Fears and tears

Poisons

Q.My dog's a stone chewer. Should I be concerned?
Whatever the size of stone, it is not okay to let him chew it. If he likes large stones, they will wear, chip or break his teeth. If he likes small stones, he's likely to swallow it particularly if you try to take it away. That will mean a disruptive operation. So, distract your dog with exercise, a harmless toy, or games in the garden or park. Last of all, try and remove the temptation!
Q.I've heard dogs can be poisoned by eating chocolate. Is that so?
Dogs cannot properly digest the chemical theobromine in all chocolate, but there is more of it in dark chocolate. So it's best to avoid giving a dog any type of chocolate, except the kind that is made specifically for dogs. While we are on the subject, don't give your dog fruit cake. Unfortunately, raisins, sultanas and currants can kill it.
Q.Can you give me a short list of things in the home that might be poisonous to my dog?
From things that can actually kill it, to things that can cause a stomach upset, the list of things that are poisonous to dogs is a long one. At all costs, avoid your dog's exposure to rodenticides (rat and mouse killers) and all chocolate, especially the dark stuff. Avoid exposing your dog to human medicines such as ibuprofen and to household and garden plants and flowers, including tulips, hyacinths, poinsettias, azaleas, rhododendrons, laurels, lilies and amaryllis, plus a number of other plants and flowers. Keep antifreeze chemicals out of your dog's reach.

Thunder, fireworks and guns

Q.What can I do for a dog that is afraid of thunderstorms, fireworks and gunshots?
Close the curtains so that your dog can't see the lightning or fireworks flash. Turn up the volume on the radio or television, pop music works best.
Don't make too much fuss of the dog while it is scared, since it may feel rewarded for its unwanted behaviour. Sedative pills from the vet can reduce anxiety. Some people also report that specific homeopathic remedies help.

Separation anxiety and its reduction

Q.My dog howls and scratches at the door when I leave him. What can I do?
This behaviour means your dog is anxious at your departure. If it is very bad, seek advice from an animal behaviourist. In the meantime, you can try out a few remedies for yourself. Increase its training, obedience and daily exercise, plus give him an acceptable thing to chew - a rawhide strip for example.
Or, leave the radio on and then ignore his requests for fuss for 15 minutes on your return. Whatever you do, don't scold or chastise him because it might make it worse.

Socialisation and preventing aggression

Q.I've been told I need to 'socialise' my puppy. What does that mean?
All dogs need to get used to their surroundings so they can cope with what life will throw at them. Socialisation is where the pup gets used to other dogs and other animals and humans, including children. A dog that is not properly socialised may be fearful or aggressive. That's why training classes and so-called 'puppy-parties' are so popular.

The Responsible Pet Ownership campaign

Q.I've been told by my local dog warden I have to take note of responsible pet ownership when exercising my dog. What is that all about?
The Responsible Pet Ownership campaign has been around for 30 years. It means you need to consider others, both humans and dog owners, when using communal spaces like the park or streets. 'Bag it and Bin it' is a motto that sums up one's responsibility not to let their pet or pets foul areas used by the public. Find out more about responsible pet ownership.

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