Dear Miss Behavin’: A few weeks ago you mentioned teaching a dog “Leave it” as a way to help two dogs that are possessive over food. How would you go about teaching a dog the “Leave it” command? Reply: “Leave it” is a very useful thing to teach your dog. The command...

Dear Miss Behavin’: My cat can’t seem to get her droppings in the box. Sometimes she misses, other times she barely makes it. How can I get her to keep the mess inside of the box? Reply: We’re asking a lot of our indoor cats when it comes to relieving themselves. They...

Dear Miss Behavin’: I have two adorable corgis that get along great, except when there is food involved. They’ve been in fights over their food dishes and crumbs that fall on the floor. How can I get them to stop sparring over snacks? Reply: If you think about it,...

Dear Miss Behavin’: With warmer weather upon us, I’m looking for creative ways to exercise my dog (and myself). Any good tips besides the dog park? Reply: The dog park is fine for some dogs (the social butterflies), but for other pups it can be overwhelming. Plus,...

Dear Miss Behavin’: Our dog hates going to the veterinarian. He’s only 2 years old, so we’ve got many years and visits ahead of us. How can we help him cope? Reply: Not all dogs are enthusiastic about their vet visits — and for good reason. If you think about it from...

Dear Miss Behavin’: I recently adopted a shy terrier, “Pongo,” who becomes very nervous if I try to take him for a walk. I think the traffic noise scares him, and he begins to dart on leash. How can I get him to be more relaxed on walks? Reply: First, make sure you...

Dear Miss Behavin’: Our dog, Chloe, has never been great in the car. Is there a way to help ease her stress when we go for a drive? Reply: Similar to people, many dogs love every minute of driving in the car, while other’s can’t help but get nauseous. For some,...

Dear Miss Behavin’: My family recently adopted a 10-year-old lab mix, and he barks. A lot. He only seems to bark because he wants food or our attention. For example, when we eat dinner, he will sit there and bark nonstop until we give him food. How can we live in...

Dear Miss Behavin’: My dog, Iggy, barks at everyone who passes in front of our house. Is there a way to curb the guard dog in him? Reply: If Iggy could tell us why he barks at the window, he might say, “Because it’s my job!” Dogs who are not given a job, or don’t have...

Dear Miss Behavin’:  My dog Lucy barks at other dogs she sees in our neighborhood, and it’s starting to make our walks unpleasant. How can I get her to be more relaxed and quiet when she sees other dogs? Reply: This is one of the most common questions that dog...