In Part 1 of “Why Do Dogs Do What They Do?” we reached out to animal experts to get answers to some of the questions that may perplex us about our canine companions, or just to be better informed on how to take care of our pets’ needs.
In Part 2, we connected once again with Sydney Warner, BS Psychology, ABCDT, Dip.CBST, IAABC-ADT, Elite FFCP, is a Certified Dog Trainer, Canine Behavior Consultant, and Owner of Clever Critters, LLC, to get answers to behavior-issue questions, and Brendan Simmons and Vanessa Gori, who are both Veterinary Technicians and Owners of Honey B’s Pet Sitting and Pet Care Services, LLC, to talk about medical-issue questions.
This is what we learned.
What can I do about separation anxiety?
Clever Critters: The more we learn about separation-related behaviors and separation anxiety the more it is clear this is a panic disorder much like PTSD in humans. Many cases benefit from working with a veterinary behaviorist for medical management of the distress, while also working with a certified humane behavior consultant or behaviorist that specializes in separation anxiety. The intensity of the behavior, “moping,” or being sad versus destructive and unsafe, is not the sole indicator of the severity of the anxiety. The best thing a caregiver can do is to reach out for help to the appropriate resources, such as a Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer (CSAT) or a veterinary behaviorist DACVB.
Honey B’s: If behavioral methods aren’t working for you/your pet, consult your veterinarian to see if sedatives and anxiety medication could help.
What can I do if my dog is frightened by loud noises such as thunder and fireworks?
Clever Critters: Reach out immediately to your veterinarian and a certified behavior professional. Fear of loud noises is often not seen until the dog is two to three years of age. This fear can be due to poor or lack of habituation during the socialization developmental stage and is also frequently seen with dogs suffering from pain. Working with your vet to rule out medical concerns is the first step. Then work with a certified behavior professional who can guide you on how to help your dog through a counterconditioning and desensitization protocol that best fits your dog’s needs and fears.
How frequently should I bathe my dog? Is it bad to do it less or more often?
Honey B’s: Your dog’s breed will be a huge determining factor for how often to bathe them.
The time of year will also affect how often to bathe and what products to use. During the warm, wet months of the year, many dogs are prone to greasy coats and that smelly doggy odor. Skin allergies will also be more in common, with scratches and sores developing. Parasites such as fleas and ticks are also more common, further irritating the skin. This means that more frequent baths are necessary.
Dogs that swim in the summer may not need as many baths but will need a good rise in clean water post swim. During the winter, dogs typically aren’t as dirty, but are more prone to dry skin which can be itchy and irritating, therefore a moisturizing shampoo is needed. The level of bathing will depend on the amount of dirt and grime on your pooch.
If your dog has a skin condition, it may need to be bathed more often with whichever shampoo product your vet recommends for their specific issue.
Why do my dogs keep digging up my yard?
Clever Critters: It’s fun! It achieves something they want to do or have access to. Digging is a dog-typical/normal behavior, and some breeds may be more predisposed to it than others. Individually, dogs may dig to chase animals/scents, to create a space to cool off, because it’s simply fun to do, or to get out of someplace (stress).
What preventatives should I give my dog?
Honey B’s: One of the easiest ways to prevent your dog from getting heartworm, fleas, and ticks is to have them on a monthly prevention medication. The importance of heartworm prevention is undeniable. Especially in the south.
There is no such thing as a “safe inside dog”. You leave your house every day to go somewhere, your “inside dog” is now exposed to bugs because you went out.
Dogs should be on a flea and tick prevention YEAR-ROUND, not just seasonally. There are a variety of medications you can put your dog on to keep them protected. There are a few all-in-one heartworm/flea/tick preventives on the market now so that you don’t have to remember to give multiple chews! Speak to your vet about what preventative is best for your dog/situation.
Why do dogs always chew on things? Not just sticks but furniture corners, deck boards, steps, etc.?
Clever Critters: Chewing is a species-typical and instinctual/natural behavior for all dogs of any age. Chewing has many purposes, such as exploration, fun, response to distress, and self-soothing or calming. Dogs do not intrinsically know that our furniture, clothes, parts of our home, or other items are “not chew toys.” Individual dogs will also develop tactile or texture preferences for the types of things they like to chew on or chew up.
What is the best thing to give a dog that has an upset stomach and won’t eat?
Honey B’s: Treatment for your dog’s upset stomach will depend on how long it has been an issue and the underlying cause.
If your dog has had an upset stomach for less than 48 hours and they are still eating and drinking, not lethargic, and have no blood in their feces or vomit, you can try to manage the issue at home. You can feed small amounts of a bland diet, such as boiled white-meat chicken and white rice with no salt, fat, or seasonings for a few meals and see how they do. If there is no improvement, please see your veterinarian.
What is the best way to socialize my puppy/newly adopted dog?
Clever Critters: To work with a certified professional using updated and humane training practices who also specializes in puppies. Most people don’t homeschool their kids, so why do we expect that most caregivers can “homeschool” their puppies? There are a lot of nuances and details to understand to most appropriately socialize your puppy, such as the difference between gradual positive exposure and flooding. Additionally, just like children, our dogs go through different developmental stages that have different needs and affect the dog differently at each stage. This is one reason socializing a new puppy is different from “socializing” a newly adopted dog.