Animal training

Leaving your dog at home only to hear them barking as you close the door can be stressful for both you and your furry pet. Excessive barking when you're away often signals underlying issues like anxiety, boredom, or even health concerns. Understanding why your dog barks and addressing the root cause...

A dog who's been attacked can suffer more than just physical injuries; the emotional fallout can really affect their behavior and overall well-being.Helping your dog through this difficult time is essential for their recovery. Healing takes a careful mix of patience, understanding, and the right kind of help. As their...

Teaching your rabbit to use a litter box can transform your experience as a pet owner. Not only does it make cleaning up after your furry friend much easier, but it also allows your rabbit to enjoy more freedom around your home. While many people don't realize it, rabbits are naturally clean animals and...

Ever gazed into your dog's eyes and planted a loving kiss on their head, only to wonder if they actually enjoy it? While humans express love through kisses, our canine companions might view this gesture quite differently. Some dogs learn to accept or even welcome kisses, while others prefer alternative...

When a cat bites another cat's neck, we might first think they are attacking the animal. While this is indeed possible, the reasons why a cat will bite the neck of another are not always negative. The impetus behind biting behavior in cats is dependent on context, with the age and sex of the cat being...

If you're wondering "do guinea pigs bite humans?" you'll be happy to know that these small pets rarely show aggressive behavior. Guinea pigs are known for their gentle and friendly nature, but even the sweetest pets may bite under certain circumstances. Guinea pig biting isn't common, but understanding...

Understanding dog body language is key to building a stronger, more trusting bond with your four legged friend. Dogs are really good at communicating through body signals, which are subtle cues that reveal their emotions, intentions, and even health. From wagging tails to perked ears or yawning, each movement...

Cats are often thought of as aloof and independent, but anyone who’s shared a home with one knows they can be quite sensitive to changes around them. One question that often arises among cat owners is whether cats can feel jealousy. Like humans, cats have complex emotional needs, and shifts in attention,...

When a dog jumps up on us when they are excited, it can create a conflict. We love to see them happy and feel equally pleased that our beloved canine wants our attention, but the jumping itself can be unpleasant. Their paws can be dirty and stain our clothes. Their claws can be sharp and cause pain. If...

Cats are known for being independent, intelligent, and sometimes a bit mischievous, which can make disciplining them seem like a challenge. Unlike dogs, cats don’t respond well to the more traditional training methods, so understanding how to guide their behavior requires a different approach. Effective...

Cats should urinate in their litter box. These are specially designed receptables to mimic outdoor terrain where a cat would naturally relieve themselves and then bury their waste. While they will need some training to do so, it is also a behavior which comes naturally to them. Peeing outside of their...

Discovering cat urine on your floors, carpets, or furniture can be a frustrating and unpleasant experience. While it's natural to feel upset or frustrated, resorting to punishment is not the most effective or humane solution. Instead of focusing on punishment, it's essential to understand the underlying...

Dog aggression is a multifaceted issue that can be both troubling and challenging for pet owners. When a dog shows aggression towards specific individuals, it can lead to heightened fear, anxiety, and potential danger. Gaining insight into the root causes of this aggression is crucial for effectively addressing...

Has your dog suddenly become reluctant to go outside? This change in behavior can be concerning for any pet owner. Dogs may refuse to venture outdoors for a variety of reasons, ranging from fear and anxiety to physical discomfort. Understanding the root cause of your dog’s hesitation is crucial for finding...

When dogs need something, they have a natural way of letting us know. This shouldn't surprise us, considering their social nature and ability to form deep emotional bonds with those around them. Some of the most common — and loud — ways dogs have of communicating with us are through barking. We can expect...

Parrots throwing food to the floor is a common behavior among pet birds, but its ubiquity doesn't mean it is well understood. Although endlessly fascinating subjects for ornithologists and guardians alike, much of parrot behavior is still a mystery to us. This doesn't mean we should stop trying to understand...

Just as with human beings, some dogs are more vocal than others. We may have a very chatty friend who can talk competitively. It is only natural we have some dogs that do the same. While breed and genetics will be a factor, there are many other reasons some dogs bark more than others. It is also important...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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,...

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....

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...

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...

Any dog guardian should understand the responsibility of a dog's care long before they have made the step to adopt one. The care needs of each dog varies according to their individual circumstance. Importantly, a puppy will have different training needs compared to educating an adult dog. With the best...

Anyone who has been fortunate enough to have lived with more than one cat will know that no two cats are the same. While there are general traits common to all felines, each one is an individual with their own personal behaviors and characteristics. They vary widely in their food preference, energy levels,...

Some guardians decide to neuter their dog as a means to resolve aggression issues. This aggression is often developed over time. Many of these guardians are surprised when the issues are not resolved after the procedure has been carried out. In fact, it is even possible for aggression to develop after...

Cars and vehicles are such a common part of our lives, we often forget we once had to learn how to cross a road. Road safety is important because our streets can be dangerous. When we look at these same streets form a dog's perspective, we might start to understand why they can be such intimidating spaces....

Cats are multifaceted animals which is part of the reason we love them so much. Their idiosyncratic behavior makes them cute, fascinating and confusing in various measures. However, some behaviors might seem funny to us, but there may be a more serious reason behind them. Others are a means of feline...

All cat guardians will need to calm down their cat from time to time. They can get excited easily thanks to their drive to play, but we can get confused if they turn aggressive towards us. Even if we have a good relationship with our cat, it is not uncommon for them to scratch or bite us, seemingly...

If your dog is pacing and won't lie down, they are agitated for some reason. These reasons can be physical or psychological, as well as acute or chronic. If it is acute, it is likely the dog is restless because they are responding to some specific stimuli in their environment. If they are chronically...

Is your cat endearing and affectionate with you, but becomes either shy or even grumpy when other people are around? It is a myth that cats are completely independent. A healthy cat with their care needs met should form strong bonds with their human family. Some cats, however, have problems being sociable....

A common issue for many cat guardians is the risk of being disturbed while we sleep. Especially if we want to let our cats have free reign of the home, it is fairly common for our feline to wake us when we sleep. Many cats can be active throughout the night and, even if they have good intentions, they...

When a dog becomes destructive, there is an obvious problem for the household. Whether they destroy toys, sofa cushions or any other household item, the result can be stuffing or other parts of the object strewn across the home. Not only does this create a mess, but there is always the worry they will...

Those of us who share our home with one or more cats probably know that coexistence can raise some issues. Although capable of showing us immense affection and being true companions, there are some basic feline behaviors which can be a little frustrating. While they may simply think they are playing, they...