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."

The behavior you see could also be "an early sign of feline cognitive syndrome (like Alzheimer's disease in cats)," Landsberg says. "It's as if the cat just isn't thinking about what all cats are born thinking about, and that is grooming themselves."

Some supplements, such as Omega 3 fatty acids, could help with both your cat's coat and brain health. Also, ask your veterinarian about a medication called Anipryl (a drug for dogs with mental decline which some veterinarians also use for cats). Meanwhile, you're doing the right thing my maintaining the cat's coat yourself.

Should your cat have a skin problem, a referral to veterinary dermatologist might be in order.

Q: We have a 4-year old English Bulldog, a 3-year-old Shih Tzu and a 2-year-old French Bulldog. Recently, the Bulldog and the Shih Tzu have begun to fight. The Bulldog starts it and the Shih Tzu reacts and doesn't stop. So far, luckily, no one has been hurt. I contacted a behaviorist, who told me to let them "fight it out." I'm not comfortable with that advice. Instead, I separate all the dogs when I'm not supervising. How can we become a family again? -- N.R., Walker, MN

A: Veterinary behaviorist Dr. E'Lise Christensen, of Denver, CO, says if there are periodic mild skirmishes, the general advice is, indeed, to let the dogs "work it out." However, if we're talking genuine combat, Christensen says she can't imagine a veterinary behaviorist suggested your dogs "fight it out." Perhaps, you misinterpreted the recommendation, or you didn't truly see a veterinary behaviorist and received faulty advice.

In any case, you did the right thing separating the combatants. Letting the battles continue would have further damaged the relationships between the three dogs. Also, there's a real possibility one or more could have been injured.

If you can identify a cue that may prompt the attacks, you'll be ahead of the game. Are the dogs battling over a resource, such as food, treats, or toys? Does battle commence in a particular room of the house?

Christensen advices you to contact a veterinary behaviorist. Be sure he/she is a board-certified behaviorist (for names, check www.dacvb.org), not just someone who claims to be a behaviorist but has no credentials.

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