Ask Trevor...

Does your human have issues? 

Have a doggie dilemma?

Ask Trevor to solve your most

difficult canine conundrums!

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1 Little Puppy 2 Little Puppies...

Trevor

I have a 5 month old westie and an 9 week chessie. People are telling that I have to keep them totally separate/ That is impossible. I try to have time with each. any suggestions

Thxs
Fran

Dear Fran,

While the pups are probably close to the same size right now, very soon, the Chessie will be bigger than the Westie. Even though they may be getting along great, young pups of larger breeds seldom have any idea of their size as they are growing. As a result, keeping the two pups together unsupervised will not be a good idea as soon as the Chessie gets to be bigger than the Westie – probably within a month or so – as he/she could cause injury without even being aware of it. You might consider putting an expen (exercise pen) or baby gates to keep them in separate rooms or separate parts of the yard until they are more mature. Another reason for keeping pups apart when they are young is that it gives you – the human – an even better opportunity to develop a stronger bond with each pup. You are definitely on the right track by spending plenty of time with each pup to build a stronger relationship with each of them! Kudos to you for that! This could eventually mean the difference between having two dogs that obey you, or having two dogs that would rather play with one another than respond to your commands. Your friend Trevor

Frequent Spot-stops

One more question Trevor,

Mojo, a female loves to mark (urinate) when we walk around the neighborhood or go to the park. She had fully emptied her bladder, but seems very happy to leave one or two drops at least three times while on our daily trip. Is this normal for a female dog?

Sincerely,
Cindy

Dear Cindy,

This is not uncommon behavior, even for female dogs. If the constant stopping is a problem on walks, I recommend teaching a “not there” (i.e. don’t pee there) command. To do this, as she’s about to squat to pee, tell her “not there” and then lure her with a treat to face you. When she turns away from trying to pee, reward her. Over time, she’ll learn not to pee, but will turn back to you when you tell her “not there.” Your friend Trevor

Hump-A-Lot

Dear Trevor,

My 10 month old female Chihuahua Mojo (who is spayed) loves her stuffed Winnie the Pooh a little too much. Mojo likes to hump her stuffed Pooh almost daily. Do you have any advise or insights into why she does this?

Sincerely,
Hump-a-lot Mojo

Dear Cindy & Mojo,

While it’s unknown exactly why dogs do this (other than intact males, who may do this for sexual reasons), it is most likely that, on some level, it is enjoyable for the dog and very likely stress relieving. Some speculate that it may be dominance behavior, but I caution against making such an assumption without further evidence. Cindy, If the behavior is unwelcome, the toy may need to be taken away whenever Mojo starts to position herself to do this. If she waits until she’s already started, this is unlikely to have as great of an effect. Alternatively, you can take her to time out – someplace isolated and away from interactions such as a laundry room or bath room – for 30 seconds or so, whenever she starts the behavior. (Sorry, Mojo!) Give my best to "Winnie"! Trevor

Gulping Puppy

Dear Trevor,

Helllo, I have a 3 month old boxer mix and everytime we feed him he gulps down his food and even does the same for the treats. what can we do to get him to stop gulping down his food?

thnx Donna

Dear Donna,

With regard to your question about puppy gulping... Many dogs eat too quickly, and this can be a problem, as it can lead to gastric distress or even a potentially lethal condition called “bloat” or “Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus” (GDV). Following are some options to slow him down: 1) Hand-feed the pup, ideally making him work (i.e. sit, down…) for every few bits of kibble. This gives you the opportunity to train the dog without having to use as many “treats” and thus better manage his weight. Actually, I recommend this feeding method for every pup, at least for the first couple of weeks that you have him. I have even done this with my own dogs when they were pups. 2) Try feeding him his meals in an interactive toy, such as a Kong® or Buster Cube®. This will serve the purpose of not only slowing him down while he eats, but also will stimulate his brain as he figures out how to get every last bit of food. This is very satisfying for a dog, who has evolved from having to hunt for his food using all of his senses. 3) Try putting the food in a larger bowl, and placing a couple of large rocks (or Nylabones or other hard toys) into the bowl, and forcing the dog to eat around them, thus slowing him down. 3b) There is a new dog bowl available to help with this last option. It is called the Brake-Fast, and can be found at: http://www.brake-fast.net/ . As you can see, this is not an uncommon problem! This is why we have so many options for solutions. Incidentally, for my own Pyrenean Shepherd “gulper”, I have chosen to feed him in the Buster Cube and he just loves it! Hope this helps! Trevor

10 YEAR OLD POODLE

Dear Trevor,

I have a ten and half year old poodle that has just recently started having an overactive bladder. She would rather die than have an accident in the house but sometimes this is a problem. She will also sometimes wet herself while she is sleeping. I take her out constantly while I am awake and even take her out a couple of times during the night. She will usually wake me up. I have cut off her water consumption around 7pm and that helps a little but she worries me all night about something to drink. Is this something a vet can take care of or is this just her age? My husband is having a fit over the accidents and even though I don’t think she can help it, using blue pads has been my saving grace on my carpet. Please help.

Cathy

Dear Cathy,

Thank you for writing and I’m sorry to hear that your girl is having such bladder problems. While it is not uncommon for older dogs – particularly females – to have bladder control issues as they age, this could also be a sign of a more serious condition, including a possible bladder infection or other illness. And even if it is a basic incontinence issue, there are medications available today that might help with this as well. I strongly encourage you to take her to visit your veterinarian for assistance in this as soon as possible. Best of luck! Trevor

ISSUE'S WITH MALE VISITORS

Dear Trevor,

Our dog , Gracie ( Australian Sheppard/retriever mix female) is 13 months old. We have had her and her brother since they were eight weeks old. both have goon through obedience training and have been very friendly with other dogs and people and are usually very easy going and laid back. Recently our female has started growling at certain male ( not all) visitors to our house, but not all visitors. Is there a reason for this behavior, and what can we do to change it.

John G Jones

Dear John,

At the age of 13 months, your dogs are in the height of adolescence – this is when their personalities can sometimes change and evolve. Additionally, some dogs go through what noted dog behaviorist and author, Dr. Patricia McConnell, terms “juvenile onset shyness”, or a secondary fear period. During this time, dogs can become fearful of things that did not bother them before. The most important thing about this time in a dog’s life is to be sure that every experience is a good one. This is most likely what is happening with Gracie, though without seeing it directly, it is difficult to know for certain. Note that there might also be a medical cause, so if she hasn’t had a check-up lately, I recommend doing that, too.Regardless of the reason for her growling, it’s extremely important not to ever punish her for growling as this will teach her that growling is bad, and she may have to resort directly to biting when she’s frightened, which is much more dangerous! Gentle, slow desensitization to the male visitors whom she growls at is the best course of action, having them approach her sideways and not head-on, which can appear threatening to a frightened dog. Once she stops growling, they can gently toss treats or a toy to her. If the tossing frightens her, then you can try giving her treats whenever she sees someone and looks back at you instead of growling. If you are unsure as to how to proceed, I urge you to contact a local trainer who specializes in modern, science-based training methods, and has experience working with fearful and aggressive dogs. Simply ignoring the behavior may not be the best course of action, as there is always the possibility that it may become worse as Gracie matures. It’s very good that you are addressing this early, as the sooner she gets help, the more likely she is to completely get over the problem. Woof regards, Trevor

EATING HABITS

Dear Trevor,

We recently brought home a Boston terrier puppy and we are having trouble with her eating habits. Sasha will not eat all of her food in her dish unless we feed her in her crate. If we feed her at the designated place she eats just some and then either sits down or walks away. Now take that same bowl of food and put it in her crate and she eats every bit. I am concerned because she is starting to look a little thin..

Tami

Dear Tami,

This is interesting, but it seems that she may be nervous about eating in “public”. Are you feeding her in a very open area, in the center of a lot of commotion? If so, I recommend moving her feeding place to someplace quieter. Of course, if she’s willing to eat all of her food when she’s in her crate, it’s perfectly ok to simply feed her there until she becomes more comfortable at home. You might also try feeding her the regular meal in the crate and some yummy treats in her designated feeding place until she becomes accustomed to eating there. If you continue to have challenges getting her to eat, you might try calling a dog behavior counselor, and if she continues to lose weight, consult with your veterinarian. Best of luck with your new puppy! Trevor

INTRODUCING A 2ND PET

Dear Trevor,

I am a six year old mutt named Molly. Recently my longtime pal who was nine year old died. I am very lonely, so my family is getting a new puppy for me. They want to know what gender you would recommend.

Lost without my pal,

Molly

Dear Molly,

I’m so sorry for your loss. I know that this can have a big impact on the humans and the dogs in your family. To choose a new companion, I recommend getting the opposite gender, so a boy, since the boy-girl combination usually works best.  If you can, choose a pup that is expected to be of similar size as you. And if possible, go with your family to choose him, so that you can have a say in choosing your new pal and not feel like  suddenly your family brought home a newcomer. Woof regards, Trevor

Dear Trevor,
My husband and I are considering getting a second dog. We think Chiqui
really needs to have a doggie buddy, especially when we're not home.
We think we're very exciting, but sometimes we have the sneaking
suspicion she thinks we can be a little boring.

Chiqui has come a long way in learning to not be quite SO friendly
when she meets new people and dogs. We wanted her to mature a little
bit before we got a second dog. So here's the question: How do we find
a good companion for her? We are thinking we want another female dog.
Chiqui is a black lab/pit bull mix (bigger than a pit bull, smaller
than a lab), so we want a dog close in size to her or a little
smaller. Chiqui was adopted from the Humane Society and is remarkably
neuroses free after having spent 3.5 months there. We could go there
again, but I wanted to hear about anyone's experiences with adding a
second dog to their household. Any advice is appreciated.
Kara

Kara,

My esteemed associate and people trainer, Cecilia Saleme has the following recommendations for you...

 

Kara, First, I want to commend you for doing your research before getting a second dog! I wish more people would do this. Of course, if they did, I would probably have less work, but that would be a good trade-off considering that there would be much happier dogs in this world.

 

Getting a second dog is a big step. Many people assume that it's always the best thing, since dogs are social animals. They also assume that the work will not be that much more. Well, this all depends on the dogs involved!

 

First, I highly recommend the book by Patricia McConnell, "Feeling Outnumbered?" It's about managing and enjoying the multi-dog household. There is another book available, with a name that is a take-off on a popular catch-phrase, that I do *not* recommend, as some of the information it offers is actually very inappropriate. Apparently, the writer of the book - who does have a beautiful writing style - has only ever had well-bred German Shepherd Dogs that she's raised from puppies. She relates all of her advice to what has worked with her dogs. Of course, individual dogs' personalities and temperaments can vary dramatically and much of the advice she gives could be dangerous with other dogs, particularly dogs from rescue organizations. Actually, some of the advice could even be dangerous with GSD's.  If you want to know the name of this other book, let me know and I'll tell you off-line.

 

As for how to choose a dog, following are my recommendations:

Ideally, pick a dog of the opposite gender. The boy-girl combination is nearly always an easier fit than boy-boy or girl-girl due to the dynamics of the relationship. Additionally, the ideal age difference is about 2 years.  If the difference is too great, they may have challenges as one dog begins to age.

* Make sure that, where ever you choose to get your next dog, they allow you to introduce your current dog to him in a neutral location that is not the home of either dog. Ideally, walk the dogs together in a neutral neighborhood first. Then, if things are going well, walk together to a neutral open area where they can sniff each other and get to know each other better.

* I also recommend enrolling the new dog in classes. This is not just for the purpose of teaching sits/downs, etc., but to help with the bonding process of the new dog to you. Remember that he'll be spending a lot of time with Chiqui, so they will be bonding naturally. If he is going to obey you, he needs to be well-bonded to you and your husband as well. This is best done with the dogs individually. Meanwhile, spending some extra time with Chiqui, one-on-one, will also help her to realize that she's not being left out.

If you have additional questions, I do offer pre-adoption consultations free of charge to people who are considering getting rescue dogs. If you're interested, feel free to email me off-line and we can set up an appointment.

 

Best regards,

Cecilia, aka "Teacher Dog"

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AGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR

I am seeking advise and suggestions to help stop my dog's newly developed aggressive behavior. I rescued my Rocky about 2 1/2 years ago. He was neglected and suspected to have been abused. He was terrified of other dogs and of many people. After a very short time and a whole lot of love and attention he became happy and confident. Rocky is a Llaso/Schnauzer mix probably about 7 years old and just the cutest, sweetest and most loving companion I could ask for. He has a cat brother Jake that he loves and sleeps with but sometimes gets jealous of, however we have learned how to deal with this behavior so that it is under control.

Dear Sharon,

I am so sorry to hear of Rocky’s recent aggressive displays. Since the behavior has only recently begun in the past 4-6 months, and you have had him for over 2 years, and since he is about 7 years old already, my first recommendation is to have a complete veterinary work-up done on him. Oftentimes, sudden onset of behavior problems in an otherwise well-adjusted dog may be indicative of medical problems. Another red flag here is the fact that he is also behaving this way with dogs that he had previously been OK with.

If the medical work-up does not show any abnormalities, it may be a change in his lifestyle that is affecting his behavior. Keep in mind that some changes that humans consider inconsequential may actually be very significant to a dog, particularly if the dog is sensitive. Based on his history of abuse, this may be the case for him, too. Have you recently moved? Has there been a change in your household or neighborhood? Or in your routine? I have a dog friend whose owners stopped allowing her on the bed at night, and this caused her to act out toward other dogs during the daytime – even dogs that were her friends! It seemed like no big deal to her parents, but it was a very big deal to her. Luckily, they figured out what the problem was and were able to address it with other training.

If you review all of these possibilities and are still unable to resolve the issue, then consider calling a behavior counselor who specializes in dog aggression and reactivity. There are a couple of them who work as Pre-Furred Merchants with Society Dog, who would be happy to assist you and Rocky.

Best of luck!
Trevor

NARLY NAILS

Dear Trevor,

I am a Pekingese/Pomeranian mix. My nails grow really  fast and my person insists on clipping them. I howl and squirm making the task almost impossible for her because the noise is really scary. What can I do?

---Skittish Scrappy

Dear Scrappy,

This is a very common problem among dogs, but your person is doing the right thing by insisting on trimming them. Nails that are too long can cause
problems for you, such as snagging and causing injury, or affecting your ability to walk correctly if they are far too long. Here are some tips your person can try to make you feel more comfortable.

First, you might try to accustom Scrappy to the clippers by showing them to him and giving him a treat. Then, over time (several days) put the clippers closer and closer to his toes while giving him nice treats. Do this several times per day for several days. When he's OK with the clippers near his feet, then you can make clipping noises without touching his feet, still feeding him rewards when he stays there. Finally, once he does allow
you to trim his nails, give him a reward for every few nails clipped. This may help him to be more relaxed with the nail trimming, as he'll associate it with his rewards.

Another option is to use a Dremel tool to file his nails down. Many of my dog friends have this done, and they're more comfortable with it than with
nail trimmers. Take a few days to accustom him to the Dremel in the manner described above before actually filing the nails down. The advantage of this method is that there is far less chance of accidentally hitting the quick and ending up with bleeding.

Finally, if it's really a challenge, you might have a groomer or veterinarian trim them.  The typical cost of a nail trim is between $8 and $12.  The advantage here is that they are often experienced at trimming the nails of dogs that don't enjoy it.

Best of luck!
Trevor

JUMPING UP

Dear Trevor,

I am normally a very sweet and calm puppy. But when someone comes to the front door I just get soooooo excited that I jump all over them. I want to please my people, what can I do to stay calm and cool like you?

           Jumpin' Jasper

Dear Jasper,

This will take some work on the part of your person. Ask them to try the following tips and you will be a cool dude like me in no time.


1. Place a container of doggy treats near the front door. Who doesn't
like treats?

2. Establish a clear agreement with family members and visitors, to
totally ignore him in every way, when he tries to jump up to greet
them. That means no looking, talking or petting, or even pushing him
away. Yes, it'll be difficult not to acknowledge him…

3. Don't punish your dog to correct him. Rather, when you walk into
the house, ignore him, then instruct him to sit/stay and reward him
with a doggy treat if he obeys and holds that position. Soon he'll
associate the sit/stay command with the door bell ringing, people
coming in, and the reward of doggy treats. He knows a good thing when
he sees it.

4. Keep practicing this method with other family members and then
invite visitors (who don't mind contributing to your dog training) to
participate. Each person should enter the house without acknowledging
the dog. You should instruct him to sit/stay, and if he remains in the
sit/stay position, they should say hello and reward him with a treat.
Each person should repeat this 5-10 times to give him good practice.

5. Your dog may be excited at first, which will make it challenging
for him to concentrate, but keep practicing until he calms down and
'gets it'. If this doesn't work, tell him to find his favorite toy, in
order to redirect his focus.

6. Another simple approach is to push your dog off you while saying
"no jump." Then reward him for good behavior. Basically correct
inappropriate behavior and reward desired behavior.

7. Another method recommended, is to keep a leash and head halter on
your dog when greeting people to stop his jumping behavior. Don't let
him be greeted until he's sitting or lying down appropriately.
 

TATTOOS??

Dear Trevor,

Is it legal to tattoo your dog?

Tattoo'd Man

Dear Tattoo'd,

OUCH! That hurts just to think about it. I'm not an expert in the law, but let me assure you that dogs are just not into tattoos. Trust me on this one!

However, my associate Cecilia Saleme tells me that many dogs used to be tattooed for ID purposes.  This occurred a lot more before micro-chipping was developed. Many breeders and other dog lovers still tattoo their dogs with ID numbers (i.e. AKC registration numbers) in order to prevent theft. Tattoos are often either inside the ear or on the inner hind leg. One of the biggest concerns some years ago was dogs that were being stolen to be sold to research labs. Apparently, they would not accept a dog with ID tattoos, so these dogs usually wouldn't be stolen in the first place.  ID tattoos are much less common now, though, since a microchip can link to a lot more info and is faster and easier to complete than a tattoo. Most of the breeders I know in this country have switched from tattooing to micro-chipping.

HOUSE TRAINING

Dear Trevor,

I hear your good at the doggie dilemmas, so here it goes. Hi, I'm a 3 year old Jack Russell Terrier.  I love to run around and play and my family loves to play with me but the only thing is that I have a little bit of a tinkle problem.  I can't hold it long enough for my family to take me out.  They trained me to ring a bell when I have to go but I just can't seem to hold it in long enough to let them let me out.  They have been wondering if I have been trained wrong or what?   I sleep and spend some of my day in an oversized cage with a nice bed and toys but after the day is over they come home to a wet cage.  I want to stop and they want me to stop but I don't know what to do? What can I do to stop this madness.

Princess Simmons

Dear Princess,

Sometimes bladder control can be a challenge for us smaller dogs. If you are crated longer than 5 or 6 hours, it's possible that you just don't have a large enough bladder. If that's the case, maybe you can convince your people to put some piddle pads (puppy training pads) into the cage for you so that you have a better place to go. Another option would be for them to get you a doggie litter pan. They make them now especially for dogs and your people can either get the "dog litter" or put regular newspaper in it.  There is a nice "puppy potty training aid" spray available that can help teach you to go there, too. Both of these are available at most pet stores. The nice thing about these litter pans is that they are easy to clean out and you don't have to feel bad about making a mess for your people to clean up. 

Do you also go when your people are home? If that's the case, maybe they could try keeping a closer eye on you for a while, just to make sure that you remember to ring the bell. Additionally, if you're just not able to hold it for at least a couple of hours, you might ask them to have a vet check you out to make sure that you don't have any kind of bladder infection. Sometimes that can cause you to have problems holding it in, too.

Good Luck!

Your Friend,

Trevor

---

 

 

Dear Trevor,

Im a 6 month old cockerspanial, house training was going well for a month, but now i have been peeing , and well #2 also. the vet said im healthy. i have a sister (a gordonsetter), and a brother(a springerspanial) my people said that if i dont stop by the time they move into the new house, i might have to find a new home. i know they love me and dont want to give me up, so what can they do to help me. they let me out alot, ill come in an oops i did it again on the floor.

          Sad Pup in Sunnyvale

Dear Sad,    I'm sorry to hear that you are having a hard time with the house training. It sounds as if you may have been given house privileges too soon.  If you are crate trained, I recommend that your people keep you either crated or in a limited area when they are not available to supervise you. Whenever they are home, you should always be in the same room with them so that they may be sure that you do not make any mistakes.  I understand that they are
taking you outside a lot, but make sure that whenever they are home
they take you outside at least every hour, and more often when you have been very active and playing.  If they give you a treat whenever you 'go' outside (in the right place) it might make it easier for you to understand what is right. Additionally, ask them not to scold you when you do make a mistake inside, but to pick you up quickly instead and rush you outside to the right place. This way, you won't end up trying to hide from them whenever you need to 'go'. 

Another possibility, if you are going right in front of them every time
you come back in from outside, you might be urinating submissively. This is very common in young dogs when they get excited or nervous.  If your people make sure that you have already pottied outside, and then ignore you when you come into the house, it may be easier for you not to urinate in front of them. They should also understand that this type of urination is not intentional so they shouldn't get angry with you for it. Most young dogs that have this problem outgrow it by the time they are 10 months or a
year old.  I had a friend many years ago who had this problem, and it went away when she was about 10 months old.

I wish you the best of luck, so that you may move with them to their
new home.

Wags & licks,
Trevor

Hey Trevor, 

I am a really cute 9-month Sheltie girl named Jessie. I adore my mom, but she is a little upset with me right now. It makes me sad when she is upset with me. Her mate put a doggy door in for me so I can go in and out all the time. I used to cry when she left me, but I am a big girl now. Before she leaves she puts up this gate in the hallway so I don't chase my two sister cats. One of my sisters is really old and the other one is fun. We chase each other. I am sad when mom leaves. I wait by the gate for my mom to come back to me. But when mom comes home, I get so excited that I pee by the gate. I know I can go out the doggy door, I just don't know what comes over me. Sometimes when I am jumping up and down, it just comes out.

The other day she was cleaning the area because of the stains and she was crying. She said I ruined her new carpet. After that I over heard her on the phone with my vet. She made an appointment to have me spayed. How can I help my mom stop getting upset with me?

Sad Jessie Girl in Los Gatos

Dear Sad,

I'm really sorry to hear about your problems holding your bladder. Actually, it's not uncommon for a pup to have poor bladder control at your age. I had a lab-mix friend some years ago who would pee every time she got excited. This happened until she was almost a year old! What her mom did was to make sure that every time she and her friends greeted her, she went outside first. This way, she didn't have to get mad at her for ruining the carpet. Eventually, after she grew up a little more, she was able to hold it better. The most important thing was that my friend's mom never got mad at her for doing this because she knew it wasn't her fault.

As for the peeing on the carpet by the gate, maybe it's because you're anxious about your mom coming back? If you ask your mom not to make a big fuss about leaving and coming home, this might change. I know it's hard sometimes, but if she tries to ignore you as she's leaving - or just says "bye now" without any fuss, and then also ignores you for a couple of minutes when she first gets home, then the excitement of her coming and going won't bother you so much. This way you can eventually get over the peeing by the gate. Meanwhile, your mom might think about putting some sort of doormat there to protect the floor until the problem is resolved. OH, and tell your mom about Nature's Miracle for her carpet. My friend's mom used it and she was pretty happy with how well it works.

Wags and Licks, Trevor

BARKING

Hey Trevor,
I am a Sheltie just like you, so am I hoping you can appreciate and help me with my dilemma. One of my favorite pastimes besides food, is to bark in the car while riding with my mommy. Somehow she does not appreciate this behavior. I guess I do get a little
too excited when going for a ride, so I bark a bit. Mainly at cars, bikes, and people walking on the street. I don't do it all the time, but frequent enough to get my mommy frustrated.

What can I do to stop this addictive behavior?! She has threatened to NOT take me on rides with her anymore. Please help!

The Sheltie that woofed too much.
 

Dear Rocko,

 

I'm sorry to hear that you run into so many "rude" dogs that get into your face.  Unfortunately, most humans don't realize that for the older and more savvy dog, this is considered rude behavior, so they expect the older dogs to accept it. 

 

In order to help you learn to feel more comfortable around the big dogs, she can try calling your name and giving you a treat every time a bigger dog comes along, but BEFORE it gets in your face and makes you feel like growling. This will help you to associate the big dogs with something good instead of something kind of scary.  Eventually, you may not have to growl at them any more. 

 

In the meanwhile, try asking your owner to protect you from the big and bouncy dogs that make you nervous, so that you don't have to growl at them.  If she steps in front of them before they get to your face, or asks their owners to keep them at a distance, then you wouldn't have to feel like growling at them. She can tell them that you are a little bit nervous around the big dogs. This is really important to do until you are more used to the big dogs again.

 

Incidentally, the "proper" greeting for true society dogs is to first approach at a slight angle to each other, sniff noses then cheeks, then circle around and sniff each other's behinds. The nose-to-nose greeting is like the human handshake, while the tail sniff is the business card.  What the hyper, jumpy dogs are doing is like a human running up and grabbing another human's hand and shaking it wildly. When dogs rush into your face, that's like a human rushing up to a stranger and trying to hug them. Most people wouldn't like that, but only some of them would get angry and tell them to "get away" - the human version of a growl.

 

Best of luck to you!  Trevor

 

SKIN PROBLEMS

Dear Trevor,

I am a 5 year old female Yorkie, darn I'm cute, but I am having a skin issue and my people are a bit concerned not to mention offended by the smell. My skin tends to be dry and I get these spots that actually have a black stuff that sometimes comes loose if I scratch. Mom has used oatmeal conditioner but that doesn't seem to be helping. I want to smell pretty for my people cause I love their bed. Help!!!
Not smelling so much like a "Rose" these days.

Dear Rose,

 

I'm sorry to hear about your skin problems.  It really sounds like you might have some kind of skin allergy, and the smelliness could be a sign of an infection.  I strongly suggest that you ask your mom to take you to see a vet. If it is an allergy, the vet could prescribe appropriate medicines to help you get better - and smell better, too. They could also recommend a better shampoo for your sensitive skin.

 

Unfortunately, for some dogs, even a single flea bite can cause a major allergic reaction - and you could get one flea bite just by playing in the yard. Another thing for you to consider is what you are eating. Typically, diets high in corn and/or wheat can make allergies worse. Ask your mom to buy a really good food that does not have any corn or wheat. There are a variety of such foods available at your local pet store. (They usually can't be found at grocery stores.)  Once the itching goes away, the smell should clear up, too.

 

Best of luck to you!

Trevor

CHEWING

Hey Trevor,
You're the coolest, Can't wait to meet you someday.
I am high energy, but mom and dad work me good with walks, dog parks, and training, and I often fall asleep before them. I'll always take more, though. Dad installed new crate material, but I spent this morning eating that, too. Mom think I have crate trauma and am trying to escape, versus boredom, 'cause really I am pretty mellow. I only chew after I am put in there, not all day and certainly not after an hour. I like to chew a bit when outside of the crate, but nothing like this. Mom gave me kongs and others chews, but chewing on them doesn't get me outta here. I just hate being put in there. Mom is wondering how I can be crated safely, mentally and physically.

Wags! Diego

Dear Diego,
You sound like a very high energy dog! Are you bored in the crate? Have your owners given you toys to play with while they are away? This will help you to relax somewhat. Additionally, if you ask them to give you your breakfast (or part of it) stuffed in a Kong toy when they leave, this might
also keep you from having to eat up your bedding. I'm sure that tastes awful!

You should also ask your owners to do some more work with you. Ask them to work with you on lots of commands such as sit, down, stay, and other tricks to re-direct your high energy. You might even ask that they enroll you in dog training classes to help you learn to manage your energy. The classes are also a great way to build the bond with your people.

     Best of luck in your new home!

     Wags & licks,
     Trevor
 

DOGGIE DAYCARE

Dear Trevor,

My person is taking me to a doggie day care center next week. I am so excited that I could just pee! Which leads me to my problem. I heard from the Rottweiler mix next door that you have to pass a lot tests like temperament testing and an evaluation that screens for aggression and generally inappropriate behavior. My person even has to bring my diploma from puppy training school and a note from my vet. My person said that it was easier to get her son into private school. What can I do so I don't crack under the pressure and fail the test? I really want to go!  --- Anxious Airedale in Cupertino

 Dear Anxious, Here's what you do. Wake up early and run around the house so your person will take you outside. Chase a ball or Frisbee for an hour or so, pee on every tree or bush in sight and eat a good meal. Go out one last time before entering the day care center. (Be sure your person brings a "doggie" bag.)  You will be too tired to be nervous so you just can be your charming self. Then remember how you learned to behave around all your friends in the Society Dog group, keep your eyes focused on the tester and avoid making eye contact with one of those cute little yappy breeds who may try to distract you.  You will do just fine.

--Good Luck, Trevor

GREENIES

Dear Trevor,

I love my greenies, but my person won't give them to me any more. What's all the fuss about?

--Treatless in Saratoga

 

Dear Treatless,

Apparently, it has been discovered that if you don't fully chew your Greenies, your digestive system may not be able to fully digest them which may cause serious intestinal problems. If you do start getting your Greenies again as well as any other hard chew treat, be sure to chew them completely. Don't gulp them down. And be sure your person keeps a watchful eye on you while you are eating.

Wags & Licks,

Trevor

PUPS IN PUBLIC

Dear Trevor, I am only 6 months old and quite excitable. My person is hesitant to take me out in public because I don’t always behave acceptably. How can I convince him to take me out?  

---Bored Pup in San Jose

 

Dear Pup,

The well-adjusted dog comes from the puppy whose human found endless new experiences and arranged enjoyable encounters throughout the our puppyhood such as the Society Dog walks and events. So tell your person that all of us need to be on a purposeful socialization program for the first 2 years of our life. Socialization continues throughout our lives, however we are most malleable during the remainder of puppyhood (which in some breeds might be until we are 4 to 5 years old), and is able to be influenced even when we are adults.  -- Wags & licks, Trevor

BITING

Dear Trevor,

My person is quite upset that I recently lost my head and tried to bite the mailman. What was I thinking? I think I may be grounded for life. What can I do? --Dobie in the Dog House

Dear Dobie,

Remind your person that socialization cannot be neglected. It is as important as food, water, and medical care to us. Time flies fast, life is busy, but our humans must set aside time for socialization. Make a schedule for us dogs and maintain it!

Behavior never remains the same; we are always changing – sometimes for the better; sometimes for the worse. However, there is always room for improvement. If our education is discontinued, our demeanor will likely deteriorate. We may become delinquent virtually overnight when it collides with adolescence, or we may become crotchety during old age. -

Here are a couple of tips for your person that helps us dogs make it in the human world…

1)   Don’t drag us toward things or humans that we are afraid of.  We need to use our own willpower in order to feel comfortable.  Having our favorite toy or treat in particularly uncomfortable situations can help to overcome our fears. 

2)  If we panic in new situations, actively work on socializing us to the particular situation, person or object.  We do not grow out of fears; they only become worse unless you directly work on the problems.

Go to www.humanesociety.org for more suggestions.

 Wags & licks, Trevor

SENIOR DOGS

Dear Trevor,
I am a senior dog with very little formal training and socialization. Is it too late for me. I really want to get out. --Lonely in Los Gatos

Dear Lonely,

I have to admit…I am now considered an “older dog” too.  Seems like only yesterday that I was just a pup! The good news is that the period of socialization and training lasts for the our entire life. Yes, it's a bit easier when we are young, but senior dogs need to get out and have fun too! And remember, old dogs CAN learn new tricks.

- Wags & licks, Trevor

SOCIETY DOG WALK "PETIQUETTE"

Dear Trevor,

 I'm an experienced guide dog handler and I want to take Boston, my current guide on a Tuesday night society dog walk. I want to have him guide sometimes, and at other times heel while I have a person guide.

 Boston is a four-year-old golden who loves other dogs, other people and adventures!

 I have switched from prong collar corrections to clicker training. I noticed the FAQ says I can't feed him on the walk. 

When I take Boston to dog parks now, other dogs mug me for treats so I do see that this is a problem. But I don't want to correct him when he gets too excited. Boston is the opposite of aggressive; he things every other dog in the universe is his buddy.  I have very successfully used the clicker and treats to make him back off to give other dogs some space. I am also using it to enable him to get petted while he still focuses on his work. Unlike many guide dog handlers, I let the public pet Boston freely, but expect him to work even so. I think this makes life more fun for him and I believe in his ability to have enough self-control to enjoy some attention while working. 

But he does expect an occasional treat from me while he works and gets petted.

You're a sweetie and I hope reading this makes you snort. We're going to try to make it the 17th. I'll do some clicking and treating before we come and keep a very low profile on the treats. 

Boston, my four-year-old golden guide sniffs your butt virtually thru this email and promises to behave with only the promise of treats in his nostrils!!!  --Debee

CHASING - PLANES, TRAINS, AUTOMOBILES & CATS!

Dear Trevor,

How can I get my master to understand my pre-occupation with cats, bikes and moving objects in general? She is getting quite upset with me and threatens training ....the nerv! How do I get her to understand this is the Sheltie way? Or could I possibly have a problem? From one Sheltie to another.. Please help!

--Sincerely, Allie Cat :)

Dear Allie Cat,

I'm honored that you would come to me with such a problem...actually I have a similar problem myself.  My master (who thinks she is an alphadog!) is constantly yelling "NO" in my face when I chase something.  Don't they get it that our responses are automatic???  From one Sheltie to another...I think our masters should lighten up and chase a cat or car themselves!  They might just enjoy life more.  In the meantime, perhaps you could offer "your mommie" some website support like www.unclematty.com/training/problems.htm or have her call the Humane Society of Silicon Valley's behavior helpline at 408-727-3383.  Hey, training's not all bad...sometimes you get great treats!  Just give me some good treats & I'll do most anything they want...kinda like men & sex, you know!

 Wags & licks!  Trevor

BACKPACKING

I was wondering if anyone knew a good place to take your dog backpacking with you. I’ve found a few great places to take your dog camping, but not actually backpacking with you. Any thoughts or places to look? Thanks in advance!

--Kymi