My Pet World: Dog owner learns a colorful lesson on the dangers of chocolate

By Cathy M. Rosenthal, Tribune Content Agency on Dec 19, 2018

Dear Joanne,

As soon as you said the dog's name was Bandit, I was ready for the sneaky thief story. The danger is based on the type of chocolate ingested and the size of the dog. Two pounds of chocolate might have killed a not much smaller dog. I'm glad you learned about the dangers of chocolate in a story with a happy (and colorful) ending.

Dear Cathy,

In April, I adopted a retired 4-year-old greyhound. I named him Geo. He suffers from extreme separation anxiety. He barks and whines when I am away. I tried doing the limited time apart, but after an hour, he reverts back to whining and barking.

I purchased him a new larger kennel and started letting him sleep in it with the door closed when we go to bed. He has gotten used to not sleeping in the same room, but he still doesn't like being alone for a long time during the day. I'm thinking of getting him another dog, so he won't be alone when I leave. What do you think? -- David, Tamarac, FL

Dear David,

Kudos to you for adopting a former racing dog. With Florida's new ban on racing, there will be many greyhound dogs adjusting to new homes. Adopting a second dog can sometimes help, but you're right, there's no guarantee.

I like that you're "kennel training" Geo. Sometimes, anxious dogs benefit from having their own space. I wouldn't put him in it all night, though, because being away from you both day and night may make his daytime anxiety worse. Instead, use it for short periods during the day, preferably no more than an hour or two, and only after you have trained Geo to be comfortable in it while you are still home. Over time, his kennel will become a happy retreat that will comfort him when you are away from home.

Next, get a Kong treat toy and put some peanut butter in it and freeze it. Whenever you leave, take the Kong toy out and give it to your dog, especially when he's in the kennel. It's important to keep his mind busy while you're away.

I also recommending plugging in some canine pheromones around the house and asking your vet about anxiety-reducing medications. Short-term, medications, when combined with other techniques, can help him adjust better to his new home.

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(Cathy M. Rosenthal is a longtime animal advocate, author, columnist and pet expert who has more than 25 years in the animal welfare field. Send your pet questions, stories and tips to cathy@petpundit.com. Please include your name, city, and state. You can follow her @cathymrosenthal.)