Month: December 2012

Clicker training is an effective and fun training technique used to shape a desired behavior without the need to force, intimidate, or punish dogs while they learn. Small, easy to carry clickers are used to mark and identify a desired behavior from your pet, and the “click” is often followed by a treat or praise. With repetition, your dog will soon learn to associate the sound of the click with a reward, and get a sense that he or she has achieved something you want! Many of us may have heard about how clicker training can be used to teach dogs new behaviors or tricks. But did you know that you can also use the clicker for training cats? And ferrets? And rabbits, too?! It’s a tool that can be used to teach all kinds of animals…and come to think of it, I guess clicker training can be used to train people and spouses as well!

One of the biggest advantages to clicker training is the clarity it provides. As people, we often rely so much on our words to express our meaning and when we approach training this way we often end up confusing our pets. Our pets don’t necessarily understand all our many words and because they mostly respond to energy, they challenge us to communicate beyond verbal language. The clicker is a great tool for keeping it simple. There is no confusion if you do the steps right: your pet does a behavior you like, you click, then treat or praise. It’s a very consistent and clean marker for saying “way to go!” to your furry friend. No click means we don’t like that, but without having to muddle it all up with words and thankfully, without the use of punishment in order to get our message across.

Another benefit to clicker training is that because this is a positive-reinforcement based technique, it will only foster the bond between you and your beloved pet. And don’t we all prefer that our pets not only love us but respect us, too? And don’t we want them to choose to listen to us because we are such benevolent teachers?

For a good summary on clicker training and how it might be helpful for you, click your clicker here!  For a more in-depth look into this style of training, you may want to check out Karen Pryor’s books or website. She is widely regarded as one of the top experts in regards to animal behavior and clicker training specifically. Happy clicking!

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Celebrity Veterinarian Dr. Patrick Mahaney Unveils the Top Five Dangers To Avoid During The Holiday Season and Beyond 

 (LOS ANGELES, CA – December 10, 2012) – Rock salt, antifreeze and mistletoe – oh my!  The holiday season brings many pleasures to our four-legged friends: family gatherings, big meals, special trips, and in many areas some chilly white fluffy stuff to frolic in.  However, many pet owners don’t realize that when the temperatures drop, the unexpected risks for pets rise.

Adopt-a-Pet.com, North America’s largest non-profit pet adoption website, has teamed with celebrity veterinarian Dr. Patrick Mahaney, pet expert for PerezHilton.com’s TeddyHilton.com pet website, to uncover the Top Five Winter Hazards that can be life-threatening for pets.  They include:

1. Rock Salt: If you live in a cold climate where winter brings snow and ice, then you’re familiar with our first hazard.  Rock salt, also called road salt, is sodium chloride mixed with other chemical additives and is used to keep sidewalks and roadways from being too slippery from ice.  While the mixture works well, it is very tough on our pets’ paws and can be extremely dangerous if ingested.  Other de-icing agents should also be avoided in areas where pets congregate.
2. Antifreeze:  Pets may be drawn to this popular engine coolant because it has a sweet taste, but this exceedingly toxic substance that contains ethylene glycol can be found anywhere vehicles drive or park, including streets, roadways, parking lots, or even your own driveway.  If ingested, this fluorescent green fluid can cause kidney failure or even death in pets, and since it’s used to control the freezing and boiling point of liquids, antifreeze is not exclusively a winter hazard, but also quite dangerous during the warmer months as well.
3. Heating Sources:  Pets may enjoy cozying up near the fireplace to bask in the warmth, but this activity is dangerous because of the exposure to flames and increased temperatures that can potentially burn their skin.  In addition, pet parents need to be extra cautious when exposing their furry friends to electric blankets and space heaters because these electrical items can become toxic or harmful.
4. Winter Plants: Although they look pretty, many holiday plants can be poisonous to pets.  Mistletoe, Poinsettias, Holly and Christmas Cactus are all extremely toxic and can cause severe gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and neurologic effects if ingested.  Christmas trees are also hazardous because not only are the pine needles poisonous, but also because of the bacteria and fertilizer harbored in the water stands (which pets are known to drink).  Additionally, decorations such as tinsel can also be very noxious if consumed.
5. Festive Foods:  Meats and sweets are treats that pets beg for, but are serious no no’s when it comes to your pet’s health.  Turkey and other holiday meats are very high in protein, but if meats in their natural form are not a regular part of their diet, they can be hard to digest, which can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, or inflammation of the pancreas.  Chocolate may be the best-known food danger for pets because it contains caffeine.  Dogs in particular do not metabolize these stimulants in their liver, and elevations in heart rate, blood pressure, or even seizures, coma, or death can occur.   Of course, all candy is high in sugar, which can cause digestive issues for all pets.

“During the holiday season, we want to ensure that everyone enjoys a fun and safe celebration, which includes taking a few extra precautions for your beloved pets,” remarked Dr. Patrick Mahaney.  “Just avoiding the hazardous elements that pose even a remote threat to your pets could make a huge difference in their health and wellness.”

Dr. Mahaney is available for interviews to discuss how to protect your pets against potentially fatal winter hazards, and to provide vital tips on what to do should your pet unexpectedly fall victim this season.  For additional information on winter hazards, visit adoptapet.com/winterhazards.

Another seasonal pet-related topic for interview opportunity is how to choose the perfect pet as a holiday gift.  Adopt-a-Pet.com experts are available to discuss what people must consider before surprising loved ones with a new four-legged family member.

Adopt-a-Pet.com is North America’s largest non-profit pet adoption website.  We help over 12,000 animal shelters, humane societies, SPCAs, pet rescue groups, and pet adoption agencies advertise their purebred and mixed breed pets for free to millions of adopters each month.  Sponsored by the pet lovers at Purina and Bayer AnimalHealth LLC, we help homeless dogs, cats, and even rabbits and other animals go from alone to adopted.  But we don’t stop there.  Adopt-a-Pet.com also provides valuable information on the human/companion animal relationship to help keep pets healthy and successfully living in their loving homes.  Visit our facebook page and blog for supportive content and articles, and our YouTube channel for entertaining and informative pet training videos, all produced by our staff of experts in animal training and behavior, as well as human psychology.

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Contact:

 Nikki Pesusich                                 Sue Cornick

nikki@coteriemedia.com               sue@coteriemedia.com

818-788-7650                                  310-995-1074

Ready for another happy adoption smile? We loving sharing happy adoption stories from adopters who have  used Adopt-a-Pet.com pet search and often our free Search Saver email service to find their new furry friend! Want to help spread the joy of pet adoption by sharing your happy beginnings story with our readers? Send an email to info@cms.adoptapet.com and include a photo of your pet, the name of the shelter or rescue where you adopted your pet, your city, state, and the story telling us how Adopt-a-Pet.com helped you find and adopt your pet! Here’s the email we received about gorgeous girl Sami who found her a Forever Home at last.

“Our Sami had lived in two animal hospitals and one or two homes before I saw her at Cat Tales, Inc Rescue at Petco in Warminster, PA. Her information said that the other kitties in the home didn’t like her and that she would do well in a home without other pets or young children. Having lost our beloved Rosie, a calico, to feline leukemia six months previously, our hearts were open to a new kitty, and our home met the requirements.

Sami surprises us in many ways. She doesn’t jump into boxes or laundry baskets. She “talks” to us quite often, but especially when it is getting close to meal time. In the afternoon, she often follows us upstairs, as she is convinced that it must be close to mealtime. She is friendly and likes to meet anyone who comes to the door. She will sit with us at the dinner table. She has had to go on diet food, so that she can regain her girlish figure. Her favorite toys are her red
mouse and the laser mouse that Rosie gave her. She also likes to cuddle with her Mom and Dad. – Steve & Harriet”

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Meow! Meow! Meow! Cat rescuers seem to have built in super-hearing when its a cat or kitten’s cries for help! I’ve been asleep and woken up by hearing a meowing kitten under a car in front of my house in the middle of the night. What do you do if you find a stray kitten or cat? How do you know if he was abandoned, is lost, or is just out for a stroll? What about a cat that seems sick, should you rush him to the emergency vet, wait till the morning, or care for him yourself? These are complicated questions and every situation is different, but given my stray-cat-magnet abilities (stray cats and kittens regularly materialize no matter where we are), I’ve written some tips and steps you can follow to help make sure the kitten or cat you find is well-cared for while you try to locate his owner, or a rescue or a new home to adopt him.

If the cat is a healthy-looking well-cared for adult, he or she may be a neighborhood cat paying you a visit – how do you know? This really depends on your neighborhood and the cat. There are some neighborhoods where many cats are free roaming, loosely owned by people that feed them. In my neighborhood, even with coyotes having killed most of the outdoor cats, we still have a few. If I am approached by cat that appears to be asking for help, is wearing a tag, or is one I haven’t seen around before, if he agrees I will take him inside and try to locate his owner.

“Help I found a friendly dirty skinny meowing kitten! What should I do first?”

FIRST HALF-HOUR

1. Isolate if you have other pets.
Stray kittens often have fleas, mites, or other sicknesses that can be highly contagious to other cats or dogs. Shut the kitten in your bathroom and stuff towels along any gaps under doors. Do not allow them to interact with your other pets.

2. Immediate care.
Make sure they are warm, dry, have water and food. If you don’t have canned cat food or dog food, 1/4 cup of cooked boneless chicken is safe. Some bathroom floors are cold, so make a thick nest of towels to keep kitten as warm as possible. If kitten is wet or really cold, you can dry & warm him with a hair dryer set on “low” heat and gently warm the air around him from a foot or so away while you hold him in your arms. Don’t blow directly on him.

3. Ask your neighbors.
Sometimes kittens get out and can look pretty bad after just a few days. Kittens usually don’t go far. Canvas your neighbors to see if anyone lost their kitten.

FIRST DAY

If you’ve decided you are going to keep the kitten, either for yourself or to find him a rescue or adopter, here are some good steps to follow for the first few days of care.

1. Vet checkup
First ask them to scan the kitten for a microchip. You usually don’t even need an appointment for a chip scan, but it is certainly advisable to get them a checkup in the first day so they can be treated for fleas and parasites (super common in kittens found outside), and tested for Feline Leukemia and FIV before being vaccinated.

2. Intro to pets
After the vet checkup says kitten is healthy, you can decide if you want to try an intro to your other pets. Be aware that some sicknesses (colds and viruses) can incubate for up to two weeks, so follow the advice of your vet when it is safe to intro to your pets.  Check out our Cat to Cat and Cat to Dog intro articles.

3. Take photos, ask for help
Cat rescuers are a dedicated and knowledgeable bunch! Many will be very happy to help a sympathetic cat-caring newbie rescuer with much more advice tailored specifically for your found kitten or cat, your area, and your home.  Especially if you email them a cute photo of your furry find and let them know you are willing to foster (or are adopting) and are just looking for their expertise. Facebook is also a great way to reach out to friends and friends of friends — you might be surprised to discover how many cat enthusiasts you almost know!

4. Find him a home?
If you housed the cat for the legally required amount of time (varies by city) and have not been able to find the cat’s owner, and you are able to temporarily care for the stray kitty until you can find a permanent home, try creating a profile on Rehome. The online Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet.com service can help you find an adoptive home for the stray you found after the legal stray holding period is over. Once you create a Rehome pet profile, the cat will be posted on Adopt-a-Pet.com to help you find a local adopter.

Do you know how awesome pigs are?!  Pigs are social, friendly, and intelligent animals who enjoy being clean and giving affection.  Sadly, every year too many pigs are abandoned to animal shelters because their owners didn’t really think through the decision to get a pig or didn’t learn the facts about what it entails to have one as a pet.  If you’re thinking of adopting a pig, please click here so that you know what expect from these loyal, sweet, silly animals!  Pigs are full of personality and can be lots of fun to have in your home.

Once you’re sure that you are ready to open your home to a pig, search our website for one to adopt in your area!  They will need proper pet care, routine veterinary visits, and wholesome nutrition just like other animals do.  They can also be trained to walk on a leash, follow basic house-training, and often get along with cats, dogs, and all kinds of species.  In short, pigs really do make fantastic pets and can really add joy to your life!  Just make sure you’re prepared to welcome one home.

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A few weeks ago, I lost my beloved companion dog of 14 years.  Her name was Claire, and I called her my “sweet stubborn soul mate.” Given the choice, she would not let me out of her sight, and her absence created a huge empty space in my life, as well as my heart. With her passing, friends and family gathered around to console me and my husband. The last time a dearly-loved pet of my died was pre-Facebook… this time, the immediate outpouring of support and kindness was almost overwhelming. Some of their letters touched me so deeply. When my friends and family’s pets have died, I always feel tongue-tied. What could I possibly say or write to someone that has lost their fur kid?  So I thought I would share three of the incredible condolence gestures I received. Please feel free to copy them, edit them, use them in any way that might help you reach out to someone suffering a loss of their pet.

A pet condolence letter…

“Hi Jennifer- I will call you this afternoon.  I am just catching up on emails and I see that Claire passed away. No one can understand the special bond you had with each other, but having had similar bonds with a few soul mates in my life, I can share these thoughts. Claire is free- free from any pain or suffering.  She is with you and around you- in your heart.  After so much care that you gave to her, It is you who now needs care.  I’m sure you know that only time will heal your pain, and all that will remain is every bit of the love you have and had for Claire, and that she had and has for you.  You are an angel for the animals.  You help so many helpless animals in so many ways, indirectly and directly.  Claire won the lottery of all lotteries to have met you, and I’m sure you feel the same way about her.  We love you and support you.”

A poem written about Claire….

I am so sorry and wanted to express my condolences in the form of a poem that I wrote or I should say, that I channeled. I feel it came as a message to me from my angel dogs who have crossed over. 

If you wake up one day
To find me gone
It will be cause my time has finally come

But please dont be afriad 
That you’ll never see me again

And please promise you’ll have the strength to carry on

Because I’m always gonna love you
Let your heart be open wide

Just whisper my name and say the words I love you
and I promise I’ll always be right my your side 
And know I’m always gonna love you
Though the tears may fall from your eyes 
You will see me again at the bridge
where the rainbow ends
and until that time my spirit will be your guide.

Light a candle. See it glow
Plant a flowering tree for me and watch it grow
I will see you again at the bridge where the rainbow ends
and when you look at them I want you to know

I’ll be there in the flame cause my spirit remains

And when you look at them I want you to know

That I’m always gonna love you

 

– Periel Stanfield

 

A pet rescued in Claire’s honor…

This gesture still brings tears to my eyes with its compassion and generosity. A coworker told me she would like to save a dog in Claire’s honor, to foster a dog who’s time was up at a local animal shelter. We went together to the shelter and I helped her pick an adorable little dog as she is so caring she wants to take them all home! He happened to be the same golden color and same as Claire when I rescued her — though that’s where the resemblance ends! He is playful, scruffy, kid- and dog-friendly, and once their resident cat has established who was boss, he fit right in to their home, and will make his future adoptive home an amazing pet, just like Claire was for me.

The Claire Fund

My family contacted a local rescue organization that I volunteer for, and together they created a special “fund” that my friends and Claire fans could donate to. The funds would enable the rescue to save another little dog from the shelter. It just so happened that a plea went out from shelter volunteers for a little dog who’s leg was badly injured. The fund (and other generous souls) helped the rescue be able to save her life and get her the surgery she needed so she could run, play, jump, and get adopted.

 

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