Hi, I’m Rosie. I have a degree in psychology and zoology and a post-graduate diploma in companion animal behaviour counselling. I just adore working with animals, and am here to answer your questions…
Every time the bell rings, my cat races under the settee, and he hisses at strangers. How can I help him be more confident?
It’s important your cat feels safe in their core territory, which means they have lots of places to hide and get up high. If you’re expecting someone, put your cat in a safe room the person won’t have access to before they arrive. It would be sensible to see a behaviourist to help reduce his fear. In the meantime, make a recording of your doorbell and work on repeatedly associating the sound at a very low volume with something delicious being given in the safe room - so that your cat automatically retreats to its safe place but in a positive emotional state when he hears the doorbell. Gradually you can increase the volume, making sure your cat doesn’t show a fear response and hide at any time during these training sessions.
My pup hates car journeys. He struggles with me when I try to get him in, then whimpers the whole journey. Any advice?
In order to change his association with the car, you will need to put all journeys on hold until you have worked through a treatment plan. This is easiest with the help of a behaviourist, but to get you started I would spray Adaptil on some bedding in the car 15 minutes before starting a training session and provide your puppy with the choice to get into the car using a ramp or steps if necessary. Consider crate training at home so your pup has a strong positive association with the crate which can be transferred to a stationary car followed by the car engine running and eventually movement.
My 11-month-old French Bulldog barks at all other dogs. How can I get him out this habit?
It all depends on the motivation for the barking – it could be fear, frustration, over-arousal or a combination of reasons. I would advise seeking help from a qualified behaviourist on referral from your vet, so they can identify underlying motivations and provide you with a plan and guidance on how to alter his emotional response and teach him alternative behaviours. In the meantime, try to avoid any situation where he might rehearse the barking behaviour, because practice makes perfect and barking will become more engrained.
Is there a way I can stop my cat from jumping on my kitchen counters?
Cats have an innate drive to climb, so provide alternative places your cat can jump onto in the kitchen and actively encourage and reward any choice to get up there using their favourite treats. If your cat does get up on the counter, gently pick them up and put them onto their alternative platform (if they’re happy to be held), otherwise encourage them onto the appropriate surface and reinforce them for moving onto it and for staying on it. Ensure food is never available on counters. Avoid punishing your cat for getting on the kitchen counter as it could lead to stress.
Someone told my friend they think her pooch has idiopathic aggression. What does that mean?
It means there is no identifiable cause for the aggression. The reality is that, if underlying medical causes have definitely been ruled out, there will very likely be a precursor to the aggressive behaviour and I would recommend they seek advice from a clinical or veterinary behaviourist at www.abtcouncil.org.uk so they can help identify the triggers leading to an aggressive response and work on altering the response to the triggers.
Next door has just got a cat, and my 3-year-old puss keeps attacking it. Besides keeping her indoors, how can I prevent this?
Unfortunately, you can’t. My advice would be to discuss a time-share system with your neighbour so that both cats have some access to outside without the risk of them encountering each other. You can also ensure both cats have all the resources they need within their home environments (enrichment using activity feeders, appropriate number of water bowls, climbing places, ability to play and rehearse hunting behaviour, and litter trays) so they are not forced outside for any other reason. The neighbour needs to ensure your cat can never gain access into their home.
My elderly cat has started crying at night. Is something wrong?
It sounds likely that your cat may be exhibiting signs of cognitive dysfunction – speak to your vet as they will be able to discuss this further with you, and they will need to investigate other potential medical causes for the behaviour. If they rule out other medical causes, they will be able to provide advice to reduce signs associated with cognitive dysfunction. A Feliway Classic diffuser would be a good starting point, to increase perception of safety and security within the home.
Help! My terrier is digging up my garden. Is there anything I can do to stop her?
Digging is what terriers are bred to do! My advice would be to provide a sandpit (the plastic-style ones with 2 halves) and fill one half with children’s sand. Bury toys, treats and chews in the sand and your terrier will soon learn that digging in the sandpit is far more reinforcing than digging in the garden. Cover the sandpit overnight to prevent cats using it as a latrine. If you catch your terrier about to dig somewhere in the garden, call them away and redirect them to the sandpit - and when they start digging there tell them how clever they are.
Take a Break Pets is a must-read for all animal owners and lovers, make sure to get you copy here.