Here's a great article that I thought I would pass on...hope you find it helpful! –Kim
Here's a great poem that I thought I would pass on... Merry Christmas! –Kim
And mamma in her 'kerchief and I in my cap
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
I knew in an instant there would be no gifts this year,
Words to remember! –Kim
Here's a great article that I thought I would pass on...hope you find it helpful! –Kim
Overview of Pet Separation Anxiety
December 1, 2010
Dogs with separation anxiety destroy objects, urinate, defecate, vomit or salivate when they are left alone. In extreme cases, dogs can be left alone for no longer than 10 or 15 minutes before they panic and exhibit behavior associated with anxiety. Sometimes separation anxiety is caused by a change in schedule that necessitates the dog be left alone for longer that normal. Idiopathic changes in older dogs may also cause sudden separation anxiety.
Separation anxiety may also be associated with a traumatic event such as being in the house during a fire, during a burglary attempt, or while an alarm system sounded. Dogs at risk for separation anxiety include those rescued from humane shelters, laboratory situations, the street, and those that have spent a lot of time in kennels or with a housebound person.
Treatment for Separation Anxiety in Pets
Treatment for separation anxiety teaches the dog that it does not have to be fearful and panic when it is left alone. Most dogs respond to a smaller space where they feel secure, such as a crate. If the dog panics when crated, do not force it. This will make the situation worse.
Behavior modification for dogs with separation anxiety is designed to teach the dogs to "sit," "stay," and "relax" while the owner performs various behaviors, some of which may be upsetting to the dog. The dog is trained to do this exercise with all members of the household, in each room of the house, and outside. Dogs with separation anxiety are usually anxious in various situations and it is important to teach them to relax at every opportunity. Each member of the household should practice training the dog every day.
Next, the dog is left alone for gradually increasing amounts of time. Crate the dog or isolate it in a small, well-lit, temperature-controlled room when you are not at home. Make sure that the room is safe (i.e., no dangling cords, uncovered electrical outlets, open areas of water, such as a toilet) and provide a blanket or bedding, water, toys, and a biscuit. Remove the dog's collar (to prevent strangulation) and remove anything in the room that can be destroyed. Leave the television or radio on and place an additional light on a timer to go on 15 to 20 minutes before you come home. A timer can be used to modify behavior and signal to the dog that you will be returning. If possible, have someone visit the dog during the day.
Separation anxiety can sometimes be relieved if the dog can observe the outside world (e.g., if the crate can be placed by sliding glass doors). Some dogs do better if they are safely and comfortably left outside.
Desensitize the dog to cues that indicate you are about to leave for the day. Pick up your keys, but do not go anywhere; put on makeup and dress up on the weekend; go to work wearing a jogging suit; use a different door than normal; change your daily routine. This helps to reduce the dog's anxiety-based behavior, which may include:
Most dogs with separation anxiety require anti-anxiety medication, especially those that experience sudden anxiety caused by trauma. Anti-anxiety medications have limited side effects and tremendous benefits.
http://www.animalhealthchannel.com/separationanxiety/index.shtml
© 2010 Healthcommunities.com, Inc.
Here are two great videos that I thought I would pass on...very moving! –Kim
...There are Only Bad Owners!
This is the story of Edie, who classified as "unadoptable." She was rescued barely one hour before being put to death by a kill shelter.
This is the story of Chase, also classified as "unadoptable." Chase was rescued on his last day before he was to be euthanized.
No, there are NO bad dogs!
Here's a fascinating book that I thought I would pass on...hope you find it inspiring! –Kim
Saving Gracie
How One Dog Escaped the Shadowy World of American Puppy Mills
Apr 21, 2010
Rhiana Jones
An inspiring book about the terrible life of puppy mill dogs and one communities efforts to save hundreds of them with specific focus on a dog named Gracie.
Saving Gracie is a story that is at once inspiring and yet disturbing. It is full of compassion and love, but also sprinkled with disturbing images that are more terrible than any Stephen King or Dean Koontz thriller. What animal lover could fail to be touched by this book?
Puppy Mills
Carol Bradley does more than just tell the heartbreaking tale of one rescued Puppy Mill dog; she gives in depth coverage of the puppy mill problem in numerous states, Arkansas, Iowa, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Ohio, Kansas, Nebraska and Oklahoma.
The graphic images of tortured and murdered dogs in high profile kennels brings to light the terrible lack of enforceable rules for breeding kennels. Bradley exposes secrets that most common dog owners have no realization of, like the fact that the AKC has been, if not a supporter at least a non-deterrent to the terrible treatment of kennel dogs.
Even more frightening is the image of Amish Farmers murdering dozens of breeding dogs when they are done producing or done with the business.
Gracie and Linda
Weaving in and out of the facts of puppy mill abuses, state legislation and animal rescue attempts is the inspirational personal story of one particular puppy mill breed dog and her new owner, Linda. Gracie is a purebred Cavalier King Charles Spaniel that was tortured, abused and bred constantly for 6 years, while being kept 24 hours a day in a small, dirty crate.
Gracie was rescued in the Pennsylvania raid on the Mike-Mar Kennel which resulted in the rescue of more than 300 abused and neglected animals. The personal story of Gracie helps the reader understand the lives of these puppy mill breed dogs and shows the great compassion of the animal control workers who strive to save them.
In Saving Gracie, Carol Bradley provides a well researched and well written memoir of not just one dog, but of an entire community’s outreach to the abused animals in their midst. There are many "villains" in the book – not only those that personally help to damage these animals, but the big organizations that do nothing to stop them.
The book becomes inspirational though with the profiles of the numerous people that have gone out of their way to help these neglected animals. The animal control workers who work tirelessly through the night to save each and every dog and cat from the Mike-Mar Kennel, the judicial support people who make it possible, and the numerous animal workers at local shelters who care for the rescued dogs are all heroes in their own right.
This is a definite must for any animal lover's bookshelf.
Here's a great article that I thought I would pass on...hope you find it helpful! –Kim
Chaining Dogs Unleashes Bad Behavior
By Victoria Stilwell, Special for USA TODAY
8/12/2009
I am constantly surprised at the number of my clients who regularly chain or tie their dog in the backyard for long periods of time and then wonder why the dog is misbehaving on and off the leash.
Unfortunately, such tethering is common practice in the U.S. because of the less structured design of American real estate and common lack of fencing between properties. The well-meaning but misguided rationale I usually hear is that tethering is the only way for the dog to be under control outside without owner supervision.
Further, many clients have the incorrect belief that if the dog is outside most of the time, it doesn't need to be walked and won't suffer as much from lack of human contact.
Don't make the mistake of thinking that keeping your dog in your backyard most of the day will replace his natural need for stimulation and get you off the hook for not walking him. In fact, it almost always does more harm than good, since the backyard becomes just another "room" in which he can quickly get bored.
At the mercy of kids and other animals
A study by the American Veterinary Medical Association in 2000 showed that 17% of fatal dog attacks on humans between 1979 and 1998 were from dogs that were restrained on their property by tethers at the time of the attack, and many of the victims were children.
So why are chained dogs more likely to bite, and why are the incidences of these attacks becoming so common?
Tethered dogs have a greater tendency to respond aggressively to an approaching person (even if it's someone the dog knows), yet owners often seem unaware that continual confinement can cause immense frustration, which leads to increased reactivity or desire to chase and bite a person. Certain dogs are particularly territorial, becoming protective over space or property and putting anything approaching their territory at risk.
Dogs tethered in yards with no fences are much more accessible to the public, including children who often can't resist touching or sometimes teasing a dog. Unable to increase the distance between itself and an approaching stranger, the dog has no option but to fight. Tethered dogs are also at the mercy of other animals that may wander onto their territory and are at risk of getting tangled in their tethers and being injured.
A dog is a social animal, so lack of social interaction can seriously damage its psychological well-being, causing a buildup of frustration and anger that can explode at the slightest trigger.
Other commonplace scenarios besides tethering can create what dog behaviorist Jean Donaldson describes as "barrier frustration." Crate training is a popular and sometimes effective method of house training a puppy, but some dogs can't cope in such a confinement. Lack of space can cause excessive anxiety, which manifests itself in whining, barking or chewing on the crate. Dogs that suffer separation anxiety often become more anxious in crates.
Owner and pet in a dangerous cycle
A dog can experience similar frustration on the leash. In normal circumstances, an unleashed dog would be able to put sufficient distance between itself and a fear source, but if the same dog is leashed and unable to increase distance, he will react or behave aggressively, hoping the fear source will go away. If his behavior is validated by success, he is likely to react in the same manner again. In response, the owner often becomes tense when walking and keeps the leash tight, transmitting the nervousness down the leash to the dog, effectively making the behavior worse. Dog and owner are then locked into a cycle of tension and leash-lunging that's hard to change.
Many common behavioral problems could be avoided if owners understood how severely confinement can compromise natural behavior. Some local governments are becoming aware of the potential problems that chaining can cause for dogs and humans, and many cities and counties are making tethering illegal.
The key is to see the world from the dog's point of view if we want to understand why dogs behave as they do. Only then can we truly identify the root cause of the behavior and humanely solve the problem using positive reinforcement.
Source: http://www.usatoday.com/life/lifestyle/pets/2009-08-12-stilwell-dog-chains_N.htm
Copyright 2009 USA Today
Victoria Stilwell is the host of Animal Planet's "It's Me or the Dog." Her no nonsense, common sense approach to dog training is both practical and effective. It's about educating owners on how to see things from a dog's perspective and use positive reinforcement to encourage good behavior. With a little patience and effort, anyone can live happily with their canine companions. Visit Victoria Stilwell on the Web, get her training tips and watch full episodes of "It's Me or the Dog" by clicking http://animal.discovery.com/tv/its-me-or-dog/index.html or http://www.victoriastilwell.com
Unusual Pet Gifts –
Use Coupon Code FREESHIP or SAVE3
Puppy Calendars
with Free Shipping
Homeopathy
Ask a Vet Online
