Another day, another dollar wasted.

Another round of recalls, this one has dangerous repercussions for people.  On August 5th the Rhode Island  Department of Health issued an advisory stating that IAMS and EUKANUBA pet foods may be contaminated with Salmonella.  DUH!

My records indicate that the issue was discovered on June 18 when ( Natural Balance Pet Foods, Inc. announces a voluntary recall of Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Chicken Dry Dog Food Due to a Possible Health Risk)  Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Chicken Dry Dog Food was recalled for the same reason.  It was followed by a long string of recalls including:

• August 03, 2010 Merrick Pet Care Recalls Texas Hold'ems 10 oz Bag (Item # 60016 Lot 10127 Best by May 6 2012) because of Possible Salmonella Health Risk 
• July 30, 2010 P&G Expands Voluntary Limited Recall of Specialized Dry Pet Foods Due to Possible Health Risk 
• July 27, 2010 Biggers & Callaham, LLC DBA Mice Direct Recalls Frozen Reptile Feed Because of Possible Health Risk 
• July 25, 2010 P&G Recalls Two Lots of Prescription Renal Diet Cat Food due to a Possible Health Risk 
• July 15, 2010 Feline’s Pride Expands Nationwide Recall of its Natural Chicken Formula Cat Food Due to Salmonella Contamination 
• July 02, 2010 Merrick Pet Care Recalls Beef Filet Squares 10oz Bag (Item #60016 Lot # 10084TL7 Best By March 24, 2012) Because Of Possible Salmonella Health Risk 
• July 02, 2010 United Pet Group Voluntarily Expands Recall of Nutritional Supplements For Dogs to Include Additional Tablet and Powdered-Form Products for Dogs and Cats Because of Possible Salmonella Health Risk 
• July 01, 2010 Feline’s Pride Issues Nationwide Recall of its Natural Chicken Formula Cat Food Due to Salmonella Contamination 
• June 22, 2010 United Pet Group Voluntarily Recalls Pro-Pet Adult Daily Vitamin Supplement for Dogs Because of Possible Salmonella Health Risk 

Why does it take so long to address the health hazards of the foods we feed our pets?

I don’t know why it went by so fast.  Seems like a few months at the most. It couldn’t possibly be six years. Coco is getting some grey around her snout, Bailey has some too, but it doesn’t show on her.  I just don’t believe that it is really GREY, must be an illusion.

I don’t know how to make it better for them; I have mixed feelings.  I know that they are having good lives, they are happy, healthy (within reason), and well adjusted.  They have jobs, Bailey goes to work with me on Monday, Wednesday and Friday where she shows everyone just who’s boss and Coco goes on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, where she shows everyone how obedience is done.  But they never get a break.

I don’t know how they put up with their grueling schedule.  Their day starts at 6:00 AM and doesn’t end until late in the evening.  Naps are interrupted by games and play times, play times are interrupted with attention, attention is interrupted by another nap.  Seven days a week, too many hours each day to count they work, play and have fun. It just doesn’t seem to end, no rest for the wicked, or for my dogs.

The only thing that I do know; time flies, especially when your having fun.

FDA NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Nov. 5, 2009

Media Inquiries: Rita Chappelle, 301-796-4672, rita.chappelle@fda.hhs.gov
Consumer Inquiries: 888-INFO-FDA

FDA  Health Alert for Certain Pet Treats Made by Pet Carousel 
Products may be contaminated with Salmonella

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is issuing this health alert to warn consumers not to use Pig Ears and Beef Hooves pet treats manufactured by Pet Carousel because the products may be contaminated with Salmonella. The products were distributed nationwide in both bulk and retail packaging for sale in pet food and retail chain stores. Pet Carousel is based in Sanger, Calif.

The products were manufactured under conditions that facilitate cross-contamination within batches or lots. Although no illnesses associated with these products have been reported, the FDA is advising consumers in possession of these products to not handle or feed them to their pets.

The affected pig ear products were packaged under the brand names Doggie Delight and Pet Carousel. The affected beef hooves were packaged under the brand names Choo Hooves, Dentley’s, Doggie Delight, and Pet Carousel. All sizes and all lots of these products made by Pet Carousel are included in this alert.

During September 2009, the FDA conducted routine testing of pig ears made by Pet Carousel. The test results detected a positive reading for Salmonella. This prompted an FDA inspection of Pet Carousel’s manufacturing facilities. During the inspection, the agency collected additional pet treat samples. Further analysis found Salmonella present in beef hooves, pig ears and in the manufacturing environment.

Salmonella can affect both humans and animals. People handling dry pet food and/or pet treats can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the treats or any surfaces exposed to these products. Consumers should dispose of these products in a safe manner by securing them in a covered trash receptacle.

Healthy people infected with Salmonella may experience some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Although rare, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments including arterial infections, endocarditis (inflammation of the lining of the heart), arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their health care provider immediately.

Pets with Salmonella infections may become lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Some pets may only experience a decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected, but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed any of the affected products or is experiencing any of these symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately.

The FDA will continue to investigate this matter to determine the source of the Salmonella contamination and offer updates as appropriate.

Consumers can report complaints about FDA-regulated pet food and pet treat products by calling the consumer complaint coordinator in their area. You can locate the nearest consumer complaint coordinator at:
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/ReportaProblem/ConsumerComplaintCoordinators/default.htm

A few days ago I was working at a Spay/ Neuter clinic.  One of the things that we do in the morningis answer the phone, you never know when an appointment is going to becancelled (dang it) or someone that really needs to get there on time gets lostand desperately needs directions

One call involved a man that had recently adopted apuppy.  He went to a local store (startswith a W ends with something like mart (think I have mentioned them before)) toget his new friend a toy.  Shortlythereafter the puppy was crying in agony. Seems that this toy contained a fishhook.  Upon inspection the man found out that the toy was made in China(I have a memory of mentioning that place before too).  Long story short he has paid the Veterinarybill and made an oath to NEVER buy toys at the place that starts with a W andto read all labels to make sure they do not mention China.  BTW: the puppy is fine.

-=Wayne

Nutro has announced a recall for some Nutro Natural Choice cat foods.  A link to their site containing the information is:

http://www.nutroproducts.com/press-recall/press-faq.html

Looks like Nutro is doing the right thing.

-=Wayne

Mars pet foods does it again,  here are the links for the FDA release and some other press information.

http://news.google.com/news?q=mars&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-Address&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=ie7&rlz=1I7SUNA&um=1&hl=en&ncl=1245673723&sa=X&oi=news_result&resnum=4&ct=more-results&cd=1

-=Wayne

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- FRANKLIN, Tenn. – August 08, 2008 – Mars Petcare US today announced a voluntary recall of limited bags of PEDIGREE® Complete Nutrition Small Crunchy Bites sold in Albertsons stores in Southern California and Las Vegas, Nevada. The pet food is being voluntarily recalled because of potential contamination with Salmonella. There have been no complaints or reports of injury resulting from consumption or handling of the recalled product.

Full information at: http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/marspetcare08_08.html

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- FRANKLIN, Tenn. – August 08, 2008 – Mars Petcare US today announced a voluntary recall of limited bags of PEDIGREE® Complete Nutrition Small Crunchy Bites sold in Albertsons stores in Southern California and Las Vegas, Nevada. The pet food is being voluntarily recalled because of potential contamination with Salmonella. There have been no complaints or reports of injury resulting from consumption or handling of the recalled product.

For complete information see the FDA website at: http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/marspetcare08_08.html

Good Luck.

Operant Conditioning

This entry was created primarily to assist students gain an understanding of our methodology, but it may have value for all of our readers.

The trainers at Pawsitive Methods use several techniques to help your dog understand which behaviors are desirable, and which are not.  These techniques have names like "Positive Reinforcement" and "Extinction".  Positive Methods only uses methods that we consider effective AND humane, methods that strictly adhere to our Code of Ethics; references to other methods are included on this page for informational purposes only. This page will help you understand the methods we employ, and why we use them.  All of our training methods center on the principles of Operant Conditioning and Leadership.

Operant conditioning

Operant conditioning is the use of consequences to modify the occurrence and form of behavior. Operant conditioning is distinguished from Pavlovian  conditioning in that operant conditioning deals with the modification of "voluntary behavior" through the use of consequences, while Pavlovian conditioning deals with the conditioning of behavior so that it occurs under new antecedent conditions. Reinforcement, Punishment and Extinction are at the core of operant conditioning.

Reinforcement, punishment, and extinction

Reinforcement and punishment, the core tools of operant conditioning, are either positive (delivered following a response), or negative (withdrawn following a response). This creates a total of four basic consequences, with the addition of a fifth procedure known as extinction (i.e. no change in consequences following a response).

It's important to note that it is the response that is reinforced, punished, or extinguished, not the animal. Additionally, reinforcement, punishment, and extinction are not terms whose uses are restricted to training.

Naturally occurring consequences can also be said to reinforce, punish, or extinguish behavior and are not always delivered by people.

Reinforcement is a consequence that causes a behavior to occur with greater frequency.

Punishment is a consequence that causes a behavior to occur with less frequency.

Extinction is the lack of any consequence following a response, increasing the likelihood that it will occur with less frequency.

It is interesting to note that Extinction techniques can cause what is called an "extinction burst", causing the behavior to occur MORE frequently for a short period of time, much like a child throwing a temper tantrum. This outburst is generally very short lived.

Positive and Negative

When speaking of operant conditioning the terms "positive" and "negative" are not used in their popular sense, but rather: "positive" refers to addition, and "negative" refers to subtraction. What is added or subtracted may be either reinforcement or punishment. Hence positive punishment is sometimes a confusing term, as it denotes the addition of punishment (such as hitting or yelling), a context that may seem very negative in the lay sense.

The addition of positive and negative to our basic set of tools provides us with five processes.  Positive Reinforcement, Negative Punishment, Negative Reinforcement, Positive Punishment, and Extinction.

Techniques we use

Positive reinforcement

Positive reinforcement occurs when a behavior (response) is followed by a favorable stimulus (commonly seen as pleasant) that increases the frequency of that behavior. Hence, a treat or other desirable reward, offered after a behavior will tend to increase the frequency of that behavior.
For Example: If your dog stops barking, and that silence is rewarded, the dog will tend to decrease the frequency of barking.
(Rewarding by Providing Something the Dog Wants for performing a desirable behavior)

Negative punishment

Negative punishment occurs when a behavior (response) is followed by the removal of a favorable stimulus, such as taking away a child's toy following an undesired behavior, resulting in a decrease in that behavior.
Example: If your dog starts barking when you are giving it attention, cessation of the attention would tend to decrease the frequency of the barking.
(Punishing by taking away something the Dog Wants (Your Attention) for performing an undesired behavior)

Extinction

Extinction is the withholding of reinforcement for a previously reinforced behavior in order to eliminate that behavior. For example, a dog jumps on an owners lap to gain attention and is ignored until the attention-seeking behavior no longer occurs.
(No Response to the Dog, making the behavior unrewarding)

Techniques we DO NOT NORMALLY use

Negative reinforcement

Negative reinforcement occurs when a behavior (response) is followed by the removal of an aversive stimulus (commonly seen as unpleasant) thereby increasing that behavior's frequency. Negative reinforcement can be a loud noise continuously sounding inside the dog's kennel until it engages in the target behavior, such as sitting politely, upon which the loud noise is removed.

Techniques we NEVER use

Positive punishment

Positive punishment occurs when a behavior (response) is followed by an aversive stimulus, such as introducing a shock or loud noise, resulting in a decrease in that behavior. We do not consider this method in compliance with our Code of Ethics and therefore do not employ it in our training.

Anyone that has suffered through this document may also wish to read the previous publications on leadership.

COMING UP:
Mar 2008, BRIBERY AND PAYOFFS
Apr 2008, You are getting VERY SLEEPY

Pawsitive Methods wishes to extend thanks to Wikipedia for their valuable contributions to this document.