How to Train a Dog to Shake Paws or say hello

Shake is a fun trick that's fairly easy to train a dog to do. Most dogs learn this dog trick quickly. After just a few short training sessions your dog will be offering his paw for a shake every time he meets someone new!

Just follow Simple steps

1. Have your dog sit. If he doesn't know how to sit, go back and practice that command before moving on to step two.
2. Hold a treat in one hand, and show it to your dog. Close your fist over the treat so he can't get it.
3. Give your dog the command "shake," and wave your closed fist under his nose to keep him interested in the treat.
4. Wait for your dog to start digging in your hand for the treat. Usually dogs sniff around, and when that doesn't work they begin to paw at your hand.
5. The moment your dog touches your hand with his paw, tell him "good" or click your clicker, and open your hand and allow him to have the treat.
6. Practice "shake" for 5 minutes, two or three times a day. Your dog will be offering you his paw the moment you give the command before you know it.

How to Socializing A Pit Bull APBT

There are many ways to socialize your Pit Bull.  The age of your dog as well as his/her individual personality will help you determine which methods are appropriate for socializing your dog.

Pit Bulls under six months of age should be enrolled in a puppy class.  Many obedience training facilities have classes specifically for puppies, and often part of the class time is devoted to off-leash play with other puppies.  When seeking out a training facility, it is often helpful to observe the classes prior to attending so you can get a feel for how class will be conducted and see if it is a good match for you and your dog.  Off-leash play can be an important feature of a puppy class, but it should be done properly (i.e., does the instructor factor in age, size and play style of puppies when organizing play groups?).

To socialize adult dogs, owners should first carefully introduce their Pit Bulls to other adult dogs.  A great way to introduce adult dogs is to take a nice long walk on leash together.

Some ways that adult dogs can interact with other dogs are:

• Taking long leash walks with appropriately matched dogs of good temperament and good social skills and with known, responsible owners.
• Organized play dates with friends' dogs in a fenced area.
• Taking an obedience or agility class, where your dog will learn to focus on you in the presence of other dogs, and may also receive positive reinforcement in the presence of other dogs.

We do not recommend dog parks or dog daycare providers:

• While dogs can learn good social skills at a daycare or park, they can just as easily learn poor social skills in these largely unsupervised situations. 
• Dogs in a pack act very differently than they do individually; even a well-socialized dog of good temperament can be drawn into "pack behavior."
• There's no way to predict or know the behavior of the other dogs in the group at a park or daycare; many people take their dogs to daycare providers or dog parks with little understanding of their own dogs' tolerance for other dogs; there is often an expectation that "dogs will work it out" however this can occur in a way that results in injury.
• Dogs playing together for long periods of time in large groups with unstructured time or activities can result in inappropriate behavior.
• Dog playgrounds need to be carefully selected by competent readers of dog body language and with an understanding of social canine behavior; there are many people well-intentioned, operating dog day care with very little experience with dogs and, in particular, with very little Pit Bull experience.
• If something does go wrong, whether or not the Pit Bull instigates it, the Pit Bull is usually blamed; every negative incident can result in future problems during dog-dog interactions.

Understanding Different Dog Tolerance Levels

A Normal Trait that is as Flexible as it is Manageable.  This information is designed to help demystify the common trait of dog-dog aggression.  Dog aggression shows up in numerous breeds, and it's generally "no big deal" ...unless you deny it, misunderstand it or exploit it.  Like so many dog owners, we expect that our dogs have the potential to show some degree of dog aggression in select situations.  Our job as responsible stewards is to keep our pets out of those situations by reading their body signals and understanding their individual limits.  At the same time, we work to improve the tolerance of each dog through appropriate socializing opportunities.  Because dog aggression is not a "one size fits all" trait, outlined below are four very common levels of dog-tolerance that we've come to recognize in our work with the dogs.

1.  Dog Social - A dog that truly enjoys the company of other dogs, including house matedogs.  Very easy going; forgives even the rudest dog manners.  Dog-social dogs include most puppies and a percentage of socially mature (14 months and older) Pit Bulls.  Some call these dogs 'cold' Pit Bulls.

2.  Dog Tolerant - Typically non-reactive on leash and either indifferent or friendly to other dogs.  Is well socialized and shows relaxed, easy body language in the presence of new dogs.  May not 'love' dogs that he doesn't know, but has decent tolerance for rude behavior; a long fuse.  Enjoys known dog friends and, in general, succeeds with housemate dogs.

3.  Dog Selective - Has dog friends but is more selective.  May dislike certain 'types' of dogs and/or is easily offended by rude dog manners. Likes to dictate the rules during dog-play.  Can succeed with housemate dogs with supervision.

4.  Dog Aggressive - Has a very limited number of dog friends; sometimes, no dog friends.  May be opportunistically leash reactive with a weak handler and/or no training.  May have a short fuse during play, even with dogs that it knows.  Needs heavy supervision during play and a good leader when out on leash.  Many live successfully with housemate dogs (usually opposite sex) with proper supervision and safe management protocol.

The Bell Curve of Dog Aggression:  Dog tolerance levels are flexible and are determined by environmental factors (handler influence, training and socializing efforts) as much as they are determined by genetics.  Dog social dogs can become less social as they come into their maturity, and dog aggressive dogs can become much more tolerant with good direction and proper socialization.  With the combined
factors of maturity, socialization, good leadership and training, most Pit Bulls fall comfortably in the middle spectrum of this bell curve.

All About Terrier

                                                                Terrier        


                A terrier is a dog of any one of many breeds or landraces of terrier type, which are typically small, wiry, very active and fearless dogs. Terrier breeds vary greatly in size from just 1 kg (2 lb) to over 32 kg (70 lb) and are usually categorized by size or function. There are five different groups with each group having several different breeds.

History -

A pet terrier in 1875 (English Toy Terrier type),
 painting by Frederick August Wenderoth.

                   Most terrier breeds were developed in Great Britain and Ireland. They were used to control rats, rabbits, and foxes both over and under the ground. Some larger terriers were also used to hunt badgers. In fact, the word terrier comes from the Middle French terre, derived from the Latin terra, meaning earth. Terrier is also the modern French for "burrow". The Kerry Blue Terrier and Airedale, however, are particularly noted for tackling river rats and otters in deep water. Not long ago many terriers were also herding dogs, such as Wheaten Terriers. Different localities raised terriers suited to their hunting or vermin control needs. Terriers were crossed with hunting dogs, fighting dogs, and other terriers. In the mid-19th century, with the advent of dog shows, various breeds were refined from the older purpose-bred dogs. All of today's terrier breeds are bred primarily as pets.

                   The gameness of the early hunting terriers was exploited by using them in sporting contests. Initially, terriers competed in events such as clearing a pit of rats. The dog that was fastest in killing all the rats won. In the 18th century some terriers were crossed with hounds to improve their hunting, and some with fighting dog breeds to "intensify tenacity and increase courage". Some of the crosses with fighting dogs, Bull and Terrier crosses, were used in the blood sport of dog fighting. Modern pet breeds developed from the Bull and Terrier, such as the Miniature Bull Terrier, are listed by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) under Bull type terriers.

                    Today, most terriers are kept as companion dogs and family pets. They are generally loyal and affectionate to their owners but can be "big characters" requiring a firm hand.

Genetics of origins -

                    Genetic analysis shows that most terriers are in the "modern/hunting" genetic cluster of dog breeds developed from the same pool of ancestors in Europe in the 19th century. A few terriers are found in the "mastiff" genetic cluster with Pomeranians, Labrador Retrievers, and other large-headed dogs, and the Tibetan Terrier is found in the older grouping of Asian and African dogs, along with the Pekingese.

Appearance -

                   Terriers range greatly in appearance from very small, light bodied, smooth coated dogs such as the English Toy Terrier (Black and Tan), which weighs as little as 2.7 kg (6 lb), to the very large rough coated Airedale Terriers, which can be up to 32 kg (70 lb) or more. As of 2004, the United Kennel Club recognized a new hairless breed of terrier derived from the Rat Terrier called the American Hairless Terrier.

Terrier types and groups -

                 In the 18th century in Britain, only two types of terriers were recognized, long- and short-legged.

                 Today, terriers are often informally categorized by size or by function:

                Working terriers (Hunting types): Still used to find, track, or trail quarry, especially underground, and sometimes to bolt the quarry. Modern examples include the Jack Russell Terrier, Rat Terrier and the Patterdale Terrier. There are also the short legged terriers Such as the Cairn Terrier, Scottish Terrier, and West Highland White Terrier which were also used to kill small vermin. The original types of hunting terriers include
                  Fell terriers: breeds developed in northern England to assist in the killing of foxes, and
Hunt terriers: breeds developed in southern England to locate and kill or bolt foxes during a traditional mounted fox hunt.
                 Toy terriers: Bred "down" from larger terriers, these terriers are shown in the Toy or Companion group. Included among these breeds are the English Toy Terrier and the Yorkshire Terrier. While small, they retain true terrier character and are not submissive "lap dogs".
                 Bull type Terriers: The Bull and Terrier types were originally combinations of bulldogs and terriers as general mixed breed bull-baiting and pit dogs. In the late 19th century, they were refined into separate breeds that combined terrier and bulldog qualities. Except for Boston Terriers, they are generally included in kennel clubs' Terrier Group. Some breeders have bred modern Bull type terrier breeds, such as the Bull Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier and Staffordshire Bull Terrier, into suitable family dogs and show terriers. These breeds and other descendants of the Bull and Terrier types, such as the Asian Gull Terr, are among the dog breeds still raised for illegal dog fighting.

Breed groups

                   Breed Groups are groupings of similar breeds of dog by kennel clubs; Breed Groups are not scientific classifications, and breeds included in a Breed Group will vary from club to club. The Fédération Cynologique Internationale, The Kennel Club (UK), Canadian Kennel Club, American Kennel Club, Australian National Kennel Council, New Zealand Kennel Club, and United Kennel Club as well as with the myriad hunting and pet registries may all vary in which breeds of terrier are included in the various Breed Groups that the club uses. The Miniature Schnauzer is placed in the Terrier Group by the American Kennel Club but not categorised as Terrier by the Kennel Club (UK), which places all Schnauzers in the Utility Group. Boston Terriers are true terriers although the Kennel Club also places them in the Utility Group, while the Canadian Kennel Club places them in the Non-Sporting Group. The American Kennel Club and the Canadian Kennel club recognise the Toy Manchester Terrier in the Toy Group, while the Australian National Kennel Council does not recognise the breed at all. The Tibetan Terrier and the Tchiorny Terrier (Black Russian Terrier) are terriers in name only and not related to the other terriers.

                      The organization of each breed group varies from club to club as well. The Fédération Cynologique Internationale subdivides the Terrier Group into Sections, including Large and medium-sized Terriers, Small-sized Terriers, Bull type Terriers, and Toy Terriers, while other major national kennel clubs do not subdivide the Terrier Group, although some terrier types are placed in the Toy Group by some kennel clubs, and some terriers are placed in other Breed Groups. Listed at the bottom of the article are all Terrier breeds organized by Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) Section.

Can you trust a dog?

“I don’t like one of your ownership rules,” writes an offended website visitor. “‘Never leave a dog alone with a child’?? My dog is totally trustworthy around my kids!”

Trust can be difficult to define. But, in essence, if you trust a dog, you have a feeling of certainty that the dog will not fail your expectations.

What do you expect from your dog? Dogs liv
e in the moment. They do not have morals. Dogs react to instinctual drives; they do not think about how their actions will affect them or others. Only through a great deal of training and effort can we give our dogs a very rudimentary understanding of cause-and-effect. Dogs cannot think at the level that people do.

Some owners expect their dogs to think logically, to have morals, and to behave like people. Such expectations are unrealistic. You can trust that a dog will think and act like a dog. You can also trust that a dog will not behave like a person.

You can expect (or trust) a dog to:

Jump up on people
Bark
Bite
Chase moving objects
Fight
Lick
Whine
Scratch and paw
Run around
If you own a dog, he will not let you down if you expect these behaviors.

You cannot expect (or trust) a dog to:

Distinguish “good guys” from “bad guys”
Suppress predatory instinct when faced with shrill noises and small, fast-moving objects
Lie down and accept a painful or frightening situation
Stay in the yard when the gate is wide open
Do something just because you said so
Be a “good dog” without any guidance or training
Understand human morals, virtues, and expectations

Some people trust dogs to act and think the way people do. These people are offended by responsible ownership rules because the rules do not trust dogs to behave like people. Some people think that when an owner follows the rules of responsible ownership, it is because that owner does not trust his or her dog to behave—that the dog is “bad.”

Responsible dog ownership rules are based on trust—a different definition of trust! The rules trust that dogs will behave like dogs, and the rules help dog owners to maintain that trust. Don’t be offended by responsible dog ownership rules, and don’t be ashamed to follow them! In order to be a responsible dog owner, you can and should trust your dog—to be a dog.

Dog Fighting - Finding The Truth

Dog fighting is a passion for some people and some think it a cruel act . Both sides have their own points to prove their opinion right , but the main point is who is right ?
       This article is not to explain what is dog fighting but this article is to know what you think about it . Main objective of this article is to know your views . The breed which is represented as face of dog fight is Pit Bull . Our objective is to know whether this breed really this much aggressive .
     I  hope everyone who will read this article will post his/her views . Share it maximum to know the views of world about dog fighting .

Dog Fighting Today

                      Dog fighting, despite its felony status in all 50 states, is still a grave concern to animal advocates. All across the country, humans abuse dogs in heinous ways. From nonchalant, impromptu ‘street fights’ to the large-scale organized matches held on a regular schedule at set locations, dog fighting still occurs every day.

                       Dog fighting is an ANIMAL ABUSE ISSUE. Pit Bulls happen to be the breed most used in dog fights. But if Pit Bulls did not exist, dog fighting would still take place. There is no quenching the blood lust of human ‘kind’. Brutality against animals in the form of staged matches or fights between animals or even between man and animal is an activity almost as old as man himself – it was in existence long before the Pit Bull. Those who make dog fighting a PIT BULL ISSUE do the dogs a grave disservice. These dogs are VICTIMS in every sense of the word. Exploited, abused, tortured for human gain, Pit Bulls are innocent beings caught up in a tragic societal issue.

                       
                  Pit Bulls are NOT part of the problem. The only PROBLEM is PEOPLE. The dogs are not perpetrators, they are not evil partners of the humans, nor are they mere ‘tools’ of a ‘trade’. These dogs abused by man are living, feeling, breathing, helpless victims, with a world to offer if humans would only give them the chance. They have so much worth and substance, but their countless positive traits are trampled on and stifled by the real ‘animals’ who mistreat them. Allowed the opportunity to blossom into their true selves, even those dogs who have been exposed to the cruelty of the pit can live as companions and enjoy those luxuries afforded to ‘normal pet dogs’. Dogs saved from fighting busts do not need ‘rehabilitation’ – what they need is a chance to show who they truly are, their intrinsic natures - their positive attributes of love, trust, loyalty, courage, and gentleness.

Why Do Pit Bulls Fight?

                     Coming soon.........

Dog Fighting History

Dog Fighting

History

                    Fights between two or

A dogfight, c. 1785

more animals have always been popular spectacles. The Romans, the Greeks, Spanish, as well as French have pitted dogs  against other animals, dating back hundreds or thousands of years. So when the British people began selectively breeding the popular old-time bulldog for use in dog-on-dog combat, they couldn't take credit for having been the first to pit one animal against another. (It seems the bloodlust of humans extends across time and the globe!)

                   The dogs that were used in these British dog fights became known as the American Pit Bull Terrier.

                    The original, old-time bulldog was used for all manner of stock-related work, particularly as a catch dog: used by the butcher to manage unruly bulls,  and by the hunter for help in catching and holding wild boar and other  game. The sport of bull baiting became popular in England, having arisen from  these functional jobs that the bulldog performed for humans.  

                     Baiting was extremely popular and nearly a national past time. At one point, there was even a law mandating that the flesh of a bull could only be sold if the animal had  been baited prior to slaughter. But the baiting of animals was  eventually outlawed due to the increasingly loud voices of opposition.

                   And so humans--with their insatiable lust for blood and violence-- turned to the sport of dog-on-dog fighting.

A turn-up between a dog and Jacco Macacco,
 the fighting monkey, 1822

                   The bulldog, mixed with tough hunting terriers, was created to be used in this emerging ‘sport’. Selectively bred down to a smaller size to increase agility in the pit, these dogs were also bred for stamina and wrestling ability. However, the most important trait in the fighting dog was gameness. Gameness--the willingness to keep going and not give up--is a trait common to breeds of bulldog ancestry. It may also be described as that plucky, never-say-die attitude seen in terriers. Lastly, the fighting dog had to be easily handled by humans, and so any aggression shown towards people was carefully selected against.
                     These dogs were eventually to become known as the “Pit Bulldog” or “Pit Bull Terrier”, the precursors to our modern  APBT.

                    Pit Bulldogs (the new bulldog/terrier fighting dogs)were imported to America around the time of the Civil War, and they gained great popularity over the years. The dogs were not only the fighting dog of choice, but they were also surprisingly popular with the general public who embraced the breed wholeheartedly.

                   Viewing art and old photographs from the early to mid 1900’s, you can see that the Pit Bulldog was viewed as a valuable part of American culture.  Back then, the breed was known as a sound family companion, and a dog that was great with kids—despite the fact that it was also a fighting breed.

                   In the realm of the American dogman, dog fights provided betting opportunities, entertainment, and also served as a means to establish and then preserve a specific type of dog--the American Pit Bull Terrier (aka “Pit Bull”). In 1898 the United Kennel Club was formed in order to preserve the breed, establish a stud book, and create rules for the pit. UKC founder CZ Bennet officially named the breed: American Pit Bull Terrier. Through dog fights, breeders could identify certain traits in a dog and  then breed that dog that manifested the sought-after traits. Besides gameness, a  very stable, sound dog was extremely important. Aggression towards humans was not tolerated. Through this type of careful selection, the Pit Bull breed was refined. (Please see Pit Bull History for more information about the development of the breed.)

                  Dog fighting continued on into the 1900s, although it began to lose favor after the turn of the century. Throughout the 1900’s, dog fighting would gradually lose ground. The fighting amendment added to the Animal Welfare Act in 1976 helped propel stricter laws (and to push dog fighting underground where it unfortunately still flourishes). It was eventually outlawed as a felony all across America.


Dog Fighting Today -
                                Coming soon...

Tips for managing a multi-dog household APBT

Dog aggression is a tricky business. To begin with, dog aggression (aggression directed by dogs toward other dogs) and human aggression (aggression directed toward humans) are entirely separate behaviors. It’s very common for dogs to exhibit some degree of intolerance toward their fellow canines but show only trust and affection for humans. Second, dogs of any breed can be dog aggressive. We at PBRC have lost track of the number of times we have been approached by off-leash aggressive dogs while responsibly walking our leashed pit bulls. Finally, dog aggression is not a matter of simply being dog aggressive or not dog aggressive. As we point out in our Breed Info page, it’s more accurate to think of dog aggression as a spectrum. Some dogs are completely tolerant of other dogs, others are completely intolerant, but most are somewhere in between.

The matter becomes even more complicated with pit-bull-type dogs. While it’s true that fighting was a part of these breeds’ original purpose (part of, but not the only purpose), it is simply wrong to say that pit bulls are “fighting dogs.” Pit bulls are one of the most popular dogs in the United States, but very few of them are actually bred and trained for fighting. The vast majority of pit bulls are bred for family companionship, looks, or nothing in particular. A relative minority are “game bred.” And, as in the case of Michael Vick’s dogs, even pit bulls that have endured the horrors of the pit have proven docile toward other dogs and, most importantly, no worse for the wear in their trust and affection for humans.

As responsible pit bulls owners, we must understand and respect our breed’s heritage, just as Golden Retriever owners or Border Collie owners should respect their breed’s heritage. This means understanding that our beloved dogs may be intolerant of other dogs. At some point, they may even have to forego all interactions with other dogs. We see too many owners forced to rehome their dogs because they simply don’t understand dog-to-dog aggression issues. For this reason, we cannot underemphasize the consequences of misunderstanding dog aggression. Of course, dogs are individuals, and each situation is different, so our recommendations may not apply in all circumstances. Nevertheless, we encourage pit bull owners to follow the guidelines below.

Know Your Dog(s)
Is your dog confident and relaxed around other dogs, or is it insecure and defensive? Is your dog generally tolerant or intolerant toward other dogs? If you have a multi-dog household, are there particular situations that trigger aggression between your dogs (the doorbell, going in and out of the house, toys, food, rawhides, etc.)? Know what triggers aggression and avoid it.

Set Your Dog(s) Up to Succeed
Of course, the very best situation is to have a pit bull as your only pet. Pit bulls are people dogs, anyway. And if they receive enough attention from their family, they won’t need a canine companion to be happy. However, if you prefer having two dogs, and many people do, the next best situation is to have a compatible neutered male and a spayed female, whose interactions are always supervised. If you have multiple pit bulls, a pit bull in a multi-pet home, or more than one of any type of dog, you might find our Crate and Rotate page helpful.

There is a higher incidence of aggressive behavior between dogs of the same sex. Two males or two females will often view each other as rivals, even if they appear to get along most of the time. This is a fact for every breed. Have your dog(s) spayed or neutered as early as your veterinarian finds it appropriate.

Always be prepared. Like humans, dogs develop different personalities as they mature (at around 3 years of age). Most puppies are fine with other dogs; however, all dogs can become intolerant of other dogs as they mature, and pit bulls are no exception. This doesn’t mean that certain dogs could “snap” or “turn.” That’s a completely bogus idea perpetuated by the media. Aside from rare cases in which aggression is suddenly triggered by neurological or pathological disorders, there are always warning signs. Again, know your dog, and set it up to succeed!

Properly introduced, a neutered male and a spayed female with compatible personalities should be fine. They will, however, require strict supervision all their lives.

Train Your Dog
Using positive reinforcement, work on basic commands like sit, down, heel, and stay. Also, work hard on focus and attention. Getting your dog to direct its attention away from distractions and toward you is a foundation of good training.

Never Leave Your Dog Unsupervised With Other Animals
We can't emphasize this enough. If no one is around to keep an eye on them, dogs should be safely crated or in separate rooms, even if they are best friends. Dogs can fight for many reasons—status, food, toys, or rawhides—and if you’re not there to manage them, things could escalate. Your dog does not need “company” when home alone, and the routine of going into a crate every time you leave can be quite comforting for your dog. It also provides you with total piece of mind. There is no chance that your dogs will fight, and they won’t chew up your favorite pair of shoes!

Spay and Neuter
Have your dog(s) spayed or neutered as early as possible. Beyond the benefit of knowing that you will never contribute to pet overpopulation, intact dogs are more likely to show aggression toward other dogs. Females in their reproductive cycles and males that are triggered by sexual hormones tend to be far more reactive.

Monitor Playtime
Pit bulls live to play, and playtime between compatible dogs is a great form of exercise and socialization. But roughhousing can trigger a fight if not kept under control. Pit bulls are scrappy: they like to play rough and can be pretty vocal. Don’t let things go too far. As the leader of your pack, it’s your job to set limits and keep everyone under control.

Always Have Your Dog on a Leash When Walking
Regardless of what breed you own, this should go without saying. It’s a basic rule of dog ownership. If your dog is outside the house and not enclosed within a fenced area, keep him or her on a leash.

Do Not Bring Your Dog to an Off-Leash Dog Park
And avoid any other area where it may come into contact with other dogs running loose. For the reasons we list here, dog parks are poor choice for dogs of all breeds. Dog parks are frequently more about human entertainment than the well being of the dogs. Your dog can get just as much exercise and socialization on a leash.

Early Socialization May Help
But it’s no guarantee that your dog might not become dog aggressive at some point. If you already have a dog and you want to bring a pit bull into your home, your best bet is to adopt a mature dog whose personality is a known quantity.

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Simple steps for avoiding infections from dogs and cats

“Ugh! I’ve been kissed by a dog! I have dog germs! Get hot water! Get some disinfectant! Get some iodine!”—Lucy, after being licked by Snoopy in A Charlie Brown Christmas

Americans share their households with an estimated 140 million dogs and cats. For the truly pet-centric among us, these creatures are family members, plain and simple. In addition to delivering that most elusive unconditional love, pet ownership confers several health benefits—including lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels—and increased opportunities for exercise and socialization.

Lucy may have overreacted after being smooched by Snoopy, but dogs and cats can transmit disease to people, either directly through licks, bites, and scratches; indirectly by carrying other infection-laden critters like fleas and ticks into the human environment, or by shedding tiny infectious organisms into our environment through feces. As a group, these diseases are called zoonoses (ZOH-uh-NOE-sees).

Most of the diseases we pick up from dogs and cats arise from bacteria, single-celled and wormlike parasites, and one virus (rabies). People with compromised immune systems (such as those with AIDS or those taking drugs to ward off rejection after receiving an organ transplant) and kids are at the highest risk of becoming sick with such ailments

The list of diseases transmissible from dogs and cats to people is quite long, but the risk of getting sick from such conditions is low—especially if you take a few simple precautions.

Beware bites, scratches, and smooches

While it is more likely that you’ll receive germs causing human disease while shaking hands than when getting smooched by a dog, saliva from a cat or dog—delivered via an affectionate lick, an accidental or aggressive bite, or a defensive scratch—may contain organisms that can cause illness if they penetrate the skin or come in contact with the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose, or eyes. The dog or cat that unknowingly transmits these germs usually shows no signs of illness. But once inside a human, these bacteria can cause skin infections, flu-like symptoms such as fever and chills, and more serious diseases such as meningitis.

The rabies virus is the most dangerous saliva-borne germ a cat or dog can bestow on a person. Thankfully, rabies in people is very rare in the U.S. (only 47 cases were reported between 1990 and 2005), and most of those cases are attributed to bites from wild animals such as bats and raccoons. One reason dogs and cats so rarely transmit rabies is our nation’s highly effective pet-vaccination programs.

A fastidious cat that cleans its paws with its abrasive tongue can transfer bacteria belonging to the bartonella family from its mouth to its claws. In such a case, a bite or a scratch can cause cat-scratch disease, which usually causes localized lymph node swelling near the injury site but can progressively affect the liver, eyes, or central nervous system.

Here are a few ways to avoid saliva-borne infections:

• Socialize your pets with people so they are less likely to bite and scratch.
• Thoroughly wash any bite or scratch wound with soap and water. Watch the area for swelling and redness. Puncture wounds should be seen by a doctor.
• Make sure your pets are vaccinated against rabies. This is a legal requirement in most states.

Poop patrol

No one in their right mind intentionally touches or ingests dog or cat poop, but people can nevertheless expose themselves to several nasty disease-causing agents from it via contaminated soil or water. These include salmonella, a bacteria that humans more commonly get from contaminated food, and giardia, a single-celled parasite that can cause severe diarrhea.

Also, the eggs of intestinal worms—including roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms—are commonly shed in animal feces, and people who accidentally ingest them can get become ill. Only the tapeworm can develop into an adult parasite in the human intestine, but the other worms in immature form can migrate to the skin, eyes, and other organs.

As if that weren’t enough, cat feces can carry a microscopic parasite (Toxoplasma gondii) that causes enlarged lymph nodes. Infected people usually don’t show symptoms, unless they have a weak immune system. Most important, women infected with toxoplasma during pregnancy can transmit the parasite to their developing fetus.

Here are a few precautions to take:

• Make sure your pet gets an annual veterinary physical
• If your pet develops diarrhea, treat it promptly.
• Wash your hands thoroughly after cleaning up dog or cat feces and after gardening or exposure to soil that may harbor canine or feline fecal matter.
• If you’re pregnant, have someone else clean out Felix’s litter box.

Freeloading fleas and ticks

The fleas and ticks that get a free ride and feed on domestic dogs and cats can also feed on humans, though they prefer hairier mammals. During feeding, those insects can transmit the germs that cause Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis (characterized by fever and headache), the malaria-like infection known as babesiosis, and even plague, most human cases of which occur in the Southwest U.S.

Follow these tips to stay insect free:

• Use a veterinary-recommended flea- and tick-prevention product on your pet.
• Check your pets for fleas and ticks regularly, even if they are on a preventive.
• If your home is flea-infested, treat the indoor environment as well as the pet.
• If you find a tick on your pet or yourself, remove it promptly and wash your hands afterward.

The bottom line with pets, people, and disease is this: Practice good hand washing and other common-sense personal hygiene measures, and give your pets good veterinary care. That will further reduce the already low risk of getting an unwanted ailment courtesy of your “best friend.”

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