What should I have done when I saw a dog locked in a hot car? The windows weren't even open. I was shocked and didn't know what to do. Finally, the owners came out and I simply gave them a dirty look. There must be something else I could have done. Isn't this against the law?
For people who don't know, dogs do die in hot cars. According to the AAA Chicago Motor Club, when it's 85 degrees outdoors even when the windows are open a crack on a sunny day, the dashboard of a car can heat up to 170 degrees in less than 15 minutes.
"Listen, there are people who leave their kids in the car unattended," says veterinarian Dr. Grace Bransford, of San Anselmo, Calif., "so I'm not surprised that people leave their dogs in the car. But you can do something about it."
Bransford suggests that if it's over 85 degrees and you find a dog that's been left in a car for more than a few minutes, you should take action. You might save the pet's life.
If the car is in a parking lot, go inside the retailer and ask that an announcement be made. If it's a small store, make the announcement yourself. In an increasing number of cities, counties and states, if you call the police they'll follow through because it's illegal to lock a dog in a hot car, or the police officers simply feel it's their moral obligation to help. In my experience police officers have great empathy for the helpless, and in such a situation, a dog is helpless. (Having said that, realistically, I know that in some communities, the police will not offer to help.)
At the very least, leave a note on the owner's car. Only two days ago, I left this note on a car: "Either you don't love your dog, or you're just plain ignorant; allow me to educate - dogs do die in hot cars. It's 90 outside, and you don't even have your windows open. So, it's well over 100 degrees inside the car. How would you feel being trapped inside?"
Just as child welfare laws protect young children from being locked in hot cars, laws ought to be on the books protecting pets in all 50 states.
Help for a shy dog
We adopted our Angel from the humane society about a year ago, and she still hasn't bonded to us. She won't let us approach and hides in the back yard. We'd love to have her in the house as a beloved companion. I spend time outside with her every day, speaking quietly to her. But sudden movements spook her. She cautiously approaches for a dog biscuit but will not take one from me; I have to leave it for her. She won't submit to being petted. She's never aggressive and rarely barks. What can I do to help her to enjoy life?
Wow! This is indeed an extreme case. I congratulate you for not giving up on this forlorn pooch.
Please contact your veterinarian for help, or ideally, a veterinary behaviorist (www.dacvb.org) or certified applied animal behaviorist. Otherwise, ask about an expert in shy dogs from the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (www.iaabc.org). Deborah Wood, author of Help for Your Shy Dog: Turning Your Terrified Dog into a Terrific Pet (Howell Book House, New York, 1999; $18.95), agrees that you need hands-on help and psychopharmacological intervention.
"You're doing all the right things," Wood says. "But your dog would be so helped by the right drug, which would open her to learning. Meanwhile, consider attempting clicker training." When you see even a glimpse of outgoing or confident behavior in your pooch, quickly click the clicker and toss a super treat, such as a piece of hot dog. Sit on the ground as you do this, so you're less threatening. The clicker marks the behavior you want, such as Angel wagging her tail (even if only briefly) or walking toward you.
Cat shuns litter box
My 14-year-old cat is driving me crazy. He won't use his litter box to defecate. I have two litter boxes and one other cat, also a neutered male. At night, I put them into their carriers so they can't run through the house. This cat defecates in his carrier, too, and sometimes he'll do his business right in front of us on the floor, or even on the kitchen table. He doesn't care.
This cat gets a lot of love and attention, but he's a bad boy. He knows he shouldn't do this and runs and hides when I catch him. Our vet said he's okay physically, but the problem is between his ears - meaning he has an attitude. What can we do?
Knowing you're frustrated by this problem, also try to understand that your cat is equally frustrated. There's no malice involved in his actions. He may look sheepishly at you or appear "guilty" because he's responding to your body language and likely your voice. "It's really not in a cat's psyche to understand exactly what this anger is about," says Beth Adelman, a consultant with the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants.
"Some cats need to use the litter box overnight, and the last thing they want to do is mess where they sleep," Adelman notes. "Keeping a cat locked in a carrier overnight is bordering on cruel, though I'm sure you don't mean it that way. Since you don't sleep with your cats anyway, let them have the run of the house, and just close your bedroom if their playfulness bothers you."
While two boxes are pretty much a necessity in most homes with two cats, three boxes is a better idea. If the two boxes are located in one room, place the third in another part of the house.
You didn't mention if your two guys get along. If they don't, adding a third box is a must. However, even if you think they are buddies, they may not always be. Even generally good feline roomies can have disputes concerning the litter box. Cats who feel insecure in this way often choose high spots to defecate because they provide good lookouts. The same may be said if the litter boxes are close to a noisy furnace or washing machine.
If after making the adjustments described, your guy doesn't offer improvement, Adelman, of New York City, suggests visiting your vet again or a feline specialty veterinarian. "I'm concerned something like chronic constipation or even arthritis, making it difficult to step into the box, might not have been picked up on," she says.
Kitties dislike sticky
How do I keep Muffin, my little tiger kitty, from running around the base of my plants? He thinks they're a jungle gym, and dirt gets all over.
Decorative rocks aren't too comfortable to play on. Sticky Paws (available at most pet stores, and online) makes plastic strips you can strategically place where your cat is walking - and being sticky, even playful kitties will generally decide to play elsewhere.
Steve Dale is a syndicated columnist for Tribune Media Services and answers readers' questions of general interest in his column. You may write to him at Tribune Media Services, 435 N Michigan Ave., Suite 1400, Chicago, Ill. 60611, or e-mail petworld@aol.com.
