Q: What can we do about our dog that barks all the time when we
are gone. The neighbors are tired of hearing him carry on
continuously. I think he is sad when we leave him alone. Will
getting another dog help?
Q: What can we do about our dog that barks all the time when we are gone. The neighbors are tired of hearing him carry on continuously. I think he is sad when we leave him alone. Will getting another dog help?
A: This is one of the most common problems dog owners face. Some dogs require lots more attention than others. When their owner leaves them alone, they suffer separation anxiety and bark and howl. Others may be mischievous and bark at birds or any other noise in the back yard. Each dog is different, so there is no single solution to the barking dog problem. Getting another dog may or may not help. But there are a few other things you can try.
First, be sure your dog has plenty of toys to keep him busy. Try having someone come to the house in the middle of the day to take him for a walk. The idea here is to use up some of that extra energy he has stored away. Finding a playmate for your dog may help, but getting a second pooch isn’t always the answer.
For some dogs, a little additional security helps. In a room or area where they feel comfortable, they will sleep away the hours you are gone. I know several dogs that happily are kept in their crate during the workday and let out at night when their owner returns. Left out in the back yard, they would bark incessantly. In their crate, they feel no need to bark.
There are many different approaches to barking problems using behavioral modification. Check to see if there is a behaviorist available at your local Humane Society. Or ask your veterinarian for a referral to a behavioral specialist. Their services can be very helpful.
If none of these ideas work for you, there is a relatively simple surgical procedure that can be done to remove the vocal chords. Veterinarians use this as a last resort to solve this problem. Surgery doesn’t stop a dog from barking, but the voice is changed to a whisper and is often almost inaudible. Your veterinarian can give you more details if this becomes your only option. Good luck.
Q: What can we do for our very old dog with arthritis? He is so slow when he gets up in the morning. Eventually, he begins to feel better and walk around, but his hips hurt so bad that he sometimes groans when he gets up. Any suggestions?
A: There are lots of new medications now available to help older dogs with the pain of degenerative joint disease (arthritis). These drugs fall into two general categories.
Analgesics are medications that help to control pain. Aspirin is a potent analgesic, and it can be effective in alleviating the pain of mild arthritis. Your veterinarian can give you the proper dosage for your dog, but most practitioners recommend about 5 mg per pound body weight given twice daily. A 65-pound dog would take one tablet (325mg size) twice daily.
I always recommend that clients use the coated aspirin or aspirin mixed with Maalox. This is easier for the patient to digest. Never give your dog acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (ie. Motrin) for pain. These medications are irritating to the stomach and potentially toxic.
There are some newer prescription analgesics that are much more potent than aspirin. Carprophen and etodolac are two new medications that have helped crippled dogs walk again. If aspirin fails, talk to your vet about one of these.
Other medications work to increase the cushion and comfort level within the joint. These are called “nutriceuticals,” because they are actually nutritional supplements. They’re not analgesics, but instead increase the thickness (and cushion) of the exisiting cartilidge in the joints.
These medications have greatly increased the comfort level for many older pets and people (they’re very popular with senior citizens as well!). This group includes glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, perna canaliculus and others. Again, your veterinarian can help you decide which of these might best help your furry friend overcome the aches and pains of old age.
