Q–Our 6-year-old toy poodle is afraid of all sorts of noises. Every time the TV goes on or someone rattles papers, he runs into my lap and sits there shaking. I’ve tried to comfort him, but that doesn’t help. How can I help him?
–Emmalena, Ky.
A–When your dog jumps into your lap, calmly get up and call the dog to you in another part of the house. For the time being, offer a chew toy in that other part of the house so your poor pooch can get his mind off his troubles. Marge Gibbs, a Riverwoods trainer with special interest in behavior, points out that by coddling the dog you’re probably reinforcing his fears.
Tape-record a full 15 minutes of rattling papers, the sounds of the TV going on and off, and whatever else the pooch doesn’t like hearing. Begin playing the tape at a low volume while you nonchalantly do something else that makes at least a little noise, like washing dishes. Over several sessions, pump up the volume. If your pooch looks anxious, you’ve gone too loud too fast. When your poodle snoozes while the tape plays, reward him with an enthusiastic “good boy.” If you can play while the tape is running, the dog will learn to associate the noise with something he likes. This entire effort could take days, weeks or months.
The densitization tape may not, however, be totally effective in cases where other factors are involved in the sound sensitivity. For example, dogs afraid of thunder often associate the lightning, electrical currents in the air and even falling barometric pressures with their fears. If your dog associates the electrical current he senses from the TV with the sound of thunder, the tapes may only slightly improve his attitude.
Q–One of my two indoor cats likes to lick plastic and eat plants. Why?
–San Francisco
A–Cats are carnivores, but some individuals have a taste for grazing at the indoor salad bar that houseplants provide. The serious problem is that many indoor plants are toxic; they can make your kitty sick, even to the point of death.
Deter your cat from nibbling on the plants. Use a plant mister or kid’s water pistol to ward the cat off when you’re around. But also plan for when you’re not supervising. Do whatever is most practical and/or convenient in your household. You can surround plants with cardboard then apply double-stick tape to the cardboard, or stretch the tape around stakes strategically placed around a plant. Also, lay cardboard or plastic table mats with double-stick tape over the dirt to prevent the cat from climbing in. (Cats don’t like the feel of double-stick tape. After a month or so, you can remove the tape.)
Another option is to throw a “plant party,” which includes arranging balloons around the plants. If your cat bursts a balloon, the interest in those plants also will burst. Some pet owners prefer a product called Keep Away, which isn’t harmful to plants or cats, but cats don’t like the smell (call 800-452-2404 for more information).
Meanwhile, it’s important to offer an alternative item your cat can munch on. Cat grass is safe for them to eat and is available at many pet stores.
As for your cat’s penchant for licking plastic, that’s anyone’s guess. Perhaps he licked the first time because there was something tasty there, like a few drops of milk. Now he’s forever looking for something tasty.
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If the problem is urgent, consult a veterinarian immediately.
