Holiday Mayhem!

I don't know about you, but I just came to the realization this week that the holidays are creeping up on us fast! Thanksgiving is just a week away, Hanukkah is in a month, and Christmas is two weeks after that. Are you ready? I'm not just talking about the planning of food for events, purchasing gifts, holiday cards, etc. I'm talking about preparing your pets. Are they ready for this? There will be changes to their daily schedules, re-arranged furniture, an increased number and variety of visitors to your home, perhaps some rambunctious kids even, and there will definitely be some amazing food involved. If we add in the physical hazards of the season as well such as strings of lights, candles, tinsel, holiday plants, etc. you can see why I am already worried!

Pets exhibit their stress in several ways. They may become overly hyper, barking excessively, jumping up on people and furniture, and getting into everything. However, some pets become more withdrawn, hiding under beds or in closets, refusing to eat, and wishing that all the commotion was over with. Often our pets respond differently during the holidays because we ourselves are acting differently. From November through January, our routines change, reflecting our holiday commitments, and turning our pets' worlds upside down.

While not always easy, we should all try to maintain our pets' usual routines as much as possible. Focus on feeding and walking them at the same times, checking the water bowl frequently, make sure litter boxes are clean, and most importantly make sure that we have provided quiet places of refuge for our pets to retreat if they need to escape the craziness of the season.

The holidays can definitely be hectic, but they really are a wonderful time to reconnect with family and friends. Don't forget to spend quality time with your pets as well, and do keep in mind how stress-reducing their company can be. Just spending time with your pets reduces your blood pressure (and theirs), improves your moods, and and enhances each other's well-being. Now, what could be a greater holiday gift than that?

Time to Visit Your Vet? No Problem!

I had a great conversation with my dogs' veterinarian. We were discussing how dogs behave in the vet hospital setting. So many dogs are acutely uncomfortable when they are there, to the point of excessively panting, barking, whining, and even displaying aggression. There is, however, something you can do to help your dog be less anxious when visiting the vet's office. First, let's look at why your pets are anxious there, so that we can better figure out how to alleviate that anxiety.

Most animals become anxious at the vet's office for very obvious reasons. They are there because they don't feel well. Even we behave more anxiously when we don't feel well. But even if your pet feels well, they may still be anxious from the moment they enter the vet hospital door because many vet hospitals smell to them like other anxious pets and anxious owners!  So what can veterinarians do to alleviate this? They can make their hospitals more inviting and less sterile in appearance. That helps the humans behave less anxiously. They can use DAP (Dog Appeasing Pheromones) and Feliway plug ins, as well as soothing area sprays to reduce anxiety in both their canine and feline patients, and their owners. Scheduling appointments so that the waiting room isn't over-crowded also helps diminish stress, as does moving clients and their pets into and out of exam rooms efficiently.

But what can you, the pet parent, do to reduce your pet's anxiety? First off, visit your vet's office often so that it isn't a strange, scary place for them. My vet suggests visiting her office between 12 and 2 p.m. when they don't schedule regular appointments. That way, anxious pets can visit the waiting room, exam room, etc. without worry of interfering with the flow of regular patients in her practice. Work with your pet first in the parking lot, and then work with them as you move toward the vet hospital, and finally move indoors. Reinforce calm behaviors, encourage sniffing, use treats if you can as well to reinforce behaviors you like such as not pulling on the leash, not barking or whining, etc. Many animals will perform self-soothing techniques as well such as yawning, scratching, and shaking it off. These are all good things and give you indicators of how your pet is feeling. The one thing you don't want to do is to tell your anxious pet that it is okay when they are feeling anxious; this just reinforces their anxiety. Instead, wait for calm behaviors and reward those.

If your pet is aggressive at the vet's office, either toward other animals or toward the veterinary staff, don't hold back that information. Let people know what you are dealing with so that everyone working with you and your pet stay safe. It might mean bringing your animal to the vet in a crate, teaching them to wear a humane muzzle, etc. There is a terrific new handling technique that may help as well to soothe and calm your dog. If you'd like more information, please just ask!

In the meantime, let me know how your pet is at the vet's office. While I think it would be great if they loved going there, I think it is perfectly fine to set a more reasonable goal of having them tolerate their visits there without fear or unnecessary discomfort.

Why Boredom is Bad

Money isn't the root of all evil, boredom is. Boredom is defined as feeling weary as a result of repetitive, uninteresting activities or pursuits. Boredom isn't just a people issue. It's a real concern for animals as well, and certainly true for our dogs. Bored dogs get into trouble.

I have had more than one client argue with me on this point saying, "My dog has a million toys, a yard to play in, etc. How in the world can you say he is bored?!" My response is to say that is exactly why he is bored and then give a human example of the woman standing in front of a closet full of beautiful clothes lamenting, "I have nothing to wear!" Doing the same activities day in and day out, always seeing the same toys on the floor, in the basket, and around the yard, leads to a lack of interest in those things and the search for new stimulation. And it is certainly the case that the mall is full of enticing store windows for the woman who needs something new to wear!

So, how do you deal with bored dogs? You need to get creative. It isn't expensive to treat boredom, but it does require work. Start by picking up all of your dog's toys....yes, all of them. Put them in a box in a closet. Now, select out a couple of those toys that your dog hasn't had any interest in of late, and start a game with him. A few hours later, pick those up and put them away, choose something else to bring out. Maybe it's time for a bone or an edible "toy" such as a Nutrident Bone, bully stick, etc. Experiment even with the edibles you give your dog. If you gave a bone today, then tomorrow give your dog a homemade pupsicle. Or if you used a Kong one day, then the next day give a Busy Buddy toy, or one from Starmark. I have a dozen interactive toys for my dogs from the Busy Buddy company and Starmark that I rotate in with bones, bully sticks, and frozen treats. Dogs do not have object permanence so if you put toys away, or change the edibles you provide for their enrichment, they think whatever you are giving them is new and exciting. Toy rotation makes the toys last longer too! You are basically creating novelty for your dogs by rotating their toys and chewing options so that no two days in a row are the same. In addition, you will want to observe your dogs and "feed" their needs. For example, if you have a puppy and he is chewing on your wood furniture, that is a pup looking for something hard to chew on, with a bit of give, something like a bully stick. Or, if you think your puppy is teething, how about a rope toy soaked in water and then frozen for a maximum gum soothing chewing option?

Treating boredom does not have to break the bank. I love buying new toys and treat games for my dogs and consider it to be a job-related expense, however that may not be the case for everyone. Rotating the toys you already have, adding a few new ones on occasion, and getting creative with boxes, egg cartons, or making your own treats is the key to creating novelty and keeping your pets brains engaged, stimulated, and out of the bored zone.

The collies chewing on "Dogswell Boundless Chew Bones!"

Kids Say The Darndest Things!

I do so enjoy working with kids. This summer, I had the opportunity to do three different visits with kids in animal-themed summer camps. The kids ranged in age from 5 to about 9 years of age.  At the end of each of my presentations, I told the kids that they could ask me any burning, animal behavior related questions they had. And they had some doozies. After each camp, I made a point of jotting down some of the fun, entertaining, and amazing questions the kids asked me. Here are just a few of my favorites to give you a chuckle today. And if you have kids, see what their answers are!

1. Why does my dog scoot scoot his butt on my mom's favorite rug? (I have to say, this question came up twice this summer and both times there was a lot of nodding...and giggling)

So, dogs scoot like this when they have an issue with their anal sacs. The sacs may be full, inflamed, or impacted meaning the dog is unable to empty the sacs by themselves when they go to the bathroom, so they scoot on the floor to try to do it that way. You can certainly encourage your dog to scoot around outside, rather than in the house, as if they do get those anal sacs to empty, it will be stinky!  And if they keep doing it, take them to your veterinarian for a check up.

2.  How come dogs don't like cats? (I got this one twice as well and both times it started spirited discussions from kids whose dogs and cats are buddies)

Dogs and cats can certainly be friendly with each other.  In fact, many people raise their dogs and cats together and they get along quite well, even playing and sleeping together. Even if you see a dog chasing a cat, that doesn't necessarily mean that the dog doesn't like cats. Dogs respond to movement by chasing. That's why they chase squirrels too, and run after each other.  It is often the case that if a cat doesn't run, the dog will walk up and start sniffing them socially.

3.  How come some dogs don't have tails?

All dogs have tails, it's just that some of them have very short, stubby tails that are incredibly close to their rear ends. These dogs with stubby, almost non-existent tails are built that way because having a tail would have gotten in the way of the original job they were bred to do. So, for example, French Bulldogs have a very short nub of a tail. Since all bulldogs were originally used for bull-baiting, not having a tail meant the bull couldn't get a hold of the dog that way and hurt them.

4.  How come dogs sniff other dogs pee?  (Another one of my favorites for the number of giggles from the kids, and sighs from the grownups)

Dogs can tell an awful lot about other dogs from the way that their urine smells and tastes!  They "sample" the urine, using their tongues to push it up against a special organ back where their noses join their mouths. The vomeronasal organ is a dog's chemical analyzer and they will often make a funny face as they are processing the smells. It is called a flehmen response. And they aren't the only animals that have them!

5.  How comes dogs don't talk? (This is one of my favorites!)

I always say that if dogs could talk, we'd all be in trouble!  Quite literally, dogs cannot form words because they lack the ability to use their tongues and lips to form words the way that we do, and their brains are built for more important tasks such as processing smells and sounds. However, dogs are very good imitators and there are certainly dogs that can make sounds, modifying their pitch, tone, and volume in a way that makes it sound like they are saying certain words. Dogs do, however, have the capacity to learn words and more than one language and respond to those words accordingly.

Given how easy it is these days for kids to just "Google" anything they want to know, I find it refreshing that they are still willing to raise their hands and ask questions...and learn from real people and the real world around them.

Flehmen face in a zebra!

                                             

The Nose Knows

Dogs have 300 million olfactory receptors in their noses and the portion of their brains expressly devoted to the analysis and processing of things they smell is 40 times greater than our own. No wonder they are always sniffing the ground, the air...and other places we won't mention. It is certainly the case that early humans relied on the canines around them, not just for their keen hearing, but also for their wonderful sense of smell. Dogs can definitely smell danger on the horizon just as easily as they can smell a box of snacks in a closed cupboard.

Humans do use their sense of smell too, we just aren't as good at it as dogs are. The whole world of aromatherapy, using essential oils extracted from plants to enhance our physical and psychological well-being, relies on humans tapping into the part of their brain that processes smell. Lavender is a flowering plant in the mint family, and well known to have calming, anti-anxiety properties for humans. Lavender can be used to treat insomnia and as a natural form of stress relief. Research shows that the scent of lavender increases the time that humans spend in deep sleep!

Dogs are mammals just like us. They, too, can benefit from the use of lavender in their daily lives. Not only can it have a calming effect on dogs, it can also be used as a natural insect repellent. While lavender is not poisonous, it still could be dangerous if eaten in quantity or if you or your dog are allergic to it, so testing it with your dog first is a must. So, how can you use lavender in your dog's life?

Lavender is the most famous of the essential oils due to its subtle, relaxing aroma. Applying lavender oil to a piece of cardboard inserted into your dog's bed will be soothing and aid relaxation. Lavender oil can be put onto their collars or on a bandanna around their necks to soothe as well as deter insects. Lavender sprays can be purchased or homemade and then sprayed on your dog's bedding, in and around their crate, and in your bedroom as well. While there are lavender diffusers and candles as well, caution should be taken with these as they can be easily knocked over by curious canine noses!

I like to use a lavender spray ("Buddy Splash Lavender and Mint Spritzer") on my collies before they do their pet assisted therapy visits. Not only does the spray make them smell divine, it relaxes them for their visits and relaxes the people petting them!

Let me know in the comments if you have ever tried lavender, or another essential oil,  for your dog. And if you'd like to learn more about the canine nose, pick up a copy of Alexandra Horowitz's book, "Being a Dog: Following the Dog Into a World of Smell."

What did you say?

I am right in the middle of an amazing online course for my business. One of my favorite modules from the course covered verbal and non-verbal communication. While it is important for me to be able to understand what my clients are telling me about their pets, it is also incredibly important for me to hear the things they aren't saying....and to listen to what their pets "tell" me as well.

I am a student of behavior and a keen observer. I have counted the number of times captive ungulates scratched or licked; I have spent countless hours observing the social interactions of captive primates; I collected data for my own research on cheetahs and snow leopards; and for more than 25 years, I've watched domestic animals who live with people. It's not to say that I am some kind of weird voyeur, watching people or animals in an overly clinical or stalker sort of way!  Rather, I believe we have much to learn from observing animals....and we have much to learn from watching each other as well. My mother used to tell me that I was an excellent listener, able to truly hear what others were saying without planning out what I was going to say in response. While I feel that this was a lovely thing to say, it got me to thinking about the "why." Why do I like to listen and observe? And, more importantly, how can that help my clients and their pets? Which really just gets us back to verbal and non-verbal communication.

Animals do speak, their language is just different than ours. And isn't it amazing that those same animals will make an effort to learn our language in order to interact with us?  Fascinating. I know a dog who understands five languages!  He came from Korea, lived with a family who spoke French, ended up living in a home with a family who spoke Spanish, Portuguese, and English. Not only was this dog a world traveler, he was multi-lingual. But what he was best at was observing human behavior and responding accordingly. There are many facets to human body language that are universal and this dog recognized that for sure. When I met this dog, I was there to help ease his transition into his new (and hopefully last!) home environment. Through mutual observation, this dog and I discovered that we had something in common; I liked to walk around looking at the ground, and so did he. We both also liked bacon. So, as I began walking around, looking at the ground, and periodically dropping bacon, we had a "dialogue" and a relationship to build on. My job was to take that foundation and help his new owners build on it, using their body language and watching his. Those non-verbal cues are so important, and sometimes we just need help reading and understanding them in order to find common ground.

If you would like to learn more about canine body language and non-verbal communication in animals, please let me know. New seminars are in the works and I love customizing them to the topics that interest you the most.

Happiness and Success

"Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful." --Dr. Albert Schweitzer

This quote really resonates with me. I love what I do. Helping people understand their pets is very important to me. Providing a balanced approach to that understanding with an emphasis on the pet's well-being is the key. For you to enjoy your pets and for them to be happy and thrive, that's my mission. For me, success is measured by the number of happy clients and pets I have in my life.

Achieving happiness does take effort. Pets with behavior problems do effect your quality of life, as well as theirs. Sometimes the solution is straightforward, but more often than not, the path is less clear. Knowing when to ask for help is key; don't wait until one behavior problem becomes several, or until you have become too frustrated to seek guidance.

That path to success and happiness with your pets can be achieved in many ways. Perhaps you would enjoy a class or seminar. Maybe you need a phone consultation to get you back on the right track. It might also be the case that you need one-on-one coaching to achieve your goals. And if you don't know what kind of help you need, just ask!

Understanding animal behavior is my passion. Helping you to better understand your pet's behavioral needs is my goal. Reaching our goals together...now that's success.