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Behavior & Training

  • Crate training is useful in many situations, such as providing a safe place when home alone or unsupervised. Dogs that are calm in their crates experience less distress when they need to travel, visit the veterinary hospital, or stay at a boarding facility. Starting while your dog is young makes training easier, but even adult dogs can be trained to relax in a crate. If your dog shows signs of distress (e.g., prolonged vocalization, eliminating inside the crate, trying to escape, salivation) while using the training methods provided in this handout, consult your veterinarian.

  • Cats can have hearing loss due to increasing age or chronic ear infections, or they may be born with a defect. Deafness in cats can present some challenges, but overall they can have healthy, normal lives. It is possible to teach your cat household routines by using hand signals and body language. It is important to take their deafness into account when considering their safety, and they must remain indoors or in outdoor enclosures.

  • Dogs can have hearing loss due to increasing age or chronic ear infections, or they may be born with a defect. Deafness in dogs can present some challenges, but overall they can have healthy, normal lives. Training is still possible by making some modifications and incorporating hand signals. It is important to take their deafness into account when considering their safety and ensure that they are never off leash on or near a street.

  • Dogs pull ahead and lunge forward on leash for several reasons. Loose leash walking is a complex skill that requires patience, planning, and persistence. Positive reinforcement training is effective for teaching dogs how to walk nicely on a leash once their welfare needs have been met.

  • Cat Behavior Problems: Marking and Spraying Behavior

    Esta forma de depositar pequeñas cantidades de orina sobre superficies verticales se denomina marcaje, y es más una señal olorosa que una forma de orinar. Normalmente, lo que hacen los gatos es ponerse de espaldas ante una superficie vertical, levantar la cola y eliminar orina hacia el objeto en cuestión.

  • Masturbation behavior in male parrots is a fairly common occurrence. The basis behind this activity is sexual stimulation or over productive male hormones. Veterinary attention will help with environmental changes and/or medications used to diminish or halt this behavior.

  • For most cats, a visit to the veterinarian is an overwhelming experience. If your cat’s veterinary appointment is for a routine wellness examination, your veterinarian may prescribe a sedative or antianxiety medication. Natural medicines, also known as complementary therapies, cover a wide range of products including herbs, nutraceuticals, supplements, and homeopathic remedies and may be beneficial in treating your anxious cat. Products such as Feliway® and Rescue Remedy® are examples of natural therapies that may be helpful in reducing your cat’s stress. One of the most important ways to decrease your cat’s anxiety level is to remain calm and relaxed during the visit as this will help reassure your cat that she is safe.

  • Helping Dogs with Severe Phobias During Storms and Fireworks

    Los medicamentos pueden ser útiles en algunos casos, pero sólo puede prescribirlos un veterinario. No hay que olvidar que deben administrarse para que su efecto se manifieste ANTES de que empiece el ruido o la reacción de pánico del animal. Por norma general, se administran al menos una hora antes del acontecimiento.

  • Fears and Phobias in Dogs: Animals and People

    Hay muchas razones por las que los perros desarrollan miedo a personas y a otros animales. En primer lugar, hay que recordar que la socialización durante el desarrollo del cachorro es esencial. Si el perro no ha recibido interacciones positivas, constantes y adecuadas con personas y otros animales, es probable que tenga reacciones de miedo en el futuro.

  • Fear of Noises in Dogs

    Los miedos y fobias se pueden desarrollar a partir de una sola experiencia (shock condicionado) o a partir de una exposición continuada a un estímulo que provoca miedo. Hay perros que presentan síntomas leves, como ir de un lado a otro o jadear, y otros que muestran mayor agitación y pueden llegar a manifestar conductas destructivas y mostrar reacciones de pánico.