July 2017 Downeast Dog News by Jennifer Rich / Wendi Smith

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DowneastDogNews.com

One Woman’s Dedica�on to Dogs & the People they Serve By Susan Spisak

Marie Gagnon, owner of Wizard

Service Dogs and Lazy L Kennel in O�sfield, has spent the last 30 years hanging out with dogs, and she’s loved every minute of it. Being with dogs is her “day job.” She trains clients’ canines to become their service animals, offers individual dog classes and boarding at her kennel, and she’s an instructor in Novice, Open, and U�lity at Telling Tails Training Center in Fryeburg. Marie also molds dogs that need professional guidance for A.C.T.S., the Assistance Canine Training Services non-profit. Regardless of the situa�on or dog, she’s flexible in her approach, but always u�lizes posi�ve reinforcement, repe��on, and

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Volume 12 • Issue 7 • July 2017

See SERVE on page 5

INSIDE 2 6 Hot Dog News

Basic Training Tips

Pacer aler�ng Jessica

8&9

Made in Maine

12 & 13

Dogs for Adoption

DOWNEASTDOGNEWS.COM

Calendar of Events

Hot Dog News Sea Dogs Dog of the Day

Fireworks Reminder

or the second year in a row the Portland Sea Dogs has partnered with the Maine Veterinary Medical Center to present the Dog of the Day program at Hadlock Field. During every Sunday home game an adoptable dog will be highlighted in a pregame recognition ceremony out on the field. The participating shelter will also have a table set up in the concourse during the game which will allow time for any fans that might be interested in adopting to meet the dog and/or learn more about the shelter. If timing allows, information about each week’s shelter or dog may be posted on the Sea Dogs Facebook page however if you do have any questions about the program you may contact John Muzzy at the Portland Sea Dogs at 207-874-9300. According to the Animal Welfare Society’s website they will be the shelter featured at the July 9th game.

ith the fourth of July approaching, and as we all know here in Maine we are no longer limited as to when fireworks may occur, it is good to be aware that they may cause distress to some of our furry friends. If you do know when fireworks are scheduled try to plan meal mes and walks ahead of me so you may be inside when the booming begins. When dogs get scared they have a tendency to run and many dogs have been known to go missing or get hit during firework celebra ons so keep them inside. If your dog does appear to be afraid or anxious remain calm and do not make a big fuss. They feed off our reac ons and look to us for reassurance. You can create a safe space for them if they have a crate or move their bed to a calm place and distract them with a toy or new bone. Thundershirts which are designed to help aid dogs with anxiety may also be helpful. If you do find yourself in the unfortunate situa on of losing your dog be sure and contact the Animal Control Officer, local shelters and Maine Lost Dog Recovery: mainelostdogrecovery@gmail.com or find them on Facebook. Side note: To all of those who may like to celebrate by shoo ng off your own fireworks please be considerate of your neighbors who may have pets and perhaps find out if they are frightened by them.

AWS Tribute Paver

The Animal Welfare Society in Kennebunk is celebrating their 50th anniversary! As a part of their major renovation project they are inviting the community to be a part by purchasing a tribute paver that will be installed in their new entrance. Pay tribute to your beloved pet or loved one, or leave a well wish for those beginning a new life with a custom engraving. Each paver is 12 x 12 inches and offers up to six lines of customizable engraving. Only 265 pavers are available so order yours today! The purchase price is $100. For more information: animalwelfaresociaty.org; (207) 985-3244.

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Downeast Dog News

Downeast Dog News PUBLISHER Jenn Rich COPY EDITOR Belinda Carter CONTRIBUTORS Susan Spisak Diana Logan Sara Moore Judith Herman Carolyn Fuhrer Don Hanson Nancy Holmes GRAPHIC DESIGN Courier Publications, LLC ADVERTISING Jenn Rich 207-230-0260 ext. 6 jenn@downeastdognews.com

From the Publisher Dear Dog News Readers, Pepper and I have just returned from our June vaca on at the camp on Alamoosook Lake that we visited last year and that I frequented as a child. Those of you that may have read my le er a year ago may recall that Pepper had an unfortunate incident where she was “blessed” by bald eagle excrement. I am happy to say the eagles are s ll nes ng there and we managed to enjoy our me without any smelly encounters. It was quite amazing to watch them fish and they gave us several chances to get a pre y close look at them. Pepper swam her tail off and came home pleasantly exhausted. We were also happy to kick off the season as one of the sponsors and a endees of the Family Free Fur All at the Boothbay Railway Village on June 4th. This was our second year involved and the rain finally gave us a break so that we could have a great day of fun and raise money and gather dona ons for local animal rescues. We enjoyed watching demonstra ons from the Flyball MAINEiacs which was something that I had been wan ng to see for some me now. Thank you to Mr. Dog Training, Two Salty Dogs and Coastal Dog for also sponsoring the event and to everyone at the Railway Village for their hard work and for hos ng Family Free Fur all. Also many thanks to the a endees, vendors, musicians and 11 rescues that par cipated and made it such a great day! I am already looking forward to next year! Summer is finally here! Have a safe and happy 4th of July!

All the best, Jenn & Pepper

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July 2017

Table of Contents Hot Dog News ...................... 2 Furry Words ......................... 4 Ask the Vet ............................ 4 Basic Training Tips ................ 6 Ask Bammy ............................ 7 Made in Maine .................... 8,9 Performance Dog Training ....10 Words, Woofs & Meows ..... 11 Rescue of the Month ............12 Dogs for Adoption ............... 13 Calendar of Events .............. 14 Business Directory .............. 15

"I wasn’t sure what to write about for July, so I put the word out on my Sara Moore Enlightened Horizons Facebook page that I would answer some dog ques ons in this column. I had over 80 people ask me about their pets, so I took the ﬁrst ones and am going to answer them here. When I do a reading, I always give a few disclaimers. One, I’m not a vet or a trainer, so whatever informa on I give comes from a purely psychic perspec ve. That being said, they both trump me if we don’t agree. The other is that I am simply a street sign and you are driving the car, so you ul mately get to do what you want. I asked people to give me the name of the dog, kind or color, if it’s living or deceased, and what they wanted to know. Enjoy! Ori, German Shepherd, living. How's he feeling - am I worrying too much about him? He actually feels pre y good to me but a li le crooked. I get a strange feeling in my le shoulder, muscular, closer to the spine and kind of deep in the muscles. He likes that you worry about him because it validates his existence. What does he mean by that? You need some valida on that you ARE doing the right thing, so constantly checking him over and comparing his progress to the last me you did lets you know that things are or aren’t working and that you’re needed. You do like to be needed. and he’s ok with that. My dog Lakota, husky/lab, black and white, deceased. Will he come back to me as my next puppy? He is not going to come back as your next puppy, but he certainly will be around in spirit and keep tabs on it! I see a shaggy

Cone of Shame Q.

My dog is going in to be neutered, and it was suggested that I buy an E- Collar. Can you tell me what that is and why I need it?

Furry Words by Sara Moore www.enlightenedhorizons.com

black and white mid size mu of a dog that is ridiculously happy. If your new dog gets snippy out of the blue, tell Lakota to back oﬀ and leave the disciplining to you! Kona- Shiloh Shepard- whiteliving and why does he always want to a ack people except his owners? The owners have created a very safe spot, but you never know what someone else is going to do. I think they could help Kona be a bit more relaxed if they realize that it takes all types for this crazy world to go ‘round! And treats. He wants more treats, sweet potato please! And dried chicken jerky. Gross. I can actually taste it as I type that… Lexie and Chief, living, black and white, Boston Terriers. They seem happy. Some mes they seem to like each other and other mes not so much. Do you think they really care about each other?

Ask the Vet… by Dr. Judith Herman

After a dog has surgery, the concern is he will start licking the incision and either open up the incision by licking out the sutures (stitches) or cause an infection or inflammation in that area. The Elizabethan collar, also known as an E-Collar, is typically dispensed. It looks like the collars worn during Elizabethan times, so the name. Many veterinarians will include the collar in the estimate for the surgery. There are many types of restrictive gear out there, and some are very expensive to do it yourself. Most dogs look pretty pathetic when they wear the collar, which gave it the nickname, Cone of Shame.

When I was first out of veterinary school, I used to give a demonstration on how to make your own collar using a wash or paint bucket, duct tape and string. It worked really well and was cheap. The problem with the

They do, actually. I think that Chief prefers boundaries, which aren’t even in Lexie’s vocabulary. She will sit on him instead of next to him and it drives him nuts. Imagine having a child that drapes on you constantly. It is too much! At the end of the day, they do love each other. Chief may just need a li le more alone me. Rascal (beagle) - he is deceased. I would like to know if he blames me for the events that led to his passing. Not at all. He actually wants you to know that some mes life is out of our control. We can mi gate risk by keeping our eyes on the ball, but you need to be more forgiving on yourself. I see full systems shu ng down, and the decision for him to cross was made by him. He is very much at peace and would love for you to know that. Sadie. A wheaten terrier. Deceased. Why did she die? Ugh. As soon as I read that, I get an explosion in my chest. It’s like a fire hose came off the hydrant. I don’t have pain, but I do have a blast and then my eyes slowly close. Thank you for le ng me go and for honoring me in heaven. It means a lot to her that you are able to do that. She wants me to say that last line again because you were able to let her go. Yes, there was and is grief, but you know that she is at peace and you are s ll willing to talk to her every day. She loves that. Max, rescued @ 2 years old. Is terrified of garbage truck or banging tailgate of dump truck. Growls when you hug him, doesn't care for personal contact. Ro weiler now 8 years old. Why? That’s not what he’s here for. He is an observer, someone that can

see it all unfold and not be clouded by the emo onal details. He is kind of fact ﬁnding in this life, and when he crosses, he will share that informa on with other souls that want a clearer picture of what to expect down here in life. The banging is too much of a low tone. It’s loud and low versus a high pitched smoke detector shrieking. He lives in a higher vibra on, so those sounds rip through him energe cally. Gunner, a Yorkie. Deceased. He died at the vet’s oﬃce. I miss him terribly and will never know what happened. I want to know that he forgives me for leaving him there and that he is ok. He is absolutely ok with it! He is very funny, actually because he is sort of preaching to you that some mes people wait un l they’re alone to die. You pee with the bathroom door closed, which is very personal, he says, and he dies with the door closed. You weren’t supposed to be there, and he’s grateful that you weren’t. He got to go with peace and dignity. And you gave him that opportunity. End rant. Um, that was your dog’s tone, not mine! I could answer these ques ons all day long! If you’re curious to hear what your dog has to say, you can learn more at www. enlightenedhorizons.com. Thank you all for contribu ng, and enjoy the summer while it lasts!

bucket or the E-collar is two- fold. The first is the restricted vision and the second is the width of the collar making it difficult to move through doors and rooms without banging into everything. Over time, there are more options available to our K9 companions. Depending on the location, you can find many styles that will meet your needs. There are collars that you blow up into pillows that go around Fluffy’s neck. Some are plastic and some are soft. The idea is to keep the dog from bending his neck enough to get to the area. There are also rigid collars that keep the neck straight. Besides the big plastic cone that goes around the neck, there are soft cones that can face backward or forward to protect vulnerable areas of forelegs, neck, and shoulders. They make face masks that are clear or tinted to protect the face and can maneuver easily around the house. If the issue is licking a leg,

bandage, and the like, you can find anti-lick tape that is impregnated with bad tasting herbs. Another option is the “onesies” for dogs that can be purchased on line. This is like onesies used for babies. It covers the body with velcro or buttons down the back. It works by covering the stitches that are on the body. My favorite is using children’s clothing to cover up the area of concern. For neutered patients, I recommend boxer shorts. The tail goes through the fly, it doesn’t bind and is easy to change. Teeshirts are another great way to cover the chest. I have seen folks use turtle necks for protection higher up. No matter what you use, make sure your pup is comfortable and safe from licking or chewing after surgery.

Sara Moore is a psychic for people and pets, has an oﬃce in North Conway, NH but is also available for phone readings and private events. FMI go to enlightenedhorizons.com, email enlightenedhorizons@gmail.com, or call (603)662-2046.

Judith K. Herman DVM, CVH Animal Wellness Center Augusta, ME www.mainehomeopathicvet.com

Downeast Dog News

SERVE from page 1 washer or dryer, and pick up items, among other things. For those individuals with balance problems, a fairly tall and stronger dog is necessary. Marie said the dog wears a harness with handle, so the person can grab hold of him for support. Marie trains dogs for people with specific food allergies. “It’s like any other scent exercise,” Marie said when asked how she trains to detect for a food with serious allergic ramifica ons. She’s currently training a Goldendoodle named Pacer to detect for anchovies and subsequently alert his owner, a gal named Jessica, when he smells them. Pacer has successfully let Jessica know that a nearby pizza was Service Dog Training taboo – it was topped with Marie got into service Marie working with an A.C.T.S. service dog in training. the salty fish. dog training over a dozen She cau ons that people years ago because she felt shouldn’t buy or adopt a puppy with the hopes of there was a need. She began with Mobility and Hearing training him as a service dog. “It doesn’t work o en.” Service Dogs and has branched out to include other A 12- to 18-month-old dog is best because you’ll get a types of service dogs, such as dogs that will help a client be er read of how he is going to be when he’s grown up. combat anxiety or for those dealing with Post Trauma c She will train an individual’s companion animal, provided Stress Disorder, aka PTSD. She explained that Hearing Service Dogs for the deaf the dog has a suitable disposi on and is the correct size for the service work need. or hard of hearing are one of the original types. They She added that the choosing a dog for service work tend to be smaller breeds, making them portable, and can be a “crap shoot,” with roughly 50% not making the they need to be ac ve and self-mo vated because they cut a er training, so professional input is best. It takes a must be “on alert” at all mes. dog with a special temperament and personality to be Thanks to ear implants, hearing aids and amplifiers, effec ve, especially if the dog is going to accompany his they aren’t in high demand anymore, but Marie has one handler to work, and be in the public eye for 7 to 8 hours hearing-impaired client who relies on her service dog, but in a “home helper” capacity. When she comes home a day. “The biggest thing that washes most service dogs from an ou ng or work and removes her hearing device, out [of a service dog training program] is the ability to be her dog can alert her to sounds like the doorbell or fire out in public safely…So some really nice dogs don’t make alarm. it. That’s just kind of the way it goes.” Mobility Service Dogs, also referred to as Mobility Assistance Dogs, increase the independence of physically disabled individuals, including those in wheelchairs or A.C.T.S. with balance problems. These dogs were trained to open Dorothy Hyde-Williams founded the New doors, but with the advent of automa c push bu on Hampshire-based Nathaniel J. Williams Founda on, doors, they simply push the bu on for its person, also dba Assistance Canine Training Services (A.C.T.S.), as a referred to as its handler. Marie can teach the dog to tribute to her son, Nate, a er he died in an accident. help its handler take off a shirt, move the laundry from The Founda on’s mission is to train service dogs for

reward training. Her foray into the “dog ﬁeld” began a er her gradua on from Boston’s Tu s University with a selfdescribed weird degree - she majored in Biology with a minor in Fine Arts. She was walking down a city street and came upon a pet shop with a “free dog” sign. She popped inside and le with that free 9-month-old Standard Poodle – his only issue was a hernia. She trained him, and the duo worked so well that Marie eventually showed him compe vely. “That was sort of it,” she said of her canine career roots.

people with physical disabili es and therapy dogs for professionals working with people who may benefit from animal assisted therapy. The 501(c) (3) A.C.T.S was founded in 2007, and they placed their first dogs in 2009. Marie is very impressed with their program. “They are very dedicated and do a good job with their pups.” They rely on volunteer puppy raisers to guide them from 8 weeks of age through about 2 years of age, depending on the dog. At that me, the dog meets its new handler and the duo completes a two week training session together. Marie’s role with A.C.T.S. is that of a trainer and coach for a pup – usually a Lab or Golden - that needs extra guidance. The dog will leave the puppy raiser’s home and go to Marie’s for a month or two of in-depth training. Her goal is to get the dog through the program successfully and not “flunk out.” If a dog is released from their program for one reason or another, such as being scared of noises or children, Marie said that some lucky person gets a well-trained pet. For info on adop ng one of their “Fabulous Flunkouts” visit h p://assistancecanine.org/ flunk-outs.html.

Service Dog E que e Service dogs are working. When you see a dog in public with his handler, please don’t stop and ask if you can pet him. Ignore the dog as it’s stressful for him – and it can distract him from his job – which is to be present and focused on his handler. Marie chuckled, but was serious when she said, “The handler probably just wants to get milk and go home.” Try to remember that if everyone stopped to talk to the handler because of his dog, he would never get to his des na on. She did say if you want to talk to the person, great, but keep it short and sweet. Also, never ask the handler about his disability as that would be considered less than kind. Marie said when she’s in public, either training an individual’s service dog or working with an A.C.T.S. dog, she appreciates it when a passerby acknowledges her with either a “hello” or a smile, ignores the dog, and moves on. For dog training guidance from Marie through Wizard Service Dogs, contact her at wizardservicedogs@ yahoo.com. Marie added that she’ll train just about any type of service dog with the excep on of Au sm Service Dogs, Seizure Alert Dogs, or Diabe c Alert Dogs.

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July 2017

Congratula ons! You've added a new canine member to your family! It’s very exci ng to think about, search for, and finally choose a new canine family member, but it’s a huge decision that can impact our lives for many years. We put forth a lot of effort and considera on, research, and thought into choosing just the right dog to add to our lives… while making sure we have just the right situa on to offer that dog. It’s a lot of pressure! The expecta ons are enormous: we assume we should instantly be enamored with whichever dog we have chosen; of course, we will fall in love, right? Well, not so fast. There can be bumps and second-thoughts and self-doub ng as we navigate our way through the process of choosing and then ge ng to know our new pup. “Love at first sight” does happen some mes, but I’m guessing it’s not the norm. Do not despair or be too hard on yourself if you aren’t completely swept away by your new dog. It’s okay. Rela onships take me to develop, grow, and blossom. It takes a while for dogs to get to know its new family and for the family to get to know the new dog. This happens in all friendships. Confession: it took me a very long me - about a year - to fall in love with our dog Astro when he

Basic Training Tips by Diana Logan

joined our family in 2009. Sure, I loved him, but the bond I expected to have right away didn’t happen. Astro had very challenging fear and anxiety issues, he was not resilient

like our Dory was... in fact, there was so much he "wasn't" that it was hard to say I "loved" him. With me, training, and working through his behavioral challenges, we really started to bond. Now, of course, he's just as beloved as Dory was… but in a different way. Is this new dog coming a er the loss of a previous dog? It's really hard not to compare and to miss the pup we’ve lost even more intensely when the new pup comes along and doesn't fulfill some of the expecta ons we didn't even know we had. That’s right, “expecta ons we didn’t even know we had.” We can’t help it; even if we try not to have expecta ons, they are s ll there underneath the surface, and they bubble up more than we want them to. Even if the new pup is a first pup, there are s ll expecta ons. It is very difficult - embarrassing, even - to admit that we aren’t yet in love with our new dog. A wonderful dog trainer friend of mine in Europe is currently struggling with these challenges. It’s hard enough when one is a regular family dog owner, but if one is a trainer, the expecta ons are enormous that any dog a trainer gets will somehow be without fault or can be magically “fixed.” My friend lost a lovely dog

prematurely to illness. This dog was a local celebrity and had garnered much a en on through her trick demos, commercials and even late night television appearances. The connec on they had was palpable. Now she has a new puppy and bonding hasn’t yet happened. She is, quite frankly, devastated not to feel much for her new puppy. Rela onships are complicated, and I’ve not known of any that are without challenges. The same holds true for the inter-species rela onship between us and our dogs. Each dog is an individual with her own idiosyncrasies, habits, and mo va ons; it can be a beau ful process to see a pup blossom… and to see the connec on blossom along the way. Take your me with your new dog. Do as much posi ve training as you can possibly do – this can be the catalyst for making that bond happen, both ways. Note: If there are serious issues such as aggression, destruc on, guarding, or other behaviors that are a safety concern, be sure to contact a professional dog trainer right away! It’s important to address those things as soon as possible. Also, it’s important to recognize when the rela onship is not going to work - this is some mes the case.

Diana Logan, CPDT-KA Cer ﬁed Professional Dog Trainer, Knowledge-Assessed Pet Connec on Dog Training, North Yarmouth, Maine | www.dianalogan.com | 207-252-9352

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Downeast Dog News

Iagoamowned a Carolina Dog, a breed that long Na ve American people. We were designed by natural selec on to be so intelligent and physically superior that we survived without human help. My great-grandfather was caught from the wild. I can oﬀer advice based on the natural ins ncts and a ributes of wild dogs. In addi on, my adop ve person and I have had lots of training classes and other experiences. Some humans call themselves Mom or Dad of their dog, but I refer to my human, tongue in cheek, as Boss. Much as I love her, I admit she has many of the same odd no ons as most humans, so I can relate to other pet dogs with problem humans. If I can’t help, at least I can oﬀer sympathy, and we can have some fun talking about our amazing humans. Please send your ques ons! Bammy, 280 Pond Rd. Newcastle, ME 04553, or email: askbammy@ dewater.net

ABOUT TURKEY HUNTING

un ng is one of the best things I know! I have caught some wild animals, so I get really excited when I have a chance. Last week I was tro ng through the long grass in the hayﬁeld checking for mice and deer

Ask Bammy An Advice Column for Dogs by a Dog

and woodchucks or any news from foxes or coyotes. When I got a strong scent of turkey, I sprinted as fast as I could in that tanglesome long grass. You have to be careful in grass like that. If you are running really fast, your feet can get caught and you’ll wipe out. I studied hard on that when

I was a pup. We visited a friend who had long grass next to her lawn. I was doing zoomies on the lawn and ran into the long grass. It tripped me up and the people laughed. I was annoyed that the long grass stopped me, but I like people laughing with me, so I zoomed back onto the lawn and tried again and fell again. I just kept trying un l I learned how to take one big leap and then slow down. But anyway, last week a whole bunch of turkeys flew up every which way, cackling and cheeping. I leaped for the big cackley one, but she flew too high. Then I tried for one of the li le ones that was flu ering just out of reach over my head, cheeping to drive a dog crazy. I went leaping as high as I could in that long grass, and every jump I thought I was going to bite it. It flew to the farm road, almost running into Boss—if she had tried just a li le, she could have bi en it, but she ducked instead! The li le turkey landed—or maybe it just got tangled—in a bush just a li le higher than Boss. She barked sharply, “LEAVE IT!” And for some dumb reason, I did and started back to her. Then I over-rode that bad habit and went a er the bird again. I am well known for my jumping ability, but the bushes were so thick, it was really hard. Every me I jumped, the

bird flu ered to another branch and almost fell, so I really thought I was going to get it. Then Boss worked her way into the bushes and thrashed around trying to get the slip-leash over my head while I jumped and dodged and ducked, and the bird squeaked and flu ered and almost fell. Boss lassoed me, but it wasn’t over yet. Whichever way she tried to drag me, I went around a bush the other way, and I’m almost as strong as she is. She lost her hat and only had one hand on the leash because she was trying to push through the bushes with her other hand. While she worked her way down to get the hat, I made a huge jump and almost caught the bird. It flopped around some more, and I thought for sure it would fall into my mouth. But Boss finally got her hat, untangled us from the bushes, and dragged me with all her strength out onto the road. We sat down pan ng and looked at each other. It had been glorious fun even though it didn’t end the way I hoped. Then I smelled that she was bleeding from scratches on her hands. I licked them gently. Our poor humans have those long, gangly arms and legs. They have evolved for open fields. And why, with all that fur on their heads, are the parts that really need protec on completely naked?

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This month we put a spotlight on those small

7. BARKDANNAS OF MAINE

Carol will turn a favorite photo of your pet into a decora ve pillow. Also a great gi for a friend or family member!

businesses that have devoted their me, energy and money to our animals! Be sure to read up on these great businesses and check out their products!

Silver Paw Pet Tags are durable, unique and original! Made from stainless steel right here in Maine, they are the pet tag that will remain looking amazing.Their tags come in three diﬀerent sizes and have a number of beau ful designs to choose from.

8. LOBSTER TREATS FOR SALTY DOGS

Nooksack sells dog powered sports equipment for dogs and their owners including but not limited to mushing, bikejoring, skijoring, hiking, scootering and the sport of cani cross (running with dog a ached.) Their products include harnesses, collars, leashes, a achments for bikes, skijor hip belts, waist belts for dog walking, dog boo es, dog coats, safety vests and many other products.

Made with locally caught lobster from Friendship, Maine. Lobster Treats are available in two recipes, the original larger bone shaped biscuit as well as a gluten free smaller treat.

9. HERBS FOR LIFE Herbs For Life is a small batch manufacturer of organic herbal supplement blends for dogs, cats and horses. All of their products are created without ar ﬁcial agents, using only the best wholesome and organic ingredients to keep pets healthy!

2. PLANET DOG Proudly crea ng the BEST PRODUCTS from the BEST MATERIALS for your BEST FRIEND. 100% Guaranteed since 1997.Durable dog toys, including the world famous Orbee balls, bones and toys.

3. DOG NOT GONE Dog Not Gone designs and manufactures high quality visibility products that feature 3M reﬂec ve stripes and No Fly Zone Insect-Repelling Technology. Dog Not Gone products range from their Original Safety Dog Vest to Walker Safety Vests and so much more.

6. LOYAL BISCUIT TUG ME TOYS & FIDELIS BISCUITS Tug Me Toys are hand cra ed in Maine and made en rely of 100% polyester ﬂeece, these braided tugs are durable and washable. Fidelis Biscuit Co. is a partnership between April Thibodeau and Heidi Vanorse Neal of the Loyal Biscuit Co. Using the ﬁnest all natural and organic ingredients (as many from local Maine sources as possible).

Lobster Treats for Salty Dogs

ll It’s a the t abou LE! K C BU

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10. DOGGIE SAFE & DRY Their products are handmade and “Maine Made” cer ﬁed. Specializing in custom made dog coats and accessories keeping your best friend safe and dry.

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9 Downeast Dog News

July 2017

10 Cape Elizabeth Ki ery

Training Your Performance Dog New Titling Program from AKC by Carolyn Fuhrer

AKC Trick Dog

Novice Perform 10 tricks, or have the CGC on record at AKC and perform 5 tricks. May use food/toys as a lure (to guide the dog into posi on) and may use food as reinforcer and clickers to mark behavior. Dog will do each trick 2 mes for the evaluator.

You can ﬁnd all the tricks listed at the sec on on the AKC website devoted to Trick Dog: www.akc. org/about-trick-dog/ The most exciting news is that MCKC (Mid Coast Kennel Club of Maine) will be offering a CGC test and Novice, Intermediate, and Advanced Trick Dog tests at their show at the Union Fairgrounds in Union, Maine on Saturday, September 2, 2017 after Best of Breed. So, come and enjoy the dog show, maybe enter one of the tests, or if you are not ready yet, come and watch the CGC and Trick tests and see what it’s all about. For more informa on about the tests: contact Kathy Duhnoski at kduhnoski@myfairpoint.net.

Intermediate Perform 10 tricks from the intermediate tricks list. May NOT use food/toys as a lure except where speciﬁcally permi ed. May use food as a reinforcer and also clickers to mark behavior. Dog will do each trick 2 mes for the evaluator.

AKC has a new tling program: The AKC Trick Dog. It is designed so dogs and their owners can have fun learning tricks together. There are four levels of tles in AKC Trick Dog: 1. AKC Novice Trick Dog TKN 2. AKC Intermediate Trick Dog TKI 3. AKC Advanced Trick Dog TKA 4. AKC Trick Dog Performer TKP

Performer Perform a total of 10 previously learned or new tricks from the Novice, Intermediate, and Advanced tles. Must do at least 2 intermediate and 2 advanced tricks. May NOT use food/toys as a lure. May use food as reinforcer and may also use clickers to mark behaviors.

For the Performer level, all tricks must be done as a part of a rou ne and a video link must be provided to AKC for evalua on. Here are the criteria for the four levels of tles:

AKC approved CGC (Canine Good Ci zen) evaluators may observe the tricks and sign as evaluators for the Novice, Intermediate, and Advanced AKC tles.

Advanced Perform 5 tricks from the Advanced tricks list. May NOT use food/toys as a lure. May use food as a reinforcer and may also use clickers to mark behaviors. Dog will do each trick once for the evaluator.

Carolyn Fuhrer has earned over 90 AKC tles with her Golden Retrievers, including 2 Champion Tracker tles. Carolyn is the owner of North Star Dog Training School in Somerville, Maine. She has been teaching people to understand their dogs for over 25 years. You can contact her with ques ons, sugges ons and ideas for her column by e-mailing carolyn@dogsatnorthstar.com.

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Downeast Dog News

Does My Dog's Breed Ma er? Part 1 - The Herding and Hound Groups I recently saw a meme posted on Facebook with the words, “Ge ng a dog without understanding the breed is like buying a house without an inspec on.” A discussion followed as to whether or not this was a good way to emphasize that breed ma ers when you are selec ng a dog that will best fit into your family, lifestyle, and the environment in which you and your dog will live. I agree with the sen ment of the text in this meme; however, I believe that the ques on of how important breed is when selec ng a dog is far too important to leave to a discussion on Facebook. If you want the greatest probability of ge ng a great canine companion, you need to consider breed before purchasing or adop ng a dog, and your research needs to extend beyond social media and avid fans of the breed. The American Kennel Club (AKC) currently recognizes 202 different breeds of dogs organized into seven groups: Herding, Hound, Non-Spor ng, Spor ng, Terrier, Toy, and Working. Different breeds of dogs exist because each breed was developed to address a par cular need or role in serving humans. In some cases, the AKC group descrip on is helpful in understanding what a dog was bred to do, while some of the groups contain breeds with a wide variety of individual physical and behavioral traits, and I ques on how they were lumped into the same group. However, looking at the group is a good place to start. Below you will find my thoughts on each AKC group and factors that I recommend you consider before deciding which breed is the best for you. Please recognize that you want to choose a breed that is also the best choice for your family, your lifestyle, and the environment in which you live. The

WORDS, WOOFS & MEOWS by Don Hanson ACCBC, BFRAP, CDBC, CPDT-KA

P D B

lifespan of a dog, which can also be breed dependent, can range from six to eighteen years. As you consider your current lifestyle and environment, think about the future and what your life will be like when your dog is older. Adding children to your life or moving from a rural to an urban environment should be considered when you choose your breed. FMI – h p://bit.ly FindingTheRightDogForYou Herding Group – “All breeds share the fabulous ability to control the movement of other animals. …pure ins nct prompts many of these dogs to gently herd their owners, especially the children of the family.1” The most popular of the breeds in the Herding group is the German

Shepherd Dog, which has been second on the AKC’s list of Most Popular Dog Breeds for the past four years2. Other dogs in this group include Australian Shepherds (#16), Corgis (#18, #69), Shetland Sheepdogs (#24), Collies (#37), Border Collies (#38), and more. I describe many dogs in the herding group as, “Those with a passion to bring order out of chaos.” O en the dogs in this group need to herd and will a empt to round-up everything from your livestock, to ducks at the park, your cats, other dogs, the neighbor's children, and yes, even sta onary tennis balls. Some breeds herd with their eyes while others use quick, but eﬀec ve and o en uncomfortable nips with their teeth. If you live in a chao c household and have children nearby, you should carefully consider if a dog from the herding group is a good choice for your situa on. On a posi ve note, the dogs in the herding group have been bred to work in close collabora on with a person so they can be easier to train. Hound Group – “Most hounds share the common ancestral trait of being used for hun ng. Some use acute scen ng powers to follow a trail. Others demonstrate a phenomenal gi of stamina as they relentlessly run down quarry.1” The favorite breed in the Hound group is the Beagle, which has been the ﬁ h most popular dog in the USA since 20152. Other dogs in the Hound group include Dachshunds (#13), Basse Hounds (#39), Bloodhounds (#52), Greyhounds (#151), and more. The key thing to remember about the AKC’s comments on the Hound group is that hounds were bred to hunt by selec vely breeding them to emphasize their predatory ins ncts. Some hounds use their sight, and some use their impressive sense of smell, but they are both experts at detec ng and

chasing down prey. Since hounds o en work independently of their handler, unlike the breeds in the Herding and Spor ng group, a hound may be more challenging to train. While it is not impossible to train a hound to be oﬀ-leash in unfenced areas, it will typically take more me and higher value rewards. Some hounds will never reach oﬀ-leash reliability no ma er how skilled you are at training. Because many of the hound breeds have been bred to work as a group, they can have excellent social skills and will o en do well with other dogs. FMI - h p://bit.ly/ ChoosingADogTrainer Many dogs in shelters are labeled as being part hound, and we see a wide variety of them for both boarding and daycare. If you put the time and effort into training your hounds and have reasonable expectations, they can make excellent, laid back companions. Yes, I said laid back. I cannot think of any hound I have met that I would classify as hyper. Some would argue that future behavior is all about the environment and the way a dog is raised. Environment certainly plays a tremendous role in a dog’s temperament but so do gene cs, and we cannot change gene cs. If you want the best possible companion that meets your criteria of “the perfect dog,” then spend some me researching the breeds before you get your dog. Next month I will discuss the Non-Spor ng, Spor ng, Terrier, and Toy groups. References 1 AKC website - h p://www.akc. org/public-educa on/resources/ dog-breeds-sorted-groups/ 2 Most Popular Dog Breeds Full Ranking List - h p://www.akc. org/content/news/ar cles/mostpopular-dog-breeds-full-rankinglist/

Don Hanson is the co-owner of the Green Acres Kennel Shop (greenacreskennel.com) in Bangor. He is a Bach Founda on Registered Animal Prac oner (BFRAP), Cer fied Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC), Associate Cer fied Cat Behavior Consultant (ACCBC) and a Cer fied Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA). He produces and co- hosts a weekly radio show and podcast, The Woof Meow Show heard on The Pulse AM620 WZON and streamed at h p://www.wzonradio.com/ every Saturday at 9 AM. A list of upcoming shows and podcasts of past shows can be found at www.woofmeowshow.com. Don also writes about pets at his blog: www.words-woofs-meows.com.

Available in Men’s and Ladies sizes in Light Blue.

Net profits will be donated to the Rescue of the Month. Contact Jenn for available sizes jenn@downeastdognews.com 207-230-0260 x6.

July 2017

Rescue

of the

Month

ALMOST HOME RESCUE Helping Southern and Local Dogs find their forever homes By Susan Spisak

Their ﬁrst mission was in April of 2005, when Chris Hanson, founder and then director of Almost Home Rescue (AHR), and her friend and dedicated volunteer, Amy Harmon, traveled to Arkansas in a minivan to save pups and dogs – including a sweet pregnant momma. This began their venture into the world of rescue. Chris wrote her impression of the challenges these dogs face: “In many of our rescue cases, their journey began months or years ago. Many had been abandoned by their owners at a kill shelter because no one wanted to put the me into housetraining or buy toys so they wouldn’t chew or obedience train to teach manners. It wasn’t their fault they were puppies, but they were le to die anyway. Many others just lost their way home and lived as strays; owners long ago gave up trying to ﬁnd them, or they didn’t want to pay the fee to get them back.

So many others have just never been wanted or loved. They are all hoping to be one of the lucky ones that get to come to Maine to find their forever homes.” That was a dozen years ago. They now use a professional transport service and mostly pull dogs from Arkansas and Mississippi - or local rescue situa ons as needed. And while there are many new volunteers and faces on their board, AHR’s sen ment is the same – to rescue as many dogs as they can and get them to the safety of foster homes, then offer them serenity in adop ve, loving New England homes. When I had the opportunity to catch up with AHR’s Vice President, Karen C. Lombardi, she said that she and President Adele Jones are very proud to lead AHR’s day to day opera ons. She added that she’s fostered over 80 dogs for the group since adop ng her first dog from them in 2008, and they can always use more foster homes. Why? Dedicated fosters are key to AHR. The more fosters, the more dogs they can transport

CHET

DODGE

4 yrs.

7-8 yrs., Shepherd/Pyrenees Mix

He was an older puppy when he was found abandoned with his siblings on a dirt road. He really is a love bug once you gain his trust, but ge ng there is the hard part. He is very shy and even though he has been around older kids, would probably do be er in a quieter home. He does ﬁne with other dogs. His foster mom is working on leash training with him. He is a "smiler." He is about 50-60 pounds.

Shy, handsome and will need a special home. Fine with other dogs and cats but mid around people. He’ll need an owner with a lot of me, pa ence and willingness to walk him daily. Also needs a secure 6 . fenced-in yard to run around and stretch his legs. He needs a rou ne – that’s why we’re looking for an adopter near Cumberland, Maine so he can con nue his progress at the daycare. Dodge was one of the Copiah County Rescue dogs out of Mississippi, saved from starva on and life on a chain. Dodge came to us almost feral and has come a long way to learn to trust people. This damaged dog has a heart of gold.

Available at www.almosthomerescue.net

to New England, moving them out of harm’s way. Consider fostering because it can be a life changing experience for you and that dog. Most of AHR’s rescues were close to euthaniza on, and by opening your home and heart to them, you’re helping them to trust and love again, and you’re affording them the opportunity of finding a forever home. Highly sa sfying volunteer work! AHR checks vet references, requires a landlord reference and approval if applicable, and performs home visits. They want adopters to understand what owning a rescue dog means and what their various needs are. Karen added, “We also adopt for life, meaning if for any reason you can't keep your pet, it must be returned to AHR.” AHR is an all-volunteer 501(c) (3) non-profit rescue and is a Maine and New Hampshire Permi ed Dog Importer. For informa on on fostering and volunteering and to see all their adoptables, visit http://almosthomerescue.net. Send monetary dona ons to their mailing address at Almost Home Rescue, P.O. Box 9421 #377, South Portland, ME, 04116-9421.

WATSON Meet Watson. He is a special needs dog, as he is par ally blind – but he is able to see shadows, and is able to navigate quite well - you wouldn't even know he was blind. This sweet boy was found in the middle of a dangerous intersec on, with a wire wrapped around his neck, and had eye injuries. He was badly ma ed and very skinny. Watson has been nursed back to health and is ready to ﬁnd his forever home in New England! He loves other dogs, people of all ages and is a total lap dog. Available at www.almosthomerescue.net

Available at www.almosthomerescue.net