Universal Press Syndicate
As summer approaches, we get a lot of questions about puppies from people who realize that this season is a great time for adding to the family. Long days, no school, warm weather -- what could be better?
A few words of warning, though, if you're one of those people with a new summer pup: Don't let the season pass you by without putting some serious effort into raising the great dog you want your puppy to become.
Puppies need structure, consistency and lots of positive reinforcement. But more than anything, they need your time. Every minute with a puppy spent training, socializing and preventing problems will save you time and aggravation down the road.
Teach your puppy to get things right from the start by removing opportunities for undesirable behavior, such as limiting your pup's access to areas where he can chew things you'd rather he leave alone. Keep him where he can't get into much trouble, and give him a toy to chew on instead. Don't forget to praise him for making the right decision -- even if the right choice was the only one offered.
In training, stick to the positive. Use praise and treats to motivate and reward your puppy as he learns the basic building blocks of good behavior.
You'll need some tools to help you stop unwanted behavior. Here are a few effective ways to turn a situation around without resorting to physical punishment:
-- The ol' switcheroo. Especially useful for the young puppy, this technique stops a behavior you don't want and provides the puppy with one that's acceptable. For example, if your young puppy is chewing on your nice leather shoes, make a noise to startle and distract him -- slap the counter or clap your hands -- and then give him something you do want him to chew on, such as a toy. When he takes it, praise him. (And then put those shoes away.)
-- Ask for another behavior. With older puppies and dogs, you can stop a bad behavior by asking for a better one. Tell the puppy who's jumping up for attention to sit instead and then praise him for planting his rump on the ground.
-- The time-out. Crates, so useful for house-training, give you a break from your puppy and send him a message at the same time. Puppies thrive on your attention, sometimes even if it's negative. The time-out removes this reward and gives a pup a few minutes to think things over. And sometimes, having a place to put your puppy will help keep you from losing your temper.
If your puppy has been running around for a long time and just seems bratty, he may be tired. If that's the case, put him in his crate for a nap, along with a chew toy. Ignore his fussing. Chances are he'll be asleep in a few minutes.
If you're constantly trying to reprimand your puppy, you may be sending him mixed signals: laughing at bratty behavior sometimes, and yelling or hitting your puppy for that same behavior at other times. Discuss the situation with a trainer. You may have some big problems developing if you don't learn how to shape your puppy's behavior in a positive way.
No matter how well you're doing in raising your puppy, a puppy class is time and money well spent. Puppy classes for dogs as young as 12 weeks offer puppies a chance to socialize and give you an opportunity to work with your pup under the expert eye of a trainer.
Q&A
People, pets can get healthier together
Q: My roommate has a little dog who probably weighs one-third more than he should. She shares everything she eats, feeds the dog his regular meals and gives him treats, too. The dog will bark if his begging doesn't get him more. She gives in every time.
How can I tell my roommate she's killing this dog with "love"? -- A.D., via e-mail
A: The experience of being able to move freely and without pain is joyous to all beings. Denying pets the pleasures of such movement by letting them become grossly obese is no act of love.
It's difficult to say "no" to the big brown eyes of a pet who has been taught to beg constantly. But doing so is truly an act of caring -- stuffing an overweight dog is not.
You didn't say if your roommate could stand to be more fit as well. But if that's the case, it may be that both she and her dog can start a healthier lifestyle together, with more exercise and a different diet with fewer calories. Both your roommate and her dog should start with the trip to their respective doctors for a checkup and advice on how best to proceed.
Moving more and getting fewer calories are key. For some of those treats, veggies can make a dog -- and a person! -- feel as if he's getting something good without adding a lot of calories. Baby carrots are especially helpful. Serving reduced-calorie food (talk to your veterinarian for recommendations) or simply adding green beans to a regular diet as filler can also help. It doesn't take much to get a small dog plenty of exercise, but it does start with putting him on his own four feet -- no carrying!
My book "Fitness Unleashed! A Dog and Owner's Guide to Losing Weight and Gaining Health Together" ($14, Three Rivers Press) was written with human physician Robert Kushner, M.D., as a guide to getting both man and beast on the road to feeling better. Maybe your friend could use a copy! -- Dr. Marty Becker
(Do you have a question on pets? Send it to PetConnection@gmail.com.)
PET BUZZ
Plants can be deadly to pets
-- The top 10 plants responsible for poisoning dogs and cats, according to a 2008 analysis of claims to the Veterinary Pet Insurance Co., were: raisins and grapes, mushrooms, marijuana, lily, walnuts, onion, sago palm, macadamia nuts, azalea and hydrangea. For more information, visit petinsurance.com or the ASPCA's Animal Poison Control Center (ASPCA.org/APCC).
-- The problems caused by a shortage of veterinarians in federal government agencies caught the ear of the U.S. Senate. Earlier this year the nation's top veterinary professionals met with senators after a report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) revealed that the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture's Food Safety Inspection Office has an on-the-job vacancy rate of up to 35 percent, and the agency's Agriculture Research Service has a 12 percent shortage of critical veterinarians. More than a quarter of veterinarians employed by the federal government are eligible to retire in the next three years. The GAO estimated that federal agencies' ability to respond to an emergency in the animal population could be hampered by a lack of veterinarians. The American Veterinary Medical Association is working with Congress to bring more veterinarians into government work by making federal veterinary salaries more competitive and by putting in place loan repayment programs to help veterinary graduates deal with their student loans.
-- Homeless horses have become a crisis in America. Of the estimated 9 million horses in the United States, an estimated 80,000 to 100,000 lose their homes every year, according to the International Animal Welfare Training Institute, which recently held a meeting in California to explore options to help these horses. -- Dr. Marty Becker and Mikkel Becker Shannon
ABOUT PET CONNECTION
Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet-care experts headed by "Good Morning America" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Gina Spadafori. The two are also the authors of several best-selling pet-care books.
On PetConnection.com there's more information on pets and their care, reviews of products, books and "dog cars." Contact Pet Connection in care of this newspaper by sending e-mail to petconnection@gmail.com or by visiting PetConnection.com.
THE SCOOP
Collar your cat, even if he stays indoors
More than a few cat owners won't collar their pets, fearing that the material will become caught while the animal's roaming. That seems especially true of people with indoor cats, who are certain their cats will never slip out.
If your cat isn't collared, consider this: Less than 2 percent of all lost cats are ever found, according to the National Council of Pet Population Study and Policy. While free-roaming cats are obviously more likely to be lost, even indoor pets can get out. These cats are truly fish out of water outside, since they don't know the neighborhood and will have a hard time finding their way home if they wander very far.
One solution to providing pets with safer collars is to use breakaway collars with a slide-on tag. Breakaway collars offer an elastic panel or quick-release clasp meant to allow a cat to escape the collar if snagged. Slip-on tags such as those made by Boomerang (Boomerangtags.com) will put some ID on the collar without leaving anything dangling and in danger of catching on something.
No matter if your cat has access to the outdoors or not, the best insurance you can buy to increase your pet's safety is a tag and a collar to put it on. For more protection, have your veterinarian give your cat a microchip ID -- and be sure to register your information. -- Gina Spadafori
BY THE NUMBERS
A place to put a paw
More than two-thirds of pet owners say their pets travel with them routinely, according to the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA.net). The organization says those surveyed report patronizing a variety of places that accept pets when traveling, with popularity as noted (multiple answers allowed):
With friends/family 65 percent
Hotel/motel 43 percent
Campground 22 percent
Rental house/condo 13 percent
Other 7 percent
PET TIP
Don't make dogs 'hold it' too long
Puppies need to be fed more often than adult dogs, and they need to be taken outside more frequently as well.
For feeding, aim for three to four times a day until your puppy is 3 months old. Then drop one meal, then two, until you're on an adult schedule of twice a day.
How long can puppies "hold it"? A good guideline is an hour for every month in age. That means three hours for a 3-month-old puppy, five hours for a 5-month-old.
Ideally, the most any dog should routinely be confined without a chance for relief is about six hours. If you can't provide your dog relief during a longer stretch, look into an indoor dog litter box, potty pads, a dog door or a midday pet sitter's call. -- Gina Spadafori
Pet Connection is produced by a team of team of pet-care experts headed by "Good Morning America" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Gina Spadafori. The two are also the authors of several best-selling pet-care books. Contact Pet Connection in care of this newspaper, by sending e-mail to petconnection@gmail.com or by visiting PetConnection.com.