I was just sitting outside on my friend's lawn with my dog, who was tied to a tree branch about 20 feet away (that I checked for strength before tying her up) and quietly watching squirrels. A woman walked by and smiled at us, and my dog lunged at her, breaking the tree branch, and proceeded to jump up on her and ram her nose into her, barking. I feel absolutely terrible and have no idea how to fix this. [more inside]
posted by emilyd22222 on Sep 17, 2010 - 31 answers

Cat Behavioralist Filter: Can I get my cat to stop chewing on her tail in a trance-like fashion? [more inside]
posted by airguitar2 on Jan 19, 2010 - 14 answers

My husband has given me a deadline of two weeks to keep our cat from waking us up at night. If I can't change her or find a home for her he will insist on giving her to a shelter. (alternatively, if you live near Ft. Wayne In and would like to adopt the cat) [more inside]
posted by Niomi on Jun 9, 2009 - 131 answers

I am a biology student at the University of Utah specializing in animal behavior, and I have a particular interest in cephalopods (squid, octopi, cuttlefish.) Everything I know about them is from reading, and I would love to have the opportunity to observe one in real life, and perhaps even interact with it if that would be possible. Does anyone in the Salt Lake area have a pet octopus or know of one that I might be able to meet?
posted by Cambrian_Sea on May 7, 2009 - 7 answers

How do I find a cat whisperer/pet behavioralist in Santa Barbara, CA? Is there some sort of association or something out there? [more inside]
posted by k8t on Mar 15, 2007 - 10 answers

Cat Filter. We just lost an elderly cat, leaving us with only one. Potato Chip is 4, spayed, playful, and large-and-in-charge. (Really, she's like 20 lbs.) She used to bully the older cat--eat her food, ambush her out of the litter box, etc.--and doesn't seem to notice that she's gone now. I like to have 2 cats around and intend to get another. My question is, how can I minimize the bullying and maximize the peace of our happy home? I'm thinking a kitten, since a kitten would naturally be submissive to an adult. Does that sound right? Should this kitten be male or female? (Neutering will be done before we bring new kitty home, if necessary.) Rambunctious or shy and retiring? It's really a crapshoot, I know, but all opinions are welcomed.
posted by scratch on Feb 2, 2005 - 12 answers