Ask the Shelter: How do I find out my dog's breed?
Q: I adopted a dog from a friend of mine who couldn't care for him anymore (I guess I can say I adopted him even though he wasn't at a shelter). She says he's a poodle/Yorkie mix, but I think there might be another breed in him. Is there any way for me to tell for sure?
A: Oh this is a question we get all the time at the shelter – "what kind of dog is he?" More often than not, we don't have a definitive answer for them because so many of our guys and gals come in as strays, so we don't have any information. It's always amazing how many different guesses we'll get sometimes (I bet you know what that's like).
I'll never forget the day I had a purebred cocker spaniel out with me and someone guessed he was a beagle/shepherd mix. I'm not joking. Unfortunately, because our pets can't talk to us and tell us about their parents, it's sometimes difficult to know exactly what breeds are inside.
There are DNA testing for our pets and I know of a number of people who have used them. They tend to provide a rather extensive list of how many different breeds could be a part of the pup, but they are certainly interesting. You could look into that to see what other breeds could be in your new boy.
Oh, and for the record – yes, you did adopt your boy. In fact, because he never had to step a paw in a shelter, you're helping us out tremendously. Thanks so much for being such a caring animal-lover!
Ask the Shelter: Why does my cat use the litter box as I'm cleaning it?
Q: My 7-month-old kitten likes to attack my arms, legs and head while I sleep at night. How can I get her to stop?
A: Oh, I remember the kitten days! Unfortunately, other than separating yourself from your kitten when you sleep – locking her in another room with a litterbox, food and water or locking her out of the bedroom – I’m not sure there’s a solution other than to wait until she grows up. I know sometimes part of the problem is that when we're gone for the day, our animals spend that time sleeping, so by the time we get home, they're ready to play.
Offer your girl mental stimulation during the day when she's alone, like a birdfeeder outside a window or stimulating toys. If you have time to tire her out before you go to bed when you get home, you might want to try that. Make her chase toys to be sure she’s active while you’re still up.
You could also try keeping a spray bottle with a little water on your bedside table, but you’d have to be quick enough to catch her in the act. If the situation becomes serious, you may want to take her to the vet to rule out any kind of health problems that could be associated with these behavioral issues. My guess, though, is that your only cure is time and she'll grow out of it eventually.
Ask the Shelter: Is a fat dog an unhealthy dog?
Ask the Shelter is a weekly feature aimed at pet education. If you have a question, contact Jennifer Vanderau, publications and promotions consultant for the Cumberland Valley Animal Shelter, at [email protected] or 263-5791.
This article originally appeared on Chambersburg Public Opinion: Ask CVAS: How do I find out my dog's breed?