Modern Dog Fall 2021 by Modern Dog Magazine

Mindfulness Matters: How to Elevate Your Daily Dog Walk

The lifestyle magazine for modern dogs and their companions FALL 2021

100

BOOST YOUR DOG’S MOOD!

Pages of Dog DISCOVERIES

gear guide

ed pprov a & ed - test

Hero Dogs Anxiety Busters

p60 Tips for a Smarter, Happier Dog

p104 Interesting Dog Facts

moderndogmagazine.com DISPLAY UNTIL DEC '21

$6.95

p94 Meet The Skye Terrier

Beautiful Finds for the Dog-Friendly Home PLUS Natural Solutions for Common Health Problems

NO 3

66 FEATURES 28

How To Teach Your Dog To Read (Yes, Really) A pioneer in the training of Service Dogs proves that dogs can, in fact, be taught to read. Here’s how to get started. BY STANLEY COREN

Sniff Walk Why a slowed-down, mindful walk is the best thing for both you and your dog,plus journaling prompts to help practice presence.

Café With a Doggone Good Cause “I’ll have the puppy cuddles please:” How an unorthodox dog lounge is connecting people with rescue pups. BY DARCY MATHESON

Hero Dogs Meet four remarkable dogs in the running to be named this year’s American Humane Hero Dog.

Deaf Dogs Can Do It All United by deafness, a woman and her rescue pup are on a mission to show that deaf dogs make incredible pets.

94 THE GOODS 26

Fall Finds Seasonal staff favourites!

Home is Where the Dog Is File under “want it!”

Perfect Presents Inspired gift ideas for dogs and the people who love them.

Sara Carson & Her Super Collies Born to do this: a lifelong love affair with dog training leads to cross-border fame and an enviable bond with a pack of truly incredible heart-dogs.

Healthy Paws Solutions for everything from GI woes to itchy, irritated ears.

BY CASSANDRA GILL

The Dog Gear Look Book Your at-a-glance guide to the best stuff for your dog.

BY TRACEY TONG

12 Ways To Make Your Dog Smarter Expert tips to boost your dog’s mood and engage the mind. BY ROSE FROSEK

READ YOUR BREED 24

The Great Greyhound This sweet and gentle champion sprinter capable of immense speed. BY ROSE FROSEK The Skye Terrier Get to know an endangered breed from the Isle of Skye. BY KELLY CALDWELL

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BODY & SOUL 50

Diatomaceous Earth: A Natural Flea Remedy? BY TRACEY TONG

Good Guts How to improve your dog's gastrointestinal health. BY JULIE ANNE LEE

R I G H T P H OTO

VOL 20

R I G H T P H OTO R A D O M I R R E Z N Y / B I GL S E FT TO CPKH.OTO CO M

FALL 2021

DIY Craft: Punch Needle Embroidered Pet Pad Craft your own cozy, unique pet pad for your sofa, bed, or floor! BY HAYLEY SCHMIDT Teach Your Dog The Magic “Touch” Have a dog-reactive dog or a pup that pulls ahead on leash? Here’s why you should teach your dog targeting. BY NICOLE WILDE

R I G H T P H OTO D AV I D J A R / S H U T T E R S T O C K . CO M

We’re Giving It Away! We’ve got months of cool dog stuff we’re giving away, and winners every week! See what’s up for grabs on page 22.

L E FT P H OTO D E N I S N ATA / B I G S T O CK . CO M

SKY E T E R R I E R COV E R I N SE T R A D O M I R R E Z N Y / B I G STO CK . CO M

DOG LIFE

CO RG I COV E R I N SE T B G - F OTO / SH U TT E R STO C K . CO M ;

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Saving the Endangered African Wild Dog Conservationist Marumo Nene spends long days in the field tracking African Wild Dogs to protect the species. BY LISA KANAREK

Heeding the Heart's Calling One man’s passion for saving animals led him to start his own rescue: “What more can I be doing to make a difference?” BY YAUNNA SOMMERSBY

Getting Ready For Baby How to prepare your dog for a baby's arrival. BY TEOTI ANDERSON

REGULAR FEATURES 6 Editor’s Letter 8 Contributors 10 Stuff We Love 12 The Scoop 20 Smile! Photo Contest 102 Marketplace

ON THE COVER Greyhound Betsy photographed by the very talented Jason KrygierBaum, a Toronto-based photographer specializing in pets. Get to know the Greyhound on page 24. Top cover inset: Photo contest winner Momo the Samoyed. (Enter your dog at moderndogmagazine.com/ photocontest!)

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Huskies: The “Close-talking” Telemarketers of the Dog World Will your dog like my pack of Huskies? Probably not so much. BY SONIA JONES

Anxiety Busters Six effective ways to calm an anxious dog. BY

ROSE FROSEK

Connie’s Book Club Editor-in-Chief Connie Wilson’s fall selection of must-read books for dog lovers.

100 Tiny Dog Stories Dog love in short form: miniature, reader-submitted dog stories of no more than 100 words. 104 Interesting Dog Facts Fascinating dog trivia to amuse friends and family at your next get together. BY ISABELLE ORR In USA: MODERN DOG (ISSN 1703-812X) Volume 20, 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.

I L LU S T R AT I O N BY N I C K C R A N E

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

Dog Park Bullies

The article on dog park bullies is very good and right on with unsocialized dogs…thanks for this great little article here. I read every word.—Cathy Smith-Clark   Read the article at: moderndogmagazine. com/dogparkbullies

or me, the approach of fall always brings with it the desire to dig back in with pet projects and healthy new routines. With this in mind, we threw ourselves into making a spectacular fall issue, designed to fuel discovery and spark new practices. We’re here to help you make the most of the season with an issue brimming with inspiration! Find magic in the day to day with your dog via grounding practices, like our simple ways to elevate your daily dog walk (mindfulness matters). If you’re returning to work, you might need some assistance helping your dog adjust. We’ve got you covered with proven anxiety busters to help make the transition smooth. From CBD to probiotics, natural solutions to common canine health problems fill the pages to help address issues and keep your dog in top form mentally and physically. We detail an expert behaviourist’s magic fix for common behaviour problems, plus reveal 12 fun ways to make your dog smarter and happier (p 60). Be delighted by the selection of readersubmitted tiny dog stories on p 100—then submit your own! We share the stories of incredible Hero Dogs saving lives on the daily. But my favourite of the bunch is our look at the remarkable Marumo Nene, a woman who’s devoted her life to saving the endangered African Wild Dog (p 78).

Sunday Reading

Got my Sunday reading lined up! We can’t wait to dive into How Stella Learned to Talk! Although we speak telepathically to our momma, we hope one day we can tell her we love her with language! We also love @moderndogmag for all their great tips for momma!—@lambodoodlelove

The issue is also packed with beautiful dog finds and our favourite gear. Basically, it’s the best of everything dog. We hope you enjoying reading the issue as much as we loved putting it together. Thank you for being a part of our endlessly inspiring community of dog lovers. With love,

Library Love

Connie Wilson, Publisher & Editor-in-Chief

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Maya and Zoya at our local library browsing thru the summer issue. We just love Modern Dog magazine, all the stories, dog gear guides and most of all, the adorable dog photos. We look forward to every issue!—Deb @thats_maya_zoya_latte

C ONT R IBUTOR S FALL 2021

Cassandra Gill is a

Canadian entertainment and lifestyle journalist based in Los Angeles who covers celebrity news, luxury fashion, and red carpets. An expert on all things popular culture, she has an encyclopedia-like knowledge of past and present celebrity dogs. Outside of her career as a journalist, she is actively producing her first short film Café Racer. A dessert lover, she's always on the hunt for the next great latté and cupcake. Read her story on dog trainer extraordinaire Sara Carson and her truly super Super Collies on page 60.

•

VOL 20

NO 3

Publisher

Modern Dog Inc. Editor-in-Chief

Connie Wilson Editor & Creative Director

Jennifer Nosek Design & Production

Hayley Schmidt Sales & Marketing

Linda Helme Comptroller

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

Vicki Szivos Marketing & Sales Assistant

Simran Parekh Audience Development Coordinator

Yaunna Sommersby Subscriptions & Office Administration

Becky Belzile Office Assistant

Modern Dog’s very own

Isabelle Orr

Hayley Schmidt is the

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

multi-talented graphic designer whose design skills make this magazine’s pages beautiful. When not working on Modern Dog, Hayley contributes illustrations for Vancouver-based publications like Discorder and SAD magazine, plays guitar in her band Guppi, and enjoys getting crafty. In this issue, Hayley shares her DIY knowledge—turn to page 32 to get started on making a custom-designed punch-needle embroidered pet pad. Find Hayley at hayleyschmidt.com or on instagram @fleshandbone__.

Advertising inquiries call (866) 734-3131 or email advertising@moderndogmagazine.com In Canada: MODERN DOG (ISSN 1703-812X) Volume 20, Issue 3. Published quarterly by Modern Dog Inc. at Suite 101–2930 Arbutus St, Vancouver, BC Canada V6J 3Y9 POSTMASTER: send address changes to Modern Dog, Suite 101–2930 Arbutus St, Vancouver, BC Canada V6J 3Y9 In USA: MODERN DOG (ISSN 1703-812X) Volume 20, Issue 3. Published quarterly by Modern Dog Inc. at 142 Churchill Drive, Newington, CT 06111-4003. Periodicals postage paid at Hartford, CT and additional offices. POSTMASTER: send address changes to Modern Dog, PO Box 310402, Newington, CT 06131-0402. PHONE

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

FAX

Full-time professional illustrator Michelle Simpson has been drawing ever since she can remember. Her dream was always to become an illustrator. She has illustrated over 20 children’s books and also worked as a concept artist for kids' cartoons such as Ollie: The Boy Who Became What He Ate. Michelle’s biggest inspiration is the outdoors and animals. She loves spending her free time hiking, gardening, and playing with her friend's dogs. See her wonderful illustration for this issue on page 28. Find Michelle at michellescribbles.com and michiscribbles.etsy.com.

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The publisher is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, images, photographs or other materials. By accepting and publishing advertising the publisher in no way recommends, guarantees or endorses the quality of services or products within those advertisements. Copyright 2021 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 $18CAD, U.S.A. $18USD, foreign $45USD. Subscription orders and customer service inquiries should be sent to Modern Dog Subscription Services, Suite 101–2930 Arbutus St, Vancouver, BC Canada V6J 3Y9

PRINTED IN CANADA

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

Stuff We Love

Modern Dog staffers’ picks of the litter! 1 The Deluxe Barkday Party Box from Dog Parties comes with a handmade party hat, a plush cupcake toy, a dog-safe tennis ball, balloons, and birthday cake dog cookies—everything you need for an awesome pawty!—Cecilia ($40, dog-parties.com) 2 Dog hair everywhere? The amazing ConairPRO Pet Grooming Glove comfortably removes loose fur and undercoat with a swipe of your gloved hand!—Jennifer ($14, conairpet.com) 3 Show who your couch actually belongs to with a custom cushion from Everything About Animals. Send them a photo of your dog and they’ll create your cushion with organic and eco-friendly fabric and ink.—Hayley (from $55, everythingaboutanimals.com) 4 You’ve got mail. With a My Pet Defense subscription box, each month a box of flea and tick protection, enzymatic dental support, and healthy soft chews are delivered right to your door!—Amanda (subscriptions starting at $25, mypetdefense.com) 5 With an Odie Pet Insurance policy you won’t need to worry about unexpected vet visits or costs! Build a custom plan to match your budget and your dog’s needs—no breed or age limits!—Isabelle (plans starting at $11 per month, getodie.com) 6 Who doesn’t love incredible dog rescue stories? In Angels on a School Bus, author Roberta Ray details the remarkable story of how a group of volunteers come together to save over 100 Huskies and German Shepherds found crammed together on a hoarder’s bus.—Vicki ($14, amazon.com) 7 Let food be thy medicine. The minimally processed freeze-dried raw food from Mission Farms is made with humanely raised, human-grade meat. The cage-free Chicken and Pumpkin formula has chicken as the first ingredient, as well as pumpkin to aid digestion.—Linda ($33, msnfarms.com) 8 Protect your ride from messy dogs with the rear seat cover from 4Knines! Available in two sizes to fit cars, trucks, and SUVs, this heavy-duty, non-slip cover is waterproof and easy to clean.—Connie (from $60, 4knines.com) 9 Give your dogs a food they’ll adore. The Beef with Vegetables Cuts in Gravy wet food from Chicken Soup for the Soul Pet Food is made with simple, nutritious ingredients for a taste your pooch will love.—Simran ($3 per can, chickensouppets.com) 10 The perfect fall dog treat! These crunchy Apple Biscuits from Barktastic K9 Cupboard are made with oat flour and unsweetened applesauce.—Jennifer ($6, barktastick9cupboard.com) 11 Your pooch will look pawsitively royal in the handmade Sparkling Royal Blue and White Doggie Necklace from Grey2K! This beautiful pup accessory benefits a great cause—all proceeds support Grey2K’s non-profit mission to phase out dog racing and promote adoption of ex-racers.—Yaunna ($40, grey2k.org/royaldognecklace) 12 Found: an easy and stress-free way to keep your dog’s nails trimmed! This six-speed cordless nail grinder from Andis is super-easy to use and works for dogs of all sizes.—Connie ($50, small-animal.andis.com) 13 Did someone say road trip? The second book in the wanderlust inspiring Dog Vacations series showcases six more hilarious, inspiring stories as Carolyn, Kel, and their rescue dogs B.B. and Bea continue their adventure across the U.S. —Becky ($12, amazon.com)

WANT TO TEACH YOUR DOG TO TALK? Speech-language Pathologist Christina Hunger Shows You How

magine being able to talk with your dogs. What a game-changer it would be for them to be able to give voice to requests and feelings. Well, we’re here to tell you it’s possible. Speech-language pathologist Christina Hunger taught her dog Stella to “talk” using a system she developed employing pre-recorded buttons that can be pushed to say words. Stella now knows over 45 words and can create phrases up to five words long. Variations on “outside” are by far her favourite, surprising exactly zero dog people. “‘Want outside’ and ‘Come play outside’ are a couple of phrases I hear the most,” says Hunger. “She asks ‘When outside’ if we haven’t gone out recently and ‘Who outside’ or ‘Who come’ if she hears someone outside.” Stella also says “Love you come come” when looking for scratches or a belly rub, Hunger shares. If Stella wants Hunger to leave and give her the toy filled with treats, Stella will say “Bye play eat.” And if Stella gets wet while playing in the rain or with the hose, she’ll say “water play” when she comes back inside. How far she’s come has amazed even Hunger.

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“When I brought Stella home as a puppy, I immediately noticed how much she was communicating to me through her gestures, eye gaze, vocalizations, and body language,” she says. “This inspired me because every day at work as a speech therapist, I was noticing all forms of children’s communication and teaching them how to use words for those concepts. So, I saw potential in Stella very early on, but I still had no idea how far she would progress. I expected that Stella might be able to learn how to use words for a few different simple concepts. I had no idea that by giving her the opportunity to use words, she would progress through stages of language development just like human toddlers would. Stella started using words for different functions of communication beyond requesting, created two-word combinations independently, used short phrases, and created her own phrases for new experiences. It’s incredible to see what can happen when we give another being a true chance to learn.” Inspired? We talked to Hunger to get the low down on how you too can teach your dog to talk.

F E AT U R E D P H OTO A R I A N A V E L A S Q U E Z

Hunger’s three-year-old dog Stella knows 45+ words and can put together phrases

It’s incredible to see what can happen when we give another being a true chance to learn. Q: Do you think people generally underestimate their dog’s ability to comprehend and communicate? A: Yes! I think there is a lot of untapped potential in human and dog communication. I feel like we’re still just scratching the surface of knowing how much dogs are understanding and able to communicate with us. Q: Do you think every dog can enjoy/benefit from talking buttons? A: I believe every dog has the potential to use words! I think factors such as the dog’s age, breed, personality, and environment play a role in learning outcomes, but having a way to say words can only strengthen dogs’ communication. Q: How have they improved your relationship and deepened your bond?

Q: Do you use them all the time? A: Ever since Stella started using words independently, she has used her buttons to communicate with us every single day. She uses words to let us know exactly what she wants to do, make observations about her environment, ask simple questions, answer questions, and much more! I love hearing all that she has to say about her days.

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Q: How best to get started with talking buttons? A: I would recommend starting with about four different words for simple functions that you and your dog experience every day. I started with outside, play, water, walk. These were all words I was saying to Stella each day, words that were frequently occurring, and concepts she was already communicating about. After you pick your words and program each into a button, start narrating your dog’s actions! Verbally say “play” while your dog is playing, and also say “play” with your dog’s button. Each time you do that, you are showing your dog how she can say that word too, if she wants. My book has a ton of tips and suggestions for getting started with your dog, and how to build from the foundation to more complex concepts later on! 

P H OTOS CH R I ST I N A H U N G E R

A: I feel like I have a glimpse into Stella’s mind through her words. Instead of me making assumptions about her thoughts, she is actually able to tell me exactly what she wants to do, when she’s happy or mad, when she needs help or alone time, or when she just wants me to come with and play with her. Because Stella and I have a shared language, our relationship is much more collaborative than the stereotypical owner-dog dynamic. Stella’s thoughts and opinions truly matter to me.

DOGS THE SIZE OF

GRIZZLY BEARS ROAMED PREHISTORIC EARTH

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a relative of the first-ever species of dog, Hesperocyon gregarious. Both prehistoric pooches pounced on their prey the way coyotes and foxes do, CT scans revealed. Scientists at the universities of Edinburgh and Vienna scanned fossils and modern skeletons from a group of mammals known as carnivorans, which includes foxes, wolves, cougars, and leopards, as well as extinct species. The research was conducted in an effort to better understand the inner

ears of 36 types of these mammals, as inner ear structure helps determine which ancient carnivorans are closer in relation to dogs (Canoidea) or cats (Feloidea). The inner ear structure also revealed the hunting styles of each animal, as this structure adapts overtime to accommodate balance and stability in different hunting situations. The takeaway: The next time a big dog leans on you with his full weight, just remember to be grateful he’s not from prehistoric times!—Jamie Hill

I N SE T CH I H UA H UA P H OTO SE RG E Y _ M / B I G STO CK . CO M

ou may think Great Danes or St. Bernards are pretty massive, but ancient dogs have our current canines beat. The largest dog to ever live was about the size of a grizzly bear—and hunted in the same way as a modern-day fox, say scientists. Called the Epicyon haydeni, this prehistoric dog lived about 16 million years ago. According to an article published in Scientific Reports, it was

G R I Z Z LY B E A R P H OTO O U T D O O R SM A N / B I G STO CK . CO M

University study illuminates shocking size and surprising hunting methods of prehistoric dogs

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 LO SS N E R ; J K LO SS N E R . CO M

P H OTO A N A S TA S I I A CH E P I N S K A / B I G S T O C K . CO M

CAPTION THIS!

THE GREAT GREEN GRASS OF HOME How to have a healthy, glorious dogfriendly lawn, no chemicals required

AND THE WINNING CAPTION FROM THE SUMMER ISSUE IS…

or dogs and kids, nothing beats an expanse of natural green grass. For one, unlike artificial turf, there are no issues with odour build-up, an obvious concern for dog people. It’s also softer and it’s natural, converting carbon dioxide into oxygen and filtering groundwater through its roots. Natural grass also helps to delay runoff, reduce erosion, and cool urban heat, and provides an ecosystem for thousands of crawling critters. To minimize maintenance and water needs, choose the right grass for your area. Family-run Bethel Farms provides sod options to suit differing climates, from drought tolerant varieties to grasses that are shade tolerant. Next, take a look at your lawn care regimen and ditch any pesticides and herbicides. The statistics speak for themselves: exposure to lawn pesticides raised the risk of canine malignant lymphoma by as much as 70 percent, according to a six-year study undertaken by the Foster Hospital for Small Animals. Dogs exposed to lawns treated with common garden and lawn pesticides and herbicides were also seven times more likely to develop bladder cancer, according to a study by the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences at Purdue University that compared environmental exposure histories. Female dogs were found to be particularly at risk. It’s not good for you (or the environment) either. Roundup maker Bayer is paying $10 billion to settle cancer lawsuits, with some of the money set aside for future cases. They’ve faced tens of thousands of claims linking the weedkiller to cases of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. So, ditch the chemicals already. The good news is you can still have a gorgeous, green lawn. Organic lawn care service providers like NaturaLawn create lush lawns without the toxic chemicals. Their lawn care programs protect you and your pets against harmful pesticides and chemicals while also combating weeds, pests, and common lawn issues like brown patches with natural products, so you can feel comfortable watching your kids and pets play.

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"Stop being obtuse—I said more cowbell." Submitted by Aaron Martin RUNNER-UP CAPTIONS "Martha, when I said you should �chime in any time� at our meeting, this wasn't really what I meant!" Submitted by Linda Dulin

"Doesn�t exactly fit in with our eerie and mysterious signature sound." Submitted by Mary Kay Young

"For the hundreth time, we are not adding a triangle!" Submitted by Caytlin Smith

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! E L I SM

Modern Dog’s Photo Contest Winners!

Nova

Golden Retriever

Jax

Clover

Pip

Labrador

Havanese/Yorkie Mix

Bernese Mountain Dog

Pago

Yorkie

Yeehaw! Momo

Mal

Samoyed

English Bulldog

Gus

Arlo

Choca & Sage

Darvin

Chihuahua

Charlie

Chocolate Lab/Weimaraner

Rescues

Finnigann Miniature Dachshund

Pomeranian

Rottweiler

Staffy Bull Terrier

Beau & dixie

Corgi and German Shepherd

Helix Skies

pumpkin

Italian Greyhound

Golden Retriever

Everest

Bella

Australian Shepherd/ Husky Mix

wendy

Long-Haired Mini Dachshund

Kiki

Shiba Inu

Italian Greyhound

Arwen

Wirehair Terrier

Coco

Lab/Pit Mix

Ziggy Smalls

Moorea Newfoundland

Boxer/English Bulldog Mix

A.j.

Shih-Poo

monty

Golden Retriever

Bogey

Jazz

Dachshund

Biewer Terrier

Luna

Whippet

Think your dog ought To be in Modern Dog?

The Whole Gang’s Here Jersey Pitbull Mix

Hansel, Gretel & Ripley Old English Bulldogs

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 a fully customizable Orvis Memory Foam Bolster Dog Bed from Morris Animal Foundation! Your pooch will comfortably dream the day away on this luxurious bed.

October

1st-7th

10 lucky winners will each receive a 16-ounce bottle of Sammy’s Shiny Coat, an Omega-3 rich, 100 percent virgin, cold-pressed flax oil, and a Tick Key from Stengel Oils!

November

1st-7th

Win 1 of 3 animal supplement prize packs from Animal Necessity! Includes one box of BlackFin HEMP 30 count soft gels and one jar of Ocu-GLO 30 count soft chews.

8th-14th

15th-21st

22nd-30th

8th-14th

15th-21st

22nd-31st

8th-14th

15th-21st

22nd-30th

Win 1 of 2 prize packs from Lucky Dog! Includes two stylish and functional INDULGE stainless steel dog bowls and a 20 pack of Compostable Made From Plants Poop Bags.

Win $200 worth of adorable and practical dog products from Midlee Designs! Choose from their selection of dog beds, apparel, toys, home goods, collars, leashes, and agility equipment.

Win 1 of 3 HandsOn Gloves—the massage your dog will woof for! These gloves provide a more thorough shedding, bathing, and grooming experience for you and your canine!

Win 1 of 2 prize packs filled with IMAGILIN’S premium plant-based, patented probiotics! Includes packs of their MitoMax, MitoMax Cranberry, and NutriLots probiotics.

Win 1 of 5 Recovery Double Sleeves from Suitical! These versatile sleeves are an alternative to the medical cone and help protect dogs recovering from medical procedures, skin conditions, and more!

Win 1 of 3 dog gear prize packs from Muttluks! Includes four Mutt Trackers dog boots, a MuTTravel combo pack, and a KoziNek and MuTTuque set.

Win 1 of 3 prize duos from PURICA! Keep your pup happy and healthy with a bottle each of their Pet Recovery Chewables and Pet Curcumin+.

Win 1 of 5 low carb, keto dog food and treat prize packs from Visionary Pet Foods! All Visionary Pet products are very low carb and made with 100% real meat protein!

Win 1 of 3 Purebite Smart Pet Feeders from Instachew! Modern and sleek, this feeder is app enabled and allows for scheduled, automatic, or manual feeding.

No purchase necessary to enter or win. Beginning September 1, 2021 at 12:01 AM (PST) through November 30, 2021 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: BENJI, HAVANESE SUBMITTED BY KYLIE

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

P H OTO RO D R I G O P U K A N / B I G S TO C K . CO M

BREEDS

THE GREAT

GREYHOUND Get to know this sweet and gentle champion sprinter capable of immense speed

hen witnessed snoozing on the couch, it can be hard to believe you’re looking at the fastest dog breed in the world. But make no mistake, the Greyhound is the cheetah of dogdom, capable of reaching speeds of 45 mph in the first six strides. This breed’s very form is built for speed, with an aerodynamic narrow skull and trademark lean “s” curve physique. The hallmark deep chest and nipped waist have fascinated humanity for centuries. The Greyhound set the standard for coursing hounds. Despite its athleticism, the Greyhound makes a laid-back companion, largely happy to lounge

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around the house all day provided regular exercise needs are met, including time to safely run all-out. Lure coursing is an awesome activity to try with Greyhounds. Note that the Greyhound should only be allowed offleash in a fenced or otherwise secure area as this breed has a hard time resisting the urge to chase and may take off—very quickly. Described by the AKC standard as “gentle, noble, and independent,” the Greyhound has found legion fans the world over.

READ YOUR BREED

For more breed profiles, visit moderndogmagazine.com/breeds

AT A GLANCE Sweet and gentle temperament 60 – 70 pounds 10 – 13 years lie expectancy Easy-care smooth coat

I N SE T I L LU ST R AT I O N PAW LOV E A RT / B I G STO C K . CO M

By Rose Frosek

FAVE FINDS Outdoor fall adventures can lead to dirty, muddy paws. The portable MudBuster from Dexas solves the problem. Just add water into the tumbler, insert your pup’s paw, and the gentle silicone bristles remove the dirt and mud! (from $15, dexas.com)

Fall FINDS

Play time! Perfect for smaller dogs, the Zippy Miniz Fall Harvest plush toys come in adorable apple, corn, and pumpkin shapes with squeakers inside. ($10, zippypaws.com)

Seasonal Staff Favourites!

Spruce up your pup with a stylish, 100% cotton bandanna from Lil’ Archie’s. Sizes to fit pretty much every dog. ($21, lilarchies.com)

Yum! These Dehydrated Cod Skin Treats from Open Farm are sustainably sourced and made from the skin of wild-caught Pacific cod. With no added antibiotics or growth hormones, they make a great training treat! ($11, openfarmpet.ca)

Work event? Barkmitzvah? Party Animal Pets has charming doggy neckties for any occasion. With a variety of patterns and five different sizes, all pups can look this dapper. (from $20, partyanimalpets.com)

It wouldn’t be fall without a little Pumpkin Spice! The Pumpkin Spice Raw Goat Milk from Primal Pet Foods provides your dog with nutrientrich hydration and has organic pumpkin and ginger for added fiber and digestion support. ($13, primalpetfoods.com)

Is your fetch-loving dog tough on toys? The Hyperflite Jawz Disc is ultra-durable, puncture-resistant, and features a low-profile surface to ensure a secure grip when throwing! ($20, hyperflite.com)

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TRAINING

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How To Teach Your Dog To Read (Yes, Really) A pioneer in the training of Service Dogs proves that dogs can, in fact, be taught to read. Here’s how and why you should teach your dog to read

By Stanley Coren | Illustration by Michelle Simpson

magine a guide dog for the visually impaired who, when his owner says,“Find the exit,” immediately moves to the closest door that provides a way out. Imagine that this “Super dogs” in dog can also find the appropriate men's or women's lavatory when his owner terms of working asks him to “Find the washroom.” Even better, and obedience imagine that this dog can notice the areas in intelligence its environment that are posted “Danger! Keep out” and then guides his charge away from such Border Collie hazards. Now exactly which abilities would it Poodle take for a dog to be able to do such things? For a human, such tasks are fairly straightforward. A German Shepherd person can simply scan his surrounds and look Golden Retriever for the signs which indicate “Exit,”“Men” or Doberman Pinscher “Women” or “Danger.” To utilize the information Shetland Sheepdog on those signs, of course, the individual has to Labrador Retriever know how to read. So now we must ask, “Can dogs be taught to read?” Papillon One person who asked this question— Rottweiler specifically about whether dogs assisting Australian Cattle Dog the visually impaired could be taught to be literate—is Dr. Bonnie Bergin. She is a remarkable woman who is credited with inventing the concept of the Service Dog to assist people with mobility limitations. That was back in 1975. She later went on to found Bergin University of Canine Studies. Its campus is in Penngrove, CA and it is the only university in North America where you can get a Bachelor of Science or a master’s degree in canine studies. Dr. Bergin's graduate training was in special education (for people not puppies) and, over the years, she was able to show that using the same kind of educational practices that you use for young children works well when you are trying to train dogs to perform fairly complicated activities. But do dogs have an adequate level of intelligence to allow them to learn to read? There has now been a lot of research which has confirmed the fact that the average dog has an intelligence which is equivalent to a human child around 

THE

TOP 10

moderndogmagazine.com

The average dog has the intelligence of a human child around two to two-and-a-half years of age, while the “super dogs” (the breeds in the top 2% of canine intelligence) have mental abilities equivalent to a human child aged two-and-a-half to three years. two to two-and-a-half years of age, while the “super dogs” (the breeds in the top 20 percent of canine intelligence) have mental abilities equivalent to a human child aged two-anda-half to three years. Although having the mental ability of a human toddler is good, it really isn't good enough to allow a dog to learn to read canine classics (like Call of the Wild). We don't actually expect toddlers to read continuous text, however they spontaneously do learn to recognize some signs, some alphabetic letters, perhaps a printed version of their name, as well as various logos that they are exposed to on a regular basis. In other words, they are capable of word and symbol recognition. That should be okay since, after all, a word is nothing more than a visual pattern which happens to have designated significance. Before you start teaching your own dog to read, your pup must know a few commands and reliably respond to them when given a verbal or a hand signal. For the average dog, the commands: sit, down, stand, turn, come, roll over, touch, and so forth will work fine. Before you start, you will need to make flashcards for the four or five behaviours your dog knows best. You can make the flashcards by printing the words by hand in large block letters using a felt tip pen. You can also use your computer, just choose the largest, darkest font and avoid any typeface with squiggles, serifs or other fancy elaborations. Print one word per page in black ink on plain white sheets of paper, printed sideways (landscape orientation). You can laminate the cards or slip them into plastic page protectors to make them more durable since nose prints and drool marks will be distracting for your novice reader. Begin with a command that your dog knows well—just not “sit,” since your dog is probably already sitting because virtually every exercise starts that way. Instead, try “down.” Show the flash card, say the command, move the flash card out of sight, and reward the dog with a desirable treat when he lays down. Keep going like this for a few trials, and then see if the dog responds when you simply hold up the flash card. Use short sessions, and don't overload the dog. Learning the second word will be more difficult, since it is likely that the dog is initially just responding to the appearance of the flash card, and not carefully scrutinizing the word printed on it. So, let's say that that second word is “sit.” Now with a dog standing, show the flash card, say the command, drop the flash card, and, if he responds correctly, reward the dog. He will get confused at first because now he has to carefully inspect

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what is written on the card, but with patience he will work it out. The next step is to mix up the two words (sit, down, down, sit, and so forth), making sure that your dog is always starting from a standing position. Once your dog is doing this well, you can add a third word and then slowly proceed from there. [Want further instruction? Due to the interest so many people had in teaching dogs to read, Dr. Bergin wrote a book outlining the process step-by-step. It is titled Teach Your Dog to Read.] I have verified that you can use the same principles to teach your dog to respond to logos or symbols, and this gives you an opportunity to control your dog's behaviour even when you're not around. It helps if you have already taught your dog the command “Leave It.” For my dogs, this command is interpreted as No! or Stop That! or Stay Away! The symbol which I use on the flash card is the universal sign for something that is banned, namely a circle with a slash through it (Ø). Teaching the recognition of this is a little bit harder, but worth the effort. (You'll probably have to keep the dog on leash until he learns because you may need some extra control here.) Basically, you set up a situation with something the dog desires, say some treats. Put a few treats in your hand or on a dish, show it to the dog. When he approaches it, give the verbal “Leave It!” At the same time, you interpose the flash card with the Ø symbol. When the dog stops trying to get to them, he is praised, the flash card is dropped, and he gets a treat. This takes lots of practice because, like a toddler, the average dog does not have wonderful impulse control. But it is worth the effort. You see, once the dog has learned the "Leave It!" symbol, you can designate places where you don't want the dog to go. Prop up a flash card with the Ø symbol on the kitchen counter to help deter a dog from surfing that surface for edibles. You can also prop that symbol up on a piece of furniture that you don't wish the dog to go onto in the same way that you put up a “Keep off the Grass” sign to keep people from tromping all over your lawn. (Yes, this actually works if taught properly.) Dr. Bergin now routinely has her service dogs learn to read a dozen or so words and symbols. She claims that dogs can learn 20 or more words. But it takes hard work and patience. Her enthusiasm about this process is evident when she says, “The possibilities for reading dogs are endless.When you teach a dog to read, you’re not just teaching him a cute trick to show your friends. You’re developing his mind and helping him become a better problem solver.” 

PET PROJECT

craft D.I.Y.

Punch Needle Embroidered Pet Pad

Craft your own cozy, unique pet pad for your sofa, bed, or floor!

Make This! Chica, a rescue Chihuahua

Preparation: For a fast start, you can buy patterns and punch needling kits that contain everything you need, but for a pet pad you’ll need a larger hoop than those included in most kits. I used an art-store stretched canvas, removing the canvas from the frame and recovering the frame with monk’s cloth. Here’s how: • Remove staples and pull off the canvas from the frame. • Once the canvas is removed, set the frame down on a flat surface. • Lay monk’s cloth overtop frame’s front side and cut to size leaving about two inches of cloth past the frame’s edge.

Supplies Needed:

• Monk’s cloth

• Punch needle

• Marker

• Yarn in colours of your choice

• Fabric scissors

• Staple Gun • Staple Remover • 20” Canvas with wooden frame*

• Elmer’s School glue • Medium paintbrush • Neutral coloured Felt • Hot Glue Gun

*Choose a larger canvas/frame for a larger dog.

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• Tighten the cloth and staple down the monk’s cloth on the edge of the wooden frame. Repeat on all four edges of the frame. • Pull the edges of the monk’s cloth while stapling, ensuring the fabric is tight and feels like a drum. You will need one hand for pulling tight and one hand for stapling. Asking a buddy to help you with this will make it a bit easier! • Flip the frame over and on the flush/flat side of the frame, use your chosen pattern or draw your design in mirror-image with a marker. This is the side you will be punching (you work on the reverse/wrong side). I chose a simple square pattern, using a ruler to measure each square shape evenly. For beginners, abstract patterns, shapes, and polka dots are easy to draw and punch!

I N SE T P H OTO #1 M A R I A J O J O J O / B I G STO CK . CO M ; #2 O KSA N A SH U F R YC H / SH U TT E R STO CK . CO M ;

elated to rug hooking (and we all know how much dogs like carpeting), punch needling is a type of embroidery that dates back hundreds of years but can look modern or rustic depending on the pattern and colours used. Instead of stitching through the fabric, you keep the needle on the surface. The result is a textured design made of loops. Once you get the hang of it, you can cover a large area quite quickly, making it a perfect technique for larger projects like this pet pad. It’s one of the fastest types of needlework and even kids can learn the basics quickly. Let’s get started!

# 3 P H OTO B OY KO / B I G STO C K . CO M

By Hayley Schmidt

“It’s one of the fastest types of needlework and even kids can learn the basics quickly.” Punch Needling Your Pattern Your punch needle should come with a wire loop to help wind yarn through the needle. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for threading your punch needle. For a large project like this, you’ll likely want to use the largest needle you have. • Working on the backside, punch your needle down through the cloth at your chosen starting point. For this first punch, keep the needle in the cloth, pulling the yarn through to the opposite side (which will become the display side once completed) and leaving a one-inch tail of yarn coming through the opposite side. Once yarn is through, simply methodically punch back up and down, following your pattern. The size of your needle determines the size of the yarn loops you’re creating on the other side. Each punch should be about 0.25" or 0.5", one after the other. • Continue this process until you are finished with that particular colour of yarn or have filled in the desired area. • Once an area is complete, simply cut yarn where you want to end while your needle is punched up. To change colours, restart this process over again.

Finishing: • Once your design is finished, remove the staples and pull the fabric from the frame. Trim any excess cloth leaving about one inch of monk’s cloth around the final design area. • Cut slits in the corners of this border material so you’re able to fold these sides to the back. • Generously brush School glue on the backside of the design. Fold and stick down the excess monk’s cloth so it’s adhered to the back. Brush more glue overtop of the folded down sides. Leave to dry for one or two days or until completely dry. • Once dry, cut a felt piece and affix to backside with hot glue gun. • Now show your dog your handiwork! For in depth step-by-step instructions, go to moderndogmagazine.com/punchneedle moderndogmagazine.com

The Diamondback Donut bed from Bowsers delivers unparalleled comfort and an elegant, upholstered look. Bonus: the inner cushion can be used alone as a crate or travel mat! (from $85, bowsers.com)

Lucky Dog’s Indulge stainless steel dog bowls are stylish, durable, and functional! Available in four colours, these bowls are double walled, slip and tip resistant, and easy to clean. Perfect for at home or on-the-go! ($40, luckydogdirect.com)

s i e m o H e h t e r whe s dog i t it!” n a w “ r e d n File u

Send artist Julie Ann Caldwell of JAC Portraits photos of your pup (or a friend’s— awesome gift idea!) and she’ll create a lovely custom pen-and-ink portrait. ($200, jacportraits.com)

The cutest hideaway! The Horizon Pet Teepee from P.L.A.Y. features a durable fabric cover and ergonomic foam cushion. ($80, petplay.com)

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Upgrade your wall art with a stylized custom portrait of your pup from Illustrate-It. Send them your favourite photo and they’ll do the rest! (from $75, illustrate-it.ca)

A love that lasts forever. Made in 14 karat gold, white gold, sterling silver or solid chrome, a one-of-a-kind, custom nose-print pendant from Robin’s Loving Touch pays tribute to the unbreakable bond between you and your dog. (from $277, robinslovingtouch.com)

{ Great gift idea! } Celebrate your favourite breed with a classic rendering highlighting its unique features. Animal Blueprint Company’s stylized art is created in the image of a mid-20th century blueprint, complete with design notes and schematics pertaining to your breed of choice. Choose from over 165 breeds and two print sizes. (from $110, animalblueprintcompany.com)

INSPIRE

Sniff WALK W alking should be fun for you and your dog, it’s an opportunity to explore the world together. Walks are, of course, great physical exercise for dogs (and us) but they also have the opportunity to be enriching. Unfortunately, in our busy world with cell phones and work schedules and errands that need to be run, sometimes walking the dog becomes just another chore, and the focus becomes getting from point A to point B as quickly and efficiently as possible. Sniffing is natural to our dogs; it’s their most dominant sense and is stress relieving. Dogs have three hundred million scent receptors in their noses! As humans, we only have something like six million—dogs see the world through their nose more vibrantly than we can even imagine.

dog pause, slow down, and sniff. Not all of us can accommodate an entirely sniffing-focused walk for every walk we take, but if you are taking your dog out for a walk, try to make sure to give them at least some time during the walk to sniff, if you do have to hurry your dog along, don’t scold him for sniffing, redirect him back to you, treat, and praise. Having good leash manners is not at all incompatible with sniffing, and in fact, when dogs are permitted to sniff, to explore their world in a way that is most natural to them, your dog is significantly more likely to be responsive to training. Try to prioritize letting your dog have the opportunity to sniff. If you have a busy morning, try to leave for your walk a few minutes early to allow time for your dog to sniff, and make time for casual walks where you can give your dog as much time as he wants.

While there are some reasons you might need to keep a confined, quick speed while walking your dog (for example, if your dog is recovering from an orthopedic injury and you are working with a veterinary rehabilitation specialist), but if you are just on an average walk with your dog, it’s important to let your

Spending more intentional and mindful time with our dogs is a great way to show them how important they are and to prioritize our relationship with our dog. In addition, try adding sniffspecific walks regularly. Can you manage a sniff walk once or twice a week?

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P H OTO L E X I M A G ES / B I G STO CK . CO M

By Sassafras Lowrey

I L LU S T R AT I O N A RT G A L A / B I G S TO C K . CO M

WHAT WILL YOUR DOG FIND? Dogs have a way of finding the most interesting things, sometimes even the sorts of things that we wouldn’t notice. In this way, dogs can help us to be more aware of the world around us and more mindful and aware of the natural (and not so natural) world that surrounds us. Whether you and your dog are walking around a busy urban center or are out hiking in the wilderness, take notice of the things your dog is drawn to—it might surprise you what they find! An abandoned shoe, the wing of a bird, a big stick, a deflated basketball, a pretty feather, a flower—there are so many interesting “treasures” to find just in your neighborhood! What are things your dog is drawn to while out on a walk? Keep an ongoing record of the different things your dog is excited about; are there any commonalities or themes?

Track where you and your dog walk, and the different things you notice your dog smelling: SNIFF WALK #1

SNIFF WALK #2

Date:

Observations:

Is your dog bored? Doesn’t have to be. Part activity book and part bullet journal, Chew This Journal by Sassafras Lowrey provides inspiration and guidance (Bucket lists! Outings! Arts and crafts!) for dog lovers looking to enrich the lives of their pups. moderndogmagazine.com

INSPIRE

Café With a Doggone Good Cause “I’ll have the Puppy Cuddles, Please”: How an unorthodox dog lounge is connecting people with rescue pups

By Darcy Matheson

lementary school teacher Katey Hartsock legitimately did not intend to adopt an animal when she surprised her husband with a visit to a new dog rescue and lounge in Washington State. But of course, that’s exactly what ended up happening. “One of my coworkers got tickets for her birthday but couldn't make it. When we pulled up my husband said, ‘Katey we are not going to get a dog, don’t even start.’”

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But that tide turned when Hartsock and her husband were greeted by nine tiny puppies at Are You My Human? Dog Rescue and Lounge. “We were like, are these dogs stuffed animals? They were so cute. And you just go in and sit down and you just get covered in puppies,” she said. “And then a puppy fell asleep in my husband’s arms.” One of the nine puppies, Guava, really stole their heart. With a black and tan Coonhound for a mom and a big old question mark for a dad, the mitten-pawed pup was the kindest of the bunch. Hartsock and her husband visited almost every other day until their adoption was finalized a week later. Now sharing a home with the inquisitive pup—their first dog they’ve owned together as adults—the couple is smitten. And being a modern dog, Guava even has her own Instagram account. “She loves water. We have a little kiddie pool and she loves zooming through it. She’s very smart. And of course, we let her sleep with us,” Hartsock says. “We love her so much.”

A GROWING CHORUS OF ADOPTERS Hartsock is just one in a growing chorus of pet lovers going to the newly opened dog lounge just to check it out—but leaving with a furry friend. The 1500-square-foot retail space in Bellingham, WA, which used to be a jewelry store, now has lineups before opening with people clamoring to cuddle with the adoptable pups.

Happy adopters Will and Yael Peet with their new pup, Bashere.

Adoptable dogs play in the cafe.

Devin Parks and his pack of adoptable dogs.

Partnering with both local and out of state rescues— some strays come all the way from Texas—the business gives dog lovers space to meet and greet adoptables in a friendly, pressure-free setting, whether they’re looking for puppy snuggles or a new family member. There are couches and comfy seating throughout but most days you’ll find people sitting around in a safely distanced campfire circle just playing and interacting with the puppies. The business has been a huge success right off the bat: 12 dogs were adopted out in the first five weeks of operating, including seven Coonhound-cross puppies from the same litter as Guava; Missy Mae, a three-year-old Cockapoo; a two-year-old Bull Terrier named Stella; Snow White the tiny Maltese; Ron the Chiweenie; and a Yorkshire Terrier, Bella, who was surrendered after her owner passed away. They’ve had 1,500 guests—an average of 300 each week.

AN UNORTHODOX OPERATION The dog cafe is run by California transplant and father-offive Devin Parks and his wife Samantha. But this is far from a regular dog rescue operation.

Katey and Kris Hartsock and their adopted pup, Guava.

Every night after the cafe closes all of the dogs go home with Parks, each of the pups treated like they are a cherished family pet. None of the animals are kept in a crate at night. If you think this sounds like a handful for the cafe owners, you are absolutely correct. At one point there were 14 dogs at Parks’ suburban house, nine of them puppies. That’s in addition to their five kids, ranging from ages five to 12, plus three of their own dogs, a pocket Pit Bull, Kuechly the Rat Terrier, and Stella the Bull Terrier. “It’s totally organized chaos,” says Parks. “There’s a lot going on but all the kids are helping.” Parks describes his oldest son, Trevor, 12, as his “second-hand man” who has been helping manage things at the cafe. They’re also redoing the outdoor space at their home, including adding dog runs and “castles” for the pups to enjoy. The goal of the operation is noble from Devin, who used to manage PetSmart stores in Oregon and Bellingham, Washington: Treat the dogs like family—not products— before they are placed into their forever homes. “The dogs will always feel at home with us. They will always feel like they are a house pet, interacting and  moderndogmagazine.com

Are You My Human? Dog Lounge founder Devin Parks.

being loved by our family,” he says. Devin is used to being very, very busy. In addition to having the cafe open seven hours a day, six days a week, he also works at Costco from four am to nine am on weekdays. After his shift he goes home to pick up the dogs and heads to the lounge. The cafe is closed on Mondays for adoption day, but he’s still processing dogs and driving them to their new homes. “I get about four hours of sleep a night. That’s about the time frame. Starbucks is essential,” he says. And as for the mess associated with more than a dozen dogs in their home, that’s not a problem. The Parks’ have owned a cleaning business for the past four years. “No mess is too big,” he jokes.

DIFFERENT MOTIVATIONS What has really impacted and inspired the Parks are all the reasons people have chosen to come into their new business. That includes people who have a family member at home who has a dog allergy, so it gives them an opportunity to safely get their dog-fix. Or college students who are homesick for their pets they had to leave back home. Especially during finals, it gives them that little refresher to stay positive and free their mind of stress, says Park. But the people that inspire them the most are the people who have just lost their own pets. “They are ready to heal from that previous loss. Those are the more intimate, tender moments we see, where people just want to quietly have the dogs on their lap,” he says. Park’s motivation for starting the cafe began years ago when he had to give up a family pet when his daughter was a baby. Now he essentially has dozens of family pets and, understandably, as a result has become very choosy about who can adopt. He prides himself on a business model where dogs choose their humans and pets and people come together organically, versus people just buying their dogs. “I care so much about these dogs. I want to raise them right so they will be the best dogs for someone else,” he

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says. “Someone special.” While the cafe has seen a large litter of adorable puppies come through that anyone and everyone was clamouring to adopt, the Parks haven’t shied away from taking in dogs that are harder to adopt. Ron Weasley, named after the redheaded wizard in the Harry Potter series, was a Chihuahua/Daschund mix who was not going to win any beauty contests. The young dog had been hit by a car and had mange, so was missing a lot of his hair. And beyond that, the little dog just didn’t like anyone. “He was only a year-and-a-half old but saw some weathered times for sure. Ron had hairless spots and a limp and some traits that aren’t as eye-catching to people.” But after two weeks in the cafe, a mom came in with her teen. The girl’s emotional support dog was dying of cancer, so her mother wanted to prepare her for the loss. And this little dog that didn’t really like anyone—to the point where he would nip at people—saw the teen and just laid there. It was a match Devin said quite quickly turned into a permanent adoption. “When I dropped him off [at their house] he closed his eyes and he was at peace,” said Park.

MAKING PEOPLE INTO BELIEVERS Katey Hartsock and her husband didn’t set out to rescue a shelter pup. In fact, they had planned to purchase a Bernadoodle through a breeder later this year. But she says the choice to adopt through the cafe became a natural one, once she and her husband saw that there were so many great pups just waiting for their forever homes. “There’s already a dog out there in the world just waiting to be adopted. We’d rather adopt than buy now, 100 percent,” she says. And just like Park, Hartsock is now a believer that the humble cafe is a conduit for rescue dogs to find their perfect forever homes. “It’s kind of a second chance for some of these dogs,” she says. 

HERO DOGS Meet 4 remarkable dogs in the running to be named this year’s American Humane Hero Dog

ore than 400 dogs were entered. Over half a million votes from animal lovers have been cast. And 21 remarkable dogs have made it to the semifinal round of this year’s American Humane Hero Dog Awards. It’s an opportunity for these often unsung canine heroes to shine. The Hero Dog Awards “bring attention to the lifechanging, life-saving power of the human-animal bond,” says Dr. Robin Ganzert, American Humane president and CEO.

P H OTO G R EG M U R R AY

“I KNOW THAT THIS WAS ONLY ONE OF THE MANY TIMES THAT SHE SAVED MY LIFE.”

THERAPY DOG

MEET 4 REMARKABLE HERO DOG AWARDS SEMIFINALISTS: Boone + Tanya Diable, Butler, PA Beagle-mix Boone survived heartbreaking cruelty as a puppy, resulting in the loss of his back legs. His life changed when he was adopted by The Diables, a family with a soft spot for special-needs pets. They had Boone fitted with a wheelchair to improve his mobility, and he’s been a dog on a mission ever since, spreading joy to others with his infectious smile and story of resilience. Boone’s sweet nature and enthusiasm for life make him a perfect fit for his new role as a therapy dog. “They say that when you love what you do, you never work a day in your life, and that is the truth for Boone,” says Tanya Diable. “Children light up when he enters the room.”

“Every single contender exemplifies courage and heroism,” says philanthropist and award sponsor Lois Pope. “Our goal is…to inspire America to reflect on the outsized contributions that animals make in our lives each and every day.”

Boone is also an ambassador for the nonprofit Joey’s P.A.W. (Prosthetics and Wheels). So far, the charity has provided mobility devices to over 700 dogs in need. The goal is to improve the outcome for dogs with mobility issues in shelters and rescues across the country, as well as perceptions about their adoptability.

The winning dog in each category—therapy, guide dog, and more—will take part in the nationally televised Hero Dog Awards broadcast as a two-hour special on Hallmark Channel this fall. In the meantime, meet some of the remarkable contenders…

“Boone inspires those around him every day to overcome the obstacles that life throws at them,” says Diable. “When he is not spreading joy as a therapy dog, he is working to make life better for dogs with mobility issues in shelters. Just look at his smile. He is going to change the world!” 

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MILITARY DOG

Maverick + Kelly Brownfield, St. Robert, MO

SSG Summer + Micah Jones, Mt. Airy, MD

From puppyhood, Maverick, a Great Dane, was groomed to become a therapy dog for the USO of Missouri. From the day he started working in this role, Maverick’s mission has been to help service members and their families.

“My retired partner’s name is Staff Sergeant Summer,” says Sergeant Michah Jones, a Patrol/K9 Supervisor with the Amtrak Police Department. “She’s a ten-year-old Labrador.”

“His true passion—when you see him light up the most—is when he works with the children of our military service members,” says his owner, Kelly Brownfield. “Maverick is their rock as he escorts children to the burial site of their fallen family member, stands on the podium with children as they testify in court, acts as an attentive pair of ears for children as they practice their reading skills, and provides stability support to wounded warriors as they learn to walk again.” Indeed, at nearly 200 pounds, Maverick’s size allows other to literally lean on him when his support is needed the most. “Maverick’s natural ability to show love and support to all he encounters makes him a hero in the hearts of many, touching the lives of thousands across the nation with his work,” says Brownfield.

In her ten years, Summer has made incredible contributions. She served as a Military Working Dog and war dog in the Marine Corps, then served as a Police Explosive Detection Dog for seven years. While deployed, Summer searched for and positively identified countless weapons caches and improvised explosive devices, swept and cleared routes for the troops, and was involved in numerous fire fights with insurgents. Summer put her life on the line to protect, defend, and save the lives of countless troops. As a result of exposure to war-zone environments and other traumatic events experienced in Iraq and Afghanistan, Summer was diagnosed with canine PTSD in December 2015. "She copes with this condition daily but hasn’t let it stop her," says Sergeant Jones. Though now retired, Summer continues to give by visiting her fellow veterans at the Charlotte Hall Veterans Home, in St. Mary’s County, MD, where love and pats cheers other former military members.

Henna + Meagan Gorsuch, Albuquerque, NM Last year, while simply crossing a familiar intersection, Meagan Gorsuch, who is deaf and legally blind, was nearly crushed by the trailer of an 18-wheeler. She was waiting with Henna, her guide dog, to cross the road. After a few moments, Henna’s ear flick indicated it was their turn. Gorsuch gave the forward command and they started crossing towards the opposite corner. They had reached the midway point when Henna suddenly backed up. “She reversed so fast I knew instantly something was wrong,” says Gorsuch. “When Henna slowed enough for me to take in my surroundings, I could see a large truck was now completing a left turn in front of us. No more than five feet away, the trailer wheels rumbled where Henna and I were only moments ago.”

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After the trailer passed, Henna guided Gorsuch safely across to the opposite curb without prompting. “To this day, I can still see the trailer’s reflective strips in front of me and know that this was only one of many times she saved my life, while allowing me freedom,” says Gorsuch. “She continues to confidently guide me and acts as if it had never happened. I can almost see in her face and hear in her voice, ‘I got you, mom! Just follow me.’” 

H E N N A P H OTO J O H N V ECCH I O L L A F O R G U I D I N G E Y ES F O R T H E B L I N D

THERAPY DOG

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Yay for kisses! This adorable feeding mat is fun, practical, and the art by painter Sherry Scharschmidt is printed onto absorbent neoprene rubber to help save your floors. etsy.com/ shop/catsdogswords

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Prepare your pooch for fall weather with Shedrow K9’s double-fleeced and moisture wicking Newmarket Dog Coat. Use promo code MDSHED15 at checkout for 15% off their entire collection! Visit shedrowk9.com

“The Fall Foliage Tour” is trip one with rescue dogs Bea, B.B., and their “parents” in this humorous, eventful, nonfiction, wanderlustinspiring book detailing their many trips across the United States. Search: Dog Vacations on Amazon.

Never forget again! Each box from My Pet Defense includes a 30-day supply of pet health essentials, including flea and tick prevention, dental care, and supplemental treats. No more reminders. Simply receive and apply. mypetdefense.com

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Look stunning in Montana Blue and Clear Swarovski crystal beads necklace and earrings! Each piece features delicate Tibetan Silver Greyhound pendants. Your purchase helps end Greyhound racing worldwide. grey2k.org/jewelry Modern, classy, and affordable, Sassy Woof offers high-quality pet products in unique and fashionable designs to make walkies fun while looking stylish from head to paw. Use code MODERNDOG for 10% off at sassywoof.com

Head to the wilderness in style with the Scout & About Outdoor Dog Tent from P.L.A.Y.! Built for travel, its compact, collapsible and features new color-blocking patterns. Save 21% with code MDM21. petplay.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 magical experience of sharing life with a dog. Royalties support American Humane. chickensoup.com moderndogmagazine.com

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Inspirational stories of heroic Assistance Dogs who found their purpose in life helping people overcome challenges and live life to the fullest. Get 40% off with promo code DOG40! bakerbookhouse.com #1 ranked, multi-award winning, HandsOn Gloves are the revolutionary all-in-one shedding/bathing/grooming gloves. Animal preferred for the loving HandsOn massage. HandsOn is changing the way we bathe, de-shed and groom all our animals. Forever. handsongloves.com

PawPad is the waterproof cover that protects anywhere your pets hang out. Contains and controls shedding fur, light bladder leaks, drool, wet/muddy paws, accidents and so much more. getapawpad.com

Treat your pup to a premium collar, leash, or accessory! Each one is totally unique and made in Hawaii using fabric from upcycled vintage aloha shirts. Get 15% off with code ILIO15. ilioand.co

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An adorable, delightfully detailed stuffed animal of YOUR dog! Original Sock Dogs capture your pup’s unique appearance and personality as a beautiful, handmade keepsake you’ll cherish forever. sockdogs.com

“From stray dog to furry sidekick.” Experience the bond between a child and his furry canine friend as they navigate life’s everyday problems together. Available for purchase on Amazon. pillowthedog.com

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Capture your beloved pet in ink with a portrait from JAC Portraits. These unique pen and ink portraits make for a beautiful gift or accent to your home. jacportraits.com Featuring fun photos and descriptions of several silly, sweet, and sometimes brilliant dogs from various shelters, this book will touch the heart and tickle the funny bone of all dog lovers. rmbooks.com

J.R.LIGGETT’S Dog Shampoo, Cat Shampoo, and Small Animal Shampoos are all 100% non-detergent and 100% biodegradable. Their line of pet shampoos is specifically designed for each animal type. jrliggett.com

Spoil your pup with an orthopedic leather dog bed from Le Dog Company. They’re durable, require zero laundering, and include a human-grade orthopedic mattress because that’s what our dogs deserve! ledogcompany.com

“Dog medicine for the soul.” These 38 poems by Jane Marla Robbins are intimate, funny, moving, insightful and inspiring. The perfect gift for every dog lover. Available at amazon.com Looking for a great gift for the adventurous dog lover in your life? 4Knines Seat Covers and Cargo Liners are waterproof, easy to use, durable, and fit great! 4knines.com moderndogmagazine.com

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Diatomaceous Earth: A Natural Flea Remedy? By Tracey Tong

ronwen Mason lives in beautiful Edmonton, AB, where enjoying the great outdoors is practically a provincial pastime. Unfortunately, that sometimes comes with a cost for the camping enthusiast—the risk of lice, ticks, and fleas. “We get these over the spring to fall months,” says Mason. But it was at the groomer’s where her 17-year-old Yorkshire Terrier rescue, Annie, picked up lice. Chemical flea treatments didn’t work for the family in the past. “I had a horrible anaphylaxis to flea treatment,” says Mason. “Also, Annie had thrown up for

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three days after our last flea application. Since they all have similar ingredients, we decided to try a natural route, with the caveat that if we didn't see results, we'd go back to the vet for a treatment.” Mason bought a two-pound bag of food-grade diatomaceous earth (DE), and went online for instructions. “Basically, dust the dog with the DE, watch for not getting it in eyes or noses as it cannot be inhaled, then comb out any lice and eggs that we could find,” says Bronwen. “It's for sure a higher maintenance method. It took me about a week of this to get results, but it was worth it. I didn't end up having a reaction—my issue with the treatments

according to my doc and allergist is that I'm chemically sensitive to them—and Annie didn't get sick.” Touted as natural and chemical free, diatomaceous earth is made from crushed fossils of diatoms, a type of single-celled marine life. It is readily available at health food stores or online in the form of white powder, and is used for many things, including filtration, as an abrasive in polish, as cat litter and as a mechanical insecticide used to control household and garden pests, including the ones that bother dogs the most— ticks, fleas, lice, and mites. When the diatoms in the diatomaceous earth come into 

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P H OTO PATT I E / B I G STO C K . CO M

contact with the insects, they scrape away the protective shell, causing them injury and to die, without the use of poison. “I would totally recommend it for anyone who is looking for an alternative to the chemical treatments,” says Mason. “As a side bonus, I was able to dust my other dog, their bedding, my couch, etc. So, it works as a treatment on places where you normally wouldn't want to spread (chemical) treatment.” Mason is just one of a number of pet owners who have tried diatomaceous earth for their pets. Debbie Matlow, of Huntington Beach, CA, found DE through online research on alternative flea treatments. She purchases it from a tack and feed store in nearby Costa Mesa, and sprinkles it wherever her dogs—a 14-year-old Pug named Giorgio Armani and a two-year-old Bulldog named Bizzie, go—the couch, carpet, bedding, and crates. “I usually leave it in the carpet for a day, and then vacuum,” says Matlow. “I leave it between and under the couch cushions for a few days also, then vacuum… I also put it on my dogs, I sprinkle it and rub it into their coats, on their backs and rear ends. I'm very satisfied with the results, as I do not like to give my dogs chemicals. Flea meds are like eating insecticides and the topicals are just as bad. I've read so many horror stories about both.” When Emma, a Maltese/Poodle mix with congenital kidney disease received the same fatal diagnosis from almost a dozen veterinarians, her pet parent, Evrim Ertemur, decided to “ditch all the chemicals and pursue an organic, natural way for everything”—including flea medication—and never looked back. “The last time I gave her flea medication, she threw up,” says Ertemur, who lives in Newark, CA. “I think [DE] is very effective.” In addition to sprinkling it on her dog, Ertemur also uses DE in her garden to get rid of snails and fleas. DE labels have also stated that the product kills other undesirable insects, including cockroaches, beetles, earwigs, silverfish, spiders, and termites, while being safe for birds and pets. Dr. Michael Goldberg, who specializes in veterinary homeopathy and veterinary chiropractic medicine at Harpaws Holistic Veterinary Services, Inc. in Whistler, B.C. has had clients over the years use human grade DE on both pets and the environment, as well as giving it to their dogs internally, to rid of internal parasites. One pet owner who has used food grade DE internally is Jessica Santos, of Albuquerque, NM, who has added it to her dogs’ food, for treatment for intestinal worms. Containing minerals including calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, and zinc, DE has also been used as a nutritional supplement for dogs and people, and is said to help with hair, skin, and nail health, as well as increasing energy. “There is a published agricultural study on [DE’s] effects on insects which are more favourable than doing no treatment,” says Dr. Goldberg, who refers to a paper by Thomas E. Ross, titled “Diatomaceous earth as a possible alternative to chemical insecticides.” The paper states that as chemical insecticides are known to be often hazardous to many life forms within the natural environment, less potent insecticides should be explored. It also examines diatomaceous earth as a pest control agent. “As it is a natural product, I feel if they are careful with it (re: inhalation), it’s always worth it to try and see if they can control the situation prior to attempting other (chemical)

methods that may in the long run have unknown effects on both pet and environment,” says Dr. Goldberg, who is a member of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, Society of Veterinarians of B.C., Academy of Veterinary Homeopathy, International Association of Veterinary Homeopathy, and the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association. However, as with many alternative treatments, the jury is still out on whether diatomaceous earth really works. Dr. Katherine Kramer, medical director for VCA-Canada Vancouver Animal Wellness Hospital, a small animal integrative hospital in Vancouver, B.C., says she “would not recommend diatomaceous earth for any canine health condition. “The use of DE is well known,” says Dr. Kramer. “It has been touted as a natural insecticide, dewormer, detoxifying agent, nutritional supplement. One particular website lists 31 health benefits of DE for people, ranging from supporting the immune system, decreasing headaches, and decreasing the risk of heart disease, dementia, and Alzheimer's disease,” she says. “The use of natural remedies, including DE, are typically growing in popularity as we are all looking for safe, natural, and inexpensive products to use instead of pharmaceuticals. It is extremely important to remember that just because a product is 'natural' that doesn't mean that it is safe or effective,” she says. Although several of her clients over the years have used DE for flea prevention for their dogs, Dr. Kramer says that she “would not recommend diatomaceous earth as a safe, alternative to medicine.

“It's for sure a higher maintenance method. It took me about a week of this to get results, but it was worth it.” “The scientific evidence remains slim,” says Dr. Kramer. “Studies have shown some efficacy against fleas, mites, and some intestinal parasites (mostly in chickens) but the risk of causing lung damage is incredibly high. Most DE is composed of silicon dioxide that comes from a sedimentary mineral composed of the fossilized remains of diatoms (oceanic microorganisms).” Silicon dioxide is an abrasive substance of sharp microparticles, making it potentially harmful when inhaled, she says. On this point, Dr. Goldberg agrees. “I do forewarn the clients that it can be a respiratory irritant to both them and their pets, so avoid overuse and breathing it in,” he says. Victoria Marchlinski was concerned about the risk to her lungs, and for that reason, she wore a mask when using DE on her Shih Tzus for flea control a number of years ago. When she did use DE, she found it effective—“done consistently, you will

rid them of fleas,” says the Saddle Brook, N.J. resident. Dr. Kramer reminds pet owners that it’s buyer beware. “Anytime you are considering a supplement for your dog, please consult your veterinarian,” she says. “In my practice, we use many natural supplements, such as herbs, turmeric, glucosamine, green-lipped mussels, milk thistle, and hemp, that are safe and effective. However, even 'safe' supplements can interact with medications and have side effects. Unfortunately, there are a lot of supplements on the market that are neither safe nor effective.” She suggests “diluted essential oils, sprayed topically” as an alternative for flea prevention. But in the meantime, many dog owners have done their own extensive research and are satisfied to find an alternative to chemicals. “I was very happy to find a solution that worked for our unique situation,” says Mason. 

moderndogmagazine.com

How to Improve Your Dog's Gut Health | By Julie Anne Lee

hronic disease and cancer are at epidemic levels. Why? In the 20 years of practice at my veterinary hospital, it became clear there was a very close relationship between these issues and the breakdown of gut health. This makes sense, since as much as 80 percent of your dog’s immune system resides in the gastro-intestinal tract.

SIGNS OF GUT HEALTH PROBLEMS

If your dog has vomiting, diarrhea or loss of appetite, those are pretty clear signs that’s something is up. But sometimes the signs can be much harder to detect. Leaky gut syndrome (gut trauma), for example, can be more difficult to spot. It can be behind everything from food allergies to digestive problems, ear infections, and, really, any common health condition that stems from an inflammatory disorder. Leaky gut is when the junctions (microscopic openings that absorb nutrients) in the lining of the mucous membrane become larger than they should, allowing undigested food

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and other particles (disease-causing pathogens, chemicals, allergens, and other toxins) to “leak” through the intestinal wall and enter into the blood stream, leading to disease. There are many things that damage the gut environment, causing dysbiosis (the decline of friendly, beneficial gut bacteria) and creating much of the chronic disease we see in our dogs today. These gut-damagers include: • antibiotics • non-steroidal anti-inflammatories and steroids • over-vaccination • processed food • stress • grains or beans (anything with lectins) • yeast (candida) So, what can we do to support our dogs’ gut health?

HOW TO IMPROVE GUT HEALTH 1. Probiotics The vast majority of microorganisms exist within the digestive tract. A normal digestive tract contains both “good” and “bad” (pathogenic) bacteria.

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Good Guts:

However, when a gut is traumatized, pathogenic bacteria can then take over the environment, overwhelming the “good guys” and creating poor gut health. Probiotics encourage those helpful communities to flourish in the gut, working to crowd out the harmful bacteria and keep the system in homeostasis. Species-specific probiotics are even better. Each species of animal has its own specific microflora, so finding probiotics that have those host-specific traits means they’re at home in your animal’s gut and therefore even more effective. 2. Prebiotics Without prebiotics, those vital probiotics would just starve and die. Prebiotics feed the beneficial bacteria colonies in your animal’s gut. My favourite prebiotics are arabinogalactans, which are found in abundance in the larch tree. 3. Digestive Enzymes Digestive enzymes are paramount in digestion, helping to break down food into absorbable nutrients and supporting the synergistic process of the digestive tract. Digestive enzymes can be found in supplements. I always recommend finding ones that have a combination that comes from fruit and animal sources, such as pineapples, papaya, kefir, kiwifruit, ox bile, and pancreas. Follow the directions provided on the packaging.

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4. Species-Appropriate Diet Highly processed foods are particularly hard to digest, and those with a high starch content can be an even bigger problem. Carbs turn into sugar in the body, and yeast feeds on sugar, therefore unbalancing the microbiome of the gut. A species-appropriate diet consisting of fresh, whole foods (rather than processed high-carb foods) helps provide the gut—and, in fact, the whole body—with everything it needs to thrive. Especially good additions for gut health are: • Kefir Or Raw Live Yogurt - Look for products from Jersey cows, goats or use coconut kefir. Give 2 Tbsp daily for an average (30 to 50 pound) size dog. • Fermented Vegetables - Make your own or buy for dogs (cabbage, carrots, beets, other root vegetables; no salt, spice or onions). Work up slowly to 1 to 3 tsp a day for every 20 pounds of body weight. • Bone broth - 1 ounce per 20 pounds of body weight.

• Pumpkin (make sure you’re buying pure pumpkin NOT pumpkin pie filling!) - 1 tsp per 10 pounds of body weight. You can add any of these to food a few times a week. Rotation here is key. 5. Herbs There are several different herbs that can help improve gut health: • Slippery Elm is a large, deciduous tree native to Eastern North America known for its mucilaginous, strengthening, and nutritive properties. It exerts a soothing effect on mucous membranes of digestive tract and can also discourage stomach and duodenal ulcers, colitis, diverticulitis, GI inflammation, and acidity. Give ¼ tsp of powder for every 10 pounds of body weight. If using capsules: small dog - ¼ capsule twice daily; medium dog - ½ capsule twice daily; large dog - 1 capsule once or twice daily. • Aloe Vera is known for its healing effects on the skin and intestinal tract. Its primary internal use is for constipation or soothing the GI. In

humans, it has been shown to help with several digestion-related issues. Dosage: 1 tsp of per 10 pounds of body weight daily. • Licorice root, which is considered one of the world’s oldest herbal remedies, comes from the root of the licorice plant. It benefits gastric mucosa by improving circulation, secretion of protective layer, and supporting growth of new mucosal cells. If using a licorice root tincture made for dogs, follow the dosing instructions. For the last 25 years I’ve been immersed in the study of the microbiome. What I’ve discovered is that gut health and bacterial organisms are the foundation of a healthy body. Helping to prevent and derail chronic canine conditions starts with a healthy diet, a diverse gut ecosystem, and love. Banish the vet bill scaries with a pet insurance plan that offers medical protection and wellness coverage. Plans from Nationwide pet insurance (petinsurance.com) start at just $35 a month. moderndogmagazine.com

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DEAF DOGS CAN DO IT ALL

United by deafness, a woman and her rescue pup are on a mission to show that deaf dogs make incredible pets By Tracey Tong

hey say that close friends can comfortably share a silence. If so, Karlie Waldrip and Rhett are the truest and best of friends. The 27-year-old Grapevine, TX resident and her Blue Heeler Australian Cattle Dog can enjoy a quiet night at home better than most— they’re both deaf and proud to be. Waldrip believes that she and Rhett share a unique bond. Born with moderate to severe hearing loss, Waldrip was diagnosed as deaf at ten months old. Doctors told her parents that, statistically, Waldrip would not learn to read past the third-grade level, and that they had to choose between teaching her sign language or teaching her to speak. The Franke family went to bat for their daughter, and with the help of a home advisor for the deaf and hard-of-hearing, schools that supported her educational

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Rhett

needs, and many years of practice, Waldrip beat the odds. She became an exceptional reader, speaker, and is fluent in sign language and lip reading. There were obstacles. “I felt so left out (of) conversations around me

and could not hear certain sounds,” remembers the Austin, TX native. “I became so frustrated seeing people around me laughing, talking, joking, etc. because I could not understand anything unless I was talking oneon-one in a quiet place… I struggled with accepting my deafness when I was younger because I wanted to be ‘normal’ like my peers.” A cochlear implant—a surgically implanted hearing device that uses a microphone to bypass the hearing process and takes sounds directly to the auditory nerve—and a hearing aid, replaced by a second implant at the end of her high school years helped, but her hearing is not fixed, she said. “When I take off my ‘ears,’ I am completely deaf.” She had always loved dogs (the Frankes had Papillions when she and her sister were growing up), but it was a deaf-education teacher who’d help cement that lifelong love. 

ANSWERS TO THE MOST COMMONLY GOOGLED QUESTIONS ABOUT DEAF DOGS Dog trainer, deaf dog advocate, and therapy dog evaluator Patricia Belt answers the most commonly Googled questions about deaf dogs. Q: How do you call a deaf dog? A: I first teach deaf dogs to check in with me every 30 seconds or so. When they're looking, I give the “come” hand signal. If they're focused on something very distracting and check in, I use hand targeting. I always have something of higher value (better than what they are focused on) and worth coming for. If it's at night, I turn the back porch light on and off. They know to come.

Q: How do you wake a deaf dog? Karlie Waldrip and Rhett

“She had a therapy dog who was deaf,” remembers Waldrip. “She was a huge dog lover and would bring her dog to class every Friday. All of her students became dog lovers because of her.” The teacher incorporated dogs into her lesson plans and taught students how to approach, train, and care for them. Waldrip not only accepted her identity as a deaf person, but became proud of it. After graduating from Texas State University and becoming an itinerant teacher for the deaf and hard-of-hearing—a job she is “forever thankful for because I get to work with students who have some sort of hearing loss,” she says—Waldrip planned to adopt a deaf dog. “In some way I felt I could relate to them,” says Waldrip. “I knew there were so many dogs being overlooked just because they were deaf. I wanted to be that person who saw them and gave them the life they deserve.” She adopted Rhett from a shelter in nearby Gonzalez, TX. “I fell in love with Rhett the second I saw him. He immediately jumped into my arms for a big ol’ hug and kiss then went down to the ground for belly scratches! I loved that he just came right into my arms, he was so comfortable with me.” Shelter staff described it as a match made in heaven. As soon as Rhett arrived at his forever home, it was time to train. “I knew dogs who were deaf are visual due to my experience of being deaf, she said. “The only thing that is different is instead of using voice commands, you use made up hand signs or sign language. The key is to be consistent.” First, Waldrip taught Rhett “thumbs up” meaning good boy/good job. “I did this sign every time he did something good with lots of body language of excitement and facial expressions. Dogs who are deaf are very visual so he knew he did something right. I was very consistent with it and he picked up on it really quickly.” Next, was “check in.” Every time he looked at her, Waldrip gave him the thumbs up with body language, facial

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A: Whether hearing or deaf, you must be careful waking a dog. When training, I tap on their shoulder to wake them up and offer them a high-value treat or game. They learn waking up suddenly means good things are coming. If the dog is known to nip or bite when waking, I lightly stomp on the floor a few steps away. Once they're awake I'll toss them a few treats.

Q: How do you get a deaf dog's attention? A: When training, teaching “watch” is the very first exercise. If they don't know to “watch,” they can't read hand cues or body language. Every time the dog makes eye contact, I reinforce with a delicious treat. When trained, I can tap on their shoulder, and they turn and look at me. I always have a big smile and thumbs up waiting! Once they learn to watch, getting their attention is not a problem. I never have my dogs off leash unless it's in a fenced, secure area, no matter how well trained they are.

Q: How do you prevent startling a deaf dog? A: With hearing or deaf dogs, startling can and does occur; it's instinctive. It's how they react that's important for our safety. Training a deaf dog with gentle taps from behind and reinforcing good behaviour and being able to keep triggers or surprises to a minimum helps teach them to react in a positive way.

expressions, and treats. “This will help them to independently check in with the owner every few seconds in every situation they are in,” she says. “Touch is also critical, in my opinion, to reduce getting startled every time they are touched to get their attention. I would tap him gently, and when he looked, he got thumbs up and praise.” Rhett learned signs for different objects such as ‘car,’ ‘ball,’ ‘sit,’ ‘down,’ ‘dad,’ ‘mom,’ and ‘walk.’

THE ONLY THING THAT IS DIFFERENT IS INSTEAD OF USING VOICE COMMANDS, YOU USE MADE UP HAND SIGNS OR SIGN LANGUAGE. THE KEY IS TO BE CONSISTENT. “I would show him the object/thing, then show him the sign, then show the object again along with the sign, teaching him to connect the sign with the object,” she says. She advises consistency and patience for those training any dog, hearing or not. “Every dog takes a great deal of patience. We all train/learn differently,” she says. “Learn signs or make them up, they work just the same… It is like learning another language—some pick up quickly, some don’t as quickly.” “The challenges really lie with the people just becoming comfortable with using non-auditory communication,” says Terrie Hayward, a certified professional behaviour consultant and dog trainer at Positive Animal Wellness (positiveanimalwellness.com) specializing in non-auditory communication and dogs who suffer from separation anxiety. “Once folks understand how to consistently mark and reinforce behaviours they would like to see more of—as well as accurately interpreting, understanding, and responding to dog body language—communication can be smooth and effective.” Caribbean-based Hayward—who also has two deaf dogs of her own—is the author of the book, A Deaf Dog Joins the Family: Training, Education, and Communication for a Smooth Transition. She has also done webinars on visual, tactile, and non-auditory communication with deaf dogs and runs a Facebook group called Deaf Dogs Behavior and Training. Information on deaf dogs is out there in abundance, says Waldrip. “I like joining Facebook groups for dogs who are deaf; they all come together to support and share experiences,” she says. Rhett, now three, and his mistress are inseparable. “He is my best friend and my shadow,” she says. “It sounds cheesy, but we understand each other. We show the world our abilities and how smart dogs who are deaf truly are.” She may have rescued him, but he’s supported her in

equal measure. When the pair relocated for Waldrip’s new teaching position, he was a magnet for new friends. “People are always stopping to meet us since he wears his ‘deaf dog’ harness and has unique coating for a Cattle Dog.” It seems Rhett has star quality. He won a photoshoot and the pictures the photographer posted on Facebook went viral. In a lightbulb moment, Waldrip made Rhett an Instagram account—@_rhett_ the_heeler has more than 12,000 followers—with a mission of educating others about deafness in dogs. “The fact that we are both deaf is a unique factor that pulls in dog lovers and people in the deaf community,” Waldrip says. She wants people to know that if they fall in love with a dog, deafness should never be a dealbreaker. “Deafness does not define who the dog is or their abilities.” “Deaf dogs can do everything their hearing counterparts can,” seconds Hayward. “Really, the learning curve is for the humans—in working on understanding how to effectively communicate via visual and/or tactile cues.” These cues can even be taught to dogs that aren’t deaf, Hayward says. “It’s a good idea to begin adding visual or tactile cues to your (and your dog’s) repertoire so that if your dog loses their hearing, you have already begun with some communication tools.” While deafness affects dogs of all breeds in old age, it is more common in certain breeds such as Dalmatians, Boxers, and Australian Cattle Dogs, says Hayward. Patricia Belt, an advocate for dogs who were born deaf, has four deaf Dalmatians—Izzy, 10; Astro, six; Ember, four; and Piper, seven months—and a hearing cat named Dutchess in her family. The Memphis, TN resident founded TN Safety Spotters Inc., a non-profit organization to help rescue deaf Dalmatians, train them, and “set an example of the amazing things deaf Dalmatians are capable of, if given a chance.” Belt and her dogs are fire prevention educators at the Fire Museum of Memphis, work with veterans who have mobility issues at the Memphis VA Medical Center, and do therapy visits at fire stations. “They make wonderful therapy dogs because they rely on body language and facial expressions to communicate,” says Belt. “They know who needs them the most and will naturally visit them first. Deaf dogs hear, just not with their ears.” Her dogs are also reading education assistant dogs. “Children who have reading difficulties relax reading to a dog, knowing the dog won’t laugh at them when or if they make a mistake,” she says. When they aren’t working, they’re enjoying happy lives as regular dogs. “I let home be a place where they can relax and feel free to run and be carefree dogs,” says Belt. “They sleep on the couch, play ball, and run in the backyard like any dogs.” They also play nose-work games since they have a keen sense of smell. “There is never a dull moment.” “If you are willing to commit to one, your life will never be the same,” says Belt of deaf dogs. “You’ll have the best friend you’ve ever had. They will understand your moods and be there for you through good times and bad… The bond you will have with your dog will be closer than you will ever imagine.” As for Rhett, “he is deaf and the happiest dog he could ever be,” says Waldrip. “He is living the best life with me. I have given Rhett a voice to educate others about dogs who are deaf in hopes of giving other deaf dogs a chance.”  moderndogmagazine.com

By Rose Frosek

# #

Allow your dog time to stop and smell. Your dog

“sees” the world largely through his olfactory senses. The part of the dog’s brain responsible for processing scent is approximately 40 percent larger than a human’s is. Plus, they have up to 300 million scent receptors, compared to our comparatively paltry six million. Walks aren’t just about physical exercise, they’re about mental stimulation too.  Pro Tip: bring very small treats (you can break them up) or kibble with you and scatter it in the grass, allowing your dog to use her nose to forage.

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Spend engaged time together.

For both of your sake, don’t spend your walks on autopilot—or on your phone. A 2019 survey commissioned by Forthglade Natural Pet Food found that almost two thirds of U.K. dog owners were unable to switch off from screen time while on dog walks. The survey of 1,500 dog people found that 63 percent regularly use their phone while out on dog walks to send texts (50 percent), chat with friends (48 percent), check work emails (27 percent), post on social media (26 percent), shop online (14 percent), and even use online dating apps (7 percent). Instead, engage in a mindfulness practice, focusing on the sights and sounds on your walk. Time in nature has been shown to improve your mood—but only if you’re present enough to reap the benefits. A study reported in the Journal of Environmental Psychology found that time in nature only predicts well-being when individuals are also emotionally attuned to nature's beauty.  Pro Tip: Leave your phone at home. If your dog is too revved up, pulling or barking, bring some high reward treats and stop every few paces to ask for a behaviour, even just a “sit.” This will help your dog engage his brain and focus his energy instead of just charging ahead. It’s the journey, not the destination, after all.

P H OTO #2 G L A ZU N OV E . / B I G S TO C K . CO M , I VA N Z H U K E V YC H / B I G S TO CK . CO M

Ways To Make Your Dog Smarter & Happier

O P E N I N G P H OT O E L- K A / S H U TT E R S TO C K . CO M ; P H OTO # 1 L I F E O N W H I T E / B I G S T O C K . CO M ;

P H OTO #3 L E N K A 2194/ B I G STO CK . CO M ; P H OTO #4 S O N J ACH N Y J / B I G STO CK . CO M ;

P H OTO #5 B O N DA R E N KO. P RO / B I G STO CK . CO M ; P H OTO #6 STY L E F OTO 24/ SH U TT E R STO CK . CO M

Explore new routes—even just one block over provides new sights and scents.

 Pro Tip: You don’t need to venture far. Walk the same route but set out in the direction you normally finish in. Or simply switch to the other side of the street. Even tiny changes allow us to be more attuned to our surroundings and thus more present, while providing new terrain for our pups.

Pair words with reliable outcomes.

There’s a good reason your dog knows “treat,” “walk,” and perhaps even “cheese”— they always result in the same outcome (i.e., being given a treat or taken for a walk). Expand your dog’s vocabulary by reliably pairing more words with outcomes. A few to try: “car,” “bedtime,” and even phrases like, “Do you want to come?”

Keep training sessions fun—and short. The

average adult dog can remain focused for up to 30 minutes at a time, says Stanley Coren, Psychology Professor, neuropsychological researcher, and writer on the intelligence, mental abilities, and history of dogs. For puppies, that drops to under a minute. “At around six months, a puppy can hold focus on something interesting for 30 to 45 seconds before focus wanders,” says Coren. “They may come back to focus on the same situation after respite of 20 to 30 seconds.”

Teach names for toys. Repetition

is the key here. Introduce one or two toys by name and reward for successfully retrieval. For most dogs this take regular practice, though “gifted” dogs learn new words after hearing them just four times, a recent study has found. “Such rapid learning is similar to the way children acquire vocabulary, around age two or three,” says the co-author of the study. The researchers noted that dogs able to learn the name of their new toy after hearing it just four times while playing with their owners were limited to a select few “genius” dogs. For everyone else, with practice and regular repetition most dogs can be trained to retrieve some toys by name. moderndogmagazine.com

Christina Hunger and her dog Stella caused a sensation when videos of Stella “talking” by using buttons that say words went viral. Stella now knows more than 45 words and can combine them into phrases to communicate. Want to get started? Turn to page 12 for a Q & A with Hunger.

Use hand signals.

Dogs are visual learners. If you don’t already, start pairing commands, such as “sit” or “lie down,” with a distinct hand motion, such as an upward motion with your hand for “sit” or your arm held in the air for “lie down.” Be consistent with your cues— always use the same words/gestures.

Teach your dog tricks.

“Sometimes dismissed as frivolous or silly, tricks are actually a great way to make daily training with our dogs both fun and dynamic,” says Sassafras Lowrey, CTDI (Certified Trick Dog Instructor) and author of Tricks In The City. “With options that are safe and ideal for dogs of all ages and sizes, trick training is a highly adaptable and accessible activity. It's even a competitive sport with titles that can be earned via video with the American Kennel Club, the Canadian Kennel Club and organizations like Do More With Your Dog. Trick training makes learning fun and provides an excellent opportunity to strengthen relationships with our dogs. In addition, trick training is an excellent way to build confidence for both dogs and people. “When getting started with tricks, work with your dog's strengths and the things you already enjoy doing together,” she continues. “If your dog enjoys digging and pawing, teaching high 5, wave or shake can be a great place to start. If you have a ball-obsessed dog, tricks like cleaning up their toys or playing basketball or soccer can be fun tricks to work towards.”

# Make them work for their food. Most

dogs are tremendously food motivated. Take advantage of this to brush up on skills your dog has already mastered, like sit or down-stay.

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Engage your dog’s mind with interactive brain games. Nina Ottosson makes

perhaps the coolest canine brain-twisters out there. With various degrees of difficulty, there’s a fit for every dog. Pair these toys with treats and let your dog puzzle out how to get the reward by pawing flaps and maneuvering puzzle pieces to get to the prize. Challenge levels range from beginner to expert. ($30, outwardhound.com) 

P H OTO # 10 XO LO DA N / B I G STO CK . CO M ; P H OTO #11 J I R K A E J C / B I G STO CK . CO M ; P H OTO #12 N I N A - OTTOSS O N . CO M

It’s not just what you say, it’s how you say it. Turns out there’s a good reason many of us default to baby talk with our pups. MRI studies have shown that dogs respond best to happy, higher pitched tones, similar to those frequently used with children or dogdirected speech (baby talk).

Try talking buttons.

P H OTO # 7 L I G H T M A N _ P I C / B I G STO CK . CO M ; P H OTO #8 A M A ZO N . CO M ; P H OTO #9 G O O DST U D I O / B I G STO C K . CO M ;

Talk the sweet talk.

Healthy PAWS

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Solutions for everything from GI woes to itchy, irritated ears

1. GOODBYE ITCHY SKIN

2. DENTAL HEALTH & MORE

Designed to help relieve itching due to dry skin, J.R. Liggett’s Dog Shampoo for Sensitive Skin is all-natural, detergent-free, and hypoallergenic. Available in a biodegradable bar or as a liquid, it contains soothing ingredients like olive, coconut, and castor oils, and colloidal oatmeal to ease the itching. (from $8, jrliggett.com)

A treat with benefits. Yummy Combs chews are made with high-quality proteins and ingredients like glucosamine, chondroitin, honey, and salmon oil to help promote dental, cardiac, digestive, and skin and coat health. Works like dental floss as your dog chews! (from $20, yummycombs.com)

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3. URINARY HEALTH These Urinary Support Chewables from NOW Pets help your dog maintain normal urinary tract function. Veterinary formulated with ingredients such as cranberry powder and red raspberry leaf, they help reduce the formation of urinary crystals. ($27, nowfoods. com/pet-health)

8. OVERALL WELLNESS Wellness booster! A nutritional powerhouse, Brutus Bone Broth for dogs is fortified with glucosamine, chondroitin, and turmeric, and packed with minerals and amino acids to support joints, digestive, and immune health. ($8, brutusbroth.com)

4. BRIGHT EYES

9.EASE GI WOES

Relieve any irritation or burning and gently clean your pup’s eyes with Vetericyn Plus Antimicrobial Eye Wash. The non-stinging solution also removes debris and helps clean tear stains by keeping the eye and surrounding area free of bacteria and irritants. ($15, vetericyn.com)

Does your pooch suffer with a sensitive digestive system? MitoMax for Dogs and Cats is a patented, plant-based probiotic that works wonders to support your pet’s digestive and immune health. Simply give the capsules directly or sprinkle on your dog’s meal. (from $18, petsmaxcity.com)

5. PEARLY WHITES

10. IMMUNITY + ENERGY BOOSTER

Made from natural and sustainably sourced sea kelp, ProDen PlaqueOff Powder from SwedenCare is designed to help remove and reduce tartar and plaque. Simply add it to your dog’s wet or dry food for dental health support! (from $17, swedencareusa.com)

Support your dog’s immune system and give him some pep in his step with I’m-Yunity’s medicinal mushroom supplement for dogs. It’s clinically proven to stabilize white blood cell counts and boost energy levels. (from $95, imyunityfordogs.com)

6. SORE JOINTS

11. EAR HEALTH

Is your pooch struggling with joint pain? Purica Pet Curcumin+ is made with a strong blend of antioxidants to help relieve joint pain while supporting your dog’s immune system, joints, and flexibility. (from $42, purica.com)

Itchy, irritated ears bothering your canine? The Advanced Dog Ear Cleaner from Oxyfresh is a gentle way to soothe and clean your dog’s ears by helping to remove wax, dirt, and mites. Bonus: it also eliminates odour. ($12, oxyfresh.com)

7. SKIN, COAT & IMMUNE SUPPORT Promote a shiny coat, healthy skin, and provide immune support with the Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil from Dogswell. Made with sustainably sourced wild salmon, this oil contains easy-to-absorb Omega-3 fatty acids supporting overall wellness. (from $13, dogswell.com)

12. PUPPY SUPPORT With glucosamine, amino acids, and a vitamin and mineral complex tailored for growing pups, PureForm Pet Health’s Development supplement helps support your young dog’s cellular development and growth. Recommended for dogs up to four years old, it’s particularly useful for medium to large breeds. ($75, pureformpethealth.com) moderndogmagazine.com

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B OTTO M L E FT P H OTO L I V I N G W I L D P H OTO G R A P H Y

P H OTO P R ATT + K R E I D I C H P H OTO G R A P H Y

SARA CARSON & HER

SUPER COLLIES Born to do this: a lifelong love affair with dog training leads to cross-border fame and an enviable bond with a pack of truly incredible heart-dogs

here are dogs who do tricks—and then there’s Sara Carson’s Super Collies. Following a successful run on America’s Got Talent (with a fifth place finish), appearances on The Late Show With David Letterman, and The Ellen DeGeneres Show, the Canadian-born trainer and her furry brood have shot to stardom in the show-dog world. While it’s impossible to imagine Sara without her handsome Border Collies

By Cassandra Gill Hero, Hawkeye, Marvel, and Fury, it was, in fact, an English Cocker Spaniel that truly started it all. “I didn't have many friends. I literally spent all of my time training my [Cocker Spaniel] Maple,” she recalls of her childhood. At just 12 years old, Sara impressively began teaching herself about dog training in the most millennial way possible: YouTube. “I mastered my craft at a really young age,” she explains, hilariously remembering that the Cocker Spaniel— named for Canada’s most iconic sweet treat—wasn’t exactly destined for stardom.

“He was not the best starter dog, but he learned quite a bit,” Sara laughs. The then middle-schooler got her first pup trained on agility equipment she built herself (thank you, Internet) and, if it’s not obvious, she was already in love with the idea of working with canines on a full-time basis. To no surprise, Sara and her trusty companion Maple became quite the local hit in North Bay, the Ontario city where she grew up. “Truly, that was how [my career] blossomed,” she says. Not long after, others began seeking her out to train  moderndogmagazine.com

Things changed drastically once I realized exactly what a dog could learn and what they were capable of. their own dogs—leading Sara into her first entrepreneurial venture at just 16 years old. Today, Sara is one of the top international trick dog trainers on the globe—earning a number of accolades and awards, including the coveted Greatmats Dog Trainer Of The Year title in 2017. Looking back at her massive accomplishments, though, it’s almost impossible to believe Sara grew up with a family who didn’t love dogs. “My mother would not let me [train other dogs] at the house—so I rented a doggy daycare where I started teaching agility, puppy tricks, and basic obedience,” she explains, “I grew that business from having three dogs that month to over 40 people coming to me for training,” she says. Sara ran the side business, called Paws of Dog Training, until she was 20—

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all while simultaneously studying towards a degree in graphic design at Canadore College (which comes in handy to this day for her social media and marketing materials). While her career in the dog world was already well underway, a university education was of paramount importance for Sara’s parents. “My dad told me that he would support my dog stuff as long as I allowed him to put me through college...I was doing a lot at a young age!” she quips. When Sara got her first border collie Hero—now the star of the Super Collie’s—things took a more serious turn for the talented young dog trainer. “Border Collies are; working dogs, they're bred to herd sheep for hours and hours a day. And that's truly what you need in a dog like this,” she explains of the breed, who clearly make for fabulous performers.

P H OTO J A M I E P O P P E R

“Any dog can do this,” Sara stresses. “But professionally speaking—you would want to get a working dog [breed], stamina wise...they're bred to work, and they're quick to run,” she explains. Training for Hero went beyond the usual “sit” and “roll over” commands fairly quickly: at just four months old, the Border Collie knew how to fetch drinks from the fridge. By two, he could perform a walking handstand and much, much more. “Things changed drastically once I realized exactly what a dog could learn and what they were capable of— especially with a dog that had the drive to do it,” she says of her best friend, who is now 10. “And my Border Collie mix was all about it...Hero knew well over 600 tricks by the time he was two, so his vocabulary was phenomenal.” In 2018, Hero broke the Guinness World Record for most dog tricks performed in one minute: he completed a whopping 49 in just 60 seconds, nearly doubling the previous record holder. The two share a close connection, as Sara affectionately refers to Hero as her “heart dog.” The pooch had the distinction of being “Best Dog” at her wedding; the first dance was shared not with the groom, but with Hero, performed to the iconic ham “Footloose.” “We have a crazy, crazy bond,” she says. Marvel, now six, is the “diva” of the group. (Move over, Mariah Carey!) “She doesn’t like any dogs whatsoever— including my own!”, Sara spills of the discerning pooch, who, along with Hawkeye, has qualified for several world championships—including the UFO World Cup Frisbee Dog Series. Marvel prefers to skip the dancing and stick to her frisbees while performing—which Sara has worked into many choreographed routines. “She has a lot of personality...not the personality I want in a dog!” she cracks up. Fury joined the gang after being adopted from BCSave Rescue in Texas. At three years old, he was the oldest dog Sara ever brought into the group—but picked up tricks pretty quickly thanks to training from his previous owner. Sara describes Fury as a “long term foster” as the dog will be returned back to his original owner after being on the road with her for a year. 

Then there’s Hawkeye, who at two, is the baby of the ensemble. “He's a Border Collie like the rest of them, but he just is so incredibly special,” Sara says adoringly. Hawkeye holds a particularly special place in the group due to the loss of Sara’s dog Loki two years ago. The blue Border Collie appeared alongside Hero and Marvel during her run on AGT, sadly passing in 2017. A quick glance at Sara’s Instagram reveals she dyed her hair an ombre shade of blue, which she says is a tribute to her late pooch. “Hawkeye’s not a reincarnation because I had him before Loki passed away— but he has that bond with me that I had with Loki,” she reflects. “It’s funny because it took me almost a year to like him—it was very difficult!” she adds, revealing Hawkeye would, at times, rather run down the street and hang out with neighbours then his Super Collie gang. Like Marvel, Hawkeye has also qualified for world championships (the UFO World Cup Frisbee Dog Series, Skyhoundz World Canine Disc Championships, and the AWI World Championship to be exact)—a first and very exciting milestone for Sara. While the legendary dog trainer has had a number of career highs, few elevated her profile quite like America’s Got Talent. After being approached several times by producers for the NBC series—which tapes in Hollywood—she had to figure out the immigration hurdle. “I'm Canadian. And I didn't have a visa or anything [to go to the U.S.],” she says. After proving herself as an “alien of extraordinary ability” in 2017, the North Bay native finally found herself south of the border—but still waited to compete on the show. “I only had Hero and I knew I wasn’t ready to do it with just one dog. I waited until I had a couple—and that was probably the smartest thing I've ever done,” Sara says looking back. Eventually, she competed on the 12th season for the show. That same year, she also launched her

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widely successful dog training app Puppr, which just recently hit a million downloads. While competing for judges Howie Mandel, Spice Girl Mel B, Heidi Klum, and the curmudgeonly Simon Cowell looks glamorous on television, she admits the weekly reality series is a grind behind-the-scenes: contestants have just four days to come up with their routines start-to-finish, Sara reveals. “They give you no time—so it was nice I had a dog [Hero] who could just go in there and not even think about it,” she recalls. Sara and the Super Collie crew had a number of memorable moments on-screen, including an iconic Baywatch themed routine that had Hero showing off his best simulated resuscitation, beach volleyball, and skateboarding skills. Ultimately, Hero, Loki, Marvel and Sara were eliminated on the series, coming in fifth place (ventriloquist Darci Lynne was crowned the winner). While the AGT exposure undoubtedly elevated Sara’s career, she values the lifelong friendships she made during the unique experience over and above anything else. “I just hung out with [season 12 contestants] Preacher Lawson and Darci a couple months ago, and I tend to see them all just a few times a year,”

she shares. “We all keep in touch. It’s like a family. That community is so special.” Sara later returned to America's Got Talent: The Champions in 2019 but was eliminated during the preliminaries. These days, the Super Collie mom and her dogs are living full-time in an RV as they travel from state to state doing dog competitions, workshops, and hopefully, more shows as COVID restrictions lift. “We’re pretty much just gypsies...we’re doing a lot of hiking,” she laughs. “My last performance with my guys was March 2020. We haven't done anything,” she says, other than smaller dog training workshops in different cities. The Ontario native still kept busy during quarantine with several other projects— including writing her first book. Super Dog Tricks: Make Your Dog a Super Dog with Step by Step Tricks and Training Tips is officially set for release in January 2022. The book will teach owners everything from basic tricks to “super impressive” ones (like turning the lights off or taking a selfie). There are also chapters dedicated to her unique choreographed routines, dubbed “Canine Freestyle.” “Teaching these tricks is definitely different—I always tell people that it’s really like we're just playing...but it becomes like a choreographed routine. It’s not just training,” she shares. “It's very much just having fun and dancing around with your dogs.” Beyond adding author to her resume, she’s also set for a return to television as a judge on a new Animal Planet show that starts filming in July 2021. “There's a bunch of new things happening. It's a whole different direction than I was in just a year ago,” she says. As for the next five years, Sara already has a clear vision board in mind. “I would like to have my own house with training buildings so that I don’t have to travel, and can make content,” she shares. “And just helping more dog owners learn to have fun with their dogs!” 

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TRAINING

Teach Your Dog the Magic “Touch” P H OTO F OST E R SS / B I G S TO C K . CO M

Have a dog-reactive dog or a pup that pulls ahead on leash? Here’s why you teach your dog targeting By Nicole Wilde

ost dog owners understand why it’s important to teach basic behaviours such as sit, lie down, stay, and come. But when it’s suggested to teach a dog touch—otherwise known as targeting—they often look confused. Let me explain. “Touch” is a verbal cue that means you would like your dog to touch something with a part of his body. The most common form of targeting is for a dog to touch his nose to a person’s hand. Why, you might ask, would anyone want

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to teach that? Although it might sound strange, the skill actually comes in very handy (sorry, couldn’t help myself!) in quite a few situations. Teaching the skill is easy and straightforward. Grab a few treats, and hold them in one hand behind your back. Face your dog. Present the empty hand to your dog with palm flat, pointed toward the ground. The back of your hand should be just below and to the side of your dog’s nose, close enough that he can easily reach to sniff it. Most dogs will immediately sniff the hand to check things out. At the moment his

nose makes contact say, “Yes!” and give a treat from the other hand. Repeat the exercise, making sure not to move your hand to touch your dog’s nose; the goal is that he makes the motion himself. Vary the placement of your hand from one side of his nose to the other in subsequent repetitions, but don’t place it above his nose. If your dog doesn’t investigate the hand when initially presented, try bringing it back to your waist and presenting it again. If that doesn’t work, hold a treat between your thumb and first finger with the hand flat, palm down. Chances are your dog will

be happy to check out the hand now! When he does, flip it over and let him have the treat. Once he gets the idea, you won’t need to keep a treat in that hand. Once you’ve done enough repetitions that you’re confident your dog will touch his nose to the hand as soon as it’s within range, it’s time to add the verbal cue. Say, “Touch!” just before presenting your hand. You can lose the “Yes!” at this point. Of course, if your dog successfully touches the hand with his nose, give a treat. “Touch” is useful in a variety of situations. It can be used to teach your dog to walk nicely next to you, and is helpful when walking a dog who is reactive toward other dogs or people. Start by standing with your dog on the side you’d like him to walk on. You should both be facing the same direction. Standing in place, do a few repetitions of touches, rewarding each success with a treat. Next, take one step forward and immediately bring your hand down to ask for the touch, and treat. Continue along this way, asking for touches with every few steps. Don’t leave your hand dragging along as you walk; rather, keep both hands either at your hips or chest (whichever is more comfortable) so that you can present the hand each time while keeping treats out of reach. It takes a bit of practice to achieve a smooth walking/ targeting motion, but once you get going, you’ll find that your dog is in proper position by your side as you walk along together. If your dog is reactive toward other dogs on walks,

doing touches as soon as you spy another dog and continuing as you pass each other will give your dog something to focus on, and will keep him in a cognitive frame of mind rather than spiraling out of control emotionally. Hand targeting has other uses as well. If your dog is nervous at the vet, do hand touches as you sit in the waiting room so that anxiety doesn’t build. If possible, do them as well while the vet examines your dog. I have done this with dogs who don’t appreciate being handled or vaccinated, and it makes things easier on everyone. If your dog is afraid of a particular person, touch can be transferred from you to that person. My book Help for Your Fearful Dog has step-by-step instructions, but the overall idea is that once your dog knows the skill, you would sit next to the person and ask for a few touches, then place your hand over the person’s hand and ask for touches. Gradually, things would shift to the person’s hand being on top of yours for the touches, and finally, your dog would do touches to that person’s hand by itself. Touch can even be transferred from touching your hand to touching an object your dog fears. In both of these scenarios, the power to decide whether to approach and touch is in your dog’s own paws, which makes all the difference in overcoming a fear. Again, you’ll be surprised at how simple hand targeting is to teach, and how useful it is in a variety of situations. So, get training!

moderndogmagazine.com

THE DOG GEAR LOOKBOOK

Your at-a-glance guide to the best stuff for your dog

COLLARS

Seneca Side Release Collar, from $34; auburndirect.com

Stitched Leather Collar with Brass Name Plate, from $27; centralkentuckytackandleather.com

Vegan Leather (Biothane) Collars, from $25; hotdogsalldressed.com

Tiki Green Collar, from $38; ilioand.co

Mimi Green Dog Leash, from $25; shopmimigreen.com

Reflective Rope Leash, from $38; auburndirect.com

Power Leash, from $40; sleepypod.com

Puffy Heart Harness Coat, from $22.40; ethicalpet.com

MuTTuque, from $20; muttluks.ca

Brentwood Quilted Coat, from $40; shedrowK9.com

Adjustable Harness, from $28; sassywoof.com

Freedom No-Pull Dog Harness, from $33; 2houndsdesign.com

Over the Rainbow Adjustable Harness, from $28; petponia.com

LEASHES

Personalized Piñatex Dog Leash with Nameplate, from $50; oaknberry.com

APPAREL

Knit Tutu with Pom-Pom, from $40; upzone.ca

HARNESSES

Martingale Dog Harness, from $30; sleepypod.com

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moderndogmagazine.com

INSPIRE

Saving the Endangered African Wild Dog Conservationist Marumo Nene spends long days in the field tracking African Wild Dogs to protect the species

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I N SE T P H OTO C A SE Y P R ATT O F LOV E A F R I C A M A R K E T I N G

hile most of us are still snuggled in bed at 4 am with our dogs nearby, Marumo Nene is travelling across a South African park to track dogs from a distance. While our home office space is limited to four walls, her “workspace” spans over 960 kilometres. As a conservationist at the South African nonprofit Wildlife ACT, Nene spends her days monitoring African wild dogs in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park. Her job is not to capture the endangered species but instead to track their activities and ensure they stay in the park. At last count, there are only an estimated 6,600 African wild dogs living across Africa. Nene was born and raised in a South African village called Emabhokisini (Hlabisa), northwest of the park where she works. Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park is the oldest proclaimed nature reserve in Africa. She started her job at Wildlife ACT in 2008, the year it was founded. “I would say what inspired me to work in this field was my dad,” she says. “He loved nature.” The organization was created to ensure sustainable, long-term monitoring and conservation projects. They provide tracking and monitoring services at no charge to African game reserves unable to fund or provide effective wildlife monitoring projects. At the time Nene started working for Wildlife ACT, only a few women were in the field. She wanted to inspire others to join her, and now more women are working in the same profession. Her schedule matches that of the dogs who are active the moment the sun rises. Early each morning, she packs coffee and rusk (a hard, dry biscuit) and heads out into the park. Rather than being cooped up 

P H OTO CH A N T E L L E M E L Z E R

By Lisa Kanarek

P H OTO BY C H A N T E L L E M E L Z E R

I love being part of the pack and being active when they are, it’s a good feeling when I’ve found them. —Marumo Nene

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Wild Dog on Hluhluwe

“With my job, I’ve met so many people from different countries, learned lots of things, and made lots of friends,” she says. Through her tireless work for Wildlife ACT, this dedicated animal-lover is helping to save the African wild dog and other endangered animals from extinction. “I love being part of the pack and being active when they are,” she says. “It’s a good feeling when I’ve found them.” 

M A R U M O N E N E I N SE T P H OTO CH A N T E L L E M E L Z E R

in a cubicle, she is surrounded by a grassy, tree-filled terrain with rolling hills and valleys. A typical day for Nene involves following the dogs and recording their daily movements and prey. She observes and documents their social behaviour and ensures that they stay in good condition. Her method for tracking the African wild dogs is telemetry. The device she holds above her head resembles a TV antenna and can reach a signal up to eight kilometers. She also checks online to see if the SAT (satellite tracking) collars the dogs are fitted with have uploaded data revealing their location. “The first time I was given the opportunity to monitor them, I didn’t understand,” she said in an interview with CNN. “I learned their behaviour, social structure and fell in love with them.” According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the African wild dog—also known as the painted dog—is one of the world’s most endangered mammals. Their fur comprises a patchwork of tan, brown, red, black, and white. These big-eared dogs can run faster than 44 miles per hour, sometimes in packs of over 40. When the animals rest, Nene leaves the area and follows other priority species, including, but not limited to, elephants, lions, cheetah and leopards. Then she travels back to camp to handle administrative tasks and to do data entry. After taking a break, she ventures out again when the weather has cooled enough for the wild dogs to resume roaming. Wildlife ACT funds its wildlife projects through volunteers who apply for the opportunity to visit and work alongside staff members like Nene. They offer conservation safaris from three to five days and volunteer trips from one to two weeks.

A F R I C A N W I L D D O G I N SE T P H OTO S C A SE Y P R ATT O F LOV E A F R I C A M A R K E T I N G

Hluhluwe Game Reserve

P H OTO S BY J E SS E A D A M S & O W E N L A U K K A N E N O F R A I N CO A S T D O G R E S C U E

Chase

Lucas

Rosie

Heeding the Heart’s Calling One man’s passion for saving animals led him to start his own rescue: “What more can I be doing to make a difference?” | By Yaunna Sommersby

hen a follower alerted Jesse Adams, founder of RainCoast Dog Rescue, to Golden Retriever Zoe’s plight, he knew he had to do something—even though Zoe was in Lebanon and Adams is based in Canada. “I have never been one to back down from a challenge, especially to help save an animal’s life,” says Adams. He was determined to intervene on behalf of the chained, emaciated Golden who endured forced breeding and abuse. After searching for a team willing to travel and help save Zoe and not getting any support, Adams flew to the Middle East himself to rescue her, bringing her back to British Columbia for medical care before finding her a loving forever home.

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At RainCoast Dog Rescue Society, their mission is to “rescue, and rehabilitate unwanted, neglected, abused, and misplaced dogs from shelters and communities at home in Canada and around the world.” The small volunteer-run, non-profit rescue organization based out of Sooke, BC, has had global impact. “I started RainCoast Dog Rescue seven years ago, and my inspiration for starting the organization was wanting to follow my natural-drawn passion for helping animals, especially dogs,” says 36-year-old Adams. It’s a family passion. His late mother worked to protect wildlife for 36 years, and they always had animals around when he was growing up. Adams, previously on the board of directors for another dog rescue, knew he wanted to use his animal rescue knowledge and experience to continue

Jesse Adams and Zoe

Pumpkin

I have never been one to back down from a challenge, especially to help save an animal’s life.

Luna

to find a way to help animals in need. Through RainCoast, Adams and his team help organize clinics to provide spaying, neutering, vaccinations, and other veterinary services, as well as support for pet owners who are low income, living on the streets, or living in rural communities. The rescue also works to raise awareness about spaying and neutering, responsible ownership, breed-neutral bylaws, and ethical training. “To date I would roughly say we have helped rescue, rehabilitate, and adopt out over 2,000 animals in the last seven years, most being dogs, some being cats, and the odd farm animal here or there along the way,” says Adams.

“Our team is completely volunteerbased and no one gets a salary or wage. We currently have eight main members that help run the organization but have such a wide variety of amazing people who help make RainCoast who we are. It truly takes a village.” Such was the case with Rosie, a four-month-old stray RainCoast rescued from a rural community in Northern Saskatchewan. It took a team of rescuers, veterinarians, and the right foster home to save the Shepherd and Husky mix. She was in such rough shape when they found her, the team was worried about her even surviving the trip to the closest emergency vet. “Rosie’s body smelled like rotting flesh and infections. She could

barely move or keep her head up,” says Adams. “After making it to the emergency vet, she spent three days there while under 24-hour emergency care and then was sent home with the prognosis she still may not make it.” The complicated process of Rosie’s rehabilitation and recovery from severe mange and secondary infections took a full year of vet visits, antibiotic rounds, and emotional healing, but the gargantuan effort paid off. In June 2021, she found her forever home. “It was an astonishing logistical undertaking with so many moving pieces and dedicated volunteers for just one sick dog, but you won’t find anyone who’ll say it wasn’t worth it,” says RainCoast volunteer Owen Laukkanen. “How that sweet girl survived we all still don’t know, but she did, and she’s forever inspired us with her perseverance, determination, and drive to never give up no matter how bad it may get,” says Adams. “Helping one dog may not change the world, but for that one dog, the world will change forever.” moderndogmagazine.com

BEHAVIOUR

GETTING READY

For Baby: P H OTO RO M A N OVA A N N A / SH U TT E R STO CK . CO M

How to Prepare Your Dog for a Baby's Arrival | By Teoti Anderson

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Getting Ready for Baby You’re expecting a baby! Congratulations, that’s wonderful news! Call your dog trainer. Right now. Ok, you can call your family and friends first. But then, call your dog trainer. Too many expectant parents wait until the baby has almost arrived only to find out that Fido may not be the best four-legged brother or sister. Once the baby arrives you won’t have time to start from scratch. So, start the clock now on preparing your dog for a new family member. (If you’re about to become a grandparent this advice applies to you, too.)

Building Blocks

The Do's and Don'ts ✔ DO get started preparing as soon as you find out you’re expecting. ✘ DON’T wait until your third trimester to train your dog. ✔ DO introduce your dog to baby noises, sounds, strollers, and ideally other children before your baby’s arrival. ✘ DON’T assume just because your dog loves you he will automatically love your baby.

Start by assessing what you have. Yes, ✔ DO settle on rules—perhaps you have a wonderful dog. He’s been no longer allowed on the your loyal companion. If he’s perfect, furniture, sleeping in your bed no need to read further. But is he? Look or jumping on people—and start at him through a new parent’s eyes. teaching them to your dog. That 50-pound bundle of love jumping all over you when you get home may ✘ DON’T introduce new rules make you feel warm and fuzzy, but how only after the baby arrives. will that go over when you’re carrying a newborn? Sure, it’s a little annoying when Fido snatches food off the table or out of your hands, but how will that work with a toddler in a highchair? Does your dog listen to you? If you told him to leave something alone, would he do it right away? If you take the baby for a stroll with your dog by your side, will he drag you both down the street? If this now has you worried, your dog may need a review of basic manners. Some helpful basics are to come when called, leave tempting things alone, walk nicely on a leash, hold a “Sit” or “Down Stay,” and not jump up on you or others. The important thing is to start now, well before your baby arrives. This isn’t just for your convenience, it’s also for your dog’s peace of mind. For example, right now you may not care if your four-legged buddy jumps up on the couch with no warning. For years even, this may have been ok. But what if your baby is on the couch? Your dog leaping on top of Junior may not be ok, and you may get angry and yell at him. This won’t be fair. For years, it’s been ok for him to just jump on the couch whenever he wants, and now the rules have changed. This can be stressful for your dog. By teaching him your new rules well ahead of baby’s arrival, you’re doing him a service and preparing him for the changes to come. Helping your dog accept your baby takes effort. This will be a new adventure for all of you, so work together to ensure a smooth transition. Help your dog understand the new little person in his life is a wonderful addition, and you’ll set the framework for the unbeatable “best friend” combo of dog + kid.  moderndogmagazine.com

“Set up the baby stuff now and use it so your dog isn’t overwhelmed/overstimulated by the baby gadgets once they’re actually in use.” One Big, Happy Family: Baby’s Arrival Timeline Months 1 - 3 Assess your dog’s manners. Does he listen to you the first time you ask him to do something? Does he jump on people? Does he have a rock-solid stay? Start (re)training the basics now. How about his temperament? Does he growl over his food or toys? Has he ever snapped at anyone or bitten them? Is your dog fearful or skittish? Get professional help asap. Be sure to use a reward-based trainer who has a background in science. (If the trainer spouts on about “dominance,” this is a red flag.)

Months 4 - 6 Continue to practice your obedience. You want your dog to be reliably trained by the time the baby arrives. Start introducing your dog to baby sounds. You can get a CD with baby sounds (crying, shrieks of joy, giggling, splashing) and play it throughout the day. A great resource is the book and audio CD, Tell Your Dog You’re Pregnant. Give your dog treats while listening to create a positive association. If you’d like to block access to some areas once baby arrives, such as the nursery, start accustoming your dog to these off-limit areas now. If you’re going

to use gates, put them up now so your dog knows the drill once baby arrives. Set up the baby stuff now and use it (wheel that stroller around, turn on the baby swing) so your dog isn’t overwhelmed/overstimulated by the baby gadgets once they’re actually in use. Accustom your dog to children. When and where possible, safely (with supervision and on leash) introduce your dog to kids and babies and assess how he responds. The ideal here is calm indifference.

Months 7 - 8 Polish up your obedience cues. Gradually make exercises harder to challenge your dog, working so he succeeds at each level. For example, work up to a 30-minute “Place” cue, during which he holds a “Down Stay” on his mat for 30 minutes while you sit in a rocking chair. If your dog exhibits fear or aggression, now is the time to make some hard decisions. Will your baby be safe around your dog? Will your dog feel comfortable around your baby? Much like you pack a bag for the hospital, have a plan in place for who will come over and take care of your dog or where he will stay while you’re at the hospital. Ideally your dog will be looked after by someone he already knows and trusts.

Faulty Foundations Does your dog growl over bones, toys or other objects? Does he growl when someone approaches you? Does he bark and lunge at strangers, or get easily startled? A new baby will just add to your dog’s anxiety, so get help to address this as soon as possible. Treating anxiety and aggression is much more complicated than teaching basic family manners, so get professional help now. Choose a trainer or veterinary behaviourist who uses modern methods. For example, in the old days, if a dog growled,

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Once your little one arrives, you will have no choice but to devote your attention to your new family member. As much as you love your dog, he will need to share you. So do your dog a favour and get him used to a varied schedule now. Start varying times of walks and outings, as well as who takes your dog on those walks. Consider hiring a dog walker or enrolling your dog in daycare so you have a plan in case it’s all too much.

Month 9 Let your dog get used to the baby’s smell before you bring the baby home. While you’re in the hospital, send home a blanket that has the baby’s smell on it. While your dog is sitting calmly, let them sniff the blanket. Before you bring the new baby home, make sure someone has taken your dog out for a dog walk so your dog is tired and relaxed. Be prepared with tasty, high value treats so your dog’s first impression is a good one. Baby’s arrival = yummy things! Greet your dog as usual when you arrive home. Provide your dog with a calm quiet space to escape the baby. Set aside some quality time to spend with your dog every day. 

he was simply punished. This may have stopped the dog from growling, but it treated the symptom. It did not fix the problem: the reason why the dog was growling in the first place. So, if you have a dog who is afraid of a crawling baby, he may growl at the baby. If you yell at your dog, he may learn not to growl anymore. This doesn’t mean he suddenly loves the crawling baby. He is still upset about that, so he may escalate his warning. Instead of growling, he’ll just skip straight to snapping or biting. We don’t want that! We want to teach this frightened dog that crawling babies, for example, are wonderful. So, find a professional who understands canine behaviour and how to appropriately change your dog’s outlook.

moderndogmagazine.com

The “Close-talking” Telemarketers of the Dog World

By Sonia Jones

t least once a week I have the same interaction with a fellow dog owner: they yell from a distance, “ARE YOUR HUSKIES FRIENDLY?” Then I freeze, and depending on my mood or read on the situation, I answer accordingly. “YES!” “No…” “…ummm, maybe the three of them are a little overwhelming for your one dog?” But regardless of how I respond, I’m never really SURE how to answer the question. I feel like I need a small pamphlet to hand out...or maybe a video of them cuddling my cats. I want to yell back, “yes, of course!” Because they are—they LOVE everyone and everything SOOOOOOOO much. But, at the risk of insulting the breed, they’re also socially oblivious and kind of annoying. Sure, you and I see an adorable ball of fluff, but to another dog I imagine the

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ear-forward, in-your-face-ed-ness of a Husky is a little much. To dogs, Huskies are that person you don’t really know at a party that are just… too close. You know the type: they’re touching you for no apparent reason and are close-talking you so aggressively that you can smell what they had for lunch. Pretty soon without even realizing it you find yourself physically… backing… away… UGH! Close talkers are terrible. So are my Huskies (to other dogs). Now imagine THREE close talkers with the persistence of telemarketers. It's like the human equivalent of if spiders could fly—maybe we just burn the whole world down and end it now?? Believe me, as you’re walking your dog into Armageddon, blissfully thinking “OMG!! New dog BFF’s,” I’m watching your dog like a hawk and they’re going, “OH HELL NO!” Dead serious. Watch their face. There is one exception. Have you ever stopped to consider who loves the

close-talker? Like, how does a closetalker get married, start a family? Who could possibly handle that?? (Yes, I stay up late at night and think of the most ridiculous things). It's got to be another close talker. Huskies LOVE Huskies. For some reason, without fail, Huskies love other Huskies derpy behaviour: the yipping and woo-woo’ing, the tail pulling, the pouncing, the hurdling, the play bowing… the literally BULLDOZING each other over at high speeds. Huskies LOVE it. I love it. But I can tell you who doesn’t: your dog. So, next time YOU get a Husky crush, imagine your mom setting you up with that obnoxious boy or girl in high school who smelled like olives and talked your ear off. Envision lighting yourself on fire and running into a wall just to get out of the conversation...and do your dog a favour: Passing glance, polite hello…. and RUN! *FLYING SPIDERS*

P H OTO C I N DY H U G H ES , M U D DY LOV E P E T P H OT O G R A P H Y

HUSKIES:

R I G H T P H OTO O LG A N I K / B I G S TO C K . CO M

P.L.A.Y. Wobble Ball

ANXIETY BUSTERS Six effective ways to calm an anxious dog | By Rose Frosek

A dog camera or activity monitor A camera lets you keep an eye on what your dog is up to. By monitoring remotely and then intervening before your dog is distressed, you can set your dog up for success. Start out close by and return in short time increments, ideally while your dog is calm, and work up to longer periods. Or simply use it to understand triggers or interrupt behaviour by speaking to your dog.  The Furbo dog camera lets you see, talk, and check in on your dog via your phone, and give treats remotely. Real-time alerts are sent to your phone. ($169, furbo.com)  The Animo activity and behaviour monitor for dogs sends alerts to your cell phone if it detects changes in your dog’s behaviour like barking, scratching or shaking. The small waterproof device, worn on a collar, learns and interprets the unique activity and behavior patterns of your dog, from morning walks to barking at the Amazon delivery guy. ($90, surepetcare.com)

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Treat-dispensing puzzle toys One of the best and easiest ways to keep your dog busy and happily engaged? Enrichment toys that offer mental stimulation. (Food for the win!)  P.L.A.Y.’s Wobble Ball dog toy is designed to be nudged, pawed and rolled around to release treats. Simply insert your dog’s favorite treats or kibble into this interactive puzzle toy and watch your dog stay mentally and physically stimulated while trying to get her paws on these tasty rewards. ($19, petplay.com)  Reduce anxiety, boredom, and destructive behaviour with a trainer and vet recommended Lickimat. The wobbling action adds an extra dimension to the challenge of licking the treat, yogurt, peanut butter or food from the dimpled, natural rubber surface. For puppies or known chewers, consider the LickiMat Tuff instead. ($16, amazon.com/lickimat) 

Essential Oils

A time old remedy, essential oils can be used to calm dogs, but caution should be taken as essential oils used incorrectly can be harmful to canines. Choose a vet-approved formulation designed for dogs, like the Furbliss Calming Spray, formulated to keep your dog calm through thunderstorms, vet visits, car rides, and more. Made with a unique blend of botanical extracts and dog-safe essential oils, this spray is easy to use and vet recommended. Works for cats, too. ($7, vetniquelabs.com)

CBD to the Rescue!

Increasingly, pet owners are turning to CBD, a non-psychoactive derivative of hemp, to address their dog’s anxiety—and with good reason. The testimonials speak for themselves. “Some dogs before taking CBD had such horrible behaviour problems, and in an urban environment anxiety can go through the roof,” says Dr. Kramer, a veterinarian at Vancouver Animal Wellness Clinic, “but soon after taking it owners tell me they ‘have their dog back.’” Here are four to try: Suzie’s Goes Nuts CBD peanut butter from Suzie’s CBD is made with just two ingredients: freshly ground organic peanuts and 125 mg of their full-spectrum, locallygrown USDA organic CBD. ($25, suziespettreats.com) Specifically formulated to help with severe anxiety and seizures, the Health Drops Severe Symptoms from Healthier Pet couple 1500 mg of CBD with organic hemp, fish, and coconut oils in a Health Canada lab tested formula. ($70, healthierpet.org) Combining pharmaceutical grade USAgrown CBD and fish oil, Iceland Pure’s CBD Tinctures work to reduce anxiety, pain, inflammation, and seizures. (from $50, icelandpure.com) Veterinarian-formulated, Naturecan’s beef-flavoured CBD Soft Chews for dogs contain broad-spectrum CBD oil, as well as calcium powders for dental support and flaxseed oil for digestive support. Get $10 off with code MDM10. ($40, us.naturecan.com)

Are you inadvertently causing your dog's separation anxiety? For five ways to prevent doing so, read this feature: moderndogmagazine.com/preventseparationanxiety

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TO P R I G H T P H OTO N E W A F R I C A / B I G S T O CK . CO M

Naturally calm your dog with the power of pheromones. Pheromone diffusers and sprays mimic the pheromones nursing dog-moms emit to create feelings of comfort and safety. A pheromone product like ThunderEase, available as a spray or plug-in diffuser, helps put an end to anxiety-induced behaviours like destructive chewing, house soiling, and problem barking by helping dogs feel comfortable and relaxed in their environment. (from $15, thundershirt.com)

TO P L E FT P H OTO @ T H E W I N DYC I TY F R E N C H I E

Pheromone Power

YO R KSH I R E T E R R I E R I N SE T P H OTO N Y N K E VA N H O LT E N / B I G STO CK . CO M

This stuffy with a heartbeat is especially ideal for puppies transitioning from their mom and littermates to a new home, but all dogs can benefit. (Plus, how cute is it?!) Aptly named Snuggle Puppy, it recreates the intimacy and physical warmth with a “real feel” heartbeat, designed to comfort and reduce loneliness and separation anxiety in your four-legged friend. ($40, snugglepuppy.com)

L AV E N DA R I N SE T P H OTO M AT K A _ WA R I AT K A / B I G STO CK . CO M

3 4

A Mom Substitute

BREED PROFILE

The Skye Terrier An Endangered Breed from the Isle of Skye

P H OTO R A D O M I R R E Z N Y / B I G STO CK . CO M

By Kelly Caldwell

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

Labrador Retriever [2] 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 [183] Skye Terrier

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P H OTO S H I H A L E E VA / B I G S TO C K . CO M

I N S E T G R E Y F R I A R S B O B BY P H OTO K A M I R A / B I G S TO C K . CO M

rare, t, elegan d e devot

he Skye Terrier has an incredibly striking and unique appearance— yet you might never have seen him! That’s because he’s such a rare breed that he is considered ‘at risk.’ His status as endangered is, honestly, hard to believe once you learn about this charming and fascinating breed. Yet another of Scotland’s plucky terriers, this fellow comes from a land that is truly the stuff of magic and fairy tales. The Isle of Skye—the largest of Scotland’s islands—is characterized by harsh, beautiful terrain. Jagged mountains, lush landscapes, an abundance of waterfalls… this is a bucket-list-worthy destination. Today, it remains a sacred place where the legends of fairies, giants, and kelpies are still told—and it’s the birthplace of this rare breed. The Skye Terrier’s origins date back to the 14th century, making him the oldest of Scotland’s breeds. Written records do not exist to detail the development of this terrier, but oral traditions alone for the Skye are centuries-old and, not surprisingly, are as steeped in mystery as the island itself. It has been said that, during the 1500s and 1600s, ships crashed among the treacherous reefs surrounding the Isle of Skye. One theory is that the dogs from those ill-fated vessels made it to shore and subsequently bred with the local terriers. Considering that ships came from all manner of ports and picked up dogs along the way, it is

a solid theory that could explain the long, silky coat that sets this breed apart from his closest terrier cousins. The terriers that were on the island at that time would have developed from a variety of sources, among them, the Vikings. A look at the Swedish Vallhund (whose history can be traced to the Viking era) shows a clear resemblance of body type. Like the Vallhund, the Skye is a compact, solidly-built dog—about twice as long as he is tall. In his earliest days, the Skye earned a reputation as a tough, working terrier that was adept at tracking the marine and wildlife so abundant on the island, including weasels, badgers, and otters. Strong and with plenty of stamina, the Skye had the agility to work along the rocky cairns and rugged landscape. Some say he is without match in the terrier world, for his ability to tackle rocky terrain, dens, burrows, or even waters where needed. That double-coat isn’t just beautiful—it’s practical. A harsh outer coat and soft undercoat protects from the inclement weather for which the island is known. The breed certainly gained some notoriety off-island when it became a favourite of Queen Victoria. A renowned dog-lover, she had Skye Terriers and this led to a boost in their popularity (especially among the aristocracy) during the mid-1800s. Additional interest in the breed came from their depictions in Sir Edwin Landseer’s paintings.

Greyfriars Bobby Many are familiar with the tale of Greyfriars Bobby, a terrier who spent 14 years guarding the grave of his beloved owner in 19th-century Scotland. But did you know that Bobby was a Skye Terrier? Bobby, cared for and fed by townsfolk who couldn’t help but love him, remained at his owner’s grave until he passed away in 1872. A commemorative statue remains today—a symbol of the incredible loyalty that Bobby had—and for which all Skyes are known. The Skye’s popularity extended to North America, and the American Kennel Club (AKC) recognized the breed in 1887. According to the AKC standard, ideal shoulder height is 10 inches for males and 9.5 inches for females. Proportions are strongly emphasized, as the breed is expected to be twice in body length to his shoulder height, so around the 20-inch mark. His ears may be dropped or naturally upright, and the AKC accepts the breed with a coat in varying shades of black, blue, grey, silver platinum, fawn, or cream colours. Black points on the ears, muzzle, and tip of the tail are desired. moderndogmagazine.com

Size: Medium. The Skye is about twice as long as he is tall. Shoulder height ranges from 9.5” to 10”. He’s strong and sturdy, weighing between 35-40 pounds for males and 25-30 pounds for females. Activity level: The Skye is pretty chill for a terrier. A long daily walk and some play time will suffice. However, he’s naturally athletic and agile—if you want to get out and get active with this breed, he’ll be up for it. Grooming: Regular brushing for this double-coated breed will keep him looking silky and beautiful. The hair around the eyes will need a bit of trimming, and keeping those nails short is important. Heritage: A low-lying, hearty terrier built to withstand the harsh terrain on the Isle of Skye, and used for hunting among the rocky cairns. For more information on Skye Terrier rescue, visit stca.us/rescue.

If you like the Skye Terrier, you might also consider the...

Cairn Terrier

Scottish Terrier

READ YOUR BREED

Glen of Imaal Terrier

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

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Profile: The Skye Terrier

Why the Skye has dropped so significantly in popularity over the years may be as simple as the fact that so few people know of the breed. Some speculate that the long, silky coat is a deterrent as it looks like a lot of work (it really isn’t.) Regardless, the breed is now so rare that the Skye Terrier is considered ‘at risk.’ In 2020, he ranked 183 on the list of 195 breeds registered with the AKC, in terms of popularity. There can be a tendency to lump all terriers together. This is a mistake, and to be sure, the Skye Terrier’s personality is as unique as his appearance. He’s arguably the most relaxed and calm-natured in the entire group, and he’s also known for being hopelessly devoted to his human family. Fanciers note how in-touch this breed is with the emotions of his guardians—this sensitive dog is unlikely to leave your side, especially if you’re feeling blue. The Skye also has a reputation for being patient with children and tends to keep a watchful eye on them. As for strangers, it can take a bit for the Skye to warm up to new people, but he’ll come around. Considered highly intelligent and, in typical terrier fashion, head-strong, training and socialization must be a priority from an early age to ensure basic obedience is learned. Only positive training methods should be used with this sensitive breed (and all breeds). Exercise requirements are modest. Daily walks and some play time will suffice. That said, this is quite an agile and athletic dog—after all, he comes from a land of extremely rugged terrain. Skye fanciers around the world let out a collective gasp when, in 2014, a Crufts announcer commented that the breed probably wouldn’t ever be seen doing agility. In fact, these dogs can and do excel in agility. Beauty and athleticism are not mutually exclusive! The good news is that training, play time, and canine sports are all things the Skye can excel in, because he views all of the above as time for bonding with his people—and that’s what drives this canine love-bug. Grooming is a consideration, although the stunning, silky coat isn’t nearly as much work as you might imagine. Weekly brushing is an absolute must, as is a routine ear-check for dirt or excess wax. But the coat doesn’t require trimming. He may not look it, but the Skye is actually quite a natural beauty! Ideally, starting to familiarize the Skye with grooming from an extremely early age is best. Most Skyes love being groomed— it’s just another way they can remain close to their people. Fortunately, the Skye Terrier is quite a hearty and healthy breed but, as always, it’s important to work with a reputable breeder who conducts health clearances on foundation stock and puppies. He’s such a treasure, it’s hard to believe that the Skye Terrier is the most vulnerable breed in the United Kingdom— literally on the verge of extinction. But, just like the legendary island from which he originated, the Skye Terrier is exotic and truly known to very few. Take the time to learn about the breed. They’re loving and loyal companions. The Skye’s worth a look and most definitely worth preserving. 

B OTTO M I N SE T P H OTOS : C A R I N T E R R I E R L I F E O N W H I T E / B I G STO CK . CO M ; S COTT I SH T E R R I E R

“The breed is now so rare that the Skye Terrier is considered ‘at risk.’”

moderndogmagazine.com

Editor-in-Chief Connie Wilson’s Fall selection of must-read books for dog lovers Wonder Dogs By Maureen Maurer with Jenna Benton

I’m Not Single, I Have a Dog: Dating Tales from the Bark Side By Susan Hartzler As many of us can attest, by rescuing a dog, you can find yourself rescued right back. Such was the case for Susan Hartzler. At age 60, she decided enough was enough after being stuck in one disastrous relationship after another; it was time for a change. In this heartwarming and humorous memoir, Hartzler details the ups and downs of her personal journey to embracing the single life and finding unconditional love through friendship and her adopted rescue dog.

Be My Ghost By Carol J. Perry Dive right into this diverting cozy mystery! Maureen Doherty and her Golden Retriever Finn are both stuck in a rut. Maureen lost her job as a sportswear buyer and Finn failed service dog training. A muchneeded break in routine comes when Maureen mysteriously inherits an inn in quaint Haven, FL. But all is not as it seemed at first glance when she finds a body on her new property and meets the inn’s ghostly guests who work with her to solve the mystery. Will they crack the case? You’ll have fun finding out.

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At 39, Maureen Maurer was given a second chance at life. She decided it was finally time to fulfill her childhood dream of training assistance dogs for people with disabilities. Wonder Dogs details the inspiring and life changing experiences she’s had training assistance dogs and the extraordinary changes these dogs have made in the lives of the humans they are helping.

My Hilarious, Heroic, Human Dog: 101 Tales of Canine Companionship Edited by Amy Nemark They’re man’s best friend for good reason, as this relatable, entertaining, and all together devourable collection of stories from Chicken Soup for the Soul illustrates. My Hilarious, Heroic, Human Dog features 101 true stories showcasing the amazing, hilarious, heartwarming things dogs are capable of and the myriad ways they improve our lives.

Dog Park By Kathryn Kazoleas In this delightful children’s book, Gibson the Labradoodle is getting ready to join the pack of pooches who watch over the dog park. But when her first day of training doesn’t go as expected, she starts to question if she really wants to be a dog-park ambassador—until she has to step up to save a puppy in peril. An adorable read for the young dog lover in your life.

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CONNIE’S BOOK CLUB

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Grieving Cletus My aunt passed away last year, unexpectedly. She left behind her beloved Lab/Hound mix, Cletus. He was devastated! He sat in the window for months, crying and watching for her to return. I talked my mom into letting me take him. When I got him, he was so sad and could hardly walk. We took him to our vet and he was diagnosed with severe arthritis. We got him the medication he needs. He is still on the meds and is the happiest and sweetest dog ever!! I couldn't have asked for a better dog.— Shyann Bryans

Annie the Adventure Pup

Tiny Dog Stories Dog love in short form: miniature, reader-submitted dog stories of no more than 100 words. Canine Social Director Until our Rat Terrier, Cali, adopted us three years ago, I’d never realized that I knew almost no one in our neighborhood. Cali never met anyone she didn’t like and she has introduced me to all of them on our daily walks. Daily outings are “meet and greet” events choreographed by our canine social director. We’re up and out each morning in all weather and all moods. Even if I start out grumpy Cali, always eager for contact, sniffs her pals and I chat with their owners. There are no strangers at the end of a leash.—Lucy Iscaro

Love Letter I am blind and received a hand-written letter. Frustrated because I could not read it, but wanting to alleviate my frustration with humor, I showed the letter to my guide dog, Kilo, and asked, “Can you read this?” He gently took the paper from my hand, placed a paw on either side, and, as I reached to take back the letter and tell him I was just joking, I felt his head turning from left to right, as he attempted to fulfill my request. After a minute, he looked up at me. “Well,” I asked, “What does it say?”—Vicky Winslow

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Annie is what I call a “ditch dog.” We found her while moving from Georgia to South Carolina. She was eating garbage and her teeth were already rotting out of her adorable little face. She was only nine months old. After she followed us around the yard, she jumped in a box we were putting into our truck and she's been by our side ever since. I tell people we rescued her, but the truth of it is, she rescued us. She's now almost six years old and goes on every adventure we do!—Morgan Lytle

Bird Rescuer As my little Cockapoo Caia took off down the beach, I wondered what had so captured her attention as to cause such a display of speed in a 12-year-old dog. She headed into Lake Michigan and swam toward something in the water. She reached the white object floating on the surface, and I hurried to see what in the world was going on. It turns out my little girl had sensed a seagull in distress and pulled the large bird to shore so it could recover—which it eventually did!—Ellen Powers

9/11 Angel In 2001, my husband and I and our Boston terrier, Gabriel, lived on the 24th floor of an apartment building six blocks away from the Twin Towers. On September 11th, we evacuated our home, were covered by dust and debris, and spent hours dodging deadly smoke. Gabriel got sick immediately. A vet told us he’d ingested the toxic dust that coated his fur in an attempt to clean himself. The dust contained ground up glass, which shredded his esophagus. On this 20th anniversary, we’ll remember all those who died that day. We’ll also remember Gabriel, our angel that watches over us.—Christina Ray Stanton

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LOVE LETTERS

Dog Parade Every morning, Bright and early, The dogs are loosed, Both smooth and curly. Sleek pampered pet And ragged reject, They run outside, More than you’d expect. More, and more, Spotted and sleek. Majestic Great Dane and Silly little Peke. Bright testament to A loving heart. My kindly neighbour, Doing her part. Saving the strays One dog at a time. Her job, her vocation, Her heart’s paradigm. Every four-legged creature Fenced in next door Is a furry life saved, No less, no more.

“Did you know that there are over 300 words for love in canine?” —Gabriel Zevin

How fortunate for me That fate has bade I live next door To the Dog Parade. —Vickie Finlay

Get published in Modern Dog! Submit your dog story of no more than 100 words (word count strictly enforced) to tinydogstories@moderndogmagazine.com. By submitting you are consenting to publication of your story.

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Must-haves for you & your dog

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Fascinating dog trivia to amuse friends and family at your next get together

TONGUES OUT

YOUR GUIDE THROUGH THE UNDERWORLD

According to Chinese legend, the Shar Pei’s black tongues helped ward off evil spirits.

The Xoloitzcuintli is an ancient breed from Mexico. Sacred to the Aztecs, they were often sacrificed and buried alongside their owners in order to guide the dead on their journey through the underworld.

By Isabelle Orr EYE SEE YOU The Greyhound’s eye placement allows this breed to see behind as well as over half a mile ahead.

P H OTOS F RO M L E FT TO R I G H T, TO P TO B OTTO M : N E W A F R I C A / B I G S TO C K . CO M ; N O S N I B O R 137 / B I G S TO C K . CO M ; XO LO D A N / B I G S T O C K . CO M ;

INTERESTING DOG FACTS

AKITA, SYMBOL OF HAPPINESS Akitas originate from the Akita Prefecture in Japan, where they are a symbol of good health, happiness, and longevity. Like their cousin, the Shiba Inu, Akitas love to keep clean. They are easily house trained and “groom” themselves in a cat-like fashion.

CLANG! Be forewarned: the loud, distinctive bark of the Old English Sheepdog is likened to the sound of two pots clanging together. Social icon

Circle Only use blue and/or white. For more details check out our Brand Guidelines.

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YODELAYHEEHOO A DACHSHUND TO SUIT EVERY MOOD

The Basenji is not technically “barkless,” as many people think. They can yodel.

Artist Pablo Picasso was inspired by his pet Dachshund named Lump. Despite their adorable appearance, Dachshunds were bred to hunt badgers. Their name can be broken down in German as “dachs” = badger and “hund” = dog. Three different coats (Smooth, Wirehaired, and Longhaired) separate the three kinds of Dachshund. Breeders crossed the original smooth-haired Dachshunds with terriers to create the wirehaired and spaniels to create the longhaired. Perhaps due to their Terrier background, wirehaired Dachshunds are said to be more spirited and mischievous. Longhaired are more serene and quiet, and smoothhaired are right in the middle.

Welsh legend says fairies used Corgis to pull their carriages into battle.

FAIRY CARRIER

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