My Pet World: Confused bird needs a time out!
----
Q: My daughter's Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is calm and easy to walk -- until we encounter another dog. Then he goes berserk, jumping and barking. We've tried spraying him with water and vinegar, and have used a shock collar. No luck. Any advice? -- J.A., Eau Claire, WI
A: "Obviously, this dog is reactive to other dogs," says certified dog behavior consultant dog trainer Sarah Hodgson. "Right now, the cortisol level (hormonal response to stress) increases when your dog sees another dog. Add to that being sprayed, or worse, shocked, and the level (of cortisol) goes up even more. In other words, your best intentions are making matters worse."
Hodgson, Westchester, NY-based author of "Puppies for Dummies" (Wiley Publishing Inc., New York, NY, 2006; $19.99), suggests you seek hands-on help from a veterinary behaviorist (www.dacvb.org) or certified dog behavior consultant( www.iaabc.org) who can demonstrate how to desensitize and counter-condition your pup using food or a toy. Over time, this system will decrease the dog's cortisol levels.
"It (positive reinforcement) can work like a charm," Hodgson says.
When walking your dog, stay (as best you can) just beyond the point where he gets upset around other dogs, maybe a block away or perhaps half a block. Simultaneously, distract your dog with whatever he prefers, such as treats or toys. Gradually, decrease his distance from other dogs. In addition to calming your pet, this process also teaches him to pay more attention to you than to other dogs, and encourages him to associate treats or toys with seeing other dogs. A professional could offer more advice on how to actually accomplish this.
----
Q: What the heck is a poodle cat? Were dogs and cats ever bred to develop a breed that exemplifies the best attributes of both? -- C.Q., Montreal, Canada
A: That's impossible, at least so far, and I'm not sure the world is ready for barking cats or dogs that purr!
However, sometimes Cornish Rex cats are referred to as "poodle cats" because their short, wavy-furred coat sort of resembles the coat of poodle varieties. In Germany, in 1994, a new kind of Rex breed was developed by crossing a Devon Rex with a Scottish Fold to create a wavy-coated feline with short ears called the Pudelkatzen, or poodle cat.
Cornish Rex are typically sleek-looking cats (dubbed the Greyhounds of the Cat World). They're fairly active and very interactive with people.
========
(c) 2015 DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.
