Staff Newspaper Column
Critter Corner
Dog’s first Thanksgiving
Dear Miss Behavin’: We will be having close family over this year for the Thanksgiving holiday. This will be our pups first family gathering, what are some things we can do to ensure that the gathering goes well and he is on his best behavior? What a great question...
Working on leash manners
Dear Miss Behavin': I recently adopted a dog named BoBo. He's sweet and fun but pulls on leash. My last dog always walked by my side and I'm hoping BoBo will eventually do the same. Where do we start? To teach polite leash manners, it’s best to start working on...
Kitten not using the litterbox
Dear Miss Behavin’: I just brought home my new kitten and she is very sweet but still very shy and she doesn’t pee in her litterbox! Sometimes she’ll pee on my bed or on a pile of clothes on the ground. What should I do? Since she is a new cat, she is more than likely...
Helping puppy to not bite so much
Dear Miss Behavin’: Our 4-month old pup has recently started biting a lot and I am not sure why. How do I get him to stop biting so much? It sounds like your puppy is getting his adult teeth which usually starts around 4 months. Increased biting is normal during this...
Introducing a kitten to a dog
Dear Miss Behavin’: We have an exuberant eight month old puppy and are considering bringing home a kitten. What are some tips on choosing our kitten and introducing it to the dog? It’s a good idea to start this process while both the kitten and puppy are young! Even...
Helping puppy to slow down when eating
Dear Miss Behavin’: Our new puppy, Theo, is so much fun and a voracious eater! Recently, he ate his meal so quickly, it came right back up. What can we do to help him slow down? New puppies are always full of fun surprises! A hearty appetite is a good thing, but will...
Positive muzzle training
Dear Miss Behavin’: We were told by our vet at our dogs last visit that he was very nervous and they needed to muzzle him. Is there anything we can do so that his future visits are not so stressful for him? What a great question and yes there are a few things you can...
Getting cat used to the carrier
Dear Miss Behavin’: My cat absolutely hates his carrier. Trying to get him inside is a struggle and I’m worried in an emergency I won’t be able to get him inside quickly. What can I do to help him get used to his carrier and let him know it’s a safe spot? The first...
Leash manners
Dear Miss Behavin’: Our dog gets very excited when we go to take him for a walk. He is jumpy and pulling on the leash before we get out the front door and this way for a good portion of the walk, making the walk unpleasant. Is there something we can do so that we...
Pet suggestions for first-time pet owners
Dear Miss Behavin’: My third grade son misses having a small class pet now that we’re distance learning. I’m tempted to oblige but we’ve never had a pet. What type of animal is best for first-timers like us, and what are some factors to consider? The first thing to...
