By Don Hanson, ACCBC, ... - Mar 01
What we feed our pets matters. Unfortunately, there are many myths about pet nutrition. Even more alarming, the pet food industry lacks transparenc...
By Susan Spisak - Mar 01
Hillary Roberts, Executive Director of Kennebec Valley Humane Society, KVHS, exudes friendliness and positivity. Even with the pandemic, she's ...
By Carolyn Fuhrer - Mar 01
Tracking – A Problem Solving Relationship
Tracking is a sport in which almost all dogs can be successful. Your dog's nose is millions of times ...
By Nancy Holmes - Mar 01
Last evening, Boss was playing with one of those chunky, thick paper things she calls “book.” I tried to get her to play with me, but she just ...
By Christine D. Calder ... - Mar 01
Leash reactivity is a common behavior in dogs. Often characterized by barking, growling, lunging, snapping, and biting, this behavior can be ...
By www.dianalogan.com - Mar 01
It usually ends up being a circular conversation.
A client will ask, for example, “what is the command to get my puppy to perch?” We reply that ...
Mar 01
It's hard to believe we're into March and that I've had Syd for five months! In case you haven't heard, I adopted a five-year-old chocolate Lab ...
By Judith K. Herman DVM, CVH - Mar 01
Q. Does my dog need probiotics? I hear a lot of talk about probiotics for people and dogs, but I don't understand if my dog needs them.
A. Over ...
Feb 02
Sully is a super soft, very wiggly bottomed American Staffie that just celebrated his First birthday. He is a pro at giving hugs, invading your ...
By Susan Spisak - Feb 01
Founded in 1974, P.A.W.S. Animal Adoption Center, aka P.A.W.S., is a Camden-based non-profit that serves the Midcoast communities. This no-kill ...
By Dr. Gail Mason, DVM, ... - Feb 01
Cancer of the oral cavity (mouth) is relatively common in dogs. Although some tumors of the mouth are benign, there are several malignant tumors ...
By Don Hanson, ACCBC, ... - Feb 01
January marks the anniversaries of two of the dogs that helped me become a better dog trainer and a better person.
Trivia – I had wanted a dog ...
By Carolyn Fuhrer - Feb 01
Choosing an Instructor
Last month we talked about being sure of what you want to learn. Once you have decided that obedience, rally, agility, ...
Feb 01
I am a Carolina Dog, a breed that long ago owned Native American people. We were designed by natural selection to be so intelligent and physically ...
By www.dianalogan.com - Feb 01
As a professional dog trainer, I frequently hear frustrated dog owners exclaim, “I've tried everything and nothing worked!” For any given struggle ...
By Sara Moore - Feb 01
As much as I love summer beach days and riding the waves, I equally love sunny winter days and playing in fresh snow. So far, we're in a bit of a ...
By Judith K. Herman DVM, CVH - Feb 01
Q. How do I know if my dog has mouth pain?
A. Not all mouth and tooth pain are created equal. Sometimes there is a swelling below the eye, which ...
Jan 08
In 2008, we rescued sweet 6-month-old Bo. This addition created our loveable and mischievous 4 pack, and life was never the same.
Bo had heart, ...
By Don Hanson, ACCBC, ... - Jan 04
After last month's column, I was sent an email stating,“Before consuming something myself, perhaps I need to start thinking, would I feed this to ...
By Susan Spisak - Jan 04
When I called Adele Jones, President of Almost Home Rescue of New England (AHR), she was at her desk, working on “dog stuff.” This busy lady runs ...
By Carolyn Fuhrer - Jan 04
What Do You Really Want to Learn?
Today there are so many wonderful choices of dog sports to explore with our dogs. Most people start out with ...
By Nancy Holmes - Jan 04
I am a Carolina Dog, a breed that long ago owned Native American people. We were designed by natural selection to be so intelligent and physically ...
By Christine D. Calder ... - Jan 04
Did you bring home a puppy this holiday season? Or maybe a new kitten? How exciting! Do you already have a dog at home? With a little preparation, ...
By www.dianalogan.com - Dec 11
If you don't use a verbal release cue, you don't have sit… or a lot of other things, either!
Most dogs will respond to the verbal cue “sit,” but ...
Dec 10
Q. My dog was diagnosed with a yeast infection in his skin. I don't feed him any yeast, so why does he have it?
A. Yeast infections are really ...
By Sara Moore - Dec 08
I am so excited to share my journey of adopting a five-year-old chocolate Labrador a month ago! For seven years I've been writing about your dogs, ...
Nov 30
Stevie Bourne is a 6 year old rescue dog from Alabama. His family thinks he is a Beagle Dachshund mix, they call him a Doxle. He moved to Maine ...
By Don Hanson, ACCBC, ... - Nov 30
There are three typical reasons people give their dog treats. In order of importance, they are: 1) as reinforcement or rewards for desired ...
By Carolyn Fuhrer - Nov 30
Thoughtful Training – When You Do It Right – It Works
Your job as a trainer/teacher of your dog is to design a learning situation that will ...
By Nancy Holmes - Nov 30
I am a Carolina Dog, a breed that long ago owned Native American people. We were designed by natural selection to be so intelligent and physically ...
By Susan Spisak - Nov 30
Sue Richardson, President of the southern-Maine based Lucky Pup Rescue, shared that the 501(c) (3) nonprofit was founded in 2007 by her friend and ...
By www.dianalogan.com - Nov 13
Puppies! So innocent, so cute, so full of unmitigated joy, such blank slates. Or not… at least not when it comes to “blank slates.”
Puppies are ...
By Judith K. Herman DVM, CVH - Nov 13
Q. Last winter my dog gained a lot of weight. By spring, he had trouble walking and panted a lot. How can I prevent this from happening again this ...
Nov 12
If you read this column monthly, thank you! It means you know that I've been living with only cats as pets for a few years now, and I've missed ...
Nov 02
Louise Cheese is a 16 month old Bullmastiff who lives with 2 human brothers Carter and Jack, her cat brother Keven and her rat sisters Lemon and ...
By Christine D. Calder, ... - Nov 01
Behavior problems are one of the leading reasons why pets lose their homes and sometimes their lives. When their pet has a behavior problem, many ...
By Don Hanson, ACCBC, ... - Nov 01
As the days get short, the temperatures drop, and the snow flies, we need to take some extra measures to ensure our dogs will be safe and comfortab...
By Susan Spisak - Nov 01
“So, I save Pit Bulls,” laughed Kelly Ouellette, Founder and President of Pulled from the Pits when asked about her rescue's efforts. She'd been ...
By Carolyn Fuhrer - Nov 01
Obedience Training – Shaping Choices
I am so proud of my students. Several of them are now working with their second dog since they started ...
By Nancy Holmes - Nov 01
I am a Carolina Dog, a breed that long ago owned Native American people. We were designed by natural selection to be so intelligent and physically ...
By Sara Moore - Nov 01
Welcome back to another edition of Furry Words! I'm a psychic for people and pets, and if I wasn't the one to actually be chatting with your ...
By www.dianalogan.com - Nov 01
The puppy came to us at 4 months old thinking that stairways were a combo racetrack/high jump. Any time anybody started using the stairs, Skipper ...
Nov 01
Q. I have a really active pup that needs tons of exercise. If he doesn't get his long walks, he is into everything. I am worried about this winter ...
Oct 12
Rosebud was chased to our camp by coyotes on Labor Day weekend 2009. It was ordained, I guess, that we were to be there, because she would not ...
By Don Hanson, ACCBC, ... - Oct 01
October 10th, 2020, will mark my 25th anniversary as a pet care professional. It's a journey that started on April 6th, 1991, in McFarland, ...
By Gail Mason, DVM, MA, ... - Oct 01
Osteosarcoma (OSA) is the most common primary bone tumor in dogs. Large and giant breed dogs have the highest risk of this malignancy. This tumor ...
Oct 01
I am a Carolina Dog, a breed that long ago owned Native American people. We were designed by natural selection to be so intelligent and physically ...
By Carolyn Fuhrer - Oct 01
It's All About Training
How many times have you heard, or may have been told:
• Your dog's not having enough fun
• You need to motivate your dog ...
By Judith K. Herman DVM, CVH - Oct 01
Q. My lab has been off and on lame in his right hind leg. At first, they thought he had Lyme, but the test was negative. Now they feel he injured ...
By Sara Moore - Oct 01
Happy October! Have you traded your iced coffee for tea and your margaritas for mulled cider? As the kids head back to school, I've had a lot of ...
By www.dianalogan.com - Oct 01
“…and how do we keep our balance? That I can tell you in one word: prevention!”
Yes, I have just defiled a line from “Fiddler on the Roof.” ...
Sep 01
Tripp is a 4-year-old, 40 Pound, Mix breed. He sleeps so soundly that he loses control of his tongue and it slides out of his mouth and actually ...
By Don Hanson, ACCBC, ... - Sep 01
I am often asked to help people find pet care professionals. I know and recommend many such individuals throughout the USA. Still, if I don't know ...
By Carolyn Fuhrer - Sep 01
More Performance Opportunities
There are not a lot of opportunities to work with your performance dog during these difficult times, but OTAC – On ...
By Nancy Holmes - Sep 01
I am a Carolina Dog, a breed that long ago owned Native American people. We were designed by natural selection to be so intelligent and physically ...
By Susan Spisak - Sep 01
Coastal Humane Society and Lincoln County Animal Shelter merged in 2016 and were renamed Midcoast Humane in 2018. But the nonprofits' roots go ...
By Christine D. Calder, ... - Sep 01
Dog Bite Statistics in the United States:
• The Centers for Disease Control estimates 4.7 million people each year are bitten by a dog
• The ...
By Sara Moore - Sep 01
How is it September already??? Wasn't I just putting the screens in and welcoming summer? I am not complaining, but time seems to be moving faster ...
By www.dianalogan.com - Sep 01
Forget about a “job” - our dogs love to play!
The great thing about playing with our dogs is that we can cultivate a huge range of habits and ...
By Judith K. Herman DVM, CVH - Sep 01
Q. Did I hear right? Dogs are being trained to detect the COVID-19 virus?
A. Yes, you heard right. Dogs have an amazing nose. They have 300 ...
By Susan Spisak - Aug 01
Founded in 1911, the SPCA of Hancock County is committed to providing shelter and care for abandoned, stray, and surrendered animals and educates ...
By Don Hanson, ACCBC, ... - Aug 01
At least once a week, someone asks me, “Don, what food do you feed your dog?” Based on experience, they expect me to say, “I feed my dog brand X ...
By Loren Candito DVM DACVD - Aug 01
You know the tell-tale signs. The family dog has just spent a fun-filled weekend with the kids at the beach. Now he's shaking his head and ...
By Carolyn Fuhrer - Aug 01
Good News for Performance Enthusiasts
On Track Agility Club of Maine has just finished putting on a wonderful, well attended Agility match and a ...
By Nancy Holmes - Aug 01
I am a Carolina Dog, a breed that long ago owned Native American people. We were designed by natural selection to be so intelligent and physically ...
By www.dianalogan.com - Aug 01
The young puppy's instant response to my presence was to move away and stay out of reach, tail tucked, mouth closed firmly, body and voice ...
By Judith K. Herman DVM, CVH - Aug 01
Q. I have never seen my dog shed like this before. Is he sick?
A. This year seems to be a banner year for shedding. Shedding is a normal process ...
By Sara Moore - Aug 01
Hello again! How is your new normal treating you and your four-legged friends? I have started doing office readings, but it was a bit of a shock ...
Jul 30
Rottie is a 7 year old Rottweiler/Doberman mix. She is very sweet and silly, but also extremely bratty when she doesn't get what she wants. Lola ...
Jul 09
Copper
13 year old Golden Retriever.
“ I am willing to accept this dog of the month award, although I am actually a human.
As a resident of Maine ...
Jul 09
Maggie
4 year old Coonhound. She was "helping" make lasagna and discovered that she can't get enough cheese! Note the excitement in her eyes.
By Carolyn Fuhrer - Jul 01
What is a Tracking Match?
Maine's newest dog club, On Track Agility Club of Maine, will be offering a tracking match on Saturday, July 25 in ...
By Nancy Holmes - Jul 01
I am a Carolina Dog, a breed that long ago owned Native American people. We were designed by natural selection to be so intelligent and physically ...
By Don Hanson, ACCBC, ... - Jul 01
One of the first things a new puppy parent learns is that dogs, no matter what their age, like to put things in their mouth. They approve when ...
By www.dianalogan.com - Jul 01
He was a large dog, Not large TALL, Or large LONG, But large AROUND. This was a Portuguese Water Dog, and he was blatantly obese. I was at an ...
Jul 01
Q. The snow goes away and my dog starts scratching. Besides going to my veterinarian for drugs is there anything I can do at home?
A. Allergies ...
By Susan Spisak - Jul 01
Fetching Hope Rescue (FHR) is an all-volunteer, foster-based group whose mission is to save neglected, abused, and stray dogs, then place them in ...
By Christine D. Calder ... - Jul 01
The 4th of July will soon be upon us which means fun parades, barbecues, and firework displays for the humans but terrifying events for dogs. ...
Jul 01
Well, so far 2020 has been interesting, but it looks like we are safe to slowly reenter the world and leave the cocoon of our houses! I know this ...
By Susan Spisak - Jun 02
Since 1989, Pope Memorial Humane Society of Knox County (PMHSKC) has been devoted to caring for and placing unwanted and abandoned animals in ...
By Don Hanson, ACCBC, ... - Jun 02
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we live, at least for a time. Unfortunately, many of the changes have great potential to impact our ...
By Dr. Cory Mosunic, DVM - Jun 02
What is a cataract?
A cataract is any opacity of the lens within the eye. The lens is normally a clear structure within the eye that help bring ...
By Carolyn Fuhrer - Jun 02
Exciting News for Performance Teams!
Maine has a new dog club – On Track Agility Club of Maine. The club was formed to bring more quality and ...
Jun 02
I am a Carolina Dog, a breed that long ago owned Native American people. We were designed by natural selection to be so intelligent and physically ...
Jun 02
Welcome to June! It's not the “normal” that we may be used to, and for many it's a scary and disruptive time. I totally understand that and am ...
May 15
6 month old pug who lives in Veazie. He loves peanut butter and chasing the cat. He loves to jump in the snow and wags his tail when he meets new ...
By www.dianalogan.com - May 14
For reasons that have always eluded me, the basic tenets of good dog training seem to be lost on most dogs. One would think that dogs would be ...
By Susan Spisak - May 01
In May of 2010, Heather Labbe' of Limerick founded the foster-based 501(c)(3) New England Lab Rescue (NELR) because she has a big heart. It ...
By Don Hanson, ACCBC, ... - May 01
For the past two months, I've written about people's perceptions of what makes a dog the “perfect” choice for them, and how behavior affects the ...
By Christine D. Calder, ... - May 01
In the first part of this article series, we talked about what Separation Anxiety is and the risk factors associated with the disorder. This ...
By Nancy Holmes - May 01
I am a Carolina Dog, a breed that long ago owned Native American people. We were designed by natural selection to be so intelligent and physically ...
By Carolyn Fuhrer - May 01
Training Your Performance Dog
Agility, Obedience, Tracking
By Carolyn Fuhrer
TRACKING –The Importance of Starting Out Correctly
One of the ...
May 01
Q. With so much bogus information on social media, I don't know what to believe. I just heard animals can get CoVid-19. Do I have to worry about ...
By www.dianalogan.com - May 01
The cashier overheard a conversation I was having with the person behind me and gleaned that I was a dog trainer. She motioned me closer and said, ...
By Sara Moore - May 01
Hello everyone! I love seeing the pictures of your dogs enjoying the mud, but I am glad I don't have to help you bathe them. I've been doing a lot ...
By Judith K. Herman DVM, CVH - Apr 01
Q. My sister's dog got skunked the other day. He ended up in the hospital for a few days and was very sick. I didn't know a dog could get that ...
By Susan Spisak - Mar 01
Responsible Pet Care of Oxford Hills (RPC) in Maine's Western Region is a 501(c) 3 non-profit, no-kill shelter and adoption center with an ...
By Carolyn Fuhrer - Mar 01
Stress and Our Dogs
Today there is more and more focus on how stress affects our health. These same concepts also apply to our dogs. We, as ...
Mar 01
I am a Carolina Dog, a breed that long ago owned Native American people. We were designed by natural selection to be so intelligent and physically ...
By Don Hanson, ACCBC, ... - Mar 01
Last month I started to address the question, “How do I get the perfect dog?” I discussed how I have heard people define “perfect” and how what ...
By Christine D. Calder ... - Mar 01
Separation anxiety is one of the most common behavioral disorders in dogs. Approximately, 17-29% of dogs in the United States are believed to ...
By Judith K. Herman DVM, CVH - Mar 01
Q. I just got a puppy. I want to do the best by her, but I am confused about spaying her. The breeder wants me to wait until she is over a year, ...
By Sara Moore - Mar 01
For the past year, I've had a blast doing psychic readings for you and your dogs, but this month I'm going to tell you HOW I do it instead. So ...
By www.dianalogan.com - Mar 01
“You'd think we'd have it figured out by now,” said my husband. The “it” he was referring to was world peace. After thousands of years coexisting ...