Universal Press Syndicate

Summer is the time when we enjoy our yards the most -- or would, if our dogs hadn't pulled up the shrubs, sat on the flowers, dug holes in the lawn and left yellow spots everywhere.

But it doesn't have to be that way. While it takes planning, work and dog-savvy, you can have a dog and a nice yard. You can't just plant whatever you want wherever you want and then throw a bored, unsupervised dog into the mix. Here are the basic guidelines:

-- Exercise your dog. Dogs who don't get daily exercise are likely to expend that energy and cure boredom doing things people don't like -- digging, chewing and barking. Dogs who are well-exercised are more likely to sleep while you are gone. A dog with too much energy isn't one you want to leave alone all day -- and yet that's exactly what many people do. If you don't take care of your dog's exercise requirements, he's going to take care of them on his own, by digging a hole to China or by removing the shrubs in your yard. (Leaving him inside just shifts the destruction -- although it will keep him from bothering your neighbors with his barking.)

When you leave, you should also offer your dog alternatives to choosing his own amusements: Provide him with chew toys. You can make them more appealing by praising him for using them and by stuffing hollow toys -- such as a Kong -- with something delicious, like peanut butter.

-- Work with your dog's habits when planning plantings. Observe how your dog uses your yard, and plan accordingly. For instance, many dogs consider it their duty to run the fence line, leaving a well-worn trail where many people hope to put flowers. Instead of fighting with your dog, go with his natural instincts. Place your beds and plantings away from the fence line, and let him do his guard-dog patrolling behind those plants.

-- Flush pee spots with water. After your dog relieves himself, flush the spot thoroughly with fresh water. This will dilute the urine and help to prevent the yellow spots in the lawn.

-- Redirect digging. Some breeds were developed to dig, and expecting them not to indulge in it is unfair. Give your dog a dig zone. While hardly clean fun, it is good fun, especially for dogs who are happiest with their noses in the dirt and their paws flying. In areas you want untouched, you can keep many dogs from digging if you keep them exercised, limit their access to dirt, and make the digging experience unpleasant. Sometimes, putting the dog's own stools in the hole and covering them with dirt deters them. Many dogs won't dig if their own mess is under the surface.

-- Put special plants in safer places. Raised beds and hanging planters are the place to put your most precious plants. In borders, put the plants that can take being stepped on in front. What are some dog-friendly plants? Mint is a good one. This plant is nearly indestructible and greets each assault with a wave of cool mint smell. Some lilies are tough enough to be stomped or sat on, as well, and your gardening center may have suggestions for others that are dependable growers in your region.

Dogs don't know a wisteria from a weed, and they never will. That's why it's up to you not to leave them unattended around plants you want left alone. When you leave for work, limit your dog's space for his safety and to protect your plants. Most of a dog's time alone is spent sleeping anyway, so he doesn't need to have the entire run of the house and yard. Outings -- for jogging, walking, fetch or swimming -- should be done with your supervision.

If your dog is allowed in your yard under your supervision only, the chance of his digging or chewing is just about nil -- you can stop him before the damage is done. And you can enjoy your beautiful yard together.

Q&A

Is there a fix for fur-pulling?

Q: Our cat has been pulling his hair out in chunks for the last two years. He now has bald spots. We took him to the vet, and they gave us medicine that didn't help. He began pulling out his hair when our dog got cancer and died. Could this be related? We have three other cats, so I can't imagine he's bored, and they all get along pretty well. What can we do to stop this behavior? -- J.M., via e-mail

A: Fur-pulling can become an obsessive-compulsive disorder in cats, one that starts as a coping mechanism in response to stress. Your cat may have started the fur-pulling to lessen the stress of losing his dog pal.

You mention the fur-pulling started when your dog was dying with cancer and finally died two years ago. The stress of not knowing what was happening and not knowing what to do could be a reason why your cat starting pulling out his fur. Your cat was unable to control the cause of the stress, but he could control the fur-pulling. When your dog died, the social dynamics in the household changed, and your cat may have lost confidence and continues to be stressed by it.

We understand how stressful it can be for many cats to ride in the car and to be at the veterinary hospital, especially if the cat expects scary and painful things to happen. However, getting a thorough veterinary exam with diagnostic testing is important. Fur-pulling can indicate a physical discomfort or stress, a hormone imbalance, a neurologic problem or other medical issue. We recommend ruling out allergies and skin infection. Your veterinarian can recommend a hypo-allergenic diet and a specialist for a complete dermatological workup to rule out allergies and skin disease. A fresh start with a veterinary specialist or a house-call vet may be easier for you and your cat.

Once you determine your cat is healthy and comfortable, the question becomes whether or not the fur-pulling is interfering with your cat's quality of life. If your cat's fur-pulling is at the expense of other normal cat activity, we urge you to get help from a veterinary behaviorist. On the other hand, if the cat is acting normally and not pulling fur all day long every day, then a reasonable decision is to simply let it go. -- Susan and Dr. Rolan Tripp, AnimalBehavior.net

(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." Contact Pet Connection in care of this newspaper by sending e-mail to petconnection@gmail.com or by visiting PetConnection.com.

PET BUZZ

Pet-food companies report strong sales

-- The pet-food industry has lived up to its reputation of being recession-resistant, with U.S. sales up 6.4 percent to $5.9 billion in 2008, according to PetFood Industry magazine. Sales were also up for the first quarter of 2009.

-- Nobody has broken out of the Idaho State Correctional Institution in 20 years. Prison officials like to think a hard-nosed corps of sentries with names like Cookie, Bongo and Chi Chi had something to do with that. According to The Associated Press, this institution is the only state prison in the United States to use snarling, snapping sentry dogs to patrol its perimeter. In a program that began in 1986, 24 mean dogs roam the space between the inner and outer chain-link fences by themselves 24 hours a day. Get close to the fence, and they'll lunge at you with bared fangs. Set foot in their space, and they'll attack. The animals themselves are former death row inmates -- dogs deemed too dangerous to be pets.

-- Trustees of Leona Helmsley's estate say they're giving $136 million to charity -- with just $1 million going to the dogs. Helmsley had left her multibillion-dollar hotel and real estate empire entirely to dog-related charities. But a judge ruled that trustees for the Leona M. Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust had sole authority to decide which charities benefit from her estate.

-- An animal-rights activist has become the first domestic terrorism suspect named to the FBI's Most Wanted Terrorists list. Daniel Andreas San Diego, a computer specialist from Berkeley, Calif., is wanted in connection with two bombings in 2003. San Diego is the 24th person on the list, according to USA Today. -- Dr. Marty Becker and Mikkel Becker Shannon

THE SCOOP

Some parrots can be taught to 'go'

With patience and consistency, many birds can be taught to relieve themselves on command, in a place of your choosing. Young birds seem to pick up the skill most quickly and reliably, but you can sometimes teach an older bird new tricks, too.

Start by observing your bird, noting the times of day he's most likely to relieve himself and the body language he uses just before, such as wagging his tail feathers. Pick your desired command. "Go potty" or "hurry up" will do, as will anything, just as long as you're consistent.

When you see your bird getting ready to go or you know it's the usual time he does (such as first thing in the morning), ask him onto your hand and hold him over a lined wastebasket, newspaper, paper plate or whatever "poop zone" you've chosen. Give your potty command and praise him when he obeys -- even though the response is just a coincidence at first, of course.

The larger the bird, the longer the time he can "hold it." Budgies and cockatiels aren't good for much more than 15 to 20 minutes, tops, while large parrots can hold it for several hours or more. Be aware that no bird can ever be expected to be perfectly reliable: Sometimes a bird just has to go. -- Gina Spadafori

BY THE NUMBERS

Rabbits hop to popularity

When it comes to small mammals as pets, rabbits are the most popular, followed by hamsters and guinea pigs. All small mammals are common children's pets, but most have considerable followings among adults as well. Among those households with small mammals as pets, here's how the animals rank in popularity (more than one answer allowed):

Rabbit 43 percent

Hamster 36 percent

Guinea pig 20 percent

Mouse/rat 8 percent

Ferret 7 percent

Gerbil 5 percent

Chinchilla 4 percent

Source: American Pet Products Association

Pet Rx

Cigarettes a hazard to a pet's health, too

Everyone knows cigarette smoking is dangerous, but what about cigarette eating? Nicotine poisoning is a real concern anywhere a pet may find cigarettes, cigarette butts, chewing tobacco, or even nicotine gum or patches.

The toxic dose for nicotine in pets is 20 milligrams to 100 milligrams. A cigarette contains 9 milligrams to 30 milligrams of nicotine, and a cigarette butt contains about 25 percent of the nicotine of the original cigarette, despite its deceptively small amount of tobacco. (Smoking seems to concentrate some of the nicotine in the tail end of the cigarette.)

Some good news: One of the first things nicotine does in the body is induce vomiting, which may save the pet's life. Still, if you think your pet has eaten cigarettes or other tobacco products, call your veterinarian right away.

And as always, the best medicine is preventive: Watch what your pets get into. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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.

Universal Press Syndicate

Look, we get the shelter volunteer thing: The work can be depressing, and it's truly not for everyone. People who want to "take them all home" are not really candidates for this sort of volunteering, nor are people who cannot enjoy the small victories of a perfect pet placement or a sick pet saved when other pets aren't as lucky.

But just because you aren't cut out for shelter volunteering doesn't mean you can't help animals in your community. And in these current economic situations, your help has never been more needed.

The fact is that every little bit helps. After all, if every one of us animal lovers did one small thing a couple of times a year, the total effort would be grand indeed.

Here are a few suggestions for helping animals:

-- Help others take better care of their pets. If you have a friend, neighbor or relative who is having difficulty caring for a pet because of advanced age or illness, offer to help out. Pets are extremely important to those who are cut off from social activities. Helping people keep their pets is a kindness to both pet and pet owner.

What can you do? Pick up food or litter, or offer to take the pet to the veterinarian when needed. Many times, people who rely on others for assistance are reluctant to ask for more help on account of a pet. So ask if you can help. After all, if you're already going to the pet-supply store or veterinarian, is it really that much trouble to pick up some extra supplies or stay for an additional appointment?

-- Make a call for animals. Animal cruelty should not be tolerated, not only for the animals, but also because of the proven link between animal cruelty and crimes against people. Too often, though, animal cruelty is shrugged off by the judicial system as a lesser crime.

Don't accept a "boys will be boys" attitude when it comes to animal cruelty. Call, e-mail and write to prosecutors and judges in animal cruelty cases. Demand that children get the help they need to break the cycle of cruelty and that adult offenders are punished to the fullest extent of the law. Public opinion counts in these cases! 

When animal-related legislation is introduced, study it and then let your elected representatives know your stand. Not all animal-related legislation is good, so do your homework.

-- Pay to spay. Don't place an animal in a new home unless you've made sure the pet won't reproduce. You may think you're doing a good deed in a finding home for a pet you cannot keep, or for a litter of kittens born in your garage to a semi-wild mother cat. But if you don't pay to spay, you really aren't helping.

Instead of placing a pet for free, spay or neuter the animal and then charge an adoption fee to cover the cost of the procedure. You'll save the adopter time and will ensure that the pet you place won't add to the overpopulation problem. 

-- Help a shelter or rescue group. Volunteers are always needed to help with the animals in the shelter or to foster pets who need a home environment. But if you don't want to contribute on a regular basis, then see if you can help on a short-term project. Can you check people in at a spay-neuter clinic? Work a pet-behavior hot line now and then? Follow up on adoptions?

Many groups have fundraisers throughout the year. They need volunteers to help with ticket sales, setup, concessions and cleanup.

You can also help by finding out what your local shelter or rescue groups need in the way of services or supplies and then calling to ask for donations. Shelters are in constant need not only of pet food, litter, old newspapers and towels, but also office and janitorial supplies and building materials. Get a wish list from your shelter and get to work!

Those are just a few ideas. If you have others, let us know and we'll share them on our Web site, at PetConnection.com.

(Mikkel Becker Shannon contributed to this article.)

Q&A

Don't assume dry skin is from home's dry air

Q: Our house is on the dry side, even though we run a humidifier. My cat's skin has been extremely dry. Is there something I can do to eliminate this massive white dander he is scratching out? -- P.T., via e-mail

A: I wouldn't be so certain the low humidity in your house is causing the problem. After all, cats are descended from desert-dwelling creatures, and low humidity alone shouldn't cause a massive amount of flakiness.

See your veterinarian to determine what's causing your pet's skin to be so flaky.

By the way, other pets do have a problem with the dry air of the modern home, most notably birds. Many species of pet parrots originally came from hot, humid environments. For these, dry air presents a problem and may contribute to feather-picking. That's why parrots need to be offered frequent opportunities to get damp, such as by being misted or being allowed to bathe. -- Dr. Marty Becker

No head halters

Q: I've heard that head halters can cause serious injuries if used wrongly. A too-abrupt tug could jerk a dog's head, causing neck or spinal injuries, couldn't it? The pet store recommended one of these, and I bought it, but my dog hates it. Are they really safe? -- A.K., 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 if not clipped on properly. And head halters can jerk a dog's head around.

A lot of dogs hate head halters, at least at first. Training a dog to walk calmly on a loose leash with a buckled or snap collar can be accomplished -- get help in a training class or a couple of private sessions with a trainer. In the meantime, instead of using a head halter, use one of the newer front-clip harnesses, which work great to control pulling.

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." Contact Pet Connection in care of this newspaper by sending e-mail to petconnection@gmail.com or by visiting PetConnection.com.

PET BUZZ

Rats can locate killer land mines

-- Land mines can be sniffed out -- or should we say, ratted out. Some 60 million land mines are scattered in 69 countries. Dogs are often deployed to sniff them out, but HeroRATS has found out that rats are easier to train and are light, so they don't detonate the mines they find. According to National Geographic, HeroRATS uses the African giant pouched rat, with its very sensitive nose. Rats are trained with rewards to scratch the ground when they smell explosives.

-- A new genetic test for heart disease is a breakthrough for boxers -- and people, too. The gene responsible for causing arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy disease in boxers has been discovered at Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine, and a genetic test for the mutation is now available. The test costs about $70 and is done with a simple cheek swab. This achievement not only helps breeders of these dogs avoid this disease when planning their litters, but also provides an extraordinary advancement to the study of human heart diseases resulting from electrical conduction defects and the resulting heart muscle changes that occur.

-- It seems even tough-as-nails police dogs can flee the scene if thunder is involved. A Chicago police dog named Bear is a scaredy-cat when it comes to thunder: The German shepherd scaled a fence and disappeared after a roaring thunderstorm frightened him. After a few days of looking, Officer Ann Jaros was delighted when a safe but dirty Bear recognized her squad car and jumped right in. -- Dr. Marty Becker and Mikkel Becker Shannon

PET Rx

Take care of yourself after loss of a pet

Choosing to end a pet's life is the hardest decision we make when it comes to our pets. Your veterinarian can offer you advice, and friends and family can offer you support, 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.

The bottom line remains: What is in the best interest of the animal? Choosing to end a pet's suffering is a final act of love and nothing less. Knowing that decisions are guided by that love is what carries pet lovers through the sad and lonely time of losing a cherished animal companion.

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. 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.

Many veterinary schools and colleges offer pet-loss counseling by phone -- and the services are free. -- Dr. Marty Becker

BY THE NUMBERS

Popular Birds

Cockatiels and budgerigars (commonly but incorrectly known as "parakeets") are the most popular pet birds. 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 Association

ON GOOD BEHAVIOR

Kitten-proof home before new arrival

Proper preparation of your home before you get a kitten can get your pet off to a great start.

Start with a litter box that is not too big for a kitten to get into. Make sure window screens are secure and that household cleaning products, houseplants, strings and other potentially dangerous objects are out of your kitten's reach.

Select the tallest scratching post you can find, preferably with a climbing and resting area on top, so your cat can stretch, groom his claws and perch himself off the ground. Keep all these items and your kitten in one room for a couple of weeks to lower kitten stress, control safety and prevent behaviors you don't want in an adult cat.

(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.

Universal Press Syndicate

Swimming is great exercise for dogs, as long as you remember to look out for your pet's safety at all times.

The swimming motion comes naturally to most dogs, but not all dogs are designed to be Michael Phelps. For example, bulldogs generally can't swim without sinking because of their shape, and none of them can ever be trusted around a pool safely. For these dogs and others with physical limitations, some supervised splashing in a shallow kiddie pool is all that should be allowed.

Other dogs are naturals in the water, but even those who love to swim and are good at it can get themselves into trouble. That's where you come in, to keep the experience safe for all.

No dog should be given unsupervised access to a backyard pool or a neighborhood swimming spot. Swimming pools are best fenced off for the safety of all and should be equipped with a monitor that sounds when a pet (or child) falls in, and with ramps (such as the Skamper Ramp, www.skamper-ramp.com) to allow animals an escape route. Teach your dog where the pool stairs are so he can find them and get out when tired.

Obedience training is important when it comes to your dog and natural bodies of water. Your dog should come when called, even when swimming, so you can call him back before he heads into deeper water or stronger currents. Always carry extra retrieving toys. A dog who's heading out into a dangerous area after a ball or stick can often be lured back into shore with a second item thrown closer in. If your dog isn't trained, stick to the shallows so you can walk to him if he needs help, and swim with him on a long line so he can't get too far away.

If your dog isn't much of a swimmer, or once loved to swim but is older or debilitated now, add a personal floatation device to that long line. Canine lifejackets are especially great for family boating trips because most have sturdy handles for rescue if a pet goes overboard.

At dog-friendly public swimming areas, don't assume that because your dog is allowed there that the water is always safe. Rivers and oceans can change frequently, and an area that was safe for swimming one visit can be treacherous the next. Consider currents, tides, underwater hazards and even the condition of the water. In the late summer, algae scum on the top of standing water (such as small ponds) can be toxic, producing substances that can kill a pet who swallows the tainted water. When in doubt, no swimming. Better safe than sorry.

Be aware of your dog's condition as he swims, watching for signs of exhaustion. When your dog is tiring, be sure to call him in for some rest, or just call it a day. A tired dog is a good dog, but an exhausted dog is in danger of drowning.

Don't push your dog beyond his capabilities: It's better to enjoy cool water at belly-depth on a leash for the remainder of the outing than to drown or be swept away out of an owner's reach. Besides, trying to save a dog in trouble puts you both at risk, so keep your dog where you can safely deal with any trouble.

Be particularly careful of young and old dogs. Both can get themselves into more trouble than a healthy adult dog with lots of swimming experience. Young dogs can panic in the water, and old dogs may not realize they aren't as strong as they used to be. Keep them close to shore, and keep swimming sessions short.

Dogs can and do get hot, so bring fresh water and offer it constantly. This is, of course, especially true at the ocean, because saltwater isn't meant for drinking.

Finally, one of the best things you can do is to take courses in first aid and CPR for your pets. Many local Red Cross chapters offer these classes, and some veterinarians may also teach them in your community. A dog who's pulled out near death from drowning may be saved by your prompt actions -- if you know what to do.

Q&A

Summer storms can terrify some pets

Q: I love a good summer storm -- the lightning, the thunder and the rain. My dog thinks he's being tortured, and it has become worse in the four years we've had him. I don't like the idea of drugging him, but it has gotten to the point now that he starts panting and pacing as soon as a storm's heading in. Do you have any suggestions? I hate to see him in such a terrified state. -- L.T., via e-mail

A: Some breeds and types of dogs seem to be more high-strung and sensitive to noise, but the truth is that any dog can become terrified of storms. After all, a storm is more than just thunder: The atmospheric pressure changes, the sky lights up, static electricity builds, and rain pounds on the roof. The smells in the air are so different that even we scent-challenged humans say, "Smells like rain." Imagine what an incoming storm smells like to our dogs!

For some dogs, fear of thunderstorms increases because their people mishandle the early signs of fear -- either by soothing the dog or by punishing him. Soothing a dog ("Poor baby! Don't be afraid. Come here and get a hug.") rewards the behavior, while punishing a dog makes a scary event even more frightening.

Sensitivity to thunder is easier to prevent than to cure, unfortunately. When puppies and young dogs show concern, one strategy is to distract them. Give them something positive to do, such as starting a training session with lots of treats, or playing a favorite game. In other words, ignore the storm, distract the dog, and set the tone by acting unconcerned. With a new dog, the first time there is a storm, pretend it is an invitation to a "storm party." With every crack of thunder, respond: "Whoopee! That was a fun one. Here's your storm cookie!" Couple this with happy requests for simple obedience commands.

Once a dog has developed a full-blown storm phobia, though, the fear of storms is quite dramatic and can be dangerous. Some dogs may tremble, others may destroy their surroundings, and still others may bite out of fear.

A wipe down with a dryer sheet will remove some of the static electricity on your dog's coat, and that may be helpful for some dogs. You might also experiment with tools meant to "hug" a dog to calmness, such as the Anxiety Wrap (anxietywrap.com), or to reduce sensatory input, such as the Calming Cap (www.premier.com).

For fearful dogs who live in areas that get a lot of thunderstorms, your best bet is asking your veterinarian for a referral to a behaviorist. A veterinary behaviorist will work with you on a treatment plan that may include medications, counterconditioning, pheromones and other tools to help your dog not freak out when the storms roll in.

While there's rarely an "instant" cure, working with a veterinary behaviorist can help your dog better tolerate the inevitable smells, sights and sounds of summer thunderstorms. With a behaviorist's help, you may one day be able to not rely so much -- or not at all -- on tranquilizers for your pet. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

PET BUZZ

Picture this: Dogs can choose images

-- Dogs can categorize complex pictures in the same manner as humans do, demonstrating that dogs can form abstract concepts. In a study at the University of Vienna in Austria, dogs were shown landscape and dog pictures on a computer screen and were asked to make a choice between the two. Making the choice of the dog picture resulted in a treat. The study used four dogs who reliably picked the dog picture, despite changes in the picture and the background.

-- A dinosaur flying over Brazil 115 million years ago had a wingspan the size of a family car. The wingspan of Lacusovagus is estimated at 16.4 feet, with the reptile standing 39 inches at the shoulder, with a very wide skull, indicating it may have hunted large prey. The discovery of the new creature in Brazilian territory, far away from its closest relatives in China, perplexes scientists, who hope to learn more of its evolutionary history.

-- Apes have the ability to plan ahead, demonstrated in the case of Santino, a 30-year-old chimp from Furuvik Zoo in Sweden. Santino makes items to throw at zoo visitors in a calm state of mind, which differs greatly from the more charged state he uses when he launches the debris. His process involves collecting debris, both from pieces on the bottom of the concrete moat and from chipping away at artificial rock in the enclosure, which he sets in piles near where the zoo visitors will later come. No visitors have been hurt in Santino's rock-launching, as chimps have poor aim and throw underhand. -- Dr. Marty Becker and Mikkel Becker Shannon

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet-care experts headed by "Good Morning America" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Gina Spadafori. The two are also the authors of several best-selling pet-care books.

On PetConnection.com there's more information on pets and their care, reviews of products, books and "dog cars." Contact Pet Connection in care of this newspaper by sending e-mail to petconnection@gmail.com or by visiting PetConnection.com.

PET Rx

Get veterinarian's help with feather-picking

Feather-picking is a symptom of something else that's wrong with your bird. The only hope you have of fixing this self-destructive and unsightly behavior is in treating the root problems. Feather-picking relates to a staggering variety of problems, and any one (or any combination) can be at the bottom of your bird's plucking.

Medical conditions behind feather-picking include allergies, parasitic infections, bacterial infections, abnormal growths (cysts) in the feather follicle, internal health problems, vitamin deficiencies and hormone-associated problems. And that's the short list.

Environmental factors weigh in as well. Many bird species originally come from extremely hot and humid environments, and our houses can't hope to duplicate the conditions of a rain forest (we'd be miserable). The dry, cool air of most houses can be a factor in feather-picking and can also set the stage for some secondary medical problems.

For some birds, boredom's the problem. Birds are active and intelligent, and they don't handle the strain of being forced to sit around in a cage all day long very well. Without having things to play with and stuff to destroy, and without being able to get out of the cage and exercise, birds may direct all their energy toward self-mutilation. Wings that are kept too short can also make a bird unhappy enough to feather-pick, as can obsessive-compulsive disorders, which also trigger feather-picking.

Some birds are actually taught to feather-pick, learning quickly that the behavior attracts the attention of their owners.

What can be done with the feather-picker? First, forget the over-the-counter and home-remedy "cures." They don't work, and some might even put your bird at risk. The best change for solving the problem is to engage the help of a veterinarian who works with birds -- the sooner the better, since feather-picking, once well-established, is very difficult to overcome. -- Dr. Marty Becker

BY THE NUMBERS

Spending on pets stays strong

While many industries are slowing down in the current economic climate, spending on pets remains strong, according to a trade group. In 2008, $43.2 billion was spent on our pets in the United States, more than on candy and video games combined. The breakdown:

Food $16.8 billion

Supplies/OTC Medicine $10 billion

Veterinary care $11.1 billion

Live animal purchases $2.1 billion

Pet services $3.2 billion

Source: American Pet Products Association

PET TIP

Rewards work better than punishment

Animals learn from the immediate consequences of their actions. Reward-based training is based on positive reinforcement -- giving an animal an immediate reward for "getting it right."

A reward can be anything a pet desires, such as food, praise, touch, toys, playtime, and indoor or outdoor access. Reward-based training teaches an animal that you are the provider and controller of everything good. It also builds trust and keeps the animal student eager to learn more.

When teaching your pet what you want him to do, offer what he likes the best as the reward. After the new behavior is learned, continue with intermittent rewards. Once the pet knows a behavior, you can withhold the reward when your pet gets it wrong. For example, the dog who knows how to sit but won't sit for his dinner dish can have his grub withheld for a few minutes. Then try again! Chances are he'll sit, and he'll sit even more quickly the next time.

(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.