When the new flea treatments first came out I was skeptical- how could they be safe? They were designed to be systemically absorbed and to last over a month. These products raised some red flags for me. I knew we would know more in ten or so years. Since that time the whole field of endocrine disruptors and the hormonal effects of even plant products like soy for instance has been studied. It is best to err on the side of caution. Today I found these lists. Not sure I truly believe the safety of even the ones listed as safe! May be best to not have MY dogs be the guninea pigs.

http://www.greenpaws.org/products.php

http://www.greenpaws.org/_docs/GP_productlist.pdf

Dogs don’t live very long, if you are breeding YOU are responsible not only for the health of your own dogs but for the whole breed. If you ruin the gene pool with your management practices (by causing mutations say with pesticides) then you are causing harm. Do your best and don’t cause harm. Ignorance of science is no excuse. If you don’t know of can’t prove something is safe for your dogs then don’t use it. Period.

Congratulations to Karen Pryor on the release June 16, 2009 of her newest book:

Reaching The Animal Mind.

Read an Excerpt and watch the clip here:

Excerpt

The book sounds fabulous and in two minutes Karen was able to communicate to the audience that the click is a signal to the animal and means more then food. Food doesn’t mean much- it is just food but the clickthat marker- is information about what gets the trainer to pay with food. The game is “how” do I get the trainer to click? Karen is a master trainer and communicator. I can’t wait to read the book!