available through pet stores, dispensaries, and online shops are available. 

Iceland Pure’s Next Level Premier CBD Fish Oil combines CBD oil with fish oils for a unique formula offering a high absorption rate to relieve anxiety, lubricate joints, bolster immunity, and help battle cancer.

(From $82, icelandpure.com)

BODY & SOUL

Honestly Terrific Dog Toys Toys your dog, people, pets, and the planet will love

At age 51, Mary Wolff was experiencing a desire familiar to many—to change course and to give back. But in just what direction? Her inspiration was to come from an unlikely place: a ratty drink coaster. Her two beloved Yorkies, Sophie and Willie, turned up their noses at the fancy toys bought for them. On a whim, Mary tossed a fabric drink coaster across the room and her reluctant-to-play pups pounced! They LOVED playing with it.

IMMUNE BOOSTER If your dog is fighting cancer or undergoing chemotherapy or could otherwise use an immune system boost, the I’m-Yunity medicinal mushroom supplement is clinically tested and proven to stabilize white blood cell counts. This safe, uniquely formulated supplement effectively delivers the polysaccharopeptide (PSP) from Mycelia, improving energy levels and appetite while reducing fatigue and enhancing general wellbeing. (From $95, imyunityfordogs.com)

“This inadvertent drink coaster/fetch game became a daily ritual of great fun and exercise,” writes Mary. “However, even five-pound Willie could tear them apart with ease. So, I thought, maybe I can design a similar version with safer, more durable and natural materials, and....voila! Eco-Fetcher was born. Not only did they play daily with it, it proved to be durable with the most “super-chewer” testers from three pounds to 110 pounds!”

These toys were to become the foundation of Mary’s company, Honest Pet Products, founded on the principles of being true to our pets, our planet, and people. She sources the most natural materials possible to create pet toys and shampoo that are not only safe and durable, but fun. Sustainable hemp and wool are used to make their truly eco-friendly toys, which are all biodegradable and made in Wisconsin.

Her products have found an extremely enthusiastic fanbase of dogs and people alike. Courtney and Adam of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, write their dog Stiv is “obsessed with his EcoFetcher. He has had it for a couple of weeks now which is the longest he’s ever had a toy...soft or hard, except for the extra heavy-duty nylon bone, which he hasn’t touched since he got his Eco-Fetcher.” Their review is just one of the many glowing testimonials from people delighted to have found a durable toy that their dog not only loves, but that’s good for people and the planet, too. Find them at honestpetproducts.com.

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Seniors Need to Get Out and About Too! If your dog is suffering from mobility issues, you need the Walkabelly Support Sling from Walkabout Harnesses. This hand-held fleece-lined neoprene sling helps provide the balance and support your dog needs to keep active.

(From $32, walkaboutharnesses.com)

BODY & SOUL

WHY IS MY DOG

VOMITING? Causes of vomiting and when to worry

THE CASE: Herbert, a three-year-old Brussels Griffon, isn’t feeling well. He had a great day with his owner, playing at an off-leash dog park and walking through the forest. He took a nap in the garage when he got home, and then came in when his owners called him for dinner. Herbert’s family thought it was a bit strange when Herbert showed no interest in his dinner, and they became worried three hours later when he threw up three times and didn’t want to leave his bed. Herbert was taken to his local veterinary emergency clinic for assessment around midnight.

THE WORK UP: Herbert was lucky that it wasn’t too busy at the emergency clinic and he was able to see a veterinarian quickly. The vet had a lot of questions about where Herbert had spent his afternoon because there was a concern that he could have eaten something he wasn’t supposed to. His owner did remember pulling what looked like a dirty napkin from Herbert’s mouth at the dog park but didn’t see him eating anything else. At one point Herbert did disappear into an area of bushes and had to be called several times by his owner before he came out. It was also confirmed that there is a garbage can and recycling bin in

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| By Dr. Sarah Myers

the garage that Herbert could have theoretically gotten into, but he’s not usually the type of dog who gets into the garbage.

He also does go to doggy daycare, but the staff hadn’t reported anything out of the ordinary the day before.

Herbert had a normal heart rate and respiratory rate with no fever. He appeared depressed in the exam, and the vet assessed that he seemed mildly dehydrated. Since it was possible that Herbert had consumed something inedible when he chewed the napkin, or even swallowed part of a toy at doggy daycare, the veterinarian recommend abdominal radiographs (x-rays) to check if there was anything lodged in Herbert’s stomach or intestines. While it is not possible to see every type of object on an x-ray, certain objects show up clearly—bones, metals, some plastic, and rocks, for example. For fabrics or softer plastics, the veterinarian generally looks for other signs, such as how full the stomach is (keeping in mind when the dog last ate a meal) and the gas pattern within both the stomach and the intestines. In Herbert’s case, since he hadn’t eaten anything since his breakfast that morning, the expectation was that his stomach would be empty, which it mostly was.

Herbert also had bloodwork done, including a screening test for pancreatitis. The results were consistent with mild dehydration, and a few electrolytes were abnormal likely due to the vomiting, but otherwise his results looked quite normal.

Luckily for Herbert, since there was no evidence that he had anything stuck within his stomach or intestines, he didn’t have to stay overnight at the emergency clinic. Because he seemed mildly dehydrated, he was given subcutaneous fluids under the skin between his shoulders. The veterinary technician explained to Herbert’s owner at the time of discharge that they were able to put roughly the equivalent of a bowl of water under his skin, which helps in cases where pets don’t feel like drinking on their own. He also received an anti-nausea injection under his skin, which would work to stop him for vomiting for 24 hours. This gives the gastrointestinal tract a chance to normalize, and hopefully would increase Herbert’s appetite. Herbert was also sent home with a couple of cans of an easily digestible wet food, with instructions to mix it with plain white rice. In any case of upset stomach, it is usually helpful to feed small bland meals throughout the day, instead of two larger meals. Cooked white rice is a safe option that dogs generally enjoy eating.

THE OUTCOME: Since several causes of vomiting were ruled out by testing, it was assumed that Herbert might have eaten something at the dog park or in the forest, such as a plant or some garbage that upset his stomach and caused him to vomit. Following his fluids and anti-nausea medication, Herbert felt a lot better, and his appetite returned to normal the next day.

VOMITING: When to Contact Your Veterinary Clinic 1. Vomiting accompanied by loss in appetite 2. Vomiting accompanied by low energy 3. Vomiting more than once within 24 hours 4. Vomiting accompanied by diarrhea

When You Can Wait 1. If your dog has vomited once but then proceeds to eat normally 2. If your dog has vomited once but is acting like his normal, happy self 3. Your dog’s gums are pink and moist, and he’s drinking a normal amount of water

Common Causes 1. Swallowing items that they are not supposed to, such as toys or socks 2. Eating plants in the garden 3. Pancreatitis 4. Dietary sensitivity 5. Bacterial infection 6. Parasites moderndogmagazine.com

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WORRIED ABOUT

VACCINES? TITER TESTING: What It Is and Why You Should Consider It Does your dog really need to be vaccinated? Titer tests allow you to avoid over-vaccination while ensuring your dog is still protected

P

By Tracey Tong | Illustration by Nicolle Lalonde

atti Thomas had no reason to believe that her one-year-old Boston Terrier/French Bulldog mix, Jasper, wasn’t healthy.

She was doing all the right things. He’d had an updated vaccine in November 2014. Shortly afterwards, the Rumford, ME resident noticed that Jasper was passing dark urine. Always cautious, Patti called the vet, who took a urine sample.

“The vet came back in to tell me that I have a very sick dog on my hands,” says Patti. “He diagnosed him with immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA, a vaccinetriggered autoimmune disorder). We immediately started him on medications and started taking him for regular blood tests to check his blood cell count.”

Patti, who had “initially believed it to be a urinary tract infection,” was shocked. “It is so hard seeing them sick and not being able to fix it,” she says. “My pups are like

my children. At one point, he was referred to a specialist two hours away from us. We could never really get his medications to stabilize him. He'd have a good day one day and look awful the next.” Eventually, his organs started shutting down, and, just short of two years old, Jasper died on the way to the emergency vet on January 15, 2015.

“Given the timeline of how and when things happened, the vet does feel that it was likely triggered by the vaccine that he received on November 9, 2014,” says Patti. She learned about titer tests shortly afterwards, and began to research vaccines and pets and over-vaccination. She was particularly worried for Jasper’s littermate, Jade, and, concerned she might have the same reaction, had her titer tested for DHPP, one of the “core” vaccines that helps prevent four different viruses in dogs: canine distemper, infectious hepatitis, parainfluenza, and parvovirus. 

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BODY & SOUL

When the tests showed that Jade had immunity to the illnesses she was tested for, Patti opted to not have her re-vaccinated. “Having Jade's titer test did set my mind at ease.”

Pet parents—and veterinarians—have become increasingly wary of the health risks associated with overvaccination.

There are many benefits to vaccination. Vaccinating animals protects not only the individual pet receiving the vaccine, but the greater community against the spread of infection.

But there are downsides to over-vaccinating as well, such as triggering illnesses.

That’s where a titer test—sometimes called serum vaccine antibody titering—comes in. “Titer testing can be used to determine if your pet has been exposed to a natural infection, and it can also be used to see if your pet has responded appropriately to a vaccine, by ramping up the production of antibodies in an effort to prepare a defense mechanism should a natural infection enter the body,” says Dr. Bloom. They are most commonly used not to replace initial vaccines but rather to assess where revaccination (a “booster shot”) is needed. A titer test is essentially a blood test measuring the existence and level of antibodies to disease in blood. Antibodies are produced when an antigen (like a virus or bacteria) provokes a response from the immune system. This response can come from natural exposure or from vaccination. The titer levels show how many times blood can be diluted before no antibodies are detected. If the titer levels are high enough, it shows that the dog has sufficient immunity and vaccination is unnecessary. In many cases, vaccinating is much cheaper than titer testing, but titer tests allow you to check if your dog indeed needs to be revaccinated before exposing him to the potential risks vaccines carry.

The most common titer tests for dogs look for antibodies in parvovirus, distemper and rabies, and can help pet parents, vets, groomers, kennel owners, and other people who work with dogs learn about animals with unknown vaccination history, or decide if their dogs need additional vaccinations, as titers can show the actual immune response.

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All that is required is a simple blood draw done a minimum of 14 days after a vaccine. A titer test performed on the blood drawn can tell you if a previous vaccine is still protecting your dog and if your dog’s immune system still remembers the disease by producing antibodies. They can be used to help minimize the risks of both infectious diseases and unnecessary vaccinations by telling you if a previous vaccine is still protecting your dog. Immunity can result from a previous vaccine or if a dog has had the disease in the past. Either way, a high titer means your dog is protected and that you do not need to revaccinate.

One of the foremost experts on titer testing, Dr. W. Jean Dodds, DMV and founder of Hemopet, the U.S.’s first nonprofit animal blood bank and hemopet.org, suggests titer testing your dog every three years for both distemper and parvovirus. “Any measurable titer to a vaccine including distemper and parvovirus means that the dog has specific committed immune memory cells to respond and afford protection upon exposure. It really doesn’t matter how high the titer result is as long as it measures something,” she writes.

“In my practice, I use titers to determine if a dog needs a booster for distemper, parvo or rabies,” says Dr. Peggy Hahs Roberts, owner of Sierra Animal Wellness Center of Colfax, CA. “I think that vaccinating a dog for a disease that it is already immune to is potentially damaging to their immune system. I just had a new patient who is 14 years old, got a rabies vaccine a few months ago and has now been diagnosed with lymphoma. I don’t think it is a coincidence.”

Practicing since 1983, Dr. Peggy, who is a graduate of the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, recommends titer testing for all dogs. “I have clients who want minimal vaccines so they bring their pup in for a vaccine at 16 weeks of age and have a titer run four weeks later. The vaccines are very effective and most pups don’t need another one.

Then we test again a year later. That changes the number of vaccines they need from four to one if they still have adequate titers at the one-year mark. It also allows us to target the individual vaccines they actually need. I have 

I L LU ST R AT I O N BY N I CO L L E L A LO N D E

“I think that vaccinating a dog for a disease that it is already immune to is potentially damaging to their immune system.”

BODY & SOUL “I just had a new patient who is 14 years old, got a rabies vaccine a few months ago and has now been diagnosed with lymphoma.

I don’t think it is a coincidence.” had a number of patients need a rabies vaccine at the age of nine when the only ones they had were at four months and a year of age. They avoided two of the vaccines (at four and seven years).”

Although all dogs benefit from titer testing, dogs that may get the most out of titer testing are previously vaccinated adult dogs, newly adopted dogs whose vaccination or health history are unknown, and puppies, to ensure they have responded to their initial vaccine series.

Dogs with medical issues will also benefit.

Danielle Merkle’s eight-year-old Labrador RetrieverCollie mix, Kayden, always had allergy issues. Her holistic vet recommended doing titer tests for Kayden since he doesn't have the best immune system.

The vet, Dr. Gregg Sheppard, said vaccinations can cause a wide range of health problems, says Danielle, who lives in Clinton Township, MI. “He also said that most dogs only even need their first round of vaccinations when they are a puppy. When I did the test, Kayden's levels of antibodies for the vaccines were all high, which means he did not need any of those vaccinations. I don't want to over vaccinate my dog.” Kayden hasn’t had a vaccine since 2016.

Barbara Schwab not only gets titers on her dog, Latte, an eight-year-old Goldendoodle—but on herself (she’s had titers for varicella, whooping cough, and measles, mumps and rubella (MMR).

“When I lived in California my vet was very holistic and recommended titers before vaccines. I want to know immune status and not vaccinate if it is not needed,” says the Waynesboro, PA resident. “I ran a titer and she came back with full immunity to distemper and parvo. I am not opposed to vaccines, but if you have immunity you do not get more immune by vaccinating again. Vaccines are not without risk, so if they do not need them, why give them?”

How reliable is titer testing? That depends what information you are trying to get from the titer test, says Dr. Bloom. “If you are checking to see if your dog has been exposed to an infection like bacterial Leptospirosis, then a high antibody titer would mean that your pet has either been naturally infected or that it has been previously vaccinated,” he says. “In a non-vaccinated pet, the level of antibody titer can be a very valuable diagnostic tool for a specific illness because the presence of antibodies reflect previous exposure, but it doesn’t always give us a timeframe as to when that exposure occurred. But a rising antibody titer over a short period of time reflects the presence of an active infection because that immune system is actively responding to that specific ongoing threat.”

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With all the benefits of titer testing, there are still drawbacks. One is that it requires a blood draw which can be stressful for some pets, says Dr. Peggy.

Another downside is that not every place will accept test results in place of proof of vaccination. “Most states don’t accept titers in lieu of vaccines,” says Dr. Peggy.

To comply with the law, many pet owners like Patti will still vaccinate against certain diseases. Like Barbara, she also vaccinates her dogs against rabies every three years, “but I do not give my dogs any other vaccines after their initial first-year puppy vaccines,” Patti says. "My vet has been supportive of my choice.”

Another drawback to titer testing is that it can be expensive, says Rebecca Roy. When her four-and-a-halfyear-old Black Lab/Pitbull mix Cali was due for her DAPP shots, Rebecca’s vet at the Scottsdale Animal Hospital in Delta, B.C. recommended a titer test. The test found that Cali was good for another couple of years.

“As it is, the vet convinced me to do the (leptospirosis) vaccine because we have a lot of raccoons in our area, and Cali broke out in hives that night and was drooling and whining. So that will be our last leptospirosis.

“I believe the titer test was a little more expensive than it would have been to just get the DAPP vaccination… and I really wish there was an affordable titer test for rabies.

But it’s over $500 (CAD) because they don’t do it in B.C. so they’d have to ship it to Calgary or the U.S. to process.”

It’s a similar situation in the U.S. “Titer tests are more expensive than the actual vaccines,” Dr. Peggy says. “I will often waive the price of the vaccine if they need one based on the titer results.”

For Rebecca, the cost is worth it.

At age four, Cali has already been through two knee surgeries, multiple ear infections and belly rashes, and a mysterious gastrointestinal enteritis last November that “was so bad we thought we were going to lose her,” says Rebecca. “She’s had so many medications in her short life already, so I worry constantly about her immune system and give her supplements and a variety of foods to try to keep her healthy.

“I’ve heard so much about over-vaccination being really bad for them,” says Rebecca. “I was so happy to see she’s good for another two years before I have to vaccinate again, or perhaps even make a decision to not vaccinate.

Vaccination or no vaccination, either way I will worry and wonder if I did the right thing for her. But now I can be confident that I have two more years before I have to face that decision.” 

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50 SHADES OF

BROWN: A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO DOG POOP What your dog’s poop tells you about their health

By Jane Mundy

Let’s Talk Poop It may not make for good conversation around the dinner table, but knowing about dog poop is an important way to keep your pup healthy. An obvious indicator of your dog’s overall health, poop packs important information.

Knowing what’s normal and what’s not, along with what is potentially indicative of a serious problem lets you recognize and isolate what might be the cause of any abnormalities and get help when needed. If your dog tends toward “garbage gut” and eats outdoor “snacks,” a few bouts of diarrhea may be the outcome and nothing more.

Or maybe he had a change in diet or

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experienced stress—both can cause different eliminations, but thankfully generally last only a few days. Some situations, however, warrant a visit to the vet. Variations in stool for any length of time can indicate a problem.

Dog Poop Guide “When we see a dog with poop problems, their owner often struggles to talk about it, so we use an illustrated fecal scale they can point at,” says Dr. Joerg Steiner, the Small Animal Specialty President for the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. Dr. Steiner and many other vets rely on the Purina fecal scoring chart as a visual aid, which you can find online.

The consistency of healthy stool can be scored on the scale from 1 to 7, according to Purina’s guide. Healthy stool scores 2, while hard and dry “pebble-like” stool (typically a sign of constipation) is scored with 1. Moist, mushy or liquid stool scores from 3 to 7.

Parasites Seeing worms or eggs in your pet’s stool tops the “ick” factor. A host of pesky parasites—including tapeworms—can live in their intestines. Veterinarians recommend that dogs and cats get dewormed regularly because canines can carry worms inside them for some time without showing any signs of infection. “I recommend having a

stool exam included with your dog’s yearly check-up because parasites are everywhere,” says Dr. Steiner. Pets with a severe tapeworm infection may show signs of gastrointestinal upset like diarrhea or abdominal pain.

it as a natural Pepto-Bismol. (Use PeptoBismol itself with caution; it contains salicylate, a.k.a. aspirin.)

Diarrhea

Fortunately for both my dog Lizzy and me, her ‘number two’ has pretty much been the same for over a decade—same colour, size, shape and consistency— and “picking up” has never been a problem. Not so for Karen Borden when Frankie, her four-year-old Yorkie, had a severe bout of diarrhea.

From soft-formed stool to liquid brown, with or without streaks of blood, diarrhea is generally not life-threatening if your dog’s stool returns to normal within a few days. If your dog’s behavior hasn’t changed (lethargy is a symptom) and she is eating and drinking and not vomiting, a home remedy is advised (see below). If the diarrhea is bloody and watery, urgent attention is needed—this condition usually indicates canine hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, or HGE. It looks like raspberry jam without the seeds.

Home Remedies A bland diet for a few days is usually just the ticket, but some vets advise adding probiotics and/or slippery elm, one of the safest herbs commonly given to dogs. If it doesn’t improve within a few days or contains a lot of blood, an antibiotic prescription may be required.

One mistake is to withhold food. Give your dog frequent, small feedings of a bland protein (boiled chicken breast, ground meat or tofu) combined with cooked white rice or pasta, scrambled eggs or low-fat cottage cheese. Top off each meal with a drizzle of plain yoghurt. And lots of fresh water.

Your vet can recommend the best probiotic—there are so many to choose from that it’s mind-boggling. Slippery Elm, available in powdered form at health food stores and mixed with water, coats the stomach and intestines and relieves inflammation. Use 1/4 teaspoon per 10 pounds body weight, mixed with enough water to form a gruel-like consistency. It’s mucilaginous so it soothes and lubricates the mucous membranes lining the digestive tract, relieving inflammation.

Plus, its high fibre content helps get intestinal action back to normal. Think of

Colitis

“Even though Frankie weighs six pounds, she always keeps up with me but on our last long hike she was lagging behind, squatting more than walking,” says Karen. “When we got home she didn’t move from her bed and I got her in to the veterinarian next morning. Frankie was diagnosed with colitis so she was prescribed one week of antibiotics and probiotics to sprinkle on white rice and plain chicken breast (nothing else) for at least seven days.”

Colitis, an inflammation of the large intestine or colon, is a term commonly used to describe diarrhea or loose stools associated with the large bowel. Most dogs suffering with colitis will have a sense of urgency and defecate often.

“Acute Colitis—the kind that comes on suddenly with diarrhea—is a common problem we see in general practice,” says Dr. Brianne Hagerty with the James Bay Veterinarian Clinic, Victoria, B.C. “It primarily occurs from picking up something on the sidewalk or a scrap from the dining room table. Spoilt food can carry underlying parasites, Giardia or more traditional bacterial forms similar to humans, like salmonella or e-coli.”

“Chronic colitis cases like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or dealing with food allergies are more problematic,” adds Dr. Hagerty. “Just like humans, we are seeing more cases of canine allergies and food sensitivities, partially because we are more aware of our pet’s needs. Fortunately, there are more tools to get them on healthy diets, and food-

Karen and Frankie

related issues are easier to deal with.

Some chronic bowel problems, however, can be most frustrating for the patient, owner, and vet. It can lead to lymphoma and more sinister diseases.”

Dr. Hagerty continues, “Then there are bigger and scarier causes such as the highly contagious and deadly Canine parvovirus, which can be prevented by vaccine. It is spread by direct or indirect contact with feces.”

How to Prevent Poop Problems “Be aware of what you feed your dog, including table scraps and treats,” says Dr. Hagerty. “ While we can eat sushi one day and pizza the next, dogs don’t want that: variety can upset their gut biome. Our canines aren’t like us—they are creatures of routine and habit, so find a good quality brand and stick to it.

And if you do switch, a slow transition is important: start with 90 percent old food and 10 percent new food and make the change over at least a week. “ Dr. Steiner concurs. “I would stay with the same brand if your dog tolerates and eats it well.”

As for gut health-promoting ingredients, “Some companies put probiotics in their food but they are often  moderndogmagazine.com

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unstable so your dog likely won’t benefit. Rather, buy a stable probiotic supplement that is temperature-, light- and storagecontrolled,” adds Dr. Hagerty.

Dr. Hagerty’s instructions, I only give her water and a few tablespoons of canned, organic (no sugar) pumpkin if the diarrhea comes back—she’s not out of the woods yet.”

The number one thing is to know what is normal and what is not for your fur baby. “Gaining or losing weight is not normal, just like in people. Use your vet as a resource for nutrition: most of us are comfy recommending appropriate food,” says Dr. Steiner.

Karen was guilt-ridden when she discovered Frankie’s treats could have contributed to colitis. Even a bit of popcorn, scarfing down some chips someone had chucked on the ground (please people!) at the off-leash park could lead to inflammation. “I figure this will be Frankie’s forever diet, and she can no longer eat what I eat,” adds Karen. “That’s worrisome too because Frankie is my baby and she misses her treats, but we have to get over it…” 

Fortunately, Frankie slowly improved. Karen diligently checked her poop and gradually re-introduced her usual diet by adding a little more each day with the chicken and rice. “But as per

DOG POOP GUIDE Illustrations courtesy of Purina’s handy “All About Dog Poop” guide

Color and Consistency Normal stool is any shade of brown with a firm consistency like play dough.

Yellowish-orange colour with pasty consistency might mean the development of liver disease or biliary issues.

Grey and greasy could indicate inadequate digestion and pancreatic problems or biliary issues.

Green stool could be excessive grass consumed, or gall bladder issue. Or it could be caused by undigested rat bait.

Black, tarry stool usually indicates bleeding somewhere in the stomach or small intestine and requires an immediate trip to the vet.

Streaks of red blood and/or mucus mixed with normal stool are typically caused by inflammation of the large intestine. Check your dog's anus for cuts. It doesn’t necessarily warrant an emergency, but if it persists, see your vet.

White Spots that look like rice grains may be a sign of tapeworms.

Perfect and problem poop Consistency: Soft and mushy could indicate bacterial infection, intestinal parasites or food intolerance.

Healthy stool is log-shaped, moist, and holds shape when picked up.

Pebble-like shape usually indicates constipation/dehydration.

Content: Mucus in his poop? Could be an indication of an inflamed colon. Excessive grass? Could indicate that he's stressed or has gastric upset. If your dog has a dermatological problem and he's losing hair or licking a lot, expect to see increased hair in his stool. Small white bits? Your dog may have worms—time to visit the veterinarian!

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temperature fluctuations and is the only patented probiotic that resists stomach acids and reaches the small and large intestines to provide additional health benefits. imagilin.com

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PROBLEM: DOG POOP IN YOUR YARD SOLUTION: Do you want a better way to clean up after your dog? PawPail’s pet waste station makes it convenient and sanitary to clean up their waste by dispensing bags and storing the filled poop bags, minimizing the smell with an air filter and vent system. pawpail.com PROBLEM: STRESSFUL VET VISITS

PROBLEM: FLEA, TICK AND MOSQUITO BITES SOLUTION: Tevra Pet Activate II features the same

active ingredients as vet brands like K9 Advantix II. It repels fleas, ticks and mosquitoes, keeping your pooch bite free year round! tevrapet.com

SOLUTION: ClueJay is an innovative pet testing solution for dog owners who need veterinary recommended health tests (e.g., annual stool checks) for their dogs, but prefer to stay home. Vet visit not required. cluejay.com

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WELLNESS

Do We Crate Too Much?

Rethinking how and why we crate dogs

By Sassafras Lowrey | Illustrations by Michelle Simpson

C

rates are a normal part of life for many North American dogs, often used during potty training and even through adulthood when guardians are at work. But did you know in some parts of Europe crating dogs in the home is actually illegal?

During my journey as a trainer my use of crates has evolved considerably. In my 20 years of working with dogs, competing and titling in multiple sports, I have been blessed to share my life with many dogs, all of whom I have crate trained. But what dogs have taught me—and what they continue to teach me—is that they are individuals and just because something is accepted as a normalized practice for dogs doesn’t mean it’s ethical or the right decision for all dogs in all situations.

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Dogs vs. Wolves Most justifications for using crates center around the idea that dogs naturally like crates because they are den animals descended from wolves. But as modern dog trainers and dog people, we have evolved our understanding of dogs. We know that dogs are not wolves. We know that anyone who talks about “dominance” and “alpha” or “pack dynamics” is relying on outdated ideas about dogs and dog behaviour and is not someone we want near our dogs. Though wild dogs might sleep in dens, they don’t close each other into locking boxes.

There are valid reasons to crate our dogs, but there isn’t anything natural about it. Khara Schuetzner, 

MA, CPDT-KSA, CNWI, Chair of The Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT) says, “It does not make sense to say ‘den animals.’ [A] possibility for why dogs love crates is the quiet down-time to nap, similar to us going to our bedrooms.”

Though many dog trainers still recommend regularly using crates, concern over how they are used is growing.

Jill Breitner, dog trainer and author of the Dog Decoder App would like to see trainers stop using them. “It’s a cage so don’t sugar-coat it,” she says. “When and why do we make it normal to put dogs in cages?” She says that many owners leave their dogs in them for way too long because they don’t have the time or energy to do what it takes to teach house manners and “since they’ve been given the okay by a huge contingency, they feel justified. One can’t teach house manners when they’re locked in a cage. Trainers are doing what they learned without thinking critically about this.”

Cultural Differences Jill isn’t alone in her concerns. Dog crates are much more commonly used in the United States and Canada than they are in other parts of the world. Across much of Europe and in Australia, dog crates don’t tend to be part of the daily life for adult dogs, nor is it common or culturally accepted for dogs to be left in crates for long periods of time. In Finland and Sweden, it is actually illegal to keep dogs crated overnight or while guardians are away at work. In both of these countries there are exceptions made if there is a veterinary reason for a dog to be kept confined while in recovery, or while at a dog show/competition, as well as for travel but dog crates are not a regular part of life for dogs.

Eva Bertilsson, dog trainer and owner of Carpe Momentum in Sweden, explains: “In Sweden, we’ve never really had the tradition of crating dogs overnight and definitely not for going to work. Instead, people secure the area where the puppy will be by removing items the puppy should not get to, and/or putting up gates around areas where they don’t want the puppy to have access. It’s the same as with small children—people typically remove move unsuitable items and block access to certain areas.

“We don’t really have a tradition of using playpens for babies either,” Eva continues, also noting that Swedish animal welfare laws regulate living conditions for all animals with requirements for space and comfort. “This cultural backdrop somewhat sets the stage for how dogs are kept and how I work to support dog guardians,” she says.

In Sweden dogs are generally recognized as part of the

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family and treated culturally much more like children and not left alone for long periods of time.

“Many dogs also go with their owners to work or stay at doggie day care,” Eva explains. “Puppies under four months of age cannot be left alone for more than short periods of time anyway according to law, and, also, with older dogs, there are regulations limiting how long the dog can be left alone. In addition, there seems to be a tradition of reasonable general awareness about the need for gradually teaching dogs to be home alone, just as there is a reasonable general awareness of dogs’ needs for physical and behavioural activities.”

If dogs in other parts of the world with homes and lifestyles similar to our own aren’t being crated, why are North Americans so obsessed with crating our dogs?

Unfortunately, I see crates being overused and misused by new and busy pet guardians who are overwhelmed with the responsibility of a dog or puppy.

Potty Training A primary reason that most people start crate training their dogs as puppies is to aid in potty training. Crate training can be effective and helpful for short periods of time when you can’t supervise a puppy, but they have to be used correctly.

“Crates are useful for house training but only if your puppy's bladder and bowel capacity are not exceeded,” explains Helen Prinold, M.Sc. Animal Behaviour CPDT-KA, CDBC, Certified Fear Free Professional and Chair of the Canadian Association of Professional Dog Trainers.

It’s important that puppies never be made uncomfortable if crates are part of the potty-training process. “If you have a puppy, you don’t want to leave them in for more than two hours because they are still housetraining,” says Helen. If you aren’t going to be able to get your puppy out to potty every two hours she says, “it’s better to have a crate with a confinement area for a potty break.” This might look like a larger X-pen (essentially a playpen area for dogs), or a room designated as a puppysafe space that has the crate with the door open for puppies to go in and out, giving the puppy the opportunity to move around freely and play as well as sleep and potty.

This is similar to how puppy training looks in Sweden.

“If people have a crate at home, it’s typically used as any other dog bed, functioning as a den with the door open (the door can also be removed altogether). If people need to restrict the dog’s space, gates or play pens or secure 

rooms are quite commonly used and allow for room to stretch out, move around, and shift between resting areas,” explains Eva.

Destructive Tendencies Crates are frequently used as management tools for dogs who have a tendency to do damage in the home.

Instead, Zazie Todd, PhD author of Wag: The Science of Making Your Dog Happy, recommends having a dog-proof (or puppy-proof) room where you make sure nothing is left out that could harm the dog or cause a problem if they chewed it. This keeps your dog (and your home!) safe while giving your dog freedom to move around while you are away from home and unable to supervise.

If you are going to use a crate as part of ongoing management of your adult dog in the home, ethically the time the dog is crated needs to be limited. “Dogs shouldn’t be crated all day. Although there isn’t a hard-andfast rule for how long a dog should be left in a crate, four hours is a rough maximum,” says Zazie.

“We support graduated transition out of crating in the home and into the dog being comfortable home alone and having free run of the house,” such as being let out in a smaller room unsupervised, notes Helen. This doesn’t mean doing away with crates entirely. Shifting to having a crate with the door open so dogs can selfselect versus being forced in can be very helpful.

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“A crate with the door always open can become a safe space for your dog to go if they are finding things a bit stressful or just want some peace and quiet. In this case, the crate can be a cozy place to relax, and a place where you won’t disturb them. The dog can go there if the kids are being noisy or there are guests over,” suggests Zazie.

In some instances, limited crate training is the best strategy for the safety of a dog who might chew or eat things they shouldn’t have but it’s important to remember crating a dog doesn’t actually shift a dog’s mental and emotional state. Jill notes that guardians “can’t teach dogs manners, or how to relax on their own if they spend much of the time in a cage. It’s a crutch.” She continues that “dogs are frustrated and/or shut down when left in crates too long.” Essentially when crated your dog is contained but not learning.

A dog with separation anxiety that is confined to a crate while their guardian goes to the store might be unable to damage the home, but that doesn’t mean the underlying anxiety has been addressed. In this situation crates are a Band-Aid not a long-term solution. Zazie also urges people crating their dogs to consider whether the dog is getting enough exercise and enrichment. Unfortunately, frequently busy dog guardians use crates as a way to confine their dog instead of adding much needed enrichment and exercise into their dog’s day which could eliminate boredom-based destructive behaviour.

Crating Tips • Never crate a puppy for longer than they can hold their bladder.

This differs from puppy to puppy but generally for a maximum of 2 hours.

• If necessary, an adult dog experienced and comfortable with being in a crate can be crated longer than a puppy but for no more than four hours • If you crate your dog, make it a positive experience by giving chews and stuffed toys like Kongs.

• Never use the crate as a punishment.

Crating As A Skill Set When used properly and on a limited basis, crates can keep dogs safe when they are healing from an injury or surgery as well as when they are young puppies. Crates can also be useful for feeding time in a multi-dog household to prevent any resource guarding. The goal of crate training should always be to give your dog positive associations with the crate by keeping crate training sessions short and pairing crate time with treat-stuffed toys. Even if crates aren’t used regularly in your home, crating is a skillset that every dog should have. Helen says that the Canadian Association of Professional Dog Trainers advises it is “in the dog’s best interest to be taught how to handle being crated.” She recognizes that 

crate training is part of modern life and dogs might be crated at a show, vet, groomer, or at a boarding kennel.

Zazie notes that even if you don’t plan to regularly crate your dog, in the case of a natural disaster such as a wildfire, earthquake or hurricane, dogs might need to be crated if the family was evacuated to a shelter.

You don’t want that to be your dog’s first exposure to crating. “Better to have their first experience be a positive one taught at home,” concurs Helen. Similarly, even though crates are infrequently used in Sweden, Eva advises crating being a skillset that all dogs have. “Since it’s likely that the dog will need to be crated in some situations in its life (like car rides, competitions or veterinary rehabilitation), I generally suggest doing preparatory training to teach the dog to be comfortable entering and being in a crate or other small confined area,” she says.

Shifting Priorities Dog guardians and dog trainers alike should be thinking much more critically about when, why, and how we use crates and the overall ethics of doing so.

When dogs are crated their movement is limited. This is why dogs recovering from surgeries, such as a routine spay or neuter or extensive orthopedic procedure, often must be crated when not supervised

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to prevent reinjuries during healing.

That kind of physical restriction might be necessary for some surgical recovery but isn’t enjoyable or even comfortable for healthy dogs. Yes, dogs can be taught to settle in their crates, and some dogs do enjoy sleeping in them, but no dog wants to spend hours on end in a crate. Will some dogs tolerate it? Yes, but that doesn’t mean it’s ethical of us to ask of them.

There are definitely alternatives, they just take more effort. “Before the crate laws were in place, it definitely happened that I recommended using a crate as a temporary helping aid under certain conditions, typically if owners wanted to confine the dog but still keep it close (for example while eating, or in the bedroom), if gates didn’t work due to the dog climbing or jumping out, and if there was a risk of people getting irritated, annoyed or angry with their dogs,” says Eva. In those situations, I nowadays have to work even better with antecedent arrangements, setting dogs and guardians up for success.

Enrichment toys, reinforcing settling behaviours, and teaching the dog to be comfortable behind a closed door.”

What’s Right For Our Dogs We know more now about dogs than ever before so it makes sense that our relationship to crating would also shift and evolve. When I first began

training dogs, I thought nothing of crating my dogs. Now, I have stopped attending classes and seminars where it was required that my dog be crated when not working.

Several decades ago, it was very common for trainers to use coercion or pain when training dogs. Now almost all trainers know there are far better and more humane ways for dogs to learn. For those of us who strive to live more intentionally and compassionately with our dogs, our understanding of dogs and training should always be evolving, and that includes how we use crates.

“All in all, there are so many things we can and should do for our dogs to keep them and ourselves safe and comfortable—with or without crates.

Hopefully that can be where our main focus lies,” says Eva. 

Crating Alternatives • Set up a specific room or area of your house that is dog/puppy proofed by removing cords, remotes, shoes, and children’s toys from anywhere your dog can reach.

• Use baby gates to section off parts of your home to keep your dog safe when you can’t supervise.

• Utilize dog walkers or doggy daycare if you must spend long periods of time away from your puppy.

TRAINING

HOW TO GET YOUR DOG TO

LISTEN Easy tips to teach your dog to listen and respond when spoken to

By Nicole Wilde

Your dog’s paws are on the kitchen counter, and he’s thinking that your sandwich looks like lunch—for him.

You tell him to leave it. Does he?

You’re on a hiking trail when you spy a large mud puddle ahead. You signal to your dog to walk with you around it.

Does he?

I

n these scenarios would your dog listen? Would he leave the sandwich alone and skirt around the puddle? Or would you end up lunchless and muddy? There are countless scenarios in which a lack of

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response could cause problems. Some might only cause inconvenience, while others could end in serious injury or worse. So how does one teach the basic skill of getting a dog to listen? It’s all about conditioning.

The first step is to be able to get your dog’s attention. Let’s face it, if you can’t get his attention you’re not going to be able to get a solid recall, interrupt a potential skirmish or anything else. Attention means that when you call your dog’s name he looks at you as if to say, Yes? What would you like? To teach the skill, stand facing your dog with your dog

sitting facing you. Hold some treats in one hand but have both hands behind your back. Don’t call your dog, waggle your eyebrows, or otherwise solicit his gaze. Just wait. At the exact moment he makes eye contact, say, “Yes!” (or click if you’re using a clicker) and treat. Repeat until he’s obviously gotten the idea. You’ll know—he’ll be staring a hole in you!

Next, with the same starting position, keep the majority of treats in one hand behind your back and a single treat in the other hand. Move the hand with the single treat from behind your back slowly out to the

Dogs rely more on watching our movements than what comes out of our mouths, so use that to your advantage. side until your arm is fully extended parallel to the floor.

Don’t look at your dog until your arm is fully extended— you want your dog’s gaze to follow the treat out to the side and THEN capture the moment when his head swings back to look at you. Wait silently. When his eyes dart back to you, even for a split second, mark the moment verbally or with the clicker and give a treat.

Notice you haven’t said a word yet! With further repetitions, once you can predict that your dog will look back at you quickly after visually tracking the treat out to the side, extend the arm and then immediately call his name. Mark and treat for eye contact. Repeat. You are conditioning the response of your dog looking at you when he hears his name. Next, practice outside of training sessions as well by calling your dog’s name when he’s not distracted. Build up gradually to calling his name when he’s more distracted, such as in outdoor situations.

Conditioning your dog to listen by responding to his name is one thing. But what about the way you interact with him in daily life? Does he ignore your verbal cues, even if he knows what they mean? One mistake some owners make is to repeat an ignored verbal cue more loudly.

Trust me, your dog can hear a potato chip hit the carpet in the next room! He heard you the first time. The answer lies in establishing consequences. For example, you’re about to take your dog for a walk. You ask him to sit and stay before opening the door. But when the door is partway open, he stands. Do you keep going? No! Close the door and ask for another sit-stay. Be consistent in your consequences, and you’ll be surprised at how quickly your dog’s listening skills improve.

Make sure, too, that you’re clear and concise when speaking to your dog. Saying, “Buddy, sit!” is more likely to garner compliance than, “Come on, Buddy, be a good boy and sit!” Don’t say your dog’s name all the time, either, if you want him to listen when you need him to do something. If you do, he’ll habituate and learn to tune you out. Remember to use hand signals as well as verbal cues.

Dogs rely more on watching our movements than what comes out of our mouths, so use that to your advantage.

This may sound like a lot of things to do and pay attention to, but it’s really not. With a bit of training, conditioning, and patience, you’ll soon have a very good listener!

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WELLNESS

P H OTOS C H A R L I E N U N N P H OTO G R A P H Y

YOUR BEST WORKOUT BUDDY HAS FOUR LEGS

How to stay fit at home while involving your furry friend in your workout

W

ith many gyms still closed due to the global pandemic, home workouts aren't going away anytime soon. Luckily, there's so much you can do to stay fit and active while at home. Getting your dogs in on the fun can help you stay active and even help increase your bond.

Here, Krista Stryker, author of the new book, The 12-Minute Athlete: Get Fitter, Faster, and Stronger Using HIIT and Your Bodyweight, and a leading fitness and mindset expert, shares her top tips with us for how to stay fit at home while involving your furry friends in your workout, too.

1 Try a new hike.

Although indoor activities are limited right now in many places, most parks and outdoor areas remain open.

Mixing up your workouts and your scenery with new dogfriendly hikes can boost your mood and tire you and your pup.

2 Take your Zoom calls outside and bring your dog.

As Zoom meetings have become the new reality for many of us, we're spending more time staring into screens than ever before. Unless a video call is necessary, try taking your calls while walking outside with your dog instead. You and your dog will get more exercise and fresh air during the day, and as a bonus, you might find that the walks spark greater creativity and inspiration.

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Krista Stryker and her workout buddy, her Beagle, Rocket.

3 Run sprints in the park.

Sprints are one of the most efficient workouts you can do. Even 10 minutes of hard sprints with breaks can build conditioning, boost fat loss, and increase overall fitness.

Next time you do a sprint workout, find an open area and take your dog along. Dogs love to sprint, and you'll undoubtedly have more fun with your dog sprinting beside you, even when you're gasping for air.

4 Go for a run (or a walk).

Next time you go for a run, try taking your dog with you.

If you're used to running and your dog isn't, make sure to start with shorter runs and slowly build up to longer ones.

If a run isn't feasible for either of you, find some hills to increase the difficulty of your regular daily walks and add an extra challenge.

8 Do a

bodyweight workout at home.

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) and bodyweight workouts are perfect for working out at home since they require minimal or no equipment and very little space to do. If you're anything like me, your dog will have fun jumping around with you as you sweat through burpees, squats, and planks. Better yet, take your workout outside and bring your furry friend to the park with you. You'll both get fresh air and have more fun in the process. For examples of bodyweight workouts you can do at home, check out my new book, The 12-Minute Athlete.

5 Get in a workout at the dog park.

Next time you're at the dog park and your dog is running around having fun, don't just sit and watch—get moving. You can do plenty while your dog plays, including sprints with your dog, bodyweight squats, push-ups, step-ups, and even burpees.

You might get some funny looks from the other humans, but all the dogs will think you're just one of them.

6 Get out on the water.

If you have water nearby and feel adventurous, try taking out a paddleboard or kayak and bringing your dog with you. Even if your dog doesn't love to swim, many dogs enjoy being out on the water as long as they know they won't fall in.

If it's both of your first times, make sure to ease into it to build confidence before getting out into deeper water.

9 Run stairs.

Find some stairs and run, jump, and bound up and down alongside your dog.

You'll both get a great workout and have some fun as you work up a sweat.

10 Get in a stretch session.

Build flexibility and relax at the end of a long day with a stretch or yoga session. Your dog will gleefully join you the moment you put your yoga mat down on the floor. Even just 10-15 minutes of stretching a few times a week will go a long way to keep your body feeling more open and flexible. And your dog will just think you're having a fun cuddle session on the floor.

7 Play ball.

Most dogs enjoy ball-related activities, whether it's playing fetch in an open field or kicking around a soccer ball in your backyard. Next time you play, don't just stand there— make sure you're getting in on the active fun. Run around with your pup, or do squats, lunges, and push-ups in between throws. moderndogmagazine.com

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DOES MY DOG HAVE A FOOD ALLERGY? Is what you're feeding your dog making her sick?

Dry itchy skin, chronic skin problems, ear infection, excessive scratching or licking, bald patches, hot spots, ear infections, diarrhea, gas, and/or vomiting—if your dog experiences an ongoing issue with any combo of these, there’s a good chance food allergies are at play. Here’s what to do about it.

By Tracey Tong

Y

our poor dog has been scratching, suffering ear infections, and experiencing gastrointestinal problems. You keep bringing your pup to the vet, only to have the problem disappear following treatment—and then return. Your dog’s discomfort is your distress, and you’re at your wit’s end.

It could be a food allergy, the diagnosis of which is becoming more and more prevalent, due to increased awareness among pet owners.

Food allergies are common in dogs, but unfortunately, they often go undetected or unrecognized as the underlying cause of many skin or intestinal conditions, says Dr. Jonathan Bloom, medical director of the Willowdale Animal Hospital in North York, ON. “Often, I see pets that have been treated for many different and seemingly unrelated conditions,” says Dr. Bloom. “Pet owners just think that their pet is a lemon.

But when I see a pet that has a long history or some combination of itchy eyes, itchy face, itchy feet, recurrent ear problems, bum issues that include scooting and the need for frequent emptying of the anal sacs, skin infections, or pets with ‘sensitive stomachs,’ I don’t see a lemon of a pet—I see a pet that has a high likelihood of having been suffering from an underlying allergy.”

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Why do food allergies show up as gut and skin issues in dogs?

When the cells in your body that react to an allergen are triggered, they release histamine, which causes inflammation where the histamine is released, explains Dr. Bloom. “In people, those cells are in high concentration near the throat and lungs so affected people have problems breathing. In pets, those histamine cells are in high concentration in their gut and skin, so they react with gastrointestinal issues and skin issues.”

Signs and Symptoms Some breeds of dogs—including Boxers, Cocker Spaniels, Springer Spaniels, Collies, Dachshunds, Dalmatians, German Shepherds, Lhasa Apsos, Miniature Schnauzers, Retrievers, and West Highland White Terriers—are more prone to food allergies than others, but of course, any dog can experience food allergies. As well, some foods are more likely to cause allergic reactions. The most common canine food allergies are to dairy, wheat, and beef, and the least common are to fish and rabbit.

Symptoms of allergies include dry itchy skin, chronic skin problems, excessive scratching or licking, bald patches,

Food Allergy vs Food Intolerance While a food intolerance is the result of poor digestion because of a missing enzyme, food allergies happen because the immune system is overresponding to the protein in the food, whether it is a meat, grain, vegetable or dairy. An allergic reaction can happen during any stage of digestion when the body absorbs the whole protein instead of breaking it down first. The immune system reacts and the body shows signs of a food allergy. Food intolerances usually manifest as a digestive issue and symptoms may be delayed or build over time, while food allergies are more immediate and can be more serious than food intolerances.

a high frequency of hot spots, ear infections, diarrhea, and vomiting.

“Signs that your pet has a food allergy are typically limited to the skin and to the intestinal tract,” confirms Dr. Bloom. “Skin infections include ear problems because ears are just skin folded up into a funnel shape.

“Food allergies that manifest as skin problems typically cause itch, scab, or sores in areas that I often describe as the tips and folds. If your pet has changes to the tips, like an itchy face, itchy feet, itchy bum, or ear problems—start thinking allergies.

Similarly, if your pet has changes to the folds that are under the arms or in the groin area—start thinking allergies. Food allergies that manifest as gastrointestinal signs are pretty easy to recognize, essentially chronic vomiting and diarrhea, gas, and/or itchy bums. If you think your pet has a ‘sensitive stomach,’ start thinking food allergies.”

Angela Clark’s Rottweiler-Lab mix, Joker, suffered from recurring yeast ear infections.

“Finally, a vet said it could be what he eats,” says Angela, who lives in Mobile, AL. After changing his diet at the vet’s recommendation, Angela found that Joker had trouble with beef, chicken, wheat, corn, and soy.

If you suspect your dog has a food allergy, the first thing to do is have your vet rule out other medical conditions. The next is to strategically change your dog’s diet so you can isolate the problem ingredients and eliminate them. “As frustrating as allergies may be, they can often be successfully managed,” says Dr. Bloom.

Elimination Diet—What Is It? Once your vet has ruled out other illnesses, it’s time to find out what your dog is allergic to, commonly through an elimination diet.

Angela says that Joker “suffered for two years before their vet recommended an elimination diet.

“We removed everything from his diet and added them back one at a time until we found the ones that gave him trouble,” says Angela. Now the retired service dog is on a fish and potatoes diet. “As long as he doesn't eat the wrong items, his ears are fine,” she says.

It takes diligence. Changing to an elimination diet won’t work if your baby son or daughter just dumps the tray of their highchair onto the floor, allowing the dog to eat the spilled chicken, says Dr. Bloom. Similarly, people cannot “sneak a little treat now and then of something that is chicken based.”

“When my sister and her dog moved in, I told her about Joker’s allergies,” says Angela. “She was used to giving her dog table food as she cooked. I would find Joker shaking his head and I would ask her, ‘what did you give Joker?’... I told her his ears told me. She then confessed.

After making her clean and medicate his ears a couple of times, she quit feeding him. As long as he remains on his diet, he does well.”  moderndogmagazine.com

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"If your pet has changes to the tips, like an itchy face, itchy feet, itchy bum, or ear problems—start thinking allergies."

For Jodi Ralston, it took a couple of weeks to see results after changing her Great Dane-Lab mix’s diet.

At age five, Ellie began suffering from ear infections. “She was getting so many ear infections and we had her on so many different antibiotics,” says the Barron, WI resident. “The vet would give her meds, and they weren’t working.”

Jodi did some research and learned chicken was a common allergen. “We took her off all fowl and she’s been good since—no more antibiotics of any kind.” Ellie is now on a diet of lamb and rice.

A vet may also recommend a hypoallergenic diet, which consists of foods where the proteins are already broken down, so that the body doesn’t have to do the work and in the process trigger an immune response.

Dr. Jonathan Bloom & Charlie

When Food Allergies Become Serious The good news is that unlike in people, reactions in dogs and cats are not typically severe or life-threatening at the onset, says Dr. Bloom. “However, the reaction in the gut can cause secondary changes which lead to chronic vomiting, diarrhea, gas, and problems around the anus. Reaction in the skin can cause secondary bacterial or yeast changes which lead to chronic itch and skin sores.

These secondary changes can sometimes have life altering consequences for the pet.”

The second piece of good news is that food allergies aren’t likely to be suddenly fatal. Rather, allergies that remain undiagnosed or unaddressed often lead to numerous chronic and long-standing symptoms that are debilitating, frustrating, and compromising to the human-animal bond, says Dr. Bloom.

Donna Warner’s five-year-old Australian Shepherd-Retriever-Rottweiler mix, Nova, has pancreatitis triggered by an intolerance to high-fat foods.

“We are super careful with food and snacks,” says Donna, of Halifax, N.S. “It's hard sometimes as she loves bacon as much as we do. Diagnosed three years ago, Nova suffered from diarrhea and was vomiting and couldn't keep anything down. “We took her to the vet on day two as the poor girl was dry heaving in the backyard in the morning.”

Nova was restricted to salmon-based low-fat food. “Her snacks are typically chicken jerky or homemade dried sweet potato slices,” says Donna. “We really watch the fat content. She has had a couple of small flare ups since then, however we always keep gastro canned food on hand in case we notice something out of the norm.”

In addition to food allergies and intolerances causing other medical issues, it also works the other way, with medical issues causing food allergies.

Gastroenteritis, for example, can weaken a dog’s system to the point where the animal may develop food allergies.

Pet owners must remember that allergies are a chronic condition. “They typically stay with you for life,” says Dr. Bloom. “Your veterinarian is likely the most qualified person to guide you through the allergy diagnosis and to help create a management plan that works for both you and your pet. Be diligent, be patient, and invest your time up front to get to the root cause—it could save you years of frustration.” On the bright side, a food allergy is not the end of the world.

“It is likely that the allergy can be managed, and your pet can live a long happy life,” Dr. Bloom says. 

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BREEDS

st e B s d e Bre d e c n e i r e For Exp le, PL U S op e P g o es D h c t a M Perfect bie Pet For New nts Pare We asked Gina DiNardo, breed expert and AKC Executive Secretary, for her list of dogs best suited for experienced owners and those perfect for newbie dog parents.

3 Tibetan Mastiff:

#

No matter if you’re a new dog owner or someone who has owned dogs your whole life, it’s always important to do your research before adding a dog to your home to make sure that breed’s needs fit in with your lifestyle,” says Gina DiNardo, Executive Secretary of the American Kennel Club (AKC). “Consider size, activity level, grooming needs, and temperament, among other things.”

4 Cane Corso:

#

A natural born guardian, the Cane Corso is powerful, intelligent, loyal, and eager to please its owner.

1 Belgian Malinois:

#

5 Dogo Argentino:

#

This breed is confident, smart, and hardworking. They’re versatile workers and forge strong bonds with their human.

2

#

Boerboel: This

devoted protector is confident, intelligent, and calm.

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The Dogo Argentino is strong, alert, and intelligent. It’s a powerful, yet agile breed.

6 Neapolitan Mastiff:

#

The Neapolitan Mastiff is a huge, powerful guardian. Wary with strangers, they are sweet and affectionate with loved ones.

P H OTOS © A M E R I C A N K E N N E L C L U B

“There are certain breeds that do better with confident, seasoned dog owners who know how to train and socialize a dog properly,” she continues. “Some of these breeds are very strong and have guardian instincts and can end up being the boss in the home if not trained well. Some examples are:

This ancient breed is the supreme guard dog. They are mellow and calm around the house, devoted to their family, but can be aloof and territorial to strangers.

Some breeds are eager to please and have very friendly dispositions. These breeds might be better suited for firsttime dog owners. Examples are:

1 Labrador Retriever:

#

Consistently the most popular breed in the U.S., Labs are smart, easily trainable, and great with kids.

2 Poodle:

#

Poodles are very smart, eager to work, and will happily learn whatever you want to teach them.

Welsh 3 Pembroke Corgi:

#

Pembroke Welsh Corgis are a lot of dog in a smaller package. They are active and respond well to training.

4 Golden Retriever:

#

Goldens are intelligent, friendly, and devoted. They’re silly, but easily trainable.

5 Newfoundland:

#

This breed is sweet, patient, and devoted. They’re notoriously good companions.

EXPLORE MORE BREEDS

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

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“COVID Dogs” in Training to Detect Virus

C

an specially-trained dogs sniff out COVID-19 in humans before symptoms appear? That’s what researchers in the United Kingdom want to find out.

The Department of Health and Social Care announced half a million pounds in funding for a study which will determine if dogs are able to detect the novel coronavirus in humans from odour samples, and if the canines can be used as a potential non-invasive early warning measure to detect COVID-19 and prevent it from spreading.

The first phase of the trial will be undertaken at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in collaboration with the charity Medical Detection Dogs and Durham University, according to a government press release.

Medical Detection Dogs and the universities proposed the clinical trial to the government. According to the press release, the proposal was accepted “following strong evidence that the dogs can detect other diseases in humans with a high level of accuracy.”

By harnessing Fido’s incredible sense of smell—a dog has more than 300 million scent receptors in his nose, whereas a human has only five million—Medical Detection Dogs has successfully trained canines to detect the odour of other human diseases, including cancer, Parkinson’s disease, and malaria.

The breeds being used for the COVID-19 trial are a mix of Cocker Spaniels and Labrador Retrievers.

“This innovation might provide speedy results as part of our wider testing strategy,” said Minister for Innovation Lord Bethell. The government notes the dogs will only be deployed as part of its approach to battle the coronavirus if backed “by strong scientific evidence.”

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In the initial phase of the trial, six biodetection dogs will be trained to identify COVID-19 from samples collected by staff at London hospitals from patients infected with the coronavirus, and from people who are not.

Lead Researcher of the trial, Professor James Logan at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine is hopeful: “Our previous work has shown that malaria has a distinctive odour, and with Medical Detection Dogs, we successfully trained dogs to accurately detect malaria.

This, combined with the knowledge that respiratory disease can change body odour, makes us hopeful that the dogs can also detect COVID-19.

“If successful, this approach could revolutionize how we detect the virus [COVID-19], with the potential to screen high numbers of people,” he continued.

It is hoped the dogs could potentially screen up to 250 people an hour.

Co-founder and CEO of Medical Detection Dogs Dr. Claire Guest is “sure our dogs will be able to find the odour of COVID-19 and we will then move into a second phase to test them in live situations, following which we hope to work with other agencies to train more dogs for deployment. We are incredibly proud that a dog’s nose could once again save many lives.”

Using man’s best friend to detect the coronavirus in people is also being looked at by other researchers around the world: The University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine launched a COVID-19 Canine Scent Detection Study, and on bioRxiv’s website, operated by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, a preliminary report that has not been peer reviewed claims that some dogs can detect virus by smelling armpit odour.

P H OTOS U. K . D E PA R T M E N T O F H E A LT H A N D S O C I A L C A R E

U.K. researchers launch trial to find if “Covid Dogs” can detect coronavirus before symptoms appear | By Michelle Morton

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Healthy PAWS Solutions for everything from poor gut health to smelly breath and itchy ears.

GOODBYE ITCHY EARS

RELIEF FOR IRRITATED EYES

Is your dog suffering from itchy ears? The Pet Ear Cleaner from Oxyfresh is a safe, gentle, and effective solution formulated to soothe itchy, irritated ears, while removing wax buildup, dirt, and mites. It also neutralizes odour-causing bacteria. Alcohol and fragrance-free, it’s safe for dogs with sensitive ears. $12, oxyfresh.com

Alleviate eye irritation, itchiness, and pain caused by allergies, scratched or inflamed corneas, or pink eye, with five-star-rated Vetericyn Plus Antimicrobial Ophthalmic Gel. It soothes serious eye conditions without stinging or discomfort to your dog. $20, vetericyn.com

FRESH BREATH & CLEAN TEETH

LOSE IT! Want to help your dog maintain a healthy weight and appetite?

Formulated by veterinarian Dr. Barbara Royal, NOW Pets Weight Management supplement contains natural botanicals as well as L-Carnitine, a well-researched amino acid that supports normal weight management.

Plus, Chromium supports blood sugar levels already within normal range. $27, nowfoods.com

Vet-recommended Remedy+Recovery Plaque Re-Lease Easy Pinch Tablets for Dogs is a simple and effective complement to your dog’s dental hygiene routine. Containing natural cranberry extract, it’s clinically proven to reduce plaque, tartar, and bad breath in 14 days. $25, remedyandrecovery.com

KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON Nature’s Comfort TABS for Dogs and Cats from Earth Animal are made with a blend of full spectrum hemp oil that has naturally occurring CBD, plus ReGen+ Immune Enhancer, and antioxidants to calm your dog, support the immune system, and promote overall health and wellness. $50, shop.earthanimal.com

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HEALTHY VISION Ocu-GLO Soft Chews for Dogs and Cats are specifically formulated with canine and feline eye health in mind!

Made from a blend of 12 different antioxidants, they also include ingredients such as Grapeseed Extract, Lutein, and Omega-3 Fatty Acids. $60, animalnecessity.com

SORE JOINT HELPER Does your dog have sore joints or osteoarthritis damage? Then WellyTails’ Cartilage, Hip & Joint Dog RX Supplement is a must try. This powerful supplement mix comes in a savoury gravy-mix form and contains chondroitin, MSM, green lipped mussel, turmeric, and more to help ease joint pain. $20, wellytails.ca

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BREED PROFILE

energet ic, cheerfu l, loving

Meet The English Springer Spaniel Full of energy, tender-hearted—this lovable bird dog combines brains and obedience with stamina, energy, and sweetness | By Kelly Caldwell

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“Natural athleticism and intelligence are matched with an intense desire to please.”

Y

ou know him to see him.

The English Springer Spaniel is a popular family companion—27th most popular of all purebreds in the US— with a sweet, friendly disposition. But did you know just how much “game” there is in this breed?

The Springer is a centuries-old breed whose origins, like his fellow Spaniels, pre-dates written records. It’s generally agreed that Spaniels originated in Spain (as the name suggests) and were introduced to the British Empire by Romans via trading ships.

The various Spaniels of the United Kingdom started developing centuries ago, with some recorded as early as 300 A.D. in Wales. Artwork sheds light on how early the breed started to take shape, with paintings dating as far back as the 16th century featuring Springer-type dogs, most portrayed flushing game.

As a group, the Spaniels’ role was to work with hunters to bring down and retrieve game. Early on, hunters used nets, bows or birds of prey along with their dogs. After the advent of the rifle, hunting was revolutionized but Spaniels remained critically important. They became known—along with other sporting

and retrieving breeds—as gun dogs.

Alongside their hunter companions, Spaniels moved though the tall-grasses and brush and would flush birds from their hiding spots. Then they’d point to the bird in the air and carefully retrieve it once shot down.

The English Springer was primarily developed in the counties of Norfolk and Shropshire, along with other Spaniel varieties. Early on, it was just size that differentiated the Spaniels. Within the same litter of pups, those less than 25 pounds were deemed Cockers and those over 25 pounds were called Springers. The smaller dogs were named for the game they typically hunted, woodcocks, while Springers were named for their habit of pouncing suddenly on larger game, forcing it to spring up quickly in the air.

By the late 1800s, Springers and Cockers had been considered distinct for some time. English and Welsh Springers were still being shown together, but that changed in 1902, when The Kennel Club made the distinction official.

The American Spaniel Club of America was founded in 1881, but the first AKC standard for the English Springer Spaniel wasn’t created until

Celebrity English Springer Spaniel Owners Famous English Springer Spaniel owners include Oprah Winfrey, who adopted 14-week-old Springer Spaniels Sunny and Lauren from PAWS Chicago, a no-kill shelter, Princess Grace, George W. Bush, and George H.W. Bush.

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

Labrador Retriever German Shepherd Dog [3] Golden Retriever [4] French Bulldog [5] Bulldog [6] Poodle [7] Beagle [8] Rottweiler [9] German Shorthaired Pointer [10] Pembroke Welsh Corgi [27] English Springer Spaniel [2]

1927. By then, the breed’s popularity had really started to take off in the United States. Here’s why: You hear with a lot of sporting breeds that there are the working lines and the show lines. But here’s the thing. The division between the two is nowhere more pronounced and respected than it is with the English Springer Spaniel.

For many, many decades now, within this same wonderful breed, we have two notably different types of dog, effectively doubling the number of Springer fans.

Springers that come from hunting lines have fairly coarse, short fur that is mostly white with a fair amount of brown ticking. Their muzzle is somewhat pointy, and they are hardwired to be very active.

Those from show lines are more heavy-bodied. Their coat is longer, softer, and, instead of the ticking,  moderndogmagazine.com

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Profile: The English Springer Spaniel Size: Medium.

Ideal height at the shoulders is 20 inches for males and 19 for females. Weights tend to range from 40 to 50 pounds.

Activity level: Above Average. This active breed requires long daily walks at an absolute minimum and will thrive if you throw some activities his way. He also loves to swim!

Grooming: He’s double-coated, so weekly brushing will help keep him looking his best and control shedding. Show-bred lines have a softer, more feathered coat that requires trimming.

Heritage: Developed in the British counties of Norfolk and Shropshire, the Springer has a long, cherished history as a gun dog and family companion.

For more information on English Springer Spaniel Rescue, visit essfta.org/english-springers/rescue-information.

If you like the English Springer Spaniel, you might also consider the:

Welsh Springer Spaniel

Field Spaniel

READ YOUR BREED

Cocker Spaniel

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

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I N S E T P H OTOS © A M E R I C A N K E N N E L C L U B

English Springer Spaniel puppy

features larger patches of colour against the white coat. The nose is more rounded and, while still athletic in nature, they’re generally considered less active than their field counterparts.

Of course, because there always have to be “the great ones” in any species, dual-type Springers do exist. These are dogs who are able to excel in the field, come inside for a bath and blow dry, and head back out to perform very well in the show ring.

Today, the English Springer Spaniel is a popular breed.

He’s ranked 27th most popular of all purebreds in the United States, according to AKC registrations for 2019.

The AKC standard allows for an ideal height at the shoulders of 20 inches for males and 19 for females. Weights range from 40 to 50 pounds. The coat is accepted in a variety of colours and patterns, including black or liver with white markings, mostly white with black or liver markings, blue or liver roan colour, or tri-colour.

Compact, muscular, and agile, this is a wellproportioned, natural breed that moves with ease and possesses a significant amount of strength and agility.

But what’s this breed like to live with?

For the answer, look no further than those soft eyes.

This is a sweet and devoted family companion. In fact, the soft expression of the Springer’s eyes is so important that it’s written into the AKC breed standard.

Friendly and cheerful, his trademark tail-wag is yet another giveaway. The Springer is simply full of joy. Note: this affectionate dog bonds closely with his people. He will not thrive in a home environment where he’s left alone for long periods of time. A guard dog he is not. He may bark an alert when someone arrives, but visitors will be greeted with a friendly wag and the expectation of some form of affection.

The Springer is one of the most versatile breeds in the history of dogdom. Bonus? His natural athleticism and intelligence are matched with an intense desire to please.

Obedience training and early socialization are important for him, as for all dogs. But he’s a quick study and is likely to be up for just about any activity you can throw his way.

A well-socialized, well-trained Springer can excel at just about anything.

His exercise requirements must be met in order for him to thrive. A daily walk is an absolute bare minimum, ideally combined with plenty of playtime and a canine activity to keep him fit and content. The breed has a history of excelling in almost every sport imaginable—obedience, agility, hunt and field tests, tracking, flyball—the list goes on. He’s also a great swimmer. With his hard-wired desire to chase small game, a fenced-in yard is recommended.

As a breed, the Springer Spaniel is generally a healthy, hearty breed, but all purebreds can be prone to genetic disorders.

The Springer is a tough, sporting dog, but he’s also a devoted family companion. Full of beans, tender in heart— he may be the ideal choice for those who like to work hard and relax just the same. If you can keep up with him, his heart is all yours. 

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SMILE!

Special Pups of Instagram In need of a pick me up? These differentlyabled dogs live each day to the fullest.

Follow for smiles, inspiration, and feel-good vibes that will brighten your day and remind you of what’s possible!

By Becky Belzile

5,025 likes

23,381 likes

19,074 likes

@underbiteunite 207k followers

@ready_freddie_ 315k followers

@apupnamedsquish 214k followers

Don’t let her short stature fool you—Daisy Underbite lives life large! Rescued from euthanasia by a rescue volunteer, Daisy now lives her best life in her forever home and shares heart-lifting moments from her days with a growing Instagram fanbase.

Despite dislocated elbows, right shoulder, and back hip, Daisy has learned to walk and even run with and without the use of her doggy wheelchair. As for her dramatic trademark underbite, her fans will attest it only adds to her cuteness!

Freddie Mercury is on a mission to “bring happiness to all who meet us.”

Freddie’s front legs are splayed, making it impossible for her to walk. She also has too many teeth which makes eating difficult. Nevertheless, with help from her rescuer, an advocate for differently-abled dogs, she has overcome these challenges to live a fun, fulfilling, and love-filled life.

This account stands out as an example of what love, kindness, and a little patience can do.

This “perfectly imperfect” rescue pup promotes adoption and spreads happiness, one squishy smile at a time!

Squish is an abuse survivor who narrowly escaped euthanasia, recommended due to the severity of his injuries. Squish now lives the good life in Texas, brightens days on the daily via his smile inducing Instagram account, and is on the road to becoming a therapy dog! Follow for adorable smiles and feel-good vibes. 

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6,806 likes

13,782 likes

3,421 likes

@murraythedisableddog 40.6k followers

@white_eyed_rowdy 108k followers

@super_scooty 141k followers

Murray the Weimaraner was rescued from a Puerto Rican beach. He is a survivor of canine distemper, an often deadly virus.

Despite his special looks, Murray found a forever family in Massachusetts who reports his tail “never stops wagging!”

Follow for a daily pick-me up that will leave a smile on your face.

Purebred black Lab Rowdy’s white patches are the result of vitiligo, a condition in which the skin and hair lose pigment cells. Rowdy’s unique markings make him a must-follow for anyone interested in spreading vitiligo awareness and being confident and comfortable in your own skin.

Say hello to what may be the happiest dog on the planet! Scooty was hit by a car as a pup in Mexico and was fully paralyzed, but has regained some motion and can now “weeble wobble” her way around. See her zoomies on the beach in a wheelchair!

Check out her infectious smile! Follow for a reminder to let nothing get in your way.

16,192 likes

3,769 likes

7,638 likes

@maggiethewunderdog 428k followers

@turboroo 318k followers

@duncanlouwho 145k followers

“Blind but beautiful” is this wonder pup’s motto! Indeed, Maggie’s new life is truly a miracle. Rescued from terrible abuse in Lebanon, she now lives in Brighton, England and works as a therapy dog.

Maggie’s new life is an expression of joy that is quickly amassing a wide fanbase, inspiring her followers to not let their pasts define them and to find the good in every day.

Nothing slows this adorable Chihuahua down! TurboRoo was born missing both front legs, a condition known as bilateral amelia. Named for the film Turbo, which features an underdog snail who defies all odds, he loves to zoom around on his 3-D printed wheels and is an advocate for other dogs affected by the same condition, a common side effect of overbreeding.

He’s even popularized his very own hashtag, #nublove.

Be prepared to be amazed by DuncanLou, the two-legged Boxer! Despite being a double amputee, Duncan spends his days with his family playing fetch and being a good boy. Duncan was born with his back legs fused together, which put stress on his spine, necessitating the surgery. He rejected at least three doggy wheelchairs and instead learned to walk on his front legs. Nothing stops this force of nature! 

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Editor-in-Chief Connie Wilson’s Fall selection of must-read books for dog lovers

Dog Mom: A Love Story

Will You Love Me? The Rescue Dog That Rescued Me

By Isabel Sema

By Barby Keel

We love celebrating dog moms and Isabel Sema does just that with her new book, Dog Mom: A Love Story. This joyful little book brilliantly captures dogmom life through funny, vibrant illustrations of scenarios dog moms everywhere will relate to. A perfect gift for your canine-loving bestie.

Barby Keel has been doing rescue work through eponymously named animal sanctuary for over 50 years. Her newest book shares the inspiring true story of Bailey, an abused and abandoned Greyhound she saved—and who in turn saved her. When Bailey came to the rescue, Barby’s breast cancer had recently returned. This wonderful book follows their healing journey together.

Other People’s Pets

The Magic of Dogs

By R.L. Maizes

By Amy Newmark

Matching wry humour with empathy, R.L. Maizes’ debut novel introduces the unforgettable La La Fine, an animal-loving young woman with a complicated family life and a criminal father. Abandoned by her mother as a child, La La was raised by her dad, a locksmith-turned-thief who made her his accomplice. La La’s attempt to break ties with her past are challenged when her father is arrested for burglary and she has to drop out of vet school to save him. This compelling, entertaining story about embracing the life you create for yourself should definitely find its way to your bedside table. We devoured this book.

Dogs have a wonderful way of knowing when we need them most. In another heartwarming collection of stories from Chicken Soup for the Soul, The Magic of Dogs features 101 true stories highlighting the joy and companionship dogs bring into our lives. There are even some heartening stories about the COVID-19 lockdown and the comfort dogs can provide.

101 Rescue Puppies

By Kathy Callahan

Wednesday Walks & Wags

By Melissa Storm In this fun sequel to The Sunday Potluck Club, author Melissa Storm reunites her characters and their rescue dogs as new challenges come their way. Bridget Moore is recovering from the recent loss of her mother and balancing a busy schedule as a dog mom, student, vet tech, and animal rescue volunteer.

She doesn’t have time for distractions.

However, her handsome new neighbour, Wesley happens to be a dog person… Will she be able to adjust and embrace life and love after loss? A thoroughly enjoyable read!

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Kathy Callahan and her family have taken in over 150 puppies in the past decade. Kathy didn’t set out to be a puppy rescuer, but when she heard about a mom and pups surrendered at her local shelter, she “thought about that exhausted nursing mom who’d been caring for those seven puppies around the clock, only to find herself suddenly homeless,” she writes. “There are a lot of terrible things that happen in life, and I can’t do a darned thing about most of them. It struck me that this was a tiny little tragedy in my corner of the world that our family could remedy.” Her heartwarming book about her family’s fostering adventures is an inspiring must-read for anyone interested in finding their own way to make a difference.

I L L US T R AT I O N F RO M D O G M O M: A LOV E S TO R Y BY I S A B E L S E M A

CONNIE’S BOOK CLUB

Must-haves for you & your dog

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LAST LICK

BOND BUILDING EXERCISES! How to be your dog’s best friend: Five fun ways to engage your dog

By Rose Frosek

#1 Establish Trust

Use only positive, reward-based training methods as opposed to old school, punitive training techniques.

With the latter, your dog may tow the line but he will shrink from you (you = negative outcomes). “Don't use aversive training methods such as leash corrections or yelling at your dog, because research suggests this can affect the dog's relationship with you,” says Zazie Todd, a social psychologist, certified dog trainer, founder of the popular blog Companion Animal Psychology, and author of Wag: The Science of Making Your Dog Happy. With positive reinforcement, not only will you encourage the behaviour you like, but you will end up bolstering your relationship via classic conditioning (you = treat = positive feeling).

#2 Consistent

Rules and Boundaries

Imagine if someone was constantly changing the ground rules on you—one day you could lounge on the couch and the next day you were scolded for doing the same.

You’d become a bit jumpy, not knowing what was okay and what wasn’t, wouldn’t you? Establishing clear rules for your dog and thereby setting them up for success is one of the most important things you can do for your relationship. This goes not only for you, but for everyone in your household. Discuss the rules with everyone who will be interacting with your dog to make sure you’re all on the same page.

#3 Tricks and Teamwork

Sassafras Lowrey, author of Tricks in the City, advocates for using trick training to build a better bond with your dog. “I think one of the most important things we can do if we want to improve our relationship with our dogs is to

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spend fun and intentional time together,” Sassafras says. “Good relationships don't just happen, they are built, and a fantastic way to develop a stronger connection with our dogs is to play and train together. Trick training helps your dog to build confidence, and it's a way for you to build confidence in communicating with your dog.” Keep trick training sessions fun, short, upbeat and full of treats, she advises. Her terrific book, Tricks in the City, offers step-by-step instructions for teaching an array of tricks. For simple tricks like sit, down, stand, spin, etc., hold a tasty treat near your dog's nose and lure them into the various positions.

#4 Good Things

This is what you want your dog to learn: You are the provider of Good Things. In your presence, wonderful things happen. Think attention, play time (a session of your dog’s favourite game), and treats. Doling out your dog’s dinner bit by bit as she does as you’ve asked (sits, stays, etc.) is never a bad idea.

#5 Make time for fun

We all need some fun in our day, dogs included. “The best way to improve your bond with your dog is to do joint activities that you both enjoy,” says Zazie, “whether that's petting your dog on the couch, hikes in the forest, or training your dog using little bits of food such as chicken as positive reinforcement. Think about what your dog likes to do and try to give them opportunities to do those things more, within reason and so long as it's safe! And always give them a choice, of course.”