Houston PetTalk March 2021

March 2021

CASE OF THE CODDLED CANINE: How Do We Create A Well Balanced Dog?

ANNUAL TRAINING ISSUE

Dealing With Pandemic Pups Socialization Is Key Handling Separation Anxiety Reward Based Training + MORE!

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Our Promise to You No plastic bags.

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Gentle handling & transport.

Trust. Peace of mind.

Empathy. Respect.

Love. Honor.

Time.

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join our pack

You can join our pack in a few ways: Raise awareness for the PAW Grant. Share it with your friends, family, and coworkers Donate to the PAW Grant In-person. Ask our client care team to round up your bill to the nearest dollar when checking out. SLVS24EC saw almost 20,000 new pets in 2019. If every pet owner rounded up to the nearest dollar, those pennies would have generated more than $10,000 On-line. You can donate to the PAW Grant through the bit.ly link, then join our online Facebook Group for PAWtners to get updates on when grants are released, what the PAW Grant is doing, and insider information to all of SLVS24EC

A pack is an extended family group that you get to choose. When a pet is brought to SLVS24EC, we know it's one of the darkest days of their lives. When you choose SLVS24EC to help you at that time, you become part of our pack - part of our extended family group. Our goal is to get your pet well or to extend the time that your pet feels well until it’s time to say goodbye.

For all of our diagnostic capabilities, talented specialists and emergency doctors, advanced veterinary nurses and support staff, we cannot achieve wellness for pets on our own.

There are times that the cost to achieve wellness is higher than some pet parents who come to SLVS24EC can afford. In those cases, we offer payment plans through Scratch Pay and Care Credit, accept every single major credit or debit card, and take donations from family or friends over the phone to help cover the cost to achieve wellness.

Sometimes, that’s still not enough and pet parents need additional help. Our dedicated team, tired of having their hands tied by these situations outside of their control, wanted to do more. They wanted to be a different kind of veterinary specialty and emergency hospital. That’s how the PAW (Packs Achieve Wellness) Grant was created, from our dedicated teams burning desire to do more- to be more. But we can’t do it alone.

Join our pack and donate to the PAW Grant by going here:

© 2020 Lakefield Veterinary Group

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

ON THE COVER

PUPPY LOVE

HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT THE CASE OF THE PANDEMIC PUP? WE'LL TELL YOU ALL ABOUT IT IN OUR FEATURE STORY! LEARN ABOUT CREATING A RELATIONSHIP OF RESPECT AND COMPLIANCE, THE IMPORTANCE OF SOCIALIZATION AND MORE AS WE STRIVE TO HELP EVERY PUPPY AND OWNER HAVE A HAPPY LIFE TOGETHER. THANK YOU TO STEPHANIE BENNETT OF BELIEVE IN DOG FOR PROVIDING OUR COVER MODEL AND HER STUDENT, WINSTON. HE PERFECTLY REPRESENTS THE "BABY" WE LOVE, BUT ONE THAT ALSO NEEDS US TO ESTABLISH LEADERSHIP. A BIG THANK YOU TO JENNA JOLLY, OUR HUMAN MODEL. PHOTO BY ALLISON WILKINS MCPHAIL FOR EVIN THAYER STUDIOS. HOUSTON PETTALK MAGAZINE 14781 Memorial Drive, Ste. 510, Houston, Texas 77079 281-556-6560 Art Director: ANDREW BURWELL

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pring training time is here again!

It’s always fun AND perplexing to determine the overall topic for our annual March dog training issue. After publishing for 18 years, finding new and creative ways to present the same topic can be a challenge but it's one that I find worthwhile because having well-behaved canines is good for both dogs and humans.

Given the current times, it’s nearly impossible not to look at dog training through the lens of the COVID pandemic. Our lives have been changed rather dramatically and those changes also apply to our life with our animals.

One of the factors coming out of the pandemic's edict to stay at home and social distance is that many households decided that bringing a dog into the home during this time would be a good idea. The reasons for doing so are obvious but let's just say it has worked out for some pet owners but not so much for others LOL! As dog lovers, we can all of course see why someone would want to bring a furry, fluffy, fun-loving, tail wagging bowl of love into the household to play with and create a relationship with, but without the fundamentals of dog training and socialization in place, the little bouncing ball of love can also turn into a bouncing monster or possibly even worse– a shy, fearful and unconfident animal.

As I approached the topic for this year's training issue, I do the one thing I always do: I check in with our professional dog training sponsors to get their thoughts about current training trends and how to approach the content because I am not a dog trainer and therefore I need to rely on the experts.

When I asked our sponsors what would be a relevant topic, there was 100% consensus

that we need to talk about the "Pandemic Pup". Ugh! I was hoping to move on from anything pandemic because it's a subject we are tired of talking about but I get that it's very relative and important. Pandemic pups is actually the terminology being used throughout the training community, so yes, it is a real thing! In this issue, we will explore the case of the Pandemic Pup, including the coddled canine that's getting all "love" and very little "leadership". Through a Q&A with trainers, we'll discuss a number of training topics. Professional training, along with socialization and patience, will get you on the road to a wonderful, respectful bond with your dog!

We also have a number of health articles in this issue that are full of great information on topics such as cat arthritis, the toxic sago palm plant, and identifying and dealing with pain in our feline friends.

Traditionally, March also brings the start of the Texas Wildflower season. As I sit here writing this editor letter, it's 17 degrees outside with snow on the ground and my power is out. Not the south Texas I am used to, so at the moment, it's hard to imagine bluebonnets will sprout up in about a month. The wildflower season can last from mid March through most of April so be sure to take your pet on an adventure to capture a great photo in the flowers and enter our annual contest, once again generously sponsored

by Sunset Animal Hospital (see page 24).

Also, don't miss our conversations on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube where you can chat with us, show off your pet photos and watch behind the scenes video.

And, remember to shop with our sponsors because they make PetTalk possible!

© Copyright 2020. Reproduction or use without written permission of articles, editorial or pictorial content in any manner is prohibited. Houston PetTalk does not knowingly accept false or misleading advertising or editorial, nor do the publishers assume responsibility should such advertising or editorial appear. Houston PetTalk does not endorse any specific product or service contained herein; we do encourage you to support our advertisers whenever possible.

All photos ©copyright depositphotos unless otherwise stated.

Houston PetTalk Magazine

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find it rather humorous that every March the editor (a.k.a mom, or Dragon Lady) produces the Annual Dog Training Issue and every year, the feature story is full of the latest ideas on how to get us dogs to do everything our humans want. Which of course we never do. We’re dogs, not puppets. But what the humans don’t know is that when the Issue comes out, we canines head to the Salty Dog, sit in a circle with our favorite beverage and read this high-minded human advice on how to make us “obedient”. And, we laugh hysterically.

Now, this is between us. If DL knew that my compadres and I actually use the training content as fodder for entertainment, let’s just say my dinner would be in jeopardy. Plus, I’m already in trouble for “calling into question her mental capacity”. The other day she was looking all over the office for her prized Mont Blanc pen, which was behind her ear and I commented that sometimes she’s as confused as a fart in a fan factory. I was not rewarded for my wit.

So here’s how it goes down. Once we all get settled, cousin Harold usually starts us off and he picks training tip #1 and he reads aloud: “If your dog is pulling you down the street, abruptly turn and go the other direction using a fun voice. Keep doing this until your dog understands to continually watch you and walk with you, which the dog will prefer to the constant change of direction and pulling of the leash.” At this point Harold is already giggling before he can finish the sentence. We all crack up because we know this is totally false. We don’t care what direction we go but we find it very amusing that the human wants to go to a certain destination but if we play this game, we basically go nowhere for 20 minutes.

Next, Tidbit McCoy stands up and reads tip #2 in the most authorita-

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tive voice that can come from a 4lb.

Chihuahua: “The best way to train your dog is with food. All dogs love food.”

You can imagine the outright cackles at this profound piece of advice offered by the superior human intellect. Tidbit dries his eyes, and finally says, “Wow, our humans are genius.”

On to tip #3 which is Penelope’s turn. She stands up and prepares to read by smoothing her tail and licking her lips (all of which Henry can hardly endure without jumping up to sniff her but he employs the utmost self control and just drools). Penelope speaks in her perfect soprano-esque lilt

So, you get the picture. Humans genuinely believe they are training us and we adore the fact that they are so naive, but in reality, it’s quite the opposite. We have trained two-leggers to scratch our belly on command, prepare and serve all meals, clean up any and all messes, take us for a walk by barking at the door, pay for expensive play dates, and buy us endless toys as we shred each one to pieces.

Ultimately, we dogs just don’t get your human hang-ups. You want us to sit, stay, come when called. B-O-R-I-NG. We really do want to please you but sometimes we see a squirrel and

and reads, “Never, I mean never, allow your dog to sleep in your bed. By doing so, you give the dog a sense of power.

You must be the leader and the leader of the pack always gets the best food and the best place to sleep.” Penelope snickers and says “Ok, everyone raise their paw if you sleep in your human’s bed”. Every paw goes in the air. Mine included. DL tells her friends she would never allow a dog to sleep on her 1000 thread-count Egyptian cotton sheets.

Liar. Someday her pants WILL catch on fire.

we need to GET IT. Then we’ll come.

You know, you’ve heard “wait a minute" before, right? And, while we are on the flip-side of training and we’re training you, one of the great missions in our life is to break your two-legger couch addiction. We try to communicate with pleading eyes, placing our head on your knee, whining or anything else we can think of. We are just saying “Put down the iPad, woman. Let’s take a walk in the woods or find a tree to pee on. Let us show YOU a good time.” Invitation is always open…

Illustration by Jim Tweedy, colorized by Desiree Walton

Henrietta

ON HUMANS TRAINING DOGS I

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WHERE IN THE WORLD IS PETTALK? SEND YOUR TRAVEL PHOTOS FEATURING PETTALK

You never know where on this planet you might find a PetTalk reader enjoying their copy! If you’ve snapped a travel pic of one of our readers, send your photo to info@ houstonpettalk.com.

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA

Sam is one smart canine! He is reading PetTalk to his friend "Snookers" in a Pensacola hotel. Sam got his forever mom, Debbie, in Sept. 2020 when he was adopted from Houston Sheltie Sanctuary. Not only does Sam have excellent taste in reading material, he’s already trained and certified as a therapy dog. Thanks for sharing Sam!

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Pet Fest

and Birthday Paw-ty!

Saturday, April 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

League City Animal Care and Adoption Center 755 West Walker Street, League City 77573 Human and canine-safe birthday cake $10 adoptions Pet vendors

Microchipping Reduced price-vaccinations Demonstrations, prizes, and more!

Pet-related vendors interested in participating can email Lynette.Bodmer@LeagueCityTX.gov Houston PetTalk Magazine

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UNLEASHED

LEAGUE CITY MARDI GRAS

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Photos provided by League City

eads and Bark in the Park celebration of Mardi Gras, held on January 23 in League City, was a fun time had by all, including the canine krewe! Attendees enjoyed Cajun food trucks, king cake, zydeco band, mask making and of course, a colorful parade!

League City certainly knows how to have a good time and include the 4-leggers in their festivities. Look for more events from the City of League City, including a big "Birthday Party" in April (see page 13). To learn more, visit them online at leaguecitytx.gov.

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NEWS

CRITTER CAMP AT HOUSTON SPCA

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t is safe to say that most of us are ‘virtually’ worn out, especially kids. This year, it is more important than ever to not only plan some summer activities but give them a summer to remember!

The Houston SPCA is offering in-person, week-long adventures including Vet Camp, Animal Rescue and Forensics, and Pet Pals. The day camps start June 7 and run each week until August 13 at the Carruth Education Center, located on their campus. They are one of the leading animal rescue and protection organizations in the country and can offer a variety of activities for animal-lovin’ Campers entering 3rd through 8th grade.

At Critter Camp, they can meet real animal experts in the fields of veterinary medicine, animal cruelty

investigations, and animal rescue techs, as well as wildlife specialists, with their native wild animal ambassadors in tow. Let’s not forget it is camp, so there will be lots of indoor and outdoor games like Giant Jenga, Corn Hole or Arena Volleyball as well as plenty of cool crafts to be made, and even some treat-making for pets in need, too.

And we all know it just wouldn’t be Critter Camp without critters, would it? Multiple playtimes are scheduled with adoptable pets every day. These homeless pets enjoy the socialization just as much as the Campers do. Each week is only $265 with before and aftercare available for an additional cost. For more information or to register, visit houstonspca.org.

Houston PetTalk Magazine

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NEWS

TEXAS LITTER CONTROL NEW LOCATION

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exas Litter Control (TLC) has moved its Old Magnolia location to the Four Corners Shopping Center in Tomball in order to increase outreach to the community.

TLC provides high quality, low cost spay/neuter and basic wellness services for cats and dogs in an effort to keep pets out of municipal shelters.

The new location is located at 28439 Tomball Parkway, Suites A & B, Tomball, Texas 77377.

WOOF GANG BAKERY & GROOMING NOW IN TANGLEWOOD

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oof Gang Bakery & Grooming is now open in Tanglewood, catering to people and pets. Making its doggone dynamic debut in February, the grand opening event included raffles of gift baskets, treats and food as well as free pawdicures and facials with every booked grooming appointment. Houston Pets Alive! animal rescue was also at the store to help kick off the grand opening and will return to the store regularly with adoptable dogs hoping to find their forever homes. This new store marks the tenth Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming location in the greater Houston area.

The new Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming Tanglewood is a locally-owned franchise, offering professional pet grooming and a wide selection of healthy pet foods, gourmet baked treats, toys, accessories and pet supplies. The store is located in the Tanglewood Court shopping center at 5885 San Felipe, Suite 250, Houston, 77057.

Houston resident Erica Skene is the franchise owner of the new Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming store. She is passionate about providing customers and their pets with wholesome pet foods, quality products and full-service pet grooming in a welcoming, neighborhood setting.

“I’m an animal lover and I've always dreamed of owning and managing my own shop, so opening the doors to my Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming is a perfect fit,” said Erica Skene. “It’s my goal to treat each one of my clients and their pets as family. And as we can all agree, pets are members of our family. My customers are my neighbors. I’m excited to get to know them and learn their pets’ likes and needs so that I may provide the best service possible.”

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Houston PetTalk Magazine

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NEWS

HHS IS PROVIDING CARE FOR THOSE IN NEED

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ouston Humane Society experiences the daily consequences of pets not being sterilized by receiving hundreds of unwanted pets and litters a year. However, they are also aware that finances, especially now during a pandemic, prevent some pet owners from spaying/neutering their pets and providing basic pet health care needs.

To help control the crisis of animal homelessness, the Houston Humane Society started the “Fix Felix & Friends for Free” program in September for pet owners experiencing financial difficulty. Each pet approved will receive a free spay/neuter surgery, microchip, heartworm tests, heartworm preventative and annual vaccinations.

Animals often become homeless when their owners cannot afford to care for them or the litters they reproduce. In an attempt to house

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and help the homeless pet population, over $100 million a year is spent on operating costs by shelters and rescues around Houston. Not only will these procedures help Houston’s pet overpopulation problem, but they offer numerous medical and behavioral benefits for pets as well. By providing free low-cost pet sterilization to the community, the Houston Humane Society aims to keep healthy pets in homes and out of the shelter.

Families wishing to apply must provide proof of financial hardship to ensure they are helping those who truly need it. If you, or someone you know, will benefit from this program, they may complete the application via their website: HoustonHumane.org or email PetPantry@HoustonHumane.org for more information.

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Houston PetTalk Magazine

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NEWS

EMANCIPET MONROE CLINIC: CELEBRATING 1 YR OF SUCCESS

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t is an understatement to say that 2020 was a challenging year. Each one of us has a story to tell about how we’ve been affected

by COVID-19, and how we’ve found the strength to persevere. Emancipet (a nonprofit pet clinic) has the honor of seeing that very resilience in action among pet owners determined to provide the care their pets need – by accessing affordable veterinary care at their two Houston clinics. 2020 was a pivotal year for Emancipet and everyone who believes that people – no matter how much money they have – love their pets and will do what’s best for them when given the opportunity to do so.

Houston announced it was closing nonessential businesses in March 2020, soon after Emancipet opened the new Monroe clinic (@ 8533 Gulf Freeway). The Monroe clinic opened just in time and both Houston clinics saw huge demand from clients, even with coronavirus restrictions in place. Thanks to Houston PetSet and PetSmart Charities, Emancipet’s capac-

ity was doubled with the opening of a second clinic. Approximately 30,000 patients (dogs and cats) received the veterinary care they needed at Emancipet, including spaying/neutering approximately 12,000 cats and dogs. This month (March), Emancipet celebrates their one-year anniversary of the Monroe clinic.

Thanks to a collaborative effort between donors, community supporters, clients, and staff, Emancipet made sure that pet owners didn’t have to choose between buying medicine for themselves or the pets they love. Owners did not have to give up their faithful companions to a shelter when money got tight, or opt for euthanasia instead of treatment when their pet got sick or hurt. There are some 53 million dogs and cats in households that cannot afford vet care at least some of the time which often results in needless suffering for both pets and people. Together, we can change this, creating a healthier, happier and more humane environment for Houston pet families.

K9 VETERANS DAY MARCH 13

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n March 13, let’s celebrate and salute our K9 Veterans by honoring working dogs that served our Armed Forces.

Most of their lives are spent in service and retirement is short. Mission K9 Rescue is celebrating this K9 Veterans day by completing the reunions of 6 Military Working Dogs from Japan with their former Handlers. “At Mission K9 Rescue,” says president Kristen Maurer, “we rescue, reunite, re-home, rehabilitate, and repair any retired working dog who has served mankind in some capacity. Since 2014, we have reunited more than 450 military working dogs with their handlers, and rescued more than 1,000 from all over the globe. We spend around a quarter of a

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million dollars annually to make sure these K9 veterans have the medical care they deserve.

Our facility is a place where the dogs in our care are housed and enriched while they wait for their forever homes.”

Those wishing to donate to Mission K9’s good work can visit doMWD BButler (RET nate.missionk9resJAPAN) cue.org

NEWS

PETTALK'S DOGGY PARTY POSTPONED TO SEPT. 25

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long with many other Spring events, we have made the decision to move our signature event, Doggy Party on the Plaza to September 25. By Fall, our hope is that COVID restrictions will be lifted and we can enjoy our outdoor festival with our furry friends.

The event is held annually at CityCentre in the Memorial corridor. This year will mark the 11th

annual event with over 80 vendors, celebrity emcees, contests, entertainment and the oneof-a-kind Rescue Me parade featuring 12 area rescues and shelters competing for prizes. To keep up to date on the event, visit doggypartyontheplaza.com and be sure to pre-register for the contests!

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WILDFLOWER CONTEST ENTRY

BEGINS APRIL 1

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et Ready to TAKE YOUR BEST SHOT in PetTalk's 14th Annual Pets in the Wildflowers Photo Contest sponsored by Sunset Animal Hospital. Starting April 1, enter your photo of your pet(s) taken amongst the beautiful Texas Wildflowers (no humans, please). Entries will be accepted through April 21 when public voting will commence to select finalists in two categories: Novice and Professional Photographer (be sure to read the rules on the entry page). Contest entry is via the houstonpettalk.com website and our Facebook page. Winners, as well as all entries, will be featured in the June issue of PetTalk.

Sydney

About Sunset Animal Hospital:

Sunset Animal Hospital is a 24/7 full-service veterinary hospital in Houston at 2959 SW Frwy. Their professional team aspires to excellence in medical quality and client service.

They utilize state-of-the-art knowledge, equipment and techniques available to care for your pets and exceed your expectations. Visit them at sunsetanytime.com.

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Toby

Ten Locations Proudly Serving the Greater Houston Area!

• Full-Service Grooming • Healthy Pet Foods • Gourmet Baked Treats

• Stylish Essentials • Plush & Tough Toys • Collars & Leashes

College Park • Conroe • Katy • Richmond Sienna • Spring • Sugar Land Tanglewood • The Woodlands • West U

A Treat of a Franchise Opportunity!

IS THERE ANYTHING CUTER THAN YOUR PET? OF COURSE NOT! WE AGREE, SO WE MAKE IT EASY FOR YOU TO PROVE IT...PLAY WITH US ON INSTAGRAM AND LOOK FOR OUR THEMED CONTESTS. YOU SHARE WITH US, WE SHARE WITH OUR READERS. EVERYBODY WINS!

#SHAREWITHUS! BERNS IN HOUSTON!

1. @Texas_airedoodles we’ve got a bern-ing question for y’all; how did we do?? (Thank you @ bayoucitybetch for your guidance on this creation) 2. @Oliverandcamille we still remember that time when @ berniesanders came to @buffalobayou with us! :) 3. @Labsbythepool just here waiting....

FASHION IS A MUST!

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31ST ANNUAL PAR FORE PETS GOLF TOURNAMENT BENEFITING THOUSANDS OF ANIMALS SERVED BY THE HOUSTON HUMANE SOCIETY

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Houston PetTalk Magazine

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CASE OF THE CODDLED CANINE:

Creating A Well Balanced Dog

CREDITS FOR OUR Q&A WITH HOUSTON’S TOP TRAINERS

By Michelle Mantor and Contributing PetTalk Sponsors; Photography by Allison Wilkins McPhail for Evin Thayer Studios (unless otherwise noted); A big thank you to Meadowlake Pet

Resort & Training center for allowing us to take photos at their Galleria location for editorial images. Meadowlake offers boarding, daycare, grooming and training. Learn more at meadowlakepetresort.com.

Cover model, Jenna Jolly with "Winston", who is a student at Believe In Dog Training. Also featured in opening spread, Leo Chiu and his puppy Nishka.

It’s no secret the pandemic has caused stress among humans for a myriad of reasons. As pet parents, how does our stress affect our dogs?

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oddled Canines, Pandemic Pups, Disobedient Dogs…these inauspicious monikers sound as if the world of canine ownership has gone to…well…the dogs!

What is this chatter all about? You might guess that it has something to do with the all-consuming subject of the COVID pandemic, and you would be correct. This “phenomena” of the pandemic pup is a direct result of stayat-home directives and social distancing which are practices that not only affect humans, but also affects our pets.

Each

March, PetTalk’ features our annual dog training issue and as the editor, it’s my job to determine the focus of the subject matter and as I have done in the past, I reach out to our training experts for their “take” on what is a current topic of interest. Hands down they all pointed to the behavioral issues that are outcomes of the pandemic. As weary as I am of this subject, I could see their point and we worked to zero in on topics that may be helpful to new dog owners.

A few of the primary topics of value in this discussion are separation anxiety and lack of socialization. The underlying issue is that during the pandemic, there has been an increase in families turning to the companionship and comfort that pets can bring into their lives and their homes, which is totally understandable. However, the opportunity is ripe for these pups to experience behavioral "obstacles" for the following reasons: 1. Stay at home practices have lead to many pups not being socialized during their critical imprinting and learning period of 8 to 14 weeks.

Many puppies didn't leave the home and were not exposed to the myriad of sights and sounds they would experience in a normal social environment (other humans, other animals, learning to play with other dogs, being touched

by strangers, strange noises, etc.), leaving them fearful and not confident in their surroundings.

2. Many pet owners who acquired a pet during the pandemic are first time dog owners.

We applaud those that adopted rescue animals in need! The lack of experience with dog training can lead to behavioral issues but thankfully there is lots of information online and professional trainers to help educate the new doggy moms and dads!

3. At the beginning of COVID when many families brought their new furry friend home, a large majority were working from home or possibly not working at all, which was part of the impetus to get a pet. The rationale is "we have more time to bond, train, and care for our new family member", which makes total sense. The potential problem occurs when these dogs that have been used to full-time attention and not being left alone, are eventually left alone as the world returns to work, thus leading to the possibility of separation anxiety. And if you've ever witnessed a dog with separation anxiety, you know it's a challenging situation!

These are a few of the main topics we cover in this feature, along with some of the basic tenets of training such as establishing leadership, the importance of crate training and providing opportunities for dogs to play with others and get valuable exercise. Even if you are an experienced dog owner or your dog is not a puppy, we still have curated some valuable tips for you in our Q&A sessions with some of Houston's Top Trainers!

SEPARATION ANXIETY

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By: Katie Clark CDBC, CPDT-KA | Laura London CPDT-KSA | Peace Love Dogs | peacelovedogshouston.com

uring the pandemic quarantine, many pet owners have worked from home and have been with their dog nearly all of the time. This ‘bonding’ has created dogs that are not used to being left alone, often causing separation anxiety. What is separation anxiety, how is it ‘created’ and what can be done to resolve the issue?

It’s been a blessing and a curse to be with our dogs 24/7 during quarantine. Some dogs are thriving with all the extra attention, but most dogs that were previously comfortable being left alone are now experiencing stress.

As trainers, we try to avoid using labels and focus on the individual’s unique behavior and circumstance. However, understanding terminology can be helpful when determining an appropriate training plan.

Separation Anxiety is an intolerance of isolation or separation from a specific person(s), and can be categorized by extreme escape behavior, self-harm, or excessive destruction. Dogs experiencing true separation anxiety may attempt to chew through doors, break windows, or bend the bars of crates to “escape” to find relief, which can lead to serious injuries.

Isolation Distress is a low tolerance of being alone, and has more to do with a lack of appropriate coping skills and/or an inability to adequately work through frustration.

Dogs experiencing isolation distress may bark, whine, pace, chew on inappropriate objects, and generally have difficulty relaxing when alone.

This is the category most dogs will fall into.

There are several “causes” of separation anxiety/isolation distress including genetics of the individual dog, breed-specific behavior, traumatic experiences, unmet basic needs, and lack of experiences or opportunities. Additionally, nearly all dog breeds were intentionally bred to be dependent on human interaction, and are not inherently equipped to be alone.

We recommend that everyone practice being away from their dog at least once a day, even if it’s as simple as being in another room.

The length of separation time depends on what the dog is able to safely tolerate. Make sure your dog has an appropriate outlet to selfentertain and relieve stress; for most dogs that

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means having something to chew on, such as a stuffed Kong or bully stick. It is also important that your dog has had their basic needs met before they are left alone. It can be challenging to make progress, so don’t be afraid to get help from a qualified trainer!

What has been your experience at Peace Love Dogs with puppies coming for training, as it relates to “pandemic” issues and what techniques are you using in your training program?

The training techniques at Peace Love Dogs haven’t changed because of the pandemic, but the volume of behavioral cases we’ve seen related to the pandemic

has increased significantly. Our training team has a lot of experience helping clients work through fear, reactivity, aggression, separation anxiety, and socialization with their dogs, but now we’re seeing more dogs with behavior concerns than ever.

Prevention and early intervention will always be essential for success. We work closely with owners to raise puppies that are well-socialized with people and dogs, comfortable being handled, adaptable to change, can work through frustration, have excellent home

manners, can tolerate being left alone, and are enjoyable members of the family!

OUR STRESS AFFECTS OUR PETS TOO

It’s no secret the pandemic has caused stress among humans for a myriad of reasons. As pet parents, how does our stress affect our dogs?

Dogs are more sensitive to human behavior than you may think! Over tens of thousands of years, dogs have cognitively evolved to read and respond to human emotions. Dogs study our facial expressions, can smell stress-related hormones, and are keen observers of changes in our behavior patterns.

Dogs are directly affected by our stress in the same way that our loved ones are. We have less patience for them, they may learn to avoid us, they may seek to comfort or appease us, they may act out or behave differently than they have before, or they may mirror our stress.

Just like humans, long-term stress can negatively affect a dog’s mental and physical well-being.

A little bit of stress infrequently is actually beneficial for learning and coping (“eustress”), but too much or constant stress will harmfully impact the quality of life (“distress”).

What advice can you give pet parents about handling stress visa-vis their pets so that the pets are not negatively affected?

Take care of yourself! Humans and dogs have a lot of the same basic needs: regular exercise, mental stimulation, enrichment, play/free time, and a healthy diet. The most difficult basic need to meet during a pandemic is social interaction.

Social interaction doesn’t necessarily mean going to parties or the dog park. Make time for socially distant play dates with trusted friends’ and family’s dogs, go for a walk in a new location, or work with a trainer to coordinate safe social opportunities for you and your dog!

It is also important to give your dog (and yourself!) some slack. We’re not saying to quit training and throw away all the rules, but dogs are going to have bad days too. If you’re noticing a pattern of bad days or escalating behavior, give your dog trainer a call!

WHY DAYCARE IS IMPORTANT, EVEN IF YOU WORK FROM HOME By: Jeff Murphrey | Canine Country Club | mycaninecountryclub.com

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ocialization of puppies, as well as adult dogs, is an important element in their emotional and physical wellbeing. With so many pet parents working from home, they may not feel it’s necessary to take their pup to doggy daycare programs.

Although a human may be home all day, explain why socializing and exercising in doggy daycare is a valuable activity. What are some benefits of Doggy Daycare?

Doggy daycare during the pandemic is important to the well-being of our dogs for at least two reasons. First, while it has long been known that having a dog has tangible, measurable health benefits for humans, lowers blood pressure and anxiety levels, three recent studies, done in three different countries, establish that our pets are often struggling with the pandemic in ways not unlike their human counterparts. (NIH News in Health, Feb 2018) These studies, published in three separate scientific journals “revealed some concerning developments: Pandemic

restrictions are making pet owners concerned for their pets’ well-being. Not only that, but some pets are exhibiting signs of stress, such as increased barking, fear of loud or sudden noises, and anxiety when at home alone.

(National Geographic, Feb 2, 2021) Some of the increased stress levels in our pets probably result as a side effect of our own anxieties. Further, separation anxiety can arise simply from a dog always being with humans (it sometimes occurs in service dogs that have to be away from a human they are normally with literally 24/7). While exercise and mentally taxing training are great stress releases for dogs, for those capable of social interaction, nothing soothes the canine soul like being around a group of other dogs. It is a need that is deep in their DNA as pack animals.

Second, one of the best way to address separation anxiety in dogs is to help them be away from their humans in a low stress environment. Daycare provides a perfect stress

releasing environment where dogs can start being away from their person and can actually be fun as well as a step down the road that leads to a life free of separation anxiety.

What does the daycare program consist of at Canine Country Club?

At Canine Country Club, we provide both outdoor and indoor (for inclement weather, including when it’s just too dang hot) supervised play areas for our clients that include a splash pad and pool. All dogs must pass a behavioral test, administered by a qualified trainer to provide the safest possible environment for your dog. We provide rooms, without extra charge, for dogs that need rest breaks. We also put on birthday parties complete with homemade frosty paws, hats and pictures for long time clients. In short, we go the extra mile to insure your pup enjoys the experience and you can relax while he or she is in our care.

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BINGO!

Puppy Bingo is a great way to have a fun learning experience with your pup. Scan the code for the bingo card developed by Believe in Dog Training and give it a try.

You and your pup will enjoy the game!

PUPPY SOCIALIZATION DURING SOCIAL DISTANCING

By: Stephanie Bennett, CPDT-KSA | Believe In Dog Training | believeindogtraining.com

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ith so many puppies being brought into homes during COVID, which in turn implies some puppies may experience lack of socialization due to the lockdowns, what is your advice about how to safely socialize, acclimate, and expose new puppies while practicing social distancing protocols? Why is this important?

Puppy training has never been more important. Socialization is one of the most crucial and time-sensitive aspects of raising a puppy and sadly, with social distancing protocols in place, it's not always possible to accomplish this task in the traditional manner. It's still possible to socialize and acclimatize your puppy safely, but puppy owners need to be extremely proactive and provide their pups with an ever-changing environment filled with novel objects, stimuli and experiences.

The benefits of confidence built through providing your puppy with a myriad of positive experiences during their first 4 months, or critical socialization period, cannot be emphasized enough. Appropriate early socialization can mean the difference between a happy, well-balanced dog that can accompany you anywhere, and a dog that may

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be skittish and nervous almost everywhere outside their own bubble of safety.

It’s an easy first step to begin the process at home. However, we do live in an urban jungle and you must begin to expose your puppy to the outside world as soon as possible!

NOTE: The best and fastest way to make sure your puppy has great experiences is to include things he loves, like food or toys. Be careful not to overwhelm your puppy. We want to help him learn that the world may be loud or unpredictable, but it’s always safe and can be super fun! Go at your puppy’s speed and never force him to do anything.

If he seems worried, or stops taking treats, you need to increase the distance between the stimuli and puppy, and/or decrease the intensity of the stimulus. » Introduce puppy to all kinds of household items like vacuums, brooms, hair dryers, balloons, umbrellas, toys that move and make sounds, etc. » Create a huggable puppy and hand feed him his dinner while gently touching all body parts from head to toe every day! » Sit out in the front of your house when it’s busy on your street (or take a car ride!) and help puppy enjoy passing trucks, bikes, strollers, children, or other dogs by offering

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tiny bits of chicken or cheese each time.

Create unusual surfaces for puppy to walk on: bubble wrap, aluminum foil, yoga mat, cushion, wobbly cardboard box, etc.

Have everybody in your household play dress up and act like a silly willy! Put on “strange” things: hats, masks, glasses, clumpy boots, helmets. etc.

Play audio of babies crying, children playing, thunder, sirens, etc.

Feed every meal in a food puzzle or unusual item: a box, rolled up towel, muffin tin, plastic Easter eggs, etc.

Find a puppy class that practices safety protocols or seek out appropriate, one -onone playdates with other vaccinated dogs.

Take a social distancing field trip to Home Depot!

At your facility, Believe In Dog, where you specialize in puppy training, what is something you are doing at the facility or advising parents to do that is a fun learning experience?

We launched “puppy bingo” and it’s been a great success! The parents find the game easy to play and of course the pups love the attention. To view the “bingo card” and try it with your dog, scan the QR code above.

THE CASE FOR CRATE TRAINING By: Mary Kegarise | Yuppie Dog Daycare | yuppiedog.com

L USE REWARD BASED TRAINING FOR THE BEST RESULTS By: Training Staff | Meadowlake Pet Resort & Training Center | (2 Houston locations) meadowlakepetresort.com

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eward based training and the use of positive reinforcement techniques have been considered a key element to quality obedience training for quite some time. What is reward based training?

Also known as “positive reinforcement training,” reward-based training is the pairing of positive associations with a desired behavior. This approach aims to teach pups to display specific behaviors by rewarding the behavior with things our dogs desire, such as praise, or treats.

Why is reward based training important? Give us some examples that pet parents can work on at home or examples of how Meadowlake uses these techniques in your training programs.

Reward based training is important and beneficial for a host of reasons, not only does it help you maintain a positive relationship of trust and excitement between you and your pup when training, but it can also be used to help reshape fearful situations or negative associations your pup may posses by making them less scary.

Example of reward based training: For parents with pups afraid of a particular household item such as the vacuum cleaner, a reward based training approach would pair your pup's favorite treat, or cuddles, next to the vacuum. Start with the vacuum turned off, then move to having your pup remain at a safe distance in a spot where they receive rewards while the vacuum is turned on, but not yet in use. The final step would be to use the vacuum while rewarding your pup in their spot. The goal is for your pup to no longer associate the vacuum with fear or as a scary object.

Here at Meadowlake our program is based on reward based training. We believe that training should be fun for pups and parents and what better way than to incorporate plenty of praise and treats.

et’s discuss the merits of crate training. Some pet parents may feel that crating their dog is a negative practice, but we know from research that crate training has positive outcomes if done correctly. What are “good crate training” practices and why is crate training important?

Having a dog that is trained to stay happily in a crate for a few hours is a wonderful thing! If a dog is introduced to his crate in the correct way, he will not be stressed or unhappy when he is in the crate. A crate is the best way to housetrain a puppy and keep them safe when you cannot watch them.

When first introducing the crate, use a Kong or other treat dispensing toy. Teach a cue for the dog to go into the crate such as “ go in” or “kennel”. While saying the cue, show the dog the treat toy and guide him into the crate using the treat toy as a lure. The minute he gets in the crate, give him the toy and say “Good” in a happy voice! Leave the door open the first few times. If the dog tries to come out of the crate with the toy, take the toy away but let him come out. He will learn that this is a “reward” for staying in his crate. After a few days of leaving the door open, the dog should be ready for you to close the door of the crate. When you close the door, don't leave the area, just wait about 5 minutes, then go let him out and pick up the toy. Gradually increase the time that he stays in the crate and eventually, leave the house for a short period of time. Always pick up the toy when he comes out of the crate.

What are the basic do’s and don’ts? Is crate training only for puppies?

Two very important rules for the crate: 1. Be sure the dog gets to go potty right before going into the crate and as soon as he comes out.

2. Never leave a dog in a crate for extended periods of time. Adult dogs are able to stay in a crate for more hours than a puppy. Consider hiring a dog walker to let you dog out mid-day if you are not able to be home. Also daycare is an alternative to leaving the dog alone for too long.

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THE LEADERSHIP ROLE: WHY IT’S IMPORTANT

By: Dean Miller, IACP Professional, AKC/UKC Certified | Club Canine | clubcaninehouston.com

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stand with you. In other words, it determines emotional stability and trust. And YES, you’re being measured and evaluated from the step out by the dog's definition of clarity and consistency. Being a leader means you show up every day, all day, or risk being deemed incapable and leaving the dog to question their confidence and how they are to make workable decisions in life.

Why is leadership important and what exactly does that look like in our day to day interactions with our dogs?

The initial communication with the entity is crucial. Do you understand the dogs system of communication? Do you understand how our human system of communication differs from theirs? If you don’t speak the same language or quickly learn how, you are likely going to send that dog (or child) some very confusing and or mixed messages. And for the dog that is living with their humans who are now working from home, the dog is being fed this confusion ALL day, every day, not just evenings or weekends.

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e often hear the term leadership used in conjunction with dog obedience training. How do we go about establishing leadership with our canines in a way that creates a trusting, respectful relationship?

When we talk about the definition of leadership, we see words like First, Guide, Direct, Command, In Charge or to Show The Way. How you employ these actions determines your outcome of success or failure with what/who you are leading.

When relating this to dogs, I equate it to parenting children. First and foremost, your role as the senior in the partnership is in play ALL the time, not some of the time or when convenient.

If not, this will only cause the entity varying degrees of confusion, stress, anxiety, insecurity and to question your position and where they

How are you going to set non-negotiable rules and boundaries in your relationship if you don’t speak the language or it’s not clear? Once that communication breakdown occurs, trying to lead will likely meet resistance and cooperation becomes at the discretion of the dog.

Telling someone to be the leader or be the boss of their dog is easier said than done, if the instruction they are getting themselves is confusing, insufficient or just plain incorrect.

They themselves can’t teach what they haven’t first learned properly themselves, no matter how many videos they’ve tried to watch. You can be consistently practicing the wrong stuff or the wrong way and all you’re teaching (training) your dog is that you’re not qualified to be someone they can believe in and follow willingly and with confidence.

If you’re on the struggle bus with your communication and cooperation with your dog, The Thinking Dog training program at Club Canine can be your guide to success. Reach out and get the coaching you need to make you and your dog a successful team.

Do you understand the dogs system of communication?

Do you understand how our human system of communication differs from theirs?

CREATING A CONFIDENT PUP By: Lorena Padron, AKC CGC, S.T.A.R. Puppy | Paws All In Dog Training | pawsallindogtraining.com

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art of creating a well-balanced, obedient pup is to build their confidence.

How does a pet parent go about creating a confident pup?

There are many components and variables that affect how confident a dog can be, but one big element is the exposure and socialization of your dog during their first 2 years of life.

During the current pandemic situation, we have spent more time at home with fewer places accessible to go in our day-to-day life.

Therefore, creativity is our friend in making our dogs successful in their much-needed exploring adventures. If our own home is all you can explore, puzzle games are fantastic for mental stimulation and boosting confidence. Not only will your dog have to figure out how to get that tasty treat from the puzzle, but he is playing with a new object.

Socializing your dog directly with other people might be limited, but that does not mean we cannot expose them to different humans and other dogs. Dogs have an extremely powerful nose, and just by walking by places where your dog can see and sniff others at a distance is good exposure.

At Paws All In Dog Training, you offer classes for Rally and Scent Work. Do you think participating in training classes with your dog to learn a skill/sport together builds confidence and if so, how? What are the benefits of these sports?

Learning new skills not only improves your relationship and communication with your dog, but it also increases their level of confidence.

Rally & Scent Work are fun dog sports that anyone can do with their dog. In Rally, we focus on working as a team to learn Obedience skills where you and your dog navigate a course of 10-20 different signs. It is all about how you perform the skills as a team.

Dogs explore the world through their noses, and in the sport of Scent Work they get to learn to search and explore a variety of environments mimicking what police dogs do searching for drugs or explosives, but instead they search for essential oils such as anise, birch, and clove.

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HOUSTON'S

TOP

TRAINERS M

eet some of Houston's Top Trainers who are experienced and will work with you to develop the relationship you desire with your dog. A professional trainer with proven results can literally change the future you will have with your companion dog, as they provide the knowledge and tools you'll need for success. These accomplished trainers offer a myriad of services tailored to your individual circumstances. Give them a call to get started on the path to happy living with your pup!

Peace Love Dogs

Phone: 713.467.1177 URL: peaclovedogshouston.com Address: 9619 Yupondale Dr. Houston 77080 Services: Puppy Training, Adult Dog Training, Behavior Modification, Canine Fitness, Nose Work, AKC Trick Dog, AKC Canine Good Citizen, Prep School (Day Training), Boarding School, Private Lessons, Group Lessons, Canine Academy (Daycare), Overnight Lodging, Grooming About: Our goal is to make every experience a learning opportunity for you and your dog! We utilize relationship-based dog training techniques to assist owners in molding happy, healthy, well-balanced dogs whose only habit is being a best friend and an enjoyable member of the family. It’s school for your dog!

Meadowlake Pet Resort & Training Center

Phone: 713.413.1633 URL: meadowlakepetresort.com Address: 13500 Furman Rd., Houston 77047 Services: Puppy Training; Teach dogs to respond to verbal commands using a positive approach and their natural motivations; Help pet parents learn to maintain their dog’s positive behaviors and even improve them over time; Ensure lasting results through ongoing support and resources.

About: Our award-winning trainers specialize in providing customized programs designed for your needs and goals. We believe training is the most important bonding opportunity for you and your dog, and we aim to bring you closer together through communication and mutual understanding.

Believe in DOG Training

Phone: 713.364.4439 URL: believeindogtraining.com Address: 1029 W. 26th St. Houston 77008 Services: Puppy Experts, Signature Puppy Day School Program, Reactive Rover for Leash Reactivity, Customized Private Lessons, Group Classes, Canine Fitness, AKC Tricks, CGC, Therapy Dog Prep About: We utilize positive, science-based methods that emphasize communication, mutual respect, consistency, and real-life training. Through our dog and people friendly approach, we give owners the knowledge they need to create an invaluable bond with their dog that will last a lifetime.

Canine Country Club

Trainer: Jeff Murphrey Phone: 281.693.3647 URL: mycaninecountryclub. com Address: 1440 Katy Gap Rd., Katy 77494 Services: Professional Instructors. AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy, Canine Good Citizen, CGCAdv., Companion DogCD, Therapy Dogs, Service Dogs, In-Home and Group Instruction. Behavior and Aggression rehab experts.

About: We offer training for all situations from group classes to very individualized programs, all in a safe and positive environment. With a country club setting, our daycare also offers great opportunities to socialize puppies and dogs. We use proven, positive training methods. It is also our mission to train and donate service animals including diabetic alert and seizure alert dogs. All of our trainers are certified dog trainers and behavioral specialists.

Paws All In Dog Training

Trainer: Lorena Padron, AKC CGC, S.T.A.R. Puppy, Trick Dog Evaluator Phone: 832.277.7336 URL: pawsallindogtraining. com Address: Serving The Woodlands, Tomball and Houston Services: Basic Manners & Obedience, Trick Dog Class, Beginner Rally Skills, Intro To Nose Work, Scent Work Puzzles About: At Paws All In Dog Training, we use rewards-based training to work with you and your dog to learn everything you need to enjoy a rich and full life together.

Yuppie Dog Daycare

Trainer: Mary Kegarise Phone: 713.426.5700 URL: yuppiedog.com Address: 2203 Durham, Houston 77007 Services: Temperament Testing, AKC Good Citizen Classes - STAR Puppy, CGC, Advanced Community and Urban, Private in-home sessions, Emphasis on anxiety issues About: Through my years of experience as a canine behavior specialist and veterinary technician, Mary has developed a keen understanding of how to communicate with dogs and their people. She attendded Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine and is an experienced AKC Evaluator.

In additioh, she is the Founder/Director of BAK-PAK Critters Reading Program, a unique non-profit that uses therapy dogs in a reading program in public schools.

Club Canine

Trainers: Dean Miller (IACP Professional, AKC/UKC Certified), Dallas Trull, Don Miller, Caroline Boatman Phone: 281.380.8175 URL: clubcaninehouston.com Address: 4703 Rose St., Houston 77007 Services: Early learning/relationship practices, AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy, CGC & Community Canine (Adv. CGC), Urban Dog, Rally Novice, In Home and Group Instruction. AKC CD, CDX, UD Certified, Aggression Behavior Rehabilitation About: Club Canine fosters a philosophy that training is not On or Off; It’s a lifestyle. The Thinking Dog Training System gives a unique approach that allows all dogs to grow into enjoyable and trustworthy companions.

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Cathy training Savior, a diabetic alert dog

SERVICE DOG TRAINING WITH CATHY DORCHUCK

Photo provided by Cathy Dorchuck

JUMP IN TO DOCK DOG TRAINING AT JOASIS

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ime to have some fun and expend some canine energy! If you have a water-loving, adventurous pup, chances are they might just fall in love with the sport of dock diving. Local business, Joasis, owned by Jo Dunham, offers the perfect environment for learning at her home based facility in Houston. Jo has created an "oasis" in her backyard, thus the name Joasis, where your pup can safely learn anything from swimming to jumping off the regulation sized dock to get that elusive bumper. Joasis also offers pool games, socialization, rehab & exercise as well as doggy birthday parties. The dogs have so much fun, they get great exercise and they get to socialize with other dogs as well. What could be better?

Ready to go this March after the winter break, Joasis offers many great programs and packages. Give your pup the gift of fun and check them out at joasis-houston.com and jump into a new activity!

Certified Biomedical Dog Trainer

www.houstonpettalk.com

Photo provided by Joasis

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raining our companion dogs is important for creating a life-long relationship of trust and managed expectations.

But beyond obedience training of our pets, there are other dogs trained to service human needs such as alerting for seizures and other medical conditions, or providing support for mental issues. Houston is proud to have one of the few individuals in the U.S. certified for biomedical dog training, Cathy Dorchuck, owner of A Pawsitive Approach Dog Training, offers service dog training for medical conditions like diabetes, epilepsy, PTSD, autism and dysautonomia, to name a few.

Recently, Cathy has noted an increased demand for psychiatric service dogs, possibly due to stress brought on by the pandemic.

According to Cathy, "PTSD service dogs reduce the amount of meltdowns and panic attacks by offering coping skills to navigate their environment. The success of the service dog/handler team is not only dependent on our training the dog, but also input from psychiatrists and therapists to improve the quality fo life for the handler." She also notes that certified service dogs require 300 hours of public training and they are not the same as an emotional support animal or therapy dog.

One of the important items to note about Cathy's program is that individuals in need may have a dog already that can be trained (which would be determined in an evaluation) or she can assist the handler in finding just the right dog. The ability to participate or have some control over the selected dog is not always the case with trained service dogs.

The mission of A Pawsitive Approach Dog Training is simple: changing the world, one paw and one hand at a time. Check them out online at apawsitiveapproachtraining.com and on social media to view current students and graduates. If you or someone you know is in need of a service dog, you can complete an application and learn more about how a service dog can benefit you or someone in your family.

OUR PASSION IS

EMERGENCY MEDICINE

THE TRUSTED CHOICE Emergency Care Services Offered: • Trained doctors & veterinary assistants • Blood pressure monitoring • Cardiovascular monitoring & ECG • Emergency surgery • Emergency examinations • Advanced diagnostics • In-house labwork

• Oxygen therapy • Blood transfusions • Pain management • Traumatic wound care • Pulse oximetry • Digital radiography • Ultrasound, Endoscopy

EMERGENCY CARE 713-941-8460

Exit 35

Sam Houston Tollway

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Management Services Provided by VCA Animal Hospitals. • Animal Healthcare of Texas, PC. - Rocky McKelvey, DVM - owner.

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VCA ANIMAL EMERGENCY HOSPITAL SOUTHEAST CALDER ROAD

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VCA Animal Emergency Hospital Southeast Calder Road

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Link Rd

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We’re Always Open

HOLIDAYS & WEEKENDS 2959 SW Freeway Houston, TX SunsetAnytime.com | 713-574-9052

FOR A FREE PET EXAM

Go to SunsetAnytime.com/PetTalk

e h t N I A TR ine n a c IT'S THE REAL THING BABY!

Potty training just got easier with REAL grass training pads. All-natural, disposable and best of all, delivered to your front door! Find yours at freshpatch.com.

TECHNO TRAINING

This wireless dog and cat collar works as an invisible fence to create a safe training experience.

Find yours at amazon.com.

PUZZLES FOR PUPS

The Nina Ottosson by Outward Hound Interactive Puppy HideN-Slide and Challenge Slider are interactive treat puzzle games that works your dog's mind while reducing boredom and destructive behavior.

Available at Believe In Dog Training, believeindogtraining.com.

MASSAGE ME

Pet massage relieves muscle tension, which can help soothe the body and the mind.

The PAW WAVE™ is a healthy treat to reward and bond with massage therapy.

Get yours at pawwave.pet.

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STYLE + FUNCTION Looking for sleek, sophisticated and modern while needing the functionality of a sturdy dog crate? Look no further than at Carter's Pet Market in Echo Lane Shopping Center to find this contemporary crate with two convenient door openings, stainless steel hardware and quality cabinet finish.

Get yours at carterspetmarket.com.

PLAY = EXERCISE

Your pup will love chasing the "lure" at the end of the flirt pole and get plenty of exercise at the same time!

Durable design and also works great as a training tool. Available at Peace Love Dogs, 9619 Yupondale Drive, Houston, 77080, peacelovedogshouston.com.

PULL NO MORE

The Gentle Leader is a revolutionary design that stops dogs from pulling or lunging during walks. The headcollar fits securely over the dog's nose and redirects his head towards when he pulls forward. Available at Peace Love Dogs, peacelovedogshouston.com.

WILL WORK FOR TREATS

Especially the all-natural, tasty, healthy treats from Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming!

If you want Fido to sit and stay, nothing motivates pups like something yummy to eat!

Find tons of variety for every dog’s palette at one of 10 conveniently located Houston locations, woofgangbakery.com.

Houston PetTalk Magazine

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HEALTH

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ven though our cats are much more domesticated than some of their distant feline family members, they may still hide their illnesses and/or pain from us. It is a basic survival instinct that helps keep predators from realizing their weaknesses in the wild but for pets, all it does is potentially delay necessary treatments.

SO HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOUR CAT IS IN PAIN, AND IS IT CHRONIC OR ACUTE?

If your cat is experiencing intense, acute (sudden) pain, you will likely easily determine that they are hurt. However, if your cat is suffering with symptoms of chronic pain (or illness), understand that this can be something that can be hidden for long periods of time. Chronic pain can also impact cats long-term at an emotional level, causing them distress and even

ther does your cat. The regret cat owners feel lies in not going to the vet when they should have rather than going and finding out nothing is wrong with their cat.

Remember that. One thing I have learned in this profession is that people know their animals. They may not even know what is wrong but they know SOMETHING is wrong. Listen to that voice. It may be something as simple as allergies but in knowledge exists power…and peace.

Never ignore obvious signs of illness or pain in a cat and remember we often become aware of pain or illness in our cats after it has been ongoing for some time.

When in doubt, always contact your veterinarian or visit your nearest emergency hospital.

IS IT AN EMERGENCY?

Any trauma is an emergency. Difficulty breathing (open mouth breathing is a big red flag in cats), sudden inability to walk, pale/white/blue gums, collapse/uncon-

tion of, a toxin, a urinary blockage (inability to urinate), ingestion an unsafe object, severe pain, and not eating for 24 hours are just a few reasons to visit your nearest emergency hospital.

Show your cat extra love by scheduling routine visits with your regular veterinarian. It can aid in identifying any illnesses and chronic issues early, keeping your cat healthy and feeling like doing all of the normal cat things that bring us so much joy!

THE SECRETIVE FELINE How To Know When Your Cat Is In Pain making them less resilient to healing.

An example of acute pain: Your cat injures her paw and has obvious trouble walking on it, is very vocal and is reluctant to let you touch her paw. You can easily determine that she is in pain and that a visit to your veterinarian is in order.

An example of chronic pain: Your cat has a more chronic condition, such as dental disease or arthritis, and may show very little indication that he is in pain.

The changes will happen slowly over a long period of time and you may easily miss the decline and/or change in their health and daily activities. Your cat may only display signs when the pain reaches a high level of intensity. This is when it becomes vital to recognize even the slightest change in their behavior.

WHEN IS IT TIME TO GO TO THE VET?

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Let’s face it, nobody wants to spend their days not feeling well or in pain. Nei-

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sciousness/unresponsiveness, seizure, dizziness/imbalance/circling, moderate to profuse bleeding, exposure to, or inges-

DON’T LET OSTEOARTHRITIS PAIN

KEEP YOUR DOG DOWN HAVE YOU NOTICED ANY OF THE FOLLOWING IN YOUR DOG? Easily gets tired or lags behind on walks

Has trouble getting up from a resting position

Is reluctant to run, play or climb stairs

Has gained weight in the past year

Limps or appears stiff after exercise

Inflammation in the joints causes pain and cartilage damage which can lead to stiffness and decreased mobility.

Ask your veterinarian to evaluate your dog’s joints today.

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HEALTH

A RELIEF IN THE END Veterinary Medicine's "Substitute Teachers"

I

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have told non-veterinary acquaintances many times that it is completely okay if they don’t understand what my job is as a relief veterinarian, because honestly, even some veterinarians have trouble describing it. We are veterinary medicine’s substitute teachers, jumping in when the regulars are ill or away to keep the place going even if the universe (or the clinic’s computer system) conspires against us.

We are veterinary medicine’s Mary Poppins, swooping in when there is a sudden staff shortage but then humbly flying away again once we are no longer needed. We are veterinary medicine’s independent contractor expatriates, freely moving to a place where we don’t know the local language or what drawer the syringes are kept in, but learning all of that on the job.

Due to all of this, being a successful relief veterinarian takes a very specific

Laura A. Ron, DVM seniorpaws.vet

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kind of person. Some of us do exist, but there is a sub-type that is even rarer still: the hospice/euthanasia-practice-friendly relief veterinarian.

All veterinarians have pieces of what you need to do veterinary hospice and in-home euthanasia, but only some have enough pieces to do it well. You have to be gifted at reading a room, especially since the room you will be reading is in someone’s home and full of many different stages/varieties of grief. You have to be willing to tackle complexity, such as a 26-year-old cat on ten medications. You have to be at peace with death, because you will meet him multiple times per shift.

If you are able to do this, the rewards are there. The majority of families who consult with a veterinarian for hospice and in-home euthanasia love their pets dearly and are so thankful for your services. The pets often are as well; sometimes you can see the moment that pain leaves their eyes, maybe for the first time in a very long time.

I would argue that being a relief veterinarian for hospice/in-home euthanasia

clinics brings an even further layer of rewards. Relief veterinarians are unique because our clients and patients aren’t the only ones who we come to work to serve; we are also there for the clinic’s permanent staff. Our covering one of their shifts lets them take time off that they might not have had otherwise, keeping their own mental health in check and letting them hit their next workday of patient care as fresh as possible. We also usually work at clinics all around town, so we can be ambassadors as well as continuations of care. I have sometimes seen a patient at a general practice one day, then been able to peacefully euthanize them at home the next.

Not every relief veterinarian is made for hospice/in-home euthanasia work, but if you ever get to see one on the job, consider it a gift. We bring a special set of skills, and just because it isn’t our full-time job doesn’t mean that we don’t do it to the fullest.

Houston PetTalk Magazine

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HEALTH

CAT’S OUT OF THE BAG Your Feline Is at Risk of Arthritis

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bracadabra! Our frisky felines are great masters of disguise. Cats cleverly hide ailments and conditions, presenting the illusion of a picture of health and this may not always be the case. Today, as many as one out of every three cats are suffering silently from the painful condition of arthritis. Often overlooked and misinterpreted, arthritis can remain hidden from many feline families and develop without any recognition.

Arthritis is characterized by inflammation and pain at the boney “hinges” called joints. Much like us, cats with aching joints can walk and jump normally, although they will modify their activity to accommodate for discomfort. The inflammation and pain associated with arthritis can be missed by many cat owners and is simply lumped into the mistaken assumption that “Fluffy is just getting old”. Do you know if your little Houdini is walking around every day

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By Jennifer Hennessey, DVM, CVJ animalernwh.com

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with aching joints and hiding a level of burden from arthritis pain? Be aware and watch for activities such as using furniture to help get up on counters and other higher furniture, jumping from one item to another, as well as dismounting in a step wise fashion. Also, you may catch your feline acting tired, laying around more or less interested in playful activities. These symptoms can correlate with other underlying illnesses and it is important to seek a veterinary evaluation if these types of things are noticed. Over time, joint disease will advance, interrupting your feline’s mobility and activities. A full veterinary medical exam will allow for joint and muscle palpation as well as the opportunity for diagnostic tests, including X-ray imaging.

This could lead to an earlier diagnosis of arthritis and possible treatment plans.

While there is no magic wand to prevent or heal your feline of underlying joint arthritis, many measures can be used to

boost the comfort and quality of living of your little Felix and Fluffy. Common methods of joint health management include things like controlling obesity, feeding supplements that target joint comfort as well as administering medications for joint inflammation and pain relief. Keeping your feline active throughout his nine lives should involve your veterinarian, who will have a variety of options in their bag of tricks.

Don’t fall for the routine act your kitty is showing you! He or she may need help and you can contact your veterinarian to find out what can be conjured up in way of evaluation and care. While no disappearing act, arthritis requires more than a little hocus pocus, but can be safely managed to keep your little magician on top of his game.

HEALTH

SAGO PALM

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The Silent Killer Lurking In Your Yard ago palms (also known as Coontie Palms, Cardboard Palms, Cycads, or Zamias) are ornamental plants made up of shiny dark green palm leaves and a thick shaggy trunk which generally sits low to the ground. Sago palms are a popular ornamental plant in the Southern US given their attractive appearance and low maintenance upkeep.

Unfortunately these plants are extremely toxic to dogs and cats. Ingestion of any part of the plant is poisonous, however the seeds (nuts) are the most poisonous and easiest for pets to eat (compared to the spiky palms).

CLINICAL SIGNS

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The amount of plant ingested as well as any other co-existing illnesses will determine the severity and onset of signs caused by plant ingestion. Vomiting, drooling, diarrhea, or decreased appetite may be noted within minutes of ingestion due to irritation to the gastrointestinal tract caused by the toxic component of the sago palm (Cycasin). If left untreated this can be followed by jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), bleeding into the skin, gums, urine, or stool, neurologic signs Katie Rhue, DVM, MS, DACVECC (Critical Care). Sugar Land Veterinary Specialists,

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such as stumbling, tremors, or seizures, coma, and potentially death. Not all patients experience gastrointestinal signs, but can still progress to liver damage, clotting disorders, and/or neurologic signs.

This means if you believe your pet may have ingested part of a sago palm plant, he/she should be evaluated by a veterinarian immediately even if you do not see any of the signs described above.

DIAGNOSIS

Unfortunately there are not any specific tests that can be performed to diagnose sago palm poisoning, so your veterinarian will make this diagnosis through a combination of laboratory testing with a history consistent with possible exposure. If your pet is showing any concerning signs your veterinarian will perform generalized bloodwork to evaluate your pet’s liver function and clotting function as well as to exclude other possible causes of your pets signs. This means if your pet is ill and there is any potential exposure to a sago palm, you should inform your veterinarian right away so they can perform diagnostic tests and if indicated, start treatment immediately to try to improve your pet’s outcome.

TREATMENT

While there are not any specific diagnostic tests for sago palm poisoning, unfortunately there is not an antidote

either. Treatment is mainly supportive and will depend on the severity of your pet’s signs. Early treatment is key for survival which makes a prompt diagnosis essential.

Possible treatments include induction of vomiting (if exposure was recent and your pet is not showing any concerning signs), administration of medications to bind any potential toxin remaining in the gastrointestinal tract, anti-nausea medication, liver protectants, and medications to promote clot formation. If your pet is clinically bleeding, a plasma and/or blood transfusion may also be indicated.

PROGNOSIS

Prognosis is dependent on how much toxin was ingested and how quickly treatment is initiated. For pets with very recent exposure where vomiting is induced quickly, the prognosis is fair. Once a pet is showing clinical signs, prognosis is considered guarded. If your pets’ liver begins to fail the prognosis is considered guarded to poor. In some cases your pet may recover and then experience liver failure several months later.

This makes prevention of exposure imperative to prevent a possible tragedy.

As all parts of this plant are toxic, it is recommended that people with pets not keep this plant in their yard. Additionally, if you already have a sago palm in your yard, it may be better to fence off the area with the sago palm to keep your pet away instead of digging it up for removal. The turning of the soil that occurs when one is dug up may expose previously buried seeds which your pet can then ingest.

Given their potential deadly nature, everything possible should be done to prevent ingestion of this beautiful but toxic plant.

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re you leaving town for an amazing vacation or a weekend business trip?

Are you worried whether or not your furry feline friend will be safe at home? If so, boarding your cat at an accommodating pet facility offers various benefits and creates a worry-free environment for both you and your feline companion.

Such as people, cats become bored, stressed, and anxious without human companionship. It is not recommended for cats to be left alone for more than one day without attention or stimulation. Boredom, stress, and anxiety in cats can lead to mischief and at times illness. Boarding your cat at an accommodating facility while you are away is extremely beneficial to your pet’s health and safety. Although it is a common characteristic that cats are low maintenance, there are multiple hazards that may come

water on a daily basis. It is a common misconception to leave heaping piles of food out for your cat while you're away. This could lead to overeating and very upset stomachs.

record your pet’s food intake and administer medications when necessary. Senior cats or cats with special needs are safely cared for and monitored while under the care of a

FELINE BOARDING & GROOMING The Benefits of Both!

into play while your cat is left home alone for consecutive days. Our feline friends are considered very curious and will often get into objects around your home that might be hazardous to their health. For instance, they might try to eat or play with a small object that may cause choking, or a blockage that may result in possible surgery. Our companions miss us during our absence and can have a tendency to lash out, much like children. Cats enjoy heights and can jump as high as five feet! They are able to squeeze their bodies into spaces half the size of their body mass. Boarding your feline can ensure those precious breakable keepsakes that are kept up high remain in perfect condition upon your return.

Cats become worried and may begin to over-groom themselves, go to the bathroom outside of their litter box, and will not eat or drink once their food or water becomes stale. Cats need access to fresh food and

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Pathogens such as Salmonella and E. Coli can start to form on wet food that has been sitting out in excess of two hours.

Choosing to board your pet allows for your animal to keep their routine. At most facilities an attendant will maintain and

boarding facility. Attendants are trained to keep a close eye on your fur baby and notify you of any event or concerns. They provide daily love, attention, and ensure safety of your companion while providing a worryfree atmosphere for you!

Make Your Boarding or Grooming Appointment With Blessed Paws Luxury Pet Resort, blessedpaws.com 20130 Kuykendahl Road Spring, TX 77379 (832) 990-7297 | reservations@blessedpaws.com

PROFESSIONAL GROOMING

Grooming your cat regularly is an essential part to your pet’s health and well-being. Certain breeds such as, Himalayans, Ragdolls, Maine Coons, and Persians, need regular grooming to keep their coat nourished and healthy.

When cats are left alone for too long, they can become anxious and will over-groom themselves. You may notice signs such as thinning of the hair, bald spots, or increased frequency of hairballs. A cat's tongue is covered in hundreds of little spines called papillae that spring up into action while grooming. Over-grooming can result in painful or infected sores caused by their rough tongue. Although most cats do the majority of their grooming, there are certain areas they simply cannot clean without the help of a professional groomer. A groomer is able to check for matting of the hair, fleas, ticks, tapeworms, and lumps that might have gone unnoticed prior to grooming.

Medium to long-haired felines are prone to have pieces of litter and feces trapped in the fur particularly near the tail and hindquarters. With the help of a professional groomer, this becomes easy to maintain as well as prevent the occurrence of hairballs.

Blessed Paws Luxury Pet Resort offers both cat boarding and cat grooming to satisfy all of your frisky friend’s needs. Blessed Paws has thoughtfully designed cat condos in which your graceful cat can lounge around in luxury.

You will be sent daily updates of your pet's well-being through pictures, videos, and heartfelt messages from a care attendant so you can have peace of mind knowing your cat is being cared for and is safe. The Blessed Paws team is there to Love, Serve, and Play with your best friends while being only steps away from My Family Vet, where they care for your pets like family!

The next time you're thinking of leaving your cat home alone, stop by and meet the Blessed Paws team, come tour the facility, and take a look inside the luxurious life at Blessed Paws. To find more information or inquire about cat boarding and cat grooming, visit blessedpaws.com.

WHEN CATS ARE LEFT ALONE FOR TOO LONG, THEY CAN BECOME ANXIOUS AND WILL OVER-GROOM THEMSELVES. YOU MAY NOTICE SIGNS SUCH AS THINNING OF THE HAIR, BALD SPOTS, OR INCREASED FREQUENCY OF HAIRBALLS.

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The Pantanal is a natural region encompassing the world's largest tropical wetland area, and the world's largest flooded grasslands. It is located mostly within the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso do Sul, but it extends into Mato Grosso and portions of Bolivia and Paraguay.

WILD ABOUT ANIMALS

By Michelle Mantor photographybyprudence.com

Wild About Animals is a monthly feature written by our Editor with the mission of educating the public on the value of all species.

Baby anteater, "Traci"

T

here is no question that our universe is chock full of a variety of animals that have amazing capabilities and design.

From the brilliant colors of a peacock’s tail, to the enormity of an elephant, to the speed and grace of a cheetah, there are endless examples of God’s creativity. As someone who is fascinated by the animal kingdom, I recognize that a large part of that fascination is the vast amount of different species on earth, coupled with their uniquely adapted bodies and instincts for survival. In this month’s column, I want to introduce you to a truly unique creature that you may have heard of but you may not know its incredible adaptations to the environment, the giant anteater.

I was excited for our Houston Zoo photoshoot at the anteater enclosure, not knowing quite what to expect regarding how we could get a good close-up image, given that we would be separated by glass or fences. If there is one thing I have learned in my years of animal photoshoots, it's that animals do what they want.

In particular, wild animals may or may not come close enough

for a photo. Admittedly, the “not knowing” element of our zoo photoshoots is part of the excitement!

When we arrived for our anteater experience, zoo keeper John Scaramucci showed us the large plastic tube filled with peanut butter that would attract Olive, the resident female anteater at the zoo, to come over for a photo. I was thrilled we would be literally inches apart, only separated by glass. (However, our photographer, Prudence Allwein, wasn’t as thrilled given that the reflection of the plastic was nearly impossible to photograph and see “Olive” with baby “Traci"

the anteater tongue in action).

When the signal was given to let Olive out, I could see her coming from the back of her enclosure in the new Pantanal exhibit of the zoo (more on that next month!), we got a super bonus as she approached: she had a baby on her back! It was the cutest thing and another indicator of Mother Nature’s perfect design. The baby, named Traci, was so closely matched to the mother’s coloring, that I didn’t notice the baby until she was close. In the wild, carrying their young in this way also makes the mother look larger to any predator.

The design of the anteater’s body is quite remarkable. You’ve most likely seen their long thin snout and variegated coloring of browns and blacks and grays to help them blend into the environment, but the truly crazy thing about the anteater’s anatomy is their best weapon of survival, their sticky tongue. As Olive and her baby Traci approached the plastic tube filled with peanut butter and pelleted food, she went right for the food, thrusting her VERY long and VERY skinny tongue into the tube, darting all around to capture the contents. I have to say it was both cool and creepy at the same time because the tongue’s action was a bit like a slithery snake LOL! Nonetheless, the design of the tongue allows the anteater to capture ants very quickly and send them to the stomach for digestion.

Anteaters are edentate animals,

meaning they have no teeth. But their long tongues are more than sufficient to lap up the 35,000 ants and termites they swallow whole each day. Research has found that giant anteaters can identify the particular species of ant or termite by smell before they rip apart the prey's nest. When feeding, sticky saliva coats the tongue. The 2-foot-long tongue is attached to the sternum and can flick in and out up to 150 times per minute.

Before Olive came out, I could see the male anteater farther back in the exhibit and I could see why they are called the giant anteater… he was surprisingly large! As the largest of all four anteater species, the giant anteater averages between six and eight feet long and can weigh up to 140 pounds.

You may have also heard of the “lesser” anteater, technically known as the tamandua (in 2018, Houston Zoo President Lee Ehmke was pictured with a tamandua in the December Notable Houstonians feature), which has less fur and proportionately smaller snout.

Giant anteaters protect their sharp front claws by tucking them into their palms and walking on their front knuckles (their back feet and claws are more similar to bears). They walk in a slow, shuffling gait but when necessary can gallop at over 30 miles per hour.

They can also climb and swim!

Reproductively, giant anteaters are usually solitary mammals, but do come together to mate and raise their young. Females gives birth to a single baby (twins are rare) while in a standing position, propped up by her strong tail.

When a pup is born, it has a full coat of hair and is almost identical to the adult. The pup spends the first year of life hitching a ride on its mother's back.

The habitat of the giant anteater ranges from Honduras in Central America to the Gran Chaco region of Bolivia in South America, and are found in tropical and dry forests, savannas, and grasslands. Currently, this species is not endangered, but they have already disappeared from much of

their habitat due to habitat loss, especially from fires in grassland regions, hunting (both for food and as pests), as well as being killed by vehicles and pet dogs.

It is estimated that only 5,000

giant anteaters are left in the wild.

Amazingly, giant anteaters have been around for 25 million years!

I wish the anteater species could live in Texas because we definitely have plenty of fire ant mounds for

them to munch on! Although we aren’t so lucky to have them here in the Lone Star state, let’s hope they can “nose” their way into another million years on our planet through conservation efforts.

The anteater’s sticky tongue can be up to 2 feet long.

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Conservation Corner As appreciative supporters of nature and wildlife, we at Houston PetTalk want to promote education and conservation of the world’s animal population. Each month we bring you information on conservation efforts that are of special interest or have some connection to Houston through the Houston Zoo or the TWRC Wildlife Center. This issue, we highlight the zoo's support of the Attwater's prairie chicken.

Look for other upcoming conservation stories so that you too can help save a species.

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he month of March brings springtime, warmer weather, and the start of a critically endangered bird’s – the Attwater’s prai-

By: Lauren Wappler, Houston Zoo

Photo credit, Stephanie Adams/Houston Zoo

Saving the Attwater’s Prairie Chicken

rie chicken’s - breeding season.

Zookeepers at the Houston Zoo work diligently to help increase this rare grouse’s population in the wild, both by breeding this bird behind-the-scenes at the Zoo

and eventually releasing the adult birds into the wild.

Since 1995, the Houston Zoo has raised and released more than a thousand Attwater’s prairie chickens into the wild. Even during a worldwide pandemic, this number continues to grow, as an additional 58 Attwater’s prairie chickens were released in 2020, and the 2021 breeding season is beginning. In addition to the Houston Zoo, the Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, George Miksch Sutton Avian Research Center in Oklahoma, and the Caldwell Zoo are also involved with this wildlifesaving project.

With historic populations numbering close to 1,000,000 birds, it is estimated that less than 100 of these birds are left roaming in the prairies today. The Houston Zoo manages the captive breeding program for the Attwater’s prairie chicken with breeding facilities both at NASA’s Johnson Space Center (JSC) and behind-thescenes at the Zoo. During breed-

ing season, staff incubate the eggs and raise the chicks at the Zoo until they are large enough to go back to NASA, before being released back into the wild and joining existing populations.

Because their natural response is to hide and then flee from any perceived threat, the hustle and bustle of Houston can be a challenging environment for the birds to process. Therefore, a special partnership with NASA at JSC was established. Although the birds themselves are cared for by Houston Zoo staff, the breeding flock of Attwater’s prairie chickens resides in a series of specialized pens located in a quiet field at JSC. These pens first held birds in 2005 and have been instrumental in increasing the success of the program because they more closely resemble the birds’ natural habitat. Zookeepers work closely with the Gulf Coast chapter of Texas Master Naturalists to remove invasive plants from the pens and plant native

grasses for the birds to shelter in, turning the pens into miniature native prairies.

While these amazing birds face many threats once they are in the wild, robust captive breeding programs around the state serve as a safety net, giving this species a fighting chance. In addition to protecting Attwater’s prairie chickens in the wild, the Houston Zoo works to save other

Texas species like the Houston toad and several sea turtle species.

Although guests to the Houston Zoo cannot see the Attwater’s prairie chicken when they visit, they can still help to protect this endangered species. A portion of every Zoo admission ticket and mem-

bership is donated to conservation efforts, like the Attwater’s prairie chicken, and helps the Zoo continue to connect communities with animals and inspire action to save wildlife.

Houston PetTalk Magazine

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TAIL END

BIRD BASICS

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Foraging Ideas To Keep Your Avian Healthy & Happy

nlike dogs and cats which have been domesticated for thousands of years, your pet bird is still truly a wild animal that just happens to be living in a domestic environment. Captive birds retain their full array of natural instincts and habits, and as their caretakers, it’s important to give them opportunities to exercise these behaviors.

Their brains are built to actively solve problems and forage throughout the day.

Without the ability to exercise their foraging instincts, serious issues arise including feather picking, screaming, aggression, and depression, resulting from having too little to do throughout their day.

In order to provide foraging stimulation and problem solving, here are few ideas for your pet bird to keep them chirping with content!

1. Where’s The Food? Offering multiple feeding stations encourages the bird to wander and explore outside of his cage or play area. You can keep the

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food nearby the cage and limit the area to where he is comfortable, but still providing a chance to mix things up.

2. Find The Food: To encourage foraging, start by placing your first foraging toys in your bird’s normal food bowl so that they get the idea that these devices contain food. Once your bird gets used to taking these toys apart, you can start hiding them around different parts of their cage so that they have a fun hunting game to keep them busy throughout the day. You can also use clicker training to reinforce foraging behavior. If you enjoy crafts, you can make your own toys with items from the craft store, or you can purchase toys but just make sure the materials are all-natural.

3. Wrapped Treats: Try wrapping food treats in paper, then twist the ends with natural rope or vegan leather and hang from the cage (rope that frays is dangerous for your bird so be sure to use something like manila rope). If your bird is not the most adventurous, you can poke holes to give them a head start on uncovering the goodies inside. If your bird’s cage doesn’t have a play top, coconut shell perches that hold food can be placed on the outside of the cage or place a foraging

tree just outside the cage for your bird climb on and find food.

4. For The Big Bird: Another quick and easy foraging toy that works especially well for larger birds involves a toilet paper roll and shredded paper. You simply place the food in the center of the roll, and then stuff each end with shredded paper and you have a cheap, easy to make foraging treat!

There are tons of ideas online for making foraging toys. Other options include toys made of dry pasta or cardboard boxes.

Use the web to help you get creative and to learn what items are safe. And remember, when deciding on what types of foraging toys to make, think about what kinds of food your bird would be eating in the wild.

Larger, hook-billed birds are going to be foraging for large nuts and other tough-tocrack objects, so you’ll want to give them harder, thicker material to work at, while smaller birds such as song birds will need easier to dismantle treats to satisfy their foraging needs.

Most of all, remember to mix things up to reduce boredom and have fun making the treats. You can even have a treatmaking party with other avian aficionados to share ideas!