http://www.dogsincanada.com For dogs and their Canadians Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:57:04 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Coming soon! http://www.dogsincanada.com/housetraining-basics Ever since Rin Tin Tin saved Warner Brothers from financial ruin in the 1920s, dogs have been darlings of the silver screen. Adoring fans marvelled at the antics of Benji and laughed at Eddie on Frasier. And the Emmy award-winning Lassie was one of the longest-running shows on television. “Could my ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/dog-actors Being able to read a dog’s body language is an invaluable asset. Breaking through part of the language barrier can help with everything from assessing a dog’s mood, to training or helping a frightened dog. Dogs already read our body language very well. What if we could understand the silent ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/reading-dog-body-language If you ever get an opportunity to listen in on conversations between dog trainers and dog owners, take it. A few years ago, a woman with a Standard Wire-haired Dachshund called to complain that “Every time I go for a walk, ‘Murphy’ finds a pizza crust and becomes possessive over ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/drop-it-a-training-plan-for-sidewalk-scavengers There is probably no more quintessentially Canadian canine image than a team of sled dogs racing across a winter landscape – snow flying, frigid temperatures, a team of dogs and a person alone against the elements. Background Sled dog racing has probably been around for as long as dogs have pulled sleds, ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/sled-dog-racing Cancer is just as devastating in dogs as it is in people, and has similar varied outcomes. Some victims linger while the cancer takes their life away; others die within hours from complications such as bleeding around the heart. Fear of this disease is the reason dog owners are trying ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/cancer-prevention-and-treatment The 2007 pet food recall was an unprecedented event. Of course, there had been pet food recalls before, but always on a much smaller scale and never (at least to anyone’s knowledge) as a result of intentional adulteration of an ingredient. In fact, there have historically been far more and ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/pet-food-recall-aftermath A dog show is mystifying if you don’t know the rules. Crates and tables seem to be everywhere, blow dryers are blowing and hair is flying, people are running around, flinging armband numbers, changing leashes, polishing dogs. They run around the ring, the judge points and mumbles, then some dogs ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/dog-show-and-tell Over many years of policing in a major city, I have responded to numerous calls involving dog complaints – everything from barking and biting to being off leash. Dog owners are often unaware of what is going on, and these days, many people tend to call the police to intervene, ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/what-non-dog-owners-wish-dog-owners-knew After all these years I still get nervous before I enter the ring. Most handlers do, no matter how long they’ve been in the sport. Not to worry. If we didn’t get nervous, it would mean we no longer cared about how we did, so a bit of nerves is ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/obedience-ring-jitters When Jane Boake decided to train dogs to assist people who have disabilities, she discovered that it gave her an incredible feeling – a feeling of accomplishment, of knowing that she had done something good for someone else. It was a feeling the special education teacher knew others needed to ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/canines-helping-people-cope Thick, acrid smoke enveloped Maureen Dool as she inched along on hands and knees. The shirt pulled up over her face provided little protection against the treacherous cloud that assaulted her as soon as she entered the burning building. She had always been leery of fire, but the incessant barking of ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/how-the-midland-ospca-rose-from-the-ashes A last-minute Christmas present turned out to be the best hunting companion one could ever wish for. ‘Manous’ (pronounced Mah-noo), a seven-year-old, six-pound Pomeranian/Papillon cross, is the improbable – and inseparable – partner of Jeffrey Boucher, an avid hunter and professional trapper in northern Quebec. Originally intended to be a gift ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/mighty-manous-the-unlikely-hunting-dog There is no shortage of famous quotes exploring the bond between humans and dogs. For many of us, dogs represent the ideal version of love: giving, forgiving, free of judgment and we almost always fall at first sight. We may never be able to return the full measure of love ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/why-we-love-dogs His friends sit in a group, passing around snacks. Someone has dropped chips on the floor, and as all dog people know, Hoover has nothing on the suctioning abilities of a canine tongue. “Let ‘Flower’ clean up, it will make her happy, she’s doing much better!” he offers, as he ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/munchausens-by-proxy-and-pets When Canadian dogs win, we’ll list them here. Tips? If you spot an error or omission, please email us. SPORTING Best of Breed 10 Ch Shireoak Caniscaeli Windsong Breed: Setter (Irish Red and White) Breeder: Kim Spelmer Owner Y Herrera & L Stark & V Malzoni & D Johnson & G Harris Photos Breed judging Best of Breed 23 Ch Reidwood Red Alert Breed: Setter ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/westminster-2010-winners My husband and I were only looking to spice up our relationship by introducing someone new into our lives. Being modern-day adventurists, we searched online and there she was – wearing a gorgeous coat, relaxing in another man’s arms, her dark eyes veiled by a mask. One phone conversation, an ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/gifts-of-st-bernice Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) strikes without warning, causing death in a matter of days. It only rarely produces a mild illness. Any dog can suffer from this disease, so it’s important to keep it in mind when signs of anemia start to develop. What causes this disease to erupt is largely ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/immune-mediated-hemolytic-anemia What do bulbs, blooms and bread dough have in common? They all play a part in the holidays we celebrate at this time of year – and they all can be harmful to our dogs. Think of the yummy food and floral decor of St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, Passover and ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/spring-safety Veterinary ophthalmologists such as Nick Whelan, M.V.Sc., M.A.C.V.Sc., Dip.A.C.V.C.P., Dip.A.C.V.O. at the University of Guelph, examine, diagnose, and treat diseases of the eye and its surrounding structures. If you suffer from an eye problem, your family physician is going to refer you to an ophthalmologist. In the canine world, veterinarians ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/the-specialists-ophthalmologist Websites and organizations: Recalls, Market Withdrawals and Safety Alerts Pet Food Association of Canada The Pet Food Institute http://www.dogsincanada.com/pet-food-safety In the history of the canine/human partnership, some may think there has never been a better time to be a dog. It is not uncommon for people to joke that when they die they want to come back as their own dog. After all, we give our dogs everything: special ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/are-spoiled-dogs-happy I got my first second dog about 20 years ago. Dog number one, ‘Brum,’ came to live with me, his fourth home, at the age of six. By the age of 12 he was still our only dog, and the apple of my eye. The reason for my second dog was ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/doubling-up-getting-a-second-dog You’ve hooked up with the potential person of your dreams and, bonus, they say they love animals too. As a matter of fact, they’ve got a dog of their own. But before you start planning a series of long, romantic walks for just the four of you, take a moment to ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/dogs-and-dating What do you look for when you choose a food for your dog? If you’ve committed to a home-formulated diet, it should be one that has been created and tested by a veterinary nutritionist. For those choosing commercial foods, some of the issues most often raised by consumers are not, ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/pet-food-facts-and-fallacies Canine influenza broke out in 2004. The doomsayers quickly predicted widespread epidemics with catastrophic losses. They were right in one way – the disease has indeed continued to pop up. But, outbreaks have remained small and few dogs have died. What it is Canine influenza is a highly contagious respiratory infection caused ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/what-happened-to-canine-influenza Vincent Defalque, D.M.V., Dip. A.C.V.D., is a board-certified dermatologist specializing in skin disorders of dogs and cats. Veterinary dermatologists play an important role in veterinary medicine. The reason is simple – the skin is a very complex organ, capable of responding to disease in only limited ways. This makes ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/the-specialists-dermatologist Sgt. Dave Mounsteven vividly recalls the first time his canine partner saved his life. He was arresting a man outside an Oshawa bar when the man’s brother jumped on his back. Unable to take on both men at the same time, Mounsteven reached for a small emergency button on ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/the-strengthened-ospca-act As dogs become recognized as beloved family members, more dog owners are sharing their living space with their pets and making the most of available areas. With this in mind, pet furniture manufacturers are designing multi-functional items to blend in with the latest interior design trends. Kick back Pet lovers who prefer ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/decorating-trends-for-dog-friendly-homes Vital signs are signals to health. They are the first things veterinarians check when you arrive with a sick dog because they reveal how the body is working and, if something is awry, what diseases or conditions to suspect. You can use the same vital signs to help you decide ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/vital-signs Nobody notices the good dogs. Responsible dog owners who train and socialize, scoop the poop, keep their dogs leashed except in off-leash areas, don't let their dogs bark inappropriately and keep their dogs clean and pest-free don't make front page news or even last-page news. They are simply invisible as ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/rdogs-canadas-day-for-dogs Diabetes mellitus occurs fairly frequently in dogs. As with humans, canine diabetes can be either Type I (insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus) or Type II (non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus). Type I is more prevalent, accounting for 70 to 80 per cent of cases. Type II nearly always develops in overweight or obese dogs. Symptoms ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/feeding-a-diabetic-dog Sometimes we get so bogged down with “important” titles on our dogs, or the problemswe encounter at shows or trials, or CKC or AKC, or whatever... I have never been so happy to have a dog earn any tracking title as I was when ‘Jess’ made it to the leather article ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/jesss-story-an-old-dog-learns-new-tricks It was during one of those encounters dog people have all the time that someone remarked of her pooch, "He's the dog of my life." I knew exactly what she meant – the dog equivalent of the man the characters on the late Sex and the City TV series called ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/the-one In a 1970s study in Texas, litters of coyote pups were tagged and then tracked throughout their lives. Researchers found that their average lifespan was a paltry 10 months. Poor nutrition, disease and predators (mainly man) contributed to that short life. Many generations ago, our dogs grew up in the same ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/nutrition-for-geriatrics The word hospice comes from the Latin words hospes meaning ‘host’ and hospitum meaning 'hospitality.' In the fourth century ad, Fabiola opened his home in Rome, providing respite for sick, weak and destitute pilgrims. This was continued through the Middle Ages for travellers who were ill and either had no ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/veterinary-hospice Usually, the dog will let the owner know through body signals and a sometimes-reluctant approach to repetitive tasks. There could be hesitation to wear a harness or he or she may display significant stress when requested to enter a frequented building or traffic situation.A tough decision These changes are as individual ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/a-guide-dog-retires Missy Westgate had always wanted to foster a puppy. So when she and husband Johnny bought their first house in 2000, they decided the time was right. Shortly thereafter, Missy attended an open house at Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides in Oakville, Ontario, to obtain more information. “I was ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/raising-a-guide-dog If you’ve spent more than a few minutes reading about nutrition for dogs, you know that the subject of dietary fibre is a controversial one. In fact, the jury still seems to be out on some of the topics related to fibre, such as increasing the feeling of being satiated ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/fibre-in-dog-food Not every puppy or adult dog suffers from separation anxiety, but those that do are truly miserable. Know the signs Dogs with separation anxiety cry, bark, whine and eliminate in the house, and that’s only the beginning. They will often chew the windowsills in an effort to escape, or crash through ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/geriatric-separation-anxiety Cognitive dysfunction (CD) is a neurodegenerative disease that strikes aging dogs. It has many similarities to cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease in people. Recent studies show that supplementing with ginkgo products can boost cognitive ability and make it easier for affected dogs to cope. Symptoms CD is extremely hard to diagnose because ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/ginkgo-and-memory ‘Ellie’ is a black-and-white Papillon mix. She has drop ears and freckles on her muzzle. Ellie is 10 years old, but other than some cloudiness in her eyes, she doesn’t look her age. ‘Jewel’ appears to be a German Shepherd/Corgi mix, or perhaps there’s some Basset Hound in her ancestry. She ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/adopting-older-dogs Laparoscopy is a minimally invasive technique that can replace surgical and diagnostic procedures of the chest and abdomen. Arthroscopy is a similar procedure limited to exploration of joints. These techniques are becoming popular because they mean less trauma to the patient and a faster recovery compared to conventional surgery. Both techniques ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/laparoscopy-and-arthroscopy Many older dogs develop lumps. Some of these tumours are bad news – malignancies capable of spreading throughout the body. But, if you can detect a lump under the skin, it’s far more likely to be a benign lipoma – a “good news” tumour. Lipomas originate from normal, healthy fat tissue. ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/lipomas I measure periods of my life by the lifetimes of a succession of dogs. Four years ago I got a German Short-haired pointer I named Buck Run Josey Wales, the first dog that didn’t just happen to me, the first purebred, and the first puppy I picked with a purpose – ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/throwing-the-ball For most dog owners, taking the dog to work sounds perfect. After all, ‘Sparky’ is a wonderful companion and would make the workday go that much smoother, right? Let’s see if taking our fur buddies to work is a good idea. A lot depends on your office environment, and checking ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/bring-your-dog-to-work Is your dog a struggling actor? The first step on the road to stardom is signing on with a pro. Below, you’ll find links to websites for animal wranglers, including those listed in ‘Lights, camera, action’ featured in our February 2010 edition. Dog Stars, Vancouver Paws in Print & Media, Toronto Canine ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/animal-wranglers While there is nothing to match socializing with other dogs in the dog park, you can add a new dimension to your dog’s social life by getting involved with social networking on the Internet too. Online profiles Social networking is definitely the new buzzword for dog lovers. Pets are getting their own ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/social-networking-for-dogs While people often use words like “loyal” and “devoted” to describe their dogs, “opportunistic,” “manipulative” and “cunning” usually fail to make the canine adjective list. That’s cat territory, right? Not necessarily. Let me introduce ‘Gromit,’ our tiny mixed breed. With melting brown eyes and loose grey curls, she’s pretty cute ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/the-brains-of-the-operation After 12 years, I’d forgotten what puppies are really like. The new little guy brings a rush of memories. Puppy softness. Puppy breath. Puppy teeth. But it’s the neighbourhood exposure that I’d really forgotten. When he was just a bumblepuppy – eight weeks of fluff with a bobbling tail and a ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/bumblepuppy It’s 3 a.m. and the ‘Danny’ boy is getting restless. He’s just heard the alarm clock and currently his face is in mine, staring, softly whimpering and clearly wondering why I’m still prone. I struggle to wake up, but he’s instantly ready, and anxious to hit the road. He’s a ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/running-with-danny It’s summertime and the living should be easy. You can walk your dog without falling on ice or trudging through snow. Perhaps you’re planning to visit a dog park or some other public place to enjoy the warm weather and the great outdoors. You appreciate the all-important human-animal bond and ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/good-manners-at-the-dog-park When my beloved Lakeland Terrier ‘Katie’ died at the age of 14, I decided to get another Lakeland, same gender and same bloodline. I was getting as close to the reincarnation of Katie as I could. But nature, I found, has a way of dealing with those who try to ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/replacing-katie Have you ever thought about just how those little shapes get into a bag of dog food? Or why certain phrases appear on the packaging, no matter the brand? If you feed a commercial product, why do you choose that particular food? The manufacturing process Dry food can be made by baking ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/commercial-dog-food Do dogs have ESP? Whichever side of the debate scientists currently favour, most dogs I’ve known have been spooky mind readers. Some use this extraordinary ability to help people manage seizures or maintain stability. My dogs tend to focus their considerable powers on walks and treats. It’ll be a Saturday morning, ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/a-meeting-of-the-minds A reader suggested the topic of this month’s column, which is nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism (NSH). That’s quite a mouthful, even for a disease name, and it requires a little background understanding. A bit of biochemistry When I was taught about the human glandular system, I was given the acronym PTA for pituitary-thyroid-adrenal. ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/nutritional-secondary-hyperparathyroidism In the summer of 2008, a friend playing with my dog ‘Jazz’ commented that her right pupil seemed more dilated than the left. Sure enough, it was – and upon further examination I could see that her right pupil had little reaction to light. I acted quickly. Jazz was seen ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/canine-blindness If one searches through the canine literature – particularly the older works that address fox hunting, hounds and terriers – one might find the occasional photograph of a fox and hound, or fox and terrier, lying or playing happily together. Invariably, it seems, the fox was acquired as a pup ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/manous-and-the-fox The debate about using treats for training is turning from “should we” to “how do we.” The who, what, when and why of treat training is the new norm, and while we will touch on them briefly, the where of treat training deserves special consideration. Who? Most educated dog trainers of this ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/use-of-treats-in-training Lick granulomas are difficult to treat. They respond poorly to medication and have a propensity to recur when treatment ceases. However, new thoughts have surfaced on what causes them and novel ways to manage them. A typical lick granuloma (LG) is on the front surface of a foreleg, often around the ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/lick-granulomas All dogs need exercise to be physically and mentally healthy. During nice weather you can enjoy long walks, trips to parks and beaches, games of fetch out in the sunshine, and jaunts to a dog park – the choices are many. But what do you do during a blizzard when ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/foul-weather-fitness “Oh, he’s just marking his territory.” But is he really, and is that all there is to widdle? What are the doggy politics involved in urinary elimination? Exactly what kind of information do dogs receive from their pee-mail? And why does my dog sometimes eat yellow snow? Veterinary experts offer ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/pees-and-qs Have you made your New Year’s resolutions? Here’s one suggestion – make a plan to care for your dog’s mouth. It’s easy to do, and your dog’s good health and fresh breath will be the reward. The goal with oral care differs between dogs and people. Dentists for humans try to ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/preventive-dentistry As part of our preparation for the photo shoot for our January 2010 feature on ‘Canine zen,' we needed to find some senior dog models. We asked Leslie Woodcock, D.V.M. if any of her patients might be interested, and they were. Read on to learn more about these inspiring, active senior ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/senior-models As humans age, they are naturally drawn to more relaxing lifestyles, gravitating toward the contentment that comes from a long life, and releasing the stressors of younger adult life.Dogs are no different. With age comes a sense of world-weary peace and the need to be handled with care and respect. Dogs ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/alternative-therapies-for-geriatric-dogs Name: ‘Tucker Gordon’ Breed: Retriever cross Age: Two years Job title: Wildlife Control Dog Employer: Falcon Environmental Services Place of work: Pearson International Airport Handler: Rob Shevalier, wildlife control manager Job description Collisions with birds are a major hazard to aircraft during takeoff and landing, with the potential to shatter windshields, damage fuselage and cause catastrophic engine ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/tucker-gordon-the-wildlife-control-dog I went to pick up ‘Gerry’ in a small rural community in southwestern Ontario. He was in a backyard and five small children were trying to get him to play. He kept walking away from them, unsteady on his legs. When I approached him he cowered and backed away. A ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/gerry-the-puppy-mill-stud In a remote provincial park in northern Ontario, an Ontario Provincial Police cadaver dog named ‘Bones’ locates the body of a 19-year-old man three weeks after he had been involved in a boating mishap. Thanks to Bones’s nose, the young man’s family has closure. In a downtown Toronto high-rise, Toronto ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/the-science-behind-canada-detector-dogs Guide and service dogs are amazing animals. They lead their blind handlers safely across busy streets; alert those who are deaf or hard of hearing to fire alarms or people calling their name; and assist people who use a wheelchair to open doors or access objects that would otherwise be ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/adopting-a-service-dog Carol Hine jumps onto her king-size bed, followed by a pack of senior pooches. “When I first moved here I had a double bed, but we soon outgrew that,” she says, laughing. “These guys don’t have a clue they are old; they think they are still vibrant and young.” Almost ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/saints Name: ‘Blitzen’ Breed: Retriever cross Age: Six years Job title: Hearing Ear Dog Place of work: Halifax Trained by: Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides Handler: Robert Tupper Job description Robert Tupper was only three years old when he began to lose his hearing; by the time he reached adulthood, he was completely deaf. Unable to hear the ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/dogs-on-duty-blitzen-the-hearing-ear-dog Name: ‘Bandit’ Breed: English Springer Spaniel Age: 12 years Job title: Police Detector Dog Employer: Toronto Police Service Place of work: Toronto Handler: Sgt. Paul Caissie Job description Since 1989, Toronto Police Service has used specially trained dogs to assist officers with locating lost or wanted persons, apprehending criminals, and sniffing out guns and drugs. There are currently ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/dogs-on-duty-bandit-the-police-detector-dog Because collapsed buildings are inherently unstable, rescuers risk becoming victims themselves if they rush in. But it can take days for crews to stabilize the structure and make it safe enough for rescuers to enter, so it’s critical that they know exactly where victims are located to have any hope ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/high-tech-gear-helps-search-and-rescue-dogs Research has begun to prove what all dog owners have known since we domesticated the species: dogs have emotions. They’re tail-wagging happy one moment and sad the next. And they grieve a loss in similar, yet different, ways than we do. For humans, there are the well-documented psychological seven stages of ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/when-dogs-grieve Swimmer puppies are easy to spot. They crawl around like seals, legs out to their sides, making clumsy, futile attempts to get up. Though the disorder normally self-corrects, another more serious condition can accompany it and lead to complications. What it is Swimmer puppy syndrome (SPS) has been described in small breeds ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/swimmer-puppies You might have heard about people lying in a bath of water and having their kidney stones blasted with shock waves. These high-energy, focused sound waves also promote healing of fractures and speed the resolution of tennis elbow and plantar fasciitis. In veterinary medicine, they were first used for alleviating ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/shock-wave-therapy ‘Apollo’ was a tall, black husky in my yard of 18 sled dogs when we lived in Thunder Bay, Ont. He was dominant, and took his job of marking very seriously. He was the only dog I’ve known to pile his excrement into impressive towers so high they toppled over ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/barks-frozen-turd-wars Coming soon! http://www.dogsincanada.com/help-animal-legislation Next to hip dysplasia, cruciate ligament injury is the most common orthopaedic condition seen in dogs. The cruciate ligaments are strong bands connecting the femur (upper thigh bone) to the tibia below. When a ligament breaks, the stifle (knee) becomes painful, unstable and prone to arthritis. The joint needs to ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/cruciate-injury It can be a young puppy on his first visit to the veterinarian lashing out as he’s lifted onto the table; the family pet that has decided that the living room carpet is his toilet; the retriever that has grown up with a gaggle of kids and suddenly snaps at ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/when-good-dogs-snap The first night my dog was lost, I called and whistled for him from the back door most of the night. He didn’t belong out there in the woods alone, but at home, with me. ‘Oakley’ had lived with me for five years, a rescued Border Collie mix who thrived on ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/barks-lost-and-found My dog doesn’t like having his nails clipped. What can I do? Many dogs don't like having their nails clipped, or their paws touched. For this reason, I always recommend touching a puppy’s paws and nails frequently so he gets used to it. There are many things you can do ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/making-nail-clipping-more-enjoyable Do you remember the controversy when the idea of PEN (performance event number) dogs was first introduced? Many people were worried that this would lead to ‘breeders’ breeding unregistered dogs for performance events. This despite the fact the AKC has had its ILP program in place for decades without any ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/mixed-breed-dogs-in-obedience It’s -28°C with a steady ground drift of blowing snow coming from the northeast. I am following two black specs running over the sea ice at a steady pace and straight line ahead of the snow machine as they were trained to do. Background In 1971 I brought my first Lab, ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/labradors-at-work-on-the-arctic-ocean Winter is a time to get outside, enjoy the crisp air and be invigorated by the cold. But, even though they sport an insulating fur coat, dogs can run into trouble in frosty temperatures. Hypothermia, frostbite, snowballs stuck between their toes, and poisoning by ice-melt chemicals are just a few dangers ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/winter-hazards Coyote attacks on people are extremely rare. This is probably little or no comfort to those who knew Taylor Mitchell, the young woman killed October 28 by coyotes while hiking in Cape Breton. The fact remains, though, that any number of highly unlikely dangers are still a greater threat to your ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/coyote-attacks A happy, outgoing eight-year-old, Katie Peruzzo is in the third grade, enjoys shopping for pretty dresses, and likes to eat hamburgers. “She runs instead of walking and bounces instead of standing still,” explains her mom, Lorrine. But until recently, Katie had to be strapped into a stroller during outings, and ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/a-dog-for-katie-autism-service-dogs When faced with a diagnosis of cancer in their pet, many dog owners are at a loss about what they can do. But, something they have control over is nutrition. Some delve into novel ways to feed their companion and this often involves supplements. The most common addition is antioxidants, ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/antioxidants-and-cancer-2 After a five-month-long investigation by the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Tim Trow, embattled president of the Toronto Humane Society (THS), was arrested in a raid on the shelter on November 26.Trow is charged with two counts of cruelty to animals, two counts of conspiracy to ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/toronto-humane-society-faces-animal-cruelty-charges When I was a kid with my first dog, I read my few dog books over and over until they were reduced to pulp. In one was the instruction that my dog should have one chew object, and that it should be a Nylabone®. The book then offered a photograph of ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/gift-ideas-for-dogs Jenny Legget knew something was terribly wrong as soon as she opened the door to the cold storage room at her family's ski chalet. Piles of vomit littered the carpet; the tin that had contained four dozen homemade chocolate peanut butter balls lay open and empty; and five-year-old Collie ╘Mac╒ ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/keeping-the-holidays-safe-for-dogs In our December 2009 issue, Thomas G. Smith, Ph.D., shared the story of the Labrador Retrievers he trains to detect wildlife on the frozen Arctic Ocean. Smith has spent more than 30 years working with his dogs in the north, and now operates a consulting firm that conducts environmental impact ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/wildlife-detector-dogs Owners do two things that make cuts worse. One is allowing the dog to lick. Some owners still believe that licking helps heal a cut. It doesn’t. The other is not taking a cut seriously, and failing to get it looked at. A cut foot is a common injury. Each one is ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/how-to-treat-a-cut-foot Tennis balls are considered by many to be the ultimate dog toy. They’re cheap, easy to throw or bat, and dogs love them. But veterinarians who practice dentistry view them as a hazard, causing excessive tooth wear. Other perils they warn against are rocks and bones, because they grind tooth ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/tennis-ball-hazards Acclaimed chef Jamie Kennedy is used to people watching him… all of his three Toronto restaurants – JK Wine Bar, the Gilead Café and Jamie Kennedy at the Gardiner – feature open kitchens where diners fortunate enough to have a seat with a galley view can watch him prepare innovative, ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/chef-jamie-kennedy-and-his-dog Here, Fido! Look what Mommy’s got for you…a toothbrush! Exit Fido. Can it be said that anybody actually enjoys brushing their teeth? Just as we can coerce young children into brushing twice a day, there are ways to get your dog used to having his teeth brushed. Dr. Sandy Hale, a veterinary ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/teeth-tips Eyelid disorders Entropion Entropion is an inward turning of the eyelid margin. This condition is presumed to be inherited when it occurs at a young age (usually within the first two years) and as a dog grows. Depending on the breed, entropion may affect various portions of the eyelid(s). For example, large- and ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/inherited-ocular-diseases Dogs, like humans, are able to hear by converting sound waves into electrical signals that are transmitted to the brain, where sound is perceived and interpreted. What causes deafness in dogs? Deafness typically results from: 1) failure of conduction of sound waves to the inner ear (conduction deafness); 2) impairments in the production ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/inherited-deafness-in-dogs I have always been enamoured with the Sporting breeds, and although I’m not particularly competitive, I enjoy taking classes with my dogs. We’ve dabbled in obedience, agility, flyball and tracking. So I was quite content when ‘Woody’ our Irish Setter, and ‘Rory’ our Welsh Springer Spaniel approached their seventh birthdays. Since ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/not-quite-a-spaniel-canine-dna-testing Even a year ago, people had no idea what H1N1 meant. It could have been a secret recipe for fried chicken. Now we know it as the virus that created the pandemic of swine flu. This virus and others have the ability to cross species. What we want to know ... http://www.dogsincanada.com/h1n1-and-dogs