DEAR DR. FOX: I have been fostering a 7-year-old female Westie for the past five months. The rescue center told me that a Missouri breeder dropped her off, saying that the dog had no problems, was in good health and had been kept in a pen her whole life. It took her a little bit to come around to me, but she now comes when I call to her and can obey simple commands.

I would like to socialize her, but she seems to be very sensitive to sounds that naturally occur in a home, and she is extremely frightened of the outdoors and other people. If the dog and I are outside in the backyard and she hears a neighbor talking or a car drive by, she panics, pants, shakes and begs to go back inside. She doesn't know how to play or chew on toys, and she seems to want only to hide in a corner and sleep all day. She doesn't bark, bite or act aggressive -- just scared all the time. I speak softly to her, pet her and show her as much love as I can, and she trusts me now, but she can't seem to accept the simplest of noises, like a door closing or the neighbor's lawn mower.

Can you think of anything I can do to help her relax around normal noises and people? Is there a book you can recommend? -- L.M., St. Louis

DEAR L.M.: You have my sympathy, and I share with you the frustration and sense of failure you have gone through with this poor dog. It is likely your dog is suffering from the consequences of prolonged environmental deprivation (PED), a syndrome that researchers studied in dogs decades ago. Depending on breed, temperament, duration of confinement and the quality of rehabilitation treatment, recovery is possible, though there are no guarantees. This syndrome is similar in some ways to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Under veterinary and behavioral therapist guidance, using a combination of Valium or Xanax with gradual desensitization behavior modification, your little terrier may recover and enjoy a better quality of life with freedom from fear. Spending several hours a day with an easygoing, friendly dog could be the best medicine. You might also try fitting her with an anxiety wrap -- such as the kind sold to help dogs suffering from fear of thunder -- when you go out.

Your letter is a red flag for purebred dog adoption networks and prospective long-distance adopters. These organizations have a responsibility to the dogs to ensure they are suitable for adoption in terms of temperament and compatibility and that dogs with PED and other behavioral problems are given appropriate treatment -- like good foster homes -- prior to being put up for adoption.

DEAR DR. FOX: We have a 2 1/2-year-old cat, Tuxedo, who we adopted last year. He prefers being outdoors and on the screened porch, with the screen door ajar. His personality is loving to us and fearful of other people and noises.

He has not learned to use our porch pet door (lightweight plastic). We carry him to the door and coax him with food and treats to open it when he is most hungry and try when he is outside by opening the flap and enticing him with favorite food. He simply will not walk through or allow us to gently lift him through the open flap.

Please help. We need to have the screen door closed. Our vet couldn't offer any new suggestions. -- W.K., Front Royal, Va.

DEAR W.K.: I am very much opposed to letting cats go free outdoors unless they enter a bird-proof and escape-proof enclosure.

Please make every effort to help your cat enjoy life outdoors in an enclosure rather than allowing him to roam free. Many cat owners build outdoor enclosures for their cats to enjoy. Alternatively, you can make the screened porch more cat friendly by including a cat condo, scratch-post or secure tree branch placed for him so he can climb and look out. Consider adopting an easygoing, healthy young cat to enrich his social life indoors. Cats can be trained to wear a harness and enjoy strolling outdoors on a leash.

Pet doors should be left open initially so the animal gets used to passing through the opening. Then tape it up so it is half-closed and just needs a little push up.

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(Send all mail to animaldocfox@gmail.com or to Dr. Michael Fox in care of Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106. The volume of mail received prohibits personal replies, but questions and comments of general interest will be discussed in future columns.

Visit Dr. Fox's website at DrFoxVet.com.)

DEAR DR. FOX: I have a behavioral question concerning my 8 1/2-year-old male West Highland white terrier. We love him dearly, and he is our only pet. He has never been neutered, but he is confined to our house and property.

We have him on Royal Canin dog food. We treat him every so often to real meat -- leftover steak, hamburger, turkey, chicken, etc. -- that he loves. However, after eating the meat, he will find one of his stuffed animal toys and pick it up very gently in his mouth. He then walks around slowly and whines or whimpers and will not put the toy down. He seems reluctant to let go of it and treats it as if it were his puppy. This ritual never fails -- it occurs every time he eats meat (and only meat).

Is this normal? What is happening here? We are very curious. -- G. & M.M., Jessup, Md.

DEAR G & M.M.: In my opinion, your Westie is exhibiting a unique behavioral ritual, the interpretation of which calls for some contemplation and conjecture.

He seems to feel such contentment after having a treat of meat, rather than highly processed manufactured food, that his paternal instincts are aroused. Some male dogs, like their wolf ancestors, will regurgitate food for their pups. His toy that he gently carries around is a partial acting out of this ritualistic food-sharing behavior.

As a test, see how he responds when given a raw, meaty beef shank bone to chew on. You might consider including more whole food ingredients in your dog's daily diet, such as corn- and soy-free manufactured dog foods and my home-prepared recipe, posted on my website, DrFoxVet.com.

DEAR DR. FOX: I have a beloved 14-year-old dog who will be 15 in December. I feed him your brown rice diet, and he does very well on it. He has some hearing loss due to his age, but overall is doing well health-wise.

I have one concern, however: He licks the carpet a lot. I wonder if he might need something else in his diet, or if it might be an emotional issue. How do I correct it? Thank you for any advice you may have and for your columns, which I read regularly. -- L.S., Cresaptown, Md.

DEAR L.S.: You are correct that your old dog's obsessive licking behavior could have an emotional basis or another cause. Physical discomfort (for various reasons ranging from cancer and arthritis to dental or chronic digestive problems) can lead to comfort seeking and stress-relieving licking and chewing -- sometimes a paw, other times the edging of carpet.

I would advise a full veterinary examination and take it from there. Digestive enzymes, probiotics, safe chew toys or a piece of raw beef shank bone may be beneficial, depending upon the outcome of the examination and what conditions are suspected of causing his obsessive behavior.

Don't rule out boredom and the need for more activity and stimulation, which may be facilitated by seeing to his comfort. He may be less active because of arthritis pain or from being overweight, conditions which could be at the root of his discomfort.

(Send all mail to animaldocfox@gmail.com or to Dr. Michael Fox in care of Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106. The volume of mail received prohibits personal replies, but questions and comments of general interest will be discussed in future columns.

Visit Dr. Fox's website at DrFoxVet.com.)

DEAR DR. FOX: We have two West Highland white terriers. The problem is that our Westies, Sammy and Rosie, keep barking. My neighbors have erected a guillotine for my husband and me. I will admit it is our fault -- the dogs came to us with papers and the assurance that they were partly potty trained. Ha! Potty training was as easy as it could be with me in the hospital and my husband working and trying to train the dogs.

They bark because they have had little training. I will be able to walk them in about a month, and I will use a Gentle Leader. But how do I train them to not bark? None of the other dogs in the neighborhood bark. What do I do? I am retired and love them dearly, but even I cannot stand the barking. -- S.B., Columbia, Md.

DEAR S.B.: Barking dogs are a nuisance in many neighborhoods -- even my own.

You must first note when and what triggers your dogs to bark and work from there. Your dogs bark when they are let out into the yard, so take them for a walk instead, especially when it is early in the morning and barking will awaken neighbors.

External sounds can be a trigger, such as delivery vehicles. Buy a clicker from the pet store with which to train your dogs. Give a few clicks as soon as they bark, and redirect their attention with a favorite toy or a nutritious treat. When they are quiet, use the clicker to get their attention, tell them to sit and stay and then give them another treat. Once they are conditioned, try cross conditioning: calling out sit and stay when they bark, and then give them either a treat or a toy. This will keep them guessing and distracted.

There are some well-designed anti-barking collars you might try -- not the jolting electric shock types, but those that make an irritating buzz or shoot out a squirt of a mildly irritating botanical essence to deter the dog.

If these measures -- along with long walks, lots of exercise, drawing the curtains and leaving a radio on when they are alone -- do not work, ask your veterinarian for a referral to an animal behavior therapist.

Terriers like yours can be tough to teach when and when not to bark, but a good behavioral therapist may be your best solution.

ANOTHER PET FOOD RECALL

Breeder's Choice Pet Food has recalled AvoDerm Natural Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Adult Dog Formula because of a possible salmonella health risk.

The single manufacturing batch of dog food was distributed to retailers and distributors in the states of California, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, Virginia and Washington.

For more information about the Sept. 11 recall, call Breeder's Choice Customer Service representatives at 1-866-500-6286 or visit Avoderm.com.

NEW PAPERBACK EDITION OF PET FOOD BOOK

Animal Doctor columnist Dr. Michael W. Fox and distinguished veterinarians Dr. Elizabeth Hodgkins and Marion E. Smart reveal what really goes into manufactured pet food and offer concerned pet owners a nutritionally sound alternative in their book "Not Fit for a Dog! The Truth About Manufactured Cat and Dog Food," now available in paperback.

"Not Fit for a Dog!" educates readers with extensive information on animal nutrition, including:

-- How to read pet food labels and what ingredients to avoid.

-- How to save on vet bills by preventing diet-related disease in pets.

-- What diet-related diseases your pet may already have and how a change in diet can help.

-- Why veterinarians are often ignorant of the health effects of manufactured pet food.

-- Why cats are more at risk from dry pet foods than dogs.

-- Why many "prescription" diets for pets are, in fact, drugs.

-- Why the dangerous practices of the pet food industry are a sign of dangers in the human food supply.

"Not Fit for a Dog!" shows readers a better way to take care of their pets -- a wholesome, natural diet made from real food, including easy-to-prepare recipes for pet foods and treats made from organic ingredients that will keep pets healthy and satisfied. Comprehensive information about pet nutrition and raw food options will help readers customize foods to their pets' individual needs and make informed choices when buying dry and canned pet foods. Combining science, social concern and compassion, "Not Fit for a Dog!" presents a plan for a healthier way of life for pets and humans.

Find "Not Fit for a Dog!" at QuillDriverBooks.com and Amazon.com.

(Send all mail to animaldocfox@gmail.com or to Dr. Michael Fox in care of Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106. The volume of mail received prohibits personal replies, but questions and comments of general interest will be discussed in future columns.

Visit Dr. Fox's website at DrFoxVet.com.)