diff --git a/include/monst.h b/include/monst.h
index 854a6e137..119512a54 100644
--- a/include/monst.h
+++ b/include/monst.h
@@ -239,7 +239,7 @@ struct monst {
     ((m)->data->mlet == S_TROLL && (o) && (o)->oartifact == ART_TROLLSBANE)
 
 #define engulfing_u(mon) (u.uswallow && (u.ustuck == (mon)))
-#define helpless(mon) ((mon)->msleeping || !(mon)->mcanmove || (mon)->meating)
+#define helpless(mon) ((mon)->msleeping || !(mon)->mcanmove)
 
 /* Get the maximum difficulty monsters that can currently be generated,
    given the current level difficulty and the hero's level. */
diff --git a/src/dogmove.c b/src/dogmove.c
index e8ae95046..4798a431a 100644
--- a/src/dogmove.c
+++ b/src/dogmove.c
@@ -385,7 +385,7 @@ dog_invent(struct monst *mtmp, struct edog *edog, int udist)
     int carryamt = 0;
     struct obj *obj, *otmp;
 
-    if (helpless(mtmp))
+    if (helpless(mtmp) || mtmp->meating)
         return 0;
 
     omx = mtmp->mx;
@@ -938,13 +938,14 @@ pet_ranged_attk(struct monst *mtmp)
  *    (may have attacked something)
  */
 int
-dog_move(register struct monst *mtmp,
-         int after) /* this is extra fast monster movement */
+dog_move(
+    struct monst *mtmp, /* pet */
+    int after) /* this is extra fast monster movement */
 {
     int omx, omy; /* original mtmp position */
     int appr, whappr, udist;
     int i, j, k;
-    register struct edog *edog = EDOG(mtmp);
+    struct edog *edog = EDOG(mtmp);
     struct obj *obj = (struct obj *) 0;
     xint16 otyp;
     boolean has_edog, cursemsg[9], do_eat = FALSE;
@@ -979,9 +980,10 @@ dog_move(register struct monst *mtmp,
             return MMOVE_MOVED;
         }
         udist = 1;
-    } else if (!udist)
+    } else if (!udist) {
         /* maybe we tamed him while being swallowed --jgm */
         return MMOVE_NOTHING;
+    }
 
     nix = omx; /* set before newdogpos */
     niy = omy;