Dawning on me that PBS Members have an amazing collective of experience and knowledge regarding all things pertaining to our beloved animals,  it seemed that opening a thread for pet Q&A would be a worthwhile enterprise.

What do you think?

Have a question?  Ask away.

Have an answer?  Post it here....

Let's see what we can do to help each other solve some of the problems we have run across.  (Don't be shy!)   ;)

Linda K.

Socialize. Socialize. Socialize.

You can never socialize too much! Get your puppies out and about. Have lots of positive experiences. Start training young!

Don't bring snacks or squeaky toys to the dog park!  Especially if yours is the smallest dog there.  Some dog (my dog) will take them away!

If your dog misbehaves, put some coins in an aluminum can and put duct tape over the top. When the dog does something u don't want them to, shake the can and say NO. They hate the noise and it gets their attention. It works great!

If you have cats, get a puppy instead of an adult dog so the cats can bring him or her up right.  :-)

Adult dogs are great, and senior dogs can be wonderful pets. Don't descriminate based on age!

GET YOUR PET FIXED! Unless your dog is an AKC champion, AND you plan on keeping track of every pup you bring into this world for their entire lives (and take them back when something goes wrong) you shouldn't breed!

DON"T BUY PETSTORE PUPPIES!

Here's my question: has anyone done any "freestyle dog" competitions (i.e. doggy dancing)? If so, are your dogs well behaved when they aren't performing (like walking through the park, etc).

I have no answers for the doggy dancing, but I do have a question. 

We have 2 cats-  1 cat is 2 1/2 and completely litter box trained-  the one accident ever was because I was changing the box, got distracted and forgot. 

We got a kitten about 2 months ago now, and he is 15, 16 weeks or so.  Uses the box just fine as far as I can tell.  However, he has decided that our dining room is a primo super cool place to pee.  We tried sticking a third box in there and scooching it towards the other litterbox.  It meant dragging a box through our living room, but we dealt with it.  He peed next to the box. 

We have two litter boxes, one on each floor.  We live in a fairly small townhouse, so its not like he's having an accident on the way to the box.  Also, DH and I both work during the day so I can't be here to watch him.  I really don't want to have an adult cat who messes everywhere.  My house doesn't smell like cat box or pee and I would like to keep it that way. 

Sorry this is so long!

Many times cats will pee outside the box when they have a medical problem.  Have the cat checked by a vet...it might be as simple as an UTI!

okay here's my tip - NO HUMAN MEDICATIONS FOR PETS  without veterinarian prescription and supervision.  seriously

I've given my dogs human meds before with no problems...fish oil, aspirin, anti vomiting meds, benadryl... when I've mentioned it to my vet, she always concurred w/ what I did.  I think you have to use your head and know what is good for your dog and what isn't....(like never give you dog advil it will kill them, and the internet is a wonderful tool) But I wouldn't say never giving your dog/cat human meds is a hard and fast rule.