Animal Cruelty and Domestic Violence
Animal cruelty is a predictor of future violence. More than 50% of violent offenders began with animal abuse. Often, some event will happen in a child’s life that pushes them in the direction of violence.
Top Pet Behavior Myths
Top Pet Behavior Myths. Behavioral issues are not only the leading cause of of pets being relinquished to local shelters, but also the number one reason for euthanasia of pets in the United States.
Sharing Note: Rock Eating Dogs Suffer Results
Dr. Carol, We have two black labs Coal & Belle; they are 1 yr and a couple weeks. When they were younger they played with rocks and chewed on them.
What you can do to Train your Dog
What you can do to Train your Dog
WHAT YOU CAN DO
* If you are lucky enough to start out with a puppy teaching her good habits from day one is your best bet the minute she walks through your door. By giving her a toy to play with , a post to scratch and a litter box to use, you are teaching her what is appropriate to play with and scratch and where it’s acceptable for her to do her business.
Barking
BARKING
Barking excessively is one of the biggest complaints pet owners hear. Constant barking is a nuisance to owners as well as their neighbors. Sometimes a simple change solves the problem, for example, bringing your dog inside at night. More often, excess barking is your dog’s response to being confused emotionally or otherwise.
Coprophagia and Dogs that Eat their Own Feces
Coprophagia and Dogs that Eat their Own Feces
Some dogs that eat their own feces or are coprophagic are deficient in B vitamins and/or minerals. A few may have a pancreatic enzyme disorder. This is called Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency and occurs primarily in adult German Shepards. Most dogs that are coprophagic do not have a medical or psychological problem.
Training Canines to Prevent Theivery
TRAINING CANINES TO PREVENT THEIVERY
Dogs can develop bad habits because of a lack of training or poor initial training. In some cases behavior that was permissible in a puppy is no longer acceptable when the dog is older.
Canine Lick Granuloma
Canine Lick Granuloma
A lick granuloma is also referred to as an Acral Lick Granuloma. It is a self-inflicted circular skin lesion usually located on the lower third of the front or hind leg, just above the paw. The area involved is always one that the dog can reach by licking, which he or she does continuously and compulsively.
Sources and Treatment of Stress for Your Dog
SOURCES AND TREATMENT OF STRESS FOR YOUR DOG
1. Obsessive Compulsive Disorders, (OCD) includes a group of abnormal behaviors that occur as a reaction to stress. Dogs react to stress in different ways which varies depending on their personality just like people do.
Training Your Puppy to Become a Well-Mannered Pet
TRAINING YOUR PUPPY TO BE A WELL-MANNERED PET
Training a puppy can result in a well-mannered pet. It can also mean the difference between life and death. Ten million dogs are euthanized each year because of bad behavior, it’s the number-one reason pet owners put their dogs to sleep.
Canine Separation Anxiety
CANINE SEPARATION ANXIETY
Canine separation anxiety is a complex behavioral disorder that occurs in response to separation from the person to whom the dog is most attached. Dogs with this disorder are often well behaved when the owner or family is home, but when left alone they panic.
Housebreaking your Puppy
HOUSEBREAKING YOUR PUPPY
Good housebreaking techniques teach your dog to relieve himself where and when you’d like him to. Dogs instinctively mark their own territory. Therefore, your goal is to teach your dog the boundaries of his territory. Housebreaking can be learned in four to eight weeks and can start when your puppy is eight weeks old.
Puppy-Proofing Your Home
Making sure that your puppy starts life out the right way from day one helps prevent behavioral problems from developing later in life. Puppies get new teeth until they are six months old.
Training your Dog
Training is basic obedience. It’s teaching your dog to sit, stay, come, and heal. When your dog learns to listen to you, you can do a lot of fun things together. Best results are achieved with training between eight weeks and seven months of age.
Dog Behavior
Most puppies respond best to praise, positive reinforcement, lots of love and rewards. Once you understand how your puppy learns, then try to figure out what he likes and doesn’t like.
Scratching and Your Cat
Scratching and Your Cat
Scratching is a natural grooming behavior that keeps your cat’s claws in good shape and is another way cats mark their territory. Unfortunately, it can also ruin your furniture and destroy your home.
Cat Behavioral Modification
Cat Behavioral Modification
A cat’s lifestyle naturally consists of regularity, territorial definition, low population density, and a hierarchy in which one reproductively active male is dominant. Many pet loving homes inadvertently depart from these conditions.
Cat Scent or Territory Marking
Cat Scent or Territory Marking
Urine spraying is also called urine marking and is not an elimination problem. Urine or scent marking is normal behavior which cats use to define their territories. It usually starts at 5 to 6 months of age when kittens become sexually mature and hormones become active.
Litter Box Problems
Failing to use the litter box is the number one behavioral problem cat owner’s face. It is also a leading cause of euthanasia. All medical and psychological causes must be ruled out by your vet before this diagnosis can be confirmed.
Behavioral Training for Cats
Be sure your home accommodates your cat’s needs, by creating an environment that provides a natural lifestyle for your cat. This involves learning to read your cat’s “body language” and requires consistency, lots of love and plenty of patience.
Socialization and Your Cat
Proper play promotes socialization and a well-socialized kitten makes a great pet. Begin to socialize your kitten as soon as you bring him or her home, ideally at eight weeks of age. That’s the best time for kittens to bond with people.
