Animal training

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...

While we want to ensure all of our interactions with dogs are healthy, there are circumstances when we might want them to stay away from certain places. This can be for both the benefit of the dog and ourselves. Whether we want to stop them peeing in our yard, keep them away from dangerous objects or simply...

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 territorialism. Due to the nature of the species, two cats should eventually get along, but when? For...

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...

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 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...

Despite the many animal rights organizations across the world standing up to protect dogs, animal abuse against canines is still pervasive. We only need look at the many videos on social media showing dog rescues for dogs that have been abandoned, neglected or severely abused. When we see a dog in need...

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 emotions, many of which seem to make sense. When you grab the leash, they get excited. When you feed them a treat, they are evidently happy. When there is an aggressive situation, you might see them look scared. There are times we may have to ask ourselves why is my dog...

Dogs lifting their front paw is a common trick that is taught in obedience training. For most dogs, it is a behavior which can be easily assimilated and is often one of the first lessons they learn. When a dog lifts their front paw regularly without being given the command, it might mean they want to communicate...

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...

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...

Dogs roll on dead animals and other stinky materials as a part of their territorial behaviors. As with much canine behavior, rolling around in dead animal remains is an activity we may struggle to comprehend. We may think they just enjoy filth, but there are reasons behind this action, some of which...

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...

Have you noticed that your dog has recently been chasing shadows compulsively? If so, this behavior should not be ignored. At first it might seem fun or funny, but a dog that is excessively chasing shadows could be showing warning signs. Chasing shadows can occur as a result of serious stress and behavior-related...

The sound of a hairdryer can be fairly piercing even to human ears. Since dogs can hear almost twice as many frequencies of sound than humans, hair dryers can appear to be shrieking monsters rather than helpful appliances. For this reason, it is understandable your dog can become agitated or even frightened...

Behavioral problems in dogs should not be something that is ignored. In fact, behavioral problems in dogs should be taken very seriously, as it in one of the main reasons behind dog abandonment. It is important that if you notice behavioral problems in your dog: you deal with them as soon as possible....

Canine aging is a natural process in which a dog’s organism undergoes morphological and physiological changes, which can also intervene in behavior. Like us, when dogs reach a certain age, they can experience certain changes when performing behaviors and actions. These changes favor the appearance of behavioral...

In this AnimalWised article, we will be offering you a guide on how to train basic level obedience exercises for your canine. Bare in mind, if you want to train yourself to become a professional in canine education, this is not the way, as you need to be qualified through a course. In this short guide...

Chihuahua are loving, curious and energetic dogs. However, sometimes it's very important for them to listen to our orders as it can potentially keep them safe in certain situations. This is why it's a great idea to start training your Chihuahua from a young age. Not only will it keep them mentally and...

According to the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), up to 6.5 million animals are abandoned every year in the USA alone. One of the main reasons for abandonment is the aggressiveness these animals can develop either towards people, animals or other dogs. Many people with...

One of the most common patients in exotic animal veterinary clinics is the parrot. Whether they be a lovebird, cockatiel or macaw, they are prone to certain ailments. Some of these can be exacerbated by their living conditions, but it is not always easy to detect the signs. Common diseases include colibacillosis,...

One of the most common problems we face when talking about cats, is their nails. Often when playing or petting them you might find that they claw and/or get so excited that they scratch you. This scratching may be accidental, but sometimes it can be done on purpose. At times these scratches can be so...

Cats can be scared of their human guardians for various reasons that can be environmental, behavioral or physical. It is very important to distinguish between a cat that is scared all of a sudden and a new cat being scared when they enter the home. It is common for a cat to be scared when they enter any new environment,...

Barking is the main form of canine communication. Even though barking is a behavior characteristic of the species, in some cases barking can become a problem. Barking, if excessive, can appear as a negative symptom or as a behavioral problem linked to insufficient or inappropriate training or education. Do...

Unfortunately, the mishandling of Pit Bulls by some dog owners has caused pit bull dogs and their fellow friends to suffer an unjustified bad reputation around the world. Although it is true that genetic inheritance does influence the temperament of a dog, its behavior will depend fundamentally on its...

There are several reasons that can lead a cat to sleep in its litter box, such as: a stressful situation, the arrival of a new member to the home or the discomfort of its bed. Therefore, it is our obligation to analyze the situation, find the exact cause that motivates this change in their behavior and,...

A cat biting our ankles is a relatively common occurrence, partly because of their size. When we walk along the room and they are on the floor, our ankles are an easy target for them to attack. They don't usually cause much damage to the ankles themselves, but this behavior can be dangerous as it provides...

We're sure that playing with your dog is one of your favorite activities, be it a puppy or an adult dog. Play not only strengthens the bond between canine and human, but also constitutes as good exercise for both, allowing for a way to take advantage of time spend together having fun. Sometimes a dog...

If you have adopted a hamster as a pet, you've likely seen it biting its cage from time to time. Even if you haven't seen it, you may have heard a hamster biting its cage at night, the metal bars reverberating the sound through your room. It is common practice for many hamsters, but it if it is done with...

Jealousy is not a personality trait reserved only for humans[1]. It is common to see many cats either gradually or suddenly become possessive over their human guardians. While some people may take this as a simple sign of affectionate attachment, a possessive cat can actually be a risk to themselves,...

People who are generally fearful or act cowardly in a given situation are called ‘scaredy-cats’ for a reason. Felines are known to become frightened at the drop of a hat. The cause can be seemingly innocuous stimuli such as dropping something on the ground or moving past them quickly. This isn't because cats...

Some cats are natural hermits. They somehow manage to find spaces in the house you have never even seen before, hiding away for naps or just some personal time. It's even common to spend all day calling their name just to find out they've discovered a cosy spot near the airing cupboard. However, some...

If it were up to some family members, they'd happily trade a brother or sister for more feline friends about the house. At least they don't take all the good cookies and hog the computer. They are affectionate, entertaining and full of personality. However, the more cats you have, the more responsibility...

There is no doubt that the question of how to introduce a second cat into your household is the most common among cat owners who consider that their best friend needs company. We know how difficult it is for us to adopt a single kitten, either because we love these beautiful animals, because we want to...

If you have one or more cats, you've probably been through this situation: your cat is licking you quietly... and all of a sudden they bite you! What has happened? Don't they like the massage and petting you were giving them? Why do they engage in this conduct? In this AnimalWised article we will enter...

An aggressive ferret is a real problem for both them and us, their family. These pets are much appreciated around the world for their intelligence and restlessness, but in spite of that, sometimes this nice mammal can show hostile attitudes. To solve this problem, the fundamental thing is to understand their...

Does your cat sleep a lot during the day and become a relentless adventurer at dawn? In part, it is important to understand that felines developed predominantly nocturnal habits during their evolution; and their senses (mainly their vision) allow them to perform better under dimmer lights, ensuring successful...