ASK "THE DOG BIBLE" ­ Based on THE DOG BIBLE: Everything Your Dog Wants You To Know by Tracie Hotchner

Communication Between Dogs and People

There has been a breakthrough in the understanding of what makes dogs tick: scientists have confirmed the connection between dogs and their direct ancestor, the wolf. Canine anthropologists have concluded from their studies of wolves that we only need to understand their dynamics and we'll have everything we need to know about the dogs who share our lives.

Our pet dogs-from the tiniest Pekingese to the largest Deerhound-all have the same number of chromosomes that a wolf does. People have been manipulating what dogs look like for thousands of years, and yet all dogs continue to have the same wiring in their brains: the mind of a wolf. By some calculations, people have been breeding and domesticating dogs for 8,000 years, and yet no matter what we have done to alter the outside of the "package," the inside of a dog's mind is unchanged. From the study of wolf behavior has come a "new and improved" understanding of our constant companions-and ideas about how to communicate with them.

There has been a gradual but significant evolution in the understanding of the dog/human interaction and how to ensure that the human is in charge of that relationship. The pack behavior of wolves is what has given dog trainers/behaviorists their understanding of how to create and maintain a harmonious balance between dogs and between dogs and their people. The most current beliefs about living with and training dogs is that we humans need to be the "powerful" ones in those relationships, but that we should not have an adversarial relationship with our dogs based on domination.

The Dog/Wolf Connection: Jan Fennell, who wrote The Dog Listener, does a beautiful job of explaining her theory about the wolf origins of dogs and how this affects our relationship to them. There has been a fair amount of research on this subject over the last decade, but Fennell's brilliance is to describe with great simplicity how to turn your unruly pack of dogs (or even a solo dog) into mellow, attentive canines. To follow this wolf-oriented line of thinking about dogs, you may have to suspend preconceptions about how your pooch thinks and what motivates her actions. But once you open yourself to these revolutionary ideas and begin to experiment with these techniques, your interaction with your dog(s) will become so easy that it will seem like magic.

I recommend Fennell's book to anyone who has the time and desire to read the whole saga of how she came to her theory, but like any truly great idea, the practical aspects of playing alpha wolf to your dog(s) can be boiled down to a simple formula, outlined below. (By the way, this has nothing at all to do with Cesar Milan's theories as the "dog whisperer" ­ ideas that he has developed on his own. His style sounds and looks snappy during his demonstrations, but I have my doubts about how much practical or long-lasting value they'll have for the average dog owner.)

THINK LIKE A WOLF

First and foremost, we have to embrace the concept of just how differently dogs process relationship dynamics. Humans are verbal, whereas dogs rely on body language. In order for us to understand and to be in control of the dog's place in our lives, we need to understand the nonverbal messages of wolves and dogs. For us, tapping into that system is like plugging into the "motherboard" of a dog's computer, rather than fooling around with hit-or-miss software that we try to develop. Wolf packs are hierarchies with one "alpha pair." They get the first and best of everything- food, bed, etc.-in return for taking responsibility for the group.

The word "alpha" has been misused and misunderstood by dog trainers and owners for years: they have been interpreting the term as humans understand it: power and control by intimidation and force. "Leader" may be a better word. Dogs are not similar to people in that we are taught to surpass others, to be on top. In the animal kingdom there are many creatures, along with dogs, who neither want to be nor are equipped to be the "alpha." In fact, they are content and even relieved to have a clearly designated leader so that they can stop worrying about all the questions answered by his leadership. In the wolf/dog universe there is no value judgment for dogs about where they fall on the spectrum -there is no shame in being third from the top, or third from the bottom-as there would be in human society, where being number one is given immense importance. Dogs just need to know where they fall in the family or pack. We have to keep that in mind when trying to understand our dog-and in every single thing we do with her.

Research into how wolves live and communicate with each other has revealed that, in wolf terms, there are a few central areas where there is a clear role for the leader. We humans have to play the role of leader with our dogs-with whom we create an interspecies pack-because in dog terms there has to be a leader. Some pack member has to assume that place, so if you don't step in-in terms the dog can understand based on her wolf origins-the dog will worry and try to fill that leadership place herself. This can lead to nervous, neurotic behavior in a dog, like barking, destructiveness, and/or being clingy. These are all ways the dog expresses anxiety over the fact that no one is in charge and that the task of keeping the den safe falls to the pooch.

What we need to learn is in which areas a real wolf leader, the "alpha," naturally asserts himself. By knowing what those areas are with our dog(s), we can take over those responsibilities. What we don't want to do is unknowingly fight against our dog's inborn tendencies; we want to go with the dog's instinct so that we can be in a harmonious balance with them. If the dog knows who is in charge, it frees her to relax, play, and do our bidding.

{"Ask THE DOG BIBLE..." is a regular column by Tracie Hotchner - Featuring excerpts from her new 700 page encyclopedic book that has been called "a Dr. Spock for dogs." Further information may also be on her website, http://www.thedogbible.com, where you can email questions.} Copyright 2006 by Tracie Hotchner, All Rights Reserved

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LATKA'S TREATS LOOK-A-LIKE CONTEST

Latka's Treats is having a contest and three winners are going to receive prize packages featuring assorted Latka's Treats and a mix of delightful doggie gifts from Animal Radio Network® (including a KongTime - doggy day care in a box, The Poop Hound by Hound Dog and a New Puppy Kit from Planet Dog), bags from Sherpa Pet Trading, subscriptions and gift items from Bark Magazine, videos from Dog Trainer to the Stars Bash Dibra, a gift from DogCollectibles.com, books from author Darlene Arden, subscriptions to Animal Fair Magazine, books from author Cheryl S. Smith, pawsitively fabulous accessories from Purple Pebble (including LEEDZ 6-footer leashes, Buckle and Slip COLLARZ collars, FLEEZ Ravioli Fetch-a-Cinne toys and a FLEEZ Cuddle Mat) and more!

To enter the contest, email us one or two photographs (in a digital file, i.e. jpg or pdf) of you and your dog, along with your name, your dog's name, your phone number, your email and snail mail addresses to contest@delicioustreats.com or mail a hard copy photo(s) to Latka's Treats, PO Box 231384, Ansonia Station, New York, NY 10023

Contest judges are Dr, Kevin Fitzgerald, Animal Planet's "Emergency Vet" and Jen Greenberg, Pet Photographer, who will choose the winners on Animal Radio on June 3rd!

Deadline for entries is midnight EST May 31, 2006
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THE DNA DOG DIET
by Special Correspondent Arden Moore

Chow time takes on a new health significance for your dog ­ thanks to an emerging science called nutrigenomics.

Nutritionists and geneticists are working together to keep your dog healthy, one molecular morsel at a time. This interplay between genes and nutrients found in certain foods may transform the overall health in dogs ­ and people.

"Genes represent the blueprint for who we are ­ both people and dogs ­ but they are not a jail sentence," says Ruth DeBusk, PhD, RD, a geneticist and registered dietitian in Tallahassee, Florida. She co-authored, It's Not Just Your Genes with Yael Joffe, RD and spearheads an international coalition determined to educated experts ­ and consumers ­ about the benefits of nutrigenomics on overall health and longevity.

The buzz about nutrigenomics has sparked debate ­ and hope ­ in the veterinary community. That's because much of the canine research has been conducted by scientists at major commercial dog food companies and the results have yet to be published in peer-review medical journals. Two companies, Hill's Pet Nutrition and Nestle Purina PetCare Company are identifying certain nutrients capable of "turning off" bad genes and "turning on" good genes in dogs.

This manipulation at the cellular level may prevent or eliminate osteoarthritis, epilepsy, cancers, and a host of other canine health conditions. Research is also underway for new gene diets for cats, too.

"We're only beginning to learn how certain foods can manipulate the genes for which we ­ and dogs ­ are born with," says Robert Pickard, PhD, director of the British Nutrition Foundation.

He points out that dogs and humans have similar number of genes ­ about 23,000 ­ and most canine genes appear to have human equivalents and vice versa.

"We know the 'addresses' of genes," says Dr. Pickard. "Now, we need to learn their 'occupations' and what influence certain foods have on modifying these genes."

Two companies, Hill's Pet Nutrition and Nestle Purina PetCare Company, recently unveiled new canine diets that incorporate nutrigenomics to deal with osteoarthritis ­ the most prevalent joint disorder in dogs. About one in every five dog develops this condition.

Scientists identified a specific omega-3 fatty acid called EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) that can "turn off" a degenerative enzyme that causes cartilage degradation. They recently shared their findings at an international nutritional conference in London and a genetics conference at Tufts University in North Grafton, Massachusetts.

"As practitioners, we have known all along that arthritic dogs, when given EPA supplements orally, get better, but we never knew why," says Jerold Bell, DVM, a clinical associate professor of genetics at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts. "Certain pet food companies are researching different disorders and using modern molecular techniques to determine how components of food can impact the health of our pets."

Hill's created Prescription Diet Canine j/d for dogs with arthritis and joint problems. Researchers spent more than a decade and conducted clinical trials with more than 50 practicing veterinarians involving more than 500 dogs.

Of the tested dogs, 82 percent were able to walk without limping, and demonstrated increase range of motion after one month of being put on the j/d diet. Of those dogs who needed non-steroidal medications, dosages were able to be reduced by 25 percent, reports Debra Nichol, PhD, vice president of product development for Hill's Pet Nutrition.

"The discovery of this omega-3 fatty acid is key to treating and managing canine osteoarthritis," says Dr. Nichol. "This diet is a canine solution for dogs with arthritis."

Among practicing veterinarians who participated in the j/d diet study was Jennifer Jellison, DVM, who operates a small animal practice at the Banfield Veterinary Clinic in Columbus, Ohio. She says she was skeptical at first about the possible benefits of feeding dogs this new diet.

"What this taught me was as a veterinary community, we need to seriously look at nutrigenomics," says Dr. Jellison. "What we feed companion animals can make a huge difference in their health."

At the recent genetics conference sponsored by Tufts University, scientists from Nestle Purina PetCare Company discussed the molecular nutritional approach to managing osteoarthritis.

"The knowledge we are acquiring in canine and feline genetics is proving to be very helpful in finding nutritional solutions for diseases," says Steven Hannah, PhD, nutritionist at Purina's research center in St. Louis, Missouri.

But C.A. Tony Buffington, DVM, PhD, remains cautiously optimistic about the health benefits of nutrigenomics. He is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Nutrition and professor in the department of veterinary clinical sciences at Ohio State University.

"I've seen two definitions for nutrigenomics," says Dr. Buffington. "Nutrigenomics can mean both the general ability of nutrients to influence gene expression ­ and the more restricted meaning of designing foods to accommodate individual genetic limitations."

Like his peers, Dr. Buffington is highly interested in this new partnership between nutrition and genetics.

"My take-home message is that I am anxiously awaiting the outcome of independently-controlled clinical trials that are published in a peer-reviewed journal," says Dr. Buffington. "It is too early to know the benefits of nutrigenomics. I think the marketing on nutrigenomics is light years ahead of the science, but I congratulate the pet food companies for applying their resources to addressing osteoarthritis and other health conditions in dogs and cats."

Curious about nutrigenomics?

To learn more about this new science, please visit the Web site: www.petnutrigenomics.com.

Animal Radio® special correspondent Arden Moore is the editor of Catnip, the national award-winning monthly published in cooperation with Tufts University's School of Veterinary Medicine. Arden has also authored more than a dozen books on dogs and cats and can be reached through her Web site: http://www.ArdenMoore.com

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Animal Minute with Britt Savage

Cat Comforts Grieving Orangutan

Tondalayo, a 45-year-old Sumatran orangutan, and T.J., a stray tabby cat, became an inseparable duo after a zoo employee introduced them late last year. Stephanie Willard, Education Director at Zoo World in Panama City Beach, said Tondalayo was depressed since losing her mate two years ago.

Her age prevented her from moving to another zoo or taking another mate. The ducks and turtles swimming in a moat around her island were not enough, Willard told the Panama City News Herald for Thursday's editions. When the sweet-natured orange cat wandered into Willard's life, the solution became clear.

"It's an unbelievable match," Willard said. "This has worked out a lot better than I expected it to. She's got brighter eyes now. He's brought a lot of light to her." Zookeepers named the cat, T.K. short for "Tondalayo's Kitty." They play together, cuddle and sleep together each night. They have been together constantly for more than a month "

He's perked up Tonda more than anything," Willard said.

Hear Britt and the Animal Minute at AnimalRadio.com

Voice of the Animal - Rae Ann Kumelos Ph.D.

BIRD FLU - AN ABUSE OF BREATH

Not long ago, a major news network featured a story on bird-flu entitled "Killer Flu- Only a Breath Away." The drumbeat of fear-- a fraction legitimate, the greater portion manufactured to get viewers attention-- is gaining volume as this strain of influenza travels westward.

That line, "Killer Flu ­ Only a Breath Away" lures viewers in, terrifying them of all winged creatures. But let's look at another perspective on birds and breath.

The Greek word for soul is psyche, which also translates as breath, a divine breath that animates all living things. That is why the presence of birds are considered-- in many cultures-- as a powerful connection to the soul. The very nature of a bird's movement is to dwell in the divine breath, air. A bird's ability to fly high above the earth allows her a unique overall perspective on the events of the human world, one reason that birds were used in ancient cultures to divine the will of the gods. In Egyptian myth, the soul is even represented as a human with the head of a bird. While in Christian, Greek, and Native traditions, it is believed that the soul or breath appears in the form of a bird to represent a divine presence (the Holy Spirit appears as a dove in the New Testament). In addition, the meaning of the word animal comes from anima, meaning air, breath, life. While the word inspiration comes from the Latin word meaning to breathe.

What does all this etymology mean and what does it have to do with bird flu? If, as both ancient and modern religions maintain, the soul is part of this divine breath, then our very souls have a special relation to the winged creatures that inhabit the element of air: birds.

These can be considered ethereal concepts when people have died, millions of birds are being killed, and the possibility of a pandemic is a world -wide threat. But what is essential to remember, is that the underlying cause of avian flu lies not with birds, but with human beings. Bird flu arose from the unsanitary and horrific conditions surrounding the raising of chickens, turkeys, geese, and ducks for food, conditions that exist not only in China, the Far East, and Europe, but in the United States as well. Bird flu is not the fault of birds, but of the humans who are responsible for their care and good health.

Media and government attention is focused on the symptom of this issue, the disease itself, while veterinarians, conscious consumers, animal organizations, and scientists are discussing ways to eliminate the cause of bird flu by advocating humane treatment of farmed animals, the closure of factory farms, and enlightened and informed changes in our own diets. These are the steps that will eradicate avian flu and the threat to human lives, steps that will eliminate other diseases (just waiting in the wings) that are certain to arise due to inhumane mistreatment of animals.

The Latin word for Hell, averno, means a place without birds. If humans allow chickens, turkeys, ducks, and geese to be raised in a manner that creates disease, and then choose to kill millions of birds rather than address the root cause of the problem, then we are creating our very own hell. "Killer Flu ­ Only a Breath Away." Don't you buy it. Instead, use your breath to support and advocate change in the way animals are treated, and you will find that it is the inspiration of our winged friends that is only a breath away.

Copyright 2006 - Voice of the Animal

Visit us at http://www.VoiceOfTheAnimal.org to order a Volume One- Voice of the Animal CD for yourself or a friend.

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ANIMAL RADIO BOOK REVIEW for May

(rated 5 paws) Woman's Best Friend - Woman Writers on the Dogs in Their Lives Edited by Megan McMorris Paperback: 220 pages Publisher: Seal Press (March 28, 2006) ISBN: 1580051634 Everyone has heard that dogs are man's best friend ­ but this book proves that they can be woman's best friend as well! Woman's Best Friend is a collection of stories (with pictures of the pooches) written by woman writers that will inspire you, have you laughing and have you crying. There are stories about a dog who knows his owner is pregnant before she does; a dog who takes on the anxiety of a family when someone is battling breast cancer; and stories of how our canine companions help us cope with life's daily struggles. You can pick and chose the stories to read at random, or you can read it straight through. It is the perfect book to curl up with at any given time with your furry companion. Send books and literature for review on-air and in this newsletter to: Animal Radio Network® Book Reviews, 233 East 330 North, Kanab, Utah 84741. Product may not be returned. Allow 5 weeks for review.

ASK THE CAT COACH - Marilyn Krieger

My Cat Is Eating our House and Home!

Dear Cat Coach,
My cat eats everything! I have been keeping everything (clothing) out of reach and now he is eating our blankets and bedding! I have offered him other things to chew on that are safe but NOPE he wants material.... and now he's even started chewing on our wood cabinets! I live in fear of his having another operation for obstruction. And I simply cannot afford to replace blankets and clothing at the rate they are being destroyed. I cannot give Satish up...But even tolerant Hubby is loosing his patience FAST. The way I see it, Hubby can be partly blamed since he leaves his clothes on the floor where Satish can find them.

Satish, our loving one year old boy has a history of eating things that he is not supposed to eat...primarily material. He sucks it up into a nipple like shape and then chews it off and eats it completely, not leaving even a single thread behind.
Can you help us?
Signed,
Mothra's Mom

Dear Mothra's Mom,
Satish is exhibiting an OCD behavior called "PICA". In an extreme case like this, I suggest you contact your veterinarian and talk to him about the use of medication, used in conjunction with behavior modification. A complete exam should also be done by your veterinarian in order to rule out any medical causes for his behavior.

Some effective behavior modification techniques include:

-Keep Satish occupied. Schedule multiple interaction times with him every day. It also helps to have interactive toys available for him to play with. These toys have holes in them so that treats can be placed in them, resulting in Satish having to work for his reward. This will make him into a busy little kitty, more intent on removing the treats then eating the furniture. Make the environment interesting by providing him bags and boxes to hide in and a variety of toys to play with. You may also want to consider buying videos or DVDs such as The Cat Sitter or Video Catnip for Satish. These videos provide hours of footage of birds, rodents, fish and insects, perfect for an OCD cat like Satish.

-Don't let Satish have access to the materials that have become his favorite chewables by either removing them or spraying them with vinegar, Bitter Apple®, lemon or another deterrent. I highly recommend modifying hubby's behavior so that he hangs up his clothes, or puts them in a drawer. Make sure to provide something acceptable for Satish to chew on that won't cause intestinal obstructions.

-Supplement Satish's diet. Some people have had success by adding fiber to the diet. Before adding anything to his diet, consult with your veterinarian.

-Provide Satish with more frequent and smaller feedings.

-Provide areas for Satish to hide. Satish may be engaged in PICA activities due to anxiety from the other cats and dogs that share his home. Tall cat trees will also provide areas of safety and retreat for him.

-A Comfort Zone diffuser may help with easing the anxiety Satish is experiencing.

PICA can be a challenging issue to resolve and will take perseverance and patience. Remember not to punish Satish. Punishment may negatively reinforce the behavior. Instead provide Satish with lots of praise and encouragement for good behavior.

You can find out more about The Cat Coach at http://thecatcoach.com. Marilyn can be reached for consultation to solve feline behavior issues either by e-mail marilyn@thecatcoach.com or by phone: 650 780 9485. © April 2006 by Marilyn Krieger, All Rights Reserved

TIP: Traveling with your small pet in a motor-home? Make sure to locate your pet before extending any slide rooms! Cats especially like to hang out in small places that disappear when you open and close RV slides.

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THE LONGEST MINUTE by Patti Lawson
Three years ago in the midst of a very cold, dreary winter that I spent wallowing in misery and stuffing myself with endless comfort foods that provided no solace, the sun made a rare appearance and I managed to get off the couch and into my car. I drove to PetsMart just to look at dogs because I was tired of being lonely and thought maybe a dog would cheer me up. There fate in the form of a lady volunteer at the Love-A Pet-Adoption Center tapped me on the shoulder and handed me a little black and tan puppy to hold for a minute.

Fast forward three years and this little puppy is now a long-legged Pollyanna type creature I named Sadie and I simply cannot imagine my life without her.

While it was not love at first sight for either of us, we found out way together and formed a bond stronger that anything I've yet experienced... Along the way, Sadie lifted me out of that depressive state, helped me lose over 30 pounds and fills my days with once unimaginable joy. We tell our story in our recently released book, The Dog Diet; A Memoir, What My Dog Taught Me bout Shedding Pounds, Licking Stress and Getting a New Leash on Life. (HCI Publishing, Inc. April 2006)

The food wars that erupted in my kitchen once Sadie arrived as I attempted to keep "human food" from her as instructed by my vet resulted in the creation of the "Dog Diet." Initially made up of foods that wouldn't bring Sadie running into the kitchen, these quiet and basically odorless foods were enough for me to sustain myself. But as time went on, the list grew and I learned I could share many of these with her, thus bringing peace to our former turbulent mealtimes. The basis of my diet is a "Salad Box" which is described in great detail in the book. You will also find shopping lists and some very tasty recopies containing foods that you can share with your canine companion.

The second part of any diet is exercise, and while I was someone who only "endured" exercise, with Sadie at my side, I learned to enjoy it. We developed "Dogercise" a fun and energetic way to burn calories while you are having fun with your dog.

Ultimately though, the book is not about dieting, but about living. It's filled with humorous escapades Sadie and I experienced. People who have companion dogs will certainly relate and those who don't hopefully will be inspired to adopt a dog. I learned to look at myself through Sadie's eyes and quit seeking perfectionthings I hope my readers will also discover. It's about taking the focus off you, putting it on another living creature and finding the joy in each moment of every day.

As I wrote in the introduction to The Dog Diet, "I will show you how Sadie taught me to find joy in simple things, and in doing so, I found out that I was not a number on a scale, a perfectly balanced meal, or a five-mile run. I hope my experience of saving a small dog, who in turn saved me, will inspire you, encourage you and most of all make you laugh-at yourself."

Please take a moment and visit our website: http://www.TheDogDiet.com
Hear Patti talk about the Dog Diet on Animal Radio® this week.

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UPCOMING ON ANIMAL RADIO®

ANIMAL RADIO ANGELS® - June - Animal Radio receives hundreds of emails and snail mail from pet guardians regarding their ill pets. Often times these folks don't have the funds available to pay for doctors and medical expenses. Animal Radio Angels® will help cover the expenses necessary to get your pet better. We'll follow one pet for eight-weeks from recovery to rehab. It's a make-a-wish program for our four-legged friends!

If you or someone you know is facing astronomical vet bills for a pet's life-saving surgery, please contact us.

If your company would like to become an Animal Radio Angel, be part of saving lives, and get lots of TV, Print, and traditional Radio coverage, please contact Animal Radio® at yourvoice@animalradio.com

TRAVELING WITH YOUR PET -June 3rd.- More and more we're taking our cats and dogs with us wherever we go. Listen in as we uncover tips, tricks and products that make traveling with your pet a breeze. We will discuss everything from seat belts for Fido to pet friendly places to visit.

LITTER-PALOOZA SPECIAL - We'll be focusing our attention on the multi-million dollar Cat AND Dog Litter Industry. We'll also uncover the many alternatives to traditional elimination resources. Today's Pet Guardian is faced with almost too many choices! Animal Radio® experts will examine the truths and myths behind the claims made by manufacturers and distributors.

Think your company should be a part of an upcoming feature? Call 435.644.5992 or submit your contribution ideas to root@AnimalRadio.com.

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Pet Talk Radio! with Brian and Kaye Pickering Check Schedule for Airtimes

{Editors Note: We are absolutely thrilled to have Australia's top animal show on Animal Radio Network® We've brought together the world's best pet programs under one roof. If you haven't heard our full-time animal channel - check it out now }

G'day from down-under to all Animal Radio Network® listeners.

Winter has just started to kick in here with temps going from t-shirt, shorts and iced drinks to sweaters and jeans plus our famous 'ugg boots' (and a little something special in the coffee perhaps!)

Now is the time here in Australia that we really start to see the pet fashion brigade start to spend up big. We listened with great interest to your San Diego Pet Expo shows and in fact did a segment ourselves on this very expo. PTR#169 - Pet Prams + Pooper Scoopers at the 2006 Int'nl Pet Expo - we even poked a little light hearted fun at "those crazy Americans!!"

We are always amazed at how many Aussies now buy 'designer jackets' for their pets for winter it's pretty cool really ­ we're not against it at all ­ but the only question we have is "why do people spend so much on designer jackets and absolutely nothing on training?"

Dogs ­ in fact pretty well most domesticated animals ­ should be in our society on our terms. Of course this is not how it is in most pet households.

The point here is that training a dog does not start and end at puppy classes. Just because your dog will come (most times) sit and stay does not mean it is 'trained' it may be 'in-training' but it is not trained. Training is a life long activity for you and your pet!

Training includes being socialized with other dogs, people, machines, noises etc and also understanding that meeting someone new doesn't mean you can lick and slobber and jump all over them (like ours have just done to the editor of a national magazine here called Dogs Life who just paid us a visit!)

Training can also mean knowing when to eliminate (wee and poo) on command.

In fact this is one of the most useful commands for many dogs and is used in military, police and other service areas. It can also be used to good effect when walking your dog past 3 blocks of neighbours houses to the park NOT to drop one outside Mrs Jones' house for the 3rd time this week!

People say "my dog comes when I call mostly"!!... but it's that 1 or 2% of NOT coming when called that could spell the end of your dog or cat for that matter or result in something ­ say a fight ­ that could end up badly for all concerned.

Cats (rabbits, birds etc) can all be trained just as well as dogs ­ it's a little harder but our featured co-host animal trainer Steve Austin has already done it with his cat Pie.

This cat walks on a dog's back, sits ­ drops and stays and even 'walks the plank between two high chairs.

Steve is now trying to teach it to speak on command. And while our 4 dogs are quietly snoring away at our feet as we write ­ we can't help but wonder how much better they might have been had we kept up the training. Hmmmm.

You knowsometimes we humans need a little 'prodding and pushing' to do the things we know we ought to be doing.. Writing this training reminder has now prompted us to do what we are telling you to do!

Soc'mon, let's get up - get out and get training we'll all be better for it in the end and you guys in the northern hemisphere have absolutely no excuses now it's coming into summer (lucky people that you are!!)

Kaye & I hope you and your pets have a great summer and get plenty of chances to listen to Animal Radio and of course Pet Talk Radio!... oh, and don't forget to tell a pet loving friend or two either.

Take care & hugs for your pets ­ Brian & Kaye
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Patrick was born one fine day in January, just before the coldest weather set in. He eventually came to live with the Anderson family and their three children, two cats, six turtles, two hamsters and a rabbit. His adventures will have you laughing, crying, and most of all, wanting to know more about this wayward puppy with a penchant for mischief.. Also available on CD, it is great to have in the car for those long car trips! Perfect for kids ages 8 and up, even adults have nothing but positive things to say about this book. Sure to become as timeless as "Lassie Come-Home" and "Old Yeller."  http://www.WriteInYourEarProductions.com

Veterinary Minute with Dr. Jim Humphries

Controlling Ticks

To most pet owners, the return of spring is a joyous occasion. The opportunity to spend quality time with your pet outdoors can be an exhilarating experience. Just be sure to watch out for some sneaky critters waiting to feast on your pet's blood!

Everyone is well aware of the irritation that fleas can cause our pets, as well as pesky mosquitoes spreading heartworm disease. But another problem parasite that shows up in the spring and stays until about October is the tick ­ and they can cause serious problems, some of them deadly.

There are over 850 known species of ticks in the world and these relatives of spiders can be found as parasites on mammals, birds, and even reptiles. Here in the United States, dog and cat owners have less than a dozen species to deal with, but all of these ticks can harbor a variety of serious diseases, such as tularemia, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and Lyme Disease.

Adult ticks will climb to the top of a blade of grass or the edge of a leaf lying on the ground and wait for their potential host. This "questing" behavior puts them in the perfect position to sense movement, heat, and even carbon dioxide. Reacting to these stimuli, the tick will climb onto the new host.

Once on the pet, the tick will begin feeding. The tick's mouth parts are designed to make removal difficult. Their barbed feeding tube has numerous backward facing projections and a substance produced in the tick's salivary glands actually glues the tick in place. Some ticks can feed on 200 to 600 times their body weight in blood and may take several days to finish eating. It is during this blood meal that ticks can spread a number of diseases to their host.

Dr. Michael Dryden of the Kansas State University Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology mentions that pet owners might miss a few ticks for a day or two, thereby giving the opportunistic disease-causing bacteria a chance to infect the pet. Diseases such as Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) and Lyme Disease are still prevalent in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control have reported prevalence rates of the bacteria causing RMSF ranging from 2-10% in ticks found in the Eastern United States. RMSF affects both dogs and people and is often characterized by fevers, swollen lymph nodes, and occasionally pneumonia. In dogs, RMSF can cause potentially fatal heart arrhythmias.

A recent study shows increasing numbers of dogs with positive Lyme Disease tests in the United States. Lyme Disease has been diagnosed in all 48 contiguous states and more than 40% of the 1,400 veterinary clinics surveyed have reported cases of the disease in recent years. Dogs with Lyme Disease will often present with a sudden onset on lameness that appears to come and go. Other symptoms include loss of appetite, high fever, and severe lethargy.

It is possible though, to enjoy the outdoors and protect your pet from ticks at the same time. Flea products routinely purchased through veterinarians are also useful in the war on ticks. One popular product veterinarians recommend is Frontline Plus and is particularly effective in preventing tick infestations. Monthly uses of such topical not only control fleas, but kills all ticks, potentially stopping the spread of tick borne diseases. These easy to use topical treatments can be used safely on puppies and kittens 8 weeks of age or older.

Most pet owners want to know when the best times for starting and stopping flea and tick control. According to Dryden, on the Companion Animal Parasite Council website, the changing climactic conditions of most of the United States have made pinpointing a tick "season" difficult. Some species of ticks have been known to survive more than 12 months without a blood meal. For the pet's safety, Dryden recommends year round use of these treatments.

Getting out and enjoying the great outdoors by camping and hiking can be a great bonding experience for you and your dog. The fresh air, added exercise and the thrill of exploring the unknown will add to your relationship with your pet. Following a few simple protective steps will help to make sure that your dog doesn't come home with some unwelcome visitors, or a potentially devastating disease.

For more information about protecting your dog from ticks, visit www.petsandparasites.org. As always, seek your veterinarian's advice. Watch an interesting video on tick at www.MyVNN.com.

Hear the Veterinary Minute on Animal Radio®.

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PRODUCT REVIEW for May

(rated 5 paws) ELECTRONIC PORTION CONTROL LE BISTRO When Petmate first released its Le Bistro Automatic Feeder, I was nonplussed. We thought it was just another kibble feeder that distributed food at a certain time. I figured this would be a great device for those long vacations. But during testing, we decided that it is a great accessory for everyday feeding. What we liked: -Ability to control many facets of the process, including times of meals, and amount fed. -Override / Manual Feeding -Accomodates even the big kibble. -Don't have to bend down to feed the cats. -Battery Operated with Low-Voltage meter. -Keeps pests away from excess food. -Great tool for getting the overweight animal back in shape with proper portions. Better than leaving a bowl of food out all the time. What we disliked: -Harder to program than that VCR blinking 12:00. Could still use a friendlier interface. Overall: Cats love it...and they come running everytime it drops its load of food. We love it too! Better than expectations at 5 paws. Get it at PETCO, PetsMart and fine retailers. http://www.Petmate.com We never reccomend a soley-dry food diet, however it is good to accompany any diet with crunchy, teeth-cleaning kibble. We recommend this item in use alongside Veterinary Ventures Aqua-Garden Fountain and The Antser (for bug ridden regions). Send product for review on-air and in this newsletter to: Animal Radio Network® Product Reviews, 233 East 330 North, Kanab, Utah 84741. Product may not be returned. Allow 5 weeks for review.

Animal Radio® made possible by: XFLEAS.com
Xfleas.com is your Internet solution for flea control and heartworm prevention. We carry Advantage and Frontline flea control, Advantage for cats, Advantage for dogs, K9 Advantix, Revolution flea control, Interceptor for dogs, Program flea control, and much more. Here at www.xfleas.com, we strive to provide the very best in personalized, efficient customer service. Our goal is to fill and ship most orders within two business days of being placed and, as always, there are no charges for shipping. http://www.XFLEAS.com

Talk With Your Animals hosted by Joy Turner Check Schedule for Airtimes

UNILATERAL EQUALITY

People have asked me essentially, "What makes the way I communicate different from someone else?" The most important thing I have seen is the philosophy from which I view things and through which I connect and communicate with the animal kingdom. If you think about it, most humans ­ in fact all I've met ­ have some form of hierarchy built into their perception of life. That includes animals. It is pretty blatant when someone thinks animals aren't actually alive, or they don't think or feel. However, I find there are much more subtle levels of hierarchy people don't even realize are inside them because they don't see the thoughts as hierarchal ones.

Hierarchy can disguise itself as discipline ­ who goes through the door first, whose house is it, who gets the right to make all the final decisions, who makes all the choices about what life will be like. People assume these things are the way it "should be" when animals and humans occupy the same space. Humans assume that they are the "highest" on the totem pole and get to make all the decisions. This is very much a form of hierarchy. To assume animals don't have the capability to think, reason, make decisions is incredibly wrong. Animals can do all these things and much more. They usually make better decisions than most people because they are more openly aware of the connection they have to their Soul and follow that guidance without question. Hierarchy puts the human first and everything second. I've seen subtle forms in people who think they always put the animals first. For instance, thinking they know what is best for the animal instead of knowing what the animals' Soul knows best. This is not a fault in us, it is what we're taught. We often have the misconception that because something can't speak English or whatever language the human speaks, the human knows best.

Unilateral Equality put very simply means there is no hierarchy on any level for any reason. It acknowledges the animals' equality to us in all areas. It says they know their own mind, they have their own rights, they can have a say in what they want their lives to be like. This would mean that when there is a disagreement between the human and the animal, that both would listen to the other and reach a compromise. Because of Unilateral Equality, animals feel they can tell me anything they want and there will be no judgment from me of what they think or feel. Making someone else wrong is never a good thing to do. There can never be a compromise when someone thinks they are wrong and someone else is right. That's, in large part, because no one ever thinks they are really wrong.

Here's some examples of how hierarchy can get us into trouble with the animals who grace our lives. No names will be mentioned to protect privacy. A woman called me with the problem that her cat, who had been perfect for the last 13 years and always used her litter box and slept on the bed with the woman, was now peeing in the house and sleeping in the hallway. The woman couldn't find anything that fixed the problem. When I connected to the cat, she was so mad that she would not even talk to me with the phone with the human on the other end at my ear. The cat was afraid the information would go through my head to the woman and the cat didn't want to talk with the woman. After I put the phone down and walked across the room, the cat confided to me that she couldn't understand why the woman no longer loved her and was very upset after all this time. After convincing the cat to let me talk to the woman because I was sure there was a misunderstanding, I asked the woman what had changed right before the cat started these behaviors. The woman was steadfast in her thought that nothing had changed and the cat was steadfast that there were very large changes demonstrating the woman no longer loved her. After quite a while the woman said the only thing she could think of was that she had started remodeling the house. I found out that she had painted, replaced the carpet, drapes, furniture, literally everything in the house. To her this made the house better. To the cat, the woman was systematically removing her smells from the house with the logical conclusion that she would be the next thing to go. That's why she was mad. She thought the place was far from nice ­ in fact that it stunk to the high heaven. Through much negotiation and explanation, both finally understood the other's perspective and reached a compromise both could live with. At last word, the cat had started going back to her usual loving self.

The misunderstanding here occurred because of hierarchy. The woman never even thought to talk to the cat to explain what she was doing or why, much less think of discussing with the cat what she wanted to do before making the decision to do it to get the cat's input. The woman told me she would have done things very differently if any of these thoughts had entered her head. This is an example of subtle hierarchy the woman never knew existed in her.

Unilateral Equality says that we would ask our animal companions questions instead of making statements. Would you come here? Or please come here? Instead of COME. I suggest that people think of what they would feel like if someone treated them the way they are treating their animal companions. If it would make you feel good, continue doing it. If you wouldn't like it, stop doing it with your animal kids.

A problem I find with making this kind of change in thinking is that people honestly have no idea of where to go with the change. They can't think of what to ask or how to pose things in an equal way. I always suggest that people think of how they would like to be interacted with in the same situation and do it that way. Changing to Unilateral Equality can be very simple ­ think of how you would feel if you were the animal and do what would make you as the animal feel good.

You'll find that animals are incredibly forgiving beings. If you do the best you know to do, they will find a way to be fine with the experience. And after all, isn't that what Life is all about? Doing the best you can out of the love you feel and forgiving everything else.

Until next time, I'm Joy reminding you, you can't love your animal companions too much. You can only love them, hopefully, enough.

Talk With Your Animals airs every weeknight on Animal Radio Network's Full-time animal channel. If you would like to talk with your pet via Joy Turner, please call 1-866-405-8405 to make arrangements. http://www.TalkWithYourAnimals.com

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FINAL THOUGHTS

Ten Peeves that Dogs Have About Humans

1. Blaming your farts on me... not funny... not funny at all !!!

2. Yelling at me for barking.. I'M A FRIGGIN' DOG, YOU IDIOT!

3. Taking me for a walk, then not letting me check stuff out. Exactly whose walk is this anyway?

4. Any trick that involves balancing food on my nose... stop it!

5. Any haircut that involves bows or ribbons. Now you know why we chew your stuff up when you're not home.

6. The sleight of hand, fake fetch throw. You fooled a dog! Whoooo Hoooooooo what a proud moment for the top of the food chain.

7. Taking me to the vet for "the big snip", then acting surprised when I freak out every time we go back!

8. Getting upset when I sniff the crotches of your guests. Sorry, but I haven't quite mastered that handshake thing yet.

9. Dog sweaters. Hello ???, Haven't you noticed the fur?

10. How you act disgusted when I lick myself. Look, we both know the truth, you're just jealous.

Now lay off me on some of these thing's, We both know who's boss here!!! You don't see me picking up your poop do you ???