Modern Dog Summer 2020

Oops! Are you doing these 5 things wrong? Essential advice from an expert behaviourist

The lifestyle magazine for modern dogs and their companions SUMMER 2020

Get Happy!

Proven happiness boosters p50

G EA R E e D I U G r Advent!ur

e s Summust-Have M p32

p12 & 36

Recipes for Dogs

Problems Solved!

Too much energy?

Home alone?

Help is here

The Corgi

Instagram’s Top Dogs

How to Get Started With CBD

moderndogmagazine.com DISPLAY UNTIL SEPT ‘20

p88

$6.95

Osteoarthritis Help Giveaways Galore Inside!

p16

Adoptable Greyhounds!

Which breed is right for you? The Newfoundland, the Shih Tzu & the Lhasa Apso plus more

SUMMER 2020

VOL 19

NO 2

P H OTO TA N YA K I N G

40 FEATURES 26

Dogs, an Archaeologist’s Best Friend The amazing noses of canines are locating remains that are thousands of years old. BY STANLEY COREN

34

Ruff Transitions 5 ways to help your dog adjust to alone time.

BY TEOTI ANDERSON

40

A Natural Cure for Pain, Anxiety, Seizures, and More?

Effusive pet owners sing the praises of CBD.

12

BY TRACEY TONG

46

Dog Shelters Clear Kennels For First Time Ever One of the bright spots amid the coronavirus pandemic has been an incredible increase in dog fostering and adoptions. BY MICHELLE MORTON

60

This FBI Member Has Four Legs Remarkable canines are valued FBI team members, comforting kids in the wake of school shootings.

THE GOODS 32

Summer Adventure Gear Summer toys and accessories to help you make the most of the season.

92

Healthy Paws Solutions for everything from poor gut health to smelly breath and untrimmed nails.

BY VIVIEN FELLEGI

62

What To Do When Your Puppy Cries At Night In His Crate It’s your first night with your new puppy and he’s crying in his crate. Here’s what to do. BY ZAZIE TODD

66

Dogs With Excess Energy Is it bad behaviour? Or unexpressed energy? Help for energetic dogs. BY NICOLE WILDE

70

Essential Oils For Dogs Potent plant medicine, essential oils can deter pests, create calm, help with nausea, and more. BY KELLY CALDWELL

74

Canine Faux Pas: Are you unwittingly making these mistakes?

The top five things dog-people do wrong: certified trainer and behaviour consultant Mikkel Becker weighs in.

78

The Healthiest People Foods for Dogs Packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and guthealth boosting friendly bacteria, these are human foods you can feel good about sharing with your dog.

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SUMMER 2020

READ YOUR BREED 24

Commonly Confused Breeds The Shih Tzu vs. The Lhasa Apso: Can you tell the difference?

84

The Newfoundland Hopelessly devoted to you. Meet the canine hero with a heart of gold. BY KELLY CALDWELL

BODY & SOUL 50

8 Proven Happiness Boosters These eight ideas will not only improve your mood but your dog’s as well! BY ROSE FROSEK

52

A Lush Lawn That is Safe For Kids and Pets!; Reduce Bath Time Stress, Guaranteed

36 54

Not-So-Hot Spots Hot spots may seem to appear out of nowhere, but they’re usually caused by a chronic triggering condition. Here’s how to get to the bottom of the problem.

BY DR. SARAH MYERS

56

4 Signs of Osteoarthritis Is it osteoarthritis or something else? This checklist will help determine what’s at the root of your dog’s slow down. BY TRACEY TONG

50

DOG LIFE 12

22

Super-Simple Froyo/Pupsicle Recipes Make froyo or pupsicles for your dog! The recipes couldn’t be easier and they make a delicious summer treat for hot dogs. BY SUZI BEBER We’re Giving It Away!

Win cool dog stuff! We’ve got loads of dog swag up for grabs—from a $300 gift card for adorable leashes, collars, and harnesses, to canine health supplements—and winners every week. Turn to page 22 to see what’s up for grabs!

REGULAR FEATURES 6 Editor’s Letter 8 Contributors 10 Stuff We Love 14 The Scoop 20 Smile! Photo Contest 94 Marketplace

20

ON THE COVER Penny the Corgi photographed by the amazing Shaina Fishman.

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

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SUMMER 2020

30

Connie’s Book Club Kick back with a good dog and a good book. Editor-inChief Connie Wilson’s summer selection of must-read books for dog lovers.

36

Good Dog Mini Muffins Whip up these healthy, easy-to-make muffins for dogs!

38

Can All Dogs Swim?

The good reasons why your dog may not love the water, plus how to teach a reluctant dog to swim.

82

Best Golf Crew Ever Canine Angels Service Dogs founder Rick Kaplan’s regular golf group includes up to 20 former shelter dogs training to become service companions. BY MICHELLE MORTON

88

Instagram’s Top Dogs Not a single one of these dogs has less than a million followers. Turn to page 90 for the ‘secret sauce’ (think: underbites, stunning outdoor photography) that makes these accounts stand out. BY ALICE SEWELL

96

Last Lick: The Power of Second Chances Actress Kate Drummond on how—for both dogs and people—it’s never too late to start over. BY ROSE FROSEK

In USA: MODERN DOG (ISSN 1703-812X) Volume 19, Issue 2. 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

Circle Only use blue and/or white.

For more details check out our Brand Guidelines.

Wishing you and your dogs health and happiness,

Connie Wilson, Publisher & Editor-in-Chief SUMMER 2020

We Heart Seniors!

Thanks so much for highlighting The Grey Muzzle Organization in the article on "Amazing Charities Helping Dogs and People."

We also loved the articles on "Enrichment for Senior Dogs" and "The Making of Viral Pet Photos," featuring Pete Thorne's fabulous photos of old faithful dogs.

Thank you for sharing the joy that senior dogs bring into our lives with your readers.

Modern Dog is truly helping to change the way people view senior dogs. Thank you for being such a good friend to old dogs in North America!—Senior Spokeshound Benny, his Senior Dog Prom date, Stella, and Barbara, Grey Muzzle volunteer media manager. greymuzzle.org

aww s h uc k s !

Feeling the Love

I'd like to praise your Modern Dog magazine—love it, all the ads, helpful information, and especially dog photos! I've recently purchased a dog shirt from Fetching Apparel and a collar from Mimi Green so am loving your suggestions. Here's Maya wearing her new Fetching Apparel t-shirt and reading the current magazine.

—Debbie & Maya Reid

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

I

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

hope this issue finds you safe, healthy, and weathering these unprecedented times with as little stress and anxiety as possible. I write this Editor’s note from my home office. Like many of us with sheltering in place orders in effect, the Modern Dog team is now all working remotely. It’s been an adjustment, to say the least, for our tightknit team used to working collaboratively in an open office environment to adjust to social distancing and Zoom meetings, but we are blessed to be able to continue doing the work we love. This has been an immensely challenging time for so many people. The headlines are heartbreaking, but if we look hard enough there is good news to be found.

One bright spot amid the coronavirus pandemic is the incredible increase in pet adoptions and fostering. The number of animals in foster care has roughly tripled or quadrupled because of the coronavirus, reports Steve Zeidman, a specialist in animal welfare-related technology and data.

Though shelters are closed, organizations have called for fosters and turned to video meet-and-greets and curbside adoptions with tremendous results, in some cases emptying their kennels for the first time ever (p 46)— if that isn’t heartwarming news, I don’t know what is! (If you’re interested in adopting, don’t let this deter you. There are still many, many dogs in need of a forever home.)

I do know that for those of us sheltering at home, especially if alone, having canine companionship is such a blessing, providing love and much needed levity, and helping to ward off loneliness and depression. These are challenging times and we can all use as much affection and stress busting as possible, two things dogs excel at.

Perhaps the only group thrilled with round-the-clock home time is dogs.

The Modern Dog office is, of course, dog-friendly, but many offices are not; dogs used to not seeing their people for the duration of the workday have an unprecedented amount of round-the-clock company, pretty much every dog’s dream. Understandably, this may prove a challenge when life returns to normal, so we’ve put together a guide to help your dogs re-adjust to alone time (p 34). In addition to our COVID-19 coverage, we’ve done our best to put together an issue that will entertain and enlighten. If you need a smile, turn to page 88. You’ll find wellness approaches from essential oils to CBD, dog-approved recipes, recommended dog gear, an inspiring story of rebirth, and smiling canine faces throughout. We hope this issue brightens your day and proves a valuable resource.

6 moderndog

Social icon

C O NTRIBUTOR S SUMMER 2020

•

VOL 19

NO 2

Publisher

Modern Dog Inc.

Nicolle Lalonde lives

and works in Toronto, ON. Born in Pickering, Ontario, she grew up exploring the woods and beaches near her childhood home, which encouraged her love of nature and all things that grow wild.

She followed her dream to OCAD University, where she studied illustration. She has always been passionate about animals and loves to draw all manner of creatures in her work. Turn to page 26 to see her charming illustration for our look at the use of dogs in archeology, a must-read for anyone with an enduring Jurassic Park fascination.

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 Sales & Marketing Assistant

Georgia Riddle-Olsen Audience Development Coordinator

Yaunna Sommersby Subscriptions & Office Assistant

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

Kelly Caldwell is a

lifelong dog lover and regular Modern Dog contributor who also runs an Energy Work practice in Guelph, Ontario. She incorporates essential oils into treatments and is currently finishing her aromatherapy certification. In this issue, Kelly provides a how-to for using essential oils with dogs (p 70) and dives into the fascinating history and breed attributes of the giant dog with the heart of gold, the Newfoundland (p 84).

Find Kelly at otterintentions.com.

Advertising inquiries call (866) 734-3131 In Canada: MODERN DOG (ISSN 1703-812X) Volume 19, Issue 2.

Published quarterly by Modern Dog Inc. at Suite 202–343 Railway St, Vancouver, BC Canada V6A 1A4 POSTMASTER: send address changes to Modern Dog, Suite 202–343 Railway St, Vancouver, BC Canada V6A 1A4 In USA: MODERN DOG (ISSN 1703-812X) Volume 19, Issue 2. Published quarterly by Modern Dog Inc. at 142 Churchill Drive, Newington, CT 06111-4003.

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

PHONE

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

FAX

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

Michelle Morton is a

Canadian multimedia journalist living in Vancouver, BC. She has a passion for telling stories and giving a voice to those not heard—including furry ones. When Michelle isn’t writing stories, you can often find her exploring the great outdoors, running on the seawall, and having deep conversations with her two furbabies, her cats Henry and Waffles.

Turn to page 46 for Michelle’s feelgood story about the incredible rise in adoptions and fosters during the COVID-19 health crisis.

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SUMMER 2020

Copyright 2020 by Modern Dog Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced by any means, electronic or mechanical, including the Internet or photocopying without the written permission of the Publisher. Modern Dog and its logotype are the trademarks of Modern Dog Inc. Modern Dog is published four times a year. One-year subscription prices: Canada $16CAD, U.S.A. $16USD, foreign $45USD. Subscription orders and customer service inquiries should be sent to Modern Dog Subscription Services, Suite 202–343 Railway St, Vancouver, BC Canada V6A 1A4

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.

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

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.

Stuff We Love

Modern Dog staffers’ picks of the litter!

1 I love the latest brilliant patterns of the A Tail We Could Wag side release collars from Auburn Leathercrafters. The unique patterns are hand woven by women artisans in Guatemala providing them with an important means of income for their families and community. They’re durable and machine washable, too!—Becky (from $29, auburndirect.com) 2 PJs all day! Your dog will look absolutely adorable in her Quarantine Jammies from Toodles Lane. These cozy and stylish doggie pajamas come in two different designs and are available for pups of all shapes and sizes.—Hayley ($30, toodleslane.com) 3 Does your dog suffer from itchy skin and a dull coat? The flax seed oil and Omega6 fatty acids in Sammy’s Shiny Coat from Stengel Oils help relieve itch and brighten the coat!—Vicki (From $20, sammysshinycoat.com) 4 Bonne et Filou’s delightfully pretty, healthy dog macarons are made from allnatural, human-grade ingredients (no wheat, no sugar) for a beautiful treat you can feel great about giving your dog. Available in three flavours, they make the perfect gift or a delightful way to spoil your dog.—Jennifer ($24, bonneetfilou.com) 5 If high-quality, sustainably sourced dog food is a top priority, look no further.

Our dogs can’t get enough of the Pacific Hake balanced wet food from Healthy Shores. With additional ingredients like green peas, lentils, and flaxseed, you’ll know your dog is eating well.—Connie (From $2.89 per can, healthyshores.com) 6 I’ve been using the Pet Hair Roller from 4Knines to keep dog hair under control in my car and at home! This reusable pet hair remover tool is simple to use, environmentally friendly, and helps keep the mess under control.—Linda ($25, 4knines.com) 7 Every Beagle owner will tell you Beagles are a food-motivated breed, so at my house we’re all about Treatworx Organic Chicken and Sweet Potato treats. Made from organic chicken and without any artificial preservatives, they’re perfect for training incentive!—Yaunna ($13, treatworx.com) 8 Don’t be caught having to weigh the cost of medical care for your dog.

Nationwide Pet Insurance offers medical protection for accidents and illnesses, as well as wellness coverage for routine vet visits. You can use any vet, anywhere in the world, and mobile claims make payouts fast and easy, so you can make sure your dog is receiving the best possible care, while getting money back!

—Cecilia (Plans starting at $35 a month, petinsurance.com) 9 My dog looks so cute and stylish in his handmade Plaid Dog Bow Tie from Dapper Dexter! The elastic backing makes it easy to slide onto his collar and it’s a perfect accessory for adorable photos.—Georgia (From $12, dapperdexter.com) 10 As an older dog, I prefer soft treats that are gentle on my teeth and easy to digest! The single source protein Canadian Beef Treats from Farm Fresh Pet Foods are made with human-grade ingredients and taste delicious!—Charlie the Chocolate Lab ($7.50, farmfreshpetfoods.com)

eat D.I.Y.

P H OTO S TA N YA K I N G

MAKE IT!

Super-Simple Froyo or Pupsicle Recipes for Dogs!

These healthy froyo/pupsicles couldn’t be easier and make a delicious summer treat for dogs!

By Suzi Beber

Banana Froyo or Pupsicles Ingredients *Choose organic ingredients whenever possible.

2 bananas, the riper the better 1 large container (32 ounces) unsweetened vanilla yogurt (no gelatine or sweetener added) or plain yogurt

st the beer summ time snack!

Peanut Butter Froyo or Pupsicles Ingredients *Choose organic ingredients whenever possible.

1/2 tsp pure vanilla non-alcohol extract (optional)

1 banana

Instructions

1 large container (32 ounces) plain yogurt or unsweetened vanilla or banana yogurt, with no gelatine added

Serve fresh, semi-frozen, or frozen! Combine ingredients in a blender, food processor, or Magic Bullet. To make froyo (semifrozen), freeze the bananas for an hour or two before blending.

For pupsicles (frozen), pour into ice cube trays, freeze, and watch your dogs go wild. You can also use unsweetened fruit yogurt, in place of plain or vanilla yogurt, or you could add some fresh fruit in season, like juicy berries.

Alternative yogurts to try: goat milk yogurt, sheep milk yogurt, water buffalo yogurt or, for a nondairy alternative, almond milk yogurt

3 tbsp peanut butter (with no sugar, salt, aspartame or xylitol added) or use another nut butter of your choice, for example, almond butter or hemp seed butter 2 tsp local honey

Instructions Serve fresh, semi-frozen, or frozen! Combine ingredients in a blender, food processor, or Magic Bullet. To make froyo (semifrozen), freeze the banana for an hour or two before blending. For pupsicles (frozen), pour into ice cube trays, freeze, and serve.

Yogurt Adding yogurt to your dog's diet provides them with a valuable source of protein and

calcium, along with magnesium and potassium, vitamin D, K2 enzymes, essential fatty acids and whey, and its probiotics help to support their gastrointestinal system and boost immunity.

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P H OTO SA R A H DA LO I SE

THE SCOOP Anne Carlson and her Great Dane, Timber.

Crickets For Dinner?

New cricket protein-based dog food is making pets happy and the planet healthier

Q: Why should dog lovers consider alternative protein sources?

W

hat if you could help save the environment while feeding your dog? Turns out you can. Anne Carlson, a leader in the pet industry who has worked with Fortune 500s and start-ups alike, got interested in alternative protein sources as a way to address climate change.

Recognizing the winning combo of nutrition, sustainability, and nutty flavour offered by crickets, she jumped in and is disrupting an industry based on traditional protein sources.

We talked to her about her journey to creating a cricket-based line of dog treats and food that is making dogs happy and the planet healthier.

Q: What was your ‘a-ha’ moment?

Previously, I had worked for one of the big pet companies and it was acquired. That’s not too surprising because if the pet industry was a high school student, it’d be in the running for Most Popular. It was the perfect time to try something different, so I started looking for a project with purpose. Creating a tasty dog treat that’s healthy is great, but can we do better and offer more? Finding a problem to solve became the focus and right away climate change raised its hand. It literally looms over all our heads and threatens us and our children now and in the future. Looking back, I guess it was ‘Start Big, Think Bigger.’

Then I stumbled across the UN study that pointed to insects as an answer to world hunger, and bells went off—there’s the ‘a-ha!’. So we made some dog treats to see whether dogs would like this new protein source AND to give us some time to do all of the important studies we thought were necessary before developing a complete and balanced food. The great news is the dogs loved cricket protein, the nutrition’s tremendous, and dogs can digest it as well as they can digest beef or chicken!

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SU MMER 2020

One reason alternative proteins are gaining momentum is because pet parents want to avoid their dog developing sensitivities and allergies due to the overuse of traditional proteins (like chicken or beef). There are a lot of great arguments for pursuing a rotational diet for your dog. We change up the proteins in our diet all the time, so why not do the same with our pups? By rotating their foods, you’re giving them an opportunity to reap the benefits from other sources of proteins, different vegetables, and so on. As you can imagine, our insect protein is unique and just a perfect fit here.

Cricket protein provides the nutrition our dogs need AND it is sustainable and humane. We talk about the sustainability a lot—less land, less water, and almost no greenhouse gas emissions. According to a recent UCLA Study, cats and dogs are responsible for 25 to 30 percent of the environmental impact of meat consumption in the US and that just isn’t on anyone’s radar right now. Choosing an alternative protein over traditional sources (cow, chicken) can make a difference quickly and, really, it’s low-hanging fruit. We can save over 480,000 gallons of water per year for each dog that switches from a traditional chicken protein food to Jiminy’s food. It’s very exciting news for pets and the planet!

Q: Best thing about these treats and food?

Jiminy’s offers benefits without sacrifice. Sometimes when you look to choose a product that’s more sustainable, it doesn’t taste as good or has a funny scent, or you might worry that the nutrition isn’t good enough. Jiminy’s has none of these issues—our food and treats taste great, have a familiar scent and, best of all, are nutritional dynamite. Dogs love it, pet parents can feel good about their choice, and it’s great for the earth. Wagging tails all around! How often can you say that?

THE SCOOP

While some tracks have already said they are permanently closed because of COVID-19, others in the state of Florida anticipate reopening for dog racing as soon as it is safe for them to do so and intend to remain open until the end of the year when they legally must close.

Alamo is just one of the former racing greyhounds looking for his forever home though the rescue organization Awesome Greyhound Adoptions.

Florida Dog Tracks Closed Due To Coronavirus, Greyhounds In Need Of Homes Rescue groups scramble as Greyhounds saved from racing tracks need immediate placement

By Sassafras Lowrey

F

lorida dog tracks must close by the end of the year after a 2018 ballot measure to end dog racing in the state received overwhelming support from voters, with nearly 70 percent voting to end the cruel practice. The Greyhound tracks have until the end of 2020 to phase out racing, but COVID-19 has effectively moved up that timeline.

With most non-essential businesses shuttered during the pandemic to keep the spread of the virus in check, racetracks have been forced to close. It is anticipated that many of those tracks will not reopen. As a result, Greyhound rescues in Florida are scrambling as they find themselves with 1,500 Greyhounds that are now in need of permanent adoptive homes. Until rescues can find the right forever homes for these dogs, they are also looking for volunteer foster families able to take the dogs in temporarily. A volunteer-run non-profit called Awesome Greyhound Adoptions is leading the work. (Learn more about their rescue organization and see dogs that are available for adoption at awesomegreyhoundadoptions.org.)

Animal advocates have long lobbied for the banning of commercial Greyhound racing. Greyhounds that are bred for commercial racing live very limited lives on racetracks. Among the most vocal supporters of ending greyhound racing was the Humane Society of The United States, who has reported thousands of injuries to racing Greyhounds. According to investigative reporting, racing Greyhounds spend 20 to 23 hours a day confined to crates with only carpet scraps and shredded paper for bedding and are let out only for training or racing.

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SU MMER 2020

“All of the tracks are closed at this time,” Jack Cory with Public Affairs Consultants, a group representing the Florida Greyhound Association, told local Florida news at the end of March.

“Daytona has announced that they will be closing permanently. The other tracks, we believe, will try to re-open.”

Local rescue groups knew that dogs would be entering rescue by the end of the year as tracks closed, but COVID-19 has left them needing to find placements much sooner. It is estimated that by the end of the year when Greyhound racing in the state of Florida must end, there could be upwards of 5,000 Greyhounds in need of adoptive homes and families.

Want to Help?

Awesome Greyhound Adoptions, whose work has been going viral since the start of COVID-19, is looking for adoptive and foster homes for the retired racers. They also offer the option on their website, awesomegreyhoundadoptions.org, to sponsor a dog or support with donations of supplies.

Interested in Adopting?

Former racing Greyhounds can make great family pets and are often lovingly referred to as 45 MPH couch potatoes.

Although these dogs are fantastic athletes, they are just as famous for being great, affectionate pets. There aren’t a lot of good things about COVID-19 and the impact it is having on the world, but one small bright light is that these Greyhounds are getting an early retirement. Thanks to the work of rescue workers, retirement for a racing greyhound means the opportunity to find the first loving home they will have known.

THE SCOOP CAPTION THIS! Exercise your funny bone. Create a caption for this cartoon and submit your entry at moderndogmagazine.com/cartooncaption.

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

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

Corgi Takeover!

AND THE WINNING CAPTION FROM THE SPRING ISSUE IS…

Pembroke Welsh Corgi knocks the Yorkie out of top 10 most popular breeds, while Labs remain #1

The Labrador Retriever continues its hold on the hearts of American dog owners.

According to the most recent American Kennel Club registration statistics, the loveable Lab remains the number one most popular breed in the United States.

But in a surprise take over, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi made some moves, ascending the list over the past 10 years. The lively little herder landed at number 10, knocking the Yorkshire Terrier out of the top 10, where it has been since 1995.

In addition to the country’s most popular, the AKC reported there were some less common breeds on the rise in 2019. The Boykin Spaniel rose 11 spots (100 to 89), the Lowchen rose 10 spots (168 to 158), the Swedish Vallhund rose 10 spots (169 to 159), and the Lagotto Romagnolo rose nine spots (99 to 90). Over the past decade, the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon made quite a jump, rising 46 spots from 108th in 2009 to 62nd in 2019.

READ YOUR BREED

For more info on the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, go to moderndogmagazine.com/breeds/pembroke-welsh-corgi

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SU MMER 2020

“He’s 48, part Irish, part German.”

Submitted by Toby Collins RUNNER-UP CAPTIONS “I make him carry his own poop bag.”

Submitted by Maureen Ciesla

"It turns out that I’m the more responsible one."

Submitted by Joseph A. Dewan

"He’s been confined to the house since March.

I figured I’d let him get some fresh air."

Submitted by Toni-Jean Farrara

“He’s in training at the moment but I have high hopes for him.”

Submitted by C Linford

!

E L I SM Ollie Baba Loginov Pitbull/Labrador Mix

Modern Dog’s Photo Contest Winners!

Archie

Dangyo

Dachshund

Luna

Jack Russell Terrier

Donggyeong

Tucker

Chocolate Lab

Bentley

Bernese Mountain Dog

Titans

Minature Longhaired Dachshund

Jade

Rottweiler

Bruce Pug

Hunter

German Shepherd

Maizee Pitbull Mix

Cooper

Golden Retriever

Kya

Siberian Husky

Auston

German Shepherd

Masti

Aussi Shepard Bernedoodle

Bruce

Chinese Shar Pei

Norman

Sage

Goldendoodle

Roxy

Shiba Inu

Crouton

Shiba Inu

Chihuahu

Coco

French Bulldog

Bear Husky

Koi

French Bulldog

Shelby

Golden Retriever

Think your dog ought to be in Modern Dog?

Cora

French Bulldog

Cody Corgi

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 June, July, and August.

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

June

1st-7th

Win 1 of 3 $300 gift cards from Beast & Buckle! Choose from a selection of fun harnesses, leashes, collars, and more.

8th-14th

15th-21st

22nd-30th

8th-14th

15th-21st

22nd-31st

8th-14th

15th-21st

22nd-31st

Win 1 of 3 prize packs from Nom Nom! Includes a variety pack for dogs, a bag each of chicken and beef jerky, and a microbiome kit!

Win 1 of 3 supplement prizes from Vetericyn! Includes a 90-day supply of supplements (3 bottles) with your choice of puppy, adult, or senior.

Win 1 of 3 $100 gift cards from Toodles Lane! Choose from a selection of adorable jammies, bandanas, and hair clips for your pup.

July

1st-7th

Win 1 of 15 Large Premium Ham Bone chew toys from TEX’s Smoke’N’Chews! Made from durable, BPA-free material and perfect for aggressive chewers.

August

1st-7th

Win 1 of 3 poop bag prize packs from Lucky Dog! These non-GMO, plastic-free bags are stronger than traditional poop bags and better for the environment.

Win an oral care gift basket from Bluestem! Keep your pup’s teeth healthy with their toothpaste, dental chews, dental wipes, water additives, and more!

3 lucky winners will receive 3 boxes of dog macarons from Bonne et Filou! Made with 100% natural ingredients and available in three flavours.

Win 1 of 3 prize packs from Imagilin! Keep your pup happy and healthy with a selection of their probiotic supplements.

Win 1 of 3 prize packs from Nom Nom! Includes a variety pack for dogs, a bag each of chicken and beef jerky, and a microbiome kit!

Win $200 worth of products from Zero Odor Pet! Products include their Zero Odor Eliminator and Pet Stain Remover.

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

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

No purchase necessary to enter or win. Beginning June 1, 2020 at 12:01 AM (PST) through August 31, 2020 at 11:59 PM (PST), enter each day at moderndogmagazine.com/giveaways. Each week’s giveaway ends at 11:59 PM (PST). Each week, the specified number of winners for that week’s giveaway will win the prize featured in the giveaway calendar (ARV: $200). Odds of winning depend on the number of entries received. Contest is open to legal Canadian and US residents 18 and older as of date of entry. Void in Puerto Rico and where prohibited by law. Giveaway subject to complete official rules available at moderndogmagazine.com/giveaways.

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INSET PHOTO: TANK SUBMITTED BY MIKE

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

Commonly Confused Breeds

Exercise Requirements

The Lhasa Apso

The Shih Tzu

CAN YOU TELL THE DIFFERENCE? The Lhasa Apso vs. The Shih Tzu

Shih Tzus are particularly great apartment dogs/couch-cuddlers.

Having been bred to lounge inside royal palaces, their exercise needs are on the low end. The Lhasa Apso is no couch potato but will race around your living room or drag you out for a walk.

DID YOU KNOW? In the West, Shih Tzu is pronounced as “sheed-zoo” or “sheet-su,” while the Chinese say “sher-zer”.

By Rose Frosek

T

he Shih Tzu is one of the most popular toy dogs of all time, and with good reason—this merry charmer is renowned as one of the most affectionate, family-friendly breeds. But what about the Shih Tzu’s lesser known cousin, the Lhasa Apso?

With their long hair and small stature—under twenty pounds and standing less than 12 inches high at the shoulder—Lhasa Apsos and Shih Tzus can look very similar, particularly when they have similar haircuts and colouring. Of the two, the Lhasa Apso is slightly bigger (12 to 18 pounds versus nine to 16), though both are surprisingly solid for their size and come in an array of colours.

Both dogs have aristocratic lineage. The Lhasa Apso is a thousand-year-old breed that served as sentinels at palaces and Buddhist monasteries in the Himalayan Mountains.

Shih Tzus (meaning “lion dog”) were bred as lap dogs by Chinese royalty.

The two breeds look similar for good reason—Imperial breeders in the palace of the Chinese emperor developed the Shih Tzu centuries ago from Tibetan breeding stock, mostly likely the product of two even older Sino-Tibetan breeds—the Lhasa Apso and the Pekingese, notes the AKC. Playful, outgoing, and charming, the Shih Tzu is known to be especially affectionate with children. Lhasa Apsos tend to be more reserved around unfamiliar people. Smart, confident, and complex, Lhasas are known by their families to be comical, but are aristocratically aloof with strangers.

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The Lhasa Look The Lhasa Apso is famous for a floor-length, flat-hanging coat, parted in the middle and draping each side of the body, notes the AKC. A feathery tail curls over the back in the distinct manner of Tibetan breeds. The breed’s fans say the dark, oval-shaped eyes—peeping through lavish facial hair—are the windows of a Lhasa’s merry soul.

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

DISCOVER

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Dogs, an Archaeologist’s Best Friend The amazing noses of canines are locating remains that are thousands of years old

By Stanley Coren | Illustration by Nicole Lallonde

As

improbable as it might seem, archaeologists are demonstrating dogs can detect human remains that are thousands of years old.

I was having some coffee on campus when a colleague from the Anthropology Department sat down beside me. “I think I have something here that may amuse you,” she said as she rummaged through her oversized handbag, pulled out an iPad, and a moment later showed me the image on its screen.

I found myself looking at a cartoon showing a stereotyped paleontologist standing near a dig site and talking to someone who looked like a reporter.

The caption read “We have been so successful at discovering dinosaur remains because we recently added a bone specialist to our team.” Behind him you could see a dog standing and holding a huge dinosaur leg bone in its mouth.

I chuckled while she added, “Wouldn't it be wonderful if dogs could actually do that?”

I replied, “Well, finding dinosaur remains may be a bit far-fetched, but we are actually beginning to see the use of what may be called ‘archaeology dogs,’ which are being used to find human remains that may be many centuries old.”

This all came about as an extension of the work done by cadaver dogs. These are dogs that are typically used in criminal cases to help find human bodies that may have been buried or otherwise hidden. These dogs are really good at finding human remains that are hours or weeks old, but they also do well at detecting bodies which may have died years or even several decades ago. Biochemists have shown that the “scent of death” is complex and seems to contain more than 400 different components which are slowly released after an individual has died.

These human-remains detection dogs can be trained to use their remarkably sensitive noses to detect these trace elements associated with decomposition of a human body despite a significant passage of time. However, the leap from a cadaver detection dog to one which can detect historical remains of sufficient age as to be of interest to archaeologists seems to be a stretch. Is it asking too much, even of dogs with their remarkable olfactory abilities?

In 2012, Gary Jackson, an Australian dog trainer, set out to answer this question, investigating if a dog could be trained to find older examples of human remains. His research was prompted by the Australian government’s efforts to curb developments that might disturb aboriginal gravesites. Adding to the challenge is the fact that many of these burial grounds are hundreds of years old, and the location of individual graves has been long forgotten.

Gary set about training a black Labrador Retriever mix named Migaloo  moderndogmagazine.com

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what appeared to be a cemetery near the fort and they wanted to find more. Unfortunately, the irregular, rocky terrain made it difficult to just randomly excavate suspected burial sites.

Although the dogs (a German Shepherd and a Belgian Malinois named Sattve and Mali respectively) were well trained cadaver dogs, Vedrana needed to be sure that they could detect remains which might have been in the ground for several thousand years. To test the dogs, Vedrana let them sniff around an area where she had excavated three gravesites the year before. It is important to note that the human remains had already been removed, and due to a year's worth of weathering one could no longer find any visible evidence of where the excavations had taken place.

The two dogs, working independently, easily located all three gravesites, confirming their ability to do the work.

The dogs were then brought to another site in the region where it was suspected that there were more graves. These particular graves are somewhat unique in that they each contain a small stone burial chest which usually holds small finger and toe bones and a few artefacts. When allowed to sniff around this new site, the dogs were able to locate six graves. Some of these graves date back to the eighth century BC, which is close to 3000 years ago.

Because of the expense and difficulty in excavating a grave, Vedrana always uses at least two dogs to confirm the position, making sure that the second trainer and dog are not told where the first team had indicated a grave.

Although the bone fragments in these graves are very old, the guess is that the age of the bone doesn't matter as much as the environment in which it rests. Factors such as sunlight, moisture, and temperature will all impact how much scent the remains will give off. In this particular case, the bones were laid on slabs of limestone and it may well be that as they decomposed the compounds leached into the rock which then trapped the scent for centuries waiting for an inquisitive canine nose to rediscover them.

“I don't think that we will actually be able to extend this kind of searching to include dinosaur bones, however,” I explained to my colleague, “since most of dinosaur remains are petrified, which means that the organic material that makes up the bone has been replaced with minerals. This means that the resulting fossils don't really smell like organic remains anymore. Of course, if we could find a place where dinosaurs recently died and have not been completely fossilized we might be more successful…” 

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to detect human bones and to ignore other odours associated with decomposition. First he got permission from the Aboriginal tribal elders to use some ancestral bones from the South Australian Museum's collection. Then he re-created an Aboriginal graveyard and also scattered some animal bones there as distractors. What he saw was that the dog was able to find a buried bone from about ten feet (three meters) away, even if it was as small as a fingernail. Ultimately, he could even just take a cotton ball, touch the bone, and touch that to a rock—and Migaloo could still detect the smell on the rock.

As a sort of “proof of concept,” Migaloo was then taken to an aboriginal burial ground in South Australia, where a 600-year-old grave had been found a few years ago. Gary and Migaloo were given about an acre (0.4 hectare) to search. The museum officials and tribal elders were there, and while they knew where the graves were, Gary did not.

It took Migaloo less than five minutes to detect the remains that had been buried some six centuries ago.

A dog named Fable was able to find even older remains.

In Sweden in 2015, archaeologist Sophie Vallulv tested a two-year-old black German Shepherd, who had been purposefully trained to find human skeletons. Sophie was studying the ruins of a silver mining community built during the sixteen hundreds, located where the mountain stream of Silbojokk flows into the Lake Sädvajaure.

This is a particularly difficult set of ruins to study since investigations can only be carried out during a few weeks in early summer, before the water rises up over the area.

Therefore, quickly locating probable burial sites is vital if the archaeological research is to be done. In the case of Fable, laboratory and field testing showed that he could distinguish between human and animal bones with remarkable accuracy (a detection rate of 94.2 percent).

During actual field searches, Fable has found bones that were later dated to be 1,600 years old. He has detected remains buried up to a depth of 5 feet (1.5 meters). He may be capable of detecting deeper remains, but Sophie's husband refuses to dig test pits that are deeper than a meter and a half.

Perhaps the most impressive performances by a team of archaeological dogs come from the recent collaboration of Vedrana Glavaš, an archaeologist at the University of Zadar in Croatia, and Andrea Pintar, a cadaver-dog handler.

Vedrana was working at a hilltop fort called Drvišica along Croatia’s Adriatic coast. Her team had identified tombs in

Connie’s

BOOK

CLUB Kick back with a good dog and a good book. Editor-in-Chief Connie Wilson’s summer selection of mustread books for dog lovers.

The Meaning of Woof

By Pamela Weintraub Ever wonder what your dog is thinking and what they’re trying to tell you? The Meaning of Woof by Pamela Weintraub, the former editor-in-chief of OMNI and executive editor of Discover, takes a fascinating deep-dive into canine psychology. Exploring the nature of our relationship with dogs and offering scientific explanation for barks, licks, growls, and wags, and more, The Meaning of Woof is a mustread for anyone who shares their life with dogs.

Remember Me? Loving and Caring for a Dog with Canine Cognitive Dysfunction

By Eileen Anderson Caring for an elderly dog and watching them deteriorate can be a heartbreaking, harrowing process. In her award-winning guidebook, author Eileen Anderson provides valuable resources and information for dog owners who are navigating this troubling experience with their dog. She examines how dementia in dogs is surprisingly common, why owners may not realize their dog is suffering from a condition beyond normal aging until the disease is advanced, and what owners can do to ensure their dog’s quality of life.

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Rescue Dog Tales: The Story of Arthur and Sixteen Dogs Who Found Forever Homes

By Mikael Lindnord This heartwarming collection of stories celebrating the humancanine bond delights. Author Mikael Lindnord reunites us with the loveable rescue dog who was the subject of his previous book, Arthur: The Dog Who Crossed a Jungle to Find a Home, and introduces 16 other rescue dogs with remarkable journeys of their own. From Ecuador to America, Australia to the Yukon, these moving and surprising stories of forever homes found illustrate the lengths dogs will go for love, belonging, and a home to call their own.

Game of Dog Bones: A Melanie Travis Canine Mystery

By Laurien Berenson Fans of author Laurien Berenson and the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show will adore this charming and witty cozy mystery! Melanie Travis and her spirited Aunt Peg are headed from their home in Greenwich, Connecticut to New York City for Westminster week and Aunt Peg is ready to show off her talents and knowledge as a dog show judge. She’s looking to bounce back and regain clout in the dog world after several mishaps, all seemingly orchestrated by Victor Durbin, an ousted Paugussett Poodle Club member with a bone to pick.

However, things take a turn when Victor is discovered dead and Melanie must solve the mystery to clear Aunt Peg’s name.

Murder In A Scottish Shire: A Scottish Shire Mystery, Book 1

By Traci Hall In the first book of this new series by author Traci Hall, we’re introduced to 28-year-old single mom Paislee Shaw and the charming Scottish seaside town of Nairn. Paislee is struggling and feels as though her personal life is unraveling as she works to keep her specialty sweater store, Cashmere Crush, open, while caring for her ten-year-old son, Brody, as well as Wallace, the black Scottish Terrier they adopted after Paislee’s grandmother passed away.

As if she didn’t have enough on her plate, a handsome detective named Mack Zeffer shows up at Paislee’s door with her estranged and homeless grandfather. Everything becomes even more complicated when one of her employees is found dead. Detective Zeffer and Paislee must join forces to knit together the clues and solve this fun mystery.

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$

$

17

Encourage interactive play and keep your dog engaged with these durable, Oeko-Tex certified Polartec Polar Fleece rope and tug toys from Knots of Fun. happyhandshappydogs.com

$

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This adorable tie-on Sarape Beach Blanket Dog Bandana from Mimi Green brings the beach vibes!

Made to last with a double layer of extra thick velveteen, it’s also easy to wash. shopmimigreen.com

R E M M SU

!

R A E G

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The durable EcoQuacker from Honest Pet Products plays as hard as your dog does! Available in three sizes, this hemp canvas duck toy is stuffed with organic wool, features a chirping bird noisemaker, and is machine washable. honestpetproducts.com

s d accessorie n a s y o t r e st Summ ake the mo m u o y lp e to h on. of the seas

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The Dexas Adjustable Height Double Elevated Feeder can collapse flat, making it the perfect portable feeding and drinking solution for any dog! Using the elevated bowls removes joint stress, improves digestion, and promotes healthy eating habits. dexas.com or amazon.com/dexas

$

$

146

Enjoy cycling with your dog! The Bike Tow Leash is a durable bike attachment available for dogs of all sizes that keeps both you and your dog stable and safe while cycling. A must for dogs that like to run. biketowleash.com

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Road Trip! The MuTTravel Seat Belt Clip from Muttluks is designed with your dog’s safety and comfort in mind. The easy-to-use clip can be attached to any harness and moves with the seat belt, keeping your dog safe while still allowing your dog to sit, stand or nap while travelling. muttluks.ca

RUFF TRANSITIONS:

WAYS TO HELP YOUR DOG ADJUST TO ALONE TIME

By Teoti Anderson

D

uring the COVID-19 quarantine, your best canine buddy probably got used to you being home all day. While you dealt with stress, fear, and confusion as to what day of the week it was, your dog was overjoyed to have you around day in and day out.

But once the shelter-at-home orders are lifted, how will Fido take the transition?

Many dogs are just fine. They are incredibly adaptive creatures. You’re home all day? Awesome! You’re leaving for work again? Nap time! They roll with changes in stride. Other dogs, however, will have a hard time adjusting to your change in routine.

Signs your dog is not taking a change in routine well: ● Vocalizations. This

can include whining, barking or howling when you leave. A severely stressed dog will continue long after you’re gone.

● Destructive chewing.

If the chewing is focused on exits, such as your door or windows, then

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this is often a sign of separation distress or anxiety. Just because your dog is chewing destructively, however, doesn’t mean he’s upset you’re gone. A teenage Labrador who doesn’t get enough exercise and is left loose in the house can trash a room better than any drunken rock band. This isn’t anxiety so much as boredom and excess energy to burn.

● Anorexia. Your dog will not

eat when you’re gone. You can leave a bowl of food and it will remain untouched. He may start to eat when you come home. You can leave a tempting, food-stuffed chew toy and he ignores it while you’re away but tackles it when you’re present. When a dog is stressed, he’s not hungry.

● Drooling. You come home

and think your dog has peed in the house, but when you clean it up you realize it’s drool. This is a sign of canine anxiety.

● Self injury. Some dogs try

so hard to escape that they will hurt themselves. For example, a dog will dig, bite, and claw his way out of a crate to the point where he cuts himself trying to get out.

It may be that your dog exhibited some of these behaviours before you were quarantined, and now, with your dog accustomed to your all-thetime presence during shelter-at-home precautions, your absence is felt more keenly than ever. If your dog is exhibiting these signs, it’s time to take action.

A good place to start is with your veterinarian. Your dog needs a medical check-up to ensure there isn’t something physically wrong with him that could be causing him stress. You can’t treat this problem behaviourally if it has a physical cause, and your veterinarian will be able to help you rule out illness or injury.

Your dog is worried and anxious, so using old-fashioned intimidation techniques is not going to solve the problem. They could make them worse.

For serious cases, it’s best to work with a professional trainer who uses modern, science-based methods of behaviour modification.

Here are five things you can do to get your dog off the worry train and onto a more peaceful track: 1. Practice your departure cues. What

do you do when you’re ready to leave? Pick up your keys? Put on shoes? Grab a purse? Randomly throughout the day, do all these things, but don’t leave. Pick up your keys, put on your shoes, grab your purse, and walk around the house for a minute. Then, put down your keys, take your shoes off, and put your purse down. These are triggers for your dog. By randomly practicing these cues throughout the day without departing, your dog will get more comfortable with them since they don’t always mean you are going to leave.

2. Make arrivals casual. When you do come

home, don’t have a welcome parade.

Be calm. Casually greet your dog.

Wait until your dog is less frantic before you pay attention to her.

combination) and age. If you have a teenage terrier that never gets cardio exercise, she has plenty of energy to pace, worry, and get anxious.

4. Teach your dog an out-of-sight stay. Cue

your dog to Sit or Down. Take one step back, then return to your dog and give her a treat. Take two steps back, then return to your dog and give her a treat. Keep building up your steps until you can turn a corner and go out of sight. Always return to your dog and release her from her Stay. Don’t call her to come to you. You want her to learn that you return, and she gets rewarded for staying in place.

5. Get your dog obsessed with foodstuffed toys. Start when

3. Implement an exercise plan. Make

sure your dog is getting enough exercise for her breed (or breed

you are home. Serve every meal out of a puzzle toy, not a food bowl, so your dog learns to love them.

When your dog is readily eating all meals out of toys, then start using them when you leave.

You love your dog, but you can’t be there for her 24/7. Having a dog that barks and howls when you’re gone is also a challenge when you live in a condo or apartment.

Neighbours don’t always care that your dog is stressed, only that your dog is noisy.

Now that you’re back to your normal routine, work on helping your dog adjust. It’ll be better for her mental health, and yours.

FUN PUZZLE TOYS TO MENTALLY ENGAGE YOUR DOG

the b o r e b e st bust dom ers!

The uniquely designed Wobble Ball 2.0 from P.L.A.Y. encourages mental stimulation as your dog maneuvers the ball to dispense treats, keeping your pup occupied while engaging her senses. ($19, petplay.com) The Mandala and Star puzzle from My Intelligent Pet includes two puzzles in one, challenging your dog’s concentration and dexterity as they knock over towers and move pieces in search of treats. ($52, myintelligentpets.com) moderndogmagazine.com

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eat D.I.Y.

Good Dog Mini Muffin Recipe Ingredients *Choose organic ingredients whenever possible.

4 whole eggs 1 cup plain, unsweetened yogurt, for example, Greek, Balkan, or goat milk yogurt 2/3 cup whole flour of your choice, including blends 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese or another grated cheese of your choice, for example, goat milk cheese 1/2 tsp sea salt 1 tsp herbs, for example, oregano (If you have fresh oregano from the garden, use 1 Tbsp, finely chopped)

Instructions 1. Preheat oven to 425°F. 2. Lightly grease a muffin tin. You can use a pan that holds 12 regular muffins but a 24-muffin mini pan is preferred.

3. In a large bowl, combine the eggs and yogurt. Then add the whole flour, cheese, salt and herbs, and ensure that all ingredients are thoroughly blended.

4. Spoon batter into prepared muffin tin, filling cups 2/3 full.

5. Bake in preheated oven for 25 - 30 minutes, until the Mini Muffins are lightly browned on top.

6. Cool completely before storing. This recipe can easily be doubled. Mini Muffins freeze well too.

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GOOD DOG MINI MUFFINS

Whip up these healthy, easy-to-make muffins for dogs

By Suzi Beber Illustrations by Hayley Schmidt

Ingredient Notes EGGS. For people and dogs, eggs are nutritional powerhouses, containing the most bioavailable protein.

Many consider eggs to be the number one food for hair, imbuing it with strength and lustre. Eggs also contain lutein, which helps to keep our dogs’ skin well hydrated and plays an important role in tissue repair. The zinc found in eggs supports skin health and shiny hair too.

Egg yolks provide a valuable source of biotin. It is one of the eight vitamins in the Vitamin B complex, helping to promote healthy skin and coat. Symptoms such as hair loss, skin irritation, lesions and fungus, can be the result of a biotin deficiency. Biotin/Vitamin H can be effective in the treatment of allergic reactions and skin conditions. Eggs also contain Vitamin A, which helps to repair cell damage, and is another vitamin known for helping to keep skin healthy and coat glowing.

GOAT MILK YOGURT. Goat milk contains more calcium, vitamin B-6, vitamin A, potassium, niacin, copper, folic acid, and selenium than cow’s milk, and unlike cow’s milk, goat milk does not contain aggluntinin, so fat globules in the milk do not gather together, making digestion easier. Goat milk also contains more of the linoleic and arachnodonic essential fatty acids, and a higher proportion of short chain and medium chain fatty acids than cow’s milk. Goat milk only contains trace amounts of alpha S-1, an allergenic casein protein, so it is a great alternative for pets and their owners who have an intolerance to cow milk-based products.

OREGANO. Oregano has a long and coloured history.

Not only was it recognized for its nutritional and medicinal properties, but it was also a symbol of joy. While native to northern Europe, oregano has been cultivated in France since the Middle Ages. It is integral to Mediterranean cuisine and was only popularized in the United States when soldiers brought oregano seeds home with them.

Oregano is an excellent source of Vitamin K and a very good source of iron, manganese, and dietary fibre. It is also a good source of calcium, magnesium, Vitamins A and C, and even, omega-3 fatty acids.

Research demonstrates that beta-caryophyllene, a chemical found in oregano, may inhibit inflammation.

Can all dogs

swim?

M

any people mistakenly think that all dogs can naturally swim. This isn’t true. Though most dogs will attempt a doggy paddle if they find themselves in the water, not all dogs are good swimmers or are able to stay afloat. In the latter camp you’ll often find brachycephalic (aka short-muzzled) dogs who can tire easily or have respiration problems in the water, “top heavy” dogs with deep chests and smaller hindquarters, or dogs with short legs.

Dogs usually fall into one of three categories: Dogs that LOVE the water. These dogs usually have thick, waterproof coats and webbed feet. Think the Portuguese Water Dog or the Labrador Retriever.

Dogs that are reluctant swimmers but can be taught.

Dogs that have trouble staying afloat for physiological reasons, such as brachycephalic breeds like the Bulldog, top-heavy breeds (again, the Bulldog) or shortlegged breeds like the Dachshund and the Basset Hound.

Additionally, hairless or finely coated dogs often don’t care for the water as they get easily chilled. Though of course, there are exceptions to every rule.

Teach Your Dog to Swim If your dog is able-bodied but hesitant to swim, get into the water with him. Go slow and start out in the shallows, praising as you gradually move deeper. Try a lifejacket designed for dogs and create positive association—coax your dog into the water by throwing a fetch toy or treats (which will often float for a minute before sinking). Be sure to avoid anywhere with waves that could swamp and scare your dog. By keeping it fun and positive, many nervous dogs will soon come to love swimming, which is wonderful as it’s great exercise while being easy on joints. Just respect that some dogs are happier on the shore, and there’s nothing wrong with that!

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SWIM GEAR Keep your dog safe in and around water with a ZippyPawsAdventure Life Jacket, available in sizes to fit dogs big and small. Not only will it keep your dog afloat, reflective stripes keep dogs visible and a builtin handle let you give your dog an assist. (From $16, zippypaws.com)

SWIM FUN Thrill your water-loving dog or encourage your canine land lubber with these awesome Seal Water toys from DOOG. They have a weighted tail and are designed to float upright in the water, perfect for use at the beach, pool or lake! ($19, doogusa.com)

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A Natural Cure for Pain, Anxiety, Seizures, and More?

Effusive pet owners sing the praises of CBD

By Tracey Tong

J

ennifer McNamee still remembers that chilling phone call from her youngest daughter on September 5 of last year.

Home alone, 12-year-old Gracyn found the family’s three-year-old Labrador Retriever mix, Boomer, “on the ground and foaming at the mouth.”

“She was frantic,” says the Toledo, OH resident and mother of five. “She was home alone and didn't know what to do, but I remember her saying, ‘I think he is having a seizure.’ I felt so bad for her.” Jennifer called her

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husband and son, who rushed home until Jennifer could get there.

Jennifer was worried about Boomer, who she describes as her “best friend.”

“He is always by my side except for bedtime—because he hogs it—and when I go to work. My husband says that when I am gone, he just stares out the window waiting for me to get back. I love him to pieces— everyone in the house does.”

“My first thought was that he had consumed something toxic, as he has a fondness for garbage,” Jennifer says.

When she called the vet’s office,

they told her to document it. “If it was something toxic, he would continue to be ill. He was acting completely fine by the time I made it home.”

Exactly one week later, it happened again.

“I was not home when it happened, but my husband was,” says Jennifer. “He said Boomer started dry heaving, then vomited, then went into a seizure. He snapped out of it within a couple of minutes. I called the vet back, and they had me bring him in the next day.”

Boomer was diagnosed with idiopathic epilepsy and the vet 

We have gone five months seizure-free at his current (CBD) dose,” says Jennifer. “I think five months seizure-free is great!”

prescribed phenobarbital, a medication used to control seizures. After some research about the side effects of the drug, Jennifer was concerned about the damage the drug can do to the liver.

“I did a search on natural ways to control epilepsy and came across an article on CBD. I then did another search for canine epilepsy and CBD oil and found that others were using CBD to control seizures in their dogs with great success.”

Believing that “natural is better—if possible—for everything,” Jennifer was open to the idea of using CBD for Boomer.

“I have to hide it in cheese,” says Jennifer. “He does anything for cheese. I know that is not the ideal way to administer CBD, but it works best for him.”

Jennifer is just one of scores of pet owners across North America who are trying cannabidiol—more commonly known as CBD—to treat their dogs’ ailments.

CBD for pets has become increasingly popular. But what is it?

"First and foremost, it is imperative to get our language straight when discussing cannabinoids,” says American Kennel Club chief veterinary officer Dr. Jerry Klein.

The cannabis plant can produce cannabinoids from the hemp plant or the marijuana plant, says Dr. Klein.

Hemp contains low amounts—less than 0.3 percent—of tetrahydrocannibidiol (THC), which is the psychoactive component, and higher amounts of CBD. Marijuana has greater than 0.3 percent THC and lower amounts of CBD. THC and marijuana are toxic to pets and should never be given to pets, says Dr. Klein, who oversees a team of over 100 staff members at Chicago Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Center as the emergency department’s supervising veterinarian. CBD is derived from hemp and is non-psychoactive.

Dr. Klein sees the growing interest in CBD for pets firsthand. According to Dr. Klein, clients seem to have the most interest in discussing the use of CBD for pet issues involving pain (central pain, osteoarthritic pain, peripheral neuropathies and spinal pain) and anxiety.

But those aren’t the only uses for CBD. Other pet owners have used CBD oil on their pets for issues including arthritis, chronic pain, cancer, seizures and various behavioural issues, Dr. Katherine Kramer, the director of the Canadian Association of Veterinary Cannabinoid

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Medicine, previously told Modern Dog. Even so, Dr. Klein—a member of professional organizations including the American Veterinary Medical Association; Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association and Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care Society—reminds that “the only scientific studies that have been published on the use of CBD in dogs has been regarding osteoarthritic pain and drug-resistant epilepsy (preliminary).

“Any other claims are at this time are strictly anecdotal, not scientific. This is very important to remember as many marketing claims of CBD products mark it as a cure or aid for a multitude of conditions and ailments,” he says.

Still, pet owners like Eric Wilborn have seen firsthand the difference that CBD has made to their dogs.

Eric and his wife, Jamie, have three dogs, “all rescues from local shelters (who) can be nervous,” says Eric.

In particular, their three-and-a-half-year-old Beagle/hound-mix, Jonas, suffers from severe anxiety, with nervous episodes typically brought on by storms, fireworks, construction, and other loud noises.

“Jonas tries to run and hide anywhere he can,” says Eric. “We have rushed home during fireworks to be with them. Our town’s festival is held just a couple of blocks away from us and they do fireworks during the summer every year.”

But storms and wind noise are the worst for Jonas, says Eric, and in Bourbonnais—the area of Illinois where the family resides—they see quite a few storms.

Jamie had success with a CBD tincture oil for herself, so the couple looked into giving a pet version to Jonas.

“Our opinion only improved once we saw how Jonas reacted to it,” says Eric. They administer the oil before a noise event. After giving the tincture orally with its dropper, they see results within 15 to 30 minutes.

Those results were life changing. Not only was Jonas “more calm and chill,” Eric says, “he was able to endure noises much better. We were relieved and he was much happier. We felt like we could leave the house during these events without feeling so guilty.”

If they choose to use CBD, pet owners need to exercise caution, says Dr. Klein.

“Owners that choose to give CBD should remember that there is no current data on drug interactions and specific dosages for animals,” says Dr. Klein. “CBD products are 

s, with their dogs Imus, Jona Eric and Jamie Wilborn f from nd-mix, Jonas, saw relie hou gle/ Bea se.

Goo and the use of CBD. his severe anxiety with

not regulated for purity, concentration, and authenticity.

Individual medical histories of each pet must be considered prior to the administration of any drug, especially in dogs having heart and/or liver issues.

The concern of proper dosing of any product for dogs is especially concerning as they can range in weight from as little as three pounds to over 150 pounds.”

“No product should ever be given to an animal for the first time and left alone for the first two hours, especially products not regulated for dogs or cats,” says Dr. Klein.

“CBD products may take effect as early as 20 minutes or may show effects as long as two hours. Adverse reactions, such as severe lethargy or unresponsiveness, would need to be addressed as quickly as possible to prevent a possible tragedy.”

That said, Dr. Klein says that as a dog owner, he recognizes that there have been many anecdotal claims regarding the benefits of CBD for dogs in pain.

When his own dog, Kong, suffered from spinal pain, Dr. Klein tried CBD oil “as the one last ditch effort to try after we had tried all other forms of both prescribed medications, invasive procedures, and alternative medicine.

“I used the product as directed in hopes of giving him some relief of his pain. After five days of CBD treatment, I can say I noticed one night of improved sleep.” He could not confirm the cause of the improvement.

Others, like Jennifer, have noticed a more definite difference.

“We have (gone) five months seizure-free at his current dose,” says Jennifer. “I think five months seizure-free is great!”

In addition to helping Boomer’s epilepsy, she believes that CBD oil contributed to easing the pain from his knee after a tibial-plateau-leveling osteotomy surgery in February 2019.

“After his surgery, he stopped using his leg to get on or off the couch and would not jump to catch a ball,” Jennifer says. “The vet that did his surgery said he was all healed and to try glucosamine and chondroitin, which we did, but no change. Within months of starting the CBD, I noticed him using his leg to get up on the couch so I decided to toss the ball up in the air and he jumped up and caught it. We have discontinued the use of the other joint supplements.

He clearly felt relief with his knee, and it was great to see him be able to be a dog again.” 

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Get started with these CBD products formulated for dogs

If your dog is experiencing hip or joint pain, try Grizzly Pet Product’s Hemp Enhanced Joint Aid Liquid.

Its synergistic blend of five active joint support ingredients, wild fish oil, and organically grown hemp oil can help reduce stiffness, pain, and inflammation. $30, grizzlypetproducts.com

Jasper Sorën’s Canine CBD is a 3,000 mg CBD concentrate for dogs of all sizes. The double independent-lab-tested formula blends organic hemp oil with CBD isolate from Colorado growers. Start with a low to moderate daily dose and increase for an individualized treatment plan. $149, jaspersoren.com

Extra Strength Health Drops from Healthier Pet combine 99.2% pure CBD isolate with organic hemp oil and fish oil for added health benefits.

Designed to work quickly, this formula helps treat an array of aliments. From $53, healthierpet.org

Iceland Pure’s Next Level Premier CBD Fish Oil combines CBD oil with fish oils for a unique formula offering a high absorption rate to relieve anxiety, lubricate joints, bolster immunity, and help battle cancer. From $82, icelandpure.com

P H OTO L E F T E R I C W I L B O R N

Canine CBD

One of the bright spots amid the coronavirus pandemic has been an incredible increase in dog fostering and adoptions.

By Michelle Morton

M

ore stray dogs are getting a second chance at a forever home as animal shelters across the U.S. and Canada see more people applying to adopt and foster pets amid COVID-19 restrictions.

In Florida, the Palm Beach County Animal Care & Control has just recently seen one of its three kennels empty—for the first time ever.

The shelter’s community outreach manager, Elizabeth Harfmann, says the number of dog adoptions and fosters started to increase in the middle of March.

“We’ve kind of slowed down as a society and people are home more often,” Elizabeth says, and that people are looking for companionship—“something positive, despite all the uncertainty and stress that’s going on in the world, so adopting or fostering a pet is an excellent way to do that.”

Elizabeth says each kennel can hold between 48 to 100 dogs at a time. “We’re open seven days a week. We always have animals coming through our doors that need

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our help—so for us to have a completely empty kennel was something that was just amazing,” she says.

“The lack of animals… it’s very surreal,” Elizabeth says about the shelter now, which is “great” for staff because it’s giving the team more time to pamper the animals in their care.

Elizabeth says the average stay for an adoptable dog at the shelter is around two weeks, but now it’s only a “matter of days.”

“We’re still getting inquiries daily… anywhere from five to 15 from people interested in adopting or wanting to pick up the foster,” Elizabeth says.

“I have found a lot of our fosters for dogs and cats recently are all planning on adopting them so those pets aren’t coming back,” Elizabeth added.

Nashville Metro Animal Care and Control Director Lauren Bluestone says around the beginning of March, the shelter felt an urgency to find the animals foster homes,

N E W S . © 2020 M I N N E S OTA P U B L I C R A D I O ®. US E D W I T H P E R M I SS I O N . A L L R I G H T S R E S E R V E D.

Dog Shelters Clear Kennels For First Time Ever

P H OTO E VA N F ROS T / M P R N E W S . A N I M A L H U M A N E S O C I E T Y P H OTO F ROM M I N N E S OTA P U B L I C R A D I O

A dog named Cori is walked through the Animal Humane Society in Golden Valley, MN on her way home to her new family.

one reason being social distancing. Many shelters feared adoptions would halt with quarantine measures in place.

This coupled with a potential staffing crisis if work-fromhome orders affected their operations along with a possible influx of surrendered dogs, could have proved disastrous.

Instead, the opposite took place.

“It happened to be a very successful push in terms of the numbers of people who came out and stepped up and wanted to help the animals,” Lauren says. As the dogs come in, “we’re literally getting them out in foster right away.”

Lauren says in March 2019, 12 people signed up to become foster dog parents—that same time this year 447 new applicants signed up.

“I couldn’t be happier,” Lauren says, “this has just been overwhelming.”

“It’s a great time for people to step up and help out. A lot of people are working from home. I think pets, or even fosters, are a great addition for that little emotional perk on a daily basis and I think that’s what a lot of people are saying,” she says.

At Foster Dogs Inc. in New York, founder Sarah Brasky says her organization is also seeing a spike in adoption numbers.

“We’ve had far more interest in fostering than we’ve ever had in the past,” she says, adding that Foster Dogs received an average of four and a half applicants a day last year—that number jumping to an average of 100 per day in March 2020.

Sarah says since March 14, nearly 90 percent of applicants on the website’s Foster Roster are brand new to fostering.

“What’s ironic,” she says, “is that far more people want to foster than there are dogs currently in shelters—so it’s this strange situation where the tables have turned.”

“The beauty of fostering is that with every new foster dog you take in, you learn something new and you’re able to take on more the next time around,” she says, adding she hopes this foster momentum continues after COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.

A National Geographic and Morning Consult poll of 2,200 people in the U.S. found that 20% have considered adopting a pet during this time of social distancing and quarantining. And 17% have considered fostering.

Fosters can also play a big role in finding stray dogs a new forever home, Sarah says, for example “when a foster parent takes a photo of a dog on a couch, or playing in the yard, or playing with their cats or child, that photo can make all the difference when adopters are looking at pet listings, and could literally be the reason why that dog gets adopted.”

Susie’s Senior Dogs uses its social media platform to give exposure to older stray animals from all over the country, and its founder, Erin Stanton, says that she has noticed in the past few weeks those animals are finding homes “a lot quicker.”

“The nature of posting about senior dogs, is it can take some time to get them adopted,” Erin says, “in the idea of convincing people that even if you’re going to have possibly less time with a senior dog than you would with a puppy, that it still is worth it—that it’s still something worthwhile and that it’s still something that you can find so much joy and companionship, and there’s so much that you can do with a senior dog.” 

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Guapo is just one of the dogs to benefit from the surge in adoptions and fosters. He was in foster for about a month before being adopted by his awesome forever family.

Vader, the black and white dog at right, adopted through Nashville Metro Animal Care and Control, happily poses with his new family.

Cause for jubilation: Palm Beach County Animal Care & Control "Kennel Two" completely empty.

“In March 2019, 12 people signed up to become foster dog parents—that same time this year 447 new applicants signed up.”

Erin says now rescue organizations have been letting her know that the senior dogs being shared on her social media platform are getting adopted within a week.

The BC SPCA in Canada, and shelters across the country, have also been seeing more dogs find forever homes quicker than usual since the COVID-19 restrictions began in March, according to spokesperson Lorie Chortyk.

“We’re seeing a huge interest, not only in dog adoptions but adoptions for every kind of animal,” Lorie says.

“We have multiple applications for animals that come in.”

“Certainly, puppies would always be adopted very quickly, but sometimes other dogs might stay with us for a week, 10 days, two weeks— now those same animals are going out the same afternoon that they come in,” Lorie says, adding that interest includes animals of all ages in the shelter’s care.

“We really appreciate that people are looking to the SPCA for animals.

There are so many amazing animals

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who need homes, and new animals are coming in every day,” she says.

Lorie echoes other shelters when she says that while she’s happy to see more animals get adopted and fostered by people spending more time at home amid social distancing, staff are making sure to thoroughly screen potential pet owners to make sure they are fully aware of what they are signing up for so no animals are returned after society heads back to work.

“We don’t want people making just impulse decisions because they might be bored or lonely at home. I mean we want to make sure that people understand that the commitment that they’re making is for the lifetime of that pet,” Lorie says. “We make sure that all the same adoption counselling and discussions take place so people really do understand the financial commitment that they’re making and the time commitment that they are making.”

Lauren says with social distancing, video interviews are common at the Nashville shelter with

foster applicants, and Elizabeth says staff are having conversations with applicants to make sure their potential new dog fits with their lifestyle.

“People are worried that when the pandemic ends, animal shelters are going to be flooded with pets again, but I personally don’t think that’s the case,” Elizabeth says. “People have had the time, they’re home, so they’ve had the time to really allow those pets to integrate into their family and become part of their routine and their daily schedule.”

Erin notes it’s important for this new wave of fostering and adopting to continue after the COVID-19 restrictions are lifted because “there’s obviously going to be economic hardship,” she says, which will result in “an increase in shelter intakes because people can’t afford their dogs anymore.”

For now, though, “seeing empty kennels like this is a dream for us,” Elizabeth says. “This is what we work so hard for day in, and day out. We’re over the moon.” 

Proven Happiness Boosters These eight ideas will not only improve your mood but your dog’s as well! By Rose Frosek

#

1

Get out in nature with your dog.

Spending just five minutes in nature can quickly improve your mood—even if it’s just five minutes spent sitting in an urban park, researchers from the University of Regina found after conducting two studies.

“When you need an emotional boost, the fastest and easiest way is to spend a few minutes with nature,” one of the study’s authors, Katherine D. Arbuthnott, told PsyPost.

These studies aren’t the only ones to indicate that getting back to nature can dispel a bad mood and reroute negative thinking.

Research undertaken by Harvard University suggests that mood disorders can be lifted by spending more time outdoors.

A growing scientific field called ecotherapy shows a strong connection between time spent in nature and reduced stress, anxiety, and depression.

In a 2015 Harvard study, researchers compared the brain activity of healthy people after they walked for 90 minutes in either a natural setting or an urban one. Those who did a nature walk had lower activity in the prefrontal cortex, a brain region that is active during rumination, defined as repetitive thoughts focused on negative emotions.

"When people are depressed or under high levels of stress, this part of the brain malfunctions, and people experience a continuous loop of negative thoughts," says Dr. Straus, director of geriatric psychiatry at Harvard-affiliated Cambridge Health Alliance.

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Natural spaces have also been shown to lower blood pressure and levels of the stress hormone cortisol. The beauty of nature also soothes and occupies your mind in a positive way, says Dr. Strauss. "Having something pleasant to focus on like trees and greenery helps distract your mind from negative thinking, so your thoughts become less filled with worry."

#

2

Acts of Kindness.

Studies show selfless acts of kindness boost happiness and popularity. An experiment published in PLOS ONE showed that when nine to 11-year-old kids were asked to perform acts of kindness for several weeks, not only did they get happier over time but they became more popular with their peers.

One suggestion: foster a puppy or a dog. Organizations like San Antonio Pets Alive (SAPA) in San Antonio, TX, are continually in need of fosters for puppies and adult dogs alike. SAPA pulls at-risk dogs from the city shelter and places them in foster homes, buying the dogs time until a forever home can be found. Thanks to SAPA’s grassroots network of foster-volunteers, they are able to save death-row dogs daily.

Modern Dog’s Jennifer Nosek regularily takes in foster pups.

Once they’ve found homes, she’ll foster another couple pups, usually siblings around eight weeks old, until they too can be adopted. (The cuteness!!) Organizations across the U.S. and Canada are in need of temporary foster homes for rescued dogs and puppies—check with your local animal control, shelter or rescue organization to get started.

P H OTO 4 C H I C S P R I N K L E S D E S I G N A N D P H OTO G R A P H Y

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3

Get those legs and arms moving

and get those mood-boosting endorphins pumping. A walk, a hike, a trail run—pick the most strenuous option you and your dog are comfortably capable of and aim to make it a habit.

Beware the three-day slump in which your body acclimates to the feel-good boost and tells you don’t need to go anymore.

Push through and be rewarded with better mental and physical health.

#

4

Find a creative outlet.

A study out of New Zealand had participants track how creative they’d been and their corresponding mood. A clear pattern emerged, suggesting “a particular kind of upward spiral for well-being and creativity,” said Dr. Tamlin Conner, a psychologist at New Zealand’s University of Otago and the study’s lead author. “Engaging in creative behaviour leads to increases in well-being the next day, and this increased well-being is likely to facilitate creative activity on the same day.”

Wondering where to start? We have tons of cool DIYs (leash hooks! No-sew dog beds!) and dog-approved recipes to get you started! Find them here: moderndogmagazine.com/diy-projects

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5

Learn a new skill with your dog.

Research shows that learning new skills improves mental wellbeing by raising self-esteem and boosting selfconfidence, increasing sense of purpose, and helping you connect with others. Better yet, involve your dog. Why not set up a backyard DIY agility course or try nose work? Find how-to’s at: moderndogmagazine.com/ diyagility and moderndogmagazine.com/nosework Step two, join an agility club or nose work group! Being a part of a community has also been shown to increase happiness.

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6

Pet your dog.

A study undertaken in 2019 at the University of Washington compared the salivary levels of cortisol, a major stress hormone, in students who had interacted with pets to those that had not. The findings suggest that just 10 minutes of petting time can significantly reduce physical stress levels.

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7

Volunteer with your dog.

Yes, there are incredible opportunities to volunteer with your dog, such as youth reading programs and nursing home visits, but it can also be as simple as volunteering to take your elderly neighbour’s dog for a walk or pick up groceries.

The positive effects of volunteering are well documented.

Research has shown that participating in volunteer activities is significantly predictive of improved mental and physical health, as well as life satisfaction, self-esteem, and happiness.

Studies have shown that volunteering helps people who donate their time feel more socially connected, thus warding off loneliness and depression, as well as achieve better physical health, including lower blood pressure and a longer lifespan. A study from Carnegie Mellon University published in Psychology and Aging found that adults over age 50 who volunteered on a regular basis were less likely to develop high blood pressure than non-volunteers.

8

#

Choose gratitude.

What we focus on determines our experience.

If you direct your attention to gratitude rather than ruminate on the negatives, you can change your life. This doesn’t mean you have to be in denial. It simply means that you try and refocus your attention to the positives wherever possible—like that dog beside you snoozing on the couch, feet twitching ever so slightly, dreaming of rabbits. moderndogmagazine.com

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BODY & SOUL What’s a lawn lover to do? Organic lawn care service providers like Naturalawn create lush lawns without the toxic chemicals.

Naturalawn offers two unique lawn care programs that protect you and your pets against harmful pesticides and chemicals while also combating weeds and pests. Every treatment begins with a soil test that determines the plan of action to enrich your lawn. Building a dense, healthy root system is vital to having a lush lawn and controlled-release nutrients reach deep to ensure soil is replenished. Organic methods add natural nutrients to the soil and help develop healthy root systems naturally. Naturalawn helps problem-solve common lawn issues like brown patches, surface-feeding insects, weeds, and lackluster growth with natural products and care for your individual lawn, so you can feel confident watching your kids and pets play on a lawn that is well-cared for, naturally.

A Lush Lawn That is Safe For Kids and Pets!

“I have been increasingly pleased with Naturallawn of America, writes Google reviewer Barbara Hordern. “Most important to me, however, is the return of dragonflies and the birds that love them. We have the beautiful dragonflies we never saw with [other chemical-based lawn care company], and Blue Jays. We are quite pleased.”

Beware what you put on your lawn: Lawn chemicals linked to two types of cancer in dogs A lush, green lawn is undeniably inviting, particularly for children and pets. This makes it of upmost importance to ensure your lawn care regime is safe for your whole family.

A six-year study at the Foster Hospital for Small Animals at Tufts University’s Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine found exposure to lawn pesticides, specifically those applied by professional lawn care companies, raised the risk of canine malignant lymphoma (CML) by as much as 70 percent.

Dogs over 50 pounds in homes where pesticides and herbicides were professionally applied, or in homes where owners used chemical lawn care products to kill insects were at the greatest risk.

Another study by the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences at Purdue University found common garden and lawn pesticides and herbicides are linked to canine bladder cancer. Breeds with a genetic predisposition for bladder cancer (Scottish Terriers, Beagles, Shetland Sheepdogs, Westies, and Wire Fox Terriers) are at particularly high risk. The study compared environmental exposure histories of two groups of 83 Scottish Terriers and found that the dogs exposed to treated lawns were seven times more likely to develop bladder cancer.

Synthetic lawn care chemicals also leech into groundwater and pollute the environment, while synthetic fertilizers containing fast-acting chemicals made with fossil fuels can kill earthworms and beneficial organisms in the soil. Excess fertilizer pollutes waterways.

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Reduce Bath Time Stress, Guaranteed We’ve all been there, soaked and frustrated after bathing our dogs. Well no more. The ingenious AquaPaw pet bathing tool, as seen on Shark Tank, makes bath time a breeze. This combination sprayer-scrubber is worn on your hand, ensuring maximum control over water flow—simply turn it on or off by making a fist and pressing the button in the center of the palm.

AquaPaw connects to your shower or a standard garden hose for ultimate flexibility, and helps you clean deeply for a healthy, shiny coat. ($25, aquapaw.com). For reluctant dogs, pair with their Slow Treater ($11), which attaches to the tub wall and keeps your dog busy with a smear of peanut butter (or favourite treat!) while you wash.

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BODY & SOUL

NOT-SO-HOT

SPOTS Hot spots may seem to appear out of nowhere, but they’re usually caused by a chronic triggering condition. Here’s how to get to the bottom of the problem.

Y

By Dr. Sarah Myers our dog suddenly can’t seem to stop licking and worrying a spot on her body. You part the fur only to discover a moist, wet sore. What caused this and how do you fix it? Help is here!

What are hot spots?

Hot spots, which your veterinarian might call acute moist dermatitis or pyotraumatic dermatitis, are itchy, moist lesions that can seem to pop up overnight. Sometimes matted fur can obscure these infected areas of skin which your dog can’t seem to stop licking. Hot spots are classified as superficial if they only affect the outer layers of the skin and appear red and inflamed, or deep, in which case the skin is usually thickened, covered in pus, and may have lesions on the surrounding skin.

What causes hot spots?

Hot spots may seem to appear out of nowhere, but there is most often an underlying cause that’s more chronic. Any condition that can cause itching can lead to licking, rubbing, and scratching has the potential to result in a hot spot. This can include flea bites, environmental allergies, ear infections, an adverse food reaction or a bacterial overgrowth.

How do you treat hot spots?

While it is important to treat the immediate concern—your dog’s itchiness and discomfort—it’s also important for your vet to identify any underlying causes that may be present.

They’ll likely use a flea comb to check your dog for these pesky parasites. Some dogs are so sensitive to flea bites that even a single flea biting your dog and jumping off can lead to full blown reaction. If a flea sensitivity is suspected, it is a good idea to keep your dog on year round flea control to prevent future reactions.

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Your vet may suspect allergies based on certain clues in your dog’s history—Do they get itchy at certain times of the year, suggesting seasonal allergies? Do they flare up following exposure to certain plants? Did a change in food bring on ear scratching and paw licking? Depending on the degree of suspicion and chronicity of symptoms, recommendations may vary from trying a novel protein diet, to a trial of allergy medication, to referral to a dermatologist for allergy testing. Ear infections are also commonly linked to an underlying allergy, so these can go hand in hand with hot spots.

Since the fur is often wet and matted, usually your dog’s fur will need to be clipped. This allows the lesion to get better air circulation and encourages it to dry out. It also makes it easier for you to be able to apply topical medications, and for you to monitor the skin to make sure its healing. The skin is usually then scrubbed to remove exudate and surface bacteria. This may be uncomfortable or painful for some pets, so sometimes sedation is required to properly clip and clean.

Treatment for hot spots varies based on whether they are superficial or deep. Your vet may decide to swab the skin and look under the microscope to confirm the presence of bacteria. More mild, superficial hot spots are usually treated with a topical cream or ointment that you apply twice a day.

These ointments contain an anti-inflammatory for comfort, and an antibiotic for bacteria that is present on the skin. Deeper hot spots require oral antibiotics and usually either an antiinflammatory or an anti-itch medication.

You’ll know your dog is feeling better once the skin appears dry and returns to its normal colour. If your dog had to wear a cone or a cloud collar to prevent licking while healing, this will be a happy day for everybody in the family!

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BODY & SOUL

4 SIGNS OF OSTEOARTHRITIS Is it osteoarthritis or something else? This checklist will help determine what’s at the root of your dog’s slow down

By Tracey Tong

I

n his younger years, Old Dan loved to run alongside his pet parent, Melody Grape, as she went for one of her frequent jogs around her neighbourhood.

Two years ago, the then six-yearold German shepherd mix began to slow down. He was less willing to move from his bed on the floor, even when Melody started lacing up her shoes in the doorway, something that used to send him racing to her side.

One day, he slipped on the hardwood floor and fell. This worried Melody, a Jacksonville, Florida resident, enough to take Old Dan to the vet, where he was eventually diagnosed with osteoarthritis.

A degenerative joint disease, osteoarthritis is a progressive and permanent long-term deterioration of the cartilage surrounding the joints.

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It differs from arthritis, which is the medical term for inflammation of the joints.

There are a number of potential causes. “It can be associated with larger breeds at an early age or later in life, as a sequel to trauma, from dietary imbalance, from infection such as Lyme disease, and numerous other causes,” says New York-based veterinarian Dr. Dan Gilchrist, founder of the Waterville Veterinary Clinic in Waterville, N.Y. A graduate of the Ontario Veterinary College in 1978, Dr. Gilchrist practiced primarily in large animal medicine for 20 years in Vermont and New York before building the Waterville Veterinary Clinic, a small animal practice, over the last 20 years of his career.

Signs of osteoarthritis aren’t always easy to spot as they can

be subtle, particularly at first, but there are several common signs of osteoarthritis in dogs:

1. Your dog has a stiff gait One of the first signs of Old Dan’s osteoarthritis was his stiff walk and decreased range of motion, says Melody. “The vet said it was a classic sign,” she says. He was also diagnosed with hip dysplasia, which may have contributed to his osteoarthritis.

“Note that because your dog doesn’t yelp or cry out in pain may not be a sign that everything is okay,” says Dr. Gilchrist. “Dogs can be very stoic, suffering in silence, laying blame on no one, and accepting 

BODY & SOUL in silence and without prejudice their lot in life. In some cases, they might cry out in pain, but in most cases, it manifests itself when they favour one or more limbs, get up slowly, walk very slowly and deliberately, or just slow down significantly. They might carry a limb all the time, or off and on. Sometimes they get up lame and the more they move, the less they limp.”

It’s important to rule out other causes, says, Dr. Gilchrist.

If the problem seems to worsen the more the dog walks, Dr. Gilchrist said that could be an indication of an injury such as a torn ligament, damaged meniscus or intervertebral disc disease. A visible swelling in the leg or joint can also indicate trauma or infection or tumor. Swelling in the joint(s) accompanied by fever could indicate a tick-borne disease such as Lyme disease, anaplasmosis or ehrlichiosis, he says.

“A complete blood count and blood chemistry can check for signs of infection, dietary imbalances, and other more obscure causes of lameness,” Dr. Gilchrist says.

2. Your dog is older (but not always) “Osteoarthritis is an acquisition that comes with age, but in some cases, it begins at birth,” says Dr. Gilchrist.

Although older dogs are at greater risk of getting osteoarthritis, there are other causes of osteoarthritis as

well, including hip dysplasia that gets worse with time, an injury, or abnormal wear on joints.

3. You have a large dog Larger dogs are the most commonly affected by osteoarthritis. “Small breeds are similarly affected, but often to a lesser extent,” says Dr. Gilchrist. “Some species are affected more than others.” Keeping your pet at a healthy weight helps too, as obesity can add stress to joints.

4. Your dog is snappy or irritable “Dogs can also show pain with mild aggression signs such as snapping uncharacteristically when coaxed to get up, especially by children who aren’t aware of what’s going on with their pet,” says Dr. Gilchrist. “The veterinarian is trained in determining where it hurts and characterizing the pain.”

Treatments Treatments vary from glucosamine/ chondroitin supplements to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), steroids, adequan injections, antibiotics, therapeutic laser, acupuncture, heat and hydrotherapy and surgery, says Dr. Gilchrist. Surgery, which includes

IS IT OSTEOARTHRITIS OR SOMETHING ELSE? If the problem seems to worsen the more the dog walks, it could be an injury such as a torn ligament, damaged meniscus or intervertebral disc disease.

Visible swelling in the leg or joint can indicate trauma or infection or tumor. Swelling in the joint(s) accompanied by fever could indicate a tickborne disease such as Lyme disease, anaplasmosis or ehrlichiosis. joint replacement or removal, or bone or cartilage fragment removal and reconstructive procedures, can help alleviate symptoms and slow the progression of the condition. Physical therapy can include exercises to strengthen muscle tone, swimming, and massage.

“A good physical exam and work up by your veterinarian is critical to the treatment protocol,” Dr. Gilchrist says. “Not every case requires all or many of the aforementioned. A torn nail or a sprain or infection is often easily diagnosed and treated. Take it one step at a time, beginning with a physical exam.” 

Help For Sore Joints Deliver nutrients that support joint health along with extra moisture via a deliciously healthy bone broth! Primal Pet Foods’ Bone Broth for dogs, available in beef, chicken, pork and turkey flavours, boosts overall health, helps joints, and keeps your dog hydrated. ($10, primalpetfoods.com)

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Is your dog struggling with hip pain and mobility issues?

The ActivPhy Hip + Joint Supplement for Dogs from H&C Animal Health includes ingredients like MSM, Glucosamine, flaxseed oil, and Omega-3 to help support your dog’s aging hips and provide nutrients to help sore joints. ($40, Find it on amazon.com)

A potent blend of Glucosamine HCL, Curcumin BioBDMC30™, and Hyaluronic Acid, Purica Pet Curcumin + is formulated to prevent/ reduce joint pain and inflammation. This powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory supplement can help improve your dog’s joint health while providing immunity support. ($48, purica.com)

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P H OTO F B I . G OV

English Labrador Retrievers Wally and Giovanni (Gio) are trained Crisis Response Canines. The two Labs are valued members of the FBI's Victim Assistance Rapid Deployment Team.

THIS FBI MEMBER HAS FOUR LEGS Remarkable canines are valued FBI team members, comforting kids in the wake of school shootings

By Vivien Fellegi

D

ogs have evolved by our side for over 30,000 years and have earned the title of “best friends.” They’ve learned to read our moods, and know how to calm us down, says Kerri Rodriguez, graduate researcher at Purdue University’s Centre for the HumanAnimal Bond.

As research on the human-animal bond has exploded in recent decades, we’re uncovering the science behind this attachment. Within just 10 minutes, interactions with dogs lower our blood pressure, decrease our stress hormones (cortisol), and boost our cuddle chemical, oxytocin, creating a feeling of trust and wellbeing.

Our dogs’ ability to console us makes them helpful in tough times. “If (you’ve) gone through a traumatic event, affection without judgment is incredibly important,” says Kerri, who

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studied K9s for Warriors service dogs for veterans with PTSD. These dogs, all rescued from shelters, are trained to recognize when their owner is spinning out, and how to nudge them back to reality. Dogs also help in other fraught situations, like the aftermath of natural disasters or mass shootings.

“Focusing attention on dogs can be a way of (concentrating) on the present, rather than reliving the traumatic event,” says Kerri.

The role of working dogs is expanding alongside the growing evidence of their effectiveness. Today canines are helping traumatized veterans, teaching empathy to young offenders, helping inmates learn responsibility and skills, comforting victims of catastrophes and mass shootings, and so much more.

Meet one canine assistance dog helping children following one of the most traumatic events imaginable—a school shooting.

When the teenage girl’s mother dragged her into the family assistance center in 2018 for victims of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High mass shooting, it was clear that the girl just wanted to be left alone. She paced back and forth, silent and stony-faced, a distant look in her eyes. Her worried mom told FBI staff that her daughter had not left her room since witnessing the tragedy. 17 people—14 students and three staff members—had been killed at her Parkland, Florida high school on Valentine’s Day. The teenager clearly did not want to be there. But then a smart, sensitive English Labrador Retriever called Giovanni—Gio for short—pulled her out of her paralysis. The student made a beeline for the dog, pulled up a chair beside him, and began talking to the animal. As she stroked and snuggled with him, her stiff posture loosened, and she engaged in a conversation with FBI Agent Melody Tiddle. By the end of the visit, the girl had agreed to talk to a therapist in the presence of Gio. The teenager, “an incredibly brave young lady,” says Agent Tiddle, improved with every session over the next three days.

She began reaching out to friends for support and processing the incident with the counsellor. “She was almost a different person,” says the FBI Agent.

The FBI agent credits her canine partner for the girl’s turn around. Gio’s presence lowered her defenses, she says. “He grounded her enough to be able to receive assistance.”

Gio is one of just two FBI Crisis Response Canines deployed to console victims and their families in the aftermath of mass shootings. They tag along with FBI staff during hospital visits, death notifications, family briefings, and other uncomfortable situations.

The canine counsellors come from the non-profit Assistance Dogs of the West, which breeds and trains dogs to assist the disabled, court witnesses, FBI employees, and others. Their breeding selects for resilience in the face of unpredictable environments, says the organization’s President and CEO, Linda Milanesi. Emotional intellect is another key quality. “Our dogs are full to over-brimming with love,” she says.

The organization’s training methods emphasize positive reinforcement and are designed to forge strong interspecies bonds. After graduating, the dogs are allowed to choose their future handlers. A happy dog will work harder for his human partner, says lead trainer Jodie Densmore. The “dog sticks with that person and really tries to troubleshoot,” she says.

The dogs have a tremendous effect on victims of violence. Not only do they alleviate stress in the moment, their presence can even reduce the odds of developing long-term post-traumatic stress disorder, says the trainer.

The canines take equally good care of the FBI staff at the Victims Services Division, where they reside between missions.

“Our work is pretty heavy,” says FBI Agent Tiddle. On a tough day, she takes Gio outdoors, lobs him toys, and watches him go wild. Just witnessing his carefree exuberance turns around a bad mood. “He gives me a way to reboot,” says the agent. “I am super grateful that I’m his handler.” moderndogmagazine.com

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TRAINING

What to Do When Your Puppy Cries At Night In His Crate It’s your first night with your new puppy and he's crying in his crate. Here’s what to do.

By Zazie Todd

T

here are good reasons to crate puppies overnight.

The most important is safety. Puppies can easily get into trouble if your house isn’t puppy-proofed.

Crating helps with house training too. Puppies are unlikely to soil in their crate, and if they wake in the night the crate stops them finding somewhere in the house to toilet. A crate protects household objects from sharp puppy teeth. And crate training is useful in case of emergency and in case your dog is ever hospitalized at the vet. But the first few nights can undoubtably be rough. Here’s what to do if your new puppy cries at night in their crate.

Where to Put the Crate The best place to put the crate overnight is in your bedroom. This makes it easier for you to hear if your puppy needs a potty break. Plus, your presence is comforting.

Newly separated from their mom and littermates, puppies are not used to being alone. .

“Puppies are babies; they need to feel safe,” says Suzanne Bryner of Lucky Fido Dog Training in Friday Harbor, WA. She suggests putting the crate next to the bed.

Then, she says, if they wake up and you’re sure they need company not a bathroom break (e.g. they just went or have access to pee pads), “it will be easy for you to reach down and let them snuffle your fingers, talk softly and sweetly to them, and give them a little tickle.” You might be able to comfort them without letting them out of their crate.

If the bedroom isn’t where you ultimately want your

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puppy to sleep, you can gradually move the crate to a new location once they are house-trained. During the daytime either move the crate or have another one set up in your living area and continue with crate training sessions in which good things happen in the crate (think treats and dinner).

The First Night Coming to live in your house is a big transition and it’s normal to have some issues on the first few nights. Your puppy probably won’t have finished crate training yet (see sidebar for how to teach your puppy to love the crate), and so isn’t ready to spend the whole night in the crate. They will cry because they want company and reassurance, and/or they need a bathroom break.

“Your first night with your puppy may be the toughest,” says Kathrine Christ of Hands Full Dog Training in Wichita, Kansas. “Don’t throw in the towel; your puppy will develop a routine over the next few days and things will settle down.”

When your puppy cries, take him straight outside in case he needs to potty. Carry him to prevent accidents en route, and plan ahead by leaving shoes, your coat, and some treats (to reward toileting) in an easy-to-find spot. Then put your puppy back in the crate. Kathrine says, “Our goal should be for puppies to feel relaxed and comfortable in their crate, so if the puppy does not settle within a couple of minutes, he should be removed from the crate and

re-introduced to it in a way that does not cause these unpleasant feelings.”

In the long run, taking him out for now is best as you don’t want him to learn to hate the crate.

It may help to use a puppy pen for part of the night while you work on crate training. If your puppy is not yet old enough to “hold it” overnight (usually not until seven or eight months) and you aren’t willing or able to take him out to potty, use a large crate or puppy pen that allows room for a pee pad. (Note that if you want your dog to potty exclusively outside this may set back your housetraining efforts.)

Very young puppies (around six weeks old and under) need to toilet every half hour, but after that a rough guideline is that they can typically “hold it” for as many hours as their age in months. A 12-week-old puppy should be able to wait for about three hours but may need to eliminate

well before this. For house-training purposes, take your puppy out to potty every one to two hours and reward him for toileting outside. If he is sleeping, you don’t need to disturb him. “Some books say to take the puppy out every one to two hours without this important caveat,” says Kathrine. “Some puppies can sleep for several hours at night right away!”

When Puppy Cries If your puppy cries in the crate at night, your instinct will be to help him—and that’s the right thing to do.

Although sometimes people worry that getting him out of the crate might teach him to cry, that shouldn’t deter you. In fact, you want him to know that you will help him if he's crying.

He may need you to take him outside for a potty break, or perhaps he just needs some reassurance.

“Puppies learn from consequences, and the puppy may learn that communicating with you means they

will be released from the crate. But guess what? This is not a bad thing!” says Kathrine. “If one of my dogs needs to potty (or throw up!), or if they are scared of thunder, they will whine in the crate since they know I will let them out.” If you follow a gradual crate training plan that builds positive associations with the crate, she says, “you can also teach the puppy to remain quietly in the crate as long as their needs have been met, while still allowing them a voice if they are feeling upset or uncomfortable.”

Suzanne agrees. “If a puppy who has gone through proper crate training, loves their crate, and doesn't have a problem being crated is crying, then I would be concerned about why. I think it is really important to say here that with puppies we do best to err on the side of comfort and kindness. Comforting your puppy is never the wrong thing to do!” 

At eight weeks of age, a puppy can only hold it for a couple hours before needing a bathroom break. A general rule of thumb is that a puppy can hold their bladder one hour for every month of age. So if your puppy is two months old, they can hold it for about two hours. In short, you’ll either need to get up with your puppy during the night or set up a larger kennel/x-pen that allows for space to include a puppy pad

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If your puppy cries in the crate at night, your instinct will be to help him—and that’s the right thing to do.

Don’t Rush Crate Training Unfortunately, many people expect their puppy to stay in the crate without training, and this can backfire by making puppies feel stressed and dislike—or even hate—their crate. This can be a problem later on if you are one of the unfortunate few whose pup develops separation anxiety. Meghan D’Arcy, of Meghan D’Arcy Training and Behaviour in Toronto, ON, who is also a Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer, says that sometimes in separation anxiety cases people have to stop using a crate. “If a puppy has a strong aversion to the crate, separation anxiety may be at play,” she says. “Dogs with separation anxiety often can't handle being crated and guardians have reported that their dogs have broken crate bars, cracked their teeth or caused their paws to bleed trying to escape it.” Fortunately this is rare, but taking time to introduce the crate properly will pay off later.

Is Crating Essential?

Crating your puppy overnight is a choice. Sometimes puppies who aren’t sleeping well in their crate will happily cuddle up with you at night. “If you’re desperate and considering this—or you just want to cuddle your puppy— go for it!” says Kathrine. But she has some advice: “You might want to prepare your bed with a waterproof cover and not use your best Anthropologie duvet, but there is nothing wrong or potentially harmful about letting your puppy sleep in bed with you.“ However, every accident is a set-back in toilet training, which is why most people prefer to wait until the puppy is properly house-trained before considering letting them sleep in the bed. And remember, some puppies may not want to sleep on the bed, especially as they get bigger—and that’s their choice.

Summary If they cry at night, it likely means their needs aren’t being met, whether they need to go potty or need reassurance.

Figure out what they need, and take it from there. And remember—the first few nights are the hardest; after that, it gets easier. 

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Teach Puppy to Love the Crate Puppies aren’t born loving crates: you have to teach them to love them. Follow a gradual training plan with lots of treats as reinforcement to build positive associations and teach your puppy to view their crate as a safe haven.

Suzanne Bryner of Lucky Fido Dog Training in Friday Harbor, WA, says “We want puppies to feel really happy, not just so-so, about their crate, so it's important to take your puppy through crate training step by step and ensure that they are really happy at each step.”

First, make sure the crate is set up right. It should be sized so they have room to stand up, stretch, and turn around, but not too big. If you’ve got a large crate to accommodate growth, use the divider to make it the right size. Then add some cozy bedding.

Let your puppy play and when they’re tired, put them in their crate and they should happily nap. When they wake up, immediately let them out (before they start to cry) and take them out to potty.

Meghan D’Arcy, of Meghan D’Arcy Training and Behaviour in Toronto, Ontario, says “Make the crate comfortable with both a bed and blanket, since puppies like to burrow and need to stay warm, and your puppy will be napping in there in no time.”

Follow a gradual training plan that starts by allowing the puppy to come and go from the crate as they please. Use nice treats but make them small and be generous with them. Meghan says, “Begin by tossing some treats just inside the door and gradually toss further and further back. Throughout the day, sprinkle treats at the back of the crate for your puppy to discover.”

In addition to following a crate training plan, feed your puppy’s meals in the crate to help build positive associations. If you like, you can feed the meal via a rubber chew toy to make it last longer. Meghan says, “Initially, remain nearby while your puppy is eating and let your puppy out of the crate as soon as they're done. (Also remember most puppies will want to potty right after eating.) With comfort, you can increase the amount of time your puppy remains in the crate after they're done eating, dropping a treat in the crate every 10-15 seconds, and begin moving around the room or stepping away briefly.”

And remember, puppies and dogs of all ages shouldn’t be left in a crate all day. The crate is a refuge, a nap spot, and, for pups, a housetraining aid. It is not an area your dog should generally be restricted to.

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DOGS WITH EXCESS ENERGY Is it bad behaviour? Or unexpressed energy? Help for energetic dogs

By Nicole Wilde

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e all want our dogs to be happy, healthy, and enthusiastic about life. But what happens when your dog has too much energy? Just ask Felicia, owner of a six month old Goldendoodle named Barnaby. “Barnaby races around the house like a maniac, grabs things he shouldn’t have, and constantly pesters my older dog and us for attention,” an exasperated Felicia says.

She wishes Barnaby had come with an “off” switch! But short of that, there are still things she—and you—can do to help a very active dog express energy in productive ways.

active breed, two ten-minute potty walks are not sufficient.

Two thirty-minute walks is a much better start, and even that might not be enough.

First and foremost is exercise. Sure, we all know dogs need it.

But many owners don’t realize just how much exercise their dog needs. Requirements vary with age, breed, and physical condition. But in general, if you have a healthy, adolescent,

Running and playing expends even more energy. Chasing a ball or romping at a local park is a start. If you have a dog who would benefit from long jogs, using a bicycle attachment can give you both a way to get moving. Playing with other dogs can

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Walks are good, but hikes are even better. Not only is the terrain more challenging, but hikes can be very stimulating mentally, given all the scents along the way. Investigating bushes, peering under rocks, sniffing where other dogs have been, and air-scenting in a natural setting can be much more stimulating than walking down a suburban street.

be even more tiring; think play dates with familiar dogs rather than public dog parks where aggressive dogs can be found. Or, if you have a local doggie daycare, let your dog attend a few days per week.

Dog sports are another great energy-burning outlet.

Depending on your dog’s physical condition, agility might be a great fit. The jumps, tunnels, and other obstacles provide physical exercise and mental stimulation. Other physically demanding dog sports involve flyball, dock jumping, mushing (urban or on snow), disc dog, and lure coursing. Less intense sports include herding, rally obedience, and canine freestyle.

And for more mental stimulation with less physical exertion, there’s k9 nosework and tracking. Any of these sports will engage your dog physically and mentally and will go a long way toward tiring him out.

If vigorous exercise isn’t calming your dog, take a look at the type of activity in which your dog is engaging. Norwegian behaviourist Turid Rugaas feels that intense, repetitive exercise such as ball chasing can actually be detrimental to dogs and can contribute to chronic stress. This conclusion is based on physiological reactions to high energy endeavors.

Levels of adrenalin and other stress chemicals may stay elevated for days following bouts of intense exercise, and long-term activation of the stress-response system can be detrimental. If you find that your super-active dog is turning into a better athlete but not calming, try changing the type of exercise you’re providing.

Mental stimulation is also crucial. An easy way to provide it is to feed your dog’s meal from a treat dispenser. A wide variety exists, from simple ball-type dispensers to ones like the Kong Wobbler that dogs bat around to get treats. Rotate feeders to keep the novelty factor.

Recreational chewing also expends energy. Stay away from rawhide and pig ears, as they can be dangerous. Bully sticks are natural and can last a while but be sure your dog doesn’t swallow the last bit. I love giving my dogs stuffed Kongs. Just plug the smaller of the two holes with a soft, chewy treat, then flip over and stuff through the larger hole! Make layers. For example, alternate kibble with thin layers of paté-consistency canned food, a cookie here and there, and end with canned food on top to keep it all in place. Kong-stuffing recipes can be found online. Once your dog is good at excavating, you can even freeze the Kong to make it more challenging.

Another form of mental stimulation is puzzle solving. The dog puzzles by Nina Ottosson, for example, feature hidden compartments where treats are stuffed. Your dog has to nudge, paw, slide, or otherwise figure out how to reach the treats.

Puzzles range from easy to solve to quite difficult. Start off easy and help your dog to work his way up, always supervising.

A last form of mental stimulation that must be mentioned is training. Positive, gentle training for obedience or tricks is wonderful. Some types of training, however, take more focus and mental effort than others. Clicker training in particular 

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“If vigorous exercise isn’t calming your dog, take a look at the type of activity in which your dog is engaging.

Norwegian behaviourist Turid Rugaas feels that intense, repetitive exercise such as ball chasing can actually be detrimental to dogs and can contribute to chronic stress.” requires dogs to figure out what to do in order to get you to click, which is followed by a treat. Clicker-savvy dogs will offer behaviours in hopes of earning a reward.

Lastly, some dogs seem as though they just don’t know how to relax. Here’s an exercise I did with a client’s 10-month-old Lab, Kobe: We tethered the exuberant pup to a piece of furniture and sat nearby. At first he was wild, jumping and barking as usual. But the moment he had four paws on the floor, we uttered a soft verbal “Yes!” (I didn’t want the clicker sound to excite him more). This was followed by tossing a low-value (again, not overly stimulating) treat. Soon Kobe was standing with four paws on the ground looking at us. We waited for him to do something else. He sat. Again, we marked the moment and rewarded with a treat. Eventually Kobe laid down, and we continued as we had been doing. This progressed to Kobe being intermittently rewarded for remaining in a down-stay.

His owners were absolutely astonished to see him acting so calmly, and it showed that Kobe could relax. He just needed to learn how. 

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WELLNESS

Essential Oils For Dogs Potent plant medicine, essential oils can deter pests, create calm, help with nausea, and more

By Kelly Caldwell

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ssential oils are increasingly of interest to those in search of a non-pharmaceutical approach to health and wellness for themselves and their dogs, but aromatherapy has actually been used for centuries. The use of essential oils can be traced back nearly 5000 years in both India and Egypt.

Essential oils are volatile, concentrated substances that come from a plant’s leaves, flowers, bark, roots, seeds, or fruit. They are typically collected by means of distillation or cold-pressing.

The following essential oils are considered safe for dogs and can be used as pest repellents, calming agents, appetite stimulants, and nausea/motion sickness aids.

Repel fleas and ticks: lemongrass, citronella, lavender, rosemary Lemongrass contains citral and geraniol, both of which are natural flea repellents. To make a spray, fill a bottle with water and add a drop or two of lemongrass. Use the spray on his blankets and bedding.

Citronella deters fleas, and ticks. Fill a spray bottle with water, add a few drops of citronella and shake before using to mist your yard, home, your feet, and furniture.

A single light mist over your dog’s back can help, but this oil (like all essential oils) should not be ingested by dogs so if your dog is a nervous licker, don’t mist your dog.

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7 simple ways to incorporate essential oils into your dog’s wellness routine 1. Topical massage (always dilute with a carrier oil) 2. Add a drop on your dog’s collar or leash 3. Add a drop on your dog’s bed or car seat 4. Use a car diffuser when driving (only diffuse pet-safe oils and remember our dogs’ sense of smell is far keener than ours) 5. Add a drop or two to an existing pet shampoo 6. Creating a hydrosol (waterbased) spray. Add a few drops to a spray bottle filled with water and shake before spraying your home, yard or dog’s body (never the face) 7. Diffuse at home To reduce the chances of your dog developing a sensitivity or organ toxicity, don’t use any oil for more than two weeks. Rest periods are advised. Essential oils can be safe and beneficial for your dog, but caution is advised.

Seek the input of a certified Aromatherapist and always consult your veterinarian.

Lavender repels both fleas and ticks and prevents tick eggs from hatching.

It also has a calming effect on dogs.

Add one or two drops to your dog’s shampoo and shampoo/rinse as usual.

Rosemary may help fend off fleas, but its primary benefit is to heal skin irritations. Add one drop of rosemary to a carrier oil such as coconut or grapeseed and apply to a flea or tick bite spot to accelerate healing.

Repel mosquitos: citronella, eucalyptus, cedarwood Citronella definitely deters mosquitos, and a spray bottle of water with a drop or two can yield surprisingly good results. Spray on your own feet, arms, furniture, and outdoor area.

Eucalyptus has a strong odour that mosquitos dislike. When you shampoo your dog, add a single drop of eucalyptus oil to the suds and massage in well. Be sure to rinse thoroughly.

Cedarwood has a scent that many of us find captivating but mosquitos hate. Add a drop to a carrier oil and give your dog’s fur a rub down before heading out.

Reduce fear and anxiety: lavender, cedarwood, neroli Lavender is one of the safest, most universal oils out there. Add a drop to your dog’s bed, collar, leash, etc.

Diffusing lavender at home creates a relaxing mood.

Cedarwood has a lovely fragrance and provides a calming effect. Diffuse

at home, and experiment with a cedarwood and lavender blend for extra calming benefits.

Neroli is a powerful essential oil to alleviate anxiety and fear. Add a single drop on a collar, leash, bed, dog coat—or to existing dog shampoo or massage oil. 

Caution: Do Not Use These Oils on Your Pets Even safe essential oils can produce toxic reactions if over-administered, but some essential oils should never be used on pets. When it comes to toxicity in dogs, the most notable offenders are tea tree (melaleuca), pennyroyal, wintergreen, and pine oils. Do not use these on your pets. Cinnamon, sweet birch, and ylang ylang are not recommended. These are but a few examples of essential oils that can be toxic to pets if ingested by mouth or applied topically. Don’t experiment on your own.

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Lavender repels both fleas and ticks and prevents tick eggs from hatching.

It also has a calming effect on dogs.

Add one or two drops to your dog’s shampoo and shampoo/rinse as usual.

Reduce nausea and car sickness: ginger, cedarwood, lavender Ginger is a go-to for upset stomachs. Put a drop on a cotton pad or wet cloth and let your dog breathe in the aroma or add a drop to a massage oil and rub on his chest and belly.

The Do’s and Don’ts: Caution is Needed!

Now, let’s talk about how you should—and shouldn’t—use them therapeutically with your dog.

FIRST, seek the advice of your veterinarian.

Some essential oils are highly toxic to dogs.

Even ‘safe’ oils can induce negative reactions if misused or overused. Next, find a certified Aromatherapist. Between these two professionals, you’ll get the guidance you need to develop safe and effective formulations for your dog.

NEVER use essential oils on puppies, pregnant or nursing dogs, those prone to seizures, or those with serious pre-existing health conditions, such as liver disease. Extra considerations need to be made if there are other animal companions in your home, including cats and birds—both of which are even more highly sensitive to essential oils.

NEVER apply an essential oil directly to your dog’s fur or skin. These are highlyconcentrated substances; they must be mixed with a carrier oil if applied topically. Always avoid contact with the areas around your dog’s eyes, ears, nose, or genitals. And never add essential oils to food or water—they are not meant to be ingested.

The amount of essential oil you’d use on a dog, while varying based your dog’s size, will still be a fraction of what a person might use. Dogs are much more sensitive in every way imaginable than we are—including their sense of smell. Start with a minimum—a single drop—and see how your dog reacts before you increase.

If you introduce an oil to your dog and he seems to have an aversion to it—turns his head away, tries to leave, or drools, for example—it’s a sign to stop.

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Cedarwood isn’t a specific remedy for nausea but it has a very calming effect on dogs. It can help settle nerves and bellies and is particularly good for car sickness. Try it in an in-car diffuser if your dog suffers from stress or motion sickness when in a moving vehicle.

Lavender and its calming effects help almost everything, including nausea. Diffuse at home or in your car to help your dog relax.

Stimulate appetite: ginger, vetiver, wild orange, and bergamot Ginger is a powerful digestive aid. Add a drop to an existing massage oil and give your dog’s belly a thorough rub.

Vetiver’s ability to help with focus can translate into a dog’s renewed interest in food. Apply a drop on your dog’s collar or add a drop to a massage oil and rub him with it.

Wild orange has a great aroma and can help stimulate appetite. Diffusing at home will make your house smell great and could stimulate your dog’s appetite.  Kelly Caldwell owns an Energy Work Practice and is completing a certification in aromatherapy. Find her at otterintentions.com.

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CANINE FAUX PAS: The Top 5 Things Dog-People Do Wrong { Are you unwittingly making these mistakes? }

A

re you guilty of making these mistakes with your dog? We asked Mikkel Becker, a certified trainer and behaviour consultant and head trainer for Fear Free Pets (fearfreepets. com and fearfreehappyhomes.com) for the top five mistakes she sees dog-people make. She happily shared her nix list. Mikkel uses positive reinforcement and non-force based training strategies rooted in scientific learning theory to help pets and their people live better lives together through kind training and bond building.

THE TOP 5 DOG DON’TS—AND WHAT TO DO INSTEAD.



Consider ‘backyard time’ as exercise. “Just

because a dog has access to the backyard doesn’t mean that you can ditch walks altogether. Dogs have an innate need to explore and search.”

Become so focused on the end goal that you don’t stop to let your dog smell the roses (or fire hydrant, or bush or…).



“Dogs aren’t about the distance, they’re all about the experience. For a dog, it’s important to remember that they experience their world primarily through their nose.

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When they’re in that type of mode, reading messages left behind by other dogs or following the trail of critters who have scampered through the grass just prior, it’s engaging for their brain, lighting up pleasure centers as well as causing the brain to problem solve and engage in following scent trails of others who have been there before. While dogs are present and always in the moment, it’s important for us to realize that they ‘see’ far beyond us. After all, they’re not only experiencing what they can see in that moment, but they actually may be perceiving a much more complex world than us—a nuanced, woven pattern of the scents of animals, people, and other things beneath the surface (in some cases quite literally, like a denned-in critter your dog may be digging to unearth). In some ways, dogs can experience the past, the present, and the future all at once thanks to their amazing ability to smell who has been there before, who is there now, and even catch scents on the wind of what might be coming next.”.

“Dogs aren’t about the distance, they’re all about the experience.”



Go to the dog park. “Too many people think

of the dog park as a must-do for all dogs. The truth is, not all dogs enjoy the company of other dogs. And, just like people, dogs can be selective of the canine companions they’re likely to view as friends. Forcing a dog into a dog park or attempting to ‘socialize’ a dog that’s displaying aggressive behaviour by visiting the dog park may exacerbate the problem.

Instead, think of the dog park as a bar. The bar scene simply isn’t the right scene for all people, nor is the dog park the right scene for all dogs. Also, a dog’s comfort level with the place can change over time, just as a person may mature and decide the bar scene is no longer their scene.

For some dogs, the dog park is a great opportunity to socialize and play with other friendly dogs. If this is your dog, by all means visit the dog park—just remember that other dogs that are taken to the dog park may lack social skills. 

DOG PARK RISK REDUCTION It’s important to watch the behaviour of other dogs.

Ideally scan the area before taking your dog in, and err on the side of caution, leaving early and removing your dog if any ‘iffy’ players enter the park. This will minimize the risk of negative exposure to other dogs that may be uncomfortable and acting defensively.

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Reward desired behaviour, never punish.

Allow your dog to to check their p-mail.

Make time to stop and smell the breeze.

“Feeding your dog his meals from a bowl is a huge missed opportunity.”

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Feed out of food bowls. “Don’t feed your

dog out of food bowls. (Even worse, don’t free feed your dog. The latter is especially bad for a dog’s waistline, because it minimizes the ability to monitor portion size or note changes in the dog’s eating that could indicate underlying sickness.) Feeding your dog his meals from a bowl is a huge missed opportunity. Dogs really benefit from activities that engage both body and mind—exactly what’s possible by feeding through food puzzles. Rotating food puzzles is especially beneficial for keeping the mind challenged through ongoing variety. Offering food puzzles can turn 60 seconds of gulping food into 60 minutes of rewarding activity.

Doing so also keeps the dog engaged in acceptable activity and leaves the dog more satisfied. It reduced the

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likelihood of the dog acting out in other ways (like chewing books or the couch) by keeping their mind, teeth, and body occupied in productive activity their human accepts as they work to earn their meal.” Win-win!



Punish your dog for acting unruly.

“Punishment—including scolding, yelling, swatting, jerking, and using other scary sounds, body posturing, or physical manipulations to intimidate or physically force the dog to stop doing an unwanted behaviour—are all tactics that are far more likely to cause harm than good. Punishment may seem to work in the moment if the dog ceases the unwanted behaviour— perhaps a dog stops barking at a passing dog when his leash is jerked—but it’s hugely problematic.

The underlying emotion causing the behaviour (in this case, probably fear or anxiety about the incoming dog) isn’t resolved and can actually be worsened by punishment-based tactics that increase anxiety, fear, frustration, and stress. Ultimately, punishment is likely to cause a dog to become reactive. Not only is the dog more likely to be on edge with punishment based tactics, but it can damage the bond of trust between person and dog. It can also create other unintended negative associations, such as increasing the dog’s anxiety

Feed your dog from a foodstuffable puzzle toy.

Giving your dog the opportunity to remain engaged in that scentladen bush the neighbourhood dogs have peed on is an important way to give your dog the chance to investigate. It’s their version of checking their ‘pee-mail.’ As silly as it sounds, dogs get to know other dogs and what they’re about through such smell investigation. And it’s important to remember that health is a combination of mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing. Allowing your dog to simply ‘be a dog’ and to take the time to smell the roses, bushes, grass patches, and sides of buildings and tires are all ways to offer the mental freedom to be a dog, working both body and mind at the same time

about other dogs or even result in a generalized increase in angst about incoming people. Furthermore, punishment may actually inhibit important warning signs, like the bark, growl or lunge that signal a dog is feeling uncomfortable. When forced into silence, tension can build up and, without accepted ways to signal their discomfort or distress, escalate into a “sudden” bite.” 

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ll *R emember , ald u o t re at s sh ore ma ke up no mcent than 10 per g’s of your do daily die t.

The Healthiest People Foods for Dogs!

Packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and gut-health boosting friendly bacteria, these are human foods you can feel good about sharing with your dog!

Winner winner, chicken dinner!

Chicken (unless your dog has a food allergy) is always a win where dogs are concerned. If sharing with your dog, choose pieces with no visible fat (fatty foods can cause pancreatitis) and skip the salt and seasonings.

Chicken is an excellent, balanced source of amino acids, the building blocks of muscle in your dog’s body.

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Blueberries

are an antioxidant-rich superfood. In fact, they have the highest amount of antioxidants of any fruit. These little antioxidant powerhouses can prevent and help repair cell damage in humans and canines alike.

Dogs tend to love the sweettart flavour of blueberries— they’re quite low in sugar— making them a great treat that helps slow the aging process and boosts your dog’s immune system!

Oatmeal

is high in fiber and loaded with nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It’s especially good for your dog’s coat and skin thanks to the vitamin B and linoleic acid it contains.

Thanks to its soluble fiber, oatmeal can regulate blood glucose levels. It can also help regulate bowel movements, especially beneficial for some older dogs— just don’t feed too much as fiber-rich foods in excess can cause stomach upset. And if your dog has wheat or grain sensitivities, it makes a great alternative carbohydrate.

Make sure the oatmeal you feed your dog is unflavoured and unsweetened. Some flavoured oatmeal contains xylitol, which is toxic to dogs. Additions like raisins and grapes are also toxic. And dogs also have a hard time breaking down lactose so skip the milk. Old-fashioned oatmeal is also better for dogs (and for you!) than instant oatmeal as it is less processed and retains more nutritional value.

A pples

are a super-healthy treat for dogs, containing calcium, vitamin K, vitamin C, and soluble fiber. Dogs can eat green apples as well as red and can eat the apple skin as well. Just avoid feeding a lot of apple cores as they contain seeds and stems. Apple seeds have cyanogenic glycosides which can cause tummy upset and more serious problems if consumed in large quantities.

General feeding guideline One tablespoon of cooked oatmeal per 20 pounds of his weight as a treat one or two times a week.

An Apple a Day •

Freeze apple slices for your teething puppy

•

Wedge apple slices into a Kong

•

Make apple popsicles with unsweetened apple sauce and greek yogurt

•

Grate some apple on your dog’s dinner

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Take dehydrated apple slices for to-go treats you can share with your dog. (Only feed little bits as dehydrated fruits contain all of the nutrients of the hydrated ones but have no water, so a little goes a long way. Too much can cause tummy upset.)

Pumpkin

e a se your pup 's upse t t umm y !

is a wonderful addition to your dog’s diet. Its slightly sweet taste makes it a favourite, it adds bulk and roughage, and perhaps best of all, it can help settle an upset G.I. track after a bout of canine dietary indiscretion. Canned pumpkin is recommended by many holistic veterinarians to help with upset stomach and digestion. It has a low glycemic index, so it slowly absorbs, helping settle tummy woes. Pumpkin can also help overweight dogs drop pounds by satiating while being low calorie.

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Kefir

Sweet potatoes

make an excellent, simple, natural treat for dogs. They’re a source of dietary fibre and contain vitamin B6, vitamin C, beta carotene, and manganese. DIY TREAT IDEA: Try slicing Sweet potatoes and dehydrating them in a lowtemperature oven for a chewy treat for your dog.

BRIGHT IDEA! Stuff your dog’s Kong with cooked pumpkin (baked, boiled or canned puréed, not pumpkin pie filler which contains spices/sugar). Or go gourmet: Mix the pumpkin with a bit of ripe banana (the perfect use for bananas that are a bit too ripe for your liking!), a spoon of plain, unsweetened yogurt, and/ or peanut butter (natural, unsweetened—always check that your peanut butter does not contain xylitol, which is poisonous to dogs). Spoon the mashed mixture into a Kong or other stuffable toy and give it to your delighted dog. You can also pop it in the freezer first for a cool treat perfect for the summer months!

is a fermented milk beverage that is similar to a drinking yogurt but with even more beneficial bacteria. A great source of probiotics, kefir contains 30 different strains of good bacteria and beneficial yeast, including several major strains of friendly bacteria not commonly found in yogurt. It’s also rich in complex B vitamins. If your dog has a yeast infection, kefir, with its antibiotic and antifungal properties, can help.

The helpful yeasts fight destructive pathogenic yeasts.

For dogs with gastro-intestinal issues or loose bowels, kefir makes an excellent addition to their diet to restore digestive system health. It’s also very helpful after a round of antibiotics. Some studies have even shown kefir to fend off salmonella and E. Coli and kill H. Pylori.

Start slow and work up to this daily minimum dosage: Small sized dogs: 1 tsp - 1 Tbsp Medium sized dogs: 1 - 2 Tbsp

Salmon

*Only giv you r d og e cook ed s a l mon

Large dogs: 2 - 3 Tbsp

(or salmon oil) is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids for dogs, supporting the immune system and improving your dog’s skin and coat. And some studies have shown omega-3s may help dogs with allergies. Only give your dog cooked salmon as raw salmon can carry a parasite that can make your dog sick.

As always, check with your veterinarian before making any major changes to your dog’s

diet, especially if they are on any medications. Upsetting the vitamin and mineral balances in your dog’s diet can have negative effects on your dog’s health and some medications interact badly with some nutrients. The aim of most dog owners is to give their dogs the best diet possible. Good nutrition coupled with a health care program may result in extending your dog’s life by as much as 15 percent. The suggestions above are not meant to replace your dog’s normal, balanced diet. Rather, they are ideas for alternative treats or for adding a little variety to your dog’s meals. 

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“I decided to serve in the military, so to speak, as an old man by training service dogs to help veterans."

Rick Kaplan and his pack of service-dogs-in-training get daily heeling practice on the golf course.

The Best Golf Crew Ever

Canine Angels Service Dogs founder Rick Kaplan’s regular golf group includes up to 20 former shelter dogs training to become service companions

By Michelle Morton

R

ick Kaplan is a beloved, if unique, fixture at the Carolina Shores Country Club in Calabash, North Carolina. The 73-year-old plays golf there seven days a week, rain or shine, usually with 15 dogs of all shapes and sizes in tow, from a Labrador to a small terrier.

When a video posted to the Instagram account Golfers Doing Things showed Rick on the course with his canine crew, the Internet was enthralled—and wanted answers.

Caleb Jago commented, identifying Rick and garnering thousands of likes.

“This is Canine Angels,” he wrote. “He trains emotional support dogs and guide dogs for people who have disabilities.

He plays my golf course like once a week. And they are the best.”

Canine Angels Service Dogs has been saving shelter dogs and training them to become a new best friend/ service companion for disabled American veterans, first responders, and children with Autism for nearly ten years.

The charity’s founder, president,

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and master trainer, Rick Kaplan, says he comes from a military family, but never had an opportunity to serve because he was severely asthmatic.

Rick says he went on to live a successful life owning a business where he worked as a jeweler in New York, “then I realized at some point in my life, when I had enough time, enough health, and enough financial security, that I would serve as an old man instead of just a young man.”

“I’ve always had dogs, I’ve always trained dogs, I’ve always trained service dogs in my spare time,” Rick says, calling his training skills a gift.

Rick says when he ran his business in New York he had two dogs, “that would go to work with me and run errands, and bring packages from Place A to Place B, and entertain customers.”

After retiring, Rick moved to South Carolina and started Canine Angels in 2011.

“I decided to serve in the military, so to speak, as an old man by training service dogs to help veterans who had

given me the opportunity to live such a great life,” he says.

Since starting the organization, Rick says he’s trained “hundreds of dogs,” many of which have been from local shelters.

“We’ve been able to rehabilitate every single dog that we’ve taken in and find the right obedience and find the right job,” Rick says, adding many of those animals included dogs labelled as ‘antisocial’ and ‘dangerous.’

“I have anywhere from 12 to 20 dogs in training at any one time,” Rick says.

“They live with me, they sleep in my room, they sleep in my bed, we go play golf together.”

Rick says taking the dogs out for a round of golf is a great way to train them to be off leash. “The dogs are like a little battalion. They sit, they come, they stay,” and near a wooded area, “they avoid the squirrels, the geese, the birds,” adding that walking the course builds up the dog’s endurance and, with it being a six mile route, “it keeps them in the right frame of mind.”

“It’s great for me. I live my life, I just live it with 20 dogs, that’s all,” Rick says about his existence in Little River. “I have a beautiful property here…a five acre property that has woods and fields.”

Rick says the dogs train all day, then “after dinner, they take a short walk, they come in, they chew a bone for 10 minutes, and then five seconds later—they’re all snoring.”

When a dog’s year of training with Rick comes to an end, he says the dog is placed in a home no farther than an hour away from where he lives. “That way I can always stay in touch with the dog through their life, so that I can do retraining, I can do retesting, I can make sure the dog is up to standards, I can help with issues that dogs may come across—they’re living beings, they change just like people, and disabilities change,” he says.

“It’s been a wonderful dream to be able to take this gift finally and put it to some spectacular use,” Rick says, “not only for the dogs that we’ve saved, but for the lives that we save.”

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BREED PROFILE

The Newfoundland Hopelessly devoted to you. Meet the canine hero with a heart of gold.

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strong, sweetnatured protect , ive The Newfoundland is a giant breed, with males weighing up to 150 pounds.

“I

s that a bear or a dog?”

Newf guardians hear this just about every time they head out with their dogs. A quick walk around town is near impossible because this breed is so immense that people simply have to stop and get to know him.

The Newfoundland is truly special.

He’s probably the most famously heroic breed of all time, but he simultaneously ranks as one of the gentlest giants in dogdom.

What’s his story? It starts—you guessed it—in Newfoundland, Canada, where the breed was first named in the late 1770s. Because the Newfoundland is such an old breed, we are left to speculate about its earliest origins, but one theory suggests that the Vikings may have played a role.

As far back as 1000AD, the Vikings brought large “bear dogs” to the region—this much we know from early writings. There are also reports that First Nations gravesites in Newfoundland circa 500AD have contained skeletons of giant dogs. The dogs the Vikings brought would have mated with the existing local dogs and possibly wolves. The Viking dogs and their offspring continued to mate, over the years, with dogs brought from various corners of the world by explorers. Regardless of whether the Newfoundland has Viking roots, his giant, bear-like frame is undeniable, as is his toughness.

The Newf was a working breed of vital importance in the harsh, eastern-

Canadian climate. Each day, he helped fishermen by pulling their full, heavy nets ashore. With his webbed feet, endurance, and water-resistant coat, the Newfoundland has always been a world-class swimmer. Even the icy Atlantic waters off the coast of eastern Canada have never been a match for this tough dog.

Another job the Newf excelled in was carting, most typically hauling the daily catch off to market. All of that practical use aside, with his large presence and protective instincts, the breed was prized for its ability to stand guard over homes and farms.

By the late 18th century, the Newfoundland was firmly established as a breed. In the 19th century, fanciers in England and North America continued to develop both type and temperament to create the Newf as we know him today.

While the first Newfoundland was shown in England in 1860, the breed wasn’t registered with the American Kennel Club (AKC) until 1879. The Newfoundland Club of America (NCA) was founded in 1930.

Today’s Newfoundland is a heavily boned, muscular breed who can easily outweigh his guardian. Males stand about 28 inches tall; females closer to 26 inches. Weights range from 130 to 150 pounds for males and 100 to 120 pounds for females. The AKC accepts the breed in black, brown, gray, and Landseer colours—the last of which is named after Sir Edwin Landseer, who painted Newfs with a white base coat and black markings in the 1700s.

As for the breed’s temperament, he has one of the most tender hearts in the dog world. The sweet nature of the Newf is such a defining feature that it’s literally written into the AKC breed standard as being of utmost importance.

Gentle, loving, and protective—he sounds perfect, and some would say he is! But… living with a Newf isn’t for everyone.

This breed’s size is enormous. For this reason alone, he’s not an ideal choice for apartment living or small spaces. It’s also no surprise, given his origins, that the Newf isn’t going to be well-suited for hot climates where he’s at risk of over-heating.

If you prize a pristine home, this also likely isn’t an ideal breed for you.

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 [40] Newfoundland

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Size: Giant.

Male height averages 28 inches and females 26. Weights range for males from 130 to 150 pounds, and females 100 to 120.

Activity level: The Newf is playful, but not intense. He makes a great walking companion. Play time and a long walk each day is a minimum to keep him happy, but he’ll also take quickly to canine sporting activities, and he loves to swim.

Grooming: His coat attracts dirt and burrs, and he requires a thorough brushing at least a few times a week—likely more, if he’s quite active.

Heritage: A working breed hailing from Newfoundland, the Newf helped with fishing, carting, and guarding. He’s always been valued as a gentle and loving family companion.

For more information on Newfoundland in the U.S., visit ncarescue.org. In Canada, visit newfrescue.ca.

If you like the Newfoundland, you might also consider the:

St. Bernard

Bernese Mountain Dog

Great Pyrenees

READ YOUR BREED

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

Heroic Newfoundlands Seaman was the Newfoundland who set forth on Lewis and Clark’s 1802 journey across America. They relied on him for hunting and guarding, and he even chased a rogue Buffalo away from their camp, as legend has it.

When the SS Ethie crashed off the shores of Newfoundland in the early 20th century, a Newf swam a rope attached to the wreck back to shore. That rope was used as a lifeline and saved 92 people from perishing at sea.

Gander, the mascot of the Royal Rifles of Canada, served in WW2 and saved his platoon on a number of occasions.

While they were trapped by heavy gunfire, a grenade came at them. Gander grabbed it and ran from his fellow soldiers. The explosion saved many but cost the heroic dog his life.

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His thick, double coat has an uncanny ability to attract dirt, mud, burrs… you name it. He requires a good brushing three times a week and bathing fairly regularly. And then, there’s the drooling.

Every once in a while, an unscrupulous breeder advertises a litter of low-drooling Newfs. Don’t fall for it.

This is a breed that drools—a lot. Look, it’s all part and parcel with sharing your home with such an awesome breed. Newf fanciers have perfected the art of placing hand towels strategically throughout their homes to keep on top of the slobber. If you can’t wrap your head around a drooly dog, you’ll have no choice but to miss out on living with this gentle giant—and that would be a shame.

As for obedience training, this should be a priority with any breed. In the case of a giant dog, establishing good manners is essential. Unruly dogs are never easy to live with, but when they are 100+ pounds, the potential for chaos is significant.

As with all purebreds, the Newfoundland is prone to some genetic disorders. His giant size also makes him a candidate for joint and hip issues. Reputable breeders are dedicated to their dogs and provide health clearances.

The good news is that the Newf is quite intelligent. He’s a quick study to almost any task, and so eager to please the people he loves. Obedience, carting, therapy work, agility, tracking—he’ll have a good time with pretty much whatever you throw at him. And it goes without saying, as a born and bred water dog, he loves any opportunity to go for a swim.

Speaking of which, did you know there are Water Dog titles? The NCA designed a series of tests that require dogs to retrieve items, bring a rope to a swimming steward, swim with handlers, and more. The truly elite Newfs can even achieve Water Rescue Dog and Water Rescue Dog Excellent titles.

It's a special dog indeed with such a loving heart. The Newfoundland can’t shake his desire to please and even save the people he loves, sometimes at great cost to himself. To know the Newf is to love him, and to be on the receiving end of this breed’s devotion is something quite extraordinary. 

He was awarded the Dickin Medal and is honoured to this day as a Canadian war hero.

And, of course, it’s impossible to know how many of us read or watched Peter Pan and fell in love with Nana, the Darling family’s beloved Newfoundland. She wasn’t just the family pet; she was the household’s official nanny.

Given what we know about this breed’s history and capabilities, it’s almost hard to separate truth from fiction.

Recognized Newfoundland colours are black, brown, gray, and white and black (sometimes referred to as Landseer).

I N S E T P H OTOS CO U R T E S Y A KC

Profile: The Newfoundland

SMILE!

Instagram’s

Top Dogs Not a single one of these dogs has less than a million followers. Read on for the ‘secret sauce’ (underbites, stunning outdoor photography) that makes these accounts stand out.

By Alice Sewell

202,541 likes

58,674 likes

@thedogist 3.8M followers Millennial Elias Weiss Friedman started this account way back in 2013, in the early days of Instagram. He found success with dog-focused photos inspired by the street style posts of accounts like The Sartorialist. Highlighting the canine residents of New York City and beyond, The Dogist perfectly captures pups from all over the world and showcases their individual stories. With a new post almost every day, it’s a must follow for dog lovers looking to get their doggo fix.

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@thiswildidea 1.3 M followers Photographer Theron Humphrey’s Instagram prominently features his “best friend, Maddie the Coonhound” whom he met traversing all 50 states. There isn’t a single one of his photos that doesn’t make us want to pack up and hit the road with our dogs in tow. Capturing vast landscapes and casting a magic light on country living, @thiswildidea makes you appreciate the simpler things in life. The fact that Maddie seems to have her eyes closed in most photos just makes it just that much more charming.

75,336 likes

@itsdougthepug 3.9M followers As the self-proclaimed “king of pop culture,” this super-duper-cute Pug knows how to create content that pleases—just ask his 3.8 million followers. With his adorable grin, Pug sassiness, and a range of great costume and photo props, Doug the Pug won’t just have you hitting that like button but will probably inspire you to up your own Instagram game. If following isn’t enough, he also has his own line of merch.

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10,099 likes

141,152 likes

81,578 likes

@manny_the_frenchie 1.1M followers

@jiffpom 10M followers

@tunameltsmyheart 2.1M followers

As the world’s most followed Bulldog, Manny has his Instadog game down! Hit follow and you’ll be charmed by his sweet smile and cute demeanor. This philanthropup even has his own foundation helping animals and humans in need and is an advocate for dog flu awareness. Adorable and philanthropic—what’s not to love?

Jiffpom may as well be the ultimate Instagram pup. Can you really call yourself a dog lover if you aren’t following Jiffpom already? This unique and memorable pup will take you on his exciting daily dog influencer adventures while striving to put a smile on your face with every post.

How can you not love this uniquely adorable Dachshund-Chihuahua mix?!

With his ridiculously cute overbite and quirky outfits, loveable Tuna, a champion for the underdog, has definitely melted the hearts of his over two million followers.

50,185 likes

81,510 likes

320,064 likes

@tuckerbudzyn 2.4M followers

@loki 2M followers

@mayapolarbear 1.9M followers

This meme-centric account follows Tucker the Golden Retriever on his daily activities with his human whom he’s named Linda (her real name is Courtney!) as he explores the world, is bamboozled by Linda’s tricks (including being sneaked “heckin” vegetables) and goes about every day challenges and activities. This funny pup is guaranteed to provide laughs!

If you love Northern breeds and stunning outdoor vistas, you need to follow Loki the Wolf Dog. This account showcases Husky/ Malamute/Arctic Wolf-mix Loki’s travels with his owner Kelly Lund, causing serious travel envy while providing your daily dose of dog.

This video-heavy account follows super ‘floofy’ Samoyed Maya as she ‘borks’ her way through life. Featuring insanely cute videos and photos of her snacking on fruit and veggies, navigating her way down confusing escalators, trying on different costumes and accessories, and being all around adorable, this popular Samoyed needs to be in your feed.

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Healthy PAWS Solutions for everything from poor gut health to smelly breath and untrimmed nails.

DOG BREATH IMMUNE SUPPORT Worried about your dog’s immune system and energy levels?

I’m-Yunity is a medicinal mushroom supplement that is clinically proven to boost energy levels and stabilize white blood cell counts. (From $95, imyunityfordogs.com)

SENSITIVE GI SYSTEMS If your dog has a “sensitive” gastrointestinal system or constipation, upset stomach or diarrhea, MitoMax for Dogs and Cats from Imagilin can help—just take a look at the testimonials. This patented, plantbased probiotic works to support your pet’s digestive and immune health. Simply sprinkle on your dog’s food! ($42 sale price, petsmaxcity.com)

Your dog’s dental health is just as important as your own! Easily keep your dog’s teeth clean, remove plaque, and freshen breath with the Pet Dental Gel Toothpaste from Oxyfresh. ($11, shop.oxyfresh.com)

EXTRA POUNDS Longevity’s Raw Weight Management Patty Bundle combines lean protein and variety for happy, healthy dogs. Savory Chicken and Wholesome Turkey patties are made with pastured, free-range chicken and local, organic veg for a diet that’s ideal whether your dog needs to drop a few pounds or just maintain a healthy physique. (From $90, drbslongevity.com)

TRIM NAILS DIGESTIVE HEALTH Bernie’s Perfect Poop digestive supplement is designed to support your dog’s digestive health. With natural fibres, enzymes, and prebiotics and probiotics to promote gut health, it keeps tummies happy and promotes overall wellness. (From $25, perfectpoop.dog)

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Long nails make it difficult for your dog to walk around comfortably, put pressure on the nail bed, and adversely affect toe and paw joint alignment. Keep your dog’s nails trim with the ConairPRO professional dog nail grinder, a safe and easy alternative to nail clipping. It works by filing down your dog’s nails, helping to eliminate the risk of going to short while the quiet motor puts nervous dogs at ease. ($48, chewy.com)

Must-haves for you & your dog

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LAST LICK

The Power of Second Chances Actress Kate Drummond on how—for both dogs and people—it’s never too late to start over what happiness looks like

A

ctress Kate Drummond is a big believer in second chances.

At age 35, she realized that though she loved her job as an elementary school teacher and had, by all accounts, a wonderful life, it didn’t light her up. When one of her grade three students asked her, during a lesson on Martin Luther King, what her dream was, she paused then answered truthfully: to act. The little girl replied, “why aren’t you doing it then?”

This simple question sparked an epiphany that led Kate to quit her job and give up everything she had built in order to follow her true passion. She moved from Ottawa to a basement suite in Ajax, Ontario, a town just outside of Toronto—the most she could afford. She pounded the pavement, went to auditions, and persevered despite an agent telling her she was too old to harbour dreams of becoming a movie star.

Ouch, right?

But Kate was to prove that agent and her worried family wrong. Building a career step by step, Kate became an in-demand actress. She currently stars in the new Hulu original series Utopia Falls, as well as appearing in the new reboot of the beloved 90’s children’s television series Ghostwriter streaming now on AppleTV+.

All of this is to say that Kate knows a thing or two about rebirths, so it’s fitting she’s a big proponent of animal rescue. Kate not only has an adorable rescue dog, Zelda, but she is a huge supporter of several animal causes, including The Snoopi Project, Playa Animal Rescue, Dogs in Better Spots or DIBS (the organization from which she adopted Zelda), and Bytowne Association for Rescued Kanines (BARK).

“Everyone deserves a second chance. Even a third or fourth chance,” says Kate. “Dogs who are needing to be adopted or rescued are not broken dogs. It just means that somewhere along the line, a human gave up on them, or they were born on the streets and didn't have a gentle human hand to nurture them.”

Given the chance, dogs—like people—can always start over and live the life they were meant for. “All dogs need a place to love, learn, and be loved,” says Kate. “There is nothing in the world that compares to the love and trust of a dog you've rescued.”

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Actress Kate Drummond and her rescue dog, Zelda.

Kate’s Top 3 Ways Dog Lovers Can Support Their Local Shelters and Rescue Groups Call them and ask them what supplies they need! “I collect gently used collars and leashes and share them with DIBS and the Playa Animal Rescue in Mexico where Zelda came from. We also send supplies through DIBS to The Snoopi Project in Mexico too! Local shelters often collect things like towels and blankets as well.”

Word of mouth! “Spread the good news about an organization where you got your pup! There are so many and it's so important that rescues of all sizes are getting the publicity because there are a lot of people looking to adopt these days.”

Fundraising. “I'm a big fan of fundraising for rescue organizations and other communityminded organizations in my community. I love "in lieu of gifts" parties and having donations be given to local shelters, especially those that are volunteer-run and not-for-profit.”

P H OTOS L I S A M AC I N TOS H .

By Rose Frosek