National Pet Week is in full wag, so you may be paying more attention to your pet than usual, or you are simply noticing some of their not-so-precious habits. Here is a list of the most common behavior complaints from pet owners.

Continue Reading "Your Pet's Problem Behavior" »

One of Chloe's work partners got into a "discussion" with her husband over feline communication. Anne is convinced that her cats are responding to her calling out their names by twitching their tails. Her husband says no way a cat knows it's name?

I think I have to side more with Anne on this one. While I can't prove they know their names I do know they are responding to Anne's voice with attention and enthusiasm.

Cats use body language as their primary means of communication. They may vocalize too, but more often than not, they send messages with their ears and tails and how they carry their bodies. A confident cat will approach another cat with an erect tail and ears up and tilted forward. The more a cat tilts the ears to the side and the more they flatten the ears the more apprehensive they are. Flat ears all the way back are a fearful sign.

Continue Reading "Why Cats Twitch Their Tails" »

Most dog owners have heard people talk about becoming the alpha male or female in their pack.

The idea is that you have to show your dog "who's the boss" during training or when confronted with unwanted behavior. It's all part of what has become known as "dominance theory".

Alpha roles and other punitive, coercive techniques are all past of the jargon of dominance theory. You can find popular TV dog trainers and even some Veterinarians espousing these ideas.

The only problem with dominance theory is that it's dead wrong in every way.

Continue Reading "Debunking Dominance Theory" »

Why, the day after being diagnosed with a pinched nerve and muscle spasm in my back, do my dogs feel the need to loose their minds on their morning walk.

I knew it was going to be uncomfortable to take them on a walk, to say the least. I thought I would take them on a shorter route, one that doesn’t have many other dogs on it. But, why would that work out well in my favor?

Continue Reading "A Walk to Remember" »

I read an interesting article the other day in the Washington Post. It was about grieving for a deceased pet and made comparisons about the grief associated with the loss of a human family member.

The subject hit home with me and reminded me of a conversation I'd had recently with the wife of a goof friend that had died in a tragic accident.

When I spoke with her after the incident one of her comments struck me. "First my dog and now my husband, how am I going to survive this" she asked?

She knows I'm a vet, which is probably why she mentioned this to me.  I counseled her long distance during the illness and subsequent death of her dog. She clearly hadn't gotten over it yet.

The fact is, grief over a lost pet is very similar to that of a lost loved one of the human variety.

In some cases it can be worse.

Continue Reading "Mourning the Loss of a Pet is Just Like Any Other Family Member" »

Although the whole country was dealing with an uncertain economy in 2011, pet owners didn’t appear phased. The American Pet Products Association (APPA) released 2011 pet industry spending figures, announcing that overall spending in the pet industry was at an all time high in 2011, surpassing $50 billion. The forecast in 2012, despite a skeptical economy, is even higher - a projected 3.8 percent increase in spending to in excess of $52 billion.

Continue Reading "No Recession for Pet Pampering" »

Valentine's Day is dedicated to showing your appreciation for the ones you love - two and four-legged.

You would be hard pressed to find someone more attentive and understanding than a furry loved one. No matter what is going on, they have always been there.

That terrible break up you thought you would never get over? The job that you thought you had locked in that passed you by? When your best friend moved away? Remember who has been there through thick and thin.

This Valentine’s Day, don’t forget to show your love to the ones who have always and will alway love you – for better or for worse, in good times and bad – you know those sweet eyes and that wet nose will get you through it all.

Happy Valentine’s Day from Maizie, Marleigh and me.

-- Chloe Ochse --

It's not often that I'm moved to tears by something I read, but that's exactly what happeened last weekend when I read a story in the New York Time's Magazine about  "Wonder Dog".

Like most of you, I'm a sucker for dog stories and I comb the popular press in search of them. This one had the added appeal of being about Service Dogs; one of my favorite topics.

If you missed this one, hit the link and enjoy.

Continue Reading "Service Dogs Breaking New Ground" »

Traditionally, New Years resolutions are commitments people make to themselves that are intended to keep them on track in the new year. Sometimes people want to resolve to lose weight, get control of finances or volunteer more. Often New Year’s resolutions come down to simply being a better person. As a pet owner, being a better person may mean more than dropping a few pounds, it may mean helping your pet do the same.

Continue Reading "New Year's Resolutions" »

Our best friend's daughter just brought home a beautiful baby girl. She's a cute as a button and she's the apple of her mother's and her grandmother's eye.

She's also got plenty of canine companionship at home and the dogs are pretty excited about the new addition. This latter fact took some planning.

I've been working with mom on how to introduce the new baby without upsetting the fur babies and keeping a happy, harmonious, home.

We started the process in earnest about a month ago.

Continue Reading "Bringing Home Baby" »