Pets communicate in their own way,
and we all need help decoding it sometimes!
Our Animal Behaviorist, Breanne, assembled resources and references to help you with training, integrating pets into your family, responding to behavioral changes, and more. If you can't find your answer in our FAQs or Paw Prints publications, you can Ask the Expert herself!
Frequently Asked Questions and Commonly Distributed Resources
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Ask an Expert Column
We often discuss animal behavior in our semi-annual magazine, Paw Prints. Usually, answering questions from you! Here is an PDF archive of recent "Ask an Expert" columns from the magazine. Each volume will include only the relevant sections of the magazine as a download, and volumes are only included if they contained behavior or training content. Check it out to learn more about some common concerns and curiosities from pet owners in our community.
We also have a form below for you to submit your own questions to our staff and volunteers. We will respond with some resources or information to help decode what your pet might need. If it's a question and answer we want to share with others, a version of your question may appear (anonymously!) in future issues of Paw Prints.
Volume 40 | Fall 2020
- What is the most common question you hear? What is the answer?
- What is something that has surprised you most about dog behavior?
- What do you wish everyone knew about pet behavior?
- How has the pandemic impacted you?
vol 40 Fall 2020
Volume 42 | Summer 2022
- Summer Safety Tips
- New Campus Spotlight: The new training center in progress
- I adopted my cat recently and he’s hiding under the bed and not eating. What can I do to make him more comfortable?
- My new kitten just runs around attacking my feet and it’s starting to hurt. How can I get her to stop biting me?
- Daily Dose of Enrichment: Cats and Dogs
vol 42 Summer 2022
Volume 44 | Summer 2023
- Summer Enrichment Ideas for Dogs
- Myths vs. Facts: "A wagging tail means the dog is happy"
vol 44 Summer 2023
Volume 47 | Spring 2025
- An overview of the new Training Center and why we focus on dog training at CCHS.
- My dog keeps marking the side of the sofa. Why does he do this, and how can I get him to stop?
- Why does my dog like to sniff other dogs’ butts so much?
- Why does my dog go nuts when another dog walks by the fenced yard? Is there anything I can do to help her? It’s so embarrassing whenever people walk by!
- My husband lets the dog lick his face all the time. Is he really giving kisses or is it something else? Is it OK to let dogs lick your face?
- Why do cats like to be scratched at the base of their tails so much?
vol 47 Spring 2025
Volume 41 | Winter 2022
- Interview with a new dog owner, touching on:
- Overcoming leash pulling behaviors
- Managing overstimulation/over-arousal in dogs
- Distraction techniques
vol 41 Winter 2022
Volume 43 | Winter 2023
- Bringing a new puppy into your home: from the personal experience of our Animal Behaviorist, Breanne Tabbert.
- Adoption Adjustment Periods: The 3-3-3 Rule
vol 43 Winter 2023
Volume 45 | Spring 2024
An interview with Dog Behavior Consultant, Natalie Piper:
- Can you provide some guidance on when a dog owner should seek a "behavior consultant" rather than enroll their dog in a training class?
- What's the most common problem you're seeing right now in your behavior consulting practice?
- Why do you think that is?
- How can owners and trainers address that kind of problem?
- If you could give all adopters the two or three most important tips for getting off on the right foot at home, what would they be?
vol 45 Spring 2024