The Angell Memorial Animal Hospital Book of Wellness and Preventive Care for Dogs

by Darlene Arden

Overview

A world-renowned animal hospital shares its total-care program for dogs

"Angell Memorial's reputation in the animal world is unchallenged, and who better to tell their story than one of the best dog writers in the business. . . . A perfect combination and a must for this important bookshelf."
--Betty White, actress, author, and animal welfare activist

Angell Memorial Animal Hospital boasts an innovative and authoritative staff and a reputation second to none. Now for the first time, Angell Memorial is teaming up with an award-winning journalist, Darlene Arden, to offer its unprecedented preventive care program to puppy and dog owners everywhere in this comprehensive, user-friendly book, The Angell Memorial Animal Hospital Book of Wellness and Preventive Care for Dogs.

Too often dog owners wait until a pet is struck with an illness to seek out veterinary advice. The importance of implementing a program that prevents illness from occurring is key to a happy and healthy pet.

Topics covered include:

• Dentistry, grooming, and nutrition
• Emergencies, surgery, first aid, and vaccinations
• Training and behavior
• Caring for middle-aged and advanced-aged dogs

Angell's unique preventive care handouts and brochure pages (offered for the first time to the general public) are also included. Now, through this book, readers and their veterinarians can create a preventive care program that mimics Angell's to fit the individual dog and lifestyle.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780071426954
Publisher:	McGraw Hill LLC
Publication date:	12/26/2002
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	256
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

Darlene Arden is an award-winning animal journalist and author. She is also the producer and host of her own cable show. Her work has been featured in Dog World, Cats, Family Circle, and the Boston Herald.

Read an Excerpt

Part I

Puppyhood

Chapter One

In the Beginning

Your puppy's first six months will have profound effects on his health and behavior throughout his life. Owning a dog is a big responsibility, so it's a good idea to educate yourself before you get your dog. Taking the time to research your dog's health needs will be critically important in providing a great start for your new life together.

--Douglas Brum, D.V.M.

Bringing a new canine companion into your life is a wonderful adventure, and it's important to start off on the right foot. Now that you've done your homework and chosen the right dog for your lifestyle, it's time to choose your dog's veterinarian. Your initial visit to your veterinarian's office is the beginning of a relationship that could last throughout your dog's life. It sets the stage for a lifetime of good care. (Note that although we will generally refer to puppies in this section of the book, much of the information given here is applicable to newly acquired adult dogs as well. We'll discuss issues related specifically to adult dogs in Part 2.)

Ideally you should schedule this initial appointment to occur two to three days after bringing your dog home. It's best not to do it within the first twenty-four hours, as there will be enough confusion in the dog's life while he's adjusting to his new surroundings.

Tricks of the Trade

Some states have puppy "lemon laws" stating that you can get your money back if something is discovered to be wrong with the pet within forty-eight to seventy-two hours of purchase, and guaranteeing some remuneration if the dog shows genetic defects at maturity.

Choosing Your Doctor

The first step, of course, is to choose a good veterinarian. Ask your friends with pets which doctors they recommend, and encourage them to be as specific as possible about what they like and don't like in various doctors. Another option is to contact your local humane society or animal shelter for names of reputable veterinarians.

Tips for Choosing a Good Veterinarian

* Ask your breeder or a friend or neighbor who they would recommend.

* Make an appointment to meet the veterinarian and tour the hospital.

* Is the hospital clean? Does it smell clean (beyond the usual pet odors)?

* Can you easily communicate with the veterinarian? You will have to be your dog's advocate since he can't speak for himself.

* Does the veterinarian enjoy working with your particular breed or size of dog?

* If your dog is small, does the veterinarian moderate his or her touch for a smaller animal and does he or she move more slowly when working with a smaller dog?

* Will the veterinarian's office hours fit into your schedule?

* Does the veterinarian have emergency hours or will he or she refer you to an emergency practice so precious time isn't lost?

* If your pet must stay overnight, is there someone on duty in case of a problem?

* Does the veterinarian accept pet health insurance?

* What sorts of payment options are available?

You should choose a veterinarian with whom you have a good rapport. Open, two-way communication fosters a sense of continuity and trust. It's also vital in monitoring your dog's health--as your veterinarian becomes familiar with your dog over time, she will be all the better equipped to address the dog's particular needs.

There are things you can do to enhance the relationship you and your dog have with your veterinarian. For example, if your doctor is open to it, take your pet on occasional social visits to the office to help him bond with the staff. They will likely have treats on hand to give him, or you can bring a snack you know he likes and hand it to staff members for feeding. This type of visit can help your dog associate the veterinary hospital with happiness, which should make him feel that he's "among friends" during his uncomfortable medical visits. This will also make it easier for your veterinarian to care for your canine companion.

Another important way to encourage good communication with your veterinarian is to get in tune with your dog. You need to be able to tell when he's not feeling well and adequately explain the problem; after all, he cannot speak for himself. Your responsibility is to be your puppy's advocate.

The Angell Model

One goal of this book is to show you how Angell Memorial Animal Hospital's Wellness and Preventive Care program works so that you and your veterinarian may adapt principles of Angell's program for your dog and your lifestyle.

Things work just a little bit differently at Angell because of the teaching hospital's structure. Although there is a full-time wellness veterinarian on staff whose only job is to work in the Wellness Clinic, veterinary interns rotate through the Wellness Clinic, so clients do not generally see the same veterinarian at each visit. Because of the number of veterinarians staffing the clinic, Angell needed to develop a system that would

* give clients the same education, guidance, and information at each visit;

* bring continuity to wellness care; and

* ensure the most up-to-date and comprehensive information is given to dog owners with healthy animals.

In order to accomplish this goal, they created the position of a full-time preventive medicine technician (PMT), also known as the wellness technician, who works with the clients and the veterinarians at each wellness visit. The PMT offers clients a sense of continuity and a familiar face.

The PMT is also the person who provides the routine client education at Angell, armed with a client checklist to ensure that the client receives the appropriate information and educational materials at each visit. There is a different checklist for each stage of the dog's life--puppy, adult, and senior--for each wellness visit, each one covering a different aspect of well animal care and responsible pet ownership. By following the checklist, Angell staff can be assured that clients are receiving information at the appropriate time in their dogs' health care plans.

The First Visit

When you go to your first veterinary appointment with your new dog, bring along any paperwork that you've received from the previous owner (breeder, shelter, or rescue agency, for example), including vaccination history. It's a good idea to make a copy of this paperwork for your own records before giving it to the veterinarian.

Your dog will be placed on the floor or on the examination table for his exam. Examination tables are made of cold steel and can be unpleasant for a dog--in fact, small dogs will always find it uncomfortable because they lose body heat more rapidly than larger dogs. The veterinarian may place a disposable cardboard crate mat on the examination table in order to minimize any discomfort. Your dog's earliest experiences at the veterinary hospital will be remembered, so you want them to be good ones. Be calm and cheerful during your dog's veterinary visits, and he will be, too.

The doctor or assistant will weigh the dog and take his temperature using either a rectal thermometer or an ototympanic (ear) thermometer. The ototympanic thermometer is far less stressful for the dog, but it is more expensive for the veterinarian and is less accurate than the rectal thermometer. Your veterinarian can show you how to take your dog's temperature at home. (See Chapter 11 for a brief description of this procedure.) When your dog is ill, knowing his temperature and relating that information to the veterinarian when you phone can be helpful. The average normal temperature for an adult dog is between 99.5 and 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit.

The physical examination should be gentle, and your veterinarian should show patience as she checks for inherited (congenital) abnormalities by gently examining the dog with her hands (palpation) and a stethoscope, and looking at his eyes, ears, mouth. skin, and coat. Common initial physical examination findings include umbilical hernias, undescended testicles (cryptorchidism), heart murmurs, ear and skin infections, and fleas.

The doctor should observe the newcomer to ensure that he moves normally, and determine whether he is alert and curious or withdrawn and shy. Under the best of circumstances your doctor will want to see whether the dog will come to him, perhaps enticed by a treat. This allows the dog to meet the veterinarian with a positive and curious attitude about the new human. The veterinarian, in turn, will go slowly and gain the puppy's trust. Since this first visit will set the tone for all future visits, it's important that it be a positive experience.

Keeping a Wellness Health Record

The key to an effective wellness program is that the pet owner and veterinarian work together to ensure the pet's health. Education is a vital aspect of that partnership, including handouts and instruction from the veterinarian or a veterinary technician. The more you know, the better you will be able to care for your pet.

At Angell, a wellness health record is begun for new dogs at the first visit. Each client is given a folder in which to store handouts and medical records. If your veterinarian doesn't give you a similar folder, you can certainly buy a folder and store all of your canine companion's records in it. This will be quite handy during your dog's lifetime because you'll always know where you can find everything you need pertaining to your dog's health.

Wellness Health Record Checklist

Following are listed all the items Angell clients receive for their wellness health record. The preventive medicine technician reviews them with the client. Your veterinarian may have something similar or may have brochures in the waiting room.

First Visit

* "Welcome to Angell" brochure describing hospital services

* Health record

* Information on the individual vaccines that are recommended

* List of possible adverse vaccine reactions

* Information on puppy obedience and application for obedience classes

* Puppy feeding guide and phone number for nutritional advice

* Puppy health guide and food sample

Second Visit

* Handout describing heartworm disease

* Additional detailed information on obedience and training

* Dental care information and dental supplies and samples

* PennHip information (for dogs at risk of hip dysplasia)

Third Visit

* MSPCA information about spaying and neutering

* Grooming handout and information about how grooming enhances dogs' health, behavior, and training

* Information on how to control external parasites (parasites that live on an animal's hair or skin, as opposed to internal parasites such as heartworm)

* Information regarding the incidence and dangers of rabies and the importance of vaccination

* Animal ID program information, including tattoo and microchip information

Common Tests

The veterinary hospital may request that you bring a small stool sample to their facility so they may check for internal parasites. Puppies are especially at risk for intestinal worms, which they may have gotten from their mother, so routine fecal exams are important. It's not an unreasonable practice for puppies to be wormed routinely, initially every two to three weeks when they're quite young, even if their fecal tests are negative. Aside from the health implications of worms to your dog, some worms (mainly roundworms and hookworms) can cause zoonotic diseases (diseases that may be transmitted to people, especially young children). This is very uncommon, but it's better to be safe than sorry. A routine worming procedure should probably be in place in every wellness and preventive care program. Most breeders already have an appropriate worming program.

Giardia

Puppies also should be tested for giardia, a zoonotic disease caused by a parasite. The veterinarian needs to look specifically for giardia because it won't always show up in the routine fecal examination. To detect giardia, your veterinarian will have to do either a zinc sulfate test or an ELISA (enzyme-linked amino-absorbent assay) test. In some professional veterinary publications it's said that a number of puppies will have giardia, but most show no signs of illness. The most common symptom is diarrhea.

Depending on where you live, your veterinarian may want to include a vaccination for giardia, though it is not currently recommended by or available at Angell. Since giardia reside in a wide variety of water sources, outdoor dogs are at higher risk, as are hunting dogs. Most dogs show no symptoms (that is, they are asymptomatic) but some puppies, older pets, or those with a compromised immune system might be at higher risk for more serious disease effects. (We will discuss giardia further in Chapter 2.)

Heartworm

Heartworm testing will not be done before the puppy is at least six months old. It takes about six months for a puppy to test positive for heartworm once he's infected. At Angell, puppies younger than six months are started on preventive medications, and those older than six months get the heartworm blood test. (We'll talk more about heartworm in Chapter 2.)

Vaccination

Your puppy will receive several vaccines that are commonly called core vaccines. These are given to every puppy and form the core of his protection from contagious diseases. They include distemper, parvovirus, hepatitis, rabies, and parainfluenza, and may also include leptospirosis (lepto).

Booster shots are generally given every three to four weeks until the puppy is four to five months old. Some consider leptospirosis to be a core vaccine, but most do not, so it is more commonly being considered a noncore vaccine.

Some recommend waiting for thirty minutes after your puppy or dog's vaccination has been administered before going home, just in case there's an adverse reaction. Although severe reactions are rare, it is probably safest to wait. Typical vaccination reactions include mild lethargy and soreness at the vaccination site. But there can be more acute reactions. Occasionally, a fairly rapid facial swelling or hives on the skin may be noted. If this occurs, the dog will need to be treated.

Rarely an anaphylactic reaction may occur. This is the most severe type of reaction, and usually occurs rapidly (within thirty minutes). Symptoms include shortness of breath or trouble breathing, weakness, extreme lethargy, and even collapse. A dog may go into shock or even die if treatment is not provided rapidly. Fortunately, dogs typically respond well to treatment. It would be wise to reevaluate your dog's vaccination protocol in light of any serious vaccine reactions. Pretreating dogs with medications to decrease the potential of reactions prior to vaccinations or omitting certain vaccinations should be considered.

Types of Vaccines

There are different types of vaccines. The live vaccine, which is made from the active virus, is rarely used today. Following are the three most common vaccines currently in use:

Modified live. The virus is altered so it is no longer virulent to the dog but will help the dog's body create an immunity to the virus.

Killed. The virus itself has been deactivated, so it is safer than the modified live because the virus cannot reproduce itself. The problem, however, is that the killed vaccine requires an adjuvant (a substance enhancing the immune response to an antigen) to make it more effective.

Subunit. This vaccine is not infectious and contains only the parts of the microorganism that are necessary to yield the desired protective immune response. This vaccine is generally considered both safe and effective.

Recombinant vaccines are new and are created by using specific DNA of the organism. Since the recombinant vaccine doesn't require an adjuvant to activate it, it can be a very good choice. This appears to be the wave of the future.

Also new are the high-titer modified live vaccines, which are given to puppies in an attempt to provide quicker and more effective protection specifically from parvovirus infections. When a puppy is born he receives protective antibodies from his mother that slowly decrease over time. At first these antibodies protect against disease, but as their concentration decreases the puppies become susceptible to infection. Unfortunately, the maternal antibodies acquired when nursing the mother's initial milk (called colostrum) also block the effectiveness of the vaccines, and thus there is usually a period of time when the vaccines are not effective, the maternal antibodies are no longer protective, and the puppy is at risk of contracting the disease. The goal of the high-titer vaccines is to achieve vaccine protection at an earlier age and to decrease the window of opportunity of disease transmission.

Distemper

Distemper, which affects the respiratory and nervous system, is a viral disease that's highly contagious among dogs. It's transmitted from dog to dog by contact with fecal matter, urine, or eye or nasal discharges. Most dogs that contract distemper will die from it, and puppies are at even higher risk. In such a weakened condition, it's easy for a dog to contract a secondary ailment such as pneumonia. A dog who survives distemper will usually be left with residual neurological damage. The dog could lose sight, smell, or hearing, or could be partially paralyzed. Symptoms of distemper include vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, coughing, and nasal discharge--so it could easily be mistaken for something else, thereby delaying diagnosis and treatment.

If a dog survives distemper he will be immune for the rest of his life. All dogs should be vaccinated for distemper with periodic booster shots. Consult your veterinarian about how often your own dog should be vaccinated for this disease. And at the first sign of any illness, do take him to the veterinarian. The disease is so prevalent that most dogs come into contact with it. Whatever ails your dog, a quick trip to your veterinarian can assure you of prompt diagnosis and treatment.

Hepatitis

Hepatitis (adenovirus), another infectious viral disease, used to be a much more common disease before a vaccine was developed, but vaccination has virtually eliminated it. The adenovirus used to cause inflammation of the liver, which would eventually lead to liver failure. Occasionally it would cause corneal edema (a bluish tinge to the cornea) and lead to blindness.

Parainfluenza

Parainfluenza is a highly contagious respiratory disease that may spread quickly among dogs. It is caused by a virus and is one of the eitiologic agents {Q}AU: PLEASE DEFINE "EITIOLOGIC AGENT"{QX}responsible for causing "kennel cough." The virus produces inflammation of the trachea (windpipe). Most dogs will have a dry hacking cough that usually improves without treatment (or sometimes with only a cough suppressant). If the coughing does not improve, a secondary bacterial pneumonia can ensue, which would be much more serious.

Bordatella

Bordatella, one of the causes of kennel cough, is a separate vaccination. The signs of this disease are similar to those of parainfluenza. Dogs that are frequently boarded are usually required (by the kennel or boarding place) to have a bordatella vaccination. Angell does not routinely administer a bordatella vaccine, but will give it to dogs at risk. The vaccine comes in two forms: injectable and intranasal. The more popular and effective intranasal vaccine, which gives more rapid protection, is sprayed into the dog's nose, which means it is more difficult to administer if the dog objects to the procedure. He might squirm, preventing himself from receiving the entire dose of vaccine, or he could sneeze it out.

Parvovirus

Your puppy will be vaccinated for parvovirus, which is a very serious contagious disease generally seen in puppies rather than adult dogs. It causes severe vomiting and diarrhea and suppresses the immune system. Severe cases of parvovirus may be fatal, even if treated. After the initial vaccination series, a blood test (parvo titer) can determine whether the dog has adequate protection. Parvovirus seems particularly to be a problem among Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers, and Pit Bulls, so they might receive an extra parvo vaccination at five months of age. At the very least these dogs should have their blood checked to ensure adequate protection from the disease.

Rabies

Rabies is a serious public health concern. Mammals (such as raccoons, skunks, bats, foxes, dogs, and cats) can carry it and it can be transferred to humans. The virus is spread through wounds via the saliva of a rabid animal. Laws governing rabies vaccination vary from state to state. In Massachusetts, puppies receive their first rabies vaccination as early as three months of age, but usually between four and six months of age, with booster shots nine to twelve months later, and then every three years. Some states require an annual booster.

Symptoms of rabies include profound changes in behavior typical of the animal's species and individual personality--for example, foxes get friendly, or a gregarious dog may begin acting frightened--so it's important to know what behavior is normal for each species. Watch for overly vicious or timid behavior, lack of coordination, and difficulty swallowing. Once the symptoms appear, rabies is fatal.

A person who is known to have been exposed to rabies can be treated with a vaccination, but a person who begins to show symptoms of rabies cannot be treated. An animal that has been vaccinated against rabies may also be treated with a rabies vaccination after exposure, but an unvaccinated animal cannot be treated. A vaccinated dog is well protected from this dreaded disease.

Leptospirosis

Leptospirosis is an infectious disease that may cause severe liver and kidney damage and may also affect people. The disease can be seen at any age; it's very serious and often fatal. It is caused by a spirochete bacterium found commonly in the rat population. Dogs may be exposed to the bacterium through stagnant water that has been contaminated with rodent secretions. Dogs that live in the country or go hiking or camping are at increased risk of contracting the disease. Leptospirosis is more prevalent in cities, where there is a high rodent population.

Vaccination does offer some protection against the disease, but it is not straightforward. The disease may be caused by different strains (or serotypes) of the bacteria. The vaccine must incorporate each serotype to be fully protective and there is no cross-protection from one serotype to another. For example, if a dog is vaccinated for serotypes "A" and "B" but then is exposed to serotype "C," he may become ill. There are five main serotypes of leptospirosis, and the typical vaccine only has two of these. This allows for potential cases of leptospirosis even in vaccinated animals. Fortunately, newer leptospirosis vaccines have been developed that have four of the serotypes, thus offering broader protection.

An additional complication of the leptospirosis vaccine is that it may only be effective for six months at a time and thus requires a booster every six months for year-long protection. Considering the vaccine's duration of protection and the multiple strains of the organism, it should not be surprising to learn that the disease is still seen in veterinary hospitals around the country.

The discussion to vaccinate, not vaccinate, or how often to vaccinate is a complex one. Factors such as lifestyle, breed, age, environment, and travel potential should all be taken into account when considering this vaccine. It should be discussed with your veterinarian. Many veterinarians do not have a set policy for leptospirosis vaccinations and will vaccinate based on the individual dog's risk factors.

Lyme Disease

While there is a vaccine for Lyme disease, it should be given only if a good reason exists to do so. It is better to have a preventive tick-control program (which we'll discuss further in Chapter 2) in place, but if you live in an area with a sizable tick population you and your veterinarian might consider administering the Lyme vaccine to your dog. It can be given to puppies twelve weeks of age or older in two doses that are given two to three weeks apart. An annual booster is recommended for those receiving the vaccine.

Coronavirus

The coronavirus vaccine is given by some veterinarians, though Angell does not recommend it for routine use. Coronavirus may cause diarrhea, or it may be subclinical (not detectable by clinical tests) or self-limiting, meaning that the dog can rid himself of the virus on his own without becoming ill. Most dogs become only mildly ill from the virus and recover on their own. Coronavirus may be of greater concern in breeding kennels or shelters.

Tricks of the Trade

Nothing about a wellness and preventive care program is written in stone--it must be customized for each dog, even more so for adult dogs than for puppies. But even the puppy's program will have to weigh risk factors that will differ for each puppy, depending on his breed and size and his owner's residence and lifestyle.

Nutrition

The first visit is a good time to discuss nutrition with your veterinarian so that you can make an informed decision about your dog's diet. Your veterinarian will give you appropriate feeding guidelines. If your puppy came from a responsible breeder, he's probably already eating a complete and balanced diet from a reputable company. Angell clients receive the phone number of a full-time staff veterinary nutritionist they may call for nutritional advice. We'll discuss nutrition in detail in Chapter 5.

Hip Dysplasia

At this time, Angell clients are given information about the PennHip program, which allows for earlier identification of dogs with potential for hip dysplasia (see Chapter 7, page TK). This is a debilitating disease. No dog who manifests it should ever be bred. And if your dog has it, it's better to take preventive measures, which include keeping the dog thin and well muscled, and to know which symptoms to look for.

Tricks of the Trade

A puppy's ration for a full day should be divided into multiple meals depending on his age. From weaning to three months of age, he should be offered four meals per day; from three to six months he should be offered three meals per day; from six months to one year, he may be fed two meals per day; and adult dogs may eat one or two meals per day. Smaller adult dogs seem to do quite well when their food is divided into two meals because their stomachs are smaller and can't handle a large portion of food efficiently at one time. Fresh water should be available to your dog at all times.

Grooming

Good grooming is an essential part of preventing external parasites, and keeping your dog clean will keep him healthier in general. Daily brushing and combing will not only prevent mats and tangles but will remove dead hair and dirt and stimulate blood supply to the skin, resulting in a healthier, shinier coat. We'll discuss grooming in greater detail in Chapter 3.

Your veterinarian will teach you how to feel your puppy for lumps and bumps, which you can easily do during your regular grooming session. Let your puppy become accustomed to your hands going over his body; it will make it easier for your veterinarian to examine him, which will make for a far more pleasant experience all around.

Dental Care

Your veterinarian will talk to you about the importance of dental care and will probably give you a sample of a special toothpaste made just for dogs. It doesn't foam, but it is flavored, which will make it more appealing to your little companion and thereby make the cleaning process more tolerable. (Never use toothpaste for humans on your dog!) Your veterinarian will teach you how to clean your dog's teeth, a process that will be discussed in detail in Chapter 3.

Spaying and Neutering

Spaying and neutering are important issues that your veterinarian will discuss with you at the first or second visit, likely setting up an appointment for the relatively simple procedure that should be done before sexual maturity. At Angell, this discussion usually takes place during the second visit.

Unless you are a responsible dog breeder who is doing all of the applicable genetic testing or showing your dogs--in other words, unless you have secured objective and educated opinions that your dogs meet the standard for their breed--you should not think about creating more puppies and exacerbating the pet overpopulation problem. Not only are there too many dogs without homes, but there is no need to add to the purebred population unless it is to better the breed. There are far too many genetic problems that may be inherited, problems that can be both heartbreaking and costly. Sometimes the mother dies while whelping a litter, or requires a cesarean section. Most pet owners don't consider the potential risks, complications, and expense of raising a litter. Reputable and responsible breeders lose money on every litter they breed.

Another important reason for spaying or neutering before sexual maturity concerns the health of your dog. Neutering cuts the risk of testicular cancer to zero and significantly decreases the incidence of prostate disease later in life. Spaying a female dog before the first or second heat also lowers the incidence of uterine infection, uterine and ovarian cancer, and mammary cancer. Angell will spay or neuter as early as ten weeks of age.

You need not fear that your pet will grow fat and lazy after being neutered, though it's always important to maintain a proper diet and exercise regimen throughout your pet's life to maximize his health and longevity.

At the time you bring your puppy to be spayed or neutered, the dog will likely receive an extra parvo vaccine if needed (based on the parvo titer or risks of the specific breed). The dog may possibly be tattooed or microchipped (for verifiable permanent identification in case he is ever lost or stolen), as these procedures can be done while the dog is under anesthesia for spaying or neutering. It's ideal to have a more permanent method of identifying your pet to accompany his collar and tags.

Obedience Training

Your dog will be a better companion if he is well trained, so enrolling him in obedience classes is a smart thing to do. Training your puppy properly, using the gentlest, most positive methods, will make him a joy to live with.

A puppy who is not trained may grow into an unmanageable dog, no matter how big or small he is--and an unmanageable dog usually ends up in a shelter or rescue because the owners simply cannot cope with him. Training is a responsibility you assume when you choose to bring a dog into your life.

A clicker training kit is available to Angell clients. This is an easy, humane, simple, and fun way to teach your dog to become a happy, responsive, well-mannered companion. The kit includes an informational handout about clicker training along with a complimentary clicker--a small device that gives the dog a consistent auditory cue when he responds correctly to your commands. Clients can also purchase a small, easy-to-follow booklet that teaches clients how to train their dog using a clicker.

The classes at Angell Memorial have been created not for performance obedience but for good behavior in everyday situations. Included, of course, are the essentials: sit, stay, down, heel, and come. Most puppy training classes will help with such problems as housetraining, chewing, biting, and jumping.

A dog can begin training at any age, so if you have adopted an older dog, it's not too late. It may take a little longer than it would with a puppy, but it will be well worth the effort. In fact, training is a wonderful way for you and your dog to have fun together. Adult dog obedience classes address common adult problems like jumping up, chasing, and aggression. We'll discuss training and behavior problems further in Chapter 6.

Pet Health Insurance

You will want to discuss pet health insurance early on. It can make a big difference in whether you can afford an expensive procedure that your dog may need later in life. There are several pet health insurance companies offering different programs. Talk with your veterinarian about which ones she recommends and then make the choice that's right for you and your dog.

Happily, you and your puppy or dog are well on your way to having a long, healthy life together.

What We've Learned

Adjuvant: A substance added to a vaccine to stimulate it

Asymptomatic: Showing no symptoms

Colostrum: Mother's initial milk

Congenital: Referring to inherited genetic traits

Core vaccines: Shots given to all puppies to protect them against common diseases

Cryptorchidism: Undescended testicles

ELISA test: Enzyme-linked amino-absorbent assay test

Ototympanic thermometer: Thermometer that is inserted in the ear

Palpation: Examining by touch, especially medically

Zoonotic: Referring to diseases that may be transmitted from animals to humans