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Ask Pilar, Mar 12, 2021 for www.dogwhispererhq.com

Welcome to our “Ask Pilar” series! Professional dog trainer and groomer Pilar Garrido will answer questions you have about your pup. She is only providing a basic overview. For more information, please consult a trainer, behaviorist or groomer in your area, who can directly work with your dogs.

For this round of questions, our readers asked:

1.  Can I shave my Maltese’s hair very short? Some groomers recommend it to me because of the tangles she gets, and others tell me it is terrible for their skin.

Yes you can. You’re right: the problem is the skin, which can really absorb the sun’s UV rays if the hair is too short. If you shave her, avoid taking her out if it is really sunny. Bring her outside in the sun again once the coat grows in a bit. Unlike dogs like German Shepherds, Maltese don’t change their coats. They are considered hypoallergenic dogs and have less protection from sunlight and cold weather. That is why you hear so many different opinions on cutting their hair. My suggestion, if you have a dog and are unsure which hair length works, is to go to a groomer specializing in that specific breed and work with them.

2. What is the best age to neuter my male dog? How can the neutering affect his behavior? I just adopted a four-month-old Dogo Argentino and am wondering what to do.

The best age to neuter a dog — especially if you want to maintain his current state of behavior and prevent him from becoming too dominant — would be when he reaches one year old. At that age, the neutering will not affect his growth and development. It prevents the issue of un-neutered over-dominance and aggression. At any rate, always consult your veterinarian; there might be some exceptions due to health conditions or problems. If your dog is very shy or anxious, this is also something that you might need to talk to your veterinarian about before choosing to neuter.

3. I have a two-year-old Fox Terrier Mix and she has a greyhound sister that is five years old. Both were adopted. They can’t be left alone at home because they love to bark. We hire a dog sitter every time we go out. My sister passed away two years ago due to cancer, and during that time, I didn’t have the strength to work on my dogs’ behavior because I was devastated. This year, due to COVID-19, I haven’t been able to walk them as much. I cannot afford to hire a dog trainer; I would greatly appreciate it if you could give me some useful pointers on correcting their behavior.

I am very sorry to hear the sad news about your sister. During those past two years while you were preoccupied and then COVID slowing things down, the dogs decided to act as the leader. That is how they became protective and started barking so much. They suffer from separation anxiety when you are out, feeling nervous about your return. While you are at home, they feel that strong bond. When you leave, that bond gets disconnected.

Here is what we can do to get you back into the leadership role and help them calm down. When you are at home, play with the dogs and let them enjoy their toys. It is nice when they can have fun and bond with you. If you have a backyard, it would be beneficial to do agility games and general outdoor playing. If not, playing games at home works. Here are some great indoor games you can play with your dogs.

Start teaching your dogs to sleep on their own. Put them in a specific area with their beds, and if they have their own rooms, put them there. Spray their beds with lavender (a diluted essential oil — start with just a bit at first); the smell will help them feel relaxed. Maintain this routine and apply it when you leave. When you arrive home, don’t go straight to hugging them because you will create overexcitement. Call them to come to you first, let them sit and stay, and then hug and play when them. What you are doing here is trying to reclaim the leadership role. Also, when you leave the house, go without touching or hugging the dogs. You can also spray the area with lavender so that they feel more relaxed. Put on some calming music; you will be amazed at how much soft music can soothe dogs.

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