Ask Ashley: Great Plains SPCA

We adopted our dog a year and half ago from Great Plains SPCA. She paws at us when she hears noises that upset her. Thunderstorms, people talking on radio, buzzers/ bells on game shows, etcetera. Currently I use a water bottle to stop her, it helps occasionally. I usually try to find source and mute it. Hard to mute thunderstorms. She is on Prozac from the vet and exercised as much as possible. Behavior still occurs. Any ideas? – Mary

I would recommend you rewarding calm behaviors year around. Dogs are associative learners which means they learn in patterns. If you routinely reward during calmness, she is more apt to repeat those behaviors when she is nervous. You can also talk to your veterinarian about medication for thunderstorms if she is displaying high anxiety. Prozac is a good anti-anxiety medication for dogs, so sounds like you’ve got a good start. You could also try a snug fitting shirt or wrap which help anxious animals. You can also work on desensitizing the noises by playing them on TV or a phone softly and rewarding her for being calm, then make the noises louder until they stop bothering her. – Ashley Flores, CPDT-KA

My cat Lady M (adopted from Pet Project 4 years ago) many times forgets to use the litter box for both potty and urine.  When anyone comes to my house she runs and hides, she only likes me.  She will be ten years’ old in March. Do you have any suggestions?  I keep the litter box very clean. – Penelope

Sounds like Lady M might be struggling with anxiety and environmental changes are quite scary for her. I would recommend having a littler box on every floor in your home and keeping them clean and trying different types of litter. If you don’t think it’s about the litterbox and its anxiety-related, then I would consult you veterinarian to rule out any health problems and possible discuss behavioral medications. There are some pheromone sprays you can use in your home to help with anxiety in the home as well. – Ashley Flores, CPDT-KA

My dog is absolutely terrified in the car when we travel. We had to cancel our Thanksgiving plans due to our dog being so scared in the car. He cries a lot and wants to get out. Please help! – Rosie Miller

There are several things you can do for your dog to associate the car as a good place. I recommend exercising him for 20-30 minutes before a trip, keeping the car cool, and using toys and treats to create a positive experience. Try going on a bunch of small trips to fun places like the park or drive-thrus. There are pheromone sprays to calm him and in the worst-case scenario, you can consult your veterinarian to get anti-anxiety medication. – Ashley Flores, CPDT-KA

Featured Dog – Margarita

Margarita has been in a Foster home for quite a while now and has become the ultimate homebody. She is completely housetrained and will even let you know when she needs to go outside. Plus, she knows what toys are hers and prefers to stick strictly to her chew toys. Her favorite things to do are snooze the day away or take a leisurely walk where she can sniff all the scents the world has to off er. If you love to nap and relax as much as Margarita, reach out to foster@greatplainsspca.org for more information!

Email askashley@greatplainsspca.org for a chance to have your pet question answered here in KC Parent magazine.

Great Plains SPCA is an independent 501(c)(3) no-kill shelter serving approximately 6,000 animals annually in the Johnson County community. As Kansas City’s premium family shelter, we continue to support the seven municipalities with which we are contracted including Overland Park, Leawood, Lenexa, Shawnee, Lake Quivira, Johnson County Parks and Recreation, and unincorporated Johnson County.

Great Plains SPCA

5424 Antioch Drive Merriam, KS 66202

(913) 831-7722(SPCA)

https://www.greatplainsspca.org