Dr. Polsky,

"I have a 1.5 year old neutered Springer male who has been obedience trained and is a sweet, loving dog. But every once in a while he gets this crazy look in his eyes, and for no provoked reason, he bites. It is not just one bite, but a vicious attack that won't let up without several lunges on his part. If he was not such a special dog otherwise, and had I not raised him myself since he was 8 weeks old, I would have thought maybe he was abused at some point. He doesn't seem to be able to stop himself once he gets aggressive. I know I should have had him put down after he bit my fiance last September, and then my Dad in November, (all 3 of us had to go to the hospital for our wounds, and the dog loves and trains with each of us) but I have been trying everything I can think of to help him get over this. I even had him on Prozac for the last 4 mos., thinking that might help his strange fits of aggression. Nothing seems to be working. And he attacked me, his best friend, for no reason, 3 days ago. He is in city isolation right now. Please help if you can."

Shannon Pinkston, Dallas, TX.

Dr. Polsky,

"I have a two year old springer that is changing in temperament. He is very loved and pampered, but Within the last 3 months, He has started attacking members of my family for little or no reason. He has never bite them but shows his teeth. Most of the time he is a very good dog being very friendly and loving. I do not want to give him up, but I am starting to become afraid of him not being able to trust him anymore. I hope you can help me with information on what I can do, or is this something people tell me is the rage
this breed is know for. I live in Staten Island NY and cannot find anyone willing to help. I thank you for any help you can give."

Ted, Staten Island, New York

Dr. Polsky,

"My dog, Lucy, is having serious territorial issues. She is almost 6 years old (I got her from the pound when she was approx. 4 mos.old). When given the opportunity she will try to kill any dog in the vicinity of my home. Obviously, I try to ensure that she can not get out, but extraneous variables have come into play which have allowed her to get out and cause serious injury to other dogs, who have done nothing more than walk near my house. Many of the dogs have been older and docile and pose no threat to my 55 lb. pound puppy.Besides the obvious reasons, this problem is very troublesome for me. Lucy used to get along very well with other dogs, regardless of the site. Now, I have no trust in her and never let her off her leash to play with other dogs. If Lucy was given the opportunity, I think she would kill another dog. She goes straight for the jugular and does not even bother to sniff out the other dog. The other day, she got out for the first time in about 8 mos. She attacked an older, arthritic, family dog that did nothing to provoke her. The dog required a staple to close its wound and has been in pain since then. My dog is the favorite of everybody that meets her. She rolls over for little kids and allows them to poke her andgrab her, and she seems to enjoy it. However, when she sees other dogs (or cats) she becomes very aggressive. When she is on a leash and away from the front of my home she seems more relaxed and does not even look in the direction of other dogs who may be barking at her. But when another dog walks near my house she barks and goes crazy. The hair on her back rises and she transforms into psycho-dog. Is there anything I can do to help her?"

Bryan Shrednick, Los Angeles, CA

Dr. Polsky,

"I HAVE A FEMALE CHINESE SHAR-PEI 7 YEARS OLD. FOR 3-4 YEARS ALWAYS IN THE HOUSE, THEN IN 1995 SHE STARTED TEARING THINGS UP, FURNITURE, DOORS SHE WOULDN'T STAY OFF THE FURNITURE EITHER. IN JANUARY OF 1996 BOUGHT NEW HOUSE SHE TORE UP EVERY WOOD DOOR IN THE HOUSE, I DECIDED THAT'S IT, I PUT HER OUTSIDE. SHE THEN IN TURN TORE THE FRENCH DOOR UP AND THEN PUT A TWO FOOT HOLE IN THE SIDE OF HOUSE THOUGH THE STUCCO. HAD TO PUT UP METAL DOORS AND METAL FENCES AROUND ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING OUTSIDE. NOW IT'S HER THING TO BANG ON THE METAL DOOR ALL NIGHT LONG, SHE WONT SLEEP IN THE DOG HOUSE SHE HAS TORE UP EVERY BLANKET BED PILLOW, I PUT BARKING COLLAR ON CAUSE I WAS WARNED BY ANIMAL CONTROL OF THE BARKING, THAT WAS BEFORE THE BANGING OF THE METAL DOOR. RECENTLY IT HAS BEEN SO BAD THAT I GOT A 15 FT. LEASH AND HAVE HER TIED TO THAT WHEN SHE IS REALLY BAD. I CANNOT HANDLE IT ANYMORE. DO YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS?"

Beth Beca, Las Vegas, NV.

Dr. Polsky,

"I have a Golden retriever that was spoiled rotten as a puppy. She is now 15 months old. When I or my husband are around she acts like an angel, but as soon as we go to bed or leave her outside, she becomes the devil. She has chewed her dog house up and will not leave it assembled correctly, she chews her feeding table and takes the bowls to the end of the yard, and don't get me started about all of the things she has destroyed in the house. During the day she is outside and at night she is inside while we are at home. She is very sweet and loving, and I don't think she is unhappy about the way we treat her, but something is missing in her behavioral skills. If she has Seperation Anxiety, then why does she do these things to the house while we are present, but upstairs sleeping. I don't want to give her away, but she can't keep ruining my house and causing great expense with all the wires she keeps digging up and chewing (cable, phone, etc). My neighbors hate her! I am desperate and see no end in sight!"

Meredith McKinney

Dr. Polsky,

"I have a problem regarding aggressive behavior in my 4 year old cat. Ever since he has been a kitten he has attacked my feet or ankles with his claws and teeth on a daily basis periodically throughout the day. He doesn't really look angry, but more playful. Although this behavior is irritating, it is tolerable. However, one week ago the cat attacked me. A box fell off a table near him (he actually knocked it down) as I walked into the room and he went for me. He actually flew at me attacking me with his claws and teeth, snarling hissing, hair raised on his back, haunches down. He could not be stopped. I had to fight him back with a broom and a spray bottle of Fantastic (it was the only thing within reach). He just kept coming. He was really out of control. I was able to back him into the back room, close the door and about an hour later he had forgotten all about it. This is the 4th time this has happened in the 4 years since I have had him. Although this time it was worse. Usually he doesn't really hurt me, except for a few scratches and he stops once I bring out the spray bottle of water and spray him. This time I had to beat him back with the broom and spray bottle and he kept trying to attack me. He left puncture wounds in my left leg, scratches in my arms and right leg. I had to go to the doctors to be treated.

Now, you may be saying to yourself "Why would anyone keep a cat such as this?" Well, I really love this cat because most of the time he is loving and affectionate. Every time he has had one of these episodes it was precipitated by something falling near him or on him. He just didn't attack out of the blue. However, I do notice that he is spooked easily by noise. I cannot clean when he is in the room because he wants to be in the middle of what I am doing and if I reprimand him or shoo him away he becomes aggressive and tries to bite my ankles or scratch my legs. Ever since this last episode occurred I am fearful of the cat. I have young children that visit my house and now I am concerned for their safety. Help!"

Val Thomson, Haddonfield, New Jersey

Dr. Polsky,

"My dog recently started urinating on our bed. It has happened about 4 times in the last 5 weeks. My husband and I are on our last nerve with this problem. I don't know if it is because I havene't been sleeping in the bed for the last 3 months due to my pregnancy or if it is that she notices a difference in my hormones or what. She has been caged when we are not home as a result and except when she sneaks in there, the bedroom is now off limits to her. What is her problem, do you think? Is this going to get worse after the baby is born? She is my "baby" too and I am really very concerned. Our other dog doesn't do these things. Pepper is a schnauzer-poodle mix, or should I say puddle? Both of our dogs are schnauzer mixes, and have been abused by their previous owners. Please provide us with some insight, if at all possible." Desperate for a dry bed,

Tracey Bowers

Dr. Polsky,

"I really don't know where to turn, and am looking for some help. My beagle is almost 8 years old. He has always been a shy, timid dog. Which I've come to realize is my fault for not socializing him better as a puppy. A few years ano, he bit a maintenance man at my apartment complex. That was the first time he had ever bitten anyone. I thought Alex (my beagle) must feel threatened to bite someone, and never got help for him after it happened. My boyfriend moved in with us about 2 years ago. They got along immediately. Alex seemed to accept him. Alex wasn't ever good with discipline though, he would growl if my boyfriend told him to get off the bed, etc. But he never really snipped at him. I had a baby girl 9 months ago. Since then, he's gotten progressively worse. 3-4 weeks ago, I wasn't home and my boyfriend went into the bedroom to check on our daughter who was sleeping in her crib. Alex was sleeping on the floor in front of the crib and must have been startled. He jumped up and 'attacked' my boyfriend. He had to go to the hospital to have the bite checked out. No stitches, and it healed within a few days. Alex acted fine when he saw him again. He actually acted as though he'd done something wrong...licking my boyfriend and trying to make up with him. Then this past weekend, my boyfriend was getting ready to leave, the lights were off, he bent down to kiss me, and as he backed away, Alex went after him again. This time he had 8 stitches in his arm. I took the dog outside on the patio and left him there for the rest of the night. I took him to my parents (about 2 hours away) because I didn't know what else to do with him. I do not want to have him put to sleep, and I felt my only other option was to remove him from the situation. I am at a loss. Alex is like my child, I've had him for 8 years and he has been through everything with me. i now know that I raised him wrong. I know I raised him as a person, instead of an animal. Is there is anything I can do to keep this from happening again?"

Rhonda Stokes, Orlando, Fl.

Dr. Polsky,

"I am the owner of an 18 month old female doberman pinscher named Riley. Also living in the house are an 11 year old female Chow Chow-German Shepard Mix and a 5 year old female purebreed dalmatian. I have owned the dobie since she was 10 weeks old. She was then brought into the environment she now lives in approximately 9 months ago. There were no aggression related problems to speak of at that point. Since that time, things have gotten progressively worse. The dobie "snaps" at unpredictable times at both dogs. The Chow mix at first intimidated the Dobie, but that is no longer the case. The Dalmatian, unfortunately, has been on the receiving end of several melee's in the past 3 months, many of which have left her ears bleeding and ultimately scarred. The aggression has now gotten to the point that the dog will attack me when it is asked to do something it doesn't want to do (go to bed, get in the kennel, get off of the couch, etc.). My wife and I purchased the dog from a breeder and truly do love this animal. She has excellent lines and has already been given more love and companionship than most dogs would receive in a lifetime. Please respond with any advice you might have. Thanks in advance for your help."

Scott Groves, Papillion, NE.

Dr. Polsky,

"We have a 2 year old terrier-mix dog that suffers from separation anxiety. We have done the exercises of leaving for 10 minutes and returning, 15 minutes, to no avail. He is neutered. He came to us at 10 weeks of age and seemed to come with the problem. When we leave, with no "production" over leaving, he barks and howls and becomes completely stressed out. Currently we have him in a citronella-spray collar but that does not cure his anxiety. When he perceives we are going his tail droops between hiis legs and he shakes all over. He currently is in "dog obedience" school and does very well. This anxiety is his only hang-up. We are first-time dog owners. We would appreciate any help you can give us."

Teresa Ashley, Big Pine Key, Florida.

Dr. Polsky,

"My cat has taken to howling at all hours of the day and night. She cannot be lonely because she will jump off my lap and look at me and howl. She has plenty of food and water and a clean litter box. She has toys that she enjoys playing with and plenty of attention in the evenings when I am home. I have tried distracting her with her feather, which works until I stop. I have tried scolding her and also ignoring her, but she persists. Playing seems like the obvious answer, but I cannot do that at 3:00 am every morning. Can you help me solve this dilemma?"

Amanda Darby, Manhatten, KS

Dr. Polsky,

"I have a male & female doberman. The male, Xander, can be a handful. I think he overcompensates for his "low man on the totem pole" status by being the first to bark at a strange noise while in the house, or a person entering the house, or other dog as we walk. There are very few dogs that he won't bark at when i'm walking him (very leash aggressive). He appears to be most aggressive towards intact males. He's fine when he's at the dog park (off leash), however, if there is an intact male at the park, I have to keep an eye on him. if the male tries to dominate Xander in any way (head on top of Xander's back, mounting, etc), Xander will growl and show his teeth, and if not broken up, there will be a scuffle. When he was younger, he had a submissive wetting problem because he would get pounced on, without notice, by the other dogs. I'm not sure if his current behaviour is a "front" for the timid dog inside, or if he's done a 180 as he's matured, and has vowed never to get picked on again. I would like training, especially to help the leash aggression because it's a nuisance, not to mention embarrassing,and he gives people the wrong impression of his true personality, which is that of the biggest cuddler, and most loving dog i've ever owned. I've already started to take him to "happy" places where he can run into other dogs while on leash (pet stores) to hopefully desensitize his aggressive tendencies towards other dogs while on leash, and it appears to be working a bit. I can continue on this route, if I have to, and hopefully achieve some curbing of his behaviour, but I know this process could be much less time consuming and less arduous under your tutelage."

Tori Steely, Los Angeles, CA.

Dr. Polsky,

"We have just recently adopted a puppy from the HSUS. I have been closely involved with dogs for seventeen years. This puppy has a habit that is new to me! She likes to put her nose so close to our face that it could almost touch. She doesn't try to bite or lick. She doesn't even try to stare us down. She barely makes any eye contact. What would make her do this? Is it a dominate or submissive behavior? Is there any way to break this habit? She startles us in the night when she does this! Any advice or info that you could give us would be greatly appreciated!"

Beth Mast, Millersburg, IN.

Dear Doctor,

"A month ago, we adopted a one year old cat from the shelter to prevent extermination. He is perfect except 1 out of 3 times he craps on the carpet in the living room, or a foot or two from litter boxes. Tried three different types of boxes and 4 different litters. We hate to give up on him. Any suggestions to save his life?"

Vicky Glass, Fenton, MI.

Dr. Polsky,

"I have a small problem that has turned into a huge one. I have three, one year old cats.  I have had them since they were six weeks old. They are the sweetest, nicestest cats.  They all get along wonderfully. Here is where the problem starts, they get along so well, they are always playing with eachother. They have their days and nights mixed up.  They are up chasing eachother all hours of the night.  We tried everything we know to try and get them to sleep. It's so bad that when my husband and I went away, the cats baby-sitter left them! She couldn't deal with them.  It gets worse, we live in an apartment building and the cats make so much noise, the man downstairs from us is suing us for disturbance.  What can we do?  We tried feeding them before we go to sleep, we shut off all the lights, that doesn't work, we slept with the lights on, that doesn't work either.  We tried squirting them with a mist of water, that didn't work. Nothing we did seemsto work. They start this playing around 12:00 a.m. to around 7:30a.m. Can you suggest anything?"

Laura, New York City

Dr. Polsky,

"I came across your web site and am wondering if you can assist us. We adopted a 4 year old female spayed black Labrador, Shadow, from a rescue organization. We met Shadow's former people -- we went to their home to meet Shadow. They had 2 other dogs living there and Shadow seemed fine with them. Once we took Shadow home, we discovered that she has an issue meeting new dogs. The fur stands up on her back, she growls, snaps and barks at them. We have tried obedience training -- refocusing her into an obedience command such as "sit" whenever she starts to get like this, but it does not seem to work. We want her to be sociable around other dogs and are at a loss. She is very sweet with us & with most other people. She has growled & snapped at 2 men who approached her and attempted to pet her while she was on a leash. Thank you."

Jennifer Bushman, Los Angeles

Dr. Polsky,

"My boyfriend and I rescued our cat, Nina, from a local pet adoption last July and she is now 8-months-old. She has been a joy and we both adore her. Unfortunately, Nina and I have behavioral problems. She doesn't like to be picked up, or touched very much; she very rarely likes to sit in our laps or even purrs. I have adjusted by refraining from picking her up, petting her less and altogether leaving her alone more. And, she has always been aggressive letting me know when she wants space (almost always) by immediately biting and scratching. From the beginning, I tried to let her know that that behavior is not allowed with a firm "no" and removing our hand. More often than not, she continued to come after me and I tried sprays of water and shaking a metal can filled with coins that she doesn't like the sound of. With age, she has become more and more vicious with these little attacksand they occur now without provocation. Today, she has attacked me five times. She jumped on me and cut my face while I was sleeping this morning and while I tried to shut her out of my bedroom she continued to jump at me and claw and bite my arms, with her ears folded back and her eyes wide with anger. Other times, when I try to walk away she tears at my ankles and bites as hard as she can. I don't know what to do or what is wrong with her. It seems as if she possessed with demons at times and in trying to restrain her or pull her off of me, I'm afraid I might hurt her. Sharp talk, yelling, water, the coin can, and locking myself in my room simply do not work. She will strike again the moment she feels like it. She's my little girl and I adore her but she has been making me miserable lately."

Help!
A very confused mother

Dr. Polsky,

"I'm writing to ask your advice on our 2yr. old German Shorthaired Pointer. My husband and I have been married for 3 1/2 years and do not yet have children. Lucas is our baby. We acquired him from a breeder/retired vet. He has not been neutered and we're hoping to stud him out and show him, when he's 3. Other than typical "puppy stuff" he has been a joy. He requires a lot of attention and exercise which we do our best to give him. Basically, he's spoiled rotten. The problems we have been having started about 3 months ago. My husband's work took him out of town for about 2 weeks. This was the longest Lucas had been away from Mark. I am an international flight attendant and am typically gone 2 to 3 days a week ( the dog is used to this). Our thoughts are that since Mark was gone so long, Lucas transferred the Alpha role to me. But it started with him growling at me equally. We first noticed it during his feedings. We began making him "work" for his "groceries" by placing the bowl down, making him lie there and stare at it until we allowed him to "take it". This behavior modification has worked beautifully and (with a little time and work) he will now allow us to pick up the bowl or place our hand in his food while he is eating, without growling. Nowdays- the problems pretty much arise during "sleepy times". When he's in his bed or in his "spot" (under a glass table), late at night or early in the morning, when he's awoken. The dog's hair on his rear, will stand on end, he will lower his head and growl when approached. We have tried different types of behavior modification such as moving his bed around the room, every few days, so as not to allow it to be associated as a "throne", we have not allowed him to "go upstairs to bed" when he chooses but instead keep the door to our room closed until we decide to go to bed as well. He's not allowed on the sofa anymore, must "work" for playtime, treats, and water just as we do with his food and when things get bad he must sleep in his crate or under the stars. He has also been spending more time in the backyard during the day. We thought things had gotten better as a result of these changes until an incident that occurred the other morning. Mark got up to get in the shower and Luke jumped up in the bed with me. We used to spend a few minutes in the morning snuggling and loving on Lucas. It was our little "family moment". It had seized since the growling began. This particular morning, I allowed it. Luke and I had fallen back to sleep and as soon as Mark opened the door from the bathroom, Lucas jumped to all fours and began ferociously barking at him. I immediately pushed the dog off the bed and Mark reprimanded him but nothing like that has ever happened before. We love our dog so much but cannot accept this type of behavior. It's been very difficult and stressful for us especially Mark. More and more his job is beginning to take him off on location. He loves his job and we have discussed how worried he is to come home to a dog that growls at him. Any info you could give would be greatly appreciated. Although Lucas is our baby, he is an animal and this is our house. Thanks for your time and input."

Margaret Jean Carter, Atlanta

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