DOG TRAINING AND BEHAVIOR

In response to our lead article on big dog-little dog attacks in the August issue, which stated that it is never your fault if a larger dog attacks your littler one, Janette Hankins of Maynardville, Tennessee, wrote, I very seldom comment but feel that I must jump in. One day we were walking our two Great Danes. Both were on leash. A small dog ran out from his yard, crossed the street, and attacked one of our dogs. Our Dane was bitten badly enough that he subsequently needed veterinary care, but he did nothing - until the small dog turned on my husband and began to attack him. (He, too, then required medical attention.) That is when our dog picked up the little dog in his mouth and tossed the dog away. We rushed both dogs to the vet, and she stitched up our dog without any issues. The little dog died later that night.

Noise phobia is one of the most difficult problems to treat in dogs, and people with dogs who are afraid of loud noises are reminded of that annually on July 4th and, very often, New Years Eve - two holidays that come with booming fireworks displays. Their dogs shake, whine, run for cover, destroy household effects, and, generally cope very poorly with fireworks loud bangs. Why shouldnt they? Dogs have no idea that fireworks are celebratory. For all they know, colorful warriors are invading from the sky and, in the process, hurting their ears, which are much more sensitive to sound than ours.

Katie Helf of Chickasha, Oklahoma, is very angry about something we said in the article on big dogs attacking little dogs in the August issues lead story.

Do you have a dachshund with a moderate or severe spinal cord injury? Texas A&M Universitys College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, about 90 miles from both Houston and Austin, wants to study your pet to better understand the illness and begin to figure out ways to treat it.

Who among us hasnt been slapped on the proverbial wrist because weve treated our dogs too much like people, imbuing them with human emotions and feelings and thereby breaking scientists cardinal rule not to anthropomorphize animals?

Has your dog developed a fearful or anxious reaction to loud noises that she didnt have before? Consider getting her to the doctor rather than the trainer.

You've probably heard that with their keen sense of smell, dogs can sniff cancer on their owners and even be trained to warn of a hypoglycemic attack in someone with diabetes because of changes in the odor of the persons breath. Now, researchers are learning that dogs can also protect our food supply - in a big way.

Youre in the middle of sharing anecdotes about how your dog simply adores your new baby, licking him every chance she gets, when your brother-in-law chimes in that youre anthropomorphizing again. That is, he says youre attributing human motivations and emotions to your dog when she is licking the baby solely for dog reasons - the taste of salt on the babys body or the reaction the dog gets from delighted humans - rather than to express affection. You feel, once again, silly, maybe defensive, for your unscientific thinking that your dog is somehow like a person.

I have two Scottish Terriers, 4 months apart in age and both under 1 years old. The male Scotty wants to chase cars that make loud noises, whether he is in the back yard or when we are walking. He also goes into a barking or snapping frenzy when approached by any dog on a leash. I have tried a training aid that emits ultrasound when he pulls on the leash or a button is pushed, but it does not faze him. Any suggestions, please?! I am hesitant to take them walking, which is a shame because they both love to walk.

Frances Fineberg of Oviedo, Florida, is worried for her two-year-old golden retriever, Amos, and for good reason. He hates going in the car, but the Fineberg family is about to take him on a vacation that involves an 8-hour road trip. They cant board him while they are away because he is a service dog. Ms. Fineberg believes its not the heat of the car thats causing the problem.

Emotional remove, repetitive (sometimes self-injurious) behaviors, unexplained and often aggressive outbursts, trance-like staring. These are some of the hallmarks of autism, a disorder currently identified in one in 59 children, according to estimates by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

We are about to make a big move across the country, and I am concerned about the emotional well being of my six-year-old American Eskimo dog, Bibi, who has never known any other home. Whats the best way to help her make the transition?