DEAR JOAN: Our 8-year-old male Australian shepherd, Bodie, has began a brand new habits.
We now have a privateness display and youngster’s gate to maintain him and his massive brother, a border collie, within the dwelling space with us. Bodie now breaks via the privateness display in the course of the midnight, slams on the kid’s gate to deliver it down, after which runs upstairs to attend exterior our room.
We haven’t been in a position to detect any triggers that will trigger this habits. He appears to acknowledge that this habits shouldn’t be acceptable but persists.
Any ideas on what may be occurring with him? We love him however are troubled by his nervousness.
— Doug, Arnold
DEAR DOUG: As with every change in habits in a pet, it’s at all times a wonderful concept for a check-up on the vet’s workplace to verify there isn’t a bodily clarification.
As our pets haven’t but mastered human language and are solely so-so on a pc keyboard, they typically talk their emotions with actions that we typically wrestle to grasp. However Bodie is certainly attempting to let you know one thing.
He could possibly be affected by an sickness that’s inflicting him ache or discomfort, and he needs you to assist him. That’s why we have to see the vet.
It may be that one evening earlier than the habits change, one thing frightened, upset or involved him, and he wished to be as near you as doable.
It may be that he was so profitable in getting your consideration the primary time he did it, he’s determined to maintain doing it and now it’s a behavior.
The best way to interrupt habits is to vary the way you react to the habits. Ignore the “wrong” habits and reward the “right.”
You’ll be able to strive spending extra time with him earlier than bedtime. Taking part in and going for a stroll will give him the eye he may be needing, and can assist tire him out so he’ll sleep via the evening. Strive including some new toys and fluffy blankets to his mattress, or go away the TV on at low quantity so he has extra firm.
Canine could be humorous about what does and doesn’t trouble them, so that you’ll have to play detective to seek out out what has Bodie so anxious. He might overcome the worry and return to being Bodie.
DEAR JOAN: I’ve a hummingbird feeder that sits on my extensive fence ledge. For months, there have been no signal of ants however now they’re throughout and within the feeder. I even sprayed the fence with TERRO, however the ants prevailed.
Is there something I can put down on the fence ledge, surrounding the feeder, that’ll deter the ants however not scare away the hummers?
— Bonnie, Pacific Grove
DEAR BONNIE: Please put away the ant spray, which could possibly be dangerous to the birds.
If doable, it’s greatest to hold the feeder, moderately than having it sit on a flat floor. That can put it considerably out of attain.
One other answer is to set the feeder in a shallow container of water, making a moat that, for essentially the most half, will forestall the ants from reaching their purpose.
The Animal Life column runs on Mondays. Contact Joan Morris at AskJoanMorris@gmail.com.
