EXERCISE, SUPERVISION AND REDIRECTION WILL KEEP YOUR LAWN FREE OF HOLES

Over the Labor Day weekend, a puppy joined my family. While he's still pretty small, he has a lot of growing to do, especially if he's to help fill the hole in my heart left by the death of my 16-year-old Sheltie, Drew.

The transition from a very old dog -- Drew was managed with daily fluids and medicine for kidney failure a year before his passing -- to a lively young puppy can be jarring. Drew had been a well-mannered adult since the Clinton administration, and young Ned has a normal puppy streak of naughty.

Which is why I wasn't really prepared when I came upon a hole in the backyard clearly dug by Ned's little paws. With a puppy, it's pretty easy to catch and correct unwanted behavior, but it's not impossible even with a grown dog. As with any behavior, you have to get to the root of the problem before you can come up with a fair approach to minimizing the damage.

Like many behaviors people find troubling, digging is natural for dogs, with any number of triggers driving the activity. Among them:

-- Wanderlust. Some dogs, especially unneutered males, have a strong desire to dig their way out of the yard, especially when the breeze carries the enticing scent of a female in heat.

-- Prey drive. Subterranean wildlife can be irresistible to some dogs, especially to terriers or terrier mixes -- breeds developed to dig vermin from their lairs.

-- Need for shelter. A well-dug den can keep a dog cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Although any breed or mix can show an interest in making a den, the behavior is more common in breeds such as huskies and malamutes.

-- Recreation. Digging is just plain fun. This is Ned's motivation, I'm pretty sure.

-- Excess energy and boredom. This combination is either directly responsible or a contributing factor in most canine behavior problems.

The trick to having a nice yard and a happy dog is to do what you can to eliminate the triggers for digging, and then take your pet's needs into account when planning your landscaping. Neutering can greatly reduce the desire to wander. If wildlife's a problem, contact your local agricultural extension for tips on how to get the pests to give your yard a skip. And make sure your pet has the shelter he needs to stay comfortable no matter the weather.

Every dog needs an exercise program, with the emphasis on heart-thumping aerobic interludes, such as a daily run or a game of fetch. If you keep your pet well exercised, he'll be less likely to indulge in destructive behaviors. A tired dog is always a good dog! Some trainers suggest giving dogs an area where it's OK to dig, and training them to use it. This is an especially good strategy for dogs who just love to dig.

The final tip? Design your yard for compromise. Make a less visible part of the yard a dog-friendly, free-dig zone, and limit your pet to that area when you can't be there to supervise. Provide safe chew toys to keep him occupied, such as peanut butter-stuffed Kongs. Discourage digging in off-limits areas by filling in holes and covering them with chicken wire and large rocks.

If you address the underlying issues that cause digging and then allow your dog the opportunity to do some of what comes naturally in an area that's acceptable to you both, you'll find that it's indeed possible to have a yard you can be proud to show off.

Ned seemed pretty easily distracted and pretty happy to gnaw on a chew toy rather than continue with his digging. But if he shows signs of getting a real kick of the excavations, I'll be setting him up with an area where he can dig in with my approval.

Q&A

Don't give in to

demands of kitten

Q: A few months ago, we adopted new kitten from the shelter. We are not inexperienced pet owners. My husband and I both grew up with animals, and we've had many pets during our 32-year marriage. The problem? The kitten is very noisy. She follows us everywhere and has an "opinion" on everything. If we don't pet her or feed her, she gets worse. How can we get her to pipe down? -- via Facebook

A: Some cats are chattier than others. Indeed, "talkativeness" is an adored trait in the Siamese and other so-called Oriental breeds. If your kitten has a parent who's one of these breeds, then to a certain extent, you're just going to have to live with vocalization.

Some of the noisiness of a demanding cat is actually trained into the pet by people. If you accommodate her every time she demands to be fed, then you've taught her that the squeaky wheel gets the grease, even in the middle of the night or at the crack of dawn. If you think your cat's chatty behavior is something you've taught her, then you can try some retraining.

Start by resolving not to give in to her demands -- and I do mean resolve. If you ignore her yowling for a while and then give in, you've taught her that all she needs to do to get her way is to make more noise, not less. If you ignore the behavior completely, she'll stop using it to get her way.

Be aware, though, that this kitten is likely chattier than the norm. You can minimize some of her demanding behavior through retraining her, but you'll also have to do some retraining of yourself to learn to appreciate (or at least tolerate) her noise. You've made it through 32 years of marriage, which always involves a certain amount of acceptance and compromise. Use these skills with your cat, and you'll be fine.

Funny thing: In reading your question I found myself wishing my own cat were a little more outgoing. Ilario is a very large, long-haired orange tabby, but he's so reclusive, many visitors to my house never see or hear him at all. -- Gina Spadafori

Do you have a pet question? Send it to petconnection@gmail.com or visit Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker.

THE BUZZ

A year after tragedy,

Ohio bans big exotics

-- A year after the release and subsequent killing of dozens of tigers, lions, wolves and bears from a private compound in Zanesville, Ohio, the state is poised to become one the strictest in the keeping of exotic pets. Owners of such animals have until Nov. 5 to register their animals with the state's department of agriculture, and a complete ban on owning such animals goes into effect Jan. 1, 2013. The few animals captured alive after the tragedy were sent to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, and later were ordered returned to the widow of the man who released the animals before killing himself.

-- In the wake of a disaster, animals show levels of stress that may make re-adapting to family life difficult, according to a study of pets rescued from the devastated city of Fukushima following the earthquake and tsunami. Scientists noted higher than normal levels of the stress hormone cortisol in dogs rescued from the area, and found that the animals seemed slow to form new companionship bonds. The study's lead author, Dr. Miho Nagasawa of Azabu University, likened the symptoms to post-traumatic stress disorder, according to a report in the Los Angeles Times.

-- Alabama's veterinary medical board voted down regulatory changes that opponents said would have shut down the state's four nonprofit spay-neuter clinics after public protest. Some vets felt that medical care was being compromised by the high number of surgeries in the clinics -- up to 50 a day by a single veterinarian. Proponents of the clinics argued that the great danger was leaving animals free to breed in a state that reportedly kills 100,000 pets a year for population control. The regulations were proposed after a law with similar language was defeated in the state legislature. -- Dr. Marty Becker

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet care experts headed by "Good Morning America" and "The Dr. Oz Show" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Gina Spadafori. The two are affiliated with Vetstreet.com and also the authors of many best-selling pet care books. Dr. Becker can also be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker.

PREVENTIVE APPROACH WILL KEEP MORE MESS OUTSIDE

Mud is my life because I share that life with retrievers. While many dogs enjoy swimming, few go to the extremes of a true water dog in maintaining a coat that's always damp if at all possible, and feet that are as muddy as can be. Walk around a puddle? I've seen my dogs go out of their way to walk through a puddle.

As if it weren't hard enough to keep my old home clean, I decided to move to one that was even more difficult. That's because the new home is on acreage, with more room for mud and more reason to be out in it, since I'm outside with the dogs every day feeding my horses.

I had to up my game to keep this house clean, but the same rules applied. The best way to keep floors clean is to never let them get dirty. And that means catching those muddy paws before they come inside. Here are some tips:

-- Use mats. Put water-trapping mats both inside and outside the door. A small doormat can be jumped over, so go for something larger. The wider the area of matting, the more chance you have of every paw hitting the mat at least once. Outside my doors, I have large black industrial mats that hose off easily. Inside, I have color-coordinated Waterhog mats from L.L.Bean -- expensive but worth every penny. They really catch the muck.

-- Teach dogs to wait for wiping. It's not difficult to teach a dog to wait on the mat for a paw cleaning. If you're patient and positive, you'll be able to teach your pet to offer each paw in turn and stand patiently while you towel it off. One of my dogs used to be so good about this that he'd lift each paw by name: "Front. Now the other. Back. Other."

-- Save your old towels. When towels get too ratty for guests to see, save them for use with your pets. Old towels are great for wiping paws, drying fur and even swiping a muddy paw print off the floor. My old towels have endured years of hot water and bleach. They're ugly, but they still do the job. You can also find super-absorbent towels and mitts made specifically for wiping paws, but I've always found old towels to be more than up to the task. If you do need to buy paw wipes, compare their prices with shop towels.

-- Never let a mess settle in. If a muddy paw gets past you, don't delay your cleanup. While this isn't such a hard-and-fast rule for such easy-clean surfaces as tile and hardwoods, it's an absolute commandment when it comes to carpets. Keep cleaning supplies well stocked and at hand, and be sure to jump on a muddy paw print -- or any pet mess -- before it can set.

With all the paws in my household, keeping on top of mud is a must. What the mats don't catch, I do, and the house stays cleaner for my diligence. My move to the country may have meant more mud, but it hasn't meant much more effort to keep the floors clean.

Q&A

'Moving Day' perfect

time to keep cat in

Q: After losing a couple of cats (they disappeared and were never found), we decided to turn our remaining cat into an indoor pet, with the idea of adding another cat or kitten after we move after the school year ends. So far, turning Bodega into an indoor cat has not gone well. He is so determined to get out that we eventually give in and open the door. Should we keep trying or just wait until we move? -- via email

A: The best time to convert a free-roaming cat to life indoors is when you move into a new home. A cat can't miss territory he has never explored, after all. But even if you're not planning to move, you can still convert your cat.

The change requires resolve on your part and a determination to provide your cat with everything he needs to be happy indoors -- good food and fresh water, a clean litter box, a scratching post, toys and, most important, your companionship.

Does such a change come easily? Probably not.

Cats are highly territorial, and the day you reduce your cat's territory by cutting him off from the outdoors is the day you're going to start hearing about it -- lots. Your cat will be astonished at your stupidity at first: "Hey, you! I can't believe you're so dumb that you forgot how to open the door!" Later, he's positively outraged at your failure to respond: "The door! The door! Pay attention! I want something."

Don't give in, no matter what. If you allow the insistent meows and pointed stares to wear you down to the point of opening the door, you've taught your cat a lesson you'd rather he didn't know: "All I need to do is put up a fuss, and I get what I want." If you try to keep him inside again, he's going to be even more obnoxious about getting out.

Be patient, but firm. Dissuade him from the door with a shot from a spray bottle, and keep him occupied with games and attention. If he likes catnip, get a fresh supply to rub on his toys and scratching post. If you do not open the door, the noisy demands will decrease and eventually end.

Within a couple of weeks, your cat will start to settle into his new routines, and you'll no longer need to worry about the dangers he faces outdoors. -- Gina Spadafori

Do you have a pet question? Send it to petconnection@gmail.com or visit Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker.

THE BUZZ

Little budgies have

big personalities

-- The birds commonly known as parakeets in the United States are more properly called budgerigars, or just plain budgies. That's because although all budgies are parakeets, not all parakeets are budgies. Budgies are by far the most popular parakeets and perhaps the most taken for granted. Because of their small price tag and easy availability, they are often treated as throwaway birds -- easily purchased, easily disposed of, easily replaced. This attitude keeps people from valuing these birds for their affectionate personalities and appreciating them as lovely little pets. If worked with, some budgies even become very good talkers, albeit with tiny little voices.

-- An aging population and competitive real estate market has helped to put an end to "no pet" policies in many older apartment complexes, along with an easing of restrictions limiting the size of dogs. The Wall Street Journal reports that new rental complexes are being developed to be not just tolerant of dogs, but welcoming. The recent story cites an architect who says 75 percent of the apartment complexes he designs for construction nationwide will be built with dog parks.

-- Few beliefs are as widespread and commonly held as the one that incorrectly suggests pets be tranquilized for an airline flight. That might be because many of us would prefer spending our time in the air asleep, and we figure our pets would prefer the same. But the fact is that tranquilizers increase the risk of flying for pets because the medication impairs the efficient functioning of an animal's body at a time when such efficiency can be essential to keeping it alive. Tranquilizers are not routinely recommended for most flight-bound pets. If you think your animal is the exception, discuss the issue with your veterinarian. -- Dr. Marty Becker

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet care experts headed by "Good Morning America" and "The Dr. Oz Show" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Gina Spadafori. The two are affiliated with Vetstreet.com and also the authors of many best-selling pet care books. Dr. Becker can also be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker.

MIX AND MATCH PERCHES FOR A HEALTHIER PET BIRD

Gravity being what it is, even a creature made for flying spends a lot of time on his feet. This is why it's a shame that too many bird lovers give perches too little thought, forcing their pets to spend their lives on the plain wooden dowels that come as standard equipment with most cages.

The good news is that poor perch selection is easy to remedy, with lots of choices in specialty bird shops as well as bird-supply catalogs and websites.

Remember three things when it comes to perches: safety, variety and destructibility. Safety because, well, that's kind of obvious. Variety because a wide array of shapes, sizes and materials will help keep your bird's feet comfortable and healthy. Destructibility? Perches, like toys, are appropriate targets for the demolition urges that help keep birds busy, fit and free of boredom.

Here's what you'll find when looking for perches:

-- Wooden dowels. There's nothing really wrong with these standard-issue perches, but you can do better by your bird. While it won't hurt to leave a wooden dowel in the cage, take out the extras and add variety to your bird's environment.

-- Rope. Great stuff! Rope perches are both comfortable and entertaining. They're easy to clean, too. Just run them through the washer and dryer, or put them in the top rack of your dishwasher. One kind of rope perch -- the bouncy coil -- is truly wonderful, combining the best elements of a rope, a swing and a bungee cord. These coils are great fun for your bird, and help to keep overweight "perch potatoes" more active.

The downside to rope is the possibility of your pet catching a toe on a frayed part of the perch or swallowing loose strands of the rope. Watch closely and replace these perches when the rope gets stringy.

-- Mineral. Almost every bird should have a mineral perch, also called a concrete or cement perch. The rough texture feels good underfoot, and the surface is great for helping to keep nails blunt and beaks clean and well-groomed (birds like to wipe their beaks against the rough surface).

-- Skip the sandpaper. Sandpaper perches are uncomfortable and have been known to cause foot problems, and they should be replaced with a mineral perch. Read the packaging material to choose the right diameter for your pet.

-- Plastic. Two kinds of plastic, acrylic and PVC, are both popular because of their sturdiness and relative ease of cleaning. If you choose acrylic, be sure to add other chewable perch options to your bird's environment. In general, acrylic is better than PVC, because the latter can too easily end up causing problems in a bird's stomach. (PVC perches can be great for supervised use, though.)

-- Tree branches. Most fruit and nut trees (almond, apple, prune and all citrus) are fine to use, as are ash, elm, dogwood and magnolia. If you can get your pruners on some manzanita, go for it -- it's a hard wood that can stand up to a lot of abuse. Leave the bark on all branches for your bird to peel off.

Cut the branches to fit in the cage, scrub with soap, rinse well and air-dry. Be sure to break off and discard any insect pods before putting the branch in the cage.

Check all perches regularly, looking for wear and safety problems. Think of perches as replaceable cage furnishings, helping to fight boredom and keeping your bird comfortable and healthy. The extra labor and cost involved in keeping a fresh variety of perches in the cage is more than offset by the benefits of good perches for your bird.

Q&A

Dry, flaking skin

needs vet's check

Q: Our cat's skin seems to be really dry and very flaky. Would a humidifier help? We do live in a very dry climate. -- via Facebook

A: I would guess that low humidity is not causing your cat's skin issues. After all, cats are descended from desert-dwelling creatures, and dry conditions alone shouldn't cause a massive amount of flakiness.

Treating symptoms is never as good as treating the condition itself; in fact, it can more expensive, and even deadly. Before you start adding more moisture to the air, oil to the diet or any other quick-fix solution, your cat needs to see her veterinarian. Once the problem is correctly diagnosed, it can be properly treated.

By the way, other pets actually do have a problem with the dry air of the modern home, most notably birds. Many species of pet parrots originally came from hot, humid environments. For these, dry air presents a problem and may contribute to feather-picking. That's why parrots need to be offered frequent opportunities to get damp, such as by being misted or being allowed to bathe. -- Dr. Marty Becker

Q: Is catnip really safe for my cat? -- via Facebook

A: A catnip high is harmless and nonaddictive, so you can stop worrying.

Every cat reacts in his or her own way to catnip. Some will be giddy, some dazed, and a large percentage won't react at all. (Kittens under the age of 3 months are not affected.) The ability to appreciate the herb is genetically programmed, with slightly more cats in the catnip fan club than not.

Catnip contains a substance called "nepetalactone" in its leaves and stems, and this is what sets cats off. Rolling, rubbing, leaping, purring and general uninhibited happiness are all normal for a few minutes after exposure. -- Gina Spadafori

Do you have a pet question? Send it to petconnection@gmail.com or visit Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker.

THE BUZZ

Renters' pets get

to keep their claws

-- Property owners in California can no longer demand that renters debark dogs or declaw cats in order to keep them in a rented home. The law was popular in the statehouse, passing the state Senate by a unanimous vote before getting the governor's signature. The legislation has teeth, with a $1,000 fine for violations. It was the second attempt for the legislation: An earlier version had been vetoed by the previous governor.

-- Most cat lovers have never been very interested in pedigrees: Plain ol' domestic cats of all backgrounds, markings and coat lengths are by far the most popular. Among cats with papers, the most popular breeds are Persians, Maine Coons, the Exotic (a shorthaired Persian), Siamese and Abyssinian. In the United Kingdom, what Americans call DSH (domestic shorthair) and DLH (domestic longhair) cats go by the much more endearing name of "Moggy."

-- Lost dogs are found more often than cats. Overall, 71 percent of lost dogs were recovered, compared to only 53 percent of lost cats. The primary reasons given for the difference, according to a study in the AVMA journal: About 47 percent of missing dogs had identification on them, but only 14 percent of missing cats had any ID. -- Gina Spadafori

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet care experts headed by "Good Morning America" and "The Dr. Oz Show" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Gina Spadafori. The two are affiliated with Vetstreet.com and also the authors of many best-selling pet care books. Dr. Becker can also be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker.