Animal training

You've adopted a new cat or kitten and chosen the perfect name. But will your new friend learn to respond to it? Teaching a cat to recognize its name is one of the most basic steps in training your kitten. You may have heard that cats are impossible to train, and may already be asking yourself whether...

At home, on the street, on public transport... In the daily lives of our dogs, it is almost inevitable that they encounter stairs. Yet how many times have we seen a frightened dog on a flight of stairs being dragged by force or carried up and down by their guardian? Or perhaps you have seen dogs paralyzed...

A dog's affectionate nature means they are generally inclined to shower us with love. Of course, there are many factors involved. While breed, history and education are all important, each dog is an individual. Knowing that dogs are generally inclined to enjoy our company, finding out that one doesn't...

Many dog guardians talk about their animal companions as if they are their children. This is because the devotion, loyalty, affection, sensitivity and joy inherent in their being makes them feel part of the family. We often idealize them over actual blood relatives. As with family, however, boundaries are...

When a puppy enters the family, it is usually a time of great joy and happiness. It is also a time of upset and adjustment as both the family and puppy adapt to each other's natures. Educating a puppy and making their transition into the family smooth is not always easy. While much of the time a puppy...

The act of biting is part of a dog's body language. Although not very pleasant, it is necessary given how much they rely on their mouth to interact with their environment. While we might associate biting with aggression, there are many reasons a dog might use this behavior. Understanding why a dog bites can...

Unlike most humans, dogs use their mouths to interact with almost anything in their environment. As a puppy, they have to develop this skill so they are able to prosper. This can lead to them biting everything in sight as they explore the larger world around them. It is a natural instinct which we should...

On some occasions, dogs can accidentally defecate and urinate inside the house. But, whether it happens once or often, how can you prevent this from happening again? Are you looking for some effective natural dog repellents for your home to keep your dog from peeing inside? If so, this article is for you! Keep...

Have you just adopted a new cat and are having problems with introducing it to your other cat? Introducing two cats in a home can sometimes prove to be difficult, especially in the case of jealousy and terratorialism. Due to the nature of the species, two cats should eventually get along, but when? For...

Many people claim that their cats are jealous when they carry out behaviors related to aggression or possessiveness. We have to be careful with how we ascribe emotions to cats. We humans can be too quick to look at a cat's behavior and determine they are feeling something they are not. Cats certainly look...

Does your whole house smell like dog urine? If so, you’ve come to the right place! If a dog hasn’t been trained correctly or is suffering from a health problem, it’s likely that it won’t be able to control itself in the house. If your dog is peeing in the house, make sure not to scold it, but rather opt...

Dogs express their emotions, moods and thoughts through bodily expression. In fact, when communicating with humans and other dogs, canine body language is key when it comes to understanding. However, like dogs use their tails to express joy, they also use certain parts of their bodies to express discomfort...

Does your cat like to make a mess? There are many ways to do it, but one of the most unpleasant is kicking cat litter out of their litter box. Not only does the litter go everywhere, but so does anything else they may have happened to deposit in there. While this is unhygienic for us, it is usually simply...

If possible, we should let our dogs have space to roam around. This is why many people keep their dogs in yards. Unfortunately, not all dogs are well-suited to living this way. Distractions in their environment, hunting instinct and even behavioral problems can lead to problems. Chasing cars, motorcycles...

If you have tried to change your cat's food, you may have noticed they have quite a select palate. Their diet is essential to maintain their health and well-being. Any changes to it can put their security in jeopardy. This is why cat guardians can often be alarmed when they see changes in the dietary...

The gluttonous behavior of the dogs can, at times, be funny. However, when it comes to a dog eating rocks, this is a serious and dangerous problem which needs to be addressed accordingly. If your dog appears to be eating everything and anything, it can easily ingest toxic chemical substances, excrement or...

Dogs are not automatons, nor is their behavior completely innate. A dog's set of behaviors is learned in one form or another. While not as advanced as humans, they are conscious animals with high learning ability and emotions more complex than we often give them credit. If a dog's intelligence is not respected,...

The internet is rife with new dog abuse stories, whether viral videos on social media or campaigns by animal advocacy groups. We should be rightfully disgusted, but we can often feel angry without knowing what to do about it. While not everyone will protect animals professionally, it is the responsibility of...

Adopting a dog can be challenging at the best of times. Although they are a loving and fulfilling addition to families, they require responsibility and resources which need careful consideration. When the dog is scared, frightened, shy or traumatized, then the challenge is even greater. It can put some prospective...

Are you wondering ‘Why has my dog started pooping in the house at night?’ Is your dog suddenly acting or behaving differently? There are many different causes behind a dog’s change in behavior, some include an acquisition of new fears, anxiety, stress and more. But what do these changes mean and how do...

Rabbits have been linked to humans for centuries. Since the beginning, they were hunted as food and later raised on farms for skin and meat . Currently rabbits are one of the most popular pets in the world. But rabbit history has a lot to do with understanding rabbit behavior today. One of the most...

The Pomeranian is a Spitz type dog, beloved around the world for its gentle nature and fluff-ball appearance. Although they also stand out for being relatively docile in character, they require a solid education and the teaching of basic commands to live a full life as a companion animal. This education...

Chickens often eat their own eggs, these include both pet chickens and/or hens part of the meat and egg industry. However, although we have mentioned that this behavior is habitual, it is a warning sign that may indicate a health or behavioral problem in your chicken. This is why this behavior cannot...

Cats maintain a strict grooming routine. It is not abnormal for them to carefully lick every square inch of their body they can reach to eliminate dirt and remove dead hairs. However, it is important to stay alert to any changes which may occur in their grooming routine. Although they may groom a lot, overgrooming...

We love our dogs so much they can do no wrong. We have accepted the responsibility to care for them, the responsibility which domestication asks of us. This involves cleaning up their mess and training them to defecate in suitable areas. It's the same responsibility guardians of other dogs have taken...

Like humans, cats have their own individual characters and personalities. However, it is one thing having a strong character and another being prone to aggressive behavior. Aggression in cats is actually is extremely. In fact, according to studies, aggression is the second most common feline behavior problem. The...

Our dogs display a wide range of emotion, many of which seem to make sense. When you grab the leash, they might explode in anticipation. When you feed them a treat, they are evidently happy. When there is an aggressive situation, you might see them look scared. However, sometimes we have to ask ourselves...

We rely on body language to communicate with our dogs. We look to their posture, facial expressions and behavior to understand what they are trying to tell us. Some of the movements they make are very subtle, others are pretty clear. The latter includes jumping excitedly when you pick up the leash or...

When walking along the beach or hanging by the swimming pool, many will have seen how excited a dog will get around water. They appear to know how to swim naturally without us having to train them to do so. Canine affinity with water is so strong, we have named a style of swimming after dogs known as the...

Bonding with your bunny is not always easy. There are so many different factors which lead to how secure your rabbit feels and how much affection they are willing to show you. Not least of these is your bunny's personality. Getting to know the personality of your rabbit is one of the most rewarding experiences...

Many people show affection to their dogs through hugs and, especially, kisses. Some dogs react in a way that seems reciprocal, with licks, while others can growl and turn their faces away. Faced with situations like these, it’s worth asking ... Do dogs like kisses? And to be completely honest, it depends...

While any dog can exhibit aggression, male dogs have some specific concerns regarding their interaction with each other. The triggers to these conflicts may be similar in that genetic factors, trauma or inadequate socialization when a puppy can be indirect causes of fighting. Whatever the cause of these...

The popularity of rabbits as a pet ebbs and flows, but has increased significantly in the USA since 2001[1]. As this popularity grows, veterinarians need to be better able to treat the increasing population. However, the onus of responsibility lies on rabbit guardians who not only tend to their basic requirements,...

Regular readers of AnimalWised will know how much we love cats and work hard to maintain their well-being. However, when the cat in question is a stray cat or a neighbour cat, their presence isn't always as welcome. It's not that we don't want to share our space with cats, it's that a cat sees their...

If you share your life with a dog, you will notice that they have some particular personality traits or characteristics. Some of them may be typical to their breed, others may be completely idiosyncratic. How they relate to people outside of their family will also vary depending on the individual dog....

For dogs, licking is part of their habitual way of interacting with their environment. They do it to other dogs, other animals and even with we humans. Whether due to higher standards or a weaker immune system, licking in this way doesn't come naturally to us. When our dogs do it, their biological make...

Do you know what it means for a dog to be humanized? Well, it is a phenomenon that has lately become more frequent and popular. This concept revolves around humans transcending our way of seeing the world to our animals. Treating dogs like children, dressing them up in costumes and celebrating their...

Shar Peis are one of the most popular Chinese dog breeds. This is mainly due to their peculiar appearance and special character. These dogs are known to be somewhat independent and incredibly loyal, calm and protective over their families. For this reason, it is incredibly important that they are properly...

As with much canine behavior, rolling around in dead animal remains is a dog activity we may struggle to comprehend. We may think they just enjoy filth, but there are reasons behind this action, some of which may reveal part of their canine nature. Sometimes the dog may also engage in eating the dead...

Educating our cats is not always the easiest. While they are not the egomaniacal monsters some make them out to be, they do often march to their own drum. While dogs may generally be more trainable than cats, this does not mean it is impossible to teach a cat a thing or two. Cats are social animals who will...