Our Expert: Gina Spadafori
Why "Outdoor Dogs" Are Miserable
By Gina Spadafori | July 5, 2011What compels people get a dog only to keep it isolated outside, away from the family? I have often wondered this as I walk my dogs down streets lined with fences behind which lonely outdoor dogs…View Full Post ›
Grinding: An Easier Way to Trim Dog Nails
By Gina Spadafori | July 5, 2011Q: We got a puppy a few months ago, and the breeder has offered us some very helpful advice, from socializing to feeding, training and more. One thing we'd never heard of, though: Rather than…View Full Post ›
Me-OW! Signs Your Cat Is About to Bite or Scratch You
By Gina Spadafori | July 5, 2011Human stupidity (from the cat's point of view, that is) in misreading or ignoring body language earns more than a few cat lovers a scratch or bite from time to time -- the result of misinterpreting a…View Full Post ›
6 Commandments for Puppy Training, Plus the Worst Time of Year to Bring One Home
By Gina Spadafori | July 5, 2011Q: I'm a college professor, which means I have time off over the holidays. My kids are grown and gone with their own families far away, and my marriage is a thing of the past. I have done my…View Full Post ›
Easy Fix for Dogs and Cats That Treasure Hunt in Trash Cans
By Gina Spadafori | July 5, 2011Do you have a furry friend that rummages in bathroom or kitchen wastebaskets, only to proudly produce tissues, chicken legs or an assortment of other embarrassing discarded objects? This…View Full Post ›
Petting a Cat That Likes to Scratch You
By Gina Spadafori | July 5, 2011You may have hoped for a cat that purrs like a Porsche any time you offer a rubdown. Instead, it's feasible you ended up with a scratch-happy feline that attacks when you make contact.…View Full Post ›
The Worst Way to Deal With a Loose Dog
By Gina Spadafori | July 5, 2011Reprimanding a dog for running from you is one surefire way to make sure he's even harder to catch the next time. Wouldn't you keep running if you knew you'd get punished when…View Full Post ›
By the Numbers: 10 Reasons Puppies and Dogs End Up Homeless
By Gina Spadafori | July 5, 2011Why do people drop off their dogs in shelters or, even more sadly, leave them in the streets to fare for themselves? Although the housing crisis and the rough economy are forcing people to give up…View Full Post ›
The Case for Adopting an Adult Dog, Plus Questions To Ask Before Taking One Home
By Gina Spadafori | July 5, 2011Puppies are overrated. I say that after spending the last six months working on raising one who's still a work in progress. Faith is a darling, bright retriever who is as good a puppy as anyone…View Full Post ›
By the Numbers: Why People Give Up Their Kittens and Cats
By Gina Spadafori | July 5, 2011Why would anyone willingly set their kitty free? Here are the top reasons why cats end up homeless: View Full Post ›
Everything You Need to Know About Fall Dog Shedding
By Gina Spadafori | July 5, 2011Just like picnics and pumpkin-carving, dog shedding is seasonal. Dogs typically lose their winter coats in the spring, when it is replaced by a shorter, lighter one for summer. In the fall, this…View Full Post ›
