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Basic Training Tips

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  • It Has Been a Great Ride! Happy New Year… and Farewell

    It Has Been a Great Ride! Happy New Year… and ...

    I was so naive“I’m going to enter her in obedience competitions. I know she’ll do great! She’s fully trained now!”    I laugh when I think back to what my inexperienced...

    It Has Been a Great Ride! Happy New Year… and ...

    I was so naive“I’m going to enter her in obedience competitions. I know she’ll do great! She’s fully trained now!”    I laugh when I think back to what my inexperienced...

  • “Do You Feel Safe?”

    “Do You Feel Safe?”

    “Are You Having Fun?” An unfamiliar approach to trainingI recently worked with new clients and their lovely 6-month-old pup Luna here at my studio in North Yarmouth. They’d taken dog...

    “Do You Feel Safe?”

    “Are You Having Fun?” An unfamiliar approach to trainingI recently worked with new clients and their lovely 6-month-old pup Luna here at my studio in North Yarmouth. They’d taken dog...

  • Changing the Channel

    Changing the Channel

    Sometimes It’s the Best – and Simplest – Option   “If you are scared or feeling down flip the thought and turn it ‘round”* Canine Hopes and DreamsMy dog Skipper said...

    Changing the Channel

    Sometimes It’s the Best – and Simplest – Option   “If you are scared or feeling down flip the thought and turn it ‘round”* Canine Hopes and DreamsMy dog Skipper said...

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Furry Words

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  • Furry Words January 2026

    Furry Words January 2026

    I believe this is my fourteenth or fifteenth January edition, and every time it reminds me how quickly time is passing by! We can note time by gray hairs, our...

    Furry Words January 2026

    I believe this is my fourteenth or fifteenth January edition, and every time it reminds me how quickly time is passing by! We can note time by gray hairs, our...

  • Furry Words November 2025

    Furry Words November 2025

    Greetings everyone! Welcome to another holiday season and check in with some of your pups. I’m a psychic for people and pets but whatever is relayed is never a replacement...

    Furry Words November 2025

    Greetings everyone! Welcome to another holiday season and check in with some of your pups. I’m a psychic for people and pets but whatever is relayed is never a replacement...

  • Furry Words November 2025

    Furry Words November 2025

    It’s chilly again!! If you had told me a year ago that when I’d be writing this edition my household would consist of the three big labs, brown dog Syd...

    Furry Words November 2025

    It’s chilly again!! If you had told me a year ago that when I’d be writing this edition my household would consist of the three big labs, brown dog Syd...

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Veterinary Specialist

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  • Mastcatory Myositis in Dogs

    Mastcatory Myositis in Dogs

    When “Tight-Lipped” Is Not a Good Thing! By Dr. Gail Mason, DVM, MA, DACVIM Chief Medical Officer, Portland Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Care Masticatory myositis is a disorder of the immune system in...

    Mastcatory Myositis in Dogs

    When “Tight-Lipped” Is Not a Good Thing! By Dr. Gail Mason, DVM, MA, DACVIM Chief Medical Officer, Portland Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Care Masticatory myositis is a disorder of the immune system in...

  • ELECTROCHEMOTHERAPY (ECT):

    ELECTROCHEMOTHERAPY (ECT):

    Another Tool Against Cancer   By Gail D. Mason, DVM, MA, DACVIMwww.pvesc.com                                        The mainstay...

    ELECTROCHEMOTHERAPY (ECT):

    Another Tool Against Cancer   By Gail D. Mason, DVM, MA, DACVIMwww.pvesc.com                                        The mainstay...

  • What is Vasculitis in Veterinary Medicine?

    What is Vasculitis in Veterinary Medicine?

    By Dr. Tyler Charbonneau, DVM Dermatology and AllergyPVESC Transmission or Cause: Vasculitis is inflammation of blood vessels resulting in compromised blood flow to the affected areas. The inflammation is due to...

    What is Vasculitis in Veterinary Medicine?

    By Dr. Tyler Charbonneau, DVM Dermatology and AllergyPVESC Transmission or Cause: Vasculitis is inflammation of blood vessels resulting in compromised blood flow to the affected areas. The inflammation is due to...

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Veterinary Behaviorist

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  • Giving Your Dog a Say in Veterinary Care

    Giving Your Dog a Say in Veterinary Care

    By Christine D. Calder, DVM, DACVBBoard-Certified Veterinary Behaviorist, www.caldervbs.com Most people take their dogs to the veterinary clinic because they want them to stay healthy. Your dog, however, may see the...

    Giving Your Dog a Say in Veterinary Care

    By Christine D. Calder, DVM, DACVBBoard-Certified Veterinary Behaviorist, www.caldervbs.com Most people take their dogs to the veterinary clinic because they want them to stay healthy. Your dog, however, may see the...

  • A Puppy’s First Six Months Shape Lifetime Behavior

    A Puppy’s First Six Months Shape Lifetime Behavior

    By Christine D. Calder, DVM, DACVBCalder Veterinary Behavior Services, www.caldervbs.com Why Does My Dog Behave This Way?You may ask why your dog seems nervous around strangers or why your friendly puppy...

    A Puppy’s First Six Months Shape Lifetime Behavior

    By Christine D. Calder, DVM, DACVBCalder Veterinary Behavior Services, www.caldervbs.com Why Does My Dog Behave This Way?You may ask why your dog seems nervous around strangers or why your friendly puppy...

  • Understanding Senior Dog Behavior

    Understanding Senior Dog Behavior

    By Christine D. Calder, DVM, DACVBBoard-Certified Veterinary Behaviorist, www.caldervbs.com                            Due to advances in modern veterinary medicine, dogs are living...

    Understanding Senior Dog Behavior

    By Christine D. Calder, DVM, DACVBBoard-Certified Veterinary Behaviorist, www.caldervbs.com                            Due to advances in modern veterinary medicine, dogs are living...

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Training Your Performance Dog

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  • Agility – What Skills Do My Dog and I Really Need?

    Agility – What Skills Do My Dog and I Really Need?

    Handling systems, videos on foot work, and books on mental practice all can have a place in your agility training, but if you just want to enjoy the sport with...

    Agility – What Skills Do My Dog and I Really Need?

    Handling systems, videos on foot work, and books on mental practice all can have a place in your agility training, but if you just want to enjoy the sport with...

  • Searching for Solutions

    Searching for Solutions

    No matter which dog sport you may choose to participate in, training for a good solid performance takes time, commitment, energy, enthusiasm, knowledge, and patience.    At some point – no...

    Searching for Solutions

    No matter which dog sport you may choose to participate in, training for a good solid performance takes time, commitment, energy, enthusiasm, knowledge, and patience.    At some point – no...

  • It’s All About Training

    It’s All About Training

    How many times have you heard, or maybe been told:    •    Your dog’s not having enough fun    •    You need to motivate your dog more   ...

    It’s All About Training

    How many times have you heard, or maybe been told:    •    Your dog’s not having enough fun    •    You need to motivate your dog more   ...

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Words, Woofs & Meows

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  • Selecting Healthy Treats for Your Dog

    Selecting Healthy Treats for Your Dog

    Calories & Ingredients Matter! We give our dogs treats for many reasons: as training rewards, to keep them busy, to provide nutrition, to help keep their teeth clean, and just...

    Selecting Healthy Treats for Your Dog

    Calories & Ingredients Matter! We give our dogs treats for many reasons: as training rewards, to keep them busy, to provide nutrition, to help keep their teeth clean, and just...

  • Online Resources for Pets You Can You Trust

    Online Resources for Pets You Can You Trust

    It’s become an annual tradition for me to review and recommend a book about pets every December. This year, I’m going to review online resources that I trust and that...

    Online Resources for Pets You Can You Trust

    It’s become an annual tradition for me to review and recommend a book about pets every December. This year, I’m going to review online resources that I trust and that...

  • Reflecting on 30 Years as a Pet Care Professional

    Reflecting on 30 Years as a Pet Care Professional

    The End of Dominance–No Pain, Force, or Fear   Last month, I celebrated my 30th anniversary as a pet care professional. This is the first of several columns where I’ll...

    Reflecting on 30 Years as a Pet Care Professional

    The End of Dominance–No Pain, Force, or Fear   Last month, I celebrated my 30th anniversary as a pet care professional. This is the first of several columns where I’ll...

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Rescue of the Month

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  • Humane Society Waterville Area

    Humane Society Waterville Area

    By Susan Spisak             Since 1970, Humane Society Waterville Area, HSWA, has had the mission of sheltering animals until they find permanent homes, to educate the...

    Humane Society Waterville Area

    By Susan Spisak             Since 1970, Humane Society Waterville Area, HSWA, has had the mission of sheltering animals until they find permanent homes, to educate the...

  • Animal Refuge League Greater Portland

    Animal Refuge League Greater Portland

    A Lifesaving Organization  By Susan Spisak                          The 501(c) 3 Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland, aka ARLGP, was founded...

    Animal Refuge League Greater Portland

    A Lifesaving Organization  By Susan Spisak                          The 501(c) 3 Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland, aka ARLGP, was founded...

  • NELR Needs Fosters to Rescue More Labs

    NELR Needs Fosters to Rescue More Labs

    Fostering Saves Lives By Susan Spisak                          We covered the foster- and Maine-based New England Lab Rescue aka NELR several...

    NELR Needs Fosters to Rescue More Labs

    Fostering Saves Lives By Susan Spisak                          We covered the foster- and Maine-based New England Lab Rescue aka NELR several...

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Guest Contributor

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  • Louise Cheese: The Gentle Giant Making a Big Difference

    Louise Cheese: The Gentle Giant Making a Big Di...

    When Jamie Sprague walks into a room with her 6-year-old bullmastiff, Louise Cheese, hearts instantly soften. Whether it’s a hospital corridor, a school library, or a yoga class for children...

    Louise Cheese: The Gentle Giant Making a Big Di...

    When Jamie Sprague walks into a room with her 6-year-old bullmastiff, Louise Cheese, hearts instantly soften. Whether it’s a hospital corridor, a school library, or a yoga class for children...

  • Choosing a Groomer for Your Brachycephalic Dog

    by Elsebeth DeBiase, BAminSC, ICMG, FFCP, LSHC-SCoastal Creations Pet Salon, Owner                            Brachycephalic dog breeds are popular pets. Often known...

    Choosing a Groomer for Your Brachycephalic Dog

    by Elsebeth DeBiase, BAminSC, ICMG, FFCP, LSHC-SCoastal Creations Pet Salon, Owner                            Brachycephalic dog breeds are popular pets. Often known...

  • The Origins of Dog Grooming

    The Origins of Dog Grooming

    By Elsebeth DeBiase, BAminSC, ICMG, FFCP, LSHC-S, Owner, Coastal Creations Pet Salon For centuries, dogs stood by our side as loyal guardians and hunting partners. The bond between humans and dogs...

    The Origins of Dog Grooming

    By Elsebeth DeBiase, BAminSC, ICMG, FFCP, LSHC-S, Owner, Coastal Creations Pet Salon For centuries, dogs stood by our side as loyal guardians and hunting partners. The bond between humans and dogs...

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Hot Dog News

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  • Museum of Maritime Pets Celebrates it's 20th Anniversary!

    Museum of Maritime Pets Celebrates it's 20th An...

    Since its founding in 2006, the Museum has been blessed with followers from around the globe who have shared their research, stories and images with us in addition to referrals...

    Museum of Maritime Pets Celebrates it's 20th An...

    Since its founding in 2006, the Museum has been blessed with followers from around the globe who have shared their research, stories and images with us in addition to referrals...

  • Time to Renew Dog Licenses

    Time to Renew Dog Licenses

    Don’t forget to renew your dog licenses by January 31st. Some towns can do so online https://apps1.web.maine.gov/cgi-bin/online/dog_license/index.pl. All others must renew through your town office. Your dog licensing fees support:•  ...

    Time to Renew Dog Licenses

    Don’t forget to renew your dog licenses by January 31st. Some towns can do so online https://apps1.web.maine.gov/cgi-bin/online/dog_license/index.pl. All others must renew through your town office. Your dog licensing fees support:•  ...

  • January 2026 Adoptable Dogs

    January 2026 Adoptable Dogs

    LATTE 1 year old, Australian Cattle Dog Mix  Latte is the epitome of a cattle dog. Energetic, vocal, strong, busy and very forthcoming with his affection towards people. He will...

    January 2026 Adoptable Dogs

    LATTE 1 year old, Australian Cattle Dog Mix  Latte is the epitome of a cattle dog. Energetic, vocal, strong, busy and very forthcoming with his affection towards people. He will...

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