Posts in Category: Training & Behavior

Anyone who has had an animal in their life can attest to the fact that pets can make a huge impact on us. Did you know, though, that there is actual scientific evidence that animals are good for us? In particular, pet-assisted therapy can be instrumental for many people. The benefits of therapy animals abound.

When you think about bringing home a new pet, you may worry about how your resident pet might react. It is totally possible they’ll welcome a newcomer, but what if they don’t? You could be creating a stressful situation for at least one animal, if not both. The good news is that there are tactics that take everyone’s feelings into account in order to safely introduce a new pet to your existing one. 

Establishing and maintaining a pet’s daily routine is one of the best things you can do for their mental and physical health. The ability to anticipate the timing of certain events like bathroom breaks, meals, or walks gives them stability and confidence, and helps to build trust at home. Sometimes a pet’s profound attachment to their owner, combined with unsettling solitude, can lead to separation anxiety. Dealing with separation anxiety in pets can be challenging, but there are special strategies to soothe a pet’s symptoms.

By: Karen Fazio, CDBC

Back to school is an exciting time for most families, but not always for their pets. Sudden changes in routines, withdrawal of attention, and turning back clocks can cause some pets to exhibit unwanted issues.  These issues can include depression, separation anxiety and destructive behaviors.

Luckily, there are some things we can do, 1-2 weeks before school starts, that may help your pet(s) adjust to such a big change in their schedule and routine.

Playing with our pets is fun—and quite necessary for the healthy psychological development of our furry friends. For dogs and cats, pet toys often play a major role in playtime and their development, as they provide mental stimulation, learning opportunities, and a chance for pets to interact and bond with their humans.

Dogs use barks to convey loneliness, hunger, playfulness, curiosity, stress, and other needs. They are masters at communication, but their success largely depends on who is listening to them. What do some of the most common dog barks sound like, and how can we answer the call?

Beyond Body Language

Dogs say a lot with their body language. We can often tell how they’re feeling based on how their ears, tail, and posture appear. Interpreting canine body language is essential to learning their needs and being able to effectively provide for them. 

Some dogs rely heavily on their body positioning to convey their emotional and physical states. These dogs may only express themselves vocally when they absolutely have to. Other pups have a unique blend of body language and barking that is highly effective at communicating with humans. 

Cats are usually recognized as more mysterious than their canine counterparts, and yet, dogs have plenty of confounding behaviors. Take, for example, their proclivity for barking at nothing (that you know of). Some dogs may feel the urge to constantly bark, others may only bark in certain areas of the home, such as the middle of the living room, or the corner in the kitchen. The types of dog barks known to dog owners are definitely varied, but one thing is certain: it’s time to figure out the logic behind them.

One of the greatest aspects of living with a cat is their instinct to use their litter box for all their bathroom needs. With the implicit understanding that their litter box is the only place for certain activities, cats make it their own personal space (as long as any waste is removed with delay) to use whenever they prefer. Things don’t always go swimmingly for cats in this department, though. There are various reasons behind litter box problems that range from simply exasperating to downright dangerous, and it’s key to know the difference.

We know that dogs sense and react to human emotions, as evidenced by their behavior when we’re either up or down. Ongoing research into canine behavior will continue to emphasize just how in-tune dogs are to their people. In fact, scientists have proven that dogs employ certain parts of their brains just for processing the emotions belonging to their special people. Along the journey of dog ownership, some owners notice an inexplicable, awkward discomfort to various human emotions, including intense physical or emotional pain. In a species known for emotional depth, why does crying creep them out?

Modern dogs often face long periods of time indoors without attention, activity, or stimulation. Their owners work and travel more, busy family activities take priority, and dogs are sometimes left to their own devices. Loneliness, boredom, and fear of abandonment create stressful behavioral problems that affect us all. Pet daycare is a great option to help with these issues, and has the potential to be a game-changer for many families.