My Favorite Things

Transcription

My Favorite Things

June 2014
6
Articles
5
My Favorite Things!
6To Play or Not to Play
8Pets and Pain
12Doggie Daycare — Is it Right for Your
Pets?
15
15 What to Expect From a Dog Trainer
18Missouri Pit Bull Rescue
18
21 Pet Safety TIPS
22Meet the Breed
24 The Adventures of Chip
26Pawzzle
28 Wouldn’t You Love to Take Home Toto?
32
30How Important is a Physical Exam for
My Pet?
32The Benefits of a Group Dog Training
Class
Stormy Weather and
Summer Heat!
Stormy weather (and
fireworks) are just around
the corner. Summer heat is
already here. Both can be
treacherous for your pets.
Included in this issue are some
tips to help you with both of these topics. Please take
just a minute to read the pet safety tips on page 21.
Please remember the heat inside a locked car can be
deadly to your pets. If you are taking them with you to
run errands, don’t leave them in the car alone. If you
are leaving them at home, make sure there is a cool
spot for them to rest. Also make sure you have plenty
of water available.
Pet and Pain
How do you know if your pet is in pain? What do you
do if your pet has an accident? Check out the article
on page 8 to learn more about how pets deal with pain,
and how you, as a pet parent, can help make sure they
get the right care, at the right time.
Annual Visits
Do you really need to take your pet to the vet every
year? What if they are healthy and don’t show any
signs of illness? Do you really need to take them, or
can you skip a year? Take just a minute and read the
Publisher
Barbara Riedel
[email protected]
Editor/Production Manager
Dan O’Leary
[email protected]
Magazine Layout
ROI Marketing
816.942.1600 • [email protected]
educational article on page 30 to learn why this is
important.
Pet Events
Summertime is a great time to get out and enjoy time
with your pet. In June in Kansas City, you have two
great options — Dog-N-Jog on the Plaza on Sunday
June 8, and Bark in the Park at Kaufmann Stadium on
Sunday, June 22. Both will be lots of fun.
Dog parks can be a great place to get out and have
a good time with you pet. Is your dog social and
ready to “play nice” with other pets? For tips read
the article on page 6. What about day care? It can be
heartbreaking to leave your pet at home while you are
at work all day, so check out the local day care options
and choose the best one for you. See the article on
page 12 for some ideas about day care. There are two
new day care options which are more like your home
— check out All Things Dogs and Bays at the Moon,
both have ads in this issue.
Have You Visited or Called our Advertisers?
When you need a product or service, please contact
the companies who advertise in MetroPet magazine.
It is with their support that we are able to publish
this magazine. Tell them “I saw your ad in MetroPet
magazine.”
Have a Great June – See You In July!
Barbara Riedel, Publisher
Advertising Sales
Ad Sales: 913.548.1433
Deals of the Week
[email protected]
Contact MetroPet
PO Box 480065
Kansas City, MO 64148
Phone: 913.548.1433
Fax: 913.387.4313
Contributing Authors
Teresa Bradley Bays, DVM, CVA,
DABVP, ECM
Mike Deathe
Heddie Heger
Pat Hennessy
Pawlean Journe
Stephanie Pugh
Mary Sellaro
Barb Schulte
Pamela Smith, DVM, CVA
Cheryl Waterman, CVPM
Belle Wead
Publishing Policy: Articles printed in the MetroPet Magazine express the opinions of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent a
formal position of MetroPet Magazine. Acceptance of advertising does not necessarily constitute endorsement by MetroPet Magazine. Articles:
Readers are invited to submit articles for consideration for publication to [email protected]. All materials are subject to editorial review.
© 2014 MetroPet Magazine. All rights reserved. Request reprint permissions at [email protected]. MetroPet Magazine is owned and
published by ROI Marketing Services, all rights reserved.
orrection for the Art of Praise article in May issue — the last sentence should have read: Training must be accompanied by
C
expectation, or the praise can’t be earned.
My Favorite Things – It’s Summer!
by Pat Hennessy
The birds are chirping, the flowers are blooming, and the days are getting longer and warmer. Summer is almost here!
No one is happier about it, besides you, than your furry companion. As you look at Maria who’s gazing out the window,
you say, “Hey little girl, whatcha looking at?” With a gleam in her eye and howl in her throat, she tells you:
Raindrops on noses and whiskers to the ground
Bright sunny days and smells all around
Running through fields, you know what that brings
These are a few of my favorite things
Fresh growing grass and Frisbees to chase
Dog treats and toys, all over the place
Kongs filled with cheese or a raw chicken wing
Long walks at sunrise, and smelling good spots
Jumping in pools or ponds when it’s hot
Barking like crazy when the doorbell rings
When I’ve done wrong, when I’m crated
When I’m isolated and feeling sad
If I’ve been given my favorite things
I’ll stay busy and I won’t act bad
Well, Maria certainly knows how to express herself and delight us at the same time. Our canines (and felines) not
only make wonderful companions but they make good teachers too. We can take a page from their book of life and learn
to live more “in the moment.” They are totally happy with a simple life (no techno-gadgets, no fancy car or expensive
clothes, no pressure to meet a deadline or commitment).
While we have to deal with certain obligations, such as bills, taxes, job pressures, or family support — we can take a
different approach to our disposable time. We can spend less time tied to technology or TV, as well as look at options
to reduce work hours or chores. And when we manage to get extra time we should spend it doing simple things that
bring joy and tranquility. Go for a walk with Maria and drink in what nature has to offer (even if you have to take some
Benadryl). Cuddle up with Fluffy for a quick catnap. Take Maria with you for a short trip or go outside and run around
in the yard with her and throw a ball around.
There are many ways to enjoy summer. Sharing your furry family member’s favorite thing, can become one of your
favorite things. Embrace the day and let out a howl or sit back and enjoy a quiet purr.
Pat Hennessy is the founder of N2paws, LLC, an organization that provides a holistic
approach to companion animal care through behavior education, energy work, and
positive training methods. Pat is a Level 2 TTouch® practitioner, CPDT, ACDBC, and
member of the IAABC, IAATH and AWA. You may contact N2Paws via email pat@
n2paws.com, phone 816-522-7005, or visit the website www.n2paws.com.
www.metropetmag.com | June 2014
5
To Play or Not To Play
by Heddie Leger
That is the Question
Many people believe that dog parks are a great place to
socialize their pet, but dog parks are not for everyone.
Sometimes a play date is a better alternative for you and
your dog. According to researchers at several universities,
dogs have an inherent genetic need to socialize with other
dogs.
Dog parks can be chaotic and unpredictable as far as
the activities and level of play in which the dogs engage.
There are no guarantees that the other dogs will be
compatible with your dog.
A private play date for your dog can be the solution
for you. Below are a few simple tips to have a safe and
successful play date for your pet:
• Dogs should first meet be on neutral ground. Neither
dog will feel that their territory is being invaded and
less likely to feel threatened.
• Don’t be afraid to be selective regarding size of dog
and play style. Smaller dogs often play better with
dogs close to their size. High energy dogs are too often
overwhelming for dogs with a calmer play style.
• Reward and reinforce the positive interactions that
your dog displays in his/her behavior.
• When you are comfortable with understanding your
dog’s body language, you are ready to take the dogs
somewhere where they can play off leash.
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MetroPet Magazine | June 2014
•A
lways be aware and watchful to make sure this play
date is enjoyable for all the dogs.
Play Session Options
Play sessions with a trainer are the best option for first
time dog/puppy owners who may need a little extra
coaching in learning dog body language and what it
means when the dogs growl, pounce, chase, and bark
during play. A supervised play group can help determine
what is appropriate puppy play, and what may constitute
as “bullying.” Dogs and puppies should engage in rolereversal: chase/be chased, pounce/be pounced on. Your
dog will learn many lessons in a play date. If negative
behavior is persistent, or accompanied with growling,
lifting of a lip, general overstimulation, or “bullying,” find
a trainer with a background in positive reinforcement
who can help you redirect unruly play before it becomes
a more serious behavioral issue.
Meetup.com is a fantastic resource for finding existing
play groups in your area. You can search by breed, by
location, or by type. Some dogs are intrinsically shy or
introverted. With time, these dogs will likely come out
of their shell, but don’t force them into play. If your dog
seems nervous or shy, make sure there are plenty of
places they can hide, and escape to. Play is an excellent
way to exercise your dog, build socialization skills, and
teach them how to behave around small dogs and big
dogs alike. It’s a great way for your puppy to learn bite
inhibition and become comfortable with different
kinds of dogs.
Responsible Handler
The most important aspect to enjoying your play date
experience is to be a responsible handler.
• Use common sense.
• You may feel you have the right to be there, however,
you gain nothing by pushing your limit and risking
a dog fight. If an out of control or dangerous dog
shows up, leave the park.
• Learn when the quiet and off-peak times are, those
are the best times to be there with your dog.
• Teach your dog a reliable recall. Immediately call
your dog away from the pack, if a scuffle should
arise.
• Offer your dog more fun than just playing with the
other dogs at the park. When you go, play the games
your dog absolutely loves to draw him/her away
from the dog pack.
• 1 00% of your focus should be on your dog when
your dog is off leash either on a play date or at the
park,
•D
on’t just go on play dates or visit the dog park.
Vary your interactions with your dog. Go for walks,
go swimming, find ways to play or train in different
locations.
http://www.playdatebuddy.com/
http://dogplay.com/index.html
Heddie is a Certified
Humane Educator
and member of
APDT, APLB, APHE
and NHES sharing
a lifelong passion of
helping children and
the elderly learn manners reinforcement with their pets
through the PawZone In-Home PetSitting. You can reach
her at 816.820.5829.
7
Pets and
PAIN
(Or what “Gimpy” is NOT telling you!)
by Pamela S. Smith, DVM, CVA
What is the Real Story?
“Doctor, “Gimpy” hurt his leg a few weeks ago and has
been limping off and on since. He yelped and carried his
leg at first. Then it seemed to get better. Now he limps
occasionally, but he doesn’t yelp like he’s in pain. He still
wants to go on walks and chases the ball, but then he
acts stiff or sore later. Is he in pain? Why does it seem to
come and go? Is there anything we can do for him?”
Veterinarians hear concerns like this every day.
Lameness is one of the most common reasons for visits
to our practice. As is typical in our patients, “Gimpy”
appears to be giving mixed signals to his humans
regarding his injury and the pain he is experiencing.
Dogs continuously communicate with us as to how they
feel, using vocal cues and/or body language. However
because humans and dogs “speak” different languages,
it is easy to misread their actions. People interpret their
dogs’ signs of pain through their own experience and
knowledge of what is painful and how they would express
that pain. If we injure a limb and are in pain, we have
no problem telling our Doctor all the places it hurts and
what kind of pain we are experiencing. “Gimpy” has to
rely on his humans to figure out what his body language
really means.
What is Pain?
To help our furry friends, we need a basic understanding
of the complex phenomenon known as pain. As defined
by the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, pain is a “physical
suffering, associated with bodily disorder, received by
the brain, characterized by discomfort, typically leading
to evasive action.” Although this is a broad definition, it
includes the three major components of pain: detection
8
of the painful stimulus at the nerve endings, perception
and interpretation of the type of pain by the brain, and
the expression of pain by the body’s reaction.
The detection of acute pain is similar in dogs and
humans and involves specialized nerve receptors that are
activated by extremely painful stimuli. The information
transmitted by these nerves causes us to yelp or scream
and to try to get away from the source of pain as quickly
as possible. Chronic pain detection is also similar in
dogs and humans; it is transmitted by other types of
nerve fibers, which are activated by tissue damage and
inflammation if the acutely painful injury is not resolved.
The perception and interpretation of pain by the brain
is not as well mapped in dogs as it is in humans, but it
is very similar as shown by the areas of the brain that
“light up” on a functional MRI. It involves a complex
combination of the type of pain fibers activated, the
duration of pain, pain memory, environment, stress, and
individual physiology.
Why Pets Hide Pain
The expression of pain in dogs is difficult to interpret
because we have to use changes in behavior as one way
to detect and assess their pain. The problem is that dogs
simply do not express pain the same
way humans express pain. Dogs
evolved with a “pack mentality” in
an extremely harsh environment.
Therefore, the expression of pain as
shown by “body language,” is subject
to the “rules of survival.” Only the
most severe pain experienced by
a dog will be shown outwardly to
the rest of the “pack.” An injured
human’s goal is to stop the pain as
quickly as possible, fix the problem,
restore normal function, and
preserve the life-long use of our
limb. Dogs, because of their survival
instinct, hide their pain from the rest
of the pack, and keep running as if
nothing hurts to avoid ending up
at the back of the pack. Their DNA
“tells” them to “keep calm and carry
on” or else they will lose their status
in the pack, get a smaller share of the
limited food supply, and end up with
a decreased chance of survival. They
“keep up appearances” regardless of
the pain they may endure and despite
the risk of long-term damage caused
by continued use of an injured
limb. It is this vast difference in the
expression of pain between dogs and
humans that causes us difficulty in
determining whether “Gimpy” is in
pain, and if so, how much.
started in the joint, “Gimpy” did
what his DNA directed him to, hide
the pain and compensate. So now he
no longer “acts” painful and uses the
leg to the best of his ability for daily
walks and play, ignoring the pain in
the moment. The pain “catches up
with him” later and “Gimpy” may
lie around the house a little more or
hesitate before going up the stairs for
a few days.
Let’s consider a partially torn
anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in
a knee, a frequently diagnosed injury
in both dogs and humans, as a model
for “Gimpy’s” acute and chronic
pain. The initial injury caused acute
pain, resulting in “Gimpy” yelping
and limping. Then as the swelling
and inflammation subsided over the
next few weeks and chronic changes
Then just as soon as possible, he is
“back to normal”, using that leg as
if nothing is wrong. The problems
that result from this cycle of “pain
denial” are twofold; 1) the injured
knee doesn’t heal properly causing
more damage, and 2) the body starts
a cascade of events designed to adapt
to the pain and compensate for the
continued use of the limb. These
9
adaptations cause strain and pain from over-use of other
structures of the body. The opposite rear limb is now
carrying 50-100% more weight, causing that knee to be
inflamed, and possibly predisposing it to a torn ACL in
the near future. An abnormal gait develops, a shortened
stride in both rear limbs to limit painful extension of
the knee joints, causing lower back pain. Then the upper
back muscles start to ache as “Gimpy” shifts the burden
of rising to a standing position from using his hips and
rear legs to using his shoulders and front legs. Chronic
strain and pain in the back muscles can cause myofascial
pain, nerve impingement from
muscle spasms, painful muscle
trigger points, and pain up the
vertebral column to his neck
and head.
As all these painful events
unfold, “Gimpy’s” deceptive
expression of pain by his
behavior went from “Ow,
that hurts,” followed quickly
by “Don’t worry, I’ll be fine soon,” and eventually to
“See? I’m getting along just fine now except for this little
limp.” “Gimpy’s” survival instinct has caused him to
successfully fool his humans into believing that his injury
has healed, and so they resume his normal daily activities.
Meanwhile, the cascade of events changing an acute knee
injury to chronic pain in his knees, back and shoulders
silently continues.
How Can We Stop This Process?
Veterinarians are faced with the challenge of identifying
the original injury, any compensatory adaptations causing
pain in other areas of the body, and evaluating the type
and level of pain “Gimpy” is now
experiencing. We then address
the best way to alleviate his
pain, allow for healing of injured
structures, and gently help him
to return to “normal” function.
There are several surgical
options for knee injuries, along
with many medical options.
The most common treatments
may include surgery, different
types of pain medications, anti-inflammatories, herbal
therapy, acupuncture, “Cold” Laser therapy, weight
loss, physical therapy,
massage, cryotherapy, or
hydrotherapy.
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The length of time
required for “Gimpy’s”
recuperation is dependent
on the severity of the
initial injury, the resulting
adaptive issues, and his
ability to heal. Factors
affecting healing include
his age, weight, and
the presence of any
concurrent disease like
Cushing’s disease, or
pre-existing disabilities
like hip dysplasia. Some
patients will heal well,
requiring little or no
ongoing therapies or
medications, and can return to their previous lifestyle. Some
patients will heal to their “new normal,” which may include
ongoing therapies, pain management, and a reduced level of
exercise.
Regardless of the type of injury, even a “mild” one, the
best time to treat it is immediately after it occurs to prevent
an acute injury from becoming the source of chronic pain.
Mild injuries and pain are even easier to “cover up” by our
DNA-driven friends. “Gimpy” may show only subtle signs
of pain including “guarding” the affected limb, putting less
weight on the leg when standing, being slower to jump up
(due to rear limb pain) or jump down (due to front limb
pain), or getting “tired” sooner on walks. He may quietly
decrease his social interactions with people or his other
four-legged housemates, sleep more, or decrease his general
activity levels. So chances are, if you suspect “Gimpy” may
be in pain, he most likely is!
“Gimpy” may never “complain” about his pain, but we
now know what he is NOT telling us about what his body
is experiencing. Take him to visit his other best friend, his
Veterinarian, so his pain can be evaluated and he can be
treated sooner rather than later. We all want to give our
furry best friends a
long healthy life, free
of pain!
Pamela S. Smith, DVM, CVA,
joined the practice at Arbor
Creek Animal Hospital. She
graduated from Kansas State
University College of Veterinary
Medicine in 1984 and has been
a practicing veterinarian ever
since. She has been involved
in many aspects of veterinary
medicine and surgery over the years, and has enjoyed
learning from patients, clients, colleagues, and
respected mentors. She became a Certified Veterinary
Acupuncturist in 2011, at Colorado State University,
and has seen the benefits of adding acupuncture
to her pain management protocol. She is especially
interested in relieving chronic pain in older pets using
a combination of medication (both traditional and
herbal), acupuncture, laser therapy, supplements,
and diets. Dr. Pamela Smith, Dr. Mike Tarrant and
the staff at Arbor Creek Animal Hospital offer the
perfect blend of traditional and alternative veterinary
practice. We work together as a team to come up with
a plan to help your pet live longer, healthier and painfree lives.
Sources:
• Merriam-Webster
Dictionary
•H
andbook of
Veterinary Pain
Management, 2nd
edition. James
Gaynor, DVM MS,
William W. Muir III
DVM MS
• Notes from Medical
Acupuncture for
Veterinarians,
Certification Course
at Colorado State
University, 2011.
11
DOGGIE DAYCARE
IS IT RIGHT FOR
YOUR PETS?
by Teresa Bradley Bays,
DVM, CVA, DABVP (ECM)
We all want what is best for our beloved pets and
companions, and that includes a happy, active life with
good food, play time and family time. When, though,
is too much play a problem? Below are two real life
scenarios of patients of mine where too much of a good
thing really was too much. The names have been changed
to protect the mischievous but their stories are true.
Case Histories
Jess is a three-year old boxer who is energetic, loveable,
high strung and anxious. Give her a ball and she will
play with it and attack it until it is dead, or if it kills her,
whatever comes first! She will literally keep at it until she
is vomiting, and will not stop until the ball is taken away
from her. Her pet parents have their hands full as Mom
works very long days and Dad is disabled. They have
tried doggie daycare at a place that takes very good care
of pets and that she loved to go to. Each time she went,
however, she would come home and sleep for hours and
then be sick for days. Each time she went she would
break with diarrhea (several times also diagnosed with
Giardia which causes diarrhea). These episodes of illness
stopped when she stopped going to daycare.
Happy is a 12 year old shepherd mix that also loves to
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play when he is not resting up from his arthritis. Mom
and Dad both work long days so it is hard to get in
walks so Happy usually spends most of the day sleeping.
Recently they went away for a weekend and left him at
a boarding facility which has large group daycare. He
was in hog heaven, according to his Mom who said he
slept all night and all of the next day after she picked
him up. While there the groomer mentioned that he
had a cracked tooth so Mom brought him in to have
him examined to see if he needed a dental. The need
for a dental cleaning and removal of the tooth that had
fractured (with painful pulp exposure) was confirmed.
The physical exam also revealed that Happy was acutely
painful on palpation of his abdomen. He had the dental
performed as well as blood work, x-rays and ultrasound
of his abdomen. It was found that he was anemic, and
that his spleen was enlarged and had ruptured. Although
the bleeding was now under control, it would take some
time for him to recover from the anemia and he would
need to be kept at limited activity and monitored for
several weeks.
Busy Daycare Doesn’t Work for All
There is an obvious need for doggie daycare for
our treasured companions, but for some the typical
daycare situations are not right for them. In Jess’s case
her exuberance and anxiety and a fast paced, over
stimulating environment were not the right match,
likely causing her to be immune suppressed. Older pets
like Happy, especially those who don’t normally get
a lot of exercise, can also be stressed both physically
and emotionally in the highly stimulating, physically
active situations found in large daycare situations. It
is suspected that rough play may have caused Happy’s
already large spleen to rupture and to fracture his
tooth.
Many people love the idea of doggie daycare. They
feel strongly that all dogs need a “job” and need to be
stimulated physically and emotionally. Many times,
dogs will sleep for a long time after coming home
from daycare. This may be a good sign of a happy dog
that has had fun playing all day. It may also be a sign
that things got a bit out of hand for them physically
or that they were overexerted emotionally given their
individual personality.
Choosing the Right Option
Most dogs do really well in large daycare situations
and most boarding facilities have well trained, caring
staff that will alert you if they think your dog is not
the right fit for their facility and available services.
Pet parents feel understandably guilty, however, when
their companions are at home alone all day, and
compounding that, some dogs can’t be kept at home
alone without being kenneled.
It is a matter of choosing the right place for your pet
and knowing if special accommodations are needed for
them as individuals. Should you look for a place that
has smaller play groups and more individual attention?
13
How about a place that would
allow rest time away from the
group several times per day?
For the really anxious dog
or the older dog or dog with
medical issues, however, typical
daycare facilities may be too
chaotic and stressful, so looking
for a facility that is smaller and
more intimate or finding a pet
sitter or play-pal, may be better.
Think about your dogs as individuals. Which category might
they be in? Talk to your vet about what he or she thinks would be
appropriate for your dog - given all the parameters of age, relative
health, fitness and level of anxiety. Like daycare for your kids, you
should do some research to see which facility your four-legged furry
child would benefit the most from.
14
Dr. Teresa Bradley
Bays has been a
veterinarian at
Belton Animal
Clinic & Exotic
Care Center since
1993 and has been
an owner in the
practice since 1997.
In addition to caring for the dogs and
cats of Belton, she is an internationallyacclaimed author and lecturer on exotic
pet species, and recently earned Board
Certification as a specialist in Exotic
Companion Mammals, a designation held
by less than 20 veterinarians worldwide.
She is also the owner of Bays at the Moon,
a new specialized pet boarding and day
care facility at 511 Main, Belton, Mo.
For more information about this facility,
call 816-256-3313 or visit https://www.
facebook.com/baysatthemoon
What to Expect
from a Dog Trainer
By Mike Deathe
Don’t shoot the messenger, but read this
article before you hire a trainer!
This article is all about how I train and what I think,
and it is based on years of answering questions,
telephone calls, emails, and text messages. When you
call a dog trainer, you are doing so because there is issue
between you and Fido.
Get Ready
So, there are a few things that you need to be ready for.
reasons humans have issues with dieting, going to
the gym, or quitting smoking.
4. The only way to achieve success is to work hard.
5. Y
ou will have to venture outside of the comfort zone.
Even though you will not enjoy it, all dog trainers
are going to require that you work outside of your
level of feeling comfortable.
Be Ready for Change
Now that you have some idea of things that will be
1. D
og trainers train owners,
not dogs. Do not expect
your trainer to pay more
attention to your dog than
to you.
2. Th
ere are no quick fixes.
Your problems did not
occur overnight, nor will
they be fixed overnight.
There are no Jedi-mind
tricks or silver bullets in the
dog training arsenal.
3. You have to be consistent.
The dog trainer teaches
you the techniques you
will need. Unfortunately,
consistency along with
frequency are the same
❚ Materials ❚
Repair ❚ Commercial/Residential
15
necessary of you to make this
partnership work, how about a
small list of things that your dog
trainer just might require you to
specifically do.
1. Change Feeding — chances
are your dog trainer might very
well ask you to change how you
feed your dog.
2. M
anage Your Dog — Your dog
trainer may ask you to manage
your dog, which might require the use of a crate, day
care, dog walker, or even keeping the dog with you
consistently to ensure no mistakes happen.
3. Add or Change Rules — Your dog trainer may
require you to add rules and routines to the
everyday life for Fido. He or she might even require
that certain freedoms be restricted or removed
completely.
4. Consistency — The dog trainer will demand
consistency from everyone in the household. If just
one person is doing things differently or just not
doing them, it will completely and totally hamper
the success of the entire family.
16
Managing the
Freedom
In most cases many of the problem
behaviors that dog trainers deal
with are related to the freedomaspect of living with people. We
get this cute fluffy, little ball of joy,
and it is adorable, but as this little
powder-puff grows, it becomes
more and more like a teenager!
Life gets in the way. Kids have to
be taken to soccer. Dinner has
to be made. Of course, we all have to go to work, too.
Fido finds himself all of a sudden being left to his own
devices, with all of the freedom he cannot handle.
In reality, calling it freedom is a misnomer. Instead,
we should call it what it is — a dog is a dog! You did
not have time to manage, train, or teach your new
dog, so it is with hope when you turn him loose to his
own devices. Then, an owner is truly shocked when
that lovable little dog starts peeing, pooping, chewing,
jumping, barking, and doing all of the other things that
make it a dog (and you crazy)!
The Definition
of Crazy
I end this article with
a simple reminder. The
definition of crazy is doing
the same thing over and
over, and expecting a
different result. So, before
you pick up the phone
to call a dog trainer,
ask yourself one simple
question: “Am I ready,
willing and able to change
what I have been doing up
until now?” Because if the
answer is “no,” you will not
only have an untrained dog,
you will have a frustrated
dog trainer, and in many
cases you will be angry.
The goal of most dog trainers is one of customer service! My goal
at KISS Dog Training, is simple — always under promise and over
deliver. By having honest conversations with the trainer, such as the
honesty being offered to you in this article, you will have a better
chance of keeping everybody — dog trainer, dog, and, yes, even
yourself, on the same page.
One Last Piece of Advice
The last piece of advice I give about hiring a dog trainer is this —
interview multiple trainers. Talk to at least three trainers before
you make a decision. The client trainer relationship is a special one
and one that requires both an understanding and an agreement
on methods. If you choose a trainer and you do not agree with the
approach, you will not enjoy the process, the dog will not have fun,
and in the end no one will learn.
Hopefully, this article will not only help you to choose the best
trainer for your needs, but be ready for the challenges that will occur
once the trainer shows up at your front door! Good luck and as
always remember to “Keep It Simple.”
Mike Deathe
is an avid
pet lover
who found
his passion
as a dog
trainer. Since
2008 he
has trained
hundreds
of pet parents on how to live with their
companion animals. He writes the Keep It
Simple Stupid dog blog (K.I.S.S). Deathe
authored The Book of Pee and Poop,
and Forever Home — Dog 101 and How
to be a Better Shelter Volunteer. Follow
Deathe’s blog at @http://muttzmembers.
blogspot.com/ or the website @ www.
kissdogtraining.com.
17
Missouri Pit Bull Rescue (MPR) is a 100% volunteer run
organization that has been saving pit bull type dogs in
the Kansas City area for over eleven years. In 1999 MPR’s
founders started a small rescue out of Columbia, Missouri
called Central Missouri Pit Bull Rescue. After moving to
Kansas City, the rescue was renamed Missouri Pit Bull
Rescue, and in 2001 the first dog saved under this title was a
special boy named Oreo. In 2003 on March 11th, the rescue
became officially licensed with the state as a non-profit and
MPR was born! The mission statement for the organization
became “to promote responsible pit bull ownership, provide
breed education, combat pet overpopulation, fight unfair
legislation and find qualified homes for sound pit bull dogs
in Missouri”. Missouri Pit Bull Rescue began recruiting a
strong volunteer base to run the organization on a larger
scale, always being mindful as we bring dogs into the
program that we don’t take on more than we can safely and
adequately handle.
by Stephanie Pugh
Missouri Pit Bull Rescue (MPR) is
a 501C3 non-profit organization.
MPR’s mission is to promote
responsible Pit Bull ownership,
provide breed education, combat
pet overpopulation, fight unfair
legislation, and find qualified homes
for sound Pit Bull dogs in Missouri
For details about MPR or to see
photos of adoptable pets, please visit
www.mprgroup.net.
MPR has grown! We started out saving a couple of dogs at
a time, and we now have around 15-20 dogs in the program
at any given time. We adopt out over 50 dogs every year, and
we carefully screen all potential adopters. Over half of the
dogs are typically kept in committed foster homes, living
in a family environment where MPR can learn more about
their personalities and needs. The other dogs reside in our
shelter, nicknamed “The mini shelter” by volunteers. At the
mini shelter, each dog has a spacious kennel with bedding
and housing that fits its needs. Some kennels have inside/
outside access; others are big enough to fit a couch inside for
comfort. Volunteers operate in multiple daily shifts, making
sure that each dog gets adequate time out of their kennel.
The dogs enjoy play time in the outside play yards, going for
car rides, splashing in the baby pool, and lounging on the
couches soaking up some cuddle time. We keep the facility
stocked with plenty of toys to entertain and enrich the
dogs. Our volunteers continually monitor dogs in the mini
shelter as well, learning as much as we can about each dog’s
personality and what the ideal home environment would be
for each dog.
Other Missouri Pit Bull Rescue volunteers keep the
business side of the rescue running smoothly. These
volunteers are busy screening applicants, driving all over
the area completing home checks, keeping financial records,
18
working on fundraising,
getting our dogs’ adoptable
faces all over the internet/
social media and keeping
our foster homes supplied
with what they need. MPR
relies solely on public
donations to keep the
program running properly
and our dogs healthy and
happy. Our fundraising crew works to maintain
our medical fund so that MPR can continue to take in
dogs that need to be treated for anything from mange
to heartworms to broken limbs and beyond. MPR also
has a sponsorship program for donors who would like to
set up monthly giving, which goes a long way in helping
cover the ongoing expenses related to caring for the dogs
in our program.
MPR strives to stay active in the community in many
ways. We are helping to fight breed specific legislation,
educate the public about
the breed, the benefits of
adoption and why spaying/
neutering is so important.
We also hold adoption
events in the Kansas City
metro area and further.
Last year our volunteers
assisted in caring for dogs
Sparrow at a recent event! confiscated from dog
fighting with both the
ASPCA and HSUS. The relationship between MPR and
the local animal shelter in Kansas City, Missouri is also
very important. As room allows, dogs are transferred
from the public shelter into our program. This alleviates
stress on the public shelter and allows even more dogs to
be saved.
MPR is committed to being a part of bettering the
lives of pit bull type dogs in the Kansas City and
the surrounding area. With the support from the
19
area, memorial garden, several fenced-in outdoor play
yards and onsite accommodations for the volunteers
working shelter shifts. It is truly a dream come true
for those volunteers that have been with MPR from the
beginning. Our little breed-specific rescue could not
have made it this far without the support and generosity
of the people of Kansas City and surrounding areas. It
is always amazing to see and experience the compassion
people have for these lovable dogs!
community and the volunteers, it has been very successful
for more than a decade. The most exciting glimmer in
MPR’s future involves a plan to move to a new location,
where the dogs will be onsite with a caretaker nearby 24
hours a day. With acreage and opportunities to build a
new facility from the ground up, the dogs will be even
happier and healthier while waiting for their forever
homes! In the works is a campaign to raise enough
money to have a wonderful main shelter area, bathing
20
We know just
how awesome
these pooches
are, and thanks to
the generosity and
ongoing support
from our donors,
volunteers, and
adopters, MPR looks
forward to saving
dogs for many years
to come.
Stephanie & Midas
Pet Safety Tips
We are heading into summer heat
and stormy weather. The ASPCA
urges pet owners to develop an
emergency plan to ensure the safety
of their animals. To review this plan
please visit http://www.aspca.org/petcare/disaster-preparedness
Storm TIPS
Rescue Alert Sticker — post it in a
visible place to let rescuers know that
pets are inside your home. Make sure
it is visible and that it includes:
1) the types and number of pets in
your household;
2) the name of your veterinarian;
and
3) your veterinarian’s phone number.
e Safe — bring pets indoors at the
B
first sign of a storm. Pets can become
disoriented and wander away from
home during a crisis.
Be Chipped — make sure your
pet(s) are microchipped and/or wear
collars and tags with up-to-date
identification information.
Arrange for a Safe Haven — in the
event of evacuation, do not leave
your pets behind, if at all possible.
Being prepared means having a plan
and arranging for a safe haven for
your pet(s).
Emergency Kit — create and keep a
pet emergency kit with items such as
medical records, water, pet food and
medications.
Hot Weather TIPS
No Parking! Never leave your
animals alone in a parked vehicle.
now the Warning Signs —
K
Symptoms of overheating in
pets include excessive panting or
difficulty breathing, increased heart
and respiratory rate, drooling, mild
weakness, stupor or even collapse.
Provide for Shade — Pets can
get dehydrated quickly, so give them
plenty of fresh, clean water when it’s
hot outdoors.
Make a Safe Splash — Do not leave
pets unsupervised around a pool-not
all dogs are good swimmers
Fireworks Aren’t Very Pet-riotic —
Please leave pets at home when
you head out to Fourth of July
celebrations, and never use fireworks
around pets
For more tips and details visit www.
aspca.org
SUNDAY, JUNE 22ND
Just $35 gets you:
• Human and canine ticket
• Royals dog bandana
• $5 donated to Wayside
Waifs Animal Shelter
• Pre-game parade and
doggie meet & greet
/ bark
21
Meet the Breed
June Pet of the Month
Airedale Terrier
The Airedale
is often
referred to as
the “King of
Terriers.” This
breed is the largest of the
terrier group. It is known
for being very hardy, and a
very functional and useful
dog. At one time in its
rich history this breed
was used for police duty in Germany and Great Britain.
Fanciers of the Airedale believe the breed originated
in the valley of the Aire in England. The first Airedales
looked completely different from how they appear today,
and were known as Working, Waterside and Bingley
Terriers. The Airedale came to be known as a breed that
could do it all, and have been used for wartime guard,
messenger duty, rodent control and hunting birds and
game.
The Airedale is a medium-sized, well-boned, squarelybuilt, balanced dog. The breed is representative of the
terrier attitude and should stand alert with head and
tail held high. They should always be interested and
inquisitive, with intelligence, and a fearless, steady
personality. Airedales should always demonstrate
self-confidence, and should not show fear of people
or other dogs. The Airedale may be more reserved in
temperament than many of the other terrier breeds, but
should never be shy or timid.
During World War I, the Airedale was called a Hero, by
showing their grit and determination while delivering
messages for soldiers. In the 1920’s the Airedale rose
to be the number one dog in popularity due to their
wonderful, dependable personality. They have a sweet
22
and lovable disposition, but when challenged, are not
afraid to stand up for themselves. It is very important to
begin obedience training at a young age as these quick
learners, can become mischievous. It is important to
keep training interesting, as they get bored easily! The
Airedale needs daily exercise in order to thrive. They are
a higher energy dog that require daily walks and runs in
the park. The Airedale coat needs regular brushing and
stripping, although it is an easy coat to maintain. The
coat is hard, dense and wiry, with a softer undercoat, and
comes in both tan and black and tan and grizzle.
The Airedale has great success when competing in
agility due to their size, quickness, energy and ability to
navigate obstacles with ease. They thrive on the mental
and physical stimulation. The Airedale is generally
good with children, like all breeds, there should be early
exposure to children of all ages. Due to their substantial
size they can be good with small children, if raised with
them.
The Airedale is full of the Love of Life personality.
They are intelligent and easy to train, although they may
challenge you at times. They crave affection and thrive
on finding mischievous was to gain your attention. While
they love the attention grooming brings, it is important
to know their coat needs to be cut short every few
months and then it only needs to be brushed every so
often. If you are going to show your Airedale, you will
need to strip the coat every six months and brush it daily.
They rarely shed, but the hair will mat so require daily
brushing.
If an Airedale is in your future, you will be gaining a
wonderful family companion for years to come as they
generally live long healthy lives if cared for properly.
Interesting facts:
• John Wayne had an Airedale named “Duke.” This was where he derived his
own nickname.
• Airedales have great courage and have been used to hunt big game in Africa
and India.
• When the Titanic went down, two Airedale terriers also went down and lost
their lives.
• The Airedales have been popular with Presidents, including Woodrow
Wilson, Warren Harding, and Calvin Coolidge.
http://animal.discovery.com/videos/breed-all-about-it-airedale.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yWd6_gF5OQ
AID ANIMAL HOSPITAL
816.363.4922
HELPING PETS LIVE
LONG
HEALTHY LIVES
• Full Service
Veterinary Care
• Stem Cell Therapy
• Acupuncture
• Laser Therapy
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• Dental
• Boarding
COMBINING WESTERN MEDICINE
WITH A HOLISTIC VIEW
FOLLOW US ON
John E. Rowe, DVM, CVA
8343 Wornall Rd, KC, MO • aidanimalhospital.com
23
Chip’s
NEXT ADVENTURE
TOLERANCE
by Heddie Leger
Recap May 2014: I was the only one that was able to gain my graduation certificate on that day and my
whole family was so proud. They clapped and grinned from ear to ear. Even big dog was there smiling at
me. It made me very happy that I had been able to ignore the loud noises and stay calm, but it was not
easy. I had to remind myself over and over that it was going to be alright and there was nothing to be
afraid of. I learned on that day that no matter what I could control myself and use my brain to figure out
how to stay calm in the face of extreme circumstances. Little did I know how much I was going to need
to know how to do that.
Today was my first official day on the job. Stephanie had
ordered my vest and name tag. The vest had my name
embroidered on it. Boy, did I look official. I strutted in
beside Stephanie when the big glass doors slid open
with a “whoosh” and almost knocked me off my feet.
I had never seen moving doors before and I stepped
a bit behind Stephanie to see what she would do next.
She walked right through with no trouble so I walked
right with her. She began by introducing me to all the
people that worked at the school. She introduced me
as her “partner” and assistant. I could tell she was very
proud of me. I smiled at everyone and when she gave
me the signal, I waved at them with my right paw. They
all smiled back and we exchanged “high-fives.” I just
knew I was going to like it here. The place was very clean
and filled with bright colors. Shelves of books lined the
walls, and the carpet had game prints all over the place.
I felt like I was in a big playroom. Every once in a while,
I would hear some loud voices, or a bang or two, but
nothing that alarmed me. It was not as loud and noisy
as the fire trucks. I noticed all the doors were locked
and they used a card that they slid through a little box
with a slit in it and a light came on right before the door
unlocked and opened. Stephanie said she was not going
TOLERANCE
Willingness to accept feelings, habits, or
beliefs that are different from your own
24
to take me into classrooms on our first day back, but
promised me we would meet with some of the children
later in the day. I was so excited, I could hardly control
myself, but I knew that I had to be on my best behavior as
they had never allowed any dogs in the school and I was
on what they called a “test pilot.” I heard music playing
behind one of the doors down the hall and again heard a
loud bang like someone dropping something on a hard
surface. Then I heard children laughing and running. I
really wanted to be with them and run with them too,
but that was not the direction that Stephanie took me.
Instead, we turned down a hall that was a bit darker, and
not quite as cheerfully decorated. This area was much
more calming with neutral colors and a sedate feeling.
I wondered to myself why the difference. Little did I
know, I was about to find out. There was that loud bang
noise again. The shuffling of feet and a child’ crying out
for help caught my attention and I looked up at Stephanie
and saw a concerned look on her face. She told me to stay,
and moved closer to the window. I could see more than
she thought I could. Inside the window was a child about
Allen’s age. He was rocking in the corner, screaming and
crying. Every once in a while, he would bang his head
really hard on the wall, kick his feet and then lie very still.
Kind of like he was thinking, but he had a very odd look
in his eyes, like he was not even looking at anything, but
staring straight ahead. I wondered if Stephanie was going
to let me go in to see the little boy. She looked down at
me and I wagged my stubby to let her know I was willing
to go with her if she wanted me too. I saw a worried look
“The highest result of education is tolerance.”
Helen Keller
“If a profound gulf separates my neighbor’s belief
from mine, there is always the golden bridge of
tolerance.”
Author Unknown
“Tolerance is the ability to forgive those who tend
to speak before thinking.”
Catherine Pulsifer
on her face, then she smiled and signaled to the staff
person to let us in to the room where the little boy was
sitting on the floor. She swiped the card, and the door
opened slowly. I could see the tear stains on the boy’s
shirt and his cheeks were wet from tears. I wanted to
go over and clean the tears from his face, but Stephanie
gave me the signal to stay and not move. I always follow
directions and stayed. The boy looked right at me and
screamed, curled up in a little ball, and covered his head.
He kept peeking out from under his arm. Stephanie
gave me the signal to lie down and then to crawl….very
slowly….I always followed her directions. I was able to
tolerate the little boy’s screams, as I was so intent on
comforting him, I almost did not hear them. He sounded
so very sad. I knew how it felt to feel that sad and lonely.
Then something strange happened. He stopped crying
and screaming. I guess the way I was tolerating his
behavior and staying calm, actually calmed him too. He
put his arm out on the floor, and outstretched his hand.
It looked to me like he wanted me to come closer, but
Stephanie did not give me the signal, so I just stayed
in the crawl position. It was really hard to understand
why she would not let me approach the boy as I was
sure he would like me and let me clean his tears, but I
did what Stephanie told me. The boy had shown that he
could tolerate my presence in the room, he had actually
shown some indication of invitation to me, and he was
not banging his head any more. I guess Stephanie was
happy with that, as she gave me the signal to turn around
and we went quietly out the door. I wondered what was
going on with the boy and
Heddie is a Certified Humane
Educator and member of
APDT, APLB, APHE and
NHES sharing a lifelong
passion of helping children and the elderly learn manners
reinforcement with their pets through the PawZone InHome PetSitting. You can reach her at 816.820.5829.
if I would see him again. I could hear Stephanie talking
into a recording machine, making notes, and sharing a
positive story about me and the boy and how I was able
to stay calm and tolerate his behavior, and that I had
calmed the boy. I did not see how, but that is exactly what
she said to the staff as she finished her report.
My first day at the school seemed pretty uneventful,
but little did I know what would be in store for me in
future days, weeks and months. I could feel it in my
bones that something good had happened that day as I
did not react to the little boy and how we had both had
tolerated each other even though his behavior was very
strange, I was not scared. I had felt a strong connection
and understanding with him. In fact, I felt very calm and
it seemed that my calmness had calmed him, even at a
distance. I hoped the next time we went back, I would
be allowed to get closer and touch the boy, but I had to
follow Stephanie’s directions at all times and it was totally
up to her.
HUMAN EDUCATION ACTIVITY
Learning about other cultures, people and
societies helps us understand other ways of
living. Can you give an example of someone
very different from you that you learned
to understand and help? How were they
different from you and what did you learn
about that person and their life?
STORY DISCUSSION TIPS:
1. What was the first thing Chip observed
upon going into the building?
2. Who did Chip meet first?
3. How did Chip feel about going into the
school?
4. How did Chip behave when he heard
the loud banging?
5. What did Chip do to get the attention of
the boy?
25
Chip’s Corner
PAWZZLE
by Pawlean Journe
Answers to this Pawzzle can be found in the
Breed of the Month story on page 22.
26
ACROSS
18. They rarely ____________.
1.
20.The Airedale has met with great success when
They have a sweet ______________ disposition.
3.Their are known to be built in a well ___________,
7.
competing in _________________.
sturdy manner.
21. Size is __________________.
These dogs were known as ___________ guards.
22.In the Terrier Group this is the _____________ breed.
11. They are also good at controlling _______________.
23.This breed is very hardy and ___________________.
13.Their attitude is one of
24. Name a president that owned an Airedale.
25. The coat is wiry with a soft __________________.
________________________.
16.The coat should be stripped every ______________
months.
DOWN
2.
10.These dogs were seen as a hero during World War I
The terrier attitude calls for _____________.
4.It is believed this breed originated in the valley of
12.This breed is referred to as the ____________ of
terriers.
____________ in England.
5.
as they served as _________________ for soldiers.
They have a Love of Life __________________.
6.When confronted with danger they are known to be
14. What was the name of John Wayne’s dog?
15.What type of duty did these dogs serve in Germany
and Great Briain?
_______________.
8.Being a high energy dog, they need daily _______.
17.If they get bored they can be very ____________.
9.When it comes to training they are very
19.They should be brushed ________________.
__________________.
Answers to May Pawzzle
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27
Wouldn’t You Love
to TAKE TOTO HOME?
by Barb Schulte
Starlight Theatre will spotlight adoptable dogs during The Wizard of Oz on June 10-15
The Yellow Brick Road
leads straight to Starlight
Theatre this month when the
national touring production
of The Wizard of Oz opens
the outdoor theatre’s 64th
Broadway season. But the
action on stage June 10-15 isn’t the only reason to
put Starlight on your “must see” list. Inspired by
the real-life story of the show’s four-legged star,
Toto, Starlight will host a pre-show event each
night to shine a spotlight on local adoptable dogs.
In the production of The Wizard
of Oz coming to Starlight, Toto is
expertly played by Nigel, a Cairn
terrier who was rescued from
the Northeast Arkansas Humane
Society in 2008 by Tony® Award-
Meet Adoptable Dogs
In creating its first-ever Take Home Toto event,
Starlight has partnered with five leading local
pet-adoption agencies and shelters to introduce
adoptable dogs to Kansas City families who may
be able to give them new homes.
winning animal trainer and
guardian William Berloni. Toto/
Nigel is just one in a long line
of dogs that Berloni has rescued
and trained to perform on the
Broadway stage, in movies and on
TV. Nigel is the exact same breed as
the original Toto who starred in the
1939 MGM classic film.
From 6 to 8 p.m. each night
(except opening night, June 10),
local animal shelter volunteers and
adoptable dogs will be on site at
Starlight to meet and greet guests
arriving for The Wizard of Oz. The
dogs will be located on the theatre’s
east side, inside Gates 7 and 8
28
and adjacent to Starlight’s
Applause Club restaurant and
Helzberg Fountain.
Partnering with Local
Rescue Groups
Guests can pet the dogs, learn
about their personalities and
stories from shelter volunteers,
and, if a love connection is
made, begin the adoption
process and paperwork. While
Nigel on stage
Starlight audience members
won’t actually take home “their own Toto” that same
night (only humans can stay to watch the show!), the
agencies will follow up with interested adopters the
following day.
The shelters partnering with Starlight in this outreach
effort to place pets in forever homes are:
• Wayside Waifs — Wednesday, June 11
• T.A.R.A. (The Animal Rescue Alliance) —
Thursday, June 12
• Humane Society of Greater Kansas City — Friday,
June 13
• Great Plains SPCA — Saturday, June 14
• Kansas City Pet Project — Sunday, June 15
WILLIAM BERLONI (Animal trainer and published
author) 2011 Tony® Honoree for Excellence in Theatre.
He has trained animals for hundreds of Broadway, OffBroadway, regional theatre productions, tours, movies
and television shows. Published author of Broadway
Tails. More details at www.theatricalanimals.com.
NIGEL (Toto) was rescued from the Northeast
Arkansas Humane Society. He follows in a long line of
Totos trained by Berloni. He has appeared as “Toto” in
The Wiz, been on the Today Show and Dogs 101 and in
the movie Someday This Pain Will be Useful.
LOKI (Toto Understudy) was discovered through Cairn
Rescue USA in 2008 by guardian/trainer Berloni. He
was about a year and a half when he was rescued from
the puppy mills of Missouri. His first production of The
Wizard of Oz was the National Tour in 2009. He has
played Toto all across North America.
Can’t Adopt – Bring a Donation!
A ticket to The Wizard of Oz is required to attend the
pre-show dog-adoption event. Guests are invited to bring
new dog toys, treats, leashes, collars and other items to
donate to the participating agencies.
Families arriving early to Take Home Toto are also
invited to visit another free pre-show event, Starlight’s
Yellow Brick Bash. That event, which will be held from 6
to 8 p.m. in Starlight’s group pavilions along the theatre’s
north concourse, will feature games, crafts, performances,
photo ops and other activities for children and families.
Starlight Theatre is located across from the Kansas City
Zoo in Swope Park. For information on The Wizard of Oz
and the pre-show activities, visit www.kcstarlight.com or
call 816.363.STAR.
29
How Important is a
Physical Exam for My Pet?
by Cheryl Waterman, CVPM
Are you one of the many people who believe that a visit
to your veterinarian is only for the required vaccinations?
If so, have you ever thought about the fact that taking
your dog or cat to your veterinarian just once a year is
like you going to your doctor every 7-8 years? Because of
the longevity difference between humans and pets, that is
exactly what it can be compared to.
How Often Do You Visit Your Veterinarian
In a study by Bayer Animal Health, it is shown that
although the numbers of pets in our households
are increasing each year, the number of visits to the
veterinarian is decreasing. This study also indicated
that 36% of pet owners surveyed said that if it weren’t
for the need to comply with vaccination requirements,
they wouldn’t take their pets to the veterinarian at all. To
me, this indicates that there must be an alarming lack
of general knowledge regarding real threats to our pets’
health.
Some of the reasons given for
the decline are listed below:
• Recession
• Expense (sticker shock)
“good” care is expensive
sometimes
• Internet
• Feline resistance to
being transported to the
veterinary practice
• Lack of understanding
about the need for
veterinary care
• Indoor only pets do not
need veterinary care (lack
of understanding, again)
30
Pet Insurance
Naturally, the recession hit us in many places,
and my suggestion here would be that you
take a look at some of the different pet insurance
programs that are now available, VPI Pet Insurance
and Trupanion are just a couple, and there are quite a few
others. Also, many veterinarians offer Care Credit, which
is a plan where you are allowed to pay the bill, with no
interest, over a period of time. You might ask the next
time you go into your veterinarian.
Why Visit to Your Veterinarian
So, let’s look at the reasons you should take your pets to
your veterinarian a “minimum” of once a year (twice, if
your pet is over 7-8 years of age).
If you neglect to take your pet(s) in at least once a year,
you are missing the opportunity for your veterinarian to
spot something like heartworm disease or kidney failure
– (both conditions have serious consequences if left
untreated); and, you won’t have an opportunity to prevent
further problems and more expensive treatment down
the road.
You are missing the opportunity for your veterinarian
to make certain that your pet is not carrying any type of
parasites, and to be fully educated about these parasites.
(And yes, indoor pets can carry parasites too!)
Having good, regular healthcare will
help your pet(s) live a longer, happier
and healthier life. Such things as
painful arthritis may be diagnosed,
and with simple treatment, your pet
will be able to live pain free for a
longer period of time.
Vaccines are necessary, however, not
nearly as important as the annual or
bi-annual exam. If you’ve ever gone
to a veterinarian who hasn’t done a
physical exam before administering
vaccines, I would advise you to go
elsewhere next time.
Pets (especially cats) are very astute at hiding
symptoms of illness, due to the fact that from
ancient times they were not only predators, but
also prey. In order to protect themselves, they have
become great at hiding any signs that they aren’t
feeling well. While dogs are not quite as astute,
they too can go along fairly well for a period of
time without showing any signs of illness.
As a long-time animal lover, Cheryl Waterman
has spent the past 16 years in veterinary practice
management. In 2007, Cheryl received the
Certification of Veterinary Practice Management
(CVPM) designation. She is a member of the
Veterinary Hospital Managers Association,
and has recently developed her own veterinary
management consulting business, “Best Practice
Consulting.” Questions may be directed to Cheryl
at [email protected].
Indoor pets are just as
likely to get ill as outdoor
pets. No, they aren’t as
likely to get hit by a car, or
to get in a fight. However,
they can contract the same
diseases as outdoor pets
(cancer, diabetes, kidney
disease), they can get fleas
if someone brings them in
on their feet. In addition,
many respiratory diseases
are airborne and indoor pets
are also are known to have
allergies, just like outdoor
pets.
In a future issue, I will
address the resistance to
traveling to the veterinarian.
Would you allow your child
to go without healthcare
because they didn’t want
to go to the doctor? The
answer is no, so don’t allow
your pets to rule you and
visits to a veterinarian.
Your pet’s healthcare is
important — once, or
even better, twice a year
you should head to the
veterinarian. You only have
them an average of 15-20
years, make those years as
healthy and happy for them
as possible.
31
The Benefits of a
Group Dog Training Class
by Mary Sellaro
So, you are considering taking
a group obedience class with
your dog? This is a good option
for owners looking to combine
socialization and learning in
one environment. Classes
provide a great opportunity to
strengthen the bond between
you and your dog, to learn
how dogs think and get a better understanding of dog
behavior. The group dynamic offers people a chance
to receive hands on instruction in an environment of
structured distractions. The dogs learn to focus on
their handlers in the presence of other dogs and interact
appropriately as the situation allows.
From the Trainer’s Point of View
The instructor must perform a wide range of functions
when teaching classes. The old saying “those who
can, do; those who can’t, teach”, cannot apply to a
professional dog trainer, as they must have the ability to
train both people and dogs. The biggest challenge often
lies in training people and not the dogs. A trainer must
instill confidence in their clients through how dogs are
handled, the advice which is given and their capacity to
motivate students. The class instructor should provide
practical advice and clear direction which can be
applied to everyday life. It is essential for the instructor’s
demonstration or “demo” dog to be a good role model for
the dogs in class.
The trainer will give guidelines on being prepared for
class, practicing at home in between classes, appropriate
exercise and week to week expectations. The training
curriculum will include advice and solutions on basic
behavioral problems. The trainer may require a private
lesson for behavioral problems which cannot be resolved
in a class environment.
The class time should be well organized and flow at
32
a comfortable pace. There are
several different phases of learning
which need to be taught in order
to be successful. The foundation
of all training is teaching the dog
to focus on their human in all
situations and environments. The
first step is to teach the owner to
introduce new exercises to the dog
in an area with controlled or minimal interruptions. The
training expands to gain reliability from the dog when the
surroundings include distractions, starting at a low level
and moving upward as the dog progresses. It is important
to remember; the dog must understand and perform the
exercise consistently before adding distractions. The final
goal is for the dog to consistently look to their human for
guidance and for the training to help instill a calm state of
mind under any circumstances.
For the Human Part of the Training Team
Group class is often an enlightening experience when
it is learned the human part of the training team will
need to modify their behavior before the dog can be
expected to change. The tools needed to effectively teach
the dog are consistency and patience. If these measures
are implemented, the dog learns there is reward when a
behavior is willingly given and consequences when there
is no follow through. The dog becomes predictable and
easier to handle.
The following tips will help make the most out of your
training class experience:
•M
ake the class a priority and practice with your dog
every day between classes.
•A
ny situation can be a training opportunity-apply what
you are learning.
•B
e prepared for class every week-read and become
familiar with the written material, have any supplies
ready to bring and turn off the cell phones.
• Leave any bad vibes or attitudes at the door. Negative
thoughts will travel down your arm, through the leash
and onto your dog and class will not be productive.
• Don’t be afraid to ask questions if you don’t understand
the directions.
• Contact the instructor in between classes if there is a
question or a behavior escalates in the wrong direction
• Don’t make excuses-do the work.
• Exercise the dog properly so training will be effective.
• Let the instructor know if you are going to miss a class
and find out make-up options.
• If you miss a class unexpectedly, contact the instructor
as soon as possible.
In Conclusion
The experience and outcome you have with a group
class is based for the most part on the effort you put into
it. That being said, it is important to find a class and
instructor which you are comfortable with and fits your
needs and expectations.
A few things to consider:
• Th
e class size should be large enough so the dogs can
learn to work around distractions-but small enough to
receive personal attention
• Th
e training space is conducive to all phases of
learning –minimal, controlled distractions.
• Price should not be the decision maker.
• Th
e ultimate compliment for a dog trainer is to receive
referrals from clients, so if the experience has been a
good one-pass it on.
Mary Sellaro has been training dogs since
1990. She has taught group and private
lessons from puppy through advanced.
Mary has also worked with dog owners
on behavioral issues, including aggression.
She developed and implemented a training
class program for Retired Greyhounds
as Pets. Mary has been the temperament test evaluator for the
Children’s Mercy Hospital’s Pet Pal Program since 1997. Mary
is now the Director of Training for Pooches Paradise Daycare
and Resort in the Waldo area of Kansas City. Mary is a certified
American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen Evaluator. She can be
reached at 816-361-3388.
33
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