Your Dog from A to Z.
OK … “A to Z” is an overstatement, since it would be impossible to list everything dog-related in one column. But let’s take a look at some things that we often have to deal with in the course of living with dogs.
Let’s start with B, for Bad Breath. Most of us know what it’s like to be hit with what smells like something that crawled out from a putrid swamp when your dog breathes in your face. Unless he’s just devoured a dead frog or … uhh … another creature’s waste (yeah, it’s disgusting, but extremely common), your dog’s persistent foul breath can point to some heath concerns.
First is a dental problem. Your vet’s annual exam should always include checking your dog’s teeth. If cleaning is needed, remember that even the most laid-back pup will fight the process, which is why canine teeth cleaning is usually done under general anesthesia. You can also look for signs of a tooth problem like bleeding gums, difficulty chewing, a broken tooth, or blood on a chew toy.
Bad breath can also be caused by internal problems. For instance, some types of kidney disease can cause a dog’s breath to have a sweet, fruity scent, or smell like urine. If his breath has the odor of stomach acid, there’s something going on in his digestive tract. The bottom line is that long-lasting dog breath isn’t normal, and you need to contact your vet to have it checked out.
Now let’s move on to C: Counter-Surfing (or its close cousin, Garbage-Raiding). Over the years, my previous dog Casey consumed a 2-pound box of gourmet dog treats … entire loaves of bread … bags of CornNuts … rocks … and even inedibles like empty plastic bags, a remote control, and several pairs of underwear. And that’s just for starters.
The most important thing to do is prevent the problem in the first place. Make sure all food is put away or stored in dog-proof containers. If you catch your dog reaching up onto counters or raiding your garbage can, respond immediately. Clap your hands and say “Off!” or “Stop!” very loudly, then remove your dog from the area.
If it happens while you’re gone, do NOT punish your dog when you discover it, since he won’t understand why he’s being punished. You only have a few seconds after the event to correct your dog, since dogs only associate our reaction with what he’s doing at the moment he’s being corrected. If you come home and yell at him, he simply learns to be afraid of you.
Another “C” is Chewing. Some dogs are chewers of almost anything — socks, shoes, laundry baskets — and some aren’t. Some only chew when they’re puppies, then stop. The most important thing you can do is remove temptation, and substitute an “approved” chew item for one you don’t want chewed. For instance, if Fido regularly chews up your shoes, make sure they’re always put away, and then give him plenty of chew-toys.
Sometimes adult dogs chew out of simple boredom. Sometimes it’s fear or panic, as in a dog with severe separation anxiety. Sometimes it’s smell: while you might not be enticed by the soles of your shoes, to your dog they’re the olfactory equivalent a banquet table heaped with food. Gnawing on your shoes may be your dog’s way of discovering and “sharing” all the wonderful places you’ve been all day.
I mentioned separation anxiety, which is a topic that deserves its own column because it’s an issue that plagues so many dog parents. Let’s tackle that next time.
Joan Merriam lives in Northern California with her golden retriever Joey, her Maine coon cat Indy, and the abiding spirit of her beloved golden retriever Casey in whose memory this column is named. You can reach Joan at joan@joanmerriam.com.