Blog
Puppy Mills: Tough Life for Dogs
The following is a feature story that appeared in Best Friends magazine. By Elizabeth Oreck Every year at this time, families across the country look forward to the tradition of enjoying Frank Capra’s “It’s a Wonderful Life,” a timeless holiday classic. And while we revel in this heartwarming tale of human compassion and salvation, we…
How to do CPR on your Dog
Here’s a huge collection of printable posters to keep up around your house, apartment, or office. These posters explain how to do cpr on a dog and other animals, plus more information about choking and the Heimlich maneuver for dogs. These can save your pet’s life. How to do CPR on a dog: Another on…
Well-Mannered Dog: Training, Play, Socialization
Well-Mannered Dog: Training, Play, Socialization By Sherry Woodard, Best Friends animal behavior consultant If you want a well-trained, well-mannered, well-socialized dog, interact multiple times every day with your dog, with the goal of building a foundation of trust and a healthy relationship. All dogs benefit from learning and practicing skills daily. Keep all interaction fun;…
Benefits of Relationship Based Dog Training
Relationship-Based Dog Training: Benefits By Best Friends’ behavior consultants The behavior consultants at Best Friends have found that animal training built on a trusting relationship is the most kind — and also the most effective — method of training. When you have a trusting, cooperative relationship with an animal (whether it’s a dog, cat, parrot,…
Cat Behavior Modification and Counter-Conditioning
Cat Behavior Modification and Counter-Conditioning Your cat can be easily stressed or frightened by all sorts of things that happen in or around your home. The behavior modification techniques of desensitization and counter-conditioning can help your feline to be happier and more well-adjusted. These terms may sound technical, but the techniques themselves are user-friendly. What…
Cat Crate Training Instructions and Tips
Cat Crate Training: Instructions and Tips By Sherry Woodard, Best Friends animal behavior consultant By training your cat to relax in a crate, both you and your cat will have less stress when you need to put her in a crate. Trips to see the family vet, for instance, are a lot less anxiety-provoking. Having…
How to Calm Anxious Cats
Cat Scared of Strangers: How to Calm Anxious Cats Cats may be fearful of strangers or visitors for several reasons. A common reason is lack of experience with visitors when they were kittens. If cats were not introduced to different people during their socialization period (three to nine weeks of age), they may be more…
Bringing a New Dog Home: Preventing Problems
Bringing a New Dog Home: Preventing Problems By Sherry Woodard, Best Friends animal behavior consultant Before you bring your new dog home, there are a number of ways that you can prepare for the new addition to your family. First, before you pick up your new pet, get the dog an ID tag with your information…
Choosing a Pet: Kittens and Cats
Choosing a Pet Kittens or cats Contrary to popular opinion, many cats are social animals and love attention. Though most cats don’t require as much attention as dogs, they still need play time and petting on a daily basis. Spending time every day with your kitty can be the difference between a happy cat and…
Choosing a Pet: Puppies and Dogs
Choosing a Pet Puppies or dogs Dogs are very social creatures; they aren’t happy left outside or chained up in the yard alone all the time. If you are thinking about getting a dog, make sure you’re going to be able to spend several hours a day with him or her. Also, consider carefully what…