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“Now, Class…” <\/em>Courtesy of Itchy Paws Pets<\/em> <\/p>\n This conference took place a month ago: the evening of March 21 at the Recreation Park Community Center. Attendance was lower than expected, possibly because of a conflict with LBUSD\u2019s Open House. No one would argue that parents should be involved in their children\u2019s education, and it\u2019s hoped that the next conference scheduling will allow animal-welfare education to be extended to more families. So that the information gleaned from the conference reaches as many people as possible and the article itself won\u2019t be overly lengthy, I\u2019ve divided the conference information into three sections: care, which was addressed in the last Pet Post<\/a>; training, which is the subject of this article; and abuse, which will be discussed in the final section. For a full, informative PowerPoint presentation, visit prosecutor Doug Haubert\u2019s website<\/a>. KK<\/em><\/p>\n All work and no play\u2014not that anyone four-legged in the house has a job description\u2014make Jack Russell a dull dog. And while I strongly advocate sparing the rod when it comes to disciplining the pet as well as the child, firm nonpunitive discipline for both is as essential to everyone\u2019s well-being as the love that accompanies it.<\/p>\n \u201cAccording to American Animal Hospital Association, about 96 percent of dogs who wind up in shelters have had no obedience training<\/a>,\u201d said Alex Macias, adoption coordinator for Long Beach Animal Care Services. Training opportunities for dogs and their humans are plentiful in Long Beach, and this portion of the workshop strongly advised taking advantage of them.<\/p>\n Macias also focused on aggression and social behavior of both canine and human companions. Play, exercise, socialization and training\u2014including agility training if the human is so inclined\u2014are essential for canine fitness and happiness. Recreation areas for dogs have become popular and are growing in number; they work well for exercise and socializing, but dogs being dogs (and people being people), there have to be rules.<\/p>\n Dog parks are great for socializing and exercise, but there are rules to follow. Courtesy of Itchy Paws Pets<\/em><\/p>\n Projecting a drawing of three humans yakking on their cell phones, oblivious to one of their dogs getting a little too friendly with another, Macias specified these guidelines for dog-park (and beach) etiquette:<\/p>\n In brief, Macias said that dogs should be treated as if they were small children. I\u2019ll add that her guidelines are plenty good for adaptation for small children, excepting, of course, the intact-male and in-estrus-female codicil.<\/p>\n Macias followed through with the subject of aggression by identifying eight types of aggressive behavior in dogs:<\/p>\n \u201cYou should study body language to understand other dogs, not just your own,\u201d dog trainer Stefanie Villalobos, co-owner of Itchy Paws Pets<\/a>, later told me. \u201cYou should also practice basic training commands regularly with your dog so that in a stressful situation, they are more likely to listen. Training should always feel like a game, and more owners should take the time to understand what positive-reinforcement training is. It’s not only more humane but much more effective.\u201d<\/p>\n Villalobos also said that first-time visitors\u2014humans, that is\u2014should seek advice from dog-training professionals if they\u2019re nervous about visiting dog parks. \u201cOne training session can be so enlightening,\u201d she said. \u201cSometimes, people confuse play with what is actually dogs competing to show their strength. If one or both dogs get too serious, that’s when it becomes a fight. Rough play is not OK! There has to be an understood low threshold of \u2018violence\u2019 maintained and respected by all dogs in order to create a harmonious environment. This way, it’s easy to spot trouble makers and steer clear!\u201d<\/p>\n Be aware of when it’s just play (like here) and when it gets too rough. Courtesy of Itchy Paws Pets<\/em><\/p>\n At the Q&A period, Macias answered such questions as what age an animal should be spayed or neutered (eight weeks, but don\u2019t wait too long if you don\u2019t want spraying and unwanted behavior or litters); the limits on number of animals allowed in Long Beach (total of four of any combination of cats, dogs, rabbits); and if the permitted number could be raised because of all the needy animals, and how was the number arrived at in the first place (good questions, Macias said, although there needs to be a limit to avoid hoarding).<\/p>\n And one attendee did ask when a dog is too old to be taught new tricks.<\/p>\n \u201cNever!\u201d Macias said.<\/p>\n A dog teaches a boy fidelity, perseverance, and to turn around three times before lying down.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n ~ Humorist Robert Benchley<\/em><\/p>\n Roo<\/em><\/p>\n From a rescuer friend: \u201cMeet Roo, a very special senior boy! We only have a few days, or he goes to the pound. He\u2019s very scared as you can see in the picture, as the only family he has known is letting him go. He\u2019s currently staying in someone\u2019s garage for the next few days. Please spread the word for him. Whether you\u2019d consider fostering, with all expenses paid by Fur-Ever Home, or want to keep him forever, please let us know. We simply cannot let this sweet boy go to the pound\u2014he won\u2019t make it out alive.\u201d Read the following e-mail excerpt below from the present owners, who are obviously hurting .<\/p>\n Hi, this is Roo! Please help him find a good home. Age: 9; weight: 55 pounds. Up-to-date vaccines. Breed: tricolor hound blend, has a microchip, neutered, located in Tustin. Sweet, loving, obedient personality. Loves children, extremely patient, house-trained. He loves to be around people and be a part of the group whether outside or inside. He barks at other dogs but is not aggressive. His favorite place to sleep is next to you. Due to unwanted circumstances, we are unable to keep our family dog. Our family is moving and staying with in-laws with no space for our dog. We have had him since he was a puppy, and this is the hardest thing we have to do. He deserves better than to go to the pound. Please help. Contact info: <\/em>luvtolaff04@yahoo.com<\/a><\/em>.<\/em><\/p>\n Veggie Grill Fund-Raiser Helps Ward Off Dog Days<\/strong><\/p>\n On April 18, the Veggie Grill at the Long Beach Marketplace, 6451 PCH, donated 50 percent of the food and beverage take from between 11 a.m. and 10 p.m. dining toward the purchase of a cooling system for the canine residents at Long Beach Animal Care Services (ACS). Shelter reps reported a total of $1,451.97 at day\u2019s end, giving the shelter a grand total of $2,159.97 when added to funds already raised. No hot dogs in the shelter, thanks to the Veggie Grill! There is another ACS fund-raiser in the works for the autumn; the Pet Post will keep you informed.<\/p>\n Update on the Ag Gag Bill<\/strong><\/p>\n Social Compassion in Legislation (SCIL) president Judie Mancuso writes this in regard to the announcement of the opposition to AB 343 in the last Pet Post<\/a>:<\/p>\n “Dear Friends: Your calls and letters worked! Activists, concerned citizens and many organizations all came together for the demise of AB 343\u2014Patterson (the \u201cAg Gag\u201d bill). Thank you so much for your help. [Mancuso included a link to the hearing<\/a>, with the chair explaining that the author pulled the bill from committee. She also provided one for an ABC News article on the bill\u2019s fate<\/a>.] Thank you for your support when we send these alerts. Your voices were heard.<\/p>\n Sincerely yours, <\/p>\n Judie Mancuso, president, Social Compassion in Legislation”<\/p>\n![\"greatsocializationphotoitchypawspart2\"](\"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/greatsocializationphotoitchypawspart2.jpg\")
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Virtually Pets<\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\nPet Projects<\/h3>\n
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