These 8 expert tips will start you and your pup on the path to housetraining success

Are you a new or potential puppy owner? If so, housetraining is probably on your mind. We've gathered some of our favorite tips for ensuring a rewarding experience -- for you and your pup.

1. Learn "caninese." Body language is the first clue that your puppy needs to go out. He might not be crossing his legs, but pawing at you, standing at the top of the stairs or in front of the door and barking are all signs that he needs your attention -- fast! Some dogs go with the classic sniffing and circling behavior. The instant you see this, scoop him up and take him out.

2. Use a crate. It's not punishment, and it's not cruel unless you leave him in it all the time. A crate is your puppy's safe spot and sleeping area, so he'll instinctively want to keep it clean. And when he's safely confined in it, you don't have to worry that he'll have an accident in the house. Staying in a crate helps a puppy learn to control his bladder and bowels. Without it, he may get into the habit of relieving himself whenever and wherever he likes.

3. Choose the right crate. It should be large enough for your pup to stand up and turn around inside it but not so large that he can potty at one end and sleep at the other. Purchase a puppy-size crate and graduate to a larger one later, or buy a crate with a divider. A removable panel allows you to section off the crate as needed and adjust the amount of space the pup has as he grows. You can also block off the back of the crate with a box or some other item that the puppy can't get over or around. Just be sure it's safe and not edible. Bricks or cement blocks are out; instead, try vertically inserting a large, cushion-style dog bed. An empty cardboard box could also work if your pup isn't a chewer.

4. Stick to a schedule. Puppies need to potty frequently. Set a timer to take your puppy out every two to four hours.

5. Certain events trigger a pup's need to urinate or defecate. Take him out as soon as he wakes up in the morning or from a nap and immediately after eating or drinking. Excitement and stress can lead to potty accidents. Prevent them by taking your pup out to potty every few minutes if he is playing vigorously indoors. Finally, take him out just before bedtime. By 3 to 4 months of age, most pups can sleep through the night, but younger puppies may need to go out once or twice during the night.

6. Two's company. Go out with your puppy to make sure he potties. If you're not with him, you can't reward him with praise and a treat so he knows that you want him to potty outdoors. Play is another good reward when your pup potties outdoors. Let him play for a few minutes after he performs. If you take him back inside immediately, he'll be reluctant to relieve himself right away.

7. Feed regular meals. Free-feeding (leaving food out all the time) makes it more difficult to know when your puppy needs to pee or poop.

8. Limit freedom. Letting a puppy have free run of the home is a recipe for potty accidents. Instead, keep him attached to you with a leash unless he's in a puppy-proofed bathroom, kitchen or laundry room. You should always know where he is and what he's doing.

Q&A

Itchy rodent? Mites

might be the cause

Q: I have two guinea pigs, and one seems to be really itchy all the time. What could be causing it? I don't think it's the bedding since the other one seems fine. -- via email

A: I've found that any time a guinea pig, or cavy -- from the scientific name Cavia porcellus -- is itchy, he's probably suffering from an infestation of mites -- Trixacarus caviae, most likely, also known as guinea pig sarcoptic mites. This could well be the case, even if his buddy doesn't show any signs.

These mites can cause intense itching in a guinea pig. Sometimes it can be so bad that the guinea pig's convulsive scratching can resemble seizures. Other signs of skin disease in guinea pigs include hair loss and flaky skin.

Another possibility is lice. An infestation of lice isn't all that common in guinea pigs, but it's not unheard of. According to Stephen White, DVM, a veterinary dermatologist at the University of California at Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, large numbers of lice may suggest that your pet is also infested with some other type of skin parasite or is suffering from an underlying systemic disease such as hypovitaminosis C (vitamin C deficiency).

To find evidence of a parasitic invasion, your veterinarian may need to perform several skin scrapings. He or she can then prescribe an appropriate medication, such as selamectin (Revolution). It's important not to give oral forms of ivermectin to guinea pigs because they can have trouble absorbing it in the gastrointestinal tract.

If mites or lice aren't infesting your pet, look to environmental causes. Try changing his bedding. For instance, certain types of wood shavings may cause itching or irritation. Finally, make sure you aren't using any harsh chemicals to clean his cage. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Snakebites need

quick attention

-- Calling Dr. Bombay. Not the character from the 1960s sitcom "Bewitched," but the cat breed nicknamed "the patent-leather kid with the new-penny eyes." The muscular, medium-size cat was created in the 1950s by crossing Burmese cats with domestic shorthairs or American shorthairs. Choose him if you've always liked the idea of having a black panther lounging on your sofa -- without the size and wild nature of the real thing. The Bombay has an easygoing personality and will quickly have you under his spell. He enjoys walking on a leash, playing fetch and sitting in your lap.

-- Participating in a clinical study can offer hope to owners of pets with cancer or other diseases and may help to find new treatments. Some clinical studies investigate new drugs or techniques, while others seek samples or information in search of better care methods. Some studies also need health data or samples from healthy animals. The American Veterinary Medical Association now has a database that allows veterinarians and owners to search for relevant studies that might benefit a dog, cat or other animal with a particular disease. Ask your veterinarian for more information on the AVMA Animal Health Studies Database. -- 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.

High temperatures don't have to rule out fun with pets on summer vacations

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Who goes to Arizona in the summer? It's not the first place traveling pet owners think of, especially with temperatures soaring as high as 115 degrees Fahrenheit recently. Despite the heat, we packed up our three dogs last month and drove to the town of Chandler, lured by the joint BlogPaws conference and Cat Writers Association annual meeting, held at the Sheraton Grand Wild Horse Pass.

I knew plenty of pets would be present, but I wasn't prepared for just how welcoming to pets the resort would be. We have stayed in many hotels and motels west of the Mississippi, and this one may well be a favorite.

Our ground-floor room opened up onto a patio overlooking desert landscaping, making it easy to take the dogs out to potty at any time without having to take them down long hallways to find an exit. A walking path winds through the resort, leading past the pool (one of the few areas where pets aren't allowed) and toward two hiking options: a two-mile nature trail and a path that parallels the manmade river flowing through the grounds. Leashed animals are welcome in the lobby bar and outdoor dining areas as well as on rental boats.

Fellow guests included other dogs, cats and even a ferret. Dexter, a 7-year-old cocker spaniel, accompanied owner and pet blogger Carol Bryant of Kingston, Pennsylvania.

"We loved that all the staff said hello to our dog, from the front desk to housekeeping," she says. "Many of the staff learned my dog's name and asked if he could have treats."

We dealt with the heat by getting up before sunrise (crazy, I know) and walking the dogs on the trails before it got too hot. They loved the chance to explore, and even 16-year-old Gemma had no trouble keeping up in the cool mornings. Then we'd have breakfast at the restaurant's outdoor seating area before retreating to our air-conditioned room for the rest of the day.

If you'll be vacationing with your dog or other pets in areas with extreme heat, here are some tips to keep animals safe and make the most of the stay.

-- Keep him hydrated. Whether you're driving to your destination or going for a walk or hike, make fresh, cool water available on a regular basis. Bring water from home that you can mix with local water so the change doesn't upset his stomach.

-- Protect his skin with sunscreen free of PABA and zinc oxide, which can be harmful to pets if ingested. Apply to ears and nose or over the whole body if your pet likes to sunbathe or has a short or light-colored coat. For water-loving dogs, choose waterproof sunscreen. If you're not sure what to get, ask your veterinarian for a recommendation.

-- Be aware of local fauna and flora. We had to prevent Keeper and Gemma from getting too close to cactus, and signs warned to watch for venomous snakes and insects such as scorpions.

-- Take your dog hiking, running or biking early in the morning, and let him drink frequently. Help him stay cool with a neck wrap filled with polymer crystals that stays wet and cool for hours after being soaked in water.

-- Keep flat-faced dogs such as boxers, bulldogs and pugs indoors during the day. They can succumb to heatstroke more rapidly than you might realize. Be concerned about heatstroke if your dog is panting continuously, his gums go dark red or he seems weak or collapses. Rub him down with water and get to the veterinarian immediately.

Q&A

Protect cats from

tick-borne disease

Q: I live in Muskogee, Oklahoma, and I've heard that a number of cats in our area are dying from a disease called bobcat fever. What can you tell me about it, and how can I protect my two cats? -- via email

A: The scientific name for this disease is a mouthful: cytauxzoonosis. It is a deadly condition spread by the bite of a tick, and although it's known as bobcat fever, it can affect domestic cats and other wild cats, such as mountain lions. Infected cats cannot spread the disease to other cats or to humans or other animals.

The disease was first identified in Missouri, but the tick that primarily carries the infection, Amblyomma americanus, is now found throughout southeastern and south-central states such as Oklahoma, Arkansas, Texas and Florida, all the way to the Atlantic coast and as far north as North Dakota.

Cats with the disease typically have an acute onset. In other words, they're fine one day, and the next they don't have any appetite, they seem lethargic and they have a high fever. The protozoal infection blocks blood flow to tissues and causes multiple organ failure.

Even with aggressive supportive care and treatment with a combination of antiparasitic and antibiotic drugs, which offer a better survival rate than previous treatments, approximately 40 to 50 percent of infected cats die within a week of infection.

The disease mainly affects outdoor cats. The best way to protect your cats is to keep them indoors so they are less likely to be bitten by ticks. If your cats do go outdoors, it's a good idea to get tick collars for them from your veterinarian. The collar has a breakaway design, so it's safe for cats to wear. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Dog owners warned

about tennis ball bombs

-- Be wary if your dog finds an abandoned tennis ball in the park. Biting down on it could maim or kill him. Police in some municipalities are warning pet owners that wrongdoers may intentionally leave out homemade fireworks made from tennis balls or ping pong balls. The bombs contain explosive material and may go off when a dog picks them up. If you see a fuse or find a ball wrapped in duct tape, call your dog away and notify police.

-- Have you ever noticed that your cat suddenly starts to groom himself when he has accidentally fallen off the sofa or is in the same room with another cat who's itching for a fight? Grooming is a feline stress-relief mechanism suited to many high-stress situations. The act of licking themselves helps cats automatically release nervous energy, helping to relax and reassure them when they feel embarrassed or threatened.

-- Summer reading for pet lovers: In "Making the Most of All Nine Lives: The Extraordinary Life of Buffy the Cat" by Sandy Robins and photographer Paul Smulson, a terrific tabby offers cats tips on making the most of all nine lives. "Cat Facts: The Pet Parent's A-to-Z Home Care Encyclopedia" by Amy Shojai recently scooped up a Cat Writers Association Muse medallion for its range of advice. "Gods, Ghosts and Black Dogs" by Stanley Coren tells tales of how Dalmatians got their spots, why basenjis don't bark and other fascinating canine folklore and mythology from around the world. Bronwen Dickey tells the story of the pit bull's journey from American icon to demonized dog in "Pit Bull: Battle Over an American Icon," "a marvelously compelling, eye-opening read." Potential puppy buyers and adopters won't want to miss Kim Kavin's "The Dog Merchants," a look behind the scenes at the production, sale and adoption of our best friends. -- 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.

Around the world, cats are welcome members of monastic communities

By Kim Campbell Thornton

When I walked onto the grounds of Gachen Lama Khiid at Erdenetsogt in Mongolia's Khangai Mountains, nearly the first thing I saw was a cat sunning himself outside the temple. Cats are not especially popular as companion animals in Mongolia, but when I thought about it, the cat's presence made sense. I confirmed my suspicion later as I drank salty milk tea with the monastery's head lama.

"Is it common for monasteries to have a cat?" I asked.

Our guide, Batana Batu, translated his response. Yes, he said. The cat is there to protect food stores from mice.

Cats have served as pest control at temples and monasteries throughout the world for centuries. Egyptian temple cats were trained to hunt snakes and rodents, reported fifth-century Greek historian Herodotus.

In Cyprus, at the Monastery of St. Nicholas of the Cats, snakes overran the island after a drought. The monastery's patron, the future St. Helena, had 1,000 cats brought in from Egypt and Palestine to kill the snakes.

An unknown ninth-century Irish monk wrote a poem about his cat, Pangur Ban, that we still read and appreciate today:

"I and Pangur Ban my cat,

'Tis a like task we are at:

Hunting mice is his delight,

Hunting words I sit all night."

Medieval monks prized cats not only because they warred against mice to protect food stores, but also because they prevented mice from nibbling on the manuscripts the monks labored to create. The occasional inky paw print on a page was less destructive.

Nuns in convents were forbidden to have pets such as dogs and monkeys -- a rule they frequently broke -- but there was one exception. The 13th-century "Ancrene Wisse," rules for nuns, notes in the section titled "On Domestic Matters": "You shall not possess any beast, my dear sisters, except only a cat."

Between 1306 and 1467, Exeter Cathedral had a succession of official cats. A penny per week was budgeted to supplement the diet of the cat, who was otherwise expected to chow down on mice and other pests. The north transept wall still has a hole (an early cat door?) through which the cat could enter and exit.

Several cat breeds are reputed to have originated as monastery or temple cats. The legend behind the Burmese is that Buddhist monks regarded the shorthaired brown cats as embodiments of gods.

The Birman, once known as the Sacred Cat of Burma (now called Myanmar), is said to descend from cats that were companions to temple priests in the northern part of the country.

The story goes that a priest named Mun Ha, accompanied by his beloved white cat, was praying in the temple beneath the golden statue of the goddess Tsim Kyan Tse, whose eyes were represented by brilliant sapphires. Marauders in search of treasure broke in and attacked the priest. As he lay dying, the cat rested his paws on Mun Ha's head and faced the statue. Suddenly, his white fur became tipped with gold, his legs darkened and his eyes changed from yellow to deep sapphire blue, but his paws remained pure white. The next morning, the remaining monks awoke to find that all the cats had undergone the same transformation.

In France, the Chartreux was once known as the monastery cat associated with Carthusian monks at the Grande Chartreuse monastery near Grenoble. The blue cats were believed to have originally come from Syria, brought to France in trade or by returning Crusaders in the Middle Ages.

The cat's mousing prowess is surely what gained him entrance to contemplative life, but undoubtedly his tranquil nature and love of solitude earned him a permanent home.

Q&A

Stop barking

with new habits

Q: One of our dogs always barks and growls when he sees other dogs. My husband yells at him to try to get him to stop. I know that's not the best response, but what should we do instead? We try to drag him away, but that's not always possible. -- via email

A: It can be embarrassing when a dog starts to bark at other dogs, especially if they haven't done anything to provoke him. Your husband's reaction is normal, but as you say, it's not very effective. Neither is dragging the dog away (or picking him up if he's a small dog).

In fact, both of those responses can increase the likelihood that your dog will bark at other dogs, especially if he's barking out of fear. Punishment can escalate his anxiety and teach him to associate other dogs with negative consequences. Dragging him away can make him think that his barking is working because it removes him from the presence of the other dog, causing him to bark even more the next time he sees a strange dog.

Instead, work with a trainer or behaviorist to teach your dog an alternative response, such as sitting and looking at you when he sees another dog. You can also pair the sight of another dog with rewards, such as treats or play with a favorite toy. Both of these techniques can help your dog develop a positive reaction toward other dogs and relax in their presence.

It's also important for you and your husband to remain calm when this behavior occurs. The anxiety that you undoubtedly feel when you see another dog approaching travels right down the leash to your dog and can contribute to the likelihood that he'll start barking. -- Mikkel Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Cats are smart

about their food

-- A recent study has found that cats are not simply obligate carnivores -- meaning that they must have meat in their diet -- but hypercarnivores, requiring a 1:1 ratio of energy from protein to energy from fat. When given a choice, cats choose foods with an appropriate balance, even if that food choice doesn't smell or taste as good as others. They need meat protein because they're unable to process plant proteins for energy. The study also found that cats instinctively avoid new foods to lessen their risk of stomach upset. So your finicky cat? He's just looking to eat right.

-- Does your dog wolf his food? Eating too quickly is a common canine problem, especially among Labrador retrievers, beagles, basset hounds, cocker spaniels, corgis, dachshunds and pugs. It can lead to gassiness and may even contribute to the development of gastric torsion, or bloat. To encourage your dog to eat at a more moderate pace, place some clean, smooth stones -- too large for him to swallow -- in his food dish so he has to eat around them. You can also purchase food bowls with built-in obstacles that will force him to eat more slowly.

-- Scooter, a 30-year-old Siamese, has assumed the title of world's oldest cat, according to Guinness World Records. Scooter was born March 26, 1986, and has lived with owner Gail Floyd from day one. Scooter's daily routine includes waking Floyd at 6 a.m. by "talking" and jumping around. When Floyd comes home from work, Scooter is waiting at the door to greet her. Scooter is also fond of traveling -- he's even visited 45 states. Floyd believes Scooter's active lifestyle, which involves making visits to the nursing home where her mother lives, has contributed to the cat's longevity. -- 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.