Pets & Animals
Animal Care and Behavior
Cheryl Alderson
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Questions 91-100 of 249:
- why does my 3 year old doberman start peeing in the house? On the kitchen floor and on the refrigerator door and under the chairs and then started drinking water out of the toilet bowl when his water dish is full?
- axle
from north providence, ri
For the peeing, the dog should first see a vet for any medical problems. Next neuter him and put him on a strict housetraining program for the next 12 » moreFor the peeing, the dog should first see a vet for any medical problems. Next neuter him and put him on a strict housetraining program for the next 12 weeks. http://www.hssv.org/LIBRARY/PDF/Behavior/housetraining.pdf http://www.hssv.org/LIBRARY/PDF/Behavior/crate_training.pdf The water in a toilet bowl is often fresher than what is in their regular bowl. We suggest purchasing a pet fountain for fresher water: http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?dest=9999999997&product_id=4087823&sourceid=1500000000000002217280 and closing the lid on the toilet seat. « less
- I just "adopted" a 2-year-old female English Bulldog from an owner who loved her but tended to leave her unattended and now that she is living in my house along with my 13-year old lab and 4 year old mutt she tends to be very possessive of me and dominanting towards them. I am very concerned about this. Does spaying a female bulldog improve the aggressive temperment?
- Anonymous
from Maine
Spaying will not change the aggression, training will. We suggest hiring a professional to help you. For referrals go to: http://www.hssv.org/BEHAVIOR » moreSpaying will not change the aggression, training will. We suggest hiring a professional to help you. For referrals go to: http://www.hssv.org/BEHAVIOR/train_nation.htm Reading: Fight by Jean Donaldson « less
- I got my Dalmatian from a shelter seven years ago. He has been fine until recently he has been aggressive toward my Lab and small children. Is there anything I can do, or is he going to get worse?
- Frank
from Grand Junction, Colorado
We HIGHLY suggest that you have a professional in your area evaluate this dog IMMEDIATELY since you have small children in your home. Go to this page » moreWe HIGHLY suggest that you have a professional in your area evaluate this dog IMMEDIATELY since you have small children in your home. Go to this page to find a trainer in your area: http://www.hssv.org/BEHAVIOR/train_nation.htm In the meantime, keep the pet away from your children and stop any punishing, this will only make it worse. « less
- We have a 10yr old Border Collie -when the weather is hot he loses his fur and his skin appears dry. He does not appear to be in any kind of distress, nor does he scratch more than normal- when the weather cools down his fur grows back. Is there reason for concern? Is there something I can give him to condition his skin?
cathy
- Cathy
from San Jose, Ca.
Frequent bathing with a medicated shampoo made for dogs with dry skin may help alleviate the problem (as often as once a week). If the hair loss does » moreFrequent bathing with a medicated shampoo made for dogs with dry skin may help alleviate the problem (as often as once a week). If the hair loss doesn't seem to bother your dog, then there is probably not much cause for concern. « less
- I have a 6 year old male shihtzu who pees in the homes even after we take him out. How can we stop him from peeing indoors?
- chester
from Toronto, Ontario
Go back to basics like he is a young puppy for the next 12 weeks! If he is not neutered, do that NOW as well...it will really help with the housetrain » moreGo back to basics like he is a young puppy for the next 12 weeks! If he is not neutered, do that NOW as well...it will really help with the housetraining. http://www.hssv.org/LIBRARY/PDF/Behavior/housetraining.pdf http://www.hssv.org/LIBRARY/PDF/Behavior/crate_training.pdf « less
- I have an english bulldog and have a tentative appointment for spaying and she will be 22 weeks old. I have a concern if this is too soon to have her spayed. Should we wait for her first heat or more before having her spayed?
- Renee
from West Seneca, NY
It is generally better to have your dog spayed before its first heat, as studies suggest that this may reduce your dog's risk of mammory cance » moreIt is generally better to have your dog spayed before its first heat, as studies suggest that this may reduce your dog's risk of mammory cancer. Many puppies are spayed at 8 weeks with no problems and your dog should be fine at 22 weeks. « less
- my 6 month old staffordshire bull terrier/labrador barks and goes to bite you whenever you tell him off hes never bitten anyone but it scares my mother?
- Anonymous
from scotland uk
This pet needs to be evaluated by a professional in your country ASAP. The dog should be neutered ASAP and a leash kept on the pet at all times. Also » moreThis pet needs to be evaluated by a professional in your country ASAP. The dog should be neutered ASAP and a leash kept on the pet at all times. Also STOP punishing the pet but use treats to teach and reinforce good behavior in the home. Suggested reading: How to Behave so your dog behaves by Sophia Chin Love your dog train your dog by Pat Miller « less
- I have noticed that there has been a couple of questions pertaining to cats roaming into neighbors yard and you state that the neighbor has a right to trap the cat and turn into the local humane society. You don't mention what happens after that. Do you get in touch of the owner or what?
- Jean
from Los Gatos
The local shelter will attempt to contact the owner IF the cat is wearing ID tags or is microchipped. Otherwise, it is the responsibility of the owner » moreThe local shelter will attempt to contact the owner IF the cat is wearing ID tags or is microchipped. Otherwise, it is the responsibility of the owner of the cat to look for their cat at local shelters or talk to their neighbors. « less
- I have a 5 yr. old lab who is not neutered. I would like to do it but would like to know the risks involved being he is an older dog? He is somewhat aggressive with other non-neutered male dogs. Will this behavior change if he is neutered?
- Anonymous
from San Jose, CA
Check with your vet about medical risks but altering him WILL reduce aggression towards other dogs as well as taking some training classes.Check with your vet about medical risks but altering him WILL reduce aggression towards other dogs as well as taking some training classes.
- We have a 4 month old male chow/sheppard mix and a older female and male dog, he is very sweet and playful with the family but he gets aggressive towards the dogs with food, toys and attention. Is there a way to break this habit without having to find a new home for him?
- Beck
from Springfield, OH
First, have the dog neutered. Next enroll the dog in puppy training immediately so you can teach him OFF and STay using positive only. Stay away from » moreFirst, have the dog neutered. Next enroll the dog in puppy training immediately so you can teach him OFF and STay using positive only. Stay away from punishment as it will accelerate the situation. When you can not supervise the dogs, this young one should be crate separate. Do NOT feed all dogs out of the same bowl, they each have their own bowl (feeding time should last only 10 minutes, not all day!) and toys, etc. « less
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