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The following article was published in The Intelligencer on July 25th, 2010 (Article ID# 2672765)
The following article was published in The County Weekly News on October 29th 2009 (Article ID# 2152370)
The following article was published in >Ken Campbell - Prince Edward’s dog whisperer. By Margaret Haylock Capon With the dog days of summer swiftly approaching, bite incidents are on the rise says trainer Ken Campbell of Winstead Dogs. With the dog days of summer swiftly approaching, bite incidents are on the rise says trainer Ken Campbell of Winstead Dogs. By Margaret Haylock Capon Recognized as an canine behaviorist by the public board of health for the City of Toronto, the Bloomfield area obedience and agility trainer says many dog bites could be prevented, with the observance of a few common sense rules. >
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Ken Campbell of Winstead Dogs, with his St. Bernard, Jack |
He observes that bites, frequently, occur when individuals attempt to pet a stranKen Campbell of Winstead Dogs, with his St. Bernard, Jack
He observes that bites, frequently, occur when individuals attempt to pet a strange dog that has been left tied outside a Main Street store, or inside a vehicle with open windows. Dogs see silhouettes and when you change your silhouette, they recognize it," explains Campbell, noting that eye contact is perceived by the dog as an act of dominance. f the correct environment, it may bite. Don't walk up to a strange dog. Skirt it and if it sniffs, don't put your hand out. A lot of people treat train and the dog may smell your lunch, if you have the scent of food on your hand and it is downwind from you. It could lunge for you (assuming there is food in the hand)".
"Nobody knows when a dog will bite and anybody who tells you that their dog won't bite doesn't know their dog. You just need the right circumstances."
"When was the last time you walked down the street and snuggled up to someone you didn't know, then spanked them on the behind as you left? Proper etiquette should be accorded to dogs, too", Campbell stresses.
He says bites, sometimes, occur when strangers attempt to pet or feed dogs left in vehicles with open windows.
"The vehicle is a safe haven for dog and owner. The dog assumes responsibility for it when the owner is absent. If a dog is sleeping in a vehicle, or if it is barking, do not stick your hand in to pet it."
"If you are going shopping, in the summer, don't take your dog and leave it in your vehicle, with the windows down. You never know when someone will reach inside."
The trainer adds that a barking dog or dogs in a compound never should be approached. They are protecting their territory.
Stray dogs or family pets running at large should never be approached. Call animal control, if there is concern about the animal's welfare, Campbell advises.
With the arrival of warm weather, an increasing number of dog owners are walking their pets in public places.
"Don't let your dog go nose-to-nose to meet and greet a strange dog. You are asking for a potential dog fight," Campbell warns.
"Dog owners need to be responsible and maintain their dogs in a manner in which they can control them. When off their own property, dogs should be leashed."
Campbell emphasizes that when two dog owners meet, while walking their pets, to avoid potential conflict, they should pass, handler-to-handler, never dog-to-dog.
Owners of small dogs should never pick up their pets, to avoid a fight.
"Don't pick up your dog. You change the fight to your arms. You constrain your dog and it fights to get out of your hands and the level of the fight is now at your face. Your body door changes, under stress, and your dog senses the need to protect you," says Campbell, observing that, in such incidents, dog owners can be bitten, through misguided attempts to protect their pets.
Campbell also cautions against the negative behaviour dogs can learn, when exercising at a dog park.
"A dog park is a fenced compound where dogs meet other dogs and learn habits from them. If your dog meets an aggressive dog, stands his ground and wins, it takes that learning back to you," the trainer says, observing the dog may then become assertive with its owner.
"Most aggressive dogs learn from other dogs. Even two dogs in the same household may fight. All it takes is an incident that causes one to challenge the other, unless there is a clear leader. You should always manage your pets so there is no aggression."
Campbell says when play between dogs becomes " even slightly mouthy", it should be halted, immediately.
The trainer notes that when dog owners walk their pets in public places, it is common for strangers to ask if they may pet them. He suggests that the answer should be a polite "My dog is in training. I'd rather you didn't."
He points out that, today, there is zero tolerance for dog bites. If a dog inflicts even a minor bite, it must be reported. The report leads to quarantine and, potentially, a muzzle order.
Campbell says once a muzzle order is issued in the city of Toronto, the muzzle cannot be removed within the city to permit behavioral testing. Dogs that have inflicted bites may be sent to his kennels for assessment. After evaluating each one, he files a report to the board of health. A favourable assessment can lead to revocation of a lifetime muzzle order.
Campbell, a former police dog trainer and handler, has been described as Prince Edward County's dog whisperer, Dr. Phil for dogs, and an expert in dog-speak. Knowledge of safety practices to protect both dog and handler are an important part of the training he provides to students at Winstead Dogs.
The following article was published in The Picton Gazette on August 27th, 2008
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Boot camp and holidays for dogs |
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Ken Campbell loves dogs. He believes there are no bad dogs, only bad handling. An ex-police officer, he has been training and working with police dogs and service dogs all over Canada for more than 30 years. Now he owns and runs Winstead Dogs, a full service dog boarding and training facility on Gilead Road, Bloomfield licensed to board up to 24 dogs. It's a combination day care, boot camp and holiday accommodation for dogs that also offers activity, agility and obedience classes, tracker dog training and serious problem correction. Economic development officer Dan Taylor sees it as another great county service. "Pet owners can enjoy a day out or a longer stay at a hotel or bed and breakfast without worrying about their dogs being far away." Campbell has spotted that market, and lets county vets and accommodations know what he has to offer. "Business has grown steadily", he says, "I've hired one full-time employee, but I don't need to keep expanding. I have the best life in the world. I run the dogs, clean the kennels, cut the grass, paint the fences, run the dogs some more. 'I'm happy.' He's as good with people as he is with dogs and has quickly built a loyal customer base, both local and visitors. His business motto is "Making Owners Happy, One Dog at a Time." He's a specialist in problem correction using dog-to-dog communication methods and an expert witness on dog behaviour. Campbell talks to dogs the way they talk to each other: with body language. He never uses choke collars or treats in training. |
Profiling People, Enterprise and Creativity at Work Jan Davis "If you're relying on treats or force you're not really communicating with your dog", he says. "You won't see what he's capable of, or smart she is." Campbell is adamant that dog owners should understand they are 100 per cent responsible for an animal with primitive instincts. Happily, one of those instincts is to defer to and obey the top dog. Campbell explains why you have to dominate your dog and teaches you how to do it. "Training owners is more of a challenge than training dogs," he says with a grin. The neat little video clip on his web site (winsteaddogs.com) gives a a taste of his approach to his work. Winstead Farm has acres of well-kept grass fields divided by white fences plus a 7,200 square foot indoor arena, protected from wind and weather in winter and ventilated by huge screened doors in summer. Kennels in the barn are of varying sizes, all with thick, hygienic rubber matting. There ,were 13 dogs staying with Campbell when we visited, and more , coming for the weekend. Not all were on vacation. One wiry little terrier was there because his owner was rushed to hospital. |
As trainer and owner, Campbell has rescued many dogs by undoing damage inflicted by unkind or unthinking owners. His own two dogs are Jack, a huge St. Bernard, and Jake, a shepherd with a lot of baggage: both labeled uncontrollable and dangerous until Campbell "fixed" them. Jake will never be mellow but he behaves for his master, and Ken is proud of him. Campbell is generous with knowledge and advice. He made this writer feel better about her Labrador's behaviour. He's especially keen to help start new dogs off right and to help end "recycling" of dogs who cause problems, are given to shelters, adopted, cause problems, and are dumped in a shelter again. He says it's all so avoidable. "It's because nobody takes control. Dogs expect and need to be controlled. When you bring a new dog into your house you have to help him leave his baggage behind and understand he's in your den now. It's your rules." Campbell offers an hour-and a-half of free training once a month, open to anyone. It's an introduction to the methods of a man who feels he's found the good life in Prince Edward County. Campbell radiates calm, positive energy which may help to explain how he can get Shih Tzu's and Rottweiler's to listen to him, look him in the eye and understand what he's telling them. And the boarders? "Most dogs are happy to chill out, relax, take it easy. You can almost feel it with some of the dogs," he says. "It's like 'ahhhhh, nice to have a break."' This monthly column is brought to you by the economic development office, in recognition of local success stories and entrepreneurs. If you know a business or enterprise you would like to see profiled here, please contact Dan Taylor at 613.476.2148 ext.246 or dtaylor@pecouny.on.ca |
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