PERSONAL SHOPPER

CHAIRS

1 PERSONAL SHOPPER

SEATING

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3TUF(TED) LOVE

Patterson Arm upholstered chair in ivory washed linen-cotton (36 by 371/2 by 371/4inches), $999, potterybarn.com.

4WOVEN WONDER

Risom Lounge chair in natural cotton with ebonized maple frame (233/4by 273/4 by 301/4 inches),$1,270, knoll.com.

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5 6 4

PAIR WITH A LARGE HOUSEPLANT TO REVIVE A NEGLECTED CORNER.

1BEACH-HOUSE MOD

Pilar vintage leather chair with distressed-oak frame (25 by 32 by 30 inches), $1,095, hdbuttercup.com.

2SPINDLES MAKE IT SWEET

Jenny Lind chair in Denali denim (29 by 35 by 38 inches), $999, landof nod.com.

ALSO COMES IN GRAY, STEEL BLUE, AND SEVEN OTHER COLORS.

5MIDCENTURY TRIBUTE

Leather sling butterfly chair (29 by 32 by 35 inches), $199, pbteen.com.

6GRACEFUL COMFORT

Graydon chair in Patton Aloe linen (31 by 34 by 38 inches), $1,950, jayson home.com.

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Q.

Diggity dog

My yard looks like a minefield because my nine-year-old Lab is constantly digging holes. How can I get him to stop?

V.C., via Facebook

A. Digging is a normal canine habit, especially when a dog is chasing gophers, prairie dogs, or rabbits, says animalbehavior expert Steven Appelbaum. “If that’s the reason for your Lab’s habit,” he says, “once you humanely get rid of the burrowing animals, you’ll curtail the digging.” Don’t have a pest problem? Your Lab is probably digging to release excess energy or to find a cool spot to lie down. In either case, ending the behavior, or at least modifying it, is doable. Try giving him other things to do in the yard, like playing with treat-stuffed toys (Extreme Kong toy, $15 for large, petco.com). To help him burn off energy, take him on long walks and play rigorous games, such as fetch. And if the cool spot seems to be what he’s after? Consider a small wading pool (Spot Cool Pool for Dogs, $51, amazon.com). Fill it with an inch of water and set it in a shady spot. “Many dogs, especially water dogs, like Labs, will happily lie multiple times per day in the pool and lose the digging urge as a result,” says Appelbaum. If he still doesn’t stop, train him to dig only in a designated spot you’ve marked with rocks or shrubs by burying treats or toys there for him. To keep him from digging elsewhere, bury his waste there. (Yuck, maybe, but it works.) He should avoid the area altogether.

The vets will see you now

ANSWERS TO YOUR HAIRIEST PET QUESTIONS

THE PET EXPERTS

STEVEN APPELBAUM,

president of the Animal Behavior College, in Santa Clarita, California.

LAURA JONES, D.V.M.,

Greylock Animal Hospital, North Adams, Massachusetts.

MICHAEL WELTZ, V.M.D.,

Astoria Veterinary Group, Queens, New York.

Q.

Kitty clash Our 20-year-old cat hisses and swats at our eight-month-old cat. How can we help them get along?

A.B., via Facebook

A. Cats are a naturally solitary species, says veterinarian Laura Jones, so it’s normal for bonding to take time (and effort). “Most of that time is about the younger cat learning to approach the elder calmly and coming to understand when play is acceptable and when to back off,” says Appelbaum. To ease tension during that transition period, “offer vertical space where the old-timer can hide when she’s not in the mood for interaction,” says veterinarian Michael Weltz, who likes the PetPals Cat Perch ($85, wayfair.com/RScatperch). If she has an escape, she won’t feel the need to hiss and swat. When the cats do associate, praise both for friendly behavior. Give them some loving strokes or a treat as a reward. If you keep up the positive reinforcement, the two should be happily cohabitating within a few months.

Q.

Stranger danger

Whenever I take my seven-year-old cockapoo to the dog park, she barks at the other dogs and shakes if they come near her. What’s the trick to helping her socialize?

D.M., via Facebook

A. It’s very likely that she’s shy or anxious, says Jones. To combat this, take her on joint walks with a dog she already knows and reward her good behavior afterward with praise or a small treat. This will boost her confidence. After a few weeks, build on this by bringing your pup near, but not into, the park, to a spot where she doesn’t bark or shake. Move 5 to 15 feet closer each time you visit the park and keep rewarding her, says Appelbaum. Within weeks, she should begin to ignore the other dogs and focus on you and the reward. Also, if you know of a smaller run with dogs closer to her size, you might consider frequenting that one instead.

Written by Stephanie Sisco Photograph by Nicholas Purcell