Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine
Expert info,maHon on -.llcIM, bl!havior and health from a worldI.ad,rln veterlr> ~, 18, No. 7 .. U',' lOt.! The No. 1Reason for Aggression Discovering the Seaets of Aging 2 Our similarities with dogs make Fear can cause dogs to go on the attack, especially when them ideal ,andida"s for "search. they feel threatened and have no way ofescape Anothel'Dog Model' fol Study 2 Researchers have found agenetic ggression is the m ost at Cornell University mutation respon~bJe for deft palate. A common and most College of Veterinary serious ca nine behavior Medicine. BUllIS (all fOI Quick Action 3 problem animal behavior Som. may not initially cause pain, ists encounter, according It's Self-defensive, but all require veterinary evaluation. to the ASPCA. It can "Any fearful animal Ask the Experts 8 result in threats or injury will try to get away first, lucky does whatever, whenever, to people, cats, other dogs and his response will and that can sometimes include biting. and animals. be worse if there's no Contrary to popular escape for instance, IN THE NEWS". opinion. however, most if he's cornered, indoors aggression in dogs is looking away or t11cking the tongue i.S or on leash," says Dr. The 'Fat Gap' Continues, defen sive, intended to In tt:'ndt>d to ca lm a frfghtp.nl1l9 indlvldua! Rei sner, one of only 62 BarIng Ihe teeth i'ii rhe npxt §.tllP. But Owners Don't See It put distance between members in the u.s. Slimming down obese dogs them and their targets, board-certified by the to a healthy weight shows [10 says !lana Reisner, DVM, of Media, Penn., American College of Veterinary Behavior is ts. ~ru of prog ress nor of $.gnlflcarn who completed her resid ency and Ph.D. She ad ds fear-related aggress ion can appear owner recognition of the problem, (co ntilluc:d all pagt! 6) according to the Association fo r Pet Obesity PreventIon. Its 2012 survey of veterinary assessrnents found that 52.5 percent of dogs were We Know Chocolate Can Be Toxic ~.eJ ght or obese.Fesu l!5 of a 2m3 sorvey ot 1.421 a 5--s.ess~ nt5 But sugar-free gum and marijuana-laced cookies? released thiS year found 516 per They're among growing risks to pets' health cent were still in the same shape. Even more distressing, in whnt oday many dog owners know to keep Increased Toxicosis, Dr. Mazzaferro, who the association describes as a "fa t chocolate out of paws' reach, but two spent m ore than a decade at an emergency gap: 93 percent of owners WIth dogs T o ther serious health threats have recently and critical care practice in Colorado, where deemed obese believed they w re emerged: marijuana-laced cookies and sug recreational and medical usc of marijuana of norm al weight. And despite n ar-free chewing gum. is now legal, is concerned about it s impact percenr of the owners' acknowledg "Si nce the legalization ma riju ana in ing obe SIty can lead to shortened life of o n dogs' safety. She participated in a study spans In dogs, .012 rct?nt sai d they some states like Colorado, we have seen an published in the Jou rnal ofEmergency and dldn't know wh at healthy weig ht o verabundance in the increase of animals Critical Care that found a Significant cor looked like in tilei! pet<.(See the who ingest ed ible products made with THC relation between the increased number of body chart In ~racing a !-iard Fact: Our oil," says Eli sa Mazzaferro, DVM, Ph .D., medical marijuana licenses and marijuana Dogs Are Fat: DogWmch, April 2014 .) ACVECC, a specia list in emergency and toxicosis in dogs in Colorado_ The Cl5sooatlon cails pet obesity critical care at Co rnell Unive rsity Veteri Researchers evaluated 125 dogs known an epidemIc, linked to osteoarthntis, nary Specialists in Stamford, Co nn . "THC o r suspected of suffering marijuana toxico dia betes, heart disease, joint injUri es ItetrahydrocannabanOidJ is the acti ve toxic sis from January 20 05 to October 2010 in and cancer. 00 ingredient in marijuana." cases at two hospitals - a private specialty (contin ued on page 4) DOGWatch 5HORTTAKE5 Our Similarities Make Dogs Medicine, is on the CLAS executive com EDITOR IN CHIEF William H. Miller, Jr., VMD. Ideal for Research on Aging mittee, with represen ta tives of Yes hiva DIp! ACVD, Pro fess or, Unive,sity, University of Georgia , University Cli nkal Sciences A sweeping study, initially funded with of Al abama, Pra irie View A& M Un iversi ty EDITO R a $340,000 gra nt from the Institute o n and Em ory Universi ty, "Once developed, a Betty Liddick Aging at the National Institutes of Health, canine model holds en ormous promise, and ARlD'R ECTOR Mary Francis McGavic wi ll explore the biology of aging, diagnosis we expec t it to have a sig nifi can t impact o n of disease and possib le interventions, Th e aging research: Dc Boyko says, ADVIS ORY BOARO James A. Flanders, DVM, model for the res earch to be co nducted We al ,eady have a broad knowledge of Dipl ACYS, As<.Ooare Professor, na tio nwide: our companion dogs, We sha,e dog genetics , "Purebred dogs tend to be Cil filcal SCiences more tha n 90 percent of our DNA with relatively inbred," Dr. Pro mislow says, "From KatherlneA . Houpt, VM O. PhD, them, and simllalitles don't stop there. the dog's per spective, this can be problem Dlpl ACVB, Ernemus Professor of Be hav ior Medicine "DNA aside, dogs make a wonderful atiC, Increasing the ris k of cer tai n d iseases, Joseph Wakshlag. MS. DVM, PhD, model for understanding the biology of At the sa me time, researc hers have aliead y Dlpl ACVN, ASSOOdI(> Pro fe ssor, aging," says Professor of Pathology Daniel sh own that thiS unusua l genetic structure (hn!( dol Nutntio n Pro mlslow, PhD., at the University of can help us to Identify s p ec l~c genes associ Marc S. Kraus, DVM, Dlpl ACVIM, Wash ington, As direc tor of the project, the ated with disease risk," l ecture r, Clinical SCi ences Canine Longitudinal Ag ing Stu dy (CL AS)' Pla nning for the project will take two Margaret C. McEntee, DVM. D'pl ACVIM, DACVR, he's understa ndably excited about the yea rs, With addit'lonal funding sought from Professor of Onco logy study's scope and ,n an interview lists the no n-pro fie orga nizarions, com panies and John Parker, BVM 5, PhD, rea sons fo r its focu s on dogs: others in te,ested in t he ag ing and heal th of AssooiJle Professor of Virology co mpani on anima ls, The goa l. Dr. Promislow • "They li ve in the same environment as says, is to track trad itional traits (e nviron Cornell University humans do, allowing uS to bette, under mental fac tors, diet, breed, weight, annual College of stdnd how environment affects hedl th health history, etc), as w ell as modern traits, ® Veterinary Medicine and aging, including measUies of expression levels of • "Despite the genetic differences between tho entire genome, ba cteria in the gut and For information on ret health, VISit the Corr ll(>UlJrllVe: slty dogs and humans, there are hundreds of elsewhere, and circulati ng small molecules, College of Ve t(> flnary Medione diseases that are found in common in the The hope is that the study will enable websll€ al ww w vet co rn e ll. ~du two species, sc ientists to identify predlcto's of diseases • "Th e health care system for dogs is second long befo re obvious symptoms arise, Dr, only to hUffiilns', Promislow say s, and ultimately help us • "Because dogs are sh orter-lived tha n hu underst and fa ctors associated With healthy mans, we ca n study the process of aging agi ng in both humans and dogs, In just a few years," lJr:xI \~iJ(d .t!5 SN 1098· _ 20.39) IS rub'lshed Another Dog Model monthtyfex S39 JX"f year Geneticist Adam Boyko, Ph,D" at Corn ell :]_ hy&!lvoir Medij Group, t LC. 800 (Oflrle(Ho.lt University College Rs earc hers at UC Davis School of Belvo ir Aw. No"" I< C1 0685' of Veterinary Ve terinary Medicine have identified the 1631 Robert England("'f. Olalrman and (EO: TlO" llothy 1-' Cole genetic mula ion respcnsible for a fo rm Uew tlve VICe P-e~-.;Ient, fdlt(:JI\a1 DIf~ tor , Ptullp L P{'1lny. Chief Operaw'lg of cleft palate in Nova Scoria Duck Tolling Ofi![er; Greg King. [=-. e-c Lltlve VI (l:! Retri eve rs, according to their re port in the P r~t M<) ~k c t l ng D'E'!ctor, Ron Goldberg, Ch ef Flnancl:ll orf POS lm(lster Send dCdriSS co rrectlon5 to cial defect, could lead to a better unders tand DogWatch, P.O Box illS, Bi g SJI Idy,TX ing of cleft palate in humans, the resea,chers 75755-8535 say. Th e disorder, one of the most common For Customer Service or Subscription Information. VISi t same environ birth defe< ts in children in the US, affects www d 0 9 w3(Ch new slct t~ r . c o m/c s about one in 1,500 live human births, or call tdl free' 800-829-5574, ment and many of the The study shows dogs have multiple Ex press wntlen p e r m l~Sion j~ s.ame di5eaSeS, requlrPd 10 ((:produce. In afly gene tic causes of cleft pa late that will aid in mannec', the comen!_of lh l~ issue and 1hetl he(tt(h the identification of more candidate genes e l lh~ In fu ll 0- In pafl. For more care ~ 5econu Infotmi31 11 0:\ write Ie Pt> rm JS ~l o ns, only loour~ relevant to human cleft palate, (. DogWatch", 800 Connectl cl,Jl Ave " NOr walk, Cor'llXtiCu\ 06S54· 1631 . DOGWatch JUL Y 10 14 FIRST AID Burns Call for Quick Adion at Home Some will result il1 shock, while others may not initially be painful, but all require veterinary care ogs who remain underfoot during adrenali oe release when they are shocked Make the kitchen off Ilmits dunng med' prepara tion and atrPtw;:mj until thE' 5toYt:·rop ho;t>( ()OOed. D food preparation, bask for hours by the electrical cord," she says. "Any dog in a sunny back yard or walk on hot who chews on a cord needs prompt evalu pavement are all at risk for burns. The ation by a veterinary professional." Ifyour dog suffers a burn, here's quick three main types of burns are chemical, First-degree burns affect the skin su action you can take: electrical and thermal, which is caused perficially and calise discomfort. Second • Safely restrain him with a mU7zle to by hot objects. degree painfully penetrates several under avoid being bitten. If you don't have "Burns, in general, are not common, lying layers, and third-degree burns injure one, you can use a leash or nylon but 1see electrical burns from puppies all layers ofthe skin and can result in stocking to prevent him from o.pen or dogs chewing on cords that are left sbock. If your dog has been burned, don't ing his jaws and biting. exposed and within their reach, and I be fooled by his seeming lack of pain. • Gently apply a damp cloth as a cold have seen burns on small dogs from be"A person may not be able to distin compress on the burn site. ing underfoot when an owner with hot guish first- from second- or third-degree, • Alert the nearest veterinary clinic you tea or coffee trips over them," says Elisa also known as full thickness burns," are en route so the staff can have an Mazzaferro, DVM, Ph.D., ACVECC, a Dr. Mazzaferro says. "In fa ct, a first- or exam room ready to treat this medi specialist in emergency and critical care second-degree burn may be more painful cal emergency. at Cornell University Veterinary Special initially than a third·degree burn, as the ists in Stamford, Conn. nerves have been burned and will not be To reduce the risk of your dog being painful until the overlying skin sloughs burned, Dr. Mazzaferro recommends Ute Threatening. "The affected pa off and the underlying tissue and nerve these measures: tient can develop Ii fe-threatening non endings are exposed. Whenever there is a • Place electrical cords inside chew cardiogenic pulmonary edema - fluid burn, the animal should be evaluated by resistant caSings, especially if you flooding the lungs - as a result of massive a veterinary professional." have a puppy or young adult dog keen on exploring his surroundings. TACTICS YOU SHOULD NOTTRY • Usher dogs into an enclosed room with toys and treats or a canine kennel while These at·home remedies can worsen a burn and slow healing: you prepare meals and wait to welcome them out until the stovetop has cooled. • Don't apply a gauze pad or wrap chemical burn. "Owners may auze on the bum site. Gauze want to negate the affects of an • Switch from flame candles to battery ------c"an disrupt a blister if one forms. alkaline chemical burn, but the operated ones that flicker bur do not net result is a heat-producing, emit heat. • Don't use ice cubes on the bum exothermic reaction, which can • Store all chemicals in storage areas site to coolll Vou can inad cause more tissue damage," Dr. that pets and children can't access. vertently cause hypothermia Mazzaferro says. • Position a fireplace screen to block aC - excessive l o~ of your dog's cess to wood-burning or gas-burning body heat. • Don't wrap a b urned dog too fireplaces. The screen also prevents tightly In a towel because he • Don't apply over·the-counter hot cinders from flying out. can overheat on me way to the flrst·aid burn ointments formu veterinary clinic. Brachycephalic lated for people on the wound. breeds - those with short Sadly, the prognOSis for survival Dogs can be sensitive to Ingre muzzles such as Pugs and worsens when a dog incurs second- andl dients in products made for Bulldogs - are al an increased or third-degree burns on more than 40 human use. risk for overheating. At the same percent of his body. "If a client is aware of • Don't dab or pour vinegar or time, don't wet more than one the prognosis and is committed to saving lemon juice or any other sub quarter of the total body, or he the animal's life, then I am committed to stance to try to neutralize a can develop hypothermia. treat aggressively to give them a chance ofsu rviving," says Dr. Mazzaferro. t) JU LY 201 4 www .doq w. lchnews leu er.com ) SAFETY POISONS .. . (COli /limed/rom 11,,,over) legal in Washington state. Although the goods, toothpastes, jams and energy referral hospital and a university teach Pet Poison Helpline doesn't release the bars. Dr. Mazzaferro's advice: treat ing hospital. volume of calis, it has noted a 200 percent these fo od item s as yo u do your medi Seventy-six dogs had known mari increase in ques tions ab out marijuana. ca tions by never leaving your purse juana exposure or a positive urinary "Of all illicit drugs, marijuana has always containing gum on the floor or leave drug screening test. Six dogs had known been responsible for the most calls to Pet any of these products on kitchen coun rna rijua na ingestion and a negative Poison Helpline. but this recent increase ters. "Keep them locked up and away urinary test, and 43 dogs with known is the sharpest we have ever seen," says from pets. If possible. avoid purchasi ng toxicologist Ahna Brutlag, DVM, MS. gums that contain xylitol." Signs of marijuana pOi soning in dogs, which can begin up to a n hour Human Medications, According to after jngestion or smoke inhalation, the ASPCA:s Animal Poison Control include incoordination, dilated pupils, Center, human medications once again vomiting. coma, agitation, changes in topped the list of poisons m ost common heart rate, tremors and seizures, ac ly ingested by pets last yea r at nea rly 20 cording to the ho tline. percent ofall calls. A majority involved cardiac medications to control heart rate Xylitol Risks. "The acti ve chemical in and blood pressure. followed by anti sugar-free gum is xylitol, and it doesn't depressa nt and pain medications. A leaf from a malijUJf!ii pidnr take much ofjt for an animal to develop Dr. Mazzaferro ca ul ions owners to low glucose and se izures or seriolls liver be alert to their dog's reactions indi marijuana ingestion were not tested. problems," Dr. Mazzaferro says. ''A cating poisoning: vomiti ng, diarrhea, The findings showed the incidence of 55 -pound dog who ate five or six pieces excitabilit y, excessive salivati on and marijuana toxicosis at both hospitals of chewing gum vom ited and came to us possible loss of consciollsness. The signs increased fou rfold, while the number within seven hours of ingesting the gum depend on factors, such as age, health, of people registered for medical mari and all of her li ver enzymes were off the amount of food ingested and the juana in the stale increased 146-fold in the chart. Xylito l is a very quick poison. duration between the time the foo d wa s the past five yea rs. Two dogs who had Fortunately, this dog did survive, but she ingested and veterinary treatment. ingested medical-grade marijuana in spent several days in OU f hospital and Some foods and ru ed ic in es deemed baked products died. received IV fluids and anti-nausea medi perfectly safe for you ca n be danger The goods or candy used for human catio ns to support her li ve r." o us and deadly if yo ur dog ingests THC is processed and made into baked Sometimes veterinarians treating them for one simple reason: His body products. Dr. Mazzafarro says. "The oi l dogs who have ingested suga r-free gllm m etabolizes fo od di ffe re ntl y, Dr. Maz is very potent and does not lake much may have difficulty in deciding on treat zaferro says. "In additio n, smaller to ingest to qUic kly get clinical signs in ment. "Gum companjes say that the animals are mo re sen sitive to eve n a dog." amount ofxylitol in their formulations minute amounts of some poisons due Medical use of marijuana is now is proprietar y," Dr. Mazzaferro says. to a very small bod y size. Less of tbe legal in 20 states and the District of The substance is also used as food toxin can be even more deadly for Columbia, and fe-creationai use is also additive in some breath mints, baked very small animals." ~.. Common toxins Include: . Chocolale - Dark chocolate Rn;,i,u and gr"pe.s The most is the biggest problem be common early symptom of toxic ca use it contains nea r1y nine ity is vomiting, then diarrhea, times more theobromine - a lethargy, excessive thirst and molecule similar to caffeine urination, with sudden kidney - than milk chocolate. A dog failure developing within one to who ingests chocolate can three days, says VCA Animal Hospitals. experi ence elevated heart rate, high blood pressure, tremors a nd seizures. Chocolate ingestion represents an average of26 Onions and garlic - This pai r in any form - raw, pow calls per day to the ASPCA Poison Control Center. dered, cooked or dehydrated - contains alliums that dogs 4 DOGWatch JUlY 101< ------ - - SAFETY do not metabolize very well. IMMEDIATE ACTION TO TAKE They can cause gastrointestinal upset, destruction of red blood cells and anemia. If you suspect your dog has Inge.sted a poison, lime Is of the essence. Conlact his veterinarian, Avocados - The ingredient persin in an avocado's leaves and the 24-hour Pet Polson Helpline (800-213 -6680) fruit can cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs. or the ASPCA APCC hotline (888-426-4435). Both are staffed by veterinary toxicologists. coffee. soda Caffeillated tea and You should Immediately: Excessive caffeine consumption can cause heart palpitations, rapid • Monitor your dog and remove other pets from breathing, muscle tremors and sei the area who also could Ingest the food or Zllres. Stimulant drinks and some medicine. cold medicines for humans also • Collect a sample of the poison in a plaslicreseal contain caffeine. able bag to take to the veterinary clinic. Mu cadamias - These nuts can cause vomiting and diarrhea • Limit your dog's movement by wrapping him In a and in some cases paralysis. IOwel or holding him to prev""t the spread of the poison in hi~ body. Uncooked bread dough - Rising dough on a cookie sheet • Don't u:;e 3-percent hydrogen peroxide to induce on your kitchen counter could be an invitation a hungry vomiting without advice from a veterinarian. If, dog, but yeast in the dough expands, causing painful for example, your dog had bitten into the balter swelling and stretching of the abdomen. "The dough can les of the TV remote, putting hydrogen peroxide ferment in your dog's stomach, causing signs similar to In his mouth would cau:;e cau~tic burns on his drunkenness)" Dr. Mazzaferro says. esophagus. "Hydrogen peroxide doesn't always work and can be irritating to the stomach if you Alcollol - It takes only a small amount to damage your give too much,' Dr. Mazzaferro says. "We have dog's liver and possibly be lethal. Keep a II beer, wine and quicker fixes at the veterinary clinic to induce hard liquor inaccessible to him. "A dog can get drunk, vomiting. such as apomorphine. It is much more nauseous and his respiration can be affected. He can also reliable and reverses the effects." injure himself because the alcohol makes him uncoordi nated," Dr. Mazzaferro says. "A nd a dog can aspirate vomit Veterinarians apply a tablet of apomorphine into into his lungs." the conjunctival sac in the eye or adminIster it by Injection. "Apomorphine works better In dogs Fatfrom ",.at.- If you than cats: Dr. Mazzaferro says, but should not want your dog to enjoy a be administered to any animal with breathing piece 6fyourl-bone;-cut <.t or neurological problems. In-some cases, ;fan small lean piece. Don't give Ingested substance Is caustic or contains a petro him fat or gristle. They can leum-based product, veterinarians will also not cause vomiting. diarrhea and Induce vomiting. inflammation of the pancreas, Home remedies such as syrup of Ipecac, salt water leading to pancreatitis. or mustard seed water have not been proved to be effective in Inducing vomiting safely in pets, Dr. Raw fis', or meat - The protein in them can harbor bacteria Mazzaferro says. "Expired Ipecac can cause cardiac such as sa lmonella that can cause vomiting and arrhythmias. and salt can cause sodium toxicity diarrhea. and sudden brain swelling in high doses: Milk- A small amount may occasionally To be prepared for an emergency, keep a well be OK for some dogs, but keep in mind that stocked pet first-aid kit, post the phone number a dog's digestive tract becomes somewhat of the nearest emergency veterinary clinic on your lactose intolerant after puppyhood. Milk refrigerator and enroliln a veterinarian-approved offered daily can cause diarrhea and other pet first-aid cla~s , GI upsets. ~ JULY 2014 www do gwarch Bews letltl.COnl S BEHAVIOR FEAR ,., (COJl ri rru j:dfrom II,e cavt.r) • Stressful environments, to be an offensive reaction but is actually such as animal shelters proactive self·defense. or boarding kennels. While some people say dogs at • Men a nd women in tack without warning. it's a rarity. ff uniform, such as police they have an opportunity, dogs warn officers and delivery they're afraid. Their body language drivers. "My brother's expresses their feelings. For instance. Australian Shepherd, they may initially look away, lower Emma. is terrified of their bodies and flick their tongues uniforms," says Jill - intended to appease or calm the Fisher Gibbs of Bill threatening individual. If that isn't ings, Mont. "My broth effective, they may threaten aggression er is a paramedic and by flattening their ears, baring teeth, Emma is afraid of him barking and lunging. when he comes home Pain from unrecognized medical in uniform. When he Youn g children who move quickly r1 n(J rmpuJslv()ly, Or couch dog '!. l ~ p p l oprrate ly can tr ~ge r deCensive aggl e ~ '!.lon. Hdll of conditions can al so cause dogs to lash changes clothes, she is th(> ilrmual 4.5 million dog-b.te Vlc. tlm\ In The U <; ar~ children Out. Other common triggers include: just fine," • Uncomfortable situa • Strangers in tbe home or the ap tions such as grooming or veterinary there is an underlying worry or anxiety, proach of unknown people or dogs visits. Perri, a 6-yea r- old Greyhound, making unfamiliar triggers more fright outside the h ome, especially if un snarls and snaps when her nails are ening. Avoi dance and safety are most expected. Dogs may also react to trimmed, even though owner Marcia important, and then desensitization and unintentionally threa tening body Herman of Anderson, S.c.. has never counter conditioning." language, such as fa cing him with harmed her in the process. "We got [f your dog displays fearful or ag direct eye contact, Dr. Rei sner says, her at 3 months, and she was fine un gressive behaviors, give him space until as well as interactions humans would til she turned 6 or 7 months. Then it he can relax. You don't want him to feel consjder friendly, such as reaching to was like a switch turned on. It takes cornered or trapped. Never punish him. pet a fearful dog. one person to hold her and One to do Punishment increases fear and can com the nails. We muzzle her, too," promise his trust. BACK OFF FROM THESE • Skateboards, bicycles and other sta r Of course, your dog is going to have TE LLTALE SIGNS tling, noisy and fast-mOVing stimuli. to have his nails trimmed or encounter • Young children who move quickl y strangers at some point. It 's unlikely you If you know what (0 look for, It'~ and impulsively, or touch them in can completely eliminate fear aggres easy \0 recognize a fearful dog appropriately - pulling their ears siol1, but sometimes you can manage it through body language.Typical or tail or trying to ride them. Some by desensitizing and countercondition signs Include; children may put their face up to a ing him to the things that scare him, dog's , perhaps offering a kiss, or they taking steps to help him feel more com • A Stiff, still body lean over his head. reach for his food fortable in frightening situations, and if • Low, threatening bark or toy. or try to crawl into his crate. necessary, avoiding those situations. • Growls, snapping, nipp'lng Parents often think the behavior is For example, your dog may be afraid and bi ting. or a lightly dosed endearing. not realizing the dange r. when strangers come to the home. You mouth According to the Centers fo r Disease don't want to stop having guests, so you Control, half of the 4.5-million an need to gradually expose your dog to • Lowered ta I nual dog-bite victims are children. visito rs from what he considers a safe • Head turned away The rate of dog bite-related injuries is distance. When they are in sight but far h ighest among children between the away, reward him with treats. Food, to ys As he thnea l lncrcase5, the dog's ages of 5 and 9 yea rs. or other counterconditioning devices response escalates. Your best recourse: Back off without turn should come from the person the dog Ing around. And if the problem Typically, the com mon cause of trusts - yo u - rather than from the continues, conwlt a veterinary fear reaction is not a bad experience, as scary, unfamiliar person. Continue this behaviorist for expert help. you might assume, but anticipation of every time guests are in the home. Done something bad, Dr. Reisner says. "O ften over a period of time - and it will likely DOGWat(h JUL Y 101-4 BEHAVIOR require multiple practice sessions ence and priming it with food, treats your dog will eventually learn to associ· and toys. This helps the dog form posi· ate guests with his favorite liver snacks tive associations with the crate so he's and may even begin to welcome visitors. not reluctant to ride in it. An hour before a car ride or visit A Wide Berth. Keep treats in you r to the veterinarian, release calming pocket when you walk your dog. If you pheromones in the room where the dog see another dog at a distance, walk your spends the most time and apply them dog at a wide berth from the approach· to the crate's interior or bedding. You ing dog (or skateboard or stranger) and can buy canine pheromones in the form keep moving while rewarding him for of sprays or wipes. Dr. Becker also sug· paying attention to you. With practice. gests using Thundershirts, tight-fitting your dog willleam to look to you when garments that calm the dog by provid. he sees something frightening instead of ing a constant, gentle "hug." reacting fearfully. For dogs who bite or threaten to _Dogs who are fearful ofveterinary bite at the veterinary dinic, Dr. Becker Uncomfcttable Situations 'Such a~ ~,oam· :ng and veterinary vlSr ts, where dogs teel vi sits and travel call for more patience. recommends using desensitization and cornered. can cause them to fash out Marty Becker, DVM, who advises prac· counterconditioning to teach them to tices on fear-free visits for pets, recom wear a muzzle. mends leaving your dog's travel Crate out At the clinic, check in while your Then wait with him until you can take at home $0 he becomes used to its pres dog waits in the car if it isn't a hot day. him straight inlo the exam room. If you have a small dog in a carrier, instead of MODIFY THE BEHAVIOR GRADUALLY - WITH TREATS letting it hang at your side, hold it as if it contains a valuable and delicate ob· ject - which, of course, it does. Socialization is important, but inherited temperament can Stree·-free Rides. Practice car rides also be a factor In aggression, long before your dog needs to go any· says behaviorist lIana Reisner, where. Start by placing his crate - with DVM, ·Obtaining a puppy from him inside - in the car and closing a responsible, ethical and expe the door. It's best if the crate is on a flat rienced breeder who soc ialized surface so the dog is comfortable. Sit the pup and can assure you the in the car for a few minutes, then take parents are not fearful is a good thing. If a dog Is adopted from a him back indoors. After doing this a few shelter or breed rescu e, it may be times. move on to starting the engine o.ce.difflcu!Lto oredl,Lbehavior, and then backing down the driveway but be prepared to address fear and back in. Eventually, go around the fulness if It becomes apparent." block or take him to the drive·through to pick up some burgers or a breakfast If you do notice fearful behavior in sandwich. Rewarding him with a bite a puppy, Dr, Reisner re(Qmmends of beef or egg can go a long way toward carefu lly, gradually exposing the enhancing his appreCiation of car rides. dog to the pa rticular situation, Inherited temperament can be one' Take him to the veterinarian for practice sound or person that evokes the fear redleter of .00,,,,51on If rhe parentS visits that involve only petting and treats and USing food rewards to replace aren't rear-ful, an the! better for theIr from the staff, nothing scary or painful. the fearful response with an accept offspring. If your dog's aggression continues able behavior. This process, known as and he becomes a threat to you or oth desensitlzallon and counterconditioning, is integral to modifying behavior. ers, a veterinary exam is warranted to "The most important issue is learning to recognize fearfulness before rule out medical conditions and then a aggreSSion Is apparent," Dr, Reisner says. "Owners shouldn't force interac consultation with a certified behaviorist. tions with the person or situation the dog is fearful of but Instead work at The American College of Veterinary Be· the dog's pace, again watching the indivi dual dog's body language,' haviorists' website lists members by state at www.dacvb.org . .;" JUL Y 20 H www.do!ilwa tch news!t Ht r.com 7 He Does Whatever, Whenever, And That Can Include Biting My husband and I have a 10-month-old QGerman Shepherd who will not accept either of our two grown sons when they visit - each separately. Lucky becomes hostile and bares his teeth, and I'm sure would bite them. Both my husband and I have been bit ten several times. lucky is also aggressive to other dogs, and I don't take him to the dog park because of his possibly fighting with them. He is very independent in doing what he wants when First up for lucky: obedience training. staftlng w,\J1 A. Kothe.ln. Houpt, ·StdY." Ihe mo~t impOrldn1 ,--ornmond fCI! ."ny dog. VMG, PI"!. l.J. ht-re wl1 r, he wants. My husband is the only one who her (airn Telder, Denver, can handle him, but he has to be extremely pro·..ided the answer stern with him. We 've had him since he was into the road. In Lucky's case, if he stays 10 feet on tI"lL~ paC]e Dr I 'oupt months old and teaching obedience has IS d lilplorlldre of thl:' 3 from the front door, he won 't intimidate visitors. Ao'encall College ul always been a challenge. As it now stands, he Neutering is unlikely to cure his aggression; Vett:'rinar\' B~hdV'OnS(s hasn't been neutered because we have spent only a small percentage of dogs become less ilnd I::'nli::!!ltu~ iJrofe!>~or time and money already on him. We would aggressive after castration. Recently, it has been .:H (urr'lell Ur1lve r ~JI>' Cl1l1egE of Vt:'tennan,' appreciate any suggestions. learned that neutering can increase the risk of Medlc.lne. certain cancers. Do not breed him because we Lucky is a lucky dog to have owners con know that aggressive tendencies are inherited. 'plea ~e Shore' YOil' OuestIon s Acerned for his welfare and others'. He is You and your husband should practice obedi Wl' wt-: p~'(lhr WOdl"II. t 1 Jnd would be to board Lucky. first time you give it, reward him with a slice of ~Hlor dlal)no~e:'. f1lei3~e In fact, depending on his behavior, perhaps he hot dog or bit of cat food. The fact your husband f, Pf1rl cc rp\pondot'n[€" 10 should be boarded whenever you have guests. has to be stern with him indicates he may not Oo-JW~lKh tdirCff Ifyour sons come only for a few hours, you can have been rewarded. Our goal is that you and eik) (O.'1l1ft(1ItUJAw NO.' wallr U()blrJ4 simply isolate Lucky before they arrive. The iso your husband can take Lucky for a walk or to IT ('.71 7'( 0001.t ,If - ,Il~ IJor~ lation is not a punishment, so try to make his the veterinarian's without difficulty. · 'it.'MIl' room as pleasont as possible. Provide a long Be sure his aggression is not. in port. caused lasting treot, such as a Kong filled with peanut by pain. His veterinarian can examine him for COMING UP ••• butter or squeeze cheese and also a comfortable various pain-producing maladies such as bad bed. You can practice putting him in this room hips or ear infections because pain would inten THE LATEST IN when you don't have guests so he learns to love sify his reactions. FLEA CONTROL these time-outs. His behavior sounds serious enough that you In addition to safety advice, I would like to should probably see a board-certified veterinary LIVING WITH provide a method for improving his attitude behaviorist. (See www.dacvb.org for a list.) With A DEAF DOG toward visitors. You noted that even teaching management and training, Lucky's deportment him obedience is a challenge. The most impor could be as good as his looks. It will be much EXCESSIVE tant command for any dog is "Stay." If he stays, easier to change his behavior now than when LICKING he won't jump on you; if he stays he won't run he is older. Best of luck. (> CORRESPONDENCE SUSSC RI PTIONS For subscription and customer service SHELTERS' NEW The Editor $39 per year (U.s.) information, visit www.dogwatchnewslerter. DogWatch' $49 per year (Canada) comIcs or write to: DogWatch, p.o. Box 8535, CHALLENGE: 800 Connecticut Ave. Big Sandy, TX 7577-8535. DENTISTRY Norwalk, CT 06854 Single copies ofback iHues Ofe available dogwatcheditor@<:o rnell.edu for S5 each. (011800-57/ - 1555 OR CAll TOLL FREE: 800-829-5574 , DOGWatch JUlY 101<