The Puppy Nanny
Quarterly Newsletter:
This quarter we discuss our concerns with dog walkers and the popularity of Cesar Milan, as well as explain why brains over brawn go much further in training your dog.
Links to favorite training sites:
Dogwise - your source for books, audio, etc. including sound desensitization CDs
SFSPCA Behavior & Training Library - your source for training information, local activities and classes
Association of Pet Dog Trainers - your source for training information
Karen Pryor's Clicker Training - your source for information on clicker training and tools to purchase
Melissa Alexander's Clicker Solutions - your source for clicker training
Bright Spot Dog Training - Home of Kathy Sdao
(one of my favorite clicker instructors around)PuppyWorks, Education Dog Events
Tawzer Dog Videos - your source for dog training videos
Local Favorites:
Exercising Your Dog in San Francisco Parks: A Guide for Dog's Best Friend
Information on licensing your pet in San Francisco and much, much more
Keep up-to-date on leash laws, activities and everything San Francisco Dog, with
jawfuls of links to great information!
Keep up-to-date on what's happening at Crissy Field and all the most current leash
laws and off-leash areas.
Keep up-to-date on what's happening at Ft. Funston and all the most current leash
laws and off-leash areas.
Other Favorites:
The Puppy Forum Puppy eGroup for students of Fawn, Sandi and Tammy
Sitstay.com - your source for treats, toys and other training paraphernalia
Amanda Jones Photography
Jester's Favorite Supplies:
Hands-free leash:
Cavaletti Set:
Portable Crate:
4Qt. Rubber Bucket (med size):
Balance Disc:
Agility Platform Table:
Harleigh's Favorite Books/DVDs on
Training and Behavior:
Dr. Ian Dunbar (www.siriuspup.com)
Karen Pryor (www.clickertraining.com)
Patricia McConnell (www.patriciamcconnell.com)
Pat Miller (www.peaceablepaws.com)
Melissa Alexander (www.clickersolutions.com)
Jean Donaldson (www.jeandonaldson.com)
The Nanny's Favorite Books on the Evolution of the Domestic Dog:
Raymond and Lorna Coppinger
John Paul Scott and John L. Fuller
Roger Abrantes
The Nanny's Favorite Children's Books:
Pamela Turner
The Nanny's Community Favorite: Giving Back
Emily Scott Pottruck
(100% of the proceeds of this book go to animal welfare non-profit organizations in the Bay Area)The Nanny's Favorite Novels involving Dogs:
Mark Haddon
(an autistic 15 year old becomes a detective; learn how it is believed what dogssee beautifully described through this 15 year old's eyes)Charles Sieberg
(for all my Jack Russell-loving friends and students)John Grogan
(for all my Lab-loving friends and students who got a Lab because they're really mellow and easy to train!)
Dedicated to Kiko - my first real dose of a Lab!
Health and Nutrition
Effects on early spay/neuter This article provides evidence through a number of recent studies to suggest that veterinarians and owners working with canine athletes should revisit the standard protocol in which all dogs that are not intended for breeding are spayed and neutered at or before 6 months of age.
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center As the premier animal poison control center in North America, the APCC is your best resource for any animal poison-related emergency, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If you think that your pet may have ingested a potentially poisonous substance, make the call that can make all the difference: (888) 426-4435. A $55 consultation fee may be applied to your credit card.
Dr. Pitcairn's Animal Natural Health Center (homeopathy and nutrition -- Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide To Natural Health For Dogs And Cats, has many recipes that are balanced and sufficient to maintain a high level of health. Give them a serious try.)
Dr. Belfield's Orthomolecular Specialities (Products developed specifically by Dr. Belfield to provide optimum results for your animal, and is backed by a full satisfaction guarantee. These are not the vitamin and mineral "supplements" you may find in a pet food store. They are manufactured using human-grade ingredients and made in the USA in a pharmaceutical factory which makes human products. ) Harleigh gives 4 paws up for Mega C Plus vitamin mix and "How to have a Healthier Dog".
Foxtails - Dangers for Northern California (Particularly Spring and Summer)
A serious hazard for any dogs in the field, park or even on trails are the hard seed-bearing structures of some kinds of grasses, often called "foxtails". These structures have sharp points at one end, and microscopic barbs, so that they easily move in the direction of the point, but not the other way. They "work in", but seldom "work out". They can become imbedded in the hair, especially the paws and ears, and in nostrils and even eyes. As they work their way in, they cause infection, and if not treated can sometimes be fatal, or cause surgery at a minimum. For more information:
Understanding Chocolate
For many people, overindulging in holiday goodies may result in a few extra pounds—but the consequences for our animal companions are much greater if they accidentally ingest cookies, candy or baked goods containing chocolate. In any form ranging from one-ounce baking squares to hand-dipped truffles, chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, both methylxanthines that can cause stimulation of the central nervous system, an increase in heart rate and tremors. Clinical signs—vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, hyperactivity, and increased thirst, urination and heart rate—can be seen with the ingestion of as little as one ounce of baking chocolate by a 10-pound dog.
And while sugar-free sweets may be a healthier choice for you, gum or candies made with xylitol can make your pets ill. Dogs who’ve ingested significant amounts may develop a sudden drop in blood sugar, resulting in depression, loss of coordination and seizures. Data from the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center also appears to point to a link between xylitol ingestion and liver failure in dogs.
Toxic Levels
The good news is that it takes, on average, a fairly large amount of theobromine -- 100-150 mg/kg to cause a toxic reaction. Although there are variables to consider like the individual sensitivity, animal size and chocolate concentration.
On average:
Milk chocolate contains 44 mg of theobromine per oz.
44 mg of theobromine per oz.Semisweet chocolate contains 150 mg/oz.
150 mg/oz.Baker's chocolate 390 mg/oz.
390 mg/oz.Using a dose of 100 mg/kg as the toxic dose it comes out roughly as:
1 ounce per 1 pound of body weight for Milk chocolate
1 ounce per 3 pounds of body weight for Semisweet chocolate
1 ounce per 9 pounds of body weight for Baker's chocolate.
So, for example, 2 oz. of Baker's chocolate can cause great risk to a 15 lb. dog. Yet, 2 oz. of Milk chocolate usually will only cause digestive problems.
A puppy cannot be bad ...
it can only be a puppy!
