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 Eats Weird Things!

“We have an 8-month-old Shih Tzu, Indy, who has eaten grass, chunks of wood, pine cones, and various other things she finds on the ground. She is now digging up little holes in the lawn. Is there a something missing in her diet? How can we best break this bad habit?“  – Carla

Dear Carla,

At eight months of age, Indy is in a developmental stage where curiosity and oral exploration are very normal, much like a toddler who experiences the world by putting everything in their mouth. In most cases, eating grass, wood, or pine cones is not related to a nutritional deficiency if she is eating a complete and balanced commercial diet formulated for growth. This behavior is more often linked to normal exploratory behavior, boredom, excess energy, teething history, or a condition called pica, which can become a habit if it is unintentionally reinforced. The main concern is safety, since wood splinters, pine cones, or soil can cause gastrointestinal irritation, obstruction, or dental injury.

The most effective way to change the habit is through management and redirection rather than punishment. Close supervision outdoors is essential at this age, since preventing access to inappropriate items is the foundation of changing the behavior. Supervise outdoor time closely, limit access to areas with debris, and keep the yard as clear as possible. When she begins to pick something up, calmly interrupt and immediately offer an appropriate alternative, such as a safe chew toy or a food dispensing toy. Think of this like giving a child a safe toy instead of taking something away without a replacement. Increasing mental and physical enrichment is also very important for young Shih Tzus, including short training sessions using positive reinforcement, scent games, puzzle feeders, and regular walks, since many dogs engage in ground scavenging simply because they are under-stimulated.

If the behavior becomes persistent, if she actively seeks and swallows non-food items, or if you notice clinical signs such as vomiting, decreased appetite, abdominal discomfort, or reduced stool production, a veterinary evaluation is important to rule out gastrointestinal disease, anemia, or other medical contributors. With consistent supervision, enrichment, and redirection, most young dogs outgrow this phase and learn what is appropriate to chew.

Good luck!

Dr. Paola

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Help! Are Bark Collars Inhumane?

“Honey is 9 months old. She barks incessantly. Usually early evening. Or when a leaf falls. Is it inhumane to use a bark collar? “ – Shirley

Hi Shirley,

Honey is in an adolescent phase at the young age of nine months, and this is when reactivity to sounds and movement is very common, especially in the early evening when environmental activity increases and energy is still high. Barking at small triggers, like falling leaves, usually reflects heightened arousal, alert behavior, or pent-up physical and mental energy rather than stubbornness. Think of it like an overtired child who reacts strongly to every little stimulus. The priority should be identifying the cause, which often includes insufficient enrichment, lack of structured exercise, or a developing habit of rehearsed alert barking.

Bark collars, particularly those that deliver shock or strong aversive stimulation, are not recommended from an animal welfare perspective. Research and clinical experience show they can increase anxiety, fear, and noise sensitivity, and they do not address the underlying emotional state driving the barking. In some dogs, they may suppress the sound while increasing internal stress, which can later appear as heightened reactivity or other behavior concerns. A more humane and effective approach is to increase daytime physical activity, add predictable mental outlets such as scent games or food puzzles before the usual barking time, and use positive reinforcement to teach a calm alternative behavior, such as settling on a mat when environmental triggers occur. Consistent management, reducing visual access to outdoor movement, and calmly rewarding quiet moments help reshape the response rather than simply silencing it.

If the barking is intense, escalating, or accompanied by signs of anxiety such as pacing, inability to settle, or vocalizing for long periods, guidance from a veterinarian or a qualified positive reinforcement trainer is important to rule out anxiety-related conditions and develop a structured plan. Our veterinary online consultation at Pangovet can help assess the situation and support a humane, effective strategy that protects both Honey’s emotional well-being and your household’s peace. We’d be happy to help!

Dr. Paola