Dear Dr. Fox • Six months ago, my family got an 18-month-old Husky rescue. We all think he’s the world’s best dog: friendly and happy, with a great temperament. He wags his tail, greets and licks everyone (strangers included) that come near him. I’m the grandpa, and have my own apartment in the house.
Three months ago, he started loudly barking at only me, and running away as if I were coming after him with an ax whenever I came near him. I call him and walk after him with a treat, and after five minutes of barking and running away, he’ll lie down, wag his tail, lick my hand and face, and let me rub his belly for as long as I want to. Then, when I get up and walk away, the whole scenario starts again from the beginning.
This happens all day, every day, and is especially bad when I come home late at night and he wakes everyone up with his barking. I never have, never would and never will do anything to hurt him, yell at him or scare him. What can I do to fix this? — B.K., Manalapan, N.J.
Dear B.K. • My educated guess is that this dog is conflicted by post-traumatic stress disorder, most probably involving abuse from a person who resembles you. The memory flares up for no apparent reason except for your presence, and possibly your body language and scent.
Try changing your scent by having all family members share the same perfume for a week to 10 days. Essential oil of lavender is a good one, with calming effects on dogs. Also put a drop or two on a bandanna around the dog’s neck. There is also a commercially available dog-appeasement pheromone, which may also help if you put some on your wrists (dogappeasingpheromone.com). Then pet, groom or massage the dog, as per my book “The Healing Touch for Dogs.” Many dogs become addicted to a good massage!
Dear Dr. Fox • I’m writing to ask you why, when I’m on the floor and face-to-face with my rescued cockapoo, he looks into my face and automatically directs his attention to my right eye. It happens all the time, to the point that I asked my optometrist to check my right eye.
I am aware that dogs are able to scent out illnesses in humans. What do you think of my dog’s behavior when we are nose-to-nose with each other? — J.G., Washington, D.C.
Dear J.G. • It is good that you did have a checkup with your ophthalmologist, since dogs do have uncanny diagnostic abilities, especially in the realm of scent. Since nothing was found to be wrong with your eye, your dog may be focusing on your right eye since you may favor it for close visual focus (your so-called dominant eye).
Visit Dr. Fox’s website at DrFoxVet.net. Send mail to animaldocfox@gmail.com or to Dr. Michael Fox in care of Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut Street, Kansas City, Mo. 64106.
