All puppies need to be trained to combat behaviors that might not be positive. Photo by Steshka Willems /Pexels
Cathy M. Rosenthal
Tribune Content Agency
My Pet World
Dear Cathy,
My adult granddaughter has an eight-month-old Toy Australian Shepherd. She got the dog when he was three months old. The dog is friendly toward family members but will not allow strangers to go near him.
He will back away if I put my hand out to pet him and then run away. He won’t go anywhere near me, and it’s as if he is frightened of all strangers. He has been to a vet and has had all his shots. Is this something he will grow out of as he gets older? How can we make him a friendly puppy?
— Sherry, Massapequa, New York
Dear Sherry,
There are several things your granddaughter can do to help her fearful puppy gain confidence. While I will suggest a few things here, my first recommendation is for your granddaughter to enroll her puppy in a dog training class or sign up for private lessons with a trainer or animal behaviorist.
These professionals can identify the puppy’s triggers and help her create a plan to build up this puppy’s confidence through training.
Until then, here are some things she can do:
Create a home environment where the puppy feels relaxed and safe. This may include putting a pheromone collar on him, giving him some over-the-counter relaxing chews, or putting an Anxiety Wrap or Thundershirt on him.
Next, ask everyone outside his “friendly” circle to not approach or try to pet him. They can talk to and encourage the puppy, but the puppy or dog should always be the one to initiate physical contact with them. (This advice goes for all dogs. I never approach dogs to pet them. I always wait for them to come to me.)
Start training the puppy. Training builds a dog’s confidence and helps him learn the boundaries of his world. Training should include responding to his name, sitting, coming when called, downing, staying, and heeling on a leash. Begin training in the house. As his confidence and skills grow, expand training to outside the home or a nearby park.
Once he learns basic training, she can begin to focus on her dog’s triggers, which in this case is anyone approaching him. She will need to determine the safe distance for where a person can stand without him exhibiting fear. If he seems fine when someone is 10 feet away but reacts when someone is nine feet away, then 10 feet is where you start this training.
Have the person stand 10 feet away and ask them to toss treats toward your dog. The person can inch closer to him, but if he responds fearfully at any point, then the person needs to back up to 10 feet again.
This training may require many practice sessions to see progress, so tell your granddaughter to be patient and consistent with the training. Outside of the training, she should reward her puppy with a treat whenever he appears relaxed or responds positively to any engagement.
As the training progresses, she can slowly expose him to new environments too. But she must never force him into any situation where he shows discomfort. Always encourage, praise, and build up the dog’s confidence over time so he learns to trust the people around him.
Dear Cathy,
In your column regarding the “Pet Corrector” product, you said it’s “a small can of compressed air that provides a “Shhh” sound to interrupt unwanted behaviors. Direct this toward Rebecca whenever she goes after Marcy.”
This product should not be aimed/directed towards the pet when using it. The vendor recommends using it by aiming the spray away from the pet. The steps for use are “WAG” – witness, act, give.
— P., Cedar Falls, Iowa
Dear P.,
Thanks for the opportunity to clarify product usage. We don’t want Marcy to think the correction is for her when it’s for Rebecca. So, the product should be used where Rebecca can hear it and see it more clearly than Marcy, but never directly in Rebecca’s face. Hope that helps.
Dear Cathy,
I read about the “Slopper Stopper Water Bowl” in your column. I have a 130-pound “St. Dane” and a 120-pound “Labernard.” Boy, did they make a mess before. I tried the bowl, and it works amazingly well! I bought another for my house and one for my sister who has two goldendoodles.
— Angela, Lebanon, Oregon
Dear Angela,
Letters from other readers indicate that it works better with some dogs than others. But, in all cases, it reduces the amount of water left on the floor. So, it’s definitely worth a try with a sloppy drinker. So glad it’s working for you.
Dear Cathy,
My miniature schnauzer is 10 years old. She has been flying with me in a carry-on case for nine years with no problems. My trips are about two to two-and-a-half hours.
On the last two trips, about 15 to 20 minutes after take-off, she got very agitated and started biting the case and did so for about 10 to 15 minutes. It’s almost like she is not my dog. Then she would stop and sleep the next two hours with no problem. She was fine when we landed. Two different vets prescribed a sedative, but it doesn’t seem to work. Any suggestions?
— Bernice, New York
Dear Bernice,
Changes in behavior may indicate a health problem, so talking to your veterinarian first is important to rule out any health problems. If she is healthy, age may be a factor, as older animals can react differently to travel than they did in their younger days.
There are things you can do to help her feel more comfortable during flights. Over-the-counter natural calming aids, such as pheromone sprays, calming collars, or supplements containing ingredients like chamomile or melatonin, can reduce her anxiety. Consider getting her anxiety-reducing clothing for the flight, like an Anxiety Wrap® or Thundershirt®, which may make her feel more secure.
Next, ensure she gets plenty of exercise before the flight. A tired dog is often more relaxed during travel. And don’t feed her a large meal right before the flight, as this may contribute to discomfort or nausea. Offer a light meal a few hours before departure instead.
Dogs are sensitive to their owners’ emotions, so remain calm and speak to her in a soothing tone and offer her reassurance if she becomes anxious. Hopefully, these few tweaks in her travel plans will reduce some of her anxiety on the flight.
Dear Cathy,
It was overwhelming to read about Robert’s circumstances (that he couldn’t be present) when he had to say goodbye to his dog, Luke. We are fortunate to have a veterinarian who comes to the home to euthanize our pets. It eases the sadness of letting them go.
— Marion, Fredericksburg, Virginia
Dear Marion,
Home euthanasia services are increasingly being sought by pet owners. Keeping a beloved pet in their home during this final farewell often offers more comfort to pets and their owners. Thank you for sharing.
Dear Cathy,
I am a first-time adopter of a six-year-old shelter cat. I’ve raised dogs all my life, but after my beloved Westie passed away a few years ago, I missed having a pet. Due to my age, I felt a senior cat would require less maintenance and make a nice companion.
I have had Tucker for several months now, and he is still quite skittish and not people-friendly or affectionate. I’ve only been able to pet him a few times on his terms. Otherwise, he is a good kitty. The folks at the shelter said he had lived the first six years of his life in a semi-hoarding situation with other cats as well as dogs.
I am using pheromones, which have been somewhat helpful. Do you have any other suggestions on how to get him to open up to the love we have to give?
— Elaine, Franklin Square, New York
Dear Elaine,
Helping a skittish cat like Tucker can take time and patience, especially considering his background in a semi-hoarding situation. Here are some ways to help him adjust to his new home.
First, create safe spaces for Tucker, like a cozy bed in a corner or open closet, or a tall cat tree where he can climb to take in the view without feeling threatened. Provide these safe spaces throughout the home so he’s always close to one.
Next, let Tucker come to you on his terms. Offer treats and praise whenever he approaches you or allows you to pet him. It’s important to reward him for any friendly behaviors.
The more you play with Tucker, the closer you two will be. Engage Tucker in interactive play sessions using toys, such as wand toys or feather teasers. Playtime not only provides mental and physical exercise but also builds trust between you and Tucker.
Be predictable. Set up a daily feeding, playtime, and grooming routine to give Tucker a sense of security. Consistency may help reduce his anxiety and encourage him to feel more comfortable in his new environment.
It also helps to pay attention to Tucker’s body language. If he shows discomfort or agitation, walk away, and give him space. You can gradually increase the duration and intensity of your interactions with him as he becomes more accepting of your affections.
I once adopted a semi-feral cat from a shelter. It took almost a year for him to be comfortable in our home, but every year he showed more and more affection. By the time he was six or seven years old, he was the most loving cat that I had ever had in my family.
So don’t give up. By providing Tucker with a safe and nurturing environment, you can help him gradually overcome his skittishness and learn to trust and bond with you.
Cathy M. Rosenthal is a longtime animal advocate, author, columnist and pet expert who has more than 25 years in the animal welfare field. Send your pet questions, stories and tips to cathy@petpundit.com. Please include your name, city, and state. You can follow her @cathymrosenthal.
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