Weekly article archive

The following questions and answers have appeared in my weekly column in the Albuquerque Journal since July, 1996. Each week a new one is added. You'll find information on the physical and behavioral maladies of dogs and cats and a few other species too. I invite you to use the search feature to find the specific answer that you and your pet need.

A better cat, with an asterisk

Last in a series PJ’s aggression started at about the same time he began rubbing his ears. Jenny and Phil also reported that some evenings he would suddenly bolt from…

Hiding Scaredy Cats – Fear of Life?

Some kitties live under the bed; others may run for the hills when you sneeze. Dogs, noises, or just daily life can trigger a bunker mentality.

Cat gone wild

Third in a series Behavior medicine is all about improved quality of life for everybody but there can be limits; our genetics are the cards we are dealt. PJ was…

Training a Dog for Better Behavior

Does your dog need to stop a bad behavior? She doesn’t do what you want either, does she?

A good cat gone bad

Second in a series Quiz: Why would PJ attack his person Jenny? a)       He didn’t like the way she smelled b)       She was dressed like a sparrow c)       PJ is…

Angst as you leave, Overjoyed when you return – Does it Matter for Separation Anxiety?

Helping dogs who freak-out when home alone is complicated. Improvement requires lots of changes but do you have to completely ignore as you leave and return?

Ambushed & wounded by an orange tabby

First in a series It had been a rough day, topped-off by stop and don’t go traffic on I-25. Jenny was frazzled when she pulled into the garage and came…

Aggressive Cat: Watch cat? Scared cat?

A normally placid pussy cat can turn terrifying when facing unfamiliar visitors of the human or canine kind. They can even be dangerous.

Counter surfing – not just fun & games

Question: How do we stop “Olive” from counter surfing? Besides keeping things off of the counter. Sometimes that’s not possible. If I am making dinner or the phone rings, etc.…