Posts in Category: Training & Behavior

When a pet figures out the link between begging and a food reward, you have reached a point of no return. From then on, pets might resort to begging to get what they want, despite owner exasperation and impatience. It works because they look so cute doing it (and all we want is to make them happy), but there are many reasons why owners should discourage begging. In fact, training a pet not to beg is actually better for their overall health and well-being.  

It’s a fact of nature that dogs bark. Some more than others. What happens, though, when excessive barking starts to affect your relationship with your pet? Mobile Vet M.D. has the answers you need about how to stop dog barking.

It’s not just the alliteration that makes the term “crazy cat” ring true. Cats are, or at least have the daily potential to be, in a word, crazy. That’s why we love them! Whether they’re climbing the curtains or waiting to ambush you when you least expect it, cats can be unpredictable and a tad zany. Of their incredible physical skills, the zoomies, or sudden bursts of energetic, wild-eyed zipping about, are either misunderstood or marginally tolerated. Because the zoomies come with territory, we’d like to explain this crazy cat behavior in order to help you better appreciate it. 

Welcoming a new puppy into your home is an exciting time. This time comes with lots of getting to know one another and setting some expectations for living together. Puppy potty training can be an intimidating part of this new journey, but Mobile Vet M.D. hopes our pro tips will make it a little less overwhelming for both of you. 

It’s well known that canine obedience training helps dogs and their people understand each other. When dogs know what’s expected of them, their eager-to-please approach goes into overdrive. In this way, dog training contributes to their overall happiness and well-being. However, when dogs demonstrate mastery over even the most basic commands, their owners can have confidence that their pup’s health and safety also stays within reach.

Cats are known to feel and exhibit a wide array of emotions, and their behaviors definitely mirror how they feel. For example, a happy, confident cat will simply appear content and satisfied. Likewise, a stressed-out, scared, or anxious cat will conduct themselves in ways that aim for self-preservation and protection. Cat anxiety occurs for many reasons, but with support and understanding, symptoms can be supplanted by happy kitty vibes. 

Imagine going about your day, and suddenly a five-dollar bill fell from the sky. You go towards it, but before you get there, someone says, “leave it!” only for you to turn around and see they have ten five-dollar bills. This is the basic training concept behind teaching your dog how to “leave it.” 

Your team at Mobile Vet M.D. knows that lots of dogs would be tempted to go for that first reward even on their way to collect the bigger one. But, we also know that teaching your dog to leave it could potentially save their life!

It’s not a “Napoleon complex,” and small dogs aren’t destined to a life of yapping, nipping, or growling. You shouldn’t have to live with a little tyrant either! The Mobile Vet M.D. team knows no dog is born aggressive, which means all aggression is learned. In small breeds, it is often learned via scary experiences and then unknowingly reinforced by the people who love them most. With proper exercise and regular wellness exams, we can make sure that your small dog is living large so you can both enjoy all of your time together.

It’s not the end of the world, but it can be inconvenient or embarrassing when a dog pees where they shouldn’t. Spontaneous urination is a common occurrence in younger or newly adopted dogs. While it’s usually just a sign that they need more training, a dog that pees when excited needs patience and support. 

There’s a lot to consider when it comes to your cat’s health. Of course, you’ll want to be sure they’re eating the right food for their age and lifestyle, exercising every day, and standing up to year round parasites. But to truly address feline wellness, it’s crucial to look at the entire animal. In other words, a happy cat is a healthy cat.