2017 November Downeast Dog News by Jennifer Rich / Wendi Smith

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Maine’s Animal Response Teamss Help Pet Ownerss in Disasters

Volume 12 • Issue 11 • November 2017

BEST of the BEST ISSUE! Look inside for this year's winners!

By Susan Spisak

or severe ice and snow storms, strong Nor'easters, hurricanes, tropical storms, ﬂoods, tornadoes, forest ﬁres, or any natural or man-made disasters that bring a mandated evacua on, it’s essen al, especially for pet owners, to be well-prepared for an emergency. I spoke to Ron Jones, Project Coordinator for the Cumberland County Emergency Management Agency. This agency (like other similar agencies in Maine), has a variety of highly skilled and trained emergency management response teams that play key roles during disasters, including their Animal Response Team, which is referred to as The Cumberland County Animal Response Team or CCART. (Jones is also a member of the CCART Liaison.)

See HELP on page 5

INSIDE 2 6 Hot Dog News

Basic Training Tips

10 & 11 16 & 17 Best of the Best

Dogs for Adoption

DOWNEASTDOGNEWS.COM

18 Calendar of Events

Hot Dog News Hurricane Relief A

s men oned last month many animals have been displaced due to the recent hurricanes and are coming to Maine in search of new homes. Our shelters and rescues are in need of foster homes, pet food, supplies and/or dona ons in order to provide for these animals as well as the ones that were already in their care. If you would like to help out please reach out to a rescue near you!

Looking for Vendors Sunset Ridge Dry Land Challenge is looking for vendors for the November 18-19 race which will be held at Sunset Ridge Golf Club, Cumberland St., Westbrook. The vendor fee is $50.00 and you will be listed on the sponsor board. All proceeds go to support the race. If you are interested in entering the race the deadline is Nov. 16th at 9PM. FMI about the race: desdc.org or ďŹ nd us on Facebook: Sunset Ridge Dry Land Challenge Westbrook ME.

Knox CART Seeking New Members The Knox Community Animal Response Team, a volunteer team, is trained to set up a pet shelter at human shelters in the event of a disaster. We are seeking volunteers that have a desire to help the community during a me of need, excel at helping people and animals and enjoy working as part of a team! Our next mee ng is Nov. 30th at 7PM at the Knox County Emergency Management Agency. FMI: 594-5155.

Thank you to last month's adoption sponsors! Boothbay Railway Village, Boothbay Cedar Crest Inn, Camden Damarisco a Veterinary Clinic, Damarisco a First Na onal Bank, 16 branches Wiscasset to Calais Hagge Hill Kennel, Edgecomb Hometown Veterinary Care, FairďŹ eld Jill Cournoyer, Dog Massage of Maine, Greater Portland Area Kompletely K-9 Dog Training & Rehabilita on, Montville Loyal Biscuit, Bangor-Brewer, Rockland, Camden-Rockport, Belfast & Waterville Scarborough Animal Hospital, Scarborough Samoset Resort, Rockport Sunray Animal Clinic, Brunswick The Country Inn, Camden-Rockport The Fish and Bone, Portland The Narrows Tavern, Waldoboro Two Salty Dogs, Boothbay Harbor

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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 Marcia Welch Jenn Rich GRAPHIC DESIGN Courier Publications, LLC ADVERTISING Jenn Rich 207-230-0260 ext. 6 jenn@downeastdognews.com

From the Publisher Dear Dog News Readers, It’s November and I’d like to thank all of you veterans out there be you on two legs or four! You are truly amazing! We send much love to you and your families. Last year we featured ar cles on a couple of great organiza ons who are training dogs to assist our veterans; Pets for Vets who train shelter dogs to be companion animals for veterans as well as K9’s on the Frontline who train PTSD service dogs. This year we are sharing some informa on about America’s VetDogs, an organiza on that has recently brought one of its programs to the Maine State Prison (see pg. 15). Last month was our Adopt-A-Shelter Dog Month where we featured many dogs seeking their forever homes. We hope there were some successful matches made! If you have adopted a dog that you have seen in our paper we’d love to hear your story. Please send it to jenn@downeastdognews.com or call 230-0260x6. Once again, we were able to make dona ons to two rescues (selected by random drawing) through money raised through the several adop on sponsors listed on page 2. Pixel Fund and Fetching Hope Rescue were this year’s recipients! If you have any interest in becoming an adop on sponsor please let us know. Each month we donate part of the proceeds to our featured Rescue of the Month. We hope you have been enjoying the mild weather we have been having. Pepper and I have taken a break from our walks in the woods because the cks are atrocious and I may soon lose my mind! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

All the best, Jenn & Pepper

Loyal Biscuit Company Named 2017 Retailer of the Year

PRESIDENT Wendi Smith PARENT & PUBLISHING COMPANY Maine Pet News LLC OUR GOALS • Provide the latest in dog-related news and information. • Encourage and support dog-friendly businesses and Maine-made pet products and services. • Cultivate a community of responsible dog guardianship/ownership. • Support animal welfare causes.

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he board of directors of the Retail Associa on of Maine has announced that Loyal Biscuit headquartered in Rockland, Maine, has been named the 2017 Retailer of the Year. The award will be presented at the Retail Associa on of Maine’s 80th annual mee ng on Thursday, November 2, 2017 at O’Maine Studios in Portland. The Retailer of the Year Award has three main criteria: con nued growth in employees or sales; commitment of company resources to community projects; and crea on of a posi ve work environment for all employees. This year encompassed a compe ve field of nomina ons and Loyal Biscuit was chosen for its reputa on as a growing family business, impressive growth, social, ethical and environmental responsibility, and staff development procedures. Loyal Biscuit’s values aligned perfectly with the award criteria and they were unanimously selected as this year’s recipient. “It is a true honor for our company to be named as Retailer of the Year,” said co-owner, Heidi Neal. “We have come a long way in the last seven years, from a staff of one, to our current Loyal Biscuit family of 21. Our team works hard to make sure our customers receive the best products and knowledge, and to ensure that we are able to give so much back to the communi es that support us. Receiving this award is truly an honor, and one that we share with our team and our communi es." The Retail Associa on of Maine has presented the annual Retailer of the Year Award since 1980. Other winners include Day’s Jewelers (2016), Sea Bags (2015), Gifford’s Famous Ice Cream (2014), Mexicali Blues (2013), Wild Oats Bakery & Café (2012), Cool As A Moose (2011). For more informa on on the Retail Associa on of Maine, please visit the website at www.retailmaine.org or call the Retail Associa on of Maine offices at 207-623-1149. Loyal Biscuit Company is a Maine-owned retailer with loca ons in Rockland, Belfast, Camden, Waterville and Brewer. Loyal Biscuit was named the 2015 Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year winner; Maine SBA Small Business Person of the Year (Heidi Neal); Retailer of the Year by Pet Age Magazine; Retailer of the Year by Pet Business Magazine. Website: loyalbiscuit.com Hot Dog News ...................... 2

Table of Contents

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November 2017

Furry Words ......................... 4 Ask the Vet ............................ 4 Basic Training Tips ................ 6 Best of the Best List ............... 7 Performance Dog Training .... 8 Ask Bammy .............................9 Best of the Best Bios ........ 10,11 Words, Woofs & Meows ..... 13 The Nose Knows ...................14 America's Vet Dogs .............. 15 Rescue of the Month .......... 16 Adoptable Dogs .................. 17 Calendar of Events ............... 18 Business Directory .............. 19

A lot of people are surprised to learn I do readings over the phone, which allow me to connect with people all over the world! Energy is energy, so me and space don’t interfere with my ability to connect with a person’s or animal’s spirit. One thing that is hard for me to decipher is if they’re living or deceased because they both feel the same to me. I recently had an intense reading with a woman from the West coast whose newly rescued dog had bi en a few people, and she needed to understand why and if there were any way to get him to stop. The answer surprised both of us, and it reminded me that animals o en come into our lives to teach us much bigger lessons than we may be aware of. The dog was a stocky mixed breed who had only been with the family for a few months. She said there was no warning when it would suddenly snap at people, and it had successfully nipped a few of them. One a ack resulted in broken skin, and the dog was currently in quaran ne. I reminded her I’m not a vet, and I have zero dog training experience, but I could give her the dog’s side of the story. She believed that something in the dog’s past was a trigger for

Keeping Your Ac ve Dog Injury Free Q.

My dog and I are very active. Everyone is giving me advice on what sport Jake and I should do. My last lab and I use to run road races together and his career ended abruptly with a torn ACL. I don’t want the same thing to happen again. What precautions should I take?

Furry Words by Sara Moore www.enlightenedhorizons.com

the behavior, but she couldn’t ﬁnd any commonalities between the events. The dog said that his past had absolutely nothing to do with it; he loved the surge of energy he got from the “victims” when they didn’t know if they were going to live or die when he jumped at them. Fear is a very powerful emotion, and there are some people and animals who use it as a

Ask the Vet… by Dr. Judith Herman

A very good question. So often we have active dogs and well meaning folks giving advice on what sport to pursue, but never talk about the dog being fit for the job. This fitness is physical and mental. Also, you have to add into the mix what your goals are and whether your dog has the capability to meet those goals. First, let’s look at early neutering. Shelters and rescues spay and neuter young because of the need to decrease overpopulation. This is fine if you are going for long walks, hanging out together, or doing low impact sports. Hormones play a role in the timing with the closure of growth plates. The length of your dog’s legs is partially determined by the time it takes to close

growth plates. Growth plates are found toward the top and bottom of every bone in a baby’s body. These plates allow pups to grow. If one of these plates is damaged, it will close prematurely and the bone will stop growing, resulting in a shorter or twisted leg. When a dog is spayed or neutered before 4 months, the growth plates stay open, and the bones keep growing. When this happens, the legs are longer and look out of proportion to the rest of the dog. This also makes the legs straighter. Straighter legs cause more stress on the joints resulting in osteoarthritis, torn

way to charge their own batteries. This situation felt a little different to me, however. The dog really was doing it for the thrill and endorphins he got by feeling victims on the edge. I asked the dog what this was all about, and I got an image of the owner’s son and the dog told me to ask her about him. She confirmed she had one son living and the other had died within the year. Ugh. This was not what she was expecting to discuss when she called, but luckily I am no longer phased by topics that most people would avoid like the plague. The dog said that her living son loved to go to the brink and then pull himself back. He wanted to know what it was like to maybe wake up, maybe die. He wanted to know what that felt like living on the edge. She was quiet for a moment and then said he was a heroin addict. When his brother died, he had gotten worse and she was worried for him. The dog was mirroring what her son was doing. The dog said it would stop bi ng if she would have a heart to heart with her son, so I asked the dog and her son (living) what she needed to know. Her son admi ed he was a terrible druggie. She chuckled and

said he was. He wasn’t doing it because he loved the high; he was doing it to be er understand why his brother did it and what it was like for him to die as a result. He wanted his mother to talk to him and to tell him that she needed him to stay here, and he wanted her to understand why he was doing it. He wanted the family to have a very open and hard conversa on about what they were going through instead of giving each other the space to grieve in their own ways. He said that was really just an excuse for not facing reality. The mom was stunned but agreed to call him right away. I oﬀered a free reading to her son because clearly he was struggling, too. I asked her to follow up with me if and when she was ready because it’s readings like these that validate that the animals come here to help us on our journey and give us the opportunity to ﬁnd a level of healing we didn’t know we needed.

ligaments, and sprains. Next let’s look at nutrition. Athletic dogs should not be fat. The more excess weight they carry, the more stress on the joints, heart, and heat exchange. Obesity in dogs carries the same risks as people. If you want to do canicross, agility, winter hikes, or climb mountains, keep your dog trim. Excess weight with heavy exercise can result in Jake overheating and suffering heat stroke. Dogs cool off by panting and by cooling the pads on their feet. If he is overweight, the internal heat builds up while exercising, which will take longer for him to remove. Measure out how much food your pup needs for the day. Take some of the food and use it when training or for treats. This will avoid the risk of feeding too much. So how do we prevent injuries and chronic problems in our ac ve partners? Just like us, build them up slowly. Being a weekend warrior is a sure way to get Jake injured. Once you ﬁnd a sport you enjoy, have your veterinarian assess his conforma on for any major problems. No one is built perfectly, so knowing your dog’s weaknesses is very important. Find a trainer in your sport who is knowledgeable of the stresses that sport has on your dog, both physically and mentally. A good trainer will see a poten al problem and give you techniques to prevent

your dog ge ng injured. Find a core fitness class. These classes teach your dog body awareness and, just like us, strengthens his core muscles which will reduce injury to his back and other joints. Your instructor will teach you exercises to do at home. When looking for a class, be sure to check the creden als of the person teaching. You want someone trained and cer fied. Now that you and your dog are compe ng in a sport or hiking up the Presiden al Mountains, there are other things you can do to keep Fido in p top shape. If you compete in strenuous sports, find a good massage therapist to remove the knots in your companion’s muscles. Taking your teammate to a chiropractor on a regular basis will allow him to have a long safe career. When you compete in the sport you love with the dog you love, be mindful of any change in attitude, behavior, or energy. Our companions will do anything to please us, even performing when they are in pain or injured. Don’t assume the naughty behavior is just attitude to work through. Make sure there isn’t a problem. Take good care of your companion and enjoy the game!

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

HELP from page 1 The CCART mission is to provide community awareness of disaster planning and preparedness related to companion animals and large animals and to coordinate and assist in emergency sheltering of companion animals. Their partners include the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Red Cross, and the state’s Emergency Management Agency. Animal Response Teams began na onally a er Hurricane Katrina because of lessons learned from that natural disaster. Many people refused to leave their homes in greater New Orleans and the Gulf coast states because they had pets. (According to a 2006 Fritz Ins tute survey, about 44% of those who didn’t evacuate stayed, at least in part, because they didn’t want to leave their pets.) Those who took them along to a shelter were turned away, Jones said. “That was the genesis of the government and FEMA suggesting to states and counties that they provide sheltering for pets along with people,” said Jones. As a result, in 2006 Congress passed The Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards or PETS Act, which authorizes FEMA to provide rescue, care, shelter, and essential needs for individuals with household pets and service animals following a major disaster or emergency.

Maine’s Emergency Shelters “If you’re told to evacuate, take yourself and your pets. The authorities are taking a lot into account, not just what’s outside your window. I know Mainers are tough, resilient folks, but they should evacuate and not hunker down [in a mandated evacuation] and hope for the best.” Jones recalled the ice storm of ’98, where parts of Maine were without power for three weeks. “There are resources to support you out there. If folks are asked to evacuate, they should.” Statewide resources include these human and pet-friendly shelters that allow residents to choose safety in event of an evacuation. And there’s a need, where at least 63% of Maine’s households have pets. Oxford County Animal Response Team (OXCART) was the first in Maine to organize in 2006. Jones said they have a “pretty robust sheltering program.” Cumberland County came on board next in 2008, thanks in part to his wife, Adele Jones, President of Almost Home Rescue,

an all-breed dog non-profit. He laughed and said she contacted their Emergency Management Agency Director, Jim Budway, about the area’s animal sheltering capabilities. He said, “‘Funny you should mention that. Can I enlist your help?’” So the Mrs. put together Cumberland County’s first team. CCART has the support of emergency management and volunteer staff. They have the capabilities and training to set up, maintain, and subsequently take down, a clean and sanitary “co-located” animal shelter in conjunction with a Red Cross or other community human shelter, which means they are sheltered within walking distance of their owners. (For example, Westbrook High School is a human shelter in Cumberland County, while there’s an area in the adjacent Westbrook Regional Vocational Center for crated pets.) Today, Cumberland County has identified many regional, all-access, all-inclusive shelters, meaning that all people, including those with special needs, disabilities, and/or companion animals (dogs/cats/pocket pets), can ﬁnd shelters within the county. Jones noted that service animals are the only animals allowed in the human shelters. Other coun es have Animal Response Teams with like capabili es. In addi on to Oxford and Cumberland, there’s Somerset County Animal Response Team, Hancock County Emergency Animal Response Team (H.E.A.R.T.), Knox County Animal Response Team (Knox CART), Aroostook County Animal Response Team, York County Animal Response Team (YCART) and Waldo County Pet Shelter Team. (And if you live in or near one of these coun es, there’s always a need for volunteers.) If there is a mandated evacua on and you don’t know where to head for safety, call Maine’s emergency informa on hotline at 2-1-1, or if you have a rotary phone, dial 1-866-811-5695. You’ll be advised where to ﬁnd the closest human and pet-friendly co-located shelter.

Be Prepared & Plan Ahead Put together what’s referred to as a “Go Bag” for your pet. Guidelines suggest supplies for a 3 day evacua on. The bag should include pet food and water, cat li er and disposable li er pan, medicines, collar with ID tags, leash, animal ﬁrst aid kit, a picture of you and your pet, cash,

crate (mark with your pet’s name, your name and phone number on it), so crate pillow, sanita on bags, and if your dog is snappy, a muzzle. You’ll need a photocopy of vet immuniza on info. If your pet is not up-to-date on shots it will receive what’s needed at the shelter by volunteer vet staff members at your expense. For yourself and family members, also pack a Go Bag. Maine.gov suggests items such as medicines, bo led water, non-perishable snacks, flashlight and ba eries, an extra set of house and car keys, first aid kit, toiletries, and a change of clothing. For the full list, visit h p://www.maine. gov/mema/prepare/prep_display.shtml?163573. (Also Google “Grab and Go Bag,” and “Pet Grab and Go Bag.” Many big box and online stores sell a variety of ready-made bags.) If your important paperwork isn’t already in a safety deposit box, do so now--or upload documents to a ready-to-go thumb drive. Include personal ID’s, marriage cer ficate, social security card, living will, deed to home, medical, flood, homeowners/renters insurance, etc. Have a family plan. Talk to your family about emergency plans in the event of an evacua on. (If there is not a mandated evacua on, it’s s ll a good idea to be prepared for an emergency. For a full list of home preparedness, check this American Red Cross list at h p://www.redcross. org/get-help/prepare-for-emergencies/be-redcross-ready/get-a-kit. Poke around now to find the nearest shelter and pet-friendly co-located shelter. Since your pet will need to be crated for extended periods of me, make sure it is crate-trained and bring it along if you can. Jones also stressed the importance of asking yourself, “‘Do I have a friend or family member that is in an unaffected area and could take us in?’” Or look for pet-friendly hotels or motels that are in a safe locale. He reiterated to be prepared. “For us to help you, you have to help us. We want you to have a Go Bag; we want you to have a family p and be a uned to where the local pet-friendly shelter is. And do you have a family member or friend that could take you in?” He added while there’s s ll work to be done (not all coun es/states have emergency plans and/or shelters in place), it’s heartening to see the strides made to include pets in the mandatory evacua on and sheltering process.

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Got Fear?

More insight into "fight or flight."

Last month, I talked about some

of the basic physiological aspects of fear and how we humans and our dog companions share the same general system, including the “fight or flight” response. The big difference between our two species lies in what might trigger a fear reac on, how it is manifested, and what the consequences might be. No ma er how you look at it, overcoming fears can be a complicated process with any species. I extend a sincere thanks to readers who sent me informa on about their fearful dogs and the triggers they have. Unfortunately, but not surprisingly, stories were abundant, from common lunging and barking at joggers (fight) to more pervasive, all-encompassing general anxie es that o en send dogs into hiding (flight). It is important to note that there is a difference between dogs who have very specific fears but who are otherwise well-adjusted and dogs who go through life worried that something bad might happen to them at any moment. Worried dogs o en have a very poor bounceback mechanism, meaning that the effects of their fear linger long past

Basic Training Tips by Diana Logan

the actual fearful event. “We can't learn how to swim in a stormy ocean.” [Dr. Neil, MD] I am repea ng this quote from last month because it’s a very good reminder of the

The Same Picture, Different Angle Reac ng to passersby from a car, to a stranger coming into the home, to a hiker at a distance – these are all different versions of the same issue. When working with fearful dogs, every situa on in which he is fearful needs to be carefullly managed. We have to keep in mind that when we are dealing with fear, training is not always sufficient. We can train skills and management techniques, but some mes we hit the limit of those tools. Working with a Cer fied Dog Behavior Consultant (a CDBC) or if cost isn’t an op on, going to Tu s where there are veterinary behaviorists are good. I am a cer fied dog trainer with extensive experience working with fearful dogs, but I will o en refer more complex cases which are beyond the reach of training to a CDBC. There are pharmaceu cals and other products which can aid in the effort, in conjunc on with training, and they should be explored. I wish, oh how I wish, we could look lovingly into our dogs’ eyes and get through to them that they are not in danger, there’s no reason to have fear; we will keep them safe. It’s just not the way our dogs see things, though, so our only good option is to get in their program and do what we can to help. Stay safe out there!

fu lity of expec ng a dog to learn something new when she’s fully engaged in fight or flight. The key to helping our fearful dogs is twofold: 1) we must pair something really great with the presence of the trigger, and 2) we must protect our dog, to the best of our ability, from situa ons in which she is apt to want to “fight or flight.” It’s a tough balance to find: a trigger that is in a weak enough form so as not to elicit a fear response yet strong enough for the dog to no ce. That fragile place is the only place where we can truly change our dog's emo onal response to a trigger. A mistake many of us make is to think, “this me will (magically) be different.” We lead our dogs into the shark infested waters me and me again when he s ll doesn’t know how to swim. If I were to expose my dog to a situa on where he’s very likely to react, not only will I lose out on a training opportunity, but my dog’s fear response only serves to fuel more fear responses in the future. Each me a dog plunges into the depths of fear and reac vity, it paves the way for more of the same later on - it can even become a habit a er very few repe ons. For this reason alone, it’s impera ve to “get out of Dodge” as quickly as possible. Remove your dog from the situa on, add distance - do whatever it takes to change the scene - without harming your dog in any way, of course.

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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BEST of the BEST CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WINNERS AND THANK YOU TO OUR READERS FOR VOTING!

BEST VETERINARIAN PRACTICE 1. Boothbay Animal Hospital, Boothbay 2. Taylor Brook Animal Hospital, Auburn 3. Auburn Animal Center, Auburn

BEST PET PRODUCT 1. Mountain Dog Cookie Co., Scarborough 2. Belted Cow Co. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Collars, Yarmouth 3. Sew Fetch Dog Collars, Machias

BEST GROOMER

BEST DAYCARE/BOARDING

1. The Muddy Paw, Winslow 2. Doggz Inn, Auburn 3. Coastal Crea ons, Bucksport

1. Coastal Dog, Edgecomb 2. Renaissance Dogs, Holden 3. Happy Tails, Portland

BEST TRAINER

BEST RESCUE/SHELTER

1. Mr. Dog Training, Sara Sokol, Bath 2. Gooddogz, Nancy Freedman-Smith, Greater Portland 3. FitDog, Rebecca Aube, Portland

BEST PET STORE

1. Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland, Westbrook 2. Lincoln County Animal Shelter, Edgecomb 3. Coastal Humane Society, Brunswick

BEST PET FRIENDLY LODGING

1. Two Salty Dogs, Boothbay Harbor 2. Loyal Biscuit, Bangor/Brewer, Rockland, Camden/Rockport, Belfast, Waterville 3. Planet Dog, Portland

1. Flagship Inn, Boothbay Harbor 2. Inn by the Sea, Cape Elizabeth 3. Cod Cove Inn, Edgecomb

Turn to pages 10 &11 for more information about the winners! Thank you to all of our dedicated clients. We wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be here without you! 46 Bay Street, Suite 2 Winslow, ME 04901 DOG & CAT GROOMING â&#x20AC;˘ BY APPOINTMENT ONLY

NAIL TRIMMING

â&#x20AC;˘ BY APPOINTMENT ONLY

SELF SERVICE DOG WASH

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Training Your Performance Dog Agility, Obedience, Tracking by Carolyn Fuhrer

AKC Junior Rally Showcase The American Kennel Club (AKC), the world’s largest purebred dog registry and leading advocate for dogs, has announced the launch of Junior Showcase events meant to promote and increase youth par cipa on in the sports of agility, obedience, and rally. The Mid Coast Kennel Club of Maine is planning to hold a Junior Rally Showcase at their Obedience/ Rally Show on Saturday and Sunday, April 13 and 14, 2018. This show is held at Mt. Ararat High School in Topsham, Maine. To be eligible for a Junior Showcase

event, the handler must be under 18 years of age the day of the trial. The Junior Showcase is open to all breeds including dogs listed with the AKC Canine Partners. All dogs must be eligible for the classes in which they are entered. The purpose of a Junior Showcase is to provide a low stress mentoring environment with comradery in a relaxed atmosphere

to assist the junior handlers to achieve their goals. Junior handlers entered in Junior Showcase events will be permi ed to have a mentor walk with them during the exhibitor walk through mes. Mid Coast Kennel Club will be oﬀering a Junior Showcase in Rally Novice A and B. Rally trials are a sport, and all par cipants should be guided by the principles of good sportsmanship both in and out of the ring. Rally trials demonstrate the dog has been trained to behave in the home, in public places, and in the presence of other dogs in a manner that will reﬂect credit on the sport of rally at all mes and under all condi ons. All contestants in a class are required to perform the same signs in substan ally the same way so that the rela ve quality of the various performances may be compared and scored. The judge tells the handler to begin, and the dog and handler proceed at a brisk pace through a course, designed by the rally judge, of designated signs. Each of these signs provides instruc ons regarding the next skill that is to be performed. The dog and handler move con nuously throughout the course with the dog under control at the handler’s

le side. There is a clear sense of teamwork between the dog and handler both during and between the numbered signs. Rally provides an excellent introduc on to AKC Companion Events for new dogs and handlers and can provide a challenging opportunity for compe tors in other events to strengthen their skills. AKC Rally is a companion sport to AKC Obedience. Both require teamwork between dog and handler along with similar performance skills. In the Rally Novice classes, all signs are judged with the dog on leash. Rally Novice A & B have 10-15 signs (Start and Finish not included) with a minimum of three and a maximum of ﬁve sta onary exercises. Mid Coast Kennel Club of Maine holds Rally prac ce Monday nights at 5:30 at North Star Dog Training School in Somerville. Juniors pay $5.00 per class and adults pay $10 with all proceeds going to the Mid Coast Kennel Club. Not sure? Come and watch one Monday night! For more informa on, e-mail Kathy Duhnoski at kduhnoski@ myfairpoint.net, or you can call Kathy at 691-2332. And to learn more about Rally, go the AKC website at www.akc. orgRally Regula ons.

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.

Voted Best Veterinarian Practice! “We would like to thank all your readers for their unwavering support of our hospital. For the third year in a row, they have chosen us as the “Best of the Best” Veterinary Hospital. We will continue to strive to deserve your votes!” 285 Wiscasset Road Boothbay, ME 04537

207-633-3447

BOOTHBAY ANIMAL HOSPITAL boothbayanimalhospital.com

Downeast Dog News

I am a Carolina Dog, a breed that long ago owned Na ve American people. We were designed by natural selec on to be so intelligent and physically superior that we survived without humans. My great-grandfather was caught from the wild. I can oﬀer advice based on the natural ins ncts and abili es of wild dogs. My human and I have had lots of training classes and other experiences. Some humans call themselves Mom or Dad of their dogs, but I call my human, tongue in cheek, 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 dogs with problem humans. If I can’t help, at least I can oﬀer sympathy, and we can have fun talking about our amazing humans. Please send your ques ons! Bammy, 280 Pond Rd. Newcastle, ME 04553, or email: askbammy@ dewater.net About Helping Boss One of the most important things we can do for our humans is getting them to actually do something! I suppose Boss thinks she’s doing something when she plays with paper things – which she does for hours at a time. She has stacks of things like different colored blocks of wood except they are really lots of papers

Ask Bammy An Advice Column for Dogs by a Dog

stuck together at one edge. She just sits and looks at them instead of going outdoors! Another really boring thing is the board that rattles when she taps on it with her fingers. There’s a sort of window behind it where things move but it doesn’t look like outdoors. There is a use for that, I know because that is how we write the column for Downeast Dog News. But she rattles on and on, long after she’s done with our work. What can be

so interesting? I just fall asleep. I love to help her in the kitchen. Once in awhile, she spills something, and I’m right there to clean up. When she trips over me, she says, “Outof-the-kitchen!” And I run out backwards as fast as I can. She shares something yummy with me before I sneak back in. (Definitely worth the risk of getting my paw stepped on.) The best part is when she asks, “Do you want to lick the pot?” I jump up and down on my hind legs to say, “Yes!” Sometimes she warns me, “Hot!” Then I sneak up on the pot and give it a quick bat with my paw. It’s kind of like catching hornets. After I paw it around for awhile, it gets weak and I can lick it safely. I am most useful outdoors. In fact, I’ve heard her tell people that part of my job description is getting her outside. If she hasn’t gone out by the end of the afternoon, I have to insist. Rain, cold, snow – it doesn’t matter. I bark to go out, but when she opens the door, I just wait for her to go out first. Back and forth to the door, whine, play bow, nose pokes. If she still won’t budge, I have to get serious. In quick succession, I yank the bedding out of my crate, bring her things off the kitchen shelves, scratch up the rug to get something out from

under the sofa, and tip over the wastebasket. Go-for-a-walk is best, of course. But there’s lots to do outside. Just yesterday, I helped Boss gather walnuts. They taste really yucky, but she pays me a treat for each one so it’s worth it. She shows me a walnut and says, “Get the other one.” They look like green tennis balls, so they are hard to see in the grass, but it’s easy to ﬁnd them by their weird smell. Not something you’d want to eat! She takes them from me quickly before I spit them out and gives me something nice to take the bad taste out of my mouth. A really fun job is digging holes. I dig shallow holes for cool ground to lie on when it’s hot or deeper holes to get something out of – like a mouse. But she digs holes to put something into or just to move dirt from one place to another. What is that about? But that’s what she wants, so I get beside her and help her dig. So, my friends, get those humans up and out! They’ll love you for it. Bammy The Ask Bammy column is intended for humor and entertainment. If your dog has behavioral issues please contact a veterinarian or professional trainer.

limited trim, we can accomodate most dogs

November 2017

BEST of the BEST

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WINNERS AND THANK YOU TO OUR READERS FOR VOTING! Best Vet Practice

Best Groomer

BOOTHBAY ANIMAL HOSPITAL

oothbay Animal Hospital has been an integral part of the Boothbay Region community since 1975 when it was founded by Dr. James Wahlstrom. Now owned by Dr. Dean Domeyer and Dr. Kristen Mugnai, Boothbay Animal Hospital now employs four well qualified veterinarians and an experienced staff who know the people and pa ents of the Boothbay area as well as the surrounding communi es well. The staff at Boothbay Animal Hospital is dedicated to quality care from rou ne annual exams to dental and surgical procedures. They take pride in the wellbeing of their pa ents and educa ng their owners on how to properly care for them. The office has state of the art equipment to provide a thorough assessment of your pets’ health including digital radiology, dental radiography, ultrasonography, endoscopy, blood chemistry, hematology, and electrocardiography as well as culture analysis. They provide dental and surgical appointments four days a week, and now a er 41 years of being a walk-in based clinic, Boothbay Animal Hospital has decided to take appointments for rou ne visits as well. The staff at Boothbay Animal Hospital is dedicated to making your pets’ lives happy and healthy.

THE MUDDY PAW

he Muddy Paw Grooming Spa & Self Service Dog Wash was established in 2012 and changed ownership 3 years ago. Now family owned and operated by couple, Pet stylist Danielle Jones and Brandon Ross which allows us to put both furry and human clients ﬁrst. Guaranteeing each pet is treated with plenty of tender love and care. We provide a warm, clean, and invi ng spa-like environment for your dog or cat. The Muddy Paw Grooming Spa consists of a newly renovated loca on equipped with state of the art grooming spa equipment, and a private room dedicated to Self Service Dog Washing designed to be a private sanctuary for dogs and their owners to experience bath me. We also volunteer our grooming services at no charge to the local humane socie es. 3 years later we couldn't be happier with our decision to purchase this business. We are beyond ecsta c with the feedback and success we have accomplished in such li le me and look forward to serving both human and furry clients for many years to come. We literally eat, sleep, and breath animals and they are literally our life. We are beyond honored to have received this award from the Downeast Dog News in 2017. It truly shows our love for animals and dedica on to our profession has been no ced, which is beyond rewarding in itself.

ara Sokol is owner at Mr. Dog Training, a posi ve reinforcement based training center with a 2000 square foot facility located in West Bath, Maine. Sara’s experience includes a posi on with Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA as a full me behavior and training technician and lead dog trainer, District Manager of The Connec cut Humane Society, mentor trainer for Animal Behavior College and CATCH Canine Academy, Canine Good Ci zen Evaluator through the AKC, and owner of Mr. Dog Training in West Bath. Mr. Dog Training offers a number of group classes ranging from free Puppy Pre-School through Advanced Obedience as well as a variety of Ac vity classes including Noseworks, Treibball, Tricks, Intro to Agility, Adventure Hounds, and Circus Dog. In addi on, she teaches a special class for reac ve dogs called Reac ve Rover. Sara also offers private, in-home, behavior modifica on and training using all posi ve techniques. Sara feels as though the key to any good rela onship, including the one between a person and his dog, is clear communica on. Her training style is to set dogs up to make “good” choices, and then reinforce those choices; the more that you reinforce a behavior, the more you’ll see that behavior! In addi on, Sara believes that training should be fun for both human and dog and takes pride in being able to make the classroom an enjoyable and safe place to learn.

began making dog cookies for my Swissys in 2015 because I wanted to know what was going into each cookie and treat they ate. A er experimen ng with several recipe varia ons I landed on our signature peanut bu er, pumpkin and cinnamon recipe that dogs go nuts for. When my husband and I (and the 2 Swissys at the me) were invited to a dog fun day, I decided to try and ice the dog cookies that I had been making and bring them as a treat. What has now become my “Signature Swissy” cookie was a HUGE hit that day, and Mountain Dog Cookie Co. was established based on the amazing feedback from friends and dogs alike. I never would have believed that in 2 short years we would be where we are today. Making hundreds of cookies in small batches every month, and in over 120 diﬀerent sizes and shapes. Each cookie is baked and decorated with love and care and the hopes from my 3 Swissys that it may become a reject they will get to share. I ﬁrmly believe that just because it’s a dog cookie doesn’t mean it can’t be fun to look at! Which is why the homemade decorated dog treats made at Mountain Dog Cookie Co. are so special. Thank you to all who have voted for us!

Best Rescue/Shelter

TWO SALTY DOGS

MR. DOG TRAINING

wo Salty Dogs Pet Ou i ers in Boothbay Harbor is for people who truly love their pets. Don and Liana Kingsbury stock their li le shop with pure dynamite, high-quality dog and cat foods, locally made treats and toys, Maine-made collars and leashes. Large bags of food are stored in the shed out back, and they are more than willing to run a load out to a car. The Kingsburys are known as shop owners that always go the extra mile for their customers, which is one reason people who visit come back again and again. Don and Liana got the idea to open a shop when their Black Lab “Max” began talking to them in barely audible tones, saying “...build me a shop and stock it with all kinds of tasty things for me to eat...” That complete, Max’s orders became more direct-- “Build me a Dog Army of hungry Labs that I might conquer the earth and impose my will upon all living creatures...” So Don & Liana acquired Auggie and Buddy -- Max’s friendly Black Lab Lieutenants. These days, the shop is ruthlessly run by Max and his two hench-dogs whilst Liana and Don obey Max’s every order, however ridiculous.

Downeast Dog News

COASTAL DOG

MOUNTAIN DOG COOKIE COMPANY

Best Pet Store

Best Trainer

Best Daycare/Boarding

Best Pet Product

ANIMAL REFUGE LEAGUE OF GREATER PORTLAND

life-saving organiza on, the Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland (ARLGP) nurtures the connec on between people and pets to advance animal welfare and improve the quality of life in our community. Providing shelter, care and treatment to more than 4,000 homeless and displaced pets annually at their new Arthur P. Girard Adop on Center in Westbrook, the ARLGP is a valued resource for pets and people in the state of Maine and beyond. Learn more about the ARLGP’s life-saving work at arlgp.org. The ARLGP is thankful to Downeast Dog News and voters for naming the ARLGP Best Animal Shelter.

November 2017

our and a half years ago, the dogs of coastal Lincoln County, Maine hinted to Alesia Norling that they’d really like a place to go where they could play with their friends, run like the wind in large, open play areas, dig holes, swim, chase bu erflies, give slobbery kisses, get slobbery kisses, go inside, go outside, go inside and outside again, take naps in the sun, get an overload of happy human a en on and some mes even sleep over so they could do it all again the next day. Well, Alesia is accustomed to listening to dogs, and this me was no excep on. The Coastal Dog was born and is located on 5 acres of farmland across from an 800 acre land preserve in the lovely town of Edgecomb. We’d love to have your dog join us in our big, old farm house and surrounding, fenced fields. He or she can play with Paul, who has worked in dog care facili es for the past 15 years or Phoebe, who began her dog-care career as a professional groomer or Diane, a licensed veterinary technician or any of our other amazing staff who just LOVE and UNDERSTAND dogs. We are all so grateful to everyone who voted for us and to Downeast Dog News for making it a possibility! If you are interested in learning more about us, please find us at thecoastaldog.net or on Facebook at facebook. com/TheCoastalDog.

Best Pet-Friendly Lodging FLAGSHIP INN

he pet-friendly Flagship Inn was opened in June 1984 and changed hands to the current ownership in July 1997. We are locally owned and operated, which allows us to oﬀer the excep onal service of a small inn with the modern ameni es of a chain hotel. We have not just accepted pets, but welcomed them since 2001. Our pet ameni es include a travel bowl, treats, and a Maine themed toy for your pet to take home. We have also become a company sponsor and built a bridge connec ng us to the Penn Lake Land Trust, which oﬀers a one mile hike for your pet to enjoy. Recently, we have teamed up with Two Salty Dogs pet ou i ers, who have added addi onal treats and dog bags to our pet friendly accommoda ons. We are honored to have received the award for the best pet friendly lodging from Downeast Dog News in 2014, 2015, 2016 and now 2017.

Standing united for pets: Join Maineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Shock-Free Coalition The pet care professionals who have joined forces in this ad care deeply about dogs. That is why we are committed to eliminating the use of electric shock in the training, care and management of pets. Studies show that shock devices are unnecessary and have the potential to be very dangerous. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why experts such as the Pet Professional Guild (PPG) and the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) are also against the use of these devices.

Whether you are a dog parent or dog owner, an animal welfare organization (shelter or rescue), a dog breeder or dog club, or a pet care professional (boarding kennel, canine behavior consultant, doggie daycare, dog trainer, dog walker, pet food and supply retailer, pet groomer, pet photographer, pet sitter or veterinarian) we invite you to learn more and to sign the pledge. Help us stop the use of electric shock!

To learn more visit shockfree.org, bit.ly/Shock-FreeME or bit.ly/ShockCollars

Pet Care Facility

Pet Educational Resources

Pet Food & Supply Retailer

Pet Photographer

Green Acres Kennel Shop

The Woof Meow Show

Green Acres Kennel Shop

Bellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Furry Friends Photography

Don & Paula Hanson, owners 1653 Union St., Bangor, ME 207-945-6841 | greenacreskennel.com donh@greenacrekennel.com

Don Hanson and Kate Dutra, Hosts donh@greenacrekennel.com woofmeowshow.com

Don & Paula Hanson, owners 1653 Union St., Bangor, ME 207-945-6841 | greenacreskennel.com donh@greenacrekennel.com

Debra Bell 890 Coldbrook Rd., Hermon, ME 207-356-2353 | bffpetphotos.com deb@bffpetphotos.com

Words, Woofs and Meows Don Hanson donh@greenacrekennel.com words-woofs-meows.com

Professional Dog Trainers and Behavior Consultants Canine Behavior Counseling, LLC

Green Acres Kennel Shop

Raising Canine Maine

Judy Rapp Moore, Portland, ME judyamoore.cbc@gmail.com caninebehaviorcounseling.com

Don Hanson, BFRAP, CDBC, CPDT-KA 1653 Union St., Bangor, ME | 207-945-6841 donh@greenacrekennel.com | greenacreskennel.com

Mallory Hattie, CPDT-KA 207-642-3693 | raisingcaninemaine.com raisingcanine@roadrunner.com

Canine Insights, LLC

Mr. Dog Training

Salty Dogs Obedience & Adventure

%UHDQQD 1RUULV 3LWWVÂżHOG 0( 207-487-1361 | Breanna.gn@gmail.com facebook.com/pg/CanineInsights

Sara Sokol | 270 State Rd., West Bath, ME 207-798-1232 | info@mrdogtraining.com mrdogtraining.com

Whitney Thurston, Blue Hill, ME saltydogsobedience.com

Center for Canine Excellence

Oh My Dog!

Lisa Walker, Freeport, ME 207-653-0993 | lisa@centerforcanineexcellence.com centerforcanineexcellence.com

Annette MacNair, Camden, ME 207-542-1843 | Annette@ohdog.us | ohdog.us

Liz Langham, BS, MS 239 Mountfort Rd., North Yarmouth, ME 207-837-1613 treefrogfarm@gmail.com treefrogfarmdogtraining.com

Gooddogz Training

Diana Logan, CPDT-KA, North Yarmouth, ME 207-252-9352 | dianalogan.com

Nancy Freedman-Smith, CDBC, CBATI Portland, ME | 207-671-2522 | gooddogztraining.com

Pet Connection Dog Training

Tree Frog Farm Dog Training

If you would like to take part in a future ad, please email donh@greenacreskennel.com.

Downeast Dog News

Cold Weather and Holiday Tips for Pets Like it or not, winter is coming, and we need to consider how this change in seasons aďŹ&#x20AC;ects our pets. Dealing with the Cold, Snow, and Ice â&#x20AC;˘ Once the temperature drops below 20 degrees, it is me to bring our pets inside with us. When they are out, make sure your pets are not exposed to the cold for extended periods of me. Be aware that the wind chill aďŹ&#x20AC;ects your pet just like it aďŹ&#x20AC;ects you. â&#x20AC;˘ Shorter haired dogs or dogs acclimated to warmer climates may need a coat to stay comfortable when it gets cold outside. â&#x20AC;˘ When your dog is outdoors, make sure it has access to adequate shelter at all mes. Dog houses should be posi oned or designed such that the wind does not blow through the door into the house. â&#x20AC;˘ If your pet is outdoors, make sure it always has access to fresh water. If the temperature drops below freezing, you will need a heater for his water bowl. Snow is not an acceptable subs tute! â&#x20AC;˘ When your pet is indoors, make sure it has a warm, dry spot that is away from dra s. Tile ďŹ&#x201A;oors and uncarpeted areas may become cold

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

and uncomfortable. â&#x20AC;˘ If you have a long-haired pet, make sure you keep it groomed and free of mats and tangles. While long

hair will act as an insulator, it loses its insula ng proper es when it becomes ma ed. â&#x20AC;˘ If your pet has long hair on its feet or in between its pads, you may want to have your groomer cut that hair short, so it does not accumulate snow when your pet is outdoors. â&#x20AC;˘ If your pet is out in the cold a great deal, you may want to increase the amount you feed it as it will be expending addi onal calories to stay warm. â&#x20AC;˘ If your pet gets wet in the rain or snow, dry it oďŹ&#x20AC; with a towel when it comes back inside. â&#x20AC;˘ If your pet has been walking on areas that have been treated with salt or any deicer, wipe its feet and pads with a damp cloth. You may want to consider using one of the products for mel ng ice that is safe for pets. â&#x20AC;˘ Leaving your pet in a car can be just as problema c in the winter me as it is in the summer. If you leave the motor running, always leave a window par ally open in case you have an exhaust leak. â&#x20AC;˘ Be careful if your pet has access to frozen ponds or streams. It can slip and fall in, or the ice can break, and it can fall in. â&#x20AC;˘ Crusty snow and ice can have sharp edges that can cut the skin and

pads of some of the thinner skinned breeds. Other Seasonal Hazards â&#x20AC;˘ An freeze, which o en collects on driveways and roadways, is highly poisonous. Although it may smell and taste good to your pet, it can be lethal. â&#x20AC;˘ Be very careful of supplemental hea ng sources, especially those with a ďŹ&#x201A;ame. Fireplaces and portable heaters can severely burn your pet. Make sure all ďŹ replaces have screens and keep portable heaters out of reach. â&#x20AC;˘ Make sure your wood is stacked securely so that your pet cannot cause it to fall over. â&#x20AC;˘ Be aware that cats o en will crawl into an engine compartment of a vehicle to keep warm. Slap your hood before star ng your car in the morning. â&#x20AC;˘ Like people, pets seem to be more suscep ble to illnesses in the winter. Do take your pet to a veterinarian if you see any suspicious symptoms. â&#x20AC;˘ Don't use over-the-counter medica ons on your dog without ďŹ rst consul ng with your veterinarian. For ps on pets speciďŹ c to the holidays, check my blog at www. words-woofs-meows.com.

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 ďŹ ed Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC), Associate Cer ďŹ ed Cat Behavior Consultant (ACCBC) and a Cer ďŹ ed 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. He is commi ed to pet care and pet training that is free of pain, force, and fear. The opinions in this column are those of Don Hanson.

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â&#x20AC;˘ A full-body workout; a 20 minute swim = a brisk 4 mile walk â&#x20AC;˘ Improved range of motion, cardio health and muscle strength â&#x20AC;˘ Improved blood ďŹ&#x201A;ow nourishing joints â&#x20AC;˘ CertiďŹ ed canine swim coach to assist See what people say about us on Facebook.

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Why gift a pet portrait? Because your pet and your memories are worth it! Gift certiďŹ cates available.

207-356-2353 | bffpetphotos.com | deb@bffpetphotos.com Named Bangorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Best Pet Photographer 2014â&#x20AC;&#x201C;17

November 2017

The Nose Knows! By Marcia Welch

I have good news for dogs and their people this month! While many people enjoy the sport of tracking or engage in the prac ce and work of Search & Rescue, which u lizes the dog’s ability to iden fy and follow a specific track or trail human scent, there is another fun ac vity to enjoy with your dog which engages the same unique scen ng ability and hones your ability to observe and interpret your dog’s body language as well! Canine “Nosework” or “Scentwork” is an ac vity in which most dogs can par cipate regardless of size, temperament, age, and physical abili es. It is an ac vity in which most humans can also par cipate! The ac vity can take place in a rela vely small area at home. There is no need to pack up the dog, find a tracking partner to lay track, drive to a large field, and devote large blocks of me to the ac vity. While admi edly lacking the health benefits of spending an en re day or half-day outdoors in the fresh air, many of us simply do not have so many leisure hours available. It might be exci ng to find a new ac vity that you can easily share with your dog. Nosework can be enjoyed in any weather and in any season. One of the things which might make this ac vity even more a rac ve at this me is that you and your dog can almost completely avoid exposure to TICKS (in areas outdoors where cks

breed & thrive) which carry a wide variety of serious illnesses should you or your dog receive a bite from an infected ck. We humans know li le about the mysteries of scent. Our dogs can take us on an amazing journey into their world through the use of a highly developed, sensi ve instrument, THE NOSE! A dog’s sense of smell is 10,000 to 100,000 mes more acute than a human’s. The ac vity of Nosework is based on the work of professional detec on dogs and can be described as the “sport” form of canine detec on work (bomb detec on and drug sniﬃng dogs). It is a way to allow your dog to use his/ her strongest natural sense as you and your dog have fun while building and strengthening the rela onship which you already enjoy together. In many of our mutual ac vi es with our dogs, we teach them to do things requiring their a en on to be focused on us as we direct/cue them to perform certain tasks for which they have been trained. In Nosework, quite the opposite is true! We want to encourage our dogs to work independently, allowing us to enjoy just watching our dogs do what comes naturally. SNIFF and HUNT! In the ini al stage of training, we encourage the dog’s desire to hunt. We further encourage and reinforce this desire by placing yummy food in simple cardboard boxes for the dogs to locate by sniﬃng. As they begin to understand “the game”, we increase the challenges and present “puzzles” for the dogs to solve by increasing

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the number of boxes. Addi onally, in terms of loca on, the target box with the food may be placed in, under, beside, behind, or on top of other objects. This helps the dog to learn to “generalize” and also to learn to stay at the container with the food in it, indica ng that it has found the “source” which in turn prompts the human to reinforce with more food for a longer period of me. The next stage of training includes “pairing” the food with a specific odor (the essen al oil of Birch, Anise, Clove, and some mes, Cypress on a co on swab which has been impregnated with one of these odors.) Birch is introduced as the first odor. We gradually diminish the quan ty of food in the box WITH the odor and begin to move the co on swab to a small container which can then be moved to various other loca ons. If the dog has difficulty making the transi on from food to odor, we go back a step and con nue to “pair” as long as necessary to be sure the dog has a good, strong, founda on - moving forward in training to address the various, increasing levels of difficulty in the “hides”. Once the dog has confidently moved to “odor”, it is CRITICAL for the human member of the team to con nue to deliver PLENTY of reinforcement for finding the odor! (My students o en hear me say, when their dogs locate a hide “Over the moon with your reinforcement!! Over the moon!!”) Good trainers are generous! A behavior that is reinforced will be repeated. The dogs soon learn to stay at the “source” because it is so rewarding and will develop a “tell” or an “alert” that they have found it, some mes just standing at the loca on of the “source”, or touching with their noses, or turning to look at their handlers, or one of MANY more types of alerts. As important as iden fying the dog’s behavior when it has located the “source” is, the me prior to that, when the handler must learn to “read” his dog is equally, if not more important - to observe changes in sniffing behavior during a search, indica ng they are “in odor” (have picked up the odor and are near it). The dog’s head may raise or lower. The rate of speed at which the dog is moving may change. This is when you truly begin

to develop a fun partnership with your dog and sharpen your ability to “listen” to what your dog is telling you! When the dog is confidently searching for odor, the container with the cotton swab can be placed in many different locations: Indoors (Interior Hides), Outdoors (Exterior Hides), in Containers, on Vehicles. There are many different organiza ons which offer the opportunity for compe on in this sport. The Na onal Associa on of Canine Scent Work has one program. The American Kennel Club has developed a Scentwork Program. The programs are quite similar with some varia ons, but what they both have in common is that Nosework is just plain FUN for Everyone! You may want to try it. All you need to get started is a capable instructor, a couple of boxes, a few treats, and a dog with a nose made for sniffing! You can look for classes in your area to help you and your dog learn more about this ac vity! Marcia Welch, Owner of Posi vely Best Friends Dog Training LLC, Canine Ac vity Center in Edgecomb, Maine, has been helping people develop and nurture their rela onships with their canine companions for over 20 years in the Midcoast area. She has been teaching Canine Nosework classes for many years a er studying with the Founders of NACSW when they brought the sport from California to the Northeast. FMI or to view other classes available: www. posi velybes riends.com.

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America's VetDogs Come to Maine If you happen watch the TODAY Show you may have seen Charlie, TODAY’s “Puppy with a Purpose.” Charlie is training to be a service dog through a program called America’s VetDogs, in hopes that one day he will be matched up with a veteran in need of his assistance. In 2013, America's VetDogs became the second assistance dog school in the United States to be cer ﬁed by the Interna onal Guide Dog Federa on and Assistance Dogs Interna onal. It is their mission to enhance the lives of disabled U.S. veterans, ac ve duty service members, and ﬁrst responders by renewing their independence and dignity with the help of their very own service dog. One program provided by AVD is their Prison Puppy Program of which the Maine State Prison, located in Warren, has just become their thirteenth member. This program is considered to be a veterans helping veterans program where incarcerated veterans will help train puppies who will one day move on to assist one of America’s heroes. These dogs are trained to assist people with physical disabili es, combat related PTSD, hearing impairment, and some will become guide dogs for the blind or seizure response dogs. They also train facility dogs which are trained like a service dog but will go on to military hospitals and rehabs to help pa ents with their recovery.

The puppies begin their 7 hour journey to Maine from the AVD campus located in Smithtown, New York. Once they arrive at the prison, they will be matched up with a primary and secondary handler. Both will receive 2-3 hours of training each week from a professional trainer who will teach them basic obedience, as well as service dog tasks. The inmates selected to become handlers must ﬁrst undergo a thorough screening conducted by a team of social workers, case managers, program staﬀ, etc. All candidates must have an excep onal behavior record. Honorably discharged veterans will be given preference.

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The puppies arrive when they are 8 weeks old and will stay in the cell with their handler and accompany them throughout their day for the next 14 to 15 months. AVD will provide them with the necessary provisions including their own crate. Since they are dealing with puppies, special protocols are put in place to accommodate such things as 2 AM bathroom breaks. According to Sheila O’Brien, Director of External Rela ons, Program Development and Quality Assurance at America’s VetDogs, the puppies thrive in prison because everything in prison is scheduled, and it provides these youngsters with a structured learning environment. Of course as we know, the world outside of prison is not so structured and some mes our busy lives may delay a meal me. They also need to learn social skills and house manners, be exposed to car rides, and noises. This brings in the second part of the team, Weekend Puppy Raisers.

Weekend Puppy Raisers are volunteers from the community who will pick up the puppy on Friday and bring him back to the prison on Sunday. This is to expose the puppies to things they will encounter outside of prison and teach them that the world is not so ins tu onalized. Once the puppies have completed their training at the prison it’s now me to return to New York where they will receive another 3 months of training with a professional trainer before being matched up with a veteran. At this me America’s VetDogs ﬂies the veteran to New York and provides them with accommoda ons for a two week period where they will receive, in a sense, their own training before returning home with their new companion. While the overall cost to breed, train, and place one of these dogs is about $60,000, these services are provided to the veteran free of charge. Funding is raised en rely by the America’s VetDogs organiza on with the help of individuals, corpora ons, founda ons, etc. They do not receive state or federal funding. This program is a win-win for all involved. Thanks to the help of the prisoners, it cuts the training me in half and allows for more service dogs to be provided to injured veterans in a shorter meframe. It gives the inmates the opportunity to give back to a fellow veteran while learning valuable dog training skills, and it has also been reported to create a calmer environment within the correc onal facili es. If you would like to learn more about the programs provided by America’s VetDogs or perhaps become a Weekend Puppy Raiser, please visit www.vetdogs.org.

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November 2017

Rescue

of the

Month

RESCUE OF THE MONTH: ANIMAL RESCUE OF KENNEBEC Rescuing & Rehoming Animals into Nurturing Homes By Susan Spisak

mber Creswell, President of the Animal Rescue of Kennebec (ARK), a non-profit founded in 2013 with the mission of rescuing, rehabilitating, and placing orphaned animals in a loving home environment, has two favorite success stories, but she admits sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s biased. The first is that of Pacino. (Not for actor Al Pacino, even though his nickname is spelled the same. He is from of a litter of pups all given coffee monikers--heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cappuccino.) He was found in South Carolina-hiding and fearful of rescuers. He was lured from his spot by another dog and brought to safety. He, like ARKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s other southern dogs, was vetted and fostered there before being professionally transported to Maine. Amber first met the dog at the vet clinic where she was working at the time. (She is a licensed vet tech now employed at The Maine Veterinary Medical Center in Scarborough.) Told to be careful with the skittish dog, she picked him up and he licked her face. She wanted to adopt him, but her boyfriend, Ben Black, reminded her that they had their own dogs and also quarantined and fostered ARK rescues. Pacino was adopted, but he was returned to the rescue--as it was meant to be. The ARK president at the time, Natalie Patterson, messaged Amber writing, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Back.â&#x20AC;? As serendipity would have it, Natalie took him to the clinic for vetting and ran into Amber. Pacino, usually reserved, went right to her. Natalie exclaimed, â&#x20AC;&#x153;You are his person.â&#x20AC;? Natalie and Ben adopted him in 2015. Her second favorite success

story is that of Jake, a Pit Bull also rescued from South Carolina. ARK found him a home, but his adopter decided he was too high energy, so Amber fostered the returned boy. This is where the story gets inspiring and goose-bump worthy. Apparently Jake was the dog used to lure Pacino from his hiding spot in South Carolina. They came to Maine on separate transports, and when they met up at Amberâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, she believes that they remembered each other. But Jake was very frightened, too. Pacino got busy and showed him the ropes of life in Maine, including how to jump into his foster momâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s SUV. Amber and Ben couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t part with Jake, and they adopted him in late 2016. The dogs are best buds, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more than that for Amber. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I like to think that Jake rescued Pacino in the beginning, and Pacino came back and rescued him.â&#x20AC;? So it goes in the world of rescue-heartwarming stories to offset the sad ones which is why there are so many great people out there like Amber, the ARK board, and their volunteers. ARK not only rescues dogs from southern states (especially those in high-kill shelters), but they accept Maine relinquishments and rescue local stray cats. ARK relies on Facebook to cultivate relationships with reliable and trustworthy southern contacts (Amberâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s involved, but she credits Natalie with building many connections). Thanks to tagging, sharing, and cross-posting, the need for fosters and southern volunteers â&#x20AC;&#x153;travels very fast and far with Facebook.â&#x20AC;? For more info on ARK and to volunteer, donate, or to see all their adoptables, visit arkofmaine.org.

EVELYN

TAWANDA 10 weeks, Pit Bull Mix Coming to Maine October 28th. Both lovable and sweet cuddlers. Please contact Animal Rescue of Kennebec directly at ambercreswell.ark@gmail.com.