Little Devils

Have you ever seen a Chihuahua shake? Ever see a Maltese growl and lunge? It's pretty common. It's natural for us to see these behaviors as cute. Something so small growling and even biting our pant leg is quite funny. The real story behind this behavior is not so cute and we, as humans, are usually the cause. A hundred pound Rottweiler's aggression is just the same as six pound Shih Tzu's but it comes in a smaller package so it's seen as adorable. Both dogs are equally unbalanced and it's torturous for them to spend a great deal of time in a tense or angry state. Little dogs are more quickly controlled so it's easier to ignore and stifle bad behaviors rather than dealing them. After all, you can just pick them up! And that's the beginning of the problem. Dogs don't want to be picked up. We may think they do but that's because we've actually trained them that way. When you continually pick up a dog, it feels powerless and develops anxiety and low self-esteem. How would you feel if you were going about your business and someone just came by and snatched you up about 20 times a day? This is why Chihuahua's shake. They are scared of everything they come into contact with because they lack confidence. I have seem some well-balanced ones but it is very rare. And I can't count how many aggressive little dogs I've come into contact with. The owners just laugh and call them "spunky" or "feisty" and then complain about them barking or biting visitors and peeing on the floor. The cure for these bad behaviors is to set boundaries with your dog and establish yourself as the pack leader. In the wild, dogs run in packs with a very clear leader who runs the show. If you aren't running the show in your home, then guess who is? The first thing you can do is not allow your little one to jump in your lap every time he feels like it. You can also train him to stay away from the door when visitors arrive. There are 1,000 ways to set limits for your pup but some people feel bad about doing this with a little dog. Just remember that you are doing it for him. He knows that a strong pack leader sets the rules but also protects him. Since aggression is predominantly the result of fear, your dog won't bother trying to "protect" his home or his family because he knows that this is your job. It will put him at ease. No more pressure! He will have a happier and healthier life because of it.

Why We Should Be More Like Dogs

This is a picture of Junior. He is a Black Lab/ Rottweiler mix with severe fear and aggression issues. When my client adopted him, we learned that he had been abused and then chained to a tree and abandoned for at least a month. Junior has come a long way but he still has plenty of problems. One such problem is the vet's office. No big surprise there. I end up taking Junior to the vet about once every six months and he loves the ride in the car. He pokes his head out the window and takes in all the wonderful smells on the way there. This is the only time he ever gets to ride in a car. Yesterday's vet experience was particularly turbulent. Every time we go, the vet has to lasso him from a distance and then tie him to the platform. The vet clipped his claws yesterday and accidentally cut two of his nails into the quick. He yelped, thrashed, and almost severely injured himself by trying to jump down while still tethered to the platform. After this trip, I just knew Junior would be reluctant to ever get in the car again but today when we were walking, he saw my car and immediately yanked me towards it. I opened the passenger door to get my cell phone and he jumped right in with a big goofy grin on his face. You would think that he would've formed a horrible association with the car because that is what transports him to the vet but he hasn't. Even the day after a traumatic experience, he was ready to hop right in. Some would say that dogs are simple but what we know about their brains tells us that they live in the moment. Junior didn't care if he was going to end up at the vet. He just wanted to feel the breeze in his face again. So, when you start your commute home from work today and your head is still swimming with unfinished business and frustrations, take a moment to roll down your window, stick your head out, and enjoy the ride.

Whiskers

Your cat has around 24 whiskers on her cheeks and even more above her eyes and on the backs of her legs. Apart from being simply adorable, these little hairs are very essential for your feline. Also known as vibrissae, whiskers pick up vibrations in the air currents around them. That's why felines are so adept at moving around at night. As they wander through your home, the air currents around furniture and heavy objects change slightly. This allows even blind cats to have a good sense of direction. They are also important for measuring space. The length of the whiskers from tip to tip is roughly the same width as the body. That's why you see kitty poking her head into tight spaces first. She's measuring to see if she'll fit. These little antennae are also good for judging your cat's mood. If she's angry or scared, the whiskers will be pulled back. If she's happy, curious, or her normal haughty self, they will be pushed forward in all their glory.

*photo by Eva101 via Flickr

Dog Days of Summer Pt. 2

It just can't get much hotter than this! Triple digits all week. That's why I thought it best to revisit ways to protect your pups from the heat. When the temperature rises there are several things you can do to minimize your pet's chances of heat exhaustion and skin cancer.

Skin cancers are the most common tumor in dogs according to caninecancer.com. We often forget that the little guys are susceptible because they are covered in fur. Dogs with short or light-colored coats have the highest risk of developing cancer. (think Pit Bulls, Dalmations, Bull Terriers, Boxers) It's very popular here in L.A. to shave your dog for comfort but all of that skin is now exposed and needs protecting. Most pet retailers carry dog sunscreen and this is very important if you are taking your dog out for an hour or more. Don't use sunscreen for people on dogs. Some are safe, but a lot of them are toxic and you know Fido is going to lick it off! Apply the sunscreen to areas of low pigmentation like the bridge of the nose, the ear tips, and the skin around the lips. Apply it to all shaved areas as well. If they like to lay around with their belly in the sun this should be discouraged as much as possible. Basically, if the conditions are right for you to get sunburned so can your pet. Also, make sure your vet checks all moles regularly and give your pet a good once-over every week or so. This is a good habit in general. It will keep you apprised of any new developments in your buddy's health. And if you forget all of the above and your dog does get sunburned then apply 100% Aloe Vera with no additives to the affected area.

Another important thing to look out for in these fry-an-egg-on-the-sidewalk temps is heat exhaustion. Signs of heat exhaustion are labored or rapid breathing, resistance to walking, and sluggishness. You should be able to tell if the panting is abnormal. If this occurs you need to find a patch of shade and cool your dog down by rehydrating her (bring a collapsable bowl) and pouring water over her neck and chest. Always take water with you when you exercise your furry friend in warm weather. Try not to exercise her when the temperature reaches 95 degrees or higher. Opt for morning and afternoon walks instead. Of course, she will need to be taken out to do her very important business so cut those walks down to 30 minutes or less. And if you have to keep your pup outside during the day, make sure you provide plenty of water and plenty of shade. She will thank you with a million slobbery kisses.

Pet Fire Safety Day

July 15th is Pet Fire Safety Day. The American Kennel Club offers the following list of tips to keep your pets safe from harm:

Prevent your pet from starting fires

• Extinguish open flames - Pets are generally curious and will investigate cooking appliances, candles, or even a fire in your fireplace. Ensure your pet is not left unattended around an open flame and make sure to thoroughly extinguish any open flame before leaving your home.
• Remove stove knobs - Be sure to remove stove knobs or protect them with covers before leaving the house. According to the National Fire Protection Association, a stove or cook top is the number one piece of equipment involved in your pet starting a fire.
• Invest in flameless candles – These candles contain a light bulb rather than an open flame, and take the danger out of your pet knocking over a candle. Cats are notorious for starting fires when their tails turn over lit candles.
• Beware of water bowls on wooden decks – Do not leave a glass water bowl for your pet outside on a wooden deck. The sun’s rays when filtered through the glass and water can actually heat up and ignite the wooden deck beneath it. Choose stainless steel or ceramic bowls instead.

Keep your pets safe

• Keep Pets Near Entrances When Away From Home – Keep collars on pets and leashes at the ready in case firefighters need to rescue your pet. When leaving pets home alone, keep them in areas or rooms near entrances where firefighters can easily find them.
• Secure Young Pets - Especially with young puppies, keep them confined away from potential fire-starting hazards when you are away from home such as in crates or behind baby gates in secure areas.
• Since Pets Left Alone Can’t Escape a Burning Home – Consider using monitored smoke detectors which are connected to a monitoring center so emergency responders can be contacted when you’re not home. These systems provide an added layer of protection beyond battery-operated smoke alarms.
• Affix a Pet Alert Window Cling – Write down the number of pets inside your house and attach the static cling to a front window. This critical information saves rescuers time when locating your pets. Make sure to update the number of pets listed.

On July 15th you can obtain a free window cling from your local volunteer fire department. For a list of locations go to www.nvfc.org/windowclings . You can also order them for free online at www.adt.com/pets .

Spotlight on Pet Photographer, Jeff Smith

I had a photo shoot this afternoon with Jeff Smith. Starting out in headshots and artistic photographs, he has recently turned his lens to portraits of people and their pets. I love his work because it is much more candid and beautiful than your average Olan-Mills-style portrait. Now you can finally feast your eyes on Ms. Claudia. I think you'll agree he did a fantastic job.

*If you are interested in photos of your furry friend, you can contact Jeff at 323-461-4577 for pricing and scheduling information.

The Foxtail: A Danger to Dogs

Warning: the following post contains graphic description
     This is the Foxtail weed.  These plants can be incredibly harmful to dogs and sometimes cats and they can be found all over the world.  Within the last week, I know of three dogs who were rushed to the vet with an embedded Foxtail.  The top picture above is a healthy plant and the bottom picture is a dying plant.  When the plant is dying, it is the most harmful because the barbs dry out and become harder.  These barbs are actually the seedlings of the plant and are designed to burrow themselves into whatever they come into contact with, whether it be the ground or an animal's fur.  These seedlings can burrow themselves into your pet via paw, ear, eyes, mouth, or genitals and continue to work their way through the body.  The enzymes they produce cause an infection which in turn produces pus.  This is one instance in which your pet's immune system does not work in his favor because the barbs then travel down tunnels of pus created by the infection where they can fatally puncture vital organs including the heart, brain, spinal cord, and lungs.  Every time a dog moves or the breeze blows, they inch a little further.

     I see Foxtails on every walk I take this time of year.  Excessive rain has made them more plentiful than usual.  In the city, you will see them most often in patches of unkempt, dying grass and hiking trails.  If you find Foxtails in your yard, rip them out! Their barbs enable them to be easily caught in fur so it is very important to check every inch of your pet on a daily basis during Spring and Summer months.  Pay special attention to between the paws since they make direct contact with the ground. Symptoms to look for in your pet are excessive sneezing, shaking of the ears, gummy discharge from the eyes, trouble swallowing, repeated licking of the paws or groin, and any swollen areas or lumps. If your furry friend has any of these symptoms, please seek veterinary care right away.