Why Does My Dog…?

1 My puppy is eating his stool. Is this diet-related?

2 My new Golden Retriever is about 7.5 weeks old. His nose is not cold or wet. Is this normal?

3 Very recently my Pomeranian has started getting into the trash while I'm not home or sleeping at night. Is this just being mad at me?

5 Sometimes my dog will drag his behind across the floor. He doesn't appear to be in pain when he does this, but I'm concerned. What could cause this? Thank you.

7 My dog eats cat stools. What's up with that?

8 Why do dogs dig holes?

9 Why do dogs bite people?

14 Is it possible for dogs to be claustrophobic?

17 At what age should my male dog start urinating like a male (cocked leg)?

18 What can I do to keep my small dog (6 lbs) that is full grown from eating out of my kitten's litter box? It is disgusting, but I'm also afraid that she may catch something from my kitten.

19 Our newly adopted Labrador mix that we got at the shelter will not let me out of his sight. Is this normal?

20 I adopted a 2-yr. old spayed Pomeranian and she likes to roll in feces. How do I break this habit?

21 My dog smells bad no matter what I do. I don't want to bathe her more than once every other week or so, because it seems to make her itch. What can I do to remedy the foul smell?

23 My 10 yr. old dog has started to eat cat stools out of the kitty litter box. Why is this happening, and what medical problems should I worry about? What might I do to stop this?

26 My female dog likes to chase flashlights when they shine on the ground. Is this normal and why does she do this?

27 I have a Labrador and he hasn't lifted his leg yet to urinate even though he is just over a year old. Is this normal?

28 How do I get my dog to stop eating my cat stool?

29 How do I stop my dog from chasing cars?

1 My puppy is eating his stool. Is this diet-related? Many puppies will eat their stools for a variety of reasons that are rarely if ever related to diet. If your pet is on a complete and nutritionally balanced product they will not be deficit in nutrients. Coprophagia (stool eating) often occurs out of curiosity, play or exploration. The best way to avoid the problem is to keep the yard picked up and supervise your puppy when he goes outside and quickly call him away from his stool and rewarding him for coming to you.
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2 My new Golden Retriever is about 7.5 weeks old. His nose is not cold or wet. Is this normal? Yes, it may be normal that your puppy has a dry nose. It is possible for the nose to be just cool to the touch without being wet or very cold. If the nose is cracked and very dry then veterinary assistance is needed.
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3 Very recently my Pomeranian has started getting into the trash while I'm not home or sleeping at night. Is this just being mad at me? If there is food in the trash, then getting into the trash is probably a normal behavior and not because your dog is "mad" at you. If you are leaving remnants of food in the garbage, your dog may just be following his nose. You might be able to solve the problem by keeping the trash somewhere inaccessible to your dog such as under the kitchen sink or keeping bathroom doors closed. In other situations, destructive behaviors could be sign of separation anxiety or increased appetite, and food seeking might a sign of a medical problem. If these simple solutions do not help, please contact your veterinarian and discuss your problem with her.
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4 I have a five-month-old Rottweiler. She came home with me from a reputable breeder who began her crate training. I followed the advice of the Purina Puppy Care Manual and put her crate in the kitchen of my home. She is doing fine with this set-up. At five months she is already better trained than any dog I ever had. She is tops in her obedience class I attend with her and she seems a happy dog. She does not suffer from separation anxiety. So much so, I wonder if I don't need to do something extra to bond more closely with her. She will leave the family room and go to the kitchen to sleep on her own...she is very loving though. Am I raising a dog that will be aloof? Will I be able to tie the bond between us tighter when she can be trusted to have the run of the house? I guess I'm most concerned about how she feels about my wife and I sleeping right in the other room and she has to stay in the kitchen, will she hold this against me? The fact that your dog feels comfortable enough to go into another room to sleep while you are nearby is a good thing. This means she is secure in her relationship with the people in the home and her place within that group. When she can be trusted with greater freedom in the house she will likely also spend varying amounts of time near you and on her own. To help with bonding be sure to find time daily not only for petting, but for play, walks and training so that you are actively involved in her life and she in yours.
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5 Sometimes my dog will drag his behind across the floor. He doesn't appear to be in pain when he does this, but I'm concerned. What could cause this? Thank you. A dog may drag himself or herself along the floor due to itching or irritation around the anal area. They also may have impacted anal sacs, which are two small glands that are on either side of the anal opening. At times these become blocked and painful and the dog will rub along the floor in an attempt to empty them. If the behavior continues you should schedule a veterinary examination to see if the anal glands are impacted or infected.
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6 Our Chocolate Lab puppy was spayed in April. We live in Florida and she seems to pant for a long time after ANY exertion...she lives in the air-conditioned house and is not an outdoor dog. Is the panting normal? Dogs will pant for several reasons. Since a dog does not have sweat glands except on the bottom of their feet, a major way for them to cool themselves is by panting. Therefore, after exercise or when the temperature is hot they will pant to prevent themselves from overheating. A dog may also pant if they are anxious or in pain. Check your puppy over and see if she shows evidence of pain anywhere, especially her limbs. If the panting persists despite cooler weather and being indoors, a veterinary visit may help determine if anything is wrong with her.
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7 My dog eats cat stools. What's up with that? Our domestic dogs have inherited eating habits from their wild ancestors. Two notable traits are eating in a "feast or famine" mode which means eating all they can when food is available and being scavengers. Since their ancestors hunted large animals with hoofs and often were not successful, they would eat all they could when they had food and also try to eat any other protein source they might find. Some dogs have retained these habits more than others. Cats eat a diet very high in protein and often have residual protein in their stool that dogs find attractive given their evolutionary history.
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8 Why do dogs dig holes? Dogs will dig for many reasons and determining their motivation can help stop the problem. A dog may dig in the yard to get at animals under the ground such as moles. As long as they are present the dog will continue to dig. They will also dig to find a cool spot when it is hot outside. A dog might dig as something to do if they are not provided with daily walks, playtime and owner involvement. A dog may also dig to escape the yard especially if they have separation anxiety. Perhaps if you can determine why your dog is digging you can address the underlying motivation and the digging will stop.
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9 Why do dogs bite people? The answer to that question is not easy and in fact can be quite complicated. Dogs often bite because they are frightened. Dogs that have not been well socialized to people or other animals may bite because they feel the need to defend themselves. Dogs may bite to protect themselves from something they believe is harmful to them. A dog might bite because someone did something unpredictable. In other situations a dog might bite because they have learned that aggression will get them out of the situation. All in all, we can help minimize biting dogs by spaying and neutering our dogs, socializing them and training them as well as always keeping them under our control using a leash and collar.
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10 My dog, Roxy, a German Shepard mixed breed animal shelter refugee, died in April 2002 after being with me for a wonderful 17 years!!!!! Buddy, my 7 year old Rotty refugee, still seems depressed and lonely. I walk him and throw the ball for him daily and play with him and talk to him all of the time. What else can I do to help bring him out of his funk? It is not uncommon for dogs to mourn the loss of their companions. This period can last several weeks or a few months. Buddy was likely very used to the way things happened on a daily basis and they always included Roxy. Together you and he will have to find new ways to spend your time now that Roxy is gone. It helps to develop new routines and interactions with the remaining dog and to establish a different relationship. As he learns to live his life in a new way he may become energized and less lonely.
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11 Our dog is urinating constantly. She doesn't even squat like she normally does, but when she's just laying there, she'll urinate and when she moves, there will be a puddle where she was laying. What is wrong? This just started happening, and I've never seen her do this before. The problem you describe could be a symptom of many things. Irritation in the bladder may irritate the sphincter, the muscle that controls the opening and closing of the bladder and result in the leakage of urine you are describing. The loss of ability to hold urine in the bladder can also be a result of a neurological problem. Finally, lack of sphincter tone can be the result of hormonal imbalance. A visit to your veterinarian may help determine the cause of the problem and the appropriate treatment.
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12 Our pediatrician says that we should get rid of our dogs because we have a two year old baby. I don't want to get rid of the dogs because to me they are family. However, I am concerned that the baby will get bitten. What do you think? Because both dogs and babies are unpredictable they should never be left alone together. You must be willing to supervise your dogs whenever they are with the baby and if you cannot do that then they need to be separated. If your dogs have a history of aggressive behavior toward people or children they may be a risk for your child. The final decision about your dogs should be made by you, your veterinarian and your health care professional so that everyone can be safe.
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13 My dog is a healthy, active, 3 yr old Jack Russell Terrier. We acquired her several months ago. Lately, she has been attempting to eat her stool, or other dogs' stools. Why does she do this? Is it a behavior issue or is there something lacking in her diet? Although it is a behavior that we find problematic, it is not uncommon for dogs to eat their feces or those of other dogs. Several possible explanations are often proposed. In some cases it may occur because the dog smells some undigested protein in the stool and is attracted to that and ingests it. In other situations it may be a behavior that is learned from the mother dog since she ingests the stools of the puppies. For dogs that eat their own stool several things can help. First, try adjusting her dietary intake and see if that helps. Next, be sure to keep the yard very clean so she does not have access to fecal matter. Finally, leash walking is one good way to stop the behavior by redirecting the dog away from stools and rewarding her with praise and a food treat.
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14 Is it possible for dogs to be claustrophobic? There are some dogs that seem to panic when confined in small spaces such as dog kennels, small rooms or even behind any barrier. It is unclear if this is the same as claustrophobia or not but the response can be very profound. Some of these dogs can be taught to accept confinement, others are always much too anxious to be confined in anyway.
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15 I have three dogs; one male is 4years old. Two females - one 3 months and the other 1.5 years old. My question is about the 1.5 year old female. It seems to me that she does not urinate enough. For example, if I take her for a long walk, about ten blocks or so, she only urinates about three times, and this kind of walk is twice a day. Her urine is not abundant; it is just some drops. It does not seem normal to me. The other two dogs urinate every step of the way, but this one does not. Should I be concerned? Dogs can vary in the number of times they will urinate on a walk. Some dogs may only stop once or twice and empty their bladder. Other dogs may urinate frequently and mark multiple times during the walk. If your dog is only leaving drops of urine at any time this is not normal. Blockage of the ureter, the urethra or in the urinary bladder can make urination difficult. If this continues, a veterinarian should examine her.
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16 Every morning, my 3 year old shih tsu, vomits bile. If I feed him as soon as we get up, it doesn't happen, this used to be only once in awhile, but now its every day...Any suggestions? Everything else seems to be fine, he's very perky and nothing else seems to be bothering him. Often this type of vomiting is called empty stomach vomiting and does often resolve once the dog is fed. Make sure he is on a complete and balanced diet and it may help to feed him his total daily amount split into two meals. This may help with his hunger first thing in the morning. If the vomiting continues or his appetite is affected then a veterinary visit would be a good idea.
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17 At what age should my male dog start urinating like a male (cocked leg)? Raised leg urination is a common characteristic of a male dog, but many do not show the behavior until they are socially mature. Depending on the size of the dog, that may not occur until sometime between 1 and 3 years of age. In other situations a dog may always squat to empty their bladder, but raise their leg to mark vertical areas with urine. Finally, some male dogs never raise their leg to urinate, but that does not make them abnormal.
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18 What can I do to keep my small dog (6 lbs) that is full grown from eating out of my kitten's litter box? It is disgusting, but I'm also afraid that she may catch something from my kitten. Although undesirable, dogs eating cat feces is a common problem. Your dog is small, so perhaps placing the litter box on a slightly elevated surface might keep him out of the box. Be sure it is sturdy and easy for the kitten to get onto or the kitten may not use the litter box. Another alternative would be a covered litter box. All in all, blocking his access to the litter box is the best solution.
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19 Our newly adopted Labrador mix that we got at the shelter will not let me out of his sight. Is this normal? When a dog is brought into a new home, he may be anxious and unsure of what to do. He may hide or try to keep people within his field of vision at all times. It would be helpful for you to try and make your dog more comfortable by working at teaching him to sit and stay without following you. It would also help to create a safe place for him to rest and relax. Daily regular interactions such as walks and playtime will also help your new dog relax and feel more comfortable.
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20 I adopted a 2-yr. old spayed Pomeranian and she likes to roll in feces. How do I break this habit? Unfortunately dogs do not always find the smell of feces unappealing. The best way to change this habit is to keep the yard clean and to walk your dog on a leash. If she attempts to roll in feces use the leash to redirect her away and then praise her. With time, effort and supervision she may learn to stop this behavior.
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21 My dog smells bad no matter what I do. I don't want to bathe her more than once every other week or so, because it seems to make her itch. What can I do to remedy the foul smell? There are many reasons a dog may have a bad odor. While skin infections, allergies and skin conditions may give the dog a bad odor, there can be other causes. A dog may have an odor from dental disease and/or rotten teeth in their mouth. She also may have an odor if she has an ear infection. A veterinary examination may help determine the cause of the odor, and therefore, the appropriate treatment.
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22 We have a 6 year old female greyhound. After a fairly long walk her head drops and her back end drops and shakes like she has lost strength to her hind legs. She lies down and we have to carry her home. An hour later she seems fine. Any ideas? It is possible that your dog has arthritis or some other painful condition that is exacerbated by the long walk. It also might be possible that your dog gets overheated on the walk. In either case it might be prudent to limit the walks to much shorter sessions. If the problem continues even on a short walk, then a veterinary visit would be in order. Your veterinarian may find the cause of the shaking and weakness and prescribe appropriate treatment.
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23 My 10 yr. old dog has started to eat cat stools out of the kitty litter box. Why is this happening, and what medical problems should I worry about? What might I do to stop this? Generally when dogs eat cat stool they are attracted to the smell of undigested protein in the fecal matter. It actually is quite a common problem. One solution is to place the litter box where is it not accessible to the dog, but the cat can still get to it. If this is a new behavior for your dog there could be metabolic problems that have increased hunger that may be making your dog seek other food sources. A visit to your veterinarian for a physical examination and blood testing may help determine what is going on.
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24 Hello, I have a Whippet who loves to sneak off and eat my cat's food. My question is, would it be alright to feed him the cat food? He loves it and tries to eat it every chance he can get, even though he has food of his own. Thanks Many dogs do like the taste of cat food, but as a general rule that should not be their dietary choice. Cats have different nutritional needs than dogs so their food is formulated to meet their needs, not a dog's. It tends to be higher in protein because cats have different protein requirements than dogs. I would suggest keeping the cat food behind a baby gate so it is accessible to your cats, but not your dog.
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25 Our dog Ranger, a Black Labrador Retriever, is very loving, but recently bit my husband. I want to say that we don't hurt our dog in fact we spoil him. He means so much to us that when we took our beloved dog to his veterinarian he did not want to do any kind of tests on our dog? Should our vet have done some tests on our dog? Certainly when a dog has a sudden change in behavior a medical cause could be at the root of the problem. A dog may bite for many reasons, the most common ones being fear and/or anxiety. Blood tests and a good physical examination would help rule out any medical problems. After that a consultation with a veterinary behaviorist would be the next step to determine the cause of his behavioral change.
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26 My female dog likes to chase flashlights when they shine on the ground. Is this normal and why does she do this? Many dogs are attracted to the fast moving light and find it a fun chase game. However, some dogs also find it very frustrating because they can never "catch" the prey. When their frustration is high they can become obsessed with the light shadows and look for them and chase them whenever they get a chance. It probably would be best if you found another play outlet for your dog.
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27 I have a Labrador and he hasn't lifted his leg yet to urinate even though he is just over a year old. Is this normal? Some male dogs do not begin to lift their leg to urinate until they are between 1 and 2 years of age. In fact, many adult dogs may only lift their leg when marking, while at other times squatting to empty their bladder. All of these are possible and within the normal variation for a male dog.
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28 How do I get my dog to stop eating my cat stool? It is not uncommon for dogs to be attracted to cat feces. One of the easiest ways to stop the problem is prevention by placing the litter box somewhere that the cat can get to, but the dog cannot. This could be a room with a baby gate on the door so the cat can jump in and out, or a room only accessible thru a cat door.
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29 How do I stop my dog from chasing cars? Chasing and running after cars is often seen in dogs that are herding breeds. This can be a very dangerous habit since they can get hit by the car or run over. The first step is never to allow the dog outside unattended. The also must be securely confined either in a yard or on a leash being held by an adult. A head collar will also help with control. This will allow you to praise and reward non chasing behavior. At no time should the dog be off leash so that chasing can occur.
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