Staff Newspaper Column
Critter Corner
Dogs tied up outside stores
Dear Critter Corner: I have seen several dogs tied up outside of the grocery store I frequent and was wondering your opinion on if this is a safe practice or not? This is such a great question! No, this is not a safe practice or good idea for several reasons. Once you...
Helping to calm cat down
Dear Critter Corner: I just moved to a new apartment and my cat is bouncing off the walls. She’s been trying to climb up the closet, get into cabinets, and races around the room. How do I calm her down? A new move can be a big change for many cats, especially when...
Improving your dog’s manners during Thanksgiving
Dear Critter Corner: We will be hosting for Thanksgiving this year and are worried about our pup not behaving properly around our guest. Do you have any suggestions to help make the day go smoothly? Here are some easy solutions to 3 main problems people have when they...
When to introduce your new cat to your family
Dear Critter Corner: Thanksgiving is just around the corner and my family will be coming over for a big Thanksgiving dinner. Should I introduce my new cat to my family then? Thanksgiving is usually a holiday with lots of family celebrating, guests coming and going,...
Adding variety to cat’s diet
Dear Critter Corner: I read recently that it’s good to give my cat lots of variety in their food, but am worried about it upsetting her stomach. How can I introduce different foods to her? There are some studies that have been done to speak to cats’ having a variety...
Prepping for successful dog training
Dear Critter Corner: I have been doing a lot of training with my pup and I feel that they are 95% reliable with most of their cues! I am having a problem though; it seems as though the second we step foot outside they forget everything including their name. Why is...
Dealing with ant infestation and my cat
Dear Critter Corneer: I woke up this morning to an ant infestation in my home. The ants were all over my cat’s food, in the pantry, and were coming from a hole in the wall. How can I get rid of the ants in a safe way for my cat? Initially you can try using some sort...
The 3 D’s of dog training
Dear Critter Corner: I have been working on teaching my dog to ‘stay’ but the second that I give him his treat or I try to take a few steps away, he gets up. Are there any tips or tricks you can give me to get my dog to stay after I give him the treat or when I try...
The importance of spaying a cat
Dear Critter Corner: My 11-month-old cat Skylar has been mewing a lot lately, rolling herself all over the carpet, and rubbing against me. I think she may be in heat, will getting her spayed help with this behavior? It does sound like Skylar might be exhibiting the...
Muzzle training a dog
Dear Critter Corner: We just had a visit with our vet and they recommended that we should muzzle train our dog. I am not sure where to start or how to do this, do you have any suggestions? It is great to be proactive when working with our dogs and potential problem...