Pets

Question: How can we stop our four-year-old female golden retriever from “mounting” people when they come over? We have had her desexed but this has done little to solve the problem. Help! Deb, via e-mail. Answer: Usually mounting behaviour is not sexual but dominant in nature, especially in a desexed female dog. She is trying […]

Question: Hi Dr Julie, It’s my cat’s 10th birthday soon. I remember you mentioning a DVD called “A Walk on the Wild Side”. Can you please tell me where I can buy this as my cat loved the preview we saw and would like to see the full movie. Thanking you in advance! Chelsi, via […]

Question: I have a cat and a dog, and the dog always chases the cat. We’ve heard all these things about the cat “taking a swipe at the dog,” but our cat seems to be too afraid to do anything. My mom wants to give the cat to her friend because she (the cat) is […]

Question: Fill ice cube trays with vegemite dissolved in hot water; let cool, and then freeze. Serve to your dog on hot, sunny days. Our dogs love them! Answer: Francine Webb, via e-mail.

Question: Is there treatment available for arthritis in dogs? I suspect my pug Judy has arthritis — she is often licking her leg and paw. She also finds it hard to get up stairs and walk properly when she has gotten out of bed. Joanne, via e-mail. Answer: Arthritis is a very common problem indeed […]

Question: Freeze your dog’s favorite meat and give it to them for lunch on a hot day. They will love this cold “bone” and the entire thing is edible so they won’t leave any lying around when they’re finished. Answer: Amanda, via e-mail.

Question: All dogs love to be scratched, rubbed, etc, on their lower neck, around their chest area, between their two shoulders. This is the only place that they are unable to reach by themselves. You’ll find most will start to doze and will love you forever. Answer: Kellie Taylor, via e-mail.

Question: Hello, We have just purchased a puppy who has just met his new one-year-old sister. They continue to fight and the puppy has become aggressive. How can we stop them fighting and stop the new puppy becoming so aggressive? Thank you, Laura, via e-mail. Answer: This is a very common scenario when puppies first […]

Question: Never, never call your dog and then reprimand him when he comes. He will associate punishment with the command to come to you and will hesitate to obey or refuse completely. Answer: Even if he doesn’t come immediately, reward him with lots of praise when he does come. Eventually, he will learn that this […]

Question: My maremma has a really thick, long coat and I feel so sorry for her in the heat. Is it possible to clip her? I was told it should not be done. Marlene, via e-mail. Answer: I get questions like this all the time from people who have been scared off clipping their pets […]