Dogs - Behaviour

Your puppy’s first month at home is the most crucial developmental period in their life. This short, make or break period will determine whether they will grow into a well-mannered and good natured

Aggression is the most serious, dangerous and one of the most common behavioural problems that dog owners may need to deal with, and sadly, a leading cause of euthanasia in our pets.

Our dog trainers at Vetwest understand how difficult it can be to manage a misbehaving dog. No matter whether you generally have a good dog that needs to learn a few more manners, or you have a dog

As part of canine life there will many opportunities (some invited, some uninvited) for your dog to meet other dogs when they are out and about or even at home. Introducing your pet to new friends in the right way will prevent future anxiety problems.

Chewing is a very natural behaviour for dogs but when your favourite couch or pair of shoes is on the receiving end, then it maybe time to explore chew toys for your pet.

Chewing is a normal behaviour for puppies to investigate their environment. Dogs that chew may also be scavenging for food, playing, teething or satisfying a natural urge to chew and gnaw

Teaching your dog to come when called is one of the most important lessons they will ever learn. It is important to understand as with all training of pups, that teaching tricks will take time and patience.

Confining your dog to a play area with their toys is akin to putting a young child in its playpen; while teaching your dog to relax and sleep in their crate or bed would be similar to putting your baby in their crib when it's time for bedtime or a nap.

For adult dogs or older puppies that have not been crate trained previously, set up the crate in the dog's feeding area with the door open for a few days. Place food, treats, and water in the crate so that the dog enters the crate on their own.

Crate training is a great way of keeping puppies safe when unsupervised and is a highly effective tool to fast track toilet training

It's important to understand why dogs love to dig. Dogs dig for several reasons including to find or bury food, to make a cool spot to lie in, for enjoyment and in some cases when they are anxious.

Most puppies have an unbelievable amount of energy to burn. When left to their own vices, an energetic puppy can become a very unpopular member of the family.

Sometimes, despite your best efforts to monitor their interactions, dogs get into fights. To reduce the likelihood of injury to all parties, we describe the best methods for ending a dog fight quickly and safely.

One of the more common theories is that dogs, in particular, use grass for medicinal purposes to help them vomit. Other claims include eradicating intestinal parasites, a result of a dietary deficiency or just because they enjoy the taste of it.

What signs does my dog show if he has a storm phobia? Storm phobias can cause many different problem behaviors. Some of the more common signs are escape (sometimes resulting in injury), inappropriate

Dogs that soil the home continuously or intermittently from the time they were first obtained may not have been properly house-trained. Dogs that have been previously house-trained may begin to soil the home for medical reasons or behavioural reasons.

When you bring a new puppy into your home there will be a period of adjustment. Your goals are to help your puppy to quickly bond to his/her new family, and to minimise the stress associated with leaving his/her mother, litter mates, and former home.

Most dog owners have experienced that awkward moment when guests arrive and the family dog – full of love and joy – begins sniffing at the guests in all the wrong places. You’ll be relieved to know

Older dogs are likely to develop an increasing number of medical and degenerative problems as they age. Any of the organ systems can be affected and play a role in the development of a wide variety

Like many canine behaviours, the male dog is protecting his pack from intruders (specifically other canines). That's why some male dogs will start marking at the addition of a new member of the family, either the two or four legged variety.

Begging can be considered either endearing or a nuisance depending on your viewpoint and situation. If your canine is causing a nuisance at meal time here are some helpful tips on how to deal with your little beggar.

So you are about to move house and concerned about settling your pets into their new environment. Here are some handy tips on making the transition stress free and as safe as possible for your pet.

Your pup should learn it is not appropriate to bite or mouth people while he/she is young. Adult teeth in much stronger jaws can do significantly more damage; so teaching appropriate behaviour now is in everyone's best interest.

You should expose your puppy to as many of the things he/she is likely to encounter as an adult as possible. Here's how you can have peace of mind for your pet's safety and give them adequate opportunities to socialise.

Separation anxiety is one of the most common, yet most undiagnosed behavioural problems in dogs.

Socialisation is the special learning process that allows dogs to learn to live in society. They learn to accept the close proximity of people as well as other dogs and animals. This article written by animal behaviour expert Dr Kersti Seksel discusses socialisation.

Ideally you should expose your puppy to as many of the things he/she is likely to encounter as an adult as possible. Whether it be with other boisterous puppies, excitable (friendly) adult dogs, children, loud people, loud noises or even the sound of traffic.

There's nothing more wonderful than coming home to an affectionate puppy or dog. But a boisterous jumping dog can be an issue!

By nature, dogs are playful and it’s not uncommon for them to occasionally chase their tails. It can become a problem, however, when it becomes repetitive, excessive, causes injury or interrupts your

Gain your puppy's attention using our name game, then following up with sit and stay commands. Read tips on how to make your training sessions successful.

Why dogs wag their tails There’s a long-held myth that cats wag their tails when they’re angry, and dogs when they’re happy. But this isn’t always true. Dogs’ tails have a number of different

Your puppy has no choice about going to the toilet, it's the most natural thing in the world. When they first start out they have very little bladder and bowel control just like human babies and often "holding on" is not possible.

If your dog likes to kick up a bit of dirt after he/she goes to the toilet, it is completely normal. There are several philosophies as to why dogs carry out this amusing but seemingly pointless act. The most likely explanation; it provides a way for a dog to mark their territory.

Your new companion is at a very impressionable age. Learning and exposure to new experiences now will shape your pet's behaviour for life. Setting clear rules and boundaries from day one is important.

A well trained dog is a pleasure to own and a valued part of the family. Ideally your dog's training should start as early as possible, as puppies learn very quickly and are yet to learn bad habits. However it is never too late to learn and you will find that even old dogs can learn new tricks!

If your dog is showing signs of anxiety each time they visit the veterinarian then practice visits are a great way to make a trip to the vet less stressful. Depending on the level of anxiety your pet experiences, follow each of the steps below, providing rewards and praise after completing each step.

It’s time to set the record straight and sort the fact from the fiction. “Dominant” is one of the most common descriptive words thrown around when talking about dogs. It is often quoted to be the

Coprophagia is a term which refers to consumption of faeces. Yes, you read right, eating one's own poop. In dogs, while coprophagia appears to be purely behavioural, there are indeed numerous medical problems that can cause or contribute to coprophagia.