Universal Press Syndicate

The first step in turning an adult dog into a reliable house pet is to embrace a key concept: There's no such thing as a "partially" house-trained dog. He either is or he isn't.

Why is realizing this important? Because if you have a dog who is "sometimes" reliable, you have a dog who doesn't understand what's required of him, probably because no one taught him properly in the first place. Punishing your pet isn't fair, and it isn't the answer: You have to go back to square one and teach him properly. No shortcuts here.

Before you start training, though, you must be sure that what you have is really a behavior problem and not a physical problem. This is especially true with a dog who has been reliable in the past. You won't be able to train your pet if he's struggling with an illness. So check with your veterinarian first for a complete checkup.

If you've ruled out medical problems, house-training an adult dog uses the same principles as house-training a puppy, except you have to be even more diligent because you need to do some untraining, too. And a lot of cleaning: You must thoroughly clean any soiled area with enzymatic cleaner (available through pet-supply outlets) to eliminate the smell that invites repeat business.

You'll need to teach your dog what's right before you can correct him for what's wrong. To do this, spend a couple of weeks ensuring that he has nothing but successes by never giving him the opportunity to make a mistake.

Here's how:

-- Leash him to you in the house so you can monitor his every move during his training period. If he starts to mess, tell him "no," take him outside, and give him a command for going ("go now" or even "let's hurry"). Then praise him for doing right, so he starts to understand what you want.

-- Put him in a crate whenever he's not on leash with you. It's not unfair during training to leave him in a crate for four or five hours at a stretch -- assuming, of course, that he's getting his regular daily exercise.

-- Take him outside first thing in the morning, as soon as you get home from work and just before you go to bed (when you put him in his crate for the night). Always remember to give your "go" command, and praise him when he does as you wish. People never seem shy about punishing their dogs, but too often forget to praise them -- they take it for granted the dog should do the right thing. Never, ever forget the praise!

If you've been consistent, your dog likely will get a good idea of what's expected of him within a couple of weeks, and you can start to give him a little freedom. Don't let him have the run of the house yet. Keep his area small and let him earn the house, room by room, as he proves his understanding of the house rules.

Accidents happen. If you catch him in the act, tell him "no," take him outside, and give him the chance to set things right. Give your "go" command, and praise him if he does. Clean up the mess inside promptly and thoroughly, so he won't feel inclined to refresh his smell there. Don't punish him for any messes you find.

If you aren't catching him, you're not keeping close enough tabs on him. Go back to the crate and leash, and start over.

If you continue to have problems, ask your veterinarian for a referral to a veterinary behaviorist. One-on-one assistance can pinpoint the problems in your training regimen and get you both on the right track.

Q&A

Pet costumes offer good time for most

Q: What do you think about the ridiculous habit of putting Halloween costumes on pets? What are you pet freaks thinking? -- J.G., via e-mail

A: I guess we're not in the dark about how you feel about dressing up pets. Here at the Pet Connection, we realize that putting costumes on pets is fun for people, so if it brings a smile to someone's face, why not?

For those who actually do like pets and are thinking about the holiday, here are some Halloween safety tips:

-- Costumes: If you buy ready-made, make sure the costume is comfortable and nonrestrictive, and doesn't involve anything that could be hazardous, such as dye or paint. Same goes for anything you make yourself: Be sure it isn't going to cause a problem for your pet, and monitor pets while they're wearing costumes.

-- Injuries: With the increase in activity, cats and dogs get nervous or excited, and some will take off if they can. That means an increase in animals being hit by cars. Other animals may also 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. Keep pets confined inside, away from the action, in a crate or behind a closed door.

-- Food problems: 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. Keep candy bowls and trick-or-trick bags out of reach of those animals who may be tempted to help themselves. -- Gina Spadafori

PET BUZZ

Pet theft seems to be on the rise

-- Is dog-napping on the rise? The American Kennel Club has kept informal tabs on the stolen pet numbers and says pilfered pets aren't uncommon. Last year there were media reports of at least 71 stolen dogs, with more than 100 thefts so far this year. Some states are considering legislation to strengthen penalties. Pets are stolen for many reasons, including keeping the pet as one's own, resale or trying to get a ransom. One California woman paid $10,000 to have her dog returned after it was stolen from her parked car. Crimes that occurred just in one month over the summer included a puppy stolen from the lap of a 5-year-old in a public Idaho park, a 16-week-old boxer stolen from the owner's yard in Oklahoma, and a Lhasa apso taken from a North Carolina backyard.

-- Petting a dog or cat has been shown to significantly lower the stress hormone cortisol, making us feel more merry, say University of Missouri researchers.

-- What is believed to be the world's most expensive dog recently changed hands for $582,000. The Tibetan mastiff known as Yangtze River No. 2 was purchased by a millionaire identified only as Mrs. Wang of the Qinghai province of northwest China, where there are many residents of Tibetan descent. A motorcade of 30 luxury cars met the dog at the airport when he arrived. Mrs. Wang already owns a Tibetan mastiff and has plans to mate the dogs. A Florida family's pet purchase seems a bargain by comparison: $155,000 for a Labrador named Lancelot Encore, which includes the cloning of the original Lancelot. -- 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

Is your pet ready to be on the bed?

In many homes, the "pets on the bed" debate is long over -- and the pets won. Proof can be found in the marketplace, where accessories abound to help pets get onto the bed -- and keep the bedding cleaner.

The trend isn't for everyone, however. Letting pets sleep in the bed has been suggested as one of many reasons why people have problems getting a good night's sleep. If you have insomnia, you might consider getting your pet his own comfy bed and keeping yours for yourself. If you have allergies, or your pet has behavior problems, a no-pet bedroom is also recommended.

Otherwise, why not share?

I've always kept an eye out for sales on relatively inexpensive, washable cotton quilts to throw over the top of the bedding. I also use rubber-backed fuzzy bath mats on top of the quilts when older pets get leaky.

For high beds and older pets, there's even an easier way up: A number of manufacturers make pet-sized sets of steps to help aging or small animals get onto the bed or couch. Pet retailers have a wide selection to match your budget and decor. -- Gina Spadafori

BY THE NUMBERS

Buy big and save

Buying in bulk can make pet-food budgets go further, a cost-cutting strategy already popular with many dog lovers. Here's how bag sizes for dry dog food rank in popularity at the cash register:

5 pounds or less: 10 percent

6 to 10 pounds: 13 percent

11 to 20 pounds: 22 percent

20 to 40 pounds: 26 percent

40-plus pounds: 23 percent

Don't buy dry: 3 percent

No answer: 3 percent

Source: American Pet Products Association

PETS ON THE WEB

Pet your cat where he's comfortable

With a scratch-happy cat, always work to eliminate the triggers for unwanted behavior, and work on your cat's tolerance levels for being petted. If you're patient and consistent, your cat can learn to play nice.

Some kinds of petting are easier for cats to tolerate than others. For a highly reactive cat, restrict your caresses to behind the ears, under the chin or the base of the tail.

A long stroke down the back is too much for some kitties, and you're really taking chances when you decide to tickle your cat's tummy. The cats who enjoy it are greatly outnumbered by the cats who'll quickly tire of a tummy rub and will seek to stop it with teeth and claws. -- 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.

By Christie Keith

Universal Press Syndicate

It's easy to see why cats are such popular pets. Unlike dogs, they don't need to be walked, usually come litter-box trained by their mothers and rarely dig huge holes in the yard -- or bite the letter carrier. Unfortunately, in a lot of people's minds this translates into "Cats need absolutely no care and exist just to sit on my lap and purr while I watch TV."

Instead of living the challenging life of a hunter, our cats have food delivered to them on a predictable schedule. We rarely do anything to make up for their lack of mental stimulation, and we consider their natural behaviors, such as scratching and nocturnal play, to be behavior problems.

As a result, we've ended up with fur-covered, purring sofa cushions who are fat, flabby and prone to diabetes, kidney disease and boredom.

An exercise program will keep your cat happy and minimize health and behavior problems. But before you begin such a program, make sure there isn't a physical reason for any feline misbehavior by scheduling a visit with your veterinarian. A cat who previously used the litter box and then stops doing so probably has a health -- rather than a behavioral -- problem. Cats who develop aggressive behavior later in life are also more likely to be sick than misbehaving.

Then think about where your cat spends his days. Your home might be cat-safe -- but is it cat-friendly? Are there places for her to climb without knocking over your most precious tchotchkes or unraveling your drapes? A few strategically placed cat trees and a high shelf or two can do wonders for your cat's mind and body. Climbing exercises your cat's muscles, claws and mind.

Next, encourage play. Teaching your cat to play with you has a big payoff. Kittens who are conditioned to respond when their owners instigate play can be enticed to play when they're adults, too. If you don't train your young cat -- and yourself -- to incorporate regular active play into your relationship, your cat will probably not continue playing once he hits middle age, no matter what you do then. You can teach your kitten to play with you by using interactive toys, such as "cat dancers" and other fishing pole-style toys.

If you're not starting out with a kitten but trying to enrich the life of an older cat, your invitations to play may be met with a disbelieving stare. If that happens, try breaking out the laser pointer. Laser pointers are wonderful toys for any cat and the only thing that will get some older cats to play. Be extremely careful not to shine the light into your cat's eyes, and keep the laser away from children.

Lazy cats can be encouraged -- OK, forced -- to climb if their food bowl is moved to the top of the refrigerator or the highest platform on their cat tree. (Be sure your older cat is physically up to it before trying this.) Make your cat work for his food.

There are safe ways to give your cat fresh air and sunshine and allow him to pursue his lifelong interest in ornithology. Wired-in porches, window perches and outdoor enclosures are available as kits or can be custom built by a handy cat owner or contractor. There are also bird-feeding stations that can be mounted outside a window, so your cat can sit and watch the birds in safety -- his and theirs.

No matter how old your cat is, no matter how out of shape, even if he's too ill for any form of play, there is one thing you can do that will improve his quality of life and relieve the stress of boredom: Love him. Pet him, talk to him, cuddle him and hang out with him. Take him with you from room to room, feed him from your hand, tease him with catnip and groom him if he enjoys that.

Cats have given up a lot in the transition from tiny tiger to house pet. Don't let your playful little tiger turn into a purring heating pad with a weight problem. And if your older cat already has gone that route, take steps to fix it. Your cat's life -- and your relationship -- will be richer for it.

THE SCOOP

Black cats get a holiday bump

Used to be true -- and in some places still sadly is -- that around this time of year black cats were kept out of the adoption offerings of many animal shelters.

The thinking went that sick pranksters would adopt the cats to torture or kill them as part of some Halloween fright-night activities. These stories were mostly urban myths, but the fear of cat mutilation tied to Halloween killed a lot of cats anyway: They died in shelters rather than being adopted out.

The progressive movement that's sweeping shelters -- the building of no-kill communities nationwide -- has many of today's shelters using any reason to highlight pets who need new homes.

That's why this year, you'll be seeing some shelters focus on the holiday by actually featuring their black feline beauties, in order to get these cats in new homes instead of letting them languish or be killed in shelters for lack of space.

The Greenhill Humane Society (www.green-hill.org) of Eugene, Ore., is taking it even further, with a "half-price sale" on the adoption of a black cat -- altering and vaccines included for $27 -- and the slogan, "Going black can save you green."

Of course, all the standard screening for potential adopters will apply in these promotions. But it's a great way to get more good pets in more good homes.

Black pets -- dogs and cats both -- are considered more difficult to place than others. Theories range from the idea that dark-colored pets seem intimidating to some people to the fact that black pets can be difficult to photograph, making them look like a personality-less dark blob on a shelter's Web site or on Petfinder.com.

As a longtime owner of "black goldens" -- aka flat-coated retrievers -- I can vouch for the ebony pets. Go adopt. You'll have a happier Halloween with a new family member by your side. -- Gina Spadafori

PET BUZZ

Herding as dog sport replaces herding work

-- Since 1945 the number of sheep in America has dropped from 46 million to 7 million. The annual per-capita consumption of lamb has also dropped from 6 pounds annually in 1940 to 1 pound today. One reason for the decline, according to The New York Times, has been attributed to soldiers in World War II who ate partially cooked mutton and became ill, and then refused to eat mutton once they returned home to the United States. Raising sheep became even more difficult after 1972 when the federal government passed a ban on a common poison used to kill coyotes, who are one of greatest predators of sheep. The one thing bucking the trend? Sheep are being kept by some dog enthusiasts to give their animals work to do, and sheepdog trials have become a passion among some dog owners.

-- Dogs' noses aid society in numerous ways, including drug and bomb detection, but now are even able to detect water pollution. Sable is a 3-year-old shepherd mix known as the only detection dog able to reliably detect illegal pollutants that flow into sewer lines. Sable was 87 percent accurate compared to traditional laboratory water tests. The New York Times reports that the dog's sniffing abilities may save money as more pricey and time-consuming dye tests could be in large part replaced by dogs such as Sable. For Sable and his trainer to travel for the week, the cost would run between $5,000 and $10,000, which would be low in comparison to traditional tests, which can run more than $100,000.

-- A spice found in the kitchen could hold the secret to curing feline cancer. Curcumin, a compound in turmeric, stops the growth of cancer in laboratory testing. According to DVM360.com, the herb is closely related to ginger and can be found in foods such as mustard, canned beverages, baked and dairy products, Indian cuisine, including curries, and home-canned foods such as pickles. The benefits of curcumin are found ineffective in humans, dogs and many other mammals, as their livers metabolize the compounds in a way that make it useless in fighting cancer. The livers of cats, however, don't metabolize many drugs as well, which may allow the benefits of curcumin to aid them in the fight against cancer. -- 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

Veterinary specialists can help your pet

Although not as many specialists exist in veterinary medicine as in human medicine, the number and the kinds of certified veterinary experts grow every year.

Current companion-animal specialties include such "system" areas of expertise as cardiology, dentistry, dermatology and oncology. There are also "species" specialists, such as those veterinarians certified as experts on bird health. Behavior specialists are becoming more common as well. These veterinarians help people and their pets work through such problems as house-soiling or separation anxiety with the aid of medication and behavior-modification techniques.

"System" specialties usually require additional study in a two- to five-year residency program, followed by a rigorous examination. These certifications are handled by a board such as the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, which is why certified specialists are sometimes referred to as "boarded" or "board-certified."

For veterinarians already in practice, the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners also offers specialty certifications, including those in feline and avian practice. The certifications also require passing a difficult examination.

Many urban centers support independent specialists or specialty practices. But in less populated areas, you're more likely to find a full complement of specialists at the closest university with a school or college of veterinary medicine.

The relationship between your pet's regular veterinarian and a specialist is one of cooperation and trust. Your veterinarian will consult with or refer you to a specialist, knowing that when the situation he sent you there for is resolved, you will be sent back to his practice. Without this understanding, your regular veterinarian would be understandably reluctant to refer a client he will not get back.

If your veterinarian is reluctant to refer you to a specialist, remember that the final decision in your pet's care is always yours. Keep the lines of communication open with your veterinarian if you can, but realize your pet's care is your responsibility, and seek a second opinion or specialist on your own. -- Dr. Marty Becker

BY THE NUMBERS

Lucy, I'm home!

Veterinary Pet Insurance analyzed its insured pets list to find the most common names of 2008, with Max turning up at No. 1 for both dogs and cats. Some of the most popular dog and cat names -- Bella, Chloe, Sophie and Bailey -- are also included in the most popular name database of the Social Security Administration for babies. The top 10 names for dogs and cats are:

Dogs Cats

1. Max 1. Max

2. Bailey 2. Chloe

3. Bella 3. Tigger

4. Molly 4. Tiger

5. Lucy 5. Lucy

PETS ON THE WEB

Check out those Internet scares

Anyone with a pet and an e-mail address receives a constant barrage of "warnings" on products that are said to be deadly to pets. The most pervasive in recent years have been warnings on Febreze and Swiffer. Neither product is dangerous to pets, according to veterinary experts in poison-control. And yes, the "warnings" just keep circulating.

It's neither right nor fair to pass on unsubstantiated claims. When you get such an e-mail, don't forward it automatically to 600 of your closest friends. Instead, check it out.

A good general site for rumors is Snopes.com, which keeps up with all urban myths and e-mail rumors and fairly evaluates them. Specifically for pets, you can usually find out the information from the ASPCA's Animal Poison Control Center (www.aspca.org/APCC). -- 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.

Universal Press Syndicate

Puppies are overrated. I say that after spending the last six months working on raising one who's still a work in progress. Faith is a darling, bright retriever who is as good a puppy as anyone could ever hope for. I love her! But after piddle puddles, chewed headphones and all the normal silliness and mess that go along with raising a puppy, I'm reminded why most of the dogs who've ended up as part of my family have come into my home as adults.

October is Adopt-a-Dog month, and that also reminds me why, when people with a lot on their plates ask me about getting a puppy, I encourage them to consider a grown dog instead. Chosen carefully, an adult dog will be well past puppy foolishness and may have had some basic obedience training. Unlike puppies, who need constant monitoring, an adult dog should be able to be left alone while a family is at work or school after a much shorter period of training and re-adjustment.

For today's time-crunched households, there's no better deal than a good adult dog. But getting the right one is a little more difficult than going down to the shelter and picking out the cutest one.

While expecting to work on some minor behavior issues as your new dog gets used to you is reasonable, you want to avoid those animals who have too many problems, especially if one of them is aggression. Here are some questions that will help you:

-- What do you know of this dog's history? You may be dealing with a shelter, a rescue volunteer, the dog's original owner or breeder, or a nice person who found a stray. The more information you can get, the better. If you find out nothing about him because he was a stray, don't count him out. If he's healthy, friendly and otherwise fits your size, shedding and activity criteria, he's a contender.

-- Why is this dog available for adoption? Dogs become available for lots of reasons. "Losing our home," "divorce" and "death in the family" show no fault on the dog's part, but "bit our daughter" obviously is a problem.

Listen, too, for what isn't said: "He needs more exercise than we can give him" may mean "He needs more exercise than almost anyone could possibly ever give him, and he eats furniture when he doesn't get it." If you live a sedentary life, this isn't the dog for you.

-- What behavior problems does this dog have? Many things are fixable and worth considering if you honestly believe you'll take the time to work with the dog. "Pulls on the leash" is fixable. "He bites people, but only sometimes" is not, at least not by the average pet owner's standard, and not to the extent that you should take a chance on him with so many other dogs available.

Remember, too, that some problems are the owner's fault, not the dog's. "Won't stay in the yard," for example, may be easily cured by a decent fence and neutering.

-- How is he with children? Other dogs? Cats? Even if you don't have children, you're going to run into some from time to time. The same is true with other dogs. You can successfully avoid cats if you don't have them, but make certain your prospective pet at least tolerates them well if you have a cat in your home.

If you're getting an animal from a shelter, the organization should have asked the former owner to fill out a card on such things as problems with children or other animals. If you're adopting from a foster home, ask if the family has other animals and children. If there's no way to determine the dog's attitude toward children and other animals but he seems friendly, he may be OK. If you have doubts, however, hold out for an animal that you're sure fits well with your family.

Above all, take your time. This is a decision that should be for the dog's lifetime, and there are lots of pets to consider. Make the decision with your head as much as your heart. There's plenty of time after adoption to fall in love with your new canine companion.

ADOPTIONS ON THE INTERNET

Petfinder (www.petfinder.com) has become the No. 1 place to look for a pet to adopt, with thousands of listings searchable by species, breed type and geographic area. Shelters and rescue groups of all sizes use Petfinder to bring attention to the animals they're trying to place. Your local shelter will likely have listings of pets for adoption on its own Web site, as well.

While some rescue groups that work with a single breed use Petfinder, many do not. To find these organizations, visit the American Kennel Club's Web site (www.akc.org) and look up the breed you're interested in. The national rescue contact will be listed.

THE SCOOP

Universal registry helps with microchip IDs

Microchips are a modern miracle when it comes to positive identification of pets. Inserted into the skin over the shoulder blades of dogs and cats and into the breast tissue of birds, microchips can be a ticket home for a pet who's lost.

But competing microchips, incompatible scanners and too many registries have always kept the technology from achieving its full promise. While many pets have been reunited with owners because of their microchips, countless others have not.

At least one aspect of the problem is now being addressed by the American Animal Hospital Association, which has created the AAHA Universal Pet Microchip Lookup Tool. Created to remove some of the guesswork for veterinary hospitals and shelters, the free, Internet-based resource assists with microchip identification -- helping reunite pets and owners by checking participating pet recovery services' registries to determine which registry should be contacted.

The AAHA Universal Pet Microchip Lookup Tool can be accessed online at Petmicrochiplookup.org.

The association has been working with microchipping and pet recovery industry leaders for the past year on the development of this new tool. The participating companies include AKC CAR, Home Again, Petlink by Datamars and resQ by Bayer.

The AAHA Universal Pet Microchip Lookup Tool works by checking the databases of participating pet recovery services to determine which has registration information available for a microchip. Once a microchip identification number is entered into the tool, within seconds a list of all the registries with microchip registration information available along with the registries' contact information will appear in chronological order. The registry with the most recent update appears first.

If the microchip has not been registered with any participating pet recovery service, the result returned will default to the microchip's manufacturer or distributor. While the tool will not return the pet owner information contained in the registries' databases, it will identify which registries should be contacted when a lost pet is scanned and a microchip is found. -- Pet Connection staff

PET BUZZ

Coughing cat may have asthma

-- Hairballs may be blamed for a cat's chronic coughing, but the problem maybe asthma. Symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, open-mouthed breathing and heaving may indicate a cat with asthma, according to the newsletter of the Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine. These attacks can be brought on by stress and allergens, with common allergens including cigarette smoke, pollen, dust, mold, aerosols, perfume, deodorizers, dusty cat litter and food. Common treatment ranges from allergy medication similar to bronchodilators to oxygen therapy.

-- The famed polydactyl cats from the Hemingway House museum have been allowed to keep their home, thanks to special fencing keeping the cats contained within the museum's grounds. USA Today reports that the fence was built in response to a warning from the U.S. Department of Agriculture stating the museum did not have the proper animal exhibition licensing and threatening the museum with a fine of $200 per day. More than half of the cats at the museum have more than the normal amount of toes, with many of them descending directly from Snowball, a six-toed cat given to Ernest Hemingway in 1935.

-- Animals of military personnel can find a foster home while their owner is away on duty through NetPets.org, which provides volunteer foster parents nationwide.

-- Dogs who swallowed pennies did better before 1982, as pennies were made mostly with copper. In 1982, pennies changed composition to 95 percent zinc with a copper coating -- and that presents a problem for pets. A penny can get stuck in the pet's stomach and dissolve, releasing high levels of zinc into the pet's body and causing red blood cells to rupture, which could result in anemia and multiple organ failure. Symptoms that indicate penny ingestion include vomiting, abdominal pain, lethargy, pale gums, a small amount of diarrhea, weakness and depression. -- 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

Watch for signs of obesity in pet bird

Is your parrot fat? Life with little activity while in a cage with an all-you-can-eat buffet has many birds overweight and struggling with health problems. Poor food choices -- too many seeds, processed or otherwise fatty foods -- also pack the pounds on.

Amazon parrots, large cockatoos, cockatiels and budgies seem more prone to obesity than other species of pet birds. Some of the signs of obesity in birds include:

-- The presence of rolls of fat around the abdomen and hip areas, along with cleavage on the abdomen or breast area.

-- Visible fat under the skin. The skin of most normal pet birds is typically very thin and quite transparent. When the skin is wet with rubbing alcohol, you should be able to see dark pink or red muscle underneath. In overweight birds, you see yellowish fat instead.

-- Breathing difficulty, such as labored breathing, especially after physical exertion.

-- Heat intolerance, shown by excessive wing drooping or open-mouthed breathing in a hot environment.

-- Overgrown upper beaks. Some birds will grow their upper beaks excessively long if they have obesity and fatty liver disease problems. This is particularly true in Amazon parrots and budgies.

If you suspect your bird is fat -- and especially if you already know your bird is fat -- see your veterinarian right away for nutritional counseling and other ways to attack the problem. Long-term obesity and a poor diet is a major cause of joint problems and heart disease in birds in middle age. -- Dr. Marty Becker

BY THE NUMBERS

Why puppies, dogs end up homeless

Although the housing crisis and the rough economy are forcing people to give up pets, long-standing trends point to a list of reasons why dogs end up homeless:

1. Moving

2. Landlord issues

3. Cost of pet maintenance

4. No time for pet

5. Inadequate facilities

6. Too many pets in home

7. Pet illness

8. Personal problems

9. Biting

10. No homes for littermates

Source: National Council on Pet Population Study & Policy

PET TIP

Loose dog? Don't punish him!

Punishing a dog for running from you is one surefire way to make sure he's even harder to catch the next time. Wouldn't you keep running if you knew you'd get punished when caught?

If your dog takes off on you, kneel down and open your arms when calling to make yourself more inviting. If that doesn't work, try to use a command he knows well, like "sit" instead of "come." Many dogs know "sit" so well that they'll plant their rumps, and once they're sitting, you might be able to walk up and take their collars. Another possibility is to catch your dog's attention and run in the other direction, enticing him to follow you. The chase instinct is very strong in dogs, and it may well work.

Remember, a loose dog situation is not about dog training, but about dog saving. When you have your dog safely back on leash, praise him, be grateful and make a vow that you'll take the time to teach him this most important of commands. Because next time he's out, you may not be so lucky to get him back in one piece. -- 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.