Dear Dr. Cookie,

I have a 5-year-old Siberian Husky that I rescued about 3 years ago. He has a major phobia about walking on any hard service. I have hardwood floors with area rugs in my house and he is freaked when he is not on carpet. If he is not on the carpet he sniffs and tries to claw at the floor and sometimes will cry until I come and get him. I try to break him of this by taking his collar and walking with him until he gets to the carpet but he freezes up and will not move. Sometimes the only way he will come with me is if I put him on a leash. If he does eventually cross the floor, he scratches and takes off running like something spooked him.

Dear Mary Johnson from Geneva, Illinois 

We all have our quirks, don’t we? This does indeed sound like a phobia. Perhaps he slipped on smooth floors as a pup, or was simply raised on carpets before living with you. A simple solution would be to place plastic runners across the kitchen floor. These will be relatively inexpensive and practical. Eventually, you’ll probably be able to remove them all together. I guess we all have to make some accommodations to live with the ones we love!

Hi Dr. Cookie,

We have a wonderful 4-year-old Brittany that we rescued. When she meets a new dog she will wag her tail and seem happy for a few minutes; then all of a sudden she will growl and raise her teeth and somewhat freak out. After a few minutes, she seems fine and will be able to hang out with the other dog. If it's a puppy she does the growl and snap thing for about 20 minutes and then she is fine.  I know she will be fine after her initial freak out but other people seem concerned that she is going to attack their dogs. She's never done anything more than just snip and growl but I'm also afraid she might try to bite or encourage the other dog to bite out of fear.

Dear Liz,

This sounds like a defensive display. Some dogs are anxious in meeting other dogs, particularly if they are on leash. I wonder how she is off leash. It might be helpful to take her to a dog park to stretch her social muscles a bit. You might also like to try a head collar (Gentle Leader or Halti Collar) for better leadership over her during walks. Teach her to sit/stay in a heel position when you stop to chat to anyone, too.

Dear Dr. Cookie

I have a 6-month-old male neutered Rex rabbit and he will not stop digging. He hardly digs when he's in his cage but as soon as anyone holds him, he starts digging at their arms! It is so frustrating because he wasn’t like this before he was neutered. I know that he is a teenager and has hormones flowing, but I can’t even hold him. What can I do?

Dear Amber,

I don’t think this has anything to do with hormones. It was good to have him neutered. But he is still a bunny! Don’t try to hold him when he’s just getting out of his cage…let him play! He needs to burn off some steam, and investigate the room. Hold him when he’s settled down and ready for a little treat, which you can offer him in your lap!

Dear Dr. Cookie,

I have a 4-year-old yellow Lab who is an absolute sweetheart. Her ONLY problem is that, when I'm not home, she will jump on the couch, drag the pillows to the floor and hump them. Because she has some incontinence issues, often times the pillows are wet with urine after her romp. The only way to keep her off the couch is with a spike strip, which has to be moved each time I want to sit down.

Dear David,

How long are her walks? She seems to have a lot of energy to burn. If she was really tired, from a 45 to 60 minute walk (play time with other dogs should be part of her day, too) then she might be too tired to destroy the furniture. You’re dealing with separation issues, here. It’s your job to prepare her to be left alone. Please order the handouts on Destructive Behavior in dogs, and Separation Anxiety Syndrome at the QuickFix page. And consider putting up a baby gate (or close the door) to keep her out of this room in your absence

Hello Dr. Cookie,

My newly rescue Dachshund came into our home two weeks ago. He is a wonderful 2-year-old neutered boy, however, he sucks on anything! At first, I thought he was selective and only sucked on his blanket but he sucks anything. He will suck on my bedding, my pillows, and my blankets.  I do not punish him but I do get his own blanket so that he is not sucking on my bedding. 

Dear Lorri J Melling,

Giving him a designated blankie is one solution to his compulsive sucking (see QuickFix handout on this subject). You can also try longer walks, obedience practice, doggy play group, and rawhide strips to occupy his time and energy. Good luck!

Dear Dr. Cookie,

My dog Bandit is constantly focused on getting out the front door or garage door and running off, he has stayed gone even as long as two days. He always comes back, but it is getting very frustrating for our family having to watch him go out. If I get him a female companion, will that make him want to stay home? He is not neutered and he is an experienced three-year-old dog.

Dear Gilmore Family, Ft. Worth, TX

Excuse me y’all, but have you thought about getting him neutered?????????? And what about two long leash walks every day??????????? And what about obedience training???????????

Dear Dr. Cookie,

We have a 10-month old, 110-lb Mastiff puppy who seems to whine an awful lot.  He doesn't need to eat or go out and doesn't seem to be in pain -- he just likes to whine. Is this something he'll outgrow, or do we need to get used to it.  

Dear Blane and Wendy,

He must need something. He probably needs to go for longer walks, play with other doggies, chew on a rawhide strip…He doesn’t just like to whine. You shouldn’t need to get used to it, but you should focus on making him tired and happy!  

Dear Dr. Cookie,

My cockatiel is trying to build a nest and sits on the bottom of her cage in her bottoms-up pose with part of her tail through the cage. She is also making little noises that sound like she has lost the ability to chirp or breath (rather frightening the first time), and sitting on my shoulder pointing her bottom in my direction. I would also like to know their estrus cycle especially at this time of year.

Dear Catharine,

Birds do not have an estrus cycle, but they are seasonal nesters. You can build a little birdie jungle gym to keep her distracted, and consider getting her a mate! Cockatiels are meant to live in flocks and in pairs!

Dear Dr. Cookie,

How can I train my pygmy goat to walk on a leash it will walk around with it by himself but if I am on the outer end he goes crazy.

Dear COWAND@aol.com,

This is something to introduce gradually. Take short walks at first, and reward him with a favorite treat or food pellets as you go. It may take some time and patience, but you should be able to make it happen. Have fun!

Dear Dr. Cookie,

Our friends have decided to get rid of their 1-year-old cockatiel and brought him over to us. You could tell the bird wanted to be friendly but didn't trust anyone. We found out that that people’s grandchildren had thrown pillows at his cage, and poked pencils at him. He will sometimes let you pet him, and other times will bite you really hard. We also have a cockatiel baby. The older bird will be sweet so he can get out, but after he is out, then he gets mean. If our baby bird is in his cage - the other bird is just mean. How do you discipline the bird? 

Dear Mary Ann,

He doesn’t need discipline; he needs clear understanding of the consequences of his antisocial behavior. However, putting another bird in the older bird’s cage is unwise! If your older boy gets rowdy, say ‘No!” firmly, and return him to his cage and quickly cover it. Leave him in there for a couple of minutes. If you do this every time he is silly, he will start to get the message. Also, give him a little food reward for being a nice birdie when he is out of his cage!

Dear Dr.Cookie

I have two male rabbits, a mini lop and a dwarf, who live outside in a large hutch. Lately when I have wanted to play or cuddle either of the rabbits they scratch and have spaz attacks trying to get out of my arms. I don't know what I am doing wrong and i just want to gain their trust, we let them run around the yard regularly. I am really worried because i would like to play with them... What should I do?

Dear Chris & Sandra Hordern,

Rabbits should be kept indoors. Traditionally, they have been kept in rabbit hutches. But that is really a left over practice from before rabbits became popular as pets. Pet rabbits should be housed in a safe, constant, comfortable environment. They should be neutered. Indoor, neutered rabbits will become better socialized and less anxious, and will also be a lot healthier.  

Dear Dr. Cookie,

Our two Shih tzus love to go outside and eat whatever is in the yard (tree leaves, pine cones, cat droppings). They are not eating their own droppings. They are very crafty and run like crazy when I try to take away what ever they are snacking on. Any ideas? I haven't found anything that would muzzle them.  Good solution if they had actual noses. 

Dear Shauna from Alberta, Canada

Sounds like they have a good time playing ‘keep away’! Your Shih tzus are just being dogs. Dogs scavenge. They also need exercise and intellectual stimulation. Even if they have short legs and no noses, they need to get out of the yard and go for daily walks! Rawhide strips are better to chew on than pine cones, too. Dogs need to chew. You might as well give them what they need, or they’ll make do with what they can find!

Dear Dr. Cookie,

My kitty is one year old and neutered. She puts clothing, toys, paper, anything she can carry into her litter box, and will lay in there and sleep. She goes to the bathroom elsewhere. What is this about and can it be stopped? We have never changed the brand of litter and the box is not a covered litter box.

Dear Janyce,

Your kitty’s behavior is a reflection of her preferences. At the very least, we know that she prefers to sleep at the current location of the box and void somewhere else. It seems to me that you need to replace her box with a cozy basket and place a box at the other location. Even solitary cats should have at least two boxes. Order the QuickFix handouts on Elimination problems in cats, Territorial behavior in cats, and Litter training your cat. You should also read my book, “Dr. Cookie’s Guide to Living Happily Ever After With Your Cat” (St. Martin’s Press, 2002), you’ll love it!

Dear Dr. Cookie,

I have a sweet wonderful female Golden Retriever (2yrs) who thinks she owns me. She gets jealous if my husband kisses, hugs, or even sits near me. She jumps up to try to get in the middle, & cries. We have a queen size bed & my husband is big, & so is Maggy so there is a space problem, but Maggy will cry so pitifully if I don't let her up next to me. She won't give up unless I either let her in bed, or I get up so she can sleep on the couch with me. I love her very much & have given in to her, but now she's trying to push our other two dogs out of the way & wants me all to herself. I can't bare to hurt her feelings, but I don't know what to do. Now my husband is getting jealous also, so it's turning into a circus.  

Dear Paulette,

Dear Dr. Cookie,

About 2 months ago our 12-year-old tabby, Katie, began digging at her ears, and her hearing also seemed to be affected.  Her veterinarian said she had a mild ear infection but had no answer for the hearing loss.  I plan to take her for a second opinion.  At about the same time she began howling very loudly.  Most of the time it begins around 3:00 A.M.!!!  I will find her, hold her, even bring her to bed, but she'll jump off the bed, leave the room, and begin howling again.  We need some sleep, but my heart goes out to how sad Katie sounds. 

Dear Linda in Tennessee,

Ear infections can seem mild on the outer part of the ear but can be more important in the middle or inner ear, which might explain her change in behavior. She should also be evaluated with blood and urine tests to see what else might be going on. Cats and dogs usually age gracefully, but medical problems can change that. Feline cognitive dysfunction, the parallel to Alzheimer’s disease in people, should also be considered and treated appropriately. The QuickFix handout “Old Age & Your Pet’s Behavior” will give you more details.

Dear Dr. Cookie,

Until last Saturday my 1-1/2 yr old Retreiver/Border Collie mix has slept in our bedroom on her pet bed.  There have been no changes to the room, and neither my husband nor I have made any changes in out sleep habits. And now
she has decided that she needs to sleep on a mat at the back door.  Nothing can convince her to come and sleep on her own bed - I'm not too worried, but somewhat curious as to the sudden change in sleep location.  Should I just
move her bed to the back door?
 
Dear Sue Stuart in Winnipeg, Manitoba,

Don’t take this personally. She knows where her dog bed is, but she may be more comfortable where it’s a bit cooler. She may also be staking out a strategic location to guard her territory overnight. Dogs don’t sleep for 8 hours straight like we do. They may sleep for an hour or two, wake up, turn around, and doze off again.  She may spend part of the night in several different places. As long as she’s happy, don’t worry!

Dear Dr. Cookie,

I have a pygmy goat buck and a friend asked me to board her "full sized" goats in with my pygmies. Should I be concerned that my little pygmy will mate with the larger breed goats?

Dear Andi,

Size doesn’t really matter. If he can ‘reach’, he can certainly breed a larger, taller female. However, goats are seasonal breeders. Females come into estrus in the fall and will have several heat cycles unless they are bred. So, this may be a non-issue for your little guy depending on when you plan to board your friend’s herd. On the other hand, you should also consider that this would be a massive territorial invasion that will cause all kinds of stress, not to mention exposure to latent illnesses in each herd. Talk to your respective veterinarians to discuss the options and precautions.

Hi there Dr. Cookie!

My roommates and I have been living in our apartment for over a year. Part of the lease agreement was that we take care of the owner's 20-year-old cat, Wee Man (he's Scottish). He is the sweetest cat in the world; we love him to pieces and consider him our own. Over the past six months, he's developed an awful habit of "meowing" ALL the time. It doesn't seem as if he's in any pain, he's always purring, but he is so loud!  He especially likes to meow all through the night, when we're all asleep. Can it be that he just wants attention?

Dear Adrianne,

The normal aging process impacts all parts of the body, including the brain. You can’t assume that Wee Man is healthy unless this is the conclusion of a very thorough veterinary examination. This could be an unfortunate sign of advancing senility, but it could also be Feline Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome, the equivalent of human Alzheimer’s disease. The QuickFix handout on “Old Age & Your Pet’s Behavior” will shed some light on important considerations for aging pets.

Dear Dr. Cookie:

I have an 11-month-old Golden/Shepherd mix who goes wild over our new kitten. We have had the kitten since birth, bottle-feeding it and all. The Golden always sat next to us when we fed the kitten. The Golden constantly washes the kitten's butt. I move the kitten away but back she goes again. She is a very strong dog and determined to keep washing the kitten.  What can I do to stop this behavior?

Dear Kathy Batko,

Your dog is performing a normal maternal behavior, except that she’s redirected it toward a kitten, not a puppy. This is unlikely to harm either of them. You needn’t stop this behavior. Your kitten will probably let her know when she can handle things on her own. [QuickFix handout: Maternal Behavior in Dogs & Cats].

Hi Dr. Cookie,

I recently rescued a 2.5-year-old Siberian Husky.  She had been left on a 4 ft. chain 24/7 for most of her young life. Now that she’s in a comfortable home she’s afraid to go outside.  She’s literally afraid to go on the grass.  I can’t seem to get her to do her business outside.  Also, sometimes I walk her off the leash and she likes to take off.  I’ve been lucky finding her so far but I won’t take any more chances.  I have another Husky and a Lab who never take off on me when I walk them.  Do you have any tips for me?

Bonjour Kathleen D. in Montreal, Canada!

It takes time to adjust to a new home, especially with a traumatic past. In my experience, it takes at least 6 months to a year for new pets of any to comfortably integrate into a new home. Be patient. Your other dogs will smooth her transition and set a good example. Bring special treats with you during walks to encourage her progress. And keep her on a leash!!!

Dear Dr. Cookie,

This summer we adopted a 6 month old black Lab/Pitbull mix who had survived hypothermia and parvovirus when she was only a couple months old. Since then we've had her spayed and her yearly shots done. Since this summer, our family has all gone back to school/work. She started following us down our long driveway or after we left she would go the neighbor's house and visit them or to the local school and play with the kids at recess. We've had to make many trips to pick her up from where ever she had run off to. When we brought her back we would either put her in her crate or tie her up and tell her sternly, "stay home" each time this happened. Our family doesn't know what to do about this problem and have run out of ideas and we really don't want to have to give her up because of this.  

Dear Hamilton Family,

Why is your dog loose and unsupervised? This is a dangerous practice because she can get hurt, killed, or regress to all kinds of problem behaivors. You set her up to do exactly what she wants to do, when she wants to do it, and then punish her for it. This makes no sense to me. Take your dog for long walks (60 min. at her age) to prepare her for being left alone, then keep her in the house where she will be safe, sheltered from the elements, and secure [QuickFix handout: Separation Anxiety Syndrome in Pets; Why It’s Important to Walk Your Dog].  

Dr. Cookie,

My husband and I have a neutered male mixed gray and white cat (don't know the breed!) about 9 months old. He is mean to us. He bites me on the leg when I walk by him. He runs and plays and jumps across my husband and usually digs in. When he is asleep, he's sweet but is driving us crazy. We close the bedroom door at night to keep him from jumping on us and starts nibbling or scratching.

Dear Sue,

Dear Dr. Cookie,

Our 2-year-old Border Collie mix is a wonderful, active, loveable girl who we wouldn't trade for anything. She has two silly behaviors, however, that we are curious about. 1) When we walk her down by the lake, she'll take her tennis ball and drop it into the large rocks that border the breakwater at the marina. We yell and run toward her, but she looks at us, ball in mouth, and then drops it. It falls to the lowest point between the craggy rocks and most of the time, it is lost forever. Why would she do this? 2) Why does she roll in dead fish? Now and then someone will leave old bait on the grass either on the bluff or down below by the water...ugh. On her way back from fetching the tennis ball, she will stop, sniff and roll. Disgusting! I have to bathe her every time.

Dear Linda,

1) Because it’s fun. She gets to watch the ball disappear, and gets rewarded by you making a big deal about it. 2) Because they’re there. Dogs love to roll in stinky stuff. They probably think it’s some kind of perfume that will make them interesting to smell (by other dogs, obviously). I suppose you could solve both issues by avoiding this location, but that would be a shame. Sounds like you both enjoy it!  Just remember to carry an extra tennis ball with you.

Dr. Cookie,

I got a kitten about 18 months ago and my 2nd cat is really mean towards the new cat and me. He used to be really sweet to me and I could do anything with him. Now he hates me. He will bite, hiss, growl, and ignores me. Do you have any suggestions on how I could help my cat get over this?

Dear Katie,

Introducing new pets should be a very gradual process. Sometimes, even with painstakingly slow introductions, pets don’t get along. This can be a clash of temperament, or just individual preferences. In every case, however, there will be a change in the dynamics of all household members. This may be minor, even inconspicuous, but it can also be problematic as in your case. You may need to spend more time with your boy when the younger cat is kept out of site. Get to know each other again, so to speak. Read my book “Dr. Cookie’s Guide to Living Happily Ever After With Your Cat” (St. Martin’s Press, 2002); you’ll be glad you did!

Dear Dr.,

Buddy, a Lab came to us 3 months ago, he is now 18 months old.  Buddy will not go in a pet carrier or will not go in his doghouse.  We have forced him in but as soon as our back is turn he gets out.  He will sit out on the cold concrete in pouring down cold rain before taking shelter.  He will not go up stairs, so we have to drag him in the house.  He sometimes acts jumpy but is learning to be more secure all the time.  We are afraid he will freeze this winter.

Dear Phyllis,

Why are you leaving this dog outside in bad weather? Come to think of it, why are you leaving this dog outside at all? He is barely bonded to you, hardly comfortable in his new environment, and you want to leave him all alone and outside? Even when he is more settled in, no dog should be left unattended and isolated outside. That was something people did 20 years ago, but we know better now what they need to be happy and healthy. Keep him with you. Take him for walks. Show him what it is to be loved and to be a secure member of your pack.

Dear Dr. Cookie,

I have a 7-year-old German shepherd.  She is very well behaved, when we are home.  She likes to sleep on the couch when she knows she is not supposed to.  The problem we have is that we never catch her doing it....she leaves behind all her hair as evidence!  Besides the expensive "scat mats," do you have any suggestions for us??

Dear Jaimie,

Try covering your couch with an old sheet. You can remove it when you get home and it’s easy to wash. Let her be comfortable when you’re away. Compromise a little; it’s the secret of living happily together.

Dear Dr. Cookie

A couple of weeks ago my daughter asked if we could get another kitten to keep our cat (a 2 year old female tiger named Sweetie) company during the day. It seemed like at least a good enough idea to give it a try. An abandoned kitten had shown up at a friend's, so we brought it home. Our precious cat was furious and did nothing but hiss and howl at the little kitten, so we found the kitten another home. Unfortunately, the kitten had fleas and infested our cat. This is when the real trouble began. I flea-bathed her; she howled in the bath for about 30 seconds, then she just sat there.  Since then she behaves like a terrified cat, submissive positions and ears down.  If we pick her up, she begins to purr and curls up on us.  She won't play with her toy snake, she ignores string, she won't even take a jab at the oven mitts. She just lays on the bed. We have tried removing her from the bed, and she leaps back on quicker than we can catch her. She won't even get off the bed to eat and drink. She just moves to the edge of the bed and meows for what she wants.

Dear Roxie,

Poor Sweetie has been traumatized by a number of events in quick succession. It will take her time to regain her composure and feel secure in her own skin and in her own home. Please take her to your veterinarian to make sure that she is not having a reaction to the flea shampoo (bring the bottle with you) and that the fleas are really gone. I’d generally recommend NOT to purchase medications (including medicated shampoos) of any kind from anywhere but your veterinarian. Also, please order my QuickFix handout on Introducing New Pets and my book “Dr. Cookie’s Guide to Living Happily Ever After With Your Cat”. You need to get some important information on what it means to be a cat and how to live happily ever after with your own!  

Dear Dr. Cookie:

Do Yorkshire Terriers get along with bunnies and guinea pigs?  I was considering getting a small dog but I don't want my other pets to get attacked!

Dear Joanne,

This isn't a breed thing. Pets who are raised with other prey species from a young age generally do not consider them as prey. Even some adult dogs who have not been raised with bunnies or guinea pigs might be uninterested in hunting them, but they should be supervised on leash very closely at first.  Gradual introduction is always best. It would probably be wise not to leave them unattended anyway.

Dear Dr. Cookie,

My pet rabbit of two days is starting a horrible habit.  The only time my rabbit is out from
underneath the couch is when he has to eat or go to the bathroom and it
is very time consuming to get him from under the bed, couch etc.

Dear Heather,

Keep your new bunny safe and sound in a nice large pen. He is barely getting to know you, never mind his new territory. It should be no surprise to you that he is hiding under furniture. Give him time to feel secure in his pen, in one room, and with you. The rest will fall in to place!

Hi Dr. Cookie!

I have just installed a cat door that leads out to my lanai for my two Persians, a 2 yr. old female & an 8 yr. old male. They are not sure how to use it on their own, but will go through it if I hold it open. How can I train them to use it?

Dear Lin,

I can’t recommend letting your cats out. In fact, I’d recommend you close up that cat door BEFORE they figure out how to use it! Outdoor cats live to an average age of 5 yrs. Yes, occasionally some beat the odds of being hit by a car, eaten by foxes or coyotes, killed by crazy people, dying from extreme weather, collected as a stray and euthanized, contracting fleas, Feline leukemia, Feline infectious peritonitis, Feline immunotropic virus, parasites… Keep your cats indoors, save and sound.

Dear Dr. Cookie,

I am currently trying to breed my 3 year old chocolate Labrador for the first time.  She is standing for the male, (he is proven) flagging hard and actually just sticking it out there for him to have. He will mount her but not for long. My bitch has gotten very persistent in trying to make him mount her. She will bug him until he at least acknowledges her in some way. She seems pretty persistent but the male doesn't seem to want to do his thing.  My bitch does try to mount him and she does stand over him with her chin over his back.  Also, my bitch is approx day 14 in her heat cycle.

Dear Lory,

It does sound like she is dominant over him, and this would inhibit many males from mating successfully. It is also possible that she is past the ideal time in her estrus for mating. In the future, it is generally recommended to bring the female on to the male’s territory where he will feel more secure. It is also advised to bring her over there at least a couple of weeks before she is due to come in to heat so that they can get to know each other. Dogs do have personal preference when it comes to mating. Although the urge to mate is hormonally driven and very strong, individuals can refuse to mate with some yet welcome the advances of others. There’s no predicting that! Speak to your veterinarian about artificial insemination if you think that this male, however desirable you think he may be, is just not attractive to her!  

Dear Dr. Cookie:

My cat sits in the window (it's an indoor cat two years old) and if an animal comes outside the window in the night, my cat snarls and exhibits a behavior that is frightening to me.  He even snarls at me.  Is there something I should do or should I get rid of the cat?  It scares me.  Otherwise, he is fine.  I also have an older cat that he leaves alone and only occasionally licks her ears.  

Dear Robert,

Territorial and fear aggression often overlap in response to observing another critter outdoors. The danger here is that some cats will then redirect their aggression on to the nearest available target. In your case, it sounds like his snarling at you in response to seeing something outside is the beginning of redirected territorial/fear aggression. Obscure his view by installing curtains or solid blinds, or frosted contact paper at his window perch. Order my QuickFix handout on “How to Keep Outdoor Cats Off Your Property” for some relevant and practical tips. Also "Dr. Cookie's Guide to Living Happily Ever After With Your Cat" is available at Amazon.com or can be ordered at a bookstore near you!

Dear Dr. Cookie:

My husband and I adopted a 1yr old Jack Russell nearly 2 years ago.  I walk Patience in the morning before I have to be at work by 8 then he gets home about 4 and walks her to the Park to play and then I take her out again usually around 8 - for a walk or to the park. A few weeks ago Ron lead Patience outside and then she just sat on the sidewalk and went no further. The next day he drove her to the park to play. He went to walk her at 8PM one night and she just sat down again. Now she won't even greet him at the door like she used to and like she does me. Today he went home at lunch and she went under our bed upstairs and would not come out. He is very worried.  It is very hot here in Arizona so we thought maybe that was a reason for not wanting to go on walks. 

Dear Susan T. from Arizona,

It may be that she didn’t want to go out in the heat at 4pm, and that this generalized to avoiding him at other times of day when he approached her (even without wanting to take her out). Make sure that he speaks very softly to her, and crouches down to greet her. Forget his walks for now. Let him be the one responsible for feeding her, and playing with her. He should avoid approaching her for now unless it's related to something reliably positive (food, play). It would be wise to have your veterinarian make sure there is no underlying medical issue, as well. Good luck!

Dr. Cookie,

My husband and I live with a 150 lb. English Mastiff named Bubba. Why does Bubba lick people, most particularly me? He always has plenty of water and food available; and we give him biscuit
treats, pig ears and rawhide chews on occasion. Is he salt deficient?

Dear Linda Watkins,

Dogs lick to clean themselves, to groom their favorite companions or puppies, to taste things, to explore…some dogs develop compulsive extremes of licking, but I don’t think that Bubba’s behavior is abnormal. Some dogs develop a taste for certain lotions (my ‘brother’ Joey, a Golden Retriever, loves Jergens lotion on my mother!). Of course, there is a difference between being licked by a Mastiff compared to a Yorkie, for instance. Still, I’d take it as a complement. If you’re lucky, this will be the biggest problem you ever have with Bubba!

Dear Dr. Cookie:

I really enjoy reading your responses.  They seem full of good sense and sound advice. I am having a problem with my 13-year-old mixed-breed Schnauzer.  She wakes up in the middle of the night (usually around 3:30 am) agitated and confused. Last night she got up and was madly turning in circles for quite a long time.  She is very aggressive during these episodes and her eyes look "wild." Is it possible she's asleep during these episodes? She has had surgeries for mammary adenocarcinomas.  My vet put her on an anti-senility medication but she became more agitated and wouldn't sleep. 

Dear Susan Franz,

I think it would be important to get some blood work and a chest X-ray. With her medical history and advancing age, make sure there’s nothing creeping up on you…Your veterinarian may have treated her for Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome, which is the canine equivalent of Alzheimer’s in people. If she did not respond to the medication (assuming the dose was appropriate), then either she does not have CCDS or the medication does not work for her.  There are many things that cause dogs to circle and get aggressive: seizures, metabolic diseases, lead poisoning… You might ask your veterinarian for a referral for neurology consult in your area. At the very least, try taking her for a longer walk at bedtime. This might help her stay more peaceful overnight.  Good luck!

Dear Dr Cookie,

My Jack Russell Terrier is 3.5 yrs old and has developed very irritating behaviour. As soon as we get to the park and he jumps out of the car, he starts barking at me incessantly to throw his ball. When I throw the ball he is happy, but as soon as I stop to let him have a rest and he doesn't want to rest he starts the incessant barking again. If I do not take the ball to the park he will bark at me for the duration of the time we are there, or until his attention is caught by something else, which seldom happens. The other thing he will do is pick the ball up in his mouth and go up to other dogs and growl and snap at them, as if challenging them to try and get his ball. He also growls and snaps at other dogs when they come too close to him or to me. This behaviour has only developed in the last year and a half or so. What can I do?

Dear Nicci,

Here are my recommendations: 1) Don’t forget to bring his ball; 2) Take him to the park more often if possible; 3) Make him sit before your throw the ball; 4) Let him develop his own relationships with other dogs; 5) Get another ball before this one gets lost, just in case! Enjoy!

Hi Dr. Cookie!

Um... I don't suppose you might have a lot of information about mice. But if you do... my mouse is
constantly licking his tail. Doctors have suggested that he had a small cut but since he has had access to it he has made it bigger. It is now sore for him to run but he still enjoys eating, drinking, and playing in his mouse wheel (though slowly).

Dear Michelle Leadbetter,

Sometimes animals lick at their tails because they have discomfort in an adjacent body part. He may have injured his tail, but he might have a sore back, too. Mice are often predisposed to tumors, so I wonder if there is some trouble brewing; I sure hope not!  Perhaps your veterinarian could try him on an antihistamine that might make your mouse feel less itchy. After so much licking, the skin becomes irritated and tingles; antihistamines can sometimes help this. Let me know how you do.

Dear Dr. Cookie,

My cat, an 8-month-old Burmese/DSH Tortie, constantly licks my face clean before bed. Now my dog used to do this and it seemed normal enough, but a cat! Please help my face is getting raw!

Dear Kylene & Matika,

Cats, like dogs, lick to groom themselves and close companions (among other reasons). You have a choice: 1) Just say ‘No!’; turn your face away! Or 2) Toss your skin care products; exfoliating creams… you have it all for free! Enjoy!

Dear Doctor Cookie  

My 3 year old male Lab is becoming increasingly more nervous of other dogs at the park .To my knowledge he has not been attacked by another animal, but if an animal shows any dominance over him he just stands still with his ears down and his tail between legs and is even too afraid to run to me. I always made sure he was free to play with other dogs so he would be well socialized, and he was happy to do so, although a little wary until he knew that they just wanted to play. He has also started to lift his leg to pee against me if I stand still to talk to anyone at the park for too long. 

Dear Linda,

It seems that your boy is relatively submissive. If he is low man on the totem pole, he may not be having much fun if all the other dogs dominate him rather than playing with him.  If he is not having fun, there is no point taking him there, at least for a while. Find another park, with another group of dogs. Or just take him for a long walk with one other dog (and owner) that you both like. Let him build his confidence, rather than putting him in a situation that makes him anxious.

Dear Dr. Cookie,

I have a 3-year-old Siamese/Burmese spayed female cat who is terrified of people. My husband and I have had Zoë since she was very young and she will rarely even let us get close enough to touch her.  She is more afraid of men than women.  Her mother is a flame point Siamese stray that adopted my in-laws. She mother was very skittish at first, but has warmed up after about a year. I have been hoping this would happen to Zoë, but no such luck.  I have two other cats, both Russian Blues and she absolutely loves one of them and they are always together.

Dear Kristina,

Temperament (what we would call personality) in cats is a function of genes and learning. Not all cats are equally tame, even some born as pets. Conversely, not all feral cats are equally wild.  Don’t force her to endure something she doesn’t instinctively crave. You can entice her to approach you and, perhaps, tolerate brief petting, by hand feeding her. This is described in my handout on ‘Petting and Grooming Your Intolerant Pet’ on the QuickFix page.

Dear Dr.,

We have adopted a dominant dog who barks when the phone rings. Her previous owner tells me that they would play tug when she did this just to quiet her down. I must confess it was amusing at first but it's been almost 1-1/2 years! It's now painful to have a conversation on the phone. 

Dear Joyce Nifort,

So what you’re telling me is that both you and her first owner rewarded her for barking when the phone rang? This means that you can also teach her to do something else when the phone rings. Try ‘sit/down/stay’ and reward her with a rawhide chew! Might as well keep that mouth busy! Sounds like she needs more exercise and play with other dogs, too. If she had less energy to burn, she wouldn’t react as strongly.  Of course, you could also teach her to answer the phone and take a message…  

Hello Dr. Cookie!
My cat is 16 years old and within the last 6 months, he has started to cry, meow, and make these loud crying sounds (almost like a baby).  They happen mostly at night but do occur in the morning.  He will sit in my room and cry and cry and I do go in give him attention.  This morning, he was really bad, going from room to room with loud meowing.  Do you think he is experiencing anxiety?  Can a cat get dementia?  

Dear Jen Dinan,

Yes, Jen, cats can become senile. As our pets live longer lives, thanks to advances in veterinary medicine and owner education, we are seeing a variety of geriatric illnesses just like in people. Senile changes are normal, but some are pathological. That’s the difference between mild to moderate senile changes (normal aging) and Alzheimer’s disease (abnormal aging process). Recently, Feline Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome has been identified and is the equivalent to Canine CDS and Alzheimer’s disease. This is one of many things that your veterinarian will consider when you bring your kitty in for a thorough checkup, including blood samples for more common age-related changes.  Feline CDS does respond temporarily (which could be months or even years) to medication. Find out what the cause is first, then you’ll know how to treat it.

Dear Dr Cookie 

Up until recently we had 4 Lhasa Apsos. Last year Kim died aged 13; then, 3 months ago Tam died. Wilf and Gemma are 11 years old. The four dogs used to sleep in the living room together and we had no problems. However, since Tam died Wilf does not want to sleep downstairs on his own, Gemma goes to sleep as normal.  Wilf is fine during the day, but at night when we want to go to bed, he wants to come with us and if we shut him downstairs he will whine and scratch the door until one of us comes down again. We do not want to encourage him to come on our bed, so one of us (usually me) ends up sleeping on the sofa with him. Once I am there he curls up next to me and goes straight to sleep.

Dear Anthea Lister from Wales, UK!

You have all suffered two important losses in a short period of time. This affects everyone in the pack, and it will take time to recover. However, I do not recommend keeping dogs isolated at night.  It just isn’t normal for them to be socially isolated when there every instinct evolved to keep the pack together, especially at night. I can understand that you don’t want them on the bed. But why can’t we compromise here? Get him a doggy bed, or a nice blanket and teach him to sleep on it and still be in your bedroom. If necessary, tether him to his new bed; eventually, he will understand that is where he must stay. Give him a small rawhide stick or strip at bedtime; he’ll settle down in no time. Sweet dreams!

Dear Dr. Cookie,

My mom's friends recently gave us two cockatiels, a boy and girl.  We already have one cockatiel. We were told that they have been together for a long time, but it seems that the male and female bird rip off each others feathers, the girl bird's head feathers are gone, we were told when they were trying to mate he grabbed on to her neck: she also got him in a couple of places on his back. My first bird is in a cage by himself and seems to be fine.                                  

Dear Courtney,

Birds do not mate indiscriminately. There is a considerable amount of selection by the females among males vying for their attention. In this case, these birds were just plopped together and expected to ‘get along’. They should be separated, each to their own cage. Attend to their injuries and make sure they are healthy with the opinion of an avian veterinarian. They may not be compatible, but perhaps one (or both) of them will make friends with your resident bird in time.  Consider building a small aviary with branches, nesting boxes, toys…so they have more room to keep to themselves or socialize, as desired.

Dear Dr. Cookie,

I have a 5 month old German Shepherd (Ellie) and a two year old Great Pyrenees (Ben).  They are both outside since the Pyrenees is uncomfortable in the house after being rescued from a horrible monster. The puppy splashes all of the water out of all their bowls within 30 minutes of being filled up.  I bought her a pool (that she empties in about five minutes) and have spent a fortune in "waterers" with the big 5-gallon jugs and this has just given her more to play with.  She is not tipping the bowls; she is digging and splashing in them.  Since I work 25 miles away from home it is impossible for me to go fill up their bowls during the day. I realize she is just having fun, but I worry about them getting dehydrated in the Texas heat.  The Pyrenees gets very upset and will start barking and growling at her. 

Dear Jennifer,

I really don’t advise leaving them unattended outdoors, especially in Texas heat! I bet they’d both love long walks, play time with you (and other dogs closer to her age), obedience practice…you need to prepare dogs to be left alone (preferably indoors and safe). Ellie is just being a puppy, but you can minimize the amount of energy she has to spend while you’re gone.  Leave her with other entertainment (inside), like a rawhide strip stuffed in a toy Kong, or a meatball frozen into a block of ice.

Dear Dr. Cookie,

I have a 7-year-old male neutered Chihuahua. He is a pistol to say the least. When he wants to lie down to go to sleep he digs first with one foot then the other (front).  Then sometimes he digs like crazy with both paws. He then will lie down or turn in a half circle before lying down. I think it is funny.  But what is the reason for this? 

Dear Shirley Morse & Gent,

Dogs dig to play, investigate, hide objects, recover objects, to get out of confinement, to get into something they want…they also dig to prepare a comfy spot to rest in. In the summertime, they may dig a hole into the cool earth. In the wintertime, they may dig into the snow to get shelter from the wind. Even Chihuahuas have the same instinct as other dogs. He’s programmed by instinct and preparing a cozy spot. It’s his bedtime ritual. He sounds like a cutie,- have fun!

Dear Dr. Cookie,

I adopted a 10 wk old Chihuahua mix puppy from a shelter about 2 months ago. Two nights ago as I began to lift her off the couch where she was sleeping to bring her out and to her crate as I have done every night, she growled. A few minutes later my husband went to lift her up and she growled and bit him! Not hard but we were both very shocked as she has not ever growled before. She is usually very affectionate. We have begun puppy training and she gets along with the other puppies, owners and the trainer. I have grown very attached to her and have spoiled her (is this the problem?).

Dear EvBill,

Don’t let this little Napoleon terrorize you! It is generally a good idea to give pups some warning that you need them to wake up by gently calling their names. Call her to ‘come’ to you instead of disturbing her from sleep. Keep a leash on her to help change her attitude. She may be small, but she obviously doesn’t’ think she is! So, treat her like any other large dog. I’m glad you’re in puppy class. Now use what you learn at home! For extra tips, consider my QuickFix handouts on Basic Obedience, Dominance behavior in dogs...

Dear Dr. Cookie,

My 4 year old female mix (beagle/terrier) is a mad licker. She has this weird behavior of stuffing a blanket all the way in her mouth and holds it with her paws and closes her eyes and sucks it with her mouth wide open and stuffed. She also whines and cries as she's doing this. Also she likes to LICK Everything......

Dear Donna,

If her teeth and gums are normal, then this might be compulsive behavior. It could also be attention seeking neurotic behavior. More walks, more rawhide sticks to chew, more exercise playing with you in the yard...and put your blankets away!

Dear Dr. Cookie,

I have 2 neutered male Persians. They get along well. The 3-year old, Oz, is dominant over 1-year old, Rudy. Today I had Rudy shaved and bathed. When I brought Rudy home, Oz was very upset. He hissed and growled (something he has never done). I don't think he recognizes Rudy, nor can he smell that Rudy is the same cat because of the shampoo. It's like a whole new cat has entered the house. Will Oz ever get over this and play with Rudy???? 

Dear Lynne,

This is not uncommon. Cats are particularly sensitive to smell (even more than dogs!) and changes to both his physical appearance and odor must be confusing and frightening.  Keep Rudy isolated for a day or two.  His normal body odor will return gradually.  Pet him in his confinement, and then without washing your hands, pet Oz. It may take a few days, but they'll be buddies again soon.

Dear Dr. Cookie,

My husband and I adopted our 1 year old Yorkie from my parents when he was about 6 months old. Lately, he has been showing aggressive behavior anytime we show affection for one another. For example, if we are sitting on the couch watching TV and I lean over and kiss my husband, Chewy will jump up and bark at us and even nudge my hand off of my husband's shoulder. He has never shown this behavior before - it started about 2 weeks ago. Nothing has changed in our house to make him act this way. He plays with him often, throwing his ball and such. Why would he be behaving this way now, and what can I do to correct it?

Dear Melissa,

Chewy may see you as his own, and your husband as his rival. At his age, he is showing more adult behaviors and finding his place in the pack. Don’t treat him like a little Yorkie. Think of him as a Rottweiler, and then ask yourself how you would respond? A firm ‘NO!’ + ‘sit/stay’ is probably all you need to do...and the handouts on Dominance behavior in dogs and Basic Obedience will help, of course! Dear Doctor...

Dear Dr. Cookie,

I have an 11-month-old Shih-Tzu that's very playful, but sometimes her affection turns into biting. I snap her nose and try other disciplinary actions, but the more I try to dissuade her, the more aggressive she becomes, apparently assuming I'm encouraging her actions. Is there a remedy?

Dear Shirley C. from Conyngham PA

The best way to provoke aggression is to behave aggressively. Slapping a dog who is already aroused is just an invitation to escalate the very behavior you dislike! How about enrolling in an obedience class, taking her for more walks to play with other dogs, and ordering these handouts: Play behavior in dogs, Why it’s important to walk your dog, Basic Obedience...!

Dear Dr. Cookie,

Approximately two months ago, I adopted a 6 wk old Husky pup. She has a terrible habbit of biting people. We have tried a few different techniques to stop the behavior, but nothing seems to be working. We have tried holding her muzzle and have also tried putting her back in her crate. Do you have any suggestions. We need to discourage this behavior before she gets bigger!

Dear Pam,

Firstly, it’s not a good idea to use the crate for punishment. Secondly, nipping in pups is a common and normal thing. Ordinarily, puppies nip each other during play and learn to control the intensity of the bite. But when pups play with us, they can only play the way they’d be playing with other pups. Get her out every day to play with other dogs, and for lots of exercise and play with toys that move away from you. She’ll calm down in time, but meanwhile order these QuickFix handouts: Play behavior in dogs, Why it’s important to walk your dog, Basic Obedience.

Dear Dr. Cookie,

I live in Huntsville, Alabama, with my 6 Persians and read an article in Iam's "Your Cat" tonight about you. We have an 8 year old neutered female Persian that freaks when we go out of town. The minute a suitcase comes out she gets a bladder infection. I've even tried packing behind a closed door. Being a very savvy cat, it didn't take long for her to figure out what was going on. She is fine otherwise - no uptight behavior at all. The vet has checked her out - inside out - and can find nothing medically wrong with her. He shook his head and called her "perverse". He has her on prednisone a week or so before we plan to leave, but it doesn't work. She is on a Feline CD diet. I have boarded her and had her come home with the bladder infection because she was upset at being taken from home. It is a real problem as she "goes" all over the house and it often is bloody. She is a gorgeous black tortie and exceptionally smart. We love her dearly and want to get beyond this.

Dear Shirley A. Peterson,

In a recent study of mine, published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Association, I finally proved that Separation Anxiety Syndrome does exist in cats. This might not be an infection (although a Culture & Sensitivity test should be done, so ask your vet) but an inflammatory bladder disease called idiopathic interstitial cystitis, which may be triggered by stress. I’d advise you to leave your suitcases out. They seem to be a real trigger when they reappear! Also, she may do well on psychoactive medication (amitriptyline would be appropriate to try first), which your veterinarian can prescribe. You should also order handouts (Elimination problems in cats, Separation Anxiety Syndrome, Territorial behavior in cats...) And my most recent book ‘Dr. Cookie’s Guide to Living Happily Ever After With Your Cat’ (St. Martins’ Press 2002). Let me know how you do!

Dear Dr. Cookie,

Would getting my pygmy goat neutered help out with his aggression?

Dear Monica,

There are many different types of aggression in goats and in all creatures. Some are directly under the influence of sexual hormones. Neutering your pet goat will remove testosterone from his system, and will reduce behaviors that are controlled by testosterone. However, neutering does not cure everything! Chances are he will become a calmer more agreeable pet, so if your veterinarian feels this is appropriate, it would be a good idea.

Hi,

I adopted my Black and Tan Coonhound about 6 months ago. She’s about a year old now and just recently she has become very aggressive towards strangers. When people enter my house, even if I hug them and try to calm her down she still flips out and barks and growls and all the fur on her back raises. I'll sit on the ground and try to calm her down and she'll crawl into my lap, and get as close to me as she possibly can, but she still won't calm down until they leave. She does the same thing when we go out for walks. Please help me, she’s never bitten anyone before, but one of my fathers friends said she nipped at him a little, and I want to prevent that from ever happening. Shes such a sweetheart, I don't understand what caused this change!

Dear Meagan,

Your puppy is growing up and behaving more like an adult. She doesn’t need reassurance from you, which she will perceive as reinforcement of her territorial aggression. She needs strict guidelines for how to behave all the time, including how to greet people, which should be either a ‘sit/stay’ or a ‘down/stay’. Keep her on a leash if you must, and order my handouts on Territorial Behavior in Dogs, and Basic Obedience. I know you’ll learn a lot of useful information.

Dear Dr. Cookie,

I have two 8 year old cats who are sisters, and I would like to get a Pug puppy. The cats do not take well to other animals, and I do not want to get this Pug and then have them not adjust. Is there anything that I can do to make the new addition a little easier and less stressful for them?

Dear Valerie,

Order my handout on Introducing New Pets. It includes introducing cats to dogs. The key is to do this very gradually. A small dog will be less threatening to the cats, but you will need to be vigilant for the first 6 months to a year as the puppy grows through different stages of mischief! Have fun!

Dear Dr. Cookie:

Last October I took on the challenge of raising five 7 day old kittens. I was their only mother. I managed to keep two and adopted out the other three. Two males went to a close uncle of mine about a month ago. Two days ago, I went to visit him and the kittens. They were afraid and reluctant to have anything to do with me. After a while, one managed to warm up to me. As for the other he still hid and would freak out if I tried to hold him.

Dear Lynn,

Sounds like your uncle doesn’t get many visitors! Perhaps you’d be doing the kittens and your uncle a world of good by visiting more often...

Dear Dr. Cookie,

I have a 3 yr old neutered Maltese that I got from a woman who informed me that he was abused when he was little by her ex. He is a very aggressive dog, when he is on a leash he goes after people or pets walking by, he growls and even has bit someone’s pant leg. When in the yard with me, he has taken off and gone after people. I am afraid to take him out. He has even bit me if I come near him while he is eating his food or having a treat? Any help you can give me would be great.

Dear Jennifer from British Columbia., Canada

Little dogs get away with murder. This likely has nothing to do with any abuse but with indulgence and tolerance of completely unacceptable behaviors. You are right to be concerned, he is indeed a dangerous little tyrant, but he should respond well to basic obedience and a new set of rules. Put yourself in charge. How about a short leash and a ‘headcollar’ (Gentle Leader or Halti Collar)? Enroll in an obedience class. Handouts you definitely need: Basic Obedience, Territorial Behavior in Dogs, Dominance Behavior in Dogs, Possessive Aggression (guarding objects of value).

Hi there Dr. Cookie,

I hope you can help me as I've taken my dog to 3 different vets. My blonde golden retriever constantly licks/chews only his back feet. He has had antibiotics and a lampshade and ointment to make his feet taste gross but he is still at it! His feet are discoloured from his saliva and sometimes he limps when he walks can you please help me?? I am worried about Spencer...

Hi there Jessica,

Here are some things to consider: 1) Have his anal sacs checked; 2) Ask for a Culture & Sensitivity to make sure there is no fungal or bacterial infection (and if there is, to give the precise medication required); 3)Consider the possibility of allergy (although in these cases, dogs will frequently lick all 4 feet); 4) Compulsive licking can be associated with Separation Anxiety Disorder or simply a lack of exercise and social interaction. While you go through 1-3, increase his daily exercise, play time with doggy friends, and rawhide strips to chew on and see how you do!

Dear Dr. Cookie,

I have 3 St Bernard's and they like to eat "Dirt". Is there something lacking in their diet?

Dear Greta O'Hare,

For most dogs, eating dirt is probably just plain fun, although some eat soil when they have an upset tummy. It has nothing to do with dietary insufficiency, although it might well have to do with inadequate exercise. How often do these moose get out of your yard to go for a nice long walk? If it’s not twice a day (or at least once if they’re over 5 years old), they are probably finding ways to keep themselves amused. Apparently, you don’t like their choice of hobby. So more exercise and more appropriate things to chew on are in order. Happy Spring!

Dear Dr. Cookie,

We have a problem that is only getting worse. We've had our now 5 year old Beagle for two years. He has always barked when he realized he was about to get fed. He is now barking when he WANTS to be fed, which is MOST of the time! Giving him something to eat whether it be a carrot or biscuit or regular food, definitely stops the barking. BUT we are trying to limit his food intake because he is overweight and we understand Beagles are prone to diabetes. How can we get him used to lower food intake and maintain our own sanity?

Dear Vivian J.,

Ah yes, so now you see that when you feed a dog when s/he barks you are only rewarding the barking behavior with food! And you continue to reinforce exactly what you taught him to do, right? Increase his exercise (more walks, more play), and feed him ONLY when he is quiet, even if that means for just a few seconds at first. Also, he must learn to ‘sit/stay’ and ‘down/stay’ for food (which will also help to control his barking briefly!). Woof woof, awhoo, aarf, ruff ruff...stick your guns, this may take time.

Dear Dr Cookie,

I have a 6 yr old neutered female cat and live in a block of apartments with a large communal garden. My cat has a cat door but she is locked in at night. Recently a neighbour introduced an un-spayed female cat to the block and understandable my cat is not happy (she is the dominant female of 3 cats in the block). She is VERY aggressive towards this other cat and stalks her and harasses her constantly when they are outside and when my cat is inside she obsessively sits at the window which looks onto the entrance to the other cat's apartment. After a veterinary consultation I started her on a course of Clomicalm about 10 days ago. Since then she has stopped eating, refuses to sleep with me (she does normally), has lost interest in her toys and avoids my attempts at affection, her behaviour to the other cat has not abated. Nothing can be done about the other cat owner's choice to not spay his cat. What can I do? After 6 years of being an outside cat can I change her to an inside cat?

Dear Annadee in Melbourne, Australia

Your cat was behaving completely normally. It is up to the adversaries to resolve their territorial and dominance issues. If you let your cat outdoors, you have to expect this kind of thing. She’s just being a cat! Medicating her was not the answer, and it seems that the medication is making things worse. I’d recommend withdrawing it. If your cat does not resume eating after that, please have her evaluated right away. Although I certainly agree that the other cat should be spayed, you can only take care of your own. Yes, she can be convinced to remain indoors, but it will take time. Please review my handouts on Territorial behavior in cats (which includes how to convert them to being indoor pets), Effects of Neutering on Behavior, and maybe even Moving With Your Pet (to avoid any additional neighborly disputes). My book ‘Dr. Cookie’s Guide To Living Happily Ever After With Your Cat’(St. Martin’s Press, 2002) has oodles of pages devoted to your issues!

Dear Dr Cookie,

I have a 2 year old yellow Lab. Kona.is good tempered and loves everyone. Never had a socialization problem. I started taking her to doggy daycare once a week. She loves it. Our neighbors got a new puppy about a month ago. They can get through the fence and play together. They have become like two shadows. Both can be in each other's house and there is never any aggression. The puppy can even take a bone Kona has from her and Kona just kicks back. All of the sudden at doggy daycare they tell me that Kona is "grouchy". When other dogs come through the doors, she crowds them. She is still friendly and plays well. Yesterday the daycare called me and said Kona was doing the same thing but now she was doing it with the toys. She was being possessive. Her hackles would go up and it would take a long time for them to go down. I had to pick her up and take her home. They said that maybe she is just too excited. I told them that the only major new thing in our lives was the puppy.

Dear Sandra,

At her age, it is normal to assert herself and show dominance behavior. Her possessive behavior, although not reserved to dominant dogs, could be emerging as a sort of test for the other dogs. If she is spending so much time in day care, the group she is with becomes a pack. There could be other changes in other dogs, for example, those that used to be more assertive and now are not; or, more dominant dogs that no longer go to day care. This has nothing to do with her buddy next door. The folks at day care should be able to handle this. If they can’t, make other arrangements and keep working on her obedience skills so that she can be better controlled wherever she goes.

Dear Dr Cookie,

My parents found a small, injured kitten and have nursed it back to health. With the exception of the loss of one eye, the kitten is healthy. They keep the kitten indoors at all times as they live on a busy road. The problem is that the kitten is quite mean to my mother. It bites and scratches excessively.

Dear Celeste L.,

Has this kitten been examined by a veterinarian? Make sure there is nothing physically wrong according to a veterinarian. Beyond that, this kitten may not like to be handled as much as your Mom wants to handle him/her. Not all kitties are lap cats. Also, some kittens play roughly, especially when there are no other cats to play with. Take a look at handouts on Play behaivor in cats, and my book (‘Dr. Cookie’s Guide To Living Happily Ever After With Your Cat’ (St. Martin’s Press, 2002) of course!

Dear Dr Cookie,

Dear Gerrilyn J.,

Sounds like there have been a lot of changes in your life recently. Although we can never be sure what happens to our pets in the unsupervised company of strangers, it could be that Charlie views your new friend as a serious threat to his social standing in the pack. It could also be that Charlie knows something you don’t! I can tell you that my dog Aliya didn’t like anyone I dated until she met my future husband. Good thing I trusted her opinion. Seriously, Charlie needs to be checked by your veterinarian to make sure nothing else is going on. Medication may not be the answer. Maybe you should cool it with your new boyfriend (or see him at his house for a while) and let Charlie find his comfort zone again. He deserves that much. After all, he’s the one that has stood by you through all of your ups and downs.

Dear Doc

We purchased two 8 week old kittens from a cat rescue centre. They were wonderful little bundles of fluff which we thought would make lovely companions for all of us (including our two young children 4 & 6). However they are so aloof, they have not once approached us for affection and one of the kittens even backs off if we try to stroke her. This particular kitten seems far more comfortable with the children than with either of us grown ups.

Dear Mandy, from Dorset, UK

I think it’s wonderful that your young children are able to make friends with these kittens. Some kids can be a bit rough, so please supervise them the best you can. As for your own relationships with these kittens, give it time. Let them come to you. Bribe them with some treats to encourage them to draw near. Stop touching them for a while and then start small. Kittens go through phases, but don’t make them feel cornered or forced into being touched or held. It will only work against you. Please order my handout on Petting and Grooming Your Intolerant Pet. I think you’ll find it helpful

Dear Dr. Cookie,

We have a two and a half years old Labrador (she) and one year old German Shepherd(he). We have got the German Shepherd as a guard dog, but for not to make him effected negatively, during the night we also put our Labrador outside to accompany him. Because, we think that, if we take one inside and the other outside, it will not be fair for the one who is outside, but in that case we may be sacrificing our Labrador, because she is used to be with us all the day, even in our bed. Till his training German Shepherd were also in the house and he is just back from training and we do not let him inside.

Dear Gunes Yamanlica from Istanbul, Turkey

Hi Dr. Cookie,

My Shepherd/mix Rex is about 75 lbs. and a little over 2 years old. Upon introducing him to new people, cars stopping next to him, or animals/people in his sights, he growls and barks excessively to the point where I have to leave the situation immediately. I have tried using treats and commands to have him sit, and he won't respond at all! It's very frustrating because he scares older people and little kids, however he's never bitten anyone before.

Dear Jennifer

Dear Dr Cookie,

My girlfriend is freaking out because our Jack Russell Terrier whimpers sometimes in her sleep. I have noticed this in every dog I have ever owned and told her she is just dreaming. I have to get an expert opinion to satisfy her so -am I correct ? Please help me calm my girlfriend down.

Dear Corey S.,

Yup, you’re right. Cats and dogs dream. It’s partly up to us to make their dreams happy ones.

Dear Dr. Cookie,

I love Siamese Cats and have had 4 (including Rudy, newest member of the family). Up til January 2003, our 2 Siamese were 16 years and 13 years. We lost our dear oldest cat to cancer in January. We then adopted Rudy (who is now 3 months old). All I can say is that he is terror of the family! He is the most vertical cat I've ever seen. He has two speeds, sleep and go. Tabitha is constantly being jumped on chased, attacked an in general has no peace at all. She hisses at him when she is tired of his antics, but I don't think she eats or sleeps well due to Rudy's constant attention. He jumps on her back and starts to lick her head and ears aggressively, then bites her (I think playfully) until she has to throw him off and try to get away from him. He also is very rough. When he plays with us, his little teeth are like needles and we can hardly hold him has he hurts so bad. He is so cute and we love him. How can we make our household a bit happier?

Dear Toni Lockhart,

Well, it’s been 13 years since you’ve had kittens. He sounds like a healthy boy kitten to me. They play more roughly than females do, and with no other kitten to pound on and pounce off, what’s he supposed to do? When my Sara (who died last year at 22 yrs) was 16 yrs old, Hershel Walker joined us and he was a beastie boy, too. You’ve got to keep him very busy, so he doesn’t come looking for trouble. Play with him before he initiates it. Lots of toys to chase, never games that encourage him to pounce on people. Handouts you definitely need: Play behaviors in cats, Introducing New Pets...

Dear Dr Cookie

On the 14th February 2003 I collected my cat Tiffany from the RSPCA and was told to take her for a second injection at my local vet on the 19th Feb. I was surprised as to how soon I was required to do this but I was not the expert and duly did as I was told. Up until the 19th February Tiffany although twelve years old was no problem using her tray from the very beginning of being shown it. On the morning of the 20th February my wife noticed that the carpet had been used in various places as a toilet (urine only) although only two to three feet from her tray being in the utility room. Tiffany continued to foul the carpet until on the night of the 21st Feb we had no option but to put her in the kitchen where upon she used her bedding as a toilet even though her tray was very nearby. Why should a kitty that has been a perfect model cat (I know for only a week) suddenly go off the rails, I do not understand and would appreciate an experts view. Thanks for a really good web site in order to assist our furry friends have a better life.

Dear Steve in the UK.

I don’t think this has anything to do with the vaccines, which I know you’re concerned about. Is it possible that this is the reason she was delivered to the RSPCA? Or, perhaps she is marking her new territory (which is sort of a twisted compliment, I suppose), or feeling anxious in her new home. Please make sure she has no underlying health issue such as bladder infection, kidney problem, or diabetes. If her health checks out fine, please order my handouts on Elimination problems in cats, Territorial behavior in cats, and Litter training your cat or kitten, all available on the QuickFix page. My book on Living Happily Ever After With Your Cat (see the Books page) will also be very helpful to you.

Dear Dr. Cookie

Two weeks ago I lost my dear Abyssinan cat to FIP. He was just 1 year old when he died. I loved to have a cat around and have found another Aby kitten, male, that is ready to make his home with me now as he is 13 weeks old. I work so that the cat will be left alone for up to 10 hrs a day during the week. Before my old cat got sick I got the feeling that he was feeling lonely and I had started thinking about getting another. The same breeder where I will get the new kitten has another litter, a little younger and all males. Now people have been warning me in taking 2 males, saying that they will fight and be territorial. These have been raised together now since the younger was born and in a home environment with other cats around. I also plan to have them neutered. So my question is: Is it a bad idea to get 2 males and what is the best way to get them adjusted to a new home?

Dear Inga Kristinsdottir from Reykjavik, Iceland

Sorry to learn you lost your kitten. I too lost a kitten to FIP; it is a nasty disease. I think that 2 kittens are definitely better. Two males that grow up together will work out their relationship on their own and probably be quite happy. If you take one before the other, just introduce the newcomer slowly. Neutering them by around 6 months will help minimize hormonally motivated conflicts. Handouts you need: Territorial behavior in cats, Introducing New Pets.

Dear Dr. Cookie,

I have a 4year old Maltese. After every grooming appointment he becomes withdrawn for a periods lasting up to ten days. he refuses treats, refuses to go outside or play; he jumps up in a chair and stays there for hours at a time. I have taken him to different groomers and his reaction is always the same. This week I trimmed only his tail and his reaction was the same--up in the chair again. He is normally very active and affectionate. What could be the reason for his odd behavior after grooming? As he gets older his reaction to grooming seems to be getting more severe and lasts for longer periods of time. I have discussed this with my veterinarian but she was unable to provide any answers.

Dear Kris Garrison,

From what you describe, it seems that your little dog is not too thrilled with being groomed. It is likely that he was somehow traumatized during one of his beauty treatments and that the effect kept snowballing. Now, anything related to grooming throws him off. So, why don’t you just stop? Give him a break for at least a month or two. He should not need bathing or grooming more often than once every 2 or 3 months. In the meantime, please order the handout on Petting and Grooming Your Intolerant Pet; it will help you both to relax and enjoy it!

Dear Dr. Cookie,

My girlfriend's 9 year old Yorkie is extremely frightened of other dogs. When one approaches he hides behind us, begs to be picked up etc. He's also timid in general, startled by loud noises, etc. I would like to get another dog, something mid-sized, as while I love the Yorkie he's pretty much a couch potato and not a lot of fun. Is there any chance the Yorkie could be socialized at such a late age? Or is it likely another dog in the house would simple have him hiding under the bed for the rest of his life? I don't want to add another dog to our lives if it will just ruin his! Thanks for any help.

Dear Eric,

The world must be overwhelming to toy dogs; still, many owners over protect them and teach them they will be picked up when another dog approaches. Many are not socialized to other dogs for fear they will be injured. While this does make sense, to a degree, there are many little doggies out there that could be playing with other little doggies close to their own size. Yes, he could be gently introduced to another dog, but you’d need to go slow. Introduce them on neutral territory and make sure he has extra TLC for a while. Tips you’re sure to find useful are described in the QuickFix handouts: Introducing New Pets, Tips on Pet Selection, Dominance behavior in dogs...