Questions tagged [instincts]
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...
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...
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 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 bounce?
Category: Communication
Dogs barking at their own toys when they bounce is a behavior rooted in their natural instincts, sensory responses, and play drive. This behavior can be explained through a combination of factors, including predatory instincts, excitement, and the way dogs perceive movement and sound. Below is a det...
Why do dogs bark at unfamiliar sounds?
Category: Communication
Dogs bark at unfamiliar sounds as a natural response rooted in their instincts, sensory abilities, and social behavior. This behavior serves multiple purposes, including alerting their pack (or human family) to potential threats, expressing curiosity, or signaling discomfort. Understanding why dogs ...
Why do dogs bark at their own toys when they make unexpected noises?
Category: Communication
Dogs barking at their own toys when they make unexpected noises is a behavior rooted in their instincts, sensory perception, and emotional responses. This reaction can be explained through a combination of factors, including their natural prey drive, curiosity, and the way they process sounds and st...
Why do dogs bark at their own toys when they shake vigorously?
Category: Communication
Dogs barking at their own toys while shaking them vigorously is a behavior rooted in their natural instincts and evolutionary history. This behavior can be explained through a combination of predatory instincts, play behavior, and communication. Below is a detailed explanation of why dogs exhibit th...
Why do dogs bark at their own toys when they move suddenly?
Category: Communication
Dogs barking at their own toys when they move suddenly is a behavior rooted in their instincts, sensory perception, and emotional responses. This behavior can be explained through several factors, including their predatory instincts, play behavior, and the way they process movement and sound. Below ...