SummerWind Service Dogs

03/05/2024

With the help of Kennebunk dog trainer Melissa McCue-McGrath, six local dogs and their owners are training to sniff out the spotted lanternfly, an invasive pest currently plaguing plants and trees in 17 states.

03/05/2024

Many dogs have noise aversions, and a fear of sounds be physiologically and emotionally damaging for dogs, and also strain the human-animal relationship. This session will provide you with strategies for how to approach and prevent sound sensitivities, FREE event, donations optional!

28/02/2024

Please do not hold off on seeking treatment for your dog if you notice something "off" in their activity level, appetite, or physical appearance.

Better to spend $100 on a vet visit & be told it's nothing serious than to take a wait-&-see attitude, only to discover that saving that $100 will cost your dog her life.

Trust me. I know what I am talking about. If I had just let it go when I felt a small lump in Torre's mandible back in October, she would be facing her last days.

Instead—thanks to an amazing group of people who came together to help her—Torre has a great chance at living a normal life span for a Bouvier with a great quality of life.

09/03/2022

Today’s The Forever Dog Longevity Tip 🐶
Add some apiaceous vegetables (e.g., carrots, cilantro, parsnips, fennel, celery, parsley) to your dog’s dry or canned food! 🥕

These gems contain polyacetylenes, an unusual class of organic compounds that has antibacterial AND antifungal benefits. They play a key role in detoxifying several cancer-causing substances, specifically MYCOTOXINS. Mycotoxins are tasteless, odorless fungal toxins found in pet food ingredients that cause organ damage and immune problems.

Eliminating mycotoxins from your dog’s body can be really difficult but serving up apiaceous veggies is a great way to enhance the metabolism of these toxic compounds!

Raw or cooked, carrots and parsnip slices make great training treats, while cilantro, parsley, and fennel can be minced and mixed in with your dog’s food.

This easy food hack is one of many simple strategies Rodney Habib and I include in The Forever Dog book to keep your dog healthy. Available now at https://foreverdog.com/dog-longevity-health-and.../

04/09/2021

I really think it is time to stop shaming people for rehoming dogs that aren’t cut out for a particular environment or lifeystyle, especially after they have gone to heroic lengths to make things work.

I have personally experienced this, living for over a year in a house full of gates & closed doors, constantly stressing over whether our carefully arranged management system would fail & how bad the fallout might be, while consulting with a behaviorist & working through a behavior modification plan—paired with prescription medications—involving multiple dogs.

I can also attest to how quickly things turned around for everyone involved when the decision was made to rehome one of the dogs to an environment much more suited to his needs. He is more stable & less aggressive, living as an only dog, but will probably require meds & management for the rest of his life.

The 3 dogs affected in my household are recovering nicely & they have all been weaned off of their meds. There’s no need for gates or closed doors to prevent squabbles. And the stress levels among the humans have dropped dramatically as well.

I think where we go wrong so often is in trying to change our dogs to suit the environment when the best thing for everyone involved—especially for the dog—would be to take a good, long, honest look at the bigger picture & determine whether the environment we are asking the dog to live in really suits the dog.

Sometimes, we can tweak things a bit: hiring a dog walker to give an active dog more exercise, getting involved in a dog sport to give a dog a job, taking a tricks class to provide mental stimulation, or using household management techniques to resolve problematic behaviors. And there are circumstances where those small changes can add up to giant rewards.

But there are others when even doing all of those things just isn’t enough. The dog is miserable & so are the people. Then, we need to step back and ask ourselves: Am I being realistic in my expectations? Am I being fair to my dog?

When the honest answers to those questions are “no,” it really IS okay to allow the dog to go to a home that is better suited to his needs. The mindset of “a dog is forever, no matter what” is a wonderful ideal, but we do not live in an ideal world.

Life is messy & ever-changing. Just like people, some dogs are more adaptable than others. It is far kinder & much more humane, in my opinion, to give a dog a chance to be happy with another family who can truly meet his needs instead of spending his entire life trying to pound that square peg into a round hole.

ETA: I really think it is time to stop shaming people for rehoming dogs that aren’t cut out for a particular environment or lifeystyle, especially after they have gone to heroic lengths to make things work.

I have personally experienced this, living for over a year in a house full of gates & closed doors, constantly stressing over whether our carefully arranged management system would fail & how bad the fallout might be, while consulting with a behaviorist & working through a behavior modification plan—paired with prescription medications—involving multiple dogs.

I can also attest to how quickly things turned around for everyone involved when the decision was made to rehome one of the dogs to an environment much more suited to his needs. He is more stable & far less aggressive, living as an only dog, but will probably require meds & management for the rest of his life.

The 3 dogs affected in my household are recovering nicely & they have all been weaned off of their meds. There’s no longer a need for gates or closed doors to prevent squabbles. And the stress levels among the humans have dropped dramatically as well.

29/08/2021

August 26, 2021 — Top Quality Dog Food of Hyattsville, MD is recalling one batch of its “Beef HVM” product due to possible contamination with Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes bacteria.

What’s Recalled?

The following product is affected by this recall.

Beef HVM recipe
1-pound packages
Lot Number 071521
About Salmonella and Listeria

Salmonella, Listeria, can affect animals eating the product and there is risk to humans handling contaminated products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the products or any surfaces exposed to these products.

Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and fever.

Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms.

Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting.

Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever, and abdominal pain.

Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans.

If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

Listeria monocytogenes can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, vulnerable or elderly people, and others with compromised immune systems.

Healthy people may suffer short-term symptoms such as fever, headaches, stiffness, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.

Listeria monocytogenes infections pose a serious threat to pregnant woman, as it can lead to miscarriages and stillbirths.

Listeria monocytogenes infections are uncommon in pets, but they are possible.

Symptoms may include mild to severe diarrhea; anorexia; fever; nervous, muscular, and respiratory signs; abortion; depression; shock; and death.

Healthy people should monitor themselves and their pets for symptoms.

Where Was the Product Sold?

The recalled “Beef HVM” was distributed in DC, MD, VA, DE, PA, MA, CT, and SC and product was distributed through mail order and direct delivery from 7/27/21 to 8/2/21.

The “Beef HVM” comes in a 1-pound package marked with lot #071521 on the bottom right corner of the label.

No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with the “Beef HVM” 1-pound packages in question.

What Caused the Recall?

The contamination was noted after a state surveillance sample revealed the presence of Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, in some 1-pound packages of Beef HVM.

The remaining “Beef HVM” batch in our possession has been quarantined and we have discontinued the distribution of this batch while FDA and our company continue their investigation as to the source of the contamination.

What to Do?

Based on its records, the High Quality claims it has already contacted those who have received this lot number.

In addition, the company encourages all customers who received this product to dispose of any unused product immediately.

If you find the “Beef HVM” 1-pound package with lot number 071521 in your possession, you’re invited to return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund.

You can contact the Top Quality Dog Food company at 240-802-6601, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM ET.

You can also write to [email protected]

24/08/2021

I thought I would share the post I just did on my companion dog training page about Kong fillings. They are a mainstay in my food enrichment plan.

22/08/2021

What is your favorite kind of walk to take with your dog? Mine are definitely decompression walks, which are a combination of sniffy walks and off-leash walks, since my dogs have a really reliable recall & we are lucky enough to have spaces nearby where it is safe for them to be off-leash.

Oh, you didn’t know there are different types? Then check out this post from Whole Dog Journal.

https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/training/4-dog-walk-approaches-to-add-enjoyment/?MailingID=1302&st=email&sc=WIR20210822-WalkingYourDog&utm_source=ActiveCampaign&utm_medium=email&utm_content=4+Different+Dog+Walking+Styles+to+Try&utm_campaign=WIR20210822-WalkingYourDog

For more fun on your dog walks, check out the following types of walks and select the ones that are most suited to you and your dog.

21/08/2021

Enrichment is an important part of the plan to ensure that my dogs lead happy lives with a minimum of boredom. Enrichment can take many forms: learning new tricks, exploring new areas, spending time with people & dogs they like, & participating in a dog sport they enjoy.

But one of the easiest is food enrichment. Left to their own devices, dogs would spend much of their day hunting & foraging for food. Scientists know this from observing feral dogs in their natural habitat.

We can replicate that, in part, by using food dispensing toys to feed part—or all—of our dogs meals. The graphic below lists a few of my dogs’ favorites.

Follow me Flying Pigs Training for more enrichment ideas…

19/08/2021

Whether you are starting with a brand new puppy or an older dog, these really are the best ways I have found to build a positive training relationship with your dog.

You will also find that they make it easier to stay motivated to working with your dog regularly & that is the key to good training 😃

Not sure how to get started with your dog? That is where I come in 😃

I am currently available via Zoom for private sessions for puppies, adolescents, & adult dogs. They are more affordable than you might think.

Send me a DM or contact me at [email protected] for more information.

16/08/2021

🏫 📚🍎✍️🚌 Back to School PSA 🏫 📚🍎✍️🚌

Please watch out for busses picking up & dropping off school children.

Do you know when, where, & how you should stop for a school bus to keep everyone safe? Make sure by checking out this post from the Delaware County (OH) Engineer’s office.

NOTE: If you live outside of Ohio, please check your local laws as they may vary from ours 😀

Back to School Info:

15/08/2021

Torre’s confidence at Nosework is coming along 😃 She is continuing to drive to the box without worrying about where I am—which is what she should be doing—& she is going in under the boxes to get her food reward without hesitation.

14/08/2021

This video was really hard for me to watch, but I promised myself I would never delete footage of Mickey because it is all I have left of him.

This was his last time exercising on the dogPACER. As you can see, he is struggling to maintain a steady pace & stay on the treadmill. It isn’t because it is moving too fast; Mickey was still trotting happily along when we went on walk-about.

CCD (Canine Cognitive Dysfunction), also known as Dog Dementia and likened to Alzheimer’s in humans, was stealing away my beautiful, brilliant boy’s mind.

Once a dog who would happily run for 20-30 while I sat beside him, reading a book, Mickey simply couldn’t remember HOW to stay on the treadmill anymore.

This was 61 days before I was forced to choose to end his suffering. It was the day when he went from stable to deteriorating at a scary rate.

Because I talked to my vet when I first noticed he was acting a little “off,” Mickey had 2 years longer than he might have had otherwise & I cherish every second.

Kiss your senior dogs & please talk to your vet if you notice the slightest signs of mental deterioration in them. What you may attribute to growing older could be the beginning of CCD.

There is no cure, but there medications available to help with the symptoms, which are collectively known as DISHA*:

Disorientation

[changes in] Interactions with family members or other pets

Sleep-wake cycle changes

House soiling

Activity level changes

*Not all dogs will display all symptoms

If you are interested in doing a deep dive into CCD, here are a couple of resources to get you started.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6943310/

https://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/neurological/c_dg_cognitive_dysfunction_syndrome

https://www.aaha.org/publications/newstat/articles/2018-09/new-drug-shows-hope-for-treatment-of-dog-dementia/

12/08/2021

My dogs love fresh fruits & vegetables. Strawberries are a great favorite 😃

Today’s The Forever Dog Longevity Tip:
When it’s treat time, try serving up slivers of fisetin-rich strawberries.🍓In addition to enjoying a delicious snack, your dog will also get a dose of this powerful longevity molecule and gut-loving fiber, too.🐶

Researchers have found that a natural plant compound (polyphenol) called Fisetin is a powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. Fisetin is present in many fruits and vegetables, including apples, persimmons, and cucumbers, with one of the richest sources being strawberries.🍎🥒🍓

Recently, scientists have discovered it also kills senescent cells—those “zombie 🧟‍♀️ cells” that are a hallmark of premature aging (cell senescence is when cells lose their ability to divide but don’t die, so they just hang out and damage healthy cells).

A cell study published in the journal Aging showed that Fisetin eliminated about 70 percent of Zombie cells while doing no harm to healthy, normal cells.

A study on animals consuming fisetin showed they lived longer and experienced less age-related issues, which prompted an ongoing clinical trial at the Mayo clinic examining the direct effects of fisetin supplementation on age related dysfunction in humans.

Occasionally, you’ll read information that suggests avoiding feeding strawberries to dogs; this comes from the rare possibility that dogs can consume too many green leafy strawberry stems and can cause an upset stomach. Removing the green stem removes any risk of GI upset. Buy organic or spray-free.

You can find more of my and Rodney Habib's fresh food longevity hacks in our book The Forever Dog, now available for pre-order!
http://www.foreverdog.com

12/08/2021

The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behaviorists has released an updated Position Statement on Humane Dog Training.

This quote is the conclusion of the position statement: “Based on current scientific evidence, AVSAB recommends that only reward-based training methods are used for all dog training, including the treatment of behavior problems. Aversive training methods have a damaging effect on both animal welfare and the human-animal bond. There is no evidence that aversive methods are more effective than reward-based methods in any context. AVSAB therefore advises that aversive methods should not be used in animal training or for the treatment of behavior disorders.”

If you are unfamiliar with ASVAB, its members are a group of veterinarians and doctorate level animal behaviorists dedicated to improving the lives of animals and people through an understanding of animal behavior.

In other words, these are the professionals who REALLY know the ins & outs of animal behavior.

Read the whole position statement here: https://avsab.ftlbcdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/AVSAB-Humane-Dog-Training-Position-Statement-2021.pdf?fbclid=IwAR373uEoIcv4bhx9h02TKAXpK7ZjNk_MtwQfqPfZJXu0ldS1FKI1G4yC840

09/08/2021

Contrary to what many of us believe, dogs really aren’t stubborn or spiteful. Usually, when they don’t do what we expect them to do, it is for one of two reasons: they don’t know the behavior OR they are feeling so overwhelmed that they simply cannot do what we are asking at that point in time.

When a dog I am training doesn’t respond as I expect, I ask for a nose target. This is a simple behavior that I teach every dog, just touching their nose to the palm of my hand. Then, I reward them with a treat. If the dog cannot do one or—ideally—both of those things, I know that she is either over-aroused or overwhelmed.

I ask myself: What needs to change to help this dog succeed?

➡️ Is my body language too big, my energy too high, or my voice too loud?
➡️ Is the environment too distracting?
➡️ Has the dog recently undergone a stressful event?

All of these will affect a dog’s ability to perform even well-known behaviors. The first, I can easily change & it may solve the problem. The other two, I cannot control & there are times when I end the training session rather than push on. I do this for the well-being of the dog; no good comes from adding to her stress.

But sometimes, none of those things apply, so I continue questioning myself:

➡️ Does the dog actually know the behavior?
➡️ Is my cue unclear and confusing the dog?
➡️ Do I need to break the behavior down into smaller parts & teach them individually before asking her for the finished behavior?

Those are all training issues & can be dealt with by working on the behavior over time in a wider variety of locations & introducing more distractions as your dog is able to handle them.

Not sure how to work through the overwhelm? That’s where I come in 😃 Send me a DM or email me at [email protected] to schedule a consultation.

05/08/2021

And the dogs I train are so glad that I do ♥️

04/08/2021

Look what’s coming up in Delaware County on Sept 11! Mingo Park is beautiful & the Olentangy River Festival sounds like fun for the whole family 😄

The 8th annual Olentangy River Festival (formerly the NOW Festival) is Saturday, Sept. 11, 1-5 pm. The educational event takes place along the banks of the river in Mingo Park, 500 East Lincoln Avenue, Delaware. Hands-on activities in and out of the river, plus kayaking, creeking, fly fishing demos, educational booths, food trucks, yard games, and more. More information is at 740-203-1905.