Educational Articles

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• Behavior Modification: TTouch®

  Tellington TTouch is a technique developed by Linda Tellington-Jones for conditioning relaxation through gentle massage. The technique can be used in behavior modification programs designed to treat stress and anxiety in people and many species of animals.

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• Bite Wounds in Dogs

  Bites wounds are one of the most common reasons dogs are seen for emergency appointments with their veterinarians. The dog's teeth and jaws are very powerful and the wounds they inflict can crush or tear muscles and skin, penetrate through the chest wall and cause lung collapse, or cause serious or fatal damage to intestinal organs. All bite wounds are considered to be contaminated and/or infected. Left untreated, the bacteria in an infected bite wound will cause a localized abscess or more generalized cellulitis that spreads through the surrounding area. All bite wounds should be treated by a veterinarian as soon as possible. Treatment will depend on the extent of the injuries, your dog's general health, and the location of the wounds.

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• Biting and Screaming in Birds

  Some behaviors natural to birds can be problematic for their owners, who often inadvertently reinforce them. The first step is understanding the cause behind your bird's biting or screaming. If your bird is otherwise healthy and his environmental needs are met, positive reinforcement training is the most effective method for managing undesirable behaviors.

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• Bringing Home Your New Kitten

  Transitioning to a new home is a big step for even the most playful and outgoing kitten. Prior to bringing your kitten home, make sure you have all the items your kitten will need. Slowly introduce your kitten to your home, family members, and other cats or dogs in the home. Begin training your kitten as soon as your she is comfortable with all the members of your household.

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• Can Old Dogs Learn New Tricks?

  Even though young pups may be more actively curious, dogs never stop learning. In fact, adult dogs are often easier to train than their younger canine friends. Older dogs are not as easily distracted as pups and can focus for longer periods of time. Teaching and learning new tricks can be a fun pastime for you and your dog, no matter your respective ages.

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• Canine Cognition: How Smart Are Dogs?

  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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• Canine Communication: Interpreting Dog Language

  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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• Cat Adoption: Bonded Pairs

  A bonded pair consists of two cats that thrive when kept together. Shelters recognize the benefits of housing and adopting out bonded pairs together. Potential cat owners should consider the pros and cons and make an educated decision regarding their adoption options. Caring for two cats means a commitment of more time and money, but it may also mean more joy.

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• Cat Behavior and Training: Cat Neutering and Behavior

  Cats that are kept for companionship are typically neutered (castrated), unless they are intended to be used as breeding stock. Neutering prevents accidental or indiscriminate breeding and reduces the frequency of undesirable sexual behaviors, such as mounting and marking.

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• Cat Behavior and Training: Crate Training and Travel

  Training your cat in advance for travel is ideal. Positive reinforcement training helps build good associations and makes travel safer and easier. Veterinary advice is sometimes needed for cats who become ill or are frightened during crate training or travel.

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