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Understanding Pet Behavior
Our dogs are constantly communicating with us: barking, pacing, tail wagging, bowing, panting...there are so many different ways they let us know what is going on. But do we truly understand them? A colleague of mine told me that for years, every time she hugs her dog, the dog yawns. Until recently, she didn't know that yawning is a signal that her dog is not comfortable with being hugged. Understanding basic canine behavior and being able to differentiate between fact and myth is important. For example, a wagging tail doesn't necessarily mean that a dog is friendly. I encourage you to take the pet behavior quiz in the article below. It doesn't take long and you will discover how much you know...or don't know...about your dog's behavior.
Seana Dowling
President, PoundHounds, Inc. |
URGENT! Dogs at Risk
Time is Running Out
Billy and Buddy have been at the Taunton pound for many months. They are both excellent dogs and are in great health. Unfortunately, they have been passed over by potential adoptors and now their time is running out. If you are considering adoption, please consider Billy and Buddy. The Taunton pound cannot care for them indefinitely and they will be euthanized soon if they don't find homes.
Billy's owner had to move and couldn't take Billy along. Billy is only 1 and loves to play more than anything else in the world, so an owner who enjoys activities, especially throwing balls, would be the best fit.
Buddy was surrendered to the pound due to allergies. Ironically, Buddy has skin allergies himself, and needs an owner willing to stay on top of skin rashes by giving him medicated baths. He's 2, friendly, and would prefer being king of the house as the only pet.
Click the links to learn more about Billy and Buddy, or contact the Taunton Animal Shelter at 508.822.1463. |
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Thank You Dylan! Generosity Has Already Made a Difference in the Life of a Stray
Dylan, of Hopkinton MA, made a generous decision. He requested that his friends and family provide donations to PoundHounds in lieu of traditional presents for his birthday this year. The donations he received were significant: he raised $195 to support the medical needs of dogs in town pounds!
In fact, with this donation, PoundHounds was able to cover the cost to spay a stray female dog, plus provide her with a complete exam by a veterinarian and get her up-to-date on her vaccinations. This dog has a clean bill of health and is ready for adoption, thanks to Dylan and the wonderful people who donated in honor of his birthday. Way to go, Dylan!
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Ask the Trainer
Dogs and Men
Question: Why do some dogs seem to act differently around men versus women? What can you do to help a dog become more comfortable with men?
Answer: There are quite a few dogs who act differently with men than with women. They may be more excited by their playtime partner or listen better to the household's authority figure. Some dogs are fearful, even aggressive, toward men. The trick is to create positive associations with men to help the dog overcome past experience. To read all of Sonia's answer, click here. To read responses to other common training questions, visit the "Ask the Trainer" section of the PoundHounds web site.
"Ask the Trainer" is written by Sonia Mullen of Canine Techniques. Please contact her if you would like to learn more about her training services.
If you have a question about your dog's behavior, please send your question to info@poundhounds.org put the word "TRAINER" in the subject line. We regret that Sonia won't be able to respond personally to every question. |
Do You Understand Pet Behavior?
Take a Fun Quiz and Find Out
PETsMart has created an online resource guide on pet behavior. You may discover you don't know your dog's signs and signals as well as you think.
Dr. Suzanne Herts, a certified animal behaviorist, has created learning tools to ensure you have a strong communication bond with your pets.
There are both cat and dog quizzes that will test your knowledge. Take the quiz by clicking here. |
Health Check
Fatty Tumors
Although a dog of any age or breed can develop fatty tumors, normally they appear in older and overweight dogs. Fatty tumors, also known as lipomas, are benign, soft-tissue growths. They are very common, not painful and veterinarians typically don't surgically remove them unless they are near a joint and restricting movement.
Lipomas are caused by overly rapid cell growth, and when one lump is present, you can expect more lumps to develop over time. Lipomas are generally not harmful. However--take no chances. If a lump appears on your dog, have it examined by a veterinarian as soon as you can to rule out any dangers of malignacy. Remember, early detection is the key to most successful outcomes. | |
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ACO Resources
Senate Bill 2120
As many of you are aware, an act to update animal control laws in Massachusetts is under consideration in the legislature. If passed, this bill would:
- Create a publicly funded spay/neuter resource
- Prevent breed-specific ordinances
- Put a model dangerous dog law in place
- Require that ACOs be trained
- Make certain inhumane methods of euthanasia illegal
- Make other updates and improvements to our animal control statutes
If you haven't done so already, follow the link below to take action and sign up as a supporter of this bill.
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Featured Dog for Adoption:
Protective Kiki Needs Experienced Owner
Kiki is a sweet, purebred Golden Retriever. She loves children and gets along just fine with both dogs and cats. Unfortunately, she probably had a bad experience with men in her past. She cowers when she meets a man and if an introduction is forced too quickly, she tends to become aggressive.
A lack of trust is what has caused her to shift from typical Golden Retriever loyalty to over-protectiveness. She is a wonderful dog but her adopter must be willing to help Kiki gain trust and harness her over-protectiveness.
If you are interested in Kiki, please read this month's 'Ask the Trainer' article about managing a dog over-protective around men. To meet Kiki, please call Fitchburg Animal Control at 978-353-2307 to set up an appointment. You may also email an inquiry to FitchburgACO@aol.com. |
Once again, your generous donations have allowed PoundHounds to make a significant difference in the life of a municipal pound dog. Beautiful Blaze was diagnosed with heartworm when he arrived at the Norton Animal Shelter. Through PoundHounds funding, he was able to receive the expensive treatment he needed to survive.
Following his treatment, he went into foster care for a brief time. Fostering is always important to a dog's mental health, but when going through recovery, staying in a caring, home environment like the one he had makes all the difference.
The best news of all is that Blaze has been adopted! In fact he was adopted by a local veterinarian and her family, who also provided a generous donation to PoundHounds through the Norton Animal Shelter. Congratulations Blaze! |
Campaign of the Month
2010 'For the Love of Rescues' Calendar
PoundHounds sponsored a dog featured in the national 'For the Love of Rescues' 2010 calendar. Each calendar costs $15 and can be ordered online by clicking the link below. Select PoundHounds from the drop down menu and $10 of your purchase will be contributed directly to the PoundHounds.
Calendars are always well-received holiday gifts, and this is a charitable way to kick off the 2010 holiday shopping season.
To order, please choose PoundHounds from the drop down menu on the site:
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Barktoberfest 2009: Calling All Volunteers!
We're down to the wire on our event planning and we need more volunteers to work Barktoberfest, our annual fundraising event, which will be held on Sunday, September 20th at the 4-H Fairgrounds in Westford, MA from 11:00am to 3:00pm.
We need coordinators to help with our contests for Best Booty Wiggle, Best Trick, Highest Jump, Fastest Sit and more.
We need volunteers to staff the Silent Auction area, and greeters to work the Welcome Desk.
Are you good on the grill? How about volunteering your time to flip hamburgers and grill frankfurters for our "people" crowd? We're also trying to fill spots for cashiers and beverage 'hander-outers' at the snack booth.
Can you bake? We are looking for bakers to donate "classic desserts" like cookies, brownies, fudge, pound cake, pies and cupcakes, ideally individually packaged to speed up transactions and keep things clean and neat. If you're not much of a dessert baker, how about some homemade dog biscuits or cat treats?
Do you sew or make pet-centric crafts? Bandanas and blankets have always been a big hit! Whether you have a few hand-made items that can be included in the Silent Auction, or enough to fill our merchandise table, please consider donating your creations to raise funds for the dogs who are counting on you for support!
Remember, this is the ONLY event in Massachusetts that raises money for veterinary care, food, medicine, supplies and provides adoption assistance for the forgotten dogs in town pounds. To learn more about Barktoberfest, please go to www.poundhounds.org and visit the Barktoberfest page.
If you are interested in making a craft or baked good donation or to volunteer to work the event, please e-mail us at volunteer@poundhounds.org. |
About MAC
Spay/Neuter License Plates
 The Massachusetts Animal Coalition (MAC) disburses grants to non-profit humane organizations and municipal animal control agencies. The grants are funded by the sale of the Massachusetts Spay/Neuter License Plate Program.
MAC has provided funds for PoundHounds to pay for spay/neuter procedures for PoundHounds sponsored dogs. In 2008, funding from MAC allowed PoundHounds to spay or neuter 42 dogs in 10 different town pounds across Massachusetts. Those procedures represent over $7,500 in MAC support.
Please show your dedication to animals and help control over-population. Register your new car or swap your existing plates for spay/neuter plates.
The cost for a license plate is $40. Of that, $28 funds this statewide program; the remaining $12 is a one-time only cost to cover the manufacturing of the plate. Two-year renewal fees of $40 go directly to the program.
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Thank you for your continued interest and support of the invisible dogs in town pounds. We can't do it without you! Please visit the PoundHounds website at: www.poundhounds.org for more information. Or, contact us directly:
Message Center: 508.435.5029
Address: PoundHounds, Inc. - P.O. Box 454 - Hopkinton, MA 01748
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Follow these links to learn how you can help PoundHounds:
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