My Pet World: When should your dog's pricked ears stand up
While I wouldn't worry too much about this behavior, you should be able to tell your dog to "stop" or "leave it," depending on what you have taught her, and she should stop whatever she is doing and listen to you. Clap your hands or use a Pet Corrector (compressed air) to interrupt the behavior and then call her to you. Reinforce this training, so you can halt the behavior without having to pick her up. But remember, it's normal for dogs to do paw at their beds.
Dear Cathy,
I read the recent column about cat scratching furniture. My cats would never use scratching posts. They love and use the cardboard scratching boxes that sit on the floor. You can buy them at most cat supply places. I think it must be the feel of the cardboard and that they can sink their claws in further. -- L. Weichbrodt, via email
Dear L,
I recently visited my son and daughter-in-law and watched as their cats clawed one of their expensive fabric barstools. They decided not to do anything about it since, they said, it kept their cats from clawing anything else in their house. The moral of this story is, every cat owner must determine what works for their cats, understanding that cat-scratching is a normal and healthy behavior necessary for sharpening their claws and marking their territories. The flat scratch boxes you recommend are a popular choice for many felines.
Dear Cathy,
You suggested a few ways to find a pet sitter. Another way is to ask someone in your veterinarian's office. This way you already know the people and have recourse, if anything happens. Many of the vet techs do this as a side job. -- Barbara, Smithtown NY
Dear Barbara,
That's a great idea. Keep in mind, they often can only pet sit after working hours, so using them for daytime needs might not work. But they are a great option for many pet owners.
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(Cathy M. Rosenthal is a longtime animal advocate, author, columnist and pet expert who has more than 25 years in the animal welfare field. Send your pet questions, stories and tips to cathy@petpundit.com. Please include your name, city, and state. You can follow her @cathymrosenthal.)
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