Need tension relief at family holiday gatherings? Bring a dog

By Kim Campbell Thornton

The conventional wisdom during the holidays is that pets tend to raise blood pressure rather than lower it, but under the right circumstances, they can be tension relievers. We discovered this some years ago when several of us traveled to Oklahoma in an attempt to persuade my mother-in-law to move nearer to one of us while she was still healthy and able. Wanda was not especially a dog person, but my dog Harper was a puppy then, and I brought her along for some advanced socialization in the form of air travel, thunderstorms, staying in someone else's home and meeting more new people.

What we ended up getting, I think, was some advanced canine family therapy.

Now, all of Harper's new acquaintances on that trip tolerated -- and in some cases, even liked -- dogs, but certainly not to the extent that we do. There was no objection to Harper's presence, and I crossed my fingers that she wouldn't have any housetraining accidents in Wanda's house -- that definitely wouldn't have gone over well.

I didn't need to worry. Not only did she behave perfectly and charm everyone, she acted as a source of tension relief. Any time things got stressful, there was Harper to be walked, Harper to throw a ball for, Harper to feed, Harper to pet. Her presence was a natural barrier to rising voices.

Of course, there are rules to being a good guest, especially during the holidays. Following them is the best way to ensure that your dog's visit will reduce tension, not heighten it.

-- Ask about house rules for pets -- and follow them. If your hosts don't want pets on the furniture, abide by their wishes. It's a good opportunity for your pet to practice the "stay" and "go to your place" commands. If they are OK with pets on furniture, reward their kindness by having a clean dog or covering the sofa or bed with a sheet or other covering you brought from home.

-- Enforce good manners. Stealing food is a time-honored pet holiday tradition, and it's your responsibility to keep it from happening. Take the initiative to place food or trash cans out of canine reach.

-- Let your hosts know what your dog is allowed and not allowed to do or have so they don't allow him to jump up on them, feed him from the table or offer him forbidden treats such as cooked bones, fatty or salty foods or liquor- and raisin-laden fruitcake.

-- If your hosts have pets, ensure that your dog behaves politely toward them. Keep him on his leash until you're sure he gets along with their dog or cat. Never let him chase other pets or otherwise give them grief.

-- Bring your pet's crate so he has a little bit of home where he can go to relax. Confine him to it when you aren't around to supervise so he doesn't get into trouble in a strange place.

Are you a pet owner hosting a visiting pet? Even if they are buddies, having another animal in the house, combined with the chaos of the holidays, may be stressful for pets. Give your own pets, especially cats, a safe room where they can retreat when things get too crowded or noisy. It can be a bedroom or home office -- any place that your pet is comfortable staying for long periods. Stock it with everything he needs: food, water, toys, a comfortable bed and, for cats, a clean litter box.

That applies even if your pet is normally a social butterfly. Even outgoing animals can get overstimulated from too much handling and require a timeout.

Q&A

How to safely

stop a dogfight

Q: My friend's dog was attacked recently, and she didn't know what to do. What's the best way to break up a dogfight? -- via Facebook

A: That's a scary situation. There's a lot of sound and fury, and the very real potential for injury to the dog being attacked and any person trying to break up the fight. One of my friends is currently sporting a heavily bandaged hand after trying to separate her two squabbling Jack Russell terriers.

The first rule of canine fight club: Don't grab the dogs' collars and try to pull them apart. Putting your hands anywhere near their heads is a surefire way to get bitten.

The fastest way to respond is with a verbal interruption. Using your loudest, deepest voice, yell, "No! Knock it off!" Dog trainer Liz Palika says to avoid screaming. The high-pitched sound can excite the attacking dog further.

If you have quick access to a hose, use it to spray the combatants. The shock of cold water may distract them enough that they separate. Citronella spray or pepper spray can serve as a deterrent as well. Try to stick a broom or mop between them, or bang a couple of pots or other noisy objects together. The sound of an airhorn may also stun them enough that they break off from each other.

If you must intervene physically, grab the attacking dog's hind legs and lift them up as high as you can. This forces him to concentrate on staying upright. Move backward, still holding up the legs, and keeping well out of his way. This is best done if there's one person grabbing each dog at the same time and pulling them away from each other.

Try to prevent fights by paying attention to your surroundings while you're walking your dog. If you see someone approaching with a dog and you're unsure of how they'll react to each other, turn around and walk away. At coffee shops or other public spaces, steer clear of dogs who are tied up. They know their movement is restricted and may try to defend their space. The best thing you can do is teach your dog a reliable recall so you can get him out of harm's way before trouble begins. -- Kim Campbell Thornton

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

THE BUZZ

Dig terriers?

Win a scholarship

-- Five new students bound for Hiram College in Ohio can win a $1,000 scholarship with a picture or 15-second video of themselves with any terrier breed. Submissions should depict what makes terriers special, whether as a family member, best friend, athlete or more. Applications will be accepted through Dec. 31, and winners will be chosen by a panel of Hiram media and photography specialists, based on creativity and originality. "The Terrier Scholarship is our way of paying tribute to our long-time mascot, the bull terrier," said vice president of enrollment Lindajean Heller Western. "We know how special our terrier is, and now we want to see what makes other terriers great." For more information, visit hiram.edu/terrier-scholarship.

-- Next month, Tennessee becomes the first state to implement a statewide animal abuse registry. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is creating a website listing the names of people convicted of felony animal abuse, such as animal fighting and aggravated cruelty to companion animals. First-time offenders will be listed for two years. Repeat offenders will be listed for five years. Shelters, rescue groups or citizens can check the public registry before completing a pet adoption or sale. State senator Jeff Yarbro, who sponsored the bill, hopes the registry will provide an additional tool for shelters and rescue groups making adoptions.

-- Inmates at Mission Creek Women's Correction Center in Kitsap, Washington, are making a difference for shelter cats. Working with Kitsap Humane Society, the Mission Creek facility is taking in orphaned kittens, mother cats with nursing kittens and adult cats in need of socialization or recovery from injury and fostering them until they can be placed in homes. Inmates who qualify for the Pawsitive Prison Program receive training on kitten development, cat behavior, handling, socialization and other care. -- Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton and Mikkel Becker

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet-care experts headed by "The Dr. Oz Show" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Kim Campbell Thornton. They are affiliated with Vetstreet.com and are the authors of many best-selling pet-care books. Joining them is 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 at Facebook.com/KimCampbellThornton and on Twitter at kkcthornton. Mikkel Becker is at Facebook.com/MikkelBecker and on Twitter at MikkelBecker.

CAPTIONS AND CREDITS

Caption 01: A dog helps to break the ice, keep conversations going and inject a little humor into the holidays. Position: Main Story

Caption 02: Terrier-loving freshmen attending Ohio's Hiram College can win a scholarship by demonstrating their love of the dogs in a photo or video. Position: Pet Buzz/Item 1

Gifts for pets and pet lovers make holidays merry

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Buying a present for your pet this holiday season? Survey says: Yes. According to a recent Nielsen survey, 64 percent of pet owners buy gifts for Buster and Snowball at Christmas and other seasonal celebrations. The favorite presents for pets are toys -- to the tune of $389 million last year -- and clothing. If you're starting to make a list and check it twice, we have some suggestions that your cats, dogs and pet-loving friends and family will roll over for.

-- You probably know the adage that a tired dog is a good dog. Keep your pooch pooped with a dog-treat launcher. Load it with small treats (not included) that will travel 10 to 12 feet when you "fire" it, giving him a fun and tasty workout. Works with cats, too. Available at Amazon.com and ContainerStore.com.

-- Dogs love to shake, lick and cuddle with the Duckworth plush squeaky toy. While reviewers give it high marks for durability, it's not for power chewers. Available in large and mini sizes on Amazon.com and other online retailers.

-- Got a catnip junkie? Feed his habit with Yeowww's Pollock Fish Catnip Toy. Stuffed with organically grown catnip and made in the United States, the fish-shaped toy is made for a cat to clutch to his belly and bunnykick. Sold through Amazon.com and other online retailers.

-- Are you getting a new puppy during the holidays? Consider getting him a Snuggle Puppy with a pulsing "heartbeat" and a warming pack to help him relax in his new home. There's a Snuggle Kittie for kittens, too. Sold at Amazon.com, Wal-Mart and other online retailers.

As a lifelong reader and a writer by profession, my favorite gifts when buying for people are, not surprisingly, books. They are available on every topic of interest to pet lovers, and if they don't like to read (inconceivable!), well, that's why they publish photography books. My favorites this year:

-- Pete Thorne's photographs and stories of 75 senior dogs capture the life, joy and special beauty of a graying muzzle in "Old Faithful: Dogs of a Certain Age."

-- Mystery fans will cozy up to Laurien Berenson's latest, "The Bark Before Christmas," featuring amateur sleuth Melanie Travis dogging the footsteps of a pup-napping Santa slayer.

-- You throw away 15 (or more) catnip toys until you find the one your cat likes best and set aside a credit card specifically for your cat's use (no limit, natch!); and when your cat brings you a dead mouse in the middle of the night, you say "Good kitty" and take a photo of her trophy for her Facebook page. If you answer yes to these statements, you can reinforce your fancy for felines -- and find new ways to spoil your cat -- in Allia Zobel Nolan's comical (and possibly true-to-life) "Women Who Still Love Cats Too Much," illustrated by Nicole Hollander. The pair will make you giggle and, maybe, squirm a bit when you recognize yourself in the book's pages.

It's the season of giving, but gifts don't have to be material. Show your love for animals with a donation of goods or money to your local shelter, a favorite rescue group or other pet welfare organization. Among the ones we like are World Vets, Winn Feline Foundation, The Grey Muzzle Organization and Alley Cat Allies.

Before you order anything online, for pets or people, see if the merchant sells through adoptashelter.com. Every purchase you make through the portal earns a donation for the shelter of your choice, and there's no need to register, log in or remember a password.

Have a pawsome holiday season!

Q&A

Dog versus cat:

keeping the peace

Q: My two dogs and cat peacefully coexist. However, a dear friend visits with her dog, and it is complete pandemonium. Her dog gets along great with my two dogs, but she is very cat-aggressive. My cat ends up spending days holed up in the cellar and sneaks into the house only at night. If the visiting dog becomes aware that the cat is present, she chases him through the house until he finds a hiding spot. There have been several standoffs when I hoped the cat would scratch the dog, but he has not. Any suggestions as to how we can remedy this? -- via email

A: It would be great if we could enroll cats in self-defense courses where they learn to stand their ground and swipe at a dog's nose with their claws instead of turning tail and running. Dogs like yours learn from an early age to respect cats and live in harmony with them, but your friend's dog needs some training and restraint.

Your cat's safety and comfort are paramount. When your friend's dog comes over, she should be on leash and under control. She and your dogs can play together outdoors, but when she's in the cat's territory, her actions need to be curtailed. In case they do encounter each other, your cat needs an avenue of escape, such as a tall cat tree or a piece of furniture he can run under where the dog can't go.

Separation is another alternative. Instead of letting her chase your cat and hoping he'll send a message with his claws, set up a comfortable retreat for your cat in a room that's off-limits to the dog, such as a bedroom, guest room or office. Provide your cat with everything he needs -- comfy resting spot, litter box, a couple of favorite toys, food and water -- and let him hang out there while the guest dog is on the premises. -- Kim Campbell Thornton

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

THE BUZZ

Teach old dogs

new tricks

-- Ease your dog into the golden years with a senior dog skills class like the one offered by Nova Dogsport in Nova Scotia, Canada. The class, for dogs 7 years and older, is designed to increase cognitive function while being easy on the body. The four-week course, taught by a registered veterinary technician, covers ways to warm up a dog's body before activity and activities designed to increase brain function. Activities include passive range of motion, massage, puzzle games, body awareness and tricks. If you can't find a class like this in your area, talk to your veterinarian or dog trainer about setting one up.

-- Most companies offer employees compassionate leave for the death of a family member, but only a rare few extend the benefit to bereaved pet owners. The Wall Street Journal's Sue Shellenbarger reports that one is San Francisco-based Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, which not only welcomes pets at its hotels, but also provides employees with pet health insurance and bereavement leave. Other companies with compassionate pet policies include Mars Inc., which offers one or more days off, flexible hours or the ability to work at home immediately after a pet's death; Maxwell Health and Replacements Ltd., which gives employees time off to take pets for medical treatment; and VMware, a software company with a dog-friendly campus.

-- The sloughi, a medium-size sighthound from North Africa, resembles the saluki, but the two are distinct breeds with different characteristics. The sloughi has impressive running skills, seemingly floating like a feather as he moves. His natural prey are jackals, gazelles and desert hares, but he also chases cats, jackrabbits and coyotes if given half a chance. The proud, independent dogs are intelligent and sensitive, bonding strongly with their people, and find it difficult to adjust to new homes if given up for adoption. -- Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton and Mikkel Becker

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet-care experts headed by "The Dr. Oz Show" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Kim Campbell Thornton. They are affiliated with Vetstreet.com and are the authors of many best-selling pet-care books. Joining them is 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 at Facebook.com/KimCampbellThornton and on Twitter at kkcthornton. Mikkel Becker is at Facebook.com/MikkelBecker and on Twitter at MikkelBecker.

CAPTIONS AND CREDITS

Caption 01: Think smart and fun when buying presents for pets and people. Position: Main Story

Caption 02: Massage, brainteaser games and trick training can all help older dogs maintain good brain function. Position: Pet Buzz/Item 1

Festive threats to pets include fatty foods, alcohol and open doors

By Dr. Tony Johnson

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 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 straight 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

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

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 that pump out more copies of the virus instead of reproducing themselves.

-- Gazing at an aquarium can be very soothing -- in fact, aquariums in dentists' and doctors' 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 "The Dr. Oz Show" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Kim Campbell Thornton. They are affiliated with Vetstreet.com and are the authors of many best-selling pet-care books. Joining them is 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 at Facebook.com/KimCampbellThornton and on Twitter at kkcthornton. Mikkel Becker is at Facebook.com/MikkelBecker and on Twitter at MikkelBecker.

CAPTIONS AND CREDITS

Caption 01: It's OK to share small amounts of holiday foods with pets, but avoid fatty or alcohol-laced goodies. Position: Main Story

Caption 02: An unusual but easily treated skin infection may be linked to contact with water from fish tanks. Position: Pet Buzz/Item 2