SOMETIMES IT'S NECESSARY TO REARRANGE YOUR HOME TO PROTECT BOTH YOUR BELONGINGS AND YOUR DOG

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Every few years, when we get a new puppy or adopt an adult dog or have a foster dog spend some time with us, I have to dog-proof our home and learn some new tricks about interacting with particular dogs. You might think that I would have dog-proofing down by now, but each dog has been attracted to different items or has done things it didn't occur to the other dogs to try. Our current "new dog" is Kibo, a Cavalier King Charles spaniel we're fostering until he is adopted.

One of the first things Kibo taught me was to put away my shoes and to close doors. None of our other dogs have been chewers, but Kibo likes to examine things with his mouth in the fervent hope that they will be edible. He has gone into the closet to chew on my leather sandals (caught before he did any damage) and explored the walk-in shower. There he found and carried away a plastic razor, which, fortunately, he abandoned in the hallway instead of swallowing. He is also fond of a tiny, gold papier-mache box. He hasn't chewed it up or swallowed it, which he could easily do, but he likes to take it off the side table and lie with it. It's now out of reach, too.

Despite his short stature, Kibo tries hard to be a countertop surfer. We've learned not to hold or place food at any height where he could jump up and reach it. Our other dogs are also highly food-oriented, but they wouldn't dream of snatching food out of our hands. Kibo does more than dream it -- he tries it. I always push the chair in if I get up from the table because I can tell that the idea of jumping onto it to get at the food is running through his mind.

If you are living with a Kibo of your own, here are some tips to keep your belongings safe, your house in one piece and your dog out of trouble.

-- Use a crate. When you cannot supervise your dog, even if it's just for a few minutes, put him in the crate to prevent any misbehavior. Kibo hangs out in his crate on his own and he's happy to go into it when asked because he knows he will get a treat.

-- Tether your dog. That means he is leashed at your side at all times. This is a great way to learn the signals a new dog or puppy gives when he needs to go potty. It keeps him under your watchful eye so he can't get into mischief and helps build a bond between you.

-- Get down at dog's-eye level to see what might attract the dog's attention. Electrical cords, small trash containers and dangling dish towels all can pose threats. Bundle cords and encase them in tough plastic covers, put trash containers out of reach, and keep dish towels in drawers if your dog is attracted to them. Chair and table legs often look good to chew. Coat them with Bitter Apple spray to deter taste-testing (try it first in an inconspicuous area to make sure it doesn't damage the finish). Make sure no sharp edges or choking hazards are within a dog's reach.

-- Most important, never underestimate the intelligence and inventiveness of dogs. They can learn to open doors, climb up on counters and desks using other pieces of furniture as launch pads, and crawl under or wiggle into places you've never imagined they would go. Be smart and put away or block access to valuable, fragile or dangerous items and secure cabinets with childproof locks.

Q&A

Benefits of having dogs include

friendship, health and confidence

Q: Our child is 6 years old. She's been asking for a dog, and I think it's a good time to get one. My spouse isn't so sure. What are some of the benefits of a child having a dog? -- via Facebook

A: When I look back on the happiest times of my childhood, almost all of my favorite memories involve my dog Scooter. Besides being a playmate, he helped me in other ways. I was shy, and Scooter helped me to open up and gave me a way to relate to other people.

For kids, a dog is someone to bond with and talk to who is always there and can be a trustworthy confidant. Caring for a dog teaches empathy and helps build responsibility. With supervision, a young child like your 6-year-old can put fresh water in a dog's dish, wash the food dish after the dog eats, and help put away the dog food. Older children can learn to brush the dog, measure out food at mealtime and take the dog for walks.

Pets also have health benefits. I think kids with dogs are more likely to get up off the couch and get some exercise, and studies show that children with early exposure to dogs have a decreased risk of developing allergies, asthma and eczema.

At every age, children are constantly going through changes, including going to school and learning how to deal with people. Some come from broken families and go back and forth between their parents' homes. For any child, a dog or other pet can be a constant in their lives.

With my own daughter, our two pugs provide consistency. No matter what else is going on with her or whatever challenges she is facing, she always has her dogs. They bring her comfort and stability. -- Mikkel Becker

Do you have a pet question? Send it to petconnection@gmail.com or visit Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker

THE BUZZ

A cat's tail up?

Safe to approach

-- In a Washington Post article, anthrozoologist John Bradshaw, who has studied cat behavior for more than 30 years and is the author of the new book "Cat Sense," writes that the key signal allowing cats to assess each other's moods is the straight-up tail. Two cats checking each other out communicate their willingness to approach peacefully by raising the tail. It's a form of neoteny, a kittenlike behavior retained into adulthood. "The tail-up signal almost certainly evolved during domestication, arising from a posture wildcat kittens use when greeting their mothers," Bradshaw writes. "Adult wildcats do not raise their tails to each other."

-- According to Winn Feline Foundation, a paper published in the April 2013 issue of Veterinary Dermatology found that beef, dairy products and fish account for nearly 90 percent of all reported cases of adverse food reactions in cats. Based on a literature search of food and food ingredients, the paper reports that the animal proteins generally caused skin lesions or a combination of skin lesions and gastrointestinal symptoms. Wheat and corn typically caused gastrointestinal upset. Beef, dairy products, chicken and wheat were responsible for 78 percent of reported adverse food reactions in dogs.

-- Dogs eat the darndest things. Based on animal X-rays submitted to the Veterinary Practice News' "They Ate What?" contest, the following items were found in the stomachs of some dogs with indiscriminate eating habits: a long piece of metal with a two-inch curve; a 14-inch wooden back scratcher; a wooden-handled hunting knife; a mass of 70 rubber hair bands, which were at first mistaken for a tumor; a bread knife; an electronics cable; a llama rib bone; a Playstation controller; and an arrowhead. The takeaway? Never assume your dog won't -- or can't -- swallow something. -- Dr. Marty Becker and Kim Campbell Thornton

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet-care experts headed by "Good Morning America" and "The Dr. Oz Show" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Kim Campbell Thornton. They are joined by professional dog trainer and behavior consultant Mikkel Becker. Dr. Becker can be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker. Kim Campbell Thornton is on Twitter at kkcthornton. Mikkel Becker is at Facebook.com/MikkelBecker and on Twitter at MikkelBecker.

A TRIP TO THE VETERINARY ER IS NEVER EASY, BUT THESE TIPS CAN HELP YOU GET THROUGH IT

Taking a pet to the emergency hospital is something none of us wants to do. It's scary and stressful for you and your dog or cat. We've been there more times than we like to think about, and we have some tips to help you cope. We hope you won't ever need to use them, but tuck them away in the back of your mind just in case.

Protect yourself when handling a sick or injured animal. Even the most docile dog or cat can bite when in pain. Keep a muzzle on hand or ask your veterinarian to show you how to safely tie one using a scarf or tie.

Be patient. Your pet won't be seen in the order of arrival. Animals who are most unstable will be seen first.

"We do them in order of medical need," says our friend and colleague Dr. Tony Johnson, an emergency and critical care specialist at the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine. "If I have a hit-by-car and a dog with diarrhea, even if the dog with diarrhea has been waiting two hours, the hit-by-car is going to get seen first."

The only time someone jumps that line, he says, is if they're bringing in a pet to be euthanized.

Be prepared to wait as little as five minutes or as long as six hours. It all depends on what other cases are there or come in while you're waiting. If you think about it before you leave the house, grab a book or your iPod in case you'll be there for a while.

If possible, have someone go with you or meet you there. You may need help getting your pet in and out of the car and into the hospital. And it's always good to have someone's hand to hold while you're waiting.

Designate a single person to communicate with the veterinarian, so he or she doesn't have to repeat information to multiple family members. Take notes or record the conversation on your smartphone so you can refer back to it.

Don't forget your wallet in your mad rush out of the house. Most veterinary hospitals won't treat your pet without proof that you can pay for care. Your regular veterinary hospital might do that if you've been a client for years -- they know where you live and that you're probably not going to skip town -- but an emergency hospital isn't in that position.

"It sounds avaricious, but there are not too many emergency hospitals that are going to do something on a handshake," Dr. Johnson says. "ERs usually see people once. They can't separate out the people who are a risk of not paying from those who aren't. They're not trying to be greedy."

Know when to go. Some things are obvious. Take your pet to the emergency hospital in the following situations:

-- allergic reactions

-- any animal bite

-- bloated belly

-- bloody diarrhea

-- difficulty breathing

-- distress from excessively hot or cold temperatures

-- eye injuries

-- frequent or projectile vomiting

-- heavy bleeding

-- ingestion of a toxic substance, such as antifreeze, human medications or snail bait

-- seizures

-- serious trauma, such as being hit by a car

-- straining to urinate or defecate

-- sudden lameness

-- unconsciousness or collapse

-- venomous snake or spider bites

If you're not sure, well, we recommend erring on the side of caution. Like their counterparts in human medicine, veterinary emergency clinics are expensive, but sometimes the cost of a visit is a price worth paying for peace of mind. And when a visit saves your pet's life? Priceless.

Q&A

Respond to cat's 'gifts'

with gratitude, distraction

Q: My cat is always bringing me dead gophers. Why does he do this, and how should I respond? -- via Facebook

A: My mother's cats have delivered four rats to her front door in the past week. Isn't she lucky that they are so thoughtful? I guess with colder weather coming on, they are concerned that she won't be able to provide for herself.

Cats are known for bringing "presents" to their people. Why do cats hunt for us? They are natural predators, of course, and it's instinctive for them to bring their prey to a safe place. In the wild, leopards drag their kill up into trees so it will be safe from other animals and they can munch on it at their leisure. Our domestic cats choose their own home, and sometimes their own food dish, as the best place to securely deposit their kill.

Of course, we can't get into their heads, fascinating though it would be, but they may be acting out the instinct to nurture us and to provide us with food. Maybe they are trying to teach us to hunt, as they would a kitten. Or it could just be that they're saying, "Hey, could you fix this for dinner tonight?"

Be polite when your cat brings you the gift of a dead mouse or other critter. Praise him for being such a good hunter, and then try to distract him while -- ideally --someone else disposes of the carcass.

If your cat is a great hunter, there's little you can do to prevent his offerings. There's the classic bell on the collar to warn prey animals of his approach, or the policy of keeping him indoors. And learn from my mother's experience: Look carefully before you step outside the door. -- Kim Campbell Thornton

Do you have a pet question? Send it to petconnection@gmail.com or visit Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker.

THE BUZZ

Dogs with 'smart collars'

could be health barometers

-- Researchers at England's Newcastle University developed a high-tech, waterproof dog collar with an accelerometer and used it to track movement, barking, sitting and other actions to gather data on the normal activity level of a variety of dog breeds. The information they obtained allowed them to quickly notice changes that might indicate that the dog was bored or in poor health. Their next step is to study whether changes such as the dog being walked less often or not being fed regularly can serve as a warning that an aging owner is struggling to cope or has deteriorating health.

-- The Eau Gallie Veterinary Hospital in Melbourne, Fla., has started regularly utilizing humorous messages, such as "No hump Wednesdays 10 percent off spay and neuter." The clever and comical signs are the brainchild of office manager Gemma Millar, who says they are a fun way to get people's attention and promote preventive care and the benefits of spaying and neutering. The signs have increased the clinic's spay/neuter appointments and even brought in new clients.

-- Everyone knows that black is chic, sophisticated and goes with everything. So why are black dogs and cats so difficult to place? Shelter employees and humane organizations agree that the animals tend to stay longer than lighter-colored pets, possibly because they are difficult to photograph, blend into backgrounds, or maybe just look a little scary. Shelters are working to improve their chances by putting colorful bandanas on black animals, putting up bright backdrops in their kennels to help them stand out, and having their pictures taken by professional photographers. -- Dr. Marty Becker and Kim Campbell Thornton

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet-care experts headed by "Good Morning America" and "The Dr. Oz Show" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Kim Campbell Thornton. They are joined by professional dog trainer and behavior consultant Mikkel Becker. Dr. Becker can be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker. Kim Campbell Thornton is on Twitter at kkcthornton. Mikkel Becker is at Facebook.com/MikkelBecker and on Twitter at MikkelBecker.

SEPARATION ANXIETY: IT'S WELL-KNOWN AMONG DOGS, BUT CATS SUFFER IT, TOO.

When you come home from work, is it to find that your cat has peed on the bed, yowled so desolately all day that the neighbors inquire a little nervously about her well-being, or scratched to ribbons the chair that you just had reupholstered with that expensive fabric? Don't chalk it up to spite. Your cat may be suffering from a condition that almost no one associates with the feline species: separation anxiety.

Separation anxiety is more commonly associated with dogs, but despite their reputation for independence, cats can develop it as well, especially if they were orphaned as kittens or weaned too early. These cats may express their anxiety in destructive ways, such as scratching furniture.

Older cats can develop separation anxiety in the wake of a divorce or death in the family. They are often more attached to people than they are given credit for, and cats who lose owners this way may pace and cry in search of them.

Other signs of separation anxiety include depression, sulking, fighting with other cats, refusing to eat, not using the litter box, spraying urine on the owner's clothing and compulsive grooming behaviors, such as licking or pulling at hair until it comes out.

Why do cats do these things? It makes them feel better. Take spraying urine on your bedding or clothing -- please! Your belongings carry your scent, and applying her own scent to them makes your cat feel more secure, almost as if you're there. It's a compliment of sorts, even if it's one you'd rather not receive.

Are you doomed to life with a bald, angry cat who doesn't want you to leave the house? You might not be able to cure your cat's separation anxiety, but you can probably manage it successfully by enriching the environment and offering more playtime and attention.

To keep your cat's mind off your absence, make being home more interesting for him. Leave out a puzzle toy filled with a meal's worth of kibble. The time spent releasing the food from the toy is time not spent being destructive. And most cats tend to settle down after the first half-hour that you're gone.

Rotate favorite interactive toys so your cat doesn't have a chance to get bored. Put them out only when you're going to be away from home.

Give your cat some screen time -- TV screen, that is. Turn on the TV to a nature channel or play a DVD made for cats. The sights and sounds of birds, fish, squirrels and other animals can help hold a cat's interest.

Offer a room with a view -- and a gym. Install a window perch so your cat can watch the squirrels outside, and place a tall cat tree in an interesting spot so he can get some exercise climbing up and down it.

Provide live entertainment in the form of a bird feeder set in front of the window or an aquarium placed where your cat can see it but not access it.

If possible, build an enclosure in your yard that your cat can access from indoors. A chance to laze in the sun and roll in the grass is relaxing for everyone, including cats.

Give your cat a favorite treat when you leave, not when you come home.

Spend a few minutes once or twice a day playing with or petting your cat. If your cat knows he'll get attention when you're home, he's less likely to be anxious when you're gone.

If all else fails, consult a veterinary behaviorist. She may prescribe an anti-anxiety medication that can help your cat stay calm.

Q&A

Pets' bodily responses

to euthanasia differ

Q: We recently had to euthanize our dog Daisy. Luckily, our veterinarian was kind enough to come to our house so Daisy wouldn't be stressed by riding in the car and being at a hospital during her final moments. Everything went well until the second shot, which our vet said would stop her heart. After this fluid went into her vein, she stretched out and opened her mouth in an unsettling way. I've seen euthanasia performed before, and it was peaceful. Could you tell me what went wrong with Daisy? -- via Facebook

A: I'm sorry not only for the loss of your beloved pet, but also because you didn't experience it as we'd ideally want you to –– as the gentle, serene experience it was for her.

Let me explain: When we administer the injections that hasten the deaths of our patients, we're effectively administering overdoses of medications designed to anesthetize them fully before their heartbeat and respiration ceases and their brain function comes to an end.

The extremely swift effect of the medications, whether they're administered as one injection or two (the two-injection protocol is currently the most common approach), is such that animals are almost certainly unconscious before any of the signs you observed transpired.

But depending on the effects of these medications on individual animals' bodies, some animals may occasionally flail, appear to breathe, stiffen or even vocalize.

We understand that it's difficult for pet owners to perceive these signs as anything but distress, which is why we go to great lengths to minimize them. Nonetheless, you can rest assured that modern euthanasia methods ensure a peaceful death, despite your unfortunate experience. -- Dr. Patty Khuly, DrPattyKhuly.com

Do you have a pet question? Send it to petconnection@gmail.com or visit Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker

THE BUZZ

New program helps pets

of domestic violence victims

-- The University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine is pioneering a program that provides up to 30 days of care for the pets of women seeking protection from domestic violence at two local shelters, according to a report in ScienceDaily.com. Student volunteers care for the pets and arrange visits between the women and their pets. The program was developed in response to a recent study showing that 34 percent of women had delayed leaving an abuser out of concern for their pets. In other communities, shelter personnel and veterinarians can help by asking women if they need help placing pets and alerting clients to safe-haven programs and emergency resources for pets.

-- AP journalist Rachel D'Oro reports that Stubbs, the honorary feline mayor of Talkeetna, Alaska, is recovering slowly from an Aug. 31 attack by a loose dog. The 16-year-old orange cat suffered a deep gash on his side, a fractured sternum and a punctured lung. Stubbs, who was elected 15 years ago to represent the town, has received many get-well wishes from the more than 29,000 fans of his Facebook page.

-- Researchers at Germany's University of Gottingen Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Chronix Biomedical have published a study in the peer-reviewed journal PLOS ONE identifying important similarities and differences between human and canine breast tumors, according to a report in Medical News Today. The finding has potential benefits for people and dogs with breast cancer. A blood marker that indicates the presence of residual cancer cells after treatment could be a minimally invasive and cost-effective diagnostic way for veterinarians and physicians to identify patients who need further treatment after surgery. -- Dr. Marty Becker and Kim Campbell Thornton

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet-care experts headed by "Good Morning America" and "The Dr. Oz Show" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Kim Campbell Thornton. They are joined by professional dog trainer and behavior consultant Mikkel Becker. Dr. Becker can be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker. Kim Campbell Thornton is on Twitter at kkcthornton. Mikkel Becker is at Facebook.com/MikkelBecker and on Twitter at MikkelBecker.