Dear Matthew: When I was a kid, my parents house-trained our dog by hitting him with a newspaper whenever he made a "mistake." Although I always thought this was a little barbaric, my father said that it was the quickest way to keep the dog from going to the bathroom inside the house. I just bought a new dog and am wondering if I should train him the same way.
- Puzzled Pete
Dear Pete: While your father's method may or may not be the fastest way to house-train a dog, it's definitely the quickest way to frighten and alienate him.
Using a rolled-up newspaper is an old technique - and all it usually accomplishes is to make your dog run away from you and become scared of your hands and voice. The end result is that one day, when your pet grows up, he's going to rebel and probably bite you or a family member.
Some people argue that a newspaper really doesn't hurt - it just makes a loud noise that startles a dog. The problem is that the newspaper looks like your arm, so every time you try to pet him after you've hit him with a newspaper, he's going to associate your hand with punishment and not praise.
So, how do you discipline your pet without hitting it? That's the whole secret of dog training. Think of your untrained dog as a child on his first day at school. Before you give him any pop quizzes, you've got to teach him what answers are expected. Show him what to do, and when he does it right, praise him. If he does it wrong after you've taught him the right way, correct him - using a leash with a training collar and a firm tone of voice.
If hitting was all there was to dog training, any sadistic bully with quick reflexes and a strong arm could do it - but that's definitely not the case.
Dear Matthew: I have a cat that goes completely crazy over catnip. Every time I give her some, it's like she's on drugs - she goes nuts. Then, after bouncing around the house for a while, she curls up and falls asleep. Is this normal, or should I be telling my cat to "just say no"?
- Lori in Salt Lake City
Dear Lori: Unless you spot shady-looking catnip pushers lurking around your street corners, there's really no need to call the kitty vice squad. Most experts agree that catnip is a perfectly harmless herb that, unlike drugs such as cocaine, is neither addictive nor damaging to your feline's health.
In case you're wondering, catnip was first grown to make a medicinal tea called "spring tonic" for human consumption. It was only after people started to notice that their cats were enjoying the garden a little too much that the connection was made and catnip got its name. Now, you can find catnip products in just about any pet store.
Besides the entertainment value of watching a glassy-eyed feline flop around in joy, catnip can serve as a useful tool for training your companion. If you're finding that she has a nasty habit of sharpening her claws on your Queen Anne divan, rub a little catnip on her scratching post - it should keep her attention away from the furniture. If your cat has been well-behaved all day, give her a little catnip as a reward.
One final word, however: Not all cats are attracted to catnip. So don't rush out and buy $100 worth of catnip toys only to find that your cat is more interested in your dirty gym shorts.
Dear Matthew: I have a lonely dog, and I'm thinking about getting her a companion to keep her company. Is that a good idea?
- Owner of a Lonely Dog
Dear Owner: You're probably feeling guilty about leaving your dog at home while you're at work. Every morning as you head out, she looks at you with those sad eyes and fills you with remorse. The truth is, however, dogs really don't need another companion - you're more than enough for them.
If you still have your heart set on getting another dog, make sure it's of the opposite sex. Eventually, same-sex dogs will get into fights over territory, possessions or just for kicks. You really don't want to come home and find your formerly "lonely" dog going for her new friend's jugular.
For those of you who are thinking about getting two dogs at the same time - don't. It's usually a bad idea because they won't have a chance to bond and socialize with people - they'll spend all their time with each other. Ideally, if you have your heart set on two dogs, buy your dogs six months apart. If you do happen to get puppies at the same time, make sure that you spend some time with each of them individually, so they can develop their own identities.
The bottom line is this: If you think your dog is lonely while you're gone, leave the TV on, play some music, buy her the Benji series on videotape - just do something instead of going out and getting another animal. No matter what time you come home, I'm sure your dog will be happy to see you and won't be sulking around the house, muttering "Where have you been?"