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Dogs, like people, need to practice their social skills. Spending time with other dogs will help your dog hone his ability to read his friends’ body language and to communicate effectively. These skills decrease the development of dog related fear and aggression. Play groups in an organized or more relaxed setting are beneficial for both your growing puppy and adult dog. Canine and human socialization occur simultaneously and dog owners enjoy meeting new friends, too. Watching dogs play is a great way to reduce your stress level. Socializing should be pleasant for you and your dog, so find a comfortable group and setting and have fun!
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Socialization is the process during which the kitten becomes familiar with people, other animals, and many aspects of their environment. Kittens are primed for socialization when they are between two and seven weeks old. As soon as kittens have settled into their new home, they can begin gentle exposures to a wide range of stimuli that they may encounter as adults.
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Many pets are sensitive to being restrained for grooming. With slow progress and positive rewards, your pet can learn to accept or even enjoy having their teeth cleaned.
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When leaving home for vacations, pet owners are confronted with the problem of what to do with their pets. Should they take them along or leave them at home? Reviewing a summary of boarding options and travel guidelines will make the decision easier while safeguarding the well-being of your pet and providing your own peace of mind.
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Following certain steps and offering rewards and praise instead of reprimands will put a positive spin on a dreaded task. This will help make nail trimming a more pleasant experience for both you and your dog. If all else fails, do not hesitate to contact your veterinarian for further help.
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Deafness does not affect a cat's learning abilities, but it does impact what kinds of cues they can learn. The keys to success are choosing a set of consistent signs and signals and learning what the cat finds rewarding. Deaf cats need special supervision such as leashing or a catio if allowed outdoors, and may startle more easily than cats that can hear, but otherwise can be trained with all the same methods used for a cat with normal hearing.
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Deafness does not affect a dog's learning abilities, but it does impact what kinds of cues they can learn. Two keys to success are choosing a set of consistent signals and learning what the dog finds rewarding. Deaf dogs need special supervision such as leashing and safe fencing and may startle more easily than dogs that can hear, but otherwise can be trained with all the same methods used for a dog with normal hearing.
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"Drop it" is an important life skill for dogs. Playing fetch can be more fun when your dog releases the toy for you to toss. A "drop it" cue can be a life-saver if your dog ever gets hold of something that could hurt him. "Drop it" can be easily trained using positive-reinforcement methods.
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Teething in puppies lasts from about 3 to 6 weeks of age and again from 12 to 24 weeks of age. Safe chew toys are an important source of energy release, but if puppies are not stimulated sufficiently, or supervised carefully, they will chew elsewhere. Occasionally, retained baby teeth or other dental abnormalities can occur that need to be addressed by your veterinarian. It is important to get your puppy used to having their mouth manipulated for exams and teeth brushing.
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Weight loss in cats can be caused by many conditions including inadequate intake to meet energy requirements, poor quality nutrition, and many different medical conditions. Testing for weight loss starts with a thorough history and physical exam. If the cause of weight loss is not clear, then screening tests including a CBC, biochemistry, T4 testing, urinalysis, and fecal tests are performed to further investigate. Based on the results of these tests, more specific diagnostic tests such as imaging, bile acids, or ACTH stimulation may be needed to determine the reason for the weight loss.