Living With Dogs (23 page)

We have a male Kelpie–Dingo cross and a female Cairn Terrier cross. The male pulls her mattress out of her kennel every few days. Why?

Answer:
The male dog has decided that the mattress is his rightful possession. They say that possession is nine tenths of the law.

We have two Border Collies. One is a lot older, not desexed and is dominant. If we have him desexed will the younger dog become more assertive? Will castration produce an even playing field?

Answer:
Desexing the older dog will certainly tone down its dominant behaviour although it will not entirely eliminate it. In that sense desexing will create a more even playing field. The younger dog will only become more assertive with the departure of the old dog.

We have two dogs which have been together for many years. Now the female is savaging the male. What can we do?

Answer:
Savaging is probably the wrong term as you have not said that the female is wounding the older male and causing trips to the vet. Nonetheless, in this situation damage can happen. The female recognises that the male is aging and at long last she has the chance to become boss. Unfortunately, if the male does not ‘give in’ the attacks will become more frequent and more intense. If this stage has already been reached the only wise move is to separate the dogs particularly when you are not home. In addition, under no circumstances should you side with the old dog as you will only make matters worse.

We have two male dogs: a Cairn Terrier and a Cocker Spaniel, both desexed. One growls at the other. Will it stop?

Answer:
While I support the ownership of two dogs, I never encourage the purchase of two dogs of the same sex. If both turn out to be dominant dogs fighting will occur to try to establish which is to be the boss dog. Two bitches fighting can be quite vicious. If these growling episodes turn into fighting you may be forced to permanently separate both dogs.

Our dog is naughty and he has been damaging the house we are minding for friends. What can we do?

Answer:
It is not the dog which is naughty. The dog is suffering from separation anxiety and when you are not at home the dog panics and destroys the house looking for you. You have failed to teach the dog that every day members of its human family will be away for some hours, but all will return. You need professional advice as to how to go about correcting this problem. The solution involves a great deal of dedication and work on your part.

I’ve got a Manchester Terrier, and I’m wondering about how we’d go if we got another cat or kitten, as the terrier used to bail up our old cat, who died 12 months ago?

Answer:
Very well. Get a kitten which is extrovert, which you can tell by the way it comes up to you, and how it stands its ground. The kitten will come and possess the house, then you’ll let the terrier in, and there will be a slight discussion, and I think the terrier will lose. After that they’ll sort themselves out and everything will be fine. I won’t accept the comment that dogs and cats can’t co-habit. You can make a dog live with anything, providing you set the rules.

I have a five-year-old Poodle, and I’m going up to the Sunshine Coast for a two-week holiday. I have the opportunity to take the dog with me, and I’d prefer that to putting him in a kennel, but I’m worried the dog will be frightened by a plane flight. What do you advise?

Answer:
A plane flight of two hours is far less stressful on a dog than a car journey of 24 hours to cover the same distance. Dogs are carried in the air-conditioned hold of the aircraft. They’re the last thing put on board, after the passengers get on, and they’re the first to be removed. It’s cheapest to take your dog with you as part of your luggage.

You need to book the dog in at the same time as you book your airline seat, and ask the airline what time you will need to turn up with your dog before your scheduled departure. The airline will provide a suitable carrying cage. There is no need for your dog to be tranquillised. but I suggest it might be handy if you take some Valium to stop yourself worrying!

If you want to check the motels and camping grounds in Australia where you can stay with your dog, contact the motorists’ association in your state to see if a booklet is available or do an internet search yourself.

We’re going away and I’m looking to put my two German Shepherd bitches in boarding kennels for four weeks. We’re not going away for the whole month, and I’m wondering if we should go and visit them and walk them while they’re there?

Answer:
You definitely shouldn’t visit them because you will stimulate their desire to go back home with you. Once they’re in the kennel they should be ignored by you until you’re ready to pick them up. You should not leave them at the kennels for more than four weeks because it can start to affect them. You get mental changes in an animal when the close confinement exceeds four weeks. We won’t keep animals at the RSPCA shelter for longer than 36 days.

Is it okay to take our dog to work?