Dear Fisher,
I live with my human and one other dog. We dogs are both female and spayed. My roommate dog was about 5 years old when I showed up at just 6 weeks old. She took me under her wing and played with me and cleaned me and taught me how to play fight.
That was all fine until I turned 2 years old and now our playing isn’t so much fun. We’re getting into some nasty fights. I’m not sure why the sudden change. Our human is very upset about our fighting and I fear one of us might have to go. We are big dogs – 85 to 95 pounds each and we could do a lot of harm to each other and to her. Can you help us through this? It was so nice when we got along with each other.
Bear
Dear Bear,
Yours is a normal situation, albeit, frightful and most likely annoying. As a 2-year old, you have come into your age of social maturity. Coddling by your older housemate is no longer acceptable and you now want the first treat, first dibs on the new toy, and first to reach the door to greet your human. Naturally, the older gal who was mothering to you as a pup is not pleased. Think of it from her point of view. It is a “Who the heck do you think you are?” reaction.
None of you are at fault here. It is natural in a setting where two dogs live together to reach an agreement of social hierarchy where one of you is dominant (alpha), and the other is subordinate. Throughout all the ages, such an agreement between dogs allows them to work together. You may not believe it now, but your cooperation as the subordinate dog will make your life much easier. After all, your life was pretty cushy before you reached this stage.
Doggies Paradise gives excellent advice for all three of you:
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• Alpha dog status must be supported. Let Alpha take toys from you, be first in line, and sleep with her head on the pillow.
• Humans must not undermine your hierarchy by attempting to treat you equally.
• Your hierarchy rituals, no matter how upsetting, should be allowed in order to establish dominance in the pack.
• Bear, face it, you are younger and newer to the group, therefore you are the subordinate.
• Alpha, without exception, should get the preferential treatment.
• Humans should never attempt to break up a fight between dogs – use a blast of water from a hose if need be.
Once you are through trying to impress each other with your penchant for dominance, the natural order of things will come into play and there will be peace in your world.
Your friend,
Fisher
published in tbt Tampa Bay
Out There weekend edition
Dear Fisher,
My human has another pet. It is loud, noisy, and obnoxious and I hate it. I think my human likes it so much because it doesn’t shed, in fact, it cannot seem to get enough of the hair I shed. I have tried to scare it away by growling, barking, and nipping at it, but it does no good! My human brings it out and lets it run around the house; all the while she is chasing it, as if she really enjoys this creature!
I am trying to protect her from this hair-sucking monster, but she doesn’t seem to appreciate my concern, and seems annoyed with me. How can I get the human to understand?
Cosmo the Hoover-Hater
Dear Cosmo,
It seems you are spending much energy on saving your human from the dangers of the Hoover. You might want to consider that your human is using it for good purpose. It will help if you determine the root of the problem here. Are you overly territorial? Or, are you extremely sensitive to the high frequency noise this thing puts out. We all know dogs have terrific hearing that catches noises inaudible to most humans.
The high frequency hearing talent is the most common scientific reason why a dog would react badly to a vacuum cleaner. If it is your sensitive hearing that causes you to take on the Hoover, you would do well to use the doggy door and wait outside until the thing is put away. No yard? Choose a quiet room and nudge the door closed. Do not worry, you will be found and released when the dance is over.
There is little explanation as to why two dogs living in the same house with the same beast would react differently; one dog going into an attack mode, while the other remains completely aloof. I have even heard of a dog with big flappy lips who loves to have his lips pulled into the nozzle as though he is getting a lip massage. Many dogs like getting “brushed” with the evil monster. So, maybe we should look at the territorial issue and how best to handle that.
You growl, bark and nip at it. You are wasting time and often annoying your human. You and your human will do well to work on your socialization skills. The results will lead to a cleaner, happier household. If you are so inclined to get your two cents in anyway, feel free to shed all over everything again. Just know that the Hoover will be back.
Try this exercise in socialization:
• Allow the Hoover to spend more time in the family room without turning it on
• Place treat on or near Hoover so dog gets used to closeness without fear
• Turn vacuum on and off without pushing it around; if dog is good, dog gets a treat
• Never scold or criticize dog for reacting badly
• Find more good tips at Dog Obedience Advice
There are special products on the market you should know about. Brushers can be attached to the sucker for your personal grooming. And, this is neat – a toy dog closely resembling a real dog attaches to the nozzle, muffles the noise and is less scary. Or, maybe the robot vacuum that turns on and runs around by itself when it detects something to suck up. I am not bringing these things up to give you nightmares but to give options. I am guessing you will be much happier to just settle in with the Hoover.
Your friend,
Fisher
published in tbt Tampa Bay
Out There weekend edition
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Dear Fisher,
I recently moved here from the state of New York and I’m unfamiliar with the outdoor creatures. I love to roam about and take long walks and sometimes stay out after dark. If you know about the dangers of my meeting up with some of the Florida natives, would you please clue me in? I am completely out of my element down here, but staying inside is boring and it makes me feel trapped.
I have met the geckos, inside and out of our new house. It was fun play for about the first two weeks but now they annoy me and I just ignore them so maybe they will go away. Yeah, right.
Priscilla
Dear Priscilla,
Welcome to Florida! I hope you have a long and healthy life here. It is very important to know about the dangers lurking outside in any new place you find yourself. Of course, there is the list of universal dangers common to all states: motorized traffic, mean people, other cats, and neighborhood dogs. Oh, and do not forget the laboratory scientists!
That being said, you and your family have decided on your living a life happily free of the boundaries within the walls of your house. Unless you are out there raising havoc, destroying property and doing bad things in the kid-next-door’s sandbox, it is a personal family decision and your safety is entirely in your own paws (or claws), and how fast those little legs can run.
My friends at Florida Pets have comprised a decent list of wildlife hazards. If you do not get nightmares and paw twitches over it, you are one of the bravest little cats I will know. The list is not meant to scare anyone; it is for knowledge enough knowledge for pets and their families to make their own decisions on the lifestyle they want in the Sunshine state.
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• Rattlesnakes who try to attract your playful nature by, you guessed it, rattling. Just wait until you see the sharpness of their teeth when the conversation is about to end.
• Cottonmouth and Coral snakes are very dangerous and while the Coral snake is native to Florida, they are pretty rare. The thing to remember as you are hunting mice and small critters is: they are too. Pick your battles wisely.
• Alligators show up in unannounced. There is no room for negotiation. Run!
• Raccoons and foxes can be just about as cute as you but do not make plans to meet for a mouse snack in a dark alley. They can carry some serious diseases and should be avoided.
• Bears and coyotes are more rural threats to cats and dogs. However, as urban territories expand and take their homes away, they might just decide to come into town and take something from you. Like your life.
Areas with water, woods, woodpiles, tall grass and anywhere there is decaying vegetation can be a hangout for another being who does not much care that you get bored stuck inside your house. It is a very personal decision whether or not your humans let you wander outside. And this is just a guess: you would probably be mortified if I suggested a leash training program. Right?
Your friend,
Fisher
published in tbt Tampa Bay
Out There weekend edition
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