January 2004
Domestic Pets and Natural Disasters
Subscribers Only Untold numbers of wild and domestic animals lost their lives and many others were displaced. Domestic pets flooded area animal shelters as they were plucked out of evacuated homes and yards by rescue workers. Some had to be placed in shelters by desperate families, as many human shelters would not accept pets.
Canine Athletic Competion and Sports Psychology
Our dogs look to us for cues and direction – not just the ones we mean to give them. An anxious or angry handler is unlikely to inspire a top performance.
Whether you and your dog are road-seasoned competitors in canine sports, just “playing around” in novice dog shows, or simply striving to train your dog to stop embarrassing you in public, you can improve your mutual performance and your relationship by learning and practicing basic sports psychology techniques.
Canine Immune System Boosters
Subscribers Only Some holistic practitioners recommend bovine colostrum supplements – or a concentrated component of colostrum – for their chronically ill canine patients. Research shows that newborns aren’t the only ones that are helped by colostrum. Bovine colostrum isn’t species specific, so dogs (and other mammals) can benefit from it, too. Claims abound for bovine colostrum’s ability to treat allergies, bacterial, or viral infections; autoimmune diseases; digestive problems; and even cancer. But is it all hype?
"Dog Appeasing Pheromone" to Calm Anxious Canine
Subscribers Only Our review of a plug-in atomizer that dispenses a “dog appeasing pheromone” to calm especially anxious canines. According to its maker, DAP is supposed to mimic a natural stress-reducing hormone produced by mother dogs while nursing their puppies. It purportedly stops or reduces stress-related barking, urination and defecation, whimpering and whining, anxiety, fear, chewing, and other stress-related behaviors.
Canine Class for Aggressive and Problematic Dogs
Oops! These dogs have gotten a little closer than is comfortable for them at this stage. Both stiffen and begin to “wind up” into an aggressive confrontation. Their owners stay calm (very important), keep the dogs from actually being able to touch, give a calm “off!” cue, and offer a tasty lure to lead the dogs away from each other.
We used to call them growl classes – a term that, in hindsight, was perhaps a poor choice – likely to intensify feelings of apprehension in the human member of the training team before dog and owner even walked through the door into the classroom for the first session. These were classes designed for dogs whose aggressive on-leash reactions to dogs or other environmental stimuli made them inappropriate candidates for regular companion dog classes; they were simply too disruptive, even dangerous, to be in mixed company.
What's Your Dog's Complete Blood Count (CBC) Diagnosis?
Subscribers Only The complete blood count (CBC) is perhaps the most basic of all the diagnostic tools available. To do CBCs in-house, it takes only a few drops of blood from the patient, some specialized instruments that most veterinary clinics have on hand, and a modicum of practitioner skill.
Be a Good Sport
How good soccer moms and dog owners are alike.
