Easter: Just Another (Potentially) Deadly Holiday For Your Pets!

There always seems to be a lot of attention given to Halloween and Christmas with respect to the dangers and pitfalls those holidays provide for our pets.  Bowls of unattended Halloween candy, Christmas trees decorated with tinsel, etc. have nothing on Easter.  Easter is fraught with potential hazards, many of which you may not even be aware.  So, for safety sake, here is my short list of things to watch out for:

1. Chocolate:  Yes, I know, there is a lot of chocolate available on other holidays as well, but not in the form of chocolate bunnies, ducks, and chicks.  Those bigger-sized, fun-shaped chocolates found in Easter baskets are deadly.  Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, two methylxanthines. Both are in higher concentrations in dark chocolate, for example, but a big, milk chocolate bunny is still a gastrointestinal risk for your dog.

2.  Easter Grass:  If you think tinsel is attractive to dogs and cats, you can't imagine how exciting it is for them to spot loads of colored tinsel (aka Easter basket grass) readily available in those cute Easter baskets sitting out for the kids.  Easter grass can cause bowel obstructions, stomach irritation, and is a choking hazard.

3. Plastic Eggs & Small Toys: Those cute, colored plastic eggs whether filled with candy or small toys, are a choking hazard for your pets.  Again, if swallowed, they can cause bowel obstructions and stomach irritation as well.

4. Eggs:  While hard-boiled eggs can be a healthy treat for your pet, the dye used to color the eggs may not be.  Make sure that the dye you use is non-toxic, as a bit of dye always permeates the egg shell leaving the egg inside with a slight tint.  Again, watch how many eggs your pet consumes.  While one egg is fine, if they find and consume more eggs than your kids/grandkids do, you've got a potential problem!

5.  Jellybeans:  While jellybeans in an of themselves might seem low risk, they can be deadly if the brand chosen contains xylitol as the sweetener.  Xylitol poisoning leads to liver failure and death.

6.  Easter Ham & Lamb:  While a bite of ham or lamb may be low risk, these higher fat foods, along with the higher fat side dishes we often serve on this holiday as well, are a risk for pancreatitis, abdominal pain, bloat, vomiting, etc.

7.  Easter Lilies: Several varieties of lilies are toxic to cats and many are toxic to dogs as well, leading to kidney failure and death if any part of the plant is ingested. Lilies are messy plants, dropping petals and pollen in their water and on the surfaces where displayed.  Your pets may ingest those fallen leaves or petals, or walk through the pollen and then lick their feet.  The risk is so high, I recommend not bringing lilies into homes with pets at all.

Keeping your dogs on leash during the Easter egg hunt in your yard, placing Easter baskets up out of their reach, crating or confining those that surf counters are all good ways to protect your dogs on Easter Sunday.  Encourage well-meaning friends and family to bring other bright, cheerful flowers and plants and stay away from lilies and daffodils.  Have them bring tulips instead since the riskiest part of the tulip is the bulb making those beautiful, fresh cut tulips low risk.

And if you need it, here is the phone number for the pet poison hotline, (855) 764-7661.

Hope you and your pets have a safe, happy, fun-filled Easter!

Desi is too well-mannered to dig through those empty plastic eggs.

 His eye is on the bone in my hand as I took his Easter picture!

Out in Public Spaces

I realize that this is kind of a"part 2/follow up/more thoughts" kind of piece from my post last week about the Husky we met in a Seattle park. So, bear with me because I think this is important.

Desi and I did our pet assisted therapy visit on Sunday where he charmed everyone, as usual. Following our visit, we headed downtown as I needed to run a few errands and it was a lovely day, perfect for a stroll with my buddy.  While walking from the parking garage to the shops, Desi and I saw many dogs walking with their humans.  Some lunged at him (he ignores this), a few barked (that usually gets a tail wag), and a couple made moves to sniff him (he's always good with that).  I generally ask Desi to stay at my side and we try to wait 3 feet or so away from other people and their dogs, so as not to be rude or crowding at stop lights, corners, standing in line, etc.  More than once, Desi was approached and petted without any discussion/acknowledgement of me.  Keep in mind, I was wearing my bright turquoise, Furry Friends Pet Assisted Therapy t-shirt, so there is no way people could miss me.  Maybe they figured if I was wearing a shirt about therapy animals, then it must be okay to approach and touch my dog without asking?  But here's the thing. Yes, Desi IS the quintessential pet assisted therapy dog. He loves EVERYBODY and really does want to meet EVERYONE, ALL OF THE TIME.  However, I saw some of these same people walking up to other dogs who gave no indication whatsoever that they enjoyed that kind of attention from strangers. In fact, I observed a couple of dogs quickly move away from approaching strangers and bark a warning.  Did those approaching strangers apologize? No. They made angry facial expressions and comments to those dogs' owners about how dogs who aren't friendly shouldn't be out in public.  That really ticked me off.

Just because a dog isn't friendly with strangers, is slow to warm up, or simply needs you to get permission from its owner before petting, doesn't negate that dog's right to be out in public.  Don't get me wrong here. I don't think that it is okay to bring an overtly aggressive, people-biting dog out in a congested, high traffic area. None of these dogs were aggressive that I could see. They just didn't want to be approached or touched by strangers.  And the woman walking with the service dog wearing a working dog vest and harness in the department store?  She shouldn't have been approached at all and she shouldn't have had to say, "No, please don't touch my dog. He's working."  What is wrong with the general public?  I am pretty sure these same people would not have wanted strangers walking up and touching their children unsolicited, and yet they think it is okay to do it with people's unfamiliar dogs? And, yes, I understand dogs are not children, but I do believe the analogy is a good one.

I know I am probably preaching to the choir here with a lot of you reading this.  However, I am certain you know people who do this or who admonish other folks for taking their dogs out in public even if they aren't friendly with strangers, don't like other dogs, etc.  Spread the word.  Give dogs and their humans space. Share the sidewalk.  Talk to the human before asking about the dog.  Don't touch or approach service dogs.  Be kind to one another.  And by all means, ask me if you can pet my therapy dog.  I will say yes.

Would love to hear your thoughts on this as well. And, as always, if you have behavior questions or concerns, you know where to find me.

Desi striking a pose in front of a Spring window display on our Sunday outing.

The Canine Smile

My daughter and I recently took a trip to Seattle.  While there, we had the opportunity to walk around the large park near the Space Needle on a beautiful, sunny day.  Was so nice to see lots of people out walking their well-behaved dogs in a public setting.  We spotted a couple walking a young husky and commented to each other about how calm and happy the dog appeared on leash, exploring all the smells.  At one point, they started walking in our direction.  Both of us made brief eye contact with the dog and were delighted to see the dog "smile" at us (mouth had been closed following a good sniff, then the dog raised her head, softened her gaze, and her mouth opened in a big grin, in case you are wondering what I mean!) and walked over to us doing a full body wag for some sniffs and love.  We were delighted to pet her.  She was so gentle, friendly, and amenable.  The owner commented that the dog always seems to know "dog people."  That got me to thinking about "dog people."

So, sometimes I come across people who label themselves as "dog people," but then behave in ways which indicate that while they may like/love dogs, they really don't "get" dogs or understand them.  Running up to a dog they don't know, patting that dog on the head, getting in the dog's face, or squealing at the dog all seem like very poor behavior on the part of said "dog people." Dogs are so forgiving, most of the time, holding their ground when rushed, tucking their ears away from those head pats, gaze averting and lip licking in response to humans' in their face stares and squeals. Frankly, I think the husky we met was just thrilled to not see any of those things with us.  We took turns petting the dog under her chin, made soft, happy sounds to her, and waited to see if she wanted more attention.  She came back one more time for attention before moving on with her owner.  She glanced back at us over her shoulder once almost as if to say," You two are pretty cool. Nice to meet you both!" We were happy to have made her acquaintance as well.

So, what's my point here? My point is that we all need to try to be better "dog people." Let unfamiliar dogs CHOOSE to approach you or not.  Make yourself approachable by not staring, not squealing, and engaging the owner in a friendly manner. If the dog chooses not to approach, don't take it personally.  But if the dog does approach, give them a gentle scratch or rub under the chin and see if they'd like more from you.  Let them sniff you...it's a dog thing.  And thank the owner for letting you engage their dog.  This seems like common sense to my daughter and me, but then again, we are "dog people."

As always, if you have questions about dog behavior, you know where to find me.  I will likely be teaching another seminar on canine body language and how to speak dog in the near future. Hope to see you there!

Working Class Dog

I have a couple of clients whose dogs are able to go to work with them on most days.  Their employers not only are okay with dogs in the workplace, they encourage it!  Seems that more and more businesses are realizing that people are productive and more relaxed when they have their dogs with them.  I can understand that; they aren't worried about working long hours and leaving their dogs home alone, as the dogs are right there with them!  Having a dog with you at work means you can reach down for a few pats when you need to decompress, and that dog will need a few bathroom breaks which means you will stretch your legs as well.  That definitely helps you recharge and refreshes your productivity.

Dogs in the workplace isn't a completely new idea, of course.  Back in the 80's, I was taking my dog to work with me. I was a graduate student at UC Davis, slogging through classes, student teaching, and long hours in my office.  Having Shadow with me meant I didn't have to run home several times each day, and she wasn't lonely.  It also meant that stressed out undergrads who came to my office hours could pet Shadow and (hopefully) feel a little better.  I have certainly been into many small businesses where dogs (and cats) are on site, cuddling up to patrons and welcoming you to their shops.  Frankly, I love seeing dogs and cats holding court in indie bookstores, antique shops, and home stores.  However, I also know there are people who don't like animals or are afraid of them.  Do they avoid patronizing these businesses where there is an obvious animal on the premises? According to The Hartford, a major business insurer, the answer is an unequivocal yes.  So, if you are a business owner that has an animal on your premises, and you are in a customer service type business like a shop or store, what can you do to insure that you don't lose that potential sale?

I think the real issue here is the behavior of the animals on the premises.  If your pet is well-behaved, approachable, well-groomed, and outgoing, but not pushy, I doubt that their presence will be a huge deterrent. If, however, your store pet isn't well-behaved, or appears threatening in any way, I can understand why people shy away from coming in. Even if you work in an office where pets are allowed in your office or cubicle, it is still important that they be well-behaved, well-groomed, etc.  You are still working with other people and it isn't fair for your dog's behavior (or their odor!) to impinge upon someone else's work experience.  In fact I had one client reach out to me because she'd been told she couldn't bring her dog to work anymore until she got his lunging and barking under control! And if your dog suffers from separation anxiety, taking them to work with you doesn't solve the problem, in fact, your dog will likely still exhibit symptoms there if you walk away from them for a moment, thus disrupting your workplace and jeopardizing your ability to bring them with you.

Bottom line here is that I like to see animals going to work with their humans, hanging out in stores, etc.  As long as those animals are well-behaved, I will always welcome them in my space.  How do you feel about animals in stores? In offices? Do you take your pet to work with you?  As always, if you need help getting your dog's behavior "office ready," you know where to find me.

Desi and Pearl used to love loading up in the truck

 and heading to bookstore with me when I worked there.

Great Expectations

No, I'm not trying to re-write my favorite Dickens' novel.  I just wanted to talk briefly about, well, great expectations, as they relate to the dogs we choose to share our lives with.

Recently, I've noticed a plethora of online questionnaires allowing potential dog owners to "answer these 10 questions and we'll tell you the perfect dog breed for you!" First off, there's no way a canned, 10 question test can accurately match you with your doggie soulmate.  Just as with the perfect human match for you, there is a lot more involved than just 10 questions.  Plus, I've noticed that these questionnaires actually suggest some very questionable matches.  I've taken the tests many times, as have many of my colleagues, because we find them entertaining, often eye-roll worth, and quite frequently face-palm inducing. I took one recently where they suggested that a Malinois was a good choice for a novice owner who enjoys a smart active dog.  Are you kidding me?! Anyone who knows this breed knows they aren't for novices and to say that they are simply "smart and active" is like saying that "rain is wet." Thank you Captain Obvious.  What about why they are that smart and what it will take to keep them engaged?!

Here's the thing. If people just took these tests for the fun of it, I'd have no problem with them. Like those online buzzfeed quizzes, they give you a good giggle over your morning cup of coffee. No, the bigger problem is people think these quizzes are real and the answers are all they need to make their next dog companion choice.  This is simply not true and likely to lead them down a path filled with frustration, unhappiness, and unfulfilled expectations.

So, when you are ready to choose your next dog, you certainly can, and should, approach it in a scientific manner. Research breeds while first taking into consideration the very basics.  That is, where you live, how much time you have to exercise the dog, how much time you have to devote to grooming, any allergies in your household, and your budget. The answers to these basic questions will narrow your field of choices significantly.  Then, you need to think about behavior and temperament.  Are you looking for a laid back companion to lay on the couch and watch Netflix with you? One with a lot of drive to perform, who will work with you on an agility course 5 days a week?  Or maybe a weekend warrior like yourself who will be happy to hang out at home during the week, but wants to hit the beach and the park on Saturdays and Sundays?

I am assuming you've noticed that I haven't once mentioned what the dog looks like or how popular the breed is.  That's because people get too wrapped up in "the cute factor" or the "in vogue factor" to understand that some of the most beautiful, popular dogs in the world aren't perfect in every home.  Plus, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Some people think Pugs are ugly. I for one think they are adorable and their temperaments make them suitable to a lot of home environments, including those with young children.

I have my own questionnaire that I give owners (and one for their kids, if they have them!) which is a lot longer than 10 questions!  At the end of the process, I match people with breeds that meet their expectations.  And more than once, I've told people that the dog they are looking for does not actually exist.  Reality can be a real downer sometimes. However, if you really know what to look for, your great expectations for your next canine companion may be closer to a reality.

So, if you've taken any of those online quizzes, would love if you would share the breeds you were matched with, versus what dog you actually have!  I had a friend who was looking for a laid back companion dog with a low maintenance coat.  She got matched with a German Shorthair Pointer.  Are you kidding me?!  They got the coat maintenance thing right, I guess, but laid back?! Anyone who has ever lived with a GSP knows laid back is not the description most often used for them.  Anyway, share your experiences.  And, as always, if you have questions or need help choosing your next dog, you know where to find me.

My perfect match. Always <3

Grief Is Complicated

One of my clients just recently lost her dog.  While feeling blessed at the extra months she had with her dog (the dog had responded well to chemo), she was feeling raw, devastated, and fraught with despair now that her beloved dog had passed.  I truly felt her pain.

I hate platitudes. Don't tell me, "it's just a dog." Or "you'll feel better soon." Or "Just get another dog. They will keep you busy and your mind will move on." Or any of the other million, un-helpful things people tell you when you lose a dog.  As is true for many of my clients, my dogs are beloved family members and their passing is grieved like the loss of any two-legged family member.

So what did I do when she called me? I cried with her.  We talked about how wonderful her dog had been and how truly fortunate she was to have this dog in her life for so long.  We talked about heart dogs.  And most importantly, I just listened.  She needed to be heard and I most certainly can listen.

I know another dog will be in her future.  She is a "dog person." When that will happen, though, isn't something we can speculate on and I gave her "permission" to wait however long that takes.  Grief is complicated; it's ugly and messy.  Some of us grieve loudly while others grieve in silence. But you have to grieve before you can ever consider opening up your heart and home to another dog.

It really is their only fault. Dogs just don't live long enough.

I still miss this sweet girl. Pearl you will live in our hearts forever.

Letting Dogs Be Dogs

I had a really fun conversation with a client this morning.  He has an adolescent Pit Bull mix who is absolutely adorable. She's just a big, goofy, ball of enthusiasm and joy. There is simply no other way to describe her.  So, what's the problem? My client was told by a couple of people at the park that he needs to teach her "impulse control" so that she will be a "good dog."  I am so pleased that he called me before googling what this means, or even worse, trying to do it to his dog.

Come on folks. Dogs are dogs.  Dogs are not people. They are not little kids.  They are not infants.  They most certainly are not wolves.  We can't get upset with dogs for behaving like dogs.  Choosing to share your home with a member of another species is a choice.  Dogs most certainly can make great companions.  However, assuming that they *will* does them (and you) a disservice. You do have to take an active role in this relationship.  It isn't all sunshine and rainbows.  There will be accidents in your house, torn up stuff, and hurt feelings.  It is up to you to teach and train your dog to meet your expectations.  So, let's get back to my client's Pit Bull mix.

He loves his dog. They run together every day, get puppuccinos at the Starbucks drive-thru once a week, and love to play on the beach at Fort Funston. He knows that she needs lots of exercise and he makes sure she gets it.  He takes her to the park to play and removes her when she is tired. So what impulse needs controlling?  Her impulse to run? To play? Dogs don't need impulse control. People need to better understand that other species they've chosen to live with.

Dogs like to run, sniff, and pull on leash to get to the next smelly thing.  They like to forage.  Feeding them in a bowl is so not a dog thing.  Feeding them from an interactive toy so that they work for what they eat makes more sense to them.  Whiles puppies sleep 18-20 hours a day, adult dogs sleep 12-14 hours.  Sure, they can sleep on your couch or your bed if you want them to, but the bottom line is that they do need somewhere to sleep, and that couch looks pretty comfy. They like to play, and enjoy the play more if it's not always the same game. Novelty is good. Dogs are territorial. They will bark when someone or something changes on their home turf. Even if it's just leaves blowing by, squirrels, or a FedEx delivery. Dogs will sniff crotches and jump up.  Some dogs hump people when excited, grab people by the hands or clothing, and pee on the floor.  All dog things for sure.  It is your job to teach your dog what works for you and what doesn't. Be clear in what you are looking for.  Reinforce them for the good choices they make and let them know when the choices they've made don't work for you.  It isn't about controlling their impulses so much as showing them the appropriate outlets for their normal dog behaviors.

I know those people at the park meant well. They thought that this sweet, goofy Pit Bull might be judged by others negatively for her enthusiasm.  Me? I see her behavior as normal for an adolescent dog of this breed.  While I do think we need to work on her propensity to chase cats, I don't think that the fact that she wants to chase cats is abnormal. Dogs like to chase stuff. I get it.  They just can't chase the cats that they live with for obvious reasons.

Let's all make a better effort to understand dogs for who they are.  They branched off from wolves more than 14,000 years ago, so using language that relates to that non-domesticated species isn't helpful.  Dogs are learning from us every single day.  They learn even when we aren't actively teaching them.  They have certainly taken the time to understand us, manipulate us, and predict our behavior, perhaps we should do the same.

Long collie noses are most likely the result of some long ago breeding with sighthounds like the Borzoi.  Nowadays, many a collie likes to use those long noses for getting into other people's business. It's my job to remind Ozzie why such behaviors are not appreciated.