My Pet World: It's important to slowly gain a dogs trust
Las Vegas -- These reader questions were answered by experts attending the 2015 Animal Behavior Conference in Las Vegas on Sept. 25-27.
The Conference was attended by members of the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (veterinarians with a special interest in animal behavior, willing and able to help pet owners with animal behavior problems); Society of Veterinary Behavior Technicians (technicians using science-based methods to help understand training and behavior modification), and the Academy of Veterinary Behavior Technicians (veterinary technicians certified as specialists in animal behavior).
All three of these groups offer pet owners support when their pet has a behavior problem.
Q: I've never known a dog to act like this one. My boyfriend lives on a ranch with many acres. He found a dog on the property. The dog doesn't want any attention. And after all these years, he doesn't seem to trust us. Every time we go to the door, she runs off the porch and hides behind the bushes. She has fleas, and she's always scratching. And as a result she has no fur at the top of her tail. Can you help? J.C., Sun City, FL
A: "I have no doubt that this poor dog hurts as a result of the inflammation caused by those flea bites," said Dr. Sally Foote of Tuscola, Ill.
"This dog has got to be miserable; it's only right that you deal with the fleas," added Dr. Lynn Honeckman in Orlando. Just drop a chewable flea preventive in the dog's food, and he'll eat it right up. Products like Bravecto and Nexgard do what they're supposed to do, and will eradicate the fleas. That will make a difference. After all, if you're totally miserable, you don't feel like making new friends.
However, if from licking and scratching, your dog is infected -- veterinary intervention will be required.
Honeckman added, "No doubt this dog is living in fear, based on your description. Of course, I can't say why. Genetics may play a role. The dog might not have been socialized appropriately. Or the poor dog might have been abused. Maybe it's a combination of explanations. Your goal is to make the dog feel safe."
Foote said to cut up little pieces of hot dog, or low salt chicken or turkey meat -- and every time you see the dog -- from a distance your dog accepts -- toss the treats. Over time, don't toss them as far, until eventually you're dropping them in front of the dog. Soon the dog will take them from you. Trust, of course, isn't built overnight. It's possible that in your effort to be a pal, you've pushed a tad too hard
There are some great resources to help with fearful dogs. One is the website, www.fearfuldogs.com. Another is a book "A Guide to Living With & Training a Fearful Dog," by Debbie Jacobs (DogWise Publishing, Wenatchee, WA $16.99; 2011).
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