The on-line version of the RDOC Newsletter
The on-line version of the RDOC Newsletter
Our newsletters are also available in pdf format for easy reading and printing; you may already have Adobe Acrobat Reader on your computer, but if not the free software can be safely downloaded from Adobe: 
Our latest newsletter:
Volume 12, Issue 2 – Summer 2010 ..... in PDF format | in MS Word format
Volume 12, Issue 1 – Spring 2010 ..... you can also download this newsletter in PDF format
Photos : left - Michael Bourada; top - Yvonne Robertson, MariLyse Dumas & Julie More;
right - MariLyse Dumas, Fido and Allan Martin, and bottom - Constable Boomer
On April 3, 2010, Responsible Dog Owners of Canada launched “Fido, Friend or Foe?”, a new children’s activity book that focuses on bite prevention.
Children and parents delighted at the magic and illusions of Michael Bourada and the antics of Allan Martin and Constable Boomer. They were charmed by Fido, RDOC’s Bite Prevention Mascot, and thrilled with the artistry of Brad the Balloon Guy.
Responsible Dog Owners of Canada wishes to thank the City of Ottawa By-law and Regulatory Services and Critter Jungle, see www.critterjungle.com for their participation and sponsorship of this event.
Watch for another
Fido Magic Show in 2011!
Responsible Dog Owners of Canada is pleased to congratulate recent Canadian Canine Good Citizen™ graduates in Ottawa (ON):
Laura Skjenna and Spike, Ottawa, ON
Jean Madmakichuk and Cha Cha, Ottawa, ON
Special thanks go out to Cheryl Smith, Finola Pitcher and Meghan Scott of Forever Friends Dog Training in Ottawa, Andrea Cormack-Akeson and volunteer assistants, Lorraine Green, Caitlin Green, Julie More and MariLyse Dumas.
Congratulations!
The Canadian Canine Good Citizen™ Tests for 2010 will be held at Forever Friends Dog Training, 17 Grenfell Crescent, Unit 6, Ottawa, Ontario on the following dates:
June 27 August 15 October 17 December 5
The CCGC™ Test scheduled for October 17, 2010 will be offered free to rescue dogs that are awaiting adoption. Any rescue interested in testing one or more of their rescue dogs should contact RDOC at ccgc@responsibledogowners.ca to reserve a time. All dogs must have a vaccination certificate or titer test results
indicating appropriate levels of antibodies. If the dog is successful, a certificate will be issued when the dog is adopted and the owner provides proof of licensing.
Responsible Dog Owners of Canada has CCGC™ Evaluators in Ontario, Alberta, Manitoba and British Columbia. A list of CCGC™ Evaluators is available at http://www.responsibledogowners.ca/ccgct.html .
RDOC is recruiting new Evaluators in all provinces and encourages those interested to contact us at ccgc@responsibledogowners.ca .
A list of all CCGC™ Tests scheduled across Canada is posted on the RDOC website at http://www.responsibledogowners.ca/ccgct.html .
Responsible Dog Owners of Canada is pleased to welcome two new members to the Board of Directors.
Tracey Chong resides in Toronto, Ontario and is responsible for the Toronto Chapter of RDOC. You can reach Tracey at toronto@responsibledogowners.ca .
Vicki Stafford dwells in Athabasca, Alberta and is responsible for the province of Alberta. Vicki is also a new Canadian Canine Good Citizen™ Evaluator. You can reach Vicki at alberta@responsibledogowners.ca .
Yes, it’s that time again and it looks like this winter produced a bumper crop.
The Conroy Pit clean up is scheduled for Saturday, April 24th, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. and the Bruce Pit clean up is set for Sunday, April 25th, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
We need a few volunteers to help distribute the bags and gloves. If you are interested in helping out at either location, please call 613-228-7764 or e-mail us at info@responsibledogowners.ca .
Students who need volunteer hours for their community work credits are also welcome.
In the meantime, we remind everyone that cleaning up after your pet is not only the law but it is important to protect everyone, including you and your pet.
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The RDOC annual general meeting is scheduled for Sunday, June 20th, 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Ottawa Citizen Conference Center, 1101 Baxter Road. A guest speaker from Canine Water Wellness will be there to explain the health and recreational benefits of water therapy for your dog. Light refreshments will be served. |
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Would you know what to do? A certified pet first aid course could mean the difference between life and death!
You are at home or on vacation and your pet suddenly exhibits signs of illness or injury. An emergency can happen any time or any place. Your veterinarian is not available or hours away. Would you know what to do?
First aid is the primary step in any emergency situation for people and pets alike and having first aid knowledge could mean the difference between life and death.
Responsible Dog Owners of Canada will host its second internationally recognized Pet First Aid Course on June 12 & 13, 2010, instructed by Dawn O'Leary, a certified pet first aid instructor with Walks 'N' Wags. The course will be held at Forever Friends Dog Training School, 17 Grenfell Crescent, Unit 6, Ottawa, ON.
The course will cover important topics such as immediate steps to take in an emergency, how to handle bleeding wounds and bone injuries, how to perform Artificial Respiration and CPR and what to do for poisoning and heat/cold injuries. Other subjects in the course include how to recognize signs of numerous illnesses and parasites, with an emphasis on methods of preventing illness and injury for both dogs and cats.
The price per student is $210, which includes all course materials, exam, certificate, beverages and snacks and a lunch on Sunday, June 13th.
As only 16 students will be accepted for this course, pet owners are encouraged to register early. If you are interested in registering for this comprehensive pet first aid course, please contact Responsible Dog Owners at info@responsibledogowners.ca or call 613.228.7764.
by Nan Arthur, CDBC, CPDT, KPACTP
Summertime is often the time when the image of children and dogs romping together in tall fields of grass, or splashing together in lapping ocean waves sends people in search of a dog to share in their lives. Of course, there are far more reasons for people to want to add a dog to their household than to share with children, but there is
a common goal of finding “the perfect dog.”
In their search for the “perfect” dog, many people walk into shelters and contact rescue groups with visions of adopting the dog of their dreams. While on this quest to find the perfect match, many have a list of requirements that includes a dog that is loyal, easy to care for, already housetrained, and one that will not interrupt their life-style.
Unfortunately, if these are the only considerations in choosing a dog, you might be coming away from an adoption with a dog that is not appropriate for you or your lifestyle, and could leave you sadly disappointed in the entire process.
There is no such creature as “the perfect dog”, unless it's a stuffed toy; but it is possible to find the “right” dog for most homes and living conditions by setting and sticking to the criteria designed before you go looking.
How to Decide
Choosing the right dog isn't (and shouldn't be) as simple as “He's cute”, “She's the right size”, or “I like the breed.” Many considerations should be examined before making this important and long-term decision.
First, adopting a dog should be for the animal's entire lifetime. Dogs should not be any more disposable than children. Anyone considering dog companionship should not only understand this, they should enlighten themselves to the shocking animal shelter euthanasia figures that reach millions upon millions each year in the United States.
Next, adding an animal to your household should not be a hurried decision. This decision will have a life-style-changing outcome, and careful, educated planning is necessary for the safety and happiness of the adopter, the dog and ultimately the community. Take your time.
Getting Started
After you consider your environment — things such as the size of yards and proper fencing, or neighbors — finding the "right" dog for your household can be somewhat narrowed down to the following:
With this basic list as a starting place, you can now further examine each point in detail to see, not only if you are looking for the proper dog, but if you should be looking at all.
Breed
If you have a specific breed in mind, you will need to consider what the dog was bred for and how far out of his or her element the dog might be in your home. For example, if the dog was bred for herding (German Shepherds, Collies, Corgis, Australian Shepherds, etc.) and you live in an apartment or have a small yard and limited
time to devote to the animal, you might not appreciate the results when the dog finds a “job” to satisfy his need to work. A herding dog doesn't have to “herd” to be happy, but they will need things to do that can direct all that intense energy.
Time
The amount of time you have to devote to a dog should always be considered before making your final decision. If you are thinking about a puppy, but you work eight hours a day — think again! A young puppy has limited bladder control, is teething and will have lots of energy that needs to be directed into positive behavior. It's unfair to leave a puppy unattended for long periods of time. Puppies need to be considered as fragile as babies, and most sane people wouldn't consider leaving a baby unattended for even small time periods. Many older dogs are already housetrained and ready to kick back, and often are overlooked, but sometimes would make a better choice for busy people.
All dogs need quality interaction with their families (the humans) if you expect a well-behaved, happy dog.
Motive
If children are your motivation for getting a dog, you have an even greater responsibility. You need to take extra care and consideration in choosing the personality of the animal, as well as the breed and size of a dog. A dog that has a high energy level by nature might be able to keep up with an energetic family but may
require more time and training to channel that enthusiasm into positive activities. A larger animal might be strong enough to knock over and hurt a small child if the dog has not been trained to understand space boundaries.
You should also ask yourself if you expect your children to "take care of the dog." If so, you are going to be disappointed, and the dog is going to suffer. Children cannot be expected to give full-time care to a dog. All too often, dogs are brought to the shelter after a failed attempt at teaching a child "responsibility." It's better to teach by example, or give a child extra chores than to risk the very life of an animal. If the children are adolescents it’s always best to consider if a new driver’s license is going to compete with the care of a dog in a few years, not to mention busy schedules of teenagers today.
If your motive is to give an existing dog a companion because your dog is displaying negative behavior such as digging or barking, then you may just compound the problem. Adding another dog could double your trouble! Remember, a second dog will need as much attention as the established dog, so if you don't have time for the first dog, you won't have time for another.
Commitment
Are you willing to make a lifetime commitment to a dog? The average dog lives between 10 to 14 years; and in that time he will need regular veterinarian care, a commitment to exercise, and lots of love. Vet bills can add up to some formidable figures over the lifetime of a dog, so a realistic idea of this care should be considered.
Planning
Have you given any thought to unforeseen problems that may arise during the course of a dog's life? What will you do with the dog during vacations or if you become ill? Is there a safe place or a responsible person you can rely upon in case of an emergency?
What about the dog as it ages? Will you still be able to care for your dog as he/she gets older and changes both physically and emotionally? Just like people, some dogs will change in personality, lose bladder and/or bowel control, have health problems, and are less playful as they age. Shelters have far too many older animals that were relinquished because the dog started "costing" money. There is nothing sadder than elderly dogs mourning for their owners after they have been left alone in such a frightening and unfamiliar place after years of devotion.
After you and your family have carefully considered all of these points, you should be ready to begin searching for a dog to add to your family. Make sure you receive input from everyone that will be involved with the dog, and bring along someone that will help you stick to your criteria. A cute puppy face or a wildly wagging tail has caught the eye of many potential adopters, only to turn into a disaster for the dog and family after the animal was unable to fit into a particular life-style.
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Read more articles by Nan Arthur at www.wholedogtraining.com |
Accepting your life-style limitations, understanding your motives, and choosing a dog that you have time to satisfy his or her instinctual elements requires some thought and planning, but bringing the "right" dog into your family will deliver a lifetime of love and devotion, and ultimately you will have the "perfect" dog for you.
by Laureen Osborne
It’s that time of year again; muddy paws and overgrown coat on your dog. You may have let your dog’s coat grow over the winter (to keep him warm) and now you are thinking of taking him in to the groomer for a clip down. The only problem is, he sometimes comes back with a pretty short haircut! Your best solution to the “shortie”
haircut is to keep up with your dog’s grooming over winter. He should still be trimmed regularly, just not as short as in summer.
Try to brush your dog before taking him in for grooming. The groomer may then be able to leave a little more coat on him. You can ask your groomer to trim your dog’s leg and chest furnishings shorter this time of year. She can also clip the inside of his legs and his tummy, where it won’t show. This will make it easier to keep him clean.
As for muddy paws, place a basin of warm water beside the entrance door. When he comes back from his walk, dip each paw in the basin and dry with a towel. It is not necessary, or advisable, to continually bathe your dog when all he really needs is his feet and undercarriage to be cleaned. A lot of dirt, including mud, will come off without bathing. Simply allow your dog to dry and then brush him.
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Laureen Osborne is a Master Groomer and author of one of the best grooming books in Canada, "The Pet Owner’s Guide to Dog Grooming", available at www.Larkspurpublications.com . Join Laureen for Pet Grooming 101 on April 30, 2010, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Carolark, 600 Eagleson Road, Kanata, Cost $20 per person. This is a fundraiser for the OHS Building Fund. To register call (613) 591-3277 or fax (613) 591-0419. For more information, see http://www.responsibledogowners.ca/events-2.html#grooming101 . |
We wish to extend our sincere and deepest sympathy to Sylvie Rouleau in the loss of her cherished girl, Button, Lisa Kelly in the loss of her much loved friend, Roxy, Mary and Chris Buell in the loss of their loyal boy, Phil, Tami Kempton in the loss of her treasured companion, Bruce and Ralph Barr and Caitlin Green in the loss of their beloved Daisy.
Although it's difficult today to see beyond the sorrow,
May looking back in memory help comfort you tomorrow.
Author Unknown
Responsible Dog Owners of Canada is hosting its first “River Dog Sunset Cruise” in Ottawa, ON on June 19, 2010, 7:00 to 10:00 p.m.
In celebration of Father’s Day and everything fun, we invite you to cruise and dance your way down the Ottawa River on the Paula D. There will be a cash bar and light refreshments.
Relax and enjoy a leisurely cruise, watch the twinkling stars, or dance the night away under the moonlight. Whatever you do, it is sure to be a fun evening.
Advance tickets are now available for $25 per person. For more information, call 613.228.7764 or e-mail info@responsibledogowners.ca .
We would love to hear from our members or other dog enthusiasts across Canada. If you have an article or a story that you would like to share, please forward to info@responsibledogowners.ca . The next issue of The Dog Guardian will be published on or about July 15, 2010.
RDOC is on Yahoo and Facebook
Responsible Dog Owners of Canada now has a Yahoo Forum and welcomes dog owners across Canada to exchange anecdotes and information on anything about dogs.
To subscribe to the Yahoo Forum send an e-mail to ResponsibleDogOwners-subscribe@yahoogroups.ca
The Responsible Dog Owners of Canada Facebook Group can be found at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8184353329.
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Responsible Dog Owners of Canada (RDOC) Responsible Dog Owners of Canada is a registered non profit organization that promotes responsible dog ownership through education and support, cultivates respect for the rights and privileges of members of the dog-owning and non dog-owning communities, fosters recognition of the contribution that canines make through companionship, service/assistance and therapy and aspires to assemble a strong network of responsible dog owners to ensure the restoration and preservation of a dog-friendly society. Responsibility · Respect · Recognition |
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