Staff Newspaper Column
Critter Corner
How to get dog to cool his jets at the door
Dear Miss Behavin’: My dog gets super excited whenever we are about to go for a walk, starts jumping up and barking, then nearly pulls my arm off trying to dash out the door. I’m exhausted even before we get to the sidewalk. Reply: I’m glad to hear your dog loves his...
Teaching a dog not to dart out the open door
Dear Miss Behavin’: My dog Hank always rushes through doors when they open — car doors, the front door, garage door, you name it. He doesn’t go far once he gets through them, but I’m worried he’ll get hurt. How can I stop him? Reply: We usually refer to this as “door...
Be careful about following advice found online
Dear Miss Behavin’: As a brand new dog owner I’m overwhelmed by the conflicting advice I read online. How can I separate fact from fiction? Reply: The internet can be an amazing source of information, but only if you delve in with a healthy amount of skepticism. Don’t...
Keep your dog cool and hydrated in all this heat
Dear Miss Behavin’: Do you have any suggestions on caring for my dog in this heat? Reply: Hot weather can take a toll on our dogs just like it does for us humans. Here are a few tips for staying cool and keeping it together this summer. Instead of taking one long walk...
How to react when off-leash dog approaches
Dear Miss Behavin’: My dog is not a fan of other dogs, but many owners in my neighborhood let their dogs walk off-leash. What is the best way to respond if an off-leash dog runs up to my dog? Reply: I sympathize with owners who want to let their dogs exercise...
It’s difficult to deter an outdoor cat from hunting birds
Dear Miss Behavin’: My cat recently caught a bird and brought it into the house. The bird survived, but I don’t want my cat to continue harming wildlife. How can I deter her? Reply: It will prove quite difficult to convince your cat not to hunt the birds and wild...
Helping a dog warm up to visitors in the home
Dear Miss Behavin’: Whenever I have guests over to my house, my dog Lucy barks at them for the first 15 minutes. Eventually she settles down, but how can I get her to warm up to people faster and not give them such a rude greeting? Reply: Most dogs will bark when...
How to introduce a cat to a dog roommate
Dear Miss Behavin’: Our daughter comes home from college next month and she’s bringing her new small dog. We have two cats and they haven’t been around a dog before. Any tips? Reply: All cats are different, and depending on their personalities, will have varying...
Want puppies around? Volunteer as foster caregiver
Dear Miss Behavin’: With Mother’s Day here, I was considering breeding my dog, Lulu. I know that there are a lot of dogs that need homes, but I read somewhere that female dogs should have at least one litter (plus the idea of puppies sounds cute). Reply: I can’t argue...
Are the kittens under the deck safe?
Dear Miss Behavin’: I found a litter of kittens under my deck. How do I know if they’re safe or not? Reply: It’s that time of year that we commonly refer to as “kitten season” here in the Bay Area. The weather warms up, there’s less rain, and suddenly, kittens! If you...
