Sit Means Sit of Palm Beach County presents
Pawsitively Amazing
Month, Year - Vol 1, Issue 1
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| Dear, Pet Enthusiast |
Welcome to this edition of our electronic newsletter designed for dog lovers who might want some helpful tips on training. This is also to help keep our Palm Beach clients informed on what's happening in our local area. To manage your subscription to this newsletter just scroll over to the sign up section. If you feel that your friends could use some information, or our services, then forward this to them. Bob Burnell Sit Means Sit of Palm Beach County 561-543-5583 RobertBurnell@sitmeanssit.com
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Sit Means Sit Instructor video
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It's all about having fun
Here is a video of one of our instructors with his dog. This video illustrates how control and obedience yields a happy, well behaved dog. It also shows one more way to have some fun with your dog.
Video
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Heartworms in Dogs - What They Are & What to Do Sit Means Sit Archive
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Heartworms (Latin name Dirofilaria immitis)
are parasitic worms that are common in both dogs and cats. Like their
name suggests, they live in the dog's heart, normally free-floating in
the right ventricle and nearby blood vessels. The worms are
transmitted from dog to dog by mosquitoes which pass the worm larvae
through their saliva. The presence of heartworms can be very dangerous
to the dog's health. Although the dog will not display signs of
infection until it has progressed considerably, heartworms can be life
threatening and are sometimes difficult to detect and diagnose.
Signs of Heartworm Infection
When a dog is first infected with heartworms, there are literally no
signs and the presence of heartworms can not be detected even with a
blood test. Once the worm larva reaches the heart and matures,
however, signs that are detectible by X-ray start to develop almost
immediately. These include damage to the blood vessels around the
heart and lungs. It is rare that a dog will be infected by only one
worm and as the mature worms in the heart grow in size and number, the
conditions worsen, eventually causing a blockage of blood flow. It is
at this point that the dog will start to display physical signs which
can include pain, hypertension, difficulty breathing, lethargy or even
fainting. In extremely progressed cases the dog can suffer from heart
failure and death although by the time the heartworm disease has
reached this stage the owner has probably realized that something is
going on and sought veterinary care.
Treating Heartworm Infection
Once a dog has been diagnosed as having heartworms, treatment must
be started. What this treatment is and how it is administered is
dependant on the stage of heartworm infection. Generally, there are
four stages of heartworm disease.
Stage One - Dogs at the lowest risk - heartworms are detected in X-rays but all other tests appear normal.
Stage Two - Dogs are moderately infected, may have some difficulty breathing and be demonstrating coughing
Stage Three - Dogs are severely affected & may display weight loss,
have difficulty breathing, blood tests likely show kidney and/or liver
damage
Stage Four - Dogs have Vena Cava Syndrome and are in shock, essentially
dying - surgery may be undertaken to remove worms, but there is no
guarantee that it will save the dog.
When it comes to heartworms in dogs, prevention truly is the best
medicine. The best time to begin a preventative treatment is early in
puppy-hood, before the dog is seven months old since dogs older than
seven months are at a great risk for adverse reactions to the
preventative treatments.
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MICROCHIPPING FOR YOUR DOG'S SAFETY
Dr. Dawn Ruben
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General Practice & Preventative Medicine
OVERVIEW
Microchips
are fast becoming a popular method for permanent identification of
pets. The chips are considered reliable and an effective way to
identify lost pets. The chip is small, compact and easily inserted
under the skin. But once inserted, there are two other equally
important components of the microchip system that must be in place in
order to properly identify and return lost pets to their owners; the
microchip scanner and an accessible and accurate database. However,
there is controversy regarding the chips and scanners.
The Controversy
AVIDŽ
and Home AgainŽ microchips read on a frequency of 125 khz and have been
commonly used in veterinary hospitals and shelters across the United States.
Each company has universal scanners that can identify chips from each
other as well as other microchip companies that create chips that are
also 125 khz. Controversy involving microchips exists because one
company (BanfieldŽ) introduced a chip that was 134.2 khz and
incompatible with other readers. Therefore, pets chipped with BanfieldŽ
microchips could not be identified with the most common microchip
scanners on the market in the U.S. Banfield has since stopped selling
the undetectable microchips in their clinics.
THE MICROCHIP
The
microchip is a tiny computer chip or transponder about the size of a
grain of rice. It stores an identification number and transmits that
information through radio waves to the appropriate scanner. Typically,
the microchip number contains 10 characters, making available 275
billion separate codes. This makes it highly unlikely that the same
identifying code will be used more than once. Rest assured that your
pet will have a unique microchip code.
Microchips are composed
of a silicon chip and tiny antenna encased in biocompatible glass. The
microchips come pre-loaded in a syringe, and the needle is inserted
just under the skin between the shoulder blades where the microchip is
implanted. The entire procedure takes less than 10 seconds and is only
as painful as a vaccination injection.
After injection, the tissue
surrounding the microchip reacts to this new substance and forms a
casing. This helps prevent migration of the microchip. Since the
microchip is made of biocompatible material, rejection is uncommon and
infection at the site is very rare.
THE MICROCHIP SCANNER
The
microchip scanner is used as a power source for the microchip and is
used to receive the message encoded in the chip. The scanner uses
electromagnetic energy to empower the chip to transmit its message
through radio waves, which are normally at specific frequencies for
each manufacturer of microchips. For this reason, in the past, not all
scanners could read all brands of microchips.
In an effort to
address this potential problem, in 1996, the International Standards
Organization published that universal readers must be produced.
Scanners are provided to animal control, humane shelters and other
rescue organizations in an effort to ensure that every stray pet is
scanned and those with chips are reunited with their owners.
Veterinarians can also purchase scanners for use in their hospital.
MICROCHIP DATABASE
Even
if your pet has a microchip and is properly scanned, without an
accessible database, this information will not return your pet to you.
When contacted with the identification code of a missing pet, the
database personnel can retrieve the pet's information. Each microchip
that is sold is registered to the veterinary hospital or shelter that
purchased it. It is the responsibility of the veterinary hospital to
record your pet's unique microchip identification number in his record
and notify the microchip database.
In addition, you can
register your pet in your own name for faster notification when your
lost pet has been found. There is a charge for this service. These
microchip databases are usually available 24 hours a day and are even
accessible via the Internet. But remember, the database, as with
computers, is only as good as the data it contains. Annual confirmation
of your pet's microchip information is strongly recommended.
VARIOUS MICROCHIP COMPANIES
In the United States,
there are currently two active suppliers of microchips. American
Veterinary Identification Devices (AVIDŽ) and HomeAgainŽ. Each has
unique codes and each support their own databases. Each is readily
accessible.
AVIDŽ
To
date, AVIDŽ has sold several million microchips. According to a
spokesperson, a pet is reunited with his owner every 32 minutes.
Currently, over 142, 000 lost pets have been returned home. For more
information on AVIDŽ microchips, visit them at www.avidid.com or call
1-800-336-AVID.
HOMEAGAINŽ
To
date, HomeAgainŽ has sold over 500,000 microchips and over 34,000 pets
have been reunited with their owners. For more information on
HomeAgainŽ microchips, visit them at http://www.homeagainid.com/ or
call the HomeAgain Pet Recovery Service at 1-866-PET-ID24
(1-866-738-4324).
HOW IT WORKS
Your
pet escapes the yard and is found a few miles away by an animal control
officer, who takes the pet back to the shelter and scans the pet in
hopes of finding a microchip code. When a code is found and displayed
on the scanner, the shelter employee is able to determine which
database to contact for further information. Once the database is
contacted, the microchip code is given.
At this point, there
are two outcomes. If the owner did not register his name and telephone
number with the database, the veterinary clinic that purchased the
microchip is listed. Unfortunately, the pet must stay at the shelter
until the veterinary clinic can be contacted, usually the next business
day, in order to determine the name and telephone number of the owner.
The
other potential outcome is based on owner's paying an additional fee
and registering his name, address and telephone number, including
alternates, with the database. In this situation, the database is able
to supply your telephone number to the shelter employee. The shelter
can then contact you directly, resulting in reuniting you with your pet
that night.
RECOMMENDATIONS
ˇ It is recommended that all pets are microchipped. Even those pets that do not venture outside may escape one day.
ˇ Register
your pet!!! It is recommended that you pay the additional fee and have
your name and telephone number listed with the microchip code.
ˇ It is recommended that you use an identifier on your pets collar indicating that he or she has a microchip and what kind.
ˇ An
annual visit to the veterinarian specifically to test the microchip is
recommended. Have your veterinarian scan your pet to determine if the
chip is still transmitting data.
ˇ Annually
confirm your pet's information with the microchip database and ensure
that all contact information including your address, home and cell
phone numbers, email address, and pager number, etc are all current.
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Dealing with Behavioral Issues
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Continuing our series on dealing with behavioral issues
Continuing with Understanding and Treating the Different Types of Excessive Barking
Excited Play Alert Barking
This type of barking is usually directed at things the dog sees, but can not get to.
Dog's demeanor is playful and excited; body posture often includes play bowing or bouncing around. Facial features are generally relaxed with ears being held loose; the tail may be wagging, but not stiffly. The hackles on his back are not up.
This type of barking will probably subside as the dog matures if the you continue to work on obedience, focus exercises and socialization.
Socialization is a key component. Work toward the dog becoming more nonchalant with other dogs and people.
Re-direct the dog's attention onto yourself when the dog looks at something distracting.
Ensure that rewards only come after the dog has stopped barking for a second or two.
Dogs should be desensitized to whatever they are barking at. Desensitization is learning to ignore the previously meaningful stimulus.
If a dog barks around squirrels and then you work the dog on obedience cues around squirrels, the dog will learn to watch you and not bark, even around squirrels.
Once the dog has learned to focus on you and not bark when confronted with the stimuli, that triggered the barking, you can gradually move closer and closer to the stimuli.
You should remember not to praise a dog in an attempt to calm them down.
Fearful Alarm Barking
Fearful Alarm barking is usually done by under-socialized or genetically shy dogs.
The dog's body posture is generally backward or low and they may lean or even hide behind their owners. Ears and tail are generally down and the tail may even be tucked between their legs. Hackles may or may not be up with the mouth tight and sometimes drawn back to expose all of their teeth. Pupils may be dilated and they may glance in all directions. When fearful dogs bark, the problem is not the barking, that is the symptom. Until the fearful behavior is treated using techniques like counter-conditioning, you will need to be extremely careful when addressing the barking.
Do not reprimand the dog in any way, this could cause the dog to develop an even more negative association to the thing he is fearful of.
One approach is the use of food as FOOD OVERCOMES FEAR. The dog will begin to make a positive association to being more outgoing.
Be sure not to inadvertently reward fearful behavior by looking at, touching, or talking to the dog when he is behaving fearfully.
Do not rush the dog into getting over its fears.
Some owners often greatly underestimate the time required and then become frustrated when things are not fixed immediately.
Begin training by first identifying exactly what the dog is fearful of and then establishing a threshold of tolerance.
Dominance Barking
Most often seen in intact males. The barking is not the problem; it is the dominant behavior that is the problem.
This dog will challenge the owner with direct eye contact and dominant body posture. Is his chest out, tail held up, or stiffly wagging when interacting with the you? Does he growl or bark when asked to get off the sofa?
The greatest improvement in this kind of barking will come from changing the relationship so that the dog sees the owner as a strong and benevolent leader.
You need to be aware and be ready to interrupt and re-direct the dog's attention before the dog is successful in forming a confrontational interaction.
This type of barking is very serious as it can develop into dominance aggression if left untreated.
Territorial Barking
Territorial barking is a normal canine behavior and in many instances a desirable behavior. The key is control.
This type of barking is usually done at home/in car.
Discourage all territorial marking (urinating) when the dog goes on a walk. Allow one area for elimination only.
Work on allowing other persons/dogs into "his" territory.
Leadership exercises, counter-conditioning techniques, and positive obedience are three very powerful tools that can be used to treat territorial barking wherever it occurs.
Boredom Barking
Boredom barking cannot be treated until you have ruled out any medical issue or separation anxiety.
The problem is not the barking, it is the boredom. Most dogs will cease to bark when the activity and mental stimulation available to them meets their physical and emotional requirements.
Physical Stimulation- a proper exercise program should be put into place immediately. Most owners underestimate the amount of exercise their dogs need. Exercise till you achieve heavy panting.
Mental Stimulation- Dogs are social animals, as such another dog may be helpful. Consider leaving a TV or radio on. Practicing obedience and trick training every single day will also provide mental stimulation for the dog.
Learned Barking
Learned barking is often done by a 'bossy' dog in an attempt to get things he wants, like attention. These dogs generally bark at their owner(s) rather than at other dogs or people. They will generally bark more, jump on or even grab the owner if they are ignored.
The dog needs to be shown that barking will no longer get him what he wants. Ignoring the dog and even turning away from him when he barks needs to occur 100% of the time by everyone that has contact with the dog. Remember, the dog will most likely exhibit an extinction burst (bark more before barking less).
Next Edition continues with Inappropriate Chewing
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About Your Trainer
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Bob grew up in Long Island, New York
and upon graduation from High School spent four years serving this country in
the U.S. Army. Bob graduated from
Hofstra University Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelors Degree in Business and
earned several academic achievement awards.
Bob spent several years as an Operations Executive for a major retailer
until he joined the N.Y.P.D. Bob
graduated #1 in his class from the police academy, earning the highest academic
achievement award. Bob is currently a
full time Police K9 officer. Bob has
certifications in dog training through The Animal Behavior College and The No
Limitations School for Remote Collar Training.
Bob has worked with some of the most influential dog trainers. Bob has studied under Brian Kilcommons (noted
trainer and author) and Fred Hassen (founder and creator of Sit Means Sit). Bob has over 6 years of experience in training dogs and receives a real sense of accomplishment when he witnesses the success his clients have with our program.
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Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to work with your family. We appreciate everyone of our clients and value the relationship that we have with you. The highest compliment that you can give us, is the referral of your family and friends. Remember, we are never too busy for your referrals. If you know someone that would benefit from our services or that might enjoy what we do, please forward this newsletter to them. We are always looking to improve our service. If you have any comments or suggestions, please send them to us. We are always looking for testimonials from our clients so that we can show others how our training has helped you. Please feel free to visit my Palm Beach Training Blog to obtain additional information and view some more great videos. Missed an earlier edition of this newsletter? Go to my blog and view past editions that are archived at this location.
Sincerely,
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