Staff Newspaper Column
Critter Corner
Helping cat adjust to new dog
Dear Critter Corner: I just brought home a new dog, Moe, and while he is pretty easy going, he is a little too interested in my cat. My cat is curious of Moe but does run away when she gets spooked. What can I do to help my cat stay comfortable while Moe learns the...
First time pet owner
Dear Critter Corner: My 13 year-old daughter has been begging me for a pet of her own, my family and I have never owned a pet before, but my partner and I grew up with cats and dogs. What type of animal do you recommend for a first-time pet owner? There is no one...
Improving puppy’s manners
Dear Critter Corner: Our puppy has recently started to jump up on the counter tops and tables to steal items from them. What can we do to stop the behavior? Almost every dog owner has encountered this challenge when their pup has learned they are tall enough to reach...
Normalizing dog’s routine after shelter-in-place
Dear Critter Corner: I went back to work in person this week so I contacted the dog walker I used before the pandemic hit. She arrived at my house on Monday to walk my dog but Perry didn’t recognize her and would not let her come inside. He ended up having an accident...
Myth of Lockjaw
Dear Miss Behavin’: I love how cute Pit Bulls look, and I’ve been considering adopting one, but I am very scared about their “Lockjaw.” Should I adopt a different breed? The American Pit Bull Terrier is a very loving, athletic, and affectionate breed of dog....
Dear Miss Behavin’: We have a newly adopted puppy and are struggling with potty training him. Do you have any suggestions you could give to help us with the process? Congratulations on your new pup! As with any new pup into our home, we need to give them guidance on...
High energy dog
Dear Miss Behavin’: We have a young pointer mix who is super energetic. He gets at least an hour long walk daily but it never seems to be enough- he is constantly bouncing off the walls! What else can we do to manage his excitement? A young excitable dog like yours,...
Strengthening bond with dog
Dear Miss Behavin’: I love my new dog, but she loves my partner more than me! She follows them around the house and doesn’t seem nearly as interested in me. How can I get my dog to become more focused on me? The key to strengthening your bond with your new dog is to...
Shy Dog
Dear Miss Behavin’: We have a newly adopted dog that is on the shy side and is not wanting to go out of the house. What can we do to help him build his confidence and get him comfortable with leaving the house? Congratulations on your new guy! All dogs coming into a...
Dog reactive dog
Dear Miss Behavin’: I have a large dog, Nancy, who is reactive to other dogs. Recently, an off-leash dog ran up to us on our walk and started a scuffle. Nancy was on leash, but we couldn’t escape the other dog. Do you have any tips for avoiding conflict like this in...
