Have you decided leptospirosis isn’t a threat to your dog? It may be time to think again. Here’s a look at the disease, which is on the rise, from the weekly syndicated feature I write with Kim Campbell Thornton and my daughter, trainer Mikkel Becker.

When you think of leptospirosis — if you think about it at all — you probably assume it primarily affects large dogs in rural areas. You may have been told not to have your small dog vaccinated for it because of the risk of a reaction. Or you may have heard it doesn’t occur where you live.

But the bacterial disease, a zoonosis that can be transmitted between animals and humans, is seeing a resurgence. The rising incidence may have several possible causes: greater awareness; better testing; the increasing intersection of wildlife, pets and humans; or climate change bringing more rain or flooding to an area.

Whatever the cause, it’s a good idea to talk to your veterinarian and decide whether your dog is a candidate for the non-core vaccine. Exposure risk depends on factors such as lifestyle and locale — think dogs who go hiking or camping, swim in freshwater lakes, or live in areas where rodents proliferate or flooding occurs, including cities such as New York, Houston, New Orleans, Atlanta and Chicago.

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Whether they are cats, dogs, birds or other animals, our pets tend to hide their pain instinctively, to protect themselves from predators. That means we need to be extra-observant to know what’s going on with them.

If your pet is behaving unusually — hiding in your closet, for instance — she may not feel well or might have an unseen injury. Other subtle signs of pain to watch for include abnormal chewing, unexplained weight loss or gain, avoiding your touch (even affectionate petting!), licking or biting excessively at a certain area, or breaking housetraining.

Any time you see your pet exhibit unusual or unexpected behavior, take her to the veterinarian just to make sure everything’s OK.

There’s more – including how you can turn training time into playtime – in Pet Connection, the weekly nationally syndicated pet feature I co-write with Kim Campbell Thornton and my daughter, trainer Mikkel Becker.

There can be a lot of reasons why a dog’s get-up-and-go has gotten up and went. And “laziness” is probably not one of them. Here’s how I explained it to a reader.

Q: My dog doesn’t enjoy going for walks. What can I do to get him up and at ‘em?

A: One of the classic reasons for getting a dog is to have a walking buddy, so it can be worrisome or frustrating when yours doesn’t want to participate. Let’s look at some of the reasons your dog might be reluctant to shake a leg when you want to go around the block.

If he’s young, or simply out of shape, your walk might be too much for him. Depending on the breed, young dogs don’t complete their musculoskeletal growth until they’re 14 to 24 months old. Too much running, jumping or walking on hard surfaces can leave them feeling tired or sore. Adult dogs who aren’t conditioned might feel the same way if they aren’t used to the distance, speed or amount of time you’re walking. Maybe you’re working on a New Year’s resolution to walk every day or faster or longer. Both you and your dog need to build up to that.

Overweight dogs might also have trouble with walks. The surplus pounds they’re carrying put painful pressure on their joints.

If your dog is limping, check him over to make sure there’s not a sticker or grass awn in his paw. He might have a broken nail or an injury from jumping on or off the sofa. If he’s still limping after a day of rest, your veterinarian should see him to check for orthopedic conditions or injuries. Certain tick-borne diseases can cause limping as well.

Finally, dogs who are reluctant to walk for no apparent reason, especially if they stop frequently or insistently, may have a condition such as congestive heart failure or bone cancer.

Any time your dog doesn’t want to walk, there’s a reason. Work with your veterinarian to find it.

There’s more – including all about socializing kittens – in Pet Connection, the weekly nationally syndicated pet feature I co-write with Kim Campbell Thornton and my daughter, trainer Mikkel Becker.