Dear Porky,
How do you figure a cat’s age? Is it like a dog’s?
Sarah
Dear Sarah,
These estimates are only an approximation, but here is one way. The first year of life of a cat equals fifteen human years. The second year is equal to nine human years, making a two year old cat equal in age to a twenty-four year old human. Each following year equals four human years. So ten cat years are equal to 56 human ones (15 + 9=24 + 8 x 4 =32) Wouldn’t it be nice if humans could slow down their aging in the same way?
Dear Buddy:
I have a ten week old puppy that is always biting. He thinks it’s a game with me. How can I get him to stop and behave?
Dear Joe,
Teaching your puppy not to bite will take you some time and consistency. You will need to do some play acting. The next time he bites, using a high-pitched voice, scream “OW”! Refuse to play or pay attention to him for a few minutes. Walk away from him. If he still doesn’t get the message, give his scruff a shake and scold him in a low, threatening voice. Sound meaner than you are. If he continues or gets wilder, flip him over on his back, gently of course, scold him in the same scary voice, while gently and firmly holding him in that position until he stops struggling.
Sometimes, we give the wrong message to puppies by playing tug of war, and wrestling with them. They find it hard to figure out when they can and can’t use their teeth. Avoid these games while teaching manners to your puppy. Puppies learn about bite inhibition and authority between 5-8 weeks of age from being with their mothers and siblings. This is a very good reason to get a puppy that is 8 weeks or older. If your puppy was acquired before this age, you, as his owner, will need to spend much more time teaching things that he would have learned by being with the mother. If not taught these things, your dog could develop adult behavior problems, so it will be important to be firm and consistent until he learns that biting is not an ok form of play.
The Oswego County Humane Society provides spay/neuter services and assistance, fostering and adoption of animals in urgent need, humane education programs, and information and referrals to animal lovers throughout Oswego County. Our office is located at 265 West First Street, Oswego, New York. Phone (315) 207-1070. Email: [email protected]. Website: www.oswegohumane.org.
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