Are you considering adding to your dog family? Shelter dogs can be a great addition to your household (and a very economic one. Adoption fees are just a fraction of a breeder's purchase price and often include shots and spaying/neutering.)
Many potential dog parents have some misconceptions about shelter dogs, however, including:
All shelter dogs are mixed breeds. The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) estimates that about one-fourth of the dogs in shelters are purebreds. (Non-article editorial comment: Mutts make great dogs too!)
Most shelter dogs are older dogs. There are many wonderful older dogs in shelters...and many wonderful younger dogs (including puppies), too. Sadly, there's no shortage of any age. No matter what age of dog you've got your heart set on, you'll find it!
Shelter dogs were stray dogs. Some shelter dogs were strays picked up by animal control. Many, however, arrive at the shelters for a variety of other reasons. Owners surrender dogs every day because of a new baby, a move to a new apartment, a death in the family, or economic circumstances (an all-too-common occurrence right now.) This means that dogs are accustomed to family living and you very well might get lucky and get a dog that's already house-trained and obedience trained, at least in the basics.
Shelter dogs have behavioral problems. Sure, some shelter dogs have some behavioral issues...but that can hold true for a dog from a breeder or store as well. Talk with the shelter employees; many are trained in evaluating dog behavior and will have an idea of how a dog will fit in with your family. Also, remember if problems do arise, they can be solved with patience and work. Just as you wouldn't expect to bring home a baby that never makes a mistake around the house, your new dog will have a few slip ups, too. If you need help, talk with local trainers for an evaluation.
If they don’t get adopted, they’ll be put to sleep. Can't handle visiting a shelter because you feel like if you don't take home a dog that day, they'll be put to sleep? A growing number of shelters are now no-kill shelters which means dogs remain until they are adopted. You can visit with the dog and go back and visit him again on another day, if you like. When you do adopt a dog from a no-kill shelter, you'll be freeing up a space so they're able to bring in another dog whose fate might be uncertain. Many no-kill shelters take in animals from high-kill shelters whenever space allows...so your adoption means you're still helping dogs in high-risk situations!
Bringing home a shelter dog can be a life-changing experience both for you and your new dog thanks to the immeasurable appreciation and love you'll receive
Separation Anxiety Love hangover
Separation anxiety is often a problem of over-bonding. It is not healthy for a dog to follow his caretaker’s every step, to be constantly in the same room, sharing the same piece of furniture, being in close contact all the time. Promote independence by teaching the dog to down-stay on his own bed while you go out of sight. Start with a few seconds, then build up to a length of time the dog can tolerate. Put up a gate and eventually close a door between the two of you. And, be sure to get family members involved in dispensing the “good stuff” to the dog. Walks, play sessions and feedings should not be provided by only one person, for that person’s absence means the end of all that is good in the world to the dog. Panic can ensue. If you live alone, perhaps a neighbor or relative will share the duties, or hire a pet-care professional to assist you.
The worst of a dog’s hysteria is often during the first hour after departure. Diffuse the emotion of your leave-taking by heartily exercising the dog right after you wake up. Then, after feeding him, scale back your attention to the point of ignoring him during the last 15 minutes before you leave. Turn off the lights and turn on the television, radio or white-noise machine — whatever you play most when you are home. And, with no more than a whispered “Be Good,” leave the house.
Some dogs will read the signs of imminent departure and begin to work themselves into a frenzy. If putting on make-up, packing a lunch or shuffling papers in your briefcase distresses the dog, desensitize him to these or other actions by doing them frequently and at other times (such as before mealtime) so they lose their direct connection to the dreaded departure. Presenting a toy stuffed with goodies can draw the focus of less seriously afflicted canines toward cleaning out the item and away from your leaving. Buster cubes, Kong toys, Goodie balls/ships work well as canine diversions. Unfortunately, the seriously afflicted dog will not give the toy a second look until his pack is together again.
Separation anxiety can be severe and all-consuming to some dogs. I have known dogs to jump through second-story plate-glass windows, eat through sheetrock walls into neighboring apartments and bloody their paws and noses trying to dig through wooden doors or out of crates. These individuals need professional assessment by an applied animal behaviorist or veterinary behaviorist, for they may need pharmacological aid while they undergo desensitization exercises. Some people choose to manage the problem by dropping off their dogs at day care or adopting a second dog, so they are never truly alone.
Luckily, if the earlier suggestions are followed, the majority of dogs will be howling “I Will Survive” in no time.
by Jacque Lynn Schultz, CPDT Companion Animal Programs Advisor ASPCA National Shelter Outreach
Helpful Questions and Answers from ASPCA
Have you heard that a specific product or substance could be dangerous to your pets? Our experts at the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center set the record straight on a variety of substances, from cleaning products to popular houseplants.
This Week's Questions & Answers: Are cucumbers safe for dogs to eat? —Julie B. There is currently no data indicating that cucumbers have toxic potential to pets, Julie. However, it is important to keep in mind that even vegetables or plants considered to be nontoxic can produce minor stomach upset if ingested. While the ASPCA typically does not advocate the feeding of table foods to pets, if you choose to offer your dog a bit of cucumber now and then, be sure to keep an eye out for signs of gastrointestinal (GI) upset; if you notice any symptoms, it’s a good idea to discontinue giving him this veggie. A few days ago my pug found a chlorine tablet in the backyard. She was treated and is now fine, but I would like to know what could have happened to her. —Melissa S. We’re very glad to hear that your pug is doing fine after her exposure to chlorine, Melissa! What could have happened to her depends on the amount and concentration of chlorine ingested, as well as other factors. Exposure to products with large amounts of chlorine could potentially result in significant irritation and damage to skin, eyes, lungs, the Gl tract and other mucous membranes, depending on the route of exposure. In severe cases, ulceration or even perforation of the GI tract is possible.How many buckeyes would a 70-pound dog have to eat before becoming very ill? We have buckeye trees in our yard and are trying to figure out where to put a fenced enclosure. —Liz M. That’s a tough question, Liz. Buckeye (Aesculus spp.]) is a member of the Hippocastanaceae family, and contains a toxic component known as aesculin. When ingested, buckeye can potentially produce significant GI irritation, dilated pupils and severe central nervous system depression, possibly leading to coma. In some cases, however, the opposite—central nervous system excitement—is seen.
Concentration of the toxin can vary from tree to tree, and even from one buckeye nut to another—so it is difficult to determine the number of nuts that could be problematic. Because of this, we advise that you do not allow your dog to consume any amount.
Are the leaves of the peace lily as poisonous to pets as the flower portion? —Lisa M. Yes they are, Lisa. Peace lily (Spathiphyllum sp.) is considered to be toxic to pets—and if any part of the plant is chewed or ingested, it can cause significant mechanical irritation and swelling of the oral tissues and other parts of the GI tract. This is true for both cats and dogs.
To get a bit technical, these plants contain cells known as idioblasts. Idioblasts contain raphides, which are slender, spearlike parts of calcium oxalate crystals. Raphides are sharp and needle-shaped, and are packed in a gelatinous substance. When the tip of the idioblast is broken, sap from the plant—or saliva from an animal—enters the cell, causing the gelatin to swell. The swelling action forces the raphides to shoot from the cell, kind of like a gun discharging a bullet. The calcium oxalate crystals penetrate an animal’s oral mucosa, tongue, and throat, causing damage. The cells may continue to expel crystals for a significant amount of time, even after a piece of plant material is swallowed. As this is happening, proteolytic enzymes stimulate the release of kinins and histamines by the body. The rapid inflammatory response from the release of these substances aggravates the damage caused by the crystals. Chewing, bruising, tearing, or otherwise damaging the plant is necessary to produce these effects.
According to our experience at the APCC, most animals exhibit GI-related symptoms, including drooling, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, from ingesting peace lilies. On rare occasions, oropharyngeal swelling can be severe. Tongue swelling, trouble swallowing, and difficulty in breathing may be seen in these cases. Based on this information, we definitely advise keeping peace lily plants out of the reach of pets.
Last Week's Questions & Answers: A vet once warned me that Febreze is not safe to use in the home if you have pets. However, I know many people who do use it. What is the answer to this controversy? I have a 9-year-old cat and do not use Febreze. —Taylor B. Good question, Taylor. Contrary to rumors circulating on the Internet alleging that Febreze causes serious illness or death in pets, our veterinary toxicology experts at the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center regard Febreze fabric freshener products to be safe for use in households with pets.
As with any product, it is important that you always follow label instructions for use. However, should your cat accidentally come into contact with Febreze when it is still wet, we would not anticipate problems beyond mild skin irritation (which can occur with any product in animals with sensitive skin) or minor stomach upset, if it is ingested.
I was always told to give my dog Pepto Bismol for mild vomiting. But a friend recently told me that Pepto Bismol can be toxic to dogs. Is this true? —Elisabeth B. Pepto Bismol contains bismuth salicylate, which is somewhat similar to aspirin. While this medication has been prescribed by veterinarians at appropriate doses, large enough quantities of bismuth salicylate could cause effects similar to aspirin poisoning, depending on the circumstances of exposure
Because many human medications can be very harmful or even deadly to pets, the ASPCA advises pet owners to never give animals any medication or supplement that is not specifically prescribed by a veterinarian. If you suspect that your dog may not be feeling well, Elisabeth, call your vet so that your pet can be properly evaluated and given appropriate treatment.
Are paintballs toxic to pet birds? —Melody A. Paintballs do have the potential to be toxic to all animal species, including birds. But due to their indiscriminate eating habits and consumption of large volumes of paintballs, we have encountered problems mainly in dogs, Melody. The effects from ingesting paintballs can range from vomiting, diarrhea and muscle tremors to weakness, fever, elevated heart rate, blindness, seizures and, in severe cases, death.
Based on the toxic potential of paintballs, we recommend that pets not be allowed to accompany their owners during paintball games, and that pellets be stored in areas where animals cannot reach them.
I occasionally use a carpet deodorizing powder for pet odors when I vacuum the house. My dog isn’t in the room when I use this powder, but is it safe for homes with pets? —Jennifer C. Assuming that you follow label directions for the proper use of this product, we would not anticipate any problems for your pet, Jennifer. Should your dog accidentally come in contact with the freshly applied powder, we recommend washing her paws with mild soap and water to avoid minor skin irritation. This also reduces the chance that she might ingest the powder from her paws.
Minor ingestions of carpet freshener powder mainly involve mild stomach upset. If a small amount is inhaled, minor respiratory irritation may occur, resulting in sneezing, coughing, or a runny nose. Because of this, it is a good idea to continue to keep your dog out of the room until after you have vacuumed up the powder.
Archives - People food - Cleaning products, insecticides, fertilizers, etc. - People medicine & cosmetic products - Insects & bugs - Plants—indoor & outdoor - Backyard Hazards—trees, grass, pool, etc. - Miscellaneous Submit Your QUESTION! Have a question about a specific substance or product? Our experts at the Animal Poison Control Center can tell you if it is potentially toxic to pets. Due to the volume of questions submitted, we cannot guarantee that yours will be answered in this column. Please do not submit questions about medical problems here. If you think your pet has ingested a poisonous substance, you should contact your veterinarian or the APCC’s 24-hour hotline at (888) 426-4435 immediately. Delay in seeking proper veterinary care can worsen an animal’s condition.
For additional helpful information on pet poison prevention, please visit APCC online.
PALATINE/FOX LAKE/WAUCONDA/JOLIET/CHICAGO/LAKE ZURICH Illinois,WISCONSIN Animal Shelter Save a Life
