The Greater Gainesville Dog Fanciers Association, Inc.

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1 The Greater Gainesville Dog Fanciers Association, Inc. January 2018 Newsletter for Dog Lovers G.G.D.F.A. P.O. Box Gainesville, Florida General Meeting Dates: 2nd Tuesday each month PINE GROVE Baptist Church 4200 NW 39th Ave 7:30 pm Gainesville, FL Board Meeting Dates: 4th Tuesday each month Club Officers President Denise Gaboury 1st VP Pam Rice 2nd VP John McKamey Secretary Sarah Wingfield Treasurer Doris Horton Club Directors Kathy Davis Carol Lamb Claire Hedrick Marge Saucier Linda Graham alternate Newsletter Editor Claire Hedrick Membership Chair Kathy Davis TO DO LIST Pay Dues $ individual $ family Awards Needed Each year we acknowledge AKC Titles won by our members fur-children. Copy the Certificate and send or give copy to Denise Gaboury. Special plaques will be awarded later this year. will be sometime around April

2 Upcoming at January General Meeting This is one of the local services we (GGDFA) support St. Francis Pet Care (SFPC) was founded in September 2007 by Gainesville veterinarian Dale Kaplan-Stein, community animal advocate Chris Machen, and Dr. Natalie Isaza, Director of the new Shelter Medicine Program at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine (now the Veterinary Community Outreach Program). Support St. Francis Pet Care is an entirely volunteer organization we have no paid staff. We are grateful for our many wonderful volunteers and for the generous support of the local community. We can always use more volunteers, veterinary professionals, donations of money and supplies, and general community involvement. SFPC is an all-volunteer organization, so to say we value and depend on our volunteers would be an understatement. Our volunteers range from students to retired people and they do a number of jobs both at our weekly Tuesday clinic and outside of clinic. Many of our volunteers say that working with SFPC is the most rewarding thing they have ever done. The organization was registered as a non-profit corporation in the state of Florida on January 1, 2010, and was granted federal status as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization in the spring of The St. Francis Pet Care Clinic originally operated in back of the St. Francis House, a Gainesville soup kitchen and homeless shelter. In October, 2011 the Clinic moved to temporary quarters generously provided by the Civic Media Center at 433 S. Main Street. We now rent a building at 501 SE 2nd St. in Gainesville, just north of the RTS Downtown Station. Clinic is held every Tuesday morning, 52 weeks a year. Clients can pick up food and flea and heartworm preventives for their pets from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm. Veterinarians are on site from 9:00 am to noon. Experienced local veterinarians and UF faculty are assisted by junior and senior veterinary students taking the elective shelter medicine rotation at the University of Florida. They provide exams, consultations, vaccinations, and treatment for ailments and injury to the pets of nearly five hundred local residents. Many vet students are so motivated by their work at the free clinic that they return as volunteers when their rotations are over. We will not accept a new client into our program until all of the dogs and cats in the household are sterilized. We will arrange for spay/neuter and can provide transportation for the animals to and from surgery when necessary. Dogs are our link to paradise. They don't know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring--it was peace. Milan Kundera If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went. Will Rogers

3 News From AKC Published Sniffing Out Recognition: AKC s New Scent Work Sport Stephanie Kennerley August 17, 2017 Dogs experience the world differently than humans do. With a sense of smell that is between 10,000 and 100,000 times as acute as ours, they get the majority of their information about their environment from smell, rather than sight as we humans do. But in our busy human world, we don t often let dogs truly savor the experience. We take the dog outside to do his business, and we are anxious to get back in to finish our work, cook dinner, or just go to sleep. When our dogs put their noses to the ground, we hurry them along. The sport of Scent Work celebrates the joy of sniffing, and asks dogs to sniff to their heart s content, turning the dog s favorite activity into a rewarding game. It is a terrific sport for all kinds of dogs and is a wonderful way to build confidence in a shy dog. In so many dog sports, the handler is in control. The handler knows what has to be done, issues commands to the dog, and ensures that they are carried out. This isn t true in Scent Work. Neither the dog nor handler knows where the target odor is hidden, nor has the handler any way to know. The handler has to rely on the dog, and follow the dog s nose to success. In Scent Work, it is the canine that is the star of the show. The sport of Scent Work is based on the work of professional detection dogs (such as drug dogs), employed by humans to detect a wide variety of scents and substances. Rather than searching for cocaine though, dogs in AKC Scent Work search for cotton swabs saturated with the essential oils of birch, anise, clove, and cypress. The cotton swabs are hidden out of sight in a predetermined search area, and the dog has to find them. Teamwork is necessary: when the dog finds the scent, he has to communicate the find to the handler, who calls it out to the judge. In the interior element, the search takes place in an indoor area, in an everyday setting, with furniture for the dog to search around. The exterior element presents an everyday outdoor area, with vegetation, objects, and structures to search. In the buried element, the target scent is hidden beneath the ground, and the dog has to indicate the area under which the scent is buried. Each of these elements includes four difficulty levels, with a title that can be earned in each class so AKC Scent Work offers years of fun for the dog. AKC Scent Work also has class variations, where the target scent is the handler s smell, rather than an essential oil. Handlers usually use a different command when the dog is searching for handler scent, such as find me! AKC Scent Work has generated a lot of buzz, and the official competition hasn't even begun. The AKC is hosting the first-ever AKC Scent Work trials in conjunction with the Eukanuba Performance Games in Wilmington, Ohio on Sept Within 7 days of the opening of registration, 700 entries had poured in. We have people from as far away as California who want to come compete, said Stephanie Kennerley, trial secretary for the event. And even though clubs can t begin holding trials until Oct. 1, nearly 100 clubs have already completed the licensing process to become eligible to hold trials. All dogs (purebred and mixed breeds) can participate in AKC Scent Work, provided they are AKC-registered, enrolled with Canine Partners, listed in the Purebred Alternative Listing (PAL) program or recorded in the Foundation Stock Service (FSS) program. For more information about scent work: Searches in Scent Work are conducted in a variety of environments, which are known in the sport as elements. The elements in AKC Scent Work are container, interior, exterior, and buried. In the container element, the dog is presented with an open area with a number of containers such as cardboard boxes, backpacks, or luggage and he must determine which container holds the scent.

4 More From AKC Pet Bereavement: Experiencing the Death of a Dog Published The death of a dog can affect people in the same way that losing a family member or close friend would. For those who've experienced the loss of a dog, the American Kennel Club makes the following suggestions: Grief should be expressed freely so the healing process can begin. Make a conscious effort to be thankful for the joy your canine companion brought you through the years. Spend time with people who can appreciate the significance of your pet's impact on your life and who are empathetic to your loss, including other pet owners and your breeder. Seek out pet bereavement groups through your local veterinarian, animal shelter or online. Your vet or local animal shelter may also be able to recommend a pet loss hotline. If this is your child's first experience with death, make it clear that the dog is not coming back but emphasize that it is now free of pain. Let your child know it's ok for him or her to express grief over the loss of your dog. Other pets in the house may also react to the loss of their companion. Give them extra attention during this time. Memorializing your dog can help you celebrate your pet's life and begin the healing process. Consider a donation to a dog-related charity in honor of your dog Create a photo album with snapshots of your dog, or write down some of your best memories in a journal. Consider having a memorial service for your dog in an area that holds special meaning for you. Disperse your dog's ashes in a favorite location or keep remains in a specially crafted urn with the dog's photo. If you participated in dog show events, consider placing a tribute ad in a dog show catalog, pet publication or website. Realize that it may take time before you are ready to bring a new dog into your home. If you feel that you might not be ready for a new dog but want to spend time with animals, consider volunteering with a local kennel club, rescue group or animal shelter. Discuss the idea of bringing a new dog home with your entire family. Whether or not you choose the same breed, be sure to appreciate your new canine companion for his own distinct personality and character traits. Taco, the Dalmatian, Supports Local Police Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign Through AKC Sport Samantha Seymour December 12, 2017 Taco, the five-year-old Dalmatian, wakes up on the weekends full of energy and ready to run. This past weekend, Taco finished five successful runs hosted by the Tortoise and Hare Lure Coursing Club in Littlestown, PA, becoming American Kennel Club s first dog to successfully complete 350 Coursing Ability Tests (CAT). The Coursing Ability Test is an introductory event fashioned after the sport of lure coursing. It tests a dog s basic coursing instinct or hunting-by-sight ability. Taco is not only an energetic, super speedy, title-winning dog, though; he is also an active member of his community. Over his time participating in these runs, the Dalmatian and his owner, Linda Davis, have gained many supporters. He has a pink bucket that goes with him to the Coursing Ability Tests to collect donations in support of the Laurel Police Department s breast cancer awareness campaign. Cpl. Aaron Waddell of the Laurel Police Department initiated the Pink Patch Project in 2015 after his wife was diagnosed with breast cancer. He purchases pink versions of the department s patches and sells them for $10 each. The project was introduced with law enforcement and public safety organizations in California, but the Laurel Police Department is the only agency in Maryland to participate in this project. Taco wears his Pink Patch proudly during all of his runs. Donations collected was donated to the local police department s Pink Patch Program this year. Davis began collecting money to support cancer awareness in honor of her husband, Harry, who is currently battling lung cancer. Pink Patch Funds raised by the Laurel Police Department were donated to Susan G. Komen for the Cure the past two years, but in an effort to keep the money local, the department chose to donate to the Annapolis-based METAvivor nonprofit this year. The Laurel Police Department appreciates the support from Taco and the Davis and is honored to have such an amazing dog sporting the department s Pink Patch.

5 Separation Anxiety Published: Drs. Foster & Smith Veterinary Services Department Katharine Hillestad, DVM What causes separation anxiety? SIGNS OF SEPARATION ANXIETY (when owner absent) Destructiveness Indoor elimination Vocalization Drooling Separation anxiety is an important behavioral problem, which can cause tremendous emotional distress for both dogs and owners. It can occur in dogs of any age or breed, and is one of the most common reasons for pet owners to euthanize or give up their dogs. What are the signs of separation anxiety? Howling DogA dog with separation anxiety becomes abnormally anxious when separated from his owner. The severity of the anxiety and the behaviors that the dog exhibits vary from individual to individual. Some dogs become anxious if they cannot actually see their owner; they constantly follow the owner from room to room. Other dogs can tolerate being alone in a room but will check frequently to reassure themselves that the owner is still in the house, and then go back to playing or chewing on a bone in another area. Still other dogs do not become anxious until the owner actually leaves the home. Some dogs become most anxious as soon as the owner leaves, and other dogs have a period of time during which they are comfortable alone, but they become anxious if the owner is gone for an extended period. This anxiety often increases the longer the owner is gone, and can result in behaviors such as whining, pacing, salivation, barking, howling, hyperactivity, scratching, chewing, digging, urinating or defecating, and destruction of personal items or household objects. Dogs with separation anxiety often exhibit more than one of these behaviors. Dogs have been known to break their teeth and tear their nails and skin trying to get out of crates, and to destroy doors, and jump through windows as their anxiety increases. Dogs with separation anxiety also often have an overly excited response when their owner returns home. They may whine, jump, or run in circles. This behavior May go on for an abnormal length of time after the owner gets home, and the dog will have the same extreme response even if the owner has only been gone for a few minutes. No one knows, for certain, why some dogs develop separation anxiety and others do not. Separation anxiety can occur in animals from multiple or single-pet homes. Separation anxiety may be more likely to occur in animals with a history of abuse or of multiple homes. Dogs that have undergone a traumatic separation from a previous owner, such as those relinquished to shelters may have an increased risk. Dogs that have missed out on normal social interaction with people or other animals, especially as puppies, may also be at increased risk. A dog that has never had a prior problem may develop separation anxiety when there is a change in the routine such as an owner's altered work schedule, or after the household has moved to a new home. Some dogs may develop separation anxiety as they grow older. It is important for owners of dogs with separation anxiety to understand that the inappropriate behavior the dog is exhibiting is due to anxiety, and not because the dog is angry or trying to 'get back' at the owner. Scolding or punishing the dog will only lead to confusion, more anxiety, and worse behavior. By videotaping some dogs whose owners have punished the dog for his destructive behavior, they have demonstrated that the dog's anxiety level increases just before the owner would normally come home. In these cases, behaviorists feel the dog's problem behavior is not due to anxiety about being alone, but because the dog is anxious about the probable punishment it will receive when the owner returns. What should I do if I suspect my dog has separation anxiety? Anxious Cocker SpanielIf you feel your dog has separation anxiety, the first step is to discuss the situation with your veterinarian and have the dog undergo a complete physical examination. It is important to make sure that your dog's behavior is truly due to separation anxiety and not to something else. (For instance, inappropriate urination may occur if your dog was never actually fully housetrained, or if he has a urinary tract infection. A dog may bark when alone because he feels he is protecting his property, or because he can hear another dog.) Your veterinarian may recommend some testing to make sure your dog does not have any underlying

6 Separation Anxiety (continued) medical problems, which could contribute to behavior problems or make them worse. Tests may include a complete blood count, a chemistry profile, urinalysis, thyroid testing, a blood pressure check, and an ECG. These tests will also be important to verify the health status of your dog prior to being placed on any medication. Be sure that your veterinarian is aware of any other medication your dog is already taking, and any previous health problems. How is separation anxiety treated? For dogs with separation anxiety, the most effective approach is usually a combination of behavior modification exercises and anti-anxiety medication. It is essential to realize that both medication and behavior modification exercises are important parts of therapy for dogs with separation anxiety. In most cases, using one component alone will not be sufficient to achieve success. The medication is used to help your dog relax so that she can concentrate on performing the behavior modification exercises; the exercises are what actually change the dog's response to a stressful situation, over time. Medications: Commonly used medications include clomipramine and fluoxetine. These are approved medications for the treatment of separation anxiety that can be prescribed by your veterinarian. Since these medications may take several weeks to achieve effective levels, short-acting drugs such as alprazolam may be prescribed at first. Trazadone is another medication that may be used. Any anti-anxiety drug prescribed by your veterinarian needs to be given exactly as directed. Dogs with separation anxiety have a higher overall anxiety level, and drugs used as part of a treatment plan for separation anxiety need to be given regularly, not just when the dog seems anxious. Patience is important; it can take weeks to months for certain drugs to become effective. It is often necessary to try several drugs or combinations of drugs, to determine what will work best for an individual dog. Behavior modification: Your veterinarian may be able to give you help with the behavior modification exercises, or refer you to an experienced animal behaviorist or trainer in your area. For the best result, it is important that the person you work with has had experience working with dogs with separation anxiety. Behavior modification exercises must be done consistently (for weeks to months) to see results, and the exercises may need to be continued for life. Teach independence: Avoid rewarding attention-seeking behavior. Reward the dog with petting, treats, or other attention only when she is calm and quiet. Reward your dog for relaxing behavior Reward relaxation: With your dog in a "sit" or "down" position in a quiet resting area in the home, reward your dog when he is calm. You may want to provide a mat or bed that you have your dog go to when he is calm. Provide toys at this "settle mat" and teach your dog "down stays" while on the mat. A calm dog will not be panting, wagging his tail, or otherwise moving. Use a word like "easy" or "steady" to serve as a cue for the relaxed behavior. When your dog learns to be relaxed with you close by (this may take days to weeks), slowly increase the distance between you and your dog. Provide a treat when the dog is calm. If your dog shows evident signs of being relaxed (puts his head down or sighs), provide an extra special reward. Don't reward clingy behavior, but don't ignore your dog, either. Desensitize to departure cues: Almost everyone has a set routine when they leave the house - shaving or putting on makeup, putting on shoes, picking up the keys, putting on a coat, etc. These activities inadvertently signal to your dog that you are going to leave, and many dogs start to get anxious as soon as they see these departure cues. To desensitize your dog to these cues, do these activities several times during the day but don't leave. Also try leaving by a different door and block the sounds of the departure. Downplay departures: It is best to remain neutral around your dog for minutes before you depart and as you depart. As your ready to leave, simply move your dog to the room or crate where he will be while you're gone, provide the food-filled toys, and quietly leave without saying anything. Provide safety: Unless confinement increases anxiety, house your dog in a comfortable, safe, room or spacious crate. Baby gates often work better than closed doors when trying to confine a dog with separation anxiety If your dog cannot be left safely alone, consider dog day care. If your dog can be left for short intervals, consider having a dog walker one or more times a day. Enrich the surroundings: Turn on the radio and lights 30 minutes before you leave. Studies have shown that classical music can have a calming effect on anxious

7 Separation Anxiety (continued) dogs. White noise, like a fan running, may also be helpful. Provide treat-filled toy or safe chew toy as you leave. Fill a Kong or other toy with canned food and freeze it. This will last a long time. It's OK for your dog to get most of his calories through these food treats. If you can, use treats that are well-balanced nutritionally. Regularly change the type of toy to provide variety. Also provide the toy at times when your dog is calm and you are not leaving, so the toy itself does not become a departure cue. Conclusion Keep in mind that your dog does not have this problem behavior because he is mad at you or trying to 'get back' at you. Punishment, especially after the fact, will only be confusing and cause more anxiety. Always start with a visit to your veterinarian to rule out health problems. Separation anxiety can be a very frustrating and traumatic situation for both you and your dog, but with patience and proper treatment it can usually be dramatically improved. Dogs with separation anxiety often have destructive tendencies, so provide something your dog can destroy such as old phone books, newspapers, stuffed toys from thrift shops (remove any choking hazards such as button eyes). Provide a comfortable bed. Dogs with separation anxiety often tend to get thirsty because they pant and/or drool more. Try freezing water in a plastic pail. Secure it to the side of the crate so as it thaws it will not spill. Tone down the return: Be low key when you return. Refrain from greeting your dog until he has calmed down. Do not punish or scold your dog. This escalates the problem and may make the dog fearful of the owner and cause the dog to become more anxious at the owner's expected arrival time. Pheromones: Pheromones are chemicals produced by the body that, when smelled, can effect behavior. Pheromone products, such as Comfort Zone with Dog Appeasing Hormone (DAP) may help some dogs with separation anxiety. In many cases the collar may work better than the diffuser. Dog Swimming: Exercise and Play Routine: Another component of behavior modification that may help your dog to be less anxious is increased exercise. Exercise has mental as well as physical benefits for dogs. Veterinary behaviorists often recommend minutes of intense activity twice a day. If your dog is a 'couch potato,' start out slow and build up the intensity and length of time over several weeks. If your dog has any health problems, check with your veterinarian before starting the exercise program. "I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me they are the role model for being alive." - Gilda Radner "There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face." -Ben Williams "A dog has one aim in life... to bestow his heart." - J. R. Ackerley

8 GGDFA Newsletter c/o Claire Hedrick 514 NW 127th Street Newberry, Fl ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED Secretary s Notice of GGDFA Meetings The next General Meeting of the GGDFA will be Tuesday, Jan 09th, promptly at 7:30 pm PINE GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH, 4200 NW 39TH AVE, Gainesville, FL The next Board Meeting will be Tuesday, Jan 23rd Training Classes LOCATION: OAK HALL SCHOOL - Covered and lighted Tower Road, Gainesville Obedience/Rally classes Thursdays 6:00 pm With Denise Gaboury Conformation classes see Susie Keel Facebook Newsletter The views and opinions in this newsletter are not necessarily those of the Newsletter Editor or those of the GGDFA Officers and Board of Directors. The editor reserves the right to edit or withhold copy that which may be detrimental to the standards of this publication. The deadline for submission of articles, announcements, and brags to the newsletter is the 15 th of each month. Materials received after that date will appear in the following month s publication, depending upon space availability. You can the editor at claire@ggdfa.org.