First, we got Judah adopted. (He was the German shepherd that I
worked with in order to help facilitate placement.)

We shot some footage which I hope might be usable for the Pet
Parenting School.

Speaking of which, my grant proposal is being consider for the
Pepsi Refresh Everything grant process.

If approved, I will know October 1st and will need some help with
voting.

I’ve known two groups whose vital works did not make it because
they were not able to get votes from their supporters on a daily
basis.

So count on me bugging you for the votes.

If funded I’ll be able to make it available in Beta for a low cost
or no cost to work out the glitches and fine-tune the content.

Which brings me to the animal career coaching news.

I’ve decided to again take a limited amount of students for animal
career coaching.

In the past, I ran seminars and weekend trips for students.

Also, those who qualified got my personal introduction for
internships and other animal oriented opportunities.

I want to take a small number of students for a new online coaching
series that will include conference call access and other
activities.

If you are interested, see the discussion for the month below for
details.

BTW, The contract was signed with the online publishing group and I
should have some more news on it for you within the next month or
so.

If you have a favorite vet or pet store I’d love to know about it
because they will have an opportunity to partner with me on some
new pet education opportunities and share them with their customers
and clients.

I am also happy to report that I am continuing to improve and
looking forward to some increased activities and to getting back
out in public.

Also, if you submitted a question I am still tackling them on the
blogs. So don’t fret, they are being answered in the order that
they were received.

Okay, that is it for now.

Have you joined me on Facebook yet? I post lots of things at least
once a week there and you can comment or post your photos. Just click
“like” to join:

==>>http://facebook.com/AnimalExpert

Happy Tails to You & Yours,
Diana L Guerrero
===============================================
2. Discussion for the Month
===============================================
Back in the late 1990s I moved from writing about animal careers
into doing seminars and weekend trips.

When I returned to the mountains of southern California I went back
to writing and stopped pursuing the other tasks but now am ready to
introduce a new version of the series.

What this means to those who are dreaming about a career working
with animals is that there is an opportunity to take part in a new
online experience that involves animal career coaching and direct
advice and help from me.

As an industry veteran in both the wild and domestic animal fields,
I offer unparalleled expertise and insight into a variety of
different opportunities and the new career trends—that mean more
opportunities for people.

In addition, I don’t pussy foot around or pull any punches as to
what it takes and what is needed to get there.

So, this month I am seeking a select number of people to enter into
a Beta program for animal careers.

It will help me finalize a more in-depth program that I will be
releasing online in the future.

The first step is for people to apply to participate. At the moment
I am not sure how many people I’ll be accepting.

The cost will be (only divulged to subscribers) per month for a
maximum of six months. Thosewho prefer to pay the entire fee up
front will be able to enroll for (only divulged to subscribers).

If you (or a friend) are seriously interested, here is how to apply
for consideration:

1. Email support with a letter of application describing why you
want an animal career and your ultimate goal and why you should be
selected.
2. Attach a current resume with both work and education.
3. Attach three references and any letters of recommendation.
4. List all hands-on animal experience.

You may include other information you feel might be valuable.

Deadline for submissions is September 15, 2010.

Simply hit reply to participate, this opportunity is ONLY available
to subscribers.

===============================================
3. Article Round Up
===============================================
Below are the articles I have written since the last newsletter.

Just click in to visit the articles of your choice and feel free to
use the “tell a friend” link at the end of each post to email your
friend the article link or to bookmark your favorite posts.

Most of you have said you don’t want daily notifications about the
new content on the web which is why I include the list here.

If you want immediate notification, I’d suggest visiting
you sign up for the RSS feed.

Directions are on the website and you won’t miss a thing!

August 2010 Ark Animals

Ark Animal Tracks August

BLM Wild Horse Management Controversy

Bubbles the Whale

Social Sites for Animals Lovers

Moonridge Animal Park (Big Bear Zoo)

Best Dog Breed for a Child

Animals Using Trampoline (Videos)

Back to School for Pets

Calamine Lotion Pets

Pet Fashion Week Dignified or Disgusting

Declawing Cats What Do You Think

What to Do When Your Pet is Afraid of the Clicker

10 Pet Websites You Might Have Missed

Animal Careers: Need an Animal Career Coach?

Careers with Passion: Animal Careers (Blog Talk Radio)

Animal Careers: Animal Forensics

Animal Career Interviews (Video)

Pet Parenting for All Generations

Pet Parents Teach What They Want

Pet Parents Do the Work Before Adding a Pet

Pet Parenting: Pets & Kids

Pet Treats & Pet Parenting

=============================================
=============================================
Have a great month and stay tuned!
***************************************************
Please feel free to share this newsletter with anyone
who is on the lookout for new books, speakers, and
information related to animals or writing.

PRIVACY STATEMENT: Subscriber information will not be
distributed to anyone.

Subscribe/Unsubscribe: If you subscribed electronically,
you may unsubscribe by following the information (or
clicking on the link) included in your verification
email (or the bottom of this email).

If you signed up at an event, you were entered into the
private database and can be removed by following the
same instructions.

***************************************************
Thanks for joining me. If you have a topic you would like
to see covered in this newsletter, please visit our online
form.

Want to advertise or sponsor an event? Contact me below.

###########################
ARK ANIMAL TRACKS
***************************
***************************
Copyright © 2010 by Diana L. Guerrero
PO Box 1989 PMB 215
40729 Village Drive Suite 8
Big Bear Lake, CA 92315
http://www.arkanimals.com
http://www.dianalguerrero.com
http://www.animalcareersecrets.com
http://www.blessingoftheanimals.com
http://www.whatanimalscanteachusaboutspirituality.com
http://www.guerreroink.com
http://www.allianceofwriters.com

(909) 547-4ARK (4275) Office Line
(909) 781-4ARK (4275) or (800) 818-7387 Events & Media
(800) 962-4544 Skylight Paths Book Wholesale (ISBN 1893361845)
(800) 805-5489 Sterling Publishing Book Wholesale (ISBN 1402729677)

Other Posts You May Enjoy

• Ark Animal Tracks December
• Ark Animal Tracks July 2010
• Ark Animal Tracks June 2010
• Ark Animal Tracks May 2010
• Ark Animal Tracks April 2010
• Ark Animal Tracks March 2010

Photo of Expresso courtesy of  Stephen Mech

This is a guest post from Margo Smith

Healthy Pet
Get the information you truly require to keep your pets healthy and happy at this site awarded for its excellence by the Veterinarian’s Association. Incorporated into this site’s contributions are sections discussing issues like traveling with your pet, selecting a pet for you and your family and so much more. Become a part of the society of pet enthusiasts at this superlative website.

Care for Pets (AVMA)
Let the vets teach you how to best care for your pet. Be part of the dialogue by frequenting this site. Find journal articles on the most pressing and current and issues for pet owners today. Learn the appropriate do’s and don’ts for your animals from the care for animals page. Be well informed and become a more conscientious pet owner with the helpful topics covered both for you and your pet.

Pet Welcome
If you will soon be taking a vacation don’t forget to go to this site for useful suggestions. They feature places where your pet will be allowed to accompany you on your journey. If it is not practical to take along your beloved pet, this site will point you to various people and places where your dear animal will be given the kind of tender care you are seeking. Check in to see if your concern is treated by the bulletin board they offer their readers.

Pet Forums 2000
If you want to be able to discuss your questions about your pet, or tell about the latest antics performed by your pets, stop by and become part of the various forums here. You’ll be sure to have lots to say if you own a bird, rabbit, cat, hamster or dog at these pet-centered round-table discussions. Maybe you’ll wish to start a new conversation and begin your own group via this website.

Petland
Providing you with stores internationally, and ranked among the top 500 U.S. businesses, you are sure to find an animal to love by visiting their site or their stores. Find links to their community service projects, enjoy their kids corner and learn about your own franchise if you’d like to open your very own pet store.

Second Chance Pet Adoption
When you or someone you know is interested in becoming a pet owner, or you want to give a good home to a homeless creature, be sure you don’t miss this site. See their calendar of events and browse the cute animals. They specialize in kittens and their home base is in Illinois.

Citizens for Animal Protection (CAP)
This website for CAP (Citizens for Animal Protection) founded in 1972, is geared to help animals in a multitude of ways. Become acquainted with their shelter, adoption, foster care, rescue and other invaluable services to animals in need. CAP also gives you a pertinent community outreach program and humane education for proper care of animals.

Petboro
This service and website has been available since 2004, giving you a place to find all kinds of animals to bring into your home to love. Read their newly launched blog, scan their free pet resources section for items that interest you. They also feature an entire directory of pets – find just the right one.

Homeward Pet
Located in Washington, Homeward Pet Adoption Center is a no-kill, not for profit animal shelter serving the entire Seattle area. They aim to give homeless animals a second chance through their rescue, shelter, and adoption programs.

Simple Pet Care
Stumble on an assorted range of facts for passionate pet fans here. Topics vary from suggestions for careers for animal lovers to an overview of breeds of dogs that make great pets. Find out about which puppy food is best or the preferred method for choosing the best bird cage for your feathered friend with the information contained here.

About the Author: Margo Smith graduated with a B.S. degree from BYU. Working through college and being in the corporate world give her a great deal to say about subjects as diverse as employee motivation to online schooling to kite making.

Interesting Posts

• Happy Howl-O-Ween!
• Canine Criminal?
• What makes you mad?
• Gone Not Fishing
• Canned Hunts, Pitbulls and more…
• Doggie DI Boot Camp–Week Three & Flexibility

Above: Marker brand known as the i-clicker

Clicker fear? Is your pet afraid of the sound of a clicker? Believe it or not, it isn’t that uncommon.

When I first began using secondary reinforcers (or a tool more commonly referred to as a “marker”) there were not any clickers specifically on the market for trainers.

So, we coveted those brass ones from Asia and those little alligator party toys plus any little party toy that we came across.

I still have my brass frog and one of my alligators from the 1970s but my original training bag went missing with my buzzers, large cat chains (leashes for tigers and lions) and sea lion training bucket. *sigh*

Today there are a lot of choices when it comes to clickers but some animals exhibit fear when they first are introduced to the click.

There are a few different solutions but the first thing I want to point out that a marker does not have to be a clicker.

Normally I have people use a particular word to mark the behavior but you can use a tongue click, a click-able pen, or you can get a bit innovative.

Sometimes people mistakenly use the clicker as they would a remote control.

This does not control the behavior of the pet! LOL

But it can scare an animal.

So, the first thing to do is to train the pet to the sound using established associations.

For instance, when you are getting ready to put down the food bowl during feeding time, use a clicker once or twice while you prepare the food if the animal is present, or just prior to putting the food bowl down.

Over time, the click becomes a positive association and you can begin to use it before giving treats and then transition to “charging the marker” (another post for the future).

Also, consider muffling the sound by placing it in your pocket or by muffling it with a wash cloth.

Some trainers have used layers of tape and gradually remove them, which slowly increases the volume of the click.

Today people tend to be a bit polarized and want to label themselves…clicker trainer is one such moniker.

But I want to point out that you can just as easily train an animal using a training whistle, training light, just as easily as you could do something else.

If you want, you can now pick from an assortment of clickers or use the versatile i-clicker. (The Clicker+ is currently off the market but offered a variety of tones to select from.)

I often use a voice marker but my adapted training whistle (on a chain around my neck with a bit of aquarium tubing that allows me to hold it in my mouth and still talk) or the clicker attached on my training bag all can be used easily and effectively.

The key to successful animal training is to be sure that your training subject develops trust and is comfortable so he or she can learn.

Take time to take the steps to develop that trust and be flexible enough to try something else if your pet (or other animal student) is not receptive to the use of a clicker.

Let me know about your successes or challenges in training an animal to accept a clicker in the comments below.

Interesting Posts

• Terri & Bindi Tour the USA
• Ark Animal Tracks February
• Training Talk: Humane or Insane?
• Diana L. Guerrero’s Ark Animal Tracks: March 2008
• Mountain Lion Attack (Cougar) Updates
• Merry Christmas From Santa Paws

Above: Feline Digital Amputation Courtesy of Maxs House

Not too long ago I posted a link to a blog article and video about cat declawing (Onychectomy) over on my Facebook page.

Cat declawing is not a new topic up for debate–it has been a hot one throughout my career as an animal behavior consultant and trainer and I wrote about it some time back when talking about cat scratching behavior problems.

Early in my career, when I first began to train big cats, it was common practice to declaw the front paws of tigers and lions and all four for leopards.

Then, we were hands on in the movie and television industry and the safety of the trainers and the actors or crew was part of the reason it was done.

But it painful and was horrible for the cats.

Personally, I am against the procedure because I know that cat scratching and clawing issues can be solved easily through behavior modification strategies.

The trick is to start early. Kittenhood is the best time to do prevention work and to train.

Yes, TRAIN your cat.

All my animals get trained and some of you might remember my completely trained cat. He liked to travel and would sit, down and come on command. (Seriously, he did.)

Doubt it?

Did you know that there are many highly trained fabulous felines working in Hollywood?

I happen to have worked with many and know some very famous critters—like Mr. Bigglesworth.

Mr. Bigglesworth fell in love with me the moment he set eyes on me and I hate to say it but when he scratched on my door that night, I let him in and slept with the handsome devil. (For those of you who don’t know, Mr. Bigglesworth is the famed cat of Austin Powers movies.)

Anyway, declawing is an uncomfortable and painful experience.

The amputation and mutilation is akin to removing the tip of your finger back to the joint.

Behavior problems such as scratching or clawing, can be addressed quickly and easily by simple strategies, or by a combination of different methods.

Today there are a multitude of products on the market to help avoid clawing and scratching problems.

Unfortunately, I am sad to report that many pet owners often avoid dealing with situations that involve behavior problems.

In fact I am still surprised at how many people mistakenly think that the problems will just disappear or solve themselves.

The reality is that most problems get worse and escalate in their intensity over time. The become firmly entrenched and so the issues then become much harder to address–and this is when some people opt for the surgical removal of the claws.

Most animal behavior problems, even in severe cases, can be addressed in an eight to twelve week period.

Faster progress is made with professional assistance from an animal behaviorist or coach.

To solve behavior problems it is necessary to target the contributing cause.

Once the reason underlying the symptom (problem) is determined, the situation can be resolved.

There are a variety of reasons why a cat will begin to engage in clawing and scratching behavior.

A behaviorist can pinpoint the problem and understand the motivation behind the behavior so you can pick the right solution.

Unfortunately, rather than deal with these situations early, pet owners will wait and then, in desperation, take drastic measures that may hurt, maim, or psychologically impact their animals for life.

Consultants in animal behavior see the negative repercussions of such extreme actions such as declawing.

Other behavior problems often follow the procedure and many declawed felines suffer from litterbox avoidance, psychological trauma, and day-to-day frustrations that prevent them from marking territory, protecting themselves, and helping them to align their spines.

Many declawed cats bite more—as it is their only line of defense.

They often have a difficult time with other animals because they feel vulnerable and so their aggression often escalates.

Is there a time I would recommend declawing?

Not really—and I never have.

Pet owners who are unwilling to work to make sure that their pet is properly schooled and trained or who are unwilling to keep an animal in the home for the duration of his or her lifespan are not the type of clients I see.

Okay, okay. Don’t get defensive on this issue.

This is not an ideal world and some exceptions may come up.

So, in an extreme case where it is necessary to insure an animal stays in the home, I might ponder it and a lot of people believe that is the only time it might be an option.

However, understand that the owners must have spent the necessary time working on the issue with a qualified animal behaviorist without success to receive such a recommendation.

Did you know that there are nail covers and other more palatable options to try before pondering such a recommendation?

It is important that you understand that declawing a feline will make that animal unsuitable for other homes making placement or adoption nearly impossible.

The procedure would also put the animal at great risk if it escapes or meanders outdoors.

Finally, you might not agree with my professional opinion and that is your prerogative.

Below I have attached some links to the commentaries of some of the larger professional groups and clubs so you could read other opinions on the topic and have also attached some videos that were shared with me last week.

• Maxs House on Declawing
• Cats International Declawing Commentary
• Cat Fancier’s Association on Declawing
• American Veterinary Medical Association’s Declawing Position
• Petside Article on Declawing

Below: Cat Declaw Surgery

Okay, your turn to chime in via the comments. What do you think about cat declawing?

Interesting Posts

• Pet Friendly Elections?
• Win Your Dog’s Dinner!
• New Dog Sport? Skateboarding…
• Wheels of Nature
• Yet Another Pit Bull Attack
• Pets: Legal Changes & Prison Training

Above: PFW Lifestyle Award Winner 2010

So when someone asked me about Pet Fashion Week, I realized that I dismissed it again this year.

Probably because I don’t particularly care for it.

Then I saw the headline, Pet Fashion Weak and thought perhaps I wasn’t the only one who felt that way.

The headline made me laugh but also made me want to ask, Do you find pet fashion dignified or disgusting ?

I first mentioned Pet Fashion Week here on the blog in 2007 but the problem was that by 2008, Pet Fashion Week still wasn’t a week but only a couple of days and there were a lot of other things about it that disturbed me beyond the misleading moniker.

Perhaps I am not a pet fashonista partially because I’ve lived most of my life in animal friendly uniforms.

You know, the safari garb or jeans type of gal who wears sensible shoes and shirts that make it easier to wash away dirt, drool and other substances that come along with living and working with critters.

I started my career with things that could kill you with the swipe of a paw or the flick of a trunk–so that upbringing has kept me aware of just who and what animals are and those relationships are dependent on a solid, sensible view–otherwise you might end up maimed or dead.

But my theory behind the trend of pet fashions?

We’ve lost our minds.

Seriously, we just get further and further away from appreciating animals for who and what they are.

We seek to connect but do a terrible job of it and then subject them to all kinds of odd things.

Even pet behavior problems are on the rise.

Problems I used to only see in my more affluent client cases are today common within the general population as well.

It seems that people have ideas about who and what animals are but seem to miss the very essence of their beings.

Now I’ve been in the pet industry a while and have seen a lot of changes.

I’ve seen the specialty products increase, matching human and pet wear fashion set emerge, and then the rise of higher end pet fashions.

Now some pets enjoy being fussed over and dolled up but many do not.

What disturbs me is that many pets are being treated more like toys and accessories instead of living creatures from a fascinating array of animal cultures.

These pet lifestyle industry trends were discussed at length in One Nation Under Dog.

What rang true was that the theory that the author posed, “In an atomized era, the growing amount of time and money we collectively spend on pets is an indication of how much we thirst for community, leaning on animals for support once provided by other humans. And the specifics of how we treat those pets no longer just reflect what we think is appropriate for animals. From the popularity of pet antidepressants to the rise of pet-custody divorce settlements, the way people interact with their pets says a great deal about two-legged society.”

So basically, it isn’t about them–its about us.

Wow, what a surprise.

But I still have the same question, is Pet Fashion Week dignified or disgusting? Let me know how you feel in the comments.

Other Posts You May Enjoy

• Pet Fashion Week & HugX Dog Bowl
• Pet Fashion Accessory Week…Postscript
• Pet Fashion Week
• New Book, Fashion Week for Pets

Recently I’ve been tackling subscriber questions.

These questions range from basic pet care, to behavior training, and issues surrounding animals to veterinary medical care.

First, let me say this blog is dedicated to a variety of animal topics but mainly animal behavior training and careers.

Although I did study a variety of topics during my degree studies, this really isn’t the forum to tackle veterinary medical questions nor is the Internet a place to seek answers for veterinary medical issues.

Most animal professionals have a wide base of expertise to draw from (and that certainly is my case) but I want to encourage everyone that has a veterinary medical question or issue to seek a qualified veterinary clinic to assist you.

Your pet’s health is nothing to fool around with.

Now, I also want to stress that human oriented products are made specifically for humans–not pets.

This means that they can often be toxic or harmful to pets.

So, this is certainly the case when it comes to this question:

Is Calamine Lotion poisonous to cats? (What over the counter human remedy’s are toxic to animals?)

Caladryl aka (calamine lotion) is not recommended for pets as calamine lotion combines zinc oxide (ZnO), iron oxide (Fe2O3) and other ingredients that are toxic to pets if ingested.

The main concern I want to address is that it is critical to identify the source of the problem you want to solve for the pet because itching can be caused by physical irritation or chemical changes caused by disease, allergy, inflammation, side-effects of drugs, or another reaction–so get your pet in for a veterinary assessment.

Now if you are seeking the best place to research specific plants or products online, it would have to be the ASPCA Animal Poison Control or the pet poison hotline.

Keep in mind that a large number of over the counter human remedies are toxic to pets and the ASPCA site has many listed plus resources to help you–including a pet poison hotline.

ASPCA…resource for any animal poison-related emergency, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If you think that your pet may have ingested a potentially poisonous substance, call (888) 426-4435. A $65 consultation fee may be applied to your credit card.

But please, always take the time to call your veterinary office to get the right products for your pet’s ailments and to get a proper assessment for the health and well-being of your animals.

Interesting Posts

• Follow Up to UK Lion Attack & Other News
• Hurricane Katrina Animal Disaster Relief Updates
• Hurricane Hints: Ark Animal Answers Critter Cast with Diana L Guerrero
• Admirable Adaptations (Video)
• Pups in Prison
• Bubbles the Whale

Each fall we hear about back-to-school for kids but how about for pets?

It used to be that kids had extended periods off but now school is in session most of the year with a series of shorter breaks.

Because of those changes in the scholastic programming, I seldom see any anxiety cases in companion animals triggered by the absence of their human companions.

Even so, many critters are suddenly facing long stretches of time without their human playmates and the occupation their human siblings provide.

Both the family and the animals within the household have to adapt to the changes when the kids head off for some educational adventures.

To help in the transition, I suggest that you ramp up the exercise, mental stimulation and implement some lesson plans to keep the critters busy.

The secret behind this strategy is that you can get a break from both the pets and the kids while also directing any excessive energy into more appropriate behavior.

So, how and what do you do?

Enroll your pet in local classes such as puppy preschool or kitten kindergarten.

Find a professional who offers private or group training sessions and that is a member of the American Pet Dog Trainers Association (APDT).

Schedule the time to exercise and play with your pets or hire a professional dog walker or pet sitter to give your creatures some quality attention and activity.

Invest in some mental stimulation for your beastly bunch.

Brain teasers or “enrichment” items really help direct the animal into solving problems.

If you need some ideas take a look at some of these dog brain teasers, interactive dog toys, dog puzzle toys and smart cat toys.

Schedule some time with your pets while the kids are away.

Quality time and attention do wonders to keep an animal manageable.

I bet you have some great back to school ideas–why don’t you share them in the comments?

Other Posts You May Enjoy

• Ark Animal Tracks June 2010

For some reason people have been calling my attention to trampoline loving canines this week.

Below are two videos–one of a boxer on the trampoline and another of two foxes playing on another.

Must be a new trend in trampolines!

As a matter of fact, if you do a search on YouTube you can find a bunch more.

Interesting Posts

• Irwin Documentary to Air in January
• Cesar Milan and more…
• Coral Triangle Initiative (Video)
• Cats Flushing Equals Bigger Water Bill (Video)
• Pet Noise Phobia Ark Animal Answers Podcast
• Kittens Tree Black Bear!

Is there a best dog breed for a child?

This question was sent in by Patricia: When looking to adopt a canine friend, what behaviors should I look for that would be a good fit with a 5 year old child in the house?

This is an interesting question since I am wondering if she means the child or the canine! (Just joking Patricia.)

When considering adding a dog to the home, there are a lot of things to ponder.

When there are children present in the household, the biggest task is managing the child (or children) especially when they are under the age of nine.

The first assessment is to take a look at the behavior of the child and whether or not the household is able to manage a pet.

This is very important since kids and pets should not be left together unsupervised.

Believe it or not, a survey of 800 dog owners in a study conducted in 2008 found that a disturbing majority of those surveyed gave unsafe answers when it came to answering questions about dog-child interactions.

I want to get into some details here–not to dissuade you–but so that you can spend some time preparing and educating your household for safe integration.

Most people are not aware that children under nine years of age do not have the impulse control or skills needed to interact safely with a canine and have to be closely coached or monitored when interacting with animals.

Although there is a problem with the accuracy of dog bite statistics (due to failure to report), what is clear is that the highest injury rates are found in children from the ages of five to nine years of age.

An astounding 40-50% of children are bit by dogs by the age of ten.

Kids under the age of six are bit in the face while older children tend to receive bites to the extremities and most of those bites are received from dogs they know.

According to the Center for Disease Control (2001):
In its analysis, the CDC estimates 368,245 persons were treated. Injury rates were highest among 5- to 9-year-old children.

Approximately 154,625 dog bites occurred among children younger than 14 years.

While the rate was higher for boys than girls younger than 14, there was no significant difference in the rate of dog bites between boys and girls older than 15 years, Dr. Gilchrist said.

Non-serious bites tend to be under reported while more serious or fatal bites in the United States average between 20-25 per year (and most involve children).

Now you might have noticed those cute videos of young babies kissing, hugging and climbing on the family dog—all very poor behaviors that should not be allowed.

My whole point in raising all these statistics is to illustrate that when it comes to the proper management of child and pet interactions, most people fall woefully short.

Having covered this, I also have to say that many households already have canines when kids arrive.

Also many households successfully add canines when young children live in the household.

To be successful, there are a lot of variables that have to be pondered to create a good household situation for everyone.

So, I think it is better to ask if your household is prepared to add a canine to the household and then take a look at just what type of canine might be a good fit.

Each animal and household will differ so taking the time to do the research and the time to find a fit is a good strategy.

Ponder the following questions to narrow down the choice.

What size of dog is best for the household?
The answer to this question will depend on the home or apartment you live in. I always love when dogs have a yard but many urban areas do not have them and so smaller abodes might do better with a smaller animal.

However, small dogs can too fragile and be easily hurt by a child. In contrast, a very large, energetic dog might not have any restraint and by its sheer strength or size could accidentally injure a child.

What age of dog do you want to add?
Personally, I’d discourage adding a young puppy to the household because it is like adding another child and will require a higher level of management, training–and damage control.

Will the pet be integrated into the household?
Pets integrated into the home environment have 60% less behavior problems and also are better protectors when incorporated into the family living space.

What type of living space will the dog need?
Needless to say, an apartment with only a patio would not be ideal for a Great Dane. It is important to look at the type of dog that would fit into your home environment comfortably. Also, if you hate dirt, it might be best to look for a breed with a low tendency to shed.

What type of energy level does the breed/dog have?
Although each dog can vary, there are some breeds that are very excitable. They might knock things off the table with their tail and accidentally run over or knock down a child.

How much daily exercise will the pet need?
Large dogs and higher energy breeds will vary in just how much exercise they will need. A tired dog is generally a good dog!

What is the socialization background of the animal?
In addition to the individual temperament of an animal, you want to also look at whether or not it was socialized when young. This happens in a very specific period where the dogs learns dog-to-dog skills and human-dog skills as well as habituation to changes in the environment.

Will the animal be trained professionally?
This is no longer optional, every animal should receive professional training. Obedience training covers the basis commands such as sit, come, down, off, etc., while behavior modification corrects issues that do not work well within a human home.

Can the household handle the financial commitment?
Pets have a variety of needs that include not only food, supplements, toys, leash and collar, beds, etc., but also wellness exams (2 per year), grooming, pet sitting or boarding (for when you go on vacation), and veterinary emergencies or seasonal care.

Will the household commit to a lifetime with the animal?
Animals are not disposable–so committing to provide a lifetime home of 20 years or so is mandatory.

Does anyone in the home have allergies to animals?
Before getting an animal, it is important to rule out allergies. Exposure to animals of all types can reveal a problem. Visits to homes with pets or to shelter facilities can help identify a problem but so can allergy testing.

If renting, does the landlord allow animals?
The harsh reality is that many people obtain pets without the blessing of their landlords. Make sure to get written permission before you obtain a pet if you rent or lease.

Is the dog (or the breed of dog) tolerant of children and strangers?
It is possible to obtain professional help in the selection of a pet and that person can help you identify a good match.

So what is the best breed for a child?
Not everyone will agree on the top pet dogs for homes with kids but I always prefer mixed breed animals since they tend to get the best traits.

It is important to look at what the dog breed you are interested in was bred for since many of those traits will be exhibited within the home.

A Dalmatian, for instance, was bred for running alongside carriages and so is a high activity animal.

A comparison in one dog bite study revealed that Dobermans and German Shepherds were five times more likely to bite than a mutt, lab or retriever.

But ultimately, making a good choice involves taking your time in researching and searching but also by meeting and getting around a variety of different breeds and breed mixes.

Photo Credit: Lexman470

Interesting Posts

• Over the Edge, errr Hedge
• Musing Over Puppy Mills
• The Morning Rant…
• Holiday Leave
• Dawn Brancheau Killer Whale Trainer Tribute (Video)
• Lion Attack & Other News

What is up with the Moonridge Zoo?

The Ark Animals blog has recently been taking questions from subscribers and Mike, a fellow resident of Big Bear, wrote in to ask about the small zoo here which began as a wildlife rehabilitation facility back in the 1950s.

In the late 1980s I got involved with the original group members who formed the “Friends of the Moonridge Zoo.”

Our goal was to get security install within the facility after several of the Bald Eagles housed there were slaughtered by those wanting their feathers.

Since that time I have pulled my involvement from most agencies or organizations for personal reasons.

As it was then and as it is now, the Moonridge Zoo aka Moonridge Animal Park aka Big Bear Zoo remains under the management by the municipal park district.

There have been years of delay in moving this zoo to a new location and very poor fundraising efforts–so that the money needed for the zoo’s relocation has not been raised.

In addition, the previous location selected for consideration required the cooperation of multiple governmental agencies in conjunction with multiple assessments, studies and reports.

Needless to say, progress has been dismal–if not non-existent.

The county supervisor had this to say,

“It is not uncommon for projects of significant size and scope to get bogged down in bureaucratic channels for a variety of reasons….

One such project was the relocation of the Moonridge Zoo. For nearly a decade, this project had been in various stages of discussion and implementation with action in earnest occurring over the last five years. Things had deteriorated to the extent that state funding sources would be lost if we did not act quickly and secure an achievable plan to relocate this gem of the mountain.

While there was much discussion and urging to relocate the zoo near the Big Bear Discovery Center, there were numerous hurdles and obstacles impeding this path. Completing the infrastructure toward providing municipal water to this site was estimated at more than $1 million. The topography would have required approximately $3 million in grading, and that was even if we could appease regulatory concerns pertaining to existing or potential Native American cultural sites and other sensitive features of historical significance.

The county pursued this path for a good three years and submitted three proposals to the U.S. Forest Service. It became clear that all concerns and obstacles might never be satisfactorily mitigated when the county was asked to submit a fourth proposal and thus we sought to look for an alternative site.

Additionally, relocating to this area would necessitate a name change and after many years of existence, there were significant concerns that such a change might destroy the intrinsic value of this name and undermine years of marketing…

It must also be noted that an additional sense of urgency arose when the owners of the land upon which the zoo now sits, upped their financial demands from a nominal payment of $1 a year to $5,000 a month….

The whole relocation project has been a saga–but I’ll keep my mouth shut for now.

Last I heard, the paperwork needs to be filed for California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and to develop the land for the animal park, state environmental requirements have to be met for biological, cultural, noise, traffic and lighting.

One of the main concerns is that the area is in a flood zone adjacent to Rathbun Creek, which runs through the property.

The flood zone map indicates that more than two-thirds of the property is in that zone–not exactly a good location if truth be told.

Since the property is within the Big Bear Lake city limits, the park district and county will need to adhere to regulations for pollution elimination discharge and the clean water act and probably loads of other regulations.

At the moment, I’ve heard that nothing can be done until escrow closes.

Then the wait will begin.

So, as far as I can tell there won’t be any fast progress with things as they stand.

Interesting Posts

• Train Pets to Wear Halloween Costumes?
• Urban Coyotes
• Nora the Cat Plays Piano
• Pet Vehicle Safety: Ark Animal Answers Critter Cast with Diana L Guerrero
• Bindi Irwin in the News Again
• Karen Pryor’s Reaching the Animal Mind