If your dog is itching its feet, this can meet one of several things: itchiness, pain, or habit.

You may know after some time with your pet whether it is what veterinarians call an "allergy dog". These dogs often have seasonal swings of itchiness, red skin, and often welts or skin infections. The worse cases include many individual allergens affecting the pet, so you certainly can't take them away from the problem, and you're left with managing the symptoms. Licking is a way that dogs with chronic itchiness often deal with their discomfort, and the feet are a common place for allergies to manifest.

Some dogs are so used to being itchy, they just start to be "chronic lickers", which means they know that endorphins are released when they lick themselves. Even though the chronic attack on the skin is actually injurious, they get a sort of mind-numbing experience from it and forgot they're not itchy anymore! Stay on top of these dogs, because you should try to stop this behavior!

A dog in pain will often lick the area that hurts. If your dog has very long toenails, arthritic feet, inflamed skin (ie allergies), or the like, he will often lick the feet. It's the same as when you hit your shin on something and then rub on it as a reaction- the touch dulls the sensation of pain.

If your dog won't stop licking him or herself, it's a good idea to bring it up with your veterinarian at your next visit to see what could be going on. You know your pet better than anyone, and a change in behavior can certainly be significant.

Dogs that don't poop are either very sick or on their way! Please take your dog to a veterinarian as soon as possible. Constipation can get serious fast in a dog. You should monitor his food intake and urine output and report these things to your veterinarian when you arrive.

Depending on exactly what pathogen is infecting your dog's eye, you certainly have a chance of getting it! I don't think you need to start scrubbing down your walls and steam cleaning your carpet, but wash your hands after you administer his eye drops and try to keep from touching your face after petting him.

Hi there! How exciting to be getting ready to get a dog!

Here's my advice. Rat terriers are great dogs, but, being terriers, are fairly tenacious and can have lots of energy. I'm not sure whether one would thrive being in a crate or apartment for 8 or more hours a day, though it depends on the individual. I also think that how vocal your dog is depends on the individual. I've never heard that rat terriers are particularly vocal, but just like people, some are talkers!

There's no evidence that small dogs are harder to potty train, though you have to realize that they have tiny bladders (and proportionately smaller water intake). You will have to expect a period of training with any dog, but people who say their dogs are "untrainable" are generally missing the signs the dog gives that it needs to go out.

In my opinion, the perfect dog for you is a senior pup! I had one in college and I have a lot of friends that I know in vet school who had senior pets, as well. If you adopt a dog that is 7 years of age or older (which I know sounds daunting!) you'll have a pet who can be happy napping when you're gone and have their needs met during your short hours at home. They're calmer, quieter, and well-adapted to a busy lifestyle. Plus, if you adopt a senior dog, chances are it has been in someone's house and undergone some basic training (house training included). Sometimes you walk into a shelter looking for one thing (eg a rat terrier) and leave with something totally different (eg that ten year old shiba inu that's been there for a month and a half). So give a rescue dog a chance and go senior! I promise you'll be happy with each other!

Your dog has developed a negative association with the bus ride that was not previously present. Even though you may not have noticed it, something changed that caused him to feel stress, pain, or discomfort at some point, and he is now associating the bus as a "bad" place. If you are worried about health issues, by all means consult your veterinarian. Otherwise, I would advise that you try to help re-condition him to make this a more positive experience. Try bringing a toy on the bus that he doesn't normally get, but that makes him happy. You can bring treats or pieces of kibble and reward him for good behavior. You may be able to help him get past his anxiety and enjoy his little naps again!

Hi there!

Here are some commonly seen signs of pregnancy:

• mammary development
• distended (enlarged) abdomen

If your dog was in heat and was in contact with an intact male dog, it's a good idea to take her to a veterinarian to check and have any questions answered. You may not see these signs until late in the pregnancy, or sometimes, not at all.

A dog's gestation period can be marked quite firmly at 63 days.

Honestly, for a dog that has exhibited aggression issues over a period of time that you've had her, I think you should consider in-home professional training with someone you can trust. I would not give up without trying to work with a couple professionals who have extensive experience with dogs like yours!

If you want to give it a try, start taking her for runs or consider agility training. Australian Shepherds are really high energy dogs that can start to act neurotic if they have too much pent-up energy. Make sure she has something to work her brain every day, like puzzles or training exercises, too. They're a really smart breed.

If you decide that your relationship is too far gone and you're ready to move on, remember that the shelter system is skewed against dogs over a few years of age and especially against dogs that show aggression in stressful situations. She may not have as much chance as the puppy next door to her of getting adopted. I would recommend finding her a home with a family friend or someone you meet up with and get to know, and make sure to ask for a fee so you can be sure the buyer is interested in giving her a good life. Either way you choose, just be sure you're doing what's best for her. If you know that you did that, you won't feel guilty.

I wouldn't run to the vet if your dog seems healthy and is on parasite control, but you should be aware that there are many parasites and bacteria families that are shed in rat feces. Keep an eye out for any signs of distress, sickness, inappetence, and lethargy and consider bringing it up at your next vet wellness visit, just to be careful.

All puppies have a soft, fluffy coat that they will lose or shed when they grow in their adult coat by about 8 months to a year of age. However, some adult dogs end up growing in a fluffy coat! I've never seen a rat terrier that didn't have a smooth, shorter coat, but if your dog is a mix-breed, it's certainly possible that he got his coat from the other parent!

The problem with a dog that urinates inappropriately always in the same place is that it's nearly impossible to clean up the area to the point where it doesn't smell, to your dog, like a place to pee. There are enzymatic cleaners that you can and should buy, and these are supposed to denature the enzymes that keep the urine smell in the rug, which bringing your dog back to the same place. If it's been going on a long time, you may need some deeper cleaning to accomplish this. Consider steam cleaning or the like, depending on what kind of carpet you have.

The more important issue is addressing the behavior. If your dog is otherwise well potty trained, you'll need to determine why she's doing this. It's likely the smell attracting her to the same place. It could also be a health issue, like a urinary tract infection or diabetes, if it's a more recent issue that you didn't see so often before. To address health issues, make an appointment to see your veterinarian. If it's purely behavioral or anxiety related, consider crate training your dog or confining her to an area away from this rug.

I'm not in Seattle, but you might try contacting the large grocery stores and big box pet stores that throw away their less than perfect inventory. I know people in rescue who can get free or cheap enclosures that are easily made safe by a zip tie or two.

No! If your dog can safely, come to work, it's great that you bring him as much as possible! Putting him in a crate more often will not make him more comfortable in there. What will make him more comfortable is just doing safe and positive crate training at home and when you do leave. As long as you do it right, it doesn't matter how often he goes in, he'll feel calm and comfortable when you leave. If taking your pooch to work makes you both happy, keep it up!

No! Don't give your dog lemon juice, it's acidic and can burn their throats. And don't scoop out any mucus, no matter where you find it. If your pet has any kind of discharge, from the eyes, nose, mouth, or otherwise, there is an underlying health issue going on, and you need to visit your veterinarian. There's lots of scary and harmful information online about "at home remedies" for pets, but the only thing you can rely on is getting an informed diagnosis for the health problem you're facing. From there, with medications or treatments, the infection or other issue should clear up. Even if you could just scoop it away, this won't fix the underlying problem, and your dog will be even phlehm-ier the next day.

The best way to keep the dog out of the box is to physically place it where he can't reach it. You have two options: get a new box or place it out of his reach. As far as the box is concerned, some with covers totally confuse the dog and they don't try again. Look at some large pet stores or specialty pet websites to explore options there.

If your dog is really persistent, that probably won't work. You're going to need to put it somewhere he absolutely can't get to it. Think about raising it onto a coffee table, placing a baby gate that the dog can't pass (but the cat can), putting it in a bath tub in a spare bathroom, or putting it on the patio with a kitty door. You'll have to get creative, but there's definitely an arrangement that will work! It'll be worth it for finally being able to accept those puppy kisses (and lowering the risk of parasites and infection!).

Some dogs are born with a prey drive that is hard to overcome, as an owner- it's related to breeds. That being said, this is certainly a behavior you can work on! Firstly, always keep your dog on a leash! Don't give him one more chance to go chase an animal, and if he chases them in the yard, start leash walking, even for bathroom breaks, until the behavior is under control.

To work on the behavior on the leash, the best thing you can do is to redirect your dog's attention. Is he food motivated? Toy motivated? Anything that's not a small animal will do! Anytime you even begin to see your dog look sideways at a small animal on a walk and react, turn in a different direction (inducing a following behavior- this is distracting) and offer the toy or treat when the dog responds appropriately and allows himself to be distracted. This teaches him that ignoring the inciting stimulus gets him something even better than chasing it.

Your dog is either barking for attention or responding to a stimulus. If it's about attention, your dog could literally miss you, and he's learned that barking brings his human out of the bedroom to visit him. This is a learned behavior that is conditioned by your response. If you're not coming out to check on him when he barks, this is probably not the case.

Alternatively, he's barking because of something making him alert. It's likely that he's hearing a dog barking a few houses away, hearing a truck zooming down the highway, smelling a mouse in the wall or seeing a shadow that's startling him. Many of these things are unavoidable, short of moving, but you can always try crate training your dog at night or letting him or her sleep near you at night.

A panting dog is either uncomfortable or hot. Dogs have very few sweat glands, and they only cover a few places of the body, like their paw pads. Because of this, they cannot sweat like humans to cool themselves down evaporatively. Instead, they pant, and the quick and heavy breathing helps to lower their temperature.

If your dog is not overheated but is panting a lot, he or she is probably stressed, painful, or uncomfortable. You should keep an eye on what induces this behavior and whether your pet seems sick or feverish.

Your dog may be laying on you because he or she is cold or insecure. That being said, it's probably him or her trying to cuddle with you. A lot of dogs just like being right up close with their favorite people, and it's simply that: companionship. If you want a bigger zone of personal space, it's okay to train your dog to relax in a bed at your feet instead of on top of you.

This depends on your yorkie's parents. I've encountered full-grown yorkies that are healthy at 4 pounds and also ones close to 20. If you can track down your pet's breeding parents, it will generally weigh somewhere between the two weights. If your yorkie puppy is a rescue, your guess is as good as any!

Hi there! I wouldn't actually ever recommend using any human shampoo for your dog. It may smell good or say "sensitive skin" on it, but human skin has very different needs and sensitivities than dogs. Always use something labeled for the species you are using it in to avoid undesirable reactions. That being said, try a dog shampoo that is unscented and contains oatmeal if your pooch has sensitive skin.

The best thing to do for a dog with dry/sensitive/chronic itchy skin is to discuss options with your veterinarian. Why is your dog itchy? Is he on flea prevention? Does he have flaky, dry skin? Is he exhibiting signs of allergies? The way you approach these issues is different, and you would be looking for a different prescription level shampoo to deal with each.

In general, if you want to try an over the counter option, try something like this: non-scented, oatmeal, soap-free shampoo (made specifically for dogs).

Some dogs like toys of certain textures more than others- a rawhide versus a Nyla bone (smooth) versus a tennis ball or stuffed toy are very different experiences and some dogs are picky! That being said, not all dogs play with toys. I'm sure it would be a great way to enjoy play time with your pet, but some dogs would rather chase a buddy at the dog park and just don't understand that a stuffed frog is for chewing or cuddling. You can try getting his attention with a toy that involves food- a Kong toy with peanut butter or a puzzle toy with kibble can be entertaining for a long time!

Hiccups are nothing to worry about, Your dog is probably eating too fast or getting too excited- hiccups in dogs are caused by irregular breathing in dogs, just like in humans. If you want to try something, you can put a tennis ball-sized ball in the food bowl or buy a slow-feeder bowl to slow down the eating.

Hi there! My first advice is in relation to the crate: whining is a learned behavior. Make sure you're not using the crate as a punishment EVER, because this will teach her that it's a negative place, making normal crate days an unhappy experience. If you're already doing this, make sure you're ignoring her complaints. Many owners hear their dog whining and feel sorry for them, thinking they're "crying". While your dog is perfectly capable of feeling sad and essentially crying, she is also capable of realizing that when she whines, you pay attention. Whether you're letting her out because you feel bad, speaking to her to quiet her, or even just looking in her direction to see what she needs, you're unknowingly rewarding her vocalizations; this teaches her that whining gets her attention that she considers positive, so she's essentially trying to train you to respond to her!

If it's strictly a plea for attention, ignoring her efforts will eventually cause even a stubborn dog to stop. Alternatively, you could be dealing with real anxiety. If you absolutely want to train your dog to sleep in the closed crate, I would try leaving it open during the day, placing her favorite bed and toys inside it to encourage her to enter on her own. If you have a special toy that she only gets when she goes in her crate, you can encourage her to get excited or happy to go inside. A favorite toy or a Kong with a little kibble inside can do a lot to calm her down when she goes inside, and it makes it a positive experience for her to go inside.

Finally, make sure she's feeling satisfied when she goes in for the night. Is she getting enough exercise? Does she get to play with any people or other dogs? If she has too much pent up energy, she will never be able to calm down. If she's well exercised and tired by the time she enters, she'll be in much better spirits and more receptive to being calm and falling asleep. Good luck!

Hello. Please never try to diagnose a limp, short of feeling in between the toes for prickles or parasites. If you can't easily figure out what's going on, visit your veterinarian. Limping means pain. You don't want to mess around with a dog who is improperly mobile. Your veterinarian can use diagnostics like neurologic exams, radiographs, and a full musculoskeletal examination to help figure out what's going on.

Hi there, I've worked with vet clinics and am currently in vet school, and my best advice may not seem like the most helpful: consult your vet! There are different prescription shampoos, only available from a veterinarian, which are made for dogs with chronic allergic issues. They are tailor made for specific allergies, skin infections, or working with sensitive skin (or any combination thereof). If you want to try something from the store first, find something with no scents, made for sensitive skin, and containing oatmeal. Soap-free shampoos are easier on the skin, as well. If you don't find something you like, it may be a question to bring up during your next pet wellness exam- allergies are fairly common, and these shampoos are very good for these special needs pups! Good luck!

Hello, If your house smells like dog, it's probably a combination of the presence of your actual dog and the things the dog leaves behind in the house. In many older, non-altered, or less house-trained dogs (and, incidentally, frequently in cats) house soiling could be a problem that the owner doesn't realize exists. Is your pet healthy? Could he be urinating in the house when you leave home? This is the first thing to look for, as it would give a smell to your home that would be unpleasant and hard to locate.

I don't recommend washing your dog more than once a month, but you should consult your veterinarian about your dog's individual needs. For example, some dogs have allergies or sensitive skin and cannot be washed as frequently, whereas some dogs, especially large breeds that go out hiking/swimming/camping, need baths with a mild shampoo more frequently to keep the skin healthy and free of debris or parasites. If your dog itself doesn't smell bad, and if he's healthy and happy, I wouldn't adjust your grooming habits.

Finally, take on the house. Do you have carpets? If they're covered with hair, they will smell like dog. Some people go "nose blind" to the dog smell after awhile because they're so used to it- frequent vacuuming of any floors should help. Having a wet dog on your fabric surfaces will create a lasting smell, as will, of course, a dog with anal sac problems (consult a veterinarian if this is the case). If all else fails, steam clean the carpets.

With a clean dog and frequently cleaned floors, you'll get that odor under control in no time!

I think that dogs hide their bones as a territorial behavior. In a "pack dog" situation, hiding food prevents other dogs from finding/eating/playing with it, and allows the dog to go back to it later. I've seen this with dogs who live alone, too, and I think it's rooted in the same possessive instinct.

Hi there! Most dogs shiver for emotional reasons, especially from stress. Some dogs shake when they are excited, but in my experience, this is less common. It could certainly be that your dog is cold, as well. If the environment where your dog stays is at an appropriate temperature and he or she is in good health, look for patterns to the shaking behavior- is he or she aware of the surrounding environment when this happens? Is it when you get home, or during times of excitement? Does your dog shiver around strangers or at the vet? If you can pinpoint when it happens, you'll be able to understand the reason behind the behavior.

Hi there! Here's my two cents: you can't discipline a dog for something that happened a long time ago. If your response isn't very quick after the behavior you want to modulate, they won't get the message. She is probably responding to not feeling well, seeing your stress, or anxiety from being alone, and that's why she's acting stressed. I would recommend trying some luxury crate training for awhile. For example, get a large enough crate, put her bed or favorite blanket in there, and allow her to sleep in there for a while- this makes her think of it as a relaxing place. Try giving her something to chew on or a kong toy with treats in it when you have to leave her. Destructive behavior is directly related to separation anxiety, and if it's not possible to puppy-proof the room, the next best thing is to leave her safe and comfortable so she can't hurt herself! When you're home, you can certainly take away any inappropriate items and give her a sharp "No" to tell her the behavior is inappropriate, but it sounds to me like you're having more of an anxiety issue than a destructive behavior. I hope this helps!

Try out strenuous exercise with your puppy to tire him or her out- this catches them before they get bored! Since puppies are kind of energizer bunnies, I would suggest buying a puzzle toy from a pet store- some have little slots where you can put kibble or healthy treats, and the puppy has to open the right slot or work it out of the area. This works their brains and takes all of their focus. A simpler version of this is to try a bouncy kong toy, put a couple pieces of kibble inside it, and then plug the kong with some (regular fat) peanut butter. If you freeze it, it can take a lot of time and effort for very few calories to the puppy. Good luck!

Certain breeds have naturally curly tails due to their vertebral and muscular formation. Some dogs that have broken their tails have kinks in them because they heal in odd formations.

Feed the cat in a raised area, such as a small table, cat tree, or countertop. This increases your cat's exercise and keeps it away from the dog.