People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets:
Chocolate, Coffee, Caffeine
These products all contain substances called methylxanthines, which are found in cacao seeds, the fruit of the plant used to make coffee and in the nuts of an extract used in some sodas. When ingested by pets, methylxanthines can cause vomiting and diarrhea, panting, excessive thirst and urination, hyperactivity, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, seizures and even death. Note that darker chocolate is more dangerous than milk chocolate. White chocolate has the lowest level of methylxanthines, while baking chocolate contains the highest.

Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages and food products containing alcohol can cause vomiting, diarrhea, decreased coordination, central nervous system depression, difficulty breathing, tremors, abnormal blood acidity, coma and even death.

Avocado
The leaves, fruit, seeds and bark of avocados contain Persin, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs. Birds and rodents are especially sensitive to avocado poisoning, and can develop congestion, difficulty breathing and fluid accumulation around the heart. Some ingestions may even be fatal.

Macadamia Nuts
Macadamia nuts are commonly used in many cookies and candies. However, they can cause problems for your canine companion. These nuts have caused weakness, depression, vomiting, tremors and hyperthermia in dogs. Signs usually appear within 12 hours of ingestion and last approximately 12 to 48 hours.

Grapes & Raisins
Although the toxic substance within grapes and raisins is unknown, these fruits can cause kidney failure. In pets who already have certain health problems, signs may be more dramatic.

Yeast Dough
Yeast dough can rise and cause gas to accumulate in your pet’s digestive system. This can be painful and can cause the stomach or intestines to rupture. Because the risk diminishes after the dough is cooked and the yeast has fully risen, pets can have small bits of bread as treats. However, these treats should not constitute more than 5 percent to 10 percent of your pet’s daily caloric intake.

Xylitol
Xylitol is used as a sweetener in many products, including gum, candy, baked goods and toothpaste. It can cause insulin release in most species, which can lead to liver failure. The increase in insulin leads to hypoglycemia (lowered sugar levels). Initial signs of toxicosis include vomiting, lethargy and loss of coordination. Signs can progress to recumbancy and seizures. Elevated liver enzymes and liver failure can be seen within a few days.

Onions, Garlic, Chives
These vegetables and herbs can cause gastrointestinal irritation and could lead to red blood cell damage. Although cats are more susceptible, dogs are also at risk if a large enough amount is consumed. Toxicity is normally diagnosed through history, clinical signs and microscopic confirmation of Heinz bodies. An occasional low dose, such as what might be found in pet foods or treats, likely will not cause a problem, but we recommend that you do NOT give your pets large quantities of these foods.

Milk
Because pets do not possess significant amounts of lactase (the enzyme that breaks down lactose in milk), milk and other milk-based products cause them diarrhea or other digestive upset.

Salt
Large amounts of salt can produce excessive thirst and urination, or even sodium ion poisoning in pets. Signs that your pet may have eaten too many salty foods include vomiting, diarrhea, depression, tremors, elevated body temperature, seizures and even death. In other words, keep those salty chips to yourself!

Courtesy of ASPCA

Puppies

PUPPIES

"When is the best age to begin training a new puppy?"  My answer is always, "From the moment your pup first comes into his new home!"    

Daily tips to help you begin working with your pup from the moment you bring him home:  

• Offer lots of praise and encouragement when your pup shows appropriate behaviors.
• When working on a particular skill or playing with your pup, keep each session short.  Puppies have a VERY limited attention span.  Short sessions that end with your pup still wanting to engage helps to encourage positive future interactions with your pup.   
• Set your puppy up for success.  Request behaviors from your pup when you are reasonably assured the behavior will occur.  If your pup is interacting with a butterfly or chasing a leaf, it's probably better to wait till he is focused on you than to request a behavior when he is otherwise engaged.     
• Monopolize on a puppy's natural instinct to focus on you.  Take several walks throughout the day around your property, allowing your pup to just follow you.  During these walks it's important to allow your pup time to investigate his new surroundings and be a dog.  
• When your dog begins to run toward you, call him and offer lots of praise when he arrives.  Sort high-pitched sounds, clapping and stepping backward are three tips which typically encourages your dog to come to you.
• Manage your pup's access to areas in within your home until he can be trusted to exhibit the behavior you want.  
• Every day be consistent with the rules, expectations and messages that you send to your pup.

Have fun, be patient and most of all enjoy the journey.  Raising a puppy or adopting a new dog is about the ride not the destination.

Tips for Teaching Dogs New Skills

Sometimes teaching your dog a new skill can be a frustrating experience, for both you and your canine friend.  The tips below will help to set your dog up for success and make the experience more pleasurable for all:

1.  Always praise appropriate behavior.  This motivates your dog to repeat the desired behavior in order to please you.  
2.  Work on obedience skills for about 10 - 15 minutes each day (even less for a puppy).  During each session, I advise clients to train their dogs in the shape of a “Bell Curve”.  Start with a skill that your dog has thoroughly mastered - raise the bar- end with a skill or activity that your dog can perform with success.  
3.  With all new skills, start in an area that your dog is comfortable and relatively free of distractions.  As your dog gets more familiar with a skill and is responding consistently, slowly begin to “raise the bar” by increasing environmental distractions.      
4.  Once your dogs understands a skill in one environment, offer opportunities to generalize this skill in other locations.  
5.  If you find yourself getting frustrated with your dog’s performance, TAKE A BREAK and try again at a later time.  

Grooming…A Dog’s Perspective

Grooming…A Dog’s Perspective

This week Socrates, my 6 month old Newfoundland insisted on writing this article.  Enjoy!

Hi, I’m Socrates.  I am a dog with a lot of fur that needs constant attention.  Sometimes my human owner forgets that she is a trainer and not a groomer when making me look good.  You see a few weeks ago I was being groomed by my owner for a public outing.  All was going well.   She brushed and bathed me, cleaned my ears and checked my teeth and nails.  I thought I looked pretty good!!  However, Miss Donna thought I needed a tiny trim - nothing big…just a little snip to cut the stray hairs away.  Oh my, I wish I could have found a way to communicate the words, “Put the scissors down and step away from the Newfie.”, but alas I could not. From that experience, I wish to share some home grooming tips (borrowed from my friends from the ASPCA) that most human owners can do at home.  However, if an owner is uncomfortable with any of the suggestions below, seek the help of a professional.  They have the tools and knowledge to make each canine grooming experience enjoyable.   

Brushing

Regular grooming with a brush or comb will help keep your pet’s hair in good condition by removing dirt, spreading natural oils throughout her coat, preventing tangles and keeping her skin clean and irritant-free. And grooming time’s a great time to check for fleas and flea dirt--those little black specks that indicate your pet is playing host to a flea family.  Note:  The length and texture of your dogs coat will indicate how often home brushing may be needed.  Please consult with a professional to determine your dog’s daily brushing requirements.   

Bathing

The ASPCA recommends bathing your dog every 3 months or so; your pet may require more frequent baths in the summertime if she spends lots of time with your outdoors. Always use a mild shampoo that’s safe to use on dogs.

 

Please Note:   Some animals seem to think that bath time is a perfect time to act goofy. Young puppies especially will wiggle and bounce all over the place while you try to brush them, and tend to nip at bath time. If this sounds like your pet, put a toy that floats in the tub with her so she can focus on the toy rather than on mouthing you.

Nail Clipping

Most people really don’t handle their dog’s feet until they are about to clip the nails and then…watch out! Some animals can get very upset at this totally foreign feeling. That’s why it’s a good idea to get your dog used to having her feet touched before you attempt a nail trim. Rub your hand up and down her leg and then gently press each individual toe—and be sure to give her lots of praise and some food treats as you do this. Every animal is different, but chances are that within a week or two of daily foot massage, your dog will be better able to tolerate a trim.

Special Breeds, Special Needs

Dogs with loose facial skin or wrinkles—such as shar peis and pugs—will need special attention. To prevent dirt and bacteria from causing irritation and infection, clean the folds with damp cotton. Always thoroughly dry the areas between the folds.

If your dog has long or droopy ears, you should check them weekly. Remove wax and dirt from your pet’s ears with a cotton ball moistened with water or a little mineral oil. You may need to remove any excess hair leading into the ear canal; ask your pet’s vet or groomer to show you how before trying it at home. There are special hair removers that allow you to carefully pull one strand at a time.

Make Grooming as Enjoyable as Possible—For the Both of You! Grooming sessions should always be fun, so be sure to schedule them when your dog’s relaxed, especially if they are an excitable type. Until your pet is used to being groomed, keep the sessions short—just 5 to 10 minutes. Gradually lengthen the time until it becomes routine for your dog. You can help her get comfortable with being touched and handled by making a habit of petting every single part of your dog, including such potentially sensitive areas as the ears, tail, belly, back and feet.

Bottom-line:  The most important tip of all—pile on the praise and offer your pooch a treat when your grooming session is finished!

An Ounce of Prevention

CITIZEN NEWS 6/9/2011

An Ounce of Prevention

A few weeks ago I met Bella.  Bella had escaped from her home and was running as fast as she could toward the state road.  When I finally caught up to Bella, I noticed that she did not have any pet identification on her.  Later, I was informed that Bella did have a microchip but her owners could not be located.  The main microchip registry database was not updated with her present owner’s information.  The good news is that Bella was reunited with her owners - safe and sound.  However, the ending to this story might have been quite different.   

When I was being certified as a pet first aid instructor, I was surprised to learn that most medical emergencies are avoidable.  Did you know that 60% of all visits to veterinary facilities are due to an emergency?  How about the fact that preventable accidents are the leading cause of death among pre-senior dogs and cats?

What can we do as pet owners to keep our pets safe?  The answer is two-fold:  Owners should be able to administer pet first-aid (in the case of emergency) and be aware of “Preventable Risk Factors” within the home.  “Preventable Risk Factors” - are situations which owners can control to promote safety within their dog’s daily living environment.  Here are some “Preventative Risk Factors” to think about:

ü  Nutrition and Feeding – Although there is much debate on which food/diet is the best for your pet, virtually everyone agrees that good nutrition is essential.  However, some food that is good for people are not good for dogs.  Foods like avocado, garlic and onions can all present a threat if ingested by your dog.  For a complete list of people foods that could be toxic to your dog visit http://www.aspca.org and click on “Pet Care”.

ü  Provide Plenty of Fresh Water – Make sure the water your dog drinks is clean.  Do not let your dog drink from water sources that appear to be stagnant or contaminated.  Be mindful that even though a nearby lake of river looks clean, it may contain harmful organisms or pollutants. 

ü  Dental Health – Rule of thumb:  A healthier mouth equals a healthier life.   Dental problems that go untreated not only cause problems in the teeth and gums, but their effects can extend to other areas of the body.    It's estimated that 80 percent of dogs (and 70 percent of cats) over the age of three suffer from some form of periodontal disease.   Make time to speak with your vet about your dog’s teeth during his annual physical.     

ü  Electric Cords:  Chewing on electrical cords can burn or shock your pet, causing respiratory problems, cardiac arrest and even death. Be particularly mindful of puppies.  Their inquisitive nature, sharp teeth and need to chew everything puts them at high risk.

ü  Choking:  According to research dogs are 3 - 4 times more likely to choke on an object than cats.  String, yarn, socks, balls, bones and small toys are some common household items that may cause your dog to choke.  Trash cans are also a common source for choking hazards. Discarded bones, food wrappers and leftover food can be very enticing to a curious or hungry dog.

ü  Proper identification – Make sure your pet always wears a collar with an ID tag. If any of your contact information changes, be sure to change the information on your dog’s ID tag.  Your name, your pet’s name, phone number and address should be included on your dog’s ID tag.  Note:  When providing a telephone number on an ID tag, it is recommended to use a cell or mobile phone number as opposed to your house phone. 

ü  Regular veterinary checkups – Regular veterinary exams can help to identify preventable disease problems and help promote early detection of others.  It is recommended to schedule a routine exam for your pet at least once a year.  

ü  Take time to perform a “Snout to Tail Assessment” (Petsaver Program) - This assessment creates a base line for your pet’s health.  When you know what is normal for your pet it becomes easier to recognize and assess what is abnormal.       

ü  Emergency Phone Numbers:  In the event of a medical emergency every minute counts.  Have the phone number (and driving directions) of the nearest veterinary emergency hospital and Poison Control hotline posted and readily available. 

Final Note:  Remember that many emergency trips to a veterinary facility could be avoided if owners recognized “Preventable Risk Factors” in their dog’s daily living environment. 

Donna Gleason - TLC Dog Trainer resides in Sherman, CT.  She is a certified professional dog trainer (CPDT-KA) with a Masters in Behavior Modification and a certified pet first aid instructor (PTI).  She offers professional in-home training (specializing in puppy education, basic obedience and behavior modification) and group puppy/basic obedience classes.  Donna is a member of APDT, Delta Society, Shelter Animal Reiki Association, Good Dog Foundation and consulting trainer for Paw-Safe Animal Rescue.  To reach Donna call 203.241.4449 or visit her website @ www.TLCdogtrainer.com

So you think you know dogs?

Dogs are truly an amazing species.   Did you know that the smallest dog is only 4 inches tall? Or that each dog’s nose is as unique as a human fingerprint?  How about research that suggests cats may be smarter than dogs?   This week I’ve put together a list of interesting and fun trivia designed to make you say, “Hey, I didn’t know that.” 

Breed Trivia

·         Dalmatian puppies are born with a pure white coat.  Their spots usually begin to appear within the first few weeks of life.

·         The Basenji is the only breed of dog that cannot bark, but they are not silent.  They are able to produce howls or yodeling sounds. 

·         Chows Chows are the only breed whose tongue is colored bluish-black.  

·         In 2004, a Neapolitan Mastiff gave birth to the largest recordable litter of puppies (24).   

·         An Australian Cattle-Dog holds the record for the oldest canine - 29 years, 5 months. 

·         In 2010, a Blue Great Dane (Giant George) was recognized as the world's tallest living dog, measuring 43 inches tall at the shoulder.   

·         Newfoundland’s have webbed feet, making them great swimmers and divers.

·         Basset Hounds cannot swim. Their legs are too short to keep their heavy, long bodies afloat.

·         DNA testing has recognized 14 ancient breeds of dogs.  Two breeds included on the list are the Akita and Pekinese.

·         The smallest living dog (in terms of height), is Boo Boo, a long haired female Chihuahua measuring only 4 inches tall.  

Celebrity Dog Trivia

·         Bingo is the name of the dog on the Cracker Jack box.

·         It is said that at the end of the song "A Day in the Life", Paul McCartney recorded a sound that only dogs could hear, for his Shetland Sheepdog.

·         It is reported that a dog helped to invent VELCRO! As the legend goes, inventor George de Mestral took his dog for a walk and upon arriving home found his dog’s fur covered in burrs.  After examining the burrs he noticed hundreds of "hooks" which caught on anything with a loop.  He then reproduced the “hook and eye” structure to develop one of the most versatile fabrics in history.

·         Hollywood canine celebrity Rin Tin Tin, was discovered at five days old.  He was found in a bombed out dog kennel by American soldier, Corporal Lee Duncan, in France during WW1.  It is reported that Rin Tin Tin would sign his contracts using his paw print.

·         Dogs are mentioned in the Bible fourteen times.

·         Despite the female name, Lassie was played by several male dogs.  Producers of the show thought male collies looked better on camera.

Random and Fun:

·         In Latin, Fido means, “I trust”.

·         Newborn puppies are blind and deaf.  

·         Dogs have three eyelids. The third lid, called a nictitating membrane or “haw,” keeps the eye lubricated and protected.

·         Depending on the breed, the average life span of a dog can vary from 8 to 15 years.

·         Sweat glands in dogs are located between their paw pads.

·         The normal gestation period of canines averages 63 days. 

·         Dogs have a great sense of smell.  They have on average 200 million scent receptors as compared to 5 million in humans.  It has also been found that the nose print of a dog is as unique as the human fingerprint.

For Cat Lovers:

·         Cats have better memories than dogs. Tests conducted by the University of Michigan concluded that while a dog’s memory lasts no more than 5 minutes, a cat's memory can last as long as 16 hours.   

 Pet Owner Trivia: 

·         According to a survey done by the American Animal Hospital Association, seventy percent of people sign their pet's name on greeting cards and 58 percent include their pets in family and holiday portraits.

·         Some 39 percent of pet owners say they have more photos of their pet(s) then of their spouse or significant other.

·         According to Bloomburg Business Week, Americans spend $41 billion a year on their pets—more than the gross domestic product of all but 64 countries in the world. 

Final Note:  Here’s the last piece of trivia for all humans who own a pet no matter the species:  Research supports that people who own pets live longer, have less stress, and have fewer heart attacks.  Now go and enjoy your pet!

Salmonella Concerns Prompt Pig Ear Recall

Keys Manufacturing Co. Inc. of Paris, Ill., is recalling its Pig Ears for Pet Treats because the product may be contaminated with salmonella.

Posted: May 4, 2011, 1 p.m. EDT

The recall affects Pig Ears for Pet Treats with the UPC number 7 61094 15000.

The dog treats were shipped in 100 count cases between Sept. 27 and Oct. 6, 2010; Nov. 1 and Nov. 29, 2010; and Jan. 3 and Jan. 25, 2011, to distributors in Pennsylvania, Virginia, Missouri, Iowa, Ohio, Illinois, Florida, Kentucky, Michigan, Arkansas, Indiana, Louisiana, Texas and Minnesota.

Distributors repackaged the treats for retailers. Distributors were separately notified of the problem and instructed to notify their retail customers, according to the company.

A report of an ill dog in Missouri prompted the recall. Dogs with salmonella infections may become lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some dogs may only experience a decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. Dog owners should contact their veterinarian immediately if their dog consumed the recalled treats or is experiencing any of the above symptoms.

People handling the treats can become infected with salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the product or any surfaces exposed to these products.
Healthy people infected with salmonella may experience some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Although rare, salmonella can result in more serious ailments.

Keys Manufacturing reported that it has been working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to identify any products that might contain salmonella and determine the cause of the problem.
Consumers who have bought Pig Ears for Pet Treats are urged to return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions should contact the company at (217) 465-4001.

Teaching Dogs About Children

Donna Gleason CPDT-KA, MA

Several years ago, Robert Fulghum wrote a book entitled. “All I Ever Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten”. In his book, he speaks about how people can live a meaningful life by learning from experiences that occur while attending kindergarten. Share everything. Play fair. Don't take things that aren't yours. Don't hit people. If I was going to write a similar book (from a dog’s perspective), it might be titled: All I Really Need to Know I Learned in my Whelping Box. Some of my thoughts would be similar to Robert Fulgham’s, however “Don't hit people” would most likely be changed to “Don’t bite people”.

While in the whelping box, puppies begin to learn about limitations and boundaries from their mom and littermates. How to play appropriately with other dogs. How to send and receive appropriate canine social signals. How to use their teeth and mouth appropriately when engaging in play. Each one of these experiences will be part of a pup’s behavioral foundation for the rest of their life. So, how can we help our puppies and young dogs learn about children, using previous experiences they may have encountered while living in the whelping box with their mom and littermates?

Children are not puppies with two legs.If you’ve ever been lucky enough to grab the remote control on Super Bowl Sunday and watch the Puppy Bowl on Animal Planet, you know that puppies engaging in unleashed play are close to the same height, project lots of energy, impulsive and may (at times) forget to be gentle when interacting with another dog. Many of these traits can also be observed when watching small children engage in free-play. Maybe that is why some puppies may view young children as a “buddy” on two legs.

However, your pup no longer has his mom and littermates to correct him, so it becomes the role of the adults (living in the home) to continue this role.  Here is what you can do; Control the level of energy that occurs between your pup and child and try to keep their interactions positive and fun. “Mom, he’s biting me again!”...is not fun!!

When energy levels begin to rise and beforeinteractions are no longer positive or fun, stop the play and redirect your pup with his favorite toy or perhaps ask him to perform a learned cue. This tactic will diffuse the energy and redirect your pup’s attention onto something else. It teaches your pup alternative and incompatible behaviors for those times when he needs to burn off a little steam and goes looking for the nearest child.

Children are not chew toys:
Puppies and maybe even most dogs love to chew. Chew on marrow bones, fancy chew toys from pet stores, furniture, shoes, books ...oh my, the list can become quite long!! But now let’s add movement from a young child into the equation. You can just see the pup thinking, “Oh boy! I’ve just been reunited with my littermates...I know I will be corrected when I’ve gone too far, but for now let the games begin!” Off your pup goes to chase, play and nip at your child. Puppies and young dogs sometimes don’t understand that showing good “bite inhibition” - playing with a “soft mouth” makes us humans VERY happy!

Young pups may occasionally bite a littermate to hard when interacting with each other in their whelping box. The recipient of the bite typically will let out a sudden and sharp "yelp" in response to their discomfort. The game suddenly ends and all interactions cease. We can also use those same techniques, when teaching a pup that children/humans are not chew toys. Over time your dog will realize that when he uses a soft mouth, the fun continues, but when he nips to hard...game over!

Final Note:  Pups begin to learn the rules of appropriate canine interactions from the residents they shared a space with while in the whelping box. Now that those pups are living in our space, we become the residents who need to teach them the rules of appropriate human/canine interaction, especially when it comes to our children.

Donna Gleason - TLC Dog Trainer resides in Sherman. She is a certified professional dog trainer (CPDT) with a Masters in Behavior Modification. Donna offers professional in-home dog training. Specializing in puppy education, unruly adolescents, and behavior modification. To reach Donna call 203-241-4449 or visit her website @www.TLCdogtrainer.com