Alpacas - Pet Project Magazine

Transcription

February/March 2015
PET-FRIENDLY CALENDAR OF EVENTS • PETS AROUND TOWN
Options for How
To Train Your Dog
I’M
FR
TAKEEE
M
E!
Catification:
Reaching New Heights
Who
Do
You
Call?
RECIPE:
Alpacas
Traveling
Treats
More Than Just the
Latest Must-Have
Exotic Pet
LOVE TRAIN
NOW OFFERING BOARDING FOR YOUR CANINE AND FELINE
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LOVE TRAIN
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2015
ABOUT THE COVER: Theo, aka –
Teddy is a senior Keeshond. Teddy was rescued
by Dogs Deserve Better Missouri approximately
3 years ago. Teddy loves to dress up and go out
on the town and makes regular appearances at
many of the events listed on the Calendar of
Events in Pet Project Magazine.
Table of Contents
5 Ask the Vet: Getting to the Heart of the Matter
of Heart Worms
8
16
26
8 Tails From the Scratching Post: Catification:
Reaching New Heights
12 Animal Law 101: Who Do You Call?
13 Pet Recipe: Traveling Treats
14 Oily Pets: New Natural Healing Options
16 Options For How to Train Your Dog
20 Breed Profile: Boxer
21 Calendar: February/March Events
22 Pets Around Town: T.E.A.M. Seminar and more
24 The Dish: Training Treats
26 Alpacas More Than Just the Latest
Must-Have Exotic Pet
30 Business Directory
31 Adopt Me
Staff
Contacts
AND
Tidbits
Publisher
Melody Whitworth
[email protected]
from the Publisher
F
ebruary is the month of LOVE
– A time to give and show our
loved ones how much we care
about them and we should
include our pets.
There is no better way to show how
much we love our pets than to keep
them healthy and happy. A healthy pet
Melody
is one who is physically and mentally Whitworth &
fit and stable. Socializing, stimulating Honeybunny
and training makes for a well balanced,
well behaved pet and a happy household for both two leggers and four
leggers alike.
Training is very important to
have mentally stable and healthy pets.
Training is an obligation and part of
being a responsible pet owner.
In this issue of Pet Project Magazine, you can learn more about the
benefits and importance of positive reinforcement training and how
animals learn much faster when owners use reward based training.
We would like to welcome our new, regular contributor Andrea
Ward. Andrea gives insight on how to keep your felines playful, energized and stimulated with her Tales from the Scratching Post article on
“Catification.” These creative ways of giving cats places to climb, crawl
and hide is pure entertainment for your feline and will give owners
hours of enjoyment while watching their pet frolic and play throughout
their catio.
Our pets are a commitment and a responsibility. They require more
than just food, water and shelter. Pets have physical and mental needs.
Pets depend on us to provide all of the essentials for them to live a long,
healthy and happy life.
Enjoy this issue of Pet Project Magazine. We hope you learn how
you can help your pet be happier and healthier for a long, fulfilling life
together.
Kisses, hugs and belly rubs to all the wonderful companions of
Columbia and the mid-Missouri area.
Melody Whitworth
Pet Project Magazine, LLC
Publisher
4
February/March 2015 | Pet Project Magazine
Editor-in-Chief
Aurora Meyer
[email protected]
Contributing
Writers
Sandy Corbet
Kadi Easley
Pamela Heyen
Dr. Beth Hussey
Jessica Schlosser
Andrea Ward
Michael Whitworth
Photographers
LG Patterson
Alicia Troesser
Melody Whitworth
Magazine Layout
Lin Teasley
Cottonwood Graphics
Printing
Modern Litho-Print
Webmaster
Ronnye Randall
sbsproactive.com
Contact Us
P.O. Box 7018
Columbia, MO 65205
573-397-2100
www.petprojectmag.com
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
© 2014 Pet Project Magazine, LLC.
All rights reserved.
Ask the Vet
GETTING TO
THE HEART OF THE
MATTER OF HEARTWORMS
Misconceptions about this common canid parasite.
by Beth Hussey, DVM
I
f you are a dog owner, even a relatively inexperienced one, chances are you have heard
about heartworms. Thirty years ago that might
not have been the case, but since then we have
learned a great deal about these pesky parasites,
including effective ways to prevent and treat them.
However, there is still a great deal to find out.
Some things we thought we knew about them have
been proven incorrect. Consider this article a “state of
the union” address about heartworms. We’ll tell you
the current thinking about this disease and correct
some misconceptions about this dangerous parasite.
Heartworms are just what they sound like: worms
that live in the heart of dogs and other canids (like
coyotes and wolves) and certain other species (like sea
lions). While infection can and does occur in other
species, the canid is the definitive host for the worm.
Infection occurs when a mosquito carrying the
microfilaria stage of the parasite (microscopic worm)
bites your dog. During the transfer of saliva into the
bite that allows the mosquito to feed, microfilaria can
get into the bloodstream of your dog.
Once in the bloodstream the tiny worms make
their way over a period of months and through a
series of life stages into the pulmonary arteries and
then into the heart itself. Once there, as adults, they
reproduce and start their own family of microfilaria,
which begin to circulate through the bloodstream and
5
“Once in the bloodstream the tiny
worms make their way over a period
of months and through a series of life
stages into the pulmonary arteries and
then into the heart itself.”
the process begins anew with another mosquito now
biting your dog and transferring his microfilaria to the
next hapless dog victim.
The process is a slow one and actual heartworm
disease can take years to present as a problem.
The worms are not toxic to the dog. They cause
most of their problems because of the space they
take up in the heart, preventing it from pumping the
needed amount of blood and oxygen to the rest of the
body tissues.
A few worms may live happily in the heart for
years without causing the host much of an issue, but
the longer they are there and the more of them there
are, the worse the disease becomes.
A dog with heartworm disease often presents with
signs similar to other cardiac diseases: a non-productive cough, often worse at night or in the early morning,
exercise intolerance and weight loss. A history of never
having been tested for heartworms or treated with
preventatives is a very big red flag that usually leads
us to a diagnosis.
Testing is relatively straightforward these days
with a small blood sample.
When heartworm disease was first being recognized, the tests we performed were called Knott’s
Tests, after the inventor, and we looked for the telltale
microfilaria under the microscope.
While these are not hard to find in a heavily
infected dog, they may not be present in every sample
of a lightly infected dog, and the test was dependent
on having an experienced, careful technician or veterinarian reading the results.
Today the tests are much more sensitive and
sophisticated and they test for the presence of heartworm antigen rather than the microfiaria themselves.
While no test is 100 percent correct all of the time,
the current available tests are extremely accurate.
Even so, most veterinarians will run a confirmatory test on every positive heartworm sample they
detect.
Treatment for heartworms is expensive and not
without its own risks, so we want to be very sure that
6
we do not have a laboratory error before beginning
treatment.
Because of the relatively leisurely pace of the heartworm migration to the heart itself, it can take up to six
months after a mosquito bites the dog before the dog
will test positive for heartworms.
A puppy would have to be bitten on the day he was
born in order to test positive at six months of age, so
there really is no point to testing prior to six months.
Depending on what time of year it is when your
pup turns six months of age your veterinarian may
wait to test a few months longer.
There is a significant source of friction between
veterinarians and their dog-owning clients over yearly
testing. During the days of microfilaria testing there
was simply no option. It was dangerous, and potentially fatal, to give a dog who was positive for the tiny
worms, the medication of choice at that time, which
was a daily medication. The dog could go into anaphylactic shock.
Today the heartworm preventatives that we use
do not pose that risk. Additionally, veterinarians have
done a good job of convincing people that heartworm
prevention should be given year-round, rather than just
during “mosquito season”. With changing climate patterns and travel of dogs from place to place, there is no
real “mosquito season” anymore. For optimum protection your dog should receive preventative every month.
“Today the tests are much more
sensitive and sophisticated and they test
for the presence of heartworm antigen
rather than the microfiaria themselves.”
But then the inevitable question arises: if these
preventatives are so good, and I give it to my dog every
month, why do I have to test him every year?
It’s a good question. All of us want to take good
care of our pets, but we want to do it as economically
as possible. Heartworm testing is not a break the bank
test cost-wise, but particularly if you have multiple
dogs in a household the costs can add up quickly.
Some veterinarians have gone to every other year
testing, IF they are sure that their client compliance
rate is good; others (myself included) allow people
with multiple dogs to test about half of them each year.
The American Heartworm Society still recommends
yearly testing and it is the best idea for several reasons.
1) As good as our current preventatives are, they
are not 100 percent effective. No drug is. Even
in the limited experience of just one practice
(mine) I have had a few dogs who religiously
received their preventative come up positive
for heartworms.
2) Dogs being dogs, occasionally they vomit up
medications without your knowing about
it. A quick yark in the back yard, and your
preventative is now in the grass and your
dog is unprotected. One of my veterinary
mentors, Dr. Jack Horton, had a patient test
positive for heartworms while supposedly on
daily heartworm preventative. The owner had
records of purchase of the medication and had
given it correctly, and was understandably
upset that it had not prevented the disease as
promised. The dog was treated and did well.
Six months after treatment, the owner bought
a new couch and when the old one was
removed, found about 200 heartworm pills
under it. The dog had apparently taken the
pills and surreptitiously spit them out under
the couch, unbeknownst to the owner. Dogs
can be pretty sneaky!
3) Are you really really sure that you gave that
pill on the first of the month? All of us have
crazy complicated lives and I confess to have
forgotten my own dog’s pills more than once.
I’ve been lucky. You might be lucky too…but
do you want to take that chance?
At any rate, no dog should ever go longer than
two years between heartworm checks. Say that your
dog tests negative for heartworms in the spring, but
over the summer a couple of doses are missed. If you
test yearly, then the next spring you could find out
that your pet has actually tested positive and start on
treatment immediately. If you don’t test that year, then
another whole year can pass before you find out about
the problem, and during that year the heartworms can
begin to cause significant damage to heart, lungs and
pulmonary vessels. The more advanced the disease
becomes, the harder it is to treat, and some damage
may be irreversible.
There are so many things lurking out there that
threaten our furry friends, and many of them can’t be
foreseen or prevented. Heartworm disease, thankfully,
is one of the more serious problems that can actually
be effectively headed off.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is one of two articles on
heartworms. Be sure to check out the next issue for
details on treatment and prevention.
r
Dr. Beth Hussey is a longtime resident of Columbia
and has been practicing at Horton Animal
Hospital–Central since
her graduation from the
University of Missouri
College of Veterinary
Medicine in 1989. She
has recently become
sole owner of the practice, after the retirement of Dr. Jack Horton and Dr. John Williams. Dr. Hussey is the
voice of “The Pet Place” on 1400 AM KFRU on Saturday mornings
at 8:10 a.m. She serves on the Columbia Board of Health, the Vicious
Dog Advisory Board and the Missouri Review board. She is active
in the Columbia Dressage and Combined Training Association and
was recently awarded the Region Four Volunteer of the Year for the
United States Dressage Federation. She shares her Rocheport home
with two cats, Vinnie and Carmine, a rescue dog named Buddy,
and three horses, including her active competition horse, Wolfsfalle.
Contact her at [email protected] or visit her practice website at
hortoncentral.com.
7
Tails from the Scratching Post
Catification:
Exploring New Heights
Catification is about seeing your
home through the eyes of your cat
and tailoring your cat’s needs to
your home’s aesthetic
by Andrea Ward
C
atification is a new development where
cat owners make enhancements to their
homes to fulfill feline-specific instincts
and improve their environment though
sensory stimulation.
Now, we aren’t talking a sea of beige carpet and
rope towers. Catification is about seeing your home
through the eyes of your cat and tailoring your cat’s
needs to your home’s aesthetic
One of the ways to cater to your cat’s needs of
sensory stimulation is having a screened in porch or
enclosure, often called a catio both cat behaviorists and
enthusiasts. Catios give cats the chance for far more
exploration than just opening up a window on a nice
day. They give opportunity for cats to use sight, sounds
and smells to view the outside world.
Indoor cats can safely enjoy the outdoors this way
as long as they have no means of escaping the enclosure, have adequate access to the house and resources
and are supervised while playing in their screened in
area. Cats may decide to nap and lounge in the sun or
stalk a neighboring wild critter, all while taking in the
sounds of nature and giving them the mental stimulation they require to thrive.
8
“Using your home’s vertical space
including shelves and catwalks
encourages your kitty to view their
home as a confident cat, observing
from above as their ancestors
naturally would in trees.”
Creating a catio allows a cat to have a space all
their own and many cat owners cater to their kitties
by enhancing the porch with towers, scratchers and
beds in order to make the space truly custom-made for
their feline friends. Owners can hire someone to build
a kitty enclosure or do it themselves.
By framing an existing porch with wood and using
wire screen to fully enclose all sides and the ceiling,
building a catio can be quite the project. While creating
a catio is one of the most complex and time-consuming types of catification, it can be a worthwhile investment to see your kitties enjoy their new environment.
Another way to upgrade a house to for kitty companions is by using height. Using your home’s vertical
space including shelves and catwalks encourages your
kitty to view their home as a confident cat, observing
from above as their ancestors naturally would in trees.
Having vertical spaces that accommodates cats’
desire to be up high also eliminates their likeliness
to sit on your counters or tables by satisfying cat’s
instincts to climb and perch. Having this safe space up
high not only instills confidence but also allows your
cat to have a place away from children, an escape from
dogs, or some much needed personal space without
feeling the need to hide.
Many cats enjoy walkways and shelves at varying
levels. This also gives them exercise when jumping
from one perch to the next. Catwalks and shelves don’t
need to be anything fancy and can be quite simple to
install or create. You can get all you need at a local
hardware store – shelves, brackets and fasteners. The
most important thing is to ensure your cat’s safety and
make sure shelves are properly anchored into your
wall and can withstand your kitty’s weight.
Encourage your kitty to explore their new vertical
environment by placing them on a shelf and having
them jump from one catwalk to another. Or entice
your cat with a favorite toy or treat.
Cat owners can also opt for non-permanent additions by using fashionable and functional furniture
and blending the catification into the home’s décor.
Several cat furniture manufacturers are opting for a
more modern look, designing pieces not only for the
cats, but also keeping their owners in mind.
9
Many higher end pieces are being made to make it
seem as though cat furniture is actually a conventional
furniture piece like an end table or cabinet.
Cat owners are seeking creative ways to help incorporate unappealing parts of owning cats, such as the
litter box, by masking it into a modern end table or
cabinet. This way, the cats have their litter box privacy
and owners don’t make it known that the litter box is
even in the room.
“Catios give cats the chance for
far more exploration than just opening
up a window on a nice day.”
Though many companies make these readily
available for purchase, you can build cat furniture for
your homes. Now the do-it-yourself movement is quite
popular for catification as it allows people to customize things to their specific home and it can be more
cost-effective.
Several homemade pieces can contain convenient
pet-owning solutions such as storage for cats’ accessories, keeping all their necessities in one convenient
place. Cat owners can also consider upcycling and
repurposing items such as an old TV cabinet or vintage
suitcase for a cat bed.
Many cat owners who catify their homes share
ideas and photos, which can be a great place to draw
inspiration for a catification project of your very own.
Whether it’s a catio, vertical shelves or freestanding furniture, there are catification design ideas for
everyone, regardless of budget or craftiness level. Your
felines will thank you for giving them more than just
the same old cardboard box to play in.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Catification comes from Jackson
Galaxy’s book, Catification available at jacksongalaxy.
com
r
Andrea Ward has volunteered with animal rescue for several years and has experience as an adoption counselor, livein caretaker and veterinary technician.
You can reach her at andreaward8342@
gmail.com
10
The
3rd Annual
Spay - Ghetti Dinner
What: A tasty dinner, bake sale, and silent
auction benefiting No Kill Columbia’s
Spay Neuter Project.
When: Tuesday, February 24th, 2015
5:30pm - 8:30pm
Where: First Presbyterian Church
16 Hitt Street
Parking available in 10th & Cherry St.
Garage
Tickets: $10 in advance, $15 at door, Children $5
Available at:
Lizzi & Rocco’s
Treats Unleashed
or online at:
www.nokillcolumbiamo.org
Ask about
oouurrDD-I-YY
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eal!
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11
ANIMAL LAW 101
Who do You Call?
Differences between The Central Missouri Humane Society
and Boone County Animal Control. by Michael Whitworth, Attorney at Law
T
here seems to be a great deal of confusion
here in Boone County when it comes to determining who to call when you see an animal
in distress, The Central Missouri Humane
Society or Boone County Animal Control.
They are NOT the same entity and they do not provide
the same services.
The Central Missouri Humane Society is a private
organization which operates under the following mission
statement, “The Central Missouri Humane Society exists
to prevent and alleviate suffering and uncontrolled reproduction of companion animals with emphasis on public
education, adoption and providing basic veterinary services for underserved pet owners.”
“If you see an animal in distress…call
Animal Control.”
If you have lost or are missing a pet, or you found
a pet, you should call and visit The Central Missouri
Humane Society to fill out a missing or lost or found
report. That is where the animal shelter is located.
The Central Missouri Humane Society is also where
you can visit to see adoptable dogs and cats. It is located
at 616 Big Bear Blvd. in Columbia.
The phone number for The Central Missouri
Humane Society is (573) 443-7387 and adoption Hours
are Monday through Saturday from noon to 7 p.m. and
on Sunday from noon to 3 p.m.
If you see an animal in distress or one that is being
neglected or abused do not call The Central Missouri
Humane Society. They do not have resources to dispatch
help and it is not under their auspices to be able to help
those situations.
If you see an animal in distress or one that is being
neglected or abused call Animal Control. Their phone
number is (573) 449-1888.
The purpose of Animal Control, according to the
12
website, is to protect people and to protect animals.
Animal control officers are charged with protecting
people and animals and travel throughout Boone County
for these purposes.
These officers also have the power to issue a
summons, which is a ticket, to people abusing or neglecting an animal or who are in violation of Animal Control
ordinances or statutes.
The maximum penalty upon conviction in Columbia
Municipal Court is $500 and/or 30 days in jail. In the
Boone County Associate Circuit Court the penalty is
$1,000 or imprisonment for not more than one year or
by both such fine and imprisonment. This is controlled
by city ordinances in municipal court and state statute in
Boone County Associate Circuit Court.
If you see an animal that you believe needs help call
Animal Control, report the situation and be sure to have
an exact address or location to report. Document the call,
make note of the officer that you spoke with and follow
up to see what their findings were and what can and will
be done about the situation.
Animal Control is a governmental entity who serves
the community and has the resources and the authority
to help.
If you live outside Boone County it is important to
find out what resources exist in your area and who to call
if you need help. This may be Animal Control, the local
Police Department or Sheriff’s Department.
You can learn about all of the specific animal ordinances in Boone County by visiting
the city’s website at gocolumbiamo.
com/Health/Animal_Control
r
Michael Whitworth is a practicing
attorney and of counsel in the Columbia
law firm Ford, Parshall and Baker, LLC,
573-441-5555. He has been a licensed
attorney in Missouri since 1985.
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13
Oily Pets
New Natural Healing Options
How to use therapeutic essential oils to care for open wounds
and skin irritations by Pamela A. Heyen, Holistic Health Practitioner
W
ith the introduction of Young
Living’s new Animal Scents Care
Collection it is easier than ever to
introduce the oils into your animal’s life. These oils are safe for
every size and species of animal from your in house pet
to your barnyard, according to the information provided
by the Young Living Animal Scents Care Collection.
Your animal may sustain some kind of open wound
injury, such as a bite, scratch or a cut, at some point in
their life. Proper pre-cleaning and wound preparation
is imperative to improve the healing process. The blend
PuriClean contains essential oils with cleansing and
purifying properties, which will help to maximize a
healing environment, the pamphlet from Young Living
14
“These oils are safe for every size and
species of animal from your in house
pet to your barnyard, according to the
information provided by the Young
Living Animal Scents Care Collection.”
Animal Scents Care Collection states.
To use PuriClean: Drop 1-2 drops directly into the
affected area to support proper cleansing or put 8-10
drops in a 1-ounce spray bottle with distilled water for a
quick skin-cleansing spritz. Spritzing is also beneficial to
animals with skin challenges, such as mange or candida.
“With the introduction of Young Living’s
new Animal Scents Care Collection it
is easier than ever to introduce the oils
into your animal’s life.”
The PuriClean blend contains the oils of:
• Patchouli: anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial,
antifungal, insecticidal and relieves itching.
• Lavender: antiseptic, antifungal, analgesic and
anti-inflammatory.
• Mountain Savory: antibacterial, antifungal,
antiviral, anti-parasitic and anti-inflammatory.
• Cistus: antiviral, antibacterial, antiinflammatory and immune stimulant.
• Palo santo: anti-inflammatory, antifungal,
antiviral and antibacterial.
• Lemongrass: antifungal, antibacterial, antiparasitic, and anti-inflammatory.
• Rosemary: anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and
antibacterial.
• Tee tree: antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral,
anti-parasitic, and anti-inflammatory.
• Lavandin: antibacterial, and antifungal.
• Mytle: anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive.
The combined medicinal properties of these 10
therapeutic essential oils will support the animal’s
ability to heal by protecting the area from infection,
according to the information provided by the Young
Living Animal Scents Care Collection. PuriClean is
one of six oils in the Animal Scents Collection that will
give you peace of mind at a time when your animal
friend may need comfort and tender care the most.
r
Pamela A. Heyen is the owner of
Columbia-based Heyen Wellness Therapies and an advocate
for the loving and humane treatment of all animals.
Disclaimer: The statements enclosed herein have not been evaluated by the
Food and Drug Administration. The products and information mentioned in
this article are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Any statements made are for education purposes and not intended to replace
the advice of your physician/veterinarian. Heyen Wellness Therapies does not
dispense medical advice, diagnose or prescribe for illness. We design and recommend individual nutrition and supplements that allow the body to rebuild
and heal itself. The views and nutritional recommendations by Heyen Wellness
Therapies are not intended to be a substitute for conventional medical services.
If you or your pet have a medical condition, seek a physician/veterinarian of
your choice. You should always consult a medical healthcare professional before
starting an exercise, diet or supplementation program, especially if you or your
animal are pregnant, nursing or taking prescription medications.
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Located east of Columbia
Owner lives on site
15
OPTIONS FOR HOW T
Establishing and maintaining good manners for your dog.
by Sandy Corbet
I
t’s not too late to start 2015 on the right paw and
training the family dog to have good every day
manners, even if you missed January’s National
Train Your Dog Month. Between 6 and 8 million
dogs and cats are turned in to animal shelters each
year and nearly 4 million are euthanized for lack
of good homes, according to the Humane Society
of the United States. Studies by the National
Council on Pet Population Study and Policy have
found that most dogs are turned in to shelters for
common behavior and training issues that could
easily be solved with the assistance of a professional dog trainer. In fact, research has found
that training and socializing dogs when they
are young can reduce and even eliminate
behavior problems in the future, according to the Association of Professional
Dog Trainers.
With
the
holidays
behind us, now is
the perfect time for
dog owners who
are considering
“Dog training involves commitment
and consistency.”
16
getting another dog or for people who recently adopted
a dog to enroll in a good basic training-obedience class.
When searching for a trainer it is important to focus on
one that uses force-free, positive training methods.
In general, positive reinforcement trainers rarely
use negative reinforcement and only in very limited
scenarios. Positive training is when something
is added to reward the dog, such as giving
praise, treats or a toy when the dog pays attention. Positive training is extremely helpful in
allowing you to reshape your dog’s behavior
to bring on good behavior and eliminate bad
behaviors. If your dog finds some reward in it, he
will continue the behavior. If he finds no reward,
the behavior will stop. You can shape his behavior
by rewarding the behaviors you like and ignoring
the behaviors you do not like. In addition, make
sure that you manage the environment in order to
prevent undesired behaviors from occurring in the
first place. It’s all up to you what the outcome will
be.
Negative reinforcement is when a stimulus is
used and then is removed to encourage a behavior.
For example when a slip collar is used and pressure is applied to the collar for unwanted behavior the pressure is then removed when the dog
gives the desired behavior. A human example of
negative reinforcement is when you get in your
car and you don’t fasten your seatbelt. A beep or
an annoying sound will continue to sound until you
fasten your seatbelt. Ideally, you will fasten your seatbelt in the future in order to avoid hearing the noise.
A common scenario for using negative reinforcement
TO TRAIN YOUR DOG
with your dog is if you left your full dinner plate on the
counter to go pour a glass of milk and while your back
is turned Rover stands up at the counter and snatches
the pork chop off your plate, you don’t want to reward
that behavior.
You have options for your reaction to provide negative reinforcement and a form of punishment.
Reaction 1: You yell, “NO ROVER!” as he runs off
to his bed to enjoy his snack.
Reaction 2: You catch the thief and pull the pork
chop out of his mouth and take him to
his bed for a time out.
Your reaction will shape what will happen next
time you leave your dinner plate unattended. Even
though you may have yelled “NO ROVER” the food
reward is enough to promote this behavior over and
over again. He didn’t care that you were upset or that
you now had to eat Mac and Cheese for dinner. If your
reaction was #2, Rover found out at that moment that
you will not allow stealing food and he received no
reward.
Another tactic is to teach Rover that your dinner
plate is off limits all together. Use a calm, upbeat voice
and call him away from the food and when he does
so, give him a reward. Watch for behavior that can
be as subtle as sniffing the air in the direction of the
food. Timing is critical when you are correcting this
type of behavior. When his attention is diverted from
the plate, immediately guide him into a more positive action saying “yes” or “good boy” or using one of
his toys for play or reward him with praise or a treat.
Your dog will catch on quickly because he has learned
that by changing his own behavior he can receive
“Positive reinforcement is when
something is added to reward the
dog, such as giving praise, treats or
a toy when the dog does something
that you ask or pays attention.”
treats, praise or his favorite toy. Using the correction
then reward scenario reinforces that the off limits
object is bad and avoiding the object is good and he
gets a reward. When it comes to counter surfing the
best solution is to keep your counters clear. Set your
pooch up to succeed. Don’t leave food unattended on
the counter top to tempt him. Without the stimulus of
good food smell coming from the counter, the interest
will go away and the problem will be solved.
Dog training involves commitment and
17
“All family members have to be on
board and consistent for success.
A well trained dog is a happy dog
and makes for a happy family.”
consistency. Reshaping your dog’s behavior should be
fun for you and your dog. Before you enroll your dog
in a dog training class or hire a professional dog trainer
to come to your home, make sure you are ready to do
the work. You don’t want to begin a dog training class
and half way through get frustrated because of the time
commitment. Dog training should also create a bond
between you and your pup. Dogs love to learn and the
more you teach your dog the better they become at
learning and the more you can teach them. Practice
the commands you are learning in class for 20 minutes
each day. The 20 minutes can be split into several sessions per day. Five minutes four times a day, or 10
minutes in the morning and 10 minutes after dinner.
It takes time to change your habits with your dog. You
may find yourself doing all the right things on week
one but on week three you realize you have quietly
slipped back into your old habits. Make a checklist
to keep on track with training each day. Make sure
18
everyone in the family and guests are aware of what
you are doing and that they don’t sabotage your work.
An example of a sabotage is, you do not allow Rover
to jump on you when you get home from work, but
when your teenaged son comes home he thinks it fun
to have Rover jump up and have a wrestling match.
All family members have to be on board and consistent for success. A well trained dog is a happy dog and
makes for a happy family.
When searching for a dog trainer, look for someone
with several years of experience and is certified. Ask
questions about training techniques and their certification. Talk to them about your specific needs and
issues with your dog. Be sure the trainer is easy to
communicate with and is available for questions.
Watch for further articles regarding dog training in
upcoming issues of Pet Project Magazine.
r
Sandy Corbet is a dog trainer at
Barkley Woods Dog Training. She is
CDT, AKC Certified CGC Evaluator and is located in Fulton MO. She
can be contacted at 573-642-3886
or [email protected]
WE LIKE PETS! LIKE US
Watch for contests for a chance to win great prizes.
facebook.com/petprojectmagazine
www.petprojectmag.com
19
BREED
THE BOXER is a
medium-sized
dog
P R O F I L E
but can vary in size.
BOXER
Boxers have short,
by Pet Project
tight-fitted hair and a
Magazine
staff
smooth coat and needs
minimal grooming.
Colors range from
fawn and brindle to white. A boxer’s lifespan is
approximately 9 to 10 years.
The boxer breed originated in Germany and
was bred from the Old English Bulldog. Their
skulls are broad and short, they have a square
muzzle, a strong jaw and a powerful bite. Boxers
are a member of the working class of canines and
are extremely energetic and athletic. Boxers can
make excellent family pets if enough exercise,
training and control can be provided, especially
if training starts when they are young. Young
boxer’s are playful, friendly dogs, which appeals
to families, especially with children. Middle
aged boxers can make very calm, loyal companions. Boxers need constant leadership and are
intelligent and strong-minded. They respond
to upbeat, persuasive training methods but will
shut down if dominant or adverse methods are
used in training. Exercise can range from very
long controlled walks for boxers with a more
calm demeanor or romps in a park or fenced
back yard playing fetch with a Frisbee or a ball
for the more exuberant personalities. Be aware
that Boxers are prone to heat stroke. If you
are looking for a very attractive, stubborn and
devoted companion, the boxer breed might be
right for you and your family.
20
FEBRUARY
1 Lizzi & Rocco’s North. Valentine
Photos to benefit Second Chance.
Noon – 4 p.m.
Treats Unleashed.
Puppy Bowl Pizza & Bowser Beer Event. All Day
7 Central Missouri Humane Society.
Low Cost Vaccination Clinic. 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Lizzi & Rocco’s South. Valentine Photo’s to
benefit Dogs Deserve Better. 11a.m. – 3 p.m.
Lizzi & Rocco’s North. Adoption and nail trim
event to benefit Boone County Animal Care.
11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
PetSmart, Jefferson City. Meet and Greet and
Adoption event to benefit Rescued Racers.
Noon – 2 p.m.
Treats Unleashed. Adoption event to benefit
CMHS. 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
13 Columbia Mall. Cat Adoption event to benefit
Second Chance. 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
PetSmart, Columbia. Dog Adoption event to
benefit Second Chance. 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Furball Adoption event. Noon – 7 p.m.
Lizzi & Rocco’s South. Adoption and nail trim
event to be benefit Dogs Deserve Better.
11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Treats Unleashed. Valentine Photos to benefit
Rescued Racers. Noon–2 p.m.
Furball Adoption event. Noon – 7 p.m.
21 Lizzi & Rocco’s South. Adoption and nail trim
event to benefit CMHS. 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
PetSmart, Columbia. Meet and Greet and
Adoption event to benefit Rescued Racers.
Noon – 2 p.m.
Treats Unleashed. Adoption and
nail trim event to benefit Dogs Deserve
Better. 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
24 First Presbyterian Church.
3rd Annual Spay-Ghetti Dinner to benefit
No Kill Columbia’s Spay Neuter Project.
27 PetSmart, Columbia. Adoption event
to benefit Second Chance. 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
28Lizzi & Rocco’s North. Adoption and
nail trim event to benefit CMHS. 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
PetSmart, Columbia. Adoption event to
benefit CMHS. 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
PetSmart, Columbia. Adoption event to
benefit Dogs Deserve Better. 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
PetSmart, Jefferson City. Adoption event to
benefit Dogs Deserve Better. 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
MARCH
1–31 PetSmart, Columbia. Cat adoption event to
benefit CMHS. 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
7 Lizzi & Rocco’s South. Adoption and nail trim event to
benefit Boone County Animal Care. 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
PetSmart, Jefferson City. Meet and Greet and
Adoption event to benefit Rescued Racers. Noon – 2 p.m.
Treats Unleashed. Adoption event to benefit
CMHS. 11 a..m. –3 p.m.
13 Knights of Columbus. Trivia Night to
benefit Second Chance. 6 p.m.– 10 p.m.
Lizzi & Rocco’s North and South.
Myth Buster adoption event to benefit CMHS.
3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
13–15 PetSmart, all locations. National Adoption
Weekend. All day.
14 Lizzi & Rocco’s South. Adoption and nail trim event
to benefit Dogs Deserve Better. 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
PetSmart, Columbia. Adoption event to benefit
CMHS. 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
21 Lizzi & Rocco’s North. Photo’s with the Easter Bunny
to benefit Dogs Deserve Better. Noon – 4 p.m.
Lizzi & Rocco’s South. Adoption and nail trim event
to benefit CMHS. 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
PetSmart, Columbia. Meet and Greet and Adoption
event to benefit Rescued Racers. Noon – 2 p.m.
Treats Unleashed. Adoption and nail trim event to
benefit Dogs Deserve Better. Noon – 2 p.m.
28Lizzi & Rocco’s North. Adoption and nail trim event
to benefit CMHS. 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Lizzi & Rocco’s South. Photos with the Easter Bunny
to benefit Dogs Deserve Better. Noon – 3 p.m.
PetSmart, Columbia. Adoption event to benefit
CMHS. 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. AND Adoption event to benefit
Dogs Deserve Better. 11 p.m. – 2 p.m.
PetSmart, Jefferson City. Adoption event to benefit
Dogs Deserve Better. 11 p.m. – 2 p.m.
• Central Missouri
Humane Society
616 Big Bear Blvd., Columbia
• First Presbyterian
Church
16 Hitt Street, Columbia
• Knights of Columbus
2525 N. Stadium Blvd.,
Columbia
•Lizzi & Rocco’s South
503 E. Nifong Blvd.,
Columbia
•Lizzi & Rocco’s
North
1610 I-70 Drive, Columbia
• PetSmart, Columbia
229 N. Stadium Blvd.
• PetSmart,
Jefferson City
731 Stoneridge Pkwy
•Treats Unleashed
1400 Forum Blvd.,
Columbia
21
The Behavior of
DOGS! Seminar
presented by Dr Ken Martin, DVM, DACVB and
Debbie Martin CPDT-KA, KPA CTP, LVT, VTS
(Behavior) from TEAM Education
in Animal Behavior
A two-day, professional seminar on dog behavior and
behavior modification techniques for veterinary professionals, trainers, shelter/rescue staff and pet owners.
The seminar focused on canine behavior and behavioral
development, prevention of behavior problems and
behavior modification tools and techniques. In addition,
participants learned the importance of creating collaborative relationships between veterinary professionals, animal
behavior specialists, trainers and pet owners regarding dog
behavior issues.
Hosted by Positive Transformations
Dog Training & Behavior
22
Pets in
the Work Place!
Having your pet by your side while at work
can give you peace of mind, comfort
and companionship.
Bryan Canterbury, Heathx
with Cody and Dolly
Denise Stroad Skouby, Smithton Middle School
with Hall Monitor, Luke
Sarah Ashman, Walt’s Bike Shop
with Cedar
Bruce Baker, Pet Center Ltd
with Chella and Aggie
Ana Lopez, Designers Plumbing
and Hardware with Istu
Janine Gibbs Brown, General Printing
Company with Kiki
Randee Shenkel, Center for Family and
Individual Counceling with Rennie
23
THE DISH
Motivating your dog with high value treats.
by Jessica Schlosser
T
here are many ways to train your dog, but
positive reinforcement training and treat
use is one that all types of dogs highly
respond to.
Rewarding your dog through food
creates an enjoyable training and learning process, makes
the training sessions more fun and increases your bond
with your dog. Who doesn’t love to bond over food?
“Rewarding your dog through food
creates an enjoyable training and
learning process, makes the training
sessions more fun and increases
your bond with your dog.”
24
The great thing about using treats for training is
you don’t have to use a lot of them to get results.
In fact, just giving your dog a small (think pencil
eraser sized), quick-to-eat treat keeps them coming
back for more.
Rewarding your pet with too much food can upset
his stomach. If the treats are too large, it can really
take away from their training session if they are spending more time eating than learning. Small, bite-sized
treats are easy to grab, quick to eat and let you get on
with your training.
In addition to finding a treat that is small, consider
offering a variety. Variety is essential in using food for
training for two reasons:
1) assortment keeps them intrigued and builds
interest because they never know what flavor
they’ll receive next.
2) your dog assigns different values to different
treats – something bland and crunchy will be
appreciated, but something soft and strongly
flavored will be highly coveted. A mix of textures
and flavors is almost as exciting as the great things
your dog will be learning.
When to use what
The type of training treat you should use depends
on the sort of work you’re doing with your dog. If you’re
doing something that is faster paced, like an agility
class, you’ll want something that is very small, soft,
requires no real chewing and is gone almost instantly.
On the other hand, if you’re out on a leisurely walk
and you want to show your appreciation of your dog
heeling nicely, something that is crunchy and takes a
few seconds to eat would work well in this instance.
Wet Noses Little Stars. These small, crunchy
snacks are a great all-purpose training treat. They’re
easy to grab a handful and throw into your pocket.
Etta Says Little Bits. These semi-moist, treats are
low calorie but pack a powerful flavor punch. They
have a soft texture and strong flavor and are really
appealing to dogs.
Leanlix. If you’d rather shift away from the bag of
treats to something cleaner and more compact, this
is the choice for you. Leanlix is a lickable dog treat is
self-contained – simply take the lid off, let your dog
have a lick, then pop the lid back on. It’s low calorie
and completely mess free.
r
Jessica Schlosser is the owner of Lizzi
and Rocco’s Natural Pet Market, 503
E. Nifong Blvd., Suite J, in Columbia.
You also can reach her at 573-8752288 or at the store’s website, www.
lizziandroccos.com.
“There are dozens of training treats
available on the market now, so finding
one your dog likes and will work
for won’t be difficult.”
Giving something that is higher value when
your dog is working on a new or more complicated
command may give them the push and focus they
need to learn, whereas a blander, less exciting treat is
fine to reward a behavior they’ve known for years.
Treats can basically say “hey, nice work!” or “Oh
my gosh, you just did the world’s most amazing thing!”
– learn what works best to keep our dog’s interest and
give them a treat that best rewards them for what they
just did.
There are dozens of training treats available on the
market now, so finding one your dog likes and will
work for won’t be difficult.
Pick up a few and see what your dog likes best.
Our Picks for Training Treats
Top Choice: Bravo Freeze-Dried Trail Mix. The
variety is already done for you with Bravo’s Freeze
Dried Trail Mix. The mix is a blend of four flavors to
keep your dog guessing what flavor will be next. This
bite-sized blend of turkey, bison, beef hot dogs, and
cheddar is high-value treat for your dog and low effort
for you when it comes to providing an assortment of
training treats.
INTERACTIVE BOARDING
& DAY CARE FOR DOGS
Book
for
Early
ak
g Bre
n
i
r
p
S
ding
Boar
Small Group &
Individual Attention in
a Natural Setting
www.southpawacres.com
[email protected]
(573) 446-ARFF (2733)
Waggin’ Tails since 2001
25
“Many
alpaca farmers
sell the fleece, but
a growing number
of them spin the
fiber and create
handcrafted
items as varied as
pet beds, felted
soaps, scarves and
sweaters.”
26
Alpacas more than just
the latest must-have
exotic pet
How to tell if adding an alpaca to
your menagerie is right for you.
by Kadi Easley
S
ixty-Eight percent of homes in the United
States have pets, according to Statista.com.
Dogs and cats have always been the most
popular pets in the country, but exotic pets
trend with the decades much like hairstyles
and clothing.
In the 80’s the pet rock was king. In the 90’s
Tamagachi digital pets died by the thousands when
their tween owners forgot about them a week after
Christmas. Ferrets and hedgehogs were the in pets
to have in the early 2000’s. About the time hedgies
became the must have pocket pets, alpacas started
gaining popularity.
Alpacas are domesticated South America llamas
and have been raised there for thousands of years. But
they’ve only been raised in the U.S. since the mid-1980s.
Most alpacas are raised for their fleece in the U.S., but
in other countries they are also raised for meat.
Textile artists prize alpaca
fleece, according to americanalpacatextiles.com. The
fiber is softer than sheep’s
wool, durable and luxurious.
Many alpaca farmers sell
the fleece, but a growing
number of them spin the fiber
and create handcrafted items
as varied as pet beds, felted
soaps, scarves and sweaters.
27
“Alpacas are also
good protectors
and can take out
a coyote with a
well-placed hoof.”
Alpaca fleece is warmer than sheep’s wool,
hypoallergenic because it does not contain lanolin,
and doesn’t prickle and itch, americanalpacatextiles.
com states. In much of the world, alpaca clothing is
sought after for softness and comfort. Alpacas come
in 22 recognized colors ranging from black to pure
white, with white being the most common. But it
can be dyed to any color.
Melissa Fletcher-Hickman and her husband own
Uniquely More Farm and have raised Alpacas for the
last seven years and are a great resource for someone
looking to add an alpaca.
Gelded males are the friendliest and make the
best pets, Fletcher-Hickman said. They are very
sweet and often follow us around like puppies.
They will also hum with contentment when they
are happy and generally only spit if they are mad or
scared.
Alpacas spit like llamas and camels, but seldom
at people, Fletcher-Hickman said. They generally
reserve that behavior for each other.
Alpacas make a high-pitched shriek if they are
angry or scared, according to Alpaca.com.
With their fuzzy coats and sweet faces, you just
want to hug them, but Alpacas don’t generally like
to be handled a lot, especially around their legs
and belly, but they do like the occasional scratch,
Fletcher-Hickman said.
28
They get along great with other farm animals
and can even be good with dogs if they are raised
together, Fletcher-Hickman said. They are also
friendly with cows, horses, ponies, chickens and
cats.
My cats can often be found using the alpacas as
a nice soft napping spot, Fletcher-Hickman said.
Alpacas are also good protectors and can take
out a coyote with a well-placed hoof, FletcherHickman said.
But alpacas are heard animals and will not
thrive alone and do best in herds of three or more,
There are two types of Alpacas and are distinguished by their coat. The Huacaya (wah-ki-ah) has
a short, dense, crimpy fleece making it look wooly
like a sheep. The Suri (sir-e) has long silky pencil-like locks similar to dreadlocks, but not matted
together.
In some areas, the Suri can be more expensive
to purchase as there aren’t as many available. The
care and feeding of both types are identical and both
types are valued for their wool, so aesthetics can be
the deciding factor when purchasing an alpaca.
Alpacas are camelids. They are related to Camels
and Llamas, but are much smaller, averaging 32 to
39 inches tall at the withers and weighing between
100 and 200 pounds, Fletcher-Hickman said.
“Gelded males are the friendliest and
make the best pets. They are very sweet
and often follow us around like puppies.”
Before adding an alpaca to your menagerie make
sure your large animal vet treats alpacas. If they don’t
the vetting will fall to you, including regular hoof
care. They have split hooves, like a goat, that will
need to be trimmed every four to eight weeks. They
will also require regular dental care. Alpacas have
sharp incisors, called fighting teeth, which need to
be removed so they don’t injure each other. Once a
year their lower front teeth will need cut.
Alpacas do not need a large
ranch to thrive.
You can safely keep up to
seven alpacas on an acre, but
it’s a good idea to rotate their
grazing ground to alleviate parasite issues, Fletcher-Hickman
said. Even with those precautions, alpacas should also be
dewormed every 30 days if
you’re in a humid climate like
Missouri,
Fletcher-Hickman
said.
Alpacas like hay, but they
will graze on grass and any
tree leaves that they can reach.
A mineral block and salt block
will make sure alpacas are
getting all the nutrients they
need. Special alpaca feed to
supplement their grazing will
keep them healthy and happy,
Alpacas have a sensitive
digestive system and understanding their dietary needs is
important to consider before
you bring one home, Alpaca.
com states.
Alpacas can be very inexpensive to purchase, some
going for as little as $50. They
do require some specialized
care, but if properly cared for
they can live for as long as 20
years.
r
Kadi Easley is a Regional Pack
Leader with For Tails Only, a direct
sales company that specializes in all
natural pet treats, toys, supplements
and food. She is also the servant of
two imperious feline residents and
pack alpha to three rescue pups.
29
BUSINESS
DIRECTORY
CARD
Find your new best friend
Advertise Your Business Here
Targeted Audience • Low Rates
[email protected]
30
ADOPT ME
• ARFF
MO (Animal
Responsibility for Fayette, Mo.)
www.arffmo.org
•Boone County Animal Care
www.facebook.com/BooneCounty
AnimalCare
•Boonville Humane Society
www.petfinder.com/shelters/MO23.html
•Callaway County Humane
Society
www.callawayhumane.org
•Central Missouri Humane Society
www.cmhspets.com
•Dogs Deserve Better Missouri
www.dogsdeservebettermissouri.com
•Love a Golden Rescue
www.loveagolden.com
•Malinois Rescue
www.malinoisrescue.org
•Moberly Animal Shelter
www.moberlymo.org
•Mo-Kan Border Collie Rescue
www.mokanbcrescue.org
•Paws (Pet Adoption and
Welfare Services)
•People Helping Paws
•Rescued Racers
www.rescuedracers.com
•Second Chance
www.columbia2ndchance.org
•Serendipity – German Shepard
Dog Rescue
www.serendipitygsd.org
31

Alpacas - Pet Project Magazine

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