Questions tagged [instinct]
How do I handle my dog’s fear of kitesurfing during beach trips?
Category: Travel and Adventure
Handling a dog's fear of kitesurfing during beach trips requires a combination of understanding, patience, and gradual desensitization. Dogs can develop fears of specific stimuli, such as the sight and sound of kitesurfing, due to their heightened senses and natural instincts. Below is a detailed gu...
What are the ethical concerns around breeding dogs for specific protective instincts?
Category: Ethical Breeding
Breeding dogs for specific protective instincts raises several ethical concerns that must be carefully considered. These concerns revolve around the welfare of the dogs, the impact on their behavior, and the potential consequences for both the animals and the people who interact with them. Below is ...
What are the benefits of spaying or neutering for reducing digging behavior?
Category: Spaying/Neutering
Spaying or neutering can have a significant impact on reducing digging behavior in dogs, particularly when the behavior is driven by hormonal or reproductive instincts. Here is a detailed explanation of how and why this works, along with practical advice and considerations. 1. Direct Response to th...
What should I do if the mother dog ignores her puppies?
Category: Whelping
If a mother dog ignores her puppies, it is a serious situation that requires immediate attention. This behavior can stem from various causes, including health issues, stress, lack of maternal instinct, or environmental factors. Below is a detailed guide on how to address this issue, including steps ...
What should you do if a mother dog rejects her puppies?
Category: Reproduction and Breeding
If a mother dog rejects her puppies, it is a serious situation that requires immediate attention. Rejection can occur for various reasons, including health issues, stress, lack of maternal instincts, or complications during birth. Here is a detailed guide on how to handle this situation, including p...
How do you handle a dog that is overly protective of her puppies?
Category: Reproduction and Breeding
Handling a dog that is overly protective of her puppies requires a careful, patient, and informed approach. Maternal instincts in dogs are strong, and it is natural for a mother dog to be protective of her puppies. However, excessive protectiveness can lead to aggression, making it difficult for own...
How can a dog's mental health be improved through scent-based games?
Category: Mental Health
Improving a dog's mental health through scent-based games is an excellent approach, as dogs have an incredibly powerful sense of smell, which is one of their primary ways of interacting with the world. Scent-based games tap into their natural instincts, providing mental stimulation, reducing boredom...
What are the best ways to introduce enrichment activities to a dog?
Category: Mental Health
Introducing enrichment activities to a dog is an excellent way to improve their mental and physical well-being, reduce boredom, and prevent behavioral issues. Enrichment activities stimulate a dog's natural instincts, such as foraging, problem-solving, and exploring, while also providing an outlet f...
Why do dogs bark at their own toys when they shake?
Category: Communication
Dogs barking at their own toys while shaking them is a behavior rooted in their natural instincts, play patterns, and communication methods. This behavior can be explained through a combination of evolutionary biology, canine psychology, and individual personality traits. Below is a detailed explana...
Why do dogs bark at their own toys when they move unexpectedly?
Category: Communication
Dogs barking at their own toys when they move unexpectedly is a behavior rooted in their instincts, sensory perception, and emotional responses. This reaction can be attributed to several factors, including their natural prey drive, curiosity, and sometimes even confusion or surprise. Below, I will ...