Archives for general behavior

Kitten-proofing your home

Kitten-proofing your home

February 15, 2018 | Comments Off on Kitten-proofing your home

[print-me] When bringing a kitten home, there are a few easy steps that you can follow to keep your little bundle of fluff safe in their new environment. It’s best to take a look around before you bring your kitten home. The real secret to kitten-proofing is to look at your home through the eyes of a cat. Find everything that looks like a fun toy, and if it’s something harmful, get rid of it or make it safe. Having her home prepared for her arrival will make the transition much easier for all of you! Look around your house
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Cat Toys For Fun and Enrichment

Cat Toys For Fun and Enrichment

February 15, 2018 | Comments Off on Cat Toys For Fun and Enrichment

[print-me] Cats, like people and dogs, benefit from keeping fit and active, both mentally and physically. Exercise is essential for your cat’s mental and physical health because it relieves stress and boredom, improves circulation, builds muscle tone and can prevent or reduce behavioral problems. So, we need to get our cats up and moving, and there’s no better way to coax out their natural instincts to stalk and chase prey than by engaging them with toys. Types of Toys for Fun and Games Wand Toys A wand toy can be as simple as a stick with a thin piece of
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Bringing your new cat home

Bringing your new cat home

February 15, 2018 | Comments Off on Bringing your new cat home

[print-me] Congratulations on finding your new best friend! Here are some tips to help guide you through the first few days after bringing your new cat home! It’s important to remember that your new cat could be frightened and confused, even if they were happy and outgoing when you met them at the shelter. Cats like routine and to have control over their environment, so it may take them a few days to feel the safety and comfort that they felt in the den they had created for themselves at the shelter. For these reasons, we suggest that you set
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(Re) Housetraining your adult dog

(Re) Housetraining your adult dog

February 15, 2018 | Comments Off on (Re) Housetraining your adult dog

[print-me] Remember that you and your new dog need some time to learn each other’s signals and routines. Even if he was housetrained in his previous home, if you don’t recognize his “bathroom” signal you might miss his request to go out, causing him to eliminate indoors. Therefore, for the first few weeks after you bring your new dog home, you should assume your new dog isn’t housetrained and start from scratch. Establish a Routine Take your dog out at the same times every day. For example, first thing in the morning when he wakes up, when you arrive home
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Puppy Socialization

Puppy Socialization

February 15, 2018 | Comments Off on Puppy Socialization

[print-me] In bringing home a puppy, you are also opening up a new world to that puppy. Getting it socialized with a wide variety of people, places, sounds and things will be huge in their development. It will help the puppy to be confident and unafraid as it approaches new and strange things throughout their life. The most critical socialization window occurs before the age of 12 weeks, and that window is considered to be closing by 5 months. The puppy will gain confidence quicker and easier if it is socialized during this time frame. Keep in mind that socializing
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Bringing your new dog home

Bringing your new dog home

February 15, 2018 | Comments Off on Bringing your new dog home

[print-me] Congratulations on your new dog! Below is some need to know information that will help you transition your new dog into your home and family. The Initial Adjustment Period The First Three Days During the first 72 hours of having your new dog home he or she will be in a heightened state of stress. This is similar to the stress a person might have from getting a new job. Though it’s good stress, it’s still very stressful and consistency, stability and predictability are key to helping your new dog feel comfortable in his new home. During this time,
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