Creature feature

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/DUSTY HIGGINS
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/DUSTY HIGGINS

My husband uses a cpap [continuous positive airway pressure] machine to aid in sleeping. Our 4-pound Yorkie loves to snuggle into the bed with us, but the moment my husband puts on his face mask, she flies off the bed. What can we do to end this problem?

Many dogs are afraid of any electronic device that makes sounds they find scary, but a program of desensitization can teach them there’s nothing to fear.

Desensitization and counter-conditioning are techniques that work by pairing something pleasant with something unpleasant to change the way an animal responds to a stimulus - the air pressure machine, in your Yorkie's case. As your dog begins to associate the machine with something positive, he should stop flying off of the bed at the sight of your husband’s mask.

Professional dog trainer Charlotte Mallion of See Spot Sit Dog Training in Sherwood suggests that you begin by desensitizing your dog to the face mask. You don't need to be sitting in bed to do this, but make sure you're in a quiet area where your dog feels comfortable and safe before you bring out the mask.

Hold the mask in one hand while giving your dog her favorite treat with the other. The reward needs to be extra special and can be anything - bites of boiled chicken, prime rib or a particular commercial treat - but remember to use it only during sessions with the mask. You want your dog to see the mask and think the doggy equivalent of “Woohoo!”

Repeat the procedure - mask in one hand, treat in the other - several times, each time praising your dog lavishly when she doesn't freak out, Mallion says. After your dog becomes comfortable with the mask, the next step is to have her get used to being very close to the mask. Do this by placing the treat on the mask and letting your dog take it. Be patient at this point and avoid the temptation to give your dog the treat even when she doesn't approach the mask. If she doesn’t take the treat, put the mask away and try again later.

The process may take several days to a week before you see progress. Mallion suggests doing the exercise three to five times a day, each session lasting three to five minutes.

When your dog consistently takes the treat from the mask, it's time to acclimate her to the mask with the hose attached. Follow the same steps as you did with the mask. Once your dog can approach the mask without fear, then you can attach it to the machine and move to the bed. Finally, follow the training steps by having your husband give the dog a treat while he's wearing the mask.

If at any point in the process your dog becomes anxious (she might not always run, but she may lick her lips repeatedly or pull her ears back), stop and take a step or two back to the point where your dog is comfortable. At no time do you want to create stress for your dog.

The biggest dog show of the year, Westminster Dog Show at Madison Square Garden in New York, is just a couple of weeks away. It’s always fun to watch it on television and see the wide variety of purebred dogs parade through the arena. This year, there will be three rookie breeds - rat terrier, Portuguese Podengo Pequeno and Chinook - bringing the number of breeds shown to 188.

Rat terrier, a small feisty breed, is often mistaken for the Jack Russell because of its smooth black-and-white coat and lively personality. The Portuguese Podengo, a wirehaired sight hound, comes in three sizes, but the one being shown is the smallest or pequeno version, weighing 8 to 14 pounds. The Chinook, said to be a rare breed, looks somewhat like a yellow Labrador, although it's probably no relation. But it could be. A sled dog, the Chinook was the result of breeding a “farm dog of unknown heritage with a northern husky,” according to Vetstreet.com.

Do you have a question about pets? We’ll get you an answer from an authority. Send your question to Rhonda Owen, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, P.O. Box 2221, Little Rock, Ark. 72203 or e-mail [email protected]

Family, Pages 32 on 01/22/2014

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