behavior – RVO Vet Corner Files

Neutered Male Dogs: Can They Impregnate a Female Dog?

By Deb Haines. “Oh those neutered buggers” A neutered male can still mount and tie with the female, but there is no sperm, so no puppies! The neutering procedure only removes a dog’s testicular sack. While neutered dogs cannot impregnate a female dog and therefore make babies, they can most certainly still have sexy timeContinue reading “Neutered Male Dogs: Can They Impregnate a Female Dog?”

Fear of Men

By Vanessa Williams Fear of men is a common phenomenon in dogs, especially rescue dogs. Sometimes this manifests as the dog running and hiding, but often it causes more concerning behavior like growling and barking. It can be really hurtful when the new dog is afraid of one of the adoptive family members, but it’sContinue reading “Fear of Men”

Child Safety and Dogs

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”

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”

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”

Spay & Neuter: Why Should You Do It?

By Deb Haines An estimated 5 million to 8 million animals are euthanized in shelters across this country every year. Many organizations are trying to decrease that number by opening low-cost spay/neuter clinics to prevent more litters of puppies needing homes. Shelter euthanasia is the number one killer of companion animals. Spaying and neutering isContinue reading “Spay & Neuter: Why Should You Do It?”