Pet Tales Asked & Answered

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How can i stop my dog being carsick?

Carsickness or motion illness is usually a problem in dogs that aren't used to traveling in cars. The easiest method of teaching your dog to enjoy the car is to drive your dog around the block or just around the neighborhood area everyday then play with it for five minutes. Taking the dog for a daily ride helps it cope with the motion of a car and playing with the dog afterwards gives it a positive reinforcement of the experience.

The whole process can be made easier if you plan ahead.Ginger travel sickness tablets,available at health food shops or pharmacies,do work well with dogs but you need to give it to them at least 30 minutes before traveling.

Your vet can supply drugs that stop vomiting (anti-emetics) but these do not always work.For an instant fix,a mild tranquilliser or sedative can be of assistance.This is especially useful in dogs that suddenly have to be relocated long distances by land or air travel.The tranquilliser not only stops sickness but also calms the dog down,removing fear of the many unknown noises that the dog will hear.Acetylpromazine (ACP) is the most common tranquilliser for this purpose because it is reasonably long acting but still safe.It can not be used in Boxer breed as they are extremely sensitive to this drug,which drop their blood pressure to dangerously low levels.

Given the opportunity to be accustomed traveling in cars,dogs can actually have an enjoyable experience.


Is it better to have one or two dogs?

It is recommended that whenever you're thinking of buying two puppies,buy them from different litters and are of opposite sexes.Do not buy puppies of the same age.In fact,it is good to have a gap of twelve months between the puppies.

The answer to whether to own a single dog or more depends on several factor.Firstly,the sex of the pair and whether they are de-sexed or not is important.While animals of same sex can be trained to get along together without any disputes,it is generally agreed that a pair of the opposite sex are far less likely to fight.Secondly,the factor of age.As animals of the same age grow,they hit critical times of development simultaneously.During these periods,they may wish to test themselves out and what may have started as a friendly tussle will end up in a full-blown fight,possibly causing a lifelong resentment towards each other.Thirdly,dogs are pack animals and even a pair can form a pack.As a pack,they may resent interference or reprimands from any other animals or person outside the duo.For an instance,a child entering an area of the house which happens to be the territory of two dog can be in severe danger.When two dogs mount an attack,the effects can be devastating as they complete and egg each other on.

The breed of dog makes a big difference to whether or not to own two dogs. Certain breeds have much stronger instincts to pack and when they do, primitive behaviors tend to follow. Siberian Huskies, Basenjis, Alaskan Malamutes, some terriers and many of the dogs in the hound group will tend to quickly form packs. Dominant breeds develop strong territorial bonds, pushing each other on to defend their boundaries when there is more than one dog present. Rottweilers, German Shepherds, Dobermans and cattle dogs are typical breeds with dominant temperaments.

If you own a dog that has been easy to train, has a fully developed temperament and is mature, then bringing in a second dog can be an advantage. You should still purchase a puppy (as the second dog) and not a mature dog as this will only result in perceived challenges to your existent dog. While you will still need to spend some time training your new puppy, it will eventually mimic the behavior of its older, more dominant canine companion, which makes training your new puppy so much easier.

The final decision as to whether you should own one or two dogs is very complex. Your ability to train both animals so that their behaviors suit your lifestyle is vital. As for that, much consideration has to be channeled to the amount of time you are prepared to commit to your dogs.

What is rage syndrome?

Some dogs display disorientation, trembling, even urination and defecation while having this episode of unpredictable, severe aggression. Once the moment has passed, the dog quickly returns to normal without realizing the damage it many have inflicted-it is as though there has been a moment of total mental blackout.

There was this incident which happened quite a few years ago when during a show; a dog just erupted into unpredictable rage. The handler, an experienced man, was standing the dog in position when suddenly it started barking, snarling, snapping and biting the handler. The dog seemed to have entered an irrational, overtly aggressive phase which probably lasted no more than one minute. In this brief time, it had managed to inflict several wounds that, although damaging, could have been worse in the hands of a less experienced trainer. These moments of unpredictable aggression are referred to as 'rage syndrome' and have been seen in other breeds such as the English Cocker spaniel, Saint Bernard, Bernese mountain dog, border collie and some terrier breeds.

Many breeders will defend their breeds, saying that it is likely to be dominance aggression or some other form of irrational behavior in individuals. Regardless, if there are sporadic bouts of irrational aggressive behavior within any breed, close scrutiny for possible inheritance of this behavior is important. Dogs that display aggressive behavior for whatever reason should not be used in breeding programs and their bloodlines should not be promoted.

Treatment for dogs with rage syndrome can be difficult and needs to be seriously considered as the safety of humans must be of primary concern. Your vet can prescribe various drugs including behavioral modifiers, anti-epileptic drugs and even hormone regimes.