Category: Shared Blog Post

Shared Blog Post – Does a Wagging Tail Mean a Happy Dog?

< shareable, short link to this post – http://bit.ly/EileenAndersonWaggingTails >

Many people are under the misconception that if a dog is wagging its tail that it is happy and therefore safe to approach. The fact is, a dog may also wag their tail when aroused, when preparing to attack, when anxious, and while hunting prey.

To learn more about dogs and their tails, read this blog post from author and dog trainer Eileen Anderson at her blog eileenanddogs – https://eileenanddogs.com/2018/10/14/does-wagging-tail-mean-dog-is-happy/

Recommended Resources

Articles on Don’s Blog

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

Introduction to Canine Communication – http://bit.ly/CanineComm

Handouts to Download

Body Language of Fear in Dogs – Dr. Sophia Yin – http://bit.ly/Yin-BodyLang-Fear

Signs of Anxiety and Fear – Dr. Marty Becker – http://bit.ly/MartyBecker-AnxietyFear

Books

On Talking Terms With Dogs: Calming Signals, Turid Rugaas, Dogwise Publishing, 2006

Shared Blog Post – Acupuncture – Stuns Veterinarians, Relieves Pain Without Side Effects

In this blog post from September 13th, veterinarian Dr. Karen Becker discusses the many benefits of acupuncture for treating our pets. Acupuncture is not some new-age trend but is an ancient Chinese healing art with thousands of years of history behind it. It can be useful for treating pain, intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), seizure, cancer, hip dysplasia, and arthritis. I have personally benefited from acupuncture as have two of my pets; Gus and Muppy.

FMI – https://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2018/09/13/acupuncture-for-pets.aspx?

Recommended Resources

Articles on Don’s Blog

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

A Chiropractic Adjustment and Acupuncture Treatment for Muppy – WWM DEC2016 – http://bit.ly/ChiroAcupuncMuppy

Holistic and Complementary Wellness for Pets – My Journey – WWM – OCT2016 – http://bit.ly/CompMed4PetsMyJourney

Podcasts from The Woof Meow Show

( http://www.woofmeowshow.com )

Podcast-Holistic and Complementary Wellness for Pets – Veterinary Acupuncture and Chiropractic for Pets with Dr. Michael Munzer – All Creatures Acupuncture – http://blog.greenacreskennel.com/2016/10/09/podcast-holistic-and-complementary-wellness-for-pets-veterinary-acupuncture-and-chiropractic-for-pets-with-dr-michael-munzer-all-creatures-acupuncture/ 

Podcast – Holistic Approaches to Chronic Disease – Orthopedic Issues, Skin Issues and Lyme Disease with Dr. Michael Munzer from All Creatures Acupuncture – http://blog.greenacreskennel.com/2017/03/18/podcast-holistic-approaches-to-chronic-disease-orthopedic-issues-skin-issues-and-lyme-disease-with-dr-michael-munzer-from-all-creatures-acupuncture/

 Podcast – Holistic Approaches to Chronic Disease – GI Issues and Cancer with Dr. Michael Munzer from All Creatures Acupuncture –  http://blog.greenacreskennel.com/2017/03/25/podcast-holistic-approaches-to-chronic-disease-gi-issues-and-cancer-with-dr-michael-munzer-from-all-creatures-acupuncture/

Podcast – Holistic and Complementary Wellness for Pets – Our Personal Journey – http://blog.greenacreskennel.com/2016/10/08/podcast-holistic-and-complementary-wellness-for-pets-our-personal-journey/

Podcast – Pet Health and Wellness – Don and Kate’s Journey with Complementary Medicine – http://blog.greenacreskennel.com/2015/08/29/podcast-pet-health-and-wellness-don-and-kates-journey-with-complementary-medicine/

 

Shared Blog Post – Ask Your Pet with Dr. Patton – Is Your Pet Obese?

Our friends at Vital Essentials have started a new video and blog series with Dr. Richard Patton, author of Ruined by Excess, Perfected by Lack and one of my favorite resources on pet nutrition. The first in this series addresses pet obesity.

Check out this video and blog post at https://www.vitalessentialsraw.com/blog/is-your-pet-obese/

 

Recommended Resources

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

Pet Nutrition – The Science and Dogma of Pet Nutrition with Dr. Richard Patton – http://bit.ly/Video-Dr-Richard-Patton

Book Review – Ruined by Excess, Perfected by Lack – The paradox of pet nutrition by Richard Patton – http://bit.ly/RuinedByExcess-BookReview

Pet Nutrition – What Should I Feed My Pet? – http://bit.ly/What-Should-I-Feed-My-Pet

Pet Nutrition – What Do You Feed Your Dog? – WWM-JUN2016 – http://bit.ly/WhatDoYouFeedYourDog

Pet Nutrition – Should I Feed My Pet A Raw Diet? – http://bit.ly/ShouldIFeedMyPetARawDiet

Pet Nutrition: Some Myths and Facts – Part 1 – My story with Gus – Maine Dog Magazine – Winter 2017 – http://bit.ly/Gus-Nutrition

Pet Nutrition –Vital Essentials® Pet Food – http://blog.greenacreskennel.com/2016/08/14/pet-nutrition-vital-essentials-pet-food/

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

Podcast – Pet Nutrition with Dr. Richard Patton – http://bit.ly/DrPatton-Podcast

Podcast –What do you feed your pets? – http://bit.ly/WhatDoYouFeedYourPets-Podcast

Podcast – Raw Diets and the Carnivore Meat Company-Vital Essentials-Dee Ferranti and Jodi Langellotti – http://blog.greenacreskennel.com/2016/04/17/podcast-raw-diets-and-the-carnivore-meat-company-vital-essentials-dee-ferranti-and-jodi-langellotti/

 

Shared Blog Post – Be Aware – This Pet Food Contains a Stunning List of 40 ‘Clean’ Ingredients – More Marketing Deception

 

In this post from 18AUG18, Veterinarian Dr. Karen Becker discusses the latest marketing practice by some pet food companies; the hyping of “Clean” ingredients. While that may sound like a good thing, because of the lack of a legal definition of the term “Clean ingredients” puts this in the category of just more misleading marketing hype.

Key points highlighted by Dr. Becker are:

  • The processed pet food industry is increasingly at a loss to understand how to keep pet parents happy and buying their products.
  • The industry touts the self-funded “science” behind their pet food, but laments that consumers don’t trust it.
  • The pet food industry also engages in misleading marketing practices intended to present their products as fresh, wholesome, “natural” and “clean.”
  • Unless big pet food aligns its goals with those of pet parents, it will continue to lose ground as consumers find alternatives to processed diets.

I find that the following two paragraphs from Dr. Becker’s post summarize her concerns quite well:

“No, the science the pet food industry would like us to buy into is the science of learning how to keep dogs and cats alive (surviving, but not thriving) on biologically inappropriate, “feed-grade” diets that must include synthetic vitamins to meet minimum nutrition standards.”

“The science they tout involves testing the limits of dogs’ and cats’ tolerance for poor-quality, biologically inappropriate ingredients that have undergone extreme processing methods. The endgame is to keep carnivores alive on a processed diet of grains, starches and the poorest-quality animal protein they can get away with. It’s the science of dollars and cents. The cheaper the ingredients, the bigger the profit margin.” [ Emphasis Added ]

If you care about your pet’s health and what you feed them, you need to read Dr. Becker’s post. – https://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2018/08/18/processed-pet-food-clean-eating.aspx

Recommended Resources

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

Shared Post – What’s Wrong with the Prong?

An excellent video and article from the San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SFSPCA) on how prong collars can physically injure your dog and can even cause your dog to become aggressive. Learn how you can train and manage your dog without hurting them.

FMI – https://www.sfspca.org/prong

Recommended Resources

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

Dog Training – Reward Based Training versus Aversives – http://bit.ly/RewardVSAversive

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

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

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

 <CLICK ON THE TITLE TO LISTEN TO THE SHOW>

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

Yes! A Trend Towards Kinder and Gentler Professional Pet Care – Fear-Free Veterinary Visits with Dr. Dave Cloutier from Veazie Veterinary Clinic

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

Other Articles and Blogs

Choke Collar Pathology – an excellent blog post from dog trainer Daniel Antolec on the dangers of using a choke collar on a dog. – http://ppgworldservices.com/2017/06/13/choke-collar-pathology/

 Web Sites

POSITION STATEMENTS ON ANIMAL BEHAVIOR, TRAINING, AND CARE

 2015 American Animal Hospital Association Canine and Feline Behavior Management Guidelines – https://www.aaha.org/professional/resources/behavior_management_guidelines.aspx

The Guiding Principles of the Pet Professional Guild – http://www.petprofessionalguild.com/PPGs-Guiding-Principles

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

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

The Pet Professional Guild Position Statement on the Use of Shock In Animal Training – http://www.petprofessionalguild.com/shockcollars/

 The Pet Professional Guild Position Statement on the Use of Dominance Theory in Animal Training – http://www.petprofessionalguild.com/DominanceTheoryPositionStatement/

The Pet Professional Guild Position Statement on Puppy Socialization – http://www.petprofessionalguild.com/PuppySocializationPositionStatement/

American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) Position Statement on the Use of Dominance Theory in Behavior Modification of Animals – https://www.boulderhumane.org/sites/default/files/dominance%20statement_0.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

American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) Position Statement on Puppy Socialization – https://avsab.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Puppy_Socialization_Position_Statement_Download_-_10-3-14.pdf

 American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) Position Statement on Positive Veterinary Care – https://avsab.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Positive-Veterinary-Care-Position-Statement-download.pdf

Professional Pet Care Associations

 The Pet Professional Guild – http://www.petprofessionalguild.com/

 The Pet Professional Accreditation Board – http://www.credentialingboard.com/

 

Shared Facebook Post – Don’t “Ace” the Fear

The Use of Acepromazine with Dogs

Yesterday I shared a Facebook post from and Veterinary Behavior Consultants of Alabama and Roverchase addressing the use of the sedative Acepromazine for treating firework, thunderstorm and noise phobias in dogs. The graphic from Facebook explains that “Ace” does not really resolve the dog’s anxiety and suggest you ask your veterinarian for a better, more humane alternative.

In this YouTube video [ https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=6-GsmrFYHKk ] Dr. Karen Overall, a veterinary behaviorist, discusses Acepromazine in a presentation for the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB). She explains why Acepromazine is not good pharmacological support for thunderstorms or noise phobias and indicates that it actually can increase noise sensitivity.

 

Shared Facebook Post – Mighty Dog Graphics – Summer Heat Hazards

Mighty Dog Graphics ( https://www.facebook.com/mightydoggraphics/  ) is located in Dublin, Ireland. They create some excellent educational posters for pet parents and pet care professionals. They have graciously allowed us to share some of these posters with you.

This month I am including two graphics, both dealing with the effect higher temperatures can have on our pets.

This is the time of year when you need to seriously consider leaving your dog at home if you there is any chance you will need to leave them in the car. If it is only 72 degrees outside, the temperature inside of a car can reach 117 degrees in just 60 minutes. Our pets are very susceptible to heat and it seems like reminding people should be unnecessary, but the fact is pets die in cars every year. < Click to download this poster >

Dogs love their walks, and hopefully you do so as well. As the temperatures rise you need to give careful though as to when and where you walk your dog. The best times are early in the morning or early evening, when the temperatures are lower. As for places, avoid asphalt/black top. I suspect we all know how effectively blacktop absorbs the suns rays and becomes extremely hot. Before walking your dog on any surface check its temperature by placing the back of your hand against the surface and holding it there for 5 seconds. If it is too hot for you, it is too hot for your dog’s paws. < Click to download this poster >

 

Shared Blog Post – Stress and your cat’s health – a new study explores the connection – Mikel Maria Delgado

This April 18th post from the blog of Mikel Maria Delgado, cats and squirrels and other important things…, discusses a study which examines the connection between stress and the incidence of feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC) in cats. Signs of this disorder include straining to urinate, urinating outside the litter box, or blood in the urine. The study indicated that the five top factors related to FIC were:

  1. being male,
  2. having a litter box with non-clumping litter,
  3. living with other cats,
  4. living in an apartment (versus a house),
  5. and not having an elevated vantage point for use (such as a cat condo or vertical space).

To read Delgado’s post, go to http://catsandsquirrels.com/stress-and-your-cats-health/

To read an abstract of the study, go to http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1098612X17734067

To download a PDF of the entire study, go to http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1098612X17734067

 

Shared Blog Post – Blogs by the Guild – The Pet Professional Guild Position Statement On The Use of Shock In Animal Training

Today the Pet Professional Guild ( https://www.petprofessionalguild.com/ ) shared their position statement on the use of shock in animal training on Blogs by the Guild, part of PPG World Services. The post starts out by stating:

“It is Pet Professional Guild’s (PPG) view that electric shock in the guise of training constitutes a form of abuse towards pets, and, given that there are highly effective, positive training alternatives, should no longer be a part of the current pet industry culture of accepted practices, tools or philosophies. In this position statement, PPG will combine decades of research with the opinions of certified animal behaviorists, and highlight the question of ethics to explain why using electric shock in the name of training and care is both ineffective and harmful.” [Emphasis added]

I encourage anyone who truly is concerned about the best interests of dogs to read the PPG position statement ( https://ppgworldservices.com/2018/04/12/the-pet-professional-guild-position-statement-on-the-use-of-shock-in-animal-training/ ) and to take the next step and sign the Shock-Free Coalition pledge at https://petprofessionalguild.com/Advocacy-Resources

Click here to view a list of Maine Pet Care Professionals that are committed to not using electric shock.

Recommended Resources

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

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

Is Your Dog Your Best Friend or a Family Member? If Yes, Then Please Join Me and Take the Pledge – http://bit.ly/BestFriendsAndShock

Reward Based Training versus Aversives – http://bit.ly/RewardVSAversive

The PPG and AAHA – Making A Kinder World for Dogs – http://blog.greenacreskennel.com/2017/04/11/the-ppg-and-aaha-making-a-kinder-world-for-dogs/

How to choose a dog trainer – http://bit.ly/HowToChooseADogTrainer

Please Be Cautious When Choosing Who Cares For Your Pets – http://blog.greenacreskennel.com/2016/04/11/pet-care-services-please-be-cautious-when-choosing-who-cares-for-your-pets/

Selecting A Pet Care Provider – Yes! A Trend Towards Kinder and Gentler Professional Pet Care – Green Acres Kennel Shop’s “Pet Friendly” Philosophy – Part 1 – http://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 2 – http://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/

 

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

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

Podcast – The Pet Professional Guild and the Shock-Free Coalition with Niki Tudge – http://bit.ly/PodCastShockFree-NikiTudge-2017

Podcast –Pet Behavior, Vets & The AAHA Canine and Feline Behavior Management Guidelines – Dr. Dave Cloutier – Veazie Veterinary Clinic – http://blog.greenacreskennel.com/2016/07/02/podcast-encore-pet-behavior-vets-the-aaha-canine-and-feline-behavior-management-guidelines-dr-dave-cloutier-veazie-veterinary-clinic/

The Unintended Consequence of Shock Collars – http://traffic.libsyn.com/woofmeowshow/WoofMeowShow-2014-03-29-Unexpected_Consequences_of_Shock_Collars.mp3

From the Green Acres Kennel Shop Web Site

Press Release – Green Acres Kennel Shop Joins the Shock-Free Coalition – http://www.greenacreskennel.com/images/stories/press-releases/2017/green%20acres%20kennel%20shop%20joins%20the%20shock-free%20coalition-25sep17.pdf

Maine Shock-Free Coalition –  http://www.greenacreskennel.com/donate/shock-free-coalition-of-maine.html

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

Green Acres Kennel Shop Position Statement on Pet Friendly, Force-Free Pet Care – http://blog.greenacreskennel.com/2006/02/01/no-pain-no-force-no-fear-green-acres-kennel-shop-position-statement-on-pet-friendly-force-free-pet-care/

From the Shock-Free Coalition Web Site ( https://www.petprofessionalguild.com/advocacy-resources )

The Shock-Free Pledge –  https://www.petprofessionalguild.com/Shock-Free-Coalition

The Shock-Free Pledge (PDF) –  https://www.petprofessionalguild.com/resources/No%20Shock%20Coalition/PPG%20Pledge%20Document.pdf

What is shock training – https://www.petprofessionalguild.com/What-is-Shock-Training

Electronic Fences, What You Need to Know – https://www.petprofessionalguild.com/Electronic-Fencing-What-you-need-to-know

Are Electronic Shock Collars Painful or Just Annoying to Dogs? – https://www.petprofessionalguild.com/Are-Electronic-Shock-Collars-Painful-or-Just-Annoying-to-Dogs

What Experts Say – https://www.petprofessionalguild.com/What-Experts-Say

Myths and Misconceptions – https://www.petprofessionalguild.com/Myths-and-Misconceptions

Web Articles

Can Aggression in Dogs Be Elicited Through the Use of Electronic Pet Containment Systems? – http://www.leaonline.com/doi/abs/10.1207/S15327604JAWS0304_6;jsessionid=nFup

Training dogs with help of the shock collar: short and long term behavioural effects – http://eldri.ust.is/media/ljosmyndir/dyralif/Trainingdogswithshockcollar.pdf

Association of Pet Behaviour Counselors Press Release on Shock Collars – http://www.apbc.org.uk/article2.htm

Dog Trainer & Author Pamela Dennison on Invisible Fences – https://www.pamdennison.com/why-i-really-hate-electric-sock-invisible-fences/

A scene on shock collars from the documentary Dogs, Cats and Scapegoats – https://vimeo.com/231589923