Universal Press Syndicate

It's the question every pet lover dreads, the one for which there's often no easy answer: "When is the right time to say goodbye?"

Choosing to end a pet's life is the hardest decision we make when it comes to our pets, and we can tell you from decades of experience that it's a decision that never gets any easier. Your veterinarian will offer you advice and support, and friends and family can offer you sympathy, but no one can make the decision for you. When you live with an elderly or terminally ill pet, you look in your pet's eyes every morning and wonder if you're doing what's best.

Everyone makes the decision a little differently. Some pet lovers do not wait until their pet's discomfort becomes chronic, untreatable pain, and they choose euthanasia much sooner than others would. Some owners use an animal's appetite as the guide -- when an old or ill animal cannot be tempted into eating, they reason, he has lost most interest in life. And some owners wait until there's no doubt the time is at hand -- and later wonder if they delayed a bit too long.

There's no absolute rule, and every method for deciding is right for some pets and some owners at some times. You do the best you can, and then you try to put the decision behind you and deal with the grief.

The incredible advances in veterinary medicine in the past couple of decades have made the decisions even more difficult for many people. Not too long ago, the best you could do for a seriously ill pet was to make her comfortable until that wasn't possible anymore. Nowadays, nearly every advantage of human medicine -- from chemotherapy to pacemakers to advanced pain relief -- is available to our pets.

But the addition of high-level care shouldn't change much when it comes to easing suffering: If you can have a realistic expectation that a course of treatment will improve your pet's life -- rather than simply prolong it -- then those options should be considered. But you must also ask yourself: Am I doing right by my pet, or am I just holding on because I can't bear to say goodbye?

If it's the latter, you know what decision you have to make.

Many people are surprised at the powerful emotions that erupt after a pet's death, and they can be embarrassed by their grief. Often, we don't realize we're grieving not only for the pet we loved, but also for the special time the animal represented and the ties to other people in our lives. The death of a cat who was a gift as a kitten from a friend who has died, for example, may trigger bittersweet memories of another love lost.

Taking care of yourself is important when dealing with pet loss. Some people -- the "It's just a pet" crowd -- won't understand the loss and may shrug off grief over a pet's death as foolish. I find that the company of other animal lovers is very important. Seek them out to share your feelings, and don't be shy about getting professional help to get you through a difficult time.

Choosing to end a pet's suffering is a final act of love and nothing less. Knowing that your decisions are guided by that love is what helps us all through the sad and lonely time of losing a cherished animal companion.

SIDEBAR

Finding help when you need it

You're not alone in losing a pet, and many resources are out there to help you cope with your emotions during a difficult time. Here are places to go for help:

-- Pet-loss hot lines. Most veterinary schools offer pet-loss support lines staffed by volunteer veterinary students. The University of California-Davis had the first, and it is still taking calls from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Pacific Time, Monday through Friday at 800-565-1526. A list of other pet-loss hot lines can be found on the American Veterinary Medical Association's Web site at www.avma.org/careforanimals/animatedjourneys/goodbyefriend/plhotlines.asp.

-- Pet-loss chats: The Web site PetHobbyist.com offers a pet-loss chat every night of the year, which is staffed with volunteer moderators and attended by other pet lovers. Petloss.com is another online resource for information and help.

Q&A

Halter problems? Try a harness

Q: I've heard that head halters can cause serious injuries if used incorrectly. A too-abrupt tug could jerk a dog's head, causing neck or spinal injuries, couldn't it? -- S.T., via e-mail

A: Anything's possible, which is why I don't recommend using a head halter with one of those long, reel-type leashes. The force of a running dog hitting the end of a 30-foot line does have the potential to cause injury.

In truth, just about every piece of canine equipment has the potential for problems if used incorrectly. Slip-chain collars can choke a dog or injure his neck. Breakaway collars, designed to release a dog who's caught on something, can result in a dog being off-leash when it's least safe, such as next to a busy street. And head halters can jerk a dog's head around.

Dogs who don't know how to walk nicely on leash end up not being walked at all -- and that can contribute to obesity and behavior problems. The same people who came up with the head halter have more recently come up with a product I like much, much better: the front-clip harness, which is called the Easy Walk. There are a few different ones on the market now, and they all work on the same theory: When the leash is clipped to the front of the harness (as opposed to the top center of the back), a dog's own forward momentum is used to keep him from pulling.

I've been recommending this product for a couple of years now, because it really works. It's especially wonderful for people who run with their dogs and for making it possible for supervised children to walk even a big dog.

Mind you, it doesn't train your dog not to pull on the leash. If you switch back to a collar, your dog will pull again. It's a management tool, and a great one.

I have never liked head halters. They make even nice dogs look as if they're wearing muzzles to keep from biting someone. And some dogs don't like them, especially at first. But everyone I've recommended a front-clip harness to has come back raving about it. Again: It really works.

The Easy Walk is available from pet retailers or from Premier (www.premier.com).

If you don't know what's right for your dog or how to use it, find a trainer who can help you choose the appropriate equipment and show you how it works. Every piece of training equipment is right for some dogs, but no single item is right for all. And no piece of training equipment is safe or effective unless it's fitted and used properly. -- 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

Chip cancer scare unwarranted

-- Veterinary experts say there is no evidence that cancer is a problem in microchipped pets. More than 14 million-plus microchips have been implanted with only four cases in question.

-- The ASPCA is rolling out a forensics first: the nation's only animal crime scene van. USA Today reports that the $250,000 mobile forensic unit -- equipped with X-ray machines, computers, examination tables, cameras and video equipment for documenting evidence -- will travel when requested by local officials to wherever there are multiple cases of abuse or cruelty. Those most often will be dog-fighting operations, puppy mills or animal-hoarding situations.

-- Elephants are the largest land animals, yet these goliaths move quickly when they hear the buzz of a bee swarm, reports LiveScience.com. Their fear could be used to protect them from deadly conflicts between man and beast by strategically placing beehives (or even recordings of them) as an invisible fence of sorts.

-- Aging cats can develop a feline form of Alzheimer's disease, a new study reveals. Some 28 percent of pet cats aged 11 to 14 years develop at least one age-related behavior problem, and this increases to more than 50 percent for cats over the age of 15. Experts suggest that good diet, mental stimulation and companionship can reduce the risk of dementia in both humans and cats.

-- Mister Ed, the talking horse of the 1960s television show, is buried under a wild cherry tree near Tulsa, Okla. The palomino lived to the ripe old age of 33. -- Dr. Marty Becker

ON GOOD BEHAVIOR

Praise for proper placement

If you are house-training your puppy, recognize the behaviors that come right before your puppy eliminates. When you see your puppy begin to circle and sniff, or see his tail up in a certain way, quickly interrupt the moment with a loud and sharp-sounding, "Ah, Ah, Ah!"

When your puppy looks up, clap your hands and say in a friendly, excited tone, "Good puppy -- let's go," as you lead him outdoors to the place you have chosen as the puppy potty. Then look at the sky and be still like a tree. Your puppy needs to go, so it's only a matter of time.

When the deed is done, crouch down with open arms, praise your puppy, and invite him to a big heap of loving.

(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 TIP

Easy cleanups for messy birds

Cleaning isn't just about neatness -- it's also about health. Clean, fresh food and water are essential to pet birds, and so is keeping their environment as free as possible of bacteria, fungus and molds, all of which can lead to disease.

You can keep things relatively neat with a few supplies kept close to the cage and used on a constant basis. Among them:

-- Newspapers. Bird lovers go through a lot of newspapers. Put all the glossy inserts in the recycling bin, and stack the rest for use in the cage tray and under play areas.

-- Cloth towels. Worn bath towels are great for protecting clothing from bird poop -- just drape a towel over your shoulders.

-- Spray bottle with cleaning solution. Keep this near the cage, along with towels. Since birds are sensitive to fumes, skip the ammonia, bleach, pine solutions or any other strong cleaners. Simple soap and water are fine for everyday touchups, or you can try Poop-Off, a product developed just for bird cleanup.

-- Handheld vacuum. Great for snarfing up food pellets and feathers.

-- Mats for underneath the cage. The heavy, clear plastic mats intended for underneath desk chairs and sold at office-supply stores keep most of the gunk off the floor. Newspapers catch the rest.

-- Trash bin. Again, right by the cage. Every time you change the cage liner, put the old newspapers in the trash.

A few minutes spent cleaning a couple of times a day keeps things in good order and makes the weekly cage scrubbing easier to accomplish. Clean cage papers daily, at a minimum, and clean everything else as soon as the mess hits. -- Gina Spadafori

PETS BY THE NUMBERS

Veterinary specialists abound

The United States has almost 85,000 veterinarians, the majority of whom (56,000) are in private practice. Among those veterinarians (those not in the chart treat a variety of other kinds of animals, such as exotics, so numbers won't total 100):

Treat companion animals 76 percent

Treat horses 6 percent

Treat food animals 9 percent

Source: American Veterinary Medical Association

PETS ON THE WEB

No need for war with wildlife

As we've grown out from the cities and developed more and more land for housing, it's no surprise that conflicts between humans and native wildlife are a big problem.

Conflicts can be kept to a minimum by blocking off attics, chimneys and crawl spaces to prevent wildlife from setting up housekeeping, and by keeping garbage cans and other food sources securely sealed.

The Humane Society of the United States has an excellent collection of articles on the group's Web site (www.hsus.org/wildlife/urban_wildlife_our_wild_neighbors) that offers more suggestions on living peacefully with urban wildlife. From coyotes to skunks to deer, the site provides information that will minimize the potential for nuisance. The site offers advice on products that can help discourage animals, along with case studies of nonlethal methods of dealing with conflicts. -- 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

and Christie Keith

Universal Press Syndicate

Just as with human medicine, advancements in the way we think of and treat pain for animals is improving the quality of life for pets, with veterinarians now being able to choose from a wide array of products and strategies to ease the hurt.

"Animals can feel all the same aches and pains that we can because they share the same physiologic structures," says Dr. Robin Downing, owner of Colorado's The Downing Center for Animal Pain Management.

Treating pain doesn't just make the hurting stop: It also promotes healthy healing. Untreated pain slows healing time, interferes with sleep and depresses the immune system. The treatment of pain improves respiration, shortens post-surgical hospitalization times, improves mobility, and can even decrease the spread of cancer after surgery.

Most veterinarians prescribe pain medication when needed, but some still believe a pet will move around less during recovery from surgery or injury if in pain -- a belief no longer supported by studies. If an animal needs to be restrained, it's better to use a leash or a crate.

Still, many owners don't give pets pain medications -- even if they are prescribed -- because of concerns about side effects. All drugs can cause unwanted effects, but those risks need to be balanced against the problems caused by untreated pain. Side effects can also be minimized by using drugs appropriately.

The family of drugs known as NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) can cause ulcers and damage the kidneys in pets, just as they can in humans. But in the same way that people continue to use these drugs for everything from headaches to back injuries, NSAIDs have a valuable role to play in the management of animal pain.

When NSAIDs are needed, it's essential to follow label recommendations for veterinary testing and monitoring of liver and kidney function. Pet owners should review all potential side effects with the veterinarian and stop giving the drug immediately if vomiting or lethargy is observed, or if the pet stops showing interest in eating.

Pain-management experts also suggest asking the veterinarian about the human drugs misoprostol and sulcrafate, which can help protect the stomach lining and prevent ulcers. For dogs, the prescription of Tramadol has been on the increase, and many dogs unable to tolerate NSAIDs have benefited. Tramadol can also be used with NSAIDs and can be taken with steroids, which NSAIDs cannot.

Complementary and alternative medicine also has much to offer dogs and cats suffering from chronic pain. Acupuncture, physical therapy and supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin can relieve arthritis pain. The veterinary drug Adequan Canine, an injectable relative of glucosamine, can target inflamed joints and help rebuild cartilage.

Some dogs and cats, such as those with certain kinds of cancer, need the powerful pain relief that only opiates can provide. Owners often dislike these drugs because they make pets groggy. Fortunately, if long-term use is necessary, the sedation effect usually lessens after a few days.

Opiates can also cause nausea and lack of appetite. A bit of catnip often takes care of this for feline patients, while peppermint or ginger -- even in the form of a gingersnap -- can make a dog feel better. There are also prescription medications that can help control nausea.

Downing is one of just a handful of veterinarians worldwide credentialed in human medicine's American Academy of Pain Management, as well as being a certified veterinary acupuncturist and physiotherapist. Her approach to pain takes into account the pet's lifestyle and family issues as well as the actual source of the pain.

"I certainly leverage all the tools I can for fighting pain," Downing says. "But my long-term strategy is always maximum comfort and mobility with minimum negative impact on the body. We rely on physical medicine techniques, adapted from human medicine, to complement what we accomplish with medication as well as nutrition."

Pain control is never a "one size fits all" prescription, and there are dozens of drugs that can be used alone and with other medications to relieve all but the most extreme pain in animals.

When a veterinarian isn't sure how to get to the bottom of a pet's pain, it's always worth asking for a consultation with a specialist to design a safe, individualized pain-management program. Veterinary specialists in oncology, surgery and anesthesia are usually most familiar with the wide variety of drugs available today and their safe use.

SIDEBAR

Pamphlet offers advice you need

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is now offering a brochure for veterinarians to give to their clients who are prescribed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for their dogs. Approved NSAIDs in the United States include:

-- EtoGesic (etodolac)

-- Rimadyl (carprofen)

-- Metacam (meloxicam)

-- Deramaxx (deracoxib)

-- Previcox (firocoxib)

-- Zubrin (tepoxalin)

-- Novox (carprofen)

And though aspirin is available without a prescription, it's important to note that it is also in this class of drugs.

The brochure stresses both the benefits of these drugs and the risks, and is available for free on the FDA's Web site at www.fda.gov/cvm/Documents/NSAIDBrochure.pdf. If you don't have access to a computer, you may be able to get the brochure printed out at your local library -- or ask your veterinarian's office to print it out for you. -- Gina Spadafori

Q&A

Which is better: rabbit or guinea pig?

Q: My 7-year-old son is dying for a dog. That's out, because I'm not really a dog person. I've also ruled out lizards and snakes. My husband is allergic to cats, so that's out, too. We're down to either a rabbit or a guinea pig. Pros and cons? -- P.R., via e-mail

A: I tend to prefer recommending guinea pigs for younger children, because rabbits can be surprisingly fragile. If a rabbit is held insecurely and kicks out in fear, he can break his back -- a sad ending for both the child and the animal.

Guinea pigs are better designed to be a child's pet. They're smaller than most rabbits, rounder, have shorter legs and are easier to hold than even dwarf rabbits. If your son is gentle enough to learn to handle a pet carefully, though, either pet will do. You might volunteer to provide vacation care for a rabbit or guinea pig owned by one of your son's friends first, just to be sure the animal isn't an allergy trigger for your husband.

Both rabbits and guinea pigs are a lot more interesting than most people realize. Throw them in a tiny cage or hutch with nothing to do, and they'll just shut down. But set them up with a little room to roam inside the house (canine exercise pens made of plastic or metal make great enclosures), with toys for playing and chewing, and they'll come alive.

Many guinea pigs and rabbits will readily adapt to using a potty box filled with an inch or so of pressed paper or wood pellets that's been topped with fresh grass hay. These pets can serve as efficient and enthusiastic recyclers of vegetable scraps from your kitchen, and they will turn them into waste products that will supercharge your compost pile. (You don't scoop the box -- you just replace the contents regularly, as everything in the box is compostable.)

I prefer to not feed my rabbits a pelleted food. Instead, I offer them all the fresh grass hay they want along with twice-daily offerings of fresh greens -- collard, mustard and so on -- plus broccoli and other vegetables and treats of apple slices. Guinea pigs are not able to produce their own vitamin C, however, and so must have a commercial pellet formulated just for them as a base for their diet.

VeterinaryPartner.com has excellent articles on caring for all small pets, written by Dr. Susan Brown, who's known for her work with these animals.

A final bit of advice: Although longhaired rabbits and guinea pigs are gorgeous, the amount of maintenance those coats require make them highly impractical as a child's pet. -- 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

Joint disease often untreated in cats

-- An article in Veterinary Practice News compared the written medical records of 100 cats older than 12 years to X-rays of the cats taken at North Carolina State University's College of Veterinary Medicine. The study found that while only four records contained mention of degenerative joint disease (DJD) by veterinarian or owner, X-rays found DJD in 90 percent of the cats. The study concluded that DJD occurs in most geriatric cats and is overlooked and undertreated.

-- Dogs bit 4.7 million people in 2006. The American Veterinary Medical Association offers tips on preventing bites on its Web site at www.avma.org.

-- Pigeon flocks cannot be eliminated through methods such as trapping or poisoning. Los Angeles is one of the pioneers in using new methods of controlling these messy urban nuisances. The Animal Radio Network reports that a product called OvoControl is administered to birds in treats from rooftop dispensers. OvoControl, which has also been used successfully to control populations of Canadian geese, causes changes in the egg so that it cannot develop or hatch. -- Dr. Marty Becker

PET BUY

No draft from the pet door

The first thing I did when moving from one house to another a few years ago was to have a contractor put a pet door through an exterior wall, and then build a long, gently sloped covered ramp so my dogs would always have access to "the bathroom."

My door-and-ramp setup is perfect for our needs, but the initial cost -- a tick over a grand for the entire project -- makes it an expensive way to keep drafts out of the house.

PetSafe's new Extreme Weather PetDoor (starting at $60 retail for the small size) has a three-flap design that the manufacturer says will dramatically reduce the loss of heat. It fits into most standard doors and is available through pet-retail outlets. More information is at www.petsafe.net. -- Gina Spadafori

DOGCARS

Scion xB: A better breed of boxy

When Toyota announced plans to redesign its Scion xB for 2008, the devoted owners of the brave little toaster-shaped vehicle didn't know what to expect.

What they got was a larger, rounder version of the iconic and endlessly customizable cult classic -- a new version of a vehicle that's solidly built, relatively inexpensive and lots of fun to drive.

So how is it for the dog-car crowd? Pretty darn excellent, even if the xB still isn't going to knock the Honda Element off for the title of Best Dog Car Ever. (Could it be that Toyota considered the non-dog-owning populace when designing the new xB? Say it isn't so!)

The difference always comes down to the cargo area -- space and versatility. And while the xB's seats fold down flat with ease, the Element's seats flip up and sideways, opening up the latter vehicle right down to the floor and turning it into a smallish panel van.

The xB's approach -- 60/40 fold-down seats -- is more traditional and probably more comfortable, if you have human passengers at least as often as canine ones. Still, with the seats folded flat, the new Scion doesn't lack for cargo space -- it's quite roomy, especially when compared to the older xB.

Base-priced at a competitive $16,500 for the manual transmission and a grand more for the automatic (my fully loaded manual tester came out around $20,000), the xB won't have you spending at the fuel pump, either (22 mpg city/28 mpg highway) -- nudging out the Element on both price and fuel-sipping.

Gina Spadafori is the lead vehicle reviewer for the Pet Connection's DogCars.com Web site.

PETS BY THE NUMBERS

Veterinary specialists abound

The level of care available to pets has never been higher, in part because of the number of veterinarians who continue their education to become board-certified specialists. Their ranks include:

-- Internists (including cardiologists, neurologists and oncologists): 1,675

-- Surgeons: 1,131

-- Ophthalmologists: 271

-- Nutritionists: 51

Source: American Veterinary Medical Association

PET TIP

Pets need more 'yes' than 'no'

What is it about people that makes so many of us inclined to open our mouths when we see something wrong while thinking silence is golden when we see something right?

This tendency makes it much harder for pets to learn exactly what it is we are trying to teach them. Ideally, your pet should hear "yes" 10 times to every "no."

When your puppy is not pulling on leash -- praise! When your kitten is not jumping on the counter -- praise! Your pets will seek negative attention over no attention, and the behavior that gets your attention will be repeated. Every time you see your pet doing something you want -- such as sitting, looking at you, waiting quietly -- praise, praise, praise!

(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

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.

SIDEBAR

Get a free bookmark!

We can't come to your home to autograph our new books, but we're offering the next best thing.

Please indicate if you'd like a "MeowWow" or "BowWow" bookmark and allow six weeks for delivery.

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.

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