RSPCA and animal behaviourist webchat

eggyegg

Rosie, I always wanted to work with animals but ended up as a sales administrator...such is life. What has been the most rewarding case of your career?

That would have to be all of them as each one is so rewarding - it brings owners and their pets closer together as they begin to understand each other.

Jesssle

Hi,

Great to see you here, it's a really important topic I think.

I'm interested in your work with schools. The description mentions you've been involved in education of Y1s, are there any plans to expand this intervention?

I think lots of older children would benefit from some advice too!

Thanks
x

Hi Jessie

Thank you, our campaign in Jersey is a great success.

And there is also a great resource for older children here: (resource 2) www.apbc.org.uk/info/dog_safety_information

It would be up to the UK government to make this compulsory but in an ideal world all children would be taught how to stay safe around dogs. The resources are all there. Just needs money to run it……

Rosie

esperanza

Hi there, I have 2 miniature wire haired dachshunds that we rehomed when they were almost 2 years old. They lived on a farm for some time and I believe never really learned the etiquette of meeting other dogs whilst out walking and are really agressive towards other dogs. They are now almost five years old and although we've tried lots of different things (puppy training, treats, water squirters) we still can't let them off the lead incase the approach the wrong dog in an aggressive manner and end up in a fight (and this has happened). Is there anything we can do? We've resigned ourselves to the fact we'll always have to walk the dogs on the lead and never able to allow them the freedom to run in the park off lead? Incidentally they are fine with dogs they know - or even have met after about 10 mins - it's just the initial meeting they show aggression.
Thanks for your help.

Hi Esperanza

I think a good trainer will help here, but make sure they are qualified as there are a lot of “trainers” out there and they all have different levels of training and experience. You shouldn’t go far wrong if you choose someone from here.

I always find a really great recall helps break the tension and keep on walking with lots of "come on then doggies" and when they come throw balls or treats for them. This needs to be practised when there are no other dogs around first and the recall has to be a fun thing.

Rosie

FlowerPower44

I've got a cat who's roughly 20 (she was a rescue cat so we've never known her exact age). Not to put too fine a point on it, she's getting very leaky in the urine department, and every now and then will depost a large puddle of wee, almost always on something impossible to wash thoroughly (mattresses, sofas). She also seems to be generally leaky and will quite often leave small puddles on soft surfaces.

She's well otherwise (apart from sleeping literally about 23 hours a day!) - she has regular vet visits - and we've given in and got a litter tray (yuk) so that she doesn't have to go outdoors to wee.

My son is incredibly fond of her, but to be honest the wee situation is starting to get me down. Is there anything that can be done about this? Assuming she's otherwise well, at what point will I not look like a monster if I approach the vet about having her put to sleep?

Sorry to hear about your cat but she is a good age isn’t she. This is a medical and an age problem and your vet will be able to make her as comfortable as possible. Have you tried puppy training pads in the areas where she is sleeping? These are very absorbent and don’t leak.

Best wishes,
Rosie

Sadly the hour has flown and I have run out of time to answer all of your questions and so apologise if I haven't been able to get to yours.

The RSPCA website has information on keeping children safe around dogs which can be found here website and the APBC website also has lots of safety resources which are useful website.

If you want some very simple resources to explain to children how they should and should not interact with dogs then please take a look at these website

Sam, RSPCA.

MsBehave

What is your advice for ensuring that a pet dog can be trusted around children? I realise this is a big question and am just looking for general guidelines after reading so many stories about family dogs turning on children unexpectedly.

This terrifies me, as my daughter, who has 2 children, is considering getting a dog.

Dear MsBehave

Yes the media have a lot to answer for but there is this great resource where you can find everything you need to know so have a good look around it.

www.apbc.org.uk/info/dog_safety_information

Perhaps your daughter could ask the school if they have any one (RSPCA, Blue Cross etc) who might be able to come in and teach the children how to say safe around dogs. We do this in Jersey and it has become a huge success.

cap.je/projects/speak-dog-and-stay-safe/

Tegan

Don't want to but in but when my whippet was a puppy whenever she went outside into the garden I'd give her a minute or so, blow a football whistle and then give her a treat [something really delicious]. So now, whenever she's running loose on the beach we blow the whistle and she comes straight back [a Pavlov's dogs thing].

Dear Tegan
Good advice we love Pavlov.

granontherun

I like to go for walks with my granddaughter around the local parks, but one thing that always worries me is when other people don't have their dogs on a lead.

I don't trust that the person walking the dog will be able to control it if it decides to attack. What can I do in this situation? How can I tell if the dog is likely to attack at all?

Hi granontherun, thanks for your question. Thankfully dog attacks are quite rare but I can understand why you are worried. We do have some advice on what to do if you meet an unfamiliar dog and what to do if the dog is aggressive which you will hopefully never need but which I hope helps website

NanaandGrampy

After many years of having big dogs we have a new Cavalier King Charles puppy. Its all working out well with the dog and grandchildren but we are experiencing one issue we haven't come across before.

We aren't able to let Sammy ( or Spammy as the little ones call him) off the lead because he simply doesn't come back. ANYTHING can distract him from coming back,. a dog, a person, the wind in his ears.... He comes when called indoors and in the garden but the draw of the big wide world is simply too much for him.....

Any advice would be gratefully received because we want to be able to take him out and let him off to chase a ball and play but its too dangerous at the moment.

Hi NanaandGrampy

Kids eh? The trick is to make sure you are the best thing since sausages. Keep teaching and repeating around the house and in the garden by getting all excited and saying “Sammy come on then!” Get down low (if your knees will allow) and when he comes running tell him what a great boy he is and give him a tiny bit of sausage and tell him "off you go". Keep repeating and repeating. You can also use a long training line so he feels he is free but you still have the other end. Be careful though as you mustn’t allow him to just run to the end of it (you have to gather it in and out but keep it loose) or you will get pulled over and lose the skin off your hands. A good reward based trainer will be able to help with this to find one look at the trainers on this link:

www.abtcouncil.org.uk/register-of-instructors.html

All the best
Rosie

Granmamano1amc

My son and daughter in law have a 3yrold Westie Their daughter is just at stage of moving around and dog constantly follows her nuzzling in at her neck and face. He will not be admonished and it just becomes a constant vigil to keep dog away from child.Westie has from day one slept under babies cot has been very protective but it seems a bit obsessional . When baby has had her bath dog wants to lick her and sniff her almost as if she has changed her smell and he has to verify its her all over again.
I am concerned that dog will become too overly protective when other children are maybe all toddling about or even when they have food in their hands etc.
He is a good little dog normally and a much loved pet.

Hi Granmamano1amc

When children are involved it is wise to contact a properly qualified behaviourist via a vet referral:

www.apbc.org.uk/help/regions
www.abtcouncil.org.uk/clinical-animal-behaviourists.html

The worst thing you can do is to get cross and make it a huge issue. There is a great resource here:

www.apbc.org.uk/system/files/apbc_dog_bite_resource_final4.pdf

That gives lots of links to all the great free advice and resources by respected individuals and organisations that will help.

This may also be of interest to you:

cap.je/projects/speak-dog-and-stay-safe/

Rosie

Firsttimegran13

I spend 2 days a week looking after my DGD at my DS home and take our 2yr old bedlington terrier with me. She shakes when I put her in the car and pants for the entire journey. She is perfectly happy when we get there but it is making the journey very stressful. I've tried adaptil spray but it makes no difference. Any suggestions

Hello firstimegran13

Oh poor thing, she is obviously finding it all very stressful. To help her you would need to get in touch with a clinical animal behaviourist who will show you how to de-sensitise and counter condition her to travelling. What they would probably do is to begin by playing a fun game close to the car such as sit, wait and take a treat or fetch the ball (what ever she likes doing best). Then you all go back indoors. Once she is happy to do this they might tell you to move a bit closer and repeat the game and then once she could cope with this during the next session you would get a bit closer and you would continue this (always working below threshold which means where she does not react badly) until you get to the car and then you would open all the doors and get close and then inside and then one door is closed until you get to the stage where you can happily play take the treat inside a closed car. Then you might go for a walk and get picked up a few feet from your drive, and drive her back to the house. So each stage is done in very small steps for a few minutes daily until she learns that cars are associated with nice feelings rather than horrible feelings. It takes a long time and a lot of commitment and she shouldn’t be taken for a drive until it is done. You will find a good behaviourist here:

www.apbc.org.uk/help/regions
www.abtcouncil.org.uk/clinical-animal-behaviourists.html

Good luck
Rosie

NanRex

My son's wife is really starting to get on my nerves lately with regard to our family dog. She is a sweet-natured and extremely gentle dog, but she is big (not boisterous - she's too old for that now!). My daughter in law acts like she's a man-eating danger to society when they visit with the children and my son doesn't really do anything to persuade her otherwise

how can I convince her 1. that being around animals is a lovely experience for most children and 2. that she's being really silly and giving her children an unnecessary fear - our lovely old girl is not going to hurt them. This is really starting to affect my relationship with her now, as I simply refuse to shut the dog outside all day (which she requests) especially now it is getting hotter. Any advice appreciated

Hi NanRex, dogs and children can be the absolute best of friends but it is really important for your grandchild's safety and your dog's happiness that your grandchild is taught how to safely interact your dog. Although your dog sounds absolutely lovely, as she gets older she may get a few aches and pains and might not always want to be stroked, played with and it is important that children understand that. I have included links to some useful resources which show how children should and should not interact with dogs website. Hopefully by teaching your grandchild to follow this guidance will help reassure your daughter in law. Good luck

merlotgran

Our daughter will soon be moving next door to us on our two acre smallholding. I'm not worried about her two chihuahuas as they already get on very well with our two Jack Russells but I'm concerned about how our female cat will react to our daughter's female cat moving on to her territory. We are in the middle of nowhere with no cats around for miles so our cat has always been Queen of all she surveys . Do you think there might be territory issues and what's the best way to deal with it?

My daughter will be reluctant to keep her cat inside for longer than absolutely necessary because she will be living in a static caravan while building work is being completed. My cat is very sweet natured. She will even help me round up any free range chickens that wander out on to the lane. I think my fear is that she might be driven away. Do you think this is likely?

Dear merlotgran,

Liking the name I would be Sancerregran if I could afford the stuff and had any grandchildren

It is important that your cat has a safe place where she can run to and hide if things get tough. Only time will tell but this link will help you and is full of great advice:

www.icatcare.org/advice/cat-behaviour

Allow them to do this in their own time, don’t force the issue or get cross if they begin to hiss and spit a bit. Read all you can about cat body language so you can gauge the situation. Vicky Halls writes some very good books:

www.vickyhalls.net/

If things get out of hand get in touch with someone from one of these organisations:

www.apbc.org.uk/help/regions
www.abtcouncil.org.uk/clinical-animal-behaviourists.html

Hope all goes well

Rosie

granin

i found my 6 year old granddaughter trying to strap my grumpy Persian into her toy pram last night...there were tears before bedtime

Hi Granin, It can sometimes be difficult for children to understand that cats and dogs are not their toys or that they can't show them love in the same way they can with us. Your persian might not have minded on that occasion but that might not be the case the next time and she could get scratched or bitten. I imagine you explained this last night and that is why she cried - good luck

OllieAmber

what is a sure sign that a dog is about to bite/snap? i've never seen this in real life so wouldn't know what t o look for when out with granddaughter. Also, what then happens? does that mean the dog is utomatically put to sleep? this seems very wrong to me considering it is often then [erson being bitten or the owner at fault and could be a one-off

Hi OllieAmber. In general you can work out if a dog is likely to be aggressive by paying close attention to his or her body language. Most dogs will give plenty of warning and will give leave me alone signals such as lip licking, yawning, avoiding eye contact. There are some great resources available which show the types of behaviours dog will show if they are feeling uncomfortable website and we have guidance on how to keep your granddaughter safe and your dog happy website
Whether or not a dog will be put to sleep really depends on the circumstances. It is best to avoid incidents and this is down to people understanding and recognising signs that dogs are uncomfortable. I hope this helps

Brie

Are dogs allowed at RSPCA hq always wanted an office companion...

Brie

Are dogs allowed at RSPCA hq always wanted an office companion...

Yes, I am very lucky to take my dog to work with me every day

JoJo

Hello. A friend of mine is due to have a baby very soon, and I'm a bit concerned about how she'll introduce her Staffordshire bull terrier to the baby. Do you have any tips? All the press recently around dogs attacking babies has made me worry!

Hi jojo, thanks for your question. Bringing home a new baby is life changing not just for parents but also for dogs and it is important to try and get them used to changes before the baby comes. We have a great leaflet to help expectant parents get their dog ready for bringing a new baby home. I have a two year old daughter and a labrador cross mastiff and followed all the advice closely. I am pleased to say that all went very smoothly

katykat

My question sort of follows on from the one by MsBehave. Out and about with GC they often want to run over and pet dogs that they see. I always check with the owner first to see if they are happy about it and if the dog will react well. But sometimes they are too fast for me. How best to deal with this?

Hi KatyKat, I have a two year old daughter who absolutely loves dogs as we have one at home. I am teaching her that she can only stroke dogs which I know are friendly and she must never approach a dog without asking. This way I don't have to worry whether the dog she is going to say hello to is friendly or not and is the best way of keeping her safe. I would sit down with your GC and explain that they mustn't approach dogs without you being there and asking for permission. I have also included some resources on this website which show really well how children should and shouldn't interact with dogs. Good luck