Ask a vet: Interview with Dr. Rachelle Biondolillo, part I

You’ll definitely want to ‘dog-ear’ this two-part interview with Dr. Biondolillo of Prytania Veterinary Hospital. The second part will post next Friday.

[Editor’s note: Dr. B., as everyone at Prytania Veterinary Hospital calls her, is my kitten Claude’s vet. She and her team worked tirelessly to save him after he was rescued from the bottom of a dumpster by a kind soul at four weeks old and 1.10 lbs. My formerly named "Dumpsta Kitty" is now five months and approaching seven pounds. We both look forward to our vet visits with Dr. B.]

Q: What can I do to make my pets less anxious while I’m at work?

A: The first place to start is independence training before you leave the home. Be forewarned, this takes time and repetition to teach.

Dogs: Teach dogs to sit and stay while you walk to different rooms. Gradually add time to the “stay,” command, then reward them. This is a great way to teach Fido it’s OK to be apart from you. Eventually add brief outdoor excursions while Fido waits inside. Do not allow him to walk with you to the door as you exit. That makes him think he’s going with you, and he’s disappointed when you leave without him. Before you go, engage his mind with a toy, and use that particular toy only when you leave home. Chew toys are best, as they reward dogs’ desire to use their teeth. Some dogs need crates to help them start training, which is a topic that could fill multiple columns! Alternatively, doggie daycare is fun for pups who like to socialize.

My husband trained our dog by hiding her chews around the apartment, and when he left home she was excited to search for them. That helped her not think about his being gone. When you come home, first go about your human activities. Do not go right to Fido, as that rewards all the crazy, excited behavior he exhibits when you return home. Dogs should always be rewarded for calmness. When things are calm and Fido sits or lies down, pet away!  Some dogs love their quiet time, and it’s important to remember that they also need their rest. One suggestion is to tune your TV to Animal Planet on a low volume during a calm time. Also, window views can be relaxing, but if Fido acts agitated at passersby and other dogs, don’t allow access to that particular window, as it self-perpetuates defensiveness and barking.

Cats: My cats take advantage of when I’m gone, because when I’m home, we play chase, feather, laser pen, and wrestle! For additional stimulation, windows are awesome! I recommend window hammocks or towers that allow for views of neighborhood activity. Because cats are quite self-entertaining, it’s important to make sure there are toys for them to play with. Rotate them so they don’t become bored. You can also hide a couple of treats. This allows them to use their natural smell and hunt instincts.

Q: I see so many types of leashes at the dog park, some of which don't seem to be the right leash for the dog. Is there a general rule of thumb for selecting the correct leash?

A: I use a flat collar and leash for my dog because she is trained to heel. I prefer voice training, using simple, one-word command. When I ask her to heel and she does, I give her a treat.

I do not recommend choke chains if your dog pulls a lot. They compress the sensitive trachea and jugular veins, and can cause serious cough issues. Pinch collars look barbaric, but they're actually better than choke chains. For pinch collars, only use the small size. (It should mimic a little pinch of skin. The bigger sizes aren't as effective.) Also, it should be fitted close - not tight - to the neck.  If it dangles, remove a link or two.

The best collar is the head harness. They come by many names: Gentle Leader, Halti Harness, etc. The concept is not to allow pulling by controlling where the head points. Just like a child can walk an animal as powerful as a horse, you can gently and humanely walk a dog by controlling the direction his head faces. This is also great for dogs who don't get along with other dogs. If they begin to pull and bark, turn their head and their attention away. Engage their attention to a treat you should have prepared for this situation. The Gentle Leader, etc., does take some getting used to. When getting Fido used to anything new, always take baby steps and offer treats to create positive associations.

[This interview has been edited for length and clarity.]

Dr. Rachelle Biondolillo graduated from the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine in 1997 and joined Prytania Veterinary Hospital in 2003. She previously practiced at Algiers Animal Clinic and Audubon Veterinary Hospital, and was an attending doctor at the Animal Emergency Clinic for 10 years. Her special interests include internal medicine, surgery, ultrasound, behavior counseling, and feline medication. She places a high emphasis on education and enjoys teaching pet guardians about health maintenance and how to avoid problems. Dr B. lives with her cats, Payton and Drew Brees Barrymore, and dog Betty, who helped introduce her to her husband.

Jennifer Coleman is the Founder & Owner of Jellicle Pet Sitting and Jellicle Lagniappe.

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