Staff Newspaper Column
Critter Corner
Improving dog’s recall
Dear Critter Corner: I have been having a hard time getting my pup to come to me when I call him. Are there any tips you can offer to help me teach him come to me when I call him? There are several ways to set our pups up for a successful recall. Here are a few...
Dog constantly chewing on things
Dear Critter Corner: My partner and I just adopted a new puppy, and she has been great, with one exception. When we leave her alone, she constantly chews on things she’s not supposed to and has cost us a lot of money in damages. We love her, but we are frustrated with...
Demanding dog
Dear Critter Corner: We have noticed that our pup is starting to become very demanding and barking at us to initiate a game of ball or to get our attention. We have also noticed that he is starting to whine during our meal times and is more underfoot. We are not...
Teaching dog to respect the cat
Dear Critter Corner: I recently adopted a young dog and it chases the cat all over the house. I am worried for my cat’s safety. I love my new dog but do not want to return it. What can I do? When fighting against natural prey-drive, the obedience of the dog is the key...
Helping dog build confidence
Dear Critter Corner: We just brought home our new pup and are realizing that he is extremely shy and seems to be afraid of most things. How can we help to build his confidence and let him know the world is not a scary place? Congratulations on your new pup! There...
Helping cat adjust to changes
Dear Critter Corner: I recently had my house remodeled, during which my cat disappeared into the closet for several days. He just now is returning to the living room, where he used to spend most of his time, but appears stressed. What can I do to help him? Cats often...
First time dog owners
Dear Critter Corner: We are first time dog owners and will be bringing home our pup in a couple weeks. We want to set everyone up for success, what tips do you have for first time owners like us? Congratulations on your new pup! This is an exciting time and it’s...
Rabbits make great pets
Dear Critter Corner: My kids are old enough to look after their first pet and are very interested in adopting a bunny. I’ve always thought of rabbits as outside animals, do they make good house pets? There are over 300 breeds of rabbits, and many do well in an indoor...
Excited dog jumping on guests
Dear Critter Corner: We have recently started to have more guests coming over to the house and our pup is jumping on them. He is very well behaved with us and doesn’t jump when we come home, but is overly excited with the guest. What can we do to teach our pup to...
Litter Box Issues
Dear Critter Corner: My cat has started to go to the bathroom outside the litter box. He was great for the first few months we had him and loves the family, but lately has started to leave presents in unexpected places around the house. A month ago, we dog-sat for a...