HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH A LEASH PULLER?
WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF ADOPTING A RESCUE DOG?
WHY IS MY LAB AFRAID OF THE WATER?
Q:My dog is a terrible leash puller! She is okay when we first start out, however in just a few blocks she is uncontrollable. We worked with a trainer who used a clicker, which worked somewhat for her basics, but never for the walking. A friend of mine suggested the Gentle Leader, or a prong collar, which I am a bit leery of. I am at the end of my leash! Judy, Annapolis
A: Leash walking can be a challenge for those who have dogs driven by the smells, the hunt or the search for the ultimate play date. I am a fan of the Gentle Leader. The purpose of this lead is to pull from the snoot of the dog. This does give the person holding the leash more control as it is the primary focus point of the dog, and a weaker body part to lead. It may be difficult to start, as most dogs try rubbing it off or pulling away. However if you stick with it, there could be great success with this tool. As for the prong collar, many breed rescues actually won’t let you adopt a dog unless you use it. The prong simulates the “bite of a dog.” This is a collar you must get training on before using. It is not meant to be pulled, just tugged. Check with your vet if you chose to use the choker, as it is not recommended for dogs with collapsible trachea issues.
Q:How do we get our new puppy, a Lab mix, to like his crate? He will occasionally go in there on his own when we are home, however it is always a struggle to get him in when we leave. Is there anything we can do to fix this? The Lewis Family, Pasadena
A: Your new puppy finds comfort in the crate when you are home as he feels a part of the “pack.” He can feel safe, knowing his pack/people are close by. Chances are the only time he is put in the crate is when everyone is rushing around trying to leave. The association then becomes one of pack separation. There are several ways to alter this psychology. Spend time next to the crate with a toy or a favorite treat. This will help him see the crate as an area the “pack” wants to be around. Also, keep him in the crate for short intervals while at home. This way he will see it as a normal part of his routine, not a form of separation.
Q:The neighbors have a dog that chases ours up and down the fence row between our houses. At first it was playful, but now our dog has become fearful every time this happens. We adore our neighbors and don’t know how to approach this. Their dog is five times the size of ours and we are a bit apprehensive and unsure of how to approach a meeting. Gwen and Thomas Butler, Sparks
A: Neighbors and dogs can lead to a touchy situation. Enlist your neighbor’s help and try walking the dogs together in your yard on leash. (Allow your dog to sniff their dog first.) Then have your neighbor walk her dog around the yard so the dog can get familiar with all the smells of your yard. Take both dogs around to smell together. If your yards are small, continue the walk outside, and this way the dogs can form a pack. Since the issue is really your neighbor’s dog, perhaps they could work on recall for their dog as well. Most dog owners want to have a well-mannered dog and are open to positive suggestions. Another way to handle this is to hire a professional to do the introduction. If you are apprehensive, chances are your dog will pick up on this.
Q: Since our dog passed away last year we have struggled with the decision to adopt a dog from rescue. The concern is that we would be getting someone else’s “problem.” However, a puppy is an incredible amount of work. I know you are active in rescue, but what is your honest opinion?
Anita and Sam, Baltimore
A: The number one reason people surrender their animals to shelters/rescue groups is due to moving. That being said, even the most pedigreed canine will have some issues. The majority of rescue groups and shelters conduct evaluations (either by a professional or staff member) on personality and temperament. Local rescues, such as Recycled Love, AAHA, (Adopt a Homeless Animal) and Animal Rescue (located on the Maryland Line), just to name a few, do an excellent job of matching animals to their adoptive homes. Some say the interview process to adopt a dog is more intense than buying a new home! Fostering a dog is a great option as well. This gives the dog predictability in a home environment (not a kennel) and allows the foster family to see if it is a good match. In my opinion, usually the dog/puppy/cat that is adopted out of rescue is actually the one rescuing us.
Q: We are a family of swimmers, and having a pool in our backyard we decided to get a yellow Lab to play fetch with and swim with the kids, etc. The only problem is she is petrified of the water! When she was about four months old she fell in the pool (early evening) while it was still a bit chilly. She swam briskly to the side, not missing a paddle! The next morning, all bounded for the pool except Molly! We have tried walking her down the pool stairs, sitting with her on the first step, and my husband even tried to toss her in a few more times to ”sink or swim”. She absolutely hates it! However, she loves the hose and a bath! Is there anything we can do to get her to like the water?
Dawn Travis and family, Columbia
A: Believe it or not, this is a fairly common issue. The fact that she likes the hose and the bath is an indication that she likes the water. What she doesn’t like is not being able to control her environment. Since her first experience was scary, she decided to avoid the pool. The best way to reintroduce her to the water is in a warm, smaller pool. There are several facilities, such as Pet Depot in Timonium, that offer swimming assistance to your aqua-challenged Lab. Taking her with other dogs who like the water will also be a tremendous asset. At home, try filling the bath with lukewarm water and tossing a toy she may like into the tub. This may induce her to dig at the water or paw at the toy in the water. Slowly, she will learn that she can control her environment in the pool and not feel so insecure.
Joy Freedman is a Dog Behaviorist/ Obedience Instructor who has been changing the behavior of dogs and their owners for more than 10 years. Joy is a Baltimore native and is the owner of 4 Paws Pet Services. www.4pawspetservices.com .
