Toy Breed Expert

Are you entitled to your dog's prescription?

2011-11-26T13:25:00.000-08:00

If you hear snarling, snapping and whining at your veterinarian's, it may not be a patient but the vet reacting to the Fairness to Pet Owners Act (H. R. 1406) currently being debated in the U. S. Congress.

On one side is the American Veterinary Medication Association (AVMA) which is the vet's version of the American Medical Association. On the other side, are Wal-Mart and similar stores such as Target, chain drug stores, Costco, and Sam's Club.

The Pet Owners Act would require veterinarians to provide owners with a copy of their pet's prescription and a written disclosure that the owner may fill the prescription through the veterinarian or other pharmacy.

It would prohibit veterinarians from requiring purchase of the medication from themselves or for charging a fee to write a prescription.

AVMA Side

The AVMA claims the law is unnecessary because the AVMA encourages veterinarians to offer owners a prescription now and because the federal law may conflict with existing state laws that are in effect.

Of course, the bottom line is money. Veterinarians maintain that they would have to raise their fees if they lose the income from prescription medications. One online veterinarian claimed his fees would increase as much as one-third to cover the loss.

Chain stores offer cheap medications as a loss leaders to get you in the store where you also buy soda, snacks, clothes and cameras. Veterinarians don't have the luxury of making medications loss leaders.

There's also the concern that vets make sure you get the correct dosage and formulation for your small dog. Chain store pharmacists are not trained in animal physiology or pharmacology.

You get the medication right then and there at the vet's and don't have to make another trip to a pharmacy. There's always a concern whether people will make the effort to get their own medicines and take them properly, let alone make the extra effort for their dog.

Wal-Mart Side

Big box stores note that the law requires veterinarians to provide a copy of the pet's prescription because no federal law currently does. The 'encouragement' of AVMA to do so is nice but not binding. State laws are inconsistent (anyone know what their state law is?).

In a majority of states, a vet can say 'no' when asked to provide a prescription that the owner could fill at Wal-Mart or whenever.

You can reply, go to another vet and that works if you live in Houston or Las Angeles. That doesn't work so well if you live in a small town or rural area.

Someone with a chronically ill or senior dog may not want to change vets (and note that in most states vets, unlike human doctors, don't have to provide your pet's medical records). Those type of pets also are the ones that can't be covered by pet insurance. Owners pay through the nose for medications.

There's no reason veterinarians should be able to hold dog owners hostage. Consumers should be able to price shop for their dog's medications just as owners do for their own.

Without question, competition will cause prescription prices to be reduced.

Ongoing

When Walgreens started a “prescription savings club” about three years ago, it included pets under the family plan. For a $35 annual membership fee, families can obtain any of more than 400 generic medications for $4 per one-month dose, and discounts on a variety of other drugs.
http://www.walgreens.com/pharmacy/psc/psc_overview_page.jsp.

Walgreens fills veterinary prescriptions only for medications that it stocks for people. Even with that limitation, Walgreens publicized that it filled 400,000 prescriptions for Fido and Fluffy in just one year.

Note: Wal-Mart and other chain pharmacies offer $4 medications as well. Walgreens was the only one to publicize its volume of pet medications.

Walgreens is looking at expanding with a dedicated pet medication section. Target has been testing offering pet medications at certain stores as have Costco and Sam's Club.

It's inevitable

Veterinarians need to face the future. Even if the current bill is shelved, it's likely more consumer groups and pet owners will be demanding the right to fill Fido's prescription more cheaply.

With our bad economy and escalating pet care costs, owners need all the help they can get to control costs.

There's no reason veterinarians couldn't offer their own online prescription sales and provide the guidance pet owners need to safely medicate their pets.

My Recommendations

1. Ask your representatives to vote for H. R. 1406.

2. Comparison price any medications that your dog needs on a regular basis. When you go to the vet, ask if they can match that price.

3. Ask if the vet can write a generic version of the prescription medication.

4. Ask if there's a human version that you could use safely for your dog. You can pay a lot more money for the dog-version of bismuth subsalicylate or buy the generic version of Pepto-Bismol and get the same thing. Just be sure you know the correct dosage for your small dog.

Hold a Party for Your Canine Friends

2006-11-05T14:20:00.000-08:00

November through January are often a whirl of parties and socializing
for humans. Why not include your best friend in at least
one celebration? Early November is a perfect time to
host a party for your canine companion and his friends.

Here are some tips to help you plan a fun event.

Decide if it will be indoors or outdoors

Certainly if your weather is still nice, it's best to do it outdoors.
You have space in backyards and if a guest has a little
accident, it's easy to clean up.

If the weather isn't cooperating, do you have a basement
or could you empty a garage for the event? Maybe a local
dog training center or day care facility would allow
you to have a party there.

Develop
your guest list

Make certain your human and canine guests are compatible.
A group activity is not the time to introduce new dogs
and owners. Pick a group that already knows one another.
Decide how many humans and canines can fit in the area
where you're holding the party.

You may want to ask your friends not to bring children,
or restrict child guests to those at least in elementary
school. Toddlers and dogs may be difficult to watch
in a party setting.

Buy or make bone-shaped invitations and ask the humans to
RSVP.

Get
your food ready

Make or buy doggy treats. I offer several recipes at

http://www.toybreeds.com/treats.htm.

Don't forget to put out several bowls of water for your canine guests. Be sure to use non-breakable bowls and sit them
on rubber mats which prevent slips and slides and make
clean up easier.

Plan
some entertainment

Let the dogs play together if they're use to it. Try throw
and fetch with rubber toys if the dogs like that. It's
always fun to try to have a doggy race (although dogs
new to this will need a good deal of coaching).

Remember these are small dogs so don't
make the 'track' too long. Have a treat, such as a biscuit
or piece of cheese, for those who make it all the way
to the end.

If the weather is warm enough, have two buckets with water
and food. One will have apples for the humans to bob.
The other will have hot dogs or other meat that floats.
Both humans and canines will enjoy it.

If you want to play a version of musical chairs, put newspapers down on the floor or grass. Have the dogs sit on the
papers instead of chairs. It's fun once the dogs understand what they're supposed to do!

Invite someone take photographs or make a video

Maybe you have a family member who's
willing to do this. Older children or teens might be
willing to help (especially for a small fee). If you
do something really creative like have your pets in
costumes, you'll definitely want to remember the occasion.

Expect doggy behavior

Have poop bags, scooper, plastic gloves and newspaper on
hand. You'll need trash bags and if you're not having
the party at your home, know the nearest place where
the poop may be placed in the trash.

If you're indoors, be sure to have Urine Be Gone, Nature's
Miracle or other cleaning products and towels to prevent
stains and elminate lingering odors.

Mark off some areas for a doggy bathroom and if there are
areas where dogs should not go, be sure to mark those.
Use a black Magic Marker on cardboard to create signs.

Keep an eye on the dogs at all times. If you have more than
four dogs, I'd ask a friend to help with this. You need
to watch for impolite behavior that often is triggered
in pack behavior. Prevent or quickly break up any dog
fights before they get out of control.

One other thing - don't be afraid to ask for help to clean
up afterwards.

Have a great time.

P.S. Visit http://www.ToyBreeds.com
next month for a new edition of the Bone-Mot™.

Reduce Shedding

2006-11-05T14:14:00.000-08:00

FURminator®
deShedding Tool

Pperfect product or gift for owners of Pomeranians, Spaniels,
Pekingese and other dogs with long or thick coats. I
like to use it once or twice a week depending how much
my dogs are trying to shed.

This comb-like tool really reduces the undercoat and
removes loose hairs. The manufacturer says it reduces
shedding up to 90% and I believe it!

The stainless steel edge deShedding Tool does not cut hair;
it just gently pulls out the fluffy undercoat, leaving
the topcoat shiny and undamaged. Leaves coat shiny and
shed-free. It's also easy to use and my dogs love to
have their coats combed.

The patented design helps create a shed-less environment
by reducing the amount of dander and hair, making it
the ideal tool for allergy sufferers. Designed for use
on both long and short-haired pets.

The tool will work on all shedding dogs and even on some
traditionally "hair-cut-only" dogs, like Terriers and Spaniels to coarsen the coat and blend clipper tracks.
About $30.

NOTE:
A few Toy breeds that are typically not good candidates
for the FURminator Shed-Less Treatment are Poodles,
Shih Tzus, and Maltese.

For best results, use in conjunction with FURminator®
deShedding Shampoo and FURminator®
deShedding Solution
(both sold separately).

_______________________________________________

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Blessing of the Animals - October 4

2006-10-01T15:23:00.000-07:00

One of the nicest celebrations a dog and owner can share is the Blessing of the Animals, a Catholic tradition that is duplicated by other denominations. Don’t worry, I’m not going to try to convert anyone!

I’m just going to describe this celebration and suggest that the church goers among my readers might see if their church offers something similar. Both our local Episcopalian and Lutheran churches have similar celebrations.

The Blessing of the Animals commemorates the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi (October 4) and his love for all animals.

St. Francis was born in Assisi, Italy around 1181 and founded the Franciscan Order of Monks.

He loved the larks flying about his hilltop town. He and his early brothers, staying in a small hovel, allowed themselves to be displaced by a donkey!

St. Francis wrote a Canticle of the Creatures, an ode to God’s living things. “All praise to you, Oh Lord, for all these brother and sister creatures.” He died in 1226.

In the celebration which usually takes place outdoors, a priest sprinkles holy water on your pet and says the following:

“Blessed are you Lord God, maker of all living creatures. You called forth fish in the sea, birds in the air and animals on the land. You inspired St. Francis to call all of them his brothers and sisters.

“We ask you to bless this pet. By the power of your love, enable it to live according to your plan. May we always praise you for all your beauty in creation. Blessed are you, Lord our God, in all your creatures. Amen.”

At the last celebration at my church there were about 30 pets consisting of guinea pigs, one goat, cats, dogs, birds and a small goldfish bowl. Incidentally all pets were well-behaved except for one cat who did not like being sprinkled!

This celebration has gained popularity especially in areas with large Latino immigration. Rural residents in Mexico and other Latin countries still depend on animals for their livelihood and are reassured by the priest’s blessing.

Whatever the spiritual benefits that result, this is a lovely way to celebrate the love we get and give our pets and our common relationship to the Creator.

P.S. If you'd like to send an electronic greeting card with a St. Francis Pet Blessing to a friend (human or canine), visit this website: http://www.catholicgreetings.org/PetBlessings/

Tips for a Safe Canine Halloween

2006-10-01T15:09:00.000-07:00

Halloween can be fun you and your dog, provided you take a few precautions.

1. NEVER leave Fido alone outside.

There are malicious youngsters (and adults) who could
do anything from taunting him to killing him as a Satanist sacrifice. Sorry to sound so grim, but this night does bring out the worst in many.

2. Patrol your yard and home for tin foil and cellophane
candy wrappers.

Dogs love these, but they can get stuck in his digestive
tract and cause serious injury.

3. If you have candles in a pumpkin, make certain it is
high enough to be out of Fido's reach.

It's easy for a swinging canine tail to knock one over.

4. If you put Fido in a costume make certain --

a) any mask has eye holes big enough so he has peripheral
vision;

b) his costume is not constricting his movement including his ability to go the bathroom;

c) he can breathe and bark in it; and

d) there are no breakable, chewable pieces.

5. No matter how much he begs for it, never give Fido chocolate.

It's poisonous. If your dog does pick up something he shouldn't,
call the ASPCA's Animal Poison Control Center at (888)
426-4435. It's open 24/7. The $55 fee may be applied
to your credit card.

6. If your dog is nervous, afraid of commotion or shy,
keep in him a separate room away from the trick-or-treaters
and other visitors.

Strangers - especially ones in weird costumes - can
frighten any dog.

If you do encounter strangers while he's with you, don't
baby him if he seems frightened.

Remain calm and friendly with the strangers and let your dog
sense that you are fine with the weird looking people
in front of you.

If you pick him up and try to comfort him, you are teaching
him to be afraid and get attention in that manner.

Remember all your emotions go down your leash right to your dog.
If you're calm, he'll be calm.

7. If you do have Fido with you, don't give him the opportunity
to bolt out the front door when you open it.

Hold him, leash him or keep him a crate.

Keep these few tips in mind and you'll both have a safe and
sane Halloween.

P.S. Visit http://www.ToyBreeds.com
next month for a new edition of the Bone-Mot™.

Easy to Put On Dog Cape

2006-09-01T10:37:00.000-07:00

Polarctic
Patchwork Cape

Attractive, a bit different and easy to put on a dog!

I hate, or rather my dog hates, clothing that has to go
on over his head. That's why I look for wrap-arounds
with Velcro.

A great choice for the hard-to-fit dog. Warm and lightweight,
Polarctic fleece provides maximum coverage, with adjustable Velcro closure.

100% polyester that can be machine washed and dried. Perfect
for rainy cold days of Fall and early Winter.

Available in Blue (8"-20") and Brown (8"-22")

To determine size, measure from neck to base of tail.

Madein U.S.A. $24.99

P.S. This weighs less than a pound and is fine for even
Chihuahuas.

For more information or to order, click on the photo above
or the link below:

Polarctic
Patchwork Cape

_______________________________________________

I Hate Dog Parks

2006-09-01T10:33:00.000-07:00

I hate all dog parks but I absolutely despise off-leash dog parks where dogs run at will.

Dog parks have multiplied around the country, from 20 in 1995 to more than 600 today. Rarely does a day go by that I don't read about another city being petitioned to create a dog park and owners clamoring for an off-leash park.

The results are what any intelligent dog owner would expect.

In Boulder, CO, and Central Park in New York City large dogs have killed smaller dogs at the parks. Pit bulls have been banned from dog parks in Nashville, TN., because they attacked other dogs. In Madison, WI an unleashed black Labrador killed a leashed puppy in front of the horrified owner and her two children.

Even well trained dogs can act like dogs. A 100-pound service dog killed a 4-pound Yorkshire Terrier at a Cape Cod, MA area dog show. The service dog was a Bouvier des Flandres who helped a woman in a wheelchair.

Don't take your dog to a dog park. I don't how to state it any stronger. They are horrible - let me count the ways.

The typical owner does not understand how strong the pack instinct is in their dogs and how readily it is triggered when a dog is taken into a park with other dogs. Owners often are not prepared for how difficult it may be to control their dogs.

Dogs will try to establish rank. Aggressive dogs will bully dogs that are more cautious or reserved. Those are often smaller dogs like ours who are unskilled in the ways of the canine jungle.

Dogs innately try to form packs and sometimes threaten incoming dogs. They love to congregate around gates and entrances. This can threaten and overwhelm a small dog - not to mention a small child - even when the dogs are not menacing.

If your dog is the victim of an attack, even if he successfully defends himself, you can expect him to suffer emotional damage that will be difficult to overcome.
Your dog may be too frightened to ever be around new dogs again and may not even want to go outside. If your dog turns out to be aggressive and attacks other dogs, he may transfer that aggression to your home and become difficult to control.

Your dog may pick up worms or worse diseases at dog parks. Many owners do not have their dogs vaccinated beyond rabies. They also don't bother to treat their dog for worms, even heartworms, and never pick up their dog's poop.

Communities rarely spend the money necessary to ensure a clean and sanitary dog park. It's pretty common to see parks with nothing but gravel and dirt. Who wants to work for the city and pick up dog poop? If your dog is attacked, good luck getting animal control if it's on a weekend or evening.

Owners who lobby for dog parks and use them the most are often the worst kind of owners. The ones who think their dogs are furry human beings and are shocked when their dog acts like a dog. Or, they're too lazy to make the slightest effort to train and control their dog. That's why they want an off-leash park.

At the end of the day, a dog will act like a dog. He may run away to chase a squirrel, he may jump up on a dog of the opposite sex, he may challenge another dog who offends him, he may chase after a smaller dog. These are normal doggy behaviors but ones that can result in damage to your dog or another owner's.

Yes, I recognize the benefits of socialization for dogs. I'm not saying keep your dog inside. Take him out on a leash, just not to dog parks. Let him meet other dogs but make play dates with dogs you know are mellow and trained. In large cities, owners of small dogs are using the Internet to make play dates only for small dogs.

Bottom line - dog parks are diseased ridden areas where a small dog will sooner or later be the victim of an attack. Stay out of them.

Visit http://www.ToyBreeds.com next month for the Bone-Mot™

Stop Dog Attacks

2006-09-01T10:26:00.000-07:00

I don’t even like dog parks, let alone off-leash areas. Too many irresponsible owners don’t have their dogs vaccinated or treated for worms (which all dogs can get). There’s also the problem of aggressive dogs and owners who can’t or won’t control their dogs.

Anytime you’re out in public, you and your small dog run the risk of being attacked by a dog. That doesn’t mean keep your dog at home but instead take some preliminary cautions to make the outing safe.

1. Stay out of harm’s way.

Last month’s Bone-Mot discussed how to keep your small dog from provoking an attack. Some of the same tips apply to humans.

Do not make eye contact with a strange dog.
Do not disturb a strange dog who is eating, drinking, with puppies or sleeping.
If a strange dog approaches you, stay still and let him sniff you. If you don’t react, the odds are he will leave you alone.
If a dog seems aggressive or you’re unsure, use your ultrasonic device (see #2) or find something to place between you and dog. That can be taking off your jacket and putting that in front of your body or picking up an object even a rock.
Depending on your personality, if a dog starts to attack you or you small dog, you can yell NO in a loud, stern tone of voice and see if that stops the dog. If you have pepper spray or ultrasonic device, use that.
NEVER, NEVER turn your back on a dog and run. That will trigger his prey instinct and he’ll hunt you down – with bad results.

2. Carry a pepper spray and/or the Dazer Ultrasonic Dog Deterrent.

Dazer is the only brand I like and it even it won’t work on every dog. Dazer and other ultrasonic devices emit ultrasonic sound bursts which dogs don’t like. A cheaper version is to carry an air-horn, such as the type boaters have, and try it.

I think pepper spray is effective on more dogs than ultrasonic devices but only if you spray it in the attacking dog’s eyes and nose.

Nonetheless, I recommend the Dazer because 1) under stress, it may not be possible to aim the pepper spray and spraying the dog’s side or back won’t stop it and 2) if the other dog’s owner is a moron, he may be incensed at what he perceives as YOUR attack on his dog. The Dazer can be used so that the other dog owner doesn’t see it. Dazer is great – when it works.

Either product can be found in stores or ordered over the Internet at amazon.com.

3. Rescue your dog – carefully.
If a dog grabs your dog, resist the natural urge to get in a tug-of-war with your dog and the attacker. Your pulling motion will only inflame the attacker and cause him to tighten his grip. Even if you were successful in
pulling your dog away, expect his coat and skin to remain in the attacker’s mouth.

Do NOT try to grab the dog’s collar and pull him away. All you’re likely to do is get badly bitten by one or both dogs. Instead,

Lift the attacking dog by his legs and sway him back and forth as you back away with the dog’s leg paws in your hands. That may stop the attack. You’ll need to hold the dog until he hopefully calms down or you can turn him over to his owner or other person.
An alternate is to blind the dog. This can be a clothing article that you can put over his face and tie around him, but that’s going to be difficult to do. Or, more effectively, find a object (key, shovel, rock, whatever) and poke his eyes as hard as you can.

Yes, this is brutal but it may save your dog’s life. Hitting an attacking dog on the head, between the ears, as is so often requires many strong blows. You need a shovel and the strength to swing it forcefully for this technique to work. Anyone – man, woman or child – can poke a dog’s eye.
What is unlikely to work is spraying them in the face with water or even vinegar. One or both dogs may be well beyond being aware of having something thrown in their face.

4. Save yourself if you’re the one attacked

Some of you may feel you’d rather be mauled to death than try this technique: stick his finger up his butt! That will create a physiological force that makes the dog gasp and thereby release whichever of your appendages he was biting. Then roll the dog over and put all your weight on a knee which you put on his ribs. Hopefully you can hold him down until help arrives or you reach some weapon that you can use to quiet the dog.

Hopefully, you’ll never have to use that one. Avoid areas where dogs run free and stay still and calm if you’re ever approached by a menacing dog.

Get Ready for Fall

2006-09-01T10:24:00.000-07:00

Depending on where you live, you may have another month of summer or you may find that the weather in September can turn cool or wet very quickly.

Here are five tips to help you be prepared for sudden changes.

1. Check your dog's coat after walks when you venture in rural or wooden areas.

It's easy for burrs to get stuck in long coats. Also check his feet and ears - the dense coat there can hide these little boogers.

2. Keep old towels by the door.

You'll want to dry your dog and especially wipe his feet. You should teach you dog to sit at the door both before and after you two venture out. That will give you time to ensure your dog is ready for the climate outside and give you a chance to ready him for the inside and your carpets and furniture.

3. Clean up or replace winter clothing.

Now's a good time to make sure any winter clothing still fits either one of you. Your dog should have boots to wear and a jacket or rain slick. See my favorite products for ideas. Make sure wool items don't have insect or odor problems.

4. Get your car ready for your dog.

As the weather gets wetter, make sure you have some waterproof covers for car seats if you take your dog for rides. You'll want to protect your seats and flooring from muddy paw prints.

5. Watch for an abnormal amount of scratching.

Fall is a perfect time for mite and other insect infestations. If your dog starts scratching more than normal, he could have picked up some unwelcome guests. Key areas for attack are the skin around the armpits, head, stomach and between the toes.

Take your dog to the vet if you suspect he has been infested.

Debarking - the Surgical Option

2006-08-16T16:32:00.000-07:00

What It Is

Debarking is a surgical procedure that reduces (but doesn’t remove)
tissue in the vocal chords. The surgeon, in effect, nips the muscles
on each side of the voice box, which reduces the volume of the dog’s bark.

Your dog will still bark but the sound will be a low, raspy one that
you will be able to hear if you’re in the same room with your dog. It’s
very unlikely his ‘bark’ would be heard by your neighbors.

Is It Cruel?

I’m sure you’ll hear from hysterical people claiming that this is a cruel procedure or asking how would you like it if someone nipped your larynx.

The answer to the second question is that I wouldn’t like it because I have ognitive abilities that exceed those of a canine. Dogs are not furry human beings. They are dogs. If you have your dog debarked, he will never know! He will be just as happy as he was before you had him debarked.

This surgery takes about 20-minutes to perform if the surgeon is experienced. It’s less invasive and has less after-effect than having a dog spayed or neutered. There’s nothing ‘cruel’ about this surgery.

It amazes me that the animal rights cultists become hysterical about this procedure but constantly advocate neutering. Removing a dog’s sex organs and permanently changing his hormone production has far more lasting (some positive, some negative) effects on a dog than debarking surgery will.

It's Not My First Choice

I don’t recommend debarking as a first choice because it is a surgery and especially if you have a small dog, the risks of surgery and anesthetic remain.

You should make an effort to train your dog to stop barking on a
command. You might use "Stop" or "Quiet." Teach it as you do
any command. Example - reward him with praise and/or treat
when he stops barking, turn your back on him if he keeps barking
or spray him in the face with a water spray. Reward him as soon
as he is quiet.

Most Common Reasons Dogs Bark Incessantly

Boredom is number one. If you leave your dog home alone with
nothing to keep him occupied or put him outside in your back
yard, he's going to bark his head off. That's the only way
he can communicate to you. (He can't write you a poison pen
note for leaving alone!).

Give him things, such as Kong toy stuffed with peanut butter,
to keep him occupied and leave a radio or TV on at a low
volume while you're gone.

Right after boredom is Mother Nature. She spent generations
instilling the barking action in dogs. Some dogs, such as
Yorkshire Terriers, are always going to bark no matter what
type of training you use.

Don't beat yoursefl up if you can't stop chronic barking.
You're fighting against your dog's innate nature.

If your training hasn't worked, barking collars haven't worked
and your neighbors/landlord/police are about to insist you
give up your dog, look at debarking.

Summary

You can try all the training techniques, collars and
electronic corrections that you want but some breeds will always
bark. This surgery is an option when other things fail.

Citronella Dog Bark Collar

2006-08-05T12:17:00.000-07:00

NOTE: No one collar will work on every dog. Barking is a common
problem because so many dog breeds, especially small
dog breeds, have an innate love of barking.

Mother Nature spent generations developing a barking mechanism
in dogs. Don't be surprised if you find that behavior
difficult to stop.

If your regular training isn't working or you have to leave
your dog alone and your neighbors complain of his barking,
see if one of these collars may be the answer.

This type of collar works better for some dogs and appeals
to owners who consider electronic colars cruel and a
form of shock treatments.

Features:

Has a battery-operated, electronic bark-sensing unit.

Releasesan all-natural citronella spray when your dog barks.

Citrus smell os harmelss but the quick action of the spray
mist startles and confuses your dog'ss highly developed
olfactory sense. That may cause him to stop barking.

Unit includes spray control receiver and collar, citronella spray refill (additional refills sold separately),
battery, and operations manual. Manufacturer provides
a lifetime warranty.

Collar adjusts to fit necks up to 25". The collar will
be large on most Toy breeds so you may need to manually
shorten it. Any sewing skills you have will be handy.

Spray will not function at temperatures under 25 degrees
F.

$89.99

Possible problems with citronella collars:

They are not as precise as the electronic collar reviewed
on the previous page. Barking sets them off but it
may not be your dog barking. They only use sounds
to trigger the spray.

I've seen collars, especially the cheaper ones, emit the
total supply of citronella in one blast. That stops
the dog for a minute but once he resumes barking,
there's no more citronella.

If you want an all-natural bark collar, this is a good
one to try. Again, neither the electronic nor the citornella collar is going to work on all dogs.

For more information or to order, click the photo above
or use

this link: Citronella
Bark Dog Collars by Premier Pet Products

Click
here to read about electronic collars

_______________________________________________

Electronic Dog Bark Collar

2006-08-05T12:06:00.000-07:00

NOTE: No one collar will work on every dog. Barking is a common
problem because so many dog breeds, especially small
dog breeds, have an innate love of barking. Mother Nature
spent generations developing a barking mechanism in
dogs. Don't be surprised if you find that behavior difficultto stop

If your regular training isn't working or you have to leave
your dog alone and your neighbors complain of his barking,
see if one of these collars may be the answer.

Finally, an electronic collar small enough for Toy breeds!
This collar can be worn by dogs as small as 4-5 pounds.

Put the collar on and when it senses barking, it emits a
harmless static electrical impulse.

Features:

PetSafe is the most reliable brand I've found because it uses
both vibration from your dog's throat and sound sensors
to detect barking.

The collar has 10 levels of correction. If excessive barking
continues after the first low level of correction,
the intensity will increase with each bark until the
barking stops.

Once your dog has learned to reduce the barking, the initial
warning corrections are reduced.

Collar is waterproof and has a low battery indication.

Safety feature will shut off the correction for 3 minutes
if the dog barks more than 15 times in 30 seconds

WARNINGS - don't use longer than 8-hours at a time and don't
use on puppies less than 6-months of age

My Note - the batteries don't last long. Always have
a replacement on hand.

$89.99

For more information or to order, click the photo above
or use

this link: PetSafe®
Deluxe Little Dog Bark Control Collar

Click
here to continue to Citronella collar

_______________________________________________

Review of Cesar's Way

2006-08-05T12:05:00.000-07:00

The New York Times best seller lists contains one book on training dogs: Cesar's Way: The Natural, Everyday Guide to Understanding and Correcting Common Dog Problems by Cesar Millan. (234-pages for $14.97 at amazon.com) As I write this, the book is #6 on Amazon.com's best seller list.

Many of you may know Mr. Millan as the Dog Whisperer from the National Geographic television show. Although many of the popular dog trainers are not well regarded among dog business professionals, Mr. Millan is the real deal. Someone well regarded by his peers and someone who offers realistic advice to dog owners.

Mr. Millan was born in Mexico and writes that he had an innate ability to relate to dogs. I'm not surprised. The truth is many dog trainers become dog trainers because they have communication skills with dogs that elude so many. He doesn't mention it in his book but that's one reason dogs often do well in classes but act like brats at home.

Things to be aware of before buying the book:

Although the book's subtitle states 'correcting common dog problems,' this is not a how-to manual. It's philosophy and canine psychology more than practical steps.
The chapters on famous people he's dealt with, such as Oprah Winfrey, may or may not appeal to you.

There's a good deal about Mr. Millan's personal history.
A key recommendation for having a well adjusted, obedient dog is EXERCISE. There's an old saying: 'a tired dog is a good dog' and Mr. Millan is a firm believer in that. This may not play well with couch-potato owners.

You're not Cesar Millan. He does things like running and feeding his dogs in packs that can be tricky for average owners. This won't be an issue for the owner with one or two dogs but if you have more than that, I'd be leery. There's a reason he's getting rich training dogs and you're not.

Things I like about the book:

One reason there's such a demand for dog training books is that too many people see their dogs as furry human beings and never discipline them. Mr. Millan's approach is that a dog should be allowed to be a dog. Placing unrealistic expectations on a dog is going to make the owner and the dog unhappy.
His stress on being a calm-assertive leader will prevent many problem behaviors from developing. If you're Mr. Millan or other innately gifted dog communicator, you may be able to retrain a dog with bad behaviors but most owners won't have the time or patience to do this. Listen to Cesar Millan and prevent bad behaviors.
This book is worth reading but it isn't the how-to manual many owners want and need.

Why this book

Not everyone is a fan of Mr. Millan and his methods. Some people claim they are out-of-date and we now know so much more about dog psychology now.

The out-of-date claim reinforces the fact that his approach has been around a long time. That's because it works and has worked for years. Lassie and Rin Tin Tin never attended a clicker class!

It's funny how after the 'enlightenment' that the critics claim has happened in the canine world that there is such an explosion of dog training books, tools, training aids and even drugs for dogs (doggy Prozac).

I concur that he does not stress all the popular approaches such as all-positive training or clicker training. I'm not opposed to those but Mr. Millan's way works with real dogs and real problems. As he states "I rehabilitate dogs - I train owners." If you have a dog with a problem behavior, you need to correct it - not ignore it.

One last thing as to all the knowledge we supposedly have. I subscribe to Tufts and Cornell University newsletters for dog owners. They both get asked questions such as 'why does my dog eat grass?' Know what the most common answer is to those questions - 'we don't really know why a dog does that.'

They're dogs, not people and if you persist in treating them as such, it's unfair to the dog, unfair to people and other animals who have to be around the dog and unfair to you when the dog can't meet all YOUR emotional needs.

Be a good owner which also includes being a realistic owner.
Get the book at Amazon.com's.

Avoid Little-Dog Aggression on Walks

2006-08-05T12:04:00.000-07:00

A neighbor of mine is concerned about her Yorkshire Terrier. A widow, she sold the family farm and moved into our urban area. When she starting taking her dog for walks, Arthur, her Yorkie, would growl and bark at bigger dogs.

Fortunately, all the dogs have been on leashes so the owners were able to restrain them and no dog fights ensued. There’s no way to know if Arthur will always be so fortunate.

This is not an uncommon problem. Some dogs like Arthur have not been exposed to many other dogs and don’t understand canine etiquette. Other small dogs may be fearful of larger dogs and react aggressively as a defense. Trying to get the first bite, so to speak.

This is dangerous behavior for small dogs! A larger dog attacked or challenged is liable to bite. That is normal behavior in dogdom. A bite that might not harm another Labrador could snap the neck of a 5-pound dog.

For puppies

If you have a puppy, it’s important to establish play dates for your puppy with older, big dogs that you KNOW are mellow and won’t harm your puppy. The ideal situation is that your dog learns how to behave with other dogs from other dogs.

Limit the play group to only one big dog although you can have other small dogs. It’s never a good idea to let one small dog alone with two or more big dogs – no matter how well trained the big dogs are. If one big dog in the pack becomes aggressive to the small dog even in play, all the other dogs are likely to join in. That’s instinctive pack behavior Remember, bites that wouldn’t harm a big dog can kill a small dog.

Four tips for any dog walker

1. If your dog is inclined to growl, stare or lunge at other dogs, especially big dogs, distract him before he reacts. Use a command, a toy or a treat to get your dog’s attention before encountering the big dog. Carry with you a ball or squeaky toy that your dog likes. Use the toy to make your dog watch you instead of other dogs.

2. Another alternative is to put your dog on your side away from the other dog so they don’t look at or pass one another. Do whatever you have to do so that your dog can’t stare at or make eye contact with the big dog. In dogdom, eye contact means challenge.

3. I don’t recommend picking him up unless the other dog seems aggressive. Picking up your dog all the time will teach him to be afraid. It’s also no guarantee the other dog won’t attack you as well as your dog.

4. If you’re amused when your 6-pound dog challenges a big dog, you should plan ahead on where you want to bury your dog when the inevitable happens. Don’t let your dog be the aggressor. That’s a death sentence for small dogs.

Next month we’ll discuss how to stop dog attacks.

P.S. Visit http://www.ToyBreeds.com next month for a new edition of the Bone-Mot™.

Safe Way for Small Dogs to Enter and Leave Pools

2006-07-01T08:38:00.000-07:00

Stop Your Dog from Digging in Your Yard

2006-07-01T08:35:00.000-07:00

Summertime often means that dogs are outside for longer periods of time and that often results in their innate desire to dig becoming a problem.

You're probably spending a good deal of time and money to grow and maintain an attractive lawn or garden and having mounds of dirt and holes in your yard will not increase the value of your property.

Unfortunately, many dogs love to dig and stopping this behavior can be difficult. You can try to give him commands to "stop" but it's often difficult to be outside with your dog every minute so I like to offer ways to stop his behavior that don't require your constant supervision.

I have three suggestions that have worked well for me over the years.

1. Make it undesirable

If there is a certain area of your lawn where your dog loves to dig, make that area unappealing to him. Bury something your dog hates to smell in that area.

For many dogs, pepper - ground or cayenne - does it. One snout full of pepper is often enough to make that area off limits. You may enhance its aroma with hot sauce.

Some owners have success burying some of their dog's poop in the area. Dogs often do not like to dig up their own excrement; however, this also may turn that area of your yard into his new bathroom. Dogs do like to go in the same spot over and over. Be careful not to switch one undesirable behavior to another!

If you can't find anything he doesn't like to smell, then go for sounds. Find a toy or noise maker of some type that he hates and bury that. When he pulls it up and it makes a horrible sound, he'll learn to stay away from that area.

Obviously do not use something like a mouse trap that could harm your dog especially small dogs with small paws and do not use moth balls. Many dogs will try to chew moth balls and these may have harmful, even toxic, side effects.

2. Create an alternate

Digging is instinctive doggy behavior. Instead of fighting it, build a sandbox for your dog where he can dig to his heart's content.

This is sandbox similar to what small children use. Bury one or two of his toys as well as favorite treats in the sandbox and then let him dig. If you catch him digging where you don't want him to dig, just pick up and put him in his sandbox.

3. Wear him out

Digging also can be sign of a bored dog. Take him for a walk at least once a day and play fetch in the backyard while the weather is warm and daylight enables you to be out longer.

One of the oldest rules of dog training is "a tired dog is a good dog."

Dogs on Boats Need Life Jackets

2006-06-17T07:19:00.000-07:00

Even if you consider your dog a good swimmer, a life jacket is very important if you take him with you on a boat.

If there's an emergency on your boat or even at a marina,
your dog could be hurt, disoriented or in shock and
unable to swim to safety. This vest could save his life.

Lightweight, comfortable vest style closes with Velcro and adjustable locking straps at the neck and belly. The design means the size can be adjusted easily for a comfortable fit.

The material it is made from provides warmth and protection from abrasion.

It also features a convenient grab handle to help fish him out in the event he heads overboard, and a leash loop.

This jacket also is suitable for hydrotherapy pools if your dog is getting some type of treatment in a pool.

Bright safety orange color.

Product Information:

$15.99
Life Jacket X Small (fits weight up to 18 lbs., Girth 15-19")

$17.99 Life Jacket Small (fits weight 15-25 lbs., Girth 19-24")

To measure girth, use a tape measure and measure around
the body (the rib cage) behind the front legs.
Rated Four Paws" (top rating)for pet floatation
devices by the Whole Dog Journal, July 2003

For more information or to order, click the this link: Life
Jacket by Outward Hound

P.S. Visit http://www.ToyBreeds.com
next month for a new edition of the Bone-Mot™.

Tips to Help Your Dog Enjoy the Summer

2006-06-17T07:15:00.000-07:00

There's no reason your dog can't stay happy and safe all summer long. Here are some tips to help you both cope.

1. Identification - You're both likely to be outside more and may be traveling to strange places. Does your dog have a microchip (see http://www.toybreeds.com/microchips.htm) or a tattoo or at least a collar with your name and phone number on it?

No one expects to lose their dog but it happens to thousands of owners each year. Increase the chances of being reunited with your canine companion back by ensuring he has identification. And, if you have a microchip (I highly recommend it), make sure your service has your current contact information.

2. Temporary placement - Start looking NOW for a pet sitter, kennel or boarding facility if you're going to be on vacation this summer without your dog. Commercial facilities and pet sitters get booked quickly. Don't wait any longer to start looking for a place.

At the same time, get all his medical records in order. Commercial boarding places will want to know he's had his shots and is dewormed. If you have pet insurance, be sure to provide the care givers with the information they need in case your dog gets ill.

3. Fleas and Ticks - Protect your dog from both these menaces with regular medication. I use Frontline on my dog but other owners like Revolution or Kiltix. Ask your vet for a recommendation. You can buy medication from the vet or get it through an Internet pet pharmacy. It's much, much, much easier and better for your dog to prevent fleas and ticks than try to treat them once your dog has been infected.

4. Protect him from cables - Those electric cords of mowers, trimmers, and other gardening tools can easily tempt a dog who loves to chew. Keep your dog indoors or contained in a safe area (such as crate) when you're working outdoors.

5. Protect him from the grill - Don't let your dog run lose around a barbecue grill. He could bump into it and be severely burned by falling ashes or hot scraps of food. NEVER give him meat hot off the grill. Let it cool a bit. After you clean your grill, keep the hot ashes in a place he can't reach while you're letting them cool.

6. Keep him away from the plants - It's a good idea to use organic yard and garden products for your dog's sake as well as the environment's. At a minimum, keep products out of his reach and keep him away from the garden or lawn while they're being treated with any chemicals. While you're outside and he's inside, also check your fence for holes that he could crawl out.

7. Keep up his grooming - Just because you're on vacation doesn't mean your dog's needs go on holiday. Comb and brush him daily especially if he's outside more than usual. This also is a good way to examine him for injuries or insect infestation. Better to treat problems when they're minor rather than let them grow into major problems.

8. Buy or create a pet first aid kit - If your dog is going with you on holiday, be sure to have first aid materials for him. For less than $30, you can an excellent kit from Medi+Pet First Aid Kits.

If your vacation will be on a boat with him, be sure to look at the Dog Life Jacket at Product of the Month.

9. Get him ready for the trip - If you're going to take him to a place where he'll get more exercise or be outdoors more than usual, get him prepared. Start increasing his daily walks either in duration or frequency. Your dog needs to build his stamina just as you do before undertaking major physical exertion.

Take him out for brief periods to strange places with unfamiliar people and sites before you leave your hometown. Expose him to a new experience but then take him back to the safety and comfort of his regular home. You'll gradually increase his ability to remain calm and collected in new settings.

10. Travel with some of his favorite things - If you're going by your own vehicle, you can take his bed and favorite toy as well as his regular food. If you can, take the water he usually drinks. Many dogs are sensitive to minerals in water and his stomach could be upset by unfamiliar water.

If you can't take much with you, either something he normally sleeps with or a favorite toy is good. After all, you're the most important element in your dog's happiness. As you as you're there, he'll be fine.

Have a great summer and a wonderful vacation.

Neutering - Will this Fix Your Dog?

2006-06-17T07:11:00.000-07:00

There's so much propaganda today about having male dogs neutered that owners sometimes have unrealistic expectations about how neutering will affect a dog's behavior.

Animal rights activists have done a great job co-opting the mainstream media so that owners never read anything positive about leaving male dogs intact. Yet, many intelligent, educated and experienced owners do just that.

Many animal rights groups do not believe dogs should be subjugated to serve humans as pets. Restricting the population of dogs is one way to curb our ability to have pets. That's one reason why animal rights groups are such vocal advocates of neutering.

Neutering means the surgical removal of the reproductive organs of a dog which for males means that both testicles are removed.

The following are some considerations for you in making your choice.

1. Show/Breed - Show dogs in American Kennel Club sanctioned events may not be neutered. This is a long-standing rule that probably derived because show dogs usually turn into studs once their show career is over.

2. It's an operation - Although neutering is widely performed and is generally considered a safe operation, it is an operation and does require a general anesthetic. There is always a risk when small dogs are subjected to anesthesia. You should not unthinkingly decide to have your dog neutered.

Talk to your vet and understand what type of anesthesia and pain medication s/he will give your dog. Ask about the risks and chances of complications as a result of the the surgery. Understand the after care you should provide your dog until he heals.

3. Cancer - You often read that neutering will help your dog avoid getting cancers associated with reproductive organs. This is true to the same degree that having a hysterectomy or being castrated will prevent cancer associated with reproductive systems in humans.

If you look beyond the old wives tales, you'll find that veterinarians disagree on the best practice.

For example Veterinary Oncologist Keven Hahn writing in Veterinary Practice News said that after reviewing studies over the last 30 years, he's not sure what to recommend to his clients. There is a higher incidence of testicular cancer unneutered dogs, but also a higher incidence of cancer of the blood vessels in neutered males. This issue is whether there is a cause and result relationship to any of these.

4. Behavior changes - Owners often look at neutering as cure all for unwanted behaviors. Sometimes undesirable behaviors such as marking territory may be decreased if not stopped altogether. Other times, behaviors such as humping go on because they are instinctive in a dog.

Neutering will ameliorate unwanted behaviors directly related to the influence of testosterone levels such as behaviors related to sexual frustration. It will not magically correct all behavior problems.

According to a study by Dr. Benjamin Hart of University of California at Davis:

"with urine marking in the house, mounting, and roaming, one can expect a resolution in 25–40 percent of dogs neutered. Aggression toward strange dogs should be resolved in 10–15 percent of dogs. ...There is no way of predicting in advance which dogs will respond the most to neutering."

Contrary to old wives tales, an aggressive dog may be just as aggressive after neutering. He could even be worse because testosterone levels often give male dogs a higher level of conference than they would otherwise have. Fearful dogs are often aggressive and bite in defense; i.e., striking the first blow to prevent being attacked.

5. Behaviors that supposedly get worst - Almost everyone agrees that it's nothing more than old wives tale that dogs get fat after neutering. Dogs get fat for the same reason we do - they eat too much and exercise too little. I personally know slim neutered dogs and slim intact dogs.

However, there is a significant population of dog professionals who believe neutering often has an impact on a dog's personality. I'm sure some of you read that and are outraged that I would be writing something that everyone else has told you is poppycock. I agree there is no scientific evidence (how would you measure a dog's personality?) and the evidence is purely anecdotal.

But use your common sense. Hormones matter. We accept that hormonal changes in human females during menstruation and menopause affect behavior. Doesn't it make sense that hormonal changes caused by removing a dog's reproductive organs might have an impact on a dog's personality?

If you are seriously into something like agility or dog dancing, talk to other people at shows about the benefits and detractions of having your dog neutered. The most common problem I hear is that a neutered male loses his edge and becomes more complaisant.

If your dog is purely a companion, this shouldn't be an issue in making your decision. The change apparent to professionals who work seriously with hundreds of dogs may be imperceptible to regular owners. As your dog ages, he will be "losing his edge" anyway.

6. Remaining behavior - If you leave your male dog intact, you run the risk of his impregnating any female dog within his reach. Females dogs in heat give out a scent that no intact male dog can resist.

If you have a male dog, you must keep him confined at all times - either in your home, in a fenced yard or on a leash. Your neighbor could turn ugly - not to mention litigious - should your dog create a litter of puppies with his female dog.

7. Age for neutering - It's standard practice in America for dogs to be neutered at very early ages (even as early as 8-weeks!). I believe the reason for this is that it's easier for the vet to operate on a young dog. There is no definitive answer to this question of what age is best. Your vet will have his/her own preference and you're at his/her mercy.

Keep in mind that spaying and neutering are the most frequent veterinary surgery in America today and for many dogs, the only surgery they will ever have. It's only prudent to be aware that a vet's encouragement to have your dog neutered is a financial benefit to him.

8. Genetics - no dog with a genetic disease or hereditary defect should be bred. If you get a dog from a shelter or rescue group, he probably will already be neutered but if not, I do recommend these dogs be neutered. There is no way to know their medical history and there's no reason to take chances on the health of any offspring. Any dog with significant personality disorders such as extreme aggression evidence by attacking other animals or humans should not be bred.

I am not advocating either neutering or not neutering your dog. My goal is to present realistic information that you are unlikely to find elsewhere on the Internet.

Do your own investigation using the Internet to read veterinary journals from veterinary schools. You'll find that the evidence on the benefit of neutering is not 100% positive! You'd never know that if you didn't look for it.

If your vet offers an opinion, it's appropriate for you to ask if this is based on some study or his/her personal opinion. Exercise your right to analyze your choices and make an informed decision.

Good luck.

Illegal Immigration - the Canine Version

2006-05-01T06:55:00.000-07:00

The problem

News media is full of reports about immigration issues and smuggling of humans from Mexico into the United States.

You may not be aware, however, that this problem extends to our canine population.

Dogs are being smuggled into the United States from Mexico at such a growing rate that both the federal government and several states are enacting legislation to curb the problem.

The problem is so acute in California that the state has a task force on this at the border crossing near San Diego.

Here are some articles from the Associated Press:

--More than a dozen puppies were seized from a motorist who tried to smuggle them into the United States from Mexico in his minivan, authorities said.

--Many of the 28 puppies were infested with parasites, dehydrated and too weak to stand, said Dawn Danielson, director of the San Diego County Department of Animal Services.

--Mark Goldstein, a veterinarian and president of the San Diego Humane Society, estimated that 10,000 puppies are brought into Southern California from Mexico each year and that more than 8,500 of them die.

--Sometimes the animals are hidden in car trunks or inside car doors. Recently Border Patrol agents discovered 26 puppies in a pillowcase.

If this wasn't bad enough, drug traffickers are using puppies to smuggle heroin and other drugs. The illegal substances are implanted in the puppies’ stomachs and removed by crude operations once they reach the United States.

Eastern European smuggling is increasing not just for puppy sales or drug smuggling but also to breed dogs to strengthen dogs used for dog fighting. Repulsive as it is, dog fights remain popular in many areas of the world.

Why this problem exists

There are several reasons why puppy and dog smuggling continues.

--Demand is high. Many people want puppies, small dogs and chic designer dogs (poodle crosses such as Maltipoo). U.S. spaying and neutering campaigns are so successful; there are not enough puppies available at shelters. Individuals and shelters are willing to sell imported dogs to meet demand.

--It pays well. A smuggler can generate profits of more than $10,000 a month, the California task force reported. Puppies sell for $300 to $500 and sometimes more apiece.

--Mexico doesn't stop it. As with human smuggling and illegals working in the U.S , the only policy the Mexican narcoacracy has is to dump its problems on the U.S. Plus the money made in the U.S. comes back to Mexico.

--U.S. federal government is weak on all immigration enforcement. It's not illegal to bring dogs from Mexico into the U.S. but the law requires the puppies to be isolated until vaccinated for rabies at four months of age. Since there is no animal-quarantine facility at the Mexican border, however, the honor system is used. You can imagine how well that works.

--States have only awakened the last couple years. Although initially a California problem, sick smuggled dogs are now appearing in many states. Massachusetts enacted legislation after six residents had to take rabies shots because a shelter imported a puppy too young to have completed its rabies shots.

--Some shelters and animal activitists will peddle any canine. When dogs are imported from one area to another, you have no idea what problems they carry with them. There are parasites that the U.S. may never have seen that come into this country from dogs. A shelter with its many dogs is an ideal breeding ground for every illness.

There's also the question on dog temperament. Often the same people who champion dog socialization will take any puppy or dog from a foreign country no questions asked. Unfortunately, the stray living on the street in a foreign country may exemplify survival of the fittest and breed puppies but those survival skills are not necessarily the ones you want to transfer to puppies who wind up in a U.S. family home.

Some people who smuggle canines into the U.S. from Mexico are so arrogant and self-righteous, they believe they are doing a good thing. What diseases they may be unleashing on other dogs or humans is not something they consider.

Unlike commercial pet stores, not-for-profit shelters are relatively unregulated and the individuals who sell puppies from cardboard containers at parking lots have no constraints.

What you should do

--Use your head. Many of the complaints the California task force had were from people who bought puppies from a stranger operating out their car at shopping malls. The seller claimed the puppies were purebreds and healthy. They weren't.

I don't know what these buyers expected but use common sense. Don't pay hundreds of dollars for a puppy from a stranger. (Especially one with a car with a foreign license plate.)

--Visit the websites of organizations that import canines from foreign countries. Use Google or Yahoo to find them. Look for the names of shelters who accept their dogs. Then AVOID THOSE SHELTERS like the plague.

Also check the website of any shelter or other group you might consider. Many of them boast of the imported dogs they offer.

Ask any shelter or rescue group about the source of their puppies and never buy or donate to a shelter that imports foreign dogs.

--Support legislation to ban imports. Sadly, importing dogs only encourages the irresponsible breeding of dogs in foreign countries and ensures the problem will continue to grow.

Shelters are full of adult dogs. If you're an experienced dog owner and have the time to deal with any dog problems, adopt an older American dog from a shelter. That's a sensible act of charity.

Importing dogs with unknown diseases and unknown temperament strains is not an act of charity; it's an act of irresponsibility.

P.S. Visit http://www.ToyBreeds.com next month for a new edition of the Bone-Mot™.

Hot Crosses - Why the Rise in Designer Dogs?

2006-05-01T06:54:00.000-07:00

Do you recognize these dog breeds?

Puggle (Pug + Beagle)

Matltipoo (Maltese + Poodle)

Yorkiepoo (Yorkshire Terrier + Poodle)

Cavoodle (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel + Poodle)

They're four of the most in-demand puppies among Toy cross breeds. In fact almost every dog breed is being crossbred with Poodles to find that winning combination of size or temperament with the minimal-shedding and intelligence of the Poodle.

Although we've had Bone-Mot™ articles before on the technical aspects of cross breeding, I'm going to explore the subjective aspects of why these dogs are so popular.

--Explosion of allergies in adults and children. Almost any doctor will provide anecdotal confirmation of this, but it's difficult to quantify. We may just be keeping better records, or our affluent population is more likely to visit a doctor for something like sneezing, scratching and rashes than we did in the past. Or, there may be more man-made items that we're exposed to and at a pace and quantity faster than our bodies can tolerate.

Whatever the cause, people are searching for dogs that won't trigger allergic reactions and Poodles, with their minimal shedding, have a good reputation in this regard.

--Hereditary health issues in purebreds. There's no denying that many breeds have been overbred for appearance so that their health has sometimes been jeopardized.

One of the goals of the wildly popular Puggle is to avoid the breathing problems that have been bred into Pugs. A purebred Pug has a flat, squashed-in face with small nasal openings, narrow windpipe and long soft palate.

All these breed characteristics limit breathing, contribute to airway obstruction and result in wheezing and snoring. The Beagle strain is intended to improve the Pug's head but retain the Pug's happy and easygoing nature.

--Modern life is increasingly busy and urban. Many established breeds, such as Labradors or Golden Retrievers, require more room to run and time to exercise that today's owner can accommodate. The growing retirement community with their move to permanent RVs and smaller garden/patio homes has no room for large or active dogs.

Even smaller dogs such as Terriers take more time to train and require more exercise than many owners are able or willing to accommodate.

--Owners want more from dogs. On one hand, I'm delighted to see so many people, especially childless ones, getting dogs and treating them as their children. On the other hand, this has created a rise in unrealistic expectations people have on dogs.

I've yet to meet a breeder who hasn't had a puppy returned because he chewed too much, dug in the yard, shed or barked. Dogs have been so glamorized and humanized in the media that people are shocked when dogs act like dogs.

Worse, many of the established breeds have breed characteristics that are not acceptable to these owners. For example, any Border collie is going to herd (animals, children, adults) whatever is around because that's the way he has been bred for generations. Not all owners understand this before they get a working or herding breed of dog.

None of this is the dog's fault but it is clear that some breeds have outlived their ability to fit in our contemporary lives.

--Designer dogs are popular. There is a certain amount of faddish behavior in the demand for these dogs. Puggles are selling for $1,000 and more because they're so popular.

None of the above means that a designer dog can't be a great addition to your family. The problem is that no one can guarantee that the cross bred will get the best qualities of both breeds.

I've yet to see an ad on the Internet for a cross bred that doesn't explicitly or implicitly lead you to believe that you always get the best of both worlds. In fact, anyone who has bred dogs will affirm that you can get the worst of both worlds.

Far from avoiding the genetic problems on one purebred, you can end up with the genetic problems of both purebreds!

Cross breeds are first generation dogs. You not only have no guarantee on adult size but you also have no guarantee on temperament. There are no recognized breed standards yet for any of these cross breeds. We can guess at how large a cross bred puppy will be when he's fully grown but no one knows for sure yet.

That brings me to my suggestion that the dog community should be willing to recognize cross breeds and encourage dog breed clubs to form and establish breed standards.

As usual, the American Kennel Club (AKC) is mired in yesterday and attacks the popularity of these dogs as being nothing more than high-priced mutts.

There is truth to that but the unwillingness of the AKC and dog community to support the lengthy process of creating an official dog breed is the reason for that.

I'm sorry but the reality is that many dog breeds don't have a place in urban American any longer.

People want the size, minimal shedding, and trainability of Poodles without their high-energy and sometimes high-strung temperaments. Many people just do not like the looks of a Poodle. Cross breeding a purebred Poodle with a purebred of another breed may be the way to create a healthy urban dog.

People want these cross breeds. Instead of fighting it, let's join in and encourage responsible breeding that creates recognized breed standards.

P.S. Visit http://www.ToyBreeds.com next month for a new edition of the Bone-Mot™.

Dog Agility - Growing by Leaps and Bounds

2006-04-03T08:06:00.000-07:00

What's the fastest growing dog sport in the USA? Agility! Any dog, even Toy breeds can participate and win. A Havanese took first place at a recent trial (the term for a match or competition) I attended.

Agility is a fast-paced sport where dogs run through a course with obstacles such as tunnels and bridges or jump over hurdles much as a horse steeplechase.

Speed is important but so are control and accuracy. Dogs are scored on how they navigated the course (no faults such as knocking down a pole) as well as how much time it took them to complete the course.

It's fun to watch a Chihuahua leap a hurdle or a Papillon fly through a hoop. I'm one of the dog owners who has fallen in love with this sport for four reasons:

1. It's a perfect way for owner and dog to bond. You have to learn to work together and trust one another to be successful at this sport.

The dog is not wearing a collar or leash. He must respond to the owner/handler's commands without the use of treats or toys to reward performance. Voice commands and body language are the only methods permitted. Owner/handlers are not allowed to touch the dog.

2. It's great exercise for both of you. Until you see a trial, you may not realize how much the owner moves as well as the dog. Generally, any healthy dog can compete and there are Master's or Veteran's trials for senior dogs. Usually, only pregnant dogs and puppies (because their body and bones are fully formed) are ineligible.

3. It's mental stimulation for your dog. Today's dogs, like their owners, are often overweight, lethargic couch potatoes. Learning agility events is a perfect way for your dog to engage his mind and body.

Some of the Agility events are not instinctive behaviors for a dog and require patience and practice to master.

4. Agility events are segmented so that a Chihuahua is not trying to leap over the same size hurdles as a Border Collie does. As you and your dog become more adept, you can move up into more complex courses.

The best way to see if this sport might be right for you and your dog is to watch Agility trials on television, such as on Animal Planet, or attend a live trial in your area. See the resources at the end of this column for websites that list events.

There are two negative aspects to this sport:

1. It requires considerable training (for you both). Your dog must have good obedience skills to begin with and then you train in the movements required on an Agility course.

2. The sport requires its own equipment and course. Although you can practice one or two movements in your backyard, a full Agility course is about 100 foot by 100 foot with a multitude of equipment such as tunnels, dog walk, hurdles, hoops, poles and see saw.

To overcome both problems, I recommend joining a local Agility dog or dog club that offers Agility training. Professional training for you both is required at least in the early stages. See the resources at the end for websites that list various applicable clubs.

There are more than 2,00 trials in the US this year. This is amazing considering that that this sport only began in England in 1978 and that the American Kennel Club (AKC) only started trials in 1994. The growth of this sport speaks well of how much fun it is for dog and owner.

The United States Dog Agility Association allows any dog, purebred or mutt, to compete in its sanctioned events although dogs do have to be registered. The American Kennel Club is based on purebred competitions but does allow non-purebreds to compete provided they have a Indefinite Listing Privilege (ILP) number.

This is great if you adopted a dog from a shelter or don't have registration papers for your dog but want him to compete in AKC events including Agility. It only costs about $35 (as this is written) to obtain an IPL. Get the forms and rules at the AKC website: http://www.akc.org/reg/ilpex.cfm?SEARCH_BUTTON.X=18\&SEARCH_BUTTON.Y=13

For more information, visit the United States Dog Agility Association, Inc. (USDAA),
at http://www.usdaa.com/ or American Kennel Club Agility at http://www.akc.org/events/agility/index.cfm

P.S. Visit http://www.ToyBreeds.com next month for a new edition of the Bone-Mot™.

Should Dogs Be Allowed in Restaurants?

2006-04-03T08:05:00.000-07:00

The state of Florida may become the first in the USA to allow dogs in restaurants. A bill making its way through the legislature would establish a three-year experiment allowing people to bring their dogs with them into restaurants with outside eating areas.

The Florida Representative sponsoring the bill said many restaurant owners are interested in meeting their customers' growing demands to take their pets with them on outings.

This would make Florida the first state to stray from federal standards that prohibit animals, except for service animals, in public eating areas.

It's not a free pass, however. Dogs must be on leashes and employees must clean up dog waste immediately and ensure that dogs do not come into contact with serving dishes. The bill also requires hand sanitizers for tables in areas where dogs are permitted.

While the law will permit dogs, it does not require restaurants to accept canine patrons. Local governments will be allowed to issue permits to restaurants and charge a fee.

Restaurants that want to accept dogs must carry $1M in liability insurance based on the concern of some lawmakers about the potential for dog bites.

Not everyone is supportive of this legislation.

Florida state health department officials objected and claimed that the dogs in restaurants increase the risk of food-borne illnesses transmitted through dogs both directly and indirectly as a result of unsanitary conditions and that dogs can carry "disease causing organisms" which may be transmitted to humans, especially the elderly and the young.

Cat owners objected because they were excluded. Some protestors asked if horses would be the next group of animals allowed in restaurants.

The most pervasive and serious objection was from people with allergies. The bill does require signs to be posted to warn dinners of areas where dogs may be present.

I'm in favor of this especially as it is being done a trial basis. If problems do arise, the experiment may be terminated.

However, in most European countries it's quite common to see dogs out with their owners in pubs and restaurants. Paris is notorious for dogs in every public place including bakeries and restaurants.

People who don't want to sit in a dog-friendly area will have the option of sitting inside the restaurant or patronizing a restaurant that does not permit dogs.

The Florida law seems a sensible initiative that meets the desires of today's dog owners while protecting the public from the potential of problem dogs.

And no, dogs won't be allowed to lick off a customer's plate or sit in a chair! The bill is expected to pass the legislature.

P.S. Visit http://www.ToyBreeds.com next month for a new edition of the Bone-Mot™.

How to Take Your Dog's Temperature

2006-03-01T18:24:00.000-08:00

There are times when you can't miss the fact that your dog is in distress; i.e., he's bleeding, unconscious or having convulsions.

But what about when he seems too tired or isn't eating or just isn't his normal self. The most accessible way for you to tell if something is wrong is by taking his temperature.

There are other indicators of illness that are recommended such as checking your dog's pulse, feeling his nose or looking at the color of his gums. While these will work, I've found that clients have trouble evaluating them.

When you're under stress because you think your dog is ill, it's going to be difficult for you to tell if his gum color is normal or if it bounces back to its normal color quickly after you press it.

The nice thing about temperature is that you use a measurement tool to take it so it's not subjective or dependent on your experience with dogs. There are not many things that will be wrong with your dog that won't effect his temperature.

A dog's normal temperature is 100 to 103 degrees. Temperatures above or below the normal range necessitate a trip to your veterinarian.

A high temperature could mean your dog has an infection or heat-related illness. A temperature below normal may mean your dog is in danger of going into shock.

I highly recommend you measure his temperature when you know your dog is well so you know what's normal for him and you learn to use a thermometer before you really need it.

The hard way to take his temperature

The hard way is use a rectal thermometer. You can use either a mercury or digital one. A human or baby rectal thermometer is fine to use but do NOT use a human oral one as it is too easily broken.

Your dog won't like this any more than you do and it may be necessary to have a second person holding your dog. Then:

If using a mercury thermometer, shake it until the mercury is below 94 degrees
Lubricate the thermometer with Vasoline, KY jelly or mineral oil
Have your dog in a standing position and keep him standing until his temperature is taken
Start talking gently to your dog and keep it up during this whole ordeal
Lift his tail and insert the thermometer slowly and carefully into his anus with a twisting motion
Insert the thermometer about 1 inch
Hold thermometer in place two minutes for mercury thermometers or until the digital thermometer beeps
Remove the thermometer and read the temperature
If you should break a thermometer in your dog, do NOT try to remove it. Call your veterinarian right away.

The easy way to take his temperature

Use a thermometer made for pets. A human or baby's ear thermometer isn't designed to reach deep enough in the dog's ear canal to measure well.

I've used the Pet Temp model, about $50, for three years. It's easy and clean to use, then toss the disposable lens cover.

Even the most timid dog usually tolerates this (compared to rectal thermometer!).

Dog's can't tell us when they're in pain or suffering an infection and may not have readily identifiable signs. Learning the correct way to take a temperature could be the difference between life and death for your dog.

P.S. Visit http://www.ToyBreeds.com next month for a new edition of the Bone-Mot™.

What You Should Know Before You Make Your Dog Vomit

2006-03-01T18:22:00.000-08:00

If you discover the remains of a household plant on your dog's mouth or discover him licking the remains of spilled household bleach, your first reaction may be that you should make your dog vomit.

That, however, isn't always the best practice. While that may be appropriate for the houseplant, it's a bad idea for bleach, and other caustic products such as drain opener. Those will burn your dog's esophagus and mouth while the poisonous substance is coming up and make his condition even worse.

Best way to know what to do

The safest response if you believe your dog has ingested some poison is to call

1) your veterinarian, or
2) the Animal Poison Control Center at 1-888-426-4435 (available 24/7 but will charge you a $55 fee).
Tell either one what you think your dog ingested and they'll tell you how to treat him.

When not make a dog vomit

Never induce vomiting if your dog is any of the below:

having convulsions
in shock
ingesting a caustic substance
unconscious
already vomiting
has ingested the poison some time ago. After two hours,
the substance is likely in his small intestine and he won't be able to vomit it back up.
How to make your dog vomit

If vomiting is the appropriate treatment, the easiest method is to use 3% hydrogen peroxide.

This is NOT the type used for your hair dye but the type used to clean wounds. Despite warnings on the bottle, this is safe to use with a dog for this purpose because it induces vomiting and doesn't stay in his body - that's why it has the poison warning.

The rule of thumb is to use one teaspoon for every 10-pounds of dog weight.

Your dog is unlikely to willingly take it so you may have to use a syringe or turkey baster to get it in his throat. Make sure the bottle indicates that the hydrogen peroxide has not expired. An expired dosage won't do your dog any good.

Vomiting should occur within 15 to 20 minutes. If no vomiting occurs, you can safely repeat the three percent hydrogen peroxide once. If that doesn't work, take your dog to the veterinarian right away for stronger medication.

What not to use

Despite the old wives tales, I've never seen Syrup of Ipecac, salt or mustard seed water work well on dogs.

One final note

Small dogs can easily become dehydrated after vomiting and decline into a state of shock. Once you think your dog can keep liquids down, give him a few sips of water or let him lick some ice cubes or crushed ice. Don't force it and don't give him too much water or he's likely to start vomiting again.

If you want to replace nutrients more quickly, Pedialyte, a water and electrolyte product sold for infants, may be given to dogs as well. Do NOT give him any of the sports drinks made for human athletes.

If he isn't able to keep water down or won't drink, get him to a veterinarian immediately. He may need to to have an IV to regain the proper amount of fluids.

P.S. Visit http://www.ToyBreeds.com next month for a new edition of the Bone-Mot™.

When to See the Vet

2006-03-01T18:21:00.000-08:00

When does your dog require a trip to the veterinarian?

The obvious reasons to get him to a vet immediately are

• Injuries from some trauma such ass being hit by a car or falling out of a window

• Difficulty breathing. Remember many small dogs with pushed-in faces such as Pugs are prone to trachea collapse. Be sure to read my free article at
http://www.toybreeds.com/health.htm to understand this problem

• Sudden collapse

• Convulsions

• Bloated or enlarged belly

• Nonproductive vomiting especially with a bloated or enlarged belly

• Bloody or black diarrhea

• Inability to walk

• Ingesting poison such antifreeze, Easter lilies or rodent poison

The not –so-obvious ones that require vet attention

• Abdominal pain such as tenderness to the touch or standing with his back arched

• Refusing to eat for more than a day especially if has loose stools

• Excessive drinking. Similar to humans, drinking too much water can be a sign of diabetes

• Uncontrollable bleeding or bleeding from the chest. If you apply pressure on your dog’s cut and you’re unable to stop the bleeding within 10 minutes, get him to a veterinarian immediately. The vet can only give your dog stitches within a small window of time. Also get him immediate help if the bleeding is from his chest.

• Accidents with no obvious damage. If your dog is hit by a car, take him to nearest vet. Even if he is appears normal, he may have internal injuries. Wrap him in a blanket to help prevent shock, and keep away from his mouth any dog in pain may bite even if he’s never bitten before.

• Subtle signs of cancer such as muscle wasting, especially along the back and on the head, and weight loss despite a normal appetite

The five things you can do to help ensure your dog’s good health

1. Feed him a top quality brand of dog food

2. Give him (or have your vet do it) flea and tick medication

3. Treat him year-round for worms

4. Brush him regularly. This is the best way for you to notice subtle signs of change in his coat, body or skin

5. Brush his teeth regularly (at least weekly) and give him toys designed to help prevent tartar buildup

Finally, remember what my vet told me he learned in veterinary college:

Anytime an owner thinks it’s an emergency, it’s an emergency

Never be embarrassed to take your dog to the vet. Your dog’s continued good health and your peace of mind are worth an office fee.

P.S. Visit http://www.ToyBreeds.com next month for a new edition of the Bone-Mot™.

New Year's Resolutions - Renew Your Bond with Your Canine Companion

2006-01-01T07:54:00.000-08:00

1. I will exercise my dog every day, preferably with a walk outdoors.

2. I will feed my dog a healthy diet conscious of his daily calorie intake.
I will remember to count treats in the daily count.

3. I will deal immediately with behavior problems instead of hoping that the problem will correct itself. I will try to correct behaviors and if I can't do it myself, I will seek help from my vet or other professional.

4. I will fully groom my dog at least once a week while I check all over his body for health problems such as unusual bumps and lumps, insects or disease.

5. I will contribute time and/or money to animal related charities.
This can be your local animal shelter or national groups such as Canine Companions for Independence (a personal favorite). http://www.caninecompanions.org

6. I will enroll my dog in the American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen Program and work with him until he gets certified. This is NOT just for purebreds.
http://www.akc.org/events/cgc/index.cfm. If you've done this, change this resolution to teaching your dog some command that he doesn't know.

7. I will brush my dog's teeth at least once a week and give him chewing toys that help prevent tartar breakup.

8. I will inspect my dog’s toys, bedding and collars/clothing regularly and dispose of worn or damaged objects.

9. I will take up a new activity with my dog before mid-year. This could be structured agility, obedience, or tracking trials or just fun games such as hide-and-seek the Kong toy.

10. I will make time to cuddle with my dog every day – no matter how little time I have and no matter how tired I am.

Best wishes for the New Year.

P.S. Visit http://www.ToyBreeds.com next month for a new edition of the Bone-Mot™.

How to Say Good-bye to Your Dog

2006-01-01T07:52:00.000-08:00

Last month we discussed how to tell when it's time to say good bye to your aged or ill dog. Although we'd all like to hope that our dogs will pass gently in their sleep, that doesn't always happen.

If you're ever faced with this situation, here are a few tips to help you deal with this stressful and sad event.

Have the veterinarian explain the full process and procedure to you

Make sure you understand what the vet will do. You need to be assured that the procedure will be painless and swift for your dog - as it will be.

Find out how much it will cost and what it covers.

Decide what you want done with the dog's body

Ask the vet how he normally deals with the dog's body. You may want to bury or cremate your dog, and you should arrange this ahead of time with your vet. Your community may have rules or laws regulating how or what can be done.

If your vet doesn't offer cremation, he should be able to recommend a service provider.

Many communities now have pet cemeteries. You may want to take this route or have your dog cremated and the ashes given to you in a memorial urn.

Consider creating a memorial for your dog

You may want to create a scrapbook of your dog and have the entire family contribute to it. Or, you may want to have a memorial stone or plaque. Another option is a framed picture of your dog with a commercial or personalized poem.

These options do not have to be expensive. You can make anyone of these yourself or buy very nice memorials at
Wal-Mart on http://www.walmart.com.

You can do this in conjunction with a memorial service for your dog if all family members could not or did not want to be present when the dog passed.

Decide where you want this done and who will be there

Some vets are willing to come to the owner's home while others will only do this at their office or animal hospital.

You'll have to decide if you want to be there alone or if other family or friends should attend. Again, your vet may have restrictions about this so don't wait until the last minute to discuss this.

Explain what is going to happen to all the family members, even the children

Describe the dog's problems and the rationale to euthanize your dog.

In a mistaken attempt to protect children, adults sometimes try to hide this from them. If you are calm about this, you should explain what's going to happen to your children assuming they're at least 5-years of age or older.

Explain to all the family why it is time to let your dog go. You don't need to be embarrassed about discussing the costs and effort involved in maintaining a very ill dog. This is real life and something your children need to understand.

It's likely children will overhear things and certainly will sense the grief in the adults as well as wondering what's happened to the dog. Keeping them in the dark will only prolong their grieving and add to their trauma.

Don't be surprised if some family or friends don't agree with your decision. Everyone is entitled to his opinion but this decision is yours and you shouldn't stress over what other people think. They aren't the ones taking responsibility.

Decide how you will say good-bye

You may want a last evening at home with your dog and family or a visit to the dog in the animal hospital. Family members who want to be alone with the dog should be allowed to do so.

Give yourself and your family permission to grieve

You may sit in your vet's office and sob for awhile. That's perfectly normal and acceptable. Don't try to be brave or think it's irrational to be so sad about a dog.

It's normal to grieve when we lose a beloved companion. Allow yourself time to recover.

You also may experience guilt or anxiety about your decision. Don't second-guess yourself. It's easy to think if, if, if (if we'd found this sooner, if I'd had more money, if we lived in another place ....) but it is what it is. Focus on the happy memories of your dog.

Finally, don't rush into getting another dog

Give yourself time to grieve. Getting another dog for the wrong reasons puts pressure on the dog to live up to your expectations and satisfy emotional needs that are beyond a dog's ability.

All the family should be in agreement that it's time for a new dog before you get one. Don't "surprise" someone with a new dog that they may not be emotionally ready to deal with.

Although you can never replace the dog you lost, you can share your life with another one. Just be sure the time is right.

P.S. Visit http://www.ToyBreeds.com next month for a new edition of the Bone-Mot™.

Turn Fido into the Perfect Host

2005-11-24T10:38:00.000-08:00

Even otherwise clam and well-trained dogs can get overexcited when confronted by groups of unfamiliar people visiting at your home. One friend’s terrier would run around the room half-a-dozen times before he’d calmly sit down by his mistress. Other dogs run for the front door when the bell rings and love to leap on unsuspecting guests.

To ensure your dog doesn’t scare or jump on your visitors and to keep him out of harm’s way, try these steps.

1. Run some practice sessions. The sound of a doorbell or knocking can send many dogs in a tizzy, exacerbated by a dog’s instincts to guard his home from strangers. If your dog isn’t familiar with these sounds, do some practice sessions. Have a friend come over and ring or knock on the door.

Don’t immediately leap up and run for the door. Be calm and walk toward the door at a normal pace. Remember your dog senses your excitement so you want to remain controlled in your behavior.

Repeat this a couple times a day for several days prior to Thanksgiving or whatever day your company is arriving.

2. Keep him under your control. Put him in the sit or stay or down (whichever command you’ve taught him) position as soon as you hear someone approaching your door. Don’t let him run to the door as soon as he hears a doorbell or knock. Don’t let him greet a visitor unless he is calm.

If your dog is not trained well enough yet to obey a sit or stay command, keep him on a leash while you greet company. You also may want to use a head halter if you’re not certain how dog will behave or if he’s meeting lots of guests at once for the first time.

3. Keep a water bottle handy. If your dog goes into a tizzy or tries to leap on someone and is beyond hearing your “no” command, spray him in the face with the water. Almost every dog hates that but he won’t be harmed.

4. Train your guests. If you dog starts to jump on a guest before you can get to him, tell the guest to turn their back and ignore the dog. Grab your dog and make him sit.

5. Don't reward bad behavior. Ask guests not to reward your dog’s bad behavior. The most natural thing for a visitor to do is to say “good dog” to a dog that’s greeting them by jumping up. This is terrible! Ask your friends not to say anything to the dog; simply turn their backs until the dog stays on all four paws.

6. Restrain your dog. If your dog isn’t used to much company or guests are bringing small children, put your dog in a room away from the guests until everyone has arrived and all the initial greetings are over. Don’t bring the dog out until the room is relatively calm.

There’s no reason Fido can’t enjoy the upcoming holiday season with you if you teach him how to be a good host.

Teach Fido to Shake Paws

2005-11-24T10:37:00.000-08:00

Impress your company by teaching your dog to greet them with a paw shake. He’ll find it fun to learn and it’ll help stretch his brainpower. Most dogs learn this one quickly.

1. Get a treat that’s small enough to hold in your hand but keep hidden
from him when you close your finders.

2. Place your dog in a sit position on a non-slippery surface.

3. Gently tap one his paws with your free hand. Keep tapping it until he lifts
his paw off the ground.

4. As soon as this happens, support his paw in your hand and say “shake.”
Then give him the treat and coo praise at him.

5. Repeat this process four or five times and then stop before either of you
get tired.

6. Do this exercise a couple times a day for a few days before you expect company.

7. You can stop the teaching once your dog lifts his paw to you when you say “Shake.”

8. If you want to teach to shake the other paw, use the same process but with a different verbal command. Use “paw” or some other word.

Do Pets Belong in Evacuation Shelters? No!

2005-11-24T10:36:00.000-08:00

Many animal lovers were outraged to learn that pets are not allowed in emergency evacuation shelters such as those that housed refugees from Katrina and Wilma.

News media in the affected areas love to report on stories about a child or elderly person having to leave their pet behind because the emergency shelter won't allow pets.

Are shelters wrong to prohibit pets? I don't think so.

There are some sensible reasons why shelters exclude pets, such as:

1. Many people are allergic to or afraid of dogs and cats, the two most common pets.

When shelter personnel are coping with health issues of survivors, they do not need to add the problems of people having allergic reactions to animals.

2. Not all dogs are well trained and any dog may bite under stress conditions.

Someone who survived Katrina should not be subjected to a dog bite from a poor dog who was reacting instinctively in a crowed, overexcited environment. People who aren't familiar with dogs often act in ways that provoke dogs without realizing it.

3. Dogs in packs act by instinct, not training.

A dog pack running through a shelter could injure people, even if it's unintentionally by knocking down people who get in their way. Pity the poor kitty who is suddenly surrounded by a pack of half-a-dozen dogs.

4. Pets attack each other.

A German shepherd or other big dog could easily attack a Yorkshire Terrier or other small dog in the mistaken belief that the small dog is dinner. This is especially likely if the big dog is hungry and overexcited - two conditions very likely to exist in a shelter. Then imagine this happening in front of the child whose pet dog is the unfortunate victim.

5. Housing many dogs and cats in a shelter is a great way to spread disease.

Some people do not vaccinate their pets and some people never take their dog or cat to a veterinarian. Imagine how easy it will be for an infectious disease to spread through all the pets in a shelter. It's difficult enough to maintain good hygiene and a healthy environment for humans in a temporary shelter.

6. Private groups subject themselves to liability for misbehavior of pets in their facilities.

I would hate to see the Salvation Army or Red Cross sued because someone's dog bit a small child, but that's just what would happen. These groups shouldn't have to waste their money on inane lawsuits and lawyers.

Some groups such as Pet Sitters International are petitioning the President and state officials to create pet-friendly evacuation centers throughout the United States.

That's a sweet, romantic idea but the problems above would still exist. Crowding traumatized people and pets into a temporary setting will create many problems.

I know many pet owners are initially outraged at shelter policies but consider all the problems involved and the responsibility of shelters to care for humans first.

Please review the tips and download the free booklet on disaster planning for pets prepared by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).

Download it at http://www.avma.org/disaster/saving_family.asp

Since public shelters rarely allow pets, the AVMA suggests finding a boarding clinic or kennel 30-90 miles away when you know a disaster is coming.

AVMA also recommends preparing an evacuation kit containing:
--two weeks supply of drinking water
--bowls
--bucket
--scoop and plastic bags for wastes
--cleaning supplies
--paper towels
--leash or harness
--collar
--tie out
--first aid kit
--towels and blankets
--proof of ownership
--photos of your dog and you
--medications and copy of medical records
--favorite toys and treats.

The best plan is to evacuate with your pets when you're warned about an impeding disaster. Head toward family or friends rather than a public shelter.

P.S. Visit http://www.ToyBreeds.com next month for a new edition of the Bone-Mot™.

Convalescent Care - What the Doctor Ordered

2005-10-01T13:37:00.000-07:00

At least once in your dog's life, it's likely he will have some type of surgery requiring a general anesthetic; e.g., being neutered.

Hopefully, you'll have time to prepare your dog and your home for his recovery.

Here are a few tips to help you both cope with his aftercare. You may not need this yet but hang on to this article. You never know.

1. Getting started

When you take your dog to the vet for surgery, make sure you find out when and how you can get progress reports. If you're like the rest of us, you'll be even more anxious than your dog to make sure all goes well.

Usually vets let dogs go home once they are fully conscious and able to walk.

Make sure you ask the vet about your dog's after care:

Diet - cooked, skinned white meat chicken and boiled white rice
is usually OK

Drinking - can he have water right away? Can he suck on ice chips?

Bandages - are there are dressings or bandages you'll need to change.
Understand what you're expected to do.

Contacts - who do you call if your dog develops problems, especially at 3 a.m.

Medication - what, if any, is required
how may it be given, such as in food or with water

Exercise - how soon and what type should he get

Follow ups - make needed appointments for check-ups or removal of stitches

2. Driving home

Make sure you secure your dog on the ride home from the vet.

He may be a bit woozy and wobbly as well as bit depressed. He may have some shaved body areas and a raw cough if he had an endotracheal tube in his throat.

Be sure to keep any drafts off him and have a little blanket to put on him in case he seems cold. If there are two humans in the car, you may want to hold him securely on the back seat while you sit comfortably next to him.

3. Being home

The first thing he's apt to do is go the potty. You make need to support him if he's still wobbly.

Don't be surprised if he immediately goes to sleep, especially as the anesthetic wears off, usually 24 to 36 hours.

Make sure your dog has a quiet, warm, draft-free place to sleep. You'll want to look on him from time to time but don't let his peace be disturbed by too many visitors or too much commotion.

4. Taking his medicine

If he needs medication including pain medication, follow the directions you got from the vet. If the medication didn't come with a chart, use a calendar to mark off each time you give him his medicine so you don't forget or get confused on how long ago you gave him something.

Many dogs hate pills but most will swallow them whole if wrapped in peanut butter.

5. Changing dressings

Check the operation site daily to ensure it is healing properly. Don't bathe it unless your vet has said it's OK to do so, but you may need to take action to prevent your dog from licking it.

If you're applying any topical medicine to your dog, you'll find he loves to lick it off.

Use an Elizabethan collar to stop him from reaching the wound site. Your vet may supply one or you can buy one from pet stores or via the Internet.

6. Getting back on his feet

Start your dog walking as soon as the vet says it's OK. You usually don't exercise him until all stitches have been removed. If you have an active dog, you may have to force him to stay off his paws and keep him from running around the house.

Too much and too strenuous exercise can cause poor wound healing and inflammation so be sure to follow your vet's direction to the letter.

If your dog is going to require physical therapy, I hope you have a pet insurance policy that covers it. This can get expensive quickly.

7. Getting fed

Your small dog may need to be fed more frequently than usual because he won't be able to eat much and there is a danger of low blood sugar if he isn't fed.

Be sure to give him fresh food, nothing stale or left-over. You don't want to risk introducing bacteria when he's still recovering. You may need to support him if he has trouble eating. Make sure to provide fresh water all day long.

8. Watching for these problems

Sinking into unconsciousness

Not being fully conscious after 36 hours

Cold and clammy paws and pale gums

Allergic reactions around the mouth, face or throat as a result
of anesthetic or medication

Feces containing blood

Bleeding, swelling, redness , oozing or bad odors at the operation
site

Pulling out stitches

Happily with today's veterinary medicine, complications are unlikely but alertness on your part can stop any small problem from growing into a major problem. Best wishes to you all.

Reduce Shedding, Get Rid of Urine Stains

2005-10-01T13:34:00.000-07:00

Two Products I've Grown to Love

I attended SuperZoo in Las Vegas last month and was amused to
see that the most popular displays for were basic dog products - getting
rid of urine odors and getting rid of excess hair.

Both products had popular booths where continually playing videos
showed how to use the products.

1. The first was Urine Off to remove odor and stains.

If you can stand the shock, get a black light and see how many
stains exist in your home even though you can't see them. Turn off
all the lights in your house and then run the black light over every room.

You can buy a hand-held light at www.amazon.com for about $19. The
battery operated Ultra Violet Urine Detector illuminates urine that
is undetectable to the human eye.

When you find a stain, use Urine Off to remove it. This spray on
product works on hardwood, carpet, concrete, tile, fabric and
everything else I've tried it on. This is now the product I recommend.

The spray bottle usually retails for around $20 but the cheapest
I've found it was $12.

2. My second favorite product is the FURminator to remove excess hair.
What a great product for spaniels and spitzes; e.g., King Charles
Cavalier Spaniel and Pomeranian.

This is a three-step de-shedding program. You use two solutions
to get the coat ready and then run a special tool over your dog's
coat to remove all the loose hairs. The tool, which has an unique
blade, grabs and removes (not cuts) undercoat quickly and easily.
It's amazing how much hair will fall on the floor!

It comes in three sizes and ranges from $35 to $60. Although you can
use the tool without the two solutions, the product does work better
if used together.

It was quite amusing that with all the expensive, fashionable and unique
products - many, many dog day spa products - the most popular were the
evergreen products for urine removal and excess hair!

Leptospirosis - Deadly Disease Rains Down in the Fall

2005-09-01T20:49:00.000-07:00

Fall through December is the prime season for leptospirosis, a
disease spread by wild and domestic animals. This disease can attack
a dog's kidneys, liver or blood vessels with serious and even fatal
consequences.

The problem is that this is the rainy season and rains wash the
spiral-shaped leptospires into ponds and other bodies of water
while the water temperature encourages the bacteria to survive.

Dogs can contact the disease directly from other animals or by contact
with soil or water containing the bacteria thanks to contaminated
urine or poop.

Getting outdoors with your dog can be a great experience but it exposes
your dog to this bacterial disease. "Outdoors" especially includes dog
parks which I hate. Many owners do not have their dogs vaccinated and
many, many owners are irresponsible about picking up dog poop.

Contacting the disease isn't necessarily fatal. Common symptoms include
fever, loss of appetites, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration and
reddening of the eye area. Some dogs manage to clear the infection
through their systems with minimal problems.

Other dogs, however, can suffer kidney or liver failure if the
disease goes untreated. Tufts Veterinary School reports that about
one in five dogs die from the disease.

There is a vaccination for leptospirosis although it covers only four
strains of the disease. Recently, veterinarians are seeing increasing
incidences of the disease as well as new strains of the disease that
vaccines don't protect against. It's estimated that more than 200
strains exist worldwide.

Be aware that humans can contact leptospirosis so it is important to
protect your dog as well as yourself. In addition to talking to your
vet about vaccinating your dog, here are a few tips to prevent disease.

1. Avoid high risk areas such as dog parks.

2. Don't let your dog drink from ponds, lakes and other public water
areas. Give him tap water and take containers with you for him when
you do on hikes.

3. Clean up your own yard, both of your dog's poop and any leavings
from other animals that might wander into your yard. Remember animals
includes rodents, raccoons, skunks, moles as well as other domestic animals.

4. Wash your dogs after handling your dog and anything that might have
his urine or poop on it.

5. Clean potentially infected surfaces with an antibacterial solution
or a homemade mixture of bleach and water.

6. Most important - if you suspect your dog may be sick or infected,
get him to a vet as quickly as possible. The earlier the treatment,
the better the outcome.

Fido Isn’t As Popular As You Might Think!

2005-09-01T20:47:00.000-07:00

Despite the increased press coverage of dogs and other pets in the U.S.,
the number of dog owners is remaining fairly static and in some areas
even declining.

The American Kennel Club has experienced a significant drop in the
number of purebred registrations over the past decade. The AKC reported
that each of the last five years has averaged about 51,000 fewer dogs
registered.

Keep that in mind when you read articles about how many more homes own
pets. Our population keeps growing each year so the number of homes with
pets may be growing in absolute terms but as a proportion of the total
population, the number of pet owners are remaining relatively stable.

In fact, this year a British marketing research company reported that
dog and other pet ownership in Britain is plummeting. Forty-eight
percent of British households now own a fish, bird or other pet,
compared to 55 percent in 1999 according to this 2005 survey.

There are several reasons for the decline:
1. Increased popularity of electronic entertainment among children
in lieu of pets;

2. Changes in family life including two-earner families and single
households;

3. Time-starved families that don’t want high maintenance additions
to their family; and

4. Increasing expense of pet ownership. This includes the cost of
maintenance, skyrocketing veterinary fees and increasing insurance
premiums when insurance is even available. The American Kennel Club
this year reported that the “average” responsible dog owner spends
about $2,500 (!) a year on a dog.

We read more articles about dogs and luxury pet businesses, such as
doggy day care and spas, because the people who own dogs are tending
to spend more money on them.

The age group with the highest degree of dog ownership are the 45 to
54 year-olds. In other words, people whose children are grown and have
the time and money to spend on their canine children. The Pet Products
Association reported that sales of pet products has grown in double
digits each of the last five years.

Couple these trends in lifestyle with the animal rights groups
campaigns and lobbying against pet ownership and we may be facing
a future where pet ownership is rare and prohibitively expensive.
New anti-breeder and anti-dog laws pop upevery single day.

Enjoy your dog today and support the groups like American Dog Owners
Association at http://www.adoa.org or the National Animal Interest
Alliance at http://www.naiaonline.org that lobby for our rights to
have pets.

Beware of Raw Foods for Your Dog

2005-08-01T09:24:00.000-07:00

Despite the best efforts of public health agencies, some dog owners continue to believe that raw meats are safe and beneficial for their dogs.

Many people even believe the old wives tale that cooked foods are more difficult to digest than raw food. It’s true there is some structural change from the cooking process, but it works just as much in favor of digestibility, for example, by partially breaking down the protein structure.

As to feeding your dog raw meats which consist mainly of beef, chicken and lamb, your dog can get Salmonella or E. coli. and other food poisoning just as you can.

In June of this year, one major manufacturer of dog food treats - T.W. Enterprises Inc. of Ferndale, WA. and Aron Pet Food of Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada - recalled a number of products due to Salmonella contamination.

There have recently been three human illnesses caused by Salmonella bacteria in Canada linked to natural pet treats. This is one of several incidents where natural pet treats have been linked to salmonellosis in humans over the past six years, including previous Salmonella outbreaks in 1999 and 2002.

In response, the Public Health Agency of Canada advised people who give their pets natural pet treats and/or raw food made from raw animal materials to wash their hands thoroughly with warm water and soap after handling these products.

Natural pet treats include various dried or smoked products with animal or seafood contents. Animal treats include ears, hooves and hearts from a number of species. Products may be sold prepackaged or in bulk. Some of these products may be a source of Salmonella bacteria that may increase the risk of Salmonella infection in humans.

In comparison to products like raw chicken meat, commercial dog foods are relatively safe because they are cooked at high temperatures from eight to 24 hours -- a process that kills any bacteria on the product.

Salmonellosis is an infection with Salmonella bacteria. Symptoms of salmonellosis are nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most people recover without treatment.

In some people, however, the diarrhea may be so severe that hospitalization is required. Young children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to have a severe illness.

Studies completed by the Public Health Agency of Canada have confirmed that some of these products may be contaminated and have shown that dogs fed these products can shed Salmonella bacteria in their stool for days. A recent study from the United States also supports these findings.

See the news article and warning from the Canadian government at
http://www.news.gc.ca/cfmx/view/en/index.jsp?articleid=159639&

You’ll hear many people, especially on the Internet, singing the praises of raw food diets. Ask them for their educational credentials or for scientific evidence. Expect a stunned silence.

Both the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Public Health of Canada are warning consumers about using and serving raw meat products to their pets.

Here’s what the FDA says: "The FDA believes that feeding raw meat diets to pets is not consistent with its goal of protecting the public from significant health risks," says William Burkholder, D.V.M., Ph.D., the Food and Drug Administration's pet food specialist. In addition, he says, raw meat and bones do not have all the required nutrients that a pet, for example, a dog, needs on a daily basis.

Read the article at http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2004/104_pets.html

Doesn’t it make more sense to listen to people who’ve actually know what they’re doing as compared with a stranger on the Internet? Avoid raw food diets for your pets!

P.S. Visit http://www.ToyBreeds.com next month for a new edition of the Bone-Mot™.

Has American Kennel Club Lost Its Way?

2005-08-01T09:23:00.001-07:00

Has the AKC Lost Its Way?

For reasons many of us cannot understand, the American Kennel Club (AKC) is supporting enactment of the "Pet Animal Welfare Statute" (PAWS) which is a bill to amend the federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA).

It would require federal licensing and inspection of the private homes of many hobby breeders. Until now no federal license has been required to breed cats and dogs in a private residence and sell retail to the public. PAWS will also have an impact on rescue organizations, requiring licensing of many of these as retail sellers.

The AWA standards are written for commercial establishments and not in-home facilities. Compliance with commercial regulations will be difficult if not impossible for rescue and small, private cat and dog hobby breeders.

Three years ago when the bill was first introduced in Congress as the Puppy Protection Act, the AKC stated correctly: “the so-called Puppy Protection Act is based on sensationalized conclusions rather than facts. It will involve the federal government in unworkable regulation of the breeding practices of individual breeders.”

The above is true of the 2005 version of the bill, PAWS. What is different this year is the AKC's support.

The organizations that are supporting this horrible piece of legislation are the Humane Society of the United States, PETA, the Doris Day Animal League (DDAL), and the American Kennel Club. In other words, three organizations that believe humans are not entitled to make pets of dogs and that have used lawsuits to harass those who breed animals support this legislation. And the AKC!

Among the groups that opposed PAWS are the United Kennel Club (UKC), the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) (the feline counterpart to AKC) and the National Animal Interest Alliance. Read the CFA's 10 Reasons Why PAWS Bill Should Be Killed.

Despite the support by the AKC’s national group, 42% of the AKC’s member groups oppose PAWS. Those include American Brussels Griffon Association, Papillon Club of America, Pug Dog Club of America, Yorkshire Terrier Club of America and American Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club.

Four AKC directors voted against the motion to support the proposed legislation. One of those directors is Dr. Carmen Battaglia, has chosen to make his concerns with PAWS and the AKC's position public at http://saova.org/1139battaglia.html

His statement indicates the AKC's underlying rationale is flawed, the bill itself poorly written and dangerous and he urges its defeat.

I have no idea what possess the AKC to support this horrible piece of legislation. What it has said is 1) Sen. R. Santorum (R-PA who sponsored this legislation), HSUS and DDAL were going to pass AWA legislation, with, or without, its support and 2) no legislation is perfect!

The problem is that by collaborating with animal-rights groups and their lackey, Sen. Santorum, the AKC no longer has the ability to negotiate worthwhile changes in the bill because it’s one of the authors.

The attitude of their directors and paid legislative staff is "We're the American Kennel Club. We don't care. We don’t have to."

We all support reasonable laws that will protect dogs but this law is intended only to harass dog breeders.

If you want to preserve your right and your children’s right to have dogs as pets, notify the members of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry which is considering this legislation: http://agriculture.senate.gov/sen.htm as well your own Representative and Senators.

P.S. Visit http://www.ToyBreeds.com next month for a new edition of the Bone-Mot™.

Has American Kennel Club Lost Its Way?

2005-08-01T09:23:00.000-07:00

For reasons many of us cannot understand, the American Kennel Club (AKC) is supporting enactment of the "Pet Animal Welfare Statute" (PAWS) which is a bill to amend the federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA).

It would require federal licensing and inspection of the private homes of many hobby breeders. Until now no federal license has been required to breed cats and dogs in a private residence and sell retail to the public. PAWS will also have an impact on rescue organizations, requiring licensing of many of these as retail sellers.

The AWA standards are written for commercial establishments and not in-home facilities. Compliance with commercial regulations will be difficult if not impossible for rescue and small, private cat and dog hobby breeders.

Three years ago when the bill was first introduced in Congress as the Puppy Protection Act, the AKC stated correctly: “the so-called Puppy Protection Act is based on sensationalized conclusions rather than facts. It will involve the federal government in unworkable regulation of the breeding practices of individual breeders.”

The above is true of the 2005 version of the bill, PAWS. What is different this year is the AKC's support.

The organizations that are supporting this horrible piece of legislation are the Humane Society of the United States, PETA, the Doris Day Animal League (DDAL), and the American Kennel Club. In other words, three organizations that believe humans are not entitled to make pets of dogs and that have used lawsuits to harass those who breed animals support this legislation. And the AKC!

Among the groups that opposed PAWS are the United Kennel Club (UKC), the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) (the feline counterpart to AKC) and the National Animal Interest Alliance. Read the CFA's 10 Reasons Why PAWS Bill Should Be Killed.

Despite the support by the AKC’s national group, 42% of the AKC’s member groups oppose PAWS. Those include American Brussels Griffon Association, Papillon Club of America, Pug Dog Club of America, Yorkshire Terrier Club of America and American Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club.

Four AKC directors voted against the motion to support the proposed legislation. One of those directors is Dr. Carmen Battaglia, has chosen to make his concerns with PAWS and the AKC's position public at http://saova.org/1139battaglia.html

His statement indicates the AKC's underlying rationale is flawed, the bill itself poorly written and dangerous and he urges its defeat.

I have no idea what possess the AKC to support this horrible piece of legislation. What it has said is 1) Sen. R. Santorum (R-PA who sponsored this legislation), HSUS and DDAL were going to pass AWA legislation, with, or without, its support and 2) no legislation is perfect!

The problem is that by collaborating with animal-rights groups and their lackey, Sen. Santorum, the AKC no longer has the ability to negotiate worthwhile changes in the bill because it’s one of the authors.

The attitude of their directors and paid legislative staff is "We're the American Kennel Club. We don't care. We don’t have to."

We all support reasonable laws that will protect dogs but this law is intended only to harass dog breeders.

If you want to preserve your right and your children’s right to have dogs as pets, notify the members of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry which is considering this legislation: http://agriculture.senate.gov/sen.htm as well your own Representative and Senators.

P.S. Visit http://www.ToyBreeds.com next month for a new edition of the Bone-Mot™.

Beware of Raw Foods for Your Dog

2005-08-01T09:22:00.000-07:00

Dog Days of Summer (Tips for a Safe Summer)

2005-07-01T09:53:00.000-07:00

Dog Days of Summer are the muggiest days of the summer and generally are considered to occur from July 2 to Aug 11.

Wonder where that term came from? Ancient Egyptians. Before smog, lights and construction obscured the night sky, people used to watch the stars and imagine the constellations formed pictures of common items.

Among those common items were dogs. Two of those constellations became known as Canis Major and Canis Minor. The brightest star in the night sky and one which was part of Canis Major was called Sirius, the dog star.

During July/August, Sirius rises and sets with the Sun at times. Our ancient forefathers believed the star’s heat added to the sun’s which created 20-days of hot and muggy weather. This period became known as “dog days” after the dog star.
Whatever the scientific background of the term, there’s no denying July and August can be beastly hot – for us and our dogs.

You must know the prime rules of summer – never leave a dog in a parked car! and see he has plenty of water to drink but here are three tips that are not so obvious.

1. Prevent sunburn.

This is a major problem for hairless dogs such as Chinese Crested, for dogs with bare skins such as Maltese with their parted hair exposing bare skin and for any dog’s exposed ears and nose. Be advised that an overdose of sun may be associated with cancers of the nose and ears.

Don’t let your dog out in the sun, especially on a beach, for long periods of time and use a safe-for-dogs sun block on him.

Remember your dog will want to lick any suntan lotion off so you must be sure it is non-toxic to him. Your vet can recommend a brand or use a product made for babies. Doggles, the company that makes sunglasses for dogs, has come out with a sunscreen safe for dogs called Doggles Pet Screen. It’s available at http://www.entirelypets.com/petsunscreen.html $8.99 for a 2-oz spray.

I prefer to use stick sunscreen as it’s harder for a dog to lick off. If you use a sun block for babies make sure it doesn’t contain any lanolin or baby oil.

2. Protect his paws.

Hot pavement and unclean grass can be hard on a dog’s paws. I like to use all-weather Muttluks on my dog while other people try something like Vaseline on their paws.

If it’s too hot or you don’t like paw protectors, there are two products to consider:
1. Shaws Paw Wax which is very popular at dog shows to prevent dogs from slipping on the floors. The Paw Wax will help protect your dog’s paws from the heat as well as gravel, asphalt and all hard surfaces. Shaw's Paw Wax is $5.95 for a can.

2. Musher’s Secret is a popular product that protects paws from hot concrete as well as icy pavement. Apply a thin coat on pads and between the toes. You only use this product once a week unless your dog is out in extreme conditions. It’s $9.95 for a jar.

Both products are safe for dogs and available from J. B. Wholesale at http://www.jbpet.com/Shopping/default.asp.

3. Beware your own backyard.

Along with all the dangerous plants and diseases hiding in the grass, don’t forget about your garden hose. It is NOT advisable to let your dog drink from a hose. Standard vinyl garden hose has substances in it to keep the hose flexible. These chemicals, which get into the water as it goes through the hose, are not safe for humans or pets and there's also no way to tell what's inside the hose. The outside thread opening at the end of the hose could be contaminated, covered with chemicals or germs or bacteria from a previous use, dirt, insects, or rodents.

A more current problem is West Nile virus which dogs can get from mosquitoes just as we can. Officials say pet owners should avoid walking dogs especially older dogs in areas with a lot of mosquitoes and should keep them indoors in the evening.

Never use insect spray on dogs because the dog can lick it off and ingest it.

As a general preventive, take a few minutes daily to run your hands, or a comb, through your dog's coat to look for ticks and other insects.

Most of all, enjoy the summer sun and vacation time with your canine companion. Just make sure it’s a safe summer for both of you.

Recommended/Not Recommended Dog Charities

2005-07-01T09:43:00.000-07:00

Recommended

1. Your community’s shelter or your breed rescue group.

Although I don’t recommend first-time dog owners adopt a dog from them (see 7 Things You (Probably) Didn't Know about Animal Shelters), these organizations are the home of last resort for thousands of dogs and deserve your financial support and your time if you can volunteer.

Although your local group may share the name "humane society" or "society for prevention of cruelty to animals," local groups do not receive any funding from the national groups and are separate entities. Local organizations may be private, or contracted with their local government, and set their own policies.

In fact, groups such as the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) even charge local shelters for assistance they provide.

Nestle Purina is getting on the wristband bandwagon through its Rally to Rescue collar and wristband for you and your dog.

Sets of purple and silver collars and wristbands have been furnished to rescue groups across the country and organizations are encouraged to request at least a $5 donation per set. See http://www.rallytorescue.org/ for more information.

2. Canine Companions for Independence http://www.caninecompanions.org/

As the name implies this is the organization that trains dogs to
support people with developmental or physical disabilities so they can live independently. No dogs are every more cherished than these well trained life savers.

3. Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind
http://www.GuideDog.org

This non-profit, rated one of the 100 best charities by Reader’s Digest magazine, trains and places about 80 dogs a year with blind individuals. It is one of the oldest, animal-related non-profits in the US.

Not recommended

1. Humane Society of the United States (HSUS)

The biggest mistake people make is thinking that their local humane society is a branch of the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). It isn't. So how many HSUS-run animal shelters benefit from its nearly $95-million 2005 annual budget? None.

HSUS spends the majority of its money on political activity, legal challenges and fund raising. Although once a worthwhile group, it has been taken over by the animal rights cultists.

"The life of an ant and the life of my child should be granted equal consideration," Michael Fox, Head of HSUS's Center for Respect for Life and Environment, said. His view is emblematic of today's HSUS and as such, it is not a group worthy of anyone's support.

2. American Society for the Prevention of Animal Cruelty (ASPCA)

Many local organizations use the term SPCA, but they are not related to the ASPCA which is based in New York.

This is another group that spends substantial sums on fund raising and political activity. In fact, New York State Attorney General Elliot Spitzer accused the ASPC of engaging in inappropriate direct fundraising activities although the ASPCA denied the charge.

It's unfortunate but the ASPCA also is a group with a proud history that has been taken over by the animal rights cultists and now spends its efforts lobbying against hunting, animal acts in circuses and encouraging everyone to become a vegetarian.

Save your money.

3. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)

PETA has made donations to the terrorist group, Environmental Liberation Front (ELF) and several defense funds for accused Animal Liberation Front (ALF) members. A group so reckless with its funds does not deserve to keep its non-profit status or receive your support.

Two organizations that rate non-profits on how well they spend their money in the ratio of administration/fund raising to activities are http://www.CharityNavigator.org/ and http://www.give.org/.

This is the not same as whether their goals are worthwhile but only whether they have an acceptable ratio of fundraising/administrative expense compared to performance.

A group that rates only animal related charities is ANIMAL PEOPLE at animalpeoplenews.org.

Each year in the December issue of ANIMAL PEOPLE, Editor Merritt Clifton offers his annual investigative piece, "Who Gets The Money," providing information (including executive salaries) on one hundred and fifty animal charities.

The Watchdog Report can be ordered on line for $25 at animalpeoplenews.org.
And don't forget Animal People -- which is itself a nonprofit, about as lean as they come-- when it's time to pick animal charities worthy of your donations.

Five Most Dangerous Plants for Dogs

2005-06-01T09:50:00.000-07:00

How to Be a Responsible Dog Owner

2005-06-01T09:49:00.000-07:00

Here are ten obligations of a responsible dog owner. Rate yourself or give it (anonymously!) to some other dog owner.

1. Don’t get a dog unless you can afford the upkeep including an annual veterinary examination, vaccinations and potential emergency care.

2. Make sure your dog has identification, preferably by microchip (see my article at http://www.toybreeds.com/microchips.htm.

3. Don’t let your dog roam unsupervised and don’t walk him without a leash in urban areas.

4. Know and obey your local and community laws and rules on dogs.

5. ALWAYS SCOOP POOP when out on walks. Put it in a plastic bag for placement in liter container.

6. Worm your dog regularly throughout the year – it’s not just a summertime need.

7. Provide him with a balanced, high quality dog food and continual fresh clean water.

8. Have adequate insurance. This may include pet health insurance but definitely includes homeowners and liability insurance. Any dog can bite – I repeat, any dog can bite. Protect your home and assets with insurance.

9. Don’t let your dog jump up or rush people and other dogs. You have no right to complain if a stranger uses a mace-like spray on your dog if you’re letting him run loose.

10. MOST IMPORTANT – respect the views and rights of others. Not everyone loves dogs as much as we do. These people, however, have a right to peaceful walks or bike rides, clean yards and quiet enjoyment of their backyards!

P.S. Visit http://www.ToyBreeds.com next month for a new edition of the Bone-Mot™.

License the Owner and the Dog!

2005-06-01T09:48:00.000-07:00

I continue to be depressed by the number of people I see out walking their dogs and making no effort to control their unruly dogs or clean up after their dogs.

Why should we responsible dog owners be concerned?

Because typically communities react to complaints by restricting all dog ownership rather than targeting the irresponsible dog owners. It's cheaper and quicker for them to punish us all.

If you love having a canine companion, you must be concerned about protecting your right to have a pet.

What should responsible dog owners be doing?

1. Set a good example.

Keep your dog leashed on your walks and do not let him jump up or attack other dogs or people. For heaven’s sake, clean up after him!

I like to buy cheap plastic gloves and bags at Costco. When my dog leaves his "calling card," I simply put on a glove and pick up the poop. I then bag the glove and poop in a plastic bag that I can seal so I'm not walking around with a strong odor.

2. Report irresponsible owners to the proper authorities.

If you continue to run into a problem dog in public places, take a camera with you on your next outing and get a photo of the dog and owner. You can give the photo to authorities so they can recognize the problem dog and owner.

We protect our right to have a dog as well as everyone else’s when we insist every dog owner follow the rules. (See the next article with the 10 requirements of responsible dog ownership.)

The best way for communities to protect our right to have a pet is to start licensing owners or households. This would be similar to the way our states license car drivers.

I am not advocating protracted tests, but dog owners should know the laws/rules in their communities related to dogs. That means such items as leash laws and pooper scooper requirements.

Every household or individual with a dog should be required to have a license. These could be obtained concurrently and have the same expiration date as the owner's driver license.

If an owner doesn't drive, a community could have the owner's license test given at the same time as the owner gets his dog licensed.

Computers make it easy and inexpensive for cities to have residents take a simple 5 or so questions test.

If an owner breaks the laws, he could lose his license to own a dog and the dog could be seized. The owner would need to pass the license test and pay a penalty to get his dog back. This is identical to the way we treat drunken and reckless drivers.

I realize this sounds harsh, but there doesn't seem to be any gentle way to deal with hard-core selfish brats who insist on having dogs.

We’ll have a healthier society when we acknowledge that pet ownership is a privilege, not a right.

P.S. Visit http://www.ToyBreeds.com next month for a new edition of the Bone-Mot™.

Domestic Terrorism = Animal Liberation Front

2005-05-15T19:34:00.000-07:00

April 19, 2005 marked two momentous events in the United States - one was the 10th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing and the other was the sentencing of a 24-year-old man to 8-years in prison for a spree of arson and vandalism of sport utility vehicles.

Why do I group the two?

Because both stem from domestic terrorism and both may serve as wake up calls to more Americans.

Although everyone recognized the horror of Oklahoma City, it has taken a decade for our criminal justice system to begin targeting the domestic terrorists of the Environmental Liberation Front (ELF) and Animal Liberation Front (ALF).

The 24-year-old man sentenced to prison was typical of the ALF/ELF mentality - whining that he was only trying to protect the earth. So what if $3.5Million of damages were incurred by the small businesses and individuals he attacked. Ironically, it is only the dollar value of his damaged property that made the sentence as long as it was. (Keep reading ...)

The need for vigilance remains.

Even as the Department of Homeland Security added ALF and ELF to its list of threats, left-wing Democrats won't acknowledge how dangerous these two groups are.

The San Jose Mercury News quoted Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss and other Democrats as complaining about the recognition of ALF and ELF as terrorist groups. They want federal law enforcement to concentrate on far right-wing and white-supremacist groups.

How dangerous are ELF and ALF?

A visit to either of their websites evidences how crazed both organizations are. Example - ELF explains how to set fires with electrical timers.

Since the mid-1990s, these sibling organizations have been blamed (or taken credit) for $43M worth damages to property and hundreds of terrorist attacks on individuals. Their first concentrated terrorist attacks were against loggers and logging companies in the Northwest. Remember the rash of "tree spiking" intended to maim or kill loggers?

In May 2005, the FBI charged seven people with terrorism to stop the use of animals for product-testing. The members of Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty seek to shut down Huntingdon Life Sciences, a New Jersey product-testing company.

The FBI alleges that the terrorists set fire to Huntingdon employees' cars, vandalized shareholders' homes and threatened their families.

What's the penalty for this domestic terrorism? Thanks to the lenient charges by prosecutors these terrorists face no more than a mere 3-years in prison if convicted.

Outcome of terrorist acts against Huntingdon

News articles (search via Google) show instances whereby these group of ALF-like nuts have threatened judges (and their mothers!); the Huntingdon auditor (Deloitte and Touche) sufficiently for them to resign; and their bank and insurance companies to the point where in England the government had to become their insurer.

As disturbing as these instances of violence are for the victims, it is even worst that companies cave in to these terrorists. This reign of terrorism reminds me of the Klu Klux Klan's years of success in maintaining segregation in the South.

Integration happened because of the active intervention by the federal government both in prosecuting the KKK's terrorist acts and in protecting those brave individuals who defied the KKK. When will our government wake up and start protecting Huntingdon employees and its business partners?

Why is criminal justice system so lax?

Comments from Rep. Thompson above are good examples of the attitudes among some government officials.

Law enforcement agents have been unwilling to make massive arrests for trespassing, vandalism and malicious mischief. Many of the terrorists are young students and many bureaucrats and politicians sympathize with the anti-business, save-the-animal/earth rhetoric of the terrorists.

On the other hand, when terrorist rhetoric is centered on death threats to government personnel, they're taken seriously.

As reprehensible as Rep. Thompson as his ilk are, even worse are the non-profit organizations who support and fund the terrorists.

Even the IRS is useless

PETA - People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals - is a perfect example. PETA has made donations to ELF and several defense funds for accused ALF members.

PETA claims that its donations to ELF are for legitimate activities, not acts of terrorism. However, since a dollar is a dollar and since the underground ELF has no accountability, there is nothing other than the supposition of a Hollywood airhead to believe that the money was used for lawful purposes.

Despite numerous instances of PETA's financial support of these domestic terrorist groups, the IRS still allows PETA to remain a tax-exempt organization.

There is no lack of laws in America to deal with these domestic terrorists. There is only a lack of will on the part of left-wing politicians and law enforcement to enforce the laws that exist.

Summary

If any other minority group had been targeted, threatened and terrorized to the degree loggers or employees of Huntington Life Sciences had been, every left-wing Democrat in Congress would join the rest of the Democratic party and Republicans in demanding a strong law enforcement response.

Thanks to the cleverness of the terrorists to use left-wing save-the-earth/save-the-animals rhetoric, however, they're often given a free pass. The reality is a bomber is a bomber. He craves the thrill and has no empathy for others or individual morality to curb his behavior. If all the animal-testing in the world stopped on Thursday, by Friday the bomber would have a new target and new rhetoric.

Please - remind your Congressional representatives that you expect full enforcement of laws against ALL domestic terrorists and the revocation by the IRS of PETA's tax-exempt status.

Let's wake up before we're commemorating another group of 168 killed by a domestic terrorist's bomb - even if that group isn't government employees.

Is Pet Insurance Worthwhile?

2005-05-01T13:24:00.000-07:00

Two years ago, Consumer Reports said no. An owner would be better off
building a savings account.

The problems are that 1) not many companies offer pet insurance, 2) not many owners purchased coverage and 3) not many veterinarians encourage clients to use pet insurance. The result is expensive plans with many exclusions.

As veterinary treatment continues to become more sophisticated and more expensive, however, it may be worthwhile to take another look at pet insurance.

Consider how much you spend a year on veterinary care, the age of your dog and his potential problems. Develop estimate(s) for 1 to 5 years and then see how expensive premiums would be for the same period and how much of your expenses they would cover.

There are several plans you should evaluate:

1. Petco - This major pet products store offers the PetCare Pet Insurance Program. As of this writing, they charge $1 for the first month and $10.75 each month thereafter. That's about $120 a year. One major note - this plan does not cover dogs older than 6-years of age. Visit: http://www.petco.com

2. American Kennel Club - AKC offers Pet Healthcare Plan. It's more expensive ($35 a month for standard coverage) but there's no age limit on dogs. Visit: http://www.petpartnersinc.com.

3. Veterinary Pet Insurance - VPI has about 85% of the market and offers discounted programs through many corporations and organizations. For example, Iams has teamed with VPI to offer an insurance plan.

Your premium is based on your dog's age, health and any discounts your get, but runs $100-$300 a year depending on the coverage. Dogs of any age may be insured.
Visit: http://www.iams.com or http://www.petinsurance.com.

4. PETsMART - Optimum Wellness Plan is affiliated with PETsMART and operates the chain of Banfield Pet Hospitals at about 400 locations. Their insurance is good only at those hospitals and standard coverage is about $200 a year.
Visit: http://www.petsmart.com/banfield/index.shtml.

Alternative to insurance is discount card
5. Pet Assure - With this company, you pay an annual fee of $99 for one pet and receive discounts of 25% from affiliated vendors which include veterinarians, pet sitters and groomers.

To see if this makes sense for you, visit their website and see if vets and other providers you want to use are members of Pet Assure. Depending on how frequently you use a vet or groomer, this plan may make sense for you.
Visit: http://www.petassure.com/pa/index.asp.

In deciding whether to buy pet insurance, be sure to consider:

Plan affiliations. See if your employer or pet-industry organization you belong to has an affiliation with one of the plans. Some companies make a contribution to premiums while others ensure employees get a group rate.

Coverage exclusions. Many don't cover routine vet visits and others don't cover genetic or hereditary problems. None will cover pre-existing conditions from day one. Some won't ever cover them while others make you wait x-days. Many policies exclude dental and maternity care.

Plan exclusions. Some plans won't cover senior canines and some won't cover certain breeds. Not all plans operate in all states.

Plan limits. Does it set annual, life-time or per-illness limits?

Premium increases. Do rates go up as your dog ages or if he has chronic health problems? Some plans charge as much as $500 a year for older dogs.

Premium discounts. Do you get discounts for multiple pets?
Payment process. Does the plan pay the vet or you?

Plan providers. Will your vet accept the plan? Many vets are still unenthusiastic about insurance. Don't buy a policy until you've checked with the vet you want to use.

Best advice Evaluate carefully but always promote your dog's good health by feeding him a balanced premium dog food; ensuring he gets some exercise and isn't overweight; and keeping his vaccinations up-to-date.

P.S. Visit http://www.ToyBreeds.com
next month for a new edition of the Bone-Mot™.

dogs

10 Questions to Help You Decide on a Dog Breed

2005-04-17T14:11:00.000-07:00

Life and Death with Clones

2005-04-13T21:21:00.000-07:00

Now that cloned pets are being offered for sale, the debate over them is increasing. The usual suspects - animal rights groups - are fighting to ban cloning. Other groups aren't comfortable with the idea of cloning in any form.

For example, California may ban pet cloning while Great Britain has just approved cloning of horses.

A member of the California legislature is introducing legislation to ban the sale of cloned and genetically modified pets in the state. This is in response to animal-rights groups who hate the idea of any pet but scientifically-enhanced ones most of all.

The company (Genetic Savings & Clone) that produced the $50,000 cloned cats in the news last year is based in Sausalito, California and plans to offer dog cloning services later this year.

It's unlikely this will be the only company offering cloning. There already are companies that store the DNA of pets for their owners and another high-tech company expects to offer a genetically-engineered hypoallergic cat later this year.

The company offering cloning defends its work on the basis that it's making pet owners happy. There are no scientific investigations yet on whether the birth of cloned pets will cause any greater health problems than a normal birthing. Genetic Savings & Clone states that there have been no miscarriages and no health problems reported from the cloned cats.

Rather than medical problems, the issues raised seem to arise from the fear of high-tech and ethical questions. Is it just superstition and fear of the unknown? Are there ethical or religious reasons to ban the cloning of Fido and Fluffy?

The least viable argument to me is that we already have a dog overpopulation in shelters. We have an overpopulation of dogs that people don't want because they're too big or too difficult to handle. Try to find a puppy or nice small dog in your local animal shelter.

Is cloning worse than normal birthing? I don't think so. To me cloning is the most advanced form of scientific breeding. We breed dogs for temperament (hopefully) and appearance so why not jump over several generations of breeding and clone a dog where we can be as certain as humanely possible that he will be a delightful dog.

I do find it ironic that so many groups are fighting cloning of pets while so few raised any objections to the state sanctioned killing of Terri Schiavo.

I never thought America would allow a disabled woman to be starved to death to suit her husband's whims. Not only is that the case but a majority of Americans believe they and we have the right to decide if a disabled person's quality of life is worth keeping her alive or not.

I do believe in the right of a competent adult to decide whether to end his/her life. What I don't believe is causing the death of a disabled person who is in no pain and who could have lived for years otherwise when there is no documentation of that human being's wishes.

I’m afraid the claim by a “husband” who’s fathered two children by another woman and spent 7-years in the courts fighting for the right to have his wife starved to death that he was only doing what she wanted isn’t believable to me.

March 31, 2005 is a sad day for the state of ethics in America, but the cause is related to the poor quality of human beings such as Michael Schiavo rather than the threat from cloned kittens and puppies.

Expect to read about more legislation on cloning and decide for yourself if you want to support cloning bans in your state.

As to situations like Terri Schiavo, please prepare an advanced directive for your relatives so they know what your wishes are in the event you are incapacitated.

There are two forms of advanced directives:

Living Wills dictate circumstances under which you do not want medical treatment to be kept alive. Visit http://www.uslivingwillregistry.com/forms.shtm for information.

The Will to Live states your general wishes on treatment but leaves the decision to a guardian named by you. Visit http://www.nrlc.org/euthanasia/willtolive/index.html
for information.

What either the Living Will or Will to Die do is protect your family from the pressure of hospital or health care agents to end your life and cut their expenses and effort.

Two things to keep in mind:
1. Do you really know how you would feel if faced with a prolonged disability? When you're healthy or 25-years-old, it's easy to say 'I'd rather be dead than in a wheelchair'. Do you mean that?

2. Beware picking a transient relationship for your guardian. That means blood relatives often are a better choice than spouses or significant others. Lovers come and go but fathers and mothers are forever. Do you think Terri Schiavo ever believed her husband Michael would have her starved to death?

Please think this over and make a careful decision. If you know any disabled people that you care about, make certain they prepare some type of advance directive and provide copies to their doctors and hospital.

An advanced directive may be the only chance a disabled people have to live to a natural death should a family member decide they're too expensive or inconvenient to continue to let live.

How To Get Rid of Dog Odor

2005-04-01T14:09:00.000-08:00

Although we love our dogs, we don't always love how they smell. If you know or suspect your canine companion has picked up some unpleasant odors, there are things you can do to restore a fragrant home (and dog).

1. Dry him thoroughly after removing the bad odor.

Many dogs love to swim in whatever water is available. Use towels or a hair dryer on the lowest-heat setting until he's totally dry.

All dogs love to roll in smelly things and you'll probably want to clean him up before drying him. I don't like the old wives cure of tomato juice. It's as messy as the original problem and rarely works well.

For a quick fix, try Listerine or other brand of mouthwash. Put some on a washcloth and clean your dog's coat, then rinse or shampoo off. If that isn't working, add some baking soda to the mix.

2. Check for sticky objects in his coat.

Many dogs get feces or other smelly things stuck in their fur. Especially check his paws and around his anus. It's a good idea to shave his hair in a circle around his anus to minimize that possibility.

3. If his breath is bad, give him Greenies.

These are one of the great dog products and available in any pet store. If your dog is otherwise healthy and just has doggy breath, they'll do the trick.

4. Bathe him regularly especially if he spends much time outside.

Use a gentle shampoo made for dogs and wash him about every six weeks or so. Follow with a nice conditioner or make your own using a little baking soda in lukewarm water.

5. Make sure his diet isn't the problem.

Feed him a balanced, premium dog food that smells good to you and make sure his dog food hasn't spoiled or developed mold. Dog food packaging should indicate its expiration date. Always check at the store before you buy it.

6. Check his ears.

Ear infections are a common cause of bad smells. Make sure he doesn't have any discharges, bad odors or strange colors or insects in his ears. Infections need to be treated by a vet right away.

7. Clean your home and his possessions.
Doggy odors can linger in carpets. You must use an enzyme cleaner like Nature's Miracle if he has a potty accident.

To restore a nice smell in your home, sprinkle baking soda on the carpet and leave overnight before vacuuming in the morning. Also you can use a little baking soda with your laundry power when you wash his bedding and his clothing. Many people like to put a little white vinegar in the rinse water.

P.S. Older dogs and unneutered males tend to smell more strongly.

RV Plus Dog: 7 Things You Should Take With You

2005-03-20T15:50:00.000-08:00

My dog now enjoys his occasional trips in an RV, but
it took us all awhile to work out our living arrangements.

Remember dogs love routines and the more you can
maintain his normal one; e.g., walks, bedtime and feeding at
usual times, the happier he's likely to be.

If you're going to be a full-time or almost full-time
RVer, it's easier to keep a second set of everything
important for your dog in your RV.

Based on our experiences, here are 7 doggy things that I never
leave home without.

1. Nature's Miracle.

This enzyme cleaner is great for the
potty accidents as it cleans up odors so your dog doesn't
use the scent to establish a new potty area.

The excitement and stress of new surroundings and travel is
enough to make almost any dog have the occasional accident.

2. Collapsible pen or crate.

You need some way to restrain your dog when you're outside,
such as barbecuing your dinner, and can't keep your eyes
on him. Never let a dog run lose in a campground. It's dangerous
for him and liable to get you kicked out of the campground.

I don't like tie outs because of the possibility that your dog could wrap his leash or chain around his neck. Other animals or
people could attack him. He needs to be safely contained or
under your control and sight at all times.

3. Pet first-ad kit.

Buy one or make up your own. Accidents happen suddenly.
You won't have all the things in your RV that you do in your
home so me sure to keep the most common first aid items
in an easy to reach kit.

4. Water from home.

Many dogs get upset stomachs from unfamiliar water.
This is especially important, for instance, if you have
a water softener at home but will have access on the
road only to rural or well water that may be
hard with all kinds of unfamiliar minerals.

5. Favorite toy or blanket

What is the one item your dog loves the most or
takes to bed with him every night.

6. Important papers.

Have copies of his health records such as rabies and
other vaccinations and any problems including a copy
of any prescription medicines. Have several pictures of
him in case he should get lost or stolen.

7. Dry shampoo.

He's going to get dirty but you may not want to bathe
him as you would at home. You may not have the room
or the available water may be unacceptable. A dry
shampoo from a pet supply store is a great convenience.

Have a great time!!!!

Socialization - OK, but how do you do it

2005-03-19T10:38:00.000-08:00

Most puppy owners have heard how important it is to
socialize their puppies.

At the same time, they get very little information on how to do that or they get unrealistic direction. For instance, one dog writer recommended a puppy get one new experience every day for 100 days. That's fine but pity the poor working puppy owner who can't devote 100% of his time to his puppy.

Instead, concentrate on two goals for the first 9 months of your puppy's life: 1) introduce him to as many different types of people as possible and 2) introduce him to things, noises and environments in a non-threatening way.

For the first, it's easy to meet people and everyone counts. For example, if you're home when the mail carrier comes, pick up your puppy and welcome the mail carrier.

Let your puppy sniff (while he's safely in your arms) and let the mail carrier or UPS guy or meter reader or whomever comes to your dog make a fuss over your puppy. If the person will cooperate, have them give your puppy a treat or toy (which you've supplied of course).

Many places such as restaurants do not allow pets inside; however, restaurants that have outdoor seating, such as Starbucks, often permit dogs outside as long they're on a leash and with their owners.

Put your puppy in a hands-free, front carrier, like the type you use for babies, and take him with you to the mall. He can walk through PetsMART or Petco with you.

Be sure he meets older people, adults of both genders and all races, children, and babies. Make a special effort to introduce him to people in wheelchairs and people in uniforms. These two often intimidate dogs that haven't met when they were puppies.

Should he meet other pets? Yes, but make sure they are healthy as well as being trained and under control. However, it's much more important for a dog to get along with humans.
If he doesn't, his life and your insurance may be at jeopardy.

The second element is to make sure the initial meeting of new objects is a secure, safe one for your puppy. Even a vacuum cleaner with its loud noise can startle and scare a puppy.

Start our by having the vacuum out but not in use. Let puppy sniff and scope it out. Keep it out and start it but then turn it off. The key is to let puppy get used to something.

A common mistake is to try to calm a frightened puppy by picking him up and showering him with consolations. This will only heighten his fear and reward him by getting so much attention from you when he cowers.

Always react in a matter-of-fact way without saying anything to your puppy. If he seems frightened of the working vacuum cleaner, turn it off and put it away without saying anything.

Give him a minute or so before you pay attention to him. Try it again a day later. Again, stop if he seems fearful but try it again the next day. He will get used to it!

Remember, your dog will mirror every emotion you have. Make sure you aren't reinforcing his fear.

Is Your Dog Psychic?

2005-03-01T09:36:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the Twilight Bone where dogs not only have
extraordinary senses of smell and hearing but also an
extraordinary sixth sense.

Stories abound about dogs that find their way to their
owners after amazing journeys. A famous tale or tail is from
World War I. Just a few days after an owner was sent to France,
his beloved dog went missing.

Weeks later, his dog turned up in the trenches with him.
Somehow, the dog had covered more than 200 miles across
England, crossed the English Channel and safely made it
over 60 miles of battlefield to find his owner.

You probably know dogs with at least some mystic senses.
For instance, my brother has a dog that always seemed to know
when it was 6 p.m. and would sit at the back door waiting for
his mistress to come home.

Rupert Sheldrake, author of Dogs That Know When Their
Owners Are Coming Home (available at amazon.com), believes
that animals have abilities that humans may have possessed at
one time, but somehow lost.

He believes there are three major categories of unexplained
perceptiveness by animals:

Telepathy - a psychic connection that some pets may have
with their owners that enables pets to "know" when their
owners are on their way home.

The Sense of Direction - the ability that explains the dog
from World War I.

Premonitions - which may explain why some animals seem
to know when earthquakes and other events are about to occur.

This latter ability is the reason some scientists believe
primitive islanders survived the recent Tsumari. They knew
how to read natural signs from animals, such as flight patterns
of birds, and headed away from the shore.

For more information, read Mr. Sheldrake's book from your
library or amazon.com.

To find out if your dog is psychic, give him the tests
from these two amusing websites:

http://www.psychicworld.net/Psypet.htm

http://www.psychics.co.uk/psychicpets/

Turning on the Worms

2005-01-08T14:18:00.000-08:00

Please don't look at the word "worms," say "yuck" and
decide to skip to the next article!

Unfortunately, the U.S. is experiencing a major growth in the
number of cases of canine heartworm. Last year, veterinarians
diagnosed nearly 250,000 dogs and cats with this infection.
At the same time, the number of dog-owning households who
use heartworm preventives declined from 66% in 1998 to
55% last year.

Some owners mistakenly think that a housebound dog can't
get infected. Or, they think this infection is only applicable
in Southern states or during the summer. Unfortunately, this
disease is prevalent in stray dogs and human clothing including
shoes can carry the infection into your home.

Can you really keep all mosquitoes out of your home?
Although this is a treatable infection, it can cause
serious problems including heart attack and liver failure
if unrecognized and untreated for a period of time.
It can even prove fatal.

Heartworm infections occur when a dog is bitten by an
infected mosquito and ingests heartworm larvae. The worms
multiply with an infection ranging from 15 to hundreds of worms.
The spaghetti-like strands of worms mass and may obstruct
the heart and cause heart failure.

Or, they may fill the pulmonary arteries and cause blood clots
in the lungs. Symptoms may be as mild as a soft cough and an
unwillingness to exercise. Veterinarians can easily diagnose
the problem with blood tests, but owners may not realize treatment
is needed until more severe symptoms appear. The best thing to
do is to use a preventive on a regular basis.

I give my dog a tablet once a month, year-round that prevents
heartworm, roundworms, hookworms and whipworms. As my
dog will not swallow a tablet, I crush them between two
spoons and put them in peanut butter which is his favorite
snack. He never fails to swallow it all!

The product is Interceptor but there are others that you, or
your dog, might prefer including Heartgard or Sentinel.
Not every product, however, protects against all the different
types of worms. Revolution is a topical product (one drop is
applied in front of the dog's should blades)that also protects
against fleas, ticks and mites while the previous products
mentioned are tablets or chewables.

The newest preventive is ProHeart6 which is an injection that
is supposed to be effective for six-months. Your vet would need
to provide this. In addition to preventives, be sure to clean up
your dog's feces. Worms are not only a problem for other dogs
and cats but also some worms can invade human systems as well.

WARNING: Do not start giving preventive medicines without
a vet's OK. Every dog needs an exam prior to starting this
medication as administering these drugs to an infected-dog
can prove deadly.

2005 New Year's Resolutions

2005-01-08T14:17:00.000-08:00

Renew Your Bond with Your Canine Companion

1. I will exercise my dog every day, preferably with a walk outdoors.

2. I will feed my dog a healthy diet conscious of his daily calorie intake.

3. I will deal immediately with health problems by having a vet check out my dog.

4. I will fully groom my dog at least once a week.

5. I will contribute time and/or money to animal related charities.
This can be your local animal shelter or national groups such as
Canine Companions for Independence (a personal favorite).

6. I will enroll my dog in the American Kennel Club Canine
Good Citizen Program and work with him until he gets certified.

This is NOT just for purebreds.

7. I will deal with behavior problems promptly including using a
professional trainer.

8. I will inspect my dog’s toys, bedding and collars/clothing regularly
and dispose of worn or damaged objects.

9. I will take up a new activity with my dog before mid-year.
This could be structured agility, obedience, or tracking trials or
just fun games such as hide-and-seek the Kong toy.

10. I will make time to cuddle with my dog every day – no matter how
little time I have and no matter how tired I am.

Best wishes for the New Year.