June 2014
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Articles 5
My Favorite Things!
6 To Play or Not to Play 8 Pets and Pain 12 Doggie Daycare — Is it Right for Your Pets?
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15 What to Expect From a Dog Trainer 18 Missouri Pit Bull Rescue 18
21 Pet Safety TIPS 22 Meet the Breed 24 The Adventures of Chip 26 Pawzzle 28 Wouldn’t You Love to Take Home Toto?
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30 How Important is a Physical Exam for My Pet? 32 The 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 barbara@metropetmag.com Editor/Production Manager Dan O’Leary editor@metropetmag.com Magazine Layout ROI Marketing 816.942.1600 • roi@kc.rr.com
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 deals@metropetmag.com 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 editor@metropetmag.com. All materials are subject to editorial review. © 2014 MetroPet Magazine. All rights reserved. Request reprint permissions at info@metropetmag.com. 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 These are a few of my favorite things Long walks at sunrise, and smelling good spots Jumping in pools or ponds when it’s hot Barking like crazy when the doorbell rings These are a few of my favorite things 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
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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. 6
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• Always 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.
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• 100% of your focus should be on your dog when your dog is off leash either on a play date or at the park, • Don’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.
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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
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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
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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
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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 • Handbook 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? www.metropetmag.com | June 2014
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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.
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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 www.metropetmag.com | June 2014
❚ Materials ❚
Repair ❚ Commercial/Residential
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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. Manage 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.
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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.”
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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.
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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,
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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,
www.metropetmag.com | June 2014
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
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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
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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 www.metropetmag.com | June 2014
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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
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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
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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
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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. www.metropetmag.com | June 2014
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
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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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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
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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. www.metropetmag.com | June 2014
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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
MetroPet Magazine | June 2014
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 cherylwaterman.cvpm@bestpractice-consulting.com.
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. www.metropetmag.com | June 2014
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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
MetroPet Magazine | June 2014
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.
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