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.

Soiling When Your Dog Is Alone

A whole lot can happen in your dog’s life while you’re away. You can manage bathroom etiquette infractions effectively with kindness and empathy. There is no way for a dog…

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Stealth Canine Soiling

A dog who sneaks off to do odd jobs may be the most maddening creature to have as a housemate. If you’ve already made the mistake of hauling him to…

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Child Safety Around Dogs

Your dog can be gentle with adults but have fear, territorial, or food aggression toward children. The home is the site of 85% of dog bites to children, 75% of…

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Biting of Family Members

Aggression is the most difficult behavior for dog parents. Beyond the risks to humans a bite can be the fastest ticket to the animal shelter. Many dogs with this history…

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Fighting Among Household Dogs

Few things are more unnerving than dogs you love trying to hurt each other. These attacks may seem to happen out of the blue but there are important reasons for…

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Dogs Who Threaten Visitors

aggressive dog

The doorbell rings and your dog attacks the door. Then it’s WWE action as you struggle to get the door open without a takedown of your unsuspecting visitor. Or maybe…

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Why Dogs Bite

Violence, fear, and physical injury are without question, the most difficult challenges you and your dog could ever face. This is very hard for us emotional creatures. We bring dogs…

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Setting Your Dog Up For Success

Get off on the right paw with your shiny new dog. You’ll have fun and steer clear of bad behavior if you recognize important signs early in the game. Fear…

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Choosing The Greatest Puppy For Your Life

how to choose the best puppy

I know that this is a rather lofty title but, heck, I really love dogs. The dog in my family’s life is an absolutely wonderful, but imperfect, Border Collie named…

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