Welcome to the 2008 Summer Edition
Going on summer vacation? Taking kids to Soccer? We have some new four week courses in the works that will be perfect for busy folks. Call the Centre at (613) 591-3277 for information on:
Private lessons – You have options:
Group lessons:
Introducing the Carolark Team
Sandy
Crosby's Beloved Companions
Sandy Crosby took her first dog, Schatzie, to the Centre in the Spring of 1993 and began assisting shortly thereafter. Sandy became an instructor in January 1997. She currently is owned by two Rotties. They are Bö and Belle, who will both turn 4 years old this summer.
Sandy adopted the beautiful 'Southern Belle' from B.A.R.K. after they brought dogs back from New Orleans and area after the Katrina Hurricane. Sandy's 'little' boy Bö (Bö auf das Meer) is about 140 lbs and is training with Sandy on our volunteer Search and Rescue team, SAR Global 1. He is not yet certified but both are enjoying the training immensely!!
At the Centre Sandy teaches Level 1 on Saturday mornings, and on Monday nights Level 1 and 2 and the Big Dog Class. This summer the Big Dog Class will be offered on Saturdays.
Sandy was motivated by the experiences with her own dogs and
great information from various conferences to design a Big Dog Class.
The emphasis is on safety, handler skills and a variety of
friendly training techniques, including operant conditioning. And,
of course small dogs are welcome in this class too! The current
class includes a Newfoundland dog, Mastiff and Springer spaniel.
The classes are very small (max. 5 dogs) so the handlers and
dogs get maximum attention, and the course is 4 weeks long so pet
owners can fit it into their busy schedules.
Carolark
Rally O students participated at a trial on February 3, 2008 which
was held at the Training Hall. The trial was judged by Judy
Miller and Darlene McCuaig.
Elizabeth and loving companion Monty earned
their Novice Rally title. Chelsea, loving companion of Dian
McTaggart earned her third leg and obtained her Rally O Novice title.
Benson, loving companion of Donna took home one leg towards
his Notice title.
The Canadian Association of Professional Pet Dog Trainers 12th Annual Educational Conference was held in Ottawa for the first time on April 18-20 at the Travelodge Hotel and Conference Centre.
The 2008 conference theme was "A Capital Idea ... Exploring the
Relationship with Pets". The conference was designed for all
people who care about pets.
Bob
Bailey with Jill Kolar
The event
hosted a high calibre of presenters from the dog training field
such as Phil Arkow - Animal Assisted Therapy, Anne Douglas of DOGSport
magazine, Dee Ganley author of Changing People Changing Dogs, and
animal experts such as Bob Bailey of Chicken training fame and Dr.
Simon Gadbois of Dalhousie University, to name just a few.
Constable
Marie of the RCMP Musical Ride
After opening day there was a bus tour of the city and the RCMP stables. We were able to visit the interior of the stables and view the horses of the famous Musical Ride.
This was followed
by a trip to the Rideau Carleton Raceway where guests enjoyed the
fabulous buffet, and some lucky participants got to ride the Pacer
car during a live harness race.
The 2008
conference was dedicated to Dr. Ian Dunbar. It was Dr. Dunbar's
suggestion back in 1992 that trainers from across Canada would benefit
from an organization dedicated to education for trainers. The
Association began with the formation of "99" trainers,
some of whom are still members of the organization today.
Dr. Dunbar has had a huge influence worldwide in the dog training community.
Dr.
Ian Dunbar with Carolyn Clark
Ian Dunbar PhD, BVetMed, MRCVS, CPDT is a veterinarian, animal behaviourist, dog trainer and writer. He received his veterinary degree and a Special Honours degree in Physiology & Biochemistry from the Royal Veterinary College, London University, a doctorate in animal behaviour from the Psychology Department, Veterinary College, London University, and a doctorate in animal behaviour from the Psychology Department, University of California in Berkeley, where he spent ten years researching the development of hierarchical social behaviour and aggression in domestic dogs. For seven years Dr. Dunbar ran a behaviour clinic specifically for biting dogs. Dr. Dunbar is a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, the California Veterinary Medical Association, the Sierra Veterinary Medical Association, and the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior.
He was the first to preach the once revolutionary idea of training puppies off leash (formerly only those six months and older were thought trainable). Carolark was one of the first three dog training Centres in Canada to implement the protocols of Dr. Dunbar's puppy classes.
He was the first to stuff food into a Kong (the conical shaped rubber chew toy and object of desire of most chewing-age puppies), thus saving table legs worldwide. More important, his methods and theories have saved dogs' lives.
The conference was well attended by pet owners, Vets, trainers from across Canada and the US.
The 2009
CAPPDT conference will be held in Fredericton N.B. For more
details please visit the website at: http://www.cappdt.ca/public/jpage/1/p/2009Conference/content.do
Canine
Summer Safety Tips
Keep the following safety concerns in mind as the temperature rises, and follow our tips to keep your dog cool.
Heat Hazards
If your dog is outside on a hot day, make sure he has a shady spot to rest in. Doghouses are not good shelter during the summer as they can trap heat. You may want to fill a child's wading pool with fresh water for your dog to cool off in.
Never leave your dog in a closed vehicle on a hot day. The temperature inside a car can rise to over 100 degrees in a matter of minutes.
Always provide plenty of cool, fresh water.
Avoid strenuous exercise on extremely hot days. Take walks in the early mornings or evenings when the sun's heat is less intense.
Try to avoid prolonged exposure to hot asphalt or sand, which can burn your dog's paws.
Dogs that are brachycephalic (short-faced), such as Bulldogs, Boxers, Japanese Chins, and Pekingese, have an especially hard time in the heat because they do not pant as efficiently as longer-faced dogs.
Keep your brachycephalic dog inside with air-conditioning.
General HealthMake sure your dog's vaccinations are up to date, especially since dogs tend to stay outdoors longer and come into contact with other animals more during the summer months.
Keep dogs off lawns that have been chemically treated or fertilized for 24 hours (or according to package instructions), and away from potentially toxic plants and flowers.
Keep your dog well-brushed and clean.
Fleas and ticks, and the mosquitoes which carry heartworm disease, are more prevalent in warmer months. Ask your veterinarian for an effective preventive to keep these parasites off your dog.
Beach Tips
Make sure your dog has a shady spot to rest in and plenty of fresh water.
Dogs, especially those with short hair, white fur, and pink skin, can sunburn. Limit your dog's exposure during the day and apply sunblock to his ears and nose 30 minutes before going outside.
Check with a lifeguard for daily water conditions. Dogs are easy targets for sea lice and jellyfish.
Running on the sand is strenuous exercise. A dog that is out of shape can easily pull a tendon or ligament, so keep a check on your dog's activity.
Not all beaches permit dogs; check local ordinances before heading out.
Water Safety
Most dogs enjoy swimming, but some cannot swim, and others may hate the water. Be conscious of your dog's preferences and skills before trying to make him swim.
If you're swimming for the first time with your dog, start in shallow water and coax him in by calling his name. Encourage him with toys or treats. Or, let him follow another experienced dog he is friendly with.
Never throw your dog into the water.
If your dog begins to paddle with his front legs, lift his hind legs and help him float. He should quickly catch on and keep his back end up.Don't let your dog overdo it; swimming is very hard work and he may tire quickly.
If you have your own pool, make sure your dog knows where the stairs or ladder are located. Be sure that pool covers are firmly in place; dogs have been known to slip in under openings in the covers and drown.
Never leave your dog unattended in water.
Travel
By Air – Many airlines will not ship animals during summer months due to dangers caused by hot weather. Some will only allow dogs to fly in the early morning or in the evening. Check with your airlines for specific rules.
If you do ship a dog, put icepacks or an ice blanket in the dog's crate. (Two-litre soft drink bottles filled with water and frozen work well). Provide a container of fresh water, as well as a container of frozen water that will thaw over the course of the trip.
By Car – Keep your dog cool in the car by putting icepacks in his crate. Make sure the crate is well ventilated.
Put a sunshade on your car windows.
Bring along fresh water and a bowl, and a tarp or tent so you can set up a shady spot when you stop. Keep a spray bottle filled with water to spritz on your dog to cool him down.
By RV – A dog's safety should not depend on the air conditioning and generator systems in an RV or motor home. These devices can malfunction, with tragic results.
If you leave your dog in an RV with the generator running, check it often or have a neighbour monitor it. Some manufacturers have devices that will notify you if the generator should malfunction.
Never leave an RV or motor home completely shut up, even if the generator and AC are running. Crack a window or door, or run the exhaust fan.
Never, ever leave a dog unattended in a vehicle in the summer months. Heatstroke and death can occur within minutes in warm temperatures.
HeatstrokeHeatstroke can be the serious and often fatal result of a dog's prolonged exposure to excessive heat. Below are the signs of heatstroke and the actions you should take if your dog is overcome.
Early Stages:
Advanced Stages:
If your dog begins to exhibit signs of heatstroke, you should immediately try to cool the dog down:
Check your dog's temperature regularly during this process.
Once the dog's temperature has stabilized at between 100 to 102 degrees, you can stop the cool-down process.
If you cannot
get the dog cooled down and you begin to see signs of advanced heatstroke,
take the dog to the veterinarian immediately.
We
offer our sympathy to Carolark staff members Janet MacLachlan and
Nancy Nardone on the recent passing of their beloved furry companions
Finnigan and Jodie.
May the loving memories help you through this difficult time.
Upcoming
Events
Summer
Holidays?
Interested in 4 week courses?
Let
us know!
Please call the Centre at 613-591-3277
Have a safe and fun summer!!
Editor: Dian McTaggart
June
2008
If
you missed the Fall 2007 Newsletter, you can read it here
And
here is the Winter 2007 Newsletter
