Advice on Pets, Life, Love
Dear Dog Lady,
We adopted this Chinook mix. He wasn't socialized in his younger days so he gets afraid of a lot of things. Whenever we take him in the car he starts barking when the car is moving. He stops when the car stops. He sometimes shakes so hard, I don't know if it's excitement or fear barking. We've petted him during his barking to calm him down. It doesn't always work. I've tried redirection. I praise him when he is quiet. I praise him while he is sitting. I've had no luck putting the two together. What do you think we should do?
Mary
Dear Mary,
Sometimes Ask Dog Lady has deep sympathy for dear dogs and the trials they must endure for the humans who keep them. A Chinook is a sled dog, an outdoor dog, a big dog that happens to be the official dog of New Hampshire. He really is trying his best. Driving around in a car is not part of his native repertoire. Your dog is probably nervous and skittish by nature in a car.
You could try taking him on short, training drives every day. As he gets into the car, give him something to chew-a bully stick, a Kong toy. Make sure he has a safe secure area to sit in the car. There are car seats for large dogs. Or you could keep a crate in the car in which he might feel more secure and comfortable during long rides.
Pet, praise and reward him only when he's quiet. Otherwise, ignore him when he barks-with love, of course. Please, don't yell at him. It merely ramps up the anxiety.
Dear Dog Lady,
I love going to movies and reading about movies. I read the reviews of the new film "Secret Life of Pets" and even though I don't have a pet or like pets very much I decided to go see it. I do like Louis CK who provides the voice of the main dog character. Ninety degree temperatures also drove me into the theater.
Call me crazy (or maybe it was the air-conditioning) but at the end of the movie I was crying and determined to get a pet. I enjoyed the movie so much. It was funny, clever, and full of fun moments and characters. I'm going to begin my research and start moving toward a dog. Did you see it? Do you agree with me?
Marcia
Dear Marcia,
Dog Lady saw the movie and relished it very much, also crying at the end. The giddy message about pets being love buckets with secret pleasures and pursuits was good; the bigger message about pets anchoring human lives and vice-versa was also great. The story and animation from the same team that created "Despicable Me" were terrific. A critic for the New York Times has carped about the story being "dog-centric" but huh? Actually, a bunny named Snowball (voiced by comedian Kevin Hart) is more prominent than dogs or cats. Hey, it's a cartoon in summer. The film is pure escapism at a time when there are many troubles abroad in the land. And, if it means you get a dog at the end, then "The Secret Life of Pets" is an Oscar favorite.
Dear Dog Lady,
My partner is after me about our household budget. He wants me to cut down on everything, including the brand of dog food I buy. I have tried to explain to him that our dog Silas has a tender tummy and we have to feed him a higher-priced brand of kibble. I buy this in a pet boutique and not in the supermarket. I also get organic canned meats. My partner thinks this is wasteful. He loves Silas and wants him to be well (I think) but he's worried about the money. Each month, he checks every penny I spend for the household and Silas is a big budget item. What should I do?
Kyle
Dear Kyle,
Try to cut down if only to show your commitment to your partner. He is concerned about financial issues so you must do your best to take the edge off his worry. This is the loving thing.
Dog Lady also realizes the neighborhood pet store is a great place to hang out, find out about foods, and chew the fat about dogs. You probably go there as much as for you as for Silas. When you're next there, stock up on the choice canned meats and treats. Order everything else online, if you can. All major dog food brands have Web sites and you can usually save more money buying directly. You can also buy things such as freeze-dried liver chunks at big discounts through Amazon.com.
However, don't change Silas' food. The couple of dollars you might save by giving him a different food is the heap of dollars you will spend at the veterinarian when your dog's "tender tummy" reacts to the alteration in diet. Surely, your partner in life- and dog guardianship -will understand the wisdom of not completely cutting corners with Silas.
Go to www.askdoglady.com to read chapters from "Shorty Knows," about a little white dog.