Staff Newspaper Column
Critter Corner
Tips for keeping dog entertained while you’re out of the house
Dear Miss Behavin’: We adopted a new dog on Friday and had a great weekend going for walks and getting to know each other. All was well until we came home from work Monday to a destroyed house! Dusty got into the trash, chewed up some throw pillows, pooped on the...
Bringing home a new cat
Dear Miss Behavin’: I’m planning on adopting a cat from a possible hoarding situation but I’m not sure if the cat has been spayed or vaccinated. It also doesn’t always use the litterbox. Can you help? Once you’re ready to bring home your new cat, consider setting up a...
Helping dog overcome fear of men
Dear Miss Behavin’: Our new family member, Bosco, is scared of my husband and will bark and run from him. He’s a young dog, so we’d like to help him learn to trust and be comfortable with my husband and men in general. Any tips? Although it might be difficult to...
Introducing dog to neighborhood kids
Dear Miss Behavin’: I just moved to a new neighborhood where there are lots of families. My dog Poppy is really sweet with people but isn’t so sure about all of the little kids. They of course want to pet and play with her but she is hesitant. How can I help her warm...
Helping cat and pet birds co-exist peacefully
Dear Miss Behavin’: I recently adopted a cat and am wondering how to integrate her with my two birds? Interspecies introductions can get a little tricky if done too quickly, so try to take your time and keep it safe. Secluding the cat in one area is an easier way to...
Advice for potty times during bad weather
Dear Miss Behavin’: During the recent rain storms, my dog has refused to leave his bed to go outside and potty. I know he has to go, but he just won’t budge. How can I help him overcome this? Billie the Boston here, filling in for Miss Behavin’ today. I used to be...
Training beyond the basics
Dear Miss Behavin': My dog, Smith, learned his basic obedience commands much faster than expected! What are some other things I can teach him now that we’ve got the basics down? After mastering the basics, teaching tricks is a great way to continue building Smith’s...
Keeping cat’s medication organized
Dear Miss Behavin’: My two older cats are taking different medications at different times of day, and one needs to be weighed regularly. How do I keep track of all of this without mixing it all up? It can be a little mind boggling at times just managing our own lives,...
Keeping dog out of the trash
Dear Miss Behavin’: My dog is constantly getting into the trash can. Our household is busy with people coming and going and we can’t seem to get on the same page about putting the trash out of reach before leaving. Any tips? Whether it be the trash, the litter box, or...
Tips on helping resident dog adjust to new puppy
Dear Miss Behavin’: We recently adopted a puppy named Hanky. We adore him but our older dog, Moe, hasn’t been his usual self. How can we help ensure a lifelong friendship between the two? Adding a new puppy to the household brings lots of change for everyone. One way...
