Assistance dogs can help people with mobility limitations.

Assistance dogs are those animals who give differently-abled people the chance to be more independent in daily living.  The three main classes of assistance dogs are guide dogs for the visually impaired, hearing dogs for the hearing impaired, and service dogs for those with physical or mental / cognitive limitations.

Most assistance dogs are donated to a regional office of a training organization like Guide Dogs of America,   Dogs for the Deaf, Inc.,  or Freedom Service Dogs.  In some cases, these organizations rescue dogs from euthanasia at local shelters.

Guide dogs for the blind are most often large purebred dogs such as Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, and German Shepherds.  Hearing assistance dogs are often small mixed-breed canines rescued from shelters.  Service dogs for the physically or mentally challenged may be small or large, purebred or mixed breeds, depending on the needs of the client.

In cooperation with local foster families, the regional offices of training organizations get started on socializing and training the puppies in basic manners and obedience. Once the dogs are old enough to begin formal training, they are brought back into the regional office and given enough training to meet the minimum standards required for all assistance dogs.

Once the dog achieves at least the minimum standards of proficiency, the dog is matched to a person and begins training for the specific needs of that person.  For example, a person who struggles with upper body strength might need a dog who can open doors and cupboards.  A person who has seizures might need an assistance dog who can sense an oncoming seizure and communicate to the person that he or she should sit down before the seizure hits.

Training Standards 

According to Assistance Dogs International, all assistance dogs must meet the following minimum standards:

• Respond to commands from the client 90% of the time on the first ask.
• Respond to voice and / or hand signals for basic obedience skills.
• Meet all behavior standards in public and the home environment.
• Meet the ADI standards and ethics, and be spayed or neutered and up-to-date on shots before placement with a client.

Depending on the purpose for which the dog will be used, there are also specific training standards to be met.  For example, guide dogs must be able to negotiate obstacles, overhangs, barriers, street crossings, and public transportation.

Hearing assistance dogs can be trained to alert someone when a doorbell or telephone rings.

Hearing assistance dogs must demonstrate sound awareness skills by being able to alert the client to at least three different sounds and leading the client to the source of the sound.  For example, when the doorbell rings, the dog might paw at the person’s leg, then walk to the door, while a crying baby might signal the dog to nudge the person’s hand and walk to the child’s cradle.

Service dogs may perform a wide variety of tasks to help their handlers.  They might retrieve dropped objects, pull a wheelchair, turn light switches on and off, provide a counterbalance for those who have mobility issues, or alert the person when his or her blood sugar drops.  They can also be very calming to a person who has autism or other mental challenges.  Each dog must be able to perform at least three tasks related to their partner’s disability.

Clients, or those who will use an assistance dog, also have some responsibilities, including knowing acceptable training methods for dogs and understanding canine care and health.  They must also be able to continue their dog’s training and use problem-solving abilities to add new skills to their dog’s repertoire.

Assistance dogs in public settings 

Although assistance dogs can be invaluable in a person’s home, they can also allow the person to experience greater freedom and independence in public.  When wearing a vest identifying the animal as a service dog, these animals are guaranteed access to nearly anyplace people can go including public transportation, hotels, restaurants, and the workplace.

In order to maintain this ability, it is important that the dogs meet certain standards such as being clean, stink-free, and well-groomed.  The dogs must learn where and when it is appropriate to relieve themselves, and must not be overly-annoying or disruptive to members of the public.  Assistance dogs cannot be table-surfers and may not show any type of aggression toward people or other animals.

If you see an assistance dog in public, you might notice he doesn’t stray far from his or her person.  In fact, they are trained to stay within two feet of the handler at all times unless a helper task requires a further distance.  Most of the time, an assistance dog can be found lying at his person’s feet or under the chair or desk when the person isn’t moving about.

When approaching an assistance dog, it’s very tempting to speak to the dog or interact with him in some way.  Not a good idea.  When these dogs are wearing their identifying vests or harnesses, they are working and shouldn’t be interrupted without permission from the person.

It’s also just plain good manners to talk to the person.  Many times, differently-abled people are overlooked; talked about instead of included in conversations.  If you want to talk to a person who is facing physical or mental challenges, at least have the courtesy to talk to the person first.

How can you help? 

It is extremely costly to procure and train an assistance dog and his or her human partner.  Find a training organization near you, and commit to helping them give someone a dog.

You can make a direct cash donation or provide needed supplies such as treats, toys, dishes, crates, paper towels, all-purpose cleaners, towels, or gift cards to pet supply stores.

If you live near a training center, consider fostering a puppy or volunteering at the facility.  If you’re a breeder, donate a puppy.

If you or someone you know is in need of an assistance dog, check out the state-by-state resource list from the American Dog Trainers Network.

Causes of stress 

Spend just a few minutes thinking about life from your dog’s point of view.  Every morning, his best friend gets up, throws some food his way, and lets him outside for just a few minutes.  He wants to play, but instead he is shut up in a kennel or maybe isolated to a certain part of the house, then left alone for at least 9 hours.  Again, he receives some food and a short time outside, then if he’s lucky and the kids don’t have basketball practice, he might get a walk or some play time before everyone settles in for the night.

On the weekends, again assuming there are no extenuating circumstances, the dog might get to spend some quality time with the family in between the grocery store, house cleaning duties and social obligations.  How’s that “dog’s life” sounding now?

The truth is, one of the leading causes of stress for your dog is being left alone for long periods of time.  While dogs can’t tell time exactly like we do, they do know that they stay home alone from time to time, even if the whole family doesn’t work outside the home.  Your dog may or may not suffer from separation anxiety, but if you work and don’t provide the proper entertainment for your dog, you can bet the dog experiences boredom.

So, you might think, I’ll sign up for doggie daycare.  That’s a great boredom buster; however, you need to be aware that a change in routine is also stressful for the dog in the short run.  Other changes in routine, such as going to the groomer’s or vet’s office, taking an unexpected car ride, or sleeping outside rather than in bed with you can cause acute anxiety.

Other causes of stress include illness and injuries, including recovery from surgery.  Even something relatively minor, like a slight case of ear mites or a sprained ankle can be cause for stress.

Last but not least, a dog who is physically restrained ends up experiencing stress because he is not able to chase the prey outside his area including squirrels, chipmunks, and small children.  This is not to say you shouldn’t restrain your dog; it is for his own safety that you fence your yard or keep your dog chained when outside or kenneled while inside alone.

According to Melissa Bain, a veterinary behavior specialist with the Animal Behavior Resources Institute of the American Humane Association, the most common causes of stress are:

• Trauma
• Physical restraint
• Confinement
• Change of routine
• Noise
• Boredom / lack of stimulation
•  Separation
• Unwanted interactions such as with overly aggressive people or other dogs

How do I know if my dog is stressed? 

Given the fact that most dogs experience at least one of the anxiety-producing situations listed above at one time or another, how can you tell when stress is a problem?  There are certain symptoms, as identified on WebVet.com.   Symptoms include whining, yawning, hiding, drooling, lip licking, dilated pupils, repetitive behaviors, aggression, loss of bowel or bladder control, and loss of appetite or overeating.

Many of these symptoms are normal behaviors when seen alone, but taken together, they can indicate a problem. Just as in people, chronic stress in dogs can lead to long-term emotional and even physical problems, so it’s important to spend some time observing your dog to watch for signs of stress and take action to combat it.

The Santa Clara County Sheriff and Coroner’s Office Canine Specialized Search Team points out that many of the symptoms of stress are subtle, and that observation of the dog must be paired with consideration of what is going on at the time the symptoms are seen.  For example, if your dog whines, yawns, and licks his front right paw repetitively every time you put him in the car, you can be pretty sure that car rides make him anxious.

Because of the nature of the Specialized Search Team, their website also points out the importance of the human’s moods in keeping the dog on track.  When the handler becomes tired, frustrated, or worried, the dog will be very aware of it.  Dogs communicate with each other through body language, and there is no reason to assume they aren’t equally adept at reading our behavior.  And the stress they perceive in you can make them assume there is something unpleasant ahead and kick off their own stress reactions.

Vet visits are common canine stressors.

Helping your dog cope with stress 

Depending on whether your dog is reacting to an isolated event or a continuing situation, you will approach treatment in different ways.

For isolated events, you simply need to provide the dog with calming signals like yawning, blinking, and avoiding direct eye contact.  These are the very actions a dog uses to calm himself when stressed, and if he sees you using calming behaviors, he will deduce that it’s okay to relax.  Make sure you relax yourself by thinking of something happy and relaxing any tense muscles.  Talk to your dog in a soft, calm voice, reassuring him that all is well.  Finally, take a break if possible.  A change in scenery can do wonders.

For situations that you know your dog will have to learn to endure, you will train your dog to recognize that conditions are not that bad and to calm himself without your help.  For example, if you crate your dog every day while you are at work, but your neighbors complain that he continually whines and scratches, your job is to find a way to make the crate less stressful.  Make sure the crate is large enough that the dog doesn’t have to lie in the same position all day.  Try giving the dog toys to chew on and play with inside the crate.  Especially valuable are puzzle-type toys that your dog has to spend some time with to figure out how to get to the treat inside.  If possible, come home at lunch time or hire someone to come to your house mid-day to get the dog out of the crate and have some play time to break up the day.

If your dog becomes stressed when you have people over, enlist your friends to practice having people come in the house over and over, socializing your dog to the experience.  Praise the dog for good behavior as he gets used to people coming and going.  Keep safety first!  If your dog shows any signs of aggression toward strangers, you may have to start the socialization training from behind a baby gate.

Your dog may also be able to calm himself with the help of certain calming scents.  Valerian and chamomile are thought to ease stress.  You might try a Calming Collar, which is an herbal blend sewn into a cloth collar your dog can wear during stressful events like thunderstorms.

There is also a product that looks like a plug-in air freshener called the Comfort Zone Plug-In that diffuses dog appeasing pheromones into the air.

Harbor and his world-record ears.

Harbor, an 8-year old Black-and-Tan Coonhound, lives with Jennifer Wert in Boulder, Colorado.  He was recently recognized as the living dog with the longest ears, in celebration of his 12.25 inch left ear and 13.5 inch right ear.  See the award winning video.

However, Harbor’s ears don’t surpass those of Tigger, an Illinois Bloodhound who died in 2009.  Tigger retains his title as the dog with the longest ears ever, with his two ears’ combined length totaling 27.25 inches.  See Tigger’s story.

The scent hound group includes Fox Hounds, Basenjis, Beagles, Bloodhounds, Coonhounds, Dachshunds, Norwegian Elkhounds and Lundehunds, Rhodesian Ridgebacks, and Basset Hounds.  Obviously, the taller dogs in the group are going to be the ones that win awards of this type because shorter dogs would be tripping over ears that long.  Shorter dogs like the Dachshound and Basset Hound have proportionately shorter ears, although they are longer than those found on other short dogs such as the Pomeranian or Miniature Poodle.

Why do some dogs need long ears? 

Long ears on a scent hound are not just for looks, the ears actually serve an important function.  As they drag along the ground, they gather in scents and hold them around the dog’s face, allowing him or her to more fully appreciate the odors so they can track prey more efficiently.  That’s why these breeds are known for their tracking ability.

In addition to the long ears, these breeds usually have loose, wet lips that trap scent particles near the nose, and large nasal cavities used to process scents.  This processing allows scent hounds to distinguish between a rabbit being hunted and a fox that happens to cross the same path.

How do scent hounds hunt? 

In contrast to sight hounds, scent hounds don’t have to be particularly fast to aid in hunting.  While sight hounds track prey by always keeping them in sight, scent hounds can simply follow their noses so it doesn’t matter if they lose sight of their quarry.  A well-trained scent hound can follow a trail that is several days old, even if the prey runs through water.  What scent hounds lack in speed, they make up for in endurance, often following prey for long periods of time.

Larger scent hounds, with their longer legs, are usually used for horse-mounted hunters, while the shorter, slower dogs allow hunters to follow on foot.  Some scent hounds will even “tree” the quarry, allowing the hunter time to catch up.  These dogs typically howl or bay in their deep voices, keeping the prey up the tree and calling for the hunter.

Do scent hounds make good pets? 

All of the scent hound breeds are extremely lovable companions, good with children and other dogs.  However, because they are bred to hunt, many of them chase cats and other small pets.

Also because of generations of being bred to hunt, a scent hound is pretty much just a nose with four feet attached.  These stubborn dogs are often hard to train and even after successful training, they must live in a fenced yard if you don’t want to be forever chasing them through the neighborhood, following a squirrel or chipmunk.

If you live in the city, you need to know that most scent hounds are very loud.  They may bark at anything that moves, although their delightful baying is truly a joyous sound.

What do scent hounds do besides hunt? 

Just as in the movie Cool Hand Luke, scent hounds can be used to track people who have escaped from jail, as well as to find lost children or others who have disappeared.  Bloodhounds are thought to have the absolute best noses in the dog kingdom, although other scent hounds are sometimes used for search and rescue missions.

Some scent hounds put their noses to good use at airports and sea ports, checking incoming passengers and packages for contraband.  Although you typically think of a German Shepherd performing such tasks, the US Department of Agriculture uses a Beagle Brigade to find fruits, vegetables, and meats that are banned in this country, as reported in National Geographic.

If you’re not a hunter, but you want your pet dog to participate in activities that put his or her tracking abilities to good use, you might get involved in Earth Dog trials where enthusiasts challenge their dogs to follow scents into tunnels to find the den of prey.  These events are sponsored by the AKC, so you must have an eligible breed to participate.

Finding hidden problems

If your dog has a lot of fur, you may never know what’s hiding beneath it unless you do some regular grooming.  It is only when you get the tangles out and spend some time looking at and touching your dog’s skin that you may notice small skin problems or tumors that may later grow into bigger issues.

Regular home grooming gives you the chance to get familiar with your dog’s body so that you can feel any changes that crop up.  You stand a much better chance of keeping your dog healthy if you find problems soon after they start rather than after they have become deeply entrenched.

For example, some breeds are prone to “hot spots”, more properly known as wet eczema.  These spots typically start off very small, but they grow quickly, and are very painful.  If you brush your dog daily or even three times a week, you are likely to notice a hot spot before your dog is in agony.  Early treatment will prevent the spot from getting any bigger.

Ear cleaning should also be part of your home grooming routine, and you will be able to spot mites or infections before they get out of hand.

Nail clipping can give you an opportunity to inspect the dog’s foot pads for any injuries, and the nails themselves for any signs of infection.

Bonding

Home grooming your dog allows you to spend some quality time with the animal, which can deepen the bond you share.  There are several ways you can make the time a pleasant experience for your dog:

• Use warm water for bathing, rather than just spraying the dog with your garden hose.
• Use shampoo specifically made for dogs to prevent skin irritation.
• Brush the dog before you bathe him or her to keep tangles to a minimum.
• After the bath, brush the dog again, being patient enough to work slowly through any remaining tangles.
• Allow sufficient time after grooming to play with the dog, showing him or her that good behavior during grooming is always rewarded with some play time with his or her favorite person.

What to look for in a professional groomer

If bathing your dog at home is just too big of a chore, or if you don’t have the proper facilities to do it right, you might consider hiring a professional groomer.  Look for a salon that is clean, with employees who seem to enjoy their work.

Watch how the employees interact with the clients, both human and canine.  Do they appear to be happy with their jobs and at least reasonably fond of dogs?  How do they treat dogs who are scared or shy?  Do they talk to the dogs in a calm voice, trying to keep them calm, or do they simply drag them to the grooming table and start clipping?

Ask for a tour of the place before you commit to an appointment.  The work areas should be kept clean and disinfected.  Check to see that hair is swept off the floor regularly and properly disposed of.   Are the cages cleaned after one dog leaves before another dog uses the same space?

Some dogs are likely dropped off in the morning and not picked up until the end of their parents’ shift.  What arrangements are made for these dogs to do their business?  Are they walked or at least let out of their cages regularly for potty breaks?  Does anyone check on them throughout the day?  Do they have any toys or activities available to prevent boredom?

Pay careful attention to the way in which dogs are dried after they are bathed.   A dog should never be placed in a heated chamber for drying, as it can cause the dog to overheat quickly.  In some cases, dogs have received severe burns from drying cages.  Rather, a blow dryer should be used to manually dry the dog, which means that a human is observing and interacting with the dog throughout the process, watching for signs of distress.

Look at the dogs as they leave the salon, particularly the purebreds.  Are the cuts in conformance to breed standards?  If you have a purebred, especially if you plan on entering conformance competitions, you will greatly benefit by finding a groomer who is both familiar and experienced with your particular breed.

What if your dog doesn’t like going to the groomer?

There are many reasons your dog may not like going to the groomer.  It may be that the smells remind the animal of the scary vet’s office.  It may be that the dog only gets to ride in the car when going to the vet or the groomer’s.  Maybe the staff at the grooming salon isn’t very nice once you leave.

It can be hard to tell what the problem is, so you may have to try a couple of different resolutions to see which one makes your dog more comfortable.  You might try taking him for rides to the park or even just around the block a few times when you don’t have vet appointments scheduled so that the car ride isn’t associated with anything intimidating.

Stick around for a few minutes after dropping off your dog, preferably out of sight of the staff (if you can), and see how they treat your dog when you’re not around.  You may need to find a groomer that is a better fit for your dog.

As another alternative, you might ask your groomer (or another one) if they offer mobile services.  Some groomers will bring a self-contained mobile unit right to your door, allowing your dog to avoid the stress of travel.  The other advantage of mobile grooming is that the dog doesn’t have to remain in a crate all day, waiting for you to come pick him or her up.  The groomer can go into your house and bring the dog out to the van, perform whatever grooming services are needed, then put the dog right back into his accustomed environment for the rest of the day.

Grooming is important to your dog’s health, and it doesn’t have to be a stress-inducing experience.  Take the time to find a groomer with whom both you and your dog are comfortable so you can reap the full benefits of a regular grooming routine.

Find a professional groomer near you.

Best in Show Winner (Steven Donahue / See Spot Run Photography)

Presented by Purina, the show was actually held on November 19^th and 20^that the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, PA, although it wasn’t broadcast until Thanksgiving Day at noon, just after the Macy’s parade – a newish tradition for the holiday.

If you follow dog shows, you probably already know that a Wire Fox Terrier named Eira was the overall winner, named Best in Show.  Her formal name is Ch. Steele Your Heart, and she is four years old.  Eira (pronounced Ira) is a Welsh word meaning “snow”.  This is her 17^th Best in Show title, and she hopes to become only the third dog in history to win both the National Dog Show and Westminster in the same season.   Handler Gabriel Rangel is no slouch, either, having shown the 2009 winner, Scottish Terrier Sadie. See the Best in Show judging in this video:

Breaking sports news video. MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL highlights and more.

.

Group Winners

Among the Toy breeds, Affenpinscher GCH CH Banana Joe Van Tani Kazari took the honors as Best in Group.  Banana Joe is just one of several winners bred by Tani Kazari Affenpincher Kennel in The Netherlands.  In his first three months of showing, he won Best in Group 30 times and Best in Show 9 times.  He is America’s top Affenpinscher and the 5^th best toy in the country.  He was shown in America by the Greenteam, under the leadership of Mrs. Tina Truesdale.  He lives at Yarrows Kennel from Beth Sweigart.

In the Herding group, Australian Shepherd GCH CH Propwash Reckon was named Best in Group.  Called Reckon by her friends, this beautiful dog is owned by Judy Harrington and Leslie Frank of Propwash Farm in Kensington, New Hampshire.  Frank has been breeding Aussies for the past 44 years on her 45 acre farm, and was named the AKC Breeder of the Year in the herding category in 2010.

The winning Hound was a Whippet named GCH CH Starline’s Chanel, from Starline, LLC in Rancho Santa Fe, California.  This dog is amazing!  And she hasn’t even reached her fourth birthday yet.  According to her family, Lori, Carey, Kyle, and Nicole Lawrence, “Chanel embodies all that we strive for here at Starline; beautiful type, smoothness, impeccable movement, and a superb disposition.”  She has 60 All Breed Best in Shows, 241 Best in Groups, and has been the number one ranked Whippet for three years running.

Best in the Non-Sporting group was the Dalamatian, a happy dog named GCH CH Spotlight’s Ruffian from Spotlight Dalmatians in Ocala, Florida.  Breeder Connie Wagner says “Ian has a wonderful headpiece with nice, dark eyes.  He also is sweet and charming.”  He was named the 2008 Dalmatian Club of America’s Best in Futurity Winner when he was 13-months old, after winning Best of Breed twice.  According to the DCA, “Ian turned heads with his smooth, effortless side gait and outgoing attitude.”

For the Sporting Group, the English Springer Spaniel named GCH CH Cerise Tender Is the Night stole the show.  Known more informally as Zelda, this wonderful dog comes from a long line of champions, starting with Cleo (Sierra Femme Fatale), who was left to Dorothy Cherry by her husband a week before he died.  Cleo became the foundation stock for Dotti’s Cerise English Springer Spaniels in Sherman, Connecticut.

And finally, GCH CH Blumoon’s Tanzenite v Blackrock, a Bernese Mountain Dog was best in the Working group.  “Tanner Banner”, as he is known, was born in 2006 at Blue Moon Bernese in Boulder, Colorado.  He now lives with Dawn Cox in Hanover, PA, and has become the bull of their breeding stock, the only male in a family that includes Willow, Frieda, and Echo.  Dawn says that Tanner is “so full of himself and truly believes that we, the humans, are here on earth just to adore him.  (Which of course, we do.)”

What do the judges look for?

Did you ever wonder what it would be like to have to choose between so many beautiful dogs?  NBC Sports’ David Frei says it involves being both an “art critic and a bit of an engineer”.

Where breed clubs exist at the national level, they are linked below.  Coonhound clubs are being started, but are not yet organized at the national level.  The Finnish Lapphund Club of America’s website is under construction, but the Canadian club is linked below.

Norwegian Lundehund (photo from MSNBC.com)

Norwegian Lundehund

The Norwegian Lundehund, also known as the Puffin Dog, comes to us from arctic Norway, where he used to retrieve puffin birds before they became a protected species.  The Lundehund is one of the Spitz-type dogs, recognizable by a tail that curls up over the dog’s back like an Akita or Chow Chow.  These dogs have at least six toes on each foot because they need the extra stability on the nearly vertical cliffs where they hunt.  They have a flexible skeleton that helps them lie spread-eagled to prevent falls when they slip.  Their thick double coat protects from the freezing winds and is reddish-brown, usually with white on the collar, feet, and tip of the tail.  The Norwegian Lundehund competes in the non-sporting group.

Xoloitzcuintli (photo from MSNBC.com)

Xoloitzcuintli

The Xoloitzcuintli, pronounced show-low-eats-queen-tlee, is usually called simply “show-low”, and is the national dog of Mexico.  This breed is a descendant of the hairless dogs of the Aztecs and comes in three different sizes, defined as Toy (10 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder), Miniature (14 to 18 inches tall) or Standard size (18 to 23 inches tall).  There is also a version that does have hair.  The breed standard is unique, in that its characteristics were not developed by humans, but rather as an adaptation to the dog’s natural environment.  They are highly intelligent and easy to train. The Xolo competes in the non-sporting group.

American English Coonhound (photo from MSNBC.com)

American English Coonhound

The American English Coonhound (which, being a hound is my favorite of the new breeds) is a descendant of English Foxhounds, by way of Virginia.  These athletic dogs originally hunted fox during the day and raccoons overnight, and today can be used to locate any number of hunting prey due to their speed, endurance, and loud howl.  The medium-length coat can be red and white ticked, blue and white ticked, tri-colored with ticking, red and white, or white and black.  The highly social dog makes an excellent companion when he is not hunting.

Cesky Terrier (photo from MSNBC.com)

Cesky Terrier

The Cesky Terrier ranges in color from charcoal to platinum.  The breed’s lean body and natural grace make them excellent hunters, both above and below ground.  They aren’t wild about strangers, but are very loyal to their families.  Their intelligence, sometimes interpreted as stubbornness, and their unbridled appreciation of food means they will find their prize no matter what.  Be sure to keep your food out of reach at all times in order to avoid the problems associated with obesity.  The Cesky competes in the terrier group.

Entlebucher Mountain Dog (photo from MSNBC.com)

Entlebucher Mountain Dog

The Entlebucher Mountain Dog is the smallest of the four Swiss breeds.  The short tri-colored coat has the same beautiful symmetrical markings as his larger cousin, the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog.  The Entlebucher bonds well with humans, but he is protective to a fault, and requires thorough socialization to curb his guard dog tendencies.  This active and energetic dog makes a wonderful, if high-spirited, companion.  He is easy to train and has a great work ethic. The Entlebucher competes in the herding group.

Finnish Lapphund (photo from MSNBC.com)

Finnish Lapphund

Last but not least, the Finnish Lapphund  was bred to herd reindeer (a very important job this time of year!) in the northern parts of Scandinavia.  The native tribes of Finland made use of their strength and agility, probably for thousands of years.  These dogs make great family pets, both devoted to their families and friendly with everyone.  Lapphunds are very intelligent and love to learn.  They come in a wide variety of colors, and each of them includes a soft, expressive face.  The Lapphund competes in the herding group.

It may take a few years before judges feel comfortable enough with the new breeds for them to begin winning best in group or best in show awards, but in the meantime, we can enjoy seeing them at all-breed shows throughout the country.

According to Dr. Gerald M. Buchoff from Holistic Pet Care  in Little Falls, NJ, “holistic medicine treats mostly with proper diet, natural whole-food and herbal dietary supplements, homeopathic treatments, and alternative “ages-old” treatments.”

Daily holistic care for your dog 

For every-day care, Dr. Buchoff recommends a daily brushing to stimulate circulation and detoxify the body.  He advocates tapping the dog’s sternum between the dog’s front legs 5 – 10 times each day to stimulate the thymus gland, which is important in maintaining immunity.  In addition, stress can be minimized by providing exercise, love, and aromatherapy.

Raw food is the diet of choice for holistic pet care.  Dr. Buchoff’s recipe is as follows:

70% meaty bones (bones are needed for calcium), including raw beef, chicken, turkey, lamb or fish.  One quarter of the meat portion should be made up of organ meats such as liver, kidneys, and pancreas.

30% raw vegetables.  Half of the vegetables should be rich in carbohydrates, such as sweet potatoes and squash.  The other half should be green vegetables including spinach, cabbage, collard greens, and Swiss chard.  Throwing in a few carrots and some cauliflower now and again is also recommended.

Holistic care at the vet 

Rather than treating your dog with pills and shots, a holistic veterinarian is likely to use chiropractic adjustments to properly align the spine to relieve the pain from arthritis or other joint problems.  Acupuncture is used to improve organ functioning.  Your dog’s diet and nutritional needs might be assessed and herbal supplements recommended.

Dr. Shawn of Paws & Claws Animal Hospital  in Plano, TX recommends an integrated approach, “combining the best of conventional medicine with the best of complementary and alternative therapies.”  He states that this provides “true healing rather than simply treating a problem.”  He also speaks to the value of herbal remedies as a way to minimize the side effects from conventional therapies.  (Medical marijuana, anyone?)

Goals of a holistic health plan

Dr. Shawn outlines five goals to be used when developing a holistic health plan:

1. Preventing disease
2. Saying no to drugs
3. Healing the pet rather than treating disease
4. Offering hope for the hopeless
5. Saving money on pet care

He also offers, speaking from the dog’s point of view, a list of seven things your pet wants and needs to stay healthy and disease free.

1. Feed me a healthy diet.
2. Vaccinate me to prevent disease, but only when absolutely necessary.
3. Please keep parasites away from me, but only use those medications that fit my needs.
4. I know you take supplements to stay healthy.  Make sure I get what I need as well.
5. I like to exercise too!
6. After you brush your teeth, don’t forget about mine.
7. I’m a good looking pet.  Help me stay that way.

Homeopathy and herbal supplements are two holistic approaches to dog care you may choose for your dog.

Dr. Larry Bernstein of Natural Holistic Health Care in North Miami Beach, FL, offers a primer on the history of homeopathy, as a way of understanding the science and art behind the practice.  Although some of the techniques used by holistic vets date back to the ancient Greeks, the father of modern homeopathy, Dr. Samuel Hahnemann practiced inAustria in the late 1700′s.  In response to the barbaric conventional medicine practiced in those days (think bloodletting and “treatment” by arsenic poisoning”, Hahnemann looked for a more natural method of curing patients.

Hahnemann’s big breakthrough came when he realized that symptoms are not the disease, but rather an expression of the disease.  While most conventional medicine treated the symptoms, no one was working on healing the disease itself.  Homeopathy seeks to restore a balance to the patient’s vital, inner force, rather than simply relieving symptoms.  For example, if a dog lives in a home with smokers, the second-hand smoke will cause stress to his body as the vital force tries to protect his health.  The stress is expressed as symptoms of disease.  Although conventional medicine would simply treat the symptoms, it is only when the stress (i.e. second-hand smoke) is removed from the environment that the dog can be truly said to be returned to good health.

In “Holistic Care for Our Animal Companions,” Dr. Bernstein lists several symptoms that might indicate an underlying chronic disease state:

•  Eye or nasal discharge
• Dull or greasy coat
• Allergies
• Food sensitivities
• Too thin or too fat
• Upset stomach at the change of food
• Loose stools or constipation
• Excessive grooming
• Excessive thirst
• Temperature intolerances
• Reactions to medications
• Gum and teeth problems
• Bad breath
• Emotional problems
• Compulsive behavior
• Inappropriate fears or behavior
• Aggression

Branches of holistic medicine 

Although any vet may incorporate holistic principles into his or her practice, there are actually several formal branches of holistic medicine, as well as many related fields including the various massage therapies.  Chiropractic, acupuncture, homeopathy, and herbal therapy / nutrition are the four main branches of holistic medicine proper.

Chiropractic and acupuncture for dogs is pretty much the same as it is for humans and is relatively widely understood, so we won’t cover those disciplines here.  Likewise, we have covered canine nutrition in many articles on doggies.com.  However, homeopathy may not be as well understood, and is worth reviewing.

The basic concept of homeopathy is that Like Cures Like, also known as the Law of Similars.  The idea is that if symptoms are caused by exposure to a certain toxin, the body can be trained to fight off that toxin by regularly exposing it to very small doses of the toxin.  This is the whole basis behind allergy shots.  The allergist gives you a very low dose of whatever it is that you’re allergic to, in hopes of training your immune system to react more appropriately to the allergen.

Some of the remedies used in homeopathy were developed in the 1930′s by Edward Bach, an English homeopath who believed that the dew on flower petals retained the healing properties of the plant on which it was found.  The original 38 Bach flower remedies are still widely sold, each containing a very small amount of the flower material, diluted in a mixture of 50% water and 50% brandy.  These remedies are often used for the treatment of emotional disturbances such as anxiety.

If your dog isn’t responding to conventional treatments, or even if you’d just like to try something more natural, why not consider the holistic approach.  You may be surprised at the improvement you see in your beloved pet.

Toys 

The most recent push in plush dog toys is to make them stuffing-free.  I’m not sure whether people just got tired of cleaning up all the stuffing from the carpet after the dog tore the toy apart, or if the stuffing really is toxic, but either way, I’m glad to see this trend.  My dogs still tear apart the animals to get the squeaker out, but at least it is now easier to clean up.  Sold primarily under the brand name of Skinneez, these stuffing free dog toys are available from Drs. Foster and Smith and Active Dog Supplies

Skineez are stuffing-free dog toys.

Always a favorite at my house, the Kong brand of dog toys are virtually indestructible and they give your dog a chance to use his brain.  For example, the Kong Wobbler can be filled with treats, and your dog must learn how tip the toy just right to make a treat come out.  Kong also makes the ever popular Wubba, a floating tug toy that can be used on land or water for training or just plain fun.  Some dogs will do just about anything for a chance to play Wubba.  (Kinda’ like the old Klondikebar commercials.)  Kong brand products are available at most major retailers, both in your community and online.

My favorite online store, Best Friends General Store, has been closed due to the retirement of owner Candy Blakeslee, so I’ll have to find another source for you for all of your toy needs.

Sit, Stay looks like it has a large selection and reasonable pricing.  They have a large selection of toys specifically for Christmas, including Orbee Tuff Brand chew toys that are made of recyclable, non-toxic rubber and are shaped for the season.  Their selection includes a giant candy mint, a snowball, and an old-fashioned (i.e. large) bulb from a string of Christmas lights.  Many of these toys also include a stuffable hole for treats.

Care-A-Lot Pet Supply also has a large selection of toys, most priced under $10.

Dog Beds 

Tired of sharing your bed with your dog?  Get him his own.  Fetch Dog carries a wide selection.  Before you buy your dog a bed, take a look at how he sleeps.  Does he like to have his head up on your pillow or on the chair of the couch?  Make sure his bed has a bolster on the rim so he’ll have all the comforts he wants.  Is he a snuggler under the covers?  Look for a “cave” bed that allows him to burrow in.

You will also want to consider whether the bed will go inside or outside when making a choice between the different types of covers.  Some are made for indoor use only, while others are more weather resistant for the great outdoors.

Dog Duvets from Bow Wow Beds can be customized with your dog's name.

Bow Wow Beds on home crafters’ site Etsy  sells pet duvets and covers, as featured on the Nate Berkus Show and HGTV.  The are available in many sizes for a variety of uses (in the car, in the crate, or just for lounging around the fireplace), and you get to choose the cover fabric.

If your dog is getting older, you might need an orthopedic bed, such as those shown on Chaz Hound.    These beds can help relieve your dog’s aches and pains from arthritis and other joint diseases.

Food and Water Bowls 

There’s nothing that says, “I love you” like a new set of dishes.  The Official Dog House has a great selection including ChowTime Productions Art Bowls, hand-crafted in theUSA to include your dog’s name.

Does your dog gobble his food so fast he spits it back up?  Check out the Brake Fast bowls that force him to slow down. 

These unique bowls are available from Dogs in Play  They also carry bowls that are resistant to ant infestation, a handy feature if your dog doesn’t finish his food all at one time.

And if you’re a fresh-water freak, wouldn’t your dog love an ever-fresh stream of water, too?  Pet Mountain offers the Healthy Pet Water Station and free shipping if you spend at least $49.99.

Dog Tag Art carries a wide range of stylish dog tags.

Dog Tags 

Keeping your dog safe and having a way for him to get returned to you if he runs away are part of the responsibility that goes with having a canine friend.  But nothing says that dog tags have to be unfashionable.  Check out Dog Tag Art or Pet Tags for some fun, fashionable identification tags.  And don’t forget, if your dog has a medical condition, to list his special needs on his tag.

Dog Books 

In addition to 101 Things You Should Know Before Getting a Dog  by our own doggies.com blog writer, Beth Philley a/k/a The Dog Lady, here’s what we have on our bookshelves this year.

A Dog’s Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron tells the story of one dog who is reincarnated several times in his quest to find his purpose.

101 Dog Tricks:  Step by Step Activities to Engage, Challenge, and Bond with Your Dog by Kyra Sundance with her dog, Chalcy, gives you full-color photos of each training step for every trick.  Many of the tricks shown will help you prepare your dog for competition in dog sports, dog dancing, and dog therapy work.

The Art of Raising a Puppy by The Monks of New Skete, draws on the religious order’s experience as long-time breeders of German Shepherds and features chapters on play, crating, adopting dogs from shelter, and canine behavioral theory.

Puppies for Dummies by Sarah Hodgson helps you work through the basics – housebreaking, feeding, training – as well as more advanced topics like traveling, doggie day care, and designer dog breeds.

A Dog’s Life:  Autobiography of a Stray by Ann M. Martin tells the story of Squirrel and her brother Bone as they make their way in the world after their mother is taken from them at a very young age.

And finally, Cracker!  The Best Dog in Vietnam by Cynthia Kadohata tells the fictional story of a German Shepherd trained to sniff out bombs, traps, and the enemy during the Vietnam war.

Fires 

Bonfires, whether you use them for burning leaves or cooking out, can be a fun autumn tradition.  But when you’re dog’s around, it pays to adhere to some safety rules.  First and foremost, make sure your dog is under your control.  For some dogs, this might mean a leash, for others a commanding voice will do the trick.  In all cases, though, there needs to be at least one person who is keeping track of the dog.  Think of it as a designated driver:  one person needs to stay sober and keep the dog under control and away from the fire.

If you’ll be cooking over your fire, the same rules apply as when you cook indoors.  There are many foods that can be harmful to your dog, even though you’re cooking them over an open fire (which, as everyone knows makes them taste a hundred times better.)  So, no garlic or onions for your dog, and definitely no s’mores!

If indoor fires are more your style, make sure you have a door across the front of your fire to make sure your dog stays out of the grate.  If there are children in your home, make sure they know they cannot play with the dog in the same room as the fireplace.  There’s too much risk of the toy being errantly thrown into the fireplace, and the dog following right behind.

And while we’re talking about fires, we need to touch briefly on those that are unintended.  If you didn’t change your smoke detector batteries when you changed your clocks, make sure you do it soon.  And check into getting some fire rescue stickers for your windows that say, “Don’t forget the dog!”

Outdoor clean-up

As you clean out your garden, make sure any poisonous plants are properly disposed of in a location where your dog can’t get to them.  And remember, cocoa mulch really does contain chocolate, so it’s dangerous for your dog.

Pay attention to the slop you’re pulling out of your gutters if your dog is “helping” you.  Wet leaves won’t hurt him or her, but there may be other things mixed in that could be a problem.  And, as a side note, if your dog is wondering around while you’re on the ladder, you might want to tie off the ladder at the top in case the dog gets too close and bumps the bottom.

Winterizing your car?  As you add antifreeze and windshield washer fluid (which contains antifreeze), make sure you clean up any that spills on the pavement.  Dogs and other animals are intensely attracted to the taste of antifreeze, but it is poisonous to them.

Walking 

Fall is a beautiful time to take your dog out for walks, but those leaves that are so beautiful in the trees become a real hazard when they hit the ground.  When wet, they can create a slipping hazard, especially on sloped ground.  Even dry, leaves create a situation where uneven terrain or left-behind junk can create hidden hazards.

If you can convince your dog to do so, you may want to walk in front of him so you encounter anything hidden under the leaves before he does.  Children’s toys, lawn tools, and more nefarious trash like used needles and broken glass can damage your dog’s paw pads.  If you shuffle your feet as you walk through the leaves, you will nudge the trash before you step directly on it.

And if you live in the great white north, you may already be getting some snow.  Remember that de-icers can be caustic to your dog’s paws.  You may want to get some booties to protect them if you walk a lot on treated surfaces.  Check them out here.

Indoors

The change of seasons is a great time to do a thorough checking of your house for any hazards that might hurt your dog.  Check each room for electrical cords the dog might chew on, drapery or window blind cords that hang low enough to trip him up, and plants that may be poisonous.

Make sure your cleaning chemicals are properly stored where the dog can’t get to them.  Many of them smell great to a dog, but most are highly poisonous.  Those that aren’t poison may at least cause some gastrointestinal upset that you probably don’t want to deal with.

As you take down your Halloween decorations, make sure they’re stowed where prying snouts can’t get into them.

And speaking of holidays, celebrate the Great American Smokeout on November 17^th if you’re a smoker.  Secondhand smoke is just as bad for your dog as it is for the humans in your home.

Thanksgiving 

We all enjoy spending the holidays with family and friends, eating too much, and taking full advantage of the elastic waistband while we watch football after lunch, but celebrating Thanksgiving with a dog calls for a little special planning.  If the gang is coming to your home, think about how your dog will act around a bunch of food and a large crowd of people.  Will you have to worry about counter-surfing, anxiety, aggression, or even overly affectionate greetings?  Consider whether or not you will need to crate your dog during the big affair.

If you’re traveling without your dog, spend some time visiting prospective dog watcher facilities so you can pick the best one.  Don’t wait until the last minute and have to settle for whoever has space available.  And if your dog will make the trip over the river and through the woods with you, be sure you have the necessary equipment to make his car ride safe.  Dogs should either be crated during the ride or harnessed in a specially designed dog-seatbelt like one of these from RuffRider.   If you’re flying, check with your airline for their policies and comply exactly to give your dog the best chance of arriving in good shape.

Don’t forget, as much as you love your grandma’s cooking, some of it could be disastrous for your dog.  No turkey bones, no matter how much he begs.  And take it easy on the people food that may contain unfamiliar seasonings that can upset his system or worse.

Enjoy autumn!  And make sure your dog does, too, by keeping him safe throughout the season.

The argument for breed specific legislation

Legislators will tell you that the reason they feel so strongly about banning certain breeds of dogs is because their constituents insist that doing so keeps communities safer.  Whether because of any dangers the dogs themselves possess or because of the business interests of some owners of these breeds, the mere existence of the dogs indicates a hazardous condition.

It’s not just Pit Bulls in most cases.  Breed specific legislation often includes other breeds such as Cane Corsos, Doberman Pinscher, and even Rottweilers.  Some proponents of this type of legislation say that because drug lords, dog fighters, and other unsavory characters disproportionately own breeds which might be classified as vicious that all animals of these breeds should be banned.

The other main reason given for banning certain breeds is that the dogs themselves are classified as bad, vicious or incorrigible.  Because this is a hot-button issue, these allegedly dangerous breeds are often featured in news reports when they do something wrong.  Yes, it’s true that Pit Bulls sometimes attack, and when one does, it seems to make the news more often than when other dogs display the same behavior.

A big deal is often made of the fact that dogs of a certain breed can produce so many pounds of pressure per square inch when they clamp their jaws together.  Some even believe that Pit Bulls have locking jaws so that it becomes impossible to remove whatever body part becomes entrapped between the dog’s teeth.

The bottom line is that proponents of breed specific legislation believe that any dog that belongs to a specific breed presents a known hazard.  Even if the dog is of mixed heritage, the belief is that the aggression is such a strong trait that it will always surface and dominate any other tendencies which might be present in the other breeds making up a mutt-i-gree.

The argument against breed specific legislation

Activists who lobby against breed specific legislation put forth the opinion that just as we cannot judge an entire group of people (darker-skinned, gays, blondes) by the actions of a select few, we should not judge entire breeds by the actions of the minority.

For every “bad” Pit Bull, opponents of breed specific legislation can point to dozens of sweet, well-adjusted animals who have never hurt anyone.  Although any dog who has teeth has the potential to bite someone, these folks argue that Pit Bulls, Cane Corsos, Dobermans, and other often banned breeds are no more likely to bite than any other dog, all things being equal.

Opponents of breed-specific legislation point the finger of blame not at the dogs themselves, but rather at owners who may be inhumane or cruel to their dogs, in effect teaching them to be aggressive.  This line of argument goes that all dogs are born to be sweet, but bad owners (and bad breeding programs) cause certain dogs to become the type of dogs we see so often in the news.  Following this to its logical conclusion means that if drug owners and dog fighters owned Golden Retrievers, these lovable dogs would become vicious and dangerous as well.

The American Kennel Club opposes breed-specific legislation, stating “To provide communities with the most effective dangerous dog control possible, laws must not be breed specific. Instead of holding all dog owners accountable for their behavior, breed specific laws place restrictions only on the owners of certain breeds of dogs. If specific breeds are banned, owners of these breeds intent on using their dogs for malicious purposes, such as dog fighting or criminal activities, will simply change to another breed of dog and continue to jeopardize public safety. “

Other opponents of breed-specific legislation include the American Medical Veterinary Association, the American Dog Owners Association,  the Westminster Kennel Club, and the National Centers for Disease Control.

A reasonable compromise

There are grains of truth in both sides of the argument.  Not all Pit Bulls or other banned breeds of dogs are dangerous.  However, perhaps the reason why criminals own the dogs they do is because it is relatively easy to make these dogs into something dangerous.  Lacking the influence of cruelty, these dogs likely would remain sweet, calm, and loving.  As a dog lover, I agree with this.

However, as a parent, I can’t tell you that I wouldn’t be worried if a Pit Bull moved in next door.  For the most part, banned breeds are large, powerful, and capable of at least sounding very mean and aggressive.  I would have a hard time allowing my children to play near one of these dogs until I got to know it a little better.

Wherein lies the compromise.  Rather than banning all dogs of a particular breed, doesn’t it make more sense to regulate those who own the dogs?  I’m not advocating a “wait and see” approach, where every dog gets three strikes before being declared vicious or dangerous.  Even one person being harmed by an aggressive dog is one too many.

However, it seems to me that the sensible approach is to make owners who keep these breeds take precautions to make sure their animals don’t attack.  Mandate taller fences, enforce leash laws, require muzzles in close quarters.  Charge higher registration fees and mandate socialization training.  Award dogs of these breeds a “good citizenship” license (of a different color) once they have proven to be non-violent.

And these rules should be followed for any dog of any breed who has proven himself to be vicious or dangerous.  If that Golden Retriever begins attacking, he or she should be required to conform to the same policies as those dogs who are pre-supposed to be vicious by virtue of their breed.

These common sense approaches keep citizens (particularly children who suffer more dog bites than grown-ups) safe, while not getting rid of entire breeds.

Find out the laws in your state.