Animal Behavior Category

Loud noises like thunderstorms, fireworks, or even household appliances can trigger anxiety in many pets, especially dogs. If your dog is scared of thunder, you’re not alone. Noise-related fears are among the most common behavioral issues in pets. Fortunately, there are several techniques for reducing fear of loud noises and thunderstorms to help your furry…

If your backyard looks more like a construction site thanks to your dog’s relentless digging, you’re not alone. Many pet parents struggle with this common — and frustrating — canine habit. While digging is instinctual, it can cause serious damage to your lawn, flower beds, and even your furniture if it happens indoors. Fortunately, there…

Playtime isn’t just about having fun—it’s a fundamental part of a dog’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Whether it’s a quick game of fetch, wrestling with other pups, or solving a puzzle toy, dogs need regular play to stay balanced and happy. But why is play so essential, and what does science say about it?…

Dogs can’t talk, for better or worse, but they can still communicate their boredom in ways that are impossible to ignore. They may bark, dig, chew, or get too excited. These unwanted behaviors indicate that the dog is yearning for some sort of stimulation, often stemming from instinctual behaviors they’d like to act out. To…

Dogs and humans share common threads of history. Our relationship can be traced back tens of thousands of years — possibly even hundreds of thousands, by some estimates.  Experts theorize that dogs were first domesticated towards the end of the last ice age. That would mean dogs have been around longer than pottery, farming, or…

A good night’s rest is the foundation for a productive day — not just for humans, but for dogs, too.  From puppyhood to the golden years, a healthy sleep pattern is essential for a dog’s well-being. We humans can relate! No one works well after uncomfortable, interrupted sleep. Getting enough sleep can impact dogs’ learning…

Getting a new pet is an exciting, lifelong commitment for a pet owner.  However, this change will also be a lifelong commitment for any pets you currently have in the household. When they experience a consistent routine, animals get comfortable with their living situation pretty quickly.  When you add a new pet to this mix,…

Dogs have different ways of expressing their emotions than people do. When they feel discontent, they’ll show you through a few familiar patterns. For one reason or another, a dog may decide to fixate on an undesirable habit — and this can happen out of nowhere. It may not necessarily be the owner’s fault that…

  Terriers. Some might say they’re the Joe Pesci of the dog world: small, fearless, spirited, and irreplaceably distinctive. Unlike Joe Pesci, who’s largely retired from the spotlight, terriers continue to be highly visible and popular around the world (please don’t come after us for saying this, Mr. Pesci!). Originally, these dogs were bred by…

Having a pet in the home certainly changes our day-to-day life in huge ways.  Pets bring out the nurturing side of their humans, and, in turn, they become better caregivers, but how can having a pet improve a person’s own wellness? Mental health is impacted by many factors and is, in some ways, far less…