Pay Attention!

My dog doesn’t pay attention!

“My dog doesn’t listen, my dog does what he wants, my dog will only do something I ask him to do if I have a treat in my hand,” are all common complaints that trainers and behavior consultants hear regularly. If it seems like your dog suffers from Attention Deficit Disorder (A.D.D.) and he is unable to focus on any one thing for very long, it’s time to take a step back and look at what might be happening.

"Consistently" is the answer!

The good news is your dog can learn to pay attention and listen, but you will need to be consistent with your training. Many people fall into the trap of allowing their dogs and puppies too much freedom and latitude during the “super cute” stage of a dog’s life (when they are new to the home) without considering that they are
actually “training” their dog to ignore them. Read the entire article.

Visit Bandit's Buddies Now.
What's on sale?.

ALJ

It's allergy time for many of you and it reminds me of one of my favorite Nature's Sunshine Products. ALJ! I have been using this product for many years and find that it is one amazing product.

ALJ Benefits:

•Helps soothe irritated tissues.
•Encourages the entire respiratory tract to gently cleanse itself.
•Assists the body in neutralizing allergens by nutritional means.

ALJ® [Respiratory] is the key product for the respiratory system. Airborne particles are everywhere. When particles enter the respiratory system via the nose or the mouth, the body turns on its cleansing mechanisms, and the immune system is put on active duty. Herbal nourishment supports a healthy respiratory system that can be challenged by inhaled irritants. ALJ combines selected herbal ingredients to nourish the immune and respiratory systems. This formula supports healthy lung function and helps support the body during seasonal changes. It also encourages the entire respiratory tract to gently cleanse itself and helps promote respiratory tissue health.

ALJ contains:

Boneset aerial parts
Fennel seeds
Fenugreek seeds
Horseradish root extract
Mullein leaves extract

Each of these herbs has been used traditionally as a dietary supplement. ALJ combines them in a balanced formula. Click here for more information.

Visit Bandit's Buddies Now.
What's on sale?.

Can your pet catch swine flu?

Can My Pet Catch Swine Flu?
www.aspca.org

Don't worry, pet parents! The recent, rapid outbreak of the H1N1 virus, previously known as swine flu, appears to present little risk of infecting our furry friends. In the past few weeks, only humans have been affected by the new virus, and it's still unknown how the virus will impact other species.

"Currently there's no data demonstrating any risk of dogs and cats contracting this strain of the virus," says Dr. Louise Murray, Director of Medicine at the ASPCA's Bergh Memorial Hospital in New York City. "However, owners of pet pigs, as well as farmers, should monitor their animals' health more closely and take steps to limit transmission from humans to pigs and vice versa."

If you do count a pet pig as your animal companion, please consult with your veterinarian about a Type A influenza vaccine, which is available and recommended for all healthy swine.

Dr. Miranda Spindel, Director of ASPCA Veterinary Outreach, adds: "Swine influenza or swine flu is one of the leading causes of respiratory disease in swine throughout the world. Like most influenza A viruses, swine flu generally causes high levels of illness in pigs, but fatalities are uncommon."

For the latest information about the outbreak and your pet's health, please visit the Center for Disease Control (http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu).

ASPCA Press Release on Swine Flu.

Visit Bandit's Buddies Now.
What's on sale?.

They Myth of Dominance and Submission - Dogs

You hear a lot of talk among dog owners, dog trainers, and even the man on the street, about dominance in dogs. What is it, exactly? Is it an instinctive behavioral tendency, an inherited genetic trait, part of a natural power struggle to become top dog?

We all have our own ideas as to what it means, and we all “know it when we see it,” but what are its scientific origins? How does it manifest in behavioral terms? Does it have a sound evolutionary purpose? Or is dominance based on a simple misunderstanding of a dog’s true emotional nature?

One clue is that in multiple dog households you often hear owners say that one dog is “dominant” over food, while another may be “alpha” over the couch, and a third may be “the pack leader” when it comes to who’s first through the door or who gets to play with which toys. But if dominance were a real genetic behavioral tendency, geared toward ruling the roost, why would it be so specific to food bowls and not to the best sleeping spots and going through doorways and controlling how others play as well? Why wouldn’t one dog in a multiple dog pack be dominant about everything? Isn’t that his or her role as the pack leader? read the entire article.

Visit Bandit's Buddies Now.
What's on sale?.

Omega 3 - Cancer Cells

Omega-3 Kills Cancer Cell
ScienceDaily (Apr. 5, 2009)

Docosahexanoic acid (DHA), an omega-3 fatty acid found in fish oils, has been shown to reduce the size of tumors and enhance the positive effects of the chemotherapy drug cisplatin, while limiting its harmful side effects. The rat experiments provide some support for the plethora of health benefits often ascribed to omega-3 acids. Read the entire article.

Read more about Super Omega 3 Fish Oil.

Visit Bandit's Buddies Now.
What's on sale?.

Dogs Most Like Humans?

Chimpanzees share many of our genes, but dogs have lived with us for so long and undergone so much domestication that they are now serving as a model for understanding human social behavior, according to a new paper.

Cooperation, attachment to people, understanding human verbal and non-verbal communications, and the ability to imitate are just a handful of the social behaviors we share with dogs. They might even think like us at times too, according to the paper, which has been accepted for publication in the journal Advances in the Study of Behavior.


Read the entire article.
Visit Bandit's Buddies Now.
What's on sale?.

Flu Season in the Spring?

It seems the "word" is out again ths spring...FLU! (ack!) Looking at it from a holistic point of view means you want to support your body’s ability to respond and to promote healing when germs come along to challenge the immune system. The key is to respond at each stage of a challenge to your immune system.

The CDC gives the following tips on spreading germs: 1. Avoid close contact with people who are sick; 2. Stay home when you are sick,; 3. Cover your mouth and nose when coughing/sneezing; 4. Wash your hands often. Research is proving that the old fashioned recipes using herbs and essential oils to kill germs, like those used by 14th century practitioners during the Black Plague, were based on good science.

Click here for more tips.

Visit Bandit's Buddies Now.
What's on sale?.

Your Pet's Eyes

The Eyes

The eyes can be an issue for pets if there is not enough moisture to nourish the eye. Traditional Chinese Medicine states that the eyes are associated with the liver and gallbladder and thus, if the liver or gallbladder are out of balance, eye conditions can also be present. Conjunctivitis, tearing eyes and dry eyes may be attributed to those liver imbalances in pets. Read the entire article.

Visit Bandit's Buddies Now.
What's on sale?.

Break the Chain

Break the chain!

Using positive methods are not only kinder and gentler, but are also scientifically proven the most effective means of training your dog than using correction training.

In a recent study, Hiby, et. al (2004) “Dog training methods; their use, effectiveness and interaction with behavior and welfare, Animal Welfare” dog parents “were asked to outline their training methods for seven common tasks, rate their dog’s obedience at each task, and indicate whether their dog had ever shown any of sixteen common problematic behaviors.”

The results were that reward-based methods were more successful for training most tasks; and no punishment-based training was more effective. In addition, dogs that were trained with only reward-based methods were reported as significantly more obedient than those trained by other methods. In other words, the positive
training methods won, hands-down, when it came to overall obedience.

On the other side of the coin, there was a direct correlation between punishment training methods and problem behaviors, including barking at/aggression towards people and other dogs, fearfulness, excitement, separation anxiety, and inappropriate mounting,” according to the study. This was true for punishment only, and combination training that employs both reward and punishment. Read the entire article.

Visit Bandit's Buddies Now.
What's on sale?.

Puppy MIll Conviction Update

ASPCA Experts Help Secure Puppy Mill Conviction
www.apsca.org

This past March, Dr. Melinda Merck, ASPCA Senior Director of Veterinary Forensics, helped secure an animal cruelty conviction by testifying in the trial of Kathy Bauck, operator of Pick of the Litter Kennels. The New York Mills, MN, breeder sells animals to pet stores and online—and has at times housed more than 1,300 dogs of at least 32 different breeds. Bauck was arrested in August 2008 and charged with several counts of felony animal cruelty, torture and practicing veterinary medicine without a license. On March 24, after a 4½-day trial and six hours of deliberation, a jury cleared Bauck of felony charges but found her guilty of four misdemeanors (one count of animal cruelty and three counts of torture).

In early 2008, a freelance animal cruelty investigator, Jason Smith, began working at Pick of the Litter to gather evidence against Bauck. Smith submitted testimony and videos of alleged abuse to Otter Tail County sheriff’s detectives last May. The videos included footage of injured, ill and emaciated dogs, as well as of Bauck dunking dogs in vats of insecticide. “The veterinarian working with the prosecution contacted me about one month before the trial started,” recalls Dr. Merck. “I was asked by the prosecutor to review all the video and case files and provide expert opinion.”

With a history of complaints and citations against her—including a 2006 cease-and-desist order from the Minnesota Board of Veterinary Medicine for performing surgery on animals without a veterinary license—Bauck is well known to ASPCA investigators. “Kathy Bauck has been a chronic problem,” states Bob Baker, ASPCA Anti-Cruelty Initiatives Investigator. “I visited her facility in 1998 and reported her to the USDA for violations of the Animal Welfare Act—but as far as I know, there was no follow-up on the part of USDA.”

At her sentencing hearing last Friday, May 1, Bauck was sentenced to 90 days in jail, with 20 days to be served right away. The other 70 days were “stayed,” meaning they will be served only if she violates her probation. The judge also sentenced Bauck to 80 hours of community service and ruled that if she plans to continue participating in operating the kennel, she must allow unscheduled inspections—and that inspectors must be allowed entry into ALL areas.

Visit Bandit's Buddies Now.
What's on sale?.

Get Free Bee Pollen

You Me & Bee Pollen! Earn Free Bottles of Bee Pollen by joining Nature's Sunshine as a Wholesale Member in May. Nature’s Sunshine has a FREE gift for EVERYONE who joins NSP May 1–31, 2009: a free bottle of Bee Pollen. We call it “You, Me & Bee Pollen!

Bee Pollen has been called nature’s perfect food. That’s because it is the most complete food with up to 35 percent complete protein, 22 amino acids, B vitamins, 27 mineral salts, health-promoting trace elements, enzymes, a full spectrum of vitamins and a range of free-radical scavenging antioxidants. Bee pollen is readily absorbed by the body, passing directly from the stomach to the bloodstream and making its full range of nutrients almost instantly available.

Bee pollen rejuvenates the body, stimulates organs and glands, enhances energy and vitality, and strengthens immunity.

What is Bee Pollen?

As bees forage, they collect two forms of food-nectar and pollen. Bee pollen is a mixture of pollen (the male germ of flowering plants), nectar and enzymes secreted by the bee; it is the primary source of food for honeybees.
Click here to order.

Becoming a Wholesale Member: Anyone can order directly from the warehouse at 35-40% off retail. This really simplifies things. Most people want to buy wholesale! NSP offers a free one-year membership with a $40 wholesale order. Renewal is $40/year if you choose to continue, but when the $40 is paid prior to the expiration date, its credited right back into your account to use then or within 60 days. NSP sends out a renewal notice about a month before expiration. NSP ships from four (4) warehouses so orders are received quickly. If you get your order in before noon [warehouse time] it will ship the same day.

Visit Bandit's Buddies Now.
What's on sale?.

Pesty Parasites

Fleas, Ticks, Mosquitos! Those pesty parasites!

Fleas, ticks and other parasites are attracted to animals in a weakened or run-down condition and they usually leave the healthier pets alone. One of the best ways to parasite-proof your pet is to improve the overall health of your pet. Good food is essential to good health. While it seems more expensive in the beginning, a high quality diet is an investment that pays off in the long run. Many believe that the flea allergies suffered by so many animals are related to a weak immune system. A change in diet helps to improve immunity, and many holistic practitioners suggest adding enzymes and supplements to improve pet health. Read the entire article.

Visit Bandit's Buddies Now.
What's on sale?.

Joint Health

As pet parents, we know that good joint health is crucial to the long-term well-being of our companion animals. And at HealthyPetNet, we know that the best joint formulas utilize natural nutrition. That’s why our holistic veterinarian, Dr. Jane Bicks, created a scientifically-formulated supplement to help promote joint health that harnesses the power of natural ingredients.

The ability to walk, run and jump represents a large part of your pet’s unique ability to express emotion. Unfortunately, aching and stiff joints are just as much a part of aging for pets as it is for humans. In fact, tens of million of dogs and cats experience problems with their hips and joints – more than half of the entire companion animal population!

At present, there are several hip and joint formulas on the market for companion animals. Unfortunately, most of these products treat the joint as an isolated goal; it is for this reason that they do not work as well as they could. Our Agility supplement is a holistic formula, which means that it takes into account the needs of the whole body, including all the parts that work with the joints. This formula helps maintain healthy joint cartilage and connective tissue, and aids in the production of healthy synovial fluid, which lubricates the joints. This supplement features glucosamine and MSM, and is a natural, holistic, multi-action joint support formula


Click here for more information.

Visit Bandit's Buddies Now.
What's on sale?.

2nd Hand Smoke and Pets

Secondhand Smoke: Silent Killer Hurts Pets, Too
www.aspca.org

Health officials often talk about the dangers of living with a smoker, but few pet parents are aware that our animal companions face similar risks—from respiratory problems to cancer—when exposed to secondhand smoke. New research suggests that secondhand smoke is unsafe at all levels—for humans and pets—so it's time to get serious about ditching those butts for good.

One recent study shows that nearly 30 percent of pets live with at least one smoker. This is a grave concern, according to Dr. Sharon Gwaltney-Brant, Medical Director of the ASPCA's Animal Poison Control Center, since secondhand smoke can damage the nervous systems of both cats and dogs.

"Tobacco smoke has been shown to contain numerous cancer-causing compounds, making it hazardous for animals as well as humans," says Dr. Gwaltney-Brant. "Exposure to secondhand smoke can cause many of the same harmful inflammatory changes in the airways and lungs of dogs as their human counterparts."

Cats who live with smokers are prone to developing malignant lymphoma, perhaps as a result of ingesting carcinogenic residue when it settles on their fur. Kitty's canine counterparts are especially vulnerable to secondhand smoke's respiratory effects, and can develop life-threatening nasal and lung cancers.

Nicotine—found in cigarettes and other tobacco products—is also highly toxic to animals if ingested. A dog who accidentally eats tobacco may develop weakness, muscle twitching, decreased breathing rate, and finally collapse, coma and possibly death. The ASPCA strongly recommends keeping your pet away from tobacco as well as secondhand smoke.

Visit Bandit's Buddies Now.
What's on sale?.

Soothing Mist

The weather is warming up, which means the fleas and pollen and allergens come out as well. Sometimes our pets get itchy and scratchy and need a little help getting spots to feel better. The foundation of Soothing Mist's formula is Vitamin C, Zinc and Pro-Vitamin B5 - nutrients that help nourish, beautify, and defend healthy skin. With its calming blend of pure flower and plant extracts – including Aloe Vera, Calendula, Lavender, and Chamomile, it never makes the coat greasy. It is safe for dogs, cats, puppies and kittens (over 6 weeks old). You don't have to worry when they lick themselves. Spray it on your pet or onto a piece of cotton, either way it penetrates fast. This gentle formula feels good on the skin and doesn't sting like other topical skin products can. Soothing Mist contains extracts of Marigold, Lavender,Chamomile.

Finally, an herbal product that you can spray on your pet's skin and feel confident that you are doing the right thing! Click here for more information.

Visit Bandit's Buddies Now.
What's on sale?.

NUTRO Investigation

Feds Deny NUTRO Investigation; Witnesses Say Otherwise
Consumers still hoping for action on their pets' deaths and illnesses
By Lisa Wade McCormick
ConsumerAffairs.com
April 29, 2009

A division of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has denied that it is investigating NUTRO Products Inc., whose pet foods are the subject of more than 700 complaints from consumers who say their dogs and cats became ill and, in some cases, died after eating NUTRO products.

But consumers who fed their dogs NUTRO have confirmed that FDA inspectors came to their homes investigating their pets' deaths. And the FDA is still refusing to release information about NUTRO, saying that to do so could hamper law enforcement efforts.

"They can't have it both ways," said James R. Hood, president of ConsumerAffairs.com, which has a long-pending Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for information the agency has gathered about NUTRO. "If there's no investigation, they must release the files, which are public property. That's the law." Read the entire article.

Visit Bandit's Buddies Now.
What's on sale?.