Responsible Pet Ownership Blog

The Myth of the “Independent Cat”

2012-02-17T08:00:00.000-08:00

By Julia Williams

As stereotypes about cats go, the two I dislike almost as much as that Crazy Cat Lady thing are “felines are so independent” and “cats are not affectionate.” If I had a dollar for every time I read those and similar statements in some blog or article on the internet, I’m pretty sure I would be living on a tropical island (or at least someplace where the winters aren’t so inhospitable.) Time after time, cats are described as aloof, unfeeling, unfriendly, not desiring human companionship, able to take care of themselves, wanting no interaction with their owner, etc. etc.

I have to wonder who all these people are, and have they ever lived with a cat? I’ve shared my home with 11 cats over my lifetime, and none of mine have ever been any of those things. On the contrary, they’ve all been friendly, loving souls who clearly crave and love human companionship. I also know countless many people –family and friends in real life as well as pet blogging acquaintances – who have formed close, loving bonds with their feline friends. Surely all of our affectionate, human-loving cats were not flukes! Yet that myth of the feline as a totally independent creature incapable of love is everywhere.

One the one hand, I have to laugh since it’s such a ridiculous notion to me. On the other hand, it’s kind of sad because who knows how many homeless cats in shelters are overlooked by people who hear and read that nonsense many times over… and actually believe it. They rush little Sally and Billy past the cages with the cats without so much as a glance in their direction, because they want a family pet that the kids can interact with and share love and affection, and everyone knows that isn’t what cats are like, right? Of course.

So the family adopts a dog instead and the children never know that a cat could be a fun, funny, loving, sweet, and wonderful pet that would enrich their life in so many ways. It’s a crying shame. Oh, it’s great for all the shelter dogs that find a forever home, to be sure. Yet it’s mighty unfair to all the cats who’ve done nothing to deserve this negative label.

Unfriendly cats who don’t want human companionship do exist, but in most cases they’re a product of past mistreatment or neglect, or an aloof, disinterested owner who doesn’t understand their cat or take the time to figure out what it needs and wants. If you put any dog in that same situation, wouldn’t the result be the same? You have to earn a pet’s love, it’s not a given.

Recently when talking to a friend about this “cats are independent” myth, the discussion turned to wondering why so many more men than women dislike cats. Oh sure, there are plenty of men who love cats, but everyone I know who actually dislikes them is male, and it was the same for my friend. She theorized that it might be because cats are “soft, quiet, and elegant...everything a man is not. And most of all, whether it’s a male or a female, cats seem feminine.” Hmmm.

I don’t really know why many men dislike cats, but her theory makes sense to me and it’s likely the same reason you rarely see a man with a tiny dog. Men go for the big, burly, rough-and-tumble dogs because they seem more masculine than an itty bitty Chihuahua…or a cat. The funny thing is, every pet is an individual. Like snowflakes, no two are alike. They all have their own unique quirks and personalities. Not every cat is as loving and cuddly as my sweet Annabelle, and not every dog will idolize you as though you’re the one who makes the sun rise and set. But to me, this individuality is exactly what makes pet ownership such a joy!

Photo by Jason and Kris Carter

Read more articles by Julia Williams

Have You Heard About Treibball?

2012-02-16T08:00:00.000-08:00

By Langley Cornwell

Treibball is a competitive canine sport that originated in Germany. The sport is designed to give high-energy, active dogs the mental and physical stimulation they need to be happy, well-adjusted animals. In addition to the many benefits the sport offers our canine friends, Treibball is also good for pet owners – it’s a fantastic way to form a deep and abiding bond with your dog! The sport fosters communication and teamwork between a dog and his owner/handler on many levels.

What exactly is Treibball? Here are answers to common questions about the sport.

Who can participate?

The activity is good for dogs of all ages and sizes. It’s especially suited for active working dogs that do well off-leash. But don’t count out dogs that require special consideration because Treibball is a great activity for building confidence in shy dogs. It can also help reactive dogs with their impulse control issues. In fact, any dog that loves to play chase games, herd, or to use their intelligence and problem-solving skills will enjoy Treibball.

Is competing in Treibball similar to Agility?

Not really. Competing in Agility requires specialized equipment. Additionally, Agility requires a certain level of physical adeptness from the handler, who must have the ability to run with the dog and direct the dog through each obstacle. Treibball is good for encouraging the same type of teamwork and communication that Agility promotes, but it doesn’t require the same level of physical exertion from the handler.

What equipment is required for Treibball?

This is another thing that makes Treibball so accessible; the equipment is easy to find and relatively affordable. You use the same balls that humans use for exercising and stretching, those standard inflatable exercise balls (also called Swiss balls or Pilates balls) available at sports stores and department stores.

For Treibball, you want to use a ball that is at least shoulder height to your dog. Since these balls come in heights from 45 cm to 75 cm, if you are teaching Treibball to a tiny breed dog, you can start with a standard playground ball.

Where can I find Treibball classes?

The American Treibball Association (ATA) is a non-profit membership organization established to promote the sport throughout the United States. The ATA consists of individuals, trainers and clubs, and they encourage the formation of classes and sanctioned ATA competitions. Additionally, there is a Treibball Yahoo Group which has a list of training facilities that offer formal classes.

The sport is in its early stages in the States. As it gains wider acceptance, there will be more training classes; more people and their dogs will become involved in training and competing in this exciting activity.

Where kind of space does Treibball require?

At the beginning you don’t need a large space; you can train in a small yard. If you live in a home without a yard, it’s possible to train indoors. A hallway, a living room or even the small space between the couch and the coffee table will suffice. The best scenario, however, is a park with a flat field near your home. In the beginning, you don’t even need a ball.

How many balls will I need?

As mentioned, you can start training without a ball. Some dogs are overly excited by a ball and have a hard time calming down and focusing on their owner/handler when a ball is involved. Those dogs can still learn the sport. First teach them the basics: how to orient to you, run away from you for a distance and push things. These simple skills can be taught without the use of a ball. As your dog progresses through the training stages, balls will be added into the exercises. When you reach the more advanced stages of the competition, your dog will push eight balls into a goal.

How do you learn how to train for Treibball?

There are many different ways to learn successful Treibball training. The way that seems to net the best results is reward based training. This method teaches fast and reliable distance behaviors and encourages you to be creative and to experiment with different ways to set your dog up for success. The Treibball Yahoo Group is a great place to ask questions, share training tips and discuss best practices.

For more information, you can see videos of dogs in action on the American Treibball YouTube Channel and check out the Treibball Facebook Page.

Read more articles by Langley Cornwell

How to Pick the Right Pet

2012-02-15T08:00:00.000-08:00

By Linda Cole

We all have our reasons for why we picked a certain pet to share our home with. Adopting a pet is a tremendous responsibility, and it's essential to pick the right pet that fits your lifestyle. For some people (that's me) any pet fits in, but it's not the case for everyone. There are many things to consider before deciding on the right pet. If you're thinking about adding a pet to your family, here's a short quiz to contemplate.

1. How much space do you have?
a. I live in a small apartment with no yard.
b. A couple of acres and a modest to large house.
c. A nice little place with a decent backyard.

Space is important to consider, because not all dogs will make a good pet if they are cooped up in a small space. All dogs need exercise whether they are a high energy breed or not. If space is limited, consider which dog breed would be happy in a small space, or perhaps get a cat instead. Check for dog parks in your area, and plan on daily walks if you live in an small home and/or have a tiny yard.

2. What kind of lifestyle do you have?
a. I have a couple of young kids.
b. I live alone and love to curl up on the couch at night to read or watch TV.
c. Exploring the great outdoors is my passion.
d. I work long hours and often on the weekends.
e. I have an active night life.

Lifestyle needs to be considered because some dog breeds and young children aren't a good mix. Not all dogs enjoy being around little kids. Think about how much time you have to devote to a pet. Leaving a dog home alone for long periods of time can cause them to develop behavior issues, and cats need attention, too. Do you have time to train a dog? Do you like to entertain on a regular basis? Do you like to go out a lot? Do you like to be active on the weekends, or are you more of a homebody?

3. What's your yearly income?
a. less than $20,000
b. $20,000 to $50,000
c. $50,000 or more

The cost of pet care is an important consideration. The average yearly cost of dog ownership is around $600 - $900, depending on the size and health of the dog. A cat will run you around $650 each year. All pets need a quality pet food, yearly vaccinations, flea medication, shelter, health care, toys, beds and grooming equipment. Dogs need to be licensed and have collars and leashes. Cats need a litter box, cat litter and carrier for trips to the vet. There is also spay/neutering costs, pet deposits if you rent, and miscellaneous expenses. In regards to the expense of pet food, CANIDAE is a very affordable brand that allows you to feed a premium-quality, natural diet for less than you might think. (See “Why a Quality Pet Food Matters,” and check out the cost-to-feed calculator on the CANIDAE website).

4. Do you or anyone in your family have any medical conditions or fear issues?
a. Allergies
b. Problems getting around
c. Fear of some breeds of dogs

If you or someone in your family has allergies, picking the right pet is essential. Some dog and cat breeds are better for allergy sufferers, but there is no pet that is completely hypoallergenic. If you have trouble getting around, you don't want a high energy dog.

5. Why do you want a pet?
a. I'm looking for a dog to protect my family and property.
b. Since I live alone, I'd like a pet to keep me company.
c. I would like a hiking or jogging partner.
d. I just like being around pets.

Think about why you want a pet. Small dogs are not accessories, and no pet should be adopted during an impulsive moment. Dogs can make great jogging, hiking and biking partners, but only if you pick the right breed that can keep up. Cats and dogs will snuggle next to you while you watch TV, if you pick the right one and take the time to bond with them. Dogs will protect your family and property, if you get the right one.

This quiz was meant to get you started in the right direction when considering what kind of pet would be right for you. You should take as long as you need and learn as much as you can before deciding on a pet. If you're willing to learn about your pet, love, bond, train, care for and protect them for their entire lifetime, the pet you pick is going to be the right one for you. For more information, read How to Choose a Dog That’s Right for You.

Treat a pet with respect and you will have their unconditional love for a lifetime, and that is what responsible pet ownership is all about!

Photo by Lara Eakins

Read more articles by Linda Cole

Does Gender Matter when Adopting a Second Dog?

2012-02-14T08:00:00.000-08:00

By Langley Cornwell

The short answer is yes, gender does matter when selecting another dog to bring into your home. Of course there are exceptions to this; I had two female rescue lab mixes (from two different backgrounds, years apart) peacefully live long and happy lives with me. But experts agree that, for things to have the best possible chance of working out, the second dog should be of the opposite sex.

Here’s the situation. A family I know wants a second dog. Their older male dog, Rover, is a sweet and gentle old mutt, and they are completely at ease when Rover and their young child play together. Still, they feel it’s time to open their home and their heart to another animal.

During their search for a second dog, they fell in love with a male puppy that needs a safe home. This pup is in an urgent situation and they feel they must step in and help. Still, the family did the responsible thing and consulted animal behaviorists and trainers about their situation. Right now, their household is harmonious; everyone is comfortable with their routines and the home runs like clockwork. While they are ready to adopt another pet, they want to do it the right way.

Every one of the animal experts said the family should keep looking. Even though the family has fallen in love with a male dog, experts strongly recommend they avoid getting a second male. Why? Because although Rover is a sweet and gentle senior dog, there will be some level of conflict between the two males. Yes, they may work things out in the beginning, but experts fear the dogs will likely go to battle in six months, a year, two years or more – when the dogs determine it’s time to change the pack order. The risk is there for the dogs’ entire lives.

Additionally, experts fear that Rover’s kind and safe disposition with the child is at jeopardy once they bring a second male dog into their home. The male dogs could fight over their toys, their CANIDAE dog food, or their human’s affection. Anything could set it off, and the child could be nearby.

When two dogs of the same sex live in a household together, they are required to decide which one will be the top dog and which one will be the bottom dog. The ‘decision making’ can become nasty and even violent. The ultimate pecking order can have an undesirable effect on both of the dog’s personalities—one of the dogs can become dominant to an unhealthy degree and the other can be pushed so far into submission that it’s not good for him. In this common scenario, the top dog becomes tyrannical and the bottom dog lives a nerve-wracking life of perpetual submission. This is an unyieldingly stressful set of circumstances for the entire household.

A female really is the best choice for this family’s second dog. With a female in the house, sweet old Rover can still be the alpha male dog and the new girl can be the top female. Since Rover is neutered and the dog they ultimately adopt will be spayed, there’s an excellent chance the dogs will get along fine and never engage in a serious battle (harmless posing and snapping is common, especially in the beginning).

While passing on this male puppy will be a short-term heartbreaker for the family, the situation they have with Rover is special and worth preserving. This little male puppy is a charmer; the rescue organization shouldn’t have any problems finding him a loving home. Moreover, if he doesn’t have to live in a home with another male dog it will be a better situation for him, too.

The family is now convinced that bringing in a second male dog will potentially jeopardize their peaceful way of life and Rover’s contentment. It will be a better situation for the dogs and a safer environment for the child if their dogs are of the opposite sex. So now this family is happily looking for the perfect female to round out their pack.

Photo by Scot Campbell

Read more articles by Langley Cornwell

Crazy Pet Laws - What Were They Thinking?

2012-02-13T08:00:00.000-08:00

By Linda Cole

We hope politicians carefully consider new laws they craft because of the impact it has on us. However, sometimes you have to wonder if these law-makers were of sound mind or sober when it comes to some laws that make absolutely no sense at all. Case in point: the following funny pet laws from different states. You do have to ask, “What the heck were they thinking?”

Sterling, Colorado says if you allow your cat to run around loose at night, she must have tail lights attached to her behind. So some poor cat gets pulled over for having a broken tail light, not wearing a seat belt and has no proof of insurance. And heaven forbid if she made a stop at the local catnip patch!

If you have a cat or dog who likes to relax with their favorite cigar now and then, don't go to Zion, Illinois. It's illegal to let your dog or cat have lit cigars there. I wonder how big of a problem that is in Zion?

In Hartford, Connecticut, it's illegal to educate your dog. I suppose it might be embarrassing to have a dog giving a graduating speech as the valedictorian.

If you make an ugly face at a dog in Oklahoma, watch out. You can be arrested, fined and/or thrown in jail! “So what are you in for?” says one inmate to another. “I made a face at a dog. Got 20 years. It was a really ugly face.”

International Falls, Minnesota must have some mighty big cats in their neck of the woods, and they are apparently pretty mean and feisty as well. They had to pass a law making it illegal for cats to chase dogs up telephone poles. Picture a poor Great Dane shaking on top a telephone pole waiting for the mean old cat that chased him up there to move on.

French Lick Springs, Indiana requires that all black cats wear bells on Friday the 13th. I wonder if this is to alert passersby that there might be a witch hovering just above them on a broomstick… or maybe it's the cat that's the witch?

New Jersey has a law that says cats have to let birds know where they are and must carry a required 3 bells at all times. Why 3 bells? Birds can't hear 2, and 4 bells would be too loud? One bell is enough to teach a cat to be an even stealthier hunter than they are without a bell. Maybe that's why Minnesota cats are so good at chasing dogs up telephone poles. They sneak up on them, which scares the daylights out of dogs.

Barber, North Carolina has some tough pet laws. Cats and dogs are not allowed to fight.

Ventura County, California says cats and dogs can't mate within 1,500 feet of taverns, schools or churches. I wonder who the lucky person is who gets to enforce that law? And if they catch a dog or cat in the act, they will have to produce a permit for their activity or they'll really be in trouble.

Kentucky says if dogs want to fight with each other that is OK, but they can't fight with cats or even bother them.

There will be no midnight serenades by cats in Columbus, Georgia. No cat is allowed to yowl after 9 pm. I wonder if they cut them some slack on the weekends and move that deadline back by an hour for the ones that don't have to go to work the next day?

Reed City, Michigan has outlawed keeping a cat and a bird in the same house. That's what happens when lawmakers spend too much time watching Tweety Bird and Sylvester cartoons.

In Marshalltown, Iowa, you better be very careful if your horse is hungry. Horses are not allowed to eat fire hydrants. Better make sure to give your horse a little EQUIDAE feed before riding into Marshalltown.

A 1936 law in Denver, Colorado requires a dog catcher to post a notice on a tree in the city park and along the road that runs through the park for three consecutive days to inform dogs they can be captured and impounded. Of course any educated dog would see those posters and vacate that park to comply with local law.

Oklahoma has made it harder for canines to peacefully assemble. If dogs plan to gather in groups of three or more on private property, they must first obtain a permit signed by the mayor. Of course, if it's on public land, that's not a problem.

Every state has old laws that are still on the books. I doubt the ones here are enforced, but you have to wonder if they were taken seriously even when they were passed.

‘Funny Faces’ photo by This Year’s Love
‘Cat and Bird’ photo by Dylan Ashe

Read more articles by Linda Cole

A Tribute to Annabelle, My Furry Valentine

2012-02-10T08:00:00.000-08:00

By Julia Williams

Each of my three cats is affectionate in their own way, but there’s just something incredibly special about Annabelle. I felt a connection with her the moment I rescued the tiny bedraggled kitten from the jaws of death. These last few years, however, my bond with Belle has grown stronger than I ever could have imagined, and it’s taken me by surprise. Oh sure, plenty of people have formed close bonds with their pets and I have with all of mine, too. Yet this sweet-tempered girl with a diamond on her nose…she is different somehow.

I don’t think of Annabelle as a substitute for human affection; I don’t compare the two, for how could I? What we share is a pure love that makes me feel blessed and happy to be alive. Sure, this relationship has limitations because she is, after all, a cat. But notice I did not say “just a cat.” Belle will never be “just a cat” to me. She is my life, and I love her more than anything on earth. I would do anything for Belle, give her anything she needed to be happy and healthy.

There are many different things that make this little cat so special to me, but what I love most is that she truly wants to be close to me. Every day, Belle comes into my home office and softly mews until I pick her up. She sits on my lap like a child, one leg draped over my left shoulder and her body over my heart. I wrap both arms around her tight and rest my cheek on top of her head. I close my eyes and listen to the sweet melody of her contented purr.

Sometimes, I cradle her paw in my hand, kiss the top of her head, or sing her the Soft Kitty song from The Big Bang Theory. During these moments, it’s hard to imagine two souls more at peace. We would sit together like this for hours if we could. In fact, Belle usually wants to cuddle much longer than I am able to, since things like work and mealtimes interfere.

Belle loves me in a way that no cat before her ever has. In Belle’s presence, I feel cherished and content. She has my heart, and I hers. Does it matter that my soulmate is a cat? Does it mean any less? Not to me, and not to her.

When I hold my Furry Valentine in my arms, all is right with my world. Love comes in so many forms, and if we are lucky enough to have it at least once in our life, then we are truly blessed.

Read more articles by Julia Williams

Benny Wong and His 5 Disc Dogs Win Free CANIDAE!

2012-02-09T08:00:00.000-08:00

The sponsor of this blog, CANIDAE Natural Pet Foods, selects one reader every three months to receive a free six month supply of their premium quality pet food. The winner is chosen at random from every new reader who subscribed via email during the past quarter. The winner gets to pick any formula of CANIDAE dog food or FELIDAE cat food.

The most recent winner is Benny Wong from Pasadena, California. Benny is very familiar with the CANIDAE brand and has chosen to receive free dog food. “We definitely feed our dogs CANIDAE! We use both the All Life Stages and Grain Free pureELEMENTS™ formulas,” said Benny. A longtime dog lover, Benny is also an active member of a Disc Dog club and competes regularly with his crew of canine athletes. “With 5 dogs, we sure can use this free food,” said Benny.

Here’s what Benny told us about himself and his canine family:

“I have been in the disc dog community since 1991. I belong to a disc dog club called Disc Dogs in Southern California. I’ve been president off and on for 4 years, and currently I’m the clinic and competition coordinator for the club.

My first dog Sammy, a poodle-terrier mix, started my addiction on wanting more dogs. He was my wife's lap dog that I converted into a disc dog. We adopted him in 1990 at 8 weeks and he was so perfect for us. We took him everywhere, and he took our heart at the age of 15 1/2.

Then came Kohbi, a Border-Aussie mix, adopted at 9 weeks old. She was the sweetest dog ever and would never harm anyone or anything including a fly. She's in the group photo, the brown and black dog on the far right. She recently passed away at age 15.

My third dog Zooma is a Cattle Dog/Greyhound and whatever else mix. She was an abandoned puppy that we found. We were told she was the right age to be adopted, but our vet indicated she was no more than 5 weeks old. Since she was so young, she became insecure as she grew up. But she still thinks she’s the Queen of our pack, and demands her way; she will complain by speaking out loudly!

Then came KD, a wild and nasty Border Collie that was fired as a sheep dog for damaging the goods (sheep). She would pick fights with all the dogs in the neighborhood, but she turned over a new leaf with no more fighting and became the most incredible dog. She made me look good as a disc dog trainer and took the
California Golden State Championship three years in a row – 2003, 2004 and 2005. Last year at the age of 11, she took first place in Ashley Whippet Invitational Toss and Fetch, and beat out most of the dogs on the west coast. She was the ideal dog adoption story as we are her fifth home!

Kiki is an Australian Shepherd, my special needs ADD dog that can't stay still. She was adopted at the age of 3 1/2 yrs old. She lived in a dog run most of her life and had little socialization with other dogs and people, and limited training. She still has issues at the age of nine, but we love her.

We adopted Skid at the age of 16 weeks from Border Collies In Need. She is a great dog, but has become very sensitive to strange sounds. We keep a close eye on her to make sure she doesn't get freaked from any usual sounds. You’d think a working disc dog would have confidence and not be so paranoid of noises. She loves the disc and we continue to move forward with her abilities on the competition field.

Our newest member, Jett, was adopted about a month ago at the age of 16 1/2 weeks. He had several health issues and was not socialized with humans. He has a few trust issues too. After many visits to the vet and 3 weeks later, he now acts like a normal puppy with energy to play, and he’s a very quick learner. He is making me look like a superstar trainer. We hope to train his focus to the disc and start on the competition field when he is old enough.

Thanks again for all the free CANIDAE dog food!
Benny Wong

How to Stop Dogs from Stealing Toys

2012-02-08T08:00:00.000-08:00

By Linda Cole

Dogs are naturally curious about what another canine has. If one dog has something, it must be good and may be worthy of swiping. You may not have a problem at home with your dog stealing toys, but if you're at the dog park, stealing another dog's ball or toy may not be a good idea. You can stop your dog from stealing toys by teaching your dog four basic commands.

A dog doesn't know it's not nice to steal toys or that things he picks up in his mouth could be harmful to him. Basic commands help us control our dog's behavior more quickly so we can stop him before there's a problem. Start with plenty of CANIDAE TidNips treats, have patience and a commitment, and always keep it fun.

Drop it: When your dog gives up what he has in his mouth, he gets something better in return. Begin where there are no distractions. Attach a leash to his collar and let it drag on the ground. Give him a favorite toy and let him play with it for a few minutes, then show him a treat and give him the command to “drop it.” Say it only once. Your dog should obey any command as soon as you give it. If he drops the toy, give him the treat and praise. Offer him the toy and say, “take it,” wait a few minutes, then give the “drop it” command. Treat immediately when he drops the toy. If he tries to wander away with the toy, step on the leash and offer him the treat. There's nothing wrong with trying to out-wait him if necessary. He'll get the idea as long as you stay calm and patient.

Leave it: This stops a dog from picking up something you don't want him to have. With CANIDAE treats in hand, sit on the floor with your dog. If he hasn't been trained to stay, put him on a leash. Take a treat and lay it on the floor in front of him. When he starts to go for the treat, put your hand over it and say “leave it.” Remove your hand and wait for him to try and take the treat. Cover it with your hand when he tries to take it. You can do this same exercise with the treat in your open hand. When he starts to go for the treat, close your hand and say, “leave it.” This isn't a difficult command to learn.

Come: This is an important basic command every dog needs to know, and not as difficult to teach as you think. Until your dog learns to come every time you call him, don't try training him outside unless you have a fenced in area or he's on a long lead. There are a lot of reasons why you need your dog to come as soon as you call him no matter what the distraction may be. One rule to always remember: never call your dog to come and then punish him. He learns when you call his name that he might be in trouble and won't come. Always use positive reinforcement, lots of praise and make it a happy experience for him to come to you. One of the best ways I've found to teach a dog to come is to call his name, turn your back and squat or sit down. This is nonthreatening body language and will usually entice him to come. Use treats in the beginning along with praise and as he learns it's a positive experience, you can drop the treats. Running away is another option that gets him to join in on your game.

Stay: Sometimes you need your dog to stop and stay right where he is whether you're standing next to him or not. Stay is associated with sit or lie down; however, it should be taught separately. If you need your dog to stop chasing a ball rolling out into traffic, he understands the command means to stay right where you are and don't move. It means he can sit, lie down or stand while he waits. Start by having your dog sit or lie down. Wait a few seconds and then give the treat. (If he already understands either command, don't give the treat). Gradually increase the time between the command and the treat. Keeping eye contact is good because that teaches him to watch you. If he starts to look away or move, make a sound like “ah-ah” or “hey,” or click your tongue, wait a few seconds and then treat. Increase the time between the command and treat, and then practice with distractions while your dog is farther away from you. It's a little harder for a dog to learn this command, but it could save their life one day.

Photo by Schmeegan

Read more articles by Linda Cole

Round Kibble is the Cat’s Meow! FELIDAE is Changing Shape.

2012-02-07T08:00:00.000-08:00

Same Great Formulations, Same Great Taste. Just a New Round Kibble.

The meows are in! When cats were asked to choose from many different shapes of kibble, they gave two paws up to round, again and again! As a result, CANIDAE Natural Pet Food Company has decided to change the shape of FELIDAE Cat & Kitten, Chicken & Rice and FELIDAE PLATINUM® kibble for cats to a simple round circle. Our two Grain Free FELIDAE kibble formulas – pureSEA™ and pureELEMENTS™ – already feature this round shape cats prefer most.

We want to make it very clear, however, that although the shape of FELIDAE kibble will soon be changing, all of our premium-quality formulas will remain exactly the same. Rest assured – the formulations and every quality ingredient that is currently in the kibble will still be the same in the new round-shaped kibble. The food will still provide the same high quality, natural nutrition for cats and kittens, just in an improved, new round shape that felines favor over other shapes. We believe your cats will love FELIDAE cat food even more than they already do.

Repeat testing has shown this is the shape cats love the most. Also, this new round shape results in less kibble breakage, which means fewer crumbs and less “kibble dust” at the bottom of the bag!

A scientific study was done with five different kibble shapes including an X (cross/star), a triangle, a triangle with a hole, a cylinder, and a round “O” shaped flat disc. The study determined that cats overwhelmingly prefer round kibble over any of the other shapes.

The recent research, coupled with the success of this shape in our Grain Free line for cats, led to the decision to change our other three formulas – Cat & Kitten, Chicken & Rice and FELIDAE PLATINUM® – to the round shape as well. Now all five FELIDAE kibble formulas will feature the new, round shape that cats prefer most!

The new round kibble shape will soon begin rolling out to all of our independent retailers across North America. You should begin to see the new FELIDAE kibble in bags featuring the sticker “Cats Prefer Round” on them in the coming months. Depending on an individual store’s stock and turnover, not everyone will have the new round kibble available for purchase at the same time as the product begins to transition into store inventories.

Again, everything you (and your cats!) already love about our premium-quality FELIDAE kibble will remain the same – only the shape is changing for our Cat & Kitten, Chicken & Rice and FELIDAE PLATINUM® formulas. When you have an opportunity to try the new, round FELIDAE kibble, we’d love to know what your cats think of it. Please feel free to leave us a comment below.

How to Bond with Your New Puppy or Kitten

2012-02-06T08:00:00.000-08:00

By Langley Cornwell

The bond you have with your puppy or kitten begins the moment they come home with you, and continues to grow throughout their lifetime. Ways to strengthen this bond include affection, training, grooming, playing, exercising and participating in a variety of activities with your new puppy or kitten. What you do in the early stages of your union sets the proper foundation for a solid, lasting connection; a connection that will benefit both of you in more ways than you can imagine.

Bonding with a new puppy

The first week or ten days of a puppy’s life consists of nursing, sleeping and not much else. During that time, the puppy’s mother is his source for everything. If he gets separated from his mother, she finds him and leads or carries him back to the litter. If he gets hungry, she feeds him. If he cries, she comforts him. The bond between a puppy and his mother is the first and most important relationship of his little life.

Once the pup’s eyes and ears open, he begins to notice things beyond just his mother. As the puppy ages and is able to fend for himself, his relationship with his mother becomes less dependent—more like a friendship. When the pup is between three and six weeks old, he begins to develop relationships with his littermates and learns basic social skills from their interactions.

According to noted veterinary behaviorist Dr. Nicholas Dodman, a puppy’s distrust of unfamiliar people starts developing at around eight to ten weeks of life. At this time, it’s essential that the puppy is introduced to others.

At about eight weeks of age, most puppies are available for adoption, and that’s when a puppy’s new human enters the picture. Early separation anxiety is almost unavoidable at the beginning of the relationship, because the puppy misses his mom and littermates. It’s at this time that you must become ‘everything’ to your new puppy—so if he whimpers or whines, you tend to him.

If you’ve ever heard or read that you’re supposed to let your puppy cry through the night, ignore that advice. That’s incorrect. You are now substituting for the puppy’s mother, and mama dog doesn’t ignore her babies. By meeting the puppy’s demands you will keep him on the right track for appropriate social development. Additionally, the puppy will gradually re-attach to you, his new provider. This is when your connection begins to really take shape.

To ensure a healthy bond, you should:

• Spend loads of time with your puppy
• Make your puppy feels like part of the family
• Touch and hold your puppy frequently
• Act like a teacher rather than a disciplinarian
• Talk to your puppy and say his name often
• Establish daily schedules for walking, playing, feeding and eliminating
• Start grooming your puppy early

Bonding with a new kitten

As with puppies, kittens rely on their mothers for everything at the beginning. Their mother is their source of nourishment, warmth and care, and the bond between the kitten and the mother cat is strong. When a kitten leaves her mother and comes to live with you, her entire world shifts. You must now become the kitten’s mother-substitute.

Many kittens are shy at the beginning; the change of location is frightening and creates insecurity. Introduce yourself to your new kitten slowly. Move in a relaxed and deliberate manner and use gentle tones when talking to her. You may consider establishing a small, quiet room as her ‘safe place’. Keep her in that space in the early days to avoid overstimulation.

Take things slowly and be mindful of the kitten’s reactions. Let her set the pace. In time, your new kitten will re-attach to you as her source of everything and the rewards will be tremendous. It’s up to you to foster a strong bond with your new kitten so she will feel safe and secure, and grow into a well-adjusted feline companion.

To ensure a healthy bond, you should:

• Interact with the kitten as much as possible
• Speak softly and lovingly to the kitten
• Hold and pet the kitten with a gentle, soothing touch
• Develop games to play with your kitten
• Reward your kitten with FELIDAE TidNips™
• Encourage the kitten to nap in your lap and gently stroke her as she awakens

Healthy bonding with your puppy or kitten at an early age produces an easier relationship between the two of you. It creates fewer and less intense behavior problems, and it establishes a closer and more rewarding lifelong connection.

Puppy photo by Nathanael Boehm
Kitten photo by Ole Martin Bjornli Gunther

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Behavior Problems: Is it the Cat or the Owner?

2012-02-03T08:00:00.000-08:00

By Julia Williams

The second season of Animal Planet’s My Cat From Hell began a few weeks ago. Naturally, I’ve been watching. Even though I don’t have a “difficult” cat, I still like this show because it’s spreading some very important messages to pet owners – namely, that problem behaviors can be corrected, that there are reasons behind every cat’s demeanor and actions, and that even the meanest cat can become loving, happy, playful, friendly and well-adjusted. All it takes to turn a misbehaving cat into a model feline citizen are some very simple changes – but not from the cat, from the owner!

My Cat From Hell features Cat Behaviorist Jackson Galaxy, who shows desperate owners how to save their relationships with each other and their cat. Just by making a few changes in their own behavior and/or their living space, the cat owners can create harmony out of chaos, and keep the cat out of the shelter and in the family where it belongs. Jackson proves to the owners (and the viewers) that these cats are not mean, they’re just misunderstood.

To the casual observer, the name of this show implies that devilish behavior problems are the fault of a “hellish cat.” If you watch the show, however, you quickly learn that Jackson believes most bad behaviors stem from things the owners are either doing, or not doing. I wholeheartedly agree. It is true there are instances where the cat’s behavior is not a direct correlation to the owner’s behavior and/or the living environment, but this is usually a reaction to trauma or a negative association from its past. No cat is “bad to the bone” or incapable of rehabilitation. All it takes is a little knowledge and insight.

All creatures have needs, and cats are no exception. If their needs aren’t being met, they’ll let you know one way or another. It’s foolish to think you can just bring a cat into any living environment without considering what it needs to be happy, and expect life to be hunky dory. Responsible pet owners understand that the onus falls on them to provide the right living space and stimuli in order to have a happy cat. That may mean providing vertical spaces for a cat that likes to be up high, providing enough exercise and play sessions for a high-energy breed, giving a timid cat a safe place to retreat from the pesky family dog, or teaching the cat how to redirect its hunting instinct from your ankle to an interactive toy that mimics a bird. Each cat is different, and thus, each solution to problem behavior will be, too.

Any owner who thinks their actions, energy and emotions don’t affect their cat, really ought not to have a cat because they are setting themselves up for failure. There is absolutely a cause-and-effect for all of those things, and if there was such a thing as Pets 101, that should be the first lesson. Until then, we have Jackson Galaxy and My Cat From Hell.

I had to laugh at the owner who offered his cat a filthy litter box, and then wondered why his cat peed in the sink. Really? It’s not rocket science! Then there was the fighting couple whose relationship was fraught with tension; they didn’t understand why “her cat” and “his cats” didn’t get along. Finally, there was the guy whose apartment had so much clutter that Jackson thought he’d mistakenly wandered onto the set of Hoarders. LOL. To simplify these situations a little, it boiled down to this: clean your litter box, “clean up” your relationship, and clean your apartment – cat problem solved!!

My three cats are not total angels, but they sure seem like it when compared to some of the felines featured on My Cat From Hell. The difference between the cat owners on the show and me is that I have a better understanding of why cats do what they do. I also accept that when my cats do certain things I don’t like, I am probably at least partly to blame. If you want a happy, loving, well-adjusted cat but yours acts like the devil incarnate, step back and ask yourself, “What am I doing to contribute to my cat’s problem behavior? What am I not offering my cat that he clearly needs, and how can I provide it so we can both be happy?”

Photo by Al Herrmann

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How Trust and Loyalty Builds a Bond

2012-02-02T08:00:00.000-08:00

By Linda Cole

Earning your pet's trust isn't a given. You have to work at developing a friendship with your pet just as much as you do with a person. With trust comes respect and bonding, and once a pet gives you their unconditional love, they will never break it. Our pets give us a pure and sincere love for their entire lifetime.

There's no question in my mind that animals are a lot smarter than they are given credit for. Pet owners who have a strong bond with their dog or cat witness firsthand the remarkable and sometimes even amazing abilities they have. In a study on the loyalty of dogs, researchers had two people sit side by side in a room. One person was the dog's owner and the other person was a stranger. There were two colored plastic cups turned upside down over a dog treat; when the dog was brought in, both people pointed at the cup beside them. Researchers wanted to see if a dog would follow the pointing finger of a stranger. Each time the dog came into the room, he responded only to his owner and ignored the stranger's pointing finger. The researchers concluded this shows how much dogs trust their owners.

Loyal dogs will do whatever is needed to protect the ones they love. I had the dogs outside in their pen late one night, several years ago. We had a fresh layer of snow on the ground which made it as still as a mouse sensing a cat. Suddenly, a coyote was standing on the other side of the pen staring in at us. The dogs were nervous and made no sound as they gathered around me as though they were protecting me. I could tell they were nervous, though, and they also wanted me to protect them. But I have no doubt that if the coyote had tried to get into the pen, he would have had to deal with my dogs. Needless to say, we quickly went back inside the house.

Cats are loyal and trusting in their own way. If your female cat brings you a freshly caught mouse or leaves a small animal by your back door, it's a sign of their loyalty and love for you. Kittens learn from their mother how to hunt. The momma cat will catch a mouse, bring it back to her kittens and turn it loose to give them a chance to learn how to stalk, hunt and catch prey. A cat who never learned to hunt for food still knows how to hunt, but doesn't associate it with food. She leaves you her catch because of instinct. I think it's her way of saying, “I'm taking care of you.”

Our pets trust us to take care of them. They depend on us for everything from a high quality food like CANIDAE and FELIDAE, to a game of catch. As responsible pet owners, it is our duty to nurture our relationship with our pets every day with exercise, snuggle time, playtime and every other way we interact with a pet. They don't ask a lot from us, and their loyalty and trust is honest and true.

My dog Keikei was just barely 8 weeks old when she was kicked out of her first home. As she grew, it became obvious she was going to need a lot of patience and training because she has a dominant personality and at around 6 months old she started showing signs of aggression with my other dogs. Never discount the importance of trust your dog has in you. It should never be taken lightly. Keikei learned how we wanted her to act because we gave her the same respect and trust we expected from her.

There's no shortage of stories about dogs and cats that saved their family by waking them up and alerting them to a fire or carbon monoxide in the house. I’ve even read about cats credited with saving their owners from burglars and dogs that have put their life on the line to stand up to someone threatening their family. I've also read many stories about dogs that jump in front of children to protect them from a snake bite. It gives me chills when I think about how quickly a pet will come to our aid. Their trust and loyalty is just as sincere as their unconditional love, and they will never take it for granted. It's what builds a solid bond that will never be broken by the pet.

Photo by Emily Johnson

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Dog Breed Profile: Meet the Charming Puli

2012-02-01T08:00:00.000-08:00

By Langley Cornwell

The Puli, an ancient sheepdog from Hungary, has been helping Hungarian Shepherds herd flocks for over 1,000 years. Interbreeding almost extinguished the Puli breed in the 17th century; fortunately, the breed began a revival in 1912 and the first Puli standard was established in 1915.

Once accepted in four different sizes, the medium size Puli became the most popular and is the size that is now accepted as the AKC standard.

About the Puli

These dogs are solid, energetic and alert. Sometimes called Hungarian Water Dogs, the Puli is a strong, tough herding dog – able to perform its duties across any terrain. Their trademark wavy or curly coat naturally clumps together into what resembles dreadlocks. It’s these wooly ‘dreads’ that protects Pulik (plural) from unforgiving climates.

The dogs are vigorous athletes with a high level of confidence and intelligence. Pulik do extremely well both as herding dogs and as family pets. Today, the Puli is often seen in the show ring as well as in the herding, obedience, agility, tracking and therapy dog arenas.

Appearance

The Puli is a well-proportioned, compact, medium-sized dog. His head is average sized and looks in balance with his body. The tail is unaltered. His deep-set, almond shaped eyes display a high level of confidence.

His distinguished, weather resistant coat is plush and abundant all over his body. The dense outer coat is wavy or curly with a soft undercoat. The coat clumps together to form the aforementioned ‘cords’ or ‘dreads’ as the dog reaches adulthood. The dog has been described as an animated string mop.

The Puli makes a striking impression with his intelligent eyes, long, shaggy coat and animated, light-footed stride.

Size

Males stand approximately 17-inches tall at the shoulder and females stand 16-inches tall. The average weight of this medium-boned dog breed is between 20-35 pounds.

Colors

Coat colors include black, charcoal and white. Black is the predominate color.

Lifespan

This rare dog breed’s average lifespan is roughly 13 years. With the advancement of veterinary medicine, however, some Pulik have lived up to 20 years or more.

Health Concerns

These dogs are generally healthy and robust with few health concerns. They are subject to hip dysplasia and sometimes get eye infections due to hair getting trapped beneath their eyelids.

Ownership Requirements

The Puli has very specific grooming needs. Their unique coat must be completely dry after a bath and the cords (or dreads) must be separated to avoid matting and mildew. On the upside, they do not shed.

Due to their high energy level, a Puli requires active daily exercise. This intelligent dog breed is happiest when they are busy and challenged, both mentally and physically. Therefore, the Puli excels in herding, obedience, agility, tracking and treibball. Additionally, they can become outstanding therapy dogs.

Personality

Pulik are faithful, cheerful and obedient dogs. Known for their intelligence, this dog breed has an exceptional sense of humor and maintains their youthful exuberance throughout adulthood. A loyal and affectionate family dog, the Puli is protective and can be apprehensive of strangers.

Owner Compatibility

While this rare dog breed can thrive in a variety of circumstances, they would not be an appropriate pet for an apartment or condo dweller. Moreover, a frequent traveler would not be a suitable Puli owner. They fit well with a family that has older children. The best scenario for this unique dog breed is a family that has a yard to play in, has time to exercise and groom the dog, and has plenty of love and attention to give.

To see a fun video of Pulik in action, check out this Dogs 101 clip on the Animal Planet Website.

Top photo by Anita Ritenour
Bottom photo by Steve Jurvetson

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How to Train a Fearful or Insecure Dog

2012-01-31T08:00:00.000-08:00

By Langley Cornwell

Some of you know about our rescue dog. We’ve learned so much from her that I can’t help but write about her in many of my articles. For those who don’t know, here’s a summary: we heard about a shy pup that urgently needed a home at a time when we were considering taking in another pet. We agreed to meet her. When describing the dog we met that day, the word ‘shy’ is an understatement. She wouldn’t stand up. She held her head down low and her tail tucked under. She nervously dribbled on the floor. When coaxed, she slowly belly-crawled over to where I was sitting on the floor and gave my ankle a timid lick. My husband took one look at me and knew immediately. She was coming home with us.

Since that time, our insecure dog has blossomed into a happy, well-adjusted pet. Even now, however, there are times when she reverts back to her fearful ways. In researching the topic, I learned that shy or fearful behavior in canines usually stems from insecurity. According to dogproblems.com, a dog's insecurity can be a result of different influences including genetics, a traumatic experience, limited socialization or even mixed messages from the dog’s owner. Whatever the case, there are certain steps to follow when training a fearful or insecure dog. If you are consistent with these concepts, you’ll have the joy of watching your shy dog gain confidence.

Make sure your dog considers you the pack leader, and be a pack leader she can trust. Work on basic obedience skills with your pup, either individually or in a group training class. Teaching a dog to successfully sit, down, come, heel, and stay will build her confidence. Basic training is always easier if you reinforce desired actions with treats your dog loves, like CANIDAE TidNips. When a shy dog has a clearly defined and trustworthy pack leader, she can relax in her surroundings.

Gently control your dog’s body language. I learned this concept early and was amazed at the results. When our dog tucks her tail under and scrunches over, I gently lift her tail up to the normal/confident position. When I do, she stands up taller. Therefore, don’t accept submissive body language from your dog, even during training sessions. When you tell your dog to sit, don’t let her hang her head down and act like she is unsure of the request. Instead, softly reach below her chin and lift her head up. Apparently, the mind follows the body and if the body is in a confidence position, the dog feels confident.

When your dog displays unwarranted fear, avoid coddling and reassuring her that everything is going to be fine. Your dog will translate the coddling as a reward; she will think she’s pleasing you by acting afraid. Therefore, you are not helping the dog; you’re actually reinforcing fearful behavior. Instead of reassuring your dog when she seems insecure, do the opposite. Ignore fearful behavior and praise her when she acts confident, especially when she shows assurance in a situation where she used to be fearful.

Following that concept, do not avoid situations or circumstances where your dog displays insecure behavior. Dogs get over their fears by doing the behavior that causes them fear and realizing that it’s not so bad. This takes patience; don’t use force or aggression to get your dog to do what she fears. Assert yourself calmly and communicate clearly. For instance, our dog was afraid to jump in the car. She would sit by the side of the car trembling. We didn’t pick her up and force her inside. Instead we acted nonchalant about it and showed her what we expected. If you can imagine my husband and I getting down on all fours and climbing in and out of the back seat of a Toyota, you’ve got the picture. We kept at it (in one session) until she caught on and joined in the ‘fun.’ Now she jumps in and out of the car like a pro.

When you’re teaching your dog to do something she previously considered scary, repeat the activity over and over. Repetition builds confidence. Practice the activity in a variety of locations, with a variety of external stimuli. Your dog will eventually realize that the activity is familiar and not to be feared.

Training a shy or fearful dog may take a bit more patience and time, but the rewards are tremendous. As long as you make sure your dog understands what you expect of her, you are consistent with your actions and reactions, and you are quick to reward good behavior, you’re on the road to a happier and healthier relationship with your dog.

Photo by Langley Cornwell

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Lost Pet Alert Network Can Help Find a Lost Pet

2012-01-30T08:00:00.001-08:00

By Linda Cole

There's nothing worse than suddenly discovering your pet is missing. I know from experience how hard it is to search for a lost pet when you have no idea which way they went or where on earth they could be. In the past, all you could do was hang posters, talk to neighbors, walk the area around your home, and worry. It may not take the worry away, but there is a newly launched network that may be able to help. The Lost Pet Alert Network may be your best hope if you're searching for a lost pet.

You can find animal shelters in every community across the country, in rural and city locations. Some are small and others are quite large. Over the last several years, pet populations in shelters have increased because of the slow economy. The Lost Pet Alert Network was launched on December 5, 2011 in an effort to help pet owners find lost pets that have made it into a shelter or rescue organization.

The best tool we have as pet owners that can assure a lost pet's return is the microchip. Other than a tattoo that can help you identify your pet, a microchip contains pertinent information someone scanning you pet needs in order to return him to you. It has become a practice for animal shelters and rescue organizations to scan pets entering their facilities to see if there is an implanted chip. After all, it's to their advantage if they can quickly return a pet to his family. Shelters depend on donations to operate and the slow economy has also slowed donations to many shelters across the country, leaving a lot of them struggling with their budgets.

The Lost Pet Alert Network is a sharing community made up of animal shelters, rescue organizations, veterinary clinics and pet owners who opt into the network and share any information they have about lost pets under their care. Their goal is to educate pet owners about the importance of microchips in pets and have an organized and responsible network where shelters, vets, pet owners and rescue organizations can launch a search nationwide, if need be, for a lost pet.

It's quick and easy to opt into the network, and it's free. As a pet owner, if you have registered with the Lost Pet Alert Network, it gives you a place where you can distribute your personal posters about your pet. You have a nationwide community of pet professionals in local shelters and vet clinics who are dedicated to aiding you in your search. You can also alert friends on your Facebook page, Twitter followers and to other pet owners who are also in the network system. The more eyes you have searching for your pet, the more likely you are they will be found and safely returned to you.

Enrolling is easy and only takes a few minutes. All you need to do to become a member of the Lost Pet Alert Network is fill out an online application. Pet owners can sign up here and animal shelters and vet clinics can sign up here. This network of pet lovers and pet professionals already has more than 10,000 animal shelters and rescue groups registered.

Anyone who has ever lost a pet understands that frantic, helpless feeling of not knowing where your pet could be or even where to start looking. No matter how hard we try to protect a pet, there's always a chance he could be spooked by something that causes him to run away. Inside pets that escape outside can disappear in the blink of an eye. For most pet owners, the traditional way of searching for a lost pet is frustrating and in many cases, won't bring a lost pet home. If a pet ends up in a shelter and has no identification, they run the risk of not being reunited with their owner.

Microchips are inexpensive, are not painful to the pet, and provide proper identification that can't be lost. The harsh reality for most lost pets that end up in a shelter is that only 22 percent of dogs and 1.8 percent of cats are able to be traced back to their owner, but the percentages get better when you factor in lost pets that have a microchip. The numbers go up to 52.2 percent for dogs and 38.5 percent for cats.

A microchip won't guarantee your lost pet is returned to you, but it will increase his chances if he's found and taken to a shelter or vet clinic and scanned for a chip. The Lost Pet Alert Network gives your pet a better chance of finding his way back home with the help of other pet lovers who understand a pet's importance to his worried owner.

Photo by Adam Lisagor

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The Unexpected Benefits of Pets

2012-01-27T08:00:00.000-08:00

By Julia Williams

When asked to name the benefits that pets provide, common answers include things like unconditional love and acceptance, companionship, laughter, happiness and fun. Pets offer numerous health benefits as well, including reducing stress and anxiety, lowering blood pressure, encouraging us to get more exercise, and helping us cope with pain. Although most of us don’t adopt a dog or cat thinking they might save our life one day, many do just that! Stories abound of hero dogs and hero cats who alerted their owners to fires, gas leaks, venomous snakes, marauding bears, cancer and other dangers. I should think that for all of us, having our life saved by a pet would certainly qualify as an unexpected – but much appreciated – benefit.

A diabetic scientist discovered by accident that his dog was able to detect low blood sugar. The dog alerted him before he suffered a seizure, which led the scientist to form an organization that trains diabetic alert dogs. Another unexpected benefit many pets provide their owner is teaching important life lessons that we didn’t even know we needed to learn, such as how to be more tolerant, patient or trusting of others. Sometimes, pets teach us how to open our hearts just by providing a safe and loving presence. They show us how to slow down, live in the moment and savor even the smallest pleasures life has to offer. All great things to be sure, but not usually things we expect from our pets!

Years ago I experienced an unexpected benefit from a pet that I’ll never forget. It wasn’t even my pet, but it was a great help to me nonetheless. I was renting a country cottage that sat on several acres in Northern California. As a longtime gardener, it was the perfect place for me. I created my own private paradise with a large vegetable patch, a beautiful rose garden and several flower gardens. I built raised beds because the gophers who called this field “home” had no respect for my garden (imagine that!).

The landlord’s house was also on the property, and they had two dogs. The dogs viewed the field as an extension of their territory, and quite often I’d see them patrolling it. I’d also see the small dog furiously digging holes out in the field. Terriers are known to be fond of digging, and Pepper was true to her breed. She never dug holes near my garden though, so her digging didn’t really bother me.

One day after work I went out to check on my garden. I gasped at the horrific scene before me. Pepper must’ve gotten bored with digging in the field, because she’d gotten into one of the raised beds. My beautiful flower garden was completely destroyed! I love plants and always try to take great care of them, and it was devastating to see the garden in ruins.

When the shock wore off, I had an epic temper tantrum. I kicked the side of the raised bed, stomped the ground and punched the air with my fists. I screamed so loud it’s a wonder someone from the main house didn’t come down to see if I was getting killed. The rage poured out of me like water out of a hose. Eventually, after what seemed like an eternity, I crumpled to the ground and began to sob.

I laid there crying for a long time, and when the last tear had fallen onto my dead flowers, I had a revelation. The little dog who loved to dig was not to be hated, but profusely thanked. Why? Because she had done for me, what I could not do for myself.

You see, like many people I often bottle up the anger, sadness and frustration that comes as a package deal with life. If left to fester, these negative emotions would wreak havoc on my body and my spirit in one way or another. Pepper gave me an outlet, a way to let all of these negative emotions out. My slate was clean.

I’m convinced that pets have a sixth sense, and they just “know” when things need to be done to help us. Moreover, they don’t hesitate to do them! There may be many joys of having pets in our lives, but the unexpected benefits are perhaps the most wonderful of them all. What unexpected benefits have you experienced with your pet?

'Cat and Dog' photo by Mathieu Struck
'Digging Dog' photo by Stacey Shintani

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Dogs Helping Humans with Invisible Disabilities

2012-01-26T08:00:00.000-08:00

By Linda Cole

For those of us who are writers, comments from our readers are special. We write because it's something we love to do, and having an opportunity to write about the pets we love makes it even better. Sometimes a reader will ask a question or make a suggestion that sends us on a quest to find more information. My topic today, dogs that help humans with invisible disabilities, was suggested by a reader. After doing some research on it, I discovered another wonderful example of how important dogs are to us.

My mom developed Rheumatoid arthritis when she was pregnant with me. In the early stages, she didn't really show any outward signs of the disease. She worked outside the home, took care of three kids, was active in our church, and appeared to be perfectly healthy. As I grew, her pain increased and the crippling effects of the disease began to take hold. By the time I was in grade school, she was spending more and more time in and out of the hospital for operations to repair damaged joints and continuous monitoring of new arthritis drugs she was taking. Mom was a fighter and refused to let her arthritis get the better of her, but I saw how hard it was for her on her worst days. As an adult, she told me on many occasions how important her dogs were to her. Without them, there would have been a lot of mornings she never would have gotten out of bed. Rheumatoid arthritis is one of the invisible disabilities.

One important lesson I learned growing up is that just because someone looks fine on the outside, inside they may be dealing with crippling and life changing disabilities. Diabetes, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, depression, schizophrenia, lupus, sleep disorders, Lyme disease, food allergies, PTSD, epilepsy, lactose intolerance, chronic pain, autism, and ADHD are just a few of the invisible disabilities people live with every day. An invisible disability is any disease or disability that affects normal everyday life and hinders a person's ability to perform daily activities, and it isn't obvious to people who don't know you.

The Invisible Disabilities Advocate (IDA) began in 1997 by founder and President, Wayne Connell and it was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2004. Their mission is to educate people on the chronic conditions millions of people deal with every day even though they look healthy.

We've all seen a blind person or someone in a wheelchair with their service dog by their side. Deaf people are aided by their dog to alert them to a knock at their door. For some people, living an independent life would be much harder or impossible without their service dog. Because dogs are so tuned in to our emotions and needs, we can train them to perform specific tasks for specific needs to help people live with an invisible disability.

Dogs learn specific tasks like retrieving, pulling, leading, being alert to changes in blood sugar or the beginning stage of a seizure, and they're trained to help provide balance to keep their owner from falling. They are also taught basic commands and must be well socialized with people, properly behaved when out in public and able to follow commands.

My mom had two dogs and two cats. The dogs weren't service dogs, and her cats were just ordinary house cats that loved to stretch out and sleep in the afternoon sun. However, they were just as important to her as a service dog would be, because they kept her going when she didn't feel like getting up and moving. I learned how important my mom's pets were to her as her arthritis became more crippling over the years. She always knew I was around to help out when she needed an extra hand, and I always knew her pets would help give her courage to get up each morning.

Mom never complained about her disability, she never asked for pity from anyone, and she did her best to move from one operation to the next and keep a smile in her heart despite the pain she had to live with everyday. I know firsthand how hard life can be for someone with an invisible disability. I also know how important a dog or cat is; even if they aren't a certified service animal, they can make all the difference in the world for people who live with an illness other people can't see.

Photo by Chris Dixon

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How to Help Your Cat Adjust to Change

2012-01-25T08:00:00.000-08:00

By Langley Cornwell

Most of us have heard the old adage “the only thing constant is change” and we all know how true that is. It doesn’t matter whether you’re the type of person who embraces change and looks towards different circumstances as a new adventure, or you’re the type that dreads change because you thrive in familiar conditions; change happens.

If you have the privilege of sharing your life with cats, change happens to them too. While you can intelligently process the reasons for the change, your cat(s) cannot. All they know is that things are different and they are not sure how to deal with the newness, whatever it may be. They need help managing the stress that comes with change. There are steps you can take to help your cat successfully adjust to new circumstances.

New Home

If your cat is an indoor/outdoor cat, when you move plan to keep him indoors for approximately a month so he can become familiar with his new surroundings. For an extremely sensitive cat, it may be wise to establish a single room as ‘his’ and confine him to that room until he becomes more comfortable with the new home. Make sure the cat has access to a clean litter box and fresh water at all times. Whether your cat has the run of the house or is limited to one room, keep all the doors and windows closed and locked. Additionally, make sure your cat wears an I.D. tag at all times. A fearful cat can easily slip out of an open door or window and run away.

Keep distractions to a minimum; restrict the access of other animals and children to the cat as he is settling into his new territory. When cats are transitioning, they need assurance that their sources of love, shelter and food are still available. Therefore, spend more quality time with your cat than you used to, as he is adjusting to his new home. Talk quietly and reassuringly to him, and be patient. Your cat may display behavior problems during the first few weeks after a move but these issues usually clear up over time.

New Baby

If this is your first human baby, your cat is probably used to your undivided attention and will likely feel a type of sibling rivalry when the new baby comes home. To get your cat accustomed to receiving less of your time and attention, The Humane Society recommends gradually reducing the amount of time you spend with your cat during your pregnancy. Additionally, encourage another family member to spend more time with the cat so that person can develop a closer relationship with the pet. That way, the cat will still feel special, loved, and cared for while you are busy with the new baby.

Before the baby arrives, accustom your cat to infants and infant-related smells and sounds. Ask friends with babies to drop by so your pet can experience what it’s like to have a child in the house in short spurts. Create baby smells; smear baby oil or sprinkle baby powder on your skin and let your cat smell the new smells on you. Make baby noises; push up and down on the bouncy chair, turn on the mechanical swing and rock in the rocking chair. You may want to go as far as occasionally playing a recording of a baby crying. When the baby is born, have a family member bring a blanket or piece of clothing—with the baby’s scent on it—back to the house for your pet to examine. Once you are all settled back into the house and getting into your new routines, remember to spend one-on-one quality time with your cat every day.

New Dog

Generally, cats don’t react well to the introduction of new animals. They consider other pets as intruders in their territory. And, unlike dogs, cats do not have a built-in social system that helps them peacefully share their territory. Therefore, you must organize any introduction carefully so your cat feels safe and has a pleasant experience when he is introduced to the new dog. Follow the guidelines in my article on introducing a new dog to a household with cats, and the meeting could be the beginning of a long and satisfying friendship.

Some cats react better to change than others. As your cat adjusts to his new circumstances, reward his good behavior with FELIDAE TidNips™ to make the transition a positive experience. If you approach this process with love, patience and knowledge it will be an easier adjustment for all the humans and animals involved.

Photo by Wilson (Army Gal)

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Using Body Language to Train Your Dog

2012-01-24T08:00:00.000-08:00

By Linda Cole

Dogs know how we feel by our body language, tone of voice and expression on our face. They read us much better than most dog owners understand how to read them. It's not difficult to understand what a dog is saying, and we can use their knowledge of body language to help us interact with them better. We can also use it when we are training a dog.

In the dog's world, every movement, growl and gesture has a meaning. It can cause negative or positive reactions and be subtle or plain to see. They watch us like a hawk and interpret what we want by paying attention to us. The way we approach a dog, react to an aggressive dog, or interact with them while training can be better accomplished using their method of communication. When you send the appropriate message using body language, it can help you when meeting an unfamiliar dog and help you control your own dog.

Leaning forward into a submissive dog and moving your hand down towards the head will likely trigger a negative reaction that causes the dog to urinate. He reads your body language as dominant and is intimidated by you. But if you approach the same dog, crouch down next to him and bring your hand from his chest up to the head, you'll get a much different reaction. When you crouch down next to a submissive dog, your body language is positive and nonthreatening. We naturally want to pet a dog on the head, but it's better to stroke the chest of a dog showing submissive or dominant body language to avoid intimidating them.

One of the hardest commands to teach a dog is to come (recall). I've had dogs that refused to come, even for a treat. Instead of begging and yelling at your dog to come, turn your back and crouch down. You've shown him with your body language you're not a threat and he's not in trouble. He sees you as being calm and nonthreatening. You've given him an invitation to join you and most dogs will respond to your gesture. When he comes to you, give him a treat he loves, such as CANIDAE TidNips.

If crouching down doesn't get your dog to come, try running away from him. Few dogs will ignore someone running from them. There might be playing involved if you're running. When he comes, play with him for a minute. Then give him a treat and praise. Dogs that don't come when called just haven't been given a good enough reason why they should come. Make it worth their time and send the right signal.

Trying to get a dog to stop jumping up on you or someone else can be extremely frustrating for some dog owners. Use their knowledge of body language to teach them to stay down. Don't push them down with your hands. Dogs use their paws in play, and pushing them away is saying you want to play. When your dog jumps up on you, turn away from him. If he comes around to try again, turn away and if he won't stop, walk away. Dogs understand ignoring them says, “Leave me alone.”

Some dogs have a hard time walking beside their owner on a leash. Dogs are so anxious to get to the next interesting smell that they yank and pull on their leash, dragging their owner down the street. Leash train your dog by changing directions every time he starts to pull on his leash. You're teaching him through body language that you are the one in control and you decide which direction and at what speed you want to walk.

Eye contact is very important to dogs. When training your dog, make eye contact with him to let him know you're serious and in command. Watching a dog's body language helps you understand what your dog is saying, and you can use language he understands to teach him how you want him to behave and help you keep him under control.

Body language is as important to a dog as our means of communication is for us. You can establish your role as your dog's leader by doing what any alpha dog would do in his pack. Show your confidence and ability to lead in your body language. Stand tall, be fair, confident, calm and consistent in your dog's training and when interacting with him. Dogs are watching us all the time, and they do understand what to look for in a leader.

Photo by Angela McCallum

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Pet Fun Facts

2012-01-23T08:00:00.000-08:00

By Langley Cornwell

Cats and dogs are a source of unending discovery. The more time I spend with my pets, the more questions I have about certain behaviors – like why my cat purrs or why my dog wags her tail. We all have a general idea but I wonder, specifically, why animals do what they do. I’ve read loads of books about animal behavior and I’ve just added a few more to my list of ‘must reads.’ One thing I’ve noticed is that a few common theories about basic pet behaviors are being reexamined. Some of these findings may surprise you, and some you may already know.

Cats Purring - Most of us believe purring indicates that a cat is happy. That’s part of the story. Purring by domestic cats is not just a sign of contentment; it’s also used as a method of self-calming. Our cat Margaret was a loud, enthusiastic purrer. Once when she was injured and we took her to the vet, they had a hard time checking her heartbeat because she was purring so loudly. In general, purring is a way for cats to communicate.

Dogs Wagging Their Tails - Like a cat’s purring, a wagging tail is believed to indicate a happy dog. When a dog wags his tail, it can actually mean a range of emotions from approachability and excitement, to anxiety and aggression. A dog’s tail is an important communication tool. To fully understand what a dog is trying to convey, the tail needs to be considered along with the rest of the dog’s body language.

Cats Rubbing Against People (and other animals) - Yes, getting a nice rub from a cat signifies affection, but it also serves another significant cat function: scent-marking. Our cat always greets our dog by rubbing his face all over hers. Cats have scent glands in various places on their bodies and they use them to ‘mark their territory.’ Leaving their scent on things they come in contact with helps cats become familiar with the smells around them, which helps them claim a particular person, animal or object as ‘theirs.’

Dogs and Cats Eating Grass - I’ve always thought dogs and cats ate grass when their stomach is upset, and that grass acts as a digestive aid. Recently I read that dogs and cats eat grass for a variety of reasons, and one is simply that they like the taste. This was a relief because my cat chomps on grass first thing every morning when I let him out. As an aside, if your cat chews on houseplants, be careful of toxicity. You may want to grow your own cat grass.

Mixed-Breeds - Haven’t we all heard that mixed-breeds are healthier than purebreds? This may not be completely true. True, mixed-breeds aren’t subject to some of the genetic diseases found in purebred lines, but there is no assurance of genetic health in either type of animal. All pets are vulnerable to rabies, distemper, parasite infestation and other non-genetic conditions.

Additional random and interesting facts:

• Cats' bodies are tremendously flexible. Their skeleton has over 230 bones (compared to 206 in a human skeleton). The feline pelvis and shoulders are loosely attached to the spine which increases their flexibility and permits them to fit through small spaces.

• Dogs have roughly 100 facial expressions, most of them made with their ears. They swivel their ears like radar dishes, and experiments indicate that dogs can pinpoint the source of a sound in 6/100ths of a second.

• Cats have been known to jump seven times their height.

• Dogs don’t have an appendix.

• Cats' tongues are rough because they’re lined with papillae, which are tiny elevated backwards hooks that help to hold prey in place. The nose pad of each cat has unique ridges similar to a human’s fingerprints.

• Dogs are not color blind; they see shades of yellow, blue, green and gray. It’s the color red that registers on a grayscale for dogs.

• Cats have more than a hundred vocal sounds but dogs only have around ten.

• Dogs only sweat from the bottoms of their feet and can only release heat by panting. Cats don’t have sweat glands at all.

• Most domestic dogs can run almost 19 miles per hour at full speed whereas an adult cat can run almost 12 miles per hour. Cats can sprint at close to 30 miles per hour.

• Tests conducted by the University of Michigan determined that cats have better memories than dogs. A dog's memory lasts about five minutes but a cat's memory can last as long as 16 hours—which is longer than monkeys and orangutans.

Photo by Lucas Hale

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Facing the Fear of Being a Bad Dog Owner

2012-01-20T08:00:00.000-08:00

By Julia Williams

If you’ve been reading this blog for awhile, you know that I am a cat lady through and through. What you may not know is that I’ve also thought about getting a dog. I know cats better because I’ve shared my home with them for decades but have only had one dog. I “get” cats, but dogs remain largely a mystery to me. Perhaps it is precisely this unknown territory that intrigues me. I adore my cats more than anything, yet as an animal lover I want to experience the unique joy of having a dog. Actually, I could say the same thing about horses, rabbits, hamsters and birds – I’ve wanted to have all of these as a pet at one time or another.

The desire to adopt a dog is more intense, though. I think it’s because there are so many fun things you can do with a dog that you can’t do with a cat. You can go places with them, and there are umpteen dog sports you can enjoy together. My cats loathe the car, and the only sport that interests them is competitive eating….as in, let’s see who can finish their food first to “help” the others with theirs. I don’t think having a dog would be better than having cats, just different.

So why don’t I get a dog then? Oh, I’ve asked myself that question a thousand times, and there are so many reasons. The biggest is fear. Not fear of the unknown, but fear of being a bad dog owner. Dogs are complex creatures, and there is a lot involved in raising a happy, social, well mannered dog. I’m afraid that I would screw it up, and end up with a problem dog I didn’t know what to do with. I’m afraid that I don’t know enough about dogs to do it right. And if I’m going to adopt a dog, I want – no, need – to do it right.

I know that a lot of my fear comes from the painful memory of the time I did it wrong. When I was 18, I succumbed to those “sad puppy eyes” and adopted a dog from the shelter where I’d been volunteering. Never mind that I knew nothing about dogs, how to raise one, or how to deal with little problem behaviors before they became gigantic, insurmountable issues. I didn’t stop to consider what breed of dog might be best suited for me, or what they required beyond food and water. I was young and dumb, but that’s really no excuse for doing it wrong. I’ve never forgotten, and probably never forgiven myself, for being a bad dog owner.

One of our most popular articles on this blog is on the topic Jealousy in Dogs. We get comments every week from people asking for help with their particular issue. I can feel the desperation and apprehension in their words. They want to do it right, but they don’t know how. And every time I read yet another plea for help, that fear rises up again. What if I adopted a dog and this same thing happened to me? What if I didn’t know what to do or where to turn? I couldn’t bear it, so I push away the desire to get a dog.

Another thing that stops me from adopting a dog is my cats. Specifically, I fear they would feel betrayed by this intruder into their home. I fear they’d think I am replacing them with the dog. I’m sure many of you just laughed after reading that. How funny that I attribute such human emotions and thought processes to a cat, right? I know…but I fear it nonetheless. My cats have never been around dogs, and I have no idea how it would turn out. Photos of happy cats and dogs curled up together abound, but could my cats and a dog ever be friends? I don’t know…and what would I do if that didn’t happen?

I think the only thing I know for certain is how NOT to adopt a dog. I know that giving in to sad puppy eyes is never the right way, and that adopting a dog before you really, truly know what you’re getting into is setting yourself up for failure. I know that you need a basic understanding of the canine mind, and knowledge of what they need. I already know that my dog would eat CANIDAE, and I’ve learned a great deal about canine behavior from the knowledgeable writers on this blog. But at what point do I say, okay, I may not know everything but I know enough, and I am ready. I honestly have no idea, but I am open to your suggestions.

Photo by Klearchos Kapoutsis

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What Eye Contact Means to a Dog

2012-01-19T08:00:00.000-08:00

By Linda Cole

I love to sit back and watch my dogs interacting with each other. When I watch them playing and wrestling with each other, I'm reminded of a wrestling match between humans. It's fascinating to see how dogs jockey into position with similar moves that humans use. What's most interesting, however, is how they use their eyes to communicate with each other, just like human wrestlers. Eye contact is important to a dog, and we need to learn how to be respectful with our gaze and not stare.

Watching a dog's eyes gives you an idea what they are thinking and how they are feeling. It can also signal that a potential dog fight could be brewing between two dogs. A dominant dog may feel challenged by direct stare and a submissive dog can be intimidated with the eyes. But when you stop and think about it, eye contact between dogs isn't that much different than it is between people.

People who are shy or intimidated by someone direct their eyes away from a more dominant personality. The idea of confronting someone is distasteful and something they will avoid at all costs. Unless they are challenged or forced to stand up for themselves in some way, they are happier if no one notices them. The confident and dominant person isn't afraid to make eye contact. Their eyes are generally relaxed, open to the world and friendly looking. They aren't looking for trouble, but they won't back down from it if they find it. A more aggressive person has a hard stare and his eyes are narrowed. They may be angry or looking for a fight and their stare is meant to be intimidating. Someone who is fearful is wide eyed and their pupils are dilated. Dogs that are timid, fearful, dominant, friendly or aggressive view eye contact in the same way, and react to the eyes like we do.

To a dog, a stare from another dog, animal or human is rude and can mean a challenge. When you think about it, we're uncomfortable when someone stares at us, too. Thinking about how you feel about eye contact from another person will help you understand why it's important to a dog. When you're with your family and friends who know you as an individual, eye contact isn't as intimidating because you are familiar with them. It's the same way with your dogs. They know you and when they make eye contact with you, it's usually a look that says they're relaxed, happy and not intimidated when you give them direct eye contact. In fact, teaching your dog to make eye contact with you is one of the best ways to get your dog's attention when you need to distract his attention away from a situation that could pose a problem.

Understanding how a dog interprets direct eye contact is very important when meeting an unfamiliar dog. It's important to understand what a dog's body language is telling you, and being able to tell the difference between a submissive, friendly, dominant or aggressive dog can help you send the right signal to him. Not giving a strange dog direct eye contact and using proper body language he understands can defuse a potentially dangerous situation. A dog that doesn't know you may view your eye contact as rude, and an aggressive dog may perceive your look as a challenge to him. You should always keep your eye on an unfamiliar dog, but avoid looking him directly in the eyes and instead look at his ears or feet. A dog can tell the difference.

Because dogs have an excellent knowledge of body language, using eye contact with your dog is a good way to establish your role as their pack leader. A dog that's challenging you will give you direct eye contact along with other body signals, and how you respond to him with your eyes and body language tells him what he needs to know and where his place in the family hierarchy is.

According to an old English proverb, “The eyes are the window to the soul” and dogs do talk to us with their eyes. When your bond is strong and a mutual respect is shared, the unconditional love you see shining in your dog's eyes is true and forever. Eye contact with a dog who loves you has a way of melting into your heart, and it never leaves.

Photo by Jesse Schibilia

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Debunking Common Pet Health Misconceptions

2012-01-18T08:00:00.000-08:00

By Langley Cornwell

Statistics point to an alarming trend in pet health care: even though the population of pet owners has increased, the number of dogs and cats that are getting formal veterinary care has sharply decreased. The study, commissioned by Bayer HealthCare LLC, Animal Health Division and conducted by Brakke Consulting in collaboration with the National Commission on Veterinary Economic Issues, was comprehensive and well documented. It included two phases, answers from pet owners and consultations from veterinarians. The study indicates that the decline in veterinary visits may be due to misconceptions people have about their pet’s health. These misconceptions can stem from a combination of factors including the glut of information – some accurate and some not—available on the internet, and economic drivers enticing people to independently diagnose their pet’s health problem and explore home remedies.

While it’s not necessary to run to the vet every time your dog has hiccups, there are times when proper veterinary care is the right choice. Here are some common pet health myths and accompanying facts to help you determine the best course of action for your animal companion:

Are annual wellness exams really necessary? Nothing is ever wrong with my pet.
95 percent of veterinarian involved in the study strongly suggested that both dogs and cats need at least one veterinary wellness exam annually. Conversely, a lot of pet owners believe the only time their pet needs to go to the vet is for shots or vaccinations. Routine checkups are important because that’s when the vet examines your pet’s eyes, ears, heart and lungs. Additionally, the vet may take x-rays and do a blood workup. These examinations require specialized tools and techniques. If your pet is examined on a yearly basis, the veterinarian can catch problems or conditions before they become serious and costly.

If I just bring my pet in when he’s sick, he gets treated for that specific ailment and I save the money that annual wellness exams costs.
True, but you are still not giving the vet a chance to catch an ailment before it escalates. Moreover, your pet may be suffering from something that is asymptomatic. Think about your own healthcare. You see multiple doctors throughout the year, perhaps including a dentist, an ophthalmologist and a family doctor. Veterinarians have to be all these things to your pet during an annual wellness exam. If you only go to the vet when your animal is ill, your pet never gets a full checkup.

With all the helpful websites, why can’t I just figure out what’s wrong with my pet without going to the veterinarian?
There are many helpful websites with good animal health information out there, but there are sites with bad information and advice floating around as well. And according to the Bayer study, 39 percent of pet owners do consult the Internet before calling their vet if their pet gets injured or shows signs of illness. The problem with the abundance of online healthcare resources is that it’s hard to be completely sure if your animal is suffering from what’s described online. Another issue is that, in certain circumstances, pet owners are spending too much time on the internet looking for answers. By the time they actually bring their pet in to a veterinary clinic, the dog or cat is even sicker than he would have been if the owner would’ve brought the pet in at the first indication of a problem. This delay could lead to a longer and more expensive course of treatment.

Since my cat hates going to the vet and the stress makes us both crazy, can’t I just skip it?
Getting a cat into a carrier and driving him to the vet is a challenge, to be sure. And many cats exhibit extreme stress once they’re at the veterinarian clinic. Unfortunately, this issue causes cats to lose out on important health care. The Bayer study illuminated that more than one third of the domestic cats in the U.S. have not been to the veterinarian in over a year, and their quality of life suffers as a result.

Once my pet gets older, we don’t have to still go to the vet annually, do we?
Older animals do not require the number of vaccinations that younger pets do, but they still need regular veterinary care. In fact, older pets are at risk of a range of chronic and expensive illnesses like arthritis, diabetes, and even cancer. Think of your pet as you would an older friend or parent; as they age, they need regular medical care to ensure continued robust health and a good quality of life.

Photo by Stephanie Wallace

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What My Pets Mean to Me

2012-01-17T08:00:00.000-08:00

By Linda Cole

There's never been a time in my life when I didn't have a pet in my home. As a kid, I loved being around any animal. Living in the country where we had cows, pigs, chickens and outside cats and dogs, was great. One of my favorite things to do was get up at dawn and head out with my dad to do morning chores, especially in the winter when there was snow on the ground. That's when it was the easiest to see deer in the cornfields digging through the snow looking for corn left over after the harvest. Sometimes, a red fox, coon or possum would pass by. Our dog, Trixie, was always by my side. Together, she and I explored every nook and cranny we could find looking for “treasures.” My brother and sister weren't as adventurous as I was, so Trixie was my friend, my playmate and my protector.

I didn't understand how important Trixie was to me until my folks decided to move into town and give Trixie away. My best friend was given to an older couple in another town who wouldn't take her out running in the fields. I was assured, “She'll be fine and we still have another dog and cats.” But to me, it wasn't fine nor was it fair. I was 12 years old, and my heart was broken.

It's what we learn as kids about life and ourselves that shapes us as we grow. I'm sure my parents had a good reason for giving Trixie away, but I never knew what it was. The lesson I learned was to love each pet every day and never take them for granted.

My pets have always been an important part of my life. They've seen me at my worst and my best. They've been there to comfort me when I needed a friendly and understanding soul to talk to and hold. They've always been a force that helped me maintain a balance when times got a bit rocky. They aren't perfect and neither am I, but we share a mutual respect and a love that will always be there, no matter what.

People have different reasons for why they have pets. For me, my pets give me a purpose and a reason to muddle through everyday life. They complete me and make me smile and laugh just to be around them.

My dogs and cats inspire me every day. They don't care if it's raining or sunny; as long as they are with me, that's what's most important to them and they will walk by my side no matter where I go. That's more than a lot of people would do. People come and go in your life, but when you love a pet, they will always have a place in your heart. Pets have a much simpler way of looking at life, and we can learn from them how to dance in the rain.

Over the years, I've learned to enjoy the quiet things about life because of my pets. I love to sit and watch the dogs when they're outside. They see, smell and hear everything and when I see their ears moving like little radars, I know they're listening to something far away I can't hear. But if I close my eyes and really listen, sometimes I can hear what they hear.

My cats just plain make me laugh. Pogo hops around on his back legs and almost dances when he's trying to catch a string. Kip and Figaro like to drape themselves over my shoulder and contentedly purr in my ear. Jabbers will sit behind me and wait for me to turn around so we can have a chat, and Shaggy, Emma and Kia sit and stare at me sending love kisses with their eyes.

My dog Keikei reminds me so much of Trixie. She has the same kind of energy Trixie had. Keikei loves to run and loves to learn. Of all of my dogs, she's the one who's the most eager to learn new things. She will do anything for her CANIDAE Snap-Bits™, and plops her bottom down when she sees me getting them out. The first time I gave her one of the treats, the peppermint smell was very intriguing to her. I swear, she smiled as she ate it.

I don't know what I'd do without my pets. I definitely wouldn't be happy if I had to go through life without them by my side. They are my pride and joy. Thank you, Trixie, for helping me discover who I am.

Photo by Ben Simo

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Behavioral Problems: Is it the Dog or the Owner?

2012-01-16T08:00:00.001-08:00

By Langley Cornwell

When we adopted our dog, she was shy and insecure. She wouldn’t even stand up straight. Her tail was tucked, her head hung low and she cowered any time a person or dog approached her. We knew we had our work cut out for us, but were ready and entirely willing. We immediately enrolled in puppy kindergarten, and it helped her tremendously. One thing that’s abundantly clear, however, is that the class was more about training the humans than training the puppies.

So here we are, 3 years later, and I’ve fallen short. I have not held up my end of the bargain. To be specific, our dog now walks tall, is well socialized and she’s gaining confidence every day. Where I got off track was with the basic dog training skills. Additionally, we’re inconsistent with correcting behavioral problems, and we’ve allowed a few bad manners to continue. Regarding the basics, she’s pretty good at ‘come’ but I’d like her to be better. In an emergency, I’m not sure she would drop everything and come running under all circumstances. She will ‘sit’ but only for high-value treats like CANIDAE TidNips™.

Thankfully, she seems to have outgrown her destructive chewing habit. Her ‘leave it’ is okay, she doesn’t bark excessively and she’s never been one to jump up on people. But forget about ‘down,’ ‘wait,’ ‘stay,’ ‘heel,’ or ‘look.’ Even though we learned these commands in puppy kindergarten, nothing stuck (and yeah, I know that’s my fault). Additionally, she’s an excessive digger and a leash puller. She begs from my husband but not from me. I think we all know why, although he denies it… but that’s a different topic altogether. The point is – we need to get back to work.

Professional dog trainer Adam Katz at dogproblems.com has an online newsletter I subscribe to. His recent message caught my attention. He asserts that 98% of a dog's bad behavior is a direct result of what dog owners do, and that when it comes to behavior problems, dogs only respond to the conditions and stimulus they receive from the outside world. Many of us already know this, but knowing it and doing something about it are two different things.

I’ve heard dog trainers give various examples that follow a similar theme. For instance, your family enjoys congregating in the backyard around a bonfire in the evenings. Your dog thinks the fire looks interesting and goes for a closer look. When he gets close enough to feel the heat, he backs off. The next time you’re around the fire, he may go in for another inspection but backs off quickly. If your dog is a slow learner there may be a third attempt but probably no more than that. The dog is receiving consistent corrections in the form of heat when he gets too close to the fire.

So when our dog starts digging, it’s our responsibility to give her a proper correction (gentle negative association) in every case, whether we feel like it or not. If she doesn’t get the correction at the time of the infraction, she’ll likely think the behavior is okay.

Another point to consider: if she is getting good corrections consistently when we see her do it, but continues to dig when we’re not around, then we must ensure that she can’t get to a ‘diggable’ area when we’re away. That may mean keeping her inside when we run errands, blocking her access to the grassy area or whatever. The goal is to give her a correction every time she digs, with no exceptions. To reinforce the point, I may have to let our dog into the yard and then watch her from a position where she can’t see me. If/when she starts digging, I’ll be ready to run in and perform a correction so she gets the point. Once she stops digging completely and doesn’t relapse, then we’ll be able to give her more freedom in the backyard when we’re away from the house.

I know our dog wants to do the right thing. She is a great pet and wants to please us. It’s our job to learn how to communicate with her in a clear and consistent manner. We need to get better at giving motivational praise and meaningful corrections at the right time, every time.

So the next time our dog does something that is completely natural to her but doesn’t fit with our lifestyle, we should face the fact that the issue is with the owner—us—and not the dog.

Photo by Tracey R.

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