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.

Teaching Stay – Part 2

Mick and I have practiced the stay command 2-3 times a day. I no longer need to stand in front of him to remind him of what I mean when…

Unruly Young Dog can Learn to Behave

A Head Halter is a Great Leadership tool Question: I read the post on your facebook page about the Pyrenees/Anatolian shepherd and felt an instant kinship! Our 1 year old…

Ditch wading & bird songs

Young Mick Nichol enjoys his daily jaunts along the irrigation ditches because, well, because he’s a dog. Leaving the home territory to sniff, investigate, read the bulletin boards, and post…

How to Know When to Adopt Again

Last in a series Inviting a pet into your life carries risk. They love us completely and they’ll never leave but their lives end. The grief can send you down…

Sadness can Bring Happiness

Third in a series Find Out How Life is precious, especially those shared with joy and acceptance. As Cheryl sat on her deck to meditate, Poupon waited at the door-every…

Teaching Down in Three Steps

Teaching “Down” – Step 1 Dogs love to work for food. You don’t need to push a puppy to ground. Give the “Down” command as you use a treat, as…

Facebook Live Event on Separation Anxiety

Do you know a dog who freaks-out when home alone? Incessant barking, frantic escape attempts, maybe even soiling while you’re away? Join me Friday, June 17, at 4 PM for…

Weathering the storm

Second in a series Cheryl contacted me as soon as she and Michael were hit by the first wave of bad news. I learned long ago that what people in…

The Risk of Love

Poupon was an almost constant source of connectedness and entertainment for Cheryl and her husband Michael. One night he snuck into their dining room and carried off a pizza box…