2024 January Downeast Dog News by Jennifer Rich / Wendi Smith

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Volume 19 • Issue 1 • JANUARY 2024

Fairfield, a Pet Detective By Susan Spisak

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y day, Loretta Morse Leighton is a Midcoast Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with the goal of helping her patients. In her off-hours, Loretta and her 2-yearold Border Collie, Fairfield, hit the scent trails to find missing dogs--she guesses she’s searched for about forty. She also searches for cats, goats, ferrets, chickens, and rabbits. “It’s natural for me to be able to help others as I can.” Even if she finds a deceased pet, she said it does provide closure for the owner. The push to this altruistic mission “is kind of mushy,” she said. It came to her a few years ago while she was spending a lot of time with her 88-year-old dad, Kenneth Morse Sr, after he was diagnosed with cancer. “My dad and I were always close,” she explained. So, she spent the next seven weeks with him until he passed, chatting, reflecting on life, journaling, and recording these

See FAIRFIELD on page 5

INSIDE 6 2 Hot Dog News

Basic Training Tips

8&9

Paws to Train

12 & 13

Dogs for Adoption

DOWNEASTDOGNEWS.COM

Calendar of Events

Hot Dog News petMAINE Cover Contest Winner! W

e held a contest this year for our 2024 petMAINE cover photo. We received many wonderful photos to choose from and it was not an easy decision. Congratulations go to Lindsay Parker from Massachusetts who was our winner with her photo of her dog Finn on a visit to Maine. Stay tuned to see Finn's winning photo when our 2024 petMAINE guide comes out in the spring! Thanks to our wonderful sponsors they went home with a gift basket of goodies: A gift certificate for matching human/pup trucker hats from PupLid, a $50 gift certificate to Loyal Biscuit Co., a CoatHook Pet Comb, fun catnip treats from Proxima Design and a fabulous custom decorated dog cookie from Mountain Dog Cookie Co. Keep an eye out in the spring when we will announce our contest for 2025!

See more Hot Dog News on page 15!

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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 Christine Calder Sara Sokol GRAPHIC DESIGN NVDesigns • Nicole Vanorse ADVERTISING Jenn Rich 207-706-6765 jenn@downeastdognews.com

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From the Publisher Dear Dog News Readers, Happy New Year! It’s that time of year when many of us are setting goals for ourselves and we should consider doing the same for our dogs. There is always room for improvement. My goal for Pepper continues to be finding ways to get her enough exercise and mental stimulation. Exercise is sometimes a challenge since she is reactive to other dogs so we can’t just go for a walk in public. The weather has also been challenging this year with so much rain. Her fenced in play area at home has been wet and muddy often and with the warm temps we still need to be careful of ticks in other areas of our yard. Don Hanson’s column addresses pet obesity and is definitely something we all should read. There are many who perceive their dog to be a healthy weight when in fact they could stand to lose a few pounds. A few extra pounds on our dogs can be detrimental to their overall health and longevity so check out Don’s column and stay tuned for part two next month. We look forward to another year of providing you with news and information. We wish everyone happiness and good health in 2024. Life will always present us with challenges but let’s face this new year with optimism and hope! Cheers! Jenn and Pepper

“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” ― C.S. Lewis

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Table of Contents Hot Dog News . ..................... 2 Furry Words .......................... 4 Ask the Vet............................. 4 Basic Training Tips . ............... 6 Fears and Anxieties .................7 Paws to Train . ................... 8 & 9 Performance Dog Training ... 10 Words, Woofs & Meows........11 Dogs for Adoption........ 12 & 13 Calendar............................... 14 Business Directory ............... 16

Is it really 2024?! I feel like for the

past eighteen years I’ve been in a rush. My son just turned 18, graduates in January but will finish hockey midMarch. Most of my time has been spent driving him to and from school, games, practices, drivers’ ed and everywhere in between. There have been tears, joy, laughter, silliness, and pure panic. Parenting isn’t for the faint of heart, and I can’t even imagine what my life will be like in a few months. For now, I will be grateful for the time I have with him and continue to offer readings for people and pets. Thank you for being on this journey with me! Per usual, I put out the call for questions and am excited to share what your dogs had to say. Just a reminder that a reading isn’t a replacement for licensed medical care. Stephanie P. asked about Moxie, a mini–Australian Shepherd. When I tap into her energy, she feels very confident in her role in your family and loves having a job to do. If you’re cooking in the kitchen, she would be ready to hand you a spoon, a bowl, or whatever ingredient you need IF only she had thumbs. She does tend to forget that she’s a dog, which is really silly! I can see you all sitting at a table and her fully expecting to sit in a chair like an adult and be served exactly what you’re eating. When she remembers that she’s a dog, she has

CIRDC Q.

All I am hearing is dogs dying of a mysterious upper respiratory disease. Can you tell me what is happening?

A. Yes, there does seem to be

a national panic about a respiratory disease called Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex (CIRDC). As the name indicates, there are a complex of possible causes for this outbreak. CIRDC is the current name for ‘kennel cough’ or ‘canine cough’. There are several viruses and bacteria currently recognized as causes of CIRDC and other co-infections may be involved. Common viruses are canine adenovirus 2, canine distemper, canine influenza, canine herpesvirus, canine parainfluenza virus. Common bacteria include Bordetella bronchiseptica, Streptococcus, and Mycoplasma. The symptoms are very similar for these different causes, known as pathogens. Most of the symptoms are mild, and dogs will get better on their own, just like we do with the common cold. Dog parents will notice a sudden onset of coughing, sneezing, laryngitis, retching cough with a gag, or discharge from the eyes and nose. In some individuals, the symptoms may progress to fever, lethargy, inappetence, and difficulty breathing. There was a rise in the number of dogs developing symptoms of CIRDC two years ago in New England and specifically New Hampshire. This rise was being seen in the typical places we always see outbreaks such as, boarding kennels, daycares, groomers, animal

Furry Words by Sara Moore

www.enlightenedhorizons.com

a look on her face that reminds me of Phoebe on Friends, kind of ditzy, very silly, and cracking herself up! She is in love with her life because of you. Madeline R. has Opie, a black Dachshund/Chihuahua mix. I have to say this is the least Chihuahua dog I’ve met! They can be a bit intense. Crazy? Judgy? Grumpy? But not him! He’s a sweetheart who runs hot. I see him wanting to snuggle but then turning into a furnace and looking at you like it’s your fault. The funny thing is he’s right because I can

Ask the Vet…

by Dr. Judith Herman

shelters, pet shops, dog parks, dog sport events and shows, and veterinary hospitals. The volume of cases was very high, and with that veterinarians were seeing dogs with more severe symptoms. Since then New England is still seeing cases but at a lower rate. Now it seems that there are pockets of CIRDC happening around the country. There are several universities and state animal health departments studying these cases to find the cause or causes of the outbreak. If your dog starts coughing or sneezing and he has been around other dogs, Fido probably caught an upper respiratory infection. Exposure could have happened weeks before depending on the cause and the offending dog might not have developed symptoms yet. Keeping your dog with symptoms away from other dogs is very important. Let your veterinarian know what is happening.

see you tucking him in. If I ask him if there’s anything he’d like from you, I see a treat that is red and circular. It looks like what you’d put in a birdcage for birds to gnaw at. I have no idea what that is in dog speak, so I hope it makes sense to you! Her question was if she were doing something wrong that makes him pee in retaliation, but I don’t think so. I think he has no awareness when he has to go. He can’t feel the urgency that makes us head to the toilet, and I think your vet could help you with this issue. Valerie B. wants to know how Aspen, who turns six at the end of January, will do now that yellow Lab and big sister Chiro has moved to CT with her daughter. I think she’s going to thrive! She has a somewhat insecure disposition but that is also because Chiro was raised and trained to be a rockstar. Sometimes when no one is there to set the bar for you, you can rise up much higher than you previously thought possible. I like the quiet in the house right now and it feels like a time of a lot of transitions. Aspen will make a great companion for you as you move forward. Ann T. asked, “Tucker, who is a 6 year old German Shorthair mix rescue, is overly attached to me. Is there a reason, and what can I do to assure him all is well?” Oh Ann, I love this question and response! You are so of the light and awareness of what

you need to pay attention to that you can navigate any situation with confidence, and if nothing else, He is a newer soul who is insecure and needs the validation that he has the skill set to make it safely through this world. He is also loyal to whomever is in charge of him. As long as he’s the passenger and not the pilot, he thinks he’ll be ok. It’s interesting that in your career you’ve helped people find their own strengths and power, but you rarely looked for validation. Tucker IS your validation. And he loves you dearly! I can see him giving you loveydovey eyes when he thinks you’re not looking. Lisa V. asked about Kodiak, an 8-year-old Black Lab. “How is his health, and what would he like for toys after losing eleven teeth?” He’s so funny because he’s showing me the greenie bone dental chews. I’m not sure how he thinks he’s going to eat them, but that is his first request. His second request is frozen yogurt or ice cream with sliced strawberries mixed in. I see you putting it in parchment paper, rolling into a small log shape and freezing it. I’m curious to know how he likes it! Thank you for all your submissions, and I wish each and every one of you a happy, healthy and prosperous new year! FMI or to schedule a session, go to www.enlightnedhorizons.com and follow Sara at Sara Moore Enlightened Horizons on Facebook.

Anyone who had contact with your dog should be told he is coughing. Most cases resolve in seven to fourteen days without any problems. You should still isolate your dog for 4 weeks once symptoms are gone. If your dog was exposed but never developed symptoms, it needs to isolate for two weeks. You can use honey to ease the cough or an over-the-counter child’s cough medicine. Keep him in a low stress environment to reduce barking. Remove collars and use a gentle leader or harness to reduce tension on his throat. Make sure to avoid smog, smoking, and other irritating chemicals. Talk to your veterinarian to learn the best treatment for your dog. In the current outbreak, severe symptoms can come on quickly and last a long time. Most of the dogs who develop severe symptoms are immune compromised. They include puppies under a year, geriatrics, certain dog breeds that predispose them to upper respiratory disease, dogs with co-morbidities, and dogs stressed from intense competition, travel, and environments. These are the ones who need to see their veterinarians right away. Symptoms are increased severity of the cough, increased and thickening of nasal and eye discharge, lack of appetite, lethargy, fever, and difficulty breathing. Once admitted into the hospital, it will be put in isolation. If your veterinarian doesn’t have adequate isolation facilities, your pup may be transferred to a clinic that does. Because there may be different causes for CIRDC, animal welfare is requesting veterinarians to run tests to identify the reason your pup is so sick. Besides radiographs to check

for pneumonia and basic blood work, your veterinarian will send out blood samples to run PCR and antibody tests and collect samples of the discharge from your dog’s nose, throat, and eyes to isolate pathogens. These samples are sent off to a lab for identification of the known viruses and bacteria which cause CIRDC. The information will help develop a more accurate treatment plan for Fido. Treatment will be started with fluids, nebulization, and medicines to help your dog breath better and be more comfortable. Once the lab tests return, the treatment plan may be tweaked for better and faster results. Here are a few take-aways you need to remember: 1. CIRCD is caused by a variety of viral or bacterial pathogens acting alone or in combination. It is spread by direct contact between infected and susceptible dogs. Aerosol sprays and objects contaminated by the spray from these dogs will spread the disease. 2. Viruses can spread the infection before symptoms are seen. • CIRDC can be prevented or symptoms reduced with appropriate vaccinations, hygiene, quality diet, stress reduction, and where possible, the avoidance of congested environments. Currently in Maine the number of severely ill dogs is down from a couple of years ago. There are still CIRDC cases but the majority are mild. Judith K. Herman, DVM, CVH Animal Wellness Center Augusta, Maine www.mainehomeopahticvet.com

Downeast Dog News

FAIRFIELD from page 1 treasured talks so she could look back on them always. Loretta asked him what he would wish for after he was gone. “I really want people to do good things for other people, to love one another,” he said. She shared he was one of those people who enjoyed caring for other people in interesting ways. “We weren’t rolling in dough growing up, but he’d often leave produce on neighbors’ doorsteps,” she explained. “I can’t tell you the number of random acts of kindnesses he did.” As he and wife Iona Morse’s income grew a bit, he’d make other anonymous gestures, like arranging for an oil delivery to a family in need. She wanted to follow his wish and asked herself, “How I am I going to do that?” Finding missing pets was a thought as she volunteers with rescues and is familiar with the plight of strays. She discussed it with her dad and asked if he thought she could do it. Kenneth was certain she could and thought it was a wonderful way to give back. After all, he was an animal lover who’d even built a crude elevator for their family’s aging German Shepherd. So, her pet tracking business named Fairfield Pet Detective, with the only charges being gas and food (depending on the distance from home base), was up and running. Despite the fact that she and her husband, Herb Leighton, and daughters, Martina and Arianna, have two Newfies, she wanted a dog who would excel with a job. She researched and also turned to Sara Sokol, owner/trainer at Mr. Dog Training, and another service dog trainer for advice. The Border Collie came in as top breed because they’re smart, quick learners, and have great noses. Loretta found the reputable Lil Maine Border Collies and was thrilled to be able to meet her “Mr. Man” in the December 23, 2021 litter. She did tell her dad before he passed that she’d chosen a pup and named him Fairfield in his honor--it’s her dad’s middle name. She refers to Fairfield as a nose detective, and that’s a nod to her husband, he’s a Maine State Police homicide detective. Training began the day he came home, scenting for ferrets (her daughter has four “stinky” ones), and they still do three short sessions a day, in all weather conditions. She uses all-positive “match to sample” scenting, which means that if he’s given a scent, he will find a matching

scent. He’s been classically trained in five common pet scents so far--rabbit, chicken, ferret, feline, and of course, dog. But even within these species, each individual has its own unique variations of its species scent. She quickly realized Fairfield was very proficient and he gets so excited when he sees that special harness, “It’s a game to him.” He even lets her know if she forgets a practice session. They have a really neat relationship, she said, adding that they have each other’s backs on the trail. For field practice sessions, Loretta has asked family members and their dogs to wander into the woods and “get lost” so she and Fairfield, on a long lead, can track them. Martina has texted her to hurry up: “Mom please find me! It’s cold.” She likes it when Herb can accompany them on training or real missions. “I told him when he comes with us it’s nice to have someone else helping us look for clues.” One of her most interesting searches was for a dog named Axel who got loose while in the care of a sitter. She was called out, and with the help of friend, Sara Evan, tracked Axel for five miles over four hours through the area, ending at the ripped fence to Dragon Cement Company quarry. The Thomaston police department contacted the cement company for admittance approval. “Fairfield was very excited and pulling and yipping. It

was a fresh track and obvious the dog had been there. He led us to a steep embankment which was unsafe for all of us.” As they were heading back, they received a call that Axel was spotted running nearby. The owners drove to the location and low and behold there was Axel, covered in ticks. They were exhausted but happy he was home with his family. Loretta said the people in Thomaston that day were great. “The owners, their family, friends, the police department, and the community members were all amazing. People were following in cars to offer cold bottles of water even. I cannot believe how everyone came together. Such great people.” In September, she assisted the owners of a lost dog, Bear, in Chelsea by merely providing advice. The dog went missing twenty miles from home, in a place he’d never been. “It is not always appropriate to bring Fairfield out for a search if the missing animal is particularly shy.” Tracking dogs can be harder as they move on quickly, especially if they are frightened. Her fear is that Fairfield might push the skittish dog further away. “His owner did everything asked of her and more.” She put out a sweatshirt for scent and filled the pocket with chicken feed that Bear loved. During the night he took the feed. The next day, the owner stayed in

the area for hours, waiting. Around lunchtime Bear was watching her but was scared. “He was in survival mode. I told her to sit down, don’t look at him and if necessary, lay down. I cannot imagine how much patience and self-control it took for her not to jump up and try to catch Bear. Finally, Bear came up behind her and started sniffing her, kissing her, and then tackled her.” Bear is now safely home being pampered and loved. Loretta said if a pet goes missing, it’s important to ask for her assistance right away because scents can get rained or snowed out. She will track on her own, with a friend or family, or assist other not-for-profit groups, “In Maine we are so fortunate to have a lot of free help from wonderful volunteers from Maine Lost Dog Recovery and Maine Lost Cat Recovery.” Loretta has a Fairfield Pet Detective Facebook account and cross posts info on lost dogs. For more and to view a map of the area they’ll usually work, pawstofind.com/about. html. As far as their future endeavors go, Loretta and Fairfield will continue nosing around looking for missing pets, and she’s going to train him in bedbug detection for commercial and residential applications. “I have found a supplier of bedbugs and will be starting that training sometime this winter.”

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The “Fine” Line:

A Precarious Place to Be

asked my students what new experiences their puppies had had over the previous week. “Frannie got a bath,” one student stated. When I asked how it went, she said, “she was fine. She didn’t like it, but she didn’t struggle too much.” You can substitute “went to the vet,” “met a toddler,” “got his nails clipped,” “got a boat ride…” or any other event, and we might say the same thing, “she was fine.” “Fine” is frequently the descriptor we use to indicate “nothing overtly bad happened,” but that’s a pretty low bar when you think about it. It marks the summit of a slippery slope potentially leading to “not good… or worse.” Putting a brake on the emotional descent is crucial as it’s very difficult to reverse this momentum. When you think about it, we use “fine” all the time, and its meaning is rather ambiguous. “How are you today?” “Fine.” It doesn’t actually convey any clear information, and in fact, seems to insinuate neither good nor bad. “Fine” is “excellent” when we are describing wines and restaurants. How did that happen? Emotions are intrinsically tied to every experience and to every interaction. It’s a continuum,

Basic Training Tips by Diana Logan

and if we tune in to how our pup is responding each tiny step of the way, we can carefully calibrate the experience to tip in the direction of positive. “A Pattern of One” The true sign as to whether or not that experience maintains

its “fine” status without negative consequences is… the next time. Even though “nothing bad happened” from the human’s perspective, it could very well have been stressful for the dog and left a semi-permanent emotional scar. Dogs’ observation superpowers are remarkable. They notice and remember patterns that are meaningful to them, patterns that lead to good stuff or bad stuff. They make note of the small, subtle steps that pave the pathways to good stuff or bad stuff piecing together the tiniest of clues that may hint at them taking shape. A pup needs just one exposure to a pattern for him to lock onto its significance and file that information into the growing mental file of “relevant patterns.” But we did what we needed to do. That counts, right? “Getting the job done” is a low bar for gauging success, but it’s certainly a common one. This approach fails to take into consideration how the learner feels about the event, and this failure can result in serious consequences. Let’s say, for example, you love to swim, and you are interested, albeit fearful, about diving. Your friends, wanting to see you dive for the first time, physically drag you to the high diving board and force you to dive off. You are terrified, the dive is not well executed, and it was painful. To

add insult to injury, your bathing suit falls off, too. Did you dive? Yes! Mission accomplished! Will you want to do it again? Probably NOT. Will you trust your friends? Again, probably not… I sure wouldn’t consider them friends after that. Collateral damage We can imagine a host of deleterious side effects as a result of the diving scenario, from a loss of trust in our friends to a negative association with diving in general or even swimming in that pool. Our pups are no different when it comes to this collateral damage. Where is that “fine line” and what does it look like? Where is the tipping point?* There are many possible signs that will tell us that our dog is unhappy about an experience. They include: • Resistance • Avoidance • Signs of fear or aggression • Refusal of food • Struggling • Vocalizations If we refuse to respect the subtle signals our learner is giving us expressing discomfort, we have stepped right onto that slope. How to avoid the Slippery Slope • Practice the 3-Second Rule! [http://dianalogan.com/blog/threesecond-rule]

See BASIC on page 14

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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tendertouchveterinary@yahoo.com WELLNESS, BEHAVIOR, SICK CARE, SURGERY, DENTISTRY, BOARDING AND DAYCARE

January 26, 2024

Downeast Dog News

Fears and Anxieties

Understanding Your Dog's Anxiety: A Guide for Pet Owners By Christine D. Calder, DVM, DACVB Calder Veterinary Behavior Services, www.caldervbs.com

o you have a dog who seems scared or nervous a lot? Just like people, dogs can feel anxious or afraid too. It is important for us to understand what our dogs are going through so we can help them feel better. Let us learn about the different kinds of anxiety in dogs and how we can help them. What is Dog Anxiety? Dogs get anxious or scared when they expect something bad to happen, but they are not sure what or when. Imagine how you feel when you are nervous about a test at school – that is how anxious dogs might feel. There are different kinds of anxiety that dogs can experience: 1. Generalized Anxiety: This is when dogs feel nervous in many different situations. They might always seem on edge, cannot relax, or get scared easily. It is as if they are always worried but do not know exactly what they are worried about. 2. Noise Phobia: Some dogs are really scared of loud noises. Thunder, fireworks, and even loud cars can make them panic. They might try to hide, bark a lot, or

even try to run away. 3. Separation-Related Disorder: Dogs with separation-related behaviors get really upset when they are away from their family. Some have a fear of missing out. They might cry, bark, chew things up, or have accidents in the house when they are left alone. 4. Situational Fears: Dogs can also develop fears related to specific situations or environments, such as visits to the vet, encountering strangers, or being in crowded places. These fears can cause significant distress and behavioral changes. Why Do Dogs Get Anxious or Fearful? Dogs can feel anxious for many reasons, and fears are a normal emotional response to something dangerous. Sometimes, fear and anxiety develop because of their past experiences, like if they have been in a shelter or had a scary experience, or there was a loud noise that they could not identify. Other times, it might be because they are sick or in pain, which can make them more irritable and less tolerant, or they may become more defensive. Helping Your Anxious Dog Helping your dog with anxiety is a bit like solving a puzzle. You have to try different things to see what works best for them. Here are some ideas:

1. Create a Safe Space: Make a cozy spot in your house where your dog can feel safe. This could be a quiet room with comfy bedding, some of their favorite toys, and maybe even some soft music playing. 2. Training and Games: Teach your dog fun tricks and play games with the dog. This helps the dog focus on something other than what is making it anxious. You can teach the dog to look at you when it is nervous, offer a chin rest for reassurance, or to touch your hand with its nose to keep it moving or help it refocus. 3. Stay Calm During Scary Times:

If your dog is scared of noises like thunder, try to act like everything is normal. This shows the dog there is nothing to be afraid of. You can also try giving it special toys or treats during these times to help it relax and feel better. 4. Teach Relaxation: Relaxation exercises, like learning to settle on a mat or taking deep breaths, can help your dog cope better. These exercises can be the foundation for changing its behavior and making it feel calmer. 5. Medicines and Vet Visits: Sometimes, dogs need a little extra help. There are special medicines that can help the dog feel more relaxed and treat its anxiety. Always talk to your vet before giving your dog any medicine. The vet can also check if your dog’s anxiety is because of a health problem. Fears and anxieties in dogs are pretty common, but there are many ways to help them feel better. By understanding what your dog is going through and trying different ways to help it, you can make a big difference in its life. And the best part? You will strengthen your bond with your dog!

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Paws t Dog Talk By Sara Sokol Mr. Dog Training www.mrdogtraining.com Dogs are excellent communicators. They have no problem telling us when they are stressed, when they are having a hard time, when they are tired, when they are happy, when they are excited, when they are anxious, and when they’re unsure. The problem is that you and I are used to listening with our ears and not our eyes. Crystal clear communication, that any human therapist would be proud of, comes easy for dogs. • Stressed about being hugged, they say something. • Anxious about a new baby that was brought home, they say something. • Overstimulated by a visiting dog friend, they say something. • Overwhelmed with sheer joy at their human’s arrival home, they say something.

They share their feelings, big and small, with ease. It’s our job to become better listeners and learn to look at our furry friend’s body language to “listen” to them. Understanding how to read canine body language is one of the most important things that we, as dog guardians, can do, and not just so we can understand our dogs, but so we can give them the best lives possible. When looking at canine body language, it’s important to not only look at the context in which your dog is using its body and communicating, but also the complete picture of the dog’s whole body, from head, including the ear position, eye position, mouth position, to tail, including the angle that it is standing with the rigidity or softness in its body, the level of its tail, how quickly it’s moving, and how much of that tail is moving. These should all be taken into account when determining a dog’s emotional state.

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Downeast Dog News

to Train Here are some things to look out for… Positive • Body wagging/moving/ wiggling with the tail • Rolling over on back with RELAXED body • Soft eyes with very little white showing • Dog approaches with c-shaped body • Ears relaxed or laying back flat against head Dog is Struggling • Head lowered • Rolling over on back with STIFF body • Dog freezes • Tail high and still • Tail wagging without the body • Tail low and wagging • Tail tucked under the body • Whale eye (lots of white showing) • Barking at a child • Hackles up (hair standing up on the back) • Ears perked up Stress Signals • Yawning

• Panting when it is not hot • Scratching itself when it is not itchy • Avoiding eye contact • Stretching after not just waking up • Lying down and avoiding interaction • Excessive drooling • Pacing or circling • Whining • Sweaty paws • Growls • Lip curls • Starts to show teeth Many dog guardians wait until a dog behavior becomes reactive or loud and impossible to ignore before they realize the dog is having a hard time and that there is a problem. However, before a dog barks, growls or lunges, it will give handfuls of subtle body language cues that communicate its emotional state. Our goal should be to listen to their “whispers” instead of waiting until they “yell.” When we start to understand our dogs’ emotional state by learning

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

Rally – A Great Way to Start with Your Dog

ally has become a very popular dog sport. AKC Rally involves working with your dog and performing a series of different exercises at signs along the way. Like agility, handlers get a map before their class starts and are allowed to walk the actual course without their dogs before their class begins. There is a start and a finish sign and depending upon the level of performance, 10 to 20 signs along the way. The novice and

intermediate levels are performed with the dog on lead. In the advanced, excellent, and masters classes the dog works off lead. In all cases, the dog enters and exits the ring on lead and sets up at the start sign. The judge will welcome the team into the ring and ask if there are any questions. Then, if they are “ready,” ask if there are any questions and then give the

command “forward” for the team to start. Once the team starts, it is on its own to complete the exercise at each sign in numerical order and finish the course. Rally is a wonderful way to introduce yourself and your dog-todog sports. In the rally ring you are allowed to praise and encourage your dog. This helps build relationships and confidence in both dog and handler. If you are going to consider trying rally, it is fun to go to a workshop with others to learn all that is required to do well. The exercises and rules are available online at www.akc.org. The signs range in difficulty from very simple ones like “sit,” “left turn,” “about turn,” “slow,” “normal,” etc. to quite complex command exercises in the higher levels. Novice and intermediate classes do not involve any jumps. Advanced, excellent and masters do include jumps. Jump heights range from 4 inches to 16 inches depending upon the height of the dog at the withers, with 16 inches being the highest jump. This allows for sound older dogs to participate for many years. Some clubs will offer non-regular classes such as Brace and Team which are also a lot of fun. There is

also a Championship Rally title that can be earned called a RACH. One of the most common things I see at rally trials with inexperienced handlers is that while rally is a fun and has a somewhat more relaxed atmosphere than obedience (because the judge only starts you and then you are on your own), there is a lack of awareness that there still are rules and requirements on proper performance of the exercises and basic ringside manners. It is important to know the rules and how each exercise is to be performed. You should check in early and be ready when it is your turn. You should make sure the judge invites you into the ring, your dog should always be under control, and you should always be considerate of others and show good sportsmanship. A good instructor should provide you with more than just rally skills. You should also learn how to enter a trial and what that commitment means. Rally is a great sport, and it is worth the time to learn how to do it correctly. Watch the Calendar of Events for upcoming Rally workshops!

Carolyn Fuhrer has earned over 130 AKC titles with her Golden Retrievers, including 4 Champion Tracker titles. Carolyn is the owner of North Star Dog Training School in Somerville, Maine. She is also an AKC Tracking Judge. She has been teaching people to understand their dogs for over 30 years.

r a e Y w e N Happy

Time to Renew Dog Licenses Don’t forget to renew your dog licenses by January 31st. Some towns can do

so online https://apps1.web.maine.gov/cgi-bin/online/dog_license/index.pl. All others must renew through your town office. Your dog licensing fees support: • Local Animal Control Officers and State Humane Agents • Investigation of animal cruelty complaints and enforcement of animal welfare laws • Compliance with rabies vaccination of dogs • Care for sick and injured stray animals • Return of lost dogs to their owners

Congratulations to Bar Harbor Food Pantry!

e held a drawing with the names of the pet pantries listed in our November issue. The winner was Bar Harbor Food Pantry! They will receive a donation from a portion of the proceeds from our December Downeast Dog News Happy Pawlidays issue. As always thank you to our advertisers! Bar Harbor Food Pantry is located at 36 Mount Desert St. (below the YWCA), Bar Harbor, ME 04609. 207-288-3375 To find a pet pantry near you visit our website: downeastdognews.com.

Downeast Dog News

Pet Obesity, part 1

A New Year's Resolution for Pet People–Please Watch Their Weight

Dr. Karen Becker of

Barks&Whiskers reported that obesity is the number one health threat facing dogs and cats in the U.S. in a blog post on January 15th, 2023, "Obesity continues to be the greatest health threat to pets, in that it kills millions prematurely, creates immense pain and suffering, and costs tens of millions of dollars in avoidable veterinary expenses." The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) reported that in the U.S., 59% of dogs and 61% of cats were classified as overweight or obese in 2022. The APOP 2022 report also noted that: • Consistent with previous surveys, many dog and cat owners failed to recognize excess weight or overweight body conditions in their pets. Nearly one-third (32%) of owners of overweight or obese pets (BCS 6-9) classified their pet as “normal,” “ideal,” or “thin” body condition when asked by their veterinary professional. • 36% of dog owners considered their pet’s body condition “normal” when their veterinary professional classified it as BCS 6-9 (overweight to obesity). • 28% of cat owners considered their pet’s body condition “normal” when their veterinary professional classified it as BCS 6-9 (overweight to obesity). • 49% of respondents reported that their veterinary professionals discussed their pet’s ideal or healthy weight yearly, compared to 46% in 2021. This suggests that half of those in the veterinary profession do not even discuss a pet's weight with their

WORDS, WOOFS & MEOWS by Don Hanson

ACCBC, BFRAP, CDBC, CPDT-KA

photo credit: debra bell

clients. Why Should You Care If Your Dog Is Obese? Obesity contributes to the following diseases found in cats and dogs, all of which make for more expensive veterinary bills. Health issues for dogs related to obesity include: Arthritis, osteoarthritis, bladder and urinary tract disease, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, hypothyroidism, insulin resistance, kidney disease, liver disease, orthopedic disorders (elbow, hip, and shoulder dysplasia), reproductive disease, respiratory disease, and skin disease. Health issues for cats related to obesity include: Arthritis, osteoarthritis, bladder and urinary tract disease, blindness (due to high blood pressure), cancer, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, kidney disease, liver disease, reproductive disease, respiratory disease, and skin disease. A Warning from the Eighties In the late eighties, a study examined how restricting a dog's diet would affect its health and longevity. Forty-eight Labrador Retrievers were divided into two groups. All dogs were fed the same food from 8 weeks of age until their death. One group was fed per the manufacturer's recommendation, while the second group was fed 25% less. Effects of diet restriction on life span and age-related changes in dogs was published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association in May of 2002. It concluded that restricting food intake by 25% below the manufacturer's feeding guidelines increased the median lifespan by almost two years and delayed the onset of signs of chronic disease in the food-restricted dogs.

What Can You Do to Keep Your Pet at a Healthy Weight? As noted above, 36% of people with dogs believe their dogs were at an acceptable weight even when their veterinarian advised them their pet was overweight or obese. Sadly, considering 50% of the dogs a person sees are likely to be overweight or obese, this is not a surprise. We compare our dog to others we see and make an assumption about our dog's weight based on that rather than what a veterinarian tells us. Meanwhile, our dog suffers. Rather than comparing your pet’s weight to other pets around you, please download these body condition charts from the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention – https:// petobesityprevention.org/petweight-check I remember going to a few breed-specific events with one of my dogs years ago, and others there criticized me because my dog was underweight. One of those insinuating my dog was underweight commented, “It’s a good thing you don’t show in conformation; no judge would put up a scrawny thing like that.” Incidentally, my dog was at an ideal weight according to body condition charts and lived to be sixteen years old. The fact that pet obesity is still a problem twenty years after a study indicated we are overfeeding our dogs is beyond sad. Equally disappointing is that 51% of veterinary professionals do not discuss a pet's weight with their clients. The responsibility for the tragedy of pet obesity lies solely with human beings, both pet parents/owners and veterinarians. We must do better. Next month, I will address additional things you can do to keep your pet at a healthy weight.

Don Hanson lives in Bangor, Maine, where he isthe co-owner of the Green Acres Kennel Shop (greenacreskennel.com) and the founder of ForceFreePets.com, an online educational resource for people with dogs and cats. He is a Professional Canine Behavior Consultant (PCBC-A) accredited by the Pet Professional Accreditation Board (PPAB)and a Bach Foundation Registered Animal Practitioner (BFRAP). Don is a member of thePet Professional Guild (PPG), where he serves on the Board of Directors and Steering Committee and chairs the Advocacy Committee. He is also a founding director of Pet Advocacy International (PIAI). In addition, Don produces and co-hosts The Woof Meow Showpodcast,available at http://bit.ly/WfMwPodcasts/,the Apple Podcast app, and Don's blog: www.words-woofs-meows.com.The opinions in this post are those of Don Hanson.

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Rescue of the Month RESCUE OF THE MONTH: POPE MEMORIAL HUMANE SOCIETY Dedicated to Animals & the Community By Susan Spisak Since 1989, Pope Memorial Humane Society (PMHS) has been devoted to caring for and placing unwanted and abandoned animals in loving homes. They promote responsible pet ownership, the human-animal bond, and the humane treatment of all animals. The initiators of this non-profit had the foresight to purchase seven acres on Buttermilk Lane in Thomaston for their original shelter’s site. When they outgrew that facility, they held a capital campaign and thanks to community support and large donations, they were able to build and open a debt-free 10,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art facility on that acreage in 2016. They included an outdoor covered pavilion for the pets and indoor meet-and-greet and community rooms. They’re always striving to better themselves for their animals and the community. It’s widely recognized

that they’re exceptional as they were named the 1st place Charitable Organization in the Knox County Best of the Best awards winner. "We are deeply honored to be recognized as the Knox County Best of the Best Non-Profit Organization for a second consecutive year. In a community filled with so many wonderful organizations making a difference, this accolade is a testament to the dedication and compassion of our supporters, volunteers, and staff at Pope Memorial Humane Society,” said Kasey Bielecki, Marketing and Public Relations Manager for the shelter. In addition to the Knox County Best of the Best win, they have also received first place in the Downeast Dog News Best of the Best contest in the category of Best Rescue/Shelter in 2022 and 2023. To further their excellence, they announced the launch of its In-House Veterinary Clinic Capital Campaign at an event in November of 2023. Their goal is to raise $800,000 to renovate

an existing structure and establish a state-of-the-art in-house medical clinic with a dedicated veterinarian to provide top-tier medical care to the approximately 1,200+ homeless pets taken in by PMHS each year. A few significant factors of having an in-house vet are that PMHS animals will benefit from more timely treatments and surgeries, leading to quicker diagnoses, faster treatment, and improved overall health. The in-house clinic will also reduce the need for transport runs to external veterinary facilities, sparing animals the stress of travel and freeing up staff time to focus on enrichment, behavioral modification, and adoption efforts. The shelter runs unique programs, including a K-9 Corrections program where they place shelter dogs within the Maine State Prison facility to be trained by inmate handlers. The dogs acquire basic obedience, socialization skills, and trust in people, and the inmates learn compassion,

responsibility, and patience. They also offer a “Slumber Party” option. It’s a foster-to-adopt scenario where an interested adopter, after signing necessary paperwork, leaves a deposit and takes the dog home to see if they click. PMHS always needs loving foster homes. Being a foster parent is a wonderful way to instill love and confidence back in an animal’s life. Dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens are all in need of foster homes. Senior dogs who are unsettled in a shelter environment will “show” better in a foster home when meeting a potential adopter—they may be calmer. All dogs in their care are examined, vetted, spayed or neutered, receive preventatives, and are treated to a mini-groom. For adoption, volunteer applications, and to see their dogs available for adoption, check the website at popehumane.org/.

SCARLETT, 2 YEARS OLD, PIT BULL

GILLIGAN, 10 YEARS OLD, MASTIFF MIX

This lovable pup is a true family gem, adored by everyone. Scarlett is fantastic with kids, dogs of all ages, and even strangers. She's a social butterfly who thrives on affection. Scarlett's love for car rides will no doubt add joy to your adventures together. Don't miss the chance to welcome this incredible canine companion into your heart - you'll undoubtedly fall head over heels for her charming personality!

When it comes to charm, Gilligan is a professional. This lovable pup is a social butterfly with a heart as big as his wagging tail. Gilligan's ideal day involves endless games of fetch and long walks in the woods. If you're looking for a happy-go-lucky senior pup, Gilligan might be perfect for you!

FMI on Scarlett or Gilligan, please visit www.popehumane.org.

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Downeast Dog News

Dogs for Adoption View more available dogs on our website, downeastdognews.com.

Some rescues do not offer phone numbers and require you apply online. Please see the contact info. highlighted in yellow below each dog. NIKE

GUMP

RIOT

2 years old, Greyhound Mix

1 year old, Mixed Breed

8 months old, Blue Heeler Mix

FMI: www.pawsadoption.org

Super sweet and friendly. He is good with people and other dogs! Not great with cats because they are too fun to chase. He is going to make an amazing addition to a home/family. Nike is very smart and learns pretty quickly. He learned to sit in only around 5 minutes!

Riot IS a riot! He is a lot of fun and a lot of energy. He is so handsome and a cool size at a year old. He is good with people and seems fine with other dogs! He is very smart and learns very quickly.