Animal training

Generally speaking, it is not a cause for concern if a dog is shy of new things. However, when a dog's behavior becomes excessively fearful, it usually indicates low self-confidence, which should not go unnoticed by its caretakers. This behavioral problem not only shortens the life expectancy of dogs...

It is common for many of us to assume a cat biting a guardian is a sign of aggression. As with all feline communication, we need to look at the context of the situation to understand what they are trying to say with their actions. The reasons a cat bites our hand or any part of our body will depend...

Some of us see a dog licking someone's face as a beautiful expression of love for our canine best friends. Others see it as a fast track to intestinal parasites. Whatever we think of this behavior, it is more important to understand what the dog means to convey with it. Since dogs use their body language...

We may be aware that cats have different vocalizations, but each sound they make can have more than one interpretation. For example, meowing can mean they are petitioning for something they want, but it may equally be a simply expression of affection. With purring, we usually think of it as a sign of...

When we adopt a cat into our home, we will need to expect a certain amount of disruption. Our couch arms will become scratching posts, anything not glued down is at risk of a swipe and we are likely going to find hairs in places we didn't know could get hairs. When they are being litter trained, we can...

Neutering your cat provides many benefits. Not only does it prevent unwanted pregnancies, but the procedure safeguards both male and female cats from certain health issues. Behavioral problems are also avoided, especially those related to reproductive behaviors. While both male and female cats will...

Sometimes, when two or more cats live in a house, there is conflict or fighting between them. When this happens, many caregivers attribute the aggressive behavior of one of the cats to an alpha or dominant character. The concept of dominance, however, is often misused. There is a tendency to view some...

When dogs are in the wild, they have to compete with rival packs over various resources. This can be seen in competition over food, especially during times of scarcity. Domestic dogs which live in homes with their guardians do not have the same competition. Their basic needs are covered, including having...

Dogs use their mouths similarly to how we often use our hands. With an inability to manipulate their environment well with their paws, they use their mouths to explore their environment. For this reason, it is common to see them nibbling on almost anything that cross their path. There is a difference...

Dogs will bite for various reasons, but there is an important distinction to make when determining the cause. Firstly, we have to look at whether the dog has recently been adopted or if they have lived with you for a long time. We also need to look at whether the dog was provoked or if the bite came out of...

When we see the many unsavory places our dog likes to put their tongue, having our hands licked is not always the most pleasant sensation. Some of us find it unhygienic, while others will happily let them lap away to their heart's content. The act of a dog licking our hands is not wrong in and of itself,...

Training and educating a deaf dog can be a real challenge because we are used to communicating with our dogs through words. However, our dogs mainly use body and non-verbal language to express themselves, communicate and interact, both with us and with other animals and with their environment. For this...

Age affects dogs in various ways, both physically and emotionally. For many of us, the tired old dog is a cliché. Once a canine reaches a certain stage, they will spend all their time lazing around the home and often sleeping for longer periods. Once a dog reaches an advanced age, they will start to sleep...

When we adopt a dog into the family, especially if they are a puppy, we need to expect a certain level of pee. Before they are toilet trained, young dogs will urinate around the home indiscriminately. Sometimes that means while we are playing with them on our lap, on our couch or simply when we are standing...

Our dogs use their mouths to interact with their environment and communicate with those within it. While they use vocalizations to communicate their emotions, wants and intentions, they can also use it in other ways. If a dog bites us when we pet them, it is easy to think they are simply aggressive. Often...

Cats are generally calm animals, but they are also very territorial and do not hesitate to use their claws or teeth when they feel it necessary to defend themselves, protect their property or secure their territory. Even between cats living in the same household, conflicts can occur because of differences...

While recording it can make good social media fodder, having your cat round around the house like crazy is often disruptive. They can knock over items, disturb our sleep or generally cause a stressful atmosphere. More importantly, it can make us worry about the wellbeing of our cat. These sudden attacks...

The purpose of toys is to entertain and stimulate dogs and allow us to play and interact with them to strengthen our relationship. Some of these toys can be very expensive, but fortunately there are many that we can make at home from old materials. From teething rings to food dispensers to intelligence toys....

Not all dogs have the same sensitivity to noise. Some can sleep through a storm and others will become agitated at the smallest sound. Their reaction will depend on various factors, but there are some sounds which are more likely to disturb their peace than others. Especially in built-up urban areas,...

The period of socialization begins from the time a dog is a puppy. The most important socialization period is from the age of 3 to 12 weeks. During this time, the puppy learns from their mother and siblings about how to interact with other animals and their environment. If this socialization period is...

When you go for a walk with your dog, their safety is of the utmost importance. This doesn't only mean keeping them safe from traffic or other dangers they may encounter. It also requires us to curtail their behavior if it puts them in jeopardy. One of the most common issues is when our dog encounters...

Cats don't tend to have the same gluttonous reputation of dogs. Although it will all depend on the individual animal, they will often be satisfied with their regular diet. They will meow when it is time to be fed and can come running at the sound of a rustling treat packet, but they will also leave food in...

Any aggressive behavior in a dog needs to be looked at in context. We need to look at the events which have led up to the aggression, the well-being of the dog, their usual personality and any pertinent information which can help us understand the reason for this behavior. Dogs can vocalize through barking and...

When dogs fight, it is not necessarily to do harm, but only to ensure dominance. Whatever the cause, it is always very unpleasant to witness a fight between two or more dogs, especially if your beloved dog is one of the participants. The best way to solve the problem in such cases is to learn to read...

Although domestication has led to companion dogs having a greater sense of security than their wild counterparts, it is important their retain the ability to be scared. When a dangerous or threatening situation arises, dogs use their natural instincts to protect themselves on both physiological and psychological...

Parakeets are social and playful animals that need to be stimulated physically and mentally, either with other parakeets or with toys. If you keep your parakeet in a cage all the time, toys are essential to their well-being. Without the opportunity to explore the outside world, your parakeet will likely...

It is common to hear of terms such as ‘hyperattachement’ or ‘pathological dependency’ when we talk about dogs. In the domestic environment, human guardians are the canines reference figure on whom they most rely. Felines have always been seen as being much more independent, but this is not true. They...

There are many ostensibly odd behaviors cats make which have important reasons behind them. We may think a cat biting us is a sign of aggression, but it will depend on the context and how they bite. When a cat is hissing at us, batting at us with their paws and then bites us, we can assume this is problematic....

The reason why we neuter our cats is primarily for the benefit of both the individual cat and the larger feline population. In addition, there are certain benefits to us as cat guardians. Stopping spraying, marking and urinating outside of the litter box is one of the most practically beneficial in terms...

Dogs love couches, beds and other soft furniture for the same reason we do. They are comfortable places to rest. If we allow our dog on the furniture, there are few things as cozy as curling up on the couch with a beloved dog. This doesn't explain why some dogs will rub themselves excitedly against...

A dog's approach to water is as variable as our own. Some will bound in to any body of water with glee, others will only cautious approach a lapping wave and others still are acutely frightened of rivers, lakes and oceans. The reasons some dogs are scared of water and others not are also varied. Many...

Those who have owned or been around dogs for a long time know that dogs, especially puppies and those going through puberty, sometimes nibble on their guardians or objects without apparent reason. This behavior is also referred to by some pet owners as "cobbing" or "corn on the cob" and consists of small,...

One of the main advantages of having a dog house or a dog pen in the house or garden is that they are very versatile. Among other things, it can be used to educate your puppy, control its space and protect it from danger. In addition, many of them can be folded and easily transported, making them ideal...

Puppies are not allowed outside until they have received their first vaccinations. One of the most common concerns of puppy owners who bring a puppy home is teaching the puppy to go potty in a specific place so owners do not have to constantly clean up the whole house after the puppy. Some prefer newspaper...

There are things our dog can do which are frustrating. As animals, they interact with their environment in different ways and do not always understand the boundaries of human society. This is why it is so important to socialize and educate dogs from a young age. Eventually they will learn what is appropriate...

Cats are extremely intelligent and sensitive animals that have an active and curious nature. Even if your cat seems like a lazybones when it is taking a nap, just show them their favorite toy. You'll see that your cat enjoys challenging its senses and using its intelligence to achieve goals. Nowadays,...

Although horses are great animals and it is inspiring to watch them gallop, there are some behaviors that are unpleasant to watch, such as eating their feces, which some horses practice. This behavior is not only unpleasant, but can also promote the development of diseases caused by intestinal parasites....

It has always been believed that rivalry between dogs and cats is a natural thing. Surely you have heard more than once the expression "they quarrel like cats and dogs" to describe two people who fight often. But is it true that these two animals hate each other? When two animals as different as dogs...

You can teach your dog new tricks and skills to strengthen your bond with them, but also to stimulate them mentally. Done correctly, this type of training can improve the dog's attention span, encourage them to use his cognitive and decision-making functions, and increase their motivation. The dog must...

Recently adopted puppies or adult dogs may urinate after you scold them for inappropriate behavior, which can be surprising and distressing to their new owners. This behavior is called submissive urination and occurs when a dog pees in response to fear or anxiety. This is more common in puppies that...

Although rats may be scary to some people, they are increasingly popular pets, especially among children. They easily adapt to small spaces and do not demand as much from their caretakers as dogs and cats do. However, rats do require some dedication and commitment if you decide to keep them as pets....

Although dogs are social creatures, that does not necessarily mean they get along with every member of their species. Sometimes conflicts can arise, especially when two or more dogs are first introduced. These problems are often caused by a lack of social skills, difficulty sending or interpreting communication...

Even though rabbits make fantastic pets, their behavior can sometimes be confusing to new owners. If you have ever had a rabbit as a pet at home, you have probably seen it running in circles around you, tracing a path between your legs. This behavior, also known as circling, is common in domestic rabbits. In...

Throwing a stick for a dog to retrieve must be one of the earliest games humans played with their canine counterparts. This is because dogs seem to have a natural fascination with wooden sticks and will often search them out on walks. It is common for them to chew on sticks seemingly to pass the time,...

Chasing a ball is one the favorite outdoor activities of dogs. Normally, it is a harmless game that allows them to have fun while exercising their body and senses. Many dog owners might notice their best friends are becoming increasingly obstinate. They never want to stop and seem almost addicted to...

When a kitten arrives in our home, we hope to give them the best start in life. We want to do what we can to ensure their health and happiness, something for which proper socialization is essential. However, not all cats come from ideal situations. Adopting a cat from a shelter or even bringing a feral...

Animals exhibit many behaviors which we know are related to their development. Sexual maturity is an important factor in how an animal behaves, especially since it can affect their hormone levels. One of these behaviors is mounting. As a male dog is reaching sexual maturity, they will start to undergo changes...

It is a mistake to treat dogs as if they were humans. They do have their own personalities and we can love them like family, but they have canine needs and behaviors which shouldn't be contradicted. For some, this leads people to believe dogs can be aggressive when playing and it doesn't mean anything. While...

Every dog has their own personality which is molded by many factors. While genetics will play some part, their experiences, health and training will be the most important factors in how they behave. Puppies will generally be more boisterous than their adult counterparts, but some dogs will maintain a hyperactive...

Domestication has made it necessary for dogs to adapt to the ways of human existence. Living inside a house is one of the most important adaptations a wild animal can make. To navigate this new environment, they have to interact with various objects humans take for granted. Their understanding of doors is just...