Ask Dr. Paola – Rain, Fetch & Screen Time (November 3, 2025)

Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” collection, the place each Monday we convey skilled recommendation straight from Dr. Paola Cuevas (MVZ) to assist our readers higher perceive their canine’s well being and well-being.

Whether or not you’re a brand new pet mum or dad or a seasoned canine lover, Dr. Paola is right here to supply solutions to your most urgent questions. From vitamin suggestions and preventive care to troubleshooting widespread behavioral points, Dr. Paola is able to provide insights that may maintain your furry buddy completely satisfied and wholesome. Keep tuned for skilled steerage on a variety of subjects that matter most to you and your canine, so you may make knowledgeable choices and supply the absolute best care on your canine companion. ‎Have‎ a ‎question? Send it in here!

Assist! How Do I Get My Canine to Go Pee within the Rain?!

“My Labrador, Dax, refuses to pee within the rain – till he’s tremendous busting to go and it’s fairly practically an accident. BUT, right here’s the twist – he loves leaping into puddles, rolling within the moist grass after the rain, getting soiled, and many others. But when the rain is falling, he’s reluctant to go exterior. What can we do to assist him?“– Maria

Hello Maria,

This can be a quite common scenario, particularly amongst clever and delicate breeds like Labradors. What Dax is displaying just isn’t confusion or stubbornness however a realized discomfort related to the feeling of rain falling straight on his physique. Many canines get pleasure from moist surfaces as soon as the rain has stopped as a result of they will select when and easy methods to work together with the water, however the unpredictable feeling of raindrops hitting their head and again can really feel startling or disagreeable, particularly in the event that they have been by no means gently desensitized to it as puppies.

To assist Dax, start with optimistic affiliation coaching. Begin by going exterior with him when it’s frivolously drizzling and convey high-value treats. Reward and reward him the second he steps out, even when he solely stays briefly. Over time, steadily enhance publicity as he turns into extra comfy. It’s also possible to attempt utilizing a raincoat with a hood or a big umbrella to cut back the feeling of falling water on him. Some canines reply effectively to being escorted out the door with calm encouragement, particularly if you happen to keep shut and stay assured.

It could take some consistency, however with persistence and delicate reinforcement, Dax will start to associate rainy outings with optimistic experiences reasonably than discomfort. Bear in mind to have fun even small progress, as this builds belief and confidence that may prolong to different coaching conditions too. Benefit from the course of and have enjoyable!

– Dr. Paola

How Do I Get My Canine to Play Fetch?

“Hello Dr. Paola,

Tiger brings me his toys, and after I take them to throw them and play fetch, he appears devastated, however I’m undecided what else to do with the toys he retains bringing to me. Might he be simply wanting to indicate them off? He retrieves them and brings them again to me, and I toss them once more, however I get the unhappy pet canine eyes after I do it. However I’m simply undecided what else to do!“ – Teresa

Hello Teresa,

That’s a beautiful remark, and it feels like Tiger is attempting to speak one thing extra nuanced than a easy sport of fetch. Many canines, particularly retrievers or these with robust social bonds, convey their toys as a means of sharing reasonably than initiating a high-energy sport. In Tiger’s case, these “unhappy eyes” could mirror disappointment as a result of his objective may not be to chase however to have interaction in a second of connection. By taking the toy and throwing it, you could be unintentionally lacking the social a part of his providing, which to him may really feel like a rejection of his “present.”

You possibly can take a look at this by altering the interplay. When Tiger brings you a toy, as an alternative of instantly throwing it, gently reward him, converse softly, and pet him whereas he nonetheless holds the toy. Strive participating in mild tug play or just admire his toy with enthusiasm. Some canines get pleasure from sitting beside their individual, chewing, or displaying off their toy whereas being praised. Should you observe that he relaxes and appears content material reasonably than upset, you’ve discovered what he was actually asking for: shared consideration and affirmation reasonably than a fetch session.

In brief, Tiger’s habits displays a social providing, not essentially a request for motion. By slowing down and recognizing his intent, you’re serving to strengthen your bond and honoring the emotional depth dogs express through play.
Finest,

– Dr. Paola

Assist! Can Canines Watch TV?

“Is display time okay for canines? My frenchie Petey appears to get pleasure from it after I scroll, he places his little face in entrance of the cellphone and stares, principally likes it when it’s canine movies. I haven’t been giving him a lot display time, however thought I’d verify if it was as dangerous for him as it’s for us!”  – Eric

Hello Eric,

That’s an ideal query and one many pet dad and mom are starting to ask as screens turn into a part of our day by day lives. For canines like Petey, watching videos is generally a sensory curiosity reasonably than true leisure. Canines understand visible data in a different way from people, and trendy high-refresh screens can now show motion at a fee that canines can truly detect. This explains why he appears fascinated about dog videos or moving animals, as these mimic pure movement cues that appeal to his consideration.

Occasional display publicity just isn’t inherently dangerous, supplied it doesn’t substitute bodily exercise, interactive play, or social time. Consider it as a light novelty, just like how a canine would possibly get pleasure from briefly watching out a window. Nonetheless, extended or frequent display time can result in overstimulation or frustration, particularly if he sees animals however can’t work together with them. At all times guarantee Petey has loads of real-world engagement; walks, sniffing opportunities, and interactive play are irreplaceable for his emotional and bodily well-being.

Carefully, a couple of minutes of display curiosity is completely wonderful. Simply deal with it as a short, shared curiosity reasonably than a type of enrichment, since true enrichment for canines comes from participating their senses, motion, and social connection. I hope this helps!

– Dr. Paola

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