Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” series, where every Monday we bring expert advice straight from Dr. Paola Cuevas (MVZ) to help our readers better understand their dog’s health and well-being.

Whether you’re a new pet parent or a seasoned dog lover, Dr. Paola is here to provide answers to your most pressing questions. From nutrition tips and preventive care to troubleshooting common behavioral issues, Dr. Paola is ready to offer insights that will keep your furry friend happy and healthy. Stay tuned for expert guidance on a range of topics that matter most to you and your dog, so you can make informed decisions and provide the best possible care for your canine companion. ‎Have‎ a ‎question? Send it in here!

Help! My Dog Doesn’t Enjoy Having His Teeth Brushed!

“What is the best dental cleaning product for a dog if he does not want his teeth brushed? Thank you for your help.

Kind regards, ” – Bobby

Dear Bobby,

When a dog resists tooth brushing, it is much like trying to keep a kitchen counter clean without ever wiping it. Plaque continues to accumulate and, over time, hardens into tartar. In these situations, there are dental care alternatives supported by veterinary dentistry that can help slow this process. Treats specifically formulated for dental health have been shown in controlled studies to reduce plaque accumulation by providing a gentle mechanical cleaning action during chewing. In addition, water additives and oral gels that contain enzymatic systems such as glucose oxidase and lactoperoxidase can help limit bacterial growth in the mouth when used consistently, even when brushing is not tolerated.

It is important to keep in mind that no product fully replaces regular tooth brushing, which remains the gold standard for preventive dental care. That said, products approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council have demonstrated meaningful reductions in plaque and tartar when used as directed. If a dog shows signs such as persistent bad breath, reddened gums, or oral discomfort, a veterinary evaluation is essential, as periodontal disease is extremely common in dogs over three years of age and often requires professional dental cleaning to restore oral health. I hope this helps!

– Dr. Paola

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Help! My Dogs Penis is Unusually Large!

“My dog is a 1-year-old She/Poo who I just got at Christmas. Is it normal for a dog that is not neutered to have an oversized penis? I was shocked when Mookie was humping his dog bed, and it came out. It literally dragged the floor. I’ll be getting him neutered soon, but this was shocking, and I want to make sure he is okay. “ – Elizabeth

Hey Elizabeth,

I understand how alarming that moment must have been, especially with a young dog you are still getting to know. In an intact male dog, what you described can be normal, particularly during sexual arousal or excitement, such as humping a bed. What is protruding is typically the penis along with the bulbus glandis, a normal structure that swells during arousal and can make the penis appear much larger than expected. The size change is temporary and can look dramatic, especially in smaller or young dogs.

At one year of age, hormones are very active, and behaviors like humping and visible penile swelling are common in intact males. As long as the tissue is pink, moist, and retracts back into the prepuce within a reasonable amount of time, this is considered within normal limits. It is important to monitor for signs such as prolonged exposure that does not resolve, discoloration such as dark red or purple tissue, swelling that does not go down, or discomfort, as these could indicate paraphimosis or irritation that would require prompt veterinary attention.

Neutering often reduces hormonally driven behaviors over time, although it is not an immediate switch, and some habits may persist if they have become learned behaviors. Until his neuter appointment, keeping him calmly redirected during humping episodes and ensuring the area stays clean and moist can help prevent irritation. If anything like persistent swelling or difficulty retracting occurs, seeking veterinary care promptly is important, and if you are unsure whether what you are seeing is urgent, our Pangovet service is just one click away to help you decide the next appropriate step without delay.

Best,

– Dr. Paola

Help! MI Witnessed a Dog Attack!

“I witnessed a dog attack earlier today between two neighbors’ dogs. I didn’t see how it started, but I saw the owner of the attacking dog and the owner of the one being attacked working together to get the attacker off the other one. But it was pretty confronting; they were beating it with sticks, and the dog did not care. He was a big bully breed, and the other was a sheepdog mix-looking thing and old, very harmless-looking; it was so awful. The dog walked away looking shaken up, but no blood, so it appeared like the bigger dog had latched on and then just wasn’t letting go.

I’ve got dogs myself, and I was horrified to see that the dog didn’t listen to the owner when she said stop, and that even two people hitting it didn’t even phase it, as both of my dogs would be scared of me if I said STOP to anything, and they’re both big dogs. Wondering, not that I hope to ever see a situation like this again, but if a dog is ever in ‘attack’ mode, is there any safe and smart way for a person to stop it, other than training their dog in the first place? I’m feeling quite angry about this whole situation on so many levels. It was deeply unsettling. I’m just happy both dogs got out alive and seemingly without life-threatening injuries.”  – Mia

Hi Mia,

What you witnessed was genuinely disturbing, and your reaction is completely valid. When a dog enters a sustained attack state, the brain is no longer using the areas responsible for listening, learning, or responding to familiar cues. Instead, the nervous system is flooded with adrenaline, and behavior becomes reflexive rather than thoughtful. I often describe this as an accelerator being pressed to the floor with no access to the brakes. Once that threshold is crossed, verbal commands, pain, or shouting frequently have no effect. This helps explain why the dog did not respond to its owner and why physical blows failed to stop the behavior, even though many dogs would normally retreat under less intense circumstances.

From a safety and animal welfare standpoint, there are very limited options once a fight is in progress, and many well-intentioned actions can actually increase harm. Hitting, grabbing collars, or reaching toward the head commonly results in severe redirected bites to people. Safer approaches focus on distance and protection rather than force. Using a physical barrier such as a trash can lid, chair, large rigid object, or thick item held in front of the body can help block access, interrupt visual fixation, and create separation while keeping human limbs out of the danger zone. This is similar to placing an object between yourself and a moving machine rather than trying to stop it with your hands. Other interventions sometimes discussed include techniques that interrupt balance without placing hands near the mouth, such as lifting the hind end with a leash if someone is trained to do so, or occasionally using water or a sudden environmental interruption, though none of these methods are predictable or truly safe.

It can be helpful to think of events like this as more comparable to a car accident than a moral failure in the moment. Once it happens, control is largely replaced by damage limitation. The fact that both dogs walked away without obvious life-threatening injury is fortunate, but veterinary evaluation for the older dog would still be advisable, as crush injuries and puncture wounds can be hidden beneath intact skin. Feeling shaken and angry after witnessing something like this is a normal response, and your concern reflects thoughtful, responsible guardianship.

Kind regards,

– Dr. Paola