Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” sequence, the place each Monday we convey skilled recommendation straight from Dr. Paola Cuevas (MVZ) to assist our readers higher perceive their canine’s well being and well-being.
Whether or not you’re a brand new pet father or mother or a seasoned canine lover, Dr. Paola is right here to supply solutions to your most urgent questions. From vitamin ideas and preventive care to troubleshooting widespread behavioral points, Dr. Paola is able to supply insights that may preserve your furry buddy pleased and wholesome. Keep tuned for skilled steering on a variety of subjects that matter most to you and your canine, so you can also make knowledgeable selections and supply the very best care to your canine companion. Have a query? Ship it in right here!
Assist! How Do I Get My Canine to Go Pee within the Rain?!
“My Labrador, Dax, refuses to pee within the rain – till he’s tremendous busting to go and it’s fairly almost an accident. BUT, right here’s the twist – he loves leaping into puddles, rolling within the moist grass after the rain, getting soiled, and so on. But when the rain is falling, he’s reluctant to go exterior. What will we do to assist him?“– Maria
Hello Maria,
This can be a quite common scenario, particularly amongst clever and delicate breeds like Labradors. What Dax is exhibiting will not be confusion or stubbornness however a realized discomfort related to the feeling of rain falling immediately on his physique. Many canine get pleasure from moist surfaces as soon as the rain has stopped as a result of they will select when and learn how to work together with the water, however the unpredictable feeling of raindrops hitting their head and again can really feel startling or disagreeable, particularly in the event that they have been by no means gently desensitized to it as puppies.
To assist Dax, start with optimistic affiliation coaching. Begin by going exterior with him when it’s flippantly drizzling and convey high-value treats. Reward and reward him the second he steps out, even when he solely stays briefly. Over time, regularly enhance publicity as he turns into extra snug. You may as well strive utilizing a raincoat with a hood or a big umbrella to cut back the feeling of falling water on him. Some canine reply effectively to being escorted out the door with calm encouragement, particularly when you keep shut and stay assured.
It could take some consistency, however with endurance and delicate reinforcement, Dax will start to affiliate wet outings with optimistic experiences relatively than discomfort. Keep in mind to have a good time even small progress, as this builds belief and confidence that may prolong to different coaching conditions too. Benefit from the course of and have enjoyable!
– Dr. Paola
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How Do I Get My Canine to Play Fetch?
“Hello Dr. Paola,
Tiger brings me his toys, and once I take them to throw them and play fetch, he appears devastated, however I’m unsure what else to do with the toys he retains bringing to me. May he be simply wanting to point out them off? He retrieves them and brings them again to me, and I toss them once more, however I get the unhappy pet canine eyes once I do it. However I’m simply unsure what else to do!“ – Teresa
Hello Teresa,
That’s a beautiful commentary, and it seems like Tiger is attempting to speak one thing extra nuanced than a easy recreation of fetch. Many canine, particularly retrievers or these with sturdy social bonds, convey their toys as a means of sharing relatively than initiating a high-energy recreation. In Tiger’s case, these “unhappy eyes” could replicate disappointment as a result of his aim may not be to chase however to interact in a second of connection. By taking the toy and throwing it, you could be unintentionally lacking the social a part of his providing, which to him might really feel like a rejection of his “reward.”
You may check this by altering the interplay. When Tiger brings you a toy, as an alternative of instantly throwing it, gently reward him, converse softly, and pet him whereas he nonetheless holds the toy. Attempt partaking in gentle tug play or just admire his toy with enthusiasm. Some canine get pleasure from sitting beside their particular person, chewing, or exhibiting off their toy whereas being praised. Should you observe that he relaxes and appears content material relatively than upset, you’ve discovered what he was actually asking for: shared consideration and affirmation relatively than a fetch session.
In brief, Tiger’s conduct displays a social providing, not essentially a request for motion. By slowing down and recognizing his intent, you’re serving to strengthen your bond and honoring the emotional depth canine categorical via play.
Greatest,
– Dr. Paola
Assist! Can Canine Watch TV?
“Is display screen time okay for canine? My frenchie Petey appears to get pleasure from it once I scroll, he places his little face in entrance of the cellphone and stares, largely likes it when it’s canine movies. I haven’t been giving him a lot display screen time, however thought I’d verify if it was as unhealthy for him as it’s for us!” – Eric
Hello Eric,
That’s an incredible query and one many pet dad and mom are starting to ask as screens develop into a part of our day by day lives. For canine like Petey, watching movies is usually a sensory curiosity relatively than true leisure. Canine understand visible data otherwise from people, and fashionable high-refresh screens can now show motion at a fee that canine can really detect. This explains why he appears eager about canine movies or shifting animals, as these mimic pure movement cues that entice his consideration.
Occasional display screen publicity will not be inherently dangerous, supplied it doesn’t change bodily exercise, interactive play, or social time. Consider it as a light novelty, just like how a canine may get pleasure from briefly watching out a window. Nevertheless, extended or frequent display screen time can result in overstimulation or frustration, particularly if he sees animals however can’t work together with them. At all times guarantee Petey has loads of real-world engagement; walks, sniffing alternatives, and interactive play are irreplaceable for his emotional and bodily well-being.
Sparsely, a couple of minutes of display screen curiosity is completely nice. Simply deal with it as a short, shared curiosity relatively than a type of enrichment, since true enrichment for canine comes from partaking their senses, motion, and social connection. I hope this helps!
– Dr. Paola
This text is part of our weekly Ask Dr. Paola sequence
