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Educational Articles

Behavior & Training

  • African grey parrots are highly intelligent birds and are now commonly bred in captivity as pets. The African grey has a charming personality and is recognized as one of the best talkers among all pet parrots. It is important to keep these smart birds busy, as boredom can lead to problems, such as feather picking and screaming. African greys require regular, preventative veterinary health checkups.

  • Aggression may be defined as any threatening or harmful behavior directed toward another individual or group. There are many causes of aggression in dogs, including underlying illness, pain, fear, anxiety and frustration. Aggression at any age and any level should be discussed with your veterinarian.

  • An agility trial is a competitive canine sporting event where dogs of various breeds navigate obstacles and are judged on speed and accuracy. Agility training can be a fun activity with many benefits for you and your dog.

  • With a little effort, a lot of patience, the advice of veterinary professionals, and a new anxiety wrap, you and your dog may successfully weather the storm. Take some preventive steps to help distract your dog during storms and use food or toy rewards to make the time less stressful.

  • Several products are available to help with behavior management in cats. Various products promote play and exercise, provide cognitive stimulation, allow safe outdoor exploration, and assist with anxiety or undesirable behavior (as part of your veterinarian's treatment program for these problems).

  • Foraging toys are designed to provide mental and physical exercise and enjoyment by simulating hunting and seeking for food. Both dogs and cats are natural hunters and scavengers. They benefit from exercising this part of their brain on a regular basis. Providing enrichment in the form of foraging toys can decrease boredom, improve enjoyment, and encourage dogs and cats to engage in species-specific behaviors in a desirable way.

  • Mini-pigs are very social animals. Understanding their need for attention and their social interactions with the human family or another pet pig is essential to keeping your pet happy. Outdoor activities in a safe, fenced-in yard are helpful and enriching for your pet mini-pig.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.