Universal Press Syndicate

Dressing up? Tricks and treats? Halloween sounds like the perfect holiday when it comes to including your pet in the fun. And it can be, with a few basic precautions.

While we humans love the change in routine that holidays often bring -- the parties, the guests and the decorations -- our furred and feathered family members too often find the disruptions disturbing and sometimes dangerous.

The two biggest problems with this ghoulish holiday are frightened pets and poisoned pets -- and veterinary emergency clinics traditionally see plenty of both. With the increase in activity, cats and dogs get nervous, and some will take off if they can. That means an increase in animals hit by cars or otherwise injured when on the run.

The animals themselves may be a cause of injury: All those costumed young visitors can trigger territorial instincts or fear responses in some dogs, who may then become a bite risk.

The best solution for nervous or improperly socialized pets is to confine them for the evening in a crate or a quiet room far from the front door or any holiday festivities.

Now, about the poisons. Candy is a problem more for dogs than for cats, because cats are generally picky about what they eat. Not so for most dogs, who'll wolf down candy -- wrappers and all -- if given the opportunity, giving many a serious case of what veterinarians call "garbage gut." Any candy can trigger a bout of intestinal upset, but chocolate can do much worse. The small dog who gets a large amount of chocolate could end up dead without prompt veterinary intervention.

Some people put costumes on their dogs, and that's safe enough and plenty fun if you use common sense. You can find ready-made costumes in most pet stores, in almost as much variety as you'll find in stores for children. Homemade costumes are another good option, and you'll find a surprising number of pet-costume events where you and your dog can show off your handiwork for fun and prizes. Make sure, though, that any costume meets the commonsense standard: It should be comfortable and nonrestrictive, and it shouldn't involve anything that could be hazardous, such as dye or paint.

Many animal-welfare groups warn that black cats are at special risk around Halloween, claiming that cultists pick up the animals for ritual torture. Such concerns have led some shelters to halt the adoption of black cats in the days before Halloween.

In truth, such cruelties are so poorly documented that they surely happen rarely, if at all. Your black cat is more likely to be killed by a car than a cultist, but the threat of either is more than reason enough to keep him inside. But that's true of all cats at all times.

While pets may not like the holidays as much as we do, any celebration can be made pet-safe with just a few basic precautions. Be sure to take them, because veterinarians would rather hand out candy to children than medicine to pets on Halloween.

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Q&A

Chewing normal for 'teenaged' dogs

Q: Back in May my family got a golden retriever. Because he was born in March, is he nearly at the end of his teething period? How long does this take -- until Thanksgiving or Christmas? Please tell me what we should do. Does his teething stop when he reaches his first birthday? -- J.M., via e-mail

A: Congratulations on your family's new dog. Golden retrievers are wonderful pets, but their stellar reputation leads some people to believe that they are "perfect" dogs from the day they are born. That's no more true of the golden retriever than any other pet. All dogs need training and socialization to be good pets.

Your dog is through his teething period, and all his adult teeth are in place. What you're dealing with now is the normal, healthy chewing of a young, active dog. And retrievers, especially, are known for their love of chewing in their adolescence, along with the lifelong fondness many of them have for carrying items in their mouths. Carrying things back -- retrieving -- is, after all, the job they were developed to do.

Your family needs to limit your dog's ability to get to those items you don't want chewed. While doing that, offer lots of chew toys to satisfy this healthy, natural behavior, and work on rewarding your dog for making the right choices when he chooses what to chew. You also need to make sure your dog's getting enough exercise -- at least a half-hour of heart-pumping activity every day to take the edge off his youthful exuberance.

Your veterinarian can advise you on choosing healthy, safe chew toys, and there have never been more choices. One perennial favorite is the Kong, which can be stuffed with goodies (such as peanut butter and broken dog biscuits) to make it even more appealing.

If you catch your dog chewing something he shouldn't, don't punish him. (Really, the fault isn't his, but rather your family's for not supervising him better.) Instead, transfer his attention to a favorite chew toy and then praise him for chewing on that.

Expect that your dog's perfectly normal and healthy interest in chewing will continue until the age of 2. In fact, veterinarians have a saying about another family favorite -- the Labrador retriever -- that also applies to most all retrievers and their mixes: "Chew 'til they're 2, shed 'til they're dead."

You can't stop a dog from being a dog. Instead, you need to channel normal behavior in ways you can live with. Your family may benefit from a visit or two from a behaviorist who can help you develop strategies for dealing with canine adolescence. Ask your veterinarian for a referral. -- 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

Fighting the cancer that's killing our dogs

-- One in four dogs dies of cancer. The Morris Animal Foundation has launched the Canine Cancer Campaign (CureCanineCancer.org), a large-scale initiative to cure cancer in dogs within the equivalent of a dog's lifetime of 10 to 20 years.

-- We love to pamper our pets, and we are increasingly speaking with our wallets. Marketing-research publisher Packaged Facts reports that premium food sales in the United States will increase to nearly $19 billion by 2010. U.S. households with annual income of at least $70,000 accounted for much of the growth -- 44 percent of the aggregate pet food expenditure, up from just 15 percent in 1994. New pet-convenience product lines (such as easy-to-serve food and self-cleaning litter boxes) grew 20 percent from 2005 to 2006.

-- Edinburgh University's veterinary school has carried out extensive research into rabies, which kills about 55,000 people worldwide per year. Its research, as reported by BBC News, suggests that rabies could be wiped out across the world within a decade if sufficient vaccination programs were carried out on domestic dogs. If village-based campaigns can reach 70 percent of the dog population, the disease cycle could be broken, leaving no threat to people or animals.

-- Speaking of the pet food recall that sickened or killed thousands of pets across the United States earlier this year, former FDA associate commissioner William Hubbard told The Washington Post: "There but for the grace of God go people. That same kind of contamination could have killed 4,000 or 5,000 people." -- Dr. Marty Becker

PET BUY

A little bling for the collar

Pets need to wear ID tags for safety, but sometimes a dog or cat just wants a little bling, too. Or at least, their owners do.

Big Paw Designs (BigPawDesign.com, 888-506-1409) crafts exquisite pewter charms for pet collars, bearing messages from the political ("Paws for Peace") to the defensive ("The Cat Did It") to the simply descriptive ("Couch Potato"). Although they're meant as decoration, the tags are actually sturdier than most ID tags, as are the clips and rings used to attach them. Prices start at $10.

Big Paw didn't forget the other end of the leash, either. It makes a complete line of charms, key chains, magnets and picture frames for people, too -- including some that say "Rescue Mom" and "Rescue Dad" for those whose pets came to them from shelters or the streets. You'll find it all, and more, at Big Paw Designs. -- Christie Keith

ON GOOD BEHAVIOR

Dealing with dogs who love to roll in stink

No one's really sure why dogs like to roll in the stinky stuff, but it's thought to be related to the natural behavior of the wild relatives of our pets.

If you catch your dog in the act of rolling in stinky matter, interrupt the behavior and then ask him to do something else, such as sitting or coming to you, so you can reward the behavior you prefer. Don't yell at your dog for rolling; remember that negative attention is still attention.

If your dog is off leash and you see him heading for some foul target and you don't think he'll come to you when called, whoop it up and run in the opposite direction to get him intrigued enough to follow. Once he is running toward you, say, "Come," praise him, and pull a treat from your pocket. Then put the leash on him until you're both far away from his intended target.

If he leaves the stench to come to you when called, ignore the recent bad behavior and praise the current good response. Generally, once a dog is already going in for a stinky landing, there is no stopping him. But if you can get his attention during the "thinking about it" phase, you might get him to avoid the stink.

Walking your dog with a head halter will make it easier to interrupt the rolling before it starts. Otherwise, be prepared for the occasional bath after the fact.

(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

Feeding wild birds

When the weather gets cold, wild birds can use a little help, and many people are happy to oblige. (Interesting note: Households with pet birds are more likely to feed wild birds than those without pet birds -- 70 percent of bird owners also feed wild birds.) According to a 2006 survey (multiple responses allowed):

-- 52 percent of all households feed wild birds

-- 44 percent provide wild birdseed

-- 19 percent offer bread crumbs

Source: American Pet Products Manufacturers Association

PET TIP

Making travel easier on birds

Pet birds don't routinely leave the house as often as most dogs do. But when they do travel, these avian pets need the right setup for their protection and comfort.

A sturdy hard-plastic carrier big enough for the bird to sit comfortably upright inside is ideal. If you can get a comfortable perch mounted inside, more's the better. But if not, a clean towel on the bottom of the carrier will provide both comfort and good footing for the avian occupant.

Because birds dehydrate quickly, put orange and apple slices in the carrier for snacking. These tasty fruits have a high liquid content, providing both energy and hydration for short trips. And don't forget to use your car's seat belt to secure the carrier while on the road so a sudden stop won't send your bird flying. -- 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 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."

*

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.

*

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.

*

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").

*

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.

*

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.

*

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.

*

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.

*

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

*

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).

*

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.

*

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.

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