My Pet World: Learn to say "no" to over-eager lap dog
BOSTON, MA -- This week, your pet behavior questions are answered by the ultimate experts, veterinary behaviorists attending the 2015 Veterinary Behavior Symposium, held July 10 in conjunction with the Convention of the American Veterinary Medical Association.
Many of the contributors answering questions here also happen to be contributors to "Decoding Your Dog," authored by members of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists (co-editors Dr. Debra Horwitz, Dr. John Ciribassi and myself, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, New York, NY; 2014, $23).
Learn more about the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists at www.dacvb.org.
Q: We adopted a Maltese/Toy Poodle mix from a shelter about two years ago. He was obviously well cared for, just a victim of the housing crisis and poor economy here at the time. Our previous Maltese was a great dog, but not a lap dog. I thought I wanted a lap dog, but quickly learned to be careful what you ask for! This dog is happy in anyone's lap and doesn't want to leave. If he isn't in a lap, he barks until he finds a person willing to provide one. Then he rolls over for a belly rub. What can we do? -- K.V., Las Vegas, NV
A: My answer begins with the words, "be grateful." As problems go, this one is more adorable than serious.
"Certainly, at some level, this is an attention-seeking behavior," says Dr. Lisa Radosta, a veterinary behaviorist in Royal Palm Beach, FL, and a contributor to "Unlikely Animal Friends" on "National Geographic Wild." "If you can bring yourself to truly ignore your dog's pleading for three days, you should begin to see some improvement.
"Also, offer your dog other activities or toys before the onset of the behavior. Let him play with a toy that might deliver kibble, to keep him entertained, for example. When you do let the dog on your lap, never do so because he's asking; only allow him there when you feel like it."
Lastly, make sure everyone in the household abides by the same rule: No lap time without permission. Pretty soon, your pooch won't be such a lap shark.
Q: My 16-year-old cat is in good health, according to the veterinarian -- no thyroid disease or dental problems. Yet, in the past year or so, she's stopped grooming. Tufts of hair are sticking out, and you can easily pull them out, or they fall out. My vet is stumped. Any ideas what's going on? -- W.W., Montreal, Canada
A: Veterinary behaviorist Dr. Gary Landsberg, of Thornhill, Ontario, Canada, is a world-renowned expert on aging pets. "I don't doubt that your veterinarian conducted a thorough exam, but sometimes high blood pressure isn't considered, or arthritis," he says. "Old cats with high blood pressure just don't feel well, so grooming may take too much effort. Arthritic cats have difficulty reaching back to groom; it hurts, so they don't do it. No question, both these medical conditions are under-diagnosed in cats."
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