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.

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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The Cardinal Rules Of Dog Care

1. Make sure that your dog always has access to a place to urinate and a way of getting there easily. 2. If your dog’s behavior is a problem, don’t…

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Choosing A Veterinarian

Aren’t all veterinarians trained and licensed the same? If they give good service and have convenient hours, isn’t that enough? Sorry. We veterinarians are not all created equal. I’m a…

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A Cat’s Twitching Skin

Twitching skin Some cats have an occasional problem with skin twitches, usually on their backs. It may only last for a second or two, and may happen a couple times…

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Pacing, Growling and Crying

These problems may be strictly behavioral but it’s important to rule out physical causes. Older cats in particular may be at risk for thyroid tumors, liver failure, or a brain…

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Licking and Sucking

Littermates suckling on one another is a common unintended consequence of our meddling with Mother Nature. Free-living (feral) litters don’t usually leave for college until they’re 16 weeks old, while…

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Cat Hyperactivity

High energy cats can be a big problem; many feline trouble makers pounce on their sleeping owners making them cranky and tired. Channel your cat’s exuberance into vigorous play at…

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