By Val Masters, CPDT, CDBC, Community Services Director & Behavior Specialist

One of the best things we can do for our dogs is train them.  In addition to the basics, (sit, stay, wait, come and walking politely on leash), training our dogs also includes teaching them good manners, being fair and consistent in what we expect, and setting boundaries so that our dogs will be enjoyable companions in our homes. 

The Sacramento SPCA Behavior Department helps hundreds of pet owners every year!  We offer a free behavior helpline, group dog training classes, behavior handouts on our website, and private behavior consultations. These services have been offered to the public for 10 years, and our offerings will continue to expand.  In 2012, we received 2,272 behavior help line calls, held 262 private behavior consultations, assisted more than 600 people and their dogs through our dog training classes, and provided a variety of information to thousands of people who visited our website to get help for their pets’ behavior issues.

Start with a Solid Foundation

When we bring a dog into our home, they do not know what the rules are.  It is up to us to teach them.  Your relationship with your new dog starts forming the moment you first meet.  As much as you may want to hug him to pieces, it’s best to let him set the tone.  Canine social behavior is very different from ours.  The things we do naturally – approaching head-on, making direct eye contact, reaching out and hugging, patting on the head – can be very intimidating and off-putting to dogs.  Canines approach in a curving path, averting their eyes, and sniffing flanks before deciding to offer and accept more intimate body contact.    A great resource to help us understand more about our dogs is “The Other End of the Leash,” by Patricia McConnell, Ph.D.

Even after your initial introduction, you can learn a lot about who your dog is by watching his body language.  Does your dog stand tall and forward, taking everything in stride?  If so, he’s likely an assertive, confident dog.  Does your dog’s tail wag gently at half-mast and his expression stay soft regardless of what – or who – is going on around him?  Then he’s probably an easy-going, friendly dog.  Does your dog tend to hang back, looking a little worried, letting someone else take the lead?  That means he’s probably more timid, and lacking in confidence.

Consistency is key.  It is important that everyone in the family agree on what the house rules are, and that these rules take effect as soon as a new dog arrives (or should start immediately if you already have a dog in your home).  Dogs do best when their world is predictable.  Let’s say you allow your new dog on the sofa the first week, then Mom yells at him for getting on the sofa when his paws are muddy. The next day Sally invites him back up to watch television next to her.  His world is unpredictable.  Unpredictability causes stress, and stress causes behavior problems.  I suggest everyone in the family sit down and agree on important questions, such as:  (1) Is the dog allowed on the furniture?  All furniture, or just some?  If just some, which pieces?  (2) Who will feed the dog?  When, where and what?  (3)  Who will walk/exercise the dog?  When and where? (4) Who is supervising and potty training?  (5) Where will the dog sleep?  (6) Who is the primary trainer (everyone should participate in training) and what methods and cues will everyone use? (7) What other behaviors are going to be reinforced, and which ones are not?

Part of training also includes making sure that “good stuff” happens when your dog performs behaviors that are desirable.  Conversely, unwanted behaviors make good stuff go away, or the dog is ignored or refocused to do something you do desire.  See our behavior handout “How Do I Get My Dog to Behave” on our website.

In addition to setting the tone and structuring things in your household for the best possible success for living with your dog, it is also extremely important that your dog is exercised – both physically and mentally – every day.  How much and what type of exercise depends on your individual dog’s needs, but it is important that your dog is exercised until he is tired – every day.  Please contact us at behavior@sspca.org to get more information and ideas for exercising your dog’s mind and body!

Dog Training Classes

Every dog should be taken through basic dog training classes, where the dog will learn good manners such as sit, down, stay, come, walk politely on leash, and wait at the door.  The Sacramento SPCA offers basic, intermediate, and tricks classes for you and your dog.  We recommend trainers that utilize positive reinforcement training methods.  For more information about our classes, please visit our website.

Beyond Basic Training and Behavior Issues

Unfortunately, a number of dogs miss out on important socialization lessons, while others just have hard-wired behaviors that require more than teaching and working on the basics.  When dogs are not well socialized, or not properly socialized, it may result in reactive behavior (barking, lunging, whining), timidness/shyness, fearfulness, or possibly aggressive behavior (which may be exhibited toward novel items, certain people, some dogs, cats, or other environmental stimuli).  If your dog has adverse reactions to novel stimuli, it is important to see a behavior specialist to help you help your dog to change these negative associations to positive associations with situations/people/dogs.  The Sacramento SPCA offers private behavior consultations to help you address any of these concerns with your dog.

Whether you are looking for resources to help you with your pet’s behavior issues, want to take a group class, need one-on-one assistance, or just want to know more about why your dog does what he does, the Sacramento SPCA can help!

Visit the Behavior & Training section of our website for more information.

Yum!

The holiday season is a time for family, friends, festivities… and perhaps, a new furry friend! What better way to open up your hearts and homes this time of year, than by adopting a pet? Sacramento SPCA’s “Home for the Holidays” adoption promotion is going on now through December 30 and all adoption fees are 75% off! Check us out online at www.sspca.org or come pay us a visit at the shelter:  6201 Florin Perkins Road, Sacramento.  The SPCA is open Tuesday- Sunday from 11AM- 6PM.

Whether you’re looking to adopt this time of year, or just celebrate the pets in your life, we have a special treat for you and your dog!

Cleo’s Pumpkin Dog Biscuits

2 eggs

1/2 cup canned pumpkin

2 tablespoons dry milk

1/4 teaspoon sea salt

2 1/2 cups brown rice flour * (better for dogs with wheat allergies)

1 teaspoon dried parsley (optional)

Preheat oven to 350.

In large bowl, whisk together eggs and pumpkin to smooth. Stir in dry milk, sea salt, and dried parsley (if using, optional). Add brown rice flour gradually, combining with spatula or hands to form a stiff, dry dough. Turn out onto lightly floured surface (can use the brown rice flour) and if dough is still rough, briefly knead and press to combine.

Roll dough between 1/4 – 1/2″ – depending on your dog’s chew preferences, ask first – and use biscuit or other shape cutter to punch shapes, gathering and re-rolling scraps as you go. Place shapes on cookie sheet, no greasing or paper necessary. If desired, press fork pattern on biscuits before baking, a quick up-and-down movement with fork, lightly pressing down halfway through dough. Bake 20 minutes. Remove from oven and carefully turn biscuits over, then bake additional 20 minutes. Allow to cool completely on rack before feeding to dog.

Makes 75 small (or 50 medium) sized biscuits.

From the blog “Simmer Till Done,” featuring a must-have, dog cookie recipe!

http://simmertilldone.com/2009/10/07/retriever-retriever-pumpkin-eater/

Leave the “Trick-or-Treats” for people…not pets! Here are some helpful tips to keep your pets safe, happy and healthy during the Halloween festivities.

1. Candy is a no-no! A lot of people know that chocolate is bad for pets, but it’s important to remember that ALL candy should be kept out of reach from cats and dogs. Save it for the trick-or-treaters and your pet will thank you for it!

2. Keep pets in a safe, comfortable area if you plan to be opening/closing your door a lot for trick-or-treaters. For pets that are somewhat timid, holidays can be a little stressful. Knowing ahead of time if your dog or cat will bolt or hide when the doorbell rings, will save you a lot of trouble. Find a place or room in your home where they will be the most comfortable and create a ‘safe space’ for them there.

3. It’s important to have your pets’ ID tags intact and up-to-date…just in case! Every year pets manage to sneak out of their homes once a door is opened. It’s your job to keep them safe and ensure that in a worst case scenario…they’ll make it home!

4. If you decide to dress up your pet, remember that while they make look cute, they may feel miserable. Check the costume and make sure that is 100% safe! This includes making sure they have ample room to breathe, move around and there aren’t any choking hazards.

Many of us have our pets on a heartworm preventative medication, but aren’t quite sure what exactly we’re “preventing.” We did some research and got some answers from our Chief of Shelter Medicine, Dr. Laurie Siperstein-Cook.

What is Heartworm?

Heartworm disease is literally, the presence of worms in the heart and/or arteries of the lung. Heartworm is transmitted via mosquitoes. If a mosquito bites an infected dog, the parasites can then be transferred to another animal through the mosquito bite. An animal can take up to six-months to show signs of the disease, which can ultimately be very dangerous.

What are the symptoms?

The American Heartworm Association states that the symptoms for dogs may include a “mild persistent cough, reluctance to exercise, fatigue after moderate activity, decreased appetite and weight loss.” The symptoms in cats are similar, although cats are less likely to develop the disease according to the AHA.

http://www.heartwormsociety.org/pet-owner-resources/faqs.html

Is Heartworm treatable?

Yes, most heartworm cases can be treated through a series of injections from your veterinarian. Depending on the severity of the heartworm, this is done through an out-patient appointment, while other times, the animal may have to be hospitalized overnight.

How is Heartworm prevented?

Prevention is the most important thing we can do to keep our pets safe. Some regions are more susceptible to the spread of heartworm. Here in Northern California, we do see cases of heartworm, but luckily, our area isn’t as mosquito-laden as the more tropical areas of the country.

A simple, annual blood test to assure that your pet does not have heartworm is the first step, followed by a monthly dosage of Heartworm preventative. This can be purchased from your veterinarian and usually comes as a topical treatment or a chewable pill.

As a follow-up to our last post about taking a hike with your dog, it’s important to discuss a related, but not-so-fun topic….ticks! First off, if your pet isn’t on a flea/tick preventative, we highly recommend it!  In addition to being hazardous to your dog’s health, many dogs can develop allergic reactions to fleas We’ve consulted various sites, including The Humane Society of the United States’ website. Below you will find some helpful tips and guidelines to help keep you and your pet safe and healthy this summer:

Routine Checks:

The first thing to do is to get in the habit of checking your pet for ticks regularly. Take your fingers and run them all along his/her body. Check in between toes, in the armpits, underneath their collar, behind the ears…everywhere! Ticks can vary in size and color, making them even harder to locate on long-haired dogs.

Setting up Shop:

Once you’ve identified a tick, be sure and keep your dog calm, while you position him (and you) to prepare to remove the little sucker.

It’s recommended to have the following on hand:

-Gloves (it’s important to wear these, as ticks can spread disease to humans too)

-Cotton balls

-Rubbing alcohol

-Antiseptic

- Tweezers

Extraction:

The idea is to remove the entire tick.  One of the more common ways to remove the tick is with tweezers. The goal here is to pinch the tick close enough to your pet’s skin, without hurting your pet. Pull outward away from the body (without twisting) and do so in a swift motion. After the tick has been removed, clean the area with an antiseptic.

Once the tick has been extracted, it is recommended to store the tick in a tightly sealed container and to douse it with rubbing alcohol (this will kill it). Put the date on the container, and keep it just in case your dog begins to exhibit symptoms of a tick-borne illness. In this case, your veterinarian may want to test the tick.

Be sure to keep an eye on the area where the tick was removed to watch for infection.

And most importantly… Be sure and praise your pet for being a good patient!

Reference: http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/dogs/tips/getting_ticks_off_dog.html

Northern California offers a lot of great, dog-friendly summer adventures, but if there is one thing we love more than anything else…it’s hiking!  Why, you ask?  Because hiking is great exercise for both you AND your pup! We’ve compiled a list of some great, dog-friendly day hikes that are right here in our own backyard.  Please note that all parks vary on their off-leash dog policies, and we recommend that all dogs stay on a leash.

Placerville, CA (El Dorado National Forest) – “Bassi Falls”

• Fairly easy 1.2 mile hike and only about a ten-minute walk from your car to the waterfall.
• Great day hike and fairly easy to get in and out- very kid and dog friendly.
• Best time to go is in May (wildflowers galore!) but the summer months can be nice also. There are even some spots to picnic too.

Take Hwy 50 about 20 miles east of Placerville, turn left (north) onto Ice House Road (Forest Road 3). Drive 16.6 miles on Ice House Road to Union Valley Reservoir. Turn right onto an unmarked dirt road (Road 12N32A), just after crossing the bridge over Big Silver Creek (opposite Big Silver group camp). Drive 0.2 miles to a junction and turn left. Then drive 0.8 miles to another junction and turn right. Drive another 0.7 miles to the trailhead at the end of the road (total 1.7 miles along the dirt road). Auburn, CA – “Codfish Creek Trail”

• About three-miles roundtrip, this trail is an easy day hike that only takes about two-hours.
• The half-way point guides you to Codfish Creek where you and the pup can take a dip.
• Most hikers visit in the spring and summer months, but the best time of year to go is in the spring, where you’ll be greeted by an abundance of wildflowers and butterflies….and a 40ft cascade waterfall!
• There is a $10 self-pay parking fee and it is recommended that you bring exact change!

Trailhead is on Ponderosa Way, 6 miles south of Weimar. From Auburn, take I-80 east to Weimar Cross Road, turn right on Canyon Way. After about ½ mile, the road turns left and becomes Ponderosa Way. Proceed to parking area on right just before Ponderosa Bridge over the North Fork American River. Trailhead is beyond parking area. Caution: Ponderosa Way is recommended for high clearance vehicles for the last 2½ miles. Passage during winter can be difficult.

Norden, CA (Soda Springs) – “Summit Lake Trail”

• Considered to be fairly “easy” this trail is both dog and kid friendly and only about four-miles round trip.
• Also very scenic and not far from Tahoe, this trail is fairly easy to get to from Sacramento.
• The best times to visit are June through October.

From Sacramento take 80 East and exit 176 Castle Peak/Boreal Ridge Road. Turn right toward Bunny Hill Road and after about a half-mile, turn left to stay on Bunny Hill Road. Your destination is on the left.

Colfax, CA- “Steven’s Trail”

• The trail ranges from 7.5 to 9 miles depending on how far along the river you walk once you reach the “Secret Ravine.” Intercept the North Fork of the American River and let your dog take a swim.
• Best to go in the summer, but hiking is also allowed in the winter. Word on the trail is that if you go in December, you’ll be treated to thousands of lady bugs at the “Secret Ravine!”

From Sacramento, take Interstate 80 east and exit at North Canyon Way (exit 135) at Colfax. Turn left on North Canyon Way, which parallels the freeway, and after a short distance you’ll see the parking area sign on the left side saying Stevens Trail.

Happy hiking!