Animal wellness
February/March 2009
Animal wellness For a long, healthy life!
Toothsome
Living pawsitive!
tidbits Tips for cleaner teeth, stronger
who won? Check out our
gums and fresher breath
animal Wellness Magazine
Menopausal Mutts
Amazing Animals Photo Contest
winnerS!
How hormonal deficiencies can affect spayed and neutered dogs
Henry’s
Animal-friendly remodeling
healing powers
Top seven dog parenting tips Why training & happiness go hand-in-hand
Simple solutions
How to help him “brush” his own teeth
February/March Display until March 23, 2009 VOLUME 11 ISSUE 1
$5.95 USA/Canada
VOLUME 11 ISSUE 1
Shedding extra pounds
www.AnimalWellnessMagazine.com
animal wellness
Contents February/March 2009 Brian Stemmler, Stemmler Photography
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features 20 More than his mouth
51 Amazing Animals PHOTO Contest Winners!
70 Lights, camera, action!
Check out our gallery of prize-winning shots
An experienced animal trainer for film and TV shares a few of his secrets
Training success means being a good pooch parent
58 Dental care 101
74 Henry’s healing powers
30 Animalfriendly remodeling
Follow these eight steps for clean teeth, strong gums and fresh breath
Meet a feline “tripod” therapist who has inspired thousands with his can-do attitude
60 Get off the couch!
80 A simple solution
66 Trail blazer
Healthy nutrition for dogs and cats is one woman’s life mission
84 Champion for health
67 For “menopausal” mutts
86 Hiring a dog walker?
Left untreated, poor dental health can affect his overall well being
26 Top 7 dog parenting tips
Doing some home renovations this spring? Make sure your companion stays safe and stress-free
38 Chew this over!
If your dog won’t let you brush his teeth, help him do it himself – with a toy or treat designed for dental health
44 Toothsome tidbits
These foods can help support strong teeth and gums
animal wellness
Spring is a great time for you and your dog to work off those extra pounds you put on over the winter
Did you know hormonal deficiencies can affect spayed and neutered dogs? This natural HRT substitute is one answer
Dental solutions and sprays are an easy way to fight plaque and tartar on a dog or cat’s teeth
Enhancing wellness with quality foods and unique supplements
Remember to consider her well being and convenience along with your canine companion’s
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Columns
Departments
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14 Yakkity yak 34 Dr. Martin Goldstein 78
Warm & fuzzy
88 Passages 90 Book reviews 98 Tail end
8 Editorial 12 Mail bag 33 Product picks
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62 Wellness resource guide 82 The scoop 92 Ad spots 96 Events calendar 97 Classifieds
animal wellness
Brian Stemmler, Stemmler Photography
Trainer Nicole Wilde teaches a golden retriever to shake a paw for a treat.
Top 7 dog parenting tips Having trouble getting Rover to do what you want? Training success means being a good pooch parent. by Paul Owens
I
n my first book, The Dog Whisperer, I related the story of the psychiatrist wife and psychologist husband who called me for help because their dog was misbehaving and they had to keep him in the basement. These two professionals knew more about psychology and classical and operant conditioning than I will ever know. They had successfully raised their children with the most up-to-date theories and modern, non-violent methods. But they never thought to apply what they knew to their dog. So there he sat in the basement, because they didn’t know how to correct his barking, stealing and jumping behaviors. Many people don’t realize that the same parenting principles that kept us safe and helped us learn, grow and shape our behaviors as children also work with dogs. All
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unwanted behaviors in dogs can be relieved by applying some good, proactive parenting skills. Good parenting is all about maintaining health and safety, setting realistic goals, being consistent, using nonviolent discipline, stimulating mental and physical growth with play and exercise, and making sure your dog has quiet time and a place to get away from it all.
1. Take care of his health Successful training depends on you and your dog’s developing skills; however, his health must always be first and foremost. Make an appointment with your veterinarian to ensure your dog has a clean bill of health.
2. Use restraint and confinement Many of my clients express an aversion to restraining or confining their dogs – some even feel it’s cruel and inhumane. Since positive training is all about flow rather than physically competing with the dog, they question how restraint and confinement could even be considered.
Poor communication and ineffective leadership are the two primary reasons people struggle with problem behaviors in their dogs. Restraining means putting a dog on a leash or cable. Confining means placing him behind a barrier such as a baby gate, exercise pen, fence or dog run. Think of a parent holding a child by the hand. Until the child becomes responsible, he or she must be protected. Similarly, until your dog is reliable and no longer running into the street, chewing up everything in the house, or eliminating on floors and carpets, management is required.
gradually and never leave him tethered if you are not in the same room.
3. Have realistic expectations Older or larger dogs can’t always do what younger or smaller ones can do, and vice versa. Train at your dog’s individual learning rate and take his physical and emotional abilities into account.
4. Install routines and consistency Being consistent includes establishing daily routines. A dog’s temperament and his ability to handle stress are directly related to his ability to “predict the future”. If you feed your dog at set times, play and walk at set times, groom and massage at set times, he will learn to relax and remain calm at other times. This doesn’t mean you should become a prisoner to a schedule or that spontaneity is lost; dogs have to learn to roll with life’s vagaries just as we do. It simply means that doing some things routinely through the day can dramatically improve his stress management skills. Continued on next page...
I tell clients that if they follow step-by-step procedures of positive training for tethering, the dog is not traumatized in the least. And within weeks, he will graduate and be allowed to roam free in the house without having to be tethered. Successful tethering eliminates the need for corrections because the dog can’t get into trouble and it keeps everyone safe. It is achieved easily and without stress by simply: • Tying your dog’s leash or cable to something so it’s flat on the ground. • Standing in front of your dog and giving high valued treats (like chicken) so that being restrained is associated with something wonderful. • Progressing to asking him to lie down (a relaxed position) and then giving treats. • Gradually increasing your distance and the duration before giving treats. It would be abusive to tie a dog to something and allow him to exhaust or hurt himself trying to get free. That’s why it’s so important to acclimatize your dog
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