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asked:
Dear Warren,
My mom is scheduled to have major surgery soon but is worried about her 9 month old dachshund. She lives alone in NYC. I will be staying in her place while she's recuperating for the first week. After that she will be hiring a dog walker for the dog. He's not fully trained and we need to get him trained ASAP so he poops and pees on command. Mom will not be able to bend down to clean up any messes.
Thank You,
Donna in Los Angeles |
Hi Donna,
It's important to know that studies indicate people recovering from major surgery will recuperate 50% faster if they have a pet at home. The pet will be your mother's best therapist when she comes home after the surgery. Now as far as housebreaking goes, the easiest way to accomplish it is by "confine or watch" there's no in between. So when mom is home recuperating having a dog with freedom to roam the house is not going to work at that point. Now you know I'm very much against crating, but what I might put right alongside your mom's bed is a little doggy play pen with no top on it. Keep potty pads in there so if the walker doesn't come on time she doesn't have to worry about it. Generally speaking, a dog is not going to "go" where they hang out or sleep. Use the AKC Gold Stain & Odor Remover to clean up any accident areas and you should have no problems at all.
Hugs & Kissses!
Warren |
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asked:
Dear Warren,
My cat is 4-5 years old and everything was fine until about 8 or 9 months ago when he started pooping on our beds. He'll either poop on our bed or the guest bed, and this happens randomly. I researched it online and we tried changing his litter several times to see if that was the problem. It turns out he doesn't like the real rock like litter, but prefers the dust or sandy style. He still pees like normal in the litter box, he just doesn't like to poo in it anymore.
Thank You,
Daryl, in Escondido |
 Hi Daryl,
Let me explain to you why this is happening, it may not have anything to do with the litter. Rarely will you ever see wild cats pee and poop in the same area. They're two distinct markings and two distinct different meanings to them. In some cases we have that instinctive cat that wants a box to pee in and a box to poop in. I would put a second box about a foot or so away from the first box, with the type of litter that you think your cat prefers. Next, be sure to wash your bedding and mattresses with American Kennel Club Gold Stain & Odor Remover to remove all traces of his odors. Then I want you to get two plates and place a few pieces of kibble on each. Put one plate on each bed whenever no one is using them. If he eats them, I want you to put the food back into them. Cats are pretty clean animals and they're not going to poop where they eat. When they see the food is there, there is no reason to claim that territory by pooping because it obviously already belongs to them. That will eliminate the cat's need to poop on the bed if there is any territorial reason he's doing it. I promise you within a week you'll be sleeping on a dry bed.
I hope that helps!
Warren  |
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asked:
Dear Warren,
I have a 7.5 male Morkie who has aggression issues. I adopted him from my aunt who was 90, got him in her 80's. He never went out and uses a pad. Never liked repair men or people coming into the home. He also had issue with peeing on carpets and various other places. He is a very loving dog but has issues. I know walk in outside 3 times a day. He still lifts his leg inside however I have gates all around. He is still aggressive with people on bikes, jogging or waking. If someone stays around he becomes a little more friendly. I got a trainer and he came a few times and we have commands that we use and we take him out near stores with passer byes. I want to know if there are any tips you can give me to forward positive behavior.
Thank You,
Debbie from NY |
Hi Debbie,
It sounds to me like the dog did not have a whole lot of socializing with your aunt, not unusual with the seniors, and very often the bond is so strong between the dog and owner that the dog becomes very possessive. The training is good, but what I might suggest is a bag of toys and treats by the front door, this way everyone that walks in starts on a positive note. I would do the same outside, maybe a neighbor could help. Let them know when you are taking your dog for a walk, have them meet you and give the dog one of it's own toys and then just walk by. When you are just walking him and he reacts aggressive, don't stop, just keep walking. If you pay attention to the aggression your actually reinforcing it... keep me posted.
Hugs & Kisses,
Warren |
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asked:
Dear Warren,
Chester, my new adopted cat, does something that none of my other male cats has done. While he's kneading with his front paws on the comforter on the bed (purring furiously), he starts rubbing his crotch on it at the same time, sometimes leaving little wet spots. He is neutered, and he only does it on the comforter. Is this normal?
Thanks,
Jeff |
Dear Jeff,
A cat has scent glands on its feet, it sounds like the cat is trying to really claim territory thus leaving some urine scent at the same time. They often get over stimulated. You can try taking a wash cloth and rubbing it on the cat's cheeks and the top of his head and then rub the wash cloth on the comforter. This will put the cat's facial pheromones on the bed and may stop him. If not give me a call. Is it normal? Unusual, but not abnormal.
I hope that helps!
Warren |
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asked:
Dear Warren,
We received our Hugs and Kisses and I had a question. We have a 40 pound, 9-year old Heeler Mix who sheds terribly. According to the package we should give her 8-10 nuggets per day. Is it better to spread them throughout the day or can we give her say four with breakfast and four with dinner, mixed into her food. What would yield the best results? Thank you!
Laura F |
Dear Laura,
When you have more than a couple of H & K's to give a pet -- The answer depends on how much you're home during the day & if your dog is used to getting treats. It would be better to feed several of them as a treat during the day, and sprinkle the rest over her food -- but if your lifestyle is too busy for that, feel free to put them into the food when you need to. We're just trying to avoid doubling up on treats -- by feeding H & K's in place of treats that are not as nutritional.
I hope that helps!
Warren |
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asked:
Dear Warren,
I have two neutered cats from the Humane Society. The cat that we had first is very territorial and won't let the new cat in the house. I've tried everything, introducing the new cat's smell, keeping the new one in the bedroom, extra attention to the older one...
Please help. I won't take either of them back to the Humane Society but I am frustrated
Dorothe H. from Pasadena, CA |
Dear Dorothe,
I would suggest getting two stuffed animals that resemble cats, I know you said you swapped smells, but many times that is not enough. Rub the stuffed animals on each cat and let the cats live with the scent all of the time. When they start ignoring them, some gradual introductions can be restarted. It can take a long time so be patient.
Hugs and Kisses,
Warren |
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asked:
Dear Warren,
We have a 7 year old male Doberman and a 4 year old female Doberman. Every time we plant a tree in the backyard they chew the bark off of it. Do you know why they continue to do this?
Sonja C., Wolfforth, TX |
Dear Sonja,
There could be more than one reason for this type of behavior. Dobermans are very bright dogs and need a lot of mental stimulation and even though I'm sure they have plenty of toys in the home, have you made sure there are many items in the yard for them to focus on? I would recommend rotating half a dozen toys in the yard every other day. Pick up a few special toys that only get put down in the yard when you plant a new tree. It's called "distraction therapy." You may also try some of the chewing deterrents available, such as Bitter Yuck. There could also be a second reason causing the bark chewing. It may actually be a deficiency in the dogs' diet. I would recommend a good vitamin/mineral supplement.
Warren |
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asked:
Dear Warren,
We have a 5 year old Terrier mix that is so friendly, she won't bark. We never know when someone is at our door. We live in a retirement community so I am glad that she never disturbs anyone, but people can walk right in and she acts like she is glad to see them. How can we get her to bark when someone is at the door? She does not have a hearing problem.
Nancy C., Silver Springs, FL |
Dear Nancy,
This may sound eccentric, and heaven forbid I should sound eccentric, but follow my procedure and your dog will be barking at the door soon. Start by having someone go to the front door; when the bell rings or the door knocks, you should be on your hands and knees barking with the dog by your side. She may look at you like you're crazy but that's okay; if he makes any sounds at all or just looks excited, give her tremendous praise. As you continue practicing daily, she will ultimately associate the door with barking - and you should be well on your way. I'll probably hear from you in a few months asking me how to keep the dog quiet.
Warren |
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asked:
Dear Warren,
My male castrated cat is 21 years old. He is now extremely lean and voraciously hungry all the time. Should I feed him several small meals or continue feeding him ½ can of food a.m. and p.m.? Also, his fur has now become clumpy and matted. Is there any way at his advanced age to avoid these matted clumps?
Elyssa N., North Andover, MA |
Dear Elyssa,
"Being owned" by a 21-year-old-cat, you're doing something right! Try a senior diet; feed many smaller meals throughout the day. It's sometimes difficult for an older cat to groom himself. It's up to you to help by brushing daily and perhaps using a little dry shampoo made for cats.
Warren |
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asked:
Dear Warren,
My black lab is 12 and in good shape, what if any supplements should I introduce to his diet?
Jared, Covina, CA |
Hi Jared,
The combination of Warren's Eckstein's own Hugs & Kisses vitamin-mineral supplement for overall wellness, plus extraordinary skin & coat coupled with Arthrisoothe Gold for hips and joints would be the best -- particularly for a 12-year old Lab who needs the support of both! Both products are made in the USA & have a 30-day guarantee. Thank you for listening.
Warren |
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