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QUIET
DOGS MAKE
GOOD NEIGHBORS
One way for dogs to relieve boredom and anxiety is through barking.
In a recent telephone call to the Humane Society we discovered there
must be a lot of bored and anxious dogs in our backyards, as the
first menu option on their voicemail is for "nuisance barking."
This highlights the fact that too few dogs are given appropriate
outlets to prevent or relieve boredom and that many have not been
taught to be comfortable away from their owners. It is always best
to prevent problems, rather than letting something become a problem
and having the challenging task of correcting it. To prevent boredom
and anxiety while you are away, there are several things you can
do:
1. Give your dog plenty of exercise:
A tired dog is a quiet dog. The energy otherwise spent on barking
is redirected on a good ball chase or vigorous walk one or more
times a day. Consider hiring a dog walker to come by several times
a week while you're at work.
2. Provide an appropriate outlet for his energy:
A busy dog is a quiet dog. So give him something to do while you're
gone. Spread the inside of a Kong® with a thin layer of cheese
or peanut butter and stuff it with a few cookies, or fill it with
canned food and freeze it. On a different day fill a Buster Cube®
with his kibble for breakfast. Give him a special toy that he gets
only when you are away. Hide some of his other toys around the yard
so he discovers them throughout the day. Rotate toys so he doesn't
become bored with them.
3. Teach your dog to become comfortable spending time with himself:
Do not give him your undivided attention while you are home - if
you do, this will only make things worse for him while you're gone.
Several times a day, act as though he isn't there. This is not a
punishment. Rather, it is a lesson in becoming comfortable being
alone. We don't want our dogs to be completely lost without us when
we are away. A dog that is comfortable in his own "fur"
is a quiet dog.
4. Institute the "buffer zone":
Ignore your dog ten minutes before you leave for the day and ten
minutes after you return. This means no eye contact, no touching
or talking to him. The message to him by these actions is that it
is "no big deal" that you're leaving. For all he knows,
you could be leaving or have been gone for five minutes or 8 hours.
5. Downplay greetings:
Dogs that become anxious about your departure are most destructive
(barking, digging, chewing, etc.) just after you've left for work.
Making a fuss over leaving him can increase his stress level, causing
him to bark. For the sake of your dog downplay your departure with
a simple "see ya later Fido."
Likewise, in anticipation of your return he may become agitated
and begin barking. Downplay your initial greeting when you return
so that you do not inadvertently reward anxious behavior. Save your
lavish attention for when you have been home for some time. All
of these efforts are aimed at getting your dog to accept you coming
and going with little or no anxiety. A relaxed dog is a quiet dog.
These are ways you can teach your dog to be a good neighbor. No
one likes listening to a frustrated dog bark all day or night. Consider
the dog's point of view. Constant barking is a sign of anxiety and
boredom - your job is to prevent him from becoming bored or anxious.
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Scotty Confer
THE SCOTTISH FOLD
A mere forty years ago, the first known Scottish Fold cat was discovered
on the McRae farm in Scotland's Tayside Region. This white barn
cat named "Susie" had the distinctive feature of ears
that folded forward and downward on her head. This folding of ear
cartilages is the result of an incomplete dominant gene and becomes
apparent as kittens age. Generally at 3 to 4 weeks old, a kitten's
ears will fold if it possesses the trait. Scottish Fold cats are
bred to normal eared cats (American and British Shorthairs) to avoid
cartilage or bone malformations in the ears as well as the tendency
to develop inflexible, foreshortened tails. This emphasis on keeping
the Scottish Fold strong and hardy like its barnyard ancestor has
prevented the loss of the breed to the short-term goal of "looks"
for the
show ring.
The Scottish Fold is a medium size cat with a rounded, well-padded
body. Its coat is dense and resilient. The length may be short or
long and of any color. The breed has large, round eyes and a short
nose, which combined with its folded ears give the Scottish Fold
the appearance of a little owl or teddy bear.
As with any purebred cat congenital problems are somewhat common,
most notably hip dysplasia and patellar (kneecap) problems. The
problems may range in severity from mild to severe. Most affected
cats do well, but occasionally surgery or pain management is required.
This breed is praised for its affectionate temperament and ability
to adapt well to a variety of environments. However, if you are
considering a Scottish Fold for a companion be sure to do your research.
As with the addition of any new family member, it is important that
everyone is happy and comfortable with the arrangement!
Sources Consulted
"Scottish Fold." 2001. Cat Fanciers Association. Online.
7 October 2001.
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TRIVIA CHALLENGE
"Fall Coat Colors"
1. I am a member of the sporting group and have a long, silky
coat that ranges in color from mahogany to chestnut. My name
originated from the way I "set" for game.
2. My coat color is part of my name. I am very social and
will "retrieve" a toy for you anytime!
3. Sometimes I am referred to as the Hungarian pointer. My
short, smooth coat is a striking russet gold color.
4. I am one of the most popular breeds in the United States.
I love the water and like number two above, will play fetch
for as long as I can. Hint: My short coat comes in three colors,
one of which fits with the theme of our "challenge."
5. A member of the terrier group and one of the oldest terrier
breeds, my wiry coat can be bright red, golden red or red
wheaten.
6. My ancestors include Red Irish Foxhounds that came to
the United States before the Civil War. My short, smooth coat
is solid red in color and I have the natural instinct for
"treeing."
Trivia Challenge Answers
1. Irish Setter
2. Golden Retriever
3. Vizsla
4. Yellow Labrador Retriever
5. Irish Terrier
6. Redbone Coonhound
Laura, Nyah, Cameron and Kathy
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