Dear Dr. Forsythe: For the past two weeks, my sister’s golden retriever has been taking to eating grass. She goes out into the side yard several times a day and slowly chews grass for several minutes, as if she were a cow. A few times she has vomited it back up, and then she comes back inside as if nothing has happened. Why do you think she has started this new behavior?
Golden’s aunt
Dear Aunt: It is believed that dogs chew and eat grass for a variety of reasons, but nobody knows for sure. It is widely believed that pets do this to settle the stomach when they are nauseated, and this could be the case with your aunt’s dog, especially with the vomiting that has occurred. Generally, a small amount of grass-eating is not a big concern in most pets unless it is a very different behavior for the pet or there are other signs as well: weight loss, consistent vomiting, lack of appetite, lower energy. I also get concerned about pesticides on grass and fertilizers as well as protozoal parasites that can find their way into pets that chew grass like “cud.” If these other signs are present, it may be worth having a check up to see if this often-normal behavior could be masking something a little more serious. Thanks for a good question.
Dr. F
Dear Dr. Forsythe: I recently adopted a little terrier that barks all the time. She barks when I come and when I leave. She barks when a car goes by, or when I drop something. If a person comes to visit, the barking is nonstop. It has gotten very difficult to do anything around the house with the constant noise stream. The bark collar I got has not improved things, so I find myself shouting “no” frequently at her. My neighbors are acting distant and have started making little comments about the “siren”I adopted. I feel more irritable and guilty, so I wanted some suggestions for me before I inquire to see if a veterinarian can debark her.
Woof is no fun
Dear no fun: First of all WHOA, slow down, Sparky! It sounds like a panic button has gone off and you are considering the final surgical option before you study the general principles for controlling undesirable barking. You need a dog that can obey and relax. And I speak from experience, having grown up with a basset hound that spent many hours howling at the moon for little or no apparent reason. Your pet needs to look to you for behavior clues. If you can get her to come to you, lie down (dogs don’t bark as much when they lie down) and stay, you will be on your way to solving the basic problem.
In most cases, shouting “No” will only make matters worse — since your pet will most likely assume that you are barking too and therefore react as though she has made you a convert! Again, I speak from experience, having spent many childhood afternoons beside my beloved basset howling at the passing cars and waving. Instead, be steadfast and pick a one-word command such as “relax” or “enough” every time the pet barks. Use the same calm but firm tone of voice.
Remember that changing behavior takes time and patience. You need to control your state of mind and remember that if you become angry at your dog, it will be much harder to modify the behavior. Physical punishment or yelling will do nothing but make her fearful and break down the bond you are trying to establish. Positive reinforcement with food treats is an excellent reward at first, then move on to “good dog” and a pat on the dogs’ chest. Avoid baby talk, hugging, and playing into the dog’s barking as this will reward it and reinforce it.
While debarking is a viable surgical procedure that helps in many cases, don’t be afraid to seek help from a behaviorist before you resort to this. It may be helpful to have your veterinarian or dog trainer see your pet bark and carry on in her own environment as a way to give clues as to how to best solve this problem before surgery becomes the only solution. Good luck with your little mezzo soprano.
Dr. F
