THE GERMAN SHEPHERD SENTINEL
MAY 2008 - NEWSLETTER
OF THE
GSDC OF GREATER RALEIGH
Janine Hamlin, Newsletter Editor
2013 Ruddy Road, Raleigh, NC 27616
PH: 919-649-4112, E-Mail: jhamlin@nc.rr.com
Website: www.gsdcofgrraleigh.org
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Board Policy on Dogs at Club Sponsored Events
2. May and June Meeting Information
3. March and April Minutes
4. Brag Box
5. Upcoming Events
6. Allergies
7. Cold Nose Facts
8. AKC Cautions Pet Owners to Keep an Eye on Fido At Home and On the Road
9. If I Didn’t Have Animals
BOARD POLICY ON DOGS AT CLUB SPONSORED EVENTS
The GSDC of Greater Raleigh welcomes your German Shepherd at our events, including meetings. However, the following rules must be followed:
1. Anyone with an aggressive dog (one that growls, snaps, or is in any way aggressive towards other dogs or people) must be muzzled.
2. Dogs will be free of loose hair and external parasites (fleas or ticks). Please brush your dog prior to bringing it to the meeting as we must clean up the room after we are finished.
3. For the safety of all members, guests and their dogs, it is strongly recommended that all dogs be kept up to date on their vaccinations. ALL dogs that are old enough MUST have a current rabies shot.
May 2008 Meeting Information
The May meeting will take place Wednesday, May 7, 2008, at the usual place and usual time.
The speaker will be Jason Reitmeyer, Certified Master Trainer of Best Paw Forward Dog Education. He will arrive prepared with a discussion about issues that are common with German Shepherds, and also leave some time for Q&A. For more information about Best Paw Forward Dog Education, visit their website www.BestPawOnline.com .
The club still needs a volunteer to be the recording secretary.
Refreshments will be furnished by Allison King.
June 2008 Meeting Information
The June meeting will take place Wednesday, June 4, 2008, at the usual place and usual time.
Phil Medlin with the Raleigh Police Department and his new dog in training. I'm hoping he will do a drug search demo however he is always enjoyable.
Refreshments will be furnished by Deeda Duncan.
Meeting Minutes From
March 5, 2008
Program: Mary Bjelica’s husband, Pete, took pictures of everyone with their dogs. Mary provided frames and magnets for displaying the photos.
The upcoming show was discussed, specifically the logistics and timing of the event.
Meeting: Third reading of new membership applications for two new club members were read and accepted.
Meeting Minutes From
April 2, 2008
Program: Veterinarian Shelley Cochrane, the Medical Director at VCA Cornerstone Animal Hospital #487, opened the floor to various questions from the club members.
Thanks to everyone for their help with the March show!
Meeting:
- The club made approximately $560 from the March show.
- The board will discuss options for moving the show outdoors, as well as the possibility of partnering with Charlotte.
- The club will consider hosting a temperament test in September.
- Third reading of new membership applications for two new club members were read and accepted.
Brag Box
Mary’s Bruno turned 7 on April 2nd.
At the March show:
Allison’s Sarge took four 3rd places.
Ann’s Buck took one 1st place, three 2nd places, and one 4th place.
Deeda’s Lola took Best Puppy one day and a 1st place in the herding puppy group.
Deeda’s Chanel took Best Opposite Puppy on Friday night.
Janine’s Duncan finally discovered he has a back end and graduated from pre-agility class April 28.
Upcoming Events
The Raleigh Kennel Club is hosting formal obedience training at Millbrook Exchange Park each Wednesday evening for the next 7 weeks (as of 4/18) at 7:30PM for one hour. This is a formal program that leads to an AKC CGC title and is under the Raleigh Parks and Recreation Dept. At 8:30PM, following the formal training, Ellen Marshburn (Raleigh Obedience and Agility Chair) continues to hold open training and invites all members of the GSDC of Greater Raleigh to attend (there is no fee). The facility is available for training in this open session until the facility closes about 10PM. Ellen has training jumps and mats available. Let Bill Pfeiffer know if you are interested or just show up if you would like to participate.
The Charlotte Dog Training Club is hosting an AKC Tracking Seminar August 2 & 3, 2008, Saturday 8:30-4:30 and Sunday 8:30-2:00, at Continental Boarding, 2235 Township Rd. Charlotte, NC 28273. This is an educational seminar, presented by two AKC Representatives, providing information that will be useful at all levels of participation in tracking, from student, to instructor, to judge. Attendance for both days will meet educational requirements for any approved Tracking judge or potential Tracking judges.
General topics will include scent theory, TD & TDX regulations, plotting and judging TD/TDX tracks, VST regulations, plotting VST tracks, judging VST, applying for judging privileges, dealing with misconduct, what clubs should know about holding a tracking test, field work, and miscellaneous topics of interest.
Entries must be received prior to July 1, 2008. Both days: $65.00. For more information, please contact Christine Prince at PARHELION@hughes.net.
The Western Carolina Dog Fanciers Association is hosting an AKC Rally and Obedience Seminar July 19 & 20, 2008, Saturday 8:30-4:30 (Obedience) and Sunday 8:30-2:30 (Rally), at Western Carolina University’s Ramsey Center, Cullowhee, NC. This seminar is open to all exhibitors, presented by one or two AKC Representatives, and will meet educational requirements for any AKC Rally and Obedience judges.
General obedience topics will include a review of chapters 1 & 2 of obedience regulations, ring setup and procedures, and an explanation and demo of heel position, recall, judge’s position, and the scoring of novice, open, utility, and handler errors. General rally topics will include a review of rally regulations, new changes and policies, ring setup and procedures, and an explanation and demo of signs and exercises, judge’s position, and the scoring of novice, advanced, excellent, and handler errors.
Entries must be received prior to June 20, 2008. One day: $55.00. Both days: $95.00. For more information, please contact Nancy Davis at 828-627-2093 or crecomfort@bellsouth.net.
Allergies
(from HealthyPet.com)
Is your dog licking his paws raw? It may well be your pet is experiencing allergies, one of the most common health problems for pets. Just like people, animals have allergic reactions because their immune system - the system that protects the body from foreign and potentially infectious substances - overreacts to some material. Almost anything - pollen, dust, an ingredient in pet food, a household chemical, an insect bite - can set off an alarm in the immune system, causing it to pump out large amounts of white blood cells, hormones, and other material called histamines into the bloodstream. The result for animals can be a range of different effects, including itchy, swollen skin - known as pruritis - difficulty breathing, or a disruption of the digestive tract such as vomiting or diarrhea. These symptoms are the animal equivalent of a person's sneezing, runny nose, and watery eyes.
Pets with these kinds of allergic symptoms can be pretty miserable creatures, and unfortunately they can't be cured. Allergies are life-long, chronic problems. The good news is that there's a lot you can do to help your animal "children" feel better. The best way to start is to find out what your pet is allergic to, so you can keep the allergen out of his environment. Animal allergies generally fall under one of four main categories.
Contact allergies
These are the least common type of allergy in animals. They happen when an animal's skin comes in contact with the material he's allergic to - if he rubs his face against a wool blanket, for example, and he's allergic to wool. The chemicals in flea collars can cause this problem as well. The skin at the point of contact will be irritated - it may itch, become thickened or discolored, have a strong odor, and/or lose hair due to constant biting or scratching. Contact allergies are generally not a hard problem to solve - they're usually confined to a specific area of an animal's body, and the allergen shouldn't take too much work to discover. You can try removing different materials that your pet touches until you find the one that irritates his skin.
Food allergies
Diet can be a complicated factor in pet allergies. Most animals are not born with allergies to food; their immune systems develop an allergic response over time to some part of their diet, often one of the animal proteins. A food allergy can present in a lot of different ways, including the itching, digestive disorders, and respiratory distress already mentioned. They can be a real challenge to solve, however. You can try to figure out what's causing your pet's allergic reaction by feeding him different diets, but the allergic effects of food can stay in the system for eight weeks. You may have to keep your furry friend on a special hypoallergenic (non-allergy-causing) diet for eight to twelve weeks to see how he reacts, and you may have to do it several times with several different diets before you find one that doesn't cause an allergic reaction. And while you're feeding these test diets, you'll have to make very sure that your pet doesn't eat any treats, vitamins, leftovers or scraps, or even plants around the house. He has to eat the test diet exclusively for the entire eight to twelve weeks to determine whether he has an allergic reaction to it.
Inhalant allergy
Inhalant allergies are the kind we humans are most used to. Just like us, our pets get hay fever, meaning they can be allergic to the pollen and mold that fills the outside air during the spring and fall. They can also be allergic to the dust mites, mildew, and mold that can be inside every home. These kinds of allergens usually produce severe itching in pets, which is usually concentrated in the ears, feet, groin, and armpits, though it can be spread across the entire body. Dogs in particular may develop hairless, irritated "hot spots" from constantly chewing on and scratching the affected skin.
Most animals that are allergic to airborne particles are usually allergic to more than one. Often, they will only experience itching during the pollen-heavy seasons of the year, just like humans with hay fever. If you find that your pet's allergies seem to be seasonal, you may be able to limit his outdoor time during allergy season. Your pet may be reacting to an indoor allergen, however, or an allergen that doesn't vary by season. In that case, there's not much you can do to keep him away from whatever he's allergic to, though an air filter might provide some relief.
Flea allergies
This is an extremely common problem for pets, possibly the most common allergy of all. Animals aren't actually allergic to the fleas themselves, but to proteins that fleas secrete in their saliva when they bite. Your pet doesn't have to be a walking flea circus to suffer from an allergy, either. Affected animals can itch severely from a single bite for over five days! So, if you suspect your pet is allergic to fleas, you're going to have to work very hard to keep the little pests away. Frequent baths are a good idea, as are the prescription flea applications and pills. Consult your veterinarian when you chose a flea repellent for your pet, though; the wrong kind or too strong of a concentration could cause irritated skin, seizures, and even death in extreme cases. You will also want to treat your pet's environment, including any bedding or carpeting he comes in contact with.
Other Options
What makes allergies hard to deal with is that in many cases, you either won't be able to determine exactly what is causing the reaction or won't be able to remove it from your pet's environment. This is where your veterinarian comes into the picture. You and your veterinarian will probably have to work together to determine the best treatment, or combination of treatments, for your pet's allergy. You may have to go through a series of trying a possible solution, waiting to see how your pet reacts to it, and moving on to another solution. Your veterinarian may suggest one or more of the following things:
· Testing - Your veterinarian has a few different tools to help determine the source of your pet's allergy. Intradermal or "scratch" tests involve making small abrasions in an animal's skin and inserting small amounts of materials that the veterinarian suspects the pet might be allergic to. If the animal is allergic to one of the materials, say dust mites or ragweed pollen, the immune system will react to it and that particular scratch will become inflamed. There are also a number of blood tests your veterinarian can use to analyze the amount of certain chemicals that the immune system releases into the bloodstream when exposed to different allergens. These tests can be used to tell whether your pet is having an allergic reaction or whether the problem is caused by something else, and sometimes they can determine the source of the allergy.
· Steroids - These drugs work to suppress the immune system and make the allergic reaction less severe. Steroid treatment can help your pet even if you can't determine what he's allergic to or how he's being exposed. They can have several side effects, however, and they affect nearly every organ in the body. Steroid use can cause weight gain, increased thirst and urination, and increased aggression and other behavioral changes. They are generally used if the allergy occurs for a short amount of time, because long-term use makes animals more prone to infection, as well as susceptible to diabetes and seizures.
· Immunotherapy - This is one of the safest and most effective ways to treat allergies, but it also takes the longest amount of time to work. In immunotherapy, animals are given regular - often weekly - vaccinations that contain small amounts of the substance they're allergic to. The same therapy is used for people who go in for allergy shots. It gradually desensitizes the immune system to the allergen, meaning that as time goes by, the immune system is reprogrammed and doesn't react to the allergen as strongly. Unfortunately, it takes some time for the immune system to readjust. It can sometimes be six to twelve months before animals show any improvement from the treatment.
· Antihistamines - These drugs, much like the allergy medication people take, work to block the chemicals released by the immune system, called histamines. They are effective at reducing itching and inflammation, and they are relatively safe to use. Their major drawback is that they cause sedation, and can make pets extremely drowsy and sluggish. Occasionally, they can change an animal's energy level enough to affect his quality of life.
· Symptomatic treatment - Even if none of the above treatments are effective, you can still give your pet a lot of relief by simply treating his symptoms as they come up. There are a number of soothing shampoos on the market that contain ingredients like oatmeal or Epsom salts. Your veterinarian may also be able to suggest ointments, ear treatments, or sprays that can make your pet more comfortable. Be cautious about using home remedies or herbal treatments on your pet, however. Consult with your veterinarian before trying any new treatment, because you could damage your pet's skin or aggravate the allergic reaction. Most of all, remember that while you can give these symptomatic treatments often, they will only provide temporary relief. If your pet still seems uncomfortable despite the baths or other treatments, you can talk to your veterinarian about long-term treatment.
Whatever treatment decision you and your veterinarian come to, rest assured that the patience and determination it can take to treat allergies is well worth it. Though it may take some time and effort, you can help your itchy, grouchy pet feel comfortable again.
Cold Nose Facts
Dogs are truly amazing creatures! Here are a few anatomy and health facts about our four-legged friends that might surprise you:
· Sweat glands in dogs are between their paw pads.
· Dogs are left or right ‘handed,’ just as humans are.
· A dog's normal body temperature is between 100.5 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit.
· Dogs trained to guide the blind cannot tell a red light from a green one. They watch the traffic flow to tell when it is safe to cross.
· One of the top canine health problems in the U.S. is overweight dogs.
· Dogs instinctively turn around before they lay down because in the wild this action turns long grass into a bed.
· The gestation period in a pregnant female dog is normally between 61 and 63 days, but can vary between 58 and 68 days.
· Dogs have twice as many muscles for moving their ears as humans.
· Puppies have 28 teeth, while adult dogs have 42 permanent teeth.
· A dog's heart beats 70 to 120 times per minute, while a human heart beats 70 to 80 times per minute.
· The hearing range of a dog is ten times farther than a human’s hearing range.
· Dogs share nearly 90% of the same genetic content that humans do and they inherit many of the same diseases.
· Dogs do not have an appendix or a collarbone.
· A dog's nose has over 200 scent receiving cells, 44 times more than humans.
· Dogs don’t see the colors that humans do but instead see muted colors and many shades of gray.
· Most dogs are lactose intolerant.
· The Bloodhound is the only animal whose (sniffing) evidence is admissible in an American Court of Law.
· A dog's nose is kept moist by fluid from a gland inside his nose. This moisture helps them detect odors.
· Dogs and humans are the only animals with prostates.
· The average dog's mouth exerts 150 to 180 pounds of pressure per square inch. Some dogs can apply up to 450 pounds. In comparison, a six-foot alligator exerts a force of about 1,540 pounds between its jaws. (Hint: Don’t let your dog chase alligators!)
AKC Cautions Pet Owners To Keep An Eye On Fido At Home And On The Road
The American Kennel Club warned pet owners and breeders about an alarming rise in dog thefts in recent months and offered tips on keeping pets safe with an appearance on NBC’s Today Show earlier this month. From parking lots to pet stores and even backyards, more dogs are disappearing. In the first three months of 2008, the AKC has tracked more than 30 thefts from news and customer reports, versus only ten for all twelve months of 2007.
Media reports have chronicled the escalation of these “dog-nappings” from all around the country. Incidents have included armed robbers entering a breeder’s home, tiny puppies being stuffed into purses at pet stores and most recently, purebred pets being snatched from cars in parking lots and even shelters.
“The value of pets in people’s lives has been on the rise for a long time and now we are seeing thieves trying to capitalize on this. Whether they seek to resell the dog, collect a ransom or breed the dogs and sell their offspring, thieves seem to be attuned to the increased financial and emotional value pets have in our lives,” said AKC spokesperson Lisa Peterson. “Losing a treasured family pet is devastating to the owner.”
“Criminals look for weaknesses and exploit them. They know pets can’t protect themselves, so that means owners need to be alert,” said Lt. John Kerwick, a law enforcement K-9 handler and the President of the U.S. Police Canine Association, Region 7. “Be wary of anyone who approaches you and asks too many questions about your dog or where you live. This is a red flag that they may be out to snatch your pet.”
Peterson added that “These ‘dog-nappers’ are misguided and naïve. They’re stealing living beings, not jewelry that can be pawned. Plus, it’s unlikely that they can sell the dogs for high prices without proper registration papers, and these inept criminals are not realistically going to collect a ransom. Caring for a dog -- and especially breeding -- is a time consuming endeavor that requires a lot of knowledge. Thieves will find themselves with a frightened and confused animal that needs a lot of care.”
The AKC offers the following advice to prevent your “best friend” from being a target of a crime:
At Home
· Don’t let your dog off-leash – Keeping your dog close to you reduces the likelihood it will wander off and catch the attention of thieves. A Saint Bernard that had wandered away from his owner in Nebraska was snatched up right off the road.
· Don’t leave your dog unattended in your yard – Dogs left outdoors when no one is home for long periods of time can be potential targets, especially if you live in a rural area and the fenced-in yard or dog runs are visible from the street.
· Keep purchase price to yourself – If strangers approach you to admire your dog during walks, don’t answer questions about how much the dog cost or give details about where you live.
· Breeders need to be aware of home visits by potential puppy buyers – Criminals posing as would be “puppy buyers” have visited breeder homes to snatch dogs, while other homes have been burglarized when the owner was away. From Yorkies in Los Angeles to Bulldogs in Connecticut, thieves have targeted young puppies of these highly coveted breeds.
On the Road
· Never leave your dog in an unattended car, even if it’s locked – Even if you are gone for only a moment, an unlocked car is an invitation for trouble. Also leaving expensive items in the car such as a GPS unit or laptop will only invite thieves to break and possibly allow the dog to escape.
· Don’t tie your dog outside a store – This popular practice among city dwelling dog owners can be a recipe for disaster. Reports have surfaced of such thefts in Manhattan. If you need to go shopping, patronize only dog-friendly retailers or leave the dog at home.
· Be vigilant when entering or leaving establishments or venues catering to dogs such as grooming salons, veterinarians, doggie day care or hotels –Be aware of your surroundings, such as slow moving vehicles, or people watching you and your dog. Carry pepper spray as a precaution and, if possible, don’t walk alone late at night or stay in a well lit area.
Recovery
· Protect your dog with microchip identification – Collars and tags can be removed so make sure you have permanent ID with a microchip. Keep contact information current with your recovery service provider. Several pets have been recovered because of alert people scanning and discovering microchips. For more information and to enroll your pet in a 24 hour recovery service visit www.akccar.org.
· If you suspect your dog has been stolen – Immediately call the police / animal control in the area your pet was last seen.
· Have fliers with a recent photo ready to go if your dog goes missing – Keep a photo of your dog in your wallet or on an easily accessible web account so that you can distribute immediately if your pet goes missing.
If I Didn’t Have Animals
by Jim Willis
If I didn’t have animals . . .
I could walk around the yard barefoot in safety.
My house could be carpeted instead of tiled and laminated.
All flat surfaces, clothing, furniture, and cars would be free of hair.
When the doorbell rings, it wouldn’t sound like a kennel.
When the doorbell rings, I could get to the door without wading through fuzzy bodies who beat me there.
I could sit on the couch and my bed the way I wanted, without taking into consideration how much space several fur bodies would need to get comfortable.
I would not have strange presents under my Christmas tree - dog bones, stuffed animals, toys, treats - nor would I have to explain to people why I wrap them.
I would have money...and no guilt to go on a real vacation.
I would not be on a first-name basis with 6 veterinarians, as I put their yet unborn grand kids through college.
The most used words in my vocabulary would not be: out, sit, down, come, no, stay, and leave him/her/it ALONE.
My house would not be cordoned off into zones with baby gates or barriers.
My house would not look like a day care center, toys everywhere.
My pockets would not contain things like poop bags, treats and an extra leash.
I would no longer have to spell the words B-A-L-L-, F-R-I-S-B-E- E, W-A-L-K, T-R-E-A-T, B-I-K-E or C-A-R.
I would not have as many leaves INSIDE my house as outside.
I would not look strangely at people who think having ONE dog/cat ties them down too much.
I’d look forward to spring and the rainy season instead of dreading ‘mud’ season.
I would not have to answer the question ‘Why do you have so many animals?’ from people who will never have the joy in their lives of knowing they are loved unconditionally by someone as close to an angel as they will ever get.
How empty my life would be.
THE (REAL) EDITOR AT THE COMPUTER
