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• Do Dogs Understand Our Conversations?

  Dogs have an uncanny ability to process human language using both the left and right sides of the brain. Dogs can build a significant vocabulary. Much like a human infant, dogs recognize intonation and body language to interpret a word’s meaning. Combining vocabulary with perception of tone and body language enhances a dog’s ability to communicate with humans.

• Do I Need a Trainer or a Behaviorist?

  Behavior problems with your dog may need to be addressed by a trainer, certified animal behaviorist, or boarded veterinary behaviorist. Determining what level of help you need depends on the problem and if medical issues have been ruled out. Behavioral problems can take time and patience is a must.

• Does My Cat Need a Root Canal?

  When a tooth is broken with the pulp exposed, there are only two choices for treatment: root canal therapy or extraction. Root canal therapy involves removing the pulp from the center of an injured tooth, sterilizing the canal, and replacing the removed pulp with dental materials; this prevents bacteria from penetrating the center of the tooth. Root canal therapy is less invasive than extraction but requires advanced training and specialized equipment.

• Does My Dog Love Me?

  Dogs love their owners unconditionally and science has proven as much. Their senses of smell and hearing are intensely tied to their recognition of their family members.

• Does My Dog Need a Root Canal?

  When a tooth is broken with the pulp exposed, there are only two choices for treatment: root canal therapy or extraction. Root canal therapy involves removing the pulp from the center of an injured tooth, sterilizing the canal, and replacing the removed pulp with dental materials; this prevents bacteria from penetrating the center of the tooth. Root canal therapy is less invasive than extraction but requires advanced training and specialized equipment.

• Dog Behavior and Training: Air and Car Travel

  Training your dog in advance for travel is the ideal situation. Positive reinforcement training can be used to help dogs relax so that they can travel calmly and safely. Medications can be helpful for dogs who become physically ill or experience anxiety when traveling.

• Dog Behavior and Training: Cleaning Ears

  Ear and body handling are essential skills for every dog. Teaching trust and comfort for ear handling is best done before an infection occurs. Training for ear handling should be done when the ears are not painful. Using sedation and anesthesia is always a good idea for painful ears.

• Dog Behavior and Training: Dominance, Alpha, and Pack Leadership - What Does It Really Mean?

  Dogs are not wolves living in our homes. But even if they were, dominance theory and alpha theory would not apply, just as they do not apply to wolves. Dogs do the behaviors that work and using management, prevention, supervision, and positive reinforcement is the best way to create a dog you love.

• Dog Behavior and Training: Introducing a New Dog to Your Family Dog

  Before making the decision to bring a new dog into your household, there are some important factors to consider, including compatibility with your current dog, how they will be introduced, and what additional training will be required to ensure a harmonious multi-dog home.

• Dog Behavior and Training: Neutering and Behavior

  Most male animals (stallions, bulls, boars, rams, dogs, and tomcats) that are kept for companionship, work, or food production are neutered (castrated) unless they are intended to be used as breeding stock. Since castration will influence a dog's behavior, every dog owner should consult with their veterinarian about the health impacts of castration for their individual dog.