Summer Is Here – Protect Your Pets!
From the Blog This information does not replace the advice or instruction given to you by your veterinarian. Summer is when dogs are most at risk of being affected by heatstroke. A dog’s normal body temperature is 100°F to 102.5°F but, unlike humans, dogs do not have sweat glands throughout their skin. Their only methods for cooling include limited sweat glands on the pads of their feet and nose, and panting. Both of these are inefficient at cooling their body temperatures in extreme situations. If a dog cannot effectively… Continued
The “Keeping Your Cool” Issue
Welcome! The July 2022 Issue of Pets and Their People focuses on tips, tools and resources to help you and your pets stay cool, even if things get a little heated. Yes – ‘heated’ in the literal sense – be sure to take a look at the article from The DogSmith on preventing heatstroke in pets. But, even if you’re joining us from a part of the world that isn’t very warm right now, there’s still plenty in this issue that you don’t want to miss! From ‘pet peeves’ like… Continued
The Challenge of Breed Discrimination
By Kym Iffert It was finally a beautiful day in Chicago so I grabbed my bag, my leash, a pocket full of treats and tennis ball and set out for a walk. The neighbors were out and it was the perfect opportunity for a social outing – but not for me and my dog. As we walked down the sidewalk, others may have looked, some would wave, a few may have offered a smile… and then crossed the street. Social pariah? No, just me and my Rottweiler out for a… Continued
When Can I Stop Training My Dog?
My students often ask when they can stop training their dogs. That’s when I ask them, “When do you anticipate you will stop learning?” My point is that we are still learning as long as we are alive. The same is true of our dogs. If dogs are awake, they are learning from both us and the environment in which they live. Since the environment is vast and almost always available to our dogs, it provides more learning opportunities than we do. For example, a child in a high chair or… Continued
Pets & Automobiles – Part 1: Safety
Cars, trucks, mini-vans, basically any automobile are often as much a part of our pets’ lives as they are ours. It’s how we brought them home the first time and how we transport them to all types of activities. We have all known someone who has a dog that the mere mention of “car ride” has the dog leaping in ecstasy. However, some dogs are or become terrified of riding in a moving vehicle. Some cats enjoy car rides, but many find the crate and car a predictor of getting… Continued
The Click Starts the Behavior
By Yvette Van Veen A common expression used in clicker training is that the click “ends the behavior.” Rarely do we stop to think what this really means but it bears closer examination. Typically, the phrase indicates that dogs get reinforcement post-click, even if they have broken out of position. We click. The dog gets a cookie. There is no reneging. When I say click, I really mean marking the behavior. For the sake of clarity, I will also be using the word click to reference the wide array of… Continued
Loving Partners: The Bonds We Share with Assistance Animals
Anyone who has the luck to have a dog as a part of their lives knows just how much love and joy both guardian and dog share with one another. For Assistance Animal guardians, this relationship is even more deeply amplified. A Unique Bond This is not to disregard the love that all guardians share with their dogs, but to explain the unique bond assistance animal guardians have with their animals. For guardians of assistance animals, the guardian, and the animal– regardless of species– spend all of their time together,… Continued
Upcoming Pets and Their People Online Events
You’re invited to join us for the following events, streaming live on the Pets and Their People Facebook page: Facebook Live with Annie Phenix Date: Friday, July 1, 2022 Time: 3 PM ET Link: https://fb.me/e/1vNkyJC4i Your Host: Niki Tudge Special Guest: Annie Phenix of Phenix Dogs Training, LLC Topic: REACTIVE DOGS About Your Host: Niki Tudge is a frequent Pets and Their People contributor. Niki’s professional credentials include: AABP-Professional Dog Trainer, AABP-Professional Dog Behavior Consultant, PCBC-A and PCT-A through the Pet Professional Accrediting Board and she has… Continued
Agility for Cats!? A Cat Behavior Consultant Answers What, Why and How
Our three cats coax us daily for their agility time in our basement! Agility is also a sport that I have introduced to more than one of our foster kittens and taught to more than one of my clients and/or students. What is Agility? It’s a sport whereby a handler directs a cat through a preset obstacle course. Modeled after the equestrian sport of show jumping, and adapted first by the dog world, agility is designed to demonstrate coordination, intelligence, beauty of movement, training, and speed. In competition, cats… Continued
Calling All Pet People
While tips and advice are super helpful, often the most profound inspiration and understanding comes from people sharing their real-world experiences. So, we want to hear from you! Have an inspirational story about pets and people to share? Submit it here. (View our submission guidelines.) Have a training question for our feline, canine or equine experts? Submit it here. Want to Connect? Find us on Facebook. Pets and Their People is looking for writers, story ideas and breaking mews. Throw us a bone…we’d love… Continued
Because Dogs Are Cool!
PPG Member Profile featuring Pet Professional Guild member Chris Lopez-Santiago of Happy Tails Pet Care in Orlando, Florida Tell us a little bit about yourself, how you first got into animal behavior and training and what you are doing now… Honestly, getting into animal behavior was not something I thought I would ever do. I knew I always loved animals of all types. Dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, fish, and even insects and arachnids are fascinating to me. I’d often watch Zak George on YouTube to learn how to teach… Continued
A Masterclass in Enrichment
This article reports on some of the wonderful work being done by the teaching staff and students at a New England Technical High School to ensure their resident birds and animals have an array of enrichment opportunities available to ensure mental stimulation By Sheila S. Blanchette As a professional certified parrot behavior consultant and trainer, I enjoy finding opportunities to improve my skills and also have a little fun along the way. As such, I volunteer at local animal rescues in my area and in doing so,… Continued
New Beginnings
This article relates the impact the pandemic had on one professional dog trainer’s business and how it empowered her to make life-changing decisions about her future – both personally and professionally By Gail Radtke In April 2020, right at the beginning of the pandemic, I closed my dog training facility that I had been operating in Pitt Meadows, British Columbia, and moved all the equipment into my garage. Like so many other people at the time I was unsure, unprepared, and overwhelmed, but knew I had to make fast decisions… Continued
How Animals Learn
This article presents an overview of the types of learning, animal emotions vs. animal behaviors, applied behavior analysis, and choice and empowerment in animal training By Niki Tudge Like humans, animals can learn in a healthy, humane and safe manner, or, conversely, through pain, force and fear. In cases of high emotional arousal (“emotional hijacking”), the emotional brain inhibits the rational brain and an animal will go into fight or flight mode. In biological terms, this means it is difficult, if not impossible, for them to learn productively when in… Continued
BARKS Podcast with the PPG Advocacy Panel: Discussion #10 – Recognizing Microaggressions
Recognizing Microaggressions So They Can Be Managed and Avoided Join the Pet Professional Guild (PPG) Advocacy Panel for a discussion on Recognizing Microaggressions So They Can Be Managed and Avoided Pet guardians and pet professionals, listen as panel members share their expertise in a fun, free-flowing format. Your Moderators: PPG president Niki Tudge and PPG Canine Committee chair Judy Luther Your Advocacy Panel for this discussion includes: Valarie Ross, Aaron Jones (PPG Inclusivity Committee), co-chair of the PPG Feline Committee– Beth Adelman, Dr. Zazie Todd, and Dr. Eduardo Fernandez Listen to… Continued
BARKS Podcast with Molly Neher and Jennifer Kolar of Atlas Assistance Dogs
Join Niki Tudge and PPG Canine Committee chair Judy Luther as they Chat and Chuckle with Molly Neher and Jennifer Kolar of PPG corporate partner Atlas Assistance Dogs. Atlas Assistance Dogs states its mission as follows: “Atlas fundamentally expands access to assistance dogs. We support people with disabilities to train and certify their own service dog using positive, ethical training methods. At Atlas, we believe anyone who would benefit from a qualified assistance dog should be able to have one.” Listen to the Podcast with Molly and Jennifer here on your… Continued
Knowing How to Choose the Right Dog Trainer
Unlike some professions, there is currently no single ethical standard and no centralized or government licensing board for dog trainers and behavior consultants. As a result, consumers face a confusing landscape of philosophies and marketing language. The following suggestions will help dog owners find a competent, ethical trainer and keep their pet(s) safe. Ask for Details of Formal Education and Credentials Your trainer should have an educational background in how animals learn and are motivated. College, community college or vocational classes in psychology, animal behavior and/or animal training are a… Continued
The Aftermath of “Boot Camp”
By Amanda Ballard [At the time of writing] Kobe is an 18-month-old terrier cross, who is loved madly by his person, Lizzie. My private consultation session with them is the only one in 10 years that has moved me to tears, right there in front of the owner. It absolutely broke my heart to witness a dog displaying visible signs of anxiety, triggered by hearing very basic and commonly used verbal cues. Sadly, it would not be the last time I would witness this. There is no doubt about… Continued
Don Hanson Reviews Dr. Conor Brady’s “Feeding Dogs”
Feeding Dogs: The Science Behind The Dry Versus Raw Debate by Conor Brady, Ph.D. will hopefully end the debate over how to feed our dogs for optimum health. Dr. Brady spent 10 years examining what the scientific literature tells us about canine nutrition, answering such questions as: Is the dog a carnivore or omnivore? What are the problems with feeding kibble? Why are so many people pro-kibble and anti-fresh food despite evidence to the contrary? And how to feed a dog a species-appropriate diet for optimal health. In addition,… Continued
Homemade Dog Treat Recipe: Zenikens
Zenikens were developed to help two dogs with two different problems. Zen after whom the cookies are named, suffered from muscle and nerve immunity problems similar to MS and required a diet as preservative free as possible; Chappi had anal gland issues needing the high fiber to assist these delicate glands. Oven temperature: 200 degrees Celsius; (Approximately 400 degrees Fahrenheit) Ingredients: 4 cups rolled oats plus some extra if needed 3 cups whole meal plain flour plus some extra if needed 2 to 2 ½ cups wheat bran –… Continued
From the Editor
One of the most difficult things about being an animal lover is feeling helpless when you hear about pets in need. If that describes you, please take a moment to read this month’s Editor’s Picks about the people behind the fundraiser for Ukrainian animal shelters and how you can help them. How Can You Help Today? Donate: Help Animals Survive the War in Ukraine (Click on link to donate.) Get Inspired: Meet the People Behind the Fundraiser for Ukrainian Animal Shelters (Listen to the BARKS podcast.) Read and Share: Please also… Continued
Meet the People Behind the Fundraiser for Ukrainian Animal Shelters
Quick Links: Donate to help animals survive the war in Ukraine. BARKS podcast with Dr. Marina Bayeva: Hear updates on the use of funding and the animals benefiting from your generous support. Lifelong animal welfare advocate, Dr. Marina Bayeva, began a grassroots campaign to help animals survive the war in Ukraine. On May 4, the Pet Professional Guild (PPG) streamed an informative and inspiring live discussion with Dr. Bayeva, veterinarian Dr. Paula Klek, and members of PPG’s Shelter & Rescue committee. Meet the the people behind the campaign and… Continued
The Many Benefits of Fostering Shelter/Rescue Pets
Fostering animals gives them a break from the stressful environment that they encounter while in the shelter. BENEFITS FOR THE ANIMALS AND SHELTERS If you foster an animal, they will have the ability to get away from the continuous noise caused by the other animals there. Even one or two nights in a home has been shown to reduce the stress hormone known as cortisol. The pets will also get the much needed and important human interaction that they wouldn’t receive as often when staying in the shelter. Some… Continued
Ask a Trainer: Dog Digging Holes in Flower Beds
Q: “Help! My dog is digging huge holes in flower beds!” (This question was submitted via the Pets and Their People Facebook page.) A: There are several reasons your dog may dig in the flower bed. There may be critters such as moles in the flower bed, or they may be one of those dogs who like to hide their toys. Let’s say you have ruled out these two possibilities, there is another reason your dog may be digging. Social Learning One of the biggest reasons I have found that… Continued