Mind—How do we ensure the emotional and psychological well being of our companion animals? This section includes information on puppy training, positive training - replacing 'bad' habits with 'good' ones, Clicker training for dogs AND cats, cat psychology, activities and exercises that keep your pet in a positive state of mind, what to look for in an ethical breeder, finding the right pet - how to prepare for introducing them into your family, etc.

How did you find your furry friend?

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Note: Before starting any new program please contact your primary veterinarian or a holistic veterinary clinic.

QUESTION: I have two brother-sister french bulldogs that have vastly different personalities. The female is very protective and not very social and the male is the most sensitive and affectionate dog, loving all people and most animals. They were both socialized and exposed to the same environments (lots of different doggie daycares, off leash dog parks, lots of ppl etc.) I'm wondering especially for my male, who is mostly (95%) of the time loving and very affectionate and passive, when he encounters some particular dogs (a handful in the neighborhood) whom he does not like for some reason, he gets very agitated, stiff, in aggressive mode. Doesn't bark, but wants to run after it and attack it. I can understand some dogs he responds this way to because they have had an altercation (where he's been attacked) but with others that he doesn't even know, that seem very passive, why would he react this way? It's very hard to control him when he's like this. But a lot of harness snapping and firm limit setting helps a little. Usually we have to pull him away from the dog or hold onto him with a short leash until it passes. Wondering if you could provide some feedback into understanding this. Thank you!

ANSWER: Thank you for writing. It is wonderful that you are determined to figure out how to help your dog.

My response is based on the information you have given me. My solutions will not harm your dog. But if they are not helping then it simply means I need more information. Let me know and while helping your dog, please relax, stay calm and remember how much you love your little man.

It is most important that you stop correcting your dog. His actions are coming out of fear. You don't want to punish your dog because he is afraid. Your description of his personality has given me important clues: Loving, affectionate, passive - you are describing the exact kind of personality that would have an aggressive reaction.

A translation of these words into the behaviour of the dog would be:

· He does not like a lot of interaction with other dogs because he does not cope well.

· He feels overwhelmed by them and the instances of altercations have moved his lack of coping skills to outright fear.

· He is prepared to defend himself because he feels unsafe. The reason he goes after dogs that seem to not be causing problems is because he wants to protect himself and he feels he can with these ones.

· He gets beaten up and he beats up those he can.

Your dog's problem - to have become reactive your dog has experienced too much fear and trauma in his experiences with other dogs. You have been told to socialize him and you did. However, what you were not told is that socializing means to help a dog feel safe and cope. So the socializing he was exposed to may have included situations that overwhelmed him, and gave him no protection or support.

I deal with this kind of fear every day. You can help your dog by keeping him safe, assuring him he does not have to deal with things that cause him fear. Once he can trust you to help him, you can then help him gain better coping skills so he will learn he can avoid problems by going to you for help. This trust in you replaces his fearful aggressive reaction.

My approach to helping your dog is to help you understand the world as he sees it. It is a very scary place. Imagine living a life where you know that every walk outdoors or to a daycare could mean you get beaten up. This is your dog's world.

How to help: Avoid, Avoid. Avoid any and all situations that cause him to be fearful and reactive. This avoidance will reduce your little guy's stress to a level that he can start to feel like you will keep him safe. Until he knows you will protect him he will feel like he has to protect himself. Avoid any situation that causes him fear - 100%.As you do this protection you stay calm and silent - this is the behaviour of a safe protector. This accomplishes two important things. First it stops the fear. The only way he can be helped is if his fear is reduced enough so that he can think again. If he is fearful and not able to think, he is not able to learn. Secondly, by avoiding the fearful situations you really are keeping him safe - he will see that you are protecting him. If he can trust you to protect him, he will believe he can trust you to guide him.

This is what I call problem management. It is the most important step to helping your dog regain his ability to feel safe and confident enough to not have to react. Being successful at this stage will lay the perfect foundation to helping him learn he does not have to be fearful anymore. You keep him safe so he can learn he is safe and that you will keep him safe.

If you avoid his fears you will start to observe changes in your dog’s behaviour. This is what all this avoidance is about. You will start to notice when he notices another dog. He is not yet reacting but he will if you don't avoid the dog. It is this noticing that you want to respond to. The instant he notices, but before he is reactive, you want to tell him 'Thank you, what a good boy.' Then you instantly pick him up and move away from the problem.

If you do this, you will soon see your dog noticing another dog and then checking in with you. Continue the same response as above and soon you will observe your dog noticing and checking in with you and then perhaps running to you for help or deciding he can continue on, knowing you will help him. And you will help as soon as he needs it - which is before he gets reactive. This is the learning that will happen, just by you keeping him safe until he calms enough to start to understand you are now helping him and he can count on you.

But remember. This teaching is about showing your dog he can trust you to protect him. If you put him in a situation where he feels unsafe and needing to react, you will have taught him that he in fact can't really trust you after all. Now your work to try and help him just got harder. If you repeat this mistake your work will be impossible. So please never let up in your protection of your little man.

Give your dog a smooch and work with him as the little dog you love and who loves you.

“NATURE CALLS”

QUESTION: My 10 year old female cat prefers the great outdoors to her litter box, but will settle for that convenience when the weather is nasty. I make sure the box is cleaned daily and topped up with fresh litter regularly. But she STILL makes a point of pooping around the house. Under the table, the piano, behind the couch - it's really annoying. Is she doing this on purpose to bug me or the dog???

ANSWER: There could be many reasons why she is doing this. You mention she loves the great outdoors so that could mean a couple of things are going on. Know that whatever the reason, she is not doing it on purpose. Many cats that are overly fastidious do this because it is so much more natural to go outside, to be able to move around, and to dig and bury - without being on top of what you are digging and burying.

She may need more space than the size of her litter box as some cats don’t want to step on their own feces when they are in a small box (who can blame them?) so try a larger litter box without a hood. Or, you could try adding a second box as many cats do not want to urinate and defecate in the same box.

It could also be the litter itself that she is having a problem with. Try one that feels more natural and is not a clumping clay litter – like a natural corn or wheat litter. Just make sure it’s deep. I have even seen people have success by replacing the litter in the box with earth, for those cats that want to go outside so badly.

Lastly, privacy could be an issue (we all need our private moments!) and it could be as simple as moving the box to a very secluded spot, possibly with a plant close by for cover.

Try not to get upset with her as that will only make things worse and possibly create a new reason for her to be stressed. Try to imagine what she is like outside and make it as close as possible to that inside. Being aware of her natural needs or desires will help her conform to living (and doing her business) inside. Good luck!

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HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS? 

QUESTION: We have a 5 year old cat who is very affectionate and loves people. We are going away for a week over the holidays but aren’t sure if we should take him with us  so he can be around us (it’s a 5 hour drive to the in-laws) or if we should leave him at home and have someone come to visit him each day while we’re gone. Is it better to leave him at home where he is comfortable and have a pet sitter visit, or take him with us and risk stressing him out with the drive and new surroundings?

ANSWER: A change in routine can stress cats, and they don’t tend to adapt as quickly as dogs. On a holiday of 3 or more weeks, your kitty would have time to adapt so taking him with you may be a good idea. For a holiday of less than that it may be better to leave him at home - with some of the following suggestions.

First, ensure that your sitter is compatible with your cat. Make sure they meet ahead of time and the sitter is familiar with the cat’s routine. When you’re gone, they should spend several hours with your cat each day – not just arrive to put food out and then leave. You mentioned your cat loves people so it’s important that they spend time petting, brushing and playing with him.

It’s essential that cats eat regularly, so the sitter should be sure to monitor his eating habits. Leave some of your clothes or bed sheets out in case he wants to curl up on them and keep your scent close by. Leaving a radio on low and a night light on are also helpful.

Last but not least, four drops of Bach Flower Rescue Remedy, a calming essence you can buy at most health food stores, in his water dish may help him cope with the change while you’re gone (make sure the water is changed daily and the Rescue Remedy is added fresh in at least 1 cup of water). We hope this helps with your decision.

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DEALING WITH BARKING

QUESTION: My dog is generally a great dog. The one thing I have a lot of trouble with is when I'm in the car with my dog won't stop barking if anyone approaches the car. Please help!

ANSWER: stay-tuned!

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