Animal behavioral problems

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...

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...

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,...

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...

Every year, as summer celebrations and holiday festivities light up the night sky, countless dogs across the country experience hours of genuine terror. Dogs experience the world primarily through their senses, and their hearing is dramatically more sensitive than ours. What seems like reasonable celebration...

One of the most important basic obedience exercises is teaching your dog to "come when called". A skill that's essential for their safety, good communication, and harmonious living together. However, it's crucial to practice this command thoroughly if you want your dog to respond reliably whenever you call...

There’s nothing more frustrating than a dog that won’t stop barking when someone knocks at the door. Whether it’s excitement, anxiety, or a protective instinct, constant barking can disrupt your home and stress both you and your pet. But why does your dog bark so much when they hear a knock or the doorbell?...

Cat fights can be tough on everyone, both you and your furry friends. But don't worry, with a little patience and the right approach, you can help your cats get along better. While the occasional spat is normal, constant fighting isn't. The trick is to break those bad habits and create a calm and secure...

Known as polydipsia, increased water intake is more than simply being thirsty. Needing to drink all the time is likely the sign of a physical health issue, although environmental and emotional factors may come into play. As with any clinical sign, looking at the context of excessive thirst will help a...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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....

Jealousy in dogs is not necessarily an emotion of which dogs are capable. Humanizing a dog is dangerous as it can lead to improper care, even if a guardian is well intentioned. By ascribing human emotions like jealousy, we may mask the true underlying problem and fail to address it. With this context,...

You will see a dog personality change due to alterations in their behavior. These changes can be brought on by physiological, psychological or environmental factors, but even the passage of time will affect our dog's personality to varying degrees. While we may be concerned if our dog's personality...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

When faced with their dog suffering from separation anxiety, many people resort to adopting a new puppy to keep the other dog company in order to rectify the problem. Perhaps this was the reason why you adopted a puppy. What many people don't expect is for the adult dog to reject the new member of the...

The American pit bull terrier, or simply the pit bull, is a very well known breed. They are regularly considered to be one of the most aggressive dogs, often bought to reinforce security at home. But the truth is that they aren't responsible for this social controversy. Rather, they have been the victims...

It is no secret that cats are very neat animals, they do not only keep themselves spic and span but they also like to keep the places where they spend time tidy, such as their beds, litter boxes, feeders and other areas of the house. With this in mind, at AnimalWised we know that when a cat decides...

A dog is considered man's best friend. The bonds that dogs are able to create with people are hard to break, because they provide company and a loving and unconditional loyalty that is almost impossible to compare with other forms of affection. However, who has not got angry with their a dog, whether...

Dogs can be destructive simply by being their lovely canine selves. If they hear the feed bag being opened, its easy enough for an excitable dog to knock something over in their haste to eat. They often don't know their own strength and can damage something while playing. It is important to distinguish...

Dogs can be possessive with their toys: this is not a problem when they simply try to avoid us when we attempt to take them away, but it can become worrying when dogs growl or threaten to bite when approached. In that case, the dog is sending us a clear message: "This is mine, take another one". When...

Dogs are generally very social animals who enjoy the company of other pets and people. However, a dog may become aggressive because of certain circumstances: this is a very serious behavioral problem that may jeopardize its safety and that of people. If your dog is aggressive with people, you should look...

To a cat, a hanging cable or wire is an enticing toy. The same goes for cords, rubber bands, ropes and ribbons - any hanging household item! For your cat it is the best distraction to play and do its thing with them. Your cat is probably a specialist in munching through electrical cords. They will have...

If a dog won't eat unless we are around, it can be a problem. Although it may simply be a force of habit, they might have issues with feeling unsafe, poor education or even separation anxiety. Diet is the foundation of canine health and a dog's approach to food is a reflection of their well-being. If...

Cats may engage in the behavior of knocking or throwing things on the floor for various reasons. It can be influenced by their natural instincts and behavioral traits. It can equally be influenced by the level and quality of care they receive. Although many guardians think cats do not need training, they...

Pit bulls are one of the most popular breeds exploited for dog fighting. For this reason, more and more people get the impression that they are dangerous. In this article from AnimalWised, we will go through whether pit bulls are violent breeds, how to avoid dog fights and lastly, how to safely make...

If you have decided to adopt or foster an adult cat but you cannot socialize them with fellow cats or dogs, you have came to the right place. In this AnimalWised article we will tell you all the factors that influence the socialization of cats and your best options to integrate them into your home. When...

Most dogs will bound at the door when the slightest possibility of going for a walk presents itself. If the word ‘walk’ is mentioned or you pick up their leash, the dog often becomes very excited. This is because dogs want to explore their environment, smell new scents, mark their territory and meet...

A dog eating feces is not necessarily a problem, as long as it is infrequent and the feces itself causes no significant health issue. Frequent consumption of feces is serious health issue and eating feces which is contaminated with pathogens can be cause life-threatening diseases. The consumption of poop...

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...

Dogs communicate in many ways, dog wagging, whining, barking and even growling. These behaviours have different meaning as they try to communicate their different emotions to their caregiver. In this AnimalWised article we're going to talk about why your dog is growling at you, the meaning and how to stop...

The Yorkshire terrier is a small dog that is easily trained, it is not usually an aggressive dog. However, if they have received a bad education in the first months of life or have suffered a traumatic experience, they can become an aggressive dog that is difficult to treat. If you have noticed a change...

Having your cat meow at night isn't uncommon, however it can be very troublesome for caregivers that need a good night sleep. There's a number of reasons why your cat won't stop meowing at night. Thankfully, there are also a number of solutions. In this AnimalWised article we're going to explain the reasons...

Cats are animals that love to hide, especially in boxes, although they do not always do it for fun or in search of tranquility. There are some situations that will annoy your cat, even causing them stress, such as the arrival of strangers in your home. Knowing why cats hide when people visit will not...

While all dogs will have their own personalities, it is not uncommon for dogs to ignore people. With strangers, many dogs are reserved or are simply so strongly bonded to their guardian that they do not have interest in other humans. However, a dog ignoring their owner completely is not common and likely...

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...

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...

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....