Sherry’s Corner

Designer Dogs, Puppy Socialization, and Honey

More on the PA Closed Kennel: According to the Pennsylvania Federation of Dog Clubs Inc., breeds in the headline-making closed Pennsylvania kennel include the following: Boxer, Chihuahua, Doberman, German Shepherd, Great Dane, Shih-Tzu and Yorkies. Most of the dogs were Adesigner dogs@–poodle and poo mixes called ADoodles@. Help is needed. Contact the Pennsylvania SPCA. Also of interest is the allegation that the kennel was inspected in August by three dog wardens and the Dog Law Bureau Director, Sue West. No violations were found. It is also alleged that the bodies of the dogs found in the freezer were used for dog food. However, Julian Prager points out that it is a common practice to place the bodies of dead dogs in a freezer until they can be disposed of. Thus, it is inappropriate to jump to an unsubstantiated conclusion. The person charged with the problem kennel is supposedly an employee; the owner is unnamed. The last time the kennel was in violation, the owner asked to be able to keep some of the dogs because they were his pets. Some believe now these dogs were used as future breeding stock to continue the operation.

Socialization of Puppies: A position statement on early socialization of puppies has been released by the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior. Veterinarians are encouraged to recommend that puppies be socialized BEFORE THE VACCINE SERIES IS COMPLETE. The reason for the new policy is that BEHAVIORAL ISSUES–NOT INFECTIOUS DISEASE–ARE THE NUMBER ONE CAUSE OF DEATH FOR DOGS UNDER 3 YEARS OF AGE. According to the new guidelines, puppies should start socialization classes as early as 7 to 8 weeks of age and receive a minimum of one set of vaccines at least 7 days prior to the first class as well as a first deworming. (This position, of course, is not news for older dog owners and breeders. The Puppy Aptitude Test or PAT is always given at 7 weeks of age to help owners choose a new puppy.)

The JAVMA news summary also suggests that veterinarians hold puppy socialization classes in their lobby, which can be disinfected and where they can control enrollees. To view a copy of the puppy position statement go to www.AVSABonline.org.

It is interesting to note that Dr. Bruce Ilgen, a past president of the PVMA, and Dorothy Urban, a dog trainer noted for her Labrador Retrievers, held puppy kindergarten classes in his hospital back in the late 1980s. Ilgen and Urban came to the Bloomsburg University Animal-Vues educational program at the Magee Center to present this program. Ilgen can be seen on the Canine Good Citizen videotape giving a physical examination. He believed that a dog with CGC training was easier to examine and gave the veterinarian a better picture of the dog=s health. (Stand for examination). Certainly puppy training should include this command both on and off the examination table by strangers as well as family members.

Bark Parks: The most recent issue of YOUR DOG, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, calls dog parks ABARK PARKS@! It is also suggested in this issue that some senior canines who may need more protein to keep body mass switch to Pro Plan Chicken and Rice Weight Management dry formula–29% with only 337 calories per cup. There is an interesting article on wound treatment that includes the use of medicinal honey–another old remedy. Some things never change.