How dog owners can be considerate of their neighbors
Dear Cathy: Iamnota pet owner, but I read your column most weeks in our local paper and find it interesting. Since my wife and I do not have any pets, we are impacted daily by others who do. There’s incessant barking when dogs are left in yards for hours. There are people walking their dogs on the sidewalk and their pets urinating on our lawn, landscaping, plants, mailbox post, garbage cans, etc. This is in addition to the sometimes piles (of poop) left on my property.
I also bike on trails and am impacted daily by owners with leashes 15 to 20 feet long, which is a safety hazard, as well as dogs not adhering to vocal commands when approaching from behind. Many times, a dog will go for my legs or the wheels. I have fallen three times because of the inconsiderate actions of these pet owners. Please remind all that being a pet owner carries with it a responsibility.
— Bruce, Allentown, Pennsylvania
Dear Bruce: As a dog owner myself, I agree we should all strive to understand how our pet’s behaviors impact our neighbors and try to keep the peace as much as possible. Here are a few suggestions for how dog owners can better win the hearts and minds of their non-pet-owning neighbors.
Despite what some people might think, you can manage where your dog pees and poops. When walking your dog through the neighborhood, look for common areas where it can relieve itself. Then, walk briskly past your neighbors’ homes to keep your dog from peeing or pooping on your neighbors’ lawns.
Of course, you can only do so much since a dog can still decide at any moment that it needs to relieve itself. But at least show your neighbors you are trying. Also, make friends with your neighbors and let them know that if your dog suddenly has to relieve itself in their yard, you will always clean up after it.
To keep the peace, people need to manage their barking dogs and bring the dogs inside if they can’t get the dogs to stop barking. It’s just the neighborly thing to do.
Long leads are a safety hazard, especially on a trail with runners and cyclists. Dogs should be on short leads when walking on trails and at their owner’s side to prevent them from running after passersby.
Hopefully, these few suggestions will remind people of what it takes to be a good “dog” neighbor.
Dear Cathy: Our little dog Sadie, a Yorky Poo, is 2 years old now. Our concern is that she refuses to eat any healthy foods, no table foods and no nutritional dog foods. She relies only on treats. We have tried every available dog food we can find. If she eats scrambled eggs once, she never wants them again. If she eats any table foods, it’s the same results: once and never again. That said, she is a lovable and vibrant dog. She takes long walks with me daily and loves visiting our local dog park. My wife and I are at our wits’ end. Can you help?
— Ron and Ann, Gurnee, Illinois
Dear Ron and Ann: When dogs refuse food, it’s often related to an underlying illness or oral issues with their teeth and gums. It’s a survival mechanism that ensures they won’t ever eat “the thing” that will make them sick ever again.
While I assume you have ruled out health issues, going back to the vet is recommended if Sadie’s food refusal continues. It’s essential to treat underlying conditions before reintroducing dog food again.
Sometimes, it’s just nausea that’s causing the problem. If that’s the case, your vet can prescribe anti-nausea medication and/or an appetite stimulant to get your dog back to the food bowl. There are over-the-counter appetite stimulants you can try, but they won’t help if the problem is nausea-related.
Since you have tried many types of dog foods, I assume you have fed her both wet and dry food. There are tubes of dog food, often in the freezer section of the grocery store pet aisle or pet store, that fall between dry and wet food. Try this food with her, but only after she has seen the doctor and is possibly on medication, so she doesn’t eventually refuse it, too. Sprinkle a few treats in with the food to entice her.
Let me know if this helps.