Animal behavioral problems
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In movies, when someone is trying to break into an old warehouse or similar restricted area, it is common to see a scene where they encounter vicious guard dogs. This dog will be portrayed as one of only a few breeds, one of which is often the Doberman Pinscher. Certain dog breeds gain public visibility...
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When your dog barks at other dogs, it can be frustrating and stressful for both you and your pet. Dog barking is a normal behavior, but it can become a problem when it occurs excessively or inappropriately. Understanding why your dog is barking at other dogs and how to address the behavior can improve...
Various studies have suggested that Chihuahuas show more aggressive traits than other dogs more commonly associated with aggression, such as the Pitbull. Despite these apparent aggressive tendencies, they are not considered potentially dangerous dogs, a categorization which can have legal repercussions...
It can be difficult to tell if your dog has excessive thirst. Many dogs will naturally drink a lot of water or at least lap a lot out of their bowl. When we look at the context, it can help us to know whether their drinking habits are abnormal. If they are drinking a lot of water on a hot day or do so...
You may be aware that dogs will eat grass from time to time and throw up afterwards. It is a common behavior that can occur in healthy dogs, but it is poorly understood. Some animal behaviorists see it as a form of mild pica, where the eating of grass has no specific purpose. Others believe there are...
When a cat comes back from the veterinarian, it is common for them to be a little shaken up by the experience. The stimuli of the car ride, being in a waiting room with other animals, and the physical manipulation can be very stressful. In the case of being spayed, their stress can be even more acute....
Cats are animals that can be prone to anxiety. Since felines can be prey for numerous predators, they are very alert to their environment and are ready to flee at a moment's notice. While this is a normal and healthy response, some cats can have high levels of anxiety which cause problems in the domestic...
Dogs seem to have a predilection for sleeping on top of our clothes, something which can be frustrating. Whether it's because it leads to wrinkly sweatshirts or dog hair seemingly infused into the fabric, it is a behavior we may want to discourage. Whether they are clean or dirty clothes, it is a common behavior...
Dog bite levels can cause varying degrees of damage to a person or animal. Our puppies will often nip at us playfully as they are exploring their environment and testing their boundaries. This is a normal part of canine development and something we often find amusing. Compare this to a vicious attack...
While dogs will lick you as a sign of love and affection, a dog that won't stop licking you all of a sudden might have an ulterior motive. Even when the purpose is affection, it can be a sign the dog is insecure and needs more reassurance than normal. Such insecurity can stem from various factors in their...
We may have understanding of why a dog licks their own feet. Licking helps to keep clean their paws, one of the dirtiest parts of their body. This might lead some to feeling a little offended since dogs are also known to enjoy licking human feet. If we assume this means we have dirty feet, we need to...
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....
A rabbit digging on the floor can seem like an odd behavior since there is nowhere for them to go. The reasons for this behavior are to do with their natural bunny instinct. Rabbits in the wild dig burrows to live underground, allowing them better protecting from both predators and the elements. Larger...
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...
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a behavioral disorder which results in a dog carrying out repetitive behaviors which serve no meaningful purpose. These behaviors are known as stereotypies and they can manifest in almost infinite ways. It is not known the extent to which a dog is able to obsess. For...
Let's face it, dogs are curious creatures. One minute they're chasing squirrels, the next, they're nose-deep in a patch of pebbles, completely entranced. This fascination with stones, while sometimes perplexing, is a common canine quirk. But, what drives this rock obsession? Is it a primal urge for prehistoric...
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...
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,...
In spite of the fact that dogs are usually celebrated as loyal companions to humans, some dogs may display aggression towards their guardians or caregivers. This issue shouldn't be underestimated, as it can harm both the dog and the person involved. Understanding the causes of this aggression, which can...
Witnessing our dogs thoroughly enjoy playtime, particularly during their youthful years when they possess boundless energy, brings us immense joy. However, there may be instances when we observe peculiar behaviors in our beloved canines that raise concerns, particularly if they seem linked to complex...
It is common for cats to become scared at a loud noise, especially if they are not expecting it. For some, this may mean climbing up the curtains or retreating to their safest hiding spot. The hair dryer provides a particularly fearful stimuli since its noise can fill up a room. Some cats will have no problem...
Introducing a new dog to a household can be a big adjustment for both the new dog and the existing dog, and it can often take some time for them to get used to each other's presence. Dogs are social animals and like any other social animal, they have the potential to engage in conflict and aggression....
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...
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 crosses their path. There is a difference...
While this breed is generally a sweetheart which can bond well with many types of family, Shiba Inu biting is a relatively common problem. If you have recently adopted a Shiba Inu and have noticed some biting issues, you will want to know how to stop my Shiba Inu biting me. In order to explain how to...
Cats don't tend to have the same gluttonous reputation as 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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
When your cat bites and scratches you, do you take it personally? Since our forms of communication with our cats are limited by our difference in species, it can be difficult to know what this behavior means. For many of us, the first thing we think might be they are angry or have a problem with us. At...
Does your dog lift their leg and pee inside the house? It could be on any surface, place or object. This means your pet wants to make its presence known and wants to mark its territory. While this may be perfectly normal dog behavior, it is also normal for you to get frustrated and want to change this habit....
It may provide a laugh on YouTube videos, but when we come home and see our dog has strewn garbage all over the floor, it can be a real pain. Not only do we have to clean up a mess, but it also leaves us with a worrying doubt. Since the garbage contains spoiled food and inedible objects, we should wonder...
Walking our dog is not only important for exercise. It is a vital opportunity to meet and interact with other dogs and people. Proper socialization is necessary for young dogs to be able to interact in a healthy way later in life. Just as important is the fact that dogs enjoy being around others, it is often...
As Konrad Lorenz, an Austrian zoologist and ethologist, once said, aggression in itself is just one more drive that an individual presents and that helps him survive. However, when a dog is aggressive with another dog this creates a poor quality of life and stress for the dog. Consequently, it is considered...
Thunderstorms can be scary for anyone. It's raining but every now and then we hear a loud sound of thunder, and sometimes we can really feel it too. For dogs, this sensation is even stronger as they are very sensitive to sounds and even the static buildup in their environment.
If your dog is scared...
Rabbits are sensitive animals, but this doesn't prevent them from being loving companions. As long as we provide the right level of care, we should provide the possibility of a happy and healthy life. If the relationship between a rabbit and a human does degenerate, we are often alerted by signs of aggression....
Dogs express their emotions, moods, and thoughts through bodily expression. In fact, when communicating with humans and other dogs, canine body language is key to understanding them. However, just as dogs use their tails to express joy, they also use certain parts of their bodies to express discomfort and/or...
The gluttonous behavior of 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...
Many dogs suffer from separation anxiety when their owners leave them home alone. Such anxiety can cause dogs to bark endlessly, urinate, and even wreck the entire home.
This AnimalWised article talks about using the Kong for separation anxiety.
However, remember that you should go to an ethologist...
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...
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...
Introducing our dog to friends and family is something that every owner should be able to do; however, some dogs can show insecurity and even fear when they approach unknown people and even people they have previously seen.
If this is your case, it will be important to consider going to a specialist...
A fairly common problem that dog owners need to resolve is pica: the consumption of things that aren't part of a dog's diet. For example, it's not uncommon to see a dog eating socks, shoes, or plastic toys.
Pica is a compulsive disorder that not only ruins your possessions but can also endanger your dog:...
Do you feel a sudden prodding on your face or wake up ten minutes before the alarm clock rings? If it's your favorite furry friend that's waking you up every single morning and won't let you rest the amount of time you'd like to, you may be asking yourself why this may be, if you should worry or not, and...
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...
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...
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...
Vehicle chasing ranks among the most dangerous and frustrating behaviors dogs develop, and one of the hardest to break. It happens to devoted owners with otherwise well-trained dogs, crossing breed and age boundaries with frustrating consistency. However, this isn't just about disobedience. Your dog isn't...
Finding little "surprises" outside your cat's litter box is frustrating, isn't it? Don't worry – you're not alone. Countless cat owners have walked in your shoes, wondering why their normally clean pet has suddenly decided the corner of the bedroom makes a better bathroom. If your cat is pooping outside...