CITY Pets WEB EXCLUSIVE [CITYSunTimes January 2011]

Where To Get A Healthy, Loving Pet

adopt me

Of the eight million pets that enter animal shelters and rescue groups every year, approximately three million of these healthy and treatable pets are euthanized due to a lack of adoption. While there has been steady progress on the issue, three million cats and dog deaths remains a national tragedy.
“Pets end up in shelters through no fault of their own,” says Michael Markarian, chief operating officer of The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). “Shelter pets make great pets.”
To help these pets find homes, there’s the Shelter Pet Project, a collaboration between The HSUS, Maddie’s Fund and the Ad Council. It’s geared toward all Americans, particularly the approximately 17 million who will be acquiring a pet within the next year. The campaign‘s public service announcements (PSAs) are designed to inspire pet lovers to make shelters and rescue groups the first place they turn to when looking for their perfect pet.
“Now is a perfect time for people to open their hearts to a homeless dog or cat. The love and kindness they show now will be returned from that pet not just in the coming year but for years to come,” according to Rich Avanzino, Maddie’s Fund president.
The campaign aims to break down the stereotypes associated with shelter pets and communicate that “There’s nothing wrong with shelter pets.” At the website, audiences can search for pets, get more information about pet adoption and send a customized “Adopt-a-Gram,” where a virtual pet will deliver a message to a friend encouraging them to adopt a shelter pet.

adopt me

“We are thrilled to extend the reach of our campaign, which is creating a national dialogue about the importance of shelter pet adoption and helping destigmatize shelter pets,” says Peggy Conlon, president and CEO of the Ad Council. “The PSAs are both motivating and entertaining and I believe they will inspire families throughout the country to adopt shelter pets.”
The campaign also includes Facebook and Twitter pages where audiences can pledge their support of pet adoption and receive daily information and stories about adoptable shelter pets throughout the country.

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CITYSunTimes Web Exclusives January 2011 | Read the full SECTION

CITY PETS

During the holidays, many families welcome new four-legged members into their homes. However, many do not realize the commitment it takes to care for their new pet and these animals often end up in shelters. This January, to help assist families with their new pets, PETCO is offering free potty training seminars every weekend at all PETCO locations. In the meantime, here are some tips to get you started.

Potty Training 101: Using Positive Reinforcement

By Fanna Easter, CPDT-KA

What is “positive reinforcement” training?

In simple terms, it means rewarding the behavior that you want to continue and ignoring the behavior you do not want to continue. With rewards, this should be something the dog really likes, such as yummy treats or a favorite toy.
Think about it this way, if you are writing a report and your boss really likes this behavior, she walks over and hands you an ice cream sundae or a $100 bill. When you stop writing the report to chat with her, she walks away. Once you begin writing the report again, she walks over and hands you more money or ice cream, what do you think you would continue doing? I would write that report all day long!
Focusing on rewarding good behavior will ensure you and your dog learns a common language and really builds a great bond.

Does crate training really assist with Potty Training?

When we are teaching potty training, dogs or puppies do not understand where we want them to eliminate. Most dogs will not eliminate where they sleep or eat, so a crate is their safe spot to “hold it” and have a favorite chew toy or treat. Keep your puppy or dog on a schedule and they should remain in their crates no more than four hours at a time (less time for puppies).
As pet parents, we should always keep our dog or puppy in their crate (while chewing on a wonderfully food filled toy) when we are unable to keep an eye on them. Even when the phone rings, where is your puppy? Ask the caller to hold a minute while you toss a food stuffed treat in your puppy’s crate. Now you know there will be no accidents while you were not watching!
With a crate, keep it as a positive environment and they should not spend more than four hours (five months and older) confined. After four hours, give them an opportunity to eliminate in their designated potty area. Younger puppies should be confined for no more than an hour and then given a potty break.

What is the best way to handle the situation when a puppy/dog has an “accident” in the house?

Accidents do happen, as your dog is learning, and so are you. The best way to handle a potty accident is prevention; always supervise dog or puppy when they are loose indoors.
If you should notice an accident in progress, say nothing and bring your dog to an approved potty area, such as outdoors. Reward any elimination in the approved potty area. If you should notice a “past accident,” clean the area with a pet approved enzyme cleaner. You should never punish a dog for accidents, in progress or not. However, use these accidents to improve your supervision of your dog.

CITY PETS Web Exclusives | CITYSunTimes January 2011