Wise Choices for Pet Owners
FREE
Katy, Fort Bend
Getting To Know Dr. Randlett page 10
Snapshots Celebration A Huge Success! page 16
Covers For
Charity
page 4
JANUARY 2010
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Table of Contents
January 10 6
10
8
29
16
22
4
Publisher’s Note
18 Covers for Charity
6
A Birds Eye View
20 Barking in the New Year
8
The Woman Behind Rachel’s Nutrition Corner
22 Calendar of Events
10 Getting to know Dr. Randlett
24 Rescue Resources 26 Building Better
14 A Healthy New Year
Relationships- part 2
16 SNAPshots Celebration
29 Stella’s Story
It’s a well known fact that when anyone asks, “Who knows?” there really is someone waiting In the wings to answer. HOO KNOWS® is your wise, loyal, thoughtful, hard working advertising resource completely devoted to your needs. HOO’s always on the hunt for helpful information on awesome products and services, right in your community. As far back as we can remember, the immensely clever and brilliantly brainy Knows family of butlers and business assistants have humbly answered the question, “Who Knows?’ HOO KNOWS®”! Make a wise move every month. Read HOO! You’ll discover what HOO knows, too. HOO KNOWS® Community Digest does not assume responsibility for products and services listed in this magazine. Ads may not be reproduced, In any way without written consent. HOO KNOWS® is a trademark of Cinah Media Group LLC.
January 2010 | 3
Publisher’s Note Happy 2010!!! I have to tell you, I love the Holiday’s but I’m VERY happy to see them pass! The rush between Halloween, all the family coming in for Thanksgiving and the festivities of Christmas and New Years wore me out! As we move into the New Year, Texas Cats and Dogs Magazine is running at full speed and setting up some of the most wonderful events and ideas for the upcoming issues. Check us out on the web at www.TexasCatsAndDogs.com to get the latest on upcoming events, new and exciting articles from well known writers, and a chance to talk about the Covers for Charity each month. This month we are excited to bring you Andy, the amazing Covers for Charity winner this month. Andy’s picture was the winning photo for the January Covers for Charity contest. Thanks to Andy, Texas Wildlife Rehabilitation Coalition will receive a $100.00 donation from us. Once again we would like to thank all of our advertisers, without whom this magazine would not be possible. Walgreens for being so helpful and generous by letting us make our publication easily available to all and of course you the reader for remembering to grab our issue and visit our advertisers.
January 2010 Publisher Shannan Parker Contributing Writers Michael Baugh Nadine Jol-Coeur Amy Kelley Curtiss Lanham Jeff Parker Chris Simmons Texas Wildlife Rehabilitation Coalition, Inc. Rachel Varner Account Executives Jeff Parker For Advertising & Information Contact: (281) 781-4727 Graphic Design & Layout Candace Cohen
Please enjoy our issue and if you are in the market for a new family member, remember to check out the Rescue section for the perfect match.
Next Issue February 2010 Advertiser’s Deadline February 15th
Woof & Meows! Shannan Parker Publisher
Cover Photo Pettography (832) 245-9369
Don’t forget to visit us on the web at www.TexasCatsAndDogs. com and enter to win a $125.00 gift certificate from Scoop Le Poop, a free groom from Ekko’s groom and many other goodies!!
Shannan Parker resides in Katy, Texas with Jeff, her husband and best friend of 15 years. Jeff and Shannan have two children, Taylor who is 14 and Trace who is 10. They all answer to their 2 English Bulldogs, Maddox and Bentley, the real bosses. 4 | www.TexasCatsAndDogs.com
Barkington Inn & Pet Resort We provide high-quality pet care at a resonable price including boarding, grooming & training services.
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for more information visit www.barkington.com
Reserve Your Spot! contact Us Today To advertise
281.781.4727 www.TexasCatsAndDogs.com January 2010 | 5
A Bird’s Eye View Greetings everyone: I (Andy the GreenWing macaw) and my brother Sydney (Australian Sheppard) would like to wish everyone a healthy and prosperous 2010. Syd as I call him and I lead a very interesting life because our owner (Dad) is a compounding pharmacist with Professional Compounding Centers of America here in Houston. As a compounding pharmacist he teaches other independent community pharmacists how to make medicine to meet the individual needs of many different animals. We help teach the class by showing those pharmacists what is special about the needs for us birds and Syd does his dog thing. Our Dad teaches how pharmacists can make medicine with different flavors according to what each different animal prefers. I like mango or hot pepper flavor and of course for Syd, if it smells good it’s down the hatch and I don’t think it even touches his tongue. Did you know compounding pharmacists can also change the dosage form of the medication and make them into easy to give liquid, or treat, or even transdermal. Dad really likes the transdermal form of medication for our
Have You Heard?
fussy rescued cat brothers Meko and Bandit. I guess Dad got tired of to many kitty rodeos trying to give tablets to those finicky cats. It’s a really neat way to give medicine to cats. We watch him measure out the medicine and rub the cream on the inside of the cat’s ear which then gets transferred into their bloodstream. It’s great for cats but I sure miss the action and some of the words Dad would say when he was trying to give the tablet form. Anyhow if you ever have any problems with medicine there might be a way the veterinarian and compounding pharmacist can work together to provide a better outcome for all. Have a Great year! Andy and Syd
Emergencies and quickly planned excursions happen all the time, and it is always followed with every pet owners’ concern, What are we going to do with our pets? As you know there are many solutions, but when it is unplanned the availability may become harder to come by. A pet sitter is an excellent choice and Ruthie at Fetch! is one of the best. In-house sitting, private walking activities and many more. You can even schedule play dates!! When you need help in a pinch give Ruthie a call !! (832) 798-6500 www.FetchPetCare.com
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January 2010 | 7
Rachel’s Nutrition Alternative Corner!
The Woman Behind Rachel’s Nutrition Corner
I hope that everyone was blessed with a safe and wonderful Holiday Season.The best gift anyone can give is just that,... giving. Since becoming involved with nutrition, I have experienced everything from pancreatitis, kidney failure, urinary tract infections, cancers/ tumors, and a whole array of skin issues. The easiest by far to fix are the skin issues. Urinary, cancer bound hounds and felines and kidney/liver failure stages have been more complicated to deal with. I’ve enjoyed seeing the results of my clientele’s companions. Especially when I hear the good news of lab results coming back “Great!” and that “Scruffy” and “Miss Kitty” are feeling better and have energy now! 8 | www.TexasCatsAndDogs.com
That’s terrific. My job is very rewarding. That is the best gift I can ever ask for. It gives me so much joy, that I can help just about everyone that comes through my door at Brehm’s Feed Co. I like to take on all of my problems with the attitude that I can make a difference. Anyone in the pet business or has a pet probably has a big heart. I care about your dog or cat or horse as much as I care about my three dogs, three horses, and two cats. Whatever you are dealing with I’ve probably been down that bumpy road in previous cases, and can relate. If I don’t know the answer I have plenty of vets, doctors, and scientists that can help me find the right avenue to pursue. A little bit about your writer here. I grew up on a fruit tree farm, ‘Old Oak Fruit Farm’ ,in the southwestern portion of Michigan in a
small rural community of Benton Harbor/Watervliet. We raised just about every animal you can think of. My family is made up of Dad, Mom, my brother (U.S. Army Sgt.,God Bless the military for our freedom because it’s not free), my grandparents, and a countless number of two and four legged critters that came and went. We also raised and showed some of the nicest western stock bred paint and quarters horses in the Midwest. So,... imagine having to take care of all of that,... just the six of us. A few hundred acres of tree crops, and a ton of critters! Responsibility and Respect go hand in hand. My mother was and still is the greatest teacher I have. Mom taught me that there is always something to help or save. We shouldn’t be people that can just go about their merry business and turn their head
the other way. My mother is a dying breed of human. A turtle crossing the road –you betchya- Mom would stop traffic to get that little bugger across a major road! I was embarrassed at the time, being 8 years old the first time she did it, with everyone honking their horns at her, but she was helping out mother nature now that I look back on it. Steel back bone and all, my mother at 5’ 2” is still a force to be reckoned with. I also stop now(even block traffic on occasion) for those slow lil’ turtles that are just being themselves. Hats off to all of the rescues or people who help rescue;
wildlife, dog, cat, and livestock; you people are of a dying breed. God bless you. Back to my “Nutrition Corner”..... I am definitely not saying I can CURE any of the problems such as cancer, or liver failure. BUT you can make a tremendous difference by taking the steps and understanding what differences the nutrients of antioxidants can play. With adding vegetables, fruits, wild Alaskan salmon oil, probiotics, and foremost, better quality meats. It’s a start in the right direction. That’s how you make an animal comfortable and bring them into the mending pro-
cess. Visiting your holistic veterinarians will show you a new perspective on health and nutrition. Again, Happy Holidays, and I hope the New Year brings you many blessings.
Head out to visit Rachel at Brehm’s Feed Company In Richmond Texas on Farm Market Rd 359, right outside of Pecan Grove. Where you’ll find ideas to help better your budget and your best friend. There’s multiple varieties and assortments of top notch pet foods, !! Our motto: “No bandaids, just solutions!”
January 2010 | 9
Pet Health
Getting To Know
Dr. Randlett by Amy Kelley
Graduating from Texas A & M University in 1976 and starting Kingsland Blvd. Animal Clinic in 1981, Dr. Susan Randlett, along with one of her classmates, Dr. Rebecca Nichols, helped build one of the most successful veterinary clinics in the Houston area. “I remember that in order to save money we did as much as possible ourselves. Dr. Nichols assured me that we were skilled enough to hang wallpaper throughout the clinic, because this would be a huge savings. So we purchased the cheapest wallpaper, which unbeknown to us was the consistency of toilet paper and had a pattern that was unmatchable. This proved to be a real challengegreater than any I had faced in veterinary school!”
Luckily, KBAC has continued to grow and a year ago moved into a brand new facility across from Taylor High School. Dr. Randlett treats dogs and cats, and her special interest is feline medicine. “For 26 years I bred and exhibited Persian cats which afforded me many opportunities into the world of feline husbandry and medicine. I loved every minute of it.” Fortunately, Persians and all types of felines are still a large part of her days at KBAC. Although she has retired from breed10 | www.TexasCatsAndDogs.com
ing and showing, she still has one adorable, orange and white Persian cat, Red Beans and Rice(aka Reddy). But do not think for a moment that Dr. Randlett has only one pet. Reddy shares her attention with four horses, three Schnauzers (her babies), three very talented barn cats and six miniature donkies. Because she lives in the county, she is able to enjoy and care for all these animals. A portion of her property is used to grow and harvest hay which she enjoys shredding in her John Deere Tractor. Dr. Randlett shares all this with her husband of 33 years, Dwight. She and husband have one married daughter, Kristy, and three grandchildren. Although life on the farm keeps her busy, she finds time to enjoy a number of hobbies. She loves to water and snow ski, to hike and to ride horses. Along with her husband, they love to travel, especially to areas where hiking is available. When Dr. Randlett turned 50 years of age, she decided to take up a sport that involved animals for which she had a life long passion: horses. In order to become a recreational rider, she took lessons. Because the sport of dressage looked easy and she was at a disadvantage because she was getting such a late start in life, she decided to find a dressage instructor. All that is to say that she now has four horses and participates in a sport that “is the most difficult thing that I have ever done—more challenging than hanging cheap wallpaper!”
January 2010 | 11
Just when you think that you know Dr. Randlett , she recalls “Oh yeah, I got my private pilot’s license years ago. We had several small planes, and I learned to fly in a Piper Cherokee Warrior. This was not one of my passions, but I am glad of the opportunity. Due to the expense and time I no longer fly. I have had some truly marvelous experiences and am forever grateful to all those people (relatives, friends and clients) and animals that have made them possible.” Professionally, she has had a number of experiences. She is a member of the Harris County Veterinary Medical Association (HCVMA) and was on the executive board for approximately eight years. Also, she is a member of the Texas Veterinary Medical Association and American Veterinary Association. She was one of the original members of a veterinary emergency clinic board and continues, at times, to serve on the board of directors. “My 33 years in practice have seen a lot of changes in veterinary medicine. I am still very proud to be part of a profession and clinic where we can practice 12 | www.TexasCatsAndDogs.com
OUTSTANDING medicine, demonstrate compassion and engender trust. I always wanted to become a veterinarian (even though it was not fashionable for women 30 years ago!) and I have never regretted my choice.” Regarding her goals for KBAC, she always wants to provide quality medicine for a reasonable fee, make clients feel comfortable and special during each visit, and demonstrate compassion. The KBAC slogan “Caring For the Ones We Love” is more than a slogan- it is a way of life. “It has been wonderful and exciting to see our clinic grow. This is a testimony to the quality of service that we have provided to the community through the years.” On any given day you walk into a busy practice, with clients and their pets in exam rooms, on treatment tables, in the surgery suite, in the hospital ward, in the bath tub, or in a boarding kennel. “We have fabulous clients, many of whom have been with us since the beginning” she says. “Thank you for your time and dedication to our family while we become part of your family!”
January 2010 | 13
Pet Health
Healthy New Year After every Holiday season we get bombarded on TV about quick weight loss diets. Have you noticed that your Pet may be overweight as well?
How can you tell if your Pet is overweight? Take a look from the front. Is their an indentation (waistline) from the chest to the back legs? Being overweight attributes to many of the same medical conditions as humans; arthristis, hip dysplasia, diabetes, liver & heart disease.
Why are they overweight? The common factors are; over-feeding and too many processed ingredients. Look at the feeding guidelines on your Pet’s food. If you feed dry food, there is no moisture in the food so they are packed with calories. Processed foods are a big reason why humans and pets gain weight. Read the ingredient panel of all treats and foods.
What can you do? Diet: If you don’t have a measuring cup, get one. You can also look at switching to a food
with less produced ingredients (when was the last time we lost weight on bread or pasta?). Another trick is to cut the food by by 1/3 and add salt free green beans. Treats: Cut back on the treats. I know that your Pet has mastered the art of begging. Pet treats are notorious for having too processed ingredients. My rule of thumb is to find treats that are have less than 5 ingredients, contain little to no processed food, no sugar, no flour etc.). You are better off feeding less higher quality treats (what would happen if we had a diet of french fries). Try giving them a toy, giving them attention or a low calorie alternative like baby carrots or broccoli. Your Pet will thank you for helping them lose weight. They will have more energy and will feel better. Not to mention, you will likely save hundreds of dollars on future vet visits. Nadine Jol-Coeur Owner, Natural Pawz
Natural Pawz has 6 locations in the Houston area and carries only Natural Pet foods and treats that are manufactured in the U.S.A. Visit our website for more information or stop in for Free samples. www.naturalpawz.com
Voted Best Pet Boutique and Supplies by Click2Houston, Houston Press & Fort Bend County
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Natural Pawz has the best healthy dog and cat food products bar none! Besides that everyone who works there is friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. They obviously love animals and it is always a treat to be there. I lovegoingthere! -Paula King
6 LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU The Woodlands (Sterling Ridge & Best Buy Center) Tomball/Spring • Galleria/TangleWood West U/Bellaire • Sugar Land
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fo r
281.362.7299
Annual Well Patient Care | Urgent Care Surgery | Emergencies | Grooming | Boarding (Left-Right) Dr. Mahoney, Dr. Dauchy, Dr. Barra, Dr. Smith, Dr. Cleavinger
27227 Highway Blvd Katy, TX 77494-1040 www.katyvetclinic.com | (281) 391-3169
January 2010 | 15
Snapshot Celebration A Huge SuCcess!
16 | www.TexasCatsAndDogs.com
Photography by Studio Holloman 832 . 865 . 8116
The Spay Neuter Assistance Program (SNAP) and Houston Photographer Brett Chisholm joined forces once again to raise funds and awareness to combat animal overpopulation in Houston when they presented SNAPshots Celebration and 4th Annual Fashion Show featuring the designs of Billy Reid and Chloe Dao on December 3rd. The event was a great success, raising more than $40,000 to help SNAP expand services and provide additional free community resources. To learn more about SNAP and how you can be a part of ending animal overpopulation, visit www.snapus.org.
January 2010 | 17
18 | www.TexasCatsAndDogs.com
Covers for
Charity Texas Wildlife Rehabilitation Coalition (“TWRC”) serves the Greater Houston area as a wildlife emergency care and rehabilitation facility, and wildlife education center. Established in 1979 as Houston’s first such organization, TWRC receives an average of 5,000 animals per year from public rescuers.
Since 2001, TWRC has operated an on-site Baby Bird Program. Through this program, orphaned and injured baby birds are raised by about 250 trained volunteers at the TWRC Wildlife Center. These dedicated volunteers work in shifts feeding and caring for nestling and fledgling birds 12 hours per day, seven days a week, from May through August. When the baby birds reach the juvenile stage, they are sent to the homes of permitted rehabilitators and placed in outdoor flight cages for pre-release conditioning. Primarily caring for orphaned, injured, and ill native Texas wildlife, TWRC occasionally receives domestic birds which have escaped their cages. TWRC’s network of volunteers, all animal lovers, work to return these lost birds to their rightful owners or help find new homes for them if the owners cannot be found. TWRC is a 501(c)3 organization which functions with a team of 350 volunteers and permitted wildlife rehabilitators, and seven part-time staff members. The organization receives no fedEach month Texas Cats & Dogs eral or state funding, relying entirely on public donations Magazine picks one winning photo for support. from pictures of rescue pets submitted by our readers. The winning pet receives a professional photography session by Pettography for our cover and a donation to the rescue group from which their pet was received.
For more information regarding TWRC’s activities, please visit their website at www.twrc-houston.org -or call 713-468-8972.
For more information, please visit us at www.TexasCatsAndDogs.com
January 2010 | 19
The Marketplace
Barking in the Every little girls dream come true!! Available at The Pawty Palace in Old Katy
New baby? Check out this organic Wally Bear! Perfect for snuggling with on cold Jan days! Available at Natural Pawz!
Don’t forget man’s best friend as you pop the cork to bring in the New Year! Be sure to pick your pooch up some bubbly at The Pawty Palace in Old Katy
Whats a pup to wear during these chilly days! Keep Fi-Fi warm in this beautiful plaid sweater, available at The Pawty Palace in Old Katy!
Its not just for humans anymore! My all time favorite has now gone to the dogs! RUN to The Pawty Palace in Old Katy to pick up Pet Head!
20 | www.TexasCatsAndDogs.com
New Year Environmentally friendly AND tough enough for the big guys! Stop by Natural Pawz and pick up a Hurley bone today!
7.4 Calories per serving! You can find these goodies at Natural Pawz.
From a Yorkie to a Great Dane- no dog can resist this Sniffany & Co pillow from Urban Dog in the West U area!
Its nearly impossible to find a classy collar for some breeds! Connie’s Groom & Board will measure your pet and make a custom collar! Run to Connie’s Groom & Board in Katy for the ultimate choice in Bling for your pet!
January 2010 | 21
Jan 0 201
Calendar Of Events
Jan. 02 HAPI Homes Dog Adoptions 3302 White Oak Blvd -Blue Line Bike Lab Dogs from BARC available. www.HAPI4Pets.org 12pm - 4pm
Jan. 02 Sugarland Town Square The Scenic Route Jazz Ensemble 5pm-7pm
Jan. 08
Yappy Hour at The Pawty Palace Fun times with good friends! Bring the pups and join the fun! 5-10pm 22 | www.TexasCatsAndDogs.com
Jan. 09-10
The Houston Cat Club’s 58th ANNUAL CHARITY CAT SHOW George R. Brown Convention Center, Hall A - 1001 Ave de las Americas, Houston, Texas 77010; (713) 853-8000 Beneficiaries- The Houston SPCA, Citizens for Animal Protection, the Homeless Pet Placement League, The Houston Humane Society and The Winn Feline Foundation
Jan. 16 HAPI Family Pet Festival 1656 Blalock Road - St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church
- - Dogs, Cats, and Bunnies for adoption - Moon bounce, face painting, balloon animals for the kids. SNAP Mobile Truck on site to give tour. www.HAPI4Pets.org 10am - 4pm
Jan. 22
Yappy Hour at The Pawty Palace Fun times with good friends! Bring the pups and join the fun! 5-10pm
Jan. 22 - 24 Parrot Festival 2010 Doubletree Hotel - Houston Intercontinental Airport
(BULK AND PRE-PACKAGED) ❉ FRUIT SMOOTHIES ❉ FREEZE Calling All CANDY ICE CREAM (DREYERS) ❉ GOURMET COFFEE ❉ LATTE’ ❉ CAPPUCCINO Humans! OLD FASHIONED MALTS, SHAKES AND FLOATS www.sweettoothshoppe.com ❉ 8503 FM 359 Rd, Fulshear, TX 77441 ❉ (281) 533-0477 WE HAVE A PARTY ROOM! CALL FOR INFO AND RESERVATIONS
January 2010 | 23
A Heltp In Pe ed Ne
Rescue Chihuahua Rescue and Transport
www.chihuahua-rescue.com Cocker Spaniel Rescue
www.cockerkids.org
Corridor Rescue, Inc Country Hearts Hound Rescue
www.petfinder.com/shelters/countryhoundrescue. html Adopt A Cat, Inc
www.spayhouston.org Akita Rescue, Texas All Texas Dachshund Rescue
www.atdr.org
American Brittany Rescue
www.americanbrittanyrescue.org
Austin German Shepherd Dog Rescue
www.austingermanshepherdrescue.org
Basset Buddies Rescue of Texas
Dakota Rescue
www.dakotarescue.org
Doberman Rescue Group
www.dobermanrescuegroup.org English Bulldog Rescue Network
www.bulldogrescuenetworktexas.blogspot.com English Springer Rescue America
www.springerrescue.org
Friends of Rescued Mastiffs Great Dane Rescue of Sourtheast Texas
www.basset-buddies-rescue.org
www.saveadane.org
Best Friends FurEver
Great Pyrenees Rescue Society
www.furever.org
www.greatpyreneesrescuesociety.org
Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society
Greyhound Pets of America Houston
www.bluebonnetequine.org
Boston Terrier Rescue of Greater Houston
www.houstonbostonrescue.org
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club of Greater Houston, Inc.
www.cavaliersofhouston.org
Chesapeake Bay Retriever Relief & Rescue
www.cbrrescue.org
24 | www.TexasCatsAndDogs.com
www. gpahouston.org
Resource Southeast Texas Labrador Retriever Rescue
www.txlabrescue.org
Sugarland Animal Services
281.275.ADOG (2364)
Texas Alaskan Malamute Rescue
www.texalmal.org
Texas Collie Rescue
Houston Area Ferret Association
www.houstonareaferretassociation.com Houston Beagle Rescue
www.houstonbeaglerescue.org
Houston Collie Rescue
www.houstoncollierescue.org
Houston Lab Rescue
www.houstonlabrescue.com Houston Sheltie Sanctuary
www.houstonsheltiesanctuary.com Husky Haven Inc
www.huskyhaven.org
Lonestar Boxer Rescue
www.lsbr.org
Miniature Schnauzer Rescue of Houston
www.texascollierescue.org/ Texas Great Pyrenees Rescue Group, Inc.
www.txpyrs.org
Tri-State Bloodhound Rescue
www.tristatebloodhoundrescue.org
Weimeranier Rescue of North Texas
www.weimrescuetexas.org
Wild Horse Foundation
www.wildhorsefoundation.org Westie Rescue Houston
www.dogwhimsy.com
Yorkie and Small Dog Rescue
www.yorkieandsmalldogrescue.com
Yorkshire Terrier Club of Houston
www.ytcgh.com
www.msrh.org
National Parrot Rescue and Preservation
www.parrotfestival.org
PugHearts, the Houston Pug Rescue
www.pughearts.com
Second Chance Poms
www.secondchancepoms.org Shih Tzu Club of Houston
January 2010 | 25
Part 2 of 3 by Curtiss Lanham, CPDT-KA
I’m Home Now What? Your new puppy or dog has been home for a few weeks. She has sponged up all the love you and the other household members have dished out. She seems like the absolute angel you thought she would be… she is starting to get the routine of the household. She plays hard, eats well and hangs out with the family. She really seems to have adapted to the change well over the past few weeks. But you’ve noticed something very interesting: she sits and watches everyone and everything. She watches every move, every activity, and every routine…watching and learning. Then something very strange happens…
ATTENTION! The Honeymoon is officially over …your wonderful new canine 26 | www.TexasCatsAndDogs.com
companion begins to transform into Cujo…El Diablo… Destructo Dog…Hide and Seek Pooch…’Fraidy Pup’… The Thief…Chewmonger… “How can this be??? Why has this happened??? She seemed so sweet…she didn’t seem like a dog that would chew things or jump on us or run out of the doors or ignore us when we call. We didn’t know she was afraid of (insert fear du jour here). She didn’t seem that way at the shelter…she just wanted to get out of the kennel and cuddle and play.” The ‘honeymoon’ period is over. This honeymoon period is the time it takes for a dog to adjust to his/her new home and surroundings. It is that period when the pup learns the new routines, begins to understand what the ‘rules’ are and what the boundaries and limitations
are. It is also the time to figure out who the leader(s) is/are. Based on the assessment the dog makes, he/she begins to adjust its behavior accordingly.
Train Early, Train Often To ensure that the dog makes the desired transition during this honeymoon period and on into its life with us in our home, we need to begin to set proper boundaries, limitations, structure and routine. By instituting this about a week after we bring the dog home, we can stop many of these ‘unacceptable behaviors’ before they become problematic. For those things that do crop up, it is much easier to mitigate them because we have trained acceptable behavioral activities (life skills) to redirect to, such as sit, down, stay and recall.
Training builds better relationships with our dogs. Training builds a bond that cannot be built any other way. We often do not know the history of the dog we adopt. We often do not know what factors may have influenced how our new family member relates to his world. As our new family dog begins to adjust to this new world he is brought into, we see glimpses of how he may have been treated in his previous
life. Training helps the dog to overcome the negative behavior shaping that took place before and helps grow positive behavior shaping in this present life. Training builds better relationships with our dogs. Training builds a bond that cannot be built any other
way. Once built, it is the glue for an incredible life-long relationship. Train early, train often, train regularly and consistently‌train like your relationship with your dog depends on it‌it does. Next Month: Building Better Relationships Part 3 of 3: Cheap Insurance
Curtiss Lanham, BS, CPDT-KA is a nationally certified professional dog trainer who specializes in life skills training and behavior modification. He and his wife Melba own dogsmart, a Fulshear-based company that provides dog training and behavior counseling in the homes of dog owner families in Katy, Ft Bend and surround areas. Please visit them at their website: www.WeAreDogsmart.com or contact them at cmlanham@WeAreDogsmart.com
January 2010 | 27
Where Pets are Braggin and Tails are Waggin! Family owned and operated since 1992, the team at Connie’s has been helping the Katy community with all of their grooming and boarding needs for the past 15 years. Let us pamper your pet with a day of affordable grooming and bathing services or simply be their home away from home while you are away.
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Stella’s Story I never thought I’d have a puppy with distemper. There’s a vaccine. Dogs don’t actually get it, right? But they do. Mine did and for a while I didn’t even know it. Looking back it makes sense. Stella was sick when we brought her home from the shelter. She had a fever, a cough and diarrhea. It looked like the flu. She developed a bacterial infection which is also consistent with flu. Antibiotics cleared up the infection and within days Stella was better. That’s how canine flu works. It’s also how distemper works. About a week later the twitching started. Think “ hiccups” only worse. Her whole body pulses to the rhythm of a drum no one hears, relentlessly. The medical name is myoclonus. It’s as ugly as it sounds. When Stella settles down to rest the twitching settles in; it pokes and aggravates. She can’t relax. The first few nights Stella cried herself to sleep. I held her in my arms and cried with her.
Distemper is a preventable virus. But for Stella the vaccine came too late. If the dog survives the acute stage (that’s a 50/50 proposition), the virus invades the central nervous system. Once that happens, a process called demyelination begins.
The virus breaks down the myelin sheath around the neurons. The nerves misfire. It’s like Multiple Sclerosis in humans. In dogs there are two major symptoms: seizures or myoclonus (rarely both). Stella has myoclonus, the twitch. January 2010 | 29
She sleeps well now on a low dose of Valium. She’s also on an experimental treatment developed by Dr. Allan Ward in Plano, TX. It’s a cocktail of interferon, vitamins and herbals. The idea is to boost her immune system and kill off the remaining virus. And I have her on a vigorous training schedule. My idea: keep her brain active and rewire her nerve impulses to bypass the damaged areas. The inspiration came from stroke survivors. Neither idea has any research to back it up. But I don’t need lots of evidence. I just need it to work on one puppy. One would be enough for now.
Michael Baugh owns “Michael’s Dogs” training and behavior in Houston, TX. He specializes in solving problem behaviors including separation anxiety, fear and aggression. Michael@michaelsdogs.com
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