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In This Issue
- We’re Making May Dog Bite Prevention Month
- Woof Meow Show Cutest Pet Photo Contest on FaceBook
- Please Vote for Us. – Best of Surveys
- Upcoming EventsWoof Meow Show Now Available As Podcasts
- Be A Tree – Dog Bite Prevention for Kids
- Kennel News
- Staff Champions
- Staff Anniversaries
- Congratulations Gwyn!
- Links We Like
- ACTION ALERT: Contact Your Congressman
- Study Reveals Food Rewards Trump Praise & Touch
- A Commentary on Dog Parks from Canine Behaviorist Dr. Karen London
- Salmonella and The Pet Food Recalls
- Why You Want to Meet A Puppy’s Parents Before You Buy or Adopt
- What Does Sparky’s Bark Mean?
- Your Dog May Understand Your Perspective More Than You Realize
- A Good Article on the Problem with Fake Service Dogs
- Tune in to The Woof Meow Show
- Green Acres Pet Tip of The Day Now on Eleven Local Stations
- Find Us on the Internet
We’re Making May Dog Bite Prevention Month
Dog bites are a serious public health problem. Half of all children will be bitten by a dog by the time they are twelve. The majority of these bites will be by the family dog or another dog known to the child. That is a statistic that Green Acres Kennel Shop would like to help change, and this is what we are doing about it.
- We have become a member of the non-profit organization Doggone Safe (www.doggonesafe.com) and have staff members licensed to present their innovative “Be A Tree Program.”
- We are holding two FREE “Be A Tree” sessions at Green Acres on Saturday, May 18th at 2PM and Sunday, May 19th at 1PM. Those wishing to attend should preregister by calling 945-6841, as space is limited.
- We are available to present the “Be A Tree” program at local schools and for local youth groups at no charge.
- We will be airing a daily dog bite prevention tip on WBZN-FM 107.3, WDEA-AM 1370, WEZQ-FM 92.9, WQCB-FM 106.5, WWMJ-FM 95.7, WBFM-FM 97.1, WLKE-FM 99.1, WMCM-FM 103.3, WABK-FM 104.3, WBAK-FM 104.7, and WBKA-FM 107.7 from April 24th through May 31st.
- We will be posting a daily dog bite prevention tip on our FaceBook pages https://www.facebook.com/GreenAcresKennelShop and https://www.facebook.com/WoofMeowShow)
- We have added a new dog bite prevention section to our website at: (http://www.greenacreskennel.com/dog-bite-prevention)
- We have had Teresa Lewin, one of the founders of Doggone Safe on the Woof Meow Show discussing dog bite prevention. If you missed those shows you can download them for FREE from the Apple iTunes store or can listen to them by clicking on the two links below.
ohttp://traffic.libsyn.com/woofmeowshow/WoofMeowShow-2013-04-06-Dog_Bite-1.mp3
ohttp://traffic.libsyn.com/woofmeowshow/WoofMeowShow-2013-04-13-Dog_Bite_-2.mp3
Woof Meow Show Cutest Pet Photo Contest on FaceBook
It's time to show off your perfect pooch and cuddliest cat! It's easy! Just post a cute photo of your pet at the Woof Meow Show FaceBook page and get your friends to vote for it! The top 3 pictures with the most votes qualify for the random drawing to WIN a $100 Green Acres Kennel Shop gift certificate.
Click on this link to participate: http://bit.ly/15XkfTu
Contest Ends May 8th, 2013. Have fun
Please Vote for Us – Best of Surveys
Once again it's time to vote for the best businesses in the greater Bangor area in the annual survey by Market Surveys of America. We'd appreciate it if you would consider voting for Green Acres Kennel Shop in the following four categories; 1) Best Dog Trainer, 2) Best Kennel, 3) Best Pet Groomer and 4) Best Pet Store. All you need to do to vote is to go to this website http://www.bestofsurveys.com/, click on “Vote” and select “Bangor, ME.” Thanks!
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Upcoming Events
Be A Tree – Dog Bite Prevention for Kids
Do you know which of the dogs in the picture to the left are safe to approach? Does your child/grandchild/niece or neighbor know which dog to approach and which to avoid? Do the children you know what to do when a dog growls or snarls at them?
On Saturday, May 18th at 2PM and again on Sunday, May 19th at 1PM we will be holding a FREE Doggone Safe Be A Tree dog bite prevention class for grade school age children and their parents.
The “Be a Tree” program is an innovative and interactive dog bite prevention education program aimed at primary grade children. It teaches children how to read dog body language and how to act safely around dogs. Instead of telling children “don’t do this and don’t do that”, the Be a Tree program empowers them with the knowledge they need to make safe decisions based on the body language and the actions of the dog and the situation at hand. The central message of the program is “Be a Tree” (stand still and quiet and don’t look at the dog) if a strange dog approaches or any dog is causing concern or becoming too frisky.
Those wishing to attend should preregister by calling 945-6841, as space is limited.
Woof Meow Show Now Available As Podcasts
The latest episodes of the Bangor region’s show all about pets, The Woof Meow Show, are now available as podcasts at the Apple iTunes store and at: http://woofmeowshow.libsyn.com/webpage. If you can’t catch the show on WVOM or WVQM you can listen to it on your computer or download shows so you can listen to them on your mp3 player, smart phone, tablet or PC. Give a listen and let us know what you think!
By clicking on the links below you can listen to our two most recent shows on off-leash play for dogs.
20APR13-21APR13 – Off Leash Dog Play for Dog Parents with Robin Bennett & Susan Briggs
27APR13-28APR13 – Off Leash Dog Play at Daycare & Boarding Kennels with Robin Bennett & Susan Briggs
Kennel News
Staff Champions
Every month the Green Acres staff chooses two Staff Champions; someone who has done an exceptional job and someone who has publicly recognized another employee for doing an exceptional job. Hearty congratulations and thank you to our latest champions!
February –Brenda M. & Hilary W.
March & May Staff Anniversaries
Green Acres is very fortunate to have many staff members who have been with us for several years. We thank them for their service!
Amber Horr – Professional Pet Stylist– 1 year
Paula Alexander – Professional Pet Stylist– 1 year
Louise & Thelma – Feline Greeters – 12 years
Congratulations Gwyn!
Dog training instructor, Gwyn Mattingly, of Green Acres Kennel Shop in Bangor, has earned Level I certification (CPDT-KA) through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT), the internationally recognized certification program for professional dog trainers. Gwyn now joins the more than 1000-plus Certified Pet Dog Trainers located throughout the US and in a number of countries outside the US.
Certificants must have at least 300 hours of experience in teaching dog training classes before they are eligible to sit for the CPDT-KA examination. They must also provide a total of three professional references; one from a veterinarian, one from a dog training client and one from a colleague in the canine behavior profession. The exam covers instruction skills, animal husbandry, ethology, learning theory, equipment and business practices and ethics. Once certified, an individual must accumulate a minimum of thirty-sex CEUs every three years.
Gwyn has been an employee of Green Acres Kennel Shop since November 2009. She joins Angela Allen, Erin Bessey, Kate Dutra, and Don Hanson as the CPDT’s teaching at Green Acres. Gwyn is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers.
Links We Like
ACTION ALERT: Contact Your Congressman
The Controlled Substances Act (CSA) makes it illegal for veterinarians to take and use controlled substances outside of the locations where they are registered, often their clinics or homes. This means that it is illegal for veterinarians to carry and use vital medications for pain management, anesthesia and euthanasia on farms, in house calls, in veterinary mobile clinics, or ambulatory response situations. Many vets have been doing the right thing but apparently now the DEA is cracking down on vets. There is a law before congress to allow veterinarians to use the drugs they need where and when they need to use them. As one who has been fortunate enough to have our veterinarian help a pet cross the rainbow bridge in the comfort of their own home, I want to see this law changed so that practice does not stop. Click on the link and you can read more about it and very easily send an email to your representative.
http://avmacan.avma.org/avma/issues/alert/?alertid=62592206
Study Reveals Food Rewards Trump Praise & Touch
Praise, Touch or Food? - This recent study indicates that food rewards are much more effective for training a dog than praise or petting.
http://www.companionanimalpsychology.com/2012/09/now-wheres-my-treat.html
A Commentary on Dog Parks from Canine Behaviorist Dr. Karen London
Dog parks are controversial in that they are only as good as the dogs and people who visit them. In this commentary in Bark magazine animal behaviorist Dr. Karen London offers her thoughts on how dog parks could become less controversial and better places for dogs if only people would change their behavior. We think she’s nailed it.
http://thebark.com/content/culture-dog-parks
Salmonella and The Pet Food Recalls
An important perspective on the FDA's recent recall of some pets foods for Salmonella from our friends at Dogs Naturally magazine.
http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/salmonella-pet-food-recalls/
Why You Want to Meet A Puppy’s Parents Before You Buy or Adopt
Whenever I'm asked what to look for when selecting a breeder for a puppy I have always routinely recommended that it is best to meet both of a puppy's parents. Genetics can affect behavior and if one of the parents has behavioral issues it seems obvious that this could increase the probability of a behavior problem in the future. A new study from the UK conforms that is a possibility. Pet parents who had seen only one parent were 2.5 times more likely to take their dog to see an animal behaviorist than those who saw both parents and those owners who saw neither of the puppy’s parents were four times more likely to see an animal behaviorist.
http://www.apbc.org.uk/press/viewing_puppies_and_future_behaviour_problems
What Does Sparky’s Bark Mean?
A great article from Bark magazine on why dogs bark and what their vocalizations may mean – http://www.thebark.com/content/dog-speak-sounds-dogs
Your Dog May Understand Your Perspective More Than You Realize
Dogs understand human perspective, say researchers – This article summarizes a recent study published in Animal Cognition. It documents experiments used to determine whether dogs could adapt their behavior in response to the changed circumstances of their human owners. - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-21411249
A Good Article on the Problem with Fake Service Dogs
People who need service and assistance dogs really need them, yet there are those who call their dog a service animal just so they can take them anywhere. This article examines how this is becoming a bigger and bigger problem.
Tune in to The Woof Meow Show
The Woof Meow Show airs twice a week –
7:30AM on Saturdays and 8:30PM on Sundays
on WVOM 103.9FM and WVQM 101.3FM.
- 4MAY13-5MAY13 – Worms, Ticks and Flea, Oh My! With Dr. Dave Cloutier
- 11MAY13-12MAY13 – Bark for Life with Lisa Eldridge
- 18MAY3-19MAY13 – Summer Dog Training Options at Green Acres.
- 25MAY13-26MAY12 – Listener Questions #12 with Dr. Dave Cloutier
- 1JUN13-2JUN13 – Deb Bell – Bell’s Furry Friends
- 8JUN13-9JUN13 – Summer and Hot Weather Pet Tips
- 15JUN13-16JUN13 – Summer Product Overview
Green Acres Pet Tip of The Day Now on Eleven Local Stations
One of our missions at Green Acres at is to educate people about pets and their care. One way we have accomplished this is through a presence on local radio with our pet tip of the day, which started on WKSQ (KISS 94.5FM) back in 2001, and our weekly radio show the Woof Meow Show, which started on WVOM (103.9FM) back in 2005.
The goal for the pet tip of the day has always been to provide an accurate and interesting tidbit of information about adopting a pet, pet health, pet nutrition, pet behavior and upcoming pet events. The longer format of the Woof Meow Show allows us to explore pet issues in much more detail with experts from around the world. Topics in the past have included: Dealing with a Barking Dog, Picking the Perfect Pet, Insurance Issues for Pets, Acupuncture for Pets, Pet Nutrition, Litter Box Training and many others. Past guests on the show have been veterinarians (Dr. Mark Hanks, Dr. Judy Herman, and Dr. David Cloutier), authors (Robin Bennett, Susan Briggs, Steve Brown, Kathryn Miles, Pat Miller, and Joel Walton), representatives from various pet food and pet product companies and experts on behavior, training and pet care.
When the pet tip of the day started on The Mike and Mike Show on WKSQ (KISS 94.5FM) back in 2001, we gave KISS DJ Mike Dow some basic guidelines and he came up with a new tip every day, for five days a week for 11 years. Thank you Mike, you did a fantastic job in helping us get our message out.
At the end of 2012 The Mike and Mike Show ended its run and we decided to have the pet tip of the day follow Mike Dow and Mike Elliot to their new stations. In January the pet tip of the day started its run on The BIG Morning Show with Mike Dow on 104.7FM, 104.3FM, and 107.7FM. At the same time we also started running the pet tip of the day on The Bear Morning Show with Mike Elliot and Kat on 97.1FM, 99.1 FM and 103.3FM. We moved from one station to six and to keep things consistent Green Acres Don Hanson started prerecording the tips in advance and releasing them daily on FaceBook.
On Monday, March 18th Green Acres Pet Tip of the Day program evolved once again when we became the Pet Experts for the Townesquare media radio stations in Maine (WCQB- Q106.5FM, WBNZ-Z107.3FM, WEZQ-92.9FM, WWMJ-I95.7FM, and WDEA-1370AM) adding an additional five stations where you can hear the pet tip of the day. You can also find us on the websites for these stations at:
WCQB-Q106.5FM - http://q1065.fm/vip/sponsors/green-acres-kennel-shop/
WBNZ-Z107.3FM - http://z1073.com/vip/sponsors/green-acres-kennel-shop/
WEZQ-92.9FM - http://929theticket.com/vip/sponsors/green-acres-kennel-shop/
WWMJ-I95.7FM - http://i95rocks.com/vip/sponsors/green-acres-kennel-shop/
WDEA-1370AM - http://wdea.am/vip/sponsors/green-acres-kennel-shop/
We have a limited number of our 2013 photo contest calendars for sale at $20 each. If you don’t need a 2013 calendar, think of it as a coupon book! Every calendar includes 2 coupons for every month, and all 24 coupons combined have a total value of $243. The coupons cover the full gamut of our offerings, including; b.f.f., California Natural, Innova, Evo, Natural Planet Organic, NutriSource, Pure Vita and Weruva pet foods, frozen raw food and bones, grooming, boarding, dental care products, dog and cat toys, collars and leashes, treats, and even training classes. Enjoy a calendar with some fantastic pet photos and coupons that will save you money!
Please join us as and filmmaker Chad Montrie when we host a screening of Tough Love: A Meditation on Dominance and Dogs. This documentary film examines the history of the dominance construct and the theory of pack hierarchy and the “alpha dog” in the dog training world. The film looks at how these flawed theories came about and how there has been a resurgence in this approach by some celebrity “trainers”, even though it is contraindicated by science. The film includes interviews with a wide variety of dog experts (Gail Fisher, Paul Owens, Dr. Sophia Yin, Nicole Wilde, and others) who describe their own cathartic moment when they realized that being dominant towards their dogs was not only unnecessary but was often damaging to the relationship between dog and person. Professor Montrie and members of the Green Acres Kennel Shop training staff will be on hand to answer questions at the conclusion of the film. You can learn more about this film by listening to the podcast of our interview with Professor Montrie (
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) periodontal disease is the most commonly diagnosed problem in dogs and cats, and while 80% of people brush their own teeth every day, most do not do the same for their pets. Periodontal disease is a disease of the gums; it can lead to infections of the mouth. Left unchecked, the bacteria causing these infections can spread through the bloodstream and cause life-threatening conditions. Infections from periodontal disease have been linked to diabetes, heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease and other life threatening disorders as well as tooth loss. The AVMA estimates that by age two, 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats have some form of periodontal disease.
Natura’s Innova Prime formulas have been developed to address the need for a grain-free dog food based on a high-quality, animal-based protein exclusively sourced from a single category, such as poultry, or red meat or fish. All Innova PRIME formulas include real fruits and vegetables like farm-fresh apples and carrots. There are three Innova PRIME formulas; Grain Free Chicken & Turkey, Grain Free Salmon & Herring, and Grain Free Beef & Lamb Meal. The Innova PRIME formulas are appropriate for dogs of ALL life stages, including puppies, which is not always the case for grain-free formulas. In the case of large breed puppies, the Grain Free Salmon & Herring formula is recommended.
Natura’s line of Evo grain-free foods are one of our most popular products for cats. Since our cats are carnivores, it only makes sense that EVO’s high-animal protein content is a “purrrrrrfect” nutritional choice. Available in three dry formulas (Turkey & Chicken Formula Dry Cat & Kitten Food, , Herring & Salmon Formula Dry Cat Food and Weight Management Dry Cat Food) and four canned formulas (95% Chicken & Turkey Canned Cat Food, 95% Beef Canned Cat Food, 95% Venison Canned Cat Food, and 95% Duck Canned Cat Food) Evo is a natural choice for any cat.
There are some folks that feed their pet a diet of raw food or at least use raw bones as a way of keeping a dog's teeth clean and healthy. Please note that not all veterinarians are comfortable with this practice, nor is it a good practice if you have a dog with food guarding issues. We, however, have routinely fed raw bones over the years and our dogs have loved them and we believe they have contributed to better dental health. Here at Green Acres, we sell Bravo Raw Bones in the store because we feel they offer a superior product to what you might get at the supermarket. Before feeding raw bones you might want to review this article on the Bravo website - 
Paula and I have been using DentaTreat™ with our pets since it first came out several years ago. We will be the first to admit that we are not very diligent about brushing our pets’ teeth. It's a difficult habitat to establish and so easy to break. That's what makes DentaTreat perfect for people like us - you just sprinkle it on your pet's food at every meal and... voila! The dental-active natural cheeses, minerals, and apple polyphenols in DentaTreat go to work, keeping their mouths clean and healthy. Yeah, we know... that sounds way too good to be true, but the fact is when we use DentaTreat with the fur kids it has greatly reduced our need for cleanings at the veterinarians. If you want all of the technical details, you can read more at - 
TropiClean's line of fresh breath products are one way you can keep your pet’s breath fresh and fight periodontal disease without brushing. 93% of users of the Fresh Breath line have reported cleaner teeth in less than two weeks and 86% have noticed better breath in less than one week.
The ThunderShirt can be a very useful tool for reducing and even eliminating dog anxiety caused by fear of thunder or fireworks, separation or travel, and even generalized anxiety.
The Bangor Humane Society (BHS) alone takes in over 5,000 animals a year. Two-thirds of those animals are cats. The reality is that every time an unneutered dog finds his way out of his yard to visit the female dog down the street, or the indoor/outdoor cat comes home pregnant once again, the result is often another unwanted litter of dogs or cats. Even if they are placed into homes, it is still possible for them to end up in shelters once they become too much responsibility or they reproduce the next generation of homeless puppies or kittens.
Our 2013 schedule of dog training classes is now available online at: 
As part of APDT National Train Your Dog Month, we will be featuring a dog behavior and training tip on seven area radio stations; The Big 104FM-WABK-104.3, WBAK-104.7 & 107.7, The Bear-WBFB-97.1, WLKE-99.1 & WMCM-103.3, and I-95-WWMJ-95.7) and on our Green Acres Kennel Shop (
Don’t you wish you knew what your dog was thinking and trying to tell you? This is an opportunity for you to learn about canine body language and how your dog communicates their feelings, needs and wants with other dogs and with you.
Eagle Pack Original Adult is one of our more popular, basic natural foods for adult dogs. Using three protein sources (Pork Meal, Chicken Meal and Anchovy and Sardine Meal) it provides a broad amino acid profile to help support great muscle tone. This food is supplemented with glucosamine hydrochloride to help maintain joint health and flaxseed to support skin and coat health.
Green Acres is now carrying a line of specialty pets foods from Murr of Iceland. Murr means to purr in Icelandic.
We are now carrying My Little Lion treats for cats and My Little Wolf treats for dogs from Waggers™. Waggers used only the freshest ingredients cooked in small batches to ensure delicious flavor. Made with all-natural ingredients these low calorie gluten free treats can make you feel good about treating your pet.
If your pet is prone to diarrhea, loose stool or an upset stomach you might want to check out Holistic Solution® a holistic digestive remedy from Eagle Pack. When your pet gets sick or even stressed, the good bacteria in their digestive tract can be overpowered by bad bacteria like E. Coli and Salmonella. Holistic Solutions contains digestive enzymes, probiotics and prebiotics. Digestive enzymes aid in digestion and ease the strain on the digestive system. Probiotics are the good, healthy bacteria that are supposed to occur naturally in your pet’s intestinal tract. The prebiotics are a food source for the healthy bacteria that helps keep them strong and healthy so that they can overcome the bad bacteria. Available in a powdered form, you just sprinkle Holistic Solutions on your pet’s food.
In October Don completed 30 hours of continuing education, while attending the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) annual educational conference in Cincinnati, OH/Covington, KY. He attended sessions on the evolving relationship between dogs and their people, the power of play, teaching clients how to evaluate a dog park and have a safe experience, managing change, and marketing. When asked what he liked best about the conference Don responded “The opportunity to network and exchange ideas with the best trainers from around the world. I’ve been involved with APDT since getting into the pet care profession in 1995 and APDT’s educational offerings have been a huge factor in the evolution of Green Acres training and behavior programs.”
We are holding a fundraiser for the Eastern Area Agency on Aging Furry Friends Food Bank from October 1st through November 30th. Customers will be asked for a donation when making purchases and if over $1000 is raised, Green Acres Kennel Shop will match the donations dollar for dollar. All funds raised will be used to buy pet food, at wholesale prices, for distribution by the Eastern Area Agency on Aging Furry Friends Food Bank.
NutriSource now has 6 grain free formulas for dogs; Chicken, Lamb Meal, Heartland Select (Bison, Chicken and Menhaden Fish Meal), Seafood Select (Salmon and Menhaden Fish Meal), Large Breed Chicken, and Large Breed Lamb. All would be excellent choices to put into rotation with any of the other NutriSource adult formulas, or if you want to go all grain free you could do that as well. Like all NutriSource foods, they qualify for our frequent buyer program; after you purchase 12 bags you get one free. If you have wanted to try your dog on a grain free diet, this would be a great place to start.
Debra Bell from Bell Imaging Design will be at Green Acres from 9 until 5 on Sunday November 4th ready to capture your precious pet for posterity. The cost is $40 per session (up to 3 pets per session) and includes a 5x7 gift print. In addition, $10 from every session will be donated to the Eastern Area Agency on Aging's Furry Friends Food Bank. For three or more pets, Debra recommends choosing a double slot for the discounted price of $70 to ensure you'll have enough time. Slots go fast, so call today (945-6841) to secure your spot.
Are you prepared if your dog sustains a serious injury while out hiking? Do you know what to do if your cat stops breathing? Knowing how to perform basic pet first aid and CPR could help you save your pet’s life.
Lori Clark joined our training team in August of 2007 and attending several classes with her dogs, rising to the role of Lead Instructor. Like many of our training staff, Lori has a “day job” and that job needs to take priority. Regrettably we will be losing Lori from the Green Acres training team for a time. Lori take care and come back soon!
We are now open on Sundays from 8AM until 5PM! We will be open for boarding pick-ups and drop-offs, grooming, and retail sales.
Because of California Natural's healthy, natural ingredients and the fact that they use so few ingredients in their formulas, California Natural pet foods have always been one of our first recommendations for pets that have food allergy or intolerance issues. Their foods are limited to 3 central ingredients. For example the Chicken Meal and Rice formula includes; chicken meal, brown rice, rice and sunflower oil. A pet food can't be much simpler.
cats find this food simply irresistible! The meat used in b.f.f. comes from hand cut filets of Skipjack Tuna, not the scraps used in so many other pet foods. The Skipjack Tuna used in these formulas is a small, surface dwelling tuna that’s population is considered to be healthy and abundant. The redder color flesh of this tuna is less visually appealing to the western market (which translates into lower cost for the consumer); however the tuna itself contains all of the same wonderful nutrients as the whiter meat found in some other tunas. An added bonus to the Skipjack Tuna is that since it resides closer to the surface and is smaller in size there is not the same concern for the fish being laden with toxins and heavy metals.
High quality training treats are an essential component of any dog training program as well as your dog's daily training. The typical grocery store treat is filled with grains, preservatives, colors, and maybe even added sugar and salt. They're not only unhealthy, but they are not as powerful and rewarding as a high-quality, high-value meat based treat.
need help!
As the warmer weather approaches, cool treats are a great snack option that we offer for our canine guests. Cool Treats are an all natural, no sugar added frozen fruit blend. Hailed as a smoothie for dogs, Cool Treats are a perfect option for those pets that struggle with weight as they are low in both fat and calories. Offered for $0.95 per serving, Cool Treats are available once a day, every other day, or a specific number of times during your dog's visit.
Canine Life and Social Skills (C.L.A.S.S.) is a new program developed by the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) based on input from both dog owners and non-dog owners, shelter workers, and professional dog trainers. C.L.A.S.S. has been designed in an effort to benefit not just pet owners and dogs, but the community as a whole!
May 20th thru May 26th is National Dog Bite Prevention week. According to the web site of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA),
to learn their language. On Saturday, June 9th at 10AM Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Kate Dutra, will help you to become more aware of what your dog is communicating to you and others through the use of its body. She will also discuss what your body is saying to your dog and will describe how you can use your body for more effective management and training.
Kate Dutra, Operations Manager at Green Acres Kennel Shop and a Certified Professional Dog Trainer, was recently certified as an Evaluator in the new Canine Life and Social Skills (C.L.A.S.S.) program. Kate has been a trainer at Green Acres since 1992
skills. In order to become an Evaluator for the program, a Full or Professional level APDT member must pass a series of online tests on their training knowledge and on the rules of the program, train a minimum number of hours per year to qualify, and receive regular training on program updates.
Don Hanson, co-owner and Director of Behavior Counseling and Training at the Green Acres Kennel Shop in Bangor, has completed 26 hours of continuing education, while attending the International 
Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC) annual conference in Warwick, RI. Some of the sessions Hanson attended include; A Brilliant Disguise: Illnesses that Look Like Behavior Problems by Dr. Emily Levine, Critical Periods of Social and Psychological Development by Gail Fisher, Current Nutrition Controversies: The Science Behind Feeding Fido and Fluffy by Linda Case, Behavioral Relapse in Animals: Mechanisms of Extinction and Response Recovery by Dr. Ruth Colwill and Essential Components of Effective Behavior Change for All Species of Learners by Dr. Susan Friedman.
continued on through many of our other classes as she and Lady learned more about one another. Becky demonstrated a passion for learning and teaching which lead to me inviting her to join our training staff as an assistant in August of 1999. She assisted with at least one night per week and all day Saturday and was learning more all the time. Becky was eventually promoted to Lead Instructor and then as soon as she met the necessary prerequisites, she sat for and passed her certification exam, becoming one of the first Certified Professional Dog Trainers on Green Acres staff.
Photographer Debra Bell, owner of Bell Imaging & Design in Hermon, will offer a free seminar on photographing your pets at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 22, at Green Acres Kennel Shop at 1653 Union St.
myths about pet food and how to choose the best pet food for your pet. He will help pet parents differentiate between the important information on a bag of pet food and the hype. Don will also demonstrate how to calculate the true cost of a pet food.
We want you to have the opportunity to meet and talk with both Amber and Paula in person. Please join us Sunday, April 29th from 1PM to 5PM for our "Welcome to Green Acres” Reception and Open House.
Green-Bones are a new product from our friends at NutriSea, located right down the coast in Stonington, Maine. They are more than a bone-shaped treat. Green-bones are a long lasting, nutritious dental bone that is wheat-free and highly digestible. Designed to promote oral health and fresh breath, Green-Bones include decaffeinated Green Tea for its excellent antioxidant properties and Sea Cucumber is added for joint health. If you are currently using that other green bone, you might want to give NutriSea Green-Bones a try!
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.
Once again it's time to vote for the best businesses in the greater Bangor area in the annual survey by Market Surveys of America. We'd appreciate it if you would consider voting for Green Acres Kennel Shop in the following four categories; Best Dog Trainer, Best Kennel, Best Pet Groomer and Best Pet Store. All you need to do to vote is to go to this website 
Don is in the process of updating our collection of photographs of our boarding and daycare clients at play. These are the photos that are displayed in the store. As Don completes a batch of photos he will be posting them in the photo section of our FaceBook page (
Eagle Pack's original formulas are great premium foods at a great price point. We've been selling Eagle since 1998 and have seen countless dogs thrive on these two formulas. Both have meat as a first ingredient and use whole grains rather than grain fragments. In the past year there have been more and more companies advertising that they are now adding beneficial probiotics to their brand. You haven't heard that from Eagle because they've been adding this important ingredient since before 1998! While they may not be a brand that is heavily advertised, they continue to manufacturer an innovative premium food at a very reasonable cost.
The Wobbler is a KONG-shaped food dispensing toy and feeder that sits upright until pushed with a dog's paw or nose, then dispenses treats or kibble as it wobbles, spins and rolls. The unpredictable movement keeps the toy challenging, even for seasoned Wobbler users. Use the Wobbler as an alternative to a dog bowl, and help to extend meal time and exercise your dog. The Wobbler is made of FDA food-approved, high-strength, plastic polymer and is Dishwasher safe. The top screws off from bottom for easy filling. The Wobbler comes in two sizes: Small (fits 1/2 cup of food), Large (fits 2 cup of food).
With Spring almost upon us, now is the perfect time to enroll yourself, your dog and the whole family in a dog training class at Green Acres. We have several classes starting in March.
On Saturday, March 31st at 10:00AM Green Acres Kennel Shop will be hosting a free seminar that will focus on optimal nutrition for pets. Don Hanson, BFRAP, CDBC, CPDT-KA and co-owner of Green Acres Kennel Shop will discuss common myths about pet food and how to choose the best pet food for your pet. He will help pet parents differentiate between the important information on a bag of pet food and the hype. Don will also demonstrate how to calculate the true cost of a pet food.
Whether a business is small or large, having a website is becoming increasingly important. At the same time more and more people and companies, some of them of questionable repute, are contacting businesses to help them create their web presence. 
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