The following information was taken from an ADOA (American Dog Owners Association) Newsletter.

FORWARDED WITH PERMISSION

Dr. W. Jean Dodd’s vaccination protocol is now being adopted by
ALL 27 North American veterinary schools.
VACCINATION NEWS FLASH

*I would like to make you aware that all 27 veterinary schools in
North America are in the process of changing their protocols for
vaccinating dogs and cats. Some of this information will present an ethical
&economic challenge to vets, and there will be skeptics.

Some organizations have come up with a political compromise
suggesting vaccinations every 3 years to appease those who fear
loss of income vs. those concerned about potential side effects. Politics,
traditions, or the doctor’s economic well being should not be a
factor in medical decision.

NEW PRINCIPLES OF IMMUNOLOGY

“Dogs and cats immune systems mature fully at 6 months. If a
modified live virus vaccine is given after 6 months of age, it
produces an immunity which is good for the life of the pet (ie:
canine distemper,parvo, feline distemper). If another MLV vaccine
is given a year later, the antibodies from the first vaccine
neutralize the antigens of the second vaccine and there is little
or no effect. The titer is not “boosted” nor are more memory
cells induced.” Not only are annual boosters for parvo and distemper unnecessary, they subject the pet to potential risks of allergic reactions and immune-mediated hemolytic anemia. “There is no scientific documentation to back up label claims for annual administration of MLV vaccines.”
Puppies receive antibodies through their mothers milk. This
natural protection can last 8-14weeks. Puppies & kittens should
NOT be vaccinated at LESS than 8weeks. Maternal immunity will
neutralize the vaccine and little protection (0-38%) will be produced. Vaccination at 6 weeks will, however, delay the timing of the first highly
effective vaccine. Vaccinations given 2 weeks apart suppress
rather than stimulate the immune system. A series of vaccinations
is given starting at 8 weeks and given 3-4 weeks apart up to 16
weeks of age.Another vaccination given sometime after 6 months of
age (usually at 1 year 4mo) will provide lifetime immunity.

CURRENT RECOMMENDATIONS FOR DOGS
Distemper & Parvo * “According to Dr. Schultz, AVMA, 8-15-95,
when a vaccinations series given at 2, 3 & 4 months and again at
1 year with a MLV, puppies and kitten program memory cells that survive for
life, providing lifelong immunity.” Dr. Carmichael at Cornell and
Dr. Schultz have studies showing immunity against challenge at 2-10 years for
canine distemper & 4 years for parvovirus. Studies for longer
duration are pending. “There are no new strains of parvovirus as
one mfg. would like to suggest. Parvovirus vaccination provides
cross immunity for all types.” Hepatitis (Adenovirus) is one of
the agents known to be a cause of kennel cough. Only vaccines
with CAV-2 should be used asCAV-1 vaccines carry the risk of
“hepatitis blue-eye” reactions & kidney damage.**Bordetella Parainfluenza: Commonly called “Kennel cough” Recommended only for those dogs boarded, groomed, taken to dog shows, or for any reason housed where exposed to a lot of dogs. The intranasal vaccine provides more complete and more
rapid onset of immunity with less chance of reaction. Immunity requires 72 hours and does not protect from every cause of kennel cough. Immunity is of short duration (4 to
6 months).*

*RABIES There have been no reported cases of rabid dogs or cats
in Harris, Montogomery or Ft. Bend Counties [Texas], there have
been rabid skunks and bats so the potential exists. / It is a
killed vaccineand must be given every year./*//

*Lyme disease_is a tick born disease which can cause lameness,
kidney failure and heart disease in dogs. Ticks can also transmit
the disease to humans. The original Ft. Dodge killed bacteria has proven to be the most effective vaccine. Lyme disease prevention should emphasize early
removal of ticks. Amitraz collars are more effective than Top
Spot, as amitraz paralyzes the tick’s mouthparts preventing
transmission of disease.

**VACCINATIONS NOT RECOMMENDED* *
Multiple components in vaccines compete with each other for the
immune system and result in lesser immunity for each individual
disease as well as increasing the risk of a reaction. Canine Corona Virus is only a disease of puppies. It is rare, self limiting (dogs get well in
3 days without treatment). Cornell & Texas A&M have only
diagnosed one case each in the last 7 years. Corona virus does
not cause disease in adult dogs.*

*Leptospirosis vaccine is a common cause of adverse reactions in
dogs. Most of the clinical cases of lepto reported in dogs in the
US are caused by serovaars (or types) grippotyphosa and
bratsilvia. The vaccines contain different serovaars eanicola and
ictohemorrhagica. Cross protection is not provided and protection
is short lived. Lepto vaccine is immuno-supressive to puppies
less than 16 weeks.

Congratulations to all the new AKC Canine Good Citizens that have come through our dog training program! I haven’t written in a while due to all the activity that has been going on here. We’ve had students at the dog training school and lots of classes and just a buzz of activity but I promised I would not go to bed tonight until i had congratulated all the responsible dog owners who have recently added the title Canine Good Citizen to their list of accomplishments with their companions.

So for Thunder the Doberman, Cayenne the Heeler, Max the Visla, Mischief the Labrador, Jackson the GoldenDoodle, Archie the mixbreed, Maiah the Rottweiler and Briggs the Boxer, congratuations! You guys deserve a big scratch and an extra treat. Your owners deserve a round of applause for their dedication to training you well and demonstrating that dogs of any size, shape, and breed can become a well manner member of society.

Well done! Ok now I get to get some zzzz’s and snuggle with my pack.
Robin

Behavior modification, and rehabilitation are a big part of the dog training programs at That’s My Dog! Inc. Our Saturday group training class contained a number of fabulous dogs, but among the 27 dogs attending class were two cases that make us particularly proud; Basil, the Sealyham Terrier who struggled with human aggression issues and Bailey, the Basset Hound whose severe shyness kept her from allowing any human contact.

Basil was attending his first group class upon being reunited with his owners after a 3 week board and train program. He came to us after biting several people, including his owners. He was put through a significant process of rehabilitation over the past three weeks and participated in group class under the direction of his owners. He did awesome and we will be following up on his progress in the coming weeks.

Bailey has been attending training for a few months and came to us with severe shyness and submissive wetting issues. She would not seek attention from anyone and when approached would flea and attempt to hide. After laying a foundation of basic obedience we began working on counter conditioning and desensitization exercises. In our group class we have been working on people approaching Bailey while she remains on her place. Participants are instructed on how to utilize helpful body language in their approach toward Bailey so that she does not feel threatened. Bailey is now to the point that she does not attempt to run or flea. When strangers sit down next to her she is even reaching out to them with her nose and allowing petting. She is much less stressed by being in this active environment and it is a huge credit to her owner and the commitment to the training program that this pup will enjoy a life with much more confidence and less anxiety as she learns to enjoy the world around her.

Occasionally we get a note or letter from past clients of That’s My Dog! letting us know how things are going. It is always nice to hear an update. Prince, the Boston Terrier who came to us a few years back with severe dog and human aggression issues is still doing well and we are proud of those accomplishments. Prince’s owners, Rob and Angie are very dedicated to their dog and their persistence paid off in being able to keep him in his home as well as successfully integrate him to life with two children. You can read more about Prince on our testimonial page, you will find his story pretty fascinating. Here is his follow up letter and a photo of him with the kids!

Hello Robin! It’s been awhile. Just wanted to give you an update on Prince. Our son is now 2 1/2 and Jackson and Prince are the best of friends they go no where without each other. On the weekends you can find them curled up next to each other in the recliner watching movies, and at night Prince sleeps right next to Jack’s bed. It is nothing short of amazing, We have even had him around my Niece who is 7. Recently, we have added another addition to our family. Mia, she is 8 weeks old today and Prince once again is wonderful with her, as is Jack. Anyway wanted to give you an update just to keep in touch. Enclosed is pictures of the two kiddos Prince has so graciously welcomed!! Rob and Angie Hohmann

Last nights dog training class was filled with Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retriever’s, Doberman’s, Rottweiler’s, Bichon’s, Jack Russell Terriers, and everything in between. The mission of all the dog lovers in the room was to help our canines have better behavior. Most importantly to have better obedience and manners when in public or faced with exciting situations.

There were seventeen dogs in our group along with their owners, two instructors and a few observers, so all told, about forty-five beings in a small, confined space all working toward the objective of better dog behavior. The goal of our training program at That’s My Dog! is to create a well balanced relationship with our companions so that they can fully participate in our everyday lives. Our motto is Super Training For Everyday Adventures because we are striving to help owners have dogs that can accompany them anywhere due to their impeccable manners and good behavior.

Two of our exercises were focused on how the surrounding energy of an environment affects our dogs. With both exercises, we elevated the energy level in the room with lots of commotion, movement and excitement. Then we brought the energy level back down to a controlled and calm state. As we fluctuated the energy level, we taught the dogs to remain focused on their owners and engage them in play or to simply remain calm and laying on their mats. This is not something that most dogs can do without proper training. The average dog would simply take off to engage in the frantic energy or hide in a corner because they feel overwhelmed by the chaos. But not our training group. These guys are champs, and are learning the self control that will allow them to go in public, on walks, to the park or have company over to their home. Regardless of the situation, they will be able to handle it with great manners.

I believe it is evident to you reading this post that your dogs are affected by fast movement and excitement. For example; If you take your dog to the dog park you often witness energy levels that escalate beyond control. It is not uncommon to see some dogs bullying others, scuffles break out or other dogs hiding in the corner or under a picnic table because they are overwhelmed. This is why we believe it is so valuable to have excellent training. Without having control and teaching your dog how to handle these environments your dog has a difficult time learning to behave himself around other dogs. Often times the excitement is so much that he is dragging you down the street, or throwing himself at the window every time he sees another dog. He loses all self-control. The good news is with some guidance and practice your dog can learn to be more steady and calm in these moments. He will still play and be social but you will have the confidence that you can call him back when needed. And you can walk to the park comfortably without the anxiety and anticipation he is going through when he is charging 4 feet in front of you.

If you are interested in achieving this with your dog, please contact us for help. If you are not here in the Dubuque area or Chicago, contact us to see if one of our TMD E-cademy Graduates is in a location near you.

Spring is finally coming to our facility here in Hazel Green, WI and our dog training programs are including more outdoor exercise time. An increase in physical exercise is one of the key aspects for good dog behavior, even television’s Dog Whisperer, Cesar Milian continually reminds his viewers that some of a dog’s physical energy must be expended before you can begin to work on the mental aspect of behavior modification.
So it is time to get out and walk the dog or jog with the dog, but we also want you to remember to be prepared in terms of health care. Warm weather brings fleas and mosquitoes, so it is imparitive you protect fido from these parasites with proper preventatives. Check with your veterinarian for recommended products and dosages.
Another consideration is the length of your dog’s toe nails. Nails that are too long can cause discomfort to your dog because he may not be able to place the pads of his feet squarely on the ground. This can create long term malformation, so make sure those nails are trimmed up. If you are having some difficultly in getting your dog to cooperate with the nail trimming process, take him to a groomer to have the job done or contact us for help in training him to be compliant with the process.
An increase in exercise is good for all of us, physically and mentally, so make a commitment to your canine friend and get out there for a good walk each day. If you are local to our area, join us for our traveling training class, That’s My Dog! on The Go and we will show you how to turn your exercise time into a great training opportunity as well.

We have been getting blasted by severe winter weather this year. It is making it difficult on the us but also on our dogs. The extreme cold, along with the massive amounts of snow, have made exercising the dogs challenging to say the least. So I wanted to jot down a few thoughts on how you can keep fido entertained and challenged without the need to bundle up. Make no mistake, physical exercise is a very important part of your dogs psychological well being, but at those times when mother nature is not cooperating you can substitute some mental exercises to help entertain and relax your dog.

Mental exercise can challenge your dog and drain some of his excess energy. Just think how you feel after a long day at the office. Ready to go home, sit down and relax. The same goes for your pooch. Making him think can tire him as much as a good walk. So here are a couple activities to try:

A dog’s sense of smell is fair more developed than our own so take advantage of that and teach your dog to find hidden items by using his nose. Start by hiding treats or his favorite toy. Put your dog on a sit - stay, let him smell the item you are going to *hide* (but don’t let him grab it or eat it). Then set the item on the floor a couple of feet in front of him, wait a second or so and say “Find It” as you release him to get the toy or treat. Your dog will easily be able to find it; after all, it is right in front of him, but these first repetitions are crucial to make an association in his mind as to the name of the game and how to play. Gradually increase the distance between your dog and where you place the item. When he is beginning to understand this game move the object further and make it slightly hidden, (in the next room next to a chair leg or barely tucked under a rug). It is important that your dog be successful. The early hides should not be so difficult that your dog gets discouraged and quits trying to sniff the item out. As long as your dog is sniffing and searching, encourage him and praise when he makes the find. If your dog gives up a search, it means you have moved ahead too quickly, so repeat some easy finds. As you progress your dog will gain confidence in his ability to use his nose to locate the item. You can make the hides progressively more difficult and all the searching and challenge of these scavenger hunts will burn some of that energy!

Another way to keep your dog occupied is to have him earn his kibble. There are a number of well designed toys on the market that allow you to place dry kibble inside and have your dog manipulate the toy in order for the food to fall out. These various balls and cubes can keep the dog working and problem solving. Another option at feeding time is to simply scatter the food on the floor rather than making an easy meal of it by serving it in a bowl. Dogs are scavengers and hunters by nature, a little work at meal time is rewarding for them and offers a mental challenge to sniff out all the little morsels.

And of course, our favorite way to mentally challenge our dogs is to utilize obedience training and tricks. A trained dog can be asked to perform various behaviors such as a few puppy push ups (a series of sit-down-sit-down, exercises) or required to roll over, stand, back up and give a high five. This mental challenge will stimulate your dogs mind, keep the leadership roles in correct order and help a dog to burn off a bit of that pent up energy from laying around all day.

If you need help with any of the training, remember that is what we are here for. At That’s My Dog! we can help you foster a wonderful relationship with your dog through our programs in obedience and tricks.

Stay warm!
Robin and the pack (Tom, Hero and Ella)

Shot Show Crew
Just returned from the Las Vegas Shot Show. The Shot Show (Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade show) is the largest and most comprehensive trade show for all professionals involved with the shooting sports and hunting industries. It is not open to the public but attracts buyers from all 50 states and more than 75 countries.
Attendance is over 40,000!
I (Robin MacFarlane) was part of the Dogtra team hosting our trade show booth. What an amazing experience, not only to work alongside other professionals like Pete Fisher, Pat Nolan, and Justin Tackett but to meet so many other training enthusiasts from around the world. It was a pleasure to represent Dogtra and their excellent product line. Their remote training collars already excel in the hunting and gun dog world, but they are also stepping up to the plate to meet the demands of our pet dog industry. Small in size, reliable, water proof, excellent range and most importantly the highly adjustable rheostat linear system of stimulation. This ability is unmatched for the versatility we need at That’s My Dog!. The stimulation allows us maximum finesse in the way we communicate with our canine companions. I am very proud to recommend their products and be part of the team.
Next year Orlando!

Callie is in her finial week of training here at That’s My Dog! If you have been following her progress you remember that she came to use with the primary problem of dog to dog aggression.
Well, this week Callie is running off leash in the field with other dogs. Yahoo!, this is big progress. Callie is a very high energy dog and she will always need supervision and some management around other dogs, but she has learned some much improved ways of communicating. She is not causing a stir every time another dog comes around, she can walk down the street and mind her own business as other dogs pass, AND she is playing with other dogs. We are cautious of course to only allow her around stable dogs at this point, but we are confident because she is young, that her good habits will continue and carry her through the remainder of her life.
She will be going home at the end of the week and we are sure her owners will be pleased with the tremendous progress she has shown.
If you are having problems with your dog, please contact us for a FREE evaluation.
www.ThatsMyDog.com

Today Callie, the dog aggressive pit bull terrier, participated in her first group class. I am proud to say she did excellent! We had 6 other dogs in class, including two other dogs that have struggled with dog aggression issues.
Callie was able to focus on me as I worked her through the class. She followed through with all the was asked of her, walking nicely on leash (with no charging at other dogs!) She can sit-stay, down-stay and remain on her place as other dogs pass by her.
Because she was doing so well in a fairly controlled environment we decided to turn up the energy level a bit and see how she handled it. Annalissa, our head instructor, allowed 3 of the other dogs to break into play with one another and Callie stayed on her place and watched with some curiosity. She never barked, lunged or created a problem. We are very proud of how well she is progressing and she earned a few hot dog tidbits for her efforts! Tomorrow we will be taking a field trip to one of the local Petsmarts to work with her in unfamiliar environments.
Stay tuned!