by Dr. Carol L. Falck, V.M.D.

Now that Back to School Season has arrived and Fall is approaching, it’s the perfect opportunity to spend some quality time with your pets!  Pet training is a great way to engage in fun & rewarding activities with your favorite four-legged friend.  

How do I get my pet (cat or dog) ready for training?

Whether you choose a structured class or a more relaxed approach, there are several things you can do to ensure that training is successful:

Re: DOGS & CATS

1.  Make sure your pet is in tip-top shape.  Schedule an appointment with a veterinarian to be sure your pet is a good candidate for the training program you have chosen.  Your veterinarian may recommend some diagnostic testing, such as blood work or x-rays or parasite screening to help determine your pet’s health status. 

2.  Consider a diet upgrade or a supplement.  If the training will involve intense physical activity, consider giving your pet additional meals, a higher calorie performance diet and/or a supplement.

3.  Find some healthy, highly palatable treats to encourage focus and peak performance.  Many treats that pets like may not be healthy.  Don’t be fooled by a fancy package or a misleading label – always check the ingredient list! 

4.  Puppies should receive proper socialization before training.  Dogs become aware of their surroundings by three to five weeks and develop social skills up to twelve weeks.  An excellent way to make sure they are exposed to a variety of other dogs and people is to attend a puppy socialization class.  A good class will consist of supervised opportunities for interaction as well as exposure to new situations and items.  Play time will help increase musculoskeletal coordination, improve social skills and facilitate learning.  A well socialized puppy will be easier to train.

5.  How many sessions should be included in a training class?  It depends on the type of training class but most classes include 6-8 sessions.  Classes typically are approximately 60 minutes.  Under normal conditions, the average dog has an attention span of roughly fifteen minutes, so there should be many different training activities during the class with several short breaks.   Dogs that are highly food motivated will focus on a task better and therefore, be easier to train. 

6.  Can a dog really be too old to learn new tricks?  As dogs age, they exhibit a general decline in organ function, including brain function.  Most dogs are considered senior at 8-10 years.  So, it can take longer and require some patience to train an older dog.  Some dogs will exhibit more pronounced cognitive decline showing human Alzheimer’s disease-like signs.  These dogs may sleep more especially during the day, be less active, show less interest in familiar people and surroundings,  be thirstier and urinate more than normal (called polydipsia & polyuria) and pant excessively.  Your veterinarian can help you determine if your dog has this condition and if medication may help.  The earlier it is detected, the easier it is to manage.  See also www.cdsindogs.com for more information and a Senior Dog Canine Cognitive Dysfunction checklist that you can complete and take with you to your veterinary appointment. 

Re: CATS

7.  My cat is really smart – can I train him to fetch?  There are many behaviors that cats can be trained and persuaded to do.  These include shaking hands, turning lights on, sitting, fetching and walking on a leash.  A cat’s brain is wired to learn differently than a human or a dog.  Cats learn best with gentle encouragement and repetition. 

While many cats respond to a food reward, some may prefer affection.  Take advantage of your cat’s favorite rewards.  The training sessions should gradually increase in length.  Start with 3-5 repetitions.  Stop immediately if you detect any resistance.  Some trainers are successfully using clicker training for cats.  See www.clickertraining.com for more information about clicker training and how to get started. 

Three Naples, FL. companies have reason to celebrate. Ark Naturals Products For Pets, Haynes Corporation, And Media Vista Group are 3 of 50 companies statewide honored as Florida's "Companies To Watch". They were chosen because of their positive impacts on Florida's future, adding jobs and fueling money into the state's economy.

Ark Naturals pet products with Joyce Chow of MBN and Newsvideoweb at the WOW! Creations Lifestyle Emmy Gifting Lounge 2011 suite in anaglyph 3D. www.montebubbles.net

If you are looking for the largest selection of pet wellness and all natural products for your pet go to Ark Naturals. Alison Sherman of Ark Naturals takes us on a tour of delicious treats, teeth and breath cleaners, vitamins and supplements, as well as nutritious training treats for all your pets needs.

Go to http://www.arknaturals.com and see their complete line of dental products, mobility supplements, probiotics, and mega-3's for your cats and dogs. Healthy never tasted so good!

Thanx again Alison and if you are looking to carry any of these great products in your store, website, or location you can also call them at 1-800-926-5100 for more information on their entire selection. Go to http://www.arknaturals.com today to see the Breathless treat and the Plaque Zapper.

Special thanx to Susan D. Weiss the President and founder of Ark Naturals. This was one of the original natural pet food and supplement companies in the world. Pets everywhere thank you for staying with them!

To attend or reserve a space at the NYC Pet Show for 2011 go tohttp://www.nycpetshow.com

Susan Weiss and Ark Naturals put together an EXCELLENT promo video for the SuperZoo show that gives pet owners a fantastic, comprehensive, and easy to understand overview of the entire Ark Naturals product line and why YOU should look to Ark Naturals for your pets health needs!

By now the majority of dog owners have probably heard of the illness and death surrounding chicken jerky treats made in China.  Purportedly, nearly 1,000 dogs have fallen ill or died so far in connection with these products and yet they are still found in stores all across the country.  I write this article today to try and reach the pet owners who have not yet heard or do not know the severity of the risk associate with Chinese chicken products for pets.

The situation is so serious that the FDA has issued a cautionary statement   warning of the risk in consumption by pets of chicken jerky treats imported from China. The FDA urges pet owners to use caution with regard to chicken jerky products, stating that if pet owners choose to give their pets these products to look for the following warning signs and to contact your veterinarian if these symptoms persist beyond 24 hours.

There is increasing pressure building for the FDA to take action.  Currently, the FDA’s website states that  ‘scientists have not been able to determine a definitive cause for the reported illnesses… and that, ‘unless a contaminant is detected and we have evidence that a product is adulterated, we are limited in what regulatory actions we can take’.   FDA is advising consumers who choose to feed their dogs chicken jerky products to watch their dogs closely for any or all of the following signs that may occur within hours to days of feeding the products, and to contact your veterinarian if these symptoms persist beyond 24 hours:

• decreased appetite;
• decreased activity;
• vomiting;
• diarrhea, sometimes with blood;
• increased water consumption; and/or
• increased urination

How to know if the products you purchase for your pet are Made in the USA.

By law, products NOT manufactured in the USA – must print that on the label…however… the manufacturer can print  this using the smallest size print possible and/or place that information in a place you’d never see it.  Look carefully – sometimes that information is hidden.

And finally one more thing about us.  Not only are Ark products manufactured in the USA – but the manufacturing facilities are (depending on the product) either USDA/APHIS registered manufacturing facilities or FDA/OTC facilities.

We take our responsibilities very seriously.

After reading this, it is my hope that pet guardians will choose not to take the risk with their beloved pets and choose pet products that are made in the USA.  We as a company feel strongly about both the quality of products made in the USA and the fact that we don’t outsource our workforce.

”Human do you not get it, I’m about to eat your hand” Lily barked and I got the message.

That being said my alternative was to find  a photo to illustrate the point of the article……. meaning ……...if you can brush your pet’s teeth & your pet welcomes the attention,  it appears you have the whole dog/cat dental issue under control…and don’t need any suggestions from Ark Naturals...

Seriously, is there anyone in cyber world who does not understand pet stinky breath?   I think not.  And, here’s a scary statistic.   Studies have shown that between 70-80% of all dogs and cats somewhere between the ages of 2 and 3 years old begin showing signs of oral health issues.

In 2008 when Ark Naturals introduced its BrushLess Toothpaste and Plaque Zapper, pet guardians worldwide began to email me for advice, wondering if our dental products were the magic dental cure-all.  I always respond – it’s only a piece of the puzzle.  Pet dental health is a joint venture between you, your pet and your pet’s vet.

Typically pet owners think that pet stinky breath is the real problem.  Sorry, pet stinky breath is socially unacceptable, disgusting to humans and probably interferes with your ability to cuddle and kiss – but it’s only the tip of the iceberg.   Pet dental disease affects your pet’s ability to chew and digest their food and possibly even play with their toys.  At its most serious, dental disease can potentially affect your pet’s heart, kidneys and liver.

My recommendations:

• Best case scenario, start taking care of your pet’s teeth as soon as their permanent teeth are in place.
• Brush your pet’s teeth if possible.  If your pet allows you to use a pet toothbrush and pet toothpaste that’s great.
• If not- I urge you to choose an all natural, healthy dental product that is free of artificial colors, flavors and crazy additives.
• Breath-Less  BrushLess Toothpaste (now in 3 sizes) with 3 different bacteria stats in the center (including pet toothpaste) is one recommendation.

• Breath-Less  Plaque Zapper –  a great choice for  cats as well as dogs is another solution.

• Should you prefer to use another product – we urge you to read the ingredient panel – not just the 1^st couple of ingredients and google the ingredients you are unfamiliar with.
• Be consistent.  The more consistent you are the less stressful it will be for your pet.
• Don’t expect miracles.  Unfortunately, like other products in the marketplace (pet as well as human) some work better than others.
• Discuss your pet’s dental issues with your vet.
• Professional dental cleanings may be needed.
• Don’t go MIA on your pet.  Dental issues don’t disappear.  They only get worse.

Remember at the end of the day – you are the one making the decisions.

We urge you to consider the age and health of your pet – What may be appropriate for one pet may not be appropriate for your friend’s pet.

Oh and one more thing – stinky breath is not a deal breaker for me.  I still kiss every dog I love.

This month I’m thinking about how to safely tail wag through the holiday season.

Holiday marketing is designed to raise your humans’ serotonin and endorphin levels to a happiness quotient that is pretty unrealistic.

In order to be ‘sufficiently happy’ your humans are obligated to purchase an enormous amount of gifts, food and decorations.  Your humans probably are tearing through stashed away boxes of decorations…If you see them nervously working on ‘the list’ it’s for who to gift, how much to spend and who is on the list.

If your humans are responsible for you & human kids – they are tired of hearing little humans ask for more and more.

And of course - If they are going away for the holiday – they are trying to figure out what they are going to do with you.

It’s a whole lot of juggling.  No wonder everyone is stressed. From the top down, stress is contagious.  It’s hard for humans and animals to be perfect and get it all right. 

Here are a few hints you might share with your humans.  First: Remind them to breathe slowly.  We know you’re really good at this as we’ve seen you lounging on their couch, or laying by a sunny window breathing contentedly. 

SOME PRACTICAL HINTS

Keeping an eye on all that good food

We know you love food, YOU know you love food, but too much food can be a problem.  Remind them when they are cooking and or baking, to try and keep the food off the kitchen floor and out of reach (especially if you are almost counter height).  They need to know you are stalking those areas.  Plus, some food you love is not good for you.. and while your human is tasting everything..it’s not a great idea to share all that food you…..it’s a lot of calories…….As Miss Piggy knows……… it’s so easy to pack on those holiday pounds.  

Let me know which gifts are mine (...to do with as I see fit!)

Gifting us and two legged little guys is confusing for us.  While we all know how smart we are – sometimes it’s hard for us to know the difference between a ‘pet toy’ and a ‘kid toy”:.  They all look good to us.  Sometimes a stuffed toy looks delicious to us... we might eat or drool a on it (even if it’s not meant for us) we might chase after someone’s new soccer ball, & possibly we may chew on the grip of a new golf club or those new golf balls.……

We hope our humans will be kind and help us to understand what’s ours and what’s theirs. And It would be really nice if you had a few gifts ready for us when everyone else is opening packages (Sea "Mobility" Joint Rescue and BREATH-Less Brushless Toothpaste make AWESOME stocking stuffers...just ruff-in!)

Oh and another thing - if you don’t want us to eat the wrapping paper……please have a large trash bag nearby - tearing paper is awesome!

Explain who's coming to the party and who's staying...for good!

Another thing that comes to mind is adding to our pet family.  If you’re thinking I might like a dog friend or a cat friend – please don’t make that decision until the holidays are over and we’re all relaxed. 

Party Scene (Ettiquette beyond being fashionably late)  

Now to the party scene..  Have you figured out where we fit in?  I might get nuts and bark every time the door bell rings.  I may not like cousin Sally’s 3 year old. FYI:  She sits on top of me and pulls my ears…Frankly I might prefer some alone time… can you make that happen?  On the flip side I might be a real 'party animal'.  Please don’t lock me in a room while you’re all having fun!  You might like to know that one of the reasons I love the party scene is because you leave all those delicious hors d’oeuvres on a low cocktail table...  If you don’t want me to help myself……please don’t put them in front of me ….I have no self control!

Stress Relief (we're not so good at opening bottles of Xanax)

When Uncle Arthur is telling you that ridiculous joke you've heard from the last 14 holidays, or your new 3 year old cousins are won't stop crying, you guys at least can take something to deal with the stress.  Don't forget, we're feeling it too!  You might want to consider Happy Traveler (Ark’s herbal calming remedy) so I can cruise blissfully through the holidays.

Just a few simple things is all I ask of you! 

Happy Holidays!

DID YOU KNOW…

Some foods that are considered good for people can be very dangerous for pets. The list below highlights some of the most common foods that can be dangerous to animals. This is not an exhaustive list and any decision to provide your pet with food not specifically intended for animals should be discussed with your veterinarian or pet nutritionist. For more information on foods that could be dangerous to pets, visit the American Animal Hospital Association's Healthypet.com website.

Source: The Humane Society of The United States