By Sophia Yin, DVM, MS Nov 2009 Question: HELP!!! I have 2 dogs, an 8 year old purebred black lab, and a 5 year old lab mix named Bernie. We also have 2 lovely boys ages 5 and 3. Recently Bernie has demonstrated aggression toward our 3 year old, granted the actions are always ALWAYS after our 3 year old has been rolling on him, but I’m not sure what to do. Bernie is a good dog, but I’m... [Read more]
By Sophia Yin, DVM, MS September 1, 2009 Question What do you do with a cat who attacks everything and everyone? Our cat lurks behind furniture and then leaps out at people as they walk by. She never seems serious because she doesn’t bite very hard, but it’s getting annoying. Answer Picture this. Through a deep silence, the young huntress surveyed her territory. The day was... [Read more]
By Sophia Yin, DVM, MS August 28, 2009 Question Our puppy eats our older dog’s poop. We tried “forbid” a powdered product that was supposed to have an awful taste. What else can we do? Karen in BC Answer Your puppy eats dog poop? Yuk. How disgusting…. My dog does that too. Or at least my last Australian Cattledog did. You might think that such a foul habit points to a nutritional deficiency... [Read more]
Sophia Yin, DVM, MS August 18, 2009 Question My cat has always been a talkative animal, but her insistent meowing has been worse recently than ever before. Sami has always been much quieter when living in a household with another cat, but now Sami cries constantly, anytime I or my boyfriend is in the house she is crying. It’s not a talkative friendly cry, it’s a desperate sounding cry... [Read more]
QUESTION: Hi Dr. Yin, My female 18mos old ACD is getting better and better about responding to my commands when off leash. The biggest problem is her chasing of bikes (and sometimes runners). I think they startle her and then move so fast that she goes immediately into prey mode. How can I learn to teach her to ignore them? or at least stop and wait for my command when something so exciting is happening. thanks! Gwyn... [Read more]
By Sophia Yin, DVM, MS May 30, 2009 Stockxpert.com QUESTION: HELP!! My 9 and half week old lab puppy is pretty good at night in her crate, but during the day, she barks, digs, salivates for the entire time. When I let her out she comes out crying and follows me everywhere crying. I find this extremely upsetting and I’m ready to give her back. Will she get used to it eventually by continuing... [Read more]
Sophia Yin, DVM May 25, 2009 Question I am crate training my 4-month old Yorkshire Terrier to hasten his potty training. I take him out on schedule and he was responding during the first couple of weeks. I subsequently added an exercise pen into the mix so he can play safely without supervision. Lately, however, I noticed he no longer wants to do his business on his designated area and would now... [Read more]
By Sophia Yin, DVM May 13, 2009 4 month old Havanese pup wreaks havoc on owners arms QUESTION: My Havenese puppy loves to nip my heals and the backs of my legs. When I stand like a tree, he pulls my jeans or nips my legs and then stops. I praise him and give him a treat when he sits and stops pulling at my jeans or nipping my legs. However, no sooner do I move again, he repeats his behavior. He... [Read more]
Sophia Yin, DVM, MS March 16, 2009 Photograph by Sophia Yin, DVM Jonesy opportunistically mounts Zoe when she squats to go potty QUESTION: Dr. Yin I was wondering if you could offer some advice about dogs mounting other dogs. I have a 10 yr. old fixed Standard Poodle who gets very excited when he greets another dog and he ends up mounting the other dog. Male, female big dog small dog doesn’t... [Read more]
Sophia Yin, DVM, MS March 11, 2009 Sophia Yin QUESTION: The neighborhood feline has made our yard his personal litter box. We have to remove kitty poop almost every day and have unsuccessfully tried spraying the affected areas with a mixture of water and bleach to deter the fellow. Do you have any suggestions ? H. Wong of Contra Costa ANSWER: Whether it’s neighborhood dogs leaving landmines... [Read more]
