ArcaMax

If you've ever spied the cat urinating, DePorter wants to know if the pet's tail is twitching and if he vocalizes, which would indicate he likely is marking.

Most of all, DePorter wonders what -- if anything -- changed in the household from those times when the cat used his litter box consistently, compared to periods when he has accidents.

"There might be a social stressor, such as a family member who left town, or a family member who's come back from out of town -- anything that is a change," DePorter says.

If anxiety is at least partially responsible, plugging in a Feliway (a copy of a calming pheromone) diffuser, along with a prescription diet from Royal Canin, called CALM, might help.

If you can possibly videotape the cat peeing outside the box, that would be very helpful to your veterinarian, DePorter notes. You also might wish to consult a certified cat behavior consultant or veterinary behaviorist. Based on your description of the car's behavior -- although it is unlikely - DePorter wonders if the cat might be having a seizure. More likely among the possible medical explanations are a urinary tract infection, bladder stones or idiopathic cystitis.

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Q: My dog runs amuck on the leash. I know she's young at five months, but she flunked out of puppy school. Any advice? -- B.H., Macon, GA

A: "Keep working at it," encourages Portland, OR trainer Casey Elizabeth Newton. Begin with finding an appropriate trainer. Puppies should all be having a good time in class, and the trainer should be a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers.

Proper gear will encourage success -- either a front clip harness (like the Freedom Harness) or a head halter (like a Gentle Leader). There's no need for a chain link (choke collar) or Prong collar (also called the pinch collar for the inward spikes on the collar).

"Don't worry about reprimanding the dog for not getting it right; focus on praise and cookies when the dog does get it right," says Newton. "One trick is to back up fast, and also to make unpredictable turns to the left or the right, all at random times, so the dog learns to follow you. A parking lot might be a good place to practice. Teaching your dog to walk with you on leash is much like dancing with your dog, and you're the lead for the dance."

If your dog pulls, instead of playing tug-of-war, ask the pet to come to your side, says Newton. Then, if you can, walk the opposite way in which the dog has been pulling.

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