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Treat Cracked Paw Pads Naturally

Filed under: Dog Health,Dog Life — DoggySpace on November 15th, 2010

Although a dog’s leather-like paw pads may appear to be impervious to everyday wear and tear, they can sometimes develop problems. Cracked paw pads is one problem that can prove highly frustrating because it not only interferes with your dog’s ability to walk, but can also cause him discomfort. But solving the problem can be as simple as identifying its cause. Furthermore, in most cases, cracked paw pads can be treated without the need to expose your dog to the harsh chemicals found in most commercial pet products.

Irritants

Some household products can be irritating to a dog’s paw pads. Chemicals in commercial carpet and floor cleaners as well as those found in garden sprays can leave your dog’s paws irritated, as can ice melting products used on the sidewalks during wintertime. And once the irritation has developed, your dog is likely to develop an urge to chew on his paws, thus aggravating the problem.

To help your dog avoid developing cracked paw pads due to irritants, limit his exposure to these products. Use only natural, organic cleaning products around the home and in your garden. Always wash your dog’s paws after he’s been walking in the winter to remove any salt he may have picked up on his paws. If your dog has sensitive paws, which isn’t uncommon in older dogs, consider buying a pair of boots for your dog to wear when walking on hot, rough, or salty surfaces.

Diet

Inadequate levels of zinc in a dog’s diet can sometimes result in cracked and sore paw pads. Studies show that dogs absorb between only five and 40 percent of their zinc requirement from their diet, while northern breeds of dog such as the Alaskan Malamute and the Siberian Husky have a genetic inability to absorb adequate levels of this mineral. You can have your dog’s zinc levels checked by a veterinarian. Adding a zinc supplement to your dog’s diet can help remedy this problem, although care should be taken to avoid overdosing as it can lead to problems with calcium absorption. Zinc can be found in all good vitamin and fatty acid supplements. As well as remedying the problem of cracked paw pads, you may also notice that your dog’s skin and coat improve as a result of a dietary zinc supplement.

Terrain

Walking and running on rough, hot, or icy terrain can cause your dog’s paw pads to become dry and cracked. This is especially true of hunting dogs that may develop problems with their paw pads due to excessive wear and tear. If you live in a rural area, and your dog roams freely, he may often get thorns and sharp stones stuck in his paws, leading to cuts and cracks.

It’s important to check your dog’s paws regularly to ensure they’re in good health. Dry and cracked paws can often lead to infection. If you want to avoid using chemical products to deal with your dog’s cracked paws, use Vaseline, which will help to soften your dog’s paws. Although Vaseline isn’t harmful if licked off in small amounts, you may want to cover your dog’s paws until the Vaseline has been fully absorbed.

If your dog’s cracked paws fail to heal, you should seek advice from your veterinarian as certain diseases can cause cracked and inflamed paw pads. Your veterinarian can carry out the necessary tests to see whether there’s an underlying health issue that’s causing the problem.

Photo by emdot

Dog Arthritis Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Filed under: Ages & Stages,Dog Health,Dog Life — DoggySpace on November 12th, 2010

Dog arthritis, which most commonly occurs in older dogs but may also be witnessed in younger canines, is a degenerative disease that primarily affects the joints. While there are various strains or types of dog arthritis the most common form is osteoarthritis which can be caused by joint stress, trauma to the affected joint, or simply age.

Canine Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is specifically caused by the breaking down of cartilage causing the bones to rub together. This culminates in sore joints and other symptoms. There are healthy and effective ways to help naturally combat some of the symptoms of dog arthritis as well as more direct forms of treatment.

Which Dogs Are Most Prone To Arthritis?

Arthritis is most common in older dogs but can be witnessed in canines of any age. It is also more common in dogs that are considered overweight because this means that they are less likely to get adequate exercise. However, degenerative diseases are also linked to arthritis and ailments such as osteoarthritis and hip dysplasia can be found in very young dogs with the problem exacerbating over time.

Seeing The Signs

Early detection of degenerative arthritis can help you take action before it really gets hold. Arthritis can be an acutely painful condition that makes life miserably and painful and without intervention of some sort the problem is not only likely to persist but worsen too.

Symptoms

Stiffness, limping, and even lameness may be a sign that your dog has arthritis. Weight gain, loss of appetite, inactivity, and unusual sleeping patterns are other possible symptoms. Any kind of action or reaction that may indicate pain from movement could point to the onset of arthritic complaints. If your previously house trained dog starts urinating in the house then this may be a sign that he or she does not want to walk outdoors because of the pain.

Treatment

Canine arthritis cannot usually be fully treated but the symptoms can be managed. This is especially true if you catch the signs early and take your family companion to the vets as soon as possible.

Exercise and proper diet are encouraged. Exercise improves the muscle mass around effected arthritic joints and this relieves the tension put on the joints. It helps ensure that joints remain flexible rather than becoming stiff and painful.

The effects of degenerative arthritis are usually worsened through bad diet, especially if a previously active dog becomes less active. Overweight dogs should be put on a diet to help them achieve and maintain a healthy weight and there are special food products that are designed especially for this purpose.

Medications

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are commonly prescribed for dog arthritis. The anti-inflammatory properties means that they can provide rapid pain relief in many cases. However, they do not repair the damage that has already been done to the cartilage. Certain medications including aspiring may also be prescribed but you should never give your dog human remedies or drugs for their arthritis or any other illness or complaint.

Prevention

Prevention is better than cure and in the case of canine arthritis this means the prevention of the arthritis from getting worse. A holistic program can be worked out with your vet that includes diet, exercise, and even supplements. These can strengthen muscle mass, improve joint movement, and prevent the arthritis from worsening. Orthopedic dog beds can prevent pain while sleeping and give your dog somewhere comfortable to sleep and you should ensure that you have a comfortable collar and leash for walking too.

Canine Arthritis

Canine arthritis can be incredibly painful for dogs, as it can for humans. There are medications that can be prescribed by the vet that will help ease the symptoms and good exercise and diet may prevent the problem from worsening but there is very little that can be done to repair the damage that has already occurred in the body.

Article by Matt Jackson and photo by monkeyc

Housebreaking a Puppy

Filed under: Ages & Stages,Dog Training — DoggySpace on October 11th, 2010

Having a new puppy is fun. Think about all the things you and your puppy can do together. Imagine all the tricks you can teach your puppy. Before you get caught up with the things you want your dog to learn, don’t forget that housebreaking a puppy is one of the most important things you have to do to make your dog adjust effectively to its new environment. There are several ways on housebreaking a puppy. Choose the method that is convenient for you so that dog training is easier on you and your dog. Understanding your puppy and building communication between the two of you are important factors in determining your success of potty training a puppy.

Communication is an essential part of dog training. If you don’t communicate well with your pet, potty training a puppy may be harder for you. Housebreaking a puppy should be started as soon as you bring the puppy to your house. You should start by having a consistent command phrase you can use to mean that your dog needs to relieve himself on the spot where you want him to. A command phrase or word can be anything like “outside”, “go” or “potty time”. The phrase you choose is not very important, what’s important is to use the phrase frequently and assign a consistent meaning to that phrase. You can’t use the word “go” to mean “potty time” today and use it tomorrow to mean “run”. Frequency and consistency in meaning is very important, especially on the first days of dog training.

Understanding your pet’s behavior is also an important part when potty training a puppy. One of the mistakes most pet owners make is to not know the signs their pets do when they need to relieve themselves. You need to know these signs so you can take your puppy out or bring him to the area of the house where you want him to pee before your puppy actually does. Some of the most common signs are walking around in circles, pacing and sniffing.

2 of the most popular method in housebreaking a puppy is crate training and paper training or the use of puppy pads. You need to have time and patience in whatever dog training method you choose. There is no cutting corners to potty training a puppy. When crate training, make sure to use a crate big enough for your puppy to be comfortable in. The principle of crate training is to teach your puppy that the crate is his bed and he should not soil it. Keep him in his crate several hours a day. Let him out when you see signs that he needs to relieve himself. After a meal or a play session, it’s important that you take him out so he can do his thing before you put him back in the crate. Balance the time your puppy is in and out of his crate. A dog that’s put in the crate for a very long time may become destructive and noisy. Let him out several times a day so he can run around the house or play with you.

Paper training is usually used for small dog breeds like a Cocker Spaniel or Chihuahua. Have several layers of newspaper on the area that you want your dog to relieve himself. Every time your puppy relieves himself, throw the top layer of the newspaper. This way, it will be easier for your puppy to smell his way to the spot where he needs to pee or defecate. Other pet owners prefer to use puppy pad for potty training a puppy. With a puppy pad, your dog will just follow the scent of the pad to lead him to your chosen area where you want your dog to relieve himself. Paper training and crate training are just some of the methods you can use in dog training. There are other methods you can try for housebreaking a puppy.

Housebreaking a puppy should not be a hard time for you and your dog. The most important thing you need to know when housebreaking a puppy is to give your dog enough time to adjust and get used to his new routine.

Photo by ★ɱark and article written by Alysson Price

Choosing a Dog to Match Your Lifestyle

Filed under: Dog Life — DoggySpace on September 22nd, 2010

It is very important to choose a dog that closely matches your lifestyle, as they can be very demanding and expensive to keep. You will therefore need to take a number of things into consideration before acquiring a dog, such as the ages and needs of other members of your household and the amount of space you have available.

1. Puppy or adult dog?

The majority of people prefer to get a puppy, rather than an adult dog, because they are generally more adaptable and easier to train. Puppies are also very cute, playful and friendly, and this obviously adds to their attraction. Unfortunately, though, puppies can be very mischievous and will require lots of attention during the first few months of their lives.

Adult dogs are generally easier to care for, as they should be fairly well trained to start with and shouldn’t require housebreaking. An older dog is also a good option because it will be a lot calmer than a puppy and more straightforward as far as feeding is concerned. It may also have been spayed/castrated and given all the necessary vaccinations, which will enable you to begin introducing it to other dogs straightaway. An adult dog will still take time to settle into a new home, and it may have acquired one or two bad habits that need changing.

2. Male or female?

Choosing between a male and a female dog is really a matter of personal preference. Both sexes do, however, have some differences and knowing what some of them are may help you to come to the right decision. Female dogs, for example, are considered to be more independent, stubborn and even moody, whereas male dogs are generally more affectionate, outgoing, attentive and aggressive. If you already have another dog in the house, you will also need to consider the impact a new dog will have on it.

It is also important to consider castrating or spaying your pet if you do not wish to breed from it, as this can help to calm your animal down, prolong its life and avoid any unwanted puppies.

3. Pedigree or mixed breed?

Deciding whether to acquire a pedigree or a mixed breed is once again down to personal preference. If you do decide to purchase a pedigree, however, you will at least be able to gauge the eventual size and temperament of the dog. Some breeds are particularly suitable as family pets and therefore great for young children. Other breeds shed little or no hair at all and are perfect for those who suffer from allergies. Always buy pedigrees from reputable breeders, though, as many pedigree dogs sold in pet stores come from puppy mills.

Mixed breeds can make ideal pets too, but it is much harder to establish the eventual size, coat length and temperament of the dog. Mixed breeds can be prone to wandering, but they are thought to have a stronger resistance to disease because they are not exposed to inbreeding.

Don’t dismiss animal shelters in your search for the perfect dog, as these places are literally overflowing with unwanted animals.

4. How much spare time do you have?

All dogs obviously require a certain amount of attention every day, but some require more than others. It is not just a simple case of walking your dog, as there are other things to consider like affection, training, feeding, grooming, trips to the vets, etc. If your spare time is limited, then you would be very unwise to consider a large longhaired dog that requires lots of daily exercise.

5. What are your expectations?

It is important to decide what you expect from a dog in your life. Are you an extrovert character who loves the outdoors and wants a dog that enjoys long walks, or are you more of a couch potato who would rather curl up with a small docile dog? You need to do plenty of research on different dog breeds to find out which ones will suit you the best. Some breeds are also easier to train than others and this could be another important factor to consider.

6. Where do you live?

Provided you are prepared to exercise your dog regularly it shouldn’t really matter where you live, but you do need to consider the size of the dog if space is limited. There are obviously more places to walk your dog if you live in the countryside, but even some cities have dog parks where your companion can have a good run off the lead. If you live in rented accommodation, then you will need to check whether your landlord allows you to keep dogs.

7. Cost

Keeping a dog can obviously be very costly and therefore requires you to work out a few figures before making a final decision. Once you have bought all the initial accessories, you will still have to think about food, vet bills, pet insurance, grooming, occasional professional grooming, kennel costs, etc. Small toy dogs will obviously be cheaper to keep than larger breeds, but they are more fragile and can easily suffer injuries.

When you do eventually acquire your new companion, you must always remember to be a responsible dog owner. If you have young children, it is your duty to ensure that they understand how to treat their pet properly. Make sure that you know who will look after your pet in the event of you being too ill to care for it, on holiday, or away on business. Owning a dog is a big commitment that could easily span 15 years or more.

Article submitted by Jane Grimshaw and photo by shorty_nz_2000

How safe is your pet on Halloween?

Filed under: Dog Life — DoggySpace on September 21st, 2010

Halloween is a fun and festive time of year, but it can be a stressful and possibly dangerous time for your cat or dog. Consider the safety of your pet as you choose costumes, trick-or-treat, decorate, and hand out candy. Here are five tips for keeping your pet safe this Halloween.

Keep Halloween candy out of reach of dogs and cats.

Sugar-free candy containing the sweetener Xylitol and chocolate candies are toxic to dogs. Even “harmless” candy may cause nausea and vomiting. Candy wrappers can also become a choking hazard or cause gastrointestinal blockages. Cats are less attracted than dogs to sweet foods, but some cats are exceptions to the rule.

Teach your children not to feed Halloween candy to pets or to leave it lying around within their reach. If your dog goes along trick-or-treating, remember to keep an eye on neighborhood children who may not understand the dangers of feeding candy to your dog. Finally, choose a place for the trick-or-treat bowl at your home that is too high for pets to reach or pick a covered container.

If your pet ingests candy, contact the ASPCA Pet Poison Control Center at 888-246-4435. If you pet eats sugar-free candy containing Xylitol, immediate veterinary care is needed.

Be careful of candles.

Candles in a jack-o-lantern or as part of your Halloween decorations can easily be knocked over by curious or excited pets. Pets with long tails or fur may also be at risk for being singed or burned by a candle flame. Candles should be kept far out of reach and pets should never be left alone in a room with candles burning. An even safer alternative is to use a fake candle in your jack-o-lantern or home. Today’s fake candles look like the real thing with realistic dripped wax and warm, flickering light.

Costume Safety

Small pieces on Halloween costumes can be chewed off and swallowed by pets and could cause choking. If you are making a costume, make sure the thread, string, needles, and pins are kept safety away from any curious kittens or hungry dogs.

Reduce Stress

Trick-or-treaters are fun for the family, but having repeated visitors ringing the doorbell can be stressful to pets. Lots of children enjoying their Halloween adds to an increase in noise. Make sure that shy pets have safe places to retreat to if they need a break.

On a related note, think twice before putting a cute costume on your pet. Most pets will be uncomfortable and stressed out if dressed up. Unless you know your pet will be comfortable, it is better to forgo the adorable pirate or princess look. Costumes that are too loose or that fit around the neck can also be dangerous to pets if they get tangled up.

Prevent escape

On Halloween, your door will be opened repeatedly and everyone’s attention will be on candy and costumes. A dog or cat can easily slip out the door. If your pet is already stressed out, his or her behavior may be different than usual so even a pet who has never run outside before may do so. Make sure that your pet has identification such as a collar or microchip. You may also want to keep pets in another part of the house for the day to prevent access to the door.

Black cats in particular can become victims of abuse on and around Halloween. Although relatively rare, black cats have been hurt or killed at this time of the year as jokes or as part of rituals. Some animal shelters put a hold on all adoptions of black cats during the Halloween season. If you have a black cat, please keep your pet inside during the Halloween season.

By following these tips, your pet will remain safe and healthy through Halloween. Your family can focus on having a good time and avoid a trip to the emergency vet.

Photo by istolethetv

Dog Obesity and Your Dog’s Health

Filed under: Dog Health — DoggySpace on September 1st, 2010

It’s easy to think that a couple of extra pounds can’t hurt your hound. But a couple of extra pounds can mean your dog is obese. Dog obesity is quickly becoming the number one health hazard for dogs in the U.S. Because of dogs small bodies the health risks of obesity are very serious for dogs.

One of the most common complications for obese dogs is diabetes. Since extra weight means the dog’s body needs to produce more insulin in response to a greater amount of blood sugar the obese dog can easily develop ‘sugar diabetes’ or diabetes mellitus.

Congestive heart failure is another big health risk that is increased with dog weight. Since the heart has to work extra hard to get blood to the extra tissue of an overweight dog they can develop increased blood pressure, or hypertension. In turn, hypertension can lead to congestive heart failure.

Surgical and anesthetic risks, development canine cancer, distemper, and other bacterial and viral infections are also heightened when a dog is overweight. Arthritis, hip dysplasia, decreased liver function, difficulty breathing, and digestive and reproductive problems can result from dog obesity as well. Some dogs even experience heat exhaustion, a lack of stamina, and hair and coat problems that can lead to skin infections due to unhealthy extra pounds.

If your dog’s overweight consider a specially formulated dog food that will help reduce unnecessary fat content or reduce the amount you feed your pet. Make sure your pet gets at least two hours of active play each day, through walks, dog parks, agility training or highly active outdoor play like fetch or tag. Keeping your dog’s weight under control is an important way to decrease his or her risk of developing unwanted illnesses and increasing your dog’s life expectancy and happiness.

Photo by peasap

10 Table Scraps Dogs Can Eat

Filed under: Dog Health,Dog Life — DoggySpace on August 17th, 2010

When a pet is considered part of the family, it often gets treated with the same amount of love, attention, and affection that a person would receive. This desire to include pets in family activities extends to the dinner table as well. It can be hard to resist your dog’s pleading eyes as you sit and enjoy your meal, but you may worry about what foods are safe to feed your dog. The next time Fido is staring longingly at your plate, go ahead and give him a few of these foods that have been verified as safe for dogs to eat.

1. Rice.

Rice is commonly used as a filler in dog foods, so it is safe to give your dog a few bites of rice off of your plate. You should, however, be careful not to feed your dog rice that contains onion or garlic, as these foods can be dangerous for dogs to consume.

2. Cooked eggs.

Boiled or scrambled eggs are healthy treats for dogs because of their vitamin and protein content. It is important that eggs are fully cooked, because raw eggs contain an enzyme that can reduce the dog’s ability to absorb certain B vitamins. Additionally, they may also make your dog sick due to salmonella.

3. Carrots.

Most dogs love carrots, and they are great snacks for your pet. They are low calorie foods, and are generally safe to feed healthy dogs. Carrots may be raw or cooked, depending on your dog’s individual preference.

4. Cheese.

Cheese is another great source of protein for dogs, and many canines love the texture. However, like humans, some dogs may experience a sensitivity to too much dairy. When feeding your dog cheese, start out with a small amount and monitor your pet for a dairy sensitivity.

5. Peanut butter.

Although many humans have a peanut allergy, dogs do not seem have a similar reaction. It is safe to feed peanut butter to a dog, and most dogs consider it a special treat. Due to the high fat content of peanut butter, dog owners should limit the amount of peanut butter that they feed their dogs to ensure that they eat other foods as a part of a balanced diet.

6. Berries.

As a special treat, many dogs love chilled or frozen berries. From blackberries to raspberries, dogs can safely eat small amounts of these sweet fruits. They are actually healthy for dogs to consume, because just like humans, canines benefit these antioxidant rich foods.

7. Chicken.

Chicken is a great table food treat for dogs, and most dogs will gobble down a serving of chicken faster than they will other treats. This nutritious meat is a great source of protein, and as long as oils and spices are limited, it is safe to give your dog cooked chicken.

8. Green beans.

Just like carrots are good snacks for dogs, green beans are a great option as well. As long as the salt content is limited, some veterinarians actually that recommend dog owners feed their obese dogs green beans because they are filling and relatively low in calories.

9. Seedless watermelon.

A nice, cool slice of watermelon is a favorite summertime treat for people, and your dog can take part in the pleasure as well. Dogs love the sweet taste of a juicy watermelon, and the fruit’s water content can help rehydrate your pet in the hot summer weather. Just be sure that you remove all seeds from the fruit before giving your dog a taste, because they can cause intestinal blockage.

10. Bananas.

The next time you run out of dog food and your pet needs a quick snack, reach for a banana. Bananas are safe for dogs to eat, and just like berries, they will benefit from the nutrients in these fruits.

Although people may be tempted to serve their dogs a helping of whatever is on their dinner plate, some foods should not be offered to dogs because they can cause a variety of health problems. However, when monitored closely, certain table foods are safe to feed your pet and offer a nice break from the standard commercially processed dog food fare.

Photo by bricolage108

How to Clean Pet Urine and Neutralize Odor

Filed under: Ages & Stages,Dog Behavior,Dog Training — DoggySpace on July 23rd, 2010

Whether your pet has a problem with indoor accidents or is simply trying to mark his territory, cleaning up pet urine is imperative to preventing recurrences. Your pet enjoys a particularly strong sense of smell and can easily identify areas where it has urinated in the past. If you have other pets, the smell of the urine may cause them to urinate in the same spot – even if they typically only urinate outdoors. Thus, when cleaning up pet stains, you must clean the stain thoroughly enough to neutralize the smell to both humans and animals.

Step One: Blot Away the Urine Stain

As soon as your pet urinates on the floor, blot up as much of the stain as you can with a towel or dishcloth. Terrycloth is perfect for this job. Your goal is to clean away as much of the urine as possible before it has an opportunity to soak into your carpet’s padding and dry there.

After you’ve soaked up as much of the urine as you can with a towel, use a thin, absorbent material, such as a paper towel or napkin, to absorb any remaining pet urine. Place the paper towel or napkin over the stain and press down as hard as you can. You can even stand on the spot to ensure that you’re applying adequate pressure. Do not stop blotting until the spot appears completely dry.

Step Two: Dilute the Remaining Pet Urine

Pour club soda liberally over the pet urine stain, giving it a few seconds to soak in. Club soda dilutes pet urine both beneath your carpet and on the carpet’s surface, making it less likely to give off a noticeable smell. While club soda is ideal for this, you can also use plain water or equal parts water and white vinegar.

After the club soda has a chance to soak into the carpet, blot it away using towels and paper towels in the exact same manner that you cleaned up the initial pet stain.

Step Three: Neutralize Pet Urine Smells

Once you’ve cleaned up the pet stain and diluted the remaining urine within your carpet, you can further combat the smell using baking soda. Pour baking soda over the spot where your pet’s accident occurred. Press the baking soda into the carpet using even pressure. This can be done by stepping on the pile of baking soda several times or placing a heavy object over the spot. Let the baking soda sit on the pet stain for at least one hour before vacuuming it away. The baking soda will pull any moisture you may have missed out of the carpet while also combating the unpleasant odor of pet urine.

Step Four: De-grease the Pet Stain

Even if you begin cleaning your pet’s urine stain as soon as the accident occurs, the ammonia in an animal’s urine gives it a greasy texture that allows it to rapidly adhere to fabrics such as carpeting. The end result is that neutralizing the urine may not remove the stain. Standard carpet cleaning sprays may also be ineffective at preventing a permanent pet urine stain on your carpet. Household degreasers, however, are perfect for this job.

Spray a household degreasing product, such as Greased Lightning, directly onto the pet stain. Use a warm, wet cloth to work the degreaser into the stain, wiping vigorously. Keep a bowl of water next to you throughout the process since you’ll want to rinse the cloth out frequently. If you have concerns about degreaser staining your carpet, test it out on an out of the way area of carpeting before applying it to the pet urine stain.

Step Five: Prevent the Smell of Pet Urine

While club soda and baking soda work wonders for neutralizing pet urine odor, you can opt for additional odor prevention by purchasing one of the many specialty products available for neutralizing the smell of pet urine on carpets. Call your veterinarian for a recommendation before making a purchase, as some products work better than others.

The best cure for pet urine stains is prevention. Consider installing a doggie door or taking your dog for more frequent walks if indoor urination becomes a problem. If you have a cat that urinates on the carpet, clean its litter box more frequently. Your cat’s definition of a full litter box and yours may vary! You can also provide your cat with more than one litter box to encourage it to use the litter box rather than your carpet. Should occasional accidents still occur, however, prompt cleanup ensures that your carpet will remain pristine and pet urine odors don’t become a problem.

Photo by jaimieo

Dogs gain vocal rights in Massachusetts

Filed under: Dog News — DoggySpace on July 21st, 2010

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick signed into law a new bill dubbed Logan’s Law. Under this new law, anyone who removes or cuts a animals vocal chords for nonmedial needs will face fines and up to five years in prison.

“To take the voice of an animal would be the equivalent of taking a person’s voice or a person’s ability to communicate,” Brian Adams, spokesman for the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA), told reporters.

Animal rights groups that supported the bill feel it is more important that pet owners understand the need for animals to be able to make noise. While those apposing the bill feel that more animals will be returned to shelters due to this law.

Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA), reported that in 2009, it did not have a single dog or cat surrendered because it was too noisy.

Inspired by the Massachusetts law, a U.S. Congressman introduced a bill in May to support states that pass similar legislation to ban devocalization.

H.R. 5422, sponsored by C. A. “Dutch” Ruppersberger, D-MD, would authorize grants of up to $1 million for the prevention of cruelty to animals. It was referred to a House Agriculture subcommittee in June.

photo credit mccun934

5 Ways to Stop Separation Anxiety

Filed under: Dog Behavior — DoggySpace on July 20th, 2010

Does your dog exhibit bad behavior when you leave the house? Do you come home to find that your dog has ripped up all the toilet paper or chewed up your favorite pair of shoes? Does your dog have accidents in the house only when you’re not there? Does he cry or howl and dig at doors in windows in an attempt to get out?

If you’ve noticed any of the above behavior, your dog may be suffering from separation anxiety. Separation anxiety is not a way to get back at you for leaving them. It is simply a panic response to being left alone. It can happen at any point during a dog’s life but tends to happen once a routine is broken. For instance if you’ve been working from home for the last 5 years and you’ve all of a sudden transitioned to an office job. Now your dog doesn’t understand why you are suddenly not available all day long and panics when you leave the house.

Separation anxiety can be severe and may need the help of a professional animal behaviorist. However, there are several things you can try on your own before you call for backup.

When you leave the house, leave an item that smells like you with your dog. An old t-shirt works well. Just having your scent with him may be enough to calm your dog down while you are away.
Keep your departures and arrivals from the house times of calm. Don’t make a big deal out of leaving or coming home. This can add to your dog’s anxiety level. Quietly leave the house and come home when you can.
Establish a safety cue. Whenever you leave the house, do something that lets your dog know you’ll be back. You can leave the radio on or the TV on for him, or give him a special toy. Practice this with your dog by doing this action and then only leaving for a little bit. Gradually increase the time you are gone and soon your dog will associate this action with the fact that you will be back soon.
Give your dog something to do. Toys like kongs are great for keeping your dog occupied while you are away. It allows them to focus on something other than the fact that they are missing you.
Desensitize your dog to your comings and goings. There’s probably a good chance that your dog has certain triggers that let him know you are leaving. This may be getting your car keys out or putting on your coat. Do these things around him when you don’t leave the house. Jingle your car keys and then go sit on the couch. Put your coat on and watch TV. Pretty soon your dog will learn to not associate these behaviors as triggers for you leaving.

Separation anxiety can be a serious problem for some dog owners, but with a little work and patience, you should be able to calm your dog and alleviate his anxiety when you leave.

Photo by *christopher*

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