Treat the Immune System, Not Just the Infection

Grand Blanc, Mich.

Max is a bully of a dog and needs to be disciplined by being taught self-restraint and boundaries.

As you correctly assert, your daughter needs to assume the role of female leader of the pack and teach Max his manners. A behavioral counselor or good dog trainer should be called in. Max's aggressive behavior could some day get him into a serious fight that might result in great harm -- to either dog or humans trying to break it up.

Max should be encouraged to learn how to run and play with other dogs. He needs to learn how much he is missing.

Dear Dr. Fox:

I have a 12-year-old neutered half-Siamese black-and-white cat that does strange things. I have an idea why, but I want your opinion.

When I am sitting on my couch watching television, he will meow loudly, then jump on the back of the couch and start kneading with his feet around my head. Then he begins to make a thrusting motion. If I try to pet him when he does this, he meows loudly. He does this for a couple of minutes then jumps down and licks his privates. I think his affection for me is very strong. My hair excites him.

He also will pick up one of my slippers and, while meowing loudly, will bring it into the room I'm in, drop it near me, then walk away.

What are your ideas on these behaviors?

E.S.

Red Bank, N.J.

Cats do many curious and seemingly bizarre things. They are copycats and are extremely observant of our behavior and creative in their game play.

Much of this creativity is partly their way of adapting to captivity. (Most domestic cats are still wild at heart.) Often, and regrettably, with no feline companion to interact with naturally, they will displace and redirect various instinctual behaviors toward their human companions.

What you are witnessing are elements of kittenish nursing and sexual behavior when your cat is by your head, and kitten or mate prey-giving behavior when you are in bed and given a slipper.

Such is the nature of feline affection in the distorted realm of domesticity. Some animal-derived products and scents in your hair may indeed trigger ancient longings and instinctual reactions.

Michael W. Fox, author of a newsletter and books on animal care, welfare and rights, is a veterinarian with doctoral degrees in medicine and animal behavior. More pet care information is available at Dr. Fox's Web site, www.doctormwfox.org. Write to Dr. Fox at United Feature Syndicate, 200 Madison Ave., New York, N.Y. 10016.

Copyright 2008 United Feature Syndicate Inc.