In This Issue...Keep Calm and Groom OnAlternative Medicine For Our PetsProng Collars...and More!

From the Front of the Pack...by Josh Rickey

Owner, Canine Adventurewww.canineadventure.net

photo by Tim Ashman

“Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships” -Michael Jordan

I was geeking out to online videos, wasting time looking for something inspiring. I came across a video of Michael Jordan’s greatest moments. One of the first (of 50 “greatest moments”) was him pass-ing the ball so his teammate could score. Yeah, I sat through another 10 minutes of him stepping on the opponent’s heads and flying through the air to dunk the ball, but that moment of passing the ball appropriately and effectively stuck with me.

Canine Adventure adapts and evolves. We adapt to the needs of our dogs and we evolve our company to consistently meet those dog’s (and client’s) needs. I am starting to thing that this philosophy works.

I’ve been faced with the same challenges personally. From a mentality that “if you want something done right, you do it yourself ” to a whole different mind-set. Hire people who are better than I am for the task at hand. It’s a humbling experience, knowing that your employees are better suited to their pre-scribed task than you are...

It’s also enlightening! To confidently talk about a particular dog handler and their experience and skill, and to match them with a challenging situ-ation, knowing they’ll hit the nail squarely on the head... to hand off management opportunities to folks that have espoused the ideals of the company and want to see their team succeed with their guid-ance... to put bright, creative folks in charge of so-cial media knowing that they want it to flourish... even to take the office tasks and find the right per-son for the job, someone who will own them with an organized, enthusiastic mindset.

Even to hand-pick an enthusiastic crew member and send him into a new market, with some guid-ance and a whole lot of faith that he’ll rise to the task before him!

Some would say that I’m leveraging each employee’s skill set. I view it as providing them an opportunity to advance the goals of Canine Adventure with the talent they possess. We want to provide a positive, unique, fun growth opportunity for the dogs in our care every time we show up to take them out. We want to spread the good word and make sure the community knows that we are there to improve the quality of life for their beloved canines!

It’s humbling to know that each of my employees is better than I am. It’s empowering to know that each of them is thrilled to be a part of the team and has a clear focus on the goals that we all share. It’s inspir-ing to have a community that is enthusiastic about what we strive to achieve every day!

The team is strong, and growing stronger. We all work hard to ensure that the dogs in our charge are well cared for. That’s what we’re all about, and I’m proud to be at the “front of the pack”!

I don’t claim the “intelligence” that Michael Jordan mentions, but the “teamwork” is critical!

Cover photo: Maggie Blowing Bubbles! Photo by Tim Ashman

Cody, Marley and Maizey are quite the team.

Keep Calm and Groom Onby Chelsea Franges

Groomer, Bark & Sparkle Self Service Dog Wash & Grooming Salonbarkandsparkledogwash.com

(804) 639-3600

I cannot tell you how many times I hear:

"Oh but she’s so scared of the groomer!"

"He’s so scared to come in!"

"He was terrified of the last groomer we took him to."

I see tons of dogs who come into salons who are shaking, panting heavily and drooling like someone is holding a T-Bone steak in front of them. All of these signs translate to: I’M SCARED!

Most people can pick up on their dog’s body language enough to tell that’s what Fido is trying to get across. Unfortunately what most people don’t seem to realize or don’t want to realize is that the three major causes of doggie fear at the groomer all come back to YOU!

I do mean that kindly, but it’s the truth. Here are the top reasons:

1. Lack of socialization/travel

2. Uncomfortable de-matting done at Groomers rather than home

3. YOU are scared!

Today I'm going to tackle #3.

Dogs are amazing creatures. They have been do-mesticated to meet our every need. This means that they are masters of reading us. They can pick up on your emotions faster than you probably can! Ever heard someone say that a dog can smell your fear? Well, in a way, that’s very true. If you go into the grooming salon and you’re nervous, your pup will sense that. Your dog looks to you for guidance and comfort. If they see that you’re a little anxious, to them that means they need to be anxious too. The more nervous you get, the more

nervous your pup will be.

Try to take some deep breaths, and calm yourself. Your groomer is trained to deal with dogs and they know what to do. Trust them. If you seem to have some serious issues about trusting your groomer, or if any-thing they do makes you uncomfortable, seek out an-other groomer. Unfortunately the business, like all businesses, does see it’s share of no-good-doers. Trust your gut.

Here are some things to keep in mind to help keep you and your dog calm in the grooming salon:

DO NOT baby talk or use that high pitched voice to continually re-assure your pup that it’s ok. That high pitched voice sounds, to a dog, like whining. So es-sentially what youre doing is whimpering and whining at your dog. This only means one thing to your dog: PANIC! Mom’s upset, so I need to be upset!

DO talk in a low, calm voice. One or two bouts of you’re ok are fine, just don’t over do it. A dog can tell a lot by your tone of voice alone, so use a deeper register, and keep yourself calm.

DO NOT make a big deal out of leaving. Nothing works your dog up more than taking forever to say goodbye. This shows your dog that you’re unsure and unsettled. If you say goodbye fifteen times on your way out, you’re checking in and reassuring yourself that everything is fine but this only tells Fido you’re not so sure about what’s going to happen to him. And watching your dog as they are groomed only makes things worse! I promise! Once you leave, in about ten minutes, I’ll bet your dog is fine and dandy.

DO hand Fifi over to the groomer or receptionist, give her a pat or a kiss on the nose, and walk out that door! She’ll be fine.

DO NOT try to get your dog’s attention while they are being groomed, in fact, I’d like to say DO NOT stay to watch your dog get groomed. In my experience dogs are at least one hundred percent worse when mom and dad are visible. They can see you and you are an out. They’ll be confused as to why they are not with you. Theyíll want to escape and get to you. This makes them wiggle and squirm and act up, which they probably were not doing before they saw you. They are not having

fits because they are scared/the groomer is hurting them/etc, they are acting up because grooming is boring and they want to go home with you and play!

DO if you must watch your dog on the table, walk away until they lose sight of you. Come back and try to keep yourself out of their line of sight. Maybe you can even ask the groomer if there is a place you can go to watch. Another option is to come in and watch the groomer with another dog. Most places should be willing to let you do this. That way you can see how the groomer handles a dog, and the pup on the table won’t be as desperate to get to you as your own dog would be.

Last but not least, get to know your groomer. Assuring that you are confident in their abilities is the biggest step to ensuring your dog has a good time. If you have questions, ask them! If you have concerns, please bring them forward. Most of what groomers do becomes second nature to us and we are unaware that it can look rather mean to the viewer. Ask questions even if they seem silly! Part of learning to be a groomer is learning how to talk with pet parents. An experienced groomer should be able to answer your questions in a calm, confi-dent manner.

If you still feel uncertain about your grooming sa-lon after putting them through fifty questions, you may just want to look somewhere else. Your dog’s safety and comfort are important to you. Find a groomer who feels the same way.

Adventures in Charlottesvilleby James Tilson

Dog Handler, Canine Adventurewww.canineadventure.net

photos by James Tilson

About a year ago I was living in Charlottesville, hiking whenever I could. I loved being out on the trails, but I knew something was missing. That something was the extra joy that dogs bring to everything they do; exploring the woods just wasn't the same without a pup by my side. I spoke with some friends about the idea of start-ing a dog hiking company, and one who was living in Richmond pointed me towards Canine Adventure.

One year later, I couldn’t be happier. I’ve made many new friends, mostly of the canine variety, and I get to hang out with them everyday in the place where we like it best - Nature! It breaks my heart to leave these furry friends behind, but I now have the opportunity to bring the joy of adventures back to Charlottesville with me, and make some new friends there. Whether your pup likes to take leisurely strolls around the block or crash down the muddy trails, I would sincerely love to welcome them to the pack.

Here are a few of my favorite Richmond adventur-ers who I’ll mis dearly...

Dixie & Tommy are a couple of James’ favorite hiking bud-dies.

Maddie during her grooming.Chelsea grooming Miss Ellie

Nala(top left) licking her nosePlaying soccer with Tiberius(top right)Porter(bottom) making a new friend.

Alternative Medicine For Our Pets

by Dr. Courtney BeldenCentral Virginia Veterinary & Acupuncture

www.centralvavet.com(804) 557-0220

If I had a nickel for every time someone asked me, "You do acupuncture for dogs? Really?"…

Yes! Really!  We are so fortunate to have the ability to help our pets even more through treatments such as acupuncture, massage, laser therapy, and chiropractic care.   These treatments can not only make your pet feel better and en-hance their quality of life, but in some cases, they can actually reduce the amount of medications that your pet needs to stay comfortable. Additionally, these treatments are very safe, can be used in conjunction with each other and other medications, and they make your pet feel great!!!!   This is a brief list of some of the most common complementary treatment modalities that are used in veterinary medicine today.   Don't hesitate to ask your veterinarian if any or all of these could benefit YOUR dog and you will be well on your way to providing your pet with the healthiest and happiest life possible!

AcupunctureAcupuncture is a treatment therapy that can be used for most any condition, but is most rec-ognized for it's use in arthritis and neurologic disorders.  It is a treatment practice that has been around for thousands of years and has survived the test of time.  

Cold Therapy LaserLaser therapy is a newer treatment modality that is used by everyone from veterinarians to the Washington Redskins trainers! Laser therapy is great for any condition that requires pain relief, faster healing times, decreased inflammation, nerve

stimulation, etc.  It is also very safe and can be used in most animals and with most drugs.

Massage TherapyMassage Therapy isn't just for pampering! Massag-es have been proven to have therapeutic benefits including, increased circulation, decreased pain, increased range of motion, and faster healing times.  And as a bonus, massages feel great!!!! Chiropractic Chiropractic care has been a mainstay of human medicine for a very long time and we are seeing remarkable results with it in animals as well.  Your veterinary chiropractor focuses on aligning your pet's vertebrae to provide optimal function of your nervous system.   This treatment modality is great for overall well-being, injuries/compensatory issues, arthritis, neurologic disease and much more.

Prong Collarsby Melanie Benware

Trainer, Holiday Barn Pet Resortwww.holidaybarn.com

(804) 672-2200photo by Melissa Mazula

When I was first approached to write this article I was a bit hesitant because I did not want people to just go out and buy a collar with out being trained

Darby(front) showing off his prong collar.

how to use it properly. Every tool can be used im-properly and I feel it is important for people to be taught how to use whatever tool they choose by a professional. It has been my experience that it is not the tool we use that is the problem but the per-son at the other end of the leash. When used prop-erly the Prong Collar is a very safe, effective and humane tool.

There are many tools out on the market to help us train and handle our dogs. The Prong Collar may be one of the most misunderstood of those tools. I tell every one of my clients that use the prong col-lar that the worst thing about the collar is the way it looks. There is no way around that. However, the collar is not a harsh tool at all and when used properly, in most circumstances, there is very little “correction” needed.

The Prong Collar was designed to replicate a moth-er’s mouth. This allows us to give the same correc-tion that mom, or another dog would give. If you have ever had the pleasure of watching dogs at play you will notice how mouthy they are with each oth-er and that they are very quick to give each other a nip if the other dog gets out of line. So in other words, it teaches us to communicate with our dog on their level rather than forcing them to commu-nicate with us on ours.

Because the Prong Collar was designed to mimic the natural correction of a dog it spread even pres-sure around the dog’s neck rather than one focal point (the trachea). Because it can only tighten so much there is no worry of cutting off the dog’s air supply.

 Dr. Allison Faber, DVM, VSMT, CVA of Full Circle Veterinary Service recommends the use of prong collars because “I was taught in veterinary chiro-practic school (The Healing Oasis, Sturdevandt, WI) that the prong collar is not a severe form of punishment, but on the contrary the most ergo-nomically correct collar for the neck due to its gath-ering action around the dogs neck.” 

I consider myself a balanced trainer. I believe in rewarding and teaching appropriate behavior as well as correcting unwanted behavior. I would also rather educate people and the public to the positive effects of the prong collar rather than putting down the use of other tools. It is important to choose the tool that is best for your dog so I always advise you consult a professional before using any training tool.

A Wet Dog is a Happy Dog!by Josh Rickey, Owner, Canine Adventure

www.canineadventure.netphotos by Tim Ashman, Melissa Mazula, Meredith Carle,

Brian Padow, and Deanna Webb

Virginia summers can get oppressive, and often there seems to be no escape from muggy days that run about 90 degrees in the shade.

Our dogs have figured it out, though! Rather than lay around soaking up air conditioning and being bored, they’re thrilled to ride to the park and make a beeline for some water to play in!

Some are avid swimmers, some love to retrieve a floating stick (or log) and gallop around the shal-lows showing off their prize, others are content to wade in cautiously, and many just plop down and enjoy the cool current flowing over them. Regard-less, they know about the finer things in life, and a hot day spent in the water is one of the finest!

Sasha and Alice know how to stay cool on a hot day!

Garth(top left) is always happy to dip his toes in the river.Time to relax with Flax(top right). It’s always fun splashing around with Darby(below).

Bear(above) shakin’ off after a swimMakayla(bottom left) playing a game of fetchRunning on the beach with Abby(bottom right)

Jake(top left) has the look of pure concentration.Stalking fish with Dair(top right)A big smile on Isabel’s(bottom front) face.

Madison(top) loves showing off her stick.Wrigley(bottom left) is all smiles.We can’t keep Jack(bottom right) out of the water.

Howie(top left) is quite the adventurer.Wading with Lady(top right) Abby and Dalton(bottom) share everything.

Separation Anxietyby Jennifer Kyzer

Head trainer at 2speakdogwww.2speakdog.com

(804)440-2498

Whining, barking, drooling, panting, pacing, de-stroying and overexcitement are all signs of anxi-ety.   If you have experienced your dog displaying any of the above behaviors, it may be time to ad-dress this common, yet unbalanced, behavior. When dogs are left alone and it causes them to go into a frantic mode, it can lead to anxiety not only for the dog, but for the family as well.

Implementing a new routine, changing the re-lationship you have with your dog and learning some calming techniques can help ease this behav-ior. Many experts agree that separation anxiety is a learned behavior that stems from an unbalanced relationship with your dog.  Knowing this and tak-ing responsibility to balance your dog will lead you to a calmer dog and a better, more confident rela-tionship.

Implementing a new routine as you exit and enter your home including rituals of obedience com-mands, setting a calm mood with white noise or soothing music, and quieting the environment be-fore leaving the house will all ease the transition. Reducing arousal around exits and entrances in-cludes: not engage your pup in ‘reassuring’ talk (i.e., “It’s okay, I’ll be home soon, don’t worry,”), as this type of talk typically increases stress in your pup. Rushing out the door while in a frantic state can also upset your dog; instead, try to incorporate a routine of calm exits.

Upon returning home, ignoring your dog for a few minutes while going about your business as if you did not have a dog can calm the environment. For instance, if your dog has anxiety when you are leav-ing and then extreme excitement when you return home, that is fostered by the you, the more they will anxiously await your arrival back home, which

leads to more stress. Calming these entrances and exits can help lead to a calmer state.

In addition, proper crate training can help create an appropriate ritual for entrances and exits. Crating your pup while you are gone, in addition to crate training when you are home, can give your dog a safe place to find comfort. Introducing your dog to the crate correctly is key to having your dog think of the crate as his den. Proper crate training in-cludes rewarding the pup for going in the crate on his own, not being confined immediately and con-tinuing to create calm while in the crate.

Another aspect that can lead to separation anxiety, is an unbalanced relationship with your dog. Imag-ine this scenario: a friend comes over to visit with her 3 year old daughter.  The child plays for a few minutes then gets up, says goodbye and walks out the front door by herself. It is not hard to imagine the mother, who is responsible for keeping the 3 year old safe and happy, being distraught, shocked, and devastated.  

From a dog’s perspective - if your relationship is one that your dog feels a responsibility to make you happy, to take care of you, and that you all are only content and fulfilled when together - that is how a dog can feel when you leave them. This creates distress and anxiety on the dog, as well as the family.

Dog Days of Summerby Amy David

Dog handler, Canine Adventurewww.canineadventure.net

Technically the official “Dog Days of Summer” are July 3 to August 11, meaning the hottest and mug-giest parts of the year and boy was it ever muggy out there on those trails these past few months. Well, when it wasn’t pouring that is. But what about your dog’s summer? Have you only sprung them from the dog house on these designated days? The answer should be no! We all know our dogs aren’t content with an occasional walk in the sunshine or

run through the sprinkler, just as we aren’t content with the week-long vacation our bosses give us. (Admit it, you’re not.)

Your faithful companion wants and needs to regu-larly experience all of the fun things summer has to offer just as you do and especially alongside of you. Now he or she may not appreciate that rock concert or sweltering day at the craft festival, but they defi-nitely would rather be out there in the fresh air and warm sunshine than watching from the window as you venture out to have all the fun. So, has your dog gotten its “days of summer?” There’s still time and it’s the difference between a happy, healthy, prop-erly socialized and well-adjusted dog to one that’s sluggish, depressed and leery of social interactions.

Your pup needs to cool down in this heat and if he or she loves the water, even better. Take your dog down to the James River for a plunge. You’ll find many of our pack frolicking along Texas Beach and Belle Isle. Taking them to a local park with a lake or pond is great too. There’s an indoor swimming pool exclusive to dogs in Hanover County called Paws to Swim. For dogs that can’t swim, but are the curious kind, you can take them over to Alpha Dog Club, a swimming and fitness facility for your canine friend on Patterson Avenue. Heck, my dog Nala will settle for the old kiddie pool to sunbathe and splash around if we don’t have time for a full river or park trip.

Long walks are key to a dog’s health and over-all well-being. Dogs aren’t picky. A leisurely stroll around the park, a morning jog through the woods, or afternoon hike when it’s not too hot will change the way he or she feels and acts. Here at Canine Ad-venture our adventure walks are two hours and it’s a chance for them to let off pent up energy, explore new surroundings, and interact with new people and dogs. And if you’ve seen the pictures, you know the end result of the walks: a happy dog! Take to the trails in one of the local parks with your dog and explore with them, bond with them. The James River Park System is a wonderful place with many different types of paths.

Dog Parks. The busiest and the best during the summer. If your dog is friendly and comfortable around a bunch of other dogs, then head to one for a day of fun. Locally, there’s quite a few to choose from such as Ruff House Dog Park in Chesterfield, Barker Field in Byrd Park, Church Hill Dog Park, and Northside Dog Park.

Classes. If you have a dog who’s doing tricks that are youtube worthy, or one that has the energy for it, take up some agility classes to entertain them. All Dog Adventures, a business on West Clay Street has classes just for that dog that never seems to tire. They also have a sports camp.

Visit a dog-friendly store. There are a ton in Cary-town such as Nacho Mama’s, Bev’s Homemade Ice Cream, and Weezie’s Kitchen. Enjoy a sandwich and margarita on a patio with your pup! Sometimes a road trip with all of the windows down is all your dog needs for their mini-vacay. Feeling the wind in their ears while their tongue hangs out and their eyes bug out is the best feeling in the world to them. Head to the beach for the day or a campground.

Take me out to the ball game! If you’re a baseball fan as well a dog owner, than the Richmond Fly-ing Squirrels’ “Bark in the Park“ is a must. They’re dog-friendly games and some of the most highly at-tended ones. Owners have a chance to win prizes.

If you’re shopping for some new summer threads or that bathing suit to take on vacation, head to Stony Point because the outdoor mall allows leashed dogs. It’s a very nice place for a stroll with your furry pal.

Bottom line, get out there and do something active with your pup. We all have schedules, work, fam-ily obligations, etc. that we’re busy with, but that doesn’t mean we can forget about our loyal friend because they never forget about us.

Back cover photo: Kandy can’t wait to get to the park! Photo by Meredith Carle

All Things Canine Adventure, Online StyleThe next best thing to hiking with us is seeing all of the fun we’re out having with our favorite dogs day-in and day-out! Many members of our crew contribute to our social media, and we’ve got a bunch. We want our customers and friends to have plenty of ways to stay connected with us, and strive to offer something for everyone (at least every-one who loves dogs)!

Be sure to check them out to stay abreast of all things Canine Adventure!

Perhaps our most popular feed, Brian runs our facebook page. Aside from our photos, we have lots of other news and announcements that we make out there. facebook.com/CanineAdventure

For those of you who live by your mobile devices, Meredith runs our Instagram Feed “Dogs and Friends!” Our handle is @canineadventure

Our twitter feed is a “grouptweet” experience. Most of our dog handlers have the login and can just have fun with it! @canineadventur (without the “e”!)

Amy works hard to provide us with a great Wordpress Blog, “Tales from the Dog Trails”. It’s a fun page with lots of variety! canineadventurellc.wordpress.com

Marti runs our excellent Pinterest page, with a nice mix of all things dog-related! pinterest.com/canineadv

To connect with us on a more professional level, we have our LinkedIn company profile. Brian also manages this. linkedin.com/company/canine-adventure

We all load our dog photos from the day onto our Smugmug page, and it’s a wonderful place to go get lost in fun pictures of dogs out having the time of their lives! canineadventure.smugmug.com

Janice and Rebecca run our Meetup page, “Canine Adventure’s Human Adventure”. This is a fun program where we offer group hikes with dogs for all ability levels, getting folks out exploring the parks and making friends along the way! meetup.com/CanineAdventure

About Canine Adventure“Something to Bark About” is a free publication brought to you by Canine Adventure, LLC, a local dog service provider, specializing in dog walks, Adventure Walks, and pet sitting. To find out more about the newsletter or Canine Adventure, please visit our website at www.canineadventure.net. Thanks for reading!

-article submissions, feedback, questions and comments can be submitted to bark@canineadventure.net

Thank you Richmond for voting us Best Pet Service in 2013!