How can I stop my cat from scratching the furniture?
 by Dr. Ann Huntingdon

How do I stop my dog from jumping me?
 by Gaby Popper

How do I know if my pet is in good health?

Q. I have an indoor cat who scratches the furniture. She has a homemade scratch pad constructed of wood and carpet, but won't use it no matter how much we coax her. I'm not interested in having her de-clawed. Do you have any suggestions?

A. First, I would try to make the scratching post or scratching pad more tempting. You might consider covering it with a fabric similar in texture and pattern to the furniture she likes to scratch It also helps if the post is tall, preferably about 3 feet. Cats like to stretch when they scratch at things

You could also try rubbing fresh catnip into the surface - anything to get her attention. Take her over to the post and physically rub her little feet up and down on it Give her a lot of praise when she follows suit. When you see her start to claw something else, scold her, and then take her over to the scratching post in a positive manner.

Another option is to clip her nails. Keeping her claws trimmed short can significantly reduce the-damage to furniture.

Lastly something that's worked very successfully for many is Soft Paws nail caps. As the name implies, these are soft plastic covers that are glued on the ends of the nails. Inmost cases, they stay on three to six weeks, and you can often reapply them yourself
Let me also applaud you for not wanting to have her de-clawed. It's a painful procedure that leaves cats without any real defense if they should get outside.

The following pet tip has been reproduced with the kind permission of expert dog trainer Gaby Popper.

Q. How do I stop my dog from jumping on me?

A. Set aside a quiet Sunday afternoon to teach Fido the error of his ways. Leave the house from the back door, and enter through the front door. Dogs have a poor sense of timing, and Fido will not realize that you have only been gone a few minutes. He will greet you with his usual friendly leap. Sharply raise your voice THE MOMENT HE JUMPS ON YOU. When he is back on the ground, bend over and place him in a sit position. Lavish him with love and praise.

Repeat this little game again and again.


If you are having trouble making him stop simply by using your voice, then try a noisier method. Clap your hands loudly in front of his face when he jumps up, or bang two pots or pans together. You can also toss a glass of water at him or use the shaker can (an empty soda can filled with pennies) to make him behave.

Remember to IMMEDIATELY reward him by bending down, making him sit, and then praising him. It is not enough to show Fido what he is doing wrong. You must reward him for doing what is right.

Healthy Pets: basic tips on when to see a Vet

The only way to be completely certain of an animal's health is to have a veterinarian complete a thorough, medical exam. At the SPCA, animals are seen by our in-house veterinary staff before being placed in the Adoption Program. As a general guide, the following tips will help you better evaluate your pet's health:

Eyes: Should be clear, bright, and full. A vet should be consulted if redness, discharge or squinting is observed.
Ears: The inside should be clean; the skin should appear light pinkish. Redness, irritation or the appearance of a substance resembling coffee grounds (suggestive of ear mites), requires veterinary attention.
Nose: The nasal passages should be clear and unobstructed. Discharge, sneezing or scab-like lesions are reasons to see your vet.
Gums: Appearance should be pink and moist. If gums are dry, or appear whitish or bluish, see a vet as soon as possible.
Hair coat: Should appear clean, smooth and shiny. Scratching (excessively), hair loss, skin lesions/lumps and open wounds require a veterinary exam.
Respiratory: Breathing should not present any difficulty to the animal Labored breathing, wheezing or excessive coughing should be evaluated by a vet as soon as possible.
Gastrointestinal: Elimination of stool and urine should be regular and painless. Your pet should be examined by a vet if diarrhea, vomiting, parasites in the stool, abdominal discomfort or pain on elimination are observed.
General: A healthy animal is typically alert, active (less so in older animals), has an appetite and weight appropriate for type and breed, and is generally content.