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Hey, Katie K-9!KatieK9@readthecitizen.comwww.KTK9.com 651-429-5433 |
Hey, Katie K-9!
What are your thoughts on doggie doors? I have been looking into them and wonder what you think? Thanks for your input!
Trey
Hey, Trey!
Hate them! I suppose you want to know why? Not only can your pets use them, so can raccoons, opossums, mice, squirrels, birds, and other dogs and cats you don’t even own. You will never know what “guests” will take you up on your hospitality at any time of the day or night! Also, what “presents” your pets will share with you in your home.
Letting your pets use a doggie door while you are not home also “opens the door” for some not nice person to steal your pet from your yard. Th e black market on dogs for research or ransom is alive and doing well! And in the fall, hunting breeds seem to disappear. Dogs attain a mentality of a 3- or 4- year-old, 2-legged child. Some really smart dogs can reach the mentality of a 5- or 6-year-old. If you would leave a door open for a child of that age to go in and out without supervision, then go for it. At least, it’s doubtful that a 2-legged child would bring in dead stuff to share with you, and hopefully no one will take them to a new home or place.
While I am on the subject of dogs and kids, would you let your child hang their heads out of a car window no matter how much they like it? Would you leave them in a HOT car while you are gone for just a “couple” of minutes? Don’t change the rules just because one has two legs and a head of hair and your other child has 4 legs and a full body of hair. They are both just kids and they depend on YOU to know what is right and wrong and what is safe or not.
Make good decisions for ALL of your “kids.”
Katie K-9!
Hey, Katie K-9!
It’s that time of year… thunderstorms! Even though we have not had any yet, for which I am grateful. My 6-year-old Golden Retriever mix is getting worse as she gets older when the storms roll in. She paces, whines and drives me nuts! I feel bad and am not sure what to do for her. Any ideas?
Eva and Teri
Hey, Eva and Teri!
It’s NOT the thunder that gets dogs nervous, it’s what the sound brings with it. As the storm gets closer, static builds up in the air, and because dogs are full of hair and it depends on how sensitive they are, they can start feeling little shocks, like when we walk across a carpet with socks on and touch someone or something. Now, as the thunder grows closer, the dog starts to become agitated, anticipating the zings. Smart dogs have figured out if they go to a water source –a bathroom or laundry room, it grounds them and the zings go away. That’s why you may find your dog in the bathtub, shower, behind the toilet, or by the washing machine. Leave them alone! If your dog has not figured it out yet, bring them to the bathroom and have a “seat.” Bring a book or radio, maybe take a nice hot bath and relax. Do not pet them, just hang out. Soon your dog will know where to go when the thunder rolls in. Gently wiping them down with a Bounce dryer sheet can help too.
Here’s to “riding out the thunder” comfortably!
Katie K-9!
Hey, Katie K-9!
Any ideas on how to deal with digging dogs? I have craters in my backyard! If I wanted the moon, I would go there!
Tim
Hey, Tim!
Dogs dig to release energy, out of boredom, or to get cool.
Getting a kiddie pool and teaching him to use it will help. Start out with a little bit of water and go from there. Put floating toys in it for some pool fun. Teach him tricks to work his brain.
“Dog Tricks for Dummies” is a good book to start with. Running and playing fetch is okay, but it only builds endurance in a dog and then it will take longer and longer to tucker him out. Working his brain is the only thing that will help him to learn to just hang out. An obedience class is AWAYS worth it!
Katie’ K-9 Obedience School is a good place: visit my Web site at www.ktk9.com for class dates, times and many useful links.
Some dogs just love to dig! In that case, teach them to dig in a spot you create for them.
Dig up a 4x6-foot place, loosen up the dirt, and bring your pupper over and teach him to dig there. Get down and start digging with your hands and ask him to join you: “Come on, let’s dig! Dig, dig, dig!” When he starts to dig, praise him, back off and let him dig. Bring him there daily and soon he will use it on his own. Always be sure the dirt is fluffy. It’s more fun to dig in.
Start digging!
Katie K-9!
Send in your dog questions to “Hey, Katie K-9!” by mailing them to e Citizen, P. O. Box 393, Hugo, MN 55038 or e-mailing them to Katie at KatieK-9@ReadThe- Citizen.com. Visit her Web site at www.ktk9.com. The Katie K-9 radio show is on every Sunday afternoon om 4 to 6 p.m. on FM107.1