Train Your Dog Positively
Victoria Stilwell, It's Me Or The Dog
Victoria Stilwell, the world's best-known positive reinforcement dog trainer and star of the hit Animal Planet TV show, It's Me or the Dog, explains how to use her force-free, scientifically-backed training methods to solve common canine behavior problems in her book, Train Your Dog Positively.
Victoria calls her dog training method the future of dog training. It's scientifically based after years and years of researching how dogs learn, what they need to be successful and how to deal with different behavioral issues. Modern day behavioral science has proven that positive reinforcement methods, reward based training, force free, is a much more effective and safer option than the old style of dominance training.
Because dominance training still goes on today in this country, it is getting to the point where it is becoming a public health and safety issue. When dogs have a confrontational relationship with their owners, they become more aggressive and bite more. Dominance training really promotes more dogs to bite. Positive training across the board, whatever method you decide to use under its umbrella, is a lot safer and more effective.
All is not lost if you started out by dominantly training your dog. You can switch over to positive reinforcement and your dog will probably even thank you for it! Most people, after switching over, wished that they had discovered this method sooner.
In her book, Training Your Dog Positively, Victoria puts the question right out there. Do you want to train using positive reinforcement or do you want to stick to dominant methods? You will find reasons why Victoria backs up using positive reinforcement methods. Positive reinforcement methods will be safer for your dog in the long run and set your dog up to be more successful.
Victoria states, "It's time to come out of the dark ages!" Using her time-tested and scientifically-backed brand of positive reinforcement training methodology, Stilwell not only helps us understand once and for all why outdated and dangerous punishment-based methods are so flawed, but also how and why to replace them with more effective and long-lasting positive solutions that create a bond between man and dog based on mutual trust, respect and love.
You may see dominance training methods used on television, because it looks sexy if you like that kind of thing. It also looks like it works. However, the magic of editing can make anything look like it works.
Victoria has been using positive reinforcement methods for many years and doesn't need any scientific research to prove to her that it works, because she sees it every day. She sees what really firm but fair leadership does. It doesn't just change the lives of the dogs; it changes lives of the families that live with them.
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Texas vs. The Internet
Dr. Ron Hines, Life-Saving Internet Vet Shut Down
Dr. Ron Hines discovered that he had been on a decade-long crime spree. In Texas, as in a majority of states, it is a crime for a veterinarian to give advice over the Internet without having first physically examined the animal. Eventually, the Texas State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners shut Dr. Hines down for his Internet advice, suspended his license, fined him, and made him retake portions of the veterinary licensing exam. Texas did this without even an allegation that Ron harmed any animal.
Dr. Hines had been a veterinarian for over 50 years. But over time, his health would not allow him to run an animal hospital like he used to. He felt that over the years he had learned things that could be helpful. Of course, not in every case as there are certainly things that don't lend themselves to Internet advice, but in many instances he could tell people what their options were and maybe lead them in the right direction.
Dr. Hines started off giving advice for free and then started charging a $58 flat fee. However, he answered all email, whether they had paid or not. He received requests from a lot of people overseas; from people who were isolated; and from people who just didn't have any money.
People didn't write Dr. Hines when they had a simple problem. It was usually many problems such as differing opinions from multiple vets and drug dose questions. Dr. Hines didn't prescribe any medications, he just provided information. He did ask, however, what type of medications a pet was on and how frequent it was administered. If he did suspect a mistake in the dose, he would send them information on that particular medicine to show them the correct usage.
But what about human advice? Think about all of the media shows. There was Dr. Oz, Doctors, where do you draw the line? Should these doctors be prosecuted for answering questions on air?
For a lot of people, their pet is their most important friend in the world. If Dr. Hines didn't think he wasn't doing any good, he wouldn't have kept doing it. Of course, he can no longer do it.
It's Not Doggie Asthma - It's a Reverse Sneeze - Dr. Debbie
What dog owner hasn't heard that frightening sound that dogs make - part cough, part sneeze and often described as a dog being unable to catch his breath. But it really isn't asthma, or some kind of bone stuck in your dog's throat - it's a reverse sneeze. So before you panic and run into the veterinary office on emergency, ensure you know what a reverse sneeze is.
Meet the Reverse Sneeze
A reverse sneeze is a respiratory sound in a category all its own. Also known as a pharyngeal gag reflex or backwards sneeze, the reverse sneeze is a commonly observed respiratory sound in dogs and less commonly in cats. While a true sneeze occurs on the exhale, the reverse sneeze occurs as the dog inhales. The result is a reverberating snorting, wheezing, episodic sound that lasts for a few seconds to a minute or two. A reverse sneeze is a completely harmless sound and dogs do not suffer any immediate health threat from these episodes.
How can you tell it's a reverse sneeze?
There is no easy explanation of the sound - you just have to hear it and you'll recognize it. Click to see and hear an example of a dog's reverse sneeze episode.
Part of my enjoyment on the weekly national radio program, Animal Radio, is describing the peculiar smells, sounds and essences of veterinary medicine with our listeners. On many an occasion when speaking to callers, I have re-created the sounds of reverse sneezing. I'm no Rich Little, but I do take pride in my impersonation of a canine reverse sneeze, which is admittedly better in person with the visuals to complement the throaty sound.
Characteristics of a dog displaying a reverse sneeze include:
- Vibrational coughing/wheezing sound
- Stiff, extended neck
- Facial grimace
- No discharge from nose
- Not followed by coughing or vomiting up material
- Not involving collapse episodes
- Animal is completely normal after event
What causes a reverse sneeze?
Some reverse sneeze episodes occur when a dog gets very excited or pulls against a leash. Brachycephalic breeds (short faced breeds) like Pugs and Boston terriers commonly display reverse sneezing due to their upper airway conformation.
Allergies, respiratory infections, nasal mites, inhaled foreign bodies and masses can also trigger reverse sneezing. Dogs with inflammatory conditions such as lymphoplasmacytic rhinitis can also display bouts of reverse sneezing. And sometimes reverse sneezing occurs in the wee hours of the night, while a dog is sleeping, for no apparent reason. In fact, many veterinarians receive panicked phone calls at 2am from pet owners, concerned of impending asthma attacks or respiratory arrest, only to have it turn out just to be a typical case of reverse sneezing.
What to Do?
There is no required treatment for a reverse sneeze episode. However, I recommend stroking a dog's throat while gently speaking to him in a calm manner until the episode subsides. Some advocate closing/pinching the nostrils off, which forces a dog to swallow and curtails the reverse sneeze episode. Whatever the approach, reverse sneezing episodes are over within minutes, so no emergency treatment is indicated. Antihistamines may be prescribed to minimize reverse sneezing episodes.
When to Worry?
If all of a sudden your dog is having repeated bouts of reverse sneezing, evaluation by your veterinarian is indicated. Consult with your veterinarian if your dog is reverse sneezing along with other symptoms such as facial rubbing, nasal bleeding, nasal discharge, coughing, or significant sneezing episodes.
Nasal mites are a common cause of reverse sneezing and may be noted after a recent boarding visit, especially if multiple dogs in a household are involved. Nasal mite treatment is easily pursued with anti-parasite injections of ivermectin (or in collie breeds - the alternative Milbemycin.) If reverse sneezing is excessive and prolonged, the nasal and pharyngeal areas should be evaluated by a veterinarian through rhinoscopy - a procedure performed under anesthesia in which the nasal passages and pharyngeal areas are visualized with an endoscope, a micro camera. This is how foreign objects and masses are typically identified. In other cases, further tests may be needed including a CT scan or with biopsy samples from sinus passages.
Final Thought
The good news is that most of reverse sneezing episodes are harmless, and do not indicate any serious illness. Arm yourself with information by learning what a reverse sneeze looks like and you may save yourself an unwanted emergency veterinary visit over this peculiar but non-life threatening occurrence.
Featured veterinarian known as "Dr. Debbie" on national pet radio program, Animal Radio. Ebook author of "Yorkshire Terriers: How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend"; "Pugs: How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend"; "Mini Schnauzers: How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend"; and "Shih Tzu: How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend." Dr. Debbie's books.
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Animal Radio News with Stacey Cohen
Museum Celebrated Feline Employees
A museum in Russia celebrated its feline employees. The Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg hosted an exhibit honoring the 60 cats it used to protect the paintings from mice and rats. The practice dates back to 1764 when Catherine the Great created the institution and gave the four-legged guards a formal rank and stipend. The Hermitage Museum then put together a separate gallery featuring the paintings of Alexandre Steinlen, who was noted for his love of cats.
A Goat Walks Into A Bar
It turns out a pygmy goat found in a Montana bar wasn't actually there to wet his whistle. The animal was supposedly brought into the Butte establishment. Patrons called the police, and the goat was taken to a local animal shelter. Its owner remained unknown until the shelter got a call from a petting zoo. The general manager explained that they knew one of their goats was missing, but they didn't realize it had been stolen until they saw an article about a bar-going goat. The goat was then returned safe and sound to the petting zoo.
Ferrets Passed Off As Toy Poodles
Shoppers at a market in Buenos Aires, Argentina did not get what they bargained for. Vendors at the market tried to pass off bulked up ferrets as toy poodles. The move also reportedly tricked several people into shelling out $150 for the rodents. Apparently, the ferrets had been given steroids at birth to increase their size. The tricky vendors also fluffed out the rodents' fur so it looked more like a tiny poodle. For a long time, the switch-up had been considered an urban myth until a local television station reportedly discovered several people who bought the animals.
Dog Eats $500
A dog owner in Montana took care of the dirty work, and was just waiting to see if the U.S. Treasury Department would replace the five $100 bills his canine companion ate. The 12-year-old golden retriever chowed down on the cash when visiting his owner's daughter's house. The owner then followed his dog around for months picking out pieces of the bills from the dog's droppings, but he didn't think he had enough to do anything with until his daughter gave him more fragments she found in her yard. After thoroughly cleaning what was left of the money, he sent it into the Treasury's Bureau of Engraving and Printing. A federal employee said the money would be replaced if they determined at least 51-percent of the bill was present, but that process could take years.
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