The home of Dr Platzhund
The advancements in veterinary medicine, the quality of scientifically formulated pet foods, the increase in devoted ownership and modern city dwellings where animals are far more restricted has improved the longevity of companion animals to the extent that geriatric care has become a major aspect of veterinary science where proactive senior programmes are in place …
An alarming percentage of city dog owners complain to veterinarians regularly about the phobic panic behaviour exhibited by their pets during thunderstorms and fireworks displays. Thunderstorms are obviously the most severe and frequent in the highveld region and fireworks will never be banned due to economic reasons and the pleasure it affords certain people. Fireworks …
What most people desire is the ability to influence their dogs to eagerly perform acceptable behaviour patterns by showing positive leadership skills without expressing dominance or control over all types of resources. We might want our dog to always come when called. We might want our dog to lie down and remain put until further …
Establishing Leadership Over A Dog And Modifying Behaviour Without Force Read More »
When a family takes on the raising of a puppy it is not a simple process. Puppies are complex, highly impressionable creatures with a very short window period wherein the best possible effects can be engendered in their minds by interactions with all members of the household. Hillary Clinton was quoted as saying that it …
Castration is the same surgical procedure as neutering or sterilization where both testes are removed. In technical terms it is referred to as an orchidectomy and is a minor operation carried out only by a qualified veterinarian, under general anaesthetic, under strict aseptic conditions. The basic principle of this technique is to remove 99% of …
The Behavioural Effects and Health Benefits of Castrating Dogs Read More »
The conflict between two rival bitches meets all the definitions that this term, bitchiness, describes which is being “bad-tempered” or “spiteful”. Although this word does not exist in the Oxford dictionary it is used as a household, sometimes derogatory, term in human society and would be anthropomorphic in its true definition if referred to as …
Bitchiness (Rivalry between female dogs is very serious business!) Read More »
From the experiences and perspectives of reputable canine obedience instructors, animal behaviourists and veterinary ethologists one of the most difficult messages to communicate to dog owners as a basic rule of human-canine interaction is to do nothing! The inherent inability for people to learn to do nothing is a clear indication that most humans do …
In this category one considers rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, mice and hamsters which parents often bestow upon children as a foundation and grooming in the pet-owning responsibilities department. These creatures are mostly regarded in nature as prey and as vermin or laboratory animals in human society. However, these relatively inexpensive lagomorphs and rodents make the …
Often a situation arises where a dog owning family or single pet person decides to introduce a friend for companionship. Reasons may include the readiness of the person in charge to acquire a second responsibility; sometimes a child reaches an age when he/she wants a companion animal of their own; when some people are more …
Introducing a second dog to a single dog household Read More »
Any dog that jumps up at people is regarded as having bad manners, is a downright irritation and has never been recognized by its owner as a public nuisance. In most cases the individual dog has the inherent propensity to jump which is then reinforced by the human attention, whether it is encouragement or rejection, …