Dog Squatting All the Time and Having "Accidents"

Question:

Normally wonderfully at being housebroken, recently my Pomeranian/Yorkie mix has been having accidents several times a day. She walks around squatting most of the time - sometimes it appears as though she wants to pee and sometimes it appears as though she wants to poop. She will still give me the signal when she REALLY needs to go out and I take her and she will go potty, but the whole 15 minutes we are outside, she will be squatting.

I took her to the groomer and she said she had some matted hair around her "little girl" area and suggested I put some Neosporin on that. I have been trying to do that daily, but have been unable to do it every day. Can you give me an idea what may be the problem? I know I need to take her to the vet, but regretfully, I am having to wait until pay day.

- Terri

Answer:

Terri,
It sounds like your little girl may have a urinary tract infection (UTI). That is the most common reason for urinating small amounts often. It is probably not an emergency, but she may be uncomfortable until she receives treatment. Your veterinarian will most likely want to obtain a urine sample so that he or she can decide on an appropriate course of treatment. Untreated UTI's can often lead to bladder stones.

Best of luck to you and your little pup!
Sara F. Jennen DVM

Dog Goes Crazy When Not Crated

Question:

Well our dog is a big girl. 60lbs. As of her last visit. But my problem is she wants to growl at my daughter from time to time. My daughter is 35yrs. old and likes to play hard with my Penny, that is my (dog's) name. She is my baby, I have always had her around other people, and family. She is a great protector. But my daughter has always talked me in to krating her when others come into the house, I have had four dogs in my life and never have I did this.

I feel the way my daughter plays with my penny, and the putting her in the krate, is what is making her the way she is. She will go nuts when people come to the house now, and I must put her in this krate when they come. I beleave she will be ok with others if I just hold her till the visitors come, and then let her go, I had my son-in-law's niece come, I never put her away, and she was great with her, just wanted to play with her, and smell her a little. Can you tell me what i should do? I can not afford a trainer. I am on SSI. Please can you help me.. martha drisch.. sorry for my spelling I am dyslexic...

Answer:

Martha,
Your spelling is just fine! On the other hand, it sounds like your dog needs a little work!

You should start by walking her every day around your neighborhood. This establishes you as dominant and helps relieve some of her energy. Teaching her tricks (making her work for a reward) can also accomplish the same thing. As long as your dog is not biting other people, you can use behavior modification to gradually shape her behavior. You can start by having someone over, just one person at a time at first. Reward her if she does not "go nuts". If she starts the unwanted behavior, crate her immediately. Gradually work her up to more people, rewarding the good behavior and punishing the bad as SOON as it occurs.

Do not allow your daughter to play rough with her if this seems to make the aggressive behavior worse. It sounds like the behavior may be escalating and you need to get a handle on it ASAP! Any large pet store in your area, such as the one mentioned in your bio should have some fairly inexpensive group training classes that you could take her to that may solve the problem and keep someone from eventually getting hurt.

I wish you all the luck in your endeavors!
Sara F. Jennen DVM

Dog Peeing Anywhere In House

Question:

Our dog has been peeing anywhere he wants to in our house. Lifts his leg anywhere. We have tried letting him out every 30 minutes, and also having him wear a "Mark-Out" wrap. We are at wits end with trying to shampoo out stains, odor, and trying to re-train him. He howls when we leave, even if it's just to walk out the back door to talk to a neighbor! Any help you could offer would be greatly appreciated. He is a smart dog, learns tricks easily and is a lovable dog, and don't want to resort to putting him down!

- Nancy

Answer:

Nancy,
It sounds like your dog is suffering from separation anxiety and I am guessing the marking behavior occurs when you leave him alone. Separation anxiety is a very complicated condition, often requiring medication and behavior therapy combined. You will need to have the drugs prescribed by your veterinarian and he or she can help you formulate a behavior modification routine. A good start would be to confine him to a crate each and every time you leave the house.

Good luck with this very difficult problem!
Sara F. Jennen DVM

Dog Nips People Randomly

Question:

Two years ago my husband and I decided to keep our foster dog, Ellery (7 months). He proved to be a good companion for our rabbit and other rescue dog who has anxiety issues. About 6 months later Ellery began to randomly nip at people's fingers or legs, even puncturing a friend in the thigh after she'd been there for a half hour. Despite all this, he's great with kids and does not react when touched while eating.

Ellery is now 3 years old and randomly nips at people, whether he knows them or not, whether their visit is just beginning, in the middle, or they are leaving. His behavior does not seem malicious, but a form of excitement. He has never nipped my husband or myself. We can't seem to identify a pattern and are looking for way, other than a cloth muzzle, to eliminate this behavior. Thank you.

- Eleni

Answer:

Eleni,
I am sorry to hear you are having problems with your dog. Unfortunately nipping/biting is an unacceptable behavior, especially if it is breaking the skin. I don't see where you have any choice but to keep him isolated or muzzled when guests are present. You could try small stints of exposing him to people and rewarding him for not becoming too excited.

It would probably be a good idea to enlist the help of a professional trainer to help you with this problem, because it could eventually cause liability issues.

Good Luck!
Sara F. Jennen DVM

Can't Clip Basset Hound's Nails

Question:

When we try to clip our basset hound's nails he goes nuts. You touch his paws and he bites. What can we do to get him to calm down and let us cut his nails? Please, don't no what to do.

- Elizabeth

Answer:

Elizabeth,
The only way that I know of to desensitize a dog to a nail trim would be to gradually get him used to having his feet and nails touched by doing it in small amounts and giving him treats as long as he is not "going nuts" or biting. If he begins this behavior, you should stop immediately and isolate him. Some animals will never allow it and require a tranquilizer in order to get the job done. These can be prescribed by your veterinarian.

Good luck and be careful!
Sara F. Jennen DVM

Approriate Age for Fixing Cat/Getting Shots

Question:

What is the appropriate age to spay/neuter your cats, and if you haven't gotten them shots, when is the perfect time to do that??

- Oliviya

Answer:

Oliviya,
Normally vaccines are begun around 8 weeks of age and boostered through 12-16 weeks and repeated yearly or less depending on the type of vaccine used and your veterinarian's protocol. Spaying should be done before the first heat cycle (usually around 8 or 9 months of age), for optimal future health. Both can be done at any time and are recommended as soon as possible in an older cat.

Thank you for your question,
Sara F. Jennen DVM

Cat Too Hyper at Night

Question:

Hi, how can I get my cat to calm down at night cuz she gets really hyper so I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong?

- Melissa

Answer:

Melissa,
Cats are nocturnal creatures and naturally more active at night. You might try keeping her awake during the day, so that she sleeps more at night. Since she is not spayed, she may be in heat. If she is rolling around and yowling, this is likely her problem. The only "cure" for this is spaying, which should be done anyway, along with vaccinations, as part of an ordinary healthcare routine!

Good Luck,
Sara F Jennen DVM