pets
The Yucky Medicine
We have to give our dog liquid Benadryl to curb his reverse sneezing episodes, but he hates taking it and fights us. I'm worried we'll hurt him. Is there any other way? -- Becky in Bakersfield
Dear Becky,
Actually, there's an easy solution to try: pour a tiny amount of water in the lil' pooch's food bowl, add the liquid Benadryl, and add the food.
Yes, the water is diluting the medicine, but by the time your dog reaches the bottom of the bowl -- and his digestive system is working full-speed -- he'll lap it all up in the end.
-- M
The Flaky Skin
Our poor dog has terrible dandruff. What can we do? -- Tammy in Toronto
Dear Tammy,
First, look into adding fish oil to his food. You can purchase it in convenient spray-pump bottles. This will improve his skin and coat from the inside-out. Consult your veterinarian for oil amounts to add daily.
Second, you can purchase and bathe your dog with shampoo meant specifically to restore his flaky skin. Consult with your vet to get the right formula (keeping in mind the lil' pooch's allergies, if any).
-- M
The Bathroom Accidents
My boyfriend and I are in our early 20s and just adopted a dog -- our first. We love him to death, but he's having bathroom accidents in the apartment. How do we correct this? -- Charlie in Chicago
Dear Charlie,
I'm afraid you'll have to partake in the most time-honored of traditions: discipline. Puppies respect authority and simple, easy-to-remember rules.
Get your lil' pooch on a schedule. Feed him at the same time, every day. Take him out multiple times throughout the day, every day.
Make sure the primary ingredient in his dog food is meat (e.g. pork, beef or lamb -- NOT filler like corn or wheat).
Make sure his doggy treats are hard and dry -- this will keep his teeth healthier.
If he goes to the bathroom in the apartment, take him the spot, push his face near the accident, spank him once on the behind and admonish him verbally. (Do not tap his behind so hard that it injures him -- just firmly enough that he realizes he did something wrong. Don't prolong the punishment. If you're crate-training him -- meaning putting him in a crate or cage temporarily as a "time-out" -- remember that, after 20 minutes, he won't remember why he's in there.)
Be sure to clean the spot and erase his scent.
And take him outside in case he has more to deposit.
-- M
The Canine Boss
Our one-year-old puppy already runs the house -- commanding attention in any situation. If he wants to be held, he won't stop "talking" to you until he gets his way. And darn it if he isn't so gosh darn cute when he does it! Is this normal for a dog to overtake our lives like this? -- Trenika in Tampa
Dear Trenika,
It might help to take note of our canine columnist Creak's perspective on his "Two-Legged Pets" -- he certainly sees himself as the preeminent member of his household and would probably argue your pup hasn't trained you well enough if he still must "talk" to get you to cater to his needs.
I personally feel there's nothing wrong with loving your family, friends and pets unconditionally. Too often, we go without any of this delirious happiness.
If boundaries must be set, seek out and contact a local dog training school. Even if you're not interested in the "sit" and "fetch" commands, the trainers can still help you to better communicate with the lil' pooch (like when to talk to him on his level and when not to).
-- M
Hip or not?
