Q–Is it OK to allow a dog to ride in the trunk of a car? I ask because my brother-in-law put his puppy in the trunk. I asked him about it, and he responded that in his family, this is where dogs travel. My wife remembers that her dad put his bird dogs in the trunk.
–Roseville, Mich.
A–This is no joking matter. Closing any pet inside a trunk is downright inhumane, totally unnecessary and potentially dangerous to the pet. In some communities, such cruelty may be illegal. We live in a day and age when pets should be considered members of the family.
Q–It’s 11:45 p.m. and I want to sleep. Whenever I take our 5 1/2-year-old cairn terrier, Mugzy, outside at about 10:30 p.m., she does her business and then refuses to come in. She doesn’t do this at any other time of the day or in the winter.
I’ve tried a playful voice, a firm voice, toys and treats. Nothing works. I’m not mobile enough to catch him, and he knows it. Perhaps having a second dog will help give him exercise. Ever since my husband went into a nursing home, Mugzy hasn’t been getting much exercise. Any advice?
–Indianapolis
A–If you’re able, put a leash on Mugzy when you take him out. Don’t let him play. If he doesn’t do his business in five minutes, go back in the house for 15 minutes. Leave the dog’s leash on so you can keep an eye on him.
If you’re physically unable to do that, Evanston trainer and behavior consultant Jeff Miller says try letting Mugzy outside about 90 minutes earlier than usual. Hopefully this will fool him.
Meanwhile, Miller suggests teaching Mugzy to come when called. Stash treats in your pocket and when Mugzy least suspects, call him. Only when he arrives quickly, pop a treat. Once he performs 100 percent indoors, try the same thing outside–but not on his last outing for the day. Wait on that one until you’re certain he’ll respond.
Set house rules; remember, you’re the landlord. From now on, Mugzy can’t eat or be petted unless he “sits” first, in essence to ask “please.” And never allow him on the furniture or in your bed without permission.
For the time being, cut out all table scraps and treats, Miller says. Save only one kind of treat–Mugzy’s favorite–for when he comes inside promptly on your command on his last time out for the evening.
And you’re right–Mugzy needs more exercise. Making a game of calling “come” as previously described is a start, but it’s not going to be enough. Even if you’re limited physically, there are creative ways to give Mugzy indoor exercise. Teach him hide-and-seek; stuff low-fat peanut butter inside a Kong toy (available at pet stores) and hide the toy. Consider hiring a responsible teenager to walk Mugzy.
As for getting another pooch, our general rule is two dogs are better than one. However, it sounds like you have enough to deal with now.
Q–We have three birds. I was told not to cook with Teflon-coated pots because the fumes can kill birds. I threw those pots out. Now I’m being told all pots are dangerous. Should I stop cooking?
–Pompano Beach, Fla.
A–Who is telling you this stuff? All pots are not dangerous.
Any pot or pan coated with Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) may be a serious hazard. This includes cookware with the trade names Teflon, Silverstone and Supra.
Under normal cooking conditions, PTFE-coated cookware is reasonably safe for birds. If you get distracted, however, and your food begins to burn or the water in this cookware boils, chemicals break down and emit fumes undetectable to us but potentially deadly to the sensitive air-intake apparatus of birds.
According to avian vet Peter Sakas of Niles, your caution is warranted. When Teflon toxicity occurs, birds’ sensitive lungs soon become scorched, causing blood vessels to rupture. Within minutes, the birds literally suffocate in their own blood.
Cooking on other cookware is usually safe. However, smoke from burnt food and fumes from overheated oils or butter may be toxic. Additionally, many kitchen cleaning agents create toxic odors, and a low-grade gas leak can be harmful also.
The kitchen or any nearby room is a dangerous place to maintain birds. But you don’t have to go so far as to quit cooking.
Q–I’ve had three opinions, but I’m still not satisfied. My 12-year-old, mixed-breed dog coughs something terrible. We’ve had blood work, a heartworm test and radiographs. We’ve tried cough syrup and several other medications, but we don’t know what’s causing the cough. Any suggestions?
–Austell, Ga.
A–Treating symptoms without knowing the cause offers no long-term solution. Here’s a fourth point of view: Dr. Jeff Werber, Los Angeles-based host of “Petcetera” on the Animal Planet channel, suggests your vet look specifically at your dog’s lungs to rule out heart disease and the possibility a cardiac cough is occurring due to fluid backup in the lungs. A transtracheal aspirate (tracheal wash) is a test that can be done in the vet’s office to rule out either infectious or allergic bronchitis.
If you still can’t pinpoint a cause, perhaps another set of X-rays could reveal something that was somehow missed the first time around.
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Steve Dale welcomes letters. He cannot reply individually but will answer those of general interest in this column. You may write to him in care of the Chicago Tribune, Home section, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, Ill. 60611. Or send e-mail to TribHome@aol.com. If the problem is urgent, consult a veterinarian immediately.
