Animal training
362 articles
If you're starting to litter train your cat or you want to practice commands and tricks with them, it is very important that you understand one thing: you will not achieve anything through bad words or telling your cat off - let alone abuse.
Cats are very special animals; as you know, cats do not base...
The English Bull Terrier is a very sweet and special dog with a unique appearance. If you're considering adopting a dog from this wonderful breed, you should first do your best to learn how to care for them correctly. This way, your future Bull Terrier will become a friendly, stable and happy adult...
Lovebirds (Agapornis) are very popular pets that are native of Africa. Many people decide to adopt a lovebird, whether for their vivid colors or for their happy and playful personality.
As their name suggests, lovebirds are very sociable and loving birds who famously enjoy being surrounded by members...
There is nothing better than sharing daily activities with your dog to strengthen your bond. For that reason today at AnimalWised we'll talk about cani cross or canicross training, a sport that involves running with your dog attached through the use of a harness for the animal, a belt for you and a shock-absorbing...
Dogs are active animals that need two to three walks a day, but do you know why?
In this AnimalWised article we will explain why it is so important to take your dog out for walks, and why letting it out to the garden is no substitute for a walk, and many other aspects about dogs, their needs and their behavior...
During pregnancy, we start asking ourselves all kinds of questions; if we have a dog, those questions will concern our future life with our pet. The fact is that we can't possibly know how our pet will react to the arrival of a baby, and how it will act if we can't spend as much time with it as we did...
We usually think that dogs, being naturally sociable animals, are always going to get along well with other animals. For this very reason, many families decide to welcome another dog into the household.
Just like people, however, dogs can not get along with one another. When this happens, dogs living together...
Many people love Yorkshire Terriers but prefer to have another breed, as it's often said that Yorkies are very loud dogs who bark all day long. While it's true that Yorkshire Terriers are excitable dogs with a tendency to express their emotions by barking, it doesn't mean that their image is accurate.
Yorkshire...
Unfortunately, there are too many cases of animal abuse. This has long-term consequences for the animal, even when it is rescued in time. Mistreated dogs are usually abandoned or removed from their so-called carers after someone makes an official complaint. Even more like other pets, these dogs need to find...
Is your dog scared of other dogs? When it sees other dogs, do its ears go down? Does its tail go between its legs? Does it cower and want to run away, or growl at the other dog to try and intimidate it?
Fear is a necessary and vital emotion: It allows animals to react in the face of danger, but if fear...
Cats, like children, do not need fuss and complication to be entertained. They will have fun with anything that sparks curiosity, anything that moves or, quite simply, anything that you put in front of them. Cats are more creative than they seem!
Sometimes you may try to mollycoddle your cat by buying...
Many people like to have domestic rats as pets. Normally, these animals display the same gentle and affectionate behavior towards people as does any other pet; after all, rats are very intelligent animals.
However, sometimes pets bite, no matter the species. There are different types of bites that...
Cats are very active animals that need daily exercise. It is a good idea to find toys for cats because they will stimulate their mind while at the same time making them physically active - and they are fun!
Just remember that, although the cat can play on its own at home when you're not there, it is...
If you are thinking about adopting more than one dog, or about becoming a professional dog walker, you are probably wondering how you will manage to walk them all at once.
It is very important to know how to get organized and have all the essentials at hand to be able to offer the best care and attention...
Does your dog misbehave? Do you not know what to do when it doesn't pay attention to you or breaks something?
All these situations are more common than you think, and many people go through the same during their dog's training process. Even though dogs are not always well behaved, telling a dog off...
Until your dog has learnt how to wear a collar and lead, these instruments will only be uncomfortable and limiting for it. Once your dog learns how to use them, the collar and lead will become security measures. They will never be tools of punishment, and you shouldn't use them to "correct" bad behavior.
This...
Even though schnauzer dogs are excellent companions in pretty much all respects, it's true that they can occasionally become somewhat destructive. If has happened to you too, pay attention to our tips below to know what to do the next time it happens.
We will give a general overview of the best care for schnauzer...
There are some very clear signs that can tell you that your dog is suffering from stress. Do you know how to spot them?
If you think your best friend might be suffering from stress and anxiety, we suggest that you keep reading this AnimalWised article. We'll go over the 10 signs that your dog is stressed...
Operant conditioning in dogs is a type of learning and developing of new behaviors that doesn't use the the association between stimuli and reflex behaviors that can be seen in classical conditioning.
The principles of operant conditioning were developed from 1938 onward by B. F. Skinner, who was influenced...
Teaching your dog to come to you when you call it is one of the most important exercises for their training and safety, so it is worth devoting time to this fundamental obedience command.
You may use a word to call your dog, or its own name, but it probably doesn't work all of the time. Your best option...
The American Bully is an impressive dog that adapts very well to family life. Before adopting one, you must also be aware that they are very active dogs. Therefore, you should consider whether you have time to provide the exercise they require.
If you have recently adopted this dog, you'll know that...
By nature, dogs are inquisitive animals who love to investigate everything you bring into the home. How do you expect them not to notice the new Christmas tree? If you add to that lights, decorations and a potential place to pee...
A colorful tree appearing in your home can lead to it being urinated...
In North America, Asia and Europe, more and more people are deciding to keep healthy lifestyles with disciplines such as yoga, a relaxing and positive activity for those who practice it. The benefits that this activity provides are such that many owners now want to share them with their pets.
Yoga for...
Those who have had cats know that their behavior can be complex: Sometimes you encounter a loving cat, an independent cat or even a cat that bites - or all behaviors in the same cat!
There isn't a single reason that explains all bites. Therefore, in this AnimalWised article we're going to look at why...
Many people will have researched on the internet how to improve the behavior of their pets. The truth is that pets do not misbehave on purpose; they follow their basic instincts and behave depending on how we treat and train them.
In this AnimalWised article we will describe in detail tricks for living...
Sometimes, after we've left home to go to work or to do a simple errand, dogs get extremely sad and begin to cry. Do you know why?
Dogs are social animals and do not feel comfortable spending the day alone. In addition to crying, when some dogs are left alone they tend to nibble things and damage the...
Cats are domestic felines that have not lost their hunting instinct; they have an independent, adventurous and exploratory nature that often drives owners crazy. Owners must remain alert and informed about plants that are toxic to cats.
However, virtually anyone who has welcomed a cat into their home...
It is one of the most common canine behavioral problems, especially in the case of puppies - although it does happen in adult dogs too. Maybe you don't mind when your dog bites an old shoe or a rag, but what about when it's obsessed with your PlayStation controller or a nice bag or accessory? You might...
When we talk about Roborovski hamsters, we all think of their tiny size and cute appearance. Many people adopt this little rodent without being well informed, taking it home without having done any research.
For this reason, it is not surprising that many people receive a small bite if they are not well...
When welcoming a new cat into your home, you need to be fully aware that this cat will most likely be undomesticated. This means there are behavioral traits which they will need to develop in order for them to coexist happily and healthily in the home. Generally, using a litter box isn't so much a learning process...
Using the muzzle is mandatory for breeds considered potentially dangerous by law which often leads to members of the public thinking the worst of a dog wearing one. However, there are many instances where you might want to muzzle your dog regardless if they are aggressive (actually, the appropriate word...
Dog training is more than just a learning process for your pet. Rather, it's the practice or phase which allows both of you to strengthen your mutual bond. You will get to know your pet and interact with it, and the other way around. Training your dog properly will also allow you to give clearer orders;...
Through active training you can effectively teach your pet not to urinate at home. It's a great way to train your dog to go to the "bathroom", which will be hugely helpful for your puppy's education.
Active training is also known as positive reinforcement, and basically consists of rewarding the dog's...
In addition to the classic dog obedience exercises, your dog should learn other orders that are useful in everyday life. One of them should tell your dog to stay still on command, regardless of the circumstances. This will be very practical and can help you in many possible scenarios.
This AnimalWised...
When dogs are still puppies they can't go outside until their vaccination schedule is complete, meaning they're not fully protected from all diseases. This is when paper training comes in handy, since it consists of teaching your dog to relieve itself in a particular place.
Paper training isn't the...
Dogs are animals with an amazing ability to learn a wide range of orders in order to please us (and to get some treats in the process). One of the best things for your dog to learn is to walk beside you, which is very useful and beneficial if you want to let them off the lead sometimes without running...
Before you start training your dog, you should know that experts strongly advise to make a canine ethogram to know their innate behavior and any conducts learnt up to that point.
An ethogram is simply a behavioral study that you can carry out yourself over an established time period. To do this, it's...
There are many tricks to promote relaxation and well-being in dogs, among which you can find searching activities. They are some of the most commonly used activities in shelters and kennels across the world.
This AnimalWised article will explain why it's so important to practice them regularly and how...
The reasons why cats paw at their water before drinking are mostly related to their natural instincts. Despite millennia of domestication, cats maintain many of the instincts of their wild counterparts. This includes how they interpret their environment and providing themselves with feelings of security....
Classical conditioning, also known as respondent conditioning, is a concept that was developed by the Russian physiologist Ivan Pavlov while studying digestive processes in dogs. It's a simple and dynamic form of learning, carried out by an intense scientific investigation.
This AnimalWised article...
Although we may be unable to speak the same language, this does not prevent dogs from actively communicating with us. This can be done through their bodies, ear positions or barks, as well as other more subtle indicatons. Although we don't share the same vocabulary, it's possible to decipher various moods...
Dogs have it easy - they file their limes whenever they go out for a walk. Cats, on the other hand, are usually kept at home. This makes them turn to objects inside the home to file their nails and keep them sharp and smooth. This common habit can become a problem if your cat uses your furniture - especially...
Puppies are tender, sweet and curious animals. They're at a very important stage of their life where they need to learn how to behave within the family home. The sooner you begin to influence their behavior, the sooner you'll get to bond with this beautiful and kind animal.
Of the many things they need...
It's definitely best to start training your dog when they are still a puppy. Stimulating their intelligence and skills will help you further down the line when they are an adult, since your dog will be well behaved and obedient for many years. You can start teaching your dog to be obedient when they...
If you wonder how to make your dog love you then you have certainly come to the right place. Here at AnimalWised we will help you with some tips; dogs are grateful creatures, and they respond wonderfully with treated when love and affection.
Whether you've adopted a dog from a shelter or you're just...
During your cat's lifetime, it's quite likely that at some point it will be essential to move by car many times for journeys, visits to the vet, leaving your pet with a friend for a few days, etc.
It is true that cats do not enjoy leaving their habitat and tend to get stressed, making a trip a horrible...
Did you just adopt a guinea pig and it's taking a lot of time adapting to the change? Are you worried because you've noticed any unusual behaviors?
In this AnimalWised article we will take a brief look at the various fundamental aspects in the life of a guinea pig for you to discover what may be happening. It...
Canine ethology is the branch of behavioral biology that studies the natural behavior of dogs, focusing mainly on instinctive attitudes and actions. An ethologist is a qualified veterinary professional who has expert knowledge of dog behavior, communication and requirements.
It is highly recommended...
It is sometimes very hard to stop a dog from barking. Barking is a natural system for communication for dogs. They may start barking for very different reasons in different situations. In order to stop a dog from barking we must first know what causes it to bark.
It is important to note that when a dog...
You'll find a wide range of toys and accessories in specialist pet product shops, among which you will find the Kong - a very special dog product that every owner should know about.
It can be used by both adult dogs and puppies, and is a really useful tool for dogs with special needs.
Do you want to know...