Universal Press Syndicate

Hardly a day goes by when there isn't a news story about a dog attack somewhere. When school starts, children may become especially vulnerable, walking and biking through their neighborhoods to class.

To be fair, dogs aren't the biggest risk that children face growing up. Organized sports, for example, are 10 times more likely to result in a child's trip to the emergency room than are dogs.

And although in most cases the dog involved in a serious attack is the family's own, it's also true that many neighborhoods are not safe for walking or biking because of a dog. These animals are accidents waiting to happen because their owners either don't know or don't care that their dogs are a public menace.

The experts say the signs are usually there long before a dog attacks. The dog is typically young, male and unneutered. He is usually unsocialized, a backyard dog with little to no interaction with the family. He is often inadvertently trained to be vicious by being kept full-time on a chain or in a small kennel run.

Is there a dog like this in your neighborhood -- or in your own yard? If it's the latter, call your veterinarian and arrange for your pet to be neutered, and then ask for a referral to a behaviorist who can help you rehabilitate your pet. Don't put this off: Your dog is a danger, and your own family is at risk.

Of course, you can't control what other people do with their animals. That's why you have to make sure your children know how to behave around dogs to protect themselves. Here's what everyone should know, and what parents need to teach their children:

-- Never approach a loose dog, even if he seems friendly. Dogs who are confined in yards, and especially those dogs on chains, should also be avoided. Many are very serious about protecting their turf. If the dog is with his owner, children should always ask permission before petting him and then begin by offering him the back of a hand for a sniff. Further, they should pat the dog on the neck or chest. The dog may interpret a pat from above as a gesture of dominance. Teach your children to avoid fast or jerky movements around dogs, since these may trigger predatory behavior.

-- Be a tree when a dog approaches, standing straight with feet together, fists under the neck and elbows into the chest. Teach your children to make no eye contact, since some dogs view eye contact as a challenge. Running is a normal response to danger, but it's the worst possible thing to do around a dog, because it triggers the animal's instinct to chase and bite. Many dogs will just sniff and leave. Teach your children to stay still until the animal walks away, and then back away slowly out of the area.

-- "Feed" the dog a jacket or backpack if attacked, or use a bike to block the dog. These strategies may keep an attacking dog's teeth from connecting with flesh.

-- Act like a log if knocked down: face down, legs together, curled into a ball with fists covering the back of the neck and forearms over the ears. This position protects vital areas and can keep an attack from turning fatal. Role-play these lessons with your child until they are ingrained. They may save your child's life.

Discuss safe behavior with your children and role-play how to approach dogs, when not to approach, and what to do if confronted or attacked.

You don't need to scare your children, but you do need to make sure they're ready, just in case. And going over the "what ifs" isn't a bad idea for you as well.

Q&A

What to do about the 'new' dog flu

Q: A friend sent us a news story about the "dog flu," and now we're worried. It sounds really awful, and we want to know how to protect our pet. What do you advise? -- R.P., via e-mail

A: We checked with Dr. Melissa Kennedy, a clinical virologist at the University of Tennessee Veterinary Teaching College and infectious disease and immunology consultant for the Veterinary Information Network.

"Canine influenza virus (CIV) is a contagious viral disease spread most commonly among dogs with close contact or shared airspace, much like our influenza," she said. "Pet dogs at home are at very low risk. Dogs that board or frequently commingle with other dogs could be at risk."

What kind of risk are we talking about? "CIV is generally a mild disease, with typical symptoms of cough, some lethargy, fever and perhaps nasal discharge," said Kennedy. "As with the human influenza, there is a risk for secondary bacterial infections, which can be serious. This risk is highest among puppies and elderly dogs, where immunity may not be as good as in healthy adult animals."

Bottom line from Dr. Kennedy: "For most pet dogs, and probably most cases, it causes mild disease."

She confirmed that canine influenza is probably one of many causes of "kennel cough," although she used its more correct medical name, canine respiratory disease complex. "There are several viral and bacterial agents that may play a role in this disease complex, of which canine influenza virus is one," she said.

We asked her about the new vaccine, just approved in June. It's a killed virus vaccine and does not actually prevent infection with CIV. Nor does it protect your dog from becoming ill, although it might make his symptoms less severe (or not). And it also doesn't mean your dog, sick or not, can't infect other dogs, even after he's been vaccinated.

She said she does not consider the new canine influenza vaccine a "core" vaccine that should be given to every dog, but rather a tool that might be helpful in shelters, kennels or other environments where dogs are housed in close quarters and high numbers. She also agreed that vaccinated dogs, who can still be infected, could carry the disease home to other dogs.

Of course, influenza viruses are tricky things, and can mutate rapidly and unpredictably, so anything we say about CIV today could be wrong tomorrow. This virus could become nastier, or less nasty, over time; we really don't know. But for the moment, it's basically no bigger danger to our dogs than kennel cough is, which is to say, in most cases it will cause mild symptoms (or none). Yet in some dogs, particularly the very young, very old and immune-compromised, it can cause more severe illness and even death.

It can also be a real threat in crowded environments such as shelters or anywhere dogs are kept together in a confined space, and the new vaccine may have a role to play in those kinds of settings. But the average couch-sitting, yard-playing, park-walking pet probably isn't going to benefit from this vaccine, and probably isn't at much risk of severe illness from the virus, either -- anymore than we humans are from the common cold. -- Christie Keith

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

PET BUZZ

Pet trade puts parrots at risk

-- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is reviewing the status of 12 parrot species, of which many or all may be considered endangered because of rapid declines in population resulting from the pet trade. Under review, according to The (Portland) Oregonian: the blue-headed, great green, hyacinth, military and scarlet macaw; the grey-cheeked parakeet; the white, Philippine and yellow-crested cockatoo; and the crimson shining, red-crowned and yellow-billed parrot.

-- Six dogs died running the 2009 Iditarod, more than double the average for the 1,150-mile race. According to Scientific American, there is criticism of the popular event, with some questioning if the risk to man and dog is worth it, while others express concern over the possibility of performance-enhancing drugs being used on the canine athletes. In response to the criticism, race officials require mushers to carry sick or injured dogs to the next checkpoint, and all racers must finish with at least six healthy canines. A plane follows the teams and randomly tests canine urine for drugs, while volunteer veterinarians supervise the race.

-- Dogs are being trained to sniff out minute levels of problem foods for their allergic owners, a skill that can potentially save lives. According to Reader's Digest, the dogs even sniff the hands of others to determine if they have problem foods on them and need a hand-washing before interactions are safe for highly allergic people.

-- The city of Santa Monica, Calif., will spend $100,000 to flush out pigeons and their droppings from the water system. According to the Los Angeles Times, the city hired Bird Busters to install netting under the Santa Monica Pier to reduce the number of pigeons and the bacterial pollution caused by their droppings. Whatever the efforts, there are doubts that anything will keep pigeons away, as the pier's structure will remain very inviting to the birds that many think of as "winged rats." -- 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," and a monthly drawing for more than $1,000 in pet-care prizes. Contact Pet Connection in care of this newspaper by sending e-mail to petconnection@gmail.com or by visiting PetConnection.com.

PET Rx

Bite abscesses best dealt with by prevention

Nearly every free-roaming cat will one day need to see a veterinarian to have an abscess treated -- surgically opened, flushed clean of debris, and sometimes temporarily held open by drains to let the wound heal with the help of time and some strong antibiotics.

Sound awful? It is. And the cost of treating these injuries can really add up.

The good news is that an abscess is one of those health problems that can usually be prevented by keeping a cat indoors. That's because this common feline health problem is often the result of a puncture wound, specifically a bite from another cat during a fight over territory or mates.

A cat's mouth is a nasty mix of bacteria, and once that bacteria gets punched into another cat's body, the result will probably be an abscess. Think about it -- bacteria being injected with two bacteria-laden hypodermic needles (the cat's fang teeth) into a perfect incubator (another cat's 101 degree-plus body). The only possible outcome is infection.

The best way to prevent your cat from getting a bite-wound abscess is to neuter him to reduce his desire to fight over females. And, again, it would be even better to keep him indoors.

The bacteria in a cat's mouth is also why even relatively minor cat bites can become serious medical issues for humans, leading to hospitalization in some cases. Any time you're bitten or scratched by an animal, you should wash the area immediately with soap and water and have the wound checked out by your doctor. -- Dr. Marty Becker

BY THE NUMBERS

Back to school -- with pets!

When students head off to college, most leave their pets with their parents. But not all have to. Petside.com put out a list of colleges that welcomes some pets into the dorms. Here's Petside's top five pet-friendly colleges:

1. Eckerd College (St. Petersburg, Fla.): Students are allowed to have cats and dogs (less than 40 pounds) as well as snakes and fish.

2. Stephens College (Columbia, Mo.): The college has one designated "pet dorm," which allows dogs, cats, hamsters and guinea pigs.

3. Washington & Jefferson College (Washington, Pa.): One dorm accepts cats and dogs (less than 40 pounds), small birds, hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, turtles and fish.

4. Principia College (Elsah, Ill.): The college has seven dorms and university apartments that allow pets, including cats, rabbits, caged animals and fish.

5. California Institute of Technology (Pasadena, Calif.): Cal-Tech allows cats in all dorms, as well as small caged animals and fish.

THE SCOOP

Right setup means happy, healthy fish

Without plenty of filtered, aerated water kept at the right temperature, fish will become stressed, ill or may die.

Experts say that for best results, get a 55-gallon tank and a high-quality filter capable of processing 100 percent of the aquarium's water at least three times every hour.

After the tank is ready, wait 48 hours and then add a couple of fish. Good starter species include leopard or zebra danios and the smaller barbs, as well as that easiest of all beginner fish, the guppy. Be patient: Wait a few weeks to add more fish.

If a large tank isn't possible in your home, one fish that can do well in a tank that's 10 gallons or even less is the magnificent betta splendens, an aggressive species usually kept as a solo fish. Other good choices for small tanks are white cloud minnows and dwarf gouramis. -- Christie Keith

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

I live on a horse ranch in Northern Idaho, in a part of the country where losing an arm in a logging accident is considered the cityfolk equivalent of a scratch. My poker buddies are men who eat nails for breakfast.

The men up here like to project a Rambo-like image to the outside world, but inside there's sometimes a secret love that they won't freely admit, even to their own wives and especially to their veterinarians.

You see, real men don't own cats. That's their story, and they're sticking to it.

Now, let me explain.

One of the things I've always gotten a kick out of as a veterinarian is watching somebody bring a cat in, holding the animal lovingly, and then hurriedly passing it off to the receptionist like a furry hot potato, mumbling: "This is ma's cat. I'm just dropping it off for her."

Or, "This is my girlfriend's cat, and she asked me to bring it in for her."

As veterinarians, we're more than happy to oblige any request for care, but we know a dirty little secret that's not very well hidden. That little pussycat is their beloved pet, too. It's just that they can't admit it. Or worse yet, show their affection.

Because real men don't own cats.

Case in point: A few years back I was working at a cat-only veterinary hospital and a watched guy who looked like a shoo-in for the Biker Hall of Fame walk through the door with a cute little kitten.

"Here," he said, setting the kitten on the counter. "My woman asked me to drop this hairball off for you to spay and give her her shots. I'll come back tonight and pick her up."

The veterinarian, with a wink and a nod to me, took the cat into the back and started the procedures.

Later that day, the tough guy came in, paid the bill and received his "fixed kitty" -- minus a few things but now adorned with a cute little pink bow, thanks to a tech with an offbeat sense of humor.

Thoroughly disgusted, the man hurriedly paid the bill and walked off, holding the kitten at arm's length like the little creature had a contagious disease.

A few minutes later I was sitting outside in my car, ready to go home, when I witnessed the most amazing transformation in the man. Once safely outside in his truck and thinking himself unobserved -- people in love are usually so oblivious -- the he-man started sweet-talking the kitten.

"Did they hurt you, little girl?" he asked the kitten. "Well, don't you worry, 'cause daddy's going to go by the store and pick you up a special treat for tonight because you've been soooo brave!"

Huh?

Could this be the same guy who treated the kitty that morning with the same fondness he'd have for helmet laws and gun control?

Oh yes, it was.

As we veterinarians know, men like these aren't too willing to let the world in on their little secret: that they love their little kitties and can't wait for their purring pets to curl up next to them at night.

So the next time you're in the veterinarian's waiting room and see a tough guy come in with a cat he seems to loathe, you'll know what we veterinarians know:

That cat's not ma's pet after all.

Q&A

Can fighting dogs ever reach a truce?

Q: We've had two female chow chows since they were 6 weeks old, and they're both middle-aged now. They got along marvelously until about a year and a half ago.

One day they got into a fight. We were able to break it up before real harm was done, and we've kept them separated since. Our veterinarian suggested that since they've drawn blood, they shouldn't be allowed to be alone together, because the next time we may not be able to break it up.

Luckily for us, our yard is such that we can separate it with one dog on each side. My husband had a custom wrought iron gate built so they can see and interact with each other without being able to hurt each other. When we bring them indoors, we have to deal with each one separately.

It breaks our hearts that we can't be with both at the same time. Is there anything we can do to bring them together again? -- P.S., via e-mail

A: Just as with people who go through a nasty divorce and can never share the same room without a fight, some dogs cannot go back to sharing space in peace after bloodshed. And sometimes, that's the fault of their owners.

It helps to understand the differences between the social interactions of dogs and the interactions of people. Dogs by nature establish a pecking order within social groups to avoid conflict. Once that hierarchy is established, dogs stay where they land within the social order unless circumstances change the overall situation. People handle things differently, usually attempting to avoid social conflict by treating others as equals. For example, parents try not to show favorites when raising children.

But when people treat family dogs as equals -- as if they were human children -- they sometimes actually create the canine conflicts.

Of course, humans aren't the only reason why dogs within a family will stop getting along. Dogs fight when it's unclear who is calling the shots. Some say that dogs of the same breed, sex and size are more likely to fight because nature intended a natural order based on who is the larger, stronger canine. But we also see the physically larger, stronger dog deferring to the more tenacious dog. For example, the dog who cares the most about food may end up being the one who controls it.

It's hard to tell if your dogs have irreconcilable differences. Getting them back together may be possible if there has been only one fight and if it could be explained by circumstances that you are careful not to duplicate. To give you a reliable answer, though, we would need insight into the social history of the dogs, including descriptions of any tensions you have observed over the years.

Your best bet is to seek a thorough analysis of the dogs' behavioral history from a veterinary behaviorist or trainer with experience in canine aggression. Such an analysis can shed light on the source of tensions between the dogs and give you options on how to proceed. You may not get the answers you want, but at least you'll know your chances of getting them back together.

If the problem turns out to be simple, you may be able to make a few small changes that will help the dogs get along, such as avoiding those situations that press their hot buttons. But in other cases, getting two warring parties to get along may require a massive commitment of time and money, with no real guarantee of success. -- Susan and Dr. Rolan Tripp, AnimalBehavior.net

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

PET BUZZ

Trained dogs locate hidden cell phones

-- A Belgian Malinois named Alba has been catching rule breakers in Maryland's North Branch Correctional Institution, where inmates have been smuggling in cell phones. The phones often are hidden in pieces and in difficult-to-detect places such as shoe heels, book bindings and toilet pipes. But Alba and other specially trained dogs are able to detect the specific scent that cell phones carry. The state's five cell phone-sniffing dogs in Maryland's prison system found 59 phones last year, according to Wired magazine.

-- If your greyhound takes off on you, you'll never catch him. The National Greyhound Association reports that it takes an elite greyhound three steps to hit a cruising speed of 45 mph.

-- Bear-proof canisters may be more bear-friendly than previously thought, according to The New York Times. The BearVault 500 had been tested successfully in Yellowstone National Park and at the Folsom (Calif.) Zoo to withstand all bear break-ins, including those by grizzlies. But the BearVault didn't figure on the bear known as Yellow Yellow. The black bear in the High Peaks region of the northeastern Adirondacks has managed to master a canister-opening technique that often confuses campers. Yellow Yellow was fingered for the break-ins by her radio collar, which put her at the scene of the crimes. She opens canisters by pushing in the first tab with her teeth, turning the lid with her head, and then pushing in the second tab. Other bears are following her lead, campers report.

-- Snakes are able to move forward by using their belly scales, which are oriented to snag on irregularities. They then push their bellies into the ground to produce friction and move ahead. -- 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," and a monthly drawing for more than $1,000 in pet-care prizes. Contact Pet Connection in care of this newspaper by sending e-mail to petconnection@gmail.com or by visiting PetConnection.com.

THE SCOOP

Cure for dog's begging? Stop giving in

The easiest way to stop a dog from begging is never to let the habit start.

When we like the dog's behavior, we say we're "sharing" our food. When we don't like the behavior, we call it "begging." And we foolishly expect our dogs to see the difference.

But we are the ones who control and shape a dog's behavior. If you never want your dog to stick her nose in your plate, put her head on your knee or paw at your arm, then don't ever reward her with food when she does.

What if it's too late for that? With patience and consistency, you can change your dog's behavior by never rewarding the begging again. When your dog finally becomes convinced that she will never again see another piece of food delivered from off your plate, she'll stop asking. You can also have her practice a behavior that's incompatible with having her nose on your knee -- a down-stay on the other side of the room while you're eating.

But be warned: If you're inconsistent, you'll actually make the problem worse. Rewarding a behavior occasionally is called random reinforcement, and it's a powerful motivator. In fact, it's what keeps the gambling industry so profitable: You never know when a slot machine will pay off big, but a little payoff now and then keeps you playing. -- Gina Spadafori

BY THE NUMBERS

More pets, more pets!

No culture in the world seems to love pets more than ours does. Pet ownership of all kinds continues to climb, with nearly three-quarters of all homes finding room for a pet:

Year Percent of homes with a pet

1988 52

1992 54

1996 58

2000 63

2004 69

2008 71

Source: American Pet Products Association

PET TIP

Higher hidey-holes mean happier cats

Cats are highly territorial, which sometimes causes problems in multi-cat households. Every cat needs some space of his own to be happy, and one of the best ways to provide each of your pets with room to roam is to think "up."

Cats naturally adore looking down at others, and by giving your pets plenty of room up above to move about, you're giving each cat some room of his own. Tall furniture with flat tops -- such as bookcases or entertainment centers -- are ideal, as long as you leave room enough for your cats to play among the decorations.

Even better: Add tall cat trees to your home, especially those with platforms at the top and cubbyholes for hiding. Cat trees are a great do-it-yourself project, or check garage sales for secondhand ones. -- 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.

And Christie Keith

Universal Press Syndicate

Not reading directions may be a point of pride for many people, but when it comes to flea products, it's an attitude that can kill a cat.

"Pet owners need to read and follow the labels on flea and tick products, and to never use dog products on cats," said Dr. Steven Hansen, a veterinary toxicologist at the ASPCA's Animal Poison Control Center (www.aspca.org/apcc). "Never."

Hansen's warning is aimed at the class of products known as "spot-ons," liquid insecticides that are applied directly to the skin. While they're normally safe and effective when used as directed, products intended only for use in dogs can cause serious illness or death in cats.

"Cats are very sensitive to a class of insecticides known as pyrethroids," said Hansen. "That includes permethrin, which is a common ingredient in many flea and tick products made for dogs. And in dogs, it has a good record for being safe and effective. But put these products on cats, and it can be very bad, even lethal."

That doesn't stop people from using them, and then rushing their pets to the veterinarian's when the cat gets sick. Most cats will recover if emergency veterinary treatment is sought immediately, but keeping a cat from the pet ER in the first place is a much better plan. Only around 2 percent of cats treated with feline-approved products according to label directions have an adverse reaction, but that number jumps to 20 percent when instructions aren't followed

And it's not as if the labels aren't clear. "I've met with the EPA and the companies, and we've worked hard to come up with creative ways to make sure people don't miss the message," said Hansen. "The product labels say, 'Do not use on cats.' Some of them even have a cat inside a big red circle with a slash.

"The companies struggle with this, the EPA struggles with it, and we at the Animal Poison Control Center struggle with it. We try to find ways to make it so people can't make mistakes, and they still make mistakes."

Part of the problem is that many people assume that risks are the same in animals of the same size, even if they're different species.

"If you have a 20-pound dog and a 15-pound cat, and you see three tubes in the container, it's easy to say, 'Why not?'" said Hansen. "But with cats, the 'why not' is that it can kill them. It's not a risk you want to take."

Protecting your cat from pyrethroid toxicity is easy. Never use a flea preventive on your cat unless it's labeled for use in cats. Read and follow all label directions carefully, especially when it comes to size.

"Cats come in sizes from 3 pounds to 22 pounds," said Dr. Hansen. "Make sure you know your cat's weight, and choose the right dosage for your cat's size."

Make sure you know to the nearest pound by weighing a cat carrier or cardboard box on a bathroom or shipping scale, putting the cat in the holder, reweighing and then subtracting the difference. Weights change, so make sure you don't rely on what your cat weighed the last time he visited the veterinarian.

And make sure his next trip isn't because you didn't read the label.

Q&A

Have vet check out 'accident-prone' pet

Q: My sister has a neutered Pomeranian, about 5 to 6 years old. He urinates at the foot of the bed shared by my sister and her husband. My sister has put down pads, sprayed with various products, tried special carpet-cleaning methods, told the dog he's bad, etc. They have another dog, a silky terrier, but she doesn't do this. They both sleep on the bed.

Yes, the dogs are somewhat spoiled, but that is the way all their pets have been have been treated. Any ideas to get the Pom to stop peeing on the carpet? -- S.K., via e-mail

A: Before your sister tries changing his peeing habit, the dog's veterinarian needs to give the Pom a clean bill of health. A complete blood panel, urine analysis and X-ray of his bladder would help confirm that he's healthy and comfortable. Also find out if the dog takes any medications that could increase urination, and if there are options to those.

If there are no health problems, then it's on to figuring out why the peeing started and continues.

If your sister lifts up the carpet, chances are she'll discover that a carpet pad makes a great sponge. She may be cleaning a small patch of wet carpet when the problem is the underground lake. Unlike people, who look for a restroom sign, dogs sniff out their established pooch potties.

Dogs also squirt urine to make social statements. One sign of an insecure male dog is urine-marking. Perhaps the Pom is anxious about his relationship with the silky, or he may feel confused around the people in the home.

We can understand why your sister tried scolding the Pom, but he probably did not understand the message. Let's suppose the anxious Pom tries to stake out a claim to his people by putting urine where they spend a great deal of their time -- in bed. But then your sister blows a gasket in that location. The Pom now feels more anxious. What does he do? What comes naturally to a canine: He pees in a feeble attempt to improve his situation. See the vicious cycle forming?

Regardless of all the factors behind why he urinates indoors, there are steps your sister will need to take before he starts doggie rehab. The bedroom carpet and pad have got to go. At the same time, the Pom can't be given any opportunity to pee in the bedroom. This means starting house-training over with professional help.

Consulting a veterinary behaviorist or a trainer with experience in resolving problem behavior is the best solution to work out why this is happening and find steps to change the behavior. These professionals will take a comprehensive pet behavior history from your sister and her family to help figure out any social issues and sources of the dog's anxiety.

Medications may be considered in the short term to lower the Pom's anxiety. Dogs, like people, struggle to learn and adapt when they feel anxious.

It will be easier on your sister and the Pom to follow a plan that helps them be successful. For example, a "learn-to-earn" routine motivates the dog to learn where to go potty, builds confidence and lowers anxiety. The Pom can also learn to love sleeping securely in his own kennel at night in the bedroom. Whatever strategies are recommended, your sister and the Pom will be better off if the steps are guided by a behavioral diagnosis and professional assistance.

You are being a great sister! We encourage you to stick with it until your sister and Pom are accident-free. It sounds like your sister is ready for a fresh start. Her poor, confused Pom deserves a second chance at being a good dog. -- Susan and Dr. Rolan Tripp, AnimalBehavior.net

PET BUZZ

Multiple cat homes make felines No. 1

-- How is it that more families have dogs than have cats, but cats outnumber dogs as pets? The answer: Many families have more than one cat. According to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, 41 percent of U.S. households recently reported having at least one dog, while cats ruled in 35 percent of households. (Some families, of course, have both.) But cats were by far the most popular pet, according to the same trade group, which reported recent figures of 78 million pet cats to 65 million pet dogs.

-- A study by a feline advocacy group suggests that helping lower-income pet owners with spay-neuter costs would decrease the number of kittens in need of homes. Alley Cat Allies reports that while more than nine out of 10 pet owners in the $35,000 to $75,000 annual income bracket had their cats altered, just over half of those earning less than $35,000 had done so.

-- When our pets (and we humans) scratch an itch, they're doing it to relieve that miserable feeling of skin irritation. But why does denying the need to dig in with nails drive us crazy until we give in? A University of Minnesota study shows that scratching turns off activity in spinal cord nerves that transmit the itching sensation to the brain. The hope is that knowing how the "off-switch" works can lead to ways to tell the brain the itch has been scratched -- without the damage that chronic scratching can inflict on the skin.

-- Once written off as headed for extinction, the bowhead whale has not only staged a comeback, but it is also teaching scientists a great deal about how these 100-ton animals communicate. Studies by the University of Copenhagen reveal that the whales have developed very sophisticated songs to attract a mate, and that the songs are never repeated year to year. Even whales like catchy new tunes, it seems. -- 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.

THE SCOOP

Don't let cats mess where they want to

Getting your cat to use a litter box is just plain responsible pet ownership. Here's why:

-- It's neighborly. When your cat's using the litter box, he's not using your neighbor's flower bed, vegetable garden or children's sandbox.

-- It's healthier for your cat. When you're cleaning the litter box once or twice a day, you're able to see changes in your cat's patterns of elimination. Is there a problem with diarrhea? A sudden increase in urination? Straining to pass feces? All of these problems could be symptoms of a serious health issue, and the sooner you catch it, the better for your cat (and your bank account).

-- It's environmentally responsible. Cats are a non-native species who spread diseases such as toxoplasmosis. Preliminary studies suggest that cat waste washed off the land and into the sewer system can end up killing native species such as otters in some parts of the country. The safest way to handle cat waste is to remove it from the litter box and place it in a digesting pet waste composter (not your garden compost!), or wrap it and place it in your household trash receptacle for pickup.

Cleaning a box isn't that difficult or time-consuming, especially since there are cat boxes that will clean themselves, wrapping the waste for easy disposal every few days. -- Gina Spadafori

BY THE NUMBERS

Dogs get more vet care

Are cats being short-changed when it comes to their health? Survey results suggest so, with dogs taking the lion's share of vet visits and money spent at the vet's. (The remaining visits and expenses are for other companion animals, such as rabbits and horses.)

Percent of veterinary visits

Dogs 62 percent

Cats 33 percent

Percent of veterinary expenditures

Dogs 66 percent

Cats 29 percent

Source: American Veterinary Medical Association

PET TIP

New categories for new pet services

The addition of new kinds of pet-care services has had telephone directories adjusting their categories. Business listings in many area phone books have had to expand pet-care listings in ways previous generations could never have imagined.

In recent years, animal chiropractors and doggie day care have been added as categories in some phone books, joining such longtime pet-service industry stalwarts as dog training and pet boarding -- not to mention veterinarians. Want someone to clean up your yard on a regular basis? Look under Pet Waste Removal. -- 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.