DEAR DR. FOX: My wife is gone three or four days a week. My 8-year-old cat naturally shows preference to and positive behavior around me, and she hisses and is otherwise negative toward my wife.

I have suggested that my wife scruff her and shake her gently to let her know about the pecking order here; that seems to work for a while, but we are not consistent with this. Is Rocky just being a cat, or is there some way we can help her to be more positive toward my wife? -- D.L., St. Louis

DEAR D.L.: This is a good question, especially considering the backlash against so-called dominance training and disciplining of dogs and the favoring of positive reward training for desired behavior. But sometimes giving a reward can reinforce the undesired behavior, like giving a dog a treat to stop barking, believing that to be distracting or redirecting -- in reality, you're actually rewarding the dog for barking!

Cats hiss primarily from fear, and it is best to ignore the behavior. Have your wife spend time grooming the cat and feeding her and calling her by name to give healthy treats. Also, have your wife engage in interactive games with the cat, such as chasing a laser spotlight or a feather on a wand.

Seizing and holding a cat by the scruff of the neck (but not shaking) can have a calming effect; the action is a mixed signal of domination and control: a tomcat's love-bite -- seen during courtship -- is usually directed to the queen's nape of the neck, and a mother tenderly carries a kitten at the back of the neck. I use this scruff-hold briefly to settle a cat and then start brushing the cat or begin gentle massage, as detailed in my book, "The Healing Touch for Cats." But be warned: Your cat may soon become addicted to the latter and quite demanding!

BOOK REVIEW: "What a Fish Knows: The Inner Lives of Our Underwater Cousins" by Dr. Jonathan Balcombe

This book is a scholarly and engaging review of what scientists have discovered about fish behavior and intelligence. Balcombe documents the commercial exploitation and suffering of fish, about which most consumers know nothing.

The author takes readers through the objective eye of natural science's disciplined focus and discovery to reveal the extraordinary and surprisingly highly evolved physical, social, cooperative and yes, emotional and cognitive abilities of fish, which in many respects far surpass our own.

With unblinking eyes, no facial expressions or cries of pain and fear when caught and cold to the touch, they are of a species difficult for most people to empathize with. But with other animals, especially the warm and fuzzy who are kept as pets and companion animals, we develop close attachments, often deeply mourning their passing and suffering their pain when they are in distress. In deepening our understanding of the whys and ways of fish, this book informs and expands our empathic embrace of other sentient beings from an aquatic realm almost alien to our sensibilities.

Thank you, Dr. Balcombe, for presenting scientific evidence that fish feel and are highly sentient beings with intrinsic value, interests and rights as well as ecological purpose. I hope this book will make people pause -- in the blink of an eye in evolutionary time, the last of the great and diverse communities and world-spanning shoals and intelligences of fish life will soon all be gone from the waters of the Earth, along with the ocean mammals and birds dying of starvation, and increasingly impoverished native fishing peoples from shore to shore.

(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.net.)

DEAR DR. FOX: Once again, I must reach out to you because you ran a letter that includes false statements about the American Kennel Club.

First and foremost: We do not "sponsor" dog shows. The AKC approves local member or licensed dog clubs to hold events under our rules and regulations. The individual clubs or organizations put on dog shows at their own expense. The money does not come from AKC registrations. 

As for our inspection process, we do both announced and unannounced inspections. There is no policy stating that the AKC gives a one-week notice for inspection. Any breeder who refuses our inspection is prohibited from using AKC services. As for any of our suspensions, breeders who are not in compliance with our policies are put on referral, which is a temporary suspension that is lifted only when they come into complete compliance. It should also be noted that we are not the only registry in the United States. There are at least 20 others that people choose to do business with, meaning not all of their dogs may be registered with us.

Lastly, there was a statement regarding the majority of dogs rescued from puppy mills being AKC-registered dogs -- that could not be farther from the truth. A study conducted by the National Animal Interest Alliance in 2015 found that less than 5 percent of all dogs in shelters were purebred dogs. That hardly coincides with any majority.

To be clear, just because a breeder has registered or does register some of its dogs with us, it does not mean that they use our registry services for all their dogs. That remains at the discretion of the breeder, as do their ethical practices. -- Brandi Hunter, vice president of public relations and communications for the American Kennel Club, New York City

DEAR B.H.: Here is the reply from the writer of the letter to which you refer:

In reference to the AKC's claim that it does not "sponsor" dog shows, the AKC is simply playing a game of semantics. According to information contained in AKC Annual Reports and information displayed on its own website, the AKC sanctions, regulates and licenses dog shows; approves the judges for the shows; and processes plans and maintains records for the shows.

Dennis Sprung, the president of the AKC, in an article written for Dog News, stated that individual dog registration fees bear the costs of supporting events (dog shows). Sprung went on to say, "Last but not least, the financial impact of declining registrations speaks for itself. This revenue enables our ability to continue all the good work AKC does to support events ..."

If the AKC prefers the word "support," as used by its president, over the word "sponsor," I am more than willing to change my original letter to read that the AKC-"supported" dog shows are sustained on the backs of puppy mill dogs through AKC registration fees.

In reference to the AKC's statement, "there is no policy stating that the AKC gives a one-week notice for inspection," an AKC flier detailing what to expect with an AKC inspection states, "Your AKC Executive Field Agent will typically call you about a week in advance to set up a day for your inspection." While the AKC might not have a policy statement requiring a one-week notice, it also does not have a policy requiring an unannounced inspection.

I want to emphasize that my letter never alleged that the majority of dogs being rescued from puppy mills were AKC-registered dogs. My letter stated, "Many dogs rescued from puppy mills are AKC-registered."

I just came across an article in a 2012 Kennel Spotlight, a trade publication for commercial dog breeders. (Note: The magazine's publisher was at one time the largest dog broker in the country.) Mike Ganey, vice president of marketing for the AKC, indicates in the article that AKC events are for the purpose of having a "positive impact on your business whether you are a breeder selling to distributors, dealers, pet stores or direct to customers." He goes on to tell commercial breeders that AKC events help "create preference and demand for purebreds, no matter where the consumer chooses to buy their purebred dogs."

This article tells puppy millers that one of the purposes of AKC dog shows is to help sell puppy mill dogs. You can see that article in full here on the auctioneer's website: kennelspotlight.com/AUGUST__12_ISSUE_pg_16-17.pdf. -- Bob Baker, executive director of the Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation, St. Louis

PETS EXPOSED TO SECONDHAND SMOKE

Pets exposed to secondhand smoke in the home are more likely to gain weight and develop cancer than animals in smoke-free homes, according to research by veterinarian Clare Knottenbelt of the University of Glasgow. Pets, especially cats, are particularly vulnerable to the effects of secondhand smoke because they spend so much time inside, grooming and in close contact with the carpet, where toxins accumulate.

(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.net.)

DEAR DR. FOX: We live in an adult community where we are not allowed to fence our yard, so we must walk our dog on the black asphalt streets.

In the summer, the asphalt becomes so hot that you can feel the heat rising off the street. Please remind dog owners of this danger.

When walking dogs on the street, remember that they are closer to the hot tar, which makes them feel much hotter than you realize -- especially smaller dogs, whose entire bodies are close to the ground. Also, a lot of inside dogs do not have tough calluses on the pads of their feet to protect them.

Take off your shoes and stand on the asphalt to get an idea of just how hot the pavement feels to your dog. The problem is worse for dogs who are jogging with their owners or running alongside a bike. They don't get a chance to stop and cool down.

When it's too hot to walk on the street, we load the dog into the car and head for the nearest park. You can imagine how much cooler it is, walking along the tree-lined trails. And it's a treat for the dog to spend extra quality time with their favorite person. Just remember to bring water for the dog. -- K.W., Whiting, New Jersey

DEAR K.W.: Thank you for your letter, which I hope all people with dogs will read and take to heart.

Not being mindful about hot sidewalks and roads when out walking and jogging -- or leaving the dog in a hot car even for a few minutes -- is an all-too-common error of judgment and perception.

Loving one's dog calls for mindfulness and empathy.

POISONS IN THE WATER

Don't let your thirsty dog drink from or play in stagnant pools of pond or lake water. Take fresh water and a bowl with you wherever you go. Dogs need to drink water to cool down and may need forcible restraint to be kept out of an inviting pool of water in which blue-green algae have proliferated. Blue-green algae cause illness in people and pets. In Minnesota, we've seen two human illnesses last year, and many dog deaths after they either swallow contaminated water or groom themselves after swimming. Dogs exposed to the algae can experience gastrointestinal distress, rash, respiratory difficulty, weakness, liver failure and seizures, and certain cases can be fatal.

BLUE BUFFALO DOG FOOD RECALL

Blue Buffalo Co. of Wilton, Connecticut, is voluntarily recalling a limited batch of its Life Protection Formula Dog Food product due to the presence of excessive moisture and mold. Customers can return affected product to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Those with questions may call Blue Buffalo Customer Service at 855-201-4331 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday.

Report complaints about FDA-regulated pet food products by visiting fda.gov/petfoodcomplaints.

BOOK REVIEW: "The Dog Diet Answer Book" by Dr. Greg Martinez.

This book gives me hope and affirmation. I was demoted and almost lost my job at my last place of employment for endorsing a book about animal nutrition, the validity of which this good animal doctor confirms in his assertions and advice on dog nutrition.

Every dog owner should devour this book and assimilate its practical instruction to secure and improve the health of their canine companions. Because of the importance of good nutrition from the start, this book is a must for all puppy-getters and ethical breeders.

In my Animal Doctor column, I have given the same advice for many years on how to treat chronic skin, ear, anal gland, digestive, urinary tract, neurological and other health problems in dogs -- first with the kind of nutrition and supplements that Dr. Martinez spells out in detail, and more.

I see his book as a signal publication confirming that the long-overdue pet food revolution is at last being supported.

(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.net.)