Effective Options Regarding Spay or Neuter of Dogs

Effective Options Regarding Spay or Neuter of Dogs
Author: Lynette Arnason Hart
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Total Pages: 151
Release: 2024-07-12
Genre: Science
ISBN: 2832550967

In recent decades, spay or neuter of dogs, including early-age spay-neuter, has become a common practice in the United States, intended primarily to reduce overpopulation and therefore relinquishment of dogs to animal shelters and humane societies. Neutering dogs prior to adoption is even, in some localities, a legal requirement. However, recent research has called into question the common wisdom of mandatory and indiscriminate spay-neuter. An important welfare issue is that for some canine breeds, neutering is associated with heightened levels of musculoskeletal disorders and/or certain cancers, while for others no adverse effects of neuter status on diseases are evident. Adverse consequences of early neutering can be particularly troubling for the breeds most often used in working or assistance roles, shortening the working lives of these extensively trained dogs, e.g., Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, and German Shepherds. It must also be considered that, in many countries outside of the United States, dog populations are not routinely sterilized and, in some cases, maintain low rates of dog relinquishment. In other cases, where street dog populations are prevalent, results of long-term sterilization program are mixed as to their success in preventing or reducing street dog populations. It is clear that reproduction is not the sole cause of dog relinquishment, and that an outsized focus on sterilization can inhibit efforts to protect animals and, in some cases, be harmful to them. These issues raise questions regarding legal implications, adoption, and methods of controlling reproduction. This Research Topic seeks to provide a scholarly forum addressing the numerous contexts and complexities, including cultural and legal issues related to spay and neuter of dogs. collapse

The Other End of the Leash

The Other End of the Leash
Author: Patricia McConnell, Ph.D.
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Total Pages: 289
Release: 2009-02-19
Genre: Pets
ISBN: 0307489183

Learn to communicate with your dog—using their language “Good reading for dog lovers and an immensely useful manual for dog owners.”—The Washington Post An Applied Animal Behaviorist and dog trainer with more than twenty years’ experience, Dr. Patricia McConnell reveals a revolutionary new perspective on our relationship with dogs—sharing insights on how “man’s best friend” might interpret our behavior, as well as essential advice on how to interact with our four-legged friends in ways that bring out the best in them. After all, humans and dogs are two entirely different species, each shaped by its individual evolutionary heritage. Quite simply, humans are primates and dogs are canids (as are wolves, coyotes, and foxes). Since we each speak a different native tongue, a lot gets lost in the translation. This marvelous guide demonstrates how even the slightest changes in our voices and in the ways we stand can help dogs understand what we want. Inside you will discover: • How you can get your dog to come when called by acting less like a primate and more like a dog • Why the advice to “get dominance” over your dog can cause problems • Why “rough and tumble primate play” can lead to trouble—and how to play with your dog in ways that are fun and keep him out of mischief • How dogs and humans share personality types—and why most dogs want to live with benevolent leaders rather than “alpha wanna-bes!” Fascinating, insightful, and compelling, The Other End of the Leash is a book that strives to help you connect with your dog in a completely new way—so as to enrich that most rewarding of relationships.

Our Dogs, Ourselves

Our Dogs, Ourselves
Author: Alexandra Horowitz
Publisher: Scribner
Total Pages: 320
Release: 2019-09-03
Genre: Pets
ISBN: 1982137622

From Alexandra Horowitz, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Inside of a Dog, an eye-opening, informative, and wholly entertaining examination and celebration of the human-canine relationship for the curious dog owner and science-lover alike. We keep dogs and are kept by them. We love dogs and (we assume) we are loved by them. We buy them sweaters, toys, shoes; we are concerned with their social lives, their food, and their health. The story of humans and dogs is thousands of years old but is far from understood. In Our Dogs, Ourselves, Alexandra Horowitz explores all aspects of this unique and complex interspecies pairing. As Horowitz considers the current culture of dogdom, she reveals the odd, surprising, and contradictory ways we live with dogs. We celebrate their individuality but breed them for sameness. Despite our deep emotional relationships with dogs, legally they are property to be bought, sold, abandoned, or euthanized as we wish. Even the way we speak to our dogs is at once perplexing and delightful. In thirteen thoughtful and charming chapters, Our Dogs, Ourselves affirms our profound affection for this most charismatic of animals—and opens our eyes to the companions at our sides as never before.

Pet Nation

Pet Nation
Author: Mark Cushing
Publisher: Penguin
Total Pages: 337
Release: 2021-09-21
Genre: Pets
ISBN: 0593420640

Now in paperback and with an update about pets during COVID. In the last 20 years pets have gone from the backyard to sleeping on our beds, then showing up in every corner of America. Pet Nation tells the story of this seismic shift and the economic, media, legal, political, and social dramas springing from this cultural transformation. Since 1998 the pet population in the U.S. has almost doubled -- about two-thirds of the country now owns a pet. No longer left to wander the neighborhood, dogs and cats eat special food, get individualized medical attention, and even fly in the cabin. As founder of the Animal Policy Group, Mark Cushing provides an inside look at the rise of Pet Nation, tracking the myriad ways pets are acquired (a "Canine Freedom Train" runs south to north), reporting on pet rights legislation (and the unseen problems that come with elevating their status), pet healthcare (revealing the truth and myths about large scale breeders), and discovering that despite what many organizations would have us believe, there is a shortage of dogs. Insightful, surprising, and full of great stories, Pet Nation opens our eyes to the big changes happening in front of us right now. It shows us not only what our love of animals says about pets, it shows us what it says about ourselves.

High-Quality, High-Volume Spay and Neuter and Other Shelter Surgeries

High-Quality, High-Volume Spay and Neuter and Other Shelter Surgeries
Author: Sara White
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 1069
Release: 2020-01-03
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 1118810872

This comprehensive reference provides veterinarians with everything they need to know about performing surgeries such as spaying and neutering in busy animal shelters. It includes surgical and anesthetic techniques, perioperative procedures, reproductive medicine, and program management regarding dogs, cats, rabbits, and other small mammals. With more than 550 full-color images, High-Quality, High-Volume Spay and Neuter and Other Shelter Surgeries provides spay-neuter and shelter veterinarians with information on the most current clinical techniques. Dozens of veterinary experts offer their expert advice and knowledge on perioperative care, surgery instrumentation, infectious disease control, anesthesia protocols, CPR, the fundamentals of HQHVSN, and more. Covers all aspects of common shelter surgeries, including surgical and anesthetic techniques, perioperative procedures, reproductive medicine, and program management Provides coverage of dogs, cats, rabbits, and other small mammals Written by leaders in the field with experience in surgery, medicine, spay-neuter practice, teaching, and research High-Quality, High-Volume Spay and Neuter and Other Shelter Surgeries is an excellent resource for veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and students, as well as clinic and shelter owners.

Our Dogs, Ourselves -- Young Readers Edition

Our Dogs, Ourselves -- Young Readers Edition
Author: Alexandra Horowitz
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Total Pages: 224
Release: 2021-08-17
Genre: Juvenile Nonfiction
ISBN: 1534410139

We keep dogs and are kept by them. We love dogs and (we assume) we are loved by them. Even while we see ourselves in dogs, we also treat them in surprising ways. On the one hand, we let them into our beds, we give them meaningful names, make them members of our family, and buy them the best food, toys, accessories, clothes, and more. But we also shape our dogs into something they aren't meant to be. Purebreeding dogs has led to many unhealthy pups. Many dogs have no homes, or live out their lives in shelters. How is it possible we can treat the same species in these two totally different ways? In this book the author reveals the odd, suprising, and contradictory ways we live with dogs.

Ecofeminism and Rhetoric

Ecofeminism and Rhetoric
Author: Douglas A. Vakoch
Publisher: Berghahn Books
Total Pages: 201
Release: 2011-08-01
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 085745188X

By drawing on the complex interplay of ecology and feminism, ecofeminists identify links between the domination of nature and the oppression of women. This volume introduces a variety of innovative approaches for advancing ecofeminist activism, demonstrating how words exert power in the world. Contributors explore the interconnections between the dualisms of nature/culture and masculine/feminine, providing new insights into sex and technology through such wide-ranging topics as canine reproduction, orangutan motherhood and energy conservation. Ecofeminist rhetorics of care address environmental problems through cooperation and partnership, rather than hierarchical subordination, encouraging forms of communication that value mutual understanding over persuasion and control. By critically examining ways that theory can help deconstruct domineering practices—exposing the underlying ideologies—a new generation of ecofeminist scholarship illuminates the transformative capacity of language to foster emancipation and liberation.

Lions and Tigers and Hamsters

Lions and Tigers and Hamsters
Author: Mark Goldstein
Publisher: Health Communications Incorporated
Total Pages: 240
Release: 2019-05-07
Genre: Nature
ISBN: 0757321860

From the time Dr. Mark Goldstein was a little boy—even before he had his first dog—he was fascinated by creatures both domestic and wild. After graduating veterinary school at Cornell University, he became a veterinarian in clinical practice, then director of zoos in Boston and Los Angeles, then head of a progressive humane society where he advocated for animal welfare. During his extraordinary 30-year career, Dr. Mark has accrued a lifetime of experiences working with all sorts of animals and the people who care for them. Dr. Mark's life with animals taught him more than how to be a great doctor, it taught him how to live life. The stories in this book reflect those lessons; they will make you laugh and cry as they entertain and amaze you. Each real-life experience sheds light on the challenges and hard work of the talented individuals who work in the world of animal welfare. These are stories that illustrate the tremendous impact animals have on our daily lives—they are hallmarks of the sacred importance of the human-animal bond. On your journey through the exhilarating life of Dr. Mark, you'll meet some of the finned, furred, and feathered animals who offered him invaluable insights—Harold the hamster, Sasha the Siberian tiger, St. Francis the German Shepherd, Ralph the buffalo, Gus the stallion, Frank the goldfish, and many more fascinating creatures!

The Complete Guide to Bernese Mountain Dogs

The Complete Guide to Bernese Mountain Dogs
Author: Andrea Brown Berman
Publisher: LP Media Inc
Total Pages: 154
Release: 2020-09-22
Genre: Pets
ISBN:

Bernese Mountain dogs are the second-largest breed of Sennenhund-type dogs, a group of four breeds developed to assist the herders and dairymen of the Swiss Alps in their daily lives. Not only did Sennenhund dogs like the Bernese Mountain Dog guard livestock, but they also protected the homestead and provided herding and drafting services. Modern-day Bernese are more likely to play the role of devoted companions than farm dogs—a role they excel at due to their affectionate and docile natures. All four of the Sennenhund breeds are hardy, good-natured working dogs with striking tricolored coats, but only the Bernese has gained widespread popularity in the United States. While Bernese Mountain Dogs are generally agreeable canines, early socialization and training are a must to uncover their true potential. This in-depth guide to the affable Bernese Mountain Dog will teach you how to make the most of your canine’s cooperative temperament, and how to avoid problem behaviors before they start. Discover the answers to crucial questions such as: Is a Bernese Mountain Dog the right dog for me? How do I select the right puppy or rescue dog for my household? What do I need to do to prepare my home for a Bernese puppy? Which training methods are most effective for Bernese Mountain Dogs? The Complete Guide to the Bernese Mountain Dog, by dog trainer and journalist Andrea Berman, is a comprehensive guidebook that delves into the temperament, health, and history of these sturdy and adaptable animals. In these pages, pet parents like you will find the tools to handle every stage of their Bernese Mountain Dog’s life, from the first few days at home to their Berner’s senior years. Find out everything you need to know about owning a Bernese Mountain Dog, including: The history of the Bernese Mountain Dog Selecting a reputable Bernese breeder Rescue organizations and animal shelters Preparing your home for a large dog Common household hazards What to expect the first few nights Introducing your Berner to new people and pets Tips and tricks for training the Bernese breed Socializing the adult Bernese Mountain Dog Choosing a professional dog trainer or training class Diet and nutrition for the Bernese Mountain Dog Grooming requirements for the Bernese Mountain Dog Health and wellness information for all stages Bernese Mountain Dogs are robust and intelligent dogs who are extremely devoted to their human companions. Discover all the facts you need about your noble Bernese Mountain Dog in the pages of this all-encompassing book, which gives you the information needed to provide a strong foundation and a nurturing environment for your Berner, both mentally and physically. This remarkable guidebook provides an easy-to-follow road map for raising a happy, well-adjusted Bernese Mountain Dog!