Green Acres Kennel Shop

These four links are to two blog articles on Dr. Sophia Yin's blog page where she has published her interview with Bob and Marian Bailey about the best animal trainers in history. I was very fortunate to have attended the same seminar that Dr. Yin did and heard some of this important history firsthand and had an opportunity to learn from two of the best animal trainers in history; Marian and Bob Bailey. A big thank you to Dr. Yin for publishing this interview.

http://drsophiayin.com/blog/entry/the-best-animal-trainers-in-history-interview-with-bob-and-marian-bailey

http://drsophiayin.com/blog/entry/the-best-animal-trainers-in-history-interview-with-bob-and-marian-bailey-2

The next two articles discuss some of the training accomplishments of Animal Behavior Enterprises where Keller Breland, and Marian and Bob Bailey did much of their pioneering training work with animals.

http://drsophiayin.com/blog/entry/animal-behavior-enterprises-creates-the-field-of-applied-animal-psychology

http://drsophiayin.com/blog/entry/how-technology-from-30-years-ago-is-helping-military-dogs-perform-better-no

The concept of a “kissing booth” as a fundraising attraction at a carnival or some other event is not new. However, doggy kissing booths, where a person pays to give a kiss or hug to a dog or to get a kiss from a dog, is a relatively new trend. As a dog lover and Certified Dog Behavior Consultant, I find the idea of a doggy kissing booth very disturbing. When I privately shared this concern with a group organizing a fundraising event for a local dog park, the leader of the group publically labeled me a “jerk” on the groups Facebook page. If caring for the wellbeing and safety of dogs and people makes me a “jerk,” then I will gladly wear that badge with honor.

So, why am I opposed to dogs being put on display at a doggie kissing booth? The answer is quite simple. Unlike people dogs do not enjoy being kissed and hugged. Any qualified dog behavior consultant will tell you the same thing. In fact, kissing and hugging a dog, even by a child in its family, is often what initiates a dog bite. Putting dogs in a position to be hugged and kissed by complete strangers, in a carnival like atmosphere, is going to be extremely stressful to most dogs, further increasing the probability of a bite. That’s not smart, not kind and not something I would think any dog owner would knowingly do to a dog they truly cared about.

Secondly, but equally important, a doggie kissing booth sets a very poor example for children because it models, promotes and encourages inappropriate behavior by humans towards dogs.  Dog bites are a serious issue and Green Acres, like other pet care professionals throughout the country, works hard to educate children and their parents, teaching them how to and how not to interact with dogs. Do the organizers and supporters of events with a doggie kissing booth want to be responsible for a child being bitten in the future because that child saw adults kissing and hugging dogs at the event and therefore thought it is something that is okay to do?

Lastly, having a doggie kissing booth is a potential legal liability for the owner of the property where the event is being held, the organizers of the event and the individuals that are allowing their dogs to participate in the kissing booth. All would be wise to consult with their attorneys and insurance companies before participating in such a venture.

If you want to learn more about canine behavior, canine body language and appropriate human-canine interactions sign up for one Green Acres Kennel Shops dog training classes or seminars. You might also want to investigate the following books and web links.

On Talking Terms With Dogs: Calming Signals, Turid Rugaas, Dogwise Publishing, 2006, An excellent book on understanding a dog’s body language. Includes descriptions of how you can use your own body language to better communicate with your dog.

Stress in Dogs,Martina Scholz and Clarissa von Reinhardt, Dogwise Publishing, 2007, This book outlines the physiology of stress in dogs, signs of stress, and how to make your dog's life less stressful. It emphasizes that more activity and involvement in dog sports is often not the answer to reducing stress in dogs but can be a major contributing factor. This book is a must read for anyone with an anxious or hyper dog. 

The Other End of the Leash – Why We Do What We Do Around Dogs, Patricia B. McConnell, Ph.D., Ballantine Books, 2002, An information-packed, immensely readable book. In it you will learn how to have a better relationship with your dog through better communications. Dr. McConnell clearly explains the manners in which dogs and their people communicate.

Calming Signals - Turid Rugaas - http://www.canis.no/rugaas/index.php

Poster - Body Language of Fear in Dogs - Dr. Sophia Yin - http://info.drsophiayin.com/free-poster-on-body-language-in-dogs/

Poster - How Kids Should and Should Not Interact with Dogs - Dr. Sophia Yin -   http://info.drsophiayin.com/download-free-poster-how-kids-and-pets-should-not-interact/

Poster - How to correctly greet a dog - Dr. Sophia Yin  - http://info.drsophiayin.com/how-to-correctly-greet-a-dog-free-poster/

Video - How Kids Should Greet Dogs - Dr. Sophia Yin http://drsophiayin.com/resources/video_full/dog-bite-prevention-how-kids-should-greet-dogs?

Video - Why Dogs Bite and What to Avoid - Dr. Sophia Yin - http://drsophiayin.com/resources/video_full/dog-bite-prevention-psa-why-dogs-bite-and-what-to-avoid

Book Review – Smooch Your Pooch - Dr. Sophia Yin - http://drsophiayin.com/blog/entry/smooch-your-pooch-a-cute-childrens-book-with-unsafe-suggestions

Click here for a printable PDF of this article

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Contact:  Don Hanson
Green Acres Kennel Shop
945-6841

 [Bangor]¾ On Sunday, April 29th from 1PM until 4PM Green Acres Kennel Shop will hosting an open house to give people an opportunity to meet our two professional pet stylists; Paula Alexander and Amber Horr and to highlight our new expanded Sunday hours. Amber and Paula will be on hand to answer questions and will be providing free nail trims for all pets with proof of a current Rabies vaccination. Retail staff will be on hand to answer questions about pet food, products and to give kennel tours. All purchases of non-food merchandise will be 20% off during the open house.

Green Acres is now open between 8AM and 5PM on Sunday for Boarding, Grooming and retail sales.

Green Acres co-owner, Don Hanson, will also be presenting a free seminar that will focus on optimal nutrition for pets at 2PM. Hanson will discuss common myths about pet food and how to choose the best pet food for your pet while staying within your budget. He will help pet parents differentiate between the important information on a bag of pet food and the hype and will also demonstrate how to calculate the true cost of a pet food. The seminar is free but donations of cash or pet food for the Eastern Area Agency on Aging Furry Friends Food Bank will be accepted gratefully. Advanced registration is suggested.

In business since 1965, Green Acres Kennel Shop at 1653 Union Street is a Pet Care Services Association (PCSA) accredited facility offering boarding, daycare and grooming for dogs and cats, as well as pet behavior consultations and training classes. Voted Best Kennel every year since 2002, Best Pet Store every year since 2007, and Best Dog Trainer in 2011, the Green Acres retail store offers a wide variety of wholesome pet foods, treats and quality supplies. For more information, please call 945-6841 or visit www.greenacreskennel.com or https://www.facebook.com/GreenAcresKennelShop.

At Green Acres we encourage regular, consistent nail trims for our canine and feline friends. This keeps their nails short and also keeps our furry friends comfortable. Additionally, by ensuring your pets nails are trimmed frequently, they become more accustomed to the process and hence more relaxed over time. However, we recognize that many of you prefer to have us trim your nails which is why we offer a monthly Pet Pedicure Pass.

Pet Pedicure Passes may be purchased for $75.00 and entitle your pet to one nail trim per month for twelve months. This results in a cost of $6.25 per nail trim and an annual savings of $21.00.

Pet Pedicure Pass Terms and Agreements:

• Passes may be purchased in advance or at the time of the first nail trim and then used once a month for the next 11 months.
• Clients may come in on any day of the month for a nail trim, except Holidays, unless the pet is boarding.
• If a client does not come in on a particular month, the nail trim for that month is forfeited.
• Appointments are not necessary for nail trims, but please be advised that there may be a slight wait during our busier times.
• Clients are responsible for maintaining their Pet Pedicure Pass and it must be presented at the time of the nail trim, or the standard fee of $8.00 will be applied.
• GAKS is not responsible for misplaced passes.
• All dogs and cats arriving for nail trims must have proof of a current Rabies vaccination.