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Dogs/Questions Answered by Expert Dr. Sarah Gordon
| Subject | Date Asked |
| what dog is happy to be left alone | 2/9/2010 |
| Q: I was planning on buying a dog, specifically a beagle and I was wondering if you could give me some ... A: Seven or eight hours is a long time for any dog to be left alone on a consistent basis. Dogs get ... | |
| Gentle Dog Shows Aggression | 2/8/2010 |
| Q: My husband's service dog, an Australian Cattle Dog, is and always has been a gentle, loving, playful ... A: I'm sorry for your loss. It is difficult for a service dog to adapt to being a family pet. The dog ... | |
| My dog doesnt know how to tell me she needs a pee! | 2/8/2010 |
| Q: Firstly i have to apologise as this is going to be a long email! 3 months ago i purchased a 6 month ... A: It sounds like you are doing a lovely job with your new dog. It sounds like you also might need to ... | |
| dog fear or anxiety | 2/8/2010 |
| Q: I have an amazing 9 month old german shepherd puppy. Her name is Kate and has been a wonderful ... A: It sounds like you and your puppy are very bonded to each other and you love her very much. I can ... | |
| Fussiness with food | 1/8/2010 |
| Q: Maggie, our 16 month old St Bernard has recently become very fussy with her food. Maggie gets fed ... A: You might try feeding her a few pieces at a time, by hand, and praise her as she eats. Make it a ... | |
| Yorkie | 10/20/2009 |
| Q: I have a 6 month old female yorkie. She has been spayed about a month ago. She has now urinated ... A: At six months, she is still very much a puppy. She needs to have a much smaller space to have free ... | |
| 9 week old pupppy | 10/20/2009 |
| Q: We just got a 9 week old puppy she is half collie and half German shepherd, she i very active and ... A: Do *not* give the puppy medicine. She needs to go to the vet. There are different reasons she could ... | |
| Is my dog suffering from some forn of Anxiety Attack. | 10/19/2009 |
| Q: Yes, I have a 4 yr old Welsh Pembroke Corgi that I 'rescued' for an abusive environment. The owners ... A: I'm very concerned about your dog. Even if he is better now, please get him checked. What you ... | |
| Breeding My male puppy | 10/18/2009 |
| Q: My puppy is 8 months old, he is a shish Tzu, I have meet a lady at the groomers and she has ask if I ... A: If you tell your vet you are considering breeding him, the vet can tell you all the things you need ... | |
| Is my dog suffering from some forn of Anxiety Attack. | 10/17/2009 |
| Q: Yes, I have a 4 yr old Welsh Pembroke Corgi that I 'rescued' for an abusive environment. The owners ... A: If he still is unable to go, you need to take him to the vet. Panting is a sign of pain for dogs, ... | |
| Is my dog suffering from some forn of Anxiety Attack. | 10/17/2009 |
| Q: Yes, I have a 4 yr old Welsh Pembroke Corgi that I 'rescued' for an abusive environment. The owners ... A: God bless you for caring for this poor little dog. Yes, it sounds like he was VERY traumatized. ... | |
| behavioral problem | 10/16/2009 |
| Q: My problem is that my 14 month old female boston terrier goes to the bathroom (pee or poop) when she ... A: The trick to crate training is schedule. Start with a crate that is "just" big enough for her to ... | |
| toy poodle | 10/15/2009 |
| Q: I have a toy poodle that is 6 months old. She recently got a hold of a single sweet n low packet. ... A: It is impossible to tell if her physical symptoms now are related to what may or may not have been ... | |
| My dog keeps having accidents in the house | 10/15/2009 |
| Q: Our 8 year-old beagle who we have had for a year keeps peeing and pooping in our apartment. We ... A: Yes, sounds like "spite accidents" to me. To the dog, a "new little dog" has come home, and you're ... | |
| Puppy Coughing | 10/15/2009 |
| Q: I recently purchased a puppy and she had an on-going cough of course she was diagnosed with Kennel ... A: You need to have her rechecked by your vet because you want to make sure that she is not having any ... | |
| I had my puppies tail docked and now it is pussing. | 10/14/2009 |
| Q: Please don't Judge I had my Pup's tail docked at 7 weeks, he seems fine , but we are worried about ... A: My philosophy of life is 'judge less, love more' - so while I'm not a fan of tail docking, I don't ... | |
| dog | 10/6/2009 |
| Q: my staffordshire male dog is 18months old was very friendly dog now he has started to change i cant ... A: Your dog is leaving puppyhood. Having him neutered when your vet says its the "right time" is the ... | |
| anxiety, poor appetite | 10/6/2009 |
| Q: We just adopted a 13 year 8 month old standard poodle. Her previous and only owner died, the family ... A: She is clearly mourning the loss of her owner. I am glad you don't want to medicate her - what you ... | |
| 3 year old chihuhua | 10/5/2009 |
| Q: I have a 3 year old Chihuahua. i got him when he was about 8 weeks old and it was a very cold ... A: The best way to retrain him is to start with him in a little crate, and take him out to pee/poop ... | |
| beagle | 10/5/2009 |
| Q: our beagle is about a 1 1/2 and she didnt do this when we first got her and now shes been peeing on ... A: You need to get her checked out to make sure there is not a physical cause for this. If she ... | |
| Anxious Puppy | 10/4/2009 |
| Q: I have a dachshund puppy that was born June 25, 2009. He is the sweetest puppy I have ever seen. I ... A: There are medical conditions that can cause excessive drooling. You want to rule out those things ... | |
| excited urination | 10/3/2009 |
| Q: I have two dogs. A 3 yr old peekapoo I have no problems with But, I now have a 15 month old malti ... A: It sounds like you little malti-poo is demonstrating fear/excitement behaviour, as well as stress ... | |
| dog behavior | 10/3/2009 |
| Q: I have a 12 year old lab and a 3 year old spinger both are females. I got both of them as puppies. ... A: I have to smile as I read this because it's like reading a description of how my older dog (at 12) ... | |
| dog behavior | 10/2/2009 |
| Q: I have a 8 mo.old female mixed breed dog. ( Diff. part Australian cattle and chow) that I got as a 6 ... A: You have had her from a very young age and it sounds like you have done a great job with her so far. ... | |
| ??? | 10/1/2009 |
| Q: for the last few days my black lab puppy has been chewing her feet and we dont know why and its ... A: Puppies sometimes chew their feet when they are bored, or nervous. Sometimes they do it because the ... | |
| New house and new behavior | 10/1/2009 |
| Q: Dr. Sarah, My husband and I recently purchased our first home. The move took us from a small, ... A: You said it - new house, new behaviour! The going on the bed, and lounge sounds like marking ... | |
| irrational dangerous dog behavior | 9/30/2009 |
| Q: I recently rescued a 21 month old English Mastiff from an interim owner. She is pregnant with her ... A: It sounds like you really have your hands full. You're right, she is way too young to be having a ... | |
| My aggressive female | 9/30/2009 |
| Q: My female is in heat,and has been with a male for about a week now,..all of a sudden she is ... A: There is no way to tell if she is pregnant without taking her to the vet to be checked. If she was ... | |
| 9 mo. old puppy biting/attacking older family dog | 9/28/2009 |
| Q: I am getting mixed advise from trainers/behaviorists regarding my new male puppy's (we have had him ... A: Sounds like you have a really active little guy on your hands, and he's going to keep doing this the ... | |
| Mini Schnauzers won't give up leadership,, | 9/28/2009 |
| Q: My 1st mini schnauzer (male) has been to puppy class and did very well. My 2nd (female) just decides ... A: Are they both still puppies, i.e. less than two-three years old? It sounds like they are, and like ... | |
| Older dog | 9/27/2009 |
| Q: Sarah, We have a dear, sweet 9 yr old yellow lab. Recently she started to thin out and her spine and ... A: If she is experencing unexplained weight loss, you need to get her to the vet. Please do this as ... | |
| Barking Min Pins | 9/25/2009 |
| Q: Dr. Gordon, I have two Miniature Pinschers, six and a year and half. They are crated side by side ... A: Oh that can be so frustrating - I know the "one dog triggers the other" very well, having had three ... | |
| Dogs | 9/24/2009 |
| Q: 1. Am I right, the best pet to have is a small dogs? 2. Of the top three small dogs: 1. Boston ... A: What I mean by "individualized" is that the dog that is best in one home might not be the best in ... | |
| Dogs | 9/24/2009 |
| Q: 1. Am I right, the best pet to have is a small dogs? 2. Of the top three small dogs: 1. Boston ... A: Depends what you mean by "best". The best pet to have is the one that you like, can afford to care ... | |
| protain | 9/23/2009 |
| Q: I have a 2 1/2 year old female American bulldog that is yellowing my grass. I found on the web that ... A: You should ask your vet if you want to medicate her - he would know what to give and how much, and ... | |
| 6 month old American Bulldog | 9/23/2009 |
| Q: I just bought a A.B. . He was raised in a kennel , he is very nervous and afraid I think he will ... A: I think you're right - and this kind of behaviour is not unusual for a puppy adapting to a new home. ... | |
| 10 month rottweiller wont eat food | 9/23/2009 |
| Q: our 10 month rottweiller will only eat ice cubes nothing else she runs and plays as normal. her poos ... A: A puppy can be 'off her food', but if this goes on more than a day or so, you should take her in to ... | |
| peed inside | 9/22/2009 |
| Q: Our 2 year old English Bulldog was house trained after about 3 or 4 months maybe a little longer, ... A: It might be worth taking your dog to the vet, to make sure there is not an underlying physical ... | |
| Pugs behavIor | 9/22/2009 |
| Q: I have moma and daddy Pugs Plus [2] 6-months old females babIes.....I have now had momma and daddy ... A: Your dogs have had babies, had surgery, and are no doubt more than a little stressed physically and ... | |
| can i give my puppy milk | 9/22/2009 |
| Q: can i give my puppy milk he is about 15wk old what is the best thing to give him and also he keeps ... A: Please take your puppy to your vet, who can give you the best information on appropriate diet. In ... | |
| Growling at Night | 9/22/2009 |
| Q: We have a West Highland Terrier and she is VERY lovable all the time except here lately at night. ... A: If she starts growling/barking/acting up when you approach the kennel, it could mean she is excited ... | |
| Potty training | 9/22/2009 |
| Q: Ive had my chihuahua for a little over a year. I used to live in Hawaii and I got her when she was ... A: She could be marking the new place,or she could be acting out from boredom. You do want to put a ... | |
| over the counter sedation for dogs | 9/21/2009 |
| Q: I will be boarding my daughter's dog on pet airways tomorrow. He will be flying to L.A. He is a 6 ... A: I understand you are concerned about how he will deal with the flight. It is a very long flight. ... | |
| Dog Bite | 9/21/2009 |
| Q: Three weeks ago we adopted a 6 year old doxie, Vini. The first few days he was a little possessive ... A: What you describe does not sound in any way like a dog that needs to be put down. It is normal ... | |
| agression in blind/deaf dog | 9/20/2009 |
| Q: I recently adopted a 13 year old Bichon that is sight and hearing limited. She has had a full vet ... A: Crating the dog while she gets used to her new home, and her new family, is a very kind and loving ... | |
| My dog is limping | 9/20/2009 |
| Q: Last night, we turned our two dogs inside after being out for a while and one of them is limping on ... A: Yes, I think you should take her to the vet to have the leg and hip checked out. Continuing to be ... | |
| agression in blind/deaf dog | 9/19/2009 |
| Q: I recently adopted a 13 year old Bichon that is sight and hearing limited. She has had a full vet ... A: I'm sorry, I wish I could be more encouraging about the situation, but it is not likely that a 13 ... | |
| Fear Agression? | 9/19/2009 |
| Q: My boyfriend and I rescued a Great Dane/Mastiff mix (a small horse) and she is an absolutely great ... A: Yes, fear aggression is a real thing - and it sounds like your dog is displaying fear - but I'm not ... | |
| wheaten terrier not eating | 9/19/2009 |
| Q: I have a soft coated wheaten terrier, nuetered male, who will be 4 years old this december. He has ... A: Four days is a long time. You don't say if he's drinking water, but in any case, please take your ... | |
| Puppy behavior | 9/19/2009 |
| Q: Sarah, We need your insight. We recently added a new member to the family, a now 3 month old ... A: If Marley checks out ok at the vet, is up to date with her shots/vaccines, I suspect you just have a ... | |
| Jack | 9/18/2009 |
| Q: We rescued Jack from the animal shelter a month ago, an owner give up as they had to move. He is a ... A: Dogs often tear things up when they are bored, or anxious, or when the dog owner has not made clear ... | |
| dog fur | 9/17/2009 |
| Q: I have a small dog mixed with maltese and shi zu. When he cries or his eyes water the hair right ... A: There are several reasons your dog might have the brown tear stains. He may have blocked tear ducts, ... | |
| elderly dog soiling around the house | 9/17/2009 |
| Q: I have a 15 yr old dog that has started to soil the house this past week on a daily basis, first on ... A: Has anything changed in your household in the past couple of weeks? Sometimes dogs will act out when ... | |
Dogs
Answers by Expert:
Dr. Sarah Gordon
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
I can answer questions about dog training and behaviour modification; I cannot diagnose medical conditions.
Experience
Have trained dogs from puppy to adult. Have worked with dogs and owners to resolve problem behaviours. Have trained for CGC, Obedience, as well as special tasks for service dogs.
Organizations
Brevard County Dog Training Club
Education/Credentials
Bachelors Degree, Master's Degree & PhD.
Attended and volunteered at dog training classes.
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