RHONDIE'S RUFF RUFF
AN ADVICE COLUMN BY DOGS, FOR DOGS AND ALL ABOUT DOGS
- Dear Ruff Ruff,
My Human insists on cleaning my teeth. What's with that? Isn't that for humans? Please help me advise my human that this must stop! Signed, Toothy in Tennessee
- Dear Toothy,
Dental hygiene is very important to dogs. Perhaps you can ask your Human to get you some tasty toothpaste. There are many on the market. Or, you can get a water additive. Doesn't taste like anything but provides great dental protection. Ruff Ruff
- Dear Ruff Ruff,
OK, so what is it with this "Dog Whisperer" stuff? I keep hearing about it and frankly, it is really getting under my collar. Who invented this stuff and what is it all about? I am well behaved and I don't think I need any more of this control by my Human. Signed, In Control in Indiana
- Dear In,
Humans are just beginning to understand that dogs want to respect their leaders. We need an Alpha Dog to follow-not some wimp that lets us run all over them. So, a smart Human realized that to help us be at our best (no jumping, pulling on leashes, eating the garbage) and not get ourselves hurt, they need to be stronger and have more control. You may see your Human move around as if you aren't there so you don't block their movements or eat before they feed you. They may not respond to your whining or pawing at them for attention. This is all to help you be at your best and harmoniously with your Human. There are lots of books to help your Human with this training. Be sure to check them out. Ruff Ruff
- Dear Ruff Ruff,
I get car sick a lot and it is just awful. While most of my friends love going in the car, I don't want to. Why is this and what can I do about it? Signed, Sick in Seattle
- Dear Sick,
Car sickness is also called motion sickness-and it is the result of inner ear movement. A couple ideas for you are: don't go in the car within 3-5 hours of eating, stay balanced and avoid jumping around and start with small trips and work up to the bigger ones. These should help. And remember - get your doggy goggles to protect your eyes when you stick your head out the window. Ruff Ruff
- Dear Ruff Ruff,
I love trash! Tasty trash, not so tasty trash, bad smelling trash, you name, I love it. Think of the wonders of the trash can - coffee grinds, junk food wrappers, chicken bones! So imagine my amazement when my Human gets all bent out of shape because I've gotten into the trash. What gives? Signed, Trashy in Trenton
- Dear Trash,
Yea, it sounds like fun to me too - but in reality, trash is not good for dogs. You can choke on the chicken bones and get really sick from wrappers and coffee grinds. You can even get so sick as to end up in the Vet Hospital. Humans know that. Also, Humans, for some reason don't like the mess and smell that comes with the "throwing of the trash" (I don't get it either but they don't like it). SO, a few hints to pass on: Get a trash can like Fort Knox - then, we dogs can't get into it. Throw out the trash on a regular basis. This avoids all those delicious smells that tempts us to get into the trash in the first place. Staying away from the trash is a good idea. For you - and for your Human. Ruff Ruff
