DEAR DR. FOX: We have four pets -- two cats and two dogs -- who all get along very well. Our spayed female papillon has some dominance issues. She always wants to be in front when we go on walks, and she barks at every single dog, human, deer, cat -- whatever she sees or hears.

I would like to train her to stop, but I want to use positive reinforcement only. What do you suggest? I have seen some barking collars in catalogs and have been tempted to try one, but I don't like the idea of spraying her little face every time she opens her mouth. -- C.M.M., Silver Spring, Md.

DEAR C.M.M.: Some behaviors are so instinctively hardwired and reinforced by an element of obsessive-compulsive disorder that they are a challenge to inhibit. There is also a size issue, similar to some sort of Napoleon complex: The smaller the dog (like your little papillon), the more it barks.

First, don't use a collar when out on walks -- this could injure her neck and windpipe. Rather, fit her with a comfortable harness. Before resorting to an anti-bark collar, try click-reward training.

Get your dog used to hearing a clicker (available in most pet stores), and, after clicking, get her to sit and stay before receiving a treat. Once she's condition-trained, use the clicker to distract her when she barks on your walks; reward her only when she sits and remains quiet. Be sure she is hungry before walks, and, as I constantly advise, dogs are best fed after, and not before, they are walked or allowed out to run and play.

DEAR DR. FOX: I have read many of the articles on your website and have purchased a copy of your latest book, "Animals and Nature First." You cover many different topics and areas of expertise way beyond the scope of your Animal Doctor column. For us pet owners, can you give a synopsis of how your concerns for the environment and for public health relate to many Animal Doctor issues and what difference can we pet owners make? -- R.E., Silver Spring, Md.

DEAR R.E.: I appreciate the thoughtful nature of your letter and your challenge to provide a synopsis of my concerns and how we can all make a difference. Here you go:

-- Embrace the vision of One Health, where progress in human health is inseparable from animal health and a healthy environment.

-- Become environmentalists. Eliminate the use of all pesticides in and around your home and garden and on your pets.

-- Become kitchen/food anarchists, supporting local farmers markets, purchasing organically certified food (including pet food) and preparing more of your own meals from scratch. Follow the dictum of Hippocrates: "Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food."

-- Set up animal health/wellness exams for you animal companions that do not include animal booster vaccinations. Support national organizations such as Earthjustice, Center for Biological Diversity, Environmental Working Group, Greenpeace, World Vets and Animal Welfare Institute. Visit holisticvetlist.com to find a holistic veterinarian in your area.

-- Support your local animal shelter/humane society, Audubon Society or other local environmental and wildlife protection organization.

-- If you are a parent, look at what is being provided in school lunches. Get rid of soda pop and candy dispensers, and be sure environmental and animal protection issues are being included in food decisions.

DEAR DR. FOX: I have a pet rat that I took to the vet because she seemed to breathe noisily. She was fine otherwise -- healthy appetite, drinks plenty of water, playful and no discharge from the eyes or nose. Poop and pee are normal.

The vet decided to keep her for three days and quoted me a price of $250. When I went to pick her up, it was $450. Needless to say, I was upset. I talked to them twice a day when she was there, and they never said the price was going to be so much.

They gave her antibiotics and breathing ointments twice a day. She is home now and is still a noisy breather, but is fine otherwise. I feel they should have let me know of the new charges. -- M.S., High Ridge, Mo.

DEAR M.S.: It is quite beside the point that you could have replaced your pet rat many times over for the $450 that was charged for veterinary care -- there was no significant improvement!

There is a segment of the veterinary profession that puts business and profits before appropriate, ethical and cost-conscious animal care.

You should file a complaint along with an itemized bill to the state board of veterinary examiners and the Better Business Bureau. Did the attending veterinarian ask about or examine what food and bedding material you provided? Moldy food pellets could be a factor. More likely, irritating volatile oils from cedar shavings or dust and mold spores in bedding/cage litter material causes loud breathing. I presume your rat's enclosure is kept clean and is adequately ventilated.

(Send all mail to animaldocfox@gmail.com or to Dr. Michael Fox in care of Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106. The volume of mail received prohibits personal replies, but questions and comments of general interest will be discussed in future columns.

Visit Dr. Fox's website at DrFoxVet.com.)

DEAR DR. FOX: I enjoyed reading your article on the 78-year-old woman who recently adopted a cat. I, too, adopted a cat, and I am 76 years old.

The cat is very comforting to me, and he is an excellent companion. My wife passed away two years ago, and anyone who goes through this stressful experience understands what it is all about. You get very lonely and at times don't know if you will get through another day without your significant other.

I will be away for one week soon, and I am thinking about leaving the cat downstairs rather than letting him roam the entire home while I'm gone. The downstairs area is large and provides enough space for the cat, his litter box and food. Is this a good idea? I have a pet sitter who will come in once a day to feed him.

Any thoughts you may have will be appreciated. Thank you. -- P.E., Port Republic, Md.

DEAR P.E.: You have my condolences regarding the loss of your wife, and I trust that other readers will consider, as you did, adopting animal companions because of their phenomenal healing powers and the fact that they need good homes.

But always consider the animal's age -- your cat might outlive you. What provisions have you made in your will? Adopting an older animal who will probably not outlive you might be more humane.

Have your pet sitter come in at least twice a day to clean out the litter box, feed, water, sit with and pet/groom the cat. Maybe set up a routine to switch the TV or radio on so the cat feels less alone. If your cat is used to having access to the entire house, confining him to the basement while you are gone could be extremely traumatic, so I'd say no to that. Have the pet sitter come visit as often as possible while you are still there so your cat will be less afraid of a relative stranger when you are gone.

I advise in-home cat sitting rather than boarding a cat. I am in total shock at what seem to be the standard cat boarding facility cage and "condo" dimensions. These range from 3 by 4 feet to 4 by 6 feet floor space with heights varying from 3 to 4 feet. I found only two places in the area where I live (Minneapolis) where I would ever consider boarding a cat -- the better ones have windows and lots of space, including stand-up room for a human. I wonder why such small spaces are considered acceptable for cats but not for dogs?

DEAR DR. FOX: I have a 15-year-old black and tan longhaired dachshund who does this strange thing out in the yard. He has a figure eight worn into the grass, and he walks it constantly. He is losing weight from all this walking. He's always hungry, but seems fine for a 15-year-old dog. Do you have an explanation for his behavior? I would love to hear what you think. -- J.W., St. Charles, Mo.

Dear J.W., What you describe is an obsessive-compulsive behavior more commonly seen in caged zoo animals and breeding sows in pig factories confined in narrow crates their entire lives; it is called stereotypic behavior.

Repetitive movements may be self-comforting and result in the production of natural opiates in the body, which, in turn, give the activity an addictive element. The underlying cause in your dog could be some discomfort, which he is trying to relieve. This discomfort could be physical, as from chronic bowel inflammation or a brain tumor, or from increased anxiety.

A full veterinary check-up is called for, and if he is in good physical health -- and I would not advise costly tests considering his advanced age -- a very light dose of alprazolam (like Xanax) to see if it is anxiety-related may be the best treatment option. You can also give him a higher fat and protein diet with supplements to help improve his physical condition -- provided his kidney function is good.

(Send all mail to animaldocfox@gmail.com or to Dr. Michael Fox in care of Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106. The volume of mail received prohibits personal replies, but questions and comments of general interest will be discussed in future columns.

Visit Dr. Fox's website at DrFoxVet.com.)

DEAR DR. FOX: We adopted a darling yellow tiger kitten who weighs about 5 pounds. The shelter we adopted her from suggested she should have kitten food for a year. However, the food I selected for her -- Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets Green Pea & Chicken -- is for kittens and cats, and it gives the amount to feed by weight. The store employees said kittens should be free-fed to encourage weight gain, so I have given her more than the recommended 2/3 cup, seeing as she seems starving all the time. I really want to feed her right, but I need advice. I am not up to home-cooking her food, though.

When she was spayed, the price was supposed to be included in the adoption fee. When my husband went to pick her up, she'd had all sorts of additional shots and procedures. When I called Animal Medical Services -- where the spaying took place -- they said these things were presented to my husband as a matter of choice, but he says they were presented to him as imperative. When I called my husband to see how she was, my first reaction was, "I don't want her filled with all of those chemicals!" But when I saw the bill, I was even madder.

I know veterinarians have to make a living. I also know that a fairly new building and multitudinous employees must be paid for. But, Dr. Fox, I doubt this kitten's paws had ever touched the outside ground before we got her, and I can guarantee that they will not in the future. She is strictly an indoor cat. I believe North Carolina state law requires an annual rabies shot, but beyond that, what does an inside cat need? -- L.E., Mount. Airy, N.C.

DEAR L.E.: Active young cats need several (four to six) small meals a day, ideally canned or raw-frozen and a lesser amount of grain-free dry cat food. For readers who are interested in a home-prepared recipe and recommended commercial cat foods, go to DrFoxVet.com. Some pet food companies donate their cat and dog foods to shelters and provide free samples for people to take with them when they adopt an animal. This makes marketing sense, but does not mean that the animals would fare best when fed such foods for the rest of their lives.

Thank you for sending me your itemized veterinary bill. The charges seem reasonable to me. The spay operation was free, but charges were made for protective electrolytes and blood screening. The treatment for worms and fleas was also free. I would only question the need for a feline leukemia vaccination for an indoor cat. Surprisingly, you were not charged for the feline viral leukemia tests, which can cost more than the entire bill that your husband paid. The other vaccinations that were given (at a very reasonable charge) are necessary.

You should count your blessings in this regard and consider adopting another cat and take him/her to the same veterinary facility.

DEAR DR. FOX: My otherwise healthy 6-year-old beagle, Kady, has recently been diagnosed with glaucoma. I took her in due to her glowing greenish-looking eyes and the fact that she bumped into a few things. The vet said that Kady probably had this from a young age and that it was genetic. She is on latanoprost drops twice daily to stabilize the pressure in her eyes.

Have you found these drops to help the situation? I was told that when her pressure gets too high and when she becomes uncomfortable, I might need to have her eyes removed.

I am sick about this possible scenario. Any information you have on this problem will be appreciated. Thanks for your time and attention. -- S.G., St. Louis

DEAR S.G.: I am glad that this condition was diagnosed and that treatment was immediately instigated -- if it is not too late, that is, to save your dog's eyesight. Glaucoma -- increased fluid and pressure buildup inside the eye -- can lead to detachment of the lens, ulceration of the cornea and blindness.

It is common in some breeds such as the cocker spaniel, wirehaired fox terrier, Great Dane, poodle, miniature schnauzer and Alaskan malamute. Initial signs include excessive blinking and/or rubbing of eyes, reddening around the eyes and dilated pupils.

Your attending veterinarian may also consider treatment with a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor such as methazolamide, especially if one or both lenses are detached. So-called gonioimplants (aqueous humor shunts) to drain out the fluid inside the eye may be a surgical option, but I am afraid that the prognosis is poor, and your dog may well go blind. She may, indeed, need to have the eyeballs removed.

With patient and loving support, many dogs adapt surprisingly well to loss of vision, and your beagle still has her nose and ears on her side.

DEAR DR. FOX: We have been feeding our two large dogs Blue Buffalo chicken dog food because they have allergies and will chew their feet while eating regular food.

It was expensive to start with, and the company just cut the $58 bag from 30 to 24 pounds -- a 20 percent increase in price. We shop at Costco and saw its gluten-free dog food. We were afraid to try it, even though it would be about half the price. Are you familiar with Costco's brand for allergic dogs? -- L.P., Naples, Fla.

DEAR L.P.: So-called hypoallergenic dog and cat foods contain a single protein such as chicken, venison or rabbit. But recent findings reveal that some brands may contain other animal protein ingredients that are not indicated on the label. So you must take your chances if you do not make your own dog food or have confirmed assurance from the manufacturer.

Transition your dogs gradually over a five- to seven-day period onto the cheaper brand, give your dogs probiotics and see how they fare. If their food allergy/intolerance symptoms flare up, you may wish to shop around for another less-expensive brand after you put your dogs back onto the Blue Buffalo (an excellent brand).

(Send all mail to animaldocfox@gmail.com or to Dr. Michael Fox in care of Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106. The volume of mail received prohibits personal replies, but questions and comments of general interest will be discussed in future columns.

Visit Dr. Fox's website at DrFoxVet.com.)