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.

Jumpy, nippy, mouthy puppy dogs

puppy

Adopting a puppy is good fun until the chewing starts. You have to take action. So what do you do? You’ll teach good behavior using innate canine learning principles. Share…

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Cute but stinky – Missing the love

woman holding a dog

Question: My white long hair Chihuahua has body odor.  We’ve always had to groom her often but after only 3 or 4 days her odor is pretty awful.  She loves…

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Too much barking – miserable for everybody

dog

Question: My son has a boxer, 4 years old, who is barking constantly since they moved into a new home. Already received one citation from Animal Control. They need to…

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Hissing, scratching, biting cats

cat biting woman

Cats are so sweet and cuddly. But they can damage you with their sharp teeth and claws. Don’t get angry – get cat smart.

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A delicate truce is still a truce

cats in cat beds

Last in a series Larry’s teeth and gums felt much better; modern medicine also lifted his oppressive anxiety. Curley gained confidence and was learning to relax – out from under…

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Dogs listen also by watching us

woman standing with dog

Why do dogs follow commands like sit and stay if they don’t understand English? When we speak are dogs processing the words we are saying, or the tone we are…

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Could Larry, Moe, & Curley ever feel good enough to behave?

sky kitty

Third in a series Problems with any organ system can impact the firing of the brain’s neurons. Oral pain is a frequent offender but arthritis, ear infections, itchy skin, and…

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Time Out for Nutball – Everybody needs to Feel Better

puppy on a leash

A dog will believe that any response from its person is an earned reinforcer. That’s why reprimands and punishments fail. To stop digging the hole even deeper you’ll need to…

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Immigration hate crime – can’t we just get along?

Cat on a window

Second in a series The combatants were in their corners; the cacophony of cussing and the hurling of insults had ended.  Somehow, each cat was remarkably unscathed. Their well-intentioned humans,…

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