Articles
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Dogs are smart, and we see examples of their intelligence through both scientific research and real-life situations. They can learn by watching, cooperating with another dog or person, or just by being in their environment over time.
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It is important to understand your dog's body language for your dog's emotional comfort as well as to assure safety. Dogs use subtle signals to reveal their comfort in social interactions. Through their body language, dogs communicate fear, anxiety, and frustration. When signals are not recognized, dogs may become frustrated or anxious and their communication can escalate to more overt threats.
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When you bring a child into your home, it is easy to forget that your pets will need to make some adjustments, too. Fortunately, there are ways to prepare your pet for the new addition. This handout provides some helpful tips for how to make the transition smoother for your family and your pet.
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It is important to prepare your dog for a new baby, particularly if the dog has not been exposed to children before. Most dogs readily accept infants after an initial period of adjustment and curiosity. Even the friendliest dog should be supervised when the baby is nearby.
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Getting a new puppy is an exciting time and there is no perfect science to picking the perfect puppy. Have a brief look over them physically with their littermates as well as seeing how they interact together and with you. Be sure to take your puppy to a veterinarian as soon as possible to check for any health problems.
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Clonidine is a medication that is used off label to treat behavioral disorders in dogs, particularly anxiety- or phobia-related. It is often used as supplemental therapy in pets that do not respond to conventional therapies.
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Collars and harnesses can be used to contain dogs properly and can enhance the training process. Choosing the right collar or harness for a dog is important. Correct selection, fit, and use are crucial for any training tool's success.
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Compulsive disorders are repetitive behaviors done so frequently that they interfere with a dog's daily life. Some behaviors performed compulsively can cause physical injury. Compulsive disorders may reflect underlying behavioral illness, medical illness, or a combination. Treatment programs should address the behavioral and medical causes. Some aspects of behavioral treatment may need to be continued for the life of the dog.
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Dexmedetomidine is a sedative and tranquilizer used in the treatment of fear and anxiety in dogs (Sileo) and as a sedative and pain medication in both dogs and cats (Dexdomitor). It is also used off label (extra label) as a pre-anesthetic or tranquilizer in exotic pets.
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Behavior problems in pets can be due to physical illnesses, behavioral illnesses, or both. In addition, some behaviors that you find undesirable are perfectly normal for a dog. It is always important to identify and treat underlying medical physical conditions once they have been identified. In most cases, physical and behavioral conditions must be treated simultaneously.