Your Dog — November 2017

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Steve says: I am very sorry

to read this; it’s always

diffi cult when we lose

a friend. Like people, every dog

deals with loss differently. Much

will depend on their social bond,

how long they were together, and

how much they relied on each

other for social support.

My parents are currently going

through the same situation. Their

dog who is left is really struggling,

due to the fact that the dogs had

been together for over 10 years.

My advice is to fi rst seek help

for your own grief, whether this

is from a friend or a professional

counsellor, as it is important to look

after yourself.

For your pet, things like Adaptil

may have a positive effect, and

time with known dogs may

help with social needs. Monitor

the situation and look out for

any changes in behaviour, such

as struggling when alone or

a deterioration in house training.

Don’t rush in to getting a friend,

but if your plan is to have another

dog, consider what you feel is

going to be best for you and your

remaining dog.

My six-year-old Labrador runs up to

other dogs in the park, and barks

at them before running away. Why

does he do this and how do I stop it? He

doesn’t do it on-lead.

Julie Parsons, on Facebook.

Steve says: There could be a number

of reasons for this behaviour but it

does sound like he is trying to initiate

play with other dogs, albeit in a clumsy way.

It would be wise to seek assistance from

a suitably qualifi ed trainer to help you decide

what the motivation for his behaviour towards

other dogs off the lead is. Often, it is about

fi nding the right play partner and providing

him with an outlet to have fun.

Not all dogs will be happy with his approach

and it is your responsibility to ensure you have

him under control when out. Working on his

recall away from the distractions is key, as you

should be able to call him away from other

dogs before he gets too close and potentially

worries them into a reaction. Training classes

could be a good way to help him with his

greeting style, and to fi nd new friends to meet

up with for a good play session.

He’s two

and still

toilets indoors

Q

My Chihuahua keeps toileting

indoors. He is nearly two and

has always done it. I don’t know

what to do; I am thinking of getting

him castrated.

V. Gregory, email address.

A

Tony says: With any toileting issues,

before you look at behaviour, it

is worth checking there are no

underlying health problems.

To address the behaviour, it is important

not to reprimand a dog urinating indoors.

Instead, make frequent toilet trips as

rewarding as possible. Reward with

a tasty treat directly after he has urinated

in the garden. You have to be there when

he gets it right.

You can speak to your vet about the

pros and cons regarding castration. In my

experience, marking the house with urine

often ceases quickly after the operation.

However, it is still important to reward when

he urinates in the garden.

TRAINING

BEHAVIOUR

I had to have one of

my Jack Russells put to

sleep. How do I help my

other JRT cope?

Lucy James, on Facebook.

Dogs will struggle

after the death of a friend.

Clumsy

greetings

Not all dogs will be comfortable

with boisterous introductions.

BEHAVIOUR

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