March 2018

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March 2018

Well Trained

Training Tips from Local Experts PET SITTERS

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT ONE

CANINE REHAB TECHNIQUES FOR A HEALTHIER DOG

CAT DIET

THE BENEFITS OF FEEDING RAW

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March 2018

Editorial

O

gden Nash was quoted as saying: “A door is what a dog is perpetually on the wrong side of.”

Yes, dogs do seem to always be running toward the door, scratching the door and doing whatever they can to knock us over as WE try to go through the door. Ahh… to have a well trained dog is as peaceful a life as living in a butterfly garden. However, I would have no clue what that feels like because I do not have well trained dogs.

Yes, I said it.

Just because I’ve set the bar very low for my dogs and they still can’t get over it doesn’t mean I don’t mentally long for the stress-free ease of which an obedient canine and his human communicate, bond and exist. As many of you know through my ramblings over the years with my own “three amigos”, their lack of obedience lies in the failings of their master!

However, each year I approach the annual training issue with a renewed sense of hope that perhaps all is not lost in the Mantor abode. Through writing about the subject of training and visiting the inspiring facilities of our sponsors where the training

Issue 02: Volume 18 www.houstonpettalk.com

programs offer solutions for just about every situation, I work to get back to the simple basics of leadership, communication, positive reinforcement and structure (not my forte!).

In my years of publishing PetTalk and writing hundreds of articles on different pet topics, along with meeting industry experts, I’ve come to the conclusion that the three best things you can do for your dog are: 1. Training (teaching commands for obedience, hence safety, and socialization), 2. Proper dental care–clean and brush those teeth to avoid disease, 3.

Feed a healthy diet; dogs, like us, are what they eat so to speak.

With training being so important for dog owners, each March we feature our annual training issue. We hope to give you helpful tips on common problems and to do that, we asked our sponsors to give us one of their favorite tips for dog owners.

The subject of dog training could obviously fill a book and we only have a few pages, however, we think our training experts have done a fabulous job at offering useful, easy to follow information in such a

Stay!

K9 photoshoots are always full of adventure! “Toby” McMullin was a good sport for our silly human idea of getting him to sit relaxed in a rocking chair. We didn’t get the shot but had some good laughs trying! Thanks to Houston Dog Ranch, the staff and canine models for allowing us to photograph our feature at their beautiful Spring Branch facility. Photos: Evin Thayer, Cover Dog: Biz Barkie Cox.

small space. We’ve also highlighted some of Houston’s Top Trainers on page 36-38 so be sure to keep this annual issue for future reference when your dog may need a “tune-up” or perhaps you add a new pup to the family.

Also in this issue, you’ll find information about the science of pet rehab and how various modalities can benefit aging pets, those recovering from surgery and more.

Keeping our pets pain free and mobile is one of the best gifts we can give them!

You can also check out the great products in our shopping guide, meet some adorable Miniature Schnauzer/Mix rescues looking for love and check out upcoming events that you can enjoy with your pet. You can find more events and pet businesses by downloading our Free App, PetTalk GoFetch or visiting pettalkgofetch. com.

Don’t forget to “stop and smell the roses”–it’s been a cold, rainy winter and finally Spring is here so enjoy it with your pup!

HOUSTON PETTALK MAGAZINE 14781 Memorial Drive, Ste. 510, Houston, Texas 77079 281-556-6560 www.HoustonPetTalk.com Design and layout by: ANDREW BURWELL www.andrewburwell.com © Copyright 2018. Reproduction or use without written permission of articles, editorial or pictorial content in any manner is prohibited. Houston PetTalk does not knowingly accept false or misleading advertising or editorial, nor do the publishers assume responsibility should such advertising or editorial appear. Houston PetTalk does not endorse any specific product or service contained herein; we do encourage you to support our advertisers whenever possible. All photos ©copyright depositphotos unless otherwise stated.

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WHERE

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is PetTalk?

Catch someone reading their PetTalk as they travel the globe? Snap a pic and send to: info@houstonpettalk.com.

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South Korea Lisa Patterson enjoys her copy of PetTalk at the South Korean DMZ!

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Henrietta

W

ith the 2018 Olympics in the rear-view mirror, I admit I watched an overload of events while having an overload of cheetohs, nutter buddies, chips and queso and whatever else I could sneak past DL each night as I lay prone on the sofa devouring food and devouring the coverage.

I also confess to feeling ashamed of my voyeurism, not to mention the extra “cellular matter” that has appeared on my behind after several weeks of couch coaching the athletes. If ever there were incentive to get my robust physique in shape, it would be watching the carefully sculpted, athletic bodies of Olympians.

Perceptively understanding that I could benefit from some challenging competitive sports training, I decided to create my own Pawlympic Games for my compadres in the ‘hood’.

“Henrietta”, that’s a totally dumb idea”, announced Penelope. “Why?”, I asked with brevity. “Because there is NO SNOW in Houston!”

Did she really just let that stupid out of her mouth?

“Penelope, not to state the obvious but there are Summer Olympic games as well.” The nitwits I have to endure is a challenge but rather than being deterred

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by delinquent boneheads, I forged on with my plan creating the compawtition schedule and holding the first games. Here is a rundown of events:

Hot Dog Discus Throw: Contestants must pick up a hot dog wiener and turn 3 times, slinging the hot dog as far as possible. The farthest slung hot dog wins. No piece of the hot dog can be consumed during the contest. I envision very few finishers in this race.

Capture The Cat: More interesting than a flag, capturing a cat is also far more beneficial to world peace.

Contestants must find a cat, any cat, and bring it to the Crazy Cat Lady Corral for deportation to New Zealand (sorry Kiwis!).

1 Meter Hole Dig: The first contestant to dig a hole 1 meter deep is declared the winner. And no, FiFi, you cannot hire a gopher.

100 Meter Owner Arse Kissing Relay: This event is for the biggest brown noses in the neighborhood (you know who you are). Contestants must fetch the paper, take it to their human, grab the human’s slippers from the closet and put them on their feet, race to the kitchen, open the door, grab a beer (contestants may not “accidentally” consume any of the liquid contents) and give it to the owner waiting in the human reclining chair. Bonus points for grabbing the remote and bringing it too.

50 Meter Goober Slinger: No explanation needed.

Drooling breeds have a clear advantage.

Synchronized Swimming: Partners must wear matching swimsuits, eat the same food for one week and finish each other’s sentences. Contestants will jump simultaneously from a dock, dog paddle in unison to a pier in the middle of the lake. Contestants then must complete a unique dive in unison. No copying others. And just to answer the question that I know Penelope will ask, if one dog drowns, the others do not have to drown also.

The games are scheduled for this weekend and I’m off to get in another round of practice. I currently have 5 cats in my 50 meter hole but I have consumed 6 hot dogs and drank two beers.

I’m not sure the plan of getting a muscle body is working but the feline population is going in the right direction.

Be sure to tune in and watch this weekend on K94U Ch.2 as I trot into the stadium carrying the torch up to the cauldron with Chariots of Fire playing to wildly cheering fans. I don’t want to give away too much of what’s in store for viewers but let’s just say the fire department has been invited because Cousin Harold is in charge of pyrotechnic displays.

See you at the games!

Illustration by Jim Tweedy, colorized by Desiree Lonsway

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Unleashed WHEN WORLDS COLLIDE FASHION SHOW

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hink “drama” with a llama! When Worlds Collide Fashion show dazzled the hip Houston crowd at the industrial site known as “The Factory”, fashion was not the only thing eliciting “ooh’s and ahh’s”. Poco the llama also strutted down the runway, underscoring the fact that designer, Engomichu, is Peruvian-American (Peru is true llama land). The show also presented the fashions of Houston native, Israel Fonseca. In addition to Poco and beautiful fashions, the show also included fire dancers and live music. Even with chilly temps, H-Town fashionistas showed up in big numbers to see Where Worlds Collide, produced by Manuel Candia Reuter, with proceeds benefiting the World Wildlife Fund, which actually has an Adopt-A-Llama in their symbolic species program.

Photos by Victor Escalante.

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KITTY’S ABOUND HOUSTON CAT SHOW

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The Dish

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ey Party Animals...Did you know you can add your own pet related event to our event calendar online?

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Events 3.10-18.2018 CAP Adoption Event 17555 Katy Freeway, 77094 Are you looking for a new furry family member? Don’t miss the huge adoption event at Citizen’s for Animal Protection sponsored by West Houston Subaru.

During the week March 10-18, you’ll have an opportunity to adopt a cat or dog and have the fee completely waived on March 10. Or, adopt a pet March 11-18 and receive 50% off adoptions. Kudos to West Houston Subaru for their generosity! For more information visit cap4pets.org.

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FOR A FULL LIST OF EVENTS, DOWNLOAD THE FREE APP OR VISIT: WWW.PETTALKGOFETCH.COM

3.21-4.8.2018

3.25.2018

Pin Oak Charity Horse Show

AAR Annual Wine Dinner

Great Southwest Equestrian Center 2501 South Mason Road Suite 100 Katy, Texas 77450 If you love horses, you won’t want to miss the 73rd Annual Pin Oak Charity Horse Show. This event has raised millions and is known for its legacy of charitable giving to support the healing of sick children. The event includes a gala, Grand Prix, vendors, an International Hunter Derby, plus many other horse competitions. For more information visit pinoak.org. See their AD on page 23.

Join Abandoned Animal Rescue at their annual Wine Tasting fundraiser held at Balmorhea in Magnolia for a fun-filled evening benefitting this local cat and dog rescue. Enjoy wine and beer tasting, lite bites, local artwork, raffle and a corkpull.

For more information, visit www.aartexas. org/winetasting.

Save the Date: 9th Doggy Party on the Plaza Join PetTalk April 7th at CITYCENTRE, noon to 5pm, for a fun filled day including a doggy Rescue Me parade, doga yoga, vendors, celeb emcees and much more!

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Happenings FARM ANIMAL SANCTUARY

Adopt a Farm Animal Program

T LAW & ORDER

Houston Animal Law Clinic Established

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Burnett also said she’s been “blown away” to learn that so many cases can have an animal element. For example, in domestic violence situations, an abuser often threatens to harm a victim’s dog or cat, and it can prevent the victim from leaving if she can’t bring the animal along to a domestic violence shelter. Divorce cases also involve animals when a couple can’t agree on who will take the family pet. When people are drafting their estate plans, they often want to make provisions for the care of their pets after their deaths. Issues surrounding service animals can also arise in cases where the client is a special needs child or a military veteran, Burnett said.

The animal clinic includes eight students who meet together once a week for a seminar component in which they discuss the past week’s cases, and strategies for pending cases. The students spend most of their time representing their clients. For their first project, they’ve focused on drafting a manual of legal issues that can arise for emergency shelter operators who wish to take in both people and their pets during natural disasters.

For more information about the law clinic, visit www.stcl.edu.

Photo ©

D

omestic violence situations, divorce cases, estate planning and emergency shelters are just a handful of cases that can involve an animal element, yet until recently there’s been a dearth of focus on animal law. As part of an emerging trend in legal education, South Texas College of Law Houston is the latest among a handful of law schools nationwide offering animal law clinics for would-be attorneys.

South Texas, the first law school in the Lone Star State to create an animal law clinic, joins Lewis & Clark Law School, University at Buffalo School of Law and Michigan State University College of Law in providing students the chance to learn animal law by representing real (human) clients.

“It’s largely driven by students—the millennials—and the things that concern them, the issues they feel passionately about,” said Catherine Greene Burnett, vice president, associate dean and professor at South Texas.

Burnett explained that the Animal Law Society is the school’s most active student organization, and its students care passionately about animal issues from the regulations of animal shelters, to animal use in scientific testing.

Photo courtesy of The Farm Sanctuary

Photo submitted by South TX College of Law

he animals who reside at the shelters of Farm Sanctuary, a national nonprofit that rescues and protects farm animals from cruelty, are in need of loving “parents” to sponsor their monthly feed, shelter, and veterinary care costs. When you sponsor an animal through the organization’s Adopt a Farm Animal Program, you help provide the necessary support to care for a rescued farm animal and defend all farm animals against cruelty. In return, you will receive a sponsorship certificate with a color photograph of your sponsored friend. To sponsor or learn more about how you can change the life of an animal in need, visit https://www.farmsanctuary.org.

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book te o N g n i n i a r T y M

Tips & Notes From Local Experts P Intro: Michelle Mantor

erhaps the number one stress factor for dog owners is their dog’s behavior. Whether it’s housesoiling, aggression, pulling on the leash, stealing food or destroying shoes, it’s all paramount to an untrained “tornado” wearing four furry paws.

The need for training our dogs is most likely stating the obvious but what you may not know is the tremendous strides made in the science of dog training.

From positive reinforcement methods to understanding the canine social make-up, the world of dog training has progressed nicely into the 21st century with studies

Photography: Evin Thayer Venue: Houston Dog Ranch

from the last 30 years lending credence to how we should interact with our dogs.

Remembering that dogs were “domesticated” into our lives is a key element.

The responsibility rests upon our shoulders to understand their world when we are asking them to live in ours. Because we owe it to this species, Canis Familiaris, to not expect something from them that they don’t understand, the fact that dog training has progressed to a deeper understanding of their behaviors, learning patterns and communication elements is a call to pet owners to embrace, learn and deliver on our commitments.

Houston boasts many knowledgeable, experienced trainers and PetTalk is proud that many of them are also our advertising sponsors. We asked our experts to give you some brief tips on various training topics. Books can and have been written on the topic of canine behavior so we are merely scratching the surface of training topics in this feature but we invite you to enjoy these thoughts and if your dog is in need of behavior modification, please contact one of our authors to learn more about how you can change or manage your relationship with your dog.

Dealing With Aggression Between Two Dogs In A Household

By: Mary Kegarise, Yuppie Dog Daycare, yuppiedog.com Dealing with aggression between two dogs in a household can household, the problem is usually easier to diagnose. Again, be difficult. Initially, it must be determined if there is a particular you will need to evaluate the causes. It is possible that two trigger that causes the problem and which dog seems to be the dogs are just not a good match, and will not be able to live instigator. Is this a new problem with dogs that have co-existed together peacefully. Make sure both dogs obey commands and peacefully in the past? If that is the case, has anything changed get sufficient exercise. That will make controlling unwanted – medically, psychologically, or environmentally? A complete behaviors much easier. medical exam for both dogs should be the starting point. If both The dogs should each have separate activities on a regular dogs are well, then pay close attention to when the fighting basis and also shared activities. Taking the dogs on controlled occurs. Notice the location, the time of day, distance from toys walks together can help improve their relationship. and food – record all the details of every incident. Review your Until the problem is identified and solved, be sure to monitor notes to help determine a common factor. Find a way to avoid the dogs and not leave them unattended. Use crates and/ that cause. It may be necessary to get assistance from a canine or gates when necessary. With time and consistent behavior behavior specialist. modification, they may become friends or at least learn to If the aggression started when a new dog was added to the peacefully coexist.

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Resource Guarding What To Do

By: Connie Archer, Bark Busters, barkbusters.com Does your dog guard items such as food, treats, toys, or stolen objects? If so, you have a problem with RESOURCE GUARDING. Here are four things to do if your dog is guarding and begins to growl at you: FREEZE - Whatever you did that caused the dog to growl, stop doing it. If you were moving toward him, stand still. If you were reaching, stop reaching.

Do not challenge or try to be quicker than the dog. You will not win.

ASSESS AND MOVE AWAY If a bite is imminent, move away quickly. If you feel safe enough, just stay very still until your dog stops the growl, or slightly relaxes. Then move away slowly so the dog thinks the relaxing (stopping the growl) made the owner go away.

LIMIT - Keep “high value” treats, and things he likes to steal, up and put away. Only give these when he is in his crate, so that he will not feel the need to guard. If you have a severe “guarder”, always put him away when there are small children around.

GET HELP- Work with a nonphysical trainer. Being physical with a dog that is growling or snapping will only make things worse and put everyone in danger. Begin working with low-value items on commands such as “give-it”, “drop it”, “bring it to me”, etc. With patience and work, a good trainer can teach you how to get your dog to happily give up an item. This training should be reinforced throughout the life of the dog.

future learning is to be built. But how can you teach your pup or dog anything if she doesn’t understand, HOW TO LEARN? You cannot teach that which cannot pay ATTENTION. And yes, this exercise is a two-way street for owners and their dogs.

Building this connectivity between dog and handler is the essential step one.

Keeping expectations simple, steps closer together, in a logical progression and most importantly, EXCITING. You can’t teach and expect engagement if you aren’t being engaging.

Don’t unintentionally build disconnect by being boring or lacking commitment. ❖ Engage your puppy using their name. You want them to learn it as fast as possible and you want them to look

for the Exercise is good y. mind and bod

Teaching Your Dog How To Learn

By: Dean Miller, Club Canine, clubcaninehouston.com What you teach first will become the foundation for which all

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❖

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and move to you when they hear it. Use it only in conjunction with praise.

Be the BALL! There is nothing worse for a puppy than a BORING handler. If you want her to be interested in you, learn to be interesting. Your enthusiasm will reflect your pups, so deliver your message with the same attitude you would play a game of fetch. Now your pup is actually learning to be interested in YOU. Learn to acknowledge your pup when she least expects it, like praising her when she’s chewing an appropriate chew article. Not only does it provide an opportunity to identify what you expect, it lets her know your always watching.

The mind and body are connected. To control the body, we must challenge the mind. Learn how to stimulate the dog to desire being cooperative to the handler. This begins to teach and build impulse control.

You’re raising a THINKING, reasoning entity that will navigate

life making choices, regardless of their scope of life. Learning how to become a good decision maker is an essential skill to building functional independence and safety. Nobody wants to live a life time of micro management with their dog.

Building engagement is step one in the learning process. Laying a solid foundation through a COMPLETE program of connected steps through the pups’ growth and development, prevents learned skills from becoming weak under real world pressure and distraction. Keep it simple and get your dog interested in YOU first. Learn to BE THE BALL!

Wait For Car Safety By: Donna Smith,

Bark Busters, barkbusters.com When traveling with your dog, the single best practice you can employ to keep him safe during the journey is to keep him restrained, either in a crate or a travel harness.

Check out www.centerforpetsafety.org for crash tested harnesses. Do not allow him to ride in the front seat as an activated airbag can cause severe injury or death. ❖ Teach your dog to wait until released to exit the car. ❖ Affix current identification to your dog in addition to having him microchipped so he can find his way home if separated from his family as the result of an accident. ❖ Carry a recent photograph of your dog to make it easier for others to help you look for him if he gets lost during the trip. Also carry all vaccination and necessary medical records in the event he needs veterinary care during the trip. ❖ If your dog is prone to anxiety or motion sickness, consult with your veterinarian about using appropriate pet tranquilizers. ❖ Feed your pet two to four hours before travel so he will not be travelling on a full belly. ❖ If you must transport your dog in the bed of a pickup, use a

P ractice recall a day! exercises 5 times

STOP, in the name of LOVE!

❖

❖

crate or carrier secured to the truck bed to prevent him from being thrown into traffic at a sudden stop. Provide appropriate protection from adverse weather conditions, such as heat, cold, rain, high winds, etc.

Do not allow your dog to ride with his head out the window.

Road debris and other flying objects can injure his eyes.

On a long car ride, stop every three hours or so to allow your dog to relieve himself, stretch his legs, and refresh himself with a small drink of water.

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The Difference Between Loving & Spoiling Your Dog

the form of treats, a belly rub, a scratch behind the ear, or a long walk. Your dog lives for your praise.

Use the power of love to your advantage. Pet your dog when he’s calm and happy, not when he is excited and jumping.

Reward your dog for listening and for doing what you ask him to do.

The best way to spoil your dog is to give him love, rules and boundaries.

By: Donna Smith, Bark Busters, barkbusters.com Do you love your dog? Of course you do! He is non judgmental and doesn’t care about how much money we have. He doesn’t care what we look like or what we do for a living.

However, there is a difference between loving a dog and spoiling him to his own demise.

Yes, you can love your dog too much.

To truly understand this, let’s look at the correlation between love and behavior. All animals will repeat behavior that rewards them in some way and will not repeat behavior that does not.

Love is a powerful reward.

Dogs crave rules and routine and boundaries. A dog without boundaries can become aggressive, demanding or very proprietary of things, including his owner. You don’t want to reward behaviors you will later regret.

Conversely, loving your dog means developing a healthy relationship based on respect and trust. It means you are the dog’s leader, and you get to determine when the dog should be rewarded for good behaviors.

A spoiled dog drags his owner around the block on a walk, lunging at every dog and bush. He gets you up at 3AM even though he doesn’t need to go outside to toilet – he just wants attention. He’s the dog that starts barking the minute you get on the phone. The dog with no manners is a spoiled dog.

What’s Love Got to Do With It? Do you pay more attention to your dog when he is misbehaving versus behaving? If so his bad behavior may become more exaggerated to get your attention. Dogs should always be praised a lot for good behaviors. “Rewards” can be in

Sharing some quiet time is a good relationship builder.

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By: Jeff Murphrey, Canine Country Club,

mycaninecountryclub.com The humorist Bob Murphy observed that people who live in Dallas think people who live in Denton live “in the country”; people that live in Denton think people who live in Cut-N-Shoot live in the country, and so on. This fact was driven home to him when he was called upon to repossess a refrigerator from a house located at the end of a small animal trail. After swinging on a rope to cross the creek in front of the house, he walked up to the door only to

Make training fun..end wit h play!

find a note that said, “Gone for the weekend, we have gone to the country.” Murphy explained that’s when he realized that living in the country was a “relative thing”.

How much exercise your dog needs to address behavioral issues is also a relative thing, depending on the behavioral issue and its root causes, the age, breed and physical condition of your dog, and how much mental stimulation your friend gets during the day. As a very general rule of thumb, an active breed needs a minimum of thirty minutes of strenuous exercise five

Training Is NOT Just About Obedience By: Jeffrey Ryan, Lone Star Pet Lodges,

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How Much Exercise Does Your Dog Need?

It’s All Relative

to seven days a week. Even more generally, less active breeds and those not well conditioned need enough exercise so they are slowing down near the end of the allotted exercise time period.

In the end, the proof is in the pudding. If the amount of exercise combined with behavioral modification techniques applied does not show signs of alleviating your dog’s issue, then you probably need to increase both his level of physical and mental stimulation.

lonestarpetlodges.com At the most basic level, there are only three reasons animals perform any behavior. First, is to try to achieve a reward. Second, is to avoid a punishment. When we do enough repetitions trying to get a reward or avoid a punishment, we come to the third reason: creating the habit or a “default” of doing the behavior.

This is called a “Behavioral Chain.” When a behavioral chain is created, the behavior is performed without conscious motivation… we do it only because we’ve received the cue or signal that sets off the chain of events. Simply put, the behavior becomes a Conditioned Response to the cue or signal.

Our goal in training is to ultimately reach a state of Conditioned Response with your dog’s obedience. Determining the motivators that encourage a dog to want to practice and enjoy it takes some thought, but there is almost nothing more important one can do when planning to train a dog. A very useful exercise is to sit down and draw up two lists: an ‘inside the house’ list, and an ‘outside the house’ list. On these lists, write down everything that the dog (from your observation and experience) perceives to be a reward. Some things will show up on both lists. Then, try to order each list from ‘most rewarding’ to ‘least rewarding.’

Now you have an explicit set of things to use to motivate your pup and to reward your practice repetitions.

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Coping With An Anxious Dog By: Connie Archer, Bark Busters Home Dog Training,

Barkbusters.com There are many types of anxiety in dogs. A dog may suffer anxiety caused from a storm, separation from owner, new situations, etc. Or, you may have a dog that just seems anxious 24 hours a day. Here are some tips for helping that anxious dog. *Provide a Calm Environment - If your household is 24 hours a day of total chaos, your dog will probably display restless, chaotic behavior as well. Maintain as much calmness as possible, and, in situations where things might be hectic, provide your dog a quiet area away from the chaos. *Fixed Routine - Set and maintain a schedule for your dog. Scheduled feeding times, crate and nap times, regular daily exercise, play times, etc.

Dogs who know what to expect daily will be less apt to be anxious. *Plenty of Exercise Many dogs are anxious because they have so much energy that they don’t know what to do with themselves. Most owners underestimate the amount of exercise that their dogs really need. Daily exercise is a MUST for the anxious dog. *High-quality, Healthy Diet - Providing your dog a high quality food, free of food colorings, artificial preservatives and fillers can make a surprising difference in the calmness of dogs. *De-sensitize Your Dog to the Anxiety-causing Issue - If it is separation anxiety, practice separation when you are home using crates, gates, etc. For storm anxiety, try walking your dog in a light rain or playing with your dog while it is raining. Expose your dog to different environments, sounds, people and other dogs. Do this at an early age and keep it up.

*Build Confidence - TRAINING your dog with basic commands and praising and rewarding them for appropriate behaviors can help build confidence. Training provides structure and boundaries for the anxious dog.

There are other things that can be tried to help the anxious dog (DAP diffusers, Thundershirts, calming treats, essential oils, music, etc.). These tools mainly try to cover up the anxiety--they are like Band-Aids. Focusing more on the dog’s environment and experiences is much more likely to lead to possibly curing the anxiety. In severe cases, where the dog is possibly injuring itself due to stress, medication along with the training may be necessary.

Professional instruction is worth the effort in the long run.

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Finding A Good Daycare

By Debbie Oliver, Miss Daisy’s Dog Camp, missdaisys.com We all may feel a bit guilty when we have to leave Fluffy at home for several hours or possibly all day.

Over the past 10-15 years, the dog daycare industry has exploded in the attempt to eliminate pet owners from having to look at those sad eyes as we all leave the house for our busy days.

But, not all daycares are created equal. The best daycare facilities use a combination of physical activity, mental enrichment and rest as their daily curriculum as opposed to just trying to get your pup exhausted!

First, make sure the pet care center is operating legally (yes you would be surprised how many just open because they love dogs).

Below are some very general things for safety you should inquire about. ❖ Play groups should be separated by size and energy level. ❖ Maximum # of dogs per employee should be 1 person to 1015 dogs depending on dog and staff experience. ❖ How is staff trained on play group supervision and dog body language?

For more detailed information on how to choose a great daycare, visit The Dog Gurus website at thedoggurus.com.

Stay tuned in a future issue of PetTalk where you will find more information on the latest trend, Daycare 2.0!

Excercise is a key element to good behavior.

Top 5 Housetraining Tips By: Tonia Whilden, Houston Dog Ranch,

houstondogranch.com Housetraining can be a dream or a nightmare depending on your approach. Stick to a plan. Your patience and commitment will pay off.

Prevent future accidents. You must have visual contact with your puppy at all times. One good way to keep track of an inquisitive puppy is to keep him on a short leash. You can clip a leash to your belt loop or hook it around the leg of your chair.

Teach your dog where you want him to potty. This is equally important as showing your puppy where not to go.

This helps take away guessing for your puppy.

Praise and reward him when he is successful. This is essential information for your puppy not bribery. This feedback communicates his behavior was correct.

Confine him when unsupervised. For short time periods, a crate is best. For long intervals, several hours or more, use an area such as a laundry room or exercise pen. Make sure that you put down wee-wee pads to define the “potty” area.

Never scold or reprimand for accidents. If you catch him in the act, interrupt him by saying, “uh-oh,” then pick him up, and take him to his potty spot. Next time supervise more closely.

Do not reprimand or punish if you didn’t see him go. It does no good; in fact frightening him may cause more problems. Just clean it up and be more vigilant next time.

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Trainer Certifications By: Stephanie Bennett, Believe In DOG Training,

believeindogtraining.com Unfortunately, there is no state or federal licensing for dog trainers. Anyone can watch every dog training show on television, print some business cards, and become an “expert” and the average dog owner may never know the difference.

What is a “Certified” Dog Trainer?

There are many ways that a dog trainer may become “certified”. There are colleges, trade schools, online vocational courses, apprentice programs, etc. A “certified trainer” could be someone who simply took a two-week course on training or someone who has studied dog training and behavior extensively for years and was independently tested on their knowledge and skills.

CPDT-KA (Certified Pet Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed)

The Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers is the only independent organization offering psychometrically sound certifications for animal training and behavior professionals.

A trainer who has received the CPDT-KA credential has met eligibility through rigorous requirements. Not only must they have proof of experience and references, but they must have also passed a comprehensive examination testing the trainer’s knowledge of learning theory, canine ethology, animal husbandry, teaching techniques, and more.

Furthermore, Certified Pet Dog Trainers must maintain their credential through continued education. This requirement ensures that CPDT’s are knowledgeable about the most up-todate thinking, research and techniques in the field.

To find a CPDT-KA in your area, visit ccpdt.org.

APDT (Association of Pet Dog Trainers) For a more comprehensive guide to trainer certifications, tips on choosing a trainer, and excellent resources for the dog owner, visit apdt.com.

Be the leader, Be Consistent.

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Puppy Imprinting

By: Jeff Postle & Lisa Kaune, Meadowlake Pet Resort, meadowlakepetresort.com Puppy training starts the minute you bring your new puppy home. The period between 6-16 weeks is probably the most impressionable period of a puppy’s life. During this time, they will develop skills and behaviors that will likely last throughout the rest of their lives. This is the best time to set clear consistent behavior boundaries.

Things such as puppy nipping or play biting should be addressed. We have a saying, “Puppies don’t play, they practice”. Exposure to many different sights, smells, surfaces, socialization with other dogs and people, in a safe positive manner can really help a puppy grow to be a stress free, relaxed adult dog. Too often pet owners let the puppy make all of its own decisions. This quickly teach the young puppy there are no true leaders in his/ her “pack”, which causes the puppy to feel the need to take on a leadership role themselves. Having so much responsibility at such a young age is way too stressful for many puppies to ever gain the confidence they would otherwise develop and will lead to significant behavioral issues. It’s the equivalent to making a child the CEO of a large corporation.

Taking the lead role, setting clear boundaries, offering productive exposure and plenty of socialization between the weeks of 6-16 weeks of age can set your puppy up for a lifetime of confidence and good behaviors.

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On Leash Greeting Etiquette

By: Katie Clark, Peace, Love, Dogs, peacelovedogshouston.com While socializing your dog is important, allowing your dog to always greet other dogs while on leash can be detrimental!

It’s unrealistic to expect our dogs to be friends and say hello to every dog they meet. Even well-socialized and well-trained dogs don’t appreciate stopping to greet every time. When on leash, a dog’s natural ability to interact appropriately is impeded.

They can feel trapped with no escape route, or the leash can act as a catalyst that revs the dogs up and increases frustration. Pulling, lunging, general over-excitement, avoidance, whining, barking, tensing up, staring, and growling are just a few indications that your dog is not being set up for a successful greeting.

Trainers categorize these behaviors onleash as “reactive.”

An on-leash greeting is unnatural, so we have to specifically teach our expectations just like any other command. The first step is teaching our dogs to control their impulses and ignore other dogs on a walk. Avoid teaching your dog that saying hello to another dog during a walk is a given! Then, we need to practice sitting politely while you have a conversation with another pet parent. This gives both dogs a chance to relax, exchange some subtle body language, and sniff each other from a distance. Next, using calm and familiar dogs, we teach

as how to dislodge food or a small toy from the puzzle. There are two categories of interactive toys. Toys that are safe to leave unsupervised with your dog, and toys that must be used under owner supervision. Toys with removable pieces such as puzzles can be a choking hazard and should never be left with a dog alone.

What are the benefits: Mental stimulation is essential to keep dogs from getting bored during the monotony of daily life. Boredom often results in destructive behaviors, and may even contribute to more significant behavioral problems such as chewing inappropriate objects, excessive barking, or licking/chewing themselves.

These toys can also help with separation distress during absences. Interactive toys also aid in strengthening cognitive fitness, which is especially important in the senior years. Recent studies show that regular mental stimulation decreases canine dementia, and the slowing of cognitive function. The saying, “if you don’t use it, you lose it” applies to our canine friends too.

What kind to get: Most interactive toys and puzzles are designed to fit a range of difficulty, and can be made more and less challenging based on individual dog’s abilities. Ideally they start on an easy level, and increase in difficulty as a dog becomes more adept.

the “Say Hi” cue. The cue is used to communicate to a dog that there is an opportunity to calmly and briefly interact with another dog. It’s completely separate from off-leash play, and should be thought of as a reward, not a certainty. The “Say Hi” step is the most difficult, and not realistically attainable or appropriate for every dog or context.

What should an appropriate on-leash greeting look like?

Typically you want to observe slack in the leash, generally loose body posture, soft eye contact, slightly open or relaxed mouths, heads somewhat lowered, briefly smelling near the mouth, and customarily moving on to rear-end sniffing; then it’s time to move on with your walk! The difficultly lies in understanding your dog’s body language. Being able to correctly interpret dog behavior is a skill trainers spend years perfecting, so don’t be shy in seeking professional help!

Interactive Toys and Puzzles

By Tonia Whilden, Houston Dog Ranch,

houstondogranch.com What they are: Toys that are intended to challenge a dog mentally. They typically involve cognitive reasoning, or problem solving, such Houston PetTalk Magazine

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HOUSTON'S

TOP

TRAINERS

W

hatever your situation may be - a new puppy that needs socialization, a dog that is "overzealous" on walks, a dog that has aggression issues or any other training need, Houston's Top Trainers are experienced and willing to work with you so that you and your dog have the best possible relationship. No matter your need, one of our sponsors is available in your area to help you analyze your training needs and offer a custom solution for you and your pet.

Bark Busters Home Dog Training Phone: 713.771.2275 URL: www.barkbusters.com Address: In Your Home Services: In Home Dog Training About: Our dog-friendly training techniques teach proper body language and voice control to communicate with your dog. All training takes place in your home and is effective with any breed, any age, any issue. You will be able to control your dog very quickly, without treats or harsh punishment.

In the first session you will see that you can greatly influence your dog’s behavior.

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Miss Daisy’s Dog Camp Debbie Oliver CPDT-KSA Phone: 281.255.3131 URL: www.missdaisys.com Address: 25039 Hufsmith Cemetery Rd., Tomball 77375 Services: Puppy Classes and Socialization Outings, Group Classes and Private Consultations at our facility or in your home, Canine Fitness Class, Just For Fun Agility.

About: We will help you develop a custom training plan around your goals and lifestyle. Over 25 years experience working with dogs of all breeds and ages.

Believe in DOG Training Phone: 713.364.4439 URL: www.believeindogtraining.com Address: 1029 W. 26th St. Houston 77008 Services: Certified Trainers (CPDT-KSA), Private Training (Specializing in Fear & Leash Reactivity), Complete Puppy Services, Socials, Group Classes, Adventures, CGC, Therapy Dog Prep, Specialty Workshops, Educational Seminars.

About: We believe the relationship between you and your dog is the foundation of all training. We utilize positive, science-based methods that emphasize communication, mutual respect, consistency, and real-life training. Through our dog and people friendly approach, we help create an optimum bond that will last a lifetime.

Yuppie Dog Daycare Mary Kegarise Phone: 713.426.5700 URL: www.yuppiedog.com Address: 2203 Durham, Houston 77007 Services: Free Temperament Testing, AKC Good Citizen Classes - STAR Puppy, CGC, Advanced Community and Urban, Private in-home sessions, Emphasis on anxiety issues About: Through her many years of experience as a canine behavior specialist and veterinary technician, Mary has developed a keen understanding of how to communicate with dogs and their people. Mary attended Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine and is an experienced AKC Evaluator. She is the Founder/Director of BAK-PAK Critters Reading Program, a unique non-profit that uses therapy dogs in a reading program in public schools.

Club Canine Trainers: Dean Miller, Dallas Trull, Don Miller Phone: 281.380.8175 URL: www.clubcaninehouston.com Address: 4703 Rose St., Houston 77007 Services: Early learning/relationship practices, AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy, CGC & Community Canine (Adv. CGC), Urban Dog, Rally Novice, In Home and Group Instruction. AKC CD, CDX, UD Certified, Aggression Behavior Rehabilitation About: Club Canine fosters a philosophy that training is not On or Off; It’s a lifestyle. The Thinking Dog Training System gives a unique approach that allows all dogs to grow into enjoyable and trustworthy companions.

Meadowlake Pet Resort & Training Center Phone: 713.413.1633 URL: www.meadowlakepetresort.com Address: 13500 Furman Rd., Houston 77047 Services: Puppy Imprinting, Obedience, Agility, CGC Certification, Utility Dog Training, Therapy Dog Training, Scent Discrimination.

About: Meadowlake Pet Resort & Training Center proudly hosts a team of dog trainers with over 25 years combined professional experience. Our expert training team has trained and titled dogs as well as coached dog/handler teams for AKC Obedience, Schutzhund, Narcotic Detection, Frisbee, Guide and Service, Agility and Hunt Tests.

Phone: 281.693.3647 www.mycaninecountryclub. com Address: 1440 Katy Gap Rd., Katy 77494 Services: Professional Instructors. AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy, Canine Good Citizen, CGCAdv., Rally Nov. (RN), RA, Beg.Novice, Companion DogCD, Therapy Dogs, Service Dogs, In Home and Group Instruction. Behavior and Aggression rehab experts.

About: We offer training for all situations from group classes to very individualized programs, all in a safe and positive environment. With a country club setting, our daycare also offers great opportunities to socialize puppies and dogs. We use proven, positive training methods. It is also our mission to train and donate service animals including diabetic alert and seizure alert dogs. All of our trainers are certified dog trainers and behavioral specialists.

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Photo by Evin Thayer

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DON’T LET OSTEOARTHRITIS PAIN

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Has gained weight in the past year

Limps or appears stiff after exercise

Inflammation in the joints causes pain and cartilage damage which can lead to stiffness and decreased mobility.

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: y h op os l i h

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G O D n i e

v e i l Be

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ur dogs are our companions that participate in our lives both at home and while we are out and about. Because we are asking our pet to live in our human world, we also need to make sure they have good manners, are obedient and can safely navigate our world. In many cases, that level of obedience requires professional training. Local trainer Stephanie Bennett is taking the next step in her career as a professional dog trainer by realizing her vision of a

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comprehensive training center that exemplifies her training philosophies. We sat down with Stephanie to learn more about her new venture, Believe In DOG Training, to see what Houston dog owners can experience at their new center.

We hear that you have started a new venture.

Can you tell us about it?

Together with my Training Manager and Behavior Consultant, Hayley Kenner, we have established a foundation of positive, science-based methods that emphasize communication, mutual respect, consistency, and real-life training. The most effective way to teach and motivate dogs is with rewards, such as praise, play, affection, and/or intermittent treats.

Our entire philosophy is based on redirecting and teaching dogs to do what we want them to do instead of concentrating on what we don’t want them to do. It’s just as easy to establish and maintain a good habit, as it is a bad habit. We emphasize fun and celebrate every dog’s individual idiosyncrasies. We don’t fight natural doggie behaviors and hobbies. Instead, we create ways to use these behaviors as motivation and reinforcement to keep them interested in the dog training game.

Give Us A Little Background On Your Training Career And Accomplishments.

My new dog training business is called Believe in DOG Training, where the central tenet is that the relationship between you and your dog is the foundation of all training. We want to help you become the “Center of Your Dog’s Universe. Our ultimate goal is to have your dog pay attention to you and do what you want, not because they are frightened or being forced, but because they like you. If you and your dog achieve this, you will have reached The Holy Grail of Dog Training.

I started working with dogs about 15 years ago, when I was a struggling artist in Los Angeles and began dog walking and pet-sitting for extra money.

That hobby quickly turned into a passion and I started searching for ways to become educated as a dog trainer.

After much research, I quit my job and moved to Austin to attend Triple Crown Dog Academy (now called the Starmark Animal Behavioral Center). While attending Triple Crown, I gained vital experience and also met Dr. Ian Dunbar, an internationally acclaimed trainer, who became and continues to be my mentor.

His advice has been invaluable to my education and success. Since that time, I have developed extensive experience as a hands-on trainer for groups and individuals as well as creating training programs and co-founding a training and daycare center. After years of experience in varied formats, I longed to return to my roots and concentrate solely on training and strengthening the relationship between dog and owner. I had a new vision

and dream: to develop a place for fresh and innovative ways to offer dog training, enrichment, and overall wellness. Thus, Believe in DOG Training was born!

During my time in Houston, I’ve made many advances in my career. I became certified through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT) as both Skill Assessed and Knowledge Assessed. I became a Professional Member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT), an AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator, and co-founded a Certified Therapy Dog Organization (Believe in DOG Therapy), that provides comfort and affection for people-in-need all over Houston. In 2016, I received a culminating honor of being named “Houston’s Best Dog Trainer” by the Houston Press.

Why did you name your new business Believe in DOG? I have always loved wordplay and the idea that DOG is GOD spelled backwards has always seemed apropos. The two words go hand in hand in my mind, inasmuch as they both represent unconditional love. The logo of a happy dog sitting in the middle of a lotus flower came to me while traveling in India and Bali, where dogs and lotus flowers are everywhere.

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Stephanie teaches a group class which is a good way for your pup to learn skills and be more socialized.

The lotus flower, which symbolizes patience, purity, and love and compassion for all things, is a perfect representation of our training methods. The combining of the name and logo epitomizes our ultimate purpose: to use positive and kind training methods to balance your dog’s mind, body, and spirit.

What are the top problems you consistently see when clients bring their dogs to you for training?

The most common dog problems we see are: ❖ Leash Reactivity- Dogs go berserk when they are on a leash and they see another dog. ❖ Fearful Dogs- Especially in newly rescued dogs that have been through a traumatic experience. ❖ Puppy Problems- It bites and poops! ❖ Hyper dogs- Typically, due to lack of mental and physical stimulation.

The most common owner problem is: Lack of feedback- Training your dog is all about developing a relationship between the dog and owner. Humans can be pretty bad at giving enough positive feedback, which is an important part of any relationship. If we don’t tell our dogs

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when they are doing it right, how will they know? It’s as if we purposely keep the right answer a secret from them and then get upset when they get it wrong.

Meanwhile, our confused dogs desperately try to figure us out and begin to think their name is “NO, stop that”!

At Believe in Dog, we teach people about the Magic Relationship Ratio of 5:1 (telling your dogs that they are doing it right 5 times to every 1 time you tell them they are doing it wrong). That’s a big ratio and it’s so difficult for most people to put into practice, myself included. So many common dog issues could be easily assuaged with constant feedback and concentrating on “Yes!”, instead of “No!”.

What will set your center apart from others?

At Believe in DOG Training, every activity we offer serves to strengthen the relationship between owner and dog. We believe there is nothing more important than the training and development of your dog. It’s our mission and our purpose. It’s what we do. We’ll achieve that mission, together, by creating a wide variety of classes, training, and enrichment activities for constant opportunities for you to bond with your dog. Training you to learn, teach, and play effectively

with your dog is our one and only priority.

There are many dog businesses in Houston, but only a tiny percentage exclusively concentrate on training and enrichment. We hope to expand the Houston dog owner’s training experience, by offering services and activities that are not commonly or readily available elsewhere. Of course, we will continue to offer all the basics, but by not offering boarding or daycare, we will be able to focus exclusively on creating an Ultimate Dog Training Experience.

At Believe in DOG Training, we believe that your dogs deserve to be trained by the very best trainers. We have extensive education and experience with dog behavior. We believe that dog training is a science and we strive to stay up to date with the latest advances and techniques. Every trainer, employed by Believe in Dog Training, must be certified or working towards a certification with the Certification Council of Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT). In addition to many hours of in-house instruction and coaching, our trainers must obtain at least the minimum number of yearly Continuing Education Units required by the CCPDT, by attending seminars, workshops, and/or conventions.

When will the center be open?

The current plan calls for the extensive outside areas to be ready for use by mid to late Spring 2018. This will include an agility field, an outdoor classroom, a playground, wading pools, a splash pad, and plenty of room for running free! The indoor areas will be completed by early Summer 2018. The building will include a beautiful boutique, a large & versatile classroom, private training rooms, a photography studio, and a Zen Den for relaxation and naptime.

What services are you providing in the meantime?

Through customized, in-home, private lessons and group classes, we can currently help you and your dog with many

things, including: ❖ Behavior Modification (Specializing in Fear & Leash Reactivity) and Hyper Dogs! (AKA, Juvenile Delinquents) ❖ Puppy Experts (Before You Get Your Puppy, Potty Training, Nipping, Socialization, Obedience & Manners) ❖ Group classes and Private Lessons for Basic Obedience, Manners, Enrichment, CGC and Therapy Dog Prep ❖ Socials, Enrichment, Games, and Kids & Dogs activities ❖ Baby Makes 4 Prep

Tell us more about your new Canine Training and Enrichment Center and what services you will be offering.

Our new Center is located on half an acre in the Heights, so there is plenty of room to run, play, and learn! Our state-ofthe-art building and innovative outdoor areas are specifically designed to create the Ultimate Dog Training Experience.

We believe that there is nothing more important than the development and training of your dog. Training is a life-long adventure and shouldn’t end after puppy class. We will offer a wide variety of classes, training, and enrichment activities, with an emphasis on activities that involve both owners and dogs, in order to create constant opportunities for owners to bond, learn, teach, and play with their dogs. We will utilize top dog trainers, behavioral experts, and wellness specialists to facilitate a balance between your dog’s mind, body, and spirit.

We will continue to offer our current services, and immediately add many more! Here is a sampling: ❖ Complete Puppy Services: Puppy Day School, Potty-Training Boot Camp, Puppy Agility, Socials, Group Classes, Private Lessons, Educational Seminars ❖ Socials: (Supervised play groups) For puppies, adolescents, tiny breeds, seniors, and everything in between! ❖ Constantly Rotating Specialty Classes:

Reactive Rover, Agility, FitPaws, Adventure Classes, Clicks & Tricks, Canine Good Citizen, K9 Nose Work, Therapy Dog Prep, etc. ❖ Specialty workshops: Mini Sessions covering a wide range designed to focus on specific topics and/or behaviors. ❖ Kids and K-9s Day Camp (For kids and their dogs during Spring and Summer break) ❖ Monthly Visits by Experts: Acupuncture, Senior Care, Rehabilitation, Fitness, Photography, etc.

In addition to the above, I have expanded my mission to educate new puppy owners and local veterinarians on the importance of early puppy training and socialization. I believe we can save lives and help reduce the number of dogs surrendered to Houston’s overflowing shelters, by training puppies during their critical development period (between 8-20 weeks). Consequently, I created the city’s first all-encompassing, puppytraining programs to educate new adopters, foster parents, shelter workers, and

rescue volunteers.

And last but not least, I work closely with many local rescues and shelters, by offering free education and support.

Being of service and giving back to the community has always been a priority for my team and me. There are many selfless and courageous people in this city working tirelessly to make a dent in the enormous homeless pet population.

It is a daunting and often heartbreaking cause. With the new Canine Training and Enrichment Center, we will have lots of space and resources to provide free educational seminars and specialty workshops, endeavoring to help all dogs make a successful transition from rescue, to adoption, to happily ever after.

Stay tuned for News and Updates about our new Canine Training and Enrichment Center. Call us anytime for more information and hope to see you soon!

Hayley Kenner, Training Manager & Behavior Consultant

CONTACT: 713.364.4439 WWW.BELIEVEINDOGTRAINING.COM WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/PUPPYEXPERT Houston PetTalk Magazine

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Lifestyle

love is

PROJECT I

t’s a Doggy-dog world out there! We think Fido deserves a little love, too. It doesn’t get more adorable than your furry friend playing fetch rockin’ a LOVE collar.

The original LOVE bracelet has created a social movement around the world, connecting the maker and wearer in a common bond of love.

Collars are made of durable reinforced leather and are available in 3 sizes, making these great options for dogs and cats. Each purchase creates a sustainable livelihood for thousands of Maasai women and their families. Loveisproject.com

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Houston PetTalk Magazine

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Lifestyle Ruff Stuff We Love Let's

Shop!

PrideBites

If you haven’t come across the brand PrideBites while shopping for your feisty little Fido, you are in for a TREAT! With tons of styles, fabrics that are durable and the unmistakably popular personalizing with your pup’s name, we know you’ll love selecting a PrideBites toy or garment for your pet.

Yes, this is MY bed!

Pure Style Easy on and easy off, this handsome cloak is made of soft, machine washable fabric. Perfect for a walk about H-Town. And remember, you can add your pet’s name to any product!

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We know your pup is smart enough to read and he will be properly thrilled by your purchase of a soft, cozy bed baring his name.

Available at pridebites.com.

USE COUPON CODE FOR 15% OFF ANY PRODUCT AT PRIDEBITES: HOUSTONPETTALK15

PET PORTRAITS in watercolor by

Kristel Peale

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Houston PetTalk Magazine

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Training Time Behavior Control

Brain Food

The Pet Corrector™ emits a hiss of compressed gas which produces a broad spectrum sound (white noise) varying from a low frequency rumble to a high frequency hiss to interrupt a dog’s unwanted behavior. Available at Pattis Pet Depot, 14618 Memorial Drive, pattispetdepot.com.

Using hidden treats to challenge your pup’s mind, the Bob-a-lot gets top ratings as a food puzzle. Available at Peace, Love & Dogs, peaceloveandogshouston.com.

Long Line For Training Up Country’s New Training Lead allows you to gradually give your dog more distance but be in control of his movement. Available in 12 and 20 foot lengths, and in eleven fashion colors. Made with bamboo webbing.

Available at upcountryinc.com.

On the Go Snack Sack® A trainer’s best friend, making training and learning a more fun! Easily clipped or attached to the waist with a hook & loop seal. Perfect for positive training on the go or inside the house. Available at planetdog.com.

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Health VETERINARY Emergencies Are You Financially Prepared?

I

f you have pets, there is a good possibility you will experience a veterinary emergency at some time.

One of the more unsettling parts of an emergency is trying to answer the question, “How am I going to pay for this?”

The easiest way to take some of the financial sting out of an emergency is to plan ahead or at the very least to have a plan.

Setting aside money in advance in a separate bank account is one of the best ways to plan ahead. A couple of relatively painless ways of doing this are to put your change in a dish/ container at the end of the day and deposit it into your account at the end of each month.

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Another option is to set up an automatic deduction from your regular paycheck. If you don’t see the money, you do not miss it. Both of these can build faster than you think.

Pet Insurance is offered by a number of companies: Pet’s Best Pet Health Insurance, Petplan Pet Insurance, Best Pet Insurance from Nationwide, Trupanion, ASPCA Pet Health Insurance and Embrace Pet Insurance. Check them out online for more detailed information as to how their plans work, what is covered and what is not, and how the premiums vary. You will want to pay close attention as to what they say about veterinary emergencies versus routine care.

No matter what company you go with, the process will be the

By: Linda J Croto, M.Ed. www.vergi247.com

same. You will have to pay the cost of the veterinary emergency services up front and file a claim after the fact. Most veterinary emergency facilities are familiar with the claims forms and gladly complete them and forward them along with any required documentation to the insurance company.

If you have not been able to plan ahead, you can take advantage of alternative financing options such as Synchrony Bank’s Care Credit or Citibank’s Health Card. With either of these you will typically have options for zero percent interest for a specified period of time or interest rates which may be lower than your current credit cards.

Either way, an important caveat is to be sure that the total amount is paid prior to the end of the zero interest or special interest period. Otherwise, those finance charges revert to a much higher rate and they are retroactive to the time the expense was first incurred. Most veterinary emergency facilities will have applications on site or can guide you to their online application site.

If you have run out of options, you can always charge the expense to your existing credit card. Remember, if your pet is critically ill or injured, there is typically an up front triage fee to stabilize your pet.

Remember, being prepared will help in any emergency situation.

ATHLETIC Canines

Advice On Sports-Related Injuries

By: Kate Lawrence www.gcvs.com

S

ports-related injuries are a common occurrence for people, and an accepted part of the risk associated with playing a sport. Unfortunately, the risk of injury is much the same for our pets, even if the “sport” is playing fetch!

The owners of Duke, a young Labrador Retriever, experienced this first hand when he was chasing a Frisbee one weekend, and trotted back to his dad limping. After a trip to the vet Duke was referred to an orthopedic specialist, who diagnosed a torn cranial cruciate ligament (CCL), which is very similar to a person tearing their anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Duke’s CCL was surgically repaired, and after a couple of months, Duke was back to chasing Frisbees again.

This type of story is more common than most pet owners realize, and unfortunately there are many issues and injuries to watch out for if you have an active pet.

Every pet has a different level of regular activity, depending on their personality, age, body condition, and health.

The upper tier of activity includes the

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Photo provided by GCVS

“Ticket” received 3rd place in the Westminster Dog Show Agility, after surgical repair on both knees due to torn ligaments.

“professional” athletes of the pet world – agility animals, flyball dogs, and hunting or herding dogs are some examples of these high energy competitors. The majority of our pets, however, fall into the “weekend warrior” category. These are the animals who look forward to mom and dad coming home from a long work week to spend time at the dog park, play fetch, or go for a walk. Even more sedentary pets can experience a sports injury. In fact, a dog who is typically inactive can be at an increased risk for injury if he or she suddenly breaks into a sprint after a squirrel on the back fence.

The most common sports-related injuries are orthopedic, but lacerations, bite wounds and other non-orthopedic traumas can occur as well. For any suspected injury, it is best to see your family veterinarian for an evaluation as soon as possible. Some injuries can be timesensitive and have a short window of opportunity to give your pet the best chance for recovery. For other injuries, however, your family veterinarian may recommend

a consultation with a specialist to discuss options for your pet.

Often patients with sports injuries will benefit from rehabilitation, or “rehab”, after treatment. Following a rehabilitation evaluation, a treatment plan may be formulated to help your pet safely return to maximum performance. For many conditions, treatment options include underwater treadmill exercise, cold laser therapy, hands-on joint and soft tissue mobilizations, and instructions in a home program to compliment clinical treatments.

No matter what your pet’s level of activity, there is a risk for sports-related injuries. Keep your pet in good body condition to give them the best tools to have a healthy, injury-free life, and monitor them closely for any signs of lameness, difficulty rising, difficulty going up and down stairs, abnormal gait, or stiffness.

Check with your family veterinarian if you suspect your pet has a sports-related injury and get your pet back to playing fetch, competing, or squirrel chasing!

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Website

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SUPERHEROES have Whiskers ...But They May Need Help Staying Strong

W

e all know a superhero…those 4-legged family members who give unconditional love and have a knack for bringing you joy and comfort. As amazing and wonderful as they are and even with a power of nine lives, they are not resistant to medical issues and are not invincible! As injuries happen, illness strikes, or when the evils of aging take hold, your furbaby needs additional care and help tackling life to sustain those powers of pouncing and playing!

Today, our pets can enjoy the comforts of hands-on healing and “physiotherapy” mirroring the strategies and methods we humans obtain from our physical therapy care. Whether ailing from arthritis, bearing soreness and aches, or even a recent surgery linked issue, rehabilitation

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for animals is available to compliment routine medical options and medications.

Rehabilitation is defined specifically as a “branch of medicine that aims to enhance and restore functional ability.” In a world full of overwhelming options, animal rehab centers assist your pet in pain management and injury recovery. Reducing pain, increasing the speed of healing, increasing mobility and overall, extending a pet’s life with comfort are just a few goals rehab veterinarians strive for. Rehab therapy offers access to advanced nonmedication care methods that target pain and accelerate recovery, which equals a more brisk return of function and better quality of life for patients. As quoted from Beta Ray Bill “if there is nothing but what we make in this world, brothers…let us make it good.”

By: Jennifer Hennessey-Bremseth, DVM, CVJ, CAPM, (CCRP, CCMT)

Rehab and recovery therapies include a variety of gentle modalities some of which are machine exercises on dryland treadmill or underwater treadmill, having manual therapy for muscle or neurologic conditions, tissue warming for spasm and pain relief via ultrasound, and last but not least, therapeutic laser treatments.

Treatment protocols are customized for each patient and encompasses a dynamic plan that allows the pet to learn what the care is and primarily that treatment is not-painful. Having a relaxed and comfortable patient is the goal for every rehab specialist, as the care should be relieving not stressful. Sessions advance from an introduction and massage, to the care that will capture and control pain for your superpup or kitty, starting with a relaxing warm up workout, leading into exercises, and concluding on a positive note - often with massage and laser.

How do you seize the chance for your recovering furbaby to zap his pains with rehabilitation care? Talk to your family veterinarian. A referral by your furbaby’s care

provider prompts the plans for a consult with their preferred rehab practitioner.

A consultation will then be planned for you and your pet so that treatments can be selected and a custom protocol created. Depending on the reasons and the goals for your furbabies wellness, rehab “spa recovery time” is a visit a couple of times per week for a few weeks working towards a transition into home exercises to also be included in the home phase of rehab to help expedite recovery time.

A courageous canine suffers pain from a knee injury, for instance a tear in a cruciate ligament that supports the knee.

This condition, sometimes treated medically and sometimes via surgery, creates pain and mobility challenges as well as additional stress to the opposite limb. If that pet also is geriatric and faces medical challenges, arthritis and maybe other reasons that medications are unsafe, what are the options for comfort and care?

Veterinary rehab therapies are designed

with these scenarios in mind and towards defending your superhero from the foe of unnecessary aches, stiffness, pain and

Treatment protocols are customized for each patient and encompasses a dynamic plan that allows the pet to learn what the care is and primarily that treatment is not painful.

an immobile lifestyle. Water treadmill work allows for walking and strengthening even with a sore leg, as the water reduces the pet’s weight through buoyancy. Manual care is performed to stretch and tend to sore joints and muscles, to strengthen the pet’s body overall. A laser treatment on the joints will knockout pain and reduce swelling in sore areas.

To summarize, treatments are aimed to comfort and heal. Positive re-enforcement, patience and a variety of care options for rehab therapy are set at your pet’s pace. Pets face challenges and you as owners do too, when a superpet is down from injury and illness. Veterinary rehab therapy, such as Wonder Pet Rehab in Cypress, is a new option and direction of veterinary medical care available to help your furry family as an extension of your veterinarian’s care. Let’s treat your super furbabies and heal their injuries, and help them regain their power to perform, play and pounce! “I’m the best there is at what I do”, well said by Wolverine, so let’s get those “suPURRheroes” and incredible pups recharged and powered up for doing what they do best!

To learn more about Wonder Pet Rehab, visit www.facebook. com/4yourWonderPet. Houston PetTalk Magazine

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Tail End RAW FOOD for Cats

Local Producer Highlights Benefits

B

obcat Raw Food is a new raw cat food operator in town and has been operating since early 2017 manufacturing and distributing raw cat food directly to customers in Houston, and throughout Texas. The founder of the company, Kate Eydelnant, shares the story of how she started the business and her goals of raising awareness for the benefits of raw food diet in the local community.

I was already aware of the benefits of raw cat food, but I began considering them more closely after my cat Tuxy underwent major surgery. I needed a nutrient-rich food to put my cat

back on her feet. I started feeding my cat raw food after the surgery and saw her blossom and recover quickly. A totally unexpected benefit of feeding raw food was that Tuxy became much more friendly and loving. Feeding raw food to my cats made a lot of sense, because in the wild cats eat whole prey, which is rich in protein, low in carbs, but is also rich in moisture.

So, I have embarked fully on the journey of feeding my cats complete, balanced, wholesome protein-rich meals made with the best possible human-grade ingredients. Seeing the benefits of this diet first hand, I decided to start Bobcat Raw Food, to spread my love and passion for raw food to other cat owners here in Houston and all over Texas. In addition, my goal is to raise awareness about the benefits of a balanced raw food regimen which has countless benefits and can positively impact a cat’s life quality.

WHY CHOOSE A RAW DIET FOR CATS? Mother Nature intended for cats to eat a diet rich in protein. Cats are obligate carnivores and thrive on protein-rich meals.

Balanced raw cat food resembles closely a cat’s diet in the wild.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF FEEDING RAW? The benefits of feeding raw are too many to mention, and include healthy shiny

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By: Kate Eydelnant www.bobcatrawfood.com

coats, healthy teeth, better litter box odor, good mood and much more!

IS A RAW DIET SAFE FOR CATS? A raw protein-rich diet is species appropriate for cats and is safe and natural for the feline digestive system. Please wash your hands, and any surfaces that come into contact with raw food thoroughly after handling raw food.

WHAT IS YOUR SOURCE OF MEAT? Our products contain meats and organs that are human-grade and USDA inspected. Our chicken meat is US-sourced USDA Grade A meat. Our formula is a single-protein formula, and has a limited list of ingredients. It contains no unnecessary ingredients, such as grains and other carbohydrates. We never use any meat by-products.

HOW LONG CAN THE FOOD STAY IN THE FRIDGE? The food can stay in the fridge for 3-5 days, depending on the fridge settings. It can stay up to 6 months in the freezer.

WHERE CAN BOBCAT RAW BE PURCHASED? Please visit www.bobcatrawfood.com to purchase our raw cat food. We offer a convenient hand deliver in Houston and also ship throughout Texas.

Bobcat Raw Food is your dedicated local raw cat food supplier. We keep all of our business in Texas, because supporting our community’s interests is important to us.

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DOG WALKER or Pet Sitter Tips on Hiring a Professional

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By: Nicole Bruder, Owner of Lucy Goo Pet Sitting

to new walkers and sitters? Do they have standards for how their workers should conduct themselves on pet visits and on dog walks? The best way for a pet care business to know how their workers behave with animals and in people’s homes is to spend time with them. Be sure the business you choose continuously monitors, observes, and interacts with their

considering hiring an individual (instead of a company) to care for your pets, what is the plan if she/he has an emergency and cannot make it to your pets?

Tip 6: The pet care business you choose should be insured and bonded.

Ask for a copy of their insurance card, and make sure the year is up to date.

Tip 7: Communication is key. What

companies who have personally met the pet sitters and dog walkers they will be sending into your home. It is becoming more common for pet care companies to hire or contract people through just minimal online interaction.

Tip 2: Are you able to meet your sitter? This is very important - you should at least be given the opportunity to meet your sitter.

Tip 3: Be sure the business you choose runs background checks on all workers and has a vetting process.

(Pardon the pun.) Do they conduct in-person interviews? Do they provide training

dog walkers and pet sitters.

Tip 4: Each pet care professional should be pet CPR/First Aid certified and have a pet first aid kit with them at all times. This could save the life of your pet. What other precautions does the business take to ensure the safety of your pets while in their care? Do they double-leash?

Tip 5: What is the pet care company’s protocol for emergencies? If a sitter is not able to do their visit, what is the plan?

What is their protocol if there is a natural disaster or emergency while you are out of town or unreachable? If you are

is the booking process like? Have you ever been double-booked for a doctor’s appointment or had a reservation disappear? Human error and mistakes can happen. What checks and balances does the company have in place to catch those errors? The wrong swipe of a key can delete an entire day of visits. All bookings should have service confirmations with the dates and time of visits displayed for you to review.

For more tips on hiring a pet care business, feel free to contact us at: info@ lucygoopetsitting.com.

Photo by Zach Alan Photography

ith so many dog walking and pet sitting businesses out there, it can be overwhelming and confusing trying to decide which business is best for you. Take a look at our tips below to make hiring a pet care company a breeze!

Tip 1: This first tip may surprise you.

Narrow down your search to pet care

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Houston PetTalk Magazine

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Revealed RESCUE

SCHNAUZER RESCUE OF TEXAS

S

Simba Meet Simba, a male apricot mix of possibly Cairn Terrier and Schnauzer with a playful disposition and very good manners. He is approximately 2 yrs. old and weighs in at 16 lbs. Snatched from a shelter and currently in a foster home, Simba is looking for a place to call home. He loves to go in the car, plays well with others, enjoys a good snuggle...what more could a doggy parent want?

chnauzer Rescue of Texas (SRT) was founded on the principle that responsible rescue, in the long-term, finds homes for the largest number of lost, neglected and abandoned Schnauzers. Our committed volunteers work cooperatively to maintain a foster family network where these Schnauzers learn what it means to have a dog’s life; what it means to ‘own’ a family; and what it means to live life with love. Our adopters are carefully screened and are chosen because they share our vision. In short, Schnauzer Rescue of Texas exists for the sole purpose of ensuring that the Schnauzers we assist make it to their forever, and perfect, home! Peruse our site, look over our Schnauzers and consider whether adopting a Schnauzer from SRT is the right choice for you! Ready now? We’re here to help! Learn more at schnauzerrescuetexas.me.

Look at those eyes...c’mon, who can resist that? Yogi is a male Miniature Schnauzer mix who is about 1 yr. old, weighs 19 lbs. and sports natural ears and tail. He was found running the streets with a pal and he’s now having a good time exploring the world with a foster family. Yogi is no dummy, he’s learned life is better with a loving family. He plays well with others and he’s hoping you will make him yours!

Each issue, we highlight a local 501(c)3 animal charity in hopes that our readers will find their true love with one of these rescue groups! Charities are chosen from PetTalk GoFetch, our pet directory website and free mobile App, www. pettalkgofetch.com. To be listed as a rescue group, please email info@houstonpettalk.com.

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CONSERVATION Corner By: Lauren St. Pierre Houston Zoo

As appreciative supporters of nature and wildlife, we at Houston PetTalk want to promote education and conservation of the world’s animal population. Each month we bring you information on conservation efforts that are of special interest or have some connection to Houston through the Houston Zoo or other local organizers such as the TWRC Wildlife Center. This issue, we are highlighting Lion conservation. Look for other upcoming conservation stories so that you too can help save a species.

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he Houston Zoo has been working with people in Africa to protect lions from extinction for the last 10 years.

Photos, courtesy Houston Zoo

PROTECTING THE PRIDE

The Zoo also works with other Association of Zoos and Aquariums-accredited zoos to maintain a diverse genetic pool of lions in North

American facilities. These animals inspire zoo visitors to help protect them in the wild.

Last December, the Houston Zoo acquired a 400-pound, three-year-old African lion that was born in an AZA-accredited zoo in the Pacific Northwest. Now, just a few months since his arrival, Hasani weighs more than 480 pounds and enjoys his days out in the lion habitat.

He particularly likes watching his neighbors across the path, Kadu the leopard and Berani the tiger. Hasani is often found peeking over the heads of guests to see the other big cats.

At the writing of this article, Hasani has yet to be on public view with the three lionesses. The carnivore

keepers are working on what they call “howdy” door introductions. The lions are slowly introduced to each other with special doors that allow the lions to smell and see each other but cannot touch. They will continue these introductions until the team observes that the lions are ready for the next step. When guests visit the zoo, they’ll be able to see either the females or Hasani in the yard at any given time. Insider tip: Visit the zoo in the morning for the best chance to see Hasani. However, if you see the females out in the morning, should stop by again in the afternoon to see Hasani.

Hasani, Uzima, Matungulu “Mattie,” and Nimue are majestic ambassadors for their counterparts in the wild. And just by visiting them, you are helping to save them. Africa’s wild lion populations have seen a dramatic decrease over the last century due to habitat loss, illegal bushmeat trade and conflict with local communities. Approximately fewer than 25,000 individual lions remain in the wild; that’s equivalent to how many fans fit at a Dynamo game in BBVA Compass Stadium!

The Houston Zoo supports the efforts of the Pride

Lion Conservation Alliance (PRIDE), a collaboration of organizations working together as a united front to impact lion conservation on a meaningful scale. Members of this alliance, which launched at the Houston Zoo in October 2015, include the Niassa Carnivore Project, Ewaso Lions, Ruaha Carnivore Project, Lion Guardians, and Lions Landscapes. PRIDE uses their collective experience as leaders, influencers,

strategists, and on-theground field conservationists, with a solutions-focused approach to halt the decline of lion populations.

So next time you visit the Houston Zoo, stop by the lions and know that you’re helping to save their wild counterparts just by visiting the Zoo.

Houston PetTalk Magazine

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