BehavioRx Case of the Month
for September 1998

A young woman called to complain that she had awakened that morning with a warm feeling spreading across her skull. She opened her eyes to the shocking sight of her Italian Greyhound standing over her, leg lifted, relieving himself. The dog, an intact male, had been closed out of the bedroom the night before because he was a pest when the lady's boyfriend stayed the night with her. The dog's disgusting act may seem like the most insulting behavior anyone's dog could wreak on them. However, it is not unusual for dogs, both male and female, to brand articles or people about which they feel insecure. And, after all, the little greyhound's owner had been declared off-limits, at least symbolically, when he was shut out. So, he applied his Mark or Zorro as a means of claiming ownership, just the way wild dogs brand their territories and, sometimes, mates. He had also been
urinating around the house after any visitors left the apartment.

The dog was not aggressive, but did display an appealing, good-natured bossiness, seeking affection when his owner or her mother, who lived with them, were involved in our consultation. He also sought attention when they were on the telephone, sometimes grabbing articles off the coffee table.

When they understood that the dog was frustrated because he felt a need to lead, or control, their small social group, the clients were ready to provide their own leadership. They launched into a remedial leadership program wholeheartedly.... in fact, with so much gusto that they sounded more like dictators than leaders, shouting their commands to "Amico, SIT" so loudly whenever the dog nudged for petting that Amico would cringe before sitting.

Amico was in super health, according to his veterinarian. When his owner was told that healthy urine is sterile, she seemed relieved. However, he was only fed once a day and tended to drink more water (and hence urinate more often) than normal for his weight and activity schedule. His daily ration was split into two meals and the dry food was soaked lightly in hot water
prior to feeding. His water intake dropped by one-third.

A standard command-response program and "learn-to-earn praise and pets" regime seemed to please the dog as much as his owners. The boyfriend was also included in the rituals and Amico responded positively to him, too. Amico was even allowed back into the bedroom during the six-week program, where he slept on a small bed on the floor!

Previous Cases

August 1998
July 1998
June 1998
May 1998
April 1998
March 1998
February 1998
January 1998
December 1997
November 1997
October 1997
September 1997
August 1997
July 1997
June 1997
May 1997
April 1997
March 1997
February 1997
January 1997
December 1996
November 1996
October 1996

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