Animal Medical Hospital’s Blog

It may seem counterintuitive, but the best way to get what you want is to ignore the things you don’t. This is true in so many aspects of life, but especially so in the world of dog ownership.

Without a doubt, getting to the root of dog behavior isn’t always as straightforward. And yet, there are multiple ways you can encourage positive dog behavior at home – and in public. 

They Can’t Help It (Most of the Time)

Dogs don’t always look for trouble, but they certainly find it from time to time. At the intersection of curiosity and opportunity, dogs might do things that go against our wishes. The trick is, though, that most of them don’t even realize they’re misbehaving.

Most cats aren’t shy about their attachments to certain routines. They dislike when their food is switched up, when meal times vary, and under no circumstances are they keen on going to the bathroom in strange places. Furthermore, don’t even attempt to throw curveballs at them regarding their preferred type of litter! 

Indeed, cats have very strong opinions about how their litter box looks, feels, and smells. But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to transition them to a new normal, especially if the changes benefit the entire household.

If you have had a pet destroy your sneakers, obliterate your television remote, or shed your furniture, you aren’t alone. Animals, as endearing as they are, can be a bit inconsiderate.

Destructive pets can be a problem for your home and a danger to themselves. Thankfully there are some things that you can do to help curb chewing and other unwanted behavior.

Derailing Destructive Pets

When dealing with a destructive pet, it is important to realize that some of these behaviors may be perfectly normal. Dogs dig and chew, cats scratch, and nothing we do as humans is likely to change this. 

When we acknowledge these behaviors as somewhat normal, we can then provide an acceptable outlet for them. Consider:

Do you ever wonder what your pup’s thinking when they perk up their ears, or suddenly wag and stick up their tail when a new dog comes along? I think most dog owners agree that their pets are very expressive, but what they are thinking is still a mystery to most.

The team at Animal Medical Hospital & 24-Hour Urgent Care explored the body language of our canine friends, so that you can better understand their cues.

What Is Your Dog’s Body Language Saying

Understanding your pet’s body language helps when you are taking them out into the wide world. The outside is full of situations in which you can better know your pet and their response to stimuli, whether that’s an approaching stranger, the sound of a bird, or a friendly dog who wants to play.

Here are some basic examples of typical body language and what they mean.

As much as we love our dogs, there are things they do that make us cringe. Raiding the bathroom trash can, rolling in dead animals, and licking their own backsides comes to mind. But nothing beats dogs who eat poop.

If you’ve been sitting calming on the couch, minding your own business, and been the recipient of a “litter box kiss” from your dog, just know you’re not alone. The somewhat common behavior of eating out of the litter box is one that – although high on the ick factor list – is not usually something to worry about. 

Keep reading as Animal Medical Hospital & 24 Hour Urgent Care breaks down the facts about dogs who eat poop.

Summer may be winding down, but we still have plenty of nice weather left in Charlotte and plenty of time left to fit in more outdoor fun with your furry best friend. For many pet owners, dog parks offer a place for their pups to run free, socialize, and get their wiggles out. 

Just like in any other public space, there are rules of etiquette that should be observed in a dog park – both for you and your dog. Nobody wants to be that dog owner, so make sure you have a handle on proper dog park etiquette before you go.

If you have a talkative dog, you may have found yourself wondering (or yelling), “What the heck is all that barking about?” Animal Medical Hospital & 24 Hour Urgent Care knows that all that yapping can be a little annoying at times, but dog barking is actually a very important part of being canine.

The Purpose of Dog Barking

A dog barking is just as natural as a human talking. Dog barking is one way that our canid friends communicate with us and each other. Different barks and sounds mean different things. 

If your dog is barking a lot, chances are they are trying to communicate one of the following:

The image of a small child and a devoted family dog is a powerful one. At Animal Medical Hospital & 24 Hour Urgent Care, we witness the magic of children and their pets almost daily. There are even scientific studies supporting improvements in emotional skills, reading and cognition, decreased risk of allergies, and improved immune system function in children who are exposed to animals.

Of course, there is a right and a wrong way to do things. While kids and pets make an amazing match, it is important to be sure that we are responsible and safe when putting them together.

If you own a dog, you know there’s a reason they’re referred to as “man’s best friend.” It seems like dogs are always happy to see us, and sometimes, it may feel as if your dog can actually read your mind!

Although the bond between humans and their canine companions is remarkable, there are plenty of times when our pets reminds us they are, in fact, a different species. Let’s take a moment to examine some weird dog behaviors and what may be causing them.

It’s inaccurate to say that all domestic felines detest getting wet, but it’s not far from the truth. Sure, there are some delightful cats out there that, we can only assume, never got the memo about hightailing it far, far away from a running faucet. But for the most part, cats experience intrinsic, and often hilarious, reactions to the elixir of life.

Just when you thought you had them all figured out, we offer some insight regarding why cats hate water.