By Sloan Barnett
TODAYShow.com contributor
updated 4:07 p.m. CT, Fri., May. 9, 2008

It feels good to treat your pet to human food every once in a while. Those puppy-dog eyes are hard to resist as they watch you eat and try to convince you that they are starving! It makes you want to give them a taste of everything you eat. But beware: Giving in to those eyes and giving dogs human foods can actually harm them.

In 2007, the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center received more than 130,000 calls. Most cases of animal poisoning were caused by common human foods and household items.

Many foods we enjoy can be dangerous to animals. It’s best to stick to pet food and a diet recommended by your vet. Here are a few of the most toxic foods that can harm your pet:

Bad news foods
Avocados
They contain a toxic component called persin, which can damage heart, lung and other tissue in many animals. This fruit is very toxic to dogs, cats and most animals.

Beer
Alcoholic beverages can cause the same damage to an animal’s liver and brain as they cause in humans. But the effects can be deadly on animals since they are much smaller than us. The smaller the animal, the more deadly the effects can be. Even a small amount of alcohol may cause vomiting and damage the liver and brain.

Nuts
Walnuts and macadamia nuts are especially toxic. Effects can be anything from vomiting to paralysis to death. Within 12 hours of eating the nuts, pets start to develop symptoms such as an inability to stand or walk, vomiting, hyperthermia (elevated body temperature), weakness, and an elevated heart rate. These symptoms can be even worse if your dog eats some chocolate with the nuts. The effect can cause kidney failure, often leading to death.

Chocolate
Chocolate contains theobromine, which can kill your pet if eaten in large quantities. Dark and unsweetened baking chocolates are especially dangerous. Giving your pup a piece of chocolate cake or even letting him lick the chocolate icing on the cake could cause him to become ill. Theobromine can also cause a dog or cat’s heart to beat very rapidly or irregularly, which could result in death if the pet is exercising or overly active.

Candy
Candy or anything containing Xylitol (a common sweetener found in some diet products) can cause a sudden drop in an animal’s blood sugar, loss of coordination and seizures. If left untreated, the animal could die.

Caffeine
Coffee, tea or any product that contains caffeine stimulates an animal’s central nervous and cardiac systems. This can lead to restlessness, heart palpitations and death, depending on how much the animal consumes.

Grapes and raisins
Grapes and raisins can lead to kidney failure in dogs. As little as a single serving of raisins can kill them. And the effects are cumulative, which means that even if a dog eats just one or two grapes or raisins regularly, the toxin that builds in his system will eventually kill him.

Onions
Onions are another common food that can be highly toxic to pets. They can destroy an animal’s red blood cells and lead to anemia, weakness and breathing difficulties. Their effects are also cumulative over time.

Medicine
Hide medicine from your pets just like you would from your children. The most common cause of pet poisoning is from animals ingesting a medicine or drug normally prescribed for humans.

And this is not just because furry pals are getting into their pet parent’s medicine cabinets. In many cases, pet owners give their feline and canine friends an over-the-counter medication to ease an animal’s pain. But acetaminophen and ibuprofen, the active ingredients in many common pain relievers, are extremely toxic to dogs and cats. They can cause gastric ulcers, liver damage, kidney failure and sometimes death.

Good news foods
There are a few things that you CAN give to your furry pal. However, you should always consult a veterinarian before introducing a new food item to your pet.

Although these foods are normally harmless, some animals have sensitive gastrointestinal tracts. So even these healthy treats should be avoided if they cause gastrointestinal upset for your pet. Keep in mind that these and other “extras” should not make up more than 5 to 10 percent of the pet’s daily caloric intake.

Lean meats
Any cooked lean meat should be fine for most dogs. High-fat meats, chicken skin and fat from steaks or roasts are not recommended. Ingestion may lead to gastrointestinal upset or even pancreatitis. This can be a very painful condition for dogs. In addition, most companion animals do not need extra fat in their diets. Never give your pet meat with the bone in it. Animals can choke on the bones, and they can splinter as well.

Vegetables
Carrot sticks, green beans, cucumber slices and zucchini slices are all OK.

Fruit
Apple slices, orange slices, bananas and watermelon are all OK. Make sure the seeds have been taken out; seeds are not good for your pet!

Baked potatoes
Plain baked potatoes are fine, but make sure they are cooked — no unripe potatoes or potato plants.

Bread
Plain cooked bread is fine; just make sure there are no nuts or raisins added.

Rice and pasta
Plain, cooked pasta and white rice are OK. Often veterinarians recommend plain rice with some boiled chicken when gastrointestinal upset is present.

In case of emergency
Despite all the precautions you take to keep your pet pals safe, accidents do happen. That’s why the ASPCA, Humane Society and animal advocates advise pet owners to keep the telephone numbers of their local veterinarian and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center — (888) 426-4435 — in a prominent location.

Common signs of poisoning include muscle tremors or seizures; vomiting and diarrhea; drooling; redness of skin, ears and eyes; and swelling and bleeding.

If you suspect your pet has consumed, inhaled or come in contact with a toxic substance, stay calm and call for help immediately. If you see your pet consuming anything you think might be toxic, seek emergency help immediately even if she or he is not exhibiting any symptoms.

The most popular breed in the White House so far has been the Scottish Terrier  But check out this site for a list of all of the White House inhabitants- http://www.presidentialpetmuseum.com/whitehousepets-1.htm

I would like to encourage you to express your opinion on this matter.  Here is the only requirement stated so far, one of the Obama girls has allergies.  To the right of this post is a response form.  Fill it out and voice your breed choice.   I will have this up til Nov. 16 and then post the results.

Stella is a handful.  Stella is my dog and she is a Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier.  Being a terrier she has lots of energy to burn.  She is a lovely dog but needs alittle control in her life!  And mine for that matter.  We first attended a local puppy class to just get her use to other puppies and owners.  But as time goes on, I can see she needs more guidence!

I have searched the internet for online programs as my job doesn’t allow for an local evening class.  I was confident that I could work on this in my own time and at my own pace.  I think I found the perfect solution for Stella and myself.  The program is Sit, Stay, Fetch. 

 This program addresses several dog behavior problems including-dog aggression, biting, jumping, wetting and many more.  My plan is to start Stella with this program and report to you her progress.  The first lesson starts tomorrow so stayed tuned and check back for her progress.

http://wcco.com/video/?id=49131@wcco.dayport.com

Check it out, they’re quite cute!

It very important to research all the different types of collars are available and determine your end goal.
Common types of dog collars are choke collars, electronic collars, no-bark collars and harnesses.

Dog training collars are different from regular every day collars because they help you discipline your dog when needed. For example choke collars are used by gently tugging on your dog to keep it from misbehaving.

Electronic collars are used with a remote control to keep your dog out of trouble or from barking when not desiresd. A light and harmless electric pulse is sent to your dog through the collar when pressing the button on the remote control.

All types of collars are useful but it is important that you check with your vet or online to make sure that the collars are safe for your dog and if they address the training needs you have.

Remember training should be fun, do not overuse dog training collars and make sure that your dog is comfortable and does not become afraid.  You want your training to have the right outcome.

Because dogs are often like part of the family, you will want to be able to care for them as best as you can and in a manner that the dog is still experiencing a good quality of life. You want to make sure that you are very vigilant and that you watch them closely. Study them and see if they begin to act differently, or if they seem to be in pain. It will be more important than ever to get checkup visits on a regular basis so that your vet can pinpoint any serious problems. You may want to do this as often as two times every year. These exams should include a blood workup.

If you are not sure of what warning signs to look for as your dog gets older, consider the following list.

-Your dog suddenly needs a lot more water than normal
-Your dog begins to throw up
-Your dog starts to gain or lose weight.
-Your dog suddenly has a change in their stools
-Your dog may have a harder time urinating
-Your dog’s stools suddenly become very loose or contain blood
-Your dog may begin going to the bathroom in the house
-Your dog may appear weak in the leg area or have a hard time walking, running or sitting down
-Your dog’s coat may begin to look dry, flake or lose fur
-Your dog may begin having a difficult time eating and digesting food.
-Your dog may exhibit behavior changes. They may be more cranky then usual.
-Your dog may begin coughing
-Your dog may begin to have trouble hearing
-Your dog suddenly becomes easily labored

Many dogs, as they get older, begin to suffer from diseases of the heart and kidneys. They will begin to have problems with their teeth and perhaps even their thyroid. If a dog is able to receive lots of good care, they can live for quite awhile even up to 15 years. However, this will differ based on their breed. Dogs that are neutered or spayed generally live longer. Some breeds of dogs such as Poodles, Airedale Terriers and Cocker Spaniels may live up to 20 years or more. Again, It depends on the breed, the individual dog and how well they are taken care of.

While professionals don’t totally understand why this occurs, it is important that owners realize that the dog is really feeling panicked because the owner is leaving, and they dog or puppy is not out to be mean or to punish their owner for leaving. Some things which heighten the likelihood of separation anxiety include your dog or puppy not having spent a lot of time alone or if you or your family are gone for long period of time. For example, if you go on vacation and then come back your dog may panic when you leave the house again, because they aren’t sure when you might come back.

If your dog has had a real bad experience, for example getting hit by a car or prior abuse, then they may not want you to leave their side. If there has been some big changes in the family, such as you taking a new job and you now have a different schedule, if you have recently changed cities or if your son or daughter goes off to college, this may cause mental anxiety for your dong.

There may be other things going on besides separation anxiety. Therefore, there are some important and specific markers to look for to make sure that this is what it is going on with your dog. If your dog only acts out when he or she is left alone or if they follow you very closely while you are at home, if they are very frantic or too excitable when you come home or when you are getting prepared to leave the house, these are major clues that your dog is suffering from separation anxiety. Your dog being fearful of going outside by themselves is another big clue.

If your dog is dealing with separation anxiety, you may want to leave them with a piece of your clothing that has your scent on it. This may help calm them down. When you come in and out on the house don’t make a big fuss. You may even want to not acknowledge your dog for a few minutes and then calmly speak to him or her or pet them. When you leave the house, let them know that you’ll be right back. If you find that some of these things do not work, you may want to talk to your vet and ask them about anti-anxiety drugs. Leaving your pet with a family member or a friend when you are going to be gone for either short or long periods of time may also be beneficial.

If you train your dog the correct way, they will be happy to spend time in the crate or at least they will not hate it. Crates come in different types of materials. Some are plastic, others are made from metal. They also vary in size. You will want it to be large enough that your dog has room to lay down, standup and turnaround. You can find a good quality crate at many of your major pet stores.

The amount of time that it will take to crate train your dog will depend on the amount of effort that you commit to it, as well as your dog’s personality and their past experiences. If your dog has been abused, it might take longer. Whether or not your dog has ever been trained before, and your pet’s own personal temperament will also effect how long training will take.

Make sure that you make crate training as pleasant an experience as possible so that your dog doesn’t begin to avoid going into the crate. You want them to see it as a good place. It is important that you take small steps. You don’t want to try to fit in everything at once.

The first thing that you need to do is introduce your puppy or dog to the crate. Place the crate in a part of your home where your family often hangs out. This will allow your dog not to feel isolated. Let him or her be close to the other family members even while in the crate. You can use a towel or an old blanket to line the crate with. Call your dog over to it and show him the crate. Make sure that you are very positive so that he doesn’t see this as any type of punishment. You may also want to place a few treats in the crate or near it so that he wants to come over and be near the crate. If he doesn’t want to go all the way in the crate the first time that’s okay, this is normal and natural, just continue to place sure treats or toys that you know he enjoys inside of the crate. Start introducing meals to your dog while in the crate and then leave them in there for increasing amounts of time until finally they get used to it.

Some things to look for when you suspect your dog is having problems with their eyes, is a change in coloration. There eyes may turn red and they may swell. They also may have discharge or matter that’s either right on the eye or around it. If the eyes have a dull appearance or they begin tearing a lot, these are all signs that something is wrong. These are all signs that you will need to take your dog to the veterinarian.

There are various types of tests that your vet can perform on your dog when they believe that there is a problem. A couple of these tests include the Schirmer tear test which measures the amount of your dog’s tear production. The vet can also test to see if your dog has glaucoma by checking their ocular pressure. Corneal ulcers can be discovered with a fluorescein stain.

Common eye problems in dogs include cataracts, epiphora or glaucoma. Cataract problems in dogs is similar to what human beings experience. Their eyes will become cloudy and it can lead to blindness. For some breeds, this is a common occurrence. However, your vet will need to determine if this is what it is. Epiphora is when your dog has an excessive amount of tearing. This could be due to some type of blockage.

To remedy common dog eye problems, your vet will likely prescribe some type of drops or ointment. If you have to give your dog drops, you may want to use a muzzle. Be sure to clean the area around the eye with cotton and use some type of saline solution to clean around the area. Follow the directions and then administer the drops to your dog. The same things need to occur if you need to use ointment. Again, your dog may require a muzzle. Clean the eye area and then follow the directions on the medication. Make sure that the tear dropper or the ointment container does not touch the dog’s eye. Also, give your dog their medication for as long as the prescription dictates so that the condition will not come back prematurely. Giving your dog a treat after you have given them their treatment will make it easier for you to administer it to them in the future.

It is very important for the owner of the female dog to track when they go into heat. This is for two primary reasons. The owner will either want to try to get their dog to breed around this time or they will need to take action if they are looking to prevent pregnancy. There are pills available that will prevent the female from going into heat. Medication is also available for males who are a little bit too sexually excitable.

If you want to prevent your dog from going into heat, you need to act within one to two weeks before the heating stage starts. After they have started going into heat, contraceptive pills should not be given unless there is a really good reason, although they can still be used. Many of the pills (or injections) will contain megestrol acetate, which will stop them from going into heat. The pill does have some side effects. However, they are pretty minimal. Make sure that you look at the package so that you know what the side effects are. The contraception is usually are given in a form of sugar and dogs easily ingest it without much fuss.

If you find that your dog has already started to go into heat and you want to prevent them from getting pregnant then between the second and third day you will need to administer contraceptives. It is the same thing that is given to prevent heat. The primary difference is that you will be giving it to them in higher doses. You will need to increase the does for three days, give them a normal does for three days then cut the dose in half for the next week. The next time your dog is scheduled to go into heat, make sure that you write it down so that you can give them the contraception early enough. You don’t want to have to wait until they have already began.

Also be sure to watch your dog’s vaginal fluid very closely because there is a risk for an infection of the uterus. You will able to tell in many cases that there is a problem because they will want to drink a lot and also the vaginal fluid will not be clear. You will also notice that your dog is licking herself constantly. If your pet is given a contraceptive during this time, they are more likely to get in infection, and while antibiotics can be used to treat them, they don’t work all of the time and you face the risk of your dog having to have a hysterectomy.