ArcaMax

Dear Cathy,

We recently adopted a seven-year-old Shih Tzu/Poodle mix from a shelter. He is great with people, but not good with other dogs. He gets aggressive around other dogs, and we know he would get in a fight, as his reaction shows it.

Is there any type of training we can do to stop his aggressiveness towards other dogs? He is a sweet and affectionate dog with us, loves to go for walks, and cuddles up with us. What can we do?

— Michael, Levittown, New York

Dear Michael,

Dogs who react this way often do so out of fear, anxiety, or uncertainty rather than actual aggression. In some cases, a lack of early positive socialization with other dogs can contribute to reactivity. The goal now is to help him feel more comfortable and confident in their presence, which can be done through gradual desensitization and positive associations during walks.

When walking, keep him at a distance where he can see another dog, but stays calm. When he notices the other dog, reward him with a treat or praise if he remains calm and focused on you. This helps him associate the presence of other dogs with good things. If he begins to react, calmly redirect him by turning away and increasing the distance between him and the dog until he can relax again. The key is to keep interactions positive and avoid situations that push him beyond his comfort zone.

You'll also want to learn his early warning signs of discomfort, such as stiff body language, intense staring, or raised hackles. Catching these early signals allows you to redirect his attention before he reacts too intensely.

Because dog reactivity can be challenging to manage, working with a professional trainer can help guide you through gradual exposure to other dogs while ensuring that your dog remains calm and confident at each step. When the time comes for closer encounters, a good trainer can often provide a low-reactive "helper dog" to create a safe and controlled environment for practice. This kind of gradual, positive introduction is much more effective than forcing interactions.

He doesn’t have to love other dogs. He just needs to feel safe during his walks and learn other dogs are not a threat to you or him.

Dear Cathy,

I am a bird lover and care for six feral cats in my backyard. After feeding them for over nine years, I've observed that the cats and birds coexist peacefully. These well-fed cats completely ignore the birds in the yard, and I believe that if more people provided food for feral cats, they would be less inclined to hunt birds. This isn't just my opinion — it's something I've seen firsthand.

— Cheryl, Tucson, Arizona

Dear Chery,

Thank you for sharing your experience. Your long-term observation that well-fed feral cats coexist peacefully with birds in your yard echoes what many caretakers have reported — when cats have a reliable food source, they may be less inclined to hunt.

However, it's important to remember that hunting behavior in cats is not always tied to hunger; their instincts may still drive them to stalk and catch prey, which may target rodents rather than birds.

My inbox has been flooded with letters from people on both sides of the feral cat debate — those who have compassion for these cats and those who see them as a nuisance. I welcome these conversations because they highlight just how complex this issue is.

But at its core, the problem isn't the cats themselves; it's human behavior. If we can change how people treat cats, educate them about the importance of spaying and neutering, and discourage pet abandonment, we can make real progress in reducing the number of free-roaming cats. While it's not an instant fix, it is the only approach that aligns with both our humanity and a long-term, effective solution.

Thanks for sharing your insights.

Dear Cathy,

Feral cats are not an endangered species. Get rid of them all. It won't affect the balance of nature, except for their prey. “Women, sheese.”

— Unsigned

Dear Unsigned,

There’s a lot to unpack there, but I will stick to my role as an animal educator.

Feral cats are not a separate species from house cats, any more than an abandoned Poodle suddenly becomes a wild animal. Cats have been bred as companions for centuries. While some manage to survive on their own, often in groups, they are not wild animals; they are domesticated animals living without a home. And just like any other pet, they deserve compassion and humane solutions, not elimination.

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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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