PET TRAINING

There are many, many websites that *claim* to know how you should train your pet. The ones we list are the ones we know can be very helpful in educating that pooch or kitty!

Tip Sheets

The Humane Society of The United States has a series of tip sheets on a number of different topics.

Positive Training

One of the most respected dog training experts in the world is Ian Dunbar. His techniques have revolutionized the way dogs are trained.

Old training techniques used pain, fear of being punished, or pack leader coercion to train a dog. While this may lead to 'quick' results, studies have shown it also often leads to a fearful dog with an increased liklihood of aggression and a decrease interest in learning.

Dr. Dunbar however has shown how praise, mutual respect, and positive reinforcement can be used to train a dog that results in an increased motivation in the dog to learn more, and a better guardian-dog relationship overall. Many of the positive methods he has pioneered are used by the military to train their K-9 teams.

His website is the Dog Star Daily, and it is chock full of great tips, videos, and other materials that will help you and your pooch become partners in training, not adversaries!

Dr. Dunbar has also recently made available online two great books he has written on how to raise a puppy. We highly recommend both!

1. Before you get your puppy (3Mb PDF)
2. After you get your puppy (5Mb PDF).

Clicker Training

HSDC actively promotes and uses something called "clicker training" to teach our dogs the basics of canine 'good manners'.

We also offer a number of classes about the technique as part of our Behavioral Wellness program which teach basic and advanced clicker methods.

But the originator of it all was Karen Pryor, who began using clicker training while working with dolphins!

For a number of great videos and tips on how to use clicker training to teach your dog, kitty, or even fish to learn new behaviors, visit her site, ClickerTraining.com.

TAILS THAT INSPIRE

The story of Franky, a visitor at the HSDC's Mutt March in May, speaks to the resiliency of animals when paired with the love and caring of that special person.

According to his wonderful guardian Gayla: "Franky now plays with Hoss, another rescue, catches treats and is learning to be a dog".

See the inspiring story of Franky below or go here.

COLD WEATHER TIPS

The Humane Society of Delaware County recognizes that each animal is unique and has special requirements. During times of cold weather all domesticated animals require additional care.

Below are recommendations to help ensure the health and safety of dogs, cats and horses during the winter months.

Dogs

• Dogs that are kept outside all winter should be brought into a garage or barn before temperatures and wind chill factors become extreme.
• Dogs kept outside require a shelter with insulation. Make sure the shelter is large enough for them to get inside and small enough to trap their body heat. Straw is a good insulator.
• Keep rain and snow melt out of dog houses by elevating the house on 2x4's and putting a flap over the opening.
• Use tarps to block wind and keep a section of your dog's area dry.
• Provide outside dogs with fresh water a minimum of two times a day. When temperatures are below freezing, consider rotating two 5-gallon buckets allowing one to thaw out while the other is outside.
• Dogs kept outside require additional calories to stay warm. Increase the amount of food and consider selecting a food with a high fat content.
• Check your dog's paws often to ensure they are not cracked or cut. De-icing chemicals can cause damage to foot pads. Be sure to wipe feet clean after walks on sidewalks.
• Young and old dogs are more susceptible to cold weather. As dogs age, their ability to maintain body heat decreases. Be extremely cautious keeping senior dogs outside.
• Dogs lose their scent markers when it snows. Make sure dogs have current identification and do not run loose during snowy weather.

Cats

• Outside cats can quickly freeze to death. Provide a dry place out of the wind where cats can escape the elements.
• Cats will seek out warm places to sleep, including vehicle engines. Bang on your hood to ensure no cats are asleep before starting your vehicle.
• Watch for antifreeze spills and leaks. Cats are attracted to the taste of antifreeze and have severe medical complications from ingesting even small amounts. If you suspect an animal has ingested antifreeze, take him immediately to a veterinarian; do not wait for symptoms.
• Create a warm place for inside cats to sleep where they feel comfortable and safe.

Horses

• Monitor your horses' caloric needs. Winter weather requires more body heat to be generated and often marks a decrease in physical activity. Take time to research the amount and type of feed provided to your horses during winter.
• Reduce the risk of impaction colic by having warm water available to encourage drinking.
• Visually inspecting your horse's body condition can be difficult through an unclipped winter coat. Use a weight tape to check the horse's weight.
• Ensure your barn has proper ventilation. Good airflow is often more important than warmth.
• Make sure horses always have a windbreak and dry ground available.