Subscriber Archive
Mouthing? Teething? Playful nipping? Or is that youngster snarling and lunging? Get control now – without punishment or fear.
Read More
Question: My 1 1/2 year old yellow Lab poops and pees in the house, sometimes after being taken outside multiple times and doing nothing out there. She knows she’s not supposed to potty inside; I can always tell by her “guilt” walk. I’ve never hit her, of course, but she is scolded and clearly knows she’s in trouble. Dr. Nichol: It’s a vicious cycle: crime, punishment, guilt, repeat. Your dog wants to do the right thing but she just isn’t clear on the concept. Many pet parents believe that the guilty look is proof of their dog’s stubbornness. We know from behavioral research that it’s actually the person’s angry body signaling that triggers the “perp walk.” Your Lab is stressed because she sees no escape. At bedtime give this big girl a loaded food toy in a small room, like a bathroom. First thing the next morning lead her on-leash…
Read More
Threats and innuendo between family dogs can quickly cross the line. Fighting over who gets more attention worsens with equal treatment.
Read More
Question:
I have a 3 year old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. He has been getting aggressive towards my other two dogs about his food.
Yowling, urinating, maybe even some in-the-crate defecating: Are we having fun yet? The anxiety and misery our traveling cats feel, often on the way to the veterinary clinic, needs to lighten-up. But opting-out of medical care shortens lives.
Read More
Today, I have good news and bad news. First the bad news. Dr. Samantha Uhrig, DVM, state veterinarian with the New Mexico Livestock Board, explains that “Since March 20, 2024, multiple dairies reporting an acute decrease in milk production in Texas and New Mexico have been diagnosed with highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1).” Should we haired humans be as worried as our feathered and uddered friends? Even if you’re not a dairy farmer you should know that birds and cats who contract avian flu may show neurologic symptoms. Dr. Uhrig added that, “Individuals with exposure to animals with suspected or confirmed H5N1 should self-monitor for symptoms for 10 days after their most recent exposure. If they experience clinical signs including conjunctivitis or respiratory symptoms, they should contact their healthcare provider or local NMDOH public health office immediately for prompt testing and Tamiflu. NMDOH offers free testing and Tamiflu to exposed…
Read More
Everybody needs exercise but stopping every 6 feet on a leash walk doesn’t get it. You’re dragging your dog; nobody is having a good time.
Read More
Last in a series
Birds are rather different than mammals; it’s more than feathers vs. hair. Like us, it takes a male and a female to reproduce but their sex organs are internal.
Don’t try correcting this bad behavior; it’ll never work. Stressors, like too many other cats, outdoor creatures, and physical disorders, are often major factors. Litter pan hygiene is another big one. You can set that naughty kitty up to succeed.
Read More