ArcaMax

Part of the problem may be that your dog has trouble calming down.

"You can teach your dog to settle," says Miller. "When your dog is excited, just wait it out. When your pup finally calms, say 'freeze.' You can also use treats to help lure the dog into a 'sit,' and then say, 'freeze.'"

For some dogs, when they do calm down, another reward might be a light massage. Knowing that attention is coming, some dogs will learn to calm faster.

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Q: I purchased an all-natural flea product at the store, but it didn't help. My neighbor says that because I live in Florida, I have to learn to live with fleas. Is she right? -- E.B., Ocala, FL

A: No one has to live with fleas, according to veterinary parasitologist Dr. Michael Dryden, professor of veterinary parasitology at Kansas State University-Manhattan.

Buying products at a store can be dicey, however. Not all flea products are created equal. Your veterinarian is the best source of information.

I'm not sure which product failed you, but Dryden says he and his colleagues have studied many of the so-called alternative approaches to battling fleas, and found the failure rate to be substantial. Therefore, your concerns aren't particularly surprising.

He notes that even products that work with 70 percent or 80 percent effectiveness aren't good enough. Fleas reproduce so fast and efficiently that the kill rate needs to be somewhere over 90 percent for complete effectiveness. The best products have both immediate and longer-term speed of kill.

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Q: My 6-month-old kitten will chew on just about anything. I'm careful to make sure she doesn't harm herself. Is there something cats can chew that's safe, similar to rawhide for dogs? -- H.S., Baltimore, MD

A: If your kitty begins to nibble through a live wire, the consequences could be deadly. For starters, consider buying electrical cord protectors, available at home improvement and many "big box" stores, or online. Remove as many plants in your home as possible, as gnawing foliage may cause an upset tummy or worse.

Ask your veterinarian about C.E.T. chews, specifically made for cats to chew on for dental benefits. Some cats like the large canine meatball-size dental chews from Royal Canin or Hill's Pet Nutrition. You might even go as far as stuffing the chews into a small dog Kong toy.

A small percentage of cats will chew on rawhide for dogs. Moisten the rawhide just a bit, then warm it slightly in the microwave.

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Steve Dale welcomes questions/comments from readers. Although he can't answer all of them individually, he'll answer those of general interest in his column Send e-mail to PETWORLD(at)STEVE DALE.TV. Include your name, city and state. Steve's website is www.stevedalepetworld.com; he also hosts the nationally syndicated "Steve Dale's Pet World" and "The Pet Minute." He's also a contributing editor to USA Weekend.

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