Complete Pet Q & A

Jul 28
5 min read

Originally published in LEO on January 19, 2000 • Updated with modern guidance in 2026

From The Pet Guy Archives

One of my favorite parts of writing a newspaper column was answering questions from readers. Every letter represented a real pet owner facing a challenge, whether it involved house training a puppy, maintaining a healthy aquarium, or deciding if a pet bird needed a companion.

In this 2000 Q&A column, Jeff Seidenfaden answers three common questions covering dogs, aquariums, and parakeets. Although some recommendations have evolved over the years, the underlying philosophy remains the same: understand the animal first, and the solution often becomes much clearer.

Editor's Note

This article is presented as originally published in January 2000. Veterinary medicine, animal behavior, aquarium husbandry, and avian care have continued to evolve since publication. While many of the principles discussed remain valuable, readers should consult current veterinary guidance and species-specific care recommendations for the latest best practices.

Original 2000 Column

The following article is transcribed from the original publication with only minor formatting changes for online readability.

Original 2000 Like Cats and Dogs newspaper column titled "Complete pet Q & A" by Jeff Seidenfaden answering reader questions about puppy potty training, controlling algae in aquariums, and caring for pet parakeets.

In the spirit of the new year, I have been sorting through the piles on my desk and have decided to answer some questions that I came across. I have selected the questions to represent different areas within the pet world. In the interest of seeing the top of my desk again, I will be trying to address most of the letters over the next few weeks.

Why is it that when I take my puppy outside to go to the bathroom, he waits until we go back inside the house to go? Help! — Carol S.

Well, Carol, don't give up! Just like a child, it takes consistency to teach a new puppy. The problem is probably because you stay outside with the puppy when it is supposed to go. When you're outside, it might think it's playtime and will learn to hold it until it is bored.

Here's a tip: Do not play with it outside. Make sure it knows that the only reason you are putting it outside is because it's potty time. If the pup still doesn't go outside, bring it back inside and confine it to its training crate. In 15 minutes, take it back outside and give it the opportunity again. Repeat this process until it goes. And after it finishes, praise it and make it think it's has really accomplished something big. Take the pup back inside and play, play, play!

What can I do to keep algae from taking over my fish tank? Is there something I can put in the water? — Shelby S.

There is nothing more irritating than spending time working on your fish tank and waging war on the algae cycle. To answer your question—yes, there are substances made to put in the water to clear up the problem, but I DON'T recommend you use them.

If you use an algaecide, you will limit the possibilities of keeping live plants in your tank; also, if you read the back panel, you will see they are listed as an environmental hazard.

Using a more natural approach will keep the algae from thriving and make the tank easy to maintain. Just add some live plants to your tank. By adding plants, you will take some of the nutrients away from the algae. It's kind of like weeds taking over your garden—the stronger plant always wins.

Make sure to get an aquarium plant that is easily maintained, like a Java Fern or an Anacharis. Just be sure to remove any plant that dies (it can lower the pH in your water). Also, look at where your tank is placed in the room. If it is near a window, you may want to move it. Keep the light on no more than eight hours a day and cover the glass if you are unable to move it from direct sunlight. You should also find fish food that is low in phosphorus, since algae needs this to thrive.

I have a parakeet, and I'm afraid that he is getting lonely. Should I get another one to keep him company? — Jamie B.

Parakeets are fun little birds that can be a great addition to most families. My family always had a parakeet in the house while I was growing up. We never had more than one at a time, and they always lived longer than the average. Just keep a couple things in mind if you consider getting another: Not all parakeets will get along. If you do introduce another, take it slowly and be fully prepared for them to live separate lives in separate cages.

Also, by having more than one, you will significantly lower the chances of it talking. A parakeet can be a wonderful talker if kept alone. By adding a second, the bird may focus its attention on the new bird and not its vocabulary. It may also bond with the new bird and lose interest in you.

Complete pet Q & A: The Pet Guy Perspective Today

What I enjoy most about looking back at these questions is how they illustrate a timeless truth: pet owners everywhere tend to ask the same questions, regardless of the decade.

The puppy house-training advice remains solid today. Consistency, routine, positive reinforcement, and limiting distractions during potty breaks are still among the most effective ways to house train a puppy. Today's trainers also emphasize taking puppies out on a predictable schedule and rewarding them immediately after they eliminate outdoors.

The aquarium advice has also aged remarkably well. Modern aquarists still recommend controlling excess light and nutrients before reaching for chemical treatments. Healthy live plants continue to be one of the best natural defenses against nuisance algae.

The parakeet question reflects one area where opinions have evolved. Many avian specialists now recognize that parakeets are highly social birds that often benefit from companionship, provided introductions are done carefully and the birds have adequate space. Whether to keep one bird or two depends on the owner's goals, the individual bird's personality, and the amount of daily interaction the bird receives from people.

More than anything, this column reminds us that good pet care starts with asking questions—and being willing to keep learning.

About The Pet Guy Archives

The Pet Guy Archives preserve the original newspaper columns written by Jeff Seidenfaden, nationally recognized pet expert, television host, newspaper columnist, and animal advocate. Originally published beginning in the 1990s, these articles have been carefully restored to make them accessible to today's pet lovers while preserving the original voice and perspective of each column.

About the Author

Jeff Seidenfaden is an entrepreneur, former television host, newspaper columnist, and lifelong animal advocate best known as The Pet Guy. For more than three decades, he has educated pet owners through television, newspapers, radio, public appearances, and community outreach, helping families build happier, healthier relationships with their pets.