RECIPE FOR THE "ALMOST PERFECT" DOG
Missing ingredients result in behavior problems. Over 60% of dogs in shelters are there as a result of behavior problems or lack of identification. MOST BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS ARE CORRECTABLE! Prevention is always the best cure for behavior problems! Lack of training and physical and mental understimulation (boredom) are primary causes of misbehavior. They can be easily prevented by enrolling in basic training classes (contact your veterinarian for a referral) and using Kong Dog Toys for healthy physical and mental stimulation. Kong Dog Toys are widely used and recommended for therapy and prevention of understimulation, boredom, separation anxiety and other behavior problems. Following are some simple ways Kongs can be utilized to promote good behavior in your dog.
It is important for dogs to succeed at their "work". Make it easy to remove the kong stuffing at first. AS THEY BECOME MORE EXPERIENCED, YOU MAY WANT TO MAKE THEIR JOB MORE CHALLENGING - HERE'S HOW:
FAMOUS RECIPES
Every dog has a favorite recipe - finding your dog's will be fun! REMEMBER: Some foods are not healthy for dogs. Check with your vet first. KONG HUNTING IMPORTANT! Use Kongs Safely! Your dog's safety is your responsibility! ALWAYS supervise your dog's use of Kongs until you are confident they can be used safely without you! Read Kong Toy User Guide! |
Showing posts with label puppy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label puppy. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
How to use kong... A great training tool....
BANANA RAMA: 1 fresh banana · 2 tbs wheat germ · 1 tbs plain yogurt (can use your pet's favorite flavor as well) · Kong Toy that best fits your pet's chewing temperament In a bowl, mash up banana. Then, add wheat germ and yogurt. Mash all ingredients together and use spoon to add to Kong. Freeze for 4 hours. Makes 1 serving for Medium Kong. Double for every Kong Size that is bigger.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Where is the Beef...
When I read this article my jaw hit the floor. While I knew many of these treats where unhealthy I had no idea they where deadly. Please share this with your friends and family. These companies making theses treats are only concerned with the bottom line: MONEY! If we all boycotted these products there bottom line. Stop the poisoning....
Where’s the beef? Read the label on one of the popular dog treats and you’ll be asking yourself that same question. Milk-Bones and Beggin Strips are the #1 and #2 top selling treats respectively and I’d sooner have my dog stick her head in the curbside garbage on a hot day than eat that stuff.
Where’s the conscience of Del Monte and Purina when they put toxins and animal waste in our pets’ food? And they’re not the only ones. Anyone that hides behind “Natural Flavors” on their label instead of telling us exactly what those flavors are (ADI, Waggin’ Train) needs a firm kick in the caboose. Just because the FDA allows manufacturers to do it, doesn’t mean they should.
BHA, BHT, Ethoxyquin, Sodium Metabisulfite and TBHQ.
These are chemical preservatives known to cause things like: cancer, liver and kidney problems, weakness, loss of consciousness, brain damage, and life-threatening asthma. One or more of these chemicals are in the top two selling treats and numerous others. The chemicals also are used to manufacture things like rubber and petroleum products, and embalming fluid.
Treats containing at least one of these chemicals These chemicals are used to manufacture:
Milk-Bones (Del Monte)
Embalming Fluid
Beggin Strips (Purina)
Jet Fuels
Pup Peroni (Del Monte)
Rubber Products
Busy Bones (Purina)
Pesticides
Moist n Meaty (Purina)
Electrical Transformer Oil
T-Bonz (Purina)
Petroleum Products
Ethoxyquin is so toxic that the FDA has prohibited it from human consumption except for minute quantities in certain spices (e.g. cayenne pepper). The FDA, despite the behest of veterinarians, has done nothing but suggest to pet product manufacturers they reduce its usage. Who knows if any of them have reduced it, but Purina still adds it into their Moist ‘n Meaty as disclosed clearly on their label. (See Sidebar about how tough it can be to spot ethoxyquin and other toxins.)
Toxins in pet food
So what’s the deal with all these other chemical preservatives? Sodium Metabisulfite (the preservative in Milk-Bones) is harmful if ingested or inhaled (as in sniffed). It reacts with WATER and acids (like those in your dog’s stomach) to release toxic sulfur dioxide gas. It can cause life-threatening asthmatic reactions after ingestion as well as gastrointestinal, circulatory and central nervous system problems. The people who handle this stuff are required to wear hazmat suits and respirators. And believe it or not, there’s more written about the harmful effects and cancer-causing properties of BHA and BHT than sodium metabisulfite. BHT is actually banned in England. And BHA is thought by the National Institutes of Health to cause stomach cancer.
TBHQ (a butane derivative) can cause death from ingestion of as little as 5 grams. Ingestion of a single gram (1/13 of an ounce) causes nausea, vomiting, ringing in the ears, delirium, a sense of suffocation and collapse. The FDA puts strict requirements on uses of all these toxic chemical preservatives in human food, but pet foods have few if any requirements and often contain much more.
So what’s the good news? There are many better, natural solutions for preserving food. Dehydration is the first one. Take the moisture out of something and bacteria cannot grow. Ask any caveman. It’s been around that long. And, no self-respecting cowboy would go hungry when he has a piece of dried meat in his pocket. Vitamin E, Vitamin C, and rosemary and sage extracts also make good, natural solutions. The problem for Purina and Del-Monte and others is that dehydration, vitamins and herb extracts are more expensive than sodium metabisulfite, BHA, BHT, TBHQ or ethoxyquin.
Dehydration, for instance, produces a treat with a lower water content (but denser nutritional profile) that hence weighs less. Dehydration also takes time and electricity – which cost money. Since treats are sold by net weight, massive commercial manufacturers want to keep the moisture content high so they can sell you the weight in water. But then they have to toss in chemical preservatives to keep the treats from spoiling.
“Natural Flavors” and Animal Digests
Here’s the scoop on natural flavors and animal digests: the FDA allows digestive tract contents to be processed into animal feed.
The FDA says:
“With respect to flavors, pet foods often contain digests, which are materials treated with heat, enzymes, and/or acids to form concentrated natural flavors. Only a small amount of a chicken digest is needed to produce a ‘Chicken Flavored Cat Food,’ even though no actual chicken is added to the food…” [emphasis added].
“Natural Flavors” and “Animal Digests” are on the labels of these popular products among others:
Beggin Strips (Purina)
Waggin-Train Jerky Tenders (made by ADI Pet in China)
Busy Bones (Purina)
T-Bonz (Purina)
The Goodlife Recipe (Mars, Inc.)
Meat and By-Products
Ever glance at a pet food label and see an ingredient called “meat?” Would you buy anything in the grocery store’s meat section that’s just identified as “meat” on the label? What exactly qualifies as “meat” and “by-products”?
Here’s a hint: The FDA has found pentobarbital (the euthanasia drug) in our pet’s food.
According to the FDA, “meat” for animal feed comes from:
“independent [rendering] plants that obtain animal by-product materials, including grease, blood, feathers, offal and entire animal carcasses from the following sources: butcher shops, supermarkets, restaurants, fast-food chains, poultry processors, slaughterhouses, farms, ranches, feedlots, and animal shelters.” [emphasis added]
AAFCO, the organization that works with the FDA to standardize definitions of ingredients and other things for the pet food industry, broadly defines “byproducts”. Poultry byproducts, for instance can include: “the carcass of slaughtered poultry such as necks, feet, undeveloped eggs and intestines exclusive of feathers except… as might occur unavoidably…”
But it’s not the feathers – or even the addition of McDonald’s used grease – that’s most worrisome. It’s well documented that the FDA also allows 4D animals – that’s dead (as in roadkill dead), dying or diseased (as in anthrax) or disabled (as in mad-cow paralysis) as well as spoiled or contaminated meat to be used in pet food.
Recall the mad-cow epidemic in the late 1980s? It was determined that the cause of it was cattle (normally herbivores) being fed the remains of other diseased cattle (in the form of rendered down meat and byproducts). Nearly 4.4 million cattle were slaughtered in the eradication program that followed. But in October 2009, Mad Cow disease infected and killed another person showing that the disease is still lingering in the human food chain. So you would think your pet has got to be at much greater risk.
“Meat” and “By-Products” are in these popular treats:
Milk-Bones (Del Monte)
Pup-Peroni (Del Monte)
Busy Bones (Purina)
Moist n Meaty (Purina)
T-Bonz (Purina)
Beneful Snackin’ Slices (Purina)
Wheat, Corn, Soy, MSG, Refined Sugars & Artificial Sweeteners
Ever ask your vet why your seven year old dog is developing all these skin irritations and bumps? Or why she seems to have frequent bouts of intestinal upset? Here’s one good reason: she can’t digest the stuff she’s eating. Many dogs can’t digest wheat, corn and soy and some are allergic to these ingredients. Yet they’re included in food because they are cheap. Next time you pick up a 12 oz box of dog cookies for $3.99 retail consider how the manufacturer can make 12 oz of those treats for under $0.50.
MSG is included because it’s addictive, but like ethoxyquin you probably won’t find it on the label. If you see any type of “hydrolyzed” protein though, it likely contains MSG. MSG is believed to be a big culprit in the obesity epidemic in our pets (and ourselves). More than 50% of US dogs and cats are reportedly obese. MSG can more than triple insulin levels making even the most physically active animals fat.
The FDA says: “hydrolyzed proteins, used by the food industry to enhance flavor, are simply proteins that have been chemically broken apart into amino acids. The chemical breakdown of proteins may result in the formation of free glutamate that joins with free sodium to form MSG. In this case, the presence of MSG does not need to be disclosed on labeling.”
Refined sugars are added to pet food because dogs can taste sweetness. Yet sugar can cause obesity, dental problems and possibly diabetes. Artificial sweeteners are no good for dogs either and some are known toxins. The FDA still allows cancer-causing saccharine to be sold to humans and genetically modified ingredients to be undisclosed on labels. So chances are they’re not looking out for your pet.
Admittedly, artificial sweeteners and sugars can be hard to identify on a label when there’s a laundry list of six syllable words. But this can be our “‘Aha!’ moment.” If we don’t recognize it, should it really be ingested?
Here are a couple to remember: glycerin (aka glycerol) is a sugar substitute and filler, hydrogenated starch hydrolysate is an artificial sweetener with similar chemistry to Xylitol – and that one is known to be toxic to pets.
Wheat is in countless dog treats from the toxic ones to the junk-food treats. Here are a few of the popular treats that contain wheat and/or at least one of the other unhealthy ingredients in this category.
Milk-Bones (Del Monte)
Pup-Peroni (Del Monte)
Beggin Strips (Purina)
Waggin Train Jerky Tenders (ADI in China)
Busy Bones (Purina)
Moist n Meaty (Purina)
T-Bonz (Purina)
Beneful Snackin’ Slices (Purina)
The Goodlife Recipe (Mars, Inc.)
The Cancerous 5 Food Colorings, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Nitrite, Copper Sulfate and the Kitchen Sink
The list of additives from food coloring to artificial flavors and other preservatives is long. But why does there need to be food coloring in the treats we give our dogs.? Has a dog ever turn his nose up at a treat because it got a low score for plating and presentation?
Let’s do our dogs a favor; when we see red dye # this and yellow dye # that, let’s put the box back. It likely contains a ton of other toxins. The Cancerous Five Food Colorings, Titanium dioxide, copper sulfate, calcium proprionate, sodium bisulfite, propylene glycol, and zinc sulfate are just some of those hunks of junk. They can cause anything from gastrointestinal and skin disorders, to tumors and genetic disorders. And that’s just in the stuff humans and rats have reported. Who knows what our dogs feel.
Yellow #6, Blue #1 and #2, Red #3 and Green #3 are linked with cancer in animal testing. These are in Milk-Bones, Beggin Strips, Beneful Snackin Slices, and T-Bonz.
Titanium dioxide is a widely used white food coloring that’s also used for paints and plastics. Some prefer titanium in golf clubs not food. In food, it’s suspected of causing genetic disorders and lung tumors; in the clubs it simply causes humility.
Copper sulfate is an herbicide, fungicide and pesticide that’s also a known toxin no longer included in children’s chemistry sets because of health risks.
Calcium proprionate is a mold inhibitor. How did we get to be more worried about the mold than the chemicals?
Zinc sulfate will take the moss off your roof and kill the grass in your yard.
Sodium nitrite is linked with cancer and its in Beggin Strips and Pup-Peroni. Sodium nitrate is easily converted to cancer-causing compounds (called NOCs) and both sodium nitrite and nitrate have been linked with gastric cancer, esophageal cancer, and colorectal cancer. (Goodness Gracious uses uncured (nitrate/nitrite free) bacon in its bacon cheeseburger treats proving that manufacturers can make healthy and delicious stuff for dogs by simply choosing to do so.)
Sodium bisulfite (synthetic vitamin K also called menadione) is associated with liver toxicity, anemia, eczema, skin irritations, allergic conditions, and more and has been banned from food and supplements in Europe, and by the FDA in over the counter supplements.
And lastly, propylene glycol makes a darn good antifreeze and airplane de-icer, but any vet will tell you in the right amount it will kill your pet.
These popular treats contain these toxins:
Milk-Bones (Del Monte)
Beggin Strips (Purina)
Pup-Peroni (Del Monte)
T-Bonz (Purina)
Beneful Snackin’ Slices (Purina)
Moist n’ Meaty (Purina)
Busy Bone (Purina)
Wolves in captivity live 20 years. Their descendants – our dogs – live only a handful. Cancer is the #1 killer of our dogs; 50% of them die from it by some estimates. The toxins in their food are arguably a big contributing factor.
Our pets have a flaccid tongue; they can’t tell us that the Milk-Bones give them headaches or the Beggin Strips make their skin itch. They just know they’re hungry or they’ve done something good and this is their reward. Wag tail. Show belly. Give kisses.
So let’s make that reward something that they enjoy and that’s good for them. Today is the first day of the rest of your dog’s life. Remember, treat healthy and treat often. But if you can only do one of those things, then treat healthy. Your dog will make up the difference by living longer.
P.S. Do yourself a favor too. Spare yourself the gory details of what “mechanically separated meat” means on the label… Just stop eating the Slim Jims.
About the Author:
Amy Havens is the owner and founder of Goodness Gracious, LLC (www.GoodnessGraciousTreats.com). Goodness Gracious makes 100% human-grade dog treats and an all-natural tick repellent, and donates half of its profits to local animal shelters in communities where its treats are sold. You can find Goodness Gracious products in independent pet supply stores and upscale grocers in across the country and online . Amy lives in Marblehead with her husband, Tim, and their two red standard poodles, Grace and Lula.
Friday, December 9, 2011
OUR CLASSES! Training Group Classes
All of our classes are limited to 6-10 students. Theses small classes provide for individualized attention. Many classes are offered more than one day per week, allowing clients to attend one or both for the same fee. It's like two classes for the price of one. All classes are taught using only positive methods, including shaping and clicker (if owner perfers) training.
Our classes cater to your own personal needs and goals.
All classes listed below are also available in Private Lessons either at your home or at our training center.
All are offered on a rolling admission/open enrollment...allowing you to begin NOW! (pre-registration needed)
The class below are always available...they are offered year round, (excempt Agility)!
JOIN TODAY!
JOIN TODAY!
Manners 101
This 8-class provides the foundation, the building blocks for a great realationship! You and you pup learn all the basic skills needed. Sit, down, come, stay, walk politley on a leash, polite greeting of people and other dogs, and so MUCH MORE!
This 8-class provides the foundation, the building blocks for a great realationship! You and you pup learn all the basic skills needed. Sit, down, come, stay, walk politley on a leash, polite greeting of people and other dogs, and so MUCH MORE!
Ideal for puppies, young dogs, just recued/adopted dogs, all ages!
Meets: Tues and Sat.
Therapy Dog Class
This 12-week class focuses on preparing the handler and dog for any therapy environment. This class is ideal for both the novice and experienced handler.
Therapy Dog Class
This 12-week class focuses on preparing the handler and dog for any therapy environment. This class is ideal for both the novice and experienced handler.
Meets: Weds and Sat
Agility for Beginner and Intermediate
This 10-week class will allow you to explore the fastest growing dog sport. Learn skills with sequencing obstacles and the footwork needed to be successful in the sport of agility.
This 10-week class will allow you to explore the fastest growing dog sport. Learn skills with sequencing obstacles and the footwork needed to be successful in the sport of agility.
Meets: Warm weather months....
Trick, Targets and Games Oh My!
This on-going class will cover tricks such as roll over, play dead, wipe your nose and yes, READ . . and so much more.
Trick, Targets and Games Oh My!
This on-going class will cover tricks such as roll over, play dead, wipe your nose and yes, READ . . and so much more.
Meets: Fri
Graduate Handling and Training
This 6-month class focuses on advanced skill building and using ultimate distractions while maintaining focus, advanced social skills--- all off leash! and so much more.
This 6-month class focuses on advanced skill building and using ultimate distractions while maintaining focus, advanced social skills--- all off leash! and so much more.
Meets: Sun
Off-Leash Extravaganza
This 10-week class is truly an off-leash class. It provides all the skills needed for off-leash handling and control.
Off-Leash Extravaganza
This 10-week class is truly an off-leash class. It provides all the skills needed for off-leash handling and control.
Meets: Sun
Problem Solving Classes and Lessons
Maybe your dog is jumping on everyone or growling, begging, not coming when called, or acting aggressively toward other dogs or people. We help you find the needed solutions to these common issues that dog families face.
Maybe your dog is jumping on everyone or growling, begging, not coming when called, or acting aggressively toward other dogs or people. We help you find the needed solutions to these common issues that dog families face.
Meets: Customized to your schedule
New classes, including Scent Workshops, Frisbee, etc. starting all the time. Call for more information. 413-559-7011
Other Services
Overnight Care ~ Nail Trimming ~ Visit our Shoppe ~ Private Lessons
Board and Training ~ Residential Education
Workshops ~ Seminars
Other Services
Overnight Care ~ Nail Trimming ~ Visit our Shoppe ~ Private Lessons
Board and Training ~ Residential Education
Workshops ~ Seminars
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Treiball 2 day Event!!! 2 day Workshop!
Lets Play Ball! Treibball 2 Day event!
Treibball is a sport where your dog is taught to follow commands to maneuver a large exercise ball (or smaller balls for the littler dogs) across a course and into a goal. Sound like fun? YOUR DOG WILL THINK IT'S THE BEST!!! Any dog can learn to do it and it's a great way to keep an energetic dog exercised in winter, for older dogs that are no longer able to do agility and still want to work, or just for fun.
In the first two hour workshop we will work on the basic skills needed for the game, such as teaching directionals, how to move the ball around, targeting, etc. In the second two hour workshop we will advance these skills to a new level. Each dog will progress at their own speed using positive reinforcement to keep it enjoyable.
Diane Gibbons has been training dogs for agility for over a decade and has two dogs with multiple championships, and three coming up through the ranks! She also competes in rally obedience, teaches triebball and clicker classes and is an instructor for the Monadnock Humane Society. She is the owner of Deep Down Dog, LLC. Diane is a graduate with distinction of the Karen Pryor Academy of Animal Behavior and Training.
Join us Oct 16 and Nov 13, 1-3pm This workshop will be held in South Deerfield. Pre-registration is needed. Just $100 if you pre-register by Oct 15 ($125 at the door) for this 2 day event, includes refreshments. Limited to just 6 handlers second dog welcome. rain or shine.
Treibball is a sport where your dog is taught to follow commands to maneuver a large exercise ball (or smaller balls for the littler dogs) across a course and into a goal. Sound like fun? YOUR DOG WILL THINK IT'S THE BEST!!! Any dog can learn to do it and it's a great way to keep an energetic dog exercised in winter, for older dogs that are no longer able to do agility and still want to work, or just for fun.
In the first two hour workshop we will work on the basic skills needed for the game, such as teaching directionals, how to move the ball around, targeting, etc. In the second two hour workshop we will advance these skills to a new level. Each dog will progress at their own speed using positive reinforcement to keep it enjoyable.
Diane Gibbons has been training dogs for agility for over a decade and has two dogs with multiple championships, and three coming up through the ranks! She also competes in rally obedience, teaches triebball and clicker classes and is an instructor for the Monadnock Humane Society. She is the owner of Deep Down Dog, LLC. Diane is a graduate with distinction of the Karen Pryor Academy of Animal Behavior and Training.
Join us Oct 16 and Nov 13, 1-3pm This workshop will be held in South Deerfield. Pre-registration is needed. Just $100 if you pre-register by Oct 15 ($125 at the door) for this 2 day event, includes refreshments. Limited to just 6 handlers second dog welcome. rain or shine.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Stinkkyyy Dog! Remove the Skunk smell from your dog
RECIPE FOR REMOVING SKUNK SMELL FROM YOUR DOG
You will want to use the following formula for removing the skunk smell from your dog: This formula removes the odor.
You will need the following from any local grocery or drug store:
• 1 QT. OF 3% HYDROGEN PEROXIDE
• 1/4 CUP OF BAKING SODA
• 1 TEASPOON OF A "Dawn' LIQUID SOAP or other dish soap
MIX AND IMMEDIATELY APPLY TO YOUR DOG. BE VERY CAREFUL NOT TO GET THE MIXTURE IN YOUR DOGS NOSE, EYES ,EARS OR MOUTH.
LATHER UP REALLY GOOD (You can use cheap shampoo first just to get the suds going)
RINSE AND DRY OFF YOUR DOG. REPEAT, and if needed REPEAT
* Please note do not save this formula. The chemical mixture kept closed up can explode!
You will want to use the following formula for removing the skunk smell from your dog: This formula removes the odor.
You will need the following from any local grocery or drug store:
• 1 QT. OF 3% HYDROGEN PEROXIDE
• 1/4 CUP OF BAKING SODA
• 1 TEASPOON OF A "Dawn' LIQUID SOAP or other dish soap
MIX AND IMMEDIATELY APPLY TO YOUR DOG. BE VERY CAREFUL NOT TO GET THE MIXTURE IN YOUR DOGS NOSE, EYES ,EARS OR MOUTH.
LATHER UP REALLY GOOD (You can use cheap shampoo first just to get the suds going)
RINSE AND DRY OFF YOUR DOG. REPEAT, and if needed REPEAT
* Please note do not save this formula. The chemical mixture kept closed up can explode!
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Oh, No my dog swallowed....emergency care
How to Make a Dog Vomit Using Hydrogen Peroxide
WARNING! CONSULT A VETERNARAN PROFESSIONAL TO BE SURE THIS IS THE IDEAL SOLUATION FOR YOUR SITUATION.
We all know dogs love to put things in their mouths, to chew, to eat. Unfortunately, many items they eat out of curiosity can hurt them and, in some cases, cause death. Use these steps to make a dog vomit using hydrogen peroxide.
Instructions
Things You'll Need
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Sterile syringe
• Teaspoon
• Paper towels
1. Call your veterinarian immediately once you've determined your dog has eaten something dangerous. Call a veterinarian emergency clinic if your vet is not available. Take their professional advice first before you make a dog vomit using hydrogen peroxide.
2. Secure your dog OUTSIDE area,. Vomiting can start fast and outside is easiest to clean up. If possible ask someone to help you with restraint to make a dog vomit using hydrogen peroxide since the job isn't as easy for one person.
3. Give a small dog about 1 capful of hydrogen peroxide. Use the cap of a regular sized bottle of hydrogen peroxide--about a teaspoon full. Administer more--around 2-4 tablespoons--to a larger dog. OR fill a syringe so that you can use it to inject the liquid down into your dog's throat.
4. Wait patiently and quietly until your dog vomits. Know that it occurs soon after you give it hydrogen peroxide, but it can take up to five minutes. Look for foreign objects in the vomit and make sure your dog has expelled ALL of the dangerous items it swallowed. Repeat the procedure if nothing substantial comes up. Realize there may be nothing obvious to see if you are trying to help your dog eliminate a poison.
Tips & Warnings
• Call your vet and do not make a dog vomit using hydrogen peroxide if it has eaten something sharp or extra large (glass or whole tennis ball) since it will be worse for your dog to vomit these items up.
• Take your dog to your vet or an emergency pet hospital if they seem non-responsive, disoriented, confused or unconscious before doing anything else.
WARNING! CONSULT A VETERNARAN PROFESSIONAL TO BE SURE THIS IS THE IDEAL SOLUATION FOR YOUR SITUATION.
We all know dogs love to put things in their mouths, to chew, to eat. Unfortunately, many items they eat out of curiosity can hurt them and, in some cases, cause death. Use these steps to make a dog vomit using hydrogen peroxide.
Instructions
Things You'll Need
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Sterile syringe
• Teaspoon
• Paper towels
1. Call your veterinarian immediately once you've determined your dog has eaten something dangerous. Call a veterinarian emergency clinic if your vet is not available. Take their professional advice first before you make a dog vomit using hydrogen peroxide.
2. Secure your dog OUTSIDE area,. Vomiting can start fast and outside is easiest to clean up. If possible ask someone to help you with restraint to make a dog vomit using hydrogen peroxide since the job isn't as easy for one person.
3. Give a small dog about 1 capful of hydrogen peroxide. Use the cap of a regular sized bottle of hydrogen peroxide--about a teaspoon full. Administer more--around 2-4 tablespoons--to a larger dog. OR fill a syringe so that you can use it to inject the liquid down into your dog's throat.
4. Wait patiently and quietly until your dog vomits. Know that it occurs soon after you give it hydrogen peroxide, but it can take up to five minutes. Look for foreign objects in the vomit and make sure your dog has expelled ALL of the dangerous items it swallowed. Repeat the procedure if nothing substantial comes up. Realize there may be nothing obvious to see if you are trying to help your dog eliminate a poison.
Tips & Warnings
• Call your vet and do not make a dog vomit using hydrogen peroxide if it has eaten something sharp or extra large (glass or whole tennis ball) since it will be worse for your dog to vomit these items up.
• Take your dog to your vet or an emergency pet hospital if they seem non-responsive, disoriented, confused or unconscious before doing anything else.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Question from Weds nights Skill Builder class: are dogs pack animals?
Are Dogs Pack Animals?
written by jean donaldson
tuesday, 28 april 2009 09:04
When I first got into dog training, the mantra was “dogs are pack animals.” It was never questioned: dogs were strong bonding animals and fit into human families so well, sometimes to the point of developing bona fide disorders like separation anxiety. And a lot of behavior was deconstructed with social hierarchies in mind. Nobody examined what dogs do when they are not inserted into human families, i.e. are free-ranging. So a while ago I took a look at what is known about feral or semi-feral populations of dogs around the world. It turns out there are many such populations.
During the tenure of dictator Nicolae Ceaucescu, a poorly thought out reconstruction effort in Romania resulted in the demolition of thousands of houses and the relocation of thousands of families into small apartments throughout the country. For family dogs, this meant being turned out onto the street, where they have multiplied and eked out a marginal existence ever since.
A sad situation from every possible angle, the explosion of free-ranging dogs in Romania is an unintended experiment that challenges one of the most taken for granted aphorisms in the dog behavior world: that dogs are “pack animals.” The dogs in Romania have not formed packs. Their associations with one another are brief and casual: a couple of dogs may hang out together temporarily and then part company. Dogs are often drawn together by a scarce resource like a food source or estrous female but once this magnet is gone, they go their separate ways.
This contrasts with wolves who, while a genetically identical species to dogs, live in packs. As explained by University of Minnesota biologist David Mech, each pack is a nuclear family consisting of a breeding pair and their offspring. When the offspring reach maturity around two years of age, they disperse to avoid inbreeding depression and, if they live long enough, mate up and start their own packs.
The social lives of Romanian dogs may be the exception that proves the rule, so it’s necessary to examine all free-ranging populations in order to formulate a stronger hypothesis about dog social behavior.
Significant populations of free-ranging domestic dogs exist in sub-Saharan Africa, South America, India, Mexico, Tasmania (Cook Island Dogs), Hawaii, Bangkok and, in a situation paralleling that of Romania, in Moscow. Pariah dogs on the Indian subcontinent are thought to be the longest-running continuous population of feral dogs - on the order of 14,000 years, nearly as long as archaeological evidence has existed for domestic dogs.
There are cases of dogs buddying up with one or more dogs for days at a time, and dogs being drawn into proximity to each other by food sources, however none of the above populations form packs the way wolves do. Males, in fact, do not participate in the rearing of puppies, which is the foundation of a wolf pack. And, scavenging far outpaces hunting as primary food-acquisition activity, another difference from wolves, who hunt.
By contrast, the accounts regarding the social behavior of Dingoes are much more conflicting. Often the same source will in one paragraph say that Dingoes are primarily loners that only occasionally pack up with a few others to take down a large prey item and later state that Dingoes are pack animals with stable hierarchies, a la Gray Wolf. Recent genetics research has allowed for the teasing out of pure Dingoes from Dingo-dog hybrids most of the time. Interestingly, hybrids are often outwardly indistinguishable from pure Dingoes to an untrained eye. So to be generous, it could be that the disagreement between (and within) sources is partially due to some observations being of mixed ancestry animals and some of pure Dingoes.
A colleague of mine who has made trips to the Cook Islands to provide veterinary care to the feral dog population was struck by two things: the large numbers of short-legged dogs, and the absence of social cohesiveness. She fully expected and looked for packs, having heard and parroted for years, as have I, the party line of “dogs are pack animals.” Again and again, she witnessed what Dunbar has termed “loose, transitory associations” rather than packs.
If we are to support our contention that dogs are pack animals, we will need to account for these many populations where dogs, in the absence of the glue of human confinement and husbandry, simply do their own thing.
written by jean donaldson
tuesday, 28 april 2009 09:04
When I first got into dog training, the mantra was “dogs are pack animals.” It was never questioned: dogs were strong bonding animals and fit into human families so well, sometimes to the point of developing bona fide disorders like separation anxiety. And a lot of behavior was deconstructed with social hierarchies in mind. Nobody examined what dogs do when they are not inserted into human families, i.e. are free-ranging. So a while ago I took a look at what is known about feral or semi-feral populations of dogs around the world. It turns out there are many such populations.
During the tenure of dictator Nicolae Ceaucescu, a poorly thought out reconstruction effort in Romania resulted in the demolition of thousands of houses and the relocation of thousands of families into small apartments throughout the country. For family dogs, this meant being turned out onto the street, where they have multiplied and eked out a marginal existence ever since.
A sad situation from every possible angle, the explosion of free-ranging dogs in Romania is an unintended experiment that challenges one of the most taken for granted aphorisms in the dog behavior world: that dogs are “pack animals.” The dogs in Romania have not formed packs. Their associations with one another are brief and casual: a couple of dogs may hang out together temporarily and then part company. Dogs are often drawn together by a scarce resource like a food source or estrous female but once this magnet is gone, they go their separate ways.
This contrasts with wolves who, while a genetically identical species to dogs, live in packs. As explained by University of Minnesota biologist David Mech, each pack is a nuclear family consisting of a breeding pair and their offspring. When the offspring reach maturity around two years of age, they disperse to avoid inbreeding depression and, if they live long enough, mate up and start their own packs.
The social lives of Romanian dogs may be the exception that proves the rule, so it’s necessary to examine all free-ranging populations in order to formulate a stronger hypothesis about dog social behavior.
Significant populations of free-ranging domestic dogs exist in sub-Saharan Africa, South America, India, Mexico, Tasmania (Cook Island Dogs), Hawaii, Bangkok and, in a situation paralleling that of Romania, in Moscow. Pariah dogs on the Indian subcontinent are thought to be the longest-running continuous population of feral dogs - on the order of 14,000 years, nearly as long as archaeological evidence has existed for domestic dogs.
There are cases of dogs buddying up with one or more dogs for days at a time, and dogs being drawn into proximity to each other by food sources, however none of the above populations form packs the way wolves do. Males, in fact, do not participate in the rearing of puppies, which is the foundation of a wolf pack. And, scavenging far outpaces hunting as primary food-acquisition activity, another difference from wolves, who hunt.
By contrast, the accounts regarding the social behavior of Dingoes are much more conflicting. Often the same source will in one paragraph say that Dingoes are primarily loners that only occasionally pack up with a few others to take down a large prey item and later state that Dingoes are pack animals with stable hierarchies, a la Gray Wolf. Recent genetics research has allowed for the teasing out of pure Dingoes from Dingo-dog hybrids most of the time. Interestingly, hybrids are often outwardly indistinguishable from pure Dingoes to an untrained eye. So to be generous, it could be that the disagreement between (and within) sources is partially due to some observations being of mixed ancestry animals and some of pure Dingoes.
A colleague of mine who has made trips to the Cook Islands to provide veterinary care to the feral dog population was struck by two things: the large numbers of short-legged dogs, and the absence of social cohesiveness. She fully expected and looked for packs, having heard and parroted for years, as have I, the party line of “dogs are pack animals.” Again and again, she witnessed what Dunbar has termed “loose, transitory associations” rather than packs.
If we are to support our contention that dogs are pack animals, we will need to account for these many populations where dogs, in the absence of the glue of human confinement and husbandry, simply do their own thing.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Heat Stroke! The facts....
Heat Stroke
Summer is here, and it’s HOT outside! If you and your best friend will be spending time outdoors, make sure that you watch your dog closely for signs of overheating and heat stroke.
Many people don’t even realize that their dog is overheating. That happy, long tongue is letting you know your dog is HOT! Heat stroke is a very real danger for your dog and will cause nausea, loss of consciousness, brain damage, and even death. So, make sure your dog has access to a nice, shady place to cool off, with plenty of fresh water to keep him cool & hydrated.
When it’s really hot outside – even a casual walk can lead to heat stroke especially if your dog is older or out of shape. Keep your exercise routine to early morning or evenings when it’s cooler.
Never leave your dog in your car during hot weather. Dogs left in cars, even with the window cracked open, can overheat very quickly during the summer.
Here’s how to recognize heat stroke in your pet. If your dog is suffering from heat store, he will be:
•
panting excessively
•
have redness around his eyes
•
show signs of weakness
•
irritability
•
may start vomiting
•
collapse
You can try to cool him down by giving him cool water to drink – not cold water. Cold water may make him vomit.
Try to sponge him down with a cool wet towel or soak him in a tub of cool water and keep a fan on him. NEVER USE ICE TO COOL YOUR DOG-- no ice bathes, you can put ice in their drinking water. NEVER on the body.
In extreme cases where your dog’s gums are grayish, his tongue is blue, or he is unconscious, call your veterinarian. Severe heatstroke is an emergency, and you may need to make a quick trip to the veterinarian or emergency clinic.
Resources
To see how fast your car can get hot even with the window cracked open, visit www.mydogiscool.com
Information on heatstroke can be found atwww.peteducation.com
From APDT .com
Summer is here, and it’s HOT outside! If you and your best friend will be spending time outdoors, make sure that you watch your dog closely for signs of overheating and heat stroke.
Many people don’t even realize that their dog is overheating. That happy, long tongue is letting you know your dog is HOT! Heat stroke is a very real danger for your dog and will cause nausea, loss of consciousness, brain damage, and even death. So, make sure your dog has access to a nice, shady place to cool off, with plenty of fresh water to keep him cool & hydrated.
When it’s really hot outside – even a casual walk can lead to heat stroke especially if your dog is older or out of shape. Keep your exercise routine to early morning or evenings when it’s cooler.
Never leave your dog in your car during hot weather. Dogs left in cars, even with the window cracked open, can overheat very quickly during the summer.
Here’s how to recognize heat stroke in your pet. If your dog is suffering from heat store, he will be:
•
panting excessively
•
have redness around his eyes
•
show signs of weakness
•
irritability
•
may start vomiting
•
collapse
You can try to cool him down by giving him cool water to drink – not cold water. Cold water may make him vomit.
Try to sponge him down with a cool wet towel or soak him in a tub of cool water and keep a fan on him. NEVER USE ICE TO COOL YOUR DOG-- no ice bathes, you can put ice in their drinking water. NEVER on the body.
In extreme cases where your dog’s gums are grayish, his tongue is blue, or he is unconscious, call your veterinarian. Severe heatstroke is an emergency, and you may need to make a quick trip to the veterinarian or emergency clinic.
Resources
To see how fast your car can get hot even with the window cracked open, visit www.mydogiscool.com
Information on heatstroke can be found atwww.peteducation.com
From APDT .com
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Did Santa or Hanukkah Harry leave you a puppy
So you have a puppy NOW WHAT!!!
"He won't stop whining."
"She chews everything in sight."
"He won't come when he's called."
"She scares the kids when she jumps and nips."
"He doesn't want to be cuddled."
"She's the cutest puppy, but ..."
There are visions of a furry, kissing, fun and frolicy, playing puppy in our heads when we decide to bring a puppy into the family, but those visions can deteriorate into frustration for those who are unprepared for the potential difficulties of puppy training and adjustment to family life.
Relax. First of all, these days do pass, often with lightning quickness. Second, puppies really are pretty easy to deal with - a couple of square meals, several trips outside, and lots of playtime balanced with lots of sleeping are the general rule for the first few weeks at home.
Socialization is important, but it needn't be a chore.
There's no doubt that the first few weeks with a new puppy can be exasperating. Much like having a newborn human baby. That tiny bundle of fur that was soooo friendly at the breeder's home, the kennel, the pet store, or the animal shelter has some behaviors that drive people crazy.
There's chewing, biting, jumping, and oh yeah, the whining and barking! While all normal for dogs, what matters is that the housetraining go smoothly and relatively quickly, that the nipping of children be held to a minimum, and that chewing on furniture and clothing be stopped or prevented.
It's important to remember that puppies are always learning about their environment and their people. Most puppies are housetrained by four months of age, but it may take supreme diligence on the part of owners to prevent accidents until that time.
The first 16 weeks of a puppy's life are critical in determining how he/she will fit into the family. Early socialization is important from the day you get the puppy home. Your puppy needs to experience the world to be sure they become the dog you dream of. All socialization experiences should be fun, positive and a memorable experience for your young dog. This is best done with treats. For example, when your pup meets new people, have the pup sit and then you give a treat for good manners. Food is a great memory maker for dogs.
Fun is the key
"He won't stop whining."
"She chews everything in sight."
"He won't come when he's called."
"She scares the kids when she jumps and nips."
"He doesn't want to be cuddled."
"She's the cutest puppy, but ..."
There are visions of a furry, kissing, fun and frolicy, playing puppy in our heads when we decide to bring a puppy into the family, but those visions can deteriorate into frustration for those who are unprepared for the potential difficulties of puppy training and adjustment to family life.
Relax. First of all, these days do pass, often with lightning quickness. Second, puppies really are pretty easy to deal with - a couple of square meals, several trips outside, and lots of playtime balanced with lots of sleeping are the general rule for the first few weeks at home.
Socialization is important, but it needn't be a chore.
There's no doubt that the first few weeks with a new puppy can be exasperating. Much like having a newborn human baby. That tiny bundle of fur that was soooo friendly at the breeder's home, the kennel, the pet store, or the animal shelter has some behaviors that drive people crazy.
There's chewing, biting, jumping, and oh yeah, the whining and barking! While all normal for dogs, what matters is that the housetraining go smoothly and relatively quickly, that the nipping of children be held to a minimum, and that chewing on furniture and clothing be stopped or prevented.
It's important to remember that puppies are always learning about their environment and their people. Most puppies are housetrained by four months of age, but it may take supreme diligence on the part of owners to prevent accidents until that time.
The first 16 weeks of a puppy's life are critical in determining how he/she will fit into the family. Early socialization is important from the day you get the puppy home. Your puppy needs to experience the world to be sure they become the dog you dream of. All socialization experiences should be fun, positive and a memorable experience for your young dog. This is best done with treats. For example, when your pup meets new people, have the pup sit and then you give a treat for good manners. Food is a great memory maker for dogs.
Fun is the key
Puppy training and socialization should be fun for both owner and dog. Puppies can be taught to sit, lie down, and come for rewards. Even eight-week-old puppies can sit for their dinner or treats and lie down to be groomed. Puppies that resist can be taught with persistence and consistency on the part of all family members. It does no good if Mom requires puppy to sit before meals if Dad doesn't follow through or if Susie slips Fluffy a bit of bacon from her breakfast plate.
Puppies and holidays …
Puppies and holidays …
• be sure to provide him/her with a crate to serve as a safe place. It should be away from any hustle and bustle and food temptations.
• stick to puppy food for the newcomer; table food, especially rich table food, is likely to upset his/her stomach.
• keep him away from the Christmas tree or other holiday items so he/she can't break or steal ornaments, burn his nose on the lights, nibble on garlands, or tear through gift packages.
• make sure he/she gets outside to relieve himself in a timely fashion. Set an alarm if you need a reminder. Remember a puppy can hold their bladder for 1 hour for each month of age. (i.e. 8 weeks old (2 months) can hold it for 2 hours)
• keep house plants out of reach
• don't leave perishables on the coffee table.
• don't let him/her get over-excited.
• don't let over-excited children give him grief.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Dog "owner" vs "guardian" - Think about it
Dog "owner" versus "guardian" - Words matter!
N.H. Sunday News - Dog Tracks Column - 5/25/08By: Gail T. Fisher
Words matter. In 1999, In Defense of Animals (IDA) an animal rights group located in the San Francisco Bay area, began a movement to change the word that refers to those of us who pay for our pets’ food, vet bills, housing, and even the purchase of the pet (dog, cat, gerbil, parakeet, goldfish, horse – you name it). The IDA started referring to “owners” as “guardians.” Seems innocent, doesn’t it? How can someone mind such a nice (and seemingly harmless), warm and fuzzy term like “guardian” over “owner?” So the person who pays $1200 to a pure-bred dog breeder, $300 to a rescue organization for a dog of uncertain parentage, adopts a free puppy or kitten from a friend, or pays hundreds of thousands for a thoroughbred racehorse would not “own” that animal; they would be its “guardian.”
Advocates for this change express the opinion that guardianship will lead to better treatment of pets – that somehow a “guardian” is kinder, gentler, and more responsible than an “owner.” What flawed and ridiculous reasoning to think that what one calls oneself affects overall behavior. If this were the case, no parent – or “guardian” – would ever abuse a child; Laci Peterson and her unborn child would not have been murdered by her “loving spouse.”
Much like “a rose by any name,” changing the word from “owner” to “guardian” simply means that abusive people will abuse their pets by a different title. But there is a much greater issue at stake.
For those who may think, “What difference does it make? Calling myself my dog’s ‘guardian’ is fine with me.” It makes a great deal of difference. Words matter – and if we pet owners are not aware of it, and don’t take a stand, we are in danger of losing our rights to have and keep pets.
As I wrote last week, there are two animal movements in this battle: the animal “rights” movement versus animal “welfare.” Animal welfare is based on the belief that we humans have a moral obligation to treat animals humanely and responsibly.
Animal rights organizations, on the other hand, see absolutely no difference between humans and any other live being. Michael Fox, a senior scholar at the Humane Society of the U.S. (HSUS – an animal rights organization) said it all when he wrote, “The life of an ant and that of my child should be granted equal consideration.” I have nothing against ants (unless they’re trying to destroy my house – in which case it’s me versus the ants!), but one has to feel compassion for Dr. Fox’s child!In researching this topic, I came across countless quotes equally or even more incredible than this, as well as a number of articles outlining the subtle movement toward achieving the Animal Rights agenda, including the legal implications of “guardian” versus “owner.”
Let’s start with our founding document, the U.S. Constitution, which gives citizens the right to “own” property, and not be deprived of that property without Due Process of Law. “Guardians” have no such rights. If you think that no one cares enough to want to deprive you of your rights of “guardianship,” look no further than the Animal Rights organizations, with PETA at the helm.Ingrid Newkirk, co-founder and President of PETA wrote of her vision for the future of our pets: “[A]s the surplus of cats and dogs (artificially engineered by centuries of forced breeding) declined, eventually companion animals would be phased out, and we would return to a more symbiotic relationship -- enjoyment at ‘a distance.’”Newkirk envisions undomesticating dogs and cats to live feral existences much the way strays in 3rd world countries do, surviving by foraging at dumpsites and eating food scraps tossed at them as people feed pigeons in a park.
Having just adopted a stray dog rescued in a foreign land, and having assimilated him beautifully into our home, our lives and our hearts, I can too-easily envision his struggle to survive, slowly dying of the heartworm with which he was infested when he was first captured. Newkirk’s vision is not a world I want for him or any dog or cat.Taking the concept of “guardianship” a step further, guardians are appointed or removed by judges, often without a hearing or trial, simply relying on testimony from an “interested party.” Do any of us want to turn over our rights of ownership – our basic, decision-making rights about what to feed, whether or not to spay, neuter or breed, or what method of training to use – to the courts?
To quote from an article by Attorney Genny Wall http://www.nfss.org/Legis/AR-alerts/Companion/Comp-Wall-1.html “If we are ‘Guardians’ rather than owners, then ultimately it will be the State, and not the individual, who has the power to say who will care for the animal, how it will be cared for, where it will reside, what medical treatments it will or will not undergo, and who will make all the other decisions regarding the health, welfare, life and death, or destruction, of that animal. … [H]istory has shown us that when a State is unprepared to carry out a role that has been imposed upon it, [it] delegates that function. So…who will the States delegate to? The former ‘Owners?’ The citizenry at large? Animal Control? USDA? Animal Rights organizations? Local or national rescue organizations?
What is the point of making the State the owner of animals if the State is not prepared to perform this function and must delegate this right and duty? It seems pointless to engage in this kind of useless legislation, if in fact the goal is to make things better for animals. But as I have said, that is not the real purpose behind the push for ‘Guardianship’ for animals.
“So, what is the true purpose behind this push for using the term ‘Guardian’? From my legal perspective I see that purpose to be to achieve public acceptance for the concept of animal ‘Guardians’ in a general sense, so that the door can be opened to animal rights activists who don't believe humans should have or keep animals and who seek the removal of animals from their owners on simple, perhaps unfounded, allegations of abuse or neglect.”
The bottom line for us as pet owners is that if PETA, HSUS, and other animal rights organizations have their way, our legal rights, advantages and choices as dog “owners” will slowly be eaten away until they disappear. The word matters!
Animal Owners Need to know....
Reductions in the rights of owners and imposition of additional legal obligations—With respect to veterinary care, animal owners will have less authority and fewer treatment options. Required treatment may exceed the financial capacity of the owner to pay, yet guardianship will require that owners accept such financial burdens. Financial inability to provide treatment could easily result in increased animal abandonment.
Entailment of wards—Use of guardian gives rise to its counterpart "ward." The ward is defined as the person for whose benefit the guardianship has been established. Wards have legal rights. Applying human guardianship law to animals would mean that animals have legal rights that can be recognized in court (i.e., animals would have legal standing). This may subject owners to civil lawsuits filed by third parties on behalf of the animal.
Inability to select procedures such as euthanasia or spay/neuter—Owners wishing to relieve animal suffering by euthanasia may no longer have that option. Non-health justifications for euthanasia, including population control, may no longer be acceptable under guardianship. Spaying and neutering may also not be possible, if such procedures were not deemed to be in the best interest of the animal.
Confidentiality of veterinary information and control of medical records—Where confidentiality of veterinary medical records is governed by state statutes or regulations, conditions are defined under which and to whom medical records may or must be released. Generally owners have authority over release of their animals' medical records. Under guardianship, a veterinarian, contrary to the owner's wishes, may be able to release information to third parties because he/she believes it is in the best interest of the animal. Conversely, the veterinarian may choose not to release medical records to the owner or others because he/she believes it is not in the animal's best interest to do so.
Ability to transfer an animal to another party—Background checks may be required to ensure that transfer of an animal from one guardian to another is in the best interest of the animal. Transfer of guardianship from one guardian to another, for profit, may not be legal. Third parties may have the opportunity to impede transfer proceedings if they deem such action to be in the best interest of the animal.
Coverage of animal-related claims by homeowners' insurance—Homeowners' property loss insurance may no longer cover animal-related claims should animals be no longer defined as property under the law. Under guardianship, animals would no longer be considered property.
Required registration as guardian—In states having guardian registries, animal guardians may be required to register and to comply with all laws and regulations pertaining to that registration. Requirements for registration could include background checks, bonding, and conflict-of-interest evaluations. Registration processes are time-consuming and potentially costly.
Annual guardianship reports—Animal guardians may be required to file annual guardianship reports, including associated financial reports.
N.H. Sunday News - Dog Tracks Column - 5/25/08By: Gail T. Fisher
Words matter. In 1999, In Defense of Animals (IDA) an animal rights group located in the San Francisco Bay area, began a movement to change the word that refers to those of us who pay for our pets’ food, vet bills, housing, and even the purchase of the pet (dog, cat, gerbil, parakeet, goldfish, horse – you name it). The IDA started referring to “owners” as “guardians.” Seems innocent, doesn’t it? How can someone mind such a nice (and seemingly harmless), warm and fuzzy term like “guardian” over “owner?” So the person who pays $1200 to a pure-bred dog breeder, $300 to a rescue organization for a dog of uncertain parentage, adopts a free puppy or kitten from a friend, or pays hundreds of thousands for a thoroughbred racehorse would not “own” that animal; they would be its “guardian.”
Advocates for this change express the opinion that guardianship will lead to better treatment of pets – that somehow a “guardian” is kinder, gentler, and more responsible than an “owner.” What flawed and ridiculous reasoning to think that what one calls oneself affects overall behavior. If this were the case, no parent – or “guardian” – would ever abuse a child; Laci Peterson and her unborn child would not have been murdered by her “loving spouse.”
Much like “a rose by any name,” changing the word from “owner” to “guardian” simply means that abusive people will abuse their pets by a different title. But there is a much greater issue at stake.
For those who may think, “What difference does it make? Calling myself my dog’s ‘guardian’ is fine with me.” It makes a great deal of difference. Words matter – and if we pet owners are not aware of it, and don’t take a stand, we are in danger of losing our rights to have and keep pets.
As I wrote last week, there are two animal movements in this battle: the animal “rights” movement versus animal “welfare.” Animal welfare is based on the belief that we humans have a moral obligation to treat animals humanely and responsibly.
Animal rights organizations, on the other hand, see absolutely no difference between humans and any other live being. Michael Fox, a senior scholar at the Humane Society of the U.S. (HSUS – an animal rights organization) said it all when he wrote, “The life of an ant and that of my child should be granted equal consideration.” I have nothing against ants (unless they’re trying to destroy my house – in which case it’s me versus the ants!), but one has to feel compassion for Dr. Fox’s child!In researching this topic, I came across countless quotes equally or even more incredible than this, as well as a number of articles outlining the subtle movement toward achieving the Animal Rights agenda, including the legal implications of “guardian” versus “owner.”
Let’s start with our founding document, the U.S. Constitution, which gives citizens the right to “own” property, and not be deprived of that property without Due Process of Law. “Guardians” have no such rights. If you think that no one cares enough to want to deprive you of your rights of “guardianship,” look no further than the Animal Rights organizations, with PETA at the helm.Ingrid Newkirk, co-founder and President of PETA wrote of her vision for the future of our pets: “[A]s the surplus of cats and dogs (artificially engineered by centuries of forced breeding) declined, eventually companion animals would be phased out, and we would return to a more symbiotic relationship -- enjoyment at ‘a distance.’”Newkirk envisions undomesticating dogs and cats to live feral existences much the way strays in 3rd world countries do, surviving by foraging at dumpsites and eating food scraps tossed at them as people feed pigeons in a park.
Having just adopted a stray dog rescued in a foreign land, and having assimilated him beautifully into our home, our lives and our hearts, I can too-easily envision his struggle to survive, slowly dying of the heartworm with which he was infested when he was first captured. Newkirk’s vision is not a world I want for him or any dog or cat.Taking the concept of “guardianship” a step further, guardians are appointed or removed by judges, often without a hearing or trial, simply relying on testimony from an “interested party.” Do any of us want to turn over our rights of ownership – our basic, decision-making rights about what to feed, whether or not to spay, neuter or breed, or what method of training to use – to the courts?
To quote from an article by Attorney Genny Wall http://www.nfss.org/Legis/AR-alerts/Companion/Comp-Wall-1.html “If we are ‘Guardians’ rather than owners, then ultimately it will be the State, and not the individual, who has the power to say who will care for the animal, how it will be cared for, where it will reside, what medical treatments it will or will not undergo, and who will make all the other decisions regarding the health, welfare, life and death, or destruction, of that animal. … [H]istory has shown us that when a State is unprepared to carry out a role that has been imposed upon it, [it] delegates that function. So…who will the States delegate to? The former ‘Owners?’ The citizenry at large? Animal Control? USDA? Animal Rights organizations? Local or national rescue organizations?
What is the point of making the State the owner of animals if the State is not prepared to perform this function and must delegate this right and duty? It seems pointless to engage in this kind of useless legislation, if in fact the goal is to make things better for animals. But as I have said, that is not the real purpose behind the push for ‘Guardianship’ for animals.
“So, what is the true purpose behind this push for using the term ‘Guardian’? From my legal perspective I see that purpose to be to achieve public acceptance for the concept of animal ‘Guardians’ in a general sense, so that the door can be opened to animal rights activists who don't believe humans should have or keep animals and who seek the removal of animals from their owners on simple, perhaps unfounded, allegations of abuse or neglect.”
The bottom line for us as pet owners is that if PETA, HSUS, and other animal rights organizations have their way, our legal rights, advantages and choices as dog “owners” will slowly be eaten away until they disappear. The word matters!
Animal Owners Need to know....
Reductions in the rights of owners and imposition of additional legal obligations—With respect to veterinary care, animal owners will have less authority and fewer treatment options. Required treatment may exceed the financial capacity of the owner to pay, yet guardianship will require that owners accept such financial burdens. Financial inability to provide treatment could easily result in increased animal abandonment.
Entailment of wards—Use of guardian gives rise to its counterpart "ward." The ward is defined as the person for whose benefit the guardianship has been established. Wards have legal rights. Applying human guardianship law to animals would mean that animals have legal rights that can be recognized in court (i.e., animals would have legal standing). This may subject owners to civil lawsuits filed by third parties on behalf of the animal.
Inability to select procedures such as euthanasia or spay/neuter—Owners wishing to relieve animal suffering by euthanasia may no longer have that option. Non-health justifications for euthanasia, including population control, may no longer be acceptable under guardianship. Spaying and neutering may also not be possible, if such procedures were not deemed to be in the best interest of the animal.
Confidentiality of veterinary information and control of medical records—Where confidentiality of veterinary medical records is governed by state statutes or regulations, conditions are defined under which and to whom medical records may or must be released. Generally owners have authority over release of their animals' medical records. Under guardianship, a veterinarian, contrary to the owner's wishes, may be able to release information to third parties because he/she believes it is in the best interest of the animal. Conversely, the veterinarian may choose not to release medical records to the owner or others because he/she believes it is not in the animal's best interest to do so.
Ability to transfer an animal to another party—Background checks may be required to ensure that transfer of an animal from one guardian to another is in the best interest of the animal. Transfer of guardianship from one guardian to another, for profit, may not be legal. Third parties may have the opportunity to impede transfer proceedings if they deem such action to be in the best interest of the animal.
Coverage of animal-related claims by homeowners' insurance—Homeowners' property loss insurance may no longer cover animal-related claims should animals be no longer defined as property under the law. Under guardianship, animals would no longer be considered property.
Required registration as guardian—In states having guardian registries, animal guardians may be required to register and to comply with all laws and regulations pertaining to that registration. Requirements for registration could include background checks, bonding, and conflict-of-interest evaluations. Registration processes are time-consuming and potentially costly.
Annual guardianship reports—Animal guardians may be required to file annual guardianship reports, including associated financial reports.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)