The Controversial Canine

07/29/2023

07/17/2023

Granite enjoying summer at Madrocks. ❤️

07/15/2023

Granite enjoying a refreshing dip in the lake

07/11/2023

Hello Everyone! Thank you for the overwhelming response to the upcoming classes at Terra Nova Kennels! We are excited to meet you all.
We will be holding registration/orientation/meet the trainer (me) this Saturday July 15th

10 am (full)
noon
2 pm

Sunday July 16th

11 am

1 pm

Please note, this is a human only event. The above times are not necessarily the time of your class. Times are dependent on the number of registrations and the ages of the dogs. Class outlines and information will be provided at registration.

Call or text Erika at 709-769-1418 for more information and to save your spot.

Thanking you in advance

07/10/2023

Remembering some of my past dogs today! Sophia and Louisa the Danes, Daisy and Maisy the coonhounds, Scooter the walker and of course Bones the GSD

07/09/2023

Ohh look I found mud!

07/08/2023

In my memories today…
Bones… best dog that ever lived

07/08/2023

Been commenting on some group post about behaviour and nutrition thus was in response to a discussion on feeding fruits and veg. What are your thoughts on feeding?

Dogs are facultative carnivores meaning they produce digestive enzymes such as lipase and amalayse in their saliva (unlike cats who are obligate carnivores). This doesn’t necessarily mean that dogs are equip to break down cellulose found in most vegetation that’s what herbivores do. It’s a cycle you learn in biology. Plants grown in the earth and absorb the nutrients from the soil, herbivores eat the plants, breaking down the cellulose and absorbing the nutrients from those plants and in turn creating proteins and nutrients that then become available to carnivores. Facultative carnivores are often confused with omnivores because it seemed initially that they could survive on fruits and vegetables, this is why and how kibble was created BUT studies have shown now that most canines and felines fed a diet of indigestible protein sources I.e simple carbs, sugars have a shortened life span and suffer from the many diseases that humans suffer from. Diseases such as diabetes, cancer, food allergies, tooth decay and the list goes on. So in fact they survive but they rarely thrive.
So in short FRESH fruits and veg won’t necessarily harm the dog but it won’t help it either. It’s kibble that is the problem.
There were studies done on racing greyhounds where is showed that complex carbs (brown rice with green peas) were excellent ingredients to regulate glycogen and cortisol levels.
But that wouldn’t do well for Huskies for example.
The biggest problem with feeding slow digesting or indigestible proteins is the pressure it puts on the vital organs. If nitrogenic waste is unable to be eliminated quickly by the kidneys then it builds in the joints causing inflammation and eventually arthritis.
My suggestion is to feed what you feel is appropriate and fast the dog at least 24 hours a week (adults)
It will help eliminate toxic waste from the body. Especially if they are kibble fed.
EP

07/03/2023

Selfies with the boy!

06/19/2023

Too cute!!

06/19/2023

06/19/2023

What is the difference between Puppy Culture and the Newborn to New Home Course? https://bit.ly/PCNB2NH

The Puppy Culture program is the basis of everything we do. Puppy Culture's focus is on raising behaviorally sound puppies. So it's raising litters viewed through a behavioral lens. We touch only lightly on husbandry and medical issues. The core curriculum for Puppy Culture is the original film and the workbook: http://bit.ly/VODPCWB

Newborn to New Home (NB2NH) is a true course. You get day by day breakdowns, every day, for 72 days of exactly what to do with a litter. I go into husbandry, medical issues, and the minutia of organization, supplies, recipes, and set ups. We give you links to products, articles, and resources. There are printed materials and downloadable worksheets. https://bit.ly/PCNB2NH

There is some overlap of material between Puppy Culture and Newborn to New Home, but no repeated information. Everything in NB2NH will be new to you, even if you've seen Puppy Culture, and the material in Puppy Culture is not repeated in NB2NH.

What should you buy?

If you've never raised a litter and you don't have a mentor, then I would say you really, really need the Newborn to New Home, along with Puppy Culture and the Workbook.

Even if you are an experienced breeder, there is still a lot in the Newborn to New Home course that will probably be new to you, so you will enjoy it and it will definitely bring some new things to your puppy rearing game.

If you do have a lot of experience raising litters the Newborn to New Home is not crucial in the same way as it would be if you had never raised a litter, but you will still get a lot out of it - people say just the product suggestions and ideas are worth it, and we do present a lot of science that might not change the way you do things, but could shed light on why and also refine your techniques.

So I do recommend Newborn to New Home, Puppy Culture, and the Workbook, even if you are an experienced breeder. But if your budget is tight, begin with just the Puppy Culture Film and the Workbook, as that is the basis of the entire program.

06/19/2023

These six steps will help you prepare yourself and your family for losing a beloved animal companion.

06/17/2023

Introducing, the newest member of the TNK Team!!

Erika Pardy

International Animal Behaviour and Holistic Practitioner

Erika’s credentials include an educational background in Animal Behaviour and Psychology from Guelph University, a degree in Alternative Medicine (Herbs and Homeopathy) and Nutrition from the British Institute of Homeopathy and a strong background in life sciences including coaching, teaching and mentoring. She has over 30 years of experience in the human/animal bond, nutrition/homeopathy/herbology/behaviour and has practiced in Europe, the USA and all across Canada.

She has attended over 250 seminars in the animal industry as well as holistic vet conferences around the world.

She is a published author and is the founder and former editor-in-chief of Dogs Naturally Magazine (The largest holistic pet community in the world). She was the editor of Cottage Dog Magazine and a regular contributor to multiple animal magazines as well as Home and Garden magazine, local newspapers and breed specific publications. She has appeared on TV, radio and other media related outlets. She created and founded The Progressive Pet and a social enterprise known as the PACK society.

She has personally trained and competed in:
Schutzhund and French ring with her German Shepherd
Hunt trials with her Flat-coated Retrievers
Competitive Obedience – Australian cattle dogs, Shelties, GSDs, Flat-coats, Border Collies
Sheep Herding – Border Collies
Therapy dog – Flat Coats and Border collies, and Coonhounds
Service dogs training – All Breeds
Tracking – GSDs
Conformation Titles and MBIS MBPIS Multiple group placings and BIB– Personally with her Great Danes, Italian Greyhounds, Whippets, Flat-Coats, Poodles
She owned, trained and showed the #2 Toy Manchester in Canada and #3 Mini poodle in Canada
Professional Handler – All breeds
Agility – Border Collies, Bearded Collie and Sheltie
Freestyle – Flat-coats and Border Collies
Search and Rescue – Border Collies, Flat-coats and German Shepherds

Erika’s passion has always been helping animals live the best lives possible and helping people help themselves, has always been her calling. To date she has worked with literally thousands of animals and people through, seminars, lectures, classes and consultations.

Erika’s Philosophy and methodology is a non-compulsive and non-coercive approach. She does not believe in force or intimidation. Training is a gentle approach, creating a solid bond of trust and respect. Prevention is always better than the cure. Reward the good and the bad will disappear while giving clear and consistent instructions. She uses primary and secondary reinforcers to develop desired behaviours while teaching appropriate responses.

She is a professional in the field of idiopathic aggression having been used in several court cases over the years.

Erika takes a holistic approach to training and behaviour.

In her spare time, she enjoys hiking with her dogs.

We are beyond proud and excited to welcome Erika to the team!

06/16/2023

One of our dog show family has had a tragic heartbreaking loss
Our thoughts and prayers are with Rick and Mandy Justice
and the owners of those dogs lost in the tragic RV fire at the Tampa show yesterday.

A GO FUND ME HAS BEEN SET UP
https://www.gofundme.com/f/tragic-rv-fire-in-tampa-dog-show?utm_campaign=m_pd+share-sheet&utm_content=undefined&utm_location=undefined&utm_medium=copy_link_all&utm_source=customer&utm_term=undefined

06/16/2023

Last month I spent a month in Chile and I had the pleasure of working with some great dogs and their people. What was shocking to me was the number of dogs that live harmoniously within the cities and towns without a place to call their own. In Chile it is illegal to euthanize or harm a stay dog. They are treated well and are welcomed everywhere, including beaches, public transit, restaurants. They also appear to be well fed. There are more pet stores and Vet clinics than there are coffee shops! Here is a peek at some of the photos I captured.
The interesting thing was, I did not see a single act of aggression either towards people or towards other dogs. Sadly there were too many preventable deaths on the highways. All dogs captured on these pics were either sleeping or just checking things out.
I am working with a group in Chile that are improving the quality of life of these dogs.

06/16/2023

✨CONGRATS TO OUR PET PHOTO CONTEST WINNER TORVI!! Krista Domino ✨

Thank you to everyone who participated in our contest, and veer your who attended the Pet Expo NL 🐶 we look forward to doing it all again next year 🐾

Thanks to and for their generous donations 🤍

Don't forget to follow on instagram!

03/04/2021

Hang in there folks ... we got this ... GIGGLES!

03/04/2021

Cancel Netflix's soon released show: Canine Intervention - due to inhumane animal training

10/20/2020

10/09/2020

I saw this without credit to the creator but the statement came from Chad Mackin of Pack to Basics

09/09/2020

03/31/2020

Good morning everyone,

I hope everyone is feeling safe and sane during this time. I would to take a moment to let you know that after a long hiatus, I will be returning to my passion. I’ve stepped out temporarily to recoup from some serious burn out from 25 years of working in the animal industry. Those who know me know what I mean. I took some time off but I was always here in the back... Watching and waiting.

Since the Covid situation and the increasingly exorbitant costs of veterinary care, I’ve really had an opportunity to re-evaluate my role as a homeopath and behaviourist. With too many years of experience on several different continents it doesn’t seem fair to just shove this in a closet any longer. That, plus too many signs and synchronicities as of late... wait for it...

I am back!!

I will be educating as well as taking clients once again.

I have an amazing team working with me and there will soon be a website, course materials, podcasts and videos available to you. You will be able to book and pay online and we can meet virtually by way of zoom media, Face time or messenger whichever is most convenient.

If I can ask from those who know me and have had experiences with me either behaviourally, nutritionally or Homoeopathically to please say some kind words in the comment section. If you have questions please also leave them in the comments.

If you would like to book before I advertise and sell out, send me a PM and I’ll reserve a spot for you!

Lots of love,

Erika

03/09/2020

Dogs parks seem like such an idyllic place for dogs: lots of room to roam and plenty of doggie friends to meet; not to mention its pretty cool for us humans to