Does YOUR pet exhibit a behavior that you find less
than desirable??? You are not alone !!! Write to Dr. Cookie®
with a question or
specific problem you are experiencing with your pet!
Does YOUR pet exhibit a behavior that you find less
than desirable??? You are not alone !!! Write to Dr. Cookie®
with a question or
specific problem you are experiencing with your pet!
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innocent!). Are you curious to learn about other people’s
problems? Read on to be amused & informed!
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Dear Dr.
Cookie,
I have a Boxer named Lilly who is over a year! She has one major issue that's driving us insane, she licks us no matter what we do or say to distract her. She does it when we go to pet her! What can we do to get this disgusting and annoying issue resolved? It's gross because she's a slobberer!
Dear Kassie,
First of all, I think you should consider yourself lucky! She is a friendly and affectionate puppy, although maybe she's a bit more enthusiastic than you'd like. Make sure she has lots of walks so she's not as high energy all the time. Boxers, like many other breeds, are superb athletes and need tons of exercise. Channel her energy with obedience training, agility training, play with other dogs. When she's tired and more responsive to voice command, tell her to 'sit/stay' and 'leave it' when you've been sufficiently slobbered. Please see the QuickFix page for handouts on Basic Obedience and Why It's Important to Walk Your Dog. Have a great summer!
Dear Dr.
Cookie,
I recently helped adopt out a 3 year old Coonhound to a nice couple. She was good at the new folks' house the first few nights then started howling. They informed me that she only does it at night (she is crated for short periods during the day also and is fine). The first night she howled mournfully for about 10 minutes then stopped, the second night she didn't stop for at least an hour and the couple finally slept downstairs near her crate and she was fine. She can't be left to roam the house at night as she isn't housebroken yet and has no real indoor manners yet. I really want her to have a good home!
Dear Regan,
First off, I really applaud your role in finding a good home for this sweet dog. So many dog lovers forget the basic needs of dogs: lots of exercise, social time with other dogs and quality time with their people. Dogs need to be walked (see Quickfix Handout on this important subject); it helps to satisfy all of their basic needs and then some! If this puppy was tired by the end of the day, she'd be more comfortable going to bed. If she was closer to her pack, she wouldn't feel isolated and anxious. So start her day off with at least 60 minutes of a real walk (in the yard doesn't count). Forget the crate. Make a cozy spot in their bedroom and tether her to it on a short leash. Give her a little rawhide stick or strip at bedtime to help settle her down. Eventually, she'll just know to go to bed and stay there. I bet she'll be just fine; they'll all have a howling good time and live happily ever after.
Dear Dr.
Cookie,
In
the April issue of Woman's Day you said the average middle aged healthy dog
needs two 30- or 60 minute walks each day. I have a miniature Dachshund. Darby
will go out and sniff around for 20 minutes but the furthest she wants to
meander is about a block and a half. To get her to take a walk is a
battle. And if the wind is blowing in the slightest she tucks her tail
between her legs and runs like mad for the front door. What to do?
Hi DeeDee!
Well,
Darby may not be the average dog. But, the question is really how she is when
she gets home from a walk. Is she still bouncing off the walls? Is she getting
into mischief like chewing things in your home or barking for any little thing?
If so, then the walk wasn’t long enough even for her. Drive or carry her to
another neighborhood or block. Then she’ll have to walk further just to get
home! Bring some tasty treats with you to coax her along if she puts on the
brakes. Also, try bringing her to a park where other doggies play!
Dear Dr.
Cookie,
I
have recently noticed a problem with aggression in my 1 year old Boston Terrier,
named Oliver. After going out first thing in the morning to go potty, he
usually goes back to bed while I'm getting ready for work. As I'm leaving
for work, I generally call him several times to put him in his crate. He
usually ignores me, so I try to physically move him from the bed to the ground,
and he growls and snaps very aggressively at my hand or face.
Dear
Janelle,
Oliver has
gotten just a bit too big for his britches! He needs to know that getting on
your bed is a privilege, not a right. Make him earn everything he wants with a
sit/stay and/or a down/stay. Practice this with his leash on to get on or off
the bed. And for now, he goes right in his crate after the morning walk (make
sure it’s a long walk so he’s prepared for your departure). So there!
Hi!
Our
indoor cat Molly got outside once and now all she does is whine and whine by the
door. She is declawed and we don't want to let her out, we just don't know
how to make her stop whining.
Dear
Carrie Johnson,
I’m glad you’re keeping her indoors, but that also means that you have the responsibility to supply her with more indoor acitivity to satisfy her. More play time with you, a cat tree, even another kitty friend (see QuickFix handouts on Pet Selection and Introducing New Pets) would be great. Put a little collar with a bell or two on it so you can hear her coming when you approach the door. This is usually a phase and as long as you keep her happy and busy, it should pass.
Hi.
I
have two male dogs mixed with Maltese, Yorkie, Poodle and Lhasa Apso (mutts).
One is 3 years old and the other is 2 years. They are indoor dogs and are
let outside to use the restroom, however I do not walk them. I do take
them to the park and dog park. I want to begin walking them daily but they
bark at everything and everyone when walking on the street. What can I do
to stop them from barking? Should I muzzle them until they learn?
Dear
Dahiana,
Dogs bark.
Your little guys will relax a bit when you walk them MORE often. They’re
probably overwhelmed with excitement because it hasn’t happened as often as it
should, but you’re about to change that! Use 4 ft. leashes and a Martingale
(‘Greyhound’) collar for better control. Order my handout on Basic
Obedience, to teach them to heal and focus more on you as opposed to everybody
else. Muzzling has no use here, ok?
Dear Dr.
Cookie,
I have to take my cat to the vet for yearly check-up. I always have a hard time getting her in the pet taxi. I got a pill from the vet to clam her down. Then she went away under my bed to sleep and I couldn’t get her out. I need some help how can I get hold of her and get her in the pet taxi? She is very hard to get a hold of. She is very smart and knows what I’m trying to do. Once I do get a hold of her she fights me so I can’t get her in her taxi. Can you help me please?
Dear Sue,
Leave the
cat carrier out all year long. Put her food bowl and/or treats in there so that
it becomes a happy place to be. Then when you need to close the door on the day
of a veterinary appointment, it will be a breeze!
Dear Dr.
Schwartz:
I
have a 4 year old Pomeranian, and a 3 month old Cockapoo. The Cockapoo (Winnie),
is absolutely terrified of strange people and animals. With my animals, she is
great, she plays with the other dog, and she chases the cats, and has a
wonderful time. People who come to the house (family, friends, ect.) she is all
over them. But she is terrified of people on the street. She climbs my leg, and
almost screams in terror. However, she BARKED and growled at my neighbour today.
My groomer has suggested that if people show an interest in petting her, I
explain that I'm trying to get her used to people, pick her up and let people
pet her. Now, my Pom is more aggressive and thinks she owns the block. She barks
at people, runs up to them, and accepts being patted. I am planning on taking
her to puppy classes when she is done with her shots.
Dear
Natalie,
Little
puppies can be terrified of all the scary things outside their safety zone (your
home). Coax her along, introduce her to friendly people and give her a little
treat for being calm and passive. But just because your dogs are little
doesn’t mean that they should get away with behavior that would prompt a
Rottie to be reported to the dog officer! Treat them both like big dogs when it
comes to aggressive behavior to people. How about ‘NO!” (loud is good to
make your point) followed by ‘sit/stay/good dog!’ You’re the boss over the
squirts, show them what you’re made of!
Dear Dr.
Cookie,
My
husband and I recently adopted an 18 month old cat who is sweet, loving, and
wonderful in almost every way except one...he won't stop digging in our plants.
We've tried a number of fixes from cayenne pepper, to spraying him with a
water bottle, but he keeps going back for more. Two to three days out of the
week, we come home to a huge sum of potting soil on our floor. Sometimes he does
it when we're not home, but other times we're sitting right there! Do you have
any advice?
Dear Sara
Landucci,
It’s all
about pet proofing your house, not punishing the cat for being a cat! If you
have to, put larger plants in another room and close the door, or hang smaller
ones from plant hangers, or elevate them to the book shelve. You can also cover
the soil with chicken wire or plastic grid. Be sure to provide him with lots of
play time with you and consider getting him a kitty friend to keep him better
occupied!
Hi,
I
have close to 30 feral and domesticated cats on my property. They
multiplied like rabbits quicker than I could get them fixed over the last 3
years. At any rate, 3 very grown males were fighting horribly and
attacking any female cat that walked by, regardless of age. One is not
going after the girls any more, that I have seen. The other two, well,
they are acting as if nothing has changed with them at all. They are still
spraying everything they walk by and ferociously attacking the female cats that
are not yet fixed, even some that are! ALL these cats will be fixed by Wednesday
the 30th of March as I am taking 5 or 6 at a time each day to the SPCA for a low
cost program to end the population growth here. Will these 2 meanies quit
their actions? I feel terrible for
the little girls that are not yet fixed.
Dear
Frustrated Sara in
What
an angel you are for making such heroic efforts for this feral colony. Sara,
they are just being cats. Aggression is a part of life. We can’t expect feral
cats to be ‘civilized’ (our own species has a hard enough time striving for
that) and that has little to do with hormones. There is much debate and
controversy over what to do with the exploding cat population. In the
Dear Dr. Cookie,
I own a German
Shepherd/Rottweiler dog. When we take her for a walk, on a leash, and she
sees other dogs (especially small dogs) she gets really aggressive (pulls hard,
barks, hair stands up on back). Yet, if she's not on a leash she'll just
want to play with the dogs (big or small).
Dear Tammy Gray,
Some dogs are more aggressive when they are leashed.
This is often due to pack-defensive aggression. The restrained dog may feel more
vulnerable to a perceived threat and is driven to defend you (and itself) even
harder, and probably overcompensates to scare them off. Make sure she’s on a
short leash (4 ft at most, and held firmly with 2 hands) and keep her in a heel.
Take control of the situation. If she knows you’re in firm command, she’ll
relax more and let you defend the
pack (or at least follow your lead)!
Dear Dr. Cookie
I have a three year old spayed American Eskimo. About six months ago, she began having these episodes where she would awake shivering and panting in the night and try to crawl up on the bed with me. She would try to crawl behind my head like she was trying to get behind the bed. Eventually, she will calm down and go back to sleep but it sometimes takes hours. She seems to do best if I take her into my extra room where she can crawl under the computer desk and go to sleep. We took her to the vet and he ran a blood panel, thyroid, etc and all was normal. I don't see any seizure activity. It only happens in the middle of the night. Could it be some sort of noise phobia or anxiety attack. After the episode, she is fine the next day. Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Dear Kristi from San Diego,
Dogs dream, so it is likely they have nightmares too. However, the pattern you describe is more similar consistent with night terrors, or even some forms of seizure disorders recognized in people, for example. Ask your veterinarian for a referral to a veterinary behaviorist in your area (I'm in Massachusetts if you'd like to go for a ride!). She would probably respond to an antianxiety medication like alprazolam, but a trained veterinarian should evaluate her and make that decision first-hand.
Dear Dr. Cookie:
I have a 5 yr old cat that we rescued from the streets over 4 years ago...actually, she picked our house and we finally relented. Since then, both our dogs have passed way, our 15 yr-old Lab in 2001 and our 16 yr-old poodle on December 3rd, 2004. She clearly misses our poodle as she is now ’alone’ and cried a lot in the first few weeks, as if calling out to him....since then she has become more and more interested in my companionship –although she always slept on me at night , she now wants to sit on me or be near me when I get home from work (she sits on anything I try to read or sits on the computer while I use it) and also has taken to biting the electrical cords, destroying one mouse and is close to finishing off a second! Sometimes she just chews on the corners of the mail ! A few nights ago she deposited one of my shoes beside my bed, which she clearly ‘killed’ since it was full of puncture marks and bite marks and upon further inspection of my shoe rack, has taken to chewing the strap of one of my nicer pair of sling-backs...
Dear Suzy,
Cats, like people and dogs, can have separation anxiety syndrome. You can order a handout on this on the QuickFix page. Grief is an extreme form of separation anxiety in my view, and I have published these thoughts and others in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. Your cat should be evaluated by a board-certified veterinary behaviorist who can help ease this transition for her. She is clearly very anxious. You might also consider getting another dog, although I recognize that this is harder to manage with a young family. Still, there are many dogs at your local shelter who would love to be in a family like yours. I can also recommend one of the new cordless mouses (I have one, it's neat!)... :-D
I have a
wonderful one year old cat. Lately he has noticed a nice comfy corner behind my
TV entertainment center. He likes to play with the wires back there. This
disturbs my "down time" when he accidentally unplugs something, and I
don't think it's very safe for him either. How do I get him to stop going back
there?
Dear Marie,
It’s always important to pet
proof your home. Now that you have identified an insecure location, you have to
resolve it. Electric wires are not just inconvenient if unplugged; you are right
in realizing they are very hazardous to your little friend. Place an obstacle
back there so that the comfy corner is no longer comfy or accessible. You could
put a suitcase, a box, anything. It would also be wise to put some sort of cord
cover or organizer so that the wires don’t look like an octopus back there,
just to help prevent sparks…Provide additional play time and new games to play
with your kitten. Of course, the best toy would be another young cat…and
you’d be saving a life from a rescue shelter too!
I have a cat
that is just shy of three years. She is always getting attention and plays just
enough to give herself some exercise from napping all day. Recently, she has
started splashing in her water. It started out as splashing and has now got to
the point where she drags her dish across the kitchen. She has a raised mat that
her dishes sit on. But she is pulling the dish over the mat and dragging it,
causing all of the water to cover the floor. I am butting heads with my roommate
on how to handle the situation. Do you have any suggestions on what I can do
before we all go crazy?
Your cat has found an inventive
challenge to amuse herself hasn’t she! There are many alternatives to the dish
you currently use. Take a look in the dog section of a local pet store. They
have raised dishes, spill-proof dishes, all kinds of dishes…You could also
provide her with one of those water fountain type of bowls. It would be too
heavy to drag anyway and would give her entertainment too. Many cats like to
play with water. For many of them, it is an indication that they need additional
play time with stimulating toys. Try a flashlight or laser pointer to get her
focused and moving, too!
We have
recently gotten a lemon beagle. We plan on using him for breeding eventually.
Problem is he's 9 months old and loves to hump a teddy bear his previous owners
sent with him. My husband is concerned because he says he sees red swelling on
both sides of his penis. He thinks it is unhealthy for "Petie" to be
humping this bear all the time. Do you think we should get rid of the bear? We
keep Petie outside but he has the bear with him in his house. What
do you think?
Petie is an adolescent and is
doing what comes naturally. If you don’t want him humping a bear, however, how
do you plan on dealing with him when he’s used as stud? Petie’s ‘peter’
isn’t the problem; the bear is merely a target for his affection, but it could
become a compulsive problem, too. Petie needs to be kept inside with you so he
won’t be lonely and will feel safe. He needs to go out for long walks WITH
you, and introduced to other dogs so he can play. He’s a puppy for heaven’s
sake. If you are not serious breeders, Petie’s ‘peter’ will relax after
he’s neutered. It sounds like you should focus on making Petie happy, rather
than bringing more puppies into the world.
I had two
cats, and I was moving to a place I cannot take them. No humane place would take
them, so a friend agreed to take them and let them sleep in her garage. I
don’t know a cat's behavior towards humans. Do they love or get attached? Or
in a few days will they just forget about my existence?
Dear Erika,
Yes, cats form attachments to
each other and to people. I would call it love, although scientists are always
so cautious about attaching ‘human’ emotions to other species until it is
unquestionably proven. In a few days, they will be more concerned with the need
to survive. Will you be thinking about them in a few days, weeks or months from
now? It is too bad that you did not try a little harder to find a place that
would allow you to keep your pets. Although this can be challenging in many
parts of the country, it usually can be done. I hope that your friend will
eventually let them sleep inside the house. A garage is better than being
abandoned completely, but it’s no place like home.
My
adorable little Havanese dog, Oliver 1.5 years old, just started doing something
strange this past week. The past few nights, when it's time for bed...it's
like he hears something, gets spooked, and won't come back into the bedroom!
He’s slept in my bed from the first night I've had him. Nothing has changed in
my room, and I don't hear anything at all. I'm beginning to think my house
has a ghost...I don't know what is spooking him. I've turned off the
ceiling fan too; is it possible that he is hearing something I'm not?
I thought possibly that an animal was in my attic, but I would hear it scurrying
around...so that doesn't make sense. Oh yuk, what about bats?
Don't they have a high-pitched way of communicating that humans can't hear? Also,during
the day, he loves to take naps on the same bed...so it's only at night that he
is doing this.
Dear
Steph & Jane,
Hmmm…ghosts
& bats, eh? Yes, dogs certainly hear more sensitively than do we. It’s
hard to say what he might be hearing. On the other hand, where does he end up
sleeping? He may have developed a preference for sleeping elsewhere in your
home. Many pets like to cuddle only when it’s cold, for instance. He might
prefer to sleep on the sofa where he can monitor for intruders. As long as
he’s acting fine otherwise, don’t worry about it. I’m sure you miss
cuddling with him, but I’m sure it’s nothing personal!
We have
four outdoor cats. Three are neutered males. The female cat had normal eating
habits until she was spayed. She went from 7 lbs. to a whopping 10 1/2 lbs
within a few months. She eats anything and everything. All her food,
the other cats food, any crumbs on the floor, any bugs or newts she can catch,
etc. We work out of our home so are with her all the time so can
monitor her behavior, but feeding time for the other three who eat and walk away
whenever they needed a nibble is not possible because Bella leaves nothing
around.
Hi Jim,
It’s hard to control a
pet’s food intake when they have continual access. In your case, she can eat
indoors or out, all day long. It’s hard for me to tell why she’s so hungry,
but start with bringing in a stool sample so your veterinarian can determine if
she has picked up a parasite. Beyond that, feed your kitties two daily meals and
remove any uneaten portion. In fact, give her a bit less at each meal so that
she can slowly lose a bit of weight. As long as she goes outside, she can hunt
or scavenge. My preference is always to keep pets indoors.
Dr. Cookie,
Drew is a 7
year old, neutered orange tabby. He has recently decided that he won't walk
on the floor except to reach his food or litter box. He leaps from the
furniture or kitchen counter to get where he wants to go and is laying on the
highest pieces of furniture that he can get on top of. There have been no
changes made to the floor coverings (carpeting or linoleum). I tried a
suggestion of a friend to put aluminum foil on the counters,
squirting him with water, lifting him by the back of the neck & placing him
on the floor but he immediately jumps back up where he was or someplace else. He
knocks things off of high places when he gets up there & has ripped 2 holes
in my dining room lace tablecloth. I am at my wits end! Please help
me solve this problem.
Dear Marlene,
Cats are meant to jump and
climb. They use every inch of their territory, horizontal as well as vertical
surfaces. If you have other pets in the home that he has decided to avoid for
one reason or another, for example, going up to higher ground is a clever way to
maintain his personal space.
Dear Dr. Cookie,
I have a
female Siberian Husky who will be 2 yrs old soon. She is a runner and has
found a small hole in our fence she can get through. That is not the problem.
The last few times we have gone to bring her into the house she breaks away from
us and runs under the deck and starts digging a hole and lies in it. This
is in the dead of winter so it is not to find a place to lie down and cool off.
One day she did this and got through to the neighbors and did the same thing
under their deck. If we had her spayed would it stop?
I can’t understand why a dog
who runs away is not a problem. Aren’t you concerned about her safety???
Huskies are born for the winter; digging holes in the snow is a normal behavior
for many dogs but especially the Nordic breeds. So here are my no-brainer
recommendations:
1) Have your dog spayed as soon
as possible (like yesterday); 2) Don’t leave her alone in the yard for any
length of time, and especially when you are not home! And fix the fence for
heaven's sake; 3) Take her for very long walks twice a day (at least one hour
each morning and again after work); 4) Take an obedience course with her; you
have a lot to learn about communicating with your dog; 5) Play with her, teach
her to pull a sled or wagon, teach her challenging tricks and do agility
training; 6) Give her lots of opportunity to play with other dogs!
Dr. Cookie,
Why does my cat Monkey try to cover his food (canned
food)? He tries to bury it like it was in his litter box? I have caught
him several times doing this and I can’t figure out why.
It’s hard to say why Monkey monkeys around with his food. The redirected scratching might be a remnant of a predatory pattern, but it might also be that he’s really excited about the canned food and expresses this as a displacement activity (an out of context but normal behavior). Cats do the darnedest things!
Dear Dr. Cookie:
I have a indoor
bunny we have had for almost a year now. Every night when I go to bed she starts
making these scrapping sounds on her cage. She doesn’t stop for hours. We have
tried picking her up every time she does this but it seems to never work. I just
don't have any idea what to do. Please tell me why she does this and what I can
do.
Dear Bothered by Bunny,
Your bunny is obviously not ready to sleep when you are. Rabbits come out of their burrows in the early evening and again in the early morning. That is when they are most active. If you don’t give her the attention she needs before your bedtime, she will not be ready to sleep. Picking her up is rewarding her for a behavior you don’t like. The idea is to play with her, brush her, pet her, let her run around before you cage her up for the night, so you’re both ready to rest.
My
Dear Lizelle,
Paper training predisposes dogs to all sorts of problem behaviors. They are never really ‘house trained’ this way, for one thing, because they are still voiding indoors. Many dogs develop or remain coprophagic (eat their own feces) with paper training too. The behavior you describe is not common, and although it may not be very harmful, it is not desirable. Even little dogs should go outside for walks. She should learn to void outdoors and will also find other things to amuse herself with other than her own waste. For important details please order my handouts on House training your puppy/dog, and Why it’s important to walk your dog. Thanks!
Dear Doctor,
I recently read an article that said that young dogs need 30 - 60 minute walks twice a day. How can I exercise my dog when it's winter and too cold to go out?
Dear Lisa,
Put on a coat! Wear layers! Young dogs need as much exercise as it takes to get them tired. That might be more than 60 minutes for many of them! Then they rest so you can relax for a while. And when they wake up, they need to do it all over again by the late afternoon! Even young dogs can acclimate to the winter cold. But if you think your pup needs it, put a coat on him too!
Hi Dr. Cookie:
We
recently had to put our beloved 13 year male German Shepherd to sleep. We
have a 2 1/2 year 12 pound female mixed Poodle. She was alpha dog with our
other dog. My question is we are thinking about getting another German
Shepherd but would like a female. We were told we would need to get a male because
2 females don't get along. Could you please shed some light on this?
Dear Nancy,
So sorry to hear you lost your
old friend…it’s never easy to say goodbye. Dogs establish pack hierarchy
through dominance relationships that are worked out between pairs of dogs in the
group. There is an overall pack structure, but there is also a ranking system
established between males and between females.
Dominance aggression is always more intense between close rivals, which
makes sense. If someone is no threat to your job at work, you will be more
comfortable with her, right? On the other hand, if someone is vying for your
position, you will be more defensive and cautious. The same is true of dogs. So,
a male and a female may have dominance issues, but they are not going for the
exact same position, whereas two males and two females might be.
I have two bitches. They are crazy about each other. Your feisty little
Poodle sounds like she can take care of herself and will indoctrinate any pup
you bring in. Just pick an average puppy (not too assertive, not a shrinking
violet) and you’ll all be fine! See my handouts on the Quickfix page about Pet
Selection, Dominance Behavior in Dogs, and Introducing New Pets.
Dear Dr. Cookie,
My husband and I lost our 10 year old cat Simba two weeks ago. He had the best personality (he was a real cuddler) and we grieve his loss terribly. We have a 9 year old cat, Nala. She has always been sweet and shy. Nala is not a "lap cat" like Simba was and only seeks affection when she is "in the mood." I've been looking for signs that Nala is grieving Simba's loss but they are hard to identify since she was always "low key" before he died anyway. She seems to be doing fine. A coworker has a cat who recently gave birth. She offered me one of the kittens (not to replace Simba of course but to add a new personality to our home). I found out that the kitten was born on the same day that Simba passed away...I took it as a sign that I was meant to have this kitten. By the time this kitten is done nursing it will be another six weeks. Do you think 8 weeks is enough time to introduce a new kitten to Nala? Would I traumatize her?
Dear Lisa,
Dear Dr. Cookie,
I have
four inside (well mostly) cats and all came to me as strays and at different
stages in their development. We keep our cats inside ESPECIALLY at night,
as we live in the country and something gets them or they get into fights and
then its vet time! I have had no problems with them adapting to the
"house-rules" except for one. Mr. Katt is the typical
yellow/white striped (now fixed) tom-cat. He is probably 3 or so years, but
simply refuses to use the scratching post as the other cats do, and scratches on
the furniture and carpets instead. I've showed him how to use the post but
he flatly refuses to make use of it! What else can I do?
Dear Bonnie,
Take Mr. Katt’s misbehavior
as information, not just a nuisance. He’s telling you what and where he
prefers to scratch! Use this feedback to adjust his behavior! Place carpeted
scratch posts directly in front of the furniture (cover the fabric he’s
already scratched with plastic or an old sheet for now). Purchase small berber
welcome mats (inexpensive and he might prefer their nubby texture too) to cover
the carpeting he’s already worked (remember, he’s telling you about his
favorite surface texture as well as his preferred location). Please
take a look at the QuickFix handout on Destructive Behavior in Cats, Territorial
Behavior in Cats, and Scratch Post Training. And thanks for rescuing these
strays and keeping them indoors (more and more ;-D!)
I just recently brought home a 9-month-old cat who is chewing my new wood coffee table. Is there anything I can do to get him to stop?
Dear Kim,
This is a problem that is more typical of puppies…but some kittens like to chew, too. Place a vinyl table cloth over the coffee table to protect the surface. You can try bitter apple but he might just start chewing on another corner…Meanwhile, treat him more like a puppy! Offer him a daily piece of a rawhide stick, the kind that crumbles easily. This worked well for my Angelica, who loved to gnaw on them. Sounds like he might appreciate a playmate, too…two kittens are always better than one! Meanwhile, make and/or purchase lots of simple toys for him, and be sure to spend at least two 30 minute play times with him every day! The busier he is, the more tired he’ll be and the less mischief he’ll get into.
Dear Dr.
Cookie,
I
have a 1yr 10mth old male
Dear
Brendan,
Persistent
sexual behaviors such as masturbation are more likely in dogs with sexual
experience prior to neutering. House training depends mostly on how often and
for how long the dog is walked! My advice to you would be to neuter your dog.
Shelters are overrun with
Dear Dr.
Cookie,
I
have a 1 yr old
Dear Rachel,
Dogs snap
(a ritualized inhibited bite) for many reasons. She is probably trying to
establish dominance over the other dog and so it is best not to interfere in
their relationship unless someone gets hurt. She may be snapping at the cat for
many reasons, and here too if the cat is being mischievous or menacing to her,
she seems to have that under control.
Dear Dr. Cookie,
Just
before bed, 1 year old American Bulldog/ Husky goes on a running frenzy around
the bedroom (and the rest of the house if I let her). It’s only when she
is with me in a room alone, without my husband, that she starts this. I
can’t catch her and can’t get close to her because she is 70 lbs and all
muscle. She knocks things over when doing this and I’m scared that she
is going to destroy things in the house. How do you suggest that I get her
to end this nightly behavior?
Hi!
How
about taking her for an extra long walk before bedtime and before she needs to
burn off the unused energy in a way that is so objectionable?! Give her what she
needs before she knows she needs it! It’s YOUR JOB to get her tired.You also
need to practice obedience training with her daily and continually, it
seems…but you won’t be able to reach a pup who is still in high gear.
Dear
Dr Cookie,
I have a 5 yr old female Shih Tzu, who do not socialize
well with other dogs. She has began drooling whenever my new Jack Russell puppy
gets near to her. Other than the drooling, she is perfectly fine. What is the
exact reason behind the drooling?
Hi Ricky,
Drooling
can be associated with anxiety in some dogs, although it is more common to have
the opposite effect (dry mouth) in extreme cases of nervousness. You should make
sure the JRT has more appropriate playmates (dogs closer in age and/or play
style). Remember to give your first dog priority attention, especially when the
little one is nearby.
Dear
Dr. Cookie
I
have a 5 year old male Miniature Pinscher and a 1 year old female Chocolate
Labrador Retriever. About 3 months ago my MinPin's behavior started
to change. He began getting aggressive. He has always had a problem with
urinating indoors, but it has gotten much worse recently. His aggression
includes growling, hiding under the couch and snapping when you try to get him,
and he even bit me the other day as I was putting him into his crate--he also
growls when you go to let him out of the crate. This behavior has only
escalated in the past few weeks, but sometimes he is very affectionate.
The female just came into heat (but the behavior started about 2 1/2 months
before this)
Dear
Woody in
There
is no doubt that your MinPin’s behavior has been exacerbated by the fact that
your other dog was coming into and is now in heat. However, it seems that you
never really had him under control or house trained. He needs TWO long walks
(30-60 minutes each); he needs obedience training (o you can call him to COME
and reward him for good behavior instead of setting yourself and the dog up for
punishment). Your other dog probably needs longer walks than this and obedience
training too. They should both be neutered and you should definitely order my
handouts on Elimination Problems in Dogs, House training your dog (includes
crating tips) and Why It’s Important to Walk Your Dog.
Dear
Dr. Cookie,
I
have a 1 year old cat that has some behavior that concerns me. Her name is
Rosie, she is a tabby, female, not spayed, lives with one other female cat,
and is treated with love. She seems to hiss at anything or anyone at any time.
Or she'll wack with her paw. She normally hisses when something touches, even
the tip of her fur, on the back by her tail. This has been
happening since the second I brought her home (literally). She's a little devil!
I've been trying to contact professionals about this, but nobody has
emailed me back. I really don't want to have to get rid of her.
Dear
Ashley,
I
don’t know what your kitten’s early background is, but the possible
explanations include that she was either not well socialized, feral,
traumatized, or simply intolerant to human handling. Please check my QuickFix
handouts page. There is a handout about ‘Petting & Grooming Your
Intolerant Pet’ and others that might be of interest. You should also order my
book “Dr. Cookie’s Guide to Living Happily Ever After With Your Cat” (www.Amazon.com).
Don’t hesitate to ask your veterinarian for a referral to a veterinary
behaviorist in your area (that would be me in
I
have a 6 month old Wheaten terrier, that I have had since he was 8 weeks.
He has done wonderful with pottie training, puppy school, gets along well with
other dogs. But, I have been thrown out of 4 different groomers, who
refuse to bathe, give haircuts, clip nails etc. I have been told he is
vicious and mean and bites like he wants to hurt. Maybe its being away
from me or maybe he has had a bad experience. I feel very frustrated and I
need some help.
Dear Lisa,
Your
suggested explanations could both be right, unfortunately for your little guy.
Why don’t’ you try staying with him for his next grooming appointment? That
way, you’ll be there to control him and distract as needed. Consider learning
how to groom him yourself as another alternative. You can also purchase a basket
muzzle to prevent his bite while he is learning that grooming can be fun, in the
right place by the right person!
Dear Dr.
Cookie,
Two
years ago an abandoned male cat started appearing at my house to play with one
of my other cats. He would disappear at night however. Since then he has become
my very favorite cat and he spends all of his time here now - he is MY cat!
However, he has one behavior that has puzzled us to no end. Whenever a storm
comes up, with thunder, lightning, wind and heavy rain - if he is in the house
he absolutely panics! He growls, runs to the door, and one time he tried
to run through the glass storm door in order to get out of the house!
Since then, whenever it storms, we take him to the front porch, which is
covered, and put him in "his" chair, and he will stay there for hours!
What on earth is causing this cat to demonstrate this behavior?
Hi Bobbie A. in
Dear Dr. Cookie,
Jazz
is a 2 1/2 yr old spayed female dog who has suddenly begun to act very nervous
or anxious at bedtime. She usually sleeps on her pillow next to my bed, and has
never had a problem when I go to bed. Lately after I turn the light off for
the night she gets very agitated, she tries to get in the closet and whines
continually. The only way I can get her to settle down so I can get some sleep
is to bring her up on the bed with me and hold her firmly against me. (This
isn't always easy as she is a German Shepherd mix and ways about 40 lbs.)
It takes about 15 or 20 minutes of this before she settles down enough that I
can relax my hold on her. She will then get off the bed and on to her pillow and
go to sleep. I f I don't make her stay on the bed till she settles all the
way down the whining and trying to hide in the closet starts all over. She
has never behaved this way in the past, and I would like to try to find out why
she is doing this and if there is anything I can do to stop it. She
has also changed her eating habits lately and is not eating as much as she
usually does and does not seem to be as interested in her food as usual,
although she is begging for table food more than she used to.
Dear Leigh G.,
I think you would be wise to report her change in eating habits
to your local veterinarian. S/he will want to run some tests and examine her
carefully (including her eyes) to make sure nothing is going on under the
surface. Bring a stool sample with you for analysis. It’s hard to say what has
caused this change; rule out all the medical possibilities first. While you’re
waiting for results, give her an extra walk before bedtime, and a rawhide bone
to chew to take the edge off any remaining anxiety. Good luck
Dear Dr.
Cookie,
I
own a fifteen year old indoor cat who is quite healthy for her age. Two
days ago, she started standing in her water bowl and splashing water out of it
with her paws. She normally, before drinking, pats it a bit and then
drinks, but this is to excess. Also, she runs away from family members and
hides under beds, couches, etc. I looked under the bed this morning and
she hissed at me and I didn't even touch her.
Dear
Amanda,
The first
thing to do is to make sure that there is no medical problem. Things can change
rapidly in our older pets, even though she has been healthy until now. Your
veterinarian will want to run some blood work and examine her thoroughly from
head to paws to confirm her health status. Good luck!
Dear Dr.,
I
had an 18 year old Persian die a few months ago and have a 9 year old Maine
Coon, neutered male that was his buddy. Archie has never been overly
social and acted somewhat sad that Cazzy did not want to play with him as he got
older and less active. After Cazzy died, about two weeks later I got a
five month old Ragdoll who is very active and social. Archie has gotten
very depressed and withdrawn and cries when the kitten tries to play. Last week
Archie developed IBS symptoms and is taking medication twice a day, but it is
making him lethargic and he is not eating much at all. He is losing
weight. He has been thoroughly examined by vets and I am considering
acupuncture for his behavior/depression.
Hi Judy,
Two weeks
is not very long for anyone to get over the loss of a lifelong companion. The
addition of a new housemate is an added stress. It is always important to
integrate new pets gradually into the household. Things have progress far too
quickly for poor Archie. He now also has to contend with a kitten who is out of
phase with a 9 year old’s level of activity. Ideally, I would have waited at
least several months before adding the kitten. At this point, you should isolate
them and insulate him from all this stress while he recovers from his emotional
stress and now the physical symptoms that have been triggered by it. Archie
needs to be closely followed by your veterinarian if he is not responding to
treatment. Acupuncture may help too, but it seems you are complicating
everything by criss-crossing the veterinarians who are already in on the case.
Healing, emotional and physical, takes time.
Dear Dr.
Cookie,
I
have an elderly feral cat (15 yr) that I have had indoors for about 5
years. I also have her son and 2 other cats. There have been no new
pets in the house for 3 years. She had most of her teeth extracted about 8
months ago due to periodontal disease but has now started digging in and in some
case tipping over the water bowl, also hiding a lot and looking at me like she
does not recognize me. I brought her to the vet who did blood/urine tests for
liver, thyroid, renal and cancer and all came back negative. Other than some
kitty allergies or asthma she was in good health. I live in an apt. and I cannot
have her spilling water so I changed the bowl to a plastic from a metal bowl and
then placed it in a basin. There is a ceramic bowl next to it she does not even
touch. Tonight when I came home from work, the bowl was tipped over in the basin
and all the water spilled. Should I remove this bowl, leave the ceramic and see
if she spills that? Would cat dementia have her acting along these lines?
Dear
Debra,
Feline
Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome, the cat equivalent to human Alzheimer’s
disease, is a consideration. Cats and dogs can become senile and that is a part
of normal aging. Feline CDS, like Alzheimer’s disease, is NOT a normal aging
progress and should be considered a disease. It was important to rule out the
obvious physical illnesses that might have been identified on the laboratory
tests ordered by your veterinarian. Your veterinarian can prescribe medication
for her (Anipril) to see if this will help her. Feline CDS is ultimately a
terminal disease just like Alzheimer’s; if the medication works, understand
that it will be a temporary effect. On the other hand, even another 6 months or
a year or 2 of quality time with her is a considerable extension in cat years.
Your idea of placing the water bowl in a basin is fine. You could also place it
in the bathtub. Be patient as you and your veterinarian continue to care for her
in her golden years.
I
got my cat from where I work at the RSPCA in
Dear
Lesley Tossell,
Play
aggression can become quite intense in solitary pets, particularly male kittens
and cats. He is going after your feet, a fun moving target, and I wonder if
you’ve been playing footsie games with him that further encourage him to
pounce on your feet and other body parts? Play behavior is described in great
detail in my Quickfix handout on Play behavior in cats, which I recommend that
you order. As for your visitors, they may just be ‘fresh meat’ for him to
play with; however, he may also have territorial issues with these outsiders.
There is a good handout on Territorial behavior in cats as well that discusses
this issue. Finally, it might be an idea to (very gradually) introduce another
kitten or cat for him to play with and keep him company (see handouts on Pet
selection and Introducing New Pets). This will provide him with appropriate
playmates and save other kitties in need of a good home like yours. Cheers!
Dear Dr.
Cookie,
My
one year old cat, Scooter, was the only one out of a litter of strays that
survived and when I found him, he was only 5 weeks old. My problem with
him is that he constantly wants to bite me. I have tried squirting him
with a water bottle, loud noises, etc. and nothing has worked so far. He
loves to try to bite my ankles, but will also bite my hands and wrists if
allowed to. He has been checked for medical problems and my vet cannot find
anything wrong with him other than he is a bit overweight. I have had
numerous cats over the years, and he seems to be the only one who does this (I
have 2 outdoor cats, Scooter is the only one in the house.)
Dear
Jenney Miller,
Even
though you have other cats, Scooter is essentially a solitary pet given that he
is alone in the house. He is therefore more prone to more intense forms of play
aggression, a problem that is addressed in my Quickfix handout on Play behavior
in cats. Consider adding another a cat-panion for him and consider keeping your
other 2 cats indoors for their own safety (and the safety of other wild
creatures as well).
Dear Dr
Cookie,
I
have a 6 year old Boston Terrier who has started biting people. One minute
she will let the person pet her and then maybe 2 minutes later she will bite
them. She has only started doing this since my husband left us.
Could this be a protection thing and what can I do. She has bitten 3 or 4
people now.
Dear
Jessi's Mom,
It seems
that you have been going through a tough time, and for that I am sorry and wish
you the best. Remember that every event in life is an opportunity to learn and
grow; things often work out for the best even though we cannot see that clearly
at the time. Understand, too, that your BT is affected by all this stress and
the emotional impact in you necessarily impacts her as well. Make sure she is in
a ‘sit/stay’ when people want to pet her. Give them a tasty tidbit for them
to offer her in exchange for a few brief pats. Two minutes is a long time if
you’re not in the mood…keep it brief and reward her for good behavior and
leave it at that!
My
fiance and I have three dogs who get along great. Our Rottweiler puppy (6mo.)
constantly whines. We took him to the vet and nothing is wrong with him as far
as anyone can tell. He whines when he has to go out, he whines when he is
chewing on his bone, when he is just lying down and even when he is sleeping. I
feel like he is whining all the time! It is very annoying especially since
otherwise he is such a pleasure to have as a dog. He is so sweet and loving.
I've tried ignoring him but he is relentless. I
have tried squirting him with a water bottle when he whines but he likes it and
thinks its a game!
Hi
Stephanie,
With 2
other dogs, I wonder if he is getting enough attention (one on one) from you.
Spend time with him when the other dogs are otherwise occupied or resting.
Obedience practice can be a form of constructive play and that would be a good
way to focus his attention. Make sure he has TONS of exercise, not just playing
with the other dogs, but with long walks and play time with other dogs as well.
Water bottles should be to provide drinking water, not punishment, especially
when he is going through an anxious time. Boost him up!
My
daughters 14 year old cat has had this problem for years, and has gone to
several vets., and still no real solution, or even something to make this sweet
cat more comfortable. Bob, a female calico, has pulled out her fur with her
mouth for years. Now it’s to the point you can't stop her. My
daughter has tried everything; she's tried antibacterial ointments, prescription
medications, oatmeal bathes, you name it. Bob is an indoor cat, and otherwise
seems happy.
Dear Bob's
Grandma,
Cats can
develop compulsive overgrooming because of various issues including allergy and
anxiety. Excessive grooming can also be a sign of Separation anxiety syndrome.
Ask for a referral to a veterinary behaviorist in your area (I’m in
My
husband and I have several cats and I have a nice sports car that they love to
lay on getting their paw prints all over it. I have a car cover for it, but I
use my car everyday and at different times of the day and its a total headache
to have to put that car cover on every time I want to come or go. Is there ANY
simple solution to keep the cats off my car without hurting the paint? My
husband wants to get rid of all our cats....but I really want to keep at least
one of them...we've had her for a long time.
Dear
Martha G.
I see
three options here, and I hope you will accept them in the spirit in which they
are offered: 1) Keep your cats indoors for their own safety; 2) Get rid of your
car or keep it covered and relax; 3) get rid of your husband. ;-D
Dr.
Cookie,
My
wife and I recently got an 8 week old kitten. We have had a cat before but
not raising it from a little kitten, it was adopted as an adult. With our
new kitten, what is an effective means to keep the cat from scratching furniture
and carpets?
Dear Doug,
Provide at
least two scratch posts on each floor in your house…the more the better! Your
goal is to determine your new kitten’s preferences for a) location of post, b)
angle of incline of scratching surface, and c) surface texture (sisal, carpet,
cardboard…). Kitties like to scratch near their favorite resting places and
strategic lookouts, so keep this in mind but observe your kitten for which
scratching posts get the most use. Please order my QuickFix handouts on
Destructive behavior in cats, Play behavior in cats, Training your cat to use a
scratch post and To Declaw or not to declaw (preferably not, of course)!
Dear Dr.
Cookie,
We
had a Sheltie and a Maltese. Our dear Sheltie, Bootsie passed away about a
year ago. Since then the Maltese (who is now 8 yrs old) has been alone.
The Maltese, Patches, has always been very sweet and not a barker like most.
Anyway, I saw a puppy on a rescue site which is Sheltie/Australian mix
and adopted her. Bonnie wants so badly to play, but the Maltese is not
eating and also running from puppy (who has not been aggressive). Today
the Maltese showed her teeth and growled at the new puppy. My question is
will the Maltese ever adjust. I feel sorry for both dogs.
Dear
Donna,
Mixing
an older Maltese with a larger, energetic pup was bound to cause some friction.
In time, they will learn to live together but remember that pups don’t really
settle down until 2 or even 3 yrs of age. In the meantime, take the puppy for
lots of walks, obedience training, agility training. This will keep her tired
but also give her the opportunity to play with other dogs closer in age and more
compatible with her playing style. Give your Maltese some quality time too. My
handouts on Introducing New Pets, Dominance behavior in dogs and others on the
QuickFix page of this web site will give you important tips.
We have
a pair of cockatiels (one male one female). We have owned them for a little
over 3 months. Just recently we've noticed that the female begins to cry
pitifully every night after we have covered the cage for about 30 minutes. She
is a little over 1 year old, and we haven't changed our routine and setting
for putting them to bed since we first got them. Do you know why she might be
doing this now?
The female
may be more affected by separation from you than her cage mate. Birds can form
very strong emotional bonds with their human guardians. After 3 months of
adjusting to her new home and forming new attachments, this is entirely
possible. Make sure she is really ready to settle in for the night before it’s
‘lights out’ with some extra play time and attention. Also, resist the
temptation to check in on her while she’s vocalizing; this will only reinforce
the behavior I’m afraid! You can also give her a special treat just before you
cover the cage to give her something to look forward to rather than dread.
I
work in an Aviary and I work with a Hyacinth Macaw that is very dear to me.
We have worked together for 9 years. He is very smart and is the reason I love
going to work everyday. He enjoys being "preened" by me, something
that would be natural if he had a mate in the wild. He has not bonded only to
me, which is good. Here's the
problem...we have new people in charge that don't know this bird and don't work
with him and they have made a new policy of NO TOUCHING. I think that this will
be psychologically damaging to this bird. Can you give me your expert
opinion?
I agree,
this macaw could well be impacted by a sudden loss of contact. On the other
hand, there may be reasons for this change in policy. Are they planning to
introduce other hyacinth macaws that might be potential mates for him? Your
attachment to this bird is clear. Try to explain to the new management how
important it is to continue the routine and social bonds of captive animals. Ask
them if they have something in mind for his future. And ask them if it might not
be wise to transition gradually to a new set of rules, rather than go ‘cold
turkey’, for everyone’s sake. Best of luck with your work.
I
have a 1 year old spayed female Golden Retriever. We live on a wheat farm and
our closest neighbors are about 2 miles down the road. My problem is my dog
won't stay home. She runs over to the neighbors as soon as we take our eyes off
her. Needless to
say they are starting to get annoyed. We have to keep her tied up most of the
time which I hate. We have another dog, a 4 year old female chocolate lab that
is great. There is no aggression between them. Just some play fighting and
normal things like that. I am almost tempted to get rid of her but I am holding
off in hopes I can find another solution. I hope you can help.
Dear Lisa,
Not that long ago, most folks lived in rural settings. Even those people who lived in urban or suburban settings inherited a rural mentality when it came to keeping pets. Times have changed. Your problem seems to be that you live in a rural setting but want your dog to behave like a city dog and stay at home. But you have raised her, or at least allowed her to run around by putting her in a position to seek out her own fun and exercise. So, take her for long walks twice a day. The morning walk is very important. Accompany her on visits to see other dogs for a nice change. Do some obedience training. Give her some quality time with swimming, play time with you… if she’s tired and getting her needs met, she’ll have no reason to stray! Read my QuickFix handouts on Why It’s Important to Walk Your Dog, Escape Artists (Dogs who run away), Obedience, Play behavior in dogs…this dog doesn’t need a new home. She needs to be in your home but with your new perspective on giving her what she needs.
Dr. Cookie,
I have a six-year-old spayed yellow Lab
named Sadee who is very aggressive towards other dogs. As a puppy, my
husband believed she needed to work out her differences with other dogs, letting
them establish who was the Alpha Dog, needless to say, she's been in a handful
of dog fights. She has never liked other dogs, and a few days ago lunged
at a dog at the park. Sadee punctured the dog’s ear, and obviously
rattled this much smaller, older dog. She has never been aggressive towards
people or kids, but she does not like other dogs.
Hi Megan!
This may well be dominance aggression, but don’t forget
contributions of territorial and even fear aggression. It’s hard to say for
certain without an in-depth consult that this is strictly dominance aggression,
but let’s work with that as a reasonable hypothesis! Consider the gradual
introduction (starting at home, not at the park!) of a basket muzzle and my QuickFix
handout on ‘Dominance behavior in dogs’. Alternate and/or complementary
options include psychoactive medication or simply keeping her away from other
dogs. If her behavior is uncontrollable, then it is not worth exposing her to a
situation she does not enjoy and that puts you and other dogs in harm’s way.
Hi Dr!
I have a 4-month-old male mutt who
seems to adore an 11 year older mixed breed gal in the house. The pup is
constantly licking her face. The old girl has the patience of a saint. Besides
what seems like obvious affection, what does the behavior mean?
Hi George in Santa Monica, CA!
Licking the face originally was programmed to stimulate the
pup’s parents/caregivers to regurgitate food. This may sound nasty, but this
is the natural way for solid food to be delivered, partially digested into
bite-size morsels, for many young carnivores to enjoy. The behavior persists as
a submissive display in young or subordinate dogs toward older, ranking pack
members. It should be considered completely normal for your pup, but he needs to
get out to play with other dogs to give your older girl a break! Affection
certainly exists between pack members, but this behavior remains primarily a
submissive action even when displayed toward people. It can become a compulsive
behavior and can sometimes signal a change in odor (e.g. tooth infection) in the
dog being licked.
Hi Dr.
Cookie:
I am the owner of a 2 and a half year old Russian Blue cat. She is the sweetest thing in the world but does not get along with other animals so we were never able to get her any pet siblings. She was spayed in November of 2003 and when she came home she became outrageously -FAT- she is always eating and even steals food from the tables when we are not looking. We have tried to keep her on a schedule but this doesn't work due her destructive behavior if she doesn't eat when she feels the need (which is all the time). She is an indoor cat and very fat; I would say she is a good 20 pounds and I am worried.
Dear Mara,
Obesity is
the number one health problem of pets. Like people, overeating can become a
compulsive disorder in cats and dogs. Indoor cats have limited outlets for
normal behaviors and can become compulsive overeaters. Measure the current
amount of her food intake and cut it back by about 20%. Rather than feeding her
from a bowl, sprinkle ½ the food right onto the floor around the house so she
has to ‘hunt’ for it. The remaining ½ of her measured daily intake can be
used to play with her. Toss one piece at a time (even while you watch TV) for
her to chase after. Making her tired is your goal. The more tired she is, the
less likely she’ll bother looking for something to do, which in her case is
something to eat! Your veterinarian should monitor her weight loss and make sure
that the food your cat is eating is appropriate.
Dear Dr. Cookie,
My 14 yr. old dog just started taking
Theophylline for asthma/allergy symptoms. She is in perfect health
otherwise. Suddenly she's started getting into trash - and I mean getting
into trash! In the 12 years she's been with me she's NEVER gotten into the trash
- even when other dogs in the house have done it first. What's gotten into
her? We don't leave trash out any longer (because what she eats she pukes back
up on my bed!) but now she's getting into the trash in the bathroom (like Q-tips
and feminine pads - GROSS).
Dear Angie F.,
Check with your veterinarian about possibly reducing the dose
or changing medication. Some dogs can become a bit agitated on this medication.
It could also be that she’s feeling so much better! Meanwhile, regardless of
how old your pet is, it is important to pet proof your home!
Dear Dr. Cookie,
My English Bulldog is just over a year
old and while normally a passive dog he attacked a child whom grabbed his cheeks
and blew in his face, it was a want to kill you attack and was very scary. I
understand he was angered but what do I do to prevent this behavior happening
again?
Dear Guy,
Anger is something that applies to people, but I have to say
that your dog’s behavior was completely understandable. If that child did that
to me, I might have done the same thing! A juvenile assaulted your dog.
Honestly, you need to concentrate on protecting your dog in your mindset and
many difficult situations will be avoided. It’s an attitude adjustment for
both of you. Put that child on a leash or keep him away from your dog. And order
my QuickFix handouts on Dominance behavior in dogs, Kids and Pets, and Basic
Obedience for Dogs!
Dear Dr. Cookie,
I have a
Westie (West Highland White terrier) who I inherited from my mother after she
passed 1.5 years ago. He is 11-12 years old, very territorial. We cannot seem to
get over is persistent muzzle rubbing. I have tried Benadryl per my vet’s
instructions and it decreases it a little. He has been on Hill's Allergen Free
food with little difference (although he adores the taste of it). He only
listens to me. He licks me constantly--sometimes he'll sit at my feet during TV
time or when I'm working at the computer and lick for 15 min. straight! He
refuses to listen to my husband if I'm in the house and will even sleep for four
or five hours until I get home. When I return, he runs around like crazy. He has
bitten a small child, which is why he was given to my Mom--an elderly woman with
no small kids around. I have improved his ability to allow you to pet him
through lots of love and kindness. He's much better now.
Dear Julie,
Sorry to hear about your mother’s passing; it seems that
her dog as landed well. This is a dog who probably never got the obedience
training he needed from the start, and likely not enough exercise either. He’s
small, too, so he probably got away with mistakes that bigger dogs would not
have! This little guy sounds feisty, and you’ve been dealing with that in your
own way. He also sounds compulsive, and has too much energy and no place to put
it! Have your husband walk this doggy to help develop their relationship. This
dog needs at least two 30-minute walks every day. Give him a rawhide stick or
strip to chew on when he’s in the mood to lick. Practice obedience commands as
a form of play daily so you can both teach the dog what you want him to do in
any situation; it’s never too late!
Dear Dr. Cookie,
During
the last 2 years our family has gone through several changes. My husband
and I have divorced and he is now involved with another lady and they have a
newborn. Both my ex-husband and I have shared "custody" of our
German Shepherd, Bowdy. Recently, it has been discovered that the new baby
has allergies to Bowdy. Bowdy is now having to sleep in another room
and spends most of his time outside. Bowdy has been expressing some aggressive
behavior. He growled and cornered a friend of the neighbors refusing to let
him on the deck of their home, would not let a delivery man out of his vehicle
and growled at my ex-husband's girlfriend when she would not let him out
the front door. I am finally moving into a home where I can take him
permanently but am finding myself reluctant for fear of him biting a small child
or even an adult for that matter. Bowdy is 8 years old now, overweight
and may have a thyroid problem that he has a vet appointment to be treated for. He seems
to have aches and pains due to his weight condition and has been put on a diet
for weight loss. I love my dog just like I would a son and want to explore
every avenue to remedy this problem. Any help or advice from you would be
greatly appreciated.
Dear
Laura,
Your
ex-husband can no longer provide the dog with what he needs and does not deserve
to have him any more. Move into your new house and take Bowdy with you. Have his
thyroid problem regulated and this too will help his behavior. It is normal for
dogs to feel confused, anxious and frustrated when they are suddenly ostracized
from the pack. His territorial aggression is also normal if no one is there to
supervise him; he’s left alone and outside, which is never a good thing. Golly
gee!!! Bowdy deserves better; and frankly, so do you.
Hi Dr. Cookie,
I recently adopted an adult oversized Rottweiler. He
growls around food and is very possessive of his toys; no other dog, male, can
become his friend but he is very permissive towards females; he is very
protective to me against all strangers and friends (my girlfriend was bit as she
was trying to wake me up). I submitted him to as many situations, when my
friends are hugging me, as possible, under constant supervision and correcting
him verbally at any undesired reaction. His behavior got better but the problem
still remains when perfect strangers approach me. Hopefully my poor English
didn't drive you away from my message!
Dear Vlad
from Romania,
Your English is wonderful and thank you for contacting me.
Possessive aggression (food, toys, and any objects of value in the dog’s
‘opinion’) is a normal behavior but you should not tease the dog to escalate
his aggression by repeatedly engaging him in ‘tug of war’. You should get my
QuickFix handout on this subject for all the details you need to correct it. It
might also be helpful to feed him 3 or even 4 times a day (not more food, just
divided over the day) so that feeding time will become less of a major event.
Work on lots of obedience training (see handout on the QuickFix page on Basic
Obedience, too); you would be wise to walk him with a basket muzzle that fits
over his face like a small cage to prevent anyone from getting bitten. This
should be gradually introduced and rewarded with treats. If he is not neutered,
he should be. Good luck!
Dr. Cookie:
I am at my wits end; our 14-month-old castrated male cat is
always trying to mate with our 4-year-old female spayed cat. She gets into a
real state crying, hissing and growling all to no avail, he just keeps on
mounting her and biting her on the neck. Is there any solution to this I don't
know how to discipline him. I need help.
Dear Inky and Chole's Mommy,
Persistent mounting behavior can be sexual but it can also be
dominance behavior in cats as well as in dogs (see QuickFix handout on the
subject). Your veterinarian should do a blood test to make sure your little
rascal has no remaining testicular tissue that needs to be removed. As for
‘discipline’, just say no! Scruff him at the back of his neck and remove him
from the female. Then, get a game of ball going, or feather stick, or anything
else to redirect all that energy! This cat needs more action, and it’s up to
you to provide him with outlets like fun games and toys, even cat trees, so that
he doesn’t need to look for other stimulation!
Dear Dr. Cookie,
Occasionally
my dog will begin to shiver all over, starts panting and will pace around like
she doesn't know what to do. She still comes when I call her but usually
tries to stay away from me. She also hates to take a bath but when she has one
of these ‘fits’ she tries to get in the tub or shower if I'm in the bathroom
and usually calms down after a few minutes if I bathe her. My vet told me it was
probably a behavior she's developed since she still responds to me when I speak
to her. I'm afraid something physical is wrong. Can you shed some light on
this?
Dear
Lynda,
I don’t
have all the details but here are some thoughts. Do these episodes coincide with
thunderstorms or wind? Construction or traffic sounds? If so, could be
developing noise phobia. Otherwise, I’d advise a complete physical evaluation
including blood work (CBC/Chemistry/Thyroid panel) and urine analysis, as well
as ECG (electrocardiogram) to make sure there is no obvious physical
explanation. If everything checks out OK, you may be dealing with panic attacks,
or seizure activity. Keep a careful diary on how often these episodes occur,
time of day and what is going on around the dog. This could provide helpful
information.
Dear Dr. Cookie,
My Chow-German Shepherd dog is spayed
and 8 years old. Within the last week, I get home from work to find the pillows
knocked off of the bed and the covers disheveled. She is clawing at the bed and
the couches. She also no longer wants to go outside during the day when we are
at work. Every time we put her out she digs out and chews on the fence to get
out. What could bring on this sudden behavior?
Your dog’s anxiety has been a long time coming. It seems
you have been banishing her, alone and vulnerable, to the outside when you are
not home. This is scary and risky for a dog at any age, however, at her age she
is just not coping with it as well anymore. Instead of staying comfortable and
safe indoors, she’s slowly become sensitized to being alone, and her
separation anxiety persists even inside your house in the form of
destructiveness. Please order the QuickFix handouts on Separation Anxiety
Syndrome and Why It’s Important to Walk Your Dog. Also, schedule a visit with
your veterinarian to make sure there are no underlying physical problems
(including a thyroid test, just in case). Be patient with her. She is having a
hard time right now. Remember, she’s been patient with you for 8 years!
Dear Dr. Cookie,
My cat is 19 years old and impressively
healthy. I've created a monster by feeding her a spoonful of canned food in the
morning and evening, along with dry food that is available all day. Now she is
persistent in waking us up in the morning around 3:30 AM. She is very vocal in
the evening as well when we come home and will not calm down until she is given
the canned food (or equivalent). I've tried cuddling and petting, throwing
things and screaming; nothing is working. What would you suggest I do to
modify her (or my) behavior?
Dear Suzette from Maryland,
The first thing I’d recommend is to have your veterinarian
perform a thorough physical examination, with blood tests that include a thyroid
function, and urine analysis. We need to make sure there is no underlying cause
to her behavior. At her age, it occurs to me that she deserves to eat whatever
she wants! If she prefers canned food, why not feed her only canned food? This
way, you will undo the primary cause for her attention seeking behavior. Also,
if she vocalizes when you get home, brush or play with her for a while. If you
feel the need to throw anything, throw a soft ball for her to chase! Play is
another form of positive attention (besides food). Feed her as late as possible
at night so you can recalibrate her stomach clock. I generally recommend
distinct meal times (no food between) to help control weight and prevent problem
behaviors such as yours. Feed her before she demands it!
Dear Dr. Cookie,
I have a 3-year-old neutered male Fox
Terrier that regularly humps a stuffed animal (on average 2-3 times a day). The
other day he humped the animal, lay on the floor, put is head down and his eyes
started rolling like he was going to faint. I walk him 3-4 times a day,
play with him, spend time training him, take him to the park a couple of times a
week for a really good exhaustive run but since I've taken the toy from him (I
didn't think the almost fainting spell was good for him) he's been acting funny
- no interest in his other toys, seems to sleep a lot more etc. Should I
give him the toy back since it seems to make him so happy? Is that much
humping normal? Will he injure himself from too much (and what's with
almost fainting)?
Dear Krista Martin,
Your frisky Fox Terrier certainly enjoyed his stuffed toy,
didn’t he? Masturbation can occur or persist in neutered male dogs and cats,
although you could request a blood test to make sure that his testosterone
levels are negligible. Why feel guilty? He has a great life and gets more
exercise and attention than most dogs do! If he seems calmer without his ‘sex
toy’, and you feel calmer without watching him hump it, it seems like a fine
solution to me.
Dear Dr. Cookie,
I
own a 1 yr. old Shiba Inu. He is very loving, friendly with people, gets
along with my 10 yr. old Akita, 2 cats and loves my 7 year old. Last week,
he was tied to our tree in the front yard on a long leash. He was playing a
while with a few children and then he decided to just relax. We heard crying and
yelling, and found my dog biting our neighbor’s 4-year-old granddaughter. He
bit her on the shoulder several times. He was very angry. There were 4
adults and unfortunately none of us saw what had happened. Thank god, the child
was ok; the doctor said his teeth definitely broke skin and there was some
bleeding. The child said she didn't do anything to the dog. Put between you and
I, I am having a difficult time believing this since my dog never showed any
signs of being nasty. We now do not allow him to be around children except for
our daughter.
Dear Crabby,
So,
basically you’re telling me that you tied him to a tree and did not supervise
him with a bunch of children? You set him up to make independent decisions and
wonder why you don’t like his choices? He’s a dog. Dogs bite in many
situations, but they are more likely to bite if they are tied up and not
supervised. Protect your dog from himself, and from people who cannot control
themselves or him. Do not tie him up to a tree. Take him for walks, keep him
with you and on a leash when you have visitors, and keep him safe. Children and
dogs should always be supervised, especially when they are together.
Dear Dr. Cookie,
We
just adopted a 5-month-old Shiba Inu, named Coda. His previous owner kept him in
a room all day tied to a leash. Then for a week he was in a loving home with a
Jack Russell terrier. They got along well, except sometimes their play behavior
was slightly aggressive. Today, Coda was brought to someone's house, then
had an hour car ride home, and arrived at his new home. About 5 minutes after
arriving home, we brought our 13-year-old German Shorthaired Pointer outside to
meet Coda. Our dog was fine and her tail was wagging, but Coda
reacted very aggressively and started to show his teeth at our dog and make this
high pitched shrieking noise. Even when we took our dog away, he continued
to make this noise and was going crazy. How can we socialize the dogs? And what
about when other neighborhood dogs come over? We would really like to keep this
dog...
Dear
Natalie J.,
Honestly, I wouldn’t feel too social after such a long day
either. Imagine how scared and anxious he must have been! Give him time, take
things slowly and supervise their interaction. Keep him on a leash for the first
couple of weeks so he can be restrained from injuring your older dog until he
recognizes she means him no harm. If you need to, you can also use a basket
muzzle to socialize him to her and to other dogs. These can be purchased through
local pet supply stores for a good fit. Be patient, he’s a scared little boy.
Dear Dr.
Cookie,
We
got a wonderful 4-5 yr old Doberman-Greyhound dog from a shelter about a year
and a half ago. When we first got him, he was extremely fearful of everything. He
has made wonderful progress and now seems very happy in his home. If you startle
him while he is sleeping, he will growl and show teeth. The moment he is
fully awake he's fine. When he sleeps he frequently appears to have
nightmares. We have made it a rule not to bother him while he is sleeping,
but I was wondering if there was anything else we could do to help him. When
he's awake, he is an absolutely wonderful dog.
Dear
Laurie
Sounds like a lot of people I know...does anyone really wake
up in a good mood if they are abruptly disturbed? You don’t know what kind of
experiences he had in his previous life. Respect his limits. It is not
unreasonable to ‘let sleeping dogs lay’. Call to him softly and gently, wake
him lovingly and give his nervous system time to process things as he awakens.
We all get nightmares, I’m afraid, but there are sure to be happy dreams in a
home like yours, too.
Dear Dr. Cookie,
I am contemplating buying a Ragdoll
kitten and live in a apartment and I want a quiet cat. Is there a difference in
the loudness of a meow between a male or female cat?
Dear Derek,
There is
no difference in the meow volume of a male or female. Siamese have a distinct
vocal pattern, but there is no real evidence that they meow more or less than
other breeds. It’s all about the quality time you spend with them when you are
home. Indoor cats need to be entertained with more play time, toys, cat trees
and most of all, the company of another cat. If you thinking of getting one, get
two! They’ll always have someone to play with and cuddle to when you’re not
around and this can help prevent behavior problems in the future. Good luck!
Dear Dr.
Cookie,
I
have a two-year-old Bull Terrier who is trained to perfection in the house. The
problem is whenever we are out walking, if a stranger looks at him he’ll
instantly go for a bite, or if anybody so much as talks to me. I tried ignoring
him, chastising him.
Dear Mandy,
Dogs don’t generalize their training well. He may be
obedient in the house, but he’s obviously not obedient when it counts; that
means he’s just not well trained enough, doesn’t it? You need to practice
obedience during walks and wherever you. Ignoring the behavior is the same as
reinforcing it. ‘Chastising’ him still doesn’t tell him what to do
instead: No! + Heel + Sit or Down + Stay! Good Boy! Is the alternative and
desirable behavior. You need to get tougher with him inside and outside. A 4 ft. leash with a headcollar (Halticollar or Gentle Leader) is the way to go. Get
my handout on Basic Obedience for dogs for additional important information.
Dear Dr. Cookie:
We bred 6 healthy Cocker Spaniel
puppies last year. At 4-5 months, 3 of the pups starting showing signs of marked
aggression, antisocial behaviors, etc. Two others were described as having
some behavioral issues as well. Dominance/food/toy/object/conflict
aggression markedly increased. Unpredictable and unprovoked aggressive episodes
continued. The vet suggested the possibility of a storage disorder, since more
than one sib is involved, behavioral changes being noted with increasing age,
and atypical behaviors for the breed in general. I know the pedigree intimately.
Not only have I never seen behavior like this in Cockers, but not in any breed.
Dear Sue,
Unfortunately, this behavior is not unknown to me. In fact,
there a number of reports of pathological aggression in a variety of breeds.
Regrettably, the Cocker Spaniel is high on the list, and in particular, blond
Cocker Spaniels. As the pups mature and become more socially assertive,
uninhibited aggression can emerge in a variety of contexts, but especially in
dominance and possessive aggression. We hear of lines of dogs that erupt
spontaneously with extreme misbehaviors of all sorts. It is sad that you have
experienced this pathological aggression in your line. Storage disorders more
often affect the dog systemically, not centrally although I suppose it is
possible. If any of these pups are euthanized, perhaps a post-mortem will
reveal a specific pathology. Clearly, there is a genetic basis. Better to stop
breeding the dogs responsible for this litter.
Dear Dr. Cookie,
Our puppy Cooper came to us at 3 months old: he is now almost
5 months. He is fine with us in the house; really playful, eats well, runs
around and is almost trained to go out . He is by nature, extremely skittish,
and afraid of everything. Loud noises make him so scared; he has poop attacks
and hides. He
fights walking outside we have to carry him out; he hides when we prepare to
take him out. In unfamiliar situations, he loses control, throws up and has poop
accidents….he’s just really afraid. If I put a bag of trash on the floor, he
will not walk past it….anything unfamiliar and he gets upset. I take him to
the park every Saturday and although he’s get happy once he is there, I still
have to drag him out of the car once we get there, and he gets sick the first
few minutes we are there. He’s great with other dogs.
Dear Sandra,
Your puppy seems to have developed a form of agoraphobia and
noise phobia. He needs to be treated by a board-certified veterinary
behaviorist. Please ask your veterinarian for referral to a specialist in your
area. If you feel like making the trip up to see me in Massachusetts, you are
more than welcome; I’d love to help you and Cooper!
Dear Dr. Cookie,
My in-laws recently gave us their 2 year old Rottie
because they felt that the dog needed more stimulation during the day. Our
dogs (Black Lab-Male and Rottweiler-Female) get along great. Sheba the
Rottie has been going to the same Vet since she was 6 weeks old, now that I am
her owner I live in a different city and took her to my local vet. The
visit was just a Doctor's visit no shots or treatment was needed. The Vet began
to examine her and she was panting quite a bit so he asked his assistant to hold
her mouth shut. This made her angry, she then began to growl and he
tightened his grip, she then broke open his grip and swiped at him with her
mouth, no injuries occurred. My question is this how can I establish a
better Vet experience for her? Should I take her back to the only Vet she
knows?
Hi Tara,
Sheba is adjusting to a lot of new things right now. New city, new home, new pack. It’s usually a good idea to delay any other new unnecessary experience in the first few months. I wonder if she’d be better with a female veterinarian, or a male veterinarian with an easier style? It’s important to go