Dear DogMa—
 
My best friend has three wonderful dogs and I love all of them except ONE…her dog Pearl who has a MAJOR! licking problem. I used to love spending time with her dogs and adored Pearl, since I have been around when my best friend first bought her. But now that she’s more grown up she just can’t stop licking and it’s is so SICK and bothers me beyond belief, so much so that I try and stay clear of her house when Pearl is around and licking. It wouldn’t be so bad if it was just a lick or two, but she just doesn’t stop! And I can’t tell my best friend how much it bothers me, because Pearl’s her child and she adores her. So, long story short I NEED HELP!!!
 
I would love to give my best friend some tips to control Pearl’s behavior, so I visit more often—she is so cute when is not trying to lick me.
 
Best,
Daniel

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Daniel, it doesn't really sound like this is a problem for Pearl or her person.  Licking can be a sign of many things depending on the circumstance...  if you find her licking irritating, I'd recommend getting together with your friend away from their home - where you won't have to be subjected to Pearls affections and communication.  It's probably not the advice you were hoping for, but it doesn't sound to me like the problem here is Pearl.  Next time you are visiting your friend, and Pearl gets a little too "in your face", try throwing a toy for her, or redirecting her attention in some other direction.  Besides a bit of gentle redirection the only thing I really can suggest is finding somewhere else to visit with your friend - like your house or a restaurant where she's not likely to bring Pearl along.

Good luck.

Dear Dogma,

We have a German Shorthair who is 13.  We've been lucky as she has always been in good health and fairly well-behaved.  Our only complaint...she whines...all the time.  She lays on the floor in the living room while we are in the dining room eating dinner and whines.  While I'm getting ready for work she whines.  No matter what we do, feed her (dogfood only), water her, let her outside...she whines.

Suggestions?

Sundi

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Whenever dealing with a behavior perceived as negative, you really have two options; redirect away from the negative and reward the positive, or ignore the negative and reward the positive.  Not knowing you or your dog, I can't tell you which will work out better for you both. 

Redirection:  Whenever you know your dog is about to begin a whinning session, ask her to do something positive for you instead.  If she always whines when you are about to eat dinner, ask her to do a sit, a down, or a retrieve.  Reward this positive behavior.  Then ask her to do a down stay with you.  Be sure to occassionally give her a pat or a treat to help her maintain focus - and to remind her that she's working.

Ignoring the Negative:  Whenever she begins whinning, withdraw your attention and affection.  Don't look at her, walk by her, stand near her, etc.  The INSTANT she is quiet, click and treat - or if she's not clicker trained, praise.  A click is going to be far quicker and more accurate as you really may only get an instant of silence before the next whine begins.  It's imparative that your positive reinforcement comes while she's quiet.  So it may be in your best interest to teach her the clicker game.

In either case (redirection or ignoring the negative behavior) it will take some perseverance on your part, but she will figure out that far more good comes from people-pleasing than people-frustrating behaviors.

Good luck Sundi, and thanks for writing. 

Dear DogMa,

I know this is going to get a bit long, so please bear with me. I have an 85 lb., six year-old Rottweiler/German Shepherd mix. He's incredibly well behaved in our house and yard. Obeys all come/sit/stay/down commands instantly. Will wait while I go through doorways first, sits patiently waiting until I verbally release him to eat his food. I can take a meat-covered bone away from him without a single blink--he just wags his tail waiting for me to give it back. He's playful but gentle and has more energy than he knows what to do with. Buddy acts like a big goofy kid and he constantly seeks attention. He's great with babies, children, and loves wrestling with teens. He's definitely an alpha, but my 13 year-old beta Greyhound has put him on the ground when he bugs her to play. Perfect dog, right? Yes and no. He's a cross between Scooby Doo and Cujo.

The problem: He goes ballistic around other dogs. It started when he was 18 months old. Before that, I used to take him to dog parks so he could play with other dogs and he was great. Nothing bad ever happened to him there, but I haven't been able to socialize him for years now because he attacks any dog that comes near him--or he charges them without even taking a minute to stop and sniff. When he was 4 years old, he got out of the yard two different times (gardener left the gate open) and he attacked two dogs--put them both in the emergency room with broken ribs and punctured lungs. He also killed my neighbor's Jack Russell after it tunneled under the fence into our yard. That little dog had been antagonizing him through the fence daily for almost a year.

The first two incidents gave him two strikes with Animal Control. The third incident he got lucky(?) that the dog came into our yard, so they didn't take him to put him to sleep. He has never so much as growled at a human, but he hates other dogs.

I don't take him out for walks much anymore. I'm always afraid he's going to hurt another dog. (We have tons of dogs in this neighborhood.) He lunges and pulls to go after any dog he sees. I'm not very strong, so it's hard to control him--even with a prong collar and a muzzle.

On every other level he's such a great dog, but I wish I knew of a way I could get him to be okay around other dogs. Is there anything I can do? No trainer I've approached will take him because he's already killed another dog.

There has got to be something I can do. Any suggestions?

Annette

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Annette.  I am so very sorry you are in this situation with your boy.  I can't even imagine the termoil you must be feeling.  However, without being there to observe his behavior, to see what signals he's sending out I'm really not able to give you an acurate assessment.  It is very possible that he can come back from this.  So please don't lose hope.  It will require a LOT of dedication on your part, but things can get better.

The first thing I'd recommend is to find a qualified behaviorist (someone with a degree in animal behavior science), or a clicker trainer specializing in behavior problems.  If you are unable to find qualified help, there is still hope for doing this on your own.  Check out the book Click to Calm, by Emma Parsons.  It is a remarkable resource.  Tellington Touch may help, as well as Rescue Remedy.

I wish you and your boy nothing but the best.

Good Luck.

Dear DogMa:

Help!
What is the correct age for a puppy to be sold?  I thought it was 6-8 weeks.  I am looking at a sheltie puppy – the owners say it is ready to go now, at 5 ½ weeks. (it is getting its first puppy shots today at the vet)  Is that close enough?
Thanks
Janice

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Janice, thanks so much for your question, it's one I'm sure a lot of people have. 

There is a whole lot of misinformation that is out there about what age is safe to adopt or purchase a puppy.  Honestly?  If you ask this question of a dozen dog people, you are likely to get a dozen different answers.  But anyone who is worth their salt will tell you to wait until AT LEAST eight weeks.

I would caution you to stay away from any breeder who wants you to take a pup at such a young age.  At five and a half weeks, he/she is MUCH to young to be leaving his/her mom.  This breeder obviously does not have the best interest of this pup at heart, and is probably a "greeder" (back yard breeder, or puppy mill - both which produce puppies for profit).  You'd be best to find another litter from a responsible breeder.*

Personally I like to see a litter stay with their dam until they are about twelve weeks.  By this point they have had the chance to wean naturally, have learned a lot of valuable dog language, have passed their first fear period (which happens at about eight weeks), and have learned good bite inhibition.  The extra few weeks really does make a HUGE difference in the development of a pup.  You will be thankful they had mom around to teach and mentor them - as it saves you and your family a whole lot of time and frustration.  Your pup will be a more confident and good-natured member of your family, thanks to a little patience on your part.

*read my article on how to identify a good breeder at http://noselicks.com/pb/wp_bf41505f/wp_bf41505f.html

A big open mouth yawn might be appropriate.  Move very slowly holding the harness a few inches above the ground.  Slowly look away from the harness (and her) then slowly look back.  Don't look her in the eye.  Place the harness back on the ground.  Approach her slowly, give her a treat and a pet, then call it a day.

Keep up with this routine until she's no longer fearful, and will allow you to handle the harness around her.  It may seem like you're moving obnoxiously slowly, but it's important to build a foundation of trust and ease her apprehension before trying to strap her into this scary, scary contraption.  Far better to proceed slowly, then to scare the wits out of her and have to start back at the beginning again - with an even more fearful dog.

Eventually you'll be able to touch her with the harness.  Then move to having her stand in place above the open harness.  From there you'l be able to do it up.  Then let her walk about with it on (play the clicker game while she's wearing it).  Next you'll attach the leash for about 30 seconds - lots of praise, and then a reward once you take it off.  It may take a couple of weeks, but you'll get to the point where she looks forward to having it on - as every time it's rewards, praise, and lots of positive attention.

All of this will also help with her general confidence, which will go a long way in her interactions with other dogs.  In the beginning, limit her exposure to your dogs.  Just a few minutes here with one of them, a few minutes there with another one.  As she gets braver, try introducing two of them for play time at once (instead of just one of them).  Take small baby steps and it will all work out.  Don't force interactions when she's nervous or afraid.  Happy, upbeat, and cheerful.

Good luck, and thanks for writing.