TulsaPets Magazine November 2021

November/December 2021 • TulsaPets 37 Tulsa’s Premier Pet Taxi Third party pet taxi service that offers roundtrip pickup & drop off to daycares, grooming, vet appointments & boarding. Registered with USDA. www.thecaninecab.com c/t (918) 896-1952 Holiday Gifts for Dog Lovers! Autographed by the author & FREE SHIPPING for orders placed by Dec. 15! www.PatBeckerBooks.com Heartwarming stories of real dogs that changed the lives of their owners. change in eating habits can be due to a mouth issue, such as a bad tooth. Does your dog have a predisposition to a certain breed trait or issue? A DNA test such as the Embark kit can test for more than 200 genetic health risks. This is fantastic information to know about your dogs. Freedom to express normal and natural behavior: I think this is the most overlooked or misunderstood of the freedoms. Think about your pet’s ancestors. What’s in their DNA? I too often hear dog owners complain that their Border Collie chases their kids, their Coon Hound will not sleep at night or they can’t take their Great Pyrenees to the dog park because he doesn’t like other dogs. You need to find acceptable (to you and your dog) activities to allow them to express their instincts. Do your research! There are many fun ways to tap into your dog’s genetics. Freedom from fear and distress: This is another big one for me. Your pets may be fearful of storms and fireworks — I get that — but they could also be fearful of you raising your voice or speak- ing harshly. They may show distress when you leave them. They may be afraid of other animals. They may be afraid of dark places or even stairs. Be a good observer and recognize what is happen- ing when your dog is fearful or distressed. Some causes are easily remedied, while others will take time and professional guidance to alleviate the condition. Careful, not cursory, commitment to the Five Freedoms will open an amazing relationship between you and your pets.