Dear Doctor: Shake-Out
Q. My dog does a full-body shake-out several times throughout the day. Could it be a sign of a neurological problem?
Maye Oliver
Los Gatos, California
A....
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
For some dogs it’s tail chasing to the point of exhaustion. For others, it’s continuous licking of the lower legs and feet — so...
Stopping an Undesirable Behavior
Has your dog ever gone faster than you wanted, tugging vigorously enough on the leash that it’s annoying — or even a bit dangerous?...
Help Wanted: Whale Poop Sniffers (Will Train)
You already know that dogs have an amazing ability to sniff out everything from explosives to an oncoming seizure in a human companion. But...
Dear Doctor: Lip Licking
Q. I’ve noticed my dog licks his lips whenever a stranger walks nearby. Is there a connection, or is it just a coincidence?
Bunky Le...
Fear of Inanimate Things
We have good news for you. If your dog is afraid of something — the vacuum cleaner, slippery floors, car rides — you do...
Is “Bad Dog!” Ever the Right Thing to Say?
We often hear people use the phrase “Bad Dog!” when their pet is doing something they don’t want him to do. We think the...
Bring Me My Slippers
How is it that some people are able to train their dogs to perform complicated tricks, like rolling over and playing dead — or...
Less Protein to Reduce Aggressive Behavior?
At the level of folklore, it makes sense to think that a diet relatively low in protein would help inhibit aggressive tendencies in a...
They Can’t Distinguish Between Words That Sounds Alike
If you use “Down” to get your dog to lie on the floor and “Done” for telling your pet that no more treats are...
Is it a Command or a Cue?
”When I first became a veterinarian, I didn’t really pay attention to what word I was using to describe training dogs and other animals,”...
Will the Teething and Nipping Ever End?
A puppy’s adult teeth generally start to come in when she reaches the age of 3 months. It hurts; the new teeth have to...
