Subscriber Archive
What’s in a Name? Most veterinarians don’t make house calls much anymore but I’ve done my fair share. I’ve learned interesting things about behavior that I never expected. Harry and Sally Eastham lived on a few acres in Corrales. They had 3 dogs – big ones: Porgy, Tirebiter, and Papoon. Rounding out the herd were 3 cats, a handful of hens, and a half dozen ducks. They had called me out for annual exams, vaccinations, and heartworm tests. All of this in the dark ages that preceded smart phones and GPS. You couldn’t simply input an address and drive. Sally was actually pretty good at explaining that we should turn left at the stop sign, then right at the big cottonwood, and then you can’t miss it. (Of course, we missed it.) At the end of her instructions, that I so painstakingly scribbled onto my left palm, was this admonition,…
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Question: Do you do debarking or bark softening? I have about a 20# sheltie. Dr. Nichol: I would debark a few people (politicians, mostly) but for noisy dogs, there are better ways. Barking is normal canine communication. Punishments, like verbal reprimands and electric shock or citronella collars seem simple but they create worse behaviors because they fail to address the cause of all that racket. Surgery would be just another symptomatic treatment. Naturalizing your dog’s life will be the best route to peace and quiet. Your sheltie has stressors that his free-living brethren never have to contend with. He’s stuck behind a fence or inside a house. Essential to his behavioral genetics is the requirement to protect your home from invaders of all species. With that @#%*! fence, how can he check the ID of passing canine scoundrels? If he gets frightened and can’t run for the hills when a…
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[alsointhisseries series-slug=”snapping”] Find Out How I was just 8 years old when I made my first trip to the animal hospital with my new puppy. I felt inspired by Dr. Tuck; he was kind to me and my new dog “Scott”. I was fascinated and I was struck by this gentle doctor’s professionalism. I knew right then that I wanted be a veterinarian. Scott was this boy’s best friend but my parents got fed up with his indoor urination mistakes and took him to the shelter. Kindness had no place in the discussion. I missed that little guy but I stuck with my plan. I was going to make a difference. There were clear triggers for Kipper, the Catahoula, to lunge and snap at his boy’s mother. So I made a suggestion. I told Mom that by talking to her young son in quieter tones she could reduce the risk…
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The Nichol family is planning to add a puppy. I’ll share my preparations and training plan. Everybody can win.
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[alsointhisseries series-slug=”snapping”] Who’s to Blame? Fear is often the in-the-moment reason for canine aggression. Adrenalin-driven reactions aren’t always bad; it’s actually a survival mechanism that’s built into all of us. But if it gets out of control it can lead to defensive aggression, injuries, and more fear. As I gathered the history on Kipper, the Catahoula mix, I came to learn that he endured frequent emotional outbursts from his female owner. The whole family was on edge. Mom unloaded often, triggering Kipper to react. This waiting for the other shoe to drop, for humans and other species, causes a problem called anxiety. It’s the worry that something unpleasant may be lurking around the next corner. I treat a lot of anxiety and fear. Mutual caring – empathy – is another emotion that’s shared by dogs and humans. It’s part of the reason so many of us share our homes with…
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Taking a stroll with your dog isn’t a walk in the park if they jump, lurch, and growl. Some are so wild they chew the leash.
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[alsointhisseries series-slug=”snapping”] Whose Fault? Rehome? Worse? Dogs are man’s and woman’s best friends but there are species differences. They walk on all 4s and they’re a bit hairier but like us, dogs are genetically programmed to look after their comrades. They’re always on duty; it’s our job to set them up for success. Kipper was brought to me because of aggression toward the mother of his human family. He was a 2 year old Catahoula mix, a robust 65#. He was well-loved but he was not well-adjusted. He had lunged and growled and snapped at his female owner in the presence of her 5 year old son – often. Serious changes were needed. Punishment would have no place in his management. I’ve treated thousands of cats and dogs for illnesses and injuries. Their people wanted their pets to feel better. Now, I’m residency trained in disorders of the brains of…
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You’ve been working from home with your pupster at your feet but it’s time to go back to the office without your loyal companion.
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Choose your Friends Carefully Question: I never had a cat and I decided to have my first one now. I wanna get it in adoption and I know it’s difficult to choose a breed but just in case; is it true that some breeds like Bengal and Siamese have not a good character? I also heard and read that it is much better to have a female than a male. Dr. Nichol: Well, now, let’s not be feline racists. Some of my best friends are Bengals and Siamese. Heck, I’ve been to their houses for dinner and attended their weddings. I won’t tolerate feline sexism either. Two of my best friends are boy cats, darn it. Beyond these lofty platitudes, there are useful generalizations regarding cat breeds. At the risk incurring hisses and growls it’s true that many Bengals are less social with humans and a bit wild. Siamese are…
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