.: Pet Socialization

There is no doubt that more pets need to be adopted, so if you have the time and money to properly care for another animal, you’re a kitty or doggy parent candidate. However, when you already … Read More

When two people move in together, dozens of issues must be considered: Furniture, sharing rent and utilities, schedules, grocery shopping, closet space, chores, laundry…. with so much to focus on, it’s no wonder many people blend … Read More

Is it better to adopt a younger puppy than an older one? Many states prohibit the sale of puppies under eight weeks old, but the myth persists that a puppy will bond more closely with its owner if … Read More

Every dog lover smiles upon seeing a happy pooch parked outside a cafe or bistro with his owner, lying under a table or sitting on his own chair to smile at passers-by. But how do you … Read More

Nothing puts a person off their food like a begging dog. A wet nose on the knee followed by a puddle of drool isn’t the least bit appetizing. Even if you don’t mind your own dog … Read More

Many people have only one cat and wonder why their cat attacks their feet, races around the house at night, yowls, or is overweight. Many of these problems are not present in cats that have been … Read More

Does your dog wear a bark collar? If so, it would make my day if you removed that collar right now and threw it into the trash can. It’s not necessary, may be harmful behaviorally and … Read More

Cats love countertops. They provide a high vantage point from which a cat can observe goings-on in the kitchen, they often have tasty crumbs or good smells on  them, and it drives their owners nuts when … Read More

Among the most common goals of active, involved dog owners is to certify their dog as a therapy dog and do therapy work with elderly people, children, veterans, or people with disabilities. Therapy dogs can help people … Read More

Dear Petlvr, I hope you can help: We just brought home a 7 week old puppy – malti-poo/pom mix. Tiny, less than one pound. We have a mini-doxie age 12 who is fine with her. However, … Read More

Yesterday we introduced you to Bo Obama, the Portuguese Water Dog now owned by Barack Obama and his family. Today, just in case Barack, Michelle, Malia, and Sasha read Petlvr: The Blog, I’ve got five helpful hints … Read More

It’s official: President Barack Obama and his family have been given a 6-month-old Portuguese Water Dog puppy by Senator Edward M. Kennedy. The dog, who will be named “Bo Diddley,” was purchased from a Texas kennel and … Read More

It’s not easy to look at a litter of puppies, kittens, rats, or any other animal and pick just one baby to take home. Should you really choose just one? Wouldn’t those two littermates be happier together? … Read More

Once you’ve picked out a puppy, the hardest part of your dog search is over. But when should that puppy join your family? If it’s already weaned and separated from littermates, the answer is “as soon … Read More

When I mention that I volunteer for animal rescues, the most common response I get is something along the lines of, “That’s so great! I wish I had the time to do something like that.” Of … Read More

Most dog owners have experienced the consequences of failure to generalize a learned behavior at one time or another. For example, let’s say you just spent an hour carefully teaching your new puppy to “Heel” perfectly in … Read More

Puppy kindergarten, or puppy socialization class, is a vital part of your puppy’s upbringing. Puppy kindergarten teaches basic obedience and how to play safely with other dogs. It also exposes your puppy to  variety of stimuli that can help … Read More

Most puppies nip and mouth their owners’ hands,  ankles, pant legs, and even small children’s behinds, to at least some extent. This behavior can seem cute (the Coppertone bottles with the little girl and her terrier … Read More

Most pet rats don’t bite. I’ll say that again for emphasis: Most pet rats do not bite. The vast majority of domestic Norwegian rats are far less likely to bite than hamsters, mice, or gerbils. Rats are … Read More

Guests visiting for the holiday can cause stress for pets accustomed to a particular routine. Even if the “guests” are just college students who lived with the pets in question for most of their lives, the disruption … Read More

President-Elect Barack Obama announced yesterday in his acceptance speech after winning the US presidency that a puppy will be moving into the White House with the Obama family. Michelle Obama said in a recent TV interview that … Read More

Most dogs enjoy a visit to the dog park. Outdoor fun with a compatible group of dogs– what could be better? Unfortunately, dog parks are also often the site of serious injuries to dogs or to … Read More

If you intend to compete in performance or conformation events, or simply wish to have a well-behaved dog and understand its behavior, choosing a great trainer is one of the most important things you can do … Read More

Dear PetLvr Mailbag … When we got our 2nd Papillon dog, Sophie .. it was mid September as a puppy (she was born late July). We then had the coldest winter and earliest snowfall that year … Read More

As anyone who’s ever had a fearful adult dog can attest, eliminating an established fear is tricky, whether it’s a common one like thunderstorm phobia or something more unusual, like a friend of a friend’s dog … Read More

Nobody wants to think about dying, especially when they’re young and in good health; but, as a responsible pet owner, it’s your duty to ensure that if you were to pass away, your pets would be … Read More

Doggie daycare can give owners a much-needed break from the exercise needs of a high-energy dog, as well as keep a dog with separation anxiety under control in the absence of his family. However, many pet … Read More

You’ve got a puppy. Congratulations! Now is the time to prevent behavior problems in adulthood. Many serious issues can be prevented by properly raising your pup. More dogs die each year in the United States due … Read More

Babies and pets can be a delightful combination. But sometimes they only mix well if a few precautions are observed. Tragically, in other cases, they don’t go well together at all. A few simple guidelines can … Read More