Why does my dog get so angry when the postman comes? – your pet queries answered

HE is on a mission to help our pets . . . and is here to answer YOUR questions. Sean, who is the head vet at tailored pet food firm Tails.com, has helped with owners’ queries for ten years. He says: “If your pet is acting funny or is under the weather, or you want to know about nutrition or exercise, just ask. I can help keep pets happy and healthy.” Does your dog have a vendetta against the postie? Credit: Getty Sean McCormack, head vet at Tails.com, promises he can ‘help keep pets happy and healthy’ Q: HOW can I stop Penny my Yorkshire Terrier barking at the postman and getting furious when the mail comes? She jumps up at the window and charges around barking her head off. It is really frustrating. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! Jenny Armstrong, Launceston, Cornwall SEAN SAYS: Penny clearly regards the postman as a personal enemy. This is usually territorial or alert barking, and every time the post arrives and Penny charges around sounding the alarm, she gets to practise the behaviour again. And guess what? The postman retreats and leaves every single time. To a dog, that’s a major win, so they learn the behaviour is the way to go. Try blocking access to the window or letterbox area during delivery times and teach her to go to a bed or mat when she hears the letterbox. Reward her heavily for staying calm. You can also practise with family members pretending to deliver post. The aim is to teach Penny that post arriving means treats, not a code red alert. Q: I HAVE a goldfish in an outdoor pond. It’s about ten years old and seven inches long. It has suddenly started swimming on its side. Is there anything that can be done to help it? Ken Troy, Bristol SEAN SAYS: A goldfish suddenly swimming on its side often points towards a buoyancy problem, commonly involving the swim bladder, although poor water quality, infection or age-related illness can also be responsible. The first thing I’d do is check the pond water quality, particularly for ammonia, nitrite and oxygen levels. You can get a water test kit at your local pet shop or garden centre. If possible, moving the fish temporarily into a quieter hospital tank can make monitoring easier. Age may also be a factor, although goldfish can frequently live over 20 years. Q: MY nephew has two donkeys and we have been laughing at videos online of donkeys playing with giant balls. We’re thinking of getting a ball for them. Is this a good idea? Do they really enjoy donkey football? Sam Cox, Braintree, Essex SEAN SAYS: They certainly can. Donkeys are highly intelligent, curious animals that benefit enormously from behavioural enrichment. Many love investigating giant balls, traffic cones and other safe toys. It’s less about playing football and more about exploring, pushing and interacting with their environment. Just make sure any ball is sturdy enough that it can’t burst into sharp pieces if bitten. Q: WHAT can I do to stop my dog Reggie lunging at other dogs or trying to run off when he sees squirrels or ducks? He’s a husky/alsatian mix who is from a rescue centre and is wonderful, apart from his prey drive. Julie Bryan, Plymouth SEAN SAYS: As a husky/alsatian (German Shepherd) mix, he’s a challenging, clever dog to keep stimulated and train — especially for inexperienced dog owners, so don’t be too hard on Reggie, or yourself. I’d avoid giving him opportunities to rehearse the behaviour by using a secure lead or long line while you work on training. Reward him generously every time he chooses to look back at you instead of the squirrel, and practise that in easier situations before tackling ducks in the park. Star of the week Hugo is the tallest horse in the world Credit: Paul Michael Hughes/Guinness World Records HUGO is the Guinness World Records title holder for the tallest horse living – at a towering 6ft 6.3in. He features in the new Guinness World Records 2027 annual, which came out this week, and is one of this year’s standout animal record holders. Four-year-old Hugo lives in Towcester, Northants, and owner Lisa Masters describes him as “a big softie – like an oversized dog”. Craig Glenday, Editor-in-Chief at Guinness World Records, said: “Hugo is a truly magnificent record holder and exactly the kind of extraordinary animal readers love discovering in the Guinness World Records annual.” WIN: Rowley Farm stay FANCY a New Year break? Two Sun on Sunday readers and their dog can win a two-night stay in Rowley Farm’s secluded Shepherd’s Hut next January or February. The accommodation features a cottage- style kitchen and king-size bed. For a chance to win, send an email headed ROWLEY FARM to sundaypets@the-sun.co.uk by September 27. See rowleyfarmholidays.co.uk. T&Cs apply. Why you need to brush your cats teeth Your cat might not thank you for it – but here is why you need to clean their teeth Credit: Getty WE all know you should brush dogs’ teeth – but did you know that you should brush cats’, too? TV vet Dr Bolu Eso, co-host of ITV’s The Joy Of Pets, is urging Paws and Claws readers to pick up a finger brush for their felines as it could save their life. Dr Bolu, who appears on today’s show with Gaby Roslin, said: “Many cat owners have no idea they should be brushing their cat’s teeth, too. Yet it could prolong or even save their life. Cats are predisposed to dental issues. A build-up of tartar and plaque causes dental disease and a really painful mouth, affecting their quality of life.” He said the key to brushing both dogs’ and cats’ teeth is “positive reinforcement and patience”, explaining: “Start with gently lifting their lips, just for a few seconds, then give high reward treats. Do small, focused sessions of no more than a minute. “Build to gently opening their mouth and rubbing your finger on their teeth. “Next, put pet-friendly toothpaste on your finger, then when they are comfortable with that, use a finger toothbrush.” He said a list of veterinary-approved toothpaste is at the Veterinary Oral Health Council at vohc.org. Comment now