Webvet Counseling Feed

Webvet Counseling Feed http://www.webvet.com/main/showArticles/page/12 This feed contains articles about Counseling en-us Copyright 2009 Webvet, LLC 2009-11-20T20:20-05:00 advertise@webvet.com advertise@webvet.com Counseling hourly Coping with pet loss during the holidays http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=2114 <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=2114">Coping with pet loss during the holidays</a><br /><p>Opening a box of your holiday ornaments and finding the stocking you hung last season for the family cat or dog, now departed, can unleash a torrent of sadness. Coping with the holidays after <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=1501" target="_blank">pet loss</a> isn't impossible, but it can be very trying.</p><p>"The first year without your pet is going to be difficult, because it's a significant loss," said Gary Kowalski, a Unitarian Universalist minister in Burlington, Vt., who wrote  Goodbye, Friend, to help people say farewell to their pets. </p><p>"Most people consider the pet a member of the family, and they also become a very important part of the holidays," said Richard Timmins, DVM, executive director of the Association for Veterinary Family Practice, an organization to advance the role of primary veterinary care.  More than half of pet owners buy holiday gifts for the family pet, said Timmins, citing a survey done by one of his students when he was on faculty at the University of California, Davis.</p><p>To complicate the problem, the extent of a pet loss is underestimated by our culture, Kowalski finds. "Most grief counselors will tell you it takes at least a year, maybe two, to regain your equilibrium, to get back to normal,"  Kowalski said.  So it is understandable, he said, that ''all those important holidays and anniversaries are going to hit you hard, but especially in the first year."</p><p>Here, Timmins and Kowalski offer advice on how to cope with your first holiday after pet loss. </p><h4>Acknowledge the emotion</h4><p>Don't deny your sadness and grief about the pet loss, Timmins said. Don't try to pretend everything is fine. </p><p>It's understandable that emotions come to the fore at holiday time, especially when something reminds you of the pet loss, such as finding a stocking you hung for the deceased pet. "It will be like it happened yesterday," Kowalski said.</p><h4>Celebrate the relationship</h4><p>To honor the departed pet's memory, you might take a moment at a holiday dinner to recall an endearing trait, such as: "Remember how Sparky used to beg nonstop when we had Christmas dinner?"  The idea is to acknowledge the relationship and be grateful for it, Timmins said. </p><p>In a family with children, realize that some of the kids might have had a stronger bond with the pet than others and may especially need an opportunity to remember the pet and cope with pet loss. </p><p>You might create a remembrance ritual, Kowalski said. "If your cat was 16 years old, light a candle for each year of her life, over Hanukkah or Christmas," for 16 days. "Light it in the evening. Keep it lit for half an hour.  That will be your time to mourn, remember, reconnect."</p><h4>Baby yourself</h4><p>"People who are grieving tend to lose physical resistance," Kowalski said. Take extra care of your body when coping with pet loss. Eat well and exercise.</p><p>He warns people not to medicate themselves with food and alcohol, which can be even more tempting during the holidays when coping with pet loss.</p><p>Spend time with nature. Going for a walk in the woods or a park, or going to the ocean, can be a huge help, he finds.</p><h4>Keep the status quo</h4><p>Coping with pet loss during the holidays is challenging enough. It's not the time to make a big decision in other areas, such as your job, your relationships or your living situation.</p><p>Nor is it probably a good time to <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article/id/1560/med/0" target="_blank">get a new pet</a>, but that varies from person to person.  So if you think you're ready for a new pet, be sure your loved ones are, too. It's not a good time to surprise someone with a pet, even your children. The decision should be unanimous, Kowalski said.</p><br />By Kathleen Doheny for WebVet By Kathleen Doheny for WebVet Counseling Pet mediators put animal interests first during divorces http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=2133 <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=2133">Pet mediators put animal interests first during divorces</a><br /><p>As a pet owner himself, Charles Regal knows that animals are much more than the property they are treated as in <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=1919" target="_blank">divorce</a> court. That is why – armed with a master’s degree in social work and mediation training certification – he began a specialized practice in pet custody mediation, where separating couples can pursue mutually satisfactory custody agreements for their dog, cat, bird or small animal. </p><h4>Choosing a mediator over a lawyer</h4><p>In addition to potentially astronomical legal fees and long waiting period a former couple could face by going to court to determine custody of a shared pet, the U.S. legal system treats animals no differently than a piece of furniture. According to StraightDivorce.com, such a determination is made after examining receipts indicating which partner had been the functional owner of the pet, by way of expenses for medical treatments, training, nutrition and grooming. Regal, on the other hand, does not produce a legally binding arrangement, but facilitates an agreement between the people in question, who are unable to arrive at one on their own. </p><h4>The results</h4><p>“One that sticks out in my memory is a parting couple who was so resentful toward each other, I didn't think they'd stay in the same room together for very long,” recalls Regal. “Their whole demeanor changed when one of them mentioned their dog [was] acting lethargic and not having a good appetite lately. When asked if it was possible that the tension from their separation was affecting the dog, they both said they believed it was and wanted to do whatever was possible to help their dog through this transition. They were considerate to each other and listened respectfully to each others’ suggestions. Their love for their dog enabled them to rise above their negative feelings and create a plan that both were satisfied with.”</p><h4>Who they are</h4><p>There’s no clear-cut path to becoming a mediator. While some private organizations provide mediation training and offer what they designate as certification, no state has enacted laws regulating the private practice of mediation or established state-wide requirements for mediators as they do for other professions. Arguably, the best mediators are compassionate yet fair, with a history of thoughtful conflict resolution. </p><h4>How it works</h4><p>Getting the facts: In Regal’s case, he begins by talking to each person privately and confidentially, usually by phone. “Aside from getting all the pertinent information, I give each person a chance to vent their feelings about the situation they are going through.” </p><ul><li>Establishing ground rules: “I let people know what kind of process I have, and what kind of process it is not,” Regal said. “I want them to know they are not visiting me to prove a case or have me referee a fight. My focus is not on who is right or wrong, but on deeper understanding on how each person is experiencing the situation – without any judgment.” The goal is to get separating pet owners to work as a team to do what is best for their pets, and themselves.”</li><li>Leave the pet at home: “I don't like the pet to be present at the mediation because it would be too stressful for them. But I do ask for a photograph of the pet to be present to help us re-focus our attention if we get distracted.”</li><li>Put the choice in their hands:  “I make sure that any solution that comes from the meeting totally belongs to them,” concludes Regal. “Mutually acceptable resolutions resulting from the peoples' own ideas and desires are far more viable and solid than ones that are imposed or coerced.” </li></ul><br />By Barbara Sharnak for WebVet By Barbara Sharnak for WebVet Counseling Pet insurance for puppies and kittens http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=2120 <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=2120">Pet insurance for puppies and kittens</a><br /><p>The time to start thinking about <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=2109" target="_blank">pet insurance</a> for your dog or cat is before it needs medical care, mostly likely when it's a puppy or kitten. </p><p>Insuring animals while they are young and healthy can eliminate substantial veterinary costs that can be incurred throughout the life of a pet. However, it is a decision that should be made early in your pet is a puppy or a kitten to avoid some of the exclusions common in the pet insurance industry. </p><p>“If you plan to insure your pet at all, it is best to do it when the pet is as young as possible and before it’s had any medical conditions,” said Darren Defeo, senior vice president of <a href="http://www.trupanionpetinsurance.com/" target="_blank">Trupanion</a>, a Seattle-based pet insurance company. “No pet plans insure pre-existing conditions, that is, those that occur or show signs or symptoms before you get the plan.” </p><h4>Unique plan</h4><p>Trupanion is unique in that it insures only puppies and kittens between the ages of eight weeks and one year, and then provides lifetime coverage up to $20,000. Because pre-existing conditions are not a factor, the insurer is able to pass on savings to the consumer in the form of lower premiums. </p><p>Depending on the company, policies typically range from $24.00 to $37.00 per month for puppies and $14.00 to $24.00 per month for kittens. However, since the cost of veterinary care differs from state to state, premiums vary depending on zip code. The degree of coverage also fluctuates with the carrier.</p><p>Not only can insurance pay dividends in the long run for some pet owners, but covering puppies and kittens can reap financial benefits early on as well. Like small children, young animals are prone to unsafe behavior such as swallowing objects, which can require expensive emergency medical care.</p><h4>Allergy costs</h4><p>Also, dogs and cats sometime develop allergies that require a lifetime’s worth of costly medication. That medication could cost as much as $200 per month, and over the life of a pet can add up to more than $20,000. With pet insurance, that same medication would cost roughly $20 per month less any deductibles.</p><p>Although the savings can be substantial when insurance is purchased for a young animal, some pet owners wait until their pet is in need of medical care before they consider insurance. That can lead to a difficult financial decision that can compromise the health of a pet.</p><p>“The majority of people wait until it’s too late to get insurance,” Defeo said. “They wait until they have a $5,000 surgery or until their pet has those allergies that cost $200 a month to treat. Unfortunately, those things that occur before they get the insurance will not be covered.”</p><h4>Changing trends</h4><p>Unlike human health or car insurance, which are standard expenditures in most U.S. budgets, pet insurance is still not a staple for most pet owners. However, as the industry continues to grow, more pet owners are realizing the benefits of insuring their new additions.</p><p>“Most people in the United States and Canada have yet to hear about pet insurance or accept it as a customary practice,” Defeo added. “So many of them don’t look into it until they realize just how expensive veterinary treatment can be.” </p><br />By Tom Kent for WebVet By Tom Kent for WebVet Counseling Should you get another bird? http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=2088 <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=2088">Should you get another bird?</a><br /><p>If you're the happy owner of a pet parrot, you've probably pondered the possibility of getting it a cage companion. But are two birds twice as nice or double the trouble? That depends on many factors, say the experts.</p><p>Ask Mina Tweti, the Los Angeles-based author of the newly published "Of Parrots and People'' (Viking, 2008), and she'll tell you that getting another feathered friend for your bird is a usually good idea, provided you choose the second parrot carefully and have the time and temperament to care for two birds properly.</p><p>"Research shows that the single best enrichment for a pet parrot is another parrot,'' Tweti said. "From the moment a parrot hatches in the wild until the day they die, they are typically never out of eyesight or earshot of another parrot, which is why their voices are so loud. They're always surrounded by their flocks, mates and family unit.''</p><p>Kristen L. Nelson, DVM, Veterinary Creative, in Scottsdale, Ariz., agrees that acquiring a companion bird for your pet parrot is a good idea. </p><p>"I believe birds like having other birds around for company,'' Nelson said. "I advise clients to get two birds, although most live in separate cages. If they are of the same species, they may be introduced.''</p><h4>When two's a crowd</h4><p>Not all bird experts agree that pairing a parrot with another is the best decision, however. Dr. Greg J. Harrison, DVM, said that it's "not critical to get a second bird for your first. Hand-raised birds, or those not born in the wild, have a tendency to only want to be with people.''</p><p>If you're going to get a second bird, "it's probably best to give it its own cage,'' Harrison said. "Unless you really want to breed two birds, you probably shouldn't keep them caged as pairs.''</p><p>Harrison said that one of the risks pet owners run is that the first bird, which has probably formed a strong, dependent bond with the owner, will form a stronger bond with a second bird introduced to the cage, resulting in the owner being ignored or even attacked.</p><p>For these and other reasons, Harrison recommends not allowing two birds to share the same cage.</p><h4>Second parrot preconditions</h4><p>Harrison said pet lovers too often rush into a decision to purchase a second companion parrot without weighing the ramifications. </p><p>"Two birds take 'x' amount of time, which usually equates to up to 60 minutes a day that you need to spend separately with each bird giving them independent attention, followed by up to 60 minutes spent playing with them together,'' he said. "People think it's really neat to give their bird a playmate, but then they don't spend the proper amount of time socializing with both birds.''</p><p>The parrot species that are most compatible as pairs, according to Harrison, are small to mid-size birds such as:</p><ul><li>African greys</li><li>Conures</li><li>Small cockatoos</li><li>Senegals</li><li>Pionuses</li><li>Cockatiels </li></ul><p>Parrots with a higher incidence of behavioral problems as pairs include: </p><ul><li>Amazons</li><li>Macaws </li><li>Large cockatoos</li></ul><p>According to Harrison and Nelson, choosing the right second bird is a crucial decision that should factor in the age, size and temperament of your first bird:</p><ul><li>If you have an older first bird, it's wise to get a second one of the opposite sex, as there's less chance of competition.</li><li>If your original parrot is young, aim for a second bird of the same sex. </li><li>If you get opposite sex birds, be prepared for the male and female to bond even if you don't want them to. </li><li>Avoid housing birds of different species together, as the smaller bird is often brutalized by the larger.</li></ul><h4>The great parrot-pairing project</h4><p>Before bringing a second bird home, Nelson said it's important to take it to an avian veterinarian for a physical exam and laboratory testing. To avoid expensive testing or illnesses, do your homework on the source of your new bird. Make sure they have records and veterinary recommendations for common illnesses such as PDD, Circo virus, psittacosis, and polyoma disease. Also consider your new bird's family history. It's best to choose a bird with a family tendency to be great pets with no obsessive and compulsive behavior such as screaming, biting and feather picking.</p><p>Once you bring it home, quarantine the new bird in a separate cage and separate area for 30 to 90 days and work hard at establishing an equal-time relationship with both birds.</p><p>After the quarantining period, "introduce the two birds in stages,'' Nelson said. "Let the birds hear each other first. When they're comfortable, allow them to have visual contact at a distance. Slowly move the cages closer together until they are two feet apart.''</p><p>"Breaking the ice'' between two newly introduced birds takes time, Harrison said. </p><p>"You have to warm them up properly. When you walk into the room, don't pay attention to either bird. Instead, play with a ball or another pet just to break the silence. Don't create a habit where you take them out of the cage right when you walk in, or else they'll selfishly demand your attention. Try to break up your warming up routines by alternating who gets let out of the cage first.''</p><h4>When parrots collide</h4><p>When it's time for a face-to-face parrot meeting:</p><ul><li>Do so in a "neutral'' area such as a playpen, Nelson said. </li><li>Hide food in the area and skip the morning meal. Hopefully, the birds will be more interested in foraging for food than each other.</li><li>Play with your original bird first to get the newer bird used to the fact that playing with people is exciting, Harrison said. </li><li>Next, put the first bird close to you but not on your shoulder. </li><li>Then, play with the newer parrot and alternate attention between the two, giving positive reinforcement. </li><li>Start playing games like rolling a ball on the floor to see how they interact with each other.</li></ul><p>Over time, continue to allow supervised play time in the neutral area, Nelson said. "If no fighting is observed, introduce both birds to a new cage with two separate feeding stations. The new cage should be twice the size of an individual cage so that each bird has their own space.''</p><p>Ultimately, Nelson said, "remember that patience is the key to a successful introduction. This process may take weeks or months to accomplish.''</p><p>"Common sense will tell you if the birds like each other - you'll just know,'' Tweti said. "If they don't it will be really clear.''</p><h4>When all else fails</h4><p>Keep in mind that some birds quickly develop jealousies and aggressive behaviors toward other birds that won't go away, no matter how hard you try to socialize them together, Harrison said. </p><p>"It's possible that your birds will never be compatible. That depends on how well you did your homework and on how strong your first bird has bonded to you,'' he said. </p><p>If it's obvious that the two parrots are not compatible over time, "it's probably in everyone's best interest that you find another home for the second bird,'' Tweti said.</p><br />By Erik J. Martin for WebVet By Erik J. Martin for WebVet Counseling Pet insurance overview http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=2109 <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=2109">Pet insurance overview</a><br /><p>Would you be willing to go into debt to pay for your pet’s medical care? Pet insurance is now rendering that difficult and emotional decision obsolete for many animal owners.</p><p>As the economy continues to struggle and veterinary medicine becomes more sophisticated, pet owners are insuring their animals so they can provide comprehensive medical coverage should the need arise.</p><p>“It’s more important now than ever,” says Darren Defeo, Senior Vice President of <a href="http://www.trupanionpetinsurance.com/" target="_blank">Trupanion</a>, a Seattle-based pet insurance company. “Pets are now considered part of the family. With budget being a concern for any family, a [large], unexpected medical expense for your pet can turn into a financial burden.” </p><h4>A growing trend</h4><p>While pet insurance is already prevalent in Europe, less than three percent of pet owners in the United States currently have coverage for their animals – but that is changing. It is estimated that since 2002, the number of insured pets in the United States has doubled.</p><p>A major factor for the increase is that advances in medical technology have made treatment for animals more extensive and obtainable for pet owners. Joint replacement, for example, is now considered a common procedure, and one that many dog owners will may need to consider as their pet ages. </p><p>Also, diagnostic procedures such as blood testing, CAT scans, and MRIs that used to be exclusive to human medicine, are now available to identify illnesses in animals. Chemotherapy, dialysis, and blood transfusions for pets, which were once unheard of in the veterinary community, are options that pet owners now have as well. </p><p>However, just like with people, such care comes with a price tag, oftentimes an expensive one.</p><p>“Veterinarians don’t have the luxury of asking an animal about their illness,” Defeo said. “More and more they are turning toward diagnostic treatment. It’s very helpful, but costly.”</p><h4>Weighing the costs</h4><p>Charlie Hunter, 41, found out just how expensive diagnosis and treatment can be when his beloved golden retriever, Alex, contracted <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=15&med=1" target="_blank">lymphoma</a>. After his veterinarian was unable to diagnosis the disorder initially, Hunter took Alex to a specialist, who, through the use of ultra sound, found a massive tumor on the dog’s lungs.</p><p>Hunter then made the difficult decision to pay for chemotherapy to prolong his dog’s life. Although Alex’s health has improved, the treatment has created a financial strain for Hunter that will most likely last longer than the remaining life of his dog. </p><p>Hunter estimates that he has incurred approximately $16,000 in medical bills in the last six months on diagnosis and treatment for Alex. Without insurance, and not a wealthy person by any means, Hunter was forced to finance the medical care on his credit card.</p><p>“I tell all my clients to get pet insurance,” said Hunter, whose love of animals extends to his own dog walking business in San Francisco. “Money shouldn’t be an issue. The life and death of your pet should never have to come down to a decision about money.”</p><h4>The basics</h4><p>Just like any other type of insurance, pet policies vary depending on cost of premiums, amount of coverage, cap limits, exclusions and the age and breed of a pet. One standard in the pet industry is that most insurers will let you choose any licensed veterinarian.</p><p>“High-deductible” pet insurance policies are popular in that they offer lower premiums for pet owners who are concerned about major procedures, yet can afford to pay for preventative care or minor procedures out of pocket. </p><p>Last fall the <a href="http://www.aahanet.org/" target="_blank">American Animal Hospital Association</a> began awarding a “<a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=1558" target="_blank">Seal of Acceptance”</a> for policies that meet their criteria in order to encourage providers to offer affordable coverage to a greater number of pet owners. Trupanion became the first pet insurance company to receive the “Seal” by meeting the following five conditions:<br /> <br />1. The high-deductible policy must provide coverage, benefits, and exclusions equal to those of other insurance policies offered by the provider.</p><p>2. Insurance policies must be underwritten by companies with an A.M. best rating of B+ or better.</p><p>3. The company must be licensed in all 50 states, or in the process of becoming licensed in all 50 states.</p><p>4. A specific insurance policy, rather than the company, will receive the seal and policies will be reevaluated annually.</p><p>5. The owner of the policy must be able to see the veterinarian of his or her choice.</p><p>As pet insurance companies continue to meet these standards and the industry continues to grow, agents will be challenged to dispel many of the preconceived notions and skepticism that consumers commonly have when it comes to buying any type of insurance. </p><p>“Many people have had some not so pleasant experiences with insurance companies in the past,” Defeo said. “It is our responsibility to educate the consumer so that they feel confident knowing that their pet’s medical care will be taken care of.” </p><br />By Tom Kent for WebVet By Tom Kent for WebVet Counseling Dog punishment vs positive reinforcement http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=2084 <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=2084">Dog punishment vs positive reinforcement</a><br /><p>Punishment for your dog is applying a stimulus to decrease the chance that a behavior will be repeated.  For any <a href="http://www.avma.org/onlnews/javma/feb08/080215l.asp" target="_blank" title="punishment">punishment</a> to be effective, it must coincide with the undesirable behavior and be unpleasant enough to deter the pet from repeating the behavior.  Remember that the idea is to punish the behavior, not the pet.  Punishment to discourage an undesirable behavior might be acceptable, but punishment as a form of training is not appropriate and can lead to fear and avoidance in your pet.  Good training uses shaping or prompting techniques, along with rewards such as food or praise.  By training our pets and providing outlets for their needs, inappropriate behavior is less likely to develop, and punishment is seldom necessary.</p><p>Punishment should never be considered unless the pet has been provided with the means to satisfy both its nature and its needs.  Problems such as chewing and other forms of destructiveness can be part of normal exploratory play.  Dogs that are chewers should be provided with appropriate exercise and appealing chew toys before any attempts to punish undesirable chewing are made.</p><p>The key to successful punishment in your pet is to ensure that the undesirable behavior is associated with an unpleasant consequence.  Punishment should take place while the behavior is occurring, not afterward.  Physical punishment is likely to lead to fear of the owner (or people in general) or fear of hands.</p><p>Direct interactive punishment interrupts an undesirable behavior such as barking as soon as it starts.  For example, loud clapping or rattling a “shaker can” will usually get your pet’s attention, and the dog’s behavior can then be redirected to another more positive activity.  However, for such a technique to be effective, it must be done consistently, which is not always practical.  In addition, startling your pet will not work and should be discontinued immediately if it responds with aggression.</p><p>Remote punishment techniques require that your pet can be monitored (to determine when the undesirable behavior begins) and punished when you are not home or remain out of sight.  Booby traps can be set to deter your pet from certain activities.  For example, balloons fastened to furniture will pop loudly when your pet jumps up, deterring the pet from jumping up again.  Taste deterrents (available commercially) can be helpful for destructive chewing.</p><p>Unlike these forms of positive punishment, in which something unpleasant happens in response to undesirable behavior, negative punishment removes something pleasant from the pet in response to undesirable behavior.  Stopping play and ignoring your puppy when the puppy starts “play biting” is an example.</p><p>Punishing undesirable behavior once it has stopped serves no purpose and can lead to a fearful or aggressive pet.  Although using appropriate environmental booby traps or various products designed for punishment can be helpful, the best way to avoid undesirable behavior is to supervise your pet at all times when you are around and to prevent access to potential problem areas when you are not available.</p><h4>Q&A</h4><h3>Is it OK to punish a dog for misbehaving?</h3><p>Isolated instances of punishment to discourage undesirable behavior are sometimes acceptable, but punishment is generally not an effective training technique.  It is also important to remember that effective punishment must be administered while the behavior is occurring and must be seen as unpleasant.  </p><h3>What are some types of punishment?</h3><p>“Positive” punishment applies an unpleasant experience (eg, a loud hand clap to stop barking), whereas “negative” punishment removes a pleasant experience (eg, stopping play when your puppy bites).  Remote punishment applies an unpleasant experience from a distance, such as squirt-gun spray to discourage furniture chewing.  </p><h3>What about when I am not home?</h3><p>Remote-punishment techniques such as “booby traps” allow punishment to be administered when the undesirable behavior occurs while you are away.  For example, balloons or other noisemakers placed on a sofa can sometimes be used to deter your pet from jumping on furniture.  </p><h3>Can I punish my dog when I find evidence of bad behavior (eg, chewed furniture)?</h3><p>No!  Punishing undesirable behavior after it has stopped serves no purpose and can lead to a fearful or aggressive pet.  </p><br />By Susan E. Aiello, DVM, ELS and John A. Bukowski, DVM, MPH, PhD By Susan E. Aiello, DVM, ELS and John A. Bukowski, DVM, MPH, PhD Counseling Top tips to curb a combative canine http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=2250 <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=2250">Top tips to curb a combative canine</a><br />  <p>According to the old saying<em>, "a dog's bark is worse than its bite." </em> But if you've ever been at the receiving end of the angry snarl and snapping jaws of a dog with an aggression problem, you might have reason to question the truth of that piece of folk wisdom. And, as it turns out, excessive <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=242&med=1" target="_blank" title="Aggression in dogs">aggression in dogs</a> is a more common problem than many people realize. </p> <p>Aggressive behavior in dogs is a complex phenomenon that can result from many factors.  To deal effectively with an overly aggressive dog, you have to understand the dog psychology behind it. </p> <h4>Recognizing different kinds of canine aggression</h4> <p>The Humane Society of the United States -- as well as most dog behavior experts - recognize several different types of canine aggression. Three important types are: </p> <ul><li><strong>Dominance aggression</strong>: As pack animals, dogs have a natural sense of their ranking in a social hierarchy (hence the expression "top dog") and view their human families as their "pack." If a dog feels that its "rank" in the pack is being challenged, it may react aggressively to reassert its dominance.</li></ul> <ul><li><strong>Fear-motivated aggression</strong>: If your dog perceives itself to be in danger, it may react aggressively to protect itself. It's the dog's <strong>perception </strong>of a threat -- not the reality -- that counts. Some dogs are just edgier than others and may perceive a threat from an innocent action as, for example, when you raise your hand to throw a ball.</li><li><strong>Territorial or protective aggression: </strong>Dogs instinctively defend what they consider to be their "territory," which may include not only your home, but also the surrounding neighborhood where they are usually walked. They may also react aggressively to protect those they regard as members of their pack. A related kind of aggression is sometimes called <strong>possessive aggression</strong>, in which a dog defends its food, toys, or objects it has retrieved.</li></ul> <p>Recognizing the importance to dog owners of the problem of canine aggression, WebVet sought out the advice of canine behavior professionals Miranda G. Bourque, DVM, owner of Foothills Animal Hospital, Okotoks, Alberta (Canada), Adam Goldfarb, Director of the <em>Pets at Risk Program</em> of The Humane Society of the United States, Pamela Reid, PhD, CAAB, Vice-President of the Animal Behavior Center in Urbana, Ill.-- a division of the ASPCA, and Anthony T. Kremer, DVM, of Kremer Veterinary Services, Ltd., Plainfield, Ill.</p> <h4>Causes</h4> <p>A variety of factors may contribute to excess aggression in dogs. </p> <ul><li>Improper training and lack of socialization </li></ul> <ul><li>Abuse or trauma that has left its psychological mark in the form of excess aggression.</li></ul> <ul><li>Breed differences: some breeds are naturally more aggressive than others and require more training to keep that aggressiveness from getting out of hand.</li></ul> <ul><li>Metabolic or other medical problems</li></ul> <h4>Prevention</h4> <p>It is easier to prevent excessive aggression in a dog than to correct it once it has taken hold. Here are some preventive measures you can take:</p> <ul><li>Have your dog <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article/id/92/med/1" target="_blank" title="Spaying and neutering your dog">spayed or neutered</a>. Goldfarb points to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showing that male dogs that have not been neutered are responsible for more than 70 percent of <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=1972" target="_blank" title="Kids and dog bites">dog bites</a>.</li><li>Begin training and/or <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article/id/2085/med/0" target="_blank" title="Socializing your puppy">socializing your puppy</a> as early as possible. Eight weeks of age is the ideal time to start. </li><li>In the case of an older dog, don't assume that its past training was any good. "Start with the dog as if it were a pup and include all family members in the training process so it learns the hierarchy of the family," Kremer said. </li><li>Keep your dog active by exercising and playing with it. Remember the saying: "A tired dog is a good dog." </li><li>If you know from experience that certain stimuli - such as cats, children, or loud noises -- set your dog off, then do your best to avoid those stimuli.</li><li>If you haven't yet chosen a dog, Reid advises selecting it carefully: "Don't choose a puppy from a litter if its parents are aggressive, and if you're adopting an older dog, learn as much as you can about it first." </li></ul> <h4>Solutions</h4> <p>The first step to solving the problem is knowing what <strong>not </strong>to do. Punishing your aggressive dog will only make matters worse. If the aggression is fear-based, punishment will reinforce your dog's fear and make it even more aggressive. If the problem is dominance aggression, punishment is likely to up the ante, stimulating your dog to be even more aggressive, to the point of biting. If the aggression is protective or territorial, punishment will only produce more of the same behavior.</p> <p>Perhaps you simply didn't give proper attention to training when your dog was a pup, or you have adopted an older dog who wasn't trained by its previous owner. What should you do now?</p> <ul><li>Address the problem promptly. "Don't wait for a bite to take action," said Goldfarb. "Aggression tends to accelerate gradually. Dogs don't typically go right from zero to mauling, but with each aggressive gesture, they become more confident in that behavior."</li></ul> <ul><li>Rule out a medical condition that may be causing the problem, especially in the case of an older dog with no history of aggression. Bourque recommends that the examination include a complete blood count and chemistry screen, as well as a measurement of thyroid hormone, or "T4."  This will enable your vet to determine if the aggression has a metabolic cause, such as <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=93&med=1" target="_blank" title="Hypothyroidism in dogs">hypothyroidism</a>. </li></ul> <h4><strong>Seek professional help</strong></h4> <p>Once a medical cause is ruled out, the problem is best handled by a qualified canine behavior professional.</p> <p>Reid emphasizes the importance of finding an expert with experience with dog aggression and certification from an organization such as the  <a href="http://ccpdt.org/">Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers</a> or the <a href="http://canineprofessionals.com/">International Association of Canine Professionals</a>. Your veterinarian may have some suggestions and recommendations. </p> <p>Interview several prospective trainers carefully. Ask about their experience in working with aggressive dogs and what methods they use to deal with the problem. And most of all, find someone you and your dog are comfortable working with.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <br />By Peter Lopatin for WebVet By Peter Lopatin for WebVet Counseling Dog aggression toward kids http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=1964 <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=1964">Dog aggression toward kids</a><br /><p>Dog aggression is a reality, even though  in millions of American households, a dog is very much a member of the family. Parents are often motivated to get a dog by the desire to provide their children with a playmate and companion, and to encourage them to take on the responsibility of caring for another living creature. Unfortunately, domesticated dogs sometimes turn on a child and inflict injuries serious enough to require medical attention. Understanding why dogs can become aggressive and turn on kids can help you to prevent it from ever happening, and keep everyone safe.</p><h4>Some sobering statistics</h4><p>In a May 14, 2008, press release announcing the 2008 Dog Bite Prevention Week, Gregory S. Hammer, president of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), reported that "every year, approximately 800,000 Americans receive medical attention for dog bites, and half of these victims are children.'' </p><p>According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, in 2004, an estimated 333,700 people received <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article/id/1389/med/0" target="_blank">dog bites</a> serious enough to require treatment in a hospital emergency room. Of those treated, approximately 6,000 (1.8 percent) were hospitalized. The AVMA's report "Task Force on Canine Aggression and Human-Canine Interactions'' estimates that hospital expenses nationwide for dog bite-related emergency visits total $102.4 million annually.</p><p>Perhaps of most concern is the fact that 42 percent of dog bites occurred among children ages 14 or younger, with the injury rate highest for those ages 5 to 9.</p><p>A study of more than 3,000 school children in Pennsylvania showed that 45 percent had been bitten by a dog at least once in their lifetimes, and of those, 30 percent were bitten by their own dogs.</p><h4>Veterinarians respond</h4><p>The scope and persistence of dog aggression toward children have drawn the attention of the veterinary community, and especially of those vets with expertise in animal behavior.</p><p>At the recent <a href="http://avma.org/" target="_blank" title="AVMA">AVMA</a> annual convention in New Orleans, Ilana R. Reisner, DVM, an animal behavior specialist, gave a presentation on the subject of canine aggression toward children.</p><p>Citing a number of studies, Reisner identified certain factors that seem to correlate with the likelihood of a dog attack on a child, both in terms of the characteristics of the offending dog and of the child victim.</p><h4>Risk factors -- from the dog's side</h4><p>Reisner emphasized that any <a href="http://www.webvet.com/breeds/list?type=Dog" target="_blank" title="dog breed directory">breed of dog</a> can become aggressive, depending on its particular disposition, medical conditions, and whether it is provoked in some way. However, some generalizations are possible:</p><ul><li>German shepherds, rottweilers, cocker spaniels, golden retrievers, and English Springer spaniels are involved in bites more often than other breeds. </li><li>When the statistics are further analyzed, it turns out that pit bull terriers and their mixes, German shepherds, rottweilers, and chow chows tend to be involved in cases when the bites are more serious.</li><li>Male dogs are more likely to bite than female dogs, and males that have not been neutered are more likely to bite than those that have been neutered. According to the AVMA Task Force report, non-neutered males are involved in 70-76 percent of reported dog-bite incidents.</li><li>Most bites are inflicted by owned, as opposed to stray, dogs. </li><li>Many dogs that bite are "first-time offenders'' with no history of biting.</li></ul><h4>Risk factors -- from the child's side</h4><p>From the perspective of the child-victim, the generalizations are not surprising:</p><ul><li>Boys are bitten at twice the rate of girls.</li><li>Children ages 5 to 9 are bitten most frequently.</li><li>Children who own dogs are more likely to be bitten than those who don't.</li></ul><h4>So, for starters...</h4><p>Understanding these risk factors leads to some basic preliminary recommendations:</p><ul><li>When selecting a dog for a home with children, consider breed choice and sex carefully.</li><li>If your male dog is not neutered, consider having it neutered.</li><li>Be especially vigilant if you have a very young child in the home.</li></ul><p>Beginning with these statistics, we can move on to a more <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article/id/1972/med/0" target="_blank">complete understanding</a> of the complexities of canine psychology and child-canine interactions. </p><br />Peter Lopatin for WebVet Peter Lopatin for WebVet Counseling What to consider before letting your pet sleep on your bed http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=2001 <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=2001">What to consider before letting your pet sleep on your bed</a><br /><p><a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article/id/1359" target="_blank" title="Sleeping with pets">Letting your dog sleep in your bed</a> can prove to be a bad decision down the road. There was a time when Eliska ruled her household- at least when bedtime rolled around. The 3-pound Prague Ratter dog would curl up and sleep next to owner Krista DeAngelis in bed, and most of the time she and the dog would enjoy a peaceful night's slumber. </p><p>Then, DeAngelis got married, and her husband banned the dog from the bed for fear of unintentionally squashing Eliska in his sleep. After enduring a few sleepless nights of her whining and barking, the couple attempted a harmless but helpful solution to curb their pet's protests: simply spray Eliska with a misting bottle every time she acted up. After two nights of this routine, the DeAngelis' pocket-sized pooch was fully trained to sleep by herself in another room.</p><p>"I originally thought letting my dog sleep in my bed was a good idea,'' DeAngelis, a communications professional in Salt Lake City, Utah, said. "But I realized that they can keep you up when they rustle around, wake you up if they have to go to the bathroom and sometimes go to the bathroom in your bed if you don't wake up.''</p><h4>Let sleeping dogs lie?</h4><p>"Having your pet sleep in the bed with you is a personal choice,'' said Patrick Mahaney, VMD, of California Pet Acupuncture & Wellness, West Hollywood, Calif. If you discourage this behavior, "your pet will be less likely to confuse your bed with theirs. Therefore, you may prevent potential territory-related problems. But if you don't discourage them, not only do you face the possibility of <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=1483" target="_blank" title="Helping your dog with behavior problems">behavioral problems</a>, but you could face adverse effects to your own sleep and health.''</p><p>According to results published in 2002 of a survey of 300 sleep disorder patients conducted by Dr. John Shepard, Medical Director of the Mayo Clinic Sleep Disorders Center, nearly 60 percent of the pet owners in the study slept with their pets in the bedroom. Twenty-two percent of the patients were likely to have pets sleeping on the bed with them. What's more, 53 percent of pet owners considered their sleep to be disrupted nightly to some extent. Snoring was indicated in 21 and 7 percent of the dogs and cats owned, respectively. </p><p>Yet, a 2003 survey of 420 cat owners in Britain conducted by an organization called Cats Protection revealed that 44 percent of respondents (including 51 percent of women polled) said they enjoyed a better night's sleep in their bed with a cat than with a human companion. Benefits listed included an absence of snoring, more space on the bed and purring.</p><p>"The advantages of letting your pet share your bed include companionship, warmth and a sense of security,'' Mahaney said. </p><p>Among the drawbacks are lack of space for you to sleep, interruption of normal sleep patterns, and confusion among your pet as to an expected place to sleep, he said. </p><h4>Nipping a sleep problem in the bud</h4><p>If you want to break your pet of the bed-sleeping habit, Mahaney recommends persistence, consistency and the following tips:</p><ul><li>Establish a separate area or bed for your pet to sleep in. A cat bed or dog bed can be something as simple as a clean, soft blanket placed near your own bed.</li><li>Use <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=2084" target="_blank" title="positive reinforcement">positive reinforcement </a>techniques. For example, give your dog a training treat and positive verbal cues when it is comfortable resting on its own bed to reinforce this desirable behavior.</li><li>Immediately address any territorial aggression, such as growling when you move in bed or nipping at your heels. </li><li>If your dog growls or nips, authoritatively say "No!" </li><li>Next, remove it from your bed onto the floor or its own bed and give it the command to sit and stay. </li><li>Praise it verbally or with a training treat. </li></ul><p>If problematic behavior persists, seek consultation with a <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=1568" target="_blank" title="What is a veterinary behaviorist?">veterinary behavior specialist</a>.</p><h4>You've made your bed...now sleep in it</h4><p>If you do ultimately decide to share your bed with your pet, Mahaney offers the following recommendations:</p><ul><li>Let it sleep on top of the covers instead of under them.</li><li>Your pet may have environmental debris, including fecal material, on its coat with which you could come into direct contact.</li><li>Give your dog the opportunity to void within a reasonable time frame before you go to sleep. A typical healthy dog should not have to get up in the middle of the night to urinate or defecate. </li><li>Allow your cat the opportunity to exit your bedroom while you sleep  to play, eat, drink and use the litter box. Cats are nocturnal animals and are more likely to be active during the night.</li></ul><br />By Erik J. Martin for WebVet By Erik J. Martin for WebVet Counseling