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Ask Dog Lady

Thursday Sep 7, 2017

Advice on Pets, Life, Love

Dear Dog Lady,

Our Wheaten terrier, Maggie, loves to rub up and down wood picket fences and around telephone poles. What's going on there? Every morning on our walk she wants to take detours so we can down alleys or side streets where she knows there's a long wood fence or a telephone pole that is just begging to be rubbed against. If I didn't pull her away she'd do it for hours. Why does it feel so good to her?

Jack

Dear Jack,

Humans might rub up against a telephone pole or picket fence to scratch an itch. Maggie isn't necessarily itching herself when she takes these diversions during walks. She may actually be attracted by the smells on these poles and fences. You will never know what odors lure her because dogs' power of smell is many millions of times better than ours. Here's a startling stat: A human has 5 million smell receptors; a bloodhound has 300 million. Dogs live through their noses. The world makes sense (scents?) to them through their schnozes

The telephone poles and fences Maggie rubs up against must be exceedingly redolent if she makes special detours. She rubs up against them so she can take away some of the smell. She also wants to leave behind her own scent, a calling card, so to speak. It's a primal thing.


Dear Dog Lady,

I moved (with) my dog, a Jack Russell, from our home of nine years to a condo about three years ago. She had always slept belly up at our old place. After the move, it seemed to take her a long time to adjust to the new place. But I knew it had become her home when I saw her begin sleeping belly up again. It took about two months. I believe that sleeping belly up means the dog feels totally secure in their environment because that is a vulnerable sleep position. I enjoy your columns.

Jim

Dear Jim,

Yes, you're right. Rolling over belly up is a sign of submission for a dog. This is a canine's way of letting it all hang out. The dog exposes its vulnerable underbelly and privates for the whole world to see - and is supremely comfortable doing so. With its tummy in the air, a dog is home, so to speak, and doesn't have to keep watch for nasty predators looking to steal food or family. Dogs roll up not only to sleep to but to receive belly rubs, which, with squeaky toys, tennis balls, and chicken treats, are the greatest pleasures we humans can bestow.


Dear Dog Lady,

Our Cairn terrier, Wilbur, has lately started to scratch the carpet as if he's digging dirt. He has never done this before and it started only last week. He's quite furious about this. What gives? Is there something in the carpet that he smells or wants? He only stops when we tell him to, but it's annoying and puzzling. Any advice?

Craig

Dear Craig,

Your terrier has powerful go-to-ground genes. Dig he must. Have you given him anything precious in the last week-a bone, a very special treat, a new toy? He could be trying to hide his stuff.

Dogs dig in their beds, the sofa cushions, the lounge pillows. Their indoor dredging can be destructive if you allow the behavior to go too far. Their digging is also a little cheerless because they work so hard for so little reward. Do you have any real dirt to offer dear Wilbur to dig?


Dear Dog Lady,

My basset hound, Charley, has become aggressive towards me (his owner). He is nice with everyone else, but when we are at home, if I try to get out of my chair or leave a room, he runs in front of me and snarls and snaps. It is like he is trying to "keep me in my place." Please help as I love this dog and don't want to have to get rid of him.

Mary

Dear Mary,

Is Charley fixed-neutered? This is an important step to level out a male dog's behavior. Also, has Charley been checked out by the veterinarian since this new aggressive tendency started happening? There could be an organic reason for his distress and he's trying to let you know. A sudden change in a dog's behavior is a reason to seek out a medical professional.

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