Participating in a sport or activity with dogs brings a sense of fulfillment and joy to human and canine team members
By Kim Campbell Thornton
If you had told me two years ago that I would be spending my Friday evenings at nose-work class and taking one- and two-day road trips just to get to nose-work trials, I would have laughed. My dogs have always been my companions. We go for walks, have meals at pet-friendly restaurants and travel together whenever possible. They sleep under my desk while I write, and sit on my lap on the sofa when I'm reading or watching television.
As far as I was concerned, that was a good life for them. I never had any interest in showing them in conformation. I thought agility or tracking might be fun, but never seriously pursued either one. I admired people who worked or competed with their dogs in the same way that I admire people who have climbed Everest or explored underwater caves, but I didn't expect to ever be one of them. It didn't seem truly necessary for their -- or my -- happiness.
But like all dogs, mine have always been guided by their noses. Sometimes it seemed as if they were excessively devoted to examining all the scents they ran across on walks. So when a friend told me about the sport of nose work, I thought it would be fun to sign Harper up for the six-week class. We'd learn the basics, and then we'd have a fun game we could play at home or anywhere else.
Within weeks, I was bringing 13-year-old Gemma to class, too. When my husband got tired of being left home alone on Friday nights, he joined us as well. The next thing I knew, Harper had passed her first Odor Recognition Test, which qualified her to compete in a beginning-level nose-work trial. I couldn't wait.
Watching Harper -- and then Gemma, and eventually Keeper -- discover a purpose to sniffing was a revelation. They knew when it was time to go to class. They knew exactly what they were there to do when it was their turn to search. They were so excited to tell us when they found the scent. It was two-way communication, and it was wonderful.
Recently, I asked friends who also do sports with their dogs what they and their dogs get out of it. The appreciation of teamwork and communication and a deeper relationship came first, of course.
"The bond it creates between you and your dog is unlike anything you could develop with a human teammate," says Annick Loomis, who does nose work with her Brittany.
Adam Conn does a number of sports with his Bernese mountain dogs. He enjoys the challenge of "unlocking" each dog.
"All five who I've competed with have been so vastly different, despite four being the same breed and two being from the same lines."
What about our dogs? Treats and praise aside, do they get anything out of it?
Yes. For each dog, the reward is different. Some like being the center of attention or enjoy the challenge of solving a puzzle. Hina, a mixed-breed owned by Mary Wakabayashi, loves the thrill of the hunt that nose work develops. Melissa Duffy says sports and games make her dogs grin like nothing else.
Harper? We have always been close, but she really blossomed when she discovered that she could "tell" me something and that I would understand.
Three weeks ago, Harper and I competed in our second NW3 trial. It's the most difficult level, and we weren't quite good enough to get a title. Yet. But at every class and every trial, I get better at reading her signals, and she gets better at delivering them. Most of all, I've taken to heart the nose work motto: Trust your dog.
Q&A
Signs vary in
hyperthyroid cats
Q: My cat has been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. My friend's hyperthyroid cat had completely different symptoms, so I was surprised by the diagnosis. What can you tell me about this disease? -- via Facebook
A: Hyperthyroidism -- high levels of thyroid hormones circulating in the blood -- is a common concern in cats 10 years and older. We see it in both males and females, and any breed or mix can be affected.
Depending on the individual cat, signs range from mild to severe, and they can be very different from cat to cat. Among the almost 30 signs that can indicate the presence of hyperthyroidism are weight loss, irritability, depression, vomiting, diarrhea and a ratty-looking coat. But some cats with hyperthyroidism are energetic and have a great appetite, so it doesn't occur to their owners that there might be anything wrong with them. The reason the signs are so varied is because thyroid hormone affects every organ system in the body.
Fortunately, lab tests -- a complete blood count, chemistry profile and urinalysis -- can tell us if a cat has hyperthyroidism or rule out other diseases that cause similar signs.
Even if your cat's signs are mild, it's important to diagnose and treat hyperthyroidism. Cats with the disease are prone to hypertension (high blood pressure), which can lead to more serious problems, such as kidney failure or heart disease.
Hyperthyroidism has several possible treatments: surgical removal of the thyroid gland (thyroidectomy), administration of radioactive iodine or antithyroid drugs given for the rest of the cat's life. The treatment your veterinarian recommends depends on factors that include your cat's age and general health, the presence of other diseases and your budget. Ask your veterinarian to go over all the options with you to make the best decision for yourself and your cat. -- Dr. Marty Becker
Do you have a pet question? Send it to askpetconnection@gmail.com or visit Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker.
THE BUZZ
Cats get full exam,
help researchers
-- Your cat can contribute to scientific research! The Cornell Feline Health Center is collecting blood samples for its Biobank and performing health screenings on a variety of cats. What researchers discover will help them build a database of genetic sequences and medical information to identify the causes of many inherited diseases in cats. To participate, cats donate a blood sample and undergo a physical exam, blood work, urinalysis, nutrition exam, echocardiogram, body measurements, oncology exam, eye exam, oral exam, orthopedic exam and whole-body CT scan. For more information, visit vet.cornell.edu/FHC and click on "Participate in Our Studies."
-- Got a new pup? Protect his health and even save his life by waiting until he has received his complete series of vaccinations before taking him to dog parks, city parks or pet stores that allow animals inside. (An exception is puppy kindergarten classes, which require all canine students to have their first set of vaccinations.) Taking a puppy to such places before he's fully vaccinated could be deadly at this time of year, says Susan Nelson, a Kansas State University veterinarian. Parvovirus thrives in warm weather, spreads easily, survives for months in the right conditions and is resistant to non-bleach cleaners.
-- A will ensures that your property is distributed the way you want it to be, but it can also protect your pets in the event of your death. A pet trust spells out who will care for your dogs, cats or other animals and provides funding for their needs. Pet trusts are permitted by 46 states and the District of Columbia. The exceptions are Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota and Mississippi. Talk to your attorney about how to include one in your will, and be sure your designated caretakers are willing and able to take on the responsibility. -- Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton and Mikkel Becker Johnson
ABOUT PET CONNECTION
Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet-care experts headed by "The Dr. Oz Show" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Kim Campbell Thornton. They are affiliated with Vetstreet.com and are the authors of many best-selling pet-care books. Joining them is dog trainer and behavior consultant Mikkel Becker Johnson. Dr. Becker can be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker. Kim Campbell Thornton is at Facebook.com/KimCampbellThornton and on Twitter at kkcthornton. Mikkel Becker Johnson is at Facebook.com/MikkelBecker and on Twitter at MikkelBecker.
CAPTIONS AND CREDITS
Caption 01: Harper correctly identifies the location of a scent at a nose-work trial. Position: Main Story
Caption 02: Savannah cats Peanut and Motzie, with Dr. Bruce Kornreich, donated blood samples to Cornell Feline Health Center's Biobank for its feline health screening study. Position: Pet Buzz/Item 1