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Dear Cathy,

I have a seven-year-old Pomeranian rescue. I adopted her when she was about two. Six months ago, she started running out of the room whenever I got a text. After two weeks, I changed the text notification sound, and she was OK for about a week, but then she started running out of the room again. My vet checked her out and said dogs do weird things sometimes. I wonder if you or any of your readers have experienced this and if you found a solution.

— Susan, Westbury, New York

Dear Susan,

Your Pomeranian may associate the sound with something like a doorbell or another trigger, prompting her to run as if someone is arriving or she needs to greet a visitor. However, since you changed the text notification sound and it worked for a short time, this may indicate that it's not just the specific sound but perhaps her sensitivity to certain sounds.

One option is desensitization, where you gradually get her used to the sound by playing the text alert at its lowest volume. This is followed by positive reinforcement, such as treats. Go slow and only increase the volume when she seems comfortable at a specific sound level. If she suddenly runs out of the room again, turn the volume down to the previously accepted level, and continue desensitizing her to that sound before increasing the column again.

Additionally, try another notification sound — something softer or more neutral that won't resemble any familiar household sounds. Once she gets used to the sounds at a normal volume, toss her treats every time your phone alerts. (She will stick around if she thinks the “ding” means she will get a treat.)

You can also practice obedience cues, like "here" to call her to you, or "stay" to keep her from leaving to redirect her focus back to you. Pair the sound with the command and reward her with treats when she does what you ask. Then, give her a chew or puzzle toy to redirect her energy.

Your vet is right, though. Dogs can develop quirky habits for reasons we may not fully understand. But with patience, desensitization, and positive reinforcement, I think you can help her overcome this idiosyncrasy.

If other readers have had similar experiences, please feel free to share your story along with your solution.

Dear Cathy,

I read your response about declawing a cat. I wasn't aware there was a movement against it. We declawed our cat 24 years ago, and after watching him limp after jumping down from any height, I said we would never do that to another cat. Yes, even with a scratching post, we deal with some frayed furniture, but I saw how cruel the procedure was and decided, "never again."

— Geoffrey, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma

Dear Geoffrey,

It's commendable that you never want to put another cat through that procedure again. Declawing has long been a controversial topic, and many people aren't always aware of what the procedure entails. The limping and pain your cat experienced are, unfortunately, common side effects, as declawing involves amputating the last bone of each toe, which is equivalent to removing a person's fingertip. This can affect a cat's ability to walk and jump and may cause long-term pain or behavioral changes.

Thankfully, there are now many humane and effective alternatives to address scratching without resorting to such drastic measures. Providing various types of scratching posts, using deterrent sprays, or applying soft nail caps can help protect furniture while allowing cats to keep their claws.

Thank you for sharing your story.

Dear Cathy,

Can I add anything to my dog's diet to relieve itchy paws? I see ads for supplements, but they are very confusing.

– Debra, Hicksville, New York

Dear Debra,

For itchy paws, it's essential to first rule out environmental allergies first, which are sometimes common in small breeds like Havanese. If your dog's paws are red, swollen, or persistently itchy, a vet visit is the best first step to check for allergies, infections, or parasites. Your vet can prescribe medications or recommend a combination of supplements to ease your dog's discomfort.

In terms of diet, adding high-quality omega-3 fatty acids, like those found in fish oil, can help reduce inflammation and improve skin health. If food allergies are the suspected culprit, you might consider switching to a grain-free or limited-ingredient diet. Please check with your vet before introducing new supplements or changing the diet to avoid reactions, especially if your dog is on other medications or is a senior pet.

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(Cathy M. Rosenthal is a longtime animal advocate, author, columnist and pet expert who has more than 25 years in the animal welfare field. Send your pet questions, stories and tips to cathy@petpundit.com. Please include your name, city, and state. You can follow her @cathymrosenthal.)

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