Canadian Dog Walkers Association

Just a quick update on Ontario's COVID-19 Response Framework for re-opening. Different parts of Ontario are in different zones now. Dog Walking is allowed across the board. For more information on your zone and what businesses (other than dog walking) are permitted to open, please see this link: https://www.ontario.ca//covid-19-response-framework-keepin

Very excited about this online conference, April 16-18, which looks to be very informative and worth looking into for Pet Professionals. The conference runs during the work week but allows downloadable videos to help attendees not miss out, given work obligations. https://positively.com//2021-dog-behavior-conference-anno/

Just a reminder to Commercial Dog Walkers (CDWs) to only use leash-free parks that allow CDWs. We have been contacted by several residential Dog Park Associations and Dog Owners who report that CDWs are bringing groups to tiny, neighbourhood parks, against posted bylaw. Please refrain from doing this. It breaks down community relations, tarnishes a good industry and frustrates a great many Walkers who do observe bylaws. Thank you, in advance.

SPECIAL BULLETIN: There is serious respiratory illness in dogs that is circulating in areas east of Toronto. Some fatalities. Please see article attached, with a link to a research poll so that Dr. Weese's (UofGuelph) office may track it. https://www.wormsandgermsblog.com//severe-canine-respirat/

An always-relevant course for the many new puppy parents. EduCanine's courses are well aimed, very informative, high standard, and their moderate cost makes them one of the best sources for information out there.

A NOTE TO CDWA MEMBERS: We paused the membership fee for January. As we were all facing loss of revenue for an indefinite period, we didn't feel it was appropriate to take fees. There is a bit of a process on our end to re-engage the payment system. We might elect to take ALL of February to work it out so you get two free months and a chance to catch up. We will communicate with you separately on that, by email.

CLARIFICATION. There are two items of clarification that are important for Practitioners to be aware of. 1. Our information is that the conditions under which Walkers can work, under O.REG 82/20 and Ontario's Stay at Home Order are for essential cases onlyclients who are themselves Essential/front-line workers and vulnerable sector individuals. The Stay at Home Order is for all of Ontario and applies to those working as well: Ontarians are asked to stay at home as much as p...Continue reading

UPDATE: With the gracious assistance of MPP Chris Glover's office, we were able to obtain MOH's written approval: "Pet walkers are permitted to operate under O. Reg. 82/20 - for services that are necessary for the immediate health and welfare of the animal only, or provided through curb side pick-up and drop-off of the animal." MOH's email is attached as an image, below. Their email applies to Dog Walkers only and clarifies the position of Groomers. We did advocate for Pet S...itters and Dog Day cares but have not received approval for Practitioners in those disciplines to operate. Trainers were part of our initial advocacy and they have not received approval from the province to work with clients in-person, but may offer services via teleconference from home/office, as many are. Walkers are invited to share this with their insurers and print/store this information on their phones if they encounter any issues with Bylaw. Congratulations! Please stay safe.

MINISTRY OF HEALTH CONFIRMS WALKERS ARE OK TO WALK. Thank you, Stephanie Rodrigues, for sharing this video to let everyone know.

October 1, 2020 The Public Health Agency of Canada is alerting consumers it is investigating a deadly outbreak of Salmonella infections occurring in British Columbia, Alberta, and Yukon. https://www.dogfoodadvisor.com//salmonella-outbreak-pig-e/

From Toronto Animal Services: "Thanks to a grant from @PetSmartCharities, we are able to help pet owners from low income households purchase pet food and supplies during the pandemic. If you or anyone you know is struggling to provide their pets with food and supplies, reach out to us for help. Please spread the word about this support in your networks...."

Devastated to share that all Toronto parks are closed, including off leash areas. https://twitter.com/JohnTory/status/1242895909475758081

The Canadian Dog Walkers Association (CDWA) is nearing launch. We are an ethical organization that supports the well being of dogs, above all. Our mandate is to provide information, services and supports to Professional Dog Walkers, associated peer organizations, and (but not actually last in line) Pet Owners. Launching to the public Fall 2020! Like this page to get updates on when we open and keep eyes alert for outreach before then. Meantime, if you have any question ab...out your pup/pet, join Ask The CDWA. This industry of incredibly knowledgeable professionalsWalkers, Trainers, Nutririonists, Vet Clinic staff is here to answer all questions, wholly and credibly. To find an endorsed, vetted walker now, email [email protected].

From Toronto Animal Services: "Thanks to a grant from @PetSmartCharities, we are able to help pet owners from low income households purchase pet food and supplies during the pandemic. If you or anyone you know is struggling to provide their pets with food and supplies, reach out to us for help. Please spread the word about this support in your networks...."

Devastated to share that all Toronto parks are closed, including off leash areas. https://twitter.com/JohnTory/status/1242895909475758081

Please share far and wide so that this owner may be cautioned. CDWA has recently heard of an owner of a doberman puppy who was using shock to control the puppy in an off-leash area in Thornhill. Please be advised that it is illegal to use shock collars in off-leash areas. We cannot understand why a puppy would be subjected to this, except on critically bad advice from an unskilled trainer, of which there are many. There are a quantity of issues with this Owner's practice:... The puppy was in obvious pain, presenting with agitation and teeth chattering (proving the shock level was significant). We see this as torturous. The puppy was playing normally and the owner was shocking the dog for it. This owner does not understand proper puppy play and perceives it as punishable. This is a grievously harmful practice. That practice will condition the puppy to associate play with pain, deny the pup normal enjoyment and the opportunity to learn socialization and play. This Owner is using a dangerous tool, reserved for the most serious behavioural conditions (normal play is not a serious behavioural condition). A competent trainer may recommend its usage. However, an owner should only use per their direction, and under direct supervision of the trainer, for a finite period of time, in extreme circumstances. This particular Owner is harming her puppy, who will grow up to be a big, harmed dog, very likely with behavioural issues. Please contact CDWA for skilled trainers and we will refer the best to you. Here is the law. On page 32 of Toronto Municipal Code, Parks: " A. While in a [dog] park, no person as owner or person having control of a dog shall: (4) Use a stun gun or similar electronic or battery-operated device to harm or control the dog; [Amended 2010-01-27 by By-law 135-201033]" https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/municode/1184_608.pdf For more information on shock collars and their effects, please refer to these links: https://www.petprofessionalguild.com/shockcollars https://www.companionanimalpsychology.com//the-end-for-sho The use of shock collars is banned in Scotland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Austria, Switzerland, Slovenia, and Germany, and in some territories of Australia, including New South Wales and South Australia. Canada's animal welfare laws are well behind what they should be and shock collars are not regulated. In August 2018, England announced it would ban shock collars for cats and dogs.

COVID-19 Update for March 17, 2020 | Safe Practices for Walkers/Pet Professionals and their Clients.

COVID-19: Safe Practices for Humans, Pets, Walkers and other Pet Professionals There is mixed news about transmission from human-to-pet. The latest from the Worldwide Health Organization (WHO) and several Veterinary Research institutes indicate that there is no evidence of human-to-pet transmission of COVID-19. However, if a pet owner is ill, it is advised to limit contact with pets to reduce the likelihood of infection, should it be possible. Gloves and masks should be wor...n, and frequent handwashing before and after handling pets. It is possible for pets to transport human droplets (from sneezing/coughing of infected individuals) in their fur, mouths, and on clothes and collars. If you feel ill and think that you, or anyone in the home, have developed COVID 19, please let your Walker know immediately that you suspect exposure or see symptoms and make safe decisions at that point. Safe decisions may include boarding your pet with your Walker (preferred option to protect pets) until you are well, or cancelling walks to eliminate any risk of exposing your Walker to COVID-19. If you are working from home and do not suspect illness, please consider keeping your Walker on. This small initiative does so much to support his/her small business and keep stress down. Please stay safe and keep entrance ways, door knobs and pets as clean as possible. Resources: COVID and Animals, Michigan State University https://cvm.msu.edu/hospital/clients/covid-19-and-animals Toronto Public Health https://www.toronto.ca//diseases-medications-/coronavirus/ Worldwide Health Organization (WHO) https://www.who.int//novel-coronavirus-2/advice-for-public As information evolves daily, this is what we know so far.

The Family Day long weekend is just about here and we would like to say that you - those who are part of things here - are family. All of us care about the welfare of dogs and their care, that they get the best that exists, and more. Happy Family Day. Have fun with your beautiful pups.

SPECIAL BULLETIN: 24-Hour 'Stomach Flu' Affecting Toronto Dogs

Please share far and wide so that this owner may be cautioned. CDWA has recently heard of an owner of a doberman puppy who was using shock to control the puppy in an off-leash area in Thornhill. Please be advised that it is illegal to use shock collars in off-leash areas. We cannot understand why a puppy would be subjected to this, except on critically bad advice from an unskilled trainer, of which there are many. There are a quantity of issues with this Owner's practice:... The puppy was in obvious pain, presenting with agitation and teeth chattering (proving the shock level was significant). We see this as torturous. The puppy was playing normally and the owner was shocking the dog for it. This owner does not understand proper puppy play and perceives it as punishable. This is a grievously harmful practice. That practice will condition the puppy to associate play with pain, deny the pup normal enjoyment and the opportunity to learn socialization and play. This Owner is using a dangerous tool, reserved for the most serious behavioural conditions (normal play is not a serious behavioural condition). A competent trainer may recommend its usage. However, an owner should only use per their direction, and under direct supervision of the trainer, for a finite period of time, in extreme circumstances. This particular Owner is harming her puppy, who will grow up to be a big, harmed dog, very likely with behavioural issues. Please contact CDWA for skilled trainers and we will refer the best to you. Here is the law. On page 32 of Toronto Municipal Code, Parks: " A. While in a [dog] park, no person as owner or person having control of a dog shall: (4) Use a stun gun or similar electronic or battery-operated device to harm or control the dog; [Amended 2010-01-27 by By-law 135-201033]" https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/municode/1184_608.pdf For more information on shock collars and their effects, please refer to these links: https://www.petprofessionalguild.com/shockcollars https://www.companionanimalpsychology.com//the-end-for-sho The use of shock collars is banned in Scotland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Austria, Switzerland, Slovenia, and Germany, and in some territories of Australia, including New South Wales and South Australia. Canada's animal welfare laws are well behind what they should be and shock collars are not regulated. In August 2018, England announced it would ban shock collars for cats and dogs.

Special Announcement: National Dog Walkers Day is coming on September 8th! Make your Walker's day by showing appreciation for never missing work despite illness and injury, allegiance, his/her warm heart, caring and compassion, paw-wipes, going above and beyond, information and expertise, poop analysis and reports and weekend overtime. Help us Celebrate Walkers. Share this far and wide!

This is a valuable initiative and resource for those who may find spay/neuter cost-prohibitive.

A legal judgement is made in BC.Vancouver, October 11, 2019. Self-proclaimed dog trainer/walker, Glen Affenzeller (aka Glen Zeller), with a long-standing pattern of dog abuse has his own four dogs permanently siezed by the BCSPCA.

On behalf of Toronto's Dog Walking Community, we wish to express our tenderness and extend sincere condolences to Jeremy Ian Salzman's family for his sudden passing. Memorial donations may be made to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation 416-920-5035 or CAMH 416-979-6909

Special Announcement: National Dog Walkers Day is coming on September 8th! Make your Walker's day by showing appreciation for never missing work despite illness and injury, allegiance, his/her warm heart, caring and compassion, paw-wipes, going above and beyond, information and expertise, poop analysis and reports and weekend overtime. Help us Celebrate Walkers. Share this far and wide!

We don't have all of the information yet, but we caution. Please read this.

A common mistake that many owners make when trying to help a fearful dog become more comfortable around something they’re scared of is attempting to lure the do...g closer to the scary thing with a treat. Though the thinking behind this strategy is well meaning, it can often backfire and increase the dog’s fear. Many highly food motivated dogs will follow the treat closer to the scary thing to get the food, but once they’ve eaten the treat they suddenly realise how close they are to the scary thing. This can cause the dog to startle or even panic, likely making them more afraid than they were before. This is particularly important with dogs that are fearful or aggressive towards humans. After the dog has followed the treat in beyond their comfort zone and right up to the human, there is a big risk that once the treat is gone they may snap or bite upon finding the human so close. When working with fearful dogs it is critically important to let the dog go at their own pace. Progress should be slow, steady, carefully analysed, and never ever rushed. This reasoning also applies when socialising young puppies to potentially scary things; you can reward them for choosing to move closer to something novel that they are unsure of, but try not to lure them in blindly with a treat. If you have a fearful dog we highly recommend working with a professional positive reinforcement trainer who is experienced in dealing with behavioural issues, and not just teaching obedience. There is a world of difference between simply luring a dog towards something scary with treats, and a systematically applied desensitisation and counter conditioning protocol implemented by someone with a sound knowledge of behavioural science. A good trainer will help set up a plan of action individualised to your dog, and coach you through the process. That Dog Geek’s next video, Helping Fearful & Reactive Dogs Part 1 is almost finished, and will be available to watch online soon. Happy training Dog Geeks!

Cannabis will be legal in Toronto Canada on October 17th..... In 2 days!! Please practice safe storage. Keep your cannabis away from children and your pets! ...Animals can be poisoned by marijuana in different ways. They can ingest marijuana edibles such as brownies or pot butter, ingest the owner’s supply of marijuana (in any formulation), or by second hand smoke. Common symptoms of marijuana toxicity include sedation/lethargy, dilated pupils or glassed over eyes, dazed expression, difficulty walking and vomiting. Other symptoms can include either a low or high heart rate, vocalization such as whining or crying, agitation, trouble regulating temperature causing the body temperature to drop or rise and incontinence/dribbling urine, tremors, seizures and potentially coma. Signs of toxicity can be seen anywhere from 5 minutes to 12 hours after the animal is exposed to marijuana. The signs can potentially last 30 minutes to several days depending on the dose ingested. #petpoisonhelpline #petsafetytips #petsandmarijuana #marijuanatoxicityinpets #marijuanalegalintoronto #toronto #tjegta #theannex #petpoison #dogsandmarijuana #catsandmarijuana #petsandmarijuana #october17 #torontomarijuana #torontopets #cannabisandpets #cannabispetsafety #torontocat #torontodog #petsafety #marijuanatoxicity #cat #cats #dog #dogs #pets Jess Sunday