Ask the experts: More of your questions answered

Full question:

Answer:

1. Is there an underlying health issue?

   As the anti-anxiety medication your vet prescribed hasn’t seemed to have worked, perhaps there is a pain-related problem making travel horrible for your dog. A vet should rule out health components, such as pain or ear problems. Ear problems especially influence travel, as it messes with your dog’s balance. 82% of behaviour cases have health components, such as pain, (Mills et al 2020) so it could be worth investigating what’s causing the problem.
2. Boarding isn’t a bad option.

   As discussed in our podcast with veterinary behaviourist Dr Sophie White, leaving your dog behind when you’re on holiday can be the best thing for both of you. If you’re worried about how your dog is reacting to the car rides, it isn’t a very relaxing holiday for you or your pup. Although we understand boarding or hiring a housesitter is an added expense on top of the holiday, it may be the best option for your dog. At least until you can get to the bottom of their car phobia.
3. Anti anxiety medication

   Medication is often needed for dogs who have strong behavioural aversions, to aid in calming them down and helping them to learn good experiences, and forget any experiences they perceive as bad. If your vet feels that medication is necessary, but it doesn’t appear to be working, it may be worth asking your vet again. They may suggest other medications, as just like humans, it can take some trial and error to find the type and dose that’s best for your pet. They may also provide a referral to a veterinary behaviourist, (a behaviourist that’s also a vet).  There aren’t that many in the country, but as they are both vets and behaviourists, they’re perfectly placed to help in situations like yours where behaviour is so strong and deeply ingrained that medication is needed alongside behavioural advice.
4. Build up positive associations.

   Your behaviourist was right to suggest gradually building up to your dog being in the car and rewarding calm behaviour. It may be you need to start even smaller, or take it even slower. So reward your dog for walking past a parked car calmly. Then for sniffing a car with the doors open. Then if he hops into the car to explore.
5. Desensitisation to traffic.

   Similar to how you’ve been working on rewarding your pup being in the car, it’s a good idea to desensitise him to traffic. There are two different things you can do. (And no harm in trying both!)
   1. Introduce traffic in a controlled environment.

      Introduce your pup to traffic gradually and in a controlled environment. Start by playing recordings of traffic sounds at a low volume while engaging your dog with play or treats. Over time, increase the volume and duration, allowing your pup to adjust to the sounds without feeling overwhelmed. If your dog does seem overwhelmed at any point, go back a few steps with quieter noises and shorter duration, and slowly build it back up.
   2. Introduce traffic in a controlled manner.

      You can also find somewhere to sit where you’re far from traffic, but can see it and hear it. If your dog sits and is calm, reward them. You can gradually get closer to the traffic, or increase the duration you sit by it. Just make sure you do this gradually so you don’t overwhelm them. If they do show any signs of anxiety, dial it back so you’re further away from the traffic the next time you try. The goal is to eventually be able to stand or walk on the pavement by the road without your dog scooting away.

1. Reduce risks.

   If your dog is redirecting their aggression, there is a risk they could injure someone. While you’re working on your dog’s behaviour, it’s also important to manage it to make sure no one gets hurt. For example, you may need to keep your dog muzzled while you work on the behaviour, to prevent the risk of injury.
2. Gradual desensitisation.

   One effective method is to gradually expose your dog to animals on TV in a controlled manner. Start with brief and low-intensity exposure to animal-related content. Keep the volume at a moderate level and observe your pup's reaction. Reward calm behaviour with treats, praise, and gentle petting. Over time, increase the exposure gradually, helping your pup to associate TV animals with positive experiences.
3. Engage in interactive play.

   Before turning on the TV, engage your pup in a fun and stimulating play session. This can help tire them out and divert their focus from the onscreen animals. Then offer engaging toys or puzzles that keep their minds occupied during TV time.
4. Use positive reinforcement training.

   Positive reinforcement training techniques can work wonders in modifying behaviour. When your dog shows calm or non-reactive behaviour while watching TV, reward them with treats and praise. This helps reinforce the desired behaviour and teaches them that being calm around TV animals is a positive thing.
5. Background noise.

   Sometimes, playing soft background noise, such as calming music or white noise, can help mask the sounds coming from the TV and reduce your pup's reactivity. This can create a more soothing environment and help them relax during TV time.
6. Seek professional guidance.

   If the overreactive behaviour persists despite your efforts, it may be beneficial to consult with an accredited dog trainer or clinical animal behaviourist. They can assess your dog's specific situation, provide personalised strategies, and help address any underlying issues that may be contributing to the behaviour. You can find accredited trainers and behaviourists near you through the ABTC website.

Full question:

Answer:

1. Change your dog’s expectation.

   As you’ve tried to do some training, you might need to go back further and work on resetting your dog’s expectations. Some dogs expect that they should always be able to have human interaction. This can lead to frustration when they can’t get this attention. To help, you can introduce a “no interaction” signal.
2. No interaction signals.

   Find something really obvious your dog can see (and you can easily hide out of their view when it’s not needed.) Like taping paper on the door. That’s your signal. Start by gently stroking your dog, or sitting calmly with them. Then put your signal on display, and perform 30 seconds of no interaction with your dog. That means being in the room with them, but not speaking to them, not touching them, and not even looking at them. (Eye contact is attention!) After 30 seconds, remove the signal and reward. You can gradually build up the amount of time the signal is there and you don’t interact with your dog. And once it can be sustained for a few minutes, you can try going in another room while the signal is on display. Once you can leave your dog without interaction for an hour, you can start leaving them alone.
3. Gradual desensitisation.

   It sounds like you’re trying this, but just to recap - consider practicing gradual desensitisation to help your dog become more accustomed to your departures. Start by leaving for short periods, even just a few minutes, and gradually increase the duration over time. Pair your departures with positive experiences like giving them a special treat or engaging them with a puzzle toy. This helps create positive associations with your absence.
4. Create a safe space.

   Designate a cozy and secure area in your home where your pup can retreat to when you're away. Make it comfortable with their bed, favorite toys, and a piece of your clothing that carries your scent. This space can become their personal haven, giving them a sense of comfort and familiarity.
5. Play soothing music.

   Studies have shown that classical music can help to relieve stress in dogs. So next time you practice counter conditioning, or leave your pup, leave some relaxing classical music on.
6. Interactive toys and puzzles.

   Provide your pup with engaging toys and puzzles that keep them mentally stimulated while you're away. These can include treat-dispensing toys or puzzle feeders that require problem-solving. They can help distract your dog and provide mental stimulation, reducing anxiety and boredom.
7. Calming aids.

   Consider using calming aids such as pheromone diffusers to create a soothing environment for your pup. Pheromone diffusers emit synthetic dog pheromones that are proven to help promote a sense of calmness.
8. Seek professional help.

   If your pup's separation related behaviours persist and significantly affects their wellbeing, chat with an accredited clinical animal behaviourist. They can assess your dog's specific needs, provide tailored techniques, and guide you through a comprehensive training program to address the underlying causes of the separation related behaviours.

1. Create a calm and safe space.

   Designate a quiet and comfortable area in your home where your dogs can retreat to when the kids are crying or shouting. This could be crates or a cozy corner with their bed, toys, and maybe even soothing background music. Encourage your dogs to use this space as their personal sanctuary, ensuring they have a calm environment to retreat to when needed.
2. Positive association.

   Gradually associate the children's crying or shouting with positive experiences for your dogs. Start by playing recorded sounds of children crying or shouting at a very low volume, while simultaneously offering treats or engaging in a fun activity that your dogs enjoy. (DogsTrust offers recordings here.) Gradually increase the volume over time, continuing to provide positive reinforcement. This process helps your dogs develop a positive association with the sounds and reduces their response of howling.
3. Counter-conditioning.

   Train your dogs to associate the sound of children crying or shouting with calm behavior and relaxation. Whenever the children's noises start, encourage your dogs to engage in calm activities like lying down, long-lasting chews, or providing them with interactive toys that keep their minds occupied. Reward them for exhibiting calm behavior during these situations, reinforcing the desired response. You should also reward them if they retreat to their cosy corner.
4. Lead by example.

   Your situation sounds really stressful, and I can imagine it is frustrating or anxiety-inducing. However, dogs are very emotionally intelligent animals and feed of our own emotions. So if you are becoming stressed when you hear your kids cry, and anticipate the howling, your dogs will pick up on it. It’s way easier to say than do, but try to stay calm and measured during these situations.
5. Seek professional help.

   If the howling behaviour persists or intensifies despite your efforts, it’ll be worth chatting to an accredited dog trainer or behaviourist. They can assess your dogs' specific situation, provide personalised advice, and help address any underlying issues that may be contributing to the behavior. Their expertise and experience can offer valuable insights and techniques tailored to your dogs' needs. You can find an accredited behaviourist through the ABTC website.

1. Individual walks.

   Start by taking your dog for walks separately, with each of you taking turns. This will help him get used to walking with only one person at a time and reduce the excitement that arises from both of you being together.
2. Act the same.

   When you’re walking on your own with the dog, you might act differently. When walking with a partner, we will often talk to them. When you’re walking together with the dog, try acting exactly as you do when you’re alone with him, including giving the same amount of focus and time to him.
3. Work out why he’s pulling.

   If you can figure out why your pup is pulling, you can find an appropriate reward for him and help avoid frustration. For instance, if he’s pulling from a lamp post, to grass, he might be pulling to sniff pee spots from other dogs. So if he’s pulling to sniff, use time to sniff as the reward for good walking.
4. Lead training.

   Teach your dog to walk politely on a lead by using positive reinforcement techniques. When he starts pulling, stop walking and instantly call his name, if he turns to look at you say “yes” and feed him a treat. Then carry on walking. Repeat this a few times and then if he still pulls, just stop walking. At this point he should expect to hear his name called, if he turns say “YES!” and give him a high value treat (this may even be allowing him to go and sniff whatver he was pulling towards). Consistency and patience are key here.
5. Harness or collar?

   If you aren’t already, use a Y-shaped harness to protect your pup’s neck. (No, it won’t reinforce him pulling, just protects his windpipe and glands if he’s likely to pull.) You should also use a fixed length, static lead for the most control and consistency. If you’re dog’s on a retractable lead, he won’t learn that he’s meant to stay a certain distance from you. If you do think he’ll walk nicely, perhaps on your individual walks, try clipping the lead to his collar. This should reinforce that lead on collar = walk nicely.
6. Focus and engagement.

   Engage your dog's attention during walks by using treats, toys, or verbal cues. Encourage him to focus on you and reward him for checking in and walking calmly. This will redirect his excitement and help him understand that walking with you is a positive and rewarding experience.
7. Distraction management.

   If your dog gets easily distracted during walks, work on his impulse control. Practice cues such as "sit" or "stay" whenever there are distractions around. Reward him for obeying these cues and gradually increase the difficulty level as he improves.
8. Regular exercise and mental stimulation.

   Make sure your dog is getting enough exercise and mental stimulation throughout the day. A tired dog is generally calmer and more focused during walks. Incorporate interactive toys, obedience training, and playtime into his routine to keep him mentally and physically stimulated throughout the day, not just at walk time.

1. Consult your vet.

   It's essential to consult with your vet to confirm whether your dog's rash is indeed caused by an allergy to grass pollen. They can conduct tests or perform an examination to determine the exact cause of the rash. Once the allergy is confirmed, your vet can provide personalised recommendations and treatment options.
2. Keep your dog clean.

   Regular bathing can help remove pollen from your dog's coat and reduce their exposure to allergens. Use a gentle, hypoallergenic shampoo recommended by your vet. Make sure to rinse thoroughly to remove all traces of shampoo and pollen.
3. Wipe paws and tummy.

   Sometimes you don’t need a full bath. After outdoor walks, gently wipe your dog's paws and tummy with a damp cloth to remove any potential allergens they may have picked up. This can help reduce the amount of pollen that comes into contact with their skin.
4. Allergy-friendly diet.

   Chat to your vet the possibility of switching to an allergy-friendly diet for your dog. Some specialised dog foods contain ingredients that can help support skin health and reduce allergic reactions. Your vet can recommend the most suitable options based on your dog's specific needs.
5. Medications and supplements.

   Your vet may prescribe medications to help manage your dog's allergic symptoms. These medications can help reduce itching and inflammation. Additionally, supplements like omega-3 fatty acids can promote skin health and soothe allergic reactions. Always follow your vet's advice regarding medication dosage and administration.
6. Environmental modifications.

   If your dog’s rash is caused by grass pollen, you should minimise your dog's exposure to it. Limit their time outdoors during peak pollen times, such as early mornings or late afternoons in Spring. You could also explore the use of protective clothing, such as doggy t-shirts or bodysuits, to cover your dog's tummy and minimize direct contact with external allergens like pollen.

1. Maintain mobility.

   If your senior dog still has a spring in their step and loves to frolic like a pup, joint supplements are a great choice. They may help maintain flexibility, ease discomfort, and keep your furry friend feeling sprightly.
2. Prevent pain.

   As our four-legged pals age, joint issues can become a real bother. Supplements like YuMove could help to lubricate their joints and reduce inflammation.
3. Keep your dog active.

   Supplements alone aren't a magic wand, but they can make movement easier and more comfortable. This is super important, because joints don’t receive blood and heal without movement. So keeping your pet active will also help to keep achey bones at bay!

1. Omega-3.

   Are amazing at reducing inflammation. There’s also evidence they help reduce discomfort and improve mobility for dogs, even if they already have arthritis. 

1. Glucosamine & chondroitin.

   These may help to prevent cartilage breakdown. This would help because when cartilage breaks down, the joint becomes stiff and painful.
2. Hyuloronic acid.

   As pets get older, their body makes less hyuloronic acid, which means the fluid around their joints decreases. Giving them some extra hyuloronic acid in supplements could help to keep their joints lubricated and moving freely.