Dogs…Naturally! is an exciting new magazine dedicated to delivering the latest information on raw feeding, vaccinations, holistic health care, behavior and training.
Dogs…Naturally! is for dog owners, breeders, trainers, health professionals, and anybody who wants to learn about the best in alternative care for their dogs.
The Goals of the new magazine are:
Promote Natural Rearing of dogs. Natural Rearing includes avoiding vaccinations, kibble diets, chemicals and pesticides in an effort to improve the health and longevity of our dogs
Promote alternative medicine including homeopathy, traditional chinese medicine, chiropractic, aromatherapy and more
Promote positive and effective training methods
Make natural care more accessible by creating a community and forum for pet owners, breeders, veterinarians, trainers, and anybody who loves dogs
Assist readers in securing natural food, products and services by providing affordable advertising for smaller natural care businesses.
The first issue is currently FREE via digital or pdf download here
PIJAC The Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council just unleashed it new “Don’t Mess With My Pet” campaign:
You love your pet. You take good care of your pet. How would you feel if the government tried to limit your ability to have pets in your life? …Angry? …Scared? …Betrayed? …Well, it’s happening.
Each year, local, state and federal governments propose thousands of laws that would restrict your ability to own pets – to include pets as vital members of your family. While we believe that some regulations are warranted to ensure that pets are well care for, we also believe that responsible pet ownership should be applauded, supported, and encouraged, not limited!
Unfortunately, many government officials don’t understand how their bills might affect you, the responsible pet owner. Furthermore, they may be basing their decisions on propaganda that, while it seems to call for better pet care, is actually part of an agenda to end pet ownership.
Help us protect responsible pet ownership by defending you and your pets against misdirected and poorly crafted legislation.
Support the “Don’t Mess with My Pet™” campaign by becoming a Member of the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC). Your $25 contribution you will help us guard responsible pet ownership…on behalf of you and your non-human family members. As a thank you from us, you’ll receive a free campaign t-shirt.
FDA Suspends Temporary Emergency Permit of Pet Food Maker
June 12, 2009
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced today it was suspending the temporary Emergency Permit issued to Evanger’s Dog & Cat Food Co., Inc.
Evanger’s, operating in Wheeling, Illinois, deviated from the prescribed process, equipment, product shipment, and recordkeeping requirements in the production of the company’s thermally processed low acid canned food (LACF) products. The deviations in their processes and documentation could result in under-processed pet foods, which can allow the survival and growth of Clostridium botulinum (C. botulinum), a bacterium that causes botulism in some animals as well as in humans.
In April 2008, Evanger’s was issued an “Order of Need for Emergency Permit” after the agency determined that the company had failed to meet the regulatory requirements to process a product that does not present a health risk. In June, 2008, FDA issued Evanger’s a temporary Emergency Permit. During inspections conducted between March 2009 and April 2009, FDA determined Evanger’s was not operating in compliance with the mandatory requirements and conditions of the Temporary Emergency Permit.
“The FDA is stopping Evanger’s ability to ship pet food in interstate commerce,” said Dr. Bernadette Dunham. “Today’s enforcement action sends a strong message to manufacturers of pet food that we will take whatever action necessary to keep unsafe products from reaching consumers.”
In order for Evanger’s to resume shipping in interstate commerce, the company must document that corrective actions and processing procedures have been implemented to ensure that the finished product will not present a health hazard.
Botulism is a powerful toxin that affects the nervous system and can be fatal. The disease has been documented in dogs and cats. Signs of botulism in animals are progressive muscle paralysis, disturbed vision, difficulty in chewing and swallowing, and progressive weakness to the body. Death is usually due to paralysis of the heart or the muscles used in breathing.
While FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition is responsible for regulating all human and animal LACF processing, FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine has authority over animal feed and foods. The two centers are collaborating on this enforcement action.
We blogged about Pet Airways when they first launched their site and now it’s official! Pet Airways is now in the air and taking reservations !
Service from LA, New York and Chicago for as low as $149 one way!
Check out the new Pet Airways Commercial:
I think a pet only airline is simply brilliant but I also want to point out that many airlines do transport pets in a very safe and effective manner. The video makes it look like all airlines treat pets like baggage. I have shipped dogs for many years now and know that airlines such as Continental, Alaska and Northwest Airlines have gone to great lengths to improve and ensure the safety of animals in their charge. Continental airlines has recently built a 24 hour veterinary clinic at their hub in Dallas to treat, monitor and overnight board animals in their care!
Of course no airline can cater exclusively to pets unless they are a “pet only airline” but other arlines are doing a good job….but if Pet Airways is flying where I need then of course I am choosing them !
Several weeks ago we blogged about the Ian Dunbar’s article denounces Pack Theory and Off-lead’s report of the lack of pack behavior in free roaming dogs in Romania. It seems the Pack Theory is under further attack this month by the The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) who issued a statement “
The AVSAB recommends that veterinarians not refer clients to trainers or behavior consultants who coach and advocate dominance hierarchy theory and the subsequent confrontational training that follows from it”
Reported over at VIN, the AVSAB’s executive board also stated that the statement was clearly issued against Cesar Milan.
As usual these groups are over reacting, yes there are con’s involved with Pack Behavior Theory and there are advantages as well.
Cesar is an incredible trainer and no amount of their slander can detract from that fact. Is his training modality fit for every dog ? No. Is his training theory 100% accepted by every trainer? No. But for the dog’s that it does work for in many cases it is a life saver, literally.
Cesar uses a blend of pack behavior theory and positive rewards, all trainers should have a blend of training theories because not every dog or dog owner learns the same way nor do all dogs respond the same.
Instead of demonizing or abolishing training modalities based on pack behavior perhaps the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior should outline the numerous k-9 training theories offering a comparative analysis of the theories without negatively impacting any of them but instead helping trainers and owners understand that each “school of training” has valuable tools that can be used at various times.
Children and dogs often have a difficult time establishing a healthy relationship, injuries are common to both puppies and children from inappropriate play and/or contact. The Blue Dog project was designed by a team of veterinarians, child psychologists, pediatricians and more in the United Kingdom.
The Blue Dog project is a series of interactive games and cartoons to illustrate a safe relationship between children and dogs. The project is available in a variety of languages, outside the US you can purchase directly from The Blue Dog Project and within the US you can order via the American Veterinarian Medical Association for a mere $8 !
The Blue Dog website also has a variety of online activities, the project is geared toward children between 3 and 6 years of age.
A must have for parents with small children and a Neapolitan Mastiff !
Great site and project, Kudo’s to the UK development team !
Another interesting article in the Winter Edition of Off-Lead magazine, Ian Dunbar sounds off about pack behavior based training modalities.
“Entire training programs have advocated that people pretend to be an alpha wolf or the dog’s mother when raising puppies or educating dogs. Although ludicrous, pop psychology has always been like catnip for a surprisingly large number of dog owners (and some trainers)”
Mr. Dunbar does an excellent job of explaining why single action temperament testing is “a few steps below asinine” and that assigning a label to a dog based off his one reaction to one event is a fallacy. The article also provides an excellent overview of the importance of early socialization and the effects of no socialization.
This is the second issue in which Off-Lead has challenged the widely accepted “pack theory”, a few weeks ago we blogged about their fall issue article titled Pack of Lies. Although no “TV Trainers” were named directly, a few times in the article I couldn’t help but think he was directing his statements to a couple famous TV Trainers
FDA Continues To Receive Complaints about Chicken Jerky Products for Dogs and Cautions Consumers
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continues to caution consumers of a potential association between the development of illness in dogs and the consumption of chicken jerky products also described as chicken tenders, strips or treats. FDA continues to receive complaints of dogs experiencing illness that their owners or veterinarians associate with consumption of chicken jerky products. The chicken jerky products are imported to the U.S. from China. FDA issued a cautionary warning to consumers in September 2007.
Australian news organizations report the University of Sydney is also investigating an association between illness in dogs and the consumption of chicken jerky in Australia. At least one firm in Australia has recalled their chicken jerky product and the recall notification stated the chicken jerky product was manufactured in China.
FDA believes the continued trend of consumer complaints coupled with the information obtained from Australia warrants an additional reminder and animal health notification.
Chicken jerky products should not be substituted for a balanced diet and are intended to be
used occasionally and in small quantities. Owners of small dogs must be especially careful to limit the amount of these products.
FDA, in addition to several veterinary diagnostic laboratories in the U.S, is working to determine why these products are associated with illness in dogs. To date, scientists have not been able to determine a definitive cause for the reported illnesses. FDA has conducted extensive chemical and microbial testing but has not identified any contaminant.
FDA is advising consumers who choose to feed their dogs chicken jerky products to watch their dogs closely for any or all of the following signs which may occur within hours to days of feeding the product: decreased appetite, although some may continue to consume the treats to the exclusion of other foods; decreased activity; vomiting; diarrhea, sometimes with blood; and increased water consumption and/or increased urination. If the dog shows any of these signs, stop feeding the chicken jerky product. Owners should consult their veterinarian if signs are severe or persist for more than 24 hours. Blood tests may indicate kidney failure (increased urea nitrogen and creatinine). Urine tests may indicate Fanconi syndrome (increased glucose). Although most dogs appear to recover, some reports to the FDA have involved dogs that have died.
The FDA continues to actively investigate the problem. Many of the illnesses reported may be the result of causes other than eating chicken jerky. Veterinarians and consumers alike should report cases of animal illness associated with pet foods to the FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinator http://www.fda.gov/opacom/backgrounders/complain.html in their state.
A Recent article in Off Lead Magazine challenges the long term held belief that dogs are pack orientated.
Political upheaval in Romania caused an unbalanced population of free-ranging or homeless dogs, this tragic situation however served to provide animal behaviorist with numerous observation opportunities that are usually reserved for observing wolves or dingos.
These Romanian dogs seem to only pair up on occasion closer to what animal behaviorist and author Dunbar refers to as “loose, transitory associations”.
Free ranging “un-domesticated” dogs do still roam in a few areas of the globe, further observation and analysis of their social behavior is of course needed to determine if the Romanian Dogs are indicative of true canine social behavior or a fluke.
Dogs…Naturally! is an exciting new magazine dedicated to delivering the latest information on raw feeding, vaccinations, holistic health care, behavior and training.
Dog Related News | Team Member | 
February 12, 2010 9:58 am | 
Comments (0) 
Another interesting article in the Winter Edition of 
Preliminary Animal Health Notification
A Recent article in 
