Pet Tips
Your neighborhood residents sharing their tips for happier,, healthier... and talented pets.
Pet Tips
Teach Your Cat to Come Like a Dog
LeeAnn, Murphy Canyon
Pick a special sound—like a tongue click, whistle, or the shake of a treat container—and only use it before something good. Make the sound, drop a treat nearby, and let your cat walk to it. Over time, that sound becomes a superpower: you can call your cat out from hiding, in from outside, or away from the door when needed.
Water Bowl Placement Trick
Mica, Tierrasanta
Many cats prefer their water bowl away from their food bowl—instinct says “stagnant water near food might be spoiled.” Try a second water dish in a quiet, separate spot. A lot of cats drink more when the water is in a different area, which quietly supports kidney and urinary health.
Sniff Walks, Not Power Walks
Jeff, Tierrasanta
Most dogs don’t actually need a marathon walk; they need a “nose workout.” Try one slow walk where your dog is allowed to sniff almost everything safely—mailboxes, bushes, trees—at their own pace. Ten minutes of sniffing can tire a dog out more than thirty minutes of marching, because scent work is mental exercise that drains stress and boredom.
Teach a “Check-In” Look
Lisa, Tierrasanta
Any time your dog looks up at you on a walk—even by accident—quietly say “yes” and give a tiny treat. Don’t call their name or ask; just reward the moments they look at you on their own. Within days you’ll have a dog that keeps “checking in,” making walks safer and training easier because you automatically have their attention.