Pet-iquette: Pet queries answered

Q: Help! My seven-year-old dog has just started biting my children. We have had him since he was four weeks and has never bitten before. In the past two weeks, if my children touch him, he growls and snaps and has bitten each of them twice now. He is healthy. What to do?
A: He is obviously not healthy. He is definitely in pain and you need to take him to a vet immediately and have every test done. Also, the children must learn to respect him. At seven, he is a senior and even if he checks out healthy, it’s very possible he is just becoming less tolerant of what he’s willing to allow. He may be having a thyroid issue or even pain in his joints.

Q: We have a two-year-old dog, which we rescued from a shelter a year ago. She was quick to toilet train and never soiled in the house until recently. Now she urinates in the same room and only at night. Why? We take her out at about 11 pm and we use an odour remover to stop the scent but she always does it on the carpet. Why is this happening and how can I stop it?
A: Is she punishing you for being left in the room alone? Sounds like it. Let her sleep in your room. Take away the carpet to begin with to see what happens. Or put dettol on the carpet to see if the odour drives her off. Can you recall if there were any changes in household or other routine about the time this started happening.

Maybe something has upset your dog. Does she act insecure in any way? Have there been any new humans or any new animals added at that time? Has her personality changed? Take all these questions into account.

Q: My husband and I brought a German Shepherd puppy five days ago. She is eight weeks old and she seems to be settling in well. The first two nights, she didn’t cry at all. Now, however, she whines and howls... we have had to get up to her and tell her a firm ‘NO’ and even give her a light shake on the scruff of her neck. This method does not seem to be working now. Can you help? I think we should ignore her, but my husband is worried about the noise and the neighbours. We would appreciate any help you can offer us.
A: It sounds as if she doesn’t want to be on her own and she doesn’t feel safe on her own bed. The bed needs to be more comfortable and perhaps a stuffed toy. You should also feed her just before sleeping so that she goes to sleep quicker. A shake on the scruff of her neck is likely to make her howl louder, as it is not painful, neither is it punishment. And it is not pleasant either.