http://www.yourdog.co.uk 69GROOMINGCalm down, dear!
BEHAVIOURBoris won’t
budge!
For dogs suf ering from anxiety,
distress, and homesickness, or those
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to unfamiliar circumstances, try Vita
Canis Comfort Blend, while Vita Canis
Floral Spray has natural calming and
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Find out more at
http://www.vitacanis.co.ukUSEFUL PRODUCTSQ
Boris, my collie,
won’t go further
than my gate; once
he knows he’s heading for
the road, he lies down and
won’t budge.
I have to put him in my
car to take him for a walk;
any suggestions?
Alison Prouse, by email.Kate says:
It’s very diffi cult to
comment on this behaviour without
knowing more about Boris and the
way he feels in other situations.
He might not want to walk up the garden
path towards the road because he’s frightened
of traffi c. Maybe he has been alarmed by an
unexpected car back-fi ring and now associates
that scary, unexplained, and unexpected noise
with the garden gate.
There might be an underlying medical
element to this behaviour — some dogs can be
extra-sensitive if they are in pain, and can link this
pain with a particular place or even person/other
dog, so it’s important to book a vet appointment
to rule this out or start treatment if necessary.
Your vet will also be able to refer you to
a reputable animal behaviourist. A behaviourist
will help you teach Boris to feel diff erently about
walking up through the garden.
Can you leave the house via a diff erent exit?
If not, then continue to take him out by car in
the short-term while you seek professional help;
this avoids putting him in a situation he is clearly
uncomfortable with.
If he is happy, at least with being at your front
door, then start to teach him to feel good about
just being inside the house and seeing up the
garden path to the gate. Keep the door open
and, with him still inside, play his favourite game
or scatter some treats (have him on-lead if the
door is open, for safety).
Progress to taking one step outside and
repeating all the fun, teaching him that being
on the garden path just one step away from the
house is OK and means good things will happen
here. If he appears worried and retreats back
inside, that’s absolutely fi ne.
Once he is comfortable just outside your front
door, take another step along the path, and
repeat all the good things. You can gradually
take steps forward one at a time until he is
comfortable all the way, but be prepared that this
might take a long time and should always be at
his pace.
Owners are often surprised at how long
it can take for dogs to feel safe about their
environment, but your behaviourist will be able
to create a bespoke, tailor-made plan for you
and your dog, which will guide you every step
of the way.Quick-fire
quest ions
Degenerative myelopathy
is a condition where the
hindlegs become paralysed,
as the spinal cord loses its
ability to transmit impulses.
The disease is progressive
and, unfortunately,
ultimately fatal. It most
commonly af ects German
Shepherds but can af ect
other breeds, and mainly
older dogs.Entire male dogs can
have an implant inserted
that provides temporary
castration. Once the implant
comes to the end of its life
cycle, the dog will become
fertile again.WHAT IS DM?IS THERE AN
ALTERNATIVE
TO SURGICAL
CASTRATION?A fear of trai c may cause
a reluctance to go for walks.Q
My dog really hates being
groomed. She is very sensitive,
and when we are grooming her it
sounds like we are attacking her. What can
I do to help her calm down and make it
a less stressful experience for her?
Karen Stevens, on Facebook.Joanne says: If your dog is afraid
of grooming, then you must try to
desensitise her to the procedure if
she is a breed that needs regular
grooming care. I would suggest you start by
getting her used to being handled and stroked,
over every part of her body, including in
between her toes and around her feet.
Once she is comfortable with this, then you
can do the same but with the back of a brush
in your hand and get her used to the feeling of
a brush against her body.
Once this has been achieved, you can lightly
use a brush on the easier parts, such as the
body only.
I would suggest using some calming
products, which will help to relax her. You could
also ask a professional groomer for help; you
can fi nd a qualifi ed groomer in your area by
looking on http://www.thegroomersspotlight.com
If you are still struggling, then I would
contact a behaviourist to help you with the
problem. Remember this is going to take time;
you must have patience. Good luck!WHAT IS
LEISHMANIASIS?
Leishmaniasis is an infection
caused by a parasite, which
is spread by sandl ies. It is
prevalent in warmer parts
of the world and is not
commonly seen in the UK.
However, dogs travelling
abroad are at risk of
contracting the disease.