TEACH YOUR DOG HOW TO USE HIS NOSE FOR GOOD SCENTS

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Have you ever wished there was a dog sport that anyone -- and any dog -- could do? Wish no more. Nose work is what you've been looking for. If your dog can eat treats out of a box or has a favorite toy, he can excel at this fun sport. Purebreds and mixed breeds of all ages, sizes and abilities are finding a place in nose work classes and competitions.

The object of the game is for the dog to find a particular odor -- birch, anise or clove -- and alert his handler to the find by sitting, looking at the person or displaying some other signal. It can be played indoors or outdoors on all types of surfaces. Weather or environmental factors such as wind, rain, snow, air conditioners or heating vents affect the dispersal of scent and the difficulty of the find.

Nose work, which was invented in 2006 by three California dog trainers, isn't just a way for your dog to use his sniffer. It helps shy or fearful dogs learn confidence, strengthens the bond between dog and handler, and permits older dogs to remain active and interested in life.

In this sport, the dog takes the lead. It's his nose that does the work, after all. Both dog and handler must learn to read and respond to the subtleties of each other's body language, and dogs must learn to overcome distractions, handler interference and individual fears, such as shiny floors or tight corners.

For people, it can be difficult to step back and not try to direct the dog. The word "No" is off the table, as are any other corrections and obedience commands. Letting the dog work and believing him when he gives the alert signal is easier said than done, but you'll find that practice enriches communication between you and your dog.

It's essential to reward the dog for finds. That's where treats -- or a favorite toy -- come in. Dogs start by finding an open box on the floor filled with treats. They get to eat the treats out of the box, plus they get more treats and praise when they find the container. Even if he needs a little help, the dog is always rewarded for finding a scent.

Gradually, scent is paired with the treats in the box. As the dog progresses, he's eventually searching for scent alone, but he always gets rewarded with treats or a favorite toy and praise when he makes a find. That's a big ego boost for any dog, but it especially benefits dogs with little confidence. It's not unusual to see shy or timid dogs become excited about searches after just a couple of classes.

Got a dog who barks or snarls at his fellow canines? That's not a problem in nose work. Each dog works individually while the others are out of sight in a car or crate. They might see each other in passing, but class members learn quickly which dogs need more space and then work together to accommodate their needs. Even after the dog learns the basics, most people continue to go to class for practice and camaraderie.

Nose work is a game that you can do just for fun, but it also has a competitive element. After passing an Odor Recognition Test (ORT) proving that the dog has the ability to find and recognize a particular odor, dog/handler teams can compete for titles at different levels: NW1, NW2, NW3 and NW3 Elite. Find classes through the National Association of Canine Scent Work, which held its first national trial earlier this year.

Q&A

Diarrhea in cats has

many possible causes

Q: Why does my cat get diarrhea, and what should I do about it? Is it serious? -- via email

A: At one time or another, every cat owner experiences the foul-smelling loose stools produced by cats with diarrhea. It's one of the most common problems seen in cats, but diarrhea has many different causes. If you'll excuse the pun, figuring out the cause of diarrhea is a process of elimination.

Kittens often have diarrhea caused by intestinal parasites, such as roundworms. A sudden change in diet, eating rich foods, food allergies, gastrointestinal infections caused by bacteria or viruses, pancreatitis and inflammatory bowel disease are other common causes of diarrhea. Possible causes of diarrhea in aging cats include hyperthyroidism or alimentary lymphoma.

Occasional diarrhea usually isn't serious. Whether a case of "the runs" warrants a trip to the veterinarian depends on several factors. If your adult cat who goes outdoors is eating well and acting normally, you can probably wait a couple of days to see if the situation improves. He may just have "garbage gut" from eating a dead mouse. Anxiety caused by guests in the home or other environmental changes can also trigger a bout of diarrhea.

If you have a kitten or a senior cat, and diarrhea persists for more than a couple of days, or if your cat has bloody diarrhea, he needs to see the veterinarian. Very young and very old cats can quickly become dehydrated if they have diarrhea. You should also be concerned if your cat isn't eating, seems lethargic and is vomiting in addition to the diarrhea.

With an examination and some detective work, your veterinarian can determine whether your cat's diarrhea needs to be treated with antibiotics, a hypoallergenic diet or probiotics. A diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease may call for corticosteroid injections, while diarrhea caused by intestinal cancer may be resolved with chemotherapy. -- Dr. Marty Becker

THE BUZZ

Less costly treatment

plan for pups with parvo

-- Canine parvovirus is a terrible intestinal infection that can kill dogs, especially puppies, if left untreated. Unfortunately, treatment in a veterinary hospital, while it has the best survival rate, is often very expensive, running between $1,500 and $3,000. Now veterinarians at Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital have developed a new outpatient protocol with an 85 percent survival rate, compared to 90 percent for the more costly inpatient treatment. While it requires a high level of nursing care from the owner, as well as close supervision by the pet's regular veterinarian, the cost is only $200 to $300. Veterinarians can contact CSU for details of the protocol.

-- A proposed Massachusetts law would require towns and cities in the state to put emergency evacuation and shelter plans in place for animals. Laws like this are currently on the books in 13 states, inspired by the large numbers of people who died rather than abandon their pets during Hurricane Katrina. Such loyalty to animals can put the lives of first responders at risk as well, which is why the federal Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act requires states that accept money for homeland security to incorporate disaster plans for animals. The new law would give municipalities in Massachusetts one year to develop such plans.

-- What's louder: an animal shelter or a jackhammer? Unfortunately for homeless pets, many shelters measure in at around 118 decibels, louder than a subway train or a jackhammer, and higher than the 90-decibel OSHA cutoff for required ear protection for human workers. Peak sound levels occur at feeding and cleaning times. Considering that dogs hear three times better than humans do, that's a considerable animal welfare concern. Studies have shown that canine respiration and heart rates go up in noisy environments, and they have an increased incidence of both physical and behavior problems. -- Christie Keith

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.

FESTIVE THREATS TO PETS INCLUDE FATTY FOODS, ALCOHOL AND OPEN DOORS

By Dr. Tony Johnson

for Universal Uclick

As I strolled through the grocery store last month, I noticed that the Christmas decor was already up. In my mind, it was still summer, but apparently the good folks at my local fooditorium wanted to ring in the holidays a tad early this year. Some day, I am certain they will start putting up the tinsel in June.

The holiday season is one of togetherness, and pets are increasingly a big part of the holiday festivities. During this otherwise joyous season, a few pet dangers are lurking, though. This info will help keep your pet safe during all the fun and avoid expensive trips to the pet ER.

-- Food -- The biggest holiday threats to pets come from the same threats to your waistline and chances of you fitting into your skinny jeans -- food! The holiday season is all about food (yeah, and love and family and all that other stuff, too), and there's plenty of it to be had: cookies, roast beast, puddings and more cookies. To you, it may just mean another hour on the stair stepper, but to your dog, human food can cause real problems.

Vomiting and diarrhea are common side effects from eating too much people food (the medical term we throw about is "dietary indiscretion"), and in some cases, this can proceed to a more serious condition called pancreatitis. Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, the gland that makes digestive enzymes as well as insulin. When the pancreas becomes inflamed, it releases these enzymes and begins digesting itself. This can be a serious and painful condition that often requires hospitalization.

It is probably a good idea to either keep pets confined during any holiday parties, or make sure guests (especially kids) know not to give treats to your pets. Dogs and cats have been known to drag an entire turkey off the counter when the owner's back is turned (you know they've gotta be thinking, "SCORE!"), so make sure you stay aware of their whereabouts during meal preparation.

If you do want to include your pet in the meal and fun, stick to a bit of lean turkey and low- or no-fat veggies (no onions, though, as these can cause anemia in dogs and cats), and skip the gravy, dressing and pecan pie. Sugar-free items that contain xylitol are also toxic to pets.

-- Booze -- It is true: Don't get your Doberman drunk during the holidays (or any other time), and don't let any lampshade-wearing guests try to give your pug a mug of beer. And no one wants to see a basset with a hangover.

Your dog or cat's liver is not equipped to process alcohol, and even small amounts can be life-threatening. Put boozy party leftovers well out of reach. That includes whisky-soaked fruitcakes, trifles laced with liqueurs and the rum balls that Aunt Martha sends every year.

-- Open doors -- People come and go much more during the holidays than other times of year, and all that traffic can lead to plenty of opportunities for escape. In the ER, we see many pets who made a break for freedom when Uncle Floyd came a-callin' with his special tuna surprise. Dogs and cats can dart out the door without anyone even noticing, and there's a whole big world of hurt just waiting for them out there. Ensure that pets are safely put away when you are expecting guests, and make a nightly head count to make sure that all the furry family members are accounted for before turning in for your visions of sugar plums.

Here's hoping you have a sane season, and that all family members make it through safely, no matter how many legs they have.

Q&A

Take the bite out

of an eager dog

Q: We have adopted a new dog. He is very friendly and has really great manners, except for one thing: He snatches food. A couple of times his teeth have grazed our fingers. How can we break him of this bad habit? -- via Facebook

A: That's definitely a common problem. Sometimes hard mouthing indicates a dog who is anxious, fearful or overstimulated. There are a couple of things you can try to make the situation less overwhelming for the dog and teach him to take food (and other objects) gently.

First, always deliver treats below the mouth. When you hold them up high, the dog's natural inclination is to jump up and grab. Sometimes dogs jump and bite because they're used to treats being dropped and are trying to grab them before they fall. This may call for a bit more bending on your part, especially if you have a small dog.

Deliver the treat right to the dog's mouth. This takes practice, because sometimes it's hard to hold a treat without fumbling and starting to drop it, but once you get the hang of it, he'll be less likely to grab at it.

Another way to teach your dog to take treats more gently is what's sometimes called the "Zen" game. Place a treat on your palm and close your hand over it. Show the dog your closed hand. He will probably mouth it, but wait until only his tongue or nose is touching the outside of your hand. Then you can open it to give him the treat. The hand opens only when the mouth is gentle and soft without teeth. Let him know you like that behavior by saying "Good" and opening your palm.

When a dog mouths hard, say "Ouch!" and pull your hand away so the opportunity for the treat is lost. Try again once the dog calms down. -- Mikkel Becker

THE BUZZ

New treatment for dogs,

humans with bone cancer

-- Bone cancer in dogs is difficult, costly and painful to treat, with a poor prognosis for most. It's also a disease that strikes humans, including children. Now, veterinary researchers at the Auburn University Research Initiative in Cancer have received a two-year, $118,848 grant to study a new treatment for canine bone cancer that may also help humans. The treatment being studied would use a modified hepatitis virus vaccine to turn cancer cells into factories pumping out more copies of the virus instead of reproducing themselves.

-- Gazing at an aquarium can be very soothing -- in fact, aquariums in dentist's and doctor's waiting rooms have been shown to reduce anxiety in patients. But at a recent infectious disease conference held in San Francisco, Dr. George Alangaden of the Henry Ford Health System told physicians that aquariums can be responsible for skin infections because of an organism known as Mycobacterium marinum. The bug has a long incubation period, and often goes undiagnosed, even though it's easily treated. So if you're dealing with a skin infection and you keep fish, be sure to ask your doctor to look for M. marinum.

-- Some cats develop tumors known as fibrosarcomas at the site of injections. Feline specialists have long recommended administering vaccinations and other shots in a cats' leg, because it's much easier to amputate a leg than to remove these tumors from between the shoulders. Now Dr. Julie Levy of the University of Florida is suggesting a new injection site: the tail tip. In a study she conducted, cats responded to vaccines given in the tail as well as they did to those given in other locations, and, she says, amputating a tail tip is very simple surgery. -- Christie Keith

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.

VISION PROBLEMS A COMMON CONCERN IN OLDER PETS

Whoever said that getting old isn't for sissies knew what she was talking about. All of us, including our dogs and cats, find that as we age, our bodies just don't work as well as they used to. Eye diseases are among the most commonly seen problems in older dogs and cats.

One change you may notice is a condition called lenticular sclerosis, or nuclear sclerosis. That bluish haze you may see in a pet's eyes isn't cataracts, as is often suspected, but the result of a normal aging of the lens. The good news is that it doesn't affect vision and doesn't require any treatment.

Cataracts are cloudy spots on the normally transparent lens of the eye. They look like a milky gray film behind the pupil. Cataracts may start to appear when dogs are 6 years old to 8 years old and can eventually lead to blindness. Dogs rely more on scent than sight, however, and they can get around very well simply by using their noses -- as long as you don't move the furniture. If your dog's cataracts are so bad that he's running into things, ask your veterinarian about cataract surgery.

Older cats rarely develop cataracts. They are more likely to suffer vision loss from retinal diseases, uveitis (a painful inflammation of certain eye structures) or glaucoma. Like dogs, cats adapt well to vision loss. They compensate by relying more on their hearing or their whiskers.

Other age-related vision problems, such as keratoconjunctivitis sicca, better known as dry eye, require aggressive treatment. Tears, which are produced by the lacrimal glands, lubricate, protect and cleanse the eye. Tear production tends to decrease with age. If that happens, the eye becomes dry and irritated. It starts to produce more mucus, causing a goopy discharge. Dry eyes are itchy, and dogs may scratch at them or rub them on the carpet in an attempt to relieve the itch. Dogs with dry eye are also more likely to develop corneal ulcers.

Dry eye is diagnosed with a Schirmer tear test. The veterinarian places a tiny paper strip at the inner corner of the eye, where the tears pool, and holds it there for one minute to see how much of the strip becomes wetted with tears. If the result indicates that tear production is below normal, the animal likely has dry eye. Dry eye is less common in cats than in dogs.

Depending on the condition of the eye, your veterinarian may prescribe artificial tears (not saline solution), antibiotic eye drops or an immunosuppressant drug that stimulates tear production. This helps to keep the dog comfortable and the cornea healthy. The medication may need to be compounded at a special pharmacy.

Glaucoma is an increase in pressure within the eye. It can develop quickly and is extremely painful. If your pet is squinting and the eye is tearing and feels harder than normal, consider it an emergency. A dog or cat with an acute case of glaucoma can lose his eyesight within 48 hours if the condition isn't treated immediately.

Take your dog to the veterinarian for an eye exam any time you notice the following signs:

-- Redness

-- Cloudiness

-- Discharge

-- Opaque or whitish film over the eye

-- Tearing, squinting, pawing at the eye or other signs of pain

-- Sensitivity to light

-- An unusually soft or hard eye

-- A swollen, crusty or itchy eyelid

-- A bulging or sunken eye

If you notice that your pet's vision is not as keen as it used to be, don't simply chalk it up to old age. Oftentimes, medication or other treatment can help, especially if the problem is diagnosed early.

Q&A

New climate calls for

changes in dog's lifestyle

Q: My dog and I just moved from Southern California to Wisconsin, and it's starting to get a lot colder than we're used to. What should I do to make sure my dog is prepared for winter? -- via Facebook

A: Having lived in Idaho all my life, I know just what kind of weather you're facing. Brrrr!

First things first: Provide protective gear as needed. Lots of people object to dogs wearing clothes, but shorthaired or thin-skinned dogs such as greyhounds or pugs don't have much fur or fat for insulation, and it's a real kindness to provide them with a warm coat or sweater to protect them from the elements. Not every dog needs a winter coat. Nordic breeds like Alaskan malamutes and Siberian huskies love the cold and snow and will happily dig themselves a snow cave to relax in.

Whether your dog needs booties depends on similar factors. If he walks on streets or sidewalks that have been treated with salts to melt ice, booties will protect his feet from chemicals. And longhaired dogs often get snow or ice balls between their foot pads. They may need booties as well, or you can try clipping the hair so there's less opportunity for ice balls to form.

When he plays outdoors, make sure your dog has a sheltered area where he'll be protected from wind and snow. How long should your dog stay outside? Once he's accustomed to the new climate, he can stay outdoors as long as he wants if he has a place where he can retreat from the elements.

Finally, never let your dog off leash in an unfenced area. One hazard dogs face in winter is being hit by a car because the driver's vision is limited by snow piled on the sides of the road. -- Dr. Marty Becker and Kim Campbell Thornton

THE BUZZ

Jerky treats linked to

pet illnesses, deaths

-- After testing more than 1,200 pet jerky treat samples since 2011, the Food and Drug Administration still doesn't know why 3,600 dogs and 10 cats have developed illnesses related to the treats since 2007. Approximately 580 of those pets have died. The implicated treats, most of which were produced in China, have been tested for various chemical and microbiological contaminants, including antibiotics, metals, pesticides and salmonella. The FDA has also inspected facilities in China where jerky treats are manufactured and have identified additional areas for investigation, such as the supply chain of certain ingredients. The FDA is asking pet owners and veterinarians to report potential jerky treat-related illnesses and may ask for blood, urine and tissue samples for further analysis. If a pet eats jerky treats made of chicken, duck, sweet potato or dried fruit, then exhibits signs such as appetite loss, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, increased water consumption and increased urination, seek veterinary help. Until the mystery is solved, however, it's best to avoid giving jerky treats.

-- A dog's dietary needs are based mainly on activity levels. Unless your dog is out cross-country skiing with you or pulling a sled, he probably needs to eat less in winter because he's less active.

-- How intelligent are parrots? It depends on their social structure. A study published in the September 2013 issue of Animal Cognition looked at problem-solving abilities in four parrot species: spectacled parrotlets, green-winged macaws, sulphur-crested cockatoos and rainbow lorikeets. An article on Wired.com reports that researchers Anastasia Krasheninnikova, Stefan Brager and Ralf Wanker at the University of Hamburg in Germany gave the birds five different string-pulling tasks to test whether they understood a cause-and-effect relationship. Spectacled parrotlets outperformed the other species, an ability that was best explained by their complex social relationships. They live in large groups that offer opportunities for many different social interactions. -- 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.