CESAR MILLAN

http://www.cesarsway.com/tips/problembehaviors/discovering-the-cause-of-barking 1. Discovering the Cause of Barking Dogs bark as a form of communication. If your dog barks, there is a reason why. It may be simply a response to a stimulus, like a jogger running by the house—or it may be your dog's way of asking for help.

Ongoing, Excessive Barking - This is your dog's way of sending you a distress signal. Somewhere his needs as an animal are not being met. Is his world anchored by a pack leader who projects calm-assertive energy? Are you walking with him every day, which exercises his body and his mind? Is he living a balanced life? If nuisance barking is a problem, consider these issues to find a solution. It’s the best way to show real love for your dog. More tips on problem barking.

Barking as Greeting - Some clients tell me that they love coming home because their dog greets them excitedly by jumping and barking. They feel this proves their dog's love for the family. But in a natural setting, dogs don't bark, yelp, or jump on pack mates in a burst of affection. Dogs that greet their owners in this way are trying to communicate. But rather than professing undying love, they are probably trying to tell you that they are lonely and bored; their needs as a dog are not being met. The excitement is your dog's way of burning off the excess energy that has been building throughout the day. Don't be disappointed by this revelation. Dogs simply don't use emotions like people do. Remember, they're dogs. To love a dog means you must treat him like an animal, which means fulfilling him as Nature intended him to be fulfilled. 1

Remember the Fulfillment Formula: Exercise, Discipline, and then Affection! Are you providing this for your dog? 2. 5 Tips for Handling Nuisance Barking; Sfaturi pentu a te descurca cu un latrat separator: Remember, barking is natural! It's an important means of communication for dogs. But sometimes problems can develop. As the pack leader, it's your job to step in and control excessive barking. Correct and follow through! Tell your dog to stop barking using a look, a sound, or a physical correction. But don't stop there. Your dog may pause and then go right back to what he was doing. His body relaxed, but his brain was still on alert. Be patient. Wait until your dog completely submits before you go back to what you were doing.

Make sure you are calm! Constant barking can be irritating, but you won't be able to correct the problem if you are frustrated. Animals don't follow unbalanced leaders. In fact, your dog will mirror your energy. If you're frustrated, he will be, too! And barking is a great release for that frustrated energy. Take a moment to curb your own internal barking first. Stake your claim! Is your dog barking over and over again at the same object, person, situation, or place? Then you need to step up and claim that stimulus as your own. Use your body, your mind, and your calm-assertive energy to create an invisible wall that your dog is not allowed to cross. Do it with 100% dedication and focus, and the results may surprise you. Give your dog more challenges! Excessive barking is often the result of pent-up energy. If this is the case, the solution is simple: release that energy in more productive ways. Does your dog receive a daily walk? Can you make the walk more challenging with a bicycle, a backpack, or by walking on an incline? Can you provide more mental challenges, such as herding, agility training, or simple obedience games? There are many, many ways to increase the challenges in your dog's life. Find one that you enjoy that your dog can participate in safely. Get professional help. When you brought this dog into your life, you made a commitment to provide the care he needs. This includes calling in a canine professional to help him cope with a behavior issue. Get tips for finding the right professional. 2

Learn more about Nuisance Barking in the 5th Volume of the Mastering Leadership DVD Series, Common Canine Misbehaviors. 3. Will Beg for Food Begging is one of the most common issues that dog owners face. An unfortunate side effect of loving our dogs so much is that we would like to give them everything that they want. So when they start begging, it's almost too much for us to bear... and we cave! With a little willpower on your part, though, begging can be one of the easiest behaviors to correct. Follow these simple tips to turn your hairy panhandler into a productive member of society once more!

Do not give food. This tip may seem like common sense, but you'd be surprised how few people consider it when they're looking into the wide, wet eyes of their beloved canine companion. That high-pitched whine is an effective tool against you, and your dog knows it. Why? Because it's worked before! Giving food is a form of affection, and giving affection reinforces the behavior preceding it. Your dog has learned that if he begs, he gets food! Take a stand and start a new trend. Find the willpower to withhold that food, and your dog will learn that he can't expect rewards for begging behavior. Ignore. Begging is an attention-seeking behavior. Rather than give in to your dog's demands, ignore the behavior and teach your dog that it does not get results! When you talk to your dog, give him affection, or engage in direct eye contact, you are feeding his mental state. Instead, practice no touch, no talk, no eye contact. Don't feel sorry for you dog.. Your dog is well-fed. You should know; you feed him! He is not in danger of going hungry if you don't give him that scrap off the table, so don't feel sorry for him when he flashes you those doughy eyes and places a single paw forlornly on your leg. If you become concerned about how much your dog should be fed, talk to your veterinarian. This can help ease your concerns and allow you to remain calm and assertive! Be consistent. In any kind of training, consistency is the key to success. For your dog to learn that his begging behavior is ineffective, it has to be ineffective 100% of the time.

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Inconsistent enforcement of the rules leads to an inconsistently obedient dog! Make sure that every pack leader in the household understands and enforces the same rules. Be patient. Few dogs change overnight. If you have followed these tips to the letter and your dog continues to beg, don't despair! See Tip #4. Stay consistent and don't give up. Your reward will be a better behaved dog! 4. 5 Tips for Calming a Hyperactive Dog Hyperactivity is a problem with many possible causes and solutions. Here are some simple techniques you can try at home to work to calm your boisterous dog: Ignore the behavior! Dogs seek attention from you. By paying them that attention during hyperactive outbursts, you’re reinforcing the very behavior that you're trying to eliminate. The next time your dog is jumping or nipping at you in an overexcited way, give it a try -- no touch, no talk, no eye contact -- and see how you fare. You might be surprised how quickly the dog settles down. Give your dog a job! Having a task to focus on can help tremendously. Hyperactivity can come from psychological needs as easily as it can from physical needs. By giving your dog a job to do, you are removing him from his state of hyperactivity and redirecting his energy elsewhere. The task should have a clear beginning and end, and should never be considered a replacement for physical exercise. Which brings us to… Go for a walk! If your dog has a lot of built-up energy, a really vigorous walk is another excellent way to redirect it where YOU want it to go. Once you’ve burned that extra energy away, your dog should be pleasantly exhausted and too tuckered out to jump and nip. Without that frustration, he’ll find it much easier to relax. Check your own energy! Your dog is your mirror. Any energy you project, he will reflect back. Are you in a calm assertive state of mind? Are you projecting a confident energy? Are you stressing out over an argument, or burdened with the worries of the work week? Nervous or anxious moods can translate into nervous or anxious body language or tones of voice, and can affect the energy of your dog. Try out aromatherapy! Don’t forget that dogs experience the world primarily by scent! Just as the smell of lavender is said to relax human beings, a soothing smell can also have a very calming effect on your pet. Talk to your vet or consult a holistic professional to find out what smells may work for your dog and which dispersal methods are the safest for him. 5. Case Study: Aggression Pit bull Emily was a classic red-zone case. She pulled her owner on walks. She growled and barked at passersby, especially those walking other dogs. Emily's owner would drag along after her and yell at her to be quiet. Not surprisingly, this tactic didn't work. It is important to understand that red-zone dogs are usually frustrated animals. To control a powerful breed, you need to master the position of pack leader. The sheer size and strength of a pit bull, Mastiff, Cane Corso, Rottweiler, or any other large dog can quickly transform a frustrated and dominant animal into a serious threat. You must gain control of the situation before it escalates.

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It was clear that Emily held the dominant position in my client’s household. My first focus: training the owner! I explained to my client that he must become Emily’s pack leader; set rules, boundaries, and limitations; understand the importance of recognizing the animal in the dog; and fulfill the dog as Nature intended her to be fulfilled. Next I turned my attention to rehabilitating Emily. I suspected she wasn't receiving adequate exercise for her breed and energy level. This was probably the cause of a lot of Emily's frustration. Out came my rollerblades to give Emily a good, tiring workout. Remember, in order to talk to the mind, you need to remove the energy from the body. Emily loved our fast tours through the neighborhood, and she easily kept up with me. She started to ignore distractions along the way and focus on where we were going. With her excess energy gone, I was able to get her to follow commands. The results of our workouts helped Emily's owner recognize the importance of exercise in maintaining a dog's healthy state of mind. Most dogs require daily walks, but please don’t think of exercise as one-amount-fits-all. Exercise needs vary depending on the dog's breed, energy level, and size. Emily now receives ample exercise, and her owner has established himself as her pack leader. His calm-assertive leadership means Emily doesn't need to fill that unnatural role. Balance has returned to Emily's life, and she and her owner are the better for it. Learn more about Aggression in the 5th Volume of the Mastering Leadership DVD Series, Common Canine Misbehaviors. 6. Jumping on Guests How can you tell if your dog is the pack leader? It's simple: if she jumps on you when you arrive home, she is the pack leader. If she jumps on your guests, she is making sure that these new arrivals also know she is in charge. What can you do to stop this unwanted behavior? Establish yourself as pack leader. When a dog doesn't have a clear pack leader, she tries to fill the vacant role, usually to disastrous results (for the owner and for the dog!) The pack leader leads by projecting a calm-assertive energy. Don't shower your dog with affection when you walk through the door. This kind of attention is wonderful for a human child, but not for a dog. Remember dogs are animals, and the kindest thing you can do is to treat your dog like a dog and communicate in a way he'll understand. Correct bad behavior. The dog’s mom, the ultimate pack leader, would never tolerate inappropriate activity. If she sees something she doesn’t like, she stops it by moving the puppy out of the way in a calm-assertive manner. The puppy learns an important

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boundary from the lesson, and her firm and unambiguous leadership balances the puppy’s submissive role in the pack. When your guests arrive, ask your dog to sit patiently. Your dog will follow your commands when he respects you as his pack leader. Remember, the animal pack leader doesn’t negotiate to get what he or she wants. You can't be a leader only some of the time. Leadership is forever; inconsistency triggers confusion and anxiety in a dog. Animal pack leaders never waver from their leadership role, and neither should you! 7. Dealing with Obsessive and Fixated Behaviors - Excerpt from the book "Be the Pack Leader" For dogs, obsessions and fixations can become as seriously harmful as addictions are for humans. When we laugh at a dog that is fanatically mad over a toy, a bone, a shaft of light, a game of fetch, or the neighbor's cat, it's like laughing at someone who is a fallingdown drunk. Sure, his behavior looks comical at the moment, but the truth is, he's truly got no physical or psychological control over himself. Someday, he may really hurt himself and those around him. That's exactly what obsessive behavior is to a dog - an addiction. An interesting fact is that the term addiction derives from the Latin word addicere, to sentence. When we allow our dogs' habits to progress to the point of obsession and/or addiction, we are actually "sentencing" them to a very frustrated, unhappy existence. Identifying Obsession A normal dog plays well with others - you, your kids, and other dogs. Balanced dogs can like one toy or game more than another, but it's still a game; it's not a life or death situation. An obsessive dog will take such games very seriously. Her playing will have a whole different level of intensity to it. When a dog is becoming obsessive, her face and her body language will visibly change. Her body will stiffen. A glaze will form over her eyes - her pupils become fixated and you can't distract her gaze. It appears almost as if she's in a trance. She's entered a zone in which there is no lightheartedness, no relaxation, and no joy in play. Think of a gambling addict at a slot machine, mechanically pulling the one-armed bandit over and over again, fixated on it but clearly not having fun. Obsession is not a happy place to be. It's a zone in which an animal is blind to everything around her that should make her happy. Preventing Obsession One step to preventing obsessive behavior is to monitor the intensity of your dog's play. I try to supervise the intensity of my own kids' play - because between them, one of them is going to be faster, or one is going to be physically stronger. If I can keep them at an intensity level that is mild, they can't hurt each other physically or emotionally. But they can still enjoy themselves. The point is, your dog must understand that there are limits to any game - whether it be playing with a favorite toy, or stalking the squirrels in the backyard. Those limits are determined by you, not by her. Correcting Obsession

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Make sure your dog is properly exercised and is not living with pent-up energy. Most of the time an obsession is something that the dog has discovered can work as an outlet for anxiety, frustration, or suppressed energy. Correct obsessive/possessive behavior immediately: this is where the importance of knowing your dog comes in. You must learn to recognize the physical cues and energy signs that your dog is getting into an obsessive state, and stop her at level one before she escalates to level ten. Your job should be at that very moment to correct the dog, to bring her to the highest level of submission, keeping the toy or object of obsession (if that's what it is) next to her until she moves away from it voluntarily. Most people will snatch a toy away and say, "No!" By doing this, they can escalate the obsession into a higher level - making the object prey, and making you a potential target. Your dog may not want to bite a family member, but she's in a state now where she can't stop on her own. Remember, dogs don't rationalize. 8. 5 Tips for Separation Anxiety You come home from a long day at work to a spinning, jumping whirlwind of energy. Your dog follows you into your living room, where you find that he has chewed on your favorite pair of shoes. Your neighbor comes by to tell you that, once again, your dog has been driving the neighborhood crazy by howling and barking while you were away. Is this scenario familiar? Your dog may be suffering from separation anxiety. In nature, dogs are almost never away from their pack. It is our job to help make this unnatural situation less stressful!

Before you leave, go for a walk. Start the day by providing vigorous exercise. Then reward your dog's calm-submissive energy with food and water. Some dogs may need to rest before eating, but all dogs can benefit from hydration. The idea is to leave your dog in quiet, resting mode while you are away. No touch, no talk, no eye contact. Don't make a big deal when you leave for the day or when you return. This way, you are communicating to your dog that the time apart is no big deal. It's just business as usual! Depending on the severity of the case, you may need to practice the rule for five minutes or up to an hour before you leave and when you get back. Say goodbye long before you leave. Having trouble practicing "no touch, no talk, no eye contact"? Take a moment to share affection and tell your dog that you will miss him way

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before you actually leave. Keep in mind that this display is for you - not your dog! Your dog won't have his feelings hurt if you didn't say goodbye. Stay calm and assertive! When you are ready to go to work, leave those guilty, nervous, and concerned feelings behind. Instead, let your dog know that everything is going to be okay by projecting the confident energy of a pack leader. Start out small. Leave your dog alone for five minutes. Then, extend the time to twenty minutes; then an hour. Continue to increase the time you spend away until you can leave for a full eight hours with no problem! 9. Top 9 Holiday Tips During the hectic holiday season, it is important to keep your dogs in mind. Here are Cesar's Top Tips for a happy pooch all Winter long! 1.) Tire your dog out before visiting or receiving holiday guests. Keep in mind that holiday visits are not typical visits. They may involve more heightened energy than normal, since often we haven’t seen these people in a while, and dog people have a tendency to get excited around others’ pets. Your dog is more likely to behave if it’s just had a nice long walk. If they’re not dog people, your guest may be nervous, insecure, and unsure; a tired dog can help these people relax.

2.) Don't forget rules, boundaries, and limitations just because it's the holidays! When it comes to the aromatic holiday food, sweets, and candies lying about the house, there are many temptations for your dog. You have to remind him or her that the rules, boundaries, and limitations are the same. Use the holiday as a chance to intensify good behavior instead of intensifying bad behavior. It's up to you to take the opportunity to make it a great holiday by working on your leadership skills! 3.) Protect your dog from the cold. Many breeds are not built to handle cold weather. Check out your local pet store for the many ways to handle this. You can buy doggie boots and gear made specifically for cold weather. There are also paw waxes that protect from the cold and aid your dog’s grip on slippery surfaces like ice or snow. 4.) Let your dog check the weather. Dogs don’t have the Weather Channel, so they don’t know why they are being denied a long walk for the day. Allow your dog to step outside and feel for itself that it is too cold or too stormy to go on a long walk. Instinctually, the dog will understand why it is coming back inside where it’s safe. But, be careful not to allow them to do this too often. They can learn to use this open door to manipulate and control you. Also, some dogs, if out in the cold for too long, will develop thicker fur and maintain their fat as a natural protection, so they may not feel the cold as intensely as we humans do. This can be an advantage if you want to continue to take your dog for walks 8

in cold weather. However, please keep in mind that many short-haired breeds do not have this natural resistance to cold weather. 5.) Be cautious when around the fireplace! Animals are instinctual about fire; it is natural for an animal to stay away. However, during this holiday season, many owners like to dress their dogs up. Never use a product which may contain alcohol, such as hairspray, silly string, or entertainment paint, on a dog that will be around fire. Always be cautious near a fire with an animal that is wearing clothing. A stray piece of fabric can quickly cause the entire outfit to light on fire. A screen is a good way to keep a “done-up” pup safe. Also, never leave an animal alone in a room with a lit candle. As a general holiday precaution, test your smoke alarms, and keep them clean and equipped with fresh batteries at all times! 6.) Be aware of dangerous holiday items. The festive poinsettia causes dogs to vomit. Chocolate is a poisonous treat. And tinsel has sent many a dog to the emergency room, as it can easily cut up intestines. Paper-based tinsel is generally a safer option, but the plastic or metallic-based varities should not be used. 7.) Protect your presents and decorations. Remember that a dog will know if a gift contains something edible, even if you don’t. Ask your guests in advance if there is food inside the presents, and keep them out of your dog’s reach! Keep fragile ornaments toward the top of the Christmas tree; only place sturdy ones near the bottom. Often people use a pen to keep dogs away from their tree. Keep it fun by decorating the pen with ribbons. And, above all, set rules, boundaries, and limitations! 8.) I don't recommend giving a puppy as a holiday gift. Most often, giving a puppy for emotional reasons turns out badly. Love is never the problem. Who doesn't love a puppy? But most people don’t know how to keep a puppy balanced, and the puppy is going to suffer the consequences from the first day. In particular, if a person doesn't know they are getting a puppy, they will be in the wrong state of mind to receive him or her. I highly recommend holding off on affection for a week or, at the very least, until the end of the day when the puppy is quiet, in his kennel, and ready for sleep. This is virtually impossible to do if you just received a puppy as a surprise! I strongly believe that people need to have some basic knowledge about the commitment and responsibility of pet ownership and how to play a leadership role even though it’s a puppy. The beautiful part about starting with a puppy is that, if you know what to do, you are going to prevent problems. But if you don’t, you are going to create problems. We have to take the same philosophy as adopting a child. You don’t just give a kid away. You have to get the whole family involved. Everyone has to understand the responsibility they are taking on. 9.) Live in the moment! Be happy! Laugh! Celebrate! Want to do something special for your dog for the holidays? Be balanced. Don’t be nervous. Don’t be fearful. Don’t be tense. Don’t think about anything that makes you sad, depressed, or angry. Really live in that moment. Believe it or not, that is one of the biggest gifts we can give to our dog--and ourselves! Everyone, rich or poor, can practice this simple activity. It has more meaning than any gift you can buy. Live in the now, with your dog right next to you and your family around you. Your dog is going to get the benefit of it, particularly if you don’t have days like this on a regular basis. This special day will linger in his or her memory, and, hopefully, you can learn to practice these days more often, not just during the holiday season.

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10. Breed and Aggression I deal with a lot of red zone cases, and I often hear people incorrectly blaming the breed. Any breed can cause trouble. The difference between an aggressive Chihuahua and an aggressive pit bull is that the bigger breeds can cause proportionately bigger damage.

It is important to recognize the power of a strong breed, like the pit bull, the Cane Corso, and the Mastiff. These dogs are very powerful and, if they are unbalanced, they can cause serious injury. Remember, these dogs don’t dream of being in the news when they grow up. Dogs don't premeditate bad acts like people do. Bad things happen when powerful breeds (or mixes of powerful breeds) live with humans who like the breed but don’t understand and fulfill the animal in the dog. Many people consider the look or popularity of a breed before thinking about whether the dog works for their lifestyle. This is a recipe for disaster. To control a powerful breed, you need to become the dog’s pack leader and establish rules, boundaries, and limitations. You need to fulfill the dog as Nature intended him to be fulfilled. If you are considering adopting a powerful breed, make sure you are willing and able to take on the responsibility. 11. Why does your dog bury her treats or toys? By Cheri Lucas

Does your dog often bury her bones, treats or even her toys in your backyard? Ever find a bone under the pillow on your bed or behind the sofa cushions? Or does she attempt to 10

“faux bury” her cookies in the corner of the carpet like my dog Natasha, to the point of creating a raw spot on the top her nose? Most behaviors dogs practice today are rooted in their ancient, developmental history. In the early days of canines, food wasn’t always plentiful. After a successful hunt, a dog would bury whatever he didn’t consume to keep it from scavengers and even other members of her pack. When she became hungry again or prey was sparse, she would return to her “stash” to consume the leftovers. Sometimes the problem was that the hunt was so successful there was too much food to be consumed at one meal. An ancestral urge led the dogs to bury their food for leaner times. The dirt also helped keep the food fresher by keeping it from direct sunlight. You might wonder why your dog still practices this behavior when you deliver her kibble to her food bowl every day! Old habits die hard and even our domesticated canines still experience the natural instinct to hoard. In fact, many species in the animal kingdom regularly practice hoarding behaviors. Squirrels hide acorns, leopards hang their kill from trees for later consumption, and even humans stock their pantry with canned goods and non-perishables. Your dog’s modified hoarding instinct is normal. But if her burying urge becomes obsessive, try to limit her toys and treats to one or two items. After all, she can only play with one toy and chew one bone at a time. Make sure she’s getting plenty of daily exercise and structured activities throughout the day to keep him healthy, happy, stimulated, and balanced! About Cheri Lucas

Cheri Lucas is the founder and president of Second Chance at Love Humane Society, a no-kill dog rescue in Templeton, California. In 1999, Cheri began mentoring under Cesar Millan. She has since appeared on five episodes of Dog Whisperer and has been a guest on Sessions with Cesar. Cheri is a member of the International Association of Canine Professionals. For her full biography, click here. Visit her website at www.CheriLucasDogBehavior.com. 12. Summer Storm Sensitivity

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In many parts of the world, summer storms are frequent this time of year. Many dogs react to the thunderous booms, vivid lighting, howling winds, and even the dropping barometric pressures that are part of a storm. So what do we do as pack leaders to make the experience less traumatic? First, before we begin with a technique, sit down and reflect how you’ve reacted or felt before during a storm. If you’re not aware of your own energy, ask someone who knows you to describe how you are during a particularly violent storm. With that said, you have to be mindfully aware, and emotionally in tune – dogs pick up on your anticipation, so your energy will directly affect their behavior. Let’s back up for a second. Thunder is an outcome of nature. Human is the source. The dog is the outcome of the environment and the human. Environment has natural power over a dog – it triggers survival – this means “flight or fight.” But, the human is so powerful that through our awareness, we can overpower nature and influence Mother Nature, which is the dog. The source of balance, then, has to be mindfully aware and emotionally in tune. This is calm assertive and love. With me? Dogs react on nature and environment and whoever is with him. If you stay calm and assertive, then you can learn a technique to deal with dogs that are fearful; in this case, redirecting. If we think of flight, redirection comes to mind first. If we think fight, or aggression, we need to stop or block it. With flight, this is where the treadmill, activities, and the walk come in. If the weatherman is precise, time your walk for the storms arrival, so that you can go on a longer walk than normal. Have the dog carry a backpack to make it more draining. You want him to be tired! Then, I suggest giving them drops of the homeopathic Rescue Remedy, which combined with the walk or treadmill, will put him to sleep for the storms arrival. The formula then is exercise, which is a natural sedative, combined with a natural remedy for relaxation. Some people have used cotton in dogs’ ears to lessen the shock of sudden storm sounds. Also, aromatherapy, using scents like lavender can be soothing to fearful dogs. However, if the dog is already at a level of fear of 5 or above, remember not to feel sorry for him. Take what I call a “paramedic” state of mind. This means calm and assertive and in control. If the dog is afraid and you’re afraid you can’t help him, can you see a positive outcome? Other ways to help soothe your dog include bathing the dog in warm water, if you have a bathtub and giving him a deep tissue massage, which relieves tension in the body like it 12

does for humans. Stay away from talking to the dog with sensitive words like, “It’s ok. Mommy’s here….” – that’s nurturing the fear. Remember, dogs don’t rationalize. This is when they need us the most. You must remain calm, and if you can, assertive, which helps make dogs feel protected and triggers the DNA concept of direction. 13. Punishment or Discipline? by Cheri Lucas For most of us, an average day begins with a series of rituals. We dress appropriately for our job. We show up at work promptly at the same time every day. We stop at traffic lights on the way to work. Does abiding by these rules and boundaries feel like punishment to us? Of course not. We are simply practicing the discipline expected of all of us who choose to live in a functional society….a society without chaos.

In their natural world, dogs or wolves live in a highly disciplined and structured society. The packs’ very survival depends on maintaining order, and order doesn’t happen without discipline. But often we feel that implementing discipline is a form of punishment to a dog. Nothing could be further from the truth! The reality is that dogs thrive on rules, boundaries, and other forms of discipline. Without discipline, a dog feels lost and confused about his role in the pack. Keep in mind that your dog doesn’t care what position he has in the pack, as long as the pack runs smoothly. Regardless of how smart you may feel your dog is, he or she is not equipped to manage a human household! Our own human society is critical of parents who don’t guide their children properly. It’s no different in the canine world. If we truly love our dogs, then we want to fulfill them in every way. Just as we can’t survive on love alone, neither can our dogs. It’s actually a disservice to withhold discipline from our dogs! Make sure you offer your dog the complete package when you bring him into your world. Along with exercise, food, shelter, and affection, offer him a healthy dose of rules, boundaries, and discipline. Don’t think of discipline as punishment, but just one more gift you give your best friend to keep him happy and balanced. About Cheri Lucas Cheri Lucas is the founder and president of Second Chance at Love Humane Society, a no-kill dog rescue in Templeton, California. In 1999, Cheri began mentoring under Cesar

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Millan. She has since appeared on five episodes of Dog Whisperer and has been a guest on Sessions with Cesar. Cheri is a member of the International Association of Canine Professionals. For her full biography, click here. Visit her website at www.secondchancelove.org. 14. Master the Walk I often walk about ten dogs at a time, sometimes even off-leash if I'm in a safe area. People are amazed by this, but it's simple: the dogs see me as their pack leader. This is why they follow me wherever I go. Position matters. Walking in front allows you to be seen as the pack leader. Conversely, if your dog controls you on the walk, he’s the pack leader. You should be the first one out the door and the first one in. Your dog should be beside or behind you during the walk.

Use a short leash. This allows you to have more control. Attaching the leash to the very top of the neck can help you more easily communicate, guide, and correct your dog. If you need additional help, consider the Illusion collar. Always keep your dog's safety in mind when giving corrections. Set aside time. Dogs, like humans, are diurnal, so taking walks in the morning is ideal. I recommend setting aside thirty minutes to a full hour. The specific needs of each dog differ. Consult your vet and keep an eye on your dog's behavior to see if his needs are being met. Define exploration time. After your dog has maintained the proper state of mind, reward him by allowing him to relieve himself and sniff around. Then you need to decide when reward time is over. It should always be less than the time spent focused on the walk. Don't punch out. When you get home, don't stop leading. Have your dog wait patiently while you put away his leash or take off your shoes. Share food and water.By providing a meal after the walk, you have allowed your dog to "work" for food and water. Pick up after your dog! Set an example: be a responsible dog guardian. 15. Achieving Balance Many of my clients call their dog their soul mate or their baby, but the dog tears up the furniture and drags them all over the neighborhood on a walk. The client pleads with the dog to behave, cajoles the dog, and offers her treats with no change in the dog’s behavior.

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Why? Dogs are animals, and they respond to calm-assertive leadership—not emotional arguments or negotiations. If you have a dog in your life, it is important to understand how to allow her to live in a balanced way and achieve a healthy state of mind. Dogs have found themselves in an odd predicament by living with humans. In the wild, dogs don’t need humans to achieve balance. They have a pack leader, work for food, and travel with the pack. But when we bring them into our world, we need to help them achieve balance by fulfilling their needs as nature intended them to be. How does this work? Through my fulfillment formula: exercise, then discipline, and finally, affection. As the human pack leader, you must set rules, boundaries, and limitations and always project a calm-assertive energy. When you fulfill your dog on a primal level as nature intended, you will feel in tune with your dog and connect with your dog in a deeper way. Put your dog's needs first, and take responsibility for our dog's state of mind. Only then will you experience all the love your dog has to give! 16. Insight for Dog Lovers/intuiţie; înţelegere; perspicacitate pt. iubitorii de caini The more you learn about dog psychology, the better you will be able to connect with your canine companion!

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Dogs are not humans. Before they receive love and affection, they need exercise, clear direction, and leadership. Giving them love alone doesn't create balance in their lives. Be a pack leader! Rehabilitating a dog is not about "fixing" it. It's about you, the owner, creating the intention for what you want, not what you’re feeling. Dogs pick up on feelings of fear, doubt, or worry – and they will move to fill them by attempting to become dominant. Practice unwavering leadership every day, especially on your walk. The energy you're projecting internally is the message you're sending to your dog. Dedicate at least 45 minutes of time to the dog’s walk in the morning. Let the dog know you have a consistent pattern that you expect it to follow. Utilize your dog's energy in a positive manner. Don't expect more from your dog(s) than your own children. Dogs need discipline, too. Give them rules, boundaries, and limitations as well as love. Avoid nurturing your dog's fears or unstable mind. Imagine a successful scenario and hold it in your mind when dealing with your dog. You are the source of your dog’s energy. You are the role model. Challenge the dog's mind - dogs want to know what to do with their lives. Let the dog work for your affection. Once in a calm-submissive state, your love will intensify those qualities in your dog. Dogs need"on" and "off" time. Engage them fully in structured times together; then they can relax and avoid impatient or destructive behaviors. Dogs show us how much we can learn - they live in the moment. Try it! 17. Cesar’s Tips: Setting Goals for 2011

A new year is a great time to set new goals for yourself, your life, and your relationship with your dog! Here are some ideas to keep in mind as your make your resolutions for your canine companion in the year ahead. Put aside excuses and find the time to devote to your canine companion. Whether it is more time on the walk, or less time away from home, make time to spend with your pet so you can improve your bond and strengthen your pack leadership! Slow down and live in the moment! The problems and stresses that we deal with on a daily basis can sometimes blind us to the good things in our lives. That is human nature. So take a page from your dog’s book! Try not to fret about things that may or may not happen down the road. Don’t dwell on something you said yesterday and whatever effects it may have on your life today. Plan a day that’s just for you and your dog. Wake

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up and be aware of how you feel. Take a walk and clear your mind. Enjoy the sights and sounds and smells of the world around you, and enjoy the company of your canine friend. Everyone deserves a little vacation now and then, and if you’re lucky, you may discover a way to take a little piece of that feeling with you in your everyday life! Let your dog be a dog! Many owners make the well-intentioned mistake of thinking of their dogs as people. They assume that their minds and emotions work in exactly the same way as ours. Humanizing a dog creates imbalance, and a dog out of balance is an unfulfilled and, more often than not, troubled dog. So instead of trying to make your dog human, think of getting to know your dog for who she really is as an exciting new adventure! Remember they are animal first, then species, then breed, and then name! Reconnect with nature. In so many ways, we humans are different from every other being that shares this planet with us. We have the power to rationalize, which includes the power to fool ourselves. Yet, no matter how much we ravage the earth, our animal natures yearn to be fulfilled. Dogs are a lifeline to that instinctual part of ourselves that so many humans have lost touch with. Reconnect with Mother Nature through your dog’s nose, eyes, and ears, and take some time to enjoy the nature that surrounds you. Go on a hike, smell the air and the flowers, take a camping trip or simply sit outside and soak up some sun or meditate under the stars! 18. Cesar’s Advice to Our Presidents & Leaders When Cesar was interviewed by Lesley Stahl in the following CBS segment (airdate: October 3, 2010) he respectfully showed how even presidents can misunderstand the fundamentals of being their dog’s pack leader. The topic hit websites and blogs with fervor. So, we are tackling the subject and giving President Obama, former President Bush, future presidents, and dog owners everywhere, some of Cesar’s best advice for stepping up their leadership skills. Whether in your dog pack or in your life, these lessons derived from natural pack leadership, are ones we can all learn from. First – let’s talk about the walk, which is a key fundamental in your bond with your dog. You need to establish leadership from day one! Start off each day with a nice, long walk and make sure the dog is next to you or behind you. Position matters – canine pack leaders walk in front and this is one simple way to implement rules, boundaries and limitations right from the start. Be consistent. Don't send the dog a mixed message. If you allow the dog to assume the leadership position one day, and not the next, then go back and forth, you are not being the pack leader. No one wants a “wishy-washy” leader! At the end of the day when the dog is in resting mode, you can share all that affection you've been storing up! By starting off right and remaining consistent, the first family can help prevent bad behavior down the road, such as excessive barking, leash-pulling or biting White House reporters. It’s important for our political leaders to be good examples for the country, so why not extend that example to include their dog? Humans are the only species that follow unstable pack leaders. Not only do we follow them but even after they’ve proven to be unstable, we still follow them or re-elect them or give them even more power. You would never see an unstable leader in an animal pack! The selection process for Pack Leaders is very different in animal species than human. Humans tend to choose pack leaders because they are “lovable,” or seem intelligent or charismatic; basically we choose them for their personality – someone we’d like to spend time with socially, rather than for their professional qualifications or ability. Animals select pack leaders because they instinctually know who is strong and who can best lead

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them. It has nothing to do with personality or physicality. Just watch some animal kingdom shows and you’ll see there are some pretty strange-looking pack leaders out there! But they provide (1) protection and (2) direction! An animal pack leader is concerned for the pack, not for himself. It’s an unselfish role and an instinctual role. Dog pack leaders don’t go to graduate school to learn how to lead a pack; it’s just in their DNA. In return, the pack completely trusts the pack leader. They instinctually know that the pack leader is there to protect them and guide them. I think President Kennedy was a good pack leader. He said, “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.” That is a pack leader. The interests of your country are greater than the interests of an individual. Thus, you need to ask yourself what you can contribute to your pack. Compare this to what I see in many of today’s human pack leaders. We believe, and now almost accept the fact, that our pack leaders are motivated, in part, by personal interests. Sometimes the leaders’ self- interests happen to align well with some members of their pack but not all members. In America, we say that’s good. We’ve come to accept this as “normal.” And because we accept it, we are naturally or instinctually mistrustful of our pack leaders. So, while dog pack leaders are instinctually driven to protection and direction of the entire pack, human pack leaders are expected to be driven by some selfinterest that may align with other self-interests to form a temporary pack or what we call a “coalition” or “alliance” or “joint venture.” But these are temporary packs! Another lesson we can take from natural packs is that they live in the present. There is no past or future, there are just the needs and wants of the present. Compare this with human pack leaders. They live mostly in the past and in the future… and in some cases, human pack leaders are focused on making sure the past never goes away. The mistakes of the past are constantly brought up, reminding people of what happened the last time they elected that party or politician. “Leaders” want us to remember the bad times and promise a better future! It’s never about the present. The past never goes away – we remember the hurt, the guilt, the fear – and our pack leaders use this to lead and control the pack. A fearful pack is a reactionary pack. And that’s dangerous for any species. Likewise, our pack leaders use the future in a similar fashion. Only it’s fear of the unknown. In the animal world, there is only the present. You live in harmony and with nature NOW and the future takes care of itself. Make the right choices today and there won’t be mistakes or messes to fix in the future. America must restore honesty, integrity, and loyalty in our relationships, both here and abroad. This starts at home. We need to re-connect with the fundamentals of relationships, and in the process, we can restore the trust and respect from other countries. My pack and I want to let you know we are practicing what President Kennedy said. It takes a pack to rehabilitate a country, just like it takes a village to raise a child. This is my humble message to our presidents and leaders, past, present, and future. The power of success is in its simplicity. It’s just like being a father. The principles I want to leave my kids with are the same principles that I practice in my life every day. One of my favorite Ghandi quotes – “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated” – says it all. 19. Cesar’s Tips: Pet Sitting

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School has started again, but you may already be planning to get away for the holidays. Are you concerned about how your dog will handle being away from you? Put the worry aside and get prepared with these tips! Picking the Right Sitter: Try to choose someone who you know can help balance and calm your dog if he is anxious or nervous when you are first away. Remember, it’s about energy and matching energy. Leaving a hyperactive dog with an elderly relative is not a good idea. Most important is that you make sure you leave your dog with someone who understands the needs of your dog. Ask yourself whether you can trust that this person is adhering to your rules, boundaries, and limitations, or whether they are creating a problem by not maintaining your leadership. Location: Ideally, you would have someone stay at your home and maintain the dog’s normal routine. This means keeping their walk and feeding and sleeping schedule the same. But if you leave them with someone in another location, it’s a good idea to get them familiar with this place on several occasions prior to leaving them there for an extended stay. Before you change your dog’s routine (by having them stay somewhere other than your own home), get them used to change. This way, any concerns or separation anxiety is prevented. If you choose to board your dog, look at and thoroughly research the place beforehand. Talk to people who have boarded their dogs there before. What’s the energy like there? How does it smell? How do you feel? How do the caretakers there act and react with the dogs there? Do they practice “nose, eyes, ears” and “no touch, no talk, no eye contact,” when they meet new dogs? All of this will tell you how well-informed they are to ensure your dog is happy there. Just because you leave your dog at a boarding facility doesn’t mean you have to follow all of their rules. If you have specific restrictions or requests, you can ask. If they won’t accommodate your needs, they probably aren’t going to accommodate the dog’s either.

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Expectations: If you leave your dog with a family member or a friend, make sure they know the requirements. If your dog is used to a one-hour walk every morning, they will not be fulfilled by a 15-minute walk instead. In fact, the reverse is better. When my dogs are at the ranch, for example, the routine changes. Instead of a 45-minute walk, we go for an hour and a half hike. When you change the environment, it’s good to also change – and increase – the daily challenges, the physical and mental stimulation. This keeps the dog’s mind and body more relaxed and less focused on their primary pack leader being away. Keep in mind that if you leave the dog at a kennel for a long time, they are going to spend most of their time in the kennel. There are exceptions, of course, but this is something to generally be aware of. So when you pick up your dog, he is going to have a lot of pent up energy. Take him for the longest walk of his life when you pick him up! If your only option is to leave your dog with someone who cannot maintain your exercise routine or schedule, hire a dog walker to help share the responsibilities. Ones who are comfortable walking more than three dogs at a time are probably going to be the best handlers, even if you just have one dog. Details: Just as parents leave a checklist for a babysitter, you can leave a checklist for your pet sitter. Include important information like the vet’s phone number and address, the closest 24-hour emergency hospital, any medications they will need while you are gone, allergies, feeding schedule, how often to check their water bowl, any behavioral problems, whether you allow them on the furniture or whether they get people food, how often they get a treat, and any other information that will help keep your dog as happy, fulfilled, and balanced as possible while you are away. If your sitter isn’t well educated or familiar with dogs, you might also give them some information on household items or foods that may be toxic to them, which you can find here. Relax! If you take all of the above into consideration, you have taken the proper steps to ensure a pleasant experience for your dog while you are gone, so enjoy your time away. Even if you aren’t with your canine companion, a calm-assertive attitude will help keep you stress-free! Top 10 Household Items That Could Harm Your Dog

There are many dangers in and around the home that can spell disaster for your dog. Due to canine curiosity and their tendency to explore the world using their mouth they can ingest common household items that are potentially toxic. Toxicoses account for approximately 15 to 20 percent of animal emergencies at emergency facilities and listed below are the top ten categories of common household items that are most frequently seen. People food 20

Just because we can eat it does not mean our food is safe for our canine companions. Chocolate contains large amounts of caffeine and theobromine which dogs do not tolerate well. It can cause clinical signs ranging from gastrointestinal upset, irregular heartbeats, abnormal blood pressure, tremors, seizures and even death in extreme cases. In general, the darker the chocolate the more toxic it is. The toxic dose is calculated by factoring in your dog’s weight, the type of chocolate and how much chocolate was ingested. Please contact poison control or your veterinarian with this information to see what steps will need to be taken. Inducing vomiting is recommended if the ingestion was within the last two hours and depending on the dose, your dog may need to be hospitalized so he can receive activated charcoal and IV fluids. Chocolate tends to be one of the more common toxicoses but there are other foods to be aware of. Grapes and raisins can cause acute kidney failure; macadamia nuts can cause GI upset, tremors and weakness. Avocado contains persin which causes vomiting and diarrhea in dogs. Sugarless gums contain xylitol which can cause dangerously low blood sugar levels. Signs of low blood sugar are weakness, loss of coordination, tremors and occasionally seizures. Several days after ingesting xylitol dogs can develop elevated liver enzymes and sometimes liver failure. Compared to dog food, people food in general is richer, higher in fat and spicier. Dogs that indulge in people food tend to experience gastrointestinal upset or in severe cases can develop inflammation of the pancreas which usually requires hospitalization. Please keep people food away from your dog’s reach. If you have family or friends coming over inform your guests not to feed your dog and make the kitchen and dining areas off limits for your canine friend. Rodenticides Mouse and rat baits are designed to be appetizing to rodents to encourage ingestion, but unfortunately, for the same reason many dogs find these baits appealing as well. By far the most common type is the anticoagulant based rodenticide. Active ingredients for these are typically warfarin based anticoagulants such as brodifacoum, bromodialone and diphacinone. These baits work by blocking vitamin K dependant clotting factors causing massive internal bleeding and death for any rodent that ingests it and the same mechanism applies to dogs as well. Because dogs tend to be bigger than rodents it takes longer for the bleeding to occur, typically within 3-5 days. If the ingestion was recent, induce vomiting and seek veterinary attention. Your veterinarian will prescribe oral vitamin K for 2-3 weeks and may want to check your dog’s clotting times. For the next couple weeks you will need to watch for lethargy, weakness, loss of appetite and pale gums. If you notice any of these symptoms seek veterinary care immediately. In serious cases, blood transfusions are sometimes necessary. There are two other kinds of rodenticides that are less common. Baits containing cholecalciferol increases the dog’s calcium and phosphorous causing the soft tissue to mineralize. The kidneys are most affected and acute kidney failure is common. Hospitalization with fluid support and medication to lower the serum calcium and phosphorous is usually needed. Bromethalin (note the similarity of the word to Bromodialone) based rodenticides working by acting on the brain. It makes the brain swell up triggering tremors, seizures and eventually death. There is no specific antidote and only supportive care can be given. Of the three, this is the hardest one to treat and is usually fatal. If you have a rodent problem and feel the only solution is to lay out baits please use only anticoagulant based rodenticides since they are the least toxic of the three

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types and the easiest to treat. Place the baits in a location where your dog cannot reach them and once a day check to see if the baits are still there. Dispose of the baits properly when your rodent problem is gone. If you find a bait missing or has been tampered with and believe your dog ingested some seek veterinary attention immediately. Keep the package the bait came in and bring it with you to the vet. I know of one case where the owner told their vet that the bait was “D-con” which is an anticoagulant based rodenticide. Unfortunately, this owner used “D-con” as a generic term for all rodenticides. The veterinarian in this case treated the dog with vitamin K. The dog later presented at the emergency clinic with neurological signs because the bait was actually bromethalin based. So be safe and hang on to the packaging material and bring it with you to the vet so there is no confusion. Insecticides The most common insecticide that dogs tend to eat is the ant or roach baits. They contain an attractant such as peanut butter or bread which most dogs find appealing. Luckily the insecticides used in the baits today are typically non-toxic in mammals or the dose contained in the baits is so low that serious toxicosis is unlikely. In fact, there is more concern that the container of the bait can end up as a gastric foreign body. For this reason follow the same guidelines for placement as the rodenticides baits. Keep the packaging and contact poison control if you believe your dog ingested an ant or roach bait. Less common insecticides to be aware of are metaldehyde based snail and slug baits and methomyl based fly bait. If you use insecticides be sure to keep your dog away from the area where it was used. Human pharmaceuticals This category includes prescription medications and over the counter drugs meant for humans. Ibuprofen and acetaminophen are toxic and should never be given to your dog. Never give your dog over the counter medication without first discussing it with your veterinarian. Keep your prescription pills out of reach. The bottles may be child proof but they certainly aren’t dog proof. Don’t leave pills lying around on nightstands or on top of counters for example. If possible take pills in the bathroom with the door closed so that if you accidentally drop a pill your dog cannot run in and gobble it up. If your dog does get into your pills contact poison control with the drug name and approximate number of tablets he ate in order to determine what treatment your dog may need. Veterinary pharmaceuticals Some pills that veterinarians prescribe for dogs are flavored to make them more palatable and apparently some taste so good that dogs think they are treats. It is important to keep all medication for your dog away in a safe place. If your dog needs medications be sure you understand the dosing schedule and ask any questions you might have about the medication before you leave the veterinarian’s office. Never apply flea and tick products meant for your dog on any feline companions you may have. Plants This is more of a problem with cats but I have seen puppies that chewed on plants and sometimes adult dogs will chew on plants when their stomach is bothering them. Some toxic plants to be aware of are Narcissus and hyacinth bulbs, oleander, rhododendrons, cyclamen, amaryllis, yew and chrysanthemum. Know the species you have in your garden, do some research to find out which are toxic and which are safe and try to only

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plant non-toxic varieties of plants. If you’re not sure whether your plants are safe, keep your dog out of the garden and watch him around houseplants. Fertilizer Another reason to keep your dog out of the garden is fertilizer which often smells like food to dogs. There is a wide variety of fertilizers, but they typically contain varying amounts of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorous with insecticides and herbicides as common additives. Restrict access to newly-fertilized gardens and garden sheds or garages where fertilizer is kept and keep the packaging as a reference just in case. Or use an organic, pet-friendly alternative. Cleaning products Many of these products are just as toxic for our dogs as they are to us. Store all cleaning products away when not in use and consider using natural, organic cleaning solutions instead. If your dog has ingested a bleach-containing product or a drain cleaner, do NOT induce vomiting. As always contact poison control with the product name and the approximate amount ingested and seek emergency veterinary care. Heavy metals Zinc and lead are the most common culprits. The most common cause of zinc toxicosis is ingestion of pennies. Pennies minted since 1983 are primarily zinc and some dogs love to ingest coins. Clinical signs are gastrointestinal upset and anemia from red blood cell destruction. Surgery is usually necessary to remove the pennies to prevent further absorption of zinc. The best treatment is prevention so keep your pocket change in a jar out of your dog’s reach. Thankfully, lead toxicosis is becoming less common due to industry safety guidelines. It is no longer a common component of paint but keep in mind that when renovating older homes that lead may be present in paint chips and dust and your dog should be kept away during periods of renovation. Miscellaneous chemicals Antifreeze is very sweet and attractive to dogs. They appear drunk after ingesting even small amounts. They appear fine after a few hours but go into kidney failure as few days later. The toxic component is ethylene glycol. There is an antidote but it must be given shortly after ingestion so if you suspect ingestion seek veterinary attention immediately. Much less toxic is propylene glycol based antifreeze, so whenever possible purchase propylene glycol based antifreeze. If you do use ethylene glycol based antifreeze be sure to prevent access and be sure to dispose of it properly as it is toxic to wildlife as well. Many other chemicals pose dangers as well such as paint, paint thinners, solvents and pool chemicals. If a product is labeled ‘toxic’ then assume it’s toxic to animals as well and store chemicals out of reach. Be prepared by considering toxic emergencies when putting together a first aid kit for your dog. Please check out our first aid guide for dog owners for more information on building a first aid kit. Be sure to include a bottle of fresh sealed 3% hydrogen peroxide and a bulb syringe so you can induce vomiting when necessary, saline eye solution in case you need to flush the eye and dishwashing detergent to bathe your dog with in the event of skin contamination. Lastly, always keep the number of your regular veterinarian, emergency clinic, and poison control handy. The number for the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center is (888) 426-4435. It’s a poisonous world out there but with knowledge and prevention you can help keep your dog safe. Remember that prevention is the best treatment!

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About Dr. Kristy Conn Dr. Kristy Conn graduated from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine and did her clinical year at the University of Minnesota Veterinary Teaching Hospital where she fell in love with emergency and critical care medicine. She has practiced emergency medicine at various clinics almost exclusively for the past 10 years, in addition to volunteering in shelter medicine, checking on the health of arrivals and providing low cost spay/neuters and immunizations to recently adopted animals. She is a member of the National Animal Health Emergency Response Corps which helps provide veterinary care to animals affected by disasters such as Hurricane Katrina. She resides in Long Island with her beloved mixed breed dog named Buster. 20. What you need to know about snakes

Photo by Stephen Grossman There are many different poisonous snakes. Know the kinds of snakes you have in your area and what the poisonous ones look like. It’s not always easy to tell what kind of snake bit your dog, but if you do know, it can help your veterinarian determine the best treatment. Rattlesnakes live in a variety of habitats. They can be found in deserts, forests, and wetlands, from sea level to mountain elevations. Rattlesnakes are most active in warmer seasons, from Spring to Autumn. In some areas they can be found year-round, particularly in southern latitudes. Dogs are at risk. Dogs can encounter snakes whenever they are in a snake habitat. Curiosity or a prey drive can place your dog at risk, but like people, dogs can stumble over the location of a snake by accident, such as when running through a field of high grass, or chasing a completely unrelated scent. Snakes’ head size doesn’t indicate how dangerous they are. Adult male brown water snakes have fat heads and they are non-venomous. Many non-venomous snakes flatten their heads when stressed and appear to have viper-like heads. Coral snakes are highly venomous and have skinny heads. A snakebite can be serious. Even if your dog survives the immediate effects of a bite, it has the potential to cause permanent injury. The toxic components of snake venom are very painful and can have severe consequences.

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A snake won’t necessarily give you warning before they strike. Sometimes rattlesnakes rattle before they strike, but don't count on it. A snake's best defense in the wild is its camouflage. A snake's first reaction is usually to lie perfectly still and hope that it goes unnoticed. A baby snake is just as venomous than an adult snake. And they could be more dangerous as well. Baby snakes typically aren't developed enough to be able to control the amount of venom that they distribute. In a single bite, a baby snake may dispense all of its venom, where as an adult snake is able to size up its prey and will dispense only what is needed for the job. It will not dispense all of its venom to ensure that it is still able to defend itself if necessary. A snakebite is always an emergency. Take your dog to a veterinarian for treatment immediately. Even bites by non-venomous snakes can lead to serious infections and antibiotic treatment may be needed. Treatment of a snakebite is expensive. Antivenom injections can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars. And while they may be necessary, antivenom can have side effects that complicate a dog’s recovery. Other costs that may be involved in snakebite treatment include hospitalization, intravenous fluids or other medications. Read this Ask the Vet column on the Rattlesnake Vaccine. Read more: Rattlesnake Aversion Training 21. How to have a successful experience at the dog park

When you take your dog to a dog park or any other setting where there are other dogs, you have a responsibility to make sure he or she practices acceptable social behavior. Yet dog parks often become a venue for excited, dominant and even aggressive behavior. The key to having a successful experience at the dog park is for your dog to see you as his pack leader. Asking your dog to behave properly in any setting is futile if you have no position of authority over him. Assuming you are practicing rules and boundaries with your dog on a regular basis, you may be ready to introduce him to the challenge of a dog park. Keep in mind that the dog 25

park or any other play situation should be seen an as occasional treat for your dog, and should never be a substitute for his routine, structured walk. It’s natural for your dog to co-exist with other members of his own species. However, a dog park is nothing like a pack in the wild! A dog or wolf pack in their natural state is calm, orderly and balanced. To make your dog park experience more like that of a natural pack, ask your dog to earn everything he gets prior to leaving the house for the park. This will set the stage for good behavior as the activity continues. Since your dog can pick up on subtle cues you’re giving him, as you’re getting ready to leave the house, he may begin to exhibit excited behavior. Ask your dog to sit, wait and proceed calmly through the front door to your car. Challenge your dog one more time by requesting he sit and wait for you to release him into the car. If you’re driving to the park with someone else, ask him or her to correct your dog if he becomes overly excited again. When you arrive at the park, go through the “sit, wait, release” ritual with him again before allowing him to exit the car. Rather than entering the park right away, take your dog for a brisk walk for 15 minutes, keeping him right by your side. Keep your demeanor calm, assertive and relaxed during this time. When you arrive back at the entrance of the park, continue to enter the park with your dog on his leash. Continue your walk making sure not to allow tension on his leash. Once you are confident that your dog’s state of mind is calm and balanced, unsnap his leash and allow him to explore on his own. Your personal challenge will be to remain relaxed yet vigilant. Remember that just because you may have perfect control of your own dog, others may not have control of theirs. As with children, playing can sometimes turn into fighting if intensity levels are not kept in check. May your next experience at the dog park be relaxing, rewarding and balanced!

About Cheri Lucas Cheri Lucas is the founder and president of Second Chance at Love Humane Society, a no-kill dog rescue in Templeton, California. In 1999, Cheri began mentoring under Cesar Millan. She has since appeared on five episodes of Dog Whisperer and has been a guest on Sessions with Cesar. Cheri is a member of the International Association of Canine Professionals.For her full biography,click here.Visit her website at www.CheriLucasDogBehavior.com. 22. Take Training in Small Steps There are many different approaches to training. The key is to do your research, use your best judgment, and most important, know your dog and remain calm and assertive. Training is about communication; conditioning your dog to respect you as the pack leader as you set rules, boundaries, and limitations. As the human, you need to practice patience and know yourself, too. If you start to get frustrated or nervous, the dog will sense your energy and the work could be counterproductive. Take it in small steps. Even a minute of calm, focused training can make a difference. Here are some tips to keep in mind.

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Set aside time every day to work on training. Remember, dogs need discipline, so giving them dedicated time when they need to focus on you, the pack leader, is important to maintain good behavior on a regular basis. Everything you do or say around your dog is “training” – remain consistent in your body language, signals, and commands. Know what you want from your dog. Set a clear goal and stick to it. Training and conditioning require consistent reinforcement to keep the dog enjoying the behavior. Keep training sessions short and sweet, and pay close attention to when your dog gets tired or overtaxed. You want to keep her interested and wanting more! Use training as a time to help your dog learn to problem-solve on her own. It keeps her mind busy and builds confidence. Take time to find the rewards that work best. Not all dogs are food-motivated, so do your homework and try a different approach if one way isn’t giving you the results you want. Always end a training session with a success. 23. 7 Tips for Doggie Dental Care 1. If your dog hasn't received a dental exam, take him to the vet first! He may require a cleaning, and then you can maintain his clean teeth at home. 2. Create a regular dental care routine at home. For example, you can brush your dog's teeth with special canine toothpaste.

3. Never use human toothpaste or mouthwash. They can make your dog sick. 4. Start early! Grown dogs can learn to become comfortable with brushing, but make things easier for yourself by working with your dog as a puppy. 5. Take your dog to the vet if you see signs of dental problems: Bad breathe Change in eating or chewing habits Pawing at the face or mouth Depression Excessive drooling Misaligned or missing teeth

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Discolored, broken, missing or crooked teeth Red, swollen, painful or bleeding gums Yellowish-brown tartar crust along the gum line Bumps or growths within the mouth 6. Aggressive chewing on hard objects can cause broken teeth. Make sure you are providing safe objects for your dog to gnaw on. 7. During your dog's annual check-ups, make sure your veterinarian takes a good look at his or her teeth to keep an eye out for any issue you may miss. 24. The Science of Canine Emotions Are you convinced your dog laughs? Or maybe you think he feels ashamed when you discover that he's peed on the carpet? Find out if you're right – or just humanizing your dog! Learn the science behind your dog's feelings.

Laughter Have you ever heard your dog's panting during play and thought it sounded like a chuckle? Turns out, you might be right! Researcher Patricia Simonet from Sierra Nevada College discovered that certain breathy, excited exhalations could be the canine version of laughter. Her team brought a parabolic microphone to a park and, from a distance, recorded the sounds that dogs made while playing. They discovered a special exhalation that was different from normal panting. Later, the team played the sound for other dogs who started to play after hearing the "laugh." They also discovered that it helped to calm shelter dogs who were under stress. Shame Most dog owners are familiar with the telltale signs that indicate their dog has been “up to no good” while they’ve been away: the lowered head, ears swept back, the hunched posture, and a doleful gaze. Even if the fruits of the dog’s bad behavior are not immediately apparent, his body language seems to point to feelings of guilt. But for dogs, the emotion is slightly less complicated than human guilt or shame. Your dog’s submissive postures are the result of anxious anticipation; an expected disciplinary action. It may have been your reaction to similar behavior in the past, or it may be the change in your energy and body language when you discover his actions in the present. Your immediate reaction in any disciplinary situation creates an association for your dog… he now knows that his actions will lead to discipline or punishment.

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Jealousy A researcher at the University of Vienna in Austria named Friederike Range discovered that dogs do have a sense of "fair play." Her team began with a group of dogs who already knew the command to "shake" and would give their paw whether they received a treat or not. However, if they saw that another dog received a piece of food for the behavior while they did not, they stopped! Dogs are not the only ones who are insulted when they aren't treated fairly. A similar experiment found that monkeys also become jealous if their peers were rewarded and they weren't. It is likely these behaviors resulted because both animals live in cooperative societies. Grief Dogs don't grieve in the same way that humans do, but they do experience sadness when a pack member passes away. If your family experiences a loss, your dog may react by displaying signs of distress: loss of appetite, fear, depression, sleeping too much or too little, and anxiety. In 1996, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals conducted a Companion Animal Mourning Project which found that 66% of dogs exhibited four or more behavioral changes after losing a pet companion. Give your pet time to cope with the loss. The study found that most dogs returned to normal after two weeks but some took as long as six months. You can help by maintaining their routine and going through your own grief. Your dog will have trouble moving on if you are unable to. If you are afraid these symptoms may be the result of illness, take your dog to the vet to make sure. Joy Anyone who has watched a dog play knows that our canine companions experience joy! The famous naturalist Charles Darwin noted that "under the expectation of any great pleasure, dogs bound and jump about in an extravagant manner, and bark for joy." Play helps animals to build social bonds, build trust, and learn to cooperate which can better their chances of survival. It also hones cognitive skills and helps in hunting and mating 25. Dogs in Nature Understanding how dogs behave in nature can help us to better fulfill their needs when we bring them into our homes.

When a puppy enters the world, his first pack leader is his mother. Canine moms teach rules, boundaries, and limitations from day one!

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Newborn puppies don't get a name like we do. The closest thing to a personality is a dog's status within the pack. In the animal world, there are two positions: the leader and the follower. As newborns, first the puppy's nose starts to work, then the eyes, and finally the ears. As they grow older, dogs still experience the world in this order: nose, eyes, and then ears. This is entirely opposite of how we do: ears, eyes, and then nose. Keep this in mind when meeting a dog for the first time. Let the dog explore your scent fully before attempting any other interaction. This is how she gets to know you. In their natural habitat, dogs earn food and water and experience the world around them by walking. This activity is ingrained deep within a dog's DNA. Walking exercises your dog's body and stimulates her mind. There can only be so many pack leaders, so most dogs are born submissive. This creates a balance in the pack that fosters healthy and happy dogs. As adults, dogs look to their pack leader to create that stability. They don’t question the pack leader’s position, and the pack leader doesn’t look to the dogs to affirm his position. This is the natural balance of the pack. Your goal should be to provide your dogs with the same calm-assertive leadership that they would experience in a pack. 26. Exercise: Challenge Your Dog Physically All dogs require exercise to lead balanced, healthy lives. Just because a dog is small doesn’t mean he needs less exercise, and, although breed can give an indication of the dog’s energy level, the final judgment must be made on the individual dog’s needs.

As your dog’s pack leader, you must help her to expend her energy in a productive way. For all dogs, this means a daily walk. Some dogs may require additional activities, such as running, Frisbee, or swimming, in addition to—but never replacing—the walk. Remember that dogs are animals, and animals need to travel and discover the world. A big back yard is no substitute for a good walk. Master the walk and your dog will relate to you on a deeper level. 27. Energy as Communication

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Dogs use constant energy to communicate. Energy is what I call beingness; it is who and what you are in every moment. Dogs don’t know each other by name, but by the energy they project and the activities they share. They know humans in the same way.

As humans, we too are communicating with energy—whether we realize it or not. And, though we may attempt to persuade, explain, and rationalize all day long, these energy signals are the only messages getting across to our dogs. The first energy that a puppy experiences after birth is mom’s calm-assertive energy. Later, the puppy will follow a pack leader who projects the same calm-assertive energy out of association. As pack followers, dogs return a calm-submissive energy that completes the pack balance. It is important to understand that most dogs are born to be submissive, because there can only be so many pack leaders. When a naturally submissive dogs lives with a human that does not lead, he or she will attempt to right the pack balance by filling what they see as a vacant pack leader role. This is how behavior problems develop. To establish yourself as the pack leader, you must always project a calm-assertive energy. If you don’t know what I mean by calm-assertive energy, think about Oprah Winfrey. She is calm and assertive in the human world. This natural balance (calm-assertive leadership with calm-submissive behavior) nurtures stability and creates a balanced, centered, and happy dog. 28. Glossary of Terms from "Cesar's Way" Calm-assertive energy – This is the energy you project to show your dog you are the calm and assertive pack leader. Note: assertive does not mean angry or aggressive. Calmassertive means always compassionate, but quietly in control. Calm-submissive energy – In nature, this is the appropriate energy for a “follower” in a dog pack, and thus the ideal energy for a dog to project when living in a household with humans. Signs of calm-submissive energy include a relaxed posture, ears held back, and a nearly instinctual response to the “pack leader’s” commands. Exercise, discipline, and affection… in that order – These are the three ingredients for creating a happy, balanced dog. Most dog owners give only affection, or don’t provide these three necessities in the correct order. Exercise – walking a dog at least one hour every day, and in the correct way. Discipline – giving a dog rules, boundaries, and limitations in a nonabusive manner. Affection – a reward we give to our dogs and to ourselves, but only after the dog has achieved calm submission in our “pack”. Master the walk – The walk is an extremely important ritual for a dog. It needs to take place a minimum of twice a day, for at least thirty to forty-five minute each time, so that both the dog’s mind and its body are given a workout. This means the dog walks next to 31

the owner or behind him/her – not pulling ahead. If a dog is “walking” a human, the dog perceives itself as pack leader at that moment, and the human is not in control. Rules, boundaries, and limitations - Dogs need to know that their pack leader is clearly setting the rules, boundaries and limitations for their life both inside and outside the house. - Anger, aggression, or abuse toward the dog will not establish you as pack leader; an angry, aggressive leader is not in control. Calm-assertive energy and daily, consistent leadership behavior will make enforcing the rules easier. Issues – If a dog doesn’t trust its owner to be a strong, stable pack leader, it becomes unclear about its correct role within the pack. A dog that is confused about who is in charge is actually concerned about the ability of the pack to survive, so it attempts to fill in the missing leadership elements, often erratically. This can cause aggression, anxiety, fear, obsessions, or phobias – what I call “issues”. Balance – A balanced dog is in the state Mother Nature wants it to be in – as a calmsubmissive pack follower, who is fulfilled physically with exercise; psychologically with rules, boundaries, and limitations; and emotionally with affection from its owner. Dog training – Conditioning a dog to human commands – sit, stay, come, heel – isn’t what I do. Dog rehabilitation – This is what I do: help a dog with issues to return to a balanced state of calm submission. Sometimes it may appear that I can “fix” a dog instantly, but as I’ve said, “a dog is not an appliance that can be sent out for repairs.” Permanent dog rehabilitation can occur only with a calm, assertive, stable, and consistent owner. Nose, eyes, ears… in that order! – I remind dog owners that dogs see the world differently from the way we do. We communicate using our ears first, then our eyes, and lastly our nose. Dogs begin with the nose, then the eyes, and lastly the ears. Allowing a dog to experience our scent before we engage it in eye contact or speak to it is one way to establish trust early on. Humanizing a dog – Many owners make the well-intentioned mistake of thinking of their dogs as children. I advise people to try to see the world through a dog’s eyes. Cute outfits, fancy dog food, and a millionaire’s mansion will not make for a happy dog. Regular exercise, a strong stable pack leader, and affection that’s earned will result in a dog that’s calm and balanced. People training – When I am called in on a job, many owners assume it’s their dog that is the problem. I try to help people understand that their own behavior has a powerful affect on their dog, and I offer them suggestions for “retraining” themselves to be calmassertive pack leaders. 29. The Importance of Affection Love is one of the greatest gifts we can share with our dogs. Dogs are affectionate animals. Touch means a lot to them, both in their natural world and when they live with us. However, affection that hasn't been earned and is shared at the wrong time can be detrimental to a dog. Here are a few of Cesar's thoughts on sharing affection.

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Give affection - but at the right time! Remember anytime you give affection, you reinforce the behavior preceding it. Reward stability. Share your love when your dog is in a calm-submissive state. Share affection after a dog has... exercised and eaten, changed an unwanted behavior into a behavior you asked for, responded to a rule or command, or entered a calm-submissive state. Don't share affection when your dog is... fearful, anxious, possessive, dominant, aggressive, whining, begging, barking, or breaking a household rule. Don't forget exercise and discipline. Prove your love by giving your dog what he or she needs: long walks; rules, boundaries, and limitations Give your dogs as much love as you have! Give as much love as your heart can handle and then some! But please give it at the right time. 30. Rules, Boundaries, and Limitations A dog's mother begins training puppies from birth. She makes them wait for food; she controls when they play and how far they travel. Adult dogs need these same rules, boundaries, and limitations from you, their pack leader.

A pack leader doesn't project emotional or nervous energy, so neither should you. In the wild, the pack leader uses calm-assertive energy to influence how the dog interacts with his surroundings. She enforces these laws in a quiet way, as is the case when a mother picks up a puppy by the scruff of the neck if he strays outside the den. 33

Ownership of territory is very important. Dogs in the wild claim space by first asserting themselves in a calm and confident way, and then communicating this ownership through clear body language signals and eye contact. A dog who understands that you, as the pack leader, own the space in which he lives will respect your asserted authority. Waiting is another way that pack leaders assert their position. Puppies wait to eat, and adult dogs wait until the pack leader wants them to travel. Waiting is a form of psychological work for the dog. Domestication means dogs don’t need to hunt for food, but they can still work for it. Establish your position as pack leader by asking your dog to work. Take him on a walk before you feed him. And just as you don't give affection unless your dog is in a calmsubmissive state, don’t give food until your dog acts calm and submissive. Exercise will help the dog, especially a high-energy one, to achieve this state. In all of these ways, the pack leader in nature sets rules, boundaries, and limitations for her pack, and in doing so, nurtures her dog's healthy state of mind. 31. The Feeding Ritual: Negative Behaviors Food carries a powerful message in the dog world. Puppies work for food by waiting patiently for their mother. This is a form of psychological exercise, and it's important for a healthy state of mind. Domestication has brought about a change in the way dogs receive their meals and in the way they behave before mealtime. Dogs will often become excited, anxious, or aggressive at the prospect of being fed. If you feed your dog when he displays negative behaviors, you are reinforcing the behavior, and it will almost certainly reoccur.

I feed many dogs at the same time with no problems. Dogs that show calm-submissive energy get to eat first, and dogs that show negative behaviors such as aggression or nervousness must wait. When these dogs project calm-submissive energy, I reward them with their meal - much like their mother or pack leader would do. Mealtimes are a useful tool to help you connect with your dog and work to shape his demeanor. Make sure your dog has reached a calm-submissive state before you place the food bowl in front of him. By doing so, you are not only providing him with nutrition, you are helping him lead a balanced and happy life. 32. Common Dog Behaviors Explained

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Communication begins with understanding. If you want to build a better relationship with your dog, you can start by working to understand the meaning and causes behind some of her most common behaviors. Panting - Because dogs sweat through the pads on their feet, most of their body heat is expelled through their mouth when they pant. It's their primary means of regulating body temperature.

Barking - In nature, dogs bark to raise an alarm at the first signs of possible danger or to herald a new arrival. Barking is an important means of canine communication. More on barking. Digging - Digging is an instinctual activity, written deep in a dog's DNA. It is especially strong in terrier breeds. Dogs in natural packs will dig to hide food or to uncover food such as small rodents. A den dug in the cool earth can also provide shelter from the heat. More on digging. Jumping up - Though it may seem like play behavior, or an enthusiastic greeting, jumping up is a sign that your dog is attempting to assert her dominance over you. By encouraging jumping up with affection, you are reinforcing the behavior. More on jumping. Separation anxiety - Dogs live and travel in packs, so it's natural for them to feel anxious when they are separated from their pack-mates. Try taking your dog on a nice, long walk before leaving her alone in the house. Leaving her in resting mode can calm her anxiety.More on separation anxiety. Once you understand these behaviors, you'll be better equipped to recognize when your pack's needs are not being met! When your dog's needs go unfulfilled, unwanted behaviors begin to emerge. Consider: are you giving Exercise, Discipline, then Affection? 33. The Feeding Ritual: Working Domestication has made it possible for dogs to receive their food without having to hunt it down themselves, but it's still in their nature to feel the need to work for it.

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Before my dogs eat, I take them for a walk. In this way, I ask my dogs to work for food and water. This is a form of waiting, which is psychological exercise that helps nurture a balanced, happy dog.

The morning routine should look like this: You project calm-assertive energy before you give your dog affection. You walk your dog to exercise her body and allow her to explore the world. When you get home, prepare her food. While you fill the bowl, ask your dog to sit. If she sits quietly and projects calm-submissive energy with no negative behaviors, place the bowl of food in front of her. Some of my clients think this routine sounds too rigid, but from your dog’s perspective, it is instinctual. Focusing the mind and body brings the dog back into a more natural, balanced state. 34. Tips for the Mealtime Ritual Feeding your dog is the perfect time to work on the pack dynamic and reinforce positive behavior. Here are some tips to make mealtime not only about providing sustenance, but also a time to help your dog become happier and more balanced.

Make your dog work - In a natural setting, animals must work for food. Wild dogs and other canines have to track their prey over long distances. Mimic this by taking a long walk with your dog just before mealtime. The physical activity will keep her in tune with her natural instincts.

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Create a regular routine - Have your dog sit as you prepare the food. Make sure she maintains calm and submissive energy while she waits. You may find this regimen strict, but it will encourage your dog to maintain a balanced state. Stay calm and assertive - Humans will sometimes talk and signal in a high energy manner before they feed their dog. The dog becomes excited based on the owners energy which, if repeated every time the dog is fed, can create lasting behavior problems or make existing problems worse. By remaining calm before mealtime, you will help your dog do the same. Don't reward negative behavior - Anxiety, territorial behavior, and aggression can all manifest when you feed your dog. The reoccurrence of these behaviors is almost guaranteed when you "reward" your dog by feeding her after she displays any of these habits. Be patient! Wait until your dog is in the balanced state you desire before you give her food. 35. Barking - It's Natural! Many early humans brought canines into their settlements to take advantage of one key trait: their bark! They alerted humans to potential dangers and helped keep the camp safe.

Today, we still utilize this trait. Our dogs let us know when someone approaches our property, arrives at the door, or delivers our mail. Having a dog as a vigilant sentry keeps many humans sleeping soundly at night. But not all barking is natural. Problems can develop if a dog has pent-up energy, grows anxious, becomes overexcited, or is unsure of his or her role in the pack. The dog will become frustrated and may begin to bark excessively. At the Dog Psychology Center, my pack of over thirty dogs lets me know when a stranger approaches the compound. This reaction is normal, and as the pack leader, I keep it from getting out of control by using my calm-assertive energy to tell them that everything is okay. Establishing pack leadership is the key to managing any instinctual behavior, and barking is no exception! 36. Coping with a Dog's Death The death of a dog is a hard reality all dog owners eventually face, and the sense of loss can be overwhelming. Each of us handles mourning differently; the most important thing to do is allow yourself to grieve. Don't put a limit on how long it should last. Just make sure to go through the grief, so you are able to move on. If it is especially painful, put away the bed, toys and pictures of your 37

dog while you go through that mourning period. Often having these reminders around makes it harder to move on. Be aware that your grief will affect the other pets in your home. If you are still in mourning, you may block them from being able to move on also. Do not bring another animal into your life until you have completed the mourning process. When you are grieving, you may not be able to display consistent calm-assertive energy in order to establish yourself as the pack leader. If you adopt a new dog, that animal won’t know you’re grieving for somebody who has passed away. All he will know is that you are in a weaker state than him. This is not what’s best for the new dog. When you do feel ready to bring a new dog into your life, you must treat her as just that – a new dog. Often, people want their new dog to be the same as their old dog. They feel so much pain that they try to heal the wound with this new companion. Do not try to make that dog anything other than who she is; this is not fair to her – or to you. Most importantly, understand that you are the only one who has any control over when to let go, become happy, rescue a dog and start all over again. If you need help coping with your pet’s loss, seek support from family and friends who will take the time to listen. If you have trouble finding someone close to you who understands your loss or the extent of your grief, please seek help from a professional counselor or psychologist. 37. How to Keep Your Dog Safe With Proper ID Proper identification helps ensure that your dog can make its way home in the case of theft, loss, or other emergency situations. Using more than one method of identification can increase your dog's chances of being returned.

Tag - Tags are one of the easiest and cheapest methods of identification. When the dog is found, the owner can be contacted directly and quickly, often avoiding a trip to the shelter. Be sure to include your name, address, and phone number on the tag. By adding your cell phone number as well, you can even be reached if you are out of the house when the dog is found. If you travel or move, be sure to update the information or use temporary tags. The downside? Tags can come off or be removed by someone with ill intentions. That is why it is important to consider alternate forms of doggy ID. Where to buy tags: local pet store or veterinarian. Tattoo - Because the needle does not reach the nerve endings of the dog's skin, the tattooing procedure is not painful and takes only two to three minutes. On average, the procedure runs about $10, with discounts for multiple pets. Select a unique number and 38

register your contact information with a tattoo registry, such as National Dog Registry. It is not advisable to tattoo your phone number or address, because that could change. With a registry, you can easily update this information. An added benefit: it is against the law for research facilities to use a tattooed animal in experimentation. This helps to protect your dog from possible theft for use in a lab. The downside? It is possible for someone to alter or remove a tattoo. To prevent this, do not place the tattoo on the lip or ear, because ears can be cut off and lips can be clipped. Instead, tattoos are frequently applied to the inner leg or stomach. Where to get a tattoo: veterinarian or through a dog club or other organization

Microchip - Microchips are inserted under the skin between the shoulder blades with a large needle and can then be read with the proper scanner. The procedure is safe and relatively inexpensive, running between $20 and $60. Microchips must be registered with your current contact information, and this registration should be updated if you move. Unlike tattoos, it is hard to remove or alter a microchip. The downside? To be detected, a compatible scanner must be used. Before implanting a chip, contact your local shelter or animal control agency to ensure they can read the type of chip you will implant. If you have already implanted an incompatible chip, contact the chip manufacturer and ask them to provide a scanner to your local shelters and animal control agency. Where to get a microchip: veterinarian or animal shelter. GPS Collar - These collars can provide you with peace of mind, especially if you are working with an anxious or fearful dog that often goes into flight mode. The device allows you to find out where your dog is at any given moment. If your dog runs away, you don't need to wonder where he went; you can just pop onto the computer! Some devices provide instant notification when your dog goes outside the area you specify. The Global Pet Finder collar even lets you know when conditions outside become too hot or cold. The downside? Like tags, GPS collars can come off or be removed. Consider using the collar in combination with another form of identification to ensure your pet is safe! Where to get a GPS collar: local pet store Local Requirements - A license is required in most cities and counties. Your dog should always wear the license tag along with an ID tag. If your dog is picked up by a police or

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animal control officer, they can contact you directly, skipping a trip to the shelter. If your dog does end up in the shelter, the staff will know how to contact you. Also, many shelters will extend the time they will hold onto your dog, waiting for you to pick him up, as well as provide emergency medical treatment if required. The downside? None, but since your dog may be end up outside your county or city, it's a good to utilize another method of identification as well. Where to license your dog: Contact your local animal control agency for information. 38. Spay and Neuter Myths Spaying or neutering your dog is an important part of responsible pet ownership. Unneutered male dogs that are not able to mate experience frustration, which can lead to aggression. Unspayed female dogs attract unwanted attention every six months. From a psychological and biological point-of-view, it is the best thing for your dog. When you get your dog spayed or neutered, be sure your dog is in a calm and balanced state. Never spay or neuter a frustrated, nervous, tense, aggressive, or anxious dog! Pet overpopulation and euthanasia are a continuing problem. Be a part of the solution: spay or neuter your pets. Cesar Millan In the United States, seven puppies and kittens are born for every one human. As a result, there are just not enough homes for the animals, and four to five million dogs and cats are euthanized every year. Sterilizing dogs and cats has been hailed as the most effective method for pet population control. You can help save lives by spaying and neutering your pet. If pets can’t breed, they don’t produce puppies that end up in animal shelters to be adopted or euthanized. Currently, over 56% of dogs and approximately 75% of cats entering shelters are put to sleep. The perpetuation of myths about spaying and neutering and the high cost cause many people to avoid the procedures, but the fact is sterilization makes your dog a better behaved, healthier pet and will save you money in the long run. Many people, particularly men, have a hard time sterilizing their pets, imposing upon their dogs their own feelings on losing reproductive abilities. A dog will not feel like less of a “man” or “woman” after being sterilized. It will not suffer an identity crisis or mourn the loss of its reproductive capability. Your dog will simply have one less need to fulfill. A dog’s basic personality is formed more by environment and genetics than by sex hormones, so sterilization will not change your dog’s basic personality, make your dog sluggish or affect its natural instinct to protect the pack. But it will give you a better behaved pet. Neutered dogs have less desire to roam, mark territory (like your couch!) and exert dominance over the pack. Spayed dogs no longer experience the hormonal changes during heat cycles that turn your pet into a nervous dog that cries incessantly and attracts unwanted male dogs. Sterilized dogs are more affectionate and less likely to bite, run away, become aggressive, or get into a fight. Another myth is that spaying and neutering cause weight gain. Dogs do not get fat simply by being sterilized. Just like humans, dogs gain weight if they eat too much and exercise too little or if they are genetically programmed to be overweight. The weight gain that people may witness after sterilization is most likely caused by continuing to feed a high energy diet to a dog that is reducing its need for energy as it reaches adult size.

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Dogs do not mourn their lost capability to reproduce. They reproduce solely to ensure the survival of their species. They do not raise a puppy for eighteen years. They do not dream of their puppy’s wedding. They do not hope for the comfort of grandchildren in their old age. Female dogs nurse for a few weeks, teach the puppies rules, boundaries, and limitations and send them off to join the pack. Male dogs are not “fathers” in the human sense of the word; they do not even recognize puppies as their own. As for expense, today there are enough low cost and free spay and neuter programs that this can no longer be an excuse! Even if these programs are not available in your area, the emotional distress and money spent on medical treatments you will save down the line makes it an investment that will be worth every penny. Sterilization reduces the risk of incidence of a number of health problems that are difficult and expensive to treat. In females, it eliminates the possibility of developing uterine or ovarian cancer and greatly reduces the chance of breast cancer. Also, some females experience false pregnancies and uterine infections that can be fatal. Prostate cancer risk is greatly reduced in males. By sterilizing your pet, your dog will live a healthier and longer life. Efforts by programs such as SPAY/USA already seem to be having an effect. In 1980, approximately 23.4 million animals were euthanized. Twenty-two years later, the estimate was down to 4.6 million. In towns and cities that have already implemented sterilization programs, the number of companion animals who had to be euthanized is showing a decline of 30 to 60 percent. The truth is that neutered and spayed dogs are better pets. And though we’re heading in the right direction, the problem of euthanasia continues. Be a part of the solution. Spay or neuter your pet today! 39. Cesar's Dog Park Tips While Cesar encourages everyone to exercise their dog on a regular basis, he also reminds you to keep in mind that a good pack leader maintains leadership even at the dog park. Here are 5 tips Cesar has for dog owners who want to demonstrate good pack leadership.

1. Make sure your dog is spayed or neutered, has all her shots, and is in good health. Under no circumstances should you bring a sick dog to a dog park!

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2. Do not use the dog park as a substitute for the walk! If you drive to the park, leave your car a block away and take your dog on a vigorous walk of at least thirty-five minutes to drain some of her energy. Never take an over-excited dog to the park. 3. While at the park, don't "punch out" on your calm-assertive leadership. Be aware of your dog at all times, and take responsibility for her behavior. 4. A calm-submissive dog will not attract another dog's aggression--but an excited dog, a weak, timid dog, or an aggressive dog can become a fight-magnet. 5. Know your dog! If your dog has poor social skills, is overly fearful or is dog aggressive, or if you have not yet established your calm-assertive leadership with your dog, find a more controlled way to introduce her to the company of other dogs, such as "play dates" with one or two other dog owners. 40. Recession-Proof Your Dog - 11 Tips Owning or adopting a dog can be expensive under any circumstances. Between the price of food, medical expenses, pet paraphernalia, training, and boarding, monthly budgets can shoot skyward with the addition of a four-legged friend to the household. But even in this time of economic crisis, you can find ways to care for your loyal companion without breaking the bank!

Medical expenses - If money becomes scarce, unexpected medical issues can present quite a problem. But just as you might take out an insurance plan for yourself or other family members, pet health insurance can help you carefully budget ahead of time the money that will go toward day-to-day healthcare, as well as any unforeseen problems that might arise in the future. Grooming - If you don't already have a groomer you trust, consider checking local shelters or youth programs that may hold "Pet Washes" as fundraisers. And when push comes to shove, a bath at home followed by a towel dry and gentle brushing can be a wonderful way to show your dog affection after a long walk! Low-income dog licenses - Some areas offer low-income families a leg-up on the fees involved in licensing their family pet in order to encourage them to register with the city. By filling out a few simple forms, you could be eligible to receive a discounted license for as little as $6! Vaccinations - For vaccines that need to be administered annually, such as those for rabies, see if any of your local animal shelters offer clinics where those vaccines might be offered for less than they would otherwise.

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Spay/Neuter services - In an effort to curb the overpopulation of pets, many organizations offer professional spay/neuter services absolutely free for families that cannot afford the procedure. For more information on these programs, visit SpayUSA.org.

Food - Be consistent in the portions you give to your dog and never give in to begging for extra meals or dinner table scraps. Overfeeding will burn through your stores of food faster, and a dog that's overeating is at a greater health risk than one on a balanced diet. Dental care - You don't have to spend much to keep your dog's choppers pearly and white! Prevention is key. Consult your vet to determine the method of DIY teeth cleaning that best suits your dog. Clip coupons! - Coupons are available in your local Sunday supplements for just about everything you could want, including dog food and even toys. And newsletters for dog lovers (ours included!) occasionally run promotions for products in the form of exclusive coupons. Join the club! - The American Kennel Club (AKC) has a list of the National Clubs for many pure breeds of dog. Many of those clubs offer financial assistance programs to owners of those dogs. Get ID - The recession has resulted in a rise in pet theft, according to MSNBC. Purebred and designer dogs are at higher risk, but no dog is completely safe. Keep an eye on your pets and be sure to make use of identification. Read about the pros and cons of five forms of doggy ID. Have a heart-to-heart with your vet - Ask the staff in your vet's office about what financial aid programs, discounts, or deals are available in your area for people with your specific needs. It's a safe bet that they will have some ideas for you – they've been down this road many, many times! 41. Fleas: the Basics Fleas aren't just your dog's worst nightmare - they can be yours, too. In order to stop them, it's important to understand a little bit about how they operate. Only 5% of the total flea population is in the form of adult fleas on your pet. The other 95% can't be seen. That's because fleas are always in various stages of development, as eggs, larvae, or pupae, which can exist in your carpet, couch, bedding, and anywhere else your pet walks or lies down. The complete flea life cycle lasts between 2 weeks to almost 170 days; however, the average life cycle is about 21 days.* Here are some important things to know about each stage of the flea life cycle: Adult Fleas 43

Adult fleas live on your pet; they do not jump from pet to pet or pet to human. A single adult female flea can lay up to 1200 offspring in one month and can lay up to 2000 eggs in her lifetime (up to 170 days).* Eggs Fleas lay eggs within 24 hours after feeding.* Flea eggs are not sticky, so they fall off the pet and scatter like BBs.* Eggs hatch as larvae within 1 to 6 days.* Larvae Larvae can travel up to 18 inches in carpet. Larvae move away from light, deep into carpets and cracks in flooring where they feed. On average, larvae live up to 12 days on your pet. Pupae Pupae survive most flea treatments. Pupae may remain dormant 4 to 6 months, but sometimes up to a year. REFERENCE: * Dryden, M.W., The cat flea: biology, ecology and control. Vet parasitology. 1994; 52:1-19. ®FRONTLINE is a registered trademark of Merial. ©2008 Merial Limited, Duluth, GA. All rights reserved. Click here for more information about FRONTLINE products and money saving offers. 42. Fleas: Detection Black specks on your pet or in your dog’s bed may be "flea dirt" - the fecal matter from adult fleas. There are two easy ways to check for black specks:

Flea Comb - Available from your veterinarian (the metal ones are best). Run the comb over your pet, making sure the comb reaches the skin through the coat. If black specks are on the comb when you pull it off, they might be flea dirt. If fleas are on the comb, drown them in a bowl of soapy water before they can get away or jump back on your pet. White Paper Towel - Place a white paper towel beneath your pet and rub your hands across its fur. If black specks appear on the towel, it may be flea dirt. If infested with fleas, your pet may become very nervous, annoyed, and may scratch excessively. When you discover fleas on your pet, your home is probably already part of the problem. There will be eggs, larvae, and pupae wherever your dog likes to lie around or sit.

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®FRONTLINE is a registered trademark of Merial. ©2008 Merial Limited, Duluth, GA. All rights reserved. Click here for more information about FRONTLINE products and money saving offers. 43. Ticks: The Basics They might not get as much attention as fleas, but ticks can be even more dangerous. Ticks lie in wait for unsuspecting animals—including humans—to brush by their hiding places on weeds, grasses, bushes, or other leafy vegetation. Then, they attach themselves to the pet, take a long blood meal, and fall off into the environment (where the female tick lays her eggs and dies). Here are some other important things to know about ticks: Ticks thrive in high humidity and moderate temperatures.[1] Tick populations are affected by climate and abundance of hosts.[2] Some species can survive for long periods without feeding.[3] REFERENCES: 1. Wall, R. & Shearer, D. Vet Ectoparasites. Ames, IA: Blackwell; 1997:60. 2. James A.M., et al. Distribution, seasonality, and hosts of the Rocky Mountain wood tick in the United States. J. Med. Entomol. 1996; 43(1):17-24. (See p. 18) 3. Stafford, K.C., Tick management handbook. The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station; 2007:13. ®FRONTLINE is a registered trademark of Merial. ©2008 Merial Limited, Duluth, GA. All rights reserved. Click here for more information about FRONTLINE products and money saving offers. 44. Jack Russell Pulls on the Leash Dear Cesar, I have two Jack Russell terriers, male and female. When we walk on leash, the male gasps for breath because he pulls so hard on his leash. I have tried small elastic extensions on his harness, but this does not help. The female has no problems walking on leash. The two dogs get along fine and love to walk together in tandem. What can I do to help my male dog enjoy his walks? Sandra Sandra, With a dog like your high-energy Jack Russell, I put my rollerblades on or jump on my bike! Don't go against his nature. Some dogs just prefer to run before they walk. He may well be one of them. I would take the calm dog on a walk first until she is satisfied or tired. Then I would leave her at home while I use wheels to let the male run. Dogs can walk for hours, but they can only run for so long. Generally, after 15 minutes or so, your dog will get hot and be done running. Then he will ready for a walk. If you can't run with him, I suggest using a backpack to redirect the energy to pulling or carrying. If you would like to walk your dogs together, I would recommend waiting until after you have already run with the male dog. When he is ready to walk, then you can introduce the female and walk together as a pack. Stay calm and assertive, Cesar Millan Get more tips for problem on the walk on the Common Canine Misbehaviors DVD.

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45. Problems with Hyperactive Jack Russell Hi, We watch your program and try to follow your instructions (techniques) for retraining ourselves and rehabilitating our dog. We have a four-month-old Jack Russell named Wetto. Our issue with him is taking him for walks. He is taking us for walks… even though we continuously stop and try to get him to walk next to us. He wants to smell everything and tries to run ahead. We also made the mistake of allowing him to sleep on our bed at night. As the night progresses, he hogs the bed and also interferes with our private time. He gets so excited when we get home from work that he just cannot calm down for a half an hour. He also gets jumpy, licky, and just wants attention when we get company. I understand that Jack Russells are high energy dogs, but we didn't expect this much. Other than the things mentioned above, he is a good dog. We want to be retrained and rehabilitate him. Sometimes I think that even you might have problems accomplishing this dog’s rehabilitation. Your advise/help would be greatly appreciated, Rick & Martha Flores Dear Rick & Martha, A lot of dogs don’t want to walk, they want to run! So it can become difficult and boring for them to follow a slow pace. With high energy dogs like Wetto, I recommend using bikes and rollerblades if you are safely able to do so. This is the fastest way to drain your dog’s energy. If you have a bike and are able to maintain your balance, you can ride while your dog runs alongside you. If you have trouble getting your dog to do this, I suggest calling a professional and explaining your goal: I want my dog to learn to safely be beside the bike as I ride. Another option is to put a dog on a treadmill before you take him for a walk. If, during the walk, your dog is in front of you and going off on his own, then he is telling you very clearly that you are the follower. Until you master the walk, you will not be able to alter his other behaviors. However, if you’d like to cut down on that half hour of hyperactivity when you come home, ignore him! I know it’s hard and that he’s very cute, but even though he’s bouncing, don’t let him get to you. If you don’t feed that hyperactive energy, he’s going to stop the behavior eventually. Stay calm and assertive, Cesar Millan 46. Why Do Dogs Stick Their Heads Out the Car Window? Hi, I have a nine-year-old German shepherd named Tessa. She came to us as a rescue when she was three years old. She loves riding in the car and is always anxious to go. But, she WHINES unless you let the windows down so she can stick out her head. She won’t stop whining, until you let the window down. Sometimes, it is cold, and raining (she doesn’t mind) but we do! Please help, how can we stop this whining? When the window is down, she looks for dogs, horses, people, etc. as we travel so she can bark at them. If she’s out of the car, she usually will calm down. If we stop the car and there are lots of people around with other

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stimulation, she’ll whine. It’s a mouth open wail of a whine that is loud. If someone walks up to the car and talks to us, we can’t hear them because of her loud whining. Thanks for your help! John Atlanta, GA Dear John, Dogs often love to stick their heads out the windows of cars and smell everything that’s going by them – I often say that, for them, it’s like going to a 3-D, sense-surround, smello-rama, virtual-reality movie. But all that stimulation can make a dog over-excited, and allowing your dog to be exposed to the elements at high speed could cause injury, such as a pebble or piece of debris getting in her eyes. Sometimes there are dogs who get anxious about riding in the car, especially in rainy weather. Without seeing the dog in action and without seeing how you react to her, I can’t tell how severe the behavior is, but this is the kind of behavior that can often be redirected by distraction. Don’t feed your dog before car trips, but do give her something to chew on in the car like a bone she favors - something very, very tasty, that can bring all her attention to the bone or to whatever treat you believe is healthy for your dog. Please make sure your veterinarian agrees with this choice of treat. And don’t give in to her whining – keep the windows closed or cracked open just a bit. I’d also suggest avoiding any long trips with your dog if possible – take short car trips while you are working on modifying her behavior. Stay calm and assertive, Cesar Millan 47. Avoiding a Dog Attack Dear Cesar, I have a question regarding a face-to-face encounter with a dog you don't know, whether it be in a friend's or acquaintance's house or on a street, what is the best move to avoid an attack? Sincerely, Greg Matthews Dear Greg, This is the hardest lesson for me to teach anybody, but it’s an important one for people to learn. The first thing I try to remember if a strange dog is acting aggressively toward me is to not take it personally. I don’t feed any fear in me, or anxiety; I get very calm. Believe it or not, what will be instrumental in blocking the animal from attacking you is for you to be calm and unafraid. An aggressive dog wants you under stress before it attacks. If you are calm and in control of yourself, it slows them down and throws them off. Once I have asserted myself, I claim my own space. Often, I use a walking stick, an umbrella, or anything I happen to be carrying and place it out in front of me, so I make myself appear bigger and feel more in command of my space. What I am saying with my body language is, I don’t want the dog’s space; I don’t want that tree over there, I just want this space that I am standing in. Again, I am maintaining a very calm and assertive state. That energy creates a barrier that automatically demands his respect. I’m letting him know that I’m not afraid of him.

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As you can see, this is a hard concept to teach. It’s best to be with someone who can do it to understand what it looks like and what it feels like. Most people can’t imagine that, in many situations, you can stop an aggressive dog by not moving and not being afraid, but I do it all the time with a whole pack of dogs. It can be taught to children more easily than it can be taught to adults, because when taught young, it becomes something ingrained in us. Once a person is an adult, the difficulty isn’t in training them – it’s in the process of un-training them. I hope this helps a bit! Just keep in mind these four important words: Stay calm and assertive, Cesar Millan 48. Dog Not Getting Along with Cat Posted June 30, 2006 Hi Cesar: I just adopted a two-and-a-half-month-old Blue Nose pit bull. She is pure-bred and very gentle but still a puppy. My challenge is I have two one-year-old cats, and they have been hiding since the dog came into our household. The dog lunges at them to play, and it freaks them out. I think the dog just wants to play with them. What should I do to get them to all live together peacefully? Cathi Lane Dear Cathi: The only reason that dogs or any animals will hide from each other is that they sense the energy from a newcomer is not stable enough. That would be the reason that they are hiding. Because the reaction of the cats is to run away from the dog, it makes sense for the dog to go into predator mode – and remember, dogs are natural predators! – and keep tapping into their weakness. Because he is a puppy right, now he is coming from a playful point-of-view, but if we don’t start regulating the behavior right now, this playful behavior can turn into hunting behavior, or dominant, territorial, or aggressive behavior. The cats don’t see your dog as a “scary pit bull”; they see him as the unstable energy he projects, so we have to make sure we empower the cats by lowering the energy of the dog. That means that whenever the puppy is around the cats, he is in a low-level energy state. That means the puppy has to be vigorously exercised before he comes and meets and greets the cats. That way, the cats will begin to sense a softer energy coming from the puppy. The cats are already overwhelmed, and they are clearly telling you they don’t trust this dog. It’s your responsibility to keep the family balanced by keeping this dog at the highest level of calm-submission possible, in order for the cats to become calm-assertive in front of him. You do this consistently and with discipline and eventually the cats will tell the dog what to do. Then the cats will be safe to be with the dog. Of course cats can bully a dog, too, so the behavior can totally turn around to where the dog can be hiding from the cats if you empower the cats too much. It is important to understand balance and be able to read the energy of your animals, so no matter what species you choose. your whole household will always remain balanced and peaceful. Stay calm and assertive, Cesar Millan 49. Cesar’s Tips: Dog Sitting

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School has started again, but you may already be planning to get away for the holidays. Are you concerned about how your dog will handle being away from you? Put the worry aside and get prepared with these tips! Picking the Right Sitter: Try to choose someone who you know can help balance and calm your dog if he is anxious or nervous when you are first away. Remember, it’s about energy and matching energy. Leaving a hyperactive dog with an elderly relative is not a good idea. Most important is that you make sure you leave your dog with someone who understands the needs of your dog. Ask yourself whether you can trust that this person is adhering to your rules, boundaries, and limitations, or whether they are creating a problem by not maintaining your leadership. Location: Ideally, you would have someone stay at your home and maintain the dog’s normal routine. This means keeping their walk and feeding and sleeping schedule the same. But if you leave them with someone in another location, it’s a good idea to get them familiar with this place on several occasions prior to leaving them there for an extended stay. Before you change your dog’s routine (by having them stay somewhere other than your own home), get them used to change. This way, any concerns or separation anxiety is prevented. If you choose to board your dog, look at and thoroughly research the place beforehand. Talk to people who have boarded their dogs there before. What’s the energy like there? How does it smell? How do you feel? How do the caretakers there act and react with the dogs there? Do they practice “nose, eyes, ears” and “no touch, no talk, no eye contact,” when they meet new dogs? All of this will tell you how well-informed they are to ensure your dog is happy there. Just because you leave your dog at a boarding facility doesn’t mean you have to follow all of their rules. If you have specific restrictions or requests, you can ask. If they won’t accommodate your needs, they probably aren’t going to accommodate the dog’s either.

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Expectations: If you leave your dog with a family member or a friend, make sure they know the requirements. If your dog is used to a one-hour walk every morning, they will not be fulfilled by a 15-minute walk instead. In fact, the reverse is better. When my dogs are at the ranch, for example, the routine changes. Instead of a 45-minute walk, we go for an hour and a half hike. When you change the environment, it’s good to also change – and increase – the daily challenges, the physical and mental stimulation. This keeps the dog’s mind and body more relaxed and less focused on their primary pack leader being away. Keep in mind that if you leave the dog at a kennel for a long time, they are going to spend most of their time in the kennel. There are exceptions, of course, but this is something to generally be aware of. So when you pick up your dog, he is going to have a lot of pent up energy. Take him for the longest walk of his life when you pick him up! If your only option is to leave your dog with someone who cannot maintain your exercise routine or schedule, hire a dog walker to help share the responsibilities. Ones who are comfortable walking more than three dogs at a time are probably going to be the best handlers, even if you just have one dog. Details: Just as parents leave a checklist for a babysitter, you can leave a checklist for your pet sitter. Include important information like the vet’s phone number and address, the closest 24-hour emergency hospital, any medications they will need while you are gone, allergies, feeding schedule, how often to check their water bowl, any behavioral problems, whether you allow them on the furniture or whether they get people food, how often they get a treat, and any other information that will help keep your dog as happy, fulfilled, and balanced as possible while you are away. If your sitter isn’t well educated or familiar with dogs, you might also give them some information on household items or foods that may be toxic to them, which you can find here. Relax! If you take all of the above into consideration, you have taken the proper steps to ensure a pleasant experience for your dog while you are gone, so enjoy your time away. Even if you aren’t with your canine companion, a calm-assertive attitude will help keep you stress-free! TORSIUNE DE STOMAC - DILATATIA GASTRICA: http://radoimihai.sunphoto.ro/TORSIUNE_DE_STOMAC__DILATATIA_GASTRICA Descriere album: Dilatatia gastrica reprezinta o marire in volum asociata cu disfunctii mecanice de golire a stomacului. Cauzele initale sunt necunoscute, o data cu dilatarea stomacului functia fiziologica de indepartare a gazelor este intrerupta deoarece sfincterele esofagian si piloric sunt inchise... Stomacul se dilata cu gaz sau lichid ori ambele, cand acestea sunt acumulate in lumen. Gazul provine, cel mai probabil, din aerofagie (ingestia de aer), din fermentatia bacteriana si din diverse reactii metabolice. Lichidul provine din secretia gastrica, ingestia lui odata cu alimentele si din congestia venosa consecutiva dilatatiei gastrice.

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Cauzele dilatatiei si torsiunii gastrice : Cauza dilatatiei si torsiunii gastrice este necunoscuta, dar sunt pareri care afirma ca exercitiile fizice dupa ingestia unor cantitati ridicate de hrana sau de apa contribuie la aparitia afectiunii. Au fost studii care au demonstrat ca suplimentarea ratiei cu hrana preparata in casa sau umeda au dus la reducerea incidentei afectiunii. Studiile recente au demonstrat ca administrarea unei singure mese cu un volum ridicat de hrana creste riscul dilatatiei si torsiunii gastrice. De asemenea, administrarea hranei uscate cu un continut ridicat de uleiuri si grasimi creste riscul aparitiei DTG. Alte cauze ce contribuie la aparitia sindromului sunt: predispozitia anatomica, traumele, ileusul, afectiuni primare ale motilitatii gastrice, voma si stresul. Un procent ridicat al DTG se intalneste in cauzul masculilor cu varsta inaintata, supraponderali, care sunt hraniti cu ratii voluminoase o singura data pe zi si inghit hrana rapid, cu bolul ridicat pe trepied. Rase predispose: Rasele predispuse sunt cele cu torace adanc, care permit modificarea relatiilor anatomice dintre stomac si esofag, reducand pana la imposibilitate voma si eructatia. Cainii folositi de catre armata si politie se pare ca dezvolta aceasta afectiune in lunile noiembrie, decembrie si ianuarie fara a se sti cu certitudine care sunt cauzele. Ca rase cu predipozitie: Marele Danez, Setter Irlandez, Doberman, Ciobanesc German, Saint Bernard, Ciobanescul Mioritic, Boxer, Dalmatian, Pointer, Dog de Bordeaux, Dog Argentinian si surprinzator Caniche, Basset Hound, Shar-Pei . De obicei, in DTG stomacul se roteste in sesul acelor de ceasornic, rotatia avand intre 90 si 360 grade, frecvent intre 220 si 270 grade. Tratament Afectiunea, odata instalata, reprezinta urgenta chirurgicala. Animalul trebuie consultat imediat de catre un medic veterinar, neinterventia medicamentoasa si chirurgicala intr-un timp foarte scurt putand duce la moartea animalului. Se considera ca, daca se depasec doua ore de la aparitia semnelor pana la interventia medicala, sansele de supravietuire scad cu fiecare minut. Proprietarii observa urmatoarele semne: cainele are senzatie de voma, dar nu poate elimina nimic, salivatie abundenta, o crestere brusca a volumului abdomnial, mers greoi al animalului si chiar refuzul deplasarii, zgomot de toba daca se percuteaza abdomenul, semne de suferinta atroce. Semnele clinice asociate starii de soc sunt prezente: puls scazut, tahicardie, timpul de umplere capilar redus, mucoase palide, dificultati respiratorii marcante. Compresia venoasa consecutiva dilatarii stomacului duce la ischemie cardiaca si perfuzia scazuta a multiplelor organe (rinichi, pancreas, stomac, intestin subtire). Aritmia cardiaca este principala cauza a mortii, de aceea animalele operate trebuie sa fie neaparat monitorizate si tratate corespunzator, cu o atentie deosebita in primele 48 de ore de la interventia chirurgicala. Pentru a preveni aparitia DTG, stomacul trebuie sa adere permanent la peretele abdominal, prin gastropexie (suturarea stomacului la peretele abdominal); totusi aceasta nu garanteaza ca dilatatia sau torsiunea nu vor recidiva.

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Recomandari pentru propietari: - hranirea cu portii mici si dese in locul unei singure mese voluminoase; - evitarea stresului in timpul hranirii si, daca este necesar, separarea cainilor daca acestia sunt supranumerari in areal; - restrictioanrea exercitiilor inainte si dupa mese; - nu ridicati bolul de mancare; - pentru caini cu un risc ridicat se recomanda gastropexia (suturarea stomacului la peretele abdominal); - prezentarea la medicul veterinar odata ce se observa semnele DTG; - mentinerea sub observatie medicala stricta pe parcursul a 48 de ore postoperator.

Ask the Vet: Speed Eater http://www.cesarsway.com/askthevet/dietadvice/Speed-Eater

We have had issues with our 7-month old puppy, Philly, and her eating...she always seems nervous when she eats -- tail tucked between her legs and she will consume her food very rapidly. She often eats her breakfast and within 10 minutes will throw it all up. We have taken her to our vet and spent a good chunk of change to find out there is nothing wrong as far as they can see. What do we do? Douglas Reed Rockaway, NJ I wonder if Philly came from a large litter. Her eager appetite and anxious stance while she is eating suggests that she may have had to compete with her littermates for

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food. In any event she is showing classic guarding behavior by wolfing down her food before anyone else can get to it. This behavior can cause problems such as vomiting when she eats too fast, food aggression and gastric dilatation, or volvulus, which is also known as bloat. Bloat is a serious condition and can occur when a dog swallows too much air during a meal causing distension of the stomach and predisposing it to twist over on itself. Philly is still young so it shouldn’t be too hard to slow her down and to try to make her feel more at ease during meal times. A good first step is to try feeding small amounts more often. Let’s suppose you currently give Philly two cups twice a day – in that case, try giving her one cup four times a day instead. This will decrease the amount of food she can wolf down at any particular time. The next step is to actually slow down the process of eating by making her work a little harder for the food. You can put a soup can in the middle of the dish or arrange some large rocks in the bowl to slow her down, just make sure the rocks are clean and large enough so that she can’t fit them in her mouth. There is also a special food dish called the “Brake-fast” dog food bowl that has 3 plastic pegs in the bowl that the dog has to eat around. Finally, I’m concerned that her anxious stance during eating may progress to food aggression and it is important to try and prevent that. If there are other animals in the household, consider feeding Philly separately so that she does not feel threatened. Try feeding some of her food by hand and every now and then put a treat in her bowl while she is eating so she understands that someone walking up to her food bowl is not a bad thing and isn’t going to take it away from her. Hopefully, these tips will help slow her down and make meals a little more pleasant. About Dr. Kristy Conn Dr. Kristy Conn graduated from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine and did her clinical year at the University of Minnesota Veterinary Teaching Hospital where she fell in love with emergency and critical care medicine. She has practiced emergency medicine at various clinics almost exclusively for the past 10 years, in addition to volunteering in shelter medicine, checking on the health of arrivals and providing low cost spay/neuters and immunizations to recently adopted animals. She is a member of the National Animal Health Emergency Response Corps which helps provide veterinary care to animals affected by disasters such as Hurricane Katrina. She resides in Long Island with her beloved mixed breed dog named Buster.

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