When it comes to pets, don't "lean in." 7 tips on greeting etiquette

I was with friends in my hometown of Bonners Ferry, Idaho, and we were standing on the porte-cochere of a local hotel's restaurant. Coming directly at us on a retractable leash was a cute, energetic canine with curly black hair, weighing about 12 pounds. What stood out to me was not his physical appearance, but his emotions: He was clearly anxious and fearful.

He ran around on the end of the retractable leash, zigging and zagging like a marlin hooked off the Baja Peninsula. Like a blinking neon sign, he alternated between relaxing and returning to his anxious, fearful behavior. His owner was oblivious to his fear, anxiety and stress. All he needed was the comfort of a couple of pet lovers, right?

Wrong.

Both of my female friends moved straight for the pooch, leaned over him, stretched out their hands toward his head and with direct eye contact said, "Aren't you a cute little doggy!"

The dog was in full-blown panic.

For decades, millions of pet lovers have done exactly the same. Taught by parents, grandparents, friends, neighbors and other animal lovers, they learned to show affection for a dog by leaning in, extending a friendly hand and locking eyes in loving contact. But in working with dozens of boarded animal behaviorists, behavior technicians and trainers, I've learned that all of that is wrong. All of it!

Here's how you should greet a dog.

1. Ask. Before you do anything, get the owner's permission to pet the dog. Not all dogs like meeting strangers.

2. Play hard to get. Don't rush toward the dog. Move slowly, talk slowly, extend your closed fist slowly. Let the dog choose if he or she wants to interact with you. Debbie Martin, a veterinary technician specialist in behavior and co-author of the "Puppy Start Right" book and preschool curriculum, says: "Let the dog make the first move. Dogs have an incredible sense of smell, and they can smell us from across the street. We do not need to reach our hands into their personal space so they can smell us."

3. Get small. Looming over a dog can make him feel threatened or fearful. Rather than greeting a dog full-on, as if you're a store greeter ready to shake hands, turn your body sideways to reduce your profile, thus presenting a smaller perceived threat to the dog.

4. Extend a friendly fist. Once the dog has made the first move and is signaling interest in interacting with you, put out a closed fist down low, and let him make the approach. This is less threatening (and less annoying to the dog) than reaching out with the open palm of your hand and petting him on top of the head.

5. Eyes right. Your mom was right when she told you it was rude to stare. Dogs think it's rude, too. Don't make eye contact with a dog. That's considered a threat in his world. You can glance at him, but let your peripheral vision guide you.

6. Don't touch the head. Dogs have special places they like to be petted, but the head isn't one of them. The top of the head is taboo. Along the top of the back isn't so good, either. The best way to pet a dog is to lightly scratch along the side of the neck, side of the chest, or at the base of the tail.

7. What if a dog doesn't want to approach you? That's his business. Be content to admire him from a distance. He'll appreciate it more than you can imagine.

Q&A

How to choose the

best litter box

Q: I'm getting a cat and need to buy supplies. What's the best type of litter box? -- via Facebook

A: There are probably as many different types of litter boxes as there are cat preferences in litter boxes. What your cat purr-fers depends on such factors as age, size, predilection toward privacy and elimination style.

A kitten might do best with a basic open litter box. It's easy to get into and offers plenty of space for her to search out the ideal pee or poop spot. An open box is also a good choice for any cat who doesn't kick a lot when covering waste, doesn't spray and doesn't mind an audience while she does her business.

The benefits of this style box for you are that it's inexpensive, it's easy to see right away that it needs to be scooped and there's no lid to remove or moving parts that could break. Not all cats like them, but if yours doesn't mind a plastic liner, using one can reduce the frequency of washing the box when you change the litter.

Consider a covered litter box if your cat likes to dig and kick in the litter or has an aversion to being caught with her britches down. It's important to check it a couple of times a day to see if it needs to be scooped.

Remember that an adult cat needs a larger box than a kitten. A good size is one and a half times your cat's length, including the tail. Clues that a cat needs a larger box include kicking out a lot of litter or having trouble moving around inside the box.

Adopting a kitten or a senior cat? Try to find a box with a step to make it easier for your small or arthritic cat to get in and out. -- Kim Campbell Thornton

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

THE BUZZ

Tearstains may

be treatable

-- Does your dog have red or brown tearstains beneath his eyes? The stains aren't just unsightly; they may hint at an eye problem. Irritation from abnormal growth of eyelashes or facial hair rubbing against the eye is one possibility. Allergies, corneal ulcers and eye infections can also cause dogs to tear up. Blocked ducts can cause tears to spill over onto the face and stain the area beneath the eyes as well. Take your dog to the veterinarian to see if the staining has a treatable cause. Otherwise, clean the under-eye area regularly with mild shampoo and water.

-- Dogs taken from fighting rings will no longer automatically be labeled "vicious," according to new legislation signed last month by California governor Jerry Brown. Instead, AB 1825 permits individual dogs to be evaluated by animal welfare experts or veterinarians to determine if they are suitable for placement as pets. Previously, any dog whose owner was convicted of felony dogfighting was deemed vicious. The term now applies to any dog who hurts a person without provocation. In other animal-welfare legislation signed by Brown, shelters may no longer kill animals by gassing them with carbon dioxide.

-- Who hasn't dreamed of getting a long-term work assignment abroad, especially in one of Europe's glamorous capitals? But of course you wouldn't want to go without your best canine or feline friend. So how do you get him there? Small pets under 20 pounds may be able to fly in the cabin with you, depending on the airline and destination, but larger animals are relegated to cargo, which can be stressful and potentially dangerous, not to mention expensive, with costs ranging from $200 to $2,500. A floating alternative is the Queen Mary II, which has kennel service on its transatlantic crossings. -- 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.

Ways you can help the most vulnerable pets and people when temperatures rise

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Above-average temperatures in all 50 states are predicted for well into October, according to the federal Climate Prediction Center. That's bad news for pets and people with little protection from the heat: those who live on the streets or have little income for frills such as air conditioning, and seniors, who may have difficulty caring for pets at the best of times, let alone when temperatures soar into triple digits.

Heat can be a big challenge, especially in urban areas, says Lori Weise, founder of Downtown Dog Rescue (DDR) in Los Angeles.

"A person might be able to go inside a building that's air conditioned, but they're not going to be able to bring their dog or cat inside."

If you've ever seen a homeless person with a dog or cat, you may have wondered if they have any special needs, especially when it's hot out. Or maybe you have a neighbor or friend who's a senior citizen and are concerned about how they're faring. It's not always easy to know how to help, but there are some simple, kind ways at all expense levels that you can contribute to their well-being.

You may see homeless people with pets regularly as you walk city streets. Keeping a bottle of water on hand to give away is a generous gesture that doesn't cost much or take much time. Including a silicone collapsible pet bowl is a nice touch; they're available in sets of five for less than $12.

Cooling bandanas for any size pet and cooling vests for small pets are available for less than $10. Carry a couple with you to give away.

Ask what they need. If a grocery store or pet supply store is on your way, offer to buy some water they can share or a bag of food for the pet.

Share information about programs that can help. In Los Angeles, DDR offers a weekly opportunity for shelter and aid.

"We invite anybody living in the Skid Row community to come in to the Inner City Law Center on Wednesdays between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.," Weise says. "Pets are welcome, and we have water and granola bars and pretty comprehensive services for cats and dogs: food, collars, leashes, crates, pretty much any supply they need, including a buggy for older or small dogs."

It's not just homeless people who need help. Families who are struggling because of unemployment or health issues may need help with pet care. Others may simply be inexperienced pet owners who don't recognize that their animals need better shelter, shade or flea treatment.

Options for shelter include looking on Craigslist for a gently used plastic doghouse that you can offer. It's also a good resource for a child's pool that the dog can splash in.

"Home Depot sells shade cloths, and they're inexpensive -- about $39," Weise says. "You could string one of those up in a backyard and instantly have some shade for the dog."

Sometimes people don't know about advances in flea treatment. People who haven't had a dog since childhood may think it's normal for dogs to have fleas. Casually suggest your favorite flea-control product, Weise suggests.

Check in with senior neighbors to see if they need help walking their dog. They may have health conditions that make it unwise or difficult for them to go out in the heat.

Be kind.

"I think people get weird about doing things like that," Weise says. "But you can offer in a way that's not insulting or trying to teach the person a lesson, just saying, 'I would love the honor of treating you to this.'"

Q&A

How to trim

puppy's toenails

Q: I just got a new puppy, and I'm afraid to trim her nails. I "quicked" my previous dog once, and I still shudder when I remember the screaming and the blood. How can I do it right? -- via Facebook

A: Ouch! We feel your pain -- and your former dog's. But now is your chance to redeem yourself and set your puppy's paws on the path to good walking condition. Here's how to get started.

First, get the right size clippers for your dog. Ask your veterinarian, a professional groomer or the dog's breeder to recommend an appropriate pair that's not too large and not too small.

Get a lesson. Your veterinarian, a veterinary technician or a professional groomer can demonstrate the best technique to use.

The goal is to trim off the dead part of the nail without hitting the quick -- the blood vessel that feeds the nail. If your dog has white nails, the quick is usually pretty easy to see -- it's the dark line you see running through the middle of the nail. It can be more difficult to spot if your dog has dark nails, but shining a penlight on the nail will often highlight it.

Trimming just before the nail curves is usually the best way to avoid quicking a dog. Hold your puppy's paw firmly in one hand, and use your dominant hand to trim the nail. Do just one or two at a time, taking off just a small amount to make sure you don't hurt her. If necessary, a spouse, child or friend can distract her with a spoonful of peanut butter.

Clip nails often, not only to keep them short, but also to accustom your dog to having her feet handled. How can you tell if the nails are at a good length? They shouldn't touch the ground when your dog is standing. -- Dr. Marty Becker and Mikkel Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Truth in labeling?

Not always, study finds

-- Got meat? Seven of 14 pet foods labeled vegetarian or vegan were found to contain traces of meat -- beef, pork or mutton -- according to the results of a study by Nutrition Support Service researchers at the University of California-Davis veterinary hospital. The highly sensitive test detected the presence of mammalian DNA in six dry diets and one canned diet. The foods may have been contaminated with trace amounts of meat-based ingredients during storage or processing, says Dr. Jennifer Larsen, but even if accidental, the presence of meat violates pet food labeling laws. Study results appeared in the Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition.

-- Does your dog need braces? Believe it or not, sometimes orthodontia has therapeutic benefits for pooches with tooth trouble. For instance, a tooth that doesn't line up correctly can dig painfully into the palate and prevent the dog from closing his mouth comfortably. Braces can bring it back into alignment. Braces for Bowser are installed, adjusted and removed with the dog under anesthesia and usually are worn for only a few months. The good news is that a Rin Tin Tin grin costs a lot less than braces for human teenagers.

-- The Million Cat Challenge is halfway toward its goal of saving one million shelter cats over a five-year period. Launched in December 2014 by co-founders Dr. Kate Hurley and Dr. Julie Levy, the campaign is now the world's largest feline life-saving initiative. As of April 4, 2016, 500,000 cats have had their lives saved because of its initiatives to help shelters reduce feline admissions, improve operations, promote adoptions and sterilize and vaccinate feral cats. Currently, more than 900 shelters participate in the program, which is sponsored by Maddie's Fund. -- 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.

Dogs showcase guts and glory in canine sports

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Eventing. Jumping. Racing. Diving. With the Rio Olympics in full swing, we thought it would be fun to take a look at the world of competitive dog sports, which often parallel those of their human counterparts and require just as much athletic ability, stamina, speed and agility. Top dog contestants come in all shapes and sizes, but the two things they have in common -- with each other and with human athletes -- are heart and hustle.

Take Wren. The 10-inch papillon excels at the highest levels of her sport, agility. With tight turns and at top speed she races around a course that includes bar jumps, tire jumps, weave poles, a teeter-totter -- the element that can really slow a tiny dog because it tips downward more slowly -- an A-frame and tunnels. In the six height classes, from 8-inch (Wren's category) to 26-inch, the dog with the fastest time and fewest faults wins. Wren, owned and handled by Betsey Lynch of Tulsa, Oklahoma, has had big wins in her class in the past year, including American Kennel Club's National Agility Championship, USDAA Cynosport Performance Grand Prix and Westminster Masters Agility Championship.

Any dog can compete in agility, but the dogs with speed and drive tend to be the ones at the top of the charts. Current contenders include Sierra, a Shetland sheepdog, in the 12-inch class; Hottie, a border collie, in the 16-inch class; Mr. T, a golden retriever, in the 20-inch class; Skillz, a border collie, in the 24-inch class; and Pace, a border collie, in the 26-inch class.

The best agility dogs from more than 35 countries will gather in Zaragoza, Spain, Sept. 22 through 25 to compete in the 21st Agility World Championship, where they'll run on state-of-the-art artificial turf specially ordered for the event. Closer to home, check out the North American Dog Agility Council Championships, held Sept. 29 through Oct. 2 in South Jordan, Utah.

Flyball, the fastest-growing canine team sport, is a relay race popular around the world. Teams of four to six dogs race over four hurdles, pounce on a spring-loaded box to release a tennis ball and race back over the hurdles with it before the next dog begins. Each dog has a handler, and line coaches help to improve the team's performance.

Any dog who's fast and loves tennis balls can play, but small dogs have a special role. They can be a team's secret weapon because jump height, ranging from 7 to 14 inches, is determined by the height of the team's smallest dog. A team with a "height dog," as the shorties are known, benefits because the larger dogs get to jump lower hurdles.

Record-holders in the sport include a mixed breed named Everest, with a run of 3.417 seconds in United Flyball League International's Singles race, in which dogs run against the clock, and a team called Border Patrol, made up of mixed breeds Troy, Banshee, Epic and Syber. They hold the current North American Flyball Association Regular record of 14.433 seconds, set June 5, 2016, in Rockton, Ontario, Canada. The NAFA CanAm Classic is Oct. 7 through 9 in Indianapolis. The UFLI Tournament of Champions takes place Oct. 21 through 23 in Gray Summit, Missouri, near St. Louis.

Perhaps the nearest canine equivalent to the Olympics is the Incredible Dog Challenge, hosted by Purina Pro Plan. Events include dock-diving, catching flying discs, surfing and more. In the West Coast Challenge, an American Eskimo Dog named Ziggy won the Small Dog Surf Event, and a Belgian malinois named Saphira set a new world record with a 25-foot-6-inch jump in the Fetch It event. The IDC National Finals take place Sept. 30 through Oct. 1 at Purina Farms in St. Louis.

Q&A

Cat eats fast,

throws up

Q: My 3-year-old female cat gets a quarter of a can of wet and 1 tablespoon dry food for dinner. She gets the same thing for breakfast, but she frequently throws it up. She's on a diet, so we switched to meat in the morning. She used to get 1 tablespoon every 10 minutes, for a total of three, because she'd throw up if we gave it all at once. I know that she eats too fast. She eats grain-free, holistic foods. Is there anything else we can try? -- via Facebook

A: Cats have a reputation for upchucking, and their anatomy allows them to vomit easily, but it's really not normal for them to do so. If your cat is throwing up on a regular basis -- more than once a week -- it's a good sign that she needs to see the veterinarian to rule out a physical cause for the problem. Throwing up too often can have a cat suffering dehydration quicker than he can twitch a whisker.

Some of the common reasons cats vomit are hairballs and intestinal worms. They may also throw up after nibbling on grass or plants, eating too quickly or from digestive upset after being switched too quickly to a new diet. Some cats are allergic to certain ingredients in their food. More serious causes of vomiting include hyperthyroidism and diseases of the digestive tract. If your cat is a senior, frequent vomiting may suggest kidney disease.

Be prepared to tell your veterinarian what food your cat eats, how often she vomits (keep a record for a week or so), how soon after eating she vomits, whether she goes outside or has access to indoor plants and what the vomit looks like. If you can bring a sample, so much the better. If your veterinarian rules out a health problem, try one of the "slow food" dishes to prevent her from gobbling. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

"Heat dome" brings

hot pavement woes

-- In the dog days of summer -- that would be now -- it's not unusual for veterinary hospitals to see paw burns on a frequent basis. Hot asphalt and pavement can cause severe burns to a dog's paw pads, injuries that can take weeks to heal. Other surfaces that can become hot and cause injury include wood, sand and metal -- car truck beds, for instance. They can reach temperatures of 145 degrees Fahrenheit or higher and stay hot for hours. Place your hand flat on pavement and hold it there for 10 seconds. If the heat is painful to you, it's too hot for your dog.

-- Want a cat to leave you alone? The last thing you should do is ignore him. Cats are attracted to people who don't make them nervous. If given a choice, they're always going to head for the person who isn't looking at them or trying to pet them because, obviously, that person has proper cat manners and knows not to stare or make the first approach. If you do want a cat's attention, play hard to get. He'll love you for it.

-- With Labor Day coming up quickly, you may be planning a hiking or camping trip that includes your dog. The American Veterinary Medical Association has five tips to help you and your dog stay healthy. Use species-specific products to protect yourself and your dog from mosquito, tick and other insect bites. Check your dog for ticks at least once a day, and remove them promptly. Prevent your dog from touching or eating sick wildlife or birds. Make sure your dog's rabies vaccination is up to date. Carry a first-aid kit with appropriate supplies for both of you. Got an adventure cat? Same rules apply. -- 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.