I want to get a cat, but I live on a very busy main road, so I am thinking of keeping it indoors. Is that cruel? There are many circumstances in which keeping a cat indoors may be safer for the cat and therefore, arguably, better for the cat. Indoor cats are at lower risk for injuries associated with the …
Dog Behavior Problems – Aggression Toward Children
What is the impact of canine aggression toward a child? Dogs are a wonderful part of many children’s lives. However, fearful or aggressive dogs pose an enormous risk to a child’s safety. Children can behave erratically, move in unpredictable ways and make a host of loud and sudden noises. Children are often very interested in dogs and may want to …
Behavior Problems – Causes and Diagnosis
What makes a pet misbehave? Behavior problems can be due to medical or behavioral causes, or both. A clinical history, physical examination, and diagnostic testing will help determine if there are underlying medical conditions contributing to the problem. Although there may be a single cause for a behavior problem, it is often the combined effect of the environment and learning …
Dog Behavior and Training — Play and Exercise
Why are play and exercise important? Play with owners and with other dogs provides your dog not only with an outlet for physical exercise, but also helps to fill your dog’s social needs. Insufficient exercise can contribute to problem behaviors including destructiveness (chewing and digging), investigative behavior (garbage raiding), hyperactivity, unruliness, excitability, attention-getting behaviors, and even some forms of barking. …
Is This The Best Time to Adopt a Pet?
Pets add fun, companionship and love to our lives, but they’re also a big responsibility. Choosing to add a pet to your family is a very important decision. They require time, energy and finances to thrive as part of your family. Sometimes, adopting a pet may be too much added pressure, especially if you’re experiencing other life-changes at the same …
Dog Behavior and Training — Introducing a New Dog to Your Family Dog
Can I bring a new dog into my house with my existing dog? Dogs are social animals whose evolutionary history makes them willing and able to live in groups. Group living enabled the dog’s ancestors, wolves, to work together to obtain food, raise their young and defend their territory. Much of a dog’s communication with other members of its species …
Signs Your Dog Is Stressed and How to Relieve It
Stress is a commonly used word that describes feelings of strain or pressure. The causes of stress are exceedingly varied. Perhaps you are stressed out by your job, you become nervous when meeting new people, or you get anxious when your daily routine is disrupted. To reduce stress levels, you may seek comfort in several ways. Maybe you find solace …
Guilty or Innocent? Do Pets Know They Have Done Something Wrong When They Act “Guilty?”
Chewed slippers. Scratched furniture. Shredded curtains. Here lies the evidence that your dog or cat is guilty of a domestic infraction. Is their doleful look an indication of said guilt? Do they realize they did something wrong? Or do they wonder why in the world you’re upset? Regardless of how solid the evidence is, it’s hard to convict a pet …
Behavior Changes and Pain in Aging Dogs
As dogs age, we generally see changes in their behavior. The playful ball-chasing and constant running around that we associate with puppies gives way to adult dogs napping in the sun and lounging during evening TV time. And with senior dogs, we accept even more slowing down. It is important to remember, however, that old age is not a disease. …
Puppy Behavior and Training – Socialization and Fear Prevention
What is socialization? This is the period in a puppy’s life where it develops relationships with other living beings and also learns how to behave and act in new experiences. While socialization takes place throughout the first year of life, the first 3 months seem to be the most important time for young puppies to learn about their environment. This …
