Paw Persuasion

Dog Safety For Summer Swimming Fun

noreply@blogger.com (Rena Murray) — Mon, 26 May 2008 03:58:00 +0000

Dog safety around swimming pools is not unlike safety rules for children. Pools can be fun and refreshing, but dangers lurk for the untrained dog.

One dear friend of mine had an old dog of hers drown in her pool. She felt awful and voiced over and over how she could not imagine how the dog got out of the house and into the pool.

She had several dogs, so I brought them all out. First, I had them placed in the deep end one at a time, and made them swim to the steps and climb out by themselves. Then we had them all at once, so they would get used to the chaos without panicking, and still head to the steps to get out.

If they don't know to go to the steps, then they will try to get out the sides. Then they can become vertical in the water and drown.

For short-legged dogs, you may want to install a little ramp, or put blocks on the steps to make it easier. Consider this also for older dogs whose hips are getting weak.

I also had my friend install a self locking gate on the pool fence to insure safety.

Don't let your excited dog get over tired, either. Especially an older dog, whose hips simply are not as strong as before. And just because you have a canine, do not automatically assume he can swim, or swim well without tiring. Watch your dog as you would a child.

Pool safety rules for children should always include no running on the pool deck. It's slippery when wet, and someone could slip and be hurt badly on the deck or into the pool. The same holds true for dogs, with broken bones and other freak accidents that you cannot undo.

You also need to remember that chlorine is toxic for dogs. Do not let your dog drink the pool water. It's hot, so be sure to have fresh drinking water available at all times on or near the pool deck, and show your dog where it is. Also, the dog's eyes can be irritated by the chlorine, so after the swim time is over, rinse them thoroughly with fresh water.

So have fun in the pool, and keep your children and dogs safe!

Rena Murray
DogWhisperWoman

Frequent Dog Bathing?

noreply@blogger.com (Rena Murray) — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 01:23:00 +0000

In my opinion, bathing a dog weekly is a must.

Of course, you should use an oatmeal based shampoo if possible. Otherwise a NEEM shampoo with coconut oil does a good job. These are good for the skin and keep it from drying out. Not to mention the shiny coat.

This helps reduce pet allergies and misery, pet dander, rainy day dog odor, and general pet stink.

I tried following the once-a-month rule in bathing my dog. She was very dirty by the end of the month, and her odor was still bad despite the scrubbing. Sometimes it seemed worse, sort of like wet wool. But now when we went to weekly bathing.

Rena Murray
DogWhisperWoman

Do You Have a Jake?

noreply@blogger.com (Rena Murray) — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 02:29:00 +0000

If I were given a choice, I would say the hyper and excited dogs are the hardest to change. These are often dogs who seem to be nonstop 24/7. Once I worked with one who nearly tested my patience to the limit. It seemed like he had eaten jet fuel!

"Frustration does not work," I told myself, correcting the Jack Russell yet again. I had run him thirty minutes on the bike behind me. Then just as suddenly as Jake had been having his resistances, he relaxed completely. I asked many more things of Jake, from mental challenge to basic commands. He was eager to please, and did so without hesitation.

Not giving up and pressing on brings the results you want. The best thing to remember is that a dog has to change what he is doing at some point. And, stay there until you accomplish 100%, no less. If you stop at less, you keep less.

Rena Murray
DogWhisperWoman

Abandoned Pets - Better Alternatives In The Foreclosure Crisis

noreply@blogger.com (Rena Murray) — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 15:26:00 +0000

Plea to Pet Owners –
If you are facing foreclosure, do NOT abandon your pet!

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) urges homeowners facing foreclosure not to abandon their pets or to drop them outside a veterinary clinic. After all, your pet loves and trusts you, and you have a responsibility for its welfare. It is not an inanimate object that you can just discard.

So pursue the alternatives. Turn instead to humane organizations or ask your vet for advice. Who knows? He may even have a client who would want your beloved pet!

FOR HELP GO HERE ==> www.avma.org
"Frequently asked questions about pets and foreclosed homes"
Click on "Issues" and then look under "Animal Welfare."

An increasing number of pets are being found in foreclosed homes, some while they are still healthy, but others starving, ill, dying, or already dead...apparently waiting for the owner to return. Don't let that happen to your pet!

If you lose your home and must stay in a place where animals are not allowed, the FAQ provided by AVMA suggests ways you might find someone - a friend, family member, or someone through an internet search, social network postings, or veterinary bulletin boards - to either foster your pet until you find more suitable housing, or to adopt your pet and give it the kind of home it deserves.

You'll sleep better knowing your faithful friend is well taken care of!

As a last resort, there are rescue organizations and NO-KILL shelters that can help find your pet a loving home.

Understand that euthanasia is a possibility at many shelters, such as the Humane Society, if the right family doesn't stumble upon your pet fast enough - but even there, it stands a better chance of adoption than in an empty house.

Again, AVMA has shelter suggestions, and you can check out more in your local Yellow Pages and through a Google search as well. Look for NO KILL!

The Escondido Humane Society (California) encourages you to plan early if you are a pet owner who is facing potential relocation. Then you have a chance to look for animal-friendly housing, and to seek out family and friends to take in your pet temporarily until you are on your feet.

Advance planning also lets you find no-kill shelters within a reasonable driving distance. (Your dog would go miles for you, so won't you go miles to save it's life?)

HELP DURING THIS CRISIS

If you are not one who is facing foreclosure, why not help alleviate the pain of this crisis? Shelters across North America are all short of funds - which means more dogs and cats are put down. They need you!

And your own pet needs for you to be an empowered pet owner caring for his health and welfare. That's what our friend, Dr. Andrew Jones, has done for us with his pet health care manual, home study course, and membership site (where everything is available online, you can ask questions, and much more).

I was excited to learn that before the end of April, Dr. Jones is donating 10% of all sales to the Second Chance Animal Shelter near him, which he supports regularly. And a great way to get started is to check out his pet health membership site with a fr*e*e trial -- I'm in it!

Let's save our pets!

Rena Muray
DogWhisperWoman

If Your Dog Bites Someone For No Reason

noreply@blogger.com (Rena Murray) — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 00:57:00 +0000

If your dog bites someone for no reason...
What should you do?

Get help from a dog behaviorist right away. The laws about dangerous dogs are very strictly enforced.

Don't misunderstand me. There are insane dogs here and there. Those should indeed be euthanized. But I just hate to see dogs that could be rehabilitated have no quality of life from dire restrictions of be put to death. The safety of people always comes first with me though.

Rena Murray
DogWhisperWoman

Abandoned Pets

noreply@blogger.com (Rena Murray) — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 03:27:00 +0000

With the outrageous increase in taxes, it is not surprising that foreclosures are on the rise. There has also been an untold number of pets abandoned in these homes.

I know that sometimes things are not in your control to keep your animal in times such as this. My Grandfather fought in WW2 and lived in Japan for some time. While there, he was given an Akita.

But Granddaddy was not allowed to bring the dog back to this country (back then it wasn't allowed), and no one would take him. So he had to be put to sleep. As awful as that is, it is better than him joining a wild pack of dogs or starving to death.

Please take your pet somewhere if you cannot keep it. Never abandon your friend.

Rena Murray
DogWhisperWoman

DOGS vs CATS - Debate on Squidoo

noreply@blogger.com (Rena Murray) — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 20:20:00 +0000

It's hot, it's new, it's fun for you.
A new "MonkeyBrain" debate lens on Squidoo.
DOGS vs CATS - Dogs Rule!

My friend, Margaret, created this fun debate page on March 16th as part of a small contest. If you visit before 3/31, you can help her win, so don't delay. Afterwards, you can still help her on the way to "Lens of the Day" on Squidoo.

How good are you at debate? Want to have your say, why you think dogs are the best pets? (Or, gasp, why you think cats are better than dogs!)

Read what others have to say on each side of the dogs and cats argument, famous quotes to which you can add your own, great dog and cat links - and again, you can add your own! - YouTube videos, Flickr photos, Amazon dog and cat videos, a poll, and more.

So come and play, and help Margaret along the way!

See you there,

Rena Murray

Tainted Dog Food Alert - NutroMax

noreply@blogger.com (Rena Murray) — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 14:25:00 +0000

I just received this shocking notice from Ginny Rodgers of FurryKids.net:

"NutroMax is now killing animals who are being fed the food, and the company is not acknowledging it. PLEASE pass this along to all rescues...."

See - http://www.consumeraffairs.com:80/pets/nutro.html - ConsumerAffairs.com - Customers tell their recent experiences with Nutro dog food products and how the company did / did not respond.

Read and decide for yourself. Be aware.

SAFE ALTERNATIVE

This is yet another reason we do NOT buy dog food from grocery stores, pet stores, etc. I order (fast, free delivery) the TRUSTED all-natural, human-grade, fresh, "pure," nutritious Flint River Wellness Dog Food for my Gatsby!

Rena Murray
DogWhisperWoman

Easter According To A Lab

noreply@blogger.com (Rena Murray) — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 00:47:00 +0000

When I was growing up, I used to spend some Easters with my Grandparents like most children will. My sister and I were getting a bit old for egg hunting, so we wanted to make this last one special.

Grandmother counted the eggs carefully and made note of where she hid each one. Boy do rotten eggs smell! (A few Easters before, we found out the hard way. So the noting and counting were official rules of the Easter egg hunts from then on.)

We were also caring for a friend's Black Lab who had to stay inside during the egg hunt, because she would eat the eggs as fast as she found them.

This time, we found all the eggs except for one. Unaware that one egg was yet to be found, Grandfather released the Lab. She located and sallowed the missing egg before we could blink. She had bitten off the shell perfectly into near equal halves on the ground, and thanked us with a very satisfied burp!

We all agreed that since dogs could not have Easter baskets, she should surely be given a couple of eggs!

With our Grandparents' permission given, we wished the dog Happy Easter, and each peeled an egg for her.

Happy Easter to you and yours,

Rena Murray
DogWhisperWoman

MORE BENEFITS AND NEWSFirst the Anniversary SalePet Home Health Multimedia Course

noreply@blogger.com (Rena Murray) — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 23:48:00 +0000

JUST ANNOUNCED -
Dr. Andrew Jones has added for the NEXT 2 DAYS a 4 PAY Option...If you want to get his Complete Pet Health Home Study Multimedia Course, here is the easiest way yet...

AND there are now EIGHT FREE Bonuses.

--------------------------------
Dog and Cat FIRST AID on AUDIO
--------------------------------

You should Check out the Bonuses. And I he's ADDED 1 NEVER RELEASED BONUS - The ENTIRE Cat and Dog FIRST AID SYSTEM on AUDIO. This is available to the FIRST 25 ... If you are even remotely thinking about my Course, then now is the time to ACT.

Until midnight on Friday (3/21) you can get the Complete
Home Study Multimedia Course for $100 OFF plus the EIGHT BONUSES.

Here's where you can grab your copy -

Complete Pet Health Home Study Multimedia Course for $100 off

This is class A, unique, invaluable pet health information. There's nothing like being an empowered pet owner. Your dog will thank you!

Rena Murray
DogWhisperWoman

Anniversary Special $100 OffComplete Pet Health Home Study Multimedia Course

noreply@blogger.com (Rena Murray) — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 02:20:00 +0000

Hey, you don't want to miss this incredible special on the ONLY pet health course of its kind. I know, because I have it (at full price).

WHEN?
Until midnight on Friday, March 21st (3/21)

WHAT?
You can get Dr. Andrew Jones' Complete Pet Health Home Study Multimedia Course for $100 OFF.

WHO'S BEHIND IT?
With over 2654 Holistic Tips, Natural Remedies, and proven effective techniques for healing your cat or dog at home, Dr. Andrew Jones has been for over 15 years a respected Traditional and Holistic Veterinarian. And he's our own most trusted vet.

WHY?
To CELEBRATE a little over a ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY since his Dog and Cat Home Study Healing System was launched, Dr. Jones wants to ensure your pet's health and longevity by making this home course affordable.

WHAT'S INCLUDED?
THE COMPLETE DOG and CAT HOME STUDY HEALING SYSTEM INCLUDES ALL of these....

1."Quick Start Guide"

2. Veterinary Secrets Revealed Printed Pet Health Manual

3. FIVE CD Full Audio Version

4. The Veterinary Secrets Revealed Video Presentation on CDROM

5. The Veterinary Secrets Revealed Book-On-CDROM

6. The At-Home Pet Health Exam Video on DVD

Yes, it's huge. And it delivers substantial content from the first book to the last CD. But it's not just a bunch of random pet health information thrown together.

You get a complete method for dealing with a sick pet... how to examine your pet, make a diagnosis, select an at-home remedy, and treat your pet for their specific health problems.

=================================
Try Dr. Jones' System For 30% Off
And Get SEVEN Fr**ee Bonuses!
=================================

If the 30% discount isn't enough to have you, your
dog and cat bounding over to this special '1/3-off' web
site, these SEVEN fr**ee gifts will surely do the trick:

1: Pet First Aid Secrets - Complete 290 Page Canine and Feline
First Aid Manual

2: Four Pet Health Video Tutorials (from online seminars) -
(1) Herbs, Homeopathy Acupressure, Massage
(2) At-Home Exam Walkthrough
(3) Dog and Cat Food, Home Recipes, Raw Feeding
(4) Emergency Dog and Cat Care

3: Pet Food Secrets - Truth, Best Diets, Quality Food
Plus - Supplements, Home Recipes, avoiding common pet health problems, such as allergies, cancer, diabetes and weight loss.

4: The Complete Pet Vaccine Report - Diseases, Side Effects, Alternatives, Vaccine Protocol, Homeopathics following vaccination

5: Dog Training Secrets - How dogs learn, plus basic obedience, 10 must-know commands, behavior problems

6: Personal eMail Consultation with Dr. Jones - about any pet health problem with your pet, review of findings, interpretation of any diagnostic tests, and specific recommendations.

7: Veterinary Secrets Q&A Teleseminar

REMEMBER -
This special three quarter's off sale ENDS at MIDNIGHT on FRIDAY, MARCH 21.

If you'd like to get the revolutionary dog and cat healing system so many pet owners are raving about ...and save 30%, then go here now:

==> $100 Off Complete Pet Health Course

If you don't already have the course, don't miss it now at this price!

Rena Murray
DogWhisperWoman

Best Pet Health Information 75% Off Special Until Monday Night

noreply@blogger.com (Rena Murray) — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 02:38:00 +0000

I was excited to see this special. I have the material myself, and I know it's enabled many owners to save their pets' lives.

Until Monday night at midnight P.S.T. - February 25th - Dr. Andrew Jones is offering an unprecedented 75% Discount as a THANK YOU to subscribers of his award-winning "Veterinary Secrets Revealed" newsletter and for dog owners everywhere. So everyone can afford vital pet health information for a long, healthy life for their dogs and cats.

The Crisis?

Since the 1960's, there's been a marked increase in chronic illnesses in out pets, many diseases that were rare back then, and many of which involve a breakdown in the immune system. There have been increases in cancers and other deadly diseases, as well as a host of allergies and other unnecessary suffering. The list goes on and on. Find out more about these threats to your dog health here.

So Dr. Andrew Jones has compiled an extensive package of his best-selling "Veterinary Secrets Revealed" eBook, audios, and special reports that have previously been unavailable anywhere except with his comprehensive pet health home study course.

You can get this life-saving information at NO risk - with his unconditional 60-day guarantee.

Now it's up to you to become an EMPOWERED PET OWNER.

CLICK HERE NOW.

It could save your dog's life!

Rena Murray
Dog Whisper Woman

2007 WinnersBest Holiday Dog Pictures

noreply@blogger.com (Rena Murray) — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 21:24:00 +0000

This contest had so many cute dogs that it was very hard to choose one dog photo. So the panelists and I finally had to choose two. Every dog in the contest was really precious and is a true winner!

2007 HOLIDAY DOG PICTURES WINNERS

Molly and Murphy with Max in Oregon

Jenn with a kiss for Coley

See the entire slate of adorable
Winners and Runners-Up Dog Pictures

Get Your Christmas Dog Pictures In - Great Way to Kick Off The New Year!

noreply@blogger.com (Rena Murray) — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 02:25:00 +0000

Happy New Year!

I hope you and your family had a joyous holiday and blessed Christmastime. In the hustle and bustle, most people didn't have time to read even one thing extra, so I didn't want to add to it. Now the New Year is starting, and we're all off and running ... For me, that's been literally... I've been running several clients' dogs daily!

If you need help with a new pup, check out the Puppy Training Articles on my website. Or for direct help, contact me with your background information as outlined on my website - Consultations with Rena Murray. Each pup has its own unique personality, and as with children, each has its own behaviors that need to be addressed properly from the beginning!... But more on that in another blog.

But before you get too far away from the holidays, though, don't forget to send in your best Christmas and Hanukkah dog pictures.

Hey, that new Christmas pup counts, too!

It's our Annual Best Christmas Dog Contest. So why not enter yours?

First prize is a FREE consultation with me. (Winners will be announced early February.)

What to send?
JPG images as email attachments (preferably 200 x 200 pixels, but we can resize others). Write "Christmas Dog" or "Holiday Dog" in the subject line of your email.

Where to send them?
Email to Paw Questions.

Deadline: January 15, 2008.

Last year's pictures look great. Check them out on Paw Persuasion's Dog Picture Contests - That's where we want to put yours! Both Winners and Honorable Mention.

In your email, don't forget to include your phone number. We promise not to save or share your personal information with anyone, and ONLY to call you if you win. Please tell us, though, your dog's name, your first name, and your state or country to be published with your picture.

We look forward to seeing your adorable dog pictures!

Rena Murray
Dog Whisper Woman

Animal Shelter Over-Population: What's the Truth?

noreply@blogger.com (Rena Murray) — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 18:06:00 +0000

Letting dogs who are not fixed run free and mate as they please contributes to some of our over-population in animal shelters.

Do you know what adds even more dogs to those dog kennels than that?

People see a movie or someone walking a dog that they feel is beautiful. Then without researching the dog breed, they go and pick one up ... only to become overwhelmed by tendencies the animal naturally has.

If you want a dog, please do your homework. Know the dog breed, know its tendencies, health risks, temperament, and exercise requirements. For example, most working dog breeds, such as my Border Collie, need runs twice daily. They need it! It's not optional.

If you have an active lifestyle and want your dog to be part of that, get a dog breed who loves to work. If you are laid back, get a laid back breed.

If you do not know what signs to look for, take a qualified evaluator with you to select the right dog for you.

Common sense will cause the most dramatic drop ever in the animal shelter's dog population. It is up to each and every one of us to do our part!

Rena Murray
Dog Whisper Woman

Merry Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Rena Murray) — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 00:45:00 +0000

I hope you all have a Merry Christmas!

The Little Dog Bite

noreply@blogger.com (Rena Murray) — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 04:12:00 +0000

If a little dog becomes nasty and bites all members of the family but one, that one should be the person who removes the dog. The others might get bitten. If the dog is on a bed, couch, lap ... wherever, put him on the floor each time he becomes aggressive.

Then the dog should be put back where he was, such as in the person's lap. But he should be removed again if he becomes aggressive.

This should be repeated until every member of the family can touch the dog and the person without a problem.

My grandfather always said, "Be sure that you never disrespect a dog. And don't EVER let one disrespect you."

Rena Murray
Dog Whisper Woman

What Should You Do To Your Dog?

noreply@blogger.com (Rena Murray) — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 02:13:00 +0000

This dog was pushing his owner and blocking her with his body. He had absolute control, and was not hesitant about it.

"He won't stop jumping. I am afraid that I will get hurt!"

She was backing up and moving away each time the dog was pushing her. "He always stops eventually," she said.

"No," I said. "He has stopped YOU, and HE is in control."

I touched the dog firmly, much like another dog would bite him to let him know he was going too far. The dog stopped right away and totally focused on me.

The owner became upset, saying that I should be nicer to her dog.

"So, you are telling me that it is fair for him to touch us, and not fair for us to touch him?"

I was fully expecting that this case was not going to work out. But it was my turn to be surprised.

The woman said, "Oh, I never thought about it that way. So I'm giving him control by backing away from him?"

My simple nod in response was all it took. She got that dog's respect faster than any other client I ever had.

Don't listen to anyone who tells you it hurts your dog to have discipline, any more than it hurts a child. It's not so innocent any more when an undisciplined dog jumps on someone and knocks her down!

And dogs don't need rewards for obeying, either. Treats and such should be because you feel like it. You don't give your children a candy bar every time they get an "A," do you? In that case, why do you give your dog a biscuit every time he sits? And only for a couple of seconds, at that...

It's absolutely critical that you learn how much force to use in your touch. I touch my foot against my dog constantly. But unless a dog is trying to kill you or someone else, it is never okay to kick a dog.

Don't be doing that unless you've been taught how to do it.

As we are settling into the Christmas season, remember:
Do unto your dog as he is doing unto you.

Rena Murray
Dog Whisper Woman

Dog Leash Problems - Who's In Control?

noreply@blogger.com (Rena Murray) — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 04:22:00 +0000

There are several different problems, or conflicts rather, that people can have between a leash and a dog.

The most common one is when the dog has learned how to use the leash better than his master...so well in fact, that it is indeed his master who goes walking or running down the street behind him! I think we know who's in control of that walk.

And of course there's the all-too-common problem of the dog being tangled up in the leash, so much so that he looks like he might have changed color.

And then there's the problem with a dog who has figured out how to chew through any leash within seconds...even those "impossible to penetrate" ones. Instead of "he shoots, he scores"...it's "he chews, he's loose, and he's off!" And so are you!

Believe it or not, there is yet another leash problem. That is the one I'm going to help you with today. This is the one where the dog firmly plants his rear and refuses to budge, or lies down and becomes a complete limp rag. It looks pathetic.

In most cases when the dog is behaving like that, you grab the leash and pull to the side. This throws her off balance, so she has to move. Normally, after about six tries the dog walks.

If that doesn't work, put a leash on while she's around the house, and under supervision only. If she was out in the yard with this on (even under supervision), it could catch on something.

So stick to this exercise only indoors and when you are watching her. Just let her walk around and drag the leash wherever. Then start picking it up and walking around with her. Walk her out the door, then down the driveway. Increase the distance a little bit each day.

If she shuts down, make her get up and walk for a minute before you turn around again. If you turn around when she shuts down, guess what? YOU just got trained. Not her.

The more you give in to that tantrum, the more determined she will become.

Never let the dog win the argument. Always end the exercise with YOU in control, not her. A pack leader always stays there until he wins. You cannot expect to solve your dog leash problems any other way.

Rena Murray
Dog Whisper Woman

Paws Up To You, Cesar Millan?

noreply@blogger.com (Rena Murray) — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 02:05:00 +0000

There's an awful lot of controversy going around about Cesar Millan, The Dog Whisperer. No doubt, I have my suspicions about a few things. But I'm not going to use this blog to slander anyone.

Disagreeing with someone is one thing, but no one has any business going around saying Cesar Millan doesn't know anything just because he isn't certified. He has been able to make some completely unmanageable dogs, by our standards, safe.

What I do like about Cesar is his constantly stressing to people that a dog needs to be treated like a DOG. It's not a child.

Cesar is also correct that a dog should not be fed before his walks, or before he is showing submissive obedient behavior. Nor should the dog be in front of you on the walk.

And, stop using your yard as an excuse not to walk your dog!

As for pinning a dog down on the ground... That's not mean. That's the method of discipline I use with my dogs. That would be absolutely stupid for someone to try when they don't know how, but it's a completely natural form of discipline that dogs understand. What's not natural is all this bribing nonsense that so many dog trainers try to use. You won't find that in the wild!

A dog working for you because he respects you is not wrong. A dog who comes to you with his head down is surrendering, not afraid. A dog who is afraid of you will not even come near you.

Again, no one is perfect. But it really disturbs me when people actually chat back and forth with nothing but pure slander about someone, as I have been reading about Cesar Millan.

There was an article written about his treatment of Kane, the Great Dane, saying that he was cruel because of it. Grow up, people! Sometimes when a dog is frightened, you have to make them move!

There's nothing wrong with people disagreeing with someone. But if you are going to post a disagreeing comment, be polite. Just imagine if that was you who people were slandering. You certainly wouldn't like it!

So on those points above I say, "Paws up to you, Cesar!"

Rena Murray
Dog Whisper Woman

Cancer Sniffing Dogs

noreply@blogger.com (Rena Murray) — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 15:21:00 +0000

I'm always amazed at the incredible sensitivity of a dog's nose, aren't you? I've heard a Bloodhound's nose is 100 times as keen as a human's nose, and a German Shepherd's 40-50 times. No wonder they save so many lives by tracking missing persons or felons and by sniffing out bombs and drugs. Now in recent years, I've heard about still another use of their great natural talents – cancer detection!

I have heard about bladder, colon, and lung cancers and malignant melanoma being detected by a cancer sniffing dog. The last study I saw about dogs who had undergone intensive training to learn the special odors of some cancers reported an 85% success rate. Unlike machines, dogs can even sift through the BLENDS of odors to detect cancer!

And get this. Some untrained dogs have this keen talent naturally. I heard a story of a woman who had a gentle, mellow Labrador named Buddy. Then one day he suddenly started pushing her intensely in the breast. The more she pushed him away, the more intense and insistent he got. She wouldn't listen to this "bad dog behavior," so he bit hard. At the time it didn't strike her - but the spot he bit was the 4 o'clock position in her breast. When she had a screening less than a week later, they found a little malignant tumor at that precise spot!

So if your dog suddenly acts out of character, he might be trying to tell you something. Before you overreact, check it out!

The use of cancer sniffing dogs is very attractive to me. After all, it's a non-invasive form of screening which might find early-stage, pre-symptomatic cancers. Much safer and more comfortable than some machine-based procedures – as my friend would agree. The connective tissue in one breast was painfully ripped by a machine operated by a snippy technician during routine cancer screening!

How effective are cancer sniffing dogs?

It varies. Obviously, intensive, specialized dog training using the exact right method is key. And you must use certified utility dogs (highest AKC obedience rating) with keen noses who know at least 400 commands by the end of the training. We all know that there's no such thing as total accuracy with any screening method, either. That's why you shouldn't limit yourself to just one.

The greatest problem faced in getting this out to the community is the scarcity of funding for this life-saving research. And for this specialized dog training. There are phenomenal qualification requirements for the dog trainer, too.

So if you know someone who has the ability and interest to fund some cancer research or training and maintenance of cancer sniffing dogs, contact them! And let me know (through the CONTACT page on PawPersuasion.com) so I can follow up and get them in touch with the right people.

I thank my friend, Karen Chrisman, for commenting on this issue yet again in Cancer Sniffing Canines, a recent blog post on her website - 4TheLuvOfDogs.com.

For more research highlights and commentary on cancer sniffing dogs, you will want to check out the November 15, 2007 article by freelance writer, Stephanie Fox, Paging Dr. Canine - StarTribune.com Minneapolis-St.Paul, Minnesota.

I guess it's obvious that I am very interested in this subject. So if you have a personal story about cancer sniffing dogs to share, or access to research on cancer sniffing dogs, please CONTACT ME!

Rena Murray
Dog Whisper Woman

Bad Dog Behavior - Was It Worth It?

noreply@blogger.com (Rena Murray) — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 01:04:00 +0000

Here's a true "bad dog behavior" story.

"It's after midnight, and a long, long evening. Mama was cooking everything in sight for Thanksgiving the next day and I was "kitchen help." Finally, sinking into bed, this whipped 14-year-old was drifting off to sleep. Deep sleep.

Crash!

Then screaming! (My parents never screamed.) Alarmed, I jumped out of bed and ran down the hall to the kitchen. Mama was throwing that yellow Lab out the door!

I couldn't enter. The large kitchen floor had what seemed like inches deep, thick, awful ham fat all over it. Well-trained Ginger, so good and reliable, just somehow couldn't resist the ham cooling in its pan and drippings (fat) on top of the stove.

Mama tossed me cleaning rags as she prepared a bucket of hot, soapy water. As my sister appeared, she was given the same.

Seemed like Mission Impossible! Ever tried to clean up thick, widespread ham fat? Trust me, you don't want to! It took the two of us three hours. Every time we wiped and scrubbed and wiped and scrubbed, it was STILL slick and greasy. I'll never forget it.

Mama started cooking something else to augment the turkey for the big day that was coming all too soon. And Ginger spent the night outside! (She was the lucky one.)"

Thank you, my dear friend, for sharing this story.

For those of you facing what she's experienced in - caregiving for an elderly or infirm family member - check out The Caregiver - Caregiver Support To Relieve Caregiver Stress

Rena Murray
DogWhisperWoman

Best Christmas Dog - Dog Picture Contest

noreply@blogger.com (Rena Murray) — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 15:55:00 +0000

It's time for our Annual CHRISTMAS DOG PICTURE CONTEST! Hanukkah, too.

THE PRIZES?

* First Place - Phone consultation with Rena. ($75 value)
* Second Place - Email consultation with Rena. ($50 value)

If there's a tie, both Winners will receive a telephone consultation to start the New Year off right!

So snap your best dog pictures and share them with us. Pictures of your dog with your Christmas or Hanukkah decorations, with other pets or festive people, or in a Winter Wonderland! Anything adorable and Christmas or Hanukkah related.

Send us your JPG images as email attachments (preferably 200 x 200 pixels, but we can resize others). Write "Christmas Dog" in the subject line of your Email to Paw Questions by January 10, 2008.

Winners will be announced the first of February. Selected pictures will be put up on a special page on PawPersuasion.com - such as last year's Winners and Honorable Mention at Paw Persuasion's Dog Picture Contests.

Please include your phone number and email address. We will ONLY call you if you win. No one's personal information will be saved or shared with anyone. Do provide us, however, with the dog's name, owner's first name, and state or country to be published with your picture.

Now This Is Really Mean

noreply@blogger.com (Rena Murray) — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 16:36:00 +0000

And people wonder why Rover is anxious and destructive ...

When was the last time you made him really focus?

After all, making your dog focus for 45 minutes twice a do is really very little to ask of him. If you think about it, forty five minutes of dog exercise takes only a very small part of his day.

Your dog needs to focus and have working time. It is not good for him to do as he pleases, and when he feels like it.

Lack of discipline and exercise are the main reasons for which a dog develops destructive habits or anxiety. And sometimes it even leads to dog aggression.

The cruel thing that a lot of humans do is to feed the dog twice a day and then let it run in the yard for activity. It's not loving freedom. It's not qualified exercise. It's denial of the dog's inborn need for purpose and focus - and it can destroy him!

Rena Murray
Dog Whisper Woman

When Is It Out Of Your Hands?

noreply@blogger.com (Rena Murray) — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 18:45:00 +0000

"We cannot leave him alone," the couple said.

I eyed the small dog and asked for the routine of his day. He ran free as he pleased in his small yard. He walked ahead of his owner on their 5 mile walk every couple of days or so. Not to mention, he slept in bed with his owner instead of his crate, and he marked in the house.

I had been contacted, of course, only to get him used to his crate. I had the owner leave the room. The dog screamed, and the man rushed back in petting the dog and talking to him. He also made a big to do as he left the room.

I was able to get the dog to be quiet in his crate for an hour while he was staying with me. Even when I left him. I ran him twice a day, 40 minutes each time. He had a ton of energy and could not be confined without draining it.

I explained all of this in detail to the owner, and he simply refused to do it. He said the dog was his kid, and he did not want him to feel like he was a dog!

It is out of my hands when the owner comes back.

Rena Murray
Dog Whisper Woman