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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Q: My 2 1/2- year-old has an attachment disorder. She won't let me out of the house without her. It started when she was about a year old. I've tried everything, including medication from the vet. Nothing works. Even when she has dog friends over, when I leave, she gets hysterical. I never crated her, and don't believe it makes sense at this point. Do you have any suggestions? C.A., Cyberspace

A: "You might need hands on help to actually see what's going on, or at the very least a videotape," said Foote .

"Is the dog interfering because she just doesn't want you to leave or does she truly have separation anxiety?" she asked.

Honeckman added, "It would really help to understand what happens while you're gone. Does your dog act anxious after you depart, whining, pacing, drooling, barking, scratching, or even destroying furniture?"

Foote said, No matter what your dog is feeling or what your dog's motives are, there's clearly anxiety going on. And I do agree crate training isn't likely the answer."

Honeckman said, "Depending on what the problem is, and the degree of anxiety your dog is feeling -- medication may help, along with behavior modification."

You likely require the help of a veterinary behaviorist, a veterinary technician certified in animal behavior, a veterinarian with a special interest in animal behavior, a certified dog behavior consultant -- so the good news is that help is out there.

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Q: Clyde was found outside as a six-week old kitten. We love him very much when he doesn't bite us. He's nice when he's sleeping with us, nuzzling and kneading. He's very playful, but then he bites, and hard. And the rougher my husband plays with him, the more he comes back for more. We're tired of the biting; how do we stop this? B.G., McHenry, IL

A: Tip No. 1: "Stop playing rough with him," said veterinary behaviorist Dr. Theresa DePorter, Bloomfield Hills, Mich. "If you believe there's a time he may bite, then take an interactive cat today (such as a fishing pole type toy with feathers) and re-direct him to the toy. Never play with the cat using your limbs, do play with interactive toys, little balls, mouse toys or whatever he likes."

She added to pet your cat gently, and stop before you believe there will be a problem. You may have to adjust your expectations as well as some cats have a more limited tolerance to be petted for very long than others. Never push the cat so far that she feels she needs to bite, which is apparently what's going on now.

Also, DePorter said that a copy of a pheromone, called Feliway MultiCat may help a lot to help you to deal with her.

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