I'm feeding wild cats in my neighborhood. Some keep having kittens. What should I do to help feral or stray cats?

Contact IndyFeral for assistance. If you're feeding stray or feral cats in your neighborhood in Indianapolis, you are required by the city's trap-neuter-return ordinance to spay/neuter, vaccinate, eartip them, and register them with IndyFeral.

IndyFeral also has information on free spay/neuter surgeries offered to outside cats being fed by residents in zip codes 46201 and 46203.

Dogs with separation anxiety typically exhibit dramatic anxiety responses within a short period of time (20-45 minutes) after their owners leave. Common separation anxiety behaviors include: 

• Digging, chewing and scratching at doors or windows.
• Howling, barking and crying.
• Eliminating (even in housetrained dogs) as a result of distress.

It’s not fully understood why some dogs suffer from separation anxiety and others don't. It’s important to realize that the destruction and housesoiling that occurs with separation anxiety are not the dog's attempt seek revenge on his owner for leaving him. Rather, they are part of a panic response.  

There are many reasons for the behavior associated with separation anxiety, so it's essential to correctly diagnose before proceeding with treatment. If most, or all, of the following statements are true about your dog, he may have a separation anxiety problem: 

• The behavior occurs when he's left alone.
• Follows you around while you are home.
• Reacts with excitement, depression or anxiety to your preparations to leave.
• Displays frantic greeting behaviors.
• Dislikes spending time alone outdoors.

What should I do if my dog has separation anxiety? 

The following techniques may be helpful for minor separation anxiety issues: 

• Keep arrivals and departures low key.
• Leave your dog with an article of clothing that has your scent.
• Establish a "safety cue". This is a word or action that you use when leaving that assures your dog you'll return. (Some examples of safety cues are playing a radio leaving the TV on, or giving him a special treat or toy.)

These treatments may take a while, and a dog with separation anxiety can do serious damage to himself or your home. Some of the following may be helpful in dealing with the problems in the short term: 

• Provide plenty of daily exercise! What may seem like separation anxiety may be 'cured' by providing your pooch with plenty to do.
• Talk to your vet about possible drug treatments.
• Take your dog to a doggy daycare facility.
• Leave your dog with a neighbor, friend or family member.
• Bring your dog to work, if possible.

What won’t help a separation anxiety problem? 

• Punishment. If you punish your dog when you return home it may actually increase his separation anxiety.
• Getting another pet. His reaction isn't to being alone, it is from being separated from you.
• Crating your dog. Your dog will still engage in anxiety responses in the crate. This may lead to injury.
• Obedience school. While obedience school is a good idea, it won't directly help the problem. Separation anxiety isn't a lack of training.

Housetraining a puppy is no easy task, but with time and patience, it can be done. Be sure you and your family are ready to take on these responsibilities before adopting a dog. It's important to be aware that there will be accidents along the way.

Consistency is an important part of the housetraining experience. The more consistency in the puppy's life, the faster you’ll see results.

Through the housetraining period there are three basic terms to remember: routine, supervise, and confinement.

Routine

• Just like a new-born baby, it's best to put your puppy on a regular schedule.
• In the beginning, it's a good idea to take them out every hour, after naps and play sessions, and after eating.
• Choose a spot just outside the door that your puppy will associate with eliminating. Each time you take your puppy out, go to the same sport and through the same door.
• Using the same words like "go potty" when your puppy is outside.
• Consistency in feeding will lead to consistency in elimination.

Supervise

• While inside, your puppy should be supervised at all times. If you see signs of possible elimination, like circling and sniffing, take your puppy out immediately to their bathroom spot.
• Baby gates are a great thing to have around the house:  they will allow you to keep a better eye on your puppy and prevent accidents in difficult-to-clean places

Confinement

• When you're unable to watch your puppy, confine them to a suitably sized crate: dogs are less likely to eliminate where they sleep.
• A crate should be big enough for the puppy to comfortably stand, lie down, and turn around.
• Your puppy should be taken out immediately after being let out of its crate.
• If you work, it's a good idea to come home during lunch or to have a dog sitter let your puppy out during the day.
• In general, puppies can hold their bladder one hour for every month of age.

If you catch your puppy eliminating in the house, make a quick, loud noise, like a hand clap or a loud “Ah!” noise to interrupt him. Then take him to his potty spot and reward with verbal praise and a treat. Once you find the soiled area, do nothing more than take your puppy outside, then clean up the mess – don’t punish your dog for the accident. After the act of elimination, it's too late to take action. Discipline and punishment will do nothing more than hinder the process, and can lead to your puppy being afraid of you or going potty in your presence.

Use the tips listed above to minimize the number of accidents you encounter. Allowing your puppy to continue to eliminate in the house will only lead to confusion on his part, frustration on your part, and a prolonging of the housetraining process.

By following these tips you'll be on your way to a housetrained puppy in no time. Having a positive attitude throughout the process will not only make training run smoothly, it will rub off on your puppy. Take "oops" moments in stride and continue to work on routine, supervise, and confinement. Practice makes perfect!

These are great questions surrounded by some confusion. In Indianapolis, IN, Marion County municipal code's "Animals" section offers guidance.

Sec. 531-102 states that animals at large are prohibited, with various penalties depending on the circumstances. What does "at large" mean? Sec. 531-101 explains that "At large means not confined without means of escape of any portion of the animal's body in a pen, corral, yard, cage, house, vehicle or other secure enclosure, unless on a leash and under the control of a competent human being."

What does "under control" mean? The definition of an animal being "monitored" in Sec. 531-101 goes on to offer a bit more help: "Monitored means that the animal is controlled by means of a leash or other device held by a competent person, subject to the provisions of sections 531-401 and 531-728, which animal is sufficiently near the owner or handler as to be under his or her direct control and is obedient to that person's command."

For your dog's safety, the Humane Society of Indianapolis strongly recommends that you keep your dog leashed on walks and while spending time in parks and other public places. Few dogs come to their owners every time when called, and sometimes the lure of a running squirrel or another dog is more attractive than your most heartfelt "Come back, Lassie!" It's also important to note that no matter how friendly your dog is off-leash, other leashed dogs might not take kindly to an impromptu greeting from a free-roaming stranger - and the last thing your dog wants during a walk in the park is a bite on the cheek!

IndyHumane can help ensure your dog's safety on and off leash.

• The Canine Training School can help your dog learn recall commands so when she's off leash, she'll be more likely to respond to your request. Our team can even work with you in the places where your dog is most likely to run from you once they get a whiff of freedom!
• The IndyHumane Dog Park is a great place to let Rover romp off-leash with other well-socialized dogs in a secure setting.
• Need a new leash? Stop by IndyHumane's David Horth Adoption Lobby to buy one - and maybe a few treats for your pup, too! All purchases directly support your locally based, independent Humane Society of Indianapolis.