By Vanessa Williams A very common reason for dogs to be surrendered to a shelter or re-homed is that the dog is exhibiting concerning behaviors around children: growling, nipping, barking, etc. Often, the dog is placed at fault because the child was “just being affectionate”. However, MANY dogs are uncomfortable around children. Kids are loud,Continue reading “Child Safety and Dogs”
Category Archives: Animal Sense Files
Mouthing and Puppy Biting
By Vanessa Williams Puppies, like human babies, use their mouths for almost everything. For eating, for playing, for exploring and learning about the world. Most mouthing behavior is excitement and play based and is what this guide is directed towards. Nipping and mouthing are more common in puppies that were taken from their mother andContinue reading “Mouthing and Puppy Biting”
Housebreaking Your Dog
By Vanessa Williams First, a disclaimer or two: This guide is for normal, healthy puppies and dogs. If your adolescent or adult dog is having frequent accidents, especially if they were previously housebroken, make sure you see a veterinarian FIRST to rule out issues such as UTI, IBD, etc. This guide is intended for dogsContinue reading “Housebreaking Your Dog”
Separation Anxiety: What You Need to Know
By Vanessa Williams Separation anxiety is pretty common in dogs, especially rescue dogs. It is completely NORMAL and NATURAL for puppies to be afraid of being alone. Puppies cannot survive by themselves and their biology is telling them that being alone is dangerous. If not addressed and taught in a positive manner that they willContinue reading “Separation Anxiety: What You Need to Know”
Animal Behavior and the Scope of this Group
By Vanessa Williams Hi everyone! We’ve had some really awesome questions in this group and have hopefully helped some people get some understanding as to why their pet does what they do! Animal behavior is incredibly complex. There are a ton of factors that go into what drives an animal to behave a certain way.Continue reading “Animal Behavior and the Scope of this Group”
Growl: WhatYou Need To Know
By Vanessa Williams Growling is one of the biggest behavior issues I get calls for. People want to know how to stop this aggressive behavior. But often, the conversation I have with them does NOT go the way they expect when I tell them they have a good dog who’s doing his very best toContinue reading “Growl: WhatYou Need To Know”
Dog trainers: How to choose One
By Vanessa Williams From the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists: Finding a Diplomate Near You – https://www.dacvb.org/search/custom.asp?id=4709 Finding the right trainer can be difficult to navigate. There is no oversight in dog training so ANYONE can say they are a trainer. Different facilities use different methods. A lot of correction/pain based trainers that use prongContinue reading “Dog trainers: How to choose One”
Marking (Dogs)
By Vanessa Williams Marking is a completely natural behavior for dogs and usually consists of urine, but feces may also be used. Both males and females will mark (though males mark more frequently), whether intact and fixed. There are three general categories for marking behavior. Social Dogs are incredibly social animals and their primary senseContinue reading “Marking (Dogs)”
Humping or Mounting: Dogs
By Deb Haines Why Do Dogs Hump? Humping, or mounting, is a sexual position for dogs, but veterinarians who specialize in canine behavior say it often is done for other reasons as well. David S. Spiegel, VMD, who has a behavioral veterinary practice near Swarthmore, Pa., says in unneutered and unspayed dogs under a yearContinue reading “Humping or Mounting: Dogs”
Littermate Syndrome: What You Need To Know
By Deb Haines What is littermate syndrome? The condition develops when two young dogs end up bonding too tightly with each other. It may sound ideal when dogs are such close friends, but major issues can arise down the road. The problem is that their relationship with each other can stop them from creating properContinue reading “Littermate Syndrome: What You Need To Know”
RVO Vet Corner Files 