Showing posts with label pets. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pets. Show all posts
Why Does Your Dog Bark?
Centuries ago humans began the process of domesticating the
dog and forming what "being a dog" really means. Through careful choice
and breeding a variety of dog breeds have been created. Desirable traits have
been chosen for in various breeds that are of a advantage to people. There are
some traits, though, that quickly become unwanted when expressed too often.
Barking is for instance a natural behavior that is encouraged in regards of
guarding behavior, but becomes a dilemma when the behavior is excessive. It was
noted in a recent survey that the most disruptive and stressful
noise for people is that of a incessantly barking dog.
Why Do Dogs Bark?
In addition to whining, howling, and growling; barking is a
dog's natural way of communicating.
Barking: is a series of short, sharp sounds that tend to vary little in tone or pitch.
A dog’s bark can imply your dogs are protection mode, showing dominance, or telling you he needs something. Barking is "a means of communication triggered by a state of excitement." It is natural for your dog to bark, it only becomes a behavior issue when it is unnecessary barking, in excess.
Problem Barking
There are a variety of explanations for problem barking. For one, genetics have an influence on a dog's predisposition to bark. Breeds in the terrier family are known to frequent barking more than other breeds. Nevertheless, excess barking can exist in ANY breed. The answer to solving the problem is to establish what is triggering the behavior.
Improper confinement can be a major cause of problem
barkers. This is leaving a dog locked room alone, or in a crate. As well as being tied up outdoors, or even an enclosed yard without shelter
from the weather. This confinement causes a frustrated dog that barks a lot.
A dog that does not get enough exercise has a lot of pent up
energy can be released through barking.
energy can be released through barking.
The outside world can be a significant trigger for barking. Neighbors,
traffic, sirens, even the television can set off barking depending on the time
of day. A dog may not be as sensitive to these sounds during the day, but when
night falls the barking is set off by the slightest noise.
Separation Anxiety is also a reason for barking. The
temperament of the dog is another consideration.
A
over-aggressive dog may bark at the smallest irritation.
A
over-protective territorial dog to bark will bark at strangers or unknown
guests.
Solutions?!
Excess barking can be a severe behavioral problem and can
mean the end of the relationship with your dog or worse the dog itself if left
untreated.
Here are some tips on how to solve the barking problem
First determine if your dog is barking because of improper confinement or lack of shelter from the weather. If that is the case re-access the space that your dog is being kept. Is he comfortable? Is it enough space? If your dog is left outside, do you have a dog house? Does your dog have enough shelter from the elements?
Does your dog need more exercise? It could help the problem as well.
Another method is Indirect Intervention, which has a variety
of techniques. Such as squirting your dog with water while it barks or devices
that use high frequency sound that interrupts the bark and is controlled by
you.
As the absolute final resort, when all methods have failed,
and the dogs well-being is on the line there is a surgical procedure, a vocal
cordectomy aka debarking, that removes part of the vocal cords.
When it comes to the problem of excessive barking, just
remember that the first step is understanding, and then determine how you can
resolve the issue with the most effective method. Modifying an instinctive and
natural behavior can be tricky, and may require significant amount of patience,
time, and hard work. Solutions are achievable and worth the attempt.
Separation Anxiety in Dogs
Separation anxiety in dogs is distinguished by destructive
behavior when the dog is left alone. Behavior such as barking, howling,
demolishing household items, digging, chewing and peeing are signs. Some dogs will go into a panic and dig at a
door to try and break out and find you. Normally this is set off when you leave
the dog at home and can even start when the dog senses that you are leaving.
It is typical for a dog with separation anxiety will also
respond to your return with hyperactivity after being home alone for even a
short time. Some dogs will even follow you from room to room to ensure they
will not be left alone.
Use a distraction for your pet while you are out. This is a
good way to relieve some anxiety.
For example:
·
Leave the radio or tv on so the dog can hear
humans talking
·
Leave them with a toy or a treat ball to give
them something else to focus on.
For a dog with more severe
separation anxiety problems you should start trying to desensitize your dog.
Here are a few examples of how you can start putting your dogs anxiety at ease
·
It can be helpful to change your leaving routine
so that the dog is unaware of your plan to leave. Normally a dog will notice
small signs like when you are putting on your shoes or grabbing the keys, your dog’s
separation anxiety starts kicking in and the panic begins. Try to make leaving
the house unexpected to your dog by putting your shoes outside or leaving
without doing your normal leaving routine. Then after waiting 10 minutes
outside return to the house. This begins to desensitize the dog to the fear of
separation. It is good to make sure that leaving the house and arriving is
always a calm event, if the owner responds to the dog in an excited way it
increases the excitement of the dog.
·
Another way is to show the dog repeatedly that
the leaving routine doesn't need to result in a panic attack. You go through
the familiar leaving routine, grabbing keys, putting on shoes and picking up a
bag to leave then sitting down again. After repeating this exercise a number of
times, try going one step further and finish the leaving routine by opening the
door and standing outside it for a minute with the door open.
These exercises need to be repeated over and over to desensitize the
dog.
It is important to get a dog with separation anxiety
comfortable with even short absences, daily routines like getting the mail,
result in a short absence. Use this time to make your dog feel that even though
you are leaving, you will return.
Once your dog can handle short absences (30 to 90 minutes),
he'll usually be able to handle longer time alone and you won't have to repeat
this process every time you are planning a longer absence.
The hard part is at the beginning, but the job gets easier
as you go along. Nevertheless, you must go slowly at first. How long it takes
to condition your dog to being alone depends on the severity of his problem.
When It Comes To Your Pets, Know Your Toads
If you are a pet owner
and live in South Florida, you should know about the Bufo Toad (bufo marinus); known to the NWF as “are
one of the leading threats to native wildlife”. The Bufo toad prefers warmer
moist climates, so summertime in South Florida is perfect breeding ground for
these pests. They lurk in yard, under bushes hunting the insects buzzing around
your porch light.
The Bufo Toad, also known as a Cane or Marine Toad, was
originally brought here to help maintain the insects in the cane fields, but
they quickly became a nuisance. They fed on other toads, snakes, insects, and
small creatures (anything that fits in its mouth). The poisonous toxic glands on
the backs release a corrosive and toxic liquid when it feels endangered.
A few precautions are:
1.
Most important. Know what they look like! Adults
can be 6-9 inches with reddish-brown, dark brown, or grey warty skin. The large
triangle parotoid glands are prominent on the shoulders. A Florida native toad
will have oval parotoid glands . (size does not determine one to be more
poisonous then the other. It is the size of your pet and the amount of toxin)
2.
No invitations. Bufo love pet food, so leaving it outside will
only bring unwanted guests to dinner. Keeping the food and water inside will
eliminate the invitation.
3.
You sleep, they hunt. The most active time for a Bufo is at
night, early morning, and after rain. Keeping your dog under supervision while
outside during these times is the best way to avoid the risk of any run-ins.
4.
Playing hide & seek. Is your landscaping full of big bushy
plants and shrubs? These are great hiding places for these dirt dwellers. If
you have these safe havens, check regularly or remove.
5.
Supervision. All dogs are curious, but an unsupervised puppy or
playful dog and a Bofu are only asking for a trouble. Don’t risk the chance of
delayed treatment if the two do meet.
6.
Build a barrier. 20 inches high mesh, buried 6cin around the
parameter of your yard. It’s not foolproof, but it is a start. If there are
high volumes in your neighborhood, it could be worth the investment.
If you’re pet does go head to head with a Bufo the quicker you
respond the better for your pet. First you have to remember DO NOT PANIC. You
will need a clear head to help your pet. First rinse the mouth out with water,
going side to side. Spraying water straight back will only force the toxins
down or drown your pet. DO NOT DROWN YOUR PET BY FORCING WATER DOWN THEIR
THROAT! The toxin is sticky so you may need to wipe the mucus membrane out of
the mouth. After that you will want to call your vet and let them know you are
coming, then calmly transport your pet to the vet for further care.
After the initial mouth rinse you can use a wet paper towel
(replacing frequently) to wipe the toxins from the palette, gums, tongue, and
teeth. Don’t forget to wipe the paws off also.
(Using a hose does give a higher risk of pushing toxins down
your pet’s throat, as well as causes more trauma for your pet.)
Symptoms that your pet
has been poisoned by a Bufo Toad:
● Increased salvation or foaming ● Brick-red gums
● pawing
at mouth or vocalizing ● uncoordinated
● Difficulty breathing ●
seizures/convulsions
*If
too much time passes, the possibility of death increases.
How to kill the enemy
1. Freezing
Toads- Considered the most humane way. First you must catch it. You can
spread benzocaine ointment on it’s back (a small amount) and it will cause
the toad to be unconscious in 20 minutes. Then, place in the freezer for 3 days
and discard responsibly! The Florida Wildlife Extension at UF recommends this
method.
2.
Snake Killer Deterrent- If you prefer to do the preventative route
though it won’t eliminate all Bufo Toads, it can radically reduce the numbers
in your yard because they detest the Snake Killer. Spread it around the
perimeter of your yard, specifically concentrating in well-known Bufo Toad
areas, like by bodies of water, near lights, or anywhere you may have noticed
them hiding out in the past.
3.
Bucket Trap- Bury a 5-gallon bucket (or larger), so the opening
is level to the ground. Grease the buckets sides well, so the toads cannot get
away. Throw some pet food in the bottom. There MUST be a light source overhead
or nearby. You can do this by setting it up under a floodlight and using foil
to reflect the light or setting up a light directly above the bucket. (A light source must be
present nearby to attract the frogs) They will smell the dog food
and become curious. You may need to build a barricade around this to protect
your dogs and kids. If so, make sure there is a large enough opening at the
bottom for the toads to hop in.
4.
Bleach- the most extreme solution, as bleach kills the Bufo
instead of acting as a deterrent or trap. Though not the most humane, the
quickest solution is to pour 1/2 cup bleach over Bufos. They will die almost
instantly and then you can responsibly discard them. This method should be used
only as a last resort against Bufo Toads or in an emergency situation.
Hopefully, this has provided some solutions to anyone with a
Bufo Toad problem.
A dog poisoned by a Bufo Toad will die 100% of the time if not
treated.
Be careful if you live in an area with these giant toads and
keep an eye on your pets at all times!
Bufo
Toads can cause eye and skin irritation to humans as well as other side
effects.
Note:
* With
very few exceptions, any toad in Florida that is larger than 4 inches is NOT
native and is almost certainly an invasive Cane Toad.
* In the
known range of these toads, it is a good idea to catch and identify ANY toad
you see in your yard to be sure that they aren't dangerous
Colonial Animal Hospital
Welcome to our new blog! Within this blog we hope to discuss, inform and possibly entertain you through our postings. Colonial Animal Hospital has been serving South Florida for over 35 years now. We have a tremendous clientele over the years because "We treat your pet like family".
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