behavior

Grouchy Canines: Dogs Who Growl or Snap

By: Lilian Akin, CPDT If your dog recently growled or snapped, you may be wondering why. After all, you may have done your research and made sure you adopted the best dog for your family. Does this sudden behavior change … →

Adopting Two Dogs is Twice as Nice

Adopting a dog can be one the biggest blessings in life. Imagine how much better that blessing would be if you took two dogs home instead of one! The staff at Animal Friends are always working hard to place all … →

Crate Training

Imagine going to stay with a new family. You’re in a strange place, and nobody speaks your language. Think about what would go through your mind: Where’s the bathroom? Where do I sleep? Will I have my own room? Every … →

Clicker Training Can Help Your Pet

Have you ever watched a wild animal show at theme or marine life parks and found it fascinating? Watching eager dolphins leap through hoops; happy parrots chortle away show tunes; and menacing lions, tigers, and bears play so gently with … →

Dominance vs. Leadership in Dog Training

Given the popularity of the Dog Whisperer, many dog lovers have many questions about the concept of “dominance”. Most of us who have championed positive methods of dog training are up in arms about Cesar Milan’s fame and continued use … →

Letters to Litterbox Lenny

Lenny, a wise feline who aspires to be like Dr. Phil, specializes in providing support and advice to cats who need guidance regarding sensitive litterbox issues. Below, you’ll find letters from felines in need of a little straight talk about … →

Cats and Agility Training

They said the earth was flat.They said man would never walk on the moon.They said you cannot train a cat. They were wrong! A new form of competition is attesting to cats’ great ability to learn. Cat agility is popping … →

Adopting Two Cats Is Twice As Nice

When you adopt two cats, you soon find that you can’t imagine life without them.  There are many benefits to keeping two cats. • Having a constant playmate to chase and wrestle with helps keep cats lively, well-exercised and healthy.  … →

Thinking of Declawing? Why Cats Have Claws … and How to Live With Them

Have you considered declawing your cat as an easy way to protect your furniture? Before taking this irreversible step, you should understand how declawing works and what it means for both you and your cat. Scratching is a healthy and … →

The Ins and Outs (and Overs and Unders!) of Cat Play: Why Cats Need Play Therapy

Cats need to play! As newborns, kittens play with littermates to test their skills and learn social behavior. When they’re around three months old, cats begin to play with objects. Kittens will play with just about anything they can kick, … →