Animal Island: Umbrella for dueling dogs

Q The other day, I was walking my leashed elderly dog when somehow a neighborhood dog broke through the storm door and headed straight for us, barking and growling. The dog jumped my dog and started fighting with her. Fortunately I was able to lodge a kick at the other dog, and that startled him into stopping. We then slowly backed up and got home safely. What should I do if this ever happens again? My husband wants me to start walking with a golf club, but I really do not want to do that. -- Terry Burke, Bellmore

A When it comes to animals, there is no point in trying to match aggressive behavior with more of the same. The best way to fool an aggressive dog that is running toward you into thinking that there may be better things to do is to use an umbrella as a distraction. Just carry a big umbrella that pops open when you push a button. As the dog is approaching, point the umbrella in it's direction and push the button. When the umbrella pops open, it will startle most any dog. You will not get as many funny looks from neighbors with an umbrella in your hand as you would carrying a golf club.

Q I recently became the owner of a 3-year-old lab mix. I am the fifth owner in her short life and have been able to correct many of her problems. However, at every opportunity, she runs away and will not respond to me. She will run toward a neighbor, if one is outside. How can I break her of this when she is a model dog in other respects? -- Sheila Leonard, Westbury

A The first thing to do is to look at it from her point of view. Most likely, in the last three years, she learned that if she comes back to the person who is holding the leash yelling and screaming at her, that person will only put the leash back on and drag her into the house. The strangers that she sees welcome her with hugs and pets. So it makes sense to respond best to the human that rewards with positive reinforcement, and this is the driving force with any animal. My falcon will literally fly out of the clouds to land back on my fist as he knows that when he does this, he will get a treat. In other words, something good will happen to it; and if a falcon can learn this, then your dog can, too. Carry a can of treats with you when you take her out and randomly shake the can, and then give one to her as you are going along. Then, take her to a park with a very long lead and let her sniff about and explore to the end of the lead and periodically shake the can and call her back in a sweet voice and give her a treat. In no time, she will associate your recall with only good things happening to her.