ArcaMax

If these things don't work, talk to your veterinarian about medicating her. You won't be able to give her anything orally, but maybe the veterinarian can prescribe some medicine that can be crushed and put into her food.

Finally, if all else fails, consider renting or buying a humane animal trap often used for feral cats. (They are fairly inexpensive to buy online.) Skip feeding her the night before the vet visit so she's hungry. Drape the top of the trap with a towel, put the food inside, and leave the door open. During the night, she will go into the trap to eat and the door will close on her. Keep the towel on the trap and drive her to the vet first thing in the morning. The vet can medicate her through the trap and then examine her and vaccinate her while she is sedated. Dear Cathy,

In regard to Judi from Oakland Park, Florida, who has dogs that sometimes pee in the house, I once had a lab named Belle who would always go on the grass, but if I couldn't clean it up immediately, she would walk the perimeter of the yard almost on tiptoes to avoid any soiled areas. When the areas were totally clean, there was never a problem.

- Pat, Wading River, New York

Dear Pat,

Certainly, if people don't clean up their dog's waste in the yard, their dog may look elsewhere to relieve themselves. Your Belle sounds like a very particular dog, and I am glad you were astute enough to manage her fastidious behavior. In most cases, though, when a housetrained dog starts going in the house, it's because they need to be retrained and incentivized to go outside. But it's always wise to keep the yard free of waste.

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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.)

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