Ask Zena                                  Total Questions: 24        

I have a 2 yr. old Tibetan dog named Pandy and she scared me to death today... She looked like she was going to vomit and poop at the same time. Her back legs were like those of a rag doll, she was shaking and looking pretty bad. Pandy vomited three times and after that she seemed to be better.

She eats everything in sight. Could this have been the reason or should I take her in to the vet tomorrow? What kind of illnesses can a Tibetan Spaniel have?

The Tibetan Spaniel is considered to be a very healthy breed, often living to the ripe old age of 16. Some Tibetan Spaniels are prone to generalized progressive retinal atrophy, but a responsible, ethical breeder would have screened for this. There have been some cases of juvenile kidney disease.

Like humans, dogs can suffer from gastrointestinal problems which often result in diarrhoea and vomiting. Sometimes this is all that is necessary and then they are fine. It is always a good idea to let your vet know if your dog appears to be suffering. In other cases, they may have gotten into something that wasn't good for their tummy. It is for this reason that dog owners should take the time to "dog proof" their home to ensure that dangerous or harmful products are out of reach.

My Siberian Husky often runs away from home. He will usually get tired and try to find his way home, but by that time he is usually too far away. When we get in the car to bring him home he keeps on running and thinks it's a game.

How can we train him to stay in the yard and not run away? How about using the electric fence or bark collars with the lemon spray. I don't want to hurt him but are these methods bad for him?

Some breeds of dogs are more likely to stay home near their family. These breeds tend to be the more co-dependent types; the dogs that follow their parents everywhere, right behind them all the time. Zippy, my Giant Schnauzer doesn't like it when she can't see me, so she will follow me from room to room. Whenever we go to the dog park, she stays close by while the other dogs run and frolic freely with the others.

Siberian Huskies are very energetic dogs who love to work, and as a result, they require a large amount of exercise. Sometimes, when they don't get enough exercise, they can take on a destructive nature, or in your case, run away. They can be difficult to train as well so they present a challenge. I am not surprised that your Husky thinks it is a game when you track him down with the car. He doesn't understand what the problem is, because he is having a great time running about exploring, and he probably thinks you have come to join his game.

With respect to the fences and collars, if you are uncomfortable with the idea you could try ensuring that your dog gets enough exercise to see if this changes his behaviour. If that fails, talk to a few local dog trainers to get their perspective. You could also talk to your vet and see if they have any feedback, or if they can pass along names of some people who have tried these methods.