2020 December Downeast Dog News by Jennifer Rich / Wendi Smith

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‘Tis the Season

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Volume 15 • Issue 12 • DECEMBER 2020

By Susan Spisak

on’t let the holiday season overwhelm you. If you have canineloving friends and family members on your list, gear gifting towards that passion can’t go wrong. Visit Maine’s fabulous pet retailers and their online websites to find presents sure to please. But before you make your final list and check it twice, here are a few suggestions and traditions from merchants to inspire. Don Hanson, ACCBC, BFRAP, CDBC, CPDT-KA, President and Co-Owner of Green Acres Kennel Shop in Bangor with his wife, Paula Hanson, says some of his popular choices are toys. “We have everything from chewables to soft squeaky toys. In the latter category, a toy that has stood the test of time is the Hedgehog.” (They grunt and come in various sizes.) Smoked bones that they sell are a hit and have a benefit for owners. “They keep the dogs occupied while you're cooking, eating, and even through opening gifts unless you're

See ‘Tis the Season on page 5

Inside

2 Hot Dog News

6 Basic

Training Tips

8 &9

Happy Pawlidays!

12 & 13 Dogs for Adoption

DowneastDogNews.com

Calendar of events

Hot Dog News

Good News About Grain-Free Foods-Confusion Reigns Over the Cause of DCM By Don Hanson, ACCBC, BFRAP, CDBC, CPDT-KA

all Iover n July of 2018, grain-free pet foods and a disorder called DCM (Dilated Cardiomyopathy) in dogs were the news for many weeks. A small group of veterinarians and the FDA held a press conference

announcing a surge in reported cases of DCM. They attributed the increase due to grain-free pet foods. Yet, at the same time, one of the veterinarians involved seemed also to implicate dog food made with exotic proteins by "boutique pet food companies." The media circus continued for months, causing panic among pet parents and the pet food industry. When this all started, animal nutritionists I trust were saying the FDA's conclusions did not add up. There was no evidence to implicate grain-free foods, exotic proteins, or specific types of pet food companies. They indicated that DCM is a very complicated disorder with many factors. It turns out, the people I trusted were correct as now the FDA is saying the same thing. At the end of September, Kansas State University held a scientific forum to discuss DCM and pet food. Information presented at the meeting is just now circulating in the media. I'm still digesting the reports and will write more in the future, but here is the good news from the FDA.

"The agency concluded that there is nothing inherently unsafe about a grain-free diet." "Evidence shows that the absence of grains in a dog's diet is not linked to the development of DCM, as the presence of grains in a dog's diet does not prevent against DCM. We hope this brings clarity to pet lovers and gives them the confidence and trust to select the best diet for their dogs. " Additionally, there is no evidence to implicate "exotic proteins" or "boutique pet food companies" as contributing to DCM. Suppose you were previously feeding dog food without grain or one with exotic proteins or dog food made by a small, family-owned pet food company. In that case, you can feel safe feeding it again. If you have a dog with DCM or are concerned about DCM, here is the bad news. "The results show that DCM is a multifactorial issue with potential variables including, but not limited to, breed, age, weight, gastrointestinal disease, atopy, infection, and more." In other words, as many animal nutritionists were saying as early as July 2018, the FDA was off on a wild goose chase. Sadly, much more research needs to be done to help dogs with DCM, and based on what I've been reading, much of the research in the past two years may have been a waste of time. I hope I am wrong, as losing a pet to DCM is something no one wants. Tragically, there is worse news for all of us. At the September conference, it was stated, "Nevertheless, these observations must be subject to rigorous scientific investigation before conclusions are made." Which is exactly what did NOT happen before the press conference in July 2018. The FDA should know better and realize they need to do some serious work on their reputation.

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Sarah Lescault Earns Her Dog Training Certification Sarah Lescault, Assistant Trainer

at PupStart Day School for Puppies in North Yarmouth since 2015, recently earned her dog training certification, joining 27 other Certified Professional Dog Trainers, KnowledgeAssessed, in Maine. The test requires indepth knowledge of instruction skills, learning theory, ethology, equipment and animal husbandry. CPDTKAs are required to continue earning CEUs in order to remain certified. Sarah has been a driving force in helping to develop PupStart into the innovative, vibrant and exceptional program that it is today. She says that fully embracing the philosophy of positive reinforcement training has influenced her life and how she interacts with not just dogs, but people, too. Sarah’s knowledge, creativity, intelligence, dedication, patience and kindness weave together to make her a gifted and talented dog trainer. Congratulations, Sarah! Guiding principles for trainers: https://apdt.com/membercertificantannouncement/?highlight=IAABC

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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 NVDesigns • Nicole Vanorse Advertising Jenn Rich 207-706-6765 jenn@downeastdognews.com

President Wendi Smith Parent & Publishing Company Maine Pet News LLC Our Goals

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From the Publisher Dear Dog News Readers, The holidays are upon us. I hope you had a pleasant and safe Thanksgiving. This has been a year of challenges and finding new ways to navigate through our personal and professional lives and keep each other safe. Miss Pepper helps keep us entertained. I have a friend who lives with us, and Pepper has now included her in her morning sock parade. During certain times of the year, the door to Jess’s room doesn’t stay latched so it can be pushed open and Pepper busts in there to steal socks in the morning. The only problem is that the door swings shut behind her, so then Jess has to let her out. Apparently, some mornings she goes in 2 or 3 times because she isn’t satisfied with her assortment. If she can find one, she will include a sock or two of mine plus a toy. Sometimes she takes them up to our bedroom, and sometimes they end up in the living room. Every so often I have to run around and gather up all of the socks. If you are missing a sock around here, we don’t blame it on the dryer! I have mentioned before that I am always curious as to which foods are more desirable to Pepper. Now I don’t know if this is a matter of preference or Pepper just being clever. The other night I gave her an “ice cream” which she then took to the living room to her bed to devour. Directly after, I opened a rotisserie chicken container, something we haven’t had recently but that she fully recognizes. I could see the struggle between OMG do I go to the kitchen and standby for chicken or do I keep eating my ice cream. So, she picked up her ice cream and carried it to the kitchen, dropped it at the door, and sat next to me, all eyes on the chicken. We put the ice cream back in the freezer until the chicken got put away. I have also realized that I am stricter with what I feed Pepper than what I feed myself. I want to prolong her life, but why can’t I do the same for myself? One day I was making a sandwich and I passed Pepper a piece of lettuce, and I marveled at the fact that I have a dog that eats lettuce among many other fruits and veggies, even kale, something many humans won’t eat. This week I have been trying to remind myself of this and think “would I feed this to Pepper?” Of course, Pepper is a dog, and we do have slightly different diets! For years now I have thought about dressing Pepper up as a doctor for Halloween, so she could be Dr. Pepper. This year I finally made that idea come to fruition. She only had to wear it long enough for me to snap a few photos. It was a little tight in the armpits because it was a child’s costume. She sure was cute though! If I were to put it on her again, I would need to make some modifications for comfort, but I left it in tact for now in case I wish to pass it on to a child who doesn’t mind wearing a costume worn by a dog for about 5 minutes. Ha! We wish you all a happy holiday and winter season to come! Please stay safe and make sure you still exercise your bodies and your minds (dogs and people). Remember to be kind to one another. The next time you read this it will be 2021! Warmest wishes, Jenn and Pepper

“Do your little bit of good where you are; it's those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.” ― Desmond Tutu

Dog of the Month!

Maine Pet News, LLC P.O. Box 1076 Camden, ME 04843-1076 Phone: 207-706-6765 jenn@downeastdognews.com www.downeastdognews.com

Stevie

Stevie Bourne is a 6 year old rescue dog from Alabama. His family thinks he is a Beagle Dachshund mix, they call him a Doxle. He moved to Maine when he was three years old thanks to a rescue based in Bath Maine. He loves snuggling with his Mom, Dad and human Sister. He also lives with his canine sister Lila, three cats, three fish and a flock of chickens and ducks. He is a very good boy!

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

If you read this column monthly,

thank you! It means you know that I’ve been living with only cats as pets for a few years now, and I’ve missed the companionship that comes from having a dog. My son is a freshman in high school and has been begging me to get one. He plays football, hockey, and baseball, and I feel like I spend a lot of my time shuttling him around or cheering him on. With some restrictions in place, he’s traveling less, and most of his activities are closer to home, which has been quite nice! I have also been on the road less for work and no longer have my office in North Conway. You know what that means? WE’RE GETTING A DOG!!!! For the past month, I have searched all the rescues that I love and support. The Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland, Animal Welfare Society in Kennebunk, Lucky Pup Rescue, and Harvest Hills were all part my nightly queries. In case you didn’t know, when people were told to stay home in March, they started collecting dogs! Well, maybe not collecting, but there aren’t a whole lot available at the moment. Yes, I still have two cats, so a dog would have to be cat friendly. The dog needs to play well with others, and one that could quietly snooze or chill as I did phone readings because as much as I can think and talk over

How to Keep My Dog Fit in Winter? Q. Last winter my dog gained a lot of weight. By spring, he had trouble walking and panted a lot. How can I prevent this from happening again this year?

Furry Words

by Sara Moore

www.enlightenedhorizons.com

the sound of YOUR dog barking, if it were mine, I think I’d lose my mind. My son really had his sights set on a Golden Retriever, so my next line of inquiries included breeders I trusted, but they didn’t have any upcoming litters. After that, it was like Facebook was taunting me by flashing images of some of my friends welcoming their eight-weekold Labrador pups home. I asked each of them where they got their sweet babies, but none of the ones I researched clicked for me, so I

Ask the Vet…

by Dr. Judith Herman

A. It is natural in cold climates

to put on a little weight in the winter to keep warm. Too much weight and not enough activity can bring on symptoms of pain and sets your dog up for chronic disease. The three topics for a healthy winter are weight management, safe exercise, and mental health. I will begin with weight management. The holidays are coming, which includes extra treats around the house. Though with COVID we will not be having the family gatherings and parties as years before, we will be celebrating in our own way. A few changes happen in winter to cause weight gain. First, in bad weather your dog’s activity decreases because of shorter days, fewer opportunities to exercise, and bad weather. Second is the added volume of calories in snacks from the table or counter, toddlers sharing their food, and not changing the volume of dog food at mealtime. I am not a proponent of diet dog food, but I do recommend volume control and supplementing

with fresh food. If you know your dog gains weight each year, then cut back on the amount of food you feed per day. On the average a cup of kibble is plenty for a 20 to 30-pound dog depending on activity. So, an active adult whose normal weight is 40 pounds would get 2 cups per day. A 40-pound couch potato would get 1 1/2 cups. A reminder: these are guidelines just like the recommendations on the bag. You need to adjust the amount of food to your dog’s ideal weight and activity. This is without any treats, tastes, or stolen snacks. Realistically, we would change this for our 40-pound average dog to one cup kibble and a half a cup of snacks and treats. That lick of ice cream or cleaning out the cereal bowl adds up.

assured my son when the time was right, the perfect dog would appear. Two nights ago, I was chatting online with a friend I made through the dog show world. She breeds, trains, and shows Labrador Retrievers. She is an amazing person and seems to easily manage a house full of dogs. I swear she uses magic, but I’ll never really know. I will say that in my ten plus years as an animal communicator I have met shady breeders that are driven by greed and then I’ve met some wonderfully kind, gentle breeders whom I completely respect. I was doing a reading for one of her dogs that had been sent to live with someone but seemed to shut down over the course of two months. He had lost weight, looked and acted depressed and it was clear it wasn’t the right home for him. She had brought him back into her home and was just checking in to see if he was happier and knew that he was loved and safe. He answered yes to both questions, much to her relief! Before I signed off, I told her that we were looking for a dog and to please let me know if she heard of any. She asked what kind, and I said that any happy, peaceful, gentle, loving, and healthy one would do! She asked if we’d be open to a chocolate lab. Sure. Maybe a five-year-old chocolate lab. Sure. Maybe the one she immediately sent

me a picture of? Wait. What was happening?! Did the perfect dog just appear?! It sure did! I pick her up in five days, and I’ve spent my free time getting everything I need for her arrival. Dog crate, collar, and leash (matching the color she uses at my friend’s), a pretty collar and leash that maybe she’ll love once she settles in, dog food, treats, flexi lead with a flashlight and poop bag clip for the late night outs (I’m really not a flexi lead fan, but there is a time and place I guess), food bowl, water dish, car seat protector, and probably some other things I’m forgetting! Shoot! I have to get her a tag with my information on it, get her licensed, transfer her records to my vet, warn the cats, find a safe place for the cat litter, and get my legs ready for daily walks. My heart is so happy, and I can’t wait to share this journey with you! Stay tuned for the update and how she does on her first month with us. Until then, be safe, be kind, and enjoy your Thanksgiving!

Guardians who feed kibble need to remember that kibble is high in carbohydrates. This is how the food stays in kibble form. Just like us, if you eat a high carbohydrate diet and you don’t burn it off, the excess goes into fat. For my kibble clients, I will suggest exchanging a third of the kibble for fresh food. When cooking dinner save a portion of the meat without sauces and seasoning for Fido. You can save some veggies too. So, our couch potato will get a half a cup of meat and veggies and a cup of kibble. If you are giving snacks during cooking, remember that counts. How do you exercise your best friend safely in the winter? If it is a nice day but cold, there are all types of dog coats out there. They have raincoats too. Find the thickness that makes your dog comfortable. Some dogs love the cold and don’t need a coat, but there is a concern with their feet. Feet can be cut on ice and the salt on the road can cause dermatitis. There are several brands of boots you can buy for your dog. You do have to train your dog to walk in them. If you have a furry pawed companion, then you need to trim the fur around the feet, so snow, ice and debris doesn’t get caught up in the fur. When you hike or snowshoe in the woods, snow will ball up in between the toes and can cause toe injuries. Don’t shave the fur out between the toes but trim it short. Healthy fur between the toes helps protect the feet. There is a product called Musher’s

Secret which keeps the snow from balling up on the feet. An unfit dog allowed to bound through the snow and ice is setting him up for joint sprains, strains, and damage. Shovel or snowplow a path around the backyard so your dog can run freely. When you are out in the woods, remember it takes more energy to move through the snow than on an autumn walk. Your dog doesn’t sweat so bring lots of water. Go on short walks to start and over the winter you can lengthen them. On those bad days when you can’t go out and Fido is bouncing off the walls, there are lots of things you can do to bring sanity and fitness into his life. In other articles I have talked about the benefits of nose work. This mental activity will tire your dog out in a good way. Remember food rewards still counts as calories in. The last thing I want to mention is core fitness. Like people, this activity is done in short sessions. It strengthens our dog’s muscles and improves balance and body awareness to prevent injury and stay fit. It also tires him out. There are lots of videos out there on how to do this. I also want to mention that Power Up K9, here in Maine, is doing zoom classes. You can check out her website for details. Have a fun and safe winter. After all, we do live in Maine.

Sara Moore currently offers long distance readings over the phone or FaceTime. You can learn more at www.enlightenedhorizons. com and follow her on Facebook at Sara Moore Enlightened Horizons. All information given in a reading is not a replacement for licensed veterinary care.

Judith K. Herman, DVM, CVH Animal Wellness Center Augusta, Maine www.mainehomeopahticvet.com

Downeast Dog News

‘Tis the Season from page 1 like my friend's dog, Lizzie, who loves to help open every single gift.” Gift cards are nice, especially if relatives need accessories for their new pets. He adds, “Over the years, many clients have purchased training specific gift cards as a way of offering a subtle hint to family members to work on the relationship with their dogs.” He also carries A Kids’ Comprehensive Guide to Speaking Dog! by Niki Tudge – he believes it is an important tool for all canine owners whether they have kids or not. The Hanson pets look forward to the season. “Both Muppy (a 9-yearold Cocker Spaniel/Terrier mix) and Boomer (a domestic shorthair cat) are working on their list for Santa Paws… Muppy's all about a nicely written letter with a promise of cookies for Santa, and Boomer's more into emailing the Jolly Elf. Typically, Boomer ends up with some yummy treats and toys, some filled with catnip. Muppy's also big on toys, chewables, and treats. She just had to replace a collar, so I suspect that will be on this year's list as well. She does like to be fashionable.” Visit greenacreskennel.com/. If you are shopping on a budget or looking for “fill in” gifts, Chris Parker, owner of the Pet Pantry in Freeport, recommends theme masks, dog breed socks, and hand towels. If the dog buff on your list avidly jogs with a dog buddy, Parker says reflective orange vests or lighted collars and leads would be welcomed. When you visit his multi-level supply and gift store, check out their bakery goods, too. There’s curbside loading (call ahead with your order at 207-865-6484) and area delivery. For hours and info, petpantry.com/ Don Kingsbury, co-owner of Two Salty Dogs Pet Outfitters in Boothbay Harbor with wife Liana Kingsbury, sells plenty of “Made in Maine” collars. He has a large assortment – you can find one to suit the pickiest person on your list. For the canine-loving chef, consider a solid cherry cutting board (Lab, Golden, Bichon Frise, and Beagle motif). Another popular item is their 16-month Boothbay Harbor Dogs Calendar. “We usually sell out by January 1st, but this year we ordered 100 over what we did last year.” And check out their handwoven lobster line red and blue rope baskets that are good for dog toys or general storage. Kingsbury adds, “Check back if you are bent on other color combinations or

want to chat.” Want a popular stocking stuffer for your own four-legged? “We've been selling a ton of our Brew Bites. It's the most local product we offer.” (Don't worry, these treats that come in three sizes won't get your dog tipsy.) There’s Salty Biscuit treats that come in three flavors and are tested and approved by the Kingsbury’s Auggie, Buddy, Teddy, and Max. For more, twosaltydogs. net/about.html. To read the Kingsbury dog’s often funny, always thoughtful blogs, twosaltydogs.net/max-augs-dogblog.html. (My recent favorite is Max’s Day of the Dogs - Volume I about the foursome’s planned fridge heist of a spiral ham.) Rockland-based Loyal Biscuit Co. are family-owned pet supply boutiques with seven locations. While they carry a large variety of food, treats, and supplies, co-owner (with her husband Joel Neal) Heidi Vanorse Neal has many gift ideas, but one stands out. “I think this year, it is our Gobble Good Box and the Howliday Biscuit Box for Christmas. They are premade healthy meal kits for the holidays.” They’re available online for in-store pick up. “They make a great, quick, easy gift for dog and cat owners.” She also favors two lines with holiday-themed products – Bocce's flavored treats like their Santa S’mores and Huggle Hounds toys, “They are so cute.” (Find at shop.loyalbiscuit. com/products/list/?search=holiday.) New this year is their Super Saving Stocking fundraiser benefitting local area humane societies. “With a $5 donation (through this link only, loyalbiscuit.com/super-savingsstocking), [purchasers] will receive a Loyal Biscuit Company stocking. Preorders in November with in-store pick

Two Salty Dogs Lab Cutting Board

Heidi and Joel Neal with Kevin and Piper

up in December.” (If they’re not sold out, you may still be able to purchase.) When you pick up the stocking, you’ll receive 20% off all items you can stuff into it. The Neal animals are spoiled during this season. “They all get presents of toys and treats, and then the two Pugs get matching Christmas pajamas.” Sometimes they even dress similarly to their parents. “Yes, we are those people,” she admits. If there are the difficult-to-buy for but no-nonsense rescue advocates on your list, donate to a local animal nonprofit in their names. Some shelters have important funds for urgent and specialty veterinary care such as Midcoast Humane’s Columbo Fund. (It is named after rescued pup, Columbo, and was initiated by his mom, Andrea Shaw, to give back.) Note the gesture in a card along with a breed or hobby inspired cap or coffee mug and call it a day. You may feel like you didn’t search for the right gift, but helping an area nonprofit may make it one of their favorites. Debra Bell, owner of Bell's Furry Friends Photography and Bell Imaging & Design LLC sees festive and creative holiday canine attire up close. “I just wrapped up two weekends of holiday pet portraits – my annual fundraiser for the Furry Friends Food Bank. Most folks bring their pets in bandanas or with a fancy collar, but some brought full, color coordinated outfits. They were absolutely adorable.” Because she’s accepting private appointments and following CDC and state guidelines, with all “safe”

protocols implemented, she says her gift cards are a great idea for pet owners or the shoot could be scheduled for springtime, with green grass and flowers as the backdrop. Other great presents that she can help with (that include your personal images) are glass or aluminum ornaments, wall art, aluminum keychains, calendars, and albums. (If you’re submitting pics from another professional photographer, please have a license in hand granting reproduction rights.) visit bellphotostudio.com/ Bell adds this thought on your shopping efforts: “It's so important to buy from local businesses this holiday season. Your local artists, pet stores, and boutiques need support, and want to help you find the most meaningful gift for the people on your holiday list.”

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DECEMBER 2020

Portland Veterinary Emergency .............................. 6 Tender Touch Veterinary ......................................... 7 STATEWIDE & BEYOND Happy Pawlidays Special....................................8 & 9 Patricia Lee Rode Pet Loss Counseling.................... 2 petMAINE .............................................................. 11

The Deferential Equation The Importance of Learning Boundaries

Puppies! So innocent, so cute,

so full of unmitigated joy, such blank slates. Or not… at least not when it comes to “blank slates.” Puppies are surprisingly full of knowledge and replete with genetic programming that predisposes them to think and behave in certain ways even when they come into our homes at a mere 8 weeks of age. They’ve already learned to interpret many patterns in their environment that help them understand the ways of their little worlds. The patterns that become relevant are the ones that contribute to their feeling of safety - physical and emotional - and those which lead to either getting what they want or avoiding what they don’t want. When we see a litter of very young puppies engaged in rough-and-tumble play, we don’t often think how these seemingly inconsequential interactions may influence future interactions with other dogs. Does one puppy tend to slam into another? Is there one particular puppy who always seems to be at the bottom of the puppy pile? Individual characteristics emerge very early in a dog’s life and can affect their long-term development. At 4-7 weeks of age, puppies are interacting with their littermates and learning the subtleties of social interactions. They are also learning

Basic Training Tips

by Diana Logan

some basic manners thanks to Mom (and other adult dogs who may be present). Mom will have begun the weaning process which may be the first time the puppies are denied something they really want. “No” becomes a new but critical concept. Littermates may or may not be effective teachers when it comes to learning what is and what is not acceptable behavior. Boundaries. Rules. Structure. Young puppies need to learn to

respect personal boundaries, whether it’s within their own litter, with other puppies, with adult dogs, or with humans. “Just because I want it doesn’t mean I can have it,” is a lesson each of us needs to learn in order to be good citizens in this world. A puppy will best learn boundaries through the consequences of his behavior: appropriate behavior may gain him what he wants; inappropriate behavior will not. “I see a dog! Yay! I can run over and jump on him!” says the puppy who has never learned boundaries. Later, this same puppy will likely grow into a dog who still feels the same way. It is asking for trouble to enable puppies to practice this rude behavior. The Importance of Adult Dogs in a Puppy’s Life We often hear that puppies need to meet puppy-loving adult dogs so that they learn they are safe around all sizes and ages of dogs. Indeed, this is true, but just as important is having them meet adult dogs who do not want to engage with them and who can appropriately and effectively get the message across that they are not available or that a puppy has committed a civil infraction. Adult dogs are usually better-equipped than puppies when it comes to teaching respect, but we want them to do it with the appropriate intensity in order to avoid traumatizing the puppy. It’s a careful balancing act. A puppy who grows up understanding that not every dog he sees wants to meet him is far easier to live with than a puppy who thinks every dog is his new best friend.

Deference: Yielding to Another’s Wishes An example of deference is turning away from a dog who is standing still (freezing is a signal that an interaction is not welcome) or moving away if a play partner yips or growls. It’s a conversation of body language. Yielding space is a form of deference: in a play situation, both partners should be giving and taking space fairly equally. It takes hundreds of managed interactions with many dogs for a puppy to become well-versed in canine language. Make sure your puppy gets this education. Bullies Hate to be Bullied Whether you are dog or human, this rings true. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” is not a recognized canine concept. Bullying behavior is a common feature in puppies, and it should not go unaddressed, no matter their age. Puppies, like small children, are always testing their boundaries, and if there isn’t anyone around who can let them know exactly where that boundary truly lies, they will not learn how to modulate their own behavior. Interrupt. Redirect. Avoid punishing. We don’t need to punish our dogs for being rude: we just need to make sure they don’t get what they want unless they are polite. If your puppy or dog starts to look like he’s going to cross the line, interrupt him, and give him something else to do. Separate him from the situation if you need to, but do not let him practice the unwanted behavior. “Practice makes perfect” even if it’s unwanted behavior. Happy training!

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

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Downeast Dog News

I am a Carolina Dog, a breed that

long ago owned Native American people. We were designed by natural selection to be so intelligent and physically superior that we survived without human help. My greatgrandfather was caught from the wild. I can offer advice based on the natural instincts and attributes of wild dogs. In addition, my adoptive 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 notions 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 questions! N. Holmes, 280 Pond Rd., Newcastle, ME 04553, or email: askbammy@tidewater.net.

About Snow

It was cold last night. I usually

sleep in my own crate, but I lay awake thinking about Boss’s warm bed. So I got up and said a little chirp to Boss. She lifted up the blankets to make a tunnel for me to burrow in next to her warm body. Warmth and the deliciousness of her scent. What a cold surprise next morning when she opened the door. I stuck my head out and then backed up fast. The ground was mostly white, and I know what that means.

An Advice Column for Dogs by a Dog

Pookah digs for frozen apples N.H. photo

Cold, wet, miserable. Now, I'm not a wimp. But remember, I am a southern gentleman and there's nothing in my background to prepare me to enjoy this outrageous white stuff! My dear old pack-mate, Pookah, seemed to love it. When the door opened to that white stuff – “snow,” Boss called it, - she would go prancing out and run zoomies as if we were going for a walk. Then she'd lie down and roll in it and put her chin down and scoot along with snow going over her head. As Boss and I watched her from the steps,

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she would run back to us and do play-bows to invite me to come and roll in the frigid stuff with her. No way! But she was a wonderful friend, and she showed me some fun things to do in the snow. When we walked in the woods, she would let me run ahead and then she'd lie down in the middle of the trail with her head down. I guess she thought she was invisible, because she couldn't see me, but a big black lump in the middle of the snowy trail? It was SO spooky! A big black lump right where Pookah had just been! I really thought it was Pookah, but with no head. Just a lump. It made my hair stand up from head to tail. Of course I'm a brave Carolina Dog, so I had to go back and meet the

threat. I zig-zagged, slowly, ready to dodge if it charged. When I got pretty close, of course she would jump up, I'd attack her, and we'd chase each other through the woods. One of my favorite snow things was bobbing for apples. I'm not fond of regular apples, but let them turn brown and get nice and hard under the snow, and you've got something worth getting snow in your eyes for. Check it out, you hardy snowdogs! Bammy The Ask Bammy column is intended for humor and entertainment. If your dog has behavioral issues please contact a veterinarian or professional trainer.

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Training Your Performance Dog Agility, Obedience, Tracking by Carolyn Fuhrer Thoughtful Training When You Do It Right – It Works

our job as a trainer/teacher of your dog is to design a learning situation that will encourage success. No one likes failure; your dog included, so do not “teach” your dog to fail. Thinking about how you are going to structure a lesson, what your goals are, and what you will do if it doesn’t go according to plan can

have a tremendous effect on your relationship with your dog. If you want your dog to trust you and look to you for guidance in solving problems, you need to put some thought into your training before you just grab the leash and cookies.

Enthusiasm is great, but can lead to disappointment if it is not purposeful. Don’t overestimate your dog’s abilities. Start with a simple task and build on success. Setting a task which is too difficult and results in failure does not create a good solid foundation to build upon. When structuring a training session, you also want to have a plan regarding what you will do and say if the behavior is not correct. Having a plan of what you will do will help give your dog feedback. The dog must understand if it was right or wrong. Lack of information results in stress and confusion. In order to be successful, you must have a clear mental picture of the behavior you want, and you must be consistent in giving correct information to your dog. If the behavior is correct, you want to consistently reward it, and then you can build upon it. If the behavior is wrong, you must decide if you want your dog to try again or you need to help your dog further by showing what you want. This is where the art of training comes

in. You must understand your dog’s attitude at the moment and whether you want to ask for another try or you need to step in and help. This is not a formula. Environment, success rate, attitude, and mental stamina all should influence your choice. So, whether it be tracking, agility, obedience, or rally, you need to give some careful thought as to how you want to structure your training and what your objective is for each session. Repetitions without structure to enable success will lead to haphazard results and will not create the foundation you need to help your dog thrive and succeed. If you are new to training, it is well worth your time to work with someone who can help you understand your dog and create successful training situations. Thoughtful preplanning will ensure a clearer, less stressful path to success for you and your dog. Happy training!

Carolyn Fuhrer has earned over 125 AKC titles with her Golden Retrievers, including 2 Champion Tracker titles. She has recently become an AKC Tracking Judge. Carolyn is the owner of North Star Dog Training School in Somerville, Maine. She has been teaching people to understand their dogs for over 30 years. You can contact her with questions, suggestions and ideas for her column by e-mailing carolyn@dogsatnorthstar.com.

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Downeast Dog News

Which Are the Best Treats for Dogs? There are three typical reasons

Words, Woofs & Meows

people give their dog treats. In order of importance, they are: 1) as reinforcement or rewards for desired behavior when training, 2) to keep them busy and occupied, and 3) “just because.” These treats are all used for different purposes, so things that will treat “best” will vary depending on how the treat will be used. However, since all treats are meant to be ingested, I recommend looking for these essential qualities in all treats.

by Don Hanson ACCBC, BFRAP, CDBC, CPDT-KA

All Treats Must be Healthy and Nutritious When I give my dog something to eat, I want it to be healthy and benefit them nutritionally. That means I need to be an informed consumer and review the actual ingredients list on a package of treats and not let myself get seduced by the name or images on the packaging. Just like pet food, ingredients for treats must be listed in order by weight. When selecting treats for my dog, I want at least one of the top three ingredients to be a specified meat source. It should say something like turkey, chicken, or beef. Ingredients I avoid include; unidentified meat, poultry, by-products, sugar, propylene glycol, and chemical preservatives such as BHA. I also want to know the number of calories in each treat. Calories are typically reported as “kcal/ treat.” Over 50% of the dogs in America are obese, which is the definition of unhealthy. The average 50-pound dog only needs 700 to 900 calories per day. Some dog biscuits are

photo credit: debra bell

equivalent to a third of a dog’s daily caloric intake and typically include low-quality ingredients, and are mostly carbohydrates. I prefer to give my dog high-quality calories in their food bowl rather than as a low-grade snack. Calories matter. What I Look for in Training Treats My treat bag always contains a variety of five or more different training treats. Some are highvalue, meaning they are very palatable and usually at least ninety-percent meat. Freezedried meat treats are ideal in this

category. I also include many lowervalue treats and many treats that fall somewhere between the two. However, all meet my standards for healthy and nutritious, as noted above. While training treats must be highly palatable, they must also be small, about the size of a pea, so the dog can rapidly consume it. Training is all about rewarding the dog many times for the desired behavior. In a training session, I will typically try to get multiple behaviors per minute. If I need to wait for the dog to consume the treat, it decreases efficiency. It also increases the probability of the dog becoming distracted. Since I may reward the dog ten to twenty-five times in a 5-minute training session, I want the treats to be small to minimize caloric intake. One of the meat treats I frequently use comes out of the package as a 0.75” by 1” rectangle that contains 13 calories. Because the treat is soft, I break it up into 6 to 8 pea-size pieces, limiting calories to 1.6 calories per behavior. Treat companies would love it if I told you to use the entire treat because you would buy more, but you don’t need to. What I Look for in Treats Used to Keep My Dog “Busy” Treats used to keep a dog “busy” should be thought of as snacks. Unlike a training treat, we want these treats to keep our dog engaged so that we can do something we need to do. I still want these treats to meet my healthy and nutritious standards noted above. I will always look closely at the ingredients list.

Products in the snack category include; bully-sticks, pigs’ ears, beef tracheas, and a wide variety of freeze-dried products like chicken, duck, and turkey necks, cod, and salmon skins, and more. Smoked bones and frozen bones are also great, long-lasting snacks. Since all of these products are meant to be consumed and made from natural, non-manufactured ingredients, your dogs need to be supervised until you are confident that they will safely consume these snacks. Also found in this category are No-Hide Chews, a long-lasting, easily digestible chew far safer than rawhides. And a Kong toy stuffed with some of your dog kibble and a dollop of peanut butter can also keep your dog busy. When Tikken was a puppy, a Kong would keep her occupied for up to an hour, after which she would take a long nap. What I Look for in Treats I Give My Dog “Just Because” Some of you might think I’m stingy, but it’s rare I give a dog something edible for no reason at all. There is almost always some level of interaction with me, which makes it a training exercise my dog loves. The treats I use in this case are often in the snack category described above. For many, “Just Because” treats are often dog biscuits or other products made of questionable ingredients. Biscuits can often be too high in calories and carbohydrates, both of which contribute to dog obesity.

Don Hanson is the co-owner of the Green Acres Kennel Shop (greenacreskennel.com) in Bangor where he has been helping people with their pets since 1995. He also produces and co- hosts The Woof Meow Show heard on AM620 -WZON every Saturday at 9 AM. Podcasts of the show are available at www.woofmeowshow.com. Don also writes about pets at his blog: www.words-woofs-meows.com. He is committed 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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DECEMBER 2020

Rescue

of the

Month

Rescue of the Month: Lucky Pup Rescue Finding Safe & Happy Forever Homes By Susan Spisak

situation change. His dad passed away, and his mom entered an assisted living facility. The rest of their intakes are from two southern partner shelters. The pandemic hampered the transports, but they’ve started rolling again. And adoptions are taking place with safe practices in place. (Home inspections are done via Zoom or with pics. Meet and greets are distanced and outdoors.) Sue, who works as an occupational therapist at RSU21 in Kennebunk, said one of their biggest needs is for foster families. They have 10 active homes and may escalate to 45, but that number is fluid for a variety of reasons. Teachers may foster in the summertime only, parents may foster around children’s activities, or a foster may fall in love with the dog and adopt

Sue Richardson, President of the southern-Maine based Lucky Pup Rescue, shared that the 501(c) (3) nonprofit was founded in 2007 by her friend and colleague, Janet Wendle. Sue came on board almost immediately as a volunteer and then became the President of the Board of Directors eight years ago. Janet’s not as involved today but serves as a consultant, “And we love that,” Sue said. To date, this all-breed fosterbased nonprofit has rehomed 1,900 dogs, with about 50% being local owner surrenders. Often the dog’s relinquished as there is a change in the owner’s life - be it a new baby or a move to a “no pets allowed” building. Lucky, a Lhasa Apso mix, is a recent intake and an example of a home

Jackson, 3 yrs., Boxer Mix

Samantha, 7 yrs., German Shepherd Mix

He has had a long rescue journey. This Boxer mix was found in rural Arkansas with his mom and sib pups by a mailman. He needs a patient and understanding family who is ready to work with the shyest of boys. Jackson would not do well with small children or a lot of people coming and going. He definitely does best in the presence of another dog and a consistent routine. He is very sweet once he gets to know you. He loves to play with toys, run around outside, doesn’t mind felines, and loves dogs.

handle on her.” Lucky Pup placed her in a new home – they were willing to spend additional time on her – and the third time’s proven to be the charm. Fundraising has been tough with the pandemic. “It’s been a challenge,” There was a virtual raffle for a handcrafted fire pit donated by a volunteer. There’s the 5th Annual Adopt-A-Tree Festival from December 1st through the 5th, with tree pick up December 6th. To see their beautiful trees and wreaths for raffle, visit luckypuprescuemaine.org/adopt-atree-festival. For all forms for adopting, fostering, or volunteering, luckypuprescue.org. To make a general donation and see their “Wish List,” visit luckypuprescuemaine. org/donations. Or mail a donation to Lucky Pup Rescue, PO Box 461, Kennebunkport ME 04046.

him. “That’s wonderful, that’s exactly what the dog needed at the time,” she said, meaning the lucky dog found his compatible family. The fosters are crucial to the adoption process. These individuals and families work on house manners, guidance, confidence building, and initial training. Dogs are showered with TLC and can decompress if necessary. The foster family provides personality and behavior assessments on the dog in their care, so the best forever match is made. If a dog is having difficulty, Lucky Pup Rescue utilizes to a certified trainer for additional assistance. (They call on Kristen Potter in Montville.) Sue said cattle dog Maggie had been adopted and returned twice. Maggie saw Kristen regularly for an extended period, and she was able to “get a

She is regal and gorgeous. She was adopted through our rescue but recently returned because of her protective behavior over her house and humans. She is working with a trainer currently who agrees a Shepherd-experienced home would be perfect for her. She is alert, vigilant and doesn’t miss a thing! Samantha greets new dogs appropriately - but isn’t a good fit with cats nor chickens. Older children would be best for her or an adult-only home. Samantha benefits from a medium level of exercise but is no couch potato. She’s eager to please, isn’t a barker, responds to correction, is affectionate once she gets to know you.

Chance, 18 mos., Lab Mix A bouncy yellow lab mix who might be perfect for a runner, or a hiker. With some training he could be an energetic sporting dog. Chance is learning all the time – basic commands, manners etc. He loves to play and loves other dogs but can be too much for some. A strong leader will have to help him with boundaries. He still has some puppyish behaviors so we think older kids or an adult-only home will work best. His rescuers thought he would be too much for cats or other small animals. He does well in his crate and rides well in the car and is treat motivated.

Visit luckypuprescuemaine.org, click on “adoptable dogs” for more info.

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Downeast Dog News

Dogs for Adoption View more available dogs on our website, downeastdognews.com. See a dog you like, but don't have a computer? Call Jenn to help you reach the rescue: (207) 706-6765

Most rescues are showing dogs by appointment only right now. Please visit their website or give them a call if interested in one of these dogs. Horace

6 yrs., Mixed Breed

He was rescued from a hoarding situation. He gets along with all other dogs & would love to live with another dog! Cats and children are an unknown. He is a little shy but connected quickly with his foster family. He just needs a little patience & lots of love! FMI: http://almosthomerescue.net/

Amelia

Rescued from a hoarder, Amelia is trying to figure out how to be a puppy. She needs a patient adopter who will make sure she gets training and exercise. She is very loving to people but doesn’t really like other dogs. FMI: http://almosthomerescue.net/