Shared Blog Post – Midstate (PA) woman says kennel used shock collar on her dog

< Updated – 1APR19 >

< A short link to this page – http://bit.ly/ShockWHTM28MAR19 >

This story from WHTM ABC 27 in Harrisburg, PA dated March 27th, 2019, interviews Stephanie Hastings who left her dog Becker in the care of a boarding kennel in Pennsylvania. Becker came home from the kennel acting withdrawn and, “… he looked broken when he came back.” “She took her dog Becker to a veterinarian who concluded the injuries were related to a shock collar or shocking incident.”

< Click to view >

He had marks on his neck that looked like burn marks of what I initially thought were bite marks, but it turned out to be shock collar burns on his neck and he didn’t go in with them,” said Hastings.”

Hastings later learned that it is legal in Pennsylvania for a boarding kennel to use a shock collar on a dog. Stephanie Hastings is now on a mission to strengthen animal cruelty laws in Pennsylvania.

I’m sharing this report because this same thing could happen in Maine as there is nothing in Maine state law to prevent this type of abuse. When you board your dog, please verify that your kennel would NEVER use or recommend shock collars or any aversive for any reason. I suggest that you ask the same of your trainer, groomer, daycare, veterinarian and basically any pet care facility including shelters, humane societies and rescue groups.

You can also ask your pet care professional if they are a member of the Pet Professional Guild (PPG) and comply with the PPG Guiding Principles which explicitly prohibit the use of pain, force, or fear in the care, confinement, and training of pets. The PPG is the only USA based organization of pet care professionals that have policies in place that require compliance with their guiding principles.  When I am asked to recommend another pet care professional, the first thing I look for is one that is a member of the PPG. < Click to Find A PPG Member >

The PPG and the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) both have policies in place that state aversives (alpha rolls, beating, cattle prods, choke collars, dominance downs, electronic shock collars, lunge whips prong (pinch) collars, shock collars, anything aversive) should NEVER be used with pets.

You can watch and read the report by Logan Wilson at < https://www.abc27.com/investigators/investigations/midstate-woman-says-kennel-used-shock-collar-on-her-dog/ >

Recommended Resources

Articles on Don’s Blog

( http://www.words-woofs-meows.com )

Say No To Shock! – A list of Scientific Articles, Laws and Regulations, Mass Media Articles, Blog Posts, and Articles on Websites, Podcasts, Position Statements, and Website and Social Media Pages that address the abusive use of electric shock in the training, care, management, and containment of pets. – http://bit.ly/SayNoToShock

The Unintended Consequences of Shock Collars –  http://bit.ly/ShockCollars

Podcasts from The Woof Meow Show

( http://www.woofmeowshow.com )

 The Woof Meow Show: The Pet Professional Guild and the Shock-Free Coalition with Niki Tudgehttp://bit.ly/PodCastShockFree-NikiTudge-2017

The Woof Meow Show: The Unintended Consequences of Shock Collarshttp://bit.ly/ShockPodcast

 

Web Sites and Social Media Pages

The Shock-Free Coalitionhttps://www.shockfree.org/

The Shock-Free Coalition on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/shockfreecoalition/

The Shock-Free Coalition/Maine Chapterhttps://www.shockfree.org/Chapters/Maine

The Shock-Free Coalition/Maine Chapter on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/ShockFreeCoalitionMaine/

Electric Shock Collars: Unreasonable Expectations and Misleading Advertising

< Updated 18MAR19 >

< An abbreviated version of this article entitled Unreasonable Expectations and Misleading Advertising was originally published in the June 2018 issue of Downeast Dog News>

< a short link to this article – http://bit.ly/ShockCollarExpectationsDeception >

When we bring a new dog into our home, things do not always work out the way we want. I find that there are two common reasons this occurs; we have unreasonable expectations, or we have been misled.

Unreasonable Expectations

We often create unreasonable expectations for a new dog in our life based on memories of previous dogs. Perhaps we remember the dog we had as a child. You know, the dog mom raised. If you asked your mom her true feelings about that dog, she might not recall raising him as being “easy peasy.”

Alternatively, perhaps our expectations are based on the last memories we have of a dog; the one who was sixteen and slept most of the time. While it is nice to remember the best of times, it can be helpful to recall that the sleepy sixteen-year-old was a hellion at 16 months of age.

For some reason many people expect a dog to live in our world with little or no training, or to master everything they need to know in just a few weeks. Patience seems to be a virtue sorely lacking in this day and age and one that every dog deserves.

Sometimes it is not us that creates unreasonable expectations but others with something to gain.

Misleading Advertising

Those trying to sell us a dog sometimes may portray a dog more favorably to make a sale. I have had more than one client tell me that their breeder said: “This breed is always calm and easy to train.” I have had clients who have adopted a shelter or rescue dog state “The people at the rescue said she knows how to sit and heel. She doesn’t do any of that!

Publishers like book titles that sell books. A title like “Seven Days to the Perfect Dog” may sell books, but it is blatantly deceptive and plays right into people’s unrealistic expectations.

Advertising that any dog can be reliable off-leash anytime and anywhere also seems to be in vogue. Those in pursuit of the dream of complete control over their dog and a life off-leash may turn a blind eye to the tools and methods that will be used because they want that perfect dog so badly. Other times they wish the best for their dog, and someone takes advantage of their naiveté.

I recently had a client with a puppy that had been convinced that an underground fence system would keep her dog safely in her yard. When I explained that these “fences” worked by giving the dog an electric shock, she was aghast. Unfortunately, that piece of information had never been disclosed by the salesperson. Instead, she had been told that the dog would only feel a “vibration,” “tap,” or “stim;” nice sounding slang for “electric shock.

Often those recommending shock collars insist that they cause no pain or discomfort. When they claim that a shock collar does not “hurt” the dog, they are either demonstrating their ignorance of the basic principles of operant conditioning or are intentionally being deceptive. In my opinion, an individual that does not thoroughly understand how dogs learn or are misleading about the products and methods they use and sell, should not be training dogs or offering advice on that subject.

As I have noted in previous columns, experts in animal behavior such as The Pet Professional Guild (PPG) and the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) have explicit principles and guidelines that state that aversives such as shock, choke, and prong collars, as well as other devices designed to cause pain, MUST NEVER BE USED. They have taken this position because these devices frequently cause aggression and other behavior problems and are NEVER necessary.

Why anyone would recommend pain to train a dog makes no logical sense.  Please, be realistic in what you expect of your dog, be wary of things that sound too good to be true, ask lots of questions, and most importantly, be kind. If you need help, seek advice from a pet care professional that is committed to No Pain, No Force, and No Fear. Your dog will thank you.

Recommended Resources

Articles on Don’s Blog
( http://www.words-woofs-meows.com )

Things I Wish I Had Known Before I Started Training Dogs – Gus, the Dominance Myth, An Alpha Roll, and a Damaged Relationship – WWM-SEP2018 – http://bit.ly/Things-Gus-Dominance

Things I Wish I Had Known Before I Selected My First Dog – Aversives are Unnecessary and Counter-Productive When Training A Dog – Part 1 – WWM-JAN2019 http://bit.ly/Things-Aversives-1

Things I Wish I Had Known Before I Selected My First Dog – Aversives are Unnecessary and Counter-Productive When Training A Dog – Part 2 – WWM-FEB2019 –  http://bit.ly/Things-Aversives-2

Is Your Dog Your Best Friend or a Family Member? – WWM-OCT2017 –   http://bit.ly/BestFriendsAndShock

What Is Dog Training?http://bit.ly/WhatIsDogTraining

Reward Based Training versus Aversiveshttp://bit.ly/RewardVSAversive

Thank You, PPG, and Gus Too! – from the May 2017 issue of the Pet Professional Guild journal, BARKS from the Guildhttp://bit.ly/ThanksPPG-Gus

 

Podcasts from The Woof Meow Show
( http://www.woofmeowshow.com )

The Unintended Consequences of Shock Collars

The Pet Professional Guild and the Shock-Free Coalition with Niki Tudge

Yes! A Trend Towards Kinder and Gentler Professional Pet Care – Green Acres Kennel Shop’s “Pet-Friendly” Philosophy

Yes! A Trend Towards Kinder and Gentler Professional Pet Care – The Pet Professional Guild and Force-Free Pet Care with Niki Tudge

Pet Behavior, Vets & The AAHA Canine and Feline Behavior Management Guidelines – Dr. Dave Cloutier – Veazie Veterinary Clinic

Other Publications & Blogs

BARKS from the Guild – May 2017 – Thank You, PPG, and Gus Too! https://issuu.com/petprofessionalguild/docs/bftg_may_2017_online_edition_opt/58

BARKS blog – Choke Collar Pathologyhttp://ppgworldservices.com/2017/06/13/choke-collar-pathology/

 Videos

Dogs, Cats, and Scapegoats (The entire film)    https://vimeo.com/230807934

Malignant Behavior: The Cesar Millan Effect (from Dogs, Cats, and Scapegoats ) https://vimeo.com/243498663?fbclid=IwAR3RYOlIP7LeePV0B8ZaHhed5pPDYZbPu8KQbXNxfzOodWCRKspgcSQrwnc

Dogs, Cats, and Scapegoats – The Mind of Cesar Millanhttps://vimeo.com/236013182

 

Position Statements

American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB)

American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior AVSAB Position Statement on the Use of Dominance Theory in Behavior Modification of Animalshttps://avsab.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Dominance_Position_Statement_download-10-3-14.pdf

American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior AVSAB Position Statement on The Use of Punishment for Behavior Modification in Animals – https://avsab.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Punishment_Position_Statement-download_-_10-6-14.pdf

Green Acres Kennel Shop

Green Acres Kennel Shop Position Statement on Pet-Friendly, Force-Free Pet Carehttp://bit.ly/GAKS_Pet-Friendly

Green Acres Kennel Shop Position on the Use of Dominance and Punishment for the Training and Behavior Modification of Dogshttp://bit.ly/GAKS-Pos-NoPain-NoForceNoFear

 Pet Professional Guild (PPG)

Pet Professional Guild – Guiding Principleshttp://www.bit.ly/2mUCTqN

Pet Professional Guild – Position Statement – The Use of Choke and Prong Collars – https://www.petprofessionalguild.com/chokeandprongcollarpositionstatement

Pet Professional Guild – Position Statement – The Use of Pet Correction Devices – https://www.petprofessionalguild.com/Equipment-Used-for-the-Management-Training-and-Care-of-Pets

Pet Professional Guild – Position Statement – The Use of Shock in Animal Training – https://www.petprofessionalguild.com/shockcollars

 

Books

Dog Smart: Evidence-based Training with The Science Dog, Linda P. Case, CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2018read a review at http://bit.ly/BkRvw-Case-DogSmart

Don’t Shoot the Dog – The New Art of Teaching and Training (2ndedition), Karen Pryor, Bantam Books, 1999.

The Culture Clash, Jean Donaldson, James & Kenneth Publishers, 2005.

The Power of Positive Dog Training, Pat Miller, Howell Book House, 2001.

________________________________________________________________________
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 is a Bach Foundation Registered Animal Practitioner (BFRAP), Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC), Associate Certified Cat Behavior Consultant (ACCBC) and a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA). He produces and co- hosts a weekly radio show and podcast, The Woof Meow Show heard on AM620 WZON and streamed at http://www.wzonam.com/ every Saturday at 9 AM. Podcasts of the show are available at http://woofmeowshow.libsyn.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 post are those of Don Hanson.

©18MAR19, Donald J. Hanson, All Rights Reserved
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Podcast – Especially for New Puppy Parents – Part 3

< Click to Listen to Podcast >

This episode of The Woof Meow Show from March 16th, 2019 is the third show in a three-part series. Kate and Don discuss; the initial training tasks you will want to focus on with your new puppy. That includes; hand-feeding for attention, food as a powerful reward and motivator, and how to use life rewards.  They will also address the importance of learning how to keep yourself and other people from inadvertently rewarding behavior that you do not like, such as jumping. Based on their experience teaching thousands of people how to train their dogs Kate and Don discuss why training takes time, commitment, and consistency and how to avoid common training mistakes.

You can find a list of links to corresponding articles on Don’s blog labeled as:

Especially for New Puppy Parentshttp://bit.ly/EspcNewPuppyParents

Part one in this series addressed things you will want to consider before you bring a puppy home; like choosing a veterinarian and a dog trainer and getting signed up for a training class that uses pain-free, force-free, and fear-free methods. Then Kate and Don move on to things you will need to do when you bring that cute ball of fluff home, and the first thing they emphasize is the need for patience. Kate and Don conclude the episode by addressing these critical puppy topics; socialization, alone training, and housetraining. This episode is available as a podcast at Podcast – Especially for New Puppy Parents – Part 1http://bit.ly/WfMw-Esp_Pups1

Part two in this series addressed play biting, roughhousing, the importance and benefits of starting a Puppy Headstart class by the time the puppy is 10-weeks old, handling for grooming and routine care, managing kids and a puppy, growling, stealing, play, and chewing. his episode is available as a podcast at Podcast – Especially for New Puppy Parents – Part 2http://bit.ly/WfMw-Esp_Pups2

You can hear The Woof Meow Show on Z62 Retro Radio, AM620, and WKIT HD3 at 9 AM on Saturday. If you are not near a radio, listen on your computer at http://bit.ly/AM620-WZON or your smartphone or tablet with the free WZON 620 AM app. A podcast of the show is typically posted immediately after the show. You can download this show and others at http://woofmeowshow.libsyn.com/, at Don’s blog http://bit.ly/Words-Woofs-Meows and the Apple iTunes store.

< Click to Listen to Podcast >

 

Contact Info

Green Acres Kennel Shop
1653 Union Street, Bangor, ME 04401

207-945-6841

Website – https://www.greenacreskennel.com/
Facebook Pagehttps://www.facebook.com/GreenAcresKennelShop/

Blog https://www.words-woofs-meows.com

Recommended Resources

Articles on Don’s Blog
( http://www.words-woofs-meows.com )

Especially for New Puppy Parentshttp://bit.ly/EspcNewPuppyParents

Teaching the ATTENTION or LOOK Behavior – http://bit.ly/GAKS-Attention

Reward Based Training versus Aversiveshttp://bit.ly/RewardVSAversive

Canine Behavior: Myths & Facts (2016)http://bit.ly/PetBhxWellness

Podcasts from The Woof Meow Show
( http://www.woofmeowshow.com )

Podcast – Especially for New Puppy Parents – Part 1http://bit.ly/WfMw-Esp_Pups1

Podcast – Especially for New Puppy Parents – Part 2http://bit.ly/WfMw-Esp_Pups2

Podcast – Especially for New Puppy Parents – Part 3http://bit.ly/WfMw-Esp_Pups3

Podcast – Pet Behavior, Vets & The AAHA Canine and Feline Behavior Management Guidelines with Dr. Dave Cloutier from Veazie Veterinary Clinichttp://traffic.libsyn.com/woofmeowshow/WoofMeowShow2016-03-12-Pet_Behavior-Vets_AAHA_Bhx_GuidelinesDave_Cloutier.mp3

 

©16MAR19, Donald J. Hanson, All Rights Reserved
< Click for Copyright and Use Policy >

Podcast – Especially for New Puppy Parents – Part 2

< Click to Listen to Podcast >

This episode of The Woof Meow Show from March 9th, 2019 is the second show in a three-part series. Kate and Don discuss; play biting, roughhousing, the importance and benefits of starting a Puppy Headstart class by the time the puppy is 10-weeks old,  handling for grooming and routine care, managing kids and a puppy, growling, stealing, play, and chewing. You can find a list of links to corresponding articles on Don’s blog labeled as:

Especially for New Puppy Parentshttp://bit.ly/EspcNewPuppyParents

Part one in this series addressed things you will want to consider before you bring a puppy home; like choosing a veterinarian and a dog trainer and getting signed up for a training class that uses pain-free, force-free, and fear-free methods. Then Kate and Don move on to things you will need to do when you bring that cute ball of fluff home, and the first thing they emphasize is the need for patience. Kate and Don conclude the episode by addressing these critical puppy topics; socialization, alone training, and housetraining. This episode is available as a podcast at Podcast – Especially for New Puppy Parents – Part 1http://bit.ly/WfMw-Esp_Pups1

The third show in this series will address the initial training tasks you will want to focus on with your new puppy. That includes; handfeeding for attention, food as a powerful reward and motivator, and how to use life rewards.  They will also address the importance of learning how to keep yourself and other people from inadvertently rewarding behavior that you do not like, such as jumping. Based on their experience teaching thousands of people how to train their dogs Kate and Don discuss why training takes time, commitment, and consistency and how to avoid common training mistakes.

You can hear The Woof Meow Show on Z62 Retro Radio, AM620, and WKIT HD3 at 9 AM on Saturday. If you are not near a radio, listen on your computer at http://bit.ly/AM620-WZON or your smartphone or tablet with the free WZON 620 AM app. A podcast of the show is typically posted immediately after the show. You can download this show and others at http://woofmeowshow.libsyn.com/, at Don’s blog http://bit.ly/Words-Woofs-Meows and the Apple iTunes store.

< Click to Listen to Podcast >

Contact Info

Green Acres Kennel Shop
1653 Union Street, Bangor, ME 04401

207-945-6841

Website – https://www.greenacreskennel.com/
Facebook Pagehttps://www.facebook.com/GreenAcresKennelShop/

Blog https://www.words-woofs-meows.com

Recommended Resources

Articles on Don’s Blog
( http://www.words-woofs-meows.com )

 

Especially for New Puppy Parentshttp://bit.ly/EspcNewPuppyParents

Biting and Bite Thresholds – http://bit.ly/Puppy-Biting

Help! My Puppy’s A Land Shark! – http://blog.greenacreskennel.com/2015/03/01/canine-behavior-help-my-puppys-a-land-shark/

Book Review – A Kids’ Comprehensive Guide to Speaking Dog! by Niki Tudge http://bit.ly/BkRvw-KidsGuide-Tudge

Book Review – Living with Kids and Dogs…Without Losing Your Mind: A Parent’s Guide to Controlling the Chaos by Colleen Pelar http://bit.ly/BkRwv-LvngKidsDogs-Pelar

What Should I Do When My Dog Growls?http://bit.ly/DogGrowls

What Should I Do When My Dog Does Not Let Me Take Something They Have Stolen and Snaps or Tries to Bite Me?http://bit.ly/StealGuardGrowlSnap

Chewing – http://bit.ly/DogsChewing

 

Podcasts from The Woof Meow Show
( http://www.woofmeowshow.com )

 

Podcast Kids & Dogs with Colleen Pelar – part 1http://traffic.libsyn.com/woofmeowshow/WoofMeowShow-2007-02-11-LivingwithKidsDogs-part-1.mp3

Podcast Kids & Dogs with Colleen Pelar – part 2http://traffic.libsyn.com/woofmeowshow/WoofMeowShow-2007-02-18-LivingwithKids-Dogs-part2.mp3

Podcast Dogs and Babies with Jennifer Shryock from Family Paws Parent Educationhttp://traffic.libsyn.com/woofmeowshow/WoofMeowShow-2013-08-17-Dogs_and_Babies_w-Jennifer_Shryock_.mp3

Podcast – Especially for New Puppy Parents – Part 1http://bit.ly/WfMw-Esp_Pups1

Podcast – Especially for New Puppy Parents – Part 2http://bit.ly/WfMw-Esp_Pups2

Podcast – Especially for New Puppy Parents – Part 3http://bit.ly/WfMw-Esp_Pups3

 

 

©09MAR19, Donald J. Hanson, All Rights Reserved
< Click for Copyright and Use Policy >

Podcast – Especially for New Puppy Parents – Part 1

< Click to Listen to Podcast >

This episode of The Woof Meow Show from March 2nd, 2019 is the first show in a three-part series, Kate and Don discuss several things that prospective puppy owners and people who have just brought home a puppy will want to know. Don and Kate base the discussion on their knowledge as Certified Professional Dog Trainers, experience with pups that they have raised, and the assistance they have provided to hundreds of new puppy parents over the past twenty-four years.

In episode #1 they suggest things you will want to consider before you bring a puppy home; like choosing a veterinarian and a dog trainer and getting signed up for a training class that uses pain-free, force-free, and fear-free methods. Then they move on to things you will need to do when you bring that cute ball of fluff home, and the first thing they emphasize is the need for patience. Kate and Don conclude the episode by addressing these critical puppy topics; socialization, alone training, and housetraining. You can find a list of links to corresponding articles on Don’s blog labeled as:

Especially for New Puppy Parentshttp://bit.ly/EspcNewPuppyParents

Episode two in this series will address; play biting, handling for grooming and routine care, managing kids and a puppy, growling, stealing, play, and chewing.

You can hear The Woof Meow Show on Z62 Retro Radio, AM620, and WKIT HD3 at 9 AM on Saturday. If you are not near a radio, listen on your computer at http://bit.ly/AM620-WZON or your smartphone or tablet with the free WZON 620 AM app. A podcast of the show is typically posted immediately after the show. You can download this show and others at http://woofmeowshow.libsyn.com/, at Don’s blog http://bit.ly/Words-Woofs-Meows and the Apple iTunes store.

< Click to Listen to Podcast >

Contact Info

Green Acres Kennel Shop
1653 Union Street, Bangor, ME 04401

207-945-6841

Website – https://www.greenacreskennel.com/
Facebook Pagehttps://www.facebook.com/GreenAcresKennelShop/

Blog https://www.words-woofs-meows.com

Recommended Resources

Articles on Don’s Blog ( http://www.words-woofs-meows.com )

Especially for New Puppy Parentshttp://bit.ly/EspcNewPuppyParents

How to Choose a Dog Trainerhttp://bit.ly/HowToChooseADogTrainer

Reward Based Training versus Aversiveshttp://bit.ly/RewardVSAversive

Things I Wish I Had Known Before I Started Training Dogs – Gus, the Dominance Myth, An Alpha Roll, and a Damaged Relationship – WWM-SEP2018 – http://bit.ly/Things-Gus-Dominance

Things I Wish I Had Known Before I Selected My First Dog – Aversives are Unnecessary and Counter-Productive When Training A Dog – Part 1 – WWM-JAN2019 http://bit.ly/Things-Aversives-1

Things I Wish I Had Known Before I Selected My First Dog – Aversives are Unnecessary and Counter-Productive When Training A Dog – Part 2 – WWM-FEB2019 –  http://bit.ly/Things-Aversives-2

The misunderstanding of time by Nancy Tanner – http://bit.ly/Patience-Dogs

Puppy Socialization and Habituationhttp://bit.ly/SocializationPuppy

Alone Traininghttp://bit.ly/AloneTraining

Housetraininghttp://bit.ly/HousetrainingYourDog

Podcasts from The Woof Meow Show
( http://www.woofmeowshow.com )

How to Choose A Dog Trainer (2017) http://blog.greenacreskennel.com/2017/01/08/how-to-choose-a-dog-trainer/

Podcast – The Benefits of Training Your Dog and 2019 Classes at Green Acreshttp://bit.ly/WfMw-Training2019

Podcast – Especially for New Puppy Parents – Part 1http://bit.ly/WfMw-Esp_Pups1

Podcast – Especially for New Puppy Parents – Part 2http://bit.ly/WfMw-Esp_Pups2

Podcast – Especially for New Puppy Parents – Part 3http://bit.ly/WfMw-Esp_Pups3

 

 

©02MAR19, Donald J. Hanson, All Rights Reserved
< Click for Copyright and Use Policy >

Podcast – Infectious Diseases and Parasites & Your Pet with Dr. Mark Hanks from Kindred Spirits Veterinary Clinic

< Click to Listen to Podcast >

Don talks with Kindred Spirits Veterinary Clinic’s Dr. Mark Hanks about infectious diseases and parasites that affect our pets. We discuss Canine Lyme Disease and Anaplasma and other tick-borne diseases including diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. We also discuss parasites, and Dr. Hanks recommended annual fecal testing for pets. Tick-borne diseases have become a serious health issue for pets in people and Maine. If you want to learn more, you will not want to miss this show.

You can hear The Woof Meow Show on Z62 Retro Radio, AM620, and WKIT HD3 at 9 AM on Saturday. If you are not near a radio, listen on your computer at http://bit.ly/AM620-WZON or your smartphone or tablet with the free WZON 620 AM app. A podcast of the show is typically posted immediately after the show. You can download this show and others at http://woofmeowshow.libsyn.com/, at Don’s blog http://bit.ly/Words-Woofs-Meows and the Apple iTunes store.

< Click to Listen to Podcast >

To Contact Dr. Hanks

Kindred Spirits Veterinary Clinic
857 River Road
Orrington, ME 04474-3603

(207) 825-8989

Emailreception@kindredvet.com

Websitehttp://www.kindredvet.com/

Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/kindredspiritsvet/

 

©23FEB19, Donald J. Hanson, All Rights Reserved
< Click for Copyright and Use Policy >

Seminar – CATS! *NOT* The Musical

Links for more information

 

< Last Updated – 08MAR19 >

< short link to this page – http://bit.ly/PresCATS-NOT >

This seminar presented by Don Hanson of Green Acres Kennel Shop addresses the following topics:

  • Our Responsibilities to Our Cat(s)
  • The Natural History of the Cat
  • Feline Behavior
  • Feline Body Language
  • Problem Behaviors
    • Socialization & Fearful Behavior
    • Aggression
    • Litterbox Challenges
    • Safely Transporting Your Cat
  • Feline Nutritional Needs
  • Other Resources

Recommended Resources

Articles on Don’s Blog
( http://www.words-woofs-meows.com )

Brambell’s Five Freedoms

These two articles discuss Brambell’s from a dogs perspective but much also applies to the cat. I will be writing an article specific to how Brambell’s Five Freedoms in the future.

Animal Welfare – Assessing Pets’ Welfare Using Brambell’s Five Freedomshttp://bit.ly/Brambells-APDT2014

Brambell’s Five Freedoms – Parts 1 thru 5 as a printable PDF file – WWM JAN2018 thru WWM MAY2018 – http://bit.ly/Brambell-1thru5-PDF

Cat Welfare

Your Pet’s Behavioral Health Is As Important As Their Physical Well-Beinghttp://blog.greenacreskennel.com/2015/08/01/pet-health-and-wellness-your-pets-behavioral-health-is-as-important-as-their-physical-well-being/

Shared Blog Post – (Declawing Cats) Still Common in the US, yet Banned in Several Countries – Why Is This Happening?http://blog.greenacreskennel.com/2017/08/23/shared-blog-post-declawing-cats-still-common-in-the-us-yet-banned-in-several-countries-why-is-this-happening/

The Natural History of the Cat

Shared Blog Post – Cats Domesticated Themselves, Ancient DNA Shows – from National Geographichttp://blog.greenacreskennel.com/2017/06/26/shared-blog-post-cats-domesticated-themselves-ancient-dna-shows-from-national-geographic/

Cat Behavior

Inappropriate Elimination (Urination & Defecation)http://bit.ly/Cat-Inapp-ElimUrin

Cat Litter: Who Gets to Choose?http://bit.ly/CatLitter-Choices

Make Your Life Easier – Get Your Cat to Love Their Carrierhttp://bit.ly/Cats-Carriers 

Shared Facebook Post – Cats, Carriers & Transporthttp://blog.greenacreskennel.com/2019/01/20/shared-facebook-post-cats-carriers-transport/

Pet Behavior and Wellness – Pet Behavior as an Essential Component to Holistic Wellnesshttp://bit.ly/PetBhxWellness

Shared Blog Post – Cats, Boxes & Other Small Spaces http://blog.greenacreskennel.com/2015/06/13/cats-boxes-other-small-spaces/

 Shared Blog Post – A Telltale Sign Your Cat Is Stressed – It is the Right Ear!http://blog.greenacreskennel.com/2018/01/25/shared-blog-post-a-telltale-sign-your-cat-is-stressed-it-is-the-right-ear/

Shared Blog Post – Stress and your cat’s health – a new study explores the connection – Mikel Maria Delgadohttp://blog.greenacreskennel.com/2018/05/08/shared-blog-post-stress-and-your-cats-health-a-new-study-explores-the-connection-mikel-maria-delgado/

 

Cat Body Language

Body Language of Feline Anxiety – Dr. Sophia Yinhttps://drsophiayin.com/product/body-language-of-feline-anxiety-poster-handouts/

Cat Language – Lili Chinhttps://www.dropbox.com/sh/r591fa82pnmm690/AAAsoy9Qdvc5QxfOqLOJMHzRa?dl=0

RSPCA –  What does my cat’s behaviour mean? – https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/cats/behaviour/understanding

Signs of Anxiety and Fear from Dr. Marty Beckerhttp://blog.greenacreskennel.com/2018/01/17/signs-of-anxiety-and-fear-from-dr-marty-becker/

 

Cats & Nutrition

Book Review – Natural Nutrition for Cats: The Path to Purrfect Health by Kymythy Schultzehttp://blog.greenacreskennel.com/2017/07/31/book-review-natural-nutrition-for-cats-the-path-to-purrfect-health-by-kymythy-schultze/

Things I Wish I Had Known… The Importance of What I Feed My Petsbit.ly/Things-Nutrition-1

Shared Blog Post – Dogs and Cats Are Dying Daily Because Their Owners Aren’t Aware of Thishttp://blog.greenacreskennel.com/2017/10/15/shared-blog-post-dogs-and-cats-are-dying-daily-because-their-owners-arent-aware-of-this/

Pet Care Providers

Pets, Who Cares for Them When You Are Away?http://blog.greenacreskennel.com/2015/09/01/pets-who-cares-for-them-when-you-are-away/

Selecting A Pet Care Provider – Yes! A Trend Towards Kinder and Gentler Professional Pet Care – Green Acres Kennel Shop’s “Pet-Friendly” Philosophy – Part 1http://blog.greenacreskennel.com/2015/04/02/yes-a-trend-towards-kinder-and-gentler-professional-pet-care-green-acres-kennel-shops-pet-friendly-philosophy-part-1/

Selecting A Pet Care Provider – Yes! A Trend Towards Kinder and Gentler Professional Pet Care – The PPG – Part 2http://blog.greenacreskennel.com/2015/05/02/selecting-a-pet-care-provider-yes-a-trend-towards-kinder-and-gentler-professional-pet-care-the-ppg-part-2/

Selecting A Pet Care Provider – Yes! A Trend Towards Kinder and Gentler Professional Pet Care – A Veterinary Perspective – Part 3http://blog.greenacreskennel.com/2015/06/30/selecting-a-pet-care-provider-yes-a-trend-towards-kinder-and-gentler-professional-pet-care-a-veterinary-perspective-part-3/

Podcasts from The Woof Meow Show
( http://www.woofmeowshow.com )

 Pet Nutrition with Kymythy Schultze Author of Natural Nutrition for Cats: The Path to Purrfect Healthhttp://blog.greenacreskennel.com/2017/07/31/podcast-pet-nutrition-with-kymythy-schultze-author-of-natural-nutrition-for-cats-the-path-to-purrfect-health/

Listener Questions No. 26 All About Cats with Dr. Mike McCaw from Veazie Veterinary Clinichttp://blog.greenacreskennel.com/2016/10/22/podcast-listener-questions-no-26-all-about-cats-with-dr-mike-mccaw-from-veazie-veterinary-clinic/

Respiratory Disease in Cats-Dr. Mike McCaw – Veazie Veterinary Clinichttp://blog.greenacreskennel.com/2016/08/23/podcast-respiratory-disease-in-cats-dr-mike-mccaw-veazie-veterinary-clinic/

Urinary Health in Cats-Dr. Mike McCaw – Veazie Veterinary Clinichttp://blog.greenacreskennel.com/2016/05/01/podcast-the-woof-meow-show-urinary-health-in-cats-dr-mike-mccaw-veazie-veterinary-clinic/

Pet Care Options When You Go Away: Pet Sitter, Neighbor, Boarding Facilityhttp://blog.greenacreskennel.com/2015/09/05/podcast-pet-care-options-when-you-go-away-pet-sitter-neighbor-boarding-facility/

Cats & Cerebellar Hypoplasia with Stephanie Fournier of Cerebellar Hypoplasia Advocates of Mainehttp://blog.greenacreskennel.com/2018/02/10/podcast-cats-cerebellar-hypoplasia-with-stephanie-fournier-of-cerebellar-hypoplasia-advocates-of-maine/

Books

Cat Sense: How the New Feline Science Can Make You a Better Friend to Your Pet, John Bradshaw, Basic Books, 2013 – I first read John Bradshaw’s two previous books on cats; The True Nature of the Cat and The Behaviour of the Domestic Cat back in 2003. Cats, and specifically cat behavior is still under-researched compared to dogs, but Cat Sense nicely sums up what we do know. Bradshaw also discusses how the cat and society are changing and suggests what that means for the cats future. Bradshaw has asked some important questions and concerns about neutering and breeding which merit further discussion and action.

Training Your Cat, Dr. Kersti Seksel, Hyland House Publishing, 1999. Written by an Australian veterinarian, this book is an excellent primer on cat behavior, care, and training. While many people think cats cannot be trained, this book demonstrates exactly how easy training a cat can be.

Nutrition for Cats: The Path to Purr-fect Health, Kymythy Schultze, Hay House, 2008

Feline Nutrition: Nutrition for the Optimum Health and Longevity of your Cat, Lynn Curtis, CreateSpace, 2011

________________________________________________________________________
Don Hanson is the co-owner of the Green Acres Kennel Shop ( greenacreskennel.com ) in Bangor, ME where he has been helping people with their pets since 1995. He is a Bach Foundation Registered Animal Practitioner (BFRAP), Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC), Associate Certified Cat Behavior Consultant (ACCBC) and a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA). Don is a member of the Pet Professional Guild (PPG) and is committed to PPG’s Guiding Principles and the Pain-Free, Force-Free, and Fear-Free training, management, and care of all pets. Don produces and co-hosts a weekly radio show and podcast, The Woof Meow Show, that airs on Z62 Retro Radio WZON (AM620) and WKIT 103.3-HD3 and is streamed at http://bit.ly/AM620-WZON every Saturday at 9 AM. Podcasts of the show are available at http://woofmeowshow.libsyn.com/, the Apple Podcast app, and at Don’s blog: www.words-woofs-meows.com.  The opinions in this post are those of Don Hanson.

©8-Mar-19, Donald J. Hanson, All Rights Reserved
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Shared Blog Post – The Tucson Dog – Arizona Region Shock-Free Coalition

< A short link to this page >

In this article from the 28FEB19 issue of The Tucson Dog, Kim Silver, the Arizona Regional Coordinator of The Shock Free Coalition discusses electronic shock collars that are used to train dogs and explains why The Shock-Free Coalition is working to end the practice of administering electric shock for the purposes of training, management, and caring for pets. Silver addresses the misconceptions many pet parents have about the use of shock to solve behavior problems and explains why experts in dog behavior believe shock collars do serious harm and should never be used. < Click to read the full article >

If you would like to help The Shock-Free Coalition educate pet parents about the danger of electric shock, I encourage you to join us by taking the Shock-Free pledge at https://www.shockfree.org/Pledge

Listed below you will find links to several helpful articles, podcasts and websites that explain the dangers of using electric shock to train, confine, or care for a dog.

Recommended Resources

Articles on Don’s Blog

( http://www.words-woofs-meows.com )

The Unintended Consequences of Shock Collarshttp://bit.ly/ShockCollars

Celebrating the 1st Year of the Shock-Free Coalition – +R Rocks – WWM NOV2018 – http://bit.ly/Shock-FreeRocks

Say No To Shock! (A List of Scientific Articles and More) – http://bit.ly/SayNoToShock

Is Your Dog Your Best Friend or a Family Member? – WWM-OCT2017 –   http://bit.ly/BestFriendsAndShock

Things I Wish I Had Known Before I Selected My First Dog – Aversives are Unnecessary and Counter-Productive When Training A Dog – Part 1 – WWM-JAN2019 http://bit.ly/Things-Aversives-1

Things I Wish I Had Known Before I Selected My First Dog – Aversives are Unnecessary and Counter-Productive When Training A Dog – Part 2 – WWM-FEB2019 –  Reward Based Training versus Aversiveshttp://bit.ly/Things-Aversives-2

Reward Based Training versus Aversiveshttp://bit.ly/RewardVSAversive

Shock-Free Maine Coalition Ad in November 2017 Downeast Dog Newshttp://bit.ly/Shock-FreeME-Ad-NOV18DEDN

Pet Professional Guild – Pet Training, Management and Care: We Now Know Enough to Stop Shocking Our Pets – An Open Letter to Pet Industry Representatives Regarding the Use of Shock in Animal Training – http://bit.ly/2mUEj4Q

Podcasts from The Woof Meow Show

( http://www.woofmeowshow.com )

Podcast – The Unintended Consequences of Shock Collarshttp://bit.ly/ShockPodcast

Podcast – The Woof Meow Show: The Pet Professional Guild and the Shock-Free Coalition with Niki Tudgehttp://bit.ly/PodCastShockFree-NikiTudge-2017

On-Line Resources

Shock-Free Maine Coalition Facebook page  – http://bit.ly/ShockFreeMEFB

The Shock-Free Coalitionhttps://www.shockfree.org/

Take the Shock-Free Pledgehttps://www.shockfree.org/Pledge

The Shock Free Coalition on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/shockfreecoalition/