Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” collection, the place each Monday we carry professional recommendation straight from Dr. Paola Cuevas (DVM) to assist our readers higher perceive their canine’s well being and well-being.
Whether or not you’re a brand new pet guardian or a seasoned canine lover, Dr. Paola is right here to offer solutions to your most urgent questions. From diet ideas and preventive care to troubleshooting widespread behavioral points, Dr. Paola is able to supply insights that can hold your furry pal completely satisfied and wholesome. Keep tuned for professional steerage on a spread of subjects that matter most to you and your canine, so you can also make knowledgeable selections and supply the absolute best care to your canine companion. Have a question? Send it in here! 
Assist! My Canine is a Drama King!
“Each time I go away the home, my canine Frankie offers me probably the most dramatic ‘I’m going to die with out you’ look. How can I assist him be much less of a drama king after I go away?” – Sam from Wisconsin
Hello Sam! First, know that you’re not alone. It is a widespread drawback with canine and pet homeowners and it’s normally a sign of your canine struggling separation anxiousness. Addressing the difficulty is essential in any other case chances are you’ll quickly begin seeing a few of your property misplaced because of Frankie’s misery. You may also hear some complaints out of your neighbors because of the noise.
It is rather vital to start out engaged on altering the state of affairs to successfully change Frankie’s mindset. Begin with your self—study to be relaxed and to not make a giant fuss about leaving or returning dwelling. You will need to analyze your conduct to search out what physique language and cues set off Frankie’s responses. For some individuals is after they seize the keys from the keyholder or after they placed on their coats, and many others. Establish that second as a result of that’s what you must begin working with. A easy resolution is to search out one thing that grabs Frankie’s consideration and is incompatible with making a drama. Puzzle feeders work nice, however don’t fall into the error of utilizing the identical method each single time you allow as Frankie will quickly lose curiosity, so I like to recommend that you just discover at the very least three completely different objects to make use of on rotation. I like deal with meting out cameras, as they permit a distance interplay together with your pup. Simply be very aware to make sure Frankie solely will get a deal with when he’s calm. The final thought is to supply Frankie one thing else to deal with whilst you calmly and quietly go away. Keep away from large dramatic goodbyes, work on quick returns, and keep away from long-lasting leaving routines.
You may study extra about separation anxiousness by studying these posts:
Separation Anxiety in Dogs: Vet-Approved Guide
How to Help a Dog With Separation Anxiety: Vet-Reviewed Tips & Tricks
Greatest needs!
Dr. Paola
Assist! My Canine Gained’t Cease Sleeping Underneath the Covers!
“My canine insists on sleeping beneath the covers like a human. Is that this a bizarre quirk, or does he assume he’s a part of the household now?” – Geoff from California, guardian of Snickers
Hello Geoff! Canine additionally like consolation and coziness, and when you dwell in a colder space, Snickers is simply enhancing his slumber. Keep in mind that their ancestors rested in darkish and guarded dens so it’s solely pure. As soon as canine study that one thing is feasible and allowed, particularly if it brings them additional consolation or some form of gratification, it’s completely pure for them to repeat. However simply so that you can know, it occurs even in specialists’ properties: check out our very own Dr. Karyn’s struggles with Poppy!
You may also discover the next recommendations on How to Get Your Dog to Use Their New Dog Bed useful and may even wish to take into account getting Snickers a heated mattress when you assume he’s after the hotter temperature or getting him his personal blankets, too. Yet another tip, you may need to make it bodily inconceivable for Snickers to get to your mattress whereas he warms as much as the thought of getting his personal.
Form regards,
Dr. Paola
Assist! My Canine Gained’t Let Me Eat in Peace!
“So, I’ve seen that each time I attempt to eat something, my canine is true there beside me, looking at me with these large pet eyes as if she hasn’t eaten in days. I attempt to ignore it, however then she begins pawing at my leg, and earlier than I do know it, I’ve dropped half my lunch. I do know it’s not good to offer her individuals meals, however how do I cease her from appearing like I’m withholding her life’s biggest pleasure (and me from feeling prefer it, too) after I’m simply making an attempt to have a peaceable meal?” – Laura from Ontario, Canada, guardian of Ella
Sure, they at all times attempt to discover the best way. In your case, Laura it is rather vital that at this level, you bear in mind that you’ve the best to eat your meal in peace. You’re the one who made the hypothetic hunt, so in concept, you eat first after which share with Ella.
A canine will hold making an attempt and making an attempt—it looks as if begging for meals is a unending sport, particularly when you already dropped some meals and Ella obtained rewarded for doing it then she’s going to hold making an attempt the identical system. Ignore the puppy eyes, and don’t enable her to paw you, the second she does that she must get out of the kitchen. In any other case, the pawing will quickly flip into leaping to your palms for lunch, and relying on her dimension, this will even be harmful. For the sake of each your well being and your relationship, it is advisable to cease it.
One thing that works nice is establishing a “station” within the kitchen. Mark this space by putting a floormat at a distance and feeding her solely when she has bodily contact with it. You will want to start out with small meals however the basic thought is you eat your lunch, Ella should stay both mendacity or sitting within the designated space. When you end your lunch, you feed Ella her meals, a deal with, and a few cuddles, however solely after you end your plate.
Put together your self: it received’t be simple. However, Ella must study the principles of the sport. Don’t let her get you and in addition make a acutely aware effort to not confuse her. You could be constant each time in any other case Ella is not going to perceive what she is allowed to do or not.
Better of luck and be assured, you bought this!
Dr. Paola
