Dear Matthew: When I bought my German shepherd, Lucky, a few years ago, he seemed really nice, sweet and outgoing. As he's gotten older, however, I've found he's become very shy and fearful of strangers. Since he wasn't this way as a puppy, I don't know what's wrong. I've never been abusive or cruel to him, so he has no reason to fear people. Is it possible that someone else has been teasing or beating him? If not that, what do you think the problem is?

- Me and My Shy Dog

Dear Shy Dog Owner: Oftentimes, when a dog spends most of its time outside in a big yard all by itself, it can become unsociable. Put yourself in your dog's shoes (or paws, I should say). Imagine how you'd behave if you didn't have contact with any human beings for years on end - you'd probably forget how to interact with people as well.

I'm willing to bet that this is the reason Lucky is behaving the way he is - and not because of any harsh treatment he's been receiving at your hands or anyone else's. But that doesn't mean that this situation is any less serious. A dog that hasn't been exposed to strangers can develop fear-aggression. In other words, instead of cowering when facing the unknown, an unsociable dog could become aggressive.

So, assuming we've correctly identified your problem, the obvious solution is to take your dog out into the world. People who have a broad range of experiences are more usually more interesting to be around, and the same goes for canines. Introduce your dog to all your friends, and get him comfortable with different situations and environments. Whenever friends come by your house, make sure they give Lucky a special treat that he loves so he'll look forward to contact with them. Pretty soon, I bet he'll start acting more confidently and less like a scaredy-dog.

Dear Matthew: A friend of mine is a really big fan of "alternative" medicine for pets. She says her cat was sick once, and she had an associate of hers perform acupuncture on it. She says the cat was better within days. She also has a rather extensive supply of "natural" herbs that she has used to cure her cat of various other maladies.

Anyway, my cat has recently shown some flulike symptoms, and my friend insists that she has just the treatment. Frankly, I'm a little nervous, but she seems to know what she's talking about. Should I take her up on her offer?

- Friend of a Cat-Healer

Dear "Cat-Healer's" Friend: Honestly, I'm a little suspicious of your friend's home remedies. All too often, so-called holistic medicines and methods are wastes of time and money. If I were you, I'd put my trust in a trained veterinarian who makes a living healing sick pets.

Since there are few rules and regulations having to do with "alternative" pet treatments, you're taking your chances whenever you try a supposed miracle cure. Think about it: If a cure was that miraculous, most veterinarians would be using it.

So if you think your cat is sick, my advice is to take it to a professional - otherwise, you're taking your chances.

Dear Matthew: I think my dog is either stupid or deaf. He's now 1 year old, and he still won't come when I call him. I've done everything I can to get his attention; I'll stand right next to him and shout his name, and he looks at me like I'm the one who is stupid. Is there any way I can get my dog to have a clue?

- Frustrated in Fort Worth, Texas

View Comments

Dear Frustrated: I don't mean to be critical, but you're going about it all wrong. Answer this: If I stood next to you and shouted your name at the top of my lungs, would you be inclined to do what I say? I doubt it. So why do you expect your dog to listen to you if you don't give him any reason why he should?

Contrary to popular belief, teaching a dog to recognize its name is often a difficult task that requires a certain amount of patience - certainly more patience than you've indicated in your letter. Stop calling your dog stupid and teach him using the proper methods.

Start by putting your dog on a 6-foot leash. Tell him to come, and give the leash a tug. When he approaches you, lavish him with praise and affection. The goal here is to make him associate the "come" command with positive emotions. As he starts responding, use a longer leash. Soon, he'll come whenever you call.

One more thing - don't use your dog's name for anything having negative connotations. If you harshly yell, "Rover, no!" he'll start associating his name with punishment. Always use your dog's name with praise and love.

Join the Conversation
Looking for comments?
Find comments in their new home! Click the buttons at the top or within the article to view them — or use the button below for quick access.