My Pet World: Training and TLC can help mute dog's noise sensitivity

DENVER, CO. -- Veterinarians and veterinary technicians met at the annual Animal Behavior Symposium on July 25 to share research. The event is sponsored by the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior and the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists. Expert attendees answered several of your pet behavior questions this week.

Q: Last week, our smoke alarm chirped because the battery was low. The sound promoted our West Highland terrier to run out the doggy door, bark and begin to whine and cry. He often reacts to thunder and to violence on TV, but he usually calms down sooner than he did from the fire alarm sound. Of course, we have other household items than make noise, but they don't bother him. Any advice? -- K.B.B., Leesburg, FL

A: "It's likely your dog has a noise sensitivity to some things and not others," says Dr. Amy Pike, of St. Louis, MO.

Sometimes simple answers are best, so regarding the chirping battery, be proactive and change the fire alarm battery; the U.S. Fire Administration suggests that for safety's sake fire alarm batteries should be changed at least twice a year.

Regarding violent TV shows, you could restrict all your viewing to "Sesame Street." As an alternative, when you think a show might upset your dog, relocate him to another room, turn calming music on and offer him a chewy.

Thunderstorm anxiety is a topic Pike knows well; she recently completed a study which demonstrated that Anxitane (a chewable anti-anxiety supplement of L-theanine, a green tea extract) helps many dogs. Other products may also ease dogs' nerves during storms, including the Thundershirt (a vest that fits snuggly around the pet) and Adaptil (a copy of a calming pheromone).

If possible, before a storm approaches -- and before your dog becomes anxious -- take your Westie to the basement or a room where you can close the door and shut the windows. Or encourage your dog to ride out the storm in a "safe spot" like the corner of a closet, under a bed, or even in a bathtub.

If you seen improvement, great. Otherwise, Pike encourages you to seek help from your veterinarian with a special interest in behavior (www.avsabonline.org), or a veterinary behaviorist (www.dacvb.org). Otherwise, the anxiety will likely worsen over time.

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Q: I took in a loving stray Maine Coon cat a few years back. Everything was fine until recently. Now he's leaving liquid feces on the floor and peeing on the carpets. I put him on a medicine to treat a urinary tract infection and a special diet, but neither helped. He even eliminates right in front of us. Could he also have diverticulitis? What should I do? -- Y.D., via cyberspace

A: "Any time there's a change in behavior, I think medical," says veterinary behaviorist Dr. Kersti Seksel, of Sydney, Australia.

"While cats don't get diverticulitis, there are several other possibilities, including inflammatory bowel issues and kidney disease," she adds. Sometimes cats with kidney disease will both urinate and defecate outside the box. Urinary tract infections can be challenging to diagnose, and even treat, because they may come and go. Stress may or may not be a factor to worsen the situation. Definitely, your cat requires a very thorough medical workup."

If your veterinarian can't figure things out, consider seeing a feline specialist (www.catvets.org).

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Q: Our dog will not drink from a metal dog bowl. We have to give him water from a paper cup. When we're all at the dog park, it doesn't seem to matter what he drinks from. What's going on? -- J.B.M., Las Vegas, NV

A: Veterinary behaviorist Dr. Lisa Radosta, of West Palm Beach, FL, comments: "Perhaps, it's not so bad that the dog drinks out of paper, (but) maybe paper bowls would be more practical than paper cups. If that doesn't work for you, perhaps your dog won't mind plastic or ceramic bowls."

Another idea: Fill a metal bowl with tasty chicken bullion or Gatorade. Then, gradually offer less bullion or Gatorade and more water.

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Q: We own two 3-year-old poodles. Boogie eats to live, and Lucie lives to eat. Lucie, though, is a perfect lady. The problem occurs at 4:30 a.m. or earlier, when Boogie wants out of her condo. She starts to bark and whimper non-stop. We're tired. Can you help us get more sleep? -- L.P., Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

A: Veterinary behaviorist Dr. Marsha Reich says the trick is to determine what Boogie is communicating. Does he need to go potty? Is he hungry? Is he merely seeking attention?

"Anytime there's a change in behavior, strongly consider the chances there may be a medical explanation," says Reich, of Silver Spring, MD.

If your dog is hungry, adding another meal before bedtime is a good idea. But you also don't want Boogie, who apparently loves food, to become overweight. In fact, based on your description, that may already be the case. Speak with your veterinarian about how much and what you're feeding Boogie to determine if he's really hungry.

Assuming your pup checks out medically, consider enlarging his crate or putting him in an exercise pen instead. There, with more elbow room, provide a bathroom by offerng pee-pads, a large litter box or plastic storage container (like a the kind you'd store sweaters in) with a litter made for dogs (available online and in pet stores).

If it turns out Boogie is barking for attention -- or has "trained you" to feed him in the middle of the night just because he can -- your best option is to simply ignore him, which might mean ear plugs for you.