Volume 52 | Number 2 | Summer 2016
Summer Heat & Your Pugs Feature Article
Sudden Death After C-Section The Whelping Pen
Behavior Modification In Dogs Pug Training
Celebrating Your Pug's Birthday Or "Gotcha Day" Pugs & Scent Training Recent Research Dedicated to purebred pugs and those who love them!
PUG TALK
801 Dellwood St. #113 Bryan, TX 77802–5363 Phone: (512) 887–7847 Email: PT@pugtalk.com Web: www.pugtalk.com
OWNER/EDITOR/ PUBLISHER Marcy Heathman
ART DIRECTOR/ GRAPHIC DESIGNER
In This Issue Collector's Corner
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Tail of the Pug
5
Rare finds for Pug people
Editorial
–by Marcy Heathman
Sudden Death After C-Section The Whelping Pen
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–by Beth Ballard
Christen Cabe Creative Commonground www.creativecommonground.com
Quarter 1, 2016 CHIC Numbers –Canine Health Information Center
8
CONTRIBUTORS
Pugs & Scent Training
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Artists: Debby Hanks The Whelping Pen: Beth Ballard Pugtographers: Wendy Davenschot Shirley Gilchrest Pug Training: Cher Grindle McCoy
Recent Research
Celebrating Your Pug's Birthday or "Gotcha Day"
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Samantha Ellis
12
The Performance Pugs of Tracey Terry
14
Summer Heat & Your Pugs
16
Behavior Modification in Dogs
18
Special Occasions
Featured Artist
Pug Talk (ISSN:1529–5478) is published quarterly by: Pug Talk LLC 801 Dellwood St. #113 Bryan, TX 77802–5363. Pug Talk is an independent magazine and not affiliated with any breed club. We are breed specific and offered electronically and in Print. Subscriptions to Pug Talk are FREE. Issues available online 24/7 on our website. Email subscribers are notified first of each new release and of any news or updates to Pug Talk.
Agility Training
Feature Article
Pug Training
–by Cher Grindle McCoy
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Collector's Corner RARE FINDS FOR PUG PEOPLE
Pug Charcoal
Hyman Segal FIAL, RBA English, 1962
Charcoal drawing on laid colored paper of a Pug sleeping on a rug by the St. Ives School artist Hyman Segal FIAL, RBA (English, 1914–2004).Titled "Samba," signed "Segal" and dated "'62." The artist is known to have drawn several Pug works; he clearly admired the breed.
Untitled Pug Oil Painting
Pugs with Punch
English, circa 1900 | Approx. 14" x 18"
1901
Charles Frederick Dawson FRCA An oil on canvas of a Pug recumbent on a sheepskin rug with red ball looking for play. Signed bottom right by the painter, Charles Frederick Dawson FRCA (18631949), circa 1900.
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PUG TALK April | May | June 2016
Unknown Artist
An oil on canvas of two pampered Pug puppies playing on an oriental rug with a Mr. Punch doll. Signed bottom right and dated 1901.
EDITORIAL
Tail of the Pug –by Marcy Heathman
T
his issue of Pug Talk marks a monumental transition for the magazine. With this issue, Pug Talk becomes a 100 percent digital publication, and with that change, subscriptions are FREE. Downloading and reading the digital version of Pug Talk will be available to everyone at no cost. The digital Pug Talk will continue to include the same quality information, advice, news, and opinions you have come to expect from us these past 51 years, all in a package that is completely portable. Our coverage will not change, only the format, which offers these benefits:
it entirely online, from your PC, ‣‣View your smartphone, or your tablet. It
will be formatted for easy readability and portability. EVERYTHING WILL BE IN COLOR!
timely: all the content of Pug Talk ‣‣It’s that you’re familiar with, available in a more timely manner.
lively and interactive. Our online ‣‣It’s edition will offer rich media options
within the magazine format. So, for example, next to the article you’re reading about our Internet Celebrity, you can easily click through to see pictures and videos, as well as directly visiting Facebook or Pinterest pages. Or watch a video about how to groom your Pug.
searchable. Here’s something ‣‣It’s you can't do with the printed Pug
Talk: Enter a search term and the digital issue will find all the related pages and articles.
green: You can actually feel ‣‣It’s good about the amount of paper,
ink, and gas we’ll all be saving by not producing and consuming a physical magazine.
To receive the new digital Pug Talk, you don’t have to do anything. The latest issues will be published and available on our website as each becomes available. If you’d like to receive an email notice when the magazine is published, we have a sign-up list on our website's home page. AND, you can still get a printed copy of the magazine! We’ll be offering print-on-demand products, where you can purchase and have a printed issue mailed to you on request. The printed issues can be ordered in either the small format that Pug Talk used for more than 35 years, or you can opt to receive the larger format we’ve been printing for the past few years. While we are energized by the endless possibilities of the digital format, I assure you that the decision to stop producing a printed copy was not an easy one. But the reality is that the ever-growing expense of print and
unreliability of physical delivery was turning into an untenable business proposition. Production time caused much of our news to be old news, and after all, Pug Talk was begun as a way to share Pug news in a timely manner. “Timely” has changed in 50 years, and so we’re changing with it.
So what about your subscription? We will be refunding the remaining balance—if any—over the next few weeks. If you recently sent a check for a subscription, it is on its way back to you. If you have a question about your subscription balance, please EMAIL us at mysub@pugtalk.com and we’ll look it up and get back to you. Advertisers, if you have a balance, we can apply it to any upcoming ads. I want to personally thank you for your support and devotion to Pug Talk in its print form. Like you, I’ve been a fan and subscriber for many years and hate to see printed issues go, as they are truly a history and archive for our breed. Where else can you see the dogs of 50 years ago and read about those who bred them and why? I believe the option we’re going with will allow that tradition to continue.
Coming Up
Pug Talk Specialty Edition A reminder that our next issue is the Pre National Specialty Edition of Pug Talk. The PDCA National is just around the corner (25 September–1 October), and we know everyone is SUPER excited! You will be able to order your own copy of the magazine and take it with you to the National to show off your ad! Special thanks to everyone who advertises with and supports Pug Talk. We can't do it without you!
Tail of the Pug
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THE WHELPING PEN
Sudden Death After C-Section –by Beth Ballard
T
This column is dedicated to Tupelo Taboo Tu Birch Haven, May 18, 2009– January 2, 2014. I miss you so.
his issue, I am sharing something quite personal … It is my hope that readers will be helped by every column I contribute, but especially by this one. Recently, yet another beautiful mother was lost within hours of having a C-section. It used to be thought of as a rare thing, but in our day of social media and electronic communication, we can clearly see it is not as rare an event as previously thought. I think sudden death post C-section has been happening at a much higher incidence than we ever realized. Just in the last five months, I’ve had five breeder friends lose girls in this way. It does seem to bear addressing, and many breeders are becoming more open about their losses, which is what we need in order to develop a network of information sharing. There are a lot of factors that contribute to the loss of a girl after C-section surgery; maybe the girl is already in distress or weak, which adds to the surgical risk already in place. Maybe the veterinary choices or set-ups are not optimal. Of course, there is always an inherent risk any time anesthesia is used, and even when the medical team does everything right, things can go horribly wrong … No one should ever take any surgery for granted. None is routine, no matter what they are. My own experience with this was over two years ago now, but it still has me questioning things … Could it have been lung lobe torsion? Could it have been PKdef (Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency, an inherited anemic condition for which I now health test)? Could I have done anything to save her … Why didn’t I see this coming? How could this happen to a seemingly perfectly healthy girl? And why does her death still hurt and haunt me so much to this day? When something sudden and unstoppable happens, the feeling of helplessness is so
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overwhelming that we question a lot of things, even our decisions to breed and own Pugs, and most of all, to love them as much as we do. That was the case with me and my girl: She was the nicest Pug girl I had owned to date, and living as financially simply as my family does, I had made some pretty big sacrifices to purchase her—but it was totally worth it, and she was the love of our home and the promise of our future in breeding Pugs. I was aware every day of the gift she was to our home and our hearts. When she free-whelped her first litter, I was just ecstatic that no C-section was needed and thought, “Wow, off to a great start.” There was no such luck with her second litter a year later, with an emergency C-section; but it was without complications, and she recovered easily and quickly. I waited about 18 months to breed her again and was delighted to see pups on an ultrasound from a boy we had long been hoping to use. I let her start labor at home; our veterinarians were informed she was in stage one labor on December 30th, and during the night she progressed to stage two, but in spite of all her hard work, no puppy arrived within my two-hour limit for hard contractions. An exam revealed no puppy in the birth canal, and we didn’t like her heart rate or color, so after a short discussion, it was decided to section her. So, early in the morning of
PUG TALK April | May | June 2016
December 31st, she went into surgery. She had four vets, four vet techs, and me by her side. During surgery, I watched as her color got worse and worse, and we found a twist in a horn that was not allowing the pups to move down and out. There did not seem to be any circulatory issues in the horn … Pups were taken, and resuscitation was good and normal. We had five baby girls, all looking nice and healthy. During closing, Mama lost a little more ground, in that she had some slight respiratory issues coming out of anesthesia, and she had more than normal blood loss during surgery. Her color was very disturbing to all of us. When she was awake and finally stable, we went home. The first day and night, she settled right in to being the wonderful mother that she was; her puppies were her joy. I followed my usual protocol of diet and calcium supplementation and care of both mother and pups—things looked just great. She was up, energetic, eating, drinking … but on New Year’s night, at about eight o’clock in the evening, she awoke from a nap, and I saw her stand, cough and stagger a little. Over the next few hours, the cough became worse. She struggled to stand and breathe, and just after midnight, we took her in to be seen.
Our vet diagnosed her immediately with pulmonary edema and began Lasix treatment and oxygen therapy. He called in two more vets to assist, but she was so obstructed by that time that her efforts to breathe were all but useless: She was very ill. We spent the next seven hours in critical care at the clinic, on oxygen and other continuing treatments, but each time we tried to take the oxygen away, she was in trouble; and by morning, we all knew what we couldn’t believe: She was not going to live out the day, and there was nothing— nothing—that was going to save her. We discussed many options, but she could not even be transported to any major facility. And our vets told me that even if we could, her prognosis just was not at all good. All this time, her two-day-old puppies were at home, warm, safe, and very hungry … It had been hours since they had nursed, and I was just believing with all my heart their mother would rally and we’d be home soon. We were home soon, but not with a healthy mother. Finally, after facing the truth, my vet gave me a hug and told me to take her home, that anything they could do for her there, I could do for her myself at home … which of course was a gentle way of telling me to say good-bye. Within two hours of being home, each breath in could not be pushed out, and I could hear the fluid in her lungs gather more and more. I held her on my lap and kissed her and told her I would not let anything bad happen. I begged God to spare her; but at eleven fifteen on January 2nd, she put her head down on my hand, and I watched in absolute disbelief as she gracefully took her leave. I could not believe what I was seeing; I was completely and utterly buckled, inside and out. In a couple of hours, when I could get my thoughts together a little bit, I texted my good friend and the owner of the stud I had used and told her: I have five baby girls with no mother … And she and two others worked all afternoon to find a surrogate, and by 11 pm, those baby girls had been picked up and were two hours away, nursing contentedly on a mother they did not know, but who loved and raised them just like she was their own
mom—something I know was a miracle and for which I will forever be thankful. It is called pulmonary embolism: A tiny blood clot moves through the arteries and gets stuck in a lung. Sometimes it gets caught in the heart, which is a much more sudden death. When Tabby died, about a cup of bright pink fluid came rushing from her nose and mouth. It was the fluid that builds up and eventually takes away lung function when there is an embolism. Over the next few weeks, as I waited for the puppies to be old enough to come back home, I spent my days grieving profoundly and researching and rethinking the events of Tabby’s death. I tried to remember as many details as I could, both medical and otherwise: her poor color, the blood loss, the cough, the timetable; her eyes as she looked at me, the feel of her coat and smell of her; my utter uselessness in helping her. Right after surgery, as she was waking up, we were troubled by the large amount of blood loss. As I talked with the vets there, I asked if we could give her something to help with that, and all agreed that a little vitamin K would be okay, and so she was given a small dose. The day and night after surgery, and before her death, I noticed her discharge was nearly all large clots and dark. For many months, I blamed myself for asking for that shot, and it even bothered me so much that I went one day to have a table discussion about it with my vets. All of them told me it would not have altered anything; that she had so many other problems going on, there was no way the clot that killed her was connected to the administration of vitamin K. And, as I dug deeper, I discovered it wasn’t and could not have been. When a girl comes out of a C-section with poor color, either her lungs are not moving air well enough to keep her oxygenated—it could be shock or a couple of other things—or she is anemic, probably from surgery in general and blood loss. The night Tabby spent in critical care, her blood work showed her white blood cell count was very, very high, and we knew her poor color was due to the fact she had much fewer red blood cells. In my research since,
I found that the clot that killed her is actually called a white clot, because it was comprised of many, many more white blood cells than red. When a blood clot forms in this way, in the midst of it are tiny strings of proteins that, even if we had tried warfarin or some other effort to dissolve the clot to save her, it would never have worked, because even if we had been successful in dissolving the blood clots, the protein strings would have remained. I wish, with all my heart, that breeding this incredible breed was fail-proof and without doubts or troubles … I wish we had medical advances at our beck and call when we need to save a life … I wish we had the power to make miracles happen. In a way, we do, in that we can support research and studies to bring us more knowledge and information so that we can be better breeders. I know I will be forever affected by Tabby’s death and the horribly unfair way she died. I always imagined her, old and gray, dying at 15 after a long and wonderful life; she was five years old. I’m never going to stop working towards finding answers to the questions I still have. I can never just sit and say, “Well … stuff happens.” The scientist and analyst in me has to know the details. I have to have answers … I want all who have ever experienced this as well to know: You have my prayers and support. Each life, and each death, matters. In the two years since she died, Tabby has taught me so much more than I ever dreamed I would even think about, let alone research to the depth I have. I have been humbled by the opportunity to offer condolences and a few bits of information to others who have lost girls in the same manner. This column is dedicated to Tupelo Taboo Tu Birch Haven, May 18, 2009– January 2, 2014. I miss you so. It is my honor to write this column each issue. If you have canine reproduction questions you’d like to see addressed in “The Whelping Pen” column, send suggestions to pugs4people2@yahoo.com, or connect with me on Facebook @ Beth Ballard (Birch Haven Pugs).
Sudden Death After C-Section
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Quarter 1, 2016 CHIC Numbers –Canine Health Information Center
DATE
NEW/UPDATE
CHIC#
REG#
Celestial Storybook Hoku-Pele
01/28/2016
UPDATE
60962
TR14738001
Susan Phillips & Danielle M. Campi
Genesis Sweet Tater
03/03/2016
UPDATE
92485
TR92255003
Rita Oates
Caper's Live It Up
02/04/2016
UPDATE
92832
TR95154806
Phillip G. & Carolyn J. Fisher
Caper's Just Be Sirius!
02/04/2016
UPDATE
101666
TS14742003
Phillip G. & Carolyn J. Fisher
Habenero De Javu Kristian Dior
02/04/2016
UPDATE
108026
TS18276301
Phillip G. & Carolyn J. Fisher
Andi Animal
01/07/2016
NEW
110548
TS20126701
Joy Barbieri
Mtn Aire's Star Of Aslan
01/28/2016
NEW
110901
TR56724303
Connie Dunham
Trump's Cuddle Bear
02/18/2016
NEW
111359
TS08586802
Curtis Rowe & Christine Dresser, DVM
Hugapug Toibox Bettor's Delight
03/03/2016
NEW
111728
TS04325001
Susan Phillips & Judi Basto
Andi Right As Rain
03/24/2016
NEW
112186
TS20125703
Joy Barbieri
Caillet's Double Cuddle
03/31/2016
NEW
112187
BC545622
Debbie Dales
Hill CountryHarmony's To Infinity And Beyond
03/31/2016
NEW
112369
TS14078001
Kristy & Kevin Ratliff, Susan Reinbold
NAME OF PUG
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PUG TALK April | May | June 2016
OWNER
RECENT RESEARCH
Pugs & Scent Training
I
nteresting experiments have recently been conducted in attempt to see if perceived breed differences in the ability to scent items are accurate. Assumed differences are based upon historical notions and breed stereotypes. Generally, it is accepted that German shepherds, most hounds, and Labrador retrievers are the best-suited breeds for odor-detection work. More than one recent experiment has included Pugs— a toy breed not normally associated with the ability to scent well. In one experiment, published in the Journal of Comparative Psychology, eleven Pugs, ten German shepherds, and ten greyhounds were used: German shepherds, because they are commonly used for scent detection work; Pugs, because they are brachycephalic and considered unlikely to scent well due to the potential rotation of the olfactory lobe or crowded bones within the facial area; and greyhounds, because they are considered sight hounds instead of scent hounds. The actual dogs chosen were recruited for the experiment via email, flyers at dog parks, through breed clubs and word of mouth. All of the subjects were pets living in homes. Each dog received alert training, discrimination training, and control testing. Alert training familiarized the dogs with a bin of pine shavings that would eventually conceal the scent item (anise extract) the dogs were looking for. Dogs were trained to dig in the shavings containing the target odor, and refrain from digging in an identical bin without the odor. First, a treat was placed on top of the shavings as a reward for "finding" the target scent; then the treat was buried next to the target scent; and finally, the treat was given by hand as the scent was found. One Pug, during the first training session, fell into the bin, flipping it over and briefly becoming trapped. After this
Photo courtesy of Mrs. Vick Dalentine
event, the Pug refused to approach the bin for food for several days after and was subsequently dropped from the study. (Smart Pug!) Discrimination training next used the anise extract placed into a bucket of pine shavings, and the non-target odor (mineral oil) was placed in another bucket. The dogs were observed to see if they would choose the bucket with the target odor. Control trials, to confirm the dogs were scenting on the anise, started with two buckets with mineral oil, with the one chosen randomly as the "target" having the undiluted anise added. These experiments were repeated using the same procedure, but with a diluted solution of the anise extract, making the scent less obvious. Additionally, tests were performed using tall and short cups, to see if the performance of the dogs was the result of olfactory (sniffing) ability or learningbased performance. Eight Pugs, seven German shepherds, and five greyhounds were tested. This experiment had several runs where treats were placed on the overturned cups. The same procedures and controls used in the discrimination training were used for the visual tests.
The greyhounds were excluded from this last trial, as only one was motivated by treat rewards to participate. Both Pugs and German shepherds improved their scenting abilities over the course of the experiments, but the Pugs significantly outperformed the German shepherds in acquiring the odor and maintaining performance when the odorant concentration was decreased. In the visual experiment, the Pugs and German shepherds had similar results. The scientific team suggested that Pugs are more readily trainable for scent work than German shepherds. But while Pugs might be cheaper and easier to train, they have limiting physical qualities that likely would restrict their being used in scent-detection, including the inability to run long distances quickly or to climb over items in the field. From our research, we know that NOTHING motivates a Pug more than a yummy treat! So we are not at all surprised at the results of this experiment. Full study information: Journal of Comparative Psychology, Vol 129, (3), Aug 2015 pp. 237-246. "Performance of Pugs, German Shepherds, and Greyhounds (Canis lupus familiaris) on an odor-discrimination task."
Pugs & Scent Training
9
SPECIAL OCCASIONS
Celebrating Your Pug's Birthday or "Gotcha Day"
H
ave you seen the commercial with the old dog and his "bucket list"? We all want our dogs to have great lives, and birthdays are super for remembering the fun and love you share. Is your Pug celebrating a birthday soon? Or, if you're a rescue parent, you may not know your dog's actual birthday, but you can celebrate "Gotcha Day"—the anniversary of the day you adopted your Pug.
Make it a special day This is a big day for you and your dog. Celebrate big! After all, your Pug gives to you unconditional love and joy on a daily basis, so why not return the favor? What does your Pug love to do—besides eat? Take a walk, visit a dog park or doggy day care? You want to spend time with your Pug doing what he loves.
Treats, of course! Treats are welcome by any Pug— so consider a doggie birthday cake or cookies. Frozen yogurt, chew treats, and homemade goodies are all ideas to think about.
Want to make your own? Check out the great recipe for Carrot Cake Pupcakes from DogTreatKitchen.com on the following page . Many towns and cities now have dog bakeries, so you can look for one in
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Photo courtesy of Pugsville.com.
your area. You can also find many quality bakeries online. Here's a few: D.O.G. Bakery: Healthy Yummy Treats Three Dog Bakery: The Bakery for Dogs Woofables: Gourmet Dog Biscuits Made From Scratch The Barkery: Birthday Cakes for Dogs
Who to invite Will this birthday be just a family affair, or are you planning on a whole grumble of Pugs? Does your doggie daycare allow for parties? If you're hosting at home, be sure you have enough space for all the dogs, that it's secure for them, and that there are enough people to handle the interactions among the dogs. Food possession can sometimes be an issue with dogs that do not live together.
Take pictures! You don't need to be a professional to get good pictures, but you may want to use one for a very special occasion. Custom portraits no longer mean just sitting in a studio under hot lights. Talk to professional photographers in your area about taking dog photos, and having portraits and memories to last your lifetime.
PUG TALK April | May | June 2016
Gifts! What would a birthday be without gifts? Sometimes we can be stumped on what to give dogs, but they truly love almost anything. Here are a few ideas to consider:
Bowser Beer
A Non-Alcoholic Beer for Dogs (Their newest flavor? "Porky Pug Porter")
3 Pooches
Custom Dog Collars, Leashes, Harnesses & Accessories
J'adore
Custom Pet Beds (They also make dresses.)
In the Company of Dogs Just about anything a dog (or dog owner) could want
Carrot Cake Pupcakes –DogTreatKitchen.com
Photo courtesy of Zoella at www.zoella.co.uk.
Ingredients: Muffins
»» 2 cups shredded carrots »» 3 eggs »» ½ cup applesauce, unsweetened
»» 2 tsp. cinnamon »» ½ cup rolled oats »» 3 cups whole wheat flour
Instructions Muffins: 1. Preheat oven to 350° F. 2. Lightly spray cups of muffin tin. 3. In a large bowl, stir together the carrots, eggs and applesauce. Set aside. 4. In another medium bowl, whisk together the cinnamon, oats and flour. 5. Slowly mix in the dry ingredients. Stir until well blended. 6. Spoon mixture into muffin tin. The dough will be thick, so you may wet your fingers to press the dough into place. 7. The dog cupcake will not rise very much, so do not worry about over filling the muffin tin. 8. Bake for 25 minutes.
Frosting
»» 8 oz. low fat cream cheese, softened
»» ¼ cup applesauce, unsweetened
9. Cool completely on a wire rack before frosting or serving.
Frosting: 1. Blend both ingredients with a hand mixer until well blended. 2. Spoon into a pastry bag for easy decorating.
Storing These dog cupcakes will keep fresh in your refrigerator for 2 weeks. You can freeze them for up to 2 months. If you are going to freeze them, do not decorate with the frosting until they have thawed.
Celebrating Your Pug's Birthday or "Gotcha Day"
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FEATURED ARTIST
Samantha Ellis
I
’ve always loved painting from as long as I can remember, but it became my full time profession about five years ago. It was my absolute dream to be a full time artist, but never thought it was a possibility, so when I joined my publisher, DeMontfort Fine Art, it was the most amazing thing for me. I still remember that day clearly!
Pug Talk recently had the opportunity to talk with Samantha Ellis, a painter from the United Kingdom, who has a bright and unique style. We thought our readers would appreciate knowing a little more about her, and here’s what she told us.
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PUG TALK April | May | June 2016
My style has developed over the years, and I finally feel I’ve found a style that totally suits me. I would describe my work as “colourful and funky,” and I just try to have fun when I paint, which I hope is reflected in my art. I want my paintings to make people smile, and if that’s what it does, then I feel I’ve done my job properly! I originally started painting city scenes and classic cars, but have now branched out into painting dogs as well. I absolutely love the Pug breed; they have such unique characters, and
their faces are just adorable—that’s what attracted me to painting them! They are so enjoyable to paint, and I try to capture their funny, quirky characters in each one I create. Sadly, I have never been lucky enough to own a Pug. I have another dog—a Chinese Crested, who we rescued a few years ago—and she doesn’t get on that well with other dogs! I would love to have my own Pug in the future, but until then, I’ll just have to stick to painting them instead! At the moment, I am not taking commissions of dog paintings; however, my paintings are available across the UK, so there may be an original that reminds you of your beloved pet! For more information, please get in contact with my publisher, DeMontfort Fine Art, via email at information@demontfortfineart.co.uk, or call in the UK at 01543 412600. You may certainly follow my Facebook page, ‘Samantha Ellis—Artist’, for more of my work.
Samantha Ellis
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AGILITY TRAINING
The Performance Pugs of Tracey Terry
© Copyright Nancy Nosigli
H
i, I’m Tracey Terry and currently live in upstate New York. I have had Pugs in my life for 20 years now. My dog life started when I was living in an apartment in Dallas. I came across a small stray poodle mix wandering around the complex. Someone had obviously moved and left the poor boy behind. He was not a young dog, and I tried to find the owner without luck. I kept him and named him Fred. He lived for approximately four years and died of congestive heart failure. At that point, I decided to buy a dog breed book and do a little research before finding my next companion. I bought the book, did the reading and settled on Jack Russell terriers. Well, a trip to a breeder's home and an introduction to the dam, sire and litter of cute puppies had me heading back to that dog breed book. I decided, thankfully, that Jack Russells were not the breed for me. My next choice was the PUG, and I've never looked back!
Caesar was my first black Pug. I found him on PetFinder in 2003. He was at a rescue in South Carolina, and I put in my application and they picked me to adopt him! I never in a million years thought there would even be a slim chance I would be chosen. He was such a cute little boy and so full of energy. Sallie and Rosie were a bit older by that time, and I needed to find a way for Caesar
Ceasar at the 2013 Pug National
My first three Pugs, Jack, Sallie and Rosie, were all fawn. Jack passed in 2012 at the age of 12. Sallie died in 2010 at the age of 14, and Rosie died in 2014 at the age of 16.5— I miss them all dearly. Ceasar at the 2014 Pug National
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PUG TALK April | May | June 2016
and me to expend some of his energy. That's what led us to Agility. We found a local trainer and started taking lessons; we both enjoyed it so much. Caesar was a wonderful first Agility partner. I had no idea what I was doing, and we both learned together. He was a steady partner. Our first competition was at the 2007 Pug National. We had only been taking lessons for about six months at that point, and we were absolutely not ready to compete. Still....we had a blast! Caesar is mostly retired now. His last official AKC run was in May of 2015. He was almost 12 years old. Izzy (Fairways's Bump and Run) was my next black Pug. I got her as a puppy in 2009 from a wonderful breeder, Kim Yoshida. Izzy is an amazing Pug! Agility is her passion, and in her mind, the game is all about speed! She has no patience for waiting around on me, and she has challenged me to become a better handler. It was clear when we first started training that I was going to be the weak member on this team. She is a natural athlete with the grace of a gazelle. Izzy and I also compete in Rally, Obedience and CAT (Coursing Ability Test), where she has received her RA, BN and CA titles respectively. Izzy was the PDCA Number 1 ranked Pug in Jumpers with Weaves Preferred for
Izzy at the 2013 Pug National
Putter at the 2013 Pug National
Putter in Rally at the 2014 Pug National
2015 and will be invited to participate in the Showcase of the Pug National this year in Denver, CO.
Phoebe also recently tried lure coursing for the first time. I had no expectations of the outcome, as I really don't have a clue about how to train a Pug for lure coursing. The event is actually called a CAT, or Coursing Ability Test. The brachycephalic (short-nosed) breeds chase a lure around a 300-yard course. Other breeds go the full distance of 600 yards. Three qualifying runs are required to earn the title of CA.
I really couldn't have asked for a better first Agility partner.
Putter (Fairways's Putt It Out) is the full older brother of Izzy. His breeder retired him from Conformation, and we were fortunate to be able to add him to our pack when he was three years old. It was a difficult time at first, as Caesar was not thrilled to have another male in the household. Things settled down after about three months, and now it's as if Putter has always been with us. I started training Putter for Agility and Rally, and now he competes in both. Putter was invited to the 2015 Pug National Showcase event for being the PDCA Number 5 ranked Rally Novice Pug of 2014. Last but not least are Phoebe, Cottonwood and Kendra's Black Primrose. Several years ago, my best friend Abby Bruce and I decided it would be a great idea to get sisters. We both had our hearts set on black females and knew it would be a long shot for us to find a litter with two available pups. I put the word out and was contacted by Izzy’s and Putter's breeder, who told me that Kathleen Getter and Sandra Peterson had a litter of pups. This litter was born in November 2014, and Abby and I drove together from New York to Milwaukee, WI in blizzard conditions to pick up our girls. It has been a blast watching the two sisters grow. Abby lives in Vermont, and we try to get together every four to six weeks. Phoebe is well into her Agility training, and I hope she'll be ready for her first competition at the Pug National Specialty this year.
Well, little Phoebe surprised me and took right to it, as if she had been born to chase that lure. She was amazing! She never hesitated and chased the lure the entire way around the course. She had two runs the first day and one the next, earning her CA title. Izzy, who is crazy fast in Agility, had a bit of trouble finishing her CA title. It took her a total of six runs over the course of three separate trials. Izzy is faster than Phoebe, but not as committed to chasing the lure around the course. After the first turn, she tends to look back to see where I am. I think it may have something to do with all the years we've been competing together in Agility, Rally and Obedience. She may wonder why I'm not coming along with her since we've always done things as a team. I really enjoy training and competing with my Pugs. All four of them are different in the ways they process new information. It's challenging and rewarding to figure out how to train them. Caesar was the first Pug I really trained. He was eager to please and extremely food-motivated. I learned early on, though, that repeating things was really demotivating for him. I learned to keep things very upbeat and used short training sessions with him.
Izzy is, by far, the quickest to pick up on things. She's intuitive and incredibly smart. She doesn't mind practicing things over and over again. She has a very high drive to work and is incredibly intense. If Izzy had been my first Agility Pug, I'm not sure I would have survived! I already feel very inadequate with her. She is so talented! Putter came to me at the age of three and presented me with many challenges. Not having raised him from puppyhood put me at a disadvantage as far as figuring out how he processed new information. He is very eager to please, but it's often difficult for me to figure out how to convey exactly what I want him to do. But...once Putter learns something, he is usually rock solid on it. He is completely focused on me. That trait is not always a good thing for Agility, but he loves the game, so I continue to compete with him. His focus on me is what makes him a great Rally competitor, though. Selfishly, I love Agility and really concentrate most of my time on that sport. Phoebe and I are still early in our journey together. Already, I see really great potential in her. She has a quirkiness about her that I think will present some challenges, but I am so excited that she has become a member of our pack. Phoebe definitely marches to her own drummer. If there is no fun happening, she will make her own. I am so proud of every single one of my Pugs. I wouldn't trade my life with them for anything.
The Performance Pugs of Tracey Terry
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FEATURE ARTICLE
Summer Heat & Your Pugs
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s with other “brachycephalic” breeds, summer means we have to take precautions to ensure our Pugs don’t become overheated. Let’s define what brachycephalic means and which breeds fit this description. Basically, it refers to those breeds with flat faces and wide skulls, so the term also applies to Boston terriers, Pekingese, shih tzus, bulldogs, French bulldogs, and boxers. Dogs who spend any time outdoors need to have access to plenty of water and cool shade when the temperature rises, especially if they spend time outdoors during the heat of the day or have to stay in an area without air-conditioning. But our flat-faced breeds can be especially prone to overheating. Heat-related canine conditions are serious if left untreated and can lead to organ failure or even death from cardiac arrhythmias. And it can happen VERY quickly, so it’s important to recognize the warning signs early.
Warning signs your Pug is overheating: »» Dry mouth, nose, and gums
»» Poor skin elasticity
(This can be tested by gently pulling up on the skin at the back of the dog’s neck. It should spring back immediately. If it doesn’t, he may be dehydrated.)
»» Fast, noisy breathing »» Excessive panting or drooling
»» Sunken eyes »» Disorientation or staggering
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PUG TALK April | May | June 2016
Preventing overheating is relatively easy if you take some simple precautions. First is the one we have to repeat time and again: 1. Never leave your Pug unattended in a vehicle in hot (or even warm) weather. Repeat: NEVER. Temperatures inside a car climb to lifethreatening levels very quickly. The situation is so serious that it is a criminal offense in some states. If you see a dog left in a parked car in the heat, alert nearby security or call 911 or animal control. 2. Always provide access to plenty of fresh, clean drinking water. Carry a bottle just for your Pug. They make special travel bottles with attached bowls, so it’s all one piece. 3. When outside, make sure there is an area of complete shade. Look around to see where you could cool down if you need to. 4. Encourage your dog to take breaks. If they’re exercising with you, take breaks or time-outs for both of you to hydrate and cool off. 5. Set up a sprinkler or have a hose available for periodic cool-downs. While you may not be able to carry one with you, look around at parks to see where water is available. 6. Avoid being outside during the hottest part of the day. Choose early mornings or after sunset to walk or exercise with your dog. 7. Be aware of how hot the pavement is. Paw pads are more sensitive than you think and can suffer burns within thirty seconds.
If you think your dog is overheating, act quickly. And as always, seek immediate veterinary attention if you suspect dehydration, heat exhaustion, or other heatrelated conditions. Here are steps you can take:
the dog to a ‣‣Get cool area, preferably into air-conditioning.
small amounts of water ‣‣Offer at intervals. Too much at once can lead to vomiting, which make dehydration worse.
towels in cool— ‣‣Soak not cold—water and apply
to his body. A hose will work, too (as long as the water isn’t ice cold).
possible, take his ‣‣Iftemperature. If it’s lower than 104 degrees, you can continue to watch him, but call your vet for their input. If the temperature is 104 degrees or higher, you must get to a vet immediately. Call ahead so they can prepare.
Remember: You know your dog better than anyone. Some dogs will not stop chasing that ball or tearing around the yard no matter how hot they are. It’s your responsibility to diligently watch for any of the warning signs above and take action quickly.
Section Title
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PUG TRAINING
Behavior Modification in Dogs –by Cher Grindle McCoy
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n the world of dog training, there are many techniques used to modify dogs’ behavior. The techniques most commonly used to modify dog behavior include habituation, extinction, desensitization, counterconditioning, and shaping. Another behavior modification technique called flooding, described below, is not used very often because it is more likely to make animals worse. While some claim that punishment is frequently used with varying degrees of success, few people use punishment correctly. For punishment (such as screaming at the dog) to be successful, it must occur at the beginning of the behavior, be consistently delivered, and be strong enough to stop the unwanted behavior. Most punishments are not given at the right time or are not the appropriate type for the situation.
Behavior Modification Techniques Most of the techniques involved in behavior modification are not hard to learn and can be successfully used as preventive techniques. They do require a regular investment of time and effort, however. The following is a short review of the basic principles involved in these techniques. Habituation Habituation is a simple form of learning involving no rewards. It is merely the ending of, or decrease in, a response to a stimulus that results from repeated or prolonged exposure to that stimulus. For example, horses placed in a pasture bordering a road may at first run away when traffic passes, but eventually learn to ignore it. A dog that habituates
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to one type of sound does not, as a consequence of this habituation, automatically become habituated to other sounds. Habituation is not the same as failing to respond to stimulation as a result of fatigue, sensory adaptation, or injury. The effects of habituation are generally long-lasting. However, if an animal is repeatedly exposed to a potentially harmful stimulus (such as a predator) without being harmed, habituation does not generally occur. Because of this,
PUG TALK April | May | June 2016
scientists believe that responses to dangerous stimuli may have an inherited resistance to habituation. Spontaneous Recovery Spontaneous recovery is associated with habituation. When a dog has habituated to an event, but a long time passes before re-exposure to the same type of event, the dog may react again. For example, a puppy barks to get a reaction. The more the owner attempts to quiet it, the more the puppy barks.
It will continue this pattern because it is getting the attention it wanted. Even if the attention is “negative,” some puppies will find it rewarding. The best method to discourage the behavior is to ignore it. Eventually, the puppy stops barking if the owner consistently ignores it. However, the bad behavior comes back every now and then. This is called spontaneous recovery. Conditioning Conditioning refers to associations between stimuli and behavior. For example, say a hungry dog drools (the behavior) when it sees food (the stimulus). After this, every time the hungry dog sees the food, a bell is rung (a second stimulus). Once the food and bell have been paired several times, the dog will drool just by hearing the bell. This is called conditioning. The bell generates the same response as the sight of food. After several times, the dog has learned to associate the bell with the food. Reinforcement Reinforcement is any event that increases the chances a certain behavior will be repeated. Reinforcements can be positive or negative. When positive reinforcement (a reward) is used in training, there is a positive relationship between the behavior and its consequences. The more the pet does a behavior, the more it gets positive reinforcement. This makes that behavior increase. A negative reinforcement (which is mistakenly thought of as punishment by many people) is something unpleasant that increases a behavior when it is removed. For example, being held tightly may be unpleasant to a squirming puppy. But the hold is released only when the puppy calms down. After several times, the desire to be released from restraint increases the chance that the puppy will relax faster. Second-Order Reinforcers Second-order reinforcers are signals that can be used at a distance to let the dog know a reward is coming. Commonly used second-order reinforcers are words, such as “good girl,” hand signals, and whistles. By carefully pairing these with a primary reward
(such as food or petting), second-order reinforcers can elicit the same response the reward would. For example, a clicker can be associated with patting on the head as a reward for sitting and staying. By associating the clicker with a reward, you can train the dog to sit and stay from farther away and still reward the behavior by using the clicker. Positive training and “clicker” training have become very popular. However, it is possible to do an excellent job at positive training without using secondorder reinforcers. Clicker training requires frequent practice and excellent timing. In some situations involving problem behaviors, the incorrect use of a clicker may hinder, rather than help, a behavior modification program. Extinction Extinction is a response that stops when a reward is removed. A classic example of extinction involves a dog that jumps up on people for attention. If people pet the dog, the behavior continues. If they stop petting the dog, the dog will eventually stop jumping up because the reward is no longer there. However, even occasionally petting the dog in response to its jumping reinforces the pattern. The more valuable the original reward, the longer it has been present, and the more uncertainty there is about whether the reward has been truly removed, the greater the resistance to extinction. Resistance to extinction can also occur even without reinforcement, if the reward was good enough and was tightly linked to the behavior. Because there is often an association between getting the reward and the intensity of the behavior, the intensity or frequency of the behavior you are trying to eliminate usually increases at the beginning of extinction. In other words, a behavior you are trying to extinguish may get worse before it gets better. It is critical that you do not give in. Giving in will only make extinction more difficult. The dog will learn that, although your threshold has increased, the dog can override it by working harder. Overlearning Overlearning is the repeated performance of an already learned behavior. It is frequently used in training for specific
events and may also be useful to prevent fearful responses in dogs. Overlearning accomplishes three things: it delays forgetting, it increases the resistance to extinction, and it increases the chance that the behavior will become an automatic or “knee-jerk” response in similar situations. This aspect can be extremely useful in teaching a dog to overcome a fear or anxiety. Shaping Shaping is a learning technique that works well for dogs that do not know what response is desired by the trainer. Shaping works through gradual approximations and allows the dog to be rewarded initially for any behavior that resembles the desired behavior. For example, when teaching a puppy to sit, giving the puppy a food treat for squatting will increase the chance that squatting will be repeated. This squatting behavior is then rewarded only when it becomes more exaggerated, and finally, when it becomes a true sit. Avoidance Avoidance of a problem behavior is essential until you can seek qualified help, particularly in a case of aggression. With treatment it may be possible to reduce the aggressive behavior, but avoidance is the key in minimizing danger. Avoidance does not mean that the pet has control, or that you are giving in to the dog. Instead, it may help extinguish the aggressive behavior. Every time a dog becomes aggressive, it learns that aggression may help it cope with the situation, thus reinforcing the problem. Desensitization Desensitization is a way to gradually teach a dog to tolerate a situation by carefully exposing it to that situation in small steps. If a puppy gets overexcited at the sound of the doorbell, a tape recording of the doorbell could help stop the undesirable behavior. If the tape is played very softly at first and then only gradually increased in volume as long as the puppy remains calm, then the puppy may stop reacting to the doorbell. Counterconditioning Counterconditioning is a method for reducing unwanted behavior by teaching
Behavior Modification in Dogs
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Behavior Modification in Dogs // continued from page 19 the dog to replace it with another more favorable behavior. In the doorbell example above, the puppy will learn faster if it is first taught to sit, stay, and then relax in exchange for a treat. The puppy must be absolutely quiet and calm, and convey by its eyes, body posture, and facial expressions that it would do anything for its owner. Once this behavior is learned, the desensitization is added by playing the tape recording at a gradually increasing volume. If at any time the puppy starts to get too excited, the tape recording should be lowered in volume until the puppy relaxes. Relaxing is the key and the first step to changing the behavior. Counterconditioning and desensitization can take a lot of time and effort. The exercises must be frequently repeated so the unwanted behavior decreases until it is no longer a problem. Flooding Flooding is prolonged exposure to a stimulus until the dog eventually stops reacting. This is the opposite of the approach taken in desensitization. It is far more stressful than any of the other treatment strategies and, if not used correctly, will make things worse. The most common problem is increased fear. This technique should be used only by a professional and only as a last resort. Punishment Punishment is also known as aversive conditioning. It is any unpleasant event that lowers the chance a behavior will be repeated. Punishment is not the same as negative reinforcement. To be most successful, punishment must occur as early as possible (within a few seconds of the start of the behavior), and it must be consistent and appropriate. Critical factors in punishment include timing, consistency, appropriate intensity, and the presence of a reward after the undesirable behavior ends. This
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is the most frequently ignored part of treatment for people whose pets have behavior problems. Owners often resort to physical punishment as the first choice, but punishment does not need to be physical. Furthermore, punishment is just as hard to use correctly as counterconditioning and desensitization. Punishment is never an “easy out” and has a high chance of failure. It can also lead to other negative consequences, such as increasing the unwanted fear or aggression.
Use of Medication to Treat Behavior Problems Your veterinarian may, in some cases, prescribe medication to help treat your pet’s behavior problem. Drug treatment for almost any behavior change is most useful when combined with behavior modification. In recent years, there has been an increase in the use of medication to treat a variety of behavior problems in pets. There are a number of potential disadvantages to using medication for treating these problems, however, and you should know that there is no “magic bullet” to easily and quickly solve problems. Medication limitations include the potential for adverse effects; cost; the need to treat for a considerable length of time before the medication takes effect; limited information on what medication is most effective; and potential for the problem reappearing once the medication is withdrawn. Discuss with your veterinarian whether medication could be appropriate for your dog. Remember: When looking for a dog trainer, select one who uses positive reinforcement for good behavior, rather than punishment for unacceptable behavior. Happy training!
PUG TALK April | May | June 2016
"I want to thank all of my Pug friends for their kind words when my beloved German shepherd, Nika, went to Rainbow Bridge. She had a good life— at 15, she was my oldest GSD— and I miss her!" –Cher McCoy
Cher McCoy lives in Lexington, VA with her husband, Steve, and her Pug, rottie, three kitties, and a parrot. She is a dog trainer, animal behaviorist and the owner of Lexington Pet Care Center, founder of Virginia Share-A-Pet and hosts her own Pet Education radio show on 3wz 96.7 FM. Contact her at: lexpet@cfw.com.
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PUG TALK April | May | June 2016
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DEADLINE FOR JULY/AUG/SEPT ISSUE: The deadline for the Performance Pugs issue is August 10, 2016.
Front & Back Covers Our covers photographer for this issue is Shirley Gilchrest. She writes: "I live in a small town in beautiful western Montana with my wonderful husband and a mob of dogs that keep us busy. Photography allows me to get out into the world and share what I see through my lens. We are blessed to live in a state with an endless supply of inspiration, something I never take for granted." Shirley's ability to capture a moment is second to none, and she not only works with dogs, but other animals and landscapes. You can see more of her work at SJGilchrestPhotography.com. We're very fortunate to be able to include Shirley's work in Pug Talk.
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