Fear Free Happy Homes
Reading Time: 3 minutes Pheromones play a significant role in the social behavior of many species, including dogs, cats, and possibly humans. Although our pets cannot consciously control pheromone secretion, the chemicals can influence how they feel in certain situations and with whom they form social bonds. Dogs and cats rely heavily on pheromone communication, using their refined sense […]
Reading Time: 5 minutes Pet caretakers often relate to their dogs in a manner that’s most closely akin to a parent-child relationship. However, while we may view our dogs as our “fur kids,” in day-to-day living it’s likely we’ll encounter ongoing reminders of just how much “dog” they actually are. It’s there, in the contrast of who we expect […]
Reading Time: 5 minutes By Mikkel Becker, CBCC-KA, KPA CTP, CDBC, CPDT-KA, CTC We share our hearts and homes with our feline friends. However, as undeniably deep as the connection with our cats goes, there are certain aspects of our lives that simply can’t be shared. That’s because as much as we love our cats (and believe they love […]
Reading Time: 3 minutes For 13 years, my dog Rio has loved catching treats I toss him. That food-motivated Lab mix excels at watching a piece of kibble fly through the air toward his face and snatching it with his mouth mid-flight. Occasionally my throw is off, and the treat will hit the top of his head or land […]
Reading Time: 3 minutes When I first became aware of the concept of “catifying” a house, I fell in love with the idea of my cats having a place to not only live, but to thrive. I asked two experts in cats and design for their tips on making a house that’s comfortable for and welcoming to cats. “Catification […]
Reading Time: 2 minutes Rabbits are among the most popular of pets other than cats and dogs, but there’s still a lot the average bunny owner may not know about bringing out their friendly side. A recent study can shed light on what you need to know about spay/neuter status, gender, size, how the rabbits were bred and raised, […]
Reading Time: < 1 minutes The phrase “fighting like cats and dogs” isn’t really accurate. In our experience, cats and dogs can become best friends–if they’re introduced properly. This handout provides guidelines on ways to set up your household to facilitate introductions, keep cats safe during the meet-and-greet, avoid mistakes, and ensure that everyone gets their fair share of attention.
Reading Time: 5 minutes While I hate exercising in general, walking our Poodle mix Dorie around our neighborhood is a pleasure because I love seeing all of her senses engaged. She’s sniffing the air, sniffing the ground, holding her cottony tail high, and like the Terminator, constantly scanning for enemies. Squirrels and grackles both incite Dorie’s wrath, but by […]
Reading Time: < 1 minutes It’s job number one (and number two) for new puppies: Learning where to “go potty.” It might seem difficult, but we have three magic tips that will ensure a winning training program for both of you: consistency, scheduling, and praise. In our handout, we offer advice on how to set up a routine, avoid mistakes, […]
Reading Time: < 1 minutes It’s a never-ending conflict: Your cat jumps onto the kitchen counter or dining room table, you tell her to get off, and she ignores you. It doesn’t have to be that way. In our handout, we explain why cats are attracted to these areas and the best ways to “purr-suade” them to perch elsewhere.