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Adopting a puppy is good fun until the chewing starts. You have to take action. So what do you do? You’ll teach good behavior using innate canine learning principles. Share with your friends. Dogs of all ages can learn to earn.
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Question: My white long hair Chihuahua has body odor. We’ve always had to groom her often but after only 3 or 4 days her odor is pretty awful. She loves to snuggle and that becomes uncomfortable in a short time. We love her but can’t stand her odor. Dr. Nichol: I get it. The affection you share with your little girl is good for both of you. It not only feels great, it serves important physiologic functions. Gentle physical contact triggers the release of oxytocin, often called the “love hormone.” A lot goes on in the brain, considered the most complex organ in the body. A hug between friends or coworkers triggers oxytocin release, giving us a feel-good response. This excellent hormone, which is actually based on reproduction, promotes a sense of safety and reduces inflammation throughout the body. You and your Chihuahua have been missing this “enhanced social bonding.”…
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Question: My son has a boxer, 4 years old, who is barking constantly since they moved into a new home. Already received one citation from Animal Control. They need to stop the barking! They both work and have to leave the dogs every day. Dr. Nichol- Barking is actually a normal part of canine communication but this fellow is way too talkative, indicating a quality of life problem. Frustration with a fence that prevents social interaction with other dogs is a common reason but so is anxiety from crowding in a small yard, driving a good dog #%&*@ crazy! Moving to a new house was another stress. Physical pain could be another factor. This isn’t about boredom. These nonhuman creatures have a strong requirement for interaction with others of their ilk, off-territory is best. Your son’s boxer needs canine activities. He has to do dog stuff; he won’t jump rope,…
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Cats are so sweet and cuddly. But they can damage you with their sharp teeth and claws. Don’t get angry – get cat smart.
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Last in a series Larry’s teeth and gums felt much better; modern medicine also lifted his oppressive anxiety. Curley gained confidence and was learning to relax – out from under the bed. They were still kept separated from Moe, while swapping halves of the house with him. Perching on floor-to-ceiling cat trees and venting their predatory proclivities on stalk and pounce toys had all of them feeling like real cats. Fulfilling lives for these former feline foes reduced their collective angst and diminished the risk of nuclear conflict. Keeping the peace, on the other hand. would be a lifelong challenge. For these gentlemen to ever safely comingle, they would also need alone time. Cats are social creatures, but only to a point. Richard was pretty handy. I advised him on building and installing hide boxes at various heights in different rooms. Much like their wild brethren, his and Karen’s kitties…
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Why do dogs follow commands like sit and stay if they don’t understand English? When we speak are dogs processing the words we are saying, or the tone we are using? Our dogs don’t miss anything, even though they don’t understand everything.
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Third in a series Problems with any organ system can impact the firing of the brain’s neurons. Oral pain is a frequent offender but arthritis, ear infections, itchy skin, and nausea are also common. Moe, the 2 year old feline interloper, passed his physical exam with flying colors. Curley’s was normal too. But Larry? His gums were suffering from nasty, long-standing infection. It even hurt when he laughed, poor guy. I told Karen and Richard how insidious dental disease can be while assuring them that Larry would be OK. When he felt better we expected him to behave better too. We got his procedure scheduled quickly. Keeping interior doors closed and rotating these little sneakers between rooms was difficult. I get it; my cats have never been rule followers either. But the longer Richard and Karen could keep Larry and Curley from having even visual contact with Moe, the more…
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A dog will believe that any response from its person is an earned reinforcer. That’s why reprimands and punishments fail. To stop digging the hole even deeper you’ll need to ignore everything you don’t want. But sometimes the nipping, mouthing, and body slamming continue anyway.
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Second in a series The combatants were in their corners; the cacophony of cussing and the hurling of insults had ended. Somehow, each cat was remarkably unscathed. Their well-intentioned humans, on the other hand, suffered blood loss, although relatively minor. Richard and Karen had made the common mistake of hoping for a Disney ending to a complex behavior challenge. Their plan had been to quickly and easily integrate Moe into Larry’s and Curley’s lives. They’d had cats for years and had never seen this problem. Couldn’t everybody just join paws around the campfire and sing kumbaya? Their emotions in tatters, they called my office to report a hate crime. Our consultation began with me listening carefully as Karen and Richard vented their frustration and grief. Was there any hope? I explained that cats can quickly associate intense fear and hostility with just the sight of an adversary. They had done…
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