Staff Newspaper Column
Critter Corner
My dog seems afraid of men
Dear Miss Behavin’: Our newly adopted dog seems to be settling in to his new home, but we are having a problem with him barking at the males in the household. How can we correct the behavior? Congratulations on your new family member! I would recommend that you...
Cat keeping you up at night?
Dear Miss Behavin': My cat, Louie, has been roaming around the house and meowing in the middle of the night, waking me up. How can I get him to stop? Cats are naturally nocturnal animals so this behavior is no surprise. Luckily, there are a few ways you can encourage...
Setting puppy up for success
Dear Miss Behavin’: I recently adopted a puppy and I want her to be comfortable around people and new places. What’s the best way to set my puppy up for success? Socialization is very important, especially in the first few weeks and months of a puppy’s life. Under...
Settling a newly adopted dog
Dear Miss Behavin’: We have decided to adopt a dog, but are not sure if we should get a puppy or an adult. This will also be our first dog so what should we expect? Congratulations on your new family member! There are many things to consider when bringing a dog into...
Addressing neighbor’s barking dog
Dear Miss Behavin’: My new neighbor never seems to be home and her dogs bark all day long! How can I address the problem without being confrontational? This is a great question and a very common one! I totally understand and appreciate your inclination to keep the...
Christmas tree and your cat
Dear Miss Behavin’: I adopted my cat Ginger a few months ago and now that December is here I would like to get a Christmas tree. I am nervous that Ginger will want to climb the tree and play with the decorations. What can I do to keep my tree and Ginger safe? The...
Keeping dog entertained indoors when the weather is bad outside
Dear Miss Behavin’: We have a very active pup and are worried with the rainy season coming upon us, that we will not be able to provide our pup enough exercise. What are some ideas on ways we can exercise our pup during this time? That is a great question! For many...
Helping resident dog adjust to new dog
Dear Miss Behavin’: We have a lab named Rudy who we’ve had for years, and recently adopted another lab named Sandy. They get along for the most part, but Rudy gets so jealous when we pay attention to Sandy! How do we reassure him that we still love him just as much as...
Tips to keep cat calm and quiet during the early morning
Dear Miss Behavin’: My cat has decided that 4:00 am is the best time to meow at me, knock things off the shelves, and sprint around my house. I’d like to sleep through the night! What should I do? There are a few reasons that might cause this common cat behavior. Cats...
Enrichment Activities for Non-Traditional Pets
Dear Miss Behavin’: I’ve seen columns about enrichment for cats and dogs, but I have some unusual pets that I think would benefit from mental stimulation too. Any suggestions for enrichment for reptiles or birds? Absolutely, every animal could have a more enriched...
