Pet Connection Magazine by Leslie Kennedy

FREE to a GOOD HOME

Making a Difference

Beware of the Bully Raw Diet Benefits

NO pressure! Shock Collars The Ugly Truth

February - March 2012

Raw vs

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PET CONNECTION • February - March 2012

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GETTING THE SCOOP ON BC’S PET CULTURE VOLUME 4 • ISSUE 6 • FEBRUARY - MARCH 2012

Inside: FEATURES

Raw vs Kibble

by Dr. Peter Dobias DVM

Nikey

Raw Diet Benefits

by Dakota Bawden-Tutte

Shock Collars by Valerie Barry

No Pressure by Valerie Barry

by G. and A. Williams

Romeo

IN EVERY ISSUE Letter from the Publisher

5 Baby Jazz’s Tid-Bits 21 Vancouver Island 22 Mark Your Calenders! 26 Photo Contest 28 In Memory 31 Freeway’s Top Ten

Cover Photo: Ruby Williams Photo courtesy of Angie Wojciechowska. www.off-leash.ca

Walker & his chicken Walker &

Helping you care for your best friend.

PET CONNECTION • February - March 2012

Beware of the Bully

FROM THE PUBLISHER BC’s Pet Connection is distributed FREE at select locations throughout BC. 12,000 copies are printed six times a year. Call us if you would like to give BC’s Pet Connection to your customers or to advertise. PUBLISHER Leslie Kennedy Tel: 604-220-5346 info@petconnection.ca GRAPHIC DESIGN Britton Design Services

CONTRIBUTORS Valerie Barry Dakota Bawden-Tutte Dr. Peter Dobias, DVM G. and A. Williams

We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage.

SUBSCRIPTIONS To subscribe to the Pet Connection: Send $4.00 for a single copy, or $25.00 per year for 6 issues includes HST.

PET CONNECTION • February - March 2012

Please mail a cheque or money order with your name address and postal code to:

BC’s Pet Connection PO BOX 4744 Station Main Vancouver, BC V6B 4A4 BC’s Pet Connection does not disclose its subscribers list to anyone.

BC’s Pet Connection does not assume responsibility for any claims made by its advertisers, or for any information dispensed. The articles and information presented are for information only and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Publisher. Permission to reproduce any part of this publication must be approved by the publisher. All pictures, articles or emails sent in become the property of BC’s Pet Connection.

TESTED AND TRUE... With our growing health based pet community there will always be people claiming they share the same intentions as us, and/or even the same knowledge and experience as others who we support. From the people who don’t own a pet, yet are opening pet stores, operating rescues, or running pet websites, to the “conventional” vets now declaring they are “holistic” you can’t help but wonder. It is really important to anyone who is just joining our community to research who you are dealing with. Be it your vet, your trainer, your pet store, your dog sitter or your groomer, please for the sake of your pet check and double check who you are really dealing with. If researching raw food, please do not go into just any pet store. Many of the staff in the bigger chains and corporately owned pet stores do not understand nor do they have the knowledge and experience that the privately owned raw pet food stores have. We have some really great pet stores in our area that focus on raw food. These speciality pet stores are owned and operated by the owners themselves. These owners have been feeding raw pet food to their own pets and their pet customers for years. These are the people you want to talk and deal with. The same goes if you are considering hiring a trainer for your pet. Don’t just hire any trainer. Check them out, and verify their credentials. Proper training and proper nutrition go hand in hand.

- Leslie Kennedy Publisher

“He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion.”

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Who is saying that nature is wrong?

Why commercial kibble pet food companies do not deserve your business By: Dr. Peter Dobias, DVM

or the longest time, I have been resisting the temptation to dive into the turbulent waters of the raw vs processed food debate. It seemed to be pointless and I saw the only way of solving the differences in opinions would be by teaching more people about natural raw diet. This would help them see that the results that are undeniable. What made me change my mind was an article that appeared in the Victoria’s Times Colonist about raw pet food which was followed by a response to it written by one of my colleagues. He insisted that commercial processed foods were safer, and a more nutritionally balanced option for our pets and that raw food feeding is an irresponsible, unsafe fad that, as he hoped, would soon be gone.

PET CONNECTION • February - March 2012

In the early days of my veterinary career, I too blindly believed that processed, dehydrated or canned food was what dogs and cats should eat. As the years progressed, I started to see an alarming trend where commercial processed food appeared to cause many problems and in most cases resulted in the need to feed special processed diets.

These diets were available exclusively through vet clinics and I started to wonder, if this all was a clever strategy implemented by the commercial pet food giants. Who teaches vets nutrition? As a vet, I was also a regular attendee of veterinary medical conferences where in most cases pet food and drug companies were the main sponsors. Because of their deep pockets, they also had direct control over what is going to be presented and by whom. Most veterinary clinics are usually bombarded by the visits of many commercial pet food sales reps, who come with trays of sushi or pizza for the staff and promise the clinic owners income growth by selling exclusive special diets. Over the past decades, the relationship of pet food companies and vets has become more complicated because pet food manufacturers knew that it would be hard for vets to make their high overhead practices profitable without exclusive pet food sales.

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A paradox worth mentioning My colleagues and I have been witnessing an alarming trend. We are observing a rise in serious chronic diseases including allergies, autoimmune conditions, organ failures, early arthritis and mobility issues, stomach bloats and pancreatitis. Veterinary practices started to see diseases that were rare a decade ago and are rampant now. The glaring paradox was that while pet food companies organized banquets and promo events for veterinarians that were abundant with wholesome fresh food, they continued to proclaim that dogs and cats must not eat wholesome ‘people food’ because it would make them sick. One of the worlds biggest scams In the mid 90’s, I started to see a few of my clients switching their pets to raw or cooked natural diets made either at home or by fledgling raw frozen pet food companies. They simply didn’t believe that food should sit on the shelves for months and years before it is fed and that food should stay as nature intended – raw. First, I was concerned but then I remembered our dachs-

hund when I was growing up. She used to get raw meat on a regular basis and did very well. When I started to see some dramatic recoveries and general improvements in many dogs and cats eating fresh food, it dawned on me. Pet food companies did an excellent job in brain washing and convinced most people that their junky food was better. They where the ones that educated veterinary students and vets and did a very good job at creating an army of blinded veterinary soldiers who repeated their mantra that raw pet food was dangerous. In other words, in pet food industry, “the goat was made the gardener.” While there was a general consensus among human nutritionists that eating fresh and wholesome food was the best way to prevent disease, pet food companies continued to say that nature was wrong. It took a few more years and tens of thousands of lost lives in the melamine tainted pet food scandal to fully realize how mislead we have been. Pet owners have been the victims of one of the biggest and most cleverly orchestrated worldwide scams.

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PET CONNECTION • February - March 2012

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Some people may object saying that anyone can post on the internet. However, most of us know that if you do proper research, read articles, look at reviews, rating and references, the overall summary is usually pretty accurate. Instead, I would like to simply share my journey and reassure others that the basic dietary principles are similar for people, dogs, cats and other animals. We all do best on wholesome species appropriate foods that reflect the millennia of natural evolution.

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PET CONNECTION • February - March 2012

The truth wins

I spent the first 27 years of my life living in the Eastern Block, former Czechoslovakia. When the Berlin wall fell and when the so called “Velvet Revolution” swept through my homeland, people carried banners that said. “ The truth wins” and I whole heartedly believed that the same applies to the raw vs processed dilemma. The truth will eventually win. The beauty of the internet It used to be much easier for the mighty pet food corporations to control our “opinions” in clever advertising campaigns, newspapers and media. However, the power of the internet combined with freedom of speech has been a real blow to the commercial pet food industry. All you need to do is to go on youtube and watch and listen to “confessions” of employees and veterinarians who used to work for pet food companies and then decided to blow the whistle.

For a while, I thought that the topic of feeding raw diet was yesterdays news. All my clients feed raw and so do most people in our community. Then I realized that we live in a bubble and that the reason Costco, Walmart and Safeway carry tons of processed food is that people buy it. They are unaware that it makes their pets sick. Making a difference in the real world I know that there are still many people who are sitting on the fence. Many people still trust veterinarians, who have been naively trusting pet food companies. If they are so proud of their scientific research. I wonder if the scientists have missed the point that nature has had species appropriate nutrition figured out for thousands of years and the way to go is to simply copy it? How you can help Many people get very upset about the current situation. They want to go out there and wage a war. I dare to suggest a much easier solution. Just share your experience of natural raw diet dog food with others and ask those who are willing to listen to do the same. Some people may be tempted to believe that pet food companies are honest and have started making “more natural” healthier pet food alternatives. However, based on the results of feeding such a diet, it appears to be the same old with fancier and more expensive packaging. I have also heard people lament that they would love to feed a raw diet but it takes too much time to prepare or it is too expensive. If you really want to stick to the convenience, there is a choice of mixing dehydrated raw food with fresh food.

Bacteria Pet food companies also use their scare tactics to stop the falling sales. They have been saying that handling pet food is dangerous and that it can cause salmonelosis in people. In my opinion, the risk is not any greater as when meat is prepared for human consumption. In fifteen years, none of my clients have ever reported a case of salmonelosis and I am sure they would if that were the case. Perhaps, it is because feeding raw food “exercises” the immune system creating antibodies against enteric pathogens. The change is in the air The statistics already show that the sales of processed pet food has been in decline in recent years and so is the number of veterinary visits. The numbers simply say that raw and cooked wholesome diet is not a fad. It has survived and is growing in popularity despite the hopeless efforts of pet food companies to discredit it. The declining numbers of veterinary visits may be another suggestion that the natural diet is working and that we are on the right path. Perhaps this will lead to vets having more time to spend with those who are unhealthy and participate more in disease prevention.

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Let us help you feed your cat and dog the way Nature intended. We stock wholesome, natural raw pet food from respected industry suppliers.

One more thing

Remember, there is difference between a plastic orange and an orange grown in an organic orchard. The same applies to pet food. n With gratitude, Dr. Peter Dobias, DVM, www.drpeterdobias.com

Dr. Peter Dobias DVM, has a background in both holistic and conventional veterinary medicine, animal homeopathy, natural nutrition and more than 20 years of practical and teaching experience. Founder and CEO of Dr. Dobias Healing Solutions. Connect with him on his website www.peterdobias.com and read his educational blogs on Facebook.

5565 West Blvd. Vancouver b/w 39th & 40th. Parking at back. 604.266.1125

PET CONNECTION • February - March 2012

Don’t forget that no matter what food you feed, extensive agriculture has depleted the whole food chain of minerals and other nutrients. They should be supplemented in a wholesome whole food form.

WELCOME DAKOTA BAWDEN-TUTTE! We are happy to announce that Dakota Bawden-Tutte is BC’s Pet Connection new raw food writer and will be a regular contributor on proper nutrition for pets. Dakota Bawden-Tutte has been writing and speaking on the benefits on raw food for pets for over 16 years. She is well known in our community and we are delighted to have her join us, and share her knowledge with us. Please join us in welcoming her. Visit www.truecarnivores.com or email: dakota@truecarnivores.com

What Are the Benefits of Feeding Raw? By: Dakota Bawden-Tutte Here are some of the ‘cures’ that the raw food diet has wrought: • Boosted immune system - stronger disease resistance • No more ‘doggy’ odour - dogs smell fresh, clean • Healthy skin & shiny coat • Clean teeth & healthy gums

• Fresh breath - no longer smells like swamp gas • Behaviour problems lessen - Hyper dogs tend to settle down • Improved digestion - no more ‘irritable bowels’/diarrhea • Less stool & much less stinky! • Fewer or no fleas & less scratching/itching • All-round increased energy & vitality • Old dogs get ‘younger’ - arthritis lessens • Fewer (if any) infertility/breeding problems • Dogs (and cats) look forward to their meals!

PET CONNECTION • February - March 2012

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To find K9 Natural in a Canadian retailer near you, visit www.k9natural.com

Look out for Feline Natural, coming soon!

DAKOTA BAWDEN-TUTTE, BA, Dip. Ed. SFU www.truecarnivores.com Dakota is a trainer, writer, and lecturer. She is the cofounder of Fresh Start Raw Food for Dogs, and, owner of True Carnivores, the 1st raw-food-only store for cats and dogs in Vancouver, BC. Dakota has been writing and speaking on the benefits of the raw diet for over 16 years. The caretaker of 2 beloved raw-raised dogs, ages 14 and 17 year old, (and a cranky cat who lived till 21 years of age because of the raw diet!), Dakota continues to educate pet owners through seminars, radio shows, articles and most recently, her book: The Real Poop on Pet Food: True Confessions of a Raw Feeder.

THE RAW FOOD DIET

THE COMMERCIAL (cooked/grain-based)

DIET TESTS DONE Tested over the centuries by wild dogs that have continued to thrive in the wild by feasting on their prey.

Not tested by any long term feeding trials. Commercial “kibble” and canned pet foods were “discovered” in the 1950’s.

GRAINS Contains no - or little - grains. Grains are not a part of a dog’s natural diet - in fact, dogs have difficulty in digesting grains.

Usually very high in grain content. Why? Grains are inexpensive (compared to meat). However, a high grain diet can cause insulin swings and overwork the pancreas. Dogs have NO digestive enzymes in their mouths.

RAW VS COOKED BONES: Raw bones are nature’s storehouse for calcium and other minerals, in perfect balance. Raw bones act as a natural toothbrush - to clean teeth, exercise gums. No need to clean your dog’s teeth, or anaesthetize, as the vet would have you do.

Cooked bone has been denatured and its basic biologic structure has been altered. Too, the bone’s collagen, when heated, loses its resilience and can cause splintering.

MEAT and VEGGIES: RAW VS COOKED Raw food contains “enzymes” - necessary aids to digestion. It also contains amino acids - the building blocks of proteins.

Cooking kills the enzymes needed for proper digestion and stomach health. The body must work hard to replace them. Processing destroys the fragile amino acids.

ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS Raw foods contain essential fatty acids necessary for a healthy coat and skin.

Heat and light can destroy EFA’s, yielding harmful trans-fatty acids. Pet food companies often use rancid, restaurant grease to spray on the kibble - dogs are “attracted” to the “smell”!

RAW VS COOKED and PROCESSED A varied, species-appropriate raw food diet provides an abundance of all the nutrients dogs and cats need to live a healthy life. Cats and dogs eat their prey raw - as nature intended.

Cooking/heating damages and alters food. Damaged fats directly suppress the immune system. Commercial pet food companies have yet to find ovens, dehydrators, or rendering plants in a wild cat or dog’s den!

ADDITIVES A raw food diet does not need any chemicals, preservatives, or additives.

Some pet food companies use known cancer-causing preservatives like BHT, BHA, and Ethoxyquin in their food. Some add “food enhancers” that make food “taste better” - often “addicting” animals to one brand of food.

VARIETY Variety in the diet helps to avert allergies, and insure a well-rounded diet. With a raw food diet, this is possible.

There is no variety. Your pet eats the same thing, day after day. (How well would we fare if fed only “fast foods” for all of our life?)

Wolves and dogs have identical gastro-intestinal systems. Their natural stomach juices are acidic, able to “kill” bacteria like salmonella, etc. Dogs have “ripping, tearing and shearing” teeth. (No grinders, like humans have).

Cooked, grain-based pet foods are not natural to dogs and cats. They create an “alkaline” stomach environment - with lowered defenses against bacteria, etc. French chemist, Paul Kouchakoff discovered that when cooked/processed food is tasted, white blood cells rush to the intestines. The phenomenon, called “digestive leucocytosis” disrupts the immune system: the body regards the cooked food as a pathogen and works hard to destroy it.

WHAT THE VETS SAY There is move toward a return to a more natural diet for our companion animals, and there are a growing number of veterinarians in the Greater Vancouver area who now support and see the benefits of the raw food diet.

Vet schools receive their major funding - and “nutritional’ training” - from the multi-national pet food companies. Fresh, raw foods are not a part of the traditional veterinary culture. Kibble is “convenient” (for the owner only).

CONTROL OVER WHAT YOUR DOG/CAT EATS Feeding raw, you have control over the quality, content and quantity of your pet’s diet.

With commercial pet foods you are never sure of the “quality” of the original ingredients. (Remember that shoe leather is “protein”!) Many manufacturers use toxic additives that have been added to the food before they get it - and therefore don’t have to note it on their label!

PET CONNECTION • February - March 2012

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Our Community Spotlight irRAWsistible On May 2, 2011, irRAWsistible Pet Foods became B.C.’s most recent entry into the frozen raw pet food market. The launch has been a successful one for the company; however, the journey began much earlier for irRAWsistible owner, James Hartmann. Hartmann left a 20 year sales and marketing career in consumer packaged goods to enter B.C.’s vibrant raw pet food market. Hartmann had always been interested in starting his own business. “The possibility to combine my experience in consumer packaged goods with a passion for dogs and cats in the emerging raw pet food market was a great opportunity,” says Hartmann. After developing irRAWsistible through BCIT’s 12 week Venture program in the fall of 2010 and consulting with a canine nutritionist in Portland, Hartmann launched the company with three key principles in mind:

Vancouver Island. irRAWsistible’s most recent product launch is a 20lb/9.1kg “Freezer Pack” of Chicken and Turkey. “These patties are ideal for the larger breeds or for people who have more than one dog to feed. The packaging costs have been removed without compromising the quality of our patties,” says Hartmann.

• Our raw diet for dogs and cats must be balanced and nutritious.

For 2012, irRAWsistible will pursue its segmentation strategy:

• Food safety is paramount. Only federally inspected hormone free meats, manufactured in a federally inspected plant and/or facility that follows HACCP principles, are used.

• 57g mini patties for small breed dogs and cats – featured in a zip lock seal stand -up pouch (boneless meat with a 100% natural ground eggshell calcium supplement).

• Convenient packaging and portioning must make feeding raw more consumer-friendly. irRAWsistible is available in both mini and full patties packaged in convenient zip lock seal stand-up pouches.

• 227g full patties for medium size dogs – featured in a zip lock seal stand-up pouch (boneless meat with a 100% natural ground eggshell calcium supplement).

Thaw and Serve

Inset photo: Cooper – our Portuguese Water Dog and official irRAWsistible taste tester.

• 205g full patties for larger breed dogs – featured as a 20lb Corrugate “Freezer Pack” with 44 patties per box and an inner plastic lining (meat with bone ground in). In 2012, irRAWsistible will look to add additional B.C. retail partners and will be reviewing expansion into the Alberta market. Please visit irrawsistiblepetfoods.com for a complete list of irRAWsistible retail partners and to learn more about the irRAWsistible story. n

 Balanced raw frozen meals for dogs & cats.  Convenient 2oz mini patties & 8oz full patties.  Re-sealable stand up pouches for your convenience.  Hormone free federally inspected meats, fresh vegetables & fruits, supplements & eggshell calcium.  Made in British Columbia.

Visit our website @www.irrawsistiblepetfoods.com for a list of our retail partners.

PET CONNECTION • February - March 2012

Both James and wife Renata Hartmann manage the day to day operations of the business, and their 2 daughters, Krista and Kalyn, often help out with in store demos and labeling and dating the irRAWsistible stand-up pouches. “It really is a family affair,” says Hartmann. That, combined with great suppliers and outstanding retail partners, has resulted in irRAWsistible making a strong early footprint in the B.C. raw pet food market. irRAWsistible now has 30 retail customers, located in the lower mainland, the interior and

The Hartmanns’ from the L to R: Renata, Kalyn, James & Krista

WELCOME VALERIE BARRY! We are happy to announce that Valerie Barry is BC’s Pet Connection’s new Training Partner and will be a regular contributor on training. Valerie Barry is a Full Member of the APDT (Association of Professional Dog Trainers), and has been training and working with dogs for over 11 years. She comes highly recommended from those in our community that we know and trust. Please join us in welcoming her. Visit www.inpartnershipwithdogs.com or email: valeriebarry@me.com

SHOCK COLLARS THE UGLY TRUTH By: Valerie Barry, Professional Dog Trainer, Full Member APDT

PET CONNECTION • February - March 2012

rom the perspective of a competent and knowledgeable dog trainer, training with shock collars is one of the worst methods ever introduced as “training” that continues to persist with alarming intensity.

Shock collars are marketed to unsuspecting pet dog owners as a “quick fix” for serious behavioural issues as well as a fast way to “train” your dog. The perception seems to be that if you’ve tried everything else and nothing worked, this will fix your problem. Or if you have a big or “difficult” breed, you need some serious equipment to “control” or “dominate” them. Nothing could be further from the truth, and this whole way of thinking is inaccurate and dangerous. We have come leaps and bounds along the road in understanding dogs – how they think and how they learn – in the past 15 or so years. Science has clearly proven that punishment based methods of training like shock collars (prong collars, choke collars, drowning, choking, dominating, correcting, etc.) do not work as “training” and have some very serious side effects. If science doesn’t interest you, how about results? Again, it’s been researched, tested, proven and documented that positive reinforcement training is faster, more efficient, and has longer term retention – something punishment methods cannot accurately claim. Better yet, positive

reinforcement promotes good mental health for your dog – it allows them to think, puzzle out solutions, safely offer various behaviours as options, gain confidence and create desirable end behaviours that are happily performed and last a lifetime. Confidence is an important skill for dogs - isn’t that true for all of us? A confident dog knows what is expected of him in all the circumstances that are important to you and he will perform his skills reliably. Problem behaviours can be extinguished (or prevented from ever occurring) and new behaviours can take their place. Punishment, by definition, suppresses behaviour. Shock collars are punishment. Therefore, shock collars do not eliminate behaviour – they suppress it – very big difference. Behaviours that are suppressed are still there and they are still getting reinforced because the things that cause them are still there too. When you use a shock collar to try and solve a behavioural problem, you are applying a piece of equipment that itself causes fear and anxiety to a behaviour that is likely rooted in fear and anxiety. That just makes no logical sense. You absolutely must work, instead, to alleviate that fear and create alternatives for the dog – it’s the only way that’s effective – it’s the only way that’s humane.

I have a big problem with these statements. You cannot possibly know how something feels to someone else – animal or human – period – no argument – it’s impossible. Here’s a human scenario: my husband gives me a high-five after a recent Vancouver Canuck’s win. “Ow – that hurt”, I yelp! “That didn’t hurt”, my husband says, “I barely touched you at all!” Let’s think about this. It really did sting when he slapped my open palm with his own. Why did it hurt? Maybe I have extremely sensitive or extremely thin skin; maybe I have an unusually low pain threshold; maybe my husband has an unusually high pain threshold; maybe the act of him sweeping his open palm toward me when I wasn’t expecting it frightened me so badly that my body registered it as pain. Who knows and why does it matter? To me, it hurt and that’s the only fact worth noting. He cannot tell me it didn’t hurt – it’s impossible for him to know that. He can feel that it shouldn’t have hurt or think I’m being overly dramatic – but that’s different. Because we share the same language, I can attempt to explain to him how it felt – but he still can’t really know because he didn’t feel what I felt. Dogs feel pain and emotions too – that’s a fact. As a trainer, I have met many dogs who have had shock collars on or live in yards with electric fencing systems (yes, that’s a shock collar too and every bit as damaging). Every single one of these dogs displayed unnecessary and abnormal degrees of anxiety, fear and reactive behaviour – every single one. There is no question in my mind that dogs find this type of treatment scary, hurtful or confusing. You can’t tell them that it’s just a “little tingle” or something that’s just meant to “startle” them – there is zero helpful information being communicated. Just like humans and any other type of animal, there are dogs who are more or less sensitive than others. I have met dogs (and have one myself ) who will flinch or cower at a simple “uh, uh” spoken in a mild tone. This may not seem very punishing to us, but it is to them – their body language doesn’t lie, their behaviour doesn’t lie. (Continued next page)

I need you to speak for me

Sign the petition to ban shock collars Facebook.com/BanShockCollars

Join the ‘Gentle Leash Campaign!’

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PET CONNECTION • February - March 2012

“But the shock isn’t supposed to really hurt”, you say; “I’ve tried it on my own arm and it’s just a tingle or a small buzz”, you claim; “The shock just startles, it doesn’t hurt at all”, your so-called trainer claims.

This article isn’t just my opinion – there are many facts stated here. But, you don’t have to believe me, you can do your own research – there is tons of it out there. If you are considering using such a damaging piece of equipment like a shock collar, doesn’t your dog deserve to have you put the time and effort into finding out the truth?

There are many great trainers and great facilities offering courses for trainers and behaviourists based on correct learning theory, current science and wellresearched information. But you need to be careful, you need to inform yourself and you need to know exactly what you want for your dog. Your dog has no choice but to depend on you.

• Read biologist Raymond and Lorna Coppingers’ book, “Dogs – A New Understanding of Canine Origin, Behaviour and Evolution”.

Any good trainer should be open about the methods they use and should welcome you to attend some of their classes before asking you to commit to them. You should be completely comfortable with how they treat the dogs in their care, and the dogs, themselves, should show you how happy they are to be there and working (or not). I also believe, as with any profession, a dog trainer should be constantly updating their skill and education every way they can – keeping on top of what’s new and what’s changing.

• Read some of the articles written by David Mech, renowned wolf researcher and his explanation of the new terminology of “Parent Pair” replacing the old and inaccurate terminology “Alpha” or “Dominant”. • Read the beautifully written book on dogs and their emotions, “For The Love of a Dog” by Dr. Patricia McConnell. • Read the remarkable book, “Reaching The Animal Mind” by renowned marine mammal trainer and scientist Karen Pryor.

PET CONNECTION • February - March 2012

• Talk to Police Officer Steve White who has served as handler, trainer and supervisor for one the largest police K-9 units in Washington State. He specializes in teaching behavior modification, tracking, and scent work through the use of positive reinforcement based operant conditioning.

• I do believe that there are many, pet dog owners who truly believe they are doing the best for their dogs and believe they have received good advice when they strap on a shock collar. I hope with all my heart that pet owners search harder for the best advice, the most humane advice and think long and hard about what they want for their companion animals. Unfortunately, many terrible things and “training methods” are considered “legal” or are not considered at all when it comes to animals and this needs very urgently to be changed. Please be part of the solution not part of the problem. Something to keep in mind when you consider hiring a trainer. Anyone can open a dog training school, anyone can claim to be a dog trainer and anyone can claim titles like “Certified Dog Trainer”, “Certified Dog or Animal Behaviourist”, “Master Trainer”, or “Animal Therapist”.

A good place to start to look for a trainer or some good information is to take a look at the website for the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (www.apdt.com). This is an organization that is at the forefront of the movement to positive reinforcement dog training methods. It is a large group full of well-known, highly educated and knowledgeable individuals who work hard to provide great resources for pet dog owners. They offer membership to any trainer, promote positive methods and have a continuing education path for trainers to keep themselves up to date and correctly informed. Two other great resources for information on positive training methods are www.dogwise.com and www.dogstardaily.com. n

Valerie has been working with pet owners and their dogs for over 11 years. Together with her business partner, Lisa, the concept of “working in partnership with dogs” was developed - a different approach to training and interacting with dogs based on respect and cooperation.

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PET CONNECTION • February - March 2012

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PET CONNECTION • February - March 2012

Dante, modeling his harness.

art of the technique of positive reinforcement training is giving your dog opportunities to offer behaviours so that you can provide instructive feedback. In order to encourage your dog to offer behaviours, he needs to be confident that your feedback won’t be punishing or painful. Adding punishment to stop a behaviour has the effect of either causing your dog to try the same behaviour “harder” (behaviour becomes worse), or causing your dog to feel worried about the situation or the punisher which will discourage him from wanting to offer behaviours for feedback.

A collar commonly adds punishment – something you might find surprising if you simply walk your dog on a flat collar without any intention of being “punishing”. As soon as there is any tension on your dog’s neck from a collar – whether he adds the tension by pulling or you add the tension by yanking or pulling back – you have a situation that is not conducive to learning. Tension on a dog’s neck is very uncomfortable and can be physically damaging because the juncture of neck and spine is a relatively fragile part of your dog. The pressure on your dog’s neck caused by any type of collar (fabric or chain)

In Partnership With Dogs Positive Reinforcement Training Valerie Barry 604-‐868-‐5145 Lisa Kerley 604-‐990-‐3640 www.inpartnershipwithdogs.com

“Training is something to do with your dog, not to your dog”

begins to cut off his air supply immediately causing your dog to start feeling anxious and worried. The worst thing you can do is start using your dog’s collar as a “correction” device by yanking on it in an effort to stop something like pulling or reacting to another dog. Worse still, is if you are using a prong, pinch or choke collar or applying a jolt from a shock collar. When you are simply “correcting” your dog vs. teaching your dog how to walk nicely on leash, you are on a path that is far less comfortable for your dog and ultimately less effective. My years of experience have clearly shown that this path will very likely lead to an anxious dog who begins reacting on leash or whose reactions will get much worse. Often, these dogs don’t ever learn how to walk nicely on leash.

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When I’m helping dogs learn to walk on leash, an important consequence to pulling is an immediate lack of forward movement – I stop walking. This is a relevant and instructive consequence because your dog’s behaviour – pulling – is motivated by a desire to keep moving. Briefly stopping until I get a different behaviour is instructive feedback – “when you pull, we stop moving – try something else”. I use a body harness so that when I stop moving, momentum briefly causes my dog to lean into the “sling” of the harness with his chest and shoulders. Because there is no discomfort involved, there is no build up of anxiety and my dog begins to think through why he is no longer moving forward or why his forward movement keeps getting interrupted. If you’re consistent, very quickly your dog begins to offer alternatives to pulling – backing up, turning and looking at you, sitting, etc. He soon realizes pulling just doesn’t get him what he wants. There’s no pain and lots of gain! n In Partnership With Dogs www.inpartnershipwithdogs.com

PET CONNECTION • February - March 2012

The best training method is one that teaches instead of punishes. The best piece of equipment to use when you’re walking your dog is a comfortable, well-fitted body harness instead of a collar or face harness. A favorite is the Canine Friendly Vest Harness – see opposite page.

Chance’s Journey

ANIMAL ADVOCATES SOCIETY OF BC: TRUE NO KILL — RESCUING — REHABILITATING — REHOMING Cut this out to mail us a donation, or donate online at www.AnimalAdvocates.com/Donate Name______________________________________________Signature_________________________________________ Address___________________________________________Apt________City____________________________________ Postal Code______________Email Address_________________________________________________________________ I am donating $____________ □ Monthly □ One Time □ Cheque(s) □ Credit Card Credit Card Number____________________________________________________Expiry__________________________ Animal Advocates Society of BC, Box 114, 103-1075 Marine Dr. North Vancouver, V7P 3T6 www.AnimalAdvocates.com The web mag to read for hard-hitting news, video, rescue stories Get connected with real animal welfare Email animaladvocates@telus.net Charity # 88789267 BN0001 This ad space has been generously donated by JAMIE LEE in memory of PUNKY

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PET CONNECTION • February - March 2012

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PET CONNECTION • February - March 2012

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BEWARE OF THE BULLY

his is a caution to the public about people who choose to use what I can only describe as bully tactics when training animals.

Why are animals so vulnerable to mistreatment? Because they can’t talk and they can’t sue. Trainers with respect for sentient beings welcome public discussion into what constitutes a competent and compassionate trainer. A diploma certificate adorned with a fancy seal may look impressive but not all education is created equal. “Be your own boss and become a dog trainer in just four weeks” quickie courses just don’t cut it. Continuing education based on behavioral science, humane training techniques and high principles builds competency. Grandiose claims and guarantees should be viewed with suspicion. Unmasking the existence of bully trainers will only elevate the status of the rest of the profession. A bully owner or trainer doesn’t train; instead, they force animals to obey commands under the threat of pain. It is taking advantage of one’s position of power over another. So why would a trainer engage in such tactics? It is a quick easy way to get an animal’s attention and change behavior when sensitivity and knowledge are in short supply. Not healthy change but rather a repression of natural expression. Bullies not only use shock, they may also subject dogs to slamming, choking, hanging, pinning, flipping, hosing and screaming.

So, when looking for a skilled trainer, would it be prudent to choose one who is a member of an association? Perhaps, but there are no guarantees. The industry is unregulated and mission statements are often nothing more than wish lists of what an association strives to be, not what it is. It may come as a surprise that there are training associations while stating they promote humane methods, still accept members who use, promote and sell electric shock, choke and prong collars. The reason given (by one association) is that by including these trainers they hope to be a positive influence on them. Their intentions may be honorable but the odds are not in their favor. It’s hopeful reasoning at best and can easily backfire by not positively influencing trainers but instead giving them credibility with the public. Another policy that has the potential of cutting both ways is the prohibition of members publicly critiquing other members. The intent of such policies is to maintain a level of professionalism and courtesy. That is to be applauded. However, I can’t imagine it was meant to stifle free speech. To remain mute, when animals are put in harm’s way is a culture of silence no reputable organization wants to foster. Otherwise, it creates the perfect environment for abusers to escape accountability; join an association! Silence can enable the proliferation of shock collars, allowing their use to

PET CONNECTION • February - March 2012

By G. and A. Williams

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PET CONNECTION • February - March 2012

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grow unhampered. This can damage the reputation of the training industry in general. It stands to reason every trainer has a different level of experience and knowledge. Education and techniques, while obviously important, only need to meet the level required for the job; you don’t need a physics professor to teach elementary arithmetic. What’s critical is the method used. Whatever the circumstances, never be too timid or too busy to thoroughly research a trainer’s methods. You can help stop the sale & use of shock collars at www.BanShockCollars.ca n To find a trainer that uses pain-free training methods,

please go to Truly Dog Friendly, www.trulydogfriendly. com, where an extensive list of professionals from Canada and the USA are available for pain-free training. More pain-free trainers on www.banshockcollars.ca

PET CONNECTION • February - March 2012

Notice: The views and opinions expressed here are those of the banshockcollars.ca team, we hope they are, or will become the views and opinions of the reader as well. Thank you and have a wonderful pain-free day.

FEBRUARY

Ongoing

Try and get into a brushing routine to clean your pets teeth. Tuesday February 14th Valentine’s Day! Extra belly rubs but please keep the chocolate away from your pets.

Vancouver Raw Fed Dogs and Cats Meet up The 2nd Tuesday of every month! Rustic Liama Cafe 3675 E. Hastings Street Vancouver For more information contact Cheryll Forge @ 604-261-1509

MARCH Saturday March 3rd 10:00am - 6:00 pm and Sunday March 4th, 11:00am - 5:00pm PET EXPO at the Forum at Vancouver’s PNE Cost to attend Sorry no pets allowed.

ONGOING LIVE with Dr. Kim Bloomer NEW and EXCITING ONGOING ONLINE RADIO Dr. Kim Bloomer on the radio Every Wednesday LIVE 11:30am PST www.blogtalkradio.com or www.animaltalknaturally.com for previous shows!

Animal Naturopathy Courses now available online! American Council of Animal Naturopathy is now offering Animal Certificate Courses online! Certificate courses in small animal naturopathy and equine naturopathy available through distance learning online. www.animalnaturopathy.org/ courses.html

To find us on facebook go to: www.facebook.com/ PetConnectionBC

PET CONNECTION • February - March 2012

The Pet Connection assumes no responsibility for any information listed for any of these events. While every attempt is made to double check information submitted, we are not responsible for any cancelled events, rescheduled events, wrong dates or times, location changes, wrong address’s or wrong phone numbers. If you have an event you would like to mention, please submit it to, info@petconnection.ca. Due to space limitations there is no guarantee that it will be listed.

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250 598-8370 • www.westcoastcaninelife.com We create lasting memories Photographic portraits Mounted portraits and prints Customized albums Greeting Cards Gift vouchers

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Pet Connection is read cover to cover throughout BC! Reach over 25,000 readers! Next Advertising Deadline: March 5, 2012 Email: info@petconnection.ca Phone: 604-220-5346

PET CONNECTION • February - March 2012

 petra@ppp-photography.com

PET CONNECTION • February - March 2012

r e t x e D

We’d love for your pet to be featured in BC’s PET CONNECTION. We use local talent and SUPERSTARS from all over the Province. Send in your photos today and let your best friend enjoy some FAME. Please send in high res photos (300dpi) to: photos@petconnection.ca

COMING IN April... • Rescues, Shelters and Volunteers! • The all important SIT.

AT T E NT I ON R E A D E RS ! If you’ve enjoyed this independent publication, please use the products and services of our fabulous advertisers. Without them this magazine would not be possible.

THESE PEOPLE CARE! Allan Palmer, Realtor (page 26)

Korna Natural Pet Supplies (page 7)

Allergy Free Pet Food (page 24)

Love on a Leash (page 27)

Amoré Pet Foods (IFC)

Natural Instincts (page 8)

Animal Advocates (page 20)

Off Leash (page 24)

Ban Shock Collars (page 15)

PPP Photography (page 27)

Buddies Natural Pet Food Inc. (page 22)

Recovery SA (OBC)

CanWest Productions (page 24)

Red Dog Blue Kat (page 17)

Dog’s Shangrila (page 22)

RPB Hotels & Resorts (page 17)

Dog Smart Training (IFC)

Simply Natural (page 9)

Dogwise (page 25)

Sparkle Bark (page 21)

Dr. Dobias GreenMin (page 6)

Spring Meadows Natural Pet Food (page 19)

Endless Pawsibilities (page 27)

The Cat Cottage (page 19)

Gentle Leash Campaign (page 15)

3P Naturals (page 5)

Growlies For Pets (page 22)

True Carnivores (page 11)

In The Raw (IFC)

Until We Meet Again (IBC)

In Partnership With Dogs (page 18)

Wags K9 Teeth Cleaning (page 21)

irRAWsistible (page 13)

Walks N Wags (page 12)

Jake & Daisey’s (page 25)

West Coast Canine Life (page 27)

Juka Organics (page 12)

Your Pet Pals (page 22)

K9 Naturals (page 10)

PET CONNECTION • February - March 2012

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Subscribe today! Never miss out on local pet news. Your animals will Thank you. Only $25.00 for 6 issues including all taxes. Name: _______________________________________________________________________________________ Address:_____________________________________________________________________________________ City/Province/Postal Code:_____________________________________________________________________ Tel:______________________________ email:______________________________________________________ Call, mail or go online today:

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PET CONNECTION • February - March 2012

RESCUES AND ADOPTIONS

BC Exotic Bird Society www.bcexoticbirdsociety.org

important numbers

BOXER RESCUE www.rescueaboxer.ca

24 HOUR EMERGENCY PET CARE 604-734-5104 1590 W 4th, Vancouver (Corner of 4th & Fir)

CDART/CRITTERAID www.cdart.org www.critteraid.org 250-494-5057 Kelowna Little Paws Rescue Society Email: julia@littlepawsrescue.net SMALL ANIMAL RESCUE www.smallanimalrescue.org 604-438-4366 The Richmond Animal Protection Society (RAPS) 604-275-2036, 12071 # 5 Road, Richmond VANCOUVER ORPHAN KITTEN RESCUE www.orphankittenrescue.com (VOKRA) 604-731-2913 WESTIE RESCUE www.westierescuecanada.com 604-984-0179

24 HOUR ANIMAL ABUSE 604-879-7343 ANIMAL POISON CONTROL CENTRE 888-426-4435 (fees apply) PET POISON HELPLINE 1-800-213-6680 ORPHAN KITTEN RESCUE Emergency Only 604-418-4008 Vancouver Animal Control 604-871-6888 1280 Raymur

In Memory The greatest gift in life is to love and be loved.

A gentle giant that was leant to us for a short period of time. Run free... Jill and Rob

Katie

Oct 26, 1999 to Sep 9, 2010 11 years old Sep 9, 2010 was the saddest day in my life. I miss you every second! Carol

Has your Best Friend recently passed on? Send in their photo, name and a few words and we will gladly mention them in our In Memory section. Send to: info@ petconnection.ca

PET CONNECTION â&#x20AC;˘ February - March 2012

Bono - aka Bo

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