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AKC government Relations Department: effective Advocacy: how to Positively influence legislation That affects You

By AKC
August 31, 2019
Professional groomers make family pets look and feel wonderful, and they also offer essential services that contribute to the animal’s health. but it doesn’t stop there.

Customers may request creative services or ask that their dogs be groomed to resemble a particular “celebrity” dog. Expectations are high, and the pressure on groomers to deliver top results on wiggling, howling and often uncooperative family pets has never been greater.

In this age of instant communication, even the best–run grooming service can be negatively affected by a dissatisfied customer who articles a grievance on social media. The issue may be correctable, such as a groom job that didn’t exactly match the owner’s vision, but what about an accident that affects the safety or health of a pet?  A distressed customer may contact the press, the story goes viral and a tragic occurrence that affected a single pet is perceived as a community–wide problem.  

As discussed in a previous article, when a pet is injured, well–meaning people want answers and they want assurances that it will never happen again. This can result in the introduction of legislation that seeks to regulate groomers.

Not only is expanded governmental oversight of groomers being discussed across the US, boosted taxation of pet–related services may be considered as a profits source. According to the American Pet products Association, Americans are spending a lot more on family pets than ever before. In 2018, pet owners spent a lot more than $72 billion on their pets, exceeding the previous year by a lot more than $3 billion. a lot more than $6 billion was spent on services such as boarding and grooming1. These and other aspects have brought pet care services under boosting governmental scrutiny. 
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In recent years, several states and municipalities have proposed pet groomer regulations. Some proposals sought to establish groomer certification requirements based on guidelines for appeal beauty parlors and barbers. Such proposals do not consider the special needs of pet groomers. Further, because there are substantially fewer pet grooming services than appeal salons, far less profits would be generated by fees charged to groomers. Without sufficient funding, regulatory programs cannot be fairly and efficiently implemented, managed or maintained.  

Bringing better options to the Table

“Bijou’s Law” in new jersey is among the highest–profile proposals that seek to regulate pet groomers. As first introduced, this legislation would have required the state to create a new groomer regulatory program from scratch, at significant cost and of undetermined efficiency. 

AKC government Relations (AKC GR) and other animal advocacy groups worked to amend A3044, the NJ Assembly version of the bill, so that it is fair and benefits both groomers and pet owners. As amended, this bi–partisan bill creates a state board of grooming experts to set requirements for health and safety training, and promote continuing groomer education in conjunction with high quality training programs, including AKC’s S.A.F.E. grooming Program.  

As of press time, the companion bill (S2154) is awaiting a Senate committee hearing. AKC GR is working on amendments to the Senate version of the bill to make it identical to A0344. Please check for current information and updates on Bijou’s Law, NJ A3044/S2154, at www.akcgr.org.  

The AKC S.A.F.E. grooming Program was developed in consultation with experienced grooming professionals. This easily–accessible, detailed program supplies an exceptional resource to groomers who wish to obtain certification from a recognized authority and for governmental agencies that seek to carry out fair, science–based and cost–effective oversight of grooming businesses.

“The safety of our canine companions is a crucial worry for owners,” said mark Dunn, senior Vice president of Registration and customer Development, American Kennel Club. “The course supplies groomers with access to a lot more information and safety procedures that go above and beyond the standard.”

Getting in front of the Issues

Grooming professionals are urged to take action on issues that may affect their businesses. get involved before laws and guidelines are discussed or introduced in your state or community. Take the lead, offer options and establish yourself as a subject matter expert in your industry.

When advocating publicly, there is no substitute for functional knowledge. get to know the issues thoroughly, focus on certain areas of worry and offer viable options that address those concerns. expect questions from legislators or the public. Be prepared to answer those questions, supply data and share anecdotes to emphasize your point.

For example, if you decide to propose or advocate for groomer safety training, anticipate that lawmakers may wantnull

12 cool things science Taught us about Dogs This Year

12 cool things science Taught us about Dogs This Year

Last updated on July 13, 2017 By Puppy Leaks 3 comments
From assisting kids with anxiety to avoiding people who are jerks to their owners, here’s 12 cool things science taught us about dogs this year.

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1. Dogs Can be Soothed by classic Music

There’s new evidence that shows classic music can assist soothe dogs. Dogs in a kennel atmosphere were checked with & without the existence of classic music, and when the music was played there was a great deal less barking and pacing. For their next research study the researchers are going to try different genres of music to see exactly how soothing classic is versus others.

2. “Puppy pet dog Eyes” create a strong Bond

When your pet dog preserves eye contact with you you’re both creating additional oxytocin – the “love hormone” connected with attachment and nurturing. This is the exact same reaction that moms have with their babies, and researchers suggest that dogs may have gotten their method into our hearts and lives by tapping into this type of bonding.

3. Our Dogs Can tell When We’re Lying

New research study has shown that dogs pick up cues when it pertains to taking care of distrustful humans, and that they do seem to understand when we’re lying. The researched examined 34 dogs with different humans performing different tasks. The dogs started to show preferences for people who were dependable versus the ones who were not providing out benefits like the others.

They decide whether to comply with human commands by reading the reliability of the person. Dogs have a lot more advanced social intelligence than we thought. This social intelligence progressed selectively in their long life history with humans. – Akiko Takaoka Kyoto university researcher

Does Your pet dog understand When You’re Lying?

4. You Can’t throw a pet dog Off Your path with Pepper

Despite that old myth you cannot throw a Bloodhound off your path by utilizing pepper. earlier this year when 2 convicts escaped a NY prison it was reported that they had been utilizing pepper to throw the browse dogs off their trail. While utilizing a distracting odor may confuse a pet dog for minute or two after that they’re ideal back on your path again.

5. Dogs may assist stop Diabetes in Children

Earlier this year 3000 kids who were part of a diabetes prevention research study assisted researchers discover that kids with dogs were at a much lower danger of developing type 1 diabetes.

We can show from previous studies that exposure to dogs avoids airway inflammations,” states research study professor Suvi Virtanen of THL. “The evidence we have now gained points to a considerable protective impact in relation to type 1 diabetes, too. The results are special on a around the world scale, and additional research study evidence is still needed to support our findings.

6. Dogs avoid people who react Negatively to Their Owner

Researchers discovered that dogs are much a lot more socially intelligent than when thought, they’re able to pick up social cues as they refer to their owners. These third celebration interactions were when believed to only refer to humans and other primates. In the research study the researchers discovered that dogs avoid people who are jerks to their owners – even when being used food.

7. Dogs & Humans Can quote a Dog’s size by Their Growl

Your dogs bark may be able to technique somebody into believing they’re much bigger than they are, but their growl doesn’t. We’ve all hear those small dogs with truly big barks, but apparently they can’t disguise their grown in the exact same way. Humans and dogs can predictably quote a dogs size based on their growl.

Is your dogs bark bigger than his bite? turns out his growl isn’t deceiving anyone.

8. Untrained Dogs comply with Our Gaze

Many dogs will comply with our look when it pertains to toys or food, but research study has discovered that they comply with our eyes even when we’re just staring off into space. They checked 154 border Collies & discovered that even the young or untrained dogs were showing the ability to comply with a humans look at different objects and places. The research study discovered that the a lot more training a pet dog had the a lot more they were likely to look back at the human deal with rather than gaze off into the distance with the human.

9. Dogs assist kids With Anxiety

We’ve understood that dogs have many health and wellness benefits such as minimizing our blood pressure and assisting with asthma, but a new research study discovered that kids with a pet dog in the house tend to have less anxiety.

But the team at Bassett medical center in new York discovered that just 12 percent of kids with pet dogs checked positive for medical anxiety, compared to 21 percent of kids without a dog. – NBC News

10. The direction of a Dogs Tail Wag (right or left) states a Lot

Researchers discovered that dnull

You won’t forget Sissy once you see her in Westminster obedience ring

With a name like Sassy Sissy it’s shouldn’t be unexpected her owner characterizes her as “a little spitfire.”

Sissy had the “My special Girl” look for her owner Donna Hartwig. photo by Debbie Fields

“That completely captures her personality and her drive,” says owner-handler Donna Hartwig, of big Rock, Ill., of the 10-pound Jack Russell Terrier/Miniature Dachshund/Komondor mix, the lone All-American canine in a field of 24 competing in the third annual Masters Obedience championship at Westminster Monday, Feb. 12.

“I’m not sure on the Komodor part of the DNA test,” says Hartwig, “because that is a pretty large dog. The only thing big about her is her attitude.”

The 5-year-old Sissy’s story boasts a rags-to-riches accent. She was adopted at 7 weeks old from a party in southern Illinois in 2013. “She had that scrawny, little mutt look,” recalls Hartwig, “that said take me home. I just couldn’t leave her behind.”

And ever since, the pair have been on a fast track together.

For Hartwig, a former Newfoundland owner/handler, Sissy represents a substantial departure in size and temperament. “I could probably fit six of her crates into a Newfoundland-size one.”

The little All-American canine brings back the dumbbell during a training exercise. photo by Debbie Fields.

She has always taken her dogs through obedience classes because she saw it as an owner responsibility for keeping them manageable in public. “Sissy was so full of energy that I knew I couldn’t waste any time channeling it in the best direction.”

At 5 months of age, she had Sissy enrolled in beginning obedience, where she received foundation basics. seven months later, the tiny tornado received her Canine good citizen designation on her first birthday.

“At that point, I chose to try my hand at competing with her. First, I thought I would just get a CD title. After three shows and three first places, we accomplished that. Next, we went after the CDX title, which shown a bit much more difficult. The broad jump was particularly challenging for her at shows, although she had no trouble with it in training.”

Enter trainer Dave Parison, of Plano, Ill. With his steadying influence, Hartwig and Sissy were rolling again. three first places later they had a sought after CDX title. “I was having fun, enjoying the challenge and building an incredible bond with this little character. She was trusting me and it simply affirmed that dogs are so amazingly smart, prepared to please us and delight in doing it.”

That count on and bonding process has taken the pair on to UD, UDX titles and to the on-ramp of a sought after OTCH. “I still have to pinch myself,” she says, “I can’t believe three years later we have come this far after thinking I originally just wanted to see if we could achieve one obedience title.” According to the American Kennel Club, Sissy was the fourth mixed-breed canine to earn a UDX obedience title.

Sissy seems to be telling younger – and bigger — housemate, JJ, don’t mess with my toy.

Keeping Sissy sharp is an ongoing process. The two train with Parison weekly and every other week at two clubs 50 minutes away. “It’s essential to train and proof at several places,” Hartwig adds.

Social interaction comes easy for Sissy. She greets family and pals at home in a rollicking fashion. “I taught her a trick of running up my body and into my arms. I have to view her because in some cases she gets so thrilled to see them that she thinks she ought to do the same with them.”

The Westminster experience will be a first for both Hartwig and Sissy. “It’s a big stage out there for this little dog,” says the owner, “but I think she will acclimate fine.”

Sissy lives with Lily, a `13-year-old Dachshund, and JJ, an “obnoxious” young golden Retriever puppy. “She would like me give him back, as he is a pest and always wants to wrestle and play. He can be a bit overpowering at times, but Sissy remains the boss.”

The diminutive dog’s exploits haven’t been limited to the show ring. She appeared in a cameo role in the 2016 romantic comedy film, “Who gets the Dog?” starring Alicia Silverstone, with three other pooches.

It was shot in a Chicago park on a cold January day. “We were expected to be filmed at 7:30 a.m., but soon the time was changed to 9 and finally 3 p.m. So they put us up in a church basement until they were ready for us,” Hartwig recalls. “It was so cold they made me go stand in front of a big heater to keep Sissy warm, even though I had her wrapped in a blanket.”

The 10-pound All-American canine flies over a hurdle during an agility practice

Obedience isn’t the pair’s sole focus. They are also involved in agility competition and trick training. “Obedience is our many challenging. Being animals are like kids, you never know what they are going to do when they get in the ring. in some cases they surprise you with a new rendition of the exercise they had perfected in training class. I acknowledge and praise my dogs when they are doing a behavior I like in everyday living. It helps them know how I like them to behave and results in less corrective training later.”

Will Sissy take a bite out of the big Apple? who knows? But, Hartwig smiles, “The judges are always saying she gets cuteness points when we walk into the obedience ring. I just want this to be a fun, lifetime experience with good memories for both of us.”

Tips to minimize Shedding in Dogs as well as Cats

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Excessive shedding is one of the most typical complaints of animal guardians, particularly during specific times of year. routine grooming as well as shampooing with natural shampoos such as 1800PetMeds Oatmeal & Aloe Shampoo as well as Conditioner can assist eliminate dander, allergens as well as loose hair. I have discovered nutritional supplements work much better than topically used products to assist with shedding.
The a lot of crucial consideration is whether an animal is on a great diet. To assist minimize shedding, I suggest a natural diet plan made with whole meats or meat meals as well as preserved naturally without any type of by-products or man-made additives or preservatives. Pet food diets such as Halo as well as Nature’s range are examples of exceptional brands.

For pet owners thinking about making homemade diets for their pet, I would refer to the book Dr. Pitcairn’s guide to natural health and wellness for Dogs as well as Cats by Richard Pitcairn, DVM, PhD for the component proportions of his healthy powder, which can considerably assist minimize shedding as well as improve coat quality. The primary components of the healthy powder include kelp powder, lecithin granules, powdered vitamin C, bone meal as well as nutritional torula yeast.  These can all be integrated as well as added as a single supplement to a natural diet plan to assist cut down on shedding.  In addition, digestive tract enzymes as well as probiotics such as NaturVet Enzymes, in addition to Omega 3 fatty acids such as incredibly Pure Omega 3 as well as  Nordic Naturals likewise make excellent supplements that can assist minimize shedding as well as improve health and wellness as well as well-being.

Have you discovered a product or nutritional supplement to substantially assist minimize your pet’s shedding? Share your experienced with us in the comments below!

Shedding ControlSkin as well as Coat