Universal Press Syndicate

This week we're again sharing excerpts from two of our three new books. This week we go to the dogs with fun canine facts from "BowWow: Curiously Compelling Facts, True Tales & Trivia Even Your Own Cat Won't Know" (HCI, $15). Enjoy!

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The phrase "Beware of Dog" is so old that its Latin equivalent -- cave canem -- has been found on signs in Roman ruins. The word "watchdog" isn't quite so old; the first mention of it is by Shakespeare, in "The Tempest."

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Dogs have always gone to war, serving as everything from spike-collared attack forces to munitions haulers, from messengers to modern-day sentries and bomb- and drug-sniffers. The dogs really stepped up in World War I, when more than 15,000 of them served as guard dogs, messengers, sentries and rat-killers for Allied forces.

Many a solider has owed his life to a dog, and many have never forgotten that debt. Organizations of former military dog handlers remain active, and among their goals is the construction of memorials to the animals that served so bravely.

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President Harry S Truman once said, "If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog." There's no doubt U.S. presidents have always gravitated toward the canine set, probably both for reasons of companionship and politics. (The latter because Americans have always seemed to appreciate a man who can appreciate a good dog.)

The father of the country set the tone for this canine adoration: President George Washington was known for his love of foxhounds, and the genes of his prized pack are probably in some of these hounds even today.

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Dogs today are more likely to be given human names: Sam, Sadie, Molly, Max. But it wasn't always so. At least two names -- Rover and Fido -- were once so popular that they now serve as synonyms for the word "dog."

These names were of the descriptive variety, revealing the traits a dog had -- or those his owners hoped he'd have. Rover is pretty obvious, a term from the days before leash laws became more common than now. But Fido? Its roots are Latin and suggest a dog of unflinching loyalty and courage (rather like the motto of the U.S. Marine Corps, Semper Fi, for "always faithful").

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The idea that a dog's saliva has healing powers has been around at least since the ancient Greeks and Romans, whose physicians believed it to be an antidote for poisoning. Later, St. Roch was often pictured with a dog licking a sore, reflecting the belief that the patron saint of plague victims knew something about a cure and that his dog's saliva made him healthy.

Modern medicine, no surprise, doesn't look kindly on such theories. And by the way: Dogs are attracted to open wounds because the serum from them is sweet.

But listen to your doctor: Soap and water, a dab of topical antiseptic and a Band-Aid are much better treatments for any cut.

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Q&A

Keeping pup from the litter box

Q: We adopted a great beagle mix from our shelter. She loves the kids and they love her. But I'm about ready to take her back!

The problem is she eats cat poop from the litter box and at the park. I've never heard of such a thing. It's disgusting, and I don't want her around the kids after she does it. Who knows what disease she could give them? We've spanked her, but she just sneaks in anyway when we're not looking. -- W.P., via e-mail

A: Litter boxes are irresistible to many if not most dogs: They're drawn to the undigested protein that remains in feline feces. Faced with a constant supply and ready access, no dog will be able to resist for long, which is why efforts to train your pet haven't been successful.

The better plan would be to restrict access, which can be accomplished in many ways, including:

-- Covered litter boxes. You can find litter boxes with lids at almost any pet-supply store, and this might fix the problem. Cats who have asthma shouldn't use them, some cats won't use them, and some dogs are strong enough (or small enough) to get to the box anyway. But for some households, a covered box will solve the problem.

-- Change the litter box location. Make any change slowly, so as not to discourage litter box use by your cat. But it doesn't hurt to experiment with such things as moving the litter box to a location above the dog's reach.

-- Provide barriers. One way is to rig a door so it stays open wide enough for the cat but not for the dog. One friend of mine did this by putting hooks on the edge of a door and the door jamb, and then by putting a length of chain between them to allow the door to stay open wide enough for the cat, but not for the dog. Another possibility is to cut a cat-sized hole through the door to the litter box room. For a small dog who's able to fit through any opening a cat can, a baby gate is an alternative: The cat can jump over, but the dog cannot.

As for the park, keeping her on leash is most effective, although you can also try getting a trainer's help to teach her the "don't touch" or "leave it" command.

Experiment with what works, and realize that punishment doesn't work when the reward is as wonderful (to your dog) as the litter box contents. This is one case in which training the family to make adjustments usually works much better than trying to train the dog. -- Gina Spadafori

(Do you have a pet question? Send it to petconnection@gmail.com.)

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," and a weekly drawing for pet-care prizes. Contact Pet Connection in care of this newspaper by sending e-mail to petconnection@gmail.com or visiting PetConnection.com.

PET BUZZ

Cats at higher risk for rabies than dogs

-- Rabid dogs, foaming at the mouth and baring their fangs, figure prominently in the popular imagination. But while the world's leading rabies threat is from dogs, the United States faces a larger problem from cats. Cats accounted for 318 confirmed cases of rabies in 2006, compared with 79 dogs, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Vaccination has proven to be a success in dogs: Confirmed cases of rabies in dogs dropped from 6,949 in 1947 to 117 in 2003.

-- About one in every 15 dogs seen at the more than 600 Banfield, The Pet Hospitals has a disease of the eye. Breed type increases the risk, according to the hospital chain, noting that eyelid problems are common in the bloodhound, English bulldog, cane corso, Great Dane, English cocker spaniel, Neapolitan mastiff, Newfoundland, St. Bernard and shar-pei.

-- DVM Newsmagazine reports there are an estimated 50,000 attorneys working on cases related to animals.

-- The late Charles Schulz, creator of the wildly popular "Peanuts" comic strip, found the inspiration for Snoopy in Spike, the mixed-breed pal of his youth. The September issue of Vanity Fair reports that Schulz called Spike "the wildest and the smartest dog I've ever encountered." His Snoopy marked the first time in comics that an animal had trumped the humans. "It did more than change 'Peanuts,'" said Walter Cronkite, "it changed all comics." -- Dr. Marty Becker

PET TIP

Keep pets away from antifreeze

Pet lovers have two ways to protect their animal companions from lapping away at deadly antifreeze -- one relatively foolproof, the other not.

-- Not foolproof: Use a safer antifreeze made from a different formulation than the more popular variety, store chemicals properly, and wipe up spills promptly. While this should eliminate most of the risk for dogs, these strategies are not foolproof for free-roaming cats because you cannot control what your neighbors will do when it comes to using or storing deadly chemicals.

-- Foolproof: Keep cats inside. Free-roaming cats have relatively short life spans because the outside world is full of deadly hazards. To antifreeze, add cars, coyotes (even in cities!) and even cat-hating neighbors to the list of things that can kill a free-roaming cat.

If you even suspect that your pet has gotten into some antifreeze, get him to the veterinary clinic immediately. There's no "wait-and-see" period with this stuff. -- Gina Spadafori

PETS BY THE BOOK

Groundbreaking book makes case for 'no-kill nation'

Why are pets being killed in America's shelters? Ask most shelter managers, and they'll blame irresponsible pet owners. Pets are just another casualty in a throw-away society, they'll say.

But Nathan Winograd makes a different case. In "Redemption: The Myth of Pet Overpopulation and the No-Kill Revolution in America" (Almaden, $17), the attorney, shelter manager and longtime animal advocate blames the killing not on irresponsible owners but on a wrong turn taken by shelters and by national animal groups that can't jump out of their money-raising ruts to try something new. Killing animals, he argues, has become institutionalized and unquestioned.

In questioning the killing, he lays out the path to a different outcome.

The road to a "no-kill nation," says Winograd, begins with shelters that no longer view killing adoptable pets as acceptable work for nonprofits formed to advance the humane treatment of animals. Shelters must enlist the pet lovers in the community as partners -- not as enemies who must be punished with ever-harsher pet limit and neutering laws. Working harder to make a bad system work won't fix it, he argues.

His vision isn't just theoretical. "Redemption" advances strategies that have worked in progressive shelters and offers point-by-point answers to those who have every excuse for why such plans won't travel. City shelter? Done it. Rural shelter? Done it. Management of feral cats? Been there, done that, too.

Can a shelter go from a one-way door to the euthanasia room to 90 percent adoption rates? The answer is "yes" for any community willing to try, says Winograd, and the only thing stopping change is unquestioning acceptance of the way things have always been. -- Christie Keith and Gina Spadafori

PETS BY THE NUMBERS

Avian pet popularity

Cockatiels and budgerigars (commonly but incorrectly known as "parakeets") are by far the most popular birds kept as pets. According to a 2006 survey, here are the top birds among people keeping one avian pet:

Cockatiel 34 percent

Budgie 29 percent

Conure 7 percent

Lovebird 5 percent

Amazon 5 percent

Macaw 4 percent

Other small parrot 4 percent

Canary 3 percent

Cockatoo 2 percent

Other large parrot 2 percent

African grey 2 percent

Other 3 percent

Source: American Pet Products Manufacturers Association

ON THE WEB

Merit badges for good dogs

Dog Scouts of America has to be one of the more clever ideas I've ever seen, with a Web site (www.dogscouts.com) that lives up to its potential.

The idea behind the site is that dogs don't get enough exercise of their minds and their bodies (true), and that doing things with your pet can be great fun for you both (doubly true). As one might guess, the site offers guides for plenty of wonderful activities, from backpacking to obstacle courses and "naked obedience" (the dog is naked, not the person).

Of course, adorable merit badges mark each skill mastered at each progressively more difficult level. The entire DSA manual is online and free to access. There's also lots of practical advice on training and problem-solving.

Troops can be found in many states, as well as Canada and Japan. Join the fun! -- 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.

4520 Main St., Kansas City, Mo. 64111; (816) 932-6600

Universal Press Syndicate

This week and next, we're going to share excerpts from two of our three new books. We're starting with fun feline facts from "MeowWow: Curiously Compelling Facts, True Tales & Trivia Even Your Own Cat Won't Know" (HCI, $15). Next week, we're going to the dogs.

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A cat's heart normally beats between 120 and 220 times per minute, with a relaxed cat on the lower end of the scale. It's not unusual for a cat's heart rate to be high at the veterinarian's because cats don't like to be away from home, and because they certainly don't like being poked and prodded by strangers.

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People crave sweets, but cats couldn't care less because the taste buds of a cat are incapable of detecting, appreciating or triggering a craving for foods we recognize as "sweet." It's unclear whether the ancestors of cats had the ability to detect sweet and lost it, or whether cats never developed a "sweet tooth" because, as true carnivores, they didn't need it.

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Not all white cats are deaf, but deafness is certainly not uncommon among them. White cats with blue eyes are more likely to be deaf than white cats with eyes of any other color.

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The average domestic cat can run at a speed of around 30 mph. To put that in perspective, a thoroughbred racehorse can maintain a speed of 45 mph for more than a mile. Racing greyhounds can hit just under 42 mph for about a third of a mile. But it's a cat who takes the land-speed record: The cheetah can go 70 mph for a couple of hundred yards.

Like the cheetah -- albeit not as fast -- domestic cats are built for quick bursts of speed. While you could never outrun a dog over distance, you could outrun a cat. They quickly overheat when running and have to stop after just 30 to 60 seconds to cool down.

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The British government for many years kept cats "on the payroll" to help keep buildings free of rodents.

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The first Siamese cat in the United States is said to have been a cat named Siam, given in the late 1870s as a gift to Lucy Hayes, the first lady and wife of President Rutherford B. Hayes, by the ambassador of Siam (now known as Thailand). These cats became highly sought-after in the United States and United Kingdom, and they are now among the most recognizable of breeds (even though other breeds also share the distinctive pointed markings, with darker fur on the head, legs and tail).

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The common phrase "curiosity killed the cat" has probably been around far longer, but an early version of it is attributed to Shakespeare, who noted that "care killed a cat" in "Much Ado About Nothing." Along the way, "care" became "curiosity," although the meaning is largely the same: Stick your nose where it doesn't belong, and you can get into trouble."

The playwright Eugene O'Neill is credited with using the exact phrasing in use today.

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While a male cat -- especially an unneutered one -- is today called a "tom," that wasn't always the case. Up until the late 1700s, male cats were known as "rams" (like sheep) or "boars" (like pigs). A book about cats with a character named Tom became popular in the latter part of the 18th century. After that, male cats started being called "tomcats."

Next week: Fun facts about dogs.

Q&A

Phone prompts poodle to bark

Q: My miniature poodle has an annoying habit that used to be minor, but now it's out of control. He barks when the phone rings and won't stop until I'm off the phone. I don't understand why he does this. He can tell it's making me crazy. I've started yelling at him, but he just backs up and out of my reach and barks more. -- B.N., via e-mail

A: Anyone who has ever worked taking phone orders for a catalog company can tell you it seems half the dogs in the world start barking the minute their owners get on the phone. Why does this happen? Because the dogs have been taught to behave that way -- accidentally, of course.

The problem starts when a dog barks at you once when you're on the phone. If he did that while you were watching TV or paying bills on the computer, you'd likely not reward the behavior. You'd probably ignore the dog, and the behavior wouldn't be repeated.

But if you're on the phone, you don't want the person on the other end to hear your dog barking, or to hear you yell at your dog to shut up. Chances are you'll pet your dog, just to keep him quiet. Before too long, you have a dog who starts yapping every time you pick up the phone, because that behavior has been rewarded.

Some people take it even a step further. There are plenty of people who give their dogs treats to shut them up while they're on the phone. This is a big payoff for the dog, rewarding every yip with a biscuit. No wonder the behavior gets worse and worse!

The best way to solve this problem is to never reward it -- don't praise or treat your dog in the short term as a "fix" for behavior you don't want in the long run. But since your dog is already a pest -- and yelling doesn't fix the problem, as you've seen -- ask your veterinarian for a referral to a trainer who can help show you how to undo the annoying little trick you inadvertently taught your dog. -- Gina Spadafori

(Do you have a pet question? Send it to petconnection@gmail.com.)

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," and a weekly drawing for pet-care prizes. Contact Pet Connection in care of this newspaper by sending e-mail to petconnection@gmail.com or visiting PetConnection.com.

PET BUZZ

Cats, dogs can prevent allergies

-- In a Scientific American article, Matthew Perzanowski, an environmental health scientist at Columbia University, said a pet cat appears to provide a protective effect for children against developing allergies. There's even stronger evidence from dogs, according to Augusto Litonjua, an associate physician at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, citing his own studies. While we all know pets make us feel good, research is increasingly showing that pets are good for us, too.

-- Russian President Vladimir Putin may seem a little dour, but he's soft on the inside, at least when it comes to dogs. The New York Times reports that Putin is accompanied to all meetings by his glossy black Labrador retriever, Koni.

-- A study published in Veterinary Economics magazine reveals that in high-performing practices, veterinary medications are marked up 150 percent; heartworm, flea and tick-control products 100 percent; and prescription diets 45 percent.

-- Pets are part of the family, according to a Merial/Harris Interactive survey. Some 49 percent of dog owners and 69 percent of cat owners let their pets sleep in bed with them. Dogs get scraps from the plates of 65 percent of owners, 54 percent of whom say their dog stares at them while they eat -- no surprise there! In the same survey, 56 percent of pet owners report feeling guilty when they leave their pet with a sitter or at a kennel. Finally, 74 percent admit they spoil their animals. We're guessing the other 26 percent must be lying. -- Dr. Marty Becker

PET BUY

Challenge others in dog trivia game

Looking for a way to spend an evening with friends or family that doesn't involve the TV? How about testing the family's knowledge of dogs with a new trivia game?

SmartsCo, a company that specializes in trivia games on all kinds of subjects, has come up with a new one aimed at dog lovers. DogSmarts comes with 60 questions and answers on lovely, well-designed cards, a guide to more information about dogs, and score pads for figuring out the winners. A portion of the proceeds goes to Canine Companions for Independence, a nonprofit organization that trains dogs to assist people who have disabilities.

DogSmarts has a suggested retail of $17 and is available through gift retailers or from the company's Web site (www.smartsco.com). -- Gina Spadafori

THE SCOOP

Little dogs often have big attitudes

Many little dogs are actually among the smartest of breeds, and you have to give some credit even to those who don't (on the surface) seem to have the highest IQs. After all, we all have to work for a living, but toy dogs? All the best food, cutest clothes, traveling in designer bags into all the nicest stores -- we should be so smart as to arrange our lives like theirs.

But there's no doubt that many small dogs have a big attitude, and some of them have a decidedly bad attitude. The blame, says a top expert in those dogs some people call "ankle-biters," is with the people who own them, not with the diminutive canines themselves.

"People let these little dogs get away with everything, because they're so cute and so small," says Darlene Arden, author of the "Small Dogs, Big Hearts: A Guide to Caring for Your Little Dog" (Howell Book House, $20) and an expert on these most tiny of dogs.

Arden says some small dogs are reacting out of fear, while others really are trying to pick a fight with bigger dogs. "They're saying, 'I'm a dog, too. Want to make something of it?'" says Arden. "These little dogs really believe they're bigger."

Since so many small dogs are carried, many of them come to believe they are elevated in status as well as height. Arden says it's up to the owners to make sure small dogs are socialized, well-trained and protected.

"Some people think it's really funny when a small dog acts aggressive," says Arden, "but it won't be funny when that behavior gets a dog killed."

In other words, little dogs need manners just as big dogs do, and don't let your little dog mix it up with his big brothers. The little dog may start the fight, but the big dog will always end it. -- Gina Spadafori

PETS BY THE NUMBERS

People first, but not by much

If you had to choose only one companion if stranded on a deserted island, what would it be? According to a 2004 survey of pet lovers, the highest number would choose a person over a particular kind of pet -- but if you tally all pets together, people lose. The results:

Human 47 percent

Dog 40 percent

Cat 10 percent

Other 2 percent

None less than 1 percent

Source: American Animal Hospital Association

ON GOOD BEHAVIOR

Ease old pet into accepting new one

If you already have a pet and plan to add another, matching personality types may help make the transition smoother and the outcome more successful. A shy, quiet pet may not appreciate a wild, rambunctious home invader. Older pets may find it easier to accept a very young pup or kitten.

Begin by isolating the new pet to one room for a couple of weeks. Try feeding the resident pet and new pet on either side of a doorway. When the existing pet eats, allow the new pet more freedom. Be sure the senior pet can get away from the youngster when desired.

Praise and give treats for all friendly, calm, accepting behaviors. Associate the new pet with all good things. Bribery and flattery will get you everywhere!

(Animal behavior experts Susan and Dr. Rolan Tripp are the authors of "On Good Behavior." For more information, visit their Web site at AnimalBehavior.net.)

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.

4520 Main St., Kansas City, Mo. 64111; (816) 932-6600

Universal Press Syndicate

When the weather turns colder and houses close up for warmth, every little thing starts to annoy us. Like the smell of the litter box, or (worse) the smell of a cat who's not using the litter box at all.

But don't blame the cat.

If your cat is hit or miss where the litter box is concerned, chances are the choices you've made factor into the problem. After all, your cat really isn't asking for anything more than you would when it comes to a bathroom. All that's required for most cats is that the bathroom be clean, quiet and offer no surprises.

That sounds simple, but the failure to use a litter box is the top behavior complaint of cat lovers, sending countless cats to shelters every year. Before you even consider such a drastic step, you need to try to work things out with your cat if you have a litter box problem.

The first step in solving such a problem is to make sure it's not a medical condition -- and that means a trip to your veterinarian for a complete workup. Urinary tract infections and diseases such as diabetes make consistent litter box use impossible for even the most well-intentioned cat. You cannot hope to get your cat using the box again until any health issues have been resolved.

If your cat checks out fine, you need to start working to make sure that everything about the box is to your cat's liking. The second rule of solving a litter box problem: If the cat isn't happy, no one will be happy. Here's what to look for.

-- Cleanliness. Cats are fastidious animals, and if the litter box is dirty, they look elsewhere for a place to go. Clean the box frequently -- twice a day at least -- and make sure it's completely scrubbed clean and aired out on a weekly basis. Having an additional litter box may help, too. (Multiple litter boxes are recommended for multicat households, since many cats simply will not share.)

-- Box type and filler. Many choices people make to suit their own tastes conflict with the cat's sense of what's agreeable. A covered box may seem more pleasing to you, but your cat may think it's pretty rank inside or scary. Likewise, scented litters may make you think the box smells fine, but your cat may disagree -- not only is the box dirty, he reasons, but it also has this extra "clean" odor he can't abide. Start with the basics: a large box with unscented clumping-style litter.

-- Location. Your cat's box should be away from his food and water, in a place he can get to easily and feel safe in. Consider a location from a cat's point of view: Choose a quiet spot where he can see what's coming at him. A cat doesn't want any surprises while he's in the box.

Make the area where your cat has had mistakes less attractive by cleaning it thoroughly with a pet-odor neutralizer (available from pet-supply retailers). Discourage reuse by covering the area with foil, plastic sheeting or plastic carpet runners with the points up.

If changing things around doesn't clear up the problem in a healthy cat, you may need to retrain him by keeping your pet in a small area such as a guest bathroom for a couple of weeks.

Make sure the area you choose has no good options besides the litter box -- no carpet, no pile of dirty laundry. Block off the bathtub or keep an inch of water in it to discourage its use as a place to go. After your cat is reliably using the litter box, let him slowly expand his territory again. As long as you keep up your end of the bargain and keep the litter box clean and safe, you have a good chance the good behavior will become permanent.

If you just can't seem to get the problem resolved, ask your veterinarian for a referral to a veterinary behaviorist. These veterinarians are skilled in behavioral problem-solving and are able to prescribe medications that may make the difference during the retraining period.

SIDEBAR

New from the Pet Connection team

As with the two previous titles, "Why Do Horses Sleep Standing Up?" takes on 101 of the best questions ever asked about the subject animal, offering something for people who live to ride, love to pet or even place a bet at the racetrack now and then. Joining the pair to help write the newest book are Teresa Becker, Dr. Becker's wife, who's also an author and award-winning equestrian, and Audrey Pavia, previous editor of Horse Illustrated magazine and the author of several top-selling horse books, including "Horses for Dummies."

Q&A

Flight no favor to pet parrots

Q: I have a cockatiel, two cats and a miniature poodle. I don't want Spikey to spend his entire life in his cage, so I have given him protection from the other pets by letting him fly free in the house. I don't know why there's all this pressure to keep his wings clipped. I think it's a much better idea that birds be allowed to fly free as nature intended and get away from danger, if needed. Will you please comment on this? -- E.R., via e-mail

A: I face the same challenges you do, with a parrot who loves to wander, a curious cat and four dogs who mostly ignore both the parrot and the cat (as well as the rabbit, Velocity). But interactions between prey and predator species are always tricky, and I'm well aware of the risks and the need for supervision.

That said, I keep Eddie's wings clipped. I give him his "freedom time" on a play stand suspended from the ceiling, or with just the two of us in my home office while I work, with the other pets on the far side of the louvered doors.

Why not leave him flighted? It's a matter of balancing risks and working toward good behavior.

Avian veterinarians see the result of letting pet birds fly free every day: birds who have slammed into windows, landed in sizzling frying pans and touched down in boiling pots of water. Some birds have even flown into open toilets and drowned.

My "Birds for Dummies" co-author, avian specialist Dr. Brian L. Speer, has seen all these kinds of tragedies, along with birds who've landed in ovens, in fireplaces and into the open drooling mouths of dogs and cats. Birds don't always have the presence of mind to fly away from danger, after all.

With wings clipped, Eddie stays pretty much where I put him for his recreation, on a safe play stand with plenty of toys. And if a door or window is open for too long, I don't have to worry about him flying through it, to be gone forever.

These risks are why pet parrots need to have their wings kept trimmed and be trained to stay safely in and on top of cages and play stands. An avian veterinarian or reputable bird shop will be happy to keep your bird's wings properly trimmed so your pet can manage a soft landing in a pinch, but no lift-off.

The benefits besides safety: Birds whose wings are kept in good trim may be less likely to engage in dominant behavior. And a well-socialized bird with wings safely trimmed may enjoy accompanying you on trips outside the home. -- Gina Spadafori

(Do you have a pet question? Send it to petconnection@gmail.com.)

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," and a weekly drawing for pet-care prizes. Contact Pet Connection in care of this newspaper by sending e-mail to petconnection@gmail.com or visiting PetConnection.com.

PET BUZZ

Words for those who love, hate cats

-- An ailurophile is a cat fancier, a lover of cats. Don't like cats? Then you're an ailurophobe, defined as someone who hates or fears cats.

-- Researchers recently sampled shelter dogs to look at the prevalence of canine intestinal parasites in four different regions in the United States. Looking at the data from 6,458 samples, hookworms were found in 19.2 percent of the dogs, roundworms in 14.5 percent and whipworms in 14.3 percent. Some 36 percent of all dogs, and 52 percent of dogs sampled from southeastern states, harbored at least one major intestinal parasite. The research strongly suggests that all pets should be on a parasite control program year-round for their entire lifetime. This not only protects pets, but also the human family.

-- Like people, animals have different blood types. There are more than a dozen known types for dogs, while cats have three types: A, B or AB.

-- The only species that can hold its tail vertically while walking is the domestic cat.

-- A study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association showed that lost dogs are found more often than cats. Overall, 71 percent of lost dogs were recovered, compared to only 53 percent of lost cats. The primary reasons given for the difference: About 47 percent of dogs had identification on them, but only 14 percent of missing cats had any ID. -- Dr. Marty Becker

PET BUY

Turn great shots into gorgeous art

The digital age continues to astound me. Laser Pals will take your favorite digital image of your pet (or your house, boat, car, what-have-you) and etch it in fine detail onto a piece of black granite. The results are eye-popping, with every hair or detail turned into permanent art by the process.

I found the best picture of my three retrievers that I've ever taken (Woody, McKenzie and Heather) and uploaded it to the Laser Pals Web site (www.laserpals.com) in just a few minutes -- the instructions are easy to follow. Within a few days I held in my hands a lovely laser-etched version of the image. It now sits on top of my desk, and it's truly gorgeous.

Laser Pals will turn your image into a framed etching on stone starting at $70 for the small size (8 1/2 by 10 1/2 inches, including frame). Memorial products are also available, including plaques with the pet's name and other information as well as urns with the plaques on front. -- Gina Spadafori

ON GOOD BEHAVIOR

Give freedom as reward for your dog's obedience

If the only time you call your off-leash dog is to go home, the "come" command is quickly associated with ending fun, and it may result in your dog deciding there's nothing in it for him to mind you. You need to train your dog to understand that if he comes, it doesn't mean an end to the fun. But if he doesn't, then there is work to do. Here's how to do it:

When out on a walk, begin calling your dog to you when he is not focused on anything else (such as a squirrel). This way, you set a pattern of giving him praise when he comes and sits for you. Provide a treat and lots of praise (or just praise if you haven't any treats) if he sits close enough that you can also touch his collar. Otherwise, he might learn to run off when you reach for him. Try for at least 10 recalls on each off-leash walk.

For the next step, have your dog drag a 20-foot leash that you can step on if he ignores your recall request. This makes it easier to insist that he come and sit. Praise lavishly when he comes to you, and be sure to release him for more freedom after his best recall and sit. Your dog's worst performance is reason to attach the leash and go home.

He should eventually realize that if he comes to you, more freedom is always an option. But if he doesn't come when called, it means several minutes of intensive work, or an end to freedom. A favored food or toy reward is always good. But in the context of teaching your dog that coming when called is never a bad thing, freedom is the biggest payment of all.

(Animal behavior experts Susan and Dr. Rolan Tripp are the authors of "On Good Behavior." For more information, visit their Web site at AnimalBehavior.net.)

PETS BY THE NUMBERS

As seen on TV

How do you find out about what's new in pet-care products? If you're like most pet lovers, you see information about new products on TV. What gets the news out, according to a 2006 poll (more than one answer allowed):

TV ad 59 percent

Browse in store 58 percent

Print ad 43 percent

Veterinarian 29 percent

Friend/relative 26 percent

Pet store staff 16 percent

Internet 11 percent

Source: American Pet Products Manufacturers Association

PETS ON THE WEB

The real story on pit bulls

Throughout the Michael Vick dog-fighting scandal, one group served as a strong and sensible advocate for the dogs that the former NFL quarterback was alleged to have mistreated. Bay Area Doglovers Responsible About Pitbulls -- BADRAP, for short -- also worked to make the most of a prime opportunity to educate people about this much-maligned collection of related breeds.

BADRAP continues to argue against breed bans and in favor of each pit bull being evaluated as an individual when being considered as a pet. The group's new blog added an element of timeliness to a Web site (www.badrap.org) that can't be topped when it comes to pit bull advocacy and education. The site offers information about these dogs in a way that's both sensible and cautionary.

As the pit bull debate continues, it's important to understand as much as possible about what's behind the problems with pit bulls -- and to explore all possible solutions. BADRAP can help. -- 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.

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