| Green Acres Newsletter for 4MAY12 |
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Published: 05MAY12 <click for a printable PDF version> Does Your Pet Need a Boarding Reservation?Or call us at 945-6841 Would You Like to Receive Valuable Green Acres Coupons?Green Acres distributes two different editions of its newsletter; a version posted on our webpage and on our FaceBook pages (this one) and, a version which is emailed. The email edition includes valuable coupons for Green Acres services and products usually not offered in this edition. Your information will not be made available to third parties and will only be used for the purposes of sending you a newsletter electronically. To subscribe, visit our webpage at (http://www.greenacreskennel.com/information/newsletters.html) and look in the lower right hand corner for an area that looks like this. Expanded Sunday Hours
In This Issue
Please Refer A Friend! Refer your friends, family members and co-workers to Green Acres with the coupon below and we'll reward them and you! It’s worth either $10 off a new client’s first purchase of product or services in excess of $50 or $5 off a new client’s first purchase of product or services in excess of $25. If your friend, family member or co-worker uses that coupon by the expiration date (June 30th), we will email you a coupon good for $5 off of your next purchase or service as a finder’s fee. New Client Coupon I am a new client That was referred by ______________________________________________________________ $10 OFF – your first purchase of services or products where the total is in excess of $50 OR $5 OFF – your first purchase of services or products where the total is in excess of $25 For new clients only. Coupon must be filled out completed, printed and presented in its entirety at time of redemption. Pet Food Recall Announced May 4thOne of our distributors has notified us of several brands of pet food that were voluntarily recalled on May 4th for possible salmonella contamination. Green Acres does not sell any of these particular foods, but just in case some of you feed them, we thought it was important to pass this information along. This information is preliminary. If you feed any of these foods we would suggest you check the store where you purchased the food or check the manufacturer's website for more information. Diamond Pet Dry Dog & Cat Food Brands To determine if what you have is affected, you should check the production codes on the back of bags that have a number "2" or a "3" in the 9th or 10th digit and an "X" in the 11th digit.
Wellness Wellness Complete Health Super5Mix Large Breed Puppy in 15 pound and 30 pound with a Best by Date of January 9, 10, & 11th 2013. No other Wellness skus were affected. Please note that no salmonella cases have been reported on WellPet. They are recalling for the safety of the pet and the pet parent. Natural Balance
Please note that no salmonella cases have been reported on Natural Balance. They are recalling for the safety of the pet and the pet parent. Canidae The below Canidae skus with production codes that have both a number "3" in the 9th or 10th digit and an "X" in the 11th digit with a best before dates of December 9, 2012, through January 31, 2013 which are being recalled.
Please note that no salmonella cases have been reported in Canidae. They are recalling for the safety of the pet and the pet parent. Pet Photo Contest Has Started!
Contest Rules
All entries must include:
Contest Details
Prizes Twelve winners will: 1) have their photo included as the pet of the month in our 2013 calendar, 2) have their photo included in the rotator on our websites’ homepage, 3) have their photo included as the cover on our Facebook page 3) receive a free calendar, and 4) receive a $25 gift certificate from Green Acres Kennel Shop. One of the twelve will also be selected as the grand prize winner. In addition to the above prizes;
Featured Dog Food: California Natural Grain-Free
Since California Natural comes in three adult formulas (chicken, lamb, and herring) it has also been an excellent choice for pet guardians that want to rotate between different protein and carbohydrate sources; a practice we have been recommending for healthy dogs since 2005 (see Alternating Your Dogs Food Makes Sense at our web site at http://bit.ly/gUbwX2 and read Kate's tip below - Why Rotating Diets Makes Sense). This process is now even easier and with more variety, with the introduction of California Natural’s five grain free formulas (chicken, lamb, salmon, venison, and kangaroo). California Natural recognizes the value of rotational feeding (http://www.rotatewithconfidence.com/rotational.php) and its benefits; minimization of pickiness and boredom with diet, reduced development of food sensitivity and food intolerance, and the more diverse intake of macro and micronutrients. For the above reasons and more, California Natural is a popular choice for our clients. Natura, California Natural's parent company, provides Green Acres with a frequent buyer program which allows us to provide you with a free bag of food after you purchase 10 bags of food. All we need to do is to clip the barcode off your bag at the time of purchase and when we have accumulated 10 barcodes for you, we send it to Natura and they send you a coupon good for free product at Green Acres. So how can you learn more about California Natural?
Check our coupon section for a special offer on California Natural Grain-Free Dog Food Featured Cat Food: b.f.f.b.f.f. (best feline friend) is an all natural, grain free, tuna based canned food made in a human food facility by the same makers of Weruva pet foods. Available in 8 recipes and three sizes 3 oz, 5.5 oz and 10 oz cans, our experience has been that Check our coupon section for a special offer on b.f.f - buy three cans and get one FREE Featured Treat - Bravo Training Treats
Green Acres currently carries three formulas of Bravo Training Treats; All-Beef Hot Dogs, Turkey Bites, and Buffalo Bites. These treats are made from 100% muscle meats and are freeze dried so they are not greasy in your hands or pocket. They are tasty enough to make a valued reward but also small enough so they don't overwhelm your dog with calories. We have been doing a comparison with freeze dried liver and for many dogs these Bravo treats are every bit as powerful. They are an ideal option to use for recall, desensitization and any other behavior where you need a high-value treat. And they are not just for dogs! Kate, our Operation’s Manager, has indicated that her cat equally enjoys these treats and he is regularly rewarded with a little bit of All-Beef Hot Dog when he comes in from the outside (and who said cats can’t be trained?) Check our coupon section for a special offer on Bravo Training Treats Featured Product - Front Connect HarnessThe weather has been great and it's time to start walking for our benefit and our dogs. However, if walking the dog means the dog is choking and gasping for breath and the joints in your arm are being stretched to the point of discomfort – You Taking a walk with your canine companion should be a fun and enjoyable experience for both of you. Dogs can learn to walk politely on a leash, but it takes a lot of rewards, patience, consistency and time on your part. Until you have taught your dog this important lesson, tools such as the SENSE-ible Dog Harness™, Easy Walk Harness and Gentle Leader® Head Halter can help you both enjoy your walk in good health and safety. Unlike choke collars and prong collars they give you control without causing the dog pain and discomfort – just what you want for your furry friend! This month we are offering an additional $2 discount off of our already low prices* for the SENSE-ible Dog Harness™, Easy Walk Harness and Gentle Leader® Head Halter and we will give you another $2 discount if you trade in your choke collar or prong collar (see coupon below). *Green Acres prices are consistently $8 to $10 less expensive for these products than the big box stores on Stillwater. Check our coupon section for a special offer on a Front Connect Harness or Gentle Leader Featured Service - Cool Treats
Training Class AvailabilityOur Puppy Headstart classes are available on an open enrollment basis on Tuesday evenings at 6PM and Saturdays at 8AM. With the open enrollment system, you will be able to begin the class typically within a week or two rather than having to wait a lengthy time before the first class. We still have openings in our Basic Manners classes starting Monday, June 4th and Saturday, June 23rd. Classes are small and tend to fill quickly as we get closer to the start date, so don't delay enrolling. You can learn more about these classes at: http://www.greenacreskennel.com/training/introductory-classes Pet Feeding TipWhy Rotating Diets Makes SenseChange - not a word that many pet food manufacturers wanted to hear, but definite music to our dogs’ ears and overall heath. The change that we are referring to is dietary rotation. When we first began discussing dietary rotation several years ago, many of our pet food manufacturers were livid! Today however, largely to meet consumer demand, many pet food manufacturers now are producing diets within their food lines that are designed for convenient rotation. For years, the pet food companies have been successfully convincing many of us that changing our pet’s diet will result in digestive upset. And if you ever did try to switch foods, they were quite often proven correct and you would never make that mistake again! But when you step back and think about it from a canine evolutionary standpoint, does it even make sense? Dogs are scavengers. In its feral state a dog’s gastrointestinal tracts should be equipped to handle a variety of different foods in rapid succession – there is nobody providing a slow transition to a new diet. So what has caused this change in our domesticated dog’s gastrointestinal tract? The answer in short is that, with the help of the pet food manufacturers, we have caused it. Let’s say for example that you purchase a 30# bag of dog food and it takes your dog 6 weeks to eat it. So for 6 weeks, aside from the occasional snack here and there, your dog eats nothing else. You were so pleased with the results of this food, that when you returned you purchased another 30# bag of the same food again and again. So now, for several months your dog has consumed only that one specific type and brand of food. Now I ask, if you were to only eat one thing for several months, even if it was of great quality, and you suddenly changed, would there not be a high probability that you too would be suffering from digestive upset? The benefits of dietary rotation are many. The first that comes to mind is simply a decrease in food boredom; imagine what it would be like to eat the same thing every day for a week, yet we often ask our dogs to do it for a lifetime. Secondly is that by alternating diets we have the opportunity to broaden our dogs’ exposures to other meat, fat, grain, fruit and vegetable sources, thus introducing different macro and micronutrients for optimal long-term health; with increased exposure comes a healthier gut and the ability to handle a wider variety of foods without digestive upset. Thirdly, by rotating diets we can potentially decrease long term exposure to harmful pathogens and microbes found in some grains which can lead to chronic illness that may not appear until later in life. Thankfully, many of the pet food companies are now offering lines that give the consumer the ability to easily rotate diets. This however does not mean that you need to stay within a specific brand line, even though the manufacturer wants you to. We actually would encourage the rotation of brands as well as food ingredients whenever possible, as different companies make use of different vitamin packs and sourcing for their primary ingredients. But if you are not comfortable with this, your dog will still benefit from change within a brand as opposed to no change at all. When you do change you may notice some differences. In some case stools may be smaller and firmer, other times larger and softer. There will be some foods your dog prefers over others and you can note that preference. (I actually had a lab that HATED the duck formulas – go figure)! As you and your dog try out the foods, you will find that you will both develop a preference for certain ones and use those in your rotation. The key is to not be afraid to try something new; the pet food industry is always coming out with great new stuff, it’s not just chicken anymore! Remember, if your dog has a healthy gut and is accustomed to new foods, they will be able to handle the change. Diet rotation is not for every dog, however. Although rare, there are some dogs with true food allergies that may be best left on the same diet. Others are on prescription diets or have specific health concerns and dietary changes should not be attempted until discussed with a veterinarian. But if you believe your dog would benefit from dietary rotation we encourage you to start today. If your dog has been consuming the same food for an extended period of time, chances are you will have to slowly transition to any new diet, but hopefully with a little patience and some yogurt you will be able to help your dog’s gut develop and regain optimal health, allowing you to transition foods rapidly with little to no mixing. NOTE: We typically do not encourage rotation of dry diets for cats, particularly neutered males as there is the potential for a change in the pH of the urine which could lead to the formation of crystals in their urine. Introducing APDT C.L.A.S.S
C.L.A.S.S. has some similarities to the AKC Good Citizen Test or therapy dog testing, but in many ways it is also very different. It is a three-level evaluation in which dog guardians can demonstrate the real-life skills of their dogs, as well as demonstrate their own understanding of basic dog handling, training and care. There are three levels to C.L.A.S.S. (B.A., M.A., and Ph.D.), each requiring a higher level of training The APDT developed C.L.A.S.S. with several end goals in mind. One of the major themes in the Canine Life and Social Skills program is to promote positive, ongoing training resulting in a stronger owner/dog bonds. Rather than focus on skills that are not often required in day to day life, C.L.A.S.S. emphasizes the need to train real-life practical skills and polite behaviors such as waiting until cued to exit a vehicle or building, calmly settling when asked to do so and walking nicely on a leash. Education of not just the dog, but also the human, is at the forefront of this program as it requires clients to become educated about canine behavior thus helping them to make appropriate choices for their canine companions when in social situations. As more and more student teams complete C.L.A.S.S., it is hoped that there will be more opportunities for well-behaved pets in society in general. We here at Green Acres are very excited about this program and look forward to its continuing addition to our training curriculum. Currently Green Acres is offering a specific C.L.A.S.S. class (I know that sounds silly). Green Acres’ Operations and Training Manager Kate Dutra is an APDT C.L.A.S.S. Instructor and Evaluator. To learn more about C.L.A.S.S. tune into the Woof Meow Show on WVOM 103.9FM or WVQM 101.3FM on Saturday May 19th at 7:30AM or on Sunday, May 20th at 8:30PM. You can also learn more at the APDT's C.L.A.S.S. website: http://www.mydoghasclass.com. Don's C.L.A.S.S. ChallengeTo give our training class students some motivation to complete the APDT C.L.A.S.S. program, Don has created a contest. The only requirement is that participants must be Green Acres’ clients and have successfully completed at least our Basic Manners training class.
Upcoming EventsFREE Seminar: Dog Bite Prevention
Dog bites can be greatly reduced by education, so Green Acres will be offering a FREE Dog Bite Prevention seminar, geared towards children and adults, On Saturday, May26th at 2:30PM and Sunday, June 3rd at 1PM.
FREE Seminar: Canine Body Language (SAT June 9th-10AM)If you want your dog to safely interact with other dogs or other people this seminar is for you. Just like our dogs are not born understanding English, we are not born understanding dog. If we want to have the best relationship with our dog we need This seminar is for anyone who has a dog in their life and the information presented will be applicable to a variety of interactions with humans as well as other animals. Limited seats our available, so call us at 945-6841 to reserve your spot today. Seminar: Pet First Aid (SAT June 16th-12PM)
On Saturday, June 16th, at Noon, Green Acres Kennel Shop will be hosting a Pet First Aid & CPR seminar taught by Certified Pet Tech Instructor, Tracy Haskell. This 4-hour PetSaver Program will teach participants Pet First Aid, Pet CPR, and basic care and handling that can be used in the event of emergencies. At the completion of the program participants will have the resources they need to keep their pet safe, healthy, and happy. Whether your pets just hang around at home with you or live an active and adventurous life, the knowledge you gain in this class may possibly save your pet’s life. The seminar will run from 12PM until 4PM and includes hands on instruction and a useful reference guide. The fee for the class is $50, with $10 from each enrollment being donated to the Eastern Area Agency on Aging Furry Friends’ Food Bank. A maximum of 10 spots are available, so don’t delay! Call Green Acres at 945-6841 to register. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Staff NewsKate Dutra Certified APDT C.L.A.S.S. Evaluator
C.L.A.S.S. is an educational program designed to promote training focusing on the use of positive reinforcement and to strengthen relationships between humans and their canine companions. The mission of C.L.A.S.S. is to promote positive relationships through positive training methods. This approach both develops and safeguards harmonious relationships by maintaining trust and mutual respect. C.L.A.S.S. Evaluators are Full and Professional Level APDT members. Evaluators administer C.L.A.S.S. assessments and score performances of teams, and provide feedback to teams on how to improve their training To learn more about C.L.A.S.S., visit the program web site at www.mydoghasclass.com. Hanson Attends IAABC
The IAABC is working to standardize and support the practice of companion animal behavior consulting, while providing resources for pet owners needing advice. Their conference provides educational and networking opportunities for practicing animal behavior consultants and those wishing to learn more. For more information visit their website at: http://iaabc.org/ Good Luck Becky!In January of 1999 Becky Ruggiero came to Green Acres with her 10-month old Sheltie to discuss training, as well as some behavioral issues that she had observed in Lady. Becky enrolled herself and Lady in our Basic Manners class and Since January of 1999, Becky has added four more dogs to her life, rabbits, kittens, chickens, a husband and three children. She has been offered an expanded teaching opportunity at the University of Maine and sadly will be leaving Green Acres. We want to thank Becky for her years of service, congratulate her on her new job, and let her know that she will be missed. We hope that as time permits Becky will again join our training staff at Green Acres. Staff ChampionsEvery 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!
March – Brenda M. & Tracy H.
Staff AnniversariesNot overly shy, our two feline retail associates, Thelma and Louise will be celebrating their 11th anniversary with us on May 15th. Thank you girls!
Our Latest PollOnce developed, do you plan on using the Bangor Dog Park? Vote Here - http://bit.ly/K7E4uO Results from Our Last PollPets are:Family Members - 5 Property - 0 More than property but not quite family members - 1 Tune in to The Woof Meow Show
The Woof Meow Show airs twice a week –
Keep up with the Woof Meow Show at our FaceBook page - https://www.facebook.com/WoofMeowShow
Businesses We Use and RecommendGreen Acres, as well as Paula and I personally, use the products and services of a number of area businesses. Like Green Acres most of them are small and locally owned. Many, but not all are members of the Paul Bunyan Chapter of Business Networks International (http://www.bni.com/) an organization where we all help each other grow our businesses. This space in our newsletter will be used to recognize some of those businesses and their products. Chute ContractingRandy Chute and his crew at Chute Contracting have completed several maintenance and construction projects for us personally and for our business, Green Acres Kennel Shop. They’ve torn down and replaced a mud room, reroofed and resided our home, rebuilt a laundry room, removed a deck and replaced it with a sun room with full basement and an attached deck, as well as countless, smaller maintenance projects. You hear horror stories about contractors that never show up on time, that go over budget, or just don’t produce quality work. You never need to worry about that with Randy. His attention to detail and his insistence on quality work by his crew and any and all subcontractors will give you a home or addition you will treasure for years. And while it’s a small issue to some, when Randy and his crew are done they clean-up after themselves so all you need to do is to enjoy what they’ve created. If you are considering a construction project, whether small or large, you owe it to yourself to talk to Randy Chute at Chute Contracting. - 989-6787/356-7515 Links We LikeDog Behavior & TrainingAn Article and Video on the Dog Whisperer in the Huffington Post - http://www.huffingtonpost.com/anna-jane-grossman/the-dog-whisperer-technique_b_1406337.html Dumbed down by dominance, Part 2An excellent article from Dr. Karen Overall (faculty member at the University of Pennsylvania, diplomate of the American College of Behavior Medicine (ACVB) and board-certified Applied Animal Behaviorist) in the April 1st, 2012 DVM News Magazine in which she explains an alternative to the dominance construct and pack hierarchy. - http://veterinarynews.dvm360.com/dvm/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=767068 Welfare in Dog TrainingThis website in the UK has several great articles that discuss the fallacy of the dominance construct, how to correctly describe dog social interactions, and how to deal with behavior problems. What's wrong with using 'dominance' to explain the behaviour of dogs? - http://www.dogwelfarecampaign.org/why-not-dominance.php So how do we explain social behaviour - http://www.dogwelfarecampaign.org/if-not-dominance.php What are the implications of training techniques which induce fear or pain in dogs? http://www.dogwelfarecampaign.org/implications-of-punishment.php Should I follow status reduction programmes with my dog? - http://www.dogwelfarecampaign.org/status-reduction-programmes.php Find Us On the InternetGreen Acres Website – www.greenacreskennel.com Green Acres FaceBook – www.facebook.com/GreenAcresKennelShop Bach Flowers for Pets Website- www.greenacreskennel.com/bach-flowers-for-pets Bach Flowers for Pets FaceBook - www.facebook.com/BachFlowersForPets Woof Meow Show FaceBook – www.facebook.com/WoofMeowShow Friends of Furry Friends Food Bank FaceBook - www.facebook.com/GAKS.FFFFB
May CouponsCalifornia Natural Grain Free Dog Food ________________________________________________ $3 OFF any single 30lbs Bag of California Natural Grain-Free Dog Food GN-0512-03 OR $2 OFF any single 15lbs Bag of California Natural Grain-Free Dog Food GN-0512-04 OR $1 OFF any single 5lbs Bag of California Natural Grain-Free Dog Food GN-0512-05 Coupon must be completed, printed and presented in its entirety at time of redemption.
b.f.f. Cat Food ________________________________________________ Buy 3 5.5oz cans of b.f.f. cat food and get 1 FREE GN-0512-06 Coupon must be completed, printed and presented in its entirety at time of redemption. Bravo Training Treats ________________________________________________ $1.00 OFF any 1 package Bravo Training Treats GN-0512-07 Coupon must be completed, printed and presented in its entirety at time of redemption.
SENSE-ible Dog Harness™, OR ________________________________________________ $2 OFF – One of the above $4 OFF – One of the above w/trade in of choke or prong collar Coupon must be completed, printed and presented in its entirety at time of redemption. Published by
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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.
What would you do 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.
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.
