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Misty is our Animal Behaviorist. You may browse through questions that other people have asked and see the advice Misty gave them. You may also Ask Misty a question.
| Aggression | Barking | Chewing | Crate Training | Litter Training | Obedience | ALL
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Aggression
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Barking
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Chewing
- How do I stop my puppy from chewing?
June 1, 2006Chewing is a normal behavior for a puppy. The key is teaching your puppy what is acceptable and what is not acceptable to chew on. Just like when you “child proof” your home, you need to “puppy proof” your home as well. It is very important to make sure you do not have any poisonous plants in or around your house; you can consult your veterinarian with any questions. Puppies usually are teething until they are about six months old, chewing helps relieve some of the discomfort.
Your puppy is almost like having a child, if they can get into something they will. If you keep a trashcan in your kitchen, make sure it has a locking lid. This will stop the puppy from getting into the trash, especially if it contains something harmful such chicken bones. Keep things such as socks, children’s toys, shoes, etc. picked up. Remember you need to teach your dog which toys are acceptable to chew on or play with. There will not be a temptation to chew on something if it is not there. If you should catch your little angel chewing on something not acceptable, interrupt the behavior with a loud noise, offer him an acceptable toy of his and praise when accepted. When you interrupt the chewing behavior, if he still has it in his mouth you may remove the item from his mouth, tell him “no” and offer the acceptable item or toy to chew on and end with praise. Puppies and adult dogs will chew out of boredom or lack of exercise. Once they have completed their vaccination series, take the dog/puppy for walks as much as possible. Allow supervised socialization with other dogs of the same size. Remember that a well-socialized dog is a happy dog!
Crate Training
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Litter Training
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Obedience
- How do I stop my dog from digging?
June 1, 2006There can be a variety of reasons why your dog digs. Your dog may dig if it is left alone for long periods of time, if the area it is kept in is barren and without toys, dog is a puppy or adolescent without outlets for their high energy or if it is a herding or sporting dog since they are work driven dogs..
If your dog is digging it could be that it is simply bored and needs some “people time” along with some mental stimulation. Simply having a large backyard is not enough for the dog to obtain adequate exercise. Walk your dog at least twice a day, enroll in obedience class, keep interesting toys in the yard such as a Kong toy filled with treats. This allows the dog to “work for its food”, thus keeping his mind busy. Provide an acceptable digging area, when the dog digs elsewhere, distract it with an abrupt noise and promptly take the dog to the acceptable digging area.
Dogs may also try to pursue burrowing animals living in your yard. This is apparent when the digging is in a path or specific area, as opposed to various areas in the yard. If you should have this problem, you may contact our Wildlife Officer to obtain humane solutions on dealing with wildlife.
During the hot summer months, your dog may dig near buildings, water sources and trees to keep cool. Your best solution is to ALWAYS provide fresh water and an insulated doghouse. Make sure the water bowl cannot be tipped over! He may also dig for attention if he is always outside and not made a part of your family. Bring him in the house from time to time; make him your “Companion for Life”!
One thing you must remember, NEVER punish after the fact. This will not stop the behavior, but could worsen the digging and cause fear & anxiety. If you have tried the suggestions listed above and have found no success, please feel free to contact me and I will be happy to help!
Misc
- HI MISTY MY KITTENS ARE ABOUT 4 MONTHS OLD AND THEY ARE STILL DRINKING MILK FROM THIER MOM IS THAT NORMAL
August 11, 2008Your kittens do not need to nurse off their Mom. You might want to provide them with some dry kitten food.
- Hi Misty - my female husky has been nibbling on his rear right paw. She does not do it all the time but when she does, it is only the right paw and not the others. Any ideas? Thanks!
July 30, 2008She may have a foxtail or something in her paw. I would have a Vet look at it before it becomes infected.
- We have a stray cat that came into our backyard and had 5 kittens about 4 months ago. We found homes for the 5 kittens. But she became pregnant right away and is about to have more kittens. She doesn't allow us to come near her because she's afraid of people/not used to them I believe. How do we get her spayed? We have asked our vet but he doesn't have any solution. We had our neighbor's male cat neutered about 3 wks ago but I'm afraid another male cat will find her after she has these kittens. Is there a good way to "catch" this cat? we tried putting food into a box, etc but she does not go into them.
July 25, 2008Please contact our office to obtain a cat trap (909) 623-9777
- Dear Misty, How to make a barking dog to stop, it has become an NIGHTMARE we can't even enjoy diners in our backyard what can we do. The dog doesn't belong to us it belong to a neighbor. Thanks
July 25, 2008Please contact our office & we will make contact with the dog owner.
- Hi Misty If my dog has parvo what can i do? all the tratments are expensive is there anywhere i can go for cheap price? Thnak you
July 22, 2008Please contact a Veterinarian as soon as possible!
- can you anwser questions about horses?
July 6, 2008I will try to answer all of your questions, but if I am unable I will help you locate someone who can. (909) 623-9777 ext.612
- Do you have any pit bulls for adoptions? I just had to put down one we had for 13 years and wanted another one.
June 24, 2008Yes, we do have Pitbulls available for adoption here at the shelter.
- How best to train our Jack Russell to tolerate our kitten. Nothing is working yet. Need neuter info also.
June 18, 2008Please give me a call when you have a moment. I would like to discuss exactly what your dogs is doing.
- I recently inherited my mom's chihuahua. She passed away. He is 4. She has been very sick the last 3 1/2 yrs. of his life. He was left alone for months by himself. He will not let you put a leash on him. It scares him and he bites the leash and tries to bite me. You cannot put a collar on him too. He had to be sedated at the vet. for shots. He's happy and doesn't try to bite any other time. What do I do to get the leash and collar on him?
June 14, 2008Please be very careful when trying to work with him!!!!
Please call me when you have a moment, I would really like to help!
(909) 623-9777 ext. 612 - Hi Misty, I have a soon to be 12 year old Lab and although she's alright now, I wanted to know what to do if she dies at home. Someone told me to call the Humane Society and thy'd pick her up. What happens then, do they provide cremation and what would the fee be? It makes me sad to even think like this, but I want to be prepared ahead of time. Thank you
June 13, 2008Yes, you are more than welcome to call us to pick her up. We do have a company that provides cremation services. When the time comes, just call our office (909) 623-9777.
If I can be of further assistance, please let me know! - Hi. I took my Pomeranian to get Rabbie, 5 in 1 and Bordetella on 6/11/08 (just yesterday). This morning I notice that she developed swallen lips. Is this normal? Could it be side effect from the vacination? I don't think it's because of her food because she did not have anything except her usual dry dog food. Should I worry about this?
June 12, 2008Please contact your Veterinarian as soon as possible.
- Hi, Misty, I just want to update you with Mandy 5/8. She's been eating well. We mixed her dry food with can food and she likes it.
June 2, 2008I'm very happy to hear Mandy is doing better!
- Hi Misty: Still waiting for email concerning Pomona shelter Adoption Policy on adopting a pet as a gift.
June 1, 2008Adopting a pet as a gift is discouraged because a pet is a personal choice. Perhaps you can purchase a gift cirtificate.
- My neighbor moved but left their dog alone in the house. They only come back once a while to give the dog food & water. Is that legal?
May 11, 2008Please contact the shelter & provide the address of where the dog is located. We will send an Officer to the location. Thank You!!
- I adopted a 4 year old Lab Retriever last Monday, 5/5/08 from the Inland Valley Humane Society in Pomona. Her name is Mandy. She seems content and happy with my family of 3, but she eats very little. The dog food we give her is Natural Balance as recommended by a friend. Should I be concerned?
May 8, 2008If your dog is still not eating, I would reccommend you contact our Vet's office as soon as possible.
- Hi Misty, I just took two dogs in their owner dropped them off and abandoned them on my block. I felt bad for them so I took them in but then I realized that the dogs weren't spayed I can't afford to pay the $150. for each dog that the vet is asking for. Do you know of any places that do them for free or at a low cost? I would really appreciate your help
May 5, 2008Please contact our Vet's office for an appointment.
- Hi Misty, i have 3 month kitten. How do i train her to stop bitting us.
May 3, 2008Only pet the kitten, no play fighting. This is normal kitten behavior, the trick is to not encourage it!
- Hi Misty, I have a 1 year old Old English Bulldog that goes crazy when he sees another dog. He normally doesn't bark and he is great with people. He can walk on a leash just fine until we pass a neighbor's house with a dog in sight. He goes from 0 to 60 in a snap. Any command I give him is like I didn't even say anything at all. It is a complete fixation. At first he makes whimpering noises, but then they turn into agressive growls. He isn't neutered, my father refuses to neuter him for breeding purposes. I just don
April 28, 2008I would definately reccommend you have him neutered! Your dog is showing signs of animal aggression and needs to be worked with on a regular basis. Animal aggression needs to be delt with carefully to aviod you and/or another animal getting hurt. Please contact my office at your earliest convenience! (909) 623-9777 ext.612
- my dog got pregnant around feb 20 it is now going to be april 25 and still has not had the puppies should i be worried
April 24, 2008Please take your dog to a Veterinarian for an examination.
- Can my Chihuahua get along with other bigger dogs like golden retriever?
April 23, 2008Absolutely! I reccommend introducing your Chihuahua to any new dog on leash so you can control the situation.
- I am having a difficult time finding dog trainers/obedience courses in my area (Ontario CA) fo rmy new puppy, can you provide a list of classes in the Inland Empire?
March 22, 2008Please contact my office so I can get an idea as to what type of training you are serching for.
- Hi Misty, I have taken in my sister's dog without really wanting to. She is a very sweet and gentle mutt. She looks like a mixture of a Yorkshire Terrier and an Australian Terrier. However, I already have a Beagle who is an outside dog. Her dog is more of an inside dog. I want to leave her outside with our Beagle but it turns out she has ear mites. I have been treating her for the past couple of months with an over the counter medicine, but it seems not to get that much better. I feel bad because I see her shaking her head at times and scratching her ears alot. I can't keep her in the house for long because my daughter suffers from asthma. Is there something else I can try to help her with her ears so I can put her outside with our other dog?
March 17, 2008Please have her examined by a Veterinarian.
- where would i go to find out the dog i have that i just found and what do i have to if i would like to keep him?
March 9, 2008
You are welcome to come by the shelter & we can scan the dog to see if it has a microchip. Also, please post a "found" notice around your neighborhood to see if someone is missing their dog. - I have a very odd question. My 6-year-old Min Pin loves to lick my husband when he comes home from work or surfing. He has very tough skin, while mine is very sensitive. The other night I clipped all her nails, something she REALLY does not like and I usually give up on after one nail. Later I fell asleep on the couch with her licking my forehead. Two hours later I woke up and she was still licking. I had an area on my forehead the size of two quarters that was red and painful and a dime-size spot in the middle with NO skin, slightly bleeding. She had literally licked the skin off of my forehead. Was she doing this to get back at me for clipping her nails? I was stressed that night; could she have been trying to comfort me? Did she not know she was hurting me since I happened to sleep through it? This has never happened before.
March 8, 2008Very interesting! She my have a sodium defficientcy or she could just be "mothering".
- How old are puppies when they stop chewing shoes?
March 4, 2008Puppies are like children, you have to teach them with a loving hand what is acceptable & what is not. When your puppy starts to chew on your shoe, tell him/her "NO" & provide an acceptable toy to chew on. Remember, puppies in particular have sharp teeth so nevr give a toy they can bite and perhaps break a piece off.
- My 6 mo old dog has the need to nestle in hair, and lay his head in your hair or on your neck. He gets very close in the face. Is he missing some sort of motherly contact?
March 4, 2008This could be due to weining at an early age or he just gets some comfort from the close contact. It could also be that your dog is very affectionate!
- my 4 month old kitten attcked me twice last night. I have to give her meds for an URI and she alters between affection and aggression. What can I do?
February 28, 2008Your kitten is probably just being playful which is normal behavior for that age. To discourage aggressive play, do not play with her when this type of behavior is displayed & if she is on your lap or you are holding her put her down and tell her "NO".
- My declawed cat has been recently attacking my dogs for no reason, why the sudden change??
February 26, 2008I would wonder if the cat perhaps felt threatened by the dogs or new stressor in the household.
- My puppy is playful and keeps nipping and biting at my kids, sometimes very hard with his little razor teeth. What can I do to correct his behavior?
February 26, 2008This is typical puppy behavior as he/she looks to your children as littermates; sensing their young age. Perhaps have your children only pet the dog & dicourage any rough housing. When your puppy has finished his/her vaccinations, enrole in an obedience class. If you need help locating one, please call my office (909) 623-9777 ext 612
- what can i do to get my puppy to stop peeing everytime i go to pick him up? he is a small breed he is about 6 pounds
February 22, 2008Peeing is usually submissive behavior. Your puppy sounds very sensitive. Talk to it in a very calm manner & slowly pick him/her up. Take the puppy outside frequently to go to the bathroom and always offer positive praise. It is very similiar to potty training a child, positive reinforcement and repitition.
- My puppy will be 3 months old on March 11, does she need her shots yet?
February 21, 2008Please consult your Veterinarian for a vaccination schedule as soon as possible. In the meantime, be careful where you take you puppy as it has no protection against disease.
- How will I know when it's time to let my pooch go shes 16 with severe artheritis and is in constant pain. we do have her on pain medication but she is constantly crying unless shes asleep. I've already talked to my vet and he says its that time b ut I'm just feeling so bad. Also when I think it's time does the humane society do this and if so how do I go about this.
February 19, 2008I know this is a very difficult decision to make. When someone asks me, I always tell them quality of life is the most important thing to consider. We do offer Veterinary reccommeded euthanasia only. You will need to bring a note from your Vet reccommending this course of action. Please call our office for fees (909) 623-9777
- our family dog has bitten one of my children what should I do? Bear is 3yrs and neutered and trained to some degree. Please help.
February 18, 2008Please call my office so we can discuss quarentine & training needs as soon as possible. (909) 623-9777 ext. 612
- My cat will use her litter box most of the time, but pees on my bed if there is anything other than plastic over the matress. Can you help?
February 17, 2008Keep the litter box in the same place at all times and make sure it is cleaned on a daily basis. Sometimes cats will also do this if there is a new stressor in the household. Please call me if this behavior continues.
- Hi Misty, I have a teacup chihuahua who is 8 weeks old, I want to start litter training her as she will be an indoor dog. What are the steps I should take. I am already training her on a pee pee pad and she is about 90% successful.
February 15, 2008Ideally, if you can replace the litterbox in the area where you have the pee pee pads your dog can learn to potty directly on the pads. The trick is to place the litterbox in an area where it will not be moved, a permenant place.
- my dog barks all people she doesn't know and get out control where sometimes we can't control her. We would like to enroll in some kind of training for her. Please help
February 15, 2008Please contact my office and I would be more than happy to help you locate a trainer. (909) 623-9777 ext 612
- can you tell me the laws of animal shelters regarding injuries on animal that was in there care and was injured as the owner was picking it up. My ex picked up his dog and as they were taking him out of the kennel it got in a fight with a pitbull the kennel hosed the dog off and told my ex he will be okay took his money and he left. i am taking care of him and his injuries are so bad puncture holes so deep you can put your finger in it bleeding wont stop and i called the animal shelter they said they dont pay even though he was in their care..
February 13, 2008I'm not sure what shelter you have delt with,but my concern is that it sounds like your dog needs to be seen by a Veterinarian. I would reccommend taking your dog in for an examination as soon as possible to avoid infection.
- Ok, my rabbit is always growling at me. He has bitten me a few times too. How do I get him to quit?
February 11, 2008Have a Vet examine it to ensure there are no underlying medical issues. If it is not altered, sometimes they will exhibit aggressive behavior.
- ndparents are elderly and reside in Chino. There are multiple stray cats on and around their proprty. Unfortunately these cats are a nuisance and thay want to know how to get rid of them. Will someone from the humane society come out and catch the cats or are my elderly grandparents expected to catch the animals. Also will they incur a fee to get rid of the cats. Thanks in advance for your help in this matterer.
February 9, 2008Please contact the shelter to inquire about trap rentals. If you are within our service area, we will come out to pick up a cat in a cat trap free of charge.
- If I get my rabbit neutered, then will he stop being aggressive and stop biting me?
January 23, 2008It will help, but it is not a cure all. Do not feed him by hand.
- My neighbor has a dog and it is pouring rain and the poor dog has no place to shield from the cold and rain
January 23, 2008Please contact our office at your earliest convenience. (909) 623-9777
- I really want to do something as a career that has to do with animals like work at an SPCA. I live in Idaho, and I love animals a lot! What are some details about being some like you?
January 22, 2008Contact your local animal shelter & become a volunteer. It's a great way to get to know what goes on at a shelter and wonderful way to gain some animal handling experience! Best of luck to you!
- I am having a problem with people in my neighborhood keeping there dogs in there yards or on leashes. I can not walk my walk my dog without being confronted by a dog and some are a little aggresive. Who do I contact to control this problem?
January 20, 2008Please contact our office at (909) 623-9777 so we can address the problem.
- what do i if ifind an injured cat
January 16, 2008Please bring it in to our shelter if you are within our service area or take it to your local shelter.
- My boyfriend and I just bought a dalmatian from a "backyard" breeder. Three days later we discover she is deaf. She at times agressive with our first dog. We cannot keep her. Does she have a chance of being adopted?
January 13, 2008Please contact my office to discuss the different options you may have. (909) 623-9777 ext. 612
- I have a 3 1/2 year old basset/springer mix. She was really attached to my husband who was disabled. My husband passed away in June. When I leave Chloe alone she will rip magazines, chew my knitting needles...just get into trouble. I tried locking her in the bathroon with a blanket and water...she chewed the trim on my bathroom mirror. She never gets into anything when I am home...just when I leave. I don't know if I should reprimand her when I get home...Help I am out of ideas. I tried a kong and new toys, but nothing seems to work short of me being a prisoner in my own home
January 7, 2008I would be happy to chat with you about the different options you may have. Please contact my office at (909) 623-9777 ext. 612
- I would like to become a Animal Cop like on the show on animal planet. Im 16 years old how can i get more info on becoming one?
January 6, 2008You are welcome to join our volunteer program with one of your parents. Our Volunteer Coordinator can assist you with any t=other questions you may have. (909) 623-9777 ext. 611
- We have owned our Jack Russell for 5 yrs.Out of the blue she started pooping on the carpet.What do you think could be the cause?
January 6, 2008Sometimes a dog will start to go to the bathroom at inappropriate places if they are stressed or there is something new going on in the household.
- I think my 7 month old Chihuahua was bite by a spider on her paw. It is swollen and pinkish. It doesnt hurt when we touch or squeeze her foot. We have no money to take her to the vet. Is there any home remedies?
December 16, 2007I would definately call a Veterinarian as soon as possible.
- I have had a female 4 1/2 yr old German Shep since she was 6 wks old, she had companion female saint bernard two year older than her that I adopted at IVHS but she passed away. Now I'm trying to adopt another female companion for german shep but was told I can not adopt female because my dog is not spayed. If this is true why was I able to adopt the saint bernard?
December 3, 2007Although we highly recommend that your dog be spayed, it is not a requirement to adopt. We would ask that you bring in your dog to socialize with the dog you are interested in adopting.
- My dog likes to lick his paws, genital area, and butthole... is that normal for dogs? I'm afraid he's gonna get sick one of these days for doing all those unsanitary licking! PLS HELP!!! Thank You~
November 29, 2007Your dog is probably grooming himself. If you have a medical concern, please consult your veterinarian.
- I have a 2 1/2 yr old male neutered bull terrier, he is lovable, and a bundle of fun, but lately when we sit on the couch he sometimes bites us...why i dont know,how do we become the alpha again?
November 26, 2007Bull Terriers tend to have a very dominant personality. Enrole in an obedience class, intermediate to advanced.
- I am having a problem with fleas I have tried just about every treatment we can get from stores and still can't completly get rid of them is there someting you can recomend thans for any info.
November 13, 2007I would advise you consult your Veterinarian for proper flea prevention.
- We adopted a lab almost a year ago and she is still really hyper and bites. she has gone through training and behaves at school but once she gets home she is crazy. it is so bad that my dad is at the point of saying we have to give her up, that we cannot handle her. what should we do? is there any hope?
November 12, 2007Please call my office at your convenience so I can get an idea of what training methods you have already tried. Please keep in mind, Labs are a bit hyper as pups. You have a great dog & the right training will make a BIG difference.
(909) 623-9777 ext. 612 - My mom has a bunch of kittens in her attic, we don't know how to get them out. We see their faces through the screen in the eaves of the roof. Please advise.
November 12, 2007I would reccomend obtaining a cat trap. We do have traps here at the shelter, although you will need to come in to have your name put on a waiting list.
- Hi Misty, Our 14 yr old female shep chow passed away 3 months ago. My 9 yr old female lab mix and 7 yr old son miss her terribly. We have a big yard and I prefer a large female 3 - 8 months old. I was turned down by two adoption agencies because we have a female dog. Why? I have always had 2 females no aggression problems. Do you suggest a male? I am concerned about a year or older because of my son. Also what age do you suggest? Thanx!
November 6, 2007Having two female dogs is just fine if they are properly introduced. Please feel free to come to the shelter & I would be more than happy to help you.
- Hi,I recently adopted a 7month old cocker spaniel male.He's very energetic and constanly jumps up on me and my children to greet us.It was cute at first now its getting annoying,especially when Im wearing clean clothes and he's been playing in the wet grass in the morning.How can we correct this behavior.Thanks...
November 6, 2007This is typical behavior for a puppy, but should be corrected with proper training. Make sure your puppy is finished with its vaccination series and then enrole him/her in obedience training. If you need help locating a trainer in your area, please feel free to call my office.
Thank You! - My cocker spaniel mix is 8months old, we also have two rabbits they have equally shared the back yard for the last 7 months. This past month she began chasing the rabbits, by cornering and barking at them,and also gets the other dogs to chase them. What can I do to stop her and the others from doing the same.
November 5, 2007Your dog is a sporting dog by breed. I would reccomend enroling your dog in an obedience class. Until your dog learns not to chase the rabbits, I would suggest putting your rabbits in a cage.
- i adopted a kitten and it is snizing and has runny nose and watery eyes i can hear him meow help me please
October 29, 2007Please call our Vet's office to make an appointment for the cat to be examined. (909) 623-9777 ext. 669
- I would like to socialize my labrador retreiver. He has bad elbows and I can't really take him to the dog park. What would be some ways to do this?
October 18, 2007I would first have your dog examined by a Veterinarian to ensure your dog can be taken for a walk. Then, I would take him/her for short walks to help him become more socialized.
- we just adopted a female dog from a shelter, she had been there 3 months, she is very loving with me and my family but NO ONE ELSE, what do I do? I really love her and spoil her but I am afraid she will bite someone. Could it just be the new environment, we have only had her two weeks.
October 15, 2007Yes, it could be the new environmment, but that is never an excuse to bite, I would enrole her in obedience class as soon as possible.
- DEAR MISTY, MY FIVE YEAR OLD GOLDEN STILL LIKES TO PULL A BIT ON HER LEASH WHILE WALKING. SHE IS A VERY STUBORN ONE. MY OTHER TWO GOLDENS WALK PERFECTLY. I HAVE WORKED AND WORKED WITH HER AND HAVE TRYED EVERY DIFFERENT COLLOR THEIR IS. I WISH I COULD BREAK HER OF THIS PULLING. ANY OTHER SUGGESTIONS. IT HAS HELPED A BIT TO TURN WHEN WALKING SO SHE NEVER KNOWS WHERE IM GONNA GO NEXT. PLEASE HELP..THANKS JANELLE
October 14, 2007Hi Janelle,
I would need a little more information. Please feel free to call my office. (909) 623-9777 ext. 612 - I see from a previous question that you answered how to stop a dog from eating its feces. I rescued a german sherpherd (she is about 4 yrs old) and she keeps eating her feces and our german pinschers feces in the backyard. We feed her Pedigree dry food and canned food to help her gain weight (she is very emaciated). Is there anything else we can do to get her to stop eating the feces??
October 10, 2007Contact your Veterinarian & have her checked for perhaps some type of deficiency.
- Hi Misty, I have a 4 mo old Maltese. Half of the time he goes to the restroom on the pee pad. But some days he ignores it and does his business at a different place. When I think he's getting it down, he proves me wrong. Help. I haven't done crate training because he eats his own feces. Any other potty training advice other than crate training? Thanks.
September 25, 2007Crate training is a wonderful way to potty train your puppy! If he/she is eating their own feces the two main reasons usually are lack of nutritional needs and or boredom. Try changing the puppy's food to another brand of puppy food. If you get a crate that is just big enough for the dog to stand up & turn around that is ideal. Dogs are den oriented by nature & usually will not defecate where they sleep. Introduce the puppy to the crate gradually, never leave unattended especially during the introductory period.
The other option is to isolate to a certain room in the house, preferably close to a door and take the puppy out to potty every time you notice it smelling the floor or circling. - How do I find out if my lost cat is at your shelter?
September 20, 2007Please come to the shelter and look for your cat.
- Our puppy is scheduled to be dewormed in 3 weeks, along with shots, but I saw white 1/4" worms in stool moving this morning. Should we wait 3 weeks or do something now?
September 11, 2007Please contact your Veterinarian for treatment.
- I had been feeding a stray cat. It never let me get near. Well, I found out it was a female. She got pregnant and had 3 kittens. I want to give them to my family but none let me touch them. I need to have them all fixed and vaccinated. What do I do now? The kittens are about 4 months old. HELP! I want to do the right thing by them. How do I trap them to get them medical attention?
September 4, 2007You may contact the shelter and have your name put on a waiting list for a trap or contact a feed store to rent one.
- i have a 6 year old mixed chow and she seems to have lost her apetite since last night. what do you think is wrong with her?
September 4, 2007Please contact you Veterinarian as soon as possible.
- Hello Misty, I own two Chihuahuas with some what of a barking problem? How can I reduce their barking?
September 1, 2007Try to make sure they have access to the house especially at night. Take them for walks as much as possible. Please call if you should need further advice (909) 623-9777 ext. 612
- I have a 6 month old kitten that I got when she was 6 weeks old. She was an orphan. She continues to bite. If you pick her up she bites you or just walks up to you and bite. Help.
August 27, 2007This is typical kitten behavior. Handle her as much as possible, but no ruff play. Offer her a lot of toys!
- I HAVE A 6 WEEK OLD PUPPY, HOW DO I GET HER TO STOP BITTING OUR FEET AND OUR HANDS?
August 25, 2007Do not encourage rough house behavior. Offer plenty of toys, Kongs, etc. Make sure you follow the vaccine schedule set by your Veterinarian and when complete enrole your puppy in an obedience class.
- ABOUT EVERY HOW MANY MINUTES DO DOGS GO TO THE RESTROOM AND WHAT I S A GOOD WAY TO TRAIN MY PUPPY?
August 25, 2007Give your puppy the opportunity to go to the bathroom every couple of hours. Take him/her to the same spot every time! Crate training is a wonderful way to potty train your puppy, please let me know if you need crate training information.
- I adopted a 2 year old mix herding breed type dog from the shelter and she was about 2 years old when I brought her home. I've had her for about 3 weeks now and I noticed that she doesn't play. When I throw a ball she doesn't run after it and when I got her toys from the pet store she's not interested. Other than that, the vet told me that she's healthy and she's up to date with all shots. Is not playing with toys normal? I've never had a dog who didn't know how to play. The only activities that I can do with her is run and she'll run along side me but then she'll also occasionally nip at me which sometimes hurt and I don't know how to stop her from doing that. HELP!
August 22, 2007You have a herding breed dog and as part of their breeding they will nip or "herd" you. When she nips at you tell her "no", when she stopsoffer a treat or toy. Also, try giving her a ball or Kong to play with.
- How many dogs can one person own? I have an elderly aunt who is now 72 yrs. old and has had recent amputation to her left leg. She can no longer care for her dogs. What can be done in order to have these chihuahuas picked up. They are not human friendly . Although they love her to death.
August 21, 2007Please contact the shelter for assistance.
- I have a problem with wild life eating the friut from my fruit trees, squirrels and racoons any suggestions?
August 13, 2007Please call our Wildlife Officer for information.
Officer Taber (909) 623-9777 ext. 673 - I have a about 8 month old male jack russell terrier and a few days ago i notice a red bump on his from paw. Is this a big concern? He is not bothered by it, unless i start touching it. What could it be? is it necessary to take him to the vet or could it just be a bug bite?
August 10, 2007Please consult your Veterinarian regarding treatment.
- i brought home a 4 year old dog last monday and it has a bit of a biting problem. i'm not sure how long he's been a biter, but i've known and played with this dog before owning it and never encountered a problem. his previouse owners only told me of the biting when i told them i was enterested in having the dog. the dog has bit me 4 times now and drew blood twice. he bites when you attempt to pick him up, and the other day, i told him to move, go, come, to get him out of the path my 7 year old need to go, and when i gently pulled on his chain to let him know i wanted him to come, he bit my finger. the dog has been through dog training and besides the biting, is a wonderflully behaved and obedient dog. what is the proper way to teach it to stop. what i've been doing is as soon as he bites or snapps, i tell him no, put his leash (only use this one for this purpose) on him and tie it to the kitchen door. i leave him there for a while and then let him loose again.
August 6, 2007I would be very cautious of a dog that has a biting problem, especially with a child in the house. This dog needs a behavior evaluation and specific training. If the dog has bit, he needs to be placed on a 10 day quarantine for rabbies observation. Please contact my office and I will adiviseyou further on training & quarantine. Thank You!!
- Can you pick up a stray sick cat from my home if I can trap it?
August 6, 2007We would be happy to if you are in our service area. If not, please contact the shelter in your area. Thank you for caring so much!
- Dog is 15+ years old and has an unknown vaccine history, which vaccinations should I give him?
August 1, 2007Please consult your Veterinarian.
- I received a dog from your location on Thursday. She has a real runny nose. She is currently on antibotics for a skin rash.
July 30, 2007Please call our Vet's office to schedule an appointment.
- I inherited a small dog from my aunt who died. Her name is tiny. She doesn't like to eat dog food. She is a mixture of a pug ang chihohoa. She's really cute. She just had her bday last July 1. Sometimes if she is really hungry, she eats the dry food. She only eat chicken. What should I do to let her eat dog food.
July 29, 2007Mix what she is use to eating with the dog food. Allow the dog a set time limit to eat, approx 30 minutes, and then pick up the food until the next feeding.
- I recently had my 5 month old male Shih Tzu neutered. Will he later lift his leg to urinate or learn to mount?
July 26, 2007Not lifting the leg while urinating is usually a puppy phase for male dogs. Male dogs will usually lift their leg to urinate somewhere around 1 year of age. Mounting is a sign of dominance and is prevented by neutering and obedience training.
- Hey misty! My kitty had mange and he has been isolated for treatment for a little over a week. He is supposed to be ready to come home this weekend but i am kind of worried that there might still be some mange in my room or on me that he could possibly reaquire. Is this possible? Could there be leftover mange on me and in the room? and can it spread back to him? I did a raid fogger but it didn't include mites on the list of insects. What should i do? Im worried about bringing him back home so please give me your advice! Thanks!
July 26, 2007I would suggest you contact your Veterinarian and get his/her opinion. Depending on how and what your cat has been treated with and how you have sanitized the area is very important! Make sure you are not using the Raid Fogger with any animals or people in the room!! Good Luck!! :)
- hello. i rescued a kitten about two years ago. she has been a wonderful cat up until the time i moved. the first time i moved, she started peeing all over the new place. i took her to the vet and turns out she had a bladder infection. after that was fixed, she still pees outside of the litter box. i had to move about six months later and she is still peeing outside the litter box, mostly on the couches. i don't know what to do and how to fix this problem. she stills goes in her litter box, she just goes on the couches as well. the only thing i can think of is that she is lonely and trying to get attention but i cannot be home all the time. do you know what could be wrong with her? my roommates are furious and i'm at the point where i feel like i have to get rid of her...that's the LAST thing i want to do. please help me!! thank you
June 8, 2007I would take her back to your Vet just in case the infection has come back. You might also inquire about what would be the best diet for the cat with bladder infection issues. Once all medical issues are ruled out by your Vet, I would suggest isolating the cat to the room where you keep the litterbox. This will help retrain the cat to use the litterbox. You can also try a different type of litter and/or litterbox.
- Hi Misty! I am very interested in becoming an Animal Control Officer. I have taken several animal science classes at Mount Sac and Cal poly Pomona. I was very active in the FFA all four years of high school and I have a lot of animal experience. I was just wondering if you could give me some advice on the best way to go about becoming a Humane Officer? Thanks!
May 9, 2007You can attend one of our volunteer orientations to become a volunteer or come into the front office and inquire about a ride a long with one of our Officers. You are welcome to stop by my office and I would be happy to answer any questions you may have.
- is there something that i could make out of common, safe household items (vinegar or what have you ) that i can use , that will absolutely work , as a repellant to train CATS as to where they CANNOT go , indoors .I bought a can of hartz stay off i believe it is called, it does not work. please help , otherwise my husband will make me get rid of the cats !
April 17, 2007The best way to train cats to stay off items is to spray them with a water bottle when they are on the furniture, etc.
- I adopted a dog from the shelterabout 5 days ago and for the first couple days things were good. he had a healthy appetite and drank lotsof water. the last couple of days he has not hadan appetite and has lost a lot of his energy. he sleeps most of the day and barley eats about on cupof food a day. Is this normal or what should i do?
April 11, 2007Please make an appointment to have your dog examined by our Veterinarian as soon as possible.
- My dog is very friendly around me and others, but when it comes to lizards, birds and any little animal that comes into our backyard he kills, is that normal, I don't want to have a killer dog, I have given him nothing but love and attention.
April 9, 2007Try offering your dog more toys ..........KONGS are great!!!!
- I just got adopted a dog from your shelter. I picked her up yesterday from the vet office and they told me I could feed her today. She isn't interested in food or water. Is this a normal behavior? How long until I should worry about her not eating. Please any advice is welcome - this is my first pet and I want to make sure she is not neglected again like she was in her previous home.
April 6, 2007Please contact our Vets office as soon as possible.
- My dog is sick and I wondered if the Humane Society puts animals to sleep and if so, what is the cost?
April 6, 2007Please contact your Veterinarian if your dog is sick.
- My 4 year old corgie mix is afraid of other animals, other dogs that want to play with him he runs and hides or hides behind me. We just brought home 3-threemonth old dogs and he wont go near them and wont come near us if we have them on our lap.I would like for him to be friends with the new dogs, what do I do?
April 2, 2007Your Corgie X is probably very submissive and seems a bit over-whelmed with the puppies. I would try a gradual introduction with the Corgie & one puppy at a time. Take your time with the introduction.
- my 7 years old cat suddenly attacks me & my husband without any clear reason, how can we deal with him during these attack periods? do we lock him for sometime? please advise your recommendations
March 23, 2007If this type of behavior is not normal for your cat, I would advise taking him/her to a Veterinarian to rule out any medical issues. If your cat is usually this fiesty, limit contact to just petting & holding the cat. Please contact me is you should have any other questions.
- I have a 9 month old puppy. When I got her I was told she had already had 2 sets of shots. I got her at about 3 months old. She had one more set of shots a few weeks after I had her. Now I found out she only had one set of shots from her previous owner. What shots do I get for her now?
March 19, 2007Please consult with your Veterinarian.
- My dad brought home a dog for my my oldest daughter, do to our family's busy schedule he is very neglected and is not getting the attention a dog should have, who can i contact to help me find a better home for scruffy?
March 19, 2007There are breed rescues or you are welcome to bring him to the shelter and we can try to adopt him to a new family.
- I have a 2 year old cat and for the past 6 months he has been walking around like he is on egg shells. He is real skiddish and he acts like everything is attacking him and now nobody can touch him without him jumping and overreacting.
March 16, 2007I would advise consulting with your Veterinarian to rule out possible health issues.
- I adopted a german shepard/chow/collie mix as a puppy in June of '04. As my dog got older he began to have increaing aggresssion problems. He is neutered and he is very good with me and some of my family members but anyone else he acts like he wants to really harm them. I have an acre and a half property and when I let him out to run he's looking for ways to get out of the yard to attck neighbors dogs. One incidence he got out of the yard and tried to attack my neighbors dog. The thing is that we have a wash that devides us from my neighbors dogs, but he tried to get them and ended up falling down at least 10 feet into the wash (didn't hurt himself). We have since re-gated our fence so there are no gaps. My vet won't see him, the muzzles they provide he takes off. I take him in the car and he agressively barks at everyone and every car that passes by. I don't know what to do with his behavior. No regular obedience class will take him. I've been looking for a more efficient muzzle to buy him so that he can at least try to see the vet. He hasn't been seen by one since he was a year old. I have a 4 year old son that I never leave alone with my dog. I know that he is capable of being pushed to a limit to bite. For me on the other hand, I can do whatever I want to him and he is submissive. I didn't train him this way. I love my dog very much, any advice would be very appreciative.
March 15, 2007Please contact my office at your earliest convenience so I can obtain more details.
(909) 623-9777 ext. 612 - I realized while i was cleaning my two cats liter box thier stool had worm. I looked online and I think they are called Round worms. My question is where should i take them to get dowormed? or do they need to get dewormed?
March 7, 2007Please consult with your Veterinarian.
- I actually have 2 questions - 1: What type of crate do you recommend and 2: how long can you leave your puppy in the crate at a time? Some things I have read it is ok for up to 4 hrs others say no more than 1 hr. We are getting a new puppy in 2 weeks and wondering what is going to be the best for him while we are at work - in the beginning he may be along 4-5 hrs at a time.
February 24, 2007I reccommend the black metal crates which are usually available at your local pet store. You want the crate just big enough to allow the dog room to stand & turn around. You may want to purchase one that will last up thru the dog's adult life. If so, just block off a portion of the crate with a small ice chest. Crate training is wonderful........but should be introduced gradually. Puppies cannot and should not be confinded to a crate, especially unattended for more than a couple of hours. Please let me know if you should have any more questions.
- is it norma for cats to have problems using the bathroom after being nuetered? when he uses the bathroom he has poop all over his tai and butt.
February 18, 2007I would suggest you take your cat to the Vet to rule out any health problems.
- Have a 7 months feral kitten outside. Been taking care of it. She had mouth problem and I been treating her with an oral sprey. I stopped the spray 2 days ago. Now whenever I go outside and put food outside she rans away that is if she about, but if she is lying I can pick her up and pet her. I believe she is frightened that I might spray her mouth again. I did this before with her and I had no problems. She used to play with me and all. My question is: How long will this fear go away?
February 11, 2007I would advise you to take your cat to a Veterinarian to rule out any medical issues. Once your cat has been examined, offer plenty of its favorite food/treats and it will come around.
- How do I properly walk my Chihuahua?
February 7, 2007Try a harness and a non-retractable leash. The harness helps with pulling and a standard leash will teach them to walk with you. Enrolling your dog in a basic obedience class will be a great way to teach your dog to walk, sit, stay, and to become social with other dogs!!
- My 9 year old Spinoni has never showed any signs of agression but is obsessed with my new kitten -- last night he approached the kitten for a sniff and suddenly tried to grab (NOT growling. NOT showing teeth.) the kitten with his mouth. What is that about?
February 7, 2007The dog appartently gave no warning, so I would really monitor their interaction. Perhaps put your dog on a leash when the kitten is in the room and observe your dog's body language for possible dominance &/or aggression. Do not leave them alone until these issues can be ruled out. Please contact me if you should have any more questions.
- how do i get my ca to behave with other cat/dogs?
December 27, 2006First, remember not to rush the introduction. Cat to cat introductions are best accomplished by confining the new cat to a medium sized room with a litter box, food, water & blanket or bed. Place the new cat's food & water next to the door. On the OTHER side of the door, place your existing dog/cat's food & water. This will help both animals (new & existing) gradually get use to each other. After a few days, switch the blankets/beds, giving the new animal's blanket/bed to the existing animal & the existing animal's blanket/bed to the new animal. After a few days, you can place the cats together in the same room. If there is any growling or hissing, separate the cats and continue the process described above for at least a week or two. If the cats start fighting, make a loud noise or spray a water bottle on them to stop the fight, physically trying to break up a cat fight could result in you getting bit.
Dog to cat introductions should be done with extreme care. Initially, follow the same procedure as described above, isolating your new cat in a room with litter box, blanket & place food & water by the door. Place your dog's food & water on the OTHER side of the door. After a few days, switch blankets. Give the cat's blanket to the dog & the Dog's to the cat. If your dog has shown absolutely no signs of aggression (growling, barking, etc) at the room where the cat is kept, an on-leash introduction may follow.
Hold your dog on-leash & allow the cat loose with the dog. If your dog should at any point lunge or growl at the cat, stop the introduction immediately and separate the cat from the dog. This may suggest your dog is aggressive toward cats. Please contact either myself or another professional for detailed information. Never introduce a dog to a cat off leash!!! - How do I stop my dog from digging?
December 19, 2006
There can be a variety of reasons why your dog digs. Your dog may dig if it is left alone for long periods of time, if the area the dog is kept in is barren and without toys, dog is a puppy or adolescent without outlets for their high energy or if it is a herding or sporting dog since they are work driven dogs..
If your dog is digging it could be that it is simply bored and needs some “people time” along with some mental stimulation. Simply having a large backyard is not enough for the dog to obtain adequate exercise. Walk your dog at least twice a day, enroll in obedience class, keep interesting toys in the yard such as a Kong toy filled with treats. This allows the dog to “work for its food”, thus keeping his mind busy. Provide an acceptable digging area, when the dog digs elsewhere, distract it with an abrupt noise and promptly take the dog to the acceptable digging area. Temporarily fill in the hole the dog has dug with rocks.
Dogs may also try to pursue burrowing animals living in your yard. This is apparent when the digging is in a path or specific area, as opposed to various areas in the yard. If you should have this problem, you may contact our Wildlife Officer to obtain humane solutions on dealing with wildlife.
During the hot summer months, your dog may dig near buildings, water sources and trees to keep cool. Your best solution is to ALWAYS provide fresh water and an insulated doghouse. Make sure the water bowl cannot be tipped over! He may also dig for attention if he is always outside and not made a part of your family. Bring him in the house from time to time; make him your “Companion for Life”!
One thing you must remember, NEVER punish after the fact. This will not stop the behavior, but could worsen the digging and cause fear & anxiety. - Why does my Cairn Terrier growl at people he gets to know... but not strangers?
November 24, 2006I would definately advise you to obtain a professional trainer to assist you in socializing/training your dog. I would further advise you to consult your Veterinarian to rule out any medical reasons for your dog's behavior.
- Nemo is my 4 month old cat that is NOT at all friendly. Everytime we try to bite him or pick him up, he will try to bite you. Vet says its because he is teething, but I have had other cats that are loving and want to be pet. What can I do to make him stop bitting excessively? I am at the point where I want to give him up for this reason.
October 26, 2006Even though your cat may in fact be teething, he or she should still not be acting in such an aggressive manner. Kittens normaly are extremely playful and sometimes may "play bite". The best way to discourage this behavior is to only initiate soft play.....only petting the kitten as opposed to rough kitten play. If the kitten is timid, try feeding treats or soft food to gain the kitten's trust.
- My dog is almost one year old and still goes in her crate. She has just enough room to be comfortable, so she ends up sleeping in it. It drvies me NUTS everymorning berfore work cleaning it and her! What am i doing wrong
October 17, 2006Try taking your dog out for a walk, thus allowing it to eliminate just prior to going to bed in the evening. Also, place the dog and crate in your bedroom so you can hear it whine or make other signs of restlessness.
- how can I stop my dog from bitting me because I am putting her in the cage?
October 5, 2006Anytime you crate train a dog, you want it to be a very positive experience. Put a treat in the crate & allow her to enter the crate, eat the treat & then leave. A short time later try this again, but shut the crate door for a few minutes.......always stay with her in the room. Gradually increase her time in the crate. Take your time with crate training......don't rush it as she may panic & potentially harm herself. A dog should not be left in the crate for more than a few hours at a time.
- How Do I Get My Dog Stop From Barking At Nothing And Stop Being So Active, And Not Calming Down? He's Only 4 yrs Old. So What Should I Do?
October 4, 2006Walk you dog every day for at least a half hour, twice a day if possible. Obedience training will definately be a huge help, enrole your dog as soon as possible!!!!
- how to house train my dogs
September 1, 2006First, do not give your dog full access to the house. Crate training is the best method for house training.
- My newly adopted adult cat from IVHS tries to attack my existing pets (dogs) with no provocation. I'm not sure about her reaction to my existing cat (she's still quarantined from the other cat) She didn't appear to be aggressive toward other cats at IVHS but now I'm unsure about her future behavior. How can I socialize my pets with her safely and effectively?
August 14, 2006Any introduction with a new pet should be very gradual. Isolate the new cat in a room with a bed or blanket and place her food & water by the door. Feed your animals on the OTHER side of the door. Do this for a week or so, then bring the new cat's blanket out and allow your pets to sleep on it. This will allow them to gradually get use to one another. Finally, allow each animal to be introduced to your new pet on an individual basis. Now, you should be ready for them to meet together as a group........always monitor body language, raising of hair, growling, etc., if any of this should occur start the introduction over again.
- I have a 15 year old cat whose behavior has changed drastically in the past few months. She will no longer use the cat box, she climbs up on tables and counters which she never did before, she is constantly begging for more food to the extent of climbing up to get family food, and she wants constant attention. She is still fed and given water appropriately. Has she possibly gone senile?
July 11, 2006Any drastic change in behavior can be an indicator of a possible medical issue. I would advise that you have your cat examined by a Veterinarian. Once any medical cause is ruled out, I would then address any changes in your household that would possibly stress the animal.
