We have been working with Battersea Dogs & Cats Home to produce a new Accreditation Module in Rescue & Re-homing. The Module has now been approved and is available to download from the Member Zone. Battersea Chief Executive, Clare Horton, said, “My team work incredibly hard to offer the highest standards of animal welfare, and it is fantastic that their efforts will now be recognised offi cially outside Battersea through KCAI. This new programme will be integrated into staff and volunteer training to ensure everyone can benefi t from it.”

The new module has also been welcomed by the Companion Animal

Welfare Council (CAWC). Dr David Lamb, who chaired the recent CAWC inquiry into

the Rescue and Re-homing of Companion Animals,

congratulated the KCAI and Battersea for their ‘foresight in setting a national standard that all dog rescue and re-homing organisations large and

small – can adopt and work together on.”

The full press release announcing the Module is available in the Member Zone. David has also written a feature for us this month on welfare issues in rescue and re-homing.Further supporting B Modules on Assessing Dogs and Kennelling are in development.

New Rescue & Re-Homing Module

For the fi rst time ever there will be a prominent KCAI presence at this year’s Discover Dogs! The ‘Seminar Area’ that featured at last year’s show will be re-named the ‘KCAI Seminar Zone’. This will hold various lectures from guest speakers and we will also be

promoting the importance of looking for a reputable and qualifi ed trainer. We will also be on hand to answer any queries on KCAI from current and prospective members, as well as the dog owning public. Maybe we’ll see you there!

KCAI at Discover Dogs

The Kennel Club was very concerned about training techniques used by Jordan Shelley on a recent episode of The One Show and has since written to the programme to represent its views.

In a public statement, Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary reiterates the importance of fi nding a reputable, qualifi ed trainer when looking for training or behavioural advice and the importance of KCAI as “a real and credible step forward.” To read the full statement, please visit the Kennel Club website.

From the Animal Health Trust: New cases of Seasonal Canine Illness (SCI) have been recorded in Norfolk, Nottinghamshire and Suffolk.

Keep yourself up to date with latest developments by visiting www.aht.org.uk

Dog training techniques... used on The One Show

Seasonal Canine Illness (SCI)

We are delighted to say that, following a successful South West Roadshow, wehave recruited Lou Garton as Acting Regional Mentor for the South West.

South West Regional Mentor

Rescue and Welfare Modules Under the Microscope Living With Lurchers Talking Point

The Standard

Issue 04 - Autumn 2011

Image courtesy of Jaq Bunn

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Dogs may need re-homing because they have been relinquished by

owners or have been rescued as strays. Some dogs will settle more easily into a home where there are other dogs, others will encounter problems in adjusting to other dogs.

On occasions it may be advisable to re-home dogs together, rather than split up a family, which would reduce the incidence of behavioural problems relating to separation. Some dogs benefit from re-homing into a quiet home. Others have a notorious habit of escaping, which may be an identifiable characteristic of a breed, and there may be individuals who will attempt to escape no matter how much comfort their new home provides. Prospective owners should be informed of these potential problems and may need to be advised about fencing.

They will require information about the animal and general guidelines concerning grooming, health care, stimulation, housing, exercise, training, and legal obligations of pet owners. One significant factor in selection for

re-homing is the size of the dog, with a preference usually towards small dogs and puppies (Diesel et al, 2007). Large and giant dogs have a higher incidence of re-homing problems, which may be due to a number of reasons, such as the cost of food and veterinary care, insurance, and that if they have a tendency towards destructiveness they can do more damage than smaller dogs.

Expectations regarding the behaviour of the puppies of large or giant breeds can be unrealistic, as it is frequently assumed that they will display the maturity of adult dogs of a similar size. Many people will put up with a small dog running around their legs whereas they can be knocked over and injured by a giant displaying the same normal canine friendly greetings.

Behaviour that is tolerated in normal sized puppies may not be acceptable, even by many dog friendly people, who frequently expect giant puppies or adolescents to behave like mature adults. This can be an acute problem when a giant breed is re-homed in a family where there are smaller dogs. Rough and tumble puppy play between a giant and a medium sized dog, even when the former is displaying all the submissive signals, can convey the impression that the big dog is bullying the smaller one.

Assessment Every animal passing through a re-homing organisation should have been assessed to determine a suitable home. Studies on the re-homing of dogs have indicated that behavioural assessment and attempts to match the owner with the dog has a favourable impact on return rates (Diesel et al, 2008).

Unrealistic expectations of adopting owners and behavioural problems are frequently cited as a significant reason for the failure of re-homing. A study conducted on 5,750 dogs that were re-homed by Dogs Trust in 2005, indicated that out of the 14.7% adoptions that had failed within six months, behavioural problems were cited as the main reason in 60% of those returned (Diesel et al, 2008).

However, successful adoption can be linked to a range of factors including socialisation of puppies, seeking behavioural advice, and attending training classes.

In some cases temperament tests are conducted on a relinquished dog. It is not always clear whether these provide valid indicators of temperament. Nor is it clear whether they are performed by qualified experts or enthusiasts with varying degrees of expertise and experience. It is not even clear as to the criteria for the role of a ‘qualified expert’.

Behavioural assessment is an important tool, but it must be recognized that it cannot always accurately predict future behaviour, and that this is an area where further studies are urgently required.Initial assessment may indicate that the animal is of a nervous disposition and may require considerable time and effort to assist it in settling down in its new environment.

Feature

Re-Homing Dogs: Welfare Considerations: Doctor David Lamb BA Phd

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Many animals experience stress when moving into a new environment. Very few guidelines for re-homing acknowledge stress, how to identify and overcome it.

A dog that is suffering from stress may become fearful and potentially aggressive. At a minimal level new owners should be forewarned of potential stress following re-homing, and that it is not uncommon for re-homed dogs to exhibit lethargy for a day or two, which may be followed by more boisterous behaviour within a couple of weeks when they feel confi dent in their new environment.

Behavioural problems in response to re-homing

Moving to a new home can be a stressful time for a dog, with varying levels of stress often relating to the age of the animal, the environment, the new owner’s experience with dogs, and the presence or absence of other dogs or animals in the new home.

Experience in the previous environment is highly signifi cant; a dog that has not been adequately socialized in its previous home is more likely to display behavioural problems. Behavioural signs of stress, such as crying at night, are lessened when the animal is allowed to sleep with other dogs, or in the owner’s room, as long as it is safe to do so. Other signs of stress may include failure to eat, sleep or play properly, inappropriate urination and defecation, becoming withdrawn, chasing their own tails, excessive licking of one or more

limbs, which results in the area becoming raw and infected. The extent of the problem can be inferred from a study of Australian dog owners who had recently taken their pets to a new home (Seksel, K., et al, 2001). This study found that 47% owners reported signs of anxiety in their pets, of which 23% were reported to have engaged in excessive vocalization; 15% had changes in their elimination patterns; 13% over-groomed, and 20% attempted to escape.

Bearing in mind that these dogs had experienced continuity with their owners it is highly probable that a complete rupture with their previous environment will involve behavioural disorders. In addition, separation-related factors, such as insecure attachments to their new owners, may follow separation from previous owners (Taylor, K., 2005).

Socialisation and trainingOne of the main reasons for unsuccessful attempts to re-home is inadequate socialisation. The re-homing organisation should therefore assess the level of socialisation the dog has experienced with people and other animals, and no matter how short its stay with the organisation, steps should be taken to either introduce the socialisation process or continue with a process that has already started.

In cases where a pregnant bitch has been surrendered and the puppies are born under the care of the re-homing organisation it is important that the need

for good socialisation is met during those formative weeks. During its stay with the organisation it is highly desirable to assess the dog’s training level and proceed with a suitable training programme.

The quality of the trainer and advice on training will be crucial in determining a successful re-homing and the future welfare of the animal.The full article can be read in the Member Zone.

Talking PointWe now have a KCAI ‘Facebook’ page for KCAI Members only. Here you can join the network of KCAI instructors, ensure you are kept up to date on any relevant information and also get involved in any hot discussion topics from the canine world. Our fi rst debate is “Are puppy parties making dogs dangerous?” Robert Alleyne asked this question in his article on puppy parties in The Standard Issue 01, believing that they are a contributing factor. What do you think? Simply log into Facebook and search for ‘The Kennel Club – KCAI’ to join this expanding network and contribute to the debate.

Member NewsKaren Davies

Karen Davies achieved Accreditation in CD and ObA in April and kindly provided an account of her experiences when working towards Accreditation. Karen’s story urges those working towards Accreditation not to be too daunted by the paperwork and reminds members that you don’t have to go it alone! Read her inspirational story now on the KCAI Member Zone; who knows – it could be you telling your story soon!

Angela WhiteOur very own Board Vice Chairman recently gained Accreditation at the Advanced Level in Behavioural Training. Angela White KCAI (CDA ObA BehA) has become the fi rst KCAI to be Accredited in Behavioural Training under the new, robust criteria. Congratulations Angela!

Members note! If you change your email address or telephone number, please let the team in the offi ce know by contacting us at the usual details.

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Life with a lurcher can be something of a culture shock to those of us who have previously lived with other types of dog, because what you see is not entirely what you get. The streamlined body shouts ‘bred to run’ but they are also bred to think. The sum is greater than the parts: one or more sighthounds (greyhound, saluki, whippet, deerhound etc) is crossed with one or more pastoral working breeds (collie, bedlington terrier etc) to create a mensa-level brain allied to the physique of an athlete.

We owners can’t outrun them so we have to out-think them, and sometimes there is the uneasy feeling that we may almost have met our match.

In the home, they appear deceptively easy. Tranquil and fastidious by nature once the storms of adolescence are over, we have an easy-care dog. As long as those lean limbs are cushioned by the softest of beds (yours will do nicely) and the dog has two decent walks a day where it can run off-lead, you will hardly know you have one. One of my friends describes them as “flat out or flat out”.

If you seem in danger of forgetting a walk, a long lean head will be placed on your lap, and vast eyes will burn messages into your mind. Should you still be a bit tardy at getting the point, a massive paw or a long snout will deliver a stronger reminder. “Walk. Now”. But never forgetting the “Please” for these are dogs as at home in baronial halls as the poacher’s hovel, and their manners are impeccable for the most part (we do not dispute the sensory merits of rolling in fox muck).

Such long-bodied long-legged dogs

are not for conventional training mores, for their long backs make the ‘sit’ uncomfortable, as their deep briskets make the couchant ‘down’ difficult.

They will stand, sprawl, or pour themselves bonelessly across soft furnishings in the manner of a Salvador Dali watch. That lanky physique also means that they can stretch up tall enough to reach any cupboard, which is easily opened by front paws so efficient that we should only give thanks that they do not have opposing thumbs.

That same dog that looked mournfully at the contents of its food bowl and told you that it couldn’t possibly, can hoik out and devour a week’s shopping in no time flat. This is a message telling you that kibble Simply Will Not Do.

They would like real food please. They actually do best on fresh food, being very reactive to artificial colouring and flavouring, but those of us accustomed to dogs that are gannets rather than gourmets can take a little while to adjust our mindset. Similarly with titbit-based training: the more sighthound there is in the lurcher, the less food-oriented it is, and those who claim a dog will never starve

itself to death are in for a reality check. Give in now, and save yourself a lot of trouble.

Outside the home, people can be in for a big surprise when they learn the hard way that their regal, gentle hound has the prey drive of a starving lioness. The lurcher’s bred-in tasks are twofold: pest control, and feeding the family - or probably the whole street. Furthermore, their work is completed with stealth, silence, and the clinical efficiency of a brain surgeon.

Unlike similarly prey-driven dogs such as terriers, the lurcher fires up, does

its job and is immediately calm again. Essentially a working dog, it only shows this side of itself when in work mode, and so

many people attracted to lurchers for their beauty and elegance have

no idea of the other side of them. They are totally non-aggressive (you don’t feel aggression towards your lunch) and lethally effective. For the owner who does not want to work their lurcher, this means choosing their walks and times of exercising carefully: “The price of freedom is eternal vigilance”. Or else accept the inevitable and invest in at least one more freezer.

This is a dog that we have to live up to. They have standards. They work with you rather than for you, and although they can be trained to a high degree, they will not lower themselves to pointless repetitive tasks (if you wanted that ball, you should not have thrown it away). They will hold your gaze in fathomless eyes, read your soul, take you to the wild side. Are you brave enough to go?

Feature

Living with Lurchers by Jackie Drakeford KCAI (CD WLSAS)

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Focus On Learning

Modules Under the Microscope Module A2 – Care and Needs of the DogThis is a pretty large subject when you consider your own dog’s welfare but if you are “in charge” of 50 or 60 dogs passing through your classes each week, it becomes a huge subject.

Each one of the dogs in your classes comes with a different behaviour background and health history. Each dog differs in age and breed and accompanying all these dogs are the owners; owners who expect you to answer questions relating to the health and welfare of their dogs even though you are probably not a medically qualified person.

If you are about to complete your APL form, download the Module 2 Assistance Guide from the Member Zone . This will help you gauge your initial scores. Remember though your scores are not set in stone. As you learn more and gain experience, they will change. If you are writing up your summary sheets in preparation for accreditation, you will see the A2 module guide in your reference notes states you should be able to discuss, explain, define, describe, give examples, evidence etc. anatomy, physiology, health care, common diseases, parasites, first aid, nutrition, mental stimulation and how any of these may have a bearing on the dog’s behaviour. Where to find all this information? A great book is Dog Owner’s Home Veterinary Handbook (2007) Fourth Edition by Debra Eldridge DVM, Liisa Carlson DVM, Delbert Carlson DVM and James Giffin MD, Wiley Publishing Inc.

In this invaluable book you’ll find information on poisons, emergencies, parasites, infectious diseases, stings and bites, vaccinations, in fact details on every aspect of the dog’s health. There is an excellent index – vital for

finding your way round any large book and a marvellous glossary to check your understanding of all the medical terminology.

On a more specific note do you know how many behavioural problems can be attributed to a thyroid that is not working properly? Indeed, do you know anything about hypothyroidism in dogs which is now known to be a common health problem? Take a look at Brock’s Story in the Member Zone and read about the heritable form of autoimmune hypothyroiditis and the impact it had on one dog’s life.

What about poisons? There is another article in the Member Zone on Chocolate, a serious poison for many dogs and one they can get hold of so easily, especially at Easter and Christmas.If you go to the ASPCA website (www.aspca.org/apcc) you’ll find a comprehensive list of canine poisons.

Do you know what the five freedoms are and how they relate to our dogs? Go to the Member Zone and read the list there.

Learn about raw diets by reading Raw, Meaty Bones by Tom Lonsdale, DVM, or holistic diets in Holistic Guide for a Healthy Dog by Wendy Volhard and Kerry Brown DVM, or the more conventional way of feeding by reading The Waltham Book of Clinical Nutrition of the Dog and Cat (Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition) Edited by Josephine Wills and Kenny Simpson.

To bone up on (no pun intended) conformation and movement read: Rachel Page Elliott, The New Dogsteps (1983) Second EditionSimon & Schuster Macmillan Co.

Learn about canine anatomy by reading Peter, C. Goody, BSc, MSc(Ed)

PhD Dog Anatomy, A pictorial approach to canine structure (1997) J A Allen & Co Ltd All these books can be found in the Kennel Club’s excellent library. E-mail Ciara Farrell, (Library and Collection Manager) at library@thekennelclub.org.uk and make an appointment to spend the day there doing research for your A2 module.

Jargon BusterVaccination: is active immunization (vaccination) which involves the introduction, either orally or by injection (inoculation) of specially treated bacteria, viruses or their toxins, to stimulate the production of antibodies.

Antibody: is a protein substance produced by the immune system to neutralise the effects of an antigen.

Anitgen: is a substance recognised by the immune system as a foreign body. The immune system develops antibodies that bind to the antigen and prevent it from harming the animal or causing disease.

Core and noncore vaccines: two main categories1. Core vaccines are ones that every dog should have at some time in his life.2. Noncore vaccines are ones that only some dogs need, depending on factors such as geographic location and lifestyle.

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Focus On Learning

Book MarkIn Defence of Dogs – Why Dogs Need Our Understanding

Info SplashHot Dogs are not cool in cars - the facts

By John BradshawISBN: 978-1-846-14295-6The Penguin Group, 2011Review by Angela White KCAI (CDA ObA BehA)

John Bradshaw states that, though this book is his own interpretation

of over 30 years of working in the fi eld of dog behaviour, he owes a lot to the observations, informed collaboration and research work of many other behaviour and training professionals, graduate students as well as volunteers.

Many of those he names will be familiar names to those who, like me, have been in the business for roughly the same amount of time as the author.

The book follows a familiar structure in that it starts by giving the author’s interpretation of where dogs came from, how wolves became dogs, and the ‘science’ of dog training and so on and introduces the work of many others throughout. There is a useful reference section for each chapter to allow further reading should you so wish. Bradshaw describes the current

ideas on how wolf behaviour was observed in captive packs. It is therefore believed that mistakes were made on the interpretation of wild wolf behaviour.

The author recounts old fashioned ways and says he is pleased to see that the tide is turning; I think perhaps he has not seen that the tide has been turning over the past 30 years and though some trainers still sit in the past, there are many more who have been using motivational ways for years.

On the whole this book will be a useful read for many, it is well written, includes some up-to-date ideas as well as information and research from the past, though if you are well read already, you may have perhaps come across most of the content before.

Advanced Accreditation Upgrade Fees For a limited time only, those who are Accredited and looking to upgrade their scores to Advanced level will be able to submit for re-assessment free of charge!

dogsare

not cool in carsNever leave your dog unattended in a car

www.thekennelclub.org.uk

The unexpected warm weather in England earlier this month made us think in more depth about our dog’s welfare during the heat, the science behind what happens in hot cars and why it is just so important to avoid these dangerous situations. A study by Stanford University doctors and a San Francisco State Meteorologist shows that it doesn’t take hot weather to raise temperatures inside a vehicle to life threatening levels. Any warm and sunny day will do it.

Lowering the windows a little or running the air conditioning before turning off the engine does not keep the car any cooler.

The study found that air inside a parked car in the sun heats by an average of 40° F within an hour, regardless of whether the outside temperature was 72° F (20° C) or a sweltering 96° F (36° C). AND the temperature rises surprisingly fast: 19° F in the fi rst 10 minutes and 34° F within half an hour. The reason a car heats so quickly, even in cool weather is the greenhouse effect: the sun’s rays passing through the windows heat the dashboard, steering wheel and seats. Surface temperatures can be as high as 150° F (66° C) to 160° F (72° C). These objects give off radiant energy heating the interior air, which can’t escape.

For dogs left in a car, even for a few minutes, this is pretty frightening stuff. Heat stroke is a killer!

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FeatureRegional Round U

p

The Regional Mentors are there to help all members through every stage of their KCAI journey. As well as the basic details below, we have all mentoring activity information available in the Member Zone find out details of any news, forthcoming events, photographs and much more.

Your Regional Mentors

Angela White - KCAI (CDA ObA BehA) - Contact: 01427 753 918 (between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday) Email: angelawhite@uwclub.net Forthcoming events at the IABTC Centre, Haxey, Nr Doncaster: KCAI Mentor sessions on 8 & 30 November and 6 December. If you have events going on in your area that you think our members might be interested in please let me have details to circulate. If you have events going on in your area that you think our members might be interested in please let me have details to circulate.

North East:

David Campbell – KCAI (CDA) - Contact: 0161 775 3051 home or 07961 671 089 mobile Email: d.i.campbell@btinternet.com. The next session will be in Blackpool on the 14 Oct. I am now asking the members to fill out a form of where they are individually up to so that I can plan some workshops after the mentoring sessions have been completed.

North West:

Christine Meaney – KCAI (CDA) - Contact: 07903 849 204 - Email: cmeaney11@aol.com The dates for the next regional mentor sessions will soon be confirmed; these will be followed by a series of workshops where you will be invited to bring in your work and progress it, so please let me know if there is a specific area you would like to look at.

Midlands & Wales:

Lynn Aitchison – KCAI (CD) - Contact: 0131 669 1108 Email: lynnthedoglady@aol.com. Angela White (Regional Mentor for North East Region) will be visiting Northern Ireland in October and intends to include a KCAI session. Because of Angela’s visit, I am delaying my own visit until the spring. Details will be sent to members in Northern Ireland once confirmed.

Scotland & Northern Ireland:

We are extremely pleased to announce that following the KCAI South West Road Show, we have now taken on an Acting Regional Mentor for the South West! Lou Garton is nearing Accreditation stages and has proven her comprehensive knowledge of the paperwork and Scheme format. She is ‘babysitting’ the area for now with the assistance of other mentors, but please watch this space for further developments. Contact Lou on 01666 510 397 or Email: lougarton@yahoo.co.uk .

South West:

Di Morgan – KCAI (CDAOb) - Contact: 01444 443 280 Email: didonmorgan@aol.com. I held a regional meeting in London in August and it was great to meet some new faces. I hope to run another session in London towards the end of October, and will email details and put information on the Members Zone.

South East:

Sheena Stebbing – KCAI (CD) - Contact: 07774 092 593 or 01502 717 460 Email: waggytails@btconnect.com. Bedfordshire: Dunstable Community Fire Station, Brewers Hill Road, Dunstable, Bedfordshire,LU6 1AA, Monday 24 October, Monday 28 November 7.00pm to 7.45pm: Introduction for anyone interested in gaining more information regarding the scheme. 8.00-9.30pm: Mentoring session for scheme members working towards Accreditation. Cambridgeshire: Caldecote Village Hall Furlong Way, Caldecote, Cambridge, CB23 7ZH. Monday 17 October, Sunday 20 November. Introduction for interested persons & mentoring session for scheme mem-bers working towards their Accreditation. Essex: Pets in Partnership, Lubards Farm, 2 Glasshouse, Lubards Farm, Hullbridge Road, Rayleigh, Essex, SS6 9QJ. Sunday 23 October, Sunday 27 November - 11.00am – 12.30pm. Suffolk: WaggyTails Dog Training Centre, Church Lane, Weston, Suffolk, NR34 8TU. Monday 10 October, Monday 14 November 6.30pm to 9.00pm. More info available on the Member Zone.

East of England:

KCAI_September_2011.indd 7 13/10/2011 12:43

Discover Dogs 2011

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12s GOFREE

Meet over 200 breeds

www.discoverdogs.org.uk

Buy tickets in advance and save

0844 581 1381

In association with

SeeFast Agility, doggy displays and competitions

FunFor all the Family

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NewSeminars with guest speakers

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12 & 13 NovemberEarls Court 1, London

KCAI_September_2011.indd 8 13/10/2011 12:43