ASK DR. SCHELLING
DEAR DR. SCHELLING,
We recently adopted our first dog, Romeo, a young adult Rat Terrier. He's a wonderful dog in every respect. Except for one problem—he has a habit of humping visitors when they arrive. Awkward. Romeo's been neutered. What should we do?
- Romeo's "chaperones"
The problem is not insurmountable, and pending a consultation with your veterinarian may be solved simply by ignoring the behavior or redirecting Romeo's energies in ways that appeal to him but are more socially acceptable to nearby humans. Check with your vet to rule out medical causes and possibly investigate behavioral issues; together, you can figure out the best course of action. It may very well be the case that Romeo gets a clean bill of physical and emotional health. Sometimes humping is just a way of communicating in the canine world; dogs don't usually share our human concern about knowing or giving out "too much information." This article—Sexual Behavior in Neutered Dogs—goes into more detail about the causes of mounting in neutered dogs, and provides recommendations on diagnosing and dealing with the issue.
Click here to read full article
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Dear Max,
We were looking at our pup's beautiful face and wondering about her whiskers. We presume they're there for a reason. What functions do dogs' whiskers serve?
–Elliot in Ontario
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Dear Elliot,
There may be more to these wiry filaments than meets the eye, at least the human eye. Whiskers are perhaps more complicated and multi-purpose than you think. Sure, we like to lick them to make sure we get every last morsel of a tasty meal but they also help detect our surroundings. Check out the article WHY DOGS HAVE WHISKERS to learn more.
Max
Max's Mini-Reviews
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WEST PAW ECO SLUMBER: The West Paw Eco Slumber puts me right to sleep. It’s filled with soft 100% recycled material and can be kept looking new because it is machine washable. Not only is it earth-friendly but it’s “keep the house clean-friendly” too, perfect for both me and my human.
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DOG FACT
The fastest dog breed is the Greyhound which can run up to 40 mph.
"My dog is usually pleased with what I do, because she is not infected with the concept of what I should be doing."
–Lonzo Idolswine
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