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نویسنده: Ali Bina

  • Why Don’t We Talk More about Extinction?

    Why Don’t We Talk More about Extinction?


    A white dog with brown on his ears and face stands on a purple yoga mat with his front paws up on a small gray platform. He is looking at the camera.
    It did not turn out well to work on duration for “front paws on a platform” during Lewis’ breakfast period.

    Most of us know the harm that tools such as shock and prong collars can cause. But I worry that our focus on tools causes less dramatic aversive methods to go under the radar.

    We do talk about some aversive methods not associated with tools. Things like molding, where a dog is forced into position. Scaring dogs with noises. Kicking or hitting. But you know what is discussed very little?

    Extinction. Specifically, operant extinction of a positively reinforced behavior. An experience that can be so unpleasant to the learner it can provoke violence (Azrin et al., 1966) or depression (Huston et al., 2013; Ramnerö et al., 2016).

    Here’s a definition:

    The extinction operation is the discontinuation (cessation) of reinforcement as a consequence of a given behavior, leading to a decrease in the frequency of that behavior. — Mayer et al, 2018, p. 30.

    A previously reinforced behavior yields—nothing. No consequence. The classic human example is a suddenly nonfunctional beverage or candy machine.

    Tools such as shock and prong collars are used almost exclusively in positive punishment and negative reinforcement protocols. Extinction of a positively reinforced behavior is not an event associated with their normal use. But the experience of extinction can be anything from annoying to frustrating to devastating.

    Extinction in Positive Reinforcement Contingencies

    There are varying intensities, for lack of a better term, of extinction. When a trainer shapes behavior there will be episodes of extinction, in which a previously reinforced approximation is no longer reinforced. But the more skilled the trainer, the fewer and more uneventful these are. A good trainer makes it plain through the environmental setup and their actions what the dog should try next. I.e., how they can continue to access reinforcement with slight changes to their behavior.

    A woman wearing a blue shirt and shorts stands with her back to a border collile, who is on his hind legs and digging his claws into her back. The woman is rolling her eyes.
    Alanna and Flynn were just messing around. But look at his claws!

    Sometimes we train a new behavior to access the same or similar reinforcement as a problem behavior. No matter how kind and thoughtful we are, our goal is to extinguish the problem behavior in that context. But good planning and providing a clear path to reinforcement for the dog can help soften the experience.

    But contrast these carefully designed plans with, for example, the commonly recommended method to ignore dogs who jump up without giving them any clue about what to do instead. Many people have discussed the inefficacy of this method, including me. But besides being ineffective, any abrupt change like that can be unkind. (Depending on how this plan is implemented, it very likely incorporates negative punishment as well.)

    Alanna Lowry, DVM, and wonderful, “naughty” Flynn were hamming it up in the adjacent photo. But it is no fun for most dogs to have their human completely ignore them.

    That’s the kind of extinction scenario I am focusing on in this discussion: a previously reinforced behavior that is no longer reinforced at all. A complete cessation of reinforcement with no alternative offered. The dog has no ability to remedy the situation, i.e., access that reinforcer again.

    This happens not only in training, but in life.

    Noting quickly: there also exists extinction of negatively reinforced behavior, so-called escape extinction. I may write about this in the future.

    Theoretical Extinction Example

    Here is an extreme example that I hope none of us would ever do. Let’s say that every evening you have a play session with your dog. You make several preparations for this. You may change your clothes. Perhaps you’ll grab some treats from a jar. You may get some special equipment and set it up.

    You make all the preparations, grab your dog’s toy, and head for the play area. Your dog is accompanying you—excited and ready for some fun. You’ve started the familiar launch sequence. But when you get to the area where you normally play, instead of starting the play, you put the toy out of the dog’s reach and sit down and look at your phone. You ignore your dog.

    It’s painful for me to even imagine this because of how hard it would be on my dog. He would try different things to engage me in play for a while. I would be able to see the effects of the extinction process in his behavior as his behavior began to vary. I would likely see frustration-related behaviors if I let it go on too long (Bentosela et al., 2008; Jakovcevic et al., 2013). In other words, fallout.

    If I did that every day (completely stopped playing with him after setting up to do so), I wonder how long it would take before he stopped trying to play with me? Again, this is sad to think about.

    What Extinction Can Look Like

    In the photos below, Lewis’ Jolly Ball, a favorite toy, is hanging in the tree behind me. He is using a variety of behaviors to remedy the situation. This is typical of an extinction process, where the variability of behavior increases. It is a diluted extinction burst.

    I call it diluted because was not a true extinction event. I cherrypicked the photos out of a quick 60-second video. I did not consistently ignore Lewis. I interacted with him between these shots, and I put some peanut butter on the tree to set up that shot. It was still excruciating for me to do, to slightly confuse him and to delay the fun for 60 seconds. Of course we played heartily with the Jolly Ball afterward.

    A woman sits in a chair under a tree looking at her phone. A dog toy is hanging in the tree. There is a white dog with brown on his ears and face sitting in front of the woman and staring at her. The toy is out of his reach.
    A woman sits in a chair under a tree looking at her phone. A dog toy is hanging in the tree. In the left of the photo there is a white dog with brown on his ears and face standing and staring at the woman. The toy is out of his reach.
    A woman sits in a chair under a tree looking at her phone. A dog toy is hanging in the tree. There is a white dog with brown on his ears and face standing on his hind legs with his nose touching the trunk of the tree. The toy is out of his reach.
    A woman sits in a chair under a tree looking at her phone. A dog toy is hanging in the tree. In the right of the photo there is a white dog with brown on his ears and face standing and staring at the woman. The toy is out of his reach.
    A woman sits in a chair under a tree looking at her phone. A dog toy is hanging in the tree. There is a white dog with brown on his ears and face lying down close to the tree and looking up at the toy. The toy is out of his reach.
    A woman sits in a chair under a tree looking at her phone. A dog toy is hanging in the tree. In the left of the photo there is a white dog with brown on his ears and face lying down and staring at the woman. The toy is out of his reach.
    A woman sits in a chair under a tree looking at her phone. A dog toy is hanging in the tree. On the right of the photo is a white dog with brown on his ears and face lying down close to the woman and looking up at her. The toy is out of his reach.
    A woman sits in a chair under a tree looking at her phone. A dog toy is hanging in the tree. There is a white dog with brown on his ears and face standing on his hind legs with his nose touching the bottom of the toy in the tree. He can sniff the toy but it is too high for him to grab.
    A woman sits in a chair under a tree looking at her phone. A dog toy is hanging in the tree. On the right of the photo is a white dog with brown on his ears and face in a crouch, looking like he is about to spring up. He is close to the woman and looking up at her.

    There is a lay term for this activity: teasing. “Look! Here’s this thing you want but you can’t have it.”

    It worries me that suddenly ceasing to reinforce a behavior that had been reinforced in the past would not break any stated guidelines about force free training I’ve seen. Although they are acknowledged as problematic in the Hierarchy of Behavior-Change Procedures and in the LIFE model, professional organizations don’t seem to cover them in their requirements and position statements and they are not a frequent topic of discussion for individual trainers.

    We are technically not doing anything to the dog at all. Not touching him, not scolding him. Yet—it can be cruel.

    Real-Life Extinction Example

    I made that example extreme to focus on the potential harm. but this type of thing happens in smaller ways. It happens when we suddenly change routines. Here’s a real example from my life with Lewis.

    Lewis eats most of his breakfast out of a food toy. But for several months, I broke up his breakfast period with a training session. He got to choose when to switch. I went in with a handful of 15–20 higher-value kibble pieces. I made myself available and waited for him to take a break (good matching law exercise), then we’d have a quickie training session. Then he went back to his food toy.

    Lewis is anxious and tapping his feet on the platform

    Over the months, I noticed that we had a hard time in those sessions. He was jumpy and mouthy. He seemed conflicted, likely because of having to leave one food source for another. Duration behaviors such as front-paws-on-a-platform, shown in the top and adjacent photos, were extra difficult. The adjacent photo is from one of those sessions; the top one was posed much later. See the difference?

    I had done this mid-breakfast training with Clara before, but she was a different dog with a different history with me. She moseyed over to play with me, then moseyed back to her food toy. It took me way too long to perceive the negative experience for Lewis.

    After I noticed, I decided to stop our mid-breakfast training session.

    I put some thought about how to break our routine in the kindest way possible. Even though the session seemed stressful, he would eagerly approach me when it was time and gobble the food. So he would notice its absence for sure.

    What were the cues for this interruption? An obvious one was my entering the hallway where he eats. So if I stopped coming in, would he stop “expecting” the session? No. Another part of the cue was time. Not time of day, but the amount of time elapsed from when he started eating. Somewhere around four minutes. I could not prevent the passage of time. So I couldn’t prevent the little period of extinction where he would perform anticipatory and approach behaviors like looking up from his toy or coming to the gate where I would normally enter. Those were the behaviors that would no longer be reinforced if I ceased the mid-breakfast session.

    Was this going to be grueling for him? Not likely. To anthropomorphize a bit, the human parallel would be something like, “Well, I guess we aren’t doing that anymore. Damn. I liked that food. Oh well, I’ve got this other food to work on.”

    But making a plan and softening this change provided good practice for me to learn how to handle more intense extinction scenarios that might come along.

    My Training Plan

    Parts of the Cue (Predictors)

    • Elapsed time
    • My getting out the food (he could sometimes hear or see this)
    • My approach with food

    Lewis’ Behaviors in Response to the Cues

    • Standing still (rather than interacting with his toy)
    • Looking around
    • Approaching the gate where I enter

    Reinforcers

    To eliminate the training session, I planned to fade the cues by softening them or moving them, and to decrease the amount of the special kibble (but not to zero).

    Here are the steps I took.

    1. I substituted something else for the training session. I came in at the usual time and gave Lewis the special kibble in a floor scatter. Then I hung around for a while. I offered this social behavior because there was a social reinforcer included in the original activity. He likes having me around when he eats.
    2. I gradually decreased the amount of special kibble (but included the rest in his meal or in another training session).
    3. I gradually lengthened the amount of time before coming in.

    My final behavior is to come in when he is about finished with his food toy (which I have always done anyway), hand him a couple of pieces of the special food, then help him retrieve any pieces of kibble he can’t get. The last is part of our normal routine.

    Why Bother?

    My first example with the play session may have seemed overblown. And my example of fading the interruption in Lewis’ breakfast may seem insignificant.

    But I want to practice thinking about this, working out the problems to prevent unpleasantness in my dog’s life. My thought processes will help me if something bigger comes along.

    Conclusion

    Whether it’s in training or in life, whether it’s planned or sudden and unavoidable, don’t ever forget about the hurt of extinction. If it’s necessary to discontinue a regular activity your dog enjoys, soften the blow in any way you can. And if you have a training credential, ask your accrediting body whether extinction without differential reinforcement is worth addressing in guidelines and position statements.

    What kinds of extinction scenarios have you noticed with your dog, either in training or daily life? What happens when there is a cue for a behavior and there is no reinforcement available for that behavior anymore? This can include some very sad scenarios, such as a breakup or a death in the family. (In the future, I hope to write more about the loss of Clara. It hit Lewis hard.) But there are so many less intense things that happen: schedule changes and the like. How does your dog handle them? How do you help your dog?

    References

    Azrin, N. H., Hutchinson, R. R., & Hake, D. F. (1966). Extinction‐induced aggression. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of behavior, 9(3), 191-204.

    Bentosela, M., Barrera, G., Jakovcevic, A., Elgier, A. M., & Mustaca, A. E. (2008). Effect of reinforcement, reinforcer omission and extinction on a communicative response in domestic dogs (Canis familiaris). Behavioural processes, 78(3), 464-469.

    Huston, J. P., de Souza Silva, M. A., Komorowski, M., Schulz, D., & Topic, B. (2013). Animal models of extinction-induced depression: loss of reward and its consequences. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 37(9), 2059-2070.

    Jakovcevic, A., Elgier, A. M., Mustaca, A. E., & Bentosela, M. (2013). Frustration behaviors in domestic dogs. Journal of applied animal welfare science, 16(1), 19-34.

    Mayer, G. R., Sulzer-Azaroff, B., & Wallace, M. (2018). Behavior analysis for lasting change, fourth edition. Sloan.

    Ramnerö, J., Folke, F., & Kanter, J. W. (2016). A learning theory account of depression. Scandinavian journal of psychology, 57(1), 73-82.

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    Copyright 2024 Eileen Anderson



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  • Homeward Pet | Beyond Food and Shelter: The Essential Role of Enrichment in Your Cat’s Health and Happiness

    Homeward Pet | Beyond Food and Shelter: The Essential Role of Enrichment in Your Cat’s Health and Happiness


    Beyond Food and Shelter: The Essential Role of Enrichment in Your Cat’s Health and Happiness

    Posted on: November 12th, 2024 @ 5:09 pm, By
    Kim Leary

    a Guest Post by Cat Topia

    For cats, the right environment and mental engagement are crucial to staying healthy and happy. Just like humans, cats need more than food, water, and shelter—they need mental and physical enrichment to truly thrive. Without proper enrichment, cats can experience boredom, which may lead to serious health issues. Let’s explore ways owners can add extra enrichment into their lives, such as through a catio.

    Why Enrichment Matters for Cats

    Enrichment for cats is more than entertainment; it’s essential to their well-being. In the wild, cats are natural hunters, driven to explore, hunt, and interact with their environment. Indoor cats, however, don’t have the same outlets to exercise these instincts, leading to potential boredom, stress, and even health issues.

    Think of it like this: if you could never access the outdoors—no sun on your face, no sounds of nature, and no fresh scents of changing seasons—you’d likely feel restless, even anxious. Similarly, without engagement, your cat can become mentally and physically stifled. Providing enrichment, then, allows them the chance to engage in natural behaviors, reducing the negative effects of a restricted lifestyle and promoting both mental and physical health.

    Behavioral Issues from Lack of Enrichment

    Without sufficient enrichment, cats can develop a range of behavioral issues, including:

    • Destructive Behavior: Cats may scratch furniture, knock objects over, or chew on things they shouldn’t. Often, these behaviors result from a need to release pent-up energy or relieve stress.
    • Aggression: Frustrated or anxious cats may become more aggressive toward other pets or people, sometimes reacting unpredictably to what they perceive as threats.
    • Excessive Vocalization: Bored cats may meow excessively to get attention, often as a way to express their dissatisfaction.
    • Lethargy or Obesity: Without enough stimulation, cats may become lazy and inactive, which can lead to weight gain and related health issues like diabetes and arthritis.
    • Depression and Anxiety: Like people, cats can experience depression or anxiety if they’re not given enough mental stimulation. They may withdraw, avoid interaction, or develop behaviors like over-grooming.

    Providing regular, engaging activities helps prevent these issues, making for a happier and healthier pet.

    Types of Enrichment for Cats

    1. Physical Enrichment: Encourage exercise through toys that mimic hunting (like feather wands) and create spaces for climbing and exploration with cat trees or shelves. Regular exercise helps maintain a healthy weight and relieves stress.
    2. Mental Stimulation: Toys that challenge a cat’s mind, such as puzzle feeders or treat-dispensing toys, can be fantastic tools. Rotating toys and introducing new ones also help maintain interest.
    3. Sensory Enrichment: Cats benefit from diverse sensory experiences. Interactive toys that make noise or have different textures can add variety. A simple window perch or bird feeder outside a window can provide hours of entertainment, as cats love watching wildlife.
    4. Social Interaction: While cats are often thought of as solitary, many enjoy interaction with humans or other pets. Setting aside time to play, groom, and cuddle with your cat can satisfy their need for companionship.
    5. Environmental Enrichment: Adding scratching posts, cardboard boxes, and hiding spots around the home can create an environment that caters to a cat’s natural instincts. Rearranging these occasionally can give your cat a sense of novelty in their surroundings.

    The Catio: A Perfect Solution for Enrichment

    A catio (an enclosed, outdoor cat patio) is one of the most effective ways to provide both physical and sensory enrichment. For indoor cats, a catio offers a safe way to experience the outdoors, complete with fresh air, sunlight, and a variety of sights and smells. Here’s how a catio contributes to enrichment:

    • Exercise and Exploration: With safe outdoor access, cats can move more freely and get additional exercise by jumping up ramps, running through enclosed tunnels, chasing fallen leaves blowing in the wind, and exploring their environment—all within the safety of their space.
    • Natural Stimuli: A catio provides sights like birds and squirrels, scents from plants and soil, and sounds of the outdoors—all of which engage a cat’s senses and keep their minds active.
    • Reduced Anxiety: Access to a catio can alleviate stress by giving cats a safe space to retreat to when they feel the need to recharge.

    Ways Owners Can Add Enrichment at Home

    If a catio isn’t feasible, there are still plenty of ways to enrich your cat’s life:

    • Create a “window world”: Set up a bird feeder outside a window and create a comfy perch inside so your cat can watch.
    • Rotate Toys: Switch out toys regularly to keep things fresh and engaging for your cat.
    • Engage in Interactive Play Daily: Spend a few minutes each day playing with your cat to mimic hunting behaviors.
    • Use Puzzle Feeders: Make mealtime more engaging by using puzzle feeders to give them a satisfying challenge during meals.
    • Consider a Companion: If your cat is social, introducing another cat (with proper introductions) can provide both physical and social enrichment.

    Why Enrichment is Crucial For a Happier Healthier Life

    By providing adequate enrichment, cat owners can help prevent a range of behavioral and health issues, giving their cats a happier and more balanced life. From a simple scratching post to a full catio, there are enrichment solutions for every space and budget. Remember, a well-enriched cat is a happy cat, and with some creativity, you can create a stimulating environment that keeps your feline friend active, engaged, and content.



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  • The Loss of my Dog, Regrets, and the Peak-End Rule

    The Loss of my Dog, Regrets, and the Peak-End Rule


    Clara, a tan dog lying on a bed with a colorful quilt. She has her mouth open in a relaxed and happy expression. There is a black ball in front of her between her feet.
    Our happy times were many and long, but usually not dramatic

    I first learned of the “peak-end rule” when I read Daniel Kahneman’s book, Thinking, Fast and Slow. I thought it was interesting and could relate. Years later, when Clara died, the reality of it hit me.

    This post reflects my state of mind immediately after I lost Clara. My perspective has widened over time and the pain has softened. I am not sinking into fixations or deep regrets. I gave her a good life. The concepts I discuss in this post are part of what helped me through my initial grief. I hope they will help others, as well.

    Bucket lists. A favorite last meal. A peaceful, painless death, surrounded by loved ones.

    It is natural to want the best for our beloved pets at the ends of their lives, as we have throughout them.

    Yet, after losing Clara, I noticed something in myself. I had a focus, almost an obsession with her last hours, her last day, her last week. Even her last couple of years. And I have seen this focus in many others.

    It has a name: the peak-end rule.

    Definitions: The Peak-End Rule and Duration Neglect

    The peak-end rule is a cognitive bias that causes us, when looking back on an experience, to focus on two things: the most intense part of it and the end.

    I’m not saying that these things aren’t important. But the peak-end rule can—and has been shown experimentally to—cause us to de-emphasize, even ignore long periods of pleasure and happiness. The same with long periods of moderate pain, when flanked by more extreme pain.

    Here’s a scientific definition:

    The peak-end rule . . . asserts that, when people retrospectively evaluate an experience (e.g., the previous workday), they rely more heavily on the episode with peak intensity and on the final (end) episode than on other episodes in the experience — Alaybek et al., 2022.

    A related effect is called duration neglect.

    . . . we define [duration neglect] as little or no independent effect of duration on retrospective evaluations of affective episodes. — Fredrickson & Kahneman, 1993.

    This is the flip side of the peak-end rule. We devalue duration in comparison with the peak and end of an experience, even if the peak and end are very brief compared to the total experience.

    Research has shown evidence for duration neglect when we recall both pleasant experiences (e.g. vacations) and unpleasant ones (medical procedures).

    Here’s an article with a good discussion of both the peak-end rule and duration neglect.

    The peak-end rule has been shown to apply to retrospectively assessing the happiness of a life (Kahneman, 2012, p. 387). So here I am, after Clara’s death, noticing the peak-end rule while thinking over her life.

    So Many Regrets (And Some Blessings)

    I have all these regrets relating to “the end.” They were very intense in the days after Clara died. In retrospect, this happened to varying degrees with my other dogs as well.

    Clara’s Potato Chip

    I wish I had given Clara a few more potato chips on her last night on earth. I gave her one, but she wanted more. What I would have given her had I known! And I kept thinking of it on the day she died. Why just ONE damn potato chip? Luckily, Ruth was more generous, and gave her three or four cheese crackers. I asked Ruth that day, after Clara was gone, how many she gave her the night before. I wept in gratitude about those crackers.

    But Clara had great food her whole life. Good nutrition to the best of my ability, but also wonderful treats, wonderful variety, very high-value foods. Homemade dog treats. People food. A grilled lean pork chop for her lessons. Fast food chicken sandwiches for training on the road and whipped cream pup cups. And since we moved here in 2018, after we eat, Ruth gives the dogs tastes of our suppers or other fun food that’s safe for them. She does this every day.

    Clara has had food that other dogs might only dream of, over the duration of her whole life. And I’m fixated on that one potato chip.

    Zani’s Ice Cream

    The hind end and tail of Zani, a black dog, are sticking straight up out of the top of a hollow tree stump. She is investigating something in the stump.
    A fun outing very close to the end of Zani’s life

    Out of all my dogs, I had the most warning that Zani was reaching the end of her life. She had a probable diagnosis of lymphoma, but she was still feeling good for a few weeks. We had time for a mini-bucket list. But you know what I focused on after she passed? My timing at her euthanasia. I was too late when I offered her some ice cream.

    It was a blessing that I could be there at all; it was the height of COVID, September 2020. It was also a blessing that she wasn’t scared at the vet. She walked in with the tech in her jaunty way, eager to find people to visit.

    But when the moment came, we were in a rush. I wasn’t fast enough with the vanilla ice cream I had brought in a thermos. Zani looked at it, then the sedation kicked in and she fell asleep. I still think about that ice cream. Is it about me and my fantasy of her perfect passing? Mostly. I still hope that she got enough of a whiff of the ice cream to have a happy feeling on the way out.

    But I have some sweet memories from Zani’s last days. There was the fun mini-trip I took with her four days before she died, many yummy meals, and the special chews that Debbie Jacobs sent us in the nick of time. Zani got to chew one on her last day, about an hour before her appointment. I am so grateful for that.

    Clara’s Training

    Clara, a tan dog with a black muzzle (now gone gray) and black ears, sits on top of a Klimb platform. She looks very happy.
    A rare training session in Clara’s last month, September 2024

    This one is not about the last moments, but the last years. I have a huge regret that I did not continue my training fun with Clara after Lewis came. He exhausted me. I wasn’t even able to do much of my own work for a long time. Luckily, Clara still had her walks. I had been walking her and my partner’s dog daily since April 2021 (then Lewis, starting in 2022). I am so grateful for that, and proud that I walked them so consistently. But Lewis dominated my time. Clara’s training games (and the trick title work) ceased abruptly. I feel guilty.

    This is a reasonable regret, more than a bias. We stopped doing something she loved. But feeling extra bad about it is an example of both the peak-end rule and duration neglect. Clara has gotten more of my time and attention than any other dog. We lived for each other. That never stopped. She has been on outings and gone places the others never have. For seven years, she had two fun lessons a week with a great trainer. We usually went to a shopping mall (ice cream!) or a beautiful park for a long walk.

    She got my best training self for ten years. And high value treats and much, much play. But because I stopped training with her for two years (with a few exceptions), and because it was during our last years together, I feel this guilt. If there had been a hiatus of a similar period, but in the middle of our lives together, I would have regrets, but the loss likely would not loom so large.

    I stopped walking the dogs for two weeks last summer after I sprained my ankle. I hated it for them. But since it wasn’t at the end for Clara, it doesn’t horrify me to think about. She got three more months of walks after that. And it’s a blessing to me that her last one was extra sweet because it was drizzling rain. That was her favorite kind of walk.

    A happy walk after a rain in May 2024

    Clara’s Last Hours

    Hemangiosarcoma just snuck up, so I don’t know that I could have done anything better. But I feel awful, of course, that her last hours on this earth were painful, and she was in a foreign place. No idyllic euthanasia at home after a perfect bucket week or month. But it helps immensely that I was with her at the very end, that I was the last thing she saw before she sank into peace. And it WAS peaceful. So much better than Cricket, who fought, and Summer, for whom I wasn’t present.

    Perhaps Clara was in as much pain, if I can compare, after her spay when she was a teenager. They let her come home the same day, because of her extreme fear. She was hurting. But I haven’t thought of that in years. It was not at the “end.”

    Do I seem callous for comparing these things? I am not undervaluing any of her pain. Just noting that her last morning “feels” like the worst to me. But I don’t know how it felt to her. And she is gone now, leaving me to think about her life.

    The GoPro

    Clara, a tan dog with a black but graying muzzle and black on her ears, "smiles" at the camera on a walk. She is wearing a black harness and standing in a driveway.
    My last, slightly goofy photo of Clara on a walk, a week before she died

    Another regret, and this one didn’t even affect her, only me. But it feels somehow like it affected her. I bought a GoPro, largely to get some candid shots of Clara and record the dogs on their walks. Clara reacted poorly to having a phone camera pointed at her for her whole life; I was hoping she would not do so with the GoPro. I got it about four days before she died. I didn’t know what was coming. I didn’t set it up in time.

    I almost deleted this example, since it feels in really bad taste to have the privilege to buy such a camera and then whine about not getting to use it. But I include it because it’s another example of bias. Because of my ankle sprain in June, I stopped using my phone to make videos of Clara’s walks. I needed to watch my footing better. I have many videos of Clara on walks. And while there are probably other three-month gaps in that set of videos, it specifically hurts that I don’t have any for her last three months.

    The Experiencing Self vs. the Remembering Self

    Kahneman talks about the “experiencing self” and the “remembering self” and their vastly different perceptions of situations and events. The remembering self is the one that values peaks and ends. The experiencing self. . . experiences. It’s the one living in the moment.

    I’m thinking about my living dogs now. Lewis and my partner’s Chihuahua mix, Choo Choo. Many people who have just lost a dog will say to others, “Hug your babies today, give them treats.” Some will say to act as if every day is your pet’s last day because you never know if it might be.

    I ran that last one through my mind in the present and my experiencing self said NO WAY. Give Lewis a whole bunch of potato chips? EVERY NIGHT, because it might be his last night? No. The “treat them as if every day were their last” idea doesn’t cut it in many ways. Health. Nutrition. The dangers of too much fat and salt and the harm that can come from unbridled treat food. The risks of exhaustion or injury if you focus on play or intense activities. What an interesting idea, to try to make every day a peak. Because that’s what the idea boils down to. But it was an instant No when I thought about it. Out of the question.

    I spell this out because it was interesting to have my experiencing and remembering selves come smack up against each other. I was regretting Clara’s one potato chip at the same time I was refusing to do something that might prevent that regret with Lewis.

    Application of the Peak-End Rule to How We Perceive Our Dogs’ Lives

    I’m surprised that there is not a lot of written discussion about this. Grief over losing a pet is becoming more recognized and affirmed by society, and resources for this type of loss are burgeoning. The peak-end rule can aid understanding of why some things can hurt so badly.

    There is one significant exception to the silence on this topic related to pets’ lives. Veterinarian Mary Gardner, in Treatment and Care of the Geriatric Veterinary Patient, focuses on the peak-end rule in the context of euthanasia. After discussion of the rule, in a section titled “Endings Matter,” she advises vets on the ways they can help not only the pet but the pet’s guardians by making the euthanasia experience as calm and peaceful as possible. The book has thoughtful instructions on how to speak to the guardian about the process, the order of events, and more. She ends the section with these words:

    Although our pets are a part of our stories (an important chapter), their own lives are a story. And in stories, endings matter most. So make the most out of the end and make it good — Gardner and McVety, 2017, p. 338.

    Why Knowing about the Peak-End Rule and Duration Neglect Bias Can Be Helpful

    I’ve related a lot of sad moments and regrets in this post. But the point behind them, and my impetus for sharing, is that knowing about the peak-end rule helped me put those things in perspective.

    I understand more than ever why bucket lists can be such a good thing. Not only for the dog, but for the person. Having memories of the extra-special times near the end of our dogs’ lives can be sweet. The ones I described for Zani above were not dramatic. Many people do much more unusual things. But ours were enough out of the ordinary that the memories shine for me.

    Clara, a tan dog with a black muzzle, ears, and tail, is wearing a pink harness. She is splashing in the muddy Arkansas river.
    On one memorable “peak” walk in the summer of 2016, my friend and I let our dogs get in the Arkansas River because we were afraid a dog was overheating (she wasn’t, it turns out). There are lots of reasons not to get in the Arkansas River, but Clara was thrilled.

    I now have a weapon against my regrets and sad memories. I’ve delineated some of my regrets above. (That is not a complete list.) I have kept the painful images and memories of Clara’s last hours private. But I’ve learned that we can honor duration, even if that doesn’t come naturally. We can remind ourselves of the thousand fun walks or trips our dogs had even if they missed one their last day.

    Rather than focusing on the dramatic “peaks,” which stand out in our memory, and rather than trying to make peaks every day, we can be present and constant with our dogs and mindful of their happiness. Our experiencing selves can do that, and we can remind our remembering selves of it.

    I would never ever dismiss or devalue the events near the ends of our loved ones’ lives, good or bad. But it has helped me immensely to consider the rest of Clara’s life. It was long, it was calm, it was safe, it was happy. I made it that way, and I can feel peace in that.

    Copyright 2024 Eileen Anderson

    Related Posts

    References and Resources

    Alaybek, B., Dalal, R. S., Fyffe, S., Aitken, J. A., Zhou, Y., Qu, X., Roman, A., & Baines, J. I. (2022). All’s well that ends (and peaks) well? A meta-analysis of the peak-end rule and duration neglect. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 170, 104149.

    Diener, E., Wirtz, D., & Oishi, S. (2001). End effects of rated life quality: The James Dean effect. Psychological science, 12(2), 124-128.

    Fredrickson, B. L., & Kahneman, D. (1993). Duration neglect in retrospective evaluations of affective episodes. Journal of personality and social psychology, 65(1), 45.

    Gardner, M., & McVety, D. (Eds.). (2017). Treatment and care of the geriatric veterinary patient. John Wiley & Sons.

    Kahneman, D. (2011). Thinking, fast and slow. Farrar, Straus and Giroux.

    Müller, U. W., Witteman, C. L., Spijker, J., & Alpers, G. W. (2019). All’s bad that ends bad: there is a peak-end memory bias in anxiety. Frontiers in psychology, 10, 1272.

    Zenko, Z., Ekkekakis, P., & Ariely, D. (2016). Can you have your vigorous exercise and enjoy it too? Ramping intensity down increases postexercise, remembered, and forecasted pleasure. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 38(2), 149-159.



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  • Viticus Expands with Nashville Learning Center and Conference

    Viticus Expands with Nashville Learning Center and Conference


    Editor’s Note: Viticus Group (formerly Western Veterinary Conference) was “the conference where it all happened” — where Goodnewsforpets.com was launched 25 years ago. We were thrilled to visit with Dr. Anthony Pease, Viticus Group’s Chief Veterinary Medical Officer, at this year’s conference in Las Vegas to not only celebrate Goodnewsforpets anniversary but also talk to Dr. Pease about the exciting news of building a second Oquendo Center-type hands-on learning center in Nashville plus the launch of a second WVC conference in 2026.

    First, congratulations on this huge news. What can you tell us about the decision to launch a new learning center PLUS a national conference in Nashville?

    Thank you. We have found that the Viticus Group’s Oquendo Center is the only place outside any academic institution offering a standalone hands-on training facility for the veterinary profession. Here, we can teach all the state-of-the-art techniques and things that you may not have picked up in school or never got to practice enough to feel comfortable. Some examples are fracture repair, soft tissue surgery, and all that sort of stuff.

    What I’ve loved about being the chief veterinary medical officer of Viticus Group is that my whole role is to build confidence. In general, there’s so much information for veterinarians to learn. When you get out into practice, you’ve trained your whole life, and then suddenly, you’re doing that work every day and no longer in training.

    We built the Oquendo Center 15 years ago when WVC needed a place to do hands-on labs during the conference, and then we expanded to an Eastern campus. We have 140,000 square feet of dedicated training facilities here in Las Vegas. We’ve kept going and use it even after the conference. We see about 5,000 veterinary professionals. We even do work with the human health side every year.

    How many labs do you offer?

    When we have conferences, we usually have about 30 hands-on labs, but more people wanted this type of training, so we went up to 44 hands-on labs this time. Amazingly, we have approximately 1400 people doing hands-on training over the next four days. We realized we couldn’t do enough of it, so rather than trying to build a third building in Las Vegas, we said let’s start going someplace else. Andrea Davis, Viticus Group’s CEO, and I searched, and the location selected was Nashville.

    How did you arrive at Nashville as the site?

    As part of our strategic plan, when we talked to the Executive Board, we discussed an East Coast expansion, and everyone was on board. That was back in 2023. In early 2024, we started traveling around. We picked out five different areas that we wanted to look at. We just fell in love with Nashville. It just made a lot of sense. It’s seven minutes from the airport. Our center’s going to be seven minutes from the airport. We said this would be great, and we could do hands-on labs, but we’re good at conferences, too. Nashville also has an excellent convention center. We started talking with them, and it probably took another six months to talk through. We don’t want to bring a little regional conference; we want to do a national conference.

    How did you land on doing the Nashville conference in the fall?

    Back in 2021, during Covid times, we had to move our conference because we couldn’t do our conference in February.  We shifted it to September, and many people felt the timing was excellent. It was a nice time to have it towards the end of the year because people were closing out their CE, and maybe they couldn’t get away in January or February. That resonated with us, too. We decided that if we were to do a second conference, we should do it in Q3 or Q4. We decided to do the 2026 and 2027 conferences in August. The dates are August 16 to the 18th, 2026.

    Goodnewsforpets.com Editor & Publisher Lea-Ann Germinder with Dr. Anthony Pease, Viticus Group Chief Veterinary Medical Officer at WVC Vegas 2025

    How did you decide on the length of the new conference?

    We do four days in February in Las Vegas, so we decided to start with three days. But we have our teaching facility, so we’ll probably do hands-on for four days to keep it moving. The idea is that it’s going to be a 170,000-square-foot exhibit hall. It’s going to be everything that you’re used to in Las Vegas, but we’re going to do much more interactive learning, including innovation technologies. It’s pretty exciting.

    How did you arrive at the type of content you will be providing?

    We want to get the instant applicable stuff for veterinary professionals, whether they are technicians, front office workers, practice managers, or owners of large or small animals. There’s something for everybody.

    What was the exhibitor and sponsor feedback you received?

    We contacted most of the larger companies’ CEOs and Chief Medical Officers, and they were ecstatic. I think it will be such a great time, such a good time of year for them. We want to say, look, there have been many smaller conferences that spring up, and it’s not what this is. There hasn’t been a major national conference created since NAVC created their conference [now named VMX]43 years ago. At that point, they were the Eastern Veterinary Conference and evolved. The Western Veterinary Conference will be WVC Las Vegas, and WVC Nashville.

    WVC will soon celebrate its 100th anniversary. Where are you going to celebrate that centennial?

    We’ve been starting work on that. It will be our hundredth year in Las Vegas, and now we will also be in Nashville to have two parties. We will do something celebrating 100 years—where we’ve been for the last hundred years and where we’re going in the next hundred years. Technology like AI, which we discussed earlier, will play a massive part as technology advances. Thinking back to 1928 and where that conference was versus what we’re learning about now, it’s all very exciting.

    Thank you, Dr. Pease. We wish you a wonderful opening of the facility and conference in 2026—and we plan to be there!

    To stay updated on Viticus Group expansion plans, visit viticusgroup.org and join the Alert List.

    He Still Loves Horses, But Radiology Was His Calling: Dr. Pease Talks About His Career, Viticus Group & More



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  • How Old Can Dogs Be To Have Puppies – And How Old Is Too Old?

    How Old Can Dogs Be To Have Puppies – And How Old Is Too Old?


    This post may contain affiliate links. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post.

    Having a pregnant dog welcome a new litter into the world is one of the greatest things a dog owner can experience.

    If you are ready to experience all the joys of doggy pregnancy, you may be wondering: can dogs be too old to get pregnant, and how old can dogs still have puppies? 

    I was very surprised to discover that dogs are never too old to have puppies!

    Golden Retriever resting while feeding her puppies

    Yup, you read that right—in fact, there is no such thing as doggy menopause and female dogs go into heat during their whole lives.

    However, although dogs are naturally capable of breeding and having puppies well into their senior years, that doesn’t mean that they should.

    Pregnancy can be tough even for young dogs that are in their prime, but older dogs are at a much higher risk of health problems and stillborn puppies. 

    Whether you want a new puppy or you are a breeder thinking about retiring your dogs, it is important to consider the ages of your male and female dogs before breeding them!

    QUICK TIP: If you’re going to have a litter of puppies make sure you have all the essential puppy supplies. Our #1 puppy product we recommend you send home with all new puppy owners is the Calmeroos Puppy Heartbeat Toy.

    In this article, I will tell you everything you need to know about responsible breeding and dog fertility.

    What Is The Oldest Age At Which A Dog Can Have Puppies?

    Before I go any further into the topic of when is a dog too old to have puppies, let’s touch on the subject of when is a dog considered to be a senior in need of special care.

    Knowing that your pooch is an elderly citizen will help you determine whether it is safe and appropriate for your dog to get pregnant in the first place. 

    Most dogs enter their senior years when they are around seven years old; however, the aging process is slightly different for small and large breed dogs.

    A tiny Chihuahua, for example, is considered a senior when they reach 11 years of age. On the other hand, a giant breed such as a Great Dane is considered a senior by the time they are five years old. 

    The aging difference between smaller and larger breeds is mainly due to their size. Several studies have confirmed that larger breeds tend to age much faster than their smaller counterparts. 

    Therefore, how old is too old for a dog to have puppies is directly related to the size of that particular dog.

    Unlike people, female and male dogs technically remain fertile their whole lives. However, their fertility and ability to whelp healthy puppies decrease as they get older. 

    Let’s see at what age dogs can have puppies, starting with male dogs.

    What Is The Oldest Age A Male Dog Can Sire Puppies?

    A healthy male dog can still sire puppies until very old age. In fact, most professional breeders will retire male dogs much later than their females.

    According to AKC rules, you can register a litter of puppies sired by a male dog that was no more than 12 years old at the time of mating.

    In practice, most reputable breeders will retire their male dogs when they are between 10 and 12 years old.

    However, just because a male dog is over 12 doesn’t mean that he is incapable of siring puppies. Older male dogs are still capable of impregnating females, but they aren’t as fertile as they once were and may need more tries to get a female dog pregnant. 

    Age is just one of several factors that affect the ability of a male dog to sire puppies. The age at which a male dog can have puppies also depends on the quality and quantity of its sperm. 

    So, many professional breeders will check the sperm count of their male dogs regularly, at least once a month, to see if they are still capable of siring litters. 

    Additionally, breeders will check many other things to determine whether their male dogs are too old for breeding and ready to be retired. A low conception rate is another sign that a dog is getting too old to sire puppies regularly. 

    This means that a male dog fails to get a female dog pregnant during ideal conditions: one mating per day and a completely healthy female. 

    Furthermore, a breeder may decide that the male dog is too old to sire puppies if their partner continually produces smaller litters, or if the puppies are weak and sick. 

    What Is The Oldest Age A Female Dog Can Have Puppies?

    QUICK RECOMMENDATION: If you’re thinking about having a litter of puppies make sure you get all your whelping supplies well in advance. Our #1 pick is the Deluxe Pro Whelping Kit for puppies. Check out our Whelping Supplies Checklist for more of our favorites.

    You may be surprised to learn that female dogs don’t go through menopause and can technically get pregnant throughout their whole lives.

    This can come as a big shock, especially if you think that it’s safe for your older female pooch to go off-leash and hang out with other dogs in the park.

    According to the AKC rules, a dam must not be more than 12 years of age at the time of mating, if you want to register the litter. However, a lot of breed clubs, including the UK Kennel Club, set eight years as a maximum limit for breeding female dogs.

    When it comes to nature’s order, female dogs can still get pregnant even if they are older than 12 and remain fertile their whole lives.

    However, at this grand age, most female dogs have birthing difficulties, and serious complications are often seen during labor. 

    When they become pregnant, older female dogs may have trouble giving birth, and seeing stillborn puppies in a litter is unfortunately quite common.

    Additionally, older dogs may have trouble producing enough milk to nurse their puppies, who often die if not bottle-fed by their human caregivers. 

    Due to all these risks and complications, most reputable breeders decide to retire their dams when they are around five or six years old.

    To determine whether or not to retire a female dog from a breeding program, the breeders consider the same factors as for male dogs.

    The breeder will compare conception rates, litter sizes, the dam’s health, complications during delivery, and the time needed for recovery.

    Taking all of these criteria into account can give you a good idea of whether it is safe to continue breeding your female dog or not.

    Our Golden Retriever, Raven was a breeding dog. She was retired by her breeder when she was 6 years old at which time we officially adopted her.

    If you own a female dog, the most important thing to remember is that she can get pregnant at any time during her life. Although older dogs are less fertile than their younger counterparts, there is still a risk of unwanted pregnancy. 

    So, you will have to watch your pooch and prevent any unwanted mating or opt to have her spayed if her age and overall health don’t pose any risk for the procedure.

    Now that you know that dogs can become pregnant their entire lives, talk with your vet about the best ways to prevent unwanted pregnancies.

    QUICK RECOMMENDATION: If you have intact male and female dogs a good way to manage them when your female is in heat is with barriers like pet gates and dog crates. We use these tools to help keep our dogs separate.

    At What Age Can Dogs Start To Have Puppies?

    If the fact that dogs can have puppies throughout their lives catches you off guard, you’ll be even more surprised to learn that most dogs reach sexual maturity while they are still puppies. You read that right: Your cute, fluffy puppy can have puppies of its own! 

    Once they reach sexual maturity, male dogs can mate at any time, even every day! Females, on the other hand, can mate only when they are in heat, which usually happens twice a year.

    However, some dogs can go into heat up to four times a year, while others will be ready to mate once a year, depending on their size and breed. 

    Here’s the earliest age a dog can have puppies, starting with male dogs again.

    At What Age Do Male Dogs Become Sexually Mature?

    Male dogs generally become fertile earlier than their female counterparts, usually when they are around five or six months old.

    Toy and small breeds such as Chihuahuas become sexually mature earlier than large breeds. which become fertile when they are between seven and nine months old. 

    However, while they are technically able to impregnate a female dog, you shouldn’t allow males to mate until they are physically mature. In most cases, you should wait until your dog is at least one year old to mate him with a female.

    Keep in mind that large and giant breeds need more time to fully grow, so you should wait until your pooch is 18 to 24 months old to breed him for the first time. 

    OUR EXPERIENCE: We’ve purchased from Labrador and Golden Retriever breeders. The breeders we’ve worked with wait until their dogs are around 2 years old and passed all their health clearances before breeding them.

    If you decide to use your male dog for siring litters, you will first have to ensure that he is completely healthy and fertile. Your vet can help with that and provide health clearances that your dog is a qualified stud dog ready for breeding. 

    Once a male dog reaches sexual maturity, he remains fertile his entire life. However, their sperm count tends to be low during the beginning and the end of their reproductive cycle.

    That’s why it’s important to wait until your puppy becomes fully grown before first breeding and avoid breeding dogs that are too old.

    At What Age Do Female Dogs Become Sexually Mature?

    Unlike male dogs, who can mate literally every single day once they reach puberty, female dogs can breed only when they are in heat.

    Female dogs usually reach sexual maturity when they are six months old, but smaller breeds can go into heat as early as four months of age. 

    Even though they are fertile and able to get pregnant, it’s not recommended to breed female dogs during their first heat cycle. As with male dogs, you should wait until your female is fully grown before attempting to mate her for the first time. 

    The size and breed of your dog will determine when the best time is to mate your female for the first time. Smaller breeds reach adulthood earlier than their larger counterparts and can consequently become pregnant safely much earlier. 

    After having their first estrus, also known as heat or season, female dogs usually go into heat every six months until they get old.

    However, this time frame can vary from one dog to another and can depend on the size of the dog. Generally, smaller dogs go into heat more regularly than larger breeds and can produce more litters during their lifetime. 

    The heat cycle is divided into four stages: proestrus, estrus, diestrus, and anestrus. In the proestrus phase, which lasts around nine days, a female dog has a bloody vaginal discharge and attracts males, but won’t breed with them. 

    The estrus phase also lasts around nine days, at which time the female is fertile and will be allowed to be mounted by a male dog. In most cases, ovulation happens within the first 48 hours of the estrus phase, but this can vary greatly.

    The diestrus phase lasts 60 to 90 days, during which time the dog’s reproductive system is under the control of the hormone progesterone.

    This phase happens whether or not the dog has gotten pregnant, and some dogs may develop signs of false pregnancy during this stage.

    Lastly, the anestrus phase is the time when a female dog can no longer become pregnant and is a period without sexual activity. In most cases, this stage lasts between three to four months. 

    Although some become fertile much earlier, the AKC rules don’t permit the registration of any litters from dams that are younger than eight months old at the time of the mating.

    And while old female dogs can have puppies, the female’s fertility starts to drop after five years of age.

    Female dogs that are too young or too old can’t handle the strain the pregnancy puts on their bodies, which often leads to birthing complications, premature labor, and stillborn puppies.

    That’s why it is imperative that you don’t start breeding your dam too early or continue to do so when she gets old.

    FAQs About How Old A Dog Can Be And Still Have Puppies

    Can a dog be too old to have puppies?

    Technically, both female and male dogs can have puppies their whole lives. However, a dog’s fertility drops after the age of seven, and most female dogs can’t become pregnant quite as often as they used to.

    The same happens to male dogs, and while they are still able to have puppies their fertility rate isn’t as high as it used to be.

    The actual labor is also more difficult and risky for older dogs and is commonly accompanied by complications. Older dogs also may have problems producing milk and nursing their puppies. 

    What is the age limit for breeding a dog?

    The AKC rules don’t allow registration of any litter of a dam that is less than eight months old or more than 12 years old at the time of mating.

    Additionally, any litter that is sired by a male dog that is less than seven months old or more than 12 years old at the time of mating can’t be registered with the AKC. 

    On the other hand, the UK Kennel Club, the VHD in Germany, and many other clubs list the maximum age limit at eight years for female dogs. 

    Can a 9-year-old dog have puppies?

    A 9-year-old dog can technically get pregnant and give birth to a litter of puppies. However, most reputable breeders won’t breed such an old female dog because of the risks associated with the pregnancy and birthing complications. 

    However, an older female dog can absolutely get pregnant if mounted by a fertile male during her heat cycle. To prevent any health problems and unwanted pregnancies, keep a close eye on your dog while in heat and consider spaying her. 

    Is it bad for a 1-year-old dog to have puppies? 

    Most dogs reach puberty and become fertile when they are six months old, although they shouldn’t have puppies until they are fully grown. Small breeds reach adulthood when they are one year old and can safely have puppies if they are done growing. 

    However, large and giant breeds continue growing until they are between 18 and 24 months old, and they shouldn’t have puppies until they reach adulthood.

    A one-year-old Great Dane is still a puppy, and it would be bad for a growing pup to get pregnant and have to take care of a litter of newborn puppies. 

    Conclusion

    Knowing how old dogs can be to have puppies is an important piece of information if you plan to breed your dog at some point in their life.

    While technically dogs are fertile and can have puppies their whole lives, older female dogs are at risk of premature labor, stillborn puppies, and birthing complications.

    To ensure that your dog’s pregnancy goes well, here’s what you need to remember:

    • Males can sire litters until they are between 10 and 12 years old
    • Breeders retire female dogs when they are five to six years old
    • Don’t breed your dog until it is fully grown

    While it is hard to imagine that dogs can have puppies their whole lives, you should be careful not to breed your dog when they are too young or too old.

    Before breeding your pooch, talk with your vet and have your dog throughout examined.

    Are you a breeder?

    Have you worked with or bought a dog from a breeder?

    If so, do you know how old their breeding dogs are?

    Tell us about your experiences in the comment section below.

    Save To Pinterest

    Golden Retriever resting while she feeds her puppies.

    UPDATE: This post was originally published on May 10th, 2021. We periodically update blog posts with new experiences and information to keep them as relevant as possible.

    Top Picks For Our Puppies

    1. BEST DOG CHEW
      We Like: Beef Collagen Sticks – All of our pups love to bite, nip, and chew. We love using Collagen Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors.
    2. BEST PUPPY TOY
      We Like: Calmeroos Puppy Toy w/ Heartbeat and Heat Packs – Perfect for new puppies. Helps ease anxiety in their new home.
    3. BEST DOG TREATS
      We Like: Crazy Dog Train-Me Treats – We use these as our high-value treats for our guide dog puppies.
    4. BEST FRESH DOG FOOD
      We Like: The Farmer’s Dog – A couple months ago we started feeding Raven fresh dog food and she loves it! Get 50% off your first order of The Farmer’s Dog.

    Check out more of our favorites on our New Puppy Checklist.



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  • Homeward Pet | Support Roxy and her friends today

    Homeward Pet | Support Roxy and her friends today


    Support Roxy and her friends today

    Posted on: December 17th, 2024 @ 1:06 pm, By
    Kim Leary

    As 2024 draws to a close, we at Homeward Pet are reflecting on the transformative journeys of over 1,500 animals who have found hope and healing here this year. Every story is a testament to the unwavering support from our generous community, ensuring that all animals entrusted to us are given the specialized care and attention they need to thrive. These remarkable stories are made possible by the unwavering support from you—our compassionate community.

    Currently, our shelter is overcrowded and nearly at capacity – putting a significant strain on our resources and impacting our ability to welcome more animals into our care.

    We need your support to ensure that more animals, like Roxy, are given a second chance.

    Roxy’s story is one of incredible resilience. Now 14 years old, Roxy has been in and out of Homeward Pet’s care since 2015, having been adopted four times and returned to us five times.

    Her health challenges are complex, suffering from serious GI, dental, and breathing issues that have required continual surgical intervention, prescription food and daily medications to alleviate her discomfort.

    Roxy is sweet, affectionate, gives lots of kisses and loves attention, but she prefers it to be on her terms. She is easily overstimulated during play time, often leading to “love bites”. She doesn’t enjoy being picked up. These behavioral quirks, coupled with her medical needs, have made it difficult for Roxy to find a permanent home.

    Despite the setbacks, we have remained committed to providing her with the care and attention she needs. When Roxy was last adopted, and we were thrilled to see her finally find a home that was prepared to navigate her health and behavioral challenges.

    Unfortunately, after five years, her beloved owner passed away. And not long after, the owner’s spouse faced a significant health decline, and moved into an assisted living facility. With no one able to care for Roxy, her owner’s remaining family considered euthanizing her, uncertain of what else could be done.

    Thankfully, Roxy was returned to Homeward Pet, and we greeted her with open arms.

    Although Roxy is not currently available for adoption, she is benefiting greatly from our foster program, where she is able to thrive in a safe, supportive, and loving environment, receiving the specialized care that she deserves. Roxy’s journey is a true testament to the power of second chances and we are committed to doing everything we can to ensure she enjoys her senior years.

    Your contributions haven’t just changed Roxy’s life; you’ve been instrumental in rewriting her story. We need your help to continue to provide critical care, hope, and a chance at a brighter future for Roxy, and numerous other deserving animals that will come through our doors in the new year. 

    This holiday season, our shelter is overcrowded with animals of all backgrounds and needs. We need your help to ensure that we can continue to provide the specialized care these animals need to find their forever homes. With your support, we can continue to be a lifeline for animals who need us, offering them another chance at a brighter future.

    Give the gift of hope this holiday season.

    Donate today and you will be a part of some incredible transformations and have a lasting impact in the lives of animals in need.

    All donations made before Dec. 31st will be matched dollar for dollar up to $25,000 thanks to an anonymous donor. Make your gift today for twice the impact!

     

    Thank you for being a part of our mission, and for giving animals like Roxy the second (and sometimes third and fourth) chances they deserve.



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  • 6 Ways to Prepare Your Dog for New Year’s Fireworks Starting Now!

    6 Ways to Prepare Your Dog for New Year’s Fireworks Starting Now!


    firecracker exploding in the air with lots of orange sparks

    Is your dog scared of fireworks? Don’t wait until the holiday hits. Even with just a couple days’ lead time, you can make a plan and take action now to help your dog be less afraid of the unpredictable scary sounds of fireworks, firecrackers, whistles, and even guns.

    Get Ready

    Here are some things you can do starting today or tomorrow.

    1. Check into medications. If your dog gets very anxious about noises and you have never talked to your vet about it, do so now. He or she may be able to prescribe something to help. And if you can’t get in before the holiday, do your best with some of the other ideas here to get through it and call your vet as soon as you can. This is a long-term problem. Sound phobias tend to get worse and are not something to be taken lightly.

    2. Countercondition to noises. Get some great treats and start carrying them around. Whenever there is any kind of sudden or startling noise, including stray bangs and booms as people test their noisemakers, rain treats down on your dog. Use those special treats only for noises; don’t pass them out for nice behavior (use something else for that!), and don’t ask for any particular behavior from your dog when the noise occurs. Just give the special treats.

    You may wonder why I am not recommending buying an app, CD, or YouTube video with fireworks sounds to “practice” with. Performing desensitization/counterconditioning with sounds is tricky.  People who haven’t done DS/CC before run a real risk of scaring their dogs further instead of helping them. This is why I am suggesting this method, which uses environmental noises that are happening anyway. It’s called ad hoc counterconditioning and there is evidence from studies that it is effective, including this study that is specific to fireworks. Save the formal training for after the holiday, when you can keep your dog safe from accidental exposures to the sound.

    3. Create a safe place. Make (or adapt) a safe place for your dog. They may even choose their own! Refrain from trying to get them to come out or change locations, as long as it is safe. Keep in mind that the flashes of light that come with big fireworks displays can be scary too, so consider a method to temporarily darken any windows nearby. Also, please know that acoustic foam and even sound blankets don’t do a thing for booms. The big fireworks sounds can’t be “soundproofed” against except with materials that are much too big and heavy to use inside most houses and are not do-it-yourself friendly. Get the best protection you can in a basement or your most internal room. Despite the marketing claims, dog crates with walls a few inches thick can’t dampen low-frequency sounds to an effective degree, either. The walls of your house are probably five to ten inches thick and include insulation, but you can still hear thunder inside your house, right? But if a crate is your dog’s safe place, that’s great. And a blanket over it can muffle echos and create a cozy feeling for humans and perhaps dogs. Here are some examples of safe places for dogs.

    A small black and white terrier sleeping in a "fort" made of pillows

    4. Play sound or music. Experiment with sound masking to find out what is most helpful for your situation. Try some kind of recorded white or brown noise, natural noise, a fan, or music to mask the pops and booms. (Even a noisy food toy can be helpful.) This approach is evidence-based and is called sound masking.

    And here’s a tip: the lower the frequencies included in the masking or music, the better it can hide those low-pitched booms (Kinsler et al., 1999, p.318–320; Gelfand, 2017, p. 187). So if your dogs are already habituated to pounding rock music, metal, or something else with a lot of bass or percussion, play it! And play it on your best sound system to include those low frequencies. It can mask some of the scary noises coming from outside your house more effectively. Before anyone mentions it: that’s right, heavy metal has not ranked well in the dogs and music studies, tending to make shelter dogs more agitated (Kogan et al., 2012). That’s not surprising. But if you play it already and your dogs are fine with it, they may be habituated. In that case, metal could be the very thing for you and your dog.

    Taiko drumming is great if your dogs are accustomed to it. You can buy a few songs and loop them or find some on YouTube. But be absolutely certain that the music itself doesn’t scare your dogs first. If they are already sensitive to booms, it’s a strong possibility.

    Household appliances can help. Most fans hit fairly low frequencies and can be helpful. You can run the dryer (no heat) with a pair of sports shoes in it for some booms that will probably be familiar and not scary. You’ll need to find the line of best fit for your dogs. And you can use several of these at once, again, as long as it doesn’t scare your dog.

    Review studies indicate that music has only mild (or no) positive effects on dogs (Lindig et al., 2020). Also, all studies so far have been done in shelters. clinics, and labs, not in homes, where there are competing activities and reinforcers. Review studies have specifically indicated that there is no benefit to the “music arranged for pets” products. So the evidence supports choosing music for masking qualities, not for any claimed intrinsic relaxing qualities.

    5. Practice going out. Make a plan for taking your dog out to potty. Do you know when the noise is usually at its worst and can you work around that? Are your fences and/or leash and harness secure? If your dog is not used to being on-leash for potty time, start practicing now, including getting the harness on. Dogs who are usually sedate may panic and run off on noisy holidays. Don’t let that happen.  Keep your gates locked, your dogs’ ID tags on, and put some redundancy into your safety system.

    6. Comfort your dog if that helps. LOSE that idea that there’s something wrong with comforting your dog, if that’s what your dog wants. Helping a dog through a tough time is not “coddling.” Assess what is most helpful to your dog: a cuddle, food or a fun game after every scary noise, some lap time, sweet talk, being in their crate with a food toy, or hiding by themselves in a secluded place. Then help them do it. If they want to hide, let them.

    A sable dog opens her mouth for spray cheese to be squirted in
    The best part of noisy holidays for Summer was spray cheese!
    A white dog with brown ticking lies with his head on a woman's leg. Her hand is resting on hie shoulder.
    Lewis likes to be close to me when weird noises are heppening

    Check out more resources and tips on my page “You Can’t Reinforce Fear.“

    Another good resource is this article by Val Hughes: My Dog Fears Fireworks and Thunderstorms—What Should I Do To Help? Her article has suggestions for both long- and short-term solutions.

    References

    Gelfand, S. A. (2017). Hearing: An introduction to psychological and physiological acoustics. CRC Press.

    Kinsler, L. E., Frey, A. R., Coppens, A. B., & Sanders, J. V. (2000). Fundamentals of acoustics. John Wiley & Sons.

    Kogan, L. R., Schoenfeld-Tacher, R., & Simon, A. A. (2012). Behavioral effects of auditory stimulation on kenneled dogs. Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 7(5), 268-275.

    Lindig, A. M., McGreevy, P. D., & Crean, A. J. (2020). Musical dogs: A review of the influence of auditory enrichment on canine health and behavior. Animals, 10(1), 127.

    Riemer, S. (2020). Effectiveness of treatments for firework fears in dogs. Journal of veterinary behavior, 37, 61-70.

    © Eileen Anderson 2015 



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  • WVC Nashville: A New Era for Veterinary Conferences

    WVC Nashville: A New Era for Veterinary Conferences


    Get ready to continue celebrating into 2026. The first quarter of Goodnewsforpets.com’s 25th anniversary this year is no exception to past years—it’s vet/pet conference season. As I head to Global Pet Expo, excitement is in the air for all things good for pet owners. However, there is still plenty of buzz in the veterinary world about Viticus Group expanding to two conferences—WVC Las Vegas and now WVC Nashville—along with two hands-on learning centers. WVC Nashville debuts August 16-18, 2026, with the hands-on center also expected to launch then.

    Check out a bit of the backstory on how WVC Nashville came to be, along with its hands-on learning center (chicken or the egg?)  with our guest interview with the fabulous Dr. Anthony Pease, Chief Veterinary Medical Officer of Viticus Group. We are delighted that Dr. Pease will not only return for this interview.  A Goodnewsforpets.com Surprise Alert: We will be visiting with Dr. Pease for our AI in Vet Med series very soon!).

    The new conference is especially exciting as it is the first national veterinary continuing education conference in more than 40 years. It promises the same high-quality programming and dynamic atmosphere the veterinary community has come to expect from WVC now in an East Coast setting.

    In addition to the conference, Viticus Group’s planned bioskills training center in Nashville will support advanced hands-on learning for veterinary and human health professionals. With a high concentration of vet pros in the surrounding region, Nashville (aka Music City) is a perfect complement to the original Las Vegas designation and the ideal second home on the East Coast.

    Mark your calendars (we did on Goodnewsforpets.com’s calendar page):

    WVC Nashville Conference: August 16–18, 2026 at Music City Center
    Training Facility Opens: Summer 2026 (subject to change)
    2027 Conference Dates: August 22–24, 2027

    Also of note for 2026, the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show will celebrate its 150 anniversary year, still back at Madison Square Garden (yay!), February  2-3, 2026. (Note: A reader wrote in that the event starts at the Javits Center on January 31st but Westminster has no official announcement posted yet. Our Feb 2-3 dates are from Ticketmaster.

    With WVC-Nashville, the Animal Health Corridor annual meeting, and SuperZoo on the calendar in August, we are getting ready for a busy fourth quarter in 2026. With the rapid pace of developments in AI and more, I welcome the opportunity to stay on top of the vet and pet world news.

    It’s an exciting time all around, and now, it’s on to the Global Pet Expo!

     

     



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  • Protecting Your Dog’s Health And The Best Way To Deal With Worms


    For those of us who have the joy of owning a puppy or dog, there is nothing more special and beautiful than seeing our little buddies coming at us with those fluffy happy faces like they were yelling “I love you” when they see us. For this reason, we as pet owners try to do our best to simply give them the very best experience they can possibly have while they live their lives by our side.

     

    This is why we make sure to be informed about how to keep our dog or puppy in the best health condition they can be. We all want our best friend to be happy and live as long as possible. And there are ways we can make sure our canine friends are always in great shape and feeling good.

     

     

    Puppyhood

    Before we start talking about how to boost our dog’s immune system we must first understand what it is and how it works.

     

    The immune system of a dog, just like our own human immune system, is what protects them from outside intruders such as viruses, toxins, bacterias, and other threats. The immune system is armed with a set of specialized cells, proteins, and organs that work together as a team to protect their bodies from getting sick or keeping disease at bay and helping in their recovery.

     

    When a puppy is born, they receive a very important gift from their mother, their first milk. This first milk is produced by their mother’s mammary glands immediately following the birth of their newborn puppies, and it is called colostrum.

     

    Colostrum contains antibodies and a high concentration of proteins that will protect the newborn baby against disease. These proteins will still be produced in the mother’s milk, but never as concentrated as it is present in colostrum. The nutrients provided by colostrum will also have some laxative effects that will allow puppies to pass their first stool and dispose of wastes that were produced in large quantities during birth.

     

    Many people think colostrum replacement products will actually do the same job as their mother’s first milk, but this is not true. Colostrum replacement products actually come from cows and do not contain the same components, although it does have some proteins that are common in all mammals.

     

    When a puppy lose their mom for whatever reason and fails to receive colostrum from her, it is very difficult to raise them as they lack the resistance that they were going to be granted with their first milk; so they will get sick very easily and are at a high risk of dying when they’re still babies.

     

    When a female dog gives birth, they’ll produce colostrum for several days, but it is most crucial for the newborn pups to get their mother’s milk within the first twelve hours after delivery. Drinking colostrum after this period of time does not have the same benefits, as their digestive systems will no longer soak up the antibodies anymore.

     

    Puppies should nurse until they are at least four weeks old, but they shouldn’t leave their mother and littermates until they are at least eight weeks old. It is recommended to vaccinate your puppy between six to sixteen weeks of age.

     

    Dogs that are younger than one year of age are generally considered puppies. But this varies from breed to breed. Some dog breeds mature earlier than others. You should determine when to stop feeding your dog with puppy food. Usually, small breeds can switch to regular dog food between nine to twelve months, and large breeds can take up to twenty-four months.

     

     

    Boosting your dog’s immune system

    When your dog has a strong and healthy immune system, it will be like having a protective force field around them; this might sound silly but it is like it is. The immune system is the first line of defense your canine partner has to fight against viruses, bacteria, parasites and other sort of pathogens that can hurt them and make them sick.

     

    Even when your dog gets sick, the immune system will be the one working to restore your dog’s body back to health.When your dog’s immune system weakens, your dog’s body will be defenseless against chronic disease, toxins, illness and deterioration.

     

    This is why it is so important to keep your dog’s immune system at its best in order to allow their body to be fully able to fight environmental pathogens and diseases. There are ways to boost immune system in dogs, like the following:

     

    Keep your dog hydrated:

     

    Just like us humans, dogs need water to keep the immune system strong. Fresh and clean water is fundamental for a healthy canine body to function properly. Keeping your buddy hydrated not only helps their body to dispose of those harmful toxins that are already in there, but it also has several benefits like regulating body temperature, process oxygen, help with blood flow and allow proper digestion of food and assimilation of nutrients.

     

    So yes, drinking water is very good for your doggy; and they should be drinking at least twelve ounces of water for every ten pounds of weight. So you should know how much your dog weighs, in order to provide at least the minimum amount of water they need to keep them healthy. If your dog weighs fifty pounds, they should be drinking at least sixty ounces of water per day. You must be aware that this amount might increase if you have a very active dog, so don’t be afraid to give them as much water as they require.

     

    Feed you dog properly:

     

    A balanced diet is fundamental for a healthy immune system. Even when dogs are considered omnivorous like us humans, they need a higher proportional intake of protein, so if you plan to feed your dog a vegan diet you must be extremely careful, protein is the most important step in the dog’s food pyramid. Other requirements for dog’s food are fat, carbs, vitamins and minerals.

     

    Antioxidants and other nutrients play a big role in keeping your dog healthy. Some very good sources of antioxidants are: Apples, plums, cabbage, broccoli and beans. Some dog foods contain antioxidants but not in important quantities to make a difference in your dog’s health. You can also provide your dog all the antioxidants, vitamins and minerals they need in the form of tablets. But you must be cautious, you don’t want to give your dog too much of these supplements as they might turn harmful in high quantities, consult your vet when you plan to give your dog any special supplement.

     

    Keep in mind that your dog’s weight will also affect their general health condition, and make their immune system struggle. So check if they’re overweight, they might need to get on a diet, or need some exercise.

     

    Keep your dog active:

     

    Sedentarism is terrible for both humans and pets. Overweight dogs are at risk of suffering from a variety of conditions, from diabetes to heart disease. It is important to feed your dog properly and keep them active enough to burn all those extra calories.

     

    There is a reason why people walk their dogs or pay someone to walk them. Dogs require physical activity to stay healthy. Other ways to help them burn those extra calories is by playing with them, they will enjoy this activity very much because they will be spending time with you. There is nothing better than having a healthy and happy dog.

     

     

    Deworming your dog

    One of the things you will have to deal with as a dog owner is the problem of parasites; dogs are ideal hosts for these. Dogs are always playing around dirt, trash, excrement, etc. sticking their noses and licking whatever they find on the street. It is only logical that they will get in trouble with parasites.

     

    It is very probable that your dog will get worms at one time or another. Diarrhea and vomiting are signs that something is not ok, and you might want to take your canine friend on a trip to the vet in order to make sure your dog is indeed dealing with worms.

     

    A fresh stool sample will provide your vet what they need to find out if your dog has worms or not. As tapeworms, hookworms, roundworms and whipworms will live in your dog’s intestines.

     

    The sooner you treat your dog and deal with their worm problems, the sooner your dog will go back to normal and feel healthy again. Your vet will indicate what medicine will be better for your pet, these drugs usually will be effective against a wide range of parasites.

     

    Don’t be surprised if you start to see worms in your dog’s poops after the deworming process has started, this is quite normal. These sorts of medications can come in the form of tablets, and you will need to make sure your dog swallows it all. For puppies, these tablets can be difficult to swallow so there are liquid options available for them.

     

    You might want to prevent worms instead of treating your dog against them. Dogs who already suffered worms in the past might get infected once again as the worming medicine will kill the big worms but some eggs might still be left around your dog’s intestines. Your vet will decide how long you should keep giving your dog this medication until they are finally free from these parasites.

     

    Regular treatment is the best defence against worms and other parasites. Regular worming throughout your dog’s life will help keep your dog healthy and happy. Make sure your vet checks your dog for all kinds of worms at least once a year. Get a prescription from your vet for the drug to prevent heartworms. Keep your dog flea-free. And keep your dog clean. They are not aware of the invisible dangers in the world, but you are. So do what you can to keep them healthy and feeling good.

     

     

    What is the best way to deworm your dog?

    The best way to deal with worms and build immunity on your dog is by giving them a blend of natural ingredients with all the supplements they need to remain healthy and happy. This is why we recommend Vibralife as a tasty way to give your dog a happy and vibrant life.

     

    The all-natural ingredients baked into a pellet for topdressing your dog’s feed. It’s a tasty way to give your dog what they need. Helping to gently remove parasites, establish a thick and shiny hair coat, and heal the gut lining and stomach. It has also helped female dogs overcome reproductive problems, including infertility, insufficient milk supply, and inconsistent cycles.

    The Reed Sedge Peat and Diatomaceous Earth in Vibralife work as a team to bind and prevent parasites that are common in young puppies. Psyllium Husk works to heal and protect the stomach and gut lining, while the oils help improve digestion and skin and hair quality. Yeast and Kelp help the immune and reproductive systems. Unlike most commercial dewormers that are hard on lactating females, Vibralife supports healthy lactating.

     

     

    Natural ways to prevent worms

    So you are looking for natural ways to prevent those annoying worms from getting into your fluffy friend’s life. Prevention is always the best defense. Although they are not as effective as medicine prescribed by your veterinarian of trust, or Vibralife Health Supplement Multivitamin and Natural Dewormer; these alternatives can help prevent parasites from getting into your fluffy friend:

     

    Chamomile is a herb that comes from daisy-like plants of the family Asteraceae. Chamomile has been used in traditional medicine across the globe for thousands of years. It can help with bloating and inflammation caused by internal parasites, and sometimes get rid of whipworms and roundworms.

     

    Apple cider vinegar is another well known traditional natural medicine. It is basically apple juice with added yeast that turns the juice’s sugar into alcohol through fermentation. Then, non harmful bacteria turn the alcohol into acetic acid. There are several benefits that come from drinking apple cider vinegar, among those is to increase the alkaline levels in your dog’s intestines making it inhospitable for parasites and worms.

     

    Coconut oil can also help eliminate worms from your canine friend’s body, it has antibacterial and antiviral properties that may help clear a pinworm infection. It also has other health benefits like fighting fungus, boosting metabolism, preventing skin infections and more.

     

    These are just a few examples of natural alternatives to prevent worms and other parasites to get into your little buddy. Keep in mind that medication and a strong immune system will always be the most efficient way to deal with this sort of problem.

     

     

    Dog Owners

    There are several things you must remember as a responsible dog owner in order to keep your dog healthy and happy. A balanced diet, avoiding overweight and providing vitamins and nutrients is top of the list along with exercise and everyday activity. Remember that your vet will always know what is best for your dog, so don’t miss annual check outs.

     

    Worms and other parasites are a serious matter to be always aware of, the process of deworming can get really unpleasant, both for you and your dog. The best defense is prevention, there is medicine your dog should take recurrently to avoid worms, there are also amazing blends that will provide everything your dog needs to fight, get rid and prevent these parasites. And there are also natural alternatives that can do a lot of good to your dog.

     

    The most important thing is to try to keep yourself informed about your dog’s health. It’s not easy to be a dog owner, but having a happy pet who loves you unconditionally is truly worth it.

     

     



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  • My Sound Decisions Webinar Is Available Again!

    My Sound Decisions Webinar Is Available Again!


    The back of a dog's head. Her ears are extended to the sides. he is black with rut-colored ears.

    In July 2019, I gave a live webinar on dogs and sound to a sold-out crowd through Linda Case’s The Science Dog. In June 2024, I presented an updated version, translated live to the German training organization IBH. Practicing the updated presentation gave me the opportunity to record it for future audiences.

    I am pleased to announce that my recorded webinar Sound Decisions: Helping Your Dog Cope with a Noisy Human World is again available for purchase.

    Not only that, but I have reduced the price for my other sound webinar: Listen Up: An Evidence-Based Assessment of Sound Products for Dogs. And I’ve created a “bundle” where you can buy them both for a further discount.

    I really want this information to get to trainers and the public, so the prices are super low.

    About the Webinars

    A small black and rust colored dog

    This subject matter is mostly unknown in the dog training community. Misinformation abounds.

    There are so many aspects of the physics of sound we need to know about for successful dog training and management. Trainers need to understand basics about sound science to perform desensitization and counterconditioning effectively with client dogs. They need to be informed about the science of sound to help with management solutions. They need to be able to identify bogus products and claims.

    Trainers and pet owners alike often search for methods to protect their dogs from bothersome sounds. Many of the solutions commonly offered for these problems are not supported by evidence.

    We need to approach sound with the same scientific rigor that we do behavior science. I’m uniquely qualified on the subject. I have a master’s degree in music from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and a master’s degree in applied science (acoustics) from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. My research and thesis were on active noise control.

    You can read the descriptions of the two webinars on my store site, but in short:

    • Sound Decisions focuses on the ways we can help our dogs who are sensitive to sound. It’s about 60 minutes long.
    • Listen Up focuses on products including ultrasonic toys, ultrasonic punishment devices, music for relaxation, barriers to sound such as earmuff-type products, and more. It includes demos of what really comes out of some of the ultrasonic toys and aversive devices. It’s about 90 minutes long.

    Both cover a lot of ground!

    Both webinars have guaranteed access for at least a year your enrollment date, and probably much longer.

    If You Purchased “Listen Up” from Me Previously

    Listen Up formerly sold for $30, which is more than the new price of the bundle of two webinars. If you purchased Listen Up from me, I’m happy to provide a code for free access to Sound Decisions. Contact me here on my blog or on Facebook Messenger through my personal Facebook account. I’ll need the email address you used when you purchased Listen Up to verify your previous order.

    Copyright 2024 Eileen Anderson



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