What an interesting question!  While most furry creatures do not react in the same way as us humans, they can certainly carry the oil from poison ivy back to their owner if left on their coat.  In reverse, if you have poison ivy you can only transfer it to others if the oil from the plant is still on your skin.  Once you have a reaction, it would be rare to transfer it to others.  My greater concern is that many yards are treated with lawn care products that can be toxic to small animals.  If I were you, I would keep my hamster in the safety of my home.

Funny question.  Most people believe dogs do this instinctively to cover their own scent.  If this is true, it would go back to packs of wild dogs and wolves who also use scents to establish rank or a pecking order.

Either way, not much you can do to stop it.  Sorry!

Most of the time I would recommend other methods of training prior to using a “no bark” collar. Since some barking is good (alerting to an intruder or bad situation) you don’t want to send a negative message to your dog for instances of barking appropriately. Instead, try using a peanut (or coffee) can with some pennies or rocks inside. When your dog barks inappropriately, shake the can and distract her. The moment she stops barking you should reward her for the quiet. The goal of this exercise is to teach your dog that it is good to alert you when necessary but to not continuously “nuisance” bark. Please check for more details coming soon on the PETips page.

If there has been growling or snapping at a child I would do just what you are, keep them separated. You should continue to work with her in the ways that you have (rewarding positive behavior and correcting negative behavior with a command) but I would not put her or the child into a risky situation. Try to begin taking her with you when you go to “pet friendly” places and encourage her to be more social. Just be mindful of small children as she may act the same towards them as she does towards Callie.

If you would like advice on more detailed training methods and/or to get her into a class (would be great socialization for her!) I would recommend Chi Chi Cornett. She is a wonderful trainer and works very closely with animal welfare and understands the needs/behavior of rescued dogs. Her phone number is 541-3117.

Your questions are very good.  Let me address them individually.Dog marking is indeed an instinctual trait.  Having said that, it doesn’t mean it must continue.  Most things dogs do are instinctual and the training process is what adjusts those traits and makes it easier to live in harmony.  I agree that most of the “Stay Off” type products don’t work.  They use scents to repel the dog and not all dogs react the same to odd smells.  Some will actually work harder to cover that new smell!  Instead, use an enzyme bases product such as Nature’s Miracle.  

 This product removes stains, scents and neutralizes the organic material that causes your pet to return to the same spot.  Once you have thoroughly cleaned the area, try moving a couple things around in the room to confuse your dog.  I know this isn’t fun (I am sure your room is situated just as you want it) but in a short amount of time you may be able to change your dog’s pattern.  Additionally, be sure to confine your dogs while you are away until the behavior is under control.  Use training crates or a small room that they do not generally mark in.  Try these ideas and let me know how it goes.

As far as flea and tick products, you are a right to be concerned with the size of your dogs.  Diazinon is a great flea killer… But very potent and can be dangerous to some pets.  I prefer spot-on treatments that kill the adult flea and break the lifecycle by killing the eggs and larvae.  These products are generally safe (when using the appropriate dose) and quite affective.  You can also get spray treatments for your home that have IGR (insect growth regulators) and will help greatly.  Bio Spot makes some great products and you can find them at most pet stores. 

Thanks again for writing!

Abi B, Houston, Texas

Yes and no. The male Betta (Siamese Fighting Fish) is very aggressive toward similar long-finned fishes. Because of this, only one male Betta should be kept in a single bowl or aquarium. Since female Bettas look very different from the males, a male and a female will often survive together in an adequately sized aquarium (at least 20 gallons). Multiple female Bettas will generally coexist as long as there are places to hide and enough vegetation.

Amanda C, Nashville, Tennessee

Only when absolutely necessary! Cats do an amazing job of self grooming (their abrasive tongue is perfect for cleaning their coat) and rarely need a bath. When necessary, be sure to have plenty of help (most cats dislike the water), use only a shampoo pH-balanced for cats and be sure to dry adequately.

Candace P, Elizabethtown, Kentucky

It depends on the type of turtle. The easiest to keep would be a Red-Eared Slider and they will live in an aquarium with partial water and an area to bask on land. Feeding is simple since they easily conform to turtle pellets which can be purchased at just about any pet store. If you have a Box Turtle you will need to feed a combination of fresh veggies (tomatoes, yellow squash, carrot tops, etc.) along with a protein source such as canned dog food. Since some Box Turtles are picky eaters, you may need to add cut earthworms, grubs, and other live foods to the mix. Box Turtles are VERY finicky eaters and do not make a good starter pet.

Dale C, Snoqualmie, Washington

This depends on the size and breed of your dog. A good rule of thumb is to expect to switch to adult food around 12 months of age. Now, if your 9-month-old puppy is looking thick, you should consider cutting back on the serving size and/or possibly begin to wean him over to adult food. Ask your veterinarian for guidance when you are having your puppy vaccinated.

Mary B, Monterey, California

This is a matter of personal taste. If you want to keep your cocker in a “puppy cut,” you should schedule grooming every 6-8 weeks. For those who would prefer to keep a true cocker cut, you will need to visit your groomer more like every 4-6 weeks. Regardless of how often you visit, you should brush your dog at least a few times each week. This helps stimulate hair follicles and will help reduce shedding over the long haul. Pay particular attention to the hair around the ears, as it often gets matted.