Does your pet cower, quiver, behave frantically or become destructive in response to noise? Noise phobia triggered by fireworks, garbage trucks, and thunder storms need behavior modification. You can temporarily address these problems quickly with a few pet precautions.

Pets exhibit noise phobia differently and so while some critters might just hide under furniture, many may become destructive to the environment and often injure themselves as well. All negative responses come from diverse triggers and the age of your pet, socialization, experience, and breed can also influence their reactions.

Accidental reinforcement can escalate the symptoms of this pet problem so avoid cuddling, petting, holding, and attempting to physically relieve the stress. Good verbal reassurance is okay as it doesn’t usually reinforce stress behavior.

Generally, animals with an established history of problems will likely worsen while elderly animals may get better simply because they lose their hearing. There are ways to work through noise phobia exhibited before and during thunderstorms or throughout firework displays, but it takes time and preparation. In the meantime use some quick tips and tools to address the problem behavior prior to any holidays or events where fireworks are prevalent.

Quick Tips:
• Keep your animals inside during the fireworks event and for a few days to a week prior to the holiday.
• Make sure you have a tag with current information on your pet during this time.
• If you take your animal outside for toileting or any other activity, make sure he or she is under physical restraint via a collar and leash.
• Leave your pets safely at home instead of taking them to picnics or other holiday events.
• Play music or turn on a radio station with soothing music to help mask outside noises.
• Buy a plug-in Dog Appeasing Pheromone (DAP) dispenser. This permeates the air and helps reduces fear and anxiety.
• Keep your pet busy with activities or chew items before the height of noise making occurs.
• Create a safe haven. If your animal is habituated to a crate, you may want to provide access for security. Some animals want to hide and will feel safe in a favorite spot, like under the bed. You can create sleeping bag tunnel or similar option for them.
• Plan a party and play instead of participating in other events. Making new traditions can be fun and helpful for your pet.
• Consider boarding your pet at a professional kennel for the holiday.
• Be sure to also watch guests–an open door or gate can provide an opportunity for animals to bolt outside.
• When you can, hire a behavior professional to help you solve noise phobia for the long term.
• Pet owners should always check with their veterinarian or behavior specialist before using any drugs or tranquilizers. Ask your veterinary medical professional for his or her recommendation about melatonin, an oral neurohormone, or additional suggestions on psycho-pharmaceuticals which might provide help for sensitive animals.
• If you prefer alternative therapies, don’t just decide to do it on your own as animals are sensitive. For best advice, contact a holistic veterinarian about flower remedies or essences. Five Flower® or Rescue Remedy® are two essences often used to help reduce anxiety and when properly used, some essential oils may be helpful.

Questions? Click here to leave your question now.

About ARKlady: Diana L Guerrero (aka ARKlady) lives on the Central Coast of California by the sea. An author, animal whisperer and wildlife interpreter, her first word was “fish.” Known locally as “DGinPG,” she is a friend of the furred, feathered and finned. With a goal of enriching the lives of animals (both wild and tame) and empowering the humans that love them, she shares a lifetime of professional experience and specialty training with animal lovers–who are not only passionate about animals but that want to make a difference in their lives and in the world in which they live. Is that is you? Consider this an invitation to join Diana for a new type of animal adventure–those designed to change animal lives and to change yours in the process.

Service dog fraud and other bad behavior are on the rise and I’ve been meaning to write about the service dog issue for a while.

The original thought was triggered by a phony “service dog trainer” here in my area and the many “service dogs” that she was churning out.

Dogs that growled and lunged aggressively at other animals and at people.

In case you don’t know, service dogs don’t usually misbehave because they are highly trained and socialized working animals–but nobody around these parts seems to care.

The final straw on this camel’s back was the “service dog” I encountered at my favorite coffee house.

It was a chow fully outfitted in a mail order jacket and patch–wearing a muzzle because it was unsafe in public.

It also wasn’t doing its owner any type of service at all–the paraphernalia the dog wore was fraudulent.

Now I am not the only one whose hackles were raised by this topic.

Earlier in the summer (2010) the bloggers at Pet Connection (now defunct) tackled the subject of service dogs and also fake service dogs.

Then I stumbled upon two posts having to do with service animals on Dog Spelled Forward (also now defunct)  that opened up a discussion on this topic as did The Horse —and so I took it as a sign that it was time to do a short rant on this topic.

Today it is February 6, 2018 and this topic has hit the news triggered by some beastly behavior of pet owners who don’t get why their pets are not really service animals.

A few snippets in the new included:

• Outside Online: Stop Faking Service Dogs
• Canine Companions International’s Help Prevent Service Dog Fraud Flyer
• USA Today’s OpEd on Support Animals 

Because there are a lot of people who claim to have service dogs that don’t. They feel like they can be the exception to the rule.

Fake documentation exists and so people try and get away with claiming this all the time.

In fact, someone I know just complained to me that when she tried to get her doctor to give her a note so she could get her dog into public places without an issue, he refused.

Thank goodness for integrity from someone!

Now, if you don’t know much about this topic, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was enacted in 1990 with the goal of alleviating discrimination against individuals with physical or mental disabilities and part of that act included allowances for specially trained dogs and other service animals–but lots of things were not super clear.

In fact, there were some things in the ADA that needed change, and over time, a few edits have happened.

The most recent occurred in July of 2010 when a series of changes were made to existing regulations that will take effect in 2011.

Among the changes is a more restrictive definition of “service animal.”

The new regulation states, in part, that:

“service animal means any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. Other species of animals, whether wild or domestic, trained or untrained, are not service animals for the purposes of this definition.”

So crime fighting animals or those mistakenly listed under the “provision of emotional support, well-being, comfort, or companionship” are not acceptable or qualifying tasks for a service animal.

That helps and was discussed further here–but not being able to ask for proof that an animal is a service dog will still remain a problem.

The upside at least is that some of those people can be asked to leave:

Places of public accommodation may ask individuals seeking to be accompanied by an animal: (i) if the animal is required because of a disability; and (ii) what task or work the animal has been trained to do. Places of public accommodation are prohibited from requiring proof of service animal certification or licensing. Places of public accommodation may remove a service animal if it is “out of control and the animal’s handler does not take effective action to control it” or the animal is not housebroken.

For those who have asked, here are some of the groups that do supply support, guidance and referrals to trainers and evaluators for specific service dogs.

• http://www.iaadp.org/
• http://www.assistancedogsinternational.org/
• http://www.deltasociety.org/
• http://www.dogs4diabetics.com/index.html
• http://www.dogsforthedeaf.org/
• http://www.guidedogs.com/

So, now it is time for you to chime in–what do you think about all this?

This article first appeared September 7, 2010. Latest update February 6, 2018. Please leave your comments over on the ARKlady page.

The female’s role is different since she is invested in the survival of her genes. Usually it is she who carries, nurtures, guards, and teaches her youngsters so they have a better chance of long term survival so her genes get carried forward.

Nature has some adaptions that people don’t like such as synchrony of cycles in female groups such as in African lions.

If a new male takes over the pride he usually kills the offspring of the previous pride male. This causes the females to cycle again. He then mates and his genes are passed on to a new generation. He does protect those cubs–but when it comes to other activities he can be a bit lazy.

Of course there are also those aberrant fathers such as the Grizzly bear–who actually attempt to kill cubs in their territory.

This action removes their genes from the genetic pool but also is thought to keep the bear population down (narrowing competition) if he is successful in his attacks.

However, there are males that help rear young. So, I thought I’d mention a couple in honor of Father’s Day.

Rhea
Rheas are large, flightless birds native to South America known as ratites. Most people do not know that rhea chicks are raised by their fathers, who also incubate the eggs.

The National Zoo’s rhea chicks sleep nestled in their father’s feathers on his back. During their daily meandering dad guards over them and warns of danger through a rapid clacking of his bill to bring them all running back under his wings.

Red Fox
The Red Fox dad looks after his vixen who stays in the den for the first month after the birth of her litter.

He feeds her until his offspring come out of the den. Then he spends time, not only teaching them, but playing too.

In a few months the male helps train them to find food and shares survival skills to help them become more independent.

Of course there are other great animal fathers out there. Do you have a favorite? If so please comment below.

Rhea Father & Chicks Photo Copyright & Courtesy of Mehgan Murphy & The National Zoo.

Fireworks & Dogs
Is your dog scared of fireworks? If so, he or she is not alone. The numbers of canines who suffer from fireworks fear (aka noise phobia) is estimated to be an astounding 49% of those dogs who fear loud noises.

Fireworks, thunder and gunshot noise were the most common triggers of fear and many dogs actually exhibit more than just one noise phobic issue.

If your pet suffers from fear of fireworks, there are short term strategies you can apply. However, long term resolution should be your goal since the problem only escalates over time.

Desensitizing a dog to fireworks and related noise is possible but it takes time and pre-planning. This means that if you haven’t been preparing in advance for the next fireworks event, you have to take actions that will help in the short term.

It is critical to get your canine into the veterinarian for an exam and some blood work first since a large number of behavior problems (an estimated 61%) are attributed to thyroid dysfunctions.

Relieving your pet of unnecessary stress and fear might be easier if you rule out this issue–or find out if it is in fact contributing to the phobia.

Dog Fireworks Fear Symptoms

A few signs that your canine is scared of fireworks include:

• inability to eat,
• shaking or trembling,
• pacing or restlessness,
• seeking close proximity to the owner,
• shelter seeking (to hide),
• excessive salivation,
• heavy panting,
• increased yawning,
• fear positioning (tail tucked, ears back, cringing),
• destructive behavior (chewing or scratching),
• self-mutilation (nervous chewing or licking),
• loss of bladder or bowel control,
• anal gland discharge,
• vomiting,
• stress related vocalizations (whining, howling, barking),
• attempts to escape (bolting or running blindly).

Perhaps you have your own dog’s symptoms to add to this list?

The overall trend is for dog fireworks fear to get worse over time.

Again, take the time to get over to a veterinary clinic for help and specific aids as soon as you can.

If your vet isn’t a board certified behavior specialist, get a referral from him or her to someone who is qualified to help.

Okay, time for some quick tips.

Dog Fireworks Fear Safety Tips

• Keep your animals primarily inside during firework displays and for a few days to a week prior to and just after the holiday.
• Make sure you have a tag with current information on your pet during this time.
• Tire your pet out with good amounts of exercise the days you expect firework displays.
• Tryptophan helps to relax and calm animals. It is found in turkey and pet supplements. Consider adding it to the diet as a temporary aid.
• If you take your animal outside for toileting or any other activity, make sure they are under physical restraint via a collar and leash.
• Leave your pets safely at home instead of taking them to picnics or other holiday events.
• Play music or turn on a radio station with soothing music to help mask outside noises.
• Buy a plug-in Dog Appeasing Pheromone (DAP) dispenser. This permeates the air with a calming scent and reduces fear and anxiety.
• Keep your pet busy with activities or chew items before the height of noise making occurs.
• Visit your veterinary medical professional and ask for aids such as melatonin. This oral neurohormone often provides help for sensitive animals. Use with the veterinarians dosage recommendation and don’t try to do it yourself.
• Flower remedies are sometimes helpful and work on an energetic level. Five Flower® or Rescue Remedy® mixes may help reduce your pets anxiety. A holistic veterinarian can guide you on alternative options.
• Create a safe haven. If your animal is habituated to a crate you may want to provide confinement for security. Other options you may have available include the bathroom, laundry room, garage, basement, or any other “den” area. The room to choose is one where there are no windows to jump through, or where windows can be blocked off and that are too high and narrow to access.
• Some animals want to hide and will feel safe in a favorite spot, like under the bed. You can create sleeping bag tunnel or similar option for them.
• Plan a party and play at home instead of participating in other events. Making new traditions can be fun and helpful for your pet.
• Consider boarding your pet at a professional kennel for the holiday.

For longer term strategies you want to work on counter conditioning and desensitization with the help of a professional. A variety of pet music CDs are available with many focused on helping pets overcome noise phobias associated with fireworks, thunder, and other loud bangs.

You might want to order the Noise phobia CD available by Gentle Leader or the F7 Sound & Vison fireworks CD.

Over in the United Kingdom a variety of options are available such as the Sounds Scary CD Pack, Sounds Soothing CD Pack, Clix Noises And Sounds CD For Treatment & Prevention Of Sound Phobias In Dogs, or Sounds CD Behaviour Therapy CD for Dogs.

Help your pet get through this holiday with the above CD and a few products you can order online or pickup through your local pet store.

For the home, I mentioned the Dog Appeasing Pheromone Electric Diffuser (DAP) (there is also a cat product called Feliway) but other options include the Dog Appeasing Pheromone (DAP) Collar or Dog Appeasing Pheromone (DAP) Spray.

HomeoPet Thunder Fireworks Loud Noise (TFLN) Anxiety drops is a specific formula for firework phobic pets but other homeopathic products such as Rescue Remedy can help as well.

Although drug therapy and sedation can work, I prefer using psychopharmacology as the last option.

If you decide to go that route, check with your vet clinic for direction since good supervision and management is vital for success.

Be careful about how you interact with your pet if he or she is stressed.

Reassuring your pet is a good strategy but different from the poor choices of cuddling, petting, holding, and trying to physically relieve the stress behavior symptoms. If you don’t understand the difference, take a minute to read my thoughts on Can you reinforce fear?

Other effective products to add to your arsenal against this issue include anxiety wraps such as Anxiety Wrap, the Thundershirt, or Storm Defender.

Using multiple aids and taking safety precautions during fireworks display can help  your pet.

My last word? I have a publication due out on this topic soon. Make sure you sign up on the mailing list so you don’t miss it–and good luck tackling this issue.

Photo Credit: Luf SugarSkull

Sea Horses are known to be exceptional dads but did you know what other animal fathers stand out from the crowd? Since it is Father’s Day weekend I thought you might like to take a gander at some Animal Fathers. You might like this older article on animal examples of how to be a superdad.

…and finally, Happy Father’s Day!

Infographic courtesy of Vet Medic

We thought it was a cute infographic from our pals in the UK.

Infographic created by Matt Beswick courtesy of Pet365.

Kuchipaku brings music to life with this Lion Speaker who lip syncs. Get more information on this gift idea using the link to Amazon.

Amazon has this Dancing Cat mp3 speaker gift idea. Dances too but we aren’t sure whether to be horrified or consider it cute…thoughts?

Of all the speakers I found so far, this Koala speaker for MP3 players and others is my favorite so far.

The holidays are not too far away and we’ve found some cute gifts for animal lovers that are also perfect for the geek in all of us.

Click here to get more information about this cute party animal that is really is a dancing dog speaker.

Dogs are highly energetic and, if not properly handled, this can cause problems at home. This is why training dogs helps pet owners avoid problems and headaches.

Dog training involves the process of teaching a dog skills or certain behaviors. The focus might be responding to certain commands or helping it learn to cope to stressful environments.

Why Dog Training is Essential

Dogs learn in a variety of ways and need a certain degree of guidance, but many people refrain from taking action because of discomfort or disinterest by family members. It is important to stress that not giving your dog some training might result in more negative impact than positive.

Regardless of the size or breed, training is vital. This is because a dog needs to understand how to act and respond to different circumstances.

Another perk is that training a dog prevents additional stress. Solving issues such as destructive chewing, food guarding or stealing, and inappropriate jumping or marking, go a long way to keeping the peace at home as well. Training gets the dog to listen to your commands so it becomes a source of pride rather than a liability.

Factors Affecting Dog Training

Canine domestication has eliminated lots of wild ancestral traits but several key natural characteristics still remain. Among the most notable is the social nature of your pet dog. They are not only social to their own species but also to humans and other animals.

Sensitivity to the environment and the things that happen in it can shape behavior quickly. This is why it is important to be clear and consistent when it comes to the rules of the household and between family members.

Dogs are also great at interpreting behavior patterns, gestures and vocabulary. Misusing words such as “off” or “down” can be trouble so paying attention to common phrases and striving for clarity is a great way to avoid confusing your pet.

Types of Dog Training

There are different categories of training you might encounter. Each addresses different needs and some build on the skill sets learned in others.

Behavior modification is the most preferred by professionals and the most useful to pet owners. This is where the dog learns good manners and how to adapt to life in a human home. The training typically includes solving or preventing behavior problems and socializing the animal to other pets and people.

Obedience training involves teaching definite behaviors. Private or group classes in obedience training focuses on getting your dog to respond to definite commands in a timely manner. The most common commands include come, sit, down, and heel.

Activity training challenges and teaches dogs to complete precise tasks. It goes beyond basic skills and so is best done after other types of training. It also serves as a good bonding experience for dogs and their owners.

Finally, we hope it is clear that from puppies to senior dogs, training dogs is essential for solving different behavior problems and teaching your canine to be a good citizen. Be sure to take time to research just what the best training solution fits your situation and get involved in training your pet as soon as possible.

Author Bio
David Jones of Vet-Medic is enthusiast blogger who writes about pet medication and pet health .

If you keep horses, or if you are planning to get an equine friend, then there is some equipment that you absolutely must have. We want to share our view on what are the equine essentials from stables all the way through to riding helmets and clothing.

External Stables
External stables are the traditional way to keep horses and there are various designs available these days to cater for people with just one horse, or several. If you want to keep horses on your property then an external stable is something that you should really consider investing in for both safety and convenience.

Mobile Field Shelter
Mobile field shelters are also incredibly useful because they can be transported one location to another when the need arises. This might be necessary if the weather forecast indicates that your horse will need more shelter and warmth. Mobile field shelters can be placed in spots where horses can get exercise, rest and eat in close proximity.

Internal Stables
Internal stables are indispensable during the winter. As with external stables, they can be designed for small or large groups animals. The nice thing about these modern stables is that they cater for your horses’ comfort and safety. For instance, textured floors prevent slipping. Plus, they are made with quality materials that will stand the test of time and keep your horses secure without allowing them to hurt themselves.

Riding Gear
Horse riding safety means selecting the right clothing and protective wear. Essentials include a good helmet, riding clothing, strong boots and a riding crop. Your helmet should meet established safety regulations and your boots should be comfortable and tough. Clothes will depend on what style of riding your are doing and whether you are simply riding with friends on a trail, near home, or in competitions. Selecting the right riding attire tend to be industry specific so, if you are not sure, ask for help when you shop.

Saddles and Tack
A good quality saddle is one of the most important pieces of equipment you can buy. Purchase one made from good leather and get help choosing the right size, and keep in mind that different makes exist such as for juniors or adults. A range of synthetic and leather tack solutions are on the market but plan on investing in good quality. That decision will ensure that it will last, that your horse remains comfortable, and that you will get the most comfort and enjoyment from riding.

Guest Author Bio: Article written by Murray LeClair a consultant for Vale Stables.

When training a horse some people do focus solely on performance and forget to take anything else into consideration. But as with any other animal, to have a happy horse it is essential to have a healthy horse because it is of paramount importance. Believe it or not, health or pain issues can be the underlying culprit to behavior or training issues.

Good care can be complicated since there are so many things to think about when it comes to maintaining the health of your animal. Essentials include the daily care of hooves, grooming, regular exercise, making sure they are free from internal parasites, tooth care, diet and mental stimulation–to name a few.

Although you should always consult with your equine veterinarian when it comes to the health and diet of your horse, nutritional supplements can serve as preventative aids to help avoid or reduce many issues.

Colic is a broad term but one of the most disturbing problems horse owners encounter. The worst of this type of equine digestive problems can result in death. Colic blockage in the intestines can also lead to gastric ulcers. To reduce the risk, there are horse supplements that contain digestive enhancers which help to reduce blockages and therefore help damage to the digestive tissues and ulcers.

Since horses often spend much of their time on their feet, it comes as no surprise that hoof care is vital to avoid problems and keep your horse moving and pain free. Hooves can become infected if penetrated by a foreign object which can then lead to an abscess. Biotin supplementation can help to strengthen the hard tissues of the.

The role of the domestic horse varies as to the breed but many perform different tasks than their ancestors would have. Race horses are often bigger and more muscular and so the extra weight, combined with galloping and jumping, during extensive training, racing or other activities can put a massive amount of stress on their joints.

When a joint is traumatized, enzymatic action may injure or destroy the cartilage tissue. As a result, many horses suffer connective tissue or joint problems. In order to keep them as healthy as possible, consider supplementing with nutritional aids such as MSM or glucosamine. These types of aids may help improve the formation and repair of cartilage and might significantly benefit the horse.

Keeping your horse healthy and happy isn’t hard if you do your research. More and more discoveries in nutritional science seems to indicate that a vast number of problems can be prevented or improved with dietary supplements. And, although supplements can’t solve every problem, they might just help.

Finally, always consult your equine veterinary for any of concerns about your horse’s health. We hope these ideas help you keep your horse healthy and happy.

Guest Author Bio: This article was written by Murray LeClair a consultant to Equiform Nutrition.

There is a new phenomenon that is currently taking over the world and that is the presence of online pet shops. All of those accessories, supplements, and special pet diets can now be found at a discounted price. This is great news for the consumer as they can now get great brands at remarkably discounted prices. Here are some tips and advice on how you can go about buying from a decent online pet shop.

Although there is often skepticism around buying pet food online, often centered from concerns over sharing personal banking or credit card details, fear about the website being hacked and personal information stolen can be resolved by using safe methods that helps protect buyers.

What you will need is to look for an online pet shop that has a secure or merchant payment system like PayPal, Google Checkout, or Visa. These are some of the three top payment methods now available and if a company is using these it means that you are fully protected on your purchase.

Next, you need to choose what type of products you want to buy and compare different websites and their prices. For example, if you are looking for a brand such as Eukanuba dog food then you may want to compare the different offers and delivery methods and then choose the site that offers the best overall service.

Some websites offer further discounts for those who buy in bulk so if you are an owner whose dog has just had a litter and you need to buy a lot of food then online shopping is going to be the ideal place for you to get your supplies.

Such sites usually also offer a wide range of supplements and even specialty pet items that are available at substantial discounts compared to your local veterinarian.

Lastly, it is important to do a bit of research in the company that you are buying from and make sure that they prove that they are who they say they are. A great way to do this is to check if they have a business registration in their area and other social network pages, such as a Facebook business page.

Check to see that they are active with other customers and have comments from people who have active profiles. These pages also let you connect with others and see if they have had a good experience with the company.

Reading previous customer reviews on products will give you valuable feedback on what they thought of the new food, its quality and if pets liked it. Customers tend to leave their opinion of the whole experience they had with the company, too, so pay attention. If the bad reviews outweigh the good you might want to question whether you want to give your money to that company.

Hopefully you’ll feel a bit more secure and informed to enjoy the savings benefits and convenience of purchasing pet food online. The larger bags of dog food can be pretty heavy so sit back and make the most of the delivery service; save yourself from man handling the heavy bags of dry food from the store, to car, and finally into your home.

I’ve been remiss about posting due to a variety of factors. To make it up, here is a video from Nick at Bubble Vision. If we all started the day watching a video like this I think many of us would be much calmer.

Filmed in Fiji and Tonga, this ocean video has gone viral and captured the interest of a lot of people online. Be sure to follow the instructions at the end.

Traveling with pets can be a fun experience for you and your furry friend. Whether you’re moving across the country and bringing the pets to their new home or just taking a vacation in a neighboring city, there are some things you should know about traveling with pets.

Health Certificate
Make sure you visit the vet before setting off on the big adventure. You might need a health certificate (dated within ten days of departure). The veterinarian will check to make sure your pet is up to date on all her vaccines and is healthy enough for travel. She might even recommend a sedative for long trips.

Flight Considerations
There are a number of things to keep in mind when traveling by airplane with your pet. Look into booking flights that are not during peak travel times. This will allow a little more room (and, consequently, less stress) for your furry friend if they are traveling in the cabin. If they are traveling in cargo, make sure the airline will properly handle extreme temperatures. Also, make every effort to book direct flights. Layovers are an added level of stress for animals.

Keep Things Consistent
Don’t switch up your pet’s diet while on the trip. Bring plenty of their food (and medicines, if applicable) on the trip. Since water quality varies widely from city to city, bring a gallon of water and slowly wean them off of it by combining it with water from the new location. This will protect from any digestive tract issues.

Practice, Practice, Practice
Make sure your pet is familiar with its carrier and, if traveling by car, is used to being in the car. If the first time they ever step foot in their carrier is on a 1000-mile trip, you’re setting yourself and your pet up for a very frustrating trip. Allow them to sleep in their carrier a few times a week for a month before the trip. The transition will be much less jarring if they are already familiar with their travel lodgings.

Leash Law
If traveling by car, make sure you have a leash on your animal before letting them out at rest stops (which should be done frequently). A dog or cat or other animal that has been cramped up in a car all day is liable to spring out of the car like a rocket as soon as the door is open and to ensure that no one gets separated, have the leash on before the door opens.

About the Guest Author: Logan Baker is an animal lover who helps people find the right private jet charter. The east coast is his favorite place to fly, specifically Teterboro airport.

Cat behavior and training has not been as popular as pet dog training but is becoming more necessary as more feline enthusiasts realize that cats really do have complex needs and are different from their canine companions.

But feline behavior and training isn’t anything new–it just hasn’t been seen as a need until people face problems such as litterbox avoidance, scratching, or aggression.

Despite the fact that many people believe that cats cannot be trained, that is simply nonsense and an idea that keeps being perpetuated through popular culture.

My cat, Yasmen was trained and loved to travel. Since I worked in movies and television training animals, I tend to train everything and anything. So do my colleagues.

If you watch television, all those cats and kittens in commercials are all fully trained.

Now, all this is a lead into answering the question from a very patient reader, Terese Oosterbaan.

She is a cat lover who donates her time to helping shelter cats and dreams of an animal career. She has written in a few times but due to my hiatus, I haven’t been able to get to her question until now.

So, Terese–this is mainly for you. Thanks for being a reader and being so diligent in wanting to know your options.

When I started my career, I enrolled in private programs as well as college to earn my degree in animal management, behavior and training. It was well in advance of the existence of any behavior and training programs, or societies giving out certifications today.

Even with the options that began to emerge over the past twenty years or so, there were not many companion animal programs that specifically focused on cats.

Today there still are not many options since most are combined with pet dogs in companion animal programs. This is likely to change as more interest grows and pet parents become more sophisticated in their care of those fabulous felines.

However, there are a few avenues you can explore. Connecting with other professionals, reading up on behavior and training, enrolling in courses, and attending conferences can be a good start.

Begin by exploring these resources:

American College of Veterinary Behaviorists
The American College of Veterinary Behaviorists is a professional organization whose members are board-certified in the area of veterinary behavior.

American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior
The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) is a professional membership organization for those involved, or who are interested in animal behavior.

University of California, Davis
On the west coast, UC Davis is the premiere university for animal behavior or a veterinary medical focus.

Tufts University (Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine)
Tufts University offers continuing education courses on a variety of topics including companion animal behavior. You can find more information and links on the continuing education page or affiliate continuing education program page.

Animal Behavior Society
The Animal Behavior Society (ABS) is a professional membership organization that provides certification to help set minimum standards for being a professional applied animal behaviorist.

International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants
Known as IAABC, the Internation Association of Animal Behavior Consultants offer a great series of continuing education courses along with a good reading list of works to get your feet wet in the area of animal behavior or training.

Companion Animal Sciences Institute
Feline Behavior Science & Technology is offered by the Companion Animal Institute which also has cooperative arrangements for CEUs with many of the certifying organizations that now exist in the companion animal realm.

Animal Behavior College
An online training program for cats was just announced in late 2011. Animal Behavior College offers different study programs that earn a certificate and CEUs. This might be a good option to start and see if it might be something for you.

Regional Resources
One of the best options is to explore the local area resources, finding reional resources through your local Chicago, IL shelters is a good place to start. They often know of educational options close to you to get your on your way.

The Higgins Animal Clinic has a pet behaviorist on staff and the Anti-Cruelty Society  are good local resources–so you might also reach out to them.

Do you have other animal career resources to share? Let me know over on my Facebook page.

Photo Credit: Tambako

Do you need a clicker to train animals? Is the question I discuss in this short video. Animal training tools vary and getting stuck on just one is limiting. Learn more about what Ark Lady thinks in this response to a dog training question.

Adopting a dog is costly. There is the initial adoption fee but you also have to take into consideration grooming and feeding costs as well as other pet supplies. When all is said and done, raising your pup could really add up.

But some dogs can actually cost you more depending on the breed. That’s because some dogs are famously known for having hereditary diseases that can result in a lot of excessive trips to the vet and an abundance of medical bills. If you don’t think you’ll be able to afford these extra expenses, you should probably invest in pet insurance or avoid getting the breeds listed below all together.

Dalmatians

Dalmatians are big and beautiful and can be the perfect addition to any family, however they are the most prone to having severe health issues. Not only are they more likely to suffer from deafness and blindness (glaucoma) because the genes that make their coat partially white are typically mutated (so make sure the breeder gets a Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response test and the Canine Eye Registry Foundation test respectively) but Dalmatians are also most likely to suffer from kidney stones, hip dysplasia, epilepsy, and thyroid issues that can lead to low levels of energy and weight gain.

Collie

All collie breeds, including the rough and smooth collies, the border collie, and the Shetland sheepdog are prone to suffering from a disorder appropriately called Collie Eye Anomaly. This disorder results when a lack of the blood supply to the retina eventually causes the retina to detach. Naturally, the retinal detachment causes blindness in the eye. Sadly, this can occur as early as the collie’s first two years of life.

Miniature and Toy Poodles

These pint-size poodles can be the perfect lap dog, but they can also suffer from many muscular and cardiovascular issues that can cause a lot of heartbreak for your soul and your wallet. The most common diseases associated with miniature and toy poodles is Patellar Luxation—a disorder where the knee cap does not properly fit in the socket and it causes the dog to limp or make a loud “popping” sound every time the leg is bent; Legg Calve-Perthes Disease—a disorder where the hip bone is not properly aligned and causes excruciating pain; and Patent Ductus Arteriosus—a disorder at birth where too much blood is pumped into the left side of the heart causing a heart enlargement.

Labrador Retriever

Last but no least is the Labrador retriever. They’re generally very healthy dogs, but of course they wouldn’t be on this list if they weren’t susceptible to certain hereditary diseases. Similar to Dalmatians, Labradors can suffer from both hip and elbow dysplasia. But they can also suffer from dwarfism, muscular weakness (muscular dystrophy) and collapse when they physical exert themselves, better known as exercise induced collapse.

Author Bio: This is a guest post by Nadia Jones who blogs at online college about education, college, student, teacher, money saving, movie related topics. You can reach her at nadia.jones5 @ gmail.com.

Google+ Local is being hyped up around the web as people speculate and create panic among the masses–should you be worried?

Probably not.

Google is working to level the playing field for any online business presence. At the moment, you’ll see your Google Places within your Google Plus dashboard but in some cases, you’ll have to search for it.

If you have already established a Google+ business page, there are plans to merge the two in the near future.

Probably the biggest game changer now is the integration of a rating system being used on Zagat (a web property owned by Google) and this will help eliminate some issues behind many false reviews.

So, what does this mean to you?

Not having a Gmail and Google+ account will now be a thing of the past if you want to promote.

If your business is not yet on Google Places or don’t have a Google+ business page it is time to think about getting that done–but get help doing it and don’t just slap it up since there is a right way and a wrong way to do so.

If you don’t yet have a Google Places listing or are unfamiliar with Gmail and Google+, ARKtech can help you with both.

I’ll have a web-u-cation session on this shortly for those on our mailing list or Facebook community to review.

In the meantime, join our cyber-jungle explorer email list and join us on the ARKtech Facebook page for more activities.

Once revamped, Ark Animals will be updated once a week–so you’ll find new information on animal behavior, animal careers, animal training and tech talk for pet and animal businesses regularly. There are over a thousand pages to view so you have a lot to sift through! While we are in transition you’ll see only occasional posts until we finish the restructuring and republishing.

I want to encourage you to take advantage of my new premium newsletters. They are new for 2012 so pick the one that best suits your needs.

Each is a subscription is handled by Amazon Payments cost is $4.97 per month—about the price of a fancy coffee drink.

Premium newsletters average between 1-4 emails a month on specialty topics.

Animal Careers $4.97
A monthly newsletter with announcements for animal jobs, animal internships, and other news. In addition, there will be special offers for purchasing access to expert interviews and other resources. Subscribe to Animal Careers now!

Of course you can always join my community at no charge over on Facebook where we will be running a fun contest now and again.

Finally, if you are an animal professional, consider taking advantage of my pet care e-newsletters that can be customized to send to your clients and customers so you don’t have another thing on your plate!

You not only get a beautiful newsletter filled with premium information but can also take advantage of a subscription service that allows you to customize them to your brand AND also allows you to send them with one click to all your customers or clients.

Watch for our syndicated videos coming out this year too. If you are interested in either service, get in touch with me via support.

Enjoy your visit & please make it a habit to come back regularly.

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Web privacy rules turn poachers into gamekeepers

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‘Sleeping Dogs’ trailer spins crime game’s racing credentials

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Game show host Bob Barker pays elephants’ airfare

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Swiss circus forces chubby elephants to diet

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The Big Blue II? Free-diving with dolphins off Italy

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Baby gorilla death prompts bi-national poaching patrols

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World’s Largest Conservation Area To Protect African Wildlife

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Fossil Teeth Show Mammals Thrived Before Dinos Died

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Bears acquire Pro Bowl receiver Marshall from Dolphins

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La Liga fat cats take duel to crisis-hit regions

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Bob Barker Building will be PETA’s West Coast hub

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Dolphins’ Unique Whistles Say, ‘Hey! Come Play!’

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Hong Kong’s amorous pandas get a little privacy

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Dennis Quaid to headline US zoo’s fundraiser

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Mating tests begin on Edinburgh’s giant pandas

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Europe’s cold close zoo outside Paris

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What If All the Cats in the World Suddenly Died?

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PROTECT IP / SOPA Breaks The Internet from Fight for the Future on Vimeo.

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PIC: Denise Richards, Charlie Sheen and Daughters Swim With Dolphins

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Review: ‘We Bought a Zoo’ not as hair as it looks

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Scarlett Johansson and Matt Damon Respect the Animals at the "We Bought A Zoo" Premiere

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China web users want zoo pair to stay together

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Awards Season Is Going to the Dogs, Thanks to Uggie from ‘The Artist’

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Pampered pandas flown into Scotland

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Willie Nelson Fights Discrimination – Against Dogs

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French zoo steps up rhino surveillance against poachers

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‘Awkward Family Photos’ Creators Talk Awkward Pets, TV Show and Big Screen Hopes (Exclusive Photos)

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Do Your Pets Notice the Switch From Daylight Saving Time?

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Interpol launches campaign to save Asian tigers

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Prince Charles, Duchess Camilla Going on Commonwealth Tour

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This rabbit agility video is another example of a behavior chain.

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Elisabetta Canalis Gets Naked for PETA

Bun hopping is different from rabbit agility but you are going to love this. Muffy is going to crack you up.

This chicken training video shows some of the basics involved in training and shaping behavior. Bob Bailey, along with his late wife, has been training for eons. Today his chicken training course are popular with those who seek to fine tune their skills.

In contrast to the previous chicken agility video that used a behavior chaining, this session uses a lure.

This video is a good example of a behavior chain. Watch for more chicken training videos later this week. The next chicken training video illustrates luring the chicken through the course.

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Courtney Stodden, Doug Hutchison: Meet Our Dogs Tuna and Bizarre!