March 2022
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April 2022
A Path to Your Pet’s Health
Niki Tudge, PPG President, reviews The Forever Dog – Surprising New Science to Help Your Canine Companion Live Younger, Healthier, and Longer by Rodney Habib and Dr. Karen Shaw Becker.
From the Editor
Welcome to the inaugural issue of Pets & Their People! We’re so happy you’re here! Please enjoy the tips, tools & resources provided by respected and dedicated pet professionals from around the globe! Let's Meet Your Contributors:
Is Your Cat Counter Surfing? The PPG Cat Committee Has an Answer!
Punishing counter surfing when you see it happen will not prevent your cat from jumping onto the counter when you are absent and can risk harming your relationship with him by creating a lack of trust and/or causing him to feel unsafe in your presence.
Homemade Dog Treat Recipe: Gandhi’s Globs
Gandhi’s globs were developed as a high value meal replacement for training reinforcements. Gandhi loves his food and feeding him these during many of his training session acts as a part meal replacement to help him to maintain his weight.
I Pushed My Friend Off the Sofa! Whoops … (How to deal with undesirable guest/animal interactions)
I’m not proud of it, but recently I pushed a friend – who was staying at our house – off our sofa! Find out why below (as well as how to avoid doing it yourself) …
A Relationship Built on a Lifetime of Kindness, Mutual Trust, and Joy
Pets are not humans. They have their own species-specific needs, interests, values, and ways of learning, often very different from ours. Therefore, if we want a friendship with a pet, we need to take the time to learn about them and patiently give them time to learn about us.
Environmental Enrichment for Equines
If you share your life with cats, dogs, or even birds, then you have likely heard of the term ‘Environmental Enrichment’ (or Behavioral Enrichment in some circles). But did you know it can be used with equines, too?
Top Tips to Help Your New Dog or Puppy Settle In
Bringing a new puppy or dog into your home can be one of the most wonderful times for you and your family. It can also sometimes feel pretty overwhelming! We thought we’d help you out and provide some top tips on settling in that new furry member of the family, so your new dog days can be just like the fairytale books tell you!
Building Trusting Relationships with Pets
The most important thing you can do for your pet is to build a trusting relationship. Like children, dogs need to build a secure attachment with their caregivers. There are several things you can do to establish a secure attachment, resulting in a trusting bond.
When Not to Greet or Approach a Dog!
Just because some dogs look cute and cuddly does not mean we should treat them like teddy bears and greet them ...
Enrichment – Providing Pets with Activities to Improve Welfare
Enrichment is deemed just as essential to a pet’s welfare as proper nutrition and veterinary care. Providing your pet with an enriching environment can be the difference between a calm, content, happy pet and a destructive, noisy and unhealthy animal companion.
Celebrating Differences Towards More Inclusivity!
Choosing a pet based on breed only can be at best, misleading and at worst, terrible for an unsuspecting family who find themselves with a high drive dog over a calm couch potato!
Pet guardians need to always be aware.
May 2022
Dominance is Old Hat!
The underlying philosophy of so-called dominance theory in its application to pet dogs is, at best, outdated, at worst, impacts negatively the entire approach educated pet professionals should be taking.
People Are Risking Their Lives to Help the Pets of Ukraine – And They Need Your Help
While we have all seen images of refugees escaping with their pets, many animals were left behind. These are surely agonizing choices of survival.
Learn how you can help the fundraiser for Ukrainian animal shelters.
The Many Benefits of Fostering Shelter/Rescue Pets
If you’re pondering the idea of adding an animal to your home but not quite sure, fostering is a great way to test the waters and see if indeed this would be an appropriate decision.
Assistance Animals: It’s NOT All Work and No Play!
Gone are the days when training meant a dog must “obey, or else.” Fun, playful, upbeat lessons that never hurt or scare, help dogs want to willingly cooperate with their handlers.
One of the most difficult things about being an animal lover is feeling helpless when you hear about pets in need. If that describes you, please take a moment to read more.
Homemade Dog Treat Recipe: Zenikens
Zenikens were developed to help two dogs with two different problems. Zen after whom the cookies are named, suffered from muscle and nerve immunity problems similar to MS and required a diet as preservative free as possible...
Don Hanson Reviews Dr. Conor Brady’s “Feeding Dogs”
In my opinion, Feeding Dogs should be required reading for every student of veterinary medicine and recommended to every pet parent interested in optimal nutrition.
Six Tips to Keep At-Home Dog Training Fun and Consistent
Dogs learn through repetition and being rewarded for things we want them to do, but we have to be persistent and keep at it. Here are our top tips to make at-home training fun as well as consistent.
That Crazy Puppy Behavior
Most people don’t realize how much sleep a puppy needs. It is surprising how quickly behavior will turn around once the puppy gets more sleep and is fully rested.
Ask a Trainer: Dog Digging Holes in Flower Beds
This article provides suggestions on how to address a dog digging holes in the garden.
Meet the People Behind the Fundraiser for Ukrainian Animal Shelters
Marina Bayeva, MD, PhD was born and raised in Dnipro, Ukraine and is a Fellow in Hospital-Based Psychotherapy at The Austen Riggs Center in Massachusetts. Dr. Bayeva's parents still live in Dnipro, where her aid efforts to local shelters and rescue organizations have been focused.
June 2022
Safety Tips for Dogs Who Love Water
These tips will help your dog stay safe around water, so you can have a fun summer season!
Separation Anxiety in Puppies and Dogs
Separation Anxiety is a panic disorder. Dogs are not doing it to play up, get back at you for leaving, or control you; they simply don’t know how to cope without you, and panic.
Pets & Automobiles – Part 1: Safety
For a crate to effectively keep your pet safe and secure in your vehicle, your pet must be comfortable in their crate. Unfortunately, some pets find a crate stressful, in which case you will need to patiently help them learn that the crate is a safe place.
Calling All Pet People
...often the most profound inspiration and understanding comes from people sharing their real-world experiences. So, we’d love to hear from you!
Therapy Work for Pet Dogs
Therapy work is a great way to give your dog a job that can improve life for both you and your dog, and also people in your community.
Loving Partners: The Bonds We Share with Assistance Animals
Both guardians and their assistance animals must have a deep connection and bond in order to understand one another's communications and respond to body language-based signals.
Prepare Your Dog for Fireworks and Thunderstorm Season
“… whether it’s year-round fireworks, thunder, ambulances, balloons popping, or any other scary sounds, it’s never too early to prepare your dog.” Download a FREE eBook from Building Bonds Training!
Agility for Cats!? A Cat Behavior Consultant Answers What, Why and How
Agility has physical and cognitive benefits too. It gets everyone off the couch, burns calories, and builds muscles.
July 2022
Summer Is Here – Protect Your Pets!
Although exercise is essential for a happy and healthy dog, be sure to choose a time of day, during hot months, that is safe for heavy activity and pay close attention to how your dog is responding.
Dogs Who Growl with Teeth, Oh My!
My dog growled at me today and that made me happy! Why, you ask? It is very simple actually...
Ask A Trainer: Tension in a Multidog Household
Q: After two weeks with us, my foster girl had a fight with my male dog. How do I get them comfortable around each other again?
How to Handle Your Dog When You Encounter a Service Dog
Your first concern should be making sure your dog is leashed. No matter how well-trained you feel your dog is, if your dog makes a mistake and distracts the service dog, it could result in injury to the service dog handler.
The “Keeping Your Cool” Issue
The July 2022 Issue of Pets and Their People focuses on tips, tools and resources to help you and your pets stay cool, even if things get a little heated.
Dogs and Automobiles – Part 2: Aversion and Motion Sickness
A desensitization and counterconditioning protocol may be helpful or even necessary to get the dog to tolerate or enjoy the car after a bad experience. A credentialed dog behavior consultant or veterinary behaviorist can help.
‘Excessive‘ Barking – Are There Any ‘Quick Fixes’ That are Humane?
Management is your first port of call when looking at problem barking. Here are some simple management techniques for problem barking.
Product Review: Wondercide®
I do my best to avoid chemicals around our pets, family and the wildlife I share my yard with, so it was important for us to find something safe.
Tired of Furry Furniture? Try These Tips!
Only allowing your pets on the floor greatly reduces their environment and limits your pet’s ability to observe what is going on in his/her world. For some pets, access to elevated surfaces can make the difference between a pet who feels safe and one who is nervous in his/her home.
Managing and Training Fearful Equids
Caring for fearful equids brings its own special challenges but can also be exceptionally rewarding. Here are a few simple tips to ensure your success.