urban paws magazine october 2010 issue

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The pound sold her to a lab.Don’t let more dogs suffer her fate.

Visit www.aavs.org/LostDog

Editorial

othing says "welcome home" like a wagging

tail and a pair of brown eyes. You can help

your best friend feel right at home and minimize wear

and tear on your abode by making some strategic inte-

rior design choices. In this issue, we offer pet-friendly

decorating solutions to help with your dog vs. decor

woes. With so many pet-friendly materials now avail-

able, it’s easy to live effortlessly with pets while still

enjoying a stylish decor.

While many of us enjoy the comforts of a nice home

in great communities, there are those who are less for-

tunate. Barrio Dogs is an organization that is dedicat-

ed to the education of pet over-population and neg-

lect in low-income neighborhoods. To read more

about their mission and the programs that they offer,

turn to page 10. This is a great stride in a long and dif-

ficult journey to secure a brighter future for the ani-

mals living in low-income communities.

URBAN PAWS MAGAZINEP.O. Box 1556Spring, Texas 77383281.384.5431www.UrbanPawsMagazine.com

Design and layout by:ZOECOCREATIVE

© Copyright 2010. No part of this publication may bereprinted or otherwise reproduced without the publisher’spermission. Urban Paws magazine assumes no responsibil-ity for unsolicited manuscripts, feature and idea submis-sions, or photographs, and such unsolicited material willnot be returned. Urban Paws Magazine assumes no liability forthe contents herein and has the right to refuse advertising for anyreason.

Please tell our advertisers you heard about them inUrban Paws!

Urban Paws is dedicated to providing our readers with

more resources to connect with others in the pet com-

munity. We found a new online directory that stream-

lines the search for a local vet, groomer, pet boutique...

You name it. There is also a mobile version of the site

available for those who travel with their pets.

October is National Adopt a Dog month and we

encourage you to visit your local animal shelter or res-

cue organization if you are looking to add a furry new

friend to your family.

Have a fun and safe Halloween!

Jennifer Kitchens

Issue 7: Volume 4www.urbanpawsmagazine.com

OOccttoobbeerr,, 22001100

On the Cover

Sprocket, photographed by Ashlee Newman Photography.Urban Paws Magazine 5

N

For a full listing of events, visit:www.urbanpawsmagazine.com/events

Calendar

October 2010 Events

OCTOBER 21960 Barking Lot Pawty. Join Bark’s 5th Avenue, theHouston Dog Park Association and other local ven-dors for a an afternoon of fun and fundraising forthe Northwest area dog park. The event takes placeat Bark’s 5th Avenue, 10620 FM 1960 from 10:00 am- 4:00 pm. Leashed dogs are welcome! For moreinformation visit www.barks5thave.com.

OCTOBER 9Dog Day Afternoon & Picnic in the Park benefittingGolden Retriever Rescue of Houston. Live music byCypress Station, food, Harvest Gold contest, dogwashing booth, parade of fosters, silent auction, raffleprizes and much more! Free admission. All dogs over35 lbs. welcome. Visit www.grrh.org for more infor-mation.

OCTOBER 10Houston Beagle Rescue Meet & Greet. Come outand meet the adoptable Beagles from 2:00 - 4:00 pmat Petco, 19507 I-45 North in Spring. For more info,visit www.houstonbeaglerescue.org.

OCTOBER 14Yappy Hour benefiting Abandoned Animal Rescue at Barker Street Gourmet Dog Bakery, 442 Sawdust inThe Woodlands. 6:00 pm.

OCTOBER 16Macy’s Shop for a Cause benefitting Homeless PetPlacement League. Discount passes are good for up to25% off purchases and are available online atwww.hppl.org/macy2010.htm.

OCTOBER 23Pet Adoption and Costume Contest at Urban BicycleGallery, 4814 Nett St. 10:00 am. Loving pets rescuedby Lone Star Shih Tzu and Lhaso Apso of Texas,Lucky Dog Rescue, and Corridor Rescue, Inc. will bedressed up and ready to meet their new parents in theWashington Avenue business district. Pets and ownersare encouraged to come dressed up in their Halloweenbest at 1:30 PM for a costume contest. Adopters willreceive doggie gift bags courtesy of Visible Changesand Heights Urban Dog. For more information, con-tact [email protected].

OCTOBER 23-24Pet Fest 2010 in Old Town Spring. Grab your petand head out for a fun-filled festival of entertain-ment and education. The event helps to raise moneyfor Houston area rescue groups and animal shelters.For more information, visitwww.petfestoldtownspring.com.

OCTOBER 304th Annual Bullie Walk in the Park benefiting TexasGulf Coast Bull Terrier Club & Rescue. Enjoy hotdogs and drinks for the two-legged guests and thepopular costume contest, bobbin’ for weenies and dis-obedience course for the four-legged friends. Formore info contact Janet at [email protected].

Urban Paws Magazine 7

Paw Press

News & Happenings in the Houston Area

LOCAL PET BUSINESS DONATEDSHEARTWORM TREATMENTS TO RES-CUE ORGANIZATIONSCongratulations to Janet Huey of Pet StuffResale, who has long been involved in animalrescue. Janet recently won a $5,000 award fromthe Pepsi Refresh Project for her idea to treatheartworm positive dogs in Houston. "This is amajor medical problem and is expensive to treat.Of course prevention would be so much betterand cheaper than treatment, and the costly bur-den falls upon the shelters and rescues who carefor these abandoned and neglected dogs."

OCTOBER IS NATIONAL ADOPT A DOGMONTHDuring the month of October, you can save thelife of a homeless dog and find a faithful com-panion from your local shelter or breed specificrescue group during the month of October.

DOCK DIVING CLASS FOR SMALLDOGS AT RUMMY’S BEACH CLUBWho said little dogs can’t have fun on the docks?Sign up for this fun and exciting dock jumpingtraining class! Dogs on Cue founder, ChrisTucker conducts the class. The cost for a fourweek class is $200 and includes a free hour ofwarm water swimming to help condition yourdog. To learn more about this class and othersoffered at Rummy’s Beach Club visitwww.rummysbeachclub.com.

WANT TO VOLUNTEER TO HELP ANI-MALS? KINGWOOD BARKTOBERFESTNEEDS VOLUNTEERSKingwood Barktoberfest relies on teams ofresponsible volunteers to help out the day ofthe event. This fun filled day is aimed at raisingfunds for area shelters and rescue organiza-tions. To register as a volunteer and view theavailable opportunities, visitwww.kingwoodbarktoberfest.yolasite.com.

ALPHA AND OMEGA PET CELEBRATION DAYThe Houston Dog Park Association recentlyhosted the Alpha and Omega Pet CelebrationDay at TC Jester Bark Park. Attendees receivedfree Alpha and Omega movie passes andschwag. The event also included pet adoptionsand a dog wash.

s the world advances deeper and deeper

into the new millennium, growing more

fast-paced and complex with each pass-

ing day, there is no

question that

the doggie

world is

advancing with

it. Dog owners

are faced with

dozens of

brands and

thousands of

businesses to

choose from,

not to mention

endless articles

on every subject

from holistic remedies to doggie massage.

Indeed, gone are the days where an owner and

furry friend only had the corner pet store and

the family vet.

Luckily for all the harrowed pooch-lovers out

there, a new website, Wet Nose Guide

(www.wetnoseguide.com), is setting out to

change the way dog owners use the internet.

Founded in 2008, Wet Nose Guide is an online

doggie directory that allows users to search for

nearby dog businesses online, sorting them both

by city/state and by any one of 23 different

types of services, ranging from dog boarding

and upscale boutiques to holistic treatment and

canine rehab. The site lists all of these business-

es for free, and also features a calendar with

updated information on fundraisers and adop-

tion events.

The website was

started by

Justine Watts,

who had previ-

ous been work-

ing in finance,

living in New

York City with

her two dogs.

She came up

with the idea for

Wet Nose Guide

when she one

day found herself

unable to locate a pet store while out for a walk

with her Papillon, Sweetie. Despite checking

online with her phone, Watts could not find an

accurate listing for a relevant business, in order

to buy Sweetie some food. “During our 5 hour

walks and field trips exploring the city together,

Sweetie as a puppy grew hungry,” said Watts. “I

relied on my blackberry to find the next pit stop

for Sweetie's treat, but this time my search came

up with no results. I realized there was no

authoritative doggie directory like those we have

for humans, and this is how Wet Nose Guide

was born.”

Once Watts resolved to start a website to reme-

dy the problem, she made the decision to begin

New Digs

A New Guide for the Web-Ready Pooch By: Nate Nagy, Wet Nose Guide

A

8 www.urbanpawsmagazine.com

with New York, the city in which she lived and

loved. Riding her trusty scooter, she did a com-

prehensive sweep of every borough and neigh-

borhood, stopping in at every pooch-related

business she saw to take down their address and

information. “I drove my Vespa around New

York City mapping out all the dog stores,” said

Watts. “Nearly 3,000 miles were logged on my

bike, and countless business cards were stuffed

in my back pockets.”

Since then, Wet Nose Guide has expanded to

cover dozens of states and regions, including

the Houston metropolitan area, and Watts has

expressed that the site will soon cover all fifty

states. A mobile version of the site was released

in September, allowing users who travel exten-

sively with their pup in tow to search anywhere

and at any time via their phones. Watts has also

added a doggie blog to the site, which features

everything from posts by veterinarians and

trainers to witty advice columns from Watts her-

self. “My furry kids are what keep the blog witty

and informative,” said Watts. “If one of them is

being naughty, predominately Rosco, I'll write a

blog about puppy-proofing your home. If the

weather is cold and drizzly, I may carry them off

to a dog friendly shopping center and blog

about it.”

These features and more have garnered Wet

Nose Guide over 12,000 unique visitors per

month, along with a place among Fido Friendly

Magazine’s “Best Pet Products” of 2010. Watts,

however, is not letting the success and expan-

sion get to her head, and has kept all services on

the website, including business listings, free of

charge. “In our current economy it makes me

sad to see dog stores closing,” said Watts. “I'm

hoping by listing all the dog related businesses

on Wet Nose Guide we can bring attention to

these struggling businesses. Each dog business,

whether it's a doggie day care or veterinarian,

makes each dog's life better.”

arrio Dogs of Houston, a not-for-profit organization is dedicated tothe education of pet over-popula-

tion and neglect in low-income neighborhoods.To this end, an all ages education is key. In aneffort to raise awareness, Barrio Dogs, with thehelp of low-cost spay/neuter services such asSNAP makes low-cost sterilization available.They also teach residents about responsible petownership and the prevention of crimes againstanimals under the State of Texas animal crueltystatutes.

The mission of Barrio Dogs is to instill knowl-edge amongst residents. Knowledge that teach-es them about animal birth control, humanetreatment and care of pets and zero tolerancefor animal neglect and abuse. This knowledge,they believe, results in safer, healthier and high-er property value communities for the residents.Barrio Dogs believes that quality of lifeimproves for people when it improves for theirpets.

Barrio Dogs has established an array of educa-tional activities and programs aimed at reachingthe youth in low-income communities. Theseprograms include visits to elementary, middle,and high schools featuring presentations, bilin-gual literature, guest speaker discussions, andoccasional visits by a rescued and rehabilitateddog to demonstrate the ABC’s of proper han-dling and safety measures. As with all activities,Barrio Dogs’ principal messages concerningchildren are the do’s and dont’s of responsiblepet ownership, including the need to prevent lit-

ters and the consequences of animal over-pop-ulation.

Teaching youngsters to organize their ownfundraising events can be a positive experiencefor children of all ages. They can have fun, learncivic duty and improve their communities byhelping others help their pets. This includes col-lecting donations to provide food for the pets oflow-income families, building a dog house orrepairing a neighbor’s fence to prevent dogsfrom roaming, organizing fundraisers for animalwelfare organizations and other activities limitedonly by their imaginations.

Barrio Dogs “Tales to TailsReading Program is designed for chil-dren in low- income community schools whostruggle with reading. As with other successfulprograms, involving animals helps children gainself-confidence. The presence of rescued dogsenhances the children’s fluency in reading as theanimal reduces their self-consciousness and dis-tracts them from the fear of being judged bytheir peers. Question and answer sessions mayinclude both topics from the text being read aswell as the story of the visiting dog, giving thechildren the freedom to direct the discussionand the automatic reward of having an unusualguest.

The Barrio Watch Dog programaims to educate about the difference betweenright and wrong treatment of animals. Forinstance, the children are taught not to chain adog to a tree; or not provide adequate shelter

what is barrio dogs?

B


from the elements and fresh water at all times;or lock animals in crates for hours on end; andother conditions commonly seen in low-incomeneighborhoods. They also stress that there is afine line between incorrect and criminal animalhandling, such as animal fighting of any sort.The fact is, people sometimes feel helpless inthe presence of animal abuse, especially whenlanguage is a barrier.

It is essential that residents of areas with high-incidences of animal neglect and abuse feelthemselves empowered to help resolve such sit-uations for the benefit of the entire community.Barrio Dogs has a Watch Dog dispatcher thatcan be contacted in Spanish to report cases ofanimal abuse. The dispatcher can provide essen-tial information on how to handle the situation,on whether any Texas laws are being violated,and if so, coordinate reporting it to the properauthorities.

The high incidences of animal neglect andabuse, substandard animal enclosures and ani-mal abandonment in low-income areas cannotbe resolved until its residents become part ofthe solution. Long-time residents, newcomersand especially the youth must be reached so thatthey fully understand and embrace the fact thatanimal cruelty is a crime that cannot be ignoredor tolerated and that it is everyone’s responsibil-ity to be a Watch Dog and report infractions forthe betterment of their communities.

Barrio Dogs for BetterCommunities People who love their ani-mals may not, however, have the knowledge orthe means to provide them with proper care andhousing. Barrio Dogs will inform pet owners oflocal low-cost veterinarians, provide donatedfood and shelter or fencing building materials tothose who cannot afford them and any otherresource that will improve the quality of life ofpets and their owners. Two aspects of this pro-gram can make a huge difference in the qualityof life in these communities:

1) Because animal over-population and its nega-tive consequences are found predominantly inlow-income neighborhoods, Barrio Dogs willjoin forces with SNAP (Spay-Neuter AssistanceProgram) and other organizations dedicated toend the cycle of abuse. Surplus animals roamthe streets and are one of the main indicators ofa derelict neighborhood. To build better com-munities, compassionate animal care is essential.

2) “Freedom Fence” targets backyards withchained up dog(s) for lack of a fence that willhold them. Providing materials and labor to theresident makes it possible for the animals to runfree within the confines of the property to livea more natural, happier life. Barrio Dogs con-ducts follow-up home visits to ensure the dog(s)is unchained and properly cared for after a fenceis installed.

The vast majority of animals in distress live ininner-city and low-income neighborhoods. Aswe help those animals, we also improve the qual-ity of life and the education of the people. Thisis the only way to end the cycle of abuse. BarrioDogs is dedicated to help in places where othersstay away.

Barrio Dogs, like all charitable organizationsrelies entirely on donations –money and in-kindas well as volunteers. If you are interested indonating your time or talents, you can invest ina better future for Houston. And to that we say¡Muchas Gracias!

For more information on Barrio Dogs, visitwww.barriodogs.org.


Style and

SolutionsDesign Tips

for a Pet-Friendly Home

By: Jennifer Kitchens


et’s face it: Our pets are members of

the family, no longer relegated to a

backyard doghouse. Decorating with

your pet in mind is really just one part

of lifestyle design. It’s relatively easy

to make a room look like it’s been pulled from the

pages of a home decor magazine if no one lives in it.

It’s an entirely different undertaking to make it look

and feel great, while also accommodating the demands

of your lifestyle,

including pets. If

Fido or Fluffy are

part of your fami-

ly, here are a few

tips to keep in

mind as you select

your home’s fur-

nishings.

Today, there are

many options for

pet-friendly interi-

or design materi-

als, and the bonus

is that many of these items are kid-friendly, too. This

means that the whole family – including Fido – can

live together effortlessly while enjoying stylish home

decor.

Windows

Avoid vertical blinds, pooling drapery, ornate tassels

and long cords that can become strangulation hazards.

If a dog gets caught in any of these, he could panic

and bring objects around him crashing down. Think

twice about mini-blinds, which can become bent

beyond repair when a curious dog tries to see the out-

side world. Fabric shades, café curtains and draperies

are excellent choices for homes with dogs.

Furniture

Provide comfy beds in each room or designate one

piece of furniture as your pet’s place. Cover this piece

with a washable throw and teach your pet that this is

the only piece of furniture he is allowed to frequent.

Make sure slipcovers are machine-washable, especially

if a light-colored solid is your upholstery of choice.

Certain fabrics seem to be a pet hair magnet, whereas

others will stay fur-free.

When decorating your home, avoid fabrics such as silk

or velvet. Velvet attracts fur like a magnet, and silk is

extremely difficult to clean. Leather and vinyl furni-

ture is easy to

clean, but can be

damaged by too-

long toenails. Be

sure to clip your

pet’s nails regularly.

Be sure to take

color into consid-

eration. Sure, that

white chair looks

luxurious and com-

fortable now, but

how good will it

look covered in

black cat hair?

Walls

Use washable semi-gloss paint in areas where your pet

may sprinkle (accidentally or not) on the walls.

Washable vinyl-backed wallpaper is easier to clean

than traditional paper-backed wallpaper. Relegate

antique wallpapers or fabric wall treatments to the top

half of the walls; paint or hang a washable wall cover-

ing below.

Floors

Machine-washable area rugs are easier to keep clean

than wall-to-wall carpeting. If urine soaks into carpet

backing, it’s nearly impossible to remove. If you do

decide to stick with wall-to-wall carpeting, it's a good

idea to stock up on carpet care products, especially

enzymatic cleaners made specifically for pet accidents.

Roll up vegetable-dyed oriental rugs until your new

dog is fully house-trained—and if rugs have decora-

L

12 www.urbanpawsmagazine.com14 www.urbanpawsmagazine.com

tive fringe, don’t put them back down until your pet is

well past teething age. Tile, sheet linoleum and

Pergo® are pet-friendly floorings that allow you to

easily wipe away accidental messes. Sealing hardwood

floors with polyurethane helps to prevent urine odor

from lingering.

Pet�Friendly Fabrics

One of the biggest issues many pet owners deal with

is pet hair. Fabrics that repel fur are leather or suede.

Unfortunately, many cat owners avoid leather like the

plague - and for good reason because cats love to claw

furniture. Look for fabrics that are free of texture and

easy to clean. Ideally, a fabric that you can wipe down

with a damp cloth to remove fur is the best solution.

Seek out washable home products whenever possible.

Cushions or pillows with removable and washable

covers are an easy solution as is bedding that is wash-

able. Pets have accidents - it happens, so be prepared.

Being able to toss a blanket or rug into the wash is a

money saver and eliminates the need to throw things

out and replace them.

Feng Shui for Dogs

The term feng shui literally translates as “wind-water”

and is the Chinese art by which, through the precise

placement of objects, one creates balance, health,

wealth and harmony. You can apply the principles of

feng shui in your home to enhance Fido’s life and

bring good health and harmony.

Through feng shui, one balances the extremes of yin

(feminine) and yang (masculine). Good examples of

yin characteristics are objects that are cool, floral,

curved, dark or ornate whereas yang qualities are hot,

large, plain, light or straight.

Wind and water are, first and foremost, natural ele-

ments (two of the five elements that comprise all of

nature). The other earth elements include metal, fire

and wood. Just as with yin and yang, these five ele-

ments carry qualities of shape, color and material and

must be balanced to optimize chi (also called qi). Chi

is the invisible energy that circulates as the source of

prosperity, health and harmony. Using the principles

of feng shui, you can optimize the accumulation and

flow of chi energy in your dog’s life. Since your pet

spends a good amount of time napping, his sleeping

quarters should have good chi and should be weight-

ed toward yin qualities.

• Do not place your dog’s bed under a window or in a

corner where chi can stagnate.

• The sound of water can disturb your dog’s sleep so

water elements should not be placed in the room.

• There should not be any heavy objects such as

shelves, cabinets or lighting above or behind your

dog’s bed.

• Place your dog’s bed against a solid wall, away from

any swinging door.

• Do not place your dog’s bed directly across from an

open door or at the end of a long corridor or hall,

where chi can travel too quickly.

• Minimize using mirrors, which can reflect light and

movement and frighten your dog.

Verilux Cleanwave SanitizingFurniture & Bed VacKeep your mattress and bedding germ-freewith the CleanWave Sanitizing Furniture &Bed Vac. This product is ideal for cleaningdifficult to sanitize household surfacesincluding pet areas. www.verilux.com.

Slobproof ! Furniture with CryptonCrypton is a specially engineered fabric system withan integrated moisture barrier that promises - anddelivers - permanent performance. No stains. Nospills. No surprises. Life's too short to worry aboutmuddy paws! Finally, furniture designed for the waywe really live. www.slobproof.com.

Molly Mutt Dog DuvetThis revolutionary dog duvet makes creating & maintaining a stylish, comfortable, andclean dog bed easier - and less costly - than everbefore. Use the duvet to recover your old dog bed,or make a brand new one with blankets & clothesfrom around your house and fill the stuff sack.Beautiful and eco-friendly! www.mollymutt.com.


Style& Solutions


TrainingBy: Bob Williams,

Bark Busters Potty Training Your New Puppy

Any time that you are not directly supervising him, he

should be in his crate.

If it’s possible, you should plan to take your puppy out

hourly. On leash, take him to the spot in the yard

where he is likely to potty, or to the spot you would

like for him to use. Give him encouragement to go by

saying “busy, busy.” Allow him about 5 minutes to do

his business. If he does, give him about 30 minutes to

enjoy your space with you. Then it’s back in the crate.

If he does not do his business, it’s the next 30 minutes

in the crate.

Learn his schedule and make it fit yours. You may find

that by extending his feeding time to 6:00 instead of

5:00, you gain an extra hour of sleep.

If your lifestyle does not allow for you to pay this

close of attention to your puppy’s potty needs, you

may need our help. There are 12 Bark Busters in the

Houston area. Visit our website at

www.barkbusters.com or call us at 877-500-BARK

(2275).

ongratulations on your new ball of fur and

thank you for sharing your home with a

deserving pooch. Bark Busters wants to help

you get this experience off to a great start, and that

begins with potty training.

My first suggestion is to purchase a crate that is big

enough for your puppy to be comfortable in as an

adult, but be sure it has an adjustable divider so that

you can crowd him as a puppy. Puppies don’t normal-

ly want to potty where they sleep, so you should give

him just enough room to stand up, turn around and

lay down. A good indicator that his crate size is cor-

rect is to see him stretch really big as soon as you let

him out. As he grows, his crate space grows. The

proper use of a crate will shorten the time it takes to

house train him by a third to a half.

Let’s start with the basics:

• A puppy can be expected to not need to potty for an

hour for every month they are old plus one.

• Do not leave food or water in the crate, but do pro-

vide toys for him to play with.

• If he’s the kind of dog that will chew his bedding,

remove it.

For the next few weeks it is really important for you to

gather every piece of data available to you about your

puppy’s potty needs. Every puppy is different and you

must get to know your puppy’s potty habits. Create a

spreadsheet with four columns: the time he ate, the

time he had a bowel movement, the time he drank and

the time he peed.

C

Nutrition

Diet and Urinary Tract Health

aintaining a healthy urinary tract isimportant for the overall well-beingand longevity of your pet. Animals

with poor urinary tract health can suffer fromstones that form in the urinary tract (uroliths)and urinary tract infections (UTIs). Oftenuroliths are not actually caused by the diet beingfed, but diet can play an important role in theirtreatment and prevention.

The two most common types of uroliths are cal-cium oxalate and magnesium ammonium phos-phate or what is commonly referred to as stru-vite. These two types of uroliths consistentlyrepresent the greatest proportion of urolithtypes in dogs and cats.¹ , ² Uroliths can be foundalmost anywhere in the urinary tract, but aregenerally found in the bladder. Any outwardsymptoms that the pet displays may dependupon the number of stones present or theirlocation within the urinary tract, while somepets may not display any symptoms at all. Thethree most common symptoms are difficult orfrequent urination, urinating in inappropriatelocations, and having bloody urine. If you noticethat your pet is experiencing one or more ofthese symptoms, it is important to consult andlikely visit your veterinarian for a diagnosis andadvice. Your veterinarian will typically run a fewdiagnostic tests that may include testing a urine

sample, abdominal imaging (such as x-rays orultrasound), and blood testing. If a UTI is pres-ent (very common in dogs, rare in cats), theinfection will be treated with antibiotics. Yourvet may diagnose a newly and commonly identi-fied syndrome in cats that is called feline inter-stitial cystitis (IC). IC is currently thought to bethe most common cause for difficult, frequent,inappropriate, and/or bloody urination in cats.

Although some uroliths are difficult to prevent,you can help by providing your pet with fre-quent opportunities to urinate and an amplesupply of fresh water. Increasing dietary mois-ture is the most important nutritional strategythat should be implemented for all stone types.Canned diets are a good option due to theirhigher moisture, but stew products (which havemore moisture than the typical canned food)can be an even better choice. Recent data haveshown that feeding stews to cats causes a signif-icant decrease in their urine specific gravity.³This decrease correlates to more dilute urine,thus decreasing the concentration of stone pre-cursors in the bladder.

If you suspect that your pet may be sufferingfrom stones in their urinary tract, a UTI, or IC,please consult your veterinarian. With theappropriate diagnosis, you and your veterinariancan select the best nutritional strategy for yourpet going forward.

M


By: Kari Liu & Lisa Schole,Natura Pet Products


Give Me Something Good to EatDon’t forget to treat your bestfriend with these Pumpkin Peartreats, packed with wholesomegoodness. From Planet Dog.www.planetdog.com.

Pumpkin Spice & Everything NiceThis adorable Pumpkin Patch dress fromPosh Puppy Boutique is a show stopperfrom Halloween to Thanksgiving.www.poshpuppyboutique.com.

A Little BattyBerber Bat is sure to scare up some fun thisHalloween. Thick berber fabric, robustsqueaker and recycled fiber fill make thisunique handcrafted dog toy a perfect treat.Available at West Paw Design.www.westpawdesign.com.

SPOOK-TACULARHALLOWEEN FINDS

Halloween Tip:Avoid giving your

dog chocolate - in allforms. It can be very

dangerous!

Spook-tacular TeesThese spooktactular Halloween tanksfrom I See Spot are perfect for littletricksters who aren’t keen on costumes.Made of super soft cotton with a littlelycra for comfort. www.iseespot.com


Trick or TreatFill Fido’s Halloween bag with these allnatural pumpkin flavored treats from UpCountry. www.upcountryinc.com

Halloween Tip:IDs, please! Always

make sure your dog hasproper identification.

Halloween can be a very scarytime of year for pets andthey may try to escape.


Therese Aguilar has been a profession-al trainer in Spring for four years. Shetravels to clients’ homes in the sur-

rounding areas such as The Woodlands, Conroe,Humble and Tomball. Therese finds that train-ing is most effective in the home with the fami-ly members, as this is the environment wherethe new desired behaviors will be applied.Clients also may bring their animals to her fortraining, leaving them with her for a few days ora week for extensive train-ing.

What is unique and specialabout Therese is her posi-tive approach and methodsof training. She adheres tothe regime of positivereinforcement of desired behaviors. She doesnot use punishment, negativity, or coercion asways of correcting undesirable behaviors indogs.

By using kindness, gentleness and rewards—treats paired with an encouraging word are oftenstrong motivators—she has gotten remarkableresults in very short periods of time. Sheinvolves the family, ensuring they will continueworking with the animal until the desired behav-ior completely replaces the undesired one.

Therese often works with the MontgomeryCounty Animal Shelter. She takes dogs that areconsidered un-adoptable due to behavioralissues and patiently works with them until theyare ready for a new home.

Here are a few of Therese’s success stories: Therese was requested to foster and work with

Time Off for Good Behavior

Behavior

a beautiful black lab scheduled to be euthanizeddue to “aggressive” behavior. She discoveredthat the dog was not aggressive, but was merelyreacting to the environment of the shelter to herconfinement. Simply by re-directing her“aggression” and encouraging and rewardingpositive behaviors, Therese was able to turn herinto a loving, loyal, gentle and adoptable dog.The sweet black lab was adopted by a caring,loving family that absolutely adores her.

Therese worked with a lit-tle dog that had beenabused, rescued by a localveterinarian, and adoptedby a wonderful new fami-ly. However, she had beenshowing signs of aggres-

sion to the point that she was biting her family.By working extensively with her, Therese wasable to get her to relax. Using loving, gentlewords and touches, the little dog became friend-lier, less terrified of people, and more playfulwith other dogs. Therese still works with her,but the foundation was laid to allow for signifi-cant changes in the life of the little dog and herhuman “parents.”Finally, there is a very special success story:Therese was given the task of training a dognamed Ginger from the Montgomery CountyAnimal Shelter. Ginger was chosen to play therole of Sandy in the Crighton Theatre produc-tion of “Annie”. Not only was Ginger a sensa-tion, she was adopted by a family involved in theproduction. She became a star and received a“forever home!”

Of course, not all cases are so dramatic. Oftena family just wants to live harmoniously with a

T

By: Cathleen Reagan, K9 Heeler

“What is unique and specialabout Therese is her positiveapproach and methods oftraining.”

dog. Unwanted behaviors such as chewing,jumping, barking, or going to the bathroom inthe house can make life stressful and unhappyfor all involved, especially the dog. Too often,families choose to get rid of a dog due to behav-ior issues. This is sad and distressing. Theresehas found that with some work, patience anddetermination, these behaviors can be re-direct-ed, altered and/or eradicated. That is theessence and mission of K9 Heeler.

THERESE’S TRAINING TIPS

Therese offers the following basic traininginformation to help with common behavioralissues. If you feel that your dog is displayingunwanted or aggressive behaviors, we encourageyou to contact a professional dog trainer, such asthe K9 Heeler.

How do I keep my dog from jumping on me?The best way to deter your dog's jumping is toignore it. Don't reinforce your dog's jumping byacknowledging it (for instance: Pushing yourdog down, talking to him, getting angry withhim, etc.). Decide on an alternate behavior foryour dog and reinforce that one. Be consistent,always reward the behavior you want with posi-tive reinforcement (after your dog learns thebehavior your want, you will not need to rewardeach and every time he offers it, but while youare teaching, you will need to offer a high rate ofreinforcement.) Positive reinforcement isrewarding your dog with something that YOURDOG finds valuable. The rewards could be atasty treat your dog can't resist, a belly rub, earscratch, or even play. Have patience, the behav-ior could worsen before it stops.

Ouch! My puppy tries to nip me when I pet her.What should I do?Only pet your puppy if she's calm. If she startsto nip, stop all interaction with her until shestops trying to bite. This means removing your-self from your puppy each and every time she


tries to bite you. Most puppies learn fairlyquickly that "mouthing" doesn't get them whatthey are after, mainly, your attention. You couldalso try keeping one of her favorite toys withyou while you are petting her. If she tries to nipyou, trade her the toy for your hand. This teach-es your puppy what is appropriate to chew on. Avoid rough play, such as tug of war games atthis stage.

How can I get my dog to come to me when I callher?In order to get a reliable recall (come) from yourdog, remember to ALWAYS praise your dog forcoming to you, even if you haven't called her.NEVER call your dog to you for corrections orpunishment. Make your dog think that being byyou is the best place in the world to be.

Why should I socialize my puppy?Socialization is one of the most importantthings you can do for your puppy. If yourpuppy is never exposed to new and varied situa-tions, he is less likely to accept them as he getsolder. This can create a fearful or anxious dogwho may react in negative ways as an adult.Puppy playtime and socialization classes aregreat places for your puppy to have supervisedfun.

Gimme ShelterJoin us in helping our four-legged friends find loving homes. Adopt a dog today!

Sprocket is a charming little blackYorkie/Chihuahua mix. He wasdumped in a country pasture alongwith his sibling Molly, who is alsoavailable for adoption.

Sprocket is about five months oldand is very loving and playful. Hegets along well with other dogs andloves to cuddle. He is up-to-datewith routine shots and has beenneutered.

For more information on Sprocket,or to obtain an adoption applica-tion, visit the group’s web site atwww.tinypawsrescue.com.


Duke & DuchessBreed: DachshundSex: M & F | Age: Adult | Size: SmallE-Rescue Houstonwww.e-rescue-houston.org

ChiliBreed:PapillonSex: Male | Age: Adult | Size: SmallPapillon Haven Rescuewww.paphaven.org

Cover Dog Sprocket

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Urban Paws Magazine 25Please note that these dogs may have been adopted by the time you visit them;however, there are many more wonderful dogs in need of forever homes.

JojoBreed: BeagleSex: Female | Age: Young Adult | Size: SmallHouston Beagle Rescuewww.houstonbeaglerescue.org

TeslaBreed: Australian ShepherdSex: Male | Age: Adult | Size: LargeSouth Texas Aussie Rescuewww.southtexasaussierescue.org

NicoleBreed: Golden RetrieverSex: Female | Age: Senior | Size: LargeTexas Labrador Rescuewww.txlabrescue.org

SusieBreed: BeagleSex: Female | Age: Adult | Size: SmallHouston Beagle Rescuewww.houstonbeaglerescue.org

LA BuddyBreed: Golden RetrieverSex: Male | Age: Adult | Size: LargeGolden Retriever Rescue Houstonwww.grrh.org

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Coming December 2010!The fourth annual Urban Paws Holiday Guide. Featuring the season’s best gifts for pets andthe people who love them. This colorful guide, designed to help you choose the perfect hol-iday gift for Fido, will also be available online at www.urbanpawsmagazine.com. Interestedin advertising opportunities? Call 281.384.5431 for more information.

urban paws magazine october 2010 issue

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