9 pet problems and how to fix them

This story was originally titled "Pet Peeves" in the March 2009 issue. Subscribe to Canadian Living today and never miss an issue!

I'll never forget my first "petiquette" nightmare. I'd invited five friends over for a dinner party, and as we stood in the kitchen chatting, my mutt, Artie, bobbed into the room, dragging his enormous stuffed dog. My friend David said something charming about how sweet Artie was. Then, silence. Everyone stared, mouths agape. Artie was... well... romancing... his stuffed dog. In the middle of my circle of dinner guests. With his typical goofy half-Rottweiler grin pasted across his face. "Oh, my," said David.

It took me a minute to disengage Artie from his amorous activities and heave the stuffed dog into a closet. It took 30 minutes for everyone to stop laughing. I made a mental note to never, ever leave that stuffed dog out when guests are over. Artie's romantic proclivities might not bother me, but my friends were invited simply for dinner – not dinner and a show.

I talked with several animal experts – Michael O'Sullivan, chairman and CEO of the Humane Society of Canada; Dr. Diane Frank, a veterinary behaviourist in Montreal; and Teresa Fulker, owner of Tree Tails Dog Walking and Pet Sitting in Toronto – for strategies that will help you navigate common petiquette dilemmas.

In your home
1. Your cat jumps up on the dinner table, to the horror of your mother-in-law.

It's best to put the cat on the floor. But the experts all agree that the house rules for your pet's conduct are your purview. If you don't mind Fluffy tap dancing through the dinner dishes, then it's OK. But do remember where those paws have been, says O'Sullivan. "I love my animals," he adds, "but I don't put my face in their food bowl, either."

Cats love high places, and tables often hold tasty tidbits. "If they've found fabulous food, then it's worth their while to go check it out regularly," says Frank. The key is to make these places unattractive. Double-sided sticky tape works. Hide cat treats in a cupboard. Creating an alternative perch that's acceptable to both of you can help, too.

Page 1 of 4 - read page two to find out what to do about pets on the furniture!