💥 Quinte Canine Newsletter - September 2018 💥

September Newsletter!

Welcome to Quinte Canine's newsletter. This a great place to be the first to know about upcoming classes, dog events, student brags and get fun and informative training information.

In this issue: Upcoming Classes, Breeder Health Guarantees, Student Brags, Upcoming Community Events & More!

Letter from the Editor

Dear friends,
Is it September already? Where did August go?
With so many graduates in August I hope i did not miss anyone!
September means back to school! Not just for the 2-legged kids either, but for our 4-legged ones too! A journey to better behaviour, mental stimulation or getting out of the house to have fun starts now! Check out all the fun coming up in September and October.
Also in this edition is information on breeder guarantees. They are either very valuable or not worth the paper they are written on. Do you know what it means to have a health guarantee and what will happen if you have a problem? Does the guarantee mean the parents are healthy and any possible issues will be covered? Read on to refresh your knowledge or gain valuable new information.
Your friend,
Yvonne Ferguson, CPDT-KSA, CTDI
Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge & Skills Assessed, Certified Trick Dog Instructor,
Behaviour Consultant - Quinte Canine

Upcoming Classes!

Basic Scent Detection - Level 1

For any dog with a nose! The dogs in this class learn to search and find target scents in hidden locations. Students build confidence to work up to competing with their dog in the Sport Detection Dogs Association trials. This is a great class for dogs of all ages, breeds, special needs and personalities and helps to provide great mental stimulation! $100+HST ($113 including HST).

Belleville - 4:30pm - Monday September 24, 2018 (Sept 24, Oct 1, 15, 22, 29 & Nov 5 - no class Oct 8)

Intermediate Scent Detection
For dogs who have completed Basic Scent Detection Level 1 and 2. We will continue to build interior rooms while learning exterior and vehicle searches. $100+HST ($113 including HST).

Belleville - 4:30pm - Thursday October 25, 2018 (Oct 25, Nov 1, 8, 22, 29, Dec 6 - no class Nov 15)

Novice Trick Dog
Novice Trick Dog classes are designed for any dog and people friendly dog! Absolutely any age, breed(s) and abilities can learn some fun new tricks! Learn over 25 tricks in this class. All dogs that complete the Novice Trick Dog Class are eligible to receive their Novice Trick Dog Title (NTD).. $135 +HST ($152.55 including HST) which includes the trick dog title fee.

Trenton - 8:15pm - Tuesday November 13th, 2018 (November 13, 20, 27, Dec 4, 11 & 18)

Intermediate Trick Dog
This class is designed for dogs who have completed our Novice Trick Dog class and/or those who have achieved the Novice Trick Dog Title. Dogs who complete this class are eligible to receive their Intermediate Trick Dog Title (ITD).. $135 +HST ($152.55 including HST) which includes the trick dog title fee.

Trenton - 7:00pm - Tuesday September 18, 2018 (Sept 18, 25, Oct 2, 9, 23 & 30 - no class Oct 16)

Registration
To register for any of the above classes visit: https://www.quintecanine.com/registration
Once payment is made and the registration form has been received, we will process your class enrollment and send you an email with all of the details and class handouts.
Previous students: if you have completed a registration form in the past you do not need to complete one again unless your information has changed or this is a new dog. Please just email us to register.

Classes are limited in size to provide dogs and handlers with maximum learning opportunities. Because they are limited they often fill quickly. In the very rare case a class does not fill with the minimum number of participants (50%) we may choose to postpone, reschedule or cancel classes. Should this occur, we will provide the option to participants to apply their class registration fee toward the postponed or rescheduled class, an alternative class or provide a full refund.

Breeder Health Guarantees
The basics, the warnings and the paper trail.
by Yvonne Ferguson, CPDT-KSA, CTDI

You ask, we educate. I have received many inquiries over the years from handlers on what to look for in a breeder and the features of breeders. Although I do not profess to be any sort of breeding expert I am aware of the differences that can make up a good breeder and a questionable breeder. With so much information out there, flashy websites, guarantees and demand for dogs it is not hard to accidentally choose a breeder whose breeding practices may be questionable. And I firmly believe that when you know better, you often do better so here is the first in a series of articles looking at dog breeders and purchase information that everyone should know.

Many people make a conscious choice to purchase a dog from a breeder for a number of reasons. Anything from raising a puppy for use in dog sports to breed (and subsequent feature) preference. Although we encourage buyers to consider adopting a dog from a rescue or shelter (including breed-specific rescues), we understand and support fully the right to choose. I have a dog purchased from a breeder myself. One feature that some buyers find a benefit when purchasing a dog is a 'guarantee' they receive from said breeder.

We do not want to look at our best friends (dogs) as items of possession but for the sake of this article we will be using more commonly used language, as you might find in a contract with a breeder or within your health guarantee (example: breeder and ‘buyer’).

Having a 'guarantee' can, and certainly does, provide some benefit, but have you stopped to think about what is actually included and if something happens, will your dog be covered? What does the guarantee offer and will it mean heartbreak and difficulties for you in the future? What the requirements and expectations of each party are, and what consideration will be given should issues occur.

Often there are 2 parts to a health guarantee, the first being that the puppy being sold is currently healthy and free of infectious disease. The breeder will (and should) provide the buyer with a health certificate from their own veterinarian including first vaccinations. But don’t forget to keep reading the 'fine print'. The guarantee will often state that the buyer will need to take their new puppy to their own personal veterinarian to confirm health within a set number of days of purchase. This set number of days (usually 1-7 days) is often a very short window and buyers should be prepared with this appointment already set up and arranged prior to picking up their new puppy to unsure their veterinarian can fit the appointment in (remember that our veterinarians are often booked well in advance and often only keep spare-time, if any, for emergencies). This exam protects both buyer and breeder as certain diseases, such as kennel cough, may have a 10 day incubation period. The buyer is protected as a puppy who appears healthy at sale but develops an issue in less than 10 days can be determined to have acquired the infection pre-sale, despite the healthy puppy exam. The breeder is protected as the buyer cannot file a claim for a disease which developed after the typical incubation period (say 3 weeks post-purchase) and thus acquired after the buyer took possession of the puppy.

The second most common part of a health guarantee from a breeder is the guarantee against genetic and congenital issues for a period of time. These timelines can span anywhere form 1 week to 36+ months (including a 'lifetime' guarantee against genetic and congenital defects). The genetic and congenital defects part of health guarantees is one important part that many new owners are often impressed with. This can be of great benefit for some diseases that may show up in your dog. But remember many diseases do not appear (without genetic testing or other tests such as x-rays - which many buyers do not complete on their dogs without symptoms) until a dog is far older than most guarantees cover. Carefully look at your contract to identify the timeline and make sure you complete any tests to discover any issues prior to that date. Also evaluate what the requirements are (for example, does the breeder require x-rays taken? DNA samples evaluated? OFA exam?).

So what if something happens? This is where the buyer needs to strongly consider their options. Many breeder contracts will offer some sort of compensation in the event that there is something wrong with the puppy. The breeder will often offer a replacement puppy. But that may require you to return the puppy you have already begun to train, love and bond with. This can be far too much for a buyer to go through with. Can you imagine giving a puppy back after a certain number of days, weeks months or even years? Most would find this too difficult to follow through with and therefore not be able to uphold their contract.

Another option some breeders offer is a 50% reduction in the next purchase of a puppy or even a free puppy as compensation. The should also be thought over carefully by buyers. Can you afford another dog? What will be the financial and temperament ramifications be for the first dog long-term and how will this effect the new dog/puppy? Will the next puppy have the same issues as the first or was the concern a very rare occurrence which could not be foreseen? If avoidable, did the breeder make appropriate changes to their breeding program that would help eliminate the issue in the future? If the breeder is a responsible one, the answer is yes.

It is very important that the buyer is able to fully understand the health guarantee and have an open and honest conversation with the breeder about it. But it is also equally important that the breeder is doing everything possible to remove the need for a buyer to use their guarantee, through health testing, selective breeding and overall concern for the health and well-being of their chosen breed. And this in essence should really be the backbone of all and any breeding programs. There are many breeders around, some questionable and others with top notch standards, ethics and dogs. As a buyer, knowing how to tell the difference is very important so please stay tuned for further articles on how to select a breeder (should you choose one over adopting) where we will be talking with some breeders to gain more insight into programs and practices.

Special thanks to Stephanie Perrier (Competitive K9s & Sinova Malinois) for input and critique.

Student Brags in August!

Basic Obedience - Penny, Wolfie, Max, Nala, Shadow & Louie
Puppy Class - Ruby, Sara, Corby, Havoc, Malowyn & Sammy
Basic Scent Detection Level 1 - Kaine, Skylar, Sam & Jazz
Basic Obedience - Ruger, Ranger, Rufus, Louie, Walter and Matrix!
Puppy Class - Stella, Charlie, Lucy Loo, Sherlock, Bobby, Koda, Coco & Gia
Basic Obedience - Meeka, Harley, Harvey, Storm & Autumn
Puppy Class - Drake, Blue, Gracie, Lacey, Zodiac, Mocha & Ollie
Basic Obedience - Hazel, Bailey, Roger & Raven
Intermediate Scent Detection - Skye & Derby!

Way to be awesome teams!
(pictured: Puppy class! And no you are not seeing quadruple, all four of those mastiff crosses in the two pictures are siblings LOL)