I Started Out Studying Cheetahs...

While speaking with a client on the phone today, my early career in exotic animals came up.  She was interested in hearing more about what I had done with cheetahs as she loved the photo of (a very young!) me with one of the cheetahs in my study, Kittani. Really brought back memories being able to talk about my research with this client, so thought, perhaps, others might be interested as well.

In the late 1980's, I competed against undergraduate and graduate student applicants across the country for a coveted summer internship at the San Diego Wild Animal Park, studying cheetahs for the Zoo's Director of Research. The project was to be part of the Cheetah SSP, or Species Survival Plan. I was thrilled to learn that I had beat out the other applicants and would be spending my summer studying my favorite animal.

There are so many amazing things about my experience studying these animals,  not the least of which was that I was given pretty much free rein to devise my research question, plan out how to collect the data, and process the data so that it could be published in a scholarly journal.  The Zoo's director was an amazing individual who oversaw my project, but really just left me to do it, trusting me to conduct myself and my research in accordance with the guidelines established by the AAZPA, the American Association of  Zoological Parks and Aquariums.

There was a great deal of interest at that time in the way captive animal species were fed.  My theory was that more naturalistic feeding protocols for animal species like cheetahs would result in better health and enhanced breeding with increased offspring survival. The official title of my study was, "Carcass Feeding of Captive Cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus): The Effects of a Naturalistic Feeding Program on Oral Health and Psychological Well-Being." A mouthful (pun intended), to say the least!

As you might have guessed from that title, I fed the cheetahs in my study carcasses; dairy cattle carcasses, to be precise. I had a giant freezer truck full of them and would literally defrost them with a hose and haul them out to feed my study animals.  These animals had all previously been fed something called Zupreem.  This diet, while nutritionally balanced, has the consistency and texture of hamburger which means it did nothing to promote oral health in the animals eating it. I had 15 cheetahs in my study, some born right there in San Diego and a handful that had come from South Africa to become part of the breeding program at the Zoo. The location of these animals was off-exhibit meaning I spent my days about 5 miles down the road from the Wild Animal Park itself in a rugged area devoted to research.  There were enclosures with zebra and Przewalski's horses nearby, as well as condors. One of my cheetah enclosures was so large, with hilly terrain, that it took me approximately 45 minutes to walk the entire enclosure!

While my sample size of animals was small, my results were profound. Feeding a more naturalistic diet did indeed result in better oral health, and more importantly, happier animals that bred and produced healthy cubs.  One of my favorite female cheetahs, Imani, was the first to learn how to feed off of a carcass with my help and she, in turn, taught her cubs to feed off a carcass as well. I cried when I saw the videos of her doing this as I had spent hours coaxing her and the other cheetahs to approach, smell, and ultimately eat these carcasses. To this day, I still get requests for reprints of my study results originally published in 1990 in the journal "Applied Animal Behaviour Science."

I am incredibly proud of the work I did on cheetahs and think back fondly on my time in their company.  It was one of those "once in a lifetime" experiences that I will always cherish.  I have my memories and many photographs. And I always appreciate when someone asks me about the study.  In case you are interested in the conclusions of the study, here is the final abstract from that published paper:

"Based on preliminary observations of 15 cheetahs at the San Diego Wild Animal Park, a protocol of behaviors associated with feeding was devised. Five animals were then acclimated to videotaping from which comparisons of feeding on commercial and carcass diets were made. Improved appetites, longer feeding bouts and a greater possessiveness of food characterized the carcass-fed animals. Although the commercial diet is nutritionally balanced, these differences indicate that certain non-nutritive requirements are important to psychological health. In addition, the dental abnormalities and oral infections that are found in the captive population could be an indication of the importance of food texture. By recognizing the importance of food texture, flavor and temperature to the effort expended and interest demonstrated in feeding by captive cheetahs, we may enhance their physical and psychological well-being."

School's Out For Summer!

So, school's out which means kids are home.  For some dogs, this is a thrilling turn of events.  They will have partners in crime to let them in and out that back door repeatedly, run around with them in the sprinklers, engage in a game of chase or fetch, and most importantly, reach for those snacks to share. For other dogs, having the kids home is stressful.  Their quiet home will become more active, cutting into their nap time.  And for dogs who don't live with children, those kids out and about on bikes, scooters, and skateboards in the neighborhood may be a real cause for alarm.  Regardless of how your own dog feels about the kids being out of school, here are some general rules of thumb to kick the summer off to a great start.

1.  In homes with dogs and kids, make sure the dogs have some quiet time. If they are crate trained, let them nap there, unmolested by the kids.  If they aren't crate trained, moving them to a quiet bedroom for a couple of hours of uninterrupted rest will help.

2. If you have a puppy and kids at home, don't forget to make sure to keep your puppy on the regular/school day schedule. They still need their naps for proper growth and development, AND most importantly, so they won't be doing the zoomies and biting the kids mercilessly because they are over-tired.

3.  Watch the snacks.  While most dogs are quite happy to share any and all treats with the kids that are home snacking, you may not want your dog eating all of those same things. Remind your kids what snacks the dog can and can't have and how frequently they can have them.  Dealing with a vomiting dog or one with diarrhea from too many snacks is not the way anyone wants to spend their summer.

4.  Remind everyone at home about doors/gates/garage doors etc. being closed so that dogs don't wander off and endanger themselves. A gate or door left slightly ajar is an unnecessary temptation.

5.  Definitely encourage your kids who can walk the dog to do so.  However, make sure they are walking at a time of day when hot sidewalks won't burn the dog's feet.

6.  If you have a swimming pool that is now uncovered for summer, make sure you dog knows how to swim, knows where to climb out, and most importantly add in one or more pool safety devices designed to help dogs get out of a pool without panicking.

7. Even if you don't have kids, your dogs will see more of them during the summer time. If kids make your dog anxious, adjust your walk times to make it more relaxing for you and your dog.  And if your dog is scared of bikes, scooters, and skateboards, work to slowly desensitize them over the course of the summer.

8.  And if your dog really doesn't like kids, don't let kids pet them!  Be proactive and let approaching children know that your dog isn't friendly with kids and move on. Don't force your dog to submit to unwanted attention from anyone!

9.  Conversely, if your dog loves kids, but you don't have any, consider hiring a young person to walk your dog once a day/once a week/etc. This gives you a break, gives the dog some fun adventure time with a young person, and helps employ young people who may be too young for a "real job" but who want to make a bit of money this summer working with dogs!

10.  And if your dog loves kids....a little too much...meaning, your dog jumps up, grabs clothing, profusely licks faces, etc. now is definitely the time to get a handle on those behaviors. Stand on your dog's leash so that they can't jump up, lick faces, grab clothes, etc.  Teach your dog the right way to greet kids and vice versa.

Kids, dogs, and summertime can certainly be the perfect combination...just like ice cream on a hot day.  However, making sure that it goes well requires some effort and planning for smooth sailing.

Cooper loved ALL kids, as well as parades, fireworks, and bicycles.  He was a gem!

Seeking Small Dog That Likes Cats!

I think we've talked about this once before, but I'm thinking it bears repeating because I was asked again about choosing "the perfect small dog breed to live in a home with cats." Although, to be honest, maybe the last time I was asked it was about the "perfect breed of dog for a busy house full of young children." LOL. I think you get the picture. So, let's talk about the perfect breed of dog.

There isn't one.  There. I said it.  There is no one perfect breed of dog for every situation.  That truly is the beauty of dog breeds.  There are so many of them, and endless combinations of breeds as well.  Sure, I have favorites as do many of the other pet professionals I know.  However, I also know that my favorite breed, the Collie, isn't for everyone.  They have A LOT OF HAIR.  And they will shed that hair EVERYWHERE.  I should own stock in lint rollers.  Everything sticks to their coats as well; they are like giant fluffy magnets for debris.  They have long noses that they stick in everyone's business. They are 80 lb lap dogs that also bark. A LOT. So, while I love Collies and know that they are perfect for my home, they aren't perfect for everyone.  Which brings me to my point.  Within any given breed, there will be individual dogs who are perfect for whatever situation you are living in and seeking a dog for.  Thus, while it may be generally said that Terriers, as a whole, are less likely to do well in homes with cats due to their innate high prey drive, I have certainly been in home with cats and terrier dogs and everyone gets along just great.  It also goes without saying that I've been in homes where the terrier dogs torment the cats causing enormous amounts of anxiety and stress for the people and the animals.

So, when selecting your next dog, you need to take into consideration all of the facets of your family; where you live, your yard size, the amount of time you have for grooming, exercise, training, etc., whether you have kids or elderly people in your home; and certainly your budget is important as well. You don't want to choose one of the more inherently expensive breeds (what some of my veterinarian friends refer to as "money pit dogs") if potentially high veterinary expenses aren't in your budget. This is why I encourage anyone who asks me about "the perfect breed of dog" to actually sit down with me and schedule a session where we can explore their needs in depth, look at their situation, and choose a dog with our brains, not just our hearts.  And it is definitely the case that I have done exactly this and discovered that the family I am working with isn't looking for a real dog. They are looking for some Disney/stylized/unattainable dog that just doesn't exist.  Dogs are not perfect.  People are not perfect.  But a good match is out there if people have reasonable expectations and a real desire to open their hearts and their home to a new canine family member.

Bottom line; Yes, there are small dogs that get along well with cats.  And there are definitely small dogs that don't.  Knowing that your home is better suited to a small dog is a good place to start, but there is still a lot of work to be done before we find the right one.  So, let's get started!

The Science of Animal Behavior

During a recent board meeting with the National Association of Animal Behaviorists (NAAB), we started discussing how important science is to our field of study. While many of us are interested in finding practical solutions for our clients whose pets are experiencing behavior problems, the bottom line is that we hope there is good science and solid evidence that those solutions we are promoting actually work. We have all been frustrated more than once by someone who is purported to be the best in the business promote a solution that we know is faulty, doesn't have the scientific evidence to support it, or, in fact, has ample evidence that the method DOESN'T work/isn't safe, etc. Sometimes these well-known individuals have an obvious agenda. They are trying to sell their new book, their new training video, their new TV program, their new seminar series, or their new dietary supplement.  Obviously, it falls on consumers, and in this case pet owners, to decide who to follow and what to try for their own four legged family members.  However, we do feel that some of these folks with the notoriety aren't really as concerned with whether what they are saying is actually true; they are more concerned with promoting their agenda.  Bottom line is this: if it doesn't feel right, it probably isn't.  And if it seems unkind, then don't do it. Just because someone is on TV or has their own line of products, doesn't make them the expert on YOUR pet.  You are the expert on your own animals.  This is not a one size fits all profession.  There are numerous possible solutions to any behavior problem.  One of those solutions is likely better for your pet (and you!) than the others.

And the hope of all of us on the board of directors for the NAAB is that we will maintain and promote high standards for our members so that the information you take away from our website resources is fact-based, with the science to support it, and practiced by well-trained, knowledgeable individuals truly interested in the physical and psychological well-being of animals and the people who care for them.

We are still getting ourselves organized, but you may want to bookmark the website and like us on Facebook so that you can access more quality content on issues in animal behavior of interest to you in the future.

https://animalbehaviorists.org/
https://www.facebook.com/NationalAssociationofAnimalBehaviorists

Desi helping me bookmark the NAAB sites on my phone!

Hi! My Name Is...

Had a really fun conversation with a client recently.  They had just picked up their new puppy from the breeder and were trying to decide what the pup's name should be.  They were hoping to make the decision democratically, letting each family member have input, but as of this writing, they still hadn't settled on a name!  She even asked for my input, so here is what I told her:

Pick a name that doesn't have any negative/scary/weird connotations.  Meaning don't name your dog Killer, Cujo, Bane, Trouble, or Psycho. Likewise, don't pick a name that has emotional baggage for you.  That is, don't name your new pup, Buddy, if that was the name of your last/favorite/childhood dog.  Those are big shoes to fill and that's a lot of pressure for your new pup.

She also asked if I'd ever made a mistake naming a pet.  Sigh.  Yes, I have.  In college, my roommate and I adopted an adorable orange Tabby kitten.  He was so precious!  He had really cute, white markings on his face, so we named him Gizmo after the cute Mogwai in the movie "Gremlins."  You guessed it.  Gizmo matured into his name and became nothing short of the crazy gremlin that Gizmo turned into when exposed to bright light, water, or fed after midnight. Our Gizmo became our nightmare. He stalked us and attacked us in our sleep, leaving deep bite marks and scratches.  He grew enormous and those stripes on his face became quite bright making him look even more like the crazy Mogwai alter-ego, Stripe. No amount of behavior modification worked on Gizmo and we finally had to re-home him out at the horse barns where my roommate rode everyday.  He ended up being the best mouser that barn ever had. And he ruled; no other males allowed. 

Now I know darn well that Gizmo's personality was in no small part due to the fact that he was a kitten born to a feral mom. However, I can't help but feel that naming him Gizmo certainly didn't do him any favors!

Have you ever named a pet something and had them live up to that name in a bad way? A good way?  Do you think what you name a pet is important at all with respect to their behavior?

Gizmo as a 6 week old kitten. Before we added water after dark ;)

When Loud Noises Are Just Too Much

It's a fact.  Loud noises can be startling.  For some animals (and some people as well), loud noises can be more than just startling; they can cause profound anxiety and lingering stress.  While repeated exposures to loud sounds like thunder, trains, and fireworks can work to desensitize some animals, it doesn't work for all of them.  And some animals are so noise sensitive that even relatively common sounds like a dishwasher running or an ice machine making ice can cause them to react. So, what can be done to help a noise sensitive pet?

I think it goes without saying that the easiest way to treat a noise sensitive pet is to work with them outside of the provocative/noise-producing setting. Trying to work with your dog in the middle of a thunderstorm or on the 4th of July is too daunting of a task, to say the least!

I will once again be offering a seminar series aimed at helping noise sensitive dogs and their owners gain relief.  While the timing of the class is set to help those who are particularly concerned about upcoming 4th of July fireworks, the strategies we will cover in class work well for any and all noise sensitivities. I plan to cover why some animals are more noise sensitive than others, as well as holistic, traditional, and behavioral modification techniques to help dogs with noise sensitivity become less reactive.

If you think this seminar would be helpful for your dog, you can get more information and sign up as well at www.adobedogs.org. And if you have questions, or would prefer to work one-on-one with your pet's noise sensitivity, just let me know.

The Perfect Thing About Puppies

Puppies.  OMG.  Their breath is tantalizing.  Their fur is so soft.  They make THE cutest noises.  They are joyous about the simplest things: a toy, a treat, a piece of lint, your hand.  And regardless of breed, a puppy is the one time in your dog's life when you will be able to pick them up and squeeze them. I just love puppies.

Of late, I've had the pleasure of evaluating several puppies, of different breeds, for people looking for their next canine family member, or insuring that the puppy they brought home was a good choice. I have a 16-point test I conduct on the puppy to determine their temperament, personality, and style of learning.  Kind of sounds like one of those 16-point inspections they do on your car when you have it serviced, but trust me, this is even better!  Once I have determined how a puppy learns and the way he thinks, I can better advise the owner on everything from choosing classes, picking a collar/harness, to how to crate train, etc.

Puppy appointments are satisfying all the way around.  New puppy owners feel relief as I leave them with a game plan on how to proceed effectively. Puppies enjoy them because I am helping their owners better understand their needs. And me? Well, I get to play with puppies which is enjoyable any day of the week.

Consequently, I have discovered a new niche for myself. Many of the families I work with are too busy to really get what they need from puppy classes.  Many have kids with schedules that conflict with class times, so they end up missing classes and getting frustrated.  They still want to do the right thing for their puppies, they just need a different option.  That's where I come in.  Through a combination of in-home instruction, guided field trips, and supervised socialization experiences, I can help these new puppy owners and their pups get what they need outside of a traditional classroom setting. Don't get me wrong...I still LOVE puppy classes. I think they are THE best place for a puppy to socialize with other puppies, meet new people, and explore their world safely. However, I do think that there needs to be an alternative for people who can't attend those classes, and I am happy to provide that.

Adding these puppy appointments into my work schedule has become my new happy place.  Plus, seeing these puppies thrive is so gratifying. And the relief and appreciation from their families is immeasurably satisfying.  So, bring on the puppies. The doctor is in!